Winger's New Album Will Rock

Winger is currently working on a new album called Karma. It's set to release on October 27th via Frontiers. The band has been documenting their recording progress online and you can hear some snippets below.

So, what do you think? Is Karma on your list?

Paul Gilbert is Very Glam

You know Paul Gilbert. He's an amazing guitarist, most known for his work with Mr. Big and Racer X. I reported a few months ago that Mr. Big reunited. They played a few shows together in Japan over the summer.

A few days ago, Paul Gilbert spoke with my friends at Metal Sucks. Here's an excerpt of that interview:

Metal Sucks: Can we talk about Mr. Big, which is back on the scene and doing shows in 2009? Does it ever freak you out how huge Mr. Big is to some people? Specifically Japanese people?

Paul Gilbert: Yeah, man. It’s really odd going from playing 500- and 1,000-seat venues to 10,000- or even 15,000-seat venues. It does take some getting used to. Even though there are so many people, I’m further away from them because of the big security pits. I’m further away from the band, too. Sometimes I miss being on a tiny stage, just stuck next to the band where you don’t even need monitors because you can just feel the closeness of all the musicians.

The best part for me is being reunited with Billy [Sheenan, bass], Pat [Torpey, drums], and Eric [Martin, vocals]. When I left the band, we’d been pretty dysfunctional. I’d given up hope of us being together again. I thought “That’s it. We can’t work, so…” Time went by and we’ve now all got our heads in the right place. Our priority now is making music and having a good time with it – and being friends again. The music’s been getting better and better. The Japan tour was great, but we just did this show in Indonesia that was stunning. I can’t wait to go to Europe, [for which] we leave in a couple days. It should be a blast.

Click to read the rest of the awesome interview.

'This Is It' Looks Awesome

As you probably know, AEG Live and Sony Pictures have teamed up to release 'This Is It,' the Michael Jackson tour rehearsal footage. I love me some MJ and this movie looks awesome. I'll be getting my tickets early - can't wait! The movie is out October 28 for two weeks only. Here's the trailer.

Is the Album Dead?

While scanning Blabbermouth last night, I came across a post about Ian Astbury of the Cult saying the album is a "dead" format.

I think he's right. 

Here's his comment, extracted from the Blabbermouth post:

"It's a dead format; we don't have the attention span for albums. The idea of going into a studio and spending a year-and-a-half creating a body of work which you put out as a body of work is pointless. By the time you put it out, it's already been leaked. … It's a year-and-a-half worth's of work down the fucking tubes. We need to put out bite-sized chunks."

Now, don't get me wrong: I love albums! I want my favorite bands - most of which have been around at least 20 years - to keep making new music. I do agree, however, that the experience is often ruined because of the Internet. People think it's fun to swipe the songs, trade them and share online and then the excitement of "album release day" is ruined for a lot of people. I don't illegally listen to albums before they are released because I don't steal music and I want to wait. Waiting is half the fun.

Remember when Guns n' Roses released the Use Your Illusion records? There was footage on MTV of people sleeping out all night to be first in the store to grab those albums. Such a thing will never happen again because it isn't necessary. It's no reason artists randomly release singles and record special tracks for games like Rock Band. Anything to stay current and productive.

I'm not a professional musician and I've never recorded an album - but I've interviewed enough artists to know that the recording process is often long and frustrating. Maybe it just isn't worth it anymore. 

Is Ian Astbury correct? Are albums dead - or not? Share your thoughts.

Motley Crue Live in Tokyo - 1997 Full Show!

Glam bless YouTube! If you're like me, you're currently broke. That means hunting down cheap or free entertainment. Thanks to Metal Sludge, I was totally tipped to an awesome Motley Crue show from back in 1997. Yes, the Generation Swine days - live in Tokyo! I watched all four clips below - put them together, you've got the entire concert for free!

Generation Swine was a cool, yet troubled time for the Crue. The album is underrated and so deliciously dark. Motley did their best to hang with the changing music landscape. Obviously they succeeded or we all wouldn't still be shucking out big bucks to see them live whenever we can. This Tokyo performance is cool because the Crue throws in a couple different songs, including "Find Myself." They also jump around the stage a lot...and Vince Neil totally wears orange pants. Seriously.

Part 1 (with Nikki Sixx looking uber hot!):

Part 2, featuring "Wild Side:"

Part 3, featuring "Primal Scream:"

Part 4, featuring "Kickstart My Heart:"

Is it just me, or does Motley sound like a well oiled machine in these clips? Love it!

This Ad Completes Me

Based solely on the awesomeness of this ad, I shall buy a lot of stock in Symantec (SYMC). Seriously, just watch and see what Norton Anti-Virus has in common with Glam.

Van Halen Tour 2010

Yesterday, Pollstar reported that Van Halen will hit the road again in 2010. My first reaction was... "Say what?"

Isn't it a little premature for VH to hit the road again? I mean, they just toured - for a long time. They made a ton of cash! I thought this "break" was so Eddie and the rest could record a new album? This mythical new album would feature Wolfgang Van Halen on bass. Because of this lineup switch, I was definitely looking forward to new material. I love Michael Anthony. I think having him back is the only way to have "real" Van Halen...but hearing a new perspective from Wolfgang is cool too.

Maybe it's just me, but I think it's a little greedy for VH to hit the road again without a new record. Maybe a new record will happen and it just hasn't been announced. I dunno. I can't see myself spending another $200 a ticket for the same show I saw not so long ago - twice. 

What do you think? Does VH need a new album to tour? Will you be first in line for tickets?