Guitars Stolen from Public Storage in Gardena, CA - April 2019

GLAMBONE IS CALLING OUT FOR YOUR HELP!!!

Some time between March 30th and April 2nd, the Public Storage unit in Gardena, CA belonging to Kenward Cooper was broken into, 3 of his prized guitars were stolen. The Gretsch guitars (White Falcon II, and Anniversary Model Two-tone Smoke Green) are the instruments he uses on all his music projects - as seen in the Soft Open video for 'My Favorite Records.' 

The Gibson L50 acoustic in particular belonged to his father and is the one thing in his possession to carry him forward with after he’s gone.

We are grateful for NBC News for covering this story. Please share on every social media platform you possibly can to help recover these irreplaceable instruments!!!

Forward any information you have to Kenward or the Los Angeles Police Department:

Kenward/Attn: Glambone
glambone@hotmail.com

Harbor Station Police Dept

(310) 726-7700

Kenward of Soft Open interviewed by Jimmy Thrill 2019

Look What The Cat Dragged In, Gentlemen Take Polaroids, Suede, these records normally don’t belong in the same collection. They do if your moniker is Soft Open, and the single/video is called “My Favorite Records.” It’s only music, and music is a mood, and this single celebrates influences and inspirations. Take a bow.

Who is Soft Open you might ask? This is not my beautiful house, this is not my beautiful wife. How did I get here? Or how did Glambone? Long before this podcast/blog I was a kid in the city of Vegas getting my American kix off with weekly trips to the record shop, buying every LP and magazine in sight, until I started my own called Rockstar. Oh, and Mark Slaughter was my guitar teacher.

Jimmy Thrill knows Rockstar Magazine. He was featured in it. Throughout the years we’ve become bros. In this interview we turn the mic around and Jimmy asks me the questions. Stories and facts you may not have known. The slyest rhymes, the sharpest suits, in miracles made real.

From the zine, to my own bands, and projects along the way.  Listen to the interview by
clicking here.

GLAMBONE!

softopen.net

Soft Open

New Year for new music. Check out the single "My Favorite Records" by Soft Open.
Produced by Rick Parker, and featuring Michael Lockwood on guitar. The closest thing
to a Lions & Ghosts reunion you're gonna get!

Watch the video here, guest starring
Charlie Overbey. :)           

How many of your favorite records can you spot?

Download available on iTunes.

PBF

Great to see these guys after so long. Pretty Boy Floyd, last night in Pasadena.

Party In Hollywood/Blackboard Jungle reunion 6/1/18

Just having a good time. Blackboard Jungle giving Hollywood rockers a reason to reminisce and party on the Sunset Strip like it was 1989. The band conducted its annual show at Viper Room on Friday, June 1st, 2018.  Swingin' Thing did the opening honors and performed all the faves you'd expect, "Groove Of Love," "Let's Do It With The Lights On."
Blackboard took stage with its finest gem, Kenny raising the question of what he might've found - if he went to Chicago. The answer, it doesn't matter, you found it in Hollywood man - friends that have your back and a band that people support and love. Some LA scenesters made guests appearances, Dazzle from Stars From Mars joined the band on stage. Later in the night, Charlie Overbey who you all know from BBB did a country-esque version of Bon Jovi's "Bed Of Roses," that only Charlie can pull off.

A stellar night, two great bands continuing the tradition, and keeping Sunset Strip alive.
























GLAMBONE!

GBThrills2018 - Interview with Jimmy Thrill

Some bands leave a mark, some continue to. Jimmy thrill is a brother, someone I relate to. He keeps going, keeps finding ways to do new things, and acheive goals. No one is gonna tell him different. You know it when you see it, and the first time I saw Jimmy was when I was a young teen visiting L.A. and just starting to do Rockstar Magazine. A trip to British Imports Rock and a number of records stores on Hollywood Blvd., I picked up my first copy of LA Rocks. Of course all of these shops were littered with flyers and street rags of bands playing the Strip. As a kid and a music lover, I was blown away at how many bands existed in one city. In those pages, one guy in particularly really stood out. That guy for me was Jimmy Thrill, and its because it wasn’t put on, his hair wasn’t sprayed up ten miles high, he wasn’t over doing any of it, instead, it came across authentically. Cool as can be.

I was fortunate to be there at that time and saw his band Rattlesnake Shake at The Roxy, on a bill with Electric Angels and Faster Pussycat. I bootlegged that show, tape recorder in pocket, because I knew I was going to capture something great.  The moment happened as soon as the band launched into “Shooting Daggers.” That song still fucking rocks today. And boy was Jimmy a performer.

