Tyketto, Crazy Lixx Join Already Massive Rock Gone Wild Lineup

ALGONA, IOWA (March 10, 2009) - Surrounded by the rough and tumble streets of New York City and the beauties of Scandinavia, two bands formed to rock your ass off in Middle America. Hard rockers Tyketto and youngsters Crazy Lixx will both join the already massive Rock Gone Wild 2009 lineup. Tickets in three pricing levels are available now by visiting www.rockgonewild.com. Rock Gone Wild is slated for August 20-23, 2009 in Algona, Iowa.

Tyketto formed at the end of the 1980s in New York City. Never forgotten by a legion of rabid fans, Tyketto are known for great AOR melodies with catchy guitar hooks. The band has five albums to their credit and reformed just a handful of years ago to appease fans. Members have recently hinted at the possibility of new music. Danny Vaughn, Jimi Kennedy, Michael Clayton Arbeeny and P.J. Zitarosa are Tyketto.

Don't know Crazy Lixx? You will. The Scandinavian Glam band formed in 2002 in Malmö, Sweden. They are heavily influenced by 80s hard rock - and for this they make no apologies! The band released their critically acclaimed debut Loud Minority at the end of 2007. Danny Rexon, Joey Cirera, Luke Rivano and Andy Dawson are Crazy Lixx.

RV campsites are currently on sale and very limited in number! If you are planning to camp at Rock Gone Wild, reserve your spot now to avoid disappointment. RV campsites are nearly sold out. Tent camping also available. To purchase your campsite, please visit http://tickets.rockgonewild.com/.

Headline acts announced very soon! Bands you'll see at Rock Gone Wild 2009 include Puddle of Mudd, Saliva, Warrant, Skid Row, Candlebox, Lita Ford, Tantric, Kix, Eve 6, Saxon, Great White, Hardcore Superstar, Saigon Kick, Tigertailz, Lizzy Borden, Dangerous Toys, Helix, Rhino Bucket, Junkyard and the Gypsy Pistoleros with many more to come!

Rock Gone Wild will take place at the Freedom Park festival grounds, located at 2507- 160th Avenue in Algona, Iowa.

If you build it, they will rock.

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Carrie Underwood Covers Motley Crue; Hear Home Sweet Home All Season Long on American Idol

I'll be damned.

Country star (and American Idol winner) Carrie Underwood covers Mötley Crüe"Home Sweet Home." Yep, that's right. You can hear a snippet here or wait until tomorrow night on American Idol. "Home Sweet Home" will serve as the good-bye tune for the contestant booted off each week.

I *really* like Carrie Underwood - and that's saying a lot since I am not a country music fan. Carrie has a lot of Glam in her. She likes 80s Metal and she really does sing Glam when she can. There are tons of clips of her singing Skid Row's "I Remember You" and she's done lots of Guns n' Roses covers, too.

For all the hate American Idol gets from "Metal" fans, Carrie covering Motley is great news for both the band - and the genre. There are plenty of kids that will watch AI tomorrow night, Google the song and realize it's not a Carrie Underwood original. You know what that means? A whole new generation of kids discovering Shout at the Devil for the very first time.

In case you love Carrie's version of "Home Sweet Home," you can buy the tune on digital download via iTunes starting March 16 (the same day that Crue Fest 2 is announced, just in case you're keeping score). A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Humane Society of the United States.

I heart Carrie Underwood!

Here's Carrie's cover of "Paradise City"

Here's Carrie's cover of "I Remember You"

In case you've never actually heard one of Carrie's actual songs, here's the mega-hit "Before He Cheats"

Before He Cheats

Promotional photo Arista Nashville/19

Yet Another Festival: Midwest Rockfest

I first learned of the Midwest Rockfest about six months ago. At that time, the event was supposed to be a multi-day festival. Now, it seems the "festival" will be spread out over a series of four Saturdays during the summer.

The Midwest Rockfest is set for:

June 6th
July 25th
August 15th
September 12th

Just where is the Midwest Rockfest, you ask? The short answer is in the middle of nowhere, just like every other festival in the world. The longer answer is Arkansas City, Kansas. That's right, Kansas.

Who is playing, you ask? Your guess is as good as mine, but I know Kix were asked a million years ago. Again, this was back when it was a multi-day festival and not segmented event, so I have no idea if my favorite Baltimore band will find themselves on the bill.

How much are tickets? Well, the official festival website doesn't have much information, but I do know tickets go on sale March 15 (this Sunday) and general admission tickets are different prices based on date. You can get a V.I.P. package (which lets you in to each show) for $400. You get your tickets, food and beer for that much. If you're rich (*cough*: crazy) you can drop two thousand dollars for the "extreme" V.I.P. package. That gets you all this (don't worry, I corrected the horrible grammar):

• VIP tickets to all four shows
• Souvenir mug
• T-shirt (limited edition numbered shirts to match tickets, lanyards and wristbands)
• Unlimited drinks (alcohol and beer)
• Food
• Meet and greet
• All access passes
• Party tent access (back stage)
• Poser seats
• Guitar (for your favorite artists to sign)
• Private Port-a-Johns
• Free parking

Apparently there are only 20 of these packages available. Two grand is way too much money for this "festival" - unless you're getting Aerosmith and Led Zeppelin on the same night (which you won't). And how is parking "free" when you paid two grand for admission?!

