Dj Ashba and Marq Torien Jam With The Sin City Sinners

Dj Ashba lives in Las Vegas, so I'm surprised we don't see more clips of him jumping on stage, jamming with Glam bands. Of course, The Sin City Sinners are a Las Vegas based cover bands of sorts. The band always invites guests stars and performs famous songs. Sin City Sinners features Brent Muscat of Faster Pussycat fame. When Dj jammed with the band, Marq Torien of the Bulletboys got on stage, too! The clip below was shot just last weekend. Enjoy!

Comments

[BatLizard]

That was f'ing amazing, one of the coolest "all-star" jam clips I've seen in quite some time. DJ, of course, is always top notch. I may be in the minority here, but I absolutely love his work with Sixx:AM. Marq Torien, personal issues aside, is still one of the best frontmen to emerge from the '80s and a respectable guitarist to boot. BulletBoys would have been a much bigger commercial success had their debut been released around 1986 instead of 1988. By the time the second album hit in 1991, popular music, as we all know, was transitioning north to Seattle. It's a shame because Freakshow is nearly as solid as their first. Anyway, it's nice to see him still doing what he loves and probably making just enough money to survive. I still hope that the original band will do a legitimate reunion tour soon. Mick Sweda is awesome and Lonnie Vencent and Jimmy D'Anda are a heavy, groove-centric rhythm section. Together, the four of them had an amazing sound and produced songs that were so much better than many, if not most of, the biggest hits of the era.

[Metalboy!]

Ditto everything Bat Lizard said except the thing about "Freakshow". That album is sh*te.

[Him]

Metalboy!, you must like the Waits cover. They do the song justice (and I am sure quite a few fans aren't even aware that it is a cover).

[Metalboy!]

Got me there, HIM! I might be one of those people as I vaguely remember that "Hang On St. Christopher" is a Tom Waits cover, now that you mention it. It is nothing short of Fantastic, IMHO, as you anticipated I might say.

Ironically, I saw Tom Waits, with Leon Redbone opening, in 1979 at Warner Theatre in D.C. I probably heard the song performed at that show if it was released before then. It was an incredible concert by both acts and Waits even picked up a guitar as someone yelled, "Go Electric!", referencing that famous moment at Monterey when Dylan did the same. AND Waits even had on stage a 1960 Ford T-Bird he leaned on for a few songs as a prop, quite literally, along with an accompanying old Gas Pump, which was pretty wild!

I actually just went through "Freakshow" again and, I must say, I retract my previous comment about the album. Listening back, it's got some real standouts on it like "Say Your Prayers" and you can see why Torein can nail ZZ Top's "Tush" so well on this awesome video Al has posted here, as, "Talk To Your Daughter" one of the tracks on "Freakshow" is a very similar jam, one he might not have written without studying "Tush" first.

Ya gotta admit, even though I don't think it's as strong as Bulletboys' eponymous debut, Torien & Co. should be applauded for attempting something different with "Freakshow". It was ambitious to not put out just another Bulletboys' album and go for something fresh. I don't think they entirely succeeded but kudos should go to them for trying. That's what's known as a "Magnificent Failure". We should all be so daring.

And speaking of "Daring", doesn't DJ Ashba just kick royal a*s in this clip?! That guy frickin' cranks! If I ever said a bad word about him in previous comments, I'm a jacka*s!

[GNR]

One of those "wish I was there" clips that's for sure...



Ipod to drive to work song of the morning ~ Punched In The Teeth By Love by CRUE (glam enough for ya ?)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wb-Rp-q0TkE

(someone had some time on his hands)

[Gary]

Cool shit Ally!! My only gripe would be that Muscat should have turned down a hair to better hear DJ ripping shit up!!!! (although that could also be due to whomever taped it standing in Brent's amp direct line of fire)

[Metalboy!]

Yep, GNR! It's Glam Enuff! It's Glam Enuff!

[BatLizard]

Hey Metalboy...glad to hear that you are warming up to "Freakshow." As you mentioned, the album is VERY different than their debut, but still terrific regardless. By the way, "Talk To Your Daughter" is actually also a cover song, originally written and preformed by Chicago-Blues guitarist J.B. Lenoir. Most of "Tush" lifts the basic structure of the original "Talk." If you are feeling a little
more adventurous, check out "Za-Za," the BulletBoys' final WB release. It is only 50% ballsy, but songs like "When Pigs Fly" and "Slow And Easy" are worth a listen.

