Cut the Fat - Number 5

We've been having fun cutting the fat from classic Glam albums, haven't we? So far, we've cut down some Motley Crue and Slaughter. Today, let's cut Def Leppard. Pyromania is one of the best rock albums of the 80s. The tunes on Pyromania made Def Leppard a household name and the album is perfect - almost. In my opinion, there's one tune on Pyromania that's always seemed a little out of place.

The dud? "Action! Not Words" of course.

I don't get it. There's all these iconic Lep tunes like "Photograph," "Too Late for Love" and "Billy's Got a Gun" and then there's "Action! Not Words." The song's pace is nutty, the gang vocals are annoying and it just doesn't match the rest of the record in terms of quality. Plus the lyrics are annoying and I think Joe Elliott sounds over produced.  Maybe if the track wasn't placed after "Comin' Under Fire" it would work, but even alone, "Action! Not Words" sort of stinks up side 2 of Pyromania. The song actually charted in America which is baffling and truly shows just how big the Leps were in the 80s. Still, I say delete "Action! Not Words" from Pyromania and it's a keeper - a true Glam gem.

Pyromania track listing:

Rock Rock (Till You Drop)
Photograph
Stagefright
Too Late For Love
Die Hard The Hunter
Foolin'
Rock Of Ages
Comin' Under Fire
Action! Not Words
Billy's Got A Gun

Agree? Disagree? Thoughts?

Fans Asked to Help Fund Quiet Riot Documentary

 Quiet Riot will be forever entrenched in metal history. The band reached the top of the Billboard chart with 'Metal Health,' marking the first time a metal band reached such achievement.

Now, Quiet Riot drummer Frankie Banali is hard at work on creating a full length documentary of the band's history. The documentary will focus on the band's rise to stardom in the 1980s and end with singer Kevin DuBrow's sudden death in 2007.

The video footage is from Banali's personal collection. The documentary will include never-before-seen interviews and backstage footage.

"The moment my friend Kevin DuBrow died, my life and career went from sixty to zero with his final breath," Frankie Banali commented via press statement. "But now, DuBrow and Quiet Riot will receive a much-deserved video retrospective, that will leave no stone unturned. Get ready to bang your head and feel the noize once more!"

While Banali has already invested money into the project, he's asking fans for help. The drummer is hosting an online fundraiser to raise cash. The money raised will directly go to completing the documentary and different pledge levels come with various perks. Click to become a backer by September 2nd.



Cut the Fat - Number 6

Let's continue to Cut the Fat. Yesterday, we discussed Motley Crue's Red, White & Crue and I admitted that I think "Use It Or Lose It" is, well, fat. Some of you agreed, others didn't and basically we had an awesome discussion. Let's keep it going. Today, let's Cut the Fat from Slaughter's Stick It To Ya.

Oh I how I love Stick It To Ya. I mean, it's sort of a perfect Glam record...and Slaughter brought us "Fly to the Angels" which might be one of the best songs...ever. But, there's one dud on the band's debut. Some fat: "Loaded Gun."

"Loaded Gun" is sort of a debacle. I think it's sort of an homage to Kix in the song's structure and Mark Slaughter's phrasing, but man. I don't get it. You've got "Up All Night," "Burnin' Bridges," "Fly to the Angels, "Mad About You" and then..."Loaded Gun." 

I can't listen to "Loaded Gun" anymore because it's so evident Mark is just shredding his vocal chords for no reason. The weird talking over the track is distracting and the guitar parts are ho-hum. I think Stick It To Ya would be stronger without "Loaded Gun."

Stick It To Ya track listing:

Eye to Eye
Burnin' Bridges
Up All Night
Spend My Life
Thinking of June
She Wants More
Fly to the Angels
Mad About You
That's Not Enough
You Are the One
Gave Me Your Heart
Desperately
Loaded Gun
Fly to the Angels (acoustic)
Wingin' It

Agree? Disagree? Thoughts?

Cut the Fat - Number 7

Have you ever thought "Man, this is a perfect record except for this one track?" For the next week, I'm going to play "cut the fat." That's where I name an essential Glam record and tell you which track I think is a dud. In other words, the album would be stronger without the worthless track in question.

Today's essential Glam record is Motley Crue's Red, White & Crue. The double-disc set is a must-own for any Motley fan as it marked the band's big "comeback" and also includes all the hits.

But there's one dud.

"Use It or Lose It."

Why this track was chosen for the greatest hits is beyond me. The track comes from Theatre of Pain, one of Motley's weaker records...and it wasn't even a single. Couldn't the band find an awesome B-side - something to match "Black Widow" - instead of "Use It or Lose It?"

Red, White & Crue tracks:

1. Live Wire    
2. Piece Of Your Action    
3. Toast Of The Town    
4. Too Fast For Love    
5. Black Widow    
6. Looks That Kill    
7. Too Young To Fall In Love    
8. Helter Skelter    
9. Shout At The Devil    
10. Smokin' In The Boys Room    
11. Use It Or Lose It    
12. Girls, Girls, Girls    
13. Wild Side    
14. You're All I Need    
15. All In The Name Of...    
16. Kickstart My Heart    
17. Without You    
18. Don't Go Away Mad (Just Go Away)    
19. Same Ol' Situation (S.O.S.)    
20. Dr. Feelgood
   
Disc: 2

1. Anarchy In The UK    
2. Primal Scream    
3. Home Sweet Home ['91 remix]    
4. Hooligan's Holiday [Brown Nose Edit]
5. Misunderstood [Successful Format Version]    
6. Planet Boom    
7. Bittersuite    
8. Afraid [Alternative Rave Mix]    
9. Beauty    
10. Generation Swine    
11. Bitter Pill    
12. Enslaved    
13. Hell On High Heels    
14. New Tattoo [single version]    
15. Street Fighting Man
16. If I Die Tomorrow
17. Sick Love Song

Agree? Disagree? Tell me your thoughts.

