Dave Mustaine gets kicked out of Metallica, goes on to form his own band in which he is the primary creative force. Witness the birth of Megadeth.
I have to admit I am not the biggest Megadeth fan. I don’t love them, I don’t hate them, just don’t care one way or the other. Megadeth has never really moved me one way or the other. I have some of their albums, but I don’t listen to them much and when I do I tend to just skip around to the few songs I like. I respect the band. I respect the musicianship. Some songs are really cool (e.g. Holy Wars, Skin O My Teeth, Peace Sells), but I just never got into the band and even today I’m still not that moved to get into them. But without question, Megadeth holds an important role in the world of metal, and Dave Mustaine is a very interesting guy.
I always liked “lighter” metal, but then one day in high school a friend of mine played a cassette tape for me that introduced me to the world of “true” metal.
Of course, the song wasn’t much of a metal song, it was “I’m The Man” (sorry, YouTube won’t let me embed it). But it was funny enough that I kept listening to it. Even tho the EP was mostly mixes and edits of that one song, it also contained a cover of Black Sabbath’s “Sabbath Bloody Sabbath”, which was well done. Enough that it made me seek out other Anthrax albums like “Among the Living”.
Anthrax was a different sort of thrash band. They weren’t all spikes and leather, well they used to be but later saw them wearing t-shirts and Jams. Lyrical content came from other places, like Stephen King and Judge Dredd comics. And of course, they were one of the first to blend rap and metal:
Anthrax has had their lineup changes, their career ups and downs, but they always made their unique brand of metal.
Without question, Metallica is the most successful metal band the world has ever known. They have been through a lot, they have changed, and some old school fans refuse to even acknowledge them these days… or if they do, won’t call them “metal” but maybe just a “rock” band. This I can understand. After the black album the band changed their look and their song style. The whole Napster fiasco. St. Anger. Lars and James getting in touch with their feelings (banana stickers!). I can agree with this. When you have millions of dollars, when a big emotional moment in your life is auctioning off your artwork collection for millions of dollars… well… not that I have any problem with them being rich and enjoying success (I do think that’s awesome), I think it has detracted from what makes Metallica Metallica. Where’s the anger? Wanting your anger to be healthy? What happened to Alcoholica? How healthy was that? 🙂 There’s no question the Metallica of today is not the Metallica of old, but I don’t think that’s a bad thing.
I’m still a fan of Metallica. I see nothing wrong with their evolution and change. Any musical artist that has endured has changed. They change their look, their sound, their direction. Nothing too majorly radical (I don’t think we’ll see Metallica go country), but still they change. If things are the same over and over, then what’s to care about? Even if you hate it, at least you’re still caring about it… apathy is worse than dislike.
I recently picked up their new album, Death Magnetic. It’s better than St. Anger. It is closer to old-school, but it’s still new school Metallica. The only album I don’t listen to is S&M.
Love them or hate them, they’ll never stop, they’ll never quit, because they’re Metallica.
I was working at WXJM as the Metal Director. An album comes in from the band “Monster Magnet” called “Spine of God”. The CD sleeve was rather sparse but had one standout line printed within: “It’s a Satanic drug thing, you wouldn’t understand.” And thus describes Monster Magnet’s music and how they helped to bring the so-called genre of “stoner rock” to the masses.
Monster Magnet takes a nostalgic drug-fueled journey back to the 70’s. Overdriven fuzz-box guitars, psychedelia, and lyrical content that I guess would make a lot more sense if you took drugs by the truckload but yet still had an amazing poeticness even to the sober. Dave Wyndorf is the mainman and visionary force behind Monster Magnet, and over the years of his drug consumption, sexual overindulgence, and music writing, you can see how his life experiences become reflected in the trippy space rock outlet that is Monster Magnet.
Lyrical gems include: “Life is good, a rocket-sled utopia, a self-imposed myopia, you gotta love this pace. Life is fast, a million winners everyday; you tell me is this work or play? I’m never really sure.”. “Some people go to bed with Lucifer, then cry when they don’t great the day with God.”. “You’ll never find your pleasure if you worry about your pain.” and my favorite: “I’m suckin’ up more karma than I need, so have a supernova on me.” That last line comes from the song “Facedown” from the album “Superjudge”, which is my favorite album from Monster Magnet.
