Texas Hippie Coalition will release Peacemaker on August 14. The first single from that album is "Turn It Up" and the band just released a video supporting the song. Oh my.
I'm sort of mesmerized by the "Turn It Up" video and I don't know why. I wouldn't necessarily call the song or the video good, per se. It's certainly not inventive. But it's not heinous either. Maybe that means the clip is just bad? By the by, "Turn It Up" isn't party rock along the lines of Poison, but the fun vibe is definitely there. Also, I'm completely over a million strippers in every metal video. Seriously? Can't we find something new to make cliché?
Props to my girl Heather for giving me the tip on this one.
When Heather reordered checks recently, she came across an advertisement for Motley Crue checks. Seriously.
I get being a superfan... but wow. Imagine paying an important bill with a check featuring Nikki Sixx or Mick Mars... it all seems a bit insane to me. I mean, do bank tellers laugh at these checks as they go through their hands? I'm pretty sure I've seen KISS checks before and that is equally bad, but for some reason, I find it more hilarious a proposition to write on Vince Neil's face than, say, the mug of Gene Simmons.
These branded checks -- along with their crappy marketing copy -- both make me laugh and cringe. The marketing copy reads as thus:
Motley Crue are an extremely popular rock band, creating hits from the 80's onward. You can get Motley Crue Personal Checks and other office accessories adorned with the images inspired from their 9th studio album Saints of Los Angeles. Keep Rock'n'Roll alive with Motley Crue Personal Checks in your briefcase.
Banging your head to Motley's hard rocking hits is one thing. But what does that have to do with paying the mortgage and power bill? It seems that just like Gene Simmons, if Nikki Sixx sees a way to make a buck off the Motley brand, he'll do it -- no matter how un-metal the product.
Oh and in case you are wondering... Heather did not select the Motley checks. And remember kids: nothing says rock n' roll more than a briefcase and checkbook.
I love Reckless Love! The band just performed at Download Festival. Someday I vow to get to that festival. In fact, there have already been talks of making it happen in the next couple of years. I want to do Download, Sweden Rock and Soundwave. It will happen. Oh yes, it will.
Photo credit: Kim NordlundSuddenly the last day of Sweden Rock Festival arrived (last Saturday). So far it had been great and since Mötley Crüe were suppose to close the fest, I was of course very excited. Also the sun stopped by Sölvesborg and the weather was great. During the day there were some good bands playing as well, like Girlschool, Electric Boys and Crucified Barbara, but just as the days before it was mainly about the last gig. At least for me.
When Lynyrd Skynyrd finished playing at the main stage it was two and a half hours left to the Mötley show, which for me meant it was time to start crowding. I got a spot by the fence right in front of Mick Mars' side of the stage and then there was waiting, although everyone was in a good mood and time actually went by quite fast. Before we knew it, it was time and Mötley got on stage and kicked it off with ”Wild Side.”
As always with Mötley Crüe, you get a great show. I’ve seen them three times before, last time in London in December with Def Leppard and Steel Panther, so I know what to expect. Funny thing about them is that after every show I’ve seen, I’ve been telling myself nothing can beat that – but they prove me wrong every time. Especially the two last times I’ve seen them. This time it didn’t even matter that it was pretty much the same show that I saw six months ago: it’s still Mötley bringing it and they’re great. Maybe it’s hard for me to be objective since it’s my favorite band, but still. Also I think they were a bit more on fire this time than in London.
Lot of reviews afterward dhon’t agree with me. Other writers are calling Crüe lazy, nonchalant and saying the band’s "all about business." And yes, Vince Neil isn’t a great singer anymore. He is not able to sing everything as he used to and takes a lot of help from the audience. But the high notes are still there. And yes, the setlist is a bit too predictable. It would be fun if they could mix it up, but at the same time they play the songs most people want to hear. I know I wouldn’t appreciate if they didn’t play ”Kickstart My Heart” next time I go see them, even if I’ve heard the song live four times before. To call them lazy and nonchalant because of that? Well, I don’t agree.
