Reign in Blonde [noun; plural] - Two tall, blonde chicks who bring the metal. We're not know-it-alls, and we don't 'report' unbiasedly. This is our blog where we simply discuss what's on our brutal minds. Bon Appetit.
In the morning while I get ready for work (around 7 am), I often watch AMTV. This is the only time of day that MTV actually plays music videos. INORITE?? They still do that? Yeah, yeah… Anyway, this video for Orianthi’s “According to You” is one that’s been in quite heavy rotation lately.
I first heard of Orianthi several months back because she was hired as Michael Jackson’s guitarist for his “final shows” in London. That was, before he died. There was some rehearsal footage that featured her playing alongside him, and I, like many others, was all WHO DAT? Well, she has a solo career now. And if I had to make a list of the best blonde female guitar players that don’t play metal….I guess she’d top it. Seriously, she’s got it goin’ on. It leads me to wonder if she could have actually done something better than what she did with this single. I mean, doesn’t this just sound an awful lot like “Since U Been Gone?” Not that there’s anything wrong with that, but c’mon, the girl’s got chops. (Fast forward to 2:10 to see what I mean.) Should we expect something more? I sure can’t do any of that fast finger shit.
I guess I can’t argue with it, if this was indeed her “artistic vision.” Maybe she’s just a great guitar player, but can’t write anything “spectacular”….? What do you guys think? Can/should Orianthi do better? Is there someone else in the biz not living up to their talent? Spill.
Oh boy, here we go. Remember when I said that my iPod kinda knows me better than an inanimate object ever should? It’s happened once again. Guess what I heard more than once today?
Yep. When Evanescence first came out, I was OBSESSED- and I continued to be obsessed for a couple of years. But then Amy Lee decided that they were gonna take a break… so I decided I would too. We had a lovely affair, Ev and I, but as they say: If you love someone thing, let it go. If they don’t come back it was never meant to be. I’m waiting for them to come back. In the meantime, I have the memories…
One of my faves is “Going Under”. You can bet your bottom dollar that my 15 year old self tried immitate that look to the fullest. It’s this video that kinda makes me miss the days of being a brunette. Key word is “kinda”.
Back during my college days, a friend of mine used to throw parties and play nothing but awesome early-mid 90’s R&B/dance music. Some staples to that mix included the likes of La Bouche, Real McCoy, and Aqua. My buddy used to always joke about these bands because they all had one thing in common: “the other guy.“ What I mean is, each of those groups had a male rapper who was always overshadowed and played second fiddle to the female lead vocalist. We so endearingly referred to these guys as “rappers who never quite made it.” <3
European femme metal has a similar thing goin’ on. The main focal point is always the stunning yet graceful female lead. But for whatever reason, there’s always some “other guy” singing or um, “grunting” behind her. I’ve never kept it a secret on here that this stuff isn’t really my thing, but seeing that “other guy” there always cracks me the hell up. They always sound so horrendous.
I don’t know how most of these femme metal bands form, but I can’t help but imagine a scenario where a bunch of guys get together all like WE’RE GONNA START A BAND!!! and one guy is all I’M GONNA BE THE SUPER COOL LEAD SINGER!!!!!! and then the rest of the guys go behind his back and hire some chick. Dreams = crushed.
Well, “other guys,” if you’re out there reading this, just know that I “appreciate” all your “hard work.” This one’s for you. Thanks for all the laughs….
3. Women in metal are always good looking. I can’t remember a woman in metal has been criticized as ‘not good looking’. I’ve often been photographed in my Sporty Spice outfit at 7 a.m. on many of my runs on tour. And there have been no complaints so far. Thank heaven!
Umm…I think I know a guy or two who would disagree with you, but uhhhh whatever. And no complaints? EVER?? Give it a couple years, homegirl…
Part of me really wants to write the TOP 5 REASONS LIV KRISTINE CAN SUCK IT but I’m afraid it’ll just be too exhausting.
I’m totally stoked you found a new keyboardist!DEATHxCORE LIVEZ ON, YO.\m/
But hey..listen.Just incase this doesn’t work out…I’m a chick. Can I be your next keyboardist? I haven’t played the piano since I was in junior high or whatever, but I have BOOBS! (sort of)
Our broski’s over at MetalSucks have been teasing their readers in the last hot minute with a “mystery” tour annoucement. The lineup’s no longer a secret, and I must admit that I did a little dance when I saw who it was:
MetalSucks Presents: The Tyrants of Metal North American Tour 2010 with Arch Enemy, Exodus, Arsis, and Mutiny Within
I would love to see Exodus, but I’m way more excited for Arch Enemy. They were literally the first “heavy” band I had ever listened to and the band that made me more interested in finding out what metal was about- thus turning me into the little 5’8 1/2” blonde monster I am today- but I have shockingly never seen them live.
Without a doubt, RiB will be represented at the 1/22 show at the Nokia Theatre in NYC. Will we see YOU there?
Don’t you just hate it when a band puts out a decent song, and follows it up with a sub-par video? Me too. Must be Wednesday…
So I’ve been a fan of Flyleaf for a while now, and have seen them live twice. Someday I’ll figure out what it is about White Metal (Demon Hunter, yesssssss) that I like so much, but I digress. Flyleaf’s first/last/debut album came out in 2005 and they’ve pretty much been nonstop touring since. A good thing, for them and for fans, but GOD DAMN I was losing faith (double pun, did you see that?) in them as a band since I had heard nothing about a new album and it’s almost 2010 (Who are you, Evanescence?).
But now, a new album is on the horizon- just in time for my birthday actually, on 10/27- entitled Memento Mori. Fingers are crossed that it’s good. I’m diggin’ the new single at least, and my girl crush on Lacey Mosley is still intact. Barely metal? Yes. Totally wussy? Not so much.
Had to do it. I saw Kittie last week at BB Kings, and I don’t care what you haters say, those Canadian bitches are back and more fierce than ever.
Over the years, my Halloween costumes have ranged from super creative to pretty traditional, one of the latter being a witch. Maybe 8th grade? I don’t know, who cares really. But ain’t nothing more traditional for Halloween than a good old witch costume, and some good witchy music. Thanks Kittie, way to come through.
I’m a huge dork in that I always get a really big kick out of anything that looks or sounds like my name. I’ve never heard of this band Elis before, but I’m checking them out now and go figure…they’re awful:
Anyway…for those of you who actually do like stupid femme metal, Elis have a new album coming out. What whattttttttttt…
In just a couple of hours, I’ll be seeing one of my old faves, Kittie at BB Kings in NYC. Before any show I attend, I make sure to overdose on all of that band’s music as a method of getting myself pumped. I was doing just that when I realized that current Kittie guitarist Tara McLeod has achieved the unthinkable: She is officially the second woman since Talena Atfield to be featured on two consecutive Kittie albums.
Kudos, Tara. Keep up the good work. If you make it to the next album, you be right behind Morgan and Mercedes in terms of staying power. Keep on keeping on.
And for good times sake, here’s the last video featuring that old nutty bassist Talena Atfield. You girls have certainly come a long way…
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