Good Rockin' Tonight

Authentic Pirate Hip Hop

2009-07-10T13:30:00.000-07:00

I should save this post for September 19th which is International Talk Like A Pirate Day but I couldn't wait. When I discover something this great homercat has to spread the word. All Props to sammie for making me aware of Captain Dan and the Scurvy Crew. Captain Dan and his crew have been around since 2006 and have three albums under their belt. Yes this is a group specializing in pirate-themed hip hop music. Captain Dan & the Scurvy Crew combines elements from hip hop music genres such as gangsta rap, nerdcore hip hop, and crunk with Baroque and Classical instrumentation.

Authentic Pirate Hip Hop is the first album by these guys and it covers all of the important aspects of pirate life, from looting and drinking, life on the high seas, threats against rival pirate crews, to wenches and of course, rum. Now my friend Sammie knows that I'm not a big fan of rap music but he told me that I had to hear this and he was right. Their music creates a perfect juxtaposition between the golden age of piracy and the modern age of the gangsta. The beats are great, the lyrics have an intelligent They Might Be Giants-esque quality,(all the pirate slang and nautical terms are used accurately) and if that's not enough- many of the tracks are simply hilarious! Many of you may be thinking I have lost my mind but these guys are awesome and you've got to check them out. Don't let the album cover fool you. I know it features a weak-ass looking pirate wearing $5 worth of Halloween clearance rack pirate gear. Get a gander at these tracks and then track down and buy the album (best bet at cdbaby.com). It's well worth it and absolutely brilliant.

The 7 Seas
Flintlock Glock
Mutiny
Buy It

Funny Toon

Ringmaster

2009-07-07T15:20:00.000-07:00

From best American group to worst in one post. If you're one of the few juggalos out there then you probably wouldn't classify Insane Clown Posse as the worst American group out there but 99.8 percent of all critics agree that they are the worst. Not being a normal critic I guess I fall into the juggalo category.

Ringmaster is the second studio album by American hip hop duo Insane Clown Posse, released in 1994 by Psychopathic Records. It is the second Joker's Card entry in the group's Dark Carnival saga. The album is meant as "all of your sins and hatred whipped and spun into form, a form that will bring about this dreaded Carnival's visit."

The ICP are about the only rap artists that I can stand to listen to, while most people think they're shitty, especially those who have never heard them. They are the loudest ICP haters. Yep, their overt sexism, inadvertent racism, and rampant juvenalia is right out there in the open and it will offend the casual observer, of course, but that's just what they're looking for. Ringmaster is a much more focused album than their first, Carnival of Carnage. Not to say it's their best but there are several ICP classics here icluding Chicken Huntin', Murder go Round and Mr. Johnson's Head. Not for everybody of course but if you get it and not take it too seriously you too can enjoy ICP. I must admit it's an acquired taste much like Public Image Ltd is.

Chicken Huntin'
House of Mirrors
Buy It

Funny Toon

Another Birthday eh (or the greatest American band)

2009-07-03T16:53:00.002-07:00

After I did all them megaposts about Canada's birthday, it wouldn't be right if I didn't give a shout to our brethren to the south and wish them a happy birthday too. What to do for their birthday? Of course the old compilation album came to mind, but I just didn't have the time to make a list. So I thought about it and decided to coincide the fourth with the greatest American band. Twasn't no picnic because I had about 10 bands that were in the running. But when you pick one based upon how hard they rock it, pop it, ballad it, lyricize it, or generally the all aroundness of a good band it really narrows it down. Then when you're biased it helps. Of course I speak of Cheap Trick.

Really how more Americana can you get than hailing from the midwest or should I say Illinois right smack dab in the middle. In my opinion Cheap Trick is the greatest American band and if you've ever seen them live you know of what I speak. The studio albums do them no justice even if they are excellent. Having just released a new album (which is also available on vinyl and 8 track) they are still alive and kickin' out the jams. There is something about their music that speaks to my very soul. The Cheap Trick getting lost in the whole classic rock shuffle thing baffles me to this very day. Some people only know one or two songs or don't even know they're still rockin' it, which in itself is a crime. Admittedly the Tricksters have had the worst luck in the world with record labels, but still they are way under appreciated. Recently I got the 30th anniv. Live at Budokan set and I gave my extra Live at Budokan album to a 21 yr old kid at work who had never heard of Cheap Trick and it blew him away. He loves it and raves about it often. Anyways for those who may not be familiar with their entire catalogue a few tunes from a couple out of print albums and other obscure stuff. I'm sure some will try to argue with my greatest band moniker but homercat will not bend on this one. Happy fourth neighbours!

Album titles are in bold font

Woke Up With a Monster
Tell Me Everything Great tune and the lyrics are awesome

Standing on the Edge
Cover Girl

The Doctor
~~Rearview Mirror Romance~~

Cheap Trick 1997
Baby No More

Special One
My Obsession

One on One
Love's Got a Hold of Me

Buy Cheap Trick!

