Fashion En Vogue

Yesterday, I showed you some bad cover art but that's not the case today.

Over the weekend, Hanoi Rocks debuted the cover for their upcoming release Fashion. I think the cover is simply brilliant, and actually looks like a spread in Vogue, Elle or Vanity Fair.

The first single is also called "Fashion" and has a release date of May 16 in the U.K. The entire album has a planned September 2007 release in the U.K. and Japan. I guess this means another expensive import purchase! According to the band's Myspace page, the new album will also feature multimedia content with the videos for "Fashion" and a live performance of "Boulevard of Broken Dreams."

This latest incarnation of Hanoi Rocks includes original members Michael Monroe (vocals)  and Andy McCoy (guitar), plus  guitarist Conny Bloom, bassit Andy Christell, and drummer Lacu.

Hanoi Rocks never got huge, and that's a shame. According to the band's official website, an American tour is planned for "someday." After all, a world tour is always in Fashion.

Here's the video for the 2002 single  "People Like Me."

News Roundup

It's official.

Dee Snider, frontman of Twisted Sister, announced that his band will headline the last night of Rocklahoma. Snider made the announcement on his radio show House of Hair.  Quote Snider:

"It is my distinct pleasure to announce that Twisted Sister will once again be involved with a show that will go down in history. On July 15th, Twisted has just been confirmed as the headliner for the Rocklahoma festival."  "Rocklahoma will go down as one of the most momentous concerts of all time."

The show will feature all original members of TS, including Snider, Jay Jay French, Mark Mendoza, Eddie Ojeda and AJ Pero. For more information on the band, please see the article "Still Hungry."

In other glam news, Poison has leaked some tracks off their new cover album, Poison'd. The songs are available on www.myspace.com/poison and feature "What I Like About You" (The Romantics), "Can't You See" (The Marshall Tucker Band) and a couple others. The picture to the left is the proposed cover art for the new album. Sadly, I don't care for it very much. I was hoping for a band shot or something a little more artistic. I know this is a bit of a rush release and the cover reflects that. More importantly, I think the tracks sound pretty good, so I suggest you had to the page and give them a listen. Even though this is a cover album, the tracks actually sound distinctly Poison, especially the guitar work and Bret's voice is very bluesy.  The disc includes eight new covers produced by maverick Don Was, plus other already released covers such as "Your Mama Don't Dance." "We're An American Band," and "Rock n' Roll All Nite."

As I've mentioned in other posts, Poison'd will be in stores June 5, 2007.

Cat Scratch Fever

Here's one for the "why weren't they famous?" file.

Alleycat Scratch is one of the best bands I've ever heard. Their album, Deadboys in Trash City, was originally released in 1993 and re-released in 2006.

While no longer together, Deadboys in Trash City remains a testament to the band's musical ability.

So just who was this mystical band?

Singer Eddie Robison, guitarist Devin Lovelace, bassist Bobby Dias and drummer Robbi Black eventually joined forces in California as grunge was threatening. Their late entry to the glam scene likely sealed their fate and this is such a shame. While trying to get a record deal, they boys in Alleycat Scratch had lots of fun on the Sunset Strip, but failed to land a label deal. Band members self-produced Deadboys in Trash City and released the album on their self-created Kick Your Cat records. Quite frankly, Deadboys in Trash City features tracks just as strong as anything released by (gasp!) Motley Crue.

Now you know I'm serious.

Here's the weird thing. When I played some Alleycat Scratch for my husband last night, he thought I was listening to Vains of Jenna. Admittedly some of the guitars sound the same, but I still think the band is closer to punk Poison than my Swedish VOJ.

So what are some of the strongest tracks on Deadboys in Trash City? Just about every track is worth multiple listens, but "Stilleto Strutter," "Cat's Got Your Tongue" and "Roses on My Grave" are the best. A power ballad of sorts "Roses on My Grave" sounds like a Poison/Tesla hybrid.

"Stilleto Strutter" features some phenomenal bass work, which makes me want to get up and dance. I guess that's the point.  

Maybe Alleycat Scratch sound like Poison and Motley Crue because they came on the scene so late and were obviously influenced by these glam masterminds. Whatever the case, you must buy this album if you don't already own a copy.

