Glamnation Vol. 2

If you like Glam (and really, who doesn’t?) then you must buy Glamnation Volume 2. The latest offering by 272 Records provides 22 tracks by up-and-coming Glam artists. While Glamnation Volume 1 provided choice tidbits, Volume 2 is chocked full of music, make-up and excess. In short, this album is a winner.

The 22 bands and tracks look like this:

1. California Red (Danger)
2. Road Religion (Fables Last Stand)
3. Let's Rock (Kelly Fairchild)
4. Tenielle (Robot Army)
5. 90 Yeah! (The Sevenate)
6. Rock Crazy (Oney)
7. Chronical Tragedy (Bangkok Babes)
8. Two Souls In Love With Death (Internal Disfunction)
9. Hollywood (Sick Stars)
10. So Much Love (The Wings Of Love)
11. Exploited Teens (Decadent Daughters)
12. TrampQueen (Stripped)
13. I Am The Swagger (Turbo Lovers)
14. The Gang (Natural Born Rockers)
15. Heaven Tonite (Demons Alley)
16. Jody's On Junk (Kickstarter)
17. Crash N' Burn (Neon Knights)
18. T.G.I.F. (SHAM)
19. Innocense (Velvet Rose)
20. London (NextGo Pretty)
21. Mission To Rock (Hansel)
22. I'd Give It All To Make Her Mine (Aaron Morales)

So what are the best of the best? Without a doubt, Swedish rockers Danger show immense promise. This isn’t surprising considering all the best Glam these days is out of Sweden. Moreover, Danger’s track “California Red” actually sounds like an ode to the Sunset Strip.

Glam is found all over the world, sometimes even in the Midwest. Columbus, Ohio based Oney are cashing-in on the Glam resurgence and giving music another shot. The band released a debut album in 1989. Since that time, Oney struggled to find fame. Fast forward a few years and now the band is on the world’s largest reissue label Retrospect Records. Oney provides “Rock Crazy” for Glamnation Volume 2. If the song sounds authentic 80s, that’s because it is straight out of the Oney vault! Even better, Oney are rumored to be playing a side stage at Rocklahoma 2008 – the world’s only all Glam festival.

Demons Alley offer “Heaven Tonite” to the Glam gods. “Heaven Tonite” is definitely sleazy and utilizes punk influences, giving Demons Alley a distinct sound from other bands featured on Glamnation Volume 2. The band is currently looking for a record deal. Lead singer Pink has a unique tonal quality to his voice that should really give this band an edge. This is definitely one act to watch.

Glam is nothing without a power ballad. Aaron Morales sort of fills the bill with “I’d Give It All (To Make Her Mine). This song changes tempo frequently and has great guitar work to boot. Citing Def Leppard as a major influence, Aaron Morales and his band are setting out to bring back modern rock’s popularity to mainstream society.

For more information on all the bands featured on Glamnation Volume 2 please visit 272 Records on Myspace

The Boneyard

I now know the wonders of satellite radio. My goodness, I love XM! The Boneyard is just about the best radio channel for Glam fans.

My husband bought - and installed - my the satellite radio out of guilt. Now, I have hundreds of channels at my fingertips.

I can't believe I waited this long to join the satellite radio revolution. I always thought the service too expensive - not true! The unit was dirt cheap and the monthly rate is very reasonable. It is definitely worth it for someone like me who lives and dies by music.

I listened to The Boneyard for the first time yesterday afternoon. The very first song I heard - period - on my new unit was "Looks That Kill." Coincidence? I think not.

Catch the Fever - otherwise known as the Rocklahoma organizers - are very wisely using The Boneyard to stream their line-up announcement press conference on March 4. Yes, I'll be listening. You see, that press conference was the entire catalyst for my satellite radio. I was invited to attend the press conference at the Whisky A Go-Go in Los Angeles. Sadly, there was no way I could fly to L.A. in the morning, attend the press conference, blog the event, then fly home that same night. Those sorts of extravagances are not in this working-class girl's budget. I won't lie: I was devastated. You have to be invited to that press event. I felt sort-of special.

