Cut the Fat - Number 7

Have you ever thought "Man, this is a perfect record except for this one track?" For the next week, I'm going to play "cut the fat." That's where I name an essential Glam record and tell you which track I think is a dud. In other words, the album would be stronger without the worthless track in question.

Today's essential Glam record is Motley Crue's Red, White & Crue. The double-disc set is a must-own for any Motley fan as it marked the band's big "comeback" and also includes all the hits.

But there's one dud.

"Use It or Lose It."

Why this track was chosen for the greatest hits is beyond me. The track comes from Theatre of Pain, one of Motley's weaker records...and it wasn't even a single. Couldn't the band find an awesome B-side - something to match "Black Widow" - instead of "Use It or Lose It?"

Red, White & Crue tracks:

1. Live Wire    
2. Piece Of Your Action    
3. Toast Of The Town    
4. Too Fast For Love    
5. Black Widow    
6. Looks That Kill    
7. Too Young To Fall In Love    
8. Helter Skelter    
9. Shout At The Devil    
10. Smokin' In The Boys Room    
11. Use It Or Lose It    
12. Girls, Girls, Girls    
13. Wild Side    
14. You're All I Need    
15. All In The Name Of...    
16. Kickstart My Heart    
17. Without You    
18. Don't Go Away Mad (Just Go Away)    
19. Same Ol' Situation (S.O.S.)    
20. Dr. Feelgood
   
Disc: 2

1. Anarchy In The UK    
2. Primal Scream    
3. Home Sweet Home ['91 remix]    
4. Hooligan's Holiday [Brown Nose Edit]
5. Misunderstood [Successful Format Version]    
6. Planet Boom    
7. Bittersuite    
8. Afraid [Alternative Rave Mix]    
9. Beauty    
10. Generation Swine    
11. Bitter Pill    
12. Enslaved    
13. Hell On High Heels    
14. New Tattoo [single version]    
15. Street Fighting Man
16. If I Die Tomorrow
17. Sick Love Song

Agree? Disagree? Tell me your thoughts.

Rockstar Energy Drink UPROAR Festival eBay VIP Ticket Auction

I do hate reposting press releases - but charities pull at my heart strings and this one is for a GREAT cause: to prevent child abduction. If you like Halestorm, Avenged Sevenfold, Disturbed or Stone Sour read on:

The Rockstar Energy Drink UPROAR Festival is proud to announce the first-ever eBay Charity Ticket Auction in support of Child Find of America, a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to the prevention and resolution of child abduction. Beginning Sunday, August 1, 2010 and running for 10 days, fans can bid on eBay for a once-in-a-lifetime chance to receive two VIP tickets to the Rockstar Energy Drink UPROAR Festival. In addition, the top bidder and their guest will watch their favorite band perform from the best seats in the house: ONSTAGE! They will also receive: Level 1 Premium Reserved seats OR General Admission "Pit" tickets, a backstage guided tour to see the "inner workings" of a large scale concert festival (who knows who they’ll meet?), limited edition "Working Crew" shirts, all-day access to the VIP Rockstar Energy Drink Lounge, front-of-the-line access to all Best Buy artist signings, and one limited edition, custom tour art EVANS drumhead hand-signed by Disturbed, Avenged Sevenfold, Stone Sour and Halestorm.

The all-day outdoor UPROAR Festival, drawing as many as 10,000 to 15,000 fans per event, will make stops in 35 US and Canadian cities coast-to-coast, beginning on August 17, 2010 in Minneapolis, Minnesota and concluding October 4, 2010 in Madison, Wisconsin. Each festival date features eight of the biggest names in active rock music performing on two stages, as well as other attractions, including a concourse midway filled with vendors and activities. Projected to be one of the most successful, audacious and not-to-be-missed concert events of 2010, The Rockstar Energy Drink UPROAR Festival will feature multi-platinum co-headliners Disturbed and Avenged Sevenfold, along with Stone Sour and Halestorm. The potent rock lineup for the touring music and lifestyle jaunt also features performances from Jägermeister Second Stage headliners Hellyeah, as well as Airbourne, Hail The Villain, New Medicine and the local Jägermeister-sponsored opener in each city. (Note: Airbourne will not be performing on the Canadian dates.)

