Motley Crue Winter Tour Dates Announced Today

Just a friendly reminder that Motley Crue will announce their winter tour dates sometime today. I'll post them here when I know.

I think the tour starts February 2 in San Diego. The Saints of Los Angeles tour features Hinder, Theory of a Deadman and The Last Vegas. I also believe the tour will stop in central Pennsylvania and New Orleans.

All indications are that this announcement will be early - like before breakfast time. We'll see.

Here's the update with the tour stops. Ohio was skipped this time which I guess means no Motley for me.

Feb. 2: San Diego (Cox Arena)
Feb. 4: Reno, Nev. (Reno Events Center)
Feb. 6-7: Las Vegas (the Joint)
Feb. 10: Omaha, Neb. (Quest Center)
Feb. 11: Moline, Ill. (iWireless Center)
Feb. 13: Grand Rapids, Mich. (Van Andel Arena)
Feb. 14: Madison, Wis. (Alliant Energy Center)
Feb. 15: Rockford, Ill. (Metro Centre)
Feb. 17: Des Moines, Iowa (Wells Fargo Arena)
Feb. 18: Saint Paul, Minn. (Xcel Energy Center)
Feb. 19: Green Bay, Wis. (Resch Center)
Feb. 21: Nashville (Sommet Center)
Feb. 22: Birmingham, Ala. (Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex)
Feb. 25: Greensville, S.C. (Bi-Lo Center)
Feb. 27: Lafayette, La. (Cajun Dome)
Feb. 28: New Orleans (New Orleans Arena)
March 3: Miami (Hard Rock Casino)
March 4: Orlando, Fla. (UCF Arena)
March 6: Atlantic City, N.J. (Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa)
March 7: Erie, Pa. (Erie Events Center)
March 8: Hershey, Pa. (Giant Center)
March 10: Ottawa, Ontario (Scotiabank Place)
March 11: Hamilton, Ontario (Copps Coliseum)
March 13: Uncasville, Conn. (Mohegan Sun Arena)
March 14: Baltimore (1st Mariner Arena)
March 16: New York (Madison Square Garden)
March 17: Manchester, N.H. (Verizon Wireless)
March 18: Portland, Maine (Cumberland County Civic Center)

Health Hazard?

A recent University of Maryland study (published on Gigwise.com) finds some Heavy Metal is actually hazardous to your health.

If you didn't click the link, I'll paraphrase. Basically the article finds that Heavy Metal causes stress, which is bad for your heart. Apparently the best music for your heart is "John Denver country-style."

Scientists asked 10 non-smokers to avoid listening to their favorite music. Then, these volunteers rocked out to the controlled samples. The study found..."that volunteer's arteries opened 26% wider on average during music they liked but narrowed by 6% when 'anxious' music was played."

The problem here, of course, is that there is no regard for human emotion. Fast music just might make your heart rate speed up a little. I don't think this is necessarily a bad thing. Also, I don't like John Denver. I could guess that listening to him for a long time would stress me out - thus causing my arteries narrow.

I get crazy over silly medical studies that demonize Metal. I think the article forgets most of the facts, so I don't want to unfairly judge the study. Still, I find it hard not to scream "give me a break" at the top of my lungs to anyone that will listen.

I Wish I Could Attend a GnR Listening Party...

As I continue to get older (29 now, thank you) I tend to realize that I like living in Ohio more and more. Sure, I like to travel. Actually, I love traveling. I like going to beaches and cities and anywhere in between. Still, at the end of the day, I usually decide there's a lot I like about Ohio. That said, right now I'm wishing I lived somewhere else.

Guns n' Roses are throwing free Chinese Democracy listening parties in big cities all over the country. Places like New York City, Chicago and Detroit all get parties. I get squat.

During the listening party, fans will get to hear Chinese Democracy for the "first" time. Naturally, you can't have any electronic devices while attending the party - but still - I can do wonders with a pen and notepad.

