Captain Howdy

Was just looking up the actor Christian Kanes website as I had heard he had like a Southern Rock band, and found he has an EP due soon. You can listen to one of the songs (House rules) on his website or download the MP3 for free by entering your email address. No idea what the rest of the stuff on it is gonna be like, but this song is pure southern/country rock with a similar style to stuff like Moon Dog Mane etc http://christiankane.com/

Poor opening race. Very little action at all, with overtaking apparently even more difficult now. All the talk of clever driving and protecting tyres went out the window because Bridgestone has produced a tyre thats too good, meaning everyone only has to do one stop. Fuel stops may have made for overtaking being done in the pits, but that was still more overtaking than we saw on Sunday. I really hope it was the track that caused this, and that it will all improve in Australia, but I am not getting my hopes up just yet. The new teams need to be allowed more testing and development time as well, as they just looked pathetic out there. Either going slow or not going at all.

Not overly familiar with the band, but it was on this MTM compilation http://www.shazam.com/music/web/album?id=65599 Could be that its exclusive to that, or a Jap bonus track. I dont recognise the Jaded Heart track on that compilation either.

Never found this album to be that interesting to be honest, and especially found the vocals to be very weak. The version of Make a wish by Jesse Strange walks all over the wishy washy version on here.

Cant say I hear that at all. Against the law is heavier than anything Firehouse has ever done.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqT0U3VMZ_A

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zNPO0XkBZA

Two more (the last two I believe) announced: Lights out - UFO Carry on my wayward son - Kansas Recording started yesterday.

I think the reason its so expensive is that it was only released on CD in small numbers back in the day due to CDs being so new, and was never reissued, where as Saints and sinners was issued at a time when CDs were becoming a lot more popular with the buying public, and a lot more copies were pressed (and it could easily be found in bargain bins within a year or so of its release). I had S&S on cassette years ago, and I got both on CD around 10 years ago. Even back then the debut was considered a rarity, and I was only lucky that someone else found a used Japanese copy for me that was reasonably cheap (think it was around $20 or so). Geffen were also better at handling rock bands than MCA, so that might explain the low numbers as well.

Big fan of Webber, and last year he maybe lost out somewhat due to his broken leg pre-season, which shouldnt effect him this year. I just think that Vettel will have matured a lot more now, and will be less prone to the mistakes he made last year. Webber has a lot to prove this year, to make sure he has a contract for 2011, I just think that its gonna be a tough battle for him if Vettel eradicates some of his weaker aspects this year.

How can you guys not consider Vettel & Alonso to be a part of this fight as well? I'd have to say that Ferrari, McLaren and Red Bull will be the strongest three teams this year, with Mercedes possibly being there as well. I think to rule any one of the 6 drivers out from the first 3 mentioned teams, is pure folly. In many peoples opinions, Vettel is the favourite for the title this year.

Its on Amazon and eBay from time to time, but seems to have certainly increased in value at around £30.

Well its less than two weeks til the start of the season, and things are finally settled it would seem. The god awful USF1 project has finally been laid to rest for this year, although they say they want to defer til next year (god I hope not, as it was doomed to fail from the start quite frankly). Sadly this does not mean Stefan GP will inherit the slot, despite being obviously more far advanced than both the USF1 and the renamed Campos team. And on the subject of Campos, which has now been bought out and renamed as Hispania Racing Team, they have finally signed their second driver, Karun Chandhok. Shame we have not seen the car yet, and neither has it had any testing. Something suggests this will not be the strongest of the new teams. I doubt anyone, including the teams themselves, expect much from the new teams, and I would assume that their only targets at the moment are to finish the early races, and hopefully pick up the odd point by the end of the year. Potentially this could be one of the strongest years in a long time, with the form book being as open as it was last year, with the changes in the rules meaning that the pre season testing times do not actually give an indication of who is the strongest challengers this year. While Ferrari, Mercedes, Red Bull and McLaren have to be the favourites, the Sauber team (still with the BMW prefix) has shown some surprising times, and Force India looks to be capitalising on last years step forward. Renault isnt looking that good, but seem to be hoping that things will improve during the season. Williams doesnt look too bad, but I dont expect too much from them this year, other than the odd good performance here and there. Toro Rosso has a lot to prove as this is their first year designing and building their own car, but will probably drop back this year.

I remember when this came out, as I was working for the distributor at the time. Funnily though, I didnt pick it up til years later. Problem was, when you work for the company that distributed pretty much all the UK indy labels, and dealt with imports from major labels as well, there was too much choice, so lots of stuff fell by the wayside.

The song Head over heels is one of the greatest hit rock singles to have never been a hit rock single.

