KISS KOLLECTIBLES – That’s it at the top! That’s my really cool KISS mini lunch box Christmas ornament! I was fortunate enough to have received this KISS Kollectible as a Christmas gift from my family, along with the KISS PEZ gift tin. I’m going to keep the paper tag attached to this whiz-bang KISS Kollectible; the klassic KISS logo on that paper tag makes it too difficult to take off and throw away!
Here’s what the other side of this KISS mini lunch box looks like:
KISS KOLLECTIBLES – It just feels right to end 2012 here at Metal Odyssey with a Rockin’ fun KISS KOLLECTIBLE post! Check it out at the top! That’s my KISS PEZ (candy) collectible gift tin! All four of these super cool KISS PEZ dispensers are safely secured inside that sturdy tin box! The issue year of this KISS PEZ is 2012 and is a limited edition.Whoa!
I received this whiz-bang KISS KOLLECTIBLE as a Christmas gift from my family. I thank them for it, from the bottom of my METAL heart! Fun stuff it is. No, I won’t be actually using these KISS PEZ dispensers to eat the PEZ candy from them; the KISS Kollector side of me won’t allow it! Metal be thy name!
Check out the backside of my KISS PEZ box set below! Man, is that cool stuff or what?
This KISS PEZ collectible gift tin measures (approximately) 7″ x 6.25″.
It’s official; Rush will be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2013. They will join Public Enemy, Heart, Randy Newman, Albert King, and Donna Summer. Lou Adler and Quincy Jones will both receive the Ahmet Ertegun Award for non-performers. The ceremony will be held on April 18 at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles, CA.
It’s official…we have been inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame! Thank you to all of our fans for the support throughout our musical journey. We wouldn’t be here without you!
WISE GIRL – On Monday, December 3rd, I posted a press release featuring the 5 piece Melodic, Power/Pop Rock band known as Wise Girl. This talented band from NYC has a 3 song EP available on iTunes for just under $3 (U.S.) and it’s worth every Rockin’ penny. After I’ve listened (many, many times) to this Wise Girl EP, my only wish is for a full-length album from them… and soon! Um, please.
Sure, the lyrics of Wise Girl’s songs may not be about dragons, skulls, gore, insane keg parties and the fiery depths of hell; my Metal mind is cool with that and it’s all good. The exclamation point is that Wise Girl Rocks like yummy ear candy; while fusing an abundance of retro feel within their ultra relevant Rock sound.
There are those (not so often) occurrences when I hear a new (non-Metal) band for the first time and I wish I could be a record executive at a well-known record label and sign them on the spot. Wise Girl is one of those occurrences to my ears… and senses.
Then again… I’m the dude that feels Cheap Trick should have been inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame many years ago. On that off-topic note, there’s a bit-O Cheap Tricky vibe that does resonate from some of the melodies of Wise Girl, I will confidently add.
Abby Weitz
(Photo Credit: Andrew Gardner)
As I listen to the vocals and guitar of Abby Weitz, I cannot resist being reminded of my very early teen years and introduction to The Runaways (and eventual) Joan Jett solo albums. However, that was then and this is now. My appreciation for the Rock sound that Abbey Weitz is creating with Wise Girl feels so right to me. The mainstream should either move or get out of Wise Girl’s way. It’s a band like Wise Girl that clearly defines what a musically primed (underground) Power/Pop Rock band sounds like in 2012.
Abby and her band have created three songs that are clearly the welcome mat to what I believe will be an astounding Rockin’ and Rollin’ career for them. With such an over abundance of crap vocalists and bands winning the “lottery” on televised talent shows these days, Wise Girl is a solid-as-steel reminder to me that credible (Rock) musicians are out there, earning their way up the ladder and glowing with the skills to make a difference in the (severely) watered down mainstream of Power/Pop Rock.
You can purchase the Wise Girl songs Set In Stone, Wishful Thinking and Roles Are Reversed on iTunes, by clicking on the link below! Whoa!
A Rock N’ METAL Thanksgiving – It’s Thanksgiving Day here in the U.S. and I’m thankful as always for my family, friends, Metal Buddies, faith, country and the freedom I’ve grown so accustomed to since being alive. I’m thankful for our U.S. troops that protect us here at home and abroad. The Rock N’ Metal that inspires me each and every day, I am absolutely giving thanks for as well. (See below!)
I’m giving thanks for this clear Metal fact: I’ll be catching up with Best Metal Buddy Scott Coverdale this Thanksgiving weekend… over a couple of cold brews and plates of wings as we discuss… Metal and NFL news.
Now, let’s begin: A Rock N’ METAL Thanksgiving – What I’m Thankful For!
I am thankful for ALL the pioneers of Heavy Metal, aka, Metal. I give Metal thanks to the 1969 debut/ST from Led Zeppelin, with the 1970 debut/ST album from BlackSabbath to follow. I am also thankful for 1974’s KISS debut/ST (see at top of post). Moving forward to 1979’s No Mean City from Nazareth and every other seminal and not so famous Heavy Rock album from those building block years of Metal – I declare my Metal thanks!
AC/DC… WHOA!
From Saxon to Iron Maiden and from Motörhead to Diamond Head, I give Metal thanks.Believe me, if I could list every single band and musician that has psyched-me-out throughout my Metal lovin’ life, I would!
