Tom Keifer Really Is Rock Royalty

If there is one single artist that emerged from the 1980s glam music scene that never ceases to amaze, it is Tom Keifer.  Artistically, he never seems content to settle, and throughout his career, it is clear to see how he has grown and changed musically.  He is a multi-talented musician, singer and showman.  For this reason, I think most of us were eagerly awaiting the release of his first ever solo album, "The Way Life Goes" earlier this year. Personally, I was a bit worried though... not about Tom and his ability to craft and record brilliant songs, but because this album took about 10 years to be recorded and released. I was afraid that it would suffer from "Chinese Democracy" Syndrome, meaning that over the years of waiting, expectations were built up so high that no matter how great the end product was, it could never live up to what we all had in our minds. However, when the beginning of the opening track "Solid Ground" really kicks in and Tom hits that amazing scream, all seems right with this album.

To be clear, this is NOT a Cinderella album, but that should not scare longtime fans of Tom from purchasing this album.  "The Way Life Goes" is a solid album of well written and produced songs. Personally, I am a huge fan of Tom's "clean" voice and and glad he uses it more on this release,  His grainy rock voice (more closely associated with the classic Cinderella tunes) is on the album too, but overall it is perfect blend of both styles. "Thick and Thin" has to be one of my favorite tracks, and it is perfectly followed up by "Ask Me Yesterday."  "The Flower Song" and "Cold Day In Hell" are also both stand out tracks. However, in my humble opinion, "Solid Ground" is, by far, the strongest track on the album and is a near perfect song.

The kicker is I was lucky enough to get one of the tour dates in my area, and was able to see Tom perform in support of this album. The show took place at the Palace Theater in Stafford Springs, CT (by far the best venue to open in the area in ages... big stage, great sound, friendly staff, reasonable prices). John Corabi opened the show playing some acoustic songs and did a fine job. He is funny, personable and extremely talented.  Unfortunately for Corabi, his set was completely overshadowed when Tom Keifer and his band took the stage. I have seen Cinderella many times in the past (they are one of the bands I'll actually travel to see, as I never leave a show disappointed), but Tom seems to have a renewed energy playing the new songs with the new band.  He seems entirely comfortable in his new skin, and it was apparent on stage, from his energy level to the smile that was present most of the night. Sure he played some Cinderella classics (he is no dummy and knows that everyone wants to hear them), but he added twists to many of them and had his wife join him on vocals on others. But he also played a number of songs off the new album and a cover or two as well. Tom was smiling and telling stories, and seemed genuinely appreciative of the fact that so many people were there supporting him that night.  I imagine, as much as he must love Cinderella, playing the same songs for so many years must get tiresome at times. This project seems to have awoken something up inside Tom, which is evident both live and listening to "The Way Life Goes."  I bought the album immediately upon its release and still play it regularly to this day, and if the tour comes within two hours of my home again, rest assured I will be there singing along. 

 

To this day, Tom Keifer still has never let me down.

Meet Damn Dice

Damn Dice is a new Glam band out of the UK. They have an EP coming out in October... but their video for "Wild Into The Night" is already out now. Watch and discuss. Don't say I never give you any new Glam!

So Coney Hatch Has A New Video

Coney Hatch has a new video for "Blown Away." The song is from the album Four which is due out September 27. Four is the first Coney Hatch album of new material in two decades.

How Is This Different From A Motley Crue Show?

Apparently the world is imploding because Miley Cyrus was suggestive on the MTV Video Music Awards Sunday night. I didn't even watch the awards show because I don't really listen to pop music and metal never gets covered on the VMAs.

Anyway, everyone at work was talking about Miley so I watched a clip on YouTube. Granted, you'd never see me prancing around on stage like she did Sunday night... I'm also not a famous singer trying to make the jump from teen star to adult icon. Quite frankly, she looked like a Motley Crue backup dancer to me. Anyone who owns the Carnival of Sins DVD knows what I'm talking about. What Miley did wasn't original in my book. It always seems like when a woman acts suggestive on stage, media types go bonkers. When a man does it, the world yawns. Discuss.

