Happy festivus!

If you know the Wild Heartwell, it’s a widely-known thing that I LOVE Seinfeld. However, there is one particular episode

Happy Festivus from the Wild Heart

that strikes my fancy: The Strike. This one is perhaps best-known as The Festivus.

With that said, I present to you the Wild Heart’s celebration of Festivus. HAPPY FESTIVUS! LET’S RUMBLE!

Airing of Grievances:

The airing of grievances gathers everyone you know and you tell them how they have wronged you in the past year.

• Heart – you come to Houston AGAIN and every time you do, you jack up your ticket prices. As a fan, I find this completely appalling. I haven’t seen your act since 2008’s Human Tour when I was in college. Between then and now, the economy went to hell and now this jobless college grad cannot afford to go to your concerts. Please lower your ticket prices!!
• Amy Grant – Your “2 Friends Tour” COMPLETELY avoided coming to Houston. I really wanted to see you live again and performing all your old hits, as well as Michael W. Smith. So I suggest that you stop snubbing Houston, and come to some place like the Berry Center, Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavillion, or even the House of Blues. Otherwise I am done listening to your music!
• KTRU – I go in for an interview twice with you dumbass hipsters and you refuse to hire me twice! You act all anti-record industry yet what do I see when I walk into your studios but a big white banner that says “TOM WAITS FOR NO ONE!” Guess what? He was signed to Asylum and Island Records – both are major labels. He’s currently signed to Anti records, the US distributor to Kate Bush. Hate to break it to you but that’s a major label too. Yet somehow you don’t like me because I tell you the artists I am currently loving are Fleetwood Mac, Stevie Nicks and Kate Bush. You are nothing but hypocrites. Thanks for crushing my on-air dreams.Oh and one more thing, since you are based at Rice University: GO COOGS!
• Stevie Nicks – Why did you have to snub Houston for the “Heart and Soul” tour? I wanted to see you perform that duet of Young Turks with Rod Stewart Not cool! But thanks for coming for the “In Your Dreams” tour. That was amazing!
• White Stripes, Rilo Kiley, & R.E.M – Why did you all break up? We need you to save us from the clutches of the evils of bad music such as Lady GaGa & Katy Perry!
• Ke$ha – I couldn’t help but notice that your song “C U Next Tuesday” is an acronym for “cunt.” As a college educated woman who took at least 9 hours of womens studies classes, I find this VERY offensive. Just because a guy calls you that doesn’t mean that it is okay. It’s degrading a female to a mere body part and nothing more. Take a freaking lesson from the women’s lib movement from the 70’s Ke$sha!
• The Ton Tons – How come you never got back to me about covering you guys?
• Nameless haters of that know who they are – What the hell gives you the right to take shots at the Wild Heart? BTW keep up the hatin’ because people like you only make people like me stronger! To quote Pat Benatar: “Knock me down it’s all in vain. I get right back up on my feet again! Hit me with your best shot!” It’s never cool to make fun of someone’s album collection. Vinyl is cooler, better sounding as far as decibels go, but you are a clueless jerk who only cares about making other peoples lives miserable.

