Gotthard Reveals New Singer

Just over a year ago, Gotthard singer Steve Lee was killed. Now the remaining members of the band are back with new singer Nic Maeder. The band released a single with Maeder called "Remember It's Me." Nic had success with his own band Maeder. You can download the new song for free at the band's website.

I think we should all officially say "Welcome back!" to Gotthard.

Lita Ford and Paul Stanley Perform 'Lick It Up'

I was gone for so many days to Florida and then on ShipRocked that I feel like I was in a time warp. I'm desperately trying to catch up on my music news. I was scanning Noisecreep and came across a cool clip of Paul Stanley and Lita Ford performing "Lick It Up." The song was part of a rehearsal for Rock n' Roll Fantasy Camp.

Oh and here's a random: I saw a guy on ShipRocked wearing a Lita Ford shirt while watching In This Moment. Truth.

Kix, 'Tear Down the Walls' - Rare Video

The other day, a clip of the Kix song for 'Tear Down the Walls' popped up on YouTube. The clip appears to be the rough cut for what was to be an official video. As you know, an official video was never released, so seeing this rare footage is very, very cool. I hope you all enjoy.

Someday, Download, Someday...

Today I am due to return home from ShipRocked. I guess this means my next rock n' roll vacation won't be until May for M3 Rock Festival in Maryland. Before I left for ShipRocked, I spent a lot of time on YouTube, watching clips from the Download Festival, held annually at Donington Park in England.

I love the clips I found of Def Leppard. The crowd is huge and I'm always drawn to clips of Def Lep. After all, they are - and will always be - one of my very favorite bands.

Gypsy Pistoleros Sign to Heavy Metal Records

I know there are quite a few Gypsy Pistoleros fans that frequent this site. The band now has a new label and will release new songs soon. Here are the details:

“The World’s Greatest Flamenco Sleaze Glam Rock ‘N’ Roll band Ever!” is back with a new album collating some of their biggest hits so far alongside new material. Combining their truly unique mix of flamenco rumba which gleefully collides with old school punk and rock ‘n’ roll riffs, the GYPSY PISTOLEROS’ first release on Heavy Metal Records, “FOREVER WILD, BEAUTIFUL AND DAMNED! GREATEST HITS
VOLUME 1” is slated for release in March 2012. This greatest hits collection will be mixed and produced by the legendary Joe Gibb (Jane’s Addiction, Funeral for a Friend) at the Mighty Atom Studios. Having proved popular with fans across the UK, US and Europe, the band’s signature pounding bass and thrashing drum sound and liberal use of flamenco breaks make the PISTOLEROS more than just a glam band with big hooks, attitude and sleaze – they make them a completely unique listening experience.

Since forming in 2005, the band have built up a large and fiercely loyal fan base that has closely followed the GYPSY PISTOLEROS through a tumultuous couple of years. From seeing the band almost sign deals and abort plans for a live album, the only thing missing is new song or two... But the wait for new music is over!

The GYPSY PISTOLEROS then found themselves making history by being the only band to be invited to play at all five of the massive Oklahoma-based Rocklahoma Rock festivals since 2007, where they played alongside the likes of Motley Crue, Poison and Whitesnake. The band is currently gearing up to tour with L.A. Guns; more details will be announced in the near future.

GYPSY PISTOLEROS consist of founding members Lee and Iggie Pistolero alongside Jeff (Pistolero) Williams and Kenny K Doll.

FOREVER WILD, BEAUTIFUL AND DAMNED! GREATEST HITS VOLUME 1 Tracklisting (subject to change)

1. Living Down With the Gypsies
2. Senor Mangi Acqui
3. Un Hombre Sin Rostro, Pistolero
4. Sangre de las Roses
5. Una Para Todo es Bandido
6. Hotel de la Muerto
7. Shotgun Kiss is Ay Que Dolor
8. Forever is Para Siempre
9. Moonchild
10. Switchblade Kiss Comes Close
11. Ballad of a Broken Angel (Loco Loquito)
12. 1234 Kiss Me Then I'm Damned for Sure

Steel Panther, 'Balls Out' -- Album Review

Steel Panther released Balls Out earlier this month. This new album is classic Panther: ridiculous lyrics and great melodies. The thing about Balls Out is that the lyrics are not as good as the songs on Feel the Steel but the music is far, far superior.

Balls Out features 14 tracks, but one of those is a throw-a-way intro. My favorite songs are "Just Like Tiger Woods," "17 Girls in a Row," and "If You Really Really Love Me." That last track there is a soulful power ballad. Okay, not really!

There is absolutely nothing original about Balls Out and I think the guys in Steel Panther are fine with that. The songs on Balls Out all pretty much sound like our favorites: Def Leppard ("If You Really Really Love Me"), Motley Crue ("I Like Drugs," "Tomorrow Night") and Van Halen ("Just Like Tiger Woods"). If the lyrics were gone and just the music left, I doubt anyone could tell if the songs were recorded in 1986 or 2011 -- and that is a good thing!

I can't help but wonder "what if" with Steel Panther, though. I listen to the band's albums and laugh but always wonder what it would be like to hear the band do a song straight-up, no jokes. Could Steel Panther pull it off? Probably. But clearly money is an issue, and the Steel Panther formula is working. Do yourself a favor and pick up Balls Out. Life is short. Laugh it up.

Bands I Want to See at Rock on the Range 2012

Yesterday, I wrote up my list of dream bands for M3 this summer. Today, I want to list my dream bands for Rock on the Range. The festival always takes place the weekend before Memorial Day at Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio.

Here's my dream list:

Asking Alexandria
Attack Attack!
We Came As Romans
Bush
Steel Panther
The Devil Wears Prada
Rage Against the Machine
Black Veil Brides
30 Seconds to Mars
Escape the Fate
Otep
Miss May I
Stereoside
Sevendust
Velvet Revolver (maybe, if the band picks a singer)
My Darkest Days

And the random throwback headliner? Def Leppard. Yep. I think it could work. Modern headliner? Nickelback of course.

I bet you can't wait to give me your thoughts on this one, ha!