Thursday, January 12, 2012 at 12:01AM Have you heard the new My Darkest Days song "Casual Sex?" The song is the first single from the band's upcoming album (due in a few months). The single is available for purchase via iTunes on Jan. 17. If the guitar tone sounds familiar, that's because John 5 is wailing on this track.
My Darkest Days will hit the road with Nickelback, Bush and Seether this spring.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012 at 12:01AM Van Halen just released "Tattoo," the first single to their upcoming album A Different Kind of Truth. It's the first Van Halen single with David Lee Roth on vocals in 27 years.
"Tattoo" sounds exactly like Van Halen -- there's no disputing that classic guitar tone. And once Diamond Dave opens his mouth, you know exactly what you're going to get. After a couple of listens, I decided that "Tattoo" is a catchy song but something is missing. Sure, there's the nonsensical lyrics that are part of Roth's signature and there's an awesome (I mean REALLY awesome) guitar solo, but isn't that all standard for VH? I can't quite put my finger on what is missing but I'm pretty sure it's energy. Or enthusiasm. But it's something and I bet I'm not the only one who feels this way.
Now, I know a lot of you flipped out with glee on first listen and that's great. Instead of attacking me for my opinion, educate me on why "Tattoo" is fantastic.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012 at 12:02AM In case you like train-wreck television, here's a programming alert: Dee Snider and his wife Suzette will be on Celebrity Wife Swap tonight.
You may be asking yourself, "Who is Dee swapping Suzette for during the show... and why?" Well, the answer is Liz, partner of rapper Flavor Flav. Liz and Flav have been together nine years and have two kids. The Sniders have four kids by the way.
So, Suzette moves in with Flav for a week and Liz moves in with Dee. I'm sure hilarity ensues... but I gotta admit, I won't be watching.
Wife Swap is a show that never did anything for me, but if you're interested in seeing Dee and hear some obligatory Twisted Sister tunes, the show airs tonight on ABC. Check your local listings for the exact time.
Oh and if Celebrity Wife Swap isn't enough... Dee Snider will be part of the cast on NBC's Celebrity Apprentice, too. He'll be competing against Clay Aiken, Arsenio Hall, Debbie Gibson and a slew of other folks. That show starts Feb. 12 (and no, I won't be watching it either)!
"I Wanna Swap!"
Monday, January 9, 2012 at 12:01AM
Sunday, January 8, 2012 at 12:01AM In the past (and I have no idea how long ago) I wrote about one-hit wonders and how they are usually guilty pleasures. Well, I was on Amazon and looking for new music and noticed a lot of songs for just .69 cents. Turns out, these tunes are one-hit wonders. Now, you may already own a lot of these songs - but there is some good stuff being offered up for cheap.
If you're looking for some new music or are just building a library, you might want to check it out. The rock selections include songs like "Cum on Feel the Noize" by Quiet Riot and "My Own Worst Enemy" by Lit. There's also some good tunes in the pop section if you happen to be in the market for something light or for a workout play list. I'm going to pick up "Flashdance (What a Feeling)" by Irene Cara and "99 Luftballoons" by Nena.
Oh, and if you were slow in picking up albums released in 2011, like the new SIXX:AM or Anthrax, there's a lot of them up for five bucks right now. Go!
I'll post the "Flashdance" video since I doubt I'll ever have a reason to mention the song on this website again.
Saturday, January 7, 2012 at 12:01AM As promised, Van Halen released tour dates yesterday and you can see them below. The band also announced A Different Kind of Truth as their new album and that the song "Tattoo" is the first single. The full version of the song will be released Tuesday, January 10. The full album is out February 7.
I waited all freaking day to hear the 30 second teaser snippet of "Tattoo." I'm serious. I was slammed at work and didn't want to have to listen quick and leave it as an afterthought. So while everyone else was listening, I abstained so I could come home, hit play a couple times and really think about the preview for awhile. And after all that, I ended up disappointed. Granted, the only thing we have to go on now is a 30 second sample... but still. I love me some Van Halen. I have no idea what I was expecting... but it wasn't the flat vocals and weirdo lyrics in "Tattoo."
