James Durbin Performs Bon Jovi on 'American Idol'

This season of American Idol features rocker James Durbin. While other seasons have had quasi-rockers, James really seems to be true to his metal roots and I love that. So while James started a little slow on "I'll Be There For You," he really got going toward the end. Oh, and having Glam tunes delivered to the masses is never a bad thing, right?

Watch before Fox disputes this video!

Male vs. Female Bands

It's been mentioned to me from time to time that different bands are "male" acts or "female" acts. I don't mean in the literal sense like Heart is a female band...I mean, bands that seem to attract a certain demographic.

This one is tricky because we have to remember that gender is constructed. Taking into account what we know about men and women, I suppose it is possible to have "male" and "female" bands but there will always be a larger fan base that crosses over of course.

The other day, I was talking to Christian about my love for Def Leppard. I was going on and on as I do and then he said "Well, it makes sense. They are a girl band." That statement took me aback a little. I figured Def Lep have just as many male fans as female...then I got to thinking back to all those Def Lep concerts I've attended...and the crowd is usually heavily female. Sure, in the beginning when Def Lep was just starting as part of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, the audience skewed male. Then came Pyromania and a bunch of MTV hits...and well, the women like the Leps! (I mean, I still want to sit in Rick Savage's lap!)

You already know my other big bands are Aerosmith, Poison and Motley Crue. Those acts, along with Def Leppard, basically make up the core of my music passion. I have other bands I love of course, but none come close to these four acts. Poison, many have argued in the past, are not metal or rock (to which I disagree of course). Others have said their fan base is largely female. Maybe it is the music, or it could be the band's looks - I mean, the guys in Poison sure did look good in the 80s. 

But what about the men? What is it about a male group that gets male fans going? Twisted Sister is probably a male act. Metallica and Anthrax are as well. So is Accept. Others would say new Rock n' Roll Hall of Famer Alice Cooper is a man's man sort of metal band - but everyone knows I love Alice and I am woman (hear me roar).

I don't buy into gender stereotypes. A woman can do anything a man does and vice versa and therefore I think the argument of gender bias as related to metal bands is weak. Still, I cannot ignore crowds and album sales...and if more males are at an Accept show...well, then, maybe Christian was on to something after all.

What do you think?

Bands You've Seen In Concert The Most?

The other day, our very own Christian asked me which band I've seen the most times in concert. I said "Um, let me think" and then I realized I honestly have no idea how many times I've seen each particular band live.

This surprised Christian. See, he's seen Iron Maiden live nine times and he said "Surely, there must be a band you've seen live at least nine times." And there probably is...especially festival bands like Slaughter and Skid Row. Still, it's hard for me to keep track. I don't keep ticket stubs or anything - or really a master list. I have a rough list buried somewhere on this site but it doesn't list the number of times I've seen each band. That said, there are a few I do know...

I've seen Aerosmith three times. Those concerts are ingrained in my memory. I've seen Kix six times (at least) and maybe they are the band I've seen live the most times. There's Motley Crue, Def Leppard and Poison, too course...all coming in at five times live (at least, each)...but no one like Christian's ever-growing Iron Maiden track record.

Which band have you seen the most times live in concert?

Def Leppard, 'Tonight'

How in the world did I miss the Def Leppard video for “Tonight?” The song is, of course, a single from Adrenalize. I have the album and listen to it at least once a month. I listened to it from start to finish on Friday, actually. Anyway, I guess I never knew there was an official video for “Tonight.”

But there is, in fact, an official video for “Tonight!” Now, it's not the best video ever – or even the best Def Lep video – but I'm still pretty excited I found it. I suppose we all know why the video for “Tonight” got lost in the MTV shuffle: grunge. Adrenalize came out in 1992 and by the time “Tonight” was a single...well...you know. That didn't necessarily stop Def Lep from enjoying great success: Adrenalize charted at number one in both America and the UK and went several times platinum.

Surely I'm not the only one just now discovering this video?

Poison Set to Release 'Double Dose Of Poison: Ultimate Hits'

Poison will release another greatest hits compilation...and I can't help but shake my head. The package, called Double Dose Of Poison: Ultimate Hits will be released May 3rd. The album is to coincide with the band's 25th anniversary and tour with Motley Crue.

