Category: Heavy Metal

MLB 2012 Postseason, Metal Edition

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Alright we are one round into the MLB Postseason schedule. I guess two rounds if you consider the new Wild Card game a round. Thought I would weigh in with another music/sports blog. Those who read my blog regularly know two of my favorite things are music and sports and I enjoy wedding the two together when I can.

Here are some thoughts and predictions on the playoff teams.

Starting with the NL & AL Division Series

Giants v Reds

San Francisco Giants– Skin O’ My Teeth, Megadeth

The Giants did get past the Reds but had to do it in dramatic fashion. Losing the first two games at home and then sweeping the Reds in Cincinnati was no small feat, but, they barely hit and need to be careful or they will be home sitting on the skin of their behinds!

Cincinnati Reds– Red Road, Slavior

Unfortunately for the Reds the road they hit was a dead end. Ouch, tough way to end a season losing three straight playoff games at home. Latos proved why San Diego Padre fans are glad he was traded, losing his cool and the game in the series finale. I thought pitchers stopped crying after the age of 12.

Cardinals v Nationals

St. Louis Cardinals- Another Hit and Run, Def Leppard

Yes, Def Leppard was a Heavy Metal band at one time. The never say die Cardinals did it again. This time totally deflating the Nationals and their fans in the 9th inning of game five of the NLDS.

Washington Nationals–Bang Your Head(Metal Health), Quiet Riot

If you are a Nats fan you have to be hitting your head against the wall wondering what happened. And how in the world could they shut down their best pitcher makes no sense! Kind of like dating a supermodel but you can’t touch her…what’s the point?

A’s v Tigers

Oakland A’s–Green Manalishi, Judas Priest

The A’s were a beast this year catching and overtaking the mighty Texas Rangers. Too bad such a great season came to a screeching halt.

Detroit Tigers–Hell Cat(s), Scorpions

Triple crown threat, these Tigers are looking good… now to slay the dreaded Yankees.

Orioles v Yankees

Baltimore Orioles–Seduction of a Birds Folly, Against the Natural

Even the Yankee fans are sick of the Yankees and wanted to see the Orioles win. New blood needed. Orioles players, much like the band Against the Natural are not well known but both kick butt!

New York Yankees –On and On, Michael Schenker Group

It just goes on and on for the Yankees. Baseball is not better with them in the playoffs every year. I am suddenly a huge Tigers fan.

NLCS & ALCS Predictions

Giants v Cardinals

San Fransisco Giants–Home Sweet Home, Motley Crue

The Giants have to play better at home than they have of late or they are going home early. Giants are  kind of the Padres north so I have to root for them. Here is a trivia questions for you sports fans. Who is the only person to be on the field in uniform for ALL five of the Padres playoff seasons? See answer below.

St. Louis Cardinals–Flying High Again-Ozzy Osbourne

They won it all last year and are poised to do it again even without Albert Pujols.

Prediction-Giants Win

Tigers v Yankees

Detroit Tigers–Die With Your Boots On, Iron Maiden

The country depends on you to knock out the Yankees. It will be tough though and if they’re gonna die, die with your boots on!

New York Yankees–Sad But True, Metallica

Yes the Yankees are deep into the postseason again. Anyone else sick of them yet? Sad but true they will most likely beat the Tigers and head to their 5,000th World Series, bla, bla, bla!

Prediction-Yankees Win

World Series 2012

The Fall Classic comes down to Giants v Yankees in my opinion.

Musical selection for this match up…. Into the Void, Black Sabbath. Who ever wins, baseball fans will be thrown into the void for the winter. At least we have the NFL!

Prediction-Giants Win

Trivia answer Bruce Bochy was a player in 1984 and Manger in 96, 98, 2005 & 2006. Tony Gwynn was a player in 1984, 96 and 98 but not around for the last two playoff teams.

The Elusive Daring, Crazy, Adventurous Wedding Ceremony- A San Diego Wedding Guiarist Blog

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I have been playing guitar for weddings for a long time. I have played a lot of traditional weddings and quite a few unique ones. I’ve played everything from Here Comes the Bride to Metallica. However, I am a little shocked that I haven’t had the opportunity to play a down right crazy wedding yet.

You always hear about couples getting married in ‘odd’ places; football games, NASCAR events, scuba diving, hot air balloons, etc., you get the idea. There are lots of people who just like to be different…really different. 20 plus years of playing guitar for weddings I am yet to play one of these unique ceremonies.

