Too Young to Steal?

First, in the interest of full disclosure, I didn't single-handedly discover this topic. Still, the comparisons are so striking, I feel the need to share with you dear readers.

It seems pop band Finger Eleven has stolen from Motley Crue.

Listen to "Paralzyer" then listen to "Too You To Fall In Love."

Yes, the main riffs are the same.

Here's Finger Eleven "Paralyzer."

Now, here's Motley Crue "Too Young to Fall In Love."

So, what do you think? Are the riffs the same, or is it just an odd coincidence? I'll await your thoughts.

Feelgood Obsession

I'm not a religious person by any means but my husband is a believer and we celebrate Christmas. We put up a tree, decorate our house with lights and greenery, light a fire, eat fattening foods...and buy presents.

Christmas gift receiving in this day and age is a sure sign of avarice. I'm sure long ago, kids didn't get $3,000 worth of presents on Christmas morning. Now, each black Friday I pull video of parents slugging other parents to grab the last copy of some random video game, iPod, computer, or whatever.

Parents go nuts during the holidays. Sometimes, the stress even gets to me and I don't have kids and limit my gift list considerably. Money is tight for everyone these days and there's no point in spending the mortgage payment on a dozen sweaters that no one wants -- or needs.

Still, I'd be lying if I said there wasn't one gift I hope is sitting under my tree on Christmas morning: an electric bass.

A beautiful, new electric bass (with amp, of course). If I was being completely impractical, I'd ask for a Nikki Sixx Epiphone Blackbird. A little more practical (but not much) and I'd ask for an Epiphone Gothic bass just like my friend Mikki Twist plays.

I'm sure I'll end up with one of those "starter kits" that include the bass, amp, pics, extra strings, case, etc. I mean, I don't even know how to hold a bass, let alone play.

Still, if I don't get a bass soon...I'll die. That's how big this obssesion has grown. If you've read just one of the many album reviews I've posted, then you know I always judge production by the sound of the bass. Rhythm gives music meaning...I want to create some meaning of my own.

Now, here's my completely unrealistic fantasy: I learn to play my (Nikki Sixx endorsed) bass and someday I get pulled on stage to play the opening of Dr. Feelgood with Motley Crue.

Now, my friends, that would be GLAM.

Here's the alternate version of the "Dr. Feelgood" video, from the Motley Crue album of the same name.

Breaking News Alert: Pretty Boy Floyd Is No More

You heard it here first, people: the latest incarnation of Pretty Boy Floyd is no more. Finished. That's all folks. Looks like Steve Summers needs to find another set of band members.

I knew there was trouble in paradise. Stand by for more news.

Crazy Lixx: Loud Minority

If you like classic Skid Row, then go ahead and get ready to love Sweden-based Crazy Lixx.

Crazy Lixx was formed in 2002 and will release their debut effort, Loud Minority, November 15, 2007. Signed to SwedMetal Records, Crazy Lixx have a rare combination of looks, talent, and songwriting ability to make waves in the Glam Metal game.

There’s no point in mincing words: Crazy Lixx are too damn good to be unknown. My word, their songs swell with sound and emotion. The guitars wail, the bass is deep, the drums pound. Listening to Loud Minority for the first time was like having a religious experience. Yes, I think I found myself praying to the Glam gods.

Not so long ago, Crazy Lixx released “Heroes are Forever” as their first single. It’s a damn good song, but not the strongest offering on Loud Minority. Crazy Lixx are a party band, so it stands to reason their best tracks are fast – and hard. So what’s great? A whole hell of a lot, including “Boneyard” with its penetrating bass and “Hell or High Water” with its Motley Crue-esque introduction. During “Hell or High Water,” lead singer Danny Rexon actually sounds like Sebastian Bach. This isn’t a comparison to be taken lightly considering Bach has one of the best voices in Metal.

Despite the fact that Loud Minority hasn’t even dropped yet, the band is already out with their second single. There isn’t much to say about “Want It” except that the track might rock so hard, your car speakers will explode on impact.

Like every good Glam band, Crazy Lixx has a power ballad or two. “Dr. Hollywood” is a slower rocker and “The Gamble” is a song begging for a raised lighter. In fact, I’m going to go out on a limb right here and declare “Dr. Hollywood” the best track on Loud Minority.

Crazy Lixx is a band that deserves fame and fortune. Do your part. Pre-order a copy of the debut effort at www.crazylixx.com.

Band members:

Danny Rexon - Vocals
Vic Zino - Guitar
Joey Cirera - Drums
Luke Rivano - Bass

Photo credit: Linda Helsing.

Backstage with Steve Summers

It's been nearly 20 years since Pretty Boy Floyd entered the Glam Metal arena. Now, two decades later, the band is back with an all new line-up. Steve "Sex" Summers still fronts his group of trashy men. Bring Back Glam! recently caught up with Steve backstage at a Pretty Boy Floyd show in Dayton, Ohio. During that conversation, Steve talked about a possible reunion album, tattoos and how the current band members came together. Transcription follows.  

Bring Back Glam!: Tell me all about Pretty Boy Floyd.

Steve Summers: What do you want to know?

BBG: Everything.

SS: Well, we’re one of those bands still keeping it together, from the 80s Metal scene and uh, we’re kicking some ass.

BBG: How did you put this version of Pretty Boy Floyd together? (Editor’s note: current band line-up is Summers on vocals, Mikki Twist on bass, Davey Lister on guitar and Scotti D on drums).

