Hardcore Superstar, 'One More Minute' -- New Single

Hardcore Superstar is working on their new album and just as they promised, the first single, "One More Minute," was released in the end of November. The new album will be called C'mon Take On Me and will be out March 1.

I can't say I'm blown away but the song grows with each listening for me. Even though I'm not a big fan of the slower and more calmer parts, the chorus is just so classic Hardcore Superstar and you can't really go wrong with that. It makes me very excited to hear some new material and I can't wait for the album to be released.

What do you think?

Hardcore Superstar To Release New Album

My festival summer this year ended with Hardcore Superstar at Skogsröjet. As always they killed it live and they finished their show by promising they would be back next summer – with a new album. I've been excited ever since and now I’m marking the 27^th of February in my calendar, the date when the album is set to be released. Right now, no title has been released.

The album is being mixed by Randy Staub, the same guy who mixed Motley Crüe’s classic Dr. Feelgood, which obviously sounds promising. It’s going to be interesting to hear what he can put into Hardcore Superstar’s music. They always deliver and all of their last albums have been great, but not one of them can really measure up to their self-titled album from 2005 (also known as their "Black" album), at least not according to me. I’m really excited to hear some new material again and this collaboration makes me even more curious.

According to the label, the first single from the album is set to be released already at the end of this month, so keep your eyes and ears open. The album will also be followed by a tour, but so far only a few dates in Sweden have been announced. Hopefully they will take the tour out in Europe and overseas as well. Personally, I can’t wait to see them again!

Upcoming Movie About Jani Lane?

The last few days there has been a lot of talk regarding an upcoming film about the life of Jani Lane. Paparazzi Daily reported that Jeff Dandurand, a radio personality and comedian, will portray Jani and also direct the film. He says he want people to know how serious Lane was as a songwriter, but also how out of control he was when he used alcohol and drugs. Cherry Pie Guy is supposed to take its start when Jani arrived to Hollywood in 1985. Dandurand also says that the movie will treat our beloved era of the late 80’s and early 90’s with respect.

"Artists like Lane were treated like scum and paid a terrible price for their fame. Cherry Pie Guy will astonish those who can’t see beyond cliché hair-metal nostalgia and open their eyes to an amazing songwriter and frontman."

My own thoughts are somehow mixed at the moment. At first I got excited and thought it was a great idea, a movie I would really want to see. Then I googled a picture of Jeff Dandurand and got a bit doubtful... But I guess if you’re a good actor, it doesn’t matter whether you actually look like the person you’re trying to portray or not. And the fact that someone recognizes that the 80’s always is being ridiculed made me hopeful – maybe he is the right man to do this movie after all?

Later on I came across this piece from MetalSucks and even though I don’t agree with most of what is said, it got me thinking. There’s also a clip available on Youtube (below) where Jeff Dandurand himself talks about the film. First thing that hit me was the part where he speaks about Jani Lane’s family. It’s only been a year – is it already time to make a movie? For his nearest it could very well be way to early to even be talking about a film, which of course should be respected. I get that you could do a movie “loosely based” on Jani Lane, just to get around all the legal issues, but is that really the way to go?

Also, the title! Cherry Pie Guy, really? If you want to make a movie that’s both respectful towards Jani and shows how serious he was as a songwriter – don’t use that title!

That’s as far as I’ve come. The film is supposedly said to be done sometime next year, and regardless of what I think right now I would probably go see it – if it’s actually happening. How about you guys? What do you think of all this?

Crashdiet in Los Angeles - Live Review

As a false start of the Sunset Strip Music Festival in Los Angeles, Calif., Crashdïet played at Whisky A Go-Go Wednesday, August 15th. Since I just moved to California it seemed like a good idea to go see a Swedish band to avoid getting homesick... and of course to check out Whisky A Go-Go for the first time!