I’ve always pictured an adventurous couple where the bride and groom enter on zip lines or repel down the side of a building and I get to play something like the theme from Mission Impossible. Maybe even on electric guitar with effects.

I did play “Wipeout,” for one of my good friend’s wedding, an avid surfer, as he and the guys walked up to the altar. It was a quick and fitting entrance but just a quick playful joke. Kind of like when the groomsman all pretend they’ve lost the wedding rings.

I’ve mentioned before on this blog that I enjoy playing all types of weddings. I really do! Each one is different, challenging and fun to play.

That said…This is an open invitation for any of you daring, crazy, adventurous couples to hire a guitarist who is on board with you! I would love to have just one wedding where all bets are off. Scuba dive(I am certified), a flash mob, a “Punked” moment for your guests, your call! The crazier the better(although legal is a good idea)! We can collaborate and choreograph the music to fit your idea!

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Thank you for your response. ✨

58 Richest Singers

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I’m not sure if anyone really cares(unless you are on the list), but, this is interesting. Biggest surprises to me are that Geddy Lee, Rob Halford and David Lee Roth are so far down the list…poor guys…well I guess poor might be the wrong word! Mike

Zombie Minstrel's avatarZombieMinstrel

Like the title says, here’s the list of the worlds richest 58 vocalists:

1. Paul McCartney: $800m
2. Bono: $600m
3. Jimmy Buffett: $400m
4. Elton John: $320m
5. Mick Jagger: $305m
6. Sting: $290m
7. Phil Collins: $250m
8. Dave Matthews: $250m
9. Prince: $250m
10. Dave Grohl: $225m
11. Rod Stewart: $220m
12. David Bowie: $215m
13. Bruce Springsteen: $200m
14. James Hetfield: $175m
15. Axl Rose: $150m
16. Roger Waters: $145m
17. David Gilmour: $130m
18. Steven Tyler: $130m
19. Jon Bon Jovi: $125m
20. Anthony Kiedis: $120m
21. Sammy Hagar: $120m
22. Robert Plant: $120m
23. Bruce Dickinson: $115m
24. Eric Clapton: $115m
25. Brian Johnson: $90m
26. Ozzy Osbourne: $90m
27. Gwen Stefani: $80m
28. Eddie Vedder: $80m
29. Bob Dylan: $80m
30. Brian Wilson: $75m
31. Michael Stipe: $75m
32. Trey Anastasio: $75m
33. Joe Elliott: $70m
34. Peter Gabriel: $70m
35. John Fogerty:…

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Rumor Mill, Michael Schenker and Don Dokken Collaboration

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This is an interesting idea that has been floating around the internet for a few weeks.  The possibility of guitar great, Michael Schenker teaming up with vocalist Don Dokken on some sort of project.

Schenker a guitar legend has never really had a ‘great’ singer in his solo work. He has always had kind of wanna be rockers who were ‘good enough.’ If this did happen, Don Dokken would easily be the best vocalist to work with Schenker. He might also be the biggest diva.  This is what leads me to believe it might not happen.

Schenker tours relentlessly, year round. He has turned down huge acts to do his own thing.  Aerosmith, Ozzy and the Rolling Stones to name a few. His reasons for turning them down are that he needed to stay in his own skin and not join a media circus with which the aforementioned bands all are deeply intertwined. Don Dokken doesn’t seem like the best personality fit, but, he does not have the mega status of these other acts.

One thing for sure…I would want to hear the project.

Additional posts on Michael Schenker

Scorpions, “Your Light”

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This might not be your typical Scorpions song.

Most fans of the German rockers are familiar with hits like “Rock You Like A Hurricane,”  “Big City Nights,” “Still Loving You” and “No One Like You.” The late 70’s to the 80’s, 90’s, 00’s…was when the band developed their signature heavy metal sound. There were however two other incarnations of the Scorpions. First with 16 year old guitar legend to be Michael Schenker. The second, featured guitarist Uli Jon Roth. Under Schenker for just one album, “Lonesome Crow,” the band had almost a psychedelic sound. The Roth era was somewhere in between this and their ultra-stylistic almost hair metal sound of the 80’s.

I don’t consider the Scorpions hair/glam metal for two reasons. They were heavy metal pioneers that all the crappy 80’s bands tried to emulate and moreover they wrote good music. Anyway, somewhere between being very young acid rockers and trend setting perfectors of the ‘Power Ballad’ mega-stars  was the Uli Jon Roth years.

