John Allen, Charm City Devils Prepare for Crue Fest 2

“You do something because you believe in it and you feel like it could be successful,” says John Allen, lead singer of the Baltimore-based Charm City Devils. “At that time, I was so young...I didn’t realize you had to write. I always thought we were a great live band.” The royal “we” John mentions is his first band, Child’s Play. John stayed active in music well past his Child’s Play days, drumming with SR-71 and continuing to write and record while waiting for his next opportunity.

That next opportunity came along a few years ago in the form of Charm City Devils. The band - first known as both Forty Acres and Chosen Son – were later renamed by Motley Crue bassist and Tenth Street Entertainment President Nikki Sixx. “The process of coming up with a name was excruciating,” admits John. “We wanted something to point to Baltimore. ‘Charm City’ is a nickname for Baltimore. I don’t know why or where it came from – probably a city elder years ago. [Nikki] put it together with “devils.” He said ‘You guys are like a gang. A rock band.’ I liked that it was putting a dark twist with the light – it gives it a balance,”  adds John.

With more time behind the kit than a mic, John is still working on his stage moves as the band gets ready for Crue Fest 2. “I’m still really learning my craft out there as a front man and lead singer,” John laughs. “You get out from behind the drum kit...it’s not as easy as I thought it would be! There’s a lot of things to think about and do out there. You know, like not tripping and remembering the damn lyrics! That’s tough! Engaging the crowd...and singing on key is a big one,” he continues.

In the end, Charm City Devils produce basic, blue jean rock n’ roll – and that’s fine with John. “Musically I’m coming back to my roots. You’re talking about street level, blue collar, straight up rock – stripped down.”

Charm City Devils will play Rock on the Range next month in Columbus, Ohio.

It's a Mad World on American Idol

Adam Lambert, where have you been my whole life? I'm pretty sure we're meant to be together - even if it's just me listening to your amazing voice through my iPod.

Very rarely does a soloist move me. I'm a band girl, you know, a rock n' roll queen...but so help me when Adam Lambert sings on American Idol the world stops turning.

He's that good.

We all know life isn't fair, but there's no excuse for labels passing on Adam all this time. The best "Idol" this season (and perhaps all time) is just so light years above the rest of the competition, I can't help but feel a little sorry for the rest.

Last night, the theme was "Songs from the Year You Were Born" and Adam chose "Mad World" originally recorded by Tears for Fears. Always smart, he got around the fast tempo by choosing the Gary Jules version. Adam knows his range and his abilities and he doesn't mess around: he sticks with what he knows and that's his amazing falsetto.

After the show, I sent the Glam husband off to the grocery store. In solitude, I watched Adam back on repeat and honestly cried a little bit.  This is what good music does, people. It doesn't matter your race, religion, sexual orientation, gender: music is the great equalizer. A powerful song in the hands of a phenomenal performer can change the world.

Welcome to the world, Adam. Thank you for already changing mine.

Fan Routed Tours

Are fan routed tours the wave of the future? I mention this, obviously, because KISS *sort of* announced their U.S. tour yesterday. In a press release, Gene Simmons said that fans should vote if they want KISS to come play in their hometown.

Now, this might be genius but something tells me it’s little more than a ticket scam. No class A market will be passed over for a major shed/arena tour. Seriously, can you see KISS skipping Los Angeles and playing in, well, the middle of nowhere? I can’t.

Granted, it gets old living in a B (ok, C market) and always having to drive an hour either direction to see a big show. Rarely, bands as big as Aerosmith come to Dayton, Ohio. If they do, it’s on a second pass of Ohio and because they’ve already been to Cincinnati. In this instance, I think I’ll vote for KISS to come to my hometown.

‘Ol Gene says KISS is ready to give back to the fans. I still don’t buy it because Gene never gives anyone, anything. He’s a money making genius so there is method to his madness here, people. Even so, you can vote for the KISS tour by clicking here. Allow me to point out the winning cities so far all seem to be major markets. Just sayin.’

Are Album Download Cards Stupid?

Are album download cards stupid? I say "yes."

I've noticed these little cards before but never really thought about them until this weekend. I was at Best Buy, scanning the CD racks, looking for something good when I noticed more and more download cards betwixt the physical CDs. Some of the download cards were for albums - others were for compilations. You know, there was one called "Mullets Rock!" and I rolled my eyes. It was, naturally, all Glam bands. This download card was sort of at the end of the rock section, near the greatest hits area. If I remember right, it featured 20 songs for ten bucks - so half of what it would cost to download each song separately on iTunes. In that instance, then, I guess I understand the draw of the card...but for a regular album you can just buy and rip to iTunes...what is the point?

Say Slipknot release a new album. You're pumped and you want it the day it comes out. You can go to the store and get the physical disc and listen on the way home *then* rip to iTunes...or you can buy the download card, go home, get online, put in the access code, download the album, *then* listen.

I dunno. I'm sure these download cards are just another way the music industry is trying to stay viable, but I think it's probably too little, too late.

What do you think?

On A Scorpions Kick Lately

The Scorpions rule. We all know this to be *very* true. However, they tend to be one of the bands that float to the bottom of my playlist. I don't know why - just happens. Anyway, I've been on a pretty big Scorps bender lately and it dawned on me: I must see this band live.

Seriously.

According to Blabbermouth, the Scorpions will tour around the world for 40 dates and then come back to the U.S. for a pretty big run in 2010. Now, they would be just about my first choice to headline any U.S. festival - but especially Rocklahoma or Rock Gone Wild. You know what? I'd put them at Sturgis and Bonnaroo, too. Yeah, that's right: Bonnaroo.

My favorite Scorpions tunes are "Winds of Change" and "Rhythm Of Love."

I just bought Scorpions: Gold (Hip-O). It's a two disc set of all the biggest Scorpions songs, enabling me to hear 34 tracks without hunting through my CD case. That's huge.

Here's a clip of "Hurricane 2000"

Do you have a favorite Scorpions tune or story to share?

It's Official: Aerosmith will Tour with ZZ Top

Gary Graff of Billboard.com reports: Health issues and touring commitments have combined to postpone Aerosmith's next album, according to guitarist Joe Perry.

Perry tells Billboard.com that the record sessions — for the group's first album since 2004's "Honkin' on Bobo" and first of all-original material since 2001's "Just Push Play", were delayed when he had to have surgery earlier this year to clear out an infection in his knee replacement.

Then, last month, singer Steven Tyler came down with pneumonia, after which the veteran Boston rockers "realized there wasn't any chance of getting it finished before we hit the road for the summer. So basically we had to push (the album) back, and when the band gets off the road, that's when we'll pick up the AEROSMITH record."

AEROSMITH's tour, the group's first since 2007, starts in June with ZZ TOP. Perry says about 40 dates are set so far for North America, with South America, Europe and Japan also under consideration. The itinerary should be announced soon.

Read more from Billboard.com.

[Via Blabbermouth]

Rock Immortal; Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Tonight

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony is tonight. For the first time in over a decade, the ceremony will actually take place in Cleveland, Ohio.

Performer inductees tonight are:

Jeff Beck
Little Anthony & the Imperials
Metallica
Run-D.M.C.
Bobby Womack

The induction ceremony will air live tonight on Fuse TV starting at 9 p.m.

If you want to become part of tonight's events, visit Rock Immortal, a digital monument to the class of 2009.

After you've logged on to Rock Immortal, you can upload photos, videos and audio clips to honor the artists. You can also leave congratulatory remarks to immortalize the inductees. Share your "monument" on Facebook, Myspace, Twitter and email.