The Best 'I Want Action' Clip Ever...and Does Heavy Metal Have an Age Requirement?

Recently, I've had more than one person come up against me, saying I possibly couldn't truly love glam because I didn't live it.

"You're too young!" is the constant refrain.

At first, I laughed it off. Now, I'm just annoyed.

How dare people put an age requirement on fans of any type of music? Just because I wasn't on the Strip to see Poison party at the Rainbow in 1987 doesn't mean I can't truly love and appreciate the band. In fact, I'd argue saying a person is "too young" for this and "too old" for that is bigotry. Isn't the point of music to bring people together? This really has my hackles up. I don't even have much more to say on the subject, except love whatever form of music you choose - no matter your age. And don't judge others, based on age or taste. That's just ignorant.

Now, all that said, here's the most awesome video of Poison I have ever seen. "I Want Action" from around 1987 (in Ibiza maybe?). The performance is bonkers. There's a crazy pool party in the middle of the show, too. And look at the hair! In all honesty, this is maybe the best live glam clip I've ever seen. I can't believe it's taken me this long to find it!

'Festival Express:' Can We Talk Real Classic Rock?

Last night, the documentary channel was airing Festival Express featuring awesome acts like The Flying Burrito Brothers, Janis Joplin, The Band, The Grateful Dead and more. The film centers around the 1970 Canadian train tour of those acts.

Now, that's a tour! And the tickets were like $13!

The documentary kept flashing between performances and there were interviews, too. Now, I know The Flying Burrito Brothers are not Glam, but Gram Parsons was in the band for awhile...which makes me think of The Byrds [Festival Express doesn't feature Parsons. I *think* he left the Flying Burrito Brothers a month prior]. Parsons was in that band for a hot minute, too (along with a lot of other guys). I love The Byrds. Basically, all 60s protest music! And really, if not for The Band and The Dead, there might not have been Aerosmith...and eventually Motley Crue.

Levon Helm is the drummer for The Band and I got to see him last summer open for The Black Crowes. That was awesome and the crowd was going nuts! I always liked the song "The Weight"

Now the Byrds are awesome. Famous to be sure, but never as big as their due. Perhaps that was because of all the lineup changes?

There's a funny part of Festival Express that shows many of the musicians - including Janis Joplin and Jerry Garcia - sort of stoned into outer space. The musicians are trying to sing but it's sort of a debacle. The footage is a little grainy - I love that someone way back when had the forethought to tape the music history. Festival Express is available on DVD. Maybe you've seen it - but it was completely new to me. Here's the trailer:

Now, I came to the party too late to experience the 60s and 70s first-hand. I wasn't on the Sunset Strip for the Glam 80s, either! I did, however, get to experience the grunge 90s by wearing some ugly flannel to school once in awhile. I think I got shortchanged! Now, I know some of you are younger like me...but some of you - and you know who you are - experienced the music of the 60s and 70s firsthand. Perhaps you'd love to weigh-in and share some stories?

Kix, 'Yeah, Yeah, Yeah' in HD from M3 Festival

While I was clicking around YouTube last night I came across some awesome clips of various bands playing the M3 festival last Saturday. When I came across this Kix clip of "Yeah, Yeah, Yeah" I just had to post. The sound is great! It looks like the clip was shot from about the third row and the video is very stable. If you didn't get a chance to catch the M3 fest, watch and enjoy. If you were there, click and remember the fun.

Ozzy Osbourne, 'Scream:' The Bring Back Glam! Album Review

Ozzy Osbourne recently released Scream, his 10th studio album. The album features Gus G. on guitars but there are places that sound just like former player Zakk Wylde.

The album opens with "Let It Die" -- perhaps one of my favorite tracks on the album. There's a lot of energy on this song and I do like the guitar work here. I also like Ozzy's voice and the lyrics. "Let Me Hear You Scream" is also good, but the more I listen to it, I swear Ozzy's voice has been mixed to death by ProTools. The song is super commercial (think "No More Tears") and therefore sounds slick as ice.

At this point, the album sort of goes into "depressive, introspective mode." There's a lot of lyrics about death or dying or end of the road. Downtrodden themes to be sure -- but then Ozzy seems to pick up the pace, countering the sad messages with an urging to live life. The song "Life Won't Wait" is a good example of this.

"Soul Sucker" has some good guitar work but I did listen to the song six times in a row and could not repeat the lyrics back so that isn't a great sign. I think "Let Me Hear You Scream" and "Let It Die" are far more memorable.

If you like piano, you might like "I Want It More." This is one of those somber songs but I kept going back to it, meaning there's something there beyond a dark blue message. The arrangement is good and I like Ozzy's vocal tone here, too. 

