The Music Thread.

[Tawmis]

This showed up on my Youtube - and I am happy it did. Watched a few of their videos - and they're quite talented... despite... their.... unusual... unique ... take to some songs.

[Tawmis]

I don't know if this is common in other music genres... but man, Heavy Metal/Rock is becoming a mess.

RATT, who was very popular in the 80's as a "hair metal band" went through a major split.
Robin passed away from AIDS, Warren left the band, leaving Stephen (singer), Juan (bassist) and Bobby (drummer).
Well, they end up going separate ways.
Stephen continues with RATT and gets new members (after Juan retires out of music). Bobby forms new members, calls it RATT.
Legal battle ensues.
Juan joins Stephen in RATT, and they get the name. Bobby can tour as "Bobby Blotzer's RATT."
Which he did - I think before either renaming or joining a new band. I can barely keep up.

So there was a band called Great White. They parted with their singer, Jack Russell for whatever reason. Cycled through a number of singers, recently landed on a new one.
Jack Russell in the meantime, formed a new band called it Great White.
Legal battle ensues.

Great White keeps the name, but Jack Russell can tour as "Jack Russell's Great White" as the band name.

Fast forward a little, Queensryche parts ways with their vocalist Geoff Tate (for being an asshat, which he was - and more, financial and all of this drama).
Queensryche recruits former Crimson Glory replacement, Todd LeTorre and tours.
Geoff Tate forms a new band, calls it Queensryche.
Legal battle ensues.
Queensryche gets to keep the name, Geoff can tour as "Geoff Tate's Queensryche" as the band name.
He does so for awhile, before changing the name to "Mindcrime" (one of the Queensryche album titles he has the credits for). And changed it again - to... I don't even know what.

KK Downing, the guitarist from JUDAS PRIEST has been in JUDAS PRIEST for a very long time, and recently got booted.
Can you guess?
Well, this time it's different - probably because he saw the previous stuff - but he's calling his band KK'S PRIEST.
https://blabbermouth.net/news/k-k-downi ... -new-band/

[Tawmis]

Craig Goldy, who started in a band called GUIFFRIA in the 80s had limited success as a band - Gene Simmons (of KISS) tore them apart and made them HOUSE OF LORDS.
Craig Goldy however was destined for bigger things. He was recruited by the late legendary Ronnie James DIO for several DIO albums - and established himself as an incredible guitarist.
He's now in a new band called Resurrection Kings and it sounds pretty good.

[Tawmis]

Jimmy Page's riff from LED ZEPPELIN's "Whole Lotta Love" has been named the greatest riff of all time by the readers of Total Guitar and Guitar World magazines.

The ZEPPELIN classic placed ahead of Ozzy Osbourne's "Crazy Train", AC/DC's "Back In Black" and DEEP PURPLE's "Smoke On The Water".

[Tawmis]

This is also pretty cool -

SHINEDOWN has topped Billboard's Greatest Of All Time Mainstream Rock Artists listing, finishing ahead of peers from the last 20 years like THREE DAYS GRACE and DISTURBED, as well as classic rock staples like VAN HALEN and TOM PETTY AND THE HEARTBREAKERS.

This is pretty funny -
https://blabbermouth.net/news/mother-fr ... id-anthem/

Actress Ruth Silveira has been busy since she played the unforgettable role of the "mother" in VAN HALEN's "Hot For Teacher" music video more than three and a half decades ago. She's worked on over 60 television and film projects, including everything from "House M.D." to "Growing Pains". She raised two daughters and now helps raise her grandchildren in the Los Angeles area. She recently reprised the role of the "mother" for a new music video collaboration titled "This Rap Makes No Sense". Comedian Joe Hernández-Kolski wrote and performed the lyrics and musicians THING OF TWINS wrote and performed the music.

Hernandez-Kolski says: "I've known Ruth for many years. We're both members of Sacred Fools Theater Company. I only found out recently, however, that she was in the 'Hot For Teacher' music video. I lost my mind because VAN HALEN has always been my all-time favorite band.

"When I started thinking about making a music video for the song, I immediately knew that I wanted to pay homage to the original video.

"Ruth was a wonderful professional. She came in and recreated the role in one take."

Watch the video for "This Rap Makes No Sense" below.

The "Hot For Teacher" video was filmed at John Marshall High School in Los Angeles, California. Because the school had been shut down due to insufficient funds at the time the video was recorded, VAN HALEN not only paid to rent the school for four days of filming but they also contributed money to the city to help get it reopened.

