#totalrockfiend

[totalrockfiend]

NIRVANA, NEVERMIND | September 24, 1991 . Has it REALLY been 30 years for Nirvana's Nevermind? Feels like just yesterday... The album detonated like a bomb. And in one fell swoop, an unlikely trio of Seattle upstarts demolished Hair Metal. Turned the misnomer term "Grunge" into a household word. And spurred on the alt-rock revolution, massively fanning the flames of the genre that would dominate popular music for over a decade. Not too shabby for a couple of long-haired burnouts, huh? . . . . #totalrockfiend #cdcollecors #cdcollector #cdcollection #cdcollections #nirvana #nevermind #nevermind30 #grunge #altrock #kurtcobain #kristnovoselic #davegrohl (at Beverly Hills, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CUO81xgrgO0/?utm_medium=tumblr

[totalrockfiend]

A little late on this, but as always with the namm show, you've gotta respect the GUITARSANAL... . *Ivan digs the Tele uke . *I dig the argyle Tele . *Everyone digs Billy Duff (the Cult) + Malcolm Young's (AC/DC) signature model Gretch guitars . *Props to Jackson's Wall of hair metal guitars . *Shout out Rickenbacker + Tom "the waiting is the hardest part" Petty . *James Hetfield + Lars Fredrickson shill for ESP with snazzy signature models . *And of course, there's the famed "Rocky" guitar, gifted to George Harrison by Eric Clapton (apparently as a gesture of reconciliation after Slowhand tried to steal George's wife), which Fender has turned into a beautiful art piece . Now of course, there was lots more! But these are just a few highlights of personal interest to me. . . . . #totalrockfiend #namm2020 #nammshow2020 #fender #fendertelecaster #fendertele #acdc #thecult #metallica #rancid #tompetty #Rickenbacker #gretchen #jacksonguitars #jameshetfield #malcomyoung #billyduffy #georgeharrison #ericclapton (at Convention Center, Anaheim, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/B7tH4BaDa2s/?igshid=bb9vgojxnwaz

[totalrockfiend]

DAVID LEE ROTH | EAT 'EM AND SMILE, July 7, 1986 . No Eddie Van Halen? No problem! At least not as far as David Lee Roth was concerned when it came to his post-Van Halen debt solo album, which celebrates its 35 anniversary this week. . Joining forces with long-time Van Halen producer, Ted Templeman, Roth enlisted youthful, Frank Zappa-groomed guitar wizard, Steve Via, veteran session bassist, Billy Sheehan, and up-and-coming drummer, Gregg Bissonette to craft an infectiously rockin' album that was the antithesis of his former band's (dubbed by some as Van Hagar) then keyboard-driven sound. . And while VH's first Van Hagar effort out-sold DRL's debut, Roth's Eat 'Em went multi-platinum and peaked at #4 on the Billboard Hot 200. Ultimately proving Roth too had the musical skillz to pay the bills! . . . . #totalrockfiend #cdcollection #cdcollections #cdcollector #cdcollectors #davidleeroth #eatemandsmile #vanhalen #vanhagar #stevevia #billysheehan #greggbisdonette #eddievanhalen #tedtempleman (at Beverly Hills, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CRFd6PfjU-p/?utm_medium=tumblr

[totalrockfiend]

Up next on my rock bio list? Former Rolling Stones' manager and producer Andrew Look Oldham's autobiography, Stoned.

Pretty sure after this and Bill Wyman's Stone Alone, I l'll have read all the major Stones' biographies.

A notable accomplishment? Probably not...

[totalrockfiend]

BECK | ODELAY, June 18, 1996 . Beck made it on the map with his minimalist, folk-rap novelty record, Mellow Gold. But Mr. Hansen earned household name status with his tasty follow up, the sample drenched, Odelay. Where It's At + Devil's Haircut scored the album's biggest hits. But the sneaky psychedelia of Derelict us secretly the record's best track. Shout out to this altrock landmark in honor of its 25th anniversary! . . . . #totalrockfiend #cdcollecor #cdcollecors #cdcollection #cdcollections #beck #odelay (at Beverly Hills, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CQSKVWtD0mS/?utm_medium=tumblr

[totalrockfiend]

Van Halen's F.U.C.K. turns 30! Released on June 17, 1991, For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge marked this hard rockin' SoCal outfit's 9th studio album, and third with David Lee Roth's replacement frontman, Sammy Hagar. . Though the piano-driven top 40 tune, Right Now, scored the album's big hit, overall F.U.C.K. proved to be a vast improvement over the overtly poppy schlock of it's predecessor, OU812. . Love or hate this incarnation of VH (known as Van Hagar to many), it's tough to argue with the irrepressible charm of rockers like Pound Cake, Runaround + Top Of The World! . . . . #totalrockfiend #cdcollecor #cdcollecors #cdcollection #cdcollections #vanhalen #vanhagar #fuck #forunlawfulcarnalknowledge #sammyhagar #davidleeroth #eddievanhalen #alexvanhalen #michaelanthony (at Beverly Hills, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CQQ9_t9DNA2/?utm_medium=tumblr

