When most people look back at New Wave, it's "mope rock" terminology thrown in the air a lot. I tend to disagree with that sentiment. No question, there's a huge darkness element, but I love the vibe, the ethereal "feel" to it.....
Now most people throw in Joy Division, Bauhaus, and even get as arbitrary as OMD, Kraftwerk, or New Order, but there is an excellent second level.....
Don't leave out Dream Syndicate, and don't forget the New Model Army, these are fresh names you probably haven't thought of in the Cure's backyard. Take a swing in different directions outside of Adam & the Ants and Gary Numan.....
Because they're out there, ya know. Hiding behind Echo & the Bunnymen putting out albums entitled "Pop Said" and "Entertainment" , and calling themselves the English Beat and Gang of Four. Slamming us with songs like "Reuters" and "That's the Essence".....
They're hiding in the Shadows, like these guys, as relevant as ever.....
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Friday, July 6, 2012
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Some Words in Cyberspace from "The Testament"
My words on Antonio's latest CD have popped under his internet home to order his real-life in the flesh, non download CD. Have a look-see.
Click
"Read More" there at the bottom, kiddies.Buy Yourself a physical disc while you're there.
You're welcome.
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Kung Pao and Coca Cola
After an evening to a dining establishment my newly southern butt has never been to, this one being Pei-Wei Chinese, I made a couple of discoveries.
One is there's a lot of stuff I haven't tried. Frances, my fantastic sultry girl and muse, trying to culture me a bit, turned me on to some pretty good food that I really wasn't expecting to like.
Two is the Coca Cola Freestyle machine.
Damn.
This thing is amazing. It seems like an appliance everyone should have...
Okay, that's a bit.....excessive, but still. The breathtaking love of my life that brought me to Pei Wei in the first place even enjoyed the beverage I selected, Mello Yello Peach, and she's not much of a soda drinker.
Mello Yello not your bag? Try Vanilla Sprite or Orange Coke. Seriously.
100 varieties plus are available in this thing.....
I don't post much about food or drink, but this device is pretty slick. You can even download a memory game app for your iPhone, or play the Freestyle game on line, and the site will let you know where to find a Freestyle machine near you.
Not exactly life changing, but I dig it. And yo, Chinese Food is pretty good too, if done right.
http://www.coca-colafreestyle.com/
Friday, April 27, 2012
Rockumentary, Schmockumentary
It's ridiculous.
It really is. There's a lot of Rock documentaries out there, and I've seen a slew. Very few of them offer much more than the old VH-1 ".....and then they hit rock bottom" descending narrative we all know and hate....
But there's a few good ones. Trust me. Have I ever let you down?
There's bands that have had too many made about them. Lord knows, their egos were big enough before being puffed up by celluloid dramatization.
Then there are those that should have had movies made about them that haven't. And chances are they won't. A big swing and a miss was taken earlier this year, when a documentary was made about Replacements fans and not the band themselves....come on, Really?
Big Star had one made on them last year, and I am still trying to track it down without spending a mint.
It also was just finished within the last year.
So, here's my faves.....
1. "Getting the Knack" A solid flick that does a great job examining the working class route of Doug Fieger and the boys, and the downfall that was undeserved....This was finished before the deaths of Bruce Gary, drummer extraordinaire, and Fieger, or it could have been a great testament to the lives of two enormous characters and talents.
2. "We Jam Econo" Another band with unfortunate death surrounding them, the Minutemen's story is born of friendship, fertilized with a great catalog, and ended like so many do, prematurely, with the van crash death of D. Boon. This one had nothing to do with drugs. Bassist Mike Watt has a few moments in interview moments that are downright heartbreaking. Some great rare footage here, and you will also be educated on why George Hurley is the best drummer that ever lived, and more than likely was a better surfer.
3. "End of the Century: The Story of the Ramones" A really well researched and interviewed film....The truest of the tragedies are documented, but grew deeper after the film's end.....Nonetheless, a great film, but tough to absorb if you're a big fan. I wrote a piece on this blog called "The Ramones and the Shakespearean Traedy" and this movie was referred to in the essay. Tough sell to the uninitiated.
4. "The Filth and the Fury" If you don't think that the Sex Pistols weren't the biggest bunch of knobs that ever walked out of the UK, this film will illustrate it for you. Malcolm McLaren really needed to be slapped. The footage of the "Dirty F@#ker" talk show moment is included here. The John Lydon quote "Ever get the feeling you've been cheated?", more a statement than a question, which came at the end of the only American tour they ever played in support of "Never Mind the Bollocks" also was filmed and included here. It's title sums it up. As great as their record was, the Pistols' history was black and awful.
