Honeymoon Suite

Adventures of the Northern Lights: Jex Feels It Again

THE ADVENTURES OF THE NORTHERN LIGHTS – Phase 3 – The Unicron Saga

Chapter Seven: Jex Feels It Again

Jex Rambo was on high alert.

The last few days were a flash!  One moment he was finishing up paperwork for Mr. Durling and the Durling Foundation, and the next he was on a plane with the mysterious Night Ranger on his way to Ontario.  There were some very important documents kept at Aaron’s Archive in Owen Sound.  Jex and the Ranger were assigned to protect the Archive.  Much to his shock and disbelief, their friends Mike and Harrison had recently been attacked by a Transformer.  An actual alien robot disguised as a truck.  Anything goes now, thought Jex.  What was fiction is real, and he could not rest.

And so he patrolled, outside, keeping a close eye on every vehicle, person and animal he spotted.  Shirtless, of course, Jex Rambo didn’t even break a sweat in the hot sun.  The consummate professional.

He reached to his belt and pulled out his radio.

“Rambo to Ranger, Rambo to Ranger, come in Night Ranger,” he spoke.  “Over.”

“Night Ranger here,” replied the mysterious figure.  “On the roof.”

Jex looked up and shaded his eyes from the bright mid-day sun.  A figure in black could be seen, crouching, watching.

“Got you in my sights,” confirmed Jex.  “You got this area covered mon ami.  I’m going to widen my patrol.  Will report back.  Jex out.”

While he missed the ocean, Owen Sound wasn’t so bad.  There was water, and the people were friendly.  Not to mention, he got to hang out with Aaron again.  In theory!  Aaron was currently with his family at a hockey game.  The Owen Sound Attack.  Not as great as the Moncton Wildcats, but not bad, thought Jex.  He hoped his friend was having a good time.  Meanwhile, it was his job to make sure the Archive was secure.  It was a modest house in the outskirts of town, but the Durling Foundation had spared no expense with a top-notch security system.  Not to mention, the best security that money could buy:  Jex and the Night Ranger themselves!

Jex’s radio crackled again.  “Jex Rambo here,” he spoke.

“Hey, it’s me again,” said the voice on the other end:  the Night Ranger.  “Listen, I hate to bug you, but since you’re out there…”

Jex shrugged.  The Ranger had a habit of sending him out on errands while he sat on the roof.  “Yeah…” sighed Jex.

“It’s no big deal if you can’t, but I was browsing Discogs and you won’t believe it.  There is a local seller here in town with a Japanese picture sleeve promo copy of ‘Don’t Tell Me You Love Me’ and Mr. Durling would really like to have it.  Since it’s right here in town, you understand.”

“Yeah…” sighed Jex again.  “Give me the address.  I’ll go pick it up.”

Jex was seated in the vehicle that the Durling Foundation had sent them for local travel.  As was his penchant lately, Durling was using cars designed after original Generation One Autobots.  And so, he found himself behind the wheel of a yellow Lamborghini with a huge silver exposed engine in the back.  “Sunstreaker” was what Durling had called it.  Jex was driving in the least inconspicuous vehicle in all of Ontario right now.  At least it was a sweet ride.  Stopped at a traffic light, a gaggle of girls swooned at his manly visage in the yellow supercar.  He raised his sunglasses, winked and gunned the engine.  Yeah, this wasn’t a bad ride at all.

He glanced again at the GPS.  “Ray” was the contact, and the location was only a few more lights away.  It was a popular bar called The Big Prize.  According to a Google search, their karaoke contest every Friday night always drew a crowd.

“Maybe I’ll stay and have some wings,” thought Jex.  He couldn’t remember the last time he had a good half-pound of chicken wings.  “Night Ranger always sending me out on these errands for Durling.  You never see him going out.  ‘Oh I can’t show my face.’  What an excuse.  Just a reason to make Jex do all his work!  I’m going to get hot wings.”

There it was just ahead:  The Big Prize Karaoke Bar and Grill.  Looked alright.  It was midday and so there was ample parking.  He pulled the yellow beast into a perfect spot right in front of the entrance.  Stepping out and shirtless, Jex easily drew the attention of passers-by.

“Sorry ladies, I’m here on business!” he chided as he cooly crossed the sidewalk to the entrance of the bar.  One fainted, but was caught by her friend.  Jex didn’t notice, however, because he soon found himself thwarted in his mission.  By a sign.

“NO SHIRT, NO SHOES, NO ENTRY” it said in big, bold yellow text.

“Merde!!” stomped Jex.  “Foiled by a stupid yellow sign!”

Jex had to park the Lambo way back in the Walmart parking lot.  Durling would be furious if he got a scratch or a ding.  But, he needed a shirt.  Walmart would have a cheap T-shirt he could throw on, surely.

He strolled up to the big entrance, now starting to sweat a bit in the afternoon sun.  The doors swooshed open and he strode into a blast of cold air.

