Life on Mars

It's Mick Mars day here at Bring Back Glam! Today is Mick's birthday, so we should go back in time for a little Motley history.

Mick Mars was born Bob Alan Deal in Terre Haute, Indiana. A high school dropout, Mick played guitar in several blues bands before making it big with Motley Crue. While Motley Crue is largely the brainchild of bassist Nikki Sixx, Mars was largely instrumental in convincing Vince Neil to sing lead in the band. Mick also dreamed up the name Motley Crue.

A vastly underrated player, Mars continually fights his body during studio and live performances. He suffers from the degenerative Ankylosing Spondylitis.

Mick's portions of The Dirt were very interesting to me. While the other members of Motley are brash and over-the-top, Mick keeps to himself. While Nikki, Vince, and Tommy Lee are always in the media spotlight, Mick keeps his mouth shut. As such, his unique perspective offers a fresh glance into the background of Motley Crue.

Here's a pretty cool solo from Mick during the Dr. Feelgood tour. It starts out slide blues and goes straight Metal. Enjoy!

This Left Feels Right (The Finale)

So, Bon Jovi appeared on ratings powerhouse American Idol last night.

The New Jersey boys performed the first single from their upcoming album Lost Highway. Sadly, "(You Want to) Make a Memory" didn't do much for me. In fact, I found the song to be a major letdown. Bon Jovi has always produced quality ballads but this one was just a little soft, a little too slow for an arena rock band. I hope the rest of Lost Highway is more upbeat, a throwback to classic Bon Jovi.

As for the American Idol contestants, Phil Stacey and Chris Richardson got the big boot. My husband and I both agreed that Phil sang "Blaze of Glory" better last night than competition night, so maybe this contributed to his exit. For Chris, I simply believe it was his time to go. When it was time to announce who was leaving for the second time in the broadcast, it came down to Blake Lewis and Chris. The two told host Ryan Seacrest they didn't care who left because of their friendship. After a three minute love fest, Chris was finally booted and he sang "Wanted Dead or Alive" on the Idol stage for a final time.

Each season, the top 12 American Idol contestants release a CD. The songs are usually from their best performance, so I'm going to assume Blake Lewis' version of "You Give Love a Bad Name" will be included on the disc.

On a related Bon Jovi note, I must say Jon looked especially pretty last night. After staring at the screen in awe of Jon's beauty, I checked www.amazon.com for Bon Jovi sales. Not surprising Cross Road (a greatest hits compilation) is a top seller. As of 10 this morning, the album is #23 in sales. It seems Bon Jovi earned immediate success from their American Idol appearance.

This Left Feels Right (Part II)

Ok, so none of my predictions about last night's American Idol were accurate. I’m the glam mistress not a fortune teller.

Anyway, here are my thoughts.

I’ll go out on a limb here and say that Blake Lewis earned the highest number of votes, followed closely by diva-in-training Melinda Doolittle. Blake took “You Give Love a Bad Name” and made it a modern, hip hop track complete with beat boxing. I don’t like people messing with glam standards, but this arrangement was so original, I have to give credit where it’s due. Blake knows his niche, and he bends songs to his formula which is the key to winning America’s largest talent contest. He also dyed his hair black and wore eye liner. I don’t know if this was supposed to be glam or emo, but I’ll go with the first option. Good for him I say.

Melinda Doolittle sang “Have a Nice Day.” She admitted to Jon Bon Jovi that she isn’t a rocker and needed help. He gave her a hug, and this made me very jealous. Melinda has a set of pipes, and she really sang her heart out. Plus, she tried to make the Metal horns, even if her hand was facing the wrong direction. She gets points for trying.

Jordin Sparks tried to sing “Livin’ on a Prayer.” Her rendition wasn’t very good and she knew it. She’s in real danger of going home. On a positive note, she was the most glam of all the contestants, wearing an outfit I’d be very proud to sport, sans cross necklace. Her hair was awesomely huge, a key component to any 80s rock show.