And now for the toasts of 2011

• All of the local bands that I have covered this year – Nightbird – Stevie Nicks Tribute, Spare Parts, Spare Heart – Heart Tribute, August 83, Kozmic Pearl – Janis Joplin Tribute, Love It To Death – Alice Cooper Tribute, and BlackRozeHouston. I have loved every minute of covering you guys. Houston’s music scene is like a hidden gem of musical talent. All of y’all keep up the good work and I think you will go far! Special thanks to John Hill and Jennifer Nguyen for giving me this idea.
• Glee – One of the best things that you do, aside from the funny storylines with Jane Lynch and Matthew Morrison, is that you introduce classic rock numbers to a new generation. You did this well with last season’s salute to Rumours by Fleetwood Mac. No thanks to the show, a new generation got to hear snippets about the emotional drama that went on behind the scenes but also hear the songs themselves as performed by the cast. I want an encore! However can that encore be with something by Yes or Styx?
• Stevie Nicks – Your new album, In Your Dreams, is AMAZING! It reminds me of your old 80’s albums like The Wild Heart, Bella Donna, and The Other Side of the Mirror. Also, your In Your Dreams tour was pretty magical – least your concert in Houston was. (Never have I been to the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavillion where a concert was done in 103+ degree heat under a big full moon. Even better, your merchandise wasn’t too expensive and my mom liked the keychain I got her.
• Lindsey Buckingham – I won tickets to your concert at Cactus Records. Though I am unfamiliar with your solo work, I must say you were pretty amazing at the Verizon Wireless Theater. Also, I must give you mad props for performing my favorite Fleetwood Mac song, Tusk.
• Cactus and Black Records – Without you lovely people, I would not have been able to cover 2 major shows (Lindsey Buckingham and Lost 80’s Night at StereoLive with Animotion, When In Rome, and A Flock of Seagulls), survived a bad day at work, and helping me to climb the ladder of success with blogging.

Glee: the voice of a new and old generation

 I must admit: I absolutely love FOX’s hit television show Glee. The Wild Heart is well-aware that, yes, some of the singers need a little “help” in the form of autotune and some of the themed episodes (such as the Britney Spears tribute episode “Brittany/Britney”) are a bit vapid. However, one of the best things about Glee is that the show is introducing classic rock and pop songs  to a brand new generation as well as current hit songs. It’s also getting this new generation excited about performing once again.

Glee uses both classic and current pop/rock to tell the story of the teenagers that perform with the New Directions glee club at Mckinley Highschool. Some of these performances can be breathtakingly great, such as their performance of New York by Alicia Keys. Some can be funny, such as Finn and Quinn’s impending birth announcement to Quinn’s parents by using the Paul Anka classic Having My Baby  – which of course gets Quinn kicked out of her parent’s house. Others can be rather touching, such as Puck’s performance of Waiting For A Girl by Foreigner to his two-year-old daughter.

Since the show hit the airwaves in 2009, not only have some artists seen both a sales resurgance and renewed interest into their music (such as Fleetwood Mac, who saw a 1,951 % increase in record sales for their landmark 1977 release Rumours) Other artists such as Britney Spears also saw a spike in record sales too.

However, artists such as Slash (of Guns & Roses fame) and the Kings of Leon have laid down the law and said “no” when it comes to using their music. I think that these artists are failing to see that teenagers and other audiences can rediscover their music. By these artists doing this, they are denying this discovery.

Additionally, Glee is inspiring kids to make music once again. When I was in highschool, it was the ‘uncool’ thing to be in the choir or glee club (mine wouldn’t let me in, just so you know). Now, enrollment in such activities has doubled. Additinally, applications to arts colleges have seen a spike too.

One thing, however, that I would like to see with the show is this: have them release an album that contains the original recordings of the songs that are performed each season. Don’t get me wrong: it’s okay that they release their album of songs as featured and sung on the show. But I think this would be a better way to introduce some of the older music and newer music to a new generation. Also, as a viewer I would like to see more guest spots of the artists that you cover. For example: when one of the characters covered the Fleetwood Mac classic Landslide, Stevie Nicks paid a personal visit to the cast. Why not try to writer her into the actual episode – like she could be Puck’s mother or whatnot. Same goes for the members of Van Halen – whose song Hot For Teacher was recently covered on the show. Perhaps a cameo from Eddie Van Halen would be just fine.

 

The Glee Effect 

More on how Glee has turned the music industry inside out 

Another idea for the writers of “Glee”

I must admit, I love Glee. I love it not so much for the musical performances, but for the fact that it is reintroducing some great music and artists into the mainstream. One of the best things that Glee does is their themed episodes, usually around an artist or a musical genre. Last year, they did another episode featuring Lady GaGa, Britney Spears as well as The Rocky Horror Picture Show and Rumours by Fleetwood Mac.

If you have been following the show this year, things have gotten pretty interesting: Sue Sylvester is now running for Congress. She wants music education abolished.