Rockstar Energy Drink UPROAR Festival eBay VIP Ticket Auction

I do hate reposting press releases - but charities pull at my heart strings and this one is for a GREAT cause: to prevent child abduction. If you like Halestorm, Avenged Sevenfold, Disturbed or Stone Sour read on:

The Rockstar Energy Drink UPROAR Festival is proud to announce the first-ever eBay Charity Ticket Auction in support of Child Find of America, a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to the prevention and resolution of child abduction. Beginning Sunday, August 1, 2010 and running for 10 days, fans can bid on eBay for a once-in-a-lifetime chance to receive two VIP tickets to the Rockstar Energy Drink UPROAR Festival. In addition, the top bidder and their guest will watch their favorite band perform from the best seats in the house: ONSTAGE! They will also receive: Level 1 Premium Reserved seats OR General Admission "Pit" tickets, a backstage guided tour to see the "inner workings" of a large scale concert festival (who knows who they’ll meet?), limited edition "Working Crew" shirts, all-day access to the VIP Rockstar Energy Drink Lounge, front-of-the-line access to all Best Buy artist signings, and one limited edition, custom tour art EVANS drumhead hand-signed by Disturbed, Avenged Sevenfold, Stone Sour and Halestorm.

The all-day outdoor UPROAR Festival, drawing as many as 10,000 to 15,000 fans per event, will make stops in 35 US and Canadian cities coast-to-coast, beginning on August 17, 2010 in Minneapolis, Minnesota and concluding October 4, 2010 in Madison, Wisconsin. Each festival date features eight of the biggest names in active rock music performing on two stages, as well as other attractions, including a concourse midway filled with vendors and activities. Projected to be one of the most successful, audacious and not-to-be-missed concert events of 2010, The Rockstar Energy Drink UPROAR Festival will feature multi-platinum co-headliners Disturbed and Avenged Sevenfold, along with Stone Sour and Halestorm. The potent rock lineup for the touring music and lifestyle jaunt also features performances from Jägermeister Second Stage headliners Hellyeah, as well as Airbourne, Hail The Villain, New Medicine and the local Jägermeister-sponsored opener in each city. (Note: Airbourne will not be performing on the Canadian dates.)

Child Find of America offers families various services including free investigation and location services, free kidnapping prevention programs, free referral and support services and free mediation services for parental abduction cases. Their efforts positively impact the lives of thousands of children and families and directly bring more than 400 children to a safe and legal environment every year. Proceeds from the Rockstar Energy Drink UPROAR Festival eBay ticket auctions will benefit the ongoing efforts of Child Find of America. More information on Child Find of America can be found at www.childfindofamerica.org

The Rockstar Energy Drink UPROAR Festival eBay ticket auctions will begin on Sunday, August 1, 2010, when 35 pairs of tickets with accompanying stage access passes for all 35 UPROAR dates will be posted to eBay as 10 day auctions. Those interested in bidding on these very special UPROAR Festival VIP tickets can access the Rockstar Energy Drink UPROAR Festival eBay ticket auctions by clicking on the "UPROAR on eBay" link found here or by searching for "UPROAR VIP TICKETS" on eBay.com.

Something New: Major Tom

For today's "Something New" I'd like to introduce you to Major Tom. The band is unsigned but on the cusp of something great. Oh, and there's definite Bowie influences here.

The band recently released A Night on the Lash -- a sort of Poison/Bowie hybrid. When I say the band is retro-glam, I mean it: 70s style. The 80s influences come into play in the arena feel of the tunes.

Major Tom has played a ton of shows in the Midwest (I haven't seen them yet) and plans to hit Europe soon. Singer/guitarist Stephen Kilkenny has written songs for other musicians and is looking to get Major Tom some sort of label deal.

A Night on the Lash tracklisting:

HotStuff
Got a Feelin'
Good For You
Chandeliers
Keep It Real
Never Say Goodbye
Not Your Man
Goodbye
SweetHeartAche
Let It Roll

Major Tom Live 2009 "let it roll"

Major Tom - A Night On The Lash - AVAILABLE NOW! | MySpace Music Videos

Win a Pair of Tickets to the Rock n' Rev Festival

Bring Back Glam! has teamed up with the promoters of the Rock n' Rev Festival to bring you an awesome contest. A winner and a friend can go to the five day fest - free. How? Just enter to win the contest, of course. The winner - selected at random by me - will receive a pair of general admission passes to the Rock n' Rev Festival to be held August 9 - 13, 2010 in Sturgis, SD.

More than 20 bands like Guns N’ Roses, Creed, Godsmack, Alice in Chains, Charm City Devils and 3 Doors Down will play the fest.

To enter, just send an email to allyson@bringbackglam.com with "Rock n' Rev" in the subject line. Please include your legal name and mailing address in the email. Any entries that don't follow these simple parameters will be deleted. Only enter once because duplicates will be deleted. Enter by Tuesday, August 3rd at 11:59pm EST. If you're name is drawn I'll send you an email and the festival will handle ticket fulfillment directly.

Good luck.    

Here's Sully Erna of Godsmack talking about the fest:

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