AC/DC

Let There Be Rock!!

Saturday, October 24, 2009

Rattle & Hum




U2.. Now whether you love them or hate them you have to admit Bono? now that boy has a set of pipes. if you love them. stay and listen awhile. and if you don't well.. I guess you remember where the door is don't You?

Saturday, October 17, 2009

The first is still the best.



It was either Ummmm. Late 1977.. Or early 1978?.. My brother and me were sitting in his garage listening to Jimi, trying to bang out a piss poor version of Red House on one of my old $10 acoustic guitars that I bought at a yard sale- (Yeah we thought we were cool) - after several attempts we’d concluded that if either of us were ever going to play as good as Jimi Hendrix, one of us was going to have to grow more fingers. So we begrudgingly turned off the stereo when in walks my brothers wife’s younger brother Tim. Long hair flopping in the breeze, jeans ripped at both knees wearing a “Up Yours” tee shirt and wreaking of freshly smoked doobage. Sitting on his shoulders was the biggest boom box that I had ever seen, and from which came a sound of the like that I had never heard before or since, below I shall attempt to reconstruct the entire conversation as it unfolded.
Me: “Whatcha listening to Tim?”
Tim: “ it’s a new band.”
Me: “A what?”
He turned up the volume and both my brother and me leaned forward to give it a better listen.



He looked at me and I looked back at him and we both looked at Tim and then the boom box.
My brother and me: “Who is that?”
Tim: “I tol ya.. it’s a new band.”
Just me now: “Tim you already said that.. What is the new bands name?”
Tim now smiling: “which new band?”
Must have been the doobage.
Both of us again: “The new band you’re listening too!”
Long story short, after much coaxing and me threatening to wrap my $10 Guitar around his skull if he didn’t tell us the name of the new band. Tim finally Gave up a name; “Van Halen”
While I never became a HUGE fan, of theirs I always did have a huge amount of respect for Van Halen’s contributions to the industry. And while the first few albums kicked ass, they have long since began spiraling out of control. And it was a dive that I personally believe that they have never recovered from. Shame too. The original band was loaded. Now it has become a sad excuse for a Rock & Roll Soap opera. Eddie, Alex and mike HATE Dave.. Dave leaves.. Eddie Hires Sammy.. Eddie Hates Sammy.. Sammy Leaves and Mike goes with him.. meanwhile.. Sammy and Mike team up with Joe Satriani to form the new band Chickenfoot. Thanks, but I’ll stick with the original.



~Chickenfoot?.. No foolin?~

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Rhino Bucket.. Clone Rock



I heard them referred to as everything ranging from a Kiss Knock off. (Yeah I know I didn’t get that one either.) to a mediocre AC/DC clone that exemplifies three chord bravado Raunch and Roll at its finest. Whether you like them, love them, or absolutely despise them. Rhino Bucket’s music carries within it a sound that refuses to be ignored. The band was formed in 1988 in Van Nuys California by original members that included; Georg Dolivo (Guitars and lead Vocals), Greg Fields (Guitars), Reeve Downes (ON Bass Guitar) and Rich Kubach (On Drums). The band would get its feet wet first on the LA music scene following in the early footsteps of other bands of the area like; The Four Horsemen, and Rage Against the Machine as well as several others. Warner Brothers records came calling in 1989 and signed the band to do a self titled record simply called; “Rhino Bucket” at which time Liam Jason would take over the drumming duties. The first album was released in 1990 and included such tracks as; One Night Stand, Train Ride and Even The Sun Goes Down. Rhino Bucket would record two more albums between 1990 and 1994, the bands second effort; “Get Used To It” would flirt with the charts with a hit single from the film “Wayne’s World” titled; “Ride With Yourself” and the following year Simon Wright (Formerly with AC/DC and Dio.) would replace Liam Jason on drums. For the 1994 album “Pain.” the band would see a few line up changes however they wouldn’t record again until 2001 when they reformed with Brian Forsythe from the band; “Kix” on lead guitar. Between 2001 and 2009 Rhino Bucket would record 4 more albums. Presently their line up is as follows:
Georg Dolivo: Guitars and Lead Vocals.
Brian Forsythe: Lead Guitars.
Reeve Downes: Bass Guitars.
Simon Wright: Drums.
Today Rhino Bucket still proudly flaunts that same sleazy Raunch and Roll style as they did when they first formed back in 1989. And it doesn’t appear as though that’s going to change anytime soon.






