Tonight, Motley Crue and Poison are playing in Cincinnati, about an hour from my house. I am not attending.
This may shock some of you. I was on the fence about the show for many months and not so long ago I decided I wouldn't go as a means of protest. The ticket prices are high and I've seen Motley and Poison many times before. I decided that I could continually keep writing about high ticket prices, then just pay up... or I could complain about ticket prices and protest with my wallet. I know not buying a ticket for me and my husband isn't going to rock the concert industry or hurt the bottom lines of either Motley or Poison. But that's not the point. The point is that I am now forcing myself to be more self-aware of the cost -- and every show I'm intentionally skipping will mean just that much more in the long run.
If more people voted with their wallets, the price of concert tickets would come down. A product is only worth what the market will pay. If everyone starts refusing to plunk down a hundred bucks a ticket, guess what: suddenly we're seeing shows for $50. In addition to skipping Motley/Poison, I'm also intentionally skipping Def Leppard/Heart. I work a lot and I'm just sick of being fleeced of my very hard earned cash -- especially when the set lists never change and the bands don't even seem to care about putting out a fresh show.
So we all know Rob Zombie isn't Glam. But he is pretty important to the metal world. And he's important to the film world, too. He primarily makes horror films, but recently he directed a commercial for... Woolite. You know, the detergent. I have no idea idea why detergent has gone metal lately (remember I recently posted the Gain ad that features a Warrant tune), but I think it's cool. Anytime you get metal music - or even just metal-like images on television - that's a good thing, right?
At any rate, the commercial is downright odd, but I guess it gets the point across: Woolite won't destroy your clothes. No word if this commercial will air in America, so check it out below. It's fascinating on so many levels.
Here's a blast from the past: Boulevard! Remember them? The Canadian band formed around 1983 and only released a couple of records. Well, last night I was reminded of their record Into the Street.
When I had Into the Street playing, the Glam husband looked up from his computer and said "Is that Danger Danger?" and he looked generally confused. I said no, told him the band and then thought for a minute that he did have a point. Boulevard does sound a bit like Danger Danger mixed in with Richard Marx.
Everyone knows I'm much more into straight Glam or heavier bands, but once in awhile I have an appetite for AOR. Boulevard is good, honest AOR.
The new King Kobra record is a rocker! The self-titled record is available now via Frontiers. I talked with singer Paul Shortino awhile back for Noisecreep. He told me the band hopes to jump on a tour soon - maybe in the fall? At any rate, I'd like to see the band live and hear some of the new tunes as well as the old stuff.
Here's "Turn Up the Good Times." Doesn't guitarist David Henzerling look cool?
Did you hear that Mr. Big is going on a U.S. tour this summer? I recently saw the band at the M3 festival last month and they were great. If you have a chance, you should check out the band live. Here are the details.
HOLLYWOOD, CA (June 21, 2011) - MR. BIG will once again unleash their brand of brutal fury on their first U.S. tour in 15 years starting July 30th, in San Diego at the 4th & B. Returning fresh from a successful run of tour dates overseas, vocalist Eric Martin, guitarist Paul Gilbert, bassist Billy Sheehan, and drummer Pat Torpey, will be hitting the road in the United States this summer in support of the band’s new album, WHAT IF… "Man, it's been a long time,” states guitarist Paul Gilbert. I can't wait to play our first show in AMERICA in about 15 years. It's gonna be huge!"
What If… is MR. BIG’s first all original album since the reunion of the four original members, Eric Martin, Paul Gilbert, Billy Sheehan and Pat Torpey back in early 2009. Sixteen years after the release of "Hey Man," the new recording is set to bring back MR. BIG on the height of the current Hard Rock scene.
Guitarist Paul Gilbert said: “This is the first MR. BIG album I have been a part of, since fourteen years and it was done in a snap. It was fun and we had really a good time in making this one”. Continues Billy Sheehan “It’s so great to be back with Paul, Eric and Pat too. We wrote this record like we did in the old days for the first 2 records. Jamming together in the same room to write songs.” Pat Torpey adds ““Some of the recording process is different now from what we were used to in the old times. But I think this record really managed to capture the performances of the band, not of the individual musicians”.
Their hits included "To Be With You" (Billboard Hot 100 number one single in 15 countries for weeks, in 1991, propelling the band the band to huge international success and record sales in the multi-millions), "Wild World", Green-Tinted sixties Mind", "Just Take My Heart", and a host of heavy metal songs that were played mostly during their live performances: "Daddy, Brother, Lover, Little Boy", "Addicted to that Rush", "Colorado Bulldog", and "Take Cover."
