The Rock and Roll Guru

A Fond Farewell

2011-10-10T06:00:00.001-04:00

“Sunrise doesn’t last all morning… A cloudburst doesn’t last all day…” The Beatles

Nothing lasts forever, not even the good things in life. One of my favorite sayings is that “Life often gets in the way of life.” When everything is insanely busy and I am completely overwhelmed and wondering why I haven’t seen a particular friend, or why I don’t have time to get X, Y, or Z done, I know it’s because “Life gets in the way of life.”

Here I am, once again at a crossroads. I started this blog for several reasons. The biggest was that I wanted to create something I just wasn’t finding on the web; something that, as a fan, I would stop and visit every day. I think that I have achieved that. I hope that other people have felt the same way and that over the last 2 ½ years, they have stopped by for a daily (or at least weekly) dose of enjoyment.

When I started this blog I felt that I had a lot more time than I do now, but that isn’t entirely true. I had the same amount of time; I just focused more of that time on the blog and let other things slip aside. Now, after 33 months of blogging, it’s a struggle to keep up sometimes. The blog is hard work and not returning the rush it did when I first began. It’s reflected in my mood and in the finished work that I publish.

Recently, I took some time to scroll through some of my earliest posts. What jumped out at me was how detailed they were, and how polished they were (especially for an amateur blog). That was due to a lot of dedication, devotion, and desire. I’m not saying that I don’t have that same drive that I did nearly three years ago, I’m just saying that I’m burning out. I could probably continue on with The Rock And Roll Guru for another year or two, but the finished product would not be as good.

I’ve been doing a lot of self realization lately. I’ve been asking myself to really do some critical thinking about what I want from life and to be honest with myself, not just provide lip service. I know that I had great expectations when this blog was launched. Part of me secretly saw it as my ticket out of the 9-to-5 world and into something that I could do for a living, making it my 9-to-5 job. Now, I don’t see that as the case. The level of dedication that I would have to put it into the blog to make it my day job in a year or two is a high level of commitment that I cannot adhere to at this time. It could be done, but it would require all other interests of my life to be forgotten. That just isn’t going to happen.

The biggest hurdle to The Rock And Roll Guru becoming my day job is the fact that the market is just too saturated. Looking back in hindsight, trying to be a jack of all trades, was not the best idea for growing a fledgling blog. It needs to be niche down. Just because I love ALL types of music, doesn’t mean that the music site I write is going to have massive visits from all types of music fans. Because The Guru is all over the page, it actually takes away from repeat customers. A niche market returns; a broad market isn’t quite sure what you are offering them.

I love this site more than I can put into words. I love the fact that people from all over the world have stopped and read a paragraph, a page, or quite a few pages of my work. Nothing could provide me deeper satisfaction than knowing I achieved that. It’s an indescribable experience that brings me pure joy.

However, The Guru has not gone where I had hoped it would. I know why, which is a great thing. The experience I have gained from writing this blog is priceless and will certainly help me be eons ahead should I decide to venture into something similar in the future. That being said, it is time for a long, possibly permanent, hiatus. I am burning out and I do not want The Guru to be riddled with shoddy posts in the waning days. Out of respect for myself, the blog, and most importantly, you, the regular readers, I have decided that it is time to shut it down. A re-launch is not entirely out of the question, but it is not very likely to happen.

The Every Album Challenge will continue. There may come a time when I put an additional post or two on The Guru about it, but mostly, updates will come via twitter (www.twitter.com/ryovie). The Challenge is a personal thing that I want to achieve and accomplish. I thought that I would be writing a LOT about it on The Guru, but it hasn’t created as many inspirational posts as I initially envisioned. That being said, I love a good challenge, and therefore will be completing it.

If you’re a huge fan of my writing, first I say thank you. Second, I say, if you would like to continue reading my writings, you can still find me on Hard Rock Hideout (www.hardrockhideout.com) with my bi-weekly column, Vie’s Verses as well as some record reviews. My writing for that site will continue, and who knows where else I may show up with a guest post.

If you are a band, PR department, producer, manager, or solo artist that has sent me work for review, I say thank you. The fact that you would even consider hearing my opinion about your music means the world to me. Keep making/producing/promoting the wonderful music that you do. It truly makes people happy.

To everyone who ever visited this site --- thank you. It has been a pleasure to produce this blog for you. Thanks for the visits, the memories, and the laughs. I’ll see you all down the road or at the next great show. Until then---keep on rocking!

Ryo Vie
October 10, 2011

The Rebellion - II

2011-10-09T08:58:00.002-04:00

The Rebellion has returned with their sophomore effort, II. After releasing a solid and enjoyable debut, the stakes were high for The Rebellion to deliver on their second album. Fortunately for the fans, the band was up for the task. II is every bit as good as the band’s debut record (Time).

While their first album sounded all Muse, Coldplay, and The Fray, the new disc sounds more like The Rebellion. The band has solidified their sound. Piano driven modern rock is the style of Rebellion, and it is music done right. Josh Palmer’s voice still sounds fantastic and his bandmates follow suit, showing off their talent with ease.

II brings with it many surprises yet many familiarities as well. Josh Palmer’s voice sounds as grand as the previous record and his guitar work is still amazing. The songs are stronger than the previous disc and much more enjoyable. The hard work that The Rebellion put into this record shows in the sound that is released. It’s obvious the band did not want to repeat their debut and deliver a stale sound, so they went to work and worked hard. The end result was worth it, as II is one of the better records to be released this year.

The Rebellion pick up where the left off at the end of Time, bringing more great music to the fans. While “Missing Piece” is a solid opening track complete with plenty of piano and incredible vocal, it’s the second song on the disc, “Save Me” that gets the feet tapping and the backsides shaking. “Save Me” is a magnificent modern rock piece with intricate changes, a fantastic guitar solo, and a harder edge. It begins soft and sweet but finishes rough and tough. “Save Me” is a fantastic song and it finds The Rebellion hitting their stride.

“The Escape” has a Queen like feel to it, especially during the guitar solo. It reminded me so much of Brian May that I thought he had made a guest appearance on the record. Alas, it was an original solo by Josh Palmer. The complexity in the arrangements and changes shows just how much The Rebellion has matured as a band. “The Escape” is a sophisticated rock song. Without a doubt the hardest rocking and best sounding song on the record, The Escape is a great rock tune worthy of many listens and a lot of radio airplay.

II brings plenty of rock moments with it. The blend of brilliant guitar solo, Palmers magnificent voice and just the right amount of piano, drums, and bass solidify the music to perfection. II is one of the better albums to be released this year. If you are a huge fan of The Rebellion’s debut album, it may take a spin or two to enjoy II. Because it is advancement from their debut disc, II takes a little longer to appreciate, but it can be enjoyed immediately. If this is your first Rebellion experience, then it is a great album to get to know the band. You will be impressed and rejoice in this fantastic sounding record.

Ryo’s Rating: 8 (out of 10)

Track Listing
Missing Piece
Save Me
Interlude
The Escape
Without You
Ocean Breeze
Animal
Bend Or Break
Sympathetic Fool
Break Out
Reprise
All You Need

Lollapalooza - July 23, 2003

2011-10-08T06:00:00.002-04:00

Back in 2003, Lollapalooza was still a travelling tour, as opposed to the one city, one weekend event that is the current format. In the summer of 2003, Lollapalooza announced their tour dates and one of the stops was at the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, New Jersey. With bands like Incubus, Audioslave, and Jane’s Addiction on the bill, there was no way I would miss out.

The Donnas
The Donnas opened the main stage in style. I always wondered what happened to The Donnas. They were a decent, all girl band, and in 2003, I thought they would go on to be hugely successful. Their live act was solid, they looked magnificent (hot, sweaty, beautiful women playing rock and roll is always attractive), and they had a hit song in “Take It Off.” With so much going right, I am surprised that this band didn’t take off. As it was, I was happy to see them in concert and thought they did a great job as a live act.

Queens Of The Stone Age
I had never seen Queens Of The Stone Age prior to Lollapalooza, and I barely knew their music. I was familiar with a song or two that I had heard on the radio, but other than that, I had not paid them much attention. Thus, I had no idea what to expect when it was their turn to rock the Arts Center. All I knew is that they were the bridge to Incubus.

In a brief, simple, summary, this band sucked. I rarely trash any bands, as I know how hard it is to make good music, go out on stage, and perform in front of crowds both large and small, but there is no other way for me to state how I felt about Queens Of The Stone Age. It could quite possibly be the worst musical performance I ever sat through.

The lead singer had a voice that sound like broken glass being chewed. The instruments were all out of tune, and it appeared that the band did way too much partying before taking the stage. Hence, the band sucked. I quickly forgot about them and never gave QOTSA another thought until now. Most likely, I will never think about them again.

Incubus
This would be my first time witnessing Incubus live. I knew they would perform a condensed set, but figured it would be packed with hits, which would make me happy. Incubus delivered. While their performance at Lollapalooza was nowhere near as grand as their headlining performance I witnessed years later, it was still a power packed show.

Without lighting, special effects, or any other extras that headliners get, Incubus focused on the music. And that was enough for the crowd. Incubus’ music is what makes them special and there is no need for them to rely on special effects to enhance their show. The music does all the talking.

My only disappointment with Incubus was the fact that they did not play one of their biggest hits. For whatever reason, “Drive” was not on the set list that night, and to this day, I am still scratching my head over that.

Audioslave
2003 was really the year of Audioslave. After Rage Against The Machine split up and Soundgarden called it a day, Chris Cornell and the members of Rage (minus Zach) got together and made a super group. And super they were. Their debut album ranks in my top 50 albums of all time. The year it was released, I played it nonstop. To finally witness these songs in their live format was the treat of the night.

The band opened with a White Stripes song, which I found an odd thing to do. Not only were they opening with a song that wasn’t their own, but the song they chose (“Seven Nation Army”) was a current White Stripes song. I can’t recall ever seeing a band cover a current hit in concert. That being said, they performed a damned good version of the song.

