Can They Last?

 As I posted yesterday, Robin Leach reports on his blog that Motley Crue are the recipients of some major cash. A new 10 year, Live Nation deal is worth 100 million bucks. As part of that deal, the band has agreed to release three new albums and jaunt off on just as many world tours.

Of course, this goes back to the whole "why now" question I asked here just a few weeks ago. 

Does this mean the world is clamoring for more Motley Crue...or is Live Nation bilking die hard fans for cash?

I would say it's a little of both. 

Some fans - like me - will pay multiple times to see Motley. Others will skip the ticket premiums, figuring they've already seen the show and would "prefer to remember the band the way they once were."

Well, "once were and now is" are two totally different things, and I'd rather live in the moment than skip a tour because I've already seen the band. I digress.

Live Nation makes a lot of money on their concert deals. As the group continues to purchase sheds all across the country,  it's going to be virtually impossible to see an act that's not under some sort of Live Nation agreement.

Motley must still be a heck of a draw to get a 100 million dollar deal these days. As the music industry continues to evolve, look for more deals just like this one. Like any contractual agreement, this deal can be both good and bad for the band. They may lose some creative control, but at this point I don't know how much Vince Neil, Nikki Sixx, Tommy Lee or Mick Mars care about innovation.

The fans can surely last three more Motley tours and albums - that's a no brainer. The real question here is...can the band? Is Mick healthy enough to perform off and on for ten years? Will the rest of the band get along well enough to make this venture both profitable and enjoyable? I guess only time will tell.

I do find it curious that neither Live Nation nor Motley Crue has officially announced this massive deal. I hope it's not some sick joke. I plan on traveling a lot this summer to see the Crue multiple times.

On a side note, I wonder what all this means for SIXX: AM? The band has a small tour planned for the spring. I had guessed they would do another album, but it seems Motley really is working on some new material. That's not to say Nikki can't write and record two albums at one time, but I think it's doubtful. I mean, at this stage in the game, why bother, unless to Bring Back Glam?

Update on Tuesday, February 12, 2008 at 10:07AM by Allyson B. Crawford

Like some of you have posted below, Motley Crue founder Nikki Sixx is now denying this big deal.

Here's his statement, forwarded to me from 10th Street Entertainment:

"Motley Crue has not signed any deals.  Any information reported to the contrary is false and misleading."

I said I was skeptical, but at this point, I do believe there is some truth to this rumor. Motley Crue are excellent at still being able to excite fans and manipulate the media.

Take it all for what you will.

Motley Crue World Tour?

Is Robin Leach credible? This just popped up on Blabbermouth:

"Robin Leach reports on his blog "Vegas Luxe Life with Robin Leach" that MÖTLEY CRÜE — Vince Neil, Tommy Lee, Nikki Sixx and Mick Mars — signed a $100-million-plus mega-deal last week to produce three albums and perform three world tours for the giant Live Nation entertainment conglomerate.

'We'll actually have been together for 37 years by the time it comes to an end,' Vince told Leach.

Vince, who will go off next month on a solo tour of Canada, said that the first of the three long world tours starts this July. The new contract runs for the next 10 years and includes 169 concert dates on the first global journey."

Thoughts? I'm a bit skeptical to say the least...and no, at this point, I don't expect Motley Crue at Rocklahoma.  

Scarlet Violet

Italy is beginning to rival Sweden when it comes to the resurgence of Glam bands.

Scarlet Violet is a great Italian band trying to make it big. Their demo Ready to Rock definitely pays homage to classic 80s bands, while using benchmarks of the modern Glam sound.  

 The track listing for Ready to Rock looks like this:

Back On A Bend
Bad Reputation
In Front Of You
Dirty Little Whore
Ready To Rock

These Milan natives actually have talent and look good to boot. I really like the songs "Bad Reputation" and "Ready to Rock," but the entire effort is very strong. I hear remnants of both Poison and Crashdiet here, so you know these songs must be good. Furthermore, the guitar work is just darn impressive. Guitarist Fylo really knows his way around an axe. In fact, he's so good, it wouldn't surprise me if his solos become the focal point of a live Scarlet Violet show.

Perhaps most surprising of all is that Scarlet Violent remains an unsigned band! The cute quartet got together to independently release Ready to Rock.  With the right marketing, Scarlet Violent could be very viable here in the United States. Someone with connections needs to give these kids a chance. In the meantime, I'll keep listening to the EP.

