Rock Music

New Order formed from the ashes of Joy Division and brought electronic dance music to the forefront of rock.

Oct 20, 2005 - Marianne Moro

Weird Tales of The Ramones, an 85 track CD/DVD set, chronicles the long, strange journey of the boys from Forest Hills who became punk legends.

Sep 29, 2005 - Marianne Moro

After languishing in obscurity for years, Born To Boogie, the infamous T-Rex concert film, has been painstakingly restored and is now available as a 2 disc DVD set with plenty of previously unreleased extras.

Aug 6, 2005 - Marianne Moro

Spanish Fly:Live In Spain features eleven songs by Lou Reed, filmed at the Benicassim Festival in Spain in 2004.

Jul 13, 2005 - Marianne Moro

Who Put The M in Manchester?, the new DVD featuring a concert by Morrissey in his English hometown, is sure to please hardcore and casual fans alike.

Jun 18, 2005 - Marianne Moro

A review of the Fu Manchu/Chelsea Smiles/Big Elf concert at the Knitting Factory, Hollywood CA 5/13/05

May 22, 2005 - Marianne Moro

Uneon Entertainment is one of music's new breed of independent artists/entrepreneurs. With an internet radio station and a unique,socially conscious mission, founders Mali Wood and Bryant Johnson are indicative of popular music's DIY ethic.

May 12, 2005 - Marianne Moro

Marianne Faithfull's incredible forty year career is still going strong with the release of her new album Before The Poison and an American concert tour.

May 5, 2005 - Marianne Moro

Billy Idol is back with a new CD, "Devil's Playground" that packs the same punch as his previous efforts while demonstrating a mature side as well.

Mar 16, 2005 - Marianne Moro

After receiving severe reprimands from several music snob friends for daring to attend a Velvet Revolver concert last summer, I took inventory of my musical tastes,and realized that I am, indeed, torn between liking "intelligent" music and "big dumb rock."

Feb 5, 2005 - Marianne Moro

M83 is a techno dance duo from France with a sound that's fun yet rich in atmosphere and texture. At the other end of the spectrum, there's Brit hard rockers Hurricane Party.

Jan 11, 2005 - Marianne Moro

The most comprehensive website on the Net for info about glam, bubblegum & obscure punk music from the 1970s is 70s Invasion. I recently conducted on e-mail interview with Alan, one of the site's founders.

Dec 9, 2004 - Marianne Moro

In August, I included a short review of Intimations of Sorrow by Finnish band Valerian in my column. Now the CD has been released in the U.S. by City Canyons Records. Here's an interview I conducted via e-mail with the bands vocalist, Olli Koskela.

Nov 7, 2004 - Marianne Moro

Sean Egan's The Guys Who Wrote 'Em profiles eleven of the most talented pop/rock songwriters and songwriting teams in rock music history.

Oct 16, 2004 - Marianne Moro

Ronnie Montrose's career has spanned three decades, from his work as a backing musician for Boz Scaggs and Van Morrison to albums with his bands Montrose and Gamma.

Sep 11, 2004 - Marianne Moro

Weird Al Yankovic started his musical career at 13 with a song called "Belvedere Cruising." Since then, both his pop music parodies and originals have entertained countless fans and earned him three Grammys. Also, reviews of CDs by singer-songwriter David Steele and Finnish glam-metal group Valerian.

Aug 4, 2004 - Marianne Moro

The indie film Prey For Rock & Roll starring Gina Gershon, is based on Cheri Lovedog's real-life experiences as a female rock & roller getting older, but not necessarily more successful, in the L.A. rock scene.

Jul 9, 2004 - Marianne Moro

Here are brief reviews of two new music DVDs. Jewel Live At Humphrey's By The Bay highlights a concert by the folk-pop siren, and Live Forever:The Rise And Fall of Britpop chronicles the popularity of such bands as Oasis, Blur and Pulp in the mid-1990s.

Jun 6, 2004 - Marianne Moro

Skipping Discs is a new record label out of northern Massachusetts that specializes in unsigned bands doing cover versions of songs by well-known artists. Their latest disc is “ Spiders From Venus: Indie Women Artists and Female-Fronted Bands Cover David Bowie.” Other Compilation CDs are “Love Her Madly: New Women Artists Cover The Doors” and the improbable but fun “Saturday Night Hay Fever” Bluegrass Artists Perform Disco Hits.”

May 1, 2004 - Marianne Moro

April 8th is the 10th anniversary of Kurt Cobain's death. Here are some of my thoughts and recollections on Kurt, Nirvana and the grunge era.

Apr 5, 2004 - Marianne Moro

The Plasmatics took "shock-rock" and outrageous stage antics to a new level in the early 1980s. Lead vocalist/exhibitionist Wendy O. Williams was the real deal, chainsawing guitars and appearing onstage in little more than electrical tape.

Mar 4, 2004 - Marianne Moro

Sparks' creative, intelligent lyrics and catchy keyboard based music has spawned thirty years of albums, videos and other projects. Although they are best known to the causual fan for the song "Cool Places" with Jane Wiedlin, brothers Ron and Russell Mael have produced an impressive catalouge of music over the years.

Feb 4, 2004 - Marianne Moro

Most fans have fond memories of their first rock concert. In Part 2 of Behind The Scenes, I remember my first foray into concert-going-the Stones at the Chicago Stadium in 1975. Yes, fans do count, too, ya know.

Jan 3, 2004 - Marianne Moro

Interesting rock 'n' roll characters are not always on the stage. Here is part one of a series on ancillary rock music figures. Part 1 is an intro to groupiedom. Interviews T/K!

Dec 4, 2003 - Marianne Moro

Classic Rock Revisited is a great resource for all fans of real hard rock from the '60s to the present. Here is an interview I conducted via e-mail with the site's founder, Jeb Wright.

Nov 3, 2003 - Marianne Moro

Reviews of 3 new CDs- Jen Elliot (blues-rock belter), Domestic Godzilla (Chicago hardcore) and Serart (World Music/jazz) by Serj Tankian and Arto Tunc Boyaciyan.

Oct 3, 2003 - Marianne Moro

If you like the Alarm, the Sex Pistols, the Cult and/or the Stray Cats, here's a "supergroup" you will definitely want to check out.

Sep 3, 2003 - Marianne Moro

Speeder Kills, a "documentary" tribute to San Antonio punk rock, recently screeened at the L.A. Film Fest.

Aug 3, 2003 - Marianne Moro

Here is part 2 of an interview I conducted with Herb Bowie, the author of the web book Reason To Rock. In it, he addresses the elements that comprise an enduring rock song and discusses some of his favorite lyricists.

Jul 3, 2003 - Marianne Moro

Most of the current books and articles about rock music focus on personality and scandal more than the songs that brought the artists to our attention in the first place. Although thoughtful, no-frills treatises on rock’n’roll are harder to find than fluff, they are well worth the search. One such text is Herb Bowie’s web book Reason To Rock.

Jun 21, 2003 - Marianne Moro

Critics have accused UK rockers the Libertines of sloppy playing, monotone vocals & many of their gigs in the US have been cancelled. Love 'em or hate 'em, they capture your attention. Also, a review of Concrete Blonde's Live In Brazil double disc.

May 31, 2003 - Marianne Moro

2003 has been a great year for California based band Depswa,as they have just completed a successful tour with Mudvayne, and the release of their new CD Two Angels And A Dream continues their lucky streak.

Apr 30, 2003 - Marianne Moro

Here are reviews of a few CDs – and a rock-oriented book - that have been released recently, with accompanying links and info.

Mar 31, 2003 - Marianne Moro

The Professionals were a short-lived band that featured the only post Sex Pistols collaborations by Steve Jones and Paul Cook. The recent re-issue I Didn't See It Coming is a must for fans of the Pistols or punk/new wave music in general.

