As I sit here watching Guns N’ Roses Appetite For Democracy, and with the internet buzz of Axl and Slash making up, I am full thoughts and conjecture.
When Guns hit the scene they were so incendiary I predicted imminent flame out, and was correct. The original five members were an alchemic formula that gave us some iconic music though. Magic happened when those five guys put their talents together. When it all fell apart I was disappointed but not surprised.
Axl, in my opinion became infected with delusions of grandeur which took the chemistry away from the band. I remember reading somewhere that Duff said when he looked across the stage and couldn’t see Slash past the backup singers, keyboards, orchestra and such that he knew it was over.
I, like others, mourned the loss of what could have been another Stones, or Aerosmith rocking us for many years to come.
The demise of Guns was survived well by Slash, Duff, and Izzy, and not so well for Axl and Steven. (remember I’m only talking about the original five).
The breakup gave us Velvet Revolver, Slash’s Snakepit, Izzy Stradlin and the Ju Ju Hounds and Adler’s Appetite all of which I still listen to. They continued to evolve and move in different ways Giving us Slash with Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators, Duff McKagen’s Loaded, The Walking Papers, and Adler.
All the while we waited out the infamous Chinese Democracy from Axl and co. We heard all of the stories of lineup changes and recording shenanigans and waited, and waited, and waited…
When Chinese Democracy finally dropped, so did my jaw. Personally I found the record unlistenable, believe me I tried and tried. There are a couple of ok tracks but that was it for me.
Axl put together to some stellar musicians like Bumblefoot, DJ Ashba, and Richard Fortman and took to the road. Well I am of the opinion that despite the talented players Axl put together, It was nothing but a GN’R cover/tribute band.
I remember having several discussions with peers and friends about the possibility of the reuniting of the original members and at the time I didn’t see it happening.
Now we find out that both Bumblefoot and DJ Ashba have left the band and like I stated earlier, Slash and Axl have reportedly made up.
We have seen Duff and Izzy make appearances with GN’R and Steven has said he would play with GN’R again.
I am now of the opinion that an reunion is in the making but I don’t think it would last. While we could only hope that some new music and a tour with the original five would happen, I think the old demons would surface and end it all in finality.
1. Overloaded
2. The Fields
3. Hedgeking
4. Frostwyrm
5. Galaxy Rise
6. 1345
7. Night Songs from the Desert
8. The Red Wedding
9. Silver Queen
10. State Lines
11. Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo
I had the great fortune of getting to know guitarist Erik while he was on tour helping my good friends in Scattered Hamlet. I was excited for this release and was not disappointed when it dropped. You need to check this one out!
1. Psycho, California (Explicit)
2. What You Do To Me (alt)
3. What You Do To Me
4. Trigger
5. All These Years
6. Wicked Lines
7. Bury You
8. Bury You (alt)
9. Taken
10. Wonderwall
11. Set It Off (Explicit)
Alex Grossi gave me a great interview and Hotel Diablo delivered a fantastic release! Awesome CD guys thanks!
1. Deep Creek
2. When The Sky Falls
3. Suicide Woods
4. The Weak and Wounded (Prelude to Flames)
5. After The Great Fire
6. Bloodguilt
7. The Art Of Mourning
8. I Am Wendigod
9. Axe Murder Hollow
10. Ruby Ridge (Every Knee Shall Bow)
11. Judas Cradle
A great bunch of guys and a kick ass band. I have gotten to know guitarist Craw, and interviewed him and singer Connor. Can’t wait to hear more from these guys!
1. I’m Alive (feat. Pat Travers)
2. Set Me Free
3. Six String Soldiers
4. Lipstick, Smoke and Gasoline (feat. Dave Meniketti)
5. Invincible
6. Cross Your Mind
7. Touch The Ground (feat. Dickey Betts)
8. I’m Just Sayin’
9. Love, Life and Beauty
10. To The Light (feat. Rick Derringer)
11. Redemption
12. 12.21
I happen to be good friends with guitarist Mike Araiza and vocalist Jeff Sandoval so this release has special meaning to me. I am so happy that their dream is coming true for them, and I wish them continued success.
