Sunday, January 25, 2015

Decibel – Indy Band Review – Drifty’s Sports Pub (South Indy)




Perhaps at first glance these guys may seem somewhat ‘unassuming’, but once heard, you’d soon realize your eyesight was failing, and no, you’re not hearing, or what I like to call 'hallucinating' with your ears either.  How is it that this quartet of obviously very young dudes can be playing what they are playing? Well, it is certainly evident that they eat, sleep, totally live and breathe their musical talent/abilities and bring with it a fresh, high energy performance that will be sure to grow in popularity locally and beyond over the next many months.  It is interesting that the dictionary definition of decibel is ‘a unit of measurement for intensity of sound….a degree of loudness’.  Yes, they like it loud.  I believe it was KISS that stated years ago, ‘if it’s too loud, you’re too old!’ So… 

With a line-up of tunes from Led Zeppelin (Good Times, Bad Times), Judas Priest (Living After Midnight), Ted Nugent (Cat Scratch Fever) and Rush (Working Man), you may feel as if you have entered a quarter of a century time warp…but that’s a good thing!  The audience they are playing for are in an age group old enough to be their parents…that cannot be overlooked.  That said, it comes surprising to most that there would have been an influence of this era when you’re barely twenty-one years old, and younger.  I think a lot of us ‘80’s folks’ would like to travel back to what many of us remember as ‘the good ol’ days’, of course, with the wisdom of today and the bodies of our 20’s!
 
Decibel is….
Rafaey Ali – lead vocals/rhythm guitar
Lucas Krier – bass guitar/vocals
Caleb White – lead guitar/vocals
Jonny Holtman – drums
 
Check out…
www.facebook.com/DecibelTheBand
www.youtube.com/DecibelTheBand
To listen to a few of their original songs which will be on an upcoming 10-song CD:
https://www.facebook.com/DecibelTheBand?v=app_178091127385
 
 
Decibel performed many AC/DC tunes (something that always captures my attention, because that’s my favorite band).  ‘Jailbreak’, ‘Walk All Over You’, ‘You Shook Me All Night Long’ and ‘High Voltage’ which included patron participation and was well received. Although there wasn’t much dancing out on the floor, there were many jamming in their seats.  Caleb took the microphone for an always popular Cheap Trick song ‘Surrender’, while Lucas introduced many KISS tunes into the mix that are not typical club selections, ‘C’Mon And Love Me’, ‘Shock Me’ and ‘Cold Gin’.
These guys really have a lot going for them, they’re young, very energetic, have a more unusual musical line-up and include a nice blend of their own original tunes as well. They don’t just step outside the box…they throw the box away! If you haven’t seen them, you need to…you will not be disappointed. Rock on, guys!
 
 

 


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Saturday, January 24, 2015

Come Again? Rock and Roll Re-makes: 'Your Mama Don't Dance'

It seems like somebody is always trying to re-do something that somebody else has done in the hopes of making it better...rock and roll is no different when it comes to song re-makes, there are so many.  'Come Again?' will be another series in my Nita @ Large blog, taking a deeper look into these 'second time around' tunes. I hope you enjoy the walk down rock music memory lane.
 
I wasn't exposed to much of the 70's music, but there are a few songs I recall hearing, and 'Your Mama Don't Dance' is one of them.  This song has certainly made it around the re-make rock and roll block.  It was originally released by Loggins and Messina in 1972.  It was their biggest hit and only gold single.  In reviewing their discography (www.logginsandmessina.com) I realized this is probably the only song I am familiar with from them. They were popular up to about 1977, but have released a couple CD/DVD's as late as 2005.  It's a great dance song, and the lyrics certainly capture the young rebellion of this era.
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hlMi6PvUDE
 
 
One of the interesting bits of trivia I came across while researching for this blog is that even Elvis Presley covered 'Your Mama Don't Dance' as part of a medley on his 1974 live album.
 
 
 
However, if you recall another band 'Yesterday & Today' formed in 1974, they also did their own rendition of this on their 'Down For The Count' LP in 1985.  It was shortly before this in 1981 they had 'shortened' their name to 'Y&T', and were the most requested hard rock side band of the 80's.  They have quite an impressive discography (http://www.discogs.com/artist/328606-Y-T), and certainly made their mark during the 80's as a glam metal band. They are still actively touring in 2015. (http://www.songkick.com/artists/519515-y-and-t)
 


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LvK3AmY5Ka4
 
 
So, let's go around one....more....time! Enter in 80's glam boys Poison.  Is there anything Bret Michaels can't do better? In my opinion, this one exceeds all the above artists, including L and M.  Released on their album 'Open Up And Say...Aah!' in 1988, and later released as a single in 1989.  Bret and his boys are the 'poster children' (so to speak) of long haired rebellious dudes that only spell one word....trouble! But they pull this one off with pizzazz...a natural for their style....just a bunch of hot guys out havin' 'nothin' but a good time', right?
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aB5JRS6JOck
 
 
So, I guess the burning question on this one is, what would it have been like if mama had danced and daddy had been into rock and roll? Maybe we wouldn't have had this great song....hmmm....that would be a cryin' shame! The rebellion continues....rock on!
 