Feb 27, 2003 - Marianne Moro

Blondie's music,image,and message have left an indelible imprint on rock/pop culture.,Blondie's music,image,and message have left an indelible imprint on rock/pop culture

Jan 31, 2003 - Marianne Moro

One of the most prominent bands during the infamous British "New Wave of Heavy Metal", Girlschool were proteges of Motorhead, opened for bands like Ironmaiden and Saxon, and rocked harder than many all-male bands.

Dec 25, 2002 - Marianne Moro

Lennon's 530 Saturday Morning was one of the best - and most overlooked - debuts of 2001

Nov 26, 2002 - Marianne Moro

Dragpipe brings a fresher, real rock sound to the nu-metal craze. Plus, a few unsigned bands to check out

Oct 28, 2002 - Marianne Moro

On September 14th, a cross-section of "nu-punk" bands and their fiesty predecessors congregated at the Blockbuster Pavilion in Devore, CA. to celebrate the 25th anniversary of punk rock.

Sep 30, 2002 - Marianne Moro

Exene is back with new material, via her band Original Sinners, and a new poetry collecton, A Beer On Every Page.

Sep 7, 2002 - Marianne Moro

Silverchair, best known in America for their 1995 hit Tomorrow,are a big draw in Europe and their native Australia. With the release of their new album Diorama, will they be able to conquer the U.S. as well?

Aug 31, 2002 - Marianne Moro

Otto's Daughter, an industrial/Goth band out of New Jersey, and Firebug, a regular player on the Hollywood club circuit for the last few years, are ready for bigger and better things.

Jul 30, 2002 - Marianne Moro

Degradation Trip,Jerry Cantrell's long-awaited follow-up to his first solo CD, finally arrives. Plus, Monster Magnet live at L.A.'s Troubador

Jun 29, 2002 - Marianne Moro

Japan started out as a slightly artier combination of Roxy Music and the New York Dolls, but their sound matured into experimental, synth-driven pop by the end of their brief career.

May 26, 2002 - Marianne Moro

From his days as a member of hardcore punk band The Misfits to his long and primal reign as one of Goth metal's favorite sons, Glenn Danzig has never strayed far from the dark side.

Apr 28, 2002 - Marianne Moro

The Toilet Boys revived trashy glam rock in the East Village, and are currently bringing their brand of raucous party rock to the rest of the country on their current tour.

Mar 17, 2002 - Marianne Moro

Two more great hard rock albums, both featuring Steve Jones (former Sex Pistol).

Feb 15, 2002 - Marianne Moro

The Sex Pistols remain one of the most groundbreaking and influential bands ever, 25 years after their dubious formation in England.

Jan 26, 2002 - Marianne Moro

A quick review of 2001 shows a few highlights in a basically unremarkable year for hard rock.

Dec 27, 2001 - Marianne Moro

Vixen were touted as the all-female entry in the hair-band sweepstakes of the 80s & early 90s, and they had the musical chops to accompany all that teased 'n dyed hair..

Dec 17, 2001 - Marianne Moro

Bang Tango, led by vocalist Joe LeSte, hit the airwaves in 1989 with the MTV hit Someone Like You. Now LeSte is back with a new band Beautiful Creatures.

Dec 10, 2001 - Marianne Moro

Steve Vai was one of the premier guitar virtuosos of the late 1980s' and 1990s, and he continues to write release dazzling instrumental CDs today.

Dec 3, 2001 - Marianne Moro

Hanoi Rocks and Mother Love Bone were two great bands cut down by tragedy before they had a chance to shine.

Nov 24, 2001 - Marianne Moro

Some great rock albums are mentioned and played constantly; others stay hidden in the archives. Here are some great ones you might not have heard for awhile.

Nov 14, 2001 - Marianne Moro

Starz were a moderately popular band in the mid-1970s, but their albums are heralded by some of today's hard rock insiders as underplayed classics.