After the cover intro, Audioslave songs followed. All of the best songs from their self-titled debut were played and the crowd loved it. Chris Cornell has a voice for the angels and Tom Morello is a guitar whiz worthy of being considered one of the greats. Their live performance really did the band justice.

Toward the end of their set, Cornell came out on stage solo with an acoustic guitar and played a cover of Bruce Springsteen’s “Atlantic City.” It was well done and of course, the New Jersey crowd went wild for the Bruce cover.

Overall, Audioslave was magnificent. It was the only time I saw them in concert, but it was a memorable one.

Jane’s Addiciton
The headliners of the show were the recently reunited Jane’s Addiction. They were touring behind a brand new album, Strays, which was a solid record. This would be my second time seeing them in concert, so I knew how great the band was live. That night would be no exception.

As Jane’s set started, I noticed something strange occurring in front of me. It had been a long day of music, and a lot of people had a little too much (or way too much) to drink. By that time of the night, goofy things were bound to happen.

The not-so-gentleman in front of me and my friends decided that it was time for a bathroom break, but apparently he did not want to miss any of Jane’s Addiction. So, right in front of us and everyone else on the lawn, he whipped out his rod urinated. The crowd around him dissipated quickly, giving him plenty of room. After he finished tapping the tree, he zipped up and went right on rocking. I had to question what I just saw, but my friends confirmed it. We just watched a guy piss on the lawn at a Jane’s Addiction concert.

As for the real show, it was magnificent. Ninety minutes of great music from one of the founding fathers of alternative rock. I have always been enamored with Perry Farrell, considering him a musical genius. His excellence showed on that night as he and the rest of the band performed a concert that was entertaining, packed with hit songs, and extremely well performed. There were no complaints from me or my friends.

Lollapalooza 2003 was an entertaining event and worth the price of admission. While it would be the last time that I would see Jane’s Addiction in concert, they gave me quite a memory to go out on.

Friday's Rockin' Roundup - Home Repair Edition

2011-10-07T08:54:00.002-04:00

This past week, Mrs. Vie and I have been working on our daughter’s room, transforming it from “the little princess” theme to a more teenage oriented theme. This has meant scraping, painting, spackling, cleaning, color picking, and a lot of hard work. When it is all over with, the room will look immaculate. Quite possibly, it could be the nicest room in the house. Getting to that point though, that is the battle. I have never spackled so many holes in one room before this. My word of advice to parents everywhere---do not let your children hang up posters with push pins. Tape only! It will make things so much easier when it comes time to remake their room.

Here’s what rocked this week:

Do You Want Total Music Freedom?
A new app has been launched that allows users to synch their music across any mobile phone, tablet, or personal computer, meaning your music collection is with you wherever you go. In a nutshell, this is the cloud for music, and it looks oh so sweet! And what makes this better than ICloud, is that it is not restricted to the apple universe. Now you can synch the music on your blackberry with your PC and your IPad. One touch of the app and everything is there. To check this out in more detail, visit: www.mymusiccloud.com

30 Musicians Under 30 Worth Knowing
If you are always searching for the next great sound or the next great artist, here is a website that you have to visit. 30 under 30: Musicians To Know is a site dedicated to 30 young musicians over the world on the cusp of making it big. The creators of the site searched high and wide for talent all over the world that they believe have what it takes to be a great solo artist. Bios on the artist and samples of their music are all included. This is a great site for those of us that love indie rock.

Kiss Gets Screwed Again
Over at Hard Rock Hideout, the latest edition of Vie’s Verses can be found. The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Nominees were announced and once again, Kiss was left off the bill. What the heck is that all about? Check out my seething rant over at HRH. Kiss deserves some respect.

Every Album Challenge Update
Albums Listened To: 355
Albums Remaining: 1,698

For more news, reviews, strange thoughts, concert updates, new release information, and basic blabbering, you should follow me on twitter. www.twitter.com/ryovie

The Scent Of Music

2011-10-05T06:00:00.000-04:00

Recently I pulled out a Rolling Stones mix tape that I made over twenty years ago. I wanted to listen to the ingeniously titled, “Rolling Stones Mix” as part of my Every Album Challenge. The mix was recorded on the Maxell Brand that was popular at the time. I remember buying those blank tapes in packs of ten for all of the mixes that I made. And all of them had outstandingly creative titles like “Kiss Mix,” “Aerosmith Mix,” and “Rolling Stones Mix.”

When I pulled the “Rolling Stones Mix” cassette open and prepared to pop it into the cassette player, something hit me right away---the smell of the cassette. It still smelled new. It still smelled like it had twenty years ago. It was a sweet, plastic scent that was undeniably Maxell. I don’t know if this was caused from the process of manufacturing the tapes, or if the factory coated them with a special scent, but I immediately knew the smell. It brought back many memories of my youth.

As a kid, I was big on sense of smell when it came to new music. Whenever I would buy a new cassette, one of my biggest thrills came from ripping off the plastic sheet the cassette was packaged in, popping it open, and sticking my nose on the cassette to get a good whiff. The clear tapes always smelled the best, but the Maxell blanks were a close second.

The joy of smelling my music followed me around as I got older and technologically advanced. I would smell new CDs as they were purchased, and while the covers still had a pleasant scent, the CDs themselves did not smell like much of anything. I believe it was the plastic jewel boxes the CDs came in that secured any scent. The smell was not as invigorating as the cassette tapes, but it was still there.

Now, with modern technology, paper packaging, and electronically stored music dominating collections, we’ve lost a lot of that nostalgic scent. It is the one thing I miss most about collecting music. No new music smells the way the tapes of old did (and amazingly still do). I can’t believe that the scent of the Maxell held up for more than twenty years. I experimented with other cassettes, and while the scent was still somewhat apparent on a few of them, it was non-existent on most. However, every Maxell UR brand blank tape that I sniffed still had a strong smell of “cassette.” They all held up over time.

Has anyone else tried this? Did any of you ever spend time smelling your collection growing up and noticing how great/unique/invigorating the cassette tapes smelled? Was it only the tapes of the late 80s/early 90s? I noticed that the white tapes of the 70s/early 80s somehow did not carry the same scent. It must be the type of plastic that was used.

If you remember “smelling” your collection, drop a line in the comments section. Don’t be shy. We all have quirky habits as music collectors. I know that I cannot be the only music fanatic to have done this on a regular basis. That’s not only highly improbable, it is borderline impossible.

Maxell brand cassette tapes…you rock!

New Music Monday Featuring Three Metre Days, Sorrows, And Stone Joy

2011-10-03T06:00:00.002-04:00

Welcome to another edition of New Music Monday, where your cousin Ryo gets your week kick started with some great brand new tunes that you’re bound to enjoy!

Three Metre Days – Stay That Way
We start this edition of New Music Monday off with something mellow. Three Metre Days “Stay That Way” is a beautiful song that should be listened to while watching the sunrise with a nice hot cup of coffee in your hand. This song is as beautiful as nature’s morning. Grab yourself a free copy of the “Stay That Way” MP3 by clicking the link below.
http://www.pavementpr.com/1.mp3s/3MDStayThatWay.mp3

Sorrows – Bad Times Good Times
Next up is Sorrows with “Bad Times Good Times.” This song is a hard rock meets hillbilly rock with a wind ensemble twist. Think the Stray Cats going punk. An upbeat, foot tapping, hell of a good time, “Bad Times Good Times” is a song that will get you rocking in the morning and take you all the way to the end of the week. Grab a free copy of the single “Bad Times Good Times” by clicking the link below.
http://www.pavementpr.com/1.mp3s/SORROWSBadTimesGoodTimes.mp3

Stone Joy – Bless You Nona Way
We close out this edition of New Music Monday with a hauntingly beautiful song from Stone Joy, titled “Bless You Nona Way.” The song is beautiful, the video is artistic, and on a crisp fall morning, there is nothing better to wake up to. This is pure musical art!

Three Metre Days, Sorrows, and Stone Joy --- you rock!

Barry - Yawnin' At The Dawnin'

2011-10-02T06:00:00.001-04:00

Never have I wanted to spend an entire day doing nothing except listen to an album and soak in the amazing music coming through my headphones. Barry’s Yawnin’ At The Dawnin’ made me want to do just that. I could spend an entire weekend hitting the repeat button on my IPOD, playing Yawning At The Dawnin' on an endless loop. Yawnin’ At The Dawnin’ is spectacular and will be battling Dom Liberati’s The Good Hurt for album of the year in 2011. This is not only what modern folk music should sound like…this is what ALL music should sound like.

It’s rare that a band I’ve never heard of prior to playing their album makes me this excited. From the opening, hoot-a-nanny stomp of the A Cappella title track, my attention was immediately engaged in this album and nothing else. The music that followed on the next track, “For Your Own Good,” smacked me in the face like an alarm clock on a cold winter’s morning. Unlike the alarm clock though, I didn’t hit snooze, I hit repeat instead. Yawnin’ At The Dawnin’ is too good for just one, two, or even three listens. 20 spins might get the bug out of my system, at least for one more day.

The centerpiece of this disc is “Drink One More,” an incredible ode to modern life, days gone by, and good times yet to be had. The song documents the life history of the three brothers that make up the band (Patrick Barry – Guitar, Benjamin Barry – Bass, Bradford Barry – Drums), but it also delves into basic human nature. We never know when we are going to see a particular friend again, so we should take the extra time to “drink one more” and enjoy a few longer moments together. Those moments are irreplaceable and the memories that stem from them can last a lifetime.

Overall, Yawnin’ At The Dawnin’ is an EP that all music fans should hear, if not own. Every song is unique ear candy for consumption by the mind, soul, and spirit. Sometimes you hear an album that is so good you want to scream out to the world “You must hear this music!” Yawnin’ At The Dawnin’ is that type of album. If my college band sounded as grand as Barry, I wouldn’t be writing this blog, I’d be touring the world as a multi-millionaire.

If you want to hear some exceptional music, go get a copy of Barry’s Yawnin’ At The Dawnin’. This magnificent EP is available on ITunes and Amazon and your cousin Ryo recommends that you go there now!

