Blue October - History For Sale

Discovered in a Coconuts Record Store by mistake, I did not know what to expect from Blue October. I was in the store searching for some Pearl Jam rarities when History For Sale was put on the house system. By the time the second song, Clumsy Card House filled the airwaves; I went right to the front desk and asked the clerk what was playing. Needless to say, I purchased the CD and certainly was not disappointed.

From the first notes of the opening track, it was apparent this CD was going to be something special. Ugly Side, the opening track of History For Sale, starts with haunting violin strings that draw the listener in and sets up for what turns out to be a fantastic leadoff song. Justin Furstenfeld sings with a smooth, heartfelt voice that compliments the music perfectly. “I only want you to see my favorite part of me/and not my ugly side” the chorus sings, enticing us all to remember that there are parts of ourselves that we would rather no one else knew, especially our new lovers.

The CD kicks into high gear for the third track, Razorblade. The heaviest song on the disc, Razorblade is a medley of loud, grinding guitars, heavy pounding drums, and angry cries of fear and frustration. It’s a great song to take your anxieties out on by wailing along at the top of your lungs.

Calling You is a romantic and sweet song that I learned all of the lyrics to by the third listen. It is an easy song to follow along and you’ll have it memorized by the fourth or fifth play. The lyrics are heartwarming and beautiful and the musical tune is catchy, one that will stick in your eardrum long after the song has stopped playing.

History For Sale dips slightly after Calling You, but I think that is more of a testament to how great that song is. The next few songs are memorable, but they lack the pop and zest that the first songs have. They don’t deliver the kick in the gut and the slap in the face that the earlier songs did.

The CD grabs hold again for Inner Glow, which is about rediscovering yourself and your passion. Furstenfeld sings with conviction about overcoming self-doubt and remembering who you are and finding the power to rise to the top again, which is your Inner Glow.

The CD ends on a clunker titled Amazing. It closes out with similar violins that opened the CD, but the song lacks potency. The best part of the last track however is the hidden bonus track – an acoustic version of Calling You which is SO worth the wait. It is a musical contrast to the original Calling You, but both versions are spectacular and powerful.

History For Sale does not disappoint by any stretch of the imagination. It is worthy of the investment of your money and your time, as it will be spun multiple times in your CD player. It’s a disc worth telling your friends about, and if you do, they’ll think that you’re cooler than you are, because of your great taste in music.

Ryo’s Rating: 8 (out of 10)

Track Listing
Ugly Side
Clumsy Card House
Razorblade
Calling You
Chameleon Boy
Sexual Powertrip (One Big Lie) Bla Bla
A Quiet Mind
3 Weeks, She Sleeps
Inner Glow
Somebody
Come in Closer
Amazing

Bruce Springsteen & The E-Street Band - August 9, 1999

Less than a month after my opening night in New Jersey fiasco, I was back at the Continental Airlines Arena for my second round of Bruce Springsteen & the E-Street Band. This was the bands 10th show out of a scheduled 12 in New Jersey during their reunion world tour supporting Tracks.

On that Monday night I was feeling alive, much better than the last time I saw them, and I was ready for a wonderful night of music and memories. My wife (at the time) and I were anxious to make up for what was missed the last time around.

Our seats were good ones, not as good as the July 15th show, but still pretty close to the stage, albeit behind the stage. We were dead center, 4 rows back, behind the stage, with a perfect view of the mighty Max Weinberg and his amazing drum kit.

The lights went dark, the crowd went nuts, and the opening notes of Darkness on the Edge of Town filled the arena. Goosebumps covered my arms. I was seeing Bruce for the 4th time and I was ecstatic.

The Ties That Bind was the second song up and everyone was on their feet for that one. The band delivered it note perfect, and it was an unexpected treat to my ears. I fell in love with the song at that moment and it has since become one of my favorite Springsteen rockers. The power behind that tune is mesmerizing and awe inspiring.

The highlight of the night came when the band pulled out Frankie, a song they had not performed live in over 20 years. I had gotten into the song through Tracks, but the live performance really made me embrace it in a way I never had before. I don’t know if Bruce has played this one live since, but I would love to hear it again at any show he does. The magic behind Frankie is the beauty of the song. A slow crooner with excellent piano work by Roy Bittain, quality vocals by Bruce and brilliant saxophone work by the Big Man.

In typical fashion, Bruce worked the crowd all night long. He commanded the fans to get on their feet, sing, dance, and have a good time. He was out to give us more than our money’s worth, and he delivered. Flawless execution of song after song, incredible audience interaction, and the ability to have the crowd do whatever he asked of them is what makes him the master band leader.

Whether it be demanding louder chants during the opening notes of Tenth Avenue Freeze-out, or giving it his all during Light of Day, or pulling out the rare beauties like Spirit in the Night or Frankie, each Springsteen concert is a decidedly different event. One could attend 15 different performances of the same tour and never see the same concert. Those who attend Bruce live for the first time are instant, life-long fans. The power of his performance is unprecedented and it showed, once again, on that hot summer night in 1999.

By the end of the night, Bruce and the band had left us breathless, drained, and still wanting more. It was an amazing night of memories and entertainment, but it was nothing compared to what I would experience two nights later, when I would see him for the final time in 1999.

Setlist
Darkness on the Edge of Town
The Ties That Bind
Prove It All Night
Two Hearts
Darlington County
Mansion on the Hill
The River
Youngstown
Murder Inc.
Badlands
Out In the Street
Tenth Avenue Freeze-out
Frankie
Working on the Highway
The Ghost of Tom Joad
Backstreets
Light of Day
Spirit in the Night
Bobby Jean
Born To Run
Encore
Thunder Road
If I Should Fall Behind
Land of Hopes and Dreams

Friday Night Video

Friday's Rockin' Roundup - Birthday Celebrations Edition

There are a lot of important birthdays coming up in the next two weeks for me. The first one is my God-daughter’s. Technically, her birthday has already passed, but the celebration for it is this weekend. She’s two years old and loves her God Daddy. I’m sure she likes her parents too.

My mother’s birthday is Monday. Happy Birthday Mom! Yes, I was kind enough to send her a card and a little something in the mail. Always be good to your mother. And I’ll be sure to call her on her birthday.

Lastly, my birthday is a week after my mother’s. I don’t know what my girls have planned for me this year, but I’m sure it involves going out to dinner (something I love to do). I just hope that I’m entitled to extra salt with my meal (the Mrs. is trying to keep me on a restricted salt diet) and ice cream cake. Beer wouldn’t be too bad either.

Here’s what happened in the world of rock and roll this week:

Sad, sad news to start with. Jay Bennet passed away earlier this week. Best known for his time in Wilco, Jay was a musical genius that rivaled Brian Jones of the Rolling Stones for most underrated band member. Jay brought a lot of different musical elements to Wilco during his tenure and made them a better band. His solo work was excellent as well. This news came as an unexpected shock to everyone. Jay was only 45 years old and working on new material, looking toward a brighter future.
Jay Bennet

Kiss has announced their opening act for their fan demanded 2009 tour – BUCKCHERRY. Cousin Ryo has just gotten much, much happier. Buckcherry and Kiss. That’s a great combination and a show that I am certainly looking forward to seeing. Read all about it here:
Buckcherry to open for Kiss

Bruce Springsteen & The E-Street Band just left New Jersey, but they’re already discussing their return. Tickets for the final concerts ever at Giants Stadium go on sale June 1st. Bruce and the band will be performing September 30th, October 2nd, and October 3rd. Your cousin Ryo is going to do everything he can to see at least two of these shows. Tickets range between $33 -$98 (plus fees, of course). You can try to get your tickets here:
Bruce Springsteen Tickets

This is an interesting little piece from Denver westword.com. They discuss 10 outdoor concert theaters worth taking a road trip to this summer. Even though none of my local venues were on ttheir list, I thought it was neat to see these other theaters across the US. One year I may have to take a summer trip to visit venues across the US. 10 Outdoor Concert Theaters

And finally, a shameless plug for myself. I’ve been asked to write the occasional CD review over at Hard Rock Hideout. My first one, for the Lou Gramm Band, went up this week. Enjoy!
Ryo’s Review of Lou Gramm Band

Blink 182 Reunion Tour

Three cheers for Blink 182 – touring done right! The first cheer is because they announced they decided to reunite. The second cheer is because tour dates have been announced (which means the tour is real). The third cheer is for the fact they are combating high ticket prices. What? A band working as hard as they can to lower ticket prices? That’s unheard of! Well, hear it now.

