Hot Wire

Props to my friend Todd for tipping me to this better than great video of Kix performing "Hot Wire." He believes the footage was shot for an official video that was never released. Trust me when I say you absolutely MUST watch this clip!

Beautiful Creatures NOT at Rocklahoma?

Joe Leste was all set to bring his Beautiful Creatures to Rocklahoma on Sunday, July 13...but now, something has gone awry.

Just hours ago, Beautiful Creatures left this simple bulletin on their Myspace page:

"BEAUTIFUL CREATURES WILL NOT BE PLAYING ROCKLAHOMA 2008."

It couldn't get any more cut and dry than that except that the band still has the Rocklahoma gig listed in their upcoming shows - but all other performances are now deleted. I should note that at the time of this writing, Beautiful Creatures are still listed on the official band roster and Pollstar.

I guess this means there are now two TBAs for Sunday. I must admit I am a little sad about losing Beautiful Creatures from the Rocklahoma lineup. I like Joe Leste and I was looking forward to some more modern music on the last day of the festival.

At any rate, here's the video for "Step Back."

Def Leppard Lip Synch

A lot of you are commenting about Def Leppard's performance tonight on Dancing with the Stars. I don't watch that show, but I knew the performance would be on YouTube and I was correct. I wonder why the band felt the need to lip synch? Why not just play and sing?

Here is Def Leppard performing "Pour Some Sugar on Me."  

Are the Cult Actually Glam?

The Cult are often lumped into the Glam category. I don't really think this band is Glam -- more like hard rock. This isn't to say they are not good, but I must admit their songs are quite repetitive. During the endless speculation about which bands would be playing Rocklahoma, people kept mentioning the Cult. I mean, I think the Cult certainly deserve a spot at Rocklahoma more so than half the bands on the current bill, but the choice still surprises me.

XM The Boneyard program director Kevin Kash must really love the Cult, because that band is on constantly. I swear, I hear a Cult song every day during my lunch break. I don't mind the Cult - but the Glam mistress also likes a little variety in her diet. 

I've never seen the band live and I would love to interview lead singer Ian Astbury. Of course, he's notoriously picky, so I am sure no question I asked would be good enough for him. Here are some of my favorite Cult tunes.

Here's "Fire Woman."

Here's "She Sells Sanctuary."

So, are the Cult Glam...or something else?

A Look at Zebra

 Heather has decided to skip Rocklahoma this year. Like a lot of people, she is a little disappointed in the lineup, and has decided to save her money for other vacations. I can't disagree or fault her on the decision. Even though she won't be backstage with Bring Back Glam!, she'll be there in spirit for sure and even offered to research some bands. Today, Heather's take on Zebra.

Time to learn a little about one of the lesser-known bands that will be taking the stage during Rocklahoma 2008. Zebra is on the bill for Sunday, July 13. The band formed in 1975 in New Orleans. Their mainstream debut dropped in 1983. The self-titled album became the fastest selling debut record in Atlantic Records history, shipping 75,000 copies in the first week. The album stayed on the Billboard charts for eight months, peaking at number 29.

The second album came a year later with disappointing results. Sales never took off, and there was no hit single to be found.

Zebra released a new album in 2003, and in 2007 a DVD of a live performance from The House of Blues. Throughout their career, the boys have opened for major acts such as Aerosmith, Kiss, and ZZ Top.

Mentioned on the band's website as a touring "lowlight," Zebra's equipment was stolen after a gig in Houston back in 1981. They say that's when Twisted Sister, Rat Race Choir, the Good Rats and Southern Cross staged a benefit concert on their behalf, raising money to replace the equipment.

In addition to Rocklahoma, Zebra will play the Tomato Fest in Chalmette, Louisiana and the Metro New York Balloon and Music Festival in Shirley, New York.

Aside from the "busy" touring schedule, the guys are working on solo careers. Lead singer Randy Jackson's solo album Randy Jackson's China Rain hit store shelves in 1993. Felix Hanemann plays acoustic guitar and piano in unplugged shows, singing his own tunes along with covers from Rod Stewart, Oasis and Eric Clapton. He hopes to release a solo album in the near future. Following a battle with breast cancer, drummer Guy Gelso is starting a blues band.

If you'd like to know more, you can always visit the bands website. I feel the site leaves much to be desired, starting with the fact that it is silent. Typically bands like to promote their music, and it blasts the moment you click on their site. Not Zebra. This dare-to-be different group apparently wants to attract fans with their lack of music.

After finding some of their tunes on YouTube, I can honestly say I am not impressed. But you judge for yourself.

First, "Who's Behind the Door."

Now, the video for "Tell Me What You Want."

Nine Lives?

Def Leppard is set to release Songs from the Sparkle Lounge in two days (April 29). The album is already leaked on the Internet, but I've been very good and not sampled any of the illicit tracks. I have, however, spent some quality time digesting the first single "Nine Lives." In case you are not familiar, the song features country star Tim McGraw.

I don't like it. I am trying to like it, but I swear the country twang ruins it for me. If I wanted to hear country music I'd go to Nashville. If I was in Nashville, I'd hunt down Alison Krauss and Union Station and not Tim McGraw. No disrespect to him, but his songs are not my cup of tea. Back to the Leps.

You should know by now I love Def Leppard. They are one my favorite bands of all time. I've always thought my life would be irrevocably different if Hysteria was never released. I keep listening to "Nine Lives" and counting references to other songs, especially Aerosmith tunes. Is the title a reference to Aerosmith? Maybe I am just nuts, or let my Aerosmith obsession cloud my judgment.

Reinvention isn't necessarily new to DL. After all, they started out much heavier and changed their sound to fit the times. Still, there's a reason nearly every person I know owns either Pyromania or Hysteria: the albums plain rock. So, I stuck with the Leps through the death of Steve Clark, the lean years when Grunge was king...and come Tuesday, I'll be with them in the Sparkle Lounge.

Is it too much to ask for another song as good as "Animal?" Sigh.

Judge for yourself. I already know quite a lot of you are digging "Nine Lives." Here's the video:

Fantasy Festival 101

There are a lot of music festivals coming up all over the world. After all, summer is the best time to enjoy live music: under the stars and with friends.

While there are so many great events like Download, Sweden Rock, Wacken Open Air, Heavy Mtl, Rocklahoma, South Texas Rock Fest, Bonnaroo and more...a lot of people are disgusted with their respective line-ups. The chances of you finding a festival with your personal dream line-up are slim to none. I want to attend every festival I just mentioned - but there are bands on every single roster I can do without. Such is life.

With that said, why not create a Fantasy Festival? If you were a promoter - and money was seriously no object but you still wanted to sell tickets - who would you book, and why?

We'll say the Bring Back Glam! Festival is three days. Here's my list in no particular order:

Motley Crue
Aerosmith
Lynam
Iron Maiden
Queen with George Michael
Alice Cooper
Poison
RATT
Wig Wam
Bullet for My Valentine
Alleycat Scratch
Crazy Lixx
Crashdiet
Pretty Boy Floyd
Avenged Sevenfold
L.A. Guns
T.Y.R.
Fastway
Metallica
Empyrios
Drugstore Valentine
Vains of Jenna
Def Leppard
Whitesnake
Blue Oyster Cult
Kix

I think it's safe to say I have a diverse list of Metal here. Since we're dealing in fantasy, I am going to set my festival smack dab in the middle of Maui. If this were an actual festival line-up in Maui, your tickets would probably cost $800 - but in BBG! fantasy land, I'll sell you a seat for $300. I promise you'll get leied!

So, do you think you can create a better festival? I dare you.