Child Find of America offers families various services including free investigation and location services, free kidnapping prevention programs, free referral and support services and free mediation services for parental abduction cases. Their efforts positively impact the lives of thousands of children and families and directly bring more than 400 children to a safe and legal environment every year. Proceeds from the Rockstar Energy Drink UPROAR Festival eBay ticket auctions will benefit the ongoing efforts of Child Find of America. More information on Child Find of America can be found at www.childfindofamerica.org

The Rockstar Energy Drink UPROAR Festival eBay ticket auctions will begin on Sunday, August 1, 2010, when 35 pairs of tickets with accompanying stage access passes for all 35 UPROAR dates will be posted to eBay as 10 day auctions. Those interested in bidding on these very special UPROAR Festival VIP tickets can access the Rockstar Energy Drink UPROAR Festival eBay ticket auctions by clicking on the "UPROAR on eBay" link found here or by searching for "UPROAR VIP TICKETS" on eBay.com.

Something New: Major Tom

For today's "Something New" I'd like to introduce you to Major Tom. The band is unsigned but on the cusp of something great. Oh, and there's definite Bowie influences here.

The band recently released A Night on the Lash -- a sort of Poison/Bowie hybrid. When I say the band is retro-glam, I mean it: 70s style. The 80s influences come into play in the arena feel of the tunes.

Major Tom has played a ton of shows in the Midwest (I haven't seen them yet) and plans to hit Europe soon. Singer/guitarist Stephen Kilkenny has written songs for other musicians and is looking to get Major Tom some sort of label deal.

A Night on the Lash tracklisting:

HotStuff
Got a Feelin'
Good For You
Chandeliers
Keep It Real
Never Say Goodbye
Not Your Man
Goodbye
SweetHeartAche
Let It Roll

Major Tom Live 2009 "let it roll"

Major Tom - A Night On The Lash - AVAILABLE NOW! | MySpace Music Videos

A Sucker Born Every Minute?

Have you ever made one of those decisions that is so completely opposite of every common sense instinct your body is telling you? I just made one of those the other day and I am still not totally able to justify my choice.

Here's the deal...I watched the recent KISSteria special on A&E, and I was appalled at what I saw. What was advertised as essentially being a one hour documentary of the KISS tour of Australia was nothing more than a scripted performance based on a concept so ridiculous that any notion of reality was lost. The premise of the show was that Gene and Paul were talking one night in Paul's kitchen, and they made a spur of the moment decision that KISS should perform in Australia the next week, and then it showed them working with their manager to pull it all together and make it happen. The very notion was so unbelievable and poorly scripted that I was almost embarrassed for the band as I was watching it. It was an insult to the intelligence of the viewing audience.

Please know that I am a huge fan of KISS. I have been for 22 years. I actually stood in line for 9 hours (in on-again-off-again rain) in New York City to get a picture with the band in full make-up (see picture above which they took before I turned to look forward, but just before it was taken, Gene and I were nose-to-nose with our tongues out...a surreal moment for me). However, lately, it has become more difficult to be fan. The television shows, the obscene amounts of merchandise, the Dr. Pepper commercials are all so cheesy, that even I have to look away. But, then they will redeem themselves with a quality album (Sonic Boom) and the amazing KISSology dvds that they have released. So, as a fan, I am constantly torn between loving them and hating them.

Now, to the inexplicable decision. I finished watching the KISSteria special and was repulsed at what I had just seen, but then I went online and bought a pair of tickets to their August 7th show in Massachusetts. The bottom line was, even as hokey as the show was, the clips of the live performance sold me on going to see them once again. I just could not pass on the opportunity to see their live show again.

So who watched the KISSteria special, and who liked it or hated it? Would it influence your decision to go see KISS live? And more importantly, who was a fan, but has backed off of the band in recent years due to the over exposure and merchandising of the name?

Win a Pair of Tickets to the Rock n' Rev Festival

Bring Back Glam! has teamed up with the promoters of the Rock n' Rev Festival to bring you an awesome contest. A winner and a friend can go to the five day fest - free. How? Just enter to win the contest, of course. The winner - selected at random by me - will receive a pair of general admission passes to the Rock n' Rev Festival to be held August 9 - 13, 2010 in Sturgis, SD.

More than 20 bands like Guns N’ Roses, Creed, Godsmack, Alice in Chains, Charm City Devils and 3 Doors Down will play the fest.