It’s been over a year since I saw Crashdïet live and that time I was pretty blown away. Although I’ve been through many different phases with their music since then and especially fallen in love with their first album, Rest In Sleaze. I wasn’t really sure what to expect from them this time, since I’m used to hearing Dave Lepard and not Simon Cruz on vocals. There was no need to worry, Cruz sounded more clean than I remembered. So did the whole band. The setlist of the night was great as well: mainly stuff from their latest album Generation Wild together with some goodies from Rest In Sleaze and ”In The Raw” from The Unattractive Revolution. I got to hear my favorite song ”Queen Obscene/69 Shots” and they also chose to slow the set down in the middle with ”Save Her,” which created a great mix.

But the thing that actually got the show going was that it was very obvious how excited Crashdïet were. No wonder! Which band hasn’t dreamed about playing at Whisky A Go-Go? Still it really helped to see how thrilled they were over being there, at that stage. Somehow that created a personal connection between the band and the crowd, both as excited as one another.

They also gave us a taste from their upcoming album, a new song called ”Anarchy.” To me it sounded a bit more heavy than their previous stuff and made me excited about what to expect with their new album. We’ll just have to wait and see!

Skogsröjet Festival Review

If you start your summer with a festival, for me it was Sweden Rock, it’s not more than right to end the summer with one as well. That’s what I decided to do last weekend and went into the deep forests of Sweden to hear some great music. For the seventh year in a row, the small rock festival called ”Skogsröjet” opened its gates and with acts like Alice Cooper, Hardcore Superstar, Michael Monroe, L.A. Guns and more. It seemed like the perfect place to be, since I was in the mood for some Glam. (I really don’t know how to translate the Swedish name ”Skogsröjet” fairly, but something in between ”The Forest Party” and ”The Forest Rave” is pretty close, I think).

Day one started of with L.A. Guns, who unfortunately hit the stage at 6.45 p.m. Phil Lewis was in a great mood and the sound flawless. I really enjoyed the set, but at the same time I felt like it never got that "kick" to make it something extra. I mainly blame the audience, who didn’t really give the band the support they needed to fill the big stage. Can’t help but wonder if it would have been different if they had played two hours later.

Two hours later it was time for Alice Cooper. I’d never seen him before either, but my friend assured me that he always delivered live. After his show we both agreed on that the best thing with Alice Cooper is also the worst thing with Alice Cooper: you always know what you get. Yes, I got to hear all of the classic songs that I’ve been looking forward to hear live. Yes, the band was great and yes, Mr. Cooper did what he could to entertain us with the scenery, many changes of clothes and the so-called horror show. It was amazing but at the same time I left wondering if that was really it? Have you seen Alice Cooper live? What do you think of his performance? Did I just happen to catch him on bad evening when most of the show was just plain routine?

Day two started with Sister Sin, a band I haven’t listen to at all before. Although my friend and I always want to ”support the ladies” and with very few ladies at this festival we decided to go see a band with a least one woman. And we weren’t disappointed. Even though it’s not really the music I normally listen to, Sister Sin is great live. The singer Liv Jägrell’s voice is very strong and even though it was only 6:30 p.m., they probably had the biggest audience in front of the small stage during the whole festival. If you get the chance to see them live, take it.

My main focus this day was Michael Monroe and Hardcore Superstar, but since I’m writing for BBG! I thought I’d check out Reckless Love as well. Although they are not a band I like. There, I said it. To me the music is just to much pop and I have a hard time taking the singer Olli Herman seriously. Especially when I think of his time in Crashdïet, don’t even get me started on that… Anyway, I know they have a really big fanbase and the crowd seemed to really enjoy their set. And despite my feelings I have to admit that Olli tries hard to put on a great show, so I guess if you like Reckless Love you would enjoy to see them live.

Then it was FINALLY time for Michael Monroe, the show I’ve been waiting for whole summer. And did he deliver! The energy from the band is at 200 percent from the first tune and they just kept on going. Michael Monroe is funny to watch too, he’s out in the audience, he’s climbing the rig and my thoughts goes to Iggy Pop. Michael Monroe might just be the Iggy Pop of the Glam scene. That he nowadays has Swedish guitarist Dregen, from Backyard Babies, by his side also gets the crowd going. Definitely the greatest show of this festival, probably of the whole summer. Wanna know how it’s done, go see a Michael Monroe show.

