Andrews Rock Blog

Do you remember the song “Psycho Man”? It was one of two new tracks the members of Black Sabbath recorded for their 1998 live reunion album “Reunion” (brilliant title, that one). I really dug the song at the time - cool riff, Ozzy sounding ominous. If that was any sign of what a reunited Sabbath could do in the studio, I was optimistic for a new album. Which never happened. There were a few more tours, some with drummer Bill Ward, a few without. There were lots of hints that there could be more Sabbath material, but nothing ever happened. Instead, Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler reunited with drummer Vinnie Appice and Ronnie James Dio to reform the Heaven and Hell line-up of Sabbath, hitting the road under the H & H name for a hugely successful tour.  Those guys are now in the studio working on a new album.

But what about Ozzy? Will we ever hear him with Black Sabbath again? Here’s what he told the Sydney Morning Herald:

You know what, if it happens, it happens, if it don’t, it don’t,” he says wearily. “They’re [saying], ‘I’ll be able to do it’, then a week after, you get a phone call: it’s off; then it’s back on again - tellin’ ya.”

Regardless, after the band’s nasty split, “I’m glad at the end of the day we all made friends again.” Osbourne’s fine with the group doing their own nostalgia tour recently with the singer who replaced him, Ronnie James Dio. “I’m too old to f—in’ have a fly up my arse any more about it. I just hope they’re all having fun.

Good attitude, Ozzy. Though I think it would be interesting to hear what, if anything, the original Black Sabbath could come up with today.

Here’s that song “Psycho Man” I was talking about. It’s a remix, but I still think it sounds pretty good. In fact, lets make PSYCHOMAN the bonus word for today.

I can’t say I’m a Journey fan. I think they kinda stink, actually. Maybe I haven’t spent enough time listening to them. Probably true, considering I haven’t spent any time listening to them. I don’t own an album. I can probably name three songs, including “Don’t Stop Believing”, which I will happily admit is a classic. “Wheel In The Sky”? I can hum the chorus, I think. “Lovin, Touchin’, Squeezin”? Lame.  I’d rather hear Steve Perry sing “Oh Sherry”. Just barely.

So here’s the thing. Ever since Steve Perry left Journey, his one time bandmates have gone through a series of lead singers. As Jeff and Carly have talked about a few times lately, the newest singer to fill Perry’s shoes is Arnel Pineda, who the band found on youtube, of all places.  The guy sounds exactly like Steve, which I suppose is good for Journey and the people who could care less who might be in the band, as long as they hear the hits.

This week, Journey announced their next release. It’s called “Revelation” and will be a 2cd/1DVD package sold exclusively at Wal-Mart (trailblazers REO Speedwagon did the same thing last year with some album of theirs. Forgive me for forgetting the title)

The DVD will feature a live show recently filmed in Las Vegas. Then, 1 cd will feature all new material. Ok, good luck with that. I’m sure someone cares. But then there’s this - the second cd will feature rerecordings of “classic” Journey tunes.

Why? Why? WHY?

Why hire a new singer who sounds EXACTLY like your old singer and then go rerecord your old songs!? It makes no sense to me. There’s no way it’s going to be better. And it’s probably not going to be different. And why would you want it to be? Chalk this up to cashgrabbing and sheer stupidity.

For a taste of what the new guy sounds like, check out the video below.

Today’s bonus code is: CASHGRAB 

The Black Crowes

Warpaint

Red Ink 

Unlike the folks at Maxim Magazine, I decided to take a few listens to the new Black Crowes album “Warpaint” before I wrote about it. Though to be honest, I was skeptical that the Brothers Robinson could come up with anything memorable for their first new studio album in nearly 7 years. Following the release and lacklustre response to “Lions”, the Crowes went their separate ways, releasing various solo albums to minimal acclaim and even less interest from the public.

