Against Me! may sound like one more clever wanna-be radical punk band with a message, but in time, there was more to them than meets the eye, as we will soon see. Much more.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RY9TbZMlTaI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmUKY0JEArA

Born On the FM Waves Of the Heart

No (no), it's not what we meant to say (it's not what we meant to say)
We don't really love each other
What happens when the summer's over?
(How long before distance becomes a chore?)
I'm approaching with great (great) trepidation
I hope you'll understand

Before you speak (before you speak)
Think about what you're trying to say (think about what you're trying to say)
Who else is there to blame for miscommunication?
You're getting caught up in the excitement
(You making promises you can't keep)
You need to leave all your options open

Too much momentum
This room feels like it's going to explode
Too many angles
Too many factors to cover
Waiting for signal
You're searching for a network
You have to fight to stay in control of the situation

Anxiety, anxiety, you give me no mercy
Grind my teeth smooth and flat in my sleep
We took some pills to calm us down
(We needed help to come back up)
Just trying to stay in control of the situation

Too much momentum
This room feels like it's going to explode
Too many angles
Too many factors to cover
Waiting for signal
You're searching for a network
You have to fight to stay in control of the situation
And we fall apart so easily

Too much momentum
This room feels like it's going to explode
Too many angles
Too many factors to cover
Waiting for signal
You're searching for a network
You have to fight to stay in control
You have to fight to stay in control
No, you don't have to fight to stay in control of the situation

The Pixies

The Pixies are an American alternative rock band formed in 1986 in Boston, Massachusetts. The original line-up comprised Black Francis (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Joey Santiago (lead guitar), Kim Deal (bass, backing vocals) and David Lovering (drums). The band disbanded acrimoniously in 1993, but reunited in 2004. After Deal left in 2013, the Pixies hired Kim Shattuck as a touring bassist; she was replaced the same year by Paz Lenchantin, who became a permanent member in 2016.
The Pixies were associated with the 1990s alternative rock boom, and draw on elements including punk rock and surf rock. Their music is known for its dynamic "loud-quiet" shifts and song structures. Francis is the Pixies' primary songwriter; his often surreal lyrics cover offbeat subjects such as extraterrestrials, incest, and biblical violence. They achieved modest popularity in their home country, but were more successful in the United Kingdom and mainland Europe. Their jarring pop sound influenced bands such as Nirvana, Radiohead, Bush, Blur and Weezer. Their popularity grew in the years following their break-up, leading to sold-out world tours following their reunion in 2004.

The Pixies

The Pixies are an American alternative rock band formed in 1986 in Boston, Massachusetts. The original line-up comprised Black Francis (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Joey Santiago (lead guitar), Kim Deal (bass, backing vocals) and David Lovering (drums). The band disbanded acrimoniously in 1993, but reunited in 2004. After Deal left in 2013, the Pixies hired Kim Shattuck as a touring bassist; she was replaced the same year by Paz Lenchantin, who became a permanent member in 2016.
The Pixies were associated with the 1990s alternative rock boom, and draw on elements including punk rock and surf rock. Their music is known for its dynamic "loud-quiet" shifts and song structures. Francis is the Pixies' primary songwriter; his often surreal lyrics cover offbeat subjects such as extraterrestrials, incest, and biblical violence. They achieved modest popularity in their home country, but were more successful in the United Kingdom and mainland Europe. Their jarring pop sound influenced bands such as Nirvana, Radiohead, Bush, Blur and Weezer. Their popularity grew in the years following their break-up, leading to sold-out world tours following their reunion in 2004.

Now that Audioslave were no more, guitarist Tom Morello found time to concentrate on a new project. Instead of often jarring, idiosyncratic guitar work as heard on Rage Against the Machine and Audioslave tracks, he decided to try a new vehicle to communicate his social awareness. He adopted a persona known as The Nightwatchman, where he performed folk songs on an acoustic guitar, much in the style of earlier folk musicians in the early 60's.

Morello had done this earlier, beginning in 2003, but soon he had a new context for his message: The country and the world were not going in a good direction. For that reason his music, in the words of Morello, was "a reaction against illicit wars, a reaction against first strikes, torture, secret prisons, spying illegally on American citizens. It's a reaction against war crimes, and it's a reaction against a few corporations that grow rich [off] this illicit war while people beg for food in the city streets."

Morello was inspired by British folk musician Billy Bragg who was playing in a tent alongside big musical names in 1994, and had the idea to do this himself.

Morello joined Bragg on his Tell Us the Truth Tour which was championed by many as the musical antidote to the media manipulation and commercial corruption which bullied opposing voices rising against the renegade Bush administration.

Not everyone understood Morello's desire to sing and play on an acoustic guitar. He explained, "The Nightwatchman is my political folk alter ego. I've been writing these songs and playing them at open mic nights with friends for some time. This is the first time I've toured with it. When I play open mic nights, I'm announced as The Nightwatchman. There will be kids there who are fans of my electric guitar playing, and you see them there scratching their heads."

In the spring of 2007, The Nightwatchman released 'One Man Revolution', which contained such tracks of desperation as "California's Dark", "The Garden Of Gethsemane", "House Gone Up In Flames", and "No One Left", which was included in 'Songs and Artists That Inspired Fahrenheit 9/11' a series of musical recordings paying homage to the 2004 documentary by Michael Moore.

No One Left

Each one had a father
There's no one left
A name and a mother
No one left
Each one had a dream
A prayer on their breath
The world's gone black
No one left

On the streets of Manhattan
A dusty wind blows
Letters and wishes
A girl with a rose

On the streets of Baghdad
A dusty wind blows
Letters and wishes
A girl with a rose

Each one had a father
There's no one left
A name and a mother
No one left
Each one had a dream
A prayer on their breath
The world's gone black
No one left

Fire and vengeance
In the New York sky above
Stole my angel
Stole my true love

Fire and vengeance
In the Baghdad sky above
Stole his angel
Stole his true love

I stand on my front porch
I look up at the sky
Will my world go black
In the blink of an eye

He stands out in the desert
He looks up at the sky
Will his world go lack
In the blink of an eye

Each one had a father
There's no one left
A name and a mother
No one left
Each one had a dream
A prayer on their breath
The world's gone black


California's Dark

It started in basements
And it started in sheds
It started in backyards
And was hidden under beds

I turned on the TV
Don't believe a word they say
We can't stay here
And we can't get away

There's a riot on Sunset
And fires burn in the park
The sun has set my friend
And California's dark

And over the screaming
I heard a clear voice
I looked at my choices
And I made a choice

Smoke and ashes
Tonight hide the stars
The stop lights are red now, love
We've come for what's ours

There's a riot on Sunset
And fires burn in the park
The sun has set my friend
And California's dark

Come stand among the rattlesnakes
At the side of the desert road
And close your eyes and listen
To the music hard and cold

Tonight the moon is blackened
Tonight the doors are shut
Behind the shuttered windows
We pray the sun will come up

For something walks across these fields
For which there is no name
You might have heard different
But I was there when it came

It will start with a spark
And a great fire will grow
Don't know how I know it
But I just know

There's a riot on Sunset
And fires burn in the park
The sun sets everywhere
And the whole damn country's dark

There's a riot on Sunset
And fires burn in the park
The sun has set my friend
And California's dark
No one left

In the spring of 2007, a horrific incident erupted on the East Coast which threw the country into turmoil--and into a familiar round of controversies, accusations, and recriminations. A student at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute opened fire with two semi-automatic pistols, killing 32 people and wounding 17 others. Before being apprehended, the shooter took himself out by shooting himself in the head.

The perpetrator in the worst campus massacre in recent history, Seung-Hui Cho, was described as a mentally unstable and in need of treatment. However, he was still able to purchase weapons on a legal loophole. After the incident, stringent measures were made in law to ensure such questionable individuals would be prevented from buying guns.