“O, ça fait du bien!!” he exclaimed as the Walmart air conditioning bathed his skin.  “That feels so good.”

He smiled and walked through the gate, only to be halted by a little old lady in a red vest.

“I’m sorry sir, you can’t come in without a shirt!”  She tapped a yellow sign with a marker in her hand. Jex pulled his sunglasses down his nose to take a closer look.  “Qu’est-ce que c’est??” The sign read SHIRTS AND SHOES MUST BE WORN IN THIS ESTANBLISHMENT.

“Merde again!!” swore Jex.  He swiftly felt bad for it.  “Oh, sorry lady, pardon my French.  It’s just that I need a shirt!”

“Oui, you do!!” she returned to him in a sarcastic tone.  “Don’t make me tap the sign again.”

“Touché ,” said Jex.  Just then, a kid entered and walked up to Jex.  He poked him in the arm.

“Hey mister!” he said with excitement.  “Is that your car out there?”

“It sure is!” smiled Jex.  “Hey wait.  Kid – you wanna make a little extra money today?”  He handed the kid two twenties.  “Go in and buy me a T-shirt, large size.  Bring it back to me and you can keep the change.”

“Sure thing mister!!”

The kid ran into the store.  Jex smiled at the lady, and waited.

And waited.  He tapped his toes to the muzak.  Waited some more.

10 minutes.  Now 20.

“I don’t think he’s coming back,” said the lady.

“Sacré bleu!” stomped Jex again.  “Hey…lady…would you mind?  I really need a shirt, as you know, and you can keep the change.  Please…help a guy out?”  He pleaded.

The lady, smirked.  She pretended to think about it a moment, and then said “Gimme $50 and I’ll go get you a T-shirt.”

Jex winced, but pulled two more twenties and a ten from his wallet.  “Merci madame, merci.”  And you’re welcome, he thought to himself.

The lady took his money and grinned.  Five minutes later she was back with a Walmart shopping there.

“Thank you for shopping at Walmart, your receipt is in the bag, have a nice day sir,” she said, handing him the plastic bag.

“Merci,” Jex repeated, and ran back to the Lambo.  He opened the bag and pulled out a shirt.  A white T-shirt with Barney the dinosaur on it.  The receipt fell out of the bag, onto the ground.  Jex bent over and picked it up.

“Sacré bleu again!!”  He read it aloud:  “SALE – FIVE DOLLARS!?”  It didn’t take a calculator to do the math.  He was down $85 because of a $5 T-shirt!  He drove the Lambo up to the entrance, squealed the tires, and flipped the old lady the bird.  Her mouth fell agape in shock, but Jex didn’t feel badly this time.

“I’ve had about enough of this day,” said Jex to himself.  The cool air blasted his face inside the Lambo.  “Well, at least all I have to do now is pick up the record.”

Once more, he parked the yellow Lambo in front of The Big Prize Karaoke Bar and Grill.  He stepped out and grimaced as he slipped on his brand new Barney the Dinosaur T-shirt.  It fit, but…wow.  This time, a flock of girls laughed as he entered the bar.

“Haha, yeah, it’s a funny shirt,” he waved.  “I’m wearing it ironically of course.”  They giggled some more.

A server greeted him at the front desk, but tried not to stare at his shirt.  “Hello and welcome to the Big Prize!  Can I get you a table?  Karaoke room is popular today.”

“Actually, I’m a bit late…long story…but I was supposed to meet a guy named Ray here.  Is he still here?” asked Jex.

“Oh!  Ray the owner?  Yes he’s right over there, in the karaoke room.”  She pointed to a man in the adjoining room.  He was slender, with sunglasses, and a shaved head.

“Oh he’s the owner!  Merci!” said Jex, “Can I order some hot wings too?” he asked.

“I’ll put the order in now!” she replied.  Ray noticed them from his seat, and made a signal to someone.  Then he motioned for Jex to come to his table.

Jex removed his sunglasses and smiled with hand extended, as he approached Ray the owner.  Ray stood, and removed his glasses.  He did not look happy.  Jex could see that.

“I’m really sorry that I’m late, long story,” said Jex in way of apology.  But Ray wasn’t hearing any of it.  He looked Jex straight in the eye.

“I don’t know Tim Durling…but you?  I never forget a face…mister…Rouselle?”

Jex gasped.

“Ray Coburn…” he whispered.

It all came back in a flash.  It was years ago, but it did happen.  A viral video.  Jex mocking the song “Feel It Again” by Honeymoon Suite… especially making fun the of keyboards.  A song Ray Coburn wrote.  Ray Coburn, the keyboard player for Honeymoon Suite.  Coburn called him out online.   Jex issued a second video in way of apology, but it failed to take.  “It wasn’t your keyboards, man!  It’s the fact that there were keyboards in the first place!” pleaded Jex in the video, not ingratiating himself to Ray in any way.

