Billy Idol to celebrate 40TH Anniversary of landmark album 'Rebel Yell' with Deluxe Expanded Edition due April 26 via UMe

Check out the latest news on Billy Idol. The legendary rocker's outstanding "Rebel Yell" will be reissued via an expanded deluxe edition next month...Robert Kinsler

BILLY IDOL TO CELEBRATE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF LANDMARK ALBUM REBEL YELL WITH DELUXE EXPANDED EDITION DUE APRIL 26 VIA UMe INCLUDES PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED MATERIAL AND DEMOS FROM THE ERA, POOLSIDE REMIX OF “EYES WITHOUT A FACE” AND MORE PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED TRACK  “LOVE DON’T LIVE HERE ANYMORE” AVAILABLE ALONGSIDE PRE-ORDER ON FRIDAY, MARCH 8

March 6, 2024—Rock legend Billy Idol is set to celebrate the 40th anniversary of his landmark album Rebel Yell with a deluxe expanded edition due April 26 via Capitol/UMe. Available for pre-order on Friday, March 8, the reissue includes a selection of previously unreleased songs and demos, the Poolside remix of Idol’s smash hit “Eyes Without A Face” and the never-before-heard Billy Idol/Steve Stevens original “Best Way Out of Here” from the original sessions. Idol’s never-before-released cover of the Rose Royce single “Love Don’t Live Here Anymore” from the album’s original recording sessions will be available to download/stream on March 8 as well; pre-order the album and stream the new single on March 8 HERE.   Originally released in November 1983, Rebel Yell is the twice-platinum follow-up to Idol’s self-titled debut. The album features the iconic singles “Eyes Without a Face,” Flesh for Fantasy,” “Rebel Yell,” and “Catch My Fall.” The reissue is available in 2xLP, 2xCD, and digital formats. See below for complete track listings.   Idol recently released the concert film Billy Idol: State Line, a Vertigo Live concert film documenting his April 2023 show at the famed Hoover Dam—the first-ever concert performed at the location—on DVD and Blu-ray following a successful limited theatrical run (Read this writer's review of that title HERE). The film highlights the history and significance of Hoover Dam and includes performances from two unique sets of Billy Idol’s iconic hits: a full band concert at sunset with special guests that electrified and illuminated the surrounding Black Canyon, and an acoustic duo set on the roof of the powerhouse at the foot of Hoover Dam straddling the Colorado River, directly on the Nevada/Arizona state line. For both sets, Idol is joined by his longtime collaborator and guitar player Steve Stevens, as well as special guests Alison Mosshart (The Kills, The Dead Weather), Steve Jones (Sex Pistols, Generation Sex) and Tony Kanal (No Doubt). Watch/share the film’s trailer HERE. American Songwriter raves that Billy Idol: State Line is “outstanding…a must-see for even casual fans.” Order the DVD HERE and the Blu-ray HERE.   For 46 years, Billy Idol has been one of the definitive faces and voices of rock’n’roll. Between 1977 and 1981, Idol released three albums with Generation X as their camera-ready frontman. In 1982, he embarked on a transatlantic/trans-genre solo career that integrated the bold and simple lines of punk and rock’n’roll decadence. Touring consistently around the world for the last ten years and showing no signs of slowing down, Idol released both The Roadside EP in 2021 and The Cage EP in 2022 on Dark Horse Records, earning praise from fans and critics alike. In January, Idol cemented his name among Hollywood legends with the first Walk of Fame Star of 2023.    REBEL YELL (EXPANDED EDITION) TRACKLISTS 2xLP   DISC 1—SIDE A Rebel Yell Daytime Drama Eyes Without A Face Blue Highway   DISC 1—SIDE B Flesh For Fantasy Catch My Fall Crank Call (Do Not) Stand In The Shadows The Dead Next Door   DISC 2—SIDE A Best Way Out Of Here Love Don’t Live Here Anymore Daytime Drama (Demo) Flesh For Fantasy (Demo)   DISC 2—SIDE B Catch My Fall (Early Version) Crank Call (Demo) (Do Not) Stand In The Shadows (Demo) Eyes Without A Face (Poolside remix)     2xCD/DIGITAL ALBUM   DISC 1 Rebel Yell Daytime Drama Eyes Without A Face Blue Highway Flesh For Fantasy Catch My Fall Crank Call (Do Not) Stand In The Shadows The Dead Next Door   DISC 2 Best Way Out Of Here Love Don’t Live Here Anymore Daytime Drama (Demo) Flesh For Fantasy (Demo) Catch My Fall (Early Version) Crank Call (Demo) (Do Not) Stand In The Shadows (Demo) Rebel Yell (Session Take) Blue Highway (Original Demo) Flesh For Fantasy (Session Take) Catch My Fall (Original Demo) Motorbikin’ (Session Take) Eyes Without A Face (Poolside remix)   BILLY IDOL LIVE 2024 May 3—West Palm Beach, FL—Sunfest May 5—Atlanta, GA—Shaky Knees Festival May 10—Flagstaff, AZ—Pepsi Amphitheater May 14—Catoosa, OK—Hard Rock Hotel & Casino May 16—Lincoln, NE—Pinewood Bowl May 19—Gary, IN—Hard Rock Northern Indiana July 27—Portland, OR—Project Pabst   BILLYIDOL.NET

