Thursday, December 14, 2006

These are the rock, hard rock, metal, grunge, blues rock, Modern Rock bands I like:

1. Dokken, 2. Judas Priest, 3. Saxon, 4. Ac/DC, 5. Joe Satriani, 6. Yngwie J Malmsteen, 7. Iron Maiden, 8. Black Sabbath, 9. Deep Purple, 10. Aerosmith, 11. Whitesnake, 12. Dio, 13. Rainbow, 14. UFO, 15. MSG, 16. The Scorpions, 17. Bon Jovi, 18. Europe, 19. Great White, 20. Poison, 21. Krokus, 22. Uriah Heep, 23. Twistd Sister, 24. Motorhead, 25. Helix, 26. Alcatrazz, 27. Faith No More, 28. Don Dokken, 29. Living Color, 30. Bullet Boys, 31. RATT, 32. White Lion, 33. Anthrax, 34. Def Leppard, 35. Ozzy Osbourne, 36. Venom, 37. Van Halen, 38. Grim Reaper, 39. Brand New Sin, 40. Keel, 41.Riot, 42.Tangier, 43. Triumph, 44.Budgie, 45. Blue Oyster Cult, 46.Testament, 47. Fifth, 48. Fifth Angel, 49.Megadeth, 50.The Screaming Jets, 51.The Cult, 52.Dream Theatre, 53.Exciter, 54.Venom, 55.Danzig, 56. Stratovarius, 57. Children of Bodom, 58. Steelheart, 59.Damn Yankees, 60. Ted Nugent, 61.King Kobra, 62. Junkyard...
(list incomplete)
AC/DC and Highway to Hell

One of the most successful hard rock acts ever, AC/DC was formed in Sydney in 1973 by brothers Angus and Malcolm Young. They have sold over 150 million albums worldwide and their 1980 album, Back in Black, sold 42 million units worldwide (21 million in the US alone). Back in Black is the second highest selling album of all time and the biggest selling album by any band.

AC/DC is
Angus Young — lead guita, Malcolm Young — rhythm guitarBrian Johnson — vocalsCliff Williams — bassPhil Rudd — drums.

AC/DC on Wikipedia

Saturday, November 04, 2006



Dokken

A band whose albums I can listen to non-stop is Dokken. I like their 'Back for the Attack' album loaded with catchy rockers and some blazing melodramatic chords from guitarist George Lynch.
'Back for the Attack' is my choice for one of the best metal albums.

I feel George Lynch was the one who made fans flocking to a Dokken concert. Check this George Lynch video and see how great a guitarist he is. Lynch left Dokken in 1988 due to differences with lead vocalist Don Dokken and formed his own band 'Lynch Mob'. In 1993, Lynch released his first solo album, Sacred Groove, and rejoined Don Dokken in 11 and left again.

Dokken's current line-up is Don Dokken – Vocals Jon Levin – Guitar (ex-Warlock) Barry Sparks – Bass (ex-Ted Nugent and Yngwie Malmsteen) Mick Brown – Drums (ex-Xciter) .

Explode with Yngwie Malmsteen

Malmsteen's (born Lars Johann Yngve Lannerbäck Malmsteen, June 30, 1963) albums are packed with explosions of guitar driven creativy. He has that amazing speed, classical style riffs and chords. His website says "The day Jimi Hendrix died, the guitar-playing Yngwie was born".

Biggest influence was 19th-century violin virtuoso Niccolò Paganini alon with other guitar gods. VH1 says his style is Baroque, gothic and lightning-fast arpeggiated solos. Just listen to 'Rising Force' album to feel the true force of this most accomplished guitarist of our times.

Malmsteen, who was brought to USA by Mike Varney of Shrapnel Records, had a brief stint with Steeler and Alcatrazz that culminated in his own band 'The Rising Force'. This album featured his long time friend Jens Johansson on the keyboards.

Malmsteen's current line-up has Doogie White - Vocals, Derek Sherinian - Keyboards, Mick Cervino - Bass, Patrik Johansson - Drums.

Rock with DIO

Every metal fan must have Dio in their collection. Without DIO, the history of heavy metal will be incomplete and ridiculous.

DIO created classic metal albums with thundering vocals, blazing guitars by Vivian Campbell (I don't know why he is sticking with Def Leppard). From the all time classic 'Holy Diver' to the latest DIO is just DIO.


DIO currently is Ronnie James Dio - vocals
Craig Goldy - guitars (Ex-Giuffria)
Rudy Sarzo - bass
Scott Warren - keyboards
Simon Wright - drums

DIO debuted with Holy Diver and the line up was
Ronnie James Dio
Vivian Campbell (ex-Sweet Savage)
Jimmy Bain (ex-Black Sabbath)
Vinny Appice (Brother of Carmine Appice)


Saxon

Saxon is British heavy metal band, often compared to Iron Maiden. They were the quintessential five-piece metal band and leaders of New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM). I must concede that those who have not yet heard Saxon’s albums have not heard metal at all. All their albums were classic stuff with great vocals and classic guitar work. You will not find such consistent bands in today’s two-album wonders. Saxon still tours regularly and you will unfortunately miss them in today’s music channels meant for hyping eye candy music. Saxon was that popular in the USA market, but every metal fan knows what Saxon is.

Saxon’s first album featured this line-up
Peter ‘Biff’ Byford – Vocals
Paul Quinn - Guitars
Graham Oliver - Guitars
Steve Dawson - Bass
Pete Gill – Drums

Gill was replaced by Nigel Glockler in 1981. Dawson came in for Paul Johnson, who left in 1986. Nibbs carter replaced Johnson in 1988 and Oliver departed in 1995. Replaced by Doug Scarratt. When Glockler's departed, German Fritz Randow replaced him till 2004. Ex-Stratovarius member Jörg Michael replaced Randow.

Saxon still rocks!

Friday, November 03, 2006


Satch Boogie

My all time favorite is Joe Satriani (born on July 15, 1956, in Westbury, New York), better known as ‘Satch’. I respect this rock guitarist and teacher, who was brought to the limelight by his student, another virtuoso guitarist I like, Steve Vai. Satriani has received 13 Grammy nominations, and he has sold more than 10 million albums.

The first Satriani album I heard was ‘Surfing with the Alien’. Blown away by the two-handed tapping, sweeping picks and speed, I checked out ‘Flying in a Blue Dream’. Enchanted by that I collected every Satriani I could get and even now I listen with all the verve I had when I heard him for the first time. A great artist.

Satch’s bio at Wikipedia.
Joe's images

The band is Joe Satriani – Guitars, Jeff Campitelli – Drums, Dave LaRue – Bass, Galen Henson - Additional Guitar

Wednesday, October 25, 2006

Dita von Teese is wife of Marilyn Manson, the shock rocker. She is a popular American burlesque artist who began her career in a local strip club when she was only nineteen. On December 3, 2005, Manson, a fan of Ditta, married her in a non-denominational ceremony at Gurteen Castle in Kilsheelan (County Tipperary), Ireland.

An interesting wife for rocker Manson

Monday, October 23, 2006

This is my tribute to the hard rock bands I like. It's an affair that started nearly 20 years back and it's going on pretty strong.

Entries in this blog are of no particular order.