Heavy? Yes!…..Rockers? Totally! But what was their style?

The Scorps were very unique during this period. They were gaining in popularity, they were still under produced and very original. Roth is a great guitarist very spiritual and Hendrix-ish both terms that don’t always apply to heavy metal guitarists. But they were definitely heavy during these years.

The only way to really understand is to listen. Posted below is one of my favorite Roth era Scorpions songs, “Your Light.”

To me this song sums up the band in the early to mid 70’s. Some heavy-ness, some party feel, some hippie-ish feel and of course incredible guitar work. The song starts out heavy then immediately leads into to a funky dance vibe. But the song truly peaks on the two guitar solos. The first comes at 2:15 in the video. A slow Roth solo mostly reserved, with feeling and anthem-ish. The song then returns to the funky playful riff before the second solo. This is where Roth shows off a little more of his guitar acrobatics. It ends on a playful note as Roth solos into a fade out.

The Roth era Scorpions may be some of the truly under rated music in metal history. They were a little more free form in their songwriting than other bands and certainly then when they became a global commodity in the 80’s. Not always a good thing for massive consumption as most listeners seem to prefer produced cookie cutter bites. Most Scorpions fans have found their way back through the bands back catalog and found these gems. I strongly recommend you check these albums out as well especially if you are looking to uncover some truly quality and cool music.

Enjoy!

For previous Scorpions posts.

For previous Michael Schenker posts.

A fellow blogger’s recent post on Uli Roth.

John Bonham, 32 Years Missed

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I remember being a little rocker in training and one of my first teachers were the Mighty Zep, Led Zeppelin. Before I could really join the party and know what the band was all about, besides a handful of songs, their drummer John Bonham passed away on this day September 25, 1980. So sad and a bummer that as soon as I got into the band there would never be any ‘real’ new Led Zeppelin music. No more tours. No more Zeppelin.

Sure there has been a few attempts to revive the brand, but, none of them ever lived up to the original. I have seen Jimmy Page solo, great show, Page & Plant in the 90’s, great show, but just not Led Zeppelin. If there was any show I could go back in time to hear and see, a real Led Zeppelin show in their prime would definitely be atop of the list.

The whole Bonham passing still seems surreal to me to this day. I remember hearing about it as a kid but not truly understanding the finality of it all and the lasting impact and hole the Rock n Roll world was left with.

RIP John Bonham a great musician and unfortunately a true rock star.

 

Also check out Bonham’s legendary drum solo, “Moby Dick”

For more info  check out this post.

2012 NFL Predictions ‘Rock n Roll’ Edition

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Here are my 2012 NFL ‘Musical’ Predictions. I used only songs from my own music library. If you are unfamiliar with any of the music, check out the songs and broaden your musical horizons.

These views are my own, if they are inflammatory towards your favorite team or player, it IS intentional but all in good fun…except the Raider cracks!

So here is the 2012 NFL season as I see it! Come back after the season and we can re-hash and I will probably even have a playoff version!

Good luck to your favorite teams!

AFC WEST

San Diego Chargers–Loving You Sunday Morning, The Scorpions

Bolts are my team win or lose. Let’s go with win, despite Norv Turner!

Denver Broncos -The Gambler, Kenny Rogers

Elway is gambling on Manning’s health…All In! Probably gonna be a good bet!!

Oakland Raiders–Living in the Past, Jethro Tull

Yeah we know you won….a long time ago…but you’ve been pretty bad since. Find a new argument Raider fan! Not that you have the fastest player…that’s tired as well!

Kansas City Chiefs-Castles Made of Sand, Jimi Hendrix

They are relying on Matt Cassel,  that’s not a good thing for Chiefs fans.

AFC SOUTH

Houston Texans– New Kid in Town, The Eagles

No more Manning in the division the South should be theirs for a year or two at least.

Tennessee Titans– Caught In the Middle, Ronnie James Dio

They wont be first, they wont be last, they wont be memorable, they’ll be caught in the middle.

Jacksonville Jaguars – Cat Scratch Fever, Ted Nugent

That’s what these cats are gonna give their fans not much else.

Indianapolis Colts-Upside Down, Jack Johnson

We’ve bee used to seeing them on top but should get used to seeing them on the bottom for awhile, definitely in 2012.

 AFC NORTH

Baltimore Ravens–Hard to Handle, The Black Crowes

They may be hard enough to handle all the way to the Superbowl. D can’t do it all. Gonna rest on the shoulders, actually the arm, of Joe Flacco.