As reported on livedaily.com and Rolling Stone, Blink 182 will be launching a summer tour with lawn seat prices at $20, all inclusive. Which means, for once, $20 = $20. No extra fees, no hidden parking charge, no venue charge, no convenience fee, no you bought your ticket on a day of the week that ends in “Y” fee, just $20. No word on what the theater seats will cost, but I’m sure that the boys are doing all they can to keep those prices low too.

Opening acts for this tour include, The All American Rejects, Taking Back Sunday, Panic At The Disco, Weezer, Fall Out Boy, Chester French, and Asher Roth. With the exception of those last two bands (never heard of them until now), these are great opening acts. The openers rotate throughout the tour and no word on which band will open which shows. I’m hoping with crossed fingers for either The All American Rejects or Taking Back Sunday to play New Jersey. One of those bands with Blink for $20 all inclusive? SOLD!

The tour kicks off on July 24th in Las Vegas and runs through October 3rd in Atlantic City. Hmmm, should they call this the Gambling Across America tour?

Want to know more about the Blink 182 reunion or the happenings with the band? Check their website here: www.blink182.com.

Comments are open. Feel free to post some.

New Videos To Overwhelm Your Senses

I’ve stumbled across some cool new videos this past week and thought that I would be kind enough to share them. Enjoy!

First up is Shinedown with The Sound of Madness. This song is a balls to the wall rocker and the video is just as loud and eerie. And is it me, or does lead singer Brent Smith look a little too much like Ozzy Osbourne in the beginning of this video?



Next, we have the latest from the All American Rejects, The Wind Blows. This is one of the slower songs from their latest disc, When The World Comes Down.



And finally, here’s Buckcherry with their new music video for Talk To Me. In typical Buckcherry fashion, the guys keep it fun and loose.



Comments are open. Feel free to post some.

The Cars - Door To Door

In 1987, The Cars released their swan song album, Door to Door. It would be the last time that the world would hear The Cars together as the original unit that recorded all of their studio albums. A year after the release of Door to Door, The Cars would split up for good. No reunion with original members would ever take place, and it’s likely that one with the remaining living members (Benjamin Orr died of pancreatic cancer in 2000) will never occur. So is Door To Door worthy of adding to your classic rock collection? Let’s spin the disc and find out.

Door To Door kicks off with the psychedelic Leave or Stay, which is a signature, new wave sound in The Cars repertoire. Setting the pace for the rest of the disc, Leave or Stay is a nice opener that’s not quite rocker, not quite ballad, which has always been the sound of the Cars.

You Are The Girl is next on the disc and was also the first single released from Door To Door. The most amazing part of this song comes when Elliot Easton launches into the guitar solo. Not a very well known guitarist (The Cars were more known for synthesizer rock), Elliot’s guitar work stands out proudly on this song.

Double Trouble is a grinding rocker that offsets with the 80s pop synthesizers blending in with heavy guitar and a one-two bass and drum beat. Ric Ocasek’s vocals sound a little grittier for this tune. This is a slow riding rocker that’s bound to catch your ear and have you singing along, or at least blaring in your car.

Coming Up You is one of the better songs on the disc and a memorable Cars tune that got lost over the years. It bleeds right into the next song, Wound Up On You, and this transition works well as Coming Up You is a moderate tempo and Wound Up On You is a much slower tempo.

Wound Up On You is the slow ballad of the disc, the band’s attempt at recapturing Drive (from Heartbeat City). However, this song does not stand up to that massive hit. While a great song in its own right, there will never be another Drive. Would Up On You is a good, slow ballad, and fits Door To Door well.

Ric Ocasek’s vocals sound exceptional. He worked hard to get just the right pitch and tone and his vocals stand out on the disc. Elliott Easton does some exceptional guitar work and gets his moments to shine, which was rare in this band where synthesizers and pop sounds dominated. Elliot’s guitar playing is brilliant in spots and adds an extra layer to the music providing a higher overall quality.

For their final record, The Cars did an excellent job. Although while recording it, they did not know it would be their last, this album holds up well with their rest of their catalog and I highly recommend it to any Cars fan that may not yet own it, any fan of 80s music, and/or any fan of the new wave genre.

Ryo’s Rating: 7.5 (out of 10)

Track List
Leave or Stay
You Are the Girl
Double Trouble
Fine Line
Everything You Say
Ta Ta Wayo Wayo
Strap Me In
Coming Up You
Wound Up On You
Go Away
Door to Door

Van Halen - June 23, 2004

Back in 2004, Van Halen reunited with Sammy Hagar for a North American tour. Rumor has it they tried David Lee Roth first, but couldn’t agree on a dollar amount, so they went to Sammy, and never mentioned that they spoke to Dave. Van Halen/Hagar recorded three new songs and released a greatest hits package that they would tour behind, Best of Both Worlds. The tour began before the double disc set was even released.



Growing up, I was a huge fan of Van Halen. They a favorite band in high school and I never had the opportunity to experience them live, so this was a real treat for me. I was excited. I took my wife (who at the time was my fiancé) with me, as she liked Van Halen, but only the older version. I wasn’t sure how much she would like Van Hagar, but I knew that she would know a lot of songs.

And while I would have liked to see an original, full-on reunion, I was happy to see a Sammy-led reunion. Michael Anthony almost didn’t make the tour, but at the insistence of Sammy, and due to the fact that Eddie probably needed the money, the band came around and invited Michael to tour with them for a salary. Michael agreed for the opportunity to play with Sammy again and that was the only reason. The politics of rock and roll are always so childish.

We got to the venue (Continental Airlines Arena) in the afternoon and started our tailgating fun. It was late June, the weather was warm and the sun was out, a picture perfect day. With every minute that passed, my anticipation level rose. I kept talking about how Van Halen was one of my favorite bands when I was a teen, I kept speculating on what song they would open with, what song they would close with, and how they would sound overall. I couldn’t wait. We were sure to go in early enough to catch the opening act, because I couldn’t be outside any longer. I wanted this concert to start!

Shinedown was the opening act for the tour and although I am well versed in the band now, back in 2004 I did not have a clue who they were. I listened with an open mind, which is more than I can say for the people sitting behind us. They just kept shouting “Get off the stage! We want Van Halen!” Comments like those always bothered me. If you don’t want to see the opening act, then why are you in the building that early?

I ignored the tools behind us and did my best to concentrate on this unknown band. By the end of their set, I was impressed, and even made a mental note to pick up their CD. Of course, I never did and basically forgot all about them until recently, when they released The Sound Of Madness.

After Shinedown left the stage, my heart was racing. I was going to witness four of my youthful heroes in a rock concert. I had read the reviews and all signs pointed to the band getting along, so I was hopeful for a great performance. Sammy even mentioned in an interview that he was enjoying singing the old Dave songs, where in the past, he did not.

After a few moments of chatting with my fiancé about which songs they would perform (she wanted all older Dave tunes), what she thought of the opening act (she didn’t really care for them), and what songs they would close with (no idea), the house lights went down and Van Halen took the stage.

