Slash and Fergie, 'Beautiful Dangerous'

Slash and Fergie have a new video for their song "Beautiful Dangerous." The video is very Glam. I have to admit, I'm surprised at just how little clothing Fergie is wearing in this clip. Still, I read the video concept was all her idea. Watch closely - catch all the classic GnR references?

"Beautiful Dangerous" is from the album Slash.

'Back to Haunt You'

Here's a band called Naked you might like. Check it out as there is a definite Glam vibe going on here. The Finnish band has a new album coming out soon called Double Down.

Farewell, Walkman

Sony just announced plans to halt production of the Walkman in Japan. The cassette players are still available in America, but I bet they won't be around for much longer. It's a basic rule of supply vs. demand. All in all, the end of the Walkman era is sad.

The Walkman was born in 1979 just like me. Much like every good invention, there were cheaper knock-offs and I'm pretty sure every kid in my elementary school owned one. I had a few myself. The Walkman wasn't the most durable gadget ever made - and we all know tapes had both their limiting and redeeming qualities. Still, the Walkman was a huge part of Glam. I mean, the Walkman epitomized the 80s!

I made so many mix tapes back in the day. All sorts of mixes. And then I copied the tapes for my friends. Believe me when I saw I was awesome at making mix tapes. Then I put them in my Walkman and listened while in bed or wherever.

Our Glam faves shipped most of their units via cassette. Of course, vinyl was still big in the early 80s but as time marched on, plastic cassettes won out. Then came CDs and I suppose that's when music really changed, but whatever. Even after CDs became popular and common, I had a cassette player. I eventually upgraded to a CD Walkman while in high school. Mainly this was to block out my classmates on Friday night away-game bus rides because I was in the band. I hated being in marching band - especially when it was snowing - but that's another post for another day.

So, the Walkman helped me escape reality, bond with the music I love and make stronger connections with my friends. I love my iPod but it just isn't the same.

Do you have a Walkman memory?

There Is Nothing Good About Hair Metal, Period

I saw a few people Tweeting about Glam last night (via the search function). A few people kept saying "There is nothing good about hair metal, period"

That statement gave me pause.

How can someone just dismiss an entire genre of anything? Surely, these people making such sweeping statements haven't heard all that Glam has to offer. Of course, some people are elitist - and Glam is routinely mocked. Mainstream media always hated our bands back in the day - and they still do. I have no doubt that constant mockery by "critics" has perpetuated the Glam stigma. So, I got to thinking, what would I say to someone that came up at me and said "There is nothing good about hair metal, period."

I think I would tell a person about my childhood memories of Glam, all the fun I've had at shows and all the friends I've made because of this website. In fact, I think I'd talk about the friendships the most. In just about every instance, I've come across people that have become friends by meeting randomly at shows, on message boards and through fan clubs. If the music wasn't good, that wouldn't happen. Sometimes it's not all about the "image" although I still believe a man with a guitar, big hair and makeup is the best. Call me a purist.

What would you say if you heard someone say "There is nothing good about hair metal, period?"

Let's Fix HairNation

If you have satellite radio, then you should be familiar with HairNation. I've had XM for a few years. I used to really enjoy the Boneyard, but then Sirius/XM did some sort of merger-consolidation-switcharoo and some of my favorite channels were changed. Anyway, HairNation became my go-to station and it is still #1 on my presets. But, I just can't listen to HairNation anymore. It's true. I haven't listened to HairNation in probably two months. Now I only listen to CNBC or CNN. I just think all of the satellite music channels are repetitive. If I hear the same song too much I get mad and have delusions of commercial radio. You know, the same pop hit played over and over?

Anyway, all HairNation plays is Whitesnake, Kiss and Motley Crue. Now, I certainly love all three bands but I don't need to hear "Is This Love?" every time Whitesnake comes up in the rotation. Same goes for "Home Sweet Home." HairNation is also obsessed with Bon Jovi, but usually only "Runaway." On occasion I've heard Axe "Rock n' Roll Party in the Streets" but when the station plays a deep cut that like you know you're in for about 10 "typical" Glam songs in a row. By that I mean "Unskinny Bop" and "Round and Round."

I want a special live call-in show that features new and old acts alike! And interviews! And backstage fun!

There are so many great Glam bands that never got huge, so playing a choice cut from one of them once in awhile wouldn't hurt, yes? At the very least, I think we could add in some CrashDiet or Babylon Bombs or something. Let's shake it up! Yes, programming some deep cuts takes a little time and effort, but it is certainly not hard work. We're not talking about ditch digging here. At the very least we should be able to limit "Once Bitten, Twice Shy" to, say, six times a day. Honestly, if it wasn't for the talk channels I'd just cancel my satellite radio.

Thoughts?

Saxon, 'Wheels of Steel' (Live)

Last night I found an *awesome* clip of Saxon on YouTube. The band performed at Wacken Open Air in 2009. "Wheels of Steel" is one of my favorite Saxon songs and I really wanted to share this with you.

Saxon is on my "best-concert-experiences-ever" list. They have so much energy, three decades into their collective musical careers.

Check this out. I want to go to Wacken so bad. If this doesn't make you want to join me, nothing will.

And here's a bonus. "Crusader" from the 2007 Wacken show. My point-blank favorite Saxon tune, bar none.

Innovation: How to Save the Concert Industry

To stay relevant, all businesses must innovate. This is especially true of the music industry which, to be honest, has been on life support for years now. The touring industry suffered this past summer as the economic lag finally swept across ticket buyers. Suddenly, it seemed like all of us were sick of paying over $100 bucks for a single concert ticket. Then there's the fees...

What if there was a way to inject some much needed life into the music/touring industry while not ripping off the consumer? How about the side benefit to another industry? What if movie theatres save the concert industry?

Recently, The Big Four were featured on the silver screen. That is, American movie-goers got to see Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth, and Anthrax via satellite. While The Big Four were performing live in Bulgaria people in, say, Cincinnati were also watching this show. A few other bands have also tried this recently. I think the core idea is brilliant - so let's expand it.

For our example, we'll use the Rolling Stones. So, the Rolling Stones are playing a show in Seattle. Why couldn't that show then be beamed to movie theatres that are at least 1,000 miles away from the venue? The 1,000 mile radius shouldn't impact ticket sales to the actual concert - and that imaginary buffer would move along the country with the tour. This could be replicated pretty much all over the world. And let's be clear: I am talking about showing actual, live-as-they-are-happening events only.  

I'll argue that seeing a concert in a movie theater is a fun experience that will help the margin of the theaters by patrons buying concessions (an obvious test could be the upcoming Bon Jovi engagement that will show portions of the Circle tour). Ticket prices would be the same as any movie. I don't think seeing a satellite feed of a concert would actually deter a person from seeing the show in person. After all, concerts are a special experience but for some, the movie theatre option may prove more appealing. Also, bands could even sell merch at the movie complexes. Really, the possibilities are endless. If, say, Live Nation and AMC joined forces for an exclusive deal, I think they could get some alpha that they both really need. Oh and if those companies team up and take my idea without crediting me, maybe I'll sue. Ha!