Ryo’s Rating: 9.5 (out of 10)

Track List
Yawnin’ At The Dawnin’
For Your Own Good
Carnival(e)
Three Years In Carolina
Drink One More
Love Something Too Much
Great Unknown

Kiss/Poison - July 20, 2004

2011-10-01T06:00:00.002-04:00

Yes, you can call me biased, but I’ve always felt that everyone who enjoys music or concerts should see Kiss perform live at least once in their lifetime. Their stage show set the mark for what a live performance should be and they still work as hard as they can to provide incredible entertainment in the live setting. Thus, it was with much persuasion that I convinced my wife to attend a Kiss concert so that she could finally see what all the fuss was about and why I am so obsessed with the band.

Initially my cousin and her husband were attending the concert with us, and in hindsight, I believe that it was more for the camaraderie of friendship (my cousin and I are very close) that Cathy decided to attend the show. It would be a nice night out with close friends/family and fun for everyone. Unfortunately, at the last minute, my cousin and her husband had a change of plans and were unable to attend the show.

Normally, this wouldn’t be that big of a deal, but I was left with a request. They wanted to know if I could sell their tickets at the concert. I hate doing that. It takes away from my tailgating time and I always feel like a sleazy scalper walking around spouting “Tickets, who needs tickets?” Add in the fact that if the first buyer doesn’t want to pay face value, there is the risk of eating the tickets completely. Thus, the conundrum arrives, should the tickets be sold to the first bidder, or should ground be stood and sell only to those willing to pay face value? As I was popped with this mission the day before the concert, there was no time for an EBay listing. I had to try and sell the tickets at the show.

Even without my cousin and her husband, Cathy soldiered on and attended the concert. I was excited for her first Kiss experience; far more excited than she was. Cathy arrived with major doubts, and she was convinced that this concert was going to be lousy. I pleaded with her to have an open mind, but I am not sure if that communication ever got through.

As we arrived at the concert, I had one mission in mind – sell the tickets as fast as I could. After parking the car and staring at my cache of beer that was waiting to be consumed, I trudged out to perform the task at hand. The sooner I sold these stupid tickets, the sooner I could sit back, relax, and enjoy some tailgating. I had to unload these tickets and I was holding out for face value. These were actual seats to a show that, while not sold out, only had lawn seats available. It should have been a cinch to sell them for face value.

As I started my walk, I saw the scalpers out already. “Tickets. Anyone need tickets? Anyone selling tickets?” Now, I knew that a scalper would get much more than face value for these seats, so I thought the math was pretty simple. Buy these tickets for face value, sell them at a markup, and make a profit. However great my rational mind was, my party side just heard the beer calling and watched as daylight kept creeping away. I had to unload the tickets.

Against my better judgment, I answered the call of the scalper. “I have tickets to sell,” I said meekly approaching the swindling con artist. Scalpers area trained for this crap. They are worse than three card monte dealers in the city. They know how to hustle. It is what they do for a living. Some fast talk, a little sleight of hand, and voila, a fool and his tickets have soon parted for about half of what they are worth. That is exactly what happened to me when my desire to drink beer with my wife outweighed my sensical side to hold out for face value. This was Kiss. They were worth it.

“What do you have?” the scalper asked.
“Real seats. 400s,” was my reply. “I’m looking for face value, nothing less.”

Scalper looked at me with eyes that said I will own you. “You know the shows not sold out, right?” He was already making his play. Meanwhile, all I heard was the voice in my head screaming “Dump the tickets and let’s go drink! You aren’t Ticketmaster for crying out loud!”

“The lawn’s available, not seats,” I countered.

Scalper gazed at me again knowing he was going to win. “I’ll give you $80 for the pair.” Face value was $90. Each. He was going to have to do better than that.

“I’m looking for face value,” I repeated.

Scalper wasn’t afraid of my not-so-tough-guy approach. “$80. Take it or leave it.”

I should have left it. I should have told him to piss off and held out for a real customer, not a swindling scalper that was looking to get the best deal by any means possible. Unfortunately, beer and good times were waiting and I just wanted to get rid of the tickets. Besides, what if no one bought them? Then they were just wasted. Something was better than nothing, right? Stupid me.

I reluctantly agreed to his ridiculous price and sold the tickets for far less than I could have gotten and moved on with my day. I was just happy to sit back, relax, and tailgate until the show began.

Poison was the opening act for this tour, which was super incredible. Not only am I an insanely huge Kiss fan, but I am also an insanely huge Poison fan. And even though they play the same set list year after year after year, I enjoy seeing them in concert and I am always hopeful for a rare gem. Cathy had never seen Poison in concert, so this was a double treat for her. Poison and Kiss for her first Kiss concert. Not much more could be asked for.

Poison came out and started the night off with a bang. As expected, “Look What The Cat Dragged In” opened the evening, and even though I’ve heard it many times on tour, it was still fun to watch. Bret Michaels has such a way of entertaining the crowd, that regardless of the same set being played once again, it is still fun to witness.

All the hits were brought out for this 50 minute opening slot. “I Want Action,” “Something To Believe In,” “Talk Dirty To Me,” “Nothing But A Good Time,” and of course “Every Rose Has It’s Thorn,” which found the amphitheater lit up like a Christmas tree. As an opening act, Poison left it all on the stage and really primed the pump for Kiss. Cathy was amazed and commented how she would like to see Poison as a headlining act after that fantastic opening slot.

The big boys were next and just before Kiss was set to take the stage, two guys showed up and sat next to us. They were occupying the seats that my cousin and her husband would have sat in. Curiosity got the best of me and I just had to know what they paid for the tickets.

I leaned over and asked them if they purchased their tickets from a scalper, providing a brief description of the man that I sold the tickets to.

One of the guys nodded. “Yeah, that’s the guy.”

“I sold him these tickets. Do you mind if I ask what you paid for them?”

$125. Each. It was quite a profit for a guy who got them from me for $40 each. That hurt---a lot. I knew I should have held out for face value. Stupid alcoholic genes. With a reserved sigh I did the best I could to push it out of my head and enjoy the act of the night---Kiss!

The well known phrase of “All right New Jersey…!” rang out over the PA system, and we all knew what was coming next. We wanted the best and we got the best. The hottest band in the land…Kiss! I was as giddy as a school boy on prom night. I was more excited for Cathy, as I desperately wanted her to enjoy this concert and understand why I was so loyal to, and obsessed with, this band. Alas, not everyone is going to see things in the same light. Cathy did not have the time of her life. She barely had an “OK” time. It was awful. Here I had hoped that she would love the live event, and she didn’t even come close to liking it.

I understand, Kiss is not for everyone, but I thought there would be some appreciation for the event. Cathy’s response was “Perhaps if they took the makeup off, I could take them more seriously.” Take the makeup off? What? She obviously did not know what she was suggesting.

The show itself was a solid Kiss performance with some rarities mixed in. “Unholy,” “War Machine,” and “Makin’ Love” all were dusted off for this performance. Seeing those songs live made the entire evening worthwhile. As for Cathy, well, her favorite part of the night ended the moment Poison walked off the stage.

As far as Kiss performances go, this was another solid evening of entertainment by my favorite band. The encore was a superb one-two combo of “God Gave Rock And Roll To You” followed by “Rock And Roll All Night,” the one Kiss song that Cathy sang along with. This made me chuckle, for if there is one overplayed Kiss song that everyone knows, it is “Rock And Roll All Night.”

Cathy would not go on to be a Kiss fan, but Poison seemed to make another fan. Sometimes it’s good to be an opening act even when you are an established rock band.

Friday's Rockin' Roundup - Playoff Baseball Edition

2011-09-30T06:00:00.000-04:00

Regular readers of this blog know how much I love this time year. Not just because the seasons are changing, the colors are vibrant, and I can sleep with the windows open at night---it’s mainly because baseball’s postseason has arrived.

The regular season ending in a thrilling fashion and I was up watching four baseball games at once. That was a real treat and a great way to end the season. Now the time has come for the best month of the year---October. Nothing is more exciting than playoff baseball.

Whether it’s the Yankees taking on the Tigers or the Cardinals facing off against the Phillies, playoff baseball is grand. Great pitching, clutch hitting, and incredible games, playoff baseball has it all. I am so happy to see the postseason arrive, it is the only thing that’s almost as magnificent as a live concert. I am really looking forward to watching a lot of fantastic baseball this October.

Here’s what rocked this week:

Guns N Roses Coming To A City Near You
It’s official. Guns N Roses will be touring this fall. That means Axl and a bunch of other musicians will be out on the road playing all the hits from Appetite to Democracy. What I’d like to know is which musicians are confirmed for the tour. Will DJ Ashba and Bumblefoot be on guitar? What about Richard Fortus? Will Duff possibly hit the road with the band? Or Izzy? Since the band’s web page hasn’t been updated in years, I guess we will only know once they are actually out on tour. And with tickets ranging between $38 and $86, I’d like to know if the show will start on time before I actually commit to seeing the Axl Rose band live.

Another Round Of Hall Of Fame Nominees
The latest batch of Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame nominees came out this week. Added for consideration this year are: Guns N Roses, The Cure, and The Red Hot Chili Peppers. While I think that these are all fine nominations, there is still one glaring omission from the ballot sheet. Come on, Hall of Joke, when are you going to enshrine KISS? We all know they deserve to be in there.

Sebastian Bach’s Latest Record Is Pretty Darned Good
Over at Hard Rock Hideout, I was honored to be given the opportunity to review Sebastian Bach’s new disc, Kicking And Screaming. I was quite impressed with the work that Mr. Bach did. I was even more impressed with the teenage guitar wizard he has leading the band. You can read my full review at Hard Rock Hideout.

