Angel Down

Add Sebastian Bach to the list. The former lead singer of Skid Row will perform the opening night of Rocklahoma 2008.

I saw this one coming a mile away. After all, Bach will tour this summer with both Poison and Dokken. Now, that tour hasn't been officially announced, but it is rumored all over the place, so we might as well take it all for gospel. Personally, I'm thinking Thursday is shaping up as the best night of Rocklahoma so far. If you don't remember, here's the Thursay line-up:

L.A. Guns (Tracii's version)
Enuff Z' Nuff
Jetboy
VAIN
House of Lords
Bret Michaels (headline)

At this point,  I'm not sure where Bach falls in this line-up, but my guess would be right before Bret Michaels, considering the summer tour deal. I say add Dokken and call it a day.

Do you own Angel Down? Bach released the disc in November. I received a copy for Christmas and I have to admit, the album is surprisingly heavy. The title track is probably the best of the entire disc. The only song I don't like is the cover of "Back in the Saddle." Most important, this album proves that both Sebastian Bach and special guest Axl Rose can still sing.

You can hear more samples here. Here's a live clip of Bach performing "By Your Side."  I would assume his appearance at Rocklahoma means he's getting in touch with his past. I also hope this means he no longer hates Glam association.

Big Motley Crue Announcement

Remember when I posted that Motley Crue would make their summer tour announcement April 15th? This was confirmed to me this morning via 10th Street Entertainment. Here's my email from one of the 10th Street employees:

"I’m am one of the new media managers for Mötley Crüe and I wanted to let you know that all four ORIGINAL band members of America’s most notorious rock band will make a colossal announcement in Los Angeles on April 15 (location tbd). This will by far be one of the biggest music announcements of the year!!

Mötley Crüe will fly out one lucky grand prize winner from each major city across the country for a once in a lifetime opportunity to cover this announcement in Los Angeles and the chance to interview the band and have it broadcast live. Fans can visit here for all of the details."

Sweet Savage

Happy St. Patrick's Day, Glam fans! I'm Irish - maybe that explains the hot temper. At any rate, I wanted to write about an Irish Glam band. The pickings are slim, but there is one band with a really strong Glam tie: Sweet Savage.

What is the Glam connection you ask? Vivian Campbell of course. About a million years ago I wrote an article playing "six degrees" with Vivian Campbell. The guitarist has played with just about everyone: from Sweet Savage, to Dio to Whitesnake to Def Leppard.

At any rate, Sweet Savage formed in Belfast, North Ireland right before the dawn of the 1980s. Since today is all about the patron saints of Ireland, it's only fitting we pay tribute to an Irish band. And green beer. And the pot of gold. And green beer. And leprechauns. And green beer...

Anyway, some diehard soul recently posted a bunch of Sweet Savage clips. As you can imagine, the clips are rare - and it's hard to come by Sweet Savage albums, too.   

Here's a live clip of Sweet Savage performing "Sweet Surrender."

Tell me, how will you celebrate St. Patty's Day? Will your celebration be Glam? At any rate, remember to have fun but please be careful.

Wrathchild U.K.

My good friend Chey reminded me of a great English band: Wrathchild U.K.

This band is over-the-top glam. I mean, just look at the hair! The band formed in (or around) 1980 in Evesham, England. According to Wikipedia, the band was one of the first to grab hold of the Glam genre. The same Wiki article takes a small jab at Motley Crue. Of course that didn't necessarily go over well with me, but I always keep an open mind. I will also admit there are amazing similarities between the "Stakk Attak" video and the Motley clip for "Live Wire." The band released three albums:

Stakk Attak
The Biz Suxx
Delirium

It would be cool to see a Wrathchild U.K. reunion. I'm not sure we'll ever see that happen, though.

Here's Wrathchild U.K. performing "Stakk Attak."

For comparison sake, here's Motley Crue performing "Live Wire."

So, who made who?

I Caved

I caved and decided to pay for bass lessons. In fact, I have my first lesson this morning. Eric is also taking lessons.

Is it ridiculous that I am nervous?

Fear of looking ridiculous kept me away from lessons - but now I'm determined to get serious about my music progress. My husband and I spent good money on our electric instruments for each other. Might as well learn to play them.

I guess there is going to be some sort of after-hours music at Rocklahoma this year. Some people are planning on taking instruments and playing for the masses. I'd never go that far, but I envy the pluck of those willing to jump on stage to bang out a Glam hit or three.

If all goes well, I'll post a follow-up about my lesson. Don't worry: if it is a disaster, you'll hear about that too.

Bang Go the Bells

I wonder why Babylon A.D. isn't playing Rocklahoma? They didn't last very long, but I bet the members would be up for a special one-off gig.

Anyway, I often listen to "Bang Go the Bells" while on the treadmill. I always think "this song rocks. This band is underrated."

I'm sure at least some of you agree.

Babylon A.D. formed in California in the mid 80s. It didn't take them long to earn a deal with Arista - and soon, "Bang Go the Bells" was on MTV. Sadly, Babylon A.D. didn't last so long. 

Here's the video for "Bang Go the Bells." 

Tell me: did you ever see Babylon A.D. perform live? If so, share your story.  

Are Buckcherry Glam?

You know, I've been on the fence about Buckcherry for a long time. A long time, people. When I told Heather about the grand possibility of a Motley Crue/Buckcherry tour this summer, she said "I am a little excited about Buckcherry. Am I voted out of the Glam club?"

Don't worry, I didn't vote her out. Yet.

Buckcherry as a band have been around a lot longer than "Crazy Bitch." I'll admit, I have that song on my iPod. I mean, you hear it everywhere. It gets in your head - you have to own it. That doesn't mean it's necessarily good or bad. At some point...it's just there. A lot of Motley fans are also Buckcherry fans, so such a tour makes sense. Plus, it's pretty clear Josh Todd wishes he were Tommy Lee. Plus he does really love Glam. I mean, he was in cover bands and was almost the lead singer for Velvet Revolver. That aside, I wonder how the Rocklahoma crowd will accept Buckcherry if they play the festival? Personally, I am all for some newer bands on the main stage.

I had three new bands in mind for the main stage: Lynam, Crashdiet and Vains of Jenna. Of those three, Lynam is the closet to Buckcherry. In a battle of the bands between Buckcherry and Lynam...I do believe Lynam would win. Now I am off topic.

Back to Buckcherry.

The band wants to be Glam, so I hereby pledge my undying support. If Buckcherry can help Bring Back Glam! then who am I to judge? Of course, the question that begs asking is: "Are Buckcherry Glam?"

 
You know, it's funny. To this day I've never been able to explain my reservations about this band. Is it because they are usually lumped in with bands like - *shudder* - Nickelback and Hinder? Perhaps seeing Buckcherry live will change all that. No matter - I've pledged my allegiance. If you know me, you can vouch that my word is gold.

So, here's to you Buckcherry: enjoy the Rocklahoma main stage (if the rumors are true). Enjoy sharing a tour with Motley Crue (if the rumors are true).

Here is the uncensored video for "Crazy Bitch." I won't lie. I wish I was in this video.