Yesterday, I went on about Ross Robinson, Metal Douche Extrodinaire, and how he ruined the Cure this year. In a twist of fate, I just read that REAL producer John Leckie (who has done everything from the Roses and The Verve to Ride, and the upcoming New Order) was once approached by KORN of all people. This is a GREAT story in a really super interview found on the poptones uk site (which is Alan McGee's label/playpen), which also goes into Leckie's work with the Cowboy Junkies, Pink Floyd and others.
Observe: http://www.poptones.co.uk/interviews/qod_john_leckie.htm
Massive massive hilarity.
F
25.10.04
There is No Cure...
First off, a note on the passing of Mr. Peel. Back in the day, nothing was cooler than owning your favourite band's Peel Session. When those sessions basically involve almost every band I have ever loved, this should say enough. My gut says that with this man's passing there are a million great bands we will never know of because Mr. Peel isn't here to champion them. A shame. Rest well.
Onwards...
Sometime ago, I addressed my frustration with the recent Cure album. Within the MOGpac, I wasn't alone in those feelings and this has been discussed at length. As press came and went for the new album, Ash was quick to point out that the wonderful Cure bassist, Simon Gallup, didn't have many kind things to say about the album's producer, Metal Douche Ross Robinson. For example, one article read: "When you speak of Ross Robinson, the producer of the new album, he becomes furious: 'Don't tell me he's a great producer, for me he's only been a nightmare. From my mouth will never come out a positive word about him, he's just an idiot'."
In another article: Simon says: "The tracklisting wasn’t decided by committee this time, it was basically Robert and Ross’ tracklisting, so not all of us agree on it. I think there were better songs, personally, that were left off – more personal songs, I think. It’s a subjective thing. They’ll all end up somewhere; they’ll be on B-Sides and things like that."
Suddenly, hearing the B-Sides, including a track called THIS MORNING (long discussed by internet fans in the months leading up to the album as the best song of all the new material) became a priority. I had to know. And knowing Brandt Gassman, I knew he would have these B-Sides. Yes, he's that type. I had actually refused hearing them when offered, but I went in the other day to the studio I demanded these tunes be put in my Ipod. And what do you know! The songs are fucking AWESOME. I'm not gonna sit there and get into them. It's too frustrating. However, THIS MORNING is the dogs balls. Really ace stuff. Fuck you Ross. Metal Douche Bitchass. And to Mr. Smith I say: Fat Boy, what the fuck are you on about? As I've always said, PRODUCE YOURSELF instead of dealing with some douche who thinks they know what's best for your band. They're usually cracked in the head and think they know what they're doing simply cause they own the gear. Douches.
Speaking of frustrating, I did another round of drum editing the other night. This shit is SO slow. However, Ash, being the kind of person who is helpful in these types of situations, has given us a new program that should cut our time down signficantly called Melodyne. I'm reading up on it now and brandt will be installing it into the studio tonight, so I am hopeful we will be able to move forward with great speed this weekend.
Next, my album of the year: revealed!
F
Onwards...
Sometime ago, I addressed my frustration with the recent Cure album. Within the MOGpac, I wasn't alone in those feelings and this has been discussed at length. As press came and went for the new album, Ash was quick to point out that the wonderful Cure bassist, Simon Gallup, didn't have many kind things to say about the album's producer, Metal Douche Ross Robinson. For example, one article read: "When you speak of Ross Robinson, the producer of the new album, he becomes furious: 'Don't tell me he's a great producer, for me he's only been a nightmare. From my mouth will never come out a positive word about him, he's just an idiot'."
In another article: Simon says: "The tracklisting wasn’t decided by committee this time, it was basically Robert and Ross’ tracklisting, so not all of us agree on it. I think there were better songs, personally, that were left off – more personal songs, I think. It’s a subjective thing. They’ll all end up somewhere; they’ll be on B-Sides and things like that."
Suddenly, hearing the B-Sides, including a track called THIS MORNING (long discussed by internet fans in the months leading up to the album as the best song of all the new material) became a priority. I had to know. And knowing Brandt Gassman, I knew he would have these B-Sides. Yes, he's that type. I had actually refused hearing them when offered, but I went in the other day to the studio I demanded these tunes be put in my Ipod. And what do you know! The songs are fucking AWESOME. I'm not gonna sit there and get into them. It's too frustrating. However, THIS MORNING is the dogs balls. Really ace stuff. Fuck you Ross. Metal Douche Bitchass. And to Mr. Smith I say: Fat Boy, what the fuck are you on about? As I've always said, PRODUCE YOURSELF instead of dealing with some douche who thinks they know what's best for your band. They're usually cracked in the head and think they know what they're doing simply cause they own the gear. Douches.
Speaking of frustrating, I did another round of drum editing the other night. This shit is SO slow. However, Ash, being the kind of person who is helpful in these types of situations, has given us a new program that should cut our time down signficantly called Melodyne. I'm reading up on it now and brandt will be installing it into the studio tonight, so I am hopeful we will be able to move forward with great speed this weekend.
Next, my album of the year: revealed!
F
24.10.04
Learning To Live
Finally, after weeks of discussion, The Factor Machine finally got rolling again today and the tedious shit has begun. As some of you may know, this is the first album I've done where we've been directly involved with the drum recording/editing (the aggression's FLOOD, which was pre-Ms. Emmet, was handled by the talented Jamie Duffy and former Acumen drummer Ethan Novak). Thus, it's a new process for us. Brandt, mostly due to outside intereference (and Lili Taylor), has been slow working on this, but not for lack of trying, so I've interjected myself into the process to take some of the burden off of him. This means I've had to buckle down and finally learn how to use the program LIVE, which Ash has been swearing by for some time.
As I just wrote in an E-mail to Ash "Personally, i still fucking hate that program and I have huge issues with it, BUT I do respect what it does and I'm slowly getting used to it" The program does its job, but I think the functionality and layout blows. It's fine for tech geeks, but for rock n roll...eh. However, we're gonna have some tight ass drums, but it's going to take us to 2006 at this rate. To that effect, I've proposed some ways to work efficiently and methodically to get all this done sooner or later and yes Brandt supposedly has done a lot of the headway already, but I think if we're rolling two MOGpac Moblie Units (tm J. Louche), we can get the workload done. Ash, if you're listening, we're almost ready to give you the parts to PROPAGANDA (which was the focus of my day).
While I did all this, Brand't DJ'd the whole time (You can listen to tunes while editing drums because it's all fucking math anyways) and I got to hear a lot of cool stuff. Little did I know he was getting himself drunk on white wine (spell it with me: L.A.M.E.) and was walking into walls in the village a few hours later. Anyhow he's got a real impressive vinyl collection. We then took a trip to our fave record store, Rebel Rebel, and threw done some cash on the Depeche Mode Remix Collection, which is great. I strongly urge seeking out the 3 CD version as opposed to the commercial 2 CD one as the bonus disc has the best remixes from the likes of Colder, Danny Tenaglia, Goldfrapp and a surprisingly good remix from Mike Shinoda).
After a trip to Little Italy with the lovely Ms. Bradish and before our trip upstate tomorrow to meet the newest LINK, I am spinning Cinerama's TORINO, which, according to Mr. Riley himself (who I briefly summited with last night) is the blueprint for Saintface. I'm a few songs in and I like it a lot and it DOES help me understand the sonic approach to APARTMENT STORIES better, though I think the Face has much better songs and a much better singer.
And before I run, let me shamelessly plug the Cobra's new song, DRIVERS SIDE, which is a sweet slice of freshly served Ass-Rock (or Ash-Rock?) that I feel is the next big successful piece to what is becoming an exciting and almost complete puzzle. This one is sticking in my loving memory. ACE.
F
As I just wrote in an E-mail to Ash "Personally, i still fucking hate that program and I have huge issues with it, BUT I do respect what it does and I'm slowly getting used to it" The program does its job, but I think the functionality and layout blows. It's fine for tech geeks, but for rock n roll...eh. However, we're gonna have some tight ass drums, but it's going to take us to 2006 at this rate. To that effect, I've proposed some ways to work efficiently and methodically to get all this done sooner or later and yes Brandt supposedly has done a lot of the headway already, but I think if we're rolling two MOGpac Moblie Units (tm J. Louche), we can get the workload done. Ash, if you're listening, we're almost ready to give you the parts to PROPAGANDA (which was the focus of my day).