Funny Toon

No. 1 In Heaven

2009-07-02T13:51:00.001-07:00

After the disappointing sales of Sparks previous two albums (Big Beat and Introducing Sparks), the brothers found themselves at a 'what do we do now?' moment. By 1979 they had tired of the rock band format and determined to take their music in a more electronic direction. They had expressed admiration for Giorgio Moroder, creator of the iconic disco anthem I Feel Love performed by Donna Summer, to a German journalist who turned out to be a friend of his. As a result, they teamed up with Moroder and created No. 1 In Heaven. Their eighth album would not only redefine the Sparks sound but would challenge the concept of what is meant by a band and would be a major influence on emerging electro pop artists. The collaboration produced the duo's best album in years. With only six songs on the album it produced chart hits like "Number One Song in Heaven" and "Beat the Clock". The remaining four cuts are solid album tracks and the Mael brothers prove on songs like "Tryouts for the Human Race" and "Academy Award Performance" that their bizarre songwriting wasn't compromised by working with Moroder. Great Stuff.

The Number One Song In Heaven
~~Tryouts for the Human Race~~
Buy It

Funny Toon

Oh What a Feeling - Disc #4

2009-07-01T12:01:00.001-07:00

Happy Birthday Canucks! In honor of Canada Day here is the final installment of Oh What A Feeling - A Vital Collection of Canadian Music. Homercat's lager of choice for the festivities tonight will either be Pacific Pilsner or Race Rocks. If you're celebrating tonight do it safely and let's not cause too much trouble for the local constables. Canada Eh!

192 kbps

Title(Artist)
1. Where Does My Heart Beat Now (Celine Dion)
2. Helene (Roch Voisine)
3. Just Wanna Stop (Gino Vannelli)
4. Black Velvet (Alannah Myles)
5. Could I Be Your Girl (Jane Arden)
6. Constant Craving (k.d. Lang)
7. Fare Thee Well Love (The Rankin Family)
8. If You Could Read My Mind (Gordon Lightfoot)
9. Helpless (Neil Young)
10. Sometimes When We Touch (Dan Hill)
11. You Needed Me (Anne Murray)
12. Flying On Your Own (Rita MacNeil)
13. How Many Rivers To Cross (Luba)
14. Try (Blue Rodeo)
15. Showdown At Big Sky (Robbie Robertson)
16. Hold On (Sarah Mclachlan)
17. Superman's Song (Crash Test Dummies)
18. Tears Are Not Enough (Northern Lights)

Copy and Paste this link into your browser to download
http://rapidshare.com/files/224543695/vital1homnercatoh9feeling2Disc_4.rar

Funny Toon

Oh What a Feeling - Disc #3

2009-06-30T12:42:00.002-07:00

Oh What A Feeling - A Vital Collection of Canadian Music Disc #3

128 kbps

Title(Artist)
1. Snowbird (Anne Murray)
2. These Eyes (The Guess Who)
3. Sweet City Woman (Stampeders)
4. Signs (Five Man Electrical Band)
5. You Could Have Been A Lady (April Wine)
6. As Years Go By (Mashmakhan)
7. Which Way You Goin' Billy? (Poppy Family)
8. When I Die (Motherlode)
9. Spinning Wheel (Blood Sweat and Tears)
10. The Weight (The Band)
11. Put Your Hand In The Hand (Ocean)
12. Stay Awhile (The Bells)
13. Music Box Dancer (Frank Mills)
14. Wildflower (Skylark)
15. Four Strong Winds (Ian & Sylvia)
16. Suzanne (Leonard Cohen)
17. Rock 'n' Roll Song (Valdy)
18. Farmer's Song (Murray Mclauchlan)
19. Painted Ladies (Ian Thomas)
20. Seasons In The Sun (Terry Jacks)
21. Rock Me Gently (Andy Kim)
22. The Homecoming (Hagood Hardy)
23. Last Song (Edward Bear)

Copy and Paste this link into your browser to download
http://www.mediafire.com/?m2123n9zxwb

Funny Toon

Oh What a Feeling - Disc #2

2009-06-28T12:33:00.002-07:00

Ok here is Oh What A Feeling - A Vital Collection of Canadian Music Disc #2. Some of you may be wondering why I don't just put up all 4 discs in one post and be done with it. First of all there's the whole ripping, tagging, packing and uploading thing, which takes quite a while to do. Then of course, homercat don't roll that way. This second disc probably has a few more tunes that everyone is familiar with. For those that aren't interested in downloading the whole thing I've posted one mp3 from the list.

192 kbps

Title(Artist)
1. Closer To The Heart (Rush)
2. Turn Me Loose (Loverboy)
3. Cuts Like A Knife (Bryan Adams)
4. Sunglasses At Night (Corey Hart)
5. Eyes Of A Stranger (Payolas)
6. See The Light (The Jeff Healey Band)
7. Just Came Back (Colin James)
8. Patio Lanterns (Kim Mitchell)
9. New Girl Now (Honeymoon Suite)
10. Don't Forget Me [When I'm Gone] (Glass Tiger)
11. Let Your Backbone Slide (Maestro Fresh-Wes)
12. If I Had A Rocket Launcher (Bruce Cockburn)
13. If I Had A Million Dollars (Barenaked Ladies)
14. New Orleans Is Sinking (The Tragically Hip)
15. Life Is A Highway (Tom Cochrane)
16. Push (Moist)
17. You Oughta Know (Alanis Morissette)

Copy and Paste this link into your browser to download
http://rapidshare.com/files/220967779/vitalhomercat192feelingD2.rar

Funny Toon

Pre-Canada Day or Oh What A Feeling

2009-06-27T12:56:00.001-07:00

Well Canada Day is coming up in a couple of days and what I normally do is make up a compilation album chock full of great Canadian tunes to help my fellow Canucks to properly celebrate Canada's birthday. For example there was last years Canada Day post and remarkably the links are still good so you may want to gander over there and grab that one if these next few posts don't float your boat. I'm doing something a little different this year.