I am thankful for ALL the pre-Heavy Metal history; a Rock and Roll and Classic Rock History that includes all the pioneering bands and musicians that paved the path for Hard Rock and Metal.
I am very, very, thankful for these albums & bands: (A very short list, of course!)
LIZZY BORDEN – Best Of (1994 – Metal Blade Records)
SATYRICON – The Age Of Nero (Koch Records)
DIO – Holy Diver (1983 – Warner Bros.)
SOUNDGARDEN – Down On The Upside (1996 – A&M Records)
SOULFLY –Enslaved (2012 – Roadrunner Records)
SCORPIONS… WHOA!
WITCH CROSS IS BACK! WITH KEV MOORE! WHOA!
STRYPER… WHOA!
MASS… WHOA!
DORO… WHOA! WHOA AGAIN!
CHRIS BARNES and SIX FEET UNDER… WHOA!
SKELETONWITCH… WHOA!
VENOM… WHOA!
HATEBREED… WHOA!
ORANGE GOBLIN… WHOA!
THE BIG FOUR… WHOA!
OVERKILL… WHOA!
TESTAMENT… WHOA!
EXODUS… WHOA!
BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION– Afterglow
(2012 – J&R Adventures)
3 INCHES OF BLOOD –Long Live Heavy Metal
(2012 – Century Media)
BLACK SABBATH – Sabbath Bloody Sabbath
(1973 – Warner Bros.)
QUEENSRYCHE – Operation Mindcrime (1988 – EMI)
What and/or who are you thankful for on this Thanksgiving Day? If you’re thankful for a favorite band and/or musician… let it be known by commenting! Whoa!
The legendary Jean Beauvoir (Gary US Bonds, The Plasmatics, Little Steven & The Disciples of Soul – see more below) has contacted me regarding the following special news involving the recording of his new Crown Of Thorns EP:
“I’m reaching out because I am running a Pledge Music Campaign for the recording of a new Crown Of ThornsEP… A new way to do it! It’s very cool and to those who have Pledged, I’ve been giving great free updates that include, acoustic concerts, free albums, duet of myself and Bruce Springsteen and lots of other stuff, (there’s) more to come so it’s well worth it for the fans.”
“Thanks and all the best!”
Jean Beauvoir
Crown Of Thorns, KISS, Ramones and so on!
Pledge what you can by clicking on the link below!
(To read complete Jean Beauvoir biography, click here: Jean Beauvoir)
Beauvoir selling over 1,5 million copies worldwide from his first solo effort, lead to productions and co-writing ventures with artists such as KISS, The Ramones, N’Sync, John Waite, Deborah Harry, Lionel Richie, The Pretenders, Carol Davis, Nile Rogers, Nona Hendryx, Desmond Child, Jim Vallance and many more. He toured and performed with the Eurythmics, David Bowie, Tina Turner, Bon Jovi, Van Halen, Little Steven, BruceSpringsteen and The Who. He’s made hundreds of personal and TV appearances throughout the world and has sold in excess of 20 million records worldwide as an artist, producer and songwriter.
Jean also expanded his musical horizons through his groups, Voodoo X and Crown of Thorns, he released four additional solo records to date and was also actively involved in the hugely successful Hand in HandCharity in Berlin Germany amongst others throughout the years.
The first interview I had with Gordon Brown was just after his amicable departure from Heavy Rock legends IronClaw; that interview was posted here on Metal Odyssey practically a year ago to this day, on October 21st, 2011. Now, with a fresh start and always the positive outlook on the future, Gordon Brown has started a new band: DeltaOne Six.
A Scottish gentleman with music flowing from his soul, Gordon Brown has a bluesy voice that fits right into any decade of Rock and Roll. This past year, Gordon Brown shared many of his songs that he has recorded throughout his life, via Soundcloud. (See link at bottom of post). The “open-book” approach that Gordon Brown has taken, with the music he’s created, shows to me the honest-to-goodness personality of this man.
Since I’ve known Gordon Brown, he has always taken a nothing to hide approach with his music and has never dodged a question. This is an artist I’ve been rooting for since I first heard him sing. Recently, Gordon Brown answered another round of questions, being his typical friendly and polite self! I’m proud to present to you, this second interview with Gordon Brown:
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Stone: Can you give more (untold) details as to why the Iron Claw partnership ended?
Gordon: Very simply, the band wanted to play a heavier style of music than I did. Once the recording of the album was finished things just didn’t work out – if it isn’t right it’s time to move on. There’s no animosity, we don’t see each other as we live in different towns, but I dare say at some point we’ll have a pint or two. At this stage it appears unlikely that Iron Claw will perform live again, I was speaking to Alex Wilson recently and told him that I would consider writing lyrics and singing on any future recordings. As far as I’m concerned that door is not shut, only it would have to be music that appealed to me. The music from “A Different Game” lives on in a live sense though, currently I’m doing Southern Sky with a view to possibly adding some others further down the line.
Stone: How has “life after Iron Claw” been treating you?
Gordon: Life has been good, I am working on some collaborations with songwriters in the USA and have started a new band “Delta One Six”, we’re due to go live on November 9th and have a song being included in a compilation of Scottish Blues acts due for release in November. Throughout my musical career I have been fortunate enough to play with some truly amazingly talented musicians, the boys in Delta One Six are an absolute delight to play with.