When the record company was pushing “Spine of God” they offered me a chance to do a phone interview with Dave. I took up the offer and they gave me his home phone number and said to call him at this time on this date. I grabbed the nearest piece of scrap paper and scribbled down his phone number and the information. When it came time to do the interview, I called Dave and we spoke on the air for about 5 minutes. I spun some tracks off the album, and proceeded to continue to speak with Dave off-air… for about an hour. It was years ago and I don’t recall all that we spoke of, but I just remember at the time he was very cool and down to earth… he was talking with a complete stranger for an hour, so there had to be some level of friendly there. The other weekend when was I was overhauling my closet, I came across some of my mementos from my radio daze… one of which was that scrap of paper with Dave’s number on it. While lots of things got thrown out, I kept that scrap of paper.
Growing up in the Washington D.C. area, Wrathchild America was a local band. I admit I didn’t follow the band back in their early Wrathchild days, but while writing this blog entry I came upon this excellent documentary piece on the band:
Nothing screams ’80’s metal like getting your hair done, eh? It’s rather amusing to watch the guys getting their hair highlighted, primping… how… manly. 🙂 Of course, the drummer, Shannon Larkin is still going today, playing in Godsmack. And it seems guitarist Terry Carter has gone country. Oh, how things have changed. 🙂
Again, during my radio days I got to see the band a great deal. In fact, they were the first band I interviewed at the start of my radio career, in support of their 3-D album. I think Terry and Brad were a little annoyed with me, but I was young and new and had no clue. Still, I saw Wrathchild America many times during their career and always enjoyed their musicianship, their stage banter (they were constantly joking), and their live shows were always a fun party.
The mighty Pantera. Just when metal was dying from the rise of “the Seattle scene,” along comes Pantera to kick the world in the ass.
I remember the first time I saw Pantera live. The Bayou, Washington D.C.. They were opening for Wrathchild America, supporting their Cowboys from Hell album. Since I worked in radio at the time, I was backstage talking with the band. I spoke with Phil about the (then) new Peter Steele project. I spoke with Dime, who then was “Diamond Darrell”… he signed my Pantera hat with “Dime” and explained to me his “name change”. Dime was so nice, so friendly.
Their music is like no other. Power. Groove. Emotion. Soul. Strength.
I’ve seen Tesla live a couple times, and while they used to be a band I liked and enjoyed, since their 2004 album “Into the Now” they’ve grown to become one of my favorite bands.
What I like about Tesla is that they’re just a rock band. They just make good music. There’s no trend to follow, there’s no real concern of press or image or whatever. They just make music. I also have a great deal of respect for how their now run their business: embracing the Internet; using techniques and strategies to connect with fans; and doing so much of things themselves and showing you can be successful at this. As example, check out their latest video for their new single “Fallin’ Apart”. The band posted this video to their YouTube channel, they allow embedding (many of your big record companies won’t do this for whatever reason… I guess they don’t like free press). Of the video they write:
“Fallin’ Apart” which we wrote, directed and produced ourselves! This is the first time that we took one of our ideas for a concept video and found actors, locations, props, and put it all together making a concept music video. Our friend Ken Nicholson who has helped us produce videos in the past found an amazing camera crew, and we found Daniel Espinoza and Scheilah Magnolias to play the roles. The 1956 Ford Tbird was found by Robbie Furiosi at one of his friend’s auto shops called Check Engine Automotive, and he and Larry drove the car down in the freezing cold for 2 days..thanks guys!
They did a great job with it. Check it out:
What really strikes me about Tesla is their songwriting, especially how positive so much of their music is. Check out this article from Brave Words and Bloody Knuckles. Guitarist Frank Hannon breaks down each song on their new album “Forever More” and you’ll see how many songs have positive and uplifting messages. Nothing is cheesy or preachy either. And this goes back to songs like “Caught In A Dream” and “What You Give”, which I find to have a truly beautiful message.
It’s hard for me to pick out a single Tesla song that I like. So many good songs, so many strike a chord. But off their new album, there’s a song called “Just In Case” which really does hit home with me. Here are the lyrics:
Outside the sky is blue;
Always try to do my part
But now it’s raining in my heart.
There’s just so much I can do.
It’s really got a hold of me,
It’s why I feel so incomplete.
