Regarding Bret Michaels: We're Being Watched

The amount of traffic to this site since Bret Michaels was rushed to the ICU with a brain hemorrhage has spiked tremendously. It's fascinating how many people are coming out of the woodwork in support of Bret and just expressing general concern for his well-being. Of course, Bret's condition also puts a spotlight on Glam metal in general and should remind us all that we're being watched.

Suddenly, clips of vintage Poison videos are rotating on CNN with surprising regularity. Satellite radio is playing more Poison than ever before. Metal websites that normally mock Poison suddenly post updates. Obviously, this is a direct result of Bret's illness - but this renewed exposure could also have some really positive ramifications for our favorite genre of music. The way we represent our music and continue to support our favorite acts will go a long way toward shaping how the mainstream media reports on Bret's condition.

I use the quantifier "mainstream" to signal cable news and print outlets. Obviously, anyone who has been paying attention during the last decade or so knows that online media is where its at - especially when it comes to music. I'm amazed at the sheer number of errors cable outlets have made when referring to Bret. The number one error is calling him the "former" Poison frontman. Then there's referring to him as the singer of "Cherry Pie." Really, the list goes on and on. A lot of what people know about Glam is second-hand garbage. You either love this music, or you don't but I've come to learn that a lot of the people in the "don't" category are really just uneducated of the genre. They either came to the party too late or they never liked Glam much to begin with. Then there are those who actually believe grunge killed Glam, an incorrect thought people like me are still trying to clean up all these years later. No, not one thing "killed" Glam as the genre isn't dead and grunge certainly didn't wipe Motley Crue off the face of the earth, either. For awhile, grunge and Glam happily coexisted -- oh the discussions we'd be having if that had remained the case for the long haul!

When someone asks you a question about Bret - and if you wear your music on your sleeve, you'll be approached - please remember to give the man and the genre some dignity. Don't let the haters wear you down and pay it forward: offer some tips about some new Glam bands, too. Bret's illness is horrible and I am getting flooded with emails asking for updates on his condition. The fact is, I just don't have any special pipeline to the news and I get my updates just like you: from Bretmichaels.com and even TMZ.com. Maybe the best thing we can do for Bret right now is to keep hoping for a positive outlook while promoting Glam. After all, Bret never turned his back on the genre and a whole new flock of kids could be discovering Look What the Cat Dragged In right now. We need to welcome those fans into our special fraternity don't you think?

Click for the latest on Bret Michael's condition.

SongVest To Auction Rights To Next Stryper Release Plus Exclusive In-Studio Session With The Band

For all my Stryper fans - and some of you are particularly vocal via email - this is for you! Check out this release:

SongVest, the company that reinvented the music memorabilia business by offering the ultimate fan collectible -- the songs themselves -- has announced their next major online auction will take place May 15-22 at songvest.com and will include "God," a new track from the upcoming album of cover songs from Christian hard rock icons Stryper.

After recently partnering to sell 50% of "Alive," Stryper singer and songwriter Michael Sweet has again joined with SongVest to offer fans, collectors, and investors two unique packages to bid on:

Platinum Edition (2 Lots):

·12.5% of Michael Sweet’s Writer’s Share of the song’s royalties
·Exclusive studio access to witness the final mastering of "God" to take place sometime between June 18 and June 21 (travel and accommodations paid for by purchaser)

·Special acknowledgment in the album credits
·Personalized, one-of-kind platinum album award with handwritten lyrics and signed CD

Gold Edition (10 Lots):

·2.5% of Michael Sweet’s Writer’s Share of the song’s royalties
·Album award signed by Michael

"After the Alive auction went so well, we decided to offer fans something no one has ever done before: the rights to a song before it’s released. We’re very excited about being the first," said lead singer Michael Sweet.

The auction will end at 3PM EST on Saturday, May 22. Fans can register now at http://www.songvest.com and go behind the scenes with Michael to learn how and why the song was written.

Since 2007, SongVest has offered music fans, collectors, and investors the unique opportunity to share the royalties with the writers of their favorite music. Past auctions have included the rights to songs recorded by Aerosmith, Bon Jovi, Carrie Underwood, Ringo Starr, Ozzy Osbourne and The Monkees.