Here's the full track listing of Deadboys in Trash City:

 Stilletto Strut
Take A Bite (Outta Me)
Cats Got Your Tongue
Soul Survivor
Sexual Addiction
Love Sick Junkie
Cheap City Thrills
Roses On My Grave
Trash City
Plastic Dolls
Love Song
I Don't Like Mondays

Here's the good news: you can buy Deadboys in Trash City on iTunes, or used from Amazon.com or eBay. The bad news is that I couldn't find one YouTube video to share with you, dear glam readers.

If you'd like to hear some great music, listen to samples at http://www.myspace.com/alleycatscratchmusic. Also, the official Myspace home of Bring Back Glam is featuring "Stilleto Strut." It's our official song obsession of the week.

(Back) Out of the Cellar

The countdown to Rocklahoma continues and just yesterday the members of RATT announced their "reunion" line-up via the band's Myspace page (www.myspace.com/therattpack).

The new and improved RATT features original frontman Stephen Pearcy, Warren DeMartini on lead guitar, and Bobby Blotzer on drums. Newer members included guitarist John Corabi (!) and Robbie Crane on bass. Right now, no word on why original RATT bassist Juan Croucier decided to set out the summer reunion shows.

Of all the bands at Rocklahoma - save Vince Neil - I'm most excited about seeing RATT with Pearcy and John Corabi.
As many of you know, I love John Corabi and I think his work with Motley Crue is vastly underrated. One of my goals is to interview John Corabi. I'd love to ask him about his early days on the Sunset Strip with Angora and naturally how Motley Crue changed his life, either for the good or the bad. Of course, John has his hands in many pies including work with ESP, Union and glam band The Scream.

I think it would be great if this new RATT released an album of originals, but I doubt that will happen.

Here's a video with John in The Scream.

 

Coming Under Fire

I'm torn today, glam fans. I hate to bring attention to the media fixation on the Virginia Tech shooter...but I feel like I have no choice.

You see, Cho Seung-Hui was an English major just like me. He took creative writing classes just like me. Apparently, he loved classic Guns n' Roses the way I still do. While at Virginia Tech, he wrote two plays and one of them is entitled Mr. Brownstone.

When this crossed the newswires yesterday, I immediately thought of Guns n' Roses. It took my colleagues in the media a few more hours to make the connection. Then again, I'm guessing most members of the media don't read and write about Metal music several hours each day.

As any GnR fan knows "Mr. Brownstone" is about heroin addiction. When addiction starting ripping the classic Guns lineup apart, Axl Rose would make statements from the stage about band members dancing with Mr. Brownstone. Axl, at least in his mind, was able to control his addiction enough so he could build a music empire. For others, the challenge at bit more difficult.

Still, it's now 2007 and we've gone through so many music trends since Appetite for Destruction was released in 1987. Think about that. It's been 20 years since one of the best Metal albums of all time was produced.

Back when Metal music was getting huge mainstream radio airplay during the early 1980s, liberal Tipper Gore and others formed the P.M.R.C. (Parents Music Resource Center).

That committee went before Congress and lobbied for music censorship. In the end, Congress ruled that parental advisory stickers be placed on all releases deemed inappropriate. These stickers probably fueled album sales but still chipped away the rights of an artist.

Now, this latest tragedy will shove Metal music right into the media maelstrom one more time. I wouldn't even be writing about this at all, except every music forum I frequent has threads on the subject. In each instance, music fans are deploring the actions of Cho Seung-Hui, but defending the rights of musicians.

Why is it always Metal music that gets a bad "rap"? I'm pretty sure that most genres of music today talk about drug use, depression, death, suicide, and mental illness. Has anyone listened to emo recently?

There's a great debate on this subject going on right now over at www.metalsucks.net

I can give you this promise: no where in any news broadcast I produce will there be mention of Guns n' Roses as a motivation for this killing spree. I've had enough and judging by comments all over the Internet, I think many of you are also fed up.

Here's a video of Guns n' Roses performing "Mr. Brownstone" back in 1988. Amazingly, no one gets shot during the performance.