If life’s a broken band,
Only I would understand,
I’ll be more than glad to join right in.
If only I could pray,
I know what I would say:
“To whom it may concern”
Just in case I don’t make it to Heaven,
I’d like to personally thank you for givin’
Somethin’ so beautiful
Makes life worth livin’, yeah.
Thank you just in case I….
I’m trying once again,
But everytime I try to talk to You
It’s like I never seem to get through.
I never had the strength to ever put my faith in You.
Maybe I should just realize
I don’t deserve you in my life.
They say it’s in Your hands,
That everything’s just like You planned.
It’s good enough for them, so why not me?
If only I could pray,
I know what I would say…
(I’d say) “Dear God, I’m talking to ya”
Just in case I don’t make it to Heaven,
I’d like to personally thank you for givin’
Somethin’ so beautiful
Makes life worth livin’, yeah.
Thank you just in case I….
Soon enough the time will come.
The hour’s getting late,
The sun is settin’ fast and
You’ll be standing by the gate.
I’m sure You’re gonna say to me,
“Somewhere, couldn’t you just relate?”
I’ll say, “To tell You the truth, You know I already do
In so many other ways.”
Just in case I don’t make it to Heaven,
I’d like to personally thank you for givin’
Somethin’ so beautiful
Makes life worth livin’, yeah.
Thank you just in case I….
Just in case I don’t make it to Heaven,
I’d like to personally thank you for givin’
Somethin’ so beautiful
Makes life worth livin’, yeah.
Thank you just in case I….
I don’t make it
Good stuff. Tesla is certainly a band that, in my book, ranks pretty high.
I was working in college radio as the Metal Director. I had cultivated a good relationship with Rita, the radio rep for Big Chief Records. So she tells me all about this band they’ve signed called “dead horse”. Who? Ok, I check it out. The album is “Peaceful Death and Pretty Flowers”. And I tell you, there’s nothing else like it. Not since, not ever again. dead horse are unique in the musical world, and no one comes close to all that their music is and was. It’s hard to describe, you just have to listen. It’s the most eclectic mash-up, yet it works. It’s not trying hard and failing, it’s just a natural thing born in many ways from Texas roots and thus succeeding.
Thing is, at the time I was living in Virginia and I had no idea about the Texas connection (dead horse is from Houston). When I moved to Texas, I still had my dead horse t-shirt. I wear it out every now and again, and no shirt I have garners such interest as that shirt. All sorts of conversations get struck up when I wear the shirt. At concerts, other people start shouting dead horse lyrics towards me and we all bond over our shared interest. It’s a shame they never gained a larger following and success, but on the same token it wouldn’t be the same if they had.
Little Caesar was one of those great bands that didn’t have the chance to realize their potential because the musical landscape changed: along came Nirvana, the scene shifted from L.A. to Seattle. So call this a little fan appreciation.
Little Caesar was, at their heart, just a rock and roll band. They weren’t just based in the blues, they were based in soul. This was evident in their cover of Aretha Franklin’s “Chain of Fools”, their cover of The Temptation’s “I Wish It Would Rain”, and their own original songs like “In Your Arms”, “Cajun Panther”, “Stand Up”, “Ain’t Got It”, “So Damn Tired”, “Tell Me That You Love Me”. Ron Young’s voice was the key to this. Powerful, dynamic, a gravel-laiden belting or a quiet soulful whisper; Ron’s voice was expressive and was the body and soul of the band.
Another trait of the band was storytelling. “Ballad of Johnny”, “Pray For Me”, “Hard Times” all tell their own stories. Of course we can’t forget the double entendre of “Drive It Home” and “Slow Ride”. And sometimes they just went with straight-ahead rockers like “Rock-N-Roll State Of Mind”, “Down-N-Dirty”, “You’re Mine”, and “Rum And Coke” reminding you what rock and roll is all about.
They had the sound, they had the songs, and they had the look. They had cultivated a biker image that was genuine rock and roll: long hair, tattoos, leather, denim. Ron Young fronted the band well and had the right look.
The band plays the occasional gig now and again, and if the YouTube recordings are any indication, they’re sounding good. Here’s a video of their hit “Chain Of Fools”. I don’t think this was their best song, but it was their most popular and showcases the band well.
Stuff From Hsoi 