[totalrockfiend]

Meant to chime in to honor this fantabulous album's 30th anniversary last week, but time got away from me... . Anyway, New Jersey's answer to Hair Metal, Skid Row released their sophomore album, Slave To The Grind on June 11, 1991. . Leaning less on the power ballads that bouyed their eponymous debut to the top of the Billboard charts, Slave snarls through raging rockers like Monkey Business, the title track, Psycho Love + Riot Act. And ultimately results in what, to my ears, is the band's best work. . Sadly, the group parted ways with front man Sebastian Bach in the late '90s. And while a reconstituted Skid Row continues to tour the nostalgia circuit, they do so without Sebastian. Here's hoping the two camps can mend their fences and do some 30th anniversary Slave tribute shows! . . . . #totalrockfiend #cdcollecor #cdcollectors #cdcollection #cdcollections #skidrow #slavetothegrind #sabastianbach #hairmetal (at Beverly Hills, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CQQ7q0yjeMQ/?utm_medium=tumblr

[totalrockfiend]

SMASHING PUMPKINS | GISH, May 28, 1991 . From Black Sabbath the shoegaze in just five tracks... Is there a more apt description of the Smashing Pumpkins stunning debut album, Gish? None that rings true to my ears, that's for sure. . And no, I still can't believe it's been 30 years since I picked originally up this album from my local Warehouse Records. Boy, how time flies. . Gish is also another standout album from the class of '91, which includes the likes of Nirvana's Nevermmind, Pearl Jam's 10, Soundgarden's Bad Motorfinger, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers' Blood Sugar Sex Magik. Here's to one helluva of a year of revolutionary rock + roll! . . . . #totalrockfiend #cdcollector #cdcollectors #cdcollection #cdcollections #smashingpumpkins #gish #billycorgan #butchvig (at Beverly Hills, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CPckxPNDY_x/?utm_medium=tumblr

[totalrockfiend]

PRIMUS | SAILING THE SEAS OF CHEESE May 14, 1991 . Can 30 years really have passed since I fell hard for the clown princes of quirk? That's what the calendar says... So it must be! Anyway, was there an odder duck in '90s rock than Primus? . They certainly defied categorization. They got played on Headbangers Ball AND 120 Minutes, and eventually made their way to MTV's regular rotation. . Meanwhile, few acts of the era could make a similar claim. And even fewer acts put out albums is gloriously bent as Sailing The Seas of Cheese. . The mainstream had never heard tunes like Jerry Was a Race Car Driver, Sergeant Baker, or Tommy The Cat before. Nor would they again. But this unique moment in time allowed a supremely unusual band like Primus to shine. So three cheers for Sailing The Seas of Cheese and it's 30th anniversary! . . . . #totalrockfiend #cdcollector #cdcollectors #cdcollection #cdcollections #primus #sailingtheseasofcheese #lesclaypool #larrylelonde #timherbslexander (at Beverly Hills, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CO39_psj738/?igshid=1okma9ewpt7bx

[totalrockfiend]

Can a whole decade really have passed since the Foo Fighters' Wasting Light was released!? Well, according to the interwebs, my third favorite Foo Fighters' album was originally released April 11th 2011... . Despite acquiring the "Boston (the band) of altrock tag," the Foos are as sharp and fierce as ever on their 7th studio album, and certainly know worse for the band's 16 years of wear. . This guitar-heavy rager features a cavalcade of special guests, including Pat Smear (who would re-join as a full-time member), Bob Mould, Krist Novoselic, and would reunite Dave Grohl with former Nirvana producer, Butch Vig. All of which adds up to another outstanding turn, naysayers be damned! . . . . #totalrockfiend #cdcollection #cdcollections #cdcollector #cdcollectors #foofighters #wastinglight #davegrohl #patsmear #bobmould #kristnovoselic #butchvig (at Beverly Hills, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/COvGEikjvNa/?igshid=1gezmz1ymvh5k

[totalrockfiend]

Celebrating the anniversary of yet another titanic alt-rock record I happen to miss. The Yeah Yeah Yeahs sophomore outing, Show Your Bones, originally released March 28, 2006, turns 15 this year! . Album number two from these NYC scenseters, who emerged amid the same New York alt-rock gold rush that unearthed the Strokes and Interpol in the early aughts, scores three outstanding singles -- Golden Lion, Phenomena, and Cheated Hearts -- and manages to perform nearly as well as their uber-successful debut, Fever To Tell. . . . . #totalrockfiend #cdcollector #cdcollectors #cdcollection #cdcollections #yeahyeahyeahs #showyourbones #fevertotell (at Beverly Hills, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/COqjWpBjKVS/?igshid=pzx20g9g2ov2

[totalrockfiend]