Back in 1996 the Juno Awards celebrated their 25th year. The Juno's being kinda like Canada's grammy awards. To mark the 25th anniversary the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences released a "Special Collector's Edition" 4-CD box set, entitled Oh What A Feeling - A Vital Collection of Canadian Music. It featured over five hours of music, with liner notes by journalist Larry LeBlanc, the box set is packed with Canada's finest hit songs and contains 77 songs from the Who's Who of Canadian music. Oh What A Feeling is the result of a co-operative effort from the music industry at large. Most of the proceeds generated from the sales of this compilation benefitted the Starlight Foundation, the Safe Haven Project for Community Living and the CARAS Academic Support Fund. The box set features popular Canadian songs from the 1960s onward. The set took it's title from the song "Oh What a Feeling" by rock band Crowbar. If you're unfamiliar with strictly Canadian music, this is a great collection that covers a wide range of musical genres up to 1996 and really shows how diverse a lot of the music can be. Unfortunately this collection is out of print and I've found copies on the web going for anywhere from $80 to $300. I very rarely post up albums here but I feel this is an essential collection so I'll break the rules for Canada Day. Also if it was still in print I wouldn't be putting it up here. (Take note recording industry)Let's get things rolling and here is Disc 1 from this 4 disc set. This set will culminate with Volume 4 on July 1 which happens to be Canada Day. Also these links will be available for a limited time.

192 kbps
Title(Artist)
1. American Woman (The Guess Who)
2. One Fine Morning (Lighthouse)
3. Oh What A Feeling (Crowbar)
4. Born To Be Wild (Steppenwolf)
5. Roxy Roller (Sweeney Todd)
6. [I Got Everything I Need] Almost (Downchild Blues Band)
7. Doin' It Right (Powder Blues Band)
8. Raise A Little Hell
9. Fly At Night (Chilliwack)
10. Magic Power (Triumph)
11. On The Loose (Saga)
12. [Make Me Do] Anything You Want (A Foot in Coldwater)
13. Stand Tall (Burton Cummings)
14. Takin' Care Of Business (Bachman-Turner Overdrive)
15. High School Confidential (Rough Trade)
16. I'm An Adult Now (The Pursuit of Happiness)
17. Echo Beach (Martha and The Muffins)
18. Misguided Angel (Cowboy Junkies)
19. Rise Up (Parachute Club)

Copy and Paste this link into your browser to download
http://www.mediafire.com/?mwldxee2cuc

Funny Toon

Gentlemen Start Your Barbies

2009-06-25T13:13:00.001-07:00

Well folks we've almost put the first week of summer behind us. Although people try to say the start of summer is that weekend at the end of May that has a holiday in it. Summer actually starts on that day when the daylight hours start growing shorter. Summer. The gals have put away their sweaters and suddenly we men are treated to skimpier clothes. The muscle guys break out their mesh shirts, and us fatter guys spend more time sucking in our guts. The road crews seem to have every street in the city tore up and the birds like to wake your ass up at 4 in the morning. More and more folks are throwing shrimps on the barbie, and gas prices start heading up ever higher. I remember one summer when music was really starting to be a focal point in my life and about the only memories I have of that year is the music. The year was 1973 and summer vacation had descended across the land. AM station WLS out of Chicago was the station everyone listened to. That year was an exceptional one for music and that summer had some memorable tunes and every time I hear one it will forever be a song of summer. I'm just saying I like me some summer tunes.

It's kind of a tradition here at Good Rockin' to showcase my favorite summer song every year when summer starts. Just in case someone has spent most of their time under a rock and hasn't heard it. Shoot I may even put up a couple of great summer songs. Let's see where this goes. I feel the quintessential summer song is by War, simply titled Summer. War was one of the most popular funk groups of the '70s. Just hearing any War song makes you think of summer. Low Rider, Spill the Wine, and The Cisco Kid are just a few examples of songs with that summer feel. Maybe it's the melding of soul, Latin, jazz, blues, reggae, and rock into an effortless funky groove that does the trick. Their music almost always had a sunny, laid-back vibe mirroring their Southern California roots. War kept the groove loose, and they were given over to extended jamming. Summer came out in 1976 and it turned out to be War's final Top Ten pop hit. Everytime I hear this song it just makes me want to pop open a cold brewski and chillaxx. Smooth grooves.

