A Week of Kix (and Friends)

It's high time I did another special series around here - and this go 'round we're focusing on Kix - and all the affiliated bands such as Funny Money, The Blues Vultures and Rhino Bucket.

It's interesting how I came to fall in love with Kix. I was always aware of Kix and that "Don't Close Your Eyes" was the band's biggest single. I also knew a few other tunes, but since I'm not from the east coast and the band never got really huge, I was largely in the dark to their sheer brilliance. Then came Rocklahoma 2008.

Rocklahoma 2008 had a whole lot of mishaps, but one very positive outcome: the world learned to love Kix. It's about time.

Since that hot July night when I stood in the pouring rain with thousands of other rock fans watching Baltimore's finest on stage, I've taken the time to really get to know Kix. Since that initial Rocklahoma performance, I've had the chance to see Kix again at Rock the Bayou. The second performance was just as special as the first. As we all know, this is rare: usually your first time at anything is the most memorable.

As I truly discover this classic Glam band all over again, I can't help but be reminded of when I was learning to love music in the first place. It's so bizarre: at 29 years old, I feel like I'm in grade school again. I went from feeling a little musically empty right before Rocklahoma to fulfilled at finally finding another band I can truly relate to on a very personal level. Sure some of the lyrics are misogynistic and I'm about as radical feminist as you can get - but this is a barrier that doesn't seem to matter when looking at the bigger picture.

I'm a writer at my core. I've always used written words to express how I really feel, but in this instance I fear my skills my fail me. Learning to love Kix has been an exercise in peaceful happiness. In a lot of ways, the band's music has kept me alive the past few weeks. Do not take what I just wrote lightly. I mean everything I write here to the fullest extent of my being.

I get a lot of criticism, both online and in life for being so passionate about certain bands. I feel for people who have not experienced the calm that a favorite song can provide. I'll be honest: I get tired of Aerosmith and Motley Crue, but they are still my favorites. In those rotations of angst, I allow myself some time to explore. This time I explored Kix. In the interim I discovered a new favorite band. Please believe, bands do not simply become my "favorite."

When we exercise, laugh, touch a loved one or even do drugs - our brains go through a chemical explosion to create the feeling of bliss. This "bliss" explodes in most of us when we watch a favorite band perform. Go to enough shows (or festivals) and this reaction can be 100% intoxicating. The musical overload can also numb your sensory perception, leaving you bored - or worse - burned out.

I was burned out for awhile. Exhausted with life really. Kix sort of helped me through a rough time and now I want to thank them for their music and for keeping me almost sane.

I hope you will join me in the week ahead as we explore classic albums, side projects and live performances. The week will cap with my live review of the Kix show in Baltimore, Maryland on Saturday.

For now, we'll watch a couple of live Kix videos. One thing everyone should agree upon is that Kix are a great live act. Poison may have stolen their moves - but not their thunder.

Here is "Don't Close Your Eyes" at Rock the Bayou:

Here is "Sex" from a live show in 2007:

...And just for grins, here's the jumbotron opening no one got to see at Rocklahoma because of the rain:

Jani Lane Really Out of Warrant

Twenty-four hours ago, we started hearing rumors of Jani Lane getting dumped by the rest of Warrant. Well, now it's official: he's out.

The rest of Warrant has replaced Jani with Robert Mason of Big Cock.

Jani is an addict and he needs help. That's all I have to say about that issue. I'm not - nor have I ever been - an addict, so it is not my place to judge or criticize. I thank Jani for writing some of the best songs of the Glam genre. I think he truly needs a break.

Warrant performed at Rock the Bayou just days ago. You can read my review of the performance in the archive. Yes, the show was terrible. Here is the proof that presumably sent the rest of Warrant over the edge:

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?

Another Look at Enuff Z' Nuff

I've never been a giant Enuff Z' Nuff fan. My friends and regular readers can and will attest to this fact. Still, I found myself duly impressed with the band's performance this past weekend at Rock the Bayou.

