This Cover Owns You: Halestorm - 'All I Wanna Do (Is Make Love To You)'

I don't know how I missed this when it came around in 2011, but this Halestorm cover of the Heart classic "All I Wanna Do (Is Make Love To You)" just owns. My goodness. Lzzy Hale's voice is stunning. The video is simple and elegant. This is just great rock and roll.

Big News For Fans of London

I received this release about London from LA Daily News writer Gerry Gittleson.

A star attraction on the Sunset Strip a generation ago, the band London was once a breeding ground for rock stardom for some of the early members like Nikki Sixx, Slash, Steven Adler, Izzy Stradlin and Blackie Lawless, but there is now a lot to more to London after a flurry of creativity has breathed new life into the band.

Frontman Nadir D’Priest, the iconic pretty boy heartthrob now all grown up, still has the same star qualities that made London such a buzz band back in the day, and he is singing better than ever -- as the world will soon find out upon the release of a live new CD for “London Live,” recorded in Nashville and engineered by the legendary Michael Wagener.

“I knew the record would have to sound big, and it sounds humongous. That’s the best way I can put it,” D’Priest said. “There was a specific sound we needed. It had to sound large or it wouldn’t even be worth doing, and Michael Wagener is great because he’s one of the superstars of producing.”
Still in place is guitarist Sean Lewis, who has been in London since 1987, and bassist Brian West, whose London pedigree goes back to 1984. Also, London has pulled a big coup by re-uniting with legendary drummer Alan Krigger, a founding member of Giuffria who joined briefly in 1988 and has also played with Tina Turner, Carl Wilson of the Beach Boys and other superstars.

“It’s an honor to play for London. It’s just a great band to be in,” Krigger said.

There are big plans. In addition to the heavily-anticipated “London Live,” there is a batch of new songs just begging to see the light of the day, and a large-scale tour is planned for the summer.
Instead of being a feeder best known for being featured in “Decline of Western Civilization Part 2,” London is primed and ready to carve a deeper niche with a revitalized comeback that is sure to make the band not just the talk of the town in Hollywood – a badge London has worn since the spandex days – but now the whole world.

“There’s also a lot of interest in this kind of music again, and it’s a worldwide interest,” D’Priest said. “The demand is there and it exceeds the Southern California area. Our number one goal is to show people a good time and have a good time ourselves, and that will never change.”
London was formed in 1978 by Nikki Sixx and Lizzie Grey. The lineup shuffled and at times including future Guns N’ Roses guitarists Slash and Izzy Stradlin future WASP singer/bassist Blackie Lawless and future Cinderella drummer Fred Coury.

Once D’Priest joined in 1984, London really began to take off. The band recorded “Non-Stop Rock” and “Don’t Cry Wolf” to critical acclaim, then was introduced to a worldwide audience in 1988 Penelope Spheeris film “The Decline of Western Civilization II: The Metal Years.”

A third album in 1990 called “Playa Del Rock” was released, and this point the band was sometimes called D’Priest. Frustratingly, the band was still trying to find its grip on mass appeal by this time – why London did not sell millions of records is among Rock’s great mysteries – but D’Priest refused to let go of the vision.

Sixteen years passed, and D’Priest dedicated his life to raising a family and being financially successful in business, but as the years went by he learned more than anything that rock and roll was in his blood. He has stayed in great shape – mind, body and spirit – and eventually an overwhelming urge not just to get up on stage again and the music flow through his body but also to finish what he started, D’Priest was more and more convinced that London is a band the singer could not turn his back on.

London is primed and ready to go from footnote to big toe, and the good news is the band has never sounded better. It’s easier than ever to reach fans at the simple press of a button, and London is ready to rock again – and this time they plan to play loud enough that everyone can hear. And they do mean everyone.

The live album is produced by London and engineered by Michael Wagener. Roy Z Ramirez (Halford, Bruce Dickinson) provided additional mixes, and Maor Appelbaum (Halford, Bruce Dickinson) did the mastering.

London is also releasing two new tracks, “Get Back Home,” written by D’Priest and West, along with “Tu Cultura y Tu Nacion,” London’s first Rock En Español single (written by D’Priest) also featuring renowned keyboardist Teddy “Zig Zag” Andreadis, who toured with Guns N’ Roses during “Appetite For Destruction” and “Use Your Illusion.” London is in pre-production for the filming of music videos for both new songs.

Also, London is re-releasing its cult classic LP “Don’t Cry Wolf” on both CD and vinyl (with two different album covers, too) through the website: londontheband.net.

