Generation Axe Release 'Sideways'

One of the coolest projects going right now is Generation Axe, featuring Steve Vai, Yngwie Malmsteen, Zakk Wylde Nuno Bettencourt and Tosin Abasi. Any guitar project that features Steve Vai and Nuno Bettencourt is an ace in my book. Now the collaboration has a new album called Generation Axe - The Guitars That Destroyed The World: Live In China. It comes out June 28.

Nita Strauss Launches Fitness Challenge

This is the most interesting way I've seen a musician monetize their image. Nita Strauss, guitarist for Alice Cooper, is launching a fitness challenge called Body Shred and it is aimed directly at metal fans. She's known for being pretty fit now but that wasn't always the case. To be honest, I think this challenge looks pretty fun. There are lots of cool prizes but really, I'm interested just because I've never seen anything like this aimed solely at metal fans before. You have to go to Nita's website to signup - the basic entry and her new fitness book costs $20 but there are more expensive packages available. I am seriously considering this because I like fitness challenges and I think it might be something fun to do over the summer.

The Sweet Announce UK Tour

From my inbox - with lots of quotes from our glam favorites! 

Following their sold-out “Still Got the Rock” European Tour legendary 70’s rock band SWEET embark upon the perfect Christmas gift for their UK fans, a 16-date nationwide tour November 28^th until December 21^st. Tickets go on sale on Wednesday May 8^th via www.planetrocktickets.co.uk and www.thegigcartel.com, and from the 24 hour ticket box office - 08444 780 898. With over 55 million records sold worldwide, 34 number 1 hits worldwide, SWEET continue to tour and perform to sell out audiences around the globe.

Gene Simmons of KISS says, “Without the Sweet there would not have been a KISS."

"We wanted to be The Sweet" - Nikki Sixx - Mötley Crüe

"This is the band I wish I had been in." - Joe Elliot - Def Leppard

By the early 70’s The Sweet were arguably the hottest ticket in town with a string of top ten records in the UK and Europe including Blockbuster, Hellraiser, Ballroom Blitz,Teenage Rampage and The Sixteens.

In 1975 the USA had discovered the band with Fox on the Run hitting the number 3 spot in the Billboard 100. Another self-penned hit Action followed in 1976 firmly establishing Sweet in the US charts.

On the face of it they were primarily a singles band however with albums including Desolation Boulevard (1975) and Give Us a Wink (1976), the band showed a much harder rocking band. The album Level Headed, released in 1978, brought with it another award winning million-selling worldwide hit with Love is Like Oxygen written by Andy Scott.

In 1979 original lead singer Brian Connolly left the original line up leaving Andy Scott, Steve Priest & Mick Tucker to continue as a 3 piece. Sadly, both Brian Connolly & Mick Tucker passed away in 1997 and 2002 respectively and with Steve Priest relocating to the USA, Andy Scott was left to fly the flag. After a couple of line-up changes over the years, since 2006 the line-up has been primarily unchanged from what it is today.

Andy Scott (lead guitar, vocal), Bruce Bisland (drums, vocal) Tony O’Hora (lead vocal, bass) and Paul Manzi (guitar, keyboards, vocal). The Sweet still tour the world extensively with one of the most dynamic and slick live shows on the circuit. 1968 to 2019, 51 years and counting of hellraising, star chasing, trail blazing.

For more information, follow this link – www.noblepr.co.uk/press-releases/sweet/uk-tour-2019.htm

Tommy Lee 'Why I Create'

Tommy Lee gives you an intimate look at why he creates: his vision as an artist and the trappings of fame. It's pretty deep, all things considered. Click below to get to the 8 minute video about Tommy.

EPISODE 16: Tommy Lee

As the iconic drummer for Mötley Crüe, fame drove Tommy Lee to the brink.

Behind that persona though is a voice fighting through the noise. @MrTommyLand

WATCH THE FULL FILM: https://t.co/TNwqivRqwV#TommyLee #MotleyCrue #drummer pic.twitter.com/3hksbuOTKE

— Why I Create (@_WhyICreate) May 1, 2019

Geoff Tate Travels A Lot And You Can Join Him

I didn't realize this was a thing: Geoff Tate is leading tour groups around Europe. Geoff just lead a trip through Ireland and now he is preparing to take a group through Germany and France in the fall. This is a trip I would love to take! Apparently, Geoff drives a van, takes you to all the sights and he explains them along the way.

No clue on how much these trips costs. There is a price quote link on Geoff's official website.

An Epic Purge

I spent Sunday working in my basement. Eric and I are leaning out the crap we own. We have several bags of trash for the street this week. Our neighbors may raise a collective eyebrow.

I have decided to give away some of my music memorabilia. This includes leaning out my records, old magazines, DVDs, etc. I'm planning on selling my electric guitar and bass, too.

In the coming days, I'll probably post up an item or two to see if anyone wants to claim it. So keep your eyes peeled if you like music collectibles.

For now, I leave you with organization guru Marie Kondo. She is my inspiration.

RATT Announces Summer Tour 2019

"RATT" has announced a tour for the summer. It starts tonight in Mexico, actually. To me, if Warren DeMartini is missing, it isn't RATT, but whatever. Here are the dates. There are none by me. But I'm seeing Warren in June with the Kings of Chaos, so I'm good. 

May 04 - Domination Festival - Mexico City, Mexico 
May 11 - Hard Rock Hotel and Casino - Biloxi, MS 
May 17 - Wildflower Festival - Richardson, TX 
Jun. 08 - MotorCity Harley-Davidson - Farmington Hills, MI 
Jun. 28 - Buffalo Run Casino & Resort - Miami, OK 
Jun. 29 - Funtastic Fourth - Big Spring, TX 
Jul. 03 - Westchester County Center - White Plains, NY 
Jul. 05 - Skyloft Albany - Albany, NY 
Jul. 06 - The Cabot - Beverly, MA 
Jul. 11 - Hair In The Fair - Welland, Canada 
Jul. 12 - Bergen Performing Arts Center - Englewood, NJ 
Jul. 13 - Keswick Theatre - Glenside, PA 
Aug. 03 - Wyoming's Big Show - Rock Springs, WY 
Aug. 10 - Hollywood Casino Amp - Maryland Heights, MO 
Sep. 13 - One Centre Square - Easton, PA 
Sep. 14 - Hard Rock Hotel & Casino - Atlantic City, NJ 
Oct. 20 - Fronterizo Fest III - Tijuana, Mexico