JET Release 'Shaka Rock' - Today!

Do you like Jet? I definitely think they are one of the better modern rock outfits on the current scene and today they release Shaka Rock (Five Seven).

Ok, Jet are definitely hipster, but I think if we all hug it out, we can learn to embrace the cheeky Aussies. 

Shaka Rock is filled with lots of tasty niblets, especially the single "K.I.A. (Killed in Action)." Yeah, it's poppy but the chorus is damn catchy and you might as well accept it: the song is going to be huge. There's more depth here than in past Jet releases, and that's great for us! The lyrics more meaningful, guitar breakdowns more soulful. In short, Shaka really does rock.

"She's a Genius" is another single from Shaka Rock - already rockin' the bands Myspace. In a lot of ways, I like this track better than K.I.A. It's definitely darker - when it comes to guitar tone. No matter the tune or subject matter, Jet definitely have a "head boppy pop" sound. It's just the way it is.

Preview Shaka Rock now on Myspace. You can also buy the disc for well under ten bucks right now on Amazon. I say buy the disc, diversify.

Maybe I'll get to interview the band in person someday. Then, I can have my photo made with the four guys and I'll look totally uncool next to their uber hipness. Le sigh.

This. Is. Too. Funny.

I've written about misheard lyrics before, but oh lawd...the clip below of Dream Theater performing "Pull Me Under" takes the cake. Just watch. You must have your volume up to appreciate - don't just read the subtitles. Hilarity ensues.

Thanks Brad for the tip!

Live Review: Firehouse in Dayton

It's been quite some time since Firehouse rolled into Dayton, Ohio. The band played my hometown Saturday night at McGuffys, our little "rock club." Tickets were pricey at $25, but everything is expensive now so I accept it and move on.

Aside from Eric and Heather nearly being killed by fellow concert goers, the evening was good and uneventful. Some over rowdy nut jobs kept shoving Eric out his place near the barrier, begging to touch singer C.J. Snare. Now, I like Firehouse quite a lot, but I'm certainly not going to cause anyone bodily harm to get next to them. That's not how I roll.

I digress.

Bill Leverty is a criminally underrated guitarist. Watching him live is always a highlight for me. I like the little "snake charmer" bit he does with his hand while playing.

Song highlights for me were "All She Wrote" (which is actually my favorite Firehouse tune), "Love of a Lifetime," "Don't Treat Me Bad" and "I Live My Life For You." The band also performed "You've Got Another Thing Comin,'" by Judas Priest. Firehouse recently did that song on a Priest tribute album, and C.J. Snare did a great vocal interpretation of Rob Halford. During quite a lot of the fast numbers, drummer Michael Foster banged the cymbals with his feet. 

The evening went along as predicted: the band had some beers, laughed and played very hard. There were probably 200 people in the club. That number is sort of sad, but everyone was really digging the show - there wasn't a whole lot of people just randomly sitting on bar stools in the back.

I wanted Firehouse to perform "Don't Walk Away" but they skipped it. I guess there's always next time.

There's no photos because I was told at the door "no cameras allowed." This seemed a bit insane since 1) I was in a tiny club and 2) I paid $25 bucks, so I should get to take a photo. But whatever. I didn't cause a scene - and yeah, I had my camera with me in my pocket.

Firehouse Live!

I just saw Firehouse live last night. Until I get up a proper review, watch one of my favorite live performances from the band. Here's "All She Wrote."

Buckcherry + NASCAR = 'Highway Star'

I've written about music and NASCAR in the past. After all, some of our favorite bands have created songs for the spectator sport. Now, you can add Buckcherry to the list. The modern Glam outfit covered Deep Purple's "Highway Star" for the Sprint Cup Series. Even better, Buckcherry decided to release a new version of Black Butterfly featuring "Highway Star."

I'm not necessarily a fan of covers, but I think this one is really good. I got the new version of Black Butterfly and added "Highway Star" to my iPod. You can buy the single on iTunes, or you can pick up a physical copy of Black Butterfly at your area record shop. "Highway Star" is worth the cost.

Pretty Maids - 'Future World'

Pretty Maids rule. That is all.

Pit Attackers - If I See You, Watch Out

Cradle of Filth isn't a band I write about here. They are not Glam, but extreme Metal. Their genre of music has nothing to do with today's post. Perhaps you've been following the story of Cradle of Filth and their recent abbreviated performance at Bloodstock Open Air in England. Some moron in the crowd decided to lob dense objects at the band, hitting guitarist Paul Allender in the spine, sending him straight to the hospital.

To all the morons that choose to throw objects from the pit to the stage, this is for you:

Dearest morons,

If you choose to throw objects at musicians during a show and I am in the pit, please beware. No, I won't touch you or assault you. I'm not common like that. I will, however, report you so fast to security, you'll be pulled from the pit before you can flash the Devil horns.

Idiots that choose to lob bottles (filled with either water, beer or urine), rocks, gobstoppers, apples, or whatever else: use caution. Musicians cannot see faces in the crowd. Lights make it near impossible to see off into the distance. A dense object flying hard and fast at a rock star can cause serious damage. Paul Allender of Cradle of Filth could have easily been killed. Is this how you party at festivals? I usually go to shows to see friends and hear music. I'm not interested in throwing shit at people that are basically defenseless. If you are reading this and you are the moron that attacked Paul, I pity you. I've been to shows when people throw bottles at the stage. The performers duck and then they get really pissed. Sometimes the artist just shrugs it off. Other times, there is a verbal warning. I think if I was on stage and someone threw a rock or whatever at me, I'd turn on my heels and walk away. No explanation necessary.

Have you thrown something hard at the stage? What is your intent? To look cool? To ruin a show for 40,000 other people that worked hard to pay for their tickets?

I never understood the point of throwing things at musicians. Are you wanting attention? Here's a newsflash: musicians are there to work. Yes, entertaining you is their job - but they don't need to pacify you, so stop being so damn clingy. Maybe you're reading this right now at your desk. Perhaps you are an accountant, lawyer or teacher. No matter the profession, I bet there would be hell to pay if someone lobbed a rock at your head or spine.

Such an assault would be all over the evening news.

I'm not sure why "pit attacks" don't make the main stream media. Maybe because finding the suspect is like hunting down the proverbial needle in a haystack. At any case, these attacks need media attention because they must stop. It's not just a hazard to the musicians - it's also dangerous to others in the crowd.

Be wary, pit attackers. I'm watching you and I go to a lot of shows.

Kisses, 

The Glam Mistress