Just over a year ago, I tried out a blog post asking for your input.ย It totally didn’t work.ย No one tried it.ย So I’m gonna try it myself, and you’re going to hopefully reply this time.ย I think I have a few more regular readers now.ย Here are the rules as I set forth before…
Okay.ย You just found out that youโre secretly related to Oprah, and since she knows youโre a huge music fanโฆ sheโs letting you put together the concert of all concerts to celebrate.ย Since you have Oprah money, you pretty much have no limit there, but you are limited to bands that are alive and actively together, or that you believe could be reasonably brought back together with a little grea$ing of the wheels.ย Exampleโฆ youโre probably not going to get Guns Nโ Rosesโ Appetite or (even the Illusions tour) lineup to get on stage togetherโฆ but you probably could get Steven Tyler & Joe Perry in the same room.
Put together the whole thingโฆ
- The Venue: A small club?ย A stadium or amphitheater?ย Your living room?
- The Run: Is it a one-night-only deal, or is this a 3-day festival?
- The Name: Every killer show has to have a killer title.ย No โw00t-stockโ, please.
- The Bands: Whoโs playing & in what order?ย Bonus points for linking to โem.
- Added Insanity: Want a 20 minute drum solo with Neil Peart & Lars Ulrich?ย Want an unplugged duet with Danzig & Shakira?ย Want GWAR to disembowel you on the stage?ย A guitar battle between Eric Clapton and Slash?ย Want all the bands to do nothing but Black Sabbath covers?ย Canโt hurt to throw the idea out there!
- Micro-Manage: If you really want to get nuts, what do you want to see in each performerโs setlist?ย Either highlights or the whole thing.
Iโll think about mine while you post yours in the comments below, and in a few days or so Iโll revisit the whole idea in another blog post.ย Links to bandsโ websites, videos, and music strongly encouraged!
Got it?ย I’m working under that set of guidelines.
I’d have just 2 sages, going back-to back with maybe 10 minutes in between each set.ย None of this bands playing at the same time crap like I’ve seen at some festivals where 2 of the 5 bands I came to see are playing at the same damn time.
I narrowed it down to 6 days with 10 bands each day.ย I didn’t work out set times… and the order is more random than I’d like.ย Pairing bands can be difficult.ย One one hand similar stuff sometimes pairs well… on the other it sometimes gets boring.
My problem is that I like a lot of bands & they constantly go in & out of rotation.ย I’m always forgetting & adding.ย This list might change if I were to start it all over tomorrow.
I’d like to see all the bands in their current incarnations as per the rules.ย I’ve seen some of them and they’re great live acts… I’d like to see what the others can do live.ย And, of course, if I had Oprah money, I’d put my bands in there too.ย Who wouldn’t?
I’d need 2 equal size stages… something like a parking lot venue where the crowd just turns around.
Iโd call it AiXeLFest 3.0, because it would kind of be like Leonard Part 6.ย No one would have remembered 1 or 2.ย Well, some people would.
—
AiXeLFeSt 3.0
Band [ Stage # ] Why?
Day 1
AiXeLsyD [Stage 1] Why not? Youโd put your band on too, if you could, right?
The Legendary Hucklebucks [Stage 2] These guys are ridiculously entertaining. As for the Metallica cover, they played it live once and the crowd went NUTS.
Michale Graves [Stage 1] Dude works hard, writes some good stuff.ย Iโd like to hear some Graves & Gotham Road stuffโฆ plugged in.
- โCasketโ (Graves)
- โCreo Burnโ (Gotham Road)
- โSaturday Nightโ (Misfits)
Locksley [Stage 2] Killer live band that Iโve had the honor of playing with, and damn nice guys.
Enemy You [Stage 1] I have one of their albums and I need more.ย Itโs ridiculously catchy.
The Nobodys [Stage 2] These guys are hilarious potty mouths, and I bet theyโd be a great show.
BARS [Stage 1] I canโt seem to find much about this band online. Did they even tour? Do they still exist?
Fist Fight in the Parking Lot [Stage 2] Prepare to have your face rocked off.ย You can claim it later at the lost & found.
- โSide Steppinโ Ninjaโ
- โS&Mโ
- โSomething

Willie Nelson and his guitar "Trigger" (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Willie Nelson [Stage 1] One of the coolest concerts Iโve ever seen was Willie Nelson.ย The dude is a natural entertainer & such a great songwriter.
Motรถrhead [Stage 2] Have you seen the movie Lemmy?ย Who wouldnโt want this guy to perform?ย They rock harder than most bands can even imagine rocking.
