Bobaflex - Charlatan's Web - Album Review: Buy Immediately, if not Sooner

Summary: Bobaflex's new album Charlatan's Web is one the best hard rock releases of 2013.
Nine lean, muscular and melodic tracks clocking in at just over 30 minutes = or > than their last release Hell in my Heart. There's no "value-added" bullshit to be found cluttering up the mix and infecting your hard drive; its solid to the last second leaving you addicted, sore and aching for more.

Gateway Drugs: Bad Man, School For Young Ladies, I'm Glad You're Dead, Never Coming Back 

Street Value: $10 for 9 tracks and a cool intro that all qualify for "I'd buy that for a dollar!" status.

 

I'd buy that for a dollar! Also, the new Robocop is going to suck.  

"It's over! It never began. An intelligent person would just give up. Keep dancing in the gutter you scumbags, it's where you belong" - Love Letter from a Booking Agent (Charlatan's Web Intro)

Despite difficult challenges with management, their record label going bankrupt and just trying to survive in today's music industry, Bobaflex has continued to push through and released their best album to date, Charlatan's Web. And their resilience and pure lust for rock shines on every track.

Bobaflex's latest album, Charlatan's Web, has been in continuous rotation since it was released a few weeks ago. If it was a cassette it would already be reduced to static.  I first discovered Bobaflex last year at Rock on the Range, an annual fest in Columbus, OH that features about 50 bands on 3 stages in 2 days. Typical of fests, the lineup poster lists bands in a "seeing eye chart" style with the lesser known acts in decreasing font size. Researching the bands in tiny print prior to the show is key as the roster is chock full of steaming turds on your journey to the headliners and if you don't plan ahead, you are in for a long day.

This research usually ends in me weeping openly about the current state of music but I've found several great new (new at least for me) bands from past Rock on the Range lineups including  
Danko Jones, Black Stone Cherry, Heaven's Basement, Charm City Devils, The Sword, Volbeat... and Bobaflex. 

Bobaflex?

Let's be honest, all the good band names are gone but at first glance Bobaflex sounded like a Creatine-based supplement at GNC or Mike Tyson's answer to the question "What's your favorite Star Wars character?"

Favorite Band? KITH.  Star Wars Character? Bobaflex.

Body by Bobaflex.  Nightmares by Carrot Top

I pulled up the album Hell in My Heart. The cover looked like Screamo or Death Metal.

I hit play to confirm I would be avoiding Bobaflex at all costs and found a band that, according to number of plays on iTunes, was one of my favorites of 2012 . An intro almost as badass as "In the Beginning" from Crue's Shout at the Devil kicks in and leads into "Chemical Valley" and "Bury Me With My Guns On."  Holy Fuck! The album continues to be killer up to "Last Song" (strangely not the last song) and a cover of "Sound of Silence" that somehow makes Simon & Garfunkel sound like the original Metal Gods.




The lead vocals are shared between brothers Shaun and Marty Mccoy and often the verses are sung in harmonies with the entire band contributing.  And don't think this is all studio wizardry, not only did they prove they can pull the music and vocals off live as I witnessed at Rock on the Range, they also brought an insane amount of energy and shuffled around as if the stage was made of hot coals.

I mention their previous album Hell in my Heart because it's the blueprint used for Charlatan's Web. Unlike most bands that attempt to stick to a winning formula but end up with diminishing returns, their latest builds on that foundation bringing their songwriting, performance and production to the next level.  Mutt Lange and Dr. Feelgood-era Bob Rock would be proud.  The bridges, vocals and other little touches elevate every track and the streamlined arrangements add power as no song ever wears out its welcome.  Even the album cover is an improvement.  A silhouette of a hot spider chick with red eyes inviting me into her web?  Sold.

Key Tracks:

I'm Glad You're Dead:  "My heart glows, as you decompose." The best combo of tongue in cheek humor and genuine hatred since GNR's "I used to love her."  This song simply destroys.  I dare you to not keep replaying the Beatles inspired "I'm gonna have a party 'cause your gone" section.

School For Young Ladies;  This song is so over the top its genius.  A cheerleader sung chorus, a"Christine Sixteen"-ish spoken section from Principle Mccoy, and a girl named Candy Sexton who "walks down the hall always winking at her teachers, she'll let you see her panties when she's walking up the bleachers." Think classic Bob Ezrin-era Alice Cooper in scope with a side of Meatloaf.

Bad Man:  The first single and the most classic rock sounding one of the bunch with a great riff and solo. Vocals are a bit lower in the mix vs. the rest. If you are thinking of applying for the Bad Man position, here are the minimum qualifications:

• Turn glass houses into sand with snap of fingers 
• Exorcise demons with back of hand 
• Make mountains tremble, part oceans when walking by 
• Shell shocked eyes (not required but preferred)

Buy this album immediately, if not sooner and go see them live.  You'll thank me later. 

                                

Now Hear This: Bullet Lavolta - Swandive

     Bullet Lavolta formed in 1987 in Boston and consisted of singer Yukkie Gipe, guitarists Clay Tarver and Corey Brennan, bassist Bill Whelan and drummer Chris Guttmacher. The band built a loyal following on the Boston club scene before releasing their debut EP and LP in 1988 and 1989 respectively on local indie label Taang. In 1990 the band signed with RCA and recorded their major label debut with producer Dave Jerden, who was fresh from working with Jane's Addiction and Alice In Chains. Swandive was released on October 9, 1991.

