Jetboy Teases New Album

Jetboy will release a covers album "soon" and it will feature tracks from bands you might not expect. I'm pretty pumped because I dig Hall & Oates, so Jetboy's take on "Rich Girl" is right up my alley.

Back in April, Jetboy dropped a cover of Rainbow's "Since You've Been Gone" which is also a toe tapper. Check out both covers below.

A Poison Surprise In A Netflix Series

So I started watching Tex Mex Motors with Eric a couple days ago. The show just premiered on Netflix and it is already popular. Let me tell you that Eric watches endless car shows. This includes all the big auctions. Heck, we went to a Mecum auction in Indianapolis last month. I'm not so much a fan of car programs, but I do love this Tex Mex show because it is different: the people are truly quirky and likeable, the engine expert is a badass woman and finding the cars to restore is like a treasure hunt. The group on the show buy cheap rusted out rare junkers in Mexico and take them back to El Paso, Texas to make them awesome.

Imagine my surprise when Poison drummer Rikki Rockett shows up as a client to buy a restored Camaro IROC-Z. That just happens to be my dream car too, but I don't have anywhere to put it (two car garage) and I can't imagine it being a daily driver. Plus restored IROCS are crazy expensive these days. I mean, is there any car more glam?

Anyway, the enthusiasm of car scout Scooter on the chance to meet Rikki Rockett is adorable. He's a big Poison fan. No doubt he attended The Stadium Tour and I bet he's come across this blog before. Below is a trailer to the series. I won't spoil any more of it for you.

Metallica: 'If Darkness Had a Son' (The Amsterdam Sessions)

Amazon Music Presents continues to impress me with their special events. The most recent is the video below, which is Metallica performing "If Darkness Had a Son" in Amsterdam.

Metallica did four live performances for Amazon recently and all were released today. All four songs are below the video. While "If Darkness Had a Son" is from the new release 72 Seasons, the band also performed a couple of classics as well.

Yes, Steel Panther Will 'Clean Up' Lyrics For 'America's Got Talent'

In a recent interview with Metal Edge magazine, Steel Panther drummer Stix Zadinia spoke about the band's appearance on America's Got Talent and their process in working through choosing a song for the next round. Apparently, they have the song narrowed down to three choices and recognize they have to modify their lyrics for network television.

The interview also revealed that producers of AGT reached out to Steel Panther about being on the show - so there was no pre-show audition. Scheduling meant the band couldn't compete the first time they were asked. When producers called again, they accepted and admitted they didn't know the show as open to professionals. (I didn't know this either).

I am not sure when round two of America's Got Talent begins, but I'm sure the Panther will tell us in advance via social media!

New Book PSA: 'Don’t Call It Hair Metal: Art in the Excess of ’80s Rock'

This looks fun!

A new book about the Sunset Strip music we all love. Don't Call It Hair Metal: Art in the Excess of ’80s by Sean Kelly came out just a couple weeks ago. Kelly is a music teacher and performer himself. He was in Helix and formed Crash Kelly.

You can click on the book to order from Amazon. It comes in paperback and Kindle. 

From the "about" section of the book, it seems that Kelly defends his love for the genre and really goes into the history and lineages of some of the biggest bands of the era. Apparently this is all nostalgia, all the time and I'm here for it.

I'm adding this book to my reading list. I just have to finish The Crash Detectives: Investigating the World's Most Mysterious Air Disasters by Christine Negroni first. Nonfiction books for the win!

Michael Monroe: Class Act

Today's post is from our friend HIM.

Beyond being one of the best unheralded vocalists—at least in the wider world of what counts as ‘popular’ culture—of his era. Beyond still cranking out good music for his fans at sixty young—though paradoxically hard-lived—years of age. Beyond all that, Monroe always struck me as a down-to-earth fellow, one who knows his place in the pecking order and still strives to deliver the goods.

Then he did this.

There is enough rancor and petty hatred in the world. There are more than enough old grudges that won’t die even if they should and some that, depending on your perspective, deserve to linger on.

Monroe’s simple, and moving, post suggests that we can make peace with almost anything if we are willing to want peace in our life.

Folks, life is short. Tragically so, in some cases. What sort of life do you want to lead, especially when your life is full of both happiness and sorrow?

Hanoi Rocks rocked. So, too, does Monroe. Lucky that we have him around, still making music and still leading by example.

'Separate Ways' -- Live

When a live recording sounds as good as (or better!) than the studio version, you know you're listening to true lyrical talent!

I posted the official video of Daughtry and Lzzy Hale's cover of Journey's "Separate Ways (World's Apart)" a couple months back. Now there is an official live video of the song. Lzzy Hale joined Daughtry on stage at their concert last week at the Royal Albert Hall in London. The performance was shot professionally and the result is below. Good stuff.