Summer by War

British folkish duo Chad Stuart and Jeremy Clyde charted 11 US singles from 1964 to 1966. They had much more success in America than their counterparts Peter and Gordon. On the other hand Peter and Gordon had great success in the UK and Chad and Jeremy charted only once in their native land. Their biggest hit was called A Summer Song and it just makes you want to sit under a shade tree and sip some Mike's Hard lemonade. Chad and Jeremy's vocals and harmonies were simply stunning. Maybe that's too strong a word, but they were beautifully sung. These guys broke up around 1968, but it just wouldn't be summer without hearing this song at least once.

A Summer Song by Chad and Jeremy

Back in the summer of 1982 we played this song at every single party and lawn dart competition we had. We were serious about our lawn darts. We even had a freakin' league. Crazy shit maynard. Anyway Eddy grant's Killer on the Rampage album was huge that year fueled by the #2 classic hit Electric Avenue. Man we played the crap out of that record and homercat's team won the tournament.

~~Electric Avenue~~ by Eddy Grant

Funny Toon

Rockland

2009-06-23T14:15:00.002-07:00

Mr canadian bias homercat is at it again. Although this is the first time for this Canadian artist to make an appearance on Good Rockin' and way overdue. Kim Mitchell is a Canadian guitarist who was the lead singer and guitarist for the band Max Webster before going on to lead a solo career. In early 1985, the song "Go For Soda" from the Akimbo Alogo album became an international hit and remains his best known song outside of his native Canada. Rockland is the third solo album from Kim Mitchell. The album was released in 1989 and is certified double platinum in Canada. If anyone watches the Trailer Park Boys(and if you've never seen it you should check it out), In one episode Ricky played one of Mitchell's classic songs, "Go For Soda", on 8 track(ask your parents), while saying "Julian, let's get drunk and rock some fuckin' Mitchell." Couldn't have said it better myself. More good summer tuneage. A hard one to track down, one might have better luck with his greatest hits package.

Rocklandwonderland
Rock n Roll Duty
Buy It

Funny Toon

Little River Band

2009-06-19T15:24:00.002-07:00

Little River Band are an Australian rock band formed in Melbourne in 1975 and named after a road sign for the Victorian township of Little River. They were the first Australian rock group to enjoy sustained commercial success in the United States. During their career the band have sold more than 25 million records and scored 13 American Top 40 hits. They released this compilation "Greatest Hits" in 1982 and unlike a lot of compilation albums this album truly is a "greatest hits" package. LRB were all over the radio throughout the late 70's and early 80's, hell you couldn't turn on the radio without hearing one of their songs. They are a band that's easy to overlook or even forget about until someone plays one of their hits and then you think oh yeah they were a pretty good band, I remember that song. Blending rock elegance with catchy, full-flavored harmonies, each of the songs on this album contains an element of their gracious musical craft. "Reminiscing" was recognized by BMI as one of the most frequently played songs in the history of American radio, with more than four million plays to its credit. "Lady" has also accumulated more than three million plays and according to the biography of John Lennon written by Albert Goldman's biography, John Lennon named "Reminiscing" as one of his favorite songs. Listening to this Greatest Hits package makes you realize that they had a whole slew of hits that you didn't remember they did. Oh and by the way since the first day of summer officially arrives this weekend it's chock full of great tunes perfect for summer.

Reminiscing
~~Lady~~
Help is on the Way
Buy It

Funny Toon

Body Count

2009-06-17T15:09:00.003-07:00

One of my pet peeves is censorship of any kind but it especially chaps my ass when it's applied to any form of music. This is one of many reasons why Wal-Mart doesn't receive any of my consumer dollars. The day they decided to only stock edited versions of some folks albums because of lyrical content was the day I quit shopping there. So when Green Day came out with their new album and told Wal-Mart to fuck off, they weren't going to edit their album it just tickled me pink. I've always thought Green Day was ok, but I've never been a huge fan.
So for the first time I bought a Green Day album because of their stance against Wally world. It's a pretty darn good one at that, so now I've finally jumped on the Green Day wagon. But this post isn't about them, it's about someone else who faced controversy and censorship back in the 90's.

Body Count is the debut album of American heavy metal band Body Count which was formed by rapper Ice-T in 1990. Released in 1992, the album material focuses on various social and political issues ranging from police brutality to drug abuse. While Ice-T is primarily known for his work in the hip hop genre, he had long been a fan of various genres of rock music and had sampled songs by Jimi Hendrix, Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin, among other artists. He formed Body Count out of this interest. Body Count is best known for the inclusion of the controversial song "Cop Killer," which was the subject of much criticism from various political figures, although many defended the song on the basis of the group's right to freedom of speech. Vice President Dan Quayle branded "Cop Killer" as being "obscene," and President George H.W. Bush publicly denounced any record company that would release such a product. Ice T eventually chose to remove the song from the album and it was replaced with a revamped song from his first solo album called Freedom of Speech.

