Sleaze Revival - The Best of 2007
Dear readers, your help is needed. I am teaming up with Hairball John for a feature on the so-called "Sleaze Revival" of 2007. Today, you need to help me determine the best sleaze/glam acts of 2007. The bands don't have to be new -- they can be comebacks, reunions, Swedish - whatever.
I'll get things started with my own list of the best Sleaze of 2007.
Vains of Jenna - The young Swedes played hundreds of shows this year, as support acts from everyone like Wednesday 13 to Poison and RATT. Their debut album Lit Up/Let Down is a strong effort and their song "Enemy in Me" is the best track on Viva La Bands Volume II.
Crashdiet - The sophomore release by this Swedish band is surprisingly strong, despite a lead singer change. When original vocalist Dave Lepard committed suicide many people - including the surviving band members - thought Crashdiet was over. That was not the case, and The Unattractive Revolution is a great effort featuring H. Olliver Twisted behind the microphone.
Crazy Lixx - Their debut effort Loud Minority seemed to take years to release - but wow! Well worth the wait, put these guys on your radar. They are both talented and hot.
Gypsy Pistoleros - My favorite flamenco, sleaze band wowed the warm-up crowd at the Rocklahoma pre-party and Lee Pistolero has turned into a great friend of Bring Back Glam! Making waves in their native U.K. and here in the U.S., the renegade musicians will release Para Siempre in the near future. Right now, they are touring with Dirty Penny.
Dirty Penny - This band of California-based glam rockers prove that the historic heyday of the Sunset Strip isn't completely dead. Of course, they don't have a record deal and could learn a thing or two about product marketing. Still, Take it Sleazy is a damn good debut and major labels should take notice -- soon.
Nikki Sixx - Deal with it, people: Sixx is a creative genius. Nikki Sixx knows marketing and he knows his target audience. My favorite bassist has called 2007 "The year he gives back." He's back on top too: The Heroin Diaries is a New York Times bestseller and the accompanying soundtrack is brilliant. SIXX AM is an amazing band, not 100% glam, or Metal, or emo: it's just good.
Paul Black and Tracii Guns - This version of L.A. Guns gets slagged everywhere, but both Paul and Tracii are having a good year. They might not be playing stadiums, but they are playing and that says a lot. In my opinion, my interview with Paul Black is the best in Bring Back Glam! history. The duo seem to have fun on stage, and that counts for a lot. Plus, people are finally learning of Paul Black and his place in glam history.
This is just the beginning of my list. I want to leave plenty of room for your comments. I can't wait to hear who you think is Bringing Back Glam!