Author: mikeladano

Metal, hard rock, rock and roll! Record Store Tales & Reviews! Grab A Stack of Rock and more. Poking the bear since 2010.

New VIDEO PLAYLIST: Gaming – And we have Atari 2600 fun for you

Hello Grab A Stack of Rock viewers, and gaming fans!  Subscribers and readers know that in the summers, I have done some quick and fun gaming videos at the cottage.   These have been fun and simple Plug & Play arcade and Atari 2600 games, made simply by pointing my camera at a screen.  These were enjoyable to make and watch, so I set about making gaming videos at home on the PC too.

On the PC, I like to play Atari 2600 games emulated on Stella.  Windows 11 enables you to easily screen capture videos, so I made a few just by playing games using the directional keys on the keyboard.  This was effective for most games but annoyingly loud on the resulting audio recording.  I went ahead and bought a $30 Hyperkin Trooper 2 joystick, very similar to the original 2600, which has now brought me to the level that I can make gaming videos of a more satisfying quality.

Subscribe to the channel and check out the playlist below.  My recent Atari 2600 videos are embedded below as well.

Happy gaming!

CLICK HERE FOR THE PLAYLIST

 

 

 

 

 

Satisfying Red Dragon Escape! Atari 2600 “ADVENTURE” on Stella

I was having a REALLY good game of Atari 2600 Missile Command on Stella, until…

Zaxxon: Atari 2600 emulated on Stella

Stop! Hammer Time! Atari 2600 Donkey Kong on Stella – beating level 2 at least!

Stupid Snake! Playing Atari 2600 Q*Bert on Stella with new Hyperkin Trooper 2 Joystick!

REVIEW: Iron Maiden – The Early Days (2004 DVD)

IRON MAIDEN – The History of Iron Maiden Part 1: The Early Days (2004 EMI DVD)

Staying on the cutting edge, Iron Maiden released one of the best and most value-packed videos of anyone’s career with The History of Iron Maiden Part 1: The Early Days.  We won’t get too much into how they never really properly followed it.  We’ll just praise it for what it is:  A must-buy DVD for your Iron Maiden collection, and your education.

The DVD is divided into several sections, with the main feature The Early Days winding up on Disc Two.  That’s where we’ll start.

 

 

Disc Two

The Early Days

Released to DVD on, The Early Days is a 90 minute feature directed by Matthew Amos.  Impressively and most importantly, they gathered together as many past members as were willing and able.  Many of them have never seen interviewed before:  Doug Sampson, Rob “Rebel” Matthews, Dave Sullivan, Terry Rance, Bob Sawyer, Terry Wapram, Paul Di’Anno, Dennis Stratton, and Clive Burr.  This in addition to Steve Harris, Bruce Dickinson, Dave Murray, Adrian Smith, and Nicko McBrain.  We gain some insight into the formation of Steve’s early band Gypsy’s Kiss.  What Steve really needed was a band where he could lead.   Gypsy’s Kiss broke up after a mere five gigs, due to the usual “musical differences”.  Iron Maiden formed, and gained fans via word of mouth.  There is the claim that original singer Paul Mario Day didn’t have a great stage presence, according to original drummer Ron “Rebel” Matthews.  Looking for a showman, they went with Wilcock who was highly influenced by Kiss.  He had this sword gimmick with fake blood coming from his mouth.  Musically, Dave Murray was the turning point, but Dennis Wilcock convinced Steve to fire the whole band.  Steve and Wilcock formed a new Iron Maiden, with Thunderstick on drums.  You know!  The guy with the leather mask, best known from Samson.  He blew a gig (on drugs) and was fired.  Maiden tried a keyboard player instead of a second guitarist, until Wilcock suddenly left the band.  Doug Sampson from one of Steve’s first bands, Smiler, joined in.  Dave Murray came back, and they found Paul Di’Anno.  This would prove to be the foundation of Iron Maiden.  They toiled with a four-man lineup, as they tried out guitarists.  Paul Todd, Tony Parsons, and “Mad Mac” all their moments, but don’t last.  Parsons, at least, was recorded on a number of tracks now released on Eddie’s Archive.  Speaking of whom, Eddie is finally created (as a smoke-breathing head), and Maiden had a mascot.  The Soundhouse Tapes were recorded, and handed to DJ Neal Kaye.  This led to a live gig at the Soundhouse and things began to snowball.

Future manager Rod Smallwood got hold of the tape.  Somehow he managed to sign Iron Maiden to a three record deal, which was an incredible guarantee for Iron Maiden.  Doug Sampson unfortunately was not healthy enough to enjoy the spoils.  He would not be able to tour, and had to be replaced.  The talented Dennis Stratton came aboard on guitar and backing vocals, bringing drummer Clive Burr with him.  The lineup that recorded the EMI debut was set.