Throughout the years we’ve gotten to be good friends. We’ve talked many times about doing projects together - start a record label, produce bands, make movies.

A number of years ago, I told Jimmy I had written a screenplay, without missing a beat he said “I’ve written one too, send me yours I’ll send mine.” Next thing I know, Jimmy was on a plane, and we met in Vegas.  We hung out poolside, trading stories. Fast forward a couple years , a couple screenplays later, and I had optioned a script and in the pursuit of trying to attach A List talent to the project. The status remained at a stand still.

Meanwhile, Jimmy was plotting away. He said to me one day “fuck it, I’m just gonna get a camera and do it my way.” And he did. He’s a hustler.

When his film was complete, I was one of the first people Jimmy sent the movie to, to screen before anyone else.

The result is a highly enjoyable rock n roll ride. Think of those after hours, midnight flics.

What’s it about - essentially it’s kinda about Jimmy’s life, but if he had made it in the  80’s. A rockstar trying to make a comeback, but totally out of sync with the times. It tackles the absurdities of fame, addictions. But for all its rock n roll swagger, it is not misogynistic. There’s comedy relief, and kick ass music. In the end, you’re rooting for his character Jonny Coyle to make that comeback. In real life, I’m rooting for my friend Jimmy to get this film sold.

“Shooting Daggers,” his epic Rattlesnake Shake song finds its way into the story as the defining song of Jonny Coyle’s career. Thrill sees the humor, he can poke fun at himself. Off The Record is also about guys our age that are still fucking creative and have the drive for adventure.

Listen to the adventure here in this all new podcast interview with Jimmy.

GLAMBONE!

Starcrawler - Record Release at Amoeba Music 1/11/18

You know the days of stumbling across a flyer or poster of a band and thinking twice about it seem few and far between these days. It takes a lot to garner a second look,
and then again it can be so simple. It was only last week I was in Amoeba Music on
Sunset Blvd. On the way out I noticed the poster advertising their in-store performance/
record release for the week ahead. It wasn’t any impressive artwork or over the top image of the band that was displayed on that particular promotional material, but yet it was enough to have me make a mental note to look it up on my phone later that night.
I had a hunch, and I was right. Much in the same way of how as a kid I would have
certain instincts when it came to picking out records. Ironic how the members of Starcrawler appear to be kids. I’m sure they have their drivers license.
So, the first thing I actually looked up was on YouTube, their video for a song off their debut on Rough Trade titled “I Love LA.” The clip captured excitement, I like them already. All the more reason to learn a bit more. I then find out Ryan Adams produced the record. Now I like them more. I then watch a live performance, and singer Arrow de Wilde is like a crazed mix of Iggy Pop meets Alice Cooper. Now I’m sold.
I caught the band’s record release show at Amoeba this evening. The guys in the band are on stage, while some dude ushers  Arrow up the aisle like she’s just
escaped from the loony bin, straightjacket included. She’s spaztic, as is guitarist Henri Cash, who emits his own demonic expressions. Arrow however seems more possessed. And I swear she has the longest arms you’ve ever seen.
Purchase of the record came with a 7” of “I Love LA.” Another gold star for the band for having its B-side produced by Steve McDonald of Redd Kross.
Los Angeles hasn’t had a band to champion since ages ago. Its about time the city gave birth to something exciting and in your face again. Starcrawler is that.

L.A. Guns, Faster Pussycat, Joey C. Jones - New Years Eve at The Whisky

To the ol’ stomping grounds we go. I hadn’t been back to The Whisky since 1991. New Years Eve, being back in L.A., good friends, and rock ‘n roll gave me all the more reasons to put to bed a not so great year, and welcome in 2018 with fun & celebration.

Joey C. Jones remembers his Sweet Savage days on the Strip, as do I. They were stars, he still is. The nights set was his solo band ripping through a fast pace of uptempos. Closing it out with “Wait All Night” from his Gloryhounds record, and an appropriate cover of the Slade classic “When The Lights Are Out.” Joey is always at his best when the pop melodies shimmer. We also caught up and a new podcast interview with the man will be up later this month. Never a shortage of stories to tell.

Faster Pussycat took the stage at 10pm. Solid and sounding great. There’s something about hearing those songs live, tunes that are so familiar like “Babylon,” “Bathroom Wall,” “Slip Of The Tongue,” being delivered with that raucousness, that you can’t help but get pulled into, and enjoy every minute of it. Does Taime slither around stage like he used to? No, but even with his godfather mafioso type stature, he’s compelling.