Here is a story arc they could do, but it would revolve around the somewhat politically-charged rock opera/concept album Kilroy Was Here by Styx. The premise would revolve around Sue wanting to censor everything the New Directions wants to accomplish musically.

Sue wants to run her campaign as a member of the “Majority for Musical Morality” along with her campaign manager, Dr. Righteous. Sue witnesses Puck doing a rendition of Hot For Teacher by Van Halen and brings it to the attention of Principle Figgins, whom she threatens to blackmail with a picture of them sleeping together once again if she doesn’t have her way. Figgins caves in and strongly scolds Mr. Schuster and Puck into submission. Mr. Schuster, as a punishment for letting Puck perform that song, must now sendin whatever song the kids choose to do. The kids, as a result, must have prior consent to whatever song they want to do. This also has a chilling effect on Shelby Cocoran’s group also. Both glee clubs hate it!

Shelby and Will Schuster, and his girlfriend Emma decide that Sue has gone too far and, this time, Sue is gonna get a fierce fighting back. Since Burt Hummel, Kurt’s dad and Finn’s stepdad, is running as a write-in candidate against Sylvester, they, along with both glee clubs decide to meet at Burt’s auto repair shop. They decide that this is an issue of censorship and that it would be a great way to teach the students about how bad censorship is. So they decide to use the 1983 classic album by Styx entitled Kilroy Was Here. Better yet, the kids and adults decide to use this album to film as a campaign commercial for Burt Hummel.

Kurt and Blaine team up and film a short commercial for Burt where they are singing Mr. Roboto. The commercial is a bit reminiscent of the classic 1984 Superbowl ad for Apple computers. It ends with “this is what you will get if you elect Sue Sylvester for Congress.”

Rachel and Finn, while out at Breadsticks one night, discover Sue on a date with the head of a major contributor to her campaign and hardcore political extremist. Rachel and Finn recognize him from the news and immediately call up Burt to tell him what they found. They also take pictures with their iPhones of the would-be Congress member and extremest canoodling in a nearby booth. The next afternoon, while at practice at Burt’s garage, Rachel performs Double Lifeand tells the Glee club what she and Finn saw

.

Burt decides to personally confront Sue about what Finn photographed. He and Sue sing a mashup of Cold War and Heavy Metal Poisoning as they verbally spar with each other.

Prior to election night, the Glee club releases another commercial with the photograph where they list all these accusations against Sylvester where they sing High Time.

Billy Joel lets loose with “The Stranger”

Billy Joel is perhaps the most prolific singer-songwriter-composers of all time. He can almost do any genre that he wants, but what he’s best at is, of course, the jazz-rock that embodies his work. He is the quintessential son of the Bronx.

Essentially, his music is like a window into what it is like to grow up in New York City as well as experience life with its inhabitants.  This rings true on his 1977 album The Stranger. Joel metaphorically wastes no time in telling his audience that this album is a bit different with the ode to independence, Movin‘ Out (Anthony’s Song).

However, Joel kicks things into high gear with the upbeat jazz-rock piece The Stranger. It only gets better with the

storytelling of Brenda and Eddie in the upbeat Scenes From An Italian Restaurant. The interesting thing about Scenes From An Italian Restaurant is that, regardless of where you live and when, it’s still a timeless story. It’s the story about how life changes.

However, Joel hits a sour note with the anti-Christian Only The Good Die Young. Though Joel has said that it’s not necesarily anti-Catholic but rather pro lust, it still comes across as anti-Christian because he does say

“They say there’s a heaven for those who will wait

Some say it’s better but I say it ain’t

I’d rather laugh with the sinners than cry with the saints

the sinners are much more fun.”

But at the same time, it is a fun “forbidden love” song.

This was Billy Joel’s breakout album. Without it, his career would be a few hits and nothing more. This made him into a legend.