Cho had an anxiety disorder which prevented him from being able to verbally communicate to people. He left behind a manifesto in which he made himself appear as if he had a messianic complex as being a Christlike liberator of the poor and oppressed, while his suicide note included diatribes against "rich kids", "debauchery", and " deceitful charlatans". It was ironic--or was it?--that many people with such Quixotic attitudes, to vanquish a perceived oppressor, would take out their frustrations with such inexplicable vengeance and violence.

While national debate raged about gun culture and who was ultimately responsible for this heinous act, there was the question of popular culture and music called into play: Just as the Columbine killers identified with techno music and were (falsely) tied in with Marilyn Manson and Goth music and culture according to the media, the Virginia Tech assassin had his own interest in a particular band--

Cho was a fan of Collective Soul. He particularly liked the song "Shine".

Would this band or song explain the motive for his atrocities? :confused:


In one of the photos below, students hide in a classroom during the shooting rampage:

Also in 2007, former Black Eyed Peace frontwoman Fergie released 'The Dutchess', which saw her move away from her more familiar vehicle of urban pop to a more contemporary ballad sound on her breakup track "Big Girls Don't Cry".

However, this song stood in stark contrast to tracks such as "London Bridge" with its obscenities and the like.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agrXgrAgQ0U

Big Girls Don't Cry (Personal)

Na, na, na ,na
The smell of your skin lingers on me now
You're probably on your flight back to your hometown
I need some shelter of my own protection, baby
Be with myself and center
Clarity, peace, serenity

[Chorus]
I hope you know, I hope you know
That this has nothing to do with you
It's personal, myself and I
We got some straightening out to do
And I'm gonna miss you like a child misses their blanket
But I've got to get a move on with my life
It's time to be a big girl now
And big girls don't cry
Don't cry, don't cry, don't cry

[Verse 2]
The path that I'm walking, I must go alone
I must take the baby steps 'til I'm full grown, full grown
Fairy tales don't always have a happy ending, do they?
And I foresee the dark ahead if I stay

[Chorus]
I hope you know, I hope you know
That this has nothing to do with you
It's personal, myself and I
We got some straightening out to do
And I'm gonna miss you like a child misses their blanket
But I've got to get a move on with my life
It's time to be a big girl now
And big girls don't cry

[Bridge]
Like the little schoolmate in the school yard
We'll play jacks and UNO cards
I'll be your best friend and you'll be my Valentine
Yes, you can hold my hand if you want to
Cause I want to hold yours too
We'll be playmates and lovers
And share our secret worlds
But it's time for me to go home
It's getting late and dark outside
I need to be with myself and center
Clarity, peace, serenity

[Chorus]
I hope you know, I hope you know
That this has nothing to do with you
It's personal, myself and I
We got some straightening out to do
And I'm gonna miss you like a child misses their blanket
But I've got to get a move on with my life
It's time to be a big girl now
And big girls don't cry
Don't cry, don't cry, don't cry

More pictures:

The Dutchess is the debut studio album by American singer Fergie. It was released on September 13, 2006 through A&M Records and the will.i.am Music Group as her first solo album since the break from her band The Black Eyed Peas. The album was recorded between The Black Eyed Peas' tour in 2005, and the songs were written throughout the last eight years that preceded its release. While developing the album, Fergie wanted to create an autobiographical album that would be more intimate between her and the listener. By doing so, the album experiments with different music genres, including pop, hip hop, R&B, reggae, punk rock and soul. Lyrically, The Dutchess has themes about love and critics, while also dealing with her drug abuse and addiction.

And topping the entries of 2007 concept albums, we now arrive at Ministry and 'The Last Sucker'. As with many concept albums released that year dealing with dystopian concepts and themes of societal doom and desolation, the Al Jourgensen-fronted band was more explicit in their three-fold series of albums revolving around a theme near and dear to their hearts: None other than the wretched presidency of George W. Bush and his plan for America and the world. Apparently the current Chief Executive provided no lack of themes for lyrics.

It had reached a point where Jourgensen and the band decided to bow out on a high note. He commented thusly:

"That seems to be my muse; everyone seems to think I write real s:censored:ty music when a Democrat's in office. So we'll do that one, and then me and George (W.) Bush go riding off hand-in-hand, into the sunset."

It was understood that a Republican administration, as of late, offered an impetus for frustrated musicians. The 70's era of Black Sabbath countered with the Nixon administration and the Vietnam war, the 80's era of Reagan ran afoul of Metallica and Megadeth with their condemnation of censorship and repression under the P.M.R.C., but where was the 90's Clinton administration? Full of tie-dye and Lollapalooza and Lilith Fair crybabies all going soft.

The tracks included "Let's Go", "Watch Yourself", "Life Is Good", and "End Of Days (Parts 1 and 2)".

Let's Go

Let's go to the edge of disaster
Push the pedal and go a little faster
Let's slam into a wall at ramming speed
Let's go to the edge of a mountain
Jump off and lets start countin'
Hit the ground and tell me if it bleeds

Let's go insane
Let's go insane

Let's go to the edge of reality
Let's go for total insanity
Let's go for a government based on greed
Let's go for the final attack
Let's go for a war in Iraq
Let's go for starting up World War III

Let's go insane
Let's go insane
Make my reservation

Let's go for the ultimate crime
Let's go for the end of time
Let's go for an ethnic killing spree
Let's go for the final battle
Let's slaughter them all like cattle
Let's go to our graves in victory

In fact, Al Jourgensen had second thoughts about his Bush-bashing when finishing this album. His attitude was one of pity now more than revulsion:

"By the end of Last Sucker, I actually felt guilty and bad about bashing Bush. In Rio Grande Blood, I was all into it: this guy's evil. But by the end of Last Sucker, I was just like, this guy is in over his head. The oligarchy rules, and this guy plays with crayons and reads My Pet Goat. I mean, he's a blithering idiot. I protested him here in El Paso one time. I got within 10 feet of him. I can't believe the Secret Service let me get that close. And he was at a taco stand, like, "I'll take one of them there enchiritos." Well, there was no enchirito on the menu, and I don't even know what an enchirito is. But George W. was insistent, so they made him an enchirito, and I got to witness the whole thing and I started feeling sorry for him. What a dolt, man. This guy is so stupid, he can't be running the country. Cheney and the oligarchy is running the country. This guy just plays with Tonka trucks and orders enchiritos. I actually felt sorry for him."


Watch Yourself

Watch yourself
Someone's watching
Watching you
Big brother
Will discover
Just what you do

Someone's watching
Someone's listening
Watch yourself
Someone's watching
Someone's listening
Watch yourself
Someone wants information
Watch yourself
Someone wants your deportation
Watch yourself

Just watch yourself
There is no running away
This is the U.S.A
There is no running away
Just watch yourself

Someone's watching
Someone's listening
Watch yourself
Someone's watching
Someone's listening
Watch yourself
Someone wants interrogation
Watch yourself
Someone wants extermination
Watch yourself

Just watch yourself
There is no running away
This is the world that we live in today
There is no running away
Just watch yourself

Someone's watching
Someone's listening
Watch yourself
Someone's watching
Someone's listening
Watch yourself
Someone's spying on the nation
Watch yourself
Someone wants annihilation
Watch yourself

Just watch yourself
There is no running away
This is the U.S.A
There is no running away
Just watch yourself

Just watch yourself
There is no running away
This is the world that we live in today
There is no running away
Just watch yourself

Al Jourgensen:

The second track of the following two songs includes an excerpt of President Dwight D. Eisenhower's final address, warning of the dangers of what was called the military-industrial complex, where great money is to be made profiteering from national defense and the building of weapons. It was feared that war would become good business, and big business as well.

End Of Days (Part 1)

Judgment day's upon us and I see no one cares
Lies for death in pools of blood and I'm stoned with fear
A trigger happy finger solves a problem not a prayer
I see this world falling apart and I f:censored:ing swear

It is the end of days
It is the end of days
We've clearly lost our way

Revelations, dissipation, condemnation
Dissolution, do you feel like you're under a gun?
Desperation, condemnation, indignation, terror nation
That's what the world is today!
Hey! Hey!

