CDRevue: Chris Isaak, Beyond the Sun (Wicked Game/Vanguard Records)

Chris Isaak

Beyond the Sun

(Wicked Game/Vanguard)

It’s a few days before Christmas, and guess what? I already got a gift in my stocking!

No, it wasn’t the lump of coal I so whole heartedly deserve. And no, it wasn’t the huge chunk of cash I so need right now.

Instead, it was an invitation to meet up with Elle, the lovely British babe I met a couple of years ago at the beach. Though I had just dropped in on her four months ago in England as I was on my way home, it would be a great time to catch up with her now that she was stateside.

According to the card, she was in the states to promote her new clothing line, but was taking some time off for some R’n’R—be it rest and relaxation or just rock and roll, or just reckless and rowdy (probably the latter)—and wanted to spend the holiday together.

Who the hell am I to say no? More importantly, why would I want to say no to someone I had a really great time with, but who also had a tendency to get me into some occasional trouble?

Wait a second….just how in the hell did Elle get into my house? And, how did she even know where I lived? We met at the beach…

Santa, a hint please?

Oh, why worry about it. Elle was to be in Texas the week after Christmas, and though it would be cold, she had rented the same beach cabin where we met to the tunes of Chris Isaak. That worked fine for me. I was to be on vacation from work that week and I had nothing planned.

Knowing her, she would be bearing gifts, so I only felt it right to cook her a good home cooked meal in exchange for her company. I had perfected a killer Hawaiian chicken dish with a blonde barbecue sauce I call Chicken Keoli and figured she would appreciate it. That would require a trip to the local butcher.

So, I donned on my Santa hat, lit up a cigar and strolled on down to the truck. Once inside, I looked through my CDs that were scattered across the seat. Still in the case (hard to believe) was the latest from Chris Isaak, Beyond the Sun, and I figured what a lovely way to get reacquainted with Elle than the music of Mr. Isaak…

Jerry Lee Lewis. Roy Orbison. And of course, Elvis Presley, The King. What do they all have in common? They are music legends that have stood the test of time. Another name that will soon join that list, Mr. Chris Isaak. To be honest, after his tenure in the music business, it’s time to add him to the list now…especially after recording his latest release in the home of the afore mention artists: Sun Records.

Beyond the Sun finds Chris Isaak and his band Silvertone covering the classics from artists of yesteryear like Johnny Cash, Presley, and Orbison that formed a sound via Sam Phillips.  It’s an homage to the music and the musicians that influenced Isaak and his sound is reminiscent of his heroes.

In some instances, to cover these classics would be quite a feat and would be disastrous to cover, but when you have artists that don’t fall far from the tree, then you get a winner. Also, in some cases, it’s nice to hear a modern twist on old classics and interpreted in a different way, but it is also nice to hear a rendition performed almost the exact same way. That’s why I hope no one ever attempts to remake The Godfather: it couldn’t be justified. But, this tribute to Sun Records is justified and satisfying.

Chris Isaak’s cool, retro sound takes the listener back in time to when Sun Records was king, and the sounds of The King, Orbison, and Lewis echo in his delivery. As you listen you can hear Jerry Lee in Isaak’s version of Great Balls of Fire, the same can be said for Presley’s Can’t Help Falling in Love, and I love his vocals on Ring of Fire which is higher than Johnny Cash did years before.

Now, let’s not forget that it’s just not Isaak’s velvety vocals on these tunes. There’s the whole, newly expanded Silvertone band as well. Not only is Kenney Dale Johnson’s drumming solid, swinging and running with energy, but he does one helluva job as a backup singer as well. And as usual, Hershel Yatovitz and his six string slinging are powerful, melodic and right on point!

If there was ever a release to let you experience moments in the past, Beyond the Sun is it. Though some of the artists have passed on, their music and emotions live on through Chris Isaak’s covers. What a great way to honor those who have influenced a great, underrated career.

I placed my order with the butcher, and Christmas day he would be open early that morning for me to sing by and pick up my order of chicken and cappo. Until then, I figured I would walk back up to my box and call Elle to confirm my invite.

My key hit the door to find it unlocked. That’s weird, because the door always stays locked—just like my bathroom door always stays open. It was too early for Santa to pay me a visit, or was it? I know I wasn’t expecting company, or was I?

In I entered to hear the sounds of Beyond the Sun again, but now from my home stereo. I know for a fact I had not had that on. Damn, and that little girl from the photo shoot had stolen my gun the other day! I took a deep breath and slowly rounded the hall corner and peered into the living room.

And there was the culprit.

Elle, decked out in a pair of my baggy torn jeans, Cabo tee shirt and her own Santa hat, was laid back on my sofa, barefoot and her little toes wiggling at me. She pulled the candy cane out of her mouth and took a drink from her—my—glass of wine.

“You’re out of chocolate, you know?”

Damn….that British accent gets me every time! Now excuse me while I go unwrap my present…

CDRevue: Misfits, The Devil's Rain (Misfit Records)

Misfits

The Devil’s Rain

(Misfit Records)

You know what beats a Homecoming? A Send off.