Here is the track listing:

Disc 1

'Talk Dirty To Me'
'I Want Action'
'I Won't Forget You'
'Cry Tough'
'Look What The Cat Dragged In'
'Nothin' But A Good Time'
'Fallen Angel'
'Every Rose Has Its Thorn'
'Your Mama Don't Dance'
'Unskinny Bop'
'Rock And Roll All Nite'
'Ride The Wind'
'Something To Believe In'
'Life Goes On'
'Stand'
'The Last Song'
'Shooting Star'

Disc 2

'We're An American Band'
'So Tell Me Why'
'No More Lookin' Back [live]'
'Can't You See'
'Little Willy'
'Suffragette City'
'Look But You Can't Touch'
'Until You Suffer Some (Fire And Ice)'
'Bastard Son Of A Thousand Blues'
'Lay Your Body Down'
'Sexual Thing'
'(Flesh & Blood) Sacrifice'
'What I Like About You'
'Love On The Rocks'
'Face The Hangman'
'Livin' For The Minute'
'Cover Of The Rolling Stone'
'Poor Boy Blues'

Of course, the release is good for the band and their old label – because both casual and diehard fans tend to buy compilation albums (for different reasons). I don't begrudge the boys in Poison for yet another greatest hits package. I just really want some new music someday. Bret has a new solo record ready called Get Your Rock On...and it is all originals. So why can't he get it together with Poison? That said, I must admit I like the idea of the B-sides on this new double-hits greatest package. I'm a B-side queen – I love them! Half the time I love B-sides more than singles...and yeah – I'll probably end up forking over my very hard earned money for this. I figure it is a tradeoff: no way am I paying an astronomical price for a seat to the Poison/Crue tour. I'll be at the Cincinnati stop of the tour, but I won't be paying the top level price because it is appalling. Right now, I even think the lawn prices are appalling – but I fully expect Live Nation to discount just like last summer – so I'll wait. And in the meantime, I guess I'll take my savings and get Double Dose Of Poison: Ultimate Hits...unless my husband asks “Why are you buying those songs...again?” to which point I may have to hang my head and say “I have no idea.”

So what do you think? Will you get Double Dose Of Poison: Ultimate Hits in May?

The New Halestorm Is Going to Rock

Halestorm will release 'ReAniMate: The CoVeRs eP March 22nd (if you want a physical copy, you'll have to order from the band's website, otherwise you can purchase digitally elsewhere). Normally, I think cover albums are lame, but this one is going to rock. The song choices and bands are pretty awesome:

1. Slave To The Grind - Skid Row
2. Bad Romance - Lady Gaga
3. Hunger Strike - Temple Of The Dog
4. Out Ta Get Me - Guns N' Roses
5. All I Wanna Do Is Make Love To You - Heart
6. I Want You (She's So Heavy) - The Beatles

Now, I'm sure Lzzy Hale sounds awesome on the Heart and Gaga tunes, but I'm most excited about the Temple of the Dog track. My friend and I used to freak out when the video for "Hunger Strike" would come on MTV back in the day. And by freak out, I mean squeal. I think I still have my VHS tape with the video on it...recorded in haste during one of the squeal sessions. I digress.

Halestorm will perform as part of the Avalanche Tour, along with Stone Stour and Theory of a Deadman.

Initials Only, Please

Have you ever given any thought to bands that go by nothing but initials? There are bands that have regular names that prefer to shorten to initials. And don't forget the bands that had initial names that used to stand for something...but then evolved into nothing over time. Plus, some bands have names that "may or may not" have a secret meaning.

Let's break it down, starting with bands that have regular names...but usually shorten to just initials. You know, Stone Temple Pilots (STP) or Guns n' Roses (GnR).

What about Y&T? In the beginning, the California rockers were known as Yesterday and Today. Overtime, the name just became Y&T - no acronym needed, thank you very much.

Then there are the punks: True Sounds of Liberty or T.S.O.L.

What about W.A.S.P.? It may or may not stand for "We Are Sexual Perverts." Then KISS (which I believe was never meant to be an acronym, but others disagree) may or may not stand for "Kids In Satan's Service" (or other similar sayings).

Some other "initial" bands are, of course, R.E.M., XYZ, UFO, AC/DC, ELO...and many, many more.

I always thought one of the hardest parts about being in a serious band would be picking the name. The wrong name can kill a band. After all, you need a cool name that works for marketing purposes and looks awesome on T-shirts.

I suppose we should make this a game, right? How many metal bands can you name by their initials alone?

Something like A7X = Avenged Sevenfold or SOAD = SYSTEM OF A DOWN

So, Go! How many bands can you name that predominantly go by initials?