5. "Can You Hear the Wind Howl?" Legend begets greatness. Robert Johnson is surrounded by legend. The delta bluesman whose backdrop basically created the sold soul storyline has a rich history, and it's documented greatly here. There were only two photographs taken of the man, so no one could begrudge the filmmakers usage of reenactment footage here, starring Keb Mo in many sequences....despite it's cable tv "docudrama" feel, the movie works.....
I love movies, and when I can learn something, I love them all the more.
It really is. There's a lot of Rock documentaries out there, and I've seen a slew. Very few of them offer much more than the old VH-1 ".....and then they hit rock bottom" descending narrative we all know and hate....
But there's a few good ones. Trust me. Have I ever let you down?
There's bands that have had too many made about them. Lord knows, their egos were big enough before being puffed up by celluloid dramatization.
Then there are those that should have had movies made about them that haven't. And chances are they won't. A big swing and a miss was taken earlier this year, when a documentary was made about Replacements fans and not the band themselves....come on, Really?
Big Star had one made on them last year, and I am still trying to track it down without spending a mint.
It also was just finished within the last year.
So, here's my faves.....
1. "Getting the Knack" A solid flick that does a great job examining the working class route of Doug Fieger and the boys, and the downfall that was undeserved....This was finished before the deaths of Bruce Gary, drummer extraordinaire, and Fieger, or it could have been a great testament to the lives of two enormous characters and talents.
2. "We Jam Econo" Another band with unfortunate death surrounding them, the Minutemen's story is born of friendship, fertilized with a great catalog, and ended like so many do, prematurely, with the van crash death of D. Boon. This one had nothing to do with drugs. Bassist Mike Watt has a few moments in interview moments that are downright heartbreaking. Some great rare footage here, and you will also be educated on why George Hurley is the best drummer that ever lived, and more than likely was a better surfer.
3. "End of the Century: The Story of the Ramones" A really well researched and interviewed film....The truest of the tragedies are documented, but grew deeper after the film's end.....Nonetheless, a great film, but tough to absorb if you're a big fan. I wrote a piece on this blog called "The Ramones and the Shakespearean Traedy" and this movie was referred to in the essay. Tough sell to the uninitiated.
4. "The Filth and the Fury" If you don't think that the Sex Pistols weren't the biggest bunch of knobs that ever walked out of the UK, this film will illustrate it for you. Malcolm McLaren really needed to be slapped. The footage of the "Dirty F@#ker" talk show moment is included here. The John Lydon quote "Ever get the feeling you've been cheated?", more a statement than a question, which came at the end of the only American tour they ever played in support of "Never Mind the Bollocks" also was filmed and included here. It's title sums it up. As great as their record was, the Pistols' history was black and awful.
5. "Can You Hear the Wind Howl?" Legend begets greatness. Robert Johnson is surrounded by legend. The delta bluesman whose backdrop basically created the sold soul storyline has a rich history, and it's documented greatly here. There were only two photographs taken of the man, so no one could begrudge the filmmakers usage of reenactment footage here, starring Keb Mo in many sequences....despite it's cable tv "docudrama" feel, the movie works.....
I love movies, and when I can learn something, I love them all the more.
Friday, April 20, 2012
Best of the Dallas Films
As a newfound resident of Texas, and an unflappable film buff, I've decided to amalgamate the two and list my 5 favorite Dallas movies, whether located there, or shot there.
This should be interesting. As the green witch in the "Woody Woodpecker" cartoons used to say upon take off on her brooms...."....and away we go!!"
5. "The Killer Shrews" 1959 black and white uber-b movie, this is a trash classic indeed. It stars a very young Roscoe P. Coltrane,...um James Best, as the hero, and the title is self explanatory. Very drab, despite the black and white, thanks to the dirty fields the bulk of the film takes place in. It's supposed to be an island locale, but "I ain't buyin' it."
4. "Talk Radio" I wrote a full piece on this on my blog as it is one of my favorite movies of all time. Eric Bogosian, playwright at the time, now character actor plays an asshole shock jock in the lead with a late night talk show called "Night Talk". Beautifully shot, Dallas looks glorious at night. Oliver does night skies and neon very well, and a shadowy radio booth never seemed so diabolical or oddly enough, pretty.
3. "Frailty" Shot in California, nevertheless Texas is well represented by it's Lone Star cast, Matthew McConaughey, Bill Paxton, and Powers Boothe. Paxton directs a movie with a swirling timeline and twists galore that paints it's evil in uncertain corners. The movie is scary, odd, suspenseful and you won't really know where it is going until it finally takes you there. Highly recommended.
2. "Silent Rage" This laughable Chuck Norris flick is a combination of horror, martial arts, poorly executed romance, poorly executed cautionary tale, and lastly poorly executed Stephen Furst humor. Nonetheless, like a bad accident, you can't take your eyes off of it. It bridges the gap between Indie Chuck Norris and "Missing in Action" Cannon Norris. Quite a pedigree, indeed. Film history...