Nov 5, 2001 - Marianne Moro

Halloween is the perfect time to put the focus on Rob Zombie, rock's main practitioner of schlock-horror metal.

Oct 29, 2001 - Marianne Moro

To celebrate the re-release of their first 3 albums, X played two sold-out shows at Los Angeles El Rey Theatre last month.

Oct 11, 2001 - Marianne Moro

A retro review of a 1999 Marilyn Manson concert.

Oct 5, 2001 - Marianne Moro

Amanda Thorpe's potent combination of jazz, rock and folk,evident on her new Cropduster release,Mass,gives the listener more ear candy than the normal pop/rock CD.

Sep 26, 2001 - Marianne Moro

The Mark Wahlberg - Jennifer Anniston flick, Rock Star opened in theatres last week to little fanfare and even less ticket sales - but the chronicle of a 1980s heavy metal star has its' good points.

Sep 15, 2001 - Marianne Moro

UFO gained their greatest popularity in the mid-70s with arena rock favorites such as Lights Out and Rock Bottom, but they continued to record over the next two decades.

Sep 7, 2001 - Marianne Moro

Faster Pussycat was one of the glam rock bands that gained notoriety in the post Poison & Motley Crue world "hair band" era. After disappearing for awhile, they're back with a tour and new projects. Plus, the L.A. Guns stage their return with Man In The Moon.

Aug 24, 2001 - Marianne Moro

From his days as a member of legendary L.A. punk band Black Flag, Henry Rollins has never been at a loss for words. Nearly 20 years into his career, he's more prolific than ever.

Aug 14, 2001 - Marianne Moro

Some metal girls cross over to mainstream radio - like Joan and Lita - others, like Anne Boleyn and the Great Kat don't lighten their act for anyone.

Aug 6, 2001 - Marianne Moro

The time is ripe for all our fave spandex clad 80s rockers to congregate on a reunion tour.

Jul 27, 2001 - Marianne Moro

Behind The Music is one of the most addictive shows on TV today. Here are some key moments from the series, with a focus on rock bands instead of the usual divas in distress. Plus, a look at the websites where rock groupies dish the dirt about their dudes...

Jul 20, 2001 - Marianne Moro

The New York Dolls combined ear-blasting rock, a theatrical presence, and costumes that would make Hedwig and the Angry Inch jealous at a time when mainstream radio doused the airwaves with James Taylor and Harry Chapin.

Jul 13, 2001 - Marianne Moro

The Cathouse was the focal point for metal scene hipsters from 1986 to its demise in 1993. Now it's reopened for another go round at metal mayhem.

Jul 6, 2001 - Marianne Moro

They dress funny. They've been on Jerry Springer. One of their members set a world record as a human conductor of electricity. And they can actually play rock 'n' roll pretty well, too! Plus, L.A.rockers Bitch.

Jun 29, 2001 - Marianne Moro

Switchblade Symphony's Susan Wallace and Tina Root explore groundbreaking musical textures on Three Calamities

Jun 22, 2001 - Marianne Moro

Jennifer Tefft has opened for Aerosmith, and has been compared to Sarah McLachlan, but may soon be a star in her own right if her new CD Shift is any indication. Plus a retro review of Pat Benatar's In The Heat Of The Night.

Jun 15, 2001 - Marianne Moro

Beyond Good and Evil, the Cult's new CD, Rocks Hard - Ya Got A Problem With That?

Jun 8, 2001 - Marianne Moro

The newest album from Econoline Crush, Brand New History features their strongest songs to date. Plus, a retro view of Heart's Dreamboat Annie

Jun 1, 2001 - Marianne Moro

L.A. bluesman Top Jimmy, who was immortalized in song by Van Halen on their 1984 album, passed away last week in Las Vegas.

May 25, 2001 - Marianne Moro

Although WNEW-FM in New York has an all-talk format, it takes a respite on Saturday night for a few hours for Saturday Night Rocks, a showcase of hard rock, past and present.

