Hi guys, just a quick note to let you know that House of Hairspray isn't dead, it's just on temporary hiatus.
The reason for this is that in late September I migrated from my native New Zealand to live in the United States (my fiancee is American). We're currently living with family so I don't have the time or space necessary to work on the blog, but hopefully that situation will be changing soon. Until then, rock on!
Monday, November 14, 2016
Friday, September 9, 2016
50SHR #50: Full Blown Mosey (Wyoming)
50 STATES OF HARD ROCK #50: WYOMING
Release: Temporal Cadence
Year: 2008
Line-up: Kirk Warren (vocals, bass), Rocky Harting (lead guitar), Greg Scott (rhythm guitar), Dale Ortega (drums).
Track Listing:
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Fletchanator's
comment: Closing out this countdown is Wyoming-based melodic hard rock band Full Blown Mosey. Finding a hair metal/hard rock band from this sparsely-populated country music-loving state was no easy task, so thank goodness for these guys!This is the debut (and so far only) album by Full Blown Mosey. Although it was released in 2008 it doesn't have that "modern melodic rock" sound that a lot of 2000s releases have - it sounds like it could very easily have been recorded in 1990.
The band list influences as varied as Black Sabbath, KISS and Rush, and you can actually hear all of that in their sound. On songs like Berserker they sound like melodic heavy metal, while on songs like Crazy Desire and Fast Moving Shadow they have a 1980s KISS hard rock sound. And there's moments of prog rock influences in there, although thankfully not a lot.
Singer Kirk Warren doesn't have the strongest voice, but guitarist Rocky Harting makes up for it with some kickass guitar licks. Sadly drummer Dale Ortega died during the making of the album, which is dedicated to his memory.
Temporal Cadence is a solid low budget indy release and definitely worth checking out!
50SHR #49: Dizzy Lane (Wisconsin)
50 STATES OF HARD ROCK #49: WISCONSIN
Release: It Ain't Easy
Year: 1990
Line-up: Scott Williams (vocals, guitar), Nick Summers (guitar), Brian Lemay (bass), Rob E Dee (drums)
Track Listing:
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Fletchanator's
comment: The penultimate entry in our 50 States of Hard Rock countdown comes to us from the city of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, home of obscure melodic hard rock band Dizzy Lane. Formed in 1988, they sold around 3000 copies of this, their debut album. Five years later they released a second album, Cheap Thrills, which goes for big money if you can get your hands on it.The band most people compare Dizzy Lane to is Enuff Z'Nuff, mainly due to Scott Williams' voice sounding a lot like Chip Z'Nuff. Overall their sound is a bit glam, a bit sleazy and a whole lot of great hard rock guitar licks. This album won't necessarily blow you away, but it's good stuff and it's as rare as hen's teeth so check it out!
Wednesday, September 7, 2016
50SHR #47: Bloodgood (Washington)
50 STATES OF HARD ROCK #47: WASHINGTON
Release: Rock in a Hard Place
Year: 1988
Line-up: Les Carlson (vocals), David Zaffiro (guitars), Michael Bloodgood (bass), Mark Welling (drums).
Track Listing:
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Bloodgood formed in 1985 and released a demo that same year. Full-length albums quickly followed in 1986 and 1987, portraying a distinctly melodic heavy metal sound. But for this, their third album, Bloodgood changed to a more radio-friendly AOR/hard rock sound.
Singer Les Carlsen sounds a lot like Steve Perry, so Journey is the best comparison I can make for Bloodgood. They don't have the standout hits that band did, but this album is definitely a good listen - guitarist David Zaffiro (who later joined fellow Christian rockers Whitecross) shows some good axemanship.
After a further two studio albums and three live releases, Bloodgood called it quits in 1994. However, they got back together in 2006 and released a new album in 2013 called Dangerously Close, which features Stryper's Oz Fox on guitar (replacing Zaffiro).
Monday, September 5, 2016
50SHR #45: 8084 (Vermont)
50 STATES OF HARD ROCK #45: VERMONT
Release: Eight Oh Eight Four
Year: 1987
Line-up: Randy Smith (vocals), Andre Maquera (guitars), Frank Barnes (bass), Gary Spaulding (drums), Charles Hawthorne (keyboards)
Track Listing:
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Fletchanator's
comment: The band 8084 formed in Burlington, Vermont in 1982 and toured the northeast for a few years before recording this, their debut album, which was released on vinyl in Europe through Dutch label Semaphore Records.In 1987 they won the Rock Search International competition in Canada and throughout the rest of the 80s and 90s 8084 continued to tour North America while working with the likes of Aldo Nova and Richie Valens. They released two more albums in the early 90s and have also put out a couple more in the 2000s. 8084 continue to play together to this day, albeit as a quartet - keyboardist Charles Hawthorne sadly died in a car crash on Christmas Eve 1989 and Smith took over keyboards after that.