It is the end of days
It is the end of days
We've clearly lost our way

Judgment day is upon us, I don't care
Judgment day is upon us, do ya fear?
I'm in a world of s:censored:, I don't care!

End Of Days (Part 2)

As the future unfolds in the end of days
Judgment of our times in biblical ways
Our man made gods, genocide is faith
Idea warfare has been engaged
Cannot trust your fellow man at all these days
Sycophants out looking to get paid
Images burned into my face
Pangs of Distress salt my flesh to flay

I constantly fear everything I see
Blood is the fist of authority
Pestilence is my rabid dog unchained
Another road sign marks the end of days
I disregard those who govern me
I hate all of this treachery
I numb my mind and try to walk away
Toward the trail of tears and to the end of days

Face down on pavement and drunk at the end of my days
I hang from a noose that was made to slowly decay
The pangs of distress salt my flesh to slowly flay
Face down on pavement and drunk at the end of my days
The end of days

In an interview, Jourgensen explained that he was not even angry so much with Bush now as with the powers-that-be which enthroned him. Bush was considered a dupe or a figurehead with no real power, hence the title to the album:

"On this one, I’m not really railing on Bush per se. I’m really railing more about the system. The first couple of records [in the W trilogy] I really railed on Bush because you’ve got to remember, I was living in Texas when him and Karl Rove dethroned Anne Richards, who was the most popular and effective governor we had in Texas. They ruined the state of Texas and he got in office by completely devious means through Karl Rove by saying she was an alcoholic and making the people afraid. It was the whole same election.

So, I was really pissed on a personal level being a Texan and thought this guy sucks. So, I really railed on him and Rove for the first couple of records. This time, I have to say I almost feel sorry for Georgie. Now, he actually thinks he’s President, he’s in charge and he’s the decider. Yeah, my ass. (laughs) Between Cheney, Rumsfeld, Wolfowitz, Exxon, Mobil, Shell, Halliburton, Bechtel, Blackwater and the Carlyle Group, those are the people that run [things]. Now, I feel sorry for him because he is the last sucker, the last one to realize he’s not in charge."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgYChEWRpAE

The lyrics are spoken from the point of view of Bush:

The Last Sucker

Born and raised in the USA
I got a different type of DNA
I got a bloodline from Texas to Maine
We run the world like a parlor game

I got twins and a stepford wife
I never had to work a day in my life
I never studied but got my degree
I never had to with my family tree

Now I'm the last sucker
Now I'm the last one
No longer in charge
Of anyone!

I got others tell me what to say
I'm like an actor in a tragic play
They give me speeches
I can't understand
It doesn't matter
As long as no one else can

Now I'm the last sucker
Now I'm the last one
No longer in charge
Of anyone!

"Let's Go"

Let's go to the edge of disaster
Push the pedal and go a little faster
Let's slam into a wall at ramming speed
Let's go to the edge of a mountain
Jump off and lets start countin'
Hit the ground and tell me if it bleeds

Let's go insane
Let's go insane

Let's go to the edge of reality
Let's go for total insanity
Let's go for a government based on greed
Let's go for the final attack
Let's go for a war in Iraq
Let's go for starting up World War III

Let's go insane
Let's go insane
Make my reservation

Let's go for the ultimate crime
Let's go for the end of time
Let's go for an ethnic cleansing spree
Let's go for the final battle
Let's slaughter them all like cattle
Let's go to our graves in victory

Let's go insane
Let's go insane

Let's go!.....insane

Going back a moment to 2004, Ministry released their first album of their anti-Bush trilogy, 'Houses Of the Molé', an obvious play on words of the title of the Led Zeppelin album and track. The album featured a series of clips of Bush's speeches and, interestingly, nearly every song title began with the letter "W", in an obvious jab at the president. The two songs not to be titled in this way were "No W" and "Psalm 23".

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBGMW86u1Qk

No W

If this is really living
Then why am I so unforgiving
Half the world is down the toilet
Half is on its way

Well if I had a dollar for
Every time he hollers:
"Trust us with your hearts and minds"
Or I'll make you pay

TRUST ME

Ask me why you're feeling screwed
And I'll give you an answer
There's a Colin, Dick and Bush
Just a-hammerin' away

Ask me why you feel deceived
And stripped of all your liberties
It doesn't take a genius
To explain that today

TRUST ME

Waiting

I'm still waiting
I'm still waiting
I'm still waiting
I'm still waiting
Waiting for Christ in the USA
Waiting for Christ in the USA
Waiting for Christ in the USA
Waiting til I die
Waiting for the day
Waiting for the day
Waiting for the day
He needs me
I'm still waiting
I'm still waiting
I'm still waiting
I'm still waiting
Wasting my time in the USA
Wasting my time in the USA
Wasting my life in the USA
Waiting til I die
Waiting for the day
Waiting for the day
Waiting for the day
He needs me
Waiting for the day
Waiting for the day
Waiting for the day
He needs me
I'm still waiting
I'm still waiting
I'm still waiting
I'm still waiting
Waiting for a life in the USA
Waiting for a life in the USA
Waiting for a life in the USA

In 2006, Ministry released the second installment in their anti-Bush trilogy, 'Rio Grande Blood". The tracks included "Señor Peligro" (Mr. Danger in Spanish), "Fear (Is Big Business)", "LiesLiesLies", and "Yellow Cake", a reference to the Niger uranium debacle.

Samples of the album contained Bush bragging about his "dangerous, dangerous" capabilities. The following lyric even ties in to the 9/11 "Truther" premise:

LiesLiesLies

Gentlemen we have called you together to inform you that we
Are going to overthrow the United States government
Do you still think that jet fuel brought down the World Trade Center?

Does anybody else see a problem here?
If the government has nothing to hide why are
They so afraid toanswer a few questions?
This story does not add up

I'm on a mission to never forget
3,000 people that I've never met
We want some answers and all that we get
Some kind of s:censored: about a terrorist threat
Lies Lies Lies Lies Lies Lies Lies
Lies Lies Lies Lies Lies Lies Lies
Lies Lies Lies Lies Lies Lies Lies
Surpise Surprise Surprise
Lies Lies

I'm on a mission to dig up the truth
You think we're stupid and there's no proof
Well let me tell you that the time has come
To pull the trigger on the smoking gun
Lies Lies Lies Lies Lies Lies Lies
Lies Lies Lies Lies Lies Lies Lies
Lies Lies Lies Lies Lies Lies Lies
Surpise Surprise Surprise
Lies Lies Lies Lies

Señor Peligro

Señor Peligro
Bush's alter ego
A family of danger
And that's his middle name
Invasion is imminent
Keeping down the dissidents
Killing is his business
And business is game

Justification
To Cross the Border
Justification
For Law and Order
Justification
To Cross the Rio
Señor Peligro

Señor Peligro
Lost all his amigos
From Chile to Panama
And all points in between
Exploitation
To feed the Corporations
The driving force of any war
Is always based in Greed

Venezuela
Watch your Back
Señor Peligro is on the attack

During the past few albums, Ministry underwent many acrimonious band lineup changes, but the departure of bassist Paul Raven was permanent, as he died in his sleep on October 20, 2007.

Born in England, Raven's first major break came when he joined legendary punk band Killing Joke in 1982. After several albums with the band he played with various other outfits until he joined Prong in the 90's. He briefly joined Godflesh before joining Ministry. Prong frontman Tommy Victor also became a member of Ministry on the past several albums.

Raven was born on 16 January 1961 in Wolverhampton, West Midlands, and was the son of folk musician Jon Raven. His early musical career included stints in Neon Hearts, who released 3 singles from 1977-79 and the album Popular Music in 1979, and the short-lived 1982 glam rock band, Kitsch, which also included Rook Randle and Tyla, before he would go on to larger success with his band, Dogs D'Amour.

There may be more things to write about 2007, but we will cover them momentarily. Because it is time to go on to the next exciting year in the history of rock and roll!