The first thing I noticed, before I even observed the band, was how empty the arena was. This was truly disappointing. This was the first time the band had toured together since 1995 and no one was coming to see them. The half-empty arena appeared morgue-esque.

The opening notes of You Really Got Me hit the air, and I quickly forgot about the lack of people so I could focus on the music. Sammy singing this Dave-era classic did not come off as well as it could have. There’s just something about Sammy singing Dave songs. They don’t go over well and this opener was no exception.

From there, the band launched into the classic Runaround and the show was off and running. A lot of Sammy-era VH songs were played, and rightfully so. This was the Sammy fronted version of the band and they had enough hits of their own to keep the crowd happy.



Human Being was next, and regardless of what previous reviews have said, I loved hearing this song live. It was a favorite of mine and to hear it in a live setting was music to my ears. Sammy’s vocal range may not have been in top form, as he did have some trouble hitting the higher notes for this one, but I was singing so loud that it didn’t matter. Truly a great moment of the night for me.

The band was in good shape and appeared to get along fairly well. There were a few jabs here and there during the course of the night, especially when Sammy mentioned that the band had been out drinking the night before. Eddie immediately corrected him to say that “He (Sammy) had been out drinking.” Eddie was still trying to prove to the world that he was clean and sober, but as the night wore on, the crowd would be able to see through that false sense of purity.

Michael Anthony took the lead vocals for Somebody Get Me A Doctor, as he did during the 1997 tour with Gary Cherone at the mic, and I thought this was a nice touch. Somebody Get Me A Doctor is one of those lost classics that I never thought I would hear live. A nice treat for the die-hard fans.

The surprise of the evening was The Seventh Seal from Balance. I always thought this was a great song that never got its due, so to hear it live during the reunion paid the justice it was deserved. A loud, screechy rocker, with typical Sammy vocals, this song cooked that night.

Top of the World, Best of Both Worlds, and Dreams were true highlights for me. Each song sounded as great as it did the day it was released, and helped to re-cement my love for Hagar-era VH.

The best part of the night came during Eddie’s guitar solo. He took the stage by himself and launched into a long, 20 minute jam, just him and his guitar. He played Cathedral, mixed in some new riffs, and just let himself go wild, playing what he wanted. I was mesmerized by his ability and stood there with my jaw slightly ajar. Seeing this guitar God man that axe the way he did was an experience that may never be matched.

At the end of his solo, Eddie lay on his back claiming he was spent. That was when the opening notes of 316 filled the arena, only it wasn’t Eddie playing the guitar anymore. Low and behold, walking out onstage was what Eddie claimed to be “the future.” Eddie’s son, Wolfgang Van Halen, stood front and center next to his old man, and together they finished 316. Needless to say, the crowd roared their approval and it was the loudest they had been all night. Two generations of Van Halen on one stage. Priceless.

For the encore, Eddie walked out with a Devils jersey in his hands and held it out to the crowd. They, of course, went ballistic for this, and Eddie, with a mile wide grin, slipped the Jersey on top of Sammy and they played the next song. Jump was the first encore song and it was well received. Again, I didn’t particularly care to hear Sammy sing this song, but the crowd certainly enjoyed it as did my fiancé.

Panama followed next and I thought that this was performed real well, even with Sammy at the mic. The pounding drums of Alex and Eddie’s excellent riffs helped build the song up and Sammy sang it as best he could, which was quite good.

When It’s Love was the last song of the evening, and it made me smile with nostalgia. In high school, this was a song that my girlfriend and I dubbed “our song.” It brought back some good memories and had me singing at the top of my lungs.

The night came to an end after this and I went home truly satisfied. It would be the only time I saw Van Halen live, but it was a great time. There will most likely never be another chance to see Van Hagar, and there may never be another chance to see Michael Anthony play bass in Van Halen. I was glad to see them when I could, and to have been a part of that magical night.

Setlist
You Really Got Me
Runaround
Human Being
Up For Breakfast
Bass Solo
Somebody Get Me A Doctor
Poundcake
It's About Time
Drum Solo
Top of the World
Unchained
Why Can't This be Love?
Eagles Fly
Seventh Seal
Best of Both Worlds
Guitar Solo
Dreams
Ain't Talkin' bout Love
Right Now
Encore
Jump
Panama
When It's Love

Friday Night Video

Friday's Rockin' Roundup - Memorial Day Weekend Edition

This weekend marks Memorial Day here in the US, a day to reflect and remember those who have died while serving our country. Though most people recognize this holiday as the unofficial kick start to summer, a lot of us tend to forget the true meaning of the day. Backyard barbeques and pool parties are nice, but if you get the chance, thank a veteran. Visit the grave of a soldier who died defending our freedoms. Take a moment to reflect on all those who have served our country. It’s amazing when you stop to think about it. US soldiers were fighting the fight and laying their lives on the line so we can enjoy life’s pleasures and freedoms without worry. This Memorial Day, take a moment to remember those who have died for us.

Bruce Springsteen has returned to the great state of New Jersey for a 2-night stand at the IZOD Center. You can see last night’s setlist here http://www.backstreets.com/setlists.html. I’ll be attending tomorrow’s show, so you can expect a full report in the near future.

The Glam Mistress has her full report of Rock on the Range, the first of the many summer festivals. I must say that I am a bit jealous. Not only did she get a sit down interview with Josh Todd of Buckcherry, she also got to hang with Mick Mars and Tommy Lee. Now that’s cool.
http://www.bringbackglam.com/journal/2009/5/19/rock-on-the-range-day-2-review.html

Aerosmith are recruiting a band to open for their summer tour and it could be yours. Now my cynical side may be showing here, but didn’t Motley Crue already do this for their winter tour? Details on how your band can open for Aerosmith and ZZ Top are here.
http://www.aeroforceone.com/

And finally, Toad the Wet Sprocket are going on tour this summer. Nothing about a New Jersey show, but a rock and roll guy can hope. I love Toad and I’ve never seen them live, so this summer would be as good a time as any for me to change that. I’m hoping that more dates will be added in the near future. Details can be found at this link:
http://www.livedaily.com/news/19130.html

Iron Maiden - Flight 666: The Film

Iron Maiden has finally decided to recognize me as one of their biggest fans by celebrating my birthday with the release of Flight 666: The Film in multiple formats. That’s right, on June 9th in the USA (May 25th in England), the long awaited documentary and concert film will be available in stores and online.

The documentary details the first leg of their legendary 2008 Somewhere Back In Time Tour which Bruce Dickinson flew the band around the world in their own personalized jet. The 2nd disc includes the entire concert filmed at multiple stops on the tour.

For this epic release, the following versions will be available:
· Long play Blu-Ray with 12 page color booklet
· Limited Edition Double DVD (documentary and concert film) with stitched 40-page souvenir booklet
· Standard Double DVD
· Double CD of the concert: Flight 666: The Original Soundtrack Album with 16-page color booklet
· Limited Edition double picture disc vinyl in gatefold sleeve with printer color inner bags

Track Listing (for concert DVD & soundtrack)
Aces High
2 Minutes to Midnight
Revelations
The Trooper
Wasted Years
The Number of the Beast
Can I Play With Madness
Rime of the Ancient Mariner
Powerslave
Heaven Can Wait
Run to the Hills
Fear of the Dark
Iron Maiden
Moonchild
The Clairvoyant
Hallowed Be Thy Name

Of course you can expect a full review once I get and watch the DVD. Up the Irons on June 9th!

Comments are open. Feel free to post some.

Pearl Jam Tour Dates

It appears that Pearl Jam is gearing up for a late summer/early fall run. A quick check of their website shows that date and locations are slowly trickling in.

