Rockblog

The Rockblog would like to wish all its readers a Happy Thanksgiving and take this chance to list some of the things the Rockblog has been thnkful for over the past twelve months.

The first thing to be thankful for is the Norton Records release of the Dictators collection Every Day is Saturday. I’m not usually into collections of rarities and alternate versions, but Dictators releases are too rare as it is. It helps that the alternate version of “Sleeping With the TV On” from the Manifest Destiny album pisses all over the original release and most of the Bloodbrothers album that is included sounds great as well. Throw in some very early Dictators songs including the best song ever written about an episode of the original 1950’s Superman TV series, “Fireman’s Friend”, and you’re on to a winner.

Sticking with the Dictators, the Rockblog is not only thankful, but eternally grateful, for the Spanish tour the band did in October and easyjet for providing cheap flights to Spain. The Barcelona show was easily one of the best I’ve ever been to and it was a pleasure meeting Ross the Boss, Handsome Dick Manitoba, and Andy Shernoff after the show.

The Rockblog is also thankful for getting to see Neil Young again at the Hammersmith Apollo and Ace Frehley at the Astoria. Hell, I enjoyed seeing Ace more as a solo artist then I did when I saw him with KISS in 1996.

I’m thankful I got the chance to catch up with old friends in the Grateful Dead tribute band the Cosmic Charlies. It’s a shame the UK market for a Dead tribute band is so small because these guys are good. Hopefully it won’t be so long between shows the next time I see them.

I’m thankful AC/DC added a second date at the O2 in London. I was still trying to buy tickets for the sold out first gig when Ticketmaster notified me tickets were on sale for another date at the arena.

And speaking of the O2, I’m thankful to Metallica for the £5 tickets to their Death Magnetic release party gig held at the arena.

I’m thankful Guns N Roses finally released Chinese Democracy. I may not like the album, but the coverage in the music press became almost as tedious as that of the Presidential election and should die out within the next couple of weeks. I’m also glad Dr Pepper screwed up on their free soda deal. Why should us in the UK not be able to get a free Dr Pepper?

And that brings me to some things I’m thankful to look forward to in 2009. A new album from the New York Dolls. Tours from George Thorogood and Lynyrd Skynyrd. And hopefully a tour from Alice Cooper with a full stage production of his latest album Along Came A Spider.

I almost forgot, I’m also thankful to Today.com for providing beer money to blog about something I really love. Check them out, you too could earn some extra cash blogging about something dear to your heart.

Have a happy and rockin’ Thanksgiving.

Todd Rundgren is set to produce the upcoming New York Dolls album.

According to an NME.com report, Rundgren will be reuniting with the proto-punk band 36 years after producing their 1973 debut New York Dolls. Surviving original New York Dolls members David Johansen and Sylvain Sylvain will be going into the studio with Rundgren in January next year to record the as-yet titled album. The band will follow the album release with a world tour.

That’s right, a New York Dolls new album and world tour next year. I can’t wait.

I first got hooked on their second album, Too Much Too Soon, when I was about 7 years old. Too Much Too Soon is widely considered the weaker of the two original albums put out by the band, but since I was hooked on it so young I have a hard time choosing between the two.

The surviving members of the New York Dolls reformed in 2004 after Morrisey asked them to consider playing a festival he was organising in London. Bassist Arthur Kane passed away shortly after the show, but Johansen and Sylvain have continued playing as the New York Dolls, releasing the band’s third album, One Day It Will Please Us To Remember Even This.

If you’re not familiar with the New York Dolls, check out this video of them playing “Trash” from their 1973 Todd Rundgren produced debut  New York Dolls.