So Stryper Has A New Album...

Ok, I don't like Christian Metal. I'm not religious and I tend to think that God and Metal don't mix - but that's just my opinion. I don't judge the devout or those that love Stryper, the NewsBoys, Whitecross...or any of that ilk.

I was under the impression that Stryper were done as a band. Imagine my surprise whilst scrolling Blabbermouth for the 2,345th time yesterday...only to discover the band is "reactivated" and making a new record.

Apparently this new record is called Murder By Pride. I guess that's religious. I guess it doesn't matter either way.

You know, I honestly *have* tried to get into some Stryper, because they are a Glam band. They have the soaring vocals and the big guitars...but I just...can't. I know it's not the image. Sure, Stryper dress like bees, but every Glam band is a little wacky.

I will say this: I've never had the chance to see Stryper live. If they showed up on a package tour or festival, I would make it a point to check them out. Also, I think the guitar intro for "Calling On You" is basically bad ass and equally matched in the very Glam supporting video.

So, what do you think of Christian Metal bands? Are you indifferent? A big fan or sort of like me?

ShipRock Your MySpace - Win A Free Cruise!

FT. LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA (February 26, 2009) - So you want to go on a Caribbean cruise with your favorite rock bands, but need a little economic stimulus? Well, ShipRocked is here to help! From now through June 1st, 2009, you can win a FREEocean view balcony cabin for two on-board ShipRocked: the ultimate rock and roll vacation and backstage pass! Simply create a custom MySpaceprofile layout or theme to help promote ShipRocked and enter to win!

ShipRocked is slated to sail November 15-20, 2009 aboard the beautiful MSC Poesia, and will feature on-board performances by Queensryche, Tesla, Skid Row, Broken Teeth, EndeverafteR, Lynam, Stereoside, StoneRider and more! ShipRocked pushes away from port in Fort Lauderdale and won't return you to the real world for five days. Along the way, you'll get to see Jamaica andGrand Cayman and party like rock stars, in port and on deck. Passengers will mingle with the artists and take part in activities not commonly offered on traditional cruises. Your grandma's cruise might not feature Guitar Hero competitions or a night of heavy metal karaoke - but ShipRocked does! Best of all, you can go on this vacation of a lifetime - FOR FREE.

Just design the coolest ShipRocked layout or theme for MySpace. Use your existing profile or create a new one specifically for the contest - it doesn't matter. Visit www.myspace.com/shiprockedcontest for complete details and contest rules and to download some available graphics, including the official cruise logos, artist photos and more. Want to get creative and use your own graphics? Feel free! All you need to do is make sure your entry pimps both ShipRocked and the great bands performing during this memorable week of music, fun and sun!

WHAT YOU WIN:
One Grand Prize winner and a Guest will receive a cruise for two (2) on the ShipRocked Cruise!

The Grand Prizeincludes:
1) One ocean view balcony stateroom(double occupancy) on-board ShipRocked
2) $200 on-board credit applied to your MSC Cruise Card

HOW TO ENTER:
Once you've completed your design, just submit your profile's URL in an email, along with your full legal name, date-of-birth, address, daytime phone number and a valid

e-mail address, to myspace@getshiprocked.com.

PLEASE NOTE: The Grand Prize winner and Guest must be legal residents of the United States or Canada, and 21 years of age or older - no exceptions. Please visit www.myspace.com/shiprockedcontest for further details and official contest rules.

CONTEST DEADLINE:
All entries must be submitted by no later than 5:00pm-ET on Monday, June 1, 2009. The winner will be notified by phone and e-mail and the winning submission will be announced and displayed online shortly thereafter.

ShipRocked sails in only nine months and cabins are selling fast! Pricing begins at only $699 per passenger.

For reservations or additional information, visit www.getshiprocked.com, or contact a ShipRocked travel agent at (877) 855-5502.

Def Leppard, Poison and Cheap Trick Concert Dates

Well, can you believe it? It's actually happening! Def Leppard, Poison and Cheap Trick are actually touring together this summer, despite years of bad blood and shit talking.

