Bulletboys on a Side Stage...

Well, the Bulletboys are playing Rocklahoma -- they were added yesterday to the TriLabel side stage. You might recall Marq Torien, et. al. played the mainstage last year. In fact, The Bulletboys gave one of the best performances of 2007, but it was early in the day and I think people were tired because the crowd wasn't very big or active.

I honestly can't even keep the Rocklahoma lineup straight anymore. I swear, I'm going to have to print the schedule - and by that I mean wait until the day before the event to make sure I get every late add - and then laminate the damn thing. If I don't have a piece of all-weather paper in my hand telling me who is playing when - and where - the coverage on this website isn't going to be pretty. Just thinking about the four days in the oppressive Oklahoma heat, wandering from stage to stage makes me twitch. You'll notice I say four days, because I've decided not to go to the pre-pre party day on Wednesday. My flights were booked months ago, as was the hotel and the rental car -- and the Glam rock husband drew the line in the sand at changing all our plans. I actually understand where he's coming from for once.

So, to the best of my ability here is the most current Rocklahoma line-up:

Wednesday, July 9: 

Ratt
Jackyl
All Star Fantasy Camp
Firehouse
Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp Jam

Thursday, July 10th: 

Bret Michaels
Sebastian Bach
Dokken
LA Guns
Enuf Znuff
Vain
House of Lords
Jet Boy

Friday, July 11:

Triumph
Extreme
Lita Ford
Night Ranger
Living Colour
Kingdom Come
Armored Saint
XYZ

Saturday, July 12:

Cinderella
Warrant
KIX
Lynch Mob
Trixter
Black N Blue
Tora Tora
Every Mothers Nightmare
Pretty Boy Floyd

Sunday, July 13:

Queensryche
Tesla
Ace Frehley
Steelheart
UFO
Zebra
AXE

Side Stages:

The Retrospect Records stage: JESTER, SIDEKIXX, PAIR-A-DICE, FRONT RUNNER, TOMMY HAD A VISION, VALOR, GYPSY BLUE, WHITEFOXX, BLUE TIGER, WILD AUGUST, MESSANG, PAUL SHORTINO, MARIAH, WARRYOR, BAD CANDY, LORRAINE, NASTY NASTY, REAL STEEL, CUTTLASS, VYPER, MASS, BAD CANDY, ONEY, STRIKEFORCE, HERAZZ, RECKLESS, HEARTLESS, RON KEEL, WARRYOR and ALIBI.

The Tri-Label Group stage: ASPHALT VALENTINE, AZRAEL'S BANE, BANGALORE CHOIR, BONESHAKER,  COCKPIT, DANGEROUS INC., DEATHRIDERS (NEIL TURBIN), DIRTY PENNY, DRIVE A, EXIT 27, GODS OF KANSAS, GYPSY PISTOLEROS, KARNEVIL (DARIO LORINA), KRUCIBLE (featuring Lance King), LIPSTICK MAGAZINE, MINDFLOW, ODIN, ORDER OF NINE, POWND, SACRED DAWN, SEX DEPARTMENT., SHADOWSIDE, THE JAKALS, TEXAS HIPPIE COALITION, WARMACHINE, and now THE BULLETBOYS.

Some of these side stage bands are playing Wednesday too, and I think in a couple instances some bands are actually playing both stages on different days.

I have to admit I'm really surprised the Bulletboys are playing a side stage. No, I don't have grandiose thoughts that the Bulletboys were ever as big as Motley Crue or anything like that, but I do think it's odd some lesser known bands are essentially headliners and some 80s Glam favorites are - literally - shoved to the side. I suppose this could have something to do with the "no repeat" policy Catch the Fever Festival organizers instituted this year...but now there are repeats on the mainstage (*cough* Steelheart) so that argument doesn't hold weight anymore.

***On a complete other note regarding Rocklahoma, I want to meet all of  you that are going to the festival! If you want to meet up, send me an email and we'll try to make plans.

Update on Thursday, June 5, 2008 at 12:37PM by Allyson B. Crawford

Never mind, take Bangalore Choir off the list! According to Blabbermouth, the band just pulled out. From Blabbermouth:

"The reunited BANGALORE CHOIR has cancelled its appearance at this year's Rocklahoma festival, which will be held July 9-13, 2008 at the Catch The Fever Festival Grounds, four miles north of Pryor, Oklahoma. Replacing them on the bill will be the Swedish band GYPSY ROSE, featuring BANGALORE CHOIR singer David Reece."