People have had the chance via You Tube to see some of the very early practice sessions, they were recorded using a mobile phone, the sound quality, despite being taken from one side is pretty good – I think people will enjoy what we’re looking to create – a tiny amount in the way of effects, just ass-kicking blues/rock played with passion.
Check out Delta One Six below, jamming during a rehearsal this past August! This is cool stuff! Metal be thy name!
Stone: You list the music you “err towards” as British Blues, Southern Boogie, Chicago Blues and “a hint of Bluegrass chucked in for good measure” on your bio. You’ve obviously excelled, on a grand scale, with (Bluesy) Hard Rock with Iron Claw. What is the one genre you want to sing, that comes straight from your heart and soul?
Gordon: The bluesy thing will remain, it suits the way I like to sing. I always end up coming back to the Blues, having said that I’m not a huge fan of Delta Blues, I much prefer the electric sound. It’s fair to say that I do like ballads as well, the Blues I do is a mash-up of Free, Whitesnake, The Allmans and too many others too mention.
Stone: While growing up as an aspiring musician, what records were in your collection?
Gordon: It kinda went in stages, I started off listening to my elder brothers and sisters music, The Beatles, Stones, Cream, Fleetwood Mac (with Peter Green), the first record I remember listening to was Jigsaw Puzzle Blues, it was the B side to Albatross. When I started secondary school I was a big fan of a band called Slade for a couple of years – then came the Black Sabbath period, but I was also listening to all manner of things like, Atomic Rooster, Wishbone Ash, The Sensational Alex Harvey Band, Pink Floyd, The Groundhogs, Frankie Miller, Blue Oyster Cult, Humble Pie, Thin Lizzy and in particular one band which has stuck with me since that time – the mighty FREE (and Bad Company ), I’m a huge fan of Paul Rodgers.
Southern Rock came along in the shape of Lynyrd Skynyrd at about age 15 and I’ve loved that genre ever since. Punk arrived when I was 17 – I didn’t think much of it, so pretty much ignored it. The NWOBHM didn’t really shake my boat either – I did enjoy gigs by Saxon and Iron Maiden, but found myself still listening to the things I grew up on and I still do! My little confession is that I’ve always wanted to do a blues/rock cover of At The Car Wash by Rose Royce. Unfortunately, so far no-one shares my vision for it!
Stone: Which well-known bands and/or musicians of today would you want to work with on a “special guest” level of recording?
Gordon: Warren Haynes, Paul Rodgers or Greg Allman would be top of my list, Glenn Hughes, Buddy Guy and so many more including Iron Dave from Diablo Canyon. I think the real answer would be “anyone who asked”!
Stone: These are turbulent times in the world right now; many countries economies and wars have taken it’s toll on the human spirit it seems, yet music seems to be the universal language of peace, hope and friendship that unites fans and bands worldwide. What are your thoughts on the power of music to unite and heal?
Gordon: I agree with you 100% that music brings people together and I would say one genre more than any other to do that is Metal. Music does much already to unite people to combat famine etc. in terms of providing money to assist, alas, I think we humans are too wrapped up in making a profit and fighting over oil.
Stone: If you could change the record industry overnight, what changes would you mandate?
Gordon: Fair contracts for bands. Too many bands sign themselves away just to become a “signed band” and end up being ripped off or having their recordings buried. The most important thing for most bands to understand is that you get back what you put in, if you don’t work hard you’ll go nowhere – the music business is 90% business and 10% music – sad but true!
Stone: Gordon, there is no denying you have an amazing voice and music is in your soul. For all aspiring vocalists out there, what are the golden rules to follow in protecting your voice? Is a true lyricist born or made?
Gordon: Don’t smoke, don’t drink alcohol, avoid air-conditioning and take lots of exercise while eating a healthy balanced diet. Well, I drink, smoke and probably don’t exercise as much as I used to. My simple Golden Rule is practice, practice, practice! I probably sing somewhere between 1 and 2 hours per day (most days!). There are certain songs I use as “training songs” in which I simply sing along to a record and try to match the high and low notes, (for example) Ronnie James Dio singing Heaven and Hell and Catch the Rainbow, maybe a bit of David Coverdale and always some Paul Rodgers, I find it helps with the way I like to phrase songs, I don’t try to imitate them, quite often I’ll do a harmony to their vocal, if possible get some lessons and learn how to breathe properly.
On stage I am always accompanied by Vocalzones, Strepsils, Vicks (for up my nose!) a flask of hot tea and about 3 litres of water, before a gig I do lots of breathing exercises and some scales just to warm up, occasionally I’ll gargle a glass of whisky (sometimes I might even drink it!) but my firmly held view is that when I’m on stage I’m working and therefore no excessive alcohol intake.
Lyricists, I think they can be both born and made, probably more born than made though, I think you have to be in tune with the music and let it talk to and guide you as to the direction the lyrics should take. Unless of course you have the lyric but no tune to go with it, I think that’s harder to do and those who can put a tune to lyrics are born.
Stone: You have showcased your musical evolution on Soundcloud. I find this “open-book” approach to your musical resume commendable and inspiring. What and/or who has been most influential to you, in creating your life’s soundtrack?
