Orange County Blog

Within the steel-studded cannon of heavy metal gods, there are a few essential names etched at the top of the list for eternity. And while their order of importance remains a serious topic of debate by any metal head with a joint, a couch and a half-hour to kill ,one thing is for certain, Judas Priest will always be on that list. As one of Britain's most legendary sonic exports, Priest's aura and legacy have inspired countless bands to follow in their foot steps. Today is another reason to celebrate the talents of vocalist Rob Halford, guitarists K.K. Downing and Glenn Tipton, bassist Ian Hill and drummer Scott Travis as the band releases their fifth live album.

A Touch of Evil:Live is the first live release with Halford since the band reunited  back in 2003 and encompasses 11 mostly rare live tracks from the band's 2005 and 2008 tours. It was also a reunion between the band and producer Tom Allom who last worked with the band on the 1988 studio album Ram It Down (suggestive title much?).

As it hits stores today, you'll want to make sure to grab a copy and get the full blood curdling, guitar-shredding experience of songs like "Between the Hammer and the Anvil" and time honored classics like "Pain Killer", though the album does seem to focus less on the band's smash hits and more on rare material that real fans tend to fiend after. While you're here check out the godliness of the band's pyro-filled trailer for the new live album and DVD. Hopefully it gets you pumped enough to buy tickets for their August 5 show at Pacific Amphitheater in Costa Mesa as part of the OC Super Fair. That's right, Priest at the Fair, better get your tickets ASAP.

OMG. Fairs and Kelly Clarkson, two of my favorite things, together at last on July 23. What a day.

The lineup for acts for this year's OC Super Fair is shaping up, and if you like nostalgia, well, this is the event for you! Other than Ms. Clarkson, it's pretty much all oldsters: Hearts, Moody Blues, Duran Duran (awesome, yes, but still old), etc. Sure, it's a fair, what do you expect, blah blah blah, but some of my best music memories came from the Arizona State Fair: Bob Dylan in 2002 (OK, he's as old as it gets), Beck in 2005 and, in one of the more fantastic oddities, Pet Shop Boys in 2006.

Here's the lineup as of now, all shows on sale through Ticketmaster now except for Anita Baker; pre-sale on that begins tomorrow. All shows at the Pacific Amphitheatre in Costa Mesa. This is actually KC's second OC show this year; she's also playing KIIS-FM's Wango Tango on May 9 at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater.