The Mind of a Glam Fan...

There are many things in life that baffle me. I don't claim to be a very smart person. I haven't traveled the world, I don't have any special skills and I never created anything that changed the world. The one thing I do know is Glam. But while I pretty much know all about the bands that rocked the 80s, I guess I just haven't figured out Glam fans.

The other day I posted my excitement of scoring some Guns n' Roses tickets. I expected a couple negative posts... but not scores of them. I've never been able to understand why people will slag Guns n' Roses in 2011 but will laud the musical prowess of, say, XYZ or Kingdom Come.

Axl Rose - along with the original members of GNR - is responsible for one of the most important metal records of all time. Appetite for Destruction completely changed the course of metal in the 80s. Hell, the album still shifts a slew of units each week, year in, year out, more than two decades later!

When LA Guns is brought up on this site, everyone cries foul at Tracii's version and screams that "Phil's version is better because he's the voice of the band." Well, okay. Axl Rose is the voice of Guns n' Roses. I want to hear "November Rain" by the actual singer. 

Part of the charm of the original Rocklahoma festival in 2007 was people experiencing their childhoods all over again. Being 32, the only Guns n' Roses experience I had was listening to the band on the radio and watching MTV. I know seeing Guns n' Roses in 2011 won't be the same as it was in 1989, but it's the best chance I've got of hearing Axl sing "Welcome to the Jungle." Sure he's going to keep me waiting and yes, he'll probably act like a diva. But I know exactly what to expect so it won't be a surprise.

I feel like there's some double standard against Guns n' Roses amongst Glam fans these days. Or maybe just the people that read this website, I dunno. Whatever the case, it does seem a bit insane to praise bands filled with scab members and then knock Axl for filling his band with... replacement members. Especially when all those "praised" bands are acts that didn't really make a big dent in the scene... and certainly didn't rock and entire generation like GnR. Just sayin.'

For My Adam Lambert Fans...

Everyone that has been to this site more than a few times knows I love Adam Lambert. Well, now my beloved Glambert is about to release an authorized album of his pre-American Idol recordings. The guitarist on the album is Phil X. You might know him from Triumph and then later as the guy who played in Bon Jovi while Richie Sambora went to rehab. Here's a little release about the upcoming album called the Paramount Sessions. The disc will be out December 6.

Grammy-nominated singer Adam Lambert (American Idol) and Hollywood award winning singer Steve Cooke powerfully and soulfully interpret ten rock ballads each on this exclusive double deluxe collection "Paramount Sessions" with Madonna and Seal's backing band.

 The re-mixed and mastered songs feature new tracks, extended plays and out takes from Adam Lambert and Rocking vocals from Steve Cooke.

On guitar Monte Pittman (Madonna, Adam Lambert) on bass, piano and keyboards Marcus Brown (Seal, Madonna) and drummer Steve Sidelnyk (Seal, Madonna) on lead guitar is Phil X (Bon Jovi) with additional drumming from Brian Frasier-Moore (Madonna).

The album was produced and mixed by Grammy-Winner Bob Cutarella (also produced for Slash, Les Paul and Celine Dion) and 2x Grammy-winning engineer Alfonso Rodenas.

Adam Lambert captured the hearts of Americans during his amazing performances in American Idol, singing songs from Johnny Cash to Queen. Steve Cooke's vocal performances embrace the tones of INXS, Zep and the Stones.

The album is an easy listening epic of twenty songs accompanied by 2 Music Clips "Radio" and "Gravity". "Radio" features Steve Cooke and Adam Lambert's Band, with Steve Ferrone on drums (drummer for Tom Petty).

This show keeps rolling with two nominations for this year's Hollywood Music and Media Awards, with "RADIO" for Best Video and "Gravity" for best song in Adult contemporary

This is the complete and only official pre-Idol recordings from Adam Lambert.

Got My Guns n' Roses Tickets!

I got my Guns n’ Roses concert tickets! I’ll be attending the Cincinnati show on Friday, December 2. I’m very relieved the show is on a Friday because I don’t think I could wait for Axl Rose to go on stage six hours late, drive an hour home and THEN go to work.

I decided to opt for seats and not the floor. Is this non-metal of me? Probably. But again, I can’t stand for six hours while Axl decides to perform. My whole beef with the tour is this: why put 7:30 p.m. as the start show time when it will likely be at least two hours later? Everyone that is going to see GNR in 2011 knows this to be the case. Is this earlier published time a ploy so venues can sell more overpriced beers to unsuspecting fans? Or is this some legal issue dealing with curfews and all that?

At any rate, I’m super excited to finally see Guns n’ Roses – okay, Axl and Friends, live. I was way too young back in the day and this is really my first opportunity to see Axl sing in a live setting. The band better play “Estranged.” After all, I love that song.

Are you going to the 2011 North American Guns n’ Roses tour?

ShipRocked Sails in 1 Month!

In exactly one month, I'll be setting sail on ShipRocked. I'm in desperate need of a vacation and the trip is going to be a blast. There are a ton of bands already booked like Buckcherry, Queensryche, Hinder, Hellyeah, Sevendust, Candlebox, Filter, Lynam, Living Colour and many more. Last night the cruise added a band called The Voodoos.

The Voodoos are originally from Ireland. They have a different sound - not Glam by any stretch of the word but that doesn't mean they don't rock. Check 'em out. And if you want to come on ShipRocked and hang out with me, you can still attend! Cabins are available by clicking on the official website.

James Durbin Is Recording with Mick Mars!

Watch it, love it people. Our beloved Mick Mars has been laying down guitar tracks for James Durbin's debut. Memories Of A Beautiful Disaster comes out November 21.

This album is going to rock...

Queensryche to Perform 'Operation: Mindcrime' Aboard ShipRocked

ShipRocked guests are in for a very special treat next month, when Queensryche takes the stage onboard the cruise to perform their epic concept album, Operation: Mindcrime, in its entirety!

This performance of Mindcrime -- which will feature Maria Brink of In This Moment on vocals as "Sister Mary" -- will be the band's first of the album since the Rocklahoma festival in the summer of 2008.

"We've always enjoyed performing for our fans in intimate settings and the forthcoming ShipRocked cruise will certainly be one of those occasions," states Queensryche lead singer Geoff Tate, who returns with the band for their second ShipRocked cruise. "We're calling this one, 'Mutiny on the Mindcrime.'"

The special performance of Operation: Mindcrime, covering all fifteen songs from the album including such fan favorites as "Revolution Calling," "Operation: Mindcrime," "I Don't Believe In Love" and the closing track "Eyes Of A Stranger," will be in addition to a greatest hits performance that will take place on another night of the cruise, which sets sail towards the Mayan Riviera on Monday, November 14th.

Maria Brink is ecstatic about joining Queensryche for the ten-minute song, "Suite Sister Mary." "I am so excited and grateful for this amazing opportunity to sing with Queensryche on the upcoming ShipRocked cruise! All of us in the band are huge Queensryche fans, and Geoff Tate is one of the best lead singers in the business. Getting to sing 'Suite Sister Mary' off the original Mindcrime album is a huge honor. This is going to be a cruise to remember!"

There are still a few cabins remaining, so reserve yours ASAP to guarantee your spot! BOOK ONLINE today at http://www.getshiprocked.com/2011/ or by calling 1-888-438-9509. See you on the ship!

My Darkest Days, 'Every Lie' - New Video

Do you like My Darkest Days? The Canadian band is one of my favorite modern acts. I really like their self-titled album. The band made a splash with their video for "Porn Star Dancing" and now they've got a new one for "Every Lie." The video actually has a plot and everything - just like the good videos back in the day.