While I did all this, Brand't DJ'd the whole time (You can listen to tunes while editing drums because it's all fucking math anyways) and I got to hear a lot of cool stuff. Little did I know he was getting himself drunk on white wine (spell it with me: L.A.M.E.) and was walking into walls in the village a few hours later. Anyhow he's got a real impressive vinyl collection. We then took a trip to our fave record store, Rebel Rebel, and threw done some cash on the Depeche Mode Remix Collection, which is great. I strongly urge seeking out the 3 CD version as opposed to the commercial 2 CD one as the bonus disc has the best remixes from the likes of Colder, Danny Tenaglia, Goldfrapp and a surprisingly good remix from Mike Shinoda).
After a trip to Little Italy with the lovely Ms. Bradish and before our trip upstate tomorrow to meet the newest LINK, I am spinning Cinerama's TORINO, which, according to Mr. Riley himself (who I briefly summited with last night) is the blueprint for Saintface. I'm a few songs in and I like it a lot and it DOES help me understand the sonic approach to APARTMENT STORIES better, though I think the Face has much better songs and a much better singer.
And before I run, let me shamelessly plug the Cobra's new song, DRIVERS SIDE, which is a sweet slice of freshly served Ass-Rock (or Ash-Rock?) that I feel is the next big successful piece to what is becoming an exciting and almost complete puzzle. This one is sticking in my loving memory. ACE.
F
21.10.04
Yes, I AM in Hyperspace
YES.
The highly anticipated teaser trailer for Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith will make its theatrical debut with Pixar's The Incredibles in the U.S. and Canada on November 5.
However, members of starwars.com Hyperspace can see it before then as the full teaser will make its world-wide debut on starwars.com the early afternoon (U.S.) of November 4. This exclusive member-only preview will be in high-quality QuickTime format.
Like you doubted I was a member.
F
The highly anticipated teaser trailer for Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith will make its theatrical debut with Pixar's The Incredibles in the U.S. and Canada on November 5.
However, members of starwars.com Hyperspace can see it before then as the full teaser will make its world-wide debut on starwars.com the early afternoon (U.S.) of November 4. This exclusive member-only preview will be in high-quality QuickTime format.
Like you doubted I was a member.
F
A Message From The Old Folks Home...
This started off as a letter to Mark Mohtashemi and then evolved into the following blog blog blog blog blog entry:
If 2004 is looked upon as anything, its a year where the people you least expect to make an impact on you turn around and bitchslap you and say YES FUCKER I AM STILL HERE. The Duran's have done this, the Manics (album of the year, more on that soon) have done this, and Die Warzau has done this. However, if anyone is the Boston Red Sox of music, it has to be my dear old idol Al Jourgensen. Minus his brilliant partner Paul Barker, Al came back this year and delivered a decent album that seemed like a remake of THE MIND IS A TERRIBLE THING TO TASTE, but we could forgive him for that because he didn't go and remake DARK SIDE OF THE SPOON. In interviews, he seemed very witty and charming and things that we all USED to love him for seemed to be creeping back. Notwithstanding his zombie like cameo at the Skinny Puppy show here a few months back, Al seemed to be "back". This being an election year is never a bad thing for the very political Grandpa Al.
But the first big let down came when the eventual Puppy/Ministry tour didn't happen (for reasons still unknown) and paying 40 dollars twice to see each band as opposed to seeing them together seemed suddenly very ugly (I think I'll be mixing HF tunes when puppy comes back to town). Thus when tickets went onsale for the Ministry show (now with special guests Thrill Kill Kult, which would have knocked me on my ass 12 years ago), I didn't exactly rush to ticketmaster like I did for Kasabian.
However, without my prior knowledge, a directive from Mattagement saw that I would have a ticket for Ministry at easily the WORST venue ever, BB King's. I wouldnt exactly say I was excited. However, I'm in town, Grandpa Al was in town, and there was some vague unexplainable phone tag with Mr. Levi Levi (who I have not spoken to ever except once in a dressing room at the Vic in Chicago some years ago, but regardless blame Jared), so Brandt and I reluctantly set out to see this show.
We arrived to find a very tired looking Thrill Kill Kult playing SEX ON WHEELS. It's still the same formula they have been playing since God knows when. Frankie looked good, but did very little and Marsdon looks like Marsdon, which was cool 15 years ago, but now seems run of the mill gay S&M. LEVI looked like he was having fun, however I didn't care for their backup singer, who I initially thought was pregnant. I feel bad about that. ANYHOW, I think at another venue with a pro-TKK audience this could have been very good as their "oldies" still sounded very fresh.
The wait time was short, thankfully and Ministry finally took to the stage alongside a guy dressed in a suit and cartoony George W. Bush mask. Al then came out and fake beat the shit out of this W impersonator and pretended to ass rape him (which is huge points). Anyway, when Al came out, I was very happily surprised by what I saw. Gone was the near death Jim Morrisson wanna be Al of the Dark Side tour and gone was the bloated and seemingly lost Brando Al of last year's tour. Replacing those charicatures was an extremely healthy and energetic and sharp Al that I have a feeling has been missing for the last 20 or so years. I was shocked. Though a tad too heavy metal looking, his band of young musicians were really tight and really into it. I was impressed.
My only complaint was the setlist which was like the whole new album first (which sounded much better live) and then the "hits". However, its the same hits from the last 3 tours, NWO, HERO, SO WHAT, etc. if anything, he should be preserving his legacy by bringing back older songs like FLASHBACK and BREATHE and side project material like NO DEVOTION and NO BUNNY. He used to do this quite a bit and it made things very interesting. With the recent controversial reissues of the Luxa/Pan material on Ryko (which Brandt, the expert on these things, will destroy I'm sure in an upcoming blog entry), Al should be supporting that as well. Anyway, Al was a ball of energy the whole time, a great frontman who was very appreciative of the crowd and looks very appreciative of the position he's in. He was very inspiring and a there were a few moments where I was wondering where my cowboy hat was and words like "aggression" and "reunion" came to mind (though quickly left when I was back on 42nd street, thankfully). Anyhow...they ended with a ROARING version of HOTROD, and left the crowd very happy (I had actually seen the first time that song was ever played a few years back and it was a fucking disaster).
I bet you 10 bucks, despite being Anti-Bush al secretly prays for a Republican victory next month so he as 4 more years of shit to rail against. Al does his best work when the Republicans are in office! However, if the Democrats win (hopefully) he should bring back the Revolting Cocks (but only with the old gang, not these new kids).
Oh and Levi and I never met up. Next time though, for sure...
Grandpa F
If 2004 is looked upon as anything, its a year where the people you least expect to make an impact on you turn around and bitchslap you and say YES FUCKER I AM STILL HERE. The Duran's have done this, the Manics (album of the year, more on that soon) have done this, and Die Warzau has done this. However, if anyone is the Boston Red Sox of music, it has to be my dear old idol Al Jourgensen. Minus his brilliant partner Paul Barker, Al came back this year and delivered a decent album that seemed like a remake of THE MIND IS A TERRIBLE THING TO TASTE, but we could forgive him for that because he didn't go and remake DARK SIDE OF THE SPOON. In interviews, he seemed very witty and charming and things that we all USED to love him for seemed to be creeping back. Notwithstanding his zombie like cameo at the Skinny Puppy show here a few months back, Al seemed to be "back". This being an election year is never a bad thing for the very political Grandpa Al.
But the first big let down came when the eventual Puppy/Ministry tour didn't happen (for reasons still unknown) and paying 40 dollars twice to see each band as opposed to seeing them together seemed suddenly very ugly (I think I'll be mixing HF tunes when puppy comes back to town). Thus when tickets went onsale for the Ministry show (now with special guests Thrill Kill Kult, which would have knocked me on my ass 12 years ago), I didn't exactly rush to ticketmaster like I did for Kasabian.
However, without my prior knowledge, a directive from Mattagement saw that I would have a ticket for Ministry at easily the WORST venue ever, BB King's. I wouldnt exactly say I was excited. However, I'm in town, Grandpa Al was in town, and there was some vague unexplainable phone tag with Mr. Levi Levi (who I have not spoken to ever except once in a dressing room at the Vic in Chicago some years ago, but regardless blame Jared), so Brandt and I reluctantly set out to see this show.
We arrived to find a very tired looking Thrill Kill Kult playing SEX ON WHEELS. It's still the same formula they have been playing since God knows when. Frankie looked good, but did very little and Marsdon looks like Marsdon, which was cool 15 years ago, but now seems run of the mill gay S&M. LEVI looked like he was having fun, however I didn't care for their backup singer, who I initially thought was pregnant. I feel bad about that. ANYHOW, I think at another venue with a pro-TKK audience this could have been very good as their "oldies" still sounded very fresh.
