Songs About Mothers...

Happy Mother's Day!

I was trying to think of songs involving the word "Mother" or "Mama" in the title. Sadly, many of the little ditties have nothing to do with giving birth or raising a child. We'll say the connotation...is profane. 

Still, my mom listens to rock music and isn't easily offended - so, without further adieu - my list of the best rock songs featuring "mother" in the title. Three cheers for holiday pegs!

1. "Mother" - Danzig

2. "Mama, Weer All Crazee Now" - Quiet Riot/Slade

3. "Mother" - John Lennon

4. "Mama Said Knock You Out" - LL Cool J

Ok, this one isn't rock. Sue me.

5. "Mama Told Me Not to Come" - Three Dog Night

Did I leave one of your favorites off the list?

MusiCares from the Heart

Remember my friend Gerry Gittelson? He sat in with Warrant during their appearance on Rockline...and Friday night, he attended the fourth annual MusiCares benefit concert at the Music Box in Los Angeles. Guitarist Slash and Alice Cooper were honored for being true to the organization's mission statement.

Gerry's report is in italics. My commentary in standard form.

Cooper and Slash received awards for their contributions to MuisCares, a local organization devoted to helping addicts and alcoholics in the music industry during the recovery process. Cooper is a major influence on Glam rock, or glitter rock, or theatrical rock, whatever you want to call it...–

If you'’re wondering how loyal he remains to the genre, look no further than his guitar player Keri Kelli, founder of Big Bang Babies, which happens to be one of the greatest Glam bands of all-time: signed, unsigned, in the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame or the Rock n' Roll gutter. (Editor's note: Me thinks Gerry is a little bias. Remember, he managed Big Bang Babies just as Grunge was turning Glam out of favor. I do agree, however, that they are a great, relatively unknown band). 

Mr. Cooper and Slash kept their acceptance speeches short, instead preferring to make their points on stage. Slash jammed with an all-star ensemble featuring a revolving door of singers that included Cheap Trick’'s Robin Zander, Linkin Park'’s Chester Bennington and Aerosmith’'s Steven Tyler.  Tyler sounded in fine form jamming his way through “Mama Kin,” one of Aerosmith’'s early hits. (Editor's Note: Yes, it's Allyson again. Seriously? Gerry was partying with Slash and Steven Freakin' Tyler on Friday night. I was doing laundry in Ohio. I digress).

Then it was Cooper’'s turn, and the shock rocker turned-in a blistering 20-minute set that didn'’t include his usual props such as a guillotine or a large snake but proved nonetheless that rock is alive and well, even if you'’re 60 years old – and in Cooper'’s case, 26 years sober.

"“We rocked the house," Kerri” Kelli said. “

 "This whole thing is pretty surreal,”" Slash added. "“It hasn’t really sunk in. I came to this event two years ago and I was loaded, so the whole thing has come full circle. It’s a real honor to be here."

”In case you are not familiar, MusiCares is a foundation created by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Musicians use the foundation as a support networking during hard times. If you'd like to support this charity, you can visit the official website.

Photo Credit: Gerry Gittelson. "Slash and Kerri Kelli perform live at MusiCares event."

Erik Turner Talks the Warrant Reunion

 Yesterday, I gave you a little update on the Warrant reunion, courtesy of my friend Gerry Gittelson. Today, a little Bring Back Glam! interview with Warrant guitarist Erik Turner. Erik chats about being back with Jani, playing guitar and a new Warrant CD and DVD. Transcription follows.

Bring Back Glam! What is the band vibe like now that singer Jani Lane is back behind the microphone?

Erik Turner: Authentic, kick ass pure Warrant, now that we have the original line up. The vibe is rock n roll!

BBG!: Are you planning on releasing an album of all new material with Jani?

ET: Hopefully next year there will be a brand new Warrant CD. We are planning on recording in the fall. We do have a new DVD in the works filled with classic footage.

BBG!: Tell about your reunion tour...and playing Rocklahoma.