     The album blasts off with a caustic tune called "Rails," a punky song with a very melodic chorus. 

     A bleak exercise in quasi-thrash called "My Protector" is followed by the album's title track, a blistering dose of hard rock which, like the album itself, displays a cobbled together patchwork of influences, from the sixties, seventies, eighties, you name it.

     Next up is one of the poppier moments on the album, an excellent song called "Between the Lines." After a battering ram of a verse comes a nice moment of clarity called the chorus.

     Side One ends with a slightly boring dirge called "Blizzard" but Side Two opens strong with two great songs, probably the two best songs on the album, an anthemic rocker called "Sunshine" and the album's most melodic tune, an obvious potential lost hit single called "Before I Fall." (Links below)

Bullet Lavolta - Sunshine

Bullet Lavolta - Before I Fall

     The last three songs on the album maintain that consistent quality, making this a very good record all the way through, and Bullet Lavolta were in the right place at the right time, that's for sure, considering Swandive was released on the very same day as Nirvana's Nevermind and the band played shows with Nirvana and Smashing Pumpkins before either band broke, but RCA/BMG was a notorious label for dropping the ball when it came to marketing and promotion and Bullet Lavolta got very little. 

     Swandive without a doubt was a potential hit album in the wake of the success of bands like Nirvana and Pearl Jam, not to mention those other bands Dave Jerden had produced, Jane's Addiction and Alice In Chains. A video was made for "Swandive" but the label apparently never sprang for a video for "Before I Fall," which was a huge mistake. That song was the key to the band's success, and it languished on Side Two, track 7. What a shame. The band, probably disgusted and dejected, never made another album, breaking up in 1992.

Start @ One - Dwarfs Frozen In Carbonite.

From north of the border they descended like another "hostile hoser" takeover. The Killer Dwarfs are back, out on the road delivering rock and roll madness like only the Killer Dwarfs can. For those that have bared witness to a KD show, I challenge you to remember it and not smile. Pretty much impossible to forget the high energy, tricycle riding, head standing, clothing optional kind of madness that these guys bring to their fans.

Not only are they back on tour, they are actually out to support a new record, well sort of a new record, let me explain...

To completely understand the new Killer Dwarfs "Start @ One" album lets rewind the clock a little to a time of musical disarray, 1993. Grunge had taken hold, and like a steamroller was sucking everything fun out of rock music. The eighties were being erased in a sea of depressed flannel shirts and boring ass stage shows and because the records were selling, the record companies were surfing the waves of green.

Left, right and center former platinum selling artists were frantically trying to find their way. Many bands tried desperately to change their sound in an attempt to stay vital. Sometimes the change worked well but most often it came off as dishonest and the fans weren't buying in. For a fan of the 80's Sunset Strip party rock it was a dark time to be a music fan.

It was 1993 that the Killer Dwarfs called it a day. After 1992's amazing Method To The Madness album the band was dropped by Epic records as overnight it seemed to become "uncool" to be having fun playing rock and roll.

What most of us didn't realize was that before calling it a day, the Killer Dwarfs had pretty much completed a new album. Recorded in 1993 at Powerlines Studios in Toronto ON and produced by Fred Duvall these tapes were safely put away and possibly frozen in carbonite to keep it safe from the evil grunge empire.

Fast forward a mere twenty years and these tapes have been re-born and digitally remastered with the help of original producer Fred Duvall to become "Start @ One". So essentially what we have is a time capsule, a truly "lost" Killer Dwarfs album that is both 20 years old and yet brand spanking new. The best part is, it's unleashed in a musical climate far less hostile than when those flannel loving monsters ruled the airwaves.

The album opens with "Lonely Road" and the familiar sound of Russ Dwarf's vocals has me grinning ear to ear. "Start @ One" contains nine tracks for your dining and dancing pleasure. Some real highlights include the somewhat moody "Adalina", the hard driving "Sky Is Falling" (damn, Darrell is hitting them hard!) and my personal favourite (at least for the moment) the sleazy rocker "Down In Hollywood".

To me, the Dwarfs really matured into their sound on the Dirty Weapons album and that continued with Method. It sure seems that back in 1993 the Dwarfs had no intention of changing that formula. The songs show a progression and growth from the previous album but remain completely true to the Dwarf sound. Big Guitars, big drums, big melodies and big, BIG vocals and from a bunch of Dwarfs no less!

On a serious note, which is tough when talking about these fun loving rock pirates. Start @ One is a melodic hard rock record that deserves a look and more importantly a listen. Real rock songs that you can sing along to, performed by real musicians that actually enjoy performing. What a concept! I can't wait to hear some of these songs live, stay tuned for a review of next Friday's Killer Dwarfs show coming soon to the Decibel Geek website. Until then, Happy Hunting...

Sacrifice & Sin-Eagles Over Toronto

The long wait was finally over and the day was upon me.  I've been looking forward to this event since June.  One of my top five all time favourite bands was coming to Toronto.  It is this band that I have to thank for re-awakening the monster, my passion in heavy metal music and the live performance.  Two years ago I got wind that the "Barnsley Boys" of Saxon would be thundering through Toronto on the Call To Arms World Tour.  I hadn't been to see a concert for several years, never finding anyone to go with.  I wasn't going to let that stop me and I headed out solo for Saxon's first time in Canada in some 27 years and it was like being re-born for me.  Probably I have gone a bit overboard since then, taking in sometimes 2-3 shows a week, but hey, I have a ton of catching up to do as these bands are getting back out on the road and making Toronto a stop along the way.  Not one to be held back, I also began to travel to see shows like heading down to Memphis,
Tenessee or two voyages of the Monsters of Rock Cruise and my first European rock festival with Sweden Rock.  It was during these trips that allowed me to see Saxon three more times (twice on the cruise) and the first on a large stage with the full "Heavy Metal Thunder" production at Sweden Rock.  They have never failed to disappoint and this tour supporting the latest release, Sacrifice, was no exception.

