Bands like Whitesnake, Def Leppard and Bon Jovi sold millions of records on the back of heavy rotation 24/7.

And then there was the outstanding Headbanger’s Ball with its heady mix of video clips, live footage and interviews.

In fact MTV did real rock a real service in its early days.

Then came the decision to all but drop guitar bands and heavy music in favour of R&B, dance, hip-hop and the like. Suddenly MTV’s output was weaker than a bottle of Spanish lager and even the creation of VH1 and VH1 Classic failed to fill an obvious void.

Of course channels like Scuzz slowly emerged to pick up the slack and there’s plenty of rock and metal out there without needing to make the switch to MTV.

But the biggest music channel of all still carries plenty of clout with industry tastemakers, record label and promoters.

And so this year’s deliberate rebranding of the one-time MTV2 channel, creating the does-what-it-says-on the-tin MTV Rocks, is a significant step forward for fans of guitar music.

The fact that MTV feels it necessary to get the word ‘Rocks’ into the rebrand is a triumph in itself. And even the content reflects an acceptance that our favourite music is back bigger and better than ever before.

Check out the current playlist on the station’s newest channel and you’ll find 30 Seconds To Mars, Paramore, Bullet For My Valentine, All Time Low and Muse.

And even the clips from Vampire Weekend, Mumford and Sons and Eminem make better viewing than the majority of MTV fare elsewhere.

Indeed, if it takes the odd poppier, more popular track to underpin real rock and metal then we’d rather have that than nothing at all.

The fact that MTV dropped our favourite genre as quickly as they built it up 20 years ago still rankles.

But if the biggest music channel in the world has finally accepted rock and metal can no longer be ignored, albeit after almost two decades of burying their heads in the sand, then we’ll take that.

Pay MTV Rocks a visit and tell your friends. The best chance we’ve got of making an even bigger mark on this entertainment behemoth is by supporting this pivotal rebrand.

Rather MTV Rocks than MTV hip-hops, pops, raves or whatever.

Throw in the music underpinning another new film, Jennifer’s Body, and it seems the days of heavyweight bands lending their tunes to Hollywood blockbusters are far from over.

In a Rock Solid special we review and rate two CDs chock full of modern day rock anthems. Enjoy.

The Twilight Saga: New Moon – Original Soundtrack (Atlantic Records)

Every good vampire flick requires an even greater soundtrack and in the case of cool new franchise The Twilight Saga it seems there’s no shortage of rock heavyweights looking to lend their skills to the visual treats on offer. Get your teeth into this little beauty and you’ll be rewarded with killer tunes (and a Killers tune) guaranteed to get your post-Halloween party started.

Whether intrigued by the indie pop rock of Death Cab For Cutie with Meet Me On The Equinox or taken by the New Moon Remix (!) of Muse’s I Belong To You, there’s enough guitar driven music to keep most fans of hot riffs and even hotter hooks interested. And with a healthy 15 tracks there’s value for money at every turn.

With killer tunes (and a tune by The Killers) appealing to the masses it’s difficult to predict whether the New Moon soundtrack will prove more popular with the Twilight Saga’s teen fans and 20-something devotees or their parents. But the quality of the songs means this soundtrack is a most useful pormotional tool when it comes to attracting new fans to the hottest vampire franchise this side of True Blood.

rushonrock rated:  7/10 Moon Rising

Jennifer’s Body – Original Soundtrack (Fueled By Ramen)

Sometimes there’s more to like about the music than the film it complements and this may just be a case in point. If you do catch this throwaway flick at least you’re getting the audio quality to match the visual treat – just don’t expect a blinding plot for good measure.

Any soundtrack featuring the combined talents of Dashboard Confessional, All Time Low, The Sword and Silversun Pickups must be pretty amazing. And it is. Maybe it does occasionally sound like you’re stuck in the middle of a touring US summer festival but then that’s a pretty decent price to pay when the cream of America’s emerging crop are jostling for position on a 15-track career showcase.

Hayley Williams’ Teenagers is as cool as it is predictable – think School’s Out for the 21st century kids - but the ‘Pickups steal the show with the mesmerising Little Lover’s So Polite. New Moon is the better film but Jennifer’s Body picks up the prize for superior soundtrack. Fact.

rushonrock rated: 8/10 Fine Body Of Work

One of the tightest bands in the world, all four members have been together from the start and it shows. More focused and tuneful than ever this could be the time for BT to make the big league in the UK.

We caught up with bass man Jon Gallant ahead of Wednesday’s Sheffield Academy opener.

rushonrock: Do you still feel as if you have to break the UK after so much success back home and in mainland Europe?

Jon Gallant: I don’t know. I think we’re doing pretty good in the UK but it’s just weird that some places have picked up on us in a big way and some places haven’t. For instance we’ve just come off a tour in the States where we’re playing tiny clubs and then over the border in Canada we’re playing arenas. I think it comes down to the kind of support you pick up across the media and in mainland Europe we get played a lot on the radio and on TV.

rushonrock: But you’re huge in Germany, Austria and Finland and still fighting for recognition in the UK – does it bother you?

JG: Not at all. We love playing the UK and the fans who come out to see us here are some of the most committed in the world. That’s how it works. We see the same people over and over and occasionally there’ll be some new faces too. With every tour you’re trying to climb to that next level and get a little bit higher up the pecking order. That’s the whole idea of going on the road again and again. Every single tour we get a little bit bigger wherever we play.

rushonrock: Are British bands a big influence on Billy Talent?

JG: Of course. We feel very close to British music and the British people. We love the classic rock bands but we’re influenced by the punkier bands like The Clash and I’d include The Police in that. After that it’s all the usual suspects – the Stones and the Beatles. Right now I’m a really big fan of a whole range of new British music including bands like Muse and The Arctic Monkeys. And I was a big fan of Reuben so it’s such a shame those guys decided to call it a day. It kinda sucks. They have some great songs but I suppose people took them for granted and they didn’t get the support their great work deserved.

rushonrock: You mentioned that you’re an arena band back home battling it out with the likes of Nickelback for top billing. But do you still enjoy getting up on stage in the smaller venues?

JG: I love the clubs. I enjoy the things you can do with arena-size shows but it’s great to play the clubs and have people who love the band right in your face. Some of the places we’ve just played in America didn’t even have barricades so there was nothing between us and the fans other than the music. There’s a lot of energy on both sides in that situation and it makes for a special feeling.

rushonrock: What’s your view on the rock scene right now?

JG: Over in North America it’s not that exciting right now. I personally haven’t been turned on by a new North American band in quite a while. I love the Silversun Pickups but I’ve desperately been searching for some excitement. Most of the new bands over there are trying to sound like 80s rock bands and writing anthemy stuff. There’s no freakoid rock to blow your mind or maybe there is but I’m just not seeing it. Take a band like Muse over here – in America it doesn’t seem possible for bands like that to reach the next level.

rushonrock: You finally kick off your UK tour tomorrow – how’s the setlist shaping up?

JG: It’s interesting because the latest album (Billy Talent III) only came out in the US in September so the audiences there weren’t that familiar with the new songs. It’s been out a bit longer in Europe and so we’re planning to throw in at least four or five new numbers into the UK setlist. I imagine we’ll be playing Devil On My Shoulder, Rusted From The Rain, Diamond On A Landmine and Turn Your Back and then we’ll wait and see.

Ian Haugland has seen it, done it and bought the T-shirt as a fully fledged member of the hair metal legends and he’s ready to do it all again after landing at number one in his native Sweden with the brilliant Last Look At Eden.

Following in the well trodden footsteps of band mate Joey Tempest, the thoroughly amiable tub thumper has agreed to bare all for the rushonrock Rider. So read on to discover the life behind the man.

On your iPod: I’ve been listening to Sounds Of The Universe by Depeche Mode – they’re just such great songwriters. And I was just checking out Physical Grafitti by Led Zeppelin. Of the newer bands I’m loving Muse’s latest record.

Small Screen Pleasure: I’m a comedy guy. I’d still go for Monty Python every time given the choice. Fawlty Towers, The Young Ones, Blackadder – I’m a sucker for any great British comedy shows.

Making a meal of it: I just love food. I eat anything. I love Indian and Mexican and Swedish food. Japanese is another favourite and I adore anything that’s just a bit spicy.

Drivetime: Hey, I’m Swedish. So I drive an old Volvo – an SX60. It’s at least 10-years-old. I like cars but I’m not fanatical about them. My father is great with cars and my brother works in a workshop.

Ace place: Outisde Sweden the place that I love best is San Francisco. we spentb a lot of time there recording. But we also spent time in London and I felt just as at home there. But San Francisco has a real European vibe for a US city.

Dream destination: New Zealand. I’ve seen pictures and of course the Lord Of The Rings trilogy was filmed there. It seems as if it’s out of this world. And I’d like to take in Australia. We never toured there – even at the height of our popularity. We got offers but we were always scheduled to go somehwere else.

Nickname shame: I was called the Hog.

In our latest look at what makes the rock stars tick behind the scenes we reveal Joey’s taste in music, food and cars. And that crazy nickname he had as a kid…

On your iPod: I’m listening to Black Stone Cherry all of the time. They’re a 21st century band with a real 70s sound and swagger. They’re young guys who should have been around for a long time. I also like a bit of Muse and I love the Danish alternative rock band Mew.

