The older I get, the more bands I attempt to scratch off my “see live bucket list.” This has been a good year concert-wise for me. I checked quite a few bands off my list including the Green Day, Lady Gaga, Soundgarden, Scorpions, Michael Schenker Group, Slash, ZZ Top, Sevendust and more.
This year, I hope to add some very specific bands to my “I’ve seen ‘em live” list. Those bands include Europe, Saigon Kick (they reunited), Damn Yankees (it could happen), Metallica and Iron Maiden. On the latter two, the bands have been touring but they didn’t come around me and the dates didn’t line up for me to travel.
Now, let’s say I could pick just one from the list above to see live. If that’s the case, I choose Europe. I actually hope Europe plays M3 next summer. I’ve made a conscious decision to not do as many festivals next summer because, well, it’s expensive and this summer has been nuts.
I wish Europe would come to America for at least a short run. A European fest is definitely on my list of things to do, but that won’t be happening for quite some time (see reason #1 above: expensive).
Show of hands: how many of you have seen Europe live?
Things are never dull in the Aerosmith camp. The other day, Steven Tyler fell off the stage in Toronto. TMZ says Joe Perry pushed him. Others are saying that it was staged and the guy Steven fell into was a plant. I've watched the video clips over and over and I can't decide.
Here's a long clip that sort of sets up the vibe of the night. Quality isn't great. That TMZ link above has a super close-up of the fall.
So what do you think? Was it a push by Perry or a trip by Tyler? Perhaps the biggest question of all: why is Aerosmith using Nelly's "Hot in Herre" as their banner drop song?
After a summer of festivals...what's one more? On a whim last night, I decided I'd go to the Rockstar Uproar Festival in Columbus, Ohio next week. The main reason is to see Avenged Sevenfold - so I'll get to hear some of the new songs live and I'll have a review and photos for this site. Other bands playing include Stone Sour, Disturbed, Airbourne, Halestorm, XFactor1, Jackie, New Medicine and Hail The Villain.
Any other Ohioans going to this show? It's always fun to meet up and hang out in between bands.
When drummer Jimmy "The Rev" Sullivan died at the end of December, Avenged Sevenfold's future was in doubt. The Rev was a huge part of the band's sound - and talent. After all, he shared vocal duties with M. Shadows, played his kit impossibly fast and also wrote the songs and played several other instruments.
Mike Portnoy of Dream Theater stepped in with drumming duties and the remaining members of Avenged Sevenfold recorded Nightmare (Warner Bros.), a hauntingly dark and delicious metal album. In short, Nightmare is a perfect tribute for The Rev.
A loose concept album, Nightmare opens with the title track. At first listen, it seems "Nightmare" is the strongest track on the album. This isn't true. In fact, it probably comes in around the middle of the pack in terms of songwriting and memorability. The fact is, on Nightmare, every song is increasingly complex. The album shows Avenged Sevenfold moving in a slight progressive manner. The album is still slick and super polished but it's less commercial than Avenged Sevenfold or even City of Evil. On Nightmare, all the songs need to be considered as a package to really get the entire vibe of the record.
Like "Nightmare," "Welcome to the Family" is a fast rocker. This song will likely become a live staple. M. Shadows manipulates his voice and Synyster Gates does his best Guitar Hero interpretation. Things get real around "Danger Line" and by this time, you should be hooked.
The expanse of influences on Nightmare is wide and impressive and Avenged Sevenfold doesn't try to hide playing up to their music heroes. "God Hates Us" opens with a classic Anthrax sound and easily morphs into Slipknot territory.
Just as soon as Anthrax and Slipknot come to mind, Nightmare shifts focus once again for a song like "Victim," complete with ethereal female vocals and beautiful Glam guitar solos. Just wait for the breakdown - it's like listening to Slash during the Use Your Illusion era all over again. In fact, I almost cried a little when I heard the guitar parts on Nightmare - it was all I hoped it would be and more.
My two favorite songs on Nightmare are the deeply moving "Fiction" and the metal rocker "Save Me." "Fiction" is the last song The Rev wrote and also features his vocals and some amazing piano work. "Save Me" is meant for guitar fans, clocking in at around 11 minutes. From an instrumental perspective, this is one of Avenged Sevenfold's best efforts.
"Serious" music critics have given Nightmare mixed reviews, but that's okay. I know more about metal than the average, hipster loving "critic" who prefers the Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs and Freelance Whales to anything remotely metal. So there.
Savatage rules. Really, I've got no other statement stronger than that to say about such an underrated band. I've never seen Savatage or Trans-Siberian Orchestra live, but I've heard that both are absolutely amazing.
What's your favorite Savatage song? Here's one of my faves: "Hall of the Mountain King"
Guns n' Roses played the Rock n' Rev festival as part of Sturgis last week. I've been anticipating videos. So far, the clips that have surfaced are not great but I expect more to pop up soon.
Aces & Ales pub in Las Vegas (owned by Alice Cooper guitarist Keri Kelli, pictured) is hosting an online auction, with 100% of all proceeds going to the Ronnie James Dio "Stand Up & Shout" cancer fund.
There are many great, rock n' roll and beer related items from Alice Cooper and KISS to Dogfish Head and Sierra Nevada! PLEASE visit the link below to view the catalog and bid on items. The auction will run through Monday, August 16th at 6PM PST. This is such a great cause in the name of a great rock icon -- we hope you will participate!
Friday, August 20, 2010 at 12:01AM 