For some reason, I always cringed at the song "Fly High Michelle." This time around I stood and really listened to the music. Last night I found myself looking up Enuff Z' Nuff videos on YouTube. You know what? "Fly High Michelle" is actually a pretty great song!

Musicianship aside, Chip Z' Nuff seems like an alright guy. He's been at both Rocklahoma festivals as well as Rock the Bayou. In each instance, he always seemed happy to hop on a golf cart, ride out into the crowd and chat with fans. I love when musicians are not afraid to mingle with their bread and butter.

I really enjoyed the Enuff Z' Nuff's set - the band sounded great! Donnie Vie is always amusing on stage and this was true at Rock the Bayou. I don't know if it was planned or fake, but the band did seem to be "winging it" a little. Donnie kept asking "What is next?" This didn't seem to hurt the show any. All songs were tight.

My favorite part of the set was when the band played a cover of "Come Together." Guess what? Someone filmed the performance and it is already on YouTube. Watch for yourself.

"Come Together"

"High"

How do you feel about Enuff Z' Nuff? I don't own any Enuff Z' Nuff albums, so if you are a big fan, please point me in the right direction.

More Rock the Bayou Photos

I'm taking a day off from writing today to showcase some more of my Rock the Bayou photos, all shot by my husband.

Kix:

Jackyl:

Twisted Sister:

Bret Michaels Band

LA Guns:

Rock the Bayou - Day 4

Rock the Bayou is now over and I'll be back in Ohio soon. On the last day of the festival I saw Bang Tango, Pretty Boy Floyd, Kix, Jackyl, Twisted Sister and Bret Michaels. In the effort of fairness, I will admit I did not watch the full sets of Bang Tango or Jackyl because I was pulled away.

There were not many people in attendance at all on the last day of the fest. In fact, I would guess this was the lightest day attendance-wise of the entire event. Sad considering Kix played and - as expected - owned the crowd.

Back to Pretty Boy Floyd. I've seen this band a whole lot of times. The set is about the same at each show, but that is true for a lot of bands. I was on stage at the beginning of the set and some guy (who I think was the production manager) kept yelling for the band to start - even though they were not tuned up correctly. I am not sure what the big rush was considering there was a giant TBA next on the lineup that was vacated by Firehouse and never filled. At any rate, Pretty Boy Floyd played "48 Hours," "Electric Boyz," "Only the Young," "Toast  of the Town," "Rock n' Roll (Is Gonna Set the Night on Fire)" and more.  The hundred or so people that actually came to watch the show seemed to enjoy themselves and there was a giant line at the merchandise booth right after the show. Later that day I saw a lot of people wearing Pretty Boy Floyd shirts, so I guess that means the band did good sales-wise.

Kix were my main band of the day. In fact, they were - along with Alice Cooper - my main band of the entire festival. People, Kix gave the best show you didn't see.  I went on stage  to watch Kix - and that was a toss-up.  Would the sound be good? Would I be able to hear well? In the end, I think going to the wings was the right decision. My husband watched from both the stage and the pit and he said the performance was awesome from any angle. I believe him.

Now, let me say this: if you had tickets to Rock the Bayou and you didn't bother to show up for Kix, then you lost big. The crowd was small when the band first started to play, but people did fill in - still, more people should have watched the dirty boys from the underground. I don't get it. People get the rare opportunity to see a band that tours very little outside of the eastern seaboard and they blow it. At least Dee Snider and a lot of other musicians had the sense to watch Kix perform. Of the crowd that was there - not a single person was sitting.

The band played nearly the same set as they did at Rocklahoma. This included "Same Jane," "Hot Wire," "Cold Shower," "Sex," "The Itch," "Blow My Fuse," "Girl Money," "Don't Close Your Eyes" and a little longer version of "Yeah, Yeah, Yeah."
 Now, at Rocklahoma, Kix played in the pouring rain. At Rock the Bayou, the outer bands of Hurricane Gustav threatened - but not for long. A few drops of rain and a little wind was all Kix had to deal with this time around.