Every Album Challenge Update
Albums Listened To: 345
Albums Remaining: 1,708

For more news, reviews, concert announcements, rants, raves, and baseball updates, you should follow me on twitter. www.twitter.com/ryovie

Public Enemy - It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back

2011-09-28T05:48:00.004-04:00

More than 20 years ago, Public Enemy leapt into the mainstream with the release of their second album, It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back. This was music like the kids never heard before and their strong album crossed races getting everyone involved in this new sound. They were also my introduction to rap music and once I got a taste of this record, I loved it!

The rap that the kids knew before this was Run-DMC, Tone Loc, and DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince. Public Enemy, however, was a new sound with raw power and meaning. The beats, the rhythm, and the vibe were all obvious. This was rap that rocked!

The opening track “Bring The Noise” (which would later be re-recorded with Anthrax) set the tone for something special. The samples and scratches played by Terminator X were so unique and amazing, that as a teenager, I had to have this record. And once I got my hands on it, I couldn’t stop listening to it. Thanks to Public Enemy I learned who Pharacon was, I learned about rap music, and I learned about rhyming and beats. It Takes A Nation Of Millions… taught me how much differently great songs could be constructed. Not everything had to be guitar chords and drums. This opened my eyes to a world of different music that I never knew existed.

“Don’t Believe The Hype” (which I performed in the High School Lip Synch), is a brilliant song sending messages to the youth that not everything is as portrayed by the media or others who have their own agenda in delivering the news. Thanks to this song, I learned who Harry Allen was and I fell in love with Flava Flav. His vocals brought this song to the next level. Mostly dismissed as Chuck D’s sidekick, Flava Flav had his own voice and it really showed on “Don’t Believe The Hype.”

Flava gets to go solo on the next track, “Cold Lampin’ With Flava.” It’s a silly, fun song complete with Flava Flav’s Ernie chuckle laugh. A great segue from the seriousness of the rest of the album. Flava takes a side road to fun and mixes nonsensical lyrics with horns and quick drum beats to create an atmosphere of hilarity.

It Takes A Nation Of Millions opened doors to worlds of music that I was blind to prior to owning this disc. Public Enemy led me to N.W.A., a deeper appreciation for Hip-Hop and Rap music, and it also led me into jazz, soul, and R&B. There was so much more out there that I hadn’t been exposed to, and listening to It Takes A Nation Of Millions made me see that.

A brilliant work of art that sent Public Enemy into homes worldwide, It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back is a solid album that everyone should have in their collection. It changed my life for the better, introducing me to different styles of music that would eventually become deep loves. More than 20 years later, this record still holds up as one of the greatest works of art ever released.

Public Enemy…you rock!

From Good Homes Returns To The Wellmont Theatre - One Night Only

2011-09-26T06:00:00.001-04:00

From Good Homes has announced their third annual Wellmont show, which is exciting news indeed! This year, however, they will only be playing one night instead of two. I am not sure of exactly why there was a change in format, but I can tell you this---buy your tickets now. If you have not seen this band in concert, you need to. They are one of the greatest live acts I have ever witnessed. Check out my review of last year’s show if you don't believe me.

Full information is below via the press release. Treat yourself this holiday season and see From Good Homes in concert. You will be all the merrier.

Press Release:
The members of From Good Homes have announced their annual Reunion show at the Wellmont Theatre in Montclair, NJ on Saturday, December 17th, 2011. The Wellmont Theatre was the site of From Good Homes’s reunion in 2009 over 2 sold out shows after a 10 year hiatus, of which Relix Magazine said the band’s “playing still feels as fresh and invigorating as it ever was”.

“There’s no better feeling than playing for our fans and friends in New Jersey” says Patrick Fitzsimmons, drummer. “The energy at The Wellmont is always so incredible and we feed off of that. This show should be a rocker!”

Since getting back together in 2009, the band has performed as part of the Dave Matthews Band Caravan in Atlantic City and this past weekend at Randall’s Island in New York as well as The Mighty High Festival in Tuxedo, NY, SteelJam Festival in Bethlehem, PA and headline shows at The Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, The Historic Blairstown Theatre in Blairstown, NJ as well as annual shows at the Wellmont Theatre in 2009 and 2010.

Tickets for the shows are $30 in advance and $33 on the day of show. They are available now at www.tickets.com. More information is available at www.wellmonttheatre.com and www.fromgoodhomes.com.

The genesis of From Good Homes dates back to a high school band, when childhood friends Todd Sheaffer, Brady Rymer, and Patrick Fitzsimmons came together in rural, Northwestern New Jersey. Originally called “Old Crow”, and later evolving into “The Dogs”, the core line-up remained. With the addition of Dan Myers in 1988, and Jamie Coan in 1990, the band From Good Homes was fully formed.
Named after a judge’s explanation for leniency after the young band broke in to a club to finish their set, the band “from good homes” released 5 albums during their career- 3 of which were released by RCA Records. Their upbeat approach, solid songwriting, and unique sound allowed them to quickly develop a dedicated following on the touring circuit. The band performed over 1,500 shows across North America, including tours with Dave Matthews Band, Ratdog featuring Bob Weir and shows with Bob Dylan, Guster, Widespread Panic, Hootie & The Blowfish, Blues Traveler and many more.
Bringing together rock, jazz, folk, celtic and jam-band influences under one umbrella, rooted in Todd Sheaffer’s inspired songwriting, From Good Homes forged their own, instantly lovable music. Their unique style prompted one critic to affectionately label the band’s blend of influences as “Hick-Pop”.

After disbanding in 1999, band members went on to embark on individual projects. Todd Sheaffer formed the bluegrass-influenced Railroad Earth, which has released 5 records, with a 6th coming out this fall, and continues to sell-out shows throughout North America. After starting a family of his own, Brady Rymer began a career making music for children and families; his most recent release “Here Comes Brady Rymer and the Little Band that Could” was nominated for a 2009 Grammy Award in the Best Musical Album for Children category. Drummer Patrick Fitzsimmons has had a very successful run as a singer/songwriter, releasing 5 records independently and touring regularly in the Northeast. Saxophonist Dan Myers runs a production company, Dirt Floor Studio, and has worked on records with Adam Green, Sam Champion, as well as with Rymer and Fitzsimmons. He also appeared as a guest soloist on “Live Trax Vol. 16” the latest live release from Dave Matthews Band. Multi-instrumentalist Jamie Coan continues to write, perform and record and currently plays with the bands Fat Alice, Blue Spartina, Red Top Ramblers and Sweetgrass in the Charleston, SC area and also performs as half of the Folly Beach Rhythm Section which backs up Samuel David Owens.

From Good Homes is:
Todd Sheaffer – lead vocals, acoustic guitar, harmonica
Brady Rymer – bass, vocals
Patrick Fitzsimmons – drums, vocals
Dan Myers – saxophones, melodica, vocals
Jamie Coan – acoustic guitar, violin, mandolin, vocals

Paleo - Fruit Of The Spirit

2011-09-25T06:00:00.000-04:00

Indie artist extraordinaire, Paleo, returns with his latest album Fruit Of The Spirit. The follow up to last year’s A View Of The Sky finds Paleo continuing to churn out great music in the indie vein. Rarely has an indie rocker been as creative or productive as Paleo. His ability to craft genius songs in such a short period of time should be bottled and sold to other artists across the industry.

Paleo’s dominance of the independent music scene reigns supreme on Fruit Of The Spirit. Each song is artfully crafted to resonate deep with the listener. He continues to be a poet first, singer second, and guitarist third. He has exceptional talent at each level, but it’s clear that the strongest suit of Paleo’s is his lyric writing ability.

That trend continues on this latest disc. Deep, passionate lyrics fill the eleven tracks eloquently and sometimes playfully. Paleo’s command of the English language and his ability to flourish when laying pen to paper is not only a thing of beauty, it’s a mesmerizing form of entertainment. His way of communicating deep thoughts through poetic lyrics and emphasized vocals is as masterful as it is artistic.

Channeling his inner Dylan on songs like “Holly Would,” but adding a modern folk twist, Paleo’s creativity continues to shine. The simple beat combined with thought provoking lyrics and Paleo’s one of a kind voice provide an entertaining song that is bound to get multiple listens.

Short and sweet, yet packed with so much musical fun, Fruit Of The Spirit is another strong effort by the great Paleo. While not as grand as his previous album, A View Of The Sky, Fruit Of The Spirit still has many moments of greatness that make it a worthwhile album. Paleo’s artful dominance continues to grow by leaps and bounds and given enough time, he will be the darling of the indie world (although to fans, he already is).

If you’ve been seeking a different type of music that is enjoyable, artful, decidedly different, and open minded, then Fruit Of The Spirit is a great album to add to your collection. However, if you’re seeking the next great pop hit, you may want to pass on this disc --- it’s much too layered to be considered a pop sensation.

Ryo’s Rating: 7 (out of 10)

Track List
Lighthouse
Over The Hill And back Again
Pharoah
The Rager
Poet II
Favorite Places
Holly Would
Buddy Buddy
Honey Be Reckless
In The Movies
Poet

Pearl Jam - July 9, 2003

2011-09-24T06:00:00.003-04:00

The night after one of their most famous performances in the history of the band, Pearl Jam was set to rock Madison Square Garden once again. After a historic performance the evening before (which eventually was released as the band’s live DVD documentation of the Riot Act tour), it would be impossible for the band to give an even better performance. The most the fans could hope for was one of equal greatness.

With Pearl Jam having played until well past curfew the night before and in the middle of a long world tour, the question arose, was Pearl Jam up to the task? Could they bring the energy for a second night in a row when they must have been exhausted? Any other band may have phoned it in that night, but this was Pearl Jam. Seasoned professionals who never shy away from a challenge, Pearl Jam was ready to give their all for night two at the Garden.

Sitting up high in the 400s, I was ecstatic to see Pearl Jam in action. Witnessing them live at Madison Square Garden was the icing on the cake. As I’ve stated in several concert memoirs of the past, there is nothing like seeing a concert at the Garden. It is still my favorite venue to see live performances, and I don’t think there will ever be another venue that compares to it.