MAIL DROP! So, this choice nugget just arrived in the post. A gorgeously packaged 2019 reissue of Generation X's phenomenal 1978 eponymously-titled debut. . If you're not familiar... Before badass Billy Idol was a badass solo artist, he was badass Billy Idol, badass lead singer of the early punk outfit, Generation X. . With a mix of rocked up Beatlesque power pop and edgey Sex Pistols punk, this captivating album is overloaded with ringing melodies and big, crunchy guitars. Stand out tracks include Ready Steady Go, Kiss Me Deadly, and the irrepressible Youth Youth Youth. . Though I was familiar with the band, thanks to the Billy idol connection, I'd never really heard their music. And I'm very happy to be on board the Gen X train! . . . . #totalrockfiend #cdcollection #cdcollections #cdcollector #cdcollectors #generationx #billyidol #tonyjames #readysteadygo #kissmedeadly #youthyouthyouth (at Beverly Hills, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/COdE85qDj3a/?igshid=ktrxcg9jjbn6

[totalrockfiend]

How did I miss this uber-important date!? One of the '90s greatest alt-rock records -- The Throwing Muses' The Real Ramona -- celebrated it's 30th anniversary early this year (originally released on February 18, 1991 to be exact). . Helmed by intimidable singer, guitarist + songwriter, Kristen Hersch, this Boston born quartet were critics darlings and fan favorites in their heyday. Meanwhile, the group hit their artistic + commercial high water mark on their 4th album, The Real Ramona. . Interestingly enough, the album's second single, Not Too Soon, ranks (in my book) as the record's best track. . Penned + sung by future Belly founder, Tonya Donnelly, who channels claszic era Chrissy Hynde on Not Too Soon's impassioned vocals -- A sound that warms my Pretenders' adoring heart! . So here's a resounding cheers to this master stoke of '90's alt rock regalia in honor of its 30th birthday! . . . . #totalrockfiend #cdcollector #cdcollectors #cdcollection #cdcollections #throwingmuses #therealramona #kristenhersch #tonyadonnely #belly #nottoosoon (at Beverly Hills, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/COYNbsJjAE-/?igshid=1e7l623xv9ckd

[totalrockfiend]

Hot off the presses! (Or whatever it's called when stuff magically arrives from Amazon). It's Cheap Trick's brand spankin' new album, In Another World! . Now, You're probably wondering, is it a classic? Nope. It might not even be as good as 2018's We're All Alright. . But when my all-time fave band is still a going concern after 45 years in the game, I'm not gonna complain about their best efforts to mint new material. . And while maybe not a classic, In Another World is still a delight! The bouncy power pop of the summer looks good on you, the riffy rock of Girls & Boys & Rock & Roll and Light Up the Fire, a couple lovely ball ballads, and a John Lennon cover, Gimme Some Truth to boot. I mean, what's not to love? . In other words, if you're a fan of Cheap Trick or Power Pop in general, I definitely recommend giving this disc a spin! . . . . #totalrockfiend #cdcollector #cdcollectors #cdcollection #cdcollections #cheaptrick #inanotherworld #rickneilson #robinzander #tompetersson #daxxneilson #bunecarlos #powerpop #classicrock #johnlennon (at Beverly Hills, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/COVTUxCjMUB/?igshid=11oqewo5vmd3w

[totalrockfiend]

FROM HERE TO INFIRMITY | ALKALINE TRIO, March 3, 2000 . Chicago gothy pop punker-come-emo rockers Alkaline Trio went big time on their third studio album, From Here to Infirmity, which celebrates its 20th anniversary today. . The Trio signed on with flavor of the moment indie record label, Vagrant Records (then backed by a major label distribution deal, which carried Infirmity to a far wider audience than past Trio releases). . The band collaborated on Infirmity with long-time producer Matt Allison, but the final product received some serious polished courtesy of then pop punk production impresario, Jerry Finn. And Finn's polish yielded a record that, to my ears, stands out as the best effort among the Trio's nine studio albums. . Not only is the sound clearer and the performance more sharply delineated, but the songwriting ascends to another level, showcasing to considerable talents of the groups to songwriters, Matt Skiba and Dan Andriano. A fact especially apparent on tracks like Take Lots of Alcohol, Another Innocent Girl, and Steamer Trunk, to name a few. . If you're not familiar with this record, or it's been a while since you've gave it a listen, I highly recommend taking it out for a spin! . . . . #totalrockfiend #cdcollection #cdcollections #cdcollector #cdcollectors #alkalinetrio #fromheretoinfirmity #mattskiba #danandriano #vagrantrecords (at Beverly Hills, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CNN2nx2jfTL/?igshid=1i8ldm8xfylwp

[totalrockfiend]

Finally digging into this amazing Hanoi Rocks reissue box set (courtesy of Cleopatra Records). . This juicy set includes Hanoi's first four albums + their awesome Live at the Marquee live record. My ear holes can't wait :---) . Truly unfortunate Finland's finest + one of hair metal's best bands never made it big. Especially considering the Hanoi's stood head + shoulders above their contemporary competitors. A fact this exceptional collection highlights. . . . . #totalrockfiend #cdcollection #cdcollections #cdcollector #cdcollectors #hanoirocks #strangeboysbox (at Beverly Hills, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CNAX0RzDo3s/?igshid=boi0el6badon