The wait time was short, thankfully and Ministry finally took to the stage alongside a guy dressed in a suit and cartoony George W. Bush mask. Al then came out and fake beat the shit out of this W impersonator and pretended to ass rape him (which is huge points). Anyway, when Al came out, I was very happily surprised by what I saw. Gone was the near death Jim Morrisson wanna be Al of the Dark Side tour and gone was the bloated and seemingly lost Brando Al of last year's tour. Replacing those charicatures was an extremely healthy and energetic and sharp Al that I have a feeling has been missing for the last 20 or so years. I was shocked. Though a tad too heavy metal looking, his band of young musicians were really tight and really into it. I was impressed.
My only complaint was the setlist which was like the whole new album first (which sounded much better live) and then the "hits". However, its the same hits from the last 3 tours, NWO, HERO, SO WHAT, etc. if anything, he should be preserving his legacy by bringing back older songs like FLASHBACK and BREATHE and side project material like NO DEVOTION and NO BUNNY. He used to do this quite a bit and it made things very interesting. With the recent controversial reissues of the Luxa/Pan material on Ryko (which Brandt, the expert on these things, will destroy I'm sure in an upcoming blog entry), Al should be supporting that as well. Anyway, Al was a ball of energy the whole time, a great frontman who was very appreciative of the crowd and looks very appreciative of the position he's in. He was very inspiring and a there were a few moments where I was wondering where my cowboy hat was and words like "aggression" and "reunion" came to mind (though quickly left when I was back on 42nd street, thankfully). Anyhow...they ended with a ROARING version of HOTROD, and left the crowd very happy (I had actually seen the first time that song was ever played a few years back and it was a fucking disaster).
I bet you 10 bucks, despite being Anti-Bush al secretly prays for a Republican victory next month so he as 4 more years of shit to rail against. Al does his best work when the Republicans are in office! However, if the Democrats win (hopefully) he should bring back the Revolting Cocks (but only with the old gang, not these new kids).
Oh and Levi and I never met up. Next time though, for sure...
Grandpa F
19.10.04
The first MUST HAVE of 2005
LTM are pleased to announce the first live album by Revenge, the electro/hard rock hybrid fronted by New Order bass player Peter Hook between 1989 and 1992.
Following on from the success of LTM’s expanded re-release of the 1990 Revenge album One True Passion, the in-concert collection No Pain No Gain captures the band at their live peak in 1991. The first 8 tracks represent an entire performance at Manchester’s celebrated Cities in the Park festival in August 1991, while the remainder of the CD is culled from a show in Kawasaki, Japan, several months later.
In addition to hi-octane versions of Revenge originals such as Slave, State of Shock and Jesus I Love You, the CD includes storming covers of Dreams Never End (New Order), White Light/White Heat (Velvet Underground) and Citadel (Rolling Stones).
All material has been digitally remastered. The set contains 70 minutes of music and sleevenotes by New Order biographer Claude Flowers, including a new interview with Peter Hook.
mmmmmmmmmmmm.
F
Following on from the success of LTM’s expanded re-release of the 1990 Revenge album One True Passion, the in-concert collection No Pain No Gain captures the band at their live peak in 1991. The first 8 tracks represent an entire performance at Manchester’s celebrated Cities in the Park festival in August 1991, while the remainder of the CD is culled from a show in Kawasaki, Japan, several months later.
In addition to hi-octane versions of Revenge originals such as Slave, State of Shock and Jesus I Love You, the CD includes storming covers of Dreams Never End (New Order), White Light/White Heat (Velvet Underground) and Citadel (Rolling Stones).
All material has been digitally remastered. The set contains 70 minutes of music and sleevenotes by New Order biographer Claude Flowers, including a new interview with Peter Hook.
mmmmmmmmmmmm.
F
17.10.04
This IS Better Than Philly!!
Dan Hamill sums up last night's 1am Twilight Singers gig at Irving Plaza perfectly. I didn't agree at first mostly because I thought the sound sucked (this was a hastily put together CMJ show), the crowed was filled with CMJ douches (alleged music "experts" being in NY probably for the first time is the WORST), I couldn't see the awesome drummer that well (he brings a lot to the show) and I was feeling like ass (though sober again for Dulli). However, when Dulli decided to sit on the edge of the stage and sing TIME OF THE SEASON to the younger ladies in the audience ala Dean Martin (his own words), Mr. Hamill was proven right. Dulli had his backup singer pally with him for this show, which was a nice addition and should be full time (I think the dude, who i was a drunken dick to on the last tour, only pops up for the NY shows). Though the Kidd would argue the lack of of Afghan Whigs songs hurt this current tour, I disagree strongly. Much to Irene's delight Dulli again did the Def Leppard cover and he did an excellent cover of My Bloody Valentine's WHEN YOU SLEEP which then morphed into Bette Midler's THE ROSE. That ain't easy kids. It was awesome watching Ms. Robin Emmet seeing Dulli for the first time and getting it. Another convert. She will take her baby to see Dulli. Soon.
Before this awesome gig, G, Lurch and I checked out TEAM AMERICA and it's very very good. It's nowhere near the level of awesome the SOUTH PARK movie was nor do I think it's as extreme in it's offensiveness. In fact, my biggest complaint about TEAM AMERICA is that it doesn't go far enough. There ARE some great bits, especially the musical numbers, but I felt it should have gone further in it's social commentary. However, you have to give Parker and Stone all the credit in the world because there's no one doing anything like this and on this level, and that in itself is impressive.
F
Before this awesome gig, G, Lurch and I checked out TEAM AMERICA and it's very very good. It's nowhere near the level of awesome the SOUTH PARK movie was nor do I think it's as extreme in it's offensiveness. In fact, my biggest complaint about TEAM AMERICA is that it doesn't go far enough. There ARE some great bits, especially the musical numbers, but I felt it should have gone further in it's social commentary. However, you have to give Parker and Stone all the credit in the world because there's no one doing anything like this and on this level, and that in itself is impressive.
F
15.10.04
Things To Do In Denver When You're Dead
After many MANY years, my former neighbor Mr. John Cale performed at the former Limelight last night and gave an energetic and technically excellent performance that many musicians half his age would give their right arm for. Mr. G and I are no strangers to Mr. Cale, as we saw him many many times in the previous decade (my first time was at NYU where his former Velvet Underground cohorts Lou Reed and the late Sterling Morrison joined him). Brandt was new to seeing the man live, despite having been to his home, and this was a really good first gig to lose your Cale Virginity to. In the past, Cale has usually flown solo or gone a more classical route. This time, he was joined by his rock band and they were supurb. It was tight, crystal clear set that saw Mr. Cale looking fit and singing better than ever. He is a virtuoso, and the evening saw him play a range of instruments, including the keyboards, the electric guitar, the acoustic guitar and his trademark viola (which he used on the Velvet's classic VENUS IN FURS, a nice surprise). He played the stronger material from his current album HOBOSAPIANS, and gave the audience the Cale "hits" such as FEAR, CHINESE ENVOY and ANDALUCIA. Though G and were completey exhausted from our adventures with Mr. Dulli the night before, the decision to see Mr. Cale was a solid one. He was very happy to be there, really energetic, and very charismatic and down to Earth. It used to be that Lou Reed was the "cool" one and Cale was the "pretentious" one. My how those roles have reversed in their later years.
Another great reunion has happened with the release of CONVENIENCE, the first album from the reunited Die Warzau. Van Christie and Jimmy Marcus haven't lost a step as this record really encompasses everything that has been great about this band over the years. It has the excellent programming and production Van is known for and the stunning emotional vocals that Jimmy has made famous. What's even more interesting about it is that it's not an angry industrial album. Instead, it's more akin to an industrial 'chill out" album. Very mature and very much two talented adults not trying to sound like they still have the teen angst in them. Like their last album, ENGINE, the new album builds at a nice place to include some great dance numbers and a few ballads. By the midpoint, they have some really heavy stuff going on and then the comedown is just as good as the rush to get there. if I have any complaints it's just that there's TOO much material here to get into. Of all the bands that are making comebacks in this genre, Die Warzau have done the best job of maintaining the spirit and quality of their previous life while creating a record that is modern and interesting. Awesome.