And that’s exactly what I plan on doing, sending off 2011 off into the past and far away from me.

Can I do that with 2010 as well? Why the hell not. Both years are in the past…and both sucked. Oh, don’t get me wrong, there were high points in both years, but for the most part—forgettable.

Things to remember include getting swept away to Hawaii by a lovely British bird, the Winter X-Games in Colorado, and traipsing through France and getting reacquainted with the before mentioned British bird.  Not to mention, some really killer music.

Things to forget include furloughs, deaths, girls who lie, girls who take way too many pills, friends who backstab, food that sucks, people who don’t stick to their word. Not to mention some really crappy music.

But all is well. Here in a few days, 2011 will be gone like a big piss, and I will be back 2012 with every fiber of my rebuilt, refurbished self. Okay, Okay. So I’m getting a head start on the New Year Resolutions—but that can be a good thing!

Sometimes we have to hold on to some things from the past to motivate us into new things. The trick is to hold on to the good parts and left the bad just flush away. It’s something to remember in decisions in life and in music as well. Hell, when it comes to music, the vets are really killing the newbies when it comes to cranking out good tunes these days…and some still wear makeup…and leather….and skulls…

Change.

That has been a word used over and over and over the past few years. Apply it to what category you wish. The funny thing about “change” is that everybody wants it, and when it happens, they aren’t happy.

Why just limit that to politics of government or just the politics of the day to day work environment?

Why is it okay for Pearl Jam to change their music almost on every release? Why is it okay for Dream Theatre to write these epic long songs as opposed to how they started? Why does that damn Lady GaGa have to have so many odd looks? Isn’t that why we have Marilyn Manson….who also has changed up his sound as well.

2011 and enter The Misfits.

The Devil’s Rain is the Misfits’ first full length recording of new material in nearly a decade. Jerry Only is the…only…original member left in the band. And guess what? Everyone’s a critic—it’s horrendous, absurd, embarrassing…and its music created by guys that are almost senior citizens.

Kiss my ass.

Matter of fact, start a line and do it…I’m waiting.

The fact is, people want new Misfits material. Well, you have it. It’s really time to roll over and wipe your tears because in case you didn’t already figure it out, neither Glen Danzig nor Michale Graves is returning to front this band. Marks 1 and 2 of Misfits have long been gone and in that time, others like Only have struggled thick and thin to keep the moniker and music alive not only for themselves, but for the fans that have been around for more years than some have you have even been alive.

Bassist and now front man Jerry Only, along with ex Black Flag member Dez Cadena on guitars and new drummer in resident Eric Arse begin the new era of the legendary punk band and put their brand on it. It is not he classic Danzig sound that brought the band into popularity nor is it the more heavily rocky energy that Graves delivered in their rebirth. Their sound still has the 50’s Horror B Movie themes and sci-fi scares with the punkabilly feel to it, and others more rough edged. The guitars and beats are solid and blend well Only’s 50’s rockin and roll crooning. Their new, updated sound reminds me much of Volbeat, one of the few current bands that know how to make music. My only complaint is that the Misfit music is very well produced and polished shiny clean instead of that rough edge and manic energy that once hailed as king.

The album opens with the thunderstorm sound effects of the heavy title track, which is also the name of a 60’s B-Horror movie with William Shatner.The music is solid as all get-out and gets your head a-banging! Monkey’s Paw is a track I really enjoy, I guess because of the time of year. It reminds me of a Zombie Christmas tune with the hint of style heard from their Project 1955 release. I do enjoy the mellow and jazz meets rockabilly feel that sways from Where Do They Go? and thought it was genius to bring in the female backing vocals on it as well—damn them for thinking outside the box!

Overall, is The Devil’s Rain as classic and groundbreaking as Walk Among Us, or as hardcore and energetic as American Psycho? No, I’m not going to lie. I also don’t want to live every moment in the past. It’s like Houston: fun to visit but I wouldn’t want to live every minute there. It is a good release, and I, unlike others, am just grateful to have something new.

And I should mention, this CD is one helluva thing to listen to for your morning workout. At first, I don’t think the neighbors appreciated me cranking it up and playing it at 12:36 in the middle of the night, but hey, I needed something to wake me up and get me motivated. After the first week of spinning The Devil’s Rain in the witching hour, I began to notice that they were in much higher spirits and in much better moods than before.

Sometimes old geezers do know what’s best for ya. Now get off my lawn!

CDReview: King's X, Live in London

King’s X

Live in London
(InsideOut)

God I miss London….England that is.

I was there not too terribly long ago, if you recall. I attended no big concerts, nor did I take in the scenic history of the city. Instead, I enjoyed the few hours I was there eating fish and chips, and visiting my one time summer lover, Elle, out on the Thames riverside.

Since then, after a couple of stops in Colorado and North Dallas, I returned to the job that had abandoned me and ever since then has been doing everything in its power to get me back. Other than a little eye candy, there were a few improvements, but soon I found I had more time on my hands, something I really didn’t care for since I was beckoned to return.