The headliners were next, everyone excited for a new year, and for L.A. Guns to take the stairs and walk on that stage. All smiles from Phil & Tracii throughout, you could tell they were really enjoying themselves. Phil joked about when the band played The Whisky in the 1800’s. All kidding aside, he’s aged well, and still performs with the purpose of making sure you’ve had a good time. As the countdown was nearing, they played on until a minute to go. Complementary champagne flutes at the bar for those who wanted a toast. Their lady friends joining them onstage for a smooch. Of course there would be no traditional “May Old Acquaintance Be Forgot” song that you’d hear once the ball drops, so their other guitar man - Michael Grant took center to do a nice rendition of “Purple Rain” in replace of.

Much like Faster, it’s those songs like “Electric Gypsy,” “Sex Action,” that remind you of when you got into the band, and how that voice or that guitar player is its signature.
The evening for me was a nod to the past, but more about the appreciation for now.
I somehow think the bands that played this show would think the same of themselves.
Bring on the new year, rock ‘n roll my glitter gurus!

Nashville Rock N Pod Expo

Saturday, Aug 26 marked the 1st podcast expo of its kind dedicated to all things hard rock. Headed by Chris Czynszak and Aaron Camaro of 'cast Decibel Geek. The expo featured Q&A from record producers, artists, and fellow podcasters alike, including Talking Metal (pictured) and The Great Albums.  Panel discussion followed with Walter Egan, and Gunnar Nelson discussing high's and low's of their career, in which Gunnar summed up rather well with a quote from his father who once said "a career is a series of comebacks." A handful of vendors selling their used vinyl collections were also on hand to round out the Nashville RocknPod Expo. Next year... Glambone panel?

GB MARCH 2017 - Charlie Overbey

Charlie Overbey and I go way back. We
met when I was doing the magazine in my
early teens, although it was his former band
mate Keri Kelli that I first befriended, it wasn't
long after meeting the singer when we would
start to hang out quite a bit. Tracking down all
you can eat sushi buffets, or hitting up shops
on Melrose, and countless after show parties,
Charlie was always one of the coolest cats
in Hollywood to hang with.
So why didn't I tell him all these years that
I'm the guy behind Glambone? Why did Sean
Penn fuck with his brother Michael Douglas in
The Game by nearly driving him to jump off the
top of a building for his birthday present?
After a couple decades, I probably ran into
Charlie once or twice. But it wasn't until a few
weeks ago, earlier this year when I actually had
him on the phone for a proper catch up.
I was pleased to learn about the forthcoming
record. It's a collection of songs Charlie says
is his most mature and accomplished writing
to date. A preview I heard of the track "Slip
Away" features vocals from my friend and wonderful
songstress Miranda Lee Richards. Songs like
this is something Charlie pictured himself doing
when he's sixty. But the time felt right for it now,
instead of fighting it. As Charlie said, "some people
have said this record sounds like Nick Cave in
Nashville in the 70's, some people have said it
sounds like early Steve Earl, and some people said
it sounds like Charlie Overbey." One can
not argue with that. The man has found his voice.
Glambone being Glambone, of course we ask him
about his days screeching in Big Bang Babies. We
also uncover the scoop on his side business Lone
Hawk Hats.
Listen to the podcast interview here.

Glambone Facebook
Glambone Instagram

ATL Nights - Down South Playboy Playoffs

It was a rock fest in Atlanta this past weekend 1/14/17 at Star Bar. So why am I singing "at the rock fight, tonight there's gonna be a rock fight" from Cheech & Chong's Up In Smoke? It was not a battle of the bands, no - more like a celebration of bands. Billed as Down South Playboy Playoffs, of the highlights was Wyldlife from NY, emanating high energy from the get go. The band is releasing their new record this month titled "Out on Your Block." Tuk from the Biters produced it. Check out the track "Teenage Heart." You'll be glad you did.
Speaking of the man, Tuk was serving up slices of vinyl all night long, Cheap Trick, Petty, T-Rex, Plimsouls, Sweet... and on it went. He also joined the band on stage for the finale.
This is a rock n roll city. Thank you Atlanta, and goodnight.

For more photos from Glambone - click on Instagram.

And like the new Facebook page to stay up to date on all things glitter.

GBHOLIDAY2016

Look what glam dragged in. GB returns with an all new holiday episode, so unwrap this present for some surprises. We start off with the art-glam stylings of David Devant & His Spirit Wife. Circa 1996, when Suede was coming up through the trash, My Life Story were getting suited and booted, and Nancy Boy checked into the deep sleep motel. "Cookie" savors Roxy here, for your pleasure and mine.
Rewind 8 years prior to the Sunset Strip as we unearth the band SOHO. They formerly went by the name of Radio City, guess they loved NYC, and rightfully so. The band delivered their demo to me at the time, containing only two songs - "Backstreet Lover" and a gem of a ballad that you'll hear now called "Captured." Not much else is known. Maybe they changed their name to Tribeca.
Get the new podcast here.