In other machine rock news, after breaking the hearts of his many fans, Mr. Eric Powell today announces his return to his roots. I'm surprised it took him this long. If he's a born again rivet, so be it, we can always use another old schooler. Eric, you know how to find me.
F
Another great reunion has happened with the release of CONVENIENCE, the first album from the reunited Die Warzau. Van Christie and Jimmy Marcus haven't lost a step as this record really encompasses everything that has been great about this band over the years. It has the excellent programming and production Van is known for and the stunning emotional vocals that Jimmy has made famous. What's even more interesting about it is that it's not an angry industrial album. Instead, it's more akin to an industrial 'chill out" album. Very mature and very much two talented adults not trying to sound like they still have the teen angst in them. Like their last album, ENGINE, the new album builds at a nice place to include some great dance numbers and a few ballads. By the midpoint, they have some really heavy stuff going on and then the comedown is just as good as the rush to get there. if I have any complaints it's just that there's TOO much material here to get into. Of all the bands that are making comebacks in this genre, Die Warzau have done the best job of maintaining the spirit and quality of their previous life while creating a record that is modern and interesting. Awesome.
In other machine rock news, after breaking the hearts of his many fans, Mr. Eric Powell today announces his return to his roots. I'm surprised it took him this long. If he's a born again rivet, so be it, we can always use another old schooler. Eric, you know how to find me.
F
Know anyone who fits this description?
http://www.scarysquirrel.org/special/movies/foamy/rant1.html
thanks, mr.
thanks, mr.
14.10.04
Guest Blog
As I was the only idiot of my crew to NOT skip work this morning, and am semi-exhausted as fuck, my lovely significant other has granted me permission to re-print her LiveJournal entry regarding our adventures last night. Thus while I snooze, Ieave you in the more than capable hands of Ms. Bradish:
"I love Greg Dulli. The guy just rocks.
At first glance, he's an everyman. Overweight and middle aged. And yet, when he walks onto a stage, he oozes charm and sexuality. It's all that rock and roll. He belts, he croons, he screams and he sings straight from the heart and after a minute it's all you see. I can't name anyone else who can make anthemic original songs and an album of covers so distinctive they are almost indistinguishible from their originals. Taking a Bjork song to task is no mean feat, and Dulli achieves this romantically and respectably, in a traditional rock and roll fashion.
In Philly last night, he played to the most motley crew I have seen at a single show. Moms, hardcore kids, frat boys and sorority girls, and a particularly annoying poser douche who was trying to impress two fuckwit college girls by saying things about New York like "Chelsea is so central to everything! I go there all the time." From Staten Island. Riiiiight. One idiot actually tried to ask the guys I came with if she could stand in front because she was a girl and she was short. No lie. She actually said "It's not fair. I'm shorter than you guys, you should let me stand in front of you." F's best friend G, who is actually the quietest of the bunch, said to her "But she already is" and pointed to me standing behind her, waiting to get by. And a head taller. Love it. I thank god every day I am not short.
And all this after a long day and longer week. Work is becoming increasingly less tolerable, the impending holiday aside, and I find myself less motivated to do anything once I leave work. Being that I have tickets to the twilight Singers show on Saturday across the street, I wasn't sure travelling two hours in a car riding bitch in the backseat with four guys who tend to become retards in each others company was the best idea. Yes, I had the next day off, but I wanted to relax. I eventually threw my shit into a bag and hit the road with F, G, the Kidd and Lurch. Yes, these are the names we actually call them on a daily basis. My leg started to cramp only when we hit the Ben Franklin Bridge and I only worried a few times about the Kidd's driving and Lurch's directions. Can't complain.
The bouncer at the door is wearing a Terror hoodie when we get there. I am thinking at this point, it can go either way. Crappy venue with reluctant staff or mixed bag with open minds. Turns out, it was the latter for the most part. The North Star Bar is on the corner of a not so nice area of Philly--which I have been lost in several time in misguided attempts to find the Electric Factory, which is on the other side of town--and split in two. Bar and pool tables on one side, narrow hall for a venue with tiny stage in front and bar in back on the other. There's a tiny lounge on a balcony above the middle of the venue side that provides a nice view of the stage when there aren't eighteen spacehogs and fat girls blocking it. I began to notice here that people in Philly seem to be weird about personal space. It's natural at a show to be crowded and in increasingly close quarters when one gets closer to a the stage. If I got closer than an foot to a person to peer over the balcony, people would start twitching and jerking. Even on the floor, people of the various types mentioned before were quite verbal about the lack of space, despite gaps visible on the main floor and generous elbow room. This is all making me sorry I came and ruining the pleasant vibe of the car ride.
But Dulli makes everything better. The band opened with Teenage Wristband and the crowd just mellowed. People stopped bitching, started moving and singing along. I was worried the stage was too small for the band, as I've always seen them on stages with generous space. But Dulli was nonchalant about the cramped quarters and the sound was surprisingly crisp. I suppose he is very comfortable in his own skin, and by proxy always at ease on stage. He has become less and less intoxicated with every show I see him play and more and more pleasant to watch. Dulli's love of the music is always apparent, and the relationship with his band is palatable and plays into his relationship with the audience. The mean drunk has been replaced by a man who moves you. The next hour and a half flew by save the one minute he spent singing the first verse of Def Leppard's "Photograph" he introduced as the song "from the year most of you were born."
I love this man.
In my love for Dulli I cannot ignore his band. Dulli surrounds himself with talented and flamboyant people who complement his unique disposition. They are described on his website as such:
greg dulli- certo
jon skibic- tesoro
bobby macintyre- pazzo
michael sullivan- carissimo
manuel agnelli- figo
No capital letters. In order, they mean "sure, treasure, crazy, and most expensive." I have no idea what figo means. His drummer, Bobby Macintyre, is insane. The man is looks like a French lothario with tight polyester pants, billowing silk shirts and a scarf ALWAYS knotted at his neck. He is only missing a beret, which would hide the long curly locks that seem to be thinning. He goes from feverishly banging on his drums to hitting a tambourine with what seems to be the entire force of his body. All the while, his outfit becomes soaked, clings to his skin and the sweat that has drenched his hair flies from him with every punctuated move. His new keyboard player is an Italian man, Manuel Agnelli, from the band After Hours that Dulli is producing. We had the pleasure of being introduced to him in London and he has since replaced that touring band member. He, too, has a distinctive fashion sense--what would seem to be uncomfortably tight synthetic fiber pants, a dress shirt, the ugliest tie I have ever seen and another mop of wavy hair what seems to be coming away from the front--that only accents his talent. It was obvious he was excited and nervous to be playing with the band, and sometimes looked like he would rock himself off his little bench. He even hit his head on a low hanging speaker after the first encore. His guitar and bass players are less descript in their fashion but amazingly talented. Jon Skibic is best known for his work with the famed Gigolo Aunts of the late 90's and touring with Juliana hatfield of all people. On stage with Dulli, though, he stands alone and quiet with a Gibson SG and an impressive pedal board, decidely comfortable in his proficiency. But he resembles Benjamin Weinman of Dillinger Escape plan, so his calm might only appear that way to me by the stark comparison. Michael Sullivan, too, is only a lingering stage presence. Mostly because on the tiny stage he was hidden behind Manuel, but in London, too, he seemed content to play his Fender and let everyone else take the spotlight. Dulli, by the way, was in the Afghan Whigs.
The Twilight Singers only get beter every time I see them, and Saturday promises to be impressive."
PS: You can tell if we ever have kids they too will be able to write the longest blog entries ever. EVER.
F
"I love Greg Dulli. The guy just rocks.
At first glance, he's an everyman. Overweight and middle aged. And yet, when he walks onto a stage, he oozes charm and sexuality. It's all that rock and roll. He belts, he croons, he screams and he sings straight from the heart and after a minute it's all you see. I can't name anyone else who can make anthemic original songs and an album of covers so distinctive they are almost indistinguishible from their originals. Taking a Bjork song to task is no mean feat, and Dulli achieves this romantically and respectably, in a traditional rock and roll fashion.
In Philly last night, he played to the most motley crew I have seen at a single show. Moms, hardcore kids, frat boys and sorority girls, and a particularly annoying poser douche who was trying to impress two fuckwit college girls by saying things about New York like "Chelsea is so central to everything! I go there all the time." From Staten Island. Riiiiight. One idiot actually tried to ask the guys I came with if she could stand in front because she was a girl and she was short. No lie. She actually said "It's not fair. I'm shorter than you guys, you should let me stand in front of you." F's best friend G, who is actually the quietest of the bunch, said to her "But she already is" and pointed to me standing behind her, waiting to get by. And a head taller. Love it. I thank god every day I am not short.