 

 

 
 
 

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Tuesday, January 6, 2015

Makin' Love With 80's Hair Metal Bands

Can we talk about makin' love? Did that get your undivided attention? I mean, this is an adult blog, so perhaps if you're not, or you might be offended by the subject matter, then cover your eyes and ears, cuz you shouldn't oughta hear what I'm about to write! Love....it's all you need, right? It's a universal language conveyed thru every genre of music.  It's a strong emotion to say the least.  Shared in the most intimate way, it speaks volumes without saying a word...it's the 'action' that brings it all together. Perhaps it's the hopeless romantic in me or that small percentage of lady likeness that says, 'hey, don't be subtle'.  I'm a pretty straightforward kind of gal...it is what it is...turn most women on and you won't be thinking 'lady', you'll be thinking 'animal'!  Anyway, no need to beat around the bush (oh yes, don't be surprised by some play on words here), let's get to the point....sex sells!
 
What better mode of entry than through music? Of course, I'm partial to 80's hair metal bands, so naturally I'm gonna pick some of my favorites from this era.  And believe me, there's no shortage... of songs that is. So, let me share with you some of my personal favorites.  Please feel free to comment and give feedback. Let's go with 10....why ten? Well, because lists of 10's are fun, right?
 
10.  KISS - Love Gun (I really love you, Baby, I love what you've got, Let's get together, We can, get hot) 
http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=kiss+love+gun+video&FORM=VIRE3#view=detail&mid=7E095BCCA45549C53F7C7E095BCCA45549C53F7C
 
Perhaps KISS was the sexiest band, due mainly to front-man Paul Stanley....he certainly had the sexpot image.  Although this song was released in 1977, many of this band's big hits flowed over to the 80's.  So, are they hair metal? Not really, I guess. Well, they've got lots of hair....and that tongue....Gene Simmons...I'm sure that could make for some fun times in the ol' sack, eh? Ok...enough of that! I'm putting this one in the #10 spot.
 
9.  Scorpions - Rock You Like A Hurricane (My body is burning it starts to shout, Desire's coming it breaks out loud,  Lust is in cages, till storm breaks loose,  Just have to make it with someone I choose)
 
 
So, I guess my question on this one is, are we talkin' a Category 5?
 
 
8.  Bon Jovi - Bad Medicine (I don't need no needle to be giving me a thrill,  And I don't need no anesthesia or a nurse to bring a pill,  I got a dirty down addiction that doesn't leave a track,  I got a jolt for your affection like a monkey on my back, There ain't no paramedic gonna save this heart attack)


 
 
Well, certainly Mr. Jovi was one sexy dude back in the day...yes, women would have waited in an endless line to get some of his bad medicine.  Hey, that's what you get for falling in love, right?
 
7.  RATT - Lay It Down (Under the sheets you will find me, I know that nothings for free, You take what's good for your pleasin',  I'll take what's good for this crazy evening)



 
Well, I'll admit it, I was in lust with Stephen Pearcy back in the 80's.  He could have invaded my privacy anytime!  Must have been the bedroom eyes....yeah, would be nice to find him in between my sheets!
 
 
6.  White Lion - Radar Love (When she gets lonely,  And the longin' gets too much,  She sends a cable comin' in from above,  We don't need to talk at all)


OMG, Mike Tramp....what can a gal say? Oh, well, I guess I don't need to talk at all! I love their song "Wait"...mmmm....would love to show up on this man's radar!


5.  Cinderella - Shake Me (Screamed and scratched and rolled out of the bed,  I never really got her out of my head,  And now and then she makes those social calls, Gives me a squeeze, gets me kickin' the walls)
  
 

Ok, so this song is a good head bangin' song....and a good headboard bangin' song, eh? Uh huh...c'mon....how many of all y'all did just that?  Classic hair metal...rock on!
 
4.  Guns N' Roses - Anything Goes (Panties 'round your knees with your ass in debris,  Doin' dat grind with a push and squeeze,  Tied up, tied down, up against the wall, Be my rubber made baby an' we can do it all)
 

One never need worry that GNR will hold back! Oh my....this band definitely flaunts their sexuality very well in words. 'Nuf said!

Ok folks, down to my last 3! This is gettin' good.  What do you think so far?  Let's continue....
 
3.  Poison - Talk Dirty To Me  ('Cause baby we'll be,  At the drive-in, in the old man's Ford,  Behind the bushes,  'Til I'm screamin' for more,  Down the basement,  Lock the cellar door,  And baby,  Talk dirty to me)

 

Hands down these guys were tops in the glam/hair metal arena.  Oh, Bret....Mr. 'Rock Of Love'....(he) 'sounds like such a nice boy!' Uh huh...nice my a**.... ;-)
 
2.  Whitesnake - Slow An' Easy (So take me down slow an' easy,  Make love to me slow an' easy)

 

It's really hard to talk about this band and not mention 'Slide It In'.  David Coverdale gets his point across every time...no second guessing his desires...how sexy is that in a man? Love that kind of confidence!
 
 
And....my #1 pick????
 
 
1. Def Leppard - Pour Some Sugar On Me (Pour some sugar on me, ooh, in the name of love,  Pour some sugar on me, c'mon fire me up,  Pour your sugar on me, I can't get enough,  I'm hot, sticky sweet from my head to my feet, yeah)
 
 


 
Ok, you probably saw that one coming.  This has to be 'the bomb' in makin' love, love makin' songs!  And how often is it probably used for that purpose? Huh? Yup....yup....! :-)
 
 
All in the name of love! How did you like this trip down makin' love memory lane? I enjoyed it.  The 80's were such a cool time.  I am so glad I was a part of that.  Crazy times for sure....great memories.  Perhaps the 80's was 'the best' at makin' love through song....what do you think?
 




 





 










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