The show kept on going, the crowd was going crazy (at least where I was standing) and of course one of the peaks was Tommy Lee's drum solo. Doesn’t matter if you’ve seen it before, it’s so cool. This time a girl named Veronica got the chance to join him and I couldn’t be more jealous. Maybe that should be my new goal in life, to get a ride with Tommy in the Drum Coaster. Although I don’t get why he’s playing to that kind of music, some electro style, but I guess that’s his new thing?
Since Too Fast For Love is my favorite album, I was very happy when they suddenly played ”Piece Of Your Action.” Never heard that one live before and that was probably the highlight for me. As I said, the setlist could use some imagination. Which songs would you want to hear live?
Mötley Crüe setlist:
Wild Side
Live Wire
Too Fast For Love
Saints Of Los Angeles
Shout At The Devil
Don’t Go Away Mad (Just Go Away)
Same Ol’ Situation (S.O.S.)
Looks That Kill
Piece Of Your Action
Primal Scream
Smokin’ In The Boys Room
Drum Solo
Dr. Feelgood
Girls, Girls, Girls
Home Sweet Home
Kickstart My Heart
Photo credit: Kim NordlundSo, to sum it all up, this year’s fest was really great! Since I’m a huge fan of Glam, obviously, this year’s Sweden Rock suited me perfectly. Hopefully they will have just as many Glam and sleaze band next year as well. The promoters need to add Crashdïet and Hardcore Superstar to the lineup. It feels weird being at a rock fest in Sweden without those guys. And yes, I was right when I said the best gig was played the second day. Doesn’t matter how big of a Crüe fan I am, the highlight of the festival was without doubt Sebastian Bach. I’m still laughing when I’m thinking about him singing ”Quack ack ack” and nobody understood what he was doing until after a while. Or when Dee Snider joined him on stage and the band just started to play ”We’re Not Gonna Take It” as an intro, but they ended up playing the whole song with both Bach and Dee on vocals. And then of course the finish with ”Youth Gone Wild,” one of my absolute favorite songs. Amazing!
Alice Cooper just played Bonnaroo last weekend. Amongst the usual songs, the Coop also included a cover of Lady Gaga's "Born This Way." You know what? He rocked it in typical Alice fashion. And Orianthi looks awesome covered in blood!
Rising West is the new band made up of Queensryche members... sans Geoff Tate. The singer is Todd La Torre. The band performed live for the first time a couple days ago. Basically, I am so stoked and I must see this band live. Here are some clips for your enjoyment. You have to admit... this rules.
After the great second day of Sweden Rock Festival, day three had some expectations to live up to. Especially Twisted Sister, after Dee Snider's great performance with Sebastian Bach the night before. And the day for me was mainly about Twisted Sister as well. Yes, it was fun seeing Ugly Kid Joe and yes, Motörhead played a really awesome show, but it was Twisted Sister I was waiting for. And they made the wait worthwhile.
Twisted Sister had the final show of the day at the main stage. The weather wasn’t that great yesterday, but when it was time for Twisted Sister the rain had stopped. And if anyone was cold, it was about to change. Although it started out pretty slow. After a really long intro song, the band hit the stage. They played a few songs and then there was a bit of confusion. Dee was about to present the next song, and it sounded like this: ”We went back to 'Under The Blade...' No, we went ahead... No? (Crowd laughing) F--k, it’s only our second show, give me a break! Now I remember, we’ve never done this one live before!” And then they kicked of ”Wake Up The Sleeping Giant.” Not my favorite, but it was nice hearing the crowd sing a long. After that they really got the show started with ”I Believe In Rock n' Roll” followed by ”You Can’t Stop Rock n' Roll.” The crowd got going and it went on from there. All of the hits everyone wanted to hear, and a lot of love from Twisted Sister to Sweden. Great, great show!
Very short report from yesterday as there are too many great bands playing today so it’s hard being stuck by the computer. Tonight is Mötley Crue and I can’t wait to tell you all about it tomorrow!
Saturday, June 16, 2012 at 12:01AM 
