Out With the Old, In With the... Old?

Motley Crue are set to reissue their catalog  - again. The remastered discs will hit stores on September 30. Of course, these albums will be a giant waste of money if you already own the Crucial Crue collection. After hearing of plans to remaster the back catalog, which includes Shout at the Devil and Too Fast for Love among others - I couldn't help but think maybe Glam fans are closed minded.

I've been working on Bring Back Glam! for well over two years now. In that time, I've brought you show reviews, breaking news, interviews, rare videos and CD reviews. Of those CD reviews, some have been on classic discs but most are on new releases. Some of those new releases are from emerging bands. I've noticed an interesting pattern with my CD reviews.

When I review a classic album by, say, Def Leppard, a whole lot of you chime in and tell me stories of your childhood or when you saw the band with friends. The memories are warm and tangible. Yes, we deal in nostalgia here. We also deal in happiness.

Sometimes you listen when I mention a new favorite band. Most of you know I love Alabama's own Lynam. Some of you agree, a lot of you don't and that is ok - as long as you give them a shot. On the days I post reviews by new or obscure bands, I notice the number of comments go way down. I wonder if this is because you don't have anything to add - or because you don't care about new music?

Think about this: when a classic Glam band makes new music, a lot of us in our special community here get really excited. Sure, a lot of people were interested in hearing the new Motley Crue disc - but how many can say that about the new Dokken or White Lion? I can point to 15 websites where people just like you and me leave comments begging a favorite band for new music. When that band finally breaks down and brings us a few new tunes - no one buys the release! What gives?

For ages now, all of us (and yes, I'm including myself here) have been begging for a Poison record of all new material. Most of us are sick of the same old set list and we basically agree that a few new tunes could breathe new life into one of our favorite summer tours. Problem is, when the band in question makes a new record - no one wants to hear the songs in concert. You might recall I recently saw Def Leppard here in Dayton. The show was not good by any means, but I did feel a little twinge of guilt when the band performed some Songs from the Sparkle Lounge. The crowd was basically dead from the get go - but imagine what happened when Joe Elliot and company added in new songs that very few people recognized. Disaster.

So, I ask again: are Glam fans close minded? Do we honestly want new Glam? I sure as hell support both new and old bands. I'll get on a plane and fly halfway around the world to do it, too. I also realize I'm in the lucky minority that is fortunate enough to be able to travel to see shows.

Few of us are actually scared of new music. Instead, we would rather embrace those fond memories of days past. I mean, why else would I create a website called Bring Back Glam!? The bands we talk about everyday here had a major impact on my life. Music was always a big part of my childhood. I mean, when your mom gives you a Bon Jovi 45 at age nine, you know you're destined to be a rock n' roll queen.

This is why I'm worried: if more of us don't start supporting the new Glam bands, I fear the genre is going to die. Are we closed minded? Maybe a little - but unintentionally. I think on some subconscious level, we don't want to replace our favorites. After all, this music is just about the second love of my life. I wouldn't be the same person without a childhood filled with Aerosmith videos and Metal Edge magazines. I hope the next generation of Glam fans has the same fond memories that I've enjoyed. Thoughts?

Comments

[Chey]

I like the new bands. :) most of the new bands posted here i already knew about but not always. infact, i love the new bands more than most of the old ones. Of course no one is better than Motley and Poison but they've been around along time. Bands like Crashdiet, Dirty Penny, Danger and sister and vains of jenna all rock. I would absolutly love to see more of these bands and bands like them. :)

[red6ixx]

well i try to buy music from the newer bands, i do own like Chey above most of those albums, i must say they are hard to come by sometimes.
I think the only problem i have with older bands new music is that is is usually not in the same style as what they were - i undertand people growing up and stuff but i want to hear classic glam mostley.

[NikkeSixx]

I always love it when an old band play their new songs, I saw Def Leppard sometime in June at the Helsinki Ice Hall and was actually dissapointed becouse they played only 3 new songs! Hey C'mon, the new album i spectacular and they only played Bad Actress, Nine Lives and C'mon C'mon! I would have loved to hear Tomorrow. Only The Good Die Young, Come Undone or Go too!

And Dokkens new album is a classic! It realy sounds like George would be playing and the songs are straight outta 80-s =D White Lions is OK too =P

Poison realy should make new music and stop camping in the USA and hea dover to Europe for a tour once in a decade! And add some other songs to their setlist too.. I Wish all the bands could be like Bon Jovi or Bruce Springsteen who play the hits + other rare songs and change the setlist often!

[captkid7800]

I think the new bands have a hard time getting new fans. 3 reasons......MTV no longer plays videos, radio doesn't play them, and there is no "scene" like there was back in the "glory days" of glam. I didn't live in L.A. but my brothers and I would see bands like D'molls, Jetboy, Smashed Gladys, Shark Island, LA GUNS, TNT and plenty others in clubs. There aren't many clubs that cater to the genre, how else are we to become familiar with new bands.

