Let's Share Our Own Music!

I write about famous musicians all the time, but what about the rest of us? We all have talent, right? My good friend and regular BBG! commentator Christian is big into playing his guitar. Recently, he got really involved with a band at his church down under and he started writing some songs. So, he tapes one of the jam sessions and puts it on YouTube. Anyway, Christian was nice enough to share the songs with me. They are "religious Metal" - totally not my thing - but I give Christian and his band props because they put themselves out there, staying true to their beliefs. That's Metal.

So, I asked Big C if it would be OK for me to share his clips and he agreed. If you've got a band and like to record your jam sessions, send an email to allyson@bringbackglam.com. I'll check out your work and maybe you'll see it here someday!

"Power of God:"

"Pledge Your Allegiance:"

"Fade to White:"

I Can't Believe I'm Looking Forward to the 'KISS Korner'

I despise Wal-Mart. Basically I regard the company as an evil empire that I am sometimes forced to enter out of dire necessity. So, KISS will release Sonic Boom on October 6 exclusively through Wal-Mart.

Of course.

Here's the rub - Wal-Mart stores across the country are about to roll out so-called KISS Korners with a lot of crap I want. Sadly.

So what sort of KISS crap will Wal-Mart offer Glam lovers like me? Here's a list (courtesy of Blabbermouth):

* KISS "Sonic Boom" CD/DVD package - $12
* KISS T-shirts - $5
* Four select KISS Mr. Potato Head collectibles (The Demon, The
   Spaceman, The Catman and The Starchild) - $10
* KISS fleece blanket - $10
* KISS M&M candies (7 oz. bags - Limited Edition) - $6
* KISS catalog CDs such as "Dressed to Kill", "Destroyer", "Love Gun" and "Very Best of Kiss" — $5 - $9
* KISS makeup kits, masks and wigs (select Wal-Mart stores*) - $5

Bugger.

I want the CD/DVD combo, a T-shirt and the M&Ms for sure. M&Ms are my favorite candy, so I'll get swept away in the KISS hype. Gotta say that six bucks a bag is a bit steep for some basic candy, but oh well. The T-shirt is dirt cheap, so I guess it evens out.

So will you hunt down a KISS Korner?

Jacob Lynam On 'Hard Rock Nights!'

Lynam is one of my favorite bands - I try to follow everything they do. Jacob Lynam is a great songwriter and front man and he'll be on "Hard Rock Nights" starting today! Here's the release:

Jacob Lynam of the Birmingham-based hard rock band Lynam will be the special guest on this week’s edition of Hard Rock Nights (September 25-October 1). Jacob will join JT to talk about the band’s latest release, ‘Tragic City Symphony,’ working with the legendary Beau Hill, and touring with bands such as Hinder. Jacob will also explain the Battle Creek incident in which Lynam was kicked out of the club.

"Hard Rock Nights" is a weekly syndicated radio program heard on several rock and metal stations, including 93.9 MAXX in New Hampshire. Click for a complete list of stations and air times.

As you probably know, Lynam will perform on ShipRocked. I'll be interviewing Lynam while we're on the boat together. Look for that interview here sometime after November 20th.

What's with All the Repackaging?

This is about to become "What's with?" week here on Bring Back Glam! I'm generally fed up with life right now and stupid shit in the music industry is ticking me off.

Ok, so Motley Crue is about to release another Greatest Hits package. Truth. The Greatest Hits disc comes out November 17 (just in time for the holiday rush, natch) and here's the rub: there's nothing obscure here at all. Look, I get "Shout at the Devil" must be on every Motley best-of...but seriously, give us fans something new and obscure!

Here's the track list:

Too Fast for Love
Shout at the Devil
Looks that Kill
Too Young to Fall in Love
Smokin' in the Boys Room
Home Sweet Home
Wild Side
Girls, Girls, Girls
Dr. Feelgood
Kickstart My Heart
Same 'Ol Situation
Don't Go Away Mad (Just Go Away)
Without You
Primal Scream
Sick Love Song
Afraid
If I Die Tomorrow
Saints of Los Angeles
The Animal In Me (Remix)

So, I guess the market for this disc is brand new Motley fans? Every single one of us here have all these songs. Seriously, one previously unreleased track would have made me buy this disc...but in this economy, I won't be picking up another Greatest Hits of songs I already own - even if I'm a completist. I guess this is just a cash grab for Motley...or maybe this is part of that "secret" album and concert deal with Live Nation? Still, it's all Motley's decision: they control their masters, meaning they are in a very rare position to manage their fate.

The positive? There's a new Motley Crue: Behind the Music coming at the beginning of November to coincide with this release.

Thoughts on this one?

What's with All the 'Scab' Talk?

If you've ever spent five minutes on Metal Sludge, you understand the title of this article. If not, then "scab" basically means "not authentic" or "replacement."

I swear, every thread over there these days mentions "scab" members. Look, I'd rather see an original lineup of a band too, but sometimes that isn't an option. I'm not sure it's fair to brand replacement members as "scabs."

If you think about it, very few bands that we love have the original members. Sure, Motley Crue is made up of the original guys, but they had different members in the past. Same for Aerosmith. Look at Van Halen. Is Wolfgang Van Halen a "scab?" I'm not sure. He's got the right surname, so he won the job. That also means he's probably not going anywhere and the chances of Michael Anthony coming back are pretty slim.

So, Crashdiet is on singer number three. Pretty Boy Floyd has had more members than I can even list. Same with Guns n' Roses. The list goes on and on.

Does it matter?

Put it this way: if a member leaves and is replaced, it's a little sad but we still get to hear the songs we love performed live. Sure, there are times the entire dichotomy of the band is ruined. Poison is a great example of this...and yet, that band kept on until C.C. DeVille came back. Of course, the time he was gone from the band has been basically "erased," which is also unfortunate.

The hardest member to replace is the lead singer, just because a person's voice becomes signature to a song. I happen to quite enjoy the 1994 self-titled Motley Crue release with John Corabi, but a lot of people do not share my view. Still, I don't think it's very fair to call Corabi a "scab."

So, to bring all this full circle, Bonham is going to play a few gigs. That's right: Bonham. As in, The Disregard of Timekeeping - Bonham. The original singer is dead, but the short run is billed as a tribute to Daniel MacMaster. So, is this considered a "scab" situation?

What do you think? Is it fair to deem replacement band members as scabs?

Eddie Van Halen Does Prime Time

This is what I wanted to post hours ago...but it took all night to hit YouTube! Anyway, Eddie Van Halen did a guest spot on the CBS sitcom Two and a Half Men last night. The scene was short - but that's ok - because it's Eddie and Two and a Half Men is one of the funniest shows on television. You might recall Steven Tyler also did a guest spot on the show a few seasons back - love it!

I haven't checked, but I bet if you go to the CBS page on YouTube, you can watch the whole episode. I also think the network streams full shows on their official website as well.

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."