Ray smiled at him coldly.  “Please…have a seat.”  He motioned to the chair across from him.  “I am well chuffed to finally meet you in person.  What a surprise!”  He grinned wide and clapped his hands together.   Jex sat awkwardly, as a lone bead of sweat worked its way down the left side of his face.

“Comfortable?” asked Coburn.

Jex squirmed in his chair a bit, trying to get settled.  “Yes…thank you.  Ummm, Mr. Coburn, I am truly sorry….”

Ray interrupted.  “And I thought my day couldn’t get any better!  I just booked a fall tour playing keyboards for Larry Gowan.  And now the famed music critic Jex Russell walks through my door!  What are the odds?”

Jen cleared his throat.  “Yeah, about that, I truly do apologize…”

Coburn shushed him.  “Oh, I know you do, especially now that you need something from me.  Durling already sent the funds.  The Night Ranger 7″ promo.  My friend Harry Hess…you know, from Harem Scarem?  Another band you criticized.  Harry brought this back from one of his Japanese tours.  He gave me a whole box of records in fact.  When Mr. Durling offered to buy it, he didn’t mention that he was sending you of all people to pick it up!  A bonus, so to speak.  Icing on the cake.  A treat for me, to finally meet the great music critic in person!  The honour is mine.”

Every word dripped with sarcasm.  Jex was extremely uncomfortable.  The server brought him his hot wings, but sensing the tension at the table, said nothing besides “enjoy”.  She made a swift exit, and left Ray and Jex alone.

“Have a chicken wing,” instructed Coburn.  “When I heard your order, I asked the chef to make them extra special just for you.”

“Oh…yay…” said Jex as he looked at the plate beneath him.  The wings steamed on the plate, and the capsaicin in the sauce fumes burned the sensitive skin inside his nose, as he inhaled.  He coughed.  Ray smiled.  Jex looked him in the eye as he steeled his face.  He grasped a drumstick with both hands and raised it to his mouth.  He bit and pulled half the meat off in one bite.  Before the heat could hit his tongue, he took a second bite, finishing the rest of the meat and skin.  He dropped the naked bone onto his plate, and returned his gaze to Ray.  He coughed.  He coughed some more.  He was choking and there was no water on the table!  Ray smiled.  Jex’s fingers were covered in sauce.  Wiping them on Barney the Dinosaur’s stomach, he made a drinking motion, asking for water.  Ray signaled the waitress, who brought a glass filled with water and ice.  Jex grabbed it with desperation and gulped every last drop of cold liquid.  The relief was temporary as the burning returned.  Jex was sweating from his scalp, and tears were forming in his eyes.

“Sacré…bleu!” he croaked.

“Spicy, right?” chided Ray.  “That’s Pepper X extract, my personal stash.  2,693,000 Scoville heat units.  I’ll let you Google how hot that is when you gain control of your face again!” he chuckled.

That face was red and leaking fluid from every orifice except his ears.  Jex thought he knew what pain was.  He sucked back an ice cube from his water glass.

“Listen, Mr. Coburn, truly you’ve made your point and I’m sorry!” he coughed.  “What does it take for me to prove that?”

Ray smiled.  He had been waiting for Jex to ask that very question.

“You’re going to get up there on the karaoke stage, and sing ‘Feel It Again’.”

“Merde,” said Jex.  He still had sauce on some of his fingers, but most of it was on his shirt.  “Yeah, OK.”

“Great!” said Ray.  “Send everyone in!”

“What??” exclaimed Jex.  Soon, the whole kitchen staff, all the servers, and a large number of guests had gathered in the room.  Ray got up on the karaoke stage.

“Ladies, gentlemen, and patrons of all ages!  We have a treat for you this afternoon at The Big Prize karaoke room!  We have an online celebrity with us.  The great music critic, Jex Rambo!  He is a big Honeymoon Suite fan, and he is going to sing ‘Feel It Again’, which I wrote.  Jex…come on down.”

Jex smiled sheepishly and waved at the crowd as they clapped modestly.  He had to blink through the tears still forcing their way out of his eyes.  The hot chicken wing sauce continued to burn his throat, but he had already drank all the water.  He stepped up, glanced at the lyric monitor, and gripped the microphone.  He focused.  No little pepper sauce was going to stop him from completing his mission.  This stupid errand, that the Night Ranger didn’t want to do himself!  Well, he didn’t need the Night Ranger to save him.  He held the microphone to his mouth and glared at Ray.

“Let’s do this,” he said with steel in his eyes.

The song started.  Derry Grehan’s opening guitar licks were backed by Ray’s…wonderfully dominant keyboards.

“If you would just be sensible, you’d find me indispensable,” coughed Jex.

“I pray deep down in destiny, that places you with me, Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa!”  OK, that line went better.  Jex got more comfortable as he sang each line.  Too many keyboards!  But he powered his way into the chorus.

