“Another Shot of Poison . . .”
It seems like a lifetime ago that I was writing a monthly column (for the now long-defunct Request magazine) called Doctor Feelgood: A Remedy for the Rocks In Your Head, in which I discussed the continuing careers of various beloved ’80s Hair Metal Bands. During those years, I became friendly with a lot of musicians, including Rikki Rockett, drummer for the band Poison. Continue reading Christopher Long’s A Shot of Poison Gets Tenth Anniversary Reboot!
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again right now: I would rather listen than any ’80s Metal band for one hundred million billion years than listen to any artist currently on the pop charts for five minutes. Just being serious. For that reason, this week’s high energy clip from New Jersey-based rockers Kodiak is like a breath of fresh air in a vacuum. The no-frills clip for their single “Goodbye,” featuring footage from the studio and the band’s stage show, is a great introduction to this talented band, which includes brothers Pete (Drums) and Chris (Guitar) Biggiani, with Bassist TJ Haefner, and lead singer Eric Dalton. Plus, the group is co-managed by Warren Wyatt and drum legend Carmine Appice. So, props for that.
While “Goodbye” is a classic metal scorcher (comparisons to Van Halen are not unwarranted) Kodiak remind me most of bands like Winger and Dokken: groups with handsome, charismatic frontmen who achieved a crossover appeal by infusing their glam metal repertoire with a few well-placed “power ballads.” I can’t guess whether that will also be Kodiak’s approach, but the potential to stretch out is certainly there. In the mean time, Kodiak guarantee that feel-good, edgy hard rock is officially back in acton. Like them on the FaceBook at This Link. Enjoy!
Mike Tramp Pleads His Case
Ah, memories. Once again the East Portland Blog unearths a few of my crazy Hair Metal Musings from way, way, way back in the year 2000. Revisit my brain and watch the video for White Lion’s “Wait” – which, honestly, is just spectacular – at This Link!
Starting Monday, November 15th, Formula Werks‘ featured T-Shirt of the Week is the Ken Keirns-designed Terry: Patron Saint of 80’s Metal — which will be available to purchase for one week only. I have to confess that a shirt called “Terry, Patron Saint of 80s Metal” is particularly hilarious to me, as I know a guy named Terry who is quite passionate, if highly elitist, about his own musical taste, and he certainly never misses a chance to take a dump on my great love of 80s Metal, even if he has to go way off topic for the opportunity. Irony!
Continue reading T-Shirt of the Week: Terry, Patron Saint of 80s Metal
In honor of singer/guitarist Aldo Nova’s birthday today (11/13), the Worley Gig is excited to bring you the video for his band’s awesome hit song “Fantasy” – a hot mess of ’80s metal cheesiness. Everything gets going at about the 1:20 point, so feel free to fast forward until you can see Aldo break down the door of a locked warehouse with laser beams shooting from the neck of his guitar. Innovative! I especially love Aldo’s form-fitting, leopard print bodysuit, which I would surely be wearing right this minute if I had his figure. Seriously, can you believe rock stars ever dressed like that? I sure do miss it. I also love the part where the girls in the audience mob the stage, because they cannot resist Aldo’s hotness. So, happy birthday Aldo, and thanks for offering us your words to ponder, “life is just a fantasy, can you live this fantasy life?”