Pearl Jam came onto the stage and promptly started the night with the slow yet gorgeous, “Crazy Mary.” Leading off with such a unique opener, fans immediately knew Pearl Jam planned to equal their performance of the evening before. “Save You,” Hail, Hail,” “Whipping,” and “Corduroy” all followed, with fans going equally insane for each song. Then it came time for one of my favorite treats of the night.

The first time that I saw Pearl Jam in concert was with my best friend Tommy. We wanted to hear only two songs that evening, “Red Mosquito” and “Glorified G.” Unfortunately, neither song was played. Instead, Pearl Jam decided to make it up to me with their Garden performance. When the opening notes of “Red Mosquito” hit the air, I exploded into thunderous applause. I can’t recall feeling happier at a concert than I was at that moment. I sang every word back to the band at the top of my lungs along with 18,000 other fans. And that was only the beginning of the night.

Throughout Pearl Jam’s performance, Eddie Vedder made several mentions to the historic event that took place the evening before. At the time, I didn’t know what had transpired, but looking back now and watching the DVD from the previous concert showed me what an amazing two nights at The Garden it was for Pearl Jam.

A lot of songs from their latest album at the time, Riot Act, were played, which was to be expected. On top of these fantastic songs, the band reached deep into their catalog for a lot of crowd pleasing favorites--- “Given To Fly,” “Evacuation,” the one-two combo of “Untitled” into “MFC,” and even more. Pearl Jam was not going to settle for having given one grandiose performance at Madison Square Garden. No, they had their sights set on two.

Classic favorites like “Deep,” the beloved slow ballad “Present Tense,” and “State Of Love And Trust” all got dusted off for a listen. Their performance of “Deep” was immaculate and Eddie sounded better than ever. Perhaps it was all the wine that he consumed while onstage. The main set closer was a beautiful rendition of “Porch” that left me wondering what else the band had to give. The energy level bestowed upon us was unbelievable and second to none. When Pearl Jam performs a concert, they make it an event, and they make sure that every fan goes home satisfied.

For the first encore, we received a rare treat. Eddie walked on stage with a guitar and performed a fantastic cover of John Lennon’s “You’ve Got To Hide Your Love Away.” A crowd sing-along came next with “Elderly Woman,” which produced chills over my entire body. Hearing the entire audience sing back to the band was stupendous. And then Pearl Jam topped themselves, giving me my second gift of the night.

Immediately following “Elderly Woman,” Pearl Jam launched into “Glorified G,” which found me almost fainting. Both songs that I had wanted to hear the first time I saw the band in concert were performed on that hot July night in New York City. I could have left then, ecstatic and contented. However, the band still had more gas in the tank. The rarely, if ever, performed “All Or None” came next and was followed by an intense version of “Do The Evolution.” This was the song that found the stage vibrating the evening before and night two almost gave a repeat performance.

“Alive” came out as the first encore closer and the crowd went wild. Anytime that “Alive” is played, it’s an incredible, delightful moment of a Pearl Jam concert. That night was no exception and when the band walked off the stage after “Alive,” I figured they were done. What more could they give us? Shame on me for questioning the greatness that is Pearl Jam.

The band returned to the stage for a second encore and before playing some music, Eddie took a moment to read some signs in the audience. One was a request for fans to come on stage and play “Rockin’ In The Free World,” with the band which was promptly denied. Another sign coyly stated “play “Leash,” you pussies. Eddie made a joke about being insulted and the band ripped into “Go,” which wasn’t as grand as “Leash” would have been, but still great to hear. Years later, the band would give us “Leash,” but that is another review.

Pearl Jam wrapped up the show with “Rockin’ In The Free World,” and one of the greatest versions of “Yellow Ledbetter” that I ever heard. Once again, Pearl Jam proved to the fans, themselves, and the rest of the world that they are one of the greatest live bands in the history of rock. Their second night at The Garden was just as stunning as their first night had been. The band never gave up, never just went through the motions, and gave their all to their adoring public. It was another solid reminder of what makes Pearl Jam so terrific.

Set List
Crazy Mary
Save You
Hail, Hail
Whipping
Corduroy
Red Mosquito
Dissident
I Am Mine
Get Right
Given To Fly
Evacuation
Even Flow
I Believe In Miracles
Untitled
MFC
Deep
Present Tense
Nothingman
State Of Love And Trust
Porch
First Encore
You’ve Got To Hide Your Love Away
Elderly Woman Behind The Counter In A Small Town
Glorified G
All Or None
Do The Evolution
Alive
Second Encore
Go
Know Your Rights
Rockin’ In The Free World
Yellow Ledbetter

Friday's Rockin' Roundup - Saving Money Edition

2011-09-23T06:00:00.003-04:00

As most of the regular readers of The Rock And Roll Guru know, cousin Ryo is a frugal and savvy saver. Lately, I’ve been exploring ways to save more and make my money grow. Obviously, I don’t make enough from this blog to supplement my income, let alone live off of, so I need to find other ways to save. I have automated finances, so I guess the best way for me to save would be to put more money into savings automatically. That, and to stop eating out and buying so many darned comic books. It’s hard to say no on both accounts though.

However, if I ever want to reach early retirement and spend my time entertaining all of you regular readers out there with much greater (and well thought out) content, then I suppose I need to tighten up and make a better effort. I will do my best. Besides, I need to save a lot of green for next year’s DMB tour. I am hoping that I can attend a few shows or even follow the band on tour for a couple of weeks.

Here’s what rocked this week:

R.E.M. Split Up
This news shocked me until I gave it some thought. It makes sense now why the band said they weren’t going to tour behind their last release. REM have decided to go their separate ways and it’s a sad day for music fans. REM is one of the most prolific bands the alternative rock world has known.

DMB Fans….Rejoice!
He’s back….. No, not Dave (or Carter or Boyd), but Mike Solakian. Who’s Mike Solakian you ask? Only one of the greatest reviewers of Dave Matthews Band work in existence. Over at DMB341, Mike blogs about all things Dave Matthews Band doing a song by song breakdown from every album. I think part of the reason that I love his site so much is because it’s something that I’ve always wanted to do, but never found the time to create. If you’re a fan of DMB, I implore you to check out DMB341.

Avenged Sevenfold Autumn Tour
No dates here in Jersey, but Avenged Sevenfold is staying on the road this fall. Their current Rockstar Energy Festival tour is winding down and it appears that Avenged Sevenfold loves the touring life. If you’re in the Midwest this autumn, try to catch a show.

Interview With Tim Reynolds
I still think that Tim Reynolds is one of the most underrated guitarists in the universe. The man can play guitar with the best of them, and not enough people realize this. Having Tim tour with DMB for the last couple of years has certainly helped his exposure, but he’s a great musician in his own right. Jam bands conducted a great interview with Mr. Reynolds, discussing his latest TR3 release From Space And Beyond (Live).

Every Album Challenge Update
Albums Listened To: 335
Albums Remaining; 1,718

For more news, reviews, savings tips, music love, and other arbitrary musings, you should follow me on twitter. www.twitter.com/ryovie

New Fall Music Releases - 2011

2011-09-21T06:00:00.001-04:00

Like it or not, autumn has arrived. And while the weather may not be warm and enjoyable, and the cold grip of winter may be closer than we would like, autumn does bring some enjoyable moments. There’s the changing color of the leaves, football, and of course, new music releases. Listed below are some of this autumn’s upcoming albums that I am most excited about.

September

Pearl Jam – 20 Soundtrack – September 20th
While not really a new release, Pearl Jam is going to put out an album in September that coincides with the Cameron Crowe documentary being released in theaters that same month. The album contains notable live tracks recorded during Pearl Jam’s twenty year history. Rare tracks and B-sides are also included. This two disc set will be available on September 20th and is highly recommended for die-hard fans and newcomers alike.

Superheavy – Superheavy – September 20th
Mick Jagger. Dave Stewart. Joss Stone. One great super group. Their debut album drops on September 20th and fans can expect an incredible collection of beautiful sound. What started in 2009 as a bunch of friends jamming in the studio, eventually led to this debut release. Dave Stewart and Mick Jagger have worked together before and have great chemistry. With the addition of other famous band members, expectations are high. The world will know in September if Superheavy can live up to the hype. My money says that they can.

Blink 182 – Neighborhoods – September 27th
With their first release of new music in over eight years, Blink 182 is marking their triumphant comeback. After a long reunion tour last year, the band got together and went into the studio to record Neighborhoods. First single, “Up All Night,” has been gotten a lot of airplay in anticipation of the disc. The song is all right, but I am hopeful that the rest of the record will have more of that classic Blink 182 sound that made me fall in love with the band.

Nirvana – Nevermind 20th Anniversary Edition – September 27th
Getting the much deserved anniversary treatment is Nirvana’s smash success, Nevermind. With unreleased tracks and a boatload of extras, the Anniversary Edition of Nevermind promises to be a real treat for Nirvana fans. I was surprised to hear about the inclusion of unreleased tracks. I thought they had all been picked clean and added to the box set With The Light’s Out. Apparently there were still a few more treats in the Nirvana vault.

Wilco – The Whole Love – September 27th
As the follow up to one of Wilco’s strongest releases (Wilco (the album)), Wilco will be releasing The Whole Love on September 27th. Anytime a new Wilco album is released, it’s an exciting time for music. Wilco is one of those prolific bands that never quite pushed into the upper stratosphere of fame, yet continually release exceptional albums that music fans will love. If The Whole Love is even half as good as Wilco (The Album) was, then the music world will have a real treat on their hands.

ChickenFoot – ChickenFoot III – September 27th
Another super group has a major release in September. However, this one is the band’s second release. Chickenfoot (consisting of members Sammy Hagar, Michael Anthony, Joe Satriani, and Chad Smith) will be releasing their sophomore effort and the rock world is excited to hear what this excellent band has come up with. Their debut album went Gold, and if they continue to build off the success of their debut, Chickenfoot III has a great chance to go platinum. I personally cannot wait to hear this record. I am sure that it will be amazing.

