Introducing...Nasty Pistolero

My friends the Gypsy Pistoleros are pleased to announce a new bass player.

Nasty Pistolero is from Finland, but he played in a couple of Swedish glam bands. According to frontman Lee Pistolero, Nasty is moving from Sweden to the U.K. to play with the band. The Gypsy Pistoleros will tour next year, on the road to Rocklahoma.

www.myspace.com/gypsypistoleros for more information.

You Wanted the Best...Number Three

Our top ten glam band countdown continues. Here’s what we’ve got so far:

10) Badlands
09) Winger
08) Twisted Sister
07) L.A. Guns
06) Bon Jovi
05) Poison
04) Guns n' Roses

In the third spot...Hanoi Rocks.

The Finnish band formed at the end of the 1970s and their importance in glam is unmatched. Every time I ask a musician "who are your influences" Hanoi Rocks is inevitably mentioned.

Lead singer Michael Monroe looks like he was born glam: the hair, the clothes, the swagger all ooze confidence. The lyrics - especially early Hanoi Rocks - are gritty sleaze, served straight up.

Hanoi Rocks released a handful of albums before getting much acclaim. Then, they were poised for fame with the 1984 release Two Steps from the Move. Poised, that is, until tragedy hit the band. Drummer Razzle was killed when he was riding in a car with a very intoxicated Vince Neil. This sudden death put an end to any momentum the band was gaining in the U.S. Still, Hanoi Rocks forged on, sporadically releasing albums with a wide array of members.

These days, only Michael Monroe and guitarist Andy McCoy remain from the original line-up. Their new album, Street Poetry, was released months ago to critical acclaim. In truth, Street Poetry is an excellent, yet mature, glam release.

Here's Hanoi Rocks performing "Up Around the Bend" live sometime in 1984.

Don't agree with my choice? Come back tomorrow and see who lands at number two on the ten best glam bands of all time list.

You Wanted the Best...Number Four

Our top ten glam band countdown continues. Here’s what we’ve got so far:

10) Badlands
09) Winger
08) Twisted Sister
07) L.A. Guns
06) Bon Jovi
05) Poison

In the fourth spot…Guns n’ Roses.

Hang with me with me here. While Slash, Axl Rose and the rest of Guns n’ Roses will consistently profess their hatred for glam, consider the band’s beginnings. Classic GnR – at its very core – is rooted in all things glam. Axl Rose left the Midwest for the Sunset Strip and Slash gigged all around Los Angeles learning the ins and outs of the axe. He sold Quaaludes to musicians and party goers alike at clubs like the Troubador and Whisky A Go-Go. Moreover, Hollywood Rose and L.A. Guns were, at their inception, gritty glam bands.

After Hollywood Rose and L.A. Guns merged then morphed, Guns n’ Roses was born. The classic line-up featured Axl, Slash, rhythm guitarist Izzy Stradlin, drummer Steven Adler and bassist Duff McKagan. The five young musicians scrapped for everything they had, and played when they could. When you’re hungry for fame and desperate for food, you’ll do just about anything to survive. As such, Guns n’ Roses played every big club on the Strip, right next to their glam counterparts. Plus, Slash took business advice from Mr. Nikki Sixx.

Then there’s the pesky history of Slash auditioning for Poison but we won’t get into that (again).

These days, Steven Adler still drums with Adler’s Appetite. That band usually features a revolving door of glam musicians including Kristy “Krash” Majors and Chip Z’Nuff. Adler guested at Rocklahoma and wandered around backstage and smiled a lot. He didn’t seem to have any problems being associated with the glam scene.

Thanks to the overwhelming success – and importance – of Appetite for Destruction, Guns n’ Roses continue to influence new Metal bands. Often times, these bands have a “glam streak” or three. Modern bands like Vains of Jenna and Crashdiet are clearly – and unabashedly - influenced by Guns n’ Roses in their attitudes, songwriting and stage appearance. It’s that constant source of inspiration – and continual fan devotion – that makes classic Guns n’ Roses an ultimate glam band.

Here's Guns n' Roses performing "Nightrain" live sometime in 1988. It's basically awesome.

Don't agree with my choice? Come back tomorrow and see who lands at number three on the ten best glam bands of all time list.

You Wanted the Best...Number Five

Our top ten glam band countdown continues.

Here’s what we’ve got so far:

10) Badlands
09) Winger
08) Twisted Sister
07) L.A. Guns
06) Bon Jovi

In the fifth spot…Poison.

When people think glam, Poison typically comes to mind. It’s the hair, the make-up, the clothes…the stage names. Say what you will, Poison is a party band and when their music comes on the radio everyone is invited to the biggest soirée of the year.

Bret Michaels, Rikki Rocket, Matt Smith and Bobby Dall formed Poison in the early 80s – way back then they were known as Paris. When the band decided to go professional, they left Pennsylvania and headed west for the sleaze of the Sunset Strip. Personal reasons lead to guitarist Matt Smith’s departure and the hunt was one for a new guitarist. The remaining members of Poison auditioned a ton of players, most notably Slash. In the end, C.C. DeVille won the role.

Poison was originally managed by Vicky Hamilton. The band didn’t make any money, but Hamilton worked out a deal that the members of Poison would have “party stipends” in exchange for gigs on the Strip.

Many - including myself - regard Look What the Cat Dragged In (1986) a classic glam album. It’s also pretty well documented that the band wanted the cover art to look like something out of Vogue. For many years in the 80s, androgyny and glam went hand and hand, and it’s hard to tell the gender of each band member of that particular cover.

Critics say Look What the Cat Dragged In is Poison's best work. I don't know if I agree with this, but music buyers made Open Up and Say...Ah! the band's biggest seller. It includes "Every Rose Has Its Thorn" and my mom's favorite "Fallen Angel."

