3 Concerts in Different Years

Massive Tour Announced

While I await the announcement that Metallica is going to play in Iowa, I will celebrate another huge tour that includes a date in Iowa. I am considering making a trip on 4/24/17 (a Monday) to Des Moines, Iowa to the Wells Fargo Arena to see Poison, Def Leppard, and Tesla! I've seen all three of these bands live. 

1. Poison
• The last time was the festival in Des Moines that also had Cinderella, Dokken, and . . . I can't remember who the other 'main' band was. 
• Before that, I saw them at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City with Don Dokken & Slaughter. 
• The first time I saw them was at the Five Seasons Center (now the US Cellular Center) in Cedar Rapids. 
2. Def Leppard 
• Def Leppard with Dokken (and interviewed bassist Jeff Pilson before the show and had my picture taken with him).
3. Tesla
• Tesla with Great White and Badlands at the Five Seasons Center (now the US Cellular Center) in Cedar Rapids.

 To celebrate, here is one favorite tune from each of them:

---

---

---

---

17 Slabs of Music

When I was listening to tunes on youtube.com, I came across these bands / albums. Listing them here does not imply endorsement.

1. 32 Leaves - Welcome To The Fall - Full Album https://youtu.be/sVEhs9ySQsg 
2. Alice in Chains - The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here - Full Album https://youtu.be/QBbCol3Rn54
3. Allele - Point Of Origin - Full Album https://youtu.be/sF54nSnnyBY
4. Black Out The Sun - Sevendust - Full Album https://youtu.be/GFIYbJz2ZQk
5. Damage INC. - And Justice for All (Metallica cover) https://youtu.be/_zWHPmvRqfI
6. Days Of Jupiter - Only Ashes Remain - Full Album https://youtu.be/-PJ1p1Mzbxw
7. Dead By April - Incomparable - Full Album https://youtu.be/f1QB5ZrI-Xk
8. Dead By April - Let The World Know - Full Album https://youtu.be/Sw8dmny9qAc
9. Emphatic - Another Life - Full Album https://youtu.be/pRQGfGHa7BQ
10. Evans Blue - Graveyard of Empires - Full Album https://youtu.be/eyqYHYZB-ao
11. I-Exist - Humanity - Full Album https://youtu.be/wlxUpfxPLVw
12. Pillar - Fireproof - Full Album https://youtu.be/IBztULYIYxE
13. Ra - Black Sun - Full Album https://youtu.be/FxQuJR-4Mq4
14. Ra - Critical Mass - Full Album https://youtu.be/BwrkKvj0usQ
15. Skillet – Unleashed - Full Album https://youtu.be/_8zDVnuZrt8
16. Tesla - Forever More Full Album https://youtu.be/WlcyhmqbMbc
17. Theory of a Deadman - Theory of a Deadman - Full Album https://youtu.be/oztggk9OL3g

Upcoming Incorrect

Bryan Adams is coming to Cedar Rapids, IA, for a concert at the US Cellular Center. I've never felt compelled to write about Bryan Adams on this blog, but I've always liked his tunes. I used to listen to "Cuts Like a Knife" on cassette repeatedly, though, there's been too many miles between then and now to cite a track on that release other than the title cut. I also liked the release "Reckless" but not because of the hit single "Summer of '69." I really liked the tune "Somebody." There was something magical about the guitar riff and even the guitar solo that speaks to me. I am humming the tune now (silently).

Set aside all of the above and look at the announcement I received through an email:

 

It's really close, but there's a problem with the date. As you can see below, September 18, 2016, is not a Monday - it's a Sunday. That makes a big difference as far as whether I'd be able to swing going to the show as far as scheduling and such.

As I sit here on a Wednesday in September, attending this show is unlikely to happen. I would rather see one or both of these shows instead:

I've never seen Korn, Motionless in White (Alex told me last night he likes their music), or REO Speedwagon in concert which means, yes, I've seen BB, Silver Snakes (they opened for Bring Me the Horizon in Clive when Alex and I went to see them last month), Def Leppard, and Tesla. When I saw Tesla, they were the HEADLINER and had Great White and Badlands open for them. Now they get the (crappy) opening slot on a 3 band bill. Meanwhile, yes, over in Moline, IL, there are at least three concerts I'd like to see:

"Make America Rock Again" is a multi-band concert with the following bands:

1. DROWNING POOL
2. TRAPT
3. SALIVA
4. SAVING ABEL
5. ALIEN ANT FARM
6. CRAZYTOWN
7. 12 STONES
8. TANTRIC
9. More!

I would very much want to see it!

Yes! Finally! Yes!

• Metallica is getting serious about their next studio album. I have "Death Magnetic" in my ears and damn! I hope they find themselves playing songs that have grooves like "Cyanide" and "All Nightmare Long." I can do without a retread of "The Unforgiven" as I routinely skip "Unforgiven III", but please, rock out!
  From here/, the following interview.
  
  
• Tesla is going to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their CD "Bust a Nut." I've never listened to it so here it is:
  
  

Have the Mighty Fallen? Or is this just a Great Booking?

