Thursday, December 4, 2008 at 07:54AM For best results, please use Mozilla Firefox while scrolling and enjoying Bring Back Glam! This should take care of missing entries, lost videos and mysterious black pages.
I've never personally had any issues viewing this site with Mozilla - Internet Explorer causes me (and you) many headaches.
Thanks!
-- The Glam Mistress
Thursday, December 4, 2008 at 12:01AM 
A couple weeks ago, I saw AC/DC live in Columbus, Ohio. Irish band The Answer are providing support for the tour - and I must say, I was highly impressed! I don't usually pay much attention to opening bands - but I made it a point to get to the venue early to hear The Answer's entire set. They are basic, blue-collar rock with a lot of hippie tendencies thrown in for good measure.
I was surprised to learn that The Answer are not necessarily new. They've been around a few years.
Classic Rock magazine seems to really dig The Answer. It seems the mag is always giving the band a good mention. All the good press probably helped The Answer land the coveted spot with AC/DC. Actually, I can't think of a bigger break than opening for AC/DC.
After watching The Answer, I wanted to leave my seat immediately and head to the merchandise stand to purchase the EP Never Too Late. Too many people in line kept this from happening, so I picked up the disc the same day that Chinese Democracy was released. I'm glad I did! Never Too Late was released earlier this year and also has a live DVD component. A true EP, Never Too Late features just a handful of songs - but each one is awesome. Again, The Answer are closer to Led Zeppelin classic rock than Quiet Riot Glam.
Here is the track listing:
Never Too Late
Highwater or Hell
The Doctor
Come Follow Me
If you're looking for good, basic rock, I really recommend The Answer. I don't own their other albums - but now they are definitely on my list!
Wednesday, December 3, 2008 at 12:01AM
Now, I don't like a lot of newer Metal acts - but I'm seriously digging Papa Roach. I think you can really hear the Sunset Strip influences in the band - especially Motley Crue. Maybe I'm crazy...but someone has to agree with me, yes?
Metamorphosis is due out in March.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008 at 02:04PM ALGONA, IOWA (December 2, 2008) - America's most diverse hard rock festival just keeps getting better. That's because national recording artists Saliva and Tantric have joined the already impressive Rock Gone Wild lineup. Classic Glam rockers Tigertailz will also bring their unique presence to the festival. Rock Gone Wild is slated for August 20-23, 2009 in Algona, Iowa. Tickets are available now by visiting www.rockgonewild.com.
Mainstream rock stars Saliva are no strangers to the Billboard charts. As the band prepares to release their new album Cinco Diablo on Island later this month, Saliva will look to repeat past album success. Five albums, platinum records and many sold-out shows later, Saliva promises an in-your-face set on the main stage at Rock Gone Wild. Saliva is Josey Scott, Wayne Swinny, Dave Novotny, Paul Crosby and Jonathan Montoya.
Tantric rock harder with each passing year. Forming in 1999, the band has released three albums, reaching the much-coveted platinum status. Fans love the band's self-titled debut, featuring the hit single "Breakdown." Around for about a decade, Tantric has evolved and now embraces a heavier sound and invites an active pit at shows. The band released The End Begins earlier this year on their new label Silent Majority. Tantric is Hugo Ferreira, Richie Monica, Joe Pessia, Erik Leonhardt and Marcus Ratzenboeck.
Tigertailz bring an international flair to Rock Gone Wild. The Wales-based band formed in the 1980s and instantly gained fans, thanks in part to their image. Heavy make-up and wild hair became the calling card of Tigertailz.It doesn't hurt that the band creates songs with memorable hooks. Tigertailz has released eight albums, with Bezerk spawning the band's signature tune "Love Bomb Baby." Tigertailz are Kim Hooker, Jay Pepper and Matt Blakout.
Thousands are expected to attend the inaugural Rock Gone Wild festival, bringing significant revenue to the state of Iowa. Bands already announced for Rock Gone Wild include Puddle of Mudd, Skid Row, Kix, Great White, Hardcore Superstar, Lizzy Borden, Dangerous Toys, Helix, Saigon Kick, Rhino Bucket and Junkyard with many more to come!
Visit www.rockgonewild.com and http://anatomyofafestival.wordpress.com/ each Tuesday for a new band announcement.
Rock Gone Wild will take place at the Freedom Park festival grounds, located at 2507- 160th Avenue in Algona, Iowa.
If you build it, they will rock.
***
Tuesday, December 2, 2008 at 12:01AM It's been just over a week since the official release of Chinese Democracy. Since that time, it seems like every critic (save me, a couple newspaper reporters and David Fricke at Rolling Stone) has panned the album as a critical failure. To all those critics, I have one thing to say:
Give me a break.
Seriously, Chinese Democracy has sold between 300,000 and 500,000 copies in one week. In this age of massive file theft, I think that is pretty good. Motley Crue's most recent Saints of Los Angeles has sold around 250,000 copies - total - in the past six months or so since its release.
Does selling half a million records in one week with zero official publicity constitute a failure?
Hell no.
Every so-called music fan in the rock world has said "...But Appetite for Destruction sold 28 million copies..." Yeah, 28 million copies in two freaking decades! And that album wasn't an overnight success, either. If it wasn't for MTV, Guns n' Roses might not still be a household name.
It's true.