Gordon: In everything you do, there is something that shapes the person you become, every person you meet from your parents onwards define your path. Personally, I think I’ve led a full and interesting life so far, it’s had its highs and lows, but I’m very much an optimist, if you get knocked down, get up, brush yourself down and keep moving forward. The open book approach and putting up videos of band rehearsals and recordings that weren’t the greatest was a gamble, it could have put people off completely and fortunately that hasn’t been the case.
Very simply, I think that people can appreciate an honest approach, they know that live music isn’t about every note being perfect (even the best bands/artists make mistakes), live music is about finding a vibe and making the audience believe in what you’re doing.
Stone Says: I’d like to thank Gordon Brown for this interview and for being such a cool long-distance Metal Buddy!
THE ROLLING STONES– The release dates for GRRR! ( a greatest hits collection) will be as follows: (as reported on http://www.rollingstones.com: GRRR! will be released on 12th November 2012 for the world, excluding North America, and on the 13th November 2012 in North America.
I’ll buy GRRR! cause quite honestly, I don’t own every album from The Rolling Stones. Not even close. I’ve got some catching up to do. Hey… wanna know which are my top two favorite songs from The Rolling Stones? That’s easy. Here you go: Emotional Rescue and Gimme Shelter. Metal be thy name.
KISS KOLLECTIBLES – That’s it at above! That’s my KISS Puzzle Cube Key Chain! I bought this kool KISS Kollectible at a mall store called SPENCER’S about a year or so ago. This store specializes in selling Rock Music memorabilia, (adult/naughty) gifts, gag/humor gifts, body jewelry and tons more of oddball and pop-culture items. I paid $1.50 (U.S.) for this KISS Puzzle Cube Key Chain, finding it on a clearance hook. I only paid $1.50! Whoa!
As you can see in the above photo, I had a difficult time getting the price sticker off the blister package; so I just gave up on removing it. Obviously, I’m going to keep this KISS Kollectible sealed in its original package for my KISS Kollection!
* On this puzzle cube, each KISS solo album portrait is shown, along with the Klassic KISS logo and the KISS character symbols.
* The manufacturer of this fabulous KISS Kollectible is Rabbit Tanaka Corp. Ltd. and under license by Signatures Network and KISS ONLINE. The date printed on the back of this package is 2007. Here’s what the package back looks like:
There seems to be countless KISS Kollectibles out in the marketplace! Whenever I cross paths with a KISS Kollectible that is this inexpensive, I buy it!
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My name is Stone and I’m a KISSaholic. Metal be thy name.
* Wanna read about my other KISS Kollectibles I’ve written about? Just click on those kool links below!
Taken from “Rock ‘n’ Roll Revival”: LOVERBOY’s return with 3 brand new tracks (2 of them produced by Bob Rock of AC/DC and Metallica fame) and fabulous live versions of such classics as Working For The Weekend; Lovin’ Every Minute of It; Turn Me Loose and more !
Big Dad Ritch is the lead singer and founding member of Texas Hippie Coalition, aka THC. Red Dirt Metal is what THC plays, with a reverent nod of influence to Country Music’s most famous outlaws to the late Dimebag, with Black Label Society and Lynyrd Skynyrd in between. Texas Hippie Coalition’s Southern Hard Rock ‘N Metal is as American as corn dogs washed down with (plenty of) Shiner Bock beer.
This badass band from Texas aren’t about kowtowing to the mainstream or the man sitting high-up inside some ivory tower. Hell no. This is Texas Hippie Coalition and they aren’t about being a band for the ages, they’re a band for the people, in my forthright opinion. With 2010’s Rollin’, their newly released Peacemaker (Carved Records), coupled with a notable live presence from clubs to festivals, Texas Hippie Coalition have earned a continuously growing fan base that knows real when they hear and see it.
They’re skilled musicians that are loud, proud, hard and heavy as hell with contagious American Southern pride. Texas Hippie Coalition are: bassist John Exall, guitarist Wes Wallace, drummer Timmy Braun and of course, Big Dad Ritch and his earth splitting vocals. Big Dad Ritch took the time recently to answer more than several questions that I tossed his way. As this being my second (appreciative) encounter with Big Dad Ritch, I can honestly say he is as genuine, kind, professional and badass as they come. Metal be thy name. There is and forever will be only one Big Dad Ritch. Here is what he had to say:
Stone: I know I absolutely love your new album Peacemaker. The fans and critics have spoken and this album is a winner! Can you put into words just how rewarding all of this widespread acceptance feels to you?
Big Dad Ritch: Feels like a backyard friends n family Bar-BQ, with all the fixuns n pecan pie.
Stone: What is the secret behind the muscularity that Peacemaker represents musically and lyrically?
Big Dad Ritch: Just being proud of being BADASS. If u were a rodeo stock bull would you want to be the ol’ piece of beef every sod buster rode for a short 8 seconds or the Horned Monster Bull that punished every belt buckle chasing cowboy for a long 2 second ride. Dare to be BADASS.
Stone: Your vocals are so powerful! Are there any steps you swear by in keeping your voice so healthy and strong?
Big Dad Ritch: Never drink or smoke… I’m lyin!
Stone: Yes, Big Dad Ritch, you’ve proven that you can sing a ballad! What’s the story behind the creation of “Think Of Me”?