Get your own copy of Ready to Rock by visiting Scarlet Violent on Myspace

Photo credit: Scarlet Violet via Myspace 

Un Hombre Sin Rostro, Pistolero

My friends the Gypsy Pistoleros have finally released a video for their song Un Hombre Sin Rostro, Pistolero. There's no point mincing words: the video - and the song - rock. See for yourself.

GYPSY PISTOLEROS - Un Hombre Sin Rostro, Pistolero

Remember, if you're in the United States, your next best chance to see the Flamenco-Sleaze rockers is at Rocklahoma 2008 in July. Be there!

Gypsy Pistoleros on Myspace

No Beatles, No Glam

Today back in 1964, the Beatles made their American television debut on the Ed Sullivan Show. Clearly, this pre-dates me by about two decades, but I appreciate the impact on pop culture. Make that impact on global culture.

Anyway, I must admit if the Beatles had never existed, the chances of Glam being a form of popular music are about zero. If you think about, the Beatles are probably the most significant thing ever to happen to popular music. I mean, we went from ragtime, to country, to swing and something called rock - but it didn't roll until the Beatles swept in from Liverpool.

The Beatles were a bit dangerous, weren't they? They had "long" hair and wore mostly black. Their songs were - gasp! - uptempo. They also had an air of entitlement around them as they performed. Even before hitting it really big, each member of the Fab Four seemed to walk with a special confidence and display a smirk that said "Yeah, I know your daughter loves me and so does your wife. Buy a record."

I guess it was that confidence - coupled with the incredible song writing talent duo of John Lennon and Paul McCartney - that made the Beatles so famous.

So, as the Beatles continue to change the face of popular culture, they inspire thousands of kids to pick up guitar and pound the drums.

With each generation, there is an influence. In nearly every case, that influence can be mapped back to the Beatles.

If you watch the clip at the bottom of this article, you'll see young ladies swoon for these larger than life personas. You'll get the exact same reaction at a RATT concert about 20 years later.

Consider this: Aerosmith list The Yardbirds and The Who as having a major impact on their sound and style. They also credit the Beatles as a major influence.

You already know Aerosmith influenced about every successful Glam band ever to come from the 80s scene, most notably Motley Crue, L.A. Guns and Faster Pussycat. If you listen carefully, paying attenion to the many layers that make up the more complex Glam songs, you can definitely hear The Beatles.

Don't believe me? Think about all those cover tunes. Most bands have played at least one Beatles song in their respective careers. It's about knowing where you came from - and where you're going - that often breeds success and sustainability.

Pick the Kix Tune

Kix is reuniting this summer for some sort of tour. To that end, I was watching some YouTube videos to gear up for the very special event.

I don't know if the east coast band will stop in Ohio, but I'm sure I'll see them at Rocklahoma. While "Don't Close Your Eyes" is a highly underrated power ballad, I firmly believe the band's fast songs are far superior.

Someone help me here. Let's pick the best Kix song and video.

Here's an odd one for you: "Body Talk."

Here's "Cold Blood."

Now, here's "Blow My Fuse." This is my pick for favorite song and video. This tune just plain makes me want to either dance or pump my fist in the air. I won't lie: I also think every member of the band looks damn hot in this clip!

So, which of these tunes is better? If you don't like these picks tell me which song you prefer and why.

*On a semi-related note, I think I should interview Kix. This band is so underrated, yet so full of talent. It's a shame they didn't get hugely famous. Ah, the injustice.

One Night Will Remind You...

I don't necessarily think Journey are Glam, but they have their moments and apparently my mom was listening to them yesterday.

I know this because she sent me an email, talking about how much I liked Journey when I was four. You see, I've always liked music, probably because she always played rock records. Somewhere in my parents home is a faded picture of me wearing a pink shirt, one hand on hip, standing in front of the stereo.

It's true. I was born Glam.

My mom bought lots of 45s. Those are the smaller records for people even younger than me. Anyway, 45s were most commonly singles. I always wanted to hear the "hit" song and over and over, so my mom marked the A side with an "X."

She doesn't keep junk or clutter, but still has all those records. In fact, "Separate Ways" is one of those singles. I guess my mom put it on the turntable today, saw the X and got a little nostalgic. 

Now I'm nostalgic. Let's all listen to separate ways.

Now, you tell me one of your childhood music stories. I know every single one of you has a special music memory.