So, thanks to the guilt, I have satellite radio and I can listen to the line-up announcement just as it happens. As soon as I hear the bands selected to play Rocklahoma 2008, I'll post them here in (almost) real time!

Back to the Boneyard. My Glam goodness, I would like to work for that station. Too bad I've already worked in radio and I know everything is automation and low pay. Still, I think it would be great fun to be a program director of an all Glam radio station. How hard could it be? You just roll out of bed, program your Audio Vault to play Motley Crue, Steelheart and Poison and you're good to go. What a life.

Eddie Trunk has a radio show on The Boneyard every Monday night. I might tune in and give it a chance. 

Turns out, The Boneyard sometimes has musical acts perform live on the air! Here's Kix playing "Blow My Fuse."

So, do you have XM or Sirius satellite radio? The big question: do you think such channels are helping to Bring Back Glam? 

Ooh...She's A Little Runaway

Welcome to the very first edition of Bring Back Glam! by request. A lot of you are big fans of The Runaways. Regular reader Joe has even posted a petition on the Message Board asking for your help getting the legendary all-female band into the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame.

 
I figure most people are pretty familiar with The Runaways, but if not, here's a little background information. The Runaways were formed in the 1970s. The band featured a slew of different members including Joan Jett, Sandy West, Micki Steele, Lita Ford, Cherie Currie, Vicki Blue, Jackie Fox and Laurie McAllister. Of that list, Joan Jett and Lita Ford enjoyed quite successful solo careers after The Runaways and Micki Steele joined the Bangles (and yes, I loved the Bagles when I was a kid!)

 At any rate, The Runaways toured a lot in Europe and opened for some pretty big bands including Cheap Trick and Van Halen. Their self-titled debut is considered a classic among fans of chick rock - and their passion helped break the glass ceiling for women in music. At the time of their arrival on the scene, it was pretty common to hear a female soloist sing ballads or even disco, but rock was just about out of the question.

After the self-titled release, The Runaways released Queens of Noise in 1977. I can't think of a better album name for a group of women who can outplay most men.  The band forged on and made another record after line-up and management changes. There is a lot of documented drama between members of The Runaways and manager Kim Fowley. Looking at history, I think it is sad the band couldn't come to more agreeable terms with Fowley.

All told, The Runaways disbanded in 1978. If they had hit the scene in, say, 1982, I think they would have enjoyed greater popularity. After all, Vixen wishes they were as important as The Runaways.

Here are a few videos of The Runaways. Watch the clips then sign the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame petition over on the Message Board.  I want the band to get inducted just to see if Lita Ford comes out of hiding for the night!

 
Here are backstage clips set to "I Love Playin' With Fire."

Here's "Wasted" on the Old Grey Whistle Test:

Beautiful Creatures at Rocklahoma

It seems Rocklahoma is expanding from a strictly 80s format. Pollstar now confirms that Beautiful Creatures will play sometime on Saturday during the festival.

If you are not familiar, Joe Leste formed Beautiful Creatures in 2000. You might recall Leste played Rocklahoma last year with Sunset Strip band Bang Tango. In a recent Rolling Stone article, Leste was featured in a full-page spread.At one time DJ Ashba was in the band. I'm sure this connection will immediately lead to rumors that Ashba will play a few songs during Rocklahoma.

At one time the band was on Warner Brothers Records. Beautiful Creatures only released two albums, but with this appearance at Rocklahoma and rumors of a European tour, I think another album is probably in the works.

Here's the video for "Wasted." It's pretty hot.

Glam Snow Day

I hate Ohio winters. I despise snow. I despise ice. Moreover, I LOATHE driving on the stuff. I think the world should just STOP during winter. As I write this, southern Ohio is getting slammed with a major snow and ice storm. When I was in junior high my hometown got such a bad snow...school was closed for a week! That's all well and good until you realize you'll be sitting in a classroom in June making up those snow days.

The only good thing about snow days is the potential for some Glam. During the junior high snowstorm I mentioned above, I read the same Metal Edge magazine over and over - I had nothing else to do! Now we have the Internet, iPods, YouTube...the possibilities are endless.

As per usual, I am exceptionally behind in my CD reviews. In fact, I have so many albums to review it's embarrassing. If I could sit at home all day and just review albums, I'd be happy as a clam. 

