Remember when I recently posted that Jizzy Pearl was out of (Tracii's) LA Guns? Well, now the band has a new singer... and it is Dilana Robichaux. In case you don't know, Dilana was the runner-up on the reality show Rock Star: Supernova.
I think this might be a ballsy move on Tracii's part because having a female singer will seriously set the band apart from the other touring version. Will the songs sound the same? No, of course not. But I wish the band luck. I guess my only question is this: why not just create a new band name, write some new songs and do LA Guns stuff live, too? Discuss.
Johnny Andriani is a singer and songwriter. He was signed back in the day and he's written for famous folks. One of his friends and collaborators, Robert Ferraro (a bona fide rocker) contacted me about a million years ago to feature Johnny. I don't know why it took me so long because the music is great. The thing about Johnny and his most recent album Tripping on Love is that it's mellow. At first I was worried Glam fans might not dig it, but really, I'm reminded of that laid-back feel Enuff Z'Nuff was known for and therefore, I think you would dig this music.
In addition to the Enuff Z'Nuff parallels, the opening tracks of Tripping on Love - especially the title track - reminds me of the Beatles. Johnny has that special rasp to his voice and the songs are so approachable... you know, you get sort of sucked in. Overall, there's a 70s throwback vibe. That could come from the instrumentation or something else, but I definitely don't think Tripping On Love sounds like a rock album recorded in 2010. And I mean that in a complimentary way.
"Supernatural Love" has a different sort of feel in that it is more up-tempo, but the love theme remains. Now there's the drawback to Tripping on Love: if you've just been through a break-up or something, this album might really annoy you, because it's all love, all the time here. And of course that's the point, but still. The lovesick need not apply!
The album features tracks from Johnny's days in The Dwellers, too (remember them?!), specifically I like "Neptune June." Of course, the Dwellers were best known for their song "Rocket Ride" but that's another post for another day.
Tripping on Love is available via iTunes and CD Baby.
Check out The Dwellers, 'Rocket Ride' and see if you can find our friend Robert. Hint: he's on drums.
Ok, Ok. Let's say you got down this far and you're thinking "But I want 80s Glam!" Well, have no fear my lovelies. Johnny Andriani and Robert Ferraro were in a little band called Sassy Lassy back in the 80s. Have a lookie look:
James Durbin has a new single! Remember Durbin from American Idol? He's working on his debut album now and he promises us a rocker. Until then, here's a single "Stand Up," featured on the album NFL Official Gameday Music, Vol. 2. The song is very commercial, which means great things for Durbin I suppose.
I know, I know - you don't care about the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame. But here we are: Guns n' Roses was just nominated. And, when it comes time to count the ballots, I think they will get in and easily so. Here's the entire list of Rock Hall candidates for this new class:
Beastie Boys The Cure Donovan Eric B. & Rakim Guns 'N Roses Heart Joan Jett and The Blackhearts Freddie King Laura Nyro Red Hot Chili Peppers Rufus with Chaka Khan The Small Faces/The Faces The Spinners
Donna Summer War
Of course, GNR won't be the only band that gets in when the ceremony happens on April 14, 2012 in Cleveland, Ohio. I predict the Beastie Boys, Heart and the Spinners will get in too.
Let's think of the induction ceremony for a moment. If GNR gets in (and they will), it may well be a hot debacle. Remember when Van Halen was inducted? The Van Halen brothers didn't even show up and neither did David Lee Roth. Well, I predict WAY more bedlam amongst the GNR crowd... unless we're all stunned and the much-awaited reunion of original members happens right during the induction ceremony. GNR has had so many replacement members, it will be hard to argue who gets in and who doesn't. Obviously the original members and maybe Matt Sorum. Beyond Sorum, maybe Dizzy Reed. I don't think anyone else qualifies. Do you?
Did you know that today is National One Hit Wonder Day? The "holiday" has been around since 1990. A few years ago, VH1 Classic even did a big "One Hit Wonder" countdown. They put RATT on their list (with "Round and Round") but obviously you and I know they were wrong on that one. I suspect there are many Glam favorites that are really "one hit wonders" - no matter how great their actual catalog. I love lots of songs that were never singles, let alone chart hits. And it really is quite an accomplishment to have a hit on Billboard.
I wonder if Twisted Sister fits the "one hit wonder" classification? They've got a pretty great and decent-sized catalog, but no song of theirs is known more than "We're Not Gonna Take It." And Aldo Nova had "Fantasy." Then there's Vixen with "Edge of a Broken Heart" and Trixter with "Give It To Me Good." Now that I think about it, I guess Saigon Kick fits the "one hit wonder" category too thanks to "Love Is On the Way."
So who else from the glam metal heyday are "one hit wonders?"
I suspect all bands that have been around awhile have at least one song they regret recording, let alone releasing. There are songs that were duds out of the gate. Don't forget the tunes that just sound dated and embarrassing these days... and then there's those attempts where bands tried to drastically alter their sound in an effort to appear "current."
When I think of songs bands might regret, my mind immediately goes to Motley Crue and "Brandon." Continually mocked, the song is basically a dud. I know Tommy Lee wrote the tune when he was emotional and happy at the birth of his son Brandon... but the song doesn't exactly fit Motley, now does it? Other regrettable duds off the top of my head? Well, there's Bon Jovi's entire Bounce album.
A long time ago, Yahoo! Music selected Poison's "Every Rose Has Its Thorn" as the most embarrassing song of the 80s. Now "most embarrassing" and "most regrettable" are not exactly interchangeable, but close. I completely disagree with Yahoo! and I actually think "Rose" is one of the most iconic songs of the 80s, but I digress. We're talking about songs we think bands regret today... so give 'em to me: what are your thoughts?
Sunday, October 2, 2011 at 12:01AM 