One month has passed and that means it's time for another "Miz on Music" and this month we are looking into the amazing new music I'm finding on satellite radio.

As you may or may not know, WWE Superstars travel from city to city year-round so good music is always a must while driving. I have just gotten into the satellite radio craze. I won't get a rental car unless it has XM radio. What can I say, I'm addicted to being able to listen to ‘80s music then switching to grunge then go to a station like Octane and get amazing new rock songs that they don't play on regular radio. The variety is endless.  

The first band I want to talk about is Seasons After. They caught my attention with their rendition of "Cry Little Sister." Yes, the song from The Lost Boys movie, which I thought the original song was incredible, so to make it better was almost impossible. However, seeing that I'm the type of person that like's a little screaming, little singing, and songs that you can really feel the pain in a singer’s voice I love Seasons After's version.

After looking up Seasons After's "Cry Little Sister" I found at least six other versions done by other bands. Most noteworthy is Carfax Abbey - their version is heavier then Sisters of Mercy but not a hard as Seasons After. I actually took a poll on my twitter account on who did the best version of the song.  The rankings went Sisters of Mercy, Seasons After, then Aiden.

Also, I've been hearing that Sisters of Mercy didn't actually do the origina,l it was Gerard McMann. Still not sure on that, but everyone seems to think it's Sisters.  Anyways, still not a bad showing for Seasons After and I think they are a band that I'm going to keep my eye on for new music and will definitely see them in concert the next time they are in town and I actually get a day off. 

Since hearing Bullet For My Valentine two years ago, I haven't been able to find a band that excites me when a new CD comes out or even a band I want to follow and know more about. I don't know what it is with music these days. Am I just getting older or are good solid bands with great songs who actually last nonexistent?

With that being said I finally found a band through listening to XM radio who really got me hooked. I first heard "Two Weeks" by All That Remains while driving with The Masterpiece.

We were in mid conversation probably about working out (he's jacked and I'm husky while trying to prove otherwise) and as soon as it came on the convo stopped and the radio went up.  Since then I have downloaded numerous songs from their Overcome album and it did not disappoint.  I think I found the new genera of music that I like because they reminded me so much of Bullet with a different edge to them.  So thank you to XM radio for finding me a new favorite band.  Sorry Bullet, still waiting for the next CD.

How about this for me being stupid. While listening to a song on XM I was like “Man this song sounds familiar,” and I really liked it but I couldn't figure out where I heard it.  It was bugging the hell out of me. I'd workout to it because it always got me pumped up.  Then while watching WWE Superstars on WGN I figured out which song it was and thought I'm a moron because it's the entrance music to the show. So I guess WWE introduced Adelita's Way to me, but I didn't go home and download the song till I heard it on the radio.

I also downloaded "All Falls Down" which is my favorite song on their album. I actually met the band in Vegas at our last show there and the guys were really cool, down to earth, and looked like they had the hunger to succeed in the music industry.  I wish them the best of luck especially nowadays with how hard it is to make it. 

Last but not least is the band that locked in our theme song for Survivor Series called "Get Thru This" by Art of Dying. I love the hook lyric of "If I can get through this, I can get through anything." It captures the unrelenting spirit of the marathon matches Survivor Series is known for.

I know I'm excited about the show and Team Miz or Team Awesome, as I like to call them, is going to step up and show just why we say we are the new faces of WWE. I could talk about Survivor Series forever but that's another blog. 

Back to Art of Dying, who was actually signed by Disturb's Guitarist Dan Donegan. I met and hung with Dan a couple times and if there's anyone that knows talent in the music industry it'd be him. So definitely look out for them to do big things in the future. 

Actually, look for all the bands I talked about in the future I know I will and I will be searching for more on Satellite Radio.  My favorite stations are Hair Nation, Octane, and Blue Collar Comedy. Oh, and you can't forget Howard.

If you don't have XM radio I recommend it.  I'm sick of the cookie cutter stuff on regular radio plus all those commercials take it's toll.

See ya next month. Always remember I'm The Miz and I'm Awesome.        

Good evening Mizfits and Mizstakes!

I'm in San Salvador for our Central America tour and it's going great.  There's a thunderstorm outside which is awesome. Normally people hate rain but I cherish it, because it doesn't rain in Los Angeles, and coming from Cleveland, I miss those loud, thunderous sounds. 

For my next "Miz on Music" I've decided to go with music in my iPod.  I just downloaded a bunch of new songs and I can't tell you how refreshing it is to have new music.  I feel like after a week of listening to the same songs over and over it gets old and I need a fresh crop of songs to jam to. 

