Steve Vai Awarded Honorary Doctorate

I think this is very cool. The Musicians Institute just awarded Steve Vai an honorary doctorate for his contribution to the music world. Later this month, Steve will release a new DVD called Where the Wild Things Are. I've had the DVD on my radar for awhile now, and I plan on picking it up when it comes out. Here's the official release:

HOLLYWOOD, CA (September 21, 2009) - Musicians Institute awarded an honorary Doctor of Music degree to legendary rock guitarist, recording artist, producer, and composer Steve Vai. The award was officially conferred during MI’s summer graduation ceremony held on September 18 at LA’s Wiltern Theatre.

After first achieving prominence as guitarist for the late Frank Zappa, Vai has gone on to win multiple Grammys, repeatedly top critics’ and readers’ polls, and earn gold and platinum records while becoming the personification of contemporary guitar virtuosity. His latest concert DVD, Where the Wild Things Are, is set for release September 29th on Favored Nations.

Describing why MI selected Vai for the honor (only the second awarded in the school’s history), Vice President of Education Beth Marlis said, "Steve Vai has not only inspired countless musicians around the world and played a major role in the evolution of modern rock guitar, he also embodies MI’s ideal of the artist-educator who combines relentless pursuit of his creative vision with a sense of responsibility for mentoring the next generation."

Kix at Rams Head Live Baltimore - Live Review

I've seen Kix live lots of times and I think club shows are better than festival gigs because of the time allotted and the varied set.

Kix played Rams Head Live in Baltimore Saturday night to a sold out crowd and (naturally) I was there. 

I'd have to say this show rivals the Rocklahoma '08 performance for the best Kix concert I've ever attended. Best of all, the band performed "Tear Down the Walls," one of my all-time fave Kix tunes that isn't played during festival shows. During "Tear," Steve Whiteman played the acoustic guitar. The set was mixed-up order wise, with "Don't Close Your Eyes" coming as the encore right before "Yeah, Yeah, Yeah."

So what else was played? "Midnite Dynamite," "Blow My Fuse," "Girl Money," "Cold Chills,""Poison," "The Itch," "Sex," "She Dropped Me The Bomb" and more - not necessarily in that order. For whatever reason, the band was especially tight and seemed to play with a renewed energy. The packed house probably didn't hurt, but it was almost as if Kix were playing for each other and not for the fans.

The next time you go to a show, watch the faces of the musicians closely. You can tell if they are happy, annoyed or bored. Every member of Kix looked generally happy to be on stage - you can't fake that - and it comes through in the performance. It stands true in live performance as with all things in life: if you're happy with your job, you excel. At about the same time I watched both Ronnie Younkins and Mark Schenker actually smile at their fans from a very genuine place, I realized Kix is honestly my favorite live band - bar none.

After "Don't Close Your Eyes," guitarist Brian Forsythe had an amp issue, causing Steve to vamp. Earlier in the show, Steve explained that he'd hurt his back at the gym, was in pain, and  wouldn't be jumping around much. Despite his warning, he continued to jump and kick like a madman as he normally does. I'm not sure how someone with a back injury moves like Steve - but he sure is entertaining.

A few weeks ago, Kix opened for Judas Priest at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Baltimore. During that show, Steve  told the crowd that he would do the Rams Head encore in his underwear if the show sold out. During "Yeah, Yeah, Yeah," Steve came out in a green tube dress instead: still an ample way to celebrate the capacity crowd. The "rap" was gender adjusted for "Stevette." It was cool seeing "Yeah" presented in a new way and the other Kix faithful seemed to dig it too.

Kix will play more shows before the year is up. Check www.kix-band.com for more information.

Rattlesnake Kisses

Holy glam, the Electric Angels look like "Never Enough" era L.A. Guns in their video for "Rattlesnake Kisses." Formed after Candy fell apart, Electric Angels never made it huge, but they did have a deal with Atlantic Records which yielded the band's only album, Electric Angels. I like the song "Rattlesnake Kisses" - do you?

Kix - Live Tonight in Baltimore!

I'm in Baltimore, Maryland right now getting ready to see Kix perform live at Rams Head Live! This is always one of Kix's biggest shows of the year - and I'm ready. Follow me on Twitter and I'll update you during the show as much as I can remember. I have trouble remembering that Twitter even exists and often find it a pain - but I'm trying.

Here's Kix doing "Tear Down the Walls" live last week. I really hope they do this song tonight!

As always, reviews and photos coming soon.

Why Are the Guys in Queensryche Backing Lita Ford?

I'm confused.

Lita Ford is going on tour with Queensryche. Fine. She's opening for them. That's great. She's also using all the members of Queensryche as her backing band. Say what?

Ok, so Queensryche won't be Lita's full backing band - she's just doing three songs with them - but it's still confusing. One of the three songs is "Close My Eyes Forever," the song Lita originally recorded with Ozzy Osbourne. Queensryche front man Geoff Tate will sing the duet with Lita. I have to admit hearing and seeing that live would be sort of awesome. I digress.

How will this work? Will Queensryche stop their show and invite Lita on stage for her three songs? Also, if Lita saves her three biggest songs for the Queensryche set, won't her opening appearance be stilted? I dunno. Maybe it will work - it's certainly a new concept and I'm all for change. Maybe the slightly odd pairing of Lita and Queensryche will sell tickets. Everyone knows I'm all about musicians making a good living for their work.

I'm interviewing Lita soon for Noisecreep so I'll ask her about the upcoming tour, which starts mid-October. Also soon on BBG!, a review of Wicked Wonderland, Lita's new album, due out October 6, 2009.

Queensryche will headline Shiprocked, sailing November 15 from Fort. Lauderdale. Lita is not booked as part of the cruise.

What do you think? Do Lita and Queensryche together work?

One for the "WTF" File

I'm not a Ryan Adams fan. I know of him as I write about music and therefore spend my days combing many different websites - but I don't love him. In fact, I very rarely think of him at all...until now. It seems Mr. Adams has written a "hair metal parody" called "The Awl (Hair Metal Version)."

The song is in honor of some new website called The Awl, for which Adams also writes. Apparently, the tune is supposed to be funny but I failed to laugh. I sort of liken the tune to nails on a chalkboard.

Click to listen.

Wolf Blitzer is More Glam Than You

Wolf Blitzer hosts The Situation Room on CNN. The Situation Room just happens to be my favorite show on CNN. Yesterday, Blitzer announced his new Twitter account. Being a fan, I signed up and clicked through his messages...and found an awesome picture of ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons and his wife visiting Blitzer on set in Washington, D.C.

Now, that's Glam.

ZZ Top are touring around, hitting some of the cities they were scheduled to play with Aerosmith before that tour completely imploded.

Photo credit: CNN