There may be more things to write about 2007, but we will cover them momentarily. Because it is time to go on to the next exciting year in the history of rock and roll!

Which is 2008! Mind if I start off?

We have spent a long time on 2007, in fact we started it several years ago when unfortunate circumstances interrupted it and delayed it. And though there are a few names, albums, and events we may not have covered, we are always free to touch on them as we often due. But for now, let us move on to the next year in our rock and roll history documentary:


2008!!!!

And one could not ask for a more exciting year!! In fact, one could not want an exciting year as this, as we shall see!

In the mid-late 2000's, the mood of the country was reaching a low point. This war in Iraq was going nowhere with more bad news about the actions of the U.S. streaming out. Gas prices were climbing. And above all--it was election year. It was going to be nice to hopefully see some change in November.

And history was made after the 2008 elections.

But what was with all these albums forecasting gloom and doom? What a sucky year for music in 2007! Why did everyone have to take everything so seriously?

In January of 2008, America had its first taste of one band from Australia that created the greatest party anthem in an entire decade: They were

AIRBOURNE!!!!!!!

Would this band become the next AC/DC? Well, there were no schoolboy outfits and the like, but there were some great rockin' tunes. Nothing really to have to think about too hard, well, who can think when you're partying with enough booze and good times?

Airbourne began five years earlier in the country town of Warrnambool, Victoria County, Australia when brothers guitaristJoel and Ryan O'Keeffeon drums teamed up with other members. Like AC/DC, they formed a fraternal partnership after a period of bringing their instruments to their hotel job and jamming on song ideas. After winning a local band competition in Melbourne, the band brought on bassist Justin Street, whom Ryan had met while stumbling home drunk one night. Completing the lineup was guitarist Harri Harrison. The band was influenced heavily by other Australian acts as, of course, AC/DC, Angel City (known as The Angels outside of America), Billy Thorpe, and others.

After an independent release, the band hooked up with veteran producer Bob Marlette for their debut album 'Runnin' Wild', which came out in the summer of 2007 before reaching American shores in the winter of 2008. The album featured such tracks as "Too Much, Too Young, Too Fast", "Stand Up For Rock 'N' Roll", "Diamond In the Rough", "Cheap Wine And Cheaper Women", and the title track. "Too Much, Too Young, Too Fast" reached #16 on the American charts.

ttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uANVBPVaf-g

And now for the greatest song with the title that says it all in rock and roll:


Too Much, Too Young Too Fast

Some people like to make all the rules
And tell others what to do
They make it their way so they always win
And the others always lose
Street gangs and madmen
How they wage their private wars
In bankers clothes their hearts are froze and
Their wives hold hands with whores

I'll sit and spin for a little while
If it's the end of days
I'm goin' out in style

Too much, too young, too fast
I'm gonna drink it up while it lasts
Too much, too young, too fast
I'm gonna tear it up so fill my glass

Thieves in the night rob you blind
With surgical precision
You can't evade the eye in the sky
He got facial recognition
Paranoia on every street
It's hard to stay alive
Never know when you'll feel the heat
Before it takes your life

I'll sit and spin for a little while
If it's the end of days
I'm goin' out in style

Too much, too young, too fast
I'm gonna drink it up while it lasts
Too much, too young, too fast
I'm gonna tear it up so fill my glass

Too much, too young, too fast
I'm gonna drink it up while it lasts
Too much, too young, too fast
I'm gonna tear it up so fill my glass

Too much I'm gonna drink it up
Too fast yeah while it lasts

:rock: :guitar: :guitar: :rock: :cheers:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2IyX5LXGyg

Runnin' Wild

I've got the wind at my back and my foot to the floor
I ain't comin' back to you no more
I'm sick of your s:censored: and your moaning whine
I'm leaving you for good come rain or shine
You can cry me a river, cry me a river of tears
Yeah you can cry all you like but it won't change my mind
I gotta get away get you outta my life...

You got me runnin' wild and free
Runnin' wild and free
You got me runnin' wild and free
Runnin' wild and free

Gonna drive all day gonna drive all night
Whatever it takes to get to the light
I'm running on rage I'm outta control
My anger for you is like hot burning coal
So you can cry me a river, cry me a river of tears
Yeah you can cry all you like but it won't change my mind
I gotta get away get you outta my life...

You got me runnin' wild and free
Runnin' wild and free
You got me runnin' wild and free
Runnin' wild and free

You got me runnin' wild, wild and free
The open road is all I need
You got me runnin' wild runnin' free
It's never gonna be like it used to be

Hey, Hey, Hey
Hey, Hey, Hey
Hey, Hey, Hey
Hey, Hey, Hey

No I won't turn around I won't turn back
I've made up my mind and that's a fact
It's over baby I'm hangin' up this phone
But before you I go there's just one thing you should know...
I hope you drown in your river drown in your river of tears
Yeah you can cry all you like but it won't change my mind
I gotta get away get you outta my life...

You got me runnin' wild and free
Runnin' wild and free
You got me runnin' wild and free
Runnin' wild and free
Yeah you got me runnin' wild and free
Runnin' wild and free
You got me runnin' wild and free
Runnin' wild and free

You got me runnin' wild, wild and free
The open road is all I need
You got me runnin' wild runnin' free
It's never gonna be like it used to be

Hey, Hey, Hey
Hey, Hey, Hey
Hey, Hey, Hey
Hey, Hey, Hey

:rock: :guitar: :guitar: :rock:

In late 2007, Airbourne toured as openers for Kid Rock and Korn, which was quite an anomaly for the kings of NU-metal.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1k79C4Lfmw

Stand Up For Rock 'n' Roll

All right people welcome to the show
Are you ready to rock are you ready to go
Yeah we've got what you want and we've got what you need
So get your arse down here n' let your ears bleed
C'mon drink your beer and drink your wine
Let's have a good time
We're ready, so get ready
We're gonna rock, rock tonight

Stand up for rock 'n' roll
Stand up for rock 'n' roll
Stand up for rock 'n' roll
Stand up for rock 'n' roll

Forget about the neighbours let 'em cry all night
Yeah it's about time that we set them alight
If you've got a match then we've got the gas
Let's start a fire and have ourselves a blast
C'mon drink your and drink your wine
Let's have a good time
We're ready, so get ready
We're gonna rock, rock tonight

Stand up for rock 'n' roll
Stand up for rock 'n' roll
Stand up for rock 'n' roll
Stand up for rock 'n' roll
Stand up, stand up, stand up
C'mon stand up for rock 'n' roll

We're ready, so get ready
We're gonna rock, rock tonight

Stand up for rock 'n' roll
Stand up for rock 'n' roll
Stand up for rock 'n' roll
Stand up for rock 'n' roll
Stand up for rock 'n' roll
Stand up for rock 'n' roll
Stand up for rock 'n' roll
Stand up for rock 'n' roll, rock 'n' roll, rock 'n' roll
For rock and roll yeah
Stand up for rock 'n' roll
Stand up for rock 'n' roll

Diamond In The Rough

I had a dollar in my pocket
And dirt on my hands
She was a rich mans daughter
Who didn't give a damn
She had all the boys talkin'
With her fancy cat walkin'
But it was me who took her home
And gave her bed a good rockin'
That at the end of the day
Honey when its all said and done
I cant get enough of that Diamond in the Rough
Early next morning I woke up naked and beat
And as the sun was rising
She was still lookin' like a treat
I stuck my finger in the honey
Threw my dollar in the wall
And when I made my wish
You know it was clear as a bell
That at the end of the day
Honey when its all said and done
I cant get enough of that Diamond in the Rough

Haven't forgotten the Rock And Roll History Thread.

Currently watching back episodes of "The Fugitive" online. :cool:

Haven't forgotten the Rock And Roll History Thread.

Currently watching back episodes of "The Fugitive" online. :cool:

I haven't either.