Big Dad Ritch: I wrote that song on Valentines Day, like most Valentines Days I spent it with the love of my life – music. I think people will say a song like this is dated or that it shows a softer side. Yet, in my opinion, I believe to write a song like this in this day and age only shows that this band has balls, BIG BALLS.
Stone: What came easy and what was difficult about recording Peacemaker?
Big Dad Ritch: Music and words flow thru those that participated on this album, the task seemed so easy at times. Difficult part was deciding what 11 songs of the 14 to put on the album. My stance was like that of Sweden. I held the money while they argued.
Stone: THC will be opening for the legendary Lynyrd Skynyrd on select dates this September. Describe the thrill you are feeling about this and don’t hold back!
Big Dad Ritch: WhooHooo, yipp, yip, yippy, yeehaw!!! Hyeah! Raise Hell! Sorry, got a lil carried away there. See, couple years back I started tellin people THC would open for BLS (Black Label Society) very soon. At the time an untruth. People on fb started connecting dots comments like “I would pay to see that show”. Next thing I know, were on half a dozen BLS shows. So I started fibbin, again fibbin is almost a lie. Tellin everyone we were gonna open for Lynyrd Skynyrd, at the time not true. Yet here we are today talkin about the Skynyrd n THC show. So what I’m trying to tellya is I never lie, and soon we will be touring with Willie Nelson n Judas Priest… I’m lyin. This show with Shooter Jennings on the line up as well is proof there is a Southern Uprising!
Take a look and listen below to the Official Video for Turn It Up!
Stone: I look at the band photos, listen to the songs and watch the video footage of THC and the feeling of brotherhood hits me like a ton of beer kegs! How important is this brotherhood toward your band’s success?
Big Dad Ritch: Texas Hippie Coalition. Texas = Proud of where we come from, which everyone should be. Hippie = that’s the way my mom n dad raised me, TRIBAL. Coalition = Because we are more than just 4 men, we are many, we are chapters nationwide, we are chapters world-wide, we are fans around the globe, we are men that would be kings, we are twisted hippie chicks, we are FAMILY MEMBERS, we are all together under one flag that we wave HIGH n MIGHTY, we are COALITION.
Stone: Many bands pigeonhole themselves into one “select” genre. With THC, you guys can reach out to many Rock genres with your sound and style. Would I be wrong to call THC “the band for the people”?
Big Dad Ritch: The PEOPLE’S CHAMP, love it. Red Dirt Metal, Southern Fried Rock. It’s all good.
Stone: As THC creates their own hard-earned success, do you ever have time to take it all in?
Big Dad Ritch: Yes I do inhale. What was the question?
Stone: You tour the country and witness many things on the road. Is American pride still alive and well or is there a sense of division among us as a nation?
Big Dad Ritch: There is an immense amount of pride nation wide, but I do believe people are starting to place more faith in their neighbor than in their government. US definitely still applies in my eyes.
Stone: If Big Dad Ritch could sit by the river with a legend of Rock, either past or present, to share some booze, stories and barbecue with, who would it be and why?
Big Dad Ritch: Tuff one, I always aspire to be what I have grown to refer to as “1 man empire”. The likes of Johnny Cash, Waylon or Willie, or modern-day Rob Zombie, Zakk Wylde, or Vinnie Paul. To achieve things in and out of the world of music. Hoping in someway one day to grow up and be an OZZY. Sorry mom. So to pick from all of these would be hard. So I would say this I would pick “Dime Bag” just so I could tell him what he has meant to generations of fans and how much he has influenced me and many others. I would even drink one of those horrible black tooths.
THANK YOU, Big Dad Ritch for this interview! Thank you for creating such memorable Red Dirt Metal with your band! I am so happy for you and the band and wish only the very best for Texas Hippie Coalition both off and on stage.
Until the next time, your brother in Rock ‘N Metal –
Stone \m/\m/
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PEACEMAKER Available NOW! Get it at iTunes (with exclusive track WHISKEY): http://bit.ly/OYvn5O
Last Sunday I went out shopping for back-to-school stuff with the girls. Shopping for school supplies can get very boring for a middle-aged Metalhead; unless you stumble upon cool KISS stuff, like the KISS Army patch you see above! Whoa!
One of the stores we went to is called Michaels. This store sells arts and crafts galore. It’s a very clean and organized store too. Michaels is NorthAmerica’s largest arts and crafts retailer, with 1,079 namesake stores.
As I walked around Michaels I saw this KISS Army patch for sale on an endcap display. Since my first KISS Army patch (on my first denim jacket) has been long gone for decades, I decided it was time to renew! What’s the price for this KISS Army patch you ask? $5 in U.S. funds. Whoa.
Here is what a Michaels store looks like:
In case you wanted to know, here is what the cardboard backing (the patch is on) looks like:
As you can see in the above photo, C&D Visionary Inc. distributes this cool KISS Army patch. C&D Visionary Inc. is a leader in selling to merchants tons of pop-culture and Rock ‘N Roll related items. They have a website, only it’s a wholesale site for retailers with valid sellers permits only. Still, it’s a fantastic site to check out if you’re not a retailer: http://www.cdmerch.com
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DON’T FORGET… KISS MONSTER RELEASES OCTOBER 16TH, 2012! WHOA!