For Axl Rose to literally seep back into 100% hiding just as Chinese Democracy hits stores shelves is unprecedented. In this day and age, every musician - no matter the genre - is paraded in front of the media like a massive Macy's float. The sad fact of the matter is that kids care about music less today than in years past. There are more distractions but also more responsibilities. I took lessons and belonged to clubs, but I sure as hell wasn't taxied between clarinet lessons, soccer practice, 4-H, dance class, bass instruction...the list goes on. After school and private lessons there just might be enough time for an hour in front of the television or with a video game. While Guitar Hero has introduced Glam to a new and very young audience, these are the songs we've all known and loved for years now. While it's always fun to discover a new band - it's harder to appeal to a kid that doesn't even know your massive hits. So, I love Chinese Democracy. I also know every other Guns n' Roses album like the back of my hand. You don't have to sell me on the brand. I'm the target market: die-hard rock fan, past history, has some disposable money.
If a 12 year is playing Guitar Hero and hears "Sweet Child O' Mine" she might think the song is awesome - and be inclined to pick up Appetite for Destruction. Will she pick up Chinese Democracy, too? I'm not sure.
Everyone on Metal Sludge is mocking Axl Rose, saying that he spent too much time on Chinese Democracy and, as a result, the music industry left him behind.
Again, give me a break.
For anyone to actually think Axl Rose doesn't realize that the music industry has changed since before Appetite is crazy. I mean, literally loony. Please believe, I am certain with all my being Axl Rose knows very well the current mismanaged state of the music industry. What no one has really considered is the fact that maybe Axl finally allowed the release of Chinese Democracy at this current time of economic collapse as a means of punishment to the very suits that would just as soon suck his blood dry than see him succeed. Music is a business and it is cut throat. It is no accident that musicians have to work night and day to make a living these days at their art. Record label executives ignored the initial threat of downloading and failed to find a way to make a true profit on file sharing - before it got way out of hand. Now, most wouldn't even dream of paying for new music. I'm in the minority that is 100% opposed to illegal downloading but even I can admit it's intoxicating to think of building a massive music library - that didn't cost a damn dime.
Back to the punishment.
What if Axl seriously decided to release Chinese Democracy and intentionally went missing? He hasn't done a single interview in support of the release. There are no official announcements regarding a supporting tour. There are just the constant and tiresome rumors of an "original" GnR lineup reunion. From Axl's perspective, he knew the album would sell fairly decently out of the gate just on hype alone. I'm sure he also knows that if he went on David Letterman or MTV or even CNN - he could sell a few more copies. There wasn't even a massive online campaign for Chinese Democracy - pretty odd considering how bad the label wants to recoup some of the money that went into funding the epic work.
Axl isn't stupid. His lack of self-promotion is very calculated. I also think it's a big "Screw You" to Geffen Records - and everyone else in the music business.
Back to the naysayers and the constant "failure" refrain. Any band in this day and age would (should!) be excited with half a million sales out of the gate. Sure, it isn't 28 million. Then again, this isn't 1988, either. No one rushes the door of a music shop to grab the latest release at midnight. People don't cruise city blocks, speakers blaring. MTV doesn't air music videos. The golden age of recorded music is behind us - and Axl knows it, too. He's just waiting and watching -- and I'm fairly certain we haven't heard the last of him. Something big is coming - and it's probably going to blindside every last one of us.
Monday, December 1, 2008 at 12:01AM 
If you're looking to discover some new Glam...head down under. The Hell City Glamours are from Sydney, Australia and have developed quite a cult following - thanks in no small part to their active touring schedule. The band has opened for a lot of our favorites including Alice Cooper and Sebastian Bach.
The Hell City Glamours released a self-titled album earlier this year. The band also has a video to support their single "White Trash, Hot Love." There are a lot more songs available on the band's official Myspace page.
Here's the video for "White Trash, Hot Love." Go ahead. Give them a listen. You know you want to.
Sunday, November 30, 2008 at 12:01AM 
During the summer of 2007, SIXX: AM released The Heroin Diaries Soundtrack. The concept album served as the musical equivalent to the actual Heroin Diaries by Nikki Sixx. Now, SIXX: AM has released Live is Beautiful (Eleven Seven), straight from the road during Crue Fest 2008. The album is available exclusively at Best Buy.
The track listing for Live is Beautiful is the set list used during Crue Fest. The tracks:
X-Mas in Hell
Pray for Me
Heart Failure
Intermission
Dead Man's Ballet
Tomorrow
Accidents Can Happen
Life is Beautiful
If you attended Crue Fest, then you know that SIXX: AM sounded just about as tight on the road as they do in the studio. This is thanks in no small part to the amazing voice of James Michael. There are a few spots on Live is Beautiful when Michael's voice goes ever-so-slightly out of tune, but I just chalk it up to straining for live performance. You know, to project as loud as possible.
I'd forgotten how much I enjoyed DJ Ashba's playing during the SIXX: AM set. There are a couple short solos featured on the live album and it makes me think right back to second row at Crue Fest. Good times.
To prove that the album is exactly like an "average" night on the Crue Fest tour, there's no special antics by Nikki Sixx. He simply blends as a member of the band instead of a superstar.
Overall, I'd say Live is Beautiful is a quality release - especially if you are a big SIXX: AM fan. I wish the crowd reaction was a little better - but I prefer the album as is and not heavily doctored in post-production.
Later this week, an interview with SIXX: AM guitarist DJ Ashba. He talks about Live is Beautiful, recording a new album and Crue Fest 2. Don't miss it!