Just when thought Paul Thomas Anderson, Spike Jones, Charlie Kauffman cornered the market on deranged comedy, David O. Russell throws his hat in the ring. One day, I'm sure, this will get completely played out.
1) I Heart Huckabees
2) Dig!
3) Woman Thou Art Loosed
(Shark Tale finishing a close fourth)
One of the biggest role models from the "I don't care" era has done a complete 180-degree turn.
Using their famous three-chord melodies, the spiky-haired trio Green Day have been lambasting President George W. Bush.
"It was a little hipper to be apathetic (back then)," says singer-guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong. "Right now, it's more about facing danger. That's what growing up is all about."
However, their new album, "American Idiot," isn't all about politics. It was written with a narrative, making it a "punk opera" of sorts. The central character is a rebellious teen named Jesus of Suburbia.
i'll see you there........ MUHAHAHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!
Don't ask why she let Johnny die.
S.E. Hinton has answered that question so many times since introducing the young tough in her teen classic, "The Outsiders," 37 years ago, what more can she say? "He died. OK?"
Ask her instead about the pirates. Or the vampire. Or the sex in her new book. Ask -- because the intensely private author isn't one to volunteer -- and she'll tell you what it means to break ground on the inside.
"I wondered, 'Can I write a sex scene?' " Hinton says, sitting down in a hotel in her hometown to talk about her first new novel in 25 years. "So I did. I thought, 'Hey, this is fun.' And I wrote a couple of more."
"Hawkes Harbor," released last week by Tor Books, is the best-selling author's sixth novel and the only one written for adults. Part high-seas adventure, part vampire horror, it depicts a young man grappling with danger and insanity while looking for peace. There are pirates and sex, gunrunning and smuggling, and sailors who talk like sailors.
All sides of Ramones shown in new film
When four misfits from Forest Hills, New York, formed a rock 'n' roll band in the early 1970s and adopted the single surname Ramone, it was a defiant symbol of solidarity.
It was also a symbol of profound family-style dysfunction, a new documentary film about the fabled punk rock group the Ramones reveals.
"The Ramones' dysfunction was their genius, but it limited their careers," said Jim Fields, who made the film with Michael Gramaglia. "I think they were born miserable and they just found each other."
Working in the same do-it-yourself spirit as their subjects, the first-time film makers spent the good part of a decade documenting the saga of the Ramones.
The Stockings, LA/OC's newest and bestest all girl punk band, win the contest for the best Merch to date .... Cupcakes!
Go check out Melissa and all the ladies, rock out, and buy Chocolate cake cupcakes with pink frosting made by Melissa and the girls. Hot guitars, great mini-skirts, good songs, and cupcakes! What more can you ask for?
Russell (in the middle of the photo), singer/rhythm guitarist, from The Millionaires wins any and all contests for the best Legs, male or female, in all of Rock'n'Roll! Hot Damn, he's a man's man at that!
'Ole Rod summed it best...
You got legs right up to your neck
You're making me a physical wreck
I'm talking to you
Hot legs, in your satin shoes
Hot legs, are you still in school
Hot legs, you're making me a fool
I love you honey
Since I never want to date again after reading Lucky's post, I'll be going to the movies this weekend and replacing the sensation of an orgasm with chocolate. Do you think I can talk the clerk into replacing the popcorn in an extra large tub with M&Ms?
1) Shaun of the Dead
2) The Motorcycle Diaries
3) The Forgotten
(Because I'm killing time at work...heh heh)
Booty Calls - If I have not talked to you in 2 months, do not call me up at 2am drunk and horny, I will laugh my ass off at you.
Cajones (balls) - If you have had a crush on me forever but can't seem to make a move, get some fucking balls & do something about it, I am sick and tired of your friends telling me about it over & over again. Confidence is the greatest aphrodisiac.
Non-Committal - He/she asks to hang out with you, but then can't seem to find a time to agree on, says "we'll see" (most likely because he/she wants to keep their options open). Puh-lease, like I'll be waiting for that call.
The "Homer" - He/she does something wrong/bad/inconsiderate/whatever, then gets mad at you for getting mad at them.
Wasted Slobering - Will only work if I am also slobbering drunk. Pull yourself out of that drunken haze long enough to assess my sobriety first.
Cling-Wrap - I have a life of my own, you need one too. My sun does not rise and fall every time you take a shit.
I Was That Way When Ya Met Me - If you didn't like my _______ (fill in the blank here, some good examples are: hair, wardrobe, shape of my ass, taste in music, hobbies) then why the hell did you go out with me in the 1st place? Please don't ask me to change it now.
Clueless - If we used to date/have sex/talk a lot/whatever, and I keep turning you down for it now, then it's OVER... don't make me have to spell it out for you, it will be unpleasant for the both of us.
Bad Habits and/or Dirty Little Secrets - Don't bother lying about them, you will only get busted in the end. Better just to take your chances and fess up.
Insult Compliments - If it can in any way be misconstrued as an insult, keep that comment to yourself. Some of my personal faves: "Wow, you're actually pretty smart" or "You're really hot for a girl your size" .