Apparently bands will be announced soon. Again, I have no idea. Unless Jimi Hendrix *and* Aerosmith are playing, I'm certain you won't find me in the crowd at Midwest Rockfest. Separated Saturdays is too hard for people that live multiple states away.

So Lynam Need Your Help...

It's no secret that Lynam are one of my favorite bands. They earned that distinction though hard work and wonderful music. Now, Lynam are asking for our opinions. A few days ago, Lynam sent a notice to their fans, asking for help in selecting the next single from Tragic City Symphony. The first single, "Save My Soul" has done quite well - and is still getting good airplay on Octane, a satellite radio station.

If you don't already own Tragic City Symphony, shame on you. You can check out the music from the album here. (Hint: make sure you have the pop-up blocker disabled on your computer, otherwise the player won't start).

Lynam are actually in Ohio today...but several hours from my house, so it wasn't an option to see them. Hopefully Lynam get to swing back through Ohio this summer - but I'll see them on ShipRocked with a whole lot of other cool bands no matter what.

In case you're wondering, my choice for the next Lynam single: "Is This a Heartbreak Or a Loaded Gun?"

You can vote for your choice of single by visiting the official Lynam Myspace and sending a message to the band. Be sure to write "favorite song" in the subject line.

New Papa Roach Single: Lifeline

Have you seen the new Papa Roach video for "Lifeline?" The song is the second single on the upcoming album Metamorphosis. You might recall "Hollywood Whore" was released to mainstream rock radio at the end of 2008. Metamorphosis is due out March 24, 2009. 

You can buy "Lifeline" now, by clicking here.

This album is going to kick ass.

Lifeline - Papa Roach

Papa Roach resumes their U.S. tour next week.

3/12 Worcester, MA @ Palladium (with Buckcherry)
3/14 Toronto, ONT @ Sound Academy (with Buckcherry)
3/16 Uncasville, CT @ Mohegan Sun (with Buckcherry)
3/17 Sayerville, NJ @ Starland Ballroom (with Buckcherry)
3/19 Camden, NJ @ Susquehanna Bank Center
3/20 Utica, NY @ Utica Memorial Auditorium
3/21 Hersey, PA @ Giant Center
3/23 Columbus, GA @ Columbus Civic Center
3/26 Johnson City, TN @ Freedom Hall
3/27 Lexington, KY @ Rupp Arena
3/28 Ashville, NC @ Ashville Civic Center
3/30 Nashville, TN @ Sommet Center
4/04 Topeka, KS @ Topeka Event Center
4/07 Belton, TX @ Belton County Expo Center
4/09 Amarillo, TX @ Amarillo Civic Center

The Perfect Glam Tune for American Idol

I know a lot of people that read this website don't like American Idol. I also know damn good and well that a lot of you do watch...and you often criticize the contestant's song choices.

I know I do.

Sometimes the songs chosen are just...odd. Other times, American Idol forces contestants to stick to a theme, like Broadway or country. One time, contestants had to perform Bon Jovi tunes - and believe me, that week was fun. For the most part, though, it's the same old R&B tunes over and over.

Thus, I have to decided to list my pick for the perfect Glam American Idol tune.

What is it? "Wheels" by Enuff Z'nuff.

Now, you might be thinking "What the hell?" but trust me, this is a brilliant choice. The song is awesome and it works for either a man or a woman. It's not impossible to sing, but it does have a great build which is huge for Idol. Plus, I'm 99.9% certain no former contestant has chosen an Enuff Z'nuff tune - at least in the live portion of the competition.

I bet you've never seen the video for "Wheels." It's my favorite Enuff Z'nuff tune. Here you go. Watch and love.

So Saxon is Doing Rocklahoma

Remember my Rocklahoma predictions article from the end of January? Click here if you don't recall. You'll notice I had Saxon on the list. (You'll also notice that I've been dead on so far, eh?) Last night, the English band confirmed for the third annual Rocklahoma. I've never seen Saxon, so I'm pretty excited - but again, this was no surprise. Saxon is also playing South Texas Rock Fest and Rock Gone Wild.

No, Saxon are not Glam. In fact, they are just about as far from it as you can get. Still, they are straight 80s Metal - and that's good enough for me. Their recent live clips are amazing. When I first learned they would be at Rocklahoma for sure, I headed right over to YouTube to check out some songs.

Here's the "Crusader" live at Wacken Open Air. Look at that crowd!