Cheap Wine And Cheaper Women

Walking through the city
It's lonely heartbreak streets
The wind gives a chill as the sun begins to weep
Don't know where I'm goin'
Don't know where I've been
But the nights coming down and I'm feeling good again

Cheap Wine
And cheaper women
Give me cheap wine
And cheaper women

Had myself a lady
To hold me tight and warm
To keep out the cold and make love til' the dawn
Yeah she loved me tender
And she loved me sweet
But then she kicked me out and now I'm on the street

Cheap Wine
And cheaper women
Give me cheap wine
And cheaper women

Women come and go
They never do remain
They take more than they give
But it's me who's to blame
I'm at the bottom of the bottle
And nothin's all I got
Yeah it may not be the answer but it sure does hit the spot

Cheap Wine
And cheaper women
Give me cheap wine
And cheaper women

Cheap Wine
And cheaper women
Give me cheap wine
And cheaper women

Girls In Black

In the smoke and the red
Workin' the late night sweat
You're the one to go to
When I wanna forget
Like hangin' off the moon
I don't wanna come down
Yeah you get me so high
It's hell on the ground

Just one little glass
Makes the night go fast
You can have what you want
If you pay the girl cash

I said girls
Girls in Black
I said girls
Girls in Black

Your the hot bright neon
In the cold dark night
When I'm feelin' down
You make me feel so right
Yeah your bait comes free
But your hooks cut deep
You make the badboys smile
And the good boys weep

Just one little glass
Makes the night go fast
You can have what you want
If you pay the girl cash

I said girls
Girls in Black
I said girls
Girls in Black
I said girls
Girls in Black
I said girls
Girls in Black

Just one little glass
Makes the night go fast
You can have whatever you want
If you pay the girl cash

I said girls
Girls in Black
I said girls
Girls in Black

I said girls
Girls in Black
I said girls
Girls in Black oh yeah

Heartbreaker

She's so hot, she's so fine
I thought it out a thousand times
It's dangerous, no fear
What she wants I got right here
I'll bite 'n' howl an' tear her to bits
She's the one to scratch my itch
Oh yeah she's my pill she's my fix

Give me one more night
Heartbreaker
Down on your knees
Heartbreaker
Just one more night
Heartbreaker
Is all that I need
Give me one more night
Heartbreaker
Down on your knees
Just one more night
Heartbreaker
Is all that I need heartbreaker alright

Lone walk, long stroll
So what, it's bought an' sold
Ten to one, no chance
I took the odds for the Devil's dance
I sealed the deal and she said "yes"
So I put my hands right up her dress
N' she said what's been taking you so long

Give me one more night
Heartbreaker
Down on your knees
Heartbreaker
Just one more night
Heartbreaker
Is all that I need
Give me one more night
Heartbreaker
Down on your knees
Just one more night
Heartbreaker
Is all that I need heartbreaker alright

Give me one more night
Heartbreaker
Down on your knees
Heartbreaker
Just one more night
Heartbreaker
Is all that I need
Give me one more night
Heartbreaker
Down on your knees
Heartbreaker
Just one more night
Heartbreaker
Is all that I need heartbreaker alright
Heartbreaker

While newer Aussie rockers Airbourne were shaking up stages around the world, the band that put the land Down Under on the rock and roll map early on were also at it in 2008. AC/DC released 'Black Ice' in the fall of that year, with such tracks as "Rock 'N' Roll Train", "Big Jack", "Money Made", and "Anything Goes". The album in fact took five years to complete due to issues such as bassist Cliff Williams sustaining an injury and the band switching labels from Elektra to Sony. The album was the second-biggest seller of that year.

Unfortunately, it was the last album to feature the classic 'Back In Black'-era lineup.

Rock 'N' Roll Train

One hot angel
One cool devil
Your mind on the fantasy
Livin on the ecstasy
Give it all, give it,
Give it what you got
Come on give it all a lot
Pick it up move it
Give it to the spot
Your mind on fantasy
Livin on ecstasy

Runaway Train
(Running right off the track)
Runaway Train
(Running right off the track)
Runaway Train
(Running right off the track)
Yeah the Runaway Train
(Running right off the track)

One hard ranging bell
Old school rebel
A ten for the revelry
Diamond of the agency
Shake it, shake it
Take it to the spot
You know she make it really hot
Get it on, get it up
Come on give it all you got
Your mind on fantasy
Livin on the ecstasy

Runaway Train
(Running right off the track)
Yeah the Runaway Train yeah
(Running right off the track)
On the Runaway Train
(Running right off the track)
Runaway Train
(Running right off the track)

(Angus Guitar Solo)

One hot southern belle
Son of a devil
A school boy spelling bee
A school girl with a fantasy
One hot ringing bell
Old school rebel
A ten for the revelry
Diamond of the agency
Shake it, shake it
Take it to the spot
You know she make it really hot Yeah
Get it on, get it up
Come on give it what you got
You know she's just like a

Runaway Train
(Running right off the track) She's coming off the track
Runaway Train
(Running right off the track)
Get it on, get it up
Come on give it all you got
Runaway Train
(Running right off the track)
Runaway Train
(Running right off the track)

The production of the album:

The production of Black Ice was delayed for several reasons. AC/DC left their label Atlantic Records, signed a deal with Sony Music and changed labels within Sony from Epic Records to Columbia Records. Bass guitarist Cliff Williams suffered an injury to his hand in 2005 and was unable to play for 18 months. While Williams was recovering, the Young brothers perfected the songs they had written. Angus revealed that there was no pressure from Sony for the band to release a new album, as the label was releasing DVDs and remasters of the AC/DC catalogue, and thus the group "could afford to sit back and say we'll do another album when we think we've got all the goods." :2 In a 2004 interview, vocalist Brian Johnson said that Angus had written harder riffs than those on Stiff Upper Lip and that he would be writing song lyrics for the first time since the band's 1988 album Blow Up Your Video, but his input would end up minimal, with all tracks on Black Ice credited to the Youngs. Johnson explained that the brothers had done most of the lyrical job, and his collaboration was that he "helped with melody and just filling in gaps that I thought needed filling in".

While producer Robert John "Mutt" Lange expressed an interest in working again with AC/DC, his schedule did not allow this. When the Young brothers called Columbia Records' president Steve Barnett to announce the making of a new album, Barnett recommended producer Brendan O'Brien. Angus said the band had considered talking to O'Brien since the 1990s, as "he seemed to us a very competent professional" and because he and the band would benefit from working with a producer they had not worked with before.

On 3 March 2008, recording started at The Warehouse Studio in Vancouver, where Stiff Upper Lip was recorded, and lasted for eight weeks. Engineer Mike Fraser, who has mixed all AC/DC albums since The Razors Edge, said they recorded in batches of three songs to "keep things interesting" and to avoid overextended sessions. According to Fraser, the band had not rehearsed the songs before entering the studio. Despite "a couple of tweaks in the writing, sparkling up the choruses a bit better" during the recording, the compositions were mostly complete. Still, the Young brothers had new ideas during production, including the song "Anything Goes", which was written when the studio sessions were nearly finished. :4 The songs were mostly recorded live in the studio; the instruments and backing vocals were recorded in the live room and the vocals at both the control room and an overdubbing booth. The performances were first recorded with analogue equipment, as Fraser considers that tape conveys "the sound of rock & roll", and then digitised for mixing and overdubs. Fraser tried to not alter the original recordings – "I used Pro-Tools purely as a tape machine" – with no effects on the bass and rhythm guitar, sparse delay and reverb effects on the vocals and other instruments and overdubs were only used for the lead guitar and vocals.

The first title considered for the album was Runaway Train. Malcolm suggested using a photograph of a famous 1895 derailment for the cover, but reconsidered after he found that Mr. Big had used it for their album Lean into It. According to Angus, Runaway Train was rejected because it had been used by many musicians, including Elton John, Tom Petty and Eric Clapton, and he "wanted something unique, new, different". So he suggested Black Ice, which refers to gigs played during winter in Scotland. He said, "it rolled off the tongue" and it reminded him of "radio warnings up north of black ice." Angus was inspired to write the eponymous song by a similar warning heard on his car radio during production.