1. Back From The Dead
2. Own Worst Enemy
3. Another Version Of The Truth
4. The One That You Hated
5. Good To Be Bad (feat. John 5)
6. Just Don’t Ask (feat. Slash)
7. Blown Away
8. Waterfall
9. Habit
10. Your Diamonds
11. Dead Wrong
I am glad to see Mr. Adler back in good form. Solid band, solid songs, solid CD!
1. Hollywood Forever
2. You Better Not Love Me
3. Eel Pie
4. Sweet Mystery
5. Burn
6. Vine Street Shimmy
7. Dirty Black Night
8. Underneath The Sun
9. Queenie
10. Crazy Tango
11. Venus Bomb
12. I Won’t Play
13. Requiem (Hollywood Forever)
14. Araña Negra
L. A. Guns has been one of my favorite bands for many many years. Even though there has been lineup changes and controversy this lineup carries on the sleaze.
1. Red Ferrari
2. Something’s Gotta Give
3. Red Leather
4. Save Me From LA
5. Stir Crazy
6. Mama Said
My good friends from Australia, Sunset Riot. I am lucky to have become a member of the Sunset Riot family. These guys know feel good Rock N’ Roll and continue to delight fans around the world! So Check them out!
1. Witch Of Endor
2. Fear No Evil
3. The Last Legion Of Sorrow
4. Say Goodbye To The Sun
5. The Witching Hour
6. Black Magic
7. Trisect
8. Beyond The Door
9. Souls On Fire
10. Don’t Breathe A Word
Mysterious band with a dark gloomy sound. This CD grabs hold and never lets go.
Scattered Hamlet of all the bands listed are more than family to me. I have been friends with them for a while now. I actually head up their fan-base “The Hellriders”. They released a single this year and have a full release Skeleton Dixie coming in 2013. DO NOT OVERLOOK THIS BAND!
Euro-American symphonic metal blending elements of power, thrash, classical and metalcore. Diggin’ the sound of the blending of styles in this band. New to me but definitely staying in my ears and on my radar.
Full Pull from Bullet was released on 09/25/12 here in the US. Bringing back the hard charging, balls out, in your face Rock of bands like AC/DC and Maiden . Well worth the listen, and remember, HAVE FUN!
I recently did an interview with guitarist Alex Grossi. And found out about this outstanding new band of his. The debut CD The Return To Psycho California just dropped. I’ve heard the tracks and it is KILLER!:
I’m gonna let Beard’s facebook page say it all : “Carne Asada Fries, Hot Wings, Milwaukee’s Best and Metal! Beard is the heaviest and greatest rock band to ever emerge from New Mexico. This band is bullshit…..Crank it!”
I got this CD the day it came out. Raw, aggressive, brutal, angry, all apply here. This CD is deep on so many levels. I will be seeing these guys at the UPROAR show on 09/30/12. Hopefully an interview will come out of it.
A HEAVY SKULL CRUSHING SOUND THAT COMES FROM 5 GUYS OUT OF THE NEW MEXICO DESERT. INFLUENCED BY BANDS SUCH AS DOWN, SLEEP, BLACK SABBATH, SLAYER, PANTERA, C.O.C. PENTAGRAM, ST. VITUS, AND COUNTLESS OTHERS. PLAYING THEIR AMPS AT MAMMOTH VOLUME, SKULLDRON BRINGS THE RIFF WITH A DESERT GROOVE!!!
The Skull features original member of Trouble- vocalist Eric Wagner along with longtime bassist Ron Holzner. The Skull is here to do one thing… rock you with the sounds and spirit of Trouble -past-present-future .
Trouble was formed in 1979 by guitarist Rick Wartell and was joined by guitarist Bruce Franklin, vocalist Eric Wagner, bassist Tim Ian Brown, and drummer Jeff Oly Olson. Ian Brown was replaced by Sean McAllister in 1983 and, later, by Ron Holzner in 1987
the Hellion Rocks 