The band were not happy with original producer Will Malone, who was disengaged and uninterested.  Artist Derek Riggs was found, and Eddie was brought to life.  Iron Maiden performed live on Top of the Pops, the first band to actually play live since the Who in the 1970s. Touring with Kiss, Maiden took note of their stage and performance.  It is acknowledged that Kiss were their model when they chose to get more theatrical on future tours.  Unfortunately for Stratton, Dennis was let go at the end of the Kiss tour.  Regardless of his talent, they were not cut from the same cloth.   They knew Adrian Smith from his band Urchin (“Roller” is shown).  Martin Birch (Deep Purple) is recruited to produce the more satisfying second album, and they band embark on their first world tour.

The beloved Paul Di’Anno began to falter.  Even Paul acknowledges that Maiden did the right thing by getting Bruce Bruce from Samson.  Bruce electrified the band, in the studio and on stage.  He enabled them to push it further.  On stage, he was an acrobat.  This caused some friction with the bass player, who was quite used to standing next to the singer on center stage.  Now, there was a madman running about, colliding with Steve Harris at center stage as they battled for position.  It only made the band that much better live.

It’s clearly a tough gig.  Clive Burr was not doing well.  The drummer was given three months to sort himself out but he couldn’t.  Lacking time, the band had to move on.  Nicko McBrain was known from the band Trust, and was the natural guy to take over.  Food For Thought was considered for the next album title, but we all know it became Piece of Mind.

Cut to Maiden live at Dortmund.  To be continued.

 

Disc One

Live at The Rainbow (originally released on VHS on 11 May 1981) – 30 minutes

Recorded 21 December 1980

The video quality on Live at the Rainbow is incredible – feels more like late 80s than early 80s quality!  However it was recorded and remastered for DVD, they did a smashing job here.  This lineup features a short-haired Adrian Smith on guitar, and has a stage set with the first album Eddie as the backdrop.  Paul Di’Anno is rocking mega spikes on his arms and belt, as was the look at the time.

The set begins with a cracking good version of “Wrathchild”.  Then Paul introduces the “Title track from the second album!”, but the lyrics are the early version from before the words were finalized.  “Killers” features an incredible top-speed Clive Burr.  There are great closeup of Davey playing the descending harmonics.  The lights go dim, and the band are in darkness for the quiet opening of “Remember Tomorrow”.  The lights really go nuts on heavy parts.  Steve moves to the front for the instrumental “Transylvania” as he becomes the focus on stage.  The epic “Phantom of the Opera” follows.  Clive shows the world why he was so beloved in Iron Maiden.  He’s absolutely hammering here.  This could be the greatest version of the song ever released.  The set closes with “Iron Maiden”.  Davey starts with a whammy dive, before going into the main lick.  Paul has jacket on.  You can tell there was some editing here, as Paul had no shirt on the previous song, and now he has his jacket.  It’s a treat to see Dave and Adrian play those harmonies and leads though.

Beast Over Hammersmith (full audio available on Eddie’s Archive, video previously unreleased) – 45 minutes

Recorded 20 March 1982

They claim the full show is unwatchable.  They say they had to do a lot of work just to restore the nine songs on this DVD.  Regardless, this show including Bruce is great to watch because of the contrast.  Now the band were on the big stage.  Now they had a stage show.  Now they had Bruce.

There is an opening montage of the crowd entering the venue, lots of jean jackets and patches, to the tune of “Murders in the Rue Morgue”.  Bruce enters like a whirlwind!  The lighting rig is cool – like a “V” of lights on stage below Clive.  “Run to the Hills” is early in the set and now it’s refreshing to go back to 1982 and hear Young Bruce singing it at full lungs.  Bruce is noticeably a far more visual frontman than Paul was.  Only one studded arm though!  “Children of the Damned” is next, as the lights dim a bit and Bruce stands center stage.  No running about, this time.

“The Number of the Beast” sees the crowd fairly calm during the opening, since it is a new song and they don’t know the opening yet.  Davey headbangs through the whole thing!  Annoyingly, the camera avoids Adrian during his part of the guitar solo.  During “22 Acacia Avenue”, Bruce reveals that Adrian had some bruised or broken ribs!  Though musically brilliant, this is where the band lost their way.  Charlotte appears on stage in the flesh, dancing next to Adrian, raising her legs, and moving to center stage in front of Bruce.  It’s a rare miss for Iron Maiden as it takes the focus away from the band.

Bruce introduces the “B-side of our current single!”, and it’s the rarely played “Total Eclipse”.  Bruce’s vocal is far more expressive than the studio version.  This time the camera focuses on the appropriate guitar players during the split solo, thankfully.  Bruce then removes his leather jacket for the melodic masterpiece “The Prisoner”  For “Hallowed Be Thy Name”, he most dramatic song of the set, Bruce stands on the “V” steps by the drums.  Then, he comes down later to rile up the crowd as the song gets faster and harder.  Finally, it’s “Iron Maiden” and Bruce explains to the crowd what the torture device does.  The band really explode onstage for this fast blaster!