I was floating on air all day and had to restrain myself from letting out sporadic "whoops" of joy in the anticipation leading up to the show.  For the event I had also opted for the "Meet & Greet" which was available at an additional cost of $50 US.  I probably didn't need the "Meet & Greet" after I had the awesome opportunity to share a night of drinking with vocalist Biff Byford, guitarist Doug Scarratt and drummer Nigel Glockler during the cruise last year, but it's a great way to support the band at a very reasonable fee.  I've seen bands charging up to $1000 for "Meet & Greets" and are just ripping off their fans.  Arriving early at the venue with instructions to meet the representative, Penny with the BRIGHT BLUE hair, I ran into a friend who was also waiting for the "Meet & Greet".

Penny led us inside via the rear entrance and gathered us by the merch tables in the smaller room off to the side of the concert hall.  She then gave us devastating news.  The tour merchandisers had severely underestimated the demand for Saxon swag in Canada and had not sent enough stock with
the band when they rolled into Montreal the night before.  She had been able to hold back some shirts so that at least we would be able to get something and anything else she would take our name and address and have it shipped out as soon as possible at no extra charge.  While we all milled about in the room as Penny rushed in and out and back and forth keeping as organised as possible, she breezed back in announcing that we were welcome to watch the sound check as the band was just getting ready and then we would meet them after.  The band were all on stage and just waiting for Nibbs when we walked in and he joined them shortly afterwards.  They ripped into a segment of "Sacrifice" and OMG was it thunderously loud!  This was gonna be friggin' awesome!  All of the band were obviously enjoying themselves and having fun as broad smiles adorned all faces and inside jokes were shared amongst themselves.  With directions from the sound man they tweaked a few things and treated us to the chorus of "Made In Belfast", with Biff's voice sounding clear and strong as it ever has at his 60 plus years.  That was the end of the sound check, a very quick one compared to some that I've seen, but Saxon is of course an international and professional act, probably travelling with their own technicians.

We adjourned back to the little room where a caterer was setting up chaffing dishes of hot food......perhaps we are also getting lunch, at least
my rumbling stomach sure hoped so.  Each person (there were probably about 15 of us) had the chance to mingle, take photos, have autographs signed and chat with each and all band members.  As Nigel made his way down a line of several of us, shaking hands, he smiled as he approached me in clear recognition.  "Ahhhh Graham Bonnett I presume?" I greeted him with a running joke from the cruise.  A guy had come up to him aboard ship insisting that he was Graham Bonnett, even though Nigel attempted to set the gentleman straight, denying the claim.  The guy persisted and the
kicker was, Nigel told me, was that the guy had been wearing a Saxon shirt......what a goof, I laughed remembering how animated Nigel had
been telling me the story over a few beers that night aboard ship.  Nigel was able to chat for several minutes as he asked me how I was keeping and I replied that I had been working at the restaurant a lot.  He seemed surprised that writing was not a full-time gig for me, although I do wish that it was and his whole face lit up when I told him it was a Southern BBQ restaurant specialising in smoked ribs, wings and pulled pork.  Too bad you're off to Pennsylvania tomorrow morning or I'd say come by for dinner on me. Nigel moved on to a couple of guys eagerly awaiting him to sign their stuff and I spoke to Nibbs for several minutes.  He talked about the evils of long overseas tours where he was away from family and making phone calls to the kids and things with the time differences.  I was able to get an individual photo with each of the "Barnsley Boys" and also a group picture with the whole band.  These "Meet & Greets" are awesome and affordable, on one hand I just wish they were more widely promoted, but then again they are more private this way....I guess I just have to keep my eyes open better for them.

Now as the boys attacked the buffet table, Biff and Nigel leading the charge the minute that the last group photo was taken, it was clear that we would not be offered the wares contained in the steaming silver chaffing dish warmers.  So, with time to kill I headed out to a pub up the street (actually in the basement of the hotel I had selected for the evening's residence) with a newly made friend and Saxon fan from the "Meet & Greet".  The waves of the emotional high of just having hung out with some of my rock heroes was now topped off by the refreshing coolness of a frosty adult beverage.......I was going to be out of control later this evening, I could just sense it already.  We chatted about bands, finding out that he was a KISS fan as well, as the stories flowed eagerly from both of us.  What a better time than this to promote, so out came the Decibel Geek cards, to which he responded "I've heard of this.  They did a KISS album war thing, didn't they?"  Shortly after we were joined by his brother and another friend, the brother I found out was a member of the band Razor from Guelph, Ontario, a thrash metal outfit from the 80's releasing several albums.  Just as it was time to head back to the venue two friends of mine arrived and I was able to say a quick hello, promising to meet up at the show later.  They both appraised my Saxon tour shirt and the minute I spoke of sell-outs they were thrusting cash at me to get them shirts while they ate dinner.  Alas by the time I got back there the shirts were indeed sold out, but I supplied my mailing address for the boys and they would just have to make do.