And all this after a long day and longer week. Work is becoming increasingly less tolerable, the impending holiday aside, and I find myself less motivated to do anything once I leave work. Being that I have tickets to the twilight Singers show on Saturday across the street, I wasn't sure travelling two hours in a car riding bitch in the backseat with four guys who tend to become retards in each others company was the best idea. Yes, I had the next day off, but I wanted to relax. I eventually threw my shit into a bag and hit the road with F, G, the Kidd and Lurch. Yes, these are the names we actually call them on a daily basis. My leg started to cramp only when we hit the Ben Franklin Bridge and I only worried a few times about the Kidd's driving and Lurch's directions. Can't complain.
The bouncer at the door is wearing a Terror hoodie when we get there. I am thinking at this point, it can go either way. Crappy venue with reluctant staff or mixed bag with open minds. Turns out, it was the latter for the most part. The North Star Bar is on the corner of a not so nice area of Philly--which I have been lost in several time in misguided attempts to find the Electric Factory, which is on the other side of town--and split in two. Bar and pool tables on one side, narrow hall for a venue with tiny stage in front and bar in back on the other. There's a tiny lounge on a balcony above the middle of the venue side that provides a nice view of the stage when there aren't eighteen spacehogs and fat girls blocking it. I began to notice here that people in Philly seem to be weird about personal space. It's natural at a show to be crowded and in increasingly close quarters when one gets closer to a the stage. If I got closer than an foot to a person to peer over the balcony, people would start twitching and jerking. Even on the floor, people of the various types mentioned before were quite verbal about the lack of space, despite gaps visible on the main floor and generous elbow room. This is all making me sorry I came and ruining the pleasant vibe of the car ride.
But Dulli makes everything better. The band opened with Teenage Wristband and the crowd just mellowed. People stopped bitching, started moving and singing along. I was worried the stage was too small for the band, as I've always seen them on stages with generous space. But Dulli was nonchalant about the cramped quarters and the sound was surprisingly crisp. I suppose he is very comfortable in his own skin, and by proxy always at ease on stage. He has become less and less intoxicated with every show I see him play and more and more pleasant to watch. Dulli's love of the music is always apparent, and the relationship with his band is palatable and plays into his relationship with the audience. The mean drunk has been replaced by a man who moves you. The next hour and a half flew by save the one minute he spent singing the first verse of Def Leppard's "Photograph" he introduced as the song "from the year most of you were born."
I love this man.
In my love for Dulli I cannot ignore his band. Dulli surrounds himself with talented and flamboyant people who complement his unique disposition. They are described on his website as such:
greg dulli- certo
jon skibic- tesoro
bobby macintyre- pazzo
michael sullivan- carissimo
manuel agnelli- figo
No capital letters. In order, they mean "sure, treasure, crazy, and most expensive." I have no idea what figo means. His drummer, Bobby Macintyre, is insane. The man is looks like a French lothario with tight polyester pants, billowing silk shirts and a scarf ALWAYS knotted at his neck. He is only missing a beret, which would hide the long curly locks that seem to be thinning. He goes from feverishly banging on his drums to hitting a tambourine with what seems to be the entire force of his body. All the while, his outfit becomes soaked, clings to his skin and the sweat that has drenched his hair flies from him with every punctuated move. His new keyboard player is an Italian man, Manuel Agnelli, from the band After Hours that Dulli is producing. We had the pleasure of being introduced to him in London and he has since replaced that touring band member. He, too, has a distinctive fashion sense--what would seem to be uncomfortably tight synthetic fiber pants, a dress shirt, the ugliest tie I have ever seen and another mop of wavy hair what seems to be coming away from the front--that only accents his talent. It was obvious he was excited and nervous to be playing with the band, and sometimes looked like he would rock himself off his little bench. He even hit his head on a low hanging speaker after the first encore. His guitar and bass players are less descript in their fashion but amazingly talented. Jon Skibic is best known for his work with the famed Gigolo Aunts of the late 90's and touring with Juliana hatfield of all people. On stage with Dulli, though, he stands alone and quiet with a Gibson SG and an impressive pedal board, decidely comfortable in his proficiency. But he resembles Benjamin Weinman of Dillinger Escape plan, so his calm might only appear that way to me by the stark comparison. Michael Sullivan, too, is only a lingering stage presence. Mostly because on the tiny stage he was hidden behind Manuel, but in London, too, he seemed content to play his Fender and let everyone else take the spotlight. Dulli, by the way, was in the Afghan Whigs.
The Twilight Singers only get beter every time I see them, and Saturday promises to be impressive."
PS: You can tell if we ever have kids they too will be able to write the longest blog entries ever. EVER.
F
I'm not sure about this....
From toiday's VARIETY: Cue the Jan Hammer music: The bigscreen version of "Miami Vice" is coming together now that casting seems to be under way. Universal is zeroing in on Colin Farrell to star as Det. James "Sonny" Crockett, and the studio is in discussions with Jamie Foxx to star as Det. Ricardo Tubbs in the South Beach sizzler....
Ummmm. I dunno.
F
Ummmm. I dunno.
F
13.10.04
"YOU SHOULD NOT HAVE COME BACK"
I'm sorry to use this blog for so many STAR WARS related things, but as you know, in those very few precious moments when I'm not working on music or film (which usually consumes 23 hours of my day), I am thinking usually either about STAR WARS or wrestling or both. You may recall my previous REVENGE OF THE SITH idea that in this new movie, Anakin will actually ALLOW Obi-Wan to escape with infant Luke (Never knowing there is a second child), showing that there was still some good in him. I still believe this could still happen, though of course with a warning from Vader to never return or else, THUS leading to the above quite from the original SW film (aka A NEW HOPE). You were warned Obi-Wan and now you'll pay the price, is basically the theme. The movie will then end with Vader on his Star Destroyer watching them construct the first Death Star (which Obi-Wan will have some knowledge of, thus explaining him knowing it wasnt a planet, but a battle station in NEW HOPE as well). I write this down here so we can all either call me a fool or a genius later.
I'm off to a screening of LIFE AQUATIC. To say I am the envy of my friend Mr. Hamill and a heel to my friend Murray would be an understatment. Of course, I'll report back!
F
I'm off to a screening of LIFE AQUATIC. To say I am the envy of my friend Mr. Hamill and a heel to my friend Murray would be an understatment. Of course, I'll report back!
F
12.10.04
Shamless Plug
In the Summer of 2001, the Mogpac took their first ever international trip so the aggression, when it all mattered, God bless 'em, could perform for our friends in the UK. This of course is the stuff of legend, and I'm sure you'll read about it in Tom Whitfleet's book. Of course, being a gang of semi-single rockers on tour at the time, we decided to try our luck and "meet some foreign ladies". So we made our way to Camden, at the legendary Electric Ballroom, to promote our performance to the masses and to socialize with the other bands we were playing with. Ash, being that this man is a chick magnet when we leave the States (due soley to his tallness and state of constant confusion), handed out some flyers to some attractive young ladies. Of course, this being us, we met the only two American girls in the fucking club. Anyhow, these ladies, dubbed Jukee and Ohio (for reasons not to be revealed here), became honorary MOGladies for a few days. Friendships were struck and good times were had (mostly at the expense of some dirty blonde american chick G almost got with and, of course, Brandt). We ate digestives, we drank booze, tried to look cool at the "ultra-exclusive" (or as I was told) Slimelight, and we all hung out on a balcony and were yelled at by locals who were trying to sleep. Then we, being gentleman, walked them to the Earl's Court tube when it opened and we figure that would be that.
While Ohio is probably somewhere in Ohio and hopefully doing well. I'm happy to say that Junkee, aka Ashley Saunders, stayed in touch with yours truly and being from the Tri-State area, this allowed us to occasionally socialize. She joined us for some Depeche Mode, some Saintface, and even a few aggression gigs. I even let her hold the hop once. That reads wrong yet doesn't. Anyhow. She's been through a lot of stuff, yet she remains a big positive vibe and no longer dates douches who aspire to be even bigger douches. She's a lovely young thing and we have many things in common, especially music and the fact that we both have significant others of Asian decent. Her boyfriend, who supposedly is quite quite runs marathons or something seems Ash like in his inadvertant funniness. While we don't see the Junk often, she's good people and we were in the same room watching Morrissey the other night and she texted me to say so. She's more hardcore though as she went both nights.