The Devil’s Rain continues pouring down across North America as the legendary MISFITS take to the stage! Starting in October, the band strikes the East Coast, Canada, Midwest, West Coast, and more on through December. Check out these MISFITS tour dates below, to see if they’ll be near you!
“It all comes down to what you truly love doing, and what I love doing is overdubbing and making new sounds out of things that are sometimes quite ordinary on their own, but when you put them together, they make something new–or something that sounds new. Just discovering things like that musically is a pleasure.” – JEFF LYNNE, 2012
JEFF LYNNE, one of rock’s most iconic figures, is returning to make some new waves and shed a little electric light.
The creative force of ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA and the singularly accomplished singer, songwriter, guitarist and producer will release two albums on October 5th in G.A.S, October 8th in the UK and Rest of Europe, October 9th in North America via Frontiers Records: the solo disc LONG WAVE, a heartfelt and vivid tribute to some of the very songs that originally inspired him, and MR. BLUE SKY – THE VERY BEST OF ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA. For the latter album, the British artist has artfully revisited and re-recorded–at his home studio in Los Angeles– the greatest hits of Electric Light Orchestra, actually improving on some of the most classic and beloved recordings ever.
The release of LONG WAVE and MR. BLUE SKY – THE VERY BEST OF ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA mark the 40thanniversary of ELO. LYNNE’s legacy will further be celebrated with releases in 2013 including ELO Live! plus expanded reissues of the ELO’s 2001 album Zoom and LYNNE’s first solo album in 1990, Armchair Theater. For up to date info on all things JEFF LYNNE and ELO, go here: www.elo.biz
LONG WAVE powerfully celebrates the music of a time when LYNNE’s lifelong passion for music began, evoking an era back when old standards were just giving way to rock & roll. He somehow makes pre-rock standards like “Bewitched, Bothered And Bewildered,” “Smile” and “Love Is A Many Splendored Many Thing” — along with a few of his favorite gems from the Sixties such as the first single “Mercy, Mercy,” “Let It Rock” and “So Sad” — his own with these loving versions. LYNNE’s deeply felt and musically brilliant one-man-band takes add up to an inspired love letter to music itself — and an exquisite reflection of the way songs grace and change our lives.
“I call this new album Long Wave because all of the songs I sing on it are the ones heard on long wave radio when I was a kid growing up in Birmingham, England,” LYNNE explains. “These songs take me back to that feeling of freedom in those days and summon up the feeling of first hearing those powerful waves of music coming in on my old crystal set. My dad also had the radio on all the time, so some of these songs have been stuck in my head for 50 years. You can only imagine how great it felt to finally get them out of my head after all these years.”
MR. BLUE SKY – THE VERY BEST OF ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA is a powerful testament to LYNNE’s enduring artistry and his singular desire to get things right once and for all. Featuring such classics as “Evil Woman, “Don’t Bring Me Down,” “Livin’ Thing” and “Mr, Blue Sky,” the result is, in effect, a kind of showdown between JEFF LYNNE today and his extremely illustrious past, and thanks to improved technology and recording artistry, LYNNE somehow comes out on top again. It’s a fresh chance to hear these extraordinary songs sounding sharper and clearer than the old versions.
“There was a big reason I wanted to re-record these ELO songs,” says LYNNE. “When I listen to the old versions they don’t sound the way I thought they did when I first wrote and recorded them. I wanted to use the experience I’ve gained producing records ever since and have a completely new try at them. I’m not saying the old versions aren’t good; I like them very much. We were doing our best, but experience and technology also play a big a big part, and these new ones sound much more solid and tight.”
The album includes a never-before-heard bonus track The Point Of No Return and a very special version of “10538 Overture” that’s a nod to ELO’s 40th anniversary.
The songs that JEFF LYNNE wrote and sang–and the recordings that he so expertly arranged and produced for ELO — have endured beautifully and are perhaps even more beloved today than they were back in the Seventies and Eighties. By any standard whatsoever, ELO is one of the most remarkable success stories in rock history. Consider just the facts: ELOhas sold over 50 million records worldwide, and continues to be a remarkably popular catalog.
Between 1972 and 1986, LYNNE wrote and produced 26 Top Forty hits in the United Kingdom, and 20 Top Forty hits in the United States, including 20 Top Twenty smashes in the UK and 15 Top Twenty smashes in the U.S. Even more remarkably, the ELO catalog continues to have tremendous impact, as demonstrated powerfully when the compilation AllOver The World: The Very Best of Electric Light Orchestra was released in 2005 and became a Top Ten album in a number of international markets including England.
Outside of the success of ELO, LYNNE has led a remarkable career that has found him taking the lessons learned leading ELO and using them to help produce and collaborate with many of the greatest musical artists of all time, including a number of LYNNE’s all-time heroes including Roy Orbison, Del Shannon, George Harrison, Paul McCartney, RingoStarr, and remarkably, even the Beatles themselves, as well as contemporaries like Tom Petty and Joe Walsh, whose new album Analog Man LYNNE recently helped produce. Together with Harrison, Orbison, Petty and Bob Dylan, LYNNE was, of course, a member of the Grammy award-winning Traveling Wilburys – a super group like no other.
“I’ve been in love with music since I was probably just five years old,” says LYNNE. “I was made for music then — and I still am today.”
