Lizzie Grey - RIP

Lizzie died just the other night...RIP.
Read Nikki's post on Instagram
Watch the video for one of his finest tunes on YouTube

The Dirt - Netflix - Motley Crue

Like an after show party on Clark St. that ends the day after, Crue week on Sirius XM is over. The Dirt has arrived.

As a kid growing up with Motley being my favorite band (1st concert I ever went to was them opening up for Kiss on the Creatures tour), the objective for me was to watch this movie at face
value without trying to scrutinize every detail of the stories and history of my own tattooed beliefs
of this band. If you're able to do that, you're in for a fun ride. The Dirt is highly entertaining and enjoyable. The film makers did a great job recreating all the periods of their career. Looks That Kill particularly looks bad ass. Sure some things are out of sequence in the timeline, such as Doc McGhee managing Kiss after Crue, not before. Or the band playing to a huge crowd for the first time was not The Forum, it was the US Festival. But so what. For the sake of movie making/story telling, it's forgivable.

Applause for giving a nod to Nikki's early band with Lizzie Grey, London. You'll find their poster on Tommy's bedroom wall, and in the narrative as well.

Sure it would've been cool to see Nikki with Blackie Lawless, as it's so colorfully depicted in the book, and give a wink to where the use of the pentagram came from. But this is something only a Cruehead would think about.

First thought of seeing Vince portrayed by Daniel Webber was this guy is playing Jeff Spicoli. As the film progresses, the actor does a good job capturing his stage antics and persona.

Music wise, love the version of Livewire sung by Meghan Kabir. Why this wasn't included on the soundtrack release is a real shame.

The Dirt movie leaves me reminiscing about growing up in the 80's and my days on the Sunset Strip as a young teen. Helluva time. It's a different playground now, and a different business model. The days of building a scene pre-internet no longer exists. I'm not talking about being a band in your hometown and having a fair draw show up when you play out. I'm talking about a community of hundreds of bands in the same city, on the same mission, on the same streets, trying to stay alive and get attention and make it. There were a slew of bands from the same era/same scene that achieved success, Motley however were the leaders. There won't be another like them who lived and breathed the way these guys did. Each member had their own personality. Collectively they were a gang. Something bands today simply lack. Most people today don't even know the names of all the band members in their favorite bands, no matter what the genre. If there was a gun to your head and the shooter was going to pull the trigger if you couldn't name all the guys in Coldplay, ten out of ten would have a bullet in the head because you probably could only name Chris Martin. Forget about The Struts, you don't even know the name of the singer. You're dead kid. But you do know Vince, Nikki, Mick and Tommy.

GB30 (Doll/Aeriel Stiles & Kery Doll interview)

Hearts on fire, it’s a Valentine’s day episode of Glambone.  Bringing you an exclusive interview with Aeriel Stiles & Kery Doll from L.A.’s once upon a time star attraction, Doll.

You all know the myth, Kery jumping out of a casket, the cages, the flash bombs, Michael Hannon leaving the band, Doll’s repertoire being recorded by Pretty Boy Floyd, the lawsuits, and all that... now hear the legend.  Straight from their mouths.  Kery will tell ya what he felt about Pretty Boy Floyd, listen to the stories he spews about his other band projects from that time including Trust Jesus and Demolition Gore Galore.  Hear about the stage antic that was way over the top.  And the stuff you didn’t know, such as Kery once playing with C.C. DeVille, and auditioning for Lizzie Grey.  It’s all here, as the band celebrates it’s new CD release “Rock N Roll Freak Show,” featuring classic Doll tunes and new material, Aeriel & Kery are back in biz.  Download GB30 for free here

On a side note, those of you wanting to see Keith Varady’s movie Scabbo (of Ruby Slippers fame), as first heard about here on GB19 can now pay per view/order the film through Amazon.com  Click here

GB29 (Lizzie Grey interview)

Glambone comes out of hibernation, the glitter chestnuts have been stored and ready for sharing.  It’s a party in Hollywood, and just having a good time as we kick off the new year with an exclusive interview with lengendary L.A. veteran Lizzie Grey.