Blu-ray Essentials: 'Weird: The Al Yankovic Story', Bill Idol's 'State Line

Those looking to get the perfect gift for a favorite music lover in their life should consider picking up one or both of the terrific titles featured in this column.

Movie Title: Weird: The Al Yankovic Story (Shout! Factory)

You might like if you enjoy: "Weird Al" Yankovic, 1980s music, "This Is Spinal Tap" rockumentary, actor Daniel Radcliffe

Tell me more: "Weird Al" Yankovic's unique career path forged by a groundbreaking artist who writes, records and performs songs that are extremely funny while also poking fun at the world around him has made him a favorite since the late 1970s. Now the 2022 parody biopic Weird: The Al Yankovic Story has been released (the film is available on 4K UHD, Blu-ray and DVD formats) to own. Directed by Eric Appel, the film stars Daniel Radcliffe as "Weird Al" along with Evan Rachel Wood and Rainn Wilson. Not only is Weird: The Al Yankovic Story a compelling and seriously funny flick, but the newly issued title (released by Shout! Factory on Dec. 12, 2023) features a slew of terrific bonus features of interest to fans of the film and the multi-Grammy Award winning Yankovic. The "4K Ultra HD" version reviewed by this writer includes a new 4K master with HDR and Dolby Vision, a new audio commentary with Yankovic and Appel, a new presentation of deleted/extended/alternate scenes hosted by Yankovic and Appel, and a featurette on the making of the film. Additionally, there are movie trailers and promos, press interviews with the cast and crew, the lyric video for "Now You Know" and a fun "Late Night with Seth Meyers" interview with Yankovic and Radcliffe. Information: shoutfactory.com.

Artist: Billy Idol 
Title: State Line: Live At The Hoover Dam (MVD Visual)

You might like if you enjoy: Billy Idol, New Wave rock

Tell me more: Following its successful limited theatrical run, Billy Idol's historic and rousing performance at the Hoover Dam in April 2023 is now available on both DVD and Blu-ray (the latter reviewed here) courtesy of MVD Visual. The aptly-titled State Line: Live At The Hoover Dam chronicles the first-ever concert ever performed at the dramatic setting located on the Nevada/Arizona state line; Idol along with his terrific band and several notable guests are definitely up for the occasion and the film and bonus features capture every moment of the event. The audio and video quality on the Blu-ray are truly outstanding and the viewer is treated to a front row seat at every turn. Directed by George Scott and Vincent Adam Paul, the highlight of the title is the 16-track full length concert where Idol performs a mix of his enduring rock hits and compelling new songs. 

Billy Idol performing at the Hoover Dam.
Photo credit: Jane Stuart

Kicking things off with a hard rocking "Cradle of Love," Idol and the troupe of other musicians and backup singers are obviously having as much fun as the intimate crowd of 250 fans treated to attend the show in person. Sex Pistols guitarist Steve Jones and No Doubt bassist Tony Kanal join in the fun on "Dancing With Myself." There is not a single wasted moment during the performance; early standouts include the dynamic "Flesh for Fantasy" (featuring spectacular guitar work from Idol's longtime guitarist Steve Stevens), the reflective mid-tempo rocker "Bitter Taste," and semi-acoustic "Eyes Without a Face" where Idol showcases his strong vocals. Late performance highlights include a strong performance of "John Wayne" with Idol sharing lead vocals with singer Alison Mosshart (The Kills, The Dead Weather), the confessional melodic rocker "Running From The Ghost," spirted extended version of "Blue Highway," and rousing closer "White Wedding." Bonus features include an exclusive Q&A with Steve Stevens and an acoustic performance of "To Be A Lover," "Eyes Without a Face" and Rebel Yell." There is also a colorful six-panel concert booklet. Information: billyidol.net.

Robert Kinsler

Without A Doubt

 Here is a reposting of my original feature article published in The Orange County Register on December 15, 2020. Today (Oct. 10, 2020) marks the 25th anniversary since the release of No Doubt's "Tragic Kingdom" was released...Robert Kinsler

Without A Doubt

It's been a long and hard road for O.C.'s No Doubt - kind of like being stuck on I-5 at rush hour.