Live In Dortmund – Rock and Pop Festival (previously unreleased) – 45 minutes

Recorded 18 Dec 1983, broadcast only once

Maiden headlined over Ozzy, Scorpions, Def Leppard, Priest and Michael Schenker if you can believe it.  Maiden over Ozzy.  For this Piece of Mind era show including Nicko McBrain, we only have the surviving broadcast tapes.  “Iron Maiden” was also played, but cut from broadcast due to an Eddie “lobotomy” with tissues and ribbons counting as “excessive violence”.  The recording of that song is now lost.

Bruce had what we’ll call his “caveman look” with a shirt like something Fred would wear on the Flintstones, paired with some leather trousers.  We open with “Sanctuary” and a very animated Nicko on the cymbals, when he stands for the cheer break.  Bruce’s vocal delivery is a tad too operatic for this song.  Davey’s solo is gravy.  Onto “The Trooper”!  Bruce waves the union Jack, with smoke all over the stage.  The guitars are a bit thin sounding on this recording.  One cool moment is when Steve runs up drum riser and plays face to face with Nicko.  Steve is a real band leader, interacting with all the members on stage.  It is during “Revelations” that Bruce plays a Les Paul during the guitar harmonies.  Plays, or “plays”, it was rarely seen and here it is documented.  (It is this version that is included on the Best of the Beast vinyl LP limited edition.  His vocal here is powerful and far more expressive than the album.  It is a brilliant, full sounding version, loaded with energy.  There is however an annoying close-up on the stage Eddie (behind Nicko) during instrumental mid-section that keeps repeating.

“Scream for me, Dortmund!  The Flight of Icarus!”  The bass sounds heavier on this version.  Bruce nails the chorus.  No backing vocals audible as on Live After Death.  An absolutely killer rendition.  Back to “22 Acacia Avenue”, there is no dancing girl this time, Maiden having learned their lessons.  The audience is a sea of hands.  A great live version, with Bruce adding extra flair.

Now that they are familiar with the song, the audience speaks along to “The Number of the Beast” and its opening narration.  A grim reaper, concealed in smoke, appears on stage.  The band leaves, and then returns for the encore “Run to the Hills” and final song of the included set.  The chorus sounds different this time, lower perhaps.  Maybe it is because Steve’s backing vocals being so high in the mix?  At the end, Bruce destroys a drum kit!

 

Disc Two

There is plenty more to be seen and heard on disc two of this set, besides just The Early Days documentary.  There is a whole other 45 minute unreleased set of music from the band’s own archive, and lots of TV stuff included as well.  Here is a detailed breakdown of everything else on Disc Two.

20th Century Box – 21 minutes

Recorded & broadcast 1981

This television special is primarily framed in terms of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (here called a “revival”), and the musical culture of the time with Punk also reigning high.  There is rare black and white footage from the Marquee club, including “Phantom of the Opera”, “Drifter” and “Iron Maiden”.  There are interviews with Steve and Paul (in a comics shop!), Neal Kaye, Geoff Barton, famed air guitarist Rob Loonhouse (age 23), and many fans.  Produced for television, everything is slick and pro-shot.  A valuable time capsule.

Live at the Ruskin (previously unreleased) – 45 minutes

Recorded 14 April 1980

As of this DVD, Live at the Ruskin is the oldest known video of Iron Maiden live.  It is single camera of surprising quality, probably filmed by road tech Vic Vella.  The Ruskin was kind of a home base to Iron Maiden, and so the introduction goes:  “Welcome, your very own Iron Maiden!”  Paul is very talkative, as if presiding over a party with friends.  Heck, his own mum is in the house!  And so is guitarist Dennis Stratton, not yet sacked, and very much showing his value in this video.

“This is a song you should all know by now, it’s our next single.” And know it they do.  “Sanctuary” lights the place up.  The young band appears crowded on that small stage.  Dennis’ Les Paul solo is speedy magnificence.  Davey takes the second solo, with wah wah pedal.  Paul Di’Anno is very growly, and the “chuggy” section at the end is longer.  The video gets blurry a bit on “Wrathchild”, but it’s awesome to hear a version with Dennis’ solos.  The sweat is visible on Di’Anno’s face during “Prowler”.  Again, it is amazing to hear a live version with Dennis, as his tone was not the same as Davey’s or Adrian’s.  He also sings ample backing vocals, and his voice is different from Adrian’s.

A touch slower version of “Remember Tomorrow” follows, and then Clive leads the clapping on “Running Free”.  Vocally this is one of the best versions available, and that’s partly due to Dennis’ audible backing vocals.  Dennis and Davey perfectly in sync on guitar harmonies.  Outstanding version.  The instrumental “Transylviania” also features a lot of Dennis.  He does the first solo, and the main guitar lick of the song.

Time for band intros, as Paul removes his shirt.  Then it’s onto “Another Life”, the only official live version with Dennis ever released.  Steve’s bass is dominant, with a lot of high notes.  This is back when Maiden still had drum solos.  “Clive Burr on drums!” The audio goes out for a second, it’s not your DVD.

