Sunday, June 19, 2011 at 12:01AM Clarence Clemons, the saxophone player in Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band, has died. He was 69. Just last weekend, Clarence had a stroke.
Clemons started playing with Springsteen in the early 70s. He is regarded by many as one of the best sax players of all time. Beyond Springsteen, he has collaborated with many other artists including Lady Gaga.
Respect where it is due.
Saturday, June 18, 2011 at 12:01AM Ever go see a band without really knowing any of their tunes?
Last night I saw Uriah Heep. I'd checked them out on YouTube but don't really own their records. The concert was just $5 and across the street from my house. I went with some friends.
It is weird going to shows when you don't know the lyrics to every song. I'd say 90% of the time, I know every single song performed when I see a band live. That's probably because I'm only paying to see bands I really like, yes? Festivals are the anomaly of course. There are plenty of bands at fests I'll "study for" in advance and still not know songs. Then there are those rare instances when I wasn't really a fan to begin with and seeing the act live completely converts me. During those magical instances, I'll rush home, buy every album and become obsessed.
Question today: which glam band did you see live without really being a fan and were completley flipped during the course of the concert?
Thursday, June 16, 2011 at 10:46PM Switchblade Scarlett are a legit Glam band... from Ohio no less! They need some cash to make a proper, commercial ready music video for the song "Party Girls" (being made by Kevin Maistros) and for a vinyl pressing of their debut White. Line. Fever. They only need $7 grand to make it happen... and there are prize levels for donations:
Tier 1: Sponsorship
$5 Autographed Thank You note from the band
$10 Autographed 8x10 official press kit photo from the band
$25 Autographed copy of White. Line. Fever
$50 Autographed vinyl (pending funding) or an autographed tee/CD combo
$100 Gets you all three + a personalized Thank You video posted on our YouTube page
$300 gets you all of the Tier One prizes framed in your choice of color anodized frame with tempered glass and matting (deliver in the lower 48 included) + a personalized Thank You video posted on our YouTube page
$500 gets you all of the above + a producer credit on the video and on the record
$1000 Gets you all of the above + a quick "This video brought to you by (company or individual name)" still image at the opening video (limit 3). (Excludes broadcast of the video)
$2500 Gets you a fifteen-second commercial at the beginning of the video (limit 1). (Excludes broadcast of the video)
If you want to donate, click their IndieGogo page.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011 at 12:01AM Finnish rockers Reckless Love are bringing back Glam. Yesterday, I was working on another project when I came across their cover of Def Leppard's "Hysteria." Now, anyone who knows me, knows I love "Hysteria." When I came across the Reckless Love cover I was both excited and nervous. I must admit, I'm on the fence about the whole thing. I just don't think anything can come near Def Lep's tune. You decide.
Reckless Love "Hysteria"
Def Leppard "Hysteria"
Tuesday, June 14, 2011 at 12:01AM The Rival Sons will release Pressure & Time later this month - June 28 to be exact (you can pre-order from the band's website). I swear, these guys prove rock is far from dead! I know the Rival Sons don't like to be compared to Led Zeppelin - but I can't help it. Their songs are so epically... classic it's almost too much for me to bear! I was trying to hold out until the 28th so I could review the album, but I just couldn't wait. The first single from the new album is the title track, "Pressure & Time."
The Rival Sons have a couple tour dates booked and will also play the ShipRocked cruise this November. Seriously - keep an eye on these guys.
Monday, June 13, 2011 at 12:01AM Judas Priest just kicked off the Epitaph tour in Europe. They will make it to South America and eventually the U.S. in the fall.
Like any good fan, I went poking around YouTube for clips to check out the set and stage setup. The band looks and sounds pretty good. I found some really high quality clips shot Saturday night at the Sauna Open Air Festival in Tampere, Finland. Check it out and let me know if you plan on catching the band on this "farewell" tour.
Sunday, June 12, 2011 at 12:02AM
Oh, and did I bury the lede? Back when Escape the Fate had a different singer, they sort of re-did Van Halen's classic "Hot For Teacher" video. The Escape the Fate song used in the video is "Situations." Watching the Van Halen and Escape the Fate videos back to back is pretty cool.