When the album was released, Ice T defined it as being "a rock album with a rap mentality," although the album itself does not feature rapping in any of its songs. Body Count's musical style is primarily rooted in the heavy metal and hardcore punk genres. Bottom line is that it is a great metal album. The controversy surrounding this album at the time was a major to do when finally, Ice-T decided to remove "Cop Killer" from the album of his own volition, a decision which was met by criticism from other artists who derided Ice-T for "caving in to external pressure." Seems like Ice was caught in a no win situation however one looked at it. In an interview, Ice-T stated that "I didn't want my band to get pigeon-holed as that's the only reason that record sold. It just got outta hand and I was just tired of hearing it. I said, 'fuck it,' I mean they're saying we did it for money, and we didn't. I'd gave the record away, ya know, let's move on, let's get back to real issues." The studio version of "Cop Killer" has not been re-released, although a live version of the song appears on Body Count's 2005 release Live in L.A. I don't doubt that I might take some heat for even posting this song here today. Whether you like the music or not in any case I think an artist shouldn't be censored. Myself if I don't like it I don't listen to it. I know all the issues surrounding controversial music and I'll save this discussion for another day, but a big one is we have to protect our kids fragile ears. Word to the wise if the kids want to hear it, they'll get it somehow, someway. Good luck in locating the original version.

~~Cop Killer~~
Freedom of Speech
Body Count's in the House
Buy It

Funny Toon

Kissproof World

2009-06-12T16:58:00.003-07:00

Jane Wiedlin's fourth solo album, Kissproof World, came out in 2000 and it is a solo tour de force from an entrepreneur, actress and rock goddess hellbent on smashing her cutie-pie image. Jane has aged fabulously into the grande dame of New Wave art chicks and she still has endless get-up-and-go-go of her own. The album is full of guitar-heavy power pop, pitting middle-age malaise ("Die Now! Pay Later!," "The Good Wife") against middle-age lust ("Drain," "Muse"). Fortunately, lust wins; And if you were lucky enough to purchase the cd there was an almost shockingly risque‚ CD booklet (can anyone say nipple), which suggests that Jane had sex on the brain, and you can hear it in the music. I had to order this directly from her site when it came out as you couldn't get it anywhere else. I noticed that Amazon has 1 copy in stock for $40.00 but I couldn't tell you if it has the fabulous cd booklet intact as it was when it first came out. An album that I would gladly shell out 40 bucks for. Jane is fantastic and wish like hell she would put out a new solo album.

~~Icicle~~
The Good Wife
Buy It

Funny Toon

Stormwatch

2009-06-09T12:11:00.002-07:00

Jethro Tull's 12th studio album, Stormwatch, came out in 1979. This is the last Tull album to feature the classic line-up of 1970s. Bassist John Glascock is only featured on three tracks ("Flying Dutchman", "Orion", and "Elegy"). John died following open-heart surgery a few weeks after the release of this album. Ian Anderson played bass elsewhere on the album. The album is considered the last in the trilogy of folk-rock albums by Jethro Tull (although folk music influenced virtually every Tull album). The first two of this trilogy being Songs From the Wood and Heavy Horses. All three are excellent albums with Songs from the Wood being the most awesome of the bunch. Remember this was 1979 and most of us had never heard the term Global Warming back then. The album deals with the deterioration of the environment, warning of an apocalyptic future if mankind does not cease its drive for economic growth and pay attention to nature. Thirty years later mankind is finally start to catch on although it may be a bit too late. Remains to be seen I suppose. Critics seem to be either up or down with this album, yet if you have just a passing knowledge of Tull I recommend this one.

~~North Sea Oil~~
~~Orion~~
Buy It

Funny Toon

Eyes Don't Lie

2009-06-07T16:55:00.002-07:00

How in the world do you follow a post about Steel Panther? The answer is to go the complete opposite and post up some Donny Osmond.

In the 1980s, Donny Osmond re-invented himself as a solo vocal artist and abandoned the earlier television show and teeny bopper image crafted to appeal to young audiences. He made an unlikely appearance as one of several celebrities and unknowns auditioning to sing for guitarist Jeff Beck in the video for Beck's 1985 single "Ambitious." He spent several years as a performer, before collaborating with Peter Gabriel and returning to the US charts in 1989 with the song "Soldier of Love" and its follow-up "Sacred Emotion". The campaign to market "Soldier Of Love" received considerable airplay with the singer being presented as a 'mystery artist', before his identity was later revealed. He followed on the heels of this success with the 1990 album Eyes Don't Lie. While the previous album was considered his "comeback" album and sold more copies, I personally think this album is much better. The first five tracks alone are worth the price of the cd. Homercat gives it five stars. But then again I think most of the folks that stop by here know how I loves me Osmonds.

Eyes Don't Lie
~~Sure Lookin'~~
Buy It

Funny Toon

Steel Panther

2009-06-05T13:32:00.002-07:00

June is here and the year is darn near half over and musically speaking there hasn't been a whole lot to shout about. There's the new Chickenfoot album due out next week which is a rockin' album. Otherwise, Where did the rock n roll go? Well thanks to one of the Vancouver stations I listen to in the morning I found some. The morning dj's were talking about this band that were kind of Spinal Tapish in a glam rock, hair metal band way. They played a verse of one of their songs and then said that if people wanted to hear the whole song they could text in and request it. After the break they came back on and said they were getting swamped with messages to hear it and so they played it and it was the funniest shit I have ever heard. Not only was it freakin' hilarious it was pretty damn good too and I spent the rest of the day with that damn song stuck in my head. Since then this station has been getting swamped with requests to hear the song every morning. I agree cause it's awesome. Who is the band and what is the song you ask? The band is called Steel Panther and the song is Community Property.