“Phantom of the Opera” features Steve and Dennis on backing vocals, in a very version.  Amusingly , you can spy lots of beer cans visible behind Davey on his amp.  Then we end the recording with “Charlotte the Harlot”.  Paul explains that it’s a song about a whorehouse, a brothel!  He can’t say more, as his mum is in the house!  There is a meandering intro, but Iron Maiden were not an arena act yet.  Another powerful version!

Top of the Pops

Two tracks here:  “Women in Uniform” (22/02/1980) with Adrian on guitar.  Actually live!  This is the only official live version of “Women in Uniform”, ever.  The drums sound shit, and you can hardly hear the guitars.  It’s not like Top of the Pops knew how to broadcast a live rock band.  The second track is “Running Free” (13/11/1980) which sounds better.  Paul is wearing the striped shirt under leather jacket.

Rock and Pop ZTV

Only one track here, from a German broadcast in 1980.  It’s a mimed “Running Free” with Adrian on guitar.

Five Promo Videos

You’ve seen ’em on TV, on Visions of the Beast, and now here too:  “Women In Uniform”, “Run to the Hills”, “The Number of the Beast”, “The Trooper” and “Flight of Icarus”, all original versions.  It doesn’t matter what people think today; back in the 80s these were some of the coolest music videos ever!  “Flight of Icarus” even had footage from inside the recording studio, which was not common for a lot of metal bands.

Steve’s Diary & Scrapbook, On The Road

Click and flick through the scans!  Interesting stuff about seeing Genesis at the Hammersmith, and the Stones at Knebworth.  There’s even some band bookkeeping:   getting paid 5 pounds for expenses, 10 pounds for a gig at Cart and Horses.  The biggest payout you see in these receipts was 25 pounds.  Steve even documents his bass amp payment installments.  Some major Maiden history is recorded:  the day Dennis Wilcock auditions to replace Paul Day (“Mon the 20th”).  Steve’s thoughts: “Now the hard part is to tell Paul…”  Paul Mario Day did 26 gigs in total, and understood when Steve broke the bad news.  The scrapbook has gig ads back to 1976.  One gig has them second to Samson (at the Music Machine, in Camden).  The section titled “On the Road” contains photo galleries going all the way back to 1973, Smiler, and the first Iron Maiden lineup.  There are pictures of Vic Vella, Rob Loonhouse, and many more.   This goes up to 1983, and includes tour programs, tour dates (back to 1979), shirts, backstage passes and assorted art.  All very fascinating stuff, but limited by the DVD format.  Today you’d do this on a website.

There is also an album and singles discography, with art.  Again this is something that works better on a website today.

And that’s an exhaustive review on an essential Maiden DVD.  There is even a beefy booklet with liner notes to read.  Maiden even toured for the DVD, playing only songs from the “Early Days”.  Now that’s how you do a release.  If only we had a live album from that tour!  Deluxe edition, lads?

4.5/5 stars

 

 

 

 

50 Years of IRON MAIDEN episode 27: The Early Days DVD

50 Years of IRON MAIDEN episode 27:  The History of Iron Maiden Part 1:  The Early Days

GRAB A STACK OF ROCK #133

Buckle up, for tonight is one of the most detailed episodes of 50 Years of Iron Maiden to date!  In 2004, Iron Maiden went out on tour, but not to promote a new album.  This time (and for the first time!) they were out to promote a video:  The History of Iron Maiden Part 1: The Early Days, on DVD.  Tonight, we break down the entire contents of the DVD release (including the special features you probably never watched!) and the tour to boot.  Yes, this is an episode of 50 Years of Iron Maiden as essential as any!

The DVD itself centers on The Early Days, a 90 minute documentary on Maiden history from 1975 to 1983 (the “early days”).  It includes interviews with Maiden members you’ve probably never met before, such as Ron “Rebel” Matthews, Terry Rance, Doug Sampson and many more.  The history of the band is run down with great care, ending in Dortmund in Germany on the World Piece Tour.

There are four concerts, in various states of completion:  Live at the Ruskin (1980), Live at the Rainbow (1981), Beast Over Hammersmith (1982) and Live in Dortmund (1983).  Even though we have discussed some of these tracks in previous episodes (including a full episode on the CD version of Hammersmith), we will go through every single track in exhausting detail.  Then there are the Top of the Pops and other TV shows to cover!  Then, Mike will take you through all the interesting details in the bonus features, such as Steve’s diary and scrapbook.  Find out exactly how Steve fired original singer Paul Mario Day, and when!

When this all said and done, Harrison will guide us through the Eddie Rips Up the World Tour, including the setlists and an incident involving Sharon Osbourne.  You might have heard about that one!  It happened on this tour.

Don’t miss the premiere of this episode, as we always like to interact in the comments!  Up the Irons!

Friday January 9 at 7:00 P.M. E.S.T., 8:00 PM Atlantic.  Enjoy on YouTube.