1. "The Rookie" Another Texan in a Texas movie, this is quietly one of the best performances of Dennis Quaid's quietly remarkable career. He plays real life late bloomer and big leaguer Jim Morris, who inexplicably develops a blazing fastball and makes the majors at an incredibly unexpected age. Nicely done, it doesn't suffer from the rah-rahs, it's quietly uplifting without being sappy. Too bad the same can't be said of it's trailer.
5. "The Killer Shrews" 1959 black and white uber-b movie, this is a trash classic indeed. It stars a very young Roscoe P. Coltrane,...um James Best, as the hero, and the title is self explanatory. Very drab, despite the black and white, thanks to the dirty fields the bulk of the film takes place in. It's supposed to be an island locale, but "I ain't buyin' it."
4. "Talk Radio" I wrote a full piece on this on my blog as it is one of my favorite movies of all time. Eric Bogosian, playwright at the time, now character actor plays an asshole shock jock in the lead with a late night talk show called "Night Talk". Beautifully shot, Dallas looks glorious at night. Oliver does night skies and neon very well, and a shadowy radio booth never seemed so diabolical or oddly enough, pretty.
3. "Frailty" Shot in California, nevertheless Texas is well represented by it's Lone Star cast, Matthew McConaughey, Bill Paxton, and Powers Boothe. Paxton directs a movie with a swirling timeline and twists galore that paints it's evil in uncertain corners. The movie is scary, odd, suspenseful and you won't really know where it is going until it finally takes you there. Highly recommended.
2. "Silent Rage" This laughable Chuck Norris flick is a combination of horror, martial arts, poorly executed romance, poorly executed cautionary tale, and lastly poorly executed Stephen Furst humor. Nonetheless, like a bad accident, you can't take your eyes off of it. It bridges the gap between Indie Chuck Norris and "Missing in Action" Cannon Norris. Quite a pedigree, indeed. Film history...
1. "The Rookie" Another Texan in a Texas movie, this is quietly one of the best performances of Dennis Quaid's quietly remarkable career. He plays real life late bloomer and big leaguer Jim Morris, who inexplicably develops a blazing fastball and makes the majors at an incredibly unexpected age. Nicely done, it doesn't suffer from the rah-rahs, it's quietly uplifting without being sappy. Too bad the same can't be said of it's trailer.
Friday, March 30, 2012
No Second Fiddle
The Minneapolis post-punk explosion marked an onslaught of bands that could claim to be the voicebox of Midwestern Youth. Depending on your angle.
They all, somehow, were what "The Kids" could cling to. The kids with Patchouli on, hanging at record stores, patching skateboard injuries, finding a way to stick a Soul Asylum sticker on something, while walking the streets at night with headphones on, wondering if anything would ever feel like home again.
Someone out there, got it. Even if they were Viking or Twins fans with guitars.
No matter how you hash it out, it's no secret that the Replacements led the charge, for better or for worse. They somehow, despite a lack of political leanings, an inability to connect with their audience, and a degree in bridge burning, were the most popular band out of the Mosquito state.
As much as I love the 'Mats, Husker Du should play no second fiddle to anyone. Ever.
Raw guitars, plenty of hooks, a bevy of material, and partially acoustic sets should have had them right up there with Westerberg and the boys. The Replacements fell apart because they gave a crap too late. The Huskers had other reasons. Paul and the boys lasted for two major label LPs. (Do not make a mistake and count "All Shook Down" as one of them, it was Paul's first solo LP). Husker Du, also two, the melancholy "Candy Apple Grey" and "Warehouse"
They were just as good, and a recent retrospective look back showed that to me. I love, absolutely love "Flip Your Wig". Here's one of many reasons why:
They all, somehow, were what "The Kids" could cling to. The kids with Patchouli on, hanging at record stores, patching skateboard injuries, finding a way to stick a Soul Asylum sticker on something, while walking the streets at night with headphones on, wondering if anything would ever feel like home again.
Someone out there, got it. Even if they were Viking or Twins fans with guitars.
No matter how you hash it out, it's no secret that the Replacements led the charge, for better or for worse. They somehow, despite a lack of political leanings, an inability to connect with their audience, and a degree in bridge burning, were the most popular band out of the Mosquito state.
As much as I love the 'Mats, Husker Du should play no second fiddle to anyone. Ever.
Raw guitars, plenty of hooks, a bevy of material, and partially acoustic sets should have had them right up there with Westerberg and the boys. The Replacements fell apart because they gave a crap too late. The Huskers had other reasons. Paul and the boys lasted for two major label LPs. (Do not make a mistake and count "All Shook Down" as one of them, it was Paul's first solo LP). Husker Du, also two, the melancholy "Candy Apple Grey" and "Warehouse"
They were just as good, and a recent retrospective look back showed that to me. I love, absolutely love "Flip Your Wig". Here's one of many reasons why:
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