This album is excellent pomp rock/AOR in the style of Honeymoon Suite, Journey and Night Ranger. Highly recommended if you like that kind of music!
50SHR #44: Starbreaker (Utah)
50 STATES OF HARD ROCK #44: UTAH
Release: Love's Dying Wish
Year: 2008
Line-up: Tony Harnell (vocals), Magnus Karlsson (guitars), Jonni Lightfoot (bass), John Macaluso (drums).
Track Listing:
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Fletchanator's
comment: Okay, so Starbreaker aren't actually from Utah, but bassist Jonni Lightfoot is one of the state's most prolific musicians and I wanted to include something featuring him. Lightfoot was originally in a Salt Lake City hair metal band called Skit Skat in the 1990s, but sadly I've been unable to lay my hands on a copy of their work. He was also with soft-rockers Air Supply from 2001 until recently, but their music doesn't really fit on this blog. So Starbreaker it is!A side-project of former TNT and (blink and you'll miss it) Skid Row vocalist Tony Harnell, Starbreaker has released two albums so far (the first featuring a different bassist). Joining Harnell and Lightfoot are Harnell's TNT bandmate Macaluso on drums and guitarist Magnus Karlsson, who has worked a lot with Norwegian singer Jorn Lande.
Love's Dying Wish has that typical modern sound - well-polished, lots of harmonies - and unfortunately like a lot of 2000s releases the guitar gets lost in the mix, resulting in some of the songs sounding more akin to Evanesence than classic hair metal. But Harnell is a great singer and there is enough good hard rockin' material here to make it a worthwhile listen.
Sunday, September 4, 2016
50SHR #43: Lix (Texas)
50 STATES OF HARD ROCK #43: TEXAS
Release: Lix
Year: 1988
Line-up: Paul "Turk" Henry (vocals), Tony Marsh (guitars), Bruce Adams (guitars), Stacey Shew (bass), Mike Reiner (drums).
Track Listing:
| 1. | Out On The Street | |
| 2. | Be What You Want To Be | |
| 3. | On Hold | |
| 4. | Overdrive | |
| 5. | Angelaine | |
| 6. | Witchlein (Tommyknockers) | |
| 7. | Want Me Love Me | |
| 8. | (She's So Nice) Long Way Home | |
| 9. | Guardians | |
| 10. | All The Way | |
| 11. | On The Radio |
Fletchanator's
comment: This band hailed from the self-claimed "Rose Capital of the World", Tyler Texas, but its roots were also firmly in Middle Earth. That's because Lix started out as Hobbit, a 1970s fantasy rock band with lyrics about Tolkien-esque adventures. But by the mid-80s Hobbit had "broken up" and the members adopted the name Lix, changing their sound to a more radio-friendly style of hard rock and recording this one album, before eventually returning to the Hobbit name.Another self release, this album understandably has sub-par production values. But if you can look past the poor sound quality, you'll find a fairly decent 80s hair metal band. Singer Henry sounds an awful lot like KISS's Paul Stanley, making that band's Animalize/Asylum-era the most obvious comparison, with bits and pieces of Quiet Riot and Twisted Sister in the mix.
50SHR #42: Lust (Tennessee)
50 STATES OF HARD ROCK #42: TENNESSEE
Release: Lust
Year: 1985
Line-up: David Bush (vocals), Ken Kennedy (guitars), Kurt Menck (guitars), Mike Easlo (bass), John Ulinger (drums).
Track Listing:
| 1. | Hooker | 05:22 | |
| 2. | Nites Are Lonely | 05:23 | |
| 3. | We're Gonna Come Gunnin' | 03:47 | |
| 4. | Don't Say It's Over | 03:58 | |
| 5. | You Can't Rape the Willing | 03:44 | |
The sound quality on this regional release is not great, but the music makes up for it. With driving heavy metal guitars and drums, mixed with melodic vocals, Lust will appeal most to fans of bands like WASP, Riot, Accept and Lizzy Borden.
Thursday, September 1, 2016
50SHR #41: Zion (South Dakota)
50 STATES OF HARD ROCK #41: SOUTH DAKOTA
Release: Thunder From The Mountain
Year: 1989
Line-up: Rex Scott (vocals, rhythm guitar), David Moore (lead guitar), Marlin Saner (bass), Tommy Bozung (drums).
Track Listing:
1. Who Pulls the Strings 04:27
2. Kick in the Gates 03:18
3. Is It a Crime 05:28
4. Help Me 03:10
5. Thrillseeker 03:17
6. Sold You a Lie 04:23
7. Roll the Rock 03:46
8. Less of Me 04:32
9. He Loves You 03:51
Fletchanator's
comment: The names of this band and album, coupled with the LP cover art, are clues to Zion's driving force. This Christian rock band was formed in Sioux Falls, South Dakota in 1981. They underwent a few line-up changes - including Rex Scott moving from behind the drumkit to take over lead vocals and rhythm guitar - and released a handful of singles and demos before getting their big break and heading to Seattle to record this album.Unfortunately that big break never amounted to much. The story goes that the record label push they were promised instead went to fellow Christian rockers Holy Soldier and soon after Scott left to front the band X-Sinner. By 1992 Zion had called it quits, although they had a reunion in the early 2000s and Retrospect Records released a compilation of old material in 2007.
Whether you're Christian or not, you owe it to yourself to check it out as it's simply awesome melodic hard rock. Their sound reminds me of a mix of Quiet Riot, Sammy Hagar, KISS and Firehouse. Check it out!
50SHR #40: Mainiax (South Carolina)
50 STATES OF HARD ROCK #40: SOUTH CAROLINA
Release: Boys Night Out
Year: 1986
Line-up: Don Garrison (vocals), Richie Smith (guitars), Tony Ray (bass), James the Bulldozer (drums).
Track Listing:
Fletchanator's
comment: Mainiax, a heavy metal band from Spartanburg, South Carolina, were active from 1981 until 1990 and released just this one album, Boys Night Out.Mainiax can best be described as traditional heavy metal, but they have enough melodic flourishes to warrant inclusion on this blog. Everything from Deep Purple to Dio and Dokken can be heard in their sound. Singer Garrison shrieks like Rob Halford one moment and sings more melodically the next - his voice isn't super strong but it does the job. What You See Is What You Get is the most "melodic hard rock" of the tracks and as such is my favourite on the album. The Witching Hour is another great song, mixing creepy Addams Family-esque keyboards with a nice guitar riff.
I can't rave about this album but it's a good listen, especially if you're in the mood for some heavy metal to break up your sleaze and glam playlist.
50SHR #39: Blindside Thunder (Rhode Island)
50 STATES OF HARD ROCK #39: RHODE ISLAND
Release: 100 Proof
Year: 2015
Line-up: John E Wilde (vocals, rhythm guitar), Mike "Gunslinger" Green (lead guitar), Double D (bass), Andy K (drums).
Track Listing:
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Fletchanator's
comment: For the past two years, Rhode Island-based Blindside Thunder have been nominated for Metal Act of the Year in the New England Music Awards. Despite that fact though, you shouldn't go into this album expecting to hear metal. Blindside Thunder - or BST as they refer to themselves - lie somewhere between rock and hard rock with a blues influence.100 Proof is BST's third album and it's full of the kind of music you'd expect to hear playing in a dive bar with a line-up of Harleys parked outside. The lyrics are predictably about women (Takes My Breath Away), drinking (Tequila) or being rebellious (Rebel Revolution). Their sound is tight though and the production is good, so if you dig this kind of music I recommend checking it out.
Monday, August 29, 2016
50SHR #38: April Fool (Pennsylvania)
50 STATES OF HARD ROCK #38: PENNSYLVANIA
Release: Playin' to Win
Year: 1989
Line-up: Dave Stradling (vocals), George Smith (guitars), Rob Lombardi (bass), Walt Kaye (drums).
Track Listing:
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Fletchanator's
comment: April Fool are yet another example of a good band who gained traction in their home area but never cracked it on the national stage. They came out of the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania music scene that also produced Cinderella and Britny Fox - in fact that second band would play a part in the creation and destruction of April Fool.April Fool was formed out of the ashes of a band called World War 3, which among their members had included both "Dizzy" Dean Davidson and Johnny Dee, who of course would later form Britny Fox. After a number of line-up changes, April Fool recorded a four-track EP in 1988 and began building a strong following in the clubs of the tri-state area. In 1989 they went into the studio to record this, their only full-length album, and things really seemed to be looking good for the band.