The band’s return to live duty in 2005 was met with great reaction from their fans, who flocked to concerts and watched as The Black Crowes jammed, covered classics, and reclaimed their standing as one of rock’s great live bands. But just as momentum seemed on their side, longtime keyboardist Eddie Harsh and revered guitarist Marc Ford were sent packing. Fans were pissed, and wondered what the Crowes would be able to come up with when they announced they were heading into the studio. Would they have the goods, or would be it be a last hurrah?

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Have you got a favourite Sunday morning album? Something that just goes well with your mood, that feels like a lazy Sunday morning, sitting around the house? Maybe you’re sipping your cup of coffee with the tunes going, reading the newspaper, staring out the window at the sky? After a few listens, that’s what “Warpaint” feels like to me. A Sunday morning.

Like your or I on a Sunday morning, tracks like “Oh Josephine” take their time; at nearly seven minutes long the song isn’t in a rush. And neither is “Warpaint”. That doesn’t mean the album doesn’t rock, for it most surely does, most notably with first single “Goodbye Daughters of Revolution”.  “Evergreen” rocks andswings, and the repetition of the title in the chorus makes it’s way into your brain. “Movin On Down The Line” starts off eerie, but after a minute hits with a bounce and some very cool riffing from Rich Robinson and new Crow Luther Dickinson. Album closer “Whoa Mule” is acoustic and relaxed, almost like a look back at the past 50-odd minutes of music.

Unlike earlier, straightforward and classic albums like “Shake Your Money Maker” or “The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion”, feel is the key word for Warpaint. Song for song is it as strong as either of those albums? No, not at all. If you’re looking for hits or radio friendly tunes, I don’t think you’ll find them here. If you’re hoping for something that immediately grabs you and unveils all its gifts, you’d best look elsewhere. The Black Crowes “Warpaint” isn’t immediate, to be sure. But if you give it time, you’ll rediscover the nearly lost joy of listening to an album, front to back. It flows, it gels, it makes you feel good.

Like a Sunday morning.  

Today’s bonus word is: WARPAINT

Well, I’m back from illness and Canadian Music Week. I hope you had a good week and managed to brave the snow.

There’s been lots of talk that Metallica have been in the studio, working on the follow-up to 2003’s “St.Anger”. When more people are talking about your therapy sessions rather than your music you know you’ve got a problem, and that’s exactly what happened with Metallica during the early part of the decade. However, there is cause for optimism that the band’s new album will be something of a return to form.

According to Lars Ulrich via NME.com, there’s six weeks left on recording and the new Metallica record should be in stores this September. The man producing is Rick Rubin, the genius who’s worked with everyone from Johnny Cash and Slayer to Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Neil Diamond. Apparently, Rubin suggested to the band that they find inspiration for their new material by referring to classic Metallica tunes like “Ride The Lightning” and “Master of Puppets” for inspiration. Some lofty goals, but with Rubin guiding the way they just might be able to pull it off

While I could barely make my way through “St. Anger”, I did enjoy a lot of both “Load” and “Reload”, especially “Fuel”, which kicks my ass every time I hear it. I’m curious to see what Metallica will come up with for their latest album. How about you?

Here’s today’s bonus code: LARS 

Sorry for the lack of updates - I’ve been in meetings the last few days, and am now heading into Canadian Music Week so this might be it until Monday. Here’s a few tidbits to keep you going in the meantime.

EVH Back in Rehab?

That’s the story going around right now. Here’s what the National Enquirer is reporting - and please remember folks, this IS the National Enquirer:

Now sources tell the National Enquirer the 53-year-old guitarist checked himself into a clinic near San Antonio, Texas, so he could detox for a week after a furious backstage bust-up in Florida with his 17-year-old son and bandmate Wolfgang.
An insider says, “It was the big what-if of the tour - whether Eddie could stay sober.
“Wolf hates it when his dad drinks. He knew Eddie was drunk onstage that night, and was acting cold to him, which set Eddie off. Eddie went beserk and started yanking guitar cables from the pedal boards and throwing cigarettes around onstage.
“At the end of the concert, Eddie was so mad at Wolf, he punched the amp speaker, knocking it over.” Van Halen enjoyed a stint in rehab last year (07), which delayed plans for the comeback tour.