B+

 

Things the Wild Heart would like to see on the new season of “Glee”

It’s no secret that the Wild Heart is a fan of the hit FOX tv show, Glee. It has 2 things this Wild Heart loves: music and comedy. Not to mention it’s introducing classic pop and rock songs to a new generation and Jane Lynch is insanely funny as Cheerios coach Sue Sylvester.

Glee returns with its third season on Tuesday, September 20 on Fox.

Last season was pretty amazing with the casting of Gwyneth Paltrow as the sex ed teacher, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, the shocking (yet still excellent) season finale, and the Fleetwood Mac Rumours -themed episode.This leaves the Wild Heart with much hope for the upc0ming season.

First of all, one of the big things that I would like to see is Will Schuster (Matthew Morrison) and Emma Pillsbury (Jayma Mays) have a relationship. They have danced around it for far too long – from the time they almost had sex to Emma’s rendition of Touch-a Touch-a Me in the Rocky Horror Picture Show-themed episode. I would love to see them perform a duet together on Valentines day. More specifically Next Time I Fall by Peter Cetera and Amy Grant.

Secondly, one of the funniest things that was ever introduced to the show “Fondue For Two” with Brittany Pierce – where the online show revolves around school gossip and dipping random edible things into fondue such as raw meat and giant marshmallows. This was absolutely hilarious.

Finally, the Wild Heart would like to see more themed episodes. This is not only good for the show and the public who watches it (they learn about new music), but it is also good promotion for the artist. When the writers decided to do an entire episode based around the Fleetwood Mac 1977 classic album Rumours, the album once again entered the charts in other countries and renewed interest in the band. Some of the artists thatI’d suggest they cover are Pat Benatar, Heart, the Beatles, Duran Duran, Blondie, and Linda Eder.

 

5 artists that should tour together

Image via Wikipedia

In honor of the latest announcement from Fleetwood Mac, we thought it would be nice to tell the whole wide world of what artists would be possibly a well-sold tour if they teamed up. As they say, sometimes two heads are better than one.

1. No Doubt with the Cure: Punk and emo-heads UNITE! You know this would draw those emo kids, hipsters, and punkheads alike.
2. Stevie Nicks with Pat Benatar: Two of the greatest women in rock & roll. Though they are getting older, songs such as Dreams, Gold Dust Woman, You Better Run, and Heartbreaker are timeless classics.
3. Linda Eder and Lea Michele (tv’s Glee): Lea Michele is a great singer in her own right and was in Spring Awakening. I think it would be a great career boost for Michele to have an audience with a Broadway legend.
4. Yes and Rush: Though I am a fan of Yes’s 90125 and I love Jon Anderson’s voice, this would be a total testosterone fest. Mostly men like Rush from what I can tell. Bring it on!
5. Talking Heads, Muse, and Radiohead: Now there’s one way to bring all the hipsters and nerds outta the woodwork. However, one thing that would have to be brought down is none other than the ego of Talking Heads lead singer David Byrne.

Theres Gonna Be Two Versions of The Glee Concert Movie!

Theres Gonna Be Two Versions of The Glee Concert Movie: One With & One Without… | PerezHilton.com.

As you may or may not know, the Wild Heart loves Glee. What would you think of me doing a review of this film? I think I should.

Hey Houston! KLOL called and it wants to be back on the air!

A few months ago I was given a book called “Rock to the Top: What I Learned About Success From the World’s Greatest Rockstars” by Dayna Steele. Steele is a former on-air personality at the now-defunct Rock 101, KLOL in Houston, TX. In the book, she talks about her time at the station and how she learned to be successful from people like Gene Simmons, Van Halen, etc.  During the 70s-90s, KLOL  was one of the most-listened to stations in Houston, TX. Not only that, they were entertaining with DJ’s like the late Steve Stevens and Jim Pruett – who got many FCC fines doled against them for their onair antics. In 2004, KLOL became MEGA 101 – a Spanish station. I was 18 at the time and just learning more and more about my much-loved classic rock.

KLOL changed formats due to low Arbitron ratings – something that radio lives and dies by, much like the Nielsen ratings for television. Low Arbitron ratings means lower ad revenue, which makes the station lose money.