Big Jack

The steam is a burning
Workin' up and down the line
The pot is getting ready
He's been working it so hard
When it comes to lovin'
Big jack is on his way
Wink of satisfaction
His time is going on
I'm like a bad defender
Smoking holy Joe
He's a big pretender

Look out for jack
He's on his way
Big Jack, Big Jack
You know it's only natural, he gets you up to scratch
Big Jack, Big Jack
You've got a reputation you really got the knack
Big Jack, Big Jack
He said that he's the only one who got a full sack
Big Jack, look out Jack
He's always at your back

You never leave a dollar
Racking up the balls
You like to get it on fast
Back there standing tall
When he hears the siren
He's gonna put you on the racks
He's got a bad reputation
Climbing all over the bars
Gonna press the flesh
Rockin' rollin' soldier
He's the last of them all

Well tell jack
He's on his way
Big Jack, Big Jack
You know it's only natural to get you up to scratch
Big Jack, Big Jack
Always in trouble got to turn the other way
Big Jack, Big Jack
Always like to party and he likes the girls to play
Big Jack, look out Jack
He's always at your back

Big Jack, Big Jack
You know it's only natural to get you up to scratch
Big Jack, Big Jack
You've got a reputation, really got the knack
Big Jack, Big Jack
He said he ain't the only one who got a full sack
Big Jack, lookout Jack
Ain't no need to worry, he's always at your back

Anything Goes

Got a taste of a rocking band
Standing there holding out your hand
Better lock up all your doors
She's like a spinning dynamo
You're handing out the token prize
Giving you a brand new ride

Ooh there she goes, she goes
And nobody knows
Where she goes, she goes

Banging drums, working out all fast
Heavy tune I can play it loud
You know she's blowing away all the others
You're never man enough take it on all night
You better razzle dazzle on that stage
Keep on rocking all through the night

Ooh there she goes, she goes
And nobody knows
Where she goes, she goes

A heavy rocking tune is playing
Playing as the night rolls on
Sneaking off with the Romeo
Where she goes, nobody knows

(Guitar Solo)

A heavy rocking tune is playing on a flat screen colour TV
Sneaking over creepy crawly
Never give it up to take it out through the night

There she goes she goes
And nobody knows
There she goes she goes
And nobody knows
Where she goes she goes
And nobody knows
Where she goes she goes
And nobody knows
Where she goes she goes

AC/DC, of course, were never a "political" band. They were always an escape from the drudgery of the real world and events posted on the front pages of the daily newspaper. Still, was there not some metaphor of social commentary in this next song's title, tied in with the War On Terror? Whichever way, the lyrics worked.

War Machine

Push your foot to the floor
Don't need no more
You've been peekin' all around
While they're messin' about

Better get your name, come on in
Gimme that thing and feed your war..

War Machine

Make a stand, show your hand
Call in the high command
Don't think, just obey
I'm like a bird of prey

So better get your name, come on in
Gimme that thing and feed your war..

War Machine

Better watch your back
'N cover your tracks
Kick your foot through the door
Hit the deck, know the score
They take you by surprise
And here's mud in your eye

This will be the day they shouldn't forget
Call of the wild, hungry for more
And feed your..

War Machine

Let's go.

I've seen your war ...

War Machine

The photo below shows a goofy, lighthearted band pose. Little did anyone know that there were some unexplained problems with guitarist Malcolm Young. Angus was concerned that onstage, his brother seemed to not know where he was much of the time. These problems would subside and Malcolm said that he was all up for the show, ready to go, but then he would forget how to play his guitar parts and had to re-learn them all over again. What was going on?

She Likes Rock 'N' Roll

A little game of falling down
You rock 'n' roll when the call come 'round
Come on baby, and make some time
Made in the shade and you wished it'd turned around
You're gonna rock, you'll roll the night away
You're gonna roll baby, and I'll make the grade
We gonna rock you now, rockin' and rollin' all in the town
You're gonna make it right, we're gonna need to rock all night

She digs rock 'n' roll
She likes rock 'n' roll
You want rock 'n' roll
I need rock 'n' roll everyday
And all through the night

We are a gang coming down
We're gonna rock all night
Rockin' rollin' all the time
She may be home, rollin' out the grove
You know that rock and rolls, squeezing out the tube

She digs rock 'n' roll
She likes rock 'n' roll
You want rock 'n' roll
I need rock 'n' roll everyday
And through the night

She digs rock 'n' roll, she gives rock 'n' roll, she gives rock 'n' roll
I like rock 'n' roll

I gotta dance all night long
And rock into the room
She likes sugar, and I like honey too
We gonna rock it
Ain't gonna mess around with you

She digs rock 'n' roll
She likes rock 'n' roll
You want rock 'n' roll
I need rock 'n' roll everyday
And all through the night

She digs rock 'n' roll,
She gives rock 'n' roll
She lives rock 'n' roll
I like rock 'n' roll
We gonna rock 'round, rockin' rollin' all in the town,
We're gonna make it right
We're gonna make it rock all night
We're gonna rock 'round
Rockin' rollin' all in the town
We're gonna make it right
We're gonna make it rock all night

Skies On Fire

Why don't you hang up,
Won't you back up
Will you pack up and head for higher ground,
I know you and, you know me,
Tell me what it is you want it to be
What you want to be,
What you need in me,
Hey hey hey
[Chorus]
Skies on fire,
Flames burn higher,
Skies on fire,
Flames get higher
I know you, now you know me,
Tell me what it is you want it to be,
In the rain, in the streets,
You're amazed by all the things that you see,
Tell me what I see, how's it got to be,
Yeah yeah yeah
[Chorus]
Hey you look in the sky, skies on fire
Look in the sky, flames burn higher,
Skies on fire,
Flames get higher,
Skies on fire,
I know you and you know me,
Tell me what is it you want to be,
Flames burn higher,
Skies on fire

One (sort-of) anticipated event of 2008 was the release of the much-hyped album by Guns 'N' Roses, "Chinese Democracy". The long awaited followup to 'Use Your Illusion' 1 and 2, and 'The Spaghetti Incident?' had been touted as the most eagerly expected release by the biggest band in rock and roll. Yet it took a decade and a half to see the light of day amidst shifting band lineups, internal squabbles, and record label politics. The initial news back in the early-mid-90's was that the material was better than could be expected. But after over fifteen years, the enthusiasm cooled--especially when the songs were leaked online and overexposed. The fact that the original lineup had long imploded and the band consisted of only Axl Rose and his rotating lineup dimmed the enthusiasm.

Final Sessions

Rose recorded the final vocal tracks in January 2007. On February 22, 2007, the band's road manager Del James issued a press release stating there was no official release date but that recording had ended and mixing had begun. In a 2007 interview, Sebastian Bach said Rose had planned to have the album released by Christmas 2007 and that the delays might have been caused by business problems. In January 2007, Bach recorded backing vocals for "Sorry" at Electric Lady Studios. He described the song as "almost like doom metal with Axl singing really clean over this grinding, slow beat that is mean, I cannot get it out of my head." Harpist Patti Hood, who had worked with Pitman on the album Free Mars, and conductor Suzy Katayama also recorded parts.
In January 2008, rumors arose that Chinese Democracy had been handed to Geffen but was delayed because the label and Rose could not agree on the marketing. Radio host Eddie Trunk said Geffen might have the album and that delays were due to financial reasons. However, in a February 2008 interview with Classic Rock, Rose's personal manager Beta Lebeis dismissed Trunk's suggestion and said they were in negotiations with the label.
According to Bumblefoot, the band and producer Caram Costanzo (who joined in 2003) spent 14 hours a day working on the album. Producers who worked on the album include Bob Ezrin, Eric Caudieux, Sean Beavan, and Tim Palmer. Rose and Caram Costanzo are the producers credited on the finished album. The band used 15 studios during production, including Capitol Studios, Cherokee Studios, Electric Lady Studios, Sunset Sound Recorders, and The Village.
Mastering engineer Bob Ludwig offered three versions of the album for approval. Rose and Costanzo selected the version without dynamic-range compression to avoid being involved in the ongoing loudness war. Ludwig wrote: "I was floored when I heard they decided to go with my full dynamics version and the loudness-for-loudness-sake versions be damned ... the fan and press backlash against the recent heavily compressed recordings finally set the context for someone to take a stand and return to putting music and dynamics above sheer level."