- โAce of Spadesโ
- โSacrificeโ
- โEnter Sandmanโ (Metallica Cover)
- โR.A.M.O.N.E.S.โ
Day 2
Secrets Lie Within [Stage 1] These dudes are great friends that AiXeLsyD & Gasoline Dion played many shows with. I dig their sweet sugary sound.
Duncan Redmonds [Stage 2] The man is a genius. So many bands, so many songs.ย His acoustic gigs look great on YouTube.ย I’d like to hear stripped-down stuff from any of them.
I Voted For Kodos [Stage 1] Never had the pleasure of seeing them live.ย They were a ska band, and then they werenโt, I think.ย Ska is generally a fun time, and these dudes wrote some catchy songs.
Steel Panther [Stage 2] Why wouldnโt you want these guys at an almost week-long party?
The Misfits [Stage 1] At least someone is playing the songs.ย Iโd like to get as many of them as possible in one place and see eitherย a reconciliation or a brawl.
Reel Big Fish [Stage 2] One of the better bands Iโve seen liveโฆ theyโre all kinds of crazy & fun.
- โBeerโ
- โEverything Sucksโ
- “Another Day in Paradise” (Phil Collins cover)
Guns ‘n’ Wankers [Stage 1] I love the self-titled CD, itโs absolute genius.ย Both versions.ย Iโd love to see this band live.
Mighty Mighty Bosstones [Stage 2] These guys are high-energy awesomeness live.ย Must be that dude that just dances.
NOFX [Stage 1] Iโd love to see them again.ย They have an insane back-catalog of songs and I like most all of โem.
- โMattersvilleโ
- โWoah on the Woahsโ
- “We Threw Gasoline On The Fire And Now We Have Stumps For Arms And No Eyebrows”

Flogging Molly performing live at Rams Head Live in Baltimore, MD (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Flogging Molly [Stage 2] Ridiculously awesome live show.ย Ridiculously catchy easily accessible songs.ย Ridiculous ability to get the crowd pumped.ย I’d go see them any time I can.
Day 3
Gasoline Dion [Stage 1] Again, if you were doing it & had a band, youโd put yourself on too.ย Or maybe I just have a big rockstar ego.
- โColdโ
- โBitch Pants Operaโ
- โShe Shits in Stereoโ
Screeching Weasel [Stage 2] Theyโre the โhey those arenโt the Ramones?โ of my generation.ย I know they donโt play much.ย Iโd make them.
- โCelenaโ
- โCool Kidsโ
- โMy Rightโ
- โI Wanna Be Nakedโ
Ann Beretta [Stage 1] One of my favorite bands.ย There was some kind of split, but Rob & Russ soldiered on to make more killer music.
- โBottlecapsโ
- โLoveโs Easy Tearsโ
- โRussโ Songโ
- โEfforts Wastedโ
800 Octane [Stage 2] Donโt know much about them other than I found them online many years ago & totally dug all their stuff.
Tom Green [Stage 1] Listen to this. This dude is a great rapper, and bound to be wildly entertaining and unpredictable. His Prepare for Impact album is incredible.
Dropkick Murphys [Stage 2] Great live show.ย Catchy songs.ย Celtic.ย What more do you need?
ALL [Stage 1] ALL!ย Oddly, I like ALL better than that other band that theyโre almost all in.
Band of Skulls [Stage 2] I bought this album recently and couldnโt get it out of the CD player.ย I kept letting it play.

The Offspring performing lite in Fortaleza, Brazil, November 15th 2008 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Offspring [Stage 1] Another memorable live show.ย These guys are pros all the way, and quite memorable.ย I saw this tour where they had this “intermission” with bubble machines and inflatable furniture… it was hilarious.
Avenged Sevenfold [Stage 2] I liked this band the instant I heard them on a Hopeless Records comp.ย Then, they blew up.ย Good for them!
Day 4
Sing the Evens, Play the Odds [Stage 1] Fun fact: I named this band. Theyโd do it if I asked nicely. They were a killer live show & great friends.ย I feel like they had another album in them somewhere.
The Bloody Seamen [Stage 2] You need to see this band.ย Everyone needs to see this band.ย What are you waiting for? Go!
The Eyeliners [Stage 1] Beautiful girls playing poppy punk rock songs with mad skills?ย Iโm in. Gel is one of my favorite guitarists!
- โDestroyโ (an appearance by Joan Jett would be killer!)
- โThink of Meโ
- โDo The Zombieโ
Transplants [Stage 2] I liked the first album, and Iโd love to see how they do it live.
Marky Ramone’s Blitzkrieg [Stage 1] This has to be a great show.ย I wanna hear all these Ramones Songs.ย Marky is a space cadet.
