The Danger Danger E-zine

LIVING DANGEROUSLY

"For the fans, By the Fans"

Issue 1, Vol 1

by Mary Ouellette

Bruno Bruno...er...ah....Bravo Bravo

Can we just say THANKS? Seriously....the support you showed after the first issue of this zine, was overwhelming, and for that we thank thee. People really came out of the woodwork singing our praises and lemme tell ya, a few pats on the back sure does go a long way! And just for that...we're sending you ALL to DISNEYLAND! =] Okkaaaay..well...maybe NOT, but, we would if we could. And...it IS the thought that counts right? Anyways, thanks a million...you keep us strong!!

Well...after asking you to give us your thoughts and ideas....here's a rundown of what YOU wanted to know, in random order of course....IS THE RARITIES ALBUM THE ALBUM THAT THEY ARE RECORDING RIGHT NOW OR IS THERE A NEW ORIGINAL ALBUM IN THE WORKS? WHERE THE HELL IS ANDY? WHAT ABOUT KASEY? WHY DO THEY NEED A GUITAR PLAYER..I THOUGHT RAVEL PLAYED GUITAR? WHAT COLOR ARE STEVE's UNDERWEAR? Yadda Yadda Yadda...... Soo...I'm going to try to cover it all here...bear with me though, I am but one measley lil chick. =]

Okay...okay...First of all...sorry if I confused you. There are two very separate albums. RARITIES is done, and will be available very soon. Its a nostalgic album..with never released tunes and Ted on vocals. The current D2 line up is working on a new original album as we speak, and...a lil further on in the zine Bruno will give you some more insight on that. .Andy's alive and well, and is still great friends with the band. In fact..he lent his skills to FOUR and it is likely that you'll hear him on future albums. He will not however be a full time member of the band. We're going to run an interview with Andy in the future, so..if there are specifics you'd like to ask him....send them on in!!! Kasey is also doing well and is living in Queens. Bruno is very capable of playing guitar, yes...but..bass is his passion and the band really wants to find a permanent guitarist, especially before they hit the road. As far as Steve's underwear go...that's one place where NO MARE has gone before...so..you'll have to direct those question's to him directly. By the way...many people seemed interested in Q & A sections with band members. I'm all for it..just send those question's in ASAP and will start it next issue...they can be serious, silly....whatever floats your boat...

Okay....thanks for sending in your pix...here's what you had to say:

Fave tunes: Helicopter, Crawl & Nobody Cares were the winners off of DAWN. Jaded, Sick Little Twisted Mind, Goin all the Way and Captain Bring Me Down were the winners on Four. I was actually pretty surprised by the results! Go figure!

Not so fave tunes: On DAWN you picked Nobody Cares, Hard and Mother Mercy as your NON-faves. Four didnt have a lot of not-so-faves....in fact.....all you could come up with was ...I Don't Need You. So...I guess thats a GOOD thing!

Note of Interest: Nobody Cares made it onto both lists...hmm...time for the royal rumble...we need a tie breaker...is it a Yay or a Nay???

Well..I tried to get a lil insight on what we were in store for with this brand new album....I went straight to the sources...and here's what I found out:

"My idea for the next album will be....LESS....Less production, more depth. It's kinda hard to explain, but you'll understand when it comes out. I felt that "4" was a bit overproduced. (My doing) The songs didn't have room to breathe. Too much stuff going on. The next one will be straight ahead and in your face...More "Meat"....It'll be heavier than "4" too....More in the "Sick", "Kickin" vein....but of course with that signature "D2" flare...."~~~~Bruno

Well...since the guys are busy recording...and there's no hopes of a tour in sight until they are done...I thought it would be fun to take a trip down memory lane and ask the guys about their previous touring experiences...here's what they had to say:

WHATS THE COOLEST SHOW YOU EVER PLAYED?:

Bruno: KISS, "Hot in the Shade", tour 1990, Miami Arena.
We were #1 in that area, like the Beatles! It was WILD and a lot of people that came to the show were there for US! I was stunned. Our response was better then Kiss'. The show was short, but I had'em eatin out of my hands. Definitely a rush.