See what I mean about waiting until the day before the fest to laminate that piece of paper?!?

A Good Reason to Talk About INXS

Call it a hunch, or fate, or just a mere coincidence, but I've been listening to a lot of classic INXS lately. I can't explain why, but I've found it very comforting to have "Never Tear Us Apart" many times on repeat. 

After original lead singer Michael Hutchence died in 1997, the remaining members of INXS were left with a difficult decision to either pick up and move on...or call it quits. The band forged ahead and eventually used reality television to find a new, permanent lead singer instead of transitional vocalists used between 1997 and 2004.

Rockstar: INXS was on CBS but I never watched the show. I tried to get into it once, but I just couldn't. I didn't think the competitors were that great and I found the entire concept tedious. Yes, I found Rockstar: INXS more tedious than American Idol.    

So, what does any of this have to do with Glam? Turns out a lot.

Paul Black is the original singer of L.A. Guns and for the past couple of years he's been reunited with Tracii's version of the band. As L.A. Guns, they played some big shows including Rocklahoma 2007. Well, Paul is out and now Marty Casey is in. Marty (clearly) didn't win the Rockstar: INXS prize.

Marty has been up in Canada with L.A. Guns for awhile, helping the band write their new album. Now here's something weird: on April 9 I was supposed to interview Jeremy Guns about the band's new album. After he got to Canada, he cancelled the interview. I didn't think much of it at the time, but now I'm wondering if something was amiss even at the beginning of the recording process?

At any rate, I have no idea what the future holds for Paul Black but I do know that L.A. Guns are forging ahead with their new album and tour and that also includes an appearance at Rocklahoma. You better believe I'll be in the media tent when the new L.A. Guns make their press call. I want to get a close look at Marty Casey. 

Still don't recognize the name Marty Casey? Don't feel bad. Here are some clips of him singing during the Rockstar: INXS contest:

Here's "Trees"

Here's "Creep"

Here's "Don't Change" (with INXS)

As if a new signer wasn't enough, the band also has a new guitarist. Look at the picture: that other blond you see if Alec Bauer. I don't have the down low on him, but I'm digging.

**What are your thoughts on the newest incarnation of Tracii's L.A. Guns?

The Adventures of Ford Fairlane

I've never actually seen The Adventures of Ford Fairlane (1990) but I think it might be in the running for the best Glam soundtrack of all time.

Check out these tracks:

Cradle of Love         - Billy Idol
Sea Cruise             - Dion
Funky Attitude        - Sheila E
Glad to be Alive      -  Lisa Fisher
Can't Get Enough    - Tone Loc
Rock N' Roll Junkie  - Motley Crue
I Ain't Got You         - Andrew Dice Clay
Last Time in Paris    - Queensryche
Unbelievable             - Yello
Wind Cries Mary      - Richie Sambora

Ok, so it's not all Glam, but there's still some good music here. If you're not familiar, Vince Neil had an acting role in The Adventures of Ford Fairlane. I can't actually talk about the plot since I haven't seen the film, but I'm sure you can look it up on Wikipedia. Anyway, I'm a big fan of both the Motley Crue and Queensryche tracks. In fact, I have both on my iPod. In addition to the movie soundtrack, you can get "Rock N' Roll Junkie" on the Motley Crue version of the 20th Century Masters collection as well as Decade of Decadence. 

The cool thing about Queensryche is that they actually perform "Last Time in Paris" live from time to time. It's not as dark as a lot of their stuff so that makes it a good concert tune. I found a clip of Queensryche performing the song live back during the Empire tour.  Lead singer Geoff Tate sort of looks like he's having a good time. Seeing him smile and sing next to former guitarist Chris DeGarmo warms my heart. Watch for yourself.

Tell me that wasn't a cool Queensryche clip! I know the band is planning on doing Operation: Mindcrime in full at Rocklahoma next month, but I've heard they will also do some extra songs after the rock opera. I hope "Last Time in Paris" is on the set list. I know DeGarmo won't be there in person but in my mind, he'll be there in spirit.

As for Motley, I'm not sure if they ever perform "Rock N' Roll Junkie" live, but if I had my way they'd drop their cover of "Anarchy in the U.K." for this tune. This song has such a great bass intro that I had to stop writing and get up and learn the opening riff. It's not too hard for a novice like me. Take a listen.