Now, "She's The Woman" is another story entirely. The band recorded a demo of the tune way back in the late 70s and it just never made it on to an official album... until now. Like "Tattoo," "She's The Woman" will be on A Different Kind of Truth. Of course, the modern version is different. Here's that 70s demo, by the way:
Here's the band doing "She's The Woman" on Thursday night in New York City:
Anyway, I hope I'm being overly pessimistic. And I'm sure once I hear the full version of "Tattoo" I'll like it more. I'll be buying the single on Tuesday for sure.
The tracklisting for A Different Kind of Truth:
1. Tattoo
2. She’s The Woman
3. You and Your Blues
4. China Town
5. Blood and Fire
6. Bullethead
7. As Is
8. Honeybabysweetiedoll
9. The Trouble With Never
10. Outta Space
11. Stay Frosty
12. Big River
13. Beats Workin’
Here's the tour dates. Kool and the Gang will provide support.
Feb. 18 – Louisville, KY @ KFC Yum! Center
Feb. 20 – Auburn Hills, MI – The Palace Of Auburn Hills
Feb. 22 – Indianapolis, IN – Bankers Life Fieldhouse
Feb. 24 – Chicago, IL – United Center
Feb. 28 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden
Mar. 01 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden
Mar. 03 – Uncasville, CT – Mohegan Arena
Mar. 05 – Philadelphia, PA – Wells Fargo Center
Mar. 09 – Buffalo, NY – First Niagara Center
Mar. 11 – Boston, MA – TD Garden
Mar. 15 – Montreal, QCBell Centre
Mar. 17 – Toronto, ON – Air Canada Centre
Mar. 21 – Ottawa, ON – Scotiabank Place
Mar. 24 – Atlantic City, NJ – Atlantic City Boardwalk Hall
Mar. 28 – Washington, DC – Verizon Center
Mar. 30 – Pittsburgh, PA – Consol Energy Center
Apr. 01 – Rosemont, IL – Allstate Arena
Apr. 10 – Sunrise, FL – BankAtlantic Center
Apr. 12 – Tampa, FL – Tampa Bay Times Forum
Apr. 14 – Orlando, FL – Amway Center
Apr. 16 – Jacksonville, FL – Jacksonville Veterans Mem. Arena
Apr. 19 – Atlanta, GA – Philips Arena
Apr. 21 – Greensboro, NC – Greensboro Coliseum Complex
Apr. 25 – Charlotte, NC – Time Warner Cable Arena
Apr. 27 – Nashville, TN – Bridgestone Arena
May 01 – Tulsa, OK – BOK Center
May 05 – Tacoma, WA – Tacoma Dome
May 07 – Vancouver, BC – Rogers Arena
May 09 – Calgary, AB – Scotiabank Saddledome
May 11 – Edmonton, AB – Rexall Place
May 17 – Winnipeg, MB – MTS Centre
May 19 – Saint Paul, MN – Xcel Energy Center
May 22 – Kansas City, MO – Sprint Center
May 24 – Denver, CO – Pepsi Center
May 27 – Las Vegas, NV – MGM Grand Garden Arena
Jun. 01 – Los Angeles, CA – Staples Center
Jun. 03 – Oakland, CA – Oracle Arena
Jun. 05 – San Jose, CA – HP Pavilion At San Jose
Jun. 12 – Anaheim, CA – Honda Center
Jun. 14 – San Diego, CA – Viejas Arena
Jun. 16 – Phoenix, AZ – US Airways Center
Jun. 20 – Dallas, TX – American Airlines Center
Jun. 22 – San Antonio, TX – AT&T Center
Jun. 24 – Houston, TX – Toyota Center
Jun. 26 – New Orleans, LA – New Orleans Arena
Friday, January 6, 2012 at 12:01AM