Monday July 28, 2008

Candlebox

One of the most difficult things to do in Rock and Roll is to come back after a prolonged layoff. The time frame that usually sets the limit is four to five years. At that point, it is about 40/60 as to whether a band can regroup and regain an audience and usually the band, or artist, has to be of huge stature. As a fan, think of where your taste in music was almost a half of a decade ago. No doubt you have made many changes in what you enjoy, leaving some music behind and embracing different bands and styles in which you had no prior interest. This makes what Candlebox, the Seattle based and former Grunge scene band has done even more impressive and unlikely. Never really Grunge, just from Seattle during that period, their heyday was in the mid-1990’s and they haven’t released an album of new material since 1998. This begs the question, “Have they kept a fan base for a decade even while being dormant, or have they started from scratch?” The answer is probably a bit of both, but regardless, a comeback such as this is extremely rare and definitely impressive. Their last official release was “Happy Pills” in 1998. On July 22nd Candlebox released “Into the Sun” and it is one of ROCKLINE’S favorite albums of the year. “Into the Sun” comes storming out of the gate with one outstanding song after another and the passion is punctuated with profanity, not mindless profanity, but the kind that makes a point stronger instead of just not being able to find different words. Maybe it was that decade long layoff, but there’s unbridled energy that the band has tapped into that comes across like a collective catharsis.

Candlebox, long renowned for explosive live sets, has opted to take this show on the road as a headlining act in smaller venues rather than play a shortened set and compromise the fury. Our feeling is to try to see them now before those venues grow in size and a perfect opportunity for an intimate set by the band falls by the wayside. The band has just launched a new and up to date website CandleboxRocks.com and their itinerary is listed along with new and updated information regarding the band. The first single, “Stand”, which takes on materialism in our consumer based society, is slowly climbing up the radio charts with steady, weekly progress and we’ve learned that the songs that do that tend to stay on those charts for prolonged periods. Plus, there’s a whole lot more where that came from as the new album is loaded with outstanding songs. Obviously, there is plenty to discuss here and we’re curious as to the band’s theory about their fan base in 2008, why they decided to have another go at it and why they called it quits after only three albums to begin with. They totally scrapped a large collection of songs and went back to the drawing board for “Into the Sun” and the result is their first album in ten years and one day. What are the odds on that?

What’s the story? Find out when Candlebox joins us from Boise, ID on our next ROCKLINE!

Wednesday July 30, 2008

The Scorpions

Scorpions are hard to catch. No, we’re not talking about the scary little creature with the venomous tail, but the Rock and Roll band from Germany. We’ve been trying to have the band return for a visit to ROCKLINE since last year when they released “Humanity: Hour 1”. The problem is Scorpions are the literal definition of a working band. They’re always on the road and quite often that road is overseas. In fact, we are able to have them finally join us again only two days before they begin the tiniest of US tours, seven dates on the West Coast and in the Midwest. We are catching them a few days after playing in Finland and just before this mini-tour of selected American cities. Always fan-aware and interactive, the band is allowing US fans to vote on the set list for this tour at their official website the-Scorpions.com That kind of approachability coupled with the fact that they are one of the greatest live bands in Rock history has helped keep the odyssey alive since the 1970’s. With a huge catalog of sixteen studio albums of all new material from 1972 forward, Scorpions have a gigantic list of songs from which one can choose. There are certain songs that will always be a part of a set by Scorpions. Can you imagine seeing them perform live and not hearing “Like a Hurricane”? It’s just not going to happen. But you can have a say in choosing some of the other songs that aren’t always included in their live set whether your taste runs to “Lovedrive” or Lovin’ You Sunday Morning”.

In addition to the classic repertoire the band boasts, there is their outstanding album of entirely new songs. “Humanity: Hour 1”, the excellent new CD was co-produced by songwriter/producer Desmond Child and songwriter/producer James Michael, noted for his work with Motley Crue and now the front man for the Nikki Sixx side project Sixx AM. The result is classic Scorpions, biting social commentary and hook laden songs that rock but are smooth as silk as well. As radio tends to be somewhat conservative these days, ROCKLINE serves a valuable purpose as we love to jump into an album and go deeper than a song or two and provide a taste of what an album is really all about. The old Album Oriented Rock format survives. And there’s no disappointment with “Humanity”. Fresh and vital, the songs have that patented Scorpions sound. If you haven’t had a chance to hear “Humanity”, we will be more than happy to provide the opportunity for you. Plus, we’ll open up the phone lines and let you connect with Germany’s best export and get the inside story as they continue their extensive world tour.

It has been awhile. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to catch Scorpions on our next ROCKLINE!

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