'Let Me Hear You Scream'

What do we think of Ozzy Osbourne's new song "Let Me Hear You Scream?" The song is from the forthcoming album Scream, due June 15th.

I think the song is decent and very commercial. I've had a round-robin email conversation with friends about the track and a few of them mention the absence of Zakk Wylde. It's true, he's missing here but the guitars - courtesy of Gus G. - on "Let Me Hear You Scream" are more than proficient. If you haven't yet checked out the track, you can listen below.

Bret Michaels Remains in Critical Condition

There really isn't much in the way of updates regarding Bret Michaels. He's still in critical condition at an undisclosed hospital. Some reports say he has been awake and talking, others make his condition seem more grim.

From People:

While Michaels remains hospitalized under "intense observation" and further testing following his brain hemorrhage, his rep updated PEOPLE Saturday: 'There are several incorrect reports on Bret's condition. Bret remains in critical condition ... Further tests are being ran and information will be updated in the coming days.'

I didn't feel right writing about something else other than Bret today even if I didn't have much in the way of news to pass along. Might as well pass some time watching some Bret videos.

"Fallen"

"Go That Far"

"Raine"

Wishing Bret Well

I honestly believe decorum is nonexistent in today's society. In the past when someone was either gravely ill or injured, people were polite enough to share a few kind words. If the person had nothing nice to say, well, nothing was said.

When the news broke that Bret Michaels suffered a brain hemorrhage and was rushed to a hospital, I was prepared for the onslaught of panicked comments. What I wasn't ready for was the rash of downright nasty notes.

I'm not particularly talking to anyone here regarding this issue. Obviously if you're reading a website called Bring Back Glam!, you've got at least a modicum of respect for Bret and Poison. Deeper into the Internet, things were less than pretty. Oh sure, there are some genuinely concerned comments on other websites I won't name - and then there are just a ton of horrible jokes and mean spirited messages.

But why? There are reports Bret is stable and that's great and I hope he pulls through. I can't imagine never seeing Poison live again. But what if he doesn't? Wouldn't you feel pretty awful if you'd made some horrible off-hand remark about a man you didn't even know?

For all we know, Bret could be on his deathbed. I don't give a shit if you're not into Poison or Glam or metal period. Have some sense. Your parents raised you better than to talk harsh of the ill and if they didn't, well I'm sorry but that's no excuse. The crux of the matter is that the demographics of this website reflect an older readership. That means even if you had wolves for parents, you should be able to figure out right and wrong on your own by now.

I will not specifically mention the horrible comments I read because I am above them and reprinting them only reduces me to that base level. Real music lovers appreciate all sorts of genres but know when to keep quiet. Look, I don't like Hinder's music - everyone knows that - but I would never wish ill of any band member or make comments praying for their demise. Use common sense and compassion. It's perfectly fine to dislike a band or a new song or album - that's the discourse we love! Hate filled comments steeped in ignorance are what we ignore.

I hope Bret gets well soon. He's young, has kids and lots of fans that love him. Maybe he'll recover and take a little break from working so hard. That's a lesson for all of us.

Bret Michaels Hospitalized, In Critical Condition

People magazine is reporting that Bret Michaels is very ill and was rushed to a hospital with a possible brain hemorrhage.

Here is a quote from the article:

Bret Michaels's health has taken a turn for the worse, PEOPLE has learned: After an excruciating headache late Thursday night, the star was rushed to an undisclosed hospital where doctors discovered he suffered a massive subarachnoid hemorrhage (bleeding at the base of his brain stem), according to a source close to the situation.

Right now, it seems Bret is in critical condition. Bret recently had an appendectomy and also has diabetes.

Dirty In Texas

I interviewed a new band called Anchored last night before their show in Dayton, Ohio. Not particularly metal and not exactly Glam, Anchored is somewhere in-between. (Kid Rock meets Pop Evil, maybe?) Anyway, The interview and show review will post soon on Noisecreep, but I felt compelled to share the video for Anchored's first single "Dirty In Texas" because it seems to have that classic 80s feel. Maybe it's the women, I'm not sure. Oh, and there's a crazy ending too.