Listen as he recounts tales of the early days at the Starwood, and meeting Nikki Sixx for the first time, describing him as a John Waite look a-like with red spikey hair.  In addition to all the heavy hitters Lizzie played with back when... “The Blackie project (London II) didn’t last long, maybe five or six months, nothing really came of it.  It was another step of London slipping down another notch.  And then when Blackie left London, whatever the reason, it wasn’t happening anymore.  So that’s when things shifted, for me anyway.  I said to Blackie ‘you’re great at being a monster, use your devil voice and do your best.’  He took my advice and Wasp was everything that was.”

Lizzie sums up his own career by saying “I gave it everything I had, and I still do.”

Get your free download of the new GB29 episode here

GLAMBONE!

GB28 (Tom Werman interview, Myki Lash, Lizzie Grey's Roxy Roller)

“Blessed undercover...blew the world to bits.”  That was the tagline for Ruby Rockets, an L.A. band that was a lil too late on the scene, catching the tail end of the glam days along side Swingin’ Thing and Big Bang Babies.  Ruby Rockets’ image was more on the darker side of

glam, a tinge of goth, kinda like the 2nd incarnation of fellow LA-sters The Brats.

It was only after the demise of Ruby Rockets that singer Myki Lash would try a more pop approach.  Can you blame him for nickin’ part of the title of Lions & Ghosts debut for his own song?  Well... anyhow...

his tune “Velvet Kisses” comes off more like the Soupdragons than anything else, and that isn’t neccessarly a good thing.

How many Tom Werman records are in your collection?  I’m willing to bet you have a handful.  Tom produced what are now considered classic rock albums by Cheap Trick, Motley Crue, Twisted Sister, Poison, Ted Nugent, and a whole slew of others.

I phone him up at his boutique Bed & Breakfast in Mass for a good chat.  While he’s traded in his analog tapes in for linens & things, Tom definitely sheds light on what those legendary recording sessions were like and what he actually thinks of the Steve Albini produced version of his Cheap Trick “In Color” record that’s been floating around the net.

We’ll also hear his thoughts on “Dr. Feelgood,” the Crue record that followed his consecutive 3 Motley releases.

Sometime after the Nikki Sixx incarnation of London, Lizzie Grey put together a band called Roxy Roller with Leslie Knauer, who later went on to Precious Metal.  Taking it’s name obviously from the Nick Gilder song, Roxy Roller had plenty of pop sensibility.  “Ups & Downs” shows off cool character and catchyness... after hearing this track, it would certainly have been interesting to see just what else the band would’ve come up with... but no, Lizzie had to go all METAL and find Nadir for what, a 4th version of London?!  

Download: GB28 

GB16 (Vince Votel interview, The Lawyers, Saigon Saloon)

Download the new episode now at http://glambone.mypodcast.com

GB16 welcomes former Ruby Slippers/Spiders & Snakes bass player Vince Votel (pictured live with Ruby Slippers and Street Angel promo shot) 
to the studio for an exclusive interview.  While today he spends his time on ice playing hockey for the San Diego Bruins, he sets the story straight on KV’s notorious bustier wearing antics, and recounts the days of teaming up with L.A. legend Lizzie Grey.  “Originally he just asked if he could borrow my bass, and not really my bass playing, but I ended up being his bass player for many many years,” quips Vince.  Hear the entire interview on the podcast for more rock n roll tales.

The episode kicks off with The Lawyers (pictured below).  A band from the late 70’s that featured pre-Wasp/LA Guns drummer Steve Riley, and Randy Rand pre-Autograph on bass.  The band released one record, and at the time of recording The Lawyers also featured guitar player Jeff Lebansky, who later went on to 28if (as featured on GB10).
We take a listen to the track “I Don’t Need Nobody” from the hard to
find debut.

From the New England scene comes a band from the mid 90’s called
Ill Starred.  Sounding like they wore out their vinyl copy of “Whatever
Happened To Fun.” 

What episode would be complete without an installment of Glambone’s
infamous “Doucheband of the Month” segment?  We listen as 2 bands
battle it out this show.  Find out who’s crap reigns supreme.