BONUS:  Tomorrow, January 10, Mike will post his written review of this DVD, never before seen, right here on this site.  This review, at almost 3000 words, is for those who prefer to read!  Mike never wrote a review of this release back in 2013 when he did his Maiden review series.  This is brand new and will not be exactly the same as what we will present in the video.  Enjoy both!

 

Past episodes:

Handy YouTube Playlist:

 

#1232: Let the Music Do the Talking? The List of Bands that Made it…and Some that Didn’t

RECORD STORE TALES #1232: Let the Music Do the Talking? The List of Bands that Made it…and Some that Didn’t

At the end of the day, does it really matter why we got into a band?  Just as long as we did discover any particular group, if it turned into true love, then the “hows” and “whys” really don’t need to be defended.  They can be interesting stories, or even just an anecdote, but if you got into Kiss because you thought they looked cool, or Iron Maiden because of Eddie, it really doesn’t matter.  It’s the fact you love Kiss, or Iron Maiden, that matters.

So, here are some stories and anecdotes that may give you a glimpse at how shallow I was as a metal kid in the mid-1980s.  Image mattered more than music sometimes.

I had a list, an actual list, of the bands I “liked”.  If I “liked” a band, that meant I’d be interested in getting an album, and would record any music video I found on MuchMusic.  I still love all those initial bands that I “liked”.  Quiet Riot, W.A.S.P., Twisted Sister, Helix, Kick Axe, Kiss, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Ozzy Osbourne, Black Sabbath, Dio, Motley Crue, Def Leppard, Van Halen, ZZ Top, Triumph, AC/DC, Accept, Lee Aaron, and oddly enough, Kim Mitchell were all in the original lineup.

I remember hearing about a band called Hateful Snake.  I didn’t know who they were, except they were supposed to be good.  They had a cool name at least.  As it happens, Hateful Snake were a Toronto band that got some video play on Toronto Rocks in 1983.  Toronto Rocks was the pre-MuchMusic show of choice before the Pepsi Power Hour existed.  All the kids watched it, and it had a huge influence in my neighbourhood.  The Hatedful Snake video for a song called “Are You Ready” was low budget but incredibly fun, and you can hear the band had potential.  With a New Wave of British Heavy Metal sound and feel, and a capable lead singer with that high voice, I get a Diamond Head feel.  Brian Simpson was the voice.   They also had the chops, as the lead guitar player shreds a cool AC/DC style solo while snaking his way down Yonge Street in Toronto.  I would have liked Hateful Snake, had I ever seen the video.

I never did see it.  Hateful Snake were all but a blip in my world.  Just a pair of words whispered from one rock friend to another and eventually to me, without ever having a chance of catching that music video.  Still, I added Hateful Snake to my list of bands I liked, on a tentative basis, just to beef it up a bit.

It was a pretty exclusive club, and all but one artist (Kim Mitchell) would be classified as “heavy metal” at the time.  Now those of you who have been reading since the beginning know that Styx was in fact the first rock band I ever liked; what happened to Styx?  In my exclusivity, I removed Styx from the list and excised my copy of Kilroy Was Here from my collection.  That’s why I don’t have it anymore.  It probably got filed with my parents’ records and sold at a garage sale, because they don’t have their records anymore either.

It was a game changer when MuchMusic entered the music video game in 1984.  Suddenly, there were more bands:  Other bands joined in as I discovered their music, such as Killer Dwarfs, Thor, Autograph, Loudness, Armored Saint, Anvil and Queensryche.  Loudness and Queensryche may have been the first metal groups I discovered on my own, without the help of my friends in the neighborhood.  There were some bands that definitely did not make my list.  Venom:  Far too heavy.  Motorhead:  Heavy, and scary.  Metallica:  Mythical.  I never had the chance to hear their music, because they didn’t have any music videos.

Given that I was sitting there in my basement watching music videos, it is inevitable that some bands made my list for trivial reasons.  Superficial, even silly reasons.

Aerosmith:  Joe Perry had a transparent plexiglas guitar in the music video, and I never saw anything like that before in my life.  I knew Bob Schipper would love it.  I hit the “record” button on my VCR.

Sammy Hagar:  The Ferrari!  “I Can’t Drive 55” was also a hilarious video, but it was the car.

Cheap Trick:  The five-neck guitar that Rick Neilson wields in “The Flame”.  Five necks!  I had to have that in my VHS collection.

David Lee Roth:  He had removed himself from my list when he did “California Girls” and left Van Halen.  This wasn’t rock!  But he got himself back in when I saw him in the smokin’ “Yankee Rose” video.  If Roth didn’t return to rocking, he wouldn’t have been on the list.

Lionheart:  This British band made it on the list as one of the first “side project” expansions to the list.  The band included Dennis Stratton, the guitarist who appeared on the first Iron Maiden album and in the “Women in Uniform” video.  That allowed them entry onto my list, the first of many such expansions.

Yngwie J Malmsteen:  Reputation alone.  The announcers on television said he was the next big thing, so I thought I better get this guy on tape.  He could play.

