3/29/08 DEAD,JAIL,OR ROCK-N-ROLL:Book by Chris Lacey

A book review by Leah Burlington

I remember meeting Chris Lacey after a brief chat on Myspace and dropping in on him at work unexpectatly at Capriottis. Probably wasnt a good time to meet him. He looked Burnt out(little did I know that he really looks that way normally,heehee) and surprised to see me. We chatted over a Bobbie and I thought he was a really a sweet and intelligent guy once you got to know him.
I went to see his band Hell Patrol and it was a mess. He wrote about it in the book and yes I was there. It seemed like this guy had absolutely no luck. His singer was a mini Rob Halford that was crackin me up as he he tripped over Chris' bass cord and it all went to shit! I felt for the guy. Chris that is. After all the bad luck they at least got in a few good Priest songs in that actually sounded good. I told Chris that day that Priest is my fave band and if you suck I will tell you. They werent that bad, it was just that singer that freaked me out a little...lol! Chris was just so happy to be playing.
Another time I remember was a party that he met me at at the Pollyesters at the Stratosphere where CC Deville was supposed to put in an appearance...he did but he fell way off the wagon, I heard and was no-where to be found. Chris was totally wasted and we went up an elevator with another guy and a couple other peeps to go to this private party, when he jokingly hit his head against the wall. This other tertosteroned out, total crazy sonofabitch freaked out and tried to start a fight with him. The guy's eyes freaked me out..they were red like he was going to kill Chris. I totally sober,got in the middle of what could have been my ass, and got Chris away from this idiot! I just knew I had to step in or Chris would have been pulverized. I think this guy was on Rhoids. It was scary! Lets just say it was the scariest moment of my life getting between two fucked up guys getting ready to brawl. I got Chris in the elevator and outta the casino and away from the secrurity guys that were watching us like hawks. I gave him a ride home and he was so damn grateful. I was like, "Its cool man, no worries." I still wonder why I didnt just fly outta that place by myself and leave them to fight.....I just felt I had to help him. It was the right thing to do...
Anyway, when he said he was moving to Memphis and writing a book, I didnt know what to believe. I am telling you, I barely remember most of the late 80's because I was always wasted. No drugs mind you, never did them, but alcohol was always on the agenda wherever we went. I was out partying at least 3-4 days out of the week back then, and sometimes I still do that. You think I would grow up and lead a normal life one of these days. But with the resurgence of METAL in the last few years its just been like being in my 20's again. Most my girlfriends say that. But what I was trying to say was, I dont hardly remember shit from most the nights I was out back then. How was a burn-out like Chris going to write his memories in a book??? Well he did, my friends and I think some of it he wished he didnt remember. I know he kept a journal, so that helped him a lot. But a lot of it got stolen. How did he do it, because I know I could write a book about my experiences in the rock n roll scene,but a lot of it is a blur. I know that is sad,but dammit I had fun!! I know Chris had fun because a lot of his story is funny in places ,some of the shit he and his friends did and got away with! He had the time of his life and a lot of times he had to pay the price. He is an alcoholic and is as I write this like over 45 days sober.(which I am proud of him!) But he has done this before. Cleaned up. I can only pray he can stay clean because he cannot party with a "few" drinks,he has to drink a case and then go insane. Thats why I dont drink Tequila or Jack. That shit makes me grow horns and a tail, I tell people that all the time. I understand how it is man. I become insane too, he just needs a lot more to get "there" than I do..
Chris after drinking a case of beer....