“Waiting so long…to feel it again!  I thought that this heart would never mend!  TO FEEL IT AGAIN!  I KNOW, IT IS THE LIVING END!” Jex threw in some dance moves as he began to own the stage.  He sensed the crowd’s reaction.  Then, during Derry’s brilliant guitar solo, Jex went full on!  Moonwalking across the stage, Jex had the audience going nuts!  Someone tossed a bra up on stage, and Jex knew he’d finally got the job in hand.  His confidence restored, he tore off the Barney shirt and threw it back.  A lady fainted.  He flexed and finished the song.
“To feel it again…feel it again!  I thought that this heart would never mend.  To feel it again, I know it is the livin’ end!”  And with a flourish, he was done.  The room erupted into applause.

“Thank you!” bowed Jex.  “Thank you downtown Owen Sound, the pleasure was all yours!” he shouted as he leaped off the stage.

He made his way back to the table.  Ray handed him some napkins for his saucy hands, and the vinyl record.  After Jex had sufficiently cleaned the sauce off his fingers, Ray extended a hand.  Jex grasped it and shook.

“Well done Mr. Rambo.  The wings are on the house.  You’re welcome back here any time.  Tell Durling to enjoy the record,” said Ray.

“I will Mr. Coburn, and thank you.  You can finish the wings!  By the way, you were great when I saw you with Kim Mitchell,” replied Jex.

Coburn nodded in appreciation, and Jex headed back to the exit.  And then he realized, he had in fact been inside without a shirt.  Small triumph, but still a triumph.

Another girl fainted as Jex stepped into the yellow Lambo.  He winked as he burned rubber down the Owen Sound road.

“Not a bad day after all,” said Jex to himself.  “Mission accomplished, back to base and a big, cold glass of milk!”

The Lambo was soon out of sight, and quiet returned to the town.  Adventure would wait for another day.  The Night Ranger would have to be on duty tonight.  Jex had other plans.  “Racing after midnight,” he smiled.  Gripping the wheel, he revved the Lamborghini off into the sunset, into the Ontario countryside.

THE ADVENTURES OF TEE BONE MAN:  PHASE ONE – THE SQUIRREL SAGA 

THE ADVENTURES OF TEE BONE MAN:  PHASE TWO – THE MULTIVERSE SAGA

THE ADVENTURES OF THE NORTHERN LIGHTS:  PHASE THREE – THE UNICRON SAGA

 

 

SPINOFFS AND SIDE QUESTS

 

THE COMPLETE ADVENTURES OF EDIE VAN HEELIN’

THE WRITER’S ROOM

 

Jex gets schooled by ex-Honeymoon Suite member “Ray Coburn”, Noirison asks a question of Harrison, and Mike unboxes Sven Gali (Short Videos)

I’ve edited three highlights from Saturday night’s show into three shorts below!  Please enjoy:

 

1. “Ask Harrison” from “Noirison”:  What would you do if moustaches were outlawed?

2. Mike unboxes an autographed Sven Gali CD, the brand new Bomb and Battlescars!

3. Last and best of all, “Ray Coburn” (ex-Honeymoon Suite) asks Jex:  What is it you hate about my keyboard playing?

Jex’s reaction:  PRICELESS!

REVIEW: Honeymoon Suite – The Singles (1989)

ontario-bands-weekWelcome back to Ontario Bands Week!

NIAGARA FALLS.

scan_20161110HONEYMOON SUITE – The Singles (1989 Warner)

In the mood for some good old fashioned Canadian AOR rock, but don’t know where to turn?

Easily solved.  Just drive down to Niagara Falls and take a left at Honeymoon Suite.

The Singles compiles all their best tunes from the first three LPs (Honeymoon Suite, The Big Prize, Racing After Midnight).  If you are a native of the Great White North, chances are you have already heard all 12 of these tracks.  Honeymoon Suite have been radio staples ever since their 1984 debut single, “New Girl Now”.  Even when they dropped off the face of the earth for much of the 1990s and 2000s, they got consistent radio play and gigs.  T-Rev and I saw them at Lulu’s in the 1990s when they were supporting a live album.  Even though singer Johnnie Dee seemed a lil’ tipsy they pulled out all the stops for an enjoyable gig.

When Honeymoon Suite kicked it off with “New Girl Now”, they tapped into a rock/new wave hybrid that earned them tons of video play in Canada.  Derry Grehan was (and is) a fine guitarist, certainly one of the most respected in the Great White North.  He gave the band the rock credibility they needed, meanwhile Johnny Dee had the pipes and the heartthrob looks.  The 80s angst of “Burning in Love” landed them another hit, with one foot a little more firmly in the rock arena. Bonus points for the very 80’s chorus echo. “I am still (still! still! still!) a lonely man burning in love,” sings Dee, and you know many ladies swooned.  The sound is not too distant from the Bon Jovi of the same period, burning up the clubs many miles away in New Jersey.


