Motley Crue Will Guest Star on 'Bones' This Week

This is pretty cool. Motley Crue will perform "Dr. Feelgood" on Bones. The show airs this Thursday, May 14 at 8pm ET on FOX.

Nikki and Vince look really cute and happy in the clip below. Click to watch!

Sellout: Definition Needed

So the past few days I've been pondering the curious case of "selling out."

I've decided no one knows what the term means and therefore, the saying must be completely irrelevant.

When word broke that Slash was doing American Idol, everyone in Metal world shared a collective gasp and went into "sky is falling" mode. Oh my Glam! Could it be! An original Gunner doing a crap show like American Idol? Blasphemy.

The crap show, by the way, is about the highest rated program on television, so clearly Slash made a horrible decision. I mean, how dare he promote his new solo record on a platform that would reach 100 million people? What a moron.

Apparently it's worse if you actually watch Idol and are a music fan. I mean, clearly, if you do that = sell out. How dare Americans (and people all over the world for that matter) want some happy, music entertainment in the evening? How dare millions of people think (know) Adam Lambert can sing just as well as or better than Axl Rose? I mean, it would be far better for young Adam to toil in obscurity than be discovered on American Idol because that show is selling out.

Liking modern Metal is a sure sign of selling out - but only if those bands are on a major label and don't list Motley Crue as their first and main influence. It's ok to like Dirty Penny because they dream to be Motley but they are certainly not. It's ok to like Black Tide because Iron Maiden are their heroes. It's ok to like Freakshow because that band features members of classic Glam bands. Pay attention now: it is not ok to like Avenged Sevenfold or Slipknot because the lyrics are not 100% melodic. It is not ok to like bands that have beaten the digital age and sold enough units to go platinum. It is not ok to get in the pit and rock to one of these new bands because this support is somehow hurting Styx and Queensryche and therefore = sell out.

Let's see. I'm pretty sure if you shop at Hot Topic (or Torrid) you are a giant sell out because it's not ok to like band T-shirts that are not officially vintage. You also can't go to Hot Topic to buy Manic Panic for your hair, but it's ok if you find the dye at any other store. I cannot emphasize how much of a travesty it would be to support a chain that Fortune magazine called one of the best places in America to work. I mean, I know I would hate to have the title VP of Music for Hot Topic. Hell, if I ever landed that job I'd probably just slit my wrists. Talk about selling out.

See a theme here? I'm not sure selling out exists anymore. Does success = selling out? I don't think so. How can we begrudge anyone happiness or success? When I start writing for Rolling Stone, I hope I'm called a sell out. I'd wear that "insult" like a badge of honor.

Atreyu Does Bon Jovi = Epic Win

Glam on Glam, readers!

So, the other day a few of you happened to mention that Atreyu suck. They are playing this coming weekend (!) at Rock on the Range. I have some of their stuff; I don't hate or like them enough to really have an opinion one way or the other BUT...they did make an awesome cover of "You Give Love a Band Name." The song is featured on the limited edition version of the 2004 release, The Curse and soundtrack to Mr. and Mrs. Smith.

Yeah, Atreyu does Bon Jovi...screamo style. 

Before you freak out, flip cars, riot in the streets - just read. This modernized, screamo version of "You Give Love a Bad Name" is great for Bon Jovi and Glam. Why? Because it gives our music modern relevance. Sure, Bon Jovi doesn't need any more cash. Hell, Jon's great-great grandkids will be living off the "Bad Medicine" residuals, and yet...it's important these sort of covers exist.

Atreyu definitely put their own spin on "You Give Love a Bad Name" but the most crucial parts of the song are left intact. You know, the guitar solos and the big, harmonic chorus. What does this mean? It means Atreyu must be Bon Jovi fans and appreciate the song structure by the New Jersey Glam gods.

Click and listen. I'm sure all the comments will be negative, but whatever. It's 2009 and it's time some new bands bring back Glam any way they can. I hope Atreyu play this song next weekend. I guarantee every single person in the crowd will sing along. Every.single.one.of.us.

It's Saturday! It's Shinedown! It's 'The Sound of Madness!'