Closing with a track from L.A. street glamsters Saigon Saloon (pictured above).  It doesn’t get any glammer than having a guy in the band named Scarlet
Rowe.  Saigon Saloon’s sound was more rooted in The Faces, and the
Dolls, as evident on “Damn This Heartache.”  In keeping with the tradition of Motley by posing with naked bimbos in porn mags while trying to survive on the L.A. scene, for all you fanatic collectors out there - Saigon Saloon can be seen in the December 1989 issue of Hustler with Christy Canyon on the cover, in a 3 page “spread” displaying the backstage shenanigans of their aftershow activities.
Now that’s rock n roll.  I bet some of you are looking for the back-issue
as you read this.

 

Lick my BONE!

GB Holiday/Anniversary (London, Michael Lockwood, The Young Offenders)

Put on your party hats and extra mascara for this one, it’s the one year anniversary of Glambone!  Turn on your “Radio Stars” for an early version late 70’s style from London.  We uncover another gem in the Sixx era Lizzie Grey saga.  Back in the days when Nikki was wearing his best Steven Tyler ensemble, which he’d later ressurect and improve upon for the Theatre Of Pain album, meanwhile Lizzie would take this very song and Crue-cify it for London’s “Non Stop Rock” LP.
While the quality of the tape preservation on this copy isn’t so hot, the song itself is classic L.A. glam, so naturally Glambone shares it with you to savor it all in spandex glory.

Michael Lockwood, a man with a collection of great guitars and equally great hats, kicked around the L.A. scene for a handful of years after the demise of Lions & Ghosts.  In the time before landing a spot playing with Aimee Mann, Michael recorded tracks for his own project by the name of The Light Bachwood Movement.  Wearing his influences on his sleeve, the podcast shines light on his song “Skin.”

We turn the attention over to 2 douchebands for our now infamous segment.  Both hailing from Los Angeles.  Give an ice cold welcome to Legs Up, and Lickity Split.

1987 saw lots of cool bands rival L.A. on the east coast.  Pharoah obviously heading the pack, but also from NJ was a five piece called Mystery City.  Not much is known about them, other than the 2 song demo they left behind.  Great sleazy vocals, double guitar attack with the right amount of phaser, and catchy melodies... the band had a sound that separated itself from everyone else.  But like their name evokes, they truly are a mystery.

When the film Velvet Goldmine came out, it was no small wonder that baby bands that studied their T-Rex and “Here Come The Warm Jets” record would soon sprout like roses in summertime.  Not all them smelled so pretty in 1998, some were gawd awful putrid.  But from the UK, one managed to ride the wave of Brian Slade just for a second. That band was The Young Offenders.  Mercury signed ‘em to a singles deal, and “Pink and Blue” was released just in time, before Christian Bale would get his next script for yet another rock n roll motion picture, Laurel Canyon.  The Young Offenders pouted it up doing their best Marc Bolan these shores have seen in a long time.

Speaking of 70’s glitter... one band just couldn’t help themselves and decided to take Bowie’s red headed gender bending alter ego, dropping
the Stardust and keeping the Ziggy.  From the land of Rock N Roll Crazy Nights, Ziggy was born.  Japan had their very own Michael Monroe clone in the form of its frontman Juichi Morishige (pictured right).  From the 1988 release “Hot Lips” we take a listen to “Born To Be Free.”

San Franciso had a healthy glam scene in the mid 80’s.  On the list of bands contributing to that cause was Nag Nag Nag (pictured above).  Full of raw power and hairspray, as proof on “Wish It Was,” these guys came to rock.

The podcast closes with L.A.’s Tommi Gunn.  A band that had a real good thing going for them, that of course until they sabotaged themselves by going public in music city rags annoucing they signed
a demo deal to MCA.  Complete with photographs of the band holding their contract with a shit grinning look on their face.  Who does that sort of thing?  A&R man Bret Hartman did an about face and signed Pretty Boy Floyd instead, most likely out of spite.  In the end, anyone associated with MCA is in the dumpster these days anyway, so who the fuck cares.  Tommi Gunn would later find another whammy when drummer Anthony Focx miraculously re-invented himself as (gasp) a guitar player and surfaced in the band Beautiful Creatures.  But back to 1987, the featured track “Just Wait And See,” a glammy “Just Got Lucky” anthem Dokken style if ever there was one.  Note, this was before the cursed MCA demo recordings.


Blow on this bone!