[BatLizard]

Make that performed, not preformed.

[Him]

I knew that song was something you enjoyed Metalboy! Glad to see I wasn't off on that one.

BatLizard, you seem to be a kindred spirit when it comes to the Bulletboys. Did you get a chance to catch them on the recent tour? I really think Marq and his backing band do his back catalog proud.

My experience is that Torien is more humble with his fans than he must be with people in the industry. He truly draws out a lot of ire from some great artists. But face-to-face he seems to appreciate the support (and he is much quieter and relaxed than you would suspect).

[Metalboy!]

BTW, Boyzz, Torien lives in Naples, FL, where I lived from 2006 to 2010. In fact, it's because I found this out that sent me on a search to see if he was playin' around town same way as Brian Johnson and Cliff Williams of AC/DC or Robin Zander will sometimes jam at Clubs in adjacent Ft. Myers.

When I searched "Marq Torien, Bulletboys", one of Allyson's posts from way back when (4 years ago?) popped up, I clicked and never left.

Shortly thereafter, I met his brother-in-law who told me the guy is a total prick, unfortunately, as you were speculating otherwise, HIM.

Just so you know, guyz, I have all the Bulletboys' stuff. I bought the first album immediately after I saw "Smooth Up In Ya" on Headbanger's Ball and played it to death. "Smooth Up In Ya" easily stands in the "Top 25 Greatest Hair Metal Songs of All Time", in my book, with RATT's "Round And Round" at the top of the heap, IMHO, joined by Love Hate's "Black Out In A Red Room" and Dirty Looks' "Cool To The Wire", among more obvious others, also on the list. That song just plain out ROCKS!

Then I bought the album on CD when I finally got into CD's. Immediately afterward, I knew I had to see 'em and was fortunate enough to do so at The Cat Club in NYC. which was absolutely mind blowing! Torien strode out, leading the band, looking out at everyone in the audience, as many as he could, right into their eyes (it was a small place) as the guitarists plugged in and the drummer positioned himself. He said, "Alright! Everybody!!!...", vaguely channeling Diamond Dave.

Torien and The Boys had that Rockstar look of bravura confidence and humor, with knowing grins telegraphing they knew full well they were about to blow the place apart. And that they did, my friends, delivering jaw dropping, REAL Rock & Roll, nailing the whole first album from start to finish. By the time they did "Smooth Up In Ya", the place had already gone batsh*t from the first song and now went even a level one higher to "Apesh*t"!

I then got the second album, "Freakshow" -- a friend worked at Warners so she got me a deluxe promo copy of the foldout digipak version with added graphics and liner notes -- these still pop up from time to time, so pick it up, dudes -- I think there's one or two on there now. Go for it, boyz, you won't be dissapointed. It's a very nice piece.

I think Rolling Stone or Spin actually reviewed it, praising it's adventurism going against the grain of the formula of the day. I listened to it a few times and realized, I like the formula more than adventurism but ya can't knock 'em for tryin'.

p.s. Batlizard! (Great name, BTW) Got "Za-Za", too, when it came out. 2 years ago, I picked up 2 "Radio-Only" DJ promo singles: One of "Smooth Up" and the other, "For The Love Of Money". Each have great graphics (though identical) and a biz card of their management with equally cool graphics (from their videos, etc.). Oh, almost forgot, back in the day, I also scored a huge promo poster of the famous pic of a bullet shooting through the apple with Bulletboys emblazoned along the top. Just recently, I scored a "Freakshow" promo poster, as well. Like I said, I absolutely love this band! I just wish I could love 'em more!

[Metalboy!]

Hahaha !!! Er, what I meant was I wish I could love their music more. But in the final analysis, they just could not top that first album no matter what they tried.

[fletch]

MB is spot on about marq. I met him outside the Chestnut Caberet in Philadelphia. The show was The Scream, Love/Hate, Buttboys. John Corabi was the singer of TS and we hung out at the back bar most of the night. He was really cool and we talked about so many things...ironically, one of the things we talked about was child protective services because he had his 6 yo son with him and he was telling me how diffiucult it was raising his son alone and being on the road. (he had asked my occupation). Stragenly, less than a year later, I read that he was becoming the lead singer of motley crue. WTF!!!!

back to marq- I saw him as I was walking into the club. He was standing against his tour bus, looking/acting oh so cool. I asked, 'Can a get an autograph?' and he said smirkingly, "no." I did a doubletake and replied, "What did you say?" He replied, "I don't sign autographs before a show."

