THE RATASS GAZETTE

TOP 5 - 'AMERICAN GLADIATORS' GAMES - We're talking about the classic, original American Gladiators here, which aired from 1989 to 1996.  I loved that show and always thought the athletic events they competed in were awesome and probably a lot of fun to do.  Who doesn't want to give Swing Shot a try, right?  So I've compiled my Top 5 list of American Gladiators games.  I consulted a master list on Wikipedia , and clicking on the event names below will show you a video of each one, courtesy of American Gladiators.com and YouTube .  The only criteria is, How awesome was the game?  Enjoy!  1.   Assault - Ever notice how the cross-bow had the touchiest trigger in the world?  I swear, most times that flimsy foam arrow would be in flight before the contestant even got a chance to aim it.  And when the arrow did fly, it never went straight.  My favorite weapon was the ball cannon; It seemed to be the only one with even a trace...

A look back at Green Day's Insomniac .  The 1995 follow-up to the hugely successful Dookie did not reach the same levels of sales or accolades as it's predecessor, but there are some really strong songs on this underrated album. Here are my five favorites... 1. “Geek Stink Breath” – The first post- Dookie single has been my fave since the first time I heard it.  It’s a shame the video for this song got pulled from daytime rotation (too gory showing a dentist yanking a tooth), thus costing it a chance at being on TRL .  And as anyone knows, in 1995, if you weren’t on TRL , you may as well not exist.  But the song itself kicks ass: a great opening-line of lyrics, catchy chorus, and Tre Cool’s nice decision to use the open high-hat on the drums, rather than a closed high-hat, because he’s a musical genius.  My point is, this song should have been much bigger than it was! 2. “Babs’ Uvula Who?” – I dare you to name a better 2-minute pu...

The next time you're cruisin' through town with your windows rolled down, crank up the volume with one of these awesome guitar solos!     1) Quiet Riot - “Cum on Feel the Noize” – A solo that people recognize when you drive by. And, whenever I have a chance to put this song on a Top 5 list, I DO IT! (Also featured on Top 5 lists such as Best Drum Intro , Best Mid-Song Scream by a Lead Singer , Songs I’d Like as My Plate Approach Theme If I Were a Baseball Player , and Favorite Songs That Passively-Aggressively Urge People to ‘Feel the Noize’ .) 2) Dio – “Rainbow in the Dark” – People don’t know what the hell is happening when they hear this cranked up to 11 on the street! Lots of speed-picking and other good heavy metal shit going on, it sounds like Satan in a speaker!  I had a frail old woman look on with fear as I drove by one time. Just give her the Devil Horns and tell ol’ blue-hair to drop dead, I say!  3) Metallica – “Enter Sandman” – I ...