The G-SPOT by Gerry Gittelson

March 31, 2015

DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY Wow! The city of Hollywood shuts down for Van Halen

DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY Wow! The city of Hollywood shuts down for Van Halen By Gerry Gittelson Metal Sludge Editor at Large HOLLYWOOD — Streets were closed in Hollywood on Monday, March 30 for a special outdoor performance by Van Halen, and as darkness set in, the ground-breaking Los Angeles rock band was greeted by a frenzied, overflow crowd that went absolutely crazy for the foursome’s 30-minute set filled with anthems like “Jamie’s Cryin’,”[…]

January 25, 2015

Swedish rockers Hardcore Superstar among the performers at NAMM 2015

EVERYONE WANTS NAMM, I WANT NAMM, TOO Metal Sludge exclusive: Swedish rockers Hardcore Superstar among the performers at NAMM 2015 By Gerry Gittelson Metal Sludge Editor at Large ANAHEIM, Calif., USA — The annual NAMM convention gets bigger — and better — every year, and it was another successful event this past weekend, highlighted by Steel Panther and Hardcore Superstar teaming up at the official NAMM Jam before an overflow crowd of about 2,000 at[…]

November 5, 2014

Charlie Overbey, formerly known as Kit Ashley of BIG BANG BABIES returns to VIPER ROOM

FORMER BIG BANG BABIES FOUNDER IS ALL GROWN UP Metal Sludge exclusive: Once a Sunset Strip sensation in the post-Poison glam era, Charlie Overbey, formerly known as Kit Ashley, is set to make his grand return with his new band Broken Arrows at the Viper Room By Gerry Gittelson Metal Sludge Editor at Large HOLLYWOOD –Big Bang Babies might have been the most popular band on the Sunset Strip never to sign a major[…]

November 1, 2014

FASTER PUSSYCAT returns to the SUNSET STRIP for Halloween concert

SMELLS LIKE TEEN PUSSY Faster Pussycat makes triumphant return to Sunset Strip with Halloween concert at Whisky By Gerry Gittelson Metal Sludge Editor at Large HOLLYWOOD — It was Halloween night on the Sunset Strip on Friday, Oct. 31, and Taime Downe was up to his old tricks at the Whisky, where Faster Pussycat has been playing to sell-out crowds throughout the legendary glam band’s 28-year career. This was a particularly special evening, as Downe’s[…]

August 3, 2014

MCHAEL SWEET and STRYPER pack the WHISKY on the SUNSET STRIP

HOW SWEET IT IS Led by singer Michael Sweet, Stryper plays to capacity crowd at Whisky By Gerry Gittelson Metal Sludge Editor at Large HOLLYWOOD — Stryper came to the Whisky on Thursday, July 31, and wow the place was really packed for a non-weekend performance, as a crowd of what looked to be close to 1,000 showed up in a venue that comfortably fits about half that many. The band seemed to feed off the energy,[…]

July 11, 2014

A tribute to Jimi, Hendrix’s Gypsys debut in Hollywood at WHISKY

WHATEVER IT IS, THIS BAND PUTS A SPELL ON YOU Metal Sludge exclusive: A new rock band called Hendrix’s Gypsys would make Jimi proud By Gerry Gittelson Metal Sludge Editor at Large LOS ANGELES — Hendrix’s Gypsys purports themselves as more than just a Jimi Hendrix tribute act or cover band – and rightfully so. Like Hendrix, guitarist J.P. Cervoni plays left-handed, and for years he played with Buddy Miles, the former[…]

June 28, 2014

Let It Rawk debut in Hollywood with All-Star line up

RISING ACT LET IT RAWK PEFORMS SUCCESSFUL CONCERT AT WHISKY, AS CROWD GOES WILD By Gerry Gittelson Metal Sludge Editor at Large HOLLYWOOD — An up-n-coming all-star jam band called Let It Rawk made its Los Angeles debut, and the five-man group is led by ex-L.A. Guns guitarist Stacey Blades and they’re red hot. Let It Rawk performed before a near-capacity crowd on Thursday, June 26 at the Whisky, and the place was[…]

June 26, 2014

The Babys are back with a new music CD "I’ll Have Some Of That"

WITH A NEW CD CALLED ‘I’LL HAVE SOME OF THAT!’, THE BABYS ARE BACK, AND THE BRITISH BAND IS BETTER THAN EVER By Gerry Gittelson Metal Sludge Editor at Large HOLLYWOOD — One of the biggest comeback stories in rock is the return of The Babys, and the iconic band celebrated the release of its new CD “I’ll Have Some of That!” with a special private performance on Wednesday, June 25 at Joe’s[…]

June 24, 2014

Hard rock veterans The Hard Way trudge forward on the Sunset Strip with decades of experience behind them.

Singer Eric Jeffrey’s band The Hard Way is among the best rock acts you’ve probably never heard of, but the group is just one big break from striking it big By Gerry Gittelson Metal Sludge Editor at Large HOLLYWOOD — The plan 25 years ago was to be a millionaire rock star by now. After all, young singer Eric Jeffreys had the look, the training (including graduating from Berklee School of Music) and[…]

June 21, 2014

METAL SLUDGE EXCLUSIVE: With an explosive rock CD called "Dig," Heaven & Earth is plugging away with a new rhythm section, but the band is as strong as ever heading into a European tour.

DIG THIS METAL SLUDGE EXCLUSIVE: With an explosive rock CD called “Dig,” Heaven & Earth is plugging away with a new rhythm section, but the band is as strong as ever heading into a European tour By Gerry Gittelson Metal Sludge Editor at Large LOS ANGELES — Heaven & Earth, led by heralded guitarist Stuart Smith, made a huge splash in 2013 with their CD “Dig,” considered among the best rock releases in[…]