Music Bender

Being from Kentucky (for the time being), I’d heard of Cage The Elephants long before they made last night’s appearance on The Late Show with David Letterman. And I’m still not impressed!

Their song, Ain’t No Rest For The Wicked, is not only choppy, but the title’s even a misquote (the correct quote is “Ain’t no rest for the weary”. But we can overlook that, because it’s a common misquote)!

Beyond the music, lead singer Matt Shultz jumped around in a way that was more like a twelve year old pretending to be a rock star; if ya look at heroes like Steven Tyler and even early Mick Jagger, you’ll at least see synchronized histrionics (in time to the beat, and done to emphasize part of the song). The fact that the rest of the band were rather sedate didn’t add much; he stuck out like a sort thumb!

And then there was guitarist Lincoln Parish, who looked … well, like he had some kind of problem that kept him from straightening up. Now, I know any guitar that’s fashioned after a dobro is gonna be hard to play — but this guy looked like he was missing something …
But we’ll have to wait and see if, in the long run, they straighten those areas out …

UNKNOWN SONS OF DIFFERENT FATHERS

By now, the world’s heard about Michael Jackson’s allegedly long-lost son, Omer Bhatti (aka rapper O-Bee). It seems that more proof is coming in proving that he is the late King of Pop’s son.
Even Michael’s strange pop, Joe Jackson, said that O-Bee is the son of the Gloved One. The fact that he was sitting beside Jackson’s sister, Rebbie, at the memorial service only added fuel to the fire!
Personally, I don’t see any problem with this.

But what I do see as a problem is the familial rejection of young Christopher Cyrus.
Here’s a guy who actually wants the approval of his famous dad, Billy Ray and half-sister Miley, but doesn’t get it (he was the product of an affair his father had in S.C. in 1991).
Personally, I think it’s time for Billy Ray to put away any animosity, ‘fess up and accept this youngster into his family. Anybody out there … can I get an amen??

Whaddya think about this idea, yardbirds?

SongVest has partnered with writer Preston Glass to offer bidders 25% of his writer’s share for his hit songs “We Don’t Have To Take Our Clothes Off” and “Miss You Like Crazy”.

In addition to sharing in the royalties, the highest bidders will also receive one-of-a-kind platinum album awards plaques featuring handwritten and signed lyrics.

Glass says, “As a songwriter, sharing my songs with people is always a great thrill. But I can think of no deeper fan connection than sharing the benefits of ownership as well. It’s a mutually rewarding opportunity,”

Over the past three years, SongVest has offered music fans, collectors, and investors the unique opportunity to share the royalties with the writers of their favorite music.
Past auctions have included the rights to songs recorded by Aerosmith, Bon Jovi, Carrie Underwood, Ringo Starr, Ozzy Osbourne, and The Monkees.

The auction will begin at 3PM EST on Saturday, August 15 and end at 3PM EST on Saturday, August 22. Fans can register now at http://www.songvest.com to learn more about the revenue history for each song and get a glimpse behind the scenes at how and why the songs were written.

Y’know, whenever rock music’s discussed — whether here or elsewhere — there’s something missing from the conversation; something interesting.

Have you noticed that, among all genres of music, ours has the fittest, trimmest stars?  Yeah, country music’s in the mix, too, but, by and large, rock performers have better builds and, overall (if they stay away from the booze and bongs), better health.

Now, there’s a reason for this. 

You see, the rigors of rehearsals, tours (often from setting up equipment to the actual performances themselves) and the adrenalin that’s pumping throughout all that can be excruciating to any singer or instrumentalist who’s out-of-shape.
They also have to concern themselves with the public image.  Let’s face it:  in today’s world, “fat” just doesn’t sell (unless you’re a comic actor).

So, beyond the music, the glitz and glamor that comes with the territory, we’ve gotta take a moment and appreciate their fitness — and maybe even take a few lessons from them!

