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
13.10.04
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