The posted set-times showed a start for Halcyon Way at 8pm, but they were already under way during my 7:50pm entrance.  I was quick to pick up on the fact that there were only four band members present on stage, accessing my memory banks way back to the U.D.O. show (REVIEW) in April where they opened and had at least 5 members on stage.  I also noted that they were not as bad as I remembered from that previous show and the song "Desecration Day" stuck out in my head as they closed out their set.  A trip to the bar was in order and once again the lovely Priya Panda, lead singer of Toronto's own Diemonds was slinging the suds.  This discovery would certainly not assist in slowing up my beverage consumption.  Laughs and jokes were shared with fellow "Geek" Kate and friends while awaiting Fozzy, several folks commenting on my newly acquired Saxon shirt with obvious bitterness at the sell out.  Perhaps I should put my sweater back on before I get jumped for the shirt!

It was soon time for Fozzy and I had not much previous knowledge of their music, but did note that they had quite the fan base (also a "Meet & Greet" earlier in the day).  I am already prejudiced towards them, knowing that they are led by a wrestler and that their name is Fozzy!   Isn't that a bear on Sesame Street or the Muppets or something?  "Fozzy
Wozzy was a bear, Fozzy Wozzy had no hair"......  Chris Jericho bounded out onto the stage in true wrestling style decked out in a gold sequinned jacket.  With several more trips to visit Priya and more beverages completed by this time, Fozzy ripped through their first two tracks and sounded better than I had expected.  Their third choice of song was the absolute Krokus classic "Eat The Rich", Marc Storace he ain't, but they did a decent job at the track.  They continued throughout the set with what I believe were all their own compositions and while it was a little too modern for me they were loud and heavy in my drunken ears, so not too bad and I will definitely check out their recordings.

It was finally time for the event that I'd been awaiting for months now.  I love these guys and I was so pumped (and rather drunk) as they came out to the recorded intro entitled "Procession" which leads off the latest album, Sacrifice and rolled right into the title track.  I was singing at the top of my lungs, probably to the extreme annoyance of everyone around me, but my caring level was minimal at this time, floating on air.  "Wheels of Terror" followed up, also from Sacrifice before they started into the classics with "The Power & The Glory".  In this day and age the set list now always shows up on the internet and sometimes it's hard not to look at it even if you don't want to as it get's posted on friend's walls from shows they've seen in other cities.  But Saxon always keep the crowd guessing changing it up every night sometimes, unlike other bands....(take note KISS) and as Biff quipped in the "Meet & Greet", "No presents before Christmas" when asked what the set list for the evening would contain.
These first three tracks are the same for every show that they've played so far on this more than a month long North American Tour (as far as I know), but then the changes flow rampant.  For us in Toronto on Sunday September 15th we were treated to "To Hell & Back Again" as the next selection, followed by "Made In Belfast" (again from Sacrifice) which we'd already had a preview of during the sound check.  The opening riff to "Dogs of War" sent me jumping into the air once again, all the while singing in my drunken tone deafness at the top of my lungs, elated to hear this 90's Saxon gem, a favourite of mine.  "Motorcycle Man" and "Rock & Roll Gypsy" followed, leading us into "Guardians of the Tomb", another excellent cut
from Sacrifice.  The Saxon classic and fan favourite "Dallas 1PM" concerning the assassination of JFK enticed more than just me into singing by now as I reminded myself that there is a reason that Saxon is tattooed on my arm....they're incredible!  Next was a première on this tour with the first time they had played "The Eagle Has Landed", I decided to adjourn to the rear of the crowd before I hurt myself, of course passing by Priya again on the way.  My foray into the rear of the crowd did not last too long as "747 (Strangers In The Night)" was up next, driving me back into the throng in front of the stage.  "Denim & Leather" shut down the regular set before the three song explosive encore of "Wheels of Steel", "Strong Arm of the Law" and "Princess of the Night".

Saxon never cease to amaze me and this fifth time I've seen them in a live setting was no exception, unfortunately by this point (as I had foreseen earlier in the day) my beverage consumption had gotten the best of me and I do not remember leaving the club whatsoever.  I awoke the next morning in my hotel room, afraid to move at first as I tried to remember where I was.  With my tour shirt missing and my pockets empty the last thing that I can clearly remember is begging for change in a McDonald's as I was hungry and wanted a Big Mac!  A great night with a great band.....I can't wait to see them again, I sense travel in my future, but until then I'll leave you with some fan made videos of the Toronto show that I found on you-tube.

747 (STRANGERS IN THE NIGHT)     DENIM & LEATHER     ROCK & ROLL GYPSY

Cheers,
The Meister

Episode 103 - The Big Rock Show

This week’s episode is the result of some it’s-a-small-world moments coming together. As you may remember, during our 2012 KISSMAS in July, we featured an episode on KISS Kover songs. One of the songs played was by a band named Hair of the Dog. This band achieved some strong popularity in the upper Midwest; most notably in central Wisconsin, home to Aaron Camaro. We couldn’t find a whole lot of information on Hair of the Dog or the current-day status of their members online and went on to work on other episodes about other artists.

Flash forward to July of 2013 and Chris heads out to the TomKeifer/John Corabi double-bill at local Nashville club 3^rd and Lindsley. After running into some mutual friends, he’s introduced to legendary producer Michael Wagener. During the conversation, Chris hands Mr. Wagener a Decibel Geek business card. Overhearing the conversation, guitarist Jeremy Asbrock chimes in that he’s a listener of the show and was impressed by our Lydia Criss interview. After this, Jeremy introduces Chris to Ryan Cook, former singer for the aforementioned Hair of the Dog. Upon learning that Jeremy and Ryan were band mates and living in Nashville, the wheels were set into motion to get microphones in front of everyone and this week, schedules lined up and we dug into lots of discussion.