Here’s what we have so far:
08/13/09
Sportspaleis Ahoy
Rotterdam, Netherlands

8/15/09
Wuhlheide
Berlin, Germany

8/17/09
Manchester Evening News Arena
Manchester, England

8/18/09
O2 Arena
London, UK

8/21/09
Molson Amphitheatre
Toronto, Ontario

8/23/09
United Center
Chicago, Illinois

8/24/09
United Center
Chicago, Illinois

8/28/09
Outside Lands Festival
San Francisco, California

10/4/09
Austin City Limits
Austin, Texas

Your cousin Ryo’s fingers are crossed for a NY/NJ stop in the fall.

Here’s a direct link so you can check back often for updates:
www.pearljam.com/tour

Comments are open. Feel free to post some.

Anthrax - Among The Living

If you like your rock loud, hard, fast, and heavy, then Anthrax’s Among The Living is a disc for you. Released in 1987 at the height of their career with the classic lineup in tact, Among The Living is a hard rocking trip through a heavy metal massacre. Is Among The Living worth seeking out on ITunes? Let’s spin the disc and find out!

Among The Living opens with the title track which starts with a slow build before the pounding drums, played by none other than Charlie Benante, come crashing into the song and set the tempo for the rest of the album. The lyrics were inspired by Stephen King’s The Stand a post apocalyptic novel of dark times and the remaining humans of the world that fought to overcome them.

Efilnikufesin(N.F.L.) is a powerful song and a great play on words. The heavy backbeat of the drums, the rip of the massive guitar work, and the blistering pace at which this song is performed will have you banging your head in no time.

A lot of Stephen King must have been read when recording this album, because the lyrics to A Skeleton In The Closet were inspired by the novella, Apt Pupil, which can be found in King’s amazing book of 4 novellas, Different Seasons. The song speaks about all of the evils that people can have hidden in their past and the drastic measures they take to keep these hidden. It also describes what could happen if these evil pasts are unleashed in the present.

Indians is hands down the best song on the disc and quite possibly the best Anthrax song ever recorded. The powerful fast rhythm and cascading drums give the song a life that most songs just don’t have. The chorus is infectious and if you’re not crying for the Indians by the second time you listen to this song, you may not have a rock soul.

The rhythm section of Scott Ian, Frank Bello, and Charlie pull the music together with great timing. Powerful bass chords, deafening drums, and heavy rhythm guitar played faster than a speeding bullet keep the time moving at warp speed. Joe Belladonna’s vocals are a perfect fit for this brand of speed rock. Not quite singing, not quite screaming, Joey’s voice blends well with the superfast music and pulls everything together flawlessly.

The chord changes and musical progression on Among The Living is a drastic tempo shift that works. There are no ballads on this disc and no radio friendly tunes. Every song is a trip through blistering speed punk metal played at a volume that is loud and a tempo that is lightning quick.

With songs that rock heavier than most, Among The Living is pure, classic Anthrax. If you like your music hard and rough, than this is a disc for you, and Anthrax is definitely a band worth spending time with.

Ryo’s Rating: 8 (out of 10)

Track Listing
Among The Living
Caught In A Mosh
I Am The Law
Efilnikufesin (N.F.L.)
A Skeleton In The Closet
Indians
One World
A.D.I./Horror Of It All
Imitation Of Life

Poison/Ratt - July 10, 1999

In 1999, Poison announced they were reuniting with CC Deville and all original members were going on tour together for the first time in over a decade. With luck on my side, I was able to score two tickets in section 102, dead center, approximately 20 rows from the stage. The tickets were some of the best I’ve ever had, and they were only $25. Apparently, not a lot of people were excited by the prospect of a Poison reunion in 1999.

Teaming up with Ratt, Great White, and LA Guns, Poison was leading the hair metal revival and taking their show on the road for the summer through amphitheaters across America. Our concert happened to fall on a Saturday night in early July, which meant tailgating and good times for us. I was attending the concert at the PNC Bank Arts Center (formerly the Garden State Arts Center) with my best friend, Tommy.

The show was scheduled to start at 6:00PM due to the amount of bands that were playing, which meant hours of head banging hair metal, reliving our high school glory. When we walked into the theater, I remember showing my ticket to the first checker we saw and being waved down to lower seats. The next checker waved us down even lower. The one after that guided us to our seats and I kept thinking to myself, “How close to the stage are we?” Well, the answer was, pretty damn close. We were 20 rows from center stage with stacks of speakers in front of us and no earplugs to be had. This was going to be one loud experience, but a whole lot of fun.

LA Guns came out first, and I would like to say that I recall a lot of them, but I don’t. I was never a huge fan of LA Guns, I liked them and appreciated the music they made, I even own a copy of Cocked and Loaded, but that’s all. I only wanted to hear two songs from them; Electric Gypsy, and Ballad of Jayne. I got both wishes filled and Ballad was the near the end, performed flawlessly, and a real great way to start off the evening. Hearing that song live took me back to summers spent sitting in the parking lot of our local Roy Rogers, hanging out until the sun came up, and sharing nothing but good times.

Great White was next, and what I remember most about them is that they kept promoting a new album coming out soon called, You Can’t Get There From Here. I was in disbelief. These clowns were really coming out with a new album? I only remembered Great White for one song, and it wasn’t theirs. I had never gotten into them, and I only owned …Twice Shy, which I purchased on the strength of the song, Once Bitten, Twice Shy, only to learn that it was an Ian Hunter song. I thought the rest of the album was crap, and even to this day, when I am a much more objective listener, I am not crazy about the record.

Of course Great White played Once Bitten, Twice Shy, and it was one of their last songs, and it was great to hear. They also performed Rock Me which is a song I liked and remembered from them. Other than that, I couldn’t tell you what they played, or what they sounded like. Tommy and I were too busy laughing about the fact that Great White were promoting their forthcoming album after every song. Yeah, we get it, you have a new record coming out and you’d like us to buy it when it hits the store later that summer. If I didn’t buy your old albums, I probably won’t buy your new one either.

Ratt manned the stage next and this was something I had waited all night for. I had never seen them live and as a kid, I worshipped this group. Their brand of sleazy hair metal and odes to women were played constantly through my home stereo and walkman when I was a teenager. I was excited to see them, especially being close enough to almost touch them.

I certainly don’t remember what they opened with or all of the songs they played, but I can definitely recall enough. First, they too were promoting a new album, and I had no idea they were working on one. Simply titled Ratt the new disc was due out in the fall, and I would eventually end up buying it.

There were only 3 original members of Ratt performing due to Juan Croucier deciding not to participate in the reunion (Robbie Crane from Vince Neil’s solo band was filling in on bass) and Robbin Crosby physically unable to take on the grueling task of a long tour.

Ratt catapulted to the stage with a loud opening. Of course, sitting 20 rows from the speakers with no earplugs wasn’t the wisest decision, but the volume was definitely cranked and Ratt ripped into the hits during their 90 minute performance. Back For More, Lay It Down, Way Cool Jr., Wanted Man, and other big hits were played at maximum volume.

As for stage presence, Ratt didn’t really have any. No one ran around like a madman. Stephen Pearcy barely moved, probably afraid to stray too far from the lyrics monitor. They were not very mobile, unlike the band that was coming up after them.

Pearcy and Ratt sounded great. They were note perfect on most songs, and Stephen’s voice was strong. Unlike when they would tour again in ’07, this version of Ratt felt fresh and left me wanting more.

Their big encore was of course Round and Round and Ratt brought the house down with that. Performed album perfect, the crowd was on their feet, dancing and singing as loud as they could, and Tommy and I were having a blast! Sweat dripped off my forehead, a feeling of uncontrollable giddiness, and a euphoric sense of happy engulfed me. A Ratt concert was everything I had hoped for. And the night was not over yet.

Ratt said their goodbyes and left us breathing heavy after their amazing encore. That left only one band to perform. The band we all came to see. I had never seen them live and I had always wanted to as a teenager. This was going to be an amazing moment, I could just sense it.