DIETING MADE EASIER

Of course, we all want trimmer, healthier bodies … and, when that calls for dietary supplements, we want to make sure they work to their full potential!
But there are so many of them out there, how can we be sure we’re getting the best?

Obviously, we can “pick and choose” through whatever pills and potions the local department store or pharmacy has, but, to find an actual diet pill that works, all you need to do is click that link you just passed.
These folks compare the best diet pills on the market and rate them by criteria that mean something to the consumer: Power, ingredient quality, reputation, results, value … even possible side effects! (Now, how many will go so far as to check that out for you?)
If you want to know which pills scored the highest (ie, the best), then just click the link you saw up there …
and, with their findings, you can discover the best diet supplement to help bring out the new you!

Bruth-uhs an’ Sisss-tuhhhs, they’s POWWWW-uhhhh in th’ MEWWWW-zikkk!! Howl-lay-loo-yuh!! (ahem … okay, so much for my preacher impersonation. Now ya see why I’m a writer …)

Hey … it’s true! Sixties rock — especially that which hit our shores from the “British Invasion” — carried with it an amazing ability to heal! (hmph … wish my dog would learn tha … oh. That’s “heel”, right? Sorry.)

Y’see, many of the early hits had a definitive rhythmic “bounce” to them. They were danceable, to be sure … but also easy to keep time with. This, according to psychologists, helped improve physical biorhythm. And the harmony helped add substance to the song, thus their listenability.
It caught the listener’s concentrated attention as well (for example, one of the reasons the Vanity Fare hit, Hitchin’ A Ride, was so popular is that kids were listening for the one note that was offkey at the end of each verse of the chorus).

Largely, harmony can evoke intense feelings, depending upon the song: romance, sadness, happiness and courage. But the hook of the song is what would get the song into the subconscious, where the listener would hear it over and over. (In fact, Over and Over is also an example! But the greatest of the time, obviously, was the Beatles’ She Loves You.)
And, if the song is something that’s lively, happy and is embedded there, then it can help fans out of any “blues” they feel.

Now … going to the instrumental side for a moment: Early bands were sometimes inspired by the lower-four-string style of American guitarist Duane Eddy. The deeper sounds are often considered physically therapeutic as well as emotionally.

KEEPING IT CLEAN

With recent medical news broadcasts stressing the importance of colon health, much of America is beginning to see that its cleansing provides some great long-term results as well as ward off the fear of cancer in that region.
The only problem we face, in fact, is finding the best cleanser to use. Many stores (from department to pharmacies) will carry different items and brands, and we can easily become confused as to their effectiveness.
But there’s one spot on the web that’ll review the best colon cleansers on the market today, and all so you’ll feel more at-ease when choosing one! They research cleansing power, ingredients, benefits, value, customer reviews and more. In fact, they even give you a “heads-up” about the “free-trial” scams that end up doing more harm than good.
So, for the peace-of-mind you deserve, click on that link you just passed and compare the top colon-cleansing products — then you can choose and use the best with confidence!

Now … that’s all the time we have for this post,  but check back in about 24 or so for more on the “Healing Power of ClassicRock” and other tidbits. Until then, remember: Keep your eyes on the skies, your feet on the ground, your heart with the music …

and I’ll see ya on the flip side!

Hey … remember a few days back, when Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Tex., and no relation that I know of) introed a House Resolution in Congress to honor Michael Jackson?
At the memorial service, she showed the plaque and received a resounding standing ovation for her effort.

Well, according to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, it ain’t gonna happen.

The wide-eyed wonder of the House said that debate on the symbolic measure could raise “contrary views” about the pop star’s life.

Lawmakers are free to use House speeches “to express their sympathy or their praise any time that they wish,” she said. “I don’t think it’s necessary for us to have a resolution. A resolution, I think, would open up to contrary views … that are not necessary at this time to be expressed in association with a resolution whose purpose is quite different.”

