Tag: Down To Rock

Down To Rock #16

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They should have been bigger!

Since no live shows in LA, I’ve been hitting the web to discover/rediscover some cool bands that gave it a shot, but for whatever reason, didn’t hit the mark.

ROSE TATTOO– A great band from Australia that broke in the early 1980’s, with a bluesy hard rock that was heavy on slide guitar, and the band members were heavy on tattoos and denim. These guys were a dirtier version of Guns N Roses before they existed. GNR covered one of their songs, and AC/DC was never this sleazy. Very good stuff if you dig loud grimy hard rock.

GIRL– This British band spanned Phil Lewis from LA Guns and Phil Collen from Def Leppard. Before that, they were part of this Punk Glam Hard Rock band on Don Arden’s Jet records. They released two albums that are NWOBHM classics in a very different way than most of those bands. They were raw in more of a Stooges/Ramones way and not so much metal. They redid a Kiss song and toured with UFO and the like, but I always dug them for their raw and punky attitude, all tarted up with makeup.

Smashed Gladys– Canadian band by way of NYC, these guys had a rough female lead vocalist, and they tore up the local scene with some raunchy bluesy hard rock with a dark glam image. I just recently got into these guys when I stumbled onto them on YouTube. They put out a couple of good major label releases, and were similar to Hanoi Rocks and any of the Andy McCoy led bands that came after. They used to rule the NYC Limelight scene and had a lot of hip supporters in that scene.

Electric Angels– From the ashes of Candy out of LA, came these gypsy glam NYC transplants. They recorded their major label record with super glam producer Tony Visconti and made a video with Cristina Applegate, but were unable to set the US on fire. Singer Shane had all that it took to become a superstar, timing and luck was not on their side. Guitarist Ryan Roxie now plays guitar with Alice Cooper and bassist Jonathan Daniel is a big time band manager now. My band Rebel Rebel was produced by Johnathan in the 80’s, as we were a cross of Sigue Sigue Sputnik and Motley Crue, which he dug. He hooked us up with some heavyweights in the business but we had our own agenda and wouldn’t listen to anyone. The rest is history for all of us.

The Starfighters– Great band from England that featured Stevie Young, now in AC/DC and a singer that almost became the new singer for AC/DC after Bon Scott passed away. Again, a band I just recently rediscovered as when I was a kid they were too much like AC/DC, but now I can appreciate the songs and sound, which is bluesy Hard Rock, no frills and just straight ahead. They have been pumping me up at the gym, which says a lot if you know how much I love/hate the gym! LOL Check them out, the deserve a listen.

Zodiac Mindwarp– Another great loud and dirty band from England that was more of sleazy hard rock than metal. They had a mad max/biker image, which was cool in itself, but the music was catchy and cleaver. Prime Mover is my favorite track, but you should hear them all, worth a look and listen.

I was only able to see the Electric Angels live from this list, and that was before they got signed and moved from LA to NYC. But, there is plenty of live footage from most of these bands online, please check them out and keep good old fashioned hard rock alive.

Down To Rock #12 (November 2014)

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polaroid_teddy_dtrMy 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:

The Montecristos-this is the new band featuring my guitar hero Neal X from Sigue Sigue Sputnik!!! Cool rockabilly tinged rock with Neal singing and Slinging the Gibson guitar!! Catch them on Facebook.

Butcher Babies-New 5 song release of cover tunes from these contemporary metal Plasmaticsesque big titty rocker chicks. Any band that names their band after a Plasmatics song is OK with me. The Deadly 7 out of Las Vegas (and rivals of the Playboy chicks from BB) had a better choice of songs they covered, more punk rock than metal, but tits are tits, so check them out.

Salems Lott-New shock rock band outta Los Angeles looking like X JAPAN and sounding like a reved up Skid Row. They are brining back big hair to the Sunset Strip, featuring Toe Knee from Willow Wisp with some new young guns. Check out their single on Itunes “No Choice To Love”.

SalemsLott

Charm City Devils-Baltimore based hard rock band with a current release “Battles” out now, and sounding like a cross of Guns N Roses and Soundgarden. This is sleazy street rock n roll making noise on the East Coast.

Night By Night-Young English band bringing back the melodic 80’s sound. Clean but sleazy enough to be interesting , a cross of modern AOR metal like Halestorm, with a Def Leppard touch. Interesting enough for you to check out.

