Rockets to Ruin
Live, Recorded,
and Produced by Rachel Bolan
By Lynda
(SugarBuzz Atlanta)
Photos By Lynda
It was that time of year again: the Atlantis Music Conference (atlantismusic.com). Long description made short: lots of bands and solo artists, lots of different genres, lots of venues, lots of parties, and lots of industry panels over the course of a long weekend here in Atlanta, GA.
I went to one show and one show only this year: 7 Oct. 2006: Rockets to Ruin (myspace.com/rocketstoruin). Ok, so the sure-fire parking and the guest list spot were the clinchers to pulling me out of the house. However, once I had settled into the dark and humid cavern-esque air of the 10 High, Rockets to Ruin's electrifying presence obliterated my blahs and awoke the snarling rock & roll demon from within.
We got there whilst the band was in their first or second song but it was enough to 1) rock my boxx 2) make me proud to see these cats getting the attention they deserve and 3) ALMOST make me regret not having put on make-up that night.
I've reviewed Rockets to Ruin at the Shug before (Here). After rereading what I wrote, I'm ashamed that I can't come up with anything better...or different. Sometimes, tho, some things don't need to be tampered with-and I'm referring to the band, not my review. Back to the show- there was equal crowd consumption by the new songs as there was from the old school favourites. Between Cleve's hot half naked body…I mean sensual front man charisma and sexy vocals, Mike's spine-tingling guitar solos, Chris’ larger than life bass-monster magnetism, and Rob’s always present drum king ingenuity (“god” is reserved for the Buddy Rich/Gene Krupas), a Rockets to Ruin gig is a guaranteed talent-filled performance. You won’t find choreographed moves, crazy stage props, eccentric outfits, and so on. A Rockets to Ruin show is simply rock & roll through and through. And the concert goers, made up of loyal fans/friends of the band as well as people who had never even heard them before, not only recognized this quality, but responded to it as if they had been treated to something spectacular, that was for Rockets to Ruin merely natural.
Also spotted in the crowd, for brotherly support and to watch his newest project in action, was Skid Row’s Rachel Bolan. Bolan is the band’s manager, and also produced their recent release “Love*Drugs*Rebellion”.
If I could give “Love*Drugs*Rebellion” human characteristics, I would envision it as standing there with one hand raised in the air giving devil horns around a bottle of beer- no Jack-while wearing sunglasses, dangling a smoke from its lips, and using the other hand to grab its crotch (nuts or cooter-depending). Chocked full of sinister bass licks, face kicking choruses, cliché lyrics, dirty guitar chords, killer solos, pounding drum resonance, driving atmosphere, and salacious vocals, this sophomore release is 20 songs of debauchery, and there are no regrets.
I assert that there are more anthematic songs- you know, the ones you bang your head to and sing along with, than not. Take the kick off to the album “We Are The Drugs” which unabashedly admits that Rockets to Ruin is your new r’n’r fix. “Take A Ride With Me” hides the sad loss of a friend behind angry guitars and wall-punching mood. “Devil Girl” is about, well, guess…
My highlights for “Screamin’ At Me” are the boys night out-like chorus and reaming guitar solo. “Burnin’” is an older song revived for the new chapter of Rockets to Ruin’s reign, and it’s one of my favourites cos it just pulls you into an internal mosh pit of sorts and I can’t help but say, yet again, how great of a guitarist Mike Grimmet is- a diamond in the rough here in the Atl scene. “1 More Fix” is a roller coaster of brooding mood that climaxes into rock vocal showmanship. “Helpless” is another old school tune that I love cos of the break out chorus, ear splitting solos, and lyrical meaning-it’s another song of a loved one lost (Hey, Rick- “thanks for coming”).
“Gotta Go, Gotta Roll” is another rebel yell of self-crowning rock & rule attitude- note: it ISN’T egotistical when it’s true. “Revolution” is another oldie that is just one of those songs that sticks with you- after all, it was the first song I “remembered” from show to show before I ever got one of their CDs. “Nowhere to Go (No Time to Care)” is the final installment of the Rockets to Ruin free spirited mind-set, which can also be referred to as “my way or fuck it”.
Wait. That’s only 10 songs. It’s 20 when I listen to it… on repeat.
“Love*Drugs*Rebellion” is available to order on the Rockets to Ruin website (rocketstoruin.com)