Remember I said Dee Snider was watching from the wings? Well, he came out on stage to sing a little with Steve Whiteman. Later that night, Steve returned the favor during Twisted Sister's set. 

Steve sounded really good yesterday. If I recall correctly, he did make one comment about the small crowd, but the band didn't ramp down their enthusiasm any because the attendance sucked. If anything, it seemed like Kix were actually playing harder to make an impression on those people that came out to watch. Hands down, Kix gave the best show of the day. Yes, they were better than Twisted Sister - and please believe they were about a million times better than Bret Michaels. Someone give these boys a headline spot. It's ridiculous for them to play at 4 in the damn afternoon.

Jesse James Dupree apparently fell and hurt his ribs just a couple days before Rock the Bayou. He was taped up under his customary black tank - and he was hurting. Jesse usually jumps around stage a lot - but yesterday he ramped it down for the sake of health. I give him much props for performing in extreme pain. You better believe that ten seconds after "The Lumberjack" Jesse was ready to leave. I don't blame him. For the record, the crowd did a fill in a little more for Jackyl - but not by much. It seemed like general admission was basically bare. At any rate, when Jesse cut up the stool with his chainsaw, the people down front wrestled for a piece of the wood. I'm not sure what you would do with a hunk of wood - but hey, at least these people are true fans.

Twisted Sister played after Jackyl. I expected a capacity crowd - but that didn't happen. Twisted Sister are like Kix: they don't perform much during the year. Twisted Sister's set was shorter than when they played at Rocklahoma 2007. This time, the Christmas songs were gone and so were extended versions of a lot of their most popular songs. The band played "SMF," "The Price," "We're Not Gonna Take It," "I Wanna Rock," "You Can't Stop Rock n' Roll" and "Burn in Hell." For "Burn in Hell," the light crew messed up the cues and failed for make the stage all black and red. Twisted's tour manager was motioning he entire time - it was eventually corrected. Twisted Sister were good - but not better than Kix and certainly not better than their Rocklahoma 2007 headline appearance.

Bret Michaels and his band played the same set as they did at Rocklahoma. This includes a bunch of cover songs and Poison standards like "Every Rose Has Its Thorn," "Unskinny Bop" and "Nothin' But a Good Time." I found myself sitting for about half of Bret's show. The Rock of Love talk in between songs was driving me nuts, as were the women Big John brought out on stage. Somewhere along the line, Bret forgot he was a musician first and "reality TV star" second. The stage banter is the same for his solo shows as it is during Poison, too. I would think something could change. Bret also sounded hoarse again. As expected, he admitted he had just performed six shows in a row.  When you are a singer, you have to protect your voice. I know Bret doesn't need money that bad. I think when you come out on stage, go through the motions and sound like crap - it's a cash grab. This makes me sad because I love Poison, but at Rock the Bayou, I just wasn't feeling it at all. Again, Kix should have closed the show. Maybe next year the promoters will pick a headliner that doesn't go through the motions. I guarantee Kix wouldn't go through the motions.

Rock the Bayou - Day 3

Day three of Rock the Bayou is over and the festival is nearing a close. Yesterday I saw Dangerous Toys, LA Guns, Slaughter, Yngwie Malmsteen, Warrant and Alice Cooper. Of these acts, LA Guns and Alice Cooper were the best. In fact, seeing Alice Cooper for the first time was a life changing event. I’ve been to a lot of shows – and I’ll say this – Alice Cooper was the single best performance I’ve ever seen in my life. Truly phenomenal.