"But you're standing here, doing nothing???"

"I'm warming up?"

'So you can't scribble your name on this CD?"

"Nope" [taps on bus to summon his muscle}

"you're a prick. I came to see love/hate anyway and was considering staying for Bulletboys. No I'm decided."

My future wife asked as we were walking away, "Who was that?" I said, "The lead singer of the Bulletboys." She remarked, "What an asshole.".

If I ever treated anyone like this without probable cause or justification, speak now.

[fletch]

my last line, btw, was paraphrased (very slightly) from a therapist that my former employer contracted with to provide services to CPS clients. Her co-workers spoke negatively about her many times daily. NO, it's not you MB, so just chill.

[BatLizard]

Metalboy, thanks for the complement on my username, obviously a nod to the great Gene $immon$. And yes Him, I'm definitely a kindred spirit when it comes to BulletBoys. My wife and I have known Marq since 1989 and I feel like I must defend him a little.

I have never personally witnessed him being anything but nice and appreciative to any fan wanting an autograph or photo. I honestly can't imagine him disrespecting anyone who would ask. Even during the band's most successful run, he (and the rest of the guys) would mingle with fans for hours. I just never saw any attitude at all. That being said, I'm quite aware that many people on the business side consider him an absolute prick. Maybe this is why about 50 different players have cycled through various lineups over the years. A good friend of mine from my hometown of Columbus, Ohio attempted to manage him briefly in 2005, however, things just didn't work out. But again, the Marq I know is a serious musician who loves his fans. We haven't touched base for a few years, but I hope he and his family are doing well.

Cool score Metalboy on those promos. I finally got two Japanese items that I had been trying to find for years, the "Pigs In Mud" laserdisc and 1989 tour program.

[Metalboy!]

What year is the "Pigs In Mud" Laserdisc from? I have often thought of getting a Laserdisc Player and Buying Laserdiscs as I've heard of stuff that only exists in that format.

Obviously, Blueray is the way to go and I so want one of those 80" LED TVs with the built in NetFlix, etc., but it would be cool to have some old formats, too, especially, like I said, if there's stuff that only exists on it.

Oh, one other detail I forgot to mention: That Bulletboys' Promo Poster -- the one with the first album's cover art -- hung in my office on Madison Avenue from 1990 to 1992. When I left that job, I wound up putting it in Storage where it's been ever since.

[Him]

Quite the treasure trove Metalboy! You must have quite the storage system. Like I said awhile ago, I would love to pick your brain on all these sorts of things. Perhaps I would even be able to throw back a story or two.

Sounds like a great evening of music way back when Fletch . . . and a pretty good example of being a prima donna on Torien's part. To think we were at one point considered the same person!

And thanks, Batlizard, for at least confirming what I have experienced re: Torien. I don't think it is an either/or sort of thing (likely the case with quite a few artists). Clearly, there are burnt bridges out there with producers, and fans, and other people. Just not my experience.

I guess everything comes with the now-standard disclaimer: results not typical. Just mine.

[Metalboy!]

BTW, that photo capturing a bullet being shot through an apple adorning the cover of the Bulletboys' eponymous first album is by none other than Dr. Harold Edgerton and is also the first example of it's kind.

I'll never forget another Art Director coming in my office and taking the poster off my wall and just walking out of my office with it to take it to a presentation to pitch it as a commercial idea. They never made it into a commercial but if they had, I felt like I should have gotten some kind of credit, hahaha!!!

Gotta hand it to whoever it was at Warner's for either having the talent or hiring the talent that found this shot. It makes for one of the coolest album covers, not only of the 80's but of all time, including the cool logo and illustrations which were also included some of their videos!

[BatLizard]

Hey Metalboy, the "Pigs In Mud" laserdisc was released exclusively in Japan in 1991 to coincide with "Freakshow." It was available on VHS in the US and most other countries. The laserdisc, although an antiquated format, still looks and sounds great. This is the best quality available for this particular video, since it will obviously never be issued on DVD or Blu-Ray. I have lots of laserdiscs still in my collection, including all the long-form KISS releases from the 90s. It's fun to break them out occasionally; they are packaged just like vinyl, nice sized artwork and all.

[Metalboy!]

Hey, Bat! I checked out some sites documenting laserdisc releases and there's a bootleg DVD listed of "Pigs In Mud" that includes a pro shot concert from 1989! Whoa! Would love to find that!