Paul: Opening for Bryan Adams in from of 30,000 people at Calgary's Olympic Park. (Which is an outdoor venue...) Full on eh!

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE SONGS TO PLAY LIVE?

Bruno: Beat the Bullet, Helicopter and Naughty

Paul: There isn't one in particular...It's whatever the audience is most amped on that night. That makes a certain song a favorite of the evening.

WHAT ARE YOUR LEAST FAVES TO PLAY LIVE?

Bruno: All the ballads (yawn) and Bang Bang

Paul: One that makes us get pelted with rocks and garbage...(I'd stay away from a hearty rendition of the SPICE GIRLS "Wannabe then if I were you"~Mary)

WHAT SONGS OFF OF FOUR THE HARD WAY DO YOU LOOK FORWARD TO PLAYING LIVE IN THE STATES?

Bruno: Sick little Twisted Mind and Goin Goin Gone...those are cool.

Paul: Still Kickin....we opened with that overseas so its always good for an adrenaline rush.....

Long gone but not forgotten...many of you inquired about Mr. Poley. Soo...we went directly to the sources...here's what they had to say:

Since exiting D2 Ted Poley has put out 3 albums (1 being LIVE),Toured England twice, released a video,won an award from frontiers Magazine for Disappearing Inc, and is currently doing a solo project. He just recently did a Sound clip for Sega.

On a personal note.......

Ted married Tiffany 2 years ago and is living happily in Pa.

He still has Peebles and Bobaloo..who are doing well.....

He wishes his fans LOVE and SUPPORT for all they gave him and continue to give him, nd wishes the old friends all the best in their future..........

And there ya have it. For further info on Ted's projects you can email Boneted@aol.com.

Staying true to bringing you the latest in useless information..I thought it would be fun to hear what the D2 gang thinks of MTV's latest "VOICE OF ROCK N ROLL"...Jesse. Maybe it's something we're better off not knowing! =]

Bruno: I don't really have an opinion on him one way or the other. I kinda dig him cause he's so unassuming and unpretentious , but I feel that others (non rockers) look at him and think "What a joke", and that dosen't make me feel good.....after all...he IS waving the Hard Rock flag.

Paul: I don't get MTV up here in the great white north.....Jesse...guy or

girl? Hemaphrodite? Probably a whore for money and personal

recognition,aren't you Jesse? Can I go on Jerry Springer Now?

This review was sent to us by a Danger Danger fans Mom. She received the zine at home and expressed her sons admiration for the band and was cool enough to share this review of the band that her son did. So...take the time to read it...and give this guy the applause he deserves!

"The album of the year has arrived. And for lovers of heavy AOR it may well be the album of the decade. The band known in the late 80's for such pop metal smashes as "Naughty Naughty," and "Bang Bang" have returned with what can be called a masterpiece of melodic hard rock. A guilty pleasure. An addictive listen from start to finish.

Like their brilliant sophomore album, "Screw It!," "Four The Hard Way" features the excellent songwriting of bassist/guitarist Bruno Ravel and drummer Steve West who once again prove that they are the most underrated writing team in melodic hard rock. However, older fans will discover that frontman Ted Poley's familiar croon is nowhere in earshot. Enter vocalist Paul Laine, former backup vocalist for numerous 80's bands and featured on the band's last disc "Dawn." For those skeptical of his ability, all worries are quickly dismissed as Paul shrieks, growls, and serenades as good if not better than Ted. This man can really sing his heart out.

Joining the talented threesome are former band members Andy Timmons (guitar) and Kasey Smith (keyboards) who contribute to four tracks from the much desired but never released album "Cockroach." Andy's playing is sharp as a tack, melodic, and heavier than hell. His solos continue to remain precise and powerful driving the songs rather than punctuating them. In fact, the entire band has never sounded tighter or more confident than it does on this raging beast of an album. But with songs this brilliant can you blame them?