The exclusive club that was my list grew and grew.  Today it’s not so exclusive.  Yet, like a band, there’s something about those original members.  Listening to the original member bands of my list is always a rich, nostalgic experience.  I tend to back to the originals a lot.  Any chance to relive the golden years, if only for the length of an LP!

Tim’s Vinyl Confessions Ep. 756: Thin Lizzy (CDs)

It has been 40 years since we lost Phil Lynott.  To mark the occasion, Tim Durling recruited myself and John the Music Nut to meticulously document our Thin Lizzy CD collections on video, once and for all.  While I clearly had the biggest collection (and size does indeed matter), I still need three box sets to “complete” my Lizzy CD collection.

Please join Tim, John and myself as we go through every album one by one, and discuss the history of Thin Lizzy from the beginning right to the John Sykes and Ricky Warwick eras of the band.  We have physical CDs to marks several post-Lynott lineups, and loads of compilations and box sets too.  A truly comprehensive episode, and probably the best single-episode overview on the Lizzy discography that you’ll find on YouTube.  Enjoy!

#1231: 20 Years Ago, I Left the Dream “Record Store” Job (With Dan @OffTheCharts)

Expanding and retelling Record Store Tales Part 320: The Last Day

RECORD STORE TALES #1231: 20 Years Ago, I Left the Dream “Record Store” Job 

I woke up on Wednesday, January 4 2006 knowing it was the last time I’d be opening that Godforsaken record store.  The job I once loved so much that I’d show up an hour early to review new stock had become my nemesis.  It was like a chain, pulling me down every single day.  I looked forward to the end so badly.  The day truly flew by.

It started with the management putting out a statement that, after 12 years at the store, I was leaving.  Shocked messages flooded my inbox.  I was considered an original, a “lifer”.   Many people thought I’d never leave.  Those truly close to me knew the time was coming, but when the announcement was made, the shockwaves rippled through cyberspace.  That warmed me up a little bit on that cold winter day.

The boss took me out to lunch.  East Side Mario’s, if I recall.  Memories of this are of a good final talk, but it also reminds me that I never truly felt comfortable around him.  Never felt like I could be myself.  He talked of parenthood and what that was like, and I just felt tense even as I tried to relax.

It wasn’t a memorable day otherwise.  I have no journals from that day about customers throwing pencils at my head, or throwing other varieties of hissy fits.  I handed in my key, walked out the front door at 5:00 PM, and I was a private citizen once again.  No more discount.  And they lost all the power they held over me.

I was given a giant “goodbye card”, which I kept.  There are sentiments inside that I found surprisingly angering today.  Comments about “cheese metal” and unflattering nicknames.  Good intentions, but proof that very few people that I worked with for years truly knew me.

But you can see for yourself.  For this special 20 year look back, I made a video.  Please join Dan Chartrand and myself for this look back at that fateful final day, 20 years ago.

 

 

NEWS: Hello! My Name Is Blotto – The Movie to get DVD and Blu-Ray release

JAN 3 2026:  As revealed exclusively on the podcast Grab A Stack of Rock, BLOTTO will be releasing their documentary film Hello! My Name Is Blotto – The Movie on DVD and Blu-Ray in January of 2026.  With details to be revealed at Blotto.net, the award-winning film by director Rob Lichter will be available on to-be-determined streaming platforms as well.

Beloved for hit songs such as “I Wanna Be A Lifeguard” and “Metal Head”, Blotto have a long history stretching back to the 19870s and the Star-Spangled Washboard Band.  With vintage television footage and new interviews, the Blotto film will have you rolling on the floor in laughter, while wiping a tear now and then.  It’s truly an entertaining and heartwarming story that will leave you feeling better after you watch it.

The physical release will be a current edit of the film, as it was revised periodically based on audience reactions.  All the footage and more will be included in the bonus features.

Stay tuned at Blotto.net for more details.

 

REVIEW: Paul Stanley – You Can’t Escape His KISS – Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera (1999 Bootleg CD)

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA – Toronto Cast Recording featuring Paul Stanley (1999 Phantom Music bootleg CD You Can’t Escape His KISS)

Seeing Paul Stanley perform as the titular Phantom in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Phantom of the Opera was an experience I’ll never forget.  It was fall, 1999.  I remember hearing an ad on the radio on the way to work that the show was being extended due to popular demand – six more weeks!  I remember jumping around at the Beat Goes On (Cambridge location) chanting “SIX MORE WEEKS!  SIX MORE WEEKS!”  I knew I wasn’t going to miss Paul as the Phantom.  There were a lot of leather jackets in the audience.  A few Kiss shirts.  Not the usual Pantages crowd, but that’s what Paul did for Phantom of the Opera.  He crossed barriers with it.  A little later on, I was gifted a genuine Paul Stanley autograph from DJ Donnie D, who bumped into Paul on the streets of Toronto.  I had a program, an autograph, and the live experience.  All I needed was a CD of the show.