[goatmeal]

I don't know if this is common in other music genres... but man, Heavy Metal/Rock is becoming a mess.

Definitely showing my age here, but look into the "Jefferson Airplane" / "Jefferson Starship" / "Starship" band name kerfuffle...

[Tawmis]

I don't know if this is common in other music genres... but man, Heavy Metal/Rock is becoming a mess.

Definitely showing my age here, but look into the "Jefferson Airplane" / "Jefferson Starship" / "Starship" band name kerfuffle...

Oh, yes - familiar with the band's name change. However, I always thought there were just changing their name - did it also have to do with rotating members wanting the band name?

[goatmeal]

I don't know if this is common in other music genres... but man, Heavy Metal/Rock is becoming a mess.

Definitely showing my age here, but look into the "Jefferson Airplane" / "Jefferson Starship" / "Starship" band name kerfuffle...

Oh, yes - familiar with the band's name change. However, I always thought there were just changing their name - did it also have to do with rotating members wanting the band name?

Originally, Jefferson Starship started as a side project for some members of Jefferson Airplane while on a touring break in 1970. After a few failed records in the early-to-mid '70s, Jefferson Airplane morphed into and merged with Jefferson Starship by 1974-1975.

Paul Kantner, the last founding member of Jefferson Airplane, left Jefferson Starship and sued the band in 1984 for (a.) monies owed and (b.) to prevent any other member from using the Jefferson Starship name. Settled in 1985, Kantner was paid off, and though the band name was now owned by singer Grace Slick and manager Billy Thompson, all parties agreed to never use the name "Jefferson" going forward -- hence the renaming of Jefferson Starship to simply Starship.

What a mess.

[Rath Darkblade]

Why does all this remind me so, so much of this old sketch by Eric Idle -- "Rock Notes".

Transcription:

Newscaster (Eric Idle):

Rex Stardust, lead electric triangle with Toad the Wet Sprocket has had to have an elbow removed following their recent successful worldwide tour of Finland. Flamboyant, ambidextrous Rex apparently fell off the back of a motorcycle. "Fell off the back of a motorcyclist, most likely," quipped ace drummer Jumbo McCluney upon hearing of the accident. Plans are already afoot for a major tour of Iceland.

Divorced after only eight minutes, popular television singing star, Charisma, changed her mind on the way out of the registry office, when she realized she had married one of the Donkeys by mistake. The evening before in LA's glittering nightspot, the Abbatoir, she had proposed to drummer Reg Abbot of Blind Drunk, after a whirlwind romance and a knee-trembler.

But when the hangover lifted, it was Keith Sly of the Donkeys who was on her arm in the registry office. Keith, who was too ill to notice, remained unsteady during the short ceremony and when asked to exchange vows, began to recite names and addresses of people who also used the stuff.

Charisma spotted the error as Keith was being carried into the wedding ambulance and became emotionally upset. However, the mistake was soon cleared up, and she stayed long enough to consummate their divorce.

Dead Monkeys are to split up again, according to their manager, Lefty Goldblatt. They've been in the business now ten years, nine as other groups. Originally the Dead Salmon, they became for a while, Trout. Then Fried Trout, then Poached Trout In A White Wine Sauce, and finally, Herring.

Splitting up for nearly a month, they re-formed as Red Herring, which became Dead Herring for a while, and then Dead Loss, which reflected the current state of the group.

Splitting up again to get their heads together, they reformed a fortnight later as Heads Together, a tight little name which lasted them through a difficult period when their drummer was suspected of suffering from death. It turned out to be only a rumor and they became Dead Together, then Dead Gear, which lead to Dead Donkeys, Lead Donkeys, and the inevitable split up.

After nearly ten days, they reformed again as Sole Marnier, then Dead Sole, Rock Cod, Turbot, Haddock, White Baith, the Places, Fish, Bream, Mackerel, Salmon, Poached Salmon, Poached Salmon In A White Wine Sauce, Salmon Marnier, and Helen Shapiro. This last name, their favorite, had to be dropped following an injunction and they split up again.

When they reformed after a record-breaking two days, they ditched the fishy references and became Dead Monkeys, a name which they stuck with for the rest of their careers. Now, a fortnight later, they've finally split up.

(telephone ringing)

Hello.

Telephone: "Hello?"

Newscaster: Yes?

Telephone: "What do you think of Dead Duck?"

Newscaster: What do I think of Dead Duck?

Telephone: "or Lobster?"