Anyhow, she's not just fit (though she doesn't know it), but she's pretty funny. And as you've read here, I like women who can write and talk a lot, so I direct you to Junkee's website at http://ashleysaunders.com/ which is is very Morriseey-centric, but clever and witty nonetheless. Check it out and you can aodre her as much as we do. It also helps that she plugs HF on her site as well. She's a good friend and someone I hold in high esteem (despite her small size). Embrace the Junk as some asian dude called Pete does on a daily basis by going to her site.
Also, i would like to state that I love the balls of someone who is not signed to a record deal or in a major motion picture owning a web domain with their own name. While my ego is probably the stuff of legend, I doubt I could take myself seriously on a website called www.FJDeSanto.com. For real! I could only imagine what www.mikevenezia.com, or www.danhamill.com would be like! For some reason, Junkee gets away with this without any sign of pretention. WORD.
F
While Ohio is probably somewhere in Ohio and hopefully doing well. I'm happy to say that Junkee, aka Ashley Saunders, stayed in touch with yours truly and being from the Tri-State area, this allowed us to occasionally socialize. She joined us for some Depeche Mode, some Saintface, and even a few aggression gigs. I even let her hold the hop once. That reads wrong yet doesn't. Anyhow. She's been through a lot of stuff, yet she remains a big positive vibe and no longer dates douches who aspire to be even bigger douches. She's a lovely young thing and we have many things in common, especially music and the fact that we both have significant others of Asian decent. Her boyfriend, who supposedly is quite quite runs marathons or something seems Ash like in his inadvertant funniness. While we don't see the Junk often, she's good people and we were in the same room watching Morrissey the other night and she texted me to say so. She's more hardcore though as she went both nights.
Anyhow, she's not just fit (though she doesn't know it), but she's pretty funny. And as you've read here, I like women who can write and talk a lot, so I direct you to Junkee's website at http://ashleysaunders.com/ which is is very Morriseey-centric, but clever and witty nonetheless. Check it out and you can aodre her as much as we do. It also helps that she plugs HF on her site as well. She's a good friend and someone I hold in high esteem (despite her small size). Embrace the Junk as some asian dude called Pete does on a daily basis by going to her site.
Also, i would like to state that I love the balls of someone who is not signed to a record deal or in a major motion picture owning a web domain with their own name. While my ego is probably the stuff of legend, I doubt I could take myself seriously on a website called www.FJDeSanto.com. For real! I could only imagine what www.mikevenezia.com, or www.danhamill.com would be like! For some reason, Junkee gets away with this without any sign of pretention. WORD.
F
For The Ladies
LADIES: This man has a PHD and is a self-admitted coward. We once bonded over our love of drama and hot exotic looking women. And then I moved in with one who cooks and lets me watch wrestling and likes good music and he didn't like me anymore. Still, despite always having a girlfriend, he is "single and available" and "looking for" the love of his life. I read this in Glamour this morning. I'm not kidding. He is. Don't believe me? Pick up GLAMOUR with that now brunette skank Bridget Jones Zellweger on the cover and look insdie. They even give him an E-mail DOUG@Glamour.com so YOU LADIES can catch this "man" while he available. DO IT.
However, should you want a real man, E-mail DPJH2@aol.com and ask for GUTTERBALL. Trust me.
F
However, should you want a real man, E-mail DPJH2@aol.com and ask for GUTTERBALL. Trust me.
F
10.10.04
"I'm not intimidated by the venue. Bob Hope sang on this stage. I don't care, things like that don't bother me."
You may recall my extremely long, yet hopefully entertaining entry regarding our attending the beginning of Morrissey's wonderful comeback tour at the Apollo about 5 months or so ago and all the fun and chaos that transpired. Because of that near-perfect experience, the thought of seeing him at Radio City Music Hall last night was actually a negative in my eyes. I was firm in my belief that seeing him again could only be a let down and we should let sleeping dogs by not tarnishing the memory of a wonderful night (made double exciting thanks to the antics of the passionate members of Saintface).
But then little things creeped in that made me slowly change my mind about buying tickets. He had changed the set list, he opened Reading with HOW SOON IS NOW, the new album was actually quite good, etc. The variables suddenly were all yet again in Moz's favour. I had even received another Internet pre-sale E-mail to get tickets early. However, the icing on the cake came when my significant other, who in the end, like Ash, is a more optimistic person than I am, said "You know, he'll never have another comeback like this again, and at Radio City no less". Suddenly, there I was, in front of the laptop I am typing to you now, purchasing tickets. And dammit, by the time we walked past Jared Leto (Just back from South Africa shooting my pal Bradley J. Fox's new movie LORD OF WAR) outside of Radio City, I realized getting tickets to see Mr. Moz was a super super super smart move.
First, I have no exciting stories to tell. I didn't see members of Saintface (the place is huge), security was too tight for the usual frontstage madness to ensue (only a few runners made it to the stage, and only one got to Moz), and we sat for the whole gig in the first mez (a beautiful view). However, Morrissey and his super crew of musicians blew us away with an excellent set that included the best of the new album (FIRST OF THE GANG TO DIE, I HAVE FORGIVEN JESUS), strong B-sides (THE NEVER PLAYED SYMPHONIES), and some Smiths classics (LAST NIGHT I DREAMT..., and thankfully, the biggest moment of the night: HOW SOON IS NOW). If I have one true complaint, its that he doesn't play enough from his early solo albums (the lack of SUEDEHEAD really upset Irene), though hearing NOW MY HEART IS FULL is always a treat.
But if the Apollo gig was a gig, last night's performance was a SHOW. A true geniuine Morrissey show, complete with Elvis '68 Comeback Special style lights that read, what else: MORRISSEY and dramatically lifted up from under the stage. I can't say enough about his band, which has vastly improved in the 5 months since we last saw them. The sound was incredible, even a bit loud, which was a nice change of pace for the usually reserved Radio City. There were a few freaks, including one extremely heavy Latin dude in a doo rag and a Bob Marley Tshirt on his feet singing at the top of his lungs to every song in tears taking photos of the gig and himself with his cel phone. It started off funny, but it got scary as he never stopped. He actually cleared out a few seats. Also, there was one guy who looked like Eugene Levy at the edge of the Mezzanine doing the DeCaprio TITANIC pose just screaming nonstop, and not in a good way, especially with his belly sticking out. I was covinced this fucker was gonna jump. Who ARE these tortured souls? Why can't they all be like Michael Saintface and just kill people for a piece of Morrissey's shirt. DIRECT your passion, kids!
And what about Stephen Patrick Morrissey himself? I thought he seemed quite pleased playing the Apollo, but he was clearly excited about performing at this legendary venue. After one potential stagerunner was stopped he jokingly yelled: "This is hallowed ground! No smiling, no laughing, no touching! This is RADIO CITY!" He was extremely talkative, funny, and very charming, much more than when we last saw him. He even did a whole a bit about sitcoms ("In Boston I told them that Cheers wasn't funny") and then went on about how much he loved UNSOLVED MYSTERIES. Hilarious. His voice was sharp, he hit the right notes and he commanded the stage. Like he must. Like he always does. Exactly as we all need him to be. The comeback is complete. Irene was right, we'll never see another moment like this.
Until the inevitable Johnny Marr reunion happens. Cause you KNOW that's gonna happen.
F
But then little things creeped in that made me slowly change my mind about buying tickets. He had changed the set list, he opened Reading with HOW SOON IS NOW, the new album was actually quite good, etc. The variables suddenly were all yet again in Moz's favour. I had even received another Internet pre-sale E-mail to get tickets early. However, the icing on the cake came when my significant other, who in the end, like Ash, is a more optimistic person than I am, said "You know, he'll never have another comeback like this again, and at Radio City no less". Suddenly, there I was, in front of the laptop I am typing to you now, purchasing tickets. And dammit, by the time we walked past Jared Leto (Just back from South Africa shooting my pal Bradley J. Fox's new movie LORD OF WAR) outside of Radio City, I realized getting tickets to see Mr. Moz was a super super super smart move.