Ah, how some things stay the same…

So, what to do with this extra time on my hands? Boy is that a loaded question! I had just finished my first novel, and as I waited on the editing, I had started writing the sequel to it. Also, I was still catching up on all the TV series I had recorded on my DVR. And last but not least, I had CDs and DVDs that required my reviewing.

Oh, where to begin!  Why not with one special release that is longer overdue…

Though the trio of Doug Pinnick, Jerry Gaskill, and Ty Tabor has been performing together for a milestone of 31 years—24 of those years as King’s X—they have also reached another milestone as well: their first DVD release. Live in London comes as a 2CD set and as a deluxe edition that includes the DVD concert as well. Taped in January of 2009 at The Electric Ballroom, this is the second live release, with 2004’s Live All Over The Place being their first in King’s X history.

No strangers to delivering great music and a stunning performance, the Texas trio only grow better and more graceful in their years. Their combination of progressive melodic metal, soul, and funk and groove still define their sound as it should, along with their British Invasion based vocals and harmonies. Doug’s soulful singing style and the funkalicious thunder of his 12 string bass really stand out along beside Ty Tabor’s prominent precise and scorching fretwork. And let us not forget Jerry Gaskill’s passionate yet calculated drumming and backing vocal work.  When it comes to that kind of sound, King’s X has never been duplicated. The only difference now, is this long overlooked and underrated band are getting the credit they deserve, and the crowd here proves it!

Live in London spans the test of time career of King’s X, from their debut Out of the Silent Planet, to their latest XV. Of course there can’t be a coverage of songs from every release, but this is a good song selection for this set, and it is well received by die hard, appreciative fans.

‘The First Church of Rock n Roll’ is how vocalist/bassist Doug Pinnick referenced this King’s X concert, and service was definitely being held.  The opening track for service, Groove Machine, is the right choice to get put congregants in a rockin’ mood. It is pounding, heavy, and laying down the groove to make your body move.  The funky hardhitters continue with the fan favorites Black Flag and Dogman and the soon to be classic Pray.

Not to be a one trick pony with the heavy, Julie and the classic Summerland, providing a shimmering silky touch to their softer and slower paced melodic side. Adding to the mix is the radio hit,Ty Tabor fronted It’s Love, a Beatlesque melodic rocker. And of course, a King’s X concert would not be the same without the song that put them over the top: Over My Head, which goes past the 12 minute marker on this release.

Not only is there a lot of well made and well performed music on Live in London, but there is a lot of Faith and Love that has made King’s X what they have always been, and now to an even bigger audience. Along with that Love is Respect and Appreciation.

Respect and Appreciation. Something most of us have.

But for some, I guess it’s over their head…

CDReview: Honky Tonk Blood Soundtrack

Various Artists

Honky Tonk Blood Soundtrack

(ZenHill Records)

Power comes in 3s…but more on that later…

You know what the best thing about this prodigal son’s homecoming? The ceremony. I don’t like the spotlight being on me, hehe, but sometimes it happens, and I’m glad it didn’t last too long that windy night in town.

That should have tipped me off in the beginning; the windy Friday night of my return. With that wind howling, it was a foreshadowing of the howling female jackals that I would encounter later that night. And damn it all, I was going in unprepared! After the past years adventures on the bumpy but beautiful road of varied business, one would think I had learned lessons and would be ready for anything. I’m chalking it up to a rookie mistake because I was hungry….shocker!

Well, when I returned to work that day, I walked in to see that some things were still the same, while other things had improved to some degree (being three, that is). For one, I was happy to see some of the old (I use the term loosely) familiar faces, and beaming with delight to see some bright new shiny ones as well (2). But with the good comes the bad (3), and I being the gentleman that I am, chose to step over the shit and be nice to those I  knew were willing to thrust their knives into my back; in some ways I felt like Caesar in the senate.

Once the workday was complete, I retired to my welcoming apartment for a short nap and then a shower. Later, I was going out with a couple of friends (making us 3) that wanted to take me out and catch up with what all had been going on both on their end and mine as well. Of course, they were sparing no expense and doing it in style, something I had been away from except my short stint with Elle in England. I asked what was on the planned agenda, and after a moment of looking at one another, they answered: Honky Tonk Blood.

Now, upon hearing that, my mind began to wander. First, I thought of my friends and their warped sense of humor; maybe this was gonna be some kinda country two step contest. These guys knew I couldn’t dance. Then I thought maybe it was some kinda new fight club—they do exist! But being that I’m a rocker and a writer, a lover and not a fighter (unless it’s vampires) I ruled that out. The last thing I could think of was a movie I had heard tale of from three people, two musicians and a graphic artist. I felt a little more at ease knowing this was probably the right thought.

And all three events took place at one of my favorite restaurants in town!

Walking into a good crowd, I along with my two hosts Big C and MishMash, spied an open table; an island of our own to enjoy a good meal, movie and concert. It would be later that we would find out that we were surround by drunken middle aged female sharks!

Moving on…

In a hurry, we ran to the food line and stocked up on barbecue pork loin, sausage and a good sized helping of dirty rice before going to the bar for a bucket of beer. Once we had procured said items, the three of us sat comfortably and quietly at our little musical island enjoying the delicious dish and washing it down with some cold libation.

