Stuka Squadron, 'Tales of the Ost' - Album Review

I buy Classic Rock and Metal Hammer every month. One reason I do that is to hear new bands. For some time now, Metal Hammer has regularly featured a song called "Stuka Squadron" by a band of the same name as part of what it calls "the new wave of traditional metal." I wonder if I'd be as cynical about the NWOBHM if I'd been there for that phrase to be coined? But, I digress.

A year or so later, Stuka Squadron finally have their CD out - Tales of the Ost. The basic plot line is that all the songs are about being in the Luftwaffe and they wear German army gear in their photos and - I presume - on stage. There's obviously scope for this to be offensive, but as it stands, the schtick about them being demon possessed, evil warriors of the air comes across like Manowar: very cheesy but amusing all the same.

Their title song took a long time to grow on me because the way their vocals often follow the riffs seemed a bit pedestrian, but the more I listen to it now, the more I love it. This is exactly the sort of music metal should be - the titles and lyrics at first glance would surely have offended your parents in the 80s, the guitars are heavy, the riffs are good, and they are calling us all to join them as warriors of metal. The verbiage on their website is all ridiculous. They call their fans Squadroneers (like Hammerfall call theirs "templars"). Everything about this band is over the top and ludicrous. I love it.

'17 Girls in a Row' - New Steel Panther

Time to discuss a new Steel Panther track. Today it's "17 Girls in a Row" from the upcoming Balls Out. I like the song. Hate the cover art. Discuss.

Happy National One Hit Wonder Day

Did you know that today is National One Hit Wonder Day? The "holiday" has been around since 1990. A few years ago, VH1 Classic even did a big "One Hit Wonder" countdown. They put RATT on their list (with "Round and Round") but obviously you and I know they were wrong on that one. I suspect there are many Glam favorites that are really "one hit wonders" - no matter how great their actual catalog. I love lots of songs that were never singles, let alone chart hits. And it really is quite an accomplishment to have a hit on Billboard.

I wonder if Twisted Sister fits the "one hit wonder" classification? They've got a pretty great and decent-sized catalog, but no song of theirs is known more than "We're Not Gonna Take It." And Aldo Nova had "Fantasy." Then there's Vixen with "Edge of a Broken Heart" and Trixter with "Give It To Me Good." Now that I think about it, I guess Saigon Kick fits the "one hit wonder" category too thanks to "Love Is On the Way."

So who else from the glam metal heyday are "one hit wonders?"

Songs Bands Regret the Most?

I suspect all bands that have been around awhile have at least one song they regret recording, let alone releasing. There are songs that were duds out of the gate. Don't forget the tunes that just sound dated and embarrassing these days... and then there's those attempts where bands tried to drastically alter their sound in an effort to appear "current."

When I think of songs bands might regret, my mind immediately goes to Motley Crue and "Brandon." Continually mocked, the song is basically a dud. I know Tommy Lee wrote the tune when he was emotional and happy at the birth of his son Brandon... but the song doesn't exactly fit Motley, now does it? Other regrettable duds off the top of my head? Well, there's Bon Jovi's entire Bounce album.

A long time ago, Yahoo! Music selected Poison's "Every Rose Has Its Thorn" as the most embarrassing song of the 80s. Now "most embarrassing" and "most regrettable" are not exactly interchangeable, but close. I completely disagree with Yahoo! and I actually think "Rose" is one of the most iconic songs of the 80s, but I digress. We're talking about songs we think bands regret today... so give 'em to me: what are your thoughts?

I've Never Seen Zakk Wylde Perform Without His Guitar

How is it that I never knew Zakk Wylde covered Stevie Wonder's "I Wish?!" That's my favorite Stevie song! It's so weird seeing Zakk sing... without his guitar. And check out how young he is in this clip!

Crashdiet, 'Down With the Dust' -- New Video

My beloved Crashdiet has a new video... well, sort of. Friends of the band captured them live and created the clip for "Down With the Dust." The song is a non-single track from Generation Wild. Since I feel like I'm never going to get to see Crashdiet live, I guess this clip is sort of the next best thing.

What do you think?

CRASHDÏET - Down with the dust - Video 2011 from MrSleaze on Vimeo.

Jizzy Pearl Quit LA Guns

Changes in the LA Guns camp it seems. Last night, Jizzy Pearl posted on his message board:

"After an amazing two years in L.A. Guns I have decided to move on. This decision was not based on anger or animosity-- I have nothing but respect for Tracii and the guys. They can and will carry on better than ever. I wish all good luck and good music in the future."

So what does this mean for the new LA Guns album, Acoustic Gypsy Live? I thought LA Guns was getting ready to tour behind the new record, now what? At any rate, I wish the band luck. Everyone knows I have mad respect for Tracii Guns.

Since we're talking about Jizzy, here's footage of his most epic performance of all time: