Category Archives: music

Report: Guns N’ Roses coming to the Times Union Center on the day before Thanksgiving…

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The Times Union Center in Albany, just announced that Guns N’ Roses is coming to perform on Nov. 23rd, the day before Thanksgiving. Yes, you heard that right. Before you local readers decide to get tickets, I want to give you a little warning about this band. If you knew Axl’s history, he had a major problem with either showing up late or not showing up at all at his concerts. He’s been well known to show up late or no show at his concerts for years.

I would never see Guns N’ Roses for that reason. I used to LOVE the band back in the day with the original lineup. They meant something back then, but now the band is all washed up and a bunch of egotistical has-beens. I know I said I respect most talent but it’s hard to respect Guns N’ Roses when Axl is nothing but a big prick.

I did like, “Chinese Democracy”, actually. I just won’t see them live. So think twice before you decide to get tickets for this show. I’m pretty sure this show won’t even sell out. Nobody cares about Guns N’ Roses anymore.

Kev

10 reasons why “Weird” Al Yankovic deserves a Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame Induction…

Upset by your favorite bands & artists keep getting snubbed for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame? One artist that keeps getting the snub every year is that the Hall of Fame in Cleveland, seems to be ignoring, “Weird” Al Yankovic. Many of you would disagree, I’m sure. Some of you may think a parody artist doesn’t deserve it and you may think he’s not rock n’ roll, but yes, of course, Al Yankovic is rock n’ roll. He always has been. Weird Al is eligible for a nomination but he never gets it.

I can think of 10 good reasons why Al Yankovic totally deserves an Induction.

  1. “Weird” Al’s career was legendary – Today’s generation of music fans don’t realize how long Al Yankovic has been in the music business. He had a pretty long music career. In the 70’s, Al first got recognition and fame with his talent from the Dr. Demento radio show. His first parody with “My Bologna” which was a parody of the Knack’s “My Sharona”. It became an instant hit back in those days, and was signed a record deal because of it. Al created history with his music, like him or not.
  2. “Weird” Al was the only music artist to make comedy mainstream – There are plenty of other comedy musicians/songwriters but none of them were successful. Al was the only comic musician who pioneered parodies commercially.
  3. “Weird” Al helps bands/artists realize they are successful – All the artists Al has parodied songs from, a lot of them didn’t realize they were famous rock stars until they got parodied by Weird Al. That alone should give Al the respect he deserves.
  4. “Weird” Al is real, he plays with an actual band and does a lot of touring – I’m sure Al’s been accused of not being a musician, but yes, he knows his shit as a musician and he’s professional. The man works extremely hard and he’s passionate for what he does.
  5. “Weird” Al had many chart toppers with his singles – Weird Al may have never had a no. 1 hit record, but he had plenty of single chart toppers.
  6. “Weird” Al inspires people of all ages with his music – He’s been accused of just making music for children only. Not true. His music is for everybody, doesn’t matter how old you are.
  7. “Weird” Al is a talented entertainer and live performer – I’ve seen Al Yankovic live in concert once, during the “Running With Scissor’s” tour. The guy has guts to what he does. He’s not afraid of entertaining an audience and making them laugh even if he had to make fun of himself.
  8. “Weird” Al is multi-talented – He’s not just a musician. He’s also a producer who produced many of his own records and he produced work for other artists as well. He is also an actor, director, and writer.
  9. “Weird” Al’s music videos are always great – This is part of the reason for his fame. It’s his music videos that always gets to people. I love his music videos as they are all hilarious and people just can’t wait for his next one. He makes the best music videos than any other artists. His music videos have always been an important part of his career.
  10. “Weird” Al helps other artists become more popular and mainstream – Without Weird Al, I’m pretty sure we wouldn’t have known about the Knack, Queen, Nirvana, Madonna, Michael Jackson, etc. Some would disagree with me on this but it’s true. Al Yankovic helped other artists get more recognition and fame. Weird Al did a lot for the industry over the years, and he changed the music business, the way we look at it.
These are also the 10 reasons, why I respect the man. I’ve loved Al Yankovic’s music ever since I was a child and still admire him to this day. He still releases great music as his new album, “Alpocalypse”, was the best album he put out in a while.
Kev

People need to not be so critical and nasty over national music…

When it comes to online discussion about national music whether in facebook, blogs, or forums, there are people that are too critical about famous bands. People can get real nasty and so negative when it comes to talking about bands & artists they don’t like. For example, they’ll say things like, “This sucks”, “This is garbage”, “Why do they even call this music?”, etc. They can say a lot worse things.

For one thing, I can tell you right now that I’ve never really done that. Why? Because I respect all music and talent. Sure, there are going to be famous bands & artists that I’m not going to like myself, but I usually keep those opinions to myself. If I feel the need to express my dislike about a certain band/artist, I would back my opinion up explaining why, without the bashing.

This is why I never bash artists that everyone hates, whether it’s Metallica, Justin Bieber, Katy Perry or Lady Gaga, any of them. I respect what those artists do, ’cause whether you like them or not, they are changing the industry.

Some of you may ask, what bands & artists that I don’t like? I have very few bands & artists that I’m not that big of a fan of. Like I said, I respect most talent, ’cause I have a love for music over all. If I were to dislike some bands & artists, here is a short list that I’m not a fan of.

John Mayer – He’s a great guitar player, but his singing voice never grabbed my attention, but his songs way too pop for my tastes. (See, what I did there? I backed up my opinion, without the critical bashing…)

Blink 182 – A lot of people like them, but the power pop punk has never been my thing. I just don’t care for the simplicity of their songwriting.

Nickelback – Now here’s one band that I actually agree with everyone on. They are not that great. Some of the guitar playing is good, but it’s their songs that don’t grab me.