On to the book: I read this book in 3 sittings and at work walking down the halls to the EDR. It was so absorbing,it felt like you were there. I felt the need for a shower after some of this stuff he wrote about!! Living on the streets,doing every drug imaginable,dirty sex with several women,eating out of a dumpster, time in jail,and so on. It was like watching a train wreck...I could not look away. I had to see how it all turned out and ALL the gory details...it was so funny sometimes I had to laugh out loud . He did some silly shit man!!
As he said; it is the tale of the unknown rocker that never " Made It", it just reminds me of watching Decline and Fall of Western Civilization Part 2 and wondering what happend to all those cats that said they would "Make It" as rock stars no matter what. When Penelope Miller asked them again, what they would do if they didnt and the guys would all say...I WILL make it... there isnt any other option. That was Chris. He was "one" of those guys. He wasnt in the movie,but might as well have been. Looks to me this story is a LOT of what happened to those guys that didnt make it big in Hollywood back in the day. It is probably all their stories to one extent or another. So it makes me sad when being in the "scene" in those days and having all that fun and seeing how terrible this guys life was in the aftermath. Actually a lot of the bad shit happened to him were during the greatest times of the late 80's scene. I just didnt see it that way. I guess I was naive because I never saw all that drug use and stayed away from people that did that shit. Later I have found out that most of them were on something. I had no idea!
So after reading this testimonial to a drug and alcohol hazed life, I have found a new respect for my buddy Chris. He DID IT!! He wrote a kick ass book that every rocker should read. No.. any person that is into drugs and has alcohol addiction. Anyone that can handle a good but heartwrenching story about a guy who loved rock n roll so much and wanted to be a rockstar, but let drugs and alcohol get in the way. I am sure this has happend to many people. This shit goes hand in hand ya know. If you didnt come out a casuality of of the 80's you were lucky. I am one of "those" lucky ones. I came out with some great memories and some not so great, and even none at all at times, but guess what, I survived the decade of decadance and so did Chris. He is alive and here to tell about it. He is the unknown rocker,his name is not important, his stories are....

Love ya Chris!!! Rock the fuck on!!!

Here is how you can get Dead,Jail, Or Rock n Roll: Use this link not the photo....
https://www.lulu.com/commerce/index.php?fBuyContent=2154238

(PS: I just realised that Chris gave me an acknowledgement in the front page of the book thanking me with a bunch of other cool people. I could barely read it through the autographed sweet note that he wrote to me in the book.That is an honor to me man. Thank you!
I have also been acknowledged in Lonn Friends book " Life on Planet Rock" and my photos printed in the new Judas Priest tribute book called "Heavy Metal Painkillers"... now I gotta ask ya.."How does it get better than this?" I am a lucky person!!)



Chris' Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/deadjailorrockandroll

I give this book \m/\m/\m/\m/\m/ horns WAY up!!

3/6/08 W.A.S.P. & Fatal Smile @ The Canyon Club

W.A.S.P. Crimson Idol 15th anniversary tour @ The Canyon Club W/ Fatal Smile:



I was the biggest WASP fan in 85-86 when I lived in Washington State. I used to listen to their music when I was at my shitty job and dream about meeting the kick-ass band that helped me through some deep emotional shit I was dealing with at the time. One dayI went into a music store with my WASP pins on my black leather jacket and this chick, Pam, that worked at the store told me that Randy Piper was her brother. Well I was stoked and shocked to say the least because I lived in a very small town and how do you explain that this person lived across the bridge from me in Astoria Ore. and was Randys sister... and I now know that what you wish for the most will come true if you believe and are focused on it. This kind of shit has happened to me several more times in my life than you can imagine since then. I now know its all about the Secret.(Watch the movie!!) So she and I became fast friends and she asked me if I wanted to go to the WASP show in Portland Ore, and I was like Hell yes!! So we met up there and she took my friend and I to Randy's hotel room and we met the killer guitarist that is behind so many amazing solos on the first two records.
Me on Randy's lap with my other friend...

He was charming and sweet and made us feel like we were the only fans in the world. I found out later that my girlfriend wasnt his sister but knew her ..(LONG story) Then we went to see WASP open for KISS on the Asylum tour and I thought at the time that WASP blew KISS off the friggen stage!! They were a spectacle. You gotta know back in 86' WASP was in their prime and Blackie was public enemy #1!!! He was the frontman from hell. He WAS the shit!! Randy was also one of the coolest dudes onstage at the time and so was Chris Holmes(before he was always drunk!) It was the most awesome show I had ever seen. We got backstage after the show and got to meet the band..I was so in Awe of Blackie and he could have given a fuck that I drew a bunch of drawings of him, even though he did seem to like what I did.(Couldnt really tell) I got my bubble blown that day and to THIS day after meeting him a few more times, I know that he is kind of an asshole. He is reserved and is a recluse on the road. He wont meet his fans and if you are lucky enough to meet the guy,he is just so blase' about the whole meeting fans experience. So ya gotta know after that I wasnt into WASP much anymore. I went on with my friend Pam to see them in Seatlle the next day and then that was about it. I know that sometimes meeting your heros isnt the best thing you can do...beleive me. They can blow your whole image of them ...that is one of the only times I regretted meeting a hero of mine since then, thankfully.

