Kiss are back in the news this week regarding their performance at the Rock & Roll Hall Of Shame... or more succinctly, how they are not performing... There apparently was some debate as to which version of the band would perform. Both original former members Ace Frehley and Peter Criss expressed interest in putting the make-up back on and performing with Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons as the original quartet. Simmons and Stanley however, wanted to opt for the current lineup with Tommy Thayer on guitar and Eric Singer on drums.
The statements were as follows:
Ace Frehley: [quoting from his appearance on Q104.3]
"The last time I was on [this radio show], it was a very exciting and happy call. And the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame was very excited about having the four original members who are being inducted perform at the ceremony. And that was shot down by Paul and Gene... I'm not gonna get on stage with Tommy wearing my make-up. That's absurd," Frehley went on to say that it was Stanley and Simmons who were the ones who did not want to perform with the original line-up.
Peter Criss: [from a statement on his website] told his fans that both he and Ace were not offered a performance alongside Simmons and Stanley. "I want to make sure that fans understood that no original performance, in or out of make-up, has been offered to us. This is disgraceful and I feel bad for the fans who were looking forward to the four of us being inducted together"
A statement was issued by the band via Kissonline that states:
"To All Our Fans In Regards To The Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame:
Out of respect, Ace and Peter's recent statements demand a quick response to you, our fans. Our intention was to celebrate the entire history of KISS and give credit to all members including long time present members Tommy Thayer and Eric Singer, and additionally Bruce Kulick and Eric Carr all who have made the band what it is, regardless of the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame's point of view. Although KISS has moved forward far longer without them, Ace and Peter are the very foundation of what we have built and this would all be impossible had they not been a part of it in the beginning. It is over 13 years since the original lineup has played together in make-up and we believe the memory of those times would not be enhanced. Contrary to claims made through the media we have never refused to play with Ace and Peter.
We have spent 40 years dedicated to building KISS without quitting or wavering as the band has moved forward with huge tours and platinum albums through different important lineups for 40 years, to this day. KISS has always been a band unlike any other. That is why we started KISS. That is why we continue KISS. Being unlike other bands also means making choices and decisions unlike other bands. This is understandably an emotional situation where there is no way to please everyone. To bring this to a quick end, we have decided not to play in any line-up and we will focus our attention on celebrating our induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. We are excited and are looking forward to seeing you all on the KISS 40th Anniversary worldwide tour."
Gene Simmons has been quoted as saying "To the KISS Army, Ace, Peter, Eric Carr, Vinnie [Vincent], Mark [St. John], Bruce [Kulick], Tommy [Thayer] and Eric [Singer], Bill Aucoin, Doc McGhee and to my partner of 40 years, the ever youthful Paul Stanley...and all the members of the KISS family, this honor is for you. 40 years of rockin' and still going strong"...
I guess my take on all this is that I'm in the middle somewhere. I think that acknowledging all the incarnations of the band during the induction is admirable, as they have resurrected this band several times. But... I think that the original 4 should be the ones performing as the core of their reason for being there was the era from 1974-1978 when KISS became one of the most successful bands in rock history. I'm actually surprised they mentioned Vinnie Vincent as he had quite a difficult history with the band, and also the late Mark St. John who played on the Animalize record.
Regardless of what the politics are this band has lost a moment to truly celebrate why they were inducted in the first place. Do I think that they could have performed in make-up with the original members?... Yes, I do, and I don't think anyone out there would have thought it was a slight to Thayer or Singer, given they took over existing personas. If they had created new characters for them [as they did with Vinnie Vincent], perhaps the outcome would have been different. However given their upcoming 40th Anniversary tour I don't think that Stanley and Simmons want to deal with the constant barrage of "Why don't you have Ace and Peter on this tour"... The rest...remains to be seen...and for all we know, they could pull of a major PR coup and have the original four perform anyway... We shall see...
And Now...For This Week's Sonic Flashback...
Geddy Lee - Bass, Vocals
Alex Lifeson - Guitars
John Rutsey - Drums
On March 1st, 1974, with little fanfare and only 3500 copies pressed, Rush released their eponymous debut on their own label, Moon Records. Having played every high school gymnasium in the Toronto area it was time for them to enter the big leagues. It wasn't however, until a radio station in Cleveland, Ohio [WMMS] and DJ Donna Halper started playing "Working Man" that the record started getting traction...
The record was picked up by Mercury Records and re-mixed by Terry Brown. The band would stay with Mercury all the way through 1987's "Hold Your Fire" and Brown would stay up until '82's "Signals'... Drummer John Rutsey would last only the one album, leaving during the first tour due to complications from diabetes. [Rutsey passed away in 2008 from a heart attack due to complications from his diabetes.] He would be replaced by Neil Peart and the rest is history...
Getting back to that first album, original reviews remarked it's closeness in sound to Cream and Led Zeppelin, which were definite influences on Lee and Lifeson. Geddy Lee's wailing vocals were often compared to Robert Plant. The songs are pretty straight forward, as the progressive elements hadn't really found their way into the band just yet. What you couldn't argue however, was the raw talent that could be heard on this record. It was a stripped down and simple. Just guitar, bass, drums and vocals. Rutsey obviously didn't have the chops that Peart would bring on the successive records, but in context of this record he does a great job, and the sound is very cohesive...
While later reviews insist new Rush fans stick to some of the later records [Permanent Waves, Moving Pictures, 2112], I recommend you start at the beginning and work forward. It's a great slice of rock 'n roll, and definitely tells of greater things to come. One thing this band has done throughout their career is keep setting the bar higher, and on this record they were off to a great start. If you are a casual fan, and haven't dug into this one yet...add it to your playlist... If you are a lifelong fan...dust this one off and appreciate where it all started...
Part III Of 2013 In Review...
The Winery Dogs - The Winery Dogs
2 parts MK 2 Mr. Big and 1 part Portnoy = One of the best records of the year. Bassist Billy Sheehan and guitarist/vocalist Ritchie Kotzen are joined by drummer extraordinaire Mike Portnoy to form the power trio The Winery Dogs. Having been a fan of Mr. Big [and really liking the two records with Kotzen], I wasn't surprised as to their sound. Portnoy takes the monster prog drumming he is famous for and tones it down to fit into this power trio with great success. Great straight-ahead rock and roll and each musician gets to show off their chops while working well within the songs. There's no grandstanding, just great players working together. Originally John Sykes [Thin Lizzy/Whitesnake] was supposed to be the guitar player in this outfit, but I can't imagine it being as well done without Kotzen. Great vocals, great hooks and phenomenal chops... Worth taking the time... [Loud & Proud Records]
Fight Or Flight - A Life By Design?
When your bassist is playing for the Adrenaline Mob, and your singer starts up Device...what are you left to do if you are the other two guys from Disturbed... The answer... create Fight Or Flight with Evans Blue vocalist Dan Chandler... Guitarist Dan Donegan and drummer Mike Wengren really made a concerted effort to not play or write like this was a Disturbed record, and the result is a good mix of both Evans Blue and Disturbed. It's a great slice of modern hard rock, and Chandler sounds great as usual. Think of it as the love child of both bands. The DNA is there...but the offspring is different enough to make you sit up and listen... [Warner Bros. Records]
James LaBrie - Impermanent Resonance
Dream Theater vocalist James LaBrie is back with his third solo record [not counting Mullmuzzer] and as a fan of the first two and a lifetime fan of DT, I came away thinking that LaBrie and company have knocked this one out of the park. As the underrated member of DT, [and given the 4 virtuosos who play with him there, no surprise...] LaBrie doesn't get a chance to stretch out. On this record his vocals and melodies are top notch and the songs really carry. The keyboards remind me more of a metalcore approach and the band really fires on all cylinders. And while this may sound strange...its sounds heavier than DT but is more radio-friendly... And definitely worth your time to listen to it... [Inside Out Records US]
ReVamp - Wild Card
Floor Jansen is one of the busiest women in heavy metal... She took over for Anette Olzon on Nightwish's North American Tour, recorded Showtime/Storytime with them and then was named the new lead singer... all the while releasing outstanding heavy metal with her own group, the Dutch progressive band ReVamp...which brings us here... A classically trained soprano, Jansen started with After Forever and upon their demise, formed ReVamp. Textured, complex songs complete with the strength of Jansen's voice. Arrangements from simple voice and piano to orchestra and choir. She truly has one of the strongest and most emotive female voices in hard rock/heavy metal and uses her instrument to full force on this record. Not a bad song to be found...and highly recommended... [Nuclear Blast Records]
Tarja Turunen - Colours In The Dark
The saga that is Nightwish has been very polarizing...as stated above they just hired Floor Jansen as their new lead singer...Anette Olzon sang on the last two...but some fans refuse to acknowledge anything they have done since the departure of their original singer, the wonderful Tarja... Her latest "Colours In The Dark" showcases the vocalist at her best with more of a lean toward the symphonic than the rock/metal she did with Nightwish... She's operatic, dynamic and her voice really becomes it's own instrument on this release. Fan of Nightwish...check this out... Fan of female fronted hard rock/heavy metal...check this out... Interested in hearing one of the best female voices in modern hard rock... Check This Out... [Eagle Rock Entertainment]
Rainbow - Black Masquerade
Finally available on CD, this show is culled from a Rockaplast video release from 1995 in Dusseldorf on the "Stranger In Us All" tour. Vocalist Doogie White sounds great on the Dio/Joe Lynn Turner/Graham Bonnett Rainbow tracks as well as the Deep Purple tracks. White shines on the "Stranger" songs which he sang on in the studio. Blackmore is...Blackmore...he is truly one of the most gifted players in the game...and since departing from Rainbow to play minstrel music this record is a great reminder of just how good he is. This is one show I wish I had seen live... [Eagle Rock Entertainment]
September...
