Bad Reputation: Joan Jett, Dave Grohl, Rob Zombie, Atreyu, Taddy Porter

"BAD REPUTATION" (with Dave Grohl)          JOAN JETT

Magical TV moment in November, Joan Jett on Letterman.    She's amazing, vocals sound the same as 30 years ago, looks as great as she did 20 years ago (how does she do it?), then to make the performance even more incredible, she adds Dave Grohl of the Foo Fighters to join her on guitar and backing vocals.  By the way, Joan Jett is 53 years old here!     If you haven't seen the movie, The Runaways, check it out.   Fun bio pic, Dakota Fanning is incredible and Kristen Stewart from the Twilight films plays Joan.

"THUNDER KISS '65"                   ROB ZOMBIE

Before Rob started directing films like the Halloween remake, his band, White Zombie, made some great heavy metal records.     Four of my students play in a hardcore metal band named Ares.   They've released 2 CD's and one of their biggest music moments was being one of the opening bands for White Zombie!   How cool is that!   This video was shot in the desert with go-go dancers, "monsters" and Rob's thundering bassline hook.    Low budget video but you've got to love that beat!

"FALLING DOWN"                  ATREYU

A Minneapolis friend of mine was obsessed with the 80's movie, The Outsiders.     It featured C. Thomas Howell, Matt Dillon, Ralph Macchio (The Karate Kid), Patrick Swayze, Rob Lowe, Emilio Estevez and a young Tom Cruise.  Atreyu pays homage to the film in this film.   "Stay Gold,  Pony Boy!"      Atreyu are currently on a "break" and working on side projects but I remember them opening for Linkin Park in 2008.

"BIG ENOUGH"                      TADDY PORTER

Oklahoma band with blues riffs (check out the solo on the office table!), sleezy bar band vocals, yet still capturing a modern rock radio sound.     They are still a newer band looking for that breakout hit but based off the first CD, they've got some major potential and I'm curious what happens to them after their 2012 CD gets released.