Stay in touch with GB on these social sites only:
Instagram - Glambone's page
and
Pinterest - for more Glambone
Facebook
Also watch videos by Glambone at YouTube. 

New site still coming!

STAY GLAM

New Site Coming Soon!

GB-SPRING-2016

Joey C. Jones could have easily been one of those names spoken in the same sentence alongside Vince Neil, Bret Michaels, Jani Lane, when talking about L.A. rock n' roll frontmen.  He had all the labels approaching him and his former bands.  Enigma, Atlantic, Warners, producers like Tom Werman wanting to work with him.  His story is one of those crazy rock n' roll rides where one silly mistake or bad management led to heartache.  In this podcast he discusses the sweet little victories of Sweet Savage..."selling out 2500 seat rooms all over the Southwest just based on our promo photos" he tells us.  And how Gene Simmons was the first guy to approach them for his start up label Simmons Records.  But there are some glories along the way... co-writing and records 10 songs with Rick Neilsen and Robin Zander is not a bad thing.  Hell, it's a great thing.  And Joey is getting ready to finally release the record that's been in the vaults.  Saturday night, March 5th, Joey will have a live stream of a show featuring his band Shock Tu, playing to a 5000 capacity crowd in Texas.  Check his site for further info.  Right now, this Spring episode awaits.  Download the interview here.

GLAMBONE!

GB JAN 2016 interview with Jerry Jaffe

“There were all these great characters,” is how Jerry Jaffe describes his music industry cohorts during the 70’s & 80’s when he was A&R at Polygram, and later artist management.  Those were days when companies would hire someone based on their knowledge and passion for music, and the college music coarse requisite of today on your resume wasn’t even a blimp on your qualifications.  There’s the new HBO series Vinyl, produced by Martin Scorsese and Mick Jagger based on the record industry of that time, which depicts these characters.  So you went to Belmont, big deal, go fuck yourself.  The heart and integrity, the search for true talent, the nights out in the clubs, the makings of deals because you’d put your ass on the line for that band is something associated with the Jimmy Iovine’s, Tommy Mottola’s, Tom Werman’s, and Tom Zutaut’s of the world.  Insert Jerry Jaffe to that list.  Bon Jovi performed at his wedding.  In this podcast episode, he recounts the time Bongiovi’s demo tape was handed to him by Derek Shulman, which led to the band’s signing, in addition to Jerry’s suggestion of dropping the “g” in the name.  1984 also saw the release of one of his other signings, Candy’s “Whatever Happened To Fun.”  It’s a record he’s proud to have had a hand in.  While Jerry went on to sign acts like Jesus & Mary Chain and others, we focus more on this episode with his tenure of hard rock & glam bands.  His involvement with Kiss through 4 of their records, Danny Goldberg enlisting him in his camp in favor of the band taking the make up off, showcasing Electric Angels for Jason Flom at Atlantic, and how his other band Nancy Boy took flak for being male models.
Cut through the static and listen to this music veteran tell it how it is.  Get it here.

DOWNLOAD

Marky Ramone "Punk Rock Blitzkrieg"

Punk Rock Blitzkrieg by Marky Ramone tells the story of his journey from the burgeoning NY scene of the 70’s on through to the present.  From his early music beginnings of being signed to Neil Bogart’s first label, to Wayne County, the man who took gender bending to a whole other place.  Under the management of MainMan, Bowie’s people at the time, interesting anecdotes of how rumors went around that MainMan only kept Wayne on their roster so Bowie could knick ideas from Wayne.  When that band didn’t pan out, Marky went on to join Richard Hell & The Voidoids, who in many ways would inspire the UK punks when their Sire Records debut was released.
Once he hooked up with The Ramones, let the games begin.  Talk about a disfunctional bunch of bandmates, whether it be pulling knives on each other, stealing girlfriends, or Joey’s OCD condition, Marky tells it in a way with a ray of humour. 
His own battles with alcoholism, led to a wake up call when he was told he could no longer be in the band.  The final straw, finding himself in a furniture store, and it wasn’t to buy a new sofa.  His father’s stern words left an impact, and it was time for AA. 
His second chance at a healthy life would eventually coincide with a second chance in The Ramones. 
It’s a captivating book from a stand up guy who’s been through the high’s and low’s and has found a comfortable place on the other end of it all.  How many artists can say they recorded with Phil Spector?  How many can create a movement?  This one has lasted, influenced countless others, a musical legacy that continues to be as strong as ever.  This book is a must read for any self proclaimed music aficionado, or those wanting a history trip through the roots of punk/rock and New York City.