“They’d be stupid not to release a CD version of Phantom with Paul,” I reasoned.  The London and Canadian cast CD releases were bestsellers for us, despite their prices.  A Paul Stanley release would cross over to the rock crowd.  An official CD never came, but fortunately somebody in the audience was recording one of of those shows, and bootlegged it.  The date is unlisted, the CD says “Made in Japan” while the sleeve says “Printed in USA”.  (The number on the CD, 27/110/99 does not refer to a date as the ended on Oct 31 1999.)  This CD bootleg was gifted all the way from Australia, by the Mad Metal Man Harrison Kopp, who knew I had been seeking it a long time.  From Canada to Australia and back to Canada again.

A single CD release with unrelated bonus tracks, this disc focuses on the musical numbers that involved Paul and skips the rest.  This is probably sufficient for Kiss fans.

Being an audience recording, quality is all subjective.  There is some tape warble, which may or may not hinder your enjoyment.  There are people coughing in the audience; the usual sonic flaws.  You can clearly hear that Melissa Dye, Paul’s co-star playing Christine, is a professional while Paul is not.  He often resorts to a “rock frontman” voice to exclaim certain lines.  However, Paul also does an admirable job.  His tenor voice was no longer at its peak in 1999.  He was still up to the task, insofar as a rock star goes.  A tenor like Paul would never have made it to the starring role without his name marquee value.  That doesn’t actually matter when you consider that Paul helmed this show from May to October, to positive reviews.  Of course, there is more to it than just singing.  There is also the acting; the stage performance in costume and makeup.  You don’t get to see that here, but I can assure that Paul knew something about performing to music on stage in costume and makeup.  He brought the same bombast to the physical role as he did the vocal part.

The most memorable musical moments on this CD are the “Phantom of the Opera” and “Music of the Night”, which most people will be familiar with.  Paul’s performance on both is a knockout.  This bootleg recording serves as a reminder that Paul might have been an unorthodox Phantom, but he was still capable, and did the job well…even if you can hear the Kiss frontman in him, from time to time.

The track list on the back of the CD is incorrect.  There are 25 tracks total, provided below.  The bonus material includes four of the 1989 Paul Stanley solo demos:  “When 2 Hearts Collide”, “Don’t Let Go”, “Best Man For You” and the familiar “Time Traveler”.   These are followed by a 1978 interview in seven parts.  An odd potpouri of bonus material to be sure, but such is the liberty of bootleg recordings.

“When 2 Hearts Collide” belies the late 80s recording date with its ballady keyboard direction.  It sounds like a Journey ballad, but it wouldn’t have done Kiss much good back then, when fans were tiring of ballads.  Good chorus and would probably benefit from a quality official release so we can really appreciate Paul’s singing.  “Don’t Let Go” is another ballad, but more in that “power ballad” mold, with a blaring chorus.  Just like every band was doing in 1989.  It could have been a hit, or it could have been forgotten.  Either way, Paul should do his own “Vault” release and get this stuff out there in better quality.  “Best Man For You” is, you guessed it, a ballad.  It sounds like something related to “Reason to Believe” from Crazy Nights.  Fortunately, the last and best song “Time Traveler” did get an official release on the Kiss Box Set.  This one actually rocks!  In that late 80s way, with a drum machine thudding away where you wish it was Eric Carr.  The tape sounds slightly sped up from the official release.  (It happens when it’s tape-based bootlegs.)

Finally the 1978 Paul interviews aren’t too action-packed.  They lack the question portions of the recordings.  The subject is Paul’s 1978 solo album, and what Paul was looking to accomplish.  (Sing more, apparently!)   He was also hoping to appeal to all Kiss fans, and new fans too.  He also hopes that none of the four solo albums would disappoint the fans.  That didn’t happen, but then there is some praise for the late great Bob Kulick and the other players on the record.  He also prophesizes that one day, Kiss will become an institution.  Was he right?  In total, it’s 8 and a half minutes of interview.

A worthwhile purchase if you can find a copy.  There isn’t much in terms of 1999 Phantom recordings out there, and this might be the best of them.

3/5 stars, balancing collectability and sound quality.  Still a must for Paul fans.

 

1. Overture
2. Angel Of Music / The Mirror / Phantom of the Opera
3. Music of the Night
4. I Remember / Stranger Than You Dreamt It
5. The Phantom’s Instructions
6. The Phantom Threats
7. The Phantom Attacks
8. All I Ask Of You
9. Masquerade
10. Wandering Child
11. Let My Opera Begin
12. The Point of No Return / All I Ask Of You
13. Down Once More
14. Finale
15. Paul Stanley – When 2 Hearts Collide
16. Paul Stanley – Don’t Let Go
17. Paul Stanley – Best Man For You
18. Paul Stanley – Time Traveler
19. Paul Stanley Interview 1978 Pt. 1
20. Paul Stanley Interview 1978 Pt. 2
21. Paul Stanley Interview 1978 Pt. 3
22. Paul Stanley Interview 1978 Pt. 4
23. Paul Stanley Interview 1978 Pt. 5
24. Paul Stanley Interview 1978 Pt. 6
25. Paul Stanley Interview 1978 Pt. 7

🅻🅸🆅🅴: BLOTTO RETURNS! We chat with Blotto about The Movie and the year 2025, LIVE!