Newscaster: Lobster?... (fade into next sketch)

These are two of my favourite minutes of Monty Python. And, as a bonus, "Toad the Wet Sprocket" is a real band (and have been since 1986). Eric himself reflected on the band's name in a 1999 performance:

I once wrote a sketch about rock musicians, and I was trying to think of a name that would be so silly nobody would ever use it, or dream it could ever be used. So I wrote the words "Toad the Wet Sprocket." And a few years later, I was driving along the freeway in LA, and a song came on the radio, and the DJ said, "that was by Toad the Wet Sprocket," and I nearly drove off the freeway.

[Tawmis]

I've posted this band a few times now in this thread - I keep coming across more songs by them (Youtube Algorithm working to my benefit!)

Another amazing song - her voice is so incredible and unique.

[Tawmis]

Just came across a new Daughtry song - who I've always enjoyed since he appeared on American Idol, or whatever show - I have all of his albums.

[Tawmis]

I previously mentioned bands using their band names when the band splits previously in this thread...

This one... takes the cake.

https://blabbermouth.net/news/rough-cut ... upulously/

So let me say - I loved ROUGH CUTT back in the day, but they didn't have a HUGE popularity - they were known, but they never got their "big break." They were always the "great opening band" for bigger bands of that era (opening up for RATT, SCORPIONS, MOTLEY CRUE, etc).

So the fact that there's two versions of ROUGH CUTT is already odd... Because it's not like claiming the name is one that's super known.

And that said, these days in the internet - there's a saying, "Never meet your heroes."

Also, don't follow them on Twitter. Because you learn too much.

I came to strongly dislike (vocalist) Paul Shortino for his political views (big Trump supporter that he was).

So that's tainted my view of what I used to think was a good (metal) vocalist.

Two competing versions of ROUGH CUTT are now in existence, with each accusing the other of acting unscrupulously.

This past March, an incarnation of ROUGH CUTT featuring guitarist Chris Hager and drummer Dave Alford released a new single and video, "Black Rose". Hager and Alford are joined in the group by lead vocalist Steven St. James, guitarist Darren Householder and bassist Jeff Buehner. Less than three months later, a completely different version of ROUGH CUTT, featuring founding singer Paul Shortino along with classic lineup members Matt Thorne on bass and Amir Derakh on guitar, surprise-issued a new album titled "Rough Cutt 3" via the DDR Music Group label. That LP includes the song "Bed Of Black Roses", which appears to be musically and lyrically similar to the aforementioned "Black Rose", prompting speculation that the two tracks were conceived from ideas that originated with members of both versions of the group.

Hager and Alford addressed the confusion during an interview with "Hard, Heavy & Hair With Pariah Burke" this past Thursday (June 10). Speaking about "Black Rose", Hager said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Well, I wrote the music to that song. Matt wrote the chorus, lyrics and melodies — part of 'em. And the version that they did, he also wrote part of the verse melodies. Now, our version, which we released, obviously, before they did, Steven, our singer, changed the verse lyrics. I don't know if you've listened to both of 'em, but you will hear a marked difference in the verse vocals, melodies and phrasing.

"The thing about that is that we went… I just went and listened to a sample of all the stuff they did [on the 'Rough Cutt 3' album], and they didn't even bother to redo it [from the original way we wrote it]," Chris continued. "That was done over here [at my studio]; those are my guitars; and they added some stuff to it — they embellished it. And they did that on a couple of other songs as well that we had written collectively before we broke up."

Alford went on to say that "it was a slap in the face" to see the other version of ROUGH CUTT release its album so soon after the arrival of "Black Rose". But he added: "We have no ill feelings towards those guys. I will say we dropped our single months before they did this. And we're going out and playing, and we have a record coming out."

Hager was more blunt, calling the other ROUGH CUTT's decision to move forward with a new album "a cheap shot. We made every effort to make ROUGH CUTT work, the original members, and they just weren't having it," he explained. 'It's, like, one person didn't wanna go out and play shows… And then the ROUGH RIOT thing came along" — referring to the short-lived project featuring former members of QUIET RIOT and ROUGH CUTT — "and then that didn't work out. So we put a lot into making that work, especially me, man — I mean, I worked my ass off on that. And it just didn't happen. And so Dave and I, we don't wanna sit around. And that's why I went and called Steven and said, 'Hey, Steven, you wanna come over and write some songs?' And then I said, 'Hey, Dave, come on over and listen to these.' Of course, Dave knew Steven from before as well. And so that's how we got started."