Let’s ROCKLAHOMA!

Check out the press release for the big ole ROCKLAHOMA Festival that’s happening this summer. It’s three days guranteed to take you back in time…or keep you current, depending on your state of mind!

2008 ROCKLAHOMA LINEUP ANNOUNCED

HOLLYWOOD, CA - The line up for 2008’s Rocklahoma was announced by Catch the Fever Music Festivals at a press conference held at the historic Whisky A Go Go in West Hollywood.

Hosted by nationally syndicated DJ and VJ Eddie Trunk, the press conference was attended by Bret Michaels, front man of Poison, all of Warrant featuring Jani Lane, along with members of Cinderella, LA Guns, Enuf Z Nuff, Beautiful Creatures, XYZ, Pretty Boy Floyd, Vain, and Lynch Mob. Trunk, who is heard nationally and on XM Satellite Radio’s channel 41 The Boneyard and is seen as the VH on VH-1 Classic, invited rock fans worldwide to attend Rocklahoma, July 10-13, 2008, at the Catch the Fever Festival grounds in Pryor Oklahoma. The press conference was broadcasted live on XM’s Boneyard Channel 41, as well as streamed on Wyldside Radio.

Over 80 bands will be performing on three giant stages over July 10 through July 13th. As announced, Rocklahoma’s initial lineup on the main stage is:

Thursday (Pre Party for those who have bought three day tickets) Bret Michaels, LA Guns featuring Tracii Guns, Enuf Z Nuff, Vain, House of Lords and Jet Boy.

Friday: XYZ, Armored Saint, Kingdom Come, Night Ranger, Extreme, Triumph and TBA.

Saturday: Pretty Boy Floyd, Every Mother’s Nightmare, Tora Tora, Black N Blue, Trixter, Kix, Warrant featuring Jani Lane and Cinderella.

Sunday: Axe, Beautiful Creatures, Zebra, Lynch Mob, TBA, Tesla and TBA.

Additional bands on the main stage will be added in the upcoming weeks. The initial lineup and bands are subject to change as bands are added and the exact schedule is arranged.

Two side stages adjacent to the main stage feature over twenty-eight regional artists on each stage.

The Retrospect Records stage includes the following bands: Jester, Sidekixx, Pair-A-Dice, Front Runner, Tommy Had a Vision, Valor, Gypsy Blue, Whitefoxx, Blue Tiger, Wild August, Messang, Paul Shortino, Mariah, Warryor, Bad Candy, Lorraine, Nasty Nasty, Real Steel, Cuttlass, Vyper, Mass, Bad Candy, Oney, Strikeforce, Herazz, Reckless, Heartless, Ron Keel, Warryor and Alibi.

On the Tri-Label Group stage has Texas Hippie Coalition, Karnevil featuring Dario Lorina, Dirty Penny, Crooked X, Gypsy Pistoleros, Sweet FA, Banshee, Gods of Kansas, Lipstick Magazine, Pownd, Shadowside, Mindflow, Warmachine, Asphalt Valentine, Krucible featuring Lance King, and Death Riders.

Rocklahoma is the world’s largest Rock Festival of its type featuring bands from the eighties. Attendance is expected from all fifty states, every Province in Canada and every country in Europe.

For more details on how you can buy tickets, click here.

Here’s a bonus code to keep you going: ROCKLAHOMA 

As you likely have heard by now, the amazing Jeff Healey passed away Sunday evening at the age of 41. The cancer that took his sight when he was just a child had returned over the last few years.

Take a few minutes today and remember the amazing virtuoso guitarist. I dug this up on youtube, and it blew my mind. 

Todays bonus word: SISTER