Yes, 'Hysteria' Is 26 Years Old

Def Leppard released Hysteria 26 years ago yesterday. That fact just stuns me.

Hysteria is hugely important to me. I can remember playing the album during a lot of important times in my life. And "Animal" alone has gotten me through more brutally long days at work than just about any other song ever recorded.

Next to Aerosmith, Def Leppard is my favorite band. It's been that way for pushing three decades now. I can't imagine that fact ever changing.

The New Joan Jett CD Will Rock

Few women rock as hard as Joan Jett and I'm super excited that she's got a new album coming out really soon. Like The Cult, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts is an act I still haven't seen live. I've heard that Joan is amazing live. Hopefully she'll tour to my part of the world soon.

Here's some info on the new album:

Hot on the heels of being honored at this year’s Sunset Strip Music Festival and the City of West Hollywood’s official proclamation of August 1 as “Joan Jett Day,” the rock n roll icon is set to release her first CD of all original music in more than seven years.  Joan Jett and the Blackhearts will release their 14^th studio album Unvarnished October 1 on the Blackheart Records label.  The album features ten original tracks and a Deluxe Edition will feature four additional bonus tracks.  The first single, “Any Weather” will make its television debut on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on August 8^th.   To coincide with the television debut, the single will be available August 6^th via iTunes preorder at www.itunes.com.

Jett has said that Unvarnished is the most autobiographical project she’s ever done, allowing some of life’s hardest passages, such as the loss of both her parents, dictate what she wrote about. The album also broadens to other subjects, such as applauding the determination of Hurricane Sandy’s victims and lighthearted commentary on today’s trend of oversharing.  Jett expanded her creative process to work with musicians like Dave Grohl and Against Me’s Laura Jane Grace, as well as continuing her work with longtime writing partner Kenny Laguna.  "It’s a real band album. Everybody was involved," she says.  For more information, visit www.joanjett.com

Grand Rocktember Music Festival

If you live in or around Minnesota, you might be interested in the Grand Rocktember Music Festival set for September 14 at the Hinckley Amphitheater.

Bands set to perform include Kip Winger, L.A. Guns, Firehouse, Warrant, Lita Ford, Dokken, Skid Row, Trixter and Tesla. The festival is actually part of a casino complex and there is camping available. Tickets are on sale now.

If you're planning on attending this one, let me know.

Asking Alexandria Release 'Run Free' Video

I know 99% of you don't get it, but I love Asking Alexandria. They make me truly happy. The band will release From Death to Destiny next Tuesday. In advance of that new album release, the band put out the official video for "Run Free." Love it.

Did Buckcherry Just Make The Coolest Video Ever?

I'm always amazed when bands still spend a little money on music videos, let alone a lot of money when hardly anyone watches video clips anymore.

Just a couple days ago, Buckcherry released a "making of" video in advance of the clip for "Nothing Left But Tears." If you invest the six minutes and watch the "making of" clip, you'll see how impressive the final video will be. I mean, it's definitely high-dollar. It has a real concept, a complete story, special effects makeup, actors and more.

I definitely can't wait for the official release of "Nothing Left But Tears."

RATT Performs 'City to City' Live

RATT performed "City to City" (from the album Reach for the Sky) the other day at the Halfway Jam. I don't remember ever seeing RATT do the song live. It's possible I just don't recall it, but I'm still pretty stunned "City to City" was added to the set list. I always appreciate when the bands we love throw some more obscure tracks into the mix. I can't say that RATT sounds the best I've ever heard them here, but I appreciate the effort nonetheless.

I've Still Never Seen The Cult Live...

It seems amazing to me after all the concerts I've been to that I've never seen The Cult live. The band remains at the top of my "must see" list but it just hasn't happened yet for whatever reason. To that end, I was pleased as punch to find a full Cult concert on YouTube. The concert is actually from just a couple days ago in San Diego.