Here are the dates, straight from the Cheap Trick website:

DEF LEPPARD ANNOUNCES 40-CITY TOUR WITH POISON & SPECIAL GUEST CHEAP TRICK

TICKETS FOR THE CONCERT EVENT OF THE SUMMER GO ON SALE BEGINNING MARCH 6TH

TOUR DATES
23-June - Camden, NJ – Susquehanna Bank Center
25-June - Cuyahoga Falls, OH - Blossom Music Center
26-June - Darien Center, NY - Darien Lake Performing Arts Center
28-June - Scranton, PA - Toyota Pavilion
30-June - Mansfield, MA - Comcast Center
01-July - Holmdel, NJ - PNC Bank Arts Center
03-July - Saratoga Springs, NY – Saratoga Performing Arts Center
04-July - Toronto, CAN – Molson Amphitheatre
07-July - Hartford, CT - New England Dodge Music Center
08-July - Wantagh, NY - Nikon at Jones Beach Theater
10-July - Burgettstown, PA – Post-Gazette Pavilion
11-July - Virginia Beach, VA – Verizon Wireless VA Beach Amphitheater
12-July - Bristow, VA – Nissan Pavilion
15-July - Cincinnati, OH – Riverbend Music Center
17-July - Tinley Park, IL – First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre
18-July - Milwaukee, WI – Marcus Amphitheater
20-July - Maryland Heights, MO – Verizon Wireless Amphitheater St. Louis
21-July - Kansas City, MO – Sprint Center
23-July - Noblesville, IN – Verizon Wireless Music Center Indianapolis
24-July - Clarkston, MI – DTE Energy Music Theatre
07-August - Raleigh, NC - Time Warner Cable Music Pavilion at Walnut Creek
08-August - Charlotte, NC – Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre Charlotte
10-August - Nashville, TN - Sommet Center
11-August - Birmingham, AL – Verizon Wireless Music Center
13-August - West Palm Beach, FL – Cruzan Amphitheatre
14-August - Tampa, FL – Ford Amphitheatre
15-August - Atlanta, GA – Lakewood Amphitheatre
18-August - New Orleans, LA – New Orleans Arena
19-August - Houston, TX - Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
21-August - Dallas, TX – Superpages.com Center
22-August - Tulsa, OK – BOK Center
24-August - Englewood, CO – Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre
25-August - Salt Lake City, UT – USANA Amphitheatre
28-August - Albuquerque, NM – Journal Pavilion
29-August - Phoenix, AZ – Cricket Wirelss PAvilion
30-August - Irvine, CA – Verizon Wirelss Amphitheater
02-September - Mountain View, CA – Shoreline Amphitheatre at Mountain View
03-September - Sacramento, CA – Sleep Train Amphitheatre
05-September - Las Vegas, NV – MGM Grand Garden Arena
06-September - San Bernadino, CA – San Manuel Amphitheater

Do Billy Squier and Blue Oyster Cult Fit (Insert 80s Festival Here)?

Every night of my life, I poke around on Pollstar. I check festivals to see if any bands have leaked - and then randomly check venues around my home. You know, sheds in Dayton, Cincinnati and Columbus. I'm in the very fortunate - and rare - position to have a small concert venue right across the street from my house called Fraze Pavilion. The venue holds just over 4,000 people - but does get some big acts. I've seen Ringo Starr (and Billy Squier as part of the All Starr Band), Sheryl Crow, John Mayer, Peter Cetera and some other people there.

Last night I checked Pollstar and noticed that Billy Squier and Blue Oyster Cult are playing the Fraze together on July 31. I'm going to that show! I also got to wondering if both acts fit Rocklahoma (or any of the other many 80s festivals these days)? I think they do! It doesn't appear that Billy and BOC are doing a full fledged tour together - just appearing in tandem at select venues.

Now, the routing isn't great for either Billy or BOC to appear at Rocklahoma  - but it is possible. This doesn't mean it will happen. In fact, I probably think it won't, but still, it's fun to talk.

See, Billy Squier has some darn good songs. I wouldn't call him Glam, but he's definitely an 80s rocker and would fit in a nostalgia festival. I like seeing different acts - and I think I'd rather see Billy - and BOC! - versus another band I've already seen in concert 17 times.

Just my opinion.

Thoughts?

Motley Are Making A Big, Top Secret Announcement Today

Recently, Motley Crue started sending out emails and text messages promising a big announcement today. The Crue Fest II announcement is March 16 - so I guess count that out. It doesn't make sense to announce tour dates without a lineup, but I suppose it could happen. Some are speculating that Motley will release the video for "White Trash Circus" today. I'm not sure that constitutes a giant announcement, but we'll see. If you're not a member of the S.I.N. fan club, here are the details (and yes, I fixed the grammar errors):

Hey Crüe fans!

The Saints Of Los Angeles 2009 Tour is off with a bang. Still, something BIG is looming on the horizon.

You'll have to wait until Wednesday to find out. Be sure to keep an eye on your Inbox, and on Motley.com, all day Wednesday for some news from the Crüe.