October

Feist – Metals – October 4th
Feist is a band (singer) that I don’t pay enough attention to. It’s not because they aren’t good, it’s just that some bands slip through the cracks, and Feist is one of them. Their new disc, Metals, will be available on October 4th and I hope to be able to spend some time with it and post a review. Metals will be Feist’s first release since 2007’s The Reminder, which contained the huge hit “1,2,3,4.” Hopefully the new disc will continue in that superb trend and have some exceptional music for all of us to enjoy.

Jane’s Addiction – The Great Escape Artist – October 4th
For their first album in eight years, Jane’s Addiction went through several bass players before finally meshing with Dave Stiek. The Great Escape Artist is an album that fans have waited a while to hear. After the tour behind 2003’s Strays, Jane’s Addiction broke up again and reunited in 2008 with no new record to support. Instead, they went on tour with Nine Inch Nails, to the delight of fans. At the end of that tour, original bassist, Eric Avery, decided that the reunion was enough for him and it was time to move on. Jane’s subsequently drafted Duff McKagan to join the band, but after a few recording sessions, there was a mutual breakup. It will be interesting to hear what this new music from Jane’s Addiction is all about. With Perry Farrell at the helm, you know it’s going to be good.

Ryan Adams – Ashes & Fire – October 11th
After announcing his retirement from music, Ryan Adams took some time off and everyone thought that it may be the last he was ever heard from. Fortunately, music lovers everywhere can rejoice, because Ryan Adams ventured into the studio and will be releasing his first solo album in years, Ashes & Fire. While it’s only been four years since the release of his last Cardinals record (Cardinology), it has been quite a long time since the last solo Adams record was released. It will be interesting to learn what direction his music has moved toward.

Evanescence - Evanescence – October 11th
Evanescence is another band that I enjoy but do not pay nearly enough attention to. Their self titled latest release hits stores on October 11th and if it’s anywhere near as good as their last album (2006’s The Open Door) then fans can rejoice. Evanescence has been silent for a while and I’m curious to know if that time off has helped or hurt the band. Five years is a long time between releases, but sometimes that helps a band come back stronger than ever.

November

The Beach Boys – The SMILE Sessions – November 1st
Still around after many years of making music, The Beach Boys are releasing a highly anticipated box set of unreleased material, The Smile Sessions. This set includes tracks that were recorded between 1966 and 1967, when the band was at their peak. This set contains the songs that were meant to be the original Smile album as well as unreleased demos, mixes, and more. This is an album that fans have been eager to hear for more than 40 years, and on November 1st, their patience will finally be rewarded. The only question that remains is whether a 50 year anniversary reunion tour will happen.

Lou Reed and Metallica – LuLu – November 1st
Lou Reed. Metallica. Together they recorded an album. It will be released on November 1st. Do I really need to say anymore? I am extremely curious to see what fruit this collaboration will bear. Metallica has done some ground breaking and risky things during their career, but this latest move is the strangest, yet most alluring, of them all. This could be the most anticipated and interesting record of all the fall releases.

New autumn releases…You rock!

New Music Monday Featuring A New Rebel, Paper Diamond, and Standing Shadows

2011-09-19T06:00:00.003-04:00

Welcome to another edition of New Music Monday where your cousin Ryo brings you only the best in New Music that is bound to get your heart pumping as you prepare to start your week.

A New Rebel – Got No Love
First up for this edition of New Music Monday is A New Rebel with the hard rocking, “Got No Love.” New Rebel features Jonathan Montoya (formerly of Saliva), Jason Null (of Saving Abel), Josh Brown, Kevin Bebout, and Keith Foster. Check out this grunge-tinged, modern rock beauty by watching the video below.

Paper Diamond – Can We Go Up
Next up is an electronic dance beat by Paper Diamond. If you’re look for something to shake your ass to on a Monday morning and give your body a great jumpstart jolt, “Can We Go Up” is a great song to get the job done. With nice beats, intense overlays, and some smooth vocals Paper Diamond’s “Can We Go Up” is bound to be a favorite in no time.

Can we go up by Paper Diamond

Standing Shadows – Freakshow
Last up for this edition of New Music Monday is Standing Shadows with “Freakshow.” A hard and heavy blast to the midsection, “Freakshow” is a mix of modern rock and classic punk with an angry roar. Headbanger’s rejoice, because heads will be flying almost immediately after hearing the opening notes of this hard and heavy song. Check out Standing Shadows “Freakshow” below.

A New Rebel, Paper Diamond, and Standing Shadows… you rock!

DJ Jounce - Temporal Ascent

2011-09-18T06:00:00.003-04:00

Hailing from Los Angeles, California, DJ Jounce has unleashed his debut disc, Temporal Ascent. If you’re a fan of the club scene and electronic/dance music (or even if you’re not), this is an album that must be heard. It’s been a long time since dance music has sounded this grand.

Graduating at the top of his class from the Recording Institute of Technology in Hollywood, California, Jounce immediately put his magical skills to work. Landing a prominent deal with Calvin Klein, Jounce recorded the music for a marketing campaign before heading into the studio to record his rookie release.

Sherryce, who has a voice like smooth chocolate, and Rachel Lynn Sebastian, who sounds like a goddess, each make a guest appearance on the album. They handle vocal duties on two of its best songs. Sherryce sings lead on “Ooh La La,” which has club hit written all over it. Between her magical voice and Jounce’s ability at laying down brilliant rhythms, “Ooh La La Baisez Moi)” is destined for stardom.

Rachel Lynn Sebastian is featured on the closing track of the album, “I Gotchu Babe.” A slower R&B ballad, “I Gotchu Babe” is a mesmerizing and memorable track. Think Eminem and Rhinna’s hit “I Love The Way You Lie” and you’ll have an idea of how great this final song is. It leaves the listener wanting more and at that point, the repeat button will be hit so that the entire record can be played again. Temporal Ascent never gets old and never falters. For a debut record, the album is stunning. It is obvious that Jounce is an untapped gold mine of talent with a bright future in the industry.

Not many minds would be able to piece together the beats that Jounce has and certainly not in the style that he has arranged them. His talents are second to none and Jounce is a mastermind when it comes to dance music. Temporal Ascent is an exciting record that definitely left me yearning to hear more. I’m curious to know what else DJ Jounce has up his sleeve.

Packed with rhythmic, pulsating, beats and smooth slow jams, DJ Jounce’s Temporal Ascent is a fantastic album for fans of electronic, dance, and/or club music. If you are searching out a sound that will have your ass shaking on the dance floor (or at least in your car seat), I highly recommend that you check out Temporal Ascent.

Temporal Ascent is available now on ITunes, Rhapsody, Amazon music, and wherever records are sold.

Ryo’s Rating: 8 (out of 10)

Track Listing
Melt In
Ooh La La (Baisez Moi) featuring Sherryce
These Walls Have Eyes featuring Sha Sabi
A Memory Of
Finger On The Trigger featuring K’Sandra
29 O’Clock
I Gotchu Babe featuring Rachel Lynn Sebastian

Bruce Springsteen & The E-Street Band - May 23, 2009

2011-09-17T06:00:00.002-04:00

“Incident On 57th Street.” It was the only song that I wanted to hear heading to the IZOD center in New Jersey on my way to see Bruce Springsteen in concert for the 14th time in my life. Up until that point it was one of the only Bruce songs that I had managed to miss seeing live. It seemed every time Bruce came to the area, Philadelphia would get to hear “Incident” while New Jersey got some other rarities. It got so bad, that at one point, I was contemplating heading down to Philly to see Springsteen live, just so I could hear him perform the song.

There is something special about seeing Bruce Springsteen in an arena setting compared to a stadium setting. While the stadium shows are great, gigantic celebrations filled with rowdy, raucous, rockers; the arena shows are more subtle. There’s an intimacy in the arena shows that can’t be captured in the larger stadium venue.

The intimacy was apparent that warm May evening, when Cathy and I went to witness the greatness of the Boss. From the opening notes of “Badlands” followed by the intense, crowd pleasing, “Spirit In The Night,” we knew it was going to be an amazing night in New Jersey. From the start of the night, Springsteen and company were in fantastic form. This was my first time hearing songs from the recently released Working On A Dream. The live versions did not disappoint. “Outlaw Pete,” “Working On A Dream,” and “Kingdom Of Days,” all sounded better in concert and provided a much deeper appreciation of Springsteen’s craftsmanship.

What makes Springsteen so great and so different from a lot of other performers is his willingness to play just about anything from his vast catalog. Springsteen does not shy away from the music he has created, and any given night, could bring a plethora of surprises. It’s one of the things that make seeing the E-Street band in concert such a tremendous treat.

Although they were a little bit older and a little bit larger since the first time I had seen them, and even though they were without founding member “Phantom” Dan Federici on the organ (he had passed away earlier that year), the E-Street Band was still one of the greatest rock acts to see live in concert. While the members of the band may have aged, their music was ageless. The lyrics to songs like “Thunder Road” still spoke to me with the same power they did when I first heard them as a young, confused, teenage boy from New Jersey.

After a rousing rendition of “The Promised Land,” my one wish came true. For ten years I had been waiting to hear “Incident On 57th Street” Live and finally, Bruce Springsteen heard my plea (or I got lucky) and performed one of the greatest ballads ever written. “Incident” is up there with “Jungleland” in terms of complexity, depth, and beauty. It’s a rare, slow-crafted, gorgeous song that takes time to appreciate. It did not become one of my favorite Springsteen songs until many years after I had been a fan. However, once I was hooked, “Incident” shot up my personal charts. Hearing it live for the first time was a dream come true.

Of course Bruce’s voice was not going to be able to recreate 1975 when the song was played live at almost every concert. He wouldn’t even be able to channel 80s Bruce where the song got an occasional dusting off for a rare performance. None of that mattered though, because he was still playing it live. It was yet another moment in my life where music transcended me into the heavens and showed me how great life can be. A ten year conquest had finally come to an end, and no, it was not bitter sweet, it was pure satisfaction.