However, just because they are new to my iPod doesn't mean they just came out on the radio.  Some are songs I haven't heard in ages.  Those are my favorite like when you hear a song or band you haven't heard in awhile then you download their songs and you forgot how great they were.

TRUSTcompany is one of those bands.  I remember when their first hit "Downfall" came out, around the time when Linkin Park's "Hybrid Theory" was on their No. 3 single and I wanted something new. I heard this and had to get the CD.  I was hoping for a CD as good as "Hybrid Theory" or at least had a couple good songs. 

I hate when you buy a CD and the only good song is the one you hear on the radio all the time. Luckily, TRUSTcompany was the real deal.  Every song was good and had a different flavor to it.  What confused me was after this amazing CD, I never heard from them again. 

How does that happen?  You'd think they'd have this huge follow up CD that people anticipated. However I just heard about their second CD -- it came out like 3 years ago and I had no idea. I heard they broke up for a bit but now have come back together.  Hopfully they will be able to make another great CD that I can put in iPod and listen to continuously.

Another band who recently made my iPod I've brought up before but really didn't go in to deep with is Skillet.  Like I said on Miz on Music no. 2, my seamstress played "Comatose" and got me hooked.  It reminded me of a metal symphony like the Trans Siberian Orchestra, only with incredible lyrics. 

I've never seen a band with two girls rock so hard.  Usually the girl is the lead singer or they play country music, so I was pleasantly surprised to see a drummer and keyboardist changing things up.  I'm not the only one that likes it either because their new album "Awake" debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard charts.

"Monster" from that album is the Hell in a Cell theme song which is perfectly suited because the Monster of The Miz is going to pin either Kofi or Swagger to win the United States Title. 

After winning the title I will celebrate by seeing them live for the first time in Los Angeles on Oct. 23, that is if I'm off.  I always say you can tell a lot about a band by how they are in concert on whether they are really good or just studio bands.  Time will tell.

My favorite band, Bullet For My Valentine, is amazing in studio as well as in concert.  I just put a bunch of songs back on my iPod from The Poison and I'm glad I did. 

Funny story how I got turned on to them.  I was in Europe for a tour and I went to the HMV and asked for a good European metal band.  They gave me 2 CDs, "Emigrate" and "Bullet."  Both were good, but "Bullet" became my favorite they reminded me of a new Maiden and Metallica. 

Since then every time I go back to Europe I always find an HMV and do the same.  The last time I got Oomph whom I really enjoy they are like Rammstein lite.  I've also have gotten about 5 CDs that are just terrible.

Any ways, I've seen Bullet for My Valentine twice in concert.  Once with Avenged Sevenfold, and once when they headlined in LA.  The Headlining in LA was so much better.  To be honest, I was disappointed with the first time I saw them.  They only went on for like 20 minutes and didn't play all of my favorite songs.  The second time they went on for over an hour and it was killer.  They still never played "The End" in concert, which is one of my favorite songs, but what can you do. 

I'm pysched for their 3rd album which I heard they are in the studio and should come out next year.  If it's as good as the first two. then I imagine I will want them to play for 2 hours just so I can hear all the goods. 

Other new songs I just added to my iPod are "Southtown" by POD, "Blind" by Korn, "Waking the Demons" by Bullet for my Valentine, The entire CD of Steel Panther, "Audience of One" by Rise Against, "Built for Sin" by Framing Hanley, "The Devil's Own" by Five Finger Death Punch (that has to be the greatest name ever for a band). 

Just to name a few.  Who do you have on your iPod? 

Until next time, I'm The Miz and I'm Awesome!!!!  

Hello, Mizfits and Miztakes! It's time to talk music, and if you haven't noticed I usually like to talk about bands who give WWE theme songs for pay-per-views or give us music for our WWE shows. 

Hey, any band that supports WWE is a band worth talking about.  This month's rockers are legendary, timeless, and gave a different outlook of Alabama instead of people opening their beer bottles with their last good tooth. 

I'm talking about Lynyrd Skynyrd and their song "Still Unbroken" is the official theme song for WWE Breaking Point.

Their are a few bands that you can actually say are timeless: Ozzy, Aerosmith, Skynyrd, etc.  I will never forget doing a signing at Ozzfest and asking everyone who they were there to see.  I swear 10-year-old kids said Ozzy, then 20-year-olds said Ozzy, then 30-, 40-, 50-year-olds said Ozzy. 

How amazing that generation after generation wants to see Ozzy.  Same goes for Lynyrd Skynyrd.  I remember them as a kid and till this day still turn up the radio full blast when they come on.

Lately, I've been hearing Kid Rock's "All Summer Long" on the radio and even though it's a great song, it still doesn't touch the original.  I've been a fan of Kid Rock ever since "Bawitdaba" and if anyone could do a good job at remaking or making "Sweet Home Alabama" his own, it'd be him. 