The Beautifully Demolished-New band from ex Jetboy replacement singer, tearing up the Central California scene. This is AC/DC 70’s party rock with a 6 song self titled release on Itunes and via Demon Doll Records.

Vinyl Tattoo-Superstar cover band in Las Vegas featuring Frank Dimino from Angel on vocals and Oz Fox from Stryper on guitar. This band rocks and are a must see if in Vegas where I like to go to relax. They do classic rock and roll along with Angel songs and as Frank is one of my favorite singers of all time, I had to mention his Vegas band. He also just inked a deal with Frontier records for a solo release, so cheers to hearing some new music from Frank Dimino!! Find em on Facebook.

Undercover Slut– Paris France glam goth metal legends sent me a teaser song of their up coming EP release “Vice”. The song is “Chloroform Nation” and it’s a departure from the past goth industrial material that the band is known for. This song mixes the industrial flavor with modern electronics in a very “danceable” form. The band plan on releasing a series of singles and EP’s leading up to a full release. Hit them up at:

UNDERCOVER SLUT
c/o Hateful Society Production
34 Avenue des Champs-Elysees
Suite #999
F-75008 PARIS
France

CD Review:

Girl-Live In London

This band was a huge influence on me when I was a kid. I always loved that punk/glam/hard rock sound and along with Hanoi Rocks, these guys were my fave. Featuring Phil Lewis and Phil Collen and sounding very snotty, they didn’t fit into the NWOBHM scene, but they were great. This Live In London CD release marks the eve of their debut release in 1980 and features songs like “My Number”, “Heartbreak America” and “Hollywood Tease”, along with covers like “Do You Love Me” and “You Really Got Me”, showing the diverse influences this group had. Deadline/Cleopatra Records gets props for releasing this live gem, and now they just need to release the two studio records “Sheer Greed” and “Wasted Youth”.

What’s been up in Los Angeles:

Inside Metal Movie-A new movie highlighting the hard rock and metal bands form the mid 70’s that ruled Los Angeles and Hollywood, bands like Angel, Legs Diamond, Detective, Van Halen, Snow, Quiet Riot and bands from the early 80’s like WASP, Motley Crue and Ratt. All of these bands are featured along with Rodney’s English Disco scene, The Starwood and the Rainbow Bar and Grill. This film breaks down the rock and roll heyday in Los Angeles and is a nice document of bands that made it and a lot that didn’t. It’s been screened around town and is getting good reviews and building steam, and it’s starting to screen around the country now. By all accounts it’s a good lesson on what went on with the LA music scene in the 70’s/80’s, as told by those that played the clubs and participated in the debauchery. Find the Facebook page to see when it will be playing in your town.

Hollywood Rocks Night @ Loaded with Spiders N Snakes/Rebel Rebel-Glitter and Glam reunion at the new hip rock and roll club in Hollywood, Loaded. Spiders and Snakes featuring Rik Fox from WASP and Steeler on bass and Betsy from Bitch on vocals, along with regulars Tim, Lizzy and Chris from Sweet Savage tore it up with songs like “Piece of Your Action” and the Angel version of “Ain’t Gonna Eat Out My Heart Anymore”, and their new single “Kawaski City” from the upcoming Year Of The Snake 25th anniversary release. Rebel Rebel opened up the show and played all the usual songs from the last 25 years and it was cool playing for a packed rock and roll audience (I play guitar for R2), with many faces from long ago at the Coconut Teazer Glitter and Glam shows. Spiders N Snakes are having a record release party at the Whiskey in Hollywood in mid December for their 25th anniversary, so do yourself a favor and be there if you live in the LA area.

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

http://www.ftwrecords.com
ftwrecords@aol.com

Down To Rock #10 (October 2013)

Published on by veglamLeave a comment

polaroid_teddy_dtrMy 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

Down To Rock #9 (June 2013)