Journey - 'Frontiers and Beyond'

Have you ever seen the Journey documentary Frontiers and Beyond? It's amazing! The YouTube gods have blessed us, Glam fans... for the entire documentary is online now. Watch in all its glory. Runtime is about an hour and forty minutes.

Mick Mars Tweets About Farewell Tour

Both Nikki Sixx and Vince Neil have mentioned that a Motley Crue farewell tour is likely coming sooner rather than later. This talk doesn't surprise me. A Tweet Mick Mars sent out yesterday... does. Read below and discuss. Trouble in Motleyville?

Any rumors regarding a farewell tour due to 'my poor health' are BS. I am doing fine, my AS has never kept me from touring and never will.

— Mick Mars (@mrmickmars) August 22, 2013

Attention Metallica Fans: Sirius XM To Broadcast Special Concert

I have to admit I'm totally pumped about a special Metallica channel on Sirius. I don't have satellite radio in my car right now, but my husband has a subscription so I'll totally be using his pass to listen to this concert and station.

NEW YORK-August 22, 2013- Sirius XM Radio (NASDAQ: SIRI) announced today that Metallica will perform at Harlem's world famous Apollo Theater for the first time at a special invitation-only concert for SiriusXM subscribers on Saturday, September 21 at 8:30 pm ET.

Metallica will perform songs from their 30-plus year career, and the concert will air live nationwide on the band's limited-run SiriusXM channel, Mandatory Metallica, days before the release of the band's upcoming 3D feature film Metallica Through The Never, which will be released exclusively in IMAX theaters in North America on September 27 and wide on October 4.

"With historic performances from James Brown to B.B. King to Ray Charles and all that came before us, this will definitely be a memorable night for Metallica, our fans and those listening on SiriusXM," said guitarist Kirk Hammett. Bassist Robert Trujillo added, "With its rich musical history the Apollo Theater and its legacy are totally unparalleled and we can't wait to perform there this September."

"Metallica is a band of unquestioned influence, whose body of work spans decades and whose musical style is literally a music genre unto itself," said Scott Greenstein, President and Chief Content Officer, SiriusXM. "We are so excited to bring this private performance only to our subscribers nationwide. Listeners will also have access to Mandatory Metallica, the channel we've created with the band to showcase their iconic music." 

SiriusXM's Mandatory Metallica, the limited-run 24/7 commercial-free music channel featuring hits, rarities and concert recordings from throughout the band's iconic career, will launch on Friday, September 13 at 12:00 pm ET and air through Sunday, October 6, via satellite on channel 40 (SiriusXM's Liquid Metal channel), and through the SiriusXM Internet Radio App on smartphones and other connected devices, as well as online at siriusxm.com. Liquid Metal will continue to be available through the SiriusXM Internet Radio App on smartphones and other connected devices, as well as online. Mandatory Metallica will continue to be available on SiriusXM Internet Radio through the Summer of 2014.

Listeners will have the opportunity to win tickets to the event through dedicated listener emails as well as various call-in promotions across SiriusXM's diverse music, talk and sports channels. SiriusXM subscribers can enter for the chance to win tickets starting August 22, 2013 and, starting September 10, 2013, can enter for the chance to win a trip to New York City to see the concert.  See Official Rules at www.siriusxm.com/MetallicaLive.

Currently in its 79th year, the legendary non-profit Apollo Theater is known for launching the careers of countless iconic performers, and has been a catalyst for artistic excellence and innovation since it opened its doors in 1934. The Apollo's new artistic vision builds on its legacy and new Apollo programming has music as its core, driving large scale and more intimate music, dance and theater presentations. For more information, visitwww.apollotheater.org.

Mandatory Metallica is an example of SiriusXM channels created with iconic and leading artists, including Bruce Springsteen's E Street Radio, Ozzy Osbourne's Ozzy's Boneyard, Pearl Jam Radio, Eminem's Shade 45, Willie Nelson's Willie's Roadhouse, The Pink Floyd Channel, B.B. King's Bluesville, Elvis Radio, Jimmy Buffett's Radio Margaritaville, Siriusly Sinatra, Tiësto's Club Life Radio and Neil Diamond Radio.

For more information on SiriusXM, please visitwww.siriusxm.com.