And that moment only marked the halfway point of the evening. Like most Springsteen concerts, that night at the IZOD was a marathon event, with the band pacing the event with deliberate moments of speed filled rockers, followed by mid-tempo beats, and slow and loving ballads. Over the years, Springsteen has learned to pace a show like no other performer before him. Seeing him in concert is seeing a living work of art at the peak of perfection.

Known to happen at a lot of concerts that I attend, there is one particular song that strikes me hard. It is usually a newer song that I had not given much attention to and hits me just right during the course of the concert. On that night, it was “Kingdom Of Days,” that caught my eardrums with joy. After hearing the live version of the song, it immediately rose up my personal favorites charts to become a song that I had to spend more time with.

And from there, the greatness continued. “Lonesome Day,” “The Rising,” and “Born To Run” closed out the main set in style. The encores were packed with superb songs like “Kitty’s Back” and “Glory Days.” The E-Street’s version of “Kitty’s Back” featured Nils, Bruce, and Little Steven just wailing away on the guitar, trading turns for solos. Mix in the horns by Clarence and the piano and organ solos and it was a jam band lover’s dream. I think that Bruce and the band could rival The Dead if they really tried to be the world’s greatest jam band. Instead, they’ve chosen blue collar rock, which has also made them massively successful.

The biggest surprise came on the very last song of the evening. Bruce decided to take a stab on a cover version of “Mony,Mony.” Why he would choose to end the night on a cover song, I will never know. It struck me as odd and very un-Springsteen-like, but who are we to question The Boss? I expected to hear one more song post “Mony,” but it was not to be. The house lights came on and we started fleeing for the exit. It was another fantastic concert event with the one, the only, E---Street---Band!

Setlist
Badlands
Spirit In The Night
Outlaw Pete
Something In The Night
Out In The Street
Working On A Dream
Seeds
Johnny 99
The Ghost Of Tom Joad
Good Lovin’
E Street Shuffle
Cover Me
Thunder Road
Waitin’ On A Sunny Day
The Promised Land
Incident On 57th Street
Kingdom Of Days
Lonesome Day
The Rising
Born To Run
First Encore
Hard Times
Kitty’s Back
Land Of Hopes And Dreams
Second Encore
American Land
Glory Days
Mony Mony

Friday's Rockin' Roundup - Vie's Verses Edition

2011-09-16T06:00:00.002-04:00

As most of the regular readers know, I not only spend hours and hours of my life crafting some sensational literature about music for everyone to enjoy here at The Rock And Roll Guru, but I also write for another amazing website, Hard Rock Hideout. HRH is a great site dedicated to the harder side of rock and roll and I have been blessed with the opportunity to write a bi-weekly column titled, “Vie’s Verses.”

In this edition of the Roundup, I’ve decided to round up some recent Vie’s Verses that you may have otherwise missed. I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I enjoyed writing them.

Here’s some recent “Vie’s Verses” that rock. Click on the title of each to be taken directly to the post.

Is Guns N Roses Our Generation’s Led Zeppelin?
This piece stirred up quite the controversy. I was called insane, people thought I had to be joking, and one person even claimed that I “drew him offsides,” whatever that means. As much as they didn’t want to believe it, I was serious in my comparison. I think that GnR is this generations Led Zeppelin and the fact that they don’t have a large enough body of work to compare only helps solidify my point. This generation is a bunch of slackers!

A Tribute To The Late Jani Lane
I was very saddened by the news of Jani Lane’s passing. He was one of my boyhood heroes, and the tail end of his life was tragic. This was my soliloquy to him. It was a way for me to say thank you for all the joy his music brought to my life. May he rest in peace.

The Ten Most Uncelebrated Classic Kiss Songs
Every band with a large catalog has this problem. There are always fantastic songs that seemed to get ignored due to the vast body of music that the band has released. In this post, I tried to identify the 10 greatest Kiss songs that just don’t get the attention they deserve.

A Van Halen Fantasy
What would you do if Van Halen, Chickenfoot, and Hurtsmile all went on tour together with a huge VH all star jam at the end of the show? How much would you pay to see that concert? I know I’d be shelling out top dollar. I wish more bands would listen to cousin Ryo.

Every Album Challenge Update
Albums Listened To: 314
Albums Remaining: 1,739

For more news, reviews, tidbits, rants, raves, and other cool things, you should follow me on twitter. www.twitter.com/ryovie

Dropkick Murphys And George Killian's Set To Pump Up The Volume

2011-09-14T06:00:00.001-04:00

George Killian’s Irish Red and Dropkick Murphys have been making noise in the beer industry and music industry for years. Now the two are teaming together to turn that noise into a full-blown ruckus! The George Killian’s Irish Red Ruckus invites legal-drinking-age consumers to raise a glass and take a shot at winning a trip to Boston, where they’ll have the chance to attend an exclusive Dropkick Murphys concert Nov. 17 at the Paradise Rock Club.

In addition, Killian’s has been scouring clubs and concert halls around the country to invite bands for a chance to open at the Irish Red Ruckus. Bands have been enlisting their fans, friends and family to vote for them to get to the Ruckus. Four finalists will be determined by the most votes received in Colorado, Illinois, Indiana and Michigan. A panel of judges will select the opening band, and Killian’s will announce the opener on Oct. 12.

“Dropkick Murphys rock, so we’re absolutely thrilled to be featuring them at the George Killian’s Irish Red Ruckus,” said Killian’s Brand Manager Brad Johnson. “The band’s unique, rockin’ Celtic sound is a great fit with Killian’s roots.”

Known for their complex distillation of classic punk rock, Celtic folk and American rock 'n roll, the critically acclaimed Dropkick Murphys have sold more than four million albums worldwide. Their latest album, Going Out in Style, entered the Billboard 200 chart at No. 6 on March 1, 2011. It’s the group’s sixth consecutive studio effort to chart on The Billboard 200. Going Out of Style is Dropkick Murphys second album released on their own Born & Bred label. The album features guest appearances by Bruce Springsteen, Fat Mike of NOFX, Chris Cheney of The Living End and more.

Those ages 21 and up can also enter the George Killian’s Irish Red Ruckus sweepstakes (void in Calif.) for a chance to win two VIP tickets to the Ruckus. Now through Oct. 15, those eligible can text RUCKUS to 90464 (standard text message rates apply) or visit www.GeorgeKillians.com and complete the online entry. Ten winners will be awarded trips for two to Boston for the exclusive Nov. 17 concert, including air transportation, lodging and spending money.

For complete rules and details on how to enter, visit www.GeorgeKillians.com

George Killian’s Irish Red is an Irish lager based on an original family recipe that dates back to 1864 in Enniscorthy, Ireland. George Lett first brewed a ruby ale that later became the inspiration for George Killian’s Irish Red. He used only pure spring water and the finest caramel malts roasted longer and slower to give his brew a rich red color and distinctive taste. The beer is still known for its rich amber color and thick, creamy head. More information is available at www.GeorgeKillians.com or at www.Facebook.com/GeorgeKillians.

Some Notable 20th Anniversaries Are Coming Up

2011-09-12T06:00:00.001-04:00

1991 was a good year for music. A lot of great albums from some amazing bands were released. A few incredible debuts were also released during. Some of those albums are receiving the 20th anniversary deluxe edition treatment. Some of them have already received it (notably, Pearl Jam’s Ten). And then there are some albums that deserve the extended treatment, but probably will not see any anniversary edition released (Red Hot Chili Peppers anyone?).

1991 also brought with it some sad moments in rock and roll history. Both Eric Carr and Freddie Mercury passed away that year. I remember hearing the news for each of their deaths and being devastated. They passed away on the same day, and seeing how they were both members of my favorite bands at the time, it was a horrendous week for me as a fan. To lose the drummer of Kiss was hard enough, but then to find out that Freddie Mercury passed away, well, it was almost more than I could bear. I actually walked around in a depressive state for a while.

1991 was also the year that one of my favorite bands, The Dave Matthews Band, formed and embarked on their first tour. This would become a tradition that lasted until just this year, when the band decided they needed a break from touring and instead headlined a series of festivals (dubbed the DMB Caravan) across the USA.

1991 brought with it a lot of albums that would be added to my seriously growing record collection. By that year, my collection was well in the hundreds, and I couldn’t stop adding to it. Some of the notable records that I bought that year are listed below. All of these albums are celebrating their 20th anniversary this year.

N.W.A. – Niggaz4Life
I bought N.W.A.’s Niggaz4Life shortly after its release and promptly played the hell out of it for the rest of the year. As a senior in high school, I was just starting to really appreciate rap music, hip-hop, and other types of music outside of the hard rock/heavy metal mainstream. Although I was a fan of Public Enemy (and still am), it was N.W.A. that really spoke to me and showed me what hip-hop could be when taken to the level of gangsta rap. I loved Niggaz4Life in a way that I had not loved many albums in a long time. Even to this day, I can remember almost all of the lyrics on the record. And while I don’t necessarily agree with or praise the misogyny and violence that it contained, back when I was 18, it was a pure love affair.

U2 – Achtung Baby
With the release of Achtung Baby, U2 not only provided us with one of their greatest albums ever, they also provided us with one of their greatest songs ever---“One.” This song was a ballad to end all ballads, and to this day, it can still be played numerous times in a row without getting old. However, that wasn’t the only gem on U2’s magnificent Acthung Baby. “The Fly,” “Mysterious Ways,” and the rarely praised (but equally fantastic) “So Cruel” all were included on Achtung Baby. Other than The Joshua Tree, this may have been the band’s greatest release to that point.

Guns N Roses – Use Your Illusion I & II
The epitome of rock and roll was released in 1991 when Guns N Roses gave the world two massive albums --- Use Your Illusion I and Use Your Illusion II. These records were nothing short of perfection, and rivaled albums that even the late greats (like Led Zeppelin) had ever released in their career. If Appetite For Destruction put Guns N Roses on the map, it was Use Your Illusion I & II that launched the band into the untouchable superstardom ionosphere. Never had a band’s album release been so highly anticipated. And when the records came out, they did not disappoint. Each album is a specially crafted work of art and a brilliant beauty. If Guns N Roses hadn’t imploded shortly after the Use Your Illusion Tour, there’s no telling what additional magic they could have made. Thankfully, they left us with two of the greatest rock records to ever be recorded.