Filmed on location in Niagara Falls Ontario

“Stay in the Light” captures the same vibe, a keyboard-y tension with guitars providing the edge.  A sharp rhythm and indelible chorus keeps “Stay in the Light” burning in your memory long after it ceased playing.  “Wave Babies” is a bit hokey but that hasn’t kept it from airplay 30 years later.

Album #2, The Big Prize, edged their sound further into keyboard pop, which provided more hits but also turned some fans off.  “Feel It Again” maintained the guitars without straying too far, but the ballad anthem “What Does It Take” was a full-on 80s pop ballad.  The band had some serious firepower in the studio control room this time out.  The success of the first album gave them a shot with Bruce Fairbairn, and a young engineer named Bob Rock.  You can hear their impact in the improved sound of the drums, and the sonic clarity overall.  The production values help make “What Does It Take” palatable, but there is too much syrup for some.  “Bad Attitude” has some crunch but it’s overshadowed by those omnipresent keyboards.

Racing After Midnight returned rock to the forefront.  There were a couple lineup changes including on the keyboards.  The captain’s chair was manned this time by veteran Van Halen producer Ted Templeman.  With him they recorded “Lethal Weapon” for the film soundtrack of the same name.  Because it was written by Michael Kamen for a movie, we can forgive Honeymoon Suite for another soft rock ballad.  The guitar laden “Love Changes Everything” was a more proper introduction to the new album.  Derry has a chance to show off his enviable chops at the start, and has a good crunchy sound.  One of Honeymoon Suite’s most memorable choruses made it easy to love.  “Lookin’ Out for Number One” was equally powerful, especially when it comes to Derry Grehan’s impeccable shreddery.

Any good greatest hits album needs new material.  The Singles had two new songs:  big hit “Still Loving You”, and “Long Way”.  For a big anthemic ballad, “Still Loving You” nails it with class.  “Long Way” finishes it with a dark edgy acoustic vibe.  These two tracks do not negate the album title The Singles, because both were released as singles.

Factor in some great liner notes and lots of band photos, and The Singles is a pretty easy purchase to justify.

4/5 stars

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REVIEW: A World With Heroes – A KISS Tribute for Cancer Care – A 40th Anniversary Celebration (2013)

Part 7.5 in my series on Ace Frehley, sorta!  Plenty of Ace related coolness here.  For the last part of the Ace series, 12 Picks, click here.

A World With Heroes – A KISS Tribute for Cancer Care – A 40th Anniversary Celebration

Cancer sucks.  Kiss rules.  Agreed?  Buy this CD.

Mitch Lafon executive produced this sucker, and I suspect that means a hell of a lot of work.  I have never in my travels discovered a cooler Kiss tribute album.  Do you really need to buy another Kiss tribute album?  Do you?  Yes, you do.  Why?  For the following reasons:

  • IMG_00000937Profits benefit the Vaudreuil-Soulanges Palliative Care Residence in Hudson, Quebec.
  • Obscure track selections.
  • Rare Kiss related gems, such as two Peter Criss Band demos with Phil Naro.
  • New Brighton Rock!  Finally.
  • Superstar performers including Mark Tornillo of Accept, Russ Dwarf, Don Dokken, Bonfire, Sean Kelly, Vinny Appice, L.A. Guns, Doro, and many more.
  • Members of the Kiss family including Eric Carr, Peter Criss, Frehley’s Comet (minus Frehley), Bob Kulick and Phil Naro.

I can’t say enough good things about this compilation.  Upon first sight, it had enough rarities from artists I liked, as well as Kiss obscurities, to make it a must-have.  Hearing it, I’m blown away repeatedly.  It is a heady brew of hits and deep, deep cuts.  Since there are 51 tracks in total, I can’t go into too much detail.  I’ll point out some personal favourite moments.

I’m a huge fan of the Revenge album, and I’m a huge fan of Accept.  Hearing Mark Tornillo do his thing through “Spit” was awesome.   I think the man’s vocal cords must be made of steel or something for him to sing like that.  I also loved “Sure Know Something”, although I don’t know Chris Buck & Anthony Cardenas Montana.  It’s a slinky version, very true to the original but with a Rod Stewart vibe.  Jeff Paris does a pretty authentic “Shout Mercy” and I give him full points for doing a Monster tune, the newest Kiss song on A World With Heroes.

I’ve loved Brighton Rock since I was a kid, but I never expected them to unplug “Creatures of the Night”.  This twist takes a moment to get used to, but their haunting arrangement is very original and cool!  “Larger Than Life” from Alive II is revisited by Brian Tichy and friends, and they do it pretty straight to the original, almost lick for lick.  It’s great.  I love that Ron Young from Little Caesar sings “Little Caesar”, a nice wink and a smile there.  A band called Shredmill contribute their original song “Outerspace”…which was later covered by Ace Frehley on his Anomaly album (giving himself a writing credit).  Shredmill’s version is more Danzig, where Ace’s was more Ace.