Of course, you’ve got racist jerks like “Rep.” Peter King (Representative?? of what?? Of who?? Whatever he “represents”, I don’t wanna part of it …) who says he’ll “fight” the measure (Yoooo-hoooo … Mr. Rep. Kinnnnnnnnk? Didja happen, like, to read it’s, ummm, not gonna be presented?? Or aren’t ya listeninno,Ithoughtnot …)

Fortunately, Rep. Lee is going to try and re-introduce it again soon (sheesh! Come on, guys and gals … it’s not a law we’re talkin’ about here!! What’s the problem??).

Let’s hope she succeeds this time (reckon we oughtta write/call/see our own Congresspeople and push for it?? Whaddya think, yardbirds??).

Hey … remember an album by the famed rock ensemble, KISS, called Rock And Roll Over?
Well, now the band have their very own Rock And Roll Odor – and you can get it for just £4.99!

Yep … they’ve gone into the fragrance business by marketing two new scents, titled KISS Him and KISS Her (hey … their name fits the product, so why not?).

You can buy it online here in the states (could cost ya up to about thirty-five bucks), but the best price so far is at The Perfume Shop, which has over 170 stores across the UK and the Republic of Ireland.
In England, each fragrance is normally £26, but the Shop has cut the price to just £4.99! That means you can buy both fragrances for under ten pounds (minus the VAT, natch!).

The KISS Him Cologne Spray (pictured) is, according to its promo, “spicy-warm, oriental, distinctive, boldly masculine and lasting”. And get this — it’s packaged in a shiny black patent leather box, embossed with KISS graphics and the KISS logo in flames (guess it means “heat” and “passion”).

The KISS Her Eau De Toilette Spray (who comes up with these fancy names, anyway?) is said to be “succulent, wild… it entices and seduces like a high-energy, forbidden aphrodisiac”. (oookayyy … but ya don’t drink it, right??)

Y’know, it kinda makes ya wonder what these guys are gonna do next! Already, they’ve got hit records, comics, all kinds of merchandise, and Gene’s got a reality show and now his own record company. Of course, there’s also their live shows, which, IMHO, are yet to be beaten!

Pretty good for some boys from New York who just wanted to start a band years ago …

If there’s any video that Michael Jackson left us that we actually NEED to watch, I believe it’s to his Earth Song (from his HISTORY CD).
Man, see if this doesn’t hit ya right in the heart:

‘Nuff said, right?

WOW!! If you haven’t gotten yer mitts on the book, To Live Is To Die: The Life & Death Of Metallica’s Cliff Burton, you oughtta order it from Metallica’s official web site now!

Written by the UK’s Classic Rock Magazine’s Joel McIver with help from the band’s Kirk Hammett, the book not only takes you through Cliff’s life and terribly tragic death, but will evoke all kinds of emotions in ya!
Simply put, these collaborators put together one helluva read!
“I’m deeply honored that Kirk spoke to me for the Cliff Burton biography,” McIver said. “We talked about the rollercoaster ride of Metallica’s early career which he and Cliff experienced, from the time that both men joined the band in early 1983 until Cliff’s death three and a half years later. The impact that Burton had on the rest of Metallica, both musically and as an example of how to stick to your principles in the music industry, was profound — and Kirk provided a perspective on that impact which couldn’t have come from anywhere else.”

The book is also available now in good book stores! My suggestion? GET IT!! It’s worth the (not-bad) price … and more …

SONISPHERE OLD SCHOOL

Speaking of Metallica: They’re goin’ “old-school” in their upcoming Sonisphere gig — meaning, you’ll hear the revitalized band tear through their material (including yer favorites) with the same raw, reckless and kick-ass abandon they became famous for!

I mean, check out their set-list for the August 1/2 show in Knebworth (Hertfordshire, England):

Blackened
Creeping Death
Holier Than Thou
Harvester Of Sorrow
One
Broken, Beat And Scarred
Cyanide
Sad But True
Welcome Home (Sanitarium)
The Judas Kiss
The Day That Never Comes
Master Of Puppets
Dyers Eve
Nothing Else Matters
Enter Sandman
(TBD)
Stone Cold Crazy
Phantom Lord
Seek and Destroy

Listen … since James, Lars, Kirk and Robert have their chops back, take a definite shot at gettin’ to one of their concerts! You’re in for one helluva serious night of rock!