So I wasnt into them when Crimson Idol came out but my ex,Bobby was really into that cd. He played it for me and made me realise that Blackie had some greatness in him after the first two records. I lost faith in him because he didnt live up to a 19 year olds expectations. I know the guy is a creative genius but just isnt a very friendly guy to his fans,and probably anyone esle. I was pissed at what he did to Randy Piper, too, who was one of the sweetest rockers I had ever met. So I guess I was a little bitter. Now I recognize the man behind the music and have been going to his shows for a few years now. Crimson Idol is a sick ass record with a storyline that will bring tears to your eyes.
Blackie Lawless...and no he is not related to Lucy Lawless...

When they played this muisc live at the Canyon Club, I was in awe because the story was being played out on the screens behind them and the music was just intense!!
Doug Blair!!

Mike Duda!!

He has a great band behind him and they are a bit overshadowed by Blackie, but their talent just shone through! From start to finish I was overwhelmed by the story and the music and was almost brought to tears. I remember when Bobby and I met him a few years ago and asked him if any of this story was autobiographical and he said yes some of it, I felt for the man. I think I understood him better. This was a killer, intense show! I am glad I got to see it.
There ya even got a story from me... it had to be told.
The man that is still not black enough....

WASP: Hold on to my Heart!!! Love this song off Idol and it was beautiful played live!!

Another version of Hold on to my Heart with Johnny Rod and accoustic...WOW!! He can really sing!!!

FATAL SMILE!!!

Before WASP we were treated to a seriously wonderful band from Sweden called Fatal Smile. I loved these guys with their 80's swagger and long ass hair that was reminecient of the hair bands back in the day. I think they have been playing like this for years because they are about as old as I am. I loved their music and they sold out of their new cd called "World Domination" or I would have bought it! They kick ass and need to be at Rocklahoma...they would fit right in. Their singer Blade is like a tornado ontage...
BLADE!

And the gorgeous Mr. Y makes your thighs sweat watching him on the guitar! He SMOKES!!!


Zteff the wicked drummer!

They are on a world domination tour so get out there and go see these guys do their stuff!! They RAWK!!!
Fatal Smile with a differnt singer..thats defeniatly not BLADE!!! Dammit they need a new video!!


W.A.S.P. myspace:http://http//www.myspace.com/wasp
Fatal Smile myspace: http://www.myspace.com/fatalsmile1
Randy Piper myspace:http://www.myspace.com/randy_piper
(Another quickie story is this: Randy used to live here in Vegas for a bit and we would hang out here and there. There was a guy way back that used to impersonate Blackie and hang out here at the clubs. I totally called him out on this foolishness and pissed a few of my friends off because they really thought it was him. I used to have his posters all over my room and I knew this mans face like the back of my hand and I just laughed at him. A few years after that when Randy lived here I was at Club Rock and Chris Holmes and this "Blackie" guy came in...I called Randy and he came right down and totally called the guy out again and made him look like an idot!!! Then we proceeded to almost get kicked out of the club because Randy and Chris hadnt seen each other in ages,they about tore the place up and Randy was riding on Chris's back at one point and it was crazy! I kept them from getting kicked out with "you know who these guys are???" They left them to their drinking and nuttiness...I dont remember much after that.... All I can say is if you would have told me in 86' that something like that would happen to me with the members of WASP, I would have told you, you were NUTS!!!LMFAO!!!
Another time we went looking for Randy's guitar with Randy,beer in hand at 11am at a swap meet, but THATS another story...hehehe!) Miss ya Randy!!!!
I would give this show \m/\m/\m/\m/\m/ WAY UP!!!!