I always loved it when bands took music from a cool, popular song and redid it.  That's gotta be the ultimate compliment for a band.  As long as it's good.  haha...    

I've never seen Skynyrd in concert but have come close.  Back in my Reality heyday, I would do appearances all over the USA.  I got a call and was asked if I'd do an autograph signing at this music festival which Skynyrd were playing.

I arrived at the hotel and asked when they went on.  I was told 8 pm.  It was 7 pm so I decided to get some food and since my hotel was across the street, I told them I'd walk to the place. 

Around 7:50 pm, I started walking and I could hear the ehco of them playing "Sweet Home Alabama".  The weird part was bands never go on early and I thought why would they play that song first.  Yep, totally missed them...big ugh and not happy ... Especially since a friend of mine actually went to a Skynyrd concert and said it was amazing. 

She said it started thunderstorming and they were only allowed to play one song, so what song did they play?  "Sweet Home Alabama" of course. 

It was pouring rain, muddy, and at the Woodlands Pavilion there's a huge hill so as they were playing the song they could see people sliding down the hill and commented on it and decided to go try it.  How cool is that?  Lynyrd Skynyrd, rock legends, sliding down a muddy hill at their concert with fans if that's not a rock band I don't know what is. 

Their upcoming album, "Gods & Guns," comes out Tuesday, Sept. 29th, and from what I've heard it sounds pretty amazing. 

And that's all I have to say about that (Alabama Reference...who said it??) 

Because I 'm the Miz, and I'm AWESOME!!

Welcome back Mizfits and Miztakes to "Miz on Music" -- our next adventure comes from the World Television Premiere of The 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania which airs August 29th on NBC at 9:00 PM.

If you didn't see the show last year it's pretty sweet.  They condense the 4-hour WrestleMania into a highlight reel cut almost entirely to music. We have the best editors in the business, so it'll definitely be amazing. 
 
With all the music in the show I've decided to talk about a couple of the bands they chose starting with one of my favorites of all time, Korn.  I remember the first time I heard them.  The song was "Blind" and I was at my dad's house watching MTV late at night and this new type of song came on. Remember, they were before all the nu metal and were so different then the alternative stuff.  I guess you could say I was hooked from that moment on. 

Every time they were in Cleveland it seemed like I never could go to see them in concert until I went to Woodstock '99. 

For those that don't remember Woodstock '99 was a 3 day concert event featuring every popular band out there.  It was hosted in Rome, NY and is my most memorable concert.  The first day was so tiring from driving 10 hours then lugging all of our tents and supplies from our far away parking spot to watching 5 bands in 90 degree heat. I guess you could say I was tired.

However, Korn was the last band to go on, nightfall hit and I debated sleep or Korn.  I chose Korn and it was a wise decision.  I will never forget the small guitar riff that opens blind coming on then watching Jonathan Davis walk up to the mic and screaming "Are you Reaaaaaaddddyyy?"  (no not like DX...like my first song I ever heard from them) and watching waves in the sea of 90,000 people jumping up and down. 

My god, it was a sight to see and something that I could never forget.  The best part was they were so good. Jonathan didn't miss a note. Monkey didn't miss a beat, so incredible.  If you've never seen them before go to a Korn concert you won't be disappointed.
 
Which brings me to the next band, Hollywood Undead, because I've been wanting to see them in concert for about a year now and every time they are in LA I'm traveling somewhere else.  Ahhhh, life on the road. 

I have a story about the song "Undead" by them.  I heard "Undead" about a year ago and instantly fell in love with it.  I liked it so much I wanted it as my entrance music so I went to their myspace page (see myspace is good for something) to see who I could get in contact with to see how or if I could get that song. 

While looking on the page I noticed one of my friends was in
their top friends list so I called him and asked if he knew any of their numbers to see if we could work something out.  While waiting for him to call back I went to WWE to see how or if we could get this song.  Of course, like anything in television and music there are long processes you have to go through with legal, contracts, and blah blah.  So I didn't get to have that song, but we all know how awesome it would've been to see me coming out to it.  WWE must of really liked it because they are using it in the 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania show. 

I see Hollywood Undead being around for awhile because their entire CD is great.  Reminds me of a cross between Eminem and Linkin Park with masks.  Yes they wear masks and I'm a person that likes bands with gimmics, Mushroomhead, Slipknot, the old Mudvayne.  They are all great and I think having a gimmick is a good way to gain attention.  But like any act you better be able to back it up and I think they do.  I also heard during the concert they take off the masks which I think is cool basically showing we are not just a gimmick.