Just read that Green Day bassist Mike Dirnt has designed his own shoe (this on the heels [pun intended?] of the band’s already-established line of footwear), the 45 RPM Schubert, in association with the vegan footwear company Macbeth.

Though it was established only seven years ago, Macbeth shoes contain no animal products. In 2007, Macbeth won “Best Vegan Skate Shoe” from Peta2, and is quickly becoming the rage among those who decry the mistreatment of animals in any form (this writer included).

Now, Dirnt’s new shoe has a canvas and synthetic-patent upper with a rubber sole. As you might expect, the shoe is classic-punk black, sort of like what you’d expect to see The Clash wearing. The price starts at around seventy bucks US and there are different styles to choose from.

To view the 45 RPM Schubert, visit the Macbeth website.

Natch, there are other stars who’ve put out their own brand of shoes (especially tennis shoes) — but the one I was most impressed with were the special footwear designed by Jerry Garcia (the famed late front man of The Grateful Dead) and distributed by his wife and Trust.

The shoes, themselves, were limited-edition, very hippie-style colorful — and the sales proceeds went to help underprivileged kids in and around the San Francisco area.
Now, whether they’re offered to the public again or not is a matter of conjecture — but it was a great move by a man who, along with his band, was known for their selfless and compassionate charity work (as well as some seriously dynamite jams)!

The new drummer of The Smashing Pumpkins’ new drummer was just an infant when the band first broke into the charts!

SP front man Billy Corgan has hired 19-year-old Mike Byrne to be its new drummer.  Byrne was just a year old when the band debuted in 1991 with Gish (Caroline).

Although Corgan said, on his blog, that he’s started working on demos for the band’s new material with a drummer, he didn’t name the new rocker.

The band  found Byrne when they put out an open call for drummers to audition back in April.   He replaces their longtime drummer Jimmy Chamberlain, who parted ways with Corgan in March.

NO MORE WEB FOR REZNOR!
Nine Inch Nails’ impresario Trent Reznor says he’s had it with the internet and is ready to pull out of online communities!

It sounds odd, considering there’s still a lot of action on the Nine Inch Nails’ blog, but Reznor says there are simply too many stupid people out there, or as he put it “idiots rule (the Internet).”
“At the end of the day it’s now doing more harm than good in the bigger picture,” he wrote.
On his blog.
On the Internet.
Incidentally, a source close to Reznor told me that “he’s just tired of all the bumpkins who don’t know what they’re doing on the web.”

Weird …

The Rolling Stones played there. So did The Beatles, The Kinks and The Who. Producer/legend Alfred Hitchcock frequented the place as well.

Now it’s in danger of closing for good …

And Mick Jagger is now using his clout to front a campaign to save the EMD Cinema in Walthamstow, north-east London,.

It’s listed as a Grade II historic building. Sold in 2003, planning permission to keep it open, unfortunately, has been denied.

“Cinemas and live venues like the Granada in Walthamstow where the Stones played in the early days, learning our craft on the way, are the lifeblood of our cultural history,” said the Stones front man. “They helped launched British popular music on to a world stage and should continue to function as places of entertainment and enjoyment.”

“It’s heartbreaking to hear about such a beautiful, important historical building and center of entertainment being lost to the local community.
I fully support the campaign to keep it open and provide film, music and the arts for generations to come.”

To many Londoners, its closing would be much like The Flamingo Club closing its doors … or having The Cavern shut down in Liverpool (as we all know, the original was razed … then rebuilt!). Taking such an important piece of musical history and just throwing it away is, IMHO, idiotic! The tourist value alone would more than pay for its continued upkeep!