- โWhen We Were Angelsโ
- โPet Semataryโ (Ramones)
- โR.A.M.O.N.E.S.โ (Motรถrhead Cover)
- โBop โTil You Dropโ (Ramones)
Me First and the Gimme Gimmes [Stage 2] Theyโve got to be a great time.ย They were booed at PNC Park once because Yinzers are dumb.ย They need to come back to an appreciative audience.
- โCountry Roadsโ (John Denver cover)
- โOne Tin Soilderโ (Original Caste cover)
- โGoodbye Earlโ (The Dixie Chicks cover)
- “Hello” (Lionel Richie cover)
Poison [Stage 1] Balk or scoff if you want, but Iโve seen them a few times, and theyโre a great light-hearted rock nโ roll show.ย Brett Michaels & CC DeVille are great entertainers.
Beastie Boys [Stage 2] Iโve never seen them live, but Iโd love to.ย They are incredible at defining what they do, and then doing it.
Velvet Revolver [Stage 1] Their records are over-produced, but theyโre a great dirty live rock band.ย I donโt care if itโs Wieland or whoever the new guy will be.
- โSet Me Freeโ
- โSlitherโ
- โNegative Creepโ (Nirvana cover)
- โMr. Brownstoneโ (Guns N’ Roses)

Prince playing at Coachella 2008. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Prince [Stage 2] Absolute genius.ย Incredibly insane.ย Iโd love to see this in action.ย Ever see Purple Rain?ย If he brought out Morris Day & the Time for a few, it would also be incredible.
Day 5
Exclusion Principle|45 min.|1|My favorite local band ever?ย Probably.ย These dudes gigged with AiXeLsyD all the time, and were awesome.ย For Oprah money, I want a recording too.
Bastard Bearded Irishmen [Stage 2] If you live in the burgh, are at all of fan of Celtic stuff, and havenโt seen themโฆ please kick your own ass now.
- โIn Heaven There Is No Beerโ (Ernst Neubach & Ralph Maria Siegel cover)
- โDrinkem’, Drankem, Drunkem’ โ
- โBlack Velvet Bandโ (traditional)
- โFloatโ (Flogging Molly cover)
Dethlehem [Stage 1] If any orcs show up to this gig, these guys will have it covered.ย They also slay eardrums with magical sweeping.
The Unseen [Stage 2] These guys are a great live show.ย Iโm not sure whoโs even in the band any more.ย High energy songs, high energy show.
Omegalord [Stage 1] “Not. Gonna. Die.ย โฆWith bullets in my gun!”ย Badass biker metal like Motรถrhead meets Black Sabbath, cool live show.ย Oprah money may convince them to reunite.
Nerf Herder [Stage 2] Hilarious songs, great hooks, and goofy premisesโฆย I wish this band churned out more albums & toured more.
Tenacious D [Stage 1] These guys are awesome.ย With Dave Grohl on Drums and or additional guitar it would rock that much harder.
Dr. Dre [Stage 2] Musical genius.ย Lyrical genius.ย Production genius. Marketing genius. Hasnโt made kid movies.ย Iโd like to see Ice Cube, Eminem, MC Ren, DJ Yella, & Snoop do some guest spots.
- “Nuthin’ but a ‘G’ Thang”
- “Natural Born Killaz” (Dr. Dre & Ice Cube)
- “Keep Their Heads Ringin'”
- โStraight Outta Comptonโ (N.W.A.)

Slash playing a show with Velvet Revolver (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Slash, Miles Kennedy, & the Conspirators [Stage 1] Slash & Miles Kennedy go well together.ย They ought to keep doing it.ย Slash digs his touring band.ย They ought to keep doing it.ย I need to see this band if/when they come through the ‘Burgh.ย Slash has a great body of songs to pull from.
- โBack & Forth Againโ (Slash’s Snakepit)
- โStarlightโ
- โRocket Queenโ (Guns N’ Roses)
- โGhostโ
Aerosmith [Stage 2] Iโve never seen them, Iโd like to before someone dies or they hate each other forever (again).ย I bet it’s a hell of a show.
- โMama Kinโ
- โWalk This Wayโ
- โBig Ten Inch Recordโ
- โLove in an Elevatorโ
- “Train Kept A-Rollin'” (Tiny Bradshaw cover)
Day 6
Ernie and the Berts [Stage 1] Yup.ย I was in too many bands, and I self-promote way too much.