The big announcement of the Motley Crue and Tesla concert at the Jones County Fair in July was made. Finally, the Jones County Fair is having a good concert. The Jones County Fair has a history of good bands playing. The only one that sticks out in my head is Styx. Getting Motley Crue to play is a major accomplishment. The controversy surrounding the band is legendary.

• Vince Neil - involved in a car crash where the Hanoi Rocks drummer died. 
• Nikki Sixx - he "died" from a heroin overdose and was revived. 
• Tommy Lee - there was a sex tape of him and Pamela Anderson - I guess it is worth watching. 
• Mick Mars - his health battles have plagued him since he was 17.

I have never been to a concert at the Jones County Fair. It has always been in mid-July and I've never had the weekend free since it is in the thick of our camping season. That's not a complaint - it's reality.

But I'm not writing about that.

I've seen Motley Crue in concert twice. The first time was in 1987 at the Five Seasons Center (now the US Cellular Center) in Cedar Rapids. This was on the "Girls, Girls, Girls" tour with Whitesnake as the opening band. This was the tour where Tommy Lee had a drum riser that went in circles. Supposedly, he was not feeling good that night and didn't do a drum solo. I felt ripped off. I've never let it go. Then, in 1997, I went to the same venue and watched Cheap Trick open for them. I wasn't impressed. I've always criticized the band in every piece of writing I've ever done about Motley Crue. They're not my favorite band. I respect their record sales, but not them as human beings.

Tesla, on the other hand, is awesome. I saw them in concert as well with Badlands and Great White at the Five Seasons Center. Badlands was awesome and featured drummer Eric Singer. Great White was good, but I don't remember much of them. Tesla was the headliner and rocked. I remember members of Badlands and Great White came out and they jammed on "It's Only Rock and Roll (But I like it)" at the end of the gig.

Tesla has always gotten a bad rap. They were unfairly lumped into hair metal because of their ballad "Love Song." However, I argue that "The Great Radio Controversy" is one of the great releases of all time. Maybe not top 10 or top 20, but definitely top 50. That's in my world. Songs like "Makin' Magic" have always resonated in me. Are the lyrics awesome? Perhaps not. I love the drumming, though. I listened to the release over and over.

What I Missed... and Idiots and Texas Hippies...Ship Rocked and other stuff...

There was a point in time where I considered driving up to the Twin Cities to see Metallica in concert, with Lamb of God opening. If I had gone and got tickets prior to the show selling out, this is the show I would have seen last week:
10/13/09 Target Center, Minneapolis, MN
That Was Just Your Life
The End of the Line
Ride The Lightning
Holier Than Thou
One
Broken, Beat & Scarred
Cyanide
Sad But True
Welcome Home (Sanitarium)
All Nightmare Long
Kirk Solo #1
The Day That Never Comes
Master Of Puppets
Fight Fire With Fire
Kirk Solo #2
Nothing Else Matters
Enter Sandman
Encore Jam
Die Die My Darling
Motorbreath
Seek and Destroy

---

And in other news, I found this:

---

My friend Phil shared this video of the Texas Hippie Coalition on his Facebook page:


I LIKE that one and I like this one too!

---

SHIPROCKED NEARLY SOLD OUT: DON'T MISS THE BOAT!

FT. LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA (October 15, 2009) - Been thinking about a vacation? Love rock n' roll? Want to try a cruise? If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, then ShipRocked is for you - but act fast because cabins are nearly sold out! ShipRocked is the hardest rocking floating festival of 2009 featuring Queensryche, Tesla, RATT, Skid Row, Lynam, Endeverafter, Broken Teeth, Stereoside, Stonerider and the Niki Barr Band. The cruise sets sail from Ft. Lauderdale on November 15 and returns you to reality five days later. Along the way, ShipRocked ports in Ocho Rios, Jamaica and Georgetown, Grand Cayman. For more information, visit http://www.getshiprocked.com/
Worried about the economy? Who isn't?! If you book now, you'll get in on special pricing for the last few remaining cabins. From now until they are gone, cabins will be sold on a "guarantee basis" which means you are guaranteed an interior, ocean view or balcony stateroom with a chance of an upgrade - without the extra cost! All cabins are subject to availability, and start at only $749 (per person, double occupancy). The prices include your cruise (room and board), all the concerts, meet and greets and other exclusive events during the trip. For booking and more information, please visit www.getshiprocked.com, or call 877-855-5502. Remember - once all cabins are booked no more can be added, so don't delay. You don't want to miss the boat on the year's biggest music event.

During ShipRocked, you'll be entertained by Queensryche, Tesla, RATT, Skid Row, Lynam, Endeverafter, Broken Teeth, Stereoside, Stonerider and the Niki Barr Band. You'll also have time to relax on the beach while in port, rock out in clubs around the ship, express yourself during heavy metal karaoke and dress up like it's 1989 during the 80s Prom Night!

ShipRocked sails November 15 -20, 2009 on the beautiful MSC Poesia. The Poesia is the third vessel in the MSC Cruise Line's "Musica" family of ships. This ship features MSC Cruise Line's signature Italian inspired decor, impeccable service, sumptuous cuisine in multiple restaurants, beautiful swimming pools, hot tubs plus a full-service spa and fitness center.

ShipRocked will truly be the ultimate rock and roll vacation and backstage pass!