According to Alford, "over half of the music that's on" "Rough Cutt 3" is "old stuff that's me playing drums [and Chris] playing guitar." In addition, Hager claims that Shortino, Thorne and Derakh "screwed us over on the royalties as well. When I registered 'Black Rose', I was very generous," he said. "So that's what tells us that it's out of spite. They think that we should have asked them, or told them, that we were gonna [go ahead with a new lineup]."

As for why things fell apart between the original ROUGH CUTT members, Alford said: "Them guys didn't want anything to do with us." Hager concurred, saying: "I couldn't get Matt to return my call. They basically weren't interested until our single came out. So I don't care."

He continued: "I'll say it straight out — I think it's a cheap shot [for them to release this album and move forward with another version of ROUGH CUTT]. I can't stop 'em from doing it. And also we'll see when it comes to the trademark and all that — that could turn into a legal thing."

Despite the potential for a lawsuit over the rights to the ROUGH CUTT name, Alford says that "it's not gonna stop us. The music that we're creating right now, our fans are just dying to hear it. Once they heard 'Black Rose' and saw the video, it's on now — it's totally on. And we've got some real talent in the new lineup."

Hager was equally enthusiastic about his new version of ROUGH CUTT, saying: "Fans, they can take their pick. A lot of people will say, 'Well, without Paul Shortino, it can't be ROUGH CUTT. And we say bullshit." Alford chimed in: "I haven't gotten any negative feedback about our [new] singer, much less talking about Paul." Hager continued: "It was really amazing. We expected more pushback from fans, and it never really came."

In a press release announcing the arrival of "Rough Cutt 3", DDR Music Group said that "to release anything under the moniker of ROUGH CUTT without Paul, Amir and Matt is nothing short of unprofessional and disrespectful to the members and especially to the fans. Simply put, no Paul, no ROUGH CUTT!" The label also said that "many false accusations and lies have been made public about arguably the three most important members of ROUGH CUTT and all of them are completely fabricated nonsense."

The same day that Hager and Alford's interview with with "Hard, Heavy & Hair With Pariah Burke" was posted online, Shortino took to his social media to share a letter that he, Thorne and Derakh wrote to Chris and Dave in October 2019 in which they called the idea of Hager and Alford touring as ROUGH CUTT "deceptive" and predicting that it would "undoubtedly mislead fans into thinking they were seeing the entire original lineup." In the letter, Shortino, Thorne and Derakh went on to ask Hager and Alford to advertise their performances as Dave Alford's & Chris Hager's ROUGH CUTT and announced their plan to oppose Hager and Alford's trademark application for the exclusive right to use the ROUGH CUTT name on clothing and merchandise.

Originally based in Los Angeles, ROUGH CUTT was mentored by Ronnie James Dio, managed by his wife Wendy and signed to Warner Brothers. The band released two albums three and a half decades ago, 1985's self-titled effort and 1986's "Wants You!", before Shortino left to join QUIET RIOT. QUIET RIOT's fourth album, 1988's "QR", was the band's only LP to feature Paul on vocals.

So I went and dug up both versions. The one with the new vocalist - he's definitely trying to sing like Paul Shortino (who went from Rough Cutt, to singing for Quiet Riot briefly). Which makes sense, because that's who the song was originally meant to be sing by with what's been said - so here's the original that the "other" Rough Cutt released first entitled "Black Rose." And it's pretty good. (Better than the Paul Shortino version - and not because of my slight towards Paul Shortino, but because it musically sounds better).





Here's what Paul Shortino and crew released a few weeks later, entitled "Bed of Black Roses."

I mean - they didn't EVEN TRY TO CHANGE ANYTHING about it. It's definitely a cheap shot.






And apparently the "Paul Shortino" version sent the other version a certified letter asking (telling) them to cease with the Rough Cutt name.....





And if you go to the Paul Shortino version to "buy" the album (https://ddrmusicgroup.com/products/rough-cutt-iii) - there's this...

You wanted the real ROUGH CUTT featuring Paul Shortino, Amir Derakh and Matt Thorne, you got them! We'll even through in a special guest appearance by legendary Quiet Riot guitarist Carlos Cavazo shredding solos on three new tracks. The DDR Music Group and the three main men of ROUGH CUTT are proud to bring you their brand new album “III”.

A fitting title for the first album of new material released by the band since 1986. The guys have been hard at work crafting the killer new tracks “Electric”, “Bed Of Black Roses”, “Dive”, “Don’t Say A Word”, “Bleed”, “Secrets” and “Chasing Dreams” - and can we just say Paul sounds great! We’ve also included three very rare and hard to find tracks “Prowler”, “Peyote” and “House Of Pain”.