Pittsburgh Steelers-Steel Bars, Foo Fighters

Where Big Ben belongs? How long do you call a franchise classy when their star clearly is not. Apples don’t fall far from the tree. They will fight for the division and settle for a wildcard.

Cincinnati Bengals-Breaking the Law, Judas Priest

Yeah, we all know the Bengals offseason exploits. If they could focus all their criminal energy to the field of play they could be good…don’t see it though.

Cleveland Browns–I Am the Walrus, The Beatles

Not sure even Mike Holmgren can fix this mess especially not this year.

AFC EAST

New England Patriots– Same Old Song & Dance, Aerosmith

Yep, they’re still here, still good, still got a shot at the Superbowl and adding to their dynasty.

New York Jets-Just the Two of Us, Grover Washington, Jr.

If Sanchez and Tebow do not make a music video arm in arm singing this song and sharing the backfield… 2012 will be a DISASTER in New York.

Buffalo Bills–Dream On, Aerosmith

Maybe another strong start but playoffs look like a dream.

Miami Dolphins-Bad to the Bone, George Thorogood & The Destroyers

Nobody likes bones in their fish and these fish just stink.

NFC WEST

San Francisco 49’ers– Who Are You, The Who

This applies to the whole team but especially Alex Smith. Were they for real last year? We’ll look for them to be tough

Arizona Cardinals–Three Little Birds, Bob Marley

“Don’t worry, ‘Bout a Thing” Mostly mediocre division, nobody expects much. If they get any kind of QB play …”Every Little Thing Gonna Be Alright” Just not sure that will happen.

Seattle Seahawks–Just the Way You Are, Billy Joel

…Mediocre, and that’s the way they’ll be this year.

St. Louis Rams–Bad, Michael Jackson

Someone had to get this song why not the Rams, the shoe fits.

NFC SOUTH

New Orleans Saints– Bounty Hunter, Molly Hatchet  ..And Justice For All, Metallica   Redemption Song, Bob Marley

Bounty Hunter…they did the crime!

…And Justice For All…They are paying the price

Redemption Song…They proclaim their innocence.

They still have LOTS of offense and I see them outscoring teams in the regular season.

Atlanta Falcons–Devil Went Down to Georgia, Charlie Daniels

Seems like he only shows up in the playoffs though, unlike the rest of the team. Maybe their year to break the playoff bug with the Saints down but I still see them as a wildcard.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers-Sunday Bloody Sunday, U2

Tampa fans should be more worried about the Rays catching the Yankees, cause I dont see the Bucs doing much in 2012. Sundays could be tough.

Carolina Panthers–Things Can Only Get Better, Howard Jones

With Cam Newton a year older Carolina fans have got to hope this is true.

NFC NORTH

Green Bay Packers-Run With the Pack, Bad Company

It would be a good bet to run with the ‘Pack.’

Detroit Lions-Welcome to the Jungle, Guns N Roses

Who woulda thought the Lions would be players in the NFL watch out for em!

Chicago Bears–Blowin in the Wind, Joan Baez

In a division with GB & Det…their hopes like their great city are in the wind.

Minnesota Vikings–Outshined, Soundgarden

Looking California but Feeling Minnesota…gonna be a long year.

NFC EAST

New York Giants–LimELIght, Rush

Yes Eli has 2 SB’s but in SD we remember his snively limp wristed attempt to hold the Bolt jersey on draft day. Giants will be good but hunted! Better be ready for everyone’s best shot.

Dallas Cowboys–Where Have all the Good Times Gone, Van Halen

America’s Team No More….never was as far as I am concerned although they have made some serious NFL history in their heyday.

Philadelphia Eagles–Dog Eat Dog, AC/DC

Oops did I go there? Good things happen to good people and bad things… to Vick!

Washington Redskins–Waiting on a Friend, Rolling Stones

If and when RGIII is ready the ‘Skins will be ready

Click here for other sports & music posts!

10,000 Lovers in One, TNT

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I just noticed an exponential theme in my last two posts and now am uncontrollably on a mission to see how high I can go with this!

Worlds Top 1o Richest Drummers

What Does 100 ‘Likes’ on Facebook Mean, Thank You!

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Land of 1000 Dances, Wilson Pickett

10,000 Lovers in One, TNT

TNT was a Norwegian ‘Metal’ band from the 80’s. One of the few glam bands I actually liked Ronni Le Tekro was a great guitarist. I believe they are still going strong in 2012!