This is what Michael has to say about the new song, God: I am hoping its not overly preachy, but I do see it as being added to appease those who are trying to claim they are turning their back on their faith. If it is indeed 'Old school metal' then it may very well be a good compromise for me. While I am not of the same school as Geoff with the preachy lyrics totally ruining a song for me, they dont sit too well for me on tracks that a musically not as strong, that I may have enjoyed more if not for the lyrics not being my cup of tea as well. Some of the best preachy Stryper songs are the ones where the music totally makes you forget what the song is about, or makes you not think about it. I dont want this to come across as anti-Christian, as its the same for any song really. The song Blueberry by Lita Ford is a perfect example of this too. The lyrics are just so damn unapealing, and teamed with a weaker tune, it just does absolutely nothing for me, where as with better lyrics, it might have had a slightly better chance of being tolerated.

I think the reason Nikki spoke to Bruce rather than John would have probably been just that they were having a convo at the time, and he just asked him to pass on the message or he couldnt reach John, as Corabi is still pretty tight with Nikki. I dont think its any different to you talking to one of your friends and saying, "Oh, and if you see John before I do, can you pass on a message for me.." Another reason John left is that he wasnt able to contribute to the writing as much as he was initially promised (which reading between the lines, probably was one of the ego problems with Guns). As for the Tracii Guns version of LA Guns, what makes it particularly sad is that when he initially hooked up with Black and Alexander, he didnt call the band LA Guns, it was the Tracii Guns Band. I think it was only after realising that there was probably more money to be made off the LA Guns name than his own (dont forget, his solo album didnt exactly set fans interest on fire), that he decided to change the name. It might also have been Black getting in his ear as well. In my mind, what he would have been better doing is do something like Sabbath have done with Dio. Rather than return to the Sabbath name, they called themselves after one of their albums/songs. Instead of calling his current band LA Guns, he could call them something like Cocked & Loaded, Hollywood Vampires, Rip & Tear or One More Reason.

Was reading some stuff on Brides Of Destruction last night, and John Corabi says that one of the main reasons he quit the band was he could not get along with Guns, as his ego was massive. He also said, that Nikki later contacted Bruce Kulick to tell him to apologise to John, as he started having problems with Guns as well, and it was one of the reasons he didnt hang around when he got the opportunity to return to the Crue. Guns seems to keep shooting himself in the foot with everyone. He is an awesome guitarist, but sounds like a total cock.

There is only one version of LA Guns, and thats the one with Phil. Tracii is being a total cock. He fucked up when he jumped ship to join Brides Of Destruction, as he thought that would make him a huge star, and it flopped as he didnt seem to realise that Nikki never considered it more than a side project. Now he thinks he can form his own version of the band, and even thats become little more than a joke, as initially his whole defence strategy was that it was the real LA Guns as it had more original members (Paul Black, Nicky Alexander & himself). But where are Nicky and Paul now? The Jizzy fronted album, Shrinking Violet, never did anything for me, or most LA Guns fans for that matter, so why he thinks anyone will be interested now, is anyones guess. The Phil fronted band is the one thats been constantly going for years, with or without Tracii, and has consistantly put out great albums.

Couple of new songs announced. Highway Star (Deep Purple) God (new Stryper track)

You just have to enter your email, and they send you the link. http://www.vinceneil.net/

There are enough references to god on that album, without being as blatant as previous releases, but the bible bashers felt slighted, as you say, because the album wasnt full of overly preachy songs. Rock the hell out of you is one of my faves from that album, and like you say, the meaning could not be more obvious, especially if you actually bother to listen to the lyrics as well.

I really dont think he had a choice. From the minute Merc started negotations, they made it clear that they didnt want him, despite what they say in the media. Brawn were not playing fair with the way they dragged out signing him, and once Merc was in the frame for a takeover, the McLaren contract came within 2 days, proving that his services were no longer required. Going anywhere else (dont forget the only other real contender was gonna be Red Bull, and both seats there were full) would have seen him doing a Damon Hill at Arrows. I think he will surprise people this year, as Hamilton wont find the new fuel rules and narrower front tyres to his liking. I was talking to Hamiltons brother Nick, a month or two ago, and even he says that he is shit with his tyres, and the new rules suit Jenson better.

Downloaded the EP and album a few days ago, and its pretty damn good stuff. Certainly owe a lot to Maiden, Priest and Dio, but thats no bad thing now is it. Love the video for Over the top, as it shows a sense of humour, and is purposely cheesy.

Well I did a naughty naughty last night and downloaded it, but I do fully intend to buy it when I am once again gainfully employed. Had an interview today, and am fairly hopeful that it will come through. If so, I will be working again early next month.