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Everyone loves summer, especially in the northern states. Part of the atmosphere that makes the hotter months so much fun (besides less clothing) is music,
both live and recorded. It becomes a soundtrack of sorts for the shared lifestyles of friendship tribes everywhere, and for many that means rock and roll. There are many bands that hard rock and heavy metal can look
to as musical pioneers. One of the most influential was the mighty GRAND FUNK RAILROAD. The group melded aggressive guitar riffs and flashy organ lines with party lyrics and, of course, quite a bit of funk in
the rhythm section. While a version of the band is touring this summer, it does not feature the most important ingredient of the original group, lead guitarist and lead singer MARK FARNER. It might be worth a peek,
but with former non-makeup KISS guitarist Bruce Kulick in tow, it seems hard to stomach. For a quality listening to Grand Funk, this writer recommends the recent reissued box set (digitally remastered, of course)
from Capital Records of the group's first four albums, as well as a fabulous CD of previously unreleased live cuts called simply "The 1971 Tour." Grand Funk makes for great summertime party music, so if you're
looking for goodtime discs to slap in the player, these would be great albums to enjoy before the impending freeze is upon us. ( www.hollywoodandvine.com/grandfunkrailroad )
THE HELLACOPTERS All I can say is, "Wow!" Every once in a while, something comes down the pike that is above and beyond the rest. The Hellacopters are metalheads from Sweden that have formed a sideband having more in common with Detroit than Scandinavia. Sounding like the MC5, The Stooges, and other early garage rockers, these guys do it up fun and loud! Their new disc, "Cream of the Crap," is amazingly good. ( www.gearheadrecords.com )
NIACIN Overdriven Hammond B3 organ dominates this power trio that also features ex-metalhead, bass virtuoso Billy Sheehan and drummer Dennis Chambers. Reminiscent of ELP in their most frantic and heavy days, Niacin blend rock, jazz, and classical for an awe-inspiring experience.
( www.magnacarta.net )
AXEL RUDI PELL The former STEELER guitarist has now released his twelfth solo ablum, "Shadow Zone." As usual, it's true to Pell's heavy metal roots. Chock full of catchy, slick riffs and extended solos, the CD will please those missing the eighties. ( www.axel-rudi-pell.de )
SILVERCRUSH Blending hard rock and pop, Silvercrush blast out of the unusual rock and roll birthplace of Salt Lake City, Utah. Dedicated to band leader Steele Craswhite's father, who died the night the band was offered a record deal, the songs are heartfelt an introspective without being sappy. ( www.redline-entertainment.com )
SCORPIONS A new best-of album has also acted as a catalyst for these German metal pioneers to tour again. The new disc, "Bad For Good: The Very Best of Scorpions," contains a decent selection of the band's material, though definitely not the heaviest. It also contains two new tracks that are marginal at best. Still, if you're into these guitar titans, you'll like this album. ( www.the-scorpions.com )
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