Published on by veglam1 Comment
polaroid_teddy_dtrMy name is Teddy Heavens and I’m bringing you the latest Sleaze/Glam/Punk 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!
A lot of rock and roll has been going on in Los Angeles since last I wrote!! Live gigs galore: Prima Donna, Crash Diet, Tsar, Glamour Punks, Iggy and the Stooges, The Damned, Flag/Black Flag, the International Swingers (Punk Rock Super group www.internationalswingers.com), Michael Des Bares, The Horrors, Kyle Vincent (house concert-ex Candy Singer playing solo material), Johnny Thunders tribute show with Walter Lure, Rebel Rebel, L.A. Death Dolls, Punk Rock Museum party, Alice Cooper and M. Manson, Etc.
Check out my new Glam Punk website at www.ftwrecords.com and check out the band Wyldlife, good garage glam punk in the vein of Iggy, Sweet, Slade and Prima Donna!!!! http://wyldlife.bandcamp.com/ Also check out Rocky Shades from Wrathchild new band, Wildside Riot at http://www.wildsideriot.com/
TSAR Live- The Bootleg Theater Downtown Los Angeles
This show was the first by Tsar in Los Angeles in a long time, and the place was jammed with people singing along. This band is polished on record but very raw and powerful live and I gotta see them when they play, which is very rare, usually every 5 years. They played all the good shit from their first 2 records: Calling All Destroyers, Silver Shifter, Kathy Fong, Band-Girls-Money, and stuff off the latest CD The Dark Stuff like the catchy Police Station. Great pop band with catchy songs, you can get all their stuff off ITunes!!!
Black Star Riders CD Review-All Hell Breaks Loose
This is the new release from the band that was playing out as Thin Lizzy and have now released some original songs. This is some good 70’s style hard rock, with catchy vocals, harmony guitar lines and a surprisingly good singer in Ricky Warwick. The vocals are very Phil L., thick and full, and the production is great. This band is made up of hard rock legends and their experience shows. Fans of Lizzy will love this as well as all other hard rock fans.
War & Peace CD Review- Flesh & Blood Sessions
Blast from the past, this was a hard rock super group from back in the late 80’s featuring Jeff Pilson, Vinnie Appice, Randy Hansen and Michael Diamond. I’ve always loved Hansen’s guitar playing from back in the day with Champagne & Cocaine/Take You Higher, and Appice’s drumming is always great. Another calling card for this release is Michael Diamond from Legs Diamond, seeing he did not really do anything after this project. This material was recorded at the famous Sound City Recording Studio in the late 80’s and Thanks to Deadline Records and Tim Yasui for putting out Gems like this from hard rock and punk legends. The CD has some good hard rock songs and playing, check out “Kill for the Love of God” and “I Don’t Want To Be Lonely”, worth checking out.
Michael Des Barres CD Review- Carnaby St.
Michael self released this new batch of songs and the production is clean, clear and smooth, and the playing is great. The drums/guitar/bass and singing is spot on and this band is a must see if in Los Angeles or Austin, where they usually play. A play by play of each song goes like this:
You’re my Pain Killer-bluesy and laid back
Carnaby St.-cool glam trash track reliving the wild ass days in late 60’s London. Killer bass playing and singing/screaming, Michael going off at the end like a punky Rod Stewart.
Forgive Me– 70’s hard pop rock
Sugar-mellow Bo Diddly “I want Candy” riff with A+ bass playing and cool wah wah guitar.
Route 69– another bluesy/boozy number (70’s movie reference from Dirty Mary, Crazy Larry).
Please Stay-Michael brings us back to church! Minimal instruments, flawless performance on vocals.
Little Latin Lover– hard rocking song advocating for immigrant rights.
Hot and Sticky– The best song the Stones haven’t written in 30 years.
From Cloud 9 to Heartache-another cool pop song with a Culture Club vibe.
My Baby Saved My Ass– “from my wicked past” Michael is the rock and roll man!!! I once saw him at the Melrose swap meet in full face makeup and nail polish.
The Key of Love– cool ballad
Overall Michael has provided us with some good trashy rock and roll over the years and he still rocks better than most who are in their 20’s. I loved the Chequered Past record, and still think an artist or band could have a hit with “NO KNIFE” from that record (along with Frankie’s THE POWER OF LOVE), so support the man and get his music and go see the shows!!!!
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
ftwrecords@aol.com

Down To Rock #8 (November 2012)

