Friday's Rockin' Roundup - M3 Rock Festival 2017 Edition

It’s hard to believe that another M3 Rock Festival has arrived! This will be the 8^th year in a row that I attend the ultimate 80s metal festival. The only year I’ve missed was the very first one. Every year I have a fabulous time at the M3 festival and I look forward to it more and more with each year that passes. 2017 looks to be incredible as always with exceptional weather due and a lot of bands that I have never seen live before.

This edition of Friday’s Rockin’ Roundup is dedicated to all things M3. Be sure to follow me on twitter (@RyoVie) for the latest tweets, pics, and happenings at the M3 festival (as well as what I’m up to in the days leading up to the main event). And while I’m enjoying the weather forecast and rocking out to Junkyard, Vain, and RhinoBucket in anticipation of next week, here’s what rocking with the M3 Festival.

M3 Rock Festival Website

Want to know what’s happening at M3? What bands are going to be there? Set times? Other happenings in and around the festival? Check out the M3 festival website for all the latest.

Loudness DeniedEntry Into The US

Sadly, one of the greatest metal bands announced for this year’s M3 won’t be able to perform. Loudness was denied entry into the US and Blabbermouth poses the question: was this due to Trump’s new immigration policy? I don’t know if this is the reason or not, but I do know it totally sucks that Loudness won’t be there.

Junkyard

One of the bands that I have never seen live before (and cannot wait to do so) is Junkyard. Their debut album was played endlessly by me when it was first released. I fell in love with the band due to songs like “Simple Man” and “Hands Off” and have been rocking with them ever since. They just released a new album, High Water, today and I am sure that they are going to perform a song or two from it at M3. Check out their website to order the new disc (and yes, physical versions are available at a retailer near you).

Vain

I’ve never seen Vain live. I’ve wanted Vain to be at M3 for years now. I am finally getting my wish! This is another band that I fell in love with after hearing their debut album. No Respect is a remarkable record and the albums that were released after it are just as good. One of my music dreams is going to finally come true next weekend!

RhinoBucket

I’ve seen them once (at M3) and they were spectacular! Their timeslot sucks, but I am committed to seeing this band live again. Therefore, I will force myself to get up early and get to the Pavilion to witness an exceptional band perform live. They also have a new CD that released today, The Last Real Rock N’ Roll. Check out their website to see how you can get a copy.

Dangerous Toys

I think Dangerous Toys is the band that I am most looking forward to see. As a teen in high school I absolutely worshiped this band when their debut album was released. I played “Scared,” “Take Me Drunk” and “Sprot’n a Woody” over and over and over again. I’ve always thought their self-titled album was a masterpiece, and now decades later, I will finally get to hear those gems live. It’s going to be amazing!

Dangerous Toys - Dangerous Toys

With an insane clown straight from the loco jack-in-the-box as their mascot, Dangerous Toys leaped onto the hard rock scene with their self titled debut album back in 1989. At the height of the glam scene, this Texas based band did all they could to make their mark on the rock and roll world. So, does Dangerous Toys still hold up 20 years later? Should we collectively come together and demand a remastered edition of this album? Let’s spin the disc and find out.

Dangerous Toys opens with the hard hitting Teas’n Pleas’n, a rocking way to kick off an album. From the opening bars of the song, you just know that something different and fantastic is about to take place. Jason McMaster’s voice is positively unique and hard to describe. It’s a cool sound and his vocals are amazing.

Scared follows next, the tribute to Alice Cooper (according to the band) and continues on the same track of hard rocking and different metal music. Scared is a track that tries to paint the picture of being in a horror movie through music. If you slap on a pair of good headphones, close your eyes, and crank this song up in a darkened room, it could give the desired effect. An excellent track that was very different for its time, Scared is one of the strongest songs on this record.

Take Me Drunk is another notable track that is just a fun song about nothing meaningful. The bass and drum beats play off the vocals and guitar in perfect harmony creating a tap your foot and sing along song that is instantly enjoyed by the listener. This is a fun party song that should be played at every beer bash in America.

Fun is part of what makes Dangerous Toys such a good record. With songs like Sport’n A Woody, Teas’n Pleas’n, and Bones In The Gutter, Dangerous Toys are out to have a good time and capture that fun and silliness on record. That’s just what they managed to do for their debut release.

While the first half of the disc is mind blowing creativity at its finest, the second half weakens the structure a bit and prevents Dangerous Toys from being the masterpiece that it could have been. Outlaw, Here Comes Trouble, Ten Boots, and That Dog all suffer from mediocrity and are a huge contrast to the first seven songs. The latter tracks weigh the album down and feel as if they were thrown together just to be able to complete the entire record. That’s a shame, because the album started with much promise.

After 20 years, Dangerous Toys is a still a decent album worthy of seeking out and adding to your hard rock collection. As for a remastered version, I don’t think that will be necessary. There’s not enough punch and flair to justify that, but you should certainly own the original.

Ryo’s Rating: 7.5 out of 10

Track Listing
Teas’n Pleas’n
Scared
Bones In The Gutter
Take Me Drunk
Feels Like A Hammer
Sport’n A Woody
Queen Of The Nile
Outlaw
Here Comes Trouble
Ten Boots (Stompin’)
That Dog