ET: We are launching our tour in Nashville. The big summer tour will be with Cinderella, Lynch Mob and Lynam. See our site for tour dates: WarrantRocks.com.  Rocklahoma will be awesome.

BBG!: You are going on the road with Cinderella, Lynch Mob and Lynam. How did that tour take shape and what can fans expect from the quadruple billing show?

ET: Party Time!! The very first conversation took place between myself and Cinderella manager Tim back in November I believe.

BBG!: Warrant played Rocklahoma 2007 with Jamie St. James. This year, you'll play with Jani and Jamie will sing with his band Black n' Blue. How is the relationship between the two bands? Is there any chance Jamie will sing a song with Warrant as well?

ET: I don't think there will be a jam, but we all get along great and we are looking forward to seeing Black n' Blue.

BBG!: Give me some hints into the Rocklahoma set list.

ET: Songs from the first three CD's only.

BBG!: Warrant has a bit of a volatile past. Is this reunion a permanent arrangement?

ET: Ha, ha! Is anything permanent? Do I have a crystal ball... I wish! We all hope this line up lasts 'till Warrant plays their last show, but you never know in a rock n' roll band.

BBG!: You've been playing guitar for a very long time now. How often do you practice - outside of rehearsals before Warrant gigs?

ET: Since the reunion came together I have been inspired to practice again. I'm even taking lessons to learn how to read music. I look forward to rehearsals which is a big change!

BBG!: Do you have any advice for someone just picking up guitar?

ET: Have fun guitar hero! Play it loud and drive your neighbors crazy!

BBG!: Finally, where do you see Warrant one year from now?

ET: Hopefully, still together, rocking, recording and making some killer music for our fans!

Where the Down Boys Go

My good friend in Hollywood land, Los Angeles Daily News rock and sports writer Gerry Gittelson, has been a big supporter of Warrant since the group's early days on the Sunset Strip. Gittelson says he is thrilled singer Jani Lane has rejoined the band.

Gittelson hung out with the Down Boys on Wednesday in Los Angeles while the band was doing the Rockline radio show with legendary D.J.Bob Coburn.

"I haven't seen Warrant sounding this good and being this fired up since their first arena tour backing-up Motley Crue way back in 1990 or 1991," Gittelson reports. "It felt like we all fell into a time capsule. Everyone in the band looks great and is well-fit: Jani Lane, guitarists Erik Turner and Joey Allen, bassist Jerry Dixon and drummer Steven Sweet. Jani's voice sounded amazing. Listening to 'Heaven,' it sounded so believable it was like the band had wrote the song that afternoon!" Gittleson added.

Lucky Gerry is working on a Warrant feature for the Los Angeles Daily News and offers up a few quotes he jotted down.

From Jani: "I feel excellent. It was a little uncomfortable coming back after all this time, but once we had our first rehearsal a month or two ago, it just clicked. It was awesome. ... There was a part of me that thought this would never happen again, but I think we've all grown up. Eventually, we saw it was just a matter of time..."

From Erik Turner: "It's great to have all the guys together. This is the authentic Warrant. I used to dread going to rehearsal, but now I actually like going to rehearsal again. ... I started the band when I was 19 and I' m 44 now, so there are a lot of good memories and few blurry ones, too!"

Remember the 1991 Blood, Sweat and Beers tour? Yeah, I don't either, but it featured Warrant, Firehouse and Trixter. Thinking about the reunited Warrant led me to - where else? - YouTube to hunt down some of that concert footage. At the end of one of the shows, all the bands gathered on stage for a jam session to perform "Fight for Your Right" by the Beastie Boys (great tune)!

I believe this was shot in Lafayette, Indiana but I'm not sure. If you were in the crowd and saw this live - leave me a comment!

By the way...you can read Gerry's article in the coming weeks in both the print and online editions of the Los Angeles Daily News.  

I Guess Rocklahoma is Helping the Travel Industry...