On the second CD, surprises and highlights continue.  Ron Keel and friends from Tesla and Cinderella knock it out of the park on “Rock N’ Roll Hell”, with a nod at the start to Keel’s own “The Right To Rock”.  Rick Hughes of Quebec metal masters Sword helps blow the doors off “The Oath”, a favourite from The Elder.  The L.A. Guns guys (Phil Lewis included) tackle the difficult “Master & Slave” from Carnival of Souls, and it smokes.  They do it authentic to the grungy original but with Phil’s snarky vocals.

As a Killer Dwarfs fan, I’m always pleased to hear Russ Dwarf’s nasally twang, and he turns in a decent “Hard Luck Woman”.  (Meanwhile, another bunch of L.A. Guns guys did their own version on disc one.)  Bonfire contribute a live version of Paul Stanley’s unreleased song “Sword & Stone”, from their Live at Wacken CD.  I don’t really know who American Dog are, but I love that they covered the Paul Stanley version of “God of Thunder”, not the Gene Simmons take from Destroyer.  They do it the speedy rocked-up way that Paul originally demoed.  Jim Crean does justice to “Magic Touch”.  He’s almost Joe Lynn Turner style on this one.

A WORLD WITH_0001The second CD ends with two takes of “Beth” (Chris VanDahl sounding like the hoarse Peter Criss on Alive II, and Phil Naro).  This is in addition to Michael Lardie’s (Great White) version on disc one.  Naro’s is easily the best of the three.

But wait, that’s not all, folks.  iTunes are selling a 51 track version of A World With Heroes, including 11 exclusives.  Thankfully, you can buy these exclusives separately if you already bought the CD (like I did).  Once again, highlights are many.  Doro contributes a 2013 re-recording of “Only You”, which she had a previous hit with back in 1990.  Russ Dwarf returns with an outstanding “God Gave Rock and Roll To You II”.  There are two previously unreleased demos by the Peter Criss Band with Phil Naro.  These feature Peter on drums, but believe me, you can hear that it is the Cat Man and no one else.  In addition, there’s a third song from this period, but recorded by Phil in 2013.  There is also a second version of “Larger Than Life”, this time by somebody called Robot Lords Of Tokyo.  I don’t know who Robot Lords Of Tokyo are, but I love “Larger Than Life” and I have no problem with another version of it.  This one’s done quite differently, and heavier too.

But wait!  There’s still more!  Pledgers who pre-ordered the CD got four bonus tracks.  I missed the boat on these, and you can’t get them anymore.  I’m bummed about that, but for the sake of completion, the four bonus tracks are:

  1. ‘Calling Dr. Love’ – Performed by: Crash Kelly
  2. ‘Comin’ Home’ – Performed by: Sudden Flames
  3. ‘Heaven’s On Fire’ – Performed by: The Feckers (ft. Irene Slade)
  4. ‘I Was Made For Lovin’ You’ Performed by: Alain Pernot

I’d love to have these, especially Crash Kelly, but alas.  The project is still awesome and worth your coins.  Especially if you’re a self respecting Kiss fan.  Get it.

5/5 stars

EDIT:  I now have the tracks.  Crash Kelly’s is awesome!  Fun and awesome.

Disc 1:

  1. ‘Psycho Circus’ – Performed by: DDRIVE (Phil Naro, Don Mancuso, Dave Sessions, Jt Taylor & Bobby Bond)
  2. ‘Spit’ – Performed by: Ken Dubman, Jimmy Callahan, Scott Metaxas, & Mark Tornillo
  3. ‘Deuce’ – Performed by: Bill Leverty, Kevin Valentine, John Regan, & Russ Dwarf
  4. ‘Sure Know Something’ – Performed by: Chris Buck & Anthony Cardenas Montana
  5. ‘Detroit Rock City’ – Performed by: Ron ‘Bumblefoot’ Thal, Rex Brown & Brian Tichy
  6. ‘Eyes Of Love’ – Performed by: Eric Carr, Benny Doro & John Humphrey
  7. ‘Shout Mercy’ – Performed by: Jeff Paris, Troy Lucketta, Eric Brittingham Jeff Labar
  8. ‘Creatures Of The Night’ – Performed by: BRIGHTON ROCK
  9. ‘Larger Than Life’ – Performed by: Rex Brown, Brian Tichy & Mark Zavon
  10. ‘Cold Gin’ – Performed by: Don Dokken & Tommy Denander
  11. ‘Love Gun’ – Performed by: Tony Harnell, Mark Kendall, Scott Snyder, Sean Michael Clegg, Kevin Valentine & Tommy Denander
  12. ‘Little Caesar’ – Performed by: Ron Young, John Regan & Tommy Denander
  13. ‘Hard Luck Woman’ – Performed by: Chris VanDahl, Stacey Blades & Adam Hamilton
  14. ‘Outerspace’ – Original demo later covered by Ace Frehley on his Anomaly album – Performed by: SHREDMILL (David Askew, Jesus Mendez Jr, Jaime Moreno)
  15. ‘Goodbye’ – Performed by: IMPERIA & BOB KULICK (J.K.Impera, Matti Alfonzetti, Tommy Denander & Mats Vassfjord) – Additional Guitars by Lars Chriss
  16. ‘See You Tonight’ – Performed by: TODD FARHOOD & MYSTERY (Todd Farhood, Michel St-Pere, Sylvain Moineau, Jean-Sébastien Goyette, Francois Fournier & Benoit Dupuis)
  17. ‘Beth’ – The Grand Piano Version – Performed by: Michael Lardie
  18. ‘Tomorrow’ – Performed by: DRESSED TO CHILL (Matt Bradshaw, Rav Thomas & Rhys Lett)
  19. ‘Anything For My Baby’ – Performed by: SLAVES ON DOPE (Kevin Jardine, Jason Rockman, Seb Ducap & Peter Tzaferis)
  20. ‘Unholy’ – Performed by: Fred Duvall, Glenn Belcher, Mark Slaughter (Guitar Solo), Rob Zakojc & Russ Dwarf