First, I have no exciting stories to tell. I didn't see members of Saintface (the place is huge), security was too tight for the usual frontstage madness to ensue (only a few runners made it to the stage, and only one got to Moz), and we sat for the whole gig in the first mez (a beautiful view). However, Morrissey and his super crew of musicians blew us away with an excellent set that included the best of the new album (FIRST OF THE GANG TO DIE, I HAVE FORGIVEN JESUS), strong B-sides (THE NEVER PLAYED SYMPHONIES), and some Smiths classics (LAST NIGHT I DREAMT..., and thankfully, the biggest moment of the night: HOW SOON IS NOW). If I have one true complaint, its that he doesn't play enough from his early solo albums (the lack of SUEDEHEAD really upset Irene), though hearing NOW MY HEART IS FULL is always a treat.
But if the Apollo gig was a gig, last night's performance was a SHOW. A true geniuine Morrissey show, complete with Elvis '68 Comeback Special style lights that read, what else: MORRISSEY and dramatically lifted up from under the stage. I can't say enough about his band, which has vastly improved in the 5 months since we last saw them. The sound was incredible, even a bit loud, which was a nice change of pace for the usually reserved Radio City. There were a few freaks, including one extremely heavy Latin dude in a doo rag and a Bob Marley Tshirt on his feet singing at the top of his lungs to every song in tears taking photos of the gig and himself with his cel phone. It started off funny, but it got scary as he never stopped. He actually cleared out a few seats. Also, there was one guy who looked like Eugene Levy at the edge of the Mezzanine doing the DeCaprio TITANIC pose just screaming nonstop, and not in a good way, especially with his belly sticking out. I was covinced this fucker was gonna jump. Who ARE these tortured souls? Why can't they all be like Michael Saintface and just kill people for a piece of Morrissey's shirt. DIRECT your passion, kids!
And what about Stephen Patrick Morrissey himself? I thought he seemed quite pleased playing the Apollo, but he was clearly excited about performing at this legendary venue. After one potential stagerunner was stopped he jokingly yelled: "This is hallowed ground! No smiling, no laughing, no touching! This is RADIO CITY!" He was extremely talkative, funny, and very charming, much more than when we last saw him. He even did a whole a bit about sitcoms ("In Boston I told them that Cheers wasn't funny") and then went on about how much he loved UNSOLVED MYSTERIES. Hilarious. His voice was sharp, he hit the right notes and he commanded the stage. Like he must. Like he always does. Exactly as we all need him to be. The comeback is complete. Irene was right, we'll never see another moment like this.
Until the inevitable Johnny Marr reunion happens. Cause you KNOW that's gonna happen.
F
5.10.04
TIVO slight return
This comes from my agent/lawyer/advisor. I'm not sure where she got this from, but since she's my lawyer, this is her job (and no this was not prompted, she did this on her own will):
"TIVO is a proper noun. It is a name of a company - no different than Sony or Panasonic. If you are allowed to use Google or IBM in scrabble - you are allowed to use Tivo. While it is so popular that the act of using it has become a verb as in "Googling" Tivo on its own is a proper noun. However, Tivoing or Tivoed - I think it could be argued that those are words since they have evolved beyond just the company name into an act."
And Mr. Leo sutra himself has pointed me to the best news of the day;
Bajo el título de "Canciones elegidas 93-04", el músico Gustavo Cerati editará un disco con las mejores composiciones de su carrera solista.
Se trata de una selección de dieciocho temas realizada por el autor, que será editada en octubre en Argentina y en América Latina. La edición incluirá un bonus DVD con todos los videos de la etapa solista del ex Soda Stereo.
Entre las canciones del lanzamiento se destaca el inédito "Tu locura", tema musical del unitario de la productora Pol-ka "Locas de Amor".
El grandes éxitos también tendrá temas como "Amor amarillo", "Pulsar", "Puente", "Paseo Inmoral", el remix de "Tu cicatriz en mí", "Engaña" y "Amo dejarte así". El DVD incluirá videos como "Te llevo para que me lleves", "Lisa", "Tabú", "Río Babel", "Karaoke", "Cosas imposibles", "Artefacto" y "Canción animal" y "Corazón delator" en versiones sinfónicas.
El disco ya fue editado en España, donde Cerati realizará una gira durante octubre en la que estará el 18 y 19 en Madrid, para seguir por Granada, Murcia, Valencia, Palma de Mallorca, Barcelona y Zaragoza.
Al regreso de España, el artista se presentará en Santiago de Chile el 5 de Noviembre y en Buenos Aires el 6, en el marco del Personal Fest que se llevará a cabo en el Club Ciudad de Buenos Aires, con artistas internacionales de la talla de Morrisey, Blondie, Primal Scream y Pet Shop Boys.
En Noviembre, la gira continuará en México, con conciertos en el Distrito Federal, Monterrey y Guadalajara y León.
Por otra parte, el tema "Señales Luminosas", del disco "Siempre es hoy", fue elegido por Chevrolet como banda de sonido de los spots publicitarios para su producto Chevy Malibú Maxx en Estados Unidos.
TRANSLATION: Cerati is awesome and has a solo greatest hits CD/DVD coming out. New song too. Mega
F
"TIVO is a proper noun. It is a name of a company - no different than Sony or Panasonic. If you are allowed to use Google or IBM in scrabble - you are allowed to use Tivo. While it is so popular that the act of using it has become a verb as in "Googling" Tivo on its own is a proper noun. However, Tivoing or Tivoed - I think it could be argued that those are words since they have evolved beyond just the company name into an act."
And Mr. Leo sutra himself has pointed me to the best news of the day;
Bajo el título de "Canciones elegidas 93-04", el músico Gustavo Cerati editará un disco con las mejores composiciones de su carrera solista.
Se trata de una selección de dieciocho temas realizada por el autor, que será editada en octubre en Argentina y en América Latina. La edición incluirá un bonus DVD con todos los videos de la etapa solista del ex Soda Stereo.
Entre las canciones del lanzamiento se destaca el inédito "Tu locura", tema musical del unitario de la productora Pol-ka "Locas de Amor".
El grandes éxitos también tendrá temas como "Amor amarillo", "Pulsar", "Puente", "Paseo Inmoral", el remix de "Tu cicatriz en mí", "Engaña" y "Amo dejarte así". El DVD incluirá videos como "Te llevo para que me lleves", "Lisa", "Tabú", "Río Babel", "Karaoke", "Cosas imposibles", "Artefacto" y "Canción animal" y "Corazón delator" en versiones sinfónicas.
El disco ya fue editado en España, donde Cerati realizará una gira durante octubre en la que estará el 18 y 19 en Madrid, para seguir por Granada, Murcia, Valencia, Palma de Mallorca, Barcelona y Zaragoza.
Al regreso de España, el artista se presentará en Santiago de Chile el 5 de Noviembre y en Buenos Aires el 6, en el marco del Personal Fest que se llevará a cabo en el Club Ciudad de Buenos Aires, con artistas internacionales de la talla de Morrisey, Blondie, Primal Scream y Pet Shop Boys.
En Noviembre, la gira continuará en México, con conciertos en el Distrito Federal, Monterrey y Guadalajara y León.
Por otra parte, el tema "Señales Luminosas", del disco "Siempre es hoy", fue elegido por Chevrolet como banda de sonido de los spots publicitarios para su producto Chevy Malibú Maxx en Estados Unidos.
TRANSLATION: Cerati is awesome and has a solo greatest hits CD/DVD coming out. New song too. Mega
F
3.10.04
LOVING THE ASTRONAUT
A 25 year wait for an album deserves it's own blog entry I guess, so I here I am with my thoughts on the reunited Duran Duran's album ASTRONAUT. I don't have to get into my history of love for this band (that's what previous entries have been for), so I'll get right to it. ASTRONAUT is pretty damn good. It's not great, it's got a few classics on there, but honestly, with the hype and anticipation, I can't help but be compelled to say "it's not what I was hoping". However, one must ask: What exactly were we hoping for? Unlike my signficant other, my agent/lawyer/advisor, and diva bitch stoned manager, I am not an 80's fanatic, so I wasn't hoping for a re-creation of the old sound. So I've waited a few days to really get into the record, so let's put the hype aside (hehe) and get into it. The musicianship and production is supurb and I can't tell you how strong LeBon's vocals are. However, he's back to writing the lyrics (after letting Nick do them the last couple of pre-reunion years) and that sometimes works amazingly well (the excellent WHAT HAPPENS TOMORROW) and sometimes amazingly cheesy (the funky BEDROOM TOYS). I think I expected the more vague lyrics of the old days (I mean, come on, what the fuck is a UNION OF THE SNAKE?)