As we all know, Chinese Democracy is set to finally release November 23 through Best Buy. The thing about the listening parties is not that you get to hear the music. It's that you are experiencing a special moment with a bunch of other people. In a lot of ways, the release of Chinese Democracy encompasses the entire zeitgeist of a generation. The kids who grew up on Appetite for Destruction now have jobs - and their own families. While Appetite was dangerous, ChiDem is a bit of mystery which will likely fail to live up to the impossible hype. For some, hearing new Guns n' Roses music in over a decade in a room full of strangers is a bit like reliving the past. In a sense, Axl Rose's over-litigious ways have kept us all from illegally downloading Chinese Democracy in our homes. Sure, plenty of you have ripped off the band and the labels, but others have stood strong. The ones that have stood strong - like me - would like a shot at hearing the album before the release date. This is the beauty of the listening party. Sure, people make fun of Axl's attorneys and their cease and desist letters - but consider this: in a time when most of us only relate to family and friends through machines and other tech toys, Axl Rose has forced humans to come together once again (face-to-face no less!) to listen to music. You know, the way it was back in the 1980s.

Since I don't live in a big city, I'll just wait until release day to get my hands on Chinese Democracy. In the meantime, let me know if you're going to one of these listening parties. I'd like to hear about your experience.

No Booklet - No Waste?

Earlier this week I reviewed the new Sammy Hagar disc. I mentioned that CD was packaged in an environmentally friendly way: with no book. The more I think about it, I can't help but wonder how much we're missing without those precious liner booklets.

Seriously, I've never thrown a single CD away in my life. That means no jewel cases in the landfill - and no booklets there, either. I don't know too many music lovers that just pitch CDs, cases and booklets. I think distributing albums in digipacks made of recycled materials is great. I think skipping the booklet and sending fans to a website for liner information is bad.

I've written about my love of liner notes in the past. I am absolutely bummed when I buy a new CD only to find there's no book - or just a folded insert. I like booklets that include lyrics and production credits. This might be selfish, if so, I apologize.

I'm trying to reduce my carbon footprint. I recycle at home and at work. I only wash clothes in cold water. I'm a strict vegetarian. I avoid taking plastic bags at stores when not necessary. I drive a tiny car and I don't go many places that are unplanned. I think this allows me my liner booklet.

Seriously, if we all did a little more to save the earth - like some of the stuff I just listed above - we could keep liner notes. These notes are the personal link for fans to a band. How else are we supposed to learn a band's most ardent supporters? Their family members? Their endorsement deals?

Now, if you simply buy a CD and chuck the case in the rubbish can, shame on you. That's irresponsible to the earth and disrespectful to the music. Still, I highly doubt many of you out there make this a common practice.

When a CD case says "Visit [INSERT NAME] website here for album credits" it's more a marketing ploy than fan appreciation. Sure, some fans (like me) might log on to see who produced and engineered - but a lot of people will get side tracked with artist news, forums...and crap for sale. I think the web should be used in tandem with more traditional marketing - and that includes a paper CD booklet.

Thoughts?

Skid Row Added to Rock Gone Wild 2009

ALGONA, IOWA (November 11, 2008) - It makes sense that the "youth gone wild" would play Rock Gone Wild! New Jersey rockers Skid Row will play the inaugural Rock Gone Wild festival in Algona, Iowa August 20-23, 2009. Tickets are available now.

In the beginning, there were five guys that set out to make a name in the music world. It didn't take long for said boys to become men among an already crowded 80s Metal scene. They didn't play by the rules, and they didn't care: Skid Row was destined for success. Success indeed: the band's self titled debut and follow-up Slave to Grind are both multi-platinum. Since that time, Skid Row has continued to make records and tour tirelessly. These days, Johnny Solinger fronts the band - with more energy than ever. Expect a live set to feature classic hits and newer songs from the albums Thickskin and Revolutions Per Minute. Skid Row are Johnny Solinger (vocals), Rachel Bolan (bass), Dave "Snake" Sabo (guitar), Scotti Hill (guitar) and Dave Gara (drums). You already know Park Avenue leads to Skid Row. In August 2009, Algona, Iowa turns into Skid Row!

Rock Gone Wild fans are able to purchase tickets at all three price levels: platinum, VIP and general admission. Platinum ticket holders are allowed exclusive access to the Sinners Lounge. The Sinners Lounge features buffet style lunch, dinner and nightly snacks daily; liquor and beer, soft drinks and water - all to enjoy in an air conditioned tent. The Sinners Lounge is the perfect nightclub setting for all rock fans! Platinum ticket holders sit in the first ten rows. Just 250 tickets remain at this price level.

VIP ticket holders also get special Rock Gone Wild privileges. These ticket holders will sit in rows 11-30, enjoy buffet style lunch, dinner and late night snacks daily, plus beer, soft drinks and water. VIP fans will enjoy their food and drink in air-conditioned tents. General admission tickets are also available. To purchase tickets, please visithttp://tickets.rockgonewild.com.

