Friday, February 13, 2009 at 12:01AM Rock on the Range festival in Columbus, Ohio is announcing their lineup sometime today. After that lineup is released, I'll post here and we'll discuss. Until that time, enjoy your Friday.
Thursday, February 12, 2009 at 12:01AM 
During 1992, Guns n’ Roses were traveling the globe, supporting the massively successful Use Your Illusion I and II. The “Get in the Ring” tour became a giant spectacle of costume changes, stage risers, backup singers and extra musicians. The tour made Guns n’ Roses a fortune – and it cost just as much. This was also the catalyst that really started to rip the band apart. You’ll recall that Axl Rose rarely started shows on time – and sometimes never showed up for gigs at all. At any rate, there were nights when the band was literally on fire. Guns n’ Roses released two DVDs from the tour – called Use Your Illusion I and II – World Tour, 1992 (Geffen). The footage was shot in Tokyo.
The live action captured in both DVDs is basically the Guns n’ Roses we all know and love. Sure, Izzy Stradlin and Steven Adler are missing, but the band members that remain have a special chemistry that will likely never be recaptured. Here is the set list for both DVDs:
Obviously, there are highlights and lowlights. “Estranged,” “Paradise City” and “Pretty Tied Up” are excellent. This is also true of “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” and “Double Talkin’ Jive.” I don’t care for the performance of “Sweet Child O’ Mine” so much because Axl screeches through the extended intro and therefore kills his voice for the song. I don’t like “Wild Horses” as much either. I feel like the band should have put “Yesterdays” in the set instead.
The cinematography here is pretty excellent. Sure, there are some awkward camera pans, but overall, the crew does a good job of catching GnR in action – and this is no easy feat. Everyone, save Matt Sorum, run around the stage constantly – especially Axl. During this frenzy, the capacity crowd inside the Tokyo Dome basically just stands there, watching. Sure, there is more movement during “Welcome to the Jungle” and the fans really seem to enjoy when Slash runs around the security area during his solo on “Paradise City” but, for the most part, the crowd is just attentive. There’s no pushing, shoving or death here – just respect. In a way, I think that’s fitting for a band that was about to implode.
The cost of each DVD alone is around 15 to 20 bucks, depending if you support a local shop or buy from Amazon. With these horrific economic times, you’re probably thinking a little harder about your unnecessary purchases. Should you spend your hard-earned money on the live Use Your Illusion concert DVDs? If you are a Guns n’ Roses fan, then yes. These DVDs are probably the closest thing we’re ever going to get to a concert featuring most of the original members and at about forty bucks for both, it’s cheaper than going out to a show. Plus, you get to skip backward and forward as many times as you want to get to your favorite songs.
Here's the video for "Pretty Tied Up"
Wednesday, February 11, 2009 at 12:01AM
Like I say in the title, I wonder if Oprah can sue over the video below? Do you think she's ever heard "Shout at the Devil?" Inquiring minds...
Tuesday, February 10, 2009 at 12:01AM Everyone and her sister has completed "25 Random Things" on Facebook. Everyone, that is, but me. I decided I don't have 25 random facts (about me) that I want to share with the world.
So, let's do 25 random things about Glam. Here's the list compiled by me and my BFF from down under Christian.
01. Poison looked like women until GnR hit big; their next album cover, they looked like GnR.
02. According to Stephen Davis in Watch You Bleed: The Saga of Guns n' Roses, Slash wore a "Poison Sucks" T-shirt in the "Paradise City" video. Remember, Slash also auditioned for Poison.
03. All the bands that say they are glad to be playing small clubs again - are liars.
04. Rocklahoma did not invent the festival concept in America. They did, however, create a great all-Glam event.
05. Def Leppard were not scared of being called "Metal" when it was popular.
06. Vince would have kicked Axl's ass, given the chance.
07. Glam musicians did not do public service announcements about drug use out of the kindness of their hearts.
08. When Vince left Motley, he made a perfect Motley record, but with good solos.
09. When Vince left Motley, the band recorded their strongest effort as a band.
10. The 80s are suddenly cool again - but the diehards know that good music never goes out of style.
11. Internet radio helped put Glam Metal on the map for today's teenagers.
12. The 80s were the classic period for great Metal magazines. True fans still have copies of their favorite Metal mags, archived and stored in tubs "just in case."
13. Mullets were never Glam. They were, however, Billy Ray Cyrus.
14. A flaming codpiece is never a substitute for being able to play or write songs.
15. A lot of bands slag Poison, yet will never be as successful or have as much fun.
16. The Grammy voters hate Glam musicians.
17. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame voters hate Glam musicians.
18. Anyone that says they hate Glam, Hair Metal, Pop Metal or whatever - is a liar. Everyone likes at least one Glam song - even the Death Metal fanatic that sits three desks away from you and is slightly obsessed with fire.
19. Even if your guitarist is not very good, if he (or she) doesn't get to play in the studio, you're not a real band.
20. No matter how many people you've had sex with, boasting about it in interviews just makes us think you don't have a very big penis.
21. Glam bands always do better with a blond singer.
22. Being a reality TV star does hurt your Metal cred.
23. Awesome musician does not always equal great actor. In fact, it rarely does.
24. There's nothing more embarrassing than Glam bands releasing grunge albums and saying how much they hated using hair spray in the 80s.
25. Serious note here: Steven Adler is reliving his youth every day and killing himself. It's no longer very Glam to go out via a drug overdose.