I will say the Sambora cover isn't as good as the original but it's awfully hard to improve upon Jimi Hendrix. I mean, it just can't be done. Still, I'd rate Sambora's work over the pop tunes on this disc and still call The Adventures of Ford Fairlane a more than solid soundtrack.

*** If you've actually seen the film, please tell me: do the songs match the action? 

Take Me to the Top

Can new bands like Vains of Jenna, Crashdiet or even Lynam survive?

I talk a lot about the newest Glam talent coming from Sweden. I also talk a lot about newer American hard rock bands...but the question that always remains in the back of my mind is "can they make it?"

Think about this: the summer concert season is now officially underway. Just about every tour I can think of features a legacy rock act. Think about it: Poison, Motley Crue, Cinderella, Warrant, Alice Cooper...hell, even Ringo Starr and his All-Star band are hitting the road in the next three months. In each instance, all the bands have been around for, well, decades. Moreover, fans often complain at the quality of these performances. Just read comments on the slew of music message boards on the Internet to confirm my assertion. People say Vince Neil skips every other word during Motley shows and Tom Keifer can't hit the high notes...and C.C. still can't play guitar and you get the point. Yet, each summer, these are the only tours that make money. Truly a baffling business model.  

 
At least this summer Lynam opens for Lynch Mob, Warrant and Cinderella. It's great for Lynam to be a part of the package and I hope some more people learn to love that band as much as I do. Still...is it fair for new acts to always be relegated to playing at 6 p.m. instead of the headline spot? I don't think so.

Think about every major festival this year. It doesn't matter if you prefer really heavy metal and are therefore heading to Wacken Open Air or love Glam so you're going to Sweden Rock or Rocklahoma - in every instance, legacy acts make up most of the bill. Sure, there are two new bands - Avenged Sevenfold and Bullet for My Valentine - that are now starting to break into headlining spots at major festivals. During the recent Taste of Chaos tour, Avenged Sevenfold acted as the headliner and all the other bands were newer talent.

Still, the biggest grossing tours of each year are always legacy acts like the Rolling Stones or Madonna. Vains of Jenna toured with Poison last year and it didn't gain them any headlining arena shows for this summer. Come to think of it I haven't seen VOJ live since last summer. 

I know the music business is an angry mistress. It's hard to break and even harder to break big. I'm not sure I'm looking forward to the day that Motley Crue is no longer a headliner BUT I do think some new talent needs a chance at the top. Just my two cents. Thoughts?

Sunday Snippet

Friends, some of you know I am a migraine sufferer. I get them so often, I've learned to cope with the insanity. Last night, however, I felt like I was truly on the brink of death. For me, total migraines come from all sorts of triggers: alcohol, perfume, fatty foods, chocolate, exhaustion and stress. I drink very little, never wear perfume, try to watch my fat intake (I'm already a vegetarian) but there's no way I can quit chocolate and exhaustion is usually my middle name. So, I did eat a large hunk of chocolate cake yesterday and my husband and I did do a lot of work on our house...and therefore around 7 p.m. I developed a small headache which turned into a monster. I was in bed by 9 and the headache is still with me...and now it's nearly 10 a.m. I'm sorry for not having my post up at 12:01 a.m. as is customary, but I just couldn't. Please watch some of my all-time favorite videos. Hopefully I'll ditch this headache and I can get a real post up for tomorrow.

Aerosmith "Cryin'"

Def Leppard "Animal"

Bon Jovi "Livin' on a Prayer"

Keri Kelli: The Bring Back Glam! Interview

You might say Keri Kelli is one busy guitarist. He plays for Alice Cooper full time and is currently in the studio laying down tracks for the shock rocker's new album Along Came a Spider. For most, this would be enough of a job, but Keri plays with several other bands including Saints of the Underground, Skid Row and more. Bring Back Glam! recently spoke with Keri about Along Came a Spider, touring with Alice Cooper, not having a day job and the love of good beer. Transcription follows.

 
Bring Back Glam!: Tell me about the new Alice Cooper album, Along Came a Spider.

Keri Kelli: I think there's some great stuff on it!. One's called "Killed by Love." Chuck (Garric, bass) and I wrote that with Alice and another brother of ours, Jim Bocke. I think that's going to be one of the main tracks on the album, in my opinion. Another tune is - well it may be titled "Serial Killer" or "The One that Got Away." It's another cool track that Alice and I worked on...and another is "Feminine Side," we're almost done with that one. Danny Saber is recording and producing the album in the Hollywood Hills as well as Greg Hampton. This record wasn't done the old school way where everyone gets together and jams. It is more like a project, where you work and write in different sections. Some songs are 100% mixed and other still need some tracking to be done. It's been a interesting process, but it's Alice's record and I'm just glad to be involved on any level. It's cool.