The album ends with "I Love You All" which sort of freaked me out: the way it is written, it's almost as if Ozzy is signing off for good. Sure, he could go into retirement fair and square...but he's the prince of darkness. Surely he's got a few more albums under his belt?

So, is Scream a masterpiece? No. But it is a strong record and metal fans will likely enjoy most of the tunes. Well worth a few bucks for some new music.

Fuel Replaces Hinder on Thunder Mountain Rockfest Bill

Modern rock band Fuel will replace Hinder as the headline act on Saturday, July 10 at the Thunder Mountain Rockfest. Hinder is canceling all July shows.

"Having a band cancel just weeks before a show is never ideal," said festival manager Corey Hanson. "Thankfully, we were able to book Fuel as a headliner very quickly. We know the band is a great addition to the festival."

The rest of Thunder Mountain Rockfest's schedule remains unchanged and will feature classic and modern rock acts, including Kix, Great White, Cavo and Night Ranger.

Thunder Mountain Rockfest is a three-day rock music festival located just north of Sawyer, North Dakota (14 miles southeast of Minot). Tickets are still available online at www.rockdakota.com. 

Ozzy Osbourne, 'Let Me Hear You Scream' -- Official Video

Ozzy Osbourne just released the official video for "Let Me Hear You Scream." I think it's awesome... do you? And yes, I'll have an official review of Scream up here soon. I haven't been home enough this week to get it written...but it's coming!

Also, check out this interesting interview Ozzy recently did with US Magazine. [And when I say interesting, I mean it -- I definitely learned some new things about Ozzy].

Win a Vince Neil Prize Pack!

Vince Neil just released his new album Tattoos & Tequila. To celebrate, I'm giving away a Vince Neil prize pack! The pack includes an autographed copy of the new CD and a poster. If you'd like to win, just send an email to allyson@bringbackglam.com. Send the message by 11:59 pm EST on Saturday, June 26. To be eligible, you must write "Vince Prize Pack" in the email subject line. Please include your legal name and mailing address in your email. Emails without this information will be deleted. Winner chosen at random and this contest is open to everyone.

When my copy of Tattoos & Tequila arrives, I'll write up a review to share with you!

A little more information on Vince's new album:

Tattoos & Tequila is a compilation of genre defining hits that have been given the Vince Neil rock renewal treatment. Neil’s refreshed collection of classics consists of nine hand-picked, influential covers including, “No Feelings” (Sex Pistols), “Nobody’s Fault” (Aerosmith), “Bitch Is Back” (Elton John), “Viva Las Vegas,” (Elvis Presley), “He’s A Whore” (Cheap Trick), “Long Cool Woman” (The Hollies), “Another Piece of Meat” (Scorpions), “Who’ll Stop the Rain” (Creedence Clearwater Revival), “AC/DC” (The Sweet) and two new tracks, “Tattoos & Tequila,” the hard rocking first single, and “Another Bad Day,” which was written by Nikki Sixx and was originally to be included on Mötley Crüe’s 2000 release, New Tattoo.

When not performing, Vince Neil continues to expand and oversee his latest entrepreneurial efforts which include Feelgoods Rock Bar and Grill in West Palm Beach and Las Vegas; Vince Neil Ink, a Las Vegas based tattoo parlor and apparel shop with two locations -- one on the Las Vegas strip and one in the Rio Hotel & Casino; Tres Rios tequila, a high quality, authentic Mexican tequila created from the finest Agave in Guadalajara Mexico; The Skylar Neil Memorial Foundation (www.skylarneil.org), a tribute to Vince’s daughter whom he lost to cancer in 1995 which has raised over $2 million to help combat childhood cancer and his latest venture, Vince Neil Aviation, a luxury air charter service providing the rock n’ roll commute on either his Lear 35 or Hawker 700 jets. A tell all book also titled Tattoos & Tequila (Grand Central Publishing) is scheduled to be released on September 23rd. For more information on Vince Neil, please visit www.vinceneil.net.

Track Listing

1) “Tattoos & Tequila” (original track)
2) “He’s A Whore” (Cheap Trick)
3) “AC/DC” (The Sweet)
4) “Nobody’s Fault” (Aerosmith)
5) “Another Bad Day” (original track)
6) “No Feelings” (Sex Pistols)
7) “Long Cool Women” (The Hollies)
8) “Another Piece of Meat” (Scorpions)
9) “Who’ll Stop The Rain” (Creedence Clearwater Revival)
10) “Viva Las Vegas” (Elvis Presley)
11) “Bitch Is Back” (Elton John)