Obscure: Who Remembers TSA? Rarest Album?

Here's one for the memory bank. Who remembers TSA from Poland? The band formed right at the dawn of the 80s and was actually an instrumental act. In short time, the band snagged a singer and started releasing albums and to date has released several studio works. I think their most famous work is Heavy Metal World (English version released in 1985). The band is active and is currently playing gigs, but the website doesn't have an English translation so I'm not confident posting what I could make out (and believe me, I couldn't understand much). Maybe some of our friends in Poland can fill us in as TSA is one of the biggest bands from that part of the world.  If you haven't guessed, I think it's cool to post about bands from all ends of the earth.

Here's the band doing "Heavy Metal World" in 2005 (in English).

Writing about TSA sort of got me wondering: what is the most obscure glam or metal band out there that people just rave over? You always hear stories of people spending a couple hundred bucks on a rare vinyl or CD, but I've never been able to peg the most sought-after rarity. Just something to ponder.

Rocklahoma Daily Band Lineup Announced

 Pryor, OK – The daily performance lineup for Rocklahoma 2010 has been revealed, and single day tickets for the Memorial Day Weekend event will go on sale Monday, April 19 at 10:00 AM CST.  Rocklahoma 2010 features an all-star roster of top rock artists from the past three decades, including ZZ Top, Godsmack, Tesla, Buckcherry, Cinderella, Chevelle, Theory of a Deadman, Saliva, Saving Abel, Fuel, Sevendust and one additional Main Stage band to be announced on May 10 (see below for the full line-up listed by day).

Single day tickets will be available for $45 plus service fees.  Three-day general admission tickets are still available for $110 and three-day VIP tickets start at $292.  The multi-day destination camping rock festival takes place May 28-30, 2010 at “Catch the Fever” Festival Grounds in Pryor, OK. 

The daily lineup is as follows:

FRIDAY, MAY 28

Godsmack

Special Guest Band to be announced May 10

Buckcherry

Saving Abel

Adelitas Way

Richy Nix

The Veer Union

Brookroyal

New Medicine

Bad Things

Krank

Firstryke

O’Dette

Mad Max

New Cool World

Black Tora

SATURDAY, MAY 29

ZZ Top

Cinderella

Saliva

Fuel

Janus

Shaman’s Harvest

Burn Halo

Like A Storm

Taking Dawn

Gypsy Pistoleros

The Last Vegas

Problem Child

The Glitter Boys

Wildstreet

O’Dette – Set #2

Krank – Set #2

Bad Things

SUNDAY, MAY 30

Tesla

Chevelle

Theory of a Deadman

Sevendust

Aranda

Lacuna Coil

Taddy Porter

Nigel Dupree Band

Year Long Disaster

Within Reason

Bad Things

Wildstreet – Set #2

Problem Child – Set #2

The Glitter Boys – Set #2

Firstryke – Set #2

Mad Max – Set #2

New Cool World – Set #2

Established in 2007 as a classic rock destination festival with the motto “life, liberty and the pursuit of rock,” Rocklahoma was revamped for 2010 as organizers teamed with AEG LIVE to create an event encompassing a much broader mix of classic, current and up-and-coming rock artists. 

Rocklahoma is located just 45 minutes northeast of Tulsa, in Pryor, OK.  The “Catch the Fever” Festival Grounds is a premiere destination for a multi-day festival and includes on-site camping with access to restrooms and shower house, a general store for campers, VIP reserved seating, hospitality areas & much more.

Confession: I'd Choose Death to Hearing Loss

Yesterday was incredibly frustrating and downright exhausting. In the end, I popped on some music and just sat on the couch for awhile and calmed down. In that moment I realized I would rather die than lose my hearing.

Of course, it's not all about music. I can't imagine not being able to easily talk to my husband or chat on the phone or enjoy my beloved Everybody Loves Raymond reruns. Most importantly, I can't imagine summers without concerts. Not being able to hear new songs by my favorite bands is just too much to consider.

Basically, it comes down to this: I could lose all sorts of other things I love or take for granted, but hearing just isn't one of them. Yes, I honestly think I'd choose death over deaf. Was that cheesy? Whatever. What do you think?

RATT, 'Infestation' Full Album Stream Available

Visit RATT's official website right now to hear all of Infestation! As you know, the album isn't officially out until 4/20 but at least now you can (legally) hear all the tracks before you buy or pre-order. This is a big one for glam, as it is RATT's first album of all new material in a decade. Makes me even more excited for summer. RATT n' Roll!

Kix to Play the Sunset Strip!