Small screen pleasure: I’m a total 24 addict. It’s very well filmed. I love it.

Making a meal of it: Japanese food is my favourite. I was very, very young when I first went to Tokyo and tasted something I’d never imagined I would eat.

Drivetime: I drive a BMW. (I thought all Swedes owned Volvos – Ed)

Ace place: I do love San Francisco. I spent a lot of time there recording our follow-up to The Final Countdown. If I can I like to go there from time to time.

Dream destination: The funny thing about being in Europe was that we were so busy during the late 80s and early 90s that we never got the chance to visit Australia. We’re trying to put together a few dates for that part of the world right now.

Nickname shame: It was Bobbam. I think it was something to do with the hockey player Bobby Ord. At least that’s what I remember.

Out on the road again with Staind in their native America, the massive selling metal stars can’t wait to head back to the UK before Christmas. In the meantime axe hero Zach Myers caught up with rushonrock to talk festivals, girlfriends, great new music and starting over.

It’s another cracking exclusive from the UK’s fastest-growing independent rock site. Expect more where this came from very soon.

rushonrock: What was the Download experience like for you?

Zach Myers: It was amazing. As well as playing the second stage we got to see our friends in Black Stone Cherry who tour with us in America a lot. I met some of the Journey guys so I watched them. We’d just done a big run with Buckcherry so I was excited to see them. And Def Leppard? Wow! I’d seen them before in the States but never in front of a home crowd. It was a long time since they played Castle Donington and I suppose for them it was pretty close to a hometown show. It’s awesome to be on the same bill as a band like Leppard. 

rushonrock: What are Shinedown doing right now?

ZM: Well we’re on the road with Staind, Chevelle, Halestorm and Lo-Pro throughout the US on the Stimulate This! Tour for the next two months. Before that we did all the big European festivals and went all through Europe. We had a week off between Europe and the US tour so it’s a pretty hectic time.

rushonrock: Are you already working on the follow up to The Sound Of Madness bearing in mind it’s been out for some time in the US?

ZM: No way. It’s been out in America for just over a year but we’re not done with it yet. We’ll be out with this record until winter next year. It’s still got a lot of life in it yet – we hope!

rushonrock: Do you feel that every time you return to the UK the band is getting bigger and bigger?

ZM: Yeah definitely. It’s cool because around the Download set we sold out all of our UK shows – you’re talking 800-1,000 capacity venues. We keep stepping it up every time and we’re really proud of the progress we’re making in Britain. I enjoy coming over and enjoy playing the smaller places. It keeps you real. It means you stay true to who you are and when you go back to the States you’re not walking around with a big head acting like a rock star. You come to the UK and see Black Stone Cherry on the main stage at Download and they’re huge in Europe. So we’re opening for them in the Uk and they’d be opening for us in America. That’s cool and I like it a lot.

rushonrock: It would have been easy for Shinedown, bearing in mind the commercial success you’ve had back home, to stick to the market and the fan base you have without bothering about tackling the UK and Europe.

ZM: I love the challenge. The first time we came to the UK it felt like we were starting again. We felt like a new band that had never toured before because people were stood at gigs with their arms folded and not knowing what to think about us. I love that scenario. You get to start again without having to start again. You always know you can go back home and walk into a successful situation but I’m very grateful we’re getting bigger elsewhere on the back of some hard work.

rushonrock: What do you like about the UK?

ZM: The fans are very different. They pay attention more to everything we do. They’re very much into it. They really hear our music. As for the women? I’ve got a girl back home so I wouldn’t really know about that…and I love the food. I’m a big food guy.

rushonrock: How difficult is it leaving your girl behind for so many weeks and months.

ZM: It is tough. But she comes out from time to time. She hasn’t been to Europe yet but it’s cool to have her alongside me in America. If you have trust in a relationship then it will work wherever you are.

rushonrock:  Did you have chance to watch any cricket on your last trip to England?

ZM: I haven’t, no. I don’t watch TV at home so it’s very rare that I watch it on the road. We were in England for three weeks the last time and I didn’t turn my TV on at all. I was having too cool a time. I’ve just downloaded the new Brad Paisley record – he’s a country artist – and the Eagles. I’ve been listening to Muse and I think the new Placebo record is amazing. And I love the new Papa Roach record.

And yet Shinedown still remain a mystery to the majority of music fans on this side of The Pond.