So, the Rocklahoma organizers have added yet *another* day to this year's festival. That might be a good idea in theory...but in practice, it creates a travel nightmare for just about every person holding tickets. Right now, we're just over sixty days away from Rocklahoma. It would be one thing if the organizers announced some actual specifics for the "extra-extra" day, but they didn't and this has a lot of people up in arms. Most of the press release is posted below.

What do you think? I don't know if I'll be changing my travel plans...I hate to use yet another vacation day. I figure it will be another four hundred bucks for me to change all my travel plans. Sort of sucks considering money is hard to come by for everyone these days. Also, UFO isn't on the release, but I am guessing that was just an oversight...then again, I'm not sure.

PRYOR, OK— Catch the Fever Music Festivals announced that due to the overwhelming response from members of the rock community and their fans, a fifth day has been added to Rocklahoma.  Director of Operations of the Pryor Creek Music Festival Dave Giencke enthusiastically stated, " Rocklahoma is bringing to the world what cannot be found at any other festival in the world!"
 
Details of Wednesday's events will be announced in the upcoming days.
 
Over 100 bands will be performing on three giant stages over the five days.  Rocklahoma's current lineup on the main stage is: 
 
Thursday (opening night for those who have bought three day tickets) Bret Michaels, Sebastian Bach, Dokken, L.A. Guns featuring Tracii Guns, Enuff Z' Nuff, Vain, House of Lords and Jet Boy.
 
Friday:  Triumph, Extreme, Lita Ford, Night Ranger, Kingdom Come, Armored Saint and XYZ.
 
Saturday:  Cinderella, the reunited Warrant, Kix, Lynch Mob, Trixter, Black N Blue, Tora Tora, Every Mother's Nightmare and Pretty Boy Floyd.
 
Sunday:  Axe, Zebra, Tesla and Queensryche performing Operation:  Mindcrime.
 
The current lineup is subject to change as bands are added in the upcoming weeks.
 
An additional sixty bands are going to be playing on two giant side stages courtesy of Retrospect Records and Tri-Label Group.

Visit www.feverfest.com for more information.

Cat Stevens vs. Mr. Big

I had absolutely no idea Mr. Big covered “Wild World” by Cat Stevens. I heard the song for the first time this week while listening to the 90s channel on satellite radio. I’ve got to say…the original is better. I typically enjoy Mr. Big, but I was not impressed with this rendition of the song at all.

Yes, the cut is on Bump Ahead and I did own a copy at one time...but I guess it never registered with me that this was a cover. Either that or I always fast-forwarded through the track.

I am having a hard time pinpointing what I don’t like about Mr. Big’s cover…maybe it’s a lack of sincerity? Maybe it’s because the original is too damn recognizable? Apparently I’m the only one who doesn’t like the Mr. Big version because it was a big Billboard hit for the band.

Mr. Big’s version:

Cat Stevens' version:

That said, I think Mr. Big are a phenomenal band comprised of top notch musicians. Did I mention Billy Sheehan is on bass in these clips? Yes, he owns just about every other bass player on the planet. Of course you love "To Be With You." I mean, we already know none of us care about little boys that talk to much, so what else is there to add?

Now, for my very favorite Mr. Big song "Just Take My Heart." I am not sure why every video this band makes looks the same, but maybe they all have the same director or something. At any rate, I think this track is superb - no matter what the haters say.

Alright, spill it. I figure some of the comments will be interesting today.

Songs I Need to Hear Again (and Again…)

Yesterday, I wrote about songs I can’t stand anymore because they are literally played out. Today, the handful of songs I can listen to on repeat without care for the mindless repetition. As yesterday, these tunes are in no real order.

“Hooligan’s Holiday” – Motley Crue

“Burn In Hell” – Twisted Sister

“Runnin’ with the Devil” – Van Halen

“Don’t Walk Away” – Danger Danger

“Waking the Demon” – Bullet for My Valentine

“Restless” – Alison Krauss and Union Station

“Everything She Wants” – Wham!

“Who Are You?” – The Who

“I Want A Woman” – RATT

“(You Drive Me) Crazy” – Britney Spears

So, which songs do you never get sick of listening to…either on the radio or your iPod?