After our meal and a wave of sudsy greatness (1), the lights were dimmed and the Southeast Texas premiere of Honky Tonk Blood (2). The movie itself is a combination of satire and documentary, and funny approach to revealing life in the music industry today. Featuring a majority of musicians in the Houston music scene, the movie follows three prominent musicians and their climb up the corporate music ladder, with consequences abound, and they find out that truths are more false promises—except for the Suit.

I’m glad a movie like this was made. Big corperate music labels have destroyed what music was once about. It seems like everything heard on the “radio” is mass produced from a cookie cutter with the music all sounding the same, only the artist’s names are different. And another thing: posthumous releases equal big bucks. For example, Tupac Shakur has been dead for fifteen years, and he’s release more albums since he’s been dead than when he was alive. Another great example is Jimi Hendrix and I could go on and on and on about that. Meanwhile, you have talented musicians delivering pure original heartfelt music that is passed over, and for what? Let’s face it: the music industry is dead. Independence is where it’s at.

Honky Tonk Blood provided a good chunk of laughs and the music to go with it. Outside of a couple of glitches (I think there was some BBQ sauce that got caught up on the movie) and the loud ass drunken women talking ALL throughout the night (the female sharks I was referring to earlier), a good time and much laughter was had by many.

Upon the movie’s end, The Three forces behind the movie, actors/directors/writers John Evans, Johnny Falstaff, and Southern Backtones’ Hank Schyma gathered onstage with their guitars and assorted drinks for a concert (3)  featuring their music from the movie.  It was a treat to hear the stories they shared in between their songs played on variation and acoustically as well.

And speaking of music, let’s move further that direction…

The combined forces of music veterans John Evans, Johnny Falstaff, and Hank Schyma are the lifeline of Honky Tonk Blood, both in movie title and the music that they play. A majority of the music on the soundtrack belongs to the Three, but it also features other musicians. I have to say it was a nice introduction to hearing these bands and wanting to find out more about them.

Sideshow Tramps brought a real kick in the teeth with their song Lady Vodka as well as their other featured cut Tramps and Freaks which was so fitting in the movie. Another band of musicians, Two Star Symphony, with their distinctive style provide the track Something She Said….and leaving me wanting more!

And with the Three Caballeros, this soundtrack could be a “best of” compilation or a great introduction for those not familiar with the Texas musicians. Let’s start with John Evans. With a nice sized catalog of CDs to choose from, Evans provides songs from different genres in his career, like  Eye Candy (from the rockabilly Circling the Drain), Fast Lane (from the hard drivin’ Ramblin’ Boy), and the ever popular crowd  participant Electric Gumdrop (from the modern rock laced Lollygaggin’).

With his honky tonk swagger, Johnny Falstaff brings the classic sound of honky tonk to life with his modern flare—as only he can do. In addition to crooning the haunting title track, Falstaff also offers up twangin'  belt buckling shinin’ old school country on Shine (from his self titled release), plus the upbeat rockabilly Honky Tonkin’ Daddy and the seductive and beautiful Wanting You (from the Honky Tonkin’ Daddy CD).

Pulling many genres out of his bag of tricks, Hank Schyma and Southern Backtones offer a solid and memorable handful of songs from this repertoire. First up is the song that introduced me to the band, the Latin flavored hard rockin’ rockabilly track Fallen Angel  (from Los Tormentos De Amor), modern rocker to sway women off their feet and into your bed Forever (from the self titled release), and the soundtrack only spaghetti western flavored Bandera (be sure to count the number of John Evans song titles mentioned).

Each song from the Honky Tonk Blood soundtrack fits like a glove within the movie. It can be viewed as an audio biography of life on the road of some of the most talented musicians putting their spin on a classic sound and making it their own.

My advice: when you see one if not all three of this Tall Texans performing in your town, you best strap on your party hat and go to the show for a time you will not forget. If they aren’t in your area, I say grab a Lone Star, some good ole Mexican food and throw in the Honky Tonk Blood DVD…only I would try not to eat at certain parts… 

CDReview: Whitesnake, Forevermore

 

Whitesnake

Forevermore

(Frontiers)

Ahhh…nothing like coming home from a hard day’s work. There really isn’t. There’s also nothing like climbing in your awaiting bed to curl up and enjoy the cool summer night’s rest either, until you walk into your bachelor bedroom to find part of your ceiling in a soaking wet pile upon your chair, and an obscene number of killer concert shirts stained. It also got my robe soaking wet and dirty…that hurt the most. This was not a good ending to the day…or so I thought.

It was late for me (remember I get up in the middle of the night), and my procrastination set in; I’d let the mess wait until morning, or “near morning” for some. I just wanted a couple of hours sleep before attending a night out with the co-workers. I pulled back the blue plaid comforter that covered the burgundy sheets. What did I find? Certainly not a hot blonde with a bottle of wine and a pizza waiting for me! No, instead, I found a soaking wet bed. Though I am not opposed to waterbeds as I used to have one, but this was not the same thing. Ruined were the gentle threads that swaddled my body in the night’s embrace. Now I saw red, and I am not referring to said sheets.