I'm already traveling across the country to cover a slew of festivals this summer and that ain't cheap...but I would love to be at the House of Blues on August 27th. Why? Because Kix will mark their return to the Sunset Strip by playing a special gig at the House of Blues. If by some miracle I can scrape together money for yet another plane ticket, I'm so there. I haven't been to Los Angeles in a few years anyway, and any excuse to hang out on the Strip...

Actually, I think I'll head to Expedia right now. You read the official press release while I try to make this happen.

KIX original members Steve Whiteman (lead vocals), Ronnie Younkins (guitar), Brian Forsythe (guitar), Jimmy Chalfant (drums) along with and bassist Mark Schenker make a long overdue and hugely anticipated return to Hollywood on Friday, August 27, doors 7:30 p.m., at the House of Blues Sunset Strip after nearly 20 years.

Tickets go on sale Saturday, April 17, at 10 a.m., at all Ticketmaster outlets and House of Blues box offices. House of Blues Sunset Strip is located at 8430 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. Call 800-745-3000 or visit Ticketmaster.com.

Founded in 1978 in Hagerstown, Md., as The Shooze, the band changed its name to The Generators before settling on KIX. KIX signed with Atlantic Records in 1981, and released seven albums between 1981 and 1995, including the hugely popular “Midnight Dynamite” showcasing such favorites as “Cold Shower”, “Sex” and the title track “Midnight Dynamite”. KIX hit platinum success in 1988 with “Blow My Fuse,” featuring such hits as “Cold Blood” and the smash power ballad “Don’t Close Your Eyes”. With the downfall of 80’s rock in the early 90’s KIX broke up in 1995.

KIX resurfaced in 2004, and began playing a few local sold out shows, but only in the Baltimore area. Then, in the summer of 2008, KIX performed outside its home area for the first time in 13 years at two of the biggest rock festivals in the US: Rocklahoma in Pryor, Okla., and Rock the Bayou in Houston, Texas. KIX garnered “Best Performance” at both festivals, a dubious distinction considering KIX shared the stage with Sammy Hagar, Alice Cooper, Tesla, Queensryche, Ratt, Lita Ford, Warrant and more.

From 2009 to now, audiences are thrilled to see KIX performing more successful festival and sold out shows outside Baltimore.

KIX’s return to Hollywood after 20 years is predicted to be “Hollywood’s 80’s rock event of 2010” and sure to be a total sell out. KIX’s freakish popularity and cult status far outweighs that of other acts from the 80’s rock genre that sold more records and had more hits. KIX has certainly stood the test of time.



My Glam, This Dinosaur Band Rocks

In Finland, there's a group of heavy metal dinosaurs that entertain kids called Hevisaurus. I can't understand much of what is going on except I know the videos below freaking rule. Heavy metal can be great for kids and teach a lot of lessons. In fact, studies show that making learning fun means kids absorb more. 

I'd love a Finnish to English translation on the clips. Anyway, check this one out. I kept thinking "That tune sounds familiar." I finally went to YouTube to read the comments and sure enough - someone wrote "This sounds like 'Heaven's on Fire' by Kiss" and that's exactly right!

The beginning of this one reminds me of the Dokken, "Dream Warriors" video. Plus, it's a power ballad. Again, if only I could understand the words...

Barney and haters be damned! Heavy metal for kids I say!

Rockers as Politicians

I follow M. Shawn Crahan on Twitter. Some of you know him better as Clown from Slipknot. Anyway, he posted the cutest tweet last night:

"I'm only posting this because my mom & dad would like it. They forgot to include I'm a family man."

Naturally, there was a link to a story I just *had* to read. It was from Cityview, a website about Central Iowa. If you're up on your Slipknot, you know the band is from Iowa. Anyway, Clown directed all of us to a special article called "25 People Not Running for Governor But Should."

As you've probably guessed by now, the author of the article thinks Clown would be great because he knows - and loves - Iowa. This got me to thinking - what other rockers would make good politicians? Republicans are always pointing to Ted Nugent but I think he's way too partisan and we've got enough of that in government, thank you. I think Geoff Tate might be a good elected official. The man is brilliant, well spoken and can articulate ideas easily. It sounds crazy, but I think Slash might do a good job, too. Think about it this way: we all know his past and there wouldn't be any chaos over past drug use or whatever. He cleaned himself up, came out on top and does quite a lot for charities. Joe Perry is very interested in politics so he might be a good fit, too. (See? I'm picking rockers on both sides of the political aisle here. Joe is super conservative).

You know the two biggest benefits to having a rocker go into a major political role? They have their own money, so running a campaign isn't an issue and younger people would be interested. Plus, I think the media would be all over it, which would also be interesting for sure.

What do you think?