The lights went dark for the final time and the house announcer moaned into the microphone, “Ladies and Gentleman…! From Hollywood California… Please welcome…POISON!”

The opening notes of Look What The Cat Dragged In filled the air and I went nuts. Standing straight, fist high in the sky, I was pumped. Rikki Rockett jumped behind the drum kit, Bobby Dahl sauntered onto the stage and CC came dashing out, playing the opening riff of the song. Then, with a huge fiery explosion from behind the drums, Brett Michaels pranced onto the stage,

front and center, with a leopard skin cowboy hat and a fur coat. This was Poison in all their glory.

After Look What The Cat Dragged In, Brett lost the coat and hat, but he didn’t lose his moves or his voice. Hit after hit after hit were played that night, all from Poison’s first three releases. In no particular order (since I can’t recall the exact order of the set list), I Want Action, Unskinny Bop, Fallen Angel, Your Mama Don’t Dance, and Love On The Rocks were all performed loud and proud.

Watching my high school heroes live made me feel like I was 17 again. CC looked great and his guitar playing was still stellar. I always felt that he was an underrated guitarist, overshadowed by the other guitar Gods of his day. CC could hold his own against any of them. Brett’s voice was still powerful and sounded as good as it did on the albums. The rhythm section of Bobby Dahl and Rikki Rockett blended everything perfectly. We were witnessing a glam slam party jam taking place on stage in New Jersey.

Tommy and I sang every word to every song as loud as we could. We were feeling the party atmosphere and enjoying the slight nostalgic recapturing of our youth. Poison closed out their set with Nothing But A Good Time and I found all of my reserve energy for that one. I had nothing but a good time that night and Poison was a big part of the reason why.

Their one song encore was, of course, their biggest hit and it would send us home happy. Talk Dirty To Me would be the last song of the evening and it was brilliant. With the opening line of “Hit it CC!” the intro guitar solo was launched and the entire crowd was on their feet screaming at maximum volume from the front row all the way to the top of the lawn. And baby…talk dirty to me.

Poison had come to New Jersey and they had conquered along with the friends they brought out on tour with them. It was a night to remember and a evening filled with fun and fond memories of the past, shared with a great friend.

Friday Night Video

Friday's Rockin' Roundup - Camping & Rafting Edition

I’m heading out on my annual rafting trip this weekend, much earlier than usual (September). However, there are two trips planned this year, with the second trip being for a higher class of rapids, quite possibly back in West Virginia, but it may end up that we go kayaking down the Delaware. Either way, it’s always a lot of fun. I love rafting, seeing nature, camping, and enjoying the quality time with close friends. It’s hard to compare the outdoor experience with anything else, it’s a thrilling connection with nature and life, and this is a trip that I look forward to every year.

And while I was checking my camping supplies and stocking up on charcoal, here’s what rocked this week:

Wilco released the artwork for their new album, and yes that is a real camel. Or, so we’ve been told. Interesting cover art in any event, and I am looking forward to the end of June when the new album will be available for my audio pleasure.
www.wilcoworld.net/news/index.php

Taking Back Sunday’s new CD comes out on June 2nd. Cool. They are about to embark on a quick tour of the US to “road test” their songs. Even cooler. They’ve mentioned that they might do a cover CD in the future. Not cool at all. Please, enough with bands and their all cover CDs. We want original music, which TBS will give us on June 2nd.
http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/taking-back-sunday-ready-to-road-test-new-1003972235.story

Martin Scorsese is going to direct a film on the life of the late, great, Frank Sinatra. The script was written by Phil Alden Robinson, who is most known for writing Field Of Dreams. Scorsese directing a movie about Sinatra certainly peaks my interest. My first question is obvious, who will portray Frank in the movie? My second question is will they film in Hoboken, NJ? My third question is how can I be a part of this film?
http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/scorsese-to-direct-frank-sinatra-biopic-1003972860.story

Green Day’s new album, 21st Century Breakdown is out today. If you live in or near the New York City area, you can meet the band at Best Buy on 44th & 5th, Not sure if there will be an in store performance or not, but there is definitely a meet and greet. Full details can be had at their website:
http://www.greenday.com/site/homepage.php

Concert Economics

How is the current economy affecting your concert plans? Are you attending less shows? Setting a limit on the purchase price? Are you eliminating concerts completely?

At the end of 2008, I examined my finances, like I do every year, to determine how much “fun” money I had to set aside in the upcoming year. I like to have an emergency fund of living expenses, just in case something should ever go wrong, I am working hard to pay off all my debt, and I still like to have a little “fun” money. After reviewing my 2008 finances, I noticed that I had let things get a little too loose and I was going to need to tighten up for 2009.

I reviewed all the areas of spending to determine where a lot of the fat was, and I reined it in with a plan to cut and save. Unfortunately, music was one area that was going to take a hit. I had to set a cost limit on concerts, something I’ve never done before. I limited myself to spending no more than $65 (face value) per ticket. This was going to change the amount of shows I saw, which shows I saw, and where I sat.

Fortunately, I’ve lucked out so far. Although sitting in the “nosebleeds,” I’ve managed to get Bruce Springsteen and Dave Matthews Band tickets for my quoted face value price. I hope to attend a few more club shows this year. Theory of a Deadman at Starland Ballroom was only $20, and the setting was very intimate.

Should Billy Joel and Elton John make it to my section of the US, I may be able to see them, I’ll just have to sit high. The cheaper seats are $47. Some concerts I won’t be able to afford, and thus, I won’t be able to see them. Aerosmith/ZZ Top is out of the question unless I sit lawn only. Same for Nickelback with Hinder and Papa Roach. Incubus is another lawn seat as is Poison/Def Leppard/Cheap Trick, although I’m not sure that I’m going to that one.

Now, with the new, self-imposed restrictions in place, I may get shut out of some shows. I passed on U2 because the only seats within my limit were as high as the sky, and I prefer U2 in an arena environment anyway. AC/DC is definitely out of my price range - $100 to see them at Giants stadium, come on lads, help a poor working fan out!

If Van Halen comes around in the fall, or Kiss, I may get shut out of those concerts as well (although I did allow myself one out when I made this restriction – Kiss – if they were to tour in 2009, price didn’t matter, I had to go for best seat in the house.)

With the economy still shaky and uncertain, and cousin Ryo’s job status in the same boat, it’s hard to spend cash on concerts, especially if it’s a lot of cash. The bands don’t seem to get it though, as they still continue to charge huge amounts for the quality seats. Can Aerosmith really justify $125 to sit in the theater? I think not. And don’t even get me started on the Def Leppard/Poison prices.

What about you? Have you made any changes to your concert attending habits? Have you given up concerts all together? Comments are open. Feel free to post some.

Son Volt

Born from the ashes of Uncle Tupelo, Son Volt is an alternative country band whose songs contain wondrous harmonies, beautiful pedal steel melodies, violins, acoustic guitar, and the haunting voice of Jay Farrar, lead singer of the group.

Son Volt was formed after Uncle Tupelo, a band that Jay Farrar shared the lead with Jeff Tweedy (who went on to form Wilco), broke up due to “creative differences.” However, those in the know claim that Jeff and Jay were at a point where they no longer spoke to one another and there were underlying feelings of hatred.

Son Volt released their debut album in 1995. Titled Trace, the band received a small amount of airplay and had a modest hit with their song, Drown. A club tour ensued soon after, and Son Volt went on to record two more discs followed by a greatest hits package before hanging it up in 2000.

Farrar would put out a couple of solo albums, but none were as well received as his work with Son Volt. In 2004, he decided that he wanted to get the band back together and return to his signature style of music, which was recorded with Son Volt.

Hiring all new members, Jay revived the Son Volt moniker and released Okemah and the Melody of Riot in 2005. This was followed by The Search in 2007, which was considered by fans and critics alike as the best work they’ve done since their debut.