Disc 2:

  1. ‘Breakout’ – Performed by: Tod Howarth, John Regan & Kevin Valentine
  2. ‘Rock N Roll Hell’ – Performed by: Ron Keel, Troy Lucketta, Eric Brittingham & Jeff Labar
  3. ‘Nowhere To Run’ – Performed by: DRUCKFARBEN (Phil Naro, Ed Bernard, William Hare, Troy Feener & Peter Murray)
  4. ‘The Oath’ – Performed by: Rick Hughes, Chris Buck & Bob Richards
  5. ‘Master & Slave’ – Performed by: Adam Hamilton, Scott Griffin, Stacey Blades & Phil Lewis
  6. ‘Calling Dr.Love’ – Performed by: BURNING RAIN (Keith St John, Doug Aldrich, Sean McNabb & Matt Starr)
  7. ‘I Stole Your Love’ – Performed by: S.U.N. (Brian Thomas Tichy, Sass Jordan & Tommy Stewart) With Derek Sharp (Of The Guess Who)
  8. ‘Reason To Live’ – Performed by: Johnnie Dee & Derry Grehan of HONEYMOON SUITE with Michael Foster & Bill Leverty of FIREHOUSE
  9. ‘Hard Luck Woman’ – Performed by: Fred Duvall, Glenn Belcher, Rob Zakojc & Russ Dwarf
  10. ‘Forever’ – Performed by: Terry Ilous, Sean Kelly With Jeff Paris.
  11. ‘Sword And Stone’ – Taken From Bonfire Live In Wacken – Performed by: BONFIRE (Claus Lessmann, Hans Ziller, Chris Limburg, Uwe KöHler, Harry Reischmann)
  12. ‘God Of Thunder’ – Performed by: AMERICAN DOG (Michael Hannon, Steve Theado & Keith Pickens)
  13. ‘She’ – Performed by: RAZER (Chris Powers, Chris Catero, Jordan Ziff, Paul Sullivan, Eric Bongiorno & Chuck Alkazian)
  14. ‘New York Groove’ – Performed by: SLAVES ON DOPE (Kevin Jardine, Jason Rockman, , Elizabeth Lopez & Peter Tzaferis With Marty O’Brien)
  15. ‘Magic Touch’ – Performed by: Jim Crean, Phil Naro, Vinny Appice, Steve Major & Stan Miczek
  16. ‘Tears Are Falling’ – Performed by: Willie Basse, Bruce Bouillet, Scott Warren & Mike Hansen.
  17. ‘Rock N Roll All Nite’ – Performed by: Harley Fine, John Regan & Atom Fellows
  18. ‘Shandi’ – Performed by: Dani Luv, Scott Griffin & Matt Starr
  19. ‘Beth – Bonus Track’ – Performed by: Chris Vandahl & Scott Griffin.
  20. ‘Beth – Bonus Track’ – Performed by: Phil Naro, William Hare & Ed Bernard

iTunes exclusives:

  1. ‘No, I’m Not Afraid’ (Previously Unreleased Peter Criss Band Demo from 1991) – Performed by Peter Criss and Phil Naro
  2. ‘Wait For A Minute To Rock N’ Roll’ (Previously Unreleased Peter Criss Band Demo from 1991) – Performed by Peter Criss and Phil Naro
  3. ‘Back On The Streets’ (2013 Mix originally from Return of the Comet) – Performed by Richie Scarlet, John Regan, Tod Howarth, Arthur Stead & Steve Werner (The Comet Band)
  4. ‘Only You’ (2013 Recording) – Performed by DORO
  5. ‘God Gave Rock N Roll To You II’ – Performed by Russ Dwarf
  6. ‘I’m An Animal’ (2013 Mix originally from Return of the Comet) – Performed by the Comet Band
  7. ‘Let Me Go Rock N’ Roll’ – Performed by The Oddfathers
  8. ‘Surrender In The Name Of Love’ (Written by Peter Criss & Phil Naro) – Performed by 24K featuring Phil Naro and Mladen Alexander
  9. ‘Love Gun’ (Tommy Denander Guitar Solo Mix) – Performed by Tony Harnell, Kevin Valentine and Tommy Denander
  10. ‘Larger Than Life’ (2013 Remaster – Robot Lords Of Tokyo version) – Performed by Robot Lords Of Tokyo
  11. ‘Cold Gin’ (2013 Remaster from L.A. GUNS’ 1998 Wasted EP) – Performed by L.A. Guns

Gallery: A World With Heroes

This arrived in the mail today.  Haven’t even taken off the shrink wrap yet! Thanks @mitchlafon!

A World With Heroes – A KISS Tribute for Cancer Care – A 40th Anniversary Celebration.  That’s a buttload of songs, people! (I love that Ron Young of Little Caesar SINGS “Little Caesar”.)

REVIEW: Harem Scarem – Harem Scarem (autographed)

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HAREM SCAREM – Harem Scarem (1991 WEA)

Harem Scarem didn’t emerge from the Toronto rock scene fully formed.  Rather, they first appeared as an AOR pop rock group, assisted by pro writers such as Marc Ribler, Christopher Ward (“Black Velvet”) and Honeymoon Suite’s Ray Coburn.   My sister Kathryn liked Harem Scarem because their singer’s hair made him visually resemble a lion!  It would take them until album #2 to shed the outside writers and find their feet as a progressive pop rock band more akin to Extreme than Bon Jovi.

They did, however, create a buzz by selling loads of copies of their demo CD.  This was a rare thing, since most bands released demos on tape.  Very few had the resources to put together a CD, and this got them signed to Warner.

The result is Harem Scarem, a somewhat faceless but incredibly hooky pop rock record waiting for radio play.  It spawned five singles, including the huge (Canadian) hit “Honestly”.  “Honestly” might be most notable today for its video, a cheesy affair starring Judge Reinhold!

What makes Harem Scarem special is the vocal work of lead singer Harry Hess.  The man has a powerful voice, and when teamed up with drummer Darren Smith, the result is a big thick layered harmony.  The band was rounded out by bassist Mike Gionet, and virtuoso guitarist Pete Lesperance, who really didn’t get to properly show off his chops until album #2.  He does shred here, but sparingly and somewhat buried in the mix.

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The debut album is loaded with mid-tempo rockers and ballads.  A few too many ballads if you asked me, side one of the album has three ballady tracks in a row.  It was 1991, grunge had yet to appear, and a mixture of ballads and rockers was the tried and true path to radio and video play.   The best ballad isn’t the hit “Honestly”, which I find incredibly boring, but the closing song “Something To Say”.  It’s an acoustic winner, and features plenty of Pete’s enviable chops.  Harry sings passionately; this is a song that fits in with the acoustic hits of the day such as “More Than Words” and “To Be With You”.

Rather than the ballads, I keep coming back to the rockers.  “Hard To Love”, which opens the album, is one of those AOR tunes that Bon Jovi only wishes he could have written.  “How Long” is similar, catchy as hell, a singalong rocker that begs the windows to be rolled down on a hot summer day.

The centrepiece of the album was “Slowly Slipping Away”, the debut single/video.  Still a great song today, this straddles the boundary between rocker and ballad.  Opening with acoustic guitars, it soon works its way into a killer chorus, with guitar hooks and powerful harmonies galore.  This is the song that got me into the band, as soon as I heard it, I knew this band had something uniquely theirs to offer.  Unfortunately it took them a while to fully expand upon their sound.

I saw Harem Scarem live at Stages in Kitchener early in 1992.  They played most of this album, some new material, as well as a couple covers:  “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” and “Crazy Little Thing Called Love”.  They complained that the bar owners made them play covers, but it was “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” that underlined their potential.  They absolutely nailed it and proved that they had a lot more to offer than the simple AOR of their album.

I signed up to be a member of the fanclub, and I still have my membership card.  I’m glad I was on board from the ground up, since the band grew by leaps and bounds in the years to follow.

The Japanese import version of this album had three bonus tracks:  acoustic renderings of “Slowly Slipping Away”, “How Long”, and “Hard To Love”.  Those songs were available on a limited edition Acoustic Sessions EP, which I reviewed here.

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If you’re into AOR rock, with lush harmonies, ballads, and melody, then you need to add Harem Scarem to your collection, particularly since the band have recently reunited.  If that’s not your thing, fear not:  I have a feeling you’d be into their later material such as Mood Swings and Karma Cleansing.  This band had a lot more to offer than just rockers and ballads.

2.5/5 stars