It was too late to do anything and I needed to get out of the box that I had vacated long ago but was happy to be back in, if it would let me. But not tonight; my dreams were now drowned thanks to the hot water heater above me. For now, I needed to find another place to crash, or at least get out and find that blonde with the wine…or just the pizza. I needed something to take my mind off of the ocean sized shipwreck that had become my once luxurious bedroom.

A fresh haircut would do the trick!

I rolled outta my complex and headed to my stylist; I’m sure she would be thrilled to chop away the lockes I had grown over the past year…and I just got a cut in England just weeks ago! But it was a chop that I did need. I had come back stateside looking more Parisian than Texan, plus I needed new headshots for my upcoming book release entitled Copper, Texas. Then there was my baby face; it needed a shave. Not that carried a full beard, but it was shaggy and made me look like Keanu Reeves, and that’s not good.

Of course, she was happy to take on a new project and update my look now that I was in the public eye once again. She gave me a pinch of tobacco as I climbed in the chair and was wrapped up to keep my detached lockes from clinging to me. With shears in hand, my stylist cranked up some tunes. It was the new Whitesnake CD. So I enjoyed the music of one of the greatest bands and it made me think back on my youth. I closed my eyes as my hair started to fly…

 Forevermore is the David Coverdale monikered Whitesnake’s first release since 2008’s return to glory with Good to be Bad. Since the band’s birth in 1977, though they may have went through various lineups, one thing has always remained: great Coverdale vocals over some multi-faceted great melodic rock!

Coverdale has always surrounded himself with great musicians, such as guitarists Mel Galley (Trapeze), John Sykes (Blue Murder), Steve Vai, and bassist Rudy Sarzo and veteran drummer Tommy Aldridge to name a few. About the main one that collaborated with Coverdale the longest was Adrian Vandenberg, who was there for four classic albums. With Forevermore, that hasn’t changed. For this lineup, Coverdale is joined by second time guitarists Doug Aldrich and Reb Beach, and rhythm section led by drummer Brian Tichy and bassist Michael Delvin. As tight as the music is, it fits well with the rough edged but still soaring voice of their leader Coverdale. Time may show a little in his voice, but he can still push it when necessary, and smolder it in soul as well.

As with Motorhead’s latest release, Whitesnake compounds various sounds through the years, but concentrates on the band’s bluesy feel from the early era. From the opening few seconds of the first track Steal Your Heart Away, the listener is caught in the snake’s grasp! The guitars take the spotlight only second to the vox on this highly shiny polished production.  They provide a down and dirty groove along with some slide action and feature a killer chorus” “I want it all/I want it now/ Gonna beg, borrow, steal somehow”. And going the opposite direction a little straighter forward and radio friendly is the first single, Love will set you Free.  Though Forevermore is packed with blues driven rock, it just wouldn’t be a Whitesnake release without a killer ballad. In this case, we are presented with Easier Said than Done, a ballad so good it rivals some of the older ones. It is a great follow up to its predecessor Too Many Tears from 1998’s underrated Restless Heart.

Before I knew it, my haircut was complete and my stylist stood in front of me holding up a mirror. I had transformed from a shaggy European into a fashionable Texan. I looked like a tame, clean shaven version of Dave Navarro; that beats the highly teased long haired mess I looked like during my stint on the road and the early 90s era Whitesnake.

The haircut helped ease my mind from worrying about the hole in my ceiling that still needed attention and needed it quickly. As far as I was concerned, there was all day tomorrow to deal with it. As for now, it was time for me to step out and show off my new haircut. A last minute party was called in my honor, if there is such a thing.

I spit out the tobacco I had been holding in my mouth hole. Once I was uncovered and brushed clean, I paid the lady a nice fee before heading out to the parking lot. Grabbing the phone out of my car, I noticed I had four missed calls, half of them from people I worked with. I jumped back in my car and started to drive back to my box to meet the guys. As I drove in the approaching night sky, my phone once again began to ring. Looking down at it, I was shocked to see that an ex was calling; not the cool ex, but the one of the Tawny persuasion. I held the phone in my hand, and as I made my turn right to go home, I tossed the phone out into the road and sped away.

I ain’t a “Fool for her Lovin’” no more!

CDReview: Motorhead, The World is Yours

Motorhead

The World is Yours

(UDR)

I’m in the home stretch now before reaching my said destination of home. I’m less two hours away. No, I’m not driving, and I have passed up a couple of rides along the way. Instead, I’ve been walking; hoofin’ it so to speak. I don’t mind. After all that time traveling and working all over the world, I ate rather well for a hard working man. And when you do that, along with the fine taste of French wine, you tend to gain a pound or two. So, I didn’t mind the last day or two walking in the welcomed Texas sun. The Texas sun and the humidity did do a number on my body. I had been out of it for too long and had become spoiled to other worldly comforts. The other night I needed a break from walking and actually found a place to relax and re-juice…that’s not a typo. I meant “re-juice”.