Quite capable of knocking Nickelback off their perch and the next arena band in waiting, the feisty Floridians are on a mission to carry their metal message abroad.

rushonrock has been backing Shinedown for months but with debut UK album The Sound Of Madness out now what better time to catch up with band’s aptly-named bass player, Eric Bass?

rushonrock: You’ve been going for eight years now but you’re still relatively unknown in the UK. Why is that?

Eric Bass: First of all let me say what an absolute honour it has been to finally get to play in the UK! We never really got the chance to tour over there before now and I think that really hurt us. We are and always will be a ‘grass roots’ kind of band. We tour relentlessly and have a very close relationship with our fans. We like to interact with them on stage and off. So, the fact that we haven’t gotten that chance in Britain is what I think has kept us very much unknown. Not to mention the fact that The Sound of Madness is the first of our records that has really ever gotten any exposure in Europe.

rushonrock: Why is now the right time to bring Shinedown to the British masses?

EB: We feel that The Sound of Madness is the strongest record that Shinedown has ever put out. The heavy tracks are the heaviest the band has ever done, and the ballads are some of the most epic sounding songs we’ve done. We are also clean and sober now. We do still enjoy our beer but the hard drugs and pills are gone. The band is simply at its strongest point ever. What better time to introduce ourselves than now!

rushonrock: The Sound Of Madness has been available in the US for the best part of a year now so are you still enthusiastic about pushing the record here?

EB: Absolutely, without a doubt! Like I said before, we tour non-stop. The fact that we can bring our sound to a brand new fan base is the best feeling in the world. The shows that we did in there in January have given us some of our most fond memories to date. Seeing new faces in the crowd, and listening to those individuals singing your songs back to you is an indescribable feeling. The day that this band is not enthusiastic is the day that we are all dead. I can promise you that!

rushonrock: What is it like living in two different eras? You’re constantly playing catch up outside the US but back home fans will be demanding the follow-up to SOM – how do you cope?

EB: I guess we don’t really see it that way. We are going to tour on this record until the wheels fall off of the bus! Making The Sound of Madness was an 18 month process. Hopefully our US fans will see that the wait was worth it and be patient with us in the future. That will give us time to finish our touring cycle in Europe before starting on the next record. We are demoing songs out here on the road all the time though. Shinedown is always looking to the future. That’s what drives us. Being in demand is the best case scenario I feel! 

rushonrock: Similarly you’re an arena band back home and still a club size band in Britain. Is it hard to adjust or do you enjoy going back to basics?

EB: We absolutely love it! The feeling that you get playing in a hot, sweaty club is great. The thing is, I didn’t realise how much I missed it until we got over to the UK and did those first few dates. We were playing at King Tut’s in Glasgow and there was no barricade. I had a fan down front who was hitting some of my foot pedals for me! We could touch the fans and they got our sweat all over them. It was an amazing show! I wouldn’t have traded that show for 20 arena shows!

rushonrock: When you started out in 2001 what did you hope to achieve from being in Shinedown?

EB: I don’t think Shinedown’s goals are any different than any other band’s. We want to reach as many people as we can through our music. We want to help people, and at the same time enjoy ourselves. I personally want to entertain people and maybe just for a night they can forget about everything else in their lives and have a great time.

rushonrock: Why should British fans who don’t know about Shinedown rush out and buy the record this month?

EB: I think that The Sound of Madness is a great record. I am a music fan. I like buying an album that you can put on and listen to from front to back and not get tired of it. One that you love so much that you never skip a song. I would like to think that we have come close to doing that. And as a music fan I am proud of it.

rushonrock: Are there any British bands who have been an influence on your music or who might still be influencing you today?

EB: Funny you should ask. Muse is my favorite band and have been since I bought Origin of Symmetry years ago. I think Absolution is one of the best records front to back that I have ever heard. So, they are a huge influence on me. I also have a record by a band called Athlete. The album is called Vehicles and Animals. I love that CD! Then there are the ones you would expect like Radiohead and Coldplay. Great bands, all of them.

rushonrock: When you come to the UK what do you look forward to most?

EB: My ancestors are from England so I feel like I’m home a bit when I’m there. Barry and I love finding a good pub and trying out the different beers as well. We are both huge beer drinkers. Last but not least we love seeing new fans at the shows. They are the reason why we are able to do what we do!

rushonrock: How is the global credit crunch affecting you?

EB: When it comes down to it, right now, it’s the difference between making money and breaking even. We aren’t going to scale back our shows because of money. We choose to bring a big rock show to the people. They pay their hard earned money to see us play, and we’re not going to let them down. So, because of that, we take a huge hit right now. I feel in my gut that it will get better though. It has to. The unfortunate side is that no one is immune to it. Everyone the world over just needs to remember that we are all feeling it  and we all have to unite and help each other through it. Shinedown isn’t going to let it stop us though!