I miss the good old days!!!

[MotleyCrue666]

I totally agree if there are so many of these 80's glam band fans how come none are buying the new glam bands.

I am i have
Lynam - Slave To The Machine
Crashdiet - Both Releases
HArdcore Superstar - ST
Dirty Penny - Take It Sleazy
EndeverafteR - Kiss Or Kill

U should talk about EndeverafteeR they are really good!

[Christian]

At the core, no new music can replace what I've loved for 20 years, those songs are a part of me. I still buy any new CDs from those bands tho, to check them out, I sometimes love them for a bit, but it's the old ones I go back to. Although I do often go back to new bands, which I often found out about here, like Black Tide, Dirty Penny, Airbourne, etc. I guess it depends, some people probably just want to feel 18 again, and some like to keep up with new music.

[Scott]

I think everybody tends to cling to the music from their high school days. That's why I listen to 80's glam and my parents still listen to Elvis. I check out new music but it doesn't grab me like the classic stuff. I also wonder if there will ever be another band that takes the world by storm and dominates the music scene like Motley Crue, Def Leppard or Guns n Roses did.Even on a diffrent level like Michael Jackson's thriller,where all you hear is that artist for a year or two.I don't think the music industry has a way to promote anybody like that anymore.

[Allyson]

I've written about Endeverafter lots of times. Just scroll the archive down the side or use the search function at the top of the page, near the Message Board.

One of the articles is a lengthy interview.

- Allyson

[Lucas]

It's a great article Allyson....
I don't know if you all think like me, but the 80's bands are no longer to Glam's moviment! They play their old musics....sometimes release a new album...and at major times, good albuns....but they don't have the style, the happyness, and the angry necessary to made a huge performance live. I love qhen old bands return to mak a cd, play tours, festivals.... but I think it's "the close mind thoughts" explaned by Allyson if you don't give yourself a chance to tlisten new tunes, new bands from distant parts of the planet!!!!
Of course I listen the classics...all the time....Of course I still believe in a Guns n' Roses and Skid Row reunion (the best couple in the world)... But today...in my iPod...you will not find they....you will find: Crasdiet, Wig Wam (the best today) Danger, TigerTailz, The Donnas, Lordi, Buckcherry, Baztardz (braziliam sleaze band....great one), Sister Sin, Hollywood Vampires, Big Bang Babies, Hardcore Superstar...and a lot of new bands who kick ass!!!

I love nostalgia...but I live today and we have a lot of cool, funny and interesting things to hear and watch!!!

Lucas Serpa
www.hardzone.com.br

[Lucas]

..... and you have to buy these albuns...if you download it...it's a incomplete version...every month I spent USD100,00 buying new cds... and old LP's!!! This month...I bought
Ratt - Out of Cellar LP
Wig Wam - It's Hard to be a Rock n' Roller CD

[Fitz]

You have to admit most new music put out by 80's bands never is as good as their classic albums for example the new CRUE album pretty much sucks except for 2 or 3 songs you cant compare it to Shout or feelgood. The older bands arent hungry like they use to be when they were young.Aerosmiths best music is Pre-Permanent Vaca.& Posion will never have another good album Bret even admits that along with Kiss. Its ashame no one gives the new stuff a chance. I love new glam bands like Vains of Jenna, Dirty Penny & Endeverafter but no one really buys CDs anymore they steal it off the internet and really hurts the sales.

[Matty]

I agree with a lot of things people are saying in these comments. The new and upcoming bands dont have the same push the bands of the 80s did with MTV. Also, I think when people go to shows, the majority want to hear "the hits", not new stuff (although I dont generally feel that way myself).

As far as new material goes, I think its a double edged sword. People want bands to put out new stuff, but sound like the old days. When a band progresses, or put out something not like the old days, the people that wanted the new material are generally turned off by it.

[Valentine]

I agree that the new music by established bands sometimes isn't the same as it was back in the 80's. But why would it be? They've grown personally and musically and with growth comes change. I know I wouldn't write a song now like I did in 1988 because my experiences are different and my outlook and perceptions are, too. The glam era was about a vibe and music was a huge part of it. But you can't recreate a vibe exactly, after the fact. I love my old Motley Crue and Priest but don't fool myself that either of those bands have or would release anything that is the same sound wise or vibe wise.
And, although some of the "new breed" is good, there's not a lot of originality there. I know, I know... I can hear it already... but as someone that created music during the glam heyday and was a part of the whole scene, everything I've seen or heard lately has been the best form of flattery: Imitation, pure and simple. It's been done before... and we couldn't just go down to Hot Topic and get our clothes.
It's funny, cause I was just talking with my old drummer and we were wondering if the new guys are experiencing the same things we did, in the same ways. Nope, too many things have changed.