No Substitute

I'm feeling emotionally drained today, glam fans.

Working in television news during times of great tragedy is more than a drag, it's an unhealthy burden. For this reason, I send the students and faculty of Virginia Tech good wishes. As such, the glam mistress is in need of some fun.

Yesterday, my friend "Vince Neilstein" over at www.metalsucks.net mentioned an eBay purchase of the self-titled Vinnie Vincent Invasion debut. I love the Vinnie Vincent Invasion!

Vinnie Vincent formed his "Invasion" back in 1985, after a short lived stint with KISS. In addition to Vincent, the band also featured future Slaughter members Mark Slaughter (!)  and Dana Strum plus drummer Bobby Rock. The self-titled debut featured singer Robert Fleischman.

Vinnie Vincent Invasion is on the loud side of glam Metal. The band's self-titled debut features these songs:

1. Boyz Are Gonna Rock
2. Shoot You Full of Love
3. No Substitute
4. Animal
5. Twisted
6. Do You Wanna Make Love
7. Back on the Streets
8. I Wanna Be Your Victim
9. Baby-O
10. Invasion

Back in the mid-80s when MTV was still awesome, Vincent and Strum hosted a ridiculous show featuring heavy metal videos. They appeared on TV all glammed up and it was pretty hot! Neither Vinnie or Dana knew how to read a TelePrompTer, so this made for some funny moments.

If you ever watched VH1 Classic Metal Mania, you've probably seen the video for "Boyz are Gonna Rock." Mark Slaughter is in this video, but the audio track is that of  Robert Fleischman. During the frenetic video, the band members completely trash their equipment. Vinnie Vincent swears this was reality and not acting. You be the judge. Here's the video for "Boyz are Gonna Rock:"

Time for Change

Editor's Note: This review was originally written for Metal Express Radio. I thought you glam fans might be interested. Enjoy!

There are some albums that start off good and there are others that start great. Check Ronnie Borchert's solo debut, Change, in the second category. A modern album with deference to melodic 80s rock such as Def Leppard and Motley Crue, Borchert makes music fun again.

No stranger to the music business, Borchert is an accomplished songwriter, producer, guitarist and frontman for the bands Trixie and Amsterdam. Still, even the seasoned musician can make missteps on a solo debut, but this disc has few - if any - low points.

Change begins on a rowdy note with "Take Me Away." Production elements throughout this song and album sound like Def Leppard during their Hysteria period.

Move through the album just a few tracks, and you find the Bon Jovi-esque "Feeling Love For You." Here, Borchert's voice really shines, and this track may very well be the pinnacle of  Change. Where Bon Jovi left off in 1988 with New Jersey Borchert picks up in 2007 with Change.

Like any good melodic rock album Change features a power ballad of sorts. "My Malena" is more rock than pop, and this goes a long way to keep the pace of the album. The lyrics to "My Malena" are simple and straightforward and completely infectious. Through "My Malena," Borchert creates a song that equally appeals to both genders.

The title track "Change" is the album's most mellow song featuring unique key changes and introspective lyrics. Almost auto-biographical in parts, Borchert sings of a bigger life outside his window. No doubt a reflection on his inaugural solo venture, Borchert openly affirms the growing pains that come from new experiences. Surely, recording and producing a debut disc is one of the most taxing adventures for any musician.

The album closes with "Do You Love Me" a unique hybrid of sounds akin to both Motley Crue's "Looks That Kill" and Journey's "Separate Ways." Featuring the syncopation of the classic Journey track and the guitar work of one of Motley's most famous songs, Borchert bends classic music into a new gem, creating his own unique sound out of respect for the past.

While Change is a solo effort, several accomplished musicians lend their talents to the recording including bassist Kim Racer and drummer DT Harvey. Borchert's sister Nicole Willard lends her vocal abilities to the power track "She's All I Need."

Coming in at just under 43 minutes, Change is a fast-paced ride of modern glam rock. Ronnie Borchert pulls out all the stops with his debut effort, solidifying his place among the best untapped music talent in today's modern rock landscape.

You can hear samples of the music at www.ronnieborchert.com or http://www.myspace.com/trixiemusic. Buy the album through CD baby.