G 'N' R offer social commentary in the title track

Chinese Democracy

t don't really matter
Gonna find out for yourself
No it don't really matter (ooh)
Gonna leave this thing to somebody else

[Verse]
If they were missionaries
Real time visionaries
Sitting in a Chinese stew
To view my dis-infatuation
I know that I'm a classic case
Watch my dis-enchanted face
Blame it on the Falun Gong
They've seen the end and you can't hold on now

[Bridge 1]
'Cause it would take a lot more hate than you
To end the fascination
Even with an iron fist

[Bridge 2]
More than you got to rule the nation
When all I've got is precious time

[Chorus]
It don't really matter
Guess I'll keep it to myself
Said, it don't really matter
It's time I look around for somebody else

[Bridge 1]
'Cause it would take a lot more time than you
Have got for masturbation
Even with your iron fist

[Bridge 2]
More than you got to rule the nation
When all we've got is precious time
More than you got to fool the nation
But all I've got is precious time

[Robin Finck solo]

[Buckethead solo]

[Chorus]
It don't really matter
I guess you'll find out for yourself
No, it don't really matter
So you can hear it now from somebody else

[Outro]
You think you got it all locked up inside
And if you beat 'em enough, they'll die
It's like a walk in the park from a cell
Now you're keeping your own kind in hell
When your Great Wall rocks, blame yourself
While their arms reach out for your help
And you're out of time

Single cover:

The next song on the album, "Shackler's Revenge", was a curious attempt by the band to do an industrial/electronica song:

Shackler's Revenge"

I've got a funny feeling
There's something wrong today
I've got a funny feeling
And it won't go away
I've got an itchy finger
And there'll be hell to play
I'm gonna pull the trigger
And blow them all away

Don't ever try to tell me
How much you care for me
Don't ever try to tell me
How you are there for me

[Chorus]
I don't believe there's a reason
I don't believe it
I don't believe there's a reason
I don't believe it

I've got a wicked demon
His hunger never fades
I've got an empty feeling
I won't be home today

Don't ever try to tell me
How much you care for me
Don't ever try to tell me
How you are there for me


I don't believe there's a reason
I don't believe it
I don't believe there's a reason
I don't believe it

No one is stopping you
From a-doing what you want to do
No one is stopping you now
Stopping you now

I don't believe there's a reason
I don't believe it
I don't believe there's a reason
I don't believe it


Could we deal with Axl sporting cornrows? G 'N' R at the Download Festival, 2006:

"Street Of Dreams"

All the love in the world
Couldn't save you
All the innocence inside
You know I tried so hard to make you
Oh, to make you change your mind

And it hurts too much to see you
And how you left yourself behind
You know I wouldn't want to be you
Now there's a hell I can't describe

So now I wander through my days
And try to find my ways
To the feelings that I felt
I saved for you and no one else
And though as long as this road seems
I know it's called the street of dreams
But that's not stardust on my feet
It leaves a taste that's bittersweet
That's called the blues

I don't know just what I should do
Everywhere I go I see you
Though it's what you planned
This much is true
What I thought was beautiful
Don't live inside of you
Anymore

I don't know just what I should do
Everywhere I go I see you
Though it's what you planned
This much is true
What I thought was beautiful
Don't live inside of you
Anymore

What this means to me
Is more than I know you believe
What I thought of you now
Has cost more that it should for me

What I thought was true before
Were lies I couldn't see
What I thought was beautiful
Is only memories

Oh oh oh
What'd I tell you
Oh oh oh
That's
Oh oh oh
Oh oh oh
Inside of you

So what was the lineup of G 'N' R in 2008?

The list was as follows:

Axl Rose – lead vocals, keyboards, piano
Robin Finck – lead guitar, keyboards
Ron Thal – lead guitar, backing vocals
Richard Fortus – rhythm guitar, backing vocals
Tommy Stinson – bass, backing vocals
Frank Ferrer – drums, percussion
Dizzy Reed – keyboards, piano, backing vocals
Chris Pitman – keyboards, backing vocals

With the exception of Dizzy Reed, who joined the band in 1991 for the 'Use Your Illusion' albums, most of the members were unrecognizable to most audiences. Tommy Stinson was previously a member of 80's band The Replacements.

Better

No one ever told me when
I was alone
They just thought I'd know better, better

No one ever told me when
I was alone
They just thought I'd know better, better

The hardest part
This troubled heart
Has never yet been through now

Was heal the scars
That got their start
Inside someone like you now

For had I known
Or I'd been shown
Back when how long it'd take me

To break the charms
That brought me harm
And all but would erase me

I never would
Or thought I could
No matter what you'd pay me

Replay the part
You stole my heart
I should have known you're crazy

If all I knew
Was that with you
I'd want someone to save me

It'd be enough
But just my luck
I fell in love and maybe

All that I wanted was

Now I know you better
You know I know better
Now I know you better

So bittersweet
This tragedy
Won't ask for absolution

This melody
Inside of me
Still searches for solution

A twist of faith
A change of heart
Cures my infatuation

A broken heart
Provides the spark
For my determination

No one ever told me when
I was alone
They just thought I'd know better, better

No one ever told me when
I was alone
They just thought I'd know better, better

All that I wanted was

Now I know you better
You know I know better
Now I know you better

I never wanted you to be so full of anger (anger)
I never wanted you to be somebody else
I never wanted you to be someone afraid to know themselves
I only wanted you to see things for yourself

All that I wanted was

Now I know you better
Now we all know better
All that I wanted was

Na na na na
Na na na na
Na na na na
Na na na na
(cont, thru verse)

If I were you
I'd manage to
Avoid the invitation

Of promised love
That can't keep up
With your adoration

Just use your head
And in the end
You'll find your inspiration

To choose your steps
And won't regret
This kind of aggravation

No one ever told me when
I was alone
They just thought I'd know better, better

No one ever told me when
I was alone
They just thought I'd know better, better

Guns 'N' Roses live with Axl and guitarist Robin Frinck 2006:

"If The World"

If the world would end today
And all the dreams we had
Would all just drift away
You know there's nothing more to say
if the world would end
And our love slipped away

I never knew the way that you look at me
Would ever mean so much to me
But in my heart I found
The feelings that I've never shown
And now they've
Got the best of me

If the world would end today
then all the dreams we've had
Would all just drift away
You know there's nothing more to say
If the world would end
And our love slipped away

Oooh,
La la ...
La la ...

I never thought all the love I was lookin' for
Could ever be so close to me
But you're the only one
I have ever loved that has ever loved me
And now you've got the best of me

If the world would end today
And all the dreams we had
Would all just drift away
You know there's nothing more to say

If the world would end today
And all the dreams we had
Would all just drift away
You know there's nothing more to say
If the world would end
And our love slipped away
If the world would end
And our love slipped away

In matters related to former G 'N' R members, in the spring of 2008, it was announced that vocalist Scott Weiland had left the band. Issues relating to drugs, alcohol, and personal issues made it clear that the rest of the band wanted to fire him. Weiland fell back into patterns of toxic behavior and believed the band had conspired against him. He accused drummer Matt Sorum of spreading rumors about him online, and questioned Sorum's motives, that in spite of Weiland's attempts to be civil: "Ego and jealousy can get the better of anyone," he said of the drummer.

Weiland felt much of the problem was that the onus of the creativity fell on him simply because he was the lead singer rather than a full band effort. He also dismissed the band claiming some sort of high moral ground and blaming him for his drug while trying to pretend they were without sin. He accused the band of being "tramps and...junkies" themselves while claiming to be "Saint Francis!"