Monday, February 9, 2009 at 12:01AM 
I requested some books for Christmas. Under the tree I found a few titles, including Watch You Bleed, the Saga of Guns n' Roses by Stephen Davis (Gotham, 2008).
The name Stephen Davis should sound familiar if you're into rock biographies. He's written a ton, including histories of Aerosmith and Led Zeppelin.
Anyone who really loves Metal already knows the story of Guns n' Roses. You know, a bunch of ne'er do wells learn to play music and all eventually form bands...meet in L.A. and somehow to get together. Along the way, they bring a history of abuse, neglected childhoods, drug addiction, alcoholism - and horrible tempers. The men that would eventually become the classic lineup of Guns n' Roses formed a certain type of gang, with the mission to survive, make music and become famous. They succeeded.
Since its release more than 20 years ago, Appetite for Destruction has become one of the top selling rock records of all time. A large portion of Watch You Bleed, the Saga of Guns n' Roses is spent recalling events that led to Guns signing with Geffen records and eventual recording of Appetite. In a lot of ways, it seems that Davis is trying to make the reader feel like an extra member of the band, recalling club shows, interviews and recording sessions, paying close attention to detail. There's an overwhelming bit of minutia here as Davis explains conversations by random engineers and always makes a point to list the clothing of each band member (obviously this detail comes by way of thousands of photographs).
When Davis gets past the Appetite sessions, the book gets a little more interesting. The stories of infighting and drug addiction are well known. The stories of Axl Rose going bonkers are well documented...and yet it's still hard to read. I mean, Axl was (is?) just really nuts. Davis uses Axl's episodes to paint a pretty bleak picture of the biggest band in the world. Instead of happiness, most everyone in Guns was a miserable wreck - no one more so than Axl Rose.
The attention to detail that Davis affords many tour stops on the "Get in the Ring World Tour" (in support of the Use Your Illusion discs) is appreciated. Sure, there are factual errors. I've found this to be the case with every music biography I've ever read. While some deeply criticize Watch You Bleed, the Saga of Guns n' Roses, I can't help appreciating the book for what it is: a tormented and entertaining journey down one of rock's darkest alleys. Appetite for Destruction is probably the best record released during the 1980s - but that doesn't make it all sunshine and kittens. That record was borne out of street smarts and desperation - and kids were eager enough to take it all in. When the Illusion discs were released, Guns were world famous and rich - and no one could handle it. To his credit, Davis is able to depict Axl for what he is: a maniacal genius and generally terrifying.
Should you read Watch You Bleed, the Saga of Guns n' Roses? Absolutely. The book is fun, does provide a few new tidbits for die hard fans and paints a very clear picture of what it was like backstage at some of the last Guns shows with all original members. I must note: the recalling of the way Axl beat his girlfriends is upsetting. Stephanie Seymour would fight back but it seemed as if Erin Everly just took more than she gave. Truly painful to try and understand.
I must say Watch You Bleed, the Saga of Guns n' Roses is not as good as Walk this Way, which I consider to be Davis' best work. Still, the Guns book is probably the best offering out there for a complete history of GnR. Obviously no one in the band would talk. Axl still has people under "gag orders" from the Illusion tour. Those people spoke with Davis on the condition of anonymity. Perhaps someday Axl Rose will get enough mental stability to write an autobiography, but I'm pretty sure I'd only believe every fourth word of that anyway.
Buy the book here.
Sunday, February 8, 2009 at 11:15AM 
Dangerous Toys were just added to the South Texas Rock Fest (henceforth, STRF) lineup. The festival runs May 22-24 in San Antonio. You'll recall last year's event was the same weekend as Rocklahoma, so the May date is much earlier.
Here is the lineup so far:
Queensryche
Seven Mary Three
Days of the New
Helix
Sponge
Since the event is in May, I'm assuming the entire lineup will be announced soon...otherwise, it would be sudden death on ticket sales. At any rate, tickets are cheap and you can go to the entire three-day event for $200 - and that is at the top tier level. Three day advance GA is only $75 bucks. This makes STRF just about the cheapest multi-day event in America.
I must admit I'm not impressed with this lineup - yet. I know many more bands will be added, so we'll see.
Click here for more information.
Saturday, February 7, 2009 at 12:01AM
The Grammy awards are presented tomorrow night. There's actually quite a few Metal bands in the running this year - not that this means much or anything.
Motley Crue is nominated for only the second time and the win is certainly not guaranteed. Here are the nominees for Best Hard Rock performance:
Inside the Fire – Disturbed
Visions – Judas Priest
Wax Simulacra – The Mars Volta
Saints of Los Angeles – Motley Crue
Lords of Salem – Rob Zombie
Now, we all know the Grammy awards are about as important as the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame these days. In a lot of ways, the award (and especially the presentation show) have become a diluted mess of a former self. Do I think Motley will win? Actually, I do. I think it's between Motley or the Mars Volta (Judas Priest are nominated in some other categories, as are bands like Metallica).
Since Motley are nominated, I will watch. I think "Best Hard Rock Performance" is still considered important enough to be announced live. I'll be ticked if I sit through the broadcast only to learn the award was handed out during a pre-show ceremony.
I'm not sure if Motley are appearing at the show. Sunday is an off night on the Saints of Los Angeles tour and me thinks that didn't just happen serendipitously.
Oh, and just to see if I'm right, let it be known that I predicted Alison Krauss and Robert Plant would win the "Album of the Year" Grammy for Raising Sand something like 14 months ago. We'll see if my prediction rings true.
Allyson B. Crawford
Motley Crue did not win - the award for Best Hard Rock performance went to the Mars Volta.