Peelander-Z playing at the Asian Heritage celebration in New York at LaGuardia Community College (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Peelander-Z [Stage 2] These guys are pretty much inexplicable as a live act.ย Itโs an experience.ย Itโs like youโre on another planet.ย Thereโs so much interaction & participation, it’s hardly like watching a band… it’s like being in one.
The Bloodhound Gang [Stage 1] Such a fun live show.ย Itโs like a dirty dirty potty-humor filledย circus.
- โItโs Trickyโ
- โMopeโ
- โUhn Tiss Uhn Tiss Uhn Tissโ
The Sword [Stage 2] These guys are so heavy, they might cause the stage to collapse.ย These are the coolest riffs youโll get outside of a Sabbath album.
AFI [Stage 1] So many different sounds, and I like them all.ย I caught the very end of their set once at a Warped Tour.ย Iโd like to see a full set.
- “I Wanna Get A Mohawk (But Mom Won’t Let Me Get One)”
- โTotalimmortalโ
- “Kill Caustic”
- โDays of the Phoenixโ

SNUFF: The Drummer is the main vocals. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Snuff [Stage 2] Such a great band.ย So many albums, so many songs, so many related projects, and I love them all.ย They need to come to the US so I can see them!
Rancid [Stage 1] So catchy, great live band, and all kinds of fun.ย Rancid is a great gateway into ska & punk rock.
Danzig [Stage 2] Badassery abounds from the great tiny one.ย If only Danzig could learn to not take himself so seriously.ย Great live show though!
Green Day [Stage 1] Iโve never seen them live.ย Iโd love to.ย I enjoy many of their albums & have for quite some time. Theyโve become incredibly successful just doing what they do.
- “2,000 Light Years Away”
- “She”
- โF.O.D.โ
- โChurch on Sundayโ
Metallica [Stage 2] METALLICA!ย Even without Jason Newsted, and even after a few blah albumsโฆ Iโd like to see them again.ย Theyโre still THE metal band.
—
Son of Sam would be cool too if Davey Havok were to singโฆ or a Samhain reunion, or even the Teen Idols or The Donnas.ย Then thereโs, Lars Frederiksen and the Bastards, The Foo Fighters, Psychostick, Green Jellรฟ, The Aquabats, The Phenomenauts, Head Cat, Sixer, Warp 11, The Distillers, Weird Al, Electric Eel Shock, and so many others..ย I could easily add another day & lots more locals like The Cheats, Undercover Saints, Scratch โn Sniffs, Trash Magnet, Black Casket, maybe even Anti-Flag.ย Maybe we could reunite the Satanic Bat?
I wonder how much money or money to a charity it would take to get Ozzy Osborne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward all to get on stage together?ย Think I could get Dave back into Sum 41?ย Then thereโs Duff McKaganโs Loaded or Izzy Stradlin (& maybe even the Ju Ju Hounds).ย Could I pay enough to bring Bobby Steele and The Undead out of retirement or for Danzig to play with John Christ, Chuck Biscuits, & Eerie Von?ย Maybe a Pinhead Gunpowder or The Network appearance could happen?ย I like the weird/quirky stuff.
I’d like to see all the bands in their current incarnations as per the rules.ย I’ve seen some of them and they’re great live acts… I’d like to see what the others can do live.ย And, of course, if I had Oprah money, I’d put my bands in there too.ย Who wouldn’t?
As far as the “hits”, I tried to include rare stuff or stuff that I’d go just nuts without hearing.
So that’s my list.ย Today.ย Obviously, I find it hard to narrow down.ย Now, make your own!ย You don’t have to get as detailed as me.ย You can list your favorites in the comments below.ย You could post it on your own blog or as a Facebook note & keep it going.
Would you come to my show?
