It's Been 20 Years...

I cannot believe Bon Jovi's New Jersey was released 20 years ago. On this date 20 years ago, the album was number one on the American charts. New Jersey features some of Bon Jovi's biggest hits - and my favorite - "Bad Medicine." I played that 45 over and over again when I was kid. That's what happens when you don't have a lot of records: the ones you do have you tend to spin quite a lot.

Some great Bon Jovi live moments:

"Bad Medicine" back in 1989

"Lay Your Hands on Me" from 1993

"I'll Be There for You" from 1996

Ah, how I long for the days of classic Bon Jovi.

Nice SIXX: AM Giveaway

If you don't already own a copy of either The Heroin Diaries or the accompanying soundtrack, I can help. The Heroin Diaries is now released in paperback. That means you can save a couple bucks if you want to pick up a copy for yourself or a friend. Anyway, to celebrate the paperback reissue of The Heroin Diaries, I'm giving away a copy of the book...and the CD.

One reader will win a copy of the book. Another will win the CD. I wanted to combine the items for a bigger prize, but Motley Crue's publicity team said no.

Do you want either the book or the CD? To win, send me an email. Tell me who you think would make a better U.S. president: Nikki Sixx or Mick Mars. You must explain your answer. Feel free to use words like "socialist," "conservative," "terrorism," "bank crisis," "9/11," "whig" and "strippers." The most amusing answer wins. Since the publicity group is doing prize fulfillment this time, the contest is only open to US residents - and no PO boxes, either. Please submit your responses to allyson@bringbackglam.com by 11:59 pm EST on Friday, October 3, 2008. I can't wait to read these responses!

One of my favorite SIXX: AM songs - "Tomorrow"

You Can Buy Motley Crue's Reissued Catalog (Again) Today

Motley Crue has already reissued their catalog - and now it's happening again. The big news today is that those reissues are out on vinyl.

I already own all the classic Motley albums on vinyl. I love the album art and big insert that come with records.  I also love the crackle and pop that occurs the second a listener drops the needle to the vinyl. I'm told Too Fast For Love, Shout at the Devil, Theatre of Pain, Girls, Girls, Girls, Dr.  Feelgood  and Saints of Los Angeles  are available on 180 gram vinyl on 11/25.  (Yeah, I don't know what this means, but I'll assume it's good).

I probably won't spend any money on these reissues since I already own a complete collection - but I will add the vinyl copy of Saints of Los Angeles to my holiday list.

Will you purchase this new reissued collection?

You can purchase those vinyl records here.

Coming in December...

 
A contract dispute has forced Kix to move one of their upcoming shows. You can now see Kix at either Riverdale, New Jersey or Farmingdale, New York.

The shows are:

Friday December 12th - Dexter’s Entertainment Complex – Riverdale, New Jersey. Tickets.

Saturday December 13th - Club Loaded at The Crazy Donkey – Farmingdale, New York. Tickets.

If the economy isn't in the complete crapper by December, I'll be at the Farmingdale, New York show. If we're in a great depression...well, I guess I'll be listening to Kix on my iPod.

If you want to attend either show, I'd recommend buying tickets early. Kix shows sell out - and these two dates are no different.

These two shows will likely be your last chance to see the Maryland rockers for quite a few months.

*Photo credit: Kix Myspace. No copyright assumed.

Dirty Rhythm?

Does anyone remember Dirty Rhythm?

It dawned on me recently that I don't think I've ever mentioned these guys. Dirty Rhythm formed in the very late 1980s in Oregon. The band sounds a lot like Sebastian Bach-era Skid Row. Dirty Rhythm have a rough edge to their sleaze sound.

The band has two official albums, released more than a decade apart. The 1991 debut, Hard As a Rock features all the Glam sounds you love. I think Dirty Rhythm just got lost in the shuffle. In 2006, reissue label Suncity released Never Cleaned Up, a series of lost songs.

Dirty Rhythm released a video to support Hard As a Rock. The clip for "Feel the Fire" is below. You'll notice the song is catchy as hell. Of course, we all know there's no rhyme or reason why some bands hit and others just sort of fade away.

I'd love to have Hard As a Rock on CD, but I don't think that will happen. Copies of this obscure disc go for a ton of cash.

Are you familiar with Dirty Rhythm? Do you have their debut album?

Photo: Suncity Records. No copyright assumed.

Worst. Glam. Cover. Ever.

The first time I heard Sheryl Crow's version of "Sweet Child O' Mine" I was in some random bar in Washington, D.C. Crow's version offended me so much, the hair on my arm sort of stood on end and I ranted a little. Ok, a lot. I remember thinking "I am so writing about this song" but a few days passed and I forgot my rage. Forgot, that is, until I heard the real "Sweet Child O' Mine" by Guns n' Roses - and then the anger came rushing back.

There are only a few songs that cannot be covered. "Sweet Child O' Mine" is one of those songs. Especially by a pop singer. A female pop singer.

I have to be honest here: I don't hate Sheryl Crow. I've seen her in concert. Her live show is decent. She is not, however, anywhere near as good as Guns n' Roses - and her version of "Sweet Child O' Mine" makes me want to cringe. The song is perfect. It didn't need covered - or changed - in any way, shape or form. It certainly didn't need a modern video.

I have nothing else to say. Just watch the video. Tell me if I'm being too harsh. Something tells me you'll see it my way.

You Can Vote for Your Favorite (Sort Of)

Classic Rock Magazine is running a contest right now where you can vote for your favorite album of the year, event of the year, band of the year...and so on. Click here to get started.

The contest is good in that it honors many legacy acts, including bands we love here like Whitesnake and Def Leppard. The contest also leaves the door open for brand new bands (with a best new act category) and choices like Foo Fighters for the band of the year category.

I think such contests are basically good, but overall there seems to be a lot of missing categories and weak choices. I'll let you make up your own mind on that after you go to the link and make your opinion known.

The best categories are not open to fan vote. The writers at Classic Rock will weigh in and give their opinion on "Metal Guru," "Comeback of the Year" and "Classic Album."

I'm just a nobody, but I'm good enough to write for Classic Rock, so here are my choices for the three categories I just mentioned:

Metal Guru: I might actually have to give this one to nutty Axl Rose. The man's a brilliant musician and he might have the shrewdest business brain in the business. There is word of a deal that puts the elusive Chinese Democracy in Best Buy stores by the end of the year. If this happens - watch out. Bring Back Glam! will go into overload.

Comeback of the Year: This one seems like a no-brainer. Motley Crue had a strong 2008, from their new album Saints of Los Angeles, to launching Crue Fest, to their massive Live Nation deal. Kudos to my beloved Glam boys - even if they hate the word Glam.

Classic Album: Sure I'm biased, but Aerosmith's Rocks is probably about the best rock album ever made. More than 30 years old, the songs still stand-up and out.

There. Go vote. Then - if you're American - make sure you're registered to vote in the upcoming presidential election. Remember: voting has no impact on jury duty selection, so please don't use that as an excuse.