Shinedown just released their new video for "The Sound of Madness." The song is from the album of the same name. As you can tell, the tune is epic. If you don't own The Sound of Madness, go buy a copy. It's an amazing album.

Are Guitar Heroes Dead?

In a world of Guitar Hero for Xbox, Playstation and whatever the hell else, I wonder if actual musicianship is dying.

If you think about it, Guitar Hero is mostly a rehash of old songs. That is, the best arena rock songs ever created. In many ways, the game platform has saved the music industry - and the legacy bands we love. But what about the new acts?

The other day, I was listening to "Classic Vinyl" on my satellite radio. That station plays all the big ones from Aerosmith, to The Who, to the Beatles. You get the idea.

In 20 years, will we have "Classic MP3?"

I mean, seriously.

Will Hinder and Daughtry still be around? Will they last like Motley Crue and Van Halen? We all know music is very different these days - both in form and formula. By that I mean the three chords are the same, but the way they are arranged is much different than in 1996, 1986, 1976 and so on. That's evolution. For a very long time, the formula of pushing music was the same: band formed, got drunk a lot, played clubs, got some exposure, did some drugs, got an album deal, toured, toured, toured and eventually made it - or not.

Now a band has about 12.34 seconds to make it with a label and "buying" public before getting dropped. Is that even enough time to create an anthem for the ages? Um, no.

So, I'm sitting here, desperately seeking Susan and trying to think of a recent anthem-like song that doesn't suck. I think "Life is Beautiful" sort of stuck and was definitely a hit for Sixx: AM - but it wasn't a broad, in-your-face-because-you-heard-it-so-much-you-want-to-scream-song.

Like, Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody." Now, that is an anthem. People of all ages still know every word of that bloody tune. It's played out and everyone is sick of it and yet people still squeal when it comes on the radio. It's just that good.

Do we even have bands that can create those quality songs anymore? I keep looking for the band, and no, Nickelback isn't it - even if they don't completely suck or whatever.

I have to believe there's a new version of the Glimmer Twins stirring somewhere in the world right now. Seriously, put down that bottle of Jack and pick up your guitar: write!

If we don't start producing some modern classic (like that?) bands soon, we're screwed. ZZ Top can't tour forever and neither can Def Leppard.

Soon, our favorite bands will be calling it a day for good and there really won't be a fifth farewell tour to look forward to during July and August. Then what? Silence? Memories? Respinning "Youth Gone Wild" for the 19 millionth time?

At this point, I'm putting all my faith in Avenged Sevenfold. Thank Glam for "Unholy Confessions" and deathbats.

Is Bang Camaro Playing Rocklahoma? Or Why the Lineup Needs Rebalanced...Or Fully Announced...Or Something

Looks like Bang Camaro might be playing Rocklahoma. I mean, it's hard to tell because the festival hasn't put an official release listing all the bands in ages...but the side stage lineup was announced yesterday and Bang Camaro is on it.

Why are Bang Camaro on a side stage?

Let me rephrase: why are any national bands on side stages when the main stage talent is so sparse/random/weak?

Bang Camaro is a national band. Modern? Yes. Famous? Yes. Could they sell tickets? Yes. Move them to the main stage.

Let's review.

Tracii's L.A. Guns are on a side stage. Tracii personally told me this was his choice because he didn't want to play in the midday sun. I respect that as playing Oklahoma in the middle of July is sort of like signing up to walk barefoot on hot coals while already having a sunburn on 100% of your body. Yeah, it ain't fun. Actually, fun and being outside in Oklahoma during July don't really go together period, but whatever. I hope it rains again and the mud people come back. Ah, that would be great. Mud and stink for days. Or not.

Big Cock - also side stage. They are main stage worthy. David Henzerling is my friend, he rocks harder than you and, oh yeah, Robert Mason can sing his ass off. Move them to the main stage.

Dirty Looks - side stage. Seriously? This is a band that has never played Rocklahoma. Die hard Glam fanatics have been asking for this band for ages. Dirty Looks trump Stryper. Move Dirty Looks to the main stage.