- Guns n’ Roses’ Axl Rose Skips Hall of Fame Ceremony! (celebs.gather.com)
- GWAR Already Working On New Material (metalinjection.net)
- METALLICA’s Lars Ulrich Talks About Orion Music + More – “Cliff Will Always Be A Part Of The Spirit Of This Band And Our Hearts And The Fans’ Hearts” (bravewords.com)
- Dear Mr. Rose, (aixelsyd13.wordpress.com)
- Who Wants Relationship Advice From Gwar? (metalsucks.net)
- Axl Rose booed at Rock Hall of Fame induction (canada.com)
- RUSH – Neil Peart Remembers Longtime Photographer Andrew MacNaughtan (bravewords.com)
- Bouncing Souls & Me First and the Gimme Gimmes playing boats & other shows ++ Ari Katz of Lifetime’s other band too (brooklynvegan.com)
- Gwar News: Band Offers Romantic Advice, Oderus Comments on Boston Mosh Ban (metalsucks.net)
- How Tall is Glenn Danzig Height and Weight (celebrityheightandweight.com)
- Band of Skulls New Video Debuts (hangout.altsounds.com)
- Absent Axl Rose Booed At Rock Hall Induction (wncx.radio.com)
- Absent Axl Rose Booed At Rock Hall Induction (wzlx.radio.com)
- This Date in History: Tour Food (929dave.radio.com)
- Green Day To Present Guns ‘N Roses At Rock Hall Induction (buzz103.radio.com)
- News Roundup: Eddie Vedder Postpones Tour, The Jacksons Reunite, Beyonce Takes Over The Internet and More (beatcrave.com)
- Faces, Chili Peppers, Guns N Roses Lead Rock Hall Induction Ceremony (buzz103.radio.com)
- FABTV: Beastie Boys “Fight For Your Right to Party” (fabsugar.com)
- FABTV: Beastie Boys “Sabotage” (fabsugar.com)
- Beastie Boys Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Tribute ft. Kid Rock, The Roots & More [VIDEO] (hiphopwired.com)
- VELVET REVOLVER Guitarist Dave Kushner Launches PUSHERJONES Project; First Single Streaming (bravewords.com)
- OurStage & 2012 Vans Warped Tour Bands’ Compertition (hangout.altsounds.com)
- MIKE PORTNOY Says Playing With AVENGED SEVENFOLD Was ‘A Great Experience’ (roadrunnerrecords.com)
- Former RAMONES Drummer MARKY RAMONE To Release Memoirs Next Year (roadrunnerrecords.com)
- SLASH Presenting Six-Episode Series On BBC Radio 2; First Episode Streaming (bravewords.com)
- METALLICA’s Orion Music + More Announces Schedule Of Performances; Single Day Tickets Now Available (bravewords.com)
- Rock Bands That Changed Lead Singers (musicbrowser.wordpress.com)
- Metallica drummer in documentary “Mission To Lars” (valkyrianmusic.com)
- AiXeLsyD and Gasoline Dion Mazes (aixelsyd13.wordpress.com)
- The dangers of posting punk rock lyrics on the internet… (aixelsyd13.wordpress.com)
- Nostalgia… (aixelsyd13.wordpress.com)
- Original Guns N’ Roses Members – Screw Axl Rose … We Got a NEW Singer (tmz.com)
- Willie Nelson Weekend in Austin! (stillisstillmoving.com)
- Friday Funtimes – Five Flogging Molly Songs (kikiwritesabout.com)
- Offspring Ninth Record Finished, Reality TV Run Over For Offspring’s Offspring (news.radio.com)
- Prince: Inside the Music and the Masks by Ronin Ro – review (guardian.co.uk)
- MATT SORUM – “Life Is Good, My Friends… We Are Alive! God Bless The Fans Of GUNS N’ ROSES” (bravewords.com)
- Ink N’ Pages – The Guns N’ Roses Autobiograhpies (aixelsyd13.wordpress.com)
- Guns N’ Roses’ Slash Gets Excited For Rock Hall Induction (buzz103.radio.com)
- Slash Was ‘Hoping’ Guns N’ Roses Could Work It Out for Rock Hall Induction (loudwire.com)
- Slash Talks Velvet Revolver (fresh1027.radio.com)
- Black Sabbath reunion tour downgraded to ‘Ozzy and Friends’ (guardian.co.uk)
- In Defense Of… Axl Rose skipping the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony (Column) (popmatters.com)
- Former GUNS N’ ROSES Manager Alan Niven Comments On Band’s Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Induction (bravewords.com)
- Axl Rose Thanks Cleveland And Fans For Support Of Hall Of Fame Snuff (perezhilton.com)
- Peelander-Z touring, playing a record release show on a boat THIS MONTH, played BV-CMJ (belated pics, new video, dates) (brooklynvegan.com)
- BLACK SABBATH’s Bill Ward Issues Update – “I Applaud Your Worldwide Reaction In Support Of The Original Band” (bravewords.com)
- MARKY RAMONE’S BLITZKRIEG Announces First Tour Dates Of 2012 (bravewords.com)
- Valley of Steel | Out Today: Fist Fight in the Parking Lot – Self-Titled (aixelsyd13.wordpress.com)
- Exclusive: Green Day to Induct Guns N’ Roses Into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (rollingstone.com)
- Axl Rose to Cleveland: Sorry, You Rock (newser.com)
- Aerosmith Holds Press Conference To Discuss Tour & New Album (wdok.radio.com)
- Daily Reload: Guns N’ Roses, Linkin Park + More (loudwire.com)