Just the other night when I was taking the afore mentioned break, I caught part of a crowd leaving a concert. I sat on the back steps of the venue next to yet another tour bus; apparently I was drawing them like flies. Anyway, I found the monologue very funny as well as uplifting and inspiring. It was a something that motivated me, it was time to get myself back in shape and become the unstoppable force I once was a couple of years ago. As the people walked back and forth, I thought about what all I would need to change when I got back home. Gone would be the luxuries and welcomed would be the bare boned essentials to make me a fighting machine. One of the driving forces for me behind a workout and motivation is heavy music, and I found it…

Every time I think of Motorhead, I think of the British comedy series The Young Ones. Though I had heard of Motorhead before then, it wasn’t until that episode of the show that I actually heard the band. At that time I was in high school and enjoying various genres of music, but metal was still the front runner of my preferences. The World is Yours is the bands 20^th studio release in their 30+ year career of being the hardest working band in metal.

The one thing that I have learned to appreciate and love about Motorhead is how they can add an influence of a genre to their music without disturbing their familiar, signature sound that has made them kings of the metal mountain. The World is Yours lives up to Lemmy’s claim that the band is a rock ‘n’ roll band versus a metal band, and proudly presents it on this maverick release.

The bluesy roots of rock music origin combined with the British Metal sound are tattered through the CD and prominently noticeable on Get Back in Line and Bye Bye Bitch, Bye Bye. One thing to note, Lemmy states in the documentary Lemmy that his influences and still the best musicians he has ever listened to (and still does) are legends Little Richard and The Beatles. Rest assured, the band has not lost its sound or mellowed out in any way; this just happens to be the influence of music that made “the world yours”.  There are plenty of heavy hitters, like the piercing highlight Outlaw, packed with killer pounding drums that sound like massive gunfire, and scorching guitar work.

As my player shut off, a team of muscle bound bodyguards came out the back door of the venue and made sure the coast was clear to make it to the tour bus. They eyed me, thinking I was some kinda bum or something. Seeing I was no threat, they walked forward and unlocked the bus. Several more people followed, many being hot lively females of all persuasions; it looked and felt like being lost in a parade of women. I looked at the dancing gals as their strutted their way to the magical land that was encased inside the tour bus.

After the women were on the bus, a couple of more people walked by, surrounding a familiar face in the middle of them. He stopped walking and looked down at me. He nodded and smiled at me, then tossed his head towards the bus, obviously an invitation to join the traveling fun party. I had been in too much trouble having fun in parties lately, and now the opportunity to join this circus. It would be a once in a lifetime chance, but it was time for me to bite my tongue and decline the prestigious offer.

With shame, I sadly shook my head no to the offer, but thanked him anyway. The familiar face nodded with closed eyes that he understood. As a constellation prize, he tossed me a baseball cap and a couple of t-shirts as he boarded the mobile funhouse.

“Take that advice and The World will be Yours….” The man said as the door closed and the bus pulled off into the night.

I looked at the cap, and then to both shirts. Besides different images on the clothes, they all had one word in common…

Winning…

CDReview: Breaking Southwest, Spin

Breaking Southwest

Spin

After one too many of my special “still awaiting patent so I can’t tell you the name” drinks at the airport in Denver, I along with a newly made friend were informed by the men in blue that we were not allowed to fly.

Bummer.

Ms. Snow Bunny was okay with that. She could get a suite and stay another day living the high life. Though she extended an invitation to me, I had to decline; this Texas boy was ready to return home!

I took a taxi from the airport to a little restaurant I passed earlier to grab an Elk Burger and think of an alternate mode of transportation home. As I enjoyed the tasty regional meal, I looked out the window and admired the tour bus in the parking lot. Yep, it belonged to a traveling company that performed musical theatre. It had been 15 years since I’d last traveled on a luxury bus, but 5 if you include me just sitting in one doing an interview with King’s X.

“Do you like what you see?” a voice from behind me asked. I turned around and there stood a tall, beautiful woman with black spiral curled hair, smiling at yours truly. Apparently she was with this traveling group of thespians.

“I do now,” I answered in between bites. I went on to inform the Medusa beauty how I had been traveling, was booted from a plane and trying to make it back home to the Great State of Texas.

“Well, you’re in luck, Cowboy,” she replied, and told me that’s where her company was headed. The only bad news was that she couldn’t get me straight home. Dallas would be the closest point.

Who was I to complain about that, especially with her keeping me company? I took one more bite of my Elk before dropping it on the plate, grabbed my luggage and followed my new blacktop road warrior to the bus.

After meeting and greeting several more people in the troupe, I quickly forgot the names and climbed into the bunk they were gracious enough to bless me with. It would have been nice to have Miss Medusa Sexy Eyes join me, but she and her cast mates were going to rehearse some songs for their theatre musical. It had something to do with Spam…

That was fine. I was in no position to say what these people were gonna do on their bus; jobs are jobs and it never hurts to be good at what you do, whatever that may be.  I was tired and needed a little rest, so I pulled my little curtain closed and nestled in the mobile bedroom. Aching for sounds of home, I pulled out my trusty mp3 player and found the music I craved in Breaking Southwest.

Combining rock music roots and tuning them up with a contemporary country music sound is what Breaking Southwest is all about. Based out of the Dallas area, Breaking Southwest was formed a little over a year ago by friends singer/guitarist Kent Bell and guitarist Kyle Gaston performing acoustically.