Who else is on a side stage that would have previously been main stage caliber? Let's see: D'Molls, Baton Rouge, Faster Pussycat, Britny Fox and about a dozen more.

Damn, son - I don't get it. Here I am, lucky enough to go to Rocklahoma for free but choose to pay to support both the festival and the bands and to keep my bias in check - but somethin' gotta give. By the time it's all said and done, I will have dropped about two grand on the third installment of Rocklahoma. That's money that could have gone to Hawaii, some really fancy Glam stage clothes...or therapy. Perhaps all three.

So, here I am, looking at a credit card bill for two grand in one hand and a bizarre festival lineup in the other. Apparently you can do some weird upgrade experience at Rocklahoma this year meaning you can pay more money and sit on the stage and get access to a fancy lounge. Rock Gone Wild is doing this, but the lounge access is included in your platinum ticket. Let me reiterate that I already paid for a Rocklahoma V.I.P. ticket which is apparently now worthless in the standard "I'm a very important person" sort of fashion. Shame, really, as I was looking forward to being a V.I.P. again.

I dunno. Are there good bands slated for Rockalhoma 09? Hell yes, chiefly Kix, Big Cock, RATT, Lillian Axe and Baton Rouge - in that order. That's five bands...divided by two grand...eh, screw it.

At this point, it is what it is: I will go to Rocklahoma and have fun with my husband Eric, Christian and Kari; won't drink any watered down beer and will attempt to stay out of the sun as much as possible. I won't think of how I could have used that two grand for front row at Aerosmith or even American Idols Live to see Adam Lambert. No, I will go to America's biggest Glam festival, wearing a Bring Back Glam! T-shirt and review the show. Every day I will reiterate that most of the side stage bands should be rocking the main stage and I'll provide photographic evidence of both bands and crowd size. 

So help me, I just don't get it.

Are you going to Rocklahoma? Agree? Disagree?

'American Idol' Hysteria Ain't Over...Final Wrap of Rock Week

Slash, Keri Kelli (!), Chris Chaney and Tommy Clufetos will perform on tonight's results show. No Doubt and Daughtry will also get a shot at the spotlight and we'll learn which American Idol hopeful is sent packing. 

It better not be Adam Lambert. That's all I'm saying.

Tonight's results show airs at 9 pm ET on Fox. Be sure to check out my live blog from last night's show. You'll find links to the performances. It's all good fun.

There's more Glam coming later today...after I ditch a splitting headache. Check back, my dear readers!

Update on Thursday, May 7, 2009 at 12:29AM by Allyson B. Crawford

I've been waiting for someone to post clips of tonight's broadcast of American Idol on YouTube but so far...no luck.

Slash and Keri Kelli performed with the remaining Idols Danny Gokey, Adam Lambert, Allison Iraheta and Kris Allen. Since Keri was along for the ride, it made perfect sense that the motley group performed Alice Cooper's "School's Out." Once again, Adam and Allison prove they actually have the ability to perform rock. Kris held his own and Danny just seemed out of place. Actually, Danny was standing far too close to Keri for my liking, but that's another entry...

The hour long broadcast had about a million stall techniques and nearly as many special performers. Paula Abdul sang and danced (seriously), No Doubt tried to rock out but sort of sucked and Daughtry was just alright. No one tunes into the American Idol on Wednesday night for the special guests - people just want to know who is going home.

Tonight, I had two main concerns: that Adam remain safe to advance to the final three and that Danny go home. One of those dreams came true.

A record number of votes for a non-finale show were cast and you and I both know why: because Adam was sent to the bottom two as a ratings ploy last week, and people were (are?) fired up. So, it stands to reason that Adam was declared safe tonight and we get two songs from him next week.

The final three usesd to always do three songs but apparently an extra judge means not enough time. Boo.

So, who else is safe? Kris Allen, a bit of a shocker...and Danny.

Seriously, America?

Allison is 17 and has an amazing voice and sure, she's raw, but she's learning and really does have a bright future in the world of rock. I wish her luck.

Whenever the media of Slash and friends comes down, I'll post up here. Slash on American Idol was definitely a highlight of my week - and I'm proud to admit that to all of you.