Hard Rock Monday: Pearl Jam, Testament, and To Die For

"OFF HE GOES" (Toronto)   PEARL JAM

One of the most influential bands of the last 25 years.   From their attack against Ticketmaster, refusing to sellout and make MTV videos, encouraging bootlegging their amazing live shows, and challenging the status quo with each new CD, Eddie Vedder, Stone Goddard, and the rest of Pearl Jam set the bar high.   Originally named Mookie Blaylock (after the NBA point guard), then stints with Mother Love Bone, Pearl Jam set records with their debut, Ten.   "Off He Goes" is from No Yield, recording in New Orleans, Eddie said it's based on himself being a "shit friend", classic Vedder!

"MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE"  TESTAMENT

Like Metallica, Testament came out of California in the early 80's and established the thrash metal genre.   They hit it big after touring with Anthrax and MTV's Headbanger's Ball put "Practice What You Preach" on heavy rotation.   This song is from their comeback CD in 2008.   Incidentally, lead guitarist, Alex Skolnick is an original band member and also plays in Trans-Siberian Orchestra, most famous for their popular instrumental metal Christmas concerts.

"I JUST DIED IN YOUR ARMS"   TO DIE FOR

Norway, Sweden, and Finland are keeping alive the speed metal spirit.   Gothic rock, death metal, power chords, and that 80's hair band vibe all remain popular at festivals all over the Scandinavian area.   To Die For is a band from Finland who do a great cover of the 80's Crowded House classic.   Love that line, "I should have walked away..."

 

Newt Gingrich in a Rock Video?: Lita Ford, Rage Against The Machine, Loverboy, Five Finger Death Punch

"BACK TO THE CAVE"  LITA FORD

80's hair band, leather pants, big Texas hair, killer guitar solos, with a twist:  a true female guitar hero.  Carmelita Ford, the sex kitten of the late 80's metal scene started off in 70's playing guitar with Joan Jett in the Runaways.   After going solo, Lita didn't see much success until Sharon Osbourne became her manager in 1988 and Lita's solo career skyrocketed including a #1 duet with Sharon's husband.   She was living in Sarasota, FL for awhile but has since moved to a Caribbean Island.

 

"TESTIFY"  RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE
Punk, thrash, hip hop, political activists, RATM attacked all of the hypocrisy of Washington and injustices in the world with a fury.   Zack De La Rocha's freestyle raps rivaled Public Enemy's Chuck D.   Guitarist Tom Morello's use of feedback, creative tapping, and "tricks" put him on any list of Greatest Guitarists of All-Time.  "Testify" challenges all of  the "promises" given by  Al Gore, George W. Bush, and even sneaks in Presidential candidate, Newt Gingrich. 

"THIS COULD BE THE NIGHT"   LOVERBOY

A lot of hard rockers on today's blog, let's take it down a notch with a power ballad by Canada's Loverboy.   Mike Reno's vocals soar on this beautiful love song.   Who couldn't love the great opening line:  "Ask any girl, in this lonely world, ask any girl, she'll say Make It Last Forever"  

 

"THE BLEEDING"  FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH

With a band name inspired by a martial arts movie title, Five Finger Death Punch began as a very aggressive metal band.   Their cover of Bad Company's self named hit gave FFDP a radio favorite.   This DISTURBING video from their debut CD features more of a death metal sound.   There were 4 versions of the song, one unplugged, one without the screaming, but this highly intense video needs the scream-o version.