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Here are the track Listings for LONG WAVEand MR. BLUE SKY – THE VERY BEST OF ELECTRIC LIGHTORCHESTRA:
LONG WAVE
1. She
2. If I Loved You
3. So Sad
4. Mercy, Mercy
5. Running Scared
6. Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered
7. Smile
8. At Last
9. Love Is A Many Splendored Thing
10. Let It Rock
11. Beyond The Sea
MR. BLUE SKY – THE VERY BEST OF ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA:
Hello Dee, it’s Stone. I’ve read today that you requested Vice Presidential nominee, Paul Ryan, to stop using the (your) Twisted Sister song “We’re Not Gonna Take It”. I also understand you (obviously) don’t support Paul Ryan or the Republican party.
However, please understand Dee, that our beloved Heavy Metal community is unlike the mainstream Rock and Pop communities. I speak for all Metalheads when I say we are: unified. We have and always will be unified regardless of race, sex, (I would hope religion) or political party affiliation. Anyone who disagrees is not a true “Defender Of The Faith”.
Certainly, there’s nothing wrong with an honest and open discussion of politics, after all, you fought for our civil rights when it comes to freedom of speech, when you stood up to the PMRC. Political commentary, sex and drugs in lyrics are here to stay due to your heroics on Capitol Hill. However, no political group or Hollywood clique has ever supported you as loyally as your fans have; please don’t turn your back on a large group of us now.
Political nonsense shall never steer me away from a band or musician. It’s always been about the music for me. I’ve never let politics cloud my judgement with an album review or interview. Please remember there are conservative fans that have looked upon Twisted Sister’s songs for inspiration, going on four decades strong. I can guarantee that there are many conservative politicians who grew up as Twisted Sister fans. “I Am, (I’m Me)”.
Dee, you have been a leader and legendary contributor to the history of Heavy Metal. Please don’t forget your fans that may support Paul Ryan and the Republican Party; for these same fans have loyally supported you since day one.
Please Dee, don’t get caught up with “those other guys” that have made political statements as a part of their overall claim to fame. Here at Metal Odyssey, bands are supported regardless of what political party they are loyal to. “You Can’t Stop Rock ‘N’ Roll”. Please Dee, don’t get onboard with the political Hollywood celebrity mainstream. You’re too good for that. Metal be thy name.
Joe Walsh saw his eleventh studio album, Analog Man, released back on June 5th, 2012. Since then, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this album’s songs from top to bottom; so much so, that I’ve written five Fun & Random Thoughts posts regarding this entertaining work. Now, you are reading the sixth such post!
Lyrically, Analog Man is filled with Joe’s real life experiences and Fishbone is one fine example. Fishbone is a funny song, only the story behind this song is not that humorous at all; at least to me it isn’t. Regardless, Joe Walsh has a unique way of turning a scary personal story into something “funny” to reflect upon. Joe Walsh explained the story behind this song in the liner notes of Analog Man. Here’s the story behind Fishbone, as I’ve kept it in fewest words as possible:
Joe’s wife had a fishbone (unfortunately) get stuck in her throat, while at a dinner party in Monte Carlo. She had to fly home to Los Angeles to have the fishbone removed from her throat. That poor woman. That’s scary stuff! I couldn’t imagine having any kind of bone getting stuck in my throat! Based on the lyrics of Fishbone, Joe’s wife obviously had a trying experience and eventual positive outcome. Thank God for that.
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Fishbone can get nasty, fishbone ain’t your friend – Joe Walsh
Trust me, the lyrics to Fishbone are funny and still I wince while listening to them. I just feel so bad for Joe’s wife having to go through such a terrible ordeal with a fishbone getting stuck in her throat. If this song has taught me any lessons, it’s you can’t take life for granted. Nor can you take life too seriously; especially when an outcome to a frightening experience or event turns out well. I’m sure if the outcome to this story was (gasp) something worse, then Joe Walsh would never have written such a lyrically funny song about it. I would hope so, anyway.
Musically, Fishbone is classic Joe Walsh. Semi-funky and loaded with guitar licks that ooze out from every crevice is Fishbone. Throw in some electronic artfulness on vocals for a second or two and Fishbone is a hidden gem of a song on Analog Man.
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Since we’re on the topic of Fishbone, here is a (topically related) album I’ve been reminded of:
Yes, that’s Fishbone’s seventh studio album titled: Still Stuck In Your Throat. This cool album was initially released in Europe, back in 2006. The Alt/Rock, Funk Metal and Ska Punk band known as… Fishbone. Whoever said the Rock Music world wasn’t intertwined in some mystical way should have their head examined for malfunction. Metal be thy name.
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* If you’ve missed any or all of my Fun & Random Thoughts on Joe Walsh – Analog Man, don’t panic! Just click on those very cool links below to get all caught up! Whoa!
DISASTROID – Hey! If you haven’t heard by now, DISASTROID is a very, very cool Rock band from San Francisco, California. DISASTROID has a gig coming up on August 29th, at 6:30 pm, at Eli’s Mile High Club in Oakland, California. If you live anywhere near Oakland, get on out there and catch some live DISASTROID!
These guys can play some Heavy Rock ‘N Roll and will most likely be world-famous someday too. How does Stone know all this? Cause I listen to their stuff and believe in this band. Call ’em Stoner, Psychedelic, Grunge and/or Hard Rock… I just call ’em one hell of a Rock band and ’nuff said about that.