Now, joining Sir Mick in supporting the campaign is Tony Robinson — but even you can get involved! Just click on their Facebook page for more.

Okay … I’ve gotta admit it: I’m a humongous Green Day fan. The trio (for the uninitiated [and how could you be?], it’s Mike Dirnt, Tré Cool and, of course, the amazing Billie Joe Armstrong) are a mix of everything that’s essential in rock: strong rhythm, fantastic attack, great stage presence and more!

But I’ve had a coupla questions stuck in the RelicMail about ‘em (sorry if it’s taken awhile. Got mixed in with that online Sears® circular and a coupla bills …):

FIRST: From Ann A. in Houston: While the rest of the band seems to have a steady rhythm section, the drummer (Tré) will sometimes go off in some wild fills! I know his name is Tres (sic) Cool, but what’s his real name?

Well, Ann, Tré’s birth name is Frank Edwin Wright III, and he was born 37 years ago this December (wouldja believe he’s the youngest member?), in Frankfurt, West Germany.

SECOND: From Jason R. in Spokane: Everybody knows there are three Green Day members. So who is the forth(sic) person they have playing the guitar and is he a real member?

Jason, the guy you’re wantin’ to know about is Jason White, and he plays with the band on tours promoting their new album, 21st Century Breakdown (which is definitely cool).

He and Billie Joe have been friends for years (he’s the dude makin’ out on the vid When I’m Not Around, btw).

Incidentally, if you wanna find out where the band’s gonna be takin’ their latest tour, just click here. If they’re within driving/train/boat distance, be sure to take in their show!!

NO WEIGHTING!!

With summer comin’ up in a couple of weeks, there are loads of people out there who want to take off some extra pounds so they can look their best out there in the sun.
Obviously, there are so many appetite suppressants on the market that you can’t really tell which one in which to invest your time and money (and, most importantly, your health). You see, everyone has a different need and situation, and there’s none that works for everyone, right?
But, outside of going to a store, choosing by trial-and-error, standing in a lonnnng line, perhaps, at the checkout and then maybe paying too much for it, what else can you do?

The answer??  Simply click on the link I’m about to give you, and read as these folks show and tell you about the top rated suppressants … and give you a chance to order these at a cheaper price than you’d find at any street or mall store!
You’ll also get free shipping, a 90-day money-back guarantee, and secure online delivery (meaning, no one’s gonna know what you’re doing except you and the company you’re ordering from!).
So if you’re looking for a good, reliable appetite suppressant — especially one that’ll work for you — just click the link you just passed!

Okay, yardbirds … I hadta clean this one UP a little before publishing it. Seems like the dude got a bit … er, rowdy … in the original: (HEY! Lemme just look for the word “nice” … lol)

Has (former) Iron Maiden frontman Paul Di’Anno lost his focus? (nope … that ain’t the word. Hang on …)

In a recent Argentinian interview, he compared Maiden bassist Steve Harris to Nazi madman Adolf Hitler, among other things!

Here’s what he said during a press conference (he was in the middle of a solo tour of the South American country).

First, member of the audience asked Di’Anno about his supposed drug use and asked if that was the reason he was no longer with Maiden.

The dude snapped:

“Where the nice do you people get this from? I left Iron Maiden because they were going too heavy metal, and Iron Maiden is a money-making machine, and I don’t give a nice about it. It was not about drugs; it was nothing like that.
“Me and Steve [Harris]… I [wrote] the song ‘Killers’, Steve had [what he thought] were better songs. I thought his songs were nice. Nothing to do with drugs; nothing whatsoever. Check your facts or otherwise this interview is over… I hate that! I nicely hate that!

“And I wrote nicely 20-times better songs than his, but I only got one song on the ‘Killers’ album because it’s Steve’s - he must have this. Nicely Adolf Hitler. I’m not interested. So there you go.
“But you need to take drugs when you’re with Iron Maiden because they’re so nicely boring. And the only drugs were aspirin, because Steve [making hand gesture as if someone is speaking into his ear]… Nicely headache.”