“Kent and I randomly moved in together through a mutual friend. We knew nothing about each other,” Gaston explains. “We started playing together in January of 2010, initially we would just play cover songs, then Kent and I pulled out our big notebook of songs and started collaborating on songs together.”

With both men coming from two different musical backgrounds was the perfect element to fuse their playing and writing to their songwriting and style.

“Myself, growing up in the rock scene for years shaped the way that I write and played songs,” Gaston continues.  “Kent, growing up only listening to country shaped the way that he writes and plays. It's amazing to see what we come up with together coming from 2 separate backgrounds.”

By December 2010, Bell and Gaston rounded out Breaking Southwest into a full band with the addition of Shannon Ward on fiddle and pounding the keys on piano, bassist Bryan Meggison, and Jonathan Womble rounding things out on drums. And in early 2011 released their debut, Spin which has been bringing in new fans in its short time and this is being written by one of them.

Spin is a well crafted amalgamation of fresh modern country music. Now, when it comes to country music, the spectrum is wide, and I am happy to say that this debut from Breaking Southwest comes from the State of Country Music—Texas. There’s just something about the country music (or any music for that matter) that is born from the Lone Star State; just call it great breeding grounds I guess, or I’d have to write a whole book on what makes it so good!  But I digress—I’m off my soapbox and back into the review…

The main factor that makes Spin a successful CD of good music is that it was made with heart and feelings that came from two separate areas but found a home on a chance meeting. It’s packed with lyrics and music that people can relate to from everyday things, both big and little. And sometimes that’s what always gets overlooked: the little things. It’s the captured funny moment from good times past, the lonely sound of a heartbeat broken out of love, and that ethereal, floating feeling if a right decision was made in a tough situation; examples of such things are best displayed on the songs Southwestern Girl, Party Til Sunday, Shoulda Been Listenin’, and Exits and On Ramp.  That’s what makes the spark. Spin is the appropriate title for the mix of music.

It was morning when Sexy Eyes woke me up from sleep. We had arrived in Dallas. Though she offered me to come to their performance, I declined, wanting o go home. Sadly, it was time for us to part ways.

After crawling out of my mini mobile bed, I thanked each cast member for their hospitality as Sexy Eyes escorted me off the bus and into the outside world. Not wanting me to leave empty handed as we said our final goodbye, she handed me the tickets for the show regardless, a can of Spam with Knights on it, and a kiss. I accepted, and in return gave her a Franklin for gas money, my cowboy hat, and a slap on the ass.

Joined by her fellow thespians, they all waved out the window as they pulled away for their theatre destination. It would have been nice to see her perform along with the rest of the gang, but I was already two weeks late returning to my job and the surprises it had awaiting for me.  I started my walk through town, looking for a place to rent a car, walking would take too long to get back home. Once again I turned on my mp3 player, ready to hear the music that welcomed me back to Texas. It as good stuff to hear; familiar sounds of home. As I walked down the road, it was a pleasure to finally be Breaking Southwest…

CDReview: Social Distortion, Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes

Social Distortion

Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes

(Epitaph)

I decided to stay in Aspen for a couple of extra days. Not just to enjoy the view, but also because all those crazy athletes had the planes booked and boarded, and I didn’t wanna be trapped in a tube in the air with them getting all crazy like. Now, those couple of days have come and gone in no time, and it’s time for me to quit playing around and head back to work in Texas, only this time in HD! Looks like I’ll have some new toys to play with when I get there!

So here I sit in the airport, waiting on my flight and watching the bunnies walk by, looking where to board their flight back to reality. Of course, I don’t mind the occasional glance from them as they scurry by; I think they admire my attire. Leave it to me to totally not fit in; that’s never in my plan. Where everyone here is all dressed in tight pants and bulky ski jackets, here sits this Texas boy, enjoying my well worn jeans and one of the high priced fashion shirts Elle gave me. Too bad she kept my cowboy hat; I sure could use it to keep my head warm! No need to waste time on the hat since it was in London. Instead, I decided to go to the airport bar and purchase a glass of champagne so I could make my newly invented drink. No, sorry, I can’t give the name of said drink or how it’s made just yet.

I took my drink and walked back to my seat amongst the other waiters to leave. As I sat there, I wondered how much had changed in my city since I had been gone. I should just be happy if I still had an apartment! While I had been living “abroad”, I let a friend move into my “box” to look after the place. And then there was the question of work. I wondered who was still there and who had picked up and left like I did, or who just moved on to bigger and better careers. How many new faces would I encounter at work, and would they be pretty? That’s one thing about me that hasn’t changed—I still ramble on…

Why all this reminiscing and talk about what may have changed and what may have remained the same? Simple. It has to do with the music rockin’ my headphones at the moment. It comes from a band that has spanned the music world for over 30 years. Through highs and lows (no pun intended), line up changes, and lifestyle changes, none can argue that Social Distortion’s sound has ever changed. Led by front man Mike Ness, this incarnation of the group still provide great lyrics and consistent great songs.