What If… is released in a special edition CD + DVD in digipak, regular CD, vinyl and digital download and in a limited edition luxury box including the CD, DVD, LP and exclusive memorabilia. What If… track-listing includes: Undertow; American Beauty; Stranger In My Life; Nobody Takes the Blame; Still Ain’t Enough for Me; Once Upon a Time; As Far As I Can See; All The Way Up; I Won't Get In My Way; Around The World; I Get The Feeling; Unforgiven (exclusive bonus track for Europe / North America – not on vinyl edition).
The DVD will include the video clips of “Undertow” and “All the Way Up” plus a documentary “Making of” the album including interviews and exclusive behind the scenes features of the four members.
In other Mr. Big news, the next single from the new album, “American Beauty,” will ship to radio in July in support of the tour.
MR. BIG on tour:
JULY
30 San Diego, CA 4th & B 31 Agoura Hills, CA The Canyon Club
AUGUST
2 Tempe, AZ Marquee Theatre 4 Santa Ana, CA Galaxy Theatre 5 San Francisco, CA The Fillmore 6 Modesto, CA Xclamation Festival 8 Salt Lake City, UT The Complex 9 Denver, CO Summit Music Hall 12 Chicago, IL House Of Blues 13 Columbus, OH Al Rosa Villa 16 Pittsburgh, PA Trib Total Media Amphitheatre 17 Cleveland, OH House Of Blues 19 Buffalo, NY Town Ballroom 20 Detroit, MI Harpo’s 23 New York, NY BB King’s 24 Foxborough, MA Showcase Live 26 N. Myrtle Beach, SC House Of Blues 27 Lake Buena Vista, FL House Of Blues 30 Houston, TX House Of Blues 31 Dallas, TX House Of Blues
Is it me, or does every band, every concert, every festival offer some VIP package these days? If hundreds (thousands?) buy into the privilege... is it really still a privilege?
I think the entire current trend of VIP hysteria is a load of crap. I saw Uriah Heep Friday night for $5 and guess what? The band was selling a VIP package for $100! That got you a seat on stage and a shirt. Our friend and BBG! writer Brian mentioned to me the other day that Cinderella is offering VIP packages on their summer tour. He said something about $700 but I can't believe they would charge that much. I mean, could they? Who is going to pay $700 for a meet and greet? Or just for the chance to "be up close." Insane.
Then there are those VIP packages that expressly say you will not get to meet the band but you get a close seat... and get early entry to the merchandise tent. Great. A more private chance to spend more money. Bon Jovi does this. I'm sure other really big bands do, too. I know Britney Spears did some VIP packages on our Circus tour that featured front row "couch" seats for a grand a pop or something. You got to tour backstage -- you did not get to meet Ms. Spears.
Then there's Motley Crue. On past tours, they charged hundreds to sit in the first 10 rows and to "meet the band" which was basically a cattle call with a photo.
I've had VIP wrist bands at Rocklahoma and Rock the Bayou. I bought those for the air conditioning. I never care so much about where I'm sitting at a show, especially a festival but I can't take the heat very well, so I plunked down the cash for VIP. This was okay at Rocklahoma but I got ripped off at Rock the Bayou. That festival was in Houston at the end of August and the air conditioning basically broke on the first day. It was miserable and I was out a ton of cash. Sure I was up close, but it didn't matter. There were so few people at that fest, it wasn't hard to get to the barrier whenever I wanted.
Maybe I come at it from a different point of view. I know I'm lucky because I get many media passes to shows and festivals and I can freely talk to bands if I so choose. You will never find me just randomly hanging out backstage -- if I'm around a musician, it is because I am working. I understand I have some certain opportunities others may not, but still. I just can't fathom spending $1,000 to meet... anyone.
Brian disagrees with me. He thinks that VIP is worthwhile in instances where you get certain perks, namely close seats. He had front row at M3 last year and had a ball. I still say it's all a cash grab and it's painful for me to say that. I'm an unabashed capitalist -- but I still just don't think it's "VIP" if just anyone with a credit card can get front row or backstage or whatever. It used to be you didn't have to mortgage your home to meet your favorite bands. You went to shows, you hung around near the buses, and you met your heroes. End of story.
So go ahead. Bash away. I'm sure I'm in the minority opinion here.
I never, ever think about Winger's cover of "Purple Haze" but the song came on Hair Nation yesterday and I had to crank the radio!
Some will think I'm crazy and others will scream and holler, but I swear the Winger version of "Purple Haze" is heavier than the original. I love the crunch of the guitar and Kip Winger's voice on the track. I know that when Winger came out in 1988, critics threw a hissy over the cover, deeming a "new" band not good enough to cover Jimi Hendrix. On that I call hogwash. The guys in Winger are and were supreme musicians. Sure, not everyone can pull off Hendrix, but that is not the case with the Winger guys. Let's not forget the Winger cover features Dweezil Zapa on guitar and that is cool, too.
Sunday, June 26, 2011 at 12:01AM