A band that needed no gimmick maybe just another hit that will be on the August 29th show is Living Colour and I think we all know what song I'm talking about "Cult of Personality."  I was a huge 80's metal head.  I had all the posters of them, Def Leppard, Motley Crue, Guns n Roses, you name it I had them all over my walls with my mother telling me if I put one more up she's ripping all of them down.  The good old days.  I thought they did the most incredible job with putting this song with "Stone Cold" Steve Austin for the Hall of Fame.  Let's face it, Stone Cold was definitely everything that song said and the way they edited it was pure perfection.
 
Before I go I have to bring up Anberlin and Skillet -- two bands that are featured and have been in my iPod for awhile.  I got brought on to Skillet by my seamstress (yes I have one who did you think made those amazing shorts and now my killer trunks) They were listening to it and it sounded like a heavy metal symphony so I was in. 

I just got into Anberlin from hearing them on the radio and "Feel Good Drag" is a great song and I haven't seen the NBC WrestleMania show yet but for some reason I think this has to be the 25 Divas match with Santio/a. It just fits. 

Any way that's it for me. Until next time, always remember ... I'm the Miz and I'm Awesome!!

Hello Mizfits (Miz fans) and Miztakes (Miz haters),

I'm starting a new blog based solely on music. From time to time I will feature my opinions on new artists, upcoming cds, song, bands, everything music in general, and what better way to start this new blog off than with the band who gave the biggest event of the summer, SummerSlam, its theme song "You Gotta Move," Aerosmith. 

I'm definitely a fan of Aerosmith. Who isn't? And I was excited to hear they will be touring all summer long with ZZ Top. I've never seen Aerosmith in concert, but you better believe if I have the day off, which lately very rarely happens, and they are in LA I'm going to see them. 

I've heard so many great stories from friends that seeing them live is better than listening to the CD. That's how I differentiate bad bands to good bands to great bands. There's nothing worse then spending your hard-earned cash to go see your favorite band only to have them royally suck in concert. Whether the singer can't hit certain notes, the band's off-key, or they are boring in general it's like watching a trainwreck. 

Luckily, I've heard Aerosmith is not the case. They haven't been around for 30-plus years selling out stadiums for nothing.

As for ZZ Top, I saw them live during the half time show at the Orange Bowl last year, and they were really fun to watch which I was a little shocked seeing that they don't jump around or get really wild. I think it's the presense of them that made it fun. Seeing the gimmicks of the long beards and shades brought me back to rocking to them in the '80s so I loved it. Plus, meeting them backstage numerous times at WWE events made me like them so much more. It's amazing when you meet someone you grew up listening to and they are incredibly nice that it makes you love their music that much more.

Seeing these two legendary bands live would be amazing especially since I love going to concerts. I used to go to about 2-3 concerts a week, but ever since I moved to LA I've slowed down. And when I do go I head directly to the mosh pit, and in about 1 minute, I'm gasping for air. It never used to be like that. Guess I'm out of shape, plus, I look at who is in the mosh pits and it's usually younger kids still in middle and high school makes me feel old. haha ... whatever. I don't think there will be too many mosh pits at an Aerosmith concert more singing with the band and playing air guitar.

I've always enjoyed Aerosmith's music.  My favorite top 5 songs would have to be....

5.  Angel

4.  Walk This Way Featuring Run DMC

3.  Living on the edge

2.  Dream on

1.  Janie's got a Gun

It sucks I had to leave off so many, but hey, top 5 is top 5.  What's your top 5?

Does anyone remember the music videos?  OMG...I remember watching MTV everyday just to watch Janie's Got a Gun. 

I was a kid and that music video had such an impact on me because my parents had to explain the story which they weren't too happy about it. They banned me from watching MTV because of it. And just like a kid as soon as they said no it became my favorite video and any chance I got, I'd turn it on. I guess an 8-year-old kid learning about a girl killing a man isn't a great video to watch at that age. 

Then Aerosmith started putting movie stars in their videos which made it that much better.  Remember the Alicia Silverstone videos?  Those were so good. 

I was a teenager by then and the movie Crush just came out.  Remember that movie? She played a great psycho, but I'd totally forgive her back then because she was hot. I think every guy was drooling over her at that time. 

Then Living on the Edge with Eddie Furlong (I think that's his name) had a really cool story to it.

These are all the reasons Aerosmith has been so successful for 30+ years from numerous hit cds with dozens and dozens of great songs, to these impactful, creative music videos all this has made them legendary in my mind. 

If you disagree or have opinions of your own or have a topic you want me to talk about let me know.  As Ross Perot once said "I'm all ears." 

Just always remember that I'm The Miz and I'm Awesome.

Miz