This is where Britny Fox comes back into the picture. Later in 1989 Dizzy Dean quit that band and April Fool singer Dave Stradling saw an opportunity to become Britny Fox's new vocalist. He quit April Fool to audition for them, but of course that gig went to Tommy Paris, aka Don Jillson from Jillson. April Fool brought in a new singer but never really regained their momentum and, coupled with the changing music landscape, called it quits in the early 90s.
This is the 2014 reissue of the original cassette-only Playin' to Win with two bonus tracks from the 1988 EP. It's good stuff - glammy hard rock in the vein of Poison and Warrant. If you've never heard this band you need to check them out!
50SHR #37: Black 'n Blue (Oregon)
50 STATES OF HARD ROCK #37: OREGON
Release: Without Love
Year: 1985
Line-up: Jaime St James (vocals), Tommy Thayer (guitars), Jef Warner (guitars), Patrick Young (bass), Pete Holmes (drums)
Track Listing:
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Fletchanator's
comment: I've already shared the 1984 debut album of Portland, Oregon rockers Black 'n Blue on this blog (find it here), and here now is their second release from a year later. While it doesn't have a "hit" on par with the debut's Hold On To 18, I'd argue that this album is better overall. Their sound went slightly downhill after this (with Tommy Thayer's future KISS bandmate Gene Simmons taking over production), so this is their best album in my opinion.The sound on Without Love is definitely quite poppy. Lyrics were never Black 'n Blue's strongpoint, but who cares because they're all about partying and having fun. I liken their overall sound on this album to what Trixter did in the early 90s - lightweight catchy melodic hard rock.
Highly recommended if you need a pick-me-up, because you can't help but smile as you listen to this album.
Sunday, August 28, 2016
50SHR #36: Erotic Suicide (Oklahoma)
50 STATES OF HARD ROCK #36: OKLAHOMA
Release: Abusement Park
Year: 1993
Line-up: Rachal Rose (vocals), Kyle St Clair (guitars), Stephan Lauren (guitars), Leslie Kane Blak (bass), DD Rose (drums).
Track Listing:
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Fletchanator's
comment: Erotic Suicide are a prime example of a talented band who came along too late in the piece to get any real success. By 1993, when this debut album came out, the writing was already on the wall for their brand of sleazy glam hard rock. They did release a second album in 1998 and I've heard they were recently working on new material, but Oklahoma City's Erotic Suicide are largely a footnote in hard rock history.It's a shame because like I said, they are talented. Their sound is straight up Sunset Strip sleaze, mixing the likes of Poison, Faster Pussycat and Motley Crue. It's fast, it's full of attitude and singer Rachal Rose has that sleazy rasp to his voice. Definitely recommended for fans of the aforementioned bands and all other LA sleaze metal.
Saturday, August 27, 2016
50SHR #35: Love Gunn (Ohio)
50 STATES OF HARD ROCK #35: OHIO
Release: Bad Love for Sale
Year: 1987
Line-up: Doug Savage (vocals), Steve Dematteo (lead guitar, keyboards), Dave Maraffa (rhythm guitar), Don Ritterer (bass), Mike Hauger (drums).
Track Listing:
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Fletchanator's
comment: From Columbus, Ohio - the hometown of my fiancee Heather - comes glam hard rock band Love Gunn and their rare five-track EP Bad Love for Sale.Love Gunn's sound mixes the likes of Cinderella, Bon Jovi and early Def Leppard. Singer Doug Savage's voice is raspy and raw, like Def Lep's Joe Elliot mixed with Dizzy Dean from Britny Fox, but won't be to everyone's liking as it misses the mark at times. Interestingly he loses the rasp for the last track, Too Late, which is a ballad.
The members of Love Gunn have stayed active in the Ohio music scene through the years, with Doug Savage playing with the bands Evil X and Pink Velvet Krush and Steve Dematteo with Bone Tonic and The Godz (not the New York band).
This slice of rare small-town hair metal should be a welcome addition to any collection.
Wednesday, August 24, 2016
50SHR #34: Hollywood Trix (North Dakota)
50 STATES OF HARD ROCK #34: NORTH DAKOTA
Release: Hollywood Trix
Year: 1987
Line-up: Gary Smith (vocals), Nate Woolsey (guitars), Bill Crawford (guitars), Jason Forsberg (bass), Ross Cariveau (drums).