Dangerous Toys and Malmsteen were ok, but Slaughter and Warrant were bad. Actually, Slaughter was listenable but Warrant was a train wreck. Jani Lane can sing when he wants – and I guess last night he didn’t “want!” He was skipping words and even the rest of the band seemed to be phoning in the performance. Yes, the band did “Uncle Tom’s Cabin,” “I Saw Red,” “Down Boys” and “Cherry Pie.” Obviously, “Cherry Pie” was the last song – and Jani was messing up the words. Now, it’s one thing if you can’t hear yourself in the monitor. It’s another to just be blatantly wrong. I didn’t write “Cherry Pie.” I can’t even play “Cherry Pie” on my bass – but I know this: if you wake me from a dead sleep, I will still be able to sing all the words to “Cherry Pie” – backward!

Before I talk about Alice – I want to give some props to my boys in LA Guns. Tracii’s version played Rock the Bayou, and if you are a regular reader here, you know that I think this is the real version of the band. About an hour before LA Guns were slotted to play, I had a little lunch at McDonalds. Apparently, LA Guns were hungry, because they came in to eat too. It was sort of amusing, watching Tracii Guns hold a Happy Meal. I left the restaurant the same time as the band, and my husband held the door for the band. Right after LA Guns piled into their 15 passenger van, some random McDonalds employee came out and yelled to the driver “Who are they?!” and I couldn’t help but roll my eyes.

Tracii’s LA Guns always put on a good show. The addition of Marty Casey is a great boon. The band played:

No Mercy
Fire It Up
One More Reason
You Can’t Always Get (What You Want)
Ballad of Jayne
Shut the Fuck Up (performed by my future ex-husband Jeremy Guns)
Sex Action
Electric Gypsy
Trees
Never Enough
Rip and Tear

I went into the pit to watch LA Guns, but went back to my seat by “One More Reason” to get better sound quality. LA Guns played right in the heat of the day, just before three and it was very hot during their show. Because of this, the crowd was very light, which is too bad. A lot of people missed a great performance. I hope this version of LA Guns comes back around to my hometown soon. I get a kick out of watching Tracii play his guitar.

The crowd was sparse all day long – again…but did fill in nicely for Alice Cooper. In fact, it seemed like 80% of the people at the fest waited until just before Alice’s set to come out and see the show. Security started cracking down on people right before Alice. I also had to get a special pass to take photos of the performance. For much of the day, security would let at least a few people up front to the barrier. For Alice, security guards were actually going into rows and checking people’s tickets.

Here is what Alice performed (*I think this is accurate. I was trying not to miss the show by writing a lot):

It's Hot Tonight
No More Mr. Nice Guy
Under My Wheels
I'm Eighteen
Is It My Body?
Woman Of Mass Distraction
Lost In America
Feed My Frankenstein
Be My Lover
(In Touch With Your) Feminine Side
Dirty Diamonds
Vengeance Is Mine
Halo Of Flies
Drum Solo
Welcome To My Nightmare
Cold Ethyl
Only Women Bleed
Steven
Dead Babies
Ballad Of Dwight Fry
Devils Food
Killer
I Love The Dead
School's Out
Billion Dollar Babies
Poison
Elected

Now, I knew Alice Cooper would do a good show. I just didn’t know how good. My Glam, what I saw last night was a show. The band was so tight – and guitarist Keri Kelli so strong – the theatrics were just the icing on the cake.

Alice sounded so strong in voice, the performance was truly mesmerizing. When Alice first came out, the crowd was going bonkers, but as the show went along, people just started standing and watching – not out of boredom, but because people were afraid to miss anything! Truly, I’ve never experienced that during a headline act. Women that were previously standing on chairs and hopping around were now subdued – because Alice had complete control of the festival. We were in his nightmare alright – and it was magically fabulous. Let me reiterate: this was the single best show I have ever seen in my life. I wasn’t a massive Alice Cooper fan before last night – but by the time I was back in my rental SUV, I was thinking that I need an Alice box set.

Much respect is due to Alice Cooper’s backing band, too. Talk about phenomenal musicians. The drum solo was great – and at the end guitarists Kelli and Jason Hook played the drums, too. It’s one thing to be entertained. It’s another to get your money’s worth. Alice gave everyone in the crowd both -- and I am secure in saying he saved the entire festival.