Who the hell is Steel Panther and why do I think it's so great you may ask. As you can see from the picture these guys are a parody type band of all those hair metal bands from the 80's. They do their own stuff and it's full of every hair metal cliche you can think of from the 80's. If you weren't around for the glut of hair bands in the 80's then one might not get it but if you were then these guys must be heard. Let's face it some of those bands were downright ridiculous and talk about one hit wonders. I tried to find some bio about Steel Panther and found very little. Their myspace page wasn't much help as it was as hilarious as the music. But I did find this. Steel Panther is a Los Angeles, California based glam metal parody band. Originally formed as Danger Kitty, their first “claim to fame” was in a Discover Card commercial under that name. Satirically pretending to be a hair metal band that missed their big break in the '80s, singer Ralph Saenz ("Michael Starr"), drummer Darren Leader ("Stix Zadinia"), bassist Travis Haley ("Lexxi Foxxx"), and guitarist Russ Parrish ("Satchel") hit the club circuit on the Sunset Strip around the turn of the millennium under the name "Metal Shop (later changed to Metal Skool, and then Steel Panther.) They’re known for their energetic live show, which is the longest running metal show on the Sunset Strip. On stage, the band both pays tribute to and lampoons the heyday of 80’s glam metal. The band’s between-song comedy includes jests at conflict between band members, discussions of drugs, sex, and improvised humor with the crowd. If you want the satiracal bio you can read it here.

So after having that damn song stuck in my head for three days, I finally got me some Panther and I'm lovin' it. They are set to release their debut album next week and I'm going to be buying it. If political correctness is your thing then I would steer clear of this album but if you want to have some fun and relive the glory days of 80's glam metal then you shouldn't miss this one. One more thing I should warn you about. If you don't want this song running around your head all day then you should avoid it. In my opinion though, this is a must have. I heart Steel Panther.

Community Property

Funny Toon

Thunder and Fire

2009-06-03T12:02:00.003-07:00

In 1989 Jason and the Scorchers released their official third album called Thunder and Fire. Coming three years after Still Standing they steered more towards hard-rock. Reviews were mixed, often negative, and sales were disappointing. "The songs were more metal-influenced," according to the band's website, "as Warner [Hodges] had a big hand in the production. Then Perry Baggs was diagnosed with diabetes during a tour in 1990.

Screw the reviewers, this is my fave Jason album. On "Lights Out," for instance, Hodges sounds like a one-man guitar army. Jason Ringenberg delivers the most clearheaded vocal performances of his career. On tracks like "When the Angels Cry" and the cover of Phil Ochs's "My Kingdom for a Car," Ringenberg soars and sways with a new level of assurance and commitment. Thunder and Fire is Jason and the Scorchers' most audacious, most ambitious recording since their 1983 EP Fervor. They started off the decade as one of rock's most explosive acts and they ended it with even more firepower. This album contains my favorite Scorchers song which is When the Angels Cry. The really good news is that the Scorchers are "back in the saddle" as Jason & The Scorchers are or have recorded a new album and this will be their first recording session in 11 years. I can't seem to track down a release date for the new album but I know I desperately need it. Until then her's some tracks from this awesome out of print album.

~~When the Angels Cry~~
~~My Kingdom for a Car~~
No Turning Back
Buy It

Funny Toon

Dedication

2009-05-27T15:39:00.003-07:00

The Bay City Rollers 4th UK album, Dedication, the first new album to be released in the wake of their enormous worldwide success of early 1976, is a pop masterpiece. As with all the other Roller albums, the UK and US releases have different track listings. For purposes of this post it is about the UK release. The album is in the same vein as the others but sound a little more mature in sound. But changes were happening in the roller camp. Original founder member Alan Longmuir was replaced with a 18 year old guitarist from Ireland , Ian Mitchell. The change did not really effect the group but Mitchell was eventually replaced 7 to 8 months later by Pat Mcglynn. The album was even recorded on this side of the pond in Toronto. The big hits that resulted from the UK and US rleases, were I only want to be with you , Yesterdays Hero (hmmmm, very prophetic), Dedication, Rock 'N Roll Love Letter and Money Honey. Dedication is a very good pop album, definitely up there as one of the best of the seventies. And Let's be honest who doesn't like some good pop music.

Yesterdays Hero
Money Honey
~~Dedication~~
~~I Only Wanna Be With You~~
Buy It

Funny Toon

Turn It Loud

2009-05-24T12:57:00.003-07:00

The Headpins are the head instructors in Canadian Kick Ass Rock 101 - and school is in session. The Headpins were originally formed by Brian MacLeod and Ab Bryant as a sort of 'side project' from Chilliwack in 1980, the group's earliest beginnings included drummer Matt Frennette, ex of Streetheart and Randy Bachman's wife Denise McCann, who had enjoyed a moderately successful disco career a few years earlier on vocals. The Pins and Loverboy swapped drummers, and Frenette was gone and Bernie Aubin was in, who incidentally co-wrote Loverboy's "The Kid Is Hot Tonite".

