Wildstreet/M3 Pre-Party Information and Ticketing

Wildstreet will play the night before the M3 Rock Festival on May 12 at Sonoma's Bar and Grill in Columbia, Maryland. If you'd like to go to the show, you need a ticket, right? Well, I have show information!

Tickets are just $6 in advance (plus $2 for shipping and handling  in the U.S. The S+H fee is per order, not per ticket. Tickets will be sent via certified mail).

Click to order your tickets!

You can buy tickets at the door the night of the show, but they will be very limited. In addition to Wildstreet, Sin 4 Sin and Baby Jayne will perform.

James Durbin Sings 'Heavy Metal' on 'American Idol,' Zakk Wylde Helps

Get ready American Idol haters and bitchers (is that a word?!) one in the same! James Durbin sang Sammy Hagar's "Heavy Metal" last night as part of "Songs from the Movies" week. The song "Heavy Metal" is from the movie of the same name.

I called James' song choice on Sunday on an American Idol forum. I was very pleased with myself that I was right! I didn't expect to see guitarist Zakk Wylde with James, but that was just added cool. I was instantly amused by all the haters on Facebook...and random message boards. James has Tourettes and Asperger's syndrome. The kid can sing. He wants to bring metal back ("Give metal a chance, America!" was the plea) -- so let's support him. Watch.

QUEENSRYCHE and LIVING COLOUR Added to Shiprocked 2011!

Queensryche and Living Colour are now part of the ShipRocked bill. The cruise sails November 14-19, 2011 and leaves out of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. Along the way, visit Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico.

QUEENSRYCHE is celebrating their 30th Anniversary in rock this year with the release of their 12th studio album titled, Dedicated to Chaos, slated for release via Roadrunner Records/Loud & Proud in early summer, followed by a major support tour. Since the band's inception in 1981, they've sold over 20 million albums worldwide and have performed in over 22 countries. The band -- consisting of original members Geoff Tate (vocals), Michael Wilton (guitar/vocals), Eddie Jackson (bass/vocals) and Scott Rockenfield (drums) along with recent addition Parker Lundgren (guitar) -- remain world renowned for their innovative, trend-setting sound and continue to enjoy incredible success, performing for sold-out audiences worldwide.

LIVING COLOUR is an American funk metal band from New York City, formed in 1984. Stylistically, the band's music is a creative fusion influenced by free jazz, funk, hard rock and heavy metal. Their lyrics range from the personal to the political. The band were prominent members of the Black Rock Coalition during the late 1980s and early 1990s (a movement which also featured Fishbone and 24-7 Spyz). Living Colour rose to fame with their debut album Vivid in 1988. Although the band scored a number of hits, they are best remembered for their signature song "Cult of Personality", which won a Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock Performance in 1989, and their highest charting single "Type." They were also named Best New Artist at the 1989 MTV Video Music Awards.

ShipRocked will feature live performances by Buckcherry, Queensryche, Hinder, Hellyeah, Sevendust, Living Colour, In This Moment, Lynam, Broken Teeth and Rival Sons! ShipRocked sails on the MSC Poesia. Cabins are on-sale now at getshiprocked.com, or by calling 1-888-438-9509! Book yours today! 

Get Ready to Fight: I Like the New Def Leppard Tune!

Ok, have you heard the new Def Leppard song "Undefeated?" The song is on Mirrorball, due later this summer.

I received three separate emails about "Undefeated" yesterday and, to be honest, the reviews from my friends were not good. So, when I got home from work I wasn't expecting much. Then I punched up YouTube, had a listen...and I was surprised!

The thing with Def Leppard is that they have just mastered the creation of rock that is radio-ready. Does Joe Elliott's voice sound like it does on Pyromania? No. But he doesn't sound bad - not even close. Just slightly different, maybe even a little more scratchy, which is actually pretty sexy for a singer I think. People age and evolve. It happens. The guitars in "Undefeated" are definitely punched up, there's the famous "Lep gang vocals" and big production that is the band's calling card. In a lot of ways, "Undefeated" sounds like it could fit on Adrenalize. The song is just hooky as hell. Just try to not tap your foot after listening to the tune awhile. So, have you heard "Undefeated?" What is your opinion?

Win a Copy of 'This Is Gonna Hurt' by Nikki Sixx

This Is Gonna Hurt: Music, Photography And Life Through The Distorted Lens Of Nikki Sixx, the new book by Nikki Sixx, is out today. 

From the publisher:

"This Is Gonna Hurt: Music, Photography And Life Through The Distorted Lens Of Nikki Sixx is part photo, part journal—but all Nikki Sixx. It is a collection of compelling photography and stories that capture the rage, love, optimism, darkness, and determination that shape his work. Combining the raw authenticity that defined his New York Times bestseller The Heroin Diaries with a photographic journey, This Is Gonna Hurt chronicles Sixx's experiences—from his early years filled with toxic waste, to his success with Motley Crue, to his death from an OD and his eventual rebirth through music, photography, and love."

Want the book but don't have the cash? Bring Back Glam! is giving away a copy of This Is Gonna Hurt. Want to win? Just send an email to allyson@bringbackglam.com with the subject 'This Is Gonna Hurt.' Include your legal name and address in the body of the email. Any entries that do not meet all these requirements will be discarded. You have until Friday, April 15 at 11:59 p.m. EST to enter. Good luck. 

Lion and the 'Transformers' Theme

Holy Glam, the Transformers theme is epic! I'd forgotten all about the song until I was reminded of it over the weekend thanks to a random message board posting.

Do you remember Lion? The British band featured Doug Aldrich among its members. Lion didn't even record a full-length debut until after they'd contributed to the Transformers soundtrack. That debut record is called Dangerous Attraction.

Lion did release one more record, but didn't stay together much longer. Their crowning achievement will always be the Transformers theme - robots in disguise! I should now admit I've never seen the Transformers movie (either the original or the remake) so I have no idea if the song fits the content. All I know is that I think it rocks. What say you?

Awesome: Sade Covers Thin Lizzy

Sade will release The Ultimate Collection next month. On the  two-disc set, she covers the Thin Lizzy tune "Still In Love With You." It rocks. That is all.