I then can’t think of a better way to end the festival than with Hardcore Superstar. It’s almost ridiculous how great they are, especially live. There’s no better live band in Sweden, in my opinion. You always know that you will get a great show, but at the same time you don’t know what to expect at all. For example the setlist this time included some surprises, like their old hit ”Someone Special.” I didn’t think they played that one live anymore, but apparently so and the crowd went crazy. The singer Jocke Berg is one of my favourite frontmen and once again he proved why. It’s also obvious how much the fans love Hardcore Superstar and how much Hardcore Superstar loves their fans. The sing-a-long to ”Run To Your Mama” almost drowns the band playing and when they kick off their last song of this night, ”We Don’t Celebrate Sundays,” I don’t think anyone is standing still. This was the fourth time I saw the band within a year and I still can’t get enough. They finished by saying thanks to the festival, the crew, the crowd and finally they promised to be back next year – with a new album! Can’t wait!

What 'Appetite for Destruction' Means to Me

Twenty-five years ago, Appetite For Destruction was released. Of course I have to write something about that. Something like ”It’s the best album ever made.” But where do I start? I have no clue. Why is it the world’s greatest album, according to me? No idea either.

But then I realized: Appetite is the reason why I listen to rock at all! I know that for some people, the release of Appetite For Destruction marks the beginning of the end for Glam. But apparently that’s not the whole truth. Without Guns N’ Roses there wouldn’t be any Mötley Crüe, Skid Row or Van Halen in my life. No Aerosmith, no Kiss, no nothing. So to answer my own question – Appetite For Destruction is the best album ever made simply because it opened the door to every other great album ever made. At least for me, and I will always be grateful.

And then there is of course the inevitable fact that the album is truly amazing. I could go on and on about that too. How Slash tells the story of how the songs ”Almost wrote themselves.” How producer Mike Clink, the brilliant mind, let Guns N’ Roses be Guns N’ Roses in the studio and nobody else. How the record went on the be one of the most successful and best-selling debut albums of all time. But you probably know that already. And you also know the result. Flawless, if you ask me.

So instead of going on and on about just how great I think the record is, I’ll try to sum it up real quick: If I could listen to only one album for the rest of my life, it would probably be Appetite. And if I could choose only one concert that I would get to see, it would be Guns N’ Roses live at The Ritz in New York, February 1988, performing almost the entire album.

It kills me to know that I will never be able to see the original lineup. The Rock N’ Roll Hall of Fame spectacle proved that pretty clear. But maybe that’s the reason why this anniversary really calls for a celebration? When today the drama never seems to end (banning t-shirts, come on!) it’s nice to remember what Guns N’ Roses once were and sounded like. And even though I wasn’t born until two years after its release, that debut album changed my life. And 25 years later, I still can’t get enough of it.

Do You Know The Treatment?

Ever heard of The Treatment? They’re the band who will be opening for KISS and Mötley Crüe as part of The Tour this summer. If you haven’t checked them out yet, you really should.

The band describe their own music as ”classic rock,” but there are definitely some Glam influences. Their debut album This Might Hurt came out last year, and they recently premiered their latest video for the song ”Nothing To Lose But Our Minds.” I really enjoy both the song and the video. What do you think?

Even though they are young, they aren’t exactly beginners: they have already toured with Alice Cooper, Steel Panther and Thin Lizzy in Europe, besides their own headline tour and festival gigs. I saw them myself when they were opening for Steel Panther in Paris in March and they put up a great show. It's not often a band you've never heard of gets you hooked after only a few songs, but they did. I’m really excited to see them again this summer with KISS and Mötley Crüe.

Since I saw the new video, their album has been on constant repeat in my speakers and as I said - if you haven’t checked them out already - you definitely should! And if you do have a ticket for The Tour, be sure to be there on time. I assure you it will be worth it!

The Treatment – ”Nothing To Lose But Our Minds”