BBG!: When will that be released?

KK: At one point I'd heard July, but I don't think that's going to be the case. I think August is what I've heard is the actual release date, I truthfully don't know exactly. It will be well worth the wait.

BBG!: And then you're going on tour?

KK: Yes, midsummer. We leave L.A. on July 4th and we roll out to Bulgaria. There's like four flights to get there. I go from Orange County to San Francisco, then to London...and then to Vienna and then to Bulgaria. I believe the festival is an hour outside the city. We do Europe in July, August and September is the (United) States and then October is Canada and we might do more of Europe again in November I've been told.

BBG!: Do you like going out for long stints?

KK: Yeah its cool, though I like to take little breaks. I think Alice and all the guys do. We're not usually out solid. We're usually out for a few months at a time...it doesn't sound like much, but we'll come home for four days or six, seven days...so you're home for a week and you go back out for four or five weeks. By the time you get acclimated to being home, it's time to go out again, so it's cool. We usually have the winters off, so you can get all your other stuff done.

BBG!: You play with a lot of bands. Do you just like to keep busy?

KK: That's all I do! Let's put it this way, I think I'm very fortunate I've been able to play with so many different people. I have friends who have had great success on their own or with a band, but some dudes have only been involved in one project in literally a 20 year period. Luckily, the last dozen years or so, I've been involved with so many different types of people and musicians...I've been able to spread my wings and experience new things. I dig it. I want to play as much as I
can here, there and everywhere. In between Alice shows, I play with Skid Row and that's awesome. I'll come home, be home for three days, play a couple shows with Skid Row and then go back out for a month with Alice. I'm always ready to play. I also have a home recording studio, so I'm always doing stuff there. Jani Lane and I are always writing for his records or for Warrant or just for song placements. I never just sit at the house and watch T.V. -- I just want to play.

BBG!: Tell me about working with Jani Lane.

KK: He's cool. He's my brother, we get along great! We have a lot of the same tastes in music and a lot of the same outlooks on life. We have a great time when we get together. He's a cool cat. I just played with him a couple weeks ago in Texas and Mexico. He called me up and said "Hey, I need a guitar player, can you help me out?" and I said
"Sure!" It's all about having a good time with your buddies. We really do have the same musical influences...it's easy for us to write songs and develop ideas.

BBG!: What are some of those shared influences?

KK: I like...well very diverse things. I think it's important to have "music appreciation." I like everything from Jazz fusion to rock music...I think Metallica is great as well as a lot of newer bands like H.I.M., She Wants Revenge, Fallout Boy and 80s rock stuff like Bon Jovi. 70's stuff like Thin Lizzy or (the Rolling) Stones. The stuff me and Jani work on always has a story-line, but it is still commercial. If it's like a three minute, great cool pop-song, heavier, a ballad, Fallout Boy or Warrant type tune- it doesn't matter to me as long as its a great song: a story-line within the lyrics. You need something special and have a hook.

BBG!: So you don't have a particular favorite band?

KK: Oh, if you want to talk favorite bands...Thin Lizzy is probably my favorite band of all time...and the Rolling Stones. Those are my favorites if you want to pigeonhole something as a "favorite." I like the Mick Taylor era of the Rolling Stones. For me that was really special.

BBG!: Tell me about forming Big Bang Babies.

KK: When I started that band, I was really young. Like 18 when I was putting it together. The first guy I found was the drummer Freddie. I recorded a six song demo myself and had a friend sing, so I had six completed songs. Then I started looking for the other guys. The next guy was Kit the singer...and then we found Boyd, the bass player. We had a great time, we lived in Hollywood and lived on girl's floors and stuff...kind of like you see in Decline of Western Civilization...it
was a cool time. Looking back it was cool I got to experience that. People always talk about L.A. in the 80s. I think our band was neat for what it was. Unfortunately, I think we had a lot of cool tunes...and we actually demoed something like 122 songs. Probably a third were good (laughs). Problem was the time frame was not right for that type of band.

BBG!: Have you had any crappy day jobs like me?