3/04/08 ROCKLAHOMA LINE-UP ANNOUNCED!!!

THERE ARE SOME KILLER BAND RE-UNITING FOR THIS EVENT!!! IT IS GOING TO RAWK BEING AS KIX AND BLACK N BLUE ARE PLAYING!!!!!!!!YAY!!!

2008 ROCKLAHOMA LINEUP ANNOUNCED


HOLLYWOOD, CA— The line up for 2008's Rocklahoma was announced by Catch the Fever Music Festivals at a press conference held at the historic Whisky A Go Go in West Hollywood.

Hosted by nationally syndicated DJ and VJ Eddie Trunk, the press conference was attended by Bret Michaels, front man of Poison, all of Warrant featuring Jani Lane, along with members of Cinderella, LA Guns, Enuf Z Nuff, Beautiful Creatures, Night Ranger, XYZ, Pretty Boy Floyd, Vain, and Lynch Mob. Trunk, who is heard nationally and on XM Satellite Radio's channel 41 The Boneyard and is seen as the VH on VH-1 Classic, invited rock fans worldwide to attend Rocklahoma, June 10-13, 2008, at the Catch the Fever Festival grounds in Pryor Oklahoma. The press conference was broadcasted live on XM's Boneyard Channel 41, as well as streamed on Wyldside Radio.

Over 80 bands will be performing on three giant stages over June 10 through June 13th. As announced, Rocklahoma's initial lineup on the main stage is:

Thursday (Pre Party for those who have bought three day tickets) Bret Michaels, LA Guns featuring Tracii Guns, Enuf Z Nuff, Vain, House of Lords and Jet Boy.

Friday: XYZ, Armored Saint, Kingdom Come, Night Ranger, TBA, Triumph and TBA.

Saturday: Pretty Boy Floyd, Every Mother's Nightmare, Tora Tora, Black N Blue, Trixter, Kix, Warrant featuring Jani Lane and Cinderella

Sunday: Axe, Beautiful Creatures, Zebra, Lynch Mob, TBA, Tesla and TBA

Additional bands on the main stage will be added in the upcoming weeks. The initial lineup and bands are subject to change as bands are added and the exact schedule is arranged.

Two side stages adjacent to the main stage feature over twenty-eight regional artists on each stage.

The Retrospect Records stage includes the following bands: Jester, Sidekixx, Pair-A-Dice, Front Runner, Tommy Had a Vision, Valor, Gypsy Blue, Whitefoxx, Blue Tiger, Wild August, Messang, Paul Shortino, Mariah, Warryor, Bad Candy, Lorraine, Nasty Nasty, Real Steel, Cuttlass, Vyper, Mass, Bad Candy, Oney, Strikeforce, Herazz, Reckless, Heartless, Ron Keel, Warryor and Alibi.

On the Tri-Label Group stage has Texas Hippie Coalition, Karnevil featuring Dario Lorina, Dirty Penny, Crooked X, Gypsy Pistoleros, Sweet FA, Banshee, Gods of Kansas, Lipstick Magazine, Pownd, Shadowside, Mindflow, Warmachine, Asphalt Valentine, Krucible featuring Lance King.


Rocklahoma is the world's largest Rock Festival of its type featuring bands from the eighties. Attendance is expected from all fifty states, every Province in Canada and every country in Europe.

Located four miles north of Pryor, OK, off Highway 69, the Catch the Fever facilities include over 6,200 assigned and numbered seats, as well as general admission on the lawn for over 50,000 people. The grounds also feature over 4,000 campsites, on-site parking, bathroom facilities, a convenience store, and overnight security provided by Mayes County Sheriff's Department. Rocklahoma features a Picture Alley that allows anyone in attendance to approach the stage during any performance and take photographs of a favorite artist at close range.

General Admission Tickets and V.I.P. tickets to Rocklahoma are currently on sale and available by calling toll free 866-310-2288 or by going online at www.feverfest.com.