To enter, just send an email to allyson@bringbackglam.com with "Rock n' Rev" in the subject line. Please include your legal name and mailing address in the email. Any entries that don't follow these simple parameters will be deleted. Only enter once because duplicates will be deleted. Enter by Tuesday, August 3rd at 11:59pm EST. If you're name is drawn I'll send you an email and the festival will handle ticket fulfillment directly.

Good luck.    

Here's Sully Erna of Godsmack talking about the fest:

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Steven Tyler to Judge 'American Idol?'

Steven Tyler is apparently going to be the new judge on American Idol. At least that’s what TMZ is reporting.

Kara DioGuardi is apparently out. JLo (as in, Jenny from the Block) and Steven are in. This means the panel reverts back to three people, leaving Randy Jackson the only remaining judge from the original show format.

1)      I’m not sure how I feel about Steven being a judge on Idol. Perhaps I won’t know until an official announcement is made, but…

2)      I think it could be good for Steven and Aerosmith because of all the exposure and I guess this means the show might move to a more rock format, so…

3)      I can actually see the possibility of a Glam metal week, but…

4)      Any American Idol without Simon Cowell is probably doomed to fail.

We’ll see. Apparently the official announcement is coming tonight. If the rumor is true and Steven really is the new judge…I wonder who gets Simon’s old seat? Randy I would presume because of his tenure, but it will be interesting for sure.

I’m sort of cringing at a bunch of 16 year olds hacking up “Nobody’s Fault” for the audience vote but it is what it is I suppose.

Thoughts?



The Nelson Twins Raise Cash for Diabetes

The Nelson brothers are remembering their father, Ricky, while also raising cash for juvenile diabetes. I think that's pretty cool so maybe if you're in the Hamptons area (are the Hamptons Metal?) you can stop by and check out the show. At the end of this post you'll notice the ticket price includes a meet and greet. I'm typically opposed to ever spending any amount of money to meet a musician but since this is for a charity, I guess I'll let it slide.

(New York, NY) July 29, 2010 - Celebrity entertainers Matthew & Gunnar Nelson announced the RICKY NELSON REMEMBERED 25th ANNIVERSARY TOUR will head to the Hamptons for a special one night only benefit performance to raise funds for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation at The Stephen Talkhouse in Amagansett, NY on August 28th.

"RICKY NELSON REMEMBERED" is a unique multi media event featuring the live music of Ricky Nelson's hit songs (including "Hello Mary Lou", "Travelin' Man", "Garden Party") performed by Ricky's own twin sons Matthew & Gunnar and includes never before seen big screen video footage of the NELSON family with interviews from celebrities influenced by Ricky Nelson. The show appeals to a wide audience and multiple generations and celebrates the life of America's original 'Teen Idol'. This year 2010 marks the 25th anniversary of Rick Nelson's passing in a tragic New Year's Eve plane crash.

"We're thrilled to have the opportunity to bring the 25th Anniversary Ricky Nelson Remembered Tour to the Hamptons for a good cause," said Gunnar Nelson. "It will be a special evening with friends and family and great music to raise funds for JDRF."

"Our Pop (Ricky Nelson) taught us how important it is to live life and give back where we can," adds Matthew Nelson. "It will be an incredible night of music and fun - all while helping find a cure for Diabetes."

"RICKY NELSON REMEMBERED" stars Matthew and Gunnar Nelson, the identical twin sons of Rock'n'Roll Hall of Famer Ricky Nelson and grandsons of '50s TV icons Ozzie & Harriet Nelson. When Matthew & Gunnar hit #1 on the Billboard with their rock band NELSON with their self-penned #1 mega hit "(Can't Live Without Your) Love & Affection" it put the Nelson family in the Guinness Book of World Records as the ONLY family in entertainment history with THREE generations of #1 HITMAKERS! With their rock band NELSON, Matthew and Gunnar have (5) Five Top 40 Billboard hits, (4) Four #1 MTV videos and have sold over 6.5 million albums worldwide!

RICKY NELSON REMEMBERED starring Matthew and Gunnar Nelson

*25th Anniversary Tour*
August 28th at 7pm - Special Benefit Fundraiser
The Stephen Talkhouse
161 Main Street Amagansett, NY
Tickets - call (631) 267-3117 or online StephenTalkhouse.com
Proceeds Benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
VIP Tickets $100 include a private pre-show meet & greet

"After the Rain" (featuring Mark Slaughter) at M3 Rock Festival, June 2010