My name is Teddy Heavens and I’m bringing you the latest Sleaze/Glam/Punk/Metal and Trash rock and roll news from the Golden State and the streets (and gutters) of Hollywood, California! From the Valleys to the alleys, I’ll find the coolest bands to report on and let you know what’s up from the Rock and Roll capital of the world!
Check out my Glam Punk website at www.ftwrecords.com
Bands I’ve been digging the last few months:
Black Oak Arkansas– My music producer, Brian Kehew, just produced their new record in Memphis with 5 new songs to add to some never released songs from the vault. The record is being released by Atlantic and it has my favorite songs of the year “Sweet Delta Water” and “Plugged in and Wired”. Was able to see their show in Los Angeles recently, the first in 40 years at the Whiskey A Go Go, and it was the most “punk rock” performance I have witnessed in a long time! All heart and real rock and roll.
www.blackoakarkansas.net
Rusty Tramp– Trashy biker band from Albuquerque, New Mexico, my old stomping grounds. Guns & Roses meets AC/DC and featuring Gutter on bass from the infamous band Durtie Blonde. Give them a spin at: www.facebook.com/RustyTramp
Venrez– Newish band featuring Alex Kane from Life, Sex & Death that’s been doing some touring with Slash and Alice Cooper, and Buckcherry. Good contemporary hard rock at:
www.venreztheband.com
Bangkok 5– Los Angeles new school glam and trashy rock band, who the tastemakers in L.A. are touring right now, check em out for yourself at:
www.tb5music.com
Vintage Trouble-Not glam or punk but good garage blues! Followed them from the smallest clubs in L.A. to arenas with Kiss, Bon Jovi and the Who. Managed by Doc McGee, so you know their juiced up!! Hit them up at: www.vintagetrouble.com
The Misfits– New record “The Devils Rain” is well produced with some catchy songs, recommended by my LA Death Dolls bass player, Erik Lancaster, and he knows his punk rock shit!!! Boom at:
www.misfits.com
Michael Monroe band– New CD “Horns and Halos” is the bomb!!! No need to even hype it up, when you hear it, the songs will speak for themselves, as usual.
www.michaelmonroe.com
What’s been up in Los Angeles:
Downtown summer concerts were huge with bands like X and Psychedelic Furs pulling in huge crowds of punks, Goths and heshers.
I was able to hit the Whitesnake/Geoff Tate concert at the Antelope Valley Fair, which brought out every hesher from Los Angeles to hang out. Good sound and good bands and the highlight was when Whitesnake closed the show with the Deep Purple song “Burn”.
The new all female Femme Fatale played at the Roxy with Venrez, but I would prefer if Lorraine Lewis would use the original guys from the band, especially since those guys are from my hometown and it would be more appropriate.
The Peppermint Creeps played their annual show at the Whiskey, keeping the glam/pop thing alive in the city.
Michael Des Barres has a cool radio show on the internet. He’s a hip old glam queen from back in the day, catch him at www.thejointstudios.com
I had the pleasure of doing an interview with the LA Nista radio show recently, talking about Los Angeles music scene, which you can check out at : www.skidrowstudios.com
Finally, just attended a book signing/performance by producer Kim Fowley. All you have to do is Google this guy for his credits, which are amazing. He discovered Slade, wrote for Kiss and Alice Cooper, and produced everyone from Gene Vincent to the Runaways!!! He is currently battling cancer, but is still writing and producing music. Long live the music king of Los Angeles.
Check out his history at: www.kimfowley.net and on Facebook.
If you want me to review your music or write about your event, send it all to:
Teddy Heavens
27750 Firebrand Dr.
Castaic, Ca. 91384
www.ftwrecords.com
ftwrecords@aol.com
Veglam 