Hair of the Dog
Ryan Cook - 2nd from Left

While this week’s episode is called The Big Rock Show, its title is taken from our guests’ band. Ryan Cook and Jeremy Asbrock make up part of this group that started out as a fun way to jam on some cover songs that the members grew up on and has turned into a true gig for the guys with appearances all over the country as well as on the high seas for a number of rock-themed cruise ships.

Ryan Cook, while a member of Hair of the Dog, is not also a part-time player in Skid Row; replacing Dave “Snake” Sabo, when scheduling conflicts come up. Jeremy Asbrock, a Nashville native, was a member of longtime Music City favorites The Shazam.

The Shazam
Jeremy Asbrock - Far Left

We get into details of how The Big Rock Show came together, the relationship of the band members, and some memorable gigs that they’ve had over the years. 

Aaron and Chris truly met their match in the KISS fan department as Ryan and Jeremy are every bit as much KISS geeks as they are. This conversation is 90% KISS-related discussion and you must be warned, copious amounts of alcohol are consumed throughout the conversation, resulting in the silliness factor increasing over time. If you are uptight about certain issues with KISS, we may piss you off. If you aren’t, you’ll probably get a good laugh out of it.

The Big Rock Show will be performing in Nashville at 12thand Porter on Friday, October 11^th. The show is being sponsored by local classic rock station WNRQ 105.9 The Rock. During this performance, 2 tickets will be given away to KISS KRUISE III, at which The Big Rock Show will also be performing. It promises to be a fun night of great music and lots of KISS fans (including Aaron and Chris) so come check it out if you are anywhere near Nashville.

The Decibel Geek Podcast thanks Ryan Cook and Jeremy Asbrock from The Big Rock Show for their time and the fun conversation. We look forward to having them on again.

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Hair of the Dog

The Shazam

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Foreigner: Tribute Band or Real Deal?

Here is the Wikipedia definition of Foreigner:

Foreigner are one of the world’s best-selling bands of all time with worldwide sales of nearly 80 million albums, including 37.5 million albums in the United States alone.

Here is MY definition of Foreigner:

Foreigner is the first great American Big Rock Radio Hits bands of its kind.  Call it Classic Rock, AOR, Melodic Rock, or my parents rock music.  Whatever you call it, you can't call it BAD!!!!  From their 1st self titled album in 1977 and through out the 80's, Foreigner was one of the best selling bands in America, with more Top Ten hits than any other American band during their time.  Formed by the veteran English musician Mick Jones, and the New York native Lou Gramm, they became one of the greatest songwriting teams in music history. Cranking out hit after hit after hit from their 77' debut all the way up to their 87' album Inside Information, they became a staple on American Top Ten radio and on the AOR charts. If you grew up in the 80's and claim you don't know any Foreigner songs, you must have been living in a cave, or in the middle of a West Texas desert town called Alpine, TX, like I was, even there, with only a country radio station, with the help of great older friends and then a little channel called MTV, I discovered Foreigner in 81' with the release of their 4th album simply titled 4.  The first song I heard was "Jukebox Hero" which seemed to be telling my life story as I was just starting to feel the itch to play guitar and sing in a band for the first time.  After hearing Foreigner 4, I quickly got all of their back catalog and started listening to them in depth and my head was just exploding with all these great songs and melodies that I was hearing for the first time.  Needless to say, this 13 year old kid was hooked on them, and have never looked back.  I have seen them 6 times in my life and they will always be remembered as some of the best shows of my life. Not for any huge production, like KISS concerts, which nobody can match, but for the songs and musicianship, which even KISS at times did not hold up to.

Jump in time to the year 2005.  I read online that Foreigner is back.  With original member Mick Jones, and new band consisting of Jeff Pilson (Dokken), Jason Bonham (really?), and none other than Kelly Hansen of Hurricane fame.  What? Don't remember Hurricane?  The 80's band that consisted of a set of famous brother musicians from alittle band called Quiet Riot?  Still NO?  Oh well, look them up on Youtube.  They were awesome.  I have followed Kelly's career since day 1 all the way thru his time with Unruly Child, and Perfect World.  So I knew he had the pipes to sing the high notes that Lou Gramm did in the 80's, but he was 20 years older now and I was slightly worried that he wouldn't hold up to my expectations.  After reading rave reviews of concerts, I was slowly being convinced.  With the 2009 release of Foreigner's Can't Slow Down album, I knew after one listen, that they were back as solid as ever.  The album rocks just as hard as any of their classic albums. To me, Foreigner was back on top.  I finally got the opportunity to see them when they came through Nashville opening for Journey in 2011.  Also on the bill was Night Ranger, so I knew this was going to be a full show packed with hits.  Me and my girlfriend at the time, now my beautiful wife, Wendy, had to be there for this awesome show.  Night Ranger opened the show and was amazing as always.  Jack Blades can't hit all the notes like he used to, but it was just great to hear those classic songs again.  Next up, Foreigner.  They hit the stage with Double Vision, one of their hardest, most air guitaring songs in their catalog.  I was totally shocked and stunned.  Not at how great they sounded, but because the guitar player I saw with them was NOT Mick Jones.  I was devastated, as he is one of  my guitar heroes.  I felt cheated and ripped off.  How can they be Foreigner without Mick Jones?  Halfway through the show, Kelly finally told the crowd that Mick was "under the weather" as he said.  I was still alittle disappointed, but I had to admit, they sounded awesome.  Even better then Journey did, and everyone knows I LOVE Journey.  Sorry Neal.  Anyways, if I had just seen a Foreigner Tribute band, they were better than the real deal.  Which doesn't happen that often. 