Sorry for being so long winded. I'm gonna put on my Ipod now and listen to some old Crue, Ratt, Kix, and T.Y.R.

[aXe mAn]

Okay, here it is...
You know that glam/hair metal is my passion. And the music from the 80's and early 90's will always have that "special place in my heart". But saying that, I also support the bands that produce new music as well. Along with the newer bands of today...
I love the new Dokken and White Lion releases by the way Allyson! ;)

Here are a list of albums that I've been following that have either been released in '08, or are going to be;

AC/DC "Black Ice"
Airbourne "Runnin' Wild"
Alice Cooper "Along Came A Spider"
Automan.ca "Pocket Change"
Big Cock "Motherload"
Black Tide "Light From Above"
Bret Michaels "Rock My World"
Buckcherry "Black Butterfly"
Brainstorm "Downburst"
Def Leppard "Songs From the Sparkle Lounge"
Dirty Looks "Superdeluxe"
Dokken "Lightning Strikes Again"
Extreme "Saudades de Rock"
Faithfull "Horizons"
Fatal Smile "World Domination"
Firewind "The Premonition"
Gemini Five "Sex Drugs Anarchy"
Gypsy Rose "Gypsy Rose"
H.E.A.T "H.E.A.T"
House Of Lords "Come To My Kingdom"
Jesse James Dupree And Dixie Inc. "Rev It Up And Go Go"
Jones Street "Dancin' With The Devil"
Jorn "Lonely Are The Brave"
Judas Priest "Nostradamus"
Kip Winger "From The Moon To The Sun"
Lechery "Violator"
Lynam "Tragic City Symphony"
Motley Crue "Saints Of Los Angeles"
MSG "In The Midst Of Beauty"
Naked Beggars "XXX"
Night Ranger "Hole In The Sun"
Randy Piper's Animal "Virus"
Rockarma "Bring It!"
Saints Of The Underground "Love The Sin, Hate The Sinner"
Shannon "Angel In Disguise"
Silent Rage "Four Letter Word"
Souls Of We "Let The Truth Be Known"
Starbreaker "Love's Dying Wish"
Steelheart "Good 2B Alive"
Stephen Pearcy "Under My Skin"
Syrym
Tesla "Forever More"
White Lion "Return Of The Pride"
Whitesnake "Good To Be Bad"


So ya see I AM up to date with supporting the new music, as well as loving the "old". ;)

[aXe mAn]

^ As you can see, my list of 2008 albums are a nice mix of the classic bands that I love, and some great new bands that are carrying the torch for real rock n roll!

[lajustice77]

most glam fans are lazy but I always support new music and new tunes being played live also. Fans complain about the lack of new bands but there out there and you just have to look, the internet's right at your fingertips!

[Damnp78]

I agree... I AM close minded. I cannot relate to the newer music. Try as I may, try as I might I just cannot get into it. Even my favorites of all times. And its not that the music is different or that it even has changed direction. It just doesnt light that fire in me... take me back to when I was young. I know its a shame but I just cant get into it.

[Rob Rockitt, Hard Rock Hideout]

I support both old and new acts, and try to pick up the latest music in their first week of release. Sometimes picking up a disc in the first week can help a band chart well, which leads to more sales.

2008 has been an incredible year for "our" music, and it isn't going to slow down anytime soon.

New AC/DC, Buckcherry, Metallica and Tesla are right around the corner!

[cinnamon]

A lot of the time I can't really comment on the newer bands you mention because I haven't heard them - but I very often check them out on the strenght of a recommendation, either here or elsewhere. I've just ordered the Peep Show album for example, and I have Lynam's Slave to the Machine as a result of your pieces here. Sad to say, I haven't come across them anywhere else, and I think that's the difficulty. Via myspace I have got to know the music of quite a lot of newer bands, but without sites like this I wouldn't necessarily have come across them.

[Jack]

Really the problem is that the group of people that come to websites like this, and are really hardcore fans of this type of music (actually, the same situation applies to the prog/power metal sites I frequent too), is that we are actually very small in number. We may feel like it's a big community because dozens are just as passionate as us, but compared to the 10's, if not 100's, of thousands of people it takes to make a band "big" we are very few.

I buy CD's from new bands (Gypsy Pistoleros) to old (Motley) all the time, and go to any show w/in about a 2 hour drive as often as possible' Unfortunately most people I know my age (mid 30's) are happy listening to the old stuff, and don't care about new bands, much less going to any concert that is not in their backyard; and if they do go to a concert it better be just the hits (I would of course prefer 50/50 hits/obscure).

Unfortunately their just are not enough people REALLY passionate about music, and too many that only want what is fed to them by radio/tv/etc.