Action Packed Weekend

So I kicked off Memorial Day Weekend a little early on Thursday at the KORN show. Awesome indeed. Friday was a down day just to chill. Saturday was Buckcherry at HOB. Another kick ass show. Sunday off to NYC to see the Phils battle the Yanks at the New Yankee Stadium. Nice stadium, but not the same as the old stadium. Lots of Philly fans, who tend to get out of hand, which then gets the NY fans to be out of hand and then it's just ugly. Overall a good day and the Phils won. Not impressed with the hot dogs at the Yankee Stadium either. Also took the Yankee Clipper ferry from Hoboken over to the game. That was cool to see NY from the river. Ate at Maxwells in Hoboken after the game. Nice place. Was there a few years ago to see Butch Walker play acoustic. Figured we would try the food. Monday was another chill day, except for selling cars at Shore Toyota from 2-4p. Actually did some gardening. Yep, I planted some flowers. And now it's time to get ready to go back to the daily grind. Fun. Wednesday night... don't forget SHARKFEST at the Hilton. Last minute tickets tomorrow on the Shark.

Ratt - Out of the Cellar

1984 was a big year for hard rock in the 80's... Twister Sister's "Stay Hungry", Bon Jovi's "Bon Jovi", Dokken's "Tooth & Nail"., Motley Crue's "Shout at the Devil" to name a few... all on the heels of 83's megahits Def Leppard's "Pyromania" and Quiet Riot's "Metal Health". 1984 also saw the release of the first major label release from RATT. "Out of the Cellar" burst on the scene with their biggest hit if their career's "Round & Round" and also included the rock hits "Wanted Man" and "Back for More". The record went onto sell of 3 million copies in the US alone. RATT toured with Billy Squier to support the record. RATT went on to release Invasion of Your Privacy in '85 that went double platinum, two more platinum records, and two more gold records before breaking up in 1992. They reformed in 1999, but departed with frontman Stephen Pearcy a year later. Toured with new frontman Jizzy Pearl for years until 2007 went Pearcy returned to the group. Original guitarist Ribbin Crosby died of AIDS complications a few years ago. RATT is tour Europe this summer and will play the entire "Out of the Cellar" record in order. RATT & ROLL Baby!!!

Chickenfoot, Chickenfoot, CHICKENFOOT!!!

Van Hagar reunion. Nah. It's the opening night of the Chickenfoot tour. Sammy Hagar, Michael Anthony, Chad Smith, and Joe Satriani. CHICKENFOOT!!! May 14th was the kickoff of their sold out mini tour in Seattle. A few problems... like oversold venue. But in the end, the reviews are all the same... Amazing Show. They even covered Bad Motor Scooter from Montrose and Highway Star from Deep Purple. Check out some of the pics... and also visit http://melodicrock.com/ for reviews and more pics from the show. Philly... Sold Out... May 29th... TLA on South Street... and yes, I'm in!!!

Paula Abdul

Totally forgot to post this last week. So I got roped into watching American Idol last week because Slash was on it. First off, that dude Adam ripped Whole Lotta Love. That was impressive. The rest, well, not so much. So the following night, Ms. Emotional, Paula Abdul performed her new song. The song, which should be a Britney Spears song, sounds kind of silly when 40 something year old is singing it. When I mean singing it, I mean lip singing. So let me get this straight... Paula Abdul is a judge on a singing show, but she can't sing, and then lip sings her new song on a show that awards the best singers???? And the madness continues...

Rokken with Dokken... and more!!!

As I make my way through the hairspray and lipstick of my CD collection, I found Dokken's "Under Lock & Key". Released in 1985, I played this cassette over and over and over throughout the 80's. Next to Def Leppard, they were probably my second favorite band from '85 to '89. I had a Dokken poster on my wall and a vinyl insert of the cover on my wall as well. My sister also had the vinyl which I played over and over and over again. From the opening cords of Unchain the Night to the catchy harmonies of In My Dreams to the rocker It's Not Love and others like Jaded Heart, Lightning Strikes, and The Hunter. Under Lock & Key is great from start to finish. In fact, tonight's 80's Rock @ 8 features It's Not Love, which was a big video hit on MTV. The look left alot to be desired, but the musicianship and the song writing was as good as anything throughout the 80's. George Lynch was definitely one of the top five guitarists of the 80's. Check this record out. Still sounds good in 2009.

Few other things to talk about...

Sharkfest 2009 - Wednesday, May 27th - AC Hilton Theater - More details at 1037theShark.com

Come out to the Queensryche broadcast on Saturday @ the House of Blues from 5-7p. I'll be there gearing up for the Queensryche show. Tickets still available

Halestorm... check this band out. Rocking!!! I Get Off rips!!!

Until next time... Enjoy...

Queensryche & Poison

I'm a little late on these reviews. Sorry, kind of busy... and lazy.

Queensryche - Operation Mindcrime. Simply Brilliant. Concept record that was released in 1988 and supported with tours with Def Leppard and Metallica. The record takes you on a journey to find out "Who killed Mary?", though you don't find out until 18 years later on Operation Mindcrime II. Every song on Mindcrime is amazing. Revolution Calling... I Don't Believe In Love... titled track... and the closer Eyes Of A Stranger are classics. Queensryche has toured in previous years playing the entire record with actors on stage. I saw it twice in Philly and Atlantic City. You can also pick up the live DVD of Mindcrime played straight through called Operation Livecrime.

Poison - Look What the Cat Dragged In. The first video for this record was Cry Tough. I was 10. I couldn't tell if they were girls or boys. The cover of the record didn't help either!!! But peel through the makeup and the giant hair and you had catchy pop songs like I Want Action, Talk Dirty to Me, and I Won't Forget You. The titled track is still Poison's opening song on tour. Recorded for just $30,000, it went on to sell over 4 million copies in the States. Most consider it Poison's best work. Just a quick 10 song record, made cheap, and filled with catchy hooks and guitar solos. Oh, and they were all boys... and the women loved'em...

TESLA

Totally forgot to review a Tesla record like I promised in honor of them rocking the House of Blues on Saturday night. Hopefully, you caught the interview on 103.7 the Shark with Rich DeSisto and myself talking with Troy and Dave of Tesla. Anyway, check out the backstage pic and here are my five favorite Tesla records that you should check out...

1. The Great Radio Controversy (1989)

2. Mechanical Resonance (1986)

3. Into The Now (2004)

4. Five Man Acoustical Jam (1990)

5. Bust A Nut (1994)

And don't forget to check out their new record, Forever More, in stores now. Definitely rocks...