GRAB A STACK OF ROCK With Mike and the Mad Metal Man

Special 🅻🅸🆅🅴 Episode

Episode 132:  Blotto’s Back!

What a way to kick off a happy new year!  Please welcome back to the show, and live for the first time on Grab A Stack of Rock:  It’s Blotto!

The guys have had an incredible year.  With the release of Hello! My Name Is Blotto – The Movie!, Blotto and director Rob Lichter have attended numerous premieres and film festivals.  They have been presented with awards, and recognized for their talent and humour.  Again, what a year they have had!

With everything that has happened, the only way to cap it off right was to have the band back on Grab A Stack of Rock to celebrate.   With the movie out, we have so much more to talk about!  We’ll be asking followup questions.  We’ll be talking about the film festivals and celebrations of Blotto history.  We’ll ask about release plans of The Movie and anything else you want to know about.  This will be a live episode, so ask your questions.

Harrison “Blocko Blotto” will be co-hosting this interview, and will meet Blotto face to face for the first time.  They will finally get to meet the guy who made them into Lego minifigs.  This will be exciting.

 

Friday January 2 at  7:00 PM EST, 8:00 PM Atlantic.  Enjoy on YouTube or Facebook.

REVIEW: Led Zeppelin – Live EP (2025)

LED ZEPPELIN – Live EP (2025 Atlantic)

Feast or famine:  Led Zeppelin have always been weird with their archival releases.  There are numerous valid complaints about the release of this live EP, sourced from their 1975 Earls Court and 1979 Knebworth concerts.   Why not just release the whole shows, as they were on the DVD set?  Why not indeed?  We have no good answers to that, so instead we’ll focus on what we did get:  a smoking hot live EP by Led Zeppelin, including a magnificent “Kashmir”.  It also tickles the nostalgic funnybone that they simply called it Live EP.  From the band that brought you a DVD called DVD, and a box set called Box Set 2.  The cover art recalls Physical Graffiti in such a way that you know without guessing that it’s a Led Zeppelin release.

Of course, calling it an EP is a matter of perspective.  At over 34 minutes, it’s a live album.

“In My Time of Dying” was played fourth at Earl’s Court, but here it opens the affair with a slower, more brooding tempo.  Then things pick up.  You know how the song goes:  “Oh Gabriel, let me blow your horn!” as things get faster and funkier.  Plant drives this beast with orgasmic shouts and declarations, while Pagey plies the neck of his guitar with a slide.  In the back, John Paul Jones and John Bonham are so locked in, it’s boggling.  With Jones playing countermelodies, Bonham accentuates the groove.  You could listen to the song multiple times, focusing on different musicians, and not get tired despite the 11 minute running time.  Plant’s vocal outro is the kind of bombastic exercise you expect in any decent Zep parody – but done with sincerity.  This is is peak Led Zeppelin.

13th in the Earl’s Court set was “Trampled Underfoot”, but here it appears without a gap.  You want funky?  You got funky.  Talk about love!  Plant brings the love.  This accelerated version is locked into the groove, with Bonham adding flair when necessary, and John Paul holding it down.  Pagey is free to possess that riff like a six string demon, all before John Paul goes into a keyboard solo.  At about seven minutes, they just bring the whole thing to a boiling jam.  Not just a jam, but a memorable part of the performance.  A definitive version of a classic.

There is a fade before we get to the Knebworth 1979 tracks.  Something about late Led Zeppelin.  You know they were not at their peak, health-wise, and there are tales of mixed reviews live.  Knebworth was one such concert, considered a show with incredible moments of Led Zeppelin’s chemistry, and others a display of a tentative, nervous band.  “Sick Again” shows absolutely none of the weakness.  It was played 15th in the set.  Perhaps by that time, Zeppelin had felt warmed up and comfortable?

“Knebworth was useless. It was no good at all. It was no good because we weren’t ready to do it, the whole thing was a management decision. It felt like I was cheating myself because I wasn’t as relaxed as I could have been. There was so much expectation there, and the least we could have done was to have been confident enough to kill. We maimed the beast for life, but we didn’t kill it. It was good, but only because everybody made it good.” – Robert Plant

None of that is evident to the untrained ear on “Kashmir”, which was 13th in the set.  “Kashmir” is somewhat a rarity as far as official Led Zeppelin live audio versions go.  The only other officially released live version in audio format was on Celebration Day, a 2007 reunion concert with Jason Bonham on drums.  This sounds brilliant.  There might be more energetic performances out there, but as the only live one by the vintage band on CD goes, it’ll probably get repeat plays in your deck.

As a Live EP (or album if you will), this is a brilliant way to spend 34 minutes with Led Zeppelin.

4/5 stars