Nirvana – Nevermind
Often referred to as the band that marched in the grunge explosion (and executed the death of hair metal at the same time) Nirvana released their major label debut, Nevermind in 1991. Nevermind was an album unlike any other. Never before had we heard such magnificent noise emulating from a rock band. From "Smells Like Teen Spirit" to "In Bloom," Nirvana changed the entire culture of music with one small record. The world of rock and roll would never be the same.

Pearl Jam – Ten
One of my favorite bands unleashed their debut album on the world, and ironically enough, I wasn’t even sure I was going to buy it. I felt that Pearl Jam was an overhyped band trying to cash in on the success of Nirvana. Back in 1991 I was more of a Nirvana fan than a Pearl Jam fan, which seems rather comical to me now. When I finally did purchase a copy of Ten, I wasn’t all that impressed. Sure, “Alive” was a great song, and “Black” was a ballad to be remembered forever, but overall, I wasn’t certain about the disc. Thankfully I gave it a chance, and over time it became one of my favorite albums as Pearl Jam became one of my favorite bands.

Red Hot Chili Peppers – Blood, Sugar, Sex, Magik
Sell outs. That’s how many of their fans labeled the Red Hot Chili Peppers when they released one of their best albums ever (and their greatest album up until that point in their career), Blood, Sugar, Sex, Magik. It wasn’t necessarily the band’s fault that their new sound caught on with such a vengeance. The Red Hot Chili Peppers were searching for a new vibe to take their music to the next level. With producer Rick Rubin, they found that sound and shortly after the record’s release, scores of new fans found the band. With stellar tracks like “Under The Bridge,” “Suck My Kiss” and the title track, The Red Hot Chili Peppers showed the world that they were poised to be the next great thing in rock music.

R.E.M. – Out Of Time
When R.E.M. released their massive single, “Losing My Religion,” it was obvious that this album had to be part of my collection. Here was a song that you couldn’t get away from in 1991. If the radio was turned on, “Losing My Religion” was heard. If MTV was tuned in, “Losing My Religion” was heard. It was a monster hit for a magnificent band and it was the heart to one of their greatest albums. While Document may have brought the band a lot of new fans, and Crush led them into the pop revolution, it was Out Of Time that showed the depth of the band. R.E.M. was more than just a pop hit producing group--- they were a band with soul. That message was delivered on Out Of Time.

Metallica – Metallica (The Black Album)
“Enter Sandman.” “Sad But True.” “Unforgiven.” The list of great songs goes on and on. In 1991, Metallica released an album that went on to become one of the greatest selling records of all time. While the hardcore Metallica fans were somewhat disappointed by the commercialism of the album, there can be no denying how sensational the black album is. Even after all these years, the album holds up and could conquer most records that are being released today. If there is any album that deserves a 20th anniversary edition, it is Metallica’s self-titled disc.

20 years later, the memories of the music are still going strong. There haven’t been many years like 1991 in regards to so much elite music being released. What was your favorite album of 1991? What albums do you think need the 20th anniversary treatment?

Comments are open. Feel free to post some.

The Guru Is Off This Week...

2011-09-05T06:00:00.000-04:00

The Guru is away this week, but fear not. I will be back with all of your favorite posts, discussions, and music reltated topics in a week. Tune in Monday, September 12th for some more invigorating, enjoyable content. Until then, feel free to browse the "Best Of" sections as well as the "Concert Reviews" and "Music You Need To Hear" to get the most out of The Rock And Roll Guru. Happy Labor Day!

Repeater - We Walk From Safety

2011-09-03T06:00:00.002-04:00

Repeater has arrived on the scene with their brilliant debut, We Walk From Safety. Repeater’s debut blends many influences including the sounds of bands like Thursday, Sparta, Coldplay and U2, along with a dash of Phish, a pinch of the Dave Matthews Band, and a sparse sprinkling of Irish folk songs, Although it is a debut album, a finished production has never sounded more professionally polished. For a band that is just coming into their own, We Walk From Safety is completely void of rookie mistakes. If Repeater is a brand new band arriving on the scene, then all of the veteran acts better beware, because this group will be taking over in the near future.

Lead singer Steve Krolikowski’s distinctive vocal sound helps to center We Walk From Safety. Acting as a perfect complement to the band’s indie, modern punk sound, Krolikowski is a master at the helm, guiding the music to unexpected heights. Velvety smooth, Krowlikowski has a voice that could be listened to for hours on end.

The dark, dreary, modern punk styles fill We Walk From Safety with haunting tunes that are pure music bliss. Exceptional timing from drummer Matt Hanief provides the backbone to this musical odyssey. Keyboardist Rob Wallace overlays the perfectly timed drumming with fantastic sounds that wash over the listener like a wave of beauty, soaking the ears with incredible movements that last long after the songs have finished. Repeater is a band that has worked hard to craft such a unique style of music. Their hard work pays off in the form of We Walk From Safety.

If you were to take the best songs of the last 20 years and blend them into one musical treat, Repeater’s We Walk From Safety would be the end result. Any rock fans searching for the next record that is going to excite them about the future of music need to pick up a copy of We Walk From Safety. This album is a brilliant blend of modern sound that provides hope for the future. If more bands could produce an amazing finished product like this, rock and roll fans would rejoice the world over.

Ryo’s Rating: 8.5 (out of 10)

Notable Tracks: To Swallow Lost Goodbyes, Knowing Every Weakness, Keep The Sun From Rising

Track Listing
Is This The Last Time
Yours And Mine
Finally A Place
To Swallow Lost Goodbyes
Patterns
Black And Selfish Love
Hold Back The Tide
Knowing Every Weakness
Keep The Sun From Rising
Arms Upon The Ground

Friday's Rockin' Roundup - Labor Day Weekend And Time Off Edition

2011-09-02T06:24:00.004-04:00

Another summer has come to an end. I don’t know what happened, but this summer seemed to fly by faster than the rest. And there weren’t even that many concerts! Do you realize that if you do not count M3 (which was technically a spring concert) I only went to one concert this summer? It was the Puddle Of Mudd show at the Starland Ballroom. Other than that, I saw no summer concerts. How is that possible? I know for some shows, there was scheduling conflict, but still, I am very surprised. Hopefully I can make up for that with some great fall concerts.

And to celebrate the end of the summer, I have decided to take some time off. I need a little time to gear up for the fall, recharge my batteries, and come back ready to rock through the rest of the year. Next week, The Guru will be dark, as I gear up for the all. I will see you all in a week, and as always, thanks for visiting The Guru.

Here’s what rocked this week:

(Technically) One Last Go-Round For DMB Caravan
The last scheduled DMB Caravan takes place this weekend at The Gorge, in Washington. However, due to the East Coast hurricane of last weekend, the Governor’s Island Saturday and Sunday shows have been postponed with new dates taking place on September 16th – 18th. So, if you can’t make it to the west coast this weekend, you have one more shot to see DMB in 2011. Single day tickets for the make-up shows are available tomorrow morning at 10:00AM.

Pearl Jam’s Destination Weekend
Not to be outdone, Pearl Jam is also celebrating their 20th anniversary with a mini festival of their own. Alpine Valley, Wisconsin is the destination and Pearl Jam is the headlining act. There are some other good bands performing as well including The Strokes and Mudhoney (just to a name a couple). There will be a Pearl Jam museum on site as well as tons of cool, collectible merchandise. It should be an incredible weekend for any Pearl Jam fan.

Bret Michaels Going Solo
The Poison frontman is hard at work on a solo album that will feature guests galore, including (he hopes), Pop Evil. Well, if Pop Evil is on the record, consider at least one copy sold (to me). Everything Pop Evil does is just awesome! As for a solo record, I still don’t understand why Bret isn’t in the studio with his bandmates making another Poison album. Looks like the 2012 tour will be the same old, tired setlist and Poison will have to be someone’s opening act…again.

Tenth Anniversary For Slipknot
Slipknot has announced a 10th anniversary edition for 2002’s Iowa. I find it hard to believe that Slipknot has been around for 10 years. Are they already elder statesmen in the world of hard rock? How did I get so old, so fast? Where the hell does the time go?

For more rants, raves, questions, answers, shout outs, concert updates, and all things rocking, you should follow me on twitter. www.twitter.com/ryovie

20 Years Of Achtung Baby

2011-08-31T06:00:00.000-04:00

It’s hard to believe that U2’s magnificent, Achtung Baby is going to be 20 this fall. I can remember the first time I heard “One” and telling myself that song was going to be huge. As it turns out, the entire album was huge. With fantastic tracks like “The Fly,” “Mysterious Ways,” and “Until The End Of The World,” it’s no wonder the album was such a big hit with fans.

For the big 20 year anniversary celebration, U2 has planned a special release. Details are below.

U2's Achtung Baby celebrates 20 years this November.

Achtung Baby was originally released in November 1991 and was, as Bono said at the time, 'the sound of four men chopping down The Joshua Tree'. The album was a new direction for U2 - led by The Fly, Achtung Baby went on to have four other singles, 'Mysterious Ways', 'One', 'Even Better Than The Real Thing' and 'Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses'.

At twenty years old, Achtung Baby is all grown up, and to celebrate, an anniversary edition is due this October. The archives have unearthed unreleased songs and treasures from the original recording sessions. There's five different versions featuring a raft of songs, videos, remixes, b-sides and documentary footage - a full album of demo and early versions of the full tracklisting has also been revealed.

Deluxe formats will include 'From the Sky Down', a documentary from Academy Award winning Davis Guggenheim in which U2 return to Hansa Studio in Berlin to discuss Achtung Baby.

Due for release on October 31st, the five physical editions include vinyl, CD, DVD and digital options will also be available.

Visit http://www.u2.com/news/title/baby-grows-up for more information and details on how to reserve your copy.

Achtung Baby...you rock!