Jump now to 2013.  Foreigner is scheduled to play in Nashville, and the Nashville Symphony Hall.  Finally, I get to see them headline a full show.  I had never been to the venue before so didn't know how big or small it was.  Upon our arrival at the venue, before the doors were open, I came across a friend of mine who told me he was doing the meet and greet before the show.  He informed me that he had heard talk that again, Mick Jones may not be at this show.  He had a heart attack back in 2011 forcing him to take some time off from  the road and was still not back 100%. My friend told me that he had been looking at pictures from the other meet and greets at their previous shows and Mick was NOT in any of the photos. So again, set up for dissapoinment, I just relished the fact that I was still going to hear some of my favorite songs that night. So, doors open, my wife and I go find our seats, and amazingly, we are only 6 rows from the stage.  We had a perfect view of the stage which was small.  This venue was perfect if you are like me and want to get close to a band.  I was so excited.  Now comes the opening band.  I had heard talk that it was an 18 year old kid from Bloomington, IN named Matthew Curry and The Fury.  I thought, "Oh Shit", this is going to suck.  Surprise surprise, from the first note Matthew played and sang, I was totally amazed at how great this kid was.  He was a cross between Eddie Van Halen and Jonny Lang, if you can imagine that. He did all originals, he has 2 albums out, and he actually had good songs.  Still, I was there to see Foreigner.  Matthew only played for 30 minutes so we didn't have to wait much longer for Foreigner to come on stage.

The lights go down, the intro music starts up, and I hear the first guitar chords of Double Vision, and here comes Foreigner.  But, again, NO Mick Jones. The same guitar player from the Journey show was with them.  But I have to say, he was playing everything note for note perfect and sounded great.  So here I was again, seeing a Foreigner tribute band.  I just decided to go with it and rock out and have a great time.  Seeing my wife dancing and wiggling next to me gave me a joy that I haven't felt in a very long time.  I have to say, that as much as I do enjoy going to shows by myself most of the time, because I am a maniac and want to be right up front and in on the action, it was awesome to share that experience with her.  She got to see my face light up like a little kid at christmas time.  And yes, during I've Been Waiting For A Girl Like You, I held her tight and I did get alittle teary eyed.  Anyways, halfway through the show, Kelly starts introducing the band members.  I knew them all so I was just waiting for him to finish and start the next song.  Then low and behold, I heard these words. "And now, I have to bring out the man who started it all. The man who wrote these songs."  I was getting chills cause I knew who he was talking about.  "A man without whom none of us would be here.  The great Mick Jones."  Mick came onstage and I was so excited I almost shit myself.  I was clammering to get my camera out of my pocket to get some pictures of this rock legend before he disappeared.  Needless to say, he didnt disappear. He played for the last half of the show and it was one of the most amazing shows i've seen in awhile.  So, I warn my wife, I say "baby, at the end of the last song I'm going to run down to the stage to get a guitar pick." She was like "okay, good luck."  So off I go, right down the aisle to the stage, I'm yelling at Jeff Pilson trying to get him to give me a pick and he is totally ignoring me and throwing them into the crowd.  But right in front of me, I see the setlist.  So guess what I did. Yeppers! I ripped the setlist off the stage, maybe pushing a couple of people out of my way in the process. Sorry folks.  Then I'm back to Jeff trying to get a pick from him.  Still, he is paying no attention to me whatsoever.  But, low and behold, he drops a pick on the stage. So as I turn to reach for it, I realize that someone is standing onstage right in front of me.  I look up, and OH MY GOD, it's Mick Jones himself.  I was in total disbelief as I figured he had left the stage already.  He looks at me and lowers his hand and takes my hand and shakes it.  I was totally shaking. Then, he hands me his last guitar pick. It was like a jackpot to me.  I never thought I would get a pick from Mick Jones.  I was willing to settle for a pick from Jeff Pilson, whom I love too by the way. Dokken, being another of my fave bands. So, I'm about to concede and give up on Jeff and I notice that the pick he dropped is still on the stage.  So I just do a little hop and a jump and I'm up on the stage far enough to scoop it up.  So, I hit the jackpot.  2 guitar picks, a setlist, and an awesome show with my wonderful wife who had to put up with me gushing like a little kid getting his first bike.  If anyone is wondering, I collect guitar picks from shows, I have a whole bunch of them and it is always important to me to try to get at least one from every show I go to.  If anyone wants to see my collection, I can post pictures of them later.  So again, it ended up being one of the greatest nights that me and my wife have had together. 

This is my first post since joining the Decibel Geek team so I am totally new to this.  I'm not the best at putting my thoughts into writing so forgive me if all of my punctuation isn't correct.  Anyways, hope you enjoyed and maybe learned something from this. If not, sorry dude!!!!!

Later my Geeks!!!!!!!

Sawthis Made Me Want To Saw My Ears Off!

How do you objectively review something that you cannot stand?  That is the question.  It is not the band or their album specifically, but for me it's the whole genre/style that I don't enjoy listening to, opting more for the melodic metal sounds personally, but here I am.