Son Volt has a unique sound that is hard to identify. The main reason for this is Jay Farrar’s voice, which contains low-throat vibrations that blend well with pedal steel and violins. His voice draws the listener in and captivates them.

His lyrics are strong, poignant, and meaningful. Jay writes of hope, faith, and desperation. He is a realist and understands the present situation and direction that his life has taken him. He offers no apologies for that. There is no fantasizing, which is what makes him a pure poet. Jay tells it like it is.

Some of his greatest lyrics are contained in the song Methamphetamine, off of The Search. “I took the night shift/another nickel on the dime/try to play it straight make it different this time/still waiting around to meet the next ex-wife.”

His use of the phrase “next ex-wife” is the center of his realism, as the recognition that a relationship is doomed from the start. Depressing? Perhaps. Powerful? Absolutely.

For more information on the band, visit their website here: http://www.sonvolt.net/.

Here’s Drown from their debut


A more recent song


Comments are open. Feel free to post some.

Sammy Hagar - Three Lock Box

Eons before the formation of rock supergroup Chickenfoot, and years before joining Van Halen, Sammy Hagar had an uproarious solo career as the Red Rocker. 1982 saw the release of Three Lock Box on Geffen Records, one of the better efforts in the Sammy Hagar solo career catalog. So, is Three Lock Box worth seeking out on Ebay or Amazon to play over and over again? Let’s spin the disc and find out!

Three Lock Box opens with the title track, which is a cool rocker in typical Sammy Hagar fashion – old school, hard chord, rock and roll. A simple song that is hard to escape with a melody that is difficult to put out of your head. Three Lock Box is certainly a great song.

Remote Love is the second song on the disc and is a little slower, not quite a power ballad, but a more radio friendly song that swoons. It’s the pain filled agony of a distant lover, when once they used to be close. The love is still there, but it’s slowly drifting away.

Remember the Heroes is a meaningful song reminding us all there are people putting their lives on the line to defend our freedoms. They are taking the risks so that we have the right to choose. The meaning of this song is timeless, as poignant today as it was in 1982. Thank a veteran.

You’re Love Is Driving Me Crazy is the best song of the disc and could be one of Sammy’s best songs ever. A ballad with punch, it’s a song that gets into your head, never leaves, and consumes. You’ll be compelled to sing it over and over again after one or two listens. This is another song that stands the test of time and would be just as well received if it were released today.

Rise of the Animal is by far the heaviest track on the disc and has the feel of a red rocker song. Ballsy with heavy guitar work and screeching Sammy vocals, this is a classic deep cut that time has forgotten about.

Heavy on keyboards played by Alan Pasqua, Three Lock Box is lacking on guitar and heavy drums, opting more for the “new wave” sound of the early 80s. In certain regards, that puts this album in the very cheesy category. Released when Devo, The Stray Cats, and Flock of Seagulls were huge, Sammy may have just been trying to keep up.

In retrospect, more than 25 years after its initial release Three Lock Box is still a solid disc with a decent track selection. While most of the songs were recorded more for their time, there are a couple of stand- out tracks that have held up through the years and makes the investment (of both time and money) worthwhile.

Ryo’s Rating: 6.5 (out of 10)

Tracklisting
Three Lock Box
Remote Love
Remember the Heroes
Your Love Is Driving Me Crazy
In The Room
Rise of the Animal
I Wouldn’t Change a Thing
Growing Up
Never Give Up
I Don’t Need Love

Nine Inch Nails - December 9, 1994

Back in 1994, I was a HUGE Nine Inch Nails fan. I had gotten into them with the release of their debut, Pretty Hate Machine, fell in love after Broken, then became a huge fan when The Downward Spiral was released. This was a band (man) doing amazing things with music. Naturally, when they announced a tour in late 1994, I had to go see them perform live. They were making a stop at Madison Square Garden and I wasn’t missing out.

Driving into the city on a Friday night is never fun by any stretch of the imagination, but in the mid-nineties, it was a lot worse than today. We got through the Lincoln Tunnel without incident, but once we were through and heading toward the Garden, I was freaking out. There were hordes of people crawling the streets just walking in front of our car without a second thought or a care in the world. I almost hit three of them! And of course, when I was younger, I had a bad temper. I stopped the car immediately and my wife (at the time) took over the wheel, deciding for both of us that it would be better if she drove. She proceeded to get us to the Garden without further complications.

Nine Inch Nails had brought two opening acts on the road with them for this tour, The Jim Rose Circus and Marilyn Manson. The Jim Rose Circus isn’t a musical act, they are the largest collection of sideshow freaks and strange onstage acts this side of Barnum and Bailey’s. I don’t recall much about them, except that the acts were hard to see from the 400s where we were sitting. This would have been a really cool event to witness were we a lot closer to the stage, but from our vantage point, it was hard to tell what was happening.

The events from Marilyn Manson I remember well enough. They had just released their first album that year and were getting some radio play with Get Your Gunn. I had heard a couple of their songs, but didn’t really know what to expect. Their performance was ok, not stellar, but in their defense, they were also the opening act. The sound wasn’t yet impeccable, and they were still adjusting to performing in large theaters.

Toward the end of their performance, a wicked cover of Sweet Dreams (Are Made of These) was performed and that grabbed audience attention. It was a decidedly different version, but a worthwhile cover. Shortly after that, Marilyn decided it was time to get naked. He literally stripped down to nothing but his birthday suit and danced around the stage. I’m not sure what his thought process was, but as a heterosexual male, this is not something I wanted to see. It actually made me think less of him as a performer and I honestly believe that one incident is why I never got into the band.

After Marilyn left, we were highly anticipating the headliners. Nine Inch Nails were about to storm the stage and I couldn’t wait to hear them. I wanted to know what they would open with, how many of the newer songs would they be playing, how long were they going to play for, etc? I was psyched and raring to go.

The opening buildup of Pinion came across the speakers and we knew it was time. Pinion went into Mr. Self Destruct which went right into SIN. It was an awesome way to open the show. SIN was performed album perfect and the show was off and running.

Trent and the band had their energy level up from the minute they took the stage. There was plenty of screaming, pounding drums, loud guitars, and happy, insane fans. On the floor there was a pit of mosh dancers, not visible to those of us that sat near the ceiling, but we knew it was there.

March of the Pigs, Reptile, and Gave Up all sounded impeccable, and even though it was near the end of their tour, Nine Inch Nails sounded in mid-tour form that night.

Wish brought out the headbanging, hard rocking, heavy metaler in me, and I was jumping up and down, singing at the top of my lungs, pounding on the seat in front of me, and generally going crazy.

One of the coolest moments of the night came with the performance of Hurt. A large screen was dropped to the stage and a mini-movie was played as the band performed. The song itself is amazing on its own, but hearing it in a live setting with the added images, pushed it over the top. It was spectacular.

Head Like A Hole was the big show closer and everyone in the Garden was going nuts. This was a powerful song that the entire audience sang along to, as loud as they could. Seeing it performed live was a real treat and worth the price of admission (which was not too much back then).

The encore was strong, with Closer (Trent’s biggest hit at the time), Dead Souls (a lovely song from The Crow soundtrack), and Something I Can Never Have (the smooth ballad from Nine Inch Nail’s debut). When the concert ended and the last song of the encore was played, I was exhausted. Nine Inch Nails had come to New York City, played the world’s most famous arena, and kicked our ass with their brand of rock and roll. It was an experience like no other and one that I was proud to have been a part of.

