DOKKEN

I know there are other threads on Dokken, but I wanted to start a new one. Motley Crue, Poison, and Ratt get all of the glory when it comes to LA metal explosion of the 80's but none of these bands could touch Dokken in terms of playing and song writing ability.

Don Dokken is a good singer, who unlike Stephen 'Look at my sock in my pants' Pearcy or Vince 'The drunk' Neil. He knew his way around a melody, and George Lynch one of the best guitartist that era of music ever produced. Their albums such as 'Under Lock and Key' and 'Tooth n Nail' delivered the goods and also remembered to bring great tunes to the party.

Donot get me wrong I am somewhat a fan of lot of those hair bands, but IMO in terms of sheer skills these guys music had alot more substance and IMO hold up better.

I also admire the fact that on their reunion albums of the 90's, Dokken didnot try to recreate their golden era nor did they try to become Dokken in Chains, they moved forward and stayed true to themselves without becoming a parody of themselves. Maybe Dokken didnot write books like 'The Dirt' or star in their own reality show like 'Rock of Love' but when it comes to the other LA bands, no one comes close to Dokken.

One of my favorites of all time. I listen to them a lot. One of the few bands that had integrity in the 80's.

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Dokken didnot try to recreate their golden era

See: Lightning Strikes Again

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Dokken in Chains

Shadowlife anyone?

In short:

Dokken - me likey. Fave albums: UNDER LOCK AND KEY, BACK FOR THE ATTACK, DYSFUNCTIONAL, ONE LIVE NIGHT. ERASE THE SLATE ain't bad neither.

They have the unique distinction of being the first band I ever saw live, as they were the opening act at my first ever concert (Judas Priest's "TURBO" tour in '86).

Dokken were successful enough to have the theme melody for a Nightmare on Elm Street movie (number 3, right?). And the Don Dokken solo band was even featured in the Tommy Chong movie, Far Out Man.

I've always loved Dokken, but they do have a broken catalogue, imho. Under Lock and Key is my favorite, and I can still remember the day I first heard it at my cousins house. She also introduced me to Jerusale, Leviticus, Daniel Band and Whitecorss. But Dokken was the only secular band from that era in my musical upbringing.

SpectreFate wrote:

One of my favorites of all time. I listen to them a lot. One of the few bands that had integrity in the 80's.

Quote :

Dokken didnot try to recreate their golden era

See: Lightning Strikes Again

Quote :

Dokken in Chains

Shadowlife anyone?

Never heard 'Lighting Strikes Again' so Spec I take you on your word that Mr Dokken was trying for a sound like his glory days, while I do admit their is strong modern rock influence on 'Shadow Life' (Dokken claims it was Kelly Grey (producer) and Pilson/Lynch's Idea) IMHO it is still solid album and again Dokken remembered to bring good songs to the party not a desperate attempt to remain hip, for an example of that see Motley Crue's 'Generation Swine'

Lighting Strikes Again could be the album after Back For The Attack and it'd be a natural progression.

TheNazgul wrote:

Lighting Strikes Again could be the album after Back For The Attack and it'd be a natural progression.

Agreed.

SpectreFate wrote:

TheNazgul wrote:

Lighting Strikes Again could be the album after Back For The Attack and it'd be a natural progression.

Agreed.

Spec and Nazgul is 'Lighting Strikes Again' a CD worth investing in?

I think so. Levin manages to make it sound like a Dokken record without rehashing Lynch's riffs.

Oh crikey yes! It's great, IMO.

I will have to pick that one up!

Dokken are awesome, but I only have Tooth and Nail, Under Lock and Key and Back for the Attack. Of those, I guess Lock and Key is my favourite.

I really love Lynch's playing, among my favourite heavy metal guitarists for sure.

Lari wrote:

Dokken are awesome, but I only have Tooth and Nail, Under Lock and Key and Back for the Attack. Of those, I guess Lock and Key is my favourite.

I really love Lynch's playing, among my favourite heavy metal guitarists for sure.

You have the mandatory albums. To be honest, you may be disappointed with all the others after hearing those 3.

TheNazgul wrote:

I think so. Levin manages to make it sound like a Dokken record without rehashing Lynch's riffs.

I dunno about that. On both HELL TO PAY (or as it's been called, HELL TOUPEE, haha) and the new one, I get a mental picture of Don beating Jon Levin with a stick in the studio going "No, no, NO! You have to sound MORE like George Lynch!!"

TheNazgul wrote:

Lighting Strikes Again could be the album after Back For The Attack and it'd be a natural progression.

No. That distinction would belong to Up From the Ashes. Lightning Strikes Again is not near as good an album. Definitely not good enough to be the follow up to Back For the Attack. Well maybe the one song Heart to Stone.

Bland band.

SpectreFate wrote:

Lari wrote:

Dokken are awesome, but I only have Tooth and Nail, Under Lock and Key and Back for the Attack. Of those, I guess Lock and Key is my favourite.

I really love Lynch's playing, among my favourite heavy metal guitarists for sure.

You have the mandatory albums. To be honest, you may be disappointed with all the others after hearing those 3.

I like Breaking The Chains, or at least I remember liking it...haven't heard it in ages. I never heard any of the albums post-Back For The Attack.

Don Dokken is going to playing a club in my hometown sometime later this year. Not sure if I'll go, but might if some friends ask me.

manny wrote:

I know there are other threads on Dokken, but I wanted to start a new one. Motley Crue, Poison, and Ratt get all of the glory when it comes to LA metal explosion of the 80's but none of these bands could touch Dokken in terms of playing and song writing ability.

It's completely unfair to Dokken to be put into the same category as those bands. Comparing Dokken to Motley Crue is like comparing a Porsche to a 1976 Ford Pinto.

Loved the first few Dokken releases up until the double live album. Talented band with great songs. That said, I always thought that Don himself was the weakest member as far as talent went.

SpectreFate wrote:

Lari wrote:

Dokken are awesome, but I only have Tooth and Nail, Under Lock and Key and Back for the Attack. Of those, I guess Lock and Key is my favourite.

I really love Lynch's playing, among my favourite heavy metal guitarists for sure.

You have the mandatory albums. To be honest, you may be disappointed with all the others after hearing those 3.

I agree, although Breakin' The Chains is pretty cool. Dokken were actually playing long before all of the other hair bands of the 80's with the possible exception of Quiet Riot but they were off in Japan at the turn of the decade(79-80).
My fave is Tooth 'N' Nail, with Lock 'N' Key a close second.

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My fave is Tooth 'N' Nail, with Lock 'N' Key a close second.

I wish T&N had a better production. The production on UL&K makes that my favorite. That album sounds great, while T&N sounds muddy through most of it and thin in other parts. I'd like to see Don remix T&N, although I feel if he had the opportunity, he'd lower all the levels on George's guitarwork.

SpectreFate wrote:

I'd like to see Don remix T&N, although I feel if he had the opportunity, he'd lower all the levels on George's guitarwork.

... or he'd erase George's tracks entirely and replace them with Jon Levin's playing

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TheNazgul wrote:

Lighting Strikes Again could be the album after Back For The Attack and it'd be a natural progression.

No. That distinction would belong to Up From the Ashes. Lightning Strikes Again is not near as good an album. Definitely not good enough to be the follow up to Back For the Attack. Well maybe the one song Heart to Stone.

Well since that was the next album after BFTA it'd make sense. I don't count that as it's a Don solo album.