I received the new Sawthis record, Youniverse via download for review, due for release on September 30th, 2013.  I immediately noticed the song titles, all consisting of only two words, "The .........", like each was telling it's own story.  I put it on and couldn't even get through the first track.......better try again another day........same result, this could be tough!

On the third listen I was more in an experimental and open mood, making it all the way through "The Logical Colours" lead track, but allowed my attention to wander during the second track, "The Waking Up", leaving the computer to do something else, the music having blended into the background.  My ears then caught the opening riffs of the third track, "The Voice Falls On Me" and it drew me back quickly.  While the verse is still a little screamy for me the chorus itself is quite melodic and I found myself enjoying the track.  Next up is "The Disturbed", starting off furiously and returning to the screamy, but not totally unintelligible vocals, this track grows on me with some listens.  "The Crowded Room" follows featuring an excellently catchy chorus that I found myself singing along in my head long after I had finished the listen.  "The Indelible" follows suit with the growly, screamy cookie monster style verses, but a catchy melodic thrash chorus.  The next songs of "The Impure Soul", "The Spotlight", "The Mad" and "The Switch" basically follow in the same vein, blending away again with nothing new sounding here from the rest of the material to the untrained thrash hating ear such as mine.  Closing out with "The Walking" which is probably the best song on the album, mostly because the vocals are more discernible throughout, the Italians' album clocks in at just under an hour with the eleven tracks contained in Youniverse.

Researching the band at the same time assisted in giving me a better understanding of the music, that I was trying so hard to like and get into.  Forming in 2000, Sawthis hail from Italy and call themselves a "modern thrash" band.  Three years later, 2003 saw the release of their début
recording, Fusion and aggressive touring throughout Europe.  Six years after that they served up the second collection of songs called Egod.  The band is comprised of Alessandro Fala on vocals (or unintelligible screams) Adriano Quaranta and Janos Murri (Murri replacing original member Andrea Giordano) on guitar, Gaetano Ettorre on bass and Michele Melchiorre behind the kit.  According to their Facebook page Sawthis' third effort, Youniverse, is a conceptual album dealing with the multiple personality disorders disease.

For all intents and purposes, everything that I've read about this band says they are on the rise and a definite must to check out if you're a fan of the genre, which I am obviously not.  If this album was only recorded using the choruses of the songs it may be more my speed, but even so I felt compelled to purchase Egod, not giving up on Sawthis just yet.  As much as I want to like Sawthis I'm just not sure I can do it, I'll get back to you.

SAWTHIS on FACEBOOK          SAWTHIS OFFICIAL WEBSITE

Cheers,
The Meister

Hardcore Superstar...Fetish Music For The Masses...

Many of the bands that came out in the late 80s to mid 90s are either not together anymore or have wasted away into the land of "classic" rock land. We all know that place. That's the place where we flip in the TV and hear "Here I Go" on Glee, or some other preppy style TV show. I recently started a music list of what I call "Fetish Music". Yes, Fetish Music.

Fetish music is a playlist of songs I came up with. These songs are gritty, guitar driven tracks that put so much dirt in your ear, you gotta clean your ears like every five minutes. These are songs that make you bang your head and scream. And now added to the collection of "Fetish Music" is Hardcore Superstar.

Not sure how these guys got past me, but I'm kicking myself for not copping ANY groups releases sooner. This band is a mixture of classic Ratt, Hanoi Rocks with some Faster Pussycat, the glam of New York Dolls and black garb glitz of the Ramones. Yeah, they are that FUCKIN GOOD!!!!

The guys recently returned back on the scene with their new song,"Above the Law", off their new release "C'mon Take On Me", released back in Februrary of this year.  And this song KICKS ASS!!!! This is not a song you play for just mere enjoyment, YOU CRANK THIS S.O.B UP LOUD AND BANG YOUR HEAD TO THE BEAT!!! The guitar work of Vic Zino is quite impressive. Zinos playing on this song is reminiscent of late RATT N ROLLER Robin Crosby (RIP) with a touch of Slash thrown in for good measure. Joke Berg (vocals) is on fire. He's got the flair of a young Tamie Down, only he doesn't have the blonde hair(and neither does Tamie anymore). Bassist Martin Sandvic and drummer Adde definitely get the job done with their rhythm tag team section.

This song is definitely going to introduce the band to new fans like myself, and make the ears of die hard fans bleed with shivering, orgasmic ear shattering pleasure. These guys are pretty popular in Europe and Japan, and have a growing following here, but it should be bigger. If the rest of this album sounds like the first single, there's gonna be a ton of ears turned out,trust me on this...I know what my next iTunes purchase is going to be....

Now Hear This: Redd Kross - Third Eye

     Red Cross was formed by teenage brothers Jeff and Steve McDonald in 1980 and they were there for the beginnings of the L.A. hardcore scene and saw former members go on to join groups like Black Flag, Circle Jerks, and Bad Religion. The band's early material, including a six song EP and full length album called Born Innocent, fell in line with the more accessible fringes of hardcore but after a threatened lawsuit by the real Red Cross and the subtle name change to Redd Kross the band issued an album of covers in 1984 called Teen Babes From Monsanto which included a version of the KISS classic "Deuce."

     That same year, 1984, the band appeared in and participated in the soundtrack for a low budget B movie called Desperate Teenage Lovedolls which was loosely based on the story of The Runaways.