The tracks are what truly ensure Danger Danger's longevity in the AOR world as well as their undisputed talent as hard rockers. Powerful, yet heartfelt, the music and lyrics recall a time when music like this could be heard all over the radio dial.

The album kicks off with the first of the "Cockroach" tracks "Still Kickin'" which is definite proof the band is still alive and well. Paul's vocals rage over Andy's biting guitar lines and Steve's crashing cymbals. Bruno's gurgling bass line kicks things off with a bang. This is pure heaven! Right from the start it is evident that the band is back with a vengeance with lines like: "Told you once, I told you twice, You never listen, I don't walk away from a fight, That's why I'm still kickin'" Great track that really shows the bands strength as rockers.

The second of the "Cockroach" tracks "Sick Little Twisted Mind" follows. Andy's guitar shreds through an ultra heavy opening riff that hints at a darker subject matter than the usual. Very cool playing from all involved. The lyrics are tinged with electronic sound effects and Paul sounds especially foreboding in this tale of "animal attractions," "psychological reactions," and sexual "perversions." Backed up by an orchestra....this must be heard to be believed!

Next up is Paul Laine's first co-penned track "Jaded" which borrows heavily from nineties influences without losing its 80's hard rock feel. Very Cheap Trickish musically with a chorus that will dig its way into your head for at least the next three weeks. Very catchy with crunchy guitar lines courtesy of guitarist Tony Bruno.

"Captain Bring Me Down" is the first of three ballads and is probably my favorite of the three. Starting off acoustic and then building come chorus time one cannot help hear Beatles as well as Cheap Trick influences. Its a tough song to decipher but that seems to add to its charm. Paul's voice is draped with sorrow and this works towards the song's "falling from grace" theme.

"Goin' All The Way" is a full fledged return to the debut album's catchy pop metal and simple "us against the world" lyrics. Kasey Smith steps in and Laine's vocals harken back to classic Bon Jovi tunes from the mid 80's. A feel good song to be sure.

The next track "The Girl Ain't Built To Sleep Alone" is the kind of song this band is known for. Purely sexual with an infectious guitar riff that gives it a sleazy feel as Laine growls: "We'll talk about the weather 'til something better comes up, If ya know what I mean." Raunchy and fun, sounding like something straight off the "Screw It!" album.

The third "Cockroach" track "Goin' Goin' Gone" is a heavy rocker with angry vocals and a chorus that will give you visions of those crazy 80's nights when music was a little more fun. The line up for this song is the original band except for Ted and its kind of the "reunion" song of the album. Lyrically it's a song of sexual betrayal and the severing of a relationship.

The final "Cockroach" track "Afraid of Love" is the type of power ballad that was commonplace in the 80's except for the fact that Danger Danger are masters at these sort of songs while others merely crash and burn. It's very uplifting and blessed with hooks from heaven itself (what isn't on this album?). The type of ballad you wish still thrived on American radio.

Back with the Cheap Trick influences with "Heartbreak Suicide," a song that reminds one of a very heavy Beatles or even Enuff Znuff. Great lyrics and effects laden vocals and guitars make this a both a flashback and a nod to nineties technology.

The last new track is "I Don't Need You" and features a harder and faster Danger Danger that doesn't lose its pop sensibility. With lyrics like: "You're poison in my veins, Acid in my rain, Like a bullet in my brain, I don't need you" the subject matter is obviously a tad more serious. But this track rocks regardless and is an excellent way to close the album. The softer section that breaks into Tony Bruno's ripping guitar solo is especially powerful.

Last but not least is a reworked version of the classic Danger Danger ballad "Comin' Home" and although I loved the original with Ted Poley's sorrowful vocals I must admit that Paul can definitely handle the older tunes with style and skill. It's more of an Eagles vibe this time around, way more acoustic but retaining those heavenly vocal harmonies that we all crave.