Xmas edition/Eric Stacy interview Dec 2015

They were the band Elektra didn’t expect to do well.  A #1 video on MTV (back when it meant something still), Top 40 single, countless tours with the big boys, Faster Pussycat left their mark.  But as colorful a ride as it was, Eric Stacy tells us in this interview tales of some rough patches, including how some band members had to take odd jobs after Whipped wasn’t able to supersede it’s previous release.  More importantly though, this was a band that came up during the last great days of the Sunset Strip.  Their singer opened up a night club, and the Cathouse would become as infamous as the band itself.  If you ever wondered what a night out with Taime and Co. was like at their hotspot, listen on and find out.  We also come closer to solving the ever present golden question... Taime as a blond vs. black.  Eric shares his thoughts on this and more.  Get it here

GLAMBONE!

Podcast episode/Free episode

GB-FALL/interview with Billy Rowe

It was Guns ‘N Roses, Poison, and Jetboy.  The Big 3.  They were leading the new wave of glam influenced rock after the previous “Big 3” Crue, Quiet Riot, Ratt opened the doors to the kingdom of hair & warpaint.  All these dudes hung out together, played shows together, competed amongst each other.  Why did one not climb as high as the other?  Billy Rowe has his thoughts about this.   As he tells us here, “fast forward 30 years later and the band is known for that mohawk.”  Was it detrimental to the band being accepted into the mainstream?  Billy sheds light on how the same people that wanted Jetboy for those reasons of being different also tried to change them.   Who could forget the image of Billy slingin’ his White Falcon over his shoulder either?  For those unaware, Mr. Rowe is the founder of his own boutique guitar company called Rock  N Roll Relics.  Prided in building and capturing the worn-in look and sound of vintage 6-strings, there’s Tele’s, Strats, and coolest of all - the Johnny Thunders TV model.  We learn more about his growing business, plans for production, as well as past and present happenings of Jetboy, right here in this podcast episode.




DOWNLOAD

Glambone says... MAKE SUM NOISE!

GB-STEVIE2015

Stevie Rachelle got his share of flak back in the day, “oh he’s just a Bret-wannabe” they would say, or that Tuff were a bunch of Poison clones.  But he always put his fist first, and never gave up.  His story is about finding a way to make what you do work.  When his style of rock wasn’t in vogue and magazines didn’t want to give him press anymore, what did he do...he thought of a way to generate his own public soundboard, and invented Metal Sludge, a website that became a community long before social media became the norm.  We discuss that and more in this interview.  When I think back, the band was always savvy in presenting themselves, whether it be hiring the best photographers of the time, or being entertaining with their telephone hotline messages, Tuff stood out among the rest.  They were dedicated.  Stevie tells us about the days of flyering the streets of L.A. from 3am til the sun came up.  The infamous Tuff Muff Mansion.  Organizing their own tours, all before the label deal came along.  He also voices out on his contemporaries or competition from the Sunset Strip era.  It’s all here in this podcast episode.


DOWNLOAD INTERVIEW


Rock me till I burn...TO THE BONE!

GB - Tuk of July (Biters interview)

BITERS are leaving their mark everywhere.  They’ve been on a steady trajectory upward and this month sees the official label release of  “Electric Blood” on Earache
Records.  In this podcast episode, Tuk tells us about his hopes and dreams and also
the realities of what comes with the territory for a band like theirs.  From the beginning, The Biters had in place what most bands simply don’t...brotherhood.  A clear unity amongst each member that is more like a gang than anything else.  Tuk expresses his
gratitude for the many that wear the band’s logo on the back of their jackets, or that’ve tatted up their skin with an emblem of the band.  These are members of an Army.  People love this band.  If you don’t already, listen here to find out why you might too.
Most of all, what comes across vividly is that Tuk himself is a huge fan of music, and not afraid to let you know just what he digs, or cockblockin’ those influences to shine through in his own songs. This band certainly has a heart fulla rock ‘n roll.  One look at their new video for "Restless Hearts" says it all, it's like watching Richard Linklater's Dazed & Confused jam packed into a 3 minute 32 second song and dance.  This is the feeling I remember having when I was a kid, seeing a band that just embodies the epitome of cool.  They've captured that spirit.  Where's the fun in rock 'n roll?  I'll tell you where, it's where The Biters are. 







BITERS interview







Git'cha bone on!