SS: I got a call from Scotti (drums) and he said “Hey bro, I’ll give you the best fucking version of Pretty Boy Floyd if you want to fucking do this.” I said “Oh really? Send me the music, this, that. I’ll see if I like it.” Oh yeah, and when he said “We’ll let you have all the money.” That was the clincher.

BBG: What do you mean you get all the money?

SS: The show money, the merch money.

BBG: So why is it feasible for the rest of the band to drive halfway around the world to play in Pretty Boy Floyd?

SS: Because they just want to have a good time. No, of course we pay them. They get paid. Wait, what was the question?

BBG: Are they really members of your band or not?

SS: Of course they are.

BBG: But, it’s not contractual?

SS: What? What does that mean?

BBG: Do you have an agreement written down on paper?

SS: A fucking contract?!

BBG: Yes.

SS: No one has contracts.

BBG: Sure they do.

SS: Ok, some do. Some don’t. I don’t know if the Bulletboys have a contract, or Bang Tango have a contract.

BBG: Do you like the Bulletboys?

SS: Yeah! They are all good. The bigger bands have contracts. This was more of “I like what I see, I like what I hear. Let’s do some shit and if I like it, we’ll continue to do it.”

BBG: You’re working on a new album?

SS: We’re working on new material. Whether it’s for a brand new record with all these guys or a reunion record with the other guys…we’re actually just, to be honest, we’re just recording many songs. That’s what you gotta do. You record a hundred songs, and maybe you like ten of them.

BBG: All new material?

SS: Oh yes, all new material. If everything went well, we’d put out two albums next year. A reunion record, because we came out in 1988. We’re writing with Aerial (Stiles, guitar player) who wrote most of the songs on the first record. New stuff, we’re all creating…maybe there will be two records.

BBG: Is that what you want?

SS: If it happens, it happens. It’s not the first thing on the top of my fucking-when-I-wake-up-in-the-morning-list.

BBG: Well, what is then?

SS: Being healthy, being happy.

BBG: How do you say so thin?

SS: I don’t eat fast food. I love to work out every day. Not for the sake to look good, but to feel good. That’s it, really.

BBG: You don’t eat fast food, even when you’re driving to shows?

SS: I try not to. Don’t get me wrong: fast food is the best! Taco Bell, Pizza Hut…it’s the best. Sometimes you gotta suffer and give the fans what they want. I’m suffering for the fans. If I wasn’t in the music business, and I just worked a normal whatever, I’m sure I would exercise to feel good but I bet I’d eat shitty. The fans deserve…we’re a glam band. You can’t be fat!

BBG: If you weren’t a musician, what do you think you’d be doing professionally?

SS: I’ve done a lot of things. Partner with my brother –

BBG: What does he do?

SS: He owns clubs. I’ve been in the strip bar business and the bar business. I’ve been in the fitness business. That’s what I’d be doing.

BBG: Do you smoke?

SS: No. Well, I take a smoke when we play once in awhile, just for the boredom, but when I’m home, I don’t smoke.

BBG: You get bored on stage?

SS: No! I didn’t mean to say boredom. Like…just a high. I don’t know. It’s like if someone were to hand me a Jager shot on stage. Fucking weed or something. I’d be like “That’s cool!” Wait, I don’t do that.

BBG: But you drink?

SS: For shows. When I’m at home, I would never touch a cigarette or drink.

BBG: Why is it that you play “Live Wire” at every single show?

SS: Oh, we’re that kind of band that’s like…well, we’re not big like fucking Def Leppard, or fucking Motley Crue or Bon Jovi. We admit it. Those guys are the big boys. When we play these shows, the club scene, people want to hear a couple covers. We could play fifteen of our songs off five different records but we gotta play a couple songs they (the fans) like and know. That’s why we do it. We’re big Motley fans, big Kiss fans, big Alice Cooper fans. We’ve covered it. Since we’re not in the “A” category, we throw in something we know they (the fans) would like.

BBG: What category are you in then?

SS: Well, you know, we’re in the major leagues but we’re like, you know…I don’t know how to explain it. Everyone knows where we are. We had a major deal (with MCA Records) and that whole deal. It is what it is.

BBG: So what is “it?”

SS: It’s all good! We’re like…we’re in the major leagues, but we’re at the bottom of the barrel. We’re having a good time. “Have you been on MTV?” Yes.” “Have you been on VH1?” “Yes.” “Have you played with all the bands?” “Yes.” We’re like the Cleveland Indians…

BBG: Expect they almost went to the World Series.

SS: I know that! I’m saying…before all the World Series shit!

BBG: You want to tell me what your arm means right there? (Points to markings on Steve’s upper left arm).

SS: Oh, I just write something on me every night. I admit, it’s no tattoo. It’s my family. I’m very close to my family. I’ve got my mom, my bro, my dad, my niece. I write it on me. It’s like a tribal thing.

BBG: Do you have any real tattoos?

SS: Why would I do that? No, I don’t have any real ones.

BBG: Why? That’s pretty uncommon.

SS: Once I make like a couple hundred thousand dollars for something I’m doing, I’ll tattoo it on me. It can be gay sex or whatever it is. I’ll tattoo it on me.

BBG: So you have to make a certain amount of money before getting a tattoo?

SS: Yes, a certain amount of cash – no! Honestly…I’ll probably…well, when you’re young and in your twenties and stuff, you don’t really know what you’re doing. A lot of people have regrets, so I didn’t want to do it then. Now that I’m in my sixties, I’ll probably put something…my family has always been number one to me. Family and health.