While I'm talking about my fantasy day of Glam leisure, I think I would also spend some time researching new bands. There is so much untapped talent all over the world, and I think it is important to talk about new artists from time to time. I would also put the rest of my CD collection into iTunes. I got a nifty new iPod for Christmas and still haven't uploaded all my songs.

Of course, none of this is going to happen because - like the rest of the world - I have a job. Still, a girl can dream. While I was thinking about that fantasy snow day, I clicked around YouTube and found some fun clips I thought you might enjoy. Maybe you are having a snow day of your own.

Here's Tora Tora "Walkin' Shoes." You'll be able to see the reunited band at Rocklahoma 2008.

When I'm hating winter, I like to listen to bands that remind me of summer. Of course, that band is Poison. Here's "I Won't Forget You." Incidentally, this is one of my favorite Poison videos. I love the concert footage before the band was really famous.

Watch these clips, then tell me: how would you spend your Glam snow day?

Slik Toxik

Oh man, I need to track down some classic Glam. Do you remember Canadian rockers Slik Toxik?

I was clicking around YouTube last night and found some gems. The band was signed to Capitol Records and was fairly popular in Canada. I don't think they made much of a splash here in the United States, but I will blame that on timing. Slik Toxik was a Glam band stuck amid 90s grunge artists. They didn't get a fair shot at fame, which is sad.

Guitarists Kevin Gale and Rob Bruce teamed up with vocalist Nicholas Walsh to form the band. Also featured on the debut recording are bassist Patric Howarth and drummer Neal Busby. I don't know much about any of these men except all of them went on to other musical projects, none of which were commercially successful.

Here's the video for "Helluvatime" on the album Doin' The Nasty.

Now here's the video for "White Lies/Black Truth" also from Doin' The Nasty.

I need to track down Doin' The Nasty. First I'm off to eBay...then a used record shop. I will succeed in my quest!

After I have album in hand, I might go further. What if I put this band back together? My goodness, we could have a Glam reunion. This, I must seriously ponder...

The Intimidator

You might recall I am an aspiring bass player. My husband bought me a brand new black bass for Christmas, and I started playing right away.

I played diligently right up until the Motley Cruise, then I didn't practice while I was on vacation. Then I got sick and I didn't practice. Ok, so I was really, really sick for two weeks and I didn't practice at all during that time. Now I am better, and I'm looking at the bass.

It intimidates me.

You see, I was progressing quite nicely before my sabbatical. I could actually play 90% of "Unholy Confessions" by Avenged Sevenfold, and all of "Sunshine of Your Love" by Cream.

Now I have to start over and that makes me really sad. As it sits on the stand, it taunts me.

The bass isn't expensive: just a basic Dean, commonly used by novices to learn the instrument. How will I ever play bass live if I don't practice?

I don't have time to practice. I spend my days working, writing and being married. There is scare little time for anything else.

There are a lot of talented musicians who read Bring Back Glam!  on a daily basis. Our own Valentine fronted the California Glam band Tonight You Rock (T.Y.R.). Glam rocker Joe was in a very successful East Coast band. Both Valentine and Joe lived the scene and were on the brink of stardom (Valentine was a signed artist in the 90s).

It's pretty cool they hang out with us, isn't it?

Back to the bass. I bet Valentine and Joe practiced their craft. They didn't wuss out like me.

I need a swift kick in the pants to get back in the saddle. I don't want to pay for lessons. Truth is, I already know how to read music and I actually really love playing the bass.

It's hard to fit in time for everything, though.

Enough of my whining. I bet you'd like to see a clip of Valentine back in the day, wouldn't you?

Here he is playing "Tell Me No Lies" at The Stone in San Francisco.

Valentine told me a lot of great stories about his band back in the day. He's played with Marq Torien (before he was in the Bulletboys!) and did shows with Roxx Gang. Yes, he played the Whisky A Go-Go. Yes, he saw Steven Adler do cocaine. Yes, he's GLAM.

Tonight You Rock on Myspace

If we are really good and behave ourselves, both Valentine and Joe might share a story or two about being in a real live Glam band. No pressure boys, but thousands of daily readers are waiting...