Before the end of the year however, it was decided that McCann wasn't right for the job of translating MacLeod's musical vision and was replaced by Darby Mills, already a seasoned session worker and singer of Streetback, a group closer to what MacLeod had in mind than McCann's disco background.

Mills' style became known as the growl and would go on to lead the charge in their energized live show, She was compared more to Robert Plant or David Coverdale than, say Ann Wilson or Janis Joplin. In 1982 "Don't It Make Ya Feel" turned the FM stations upside down and their debut album, Turn it Loud, would go on to be certified double platinum, making it one of the most successful debut albums by a Canadian group ever.

The Headpins continue to tour to this day and in the last few years I've seen them several times and they kick ass like nobody's business. Darby's voice is better than it's ever been and she is a true metal goddess and is now more than ever one of the sexiest women in rock n roll to this day. They are simply an amazing band to catch live. If you can't find their debut album, Turn it Loud, then The greatest Hits album is a great place to start and easier to find if you're unfamiliar these guys. Highly recommended.

~~Keep Walkin' Away~~
Don't it Make Ya Feel
Buy It

Funny Toon

Hit and Run

2009-05-22T15:53:00.002-07:00

Canada has a wealth of artists who receive minimum recognition south of the border. There are a slew of musicians that most Americans have never heard, yet are everyday big names up here. Big Sugar probably fits that bill. Canadians are well acquainted with this band and so should the rest of the world. Unfortunately they disbanded a couple years ago, The band broke up in 2004, after, according to the band's website, Gordie Johnson became frustrated with Canadian radio programmers who claimed his single "All Hell for a Basement" was "too Canadian" (as the song refers the province of Alberta). Johnson, a staunch nationalist, was disgusted and angry and left Canada to pursue music in a more "open, welcoming" environment. Big Sugar is a hard band to categorize, but I'll try my best.

This eclectic band hails from Toronto and are in every sense of the word, original. A blues rock outfit that underwent several personnel changes from it's inception in 1991, to their last compilation album, Hit and Run, in 2003. But it worked. By the end they had one dude with heavy dreadlocks, one guy who can be described as Mr. Slick, and a seamless mixture of black and white members. Playing everything from guitar driven, riff heavy music to reggae and dub with a caribbean flavor, these guys covered all the bases. Their shows were noted for the floor-to-the-rafters speaker system with heart-shaking bass lines and energetic in your face guitars. Nicotina and Red Rover are monster riff in yer face rock. Hit and Run is a great overview of the band if you've never heard of them.

Red Rover
~~All Hell For a Basement~~
Buy It

Funny Toon

Indiscreet

2009-05-20T15:18:00.003-07:00

In the '70s and '80s, Sparks' American fans couldn't understand why the Mael brothers weren't as big in the United States as they were in England. "Why don't more of our fellow Americans realize just how great these guys are?" was the question that Sparks addicts in the U.S. often found themselves asking. Whatever the reason, British audiences really connected with Sparks' goofy, insanely clever lyrics -- and the fact that Russell Mael sings like he could be an eccentric upper-class Englishman (although he was born and raised in Los Angeles) probably didn't hurt.

Indiscreet, which was the Mael brothers' third (and last)album for Island and their fifth album overall, was released in 1975 and later re-released with three bonus tracks. The album is state-of-the-art Sparks completing a trilogy of sorts that began with Kimono My House. The power pop melodies are consistently infectious, and the lyrics are as humorous as one expects Sparks lyrics to be -- gems like "Pineapple," "Happy Hunting Ground," "Tits," and "Get in the Swing" will easily appeal to those who like to think of Russell and Ron Mael as the pop/rock equivalent of Monty Python's Flying Circus. With this album, as with any Sparks release, you can't JUST listen to the music. you can't JUST listen to the words. You have to take everything in at the same time or you're going to miss something really fun! "Indiscreet" combines the whimsy humour of Sparks' first four albums and creates the foundation for years to come. I keep putting up Sparks stuff every once in a while hoping to turn a new generation into Sparks fans and if I don't succeed well they're the ones missing out. Can't say I didn't try.

~~Get in the Swing~~
Tits
~~The Lady is Lingering~~
Buy It

Funny Toon

Spend the Night

2009-05-17T11:57:00.002-07:00

Spend the Night is the fifth studio album and major label debut by The Donnas, released in 2002 on Atlantic Records. It was the band's first charting record on the Billboard Hot 200, peaking at #62, and features their most successful single, "Take It Off", which peaked at #19 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart. By this album you can really hear them evolving from their "what if the Ramones were chicks" vibe into a really cohesive hard rock band.

