Captain Howdy

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.

I remember buying one of her tapes years ago (something like Speed metal Beethoven, or something like that). God it was awful.

The guy actually has a decent sense of humour. On his twitter page, he initially announce the Vah Halen track as being Hot for teacher, then said "Only joking". Sure that ruffled a few devouts feathers. Are these people who are complaining, honestly saying that they have never listened to an artist who isnt a christian band singing about christianity? I remember how many of them pissed and moaned when they did Against the law, saying they had turned their back on their faith.

Some tracks revealed on Michaels Twitter: On fire (Van Halen) Over the mountain (Ozzy) Breaking the law (Priest) Set me free (Sweet) Blackout (Scorpions) The trooper (Maiden)

Hi mate. I do have it somewhere and I will do my best this afternoon to track it down to send you. In short, no it's not worth buying the Jap version for. Yes, it is a good song but not one of their best. Well worth having, though. If someone doesn't beat me to it I'll track it down for you. If I recall correctly it sounds more like a debut b-side than 'Screw It' b-side... I think. Interestingly, this song was also on the b-side of the I still think about you, 12" single. For some reason though, on the CD single they replaced it with a live cover of Rock n roll hoochie koo. I have both, and it always pissed me off that when I bought the cd single a few years later, that they didnt put that song on it and maybe include the other song as an extra, or get rid of one of the other two songs from it.

I really want this album, but bloody lost my job in Jan and cant even afford to scratch my arse right now.

Great fucking album...nuff said!

I think that pretty much sums it up. Simple fact is, I cannot be the only seller that pulled out after October, so thats lost profit for eBay straight away. Add to that the sellers that went with higher starting prices to cover the costs, and then didnt sell the items as it put buyers off, then you are talking huge lost profits for eBay. Of course they would never admit that, but obviously, if it was such a raging success, why would they go back to the old way?

A covers album, excellent. Should be cool.

I think I said it before, and certainly said it about the D2 disc, I dont see any issues with the production on this album. I listen to it on my PC, my stereo and on my MP3 player through earphones, and it sounds all kinds of awesome. If not for the Steel Panther disc, this would have been my top album of last year, without a doubt. Ignoring the silly piano ditty at the end, which means the album ends on a whimper rather than a bang, there is not a bad song on this disc. The first two tracks are absolute killers, and set the tone for what is the best thing they have done since Pull. I've always liked Winger, but would never classify them as one of my top bands, but Pull really blew me away back when it came out, and Karma did exactly the same thing. I intitally said this one was second to Pull, but now I'm not so sure, as I think that its probably equal to it, if not slightly ahead.