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Hinder built a strong regional following and went the indie route releasing “Far From Close.” The album sold over 5,000 copies which led to a major label signing. They ventured (from Oklahoma City) to Vancouver, B.C. to record their ‘06 release “Extreme Behavior,” featuring the Rock ballad “Lips Of An Angel.” The song, which reached…
Ghost made an immediate impression. Papa Emeritus wore a skull mask and dressed like a “demonic anti-Pope. He was backed by the Nameless Ghouls who were hidden behind silver masks with horns, satanic symbols and full-length hooded robes. It was a visual borne from a “love of horror films and the traditions of Scandinavian Metal.”…
Having been booted out of Black Sabbath (for excessive drug use – being the most wasted among the wasted), Osbourne embarked on a remarkable solo career. Out of the box he had two massively successful records, “The Blizzard Of Ozz,” with “Crazy Train,” and “Diary Of A Madman.” Both albums featured the fiercely brilliant guitar…
When a band’s first albums are titled “I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love” (’02) and “Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge” (’04), there’s an obvious skewed world view. No wonder, My Chemical Romance was from New Jersey. The band’s name was procured from cult writer Irvine Walsh’s novel “Ecstasy – Three Tales…
Evanescence formed in ’94 around vocalist Amy Lee and guitarist Ben Moody. They were also more than bandmates even falling in love and managing to become briefly engaged, before backing off. Eventually, Moody quit the band in 03. He packed his bags prior to a Berlin concert and left the country. “We both contributed to the…
Loverboy was one of many ‘80s bands with an innate ability to apply a pop sheen to their sound. Neither terribly creative nor unique, the approach yielded a series of platinum records. With songs about lust and partying, how could they miss? Though they had a handful of chart singles, the song that put Loverboy…
The song “Runaway,” recorded in ’84 by Jon Bon Jovi, was included in radio station W-D-H-A’s compilation of un-signed acts. Technically, Bon Jovi didn’t really qualify. Less than a year earlier, Bon Jovi (the group) had been signed by Mercury Records after building a solid reputation as a live act. In the process, John Francis…
In a world populated by Jimi Hendrix, the Doors, Led Zeppelin and Janis Joplin, Creedence Clearwater Revival might have seemed a little boring. Don’t be fooled. This group of journeyman musicians led by singer, songwriter, guitarist John Fogerty delivered potent Rock. Born and raised in the Bay Area, Fogerty somehow channeled the Southern Rock bayou…
After building a stellar reputation with the Spencer Davis Group, Traffic, Blind Faith and back to Traffic, expectations were high for Steve Winwood’s solo career. But it got off to a slow start with his self-titled debut, a good, solid, if unremarkable record. On the ’81 set “Arc Of A Diver” Winwood played all the…
Kid Rock (Robert James Ritchie) spent a large chunk of the early ’90s recording and performing in semi-obscurity. Just well-known enough to build a small but loyal fan base, while at the same time, getting a heap of flak/criticism from the local music community. In the mid-90s, Kid Rock formed a backing band dubbed Twisted…