However, one thing has slowly changed as my generation has come of age and as another one is waiting in the wings: music, as a whole, has come full-circle. What I mean is there is not a generational gap between what say someone’s parents liked and what the individual likes. I think this is due to many factors including well-loved movies using classic rock songs, Mtv in the 90’s when they would air the Unplugged series and other videos, Glee, television specials (Example: The Beatles Anthology airing on ABC in 1995 – thus introducing the Beatles to a new generation) as well as downloading music and YouTube.

Also, the climate of radio in Houston is an utter disaster. When Cox radio gets rid of a rather popular 80’s radio station called 106.9 the Point, rebrands it as a classic alternative station THEN cancels that idea after a single year and simulcasts 107.5 the Eagle – Houston’s only great station. Even worse, I can pick both stations up and I live less than 5 minutes outside the 610 loop. Houston, we have a problem!

With that said, I think they should bring back KLOL – albeit with a little tweaking. It would still be an AOR station where the djs pick what they want to play – the way that it should be. If this were to happen, I would like to see some of the surviving djs return if they so choose, but also give some new blood a try. I think Houston is ready for KLOL to return to the airwaves if it ever does. There’s only 3 true rock stations in Houston – a travesty! Additionally, since the one thing that possibly killed the station was the fact that they ignored the grunge scene – I say embrace some of the new acts & the old acts. Also, don’t be afraid to play some of the new albums of the classic rock artists. Some things only get better with age and music is no exception.

Some “Rumours” about Glee

It’s not a “rumour” anymore folks! The hit television series Glee will be airing an entire episode devoted to one of the greatest rock albums of all time: Rumours by

The "Rumours" episode will air on May 3rd on FOX with guest star Kristen Chenoweth

Fleetwood Mac.

Here is some SPOILERS and hopes that the wildheart has about this episode:

• A duet between Will and Emma where they sing You Make Lovin’ Fun: Though I don’t know if this will happen, I really would like to see it. Ever since the show started, they have been dancing around the fact that they love each other. Heck, they loved each other when they were with other people. That is what the original author basically wrote it as: keyboard player Christine McVie was secretly dating a member of the bands road crew while still in a terrible relationship with Fleetwood Mac bassist John McVie. To me this would be alot like that scene from the Rocky Horror Picture Show-themed episode where Emma sings Touch A Touch A Touch Me to Will Schuster. 
• More Sue-scheming! Let’s be honest – Sue Sylvester (Jane Lynch) shines whenever she is plotting against the glee club. I can just see her doing something extremely evil this time – more than the time she tried shoot Brittany out of a cannon!
• Rachel singing Dreams. Dreams, on its own, is a beautiful song. I think that the only character that can pull off such a beautiful song is Rachel. It matches her voice very well.
• The Warblers and New Directions sing The Chain: Though they are rivals, it is time that they unite in song.
• A cameo by Fleetwood Mac – all members from the Buckingham-Nicks era: Though this maybe next to impossible because Christine McVie is in retirement somewhere in England, it would send the ratings through the roof. They have not been together at least publicly since the bestselling live album The Dance.

Debbie Gibson and hate mail

This was too funny a quote to not put up on the Wild Heart, thus the Wild Heart had to put it up from tonite’s episode of Glee:

“I spent three years sending hate mail to Debbie Gibson until she wrote me back and said that the stress of my letters was giving her alopecia and then I felt terrible because I realized it was just my jealousy that she could fill a mall with her adoring fans.” — Holly

This was too funny to not pass up. First of all, if you send 3 years of hate mail to Debbie Gibson, you have no life and probably no friends. You are creepy. You need to have a restraining order and be quarantined.

Though I love Debbie Gibson and the work that she has done musically, I now cannot stop laughing about that. I also cannot stop thinking of that one episode of How I Met Your Mother that Robin was a Canadian teen idol much in the style of both Tiffany and Debbie Gibson.

Rebecca Black meet your match!

However, I like Debbie Gibson as I stated earlier. She’s talented.