As for news about their next release, The Donnas announced on May 6 their newest project 'The Donnas: Greatest Hits, Vol 16', which is set for release on July 7, 2009. The album will be released on the bands own Purple Feather Records. The package will contain newly recorded older songs, as well as B-sides, never before released material and some new songs. The band will join Blondie & Pat Benatar for a summer tour starting in July 2009 in support of the release. Drummer Torry Castellano will not play on any of the summer tour dates as she is having shoulder problems. The Donnas have chosen long time friend Amy of The Demonics to fill in for Torry on tour. A track list was announced via The Donnas Myspace page on May 7, 2009, as follows:

The Donnas Greatest Hits, Vol 16 Tracklisting:

1. Get Off 2. Perfect Stranger 3. We Own The Night 4. She's Out of Control 5. Take It Off 6. Fall Behind Me 7. Get You Alone 8. Play My Game 9. You Make Me Hot 10. Get Rid of That Girl 11. Hey I'm Gonna Be Your Girl 12. I Wanna be With a Girl Like You 13. I Don't Want to Go to School 14. Teenage Rules 15. Don't Wanna Break Your Head 16. High School Yum Yum

3, 4 – Previously Unreleased B-Sides 5, 6 – Live 7, 9, 10, 13, 16 – 2009 Versions 8 – Original Version Remix 11, 12 – Alternate Version 14, 15 – Original Version – Previously Unreleased

Can't Wait for it, meanwhile spend the night with a couple tracks from the Donnas.

~~5 O'Clock in the Morning~~
~~Too Bad About Your Girl~~
Buy It

Funny Toon

TNT

2009-05-15T12:34:00.003-07:00

TNT is the ninth album by Tanya Tucker which came out in 1978. Working with a new producer in Jerry Goldstein, Tucker drifted away from her earlier country style to do a much more rock-based effort. She covers well-known rock songs originally performed by such artists as Buddy Holly ("Not Fade Away"), Elvis Presley ("Heartbreak Hotel"), and Chuck Berry ("Brown Eyed Handsome Man"). Tucker also covers John Prine's bluesy "Angel from Montgomery," previously performed by Prine himself. However, the best song on the album may be the original "Texas (When I Die)," which had never been previously recorded. The album was Tucker's second-highest ranked ever on the Billboard Country charts at #2, and even reached #54 in the Pop category. Stodgy old Nashville was shocked that Tanya would try and go pop/rock and even more shocked by the albums's center gatefold art. With it's large gatefold cover, Tanya Tucker's sexy curves looked hot in black leather. And then there was the inside... Tanya in a tight red leotard. HOT STUFF -- even by rock and punk standards, back in 1978 and quite a bit of controversy for her at the time. Despite the controversy the album went gold. Another great example of why I miss vinyl. I had this album hanging on my wall for many years. A CD reissue of this album did not include the center art. Even if it did a little bitty old pic just wouldn't be the same.

~~Not Fade Away~~
Lover Goodbye
Buy It

Funny Toon

Missouri

2009-05-13T09:39:00.002-07:00

We're gonna have to jump in the way back machine for this classic album. Missouri is a band that hails from... uh Missouri. Kansas City that is. The band's self-titled first album was released in 1977 on a label called Panama Records. Even though Panama was an independent label, the band garnered huge airplay on American FM AOR radio stations, specifically with the track "Movin On". At least it was huge in the midwest where I grew up. Absolutely everyone I knew owned this album. They're kinda like your typical southern rock type band from that era. The album cover depicts the St. Louis’ Gateway Arch, “Gateway to the West,” superimposed over a scene of Monument Valley in north-eastern Arizona.

A month after its release, the album was listed on "Billboard's Recommended Album" page. As the album received massive airplay on Midwest radio, Missouri embarked upon a concert tour. "Missouri" performed across the nation and provided warm-up at large venue gigs, stadium shows and tours. Where the band was well known and had solid air play, "Missouri" would headline. Missouri toured with national acts such as Ted Nugent, Golden Earring, Scorpions, Blackfoot, Sammy Hagar, Nazareth, Molly Hatchet, REO Speedwagon, Blackfoot, Rush, Blue Oyster Cult, Van Halen, Jefferson Starship, just to name a few. I personally had the pleasure of seeing them open for Blue Oyster Cult in 81.

Missouri soon signed with Polydor records and released its second album entitled “Welcome two Missouri,” in 1979. The group continued touring until 1984. While the second album’s sales figures were impressive, the record industry and musical tastes were changing and southern rock was fading and new wave was taking over. Polydor Records did not renew Missouri’s option to record another album. Two classic albums which are out of print although there is a best of Missouri available which is a mix of the two albums.

Movin' On
~~Come on Move~~
Buy It

Funny Toon

The Message

2009-05-10T16:30:00.002-07:00

The Message is the 1982 debut album by Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five. Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five was a highly influential hip hop group comprised of Grandmaster Flash, Melle Mel, Kid Creole, Cowboy, Scorpio (aka Mr. Ness) and Raheim. In 2007, they became the first rap group to ever be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Rolling Stone ranked "The Message" #51 in its List of Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time (the highest placing for any song released in the 1980s, and highest ranking hip-hop song on the list). Curiously the song was written by Sugar Hill session musician Ed "Duke Bootee" Fletcher and Furious Five MC Melle Mel. Flash and the other members of The Furious Five, although credited on the song, were uninterested in recording the song and are not found on the finished version. I don't own many rap records but this one is a classic old skool hip hop album that everyone should own. The good old days when rap wasn't crap and I still remember every word from The Message.

~~It's Nasty~~
The Message
Buy It

Funny Toon