Trail of Tears

We all know our beloved Glam bands made some crazy videos back in the day. Some have stood the test of time...and others, well...not so much.

You remember Europe, right? You know "The Final Countdown." That's a good song - even if it's about aliens or traveling to Venus or whatever. So, we've established "bonkers" is the norm for the Swedish band - but what about Native Americans?

I don't know how it's possible - but I swear the first time I ever saw the video for "Cherokee" was about 12 hours ago. Oh, how did I live without knowing of this video's existence?

As a song, "Cherokee" is pretty good - but the video seems crazy to me. Maybe it's watching a Glam band playing during a stampede in the mountains?

I wonder why Europe isn't rumored for Rocklahoma? Every other band of the genre has at least been mentioned. I know Europe still have a lot of fans in the United States - and everyone knows the words to "The Final Countdown" and "Carrie." Here's some other food for thought: the band is curiously open during the weekend of Rocklahoma (and therefore the South Texas Rock Fest). They are playing Rockweekend in Sweden on July 18. Seems there would be plenty of time to jump to the States, play Rocklahoma (or South Texas) and fly back over to their homeland.

Speaking of crazy - Europe has the oddest website I've ever seen. It honestly made me jump the first time I clicked onto their page. Don't believe me? See for yourself by clicking here. Don't say I didn't warn you.

Return of the Pride

It’s been well over a decade since the last White Lion album was released. Now, Mike Tramp is back with a new band and new songs. Return of the Pride (Frontiers, March 2008) features these songs:

1. Sangre de Cristo
2. Dream
3. Live Your Life
4. Set Me Free
5. I Will
6. Battle at Little Big Horn
7. Never Let You Go
8. Gonna Do It My Way
9. Finally See The Light
10. Let Me Be Me
11. Take Me Home (European Bonus Track)

It’s very brave of the band to invoke the word “pride” in the title, isn’t it? The word is now synonymous with White Lion. It’s also synonymous with Vito Bratta, and he ain’t nowhere to be seen on this recording. The album features appearances by:

Mike Tramp - Vocals
Jamie Law - Guitar
Claus Langeskov - Bass
Henning Wanner - Keyboards
Troy Patrick Farrell - Drums

The album isn’t bad, but it didn’t strike me as phenomenal either. Return of the Pride is a long time coming. I’m not sure what I expected…except that I expected more. Mike Tramp’s voice sounds both familiar and gravely. That isn’t necessarily a good thing. The song writing didn’t really impress me either, but I do like “Finally See the Light” and “Live Your Life.” Almost nine minutes in length, “ Sangre de Cristo” blows every other album track out of the water. It’s long, dark and melodic – exactly what you want from a Glam band during reinvention mode. Above all else, the track has depth – which is appropriate for such an album. It’s pretty clear Tramp wants to be taken seriously and I can understand that wish. After all, he’s been in the music business for a long time – at the end of the day we all just want some respect.

Even though this album didn’t wow me, I still think you should give it a try. If you are a die hard White Lion fan, you probably already ordered a copy. I’d say Return of the Pride is above average – just don’t expect to hear anything as strong as “Wait.”

Haven't heard any preview tracks? Here's "Set Me Free." 

For more information, visit Return of the Pride online

Classic vs. Current

If you have cable, you probably get Vh1 Classic and that means you likely recognize the phrase "Classic Current."

I started really thinking about "classic" versus "current" yesterday after buying my George Michael tickets. Yes, I write about "modern" bands here from time to time: Crashdiet, Vains of Jenna, Bullet for My Valentine...We all know these are relatively new rock acts - but what happens when a band makes a comeback - or releases new material?

I told all the people I work with about George Michael. Most of them didn't recognize the name - and trust me, I am one of the youngest employees of the Fortune 500 company. So I was surprised at their confusion, but not bothered. Many  coworkers took the time to look up old George to put a face with the name. Then it started to click. Anyway, one of these coworkers kept referring to George as "current." Yes, she knew he had a lot of fame in the 1980s.

So, what makes a band or artist "current?"

I realize I deal in nostalgia here. I talk about the bands I love - you love them too. Here's a question: if (when) Motley Crue releases a new album this summer, does that make them a current band?

Can you be current without being popular among the Hot Topic set?

The members of Motley Crue are pretty famous. Much more famous than a whole lot of other musicians. Band members still get mentioned in Rolling Stone, People, The New York Times. Nikki Sixx and Tommy Lee go to movie premieres. They stay in the spotlight.

Bret Michaels and the rest of Poison are pretty famous too. Bret is enjoying a resurgence of popularity thanks in part to Rock of Love on Vh1 Classic. When Rikki Rockett was arrested on a strong arm rape charge just days ago, the news circled the Internet, newswires and made national magazines. 

If bands stay in the limelight, continue to record new music and tour, are they current?

The Rolling Stones have a big movie coming out based on their live shows. When you think rock royalty, the Rolling Stones are clearly up there with the cream of the crop. Not many bands - save Led Zeppelin - are more famous. The Rolling Stones have been making music for more than four decades - but are they current?

Vh1 Classic uses the term "Classic Current" most commonly during Metal Mania video blocks. At this point I know that if a Motley Crue video pops on the screen it will be followed by SIXX: AM's clip for  "Life is Beautiful."  This is good marketing for both bands - but what sort of message does this send to fans?

Personally, I think if a band is making an effort, they are current. Current and new are two totally different things. Thoughts? 