Anyhow, John Taylor sounds re-energized playing with Roger Taylor again, and the combination of those two allow the AMAZING Andy Taylor to shine like a mother on this album. Though he's always appeared to be your sort of "classic" rock guitarist, Andy's true gift is in that of knowing exactly what to play and when and doesn't dominate the music. I really forgot how awesome he is. His range of sounds and style defined Duran 2 decades ago and again here. The only member who didn't impress me for some reason was Nick Rhodes, as the synths and keyboard sounds on this record, though well played and well placed, sound standard. I've always been impressed by his loops and unique style, which seems to lack here. Perhaps after producing the bulk of the recent pre-reunion material (including the extremely underrated and excellent MEDAZZALAND) and bringing in outside producers, his role has lessened somewhat.
The first half of the album is the rockier portion and it's very well produced stuff. WANT YOU MORE is very reminicent of SEVEN AND THE RAGGED TIGER'S OF CRIME AND PASSION and this is a good thing. The opening song, the single SUNRISE, has really grown on me, especially the amazing bridge and there's a bunch of Chic inspired funky numbers, including the aforementioned BEDROOM TOYS and breezy TASTE THE SUMMER. The song NICE sounds like it could have fit on RIO.
However, if the Durans know anything, it's how to grab you by your heart strings and thats what the second half of the album is about. Sequentially, it reminds me of the also underrated album BIG THING, which contains a mostly slower, ballad filled second half. FINEST HOUR could be this album's ORDINARY WORLD if pushed right as a single. It's a solid synth driven anthem. Catchy as hell! ONE OF THESE DAYS is decent, and penultimate song, POINT OF NO RETURN is filler that sounds like a George Michael outtake. However, they finish big with STILL BREATHING, which to me is genuine classic that defines the reformed Duran. Great vocals, great catchy riff and a string section to die for. A great closer.
I'm being Frank with you in saying I didn't like the bulk of this stuff when I first heard it. I got on this blog a few times to moan and bitch, but I refrained as I felt I needed to really get into it. And as I get further into it, I find myself really appreciating it more and more. I also think I'll really love this album after seeing them do this stuff live. The album needed an epic or two in to make it perfect, but for a band that on paper shouldn't even be alive, this is great stuff. It's a welcome return and one I remain very excited about.
Speaking of being very excited, the OTHER best new band in England (besides the much loved Kasabian) is this weeks NME cover stars Razorlight. Led by the Lief Garrett lookalike Johnny Borrell, theyre a catchy, raw 4-piece that reminds me of later Velvets and early Lou Reed. Where's as the Strokes tried and failed to be early lo fi Velvets, Razorlight embrace the later post-John Cale polished Velvets and create something fresh. Like Lou Reed, Borrell is more a talker than a singer and a decent storyteller as well. Their album UP ALL NIGHT is well crafted pop that feels energetic and new without feeling like a total rip off of something I've heard before (like the much loved Kasabian). Borrell started out as a flat mate of the douche and the crackhead from the Libertines, but I have a feeling that by years end, those two douches will be eating Razorlight's dust.
The HK Cinema resurgence took a huge hit with me last night when I finally got to see TWINS EFFECT 2, starring many attractive young Asians. the first TWINS movie was great harmless fun and a decent movie to boot and the attempt to recreate that magic goes straight to hell by casting Jackie Chan's SON in his first movie role. He looks amazingly like his father and guess what, the big nose is where the similarities end. The kid is HORRIBLE. He can't act, he can't fight and now I totally understand why his father has been trashing him in the press! Brandon Lee this is not. Avoid this film, even JC's cameo fight vs. Donnie Yen is crap. Perhaps the years biggest disappointment. If JC's return to form in NEW POLICE STORY is this bad, we're in trouble.
Oh, I saw HUCKABEES, which was pretty clever and well done. Funny too. All the actors are very good and Naomi Hotts would have stolen the show if Marky Mark hadn't owned every scene he was in. He needs to choose more roles like this cause if he does, he could be a big ass star. The director, David O. Russell, gave us the so so FLIRTING WITH DISASTER and the excellent THREE KINGS (Marky Mark's OTHER great performance). While he is probably a big douche and George Clooney would raise his glass to me in agreement, the fucker can direct. Good stuff.
Wrestling tonight. Live. Thanks Ev!
F
Anyhow, John Taylor sounds re-energized playing with Roger Taylor again, and the combination of those two allow the AMAZING Andy Taylor to shine like a mother on this album. Though he's always appeared to be your sort of "classic" rock guitarist, Andy's true gift is in that of knowing exactly what to play and when and doesn't dominate the music. I really forgot how awesome he is. His range of sounds and style defined Duran 2 decades ago and again here. The only member who didn't impress me for some reason was Nick Rhodes, as the synths and keyboard sounds on this record, though well played and well placed, sound standard. I've always been impressed by his loops and unique style, which seems to lack here. Perhaps after producing the bulk of the recent pre-reunion material (including the extremely underrated and excellent MEDAZZALAND) and bringing in outside producers, his role has lessened somewhat.
The first half of the album is the rockier portion and it's very well produced stuff. WANT YOU MORE is very reminicent of SEVEN AND THE RAGGED TIGER'S OF CRIME AND PASSION and this is a good thing. The opening song, the single SUNRISE, has really grown on me, especially the amazing bridge and there's a bunch of Chic inspired funky numbers, including the aforementioned BEDROOM TOYS and breezy TASTE THE SUMMER. The song NICE sounds like it could have fit on RIO.
However, if the Durans know anything, it's how to grab you by your heart strings and thats what the second half of the album is about. Sequentially, it reminds me of the also underrated album BIG THING, which contains a mostly slower, ballad filled second half. FINEST HOUR could be this album's ORDINARY WORLD if pushed right as a single. It's a solid synth driven anthem. Catchy as hell! ONE OF THESE DAYS is decent, and penultimate song, POINT OF NO RETURN is filler that sounds like a George Michael outtake. However, they finish big with STILL BREATHING, which to me is genuine classic that defines the reformed Duran. Great vocals, great catchy riff and a string section to die for. A great closer.
I'm being Frank with you in saying I didn't like the bulk of this stuff when I first heard it. I got on this blog a few times to moan and bitch, but I refrained as I felt I needed to really get into it. And as I get further into it, I find myself really appreciating it more and more. I also think I'll really love this album after seeing them do this stuff live. The album needed an epic or two in to make it perfect, but for a band that on paper shouldn't even be alive, this is great stuff. It's a welcome return and one I remain very excited about.
Speaking of being very excited, the OTHER best new band in England (besides the much loved Kasabian) is this weeks NME cover stars Razorlight. Led by the Lief Garrett lookalike Johnny Borrell, theyre a catchy, raw 4-piece that reminds me of later Velvets and early Lou Reed. Where's as the Strokes tried and failed to be early lo fi Velvets, Razorlight embrace the later post-John Cale polished Velvets and create something fresh. Like Lou Reed, Borrell is more a talker than a singer and a decent storyteller as well. Their album UP ALL NIGHT is well crafted pop that feels energetic and new without feeling like a total rip off of something I've heard before (like the much loved Kasabian). Borrell started out as a flat mate of the douche and the crackhead from the Libertines, but I have a feeling that by years end, those two douches will be eating Razorlight's dust.
The HK Cinema resurgence took a huge hit with me last night when I finally got to see TWINS EFFECT 2, starring many attractive young Asians. the first TWINS movie was great harmless fun and a decent movie to boot and the attempt to recreate that magic goes straight to hell by casting Jackie Chan's SON in his first movie role. He looks amazingly like his father and guess what, the big nose is where the similarities end. The kid is HORRIBLE. He can't act, he can't fight and now I totally understand why his father has been trashing him in the press! Brandon Lee this is not. Avoid this film, even JC's cameo fight vs. Donnie Yen is crap. Perhaps the years biggest disappointment. If JC's return to form in NEW POLICE STORY is this bad, we're in trouble.
Oh, I saw HUCKABEES, which was pretty clever and well done. Funny too. All the actors are very good and Naomi Hotts would have stolen the show if Marky Mark hadn't owned every scene he was in. He needs to choose more roles like this cause if he does, he could be a big ass star. The director, David O. Russell, gave us the so so FLIRTING WITH DISASTER and the excellent THREE KINGS (Marky Mark's OTHER great performance). While he is probably a big douche and George Clooney would raise his glass to me in agreement, the fucker can direct. Good stuff.
Wrestling tonight. Live. Thanks Ev!
F