‘Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes’ is Social Distortion’s first release since 2004’s ‘Sex, Love and Rock ‘N’ Roll’ but takes a different twist musically than the previous recordings. For this effort, SD’s music still has the grasp of a punk monster, but is flavored heavily in cleaner, rootsy blues rather than the down and dirty aggressiveness that really fueled the past albums. I find nothing wrong with the change in style, not by any means. However, there are the narrow minded followers that claim this is more of a Mike Ness solo album rather than a new Social Distortion one. Please, give it a rest. How come Pearl Jam and Neil Young can change their style of music and writing and can be accepted but others cannot? I digress…moving forward…

Joining Ness and guitarist Johnny Wickersham for Hard Times is bassist Brent Harding and drummer David Hildago Jr, the son of the Los Lobos member. The line up works like a charm with the turn in melodic music SD takes. Reaching back into his influence of roots driven music, Ness and company set aside the angst driven edge they have displayed over the years and delve a little deeper into other genres so to speak. Don’t be misled; this is not a typical Social Distortion album. With age and new direction comes exploration in musical style, but Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes is still just as rock solid as any of the band’s previous releases.

The instrumental opener of ‘Road Zombie’ is perfect. The song gets you wound up and ready for what’s to follow it. It gives the listener the chance to dig on some great driving riffs and solid guitar leads. It reminds me of ‘Indulgence’, the instrumental opener on Prison Bound. The next track, ‘California (Hustle and Flow)’ lays down some classic rock riffs blended into a true southern rock groove. And the cherry on this blended rocker? How about background gospel singers! Doesn’t sound like the standard on an SD album, but then again, this is not a standard either. One of the band’s best performances both musically and lyrically comes on the clichéd title ‘Diamond in the Rough’, but make no mistake, this song is no cliché. Ness pours out his soul on this heartfelt song.Though there is a good mixture of music on this release, Machine Gun Blues is by far the most rockin'  and possesses that old school SD sound.

Well, they just announced that my flight is delayed; no surprise there. It allows me to stay just a little out of reach of home once again. I’ll be back soon enough with more than enough work to keep me busy I’m sure! Until then, I think I’ll flag down one of these bunnies or cougars and let them enjoy my new drink (patent pending) and the cool sounds of Social D rocking the house once again.

“Excuse me, Miss?”

CDReview: Johnny Falstaff, Live in Koln

Johnny Falstaff

Live in Koln, Germany

Since getting back stateside, I took it upon myself to enjoy a ‘vacation’ before returning to work.  I decided I wanted to hide in the snowcapped mountains in Aspen. No, I wasn’t there for the X Games as I had hoped, but instead there to finish a manuscript. Yes, in between getting chased by vampires, picking grapes, and visiting exes overseas, I have been working on a couple of books. Now don’t get me wrong, I haven’t been globetrotting this past year or so for pure pleasure; it was legitimate moving around trying to make a decent buck here and there. In today’s times, that’s what it takes—a little movin’ and alotta shakin’. Then again, there are others that do this kinda movin’ and shakin’ all the time. One of those guys hails from the Great Lone Star State of Texas. And that “Tall Walkin’ Texas Trash” goes by the name Johnny Falstaff.

Texas just isn’t big enough to hold Johnny Falstaff back when it comes to playing music. He is constantly traveling around here and there, above and abroad, educating people in what true country music should be. With the release of Live in Koln, a show recorded at the Blue Shell this past June, the Texas born and raised road rebel keeps the spirit of true country music alive.  The old school honky tonk sounds from the 60s live on through Falstaff’s music but updated with a modern punch added here and there. His music is true, that is to say, what you hear on studio recordings or in concert is the real deal. Falstaff’s music is stripped down and bare boned not being covered up by modern technology. Don’t let that fool you, it always as strong as a bare knuckled punch. And Falstaff sticks to old school traditions when it comes to song length; most of his average a time of two minutes, with only a few reaching the three minute mark.

Live in Koln opens up with two tracks from Johnny Falstaff’s last studio release, the title track and “One Hand Tied”, which set the pace for this live venture. No one can swing a rockin’ country axe like Falstaff, and his baritone rich voice compliments his six string skills as proven on the afore mentioned tracks and continue on this first recording of the new song “Peek-a-boo” and really apparent on fiery fuelled ender “Falstaff Infection”. In addition to his own brand of modern day honky tonk sound, Johnny hasn’t forgotten where his love for the music came from. Though his love for his musical heroes is reflected in his music, Falstaff also covers some of their music, as he does with Buck Owens’s “Mexican Polka”, and Johnny Paycheck’s “11Month and 29Days”.

And all this brought to you by a man apparently not built for sleep. I say this because in addition to gigging in Germany, Falstaff has many shows to perform through the Lone Star State, and, wrapping up the movie Honky Tonk Blood, a movie sot over the past few years with other fellow Houston musicians. He’s a little bit Shakespeare (Classic and always good), a little bit beer (fun), and all Texan (just damn good and done right). Johnny Falstaff is a many of many faces…sideburns and all.

If you ever wonder why there’s roadwork being done on those Texas highways, it’s probably because Johnny Falstaff wore them out…