Sunday, October 11, 2009

Southern Comfort.



I distinctly remember sitting down on my sofa in front of the television with the sound turned almost all of the way down, eyes closed tightly, head throbbing slightly, suffering from a hang over. (before I quit drinking.) It was a Saturday night and my bud Luis Chavez told me that the Allman Brothers were going to be playing on Austin City Limits. for me, Dickey Betts was always worthy of a listen, so there I sat, hung over, patiently waiting. Then I hear something that doesn’t sound quite right, yeah, it was a Les Paul, definitely, but there was something different sounding about it, I hear this Paul screaming into the opening of “the Same Thing” and I immediately opened my eyes and leaned forward. I remember thinking; “damn, now who is THIS guy?” after doing a little digging, I discovered that “THAT” guy’s name is; Warren Haynes. Yeah I know, that’s probably not the first name that pops into your head when you pause to consider the long line of names in the annals of rock and blues guitar players, but he is there, trust me on that.



Warren Haynes was born on April 6th1960 in Asheville NC, he had just turned the ripe old age of 20 in 1980 when he would catch his first big break. When by chance, Mickey Hayes- (The bass player for David Allan Coe’s recording & road band) spotted him playing in a nightclub in Asheville Called; “The Brass Tap” Hayes told Coe about this guitarist that he’d heard and Coe ended meeting up with and recruiting Warren Haynes shortly thereafter. He would tour several countries with the band for several years and it was through Coe that he would eventually come to meet up with his eventual Allman Brothers Band mate Dickey Betts. Warren Haynes and Mickey Hayes would leave Coes band and relocate to Nashville TN, where together they would form their own band; Rich Hippies. Since then Warren Haynes would continue to refine his guitar playing prowess while moving in and out of the line ups of several different bands throughout his career, arguably the most prominent being The Allman Brothers and of course Gov’t Mule. (Not that I’m Biased or anything)



Today I’m sitting here, a few years after the fact, and I’m here in my desk chair not far from where I first sat when I first heard that Paul screaming in my hung over ears. So here I now sit blasting the mule from my speakers, And as I’m listening to this voice, and this guitar playing, I find myself wondering why Warren Haynes doesn’t get the credit that he so richly deserves? I could go up to 10 or maybe even 20 people, and it is more than likely that less than 10 percent of them would recognize his name. it is a truly sad thing to me, but I know that it isn’t the fans fault, I would think that it has more to do with limited airtime and piss poor public exposure. The truth is Warren Haynes is a monster musician and singer and it is about damn time that the world catches up with the rest of us that have become acquainted with his body of work have known all along, Warren Haynes is an amazing musician, and Gov’t Mule is an amazing band. So here’s what I want you to do. Turn off everything else in your house for at least 10 minutes, sit down and get comfortable. And then turn up your computer speakers. And just listen. Warren should take care of the rest.




The Thunder From Down Under: Shake A Leg!




The one thing that seems to bother most people about ACDC’s music, is the one thing that I find most appealing about it. Its loud, It’s Raw, and its definitely in your face. I’ve heard this amazing gift of life that we know as music described in many ways, to me? its the purest form of communication ever conceived by the human mind. And you are not likely to find a more straight forward uncomplicated form of musical communication than in the body of work of this band. It can tune you in, tear you up inside and out, and rip out your soul and eat it. Its raw, emotional and powerful stuff this music. Just bend an ear, throw up your hands and shake a leg. And remember, don’t be afraid, its loud, rude and obnoxious because that’s the way Rock& Roll is supposed to be. Pay attention boy’s and girls this shit here? This is how its done.