KK: Um...I really haven't had any jobs at all. I was just a kid when I started the Big Bang thing...Well, one time I was a driver. I drove around packages for a courier service for a few months. That was about it to be honest with you. It was only Tuesday and Thursday...or something. I drove around for a few hours on Tuesday night and Thursday morning I had to pick up some shit and that was about it. I guess I've been fortunate to not have a "job." I don't know...is that good or bad? Like I said, though, literally everyday I'm doing something related to music. I guess my job is music. I've never had to clock in 9 to 5, so I feel very fortunate.

BBG!: What else do you have going on?

KK: I'm an avid beer drinker...and brewer. One of my bros has a drinking show on an HD channel called Mojo. Its called Three Sheets and it's hosted by my boy Zane Lamprey...and he rolls all around the planet...and goes to different bars and breweries to talk to the local people and gets hammered. I think that's awesome. What a job! I'm really into the beer and brewery thing and a couple of my buddies have breweries down here in Southern California. One of them is the Newport Beach Brewing Company - that's my boy Jerry - it's awesome and right by the water. Another is called the Tustin Brewery and my friend Jason owns that place. And there's a company who actually distributes their beer called Stone Brewery, and they're in North San Diego. They have some incredible beers, like Arrogant Bastard Ale, Levitation Ale and the Infamous Ruination Ale and I mean they go the fuck off! These guys are all cool cats, so I'm trying to get Zane to do a show with myself and my buddies at their breweries. I'm really looking forward to that, it would be killer!

BBG!: So, you're going to be a television star is what you're telling me?

KK: I hope so! Or at least I can get on the Three Sheets show and drink a bunch of free beer. I also love sushi. My favorite things are rock n' roll (of course that includes the guitar), drinking good beer... and I mean handcrafted micro-brewed ales and sushi. My other buddy has a sushi place down in Newport Beach, literally a crawl from
the Newport Beach Brewing Company called California Beach Rock n' Roll Sushi. Hide owns that place, and he's been there forever. I've been going there since 1987 [or] 1988 and he's been there since he was a kid also. I've been going there since I was like 15 years old. You could order beer back then they didn't care, it was awesome. He bought the place a few years ago so he's a Cal Beach lifer. That's my place I've been going to since I was a kid and now thank God he owns it. Totally cool...it's a big sushi place and they crank the rock and the sushi chefs get loaded and just have a great time with the customers.. When we go there they put on the Saints of the Underground or Alice
Cooper...we have a blast.

Photo credit: Keri Kelli 

No 2009 Motley Cruise?

This time last year, word was out about the Motley Cruise and extra acts slated to perform on the high seas of debauchery. This year...not so much. Now, nearly six months after disembarking Motley Cruise 2008, there is word there might not be such an event for 2009.

I can't say that I'm surprised. Silence in the music business typically means bad things. Apparently, the main organizer of the cruise has left the travel company that produces the event. Yesterday, MK Cruises released this note via Myspace:

May 28, 2008 5:44 PM
Subject: 2009 Motley Cruise
Body: Hello everyone,

I have been receiving tons of calls, e-mails and phone calls regarding the 2009 Cruise, so here is what I know.

1. Gigi and Alexis resigned from the booking agency
2. Nothing has been set as far as I know, in other words there is no ship, no dates, no bands, nothing
3. My opinion is, I don't think it's going to happen (sorry)

Obviously, there is a story here. More than one person on this planet is capable of planning the Motley Cruise, so I don't believe that an employee shift is the reason for the cessation of the event. Let's not forget the Motley Cruise is a charity endeavor to raise money for the Skylar Neil Foundation. That money is then turned over to the TJ Martell Foundation. I can't help but wonder if Motley Crue's big Live Nation deal has something to do with this? It hasn't been announced yet, but I would bet money that Motley will tour arenas in the winter to support Saints of Los Angeles. Truly a winter tour would harbor Vince's availability a little, but it's not impossible to schedule.

Something doesn't add up here, but maybe that's me being overly jaded again. All I know is I heard the phrase "Metal Mutiny" mentioned on the cruise in January and I went home and checked a domain and sure enough - Metal Mutiny was registered the day after the Motley Cruise. The domain registration is private so we can't be sure who owns the page. Perhaps we'll know more in the coming months. I've also heard from some reliable sources that there actually will be a Motley Cruise and it will be announced at Rocklahoma. I'm still skeptical.

What I do know is that I am going ahead and booking a summer vacation. I'm sick of waiting on this cruise information. I'm feeling the need to visit the tropics.