Book Review: Straight Whisky

So I finally read Straight Whisky: A Living History of Sex, Drugs and Rock 'N Roll on the Sunset Strip by Erik Quisling and Austin Williams (Bonus Books, 2003). The book is about the history of the Whisky A Go-Go, The Rainbow Bar and Grill and the Roxy Theatre. Sadly, I was a little disappointed by the time I'd turned the last page on my hardcover edition.

Straight Whisky attempts to tell to the story of rock n' roll on the Sunset Strip over the past four decades. Some stories are interesting and others leave a lot to be desired. The book spends a ton of time on Johnny Rivers - explaining how he and the Whisky eventually became intertwined. That's fine - but no other artist gets nearly as much treatment in the book, save for maybe Led Zeppelin.

The stories about Led Zeppelin are probably my favorite part of the book. It's pretty cool hearing how the biggest rock band in the world traveled all the way from Europe just for a night of food and debauchery courtesy of the Whisky and the Rainbow.

There are factual errors and I don't really like the photos selected for the book either. There are many photos to be sure, but none of them are in color! I know color costs a little more when printing, but these are details that actually sell books.

The authors of Straight Whisky don't spend enough time on the 80s Glam scene. Of the decades of rock, 80s Metal is probably most synonymous with the Whisky A Go-Go, so the extra short chapter on this time period leaves me baffled. Sure, Poison is mentioned and Bret Michaels is quoted...but that's about it. There is one page on Motley Crue and about one sentence on Van Halen! Anyone who knows anything about 80s Metal knows that the Strip was the place to be seen - and be made. I would have loved a few more stories of bands getting discovered and signed in their natural habitat.

Maybe I'm too picky, but I have a lot of high hopes when it comes to books about sleazy rock n' roll.  This book didn't quench my thirst for rock history.

Another note: there is a giant historical inaccuracy surrounding Charles Manson and the Tate/LaBianca murders. I read Helter Skelter by Vincent Bugliosi when I was in high school. I'm pretty sure Bugliosi - who prosecuted Manson and the rest of the Family - knows the facts surrounding the case. Straight Whisky describes an inaccurate timeline involving a confrontation between Mario Maglieri (Whisky owner) and Charles Manson. This is a large portion of the book - so I think a little fact checking is in order.

Despite the flaws, I appreciate the efforts of  Erik Quisling and Austin Williams. We need more books about rock n' roll on the Sunset Strip.

Someday I just might write a rock history myself.

Thank You!

A heartfelt thank you for making March 2008 the most successful month in Bring Back Glam! history. I don't check my traffic data every day - but when I logged on to look at my end of month data, I was stunned. I think we're making real progress here.  If we keep up this community building, someone - somewhere - will surely take notice. You've made it pretty clear what type of music you love - let's keep the momentum going!

Also, a personal thank-you to all of you who email with tips, ideas, stories and more. I love getting your messages. Friendship is a surprising benefit of this website. 

Tell your friends. All we need is a little buzz to Bring Back Glam!

Ticket Stress

Scoring concert tickets can be very serious business - especially considering the outrageous prices, fees and usually (illegal) seating system.

This morning, I will attempt to buy presale seats for George Michael's first North American tour in 17 years. I predict hysteria when I log on to Ticketmaster. Sadly, my dear George isn't coming anywhere near Ohio - and when he does make his one Midwestern stop to Chicago I'll be en-route to Rocklahoma. This means planning an entire trip around a concert with tickets already priced in the hundreds of dollars.

Glam fans I am stressed. I think it sucks that seeing George is going to cost me an arm and a leg. It's bad enough paying for a plane ticket these days. The concert itself will break me. Still, I don't want to miss the opportunity to see George Michael perform "Freedom" live. You see, George has always been on my list of artists to see before I (they) die. I figure every die hard music fan has such a list. Other artists on my list include SIXX:AM and Eric Clapton. I recently crossed Van Halen with David Lee Roth off my list - and I'll be seeing them for the second time next month right here in Ohio.

So back to George and this trip planning. The fan club onsale is in a few hours. I still don't know which city I am going to, nor do I have a flight or hotel selected after I get the tickets. I'm appalled at how much everything costs these days. I mean, a can of soup is nearly two dollars! Milk and gas are nearly four dollars a gallon respectively. It's all becoming too much. I've complained about high ticket prices before - but something has to give. Festivals like Rocklahoma and South Texas are cheap compared to single act "big draw" shows. If you think about it - I'm getting four days of entertainment at Rocklahoma for the same price as spending two hours with George Michael! 

I suppose I can preach all day long. Ticket prices won't drop and I'll still go to shows and buy merchandise because I support artists.

I apologize for the rant but I am plain exhausted and a little stressed on this Monday morning. Please, share with me your "must-see in concert" list.

Update on Monday, March 31, 2008 at 12:49PM by Allyson B. Crawford

Here's an update: I got my tickets! I'll be seeing George Michael from the 5th row in Philadelphia. I may need to sell a kidney to pay for this once in a lifetime experience...but whatever. You only live once.

Oh yes: the fan club presale sold out in just minutes. I count myself very lucky.  

Heavy MTL

Well, there's another rock festival taking shape - and it sounds like it's going to be plain awesome.

Heavy MTL is set for June 21 and 22 in Montreal, Canada. As the name would suggest, this is a festival celebrating heavier bands. Apparently, Iron Maiden is a headliner and other bands rumored on the bill are Overkill and Symphony X.

Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles magazine (BW&BK) is sponsoring the event.

There isn't much information yet about this potential mega-event. You can click here to sign-up for more information. My assumption is ticket prices will be on par with Rocklahoma and South Texas Rock Fest - just remember Heavy MTL is only two days.