Go Ahead, Make A Bad Decision

One of my favorite bands, The Last Vegas, released a new album on August 28th.  For a good dose of sleaze rock, my suggestion is buy it.  It's available on Amazon and for download from iTunes.  

I've kept close tabs on this band since 2009, when I saw them open for Motley Crue on the Saints of Los Angeles tour, and have even been lucky enough to hang out with them a few times.  All I can say is theirs is the kind of rock & roll this world needs more of.  They offer up a heavy combination of glam, sleaze and metal, along with a stage presence that oozes sex.  While you can pick up on their old-school rock influences, the music is a breath of fresh air compared to today's mainstream garbage that is over processed,  over tweaked and over auto-tuned to the point where it can hardly be defined as music by the time it hits the listeners' ears.  The Last Vegas knows what true rock is all about and have a damn good time spreading the word.

The boys at Rebel Rock Bar in Philly, August 24th, 2012.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                 So while you're having fun making a few Bad Decisions, I highly suggest picking up...whatever else you can get your hands on by this smokin' hot band, most of which is available on iTunes.  You won't be disappointed, I promise.

Follow The Last Vegas on Twitter here.
Like them on Facebook here.

Oh, You're Such A Dirty Sexy Pig

I discovered this band last March at the Croc Rock up in Allentown, PA when they opened for Charm City Devils.  They're a rock and roll quartet out of New York City, and it wasn't until I saw them play again the day after Thanksgiving down in Baltimore that I realized I was missing out, so I bought both of their albums, (as yet unreleased under a major record label,) and a tee shirt as I chatted up the band's manager.



Rockin' my Sweet Cyanide tee. And yes, I'm in the bathroom of a strip club.



Dane's Discography Breakdown

Their first self-titled release under Breakdown Lane Music is edgy and catchy at the same time.  Vocalist Sal Soca has a voice that fits the rock and roll genre perfectly.  The band's musicianship is tight, and in my personal opinion, they just fucking rock.

"And all I'll say is don't let her get in your head -

cuz when she goes down

She's a suicide love machine

Like it or not she'll do what she pleases

She's a suicide love machine

living it up in daddy's big dream"

Songs worth a listen - SLM, Black & White, and Between Us (which puts the relationship I have with my Drugstore Cowboy into wonderful, musical perspective.)

Their second release, Sweet Cyanide II, under Breakdown Lane Music is just as good, if not better, than the first.  The intro, Pay the Piper, sets the mood for the rest of the album and leads flawlessly into the second track.  The same tight musicianship can be found on this album as well.  Some of the songs are lengthy, but they don't get boring or repetitive.  They experiment a little more, and it enhances the listener's experience, like the ending of Walk On Water.  It's a little darker, lyric-wise, but still catchy and addictive. (I've been stopped in my tracks several times while listening to their music because there are songs that hit me right in the gut.) Seriously, it's the first thing I listen to when I get into the car to head to work before the sun comes up.

"Pull, pull, pull the trigger

Shoot me down when I need it

The hardest part of this

Is saying no"

Songs worth a listen - Bad Jesus, Cooler Than A Car Crash, and Dirty Sexy Pig.

I'm a big fan of multiple tempo and key changes within a song, and Sweet Cyanide do a very good job in this department.  They don't tamper with as many key changes, which is fine because I think that's a music tool that should be used sparingly, but they nail pulling off changing up the tempo in a song with grace.  311 is another band who uses this technique, and uses it well. 

Now, if you know anything about me, you wouldn't be surprised to learn that I noticed this guy first.  I had never heard of the band before, but that's one of the reasons I love to go to shows/concerts.  The opening acts usually spark my fancy and new music is immediately added to my collection.

The first time I saw Sweet Cyanide play live, I wasn't really paying attention.  Okay, okay, my girl and I were busy getting drunk, scoping out the scene and gearing up for Charm City Devils (who are definitely worth a listen.)  After their set I had my eyes on the bass player, (more like my hand on his crotch, but it's all the same isn't it?) and I chatted with the drummer and their manager about the band and the upcoming show they had in Dewey Beach, which is my stomping ground. 



Mike Bambace (drums,) me, and Angelo Fariello (bass)



My second show at Rams Head Live sealed the deal for me.  And yes, I did tell the bass player that I would like him in my pants.  Can you blame me?  Look at this motherfucker!  Those dark, Italian eyes?  That hair that's just begging to be pulled?

Bottom line is, check them out.  With all the bullshit we hear on the radio these days, I'd say Sweet Cyanide is keeing it real in the world of rock and fucking roll.

Please Tell BMTH Not To Wash Their Dicks

So I discovered this band over the summer. Not my typical style of music, but damn. Okay, I'll be honest, I saw him first, and my curiosity was piqued. I mean, fuck. The things I wouldn't do to this boy.

I tentatively started checking them out, making absolutely sure I wanted to spend something like $25 on iTunes for their sophomore album, Suicide Season Deluxe Edition. I dig it. And once the new album, There Is A Hell Believe Me I've Seen It, There Is A Heaven Let's Keep It A Secret, dropped, I was hooked.

Before the third album came out, I was super-hesitant to categorize this band as "metal." The first album, Count Your Blessings, maybe. But seriously? I can't resist that throaty, sexy growl of his.  Sykes' "Ohhwhhh!" is like the heavy metal version of Andrew Dice Clay's (and I know you know what I'm talking about.)  It's so hard to believe all that screaming and growling comes out of that pretty little mouth of his. But I'd have to say the only reason I hesitate to declare them officially "heavy metal" is the teenybopper-esque following that Oliver Skyes has gained. It's quite sickening. I will not put this band among the ranks of Metallica, Slayer, Judas Priest or Iron Maiden simply because of this fact.

Dane's Discography Breakdown:

Pretty good. The most "metal" out of their three albums, I'd say. Lots of fast guitars and drums.

"I whispered in her ear:
You better fear me dear, for I am Death,
And I'll take that shit you call a life,
In a single fucking breath

I'll take your hope,
I'll take your fucking dreams,
I'll take your love,

         I'll take everything you fucking bitch."

More of a trainwreck, but makes for good party music, especially the Cut Up! disc that comes with the deluxe edition. Some songs make me go, "Aw, c'mon boys, my ears are not trashcans!" but with lyrics like
"Party til you pass out
Drink til you're dead
Dance all night til you can't feel your legs"

with some angst such as

"If I had it my way
I'd slit your throat with the knife
That you left in my back"

And of course there's

"After all the shit you put me through
  I should have fucking pissed on you"

thrown in for good measure, it's kind of irresistable.

The boys I think have finally found their element. This album is more mature, very well-written, more melodic and holy shit, I cannot wait to have dirty, angry sex with it blasting in the background. Plus the double bass drum licks are enough to get me wet between the legs every time.

"Let's play a game of Russian Roulette
I'll load the guns,
You place the bets."