Published on by veglam1 Comment
My name is Teddy Heavens and I’m bringing you the latest Sleaze/Glam/Punk 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!
The summer in Los Angeles and Hollywood was full of some good rock and roll shows and glam events!!!
The Return of The Glitter and Glam Fest
The Glitter and Glam Fest returned after a 10 year hiatus, sponsored by Deadline Records and presented by Tim Yasui at the World Famous Whiskey A Go Go. The Fest featured old school Hollywood bands that have continued to perform on a regular basis: Willow Wisp, Spiders N Snakes/London and Rebel Rebel (all Glitter and Glam fest vets from the Coconut Teazer days), along with newcomers like Tramps Like Us. The Highlight for me was when London singer Nadir D’Preist, filled in for Lizzy Grey, who did not make it to the show from Las Vegas. They played Spiders N Snakes and London classics and the crowd really enjoyed seeing the true old school Hollywood Rockers. According to Tim, the Glitter and Glam Fest will be presented whenever a date at the Whiskey A Go Go can be secured. Disclaimer, my band Rebel Rebel tore up the stage, which was really my highlight of the Glitter and Glam Fest!!!!
Hedwig and The Angry Inch
Another cool Glam event took place when the play Hedwig and The Angry Inch was presented for a week run at a local Hollywood Playhouse. The lead was played by NYC actor Adam Enright, who was fantastic, not only with his dialogue performance, but he really tore up the vocals with the band. Another disclaimer, I played bass in the Hedwig band, but the whole performance was fantastic and clips can be seen on YouTube here: www.youtube.com/user/jrkeon1 Note: There is currently a week long run of Hedwig at the Roxy Theatre in Hollywood with Donovan Leitch in the lead, but tickets are too expensive for my like.
LA Guns Hollywood Listening party
Being part of the “media” in Los Angeles has some perks, such as private parties and elbow rubbing with rock stars. Since I knew I’d see one of my favorite singers at this event, I brought my GIRL “Do You Love Me” 45 record for Phil Lewis to sign, along with a live in Japan Girl CD, which Phil was surprised to see. The LA Guns new CD, Hollywood Forever, was played on a loop while we all consumed the free libations, courtesy of Deadline Records and Tim Yasui. There were a lot of the local and national rockers there to see what the new LA Guns record was like, and we were all pleasantly surprised. Ran into a hometown rocker from Albuquerque, Lorraine Lewis from Femme Fatale, and offered my guitar services for the reformed band. We were in bands that played around Albuquerque together, before Femme Fatale and Durtie Blonde moved to Hollywood. See my first band Girlfriend here for a taste of the Glam scene in Albuquerque in the early 1980’s!!! http://www.nmmusic.com/history/girlfriend/index.html
Live at Hollywood Park Concert series
The local horse racing park has been kind enough to present some good bands during the summer, when the horse racing ends on Saturday nights. To make it even better, they have all the best food trucks show up so you can stroll in and eat, grab some drinks and then watch bands like Joan Jett, X and The Jesus and Mary Chain. I was lucky enough to see one of my favorite noise bands ever, Jesus and Mary Chain (heavily influenced by the NY band Suicide), and they were as noisy and sloppy as ever, even when playing the hits, what a great show and treat, as this band rarely tours. Was also able to see the best Los Angeles punk band, X, perform, who had the biggest pit going that I had ever seen at a punk gig, and who sold so much merchandise, that the line to buy merch never let up right up to closing time. Hollywood Park is a nice and comfortable placed to see good, cheap ($10) shows when visiting Los Angeles in the summer, they do it every year.
Crash Diet/Glamour Punks live at the Whiskey in Hollywood
Old school meets new school in Hollywood. The Glamour Punks opened for Crash Diet, who are hot in the USA right now, judging from the sold out crowd, and they were musically tighter now than they have ever been. The Punks were loud and powerful with Alley Useless, ex Rebel Rebel bass player, filling in for the missing bro Dizzy Damage!!! Crash Diet are very cute and polished and with the aide of sample backing vocals and tracks, they are arena ready, much like Steel Panther. Not my cup of tea, but they sold out the Whiskey, so cheers to them!!!
Bands to look out for:
No Sympathy-Dolls With Balls
This band took 25 years to get their first release out there, but the guys are good friends, Gary and Catfish, and the tunes are cool and catchy glam gems, so show your support!!!
Spent Idols-For Your Ears Only
This San Diego based punk rock band was the shit back in the day, and their stuff is now available on CD. I’ve included this band on the DTR tip as a memorial to this band being kick ass, but also to the memory of drummer Jesse Spent, or Jesse Atom as he was known when he played for Rebel Rebel, who passed away this summer from cancer, RIP brother. Get it at Amazon.com
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
Ftwrecords@aol.com