     The band's first real album as a rock band called Redd Kross came out in 1987 on indie label Big Time. It's called Neurotica and it's highly respected by underground rock aficionados. The band signed with Atlantic and released a streamlined, professional rock record in 1990 called Third Eye. No longer a punk band by any stretch Redd Kross could easily have fit in with the glam metal bands that were dominating MTV at the time. Third Eye is a polished and extremely melodic album that a lot of potential fans missed out on. While Neurotica may have been "alternative," Third Eye certainly was not. 

     The album opens with an epic ode to pretending to be a rock star in front of the mirror called "Faith Healer." It's not one of my favorite songs on the album but serves its purpose.

     The next song, "Annie's Gone," is possibly the best song on the album, a driving rocker with a great hook.

     Like I said, this album could definitely have been marketed by Atlantic as a glam metal album alongside hugely popular bands like Warrant and Slaughter, and to drive that point home it even includes a power ballad, a great one called "I Don't Know How To Be Your Friend."

     After a song named for a female Japanese pop punk band called Shonen Knife comes the poppiest song on the album, a bouncy, very catchy number called "Bubblegum Factory."

     Side One ends with an excellent pop tune called "Where Am I Today." Maybe Atlantic should have marketed them as glam, but an emotionally effective and artistic  song like this is what would have set them apart.

     Side Two opens with an infectious blast of melodic rock called "Zira (Call Out My Name)."

     A Beatlesesque ballad called "Love Is Not Love" is followed by a triumphant tribute to seventies rock called "1976." The song is GREAT, and listen closely for what appears to be an uncredited appearance by Paul Stanley.

     The second to last song, "Debbie & Kim," is another keeper.

     The album closes with my least favorite song on the album, "Elephant Flares," but what a record it is, and one that will appeal to rock fans across the board. The band followed it up with another strong rock record in 1993, the slightly heavier Phaseshifter, and released another excellent album in 1997 called Show World, and that was it for Redd Kross until last year, 2012, when the band reconvened and graced the world with a new album called Researching The Blues.

Blown Away By FOUR! - Coney Hatch

Hard Rock is alive and well north of the 49th, as Coney Hatch prepares to unleash their fourth studio album aptly titled "Four". For those uninitiated, Coney Hatch broke onto the Canadian music landscape in the 80's releasing three albums on Anthem/Polygram in as many years and toured with the likes of Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Accept and Cheap Trick.

I became aware of Coney Hatch when I was a young teenager and first witnessed the video for "Devil's Deck" on television. The hard rocking guitars, melodic vocals and a killer thumping rhythm section, I was SOLD! At the time I probably didn't even realize they were a Canadian band, it didn't matter though it was great music and quite frankly it still is!

Comprised of Carl Dixon (lead vocals/rhythm guitar) Andy Curran (lead vocals/bass) Steve Shelski (lead guitar/vocals) and Dave "Thumper" Ketchum (drums/percussion),  Coney Hatch toured extensively through the early eighties. If not on tour supporting the biggest names in rock, then they were out earning it one "Monkey Bar" at a time.

The band called it quits in 1986 leaving fans with three great rock albums and some amazing concert memories. After going their separate ways the guys remained busy. Carl Dixon went on to work with April Wine and the Guess Who as well as continuing to release solo albums, Steve Shelski joined Larry Gowan's band for a few years and dove into writing music for television and movies and Andy Curran formed a solo band (Soho 69) before going to work at Anthem records working with many international recording artists including RUSH.

Life has a weird way of shaking things up and setting change in motion sometimes. The reconvening of Coney Hatch started in of all places, Australia. Carl Dixon was down under working on a project that his daughter was involved with when he was injured in a horrific car crash that nearly ended his life.

It was a comment made by Andy Curran while Carl was in an induced coma in a hospital bed many miles away that planted the seed of a possible reunion. "I told him to get better quick" and "that we had a lot more rocking to do with Coney Hatch" and Carl remembered those words!

As Carl healed and grew stronger, the musical landscape seemed more than open to the melodic rock of Coney Hatch and some opportunities presented themselves. With some successful shows under their belts, a renewed spirit within the band and a record deal on the table we find ourselves here with a soon to be released fourth studio album entitled "Four".

The album kicks off with the first single (and video), the infectious "Blown Away". Immediately the album has me smiling, Blown Away has everything I love about Coney Hatch, driving in your face drums and bass, shredding guitar solos and the vocal prowess of Carl Dixon, big sing along chorus. Hell Yeah! The Hatch is back. "Boys Club", a dirty little rocker with Andy Curran taking the vocal lead. Reminds me of his Soho 69 days. Tongue in cheek, nasty rock n roll, exactly what the doctor ordered.

The album plays out delivering plenty of balls out rock "Down and Dirty", "Connected", "We Want More", "The Devil You Know" balanced with some softer, melodic rock "Revive" and "Holding On".
Having two very talented yet different vocalists has always been a cool part of Coney Hatch's sound. They say that rock n roll will keep you young and that maybe true as Carl and Andy's pipes sound as strong as if they had recorded the vocals back in 87.

For the uninitiated that weren't lucky enough to be around or aware of Coney Hatch back in the day, I will tell you this. If you enjoy the riff rocking sounds of Foreigner, Def Leppard and AC/DC? Than I highly suggest you give "Four" a good listen, I think you'll be "blown away"!

For the die hard Hatch fan? You are already "connected" and know what I am talking about Coney Hatch are back and "Four" was well worth the wait!