Setlist
Pinion
Mr. Self Destruct
Sin
March of the Pigs
Piggy
Reptile
Gave Up
Happiness In Slavery
Eraser
Hurt
The Downward Spiral
Wish
Suck
The Only Time
Down In It
Head Like A Hole
Encore
Closer
Dead Souls
Something I Can Never Have

Friday Night Video

Friday's Rockin' Roundup - Mother's Day Edition

As I’m sure you know, this Sunday is Mother’s Day. My Mom is very special to me. She’s part of the reason that I’m into rock and roll so much. Music ran throughout my family as I was growing up, and my Mom was never one to cut off my passion for it. Thanks to Mom, I appreciate Bob Seger, Billy Joel, Patsy Cline, Randy Travis, Bob Dylan, and the Beatles. Mom’s vinyl record collection helped to introduce me to a lot of classic rock during my teen years.

My mother encouraged me to play musical instruments (both the drums and the saxophone), she encouraged and praised me when I tried to sing in a band, and when I went on to DJ and perform at a comedy club. She would even come to the shows and have a good time.

My mother has always been a great influence in my life and this Mother’s Day is a great way for me to say thanks. Thanks for raising me, putting up with all my teenage dramatics, thanks for being there when I needed sage advice, and thanks for being there now.

So, this rockin’ roundup is dedicated to all the mothers out there. My mom’s favorite band? Paul Revere & The Raiders. Anyone remember them?

Here’s some Mom’s who rock:

This site is literally a place for moms who rock. Rockin’ moms is a site that helps women during their artistic career by providing inspiration and a platform that understands. The website was designed to help moms stay focused on their artistic career and help to promote their work and art, while balancing their lives of children, spouses, soccer games, etc. Check it out, it’s worth the visit.
https://www.rockinmoms.com/index.php

These rockin’ moms will be hitting the festival circuit this summer. Their scheduled for Rocklahoma, but I have feeling they’ll be announcing more dates soon. I loved Vixen in high school, both their music and the members of the band. I was infatuated with them then, and I still wouldn’t mind being a band groupie for them today.
http://www.vixenrock.com/

This rocking mother is currently on tour with her world famous husband, but does have some solo stuff of her own. Check out Bruce Springsteen’s lovely wife, Patti, right here:
http://www.pattiscialfa.net/

And finally, from the archives of VH1, this is their list of the 100 greatest women in Rock and Roll:
http://www.rockonthenet.com/archive/1999/vh1women.htm

A Nice Site To Visit: Archive.org

If you’re a fan of the jam band genre of music, then you most likely know about archive.org. However, if you’re new to the whole jam band scene, or if you’re just looking to discover some new music, here is a great place to start.

This little spot on the web is a wonderful destination for music fans looking to hear their favorite bands in concert, obtain a download of a concert they recently went to, or amass a plethora of their favorite artist in concert.

If you’re looking for some/new different music and/or some new/different artists to discover, this is the place to begin your search. The site can be a bit overwhelming as there are currently almost 50,000 concerts available for download, but a search can be sorted by staff favorites, highest rated, most recently posted, and most downloaded.

One of my favorite bands, OAR, has a huge selection of concerts posted there, and I listen to them quite frequently. Also large on the site is Railroad Earth, Guster, From Good Homes, Jack Johnson, Ryan Adams, and of course, The Grateful Dead. I’m still waiting for the Clarks to start posting, but nothing yet.

The best part about all of this is that the songs are posted legal and free to download. The artists on the site are the rare breed that allows their fans to record a live show and post it for sharing. Some of the artists even let their fans patch into their soundboard for a true concert quality recording. The recordings are marked on whether they are soundboard, audience, or a mix of both.

Dave Matthews Band used to have a slew of concerts posted on archive.org, but since their rise in popularity, and hence, the rise in the recordings being sold for profits (something these artists abhor), they’ve asked that all their concerts be taken down.

There are mixed emotions on this, as some fans feel DMB is looking for ways to increase sales of their Live Trax series, but I disagree. My personal feeling is that the Live Trax issues are of superior quality and would sell well regardless.

At archive.org, you can usually listen to most concerts/recordings before downloading, so you can determine if you really want it or not. The staff recommendation is a useful tool that helps to lead to some wonderful music that would otherwise be passed on by.

Archive.org is a fabulous way to find artists you might otherwise miss out on. And, as always, if you find something you like, spread the word, buy the artist’s studio CDs, or pay to see them in concert. It’s always a good thing to support your favorite musician financially.

You can visit the site here: www.archive.org

Comments are open. Feel free to post some.

The Cars Don't Get Their Deserved Recognition

While driving home from a friend’s house the other night, I tuned into my local classic rock station as I am want to do from time to time. While listening to Led Zeppelin, Bon Jovi, the Doors, and other classic rock staples, I noticed that they were not playing The Cars. I’m not sure what made me think of them, but once the thought entered my mind, I was curious to know how often I heard The Cars on the radio anymore. The sad answer is, not often at all.

The classic rock stations barely play them. The modern rock stations won’t touch them. The mix stations may play Drive once in a blue moon, and occasionally Just What I Needed, or My Best Friend’s Girl, but even that is only on a rare occurrence.

Why is that? The Cars are a classic band that helped to define a musical movement, had plenty of big hits, and whose songs still hold up today. Where is radio’s love? Over the course of any given week, a music listener can hear endless songs from Led Zeppelin, The Doors, Jimi Hendrix, The Beatles, The Who, Pearl Jam, Van Halen, and/or many others, except The Cars. And when they are played, it’s almost always the aforementioned songs. Why not something from Shake It Up or Candy-O?

Some little known facts about the Cars: Their nine year career was longer than The Beatles (8 years); their six albums are as many as were released by The Doors; their eponymous debut disc was certified 6x platinum in 1995; the never had a number one hit on the Billboard Hot 100. And maybe that’s why they don’t get the love they deserve. They never had that coveted number one.

That doesn’t mean they weren’t an amazing band that made amazing music, it just means that they weren’t embraced after their debut disc, just as they aren’t embraced by classic rock stations now. The Cars deserve a better fate. More people need to hear their music and know/reminisce about this band, for they truly are great.

Unfortunately, the chances for a reunion with lead singer Rick Ocasek are slim to none. He didn’t like to perform live when the band was at the peak of their career (which may have hurt albums from going to number one), and he has stated on several occasions that he has no desire to tour now that he’s retried. Hence, a reunion tour seems unlikely. I know, there were the “new” Cars with Todd Rundgren at the mic, but it just couldn’t be the same.

So, if you get a chance, give the Cars a whirl. Stream a few songs on the net. Download a couple to your IPod. Give them a chance. If you’re already a fan, but haven’t listened to them in a while, dust off those records and give them a spin. Pull out those cassette tapes, or grab the Anthology CD. You’ll be glad you did.

Comments are open. Feel free to post some.

Fury In The Slaughterhouse - Mono

In 1992, a small alternative band hailing from Germany known as Fury In The Slaughterhouse hit the US airwaves and embarked on a massive marketing campaign giving away free singles of their hit song Every Generation Got Its Own Disease. This was taken from the album Mono and the band caught the attention of some college students, formed a fan base, and went on to nominal success.

Mono is a great rock record produced in an early nineties style. When grunge and alternative were booming and the airwaves were dominated by the likes of Soundgarden, Alice In Chains, Nirvana, and Bush, Fury In The Slaughterhouse came out with Mono. The disc is a blend of all those bands combining the signature style of the nineties with the rocking influence of the eighties, and the heavier riffs of the seventies.

The disc opens with The Brainsong, which starts with the sound of a scratchy record being played. The static that comes from placing the needle on the vinyl would put a smile on those old enough to remember buying and enjoying records on a regular basis. Halfway through the song, it kicks into stereo and the drums crash in with a heavy beat. This is a great lead off track that grabs the listener’s interest and makes them pay attention.

Every Generation Got Its Own Disease is the second song on the disc. A haunting, poetic, dark song with a cool guitar riff, this song is bound to please the ear.