Well what more can I say? It's simply a masterpiece. Very rarely do I listen to a CD all the way through and love every track on the first listen. Def Leppard does it, and so does Danger Danger. If you are totally into hard rock the way it used to be...I'm tellin' you...do what you have to to get a copy of "Four The Hard Way." It may be hard to find but it will be worth the search. And please, if you love it, tell your friends about it, let them listen to it, spread the word. Danger Danger is too good of a band to be denied the glory of worldwide success. Old fans will not be disappointed and newcomers will definitely be impressed. It may be 1998 but it sure doesn't have to sound like it! Rock On!!!"

--TYTAN

Bruno:

Movie: American History X-Great movie..."2 guns up!"

Album: Extreme's "3 Sides", One of the greatest "sounding" albums of all time. There are a few albums that I tune my ears to, this is one of them..powerful stuff.

Paul:

Movie: Replacement Killers

Album: ABBA GOLD (Bless this boy's heart~~Mary)

Steve:

Absent this issue....

Mary:

Movie: Night at the Roxbury (It's hysterically stupid...a must see for those with my sense of humor..you know..demented, immature...FUN! Besides...where else do you get to hear cheesy music like....BABY DONT HURT ME...NO MORE...=])

Album: Goo Goo Dolls "Dizzy Up the Girl"...besides having a funny name, it also has great tunes...check it out.

I stole this from my buddy Annie Doodle Doo off of the Warrant board. I thought it was good for a chuckle...and..here's a hint..if you actually finish the test and are looking for your score afterwards, then...I suggest you seek professional help! =] Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

A THANKSGIVING QUIZ by HOWARD Elgison

To test your knowledge of Thanksgiving, please take the following quiz. Warning: it's even easier than it looks.

1) THE FIRST THANKSGIVING TOOK PLACE IN:

a) Plymouth, Massachusetts
b) The Dallas Cowboys' stadium in Irvine, Texas
c) a Waffle House off of I-95 near Brunswick, GA

2) THE PILGRIMS WERE

a) gentle, tolerant people who were seeking religious freedom
b) religious fanatics who had no tolerance for beliefs other than their own
c) any doofus in a John Wayne movie

3. SQUANTO WAS

a) an English-speaking Indian who helped keeped the Pilgrims from starving
b) a female sidekick of the Long Ranger
c) a Pilgrim rock band.

4) THE PILGRIMS LANDED AT PLYMOUTH BECAUSE OF:

a) Divine destiny
b) they were WAY off course
c) they were looking for an ATM

5) THE MAYFLOWER WAS

a) the historic ship that brought the Pilgrims to North America
b) a training ship for madams
c) a cruise ship for snobbish Bostonians

6) THE MAYFLOWER COMPACT WAS

a) a charter for the Plymouth colony that embodied the spirit of liberty and religious faith
b) a shipboard trash receptacle
c) a hot new makeup

7) THE INDIANS WERE INVITED TOT HE FIRST THANKSGIVING FEAST BECAUSE

a) The Pilgrims needed to establish a security agreement with them
b) they had all the food
c) The Pilgrims wanted to meet chicks.

8. THANKSGIVING OFFICIALLY BECAME A NATIONAL HOLIDAY IN

a) 1621 when Pilgrim men decided they liked being waited on hand and foot
b) 1861 by proclamation of President Jefferson Davis
c) 1863 by proclamation of President Abraham Lincoln.

9) THE REASON WE HAVE TURKEY FOR THANKSGIVING IS

a) that's what the Pilgrims had
b) it's dirt cheap
c) no man likes to hear, "Honey, please carve the Spam."

10) THANKSGIVING IS AN OCCASION TO:

a) Reflect on our lives and offer gratitude for our blessings.
b) pig out on turkey and football
c) see how much time women can spend in the kitchen.

(Go home now)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Where and how to find us:

Bruno Ravel: Bass~~~Bruno@dangerdanger.com

Steve West: Drums~~~Steve@dangerdanger.com

Paul Laine: Vocals ~~~Paul@dangerdanger.com

Mary Mary~~~DngerDnger@aol.com