In the mean time, if you have received a pre-sale code and purchased your ticket limit for either Crüe Fest 2008 Tour and/or SOLA 2009 Tour, we want to remind you that in order to participate in any future S.I.N. pre-sales, you'll need to renew your membership. Without giving too much away... Now might be a good time for that.

Remember, keep an eye out for a special announcement Wednesday.

Now, here's my problem with this email: it's asking S.I.N. club members to renew - again. Most people already did that to get pre-sale codes for this winter tour. I'm not dropping another 40 bucks on the fan club and I'm pretty sure I've met my ticket limit. Oh well I guess. Motley Crue might have 100 million dollars, but I sure don't!

As you well know, I'll post the big announcement here...when it's released.

Update on Wednesday, February 25, 2009 at 09:45AM by Allyson B. Crawford

Yep, it's the Crue Fest pre-sale. I still think that's odd, but whatever.

Here are the dates:

DATE	CITY	VENUE
Sun. Jul 19	Camden, NJ	Susquehanna Bank Center
Tue. Jul 21	Cuyahoga Falls, OH	Blossom Music Center
Wed. Jul 22	Tinley Park, IL	First Midwest Bank Amphitheater
Mon. Jul 27	Auburn, WA	White River Amphitheater
Tue. Jul 28	Portland, OR	Clark County Amphitheater
Thu. Jul 30	Mountain View, CA	Shoreline Amphitheater
Fri. Jul 31	San Bernardino, CA	San Manuel Ampitheater
Sat. Aug 01	Las Vegas, NV	The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel and Casino
Mon. Aug 03	Salt Lake City, UT	USANA Amphitheatre
Tue. Aug 04	Englewood, CO	Fiddler's Green Amphitheater
Wed. Aug 05	Albuquerque, NM	Hournal Pavilion
Fri. Aug 07	Houston, TX	Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
Sat. Aug 08	Dallas, TX	Superpages.com Center
Sun. Aug 09	Kansas City, MO	Sprint Center
Tue. Aug 11	Maryland Heights, MO	Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
Wed. Aug 12	Indianapolis, IN	Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
Fri. Aug 14	Cincinnati, OH	Riverbend Music Center
Sat. Aug 15	Clarkston, MI	DTE Energy Music Theatre
Sun. Aug 16	Pittsburgh, PA	Post-Gazette Pavilion
Wed. Aug 19	Mansfield, MA	Comcast Center
Fri. Aug 21	Virginia Beach, VA	Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
Sat. Aug 22	Bristow, VA	Nissan Pavilion
Sun. Aug 23	Raleigh, NC	TWC Music Pavilion
Sat. Aug 29	Atlanta, GA	Lakewood Amphitheatre
Sun. Aug 30	Charlotte, NC	Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
Tue. Sep 01	Saratoga Springs, NY	Saratoga Performing Arts Center
Fri. Sep 04	Scranton, PA	Toyota Pavilion
Sat. Sep 05	Darien Lake, NY	Darien Lake Performing Arts Center

A Couple Rocklahoma 09 Additions

So, Great White and Nelson are playing Rocklahoma 2009. Supposedly announcements are coming this week, so I certainly hope these two bands don't constitute all "the announcements."

If you haven't been keeping track, Great White and Nelson join Kix, Keel and the Gypsy Pistoleros to the roster. Obviously, a ton more bands are to be added.

Just for shits and giggles, here's some Great White and Nelson clips. I mean, why the hell not?

Nelson, live "After the Rain"

And here's Great White's cover of "Once Bitten, Twice Shy." This song is my favorite cover tune of all time.

I'll add these bands to my official tally in the message board area. I'm waiting on some headliners, although I'm told we can expect a Twisted Sister announcement later this week.

Slave Raider

You are probably already familiar with Slave Raider. The band formed in the mid 1980s in Minneapolis. Slave Raider is sort of a mix between RATT and W.A.S.P. - great, melodic hooks with a crazy image. Basically, true Glam.

Slave Raider released three albums on RCA:

Take The World By Storm

What Do You Know About Rock 'N Roll?

Bigger, Badder and Bolder

There's a Slave Raider Myspace page, but I don't think the band will be getting back together anytime soon. Too bad, because I think Slave Raider would probably still sound good. As you can imagine, copies of Slave Raider albums are now highly collectible. The original version of Take the World By Storm is long out of print - and sells on eBay for at least 80 bucks. If only I had some cash...I digress. Here's "Make Some Noise.