Many false accusations and lies have been made public about arguably the three most important members of ROUGH CUTT and all of them are completely fabricated non sense. To release anything under the moniker of ROUGH CUTT without Paul, Amir and Matt is nothing short of unprofessional and disrespectful to the members and especially to the fans. Simply put, No Paul, no Rough Cutt! Without saying a single word this album proves the 3 original members as well as the band ROUGH CUTT are alive and kickin’ ass as seriously as they did in the mid eighties. “III” marks the real and indisputable return of the band, crank it up loud and proud, it’s the only way Paul, Amir and Matt would want it. Now let’s get this party started!!

This album is a brand new release, crafted in Los Angeles, California, mixed by Matt Thorne & mastered by Lance V. It comes packaged in an 8 page booklet with a full set of lyrics. This CD is silver pressed, officially licensed from Paul Shortino, Amir Derakh and Matt Thorne and is exclusively available from the DDR Music Group. Get your copy today!

This album is available as a full album download through Bandcamp.

Paul Shortino ego much? What about when he sang for Quiet Riot? No Kevin DuBrow no Quiet Riot?

And "Without saying a word" - pshaw.

Good freaking gravy.


I used to be proud of the music I listened to - but this is ridiculous....

[Tawmis]

I was going through my music library - and found a demo of a local San Diego band called BIBLE BLACK, that had great potential (back then) - but the metal scene was so flooded with so many bands.

I dug up the flyer my friend had found in his garage, that I'd scanned - and decided to put it on Youtube.

[Rath Darkblade]

I previously mentioned bands using their band names when the band splits previously in this thread...

This one... takes the cake.

...

Paul Shortino ego much? What about when he sang for Quiet Riot? No Kevin DuBrow no Quiet Riot?

And "Without saying a word" - pshaw.

Good freaking gravy.

I used to be proud of the music I listened to - but this is ridiculous....

I'm sorry I missed this. It's hilarious.

I know you probably know this already, but it deserves to be said: music is all about collaboration. You won't get very far in the music business (or anywhere!) on your own. I don't care how talented you are; if you have an attitude like that, no-one will want to make music with you. And you go touring or make any music by yourself.

Picture Elvis without the members of his group (or backup singers). John without Paul, George or Ringo. Or Bono without The Edge, Larry Mullen and Adam Clayton. I rest my case, m'lud.

Speaking of ego and how it can destroy bands -- just think of how Guns 'n Roses ended up, because of competing egos (mostly Axl Rose's). Again, I rest my case.

There's a reason I like "Weird Al" Yankovic, by the way. Sure, he's a talented musician and all -- but he also comes across a genuinely nice guy, and he and his band have stayed together since they formed up in the late 70s. They're all talented musicians (each of them plays multiple instruments), they respect each other's talent, and just get along. No fights (at least, nothing that's gone public), and nothing for the gossip columnists to talk about. *snerk* Sorry!

[Tawmis]

I know you probably know this already, but it deserves to be said: music is all about collaboration. You won't get very far in the music business (or anywhere!) on your own. I don't care how talented you are; if you have an attitude like that, no-one will want to make music with you. And you go touring or make any music by yourself.
Picture Elvis without the members of his group (or backup singers). John without Paul, George or Ringo. Or Bono without The Edge, Larry Mullen and Adam Clayton. I rest my case, m'lud.
Speaking of ego and how it can destroy bands -- just think of how Guns 'n Roses ended up, because of competing egos (mostly Axl Rose's). Again, I rest my case.
There's a reason I like "Weird Al" Yankovic, by the way. Sure, he's a talented musician and all -- but he also comes across a genuinely nice guy, and he and his band have stayed together since they formed up in the late 70s. They're all talented musicians (each of them plays multiple instruments), they respect each other's talent, and just get along. No fights (at least, nothing that's gone public), and nothing for the gossip columnists to talk about. *snerk* Sorry!

I mean, some went on to do solo careers (Paul from Beetles) and did well. But they have music/lyric writers working for them.
(And ironically, GnR is back together and touring)

And yes, Weird Al is awesome, but even 95% of his library is not his own. He's literally parodying other people's music - so he's already got the music sample part down (with some modifications) - and then just creating funny lyrics, by a pre-existing set of lyrics. But again, he has his own originals on every album - which, often times (for me) tend to be the worse of it - with the wild exception of "One More Minute (With You)" which is such an incredible song because of how over the top it is.

But yes, I despise anyone in a band who's ego gets in front of them.

Which is happening a lot in Heavy Metal. Guys who never did much, because music was their career, and burned all their money; and need to keep making money by living off an old band's name.