What A Guns n' Roses Meet and Greet Is Like

I'm a huge Guns n' Roses fan, and more importantly, I am 100% Team Axl when it comes to the current divide amongst the fans of the band between Axl Rose and the other four original members. So when it was announced that Axl was bringing the show to Las Vegas for a 12 night residency from October to November of 2012, my interest in attending was immediately peaked. I ended up getting tickets to attend the last night of the series of shows (November 24, 2012). Reviews of the show have already been posted, and the videos are out on Youtube, so everyone can see the actual show for themselves.  The point of this post is to tell you about the biggest gamble I took in Vegas: I bought the meet and greet ticket option for the show!

In all honesty, I went back and forth on whether the extra money was worth it, because it was advertised that you would meet "members of Guns n Roses." We all know that there is only one member anyone wants to meet, and he isn't known for doing meet and greets, or even for getting to the stage on time.  But I thought, "Axl's been more fan friendly these days, it is the last show of the residency... maybe he will show up," and I decided to go for it.

 

It was a rather disorganized event, but the staff was nice enough. Upon checking in, we were lead to a side room with a private bar where we waited for the meet and greet to begin.  I met a mother/son duo who flew to Vegas from New Hampshire to attend all three shows that week, and they did the meet and greet each time, and Axl hadn't shown up for the prior two that week, so I was disheartened, but I had faith. He would be there!

 

After a half hour, we all lined up at the door to go upstairs to meet the band. Those with GA floor tickets were first in the line (which included me).  I was about 50 deep in the line of probably 200 to 250 people total. Upon getting upstairs, we saw Robin Finck walking around, but we all stayed in line. It was tough to read the faces of those leaving, and no one was overjoyed, so doubt started setting in.  After 20 minutes or so, we were led into the room and saw who was there... DJ Ashba, Tommy Stinson, Ron 'Bumblefoot' Thal, Dizzy Reed... and NO ONE ELSE! I was bummed, but hey, it was Vegas. I took my gamble and I lost. Such is life.

 

To their credit, all four of the guys were extremely friendly and personable. They have a tough job because they know that everyone in that line was hoping to meet someone who wasn't there. They took pictures, made small talk and then moved you along.  Thankfully, the cost for this meet and greet wasn't like the KISS or Aerosmith price range ($1000 - $1500), but rather was about an additional $80 or $100. It was still a good time and the show was amazing. Team Axl for life!

An Education In Class: Stage Fall Edition

Justin Hawkins of The Darkness fell off stage the other night while performing with the band in Stockholm, Sweden. I think the way Justin handled himself is pretty classy. I wish some other musicians would take note. Accidents happen to all of us, after all. I like that Justin kept right on singing. I actually doubt many people in the back of the venue even realize he'd made a "mistake." True class. I look forward to seeing The Darkness again in the future.

Mike Tramp - 'Love Don't Come Easy'

Mike Tramp of the original White Lion was just in Australia doing some shows. A few videos are popping up online, including this one: an acoustic version of "Love Don't Come Easy" from the Sydney show.

Hardcore Superstar, 'Above The Law' -- New Video

Hardcore Superstar has a new video for their song "Above the Law." I can't help but compare this tune to Pretty Boy Floyd. I think this song is very catchy. "Above The Law" is from the new album C'Mon Take On Me.

Sevendust, 'Black Out The Sun' -- Album Review

What can said about Sevendust that has not already been stated before? One of the hardest working bands out there today, road warriors, consistently releasing strong albums and  putting on powerful live performances, but yet that next level of success seems to elude them, no matter how well deserved.  The latest effort by the band, Black Out The Sun, is just one more example of a band that delivers and deserves more recognition.

Black Out The Sun is a solid album.  From the powerful opening riff on "Faithless," the band shows what they do better than anyone else out there, and that is heavy syncopated rhythms with a forceful drive that can only be achieved by a band that works so well together as a unit. What would sound forced and over-rehearsed by so many others sounds natural to Sevendust. The album remains strong throughout, with the right mix of heavy ("Till Death") to catchy rhythm ("Mountain") to the introspective ("Got A Feeling"). Sevendust definitely has a formula to what they do, but they continue to improve upon that year after year. 

 

If you are already a fan of the band, then you know what to expect, and they do not disappoint. If you are new to the band, then what better time to jump on board?  Between Black Out The Sun, and the prior album, Cold Day Memory, Sevendust have clearly hit their stride and really can do no wrong.  Sevendust should not be the best kept secret in heavy music... they should be a headlining act in a shed on one of the summer music tours. The rest of world needs to wake up!

 

So everyone, pick up your sharpie and circle March 26, 2013 on your calendars, and then when the day finally rolls around, run out to pick up your physical copy or (legally) download your copy of Black Out The Sun. You will be glad that you did.  Then, when the band rolls through your town on their current tour (with a reunited Coal Chamber), make sure you are in attendance (I know I will be seeing them AT LEAST twice).  Sevendust has worked hard to get everything they have, but they have earned more.... give it to them!

First single, "Decay"