May 18, 2001 - Marianne Moro

Lions is the new album from the Black Crowes, whose up and down career is now hitting the decade mark.

May 11, 2001 - Marianne Moro

There are many genres and subgenres in music - but in today's hard rock, nu metal and the riff-based old school metal. So what's the real difference, and does it matter? Plus a retro review of Kid Rock's Devil Without A Cause.

May 4, 2001 - Marianne Moro

The Cult hit the road this summer with their first album since 1994 and prove they can still outrock most of the competition.

Apr 27, 2001 - Marianne Moro

Mott The Hoople, a British band formed in 1968, achieved only cult success during their tenure together, but their songs remain album rock classics.

Apr 20, 2001 - Marianne Moro

Every day, more web sites devoted to rock music and specific groups hit the web. Here are detailed reviews of some of the best ones.

Apr 13, 2001 - Marianne Moro

Time Bomb is the second release from L.A. band Buckcherry.

Apr 6, 2001 - Marianne Moro

If you liked Almost Famous, there are a handful of other rock-oriented movies that avoid Hollywood whitewash and tell it like it is.

Mar 30, 2001 - Marianne Moro

Lucid Nation has received kudos from such music industry notables as Keith Richards & Danny Goldberg of Artemis Records. Their new release Suburban Legends is hitting the playlists of rock stations nationwide. Plus, a list of punk rock sites on the web.

Mar 23, 2001 - Marianne Moro

Monster Magnet hit it big a few years ago with Powertrip. European fans have already heard the follow-up God Says No while stateside fans wait for their first listen.

Mar 16, 2001 - Marianne Moro

Napster is going down for the count, with millions of copyrighted files to be removed. Couldn't all the time and effort spent on bickering been used to reach a compromise?

Mar 9, 2001 - Marianne Moro

Cheap Trick were combination rock group,clown princes,and teeny-bopper idols in the 1980s and late 1970s, and recently released their 25th anniversary CD

Mar 2, 2001 - Marianne Moro

From 1988 to 1991, scores of metal bands were signed to major labels. Some of them released great CDs, and then disappeared without a trace;others were great but barely noticed.

Feb 23, 2001 - Marianne Moro

Seattle based Lucy Mongrel treads musical territory very few bands have dared to explore.

Feb 16, 2001 - Marianne Moro

Alice Cooper's career has spanned more than 30 years. His stage show and controversial lyrics first shook the rock world at a time when sensitive singer/songwriters were all the rage.

Feb 9, 2001 - Marianne Moro

Koko Taylor's first CD in seven years reinforces her status as Chicago blues'most powerful female belter - and as an inspiration to both rockers and R & B musicians alike.

Feb 2, 2001 - Marianne Moro

Many rock songs make you sit up and take notice the first time you hear them, while some songs fuel a cultural phenomenon and give morning DJs lots of good material. Plus, remember the "other" songs from Use Your Illusion I & II?

Jan 26, 2001 - Marianne Moro

In the late '70s, women in hard rock were either fans or groupies - until the Runaways changed all that.

Jan 19, 2001 - Marianne Moro

While large record companies concentrate on fluffy pop acts, smaller labels take a chance on hard rock acts - and succeed admirably.

Jan 12, 2001 - Marianne Moro

Max Cavalera's Soulfly isn't your run of the mill rap-metal as CD Primitive demonstrates.

Jan 5, 2001 - Marianne Moro

The North Mississippi All-Stars honor the blues musicians who've inspired them while adding their own electric touch on the critically acclaimed Shake Hands With Shorty

Dec 29, 2000 - Marianne Moro

A few more great CDs released in 2000

Dec 22, 2000 - Marianne Moro

As 2000 draws to a close, here are some of the best hard rock/metal CDs released this year.

Dec 15, 2000 - Marianne Moro

Canadian rockers Kittie prove that they are a force to be reckoned with.

Nov 29, 2000 - Marianne Moro