This Passat Commercial Is Awesome

I'm always impressed when our favorite bands are used in major ad campaigns. As ad buys go, it doesn't get much bigger than beer or cars. So, imagine my joy when I see the new Volkswagen Passat commercial featuring the Rush tune "Fly By Night." As a professional marketer, it honestly made me happy -- and that means a crucial goal was achieved.

I wonder how much VW paid Rush for that little 30 second snippet?

The commercial is really well done. Be sure to watch for the end to hear the tagline so it all makes sense. And shoot, I'll admit I even did a double-take at the MSRP. Seemingly affordable and that means a lot coming from me because when it comes to cars, well... let's just say I don't spend money on cars.

So Saigon Kick Is Finally Reuniting

The original lineup of Saigon Kick will reunite. That means Matt Kramer, Phil Varone, Jason Bieler and Tom Defile are hitting the road soon. It's been 20 years since Saigon Kick performed with all original members.

Guitarist (and off and on SK member) Chris McLernon will also join the band on the road.

The band announced their big reunion with a simple tweet that reads:

"Saigon Kick has reunited with original members Matt Kramer, Phil Varone, Jason Bieler, Tom Defile and Chris McLernon. Dates to follow soon."

I wonder who Saigon Kick will tour with this fall? I'm sure the band will be packaged up on a tour and I suspect it will all happen in clubs. Are you interested in this reunion? I'm intrigued to be sure. If the show comes around me, I'll go.

The New Dokken Video For 'Empire' Is Here

Have you seen the new Dokken video for "Empire?" No? Well now you can catch it below! The song is from the band's upcoming album called Broken Bones, due Sept. 25. What do you think? I think the song is much stronger than the video. And really, the music should always do the talking, right?

New Rolling Stones DVD Due In November

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
   
The Rolling Stones Under Review 1975-1983: The Ronnie Wood Years Part 1 on DVD, November 20

An in-depth documentary covering the career and music of the Rolling Stones between 1975 and 1983.

By the end of 1974 all was not well in the camp of the group tagged 'the greatest rock n' roll band in the world'. Their last two records had received little in the way of critical acclaim, the co-songwriters and main players had drifted far apart and in one notable quarter heroin addiction was rife.  So when the man who had, for the previous five years, often been seen as the ensemble's anchor announced his resignation, many fans wondered if the game was all but up for The Rolling Stones.

But those of little faith had no further need to fret once Ronald David Wood, formerly of the much loved but shambolic Faces, plugged his Fender Strat into the Stones' PA, having been offered, to rapturous acceptance, the coveted position formerly occupied by Mick Taylor, and before him, the late Brian Jones.

Ronnie's arrival seemed to breathe new life into the band and their next pair of albums - the funky Black & Blue and new-wave-meets-disco Some Girls - were generally considered their best since Exile on Main Street. And as the 70s wore on and the 1980s dawned, while the records they released and the shows they played certainly had their detractors, glorious moments were always close at hand.

This documentary film covers the Stones' career and music between 1975 and 1983 and includes archive and exclusive interviews, contributions from the finest experts and writers, and rare and classic footage, all soundtracked by the music that, despite it all, remained 'only rock 'n' roll.

Aerosmith Adds More 'Global Warming' Tour Dates

Aerosmith is hitting the road for another round of the "Global Warming" tour. The 14-date run will feature Cheap Trick as the support act.

Aerosmith's new album, Music From Another Dimension, is due out Nov. 6. The band is playing a mix of new and old songs on the tour.

Tickets go on sale Monday, Sept. 24 via Live Nation.  Who is in for this leg of the tour?

11/8:   Chesapeake Energy Arena - Oklahoma City, OK
11/11: INTRUST Bank Arena - Wichita, KS
11/14: Spring Center - Kansas City, MO
11/16: Frank Erwin Center - Austin, TX
11/20: Madison Square Garden - New York, NY
11/23: Ravel Resorts - Ovation Hall - Atlantic City, NJ
11/25: Nationwide Arena - Columbus, Ohio
11/27: Air Canada Centre - Toronto, ONT
12/1:   MGM Grand Garden Arena - Las Vegas, NV
12/3:   STAPLES Center - Los Angeles, CA
12/6:   New Orleans Arena - New Orleans, LA
12/9:   BB&T Center - Fort Lauderdale, FL
12/11: Tampa Bay Times Forum - Tampa, FL
12/13: Bridgestone Arena - Nashville, TN

You can see Episode 2, The Making of Music From Another Dimension, at this location.

Century Media Is Suing Over Illegal Downloads

Century Media has filed a lawsuit in New Jersey against 7,500 people who illegally downloaded titles by their artists, specifically Lacuna Coil and Iced Earth. We are talking about copyright infringement lawsuits here, people. The lawyer for Century Media is seeking $150,000 per case. This fascinates me. As most of you know, I've long been an anti-download girl. I fully believe bands and labels deserve to be compensated for their product. Still, ticking off and terrifying customers isn't brilliant business practice either.

This all gets tricky, too, because lawsuits require, you know, evidence... and that means tracking down the IP addresses of the alleged thieves. Our friends at Metal Insider break it down very nicely. Basically, it's going to be difficult and costly for Century Media to litigate these alleged download thefts.

I bring this up, not really to speak about Century Media, who I quite like actually, but to discuss downloading more broadly. It's amazing to me, all these years after Napster, that there still isn't a clear cut way to 1) stop illegal downloading or 2) punish the most voracious of offenders. Look, I'm not talking about the kid who downloads two albums a year. I'm talking about the pirates that spend their days, trolling for album leaks and popping them online, for thousands to "enjoy." To me, illegal downloading is an economy of scale issue. Yes, it's bad no matter how often the offense, but we have to be practical in what we punish. Century Media has every right to go after thieves and seek some restitution for money lost. I just don't know if these one-off lawsuits are going to net us any real discourse on the subject. I have no answers to the problem here. But clearly the dinosaur model of big music marketing isn't really cutting it anymore. Thoughts?

I Tip My Hat To Geoff Tate: He Still Sounds Good

Geoff Tate performed with his solo band at Wiens Family Cellars in Temecula, California on Friday. The venue sort of makes me chuckle, but considering Geoff counts wine as one of his life's major passions, then I guess it makes sense. Anyway, all things considered, I give Geoff props: he sounds pretty good on the clip below. There isn't a ton of energy in the backup band. I'm not sure we can blame Geoff for that, though. Right?

Geoff will release Kings & Thieves on November 6. I'm sure I'll buy that album when it comes out.