I knew someone would sing “Wanted Dead or Alive,” unfortunately it was Chris Richardson. The kid sings through his nose and he ruined one of my favorite Bon Jovi tunes. He’s also at risk for an exit (two contestants leave this week).

Bald and sort-of beautiful Phil Stacey sang a decent version of “Blaze of Glory.” In his pre-performance set-up piece, Phil admitted to singing the song into a comb in front of his mirror. I guess last night’s performance was the completion of a glam dream for Phil.

Then there was LaKisha. She selected “This Ain’t a Love Song,” a lesser known Bon Jovi track. It was good, but teetered dangerously on the edge of gospel. I don’t care for religious music and sometimes soaring high notes just sound like 10 am and the Sunday church choir.

Tonight, Bon Jovi will perform a song from their upcoming album Lost Highway. I’ve always had a special place in my heart for Bon Jovi. The band isn’t one of my favorites; I don’t own all their albums or even t-shirt, but they are special nonetheless. When I was about eight or so, I went to the local pharmacy to buy a new record. I selected the 45 single “Bad Medicine” and paid with my own money. I played that record over and over again. I think my parents still have that 45 somewhere. Every time my friends and I listened to the record, we sang along like we were cool rock stars. In reality, we were just dorky kids.

I’m looking forward to hearing Bon Jovi tonight and I hope Jon and crew stay far away from the country tunes. Tomorrow, a review of their live performance and details on the two booted Idol contestants.

This Left Feels Right

After many weeks of waiting, it's finally time: Jon Bon Jovi will mentor the final six contestants on tonight's live broadcast of American Idol.

This potential glam night excites me much. Tomorrow, Bon Jovi are slated to perform "(You Want to) Make a Memory," the first single from their upcoming album Lost Highway, set to release on June 9.

Yes, the remaining contestants: Blake Lewis, Jordin Sparks, LaKisha Jones, Chris Richardson, Melinda Doolittle, and Phil Stacey will sing the songs that made Bon Jovi a worldwide phenomenon.

Jon Bon Jovi spoke with The Journal Gazette out of Fort Wayne, Indiana. “You got to get music out there however you can,” says Jon.  “Radio is getting smaller and smaller; the record business is getting smaller and smaller. There are things that are fantastic, like the Internet, (but) it’s tough because it’s created something none of us knew 10 years ago, and you have to learn to roll with those punches. But it’s not the way it used to be; it’s not the record business that I grew up in.” 

I can't help but wonder which one of these pop panderers will attempt "Dead or Alive" or even "Bad Medicine."

Here are my predictions: Phil Stacey will attempt "Bed of Roses" and Chris Richardson will try to pull off "Always." Blake Lewis will attempt a rocker, perhaps "Livin' on a Prayer." I won't make any predictions for the women because they are 1) better singers and 2) are more creative in their song choices. I'm also not 100% certain the song has be a Bon Jovi recording. It could be a track that a Bon Jovi member has guested or written. Idol always bends the rules on theme night.

I've said it before, I'll say it again: American Idol needs a power ballad night. Songs like "Ballad of Jayne" an "Home Sweet Home" were meant for mass consumption.

Check back tomorrow to see if any (or all!) of my predictions came true.

If you're in the minority and don't watch American Idol, tune into Fox at 8pm E.S.T.

Sister of Pain

Today another great new glam band, naturally from Sweden.

Meet Sister, an unsigned band from Jönköping. These boys have a great down n' dirty,  sleazy sound.

So just who are these talented, yet grossly ignored musicians?

Drummer Cari lists his main influences as Sebastian Bach, Eric Carr, Phil Anselmo and Tommy Lee. Lead singer Jamie says Vince Neil is his guide, but also counts Bret Michaels and Sebastian Bach as major influences. Bassist Al says he's his own biggest influence but his favorite bands are Alleycat Scratch (!) and Pretty Boy Floyd. The very hot guitarist Dani says he's influenced by C.C. DeVille (!) and Kristy Krash Majors and Motley Crue is one of his favorite bands. With musical taste like this, you know these boys know how to rock.