Dream Theater - Dream Theater
Ok... this is hands down my favorite record of 2013 [sorry Winery Dogs...]... The second record featuring new drummer Mike Mangini is a monster. All five guys are firing on all cylinders and the songwriting is outstanding [much like "A Dramatic Turn Of Events"]. This record does have two ballads to counterpoint the virtuosity... "The Bigger Picture" and "Along For The Ride" are both very well done. The album also contains the excellent instrumental "Enigma Machine" [and the instrumental opening track "False Awakening Suite"] and the 22 minute + epic "The Illumination Theory"... the lead track "The Enemy Inside" was nominated for a Grammy award [and also lost to Black Sabbath...] and deals with post-traumatic stress disorder... a few of the tracks ["The Looking Glass" and "Surrender To Reason"] have a definite Rush vibe to them... and overall an outstanding continuation for fans who enjoyed the direction of "A Dramatic Turn Of Events"... Now if I could just get them to tour anywhere near the state of Florida... [Roadrunner Records]
Fates Warning - Darkness In A Different Light
Fates Warning returned after a 9 year absence with "Darkness In A Different Light"... With new drummer Bobby Jarzombek [Riot/Halford] and returning guitarist Frank Aresti joining guitarist Jim Matheos, vocalist Ray Alder, and bassist Joey Vera, Fates Warning put together one of the strongest records of their careers. Technical prowess combined with great songwriting make this record strong on all fronts. The musicianship continues to be top notch and it's not just progressive for the sake of being progressive...the songs breathe and evolve rather than having ten thousand notes shoved down your throat... Make no mistake...they are able to shove ten thousand notes down your throat...but they don't...they don't have to... Fates Warning has always allowed the song to develop naturally while all the while playing their asses off... Fates were an influence on Dream Theater and former DT keyboard player Kevin Moore provides lyrics to the song "O Chloroform'... A triumphant return to form...and always developing... This record does not disappoint... [Inside Out Records]
Eklipse - Electric Air
I had the absolute pleasure of seeing this group perform live as an opening act for Kamelot on their "Silverthorn" tour. [They also played parts on the album..] and these four women [Miss E., Scarlett, Viola and Helena] are simply amazing live, and their talent translates to their latest release "Electric Air"... Re-arranging pop, rock, classical, and even video game soundtrack songs Eklipse puts a fresh touch on a wide range of familiar songs. An excellent addition to any collection... [The End Records]
Portnoy Sheehan MacAlpine Sherinian - Live In Tokyo
After playing two shows, one for the Guitar Center Drum Off, and the other for Sabian Live, PSMS toured Europe and Asia culminating with the live performance in Tokyo... PSMS are Mike Portnoy [Winery Dogs/Adrenaline Mob/AX7/Flying Colors/Dream Theater], Billy Sheehan [Winery Dogs/Mr. Big/David Lee Roth/Talas], Tony MacAlpine [MacAlpine/Vinnie Moore/Planet X/Ring Of Fire] and Derek Sherinian [Black Country Communion/Alice Cooper/Platypus/Dream Theater]... Live In Tokyo shows these powerhouse musicians playing some of their own individual material and songs from Billy Cobham, Jeff Beck, and one of Portnoy's other supergroups, Liquid Tension Experiment... If you are a fan of any of these four guys... or if you are a fan of extremely talented players showing off their outstanding musicianship...this record is for you... [Eagle Rock Entertainment]
Megadeth - Countdown To Extinction Live
A live document of the 20th anniversary tour for the record "Countdown To Extinction", this album was recorded at the Fox Theater in Los Angeles. The band played the record in order and then went on to play some of their classic material... the band rips through all of it as if it were 20 years ago... Mustaine, Ellefson, Drover and Broderick score again... It's raw and loud and a great addition to my Megadeth catalog... [Capitol Records]
New Releases!!...Coming Soon To A Medium Near You!...
Vanishing Point - Distant Is The Sun
Australian progressive metal band Vanishing Point release their fifth record "Distant Is The Sun". Having toured with Yngwie J. Malmsteen, Black Label Society, Sonata Arctica, Helloween and Joe Satriani... this band has the chops to break out... Fans of Dream Theater, Symphony X, and Kamelot should give this one a listen...and then discover the catalog... [AFM Records] [Out 3/4]
Vandenberg's Moonkings - Moonkings
Former Vandenberg/Whitesnake guitarist Adrian Vandenberg is back with "Vandenberg's Moonkings"... After 13 years with Whitesnake he semi-retired to focus on his painting and watch his daughter grow up...now he's back with an outstanding band of players and a straight ahead rock sound... From what I've heard I already love this record... [Mascot Records] [Out 3/4]
Miracle Master - Tatooed Woman
And Now...For This Week's Gratuitous Hair Metal Video...
German/Danish metal band Miracle Master was formed out of the ashes of the band Pump with new vocalist Oliver Weers... it's great hard rock/melodic metal and Weers does an excellent job on vocals... [GoldenCore Records] [Out 3/7]
Thanks For Coming Along For The Ride...
J.
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