Barry Manilow – I respect his singing talent, he’s good, but I”m not really into this easy listening music.

Neil Diamond – A lot of people like him, but I’m not into him. He’s a bit overrated to me.

I also don’t care for most of today’s rap & pop music. Although I respect a few artists in those genres.

Nothing wrong with expressing your opinions and there’s freedom of speech, but I wish people would express in a more friendlier way. That’s the point of this post. When discussing national music in facebook, I usually ignore negative opinions. When things get out of hand, that’s when I’ll step in and try to defend that artist.

Like Metallica for example, I’m trying to defend their project with Lou Reed in facebook and it’s working quite well. I got people that actually agreed with me on things, and of course, some haters will attack me in return, then I would respond back to defend my point. That’s called internet debating.

When you have a true love for music, you respect all talent, and that’s what I’m about. National artists worked hard to get where they are.

Kev

25 years ago today, the music world lost the great Cliff Burton…

Cliff Burton was the man who made Metallica for what they were. He was responsible for helping, Metallica, get their shot at fame with his unique bass playing. Without Cliff, Metallica would have never gotten to where they are today.

Many Metallica fans only liked the stuff with Cliff Burton, but I can understand that. I loved the Cliff Burton, Metallica, myself. “Master of Puppets” was an amazing album. I think it’s my favorite Metallica album.

If Cliff was still alive, I’m sure there would have been no, “Load”, “Re/Load” and “St. Anger” ’cause Cliff wouldn’t want that. He would want to play the fast speed metal like he’s known for.

Yeah, like everyone else, I kind of miss the old Metallica even though I still respect them. RIP Cliff.

Kev

Cool Video: See William Shatner record vocals for Sabbath’s “Iron Man” in the studio…

Here’s a funny video of William Shatner recording spoken-word vocals for Sabbath’s, “Iron Man”. As some of you might already know the guitar parts were recorded by, Zakk Wylde.

Many would find Shatner singing pretty bad, but in reality, he’s not really singing. He’s still doing the spoken word thing. That’s how he has always done his cover songs. He does them the spoken word versions.

If you think Shatner is bad, everybody probably thought Ozzy was the worst when he first sung this song in the studio with Black Sabbath back in the day. Black Sabbath songs maybe good but Ozzy was never the greatest singer. He never had a powerful vocal range, it almost seems like Ozzy does the spoken word thing too. Ozzy admitted he never had vocal training.

William Shatner is set to release his new album, “Seeking Major Tom“, Oct. 11. It will be a double disc album full of covers of rock n’ roll songs of all time.

Enjoy the video below.

Kev

 

Report: Rock N’ Roll Hall of Fame nominations announced for 2012…who will make it this year?

Well, I’m actually liking the nominations for this year’s Hall of Fame of 2012. Check out the nominations for this year, here.

My predictions on who’s going to get inducted this year? Well, Joan Jett, Gn’R, and The Cure definitely have a good chance. I think they’ll make it no matter what happens. There usually about 5 inductees every year for the Hall of Fame. As for the some of the other choices, I think Heart will make it. Maybe Donovan or Donna Summer.

Finally, the nominees are starting to look more “rock n’ roll”, hope they keep it this way.

On a side note, if Gn’R is inducted will we get an onstage reunion with the original members: Axl, Slash, Duff, Izzy, and Steven Adler??? Everyone’s been wanting that reunion for years and maybe it’ll actually happen at the Hall of Fame. We’ll have to wait and see, keep our fingers crossed for now.

Kev

Report: Mick Jagger making a return to acting???

There is a screenplay being written for Mick Jagger to star in, and the script is being written by “A History Of Violence”, screenwriter, Josh Olson. While Mick focuses on music most of his life, he is an occasional actor. The last film he starred in was “The Man From Elysian Fields” in 2001.

Is Mick about to retire from music and focus on acting instead?

Deadline, reports.

Kev

Pandora’s Box – the 1929 silent film about Lulu is in Netflix for DVD rental…

Just for the hell of it, I just logged in my Netflix, “Pandora’s Box“, the silent film about Lulu and they had it available for Netflix DVD rental. So I put it in my que and put it on top of the list, so I should be getting it soon after I send back the DVD I have now. Looking forward to seeing it.

This is the project that the Lou Reed & Metallica album is based on. I’m looking forward to seeing the film. After I see the film, I’ll start to understand why they are doing an album on the Lulu story.

It really is sad that the public is bashing this Lou Reed & Metallica thing. I think it’s a very special project. The Who did the theatrical/musical thing too with “Quadrophenia” and “Tommy”. The Lou/’Tallica project is kind of similar to what the Who have done.

People should respect Lou Reed as a musician ’cause he had quite a legendary history with his career. Anybody that bashes the man, has no true love for music.

Kev

Look like Zack Snyder’s “Man of Steel” is going to open with the John Williams theme after all?

Check it out, and tell me what you see…

the Man of Steel, IMDB lists John Williams as Original Score, but they still list Tyler Bates in the music department. This doesn’t mean it’s confirmed ’cause IMDB is not a reliable site.

I’ll believe it when I hear a confirmation from Zack Snyder, Warner Bros. or Christopher Nolan. I’m sure Zack is going to get asked about the Superman theme when he starts doing interviews again. We’ll wait and see.

Kev

Cool Video: More on “Lulu”…

Here are a few videos of the “Lulu” play, that they’ve been doing over in Germany. The Lulu stories have been very popular in Germany and they’ve been doing these plays over there for years. It’s all in German language, be aware. Also, these videos are NSFW, as they can get sexual and disturbing.

Lulu deserves to get known in the United States. Maybe Broadway will start doing plays on Lulu after their album is released? Something to think about.

Kev