CELEBRITY RATE A VIDEO
with Johnny Lee Middleton and Criss Oliva

From: Hit Parader '93
Contributed by: Don Compton--- Savatage Rarities Page

Savatage guitarist Criss Oliva and bassist Johnny Lee Middleton were looking forward to doing rate-a-video so they could trash some bands but were disappointed to find they honestly liked most of the clips we picked.

Independant, Sacred Reich
JLM: The video is cool, I like it.
CO: It's put together very well. The song has a lot of attitude.
JLM: Two thumbs up for sure. I like the way they photographed the mosh pit.

Bed Of Roses, Bon Jovi
C: I can't say anything bad for a guy that has done so good, but I don't like the 90210 haircut. Grow your hair back, Jon! But the video is good. Great ballad.
J: I like the old Bon Jovi with the hair and a little attitude. This is too soft looking. Killer scenes though, I love those mountains.
C: Richie still rules so it don't matter.
J: I like the bit with the candles. Thats the way we record. We bring candles in the studio. But this video is really done well, I don't think Bon Jovi would ever do a bad one.
C: Hey Jon, you rule. Song is good, video is good, you can't argue with success.

Tribe, Gruntruck

J: I never heard of these guys. They sound like they are from Seattle. I'm really burnt on the grunge scene.
C: But these guys are alright. The video doesn't go anywhere, its not interesting. Kinda dark.
J: The song is alright but it doesn't blow me away.
C: Definitely not Pearl Jam.

Driven By You, Brian May

Both: Alright
Johnny: Brian May rules. I love this song too.
C: I feel so sorry for him for what he must have went through with Freddie Mercury. Its so sad.
J: My God, hes got Cozy Powell on drums. I can't believe hes singing.
C: He's sung on a few Queen songs. What do I think? Well, I've always been a fan of Brian May, so you'll never get anything bad out of my mouth about this guy or his video. He's still on top. He rules. Its great to see a guy get it back together after such a tragedy.
J: You can't keep a good man down. Two thumbs up for this one.

Take The Time, Dream Theater

C: I knew who this was right from the go. My buddies. I always liked this band. They're great musicians and I'm not just saying this, I really mean it. They remind me of a Styx of the 90's with that Rush vibe going. Here you have a band of very talented musicians playing hard rock music; what more can I say.
J: This video is cool. Its always moving and holds your interest even though its a long song. Look at that bass player go.

Dreams (Live), Van Halen

C: You expect us to knock Van Halen? Eddie is one of my idols.
J: Where are they playing? In a club? Well, thats different. Its weird seeing Eddie where he can't move around.
C: I like the club setting too. Its cool for a band this big. Someone gave me a tape of them before they got signed and you wouldn't think it was the same band. I cherish it with my life. They're doing all these Bad Company and David Bowie songs.
J: Another two thumbs up.

Wading Through The Darkness, Flotsam And Jetsam

J: I really dig this song. I'm glad to see these guys getting some exposure. The singer is kinda scary. Great video.
C: They remind me of Metallica a lot. It is a great song. I like some of their heavier stuff, this one is a bit more commercial. The video is really dark, but you have all these color coming out. I like the setting, its kind of like a dungeon.

Dead Horse, Guns N Roses

J: If I don't ever hear another Guns N Roses song for the rest of my life, I will not be bummed out. Nothing personal guys, its just overkill.
C: I like the video but I'm getting sick of hearing them too. Lots of energy there, Axl, but I don't particularly like the song.
J: Helmet cam, did you see that? Its definitely a cool video. I could take or leave the song.

$10 Bill, Cop Shoot Cop

C: Don't tell me this is a band of munchkins. They definitely have balls to do this. That guy is not the singer, is he? This has got to be a joke.
J: I'm digging this. This is bizarre. If anything is going to break the band, it will be this video.
C: That was a shocking experience. I still don't know what to think about it.


Originally published in Hit Parader magazine.