You’ll become a believer of DISASTROID too by checking ’em out and clicking on those cool links below! Metal be thy name.
Ike Willis works with friends and fans to bring his story to life
Los Angeles, CA – The Ike Willis Book, an upcoming literary release from The Project Scrutinizer, will be published later this year. The Ike Willis Book will chronicle the life and times of Ike Willis, who played guitar and sang with Frank Zappa for fifteen years.
Ike Willis is featured on a number of classic albums including Joe’s Garage, Tinseltown Rebellion, You Are What You Is, Them or Us and Shut Up & Play Yer Guitar. Mr. Willis has lived a long, star-studded, Rock and Roll version of “the American dream” before, during and after his time with Frank Zappa. Since Zappa’s death in 1993, Willis has continued paying tribute to the incredibly detailed and academic arrangements of Zappa’s original music while performing in Europe and South America with a variety of tribute bands including Project/Object at the Zappanale festival in Germany for the last three years.
The book is derived from highlights of weeks of interviews with Ike, his family and friends, plus key contributions from prominent Frank Zappa alumni such as Bobby Martin, Don Preston, Denny Walley, Ray White, Ed Mann and many others. This is the story of Ike Willis, the son, the father, the musician, the singer, the intellectual and kid from St. Louis, MO who made it big. Many of these exclusive, personal stories about Mr. Willis’ life and his career with Frank Zappa have never been told before. Ike’s story includes people from all walks of life and is a truly fantastic piece of Rock and Roll history.
Mr. Willis commented on the book; “Now that I am so far into the process of telling my story, all I can say is that I never expected to do something quite like this. The experience has been so powerful and I really feel fortunate to get this unique opportunity. This book will have something interesting for every type of fan – even the ones who have known me forever. I have a large number of Frank Zappa alumni who have contributed to the interviews and we spend plenty of time talking about how many of the most famous songs originated, as well as what life inside the Zappa Universe was really like. We were all so lucky to have had the opportunity to perform the music he wrote and get to spend countless hours with him in the studio, on the road and basically in his world. This book is as important to any piece of music I played with Frank because it really explains how we did it!”
The book is slated to be available in late December to coincide with the holidays and Frank Zappa’s birthday. Mr. Willis is booked for an extensive touring schedule with a number of his tribute projects beginning later this year and has a new solo album heading to the studio with several special guest appearances planned.
The Project Scrutinizer, the international group of Ike Willis’ friends and fans heading the project, has branches in Los Angeles, New York, New Jersey, Portland (Oregon) and Europe. A Kickstarter funding effort is currently underway and contributing fans will be recognized within the book.
JACKYL – On July 31st, 2012, Georgia’s very own JACKYL released their 7th studio album, Best In Show, via MIGHTY LOUD / Fontana Distribution. Jesse James Dupree and his band have once again put the FUN back into Hard Rock. JACKYL’s southern fried attitude and flavor reigns supreme on Best In Show and I honestly LOVE this album more than their 2010 studio album: When Moonshine and DynamiteCollide. (And I really appreciated that last album from this band too).
The songs lyrics on Best In Show are FUN to listen to and I couldn’t expect any less from JACKYL. Couple this with a total impact of ass kicking Hard Rock and Best In Show has already earned its reservation on Metal Odyssey’s “Best Hard Rock Albums Of 2012” list. JACKYL has recorded an album that is a 100% escape from my (silly) worries over bills, warm beer, a crappy economy and lousy service at any McDonalds drive-thru window. Whoa.
Top to bottom and side to side, Best In Show is a SOLID reason as to why JACKYL is still around after 20 years playing Heavy Rock ‘N Roll; the kind of Rock ‘N Roll to piss off your elitist neighbors that have never waved to you. I ran into my elder Metalhead hermit buddy, up in the remote woods of North/Central Pennsylvania late yesterday. He told me: “Stone, they just don’t make ’em like that JACKYL band anymore… All-American and blue-collar Hard Rock never surrenders.” I commented back to him: “Metal be thy name, you are so F’n right.”
My favorite song among favorite songs on Best In Show is: Golden Spookytooth. The thumpin’ and stompin’ Rock ‘N Roll that JACKYL plays is as refreshing to my ears, as a pot of home-made mashed potatoes is to my stomach. Down-home Hard Rock is JACKYL and they’ve brought it in heaping piles with Best In Show. Their cover version of Cover Of The Rolling Stone is damn cool stuff. (This song was originally recorded and made famous by Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show).
Better Than Chicken is a KEEPER of a song. Metal as my witness, this song has erased any dumb-ass and downer mood I could potentially be in for the next couple of years. Sample this new JACKYL online, seek-it-out and BUY IT! That’s it. This JACKYL review is over now. I gotta go and run some F’n errands while I crank up Best In Show in the car… and nuthin’ will get under my skin cause JACKYL has set me Rockin’ straight… again.
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* There is a hidden 12th track. A Cover of It’sTricky by RUN-D.M.C. It’s a cool good-times, party till dawn sing-a-long song; 1part Rap, 1 part Rock ‘N Roll. I dig it. As Lenny Wolf of Kingdom Come would say: “It is what it is.”
If you’re a band or musician and would like your music reviewed or be interviewed by Stone, please click the link under the “ALBUM REVIEWS ARCHIVES” section below!
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