Do We Expect Too Much?

As die hard music fans, do we expect too much from our favorite musicians? I don't mean that we demand a great product regarding albums and live shows. I'm talking about subconscious pressure that we expect our musicians to make us feel better when we're lonely, sick or sad.

Let me explain. When I'm happy, I listen to music. When I'm sad I listen to music. That's pretty standard for everyone that reads this website with any regularity. The difference is the rough patches. We've all had (or will have) a tough phase of life. It's inevitable. Things happen and sometimes life does suck. It's during those times that people turn to solace in other things. For some, it's negative like drugs. For others, it's positive, like music. When a favorite band doesn't sound the same, has new crap songs or just generally falls flat...we take it personally.

That's it: we take it personal! I've seen this time and time again just by running this website. Rock fans cannot handle criticism! We're all so attached to our favorite bands that it becomes a personal insult when someone says "I hate Poison" or "RATT sucks."

I'll own up. When I first started this website at the end of 2006 and someone said "Why do you run a website about hair bands?" I was ticked! I played it cool and laughed it off, but damnit, I was offended. It was like, "How dare this person not get it?" That intimate affection for anything: a band, a sports team, a pet can become very intoxicating. The "thing" becomes a part of us, doesn't it? So, we're looking to the band, sports team or pet for comfort and escape.

That might not be healthy.

Ok, I'm over-the-top rock, right? I mean, obviously. There's no longer a discussion between me and my husband when big tours come through town: he just knows we're going. That's life, but is it? You know, this is something I wrestle with on a daily basis. I swear I feel like I live a double life, where I put all my eggs in the Glam basket and demand so much from musicians because reality bites. Hell, maybe that's why musicians worked so hard to get famous in the first place: because the daily grind blows. At any rate, I've taken a circuitous path here, so let's double back: do you put too much stock in your favorite band? Why or why not?

You Say It's Your Birthday...

Jon Bon Jovi has a birthday today. That's a great excuse to watch some classic Bon Jovi clips!

"Always"

"It's My Life"

...and best of all, "Livin' on a Prayer"

Over on Jemsite...

I did an interview with Jemsite. I'm stunned they care enough, but it's a nice gesture. I loathe self-promotion, but was asked to move the link to the main site by the writer of the interview. I always help out fellow writers.

You can read that interview here.

No Cameras!

For the past few months, I've noticed an alarming trend when going to concerts: signs screaming: "No cameras/video during show!" You might recall I complained about the issue when I saw Def Leppard and Billy Idol awhile back. Just two weeks ago, there was a sign on the front of the Metro Centre that warned against taking photos during the Motley Crue concert. The rule was blanket - it applied to every act on the bill.

What gives?

Why do bands care if fans use non-professional cameras and lenses to take a few photos of a fun night? Professional musicians are celebrities and we're the paying customer. If I shuck out $3 or $300 dollars to see a band live, I expect to be able to take a photo. I am very blessed that I am given photo passes to capture images of concerts so I can share with you. What about the rest of the arena?

During the Motley Crue show in Illinois, security was literally walking up and down aisles, looking for cameras. Whenever a rouge flash illuminated the dark, the guards actually shined a flashlight in the "guilty" fan's face. No, I'm not kidding.

At first I wondered if cameras were banned because the Motley show had a general admission pit. If someone was dumb enough to throw their camera, it could cause some bodily harm. The camera would also completely shatter, thus making the owner (and thrower) look like a real idiot.

Most festivals have huge general admission areas. I've never been to one yet that didn't allow cameras. It just seems like recently indoor venues are cracking down.

I wonder if it is the band or the venue?

Surely it must be the band. I have to ask: do Motley, AC/DC, Def Leppard, George Michael or any of them actually think a fan will snap a good enough photo from a small camera to sell to Rolling Stone or Spin without their permission? I really don't think so. Even with a professional camera, it takes many, many shots to get something really good. Yes, even professionals shoot duds. It happens.

I can live with the security checks. We live in a very unsafe world and I'd rather not have someone bring an Uzi into the concert arena, thank you very much. I have a problem with all the extraneous restrictions, "no cameras" being one of them. Maybe bands don't like their videos popping up on YouTube. Funny thing, I bet Kate Winslet doesn't like it when People captures her buying Starbucks while wearing a track suit. It happens and this is life. I'm not saying musicians don't have rights, because that's just not true. You'd be hard pressed to find someone fight harder than me when it comes to illegal downloading. Still, I'm paying to attend a show. I'm showing support but I also expect to be entertained. For me, that show involves being able to snap a couple pictures. Moreover, it's not even all about the band. When bands/venues institute a no camera policy, they are also robbing fans of the ability to take pictures with friends. Finally, as ticket prices continue to rise and the average convenience fee attached to said ticket is usually 20% of the face value, there must be a value-add. Stripping rights from fans only further alienates the ticket buying audience. Enough bad experiences and fans will stop going to shows, no matter the band. It's just economics. People don't remember what you said but they do remember how you treated them. This is true in all aspects of life: both personal and professional.

The (Possible) Crue Fest 2 Lineup

A Kansas City radio station accidentally leaked the "apparent" Crue Fest 2 lineup. Here it is:

MÖTLEY CRÜE
GODSMACK
THEORY OF A DEADMAN
SAVING ABEL
DROWNING POOL

If this is the real lineup, I'm not surprised. I called Godsmack a long time ago and I still think that Charm City Devils will be on at least some bills, but who knows?

I just saw Theory Of A Deadman with Motley a couple weeks ago and that was pretty fun. I've never seen Saving Abel or Godsmack live. I saw a little bit of Drowning Pool during Rock on the Range 2008.

Of this group, I think I'm most interested in seeing Saving Abel. They seem to have the most Glam quality of the bunch, save Motley of course.

Here's some Saving Abel.

Addicted (edited version)

I'll admit this isn't my first choice of bands for Crue Fest, but like I said, I'm not surprised. The Last Vegas should probably be on the bill, but not sure if that will work out or not. In all honesty, I was hoping for Slipknot...but I know they don't come cheap, and money talks - especially when Live Nation is involved!

First Official Video - The Last Vegas

My new favorite band The Last Vegas just released their first "official" video for the single "I'm Bad." Basically, it kicks ass. I'm still bitter I missed this band during the Rockford, IL stop of the Motley Crue SOLA tour. One thing is for certain, I'm very excited to hear more from these guys. Watch and fall in love with The Last Vegas.

Confirming the Rumors: Twisted Sister Will Play Rocklahoma

From Blabbermouth:

Eighties famed rock band TWISTED SISTER will be headlining Sunday, July12 at Rocklahoma.

TWISTED SISTER is celebrating the twenty fifth anniversary of "Stay Hungry", which includes rock anthems "We're Not Going to Take It" and "I Wanna Rock."

Dee Snider of TWISTED SISTER and host of the "House of Hair" had this to say about Rocklahoma. "In every great religion or society there are pilgrimages to be made and homage to be paid. The Islamic have Mecca, the Jews and the Muslims have the Wailing Wall, the Catholics have St. Peter's Basilica, the Irish have the Blarney Stone and so on and so on. The ultimate pilgrimage for the old school, metal community is Rocklahoma. Each and every one of us must make the trip and pay homage to the Gods of Metal. Wait a minute....that's me! And that's why I've just got to go back to Rocklahoma this year...'cause there's nothing quite like being paid homage to! It's better than sex!"

This means that Twisted Sister join Kix, Keel, Nelson and Great White on the expanding bill.