I've been tracking Sister through Myspace for about three months now. I periodically check in to see when and if these boys land a recording deal. I'm baffled that such a talented quartet remains unsigned while countless crap bands crowd the marketplace with drivel.

Sister is a technologically savvy band that illustrate their talents through a nicely constructed web page. Visit them at www.sisteronline.net or www.myspace.com/sisteronline. Listen to a few tracks and add them as friends.

Two to Tango?

Now, more on that great Cincinnati metal show I wrote about yesterday.

Joe Leste of Bang Tango fame will also perform with his side project Cock Fight. More information at www.myspace.com/cockfight1973.

Bang Tango formed in Los Angeles in 1987 and was nearly immediately signed to MCA records. Since that time, the band has released albums on the Music for Nations, Shrapnel, and Perris Records labels. Bang Tango's first album Psycho Cafe wasn't huge so they tried again with Dancin' on Coals which was released in 1991. Unfortunately, Bang Tango never amassed huge mainstream success and they were dropped from MCA after Dancin' on Coals.

Vocalist Joe Leste has remained the constant in Bang Tango, despite numerous splits and member changes.

The current incarnation of Bang Tango includes Leste, guitarist Michael Thomas, bassist Lance Eric and drummer Timmy Russell. Recently, Bang Tango released From the Hip. I don't have this album yet, but the tracks are pretty good. You can hear a few samples at  www.myspace.com/bangtango. I really like the guitar sound these guys have going. It's strong and rich, but doesn't overpower the rest of the band.

I'm quite interested in seeing Bang Tango at Rocklahoma. I hear the boys put on a great show, and I'm ready for some excitement!

Side Note: At the turn of the new millennium, Leste formed Beautiful Creatures with guitarists DJ Ashba and Anthony Focx, bassist Kenny Kweens and drummer Glen Sobel. This band had some touring success with KISS and Ozzfest but was quickly dropped from their deal with Warner Brothers. After the label dropped Beautiful Creatures, several members left the band, including DJ Ashba who now collaborates with Nikki Sixx. Ashba was replaced by Alex Grossi (!), who also played with Bang Tango for a short time. Anthony Focx also did a stint with Bang Tango. As noted Timmy Russell is the current drummer for both Bang Tango and Beautiful Creatures.

(Eat) The Crow

Happy weekend, glam fans!

Last night I received a very intriguing Myspace alert from Kenny Ozz, lead singer of Cincinnati based Drugstore Valentine. On Friday, May 18 Kenny and his clan will perform in the 80s Metal Fest along with the hairband tribute Poser and GnR, a tribute to Guns n' Roses.

I love tribute bands.

In addition to these local musicians, C.C. DeVille of Poison will also be there! Everyone knows how I feel about Poison.

You might recall I've written about Drugstore Valentine before. I don't know how he does it, but Kenny seems to catch every rock show in the tri-state area. I've made some disparaging comments about Mr. Ozz in the past, but no more. It's time for me to eat some crow and give credit where it's due. Kenny Ozz is part of the revolution. Yes, he's bringing back glam. Visit them at www.myspace.com/drugstorevalentine.

The lead singer of GnR actually sounds like Axl Rose. For most of us, a tribute band of the classic formation of Guns n' Roses is about as close as we'll ever get to the real thing. It's not like Chinese Democracy is coming out anytime soon. Add them by visiting www.myspace.com/gnrtributebandrocks.

Back to Poser. This tribute band intrigues me much. I gave them a listen, and they're not too bad. Seems they are based in Columbus so I'm a little surprised I've never heard of them before. Perhaps the best thing about Poser is they feature "American Hairband" by Tuff on their Myspace page. Add Poser by visiting them at www.myspace.com/bighairband.

I love the song "American Hairband" in a very big way. For some crappy reason, the song isn't available through iTunes, but it is the featured track on the Myspace home of Bring Back Glam! For this reason - and to celebrate my new affection for Kenny Ozz and Drugstore Valentine - "American Hairband" is our official song obsession for the week.

Here's a pretty cool video montage of some really great bands set to "American Hairband."