At this point Weiland went back to his former band Stone Temple Pilots, who were reuniting.

Scott Weiland live 2008:

After Weiland's departure, the band began recording and searching for a new singer. The search was sporadic with the band spending some time auditioning singers, then turning into solo projects, returning to the band, then abandoning it again. Several names were rumored to be auditioning for the band through the years. Myles Kennedy (Alter Bridge) was strongly rumored due to his collaborations with Slash; Lenny Kravitz, Chester Bennington of Linkin Park, Steve Isaacs formerly of Skycycle and The Panic Channel, Royston Langdon of Spacehog, Donovan Leitch of Camp Freddy, Ours singer Jimmy Gnecco and Scars on Broadway guitarist Franky Perez, as well as previous auditionee Sebastian Bach. Kushner later revealed that Perez was officially hired by the band as vocalist for a brief time in 2008.

And, after nearly a year-long hiatus, Rock And Roll History is back!
:rock: :guitar: :guitar: :rock:

Lot of catching up to do in the year 2008.

Velvet Revolver were not the only band to part ways in 2008. Also that summer, guitarist Daron Malakian of System Of a Down announced that the band were breaking up. There were promises to their fans that they would reunite for a while, but by 2008, it was unlikely.
As a result, Malakian formed his own band, Scars On Broadway, who released their debut album that years.

System Of a Down had entered a period of hiatus, as Malakian explained his "heart was not into touring".

Malakian said that he had material for "ten solo albums lying around", and out of this came the music for his new band's first self-titled album for Scars On Broadway. Malakian was uncertain if he wanted to have a solid lineup or experiment with a revolving door of musicians.

In late 2008, Malakian announced that the headlining tour to promote the album's release, which included an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, would be cancelled with no plans of rescheduling. Malakian cited personal reasons as the reason behind the cancellations. Malakian later cited burn-out of touring as an additional factor behind the cancellations. Interviews with both Cifarelli and Dolmayan suggested that the band was finished. When asked later in May 2009 if the band would ever record or perform again, drummer John Dolmayan stated: "I'm not sure, but I do miss it."

In August 2009, Dolmayan, Perez, Shamoun, and Cifarelli as Scars on Broadway traveled to Iraq for a USO tour across the US army bases, without Malakian. Their setlist consisted of covers as well as a few Scars on Broadway songs. Perez stated on his Twitter that "the Scars tunes sound amazing but they're not the same without D..." On October 31, 2009, Malakian performed with Perez, Dolmayan, and System of a Down bassist Shavo Odadjian for Odadjian's Halloween party at Roxie Theater. The group performed a System of a Down song ("Suite-Pee"), a Scars on Broadway song ("They Say") as well as an untitled song.

The song "They Say" became the first single from the album. The lyrics were bitter, offering a pessimistic view of society approaching a certain breaking point.

They Say

I walked the line, the line I choose,
I see the people in front of me
I climbed the wall, the wall of news
I watched them show the tragedy

If you were me could you defend
The given rights to all the men?
Let's f*** the world with all its trend
They say it's all about to end
They say it's all about to end
They say, they say

There's a prison that's gone but the fear lives on
I watched you walking on the dotted line
Maybe you don't see what's in front of me
Maybe you won't stand the test of time

For we live in sin, for we will win
I watched the president kiss his family
For we live in sin, for we will win
I watched the president f*** society

If you were me would you defend
The given rights to all the men?
Let's f*** the world with all its trend
They say it's all about to end
They say it's all about to end
They say, they say

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOY_UV9GhIM

Sometimes, I said sometimes
I go crazy, like I'm crazy
It takes patience, lots of patience
Then it's over, ****ing over
I look at the sky, faded
I read the stars
Maybe I don't know
How many people are starving
In this world long gone
Sometimes, I said sometimes
I go crazy, like I'm crazy
It takes patience, lots of patience
Then it's over, ****ing over
I look at the sky, faded
I read the stars
Maybe I don't know
How many people are starving
Maybe I don't know
How many people are starving
In this world long gone
I look at the sky, faded
I read the stars
Maybe I don't know
How many people are starving
Maybe I don't know
How many people are starving
In this world long gone

While the members of System Of a Down insisted that they had not broken up, the question of when the band would make new music remained up in the air. The band had entered a hiatus where each member explored different musical directions. Scars On Broadway was one such project for Daron Malakian.

It was understandable that a band with diverse musical influences and creative goals would reach an impasse musically at some point. It was also noted that vocalist Serj Tankian's left-of-center political and social views were not held equally and as stringently by the other members of System Of a Down. The band more or less shared these same views, but to the extent that Tankian wished to take them. So in the meantime, Malakian's band would fill the musical void.

Scars On Broadway 2008:

From its early days, Daron Malakian always addressed the project as just rock, and "a lot more rock driven, although there will be some metal influences in the System of a Down style".

Malakian stated, "I think a System fan will be able to relate to the music, but there's a few different directions I want to take, whether it be a little bit more ethnic or sometimes electronic."

In a later interview, Malakian stated that the music would be influenced by classic rock acts such as David Bowie, Brian Eno, Neil Young, and Roxy Music.

He also stated that he shifted his songwriting from System of a Down's "frazzled metal" to more song-based work, which was inspired by Neil Young and David Bowie.

"I don't feel we're the mosh-pit band," said Malakian. "That's just where I'm comfortable as a writer right now," he said, hinting at the band's rock over metal music approach.

He also stated his intentions for the band to "have their own identity" from System of a Down, while still maintaining the same "thematic and sonic territory".

America's favorite touring metal festival, Ozzfest, had reached a certain plateau in its lengthy run for over a decade. It crossed all over the country, playing countless shows every summer, and entertained thousands with major bands and upcoming names. In recent years, this juggernaut hit a financial and logistical snag. The tour was not as popular as before, which prompted the previous year's tour to become a "free fest" in the summer of 2007. This decision prompted many bands to leave the tour as they were losing too much money to perform. Ozzy and Sharon, the star of the show and his wife who put together the yearly event had to do some quick thinking to make this year's event a commercial success.

Because a grueling tour around the country was not financially feasible at this point, why not make Ozzfest 2008 a single MUST-SEE event where fans would make the road trip to see the festival?

And on August 9, 2008, the sole Ozzfest concert of the summer was held at Pizza Hut Park in Frisco, Texas.

The lineup was, in fact rather impressive:

On the Second Stage was a list of bands not as numerous as on previous Ozzfest performances:

Sevendust
DevilDriver
Kingdom Of Sorrow
Soilent Green
Witchcraft
Goatwhore

A special Texas Stage highlighted bands hailing from the Lone Star State:

The Sword
Drowning Pool
Rigor Mortis
The Destro
Within Chaos
Debri
Black Tooth

And the Mainstage featured:

In This Moment
an All-Star Dimebag Darrell Tribute
Apocalyptica
Shadows Fall
Cavalera Conspiracy
Jonathan Davis
Hellyeah
Serj Tankian
Ozzy Osbourne
and to close out the evening, none other than the mighty return of METALLICA!

Sevendust was an alternative metal band with ties to NU-metal since the mid-1990's with a huge following. Their most popular songs were tracks such as "My Ruin", "Bitch", and "Enemy", among others.

The band began in 1994 under the name Crawlspace but were forced to change their name when a band with a similar moniker demanded financial restitution for using their name. Rather than pay $2500, the band changed their name to Sevendust after a brand of insecticide and the name stuck. The band became popular when the track "My Ruin" was heard on the 'Mortal Combat' video game series.

Their self-titled debut album was produced by Jay Jay French of Twisted Sister.

"Black" became the band's opening track on their live set for years.

Black

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5OCeKdXecUk

Live clip of Sevendust at Ozzfest 2008: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqTT9-an6gk

Since formation, Sevendust have attained success with three consecutive RIAA gold-certified albums, a Grammy nomination, and have sold millions of records worldwide. The group has released a total of twelve studio albums, including a reissue of their debut as Sevendust: Definitive Edition, which contains five new tracks and a DVD.