2014: From a Music Drought to a Rocking Year

Happy New Year! Reflecting back on 2014, it was a rare year for me. Despite travelling a fair bit I never actually left the United States (I re-explored a number of states and got as far as Alaska to tick off all 50 US states). It has been many years since I stayed in only one country for…

These Boots Are Made For Rockin’

In regards to live music, 2013 was a great year for me. The year started out with some gigs in Australia then when I came back to America I saw shows all over the country and even popped up to Toronto in Canada to catch some shows. The following are the major acts I saw…

Black Sabbath – North American Tour 2013 (Austin, Texas)

What better place to see the most influential heavy metal band in music history, Black Sabbath play than Austin, Texas aka “Music City“? The current North American tour line up is Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi (guitar legend), Geezer Butler (the bass players bass player!) and Tommy Clufetos (drums – he normally plays in Ozzy’s solo band) – basically the original…

Old Bridge Metal Militia Reunion Concert featuring Twisted Sister and More!

Old Bridge is a town in New Jersey that was the heartland for the metal scene on the east coast of the USA in the 1980s. The Metal Militia helped out up and coming metal bands back in those days. They would give them a place to stay and get them to play gigs in…

Lizzy Borden – 30 Years of American Metal Tour 2013

I got to go back in time somewhat this week. The setting could have been 1985. On Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood, California hanging out in the famed bars and clubs of the strip such as The Rainbow Bar & Grill (alas no Lemmy) and Whisky a Go Go. These were the epicentre of LA metal back in the…

Black Sabbath “13” is almost upon us! \m/ (>.<)\m/

On the 11-11-11 Black Sabbath announced with much excitement their long-awaited reunion with the original members – Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward. A world tour and new album were to follow (the first studio album with this lineup since 1978’s Never Say Die). Unfortunately due to contractual issues Bill pulled out of the reunion,…

Scream for me Seattle!!! Iron Maiden’s Gonna Get You! \m/(>.<)\m/

I have loved the music of Iron Maiden since I was a teenager – soaring lyrics, powerful guitar riffs and beating drums are a call to arms for all Maiden fans. They led the charge of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM)  in the 1980’s and Iron Maiden are still going as strong as ever! I have seen…

Slash & Duff together again….oh so briefly for Apocalyptic Love!

July 13th, 2012 Legendary guitarist Slash rolled into Seattle on Friday the 13th, featuring Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators as part of their Apocalyptic Love Tour. There was no bad luck on this night though as their performance in front of a packed and enthusiastic crowd was brilliant! They played a mix of Slash/Myles Kennedy…

Blitzkrieg of the Metal Guitar Gods! \m/(>.<)\m/

What a week! 3 shows, 2 German ex- Scorpions guitar gods and Anvil the forefathers of thrash metal! February 15th, 2012 ULI JON ROTH  “21st Century Renaissance Artist“ Legendary guitarist and singer Uli Jon Roth from Germany was an early contributor to neo classical heavy metal and he is the inventor of the Sky Guitar (which has extra frets and…

Ghost! \m/(>.<)\m/

January 30th, 2012 Sorry if you thought this might be a post on some supernatural being……. Supernatural no, sinister looking and creepy yes…….that is what Sweden’s melodic heavy metal band Ghost is all about. Their identities are unknown and the band members go by the collective of “Nameless Ghouls“. All band members wear heavy hooded monk…

Steel Panther – Oh So Dirty, Oh So Rockin’ Good! \m/(>.<)\m/

NOTE: if you are easily offended, don’t like swearing and do not have a slightly twisted sense of humour, I recommend you DO NOT read any further (or at least do not click on the links)….for the rest of you, enjoy! Steel Panther “the hottest band out of Hollywood since Motley Crue, Guns N’ Roses and…

Y&T Rocks Metal Madness!!!! \m/(>.<)\m/

Metal Madness! In 1985 as a 14 year old, one of my most prized possessions was a double cassette tape titled “Metal Madness“. It was compiled by well know Australian music historian, journalist and sometime band manager/promoter Glenn A. Baker). The album was the perfect snapshot of nearly all that was good in hard rock/hair…