Track Listing:
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Fletchanator's
comment: If the name of this band isn't a clear indication of their sound, once you start playing the album and the sounds of a woman, um, thoroughly enjoying herself, hits the speakers there's no doubt. Despite being from the decidedly un-rock'n'roll town of Grand Forks, North Dakota, Hollywood Trix ooze pure Sunset Strip sleaze.On this (as far as I know their only album) Hollywood Trix do their best impersonation of the big LA bands of the time - Motley Crue, Ratt, LA Guns, Guns 'N Roses etc. While they don't reach the level of any of those outfits, it's still pretty good stuff, especially if you're a fan of sleazy glam metal and are looking for a new band to listen to.
50SHR #33: Blind Taxi (North Carolina)
50 STATES OF HARD ROCK #33: NORTH CAROLINA
Release: Blind Taxi
Year: 1987
Line-up: Rod Honeycutt (vocals), Chris Manley (guitars), Larry Tobias (guitars), Chuck Lilly (bass), Brian Hall (keyboards), Bert Voswinkel (drums)
Track Listing:
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Fletchanator's
comment: Blind Taxi was originally formed out of high school in Charlotte, North Carolina under the name Detour. By 1987 they'd undergone a number of line-up changes and recorded their only release, this five-track self-released EP, which reportedly was financed by the drummer's father.Blind Taxi's sound can best be described as AOR or melodic hard rock, mixing keyboards and harmonies with the odd rockin' guitar solo. They don't have the pomp of a lot of 80s AOR acts, preferring a straight-ahead rock approach - more Loverboy than Styx.
There's nothing here that'll blow you away, but it's a solid indy release. The best track is I Still Want You.
Tuesday, August 23, 2016
50SHR #32: Hittman (New York)
50 STATES OF HARD ROCK #32: NEW YORK
Release: Hittman
Year: 1988
Line-up: Dirk Kennedy (vocals), John Kristen (guitars), Michael Buccell (bass), Chuck Korry (drums)
Track Listing:
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Fletchanator's
comment: The easy choice for this state would be big name bands like Twisted Sister or Danger Danger, but instead I've chosen an obscure Big Apple band by the name of Hittman, who released two albums - this one and 1993's Viva Machine - before folding in 1994.Hittman's sound is a mix of hard rock and melodic heavy metal. At their most heavy you can hear influences from traditional heavy metal bands (aka Leatherwolf, Lizzy Borden, Raven etc) and the not-so-heavy stuff is akin to Dokken. Singer Dirk Kennedy has a majestic voice, sounding a lot like Geoff Tate from Queensryche and Midnight from Crimson Glory. The sound isn't as progressive as either of those bands, but if you took Tate or Midnight (R.I.P.) and had them sing for a band made up of Dokken and Raven members you'd have a good comparison with Hittman. Needless to say it's excellent stuff!
50SHR #31: Femme Fatale (New Mexico)
50 STATES OF HARD ROCK #31: NEW MEXICO
Release: Femme Fatale
Year: 1988
Line-up: Lorraine Lewis (vocals), Bill D'Angelo (lead guitar), Mazzi Rawd (guitar, keyboards), Rick Rael (bass), Bobby Murray (drums).
Track Listing:
| 1. | Waiting for the Big One | |
| 2. | Falling in and Out of Love | |
| 3. | My Baby's Gun | |
| 4. | Back in Your Arms Again | |
| 5. | Rebel | |
| 6. | Fortune and Fame | |
| 7. | Touch and Go | |
| 8. | If | |
| 9. | Heat the Fire | |
| 10. | Cradle's Rockin' |
Fletchanator's
comment: Female-fronted melodic hard rock outfit Femme Fatale originally formed in Albuquerque, New Mexico before moving to Los Angeles and releasing this, their debut album. A second album was recorded in 1989, but never released, although there has been talking of it being released in the near future.Sadly guitarist Bill D'Angelo passed away in 2006, reportedly of a drug overdose. Bassist Rael, Lewis' brother, was at last report working for Budweiser back in Albuquerque, while Mazzi Rawd - Lewis' ex-husband - is apparently some kind of doctor under his real name, Cliff Lewis.
Today Femme Fatale is back together in name only, with Lorraine Lewis putting together an all-female line-up which includes Courtney Cox (not the actress) from The Iron Maidens and Athena Lee (sister of Motley Crue's Tommy Lee). This line-up released an album, One More For the Road, earlier this year. As well as performing with Femme Fatale, Lewis also produces a Canadian reality TV show called "Ex-wives of Rock".
Back to their debut album, we get a brand of melodic hard rock with female vocals, akin to Vixen, Chrissy Steele, Lita Ford and the like, while Lewis' voice has a Pat Benatar quality to it. If you like any of the aforementioned artists you'll dig this.
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