Rock Gone Wild will take place at the Freedom Park festival grounds, located at 2507- 160^th Avenue in Algona, Iowa. On-site camping packages are available. The Rock Gone Wild grounds will feature a general store for last minute purchases.

Skid Row joins Kix, Great White, Dangerous Toys, Helix, Saigon Kick, Rhino Bucket and Junkyard to the already announced Rock Gone Wild lineup. Visit www.rockgonewild.com or www.anatomyofafestival.wordpress.com each Tuesday for a new band announcement. Headline acts to be named soon!

Rock now. Rock on. Rock wild.
***

Some Free Stuff from Bring Back Glam!

Want some free Glam courtesy of Bring Back Glam?

I feel like giving some stuff away. I've got tons of CDs and other glam related goods.

To one lucky winner, I'll give a copy of the Tonight You Rock disc All Comes Down to You and Sammy Hagar's new one Cosmic Universal Fashion. I'll also throw in a BBG! T-shirt - and a couple other items I won't list here. Think of the extra items as Glam's little surprises from above.

If you want my prize pack - which might actually make someone a nice holiday gift if you're broke - just send an email to allyson@bringbackglam.com. Make sure you enter by 11:59 E.S.T. on Friday, November 14, 2008. I'll take all the names and draw a winner.

Update on Thursday, November 20, 2008 at 02:06PM by Allyson B. Crawford

I'm pleased to announce that David Lawrence has won the prize!

Thank you all for entering! The response blew me away.

Sammy Hagar's Cosmic Universal Fashion - The Bring Back Glam! Album Review

Sammy Hagar will release Cosmic Universal Fashion November 18th. This album is straight Sammy, guitar and all. The album also marks the first release for Loud and Proud, which is a RoadRunner Records imprint. Cosmic Universal Fashion is nice and heavy - with a definite nod toward the Montrose days. The album features Michael Anthony, Billy Duffy, Matt Sorum and Billy Gibbons!  One listen and I was hooked.

The tracklisting:

1. Cosmic Universal Fashion
2. Psycho Vertigo
3. Peephole
4. LOUD (Featuring Matt Sorum and Billy Duffy)
5. Fight for Your Right to Party
6. Switch On the Light
7. When the Sun Don't Shine
8. 24365
9. I'm on a Roll
10. Dreams/Cabo

There's a good reason track number five looks familiar. Sammy does a fine job covering the Beastie Boy's signature tune. When Sammy Hagar played Rock the Bayou, he closed his set with "Fight With Your Right to Party" - and it fit. The song fits here, too. Of course, Sammy juiced it up a bit and made it less rap and more rock - as it should be, natch.

Overall, the guitar work on Cosmic Universal Fashion is strong. Heavy in quite a lot of places, but not overpowering for the artist. That said, "LOUD" is probably my favorite song on the CD. Sammy doesn't need the help of Matt Sorum or Billy Duffy, but their presence is a nice touch.

Mellow Sammy is here, too. "When the Sun Don't Shine" sounds a little country. Sammy likes to dip his toe in the twang waters from now and then. "When the Sun Don't Shine" is probably my least favorite track on Cosmic Universal Fashion. I prefer the heavier side of Sammy, but I appreciate his effortless ability to cross over to many genres.

As you would imagine, "Dreams/Cabo Wabo" is a remake of the song he originally sang with Van Halen. Cosmic Universal Fashion gives the tune the live remake treatment. The addition of the live track means stage banter which I can always do without, but this is my only real complaint about the album. "Dreams" itself is a decent song - it was never one of my favorite Van Halen tunes, but it serves a purpose. Naturally, the crowd sings along loudly. That's par for the course at any Sammy show. I'm not sure where or when the track was recorded. Cosmic Universal Fashion is delivered in an environmentally sound digipack - that means "no booklet/no waste." The digipack sent me to Sammy's official website - but the credits page for Cosmic Universal Fashion doesn't seem ready. No matter - we'll figure it out soon enough I'm sure.

If you're looking for a solid rock record, I'd give Cosmic Universal Fashion a shot. This isn't Sammy Hagar's career defining moment, but the rock is still damn good.

Here's the video for the album's title track. It's a modern remake of the concept for Van Halen's "Right Now." It also features our friend Michael Anthony.