Australia's Angels Change Singer

I have been a fan of The Angels for a long, long time. They did not hit big in the USA, although they have a cult following, sometimes under the name 'Angel City' or 'The Angels from Angel City'. A few years ago, I went to see Doc Neeson play some songs with some young kids backing him up, as part of a package of 70s/80s pop bands. I sat through a lot of bad music to see him the only way I ever expected to.

So, I was thrilled when they got back together with Doc, and saw them several times, including once with the Adelaide Orchestra. But, it seems all is not well in Angels land, again. If you go to www.theangels.com.au, a popup gives you a link for 'The Angels 2011 onwards.' The lineup given is Brewster/Brewster/Bailey/Gleeson. That means that Buzz Bidstrup (the drummer) has left along with Doc, and the new drummer is not credited. Dave Gleeson was/is the singer for Screaming Jets, another Aussie hard rock legend, best know for the song 'Better.' Click to hear the one song they have recorded with Dave, but apparently they've done gigs with him and are planning a tour. This band has always had a troubled history, and it's a shame to see them lose their original singer again. I guess only time will tell what comes of it. What is for sure is this: while they are a great band, they appear to me to be in the same situation as Skid Row. That is, you put up with a singer you can't stand if there's a lot of money to be made, but not if you're playing clubs.

Screaming Jets - "Better"

"Take a Long Line" Live with Dave Gleeson

'One Light' - In Remembrance

Today is the tenth anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks. It's hard to believe a decade has passed since that nightmarish day in 2001 - but here we are, commemorating another Patriot Day.

Skid Row recorded the song "One Light" in remembrance of the tragedy. The song is from the album Thickskin. Much love and respect to all today.

Guns n' Roses Will Tour America

Either Hell froze over or Axl Rose is broke, because Guns n' Roses are touring America - and soon. So far, there are three dates confirmed. That might not sound like much, but for Axl's Roses, I think it's a ton.

Here are the dates:

10/28/11 - Orlando, FL - Amway Center

10/29/11 - Miami, FL - American Airlines Arena

11/12/11 - Kansas City, MO - Sprint Center

Notice the dates - I feel confident in predicting many more dates to come. This looks like the shell of a tour routing to me! None of these dates work for me, so I'm holding out hope that Guns n' Roses will play in Ohio (or close to it) when I'm not on Shiprocked. So, what are your predictions for this tour: will Axl actually pull it off? Will you attend?

The Worst Looks in Metal

I recently wrote a piece for Noisecreep that basically outlines the most ridiculous stage looks in all of metal (both past and present).

The #10 spot goes to Hevisaurus. Sometimes these articles just write themselves. Seriously, a Finnish band that actually wears dinosaur costumes on stage?! These guys make songs for kids with a power metal beat. Gimmick or not, Hevisaurus know how to sell records. Their debut 'Jurahevin kuninkaat' (in English, 'Kings of Jurassic Metal'), stayed on the Finnish top albums chart for ten weeks. No word if Hevisaurus is available for private bookings or play dates.

A band named Swashbuckle came in at #9 and BBG! reader favorite Stryper at #8. Find out why and read the rest of the list at Noisecreep.

Happy Friday and let me know what you think of my list.

Have You Heard of the Bam Bam Boys?

Have you heard of the Bam Bam Boys? I'm not talking about The Flintstones!

It's amazing to me after doing this website for five years that I can still pull up YouTube every single day and find a new Glam band I've never heard of... usually the bands I discover suck but sometimes there's something good enough to pass along here. Today, I present to you the Bam Bam Boys.

The Bam Bam Boys are from Sweden. The band released Bam Bam Boys in 1989 and it is the band's only album. There is scant little written about this band online. Basically, I don't know anything about them period except that their debut (and only record) is extremely rare. Matti Alfonzetti is on vocals, and fans of Swedish rock will surely recognize his name. What do you think?

Here's "I Believe in Rock n' Roll"

Chickenfoot, 'Big Foot' -- New Video

Photo credit: Jon Hill People of the Foot, are you ready?

Chickenfoot will release their new album Chickenfoot III on September 27. In advance of that release, the band has released an official video for the first single "Big Foot." I gotta say, I love the song. There's a ton of hate on YouTube over this clip and tune and I don't get it.

Chickenfoot is a band made up of amazing musicians and I think this song ranks up there as high quality. I can't wait for the new record. What do you think?

'Sin' - A New Jani Lane Recording

Have you heard "Sin" by Liberty n' Justice? The band is Jani Lane, J.K. Northrup, Keri Kelli and Bill Leverty. "Sin" may well be one of the last songs Jani ever recorded. On first listen, I was immediately taken with the guitars. On second listen, I noted that the vocals sounded just a little rough. On the third listen, I started to wonder if the song was really officially "complete." At any rate, I like the song and I'll be buying it on iTunes.

Liberty n' Justice is a Christian rock band that's been around for years and rotates musicians on a project by project basis.

"Sin" is the first single from the upcoming album The Cigar Chronicles.

Let me know what you think of this song.