A note about color: the boys in Poison know how to rock green. They created a marketing brand out of “Poison Green,” using the color for more than two decades in fliers, shirts, gear and lasers. Even in the beginning and dirt poor, Poison understood the importance of an elaborate stage show.

Poison are largely important to glam because they really cemented the notion that Metal could be fun. With fun came mainstream appeal and a lot of album sales. These days, Poison headlines a shed tour about every summer. I’ve seen Poison live several times and they are always consistent. Bret Michaels was a good humored ass in Rock of Love and the band as a whole is pretty great about supporting other artists from the old – and current – scene. In recent years, Poison has toured with Cinderella, Endeverafter, Vains of Jenna, RATT, Vince Neil, and Skid Row among others.

Here’s the once banned video “Flesh and Blood (Sacrifice)” from the album Flesh and Blood. Yes, I still have a crush on Bobby Dall.

Don't agree with my choice? Come back tomorrow and see who lands at number four on the ten best glam bands of all time list.

You Wanted the Best...Number Six

Our top ten glam band countdown continues. Here’s what we’ve got so far:

10) Badlands
09) Winger
08) Twisted Sister
07) L.A. Guns

In the sixth spot…Bon Jovi.

Bon Jovi is currently going through a small-scale identity crisis, but in the 1980s they were 100% glam.

Formed in New Jersey in the early part of the 80s, Bon Jovi is one of the most successful bands of the era. Their success and widespread appeal have carried them a long way and they are still able to play arenas some 23 years after releasing their self-titled debut.

Slippery When Wet (1986) made Bon Jovi both rich and famous. That album includes the mega-singles “Livin’ On A Prayer,” “You Give Love a Bad Name,” and “Wanted Dead or Alive.” Millions of records later, the band toured the world and found time to record New Jersey (1988). That album includes the song “Bad Medicine” which was my favorite 45 when I was a kid.

Sheer volume of records sold doesn’t equal success, but it’s pretty hard to argue with sales of more than 100 million records worldwide.

Lead singer Jon Bon Jovi also helped other glam bands. He discovered Cinderella while they played in a Philadelphia bar, and offered Skid Row an opening slot on the successful New Jersey Syndicate Tour.

Bon Jovi’s cultural impact is nearly unmatched. They can jump genre and seemingly do no wrong. From glam to pop to country, people line-up in droves to buy their albums. Last season of American Idol featured a “Bon Jovi” theme week, and Jon Bon Jovi recently hosted Saturday Night Live where he played up his 80s rocker image. Whatever your thoughts on modern Bon Jovi, there’s no denying their importance – and place – in 1980s glam Metal.

Here’s Bon Jovi performing an unplugged version of “Lay Your Hands On Me.” The music sounds good, but there’s something fishy going on with Jon Bon Jovi’s hair.

Don't agree with my choice? Come back tomorrow and see who lands at number five on the ten best glam bands of all time list.

Congrats Crazy Lixx!

Crazy Lixx is one of my favorite Swedish bands. Their debut Loud Minority is phenomenal...and now it's landed in the second spot on the Swedish rock charts! I salute these boys who bring back glam!

Here's the video for "Want It" from Loud Minority.

www.myspace.com/crazylixxmusic

You Wanted the Best...Number Seven

Our top ten glam band countdown continues. Here’s what we’ve got so far:

10) Badlands
09) Winger
08) Twisted Sister

In the seventh spot…L.A. Guns.

Today there are two touring versions of L.A. Guns – one featuring famed singer Phil Lewis and the other featuring guitar genius Tracii Guns.

While Phil Lewis was making phenomenal Glam with the British band Girl, Tracii Guns was working the Sunset Strip circuit, creating the first incarnation of the band. Yes, Axl Rose sang vocals in a very young L.A. Guns that would eventually turn into Hollywood Rose.

That didn’t last too long, and Tracii reformed L.A. Guns with Paul Black on vocals, bassist Mick Cripps, drummer Nickey Alexander and guitarist Robert Stoddard.

The band is best known for their second album Cocked and Loaded, released in 1989. That albums features Tracii on lead guitar, Phil Lewis on vocals, Mick Cripps on rhythm guitar, Kelly Nickels on bass and Steve Riley on drums.

While L.A. Guns have not enjoyed the same level of commercial success as many of their counterparts - including Guns n’ Roses - their importance to glam is immense for many reasons. First, the band helped lay the framework for Guns n’ Roses. Second, Tracii Guns was a huge figure on the Sunset Strip scene, jamming with nearly every glam musician at one time or another. Third, L.A. Guns were able to create commercial rock with a street –sounding edge. That’s thanks to great songwriting and Tracii’s amazing technical ability. For whatever reason, he’s remained completely underrated despite having some of the best chops of any guitarist in any 80s Metal band.

These days, you’ve got twice as many chances to hear your favorite L.A. Guns tune live. Paul Black and Tracii are back together, along with bassist Jeremy Guns and drummer Chad Stewart. Phil Lewis fronts his own version, featuring guitarist Stacey Blades, bassist Scott Griffin and drummer Steve Riley. I continue to defend the Black/Guns version of the band, despite your incessant criticism. Yesterday, I said Twisted Sister gave the best performance at Rocklahoma 2007. L.A. Guns (Black/Guns version) comes in a close second.

In the spirit of fair and balanced reporting, today you get two videos. Here’s Tracii’s version of the band performing “LAPD” on the Sunset Strip sometime in 2006.

Now here’s the Phil Lewis version performing “No Mercy” in 1988.

Don't agree with my choice? Come back tomorrow and see who lands at number six on the ten best glam bands of all time list.