Ummm … just wondering: If he’s so down on the band, why, oh why does his live repertoire consists almost exclusively of songs from the first two Maiden albums?

Just wondering … that’s all …

BEDDING ON A GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP

I’ve always had an affinity for air beds — especially those where you can actually adjust the level of comfort you want.
And there’s one site where you can find the very best at amazingly restful prices!
Imagine … no more rustling around to try to find a comfy spot on your mattress! Just adjust the comfort level yourself by as many as 50 settings! And you can choose from mattresses that have the skin-friendly aloe vera knit covers, antibacterial bamboo top surface and so many other styles as well!
You’ll also have comparisons, a great FAQ page to answer your questions and more. And all you need to do is click on this link to find the right sleep number bed for you!

Back when I started this blogging thing, I was searchin’ for a special song for National Children’s Day (which I sorta helped revive back in the ’80s). The reason? The “B” side of Lies by The Knickerbockers is as true a story as could’ve been told back then. We were The Coming Generation … and, sure enough, we’ve fulfilled this prophetic song (e.g.: “One day we’ll give you a President” George W. Bush, 60 … as bad as he turned out, he wasof the same “Generation”!).

Right … couldn’t find the song anywhere — until the dynamic (and inspiring) US rockmeister Pete Dintino plugged me into where I could get it. Heard it a few times … then the mighty YouTube™, sadly decided to remove it. But, to kinda spark yer memory, you can find a snip of it (by a band called The Gremlins) here.

Now, the torch is being passed to a newer, younger and more innovative generation … and this song should be theirs (if you’ve got a copy of The Knickerbocker’s hit, Lies, just flip the 45 over to the B side and listen …)! It’ll be as true to them someday as it was to us.

We held the future in hands and voices that actually changed the world around us: Those united voices and hands brought the end of a terrible war, equality for women, civil rights, lowering the voting age and more! IMAGINE what the children of today can do for our collective future!

But they have to realize they hold the future in their hands! And this song, above all others, can do it.

See ya on the flip side!

Justin Timberlake says he’s gonna climb Mount Kilimanjaro for charity this year!

He and rapper Lupe Fiasco have been recruited by Ethiopian-born pop star Kenna for the big climb, and it’s all to raise awareness of the world water crisis.

Now, this particular climb comes on the heels of another one carried out by a group of British and Irish stars earlier this year, including Take That’s Gary Barlow and Boyzone’s Ronan Keating. Their climb on Africa’s highest mountain raised over £3,326,142 for Comic Relief.

But Justin’s climb has a special significance for Kenna, whose hits include Out Of Control.

“My dad almost died as a child from waterborne diseases in Ethiopia, and he had talked to me about digging a well there, and I thought, ‘I have too many friends who would be concerned with the subject of clean water,’” he said. “‘Maybe I can help out.’”

It’s certainly a challenge Lupe’s looking forward to: “I’m an adventure junkie. Part of the motivation is beating Kenna to the top. Sabotaging his tent, taking the lining out of his coat, lacing it with ants or something like that. [The water crisis in Africa] is a universal problem; it’s all mounting to the point where eventually there’s no clean water left. If I did a song, it would be jam-packed with so much information, it would almost be like we fit the substance of an entire interview in three and a half minutes.”

They’re expected to climb the mountain later this year.

GIFTS FOR THE GRAD (and YOURSELF!)

In today’s economy, we’re all looking for great deals on quality merchandise. Sadly, up to now, this only led us straight to the big Supercenter department stores; sure, the prices would be better, but … the quality?? That’s a different story.

But there’s one stop you can make and be guaranteed not only low, low prices but the best quality merchandise! It’s behind the link you’re about to see — and these folks offer just about everything! You’ll find daily deals, great service and much more!

To find the best items for sale on the web, just click that link you just passed! You (and your wallet) will be very pleased …