Dead Before I Was Born is a catchy rock tune that discusses the confusion we all sometimes feel, especially in youth, when we do not understand out purpose or justification for existence.

The best track on the disc has to be When I’m Dead And Gone. The song starts with a blatant D’Yer Maker (Led Zeppelin) rip off drum intro and then kicks into its own groove. It’s a catchy song that makes you want to dance and sing along. Certainly not very innovative, but the draw is in the song’s simplicity. This is a song that could be played over and over again without getting tired.

Won’t Forget These Days is the closest this band does to doing a ballad. It’s a song of remembrance and not wanting to let go of the moment that you are in. The blend of acoustic, electric, and bass guitars sets a nice tonal background for the deep-throated voice that sings over the top of them. The message in the music is hold onto this moment, because there may never be another one like it. The song closes with a cool little whistle, which for some reason was extremely popular for the early part of the nineties.

Friendly Fire is another almost ballad that isn’t a war song. It’s actually a song about unrequited love. The narrator wants to be in love with the object of his desire, but she no longer wants to be with him, thus they’ve started a game of no return, a game of friendly fire.

Money Rules is a hard rocking track that discusses, what else, money. A homage to how money holds the power and with the right amount, a person can buy their way out of a lot of trouble. Money rules, let’s buy the world.

The album closes with a clunker titled In Your Room. Not a good song at all. Slow, dreary, and a song that tried to be more than it was. Closing the disc with this song was not the best production decision. Friendly Fire would have made a much better closer, if the producers were looking for a slow song to end with.

So, is it worth it? Well, if you can find Mono by Fury In The Slaughterhouse, it is definitely worth the time and the money you would spend. The disc held up over the years and is as relevant today as it was in 1992, perhaps even more so. The disc can be found on Ebay, Amazon, and independent record shops across America.

Ryo’s Rating: 8.5 (out of 10)

Fleetwood Mac - March 21, 2009

As a Christmas present for my wife, I purchased two tickets to see Fleetwood Mac in concert. My wife is a huge Stevie Nicks fan and also a fan of Fleetwood Mac, so I thought tickets would make for a nice surprise. She was radiant with glee when receiving them on Christmas morning.

On a chilly Saturday afternoon in March, we set out to see the show at the IZOD center in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Fleetwood Mac performed two nights earlier at Madison Square Garden and I had read some of the reviews knowing they were playing a lot of hits on this tour. There was no new disc to support, so the band could perform any song they preferred from their vast catalog. The reviews were good and the anticipation of seeing them live was raised.

We got inside the arena approximately 20 minutes before the show was scheduled to start, which meant there was more than 40 minutes before the band would really take the stage. There was no opening act, so Cathy and I sat, people watched, observed the stage set up, and waited for the band to arrive. This is always my favorite part of any concert, that moment of anticipation when you are wondering when the band will take the stage. What will they open with? How will they sound? I love sitting there with heightened anxiety, just waiting for those lights to go dark and the roar of the crowd.

Just before 8:30 a loud, cricket-like noise filled the arena, the house lights dimmed (but didn’t go out) and we all knew something was about to happen. When the cricket buzz got to the stage of annoyance, the house lights darkened, and the band emerged onto the stage. Mick Fleetwood, John McVie, Stevie Nicks, and Lindsey Buckingham - hello Fleetwood Mac!

I had never seen Fleetwood Mac before, and was looking forward to their performance. I was a little disappointed that they were without Christie McVie, but understand her decision to not tour anymore, choosing to do different things with her life.

My father was a huge Fleetwood Mac fan and the one person that really got me into the band. Rumors is one of the 10 albums that changed my life, thanks to my Dad, and so I knew this was going to be an emotional evening for me. My father never saw Fleetwood Mac before he passed away, and it is one band that I always associate with his memory. Whenever I hear their songs, I pause and think of my Dad, who went to the grave much too early.

Cathy and I had a standing bet on what Fleetwood Mac would open their show with. I guessed Rhiannon, and she guessed The Chain. They opened with Monday Morning, so neither of us were correct. Reflecting on it now, it makes sense that they would choose that song as the opener – first song, first album (with the current and most famous lineup).

Lindsey Buckingham is amazing on the guitar. I gained another whole level of appreciation after seeing him perform live. First off, he plays without a pick. It’s all finger work he does on that guitar and he makes it sing the likes of the great ones. Think Hendrix. I knew that Lindsey was a good guitar player, but never realized that he was a phenomenal guitar player. He goes up there with the elite.

Stevie Nicks looked horrible. I know, some of you may shout blasphemy and want to maul me when reading that statement, but remember, I am a true fan. Stevie Nicks was one of the first famous women that I had a crush on when I was a youngster. She was hot, hot, hot! I know she’s aged, but she also looked heavy, sounded winded, and for the beginning of the show, her voice was raspy and weak. As the night went on, her voice would get stronger, but she still lacked the punch that she had back in the day.

John McVie was the quiet one in the background. Strumming the bass guitar all night long, there was not much to say about him, except that he looked old, very old. Like 90.

Mick Fleetwood, the character of the group, stole the spotlight in several different ways. First off, he’s an amazing drummer. I never realized how accomplished he is behind the kit. He has a glowing personality and a great sense of humor. Cracking jokes, telling stories, and thanking the fans, Mick Fleetwood did it all. He also brought along two drum kits, the main one which was used during most of the night and a smaller one that went in front of his main kit for songs like Tusk.

Tusk was an incredible performance with great drum work by Mick and insane guitar by Lindsey. It was followed by an acoustic Big Love with just Lindsey on the stage and he certainly worked it for all it was worth. He played the hell out of that guitar and had the crowd roaring.

The crowd itself was pleasant, but I noticed that the arena was not completely full. The show did not sell out and I have to believe a lot of that is due to the ticket prices. Tickets were not cheap, and if it wasn’t for the fact that these were a gift for my wife, I wouldn’t have gone to that show. Looking around and seeing empty seats was disappointing to me, as Fleetwood Mac is a band that should be able to sell out the IZOD center on a Saturday night, but perhaps that sends a message – lower your ticket prices.

For the end of the night, Fleetwood Mac performed Go Your Own Way and that’s the song that finally got me. I thought about my dad and me jamming to this song when I was a teenager, driving around town with the music full blast, singing and loving it. I got choked up for this and had to close my eyes and take a few breaths. It’s hard to lose a parent and unfortunately, the feeling never goes away, it just dulls itself until moments like this, when it spikes. I got through it, told my Dad that I hoped he was enjoying the show, and then sang the rest of it as loud as I could in his memory.

The encore was not as strong as I thought it could have been. They returned with World Turning, which is a good enough song, but not an encore song. They would have been better off playing that earlier in the night and moving a bigger song to the encore, like Tusk.

Don’t Stop was one we knew was coming, because they hadn’t played it yet and since it’s the biggest hit they have, it was obvious. I thought that was the last song of the evening, but I was pleasantly surprised to hear one more. Silver Springs was the encore closer, and by now, Stevie’s voice sounded a lot better. She sang a great version and the band performed album perfect. It was a nice way to end the show and a good, strong, memory to go out on.

Would I see this band again? Not for the price I paid. While the concert was certainly enjoyable and I was glad that we attended, I wouldn’t pay that much money for them again. It was good fun while it lasted, but not worth all the cash. However, my wife was extremely happy, and considering she’s endured Dave Matthews concerts and Kiss concerts (two bands that she does not like), I’m glad that she liked the show so much.

Setlist
Monday Morning
The Chain
Dreams
I Know You’re Wrong
Gypsy
Go Insane
Rhiannon
Second Hand News
Tusk
Sara
Big Love
Landslide
Never Going Back Again
Storms
Say You Love Me
Gold Dust Woman
Oh Well
I’m So Afraid
Stand Back
Go Your Own Way
Encore
World Turning
Don’t Stop
Silver Springs

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