There may be a feeling among some that No Doubt made a quick ascension to alternative-music fame with the success of the single "Just A Girl" from the band's "Tragic Kingdom" album.

Wrong.

Fame has come long after countless setbacks for the Anaheim quartet. The roadblocks made the musical journey anything but easy.

Although "Tragic Kingdom" and the resulting MTV play of "Just A Girl" have earned No Doubt attention across the country, there is a long history that includes two previous full-length albums and several singles that the world doesn't know about.

"We got together in 1987 and didn't put out our first record until 1992," singer Gwen Stefani said. "We've always been this live band and never satisfied with what we had done in the studio."

The rags-to-almost-riches part of the band's story began when the members hooked up with Interscope Records in 1991. They had been mixing a self-produced album at South Coast Recording Studios in Santa Ana when artist and repertoire rep Tony Ferguson got them to sign.

"Actually, Interscope wanted us to put those tracks out and record a few others. We begged them (to) let us rerecord it, and we wanted to go in a better studio," Stefani said. "We've always been a live band, and the studio part of it has been something we've been lacking in as far as experience because we never has enough time in there."

The record company agreed and let No Doubt redo the songs. Yet, after the self-titled album was completed, the group felt ignored.

"For our first record, it was kind of like doing our own record because everything was hands-off. There was no real producer; there was a producer, but he just sat back. We put it out on Interscope, but it was like putting it out ourselves."

Stefani said the only support for the album came when the band toured. However, except for some scattered airplay via college radio, even Southern California stations such as KROQ/106.7 FM ignored it.

After the commercial failure of "No Doubt", Stefani said, Interscope was slow to allow the band to record a follow- up.

"We came back from tour and were ready to put music out and stuff like that; I think they wanted us to keep writing. I think record companies get nervous about your second record," Stefani said.

That's when No Doubt did what by industry standards is the unthinkable - recording - recording and releasing its own bootleg CD, "The Beacon Street Collection," featuring tracks penned between 1992 and early 1995.

"We did it because we were so frustrated with our situation," Stefani said. "We started by doing these vinyl singles in our garage. Our goal was to do a series of them and eventually put them on a CD... that was our dream. We went in one weekend and made this CD. Tony (Ferguson)asked us one day: 'Do you have a new single?' We said "No, we have this' and pulled out 'Beacon Street.' 'You have this?' He was shocked."

"Beacon Street" paved the way for Trauma Records - the division of Interscope to which No Doubt is signed - to allow No Doubt to release "Tragic Kingdom."

The group, which includes bassist Tony Kanal, guitarist Tom Dumont and drummer Adrian Young, understood the record company's delay in putting out the new album.

"I think Tony saw some kind of future for us back in 1991, we had to prove that with the songs on ('Beacon Street'). The first record was recorded in 1991 during the birth of grunge and that record doesn't even touch on that; it was happy No Doubt music," Stefani said, noting that the new record has a tougher guitar sound.

"I think it was an alternative to what was happening at the time. Now radio is more accepting of all different kinds of music; it's broken up a little bit."

Although No Doubt's roots are in ska, the band has developed a sound that blends that early style with punk, pop and reggae.

"We've always had a problem with having so many influences and kinds of styles; it's always created kind of a problem, but I think on this album we finally found a way for it to work and people not to freak out about it," she said.

"I think, when you're 16 or 17, you just imitate the music you love. At the time it happened to be ska. And we were all just learning our instruments. I never even sang before I was in No Doubt. We were all these kids."

After finishing the recording of "Tragic Kingdom," Stefani's brother, keyboardist Eric Stefani, decided to leave the band to pursue a full-time career in animation (among his credits is work on "The Simpsons"). Because Eric was a principal songwriter and an original member, his exit could have spelled the end of the band.

"He decided to just do that (animation) and step back from music," Gwen Stefani said, adding that her brother and the British ska band Madness ranked as her first musical influences. She also credits her brother with giving her the confidence to perform in a band.

"It's just as exciting for him to see the record doing well," she said.

However, the group made a commitment to continue. The members thought they owed that to the dedicated fans who kept No Doubt a draw on the live circuit. No Doubt fans plaster their cars with the band's colorful bumper stickers and often sport No Doubt tattoos.

Even though No Doubt doesn't play punk music, the shows reflect the kind of hard-core enthusiasm usually reserved for punk and speed metal bands.

"We're proud of being from Orange County," she said, acknowledging that in the early days the band got its share of jabs for being from behind the so-called Orange curtain. The cover and inside sleeve of "Tragic Kingdom" display oranges prominently.

Summed Stefani, "We decided to take pride in where we come from."