Get With The Times (this mostly applies to girls) - Just because I had sex with you doesn't necessarily mean that I want to be your girlfriend, so don't freak out and assume that I'll want a "relationship". I may not call you the next day, or ever for that matter.
Broken Promises - Don't make promises if you think there's even the slightest possibility that you might break them or change your mind, or if you have a history of doing things like that in the past. Better to not promise anything at all, even if it's just something small or stupid.
Three (or More) Is A Crowd - If we are supposed to go on a date, and I show up to find that 3 or 4 of your friends are going to tag along for the ride, then it is no longer a date, but a group activity, which would have been fine if we had discussed it in the first place (because then I wouldn't have spent so much time getting done up).
I am Not Your Mommy/Daddy - somehow you managed to make your own food, pay your own rent, do your own laundry, schedule your own dentist appointments, wipe your own ass, etc. before you met me. Do not expect that I am going to do it for you now. If I wanted children, I'd go have some.
Pity Lay - Don't ask. I do not take pity on any of your gross friends.
Heidi’s Night of Beauty Yard Sale-BRAT Fashion Show with THE SUPERSUCKERS!!!
Sunday, Sept 19 at 3pm
BBQ/Beauty/Bar/Bands/BRAT Fashion Show
Place: The Echo: 1822 Sunset Blvd between Alvarado & Echo Park Blvd
*There’s tons of free parking! Street parking, as well as a massive free lot: head east on Sunset past The Echo, & turn right on the first street, which is Lemoyne. You will see the lot on your left.
What really happens at HNOB?:
*Try out & buy some of your fave beauty brands super-discounted: Urban Decay, Benefit, Tony & Tina, Nars, Air Craft, & Mark, to name a few
* Buy the latest from Chimni, Monkey Cymbal Marching Band, mas.con, Impale, Defile, & Glamorous Rockstar Fashion Design, DJ Rabiola as well as Kimi Ray’s one-of-a-kind vintage jewelry.
* Spruce up for a good cause: Manicures, Massage, Eyebrows, & Updo’s minus the salon ‘tude
*See into your beauty future with 15 minute readings by Christina Cooper
*% of all proceeds to benefit Angel Pals, the Los Angeles Entertainment Auxiliary of Childhelp USA
Heidi’s Night of Beauty ManifestoHeidi’s Night of Beauty was launched two years ago as a multi-media ALTERNATIVE to the fear-mongering & harsh judgments of conventional beauty zeitgeist. At HNOB, you can make out, make a deal, make a friend, make art, make noise, & make peace with your perceived flaws. Self-improvement & self-destruction taste much better with a soundtrack & a cocktail shared with comrades, new & old. Both are welcome at HNOB
Heidi’s Night of Beauty Yard Sale-BRAT Fashion Show with THE SUPERSUCKERS!!!
Sunday, Sept 19 at 3pm
BBQ/Beauty/Bar/Bands/BRAT Fashion Show
Place: The Echo: 1822 Sunset Blvd between Alvarado & Echo Park Blvd
*There’s tons of free parking! Street parking, as well as a massive free lot: head east on Sunset past The Echo, & turn right on the first street, which is Lemoyne. You will see the lot on your left.
What really happens at HNOB?:
*Try out & buy some of your fave beauty brands super-discounted: Urban Decay, Benefit, Tony & Tina, Nars, Air Craft, & Mark, to name a few
* Buy the latest from Chimni, Monkey Cymbal Marching Band, mas.con, Impale, Defile, & Glamorous Rockstar Fashion Design, DJ Rabiola as well as Kimi Ray’s one-of-a-kind vintage jewelry.
* Spruce up for a good cause: Manicures, Massage, Eyebrows, & Updo’s minus the salon ‘tude
*See into your beauty future with 15 minute readings by Christina Cooper
*% of all proceeds to benefit Angel Pals, the Los Angeles Entertainment Auxiliary of Childhelp USA
Heidi’s Night of Beauty ManifestoHeidi’s Night of Beauty was launched two years ago as a multi-media ALTERNATIVE to the fear-mongering & harsh judgments of conventional beauty zeitgeist. At HNOB, you can make out, make a deal, make a friend, make art, make noise, & make peace with your perceived flaws. Self-improvement & self-destruction taste much better with a soundtrack & a cocktail shared with comrades, new & old. Both are welcome at HNOB
Last night at Subliminal Projects on Wilshire, there was a promotion event announcing the upcoming release of Interpol's album, Antics. The release date is set for September 28, 2004. Shepard Fairy (Obey / Giant) did the posters and prints for the event. There were also ten short films commissioned by the band.
I thought the event was an interesting way to promote the new album. The art was really well done. The films were a little too abstract for my taste. The DJ was pretty good but I wish the floor space had been used as an actual dance floor. Hey, at least the reception had free drinks and the cutest little water bottles and mints.
If you get a chance, go check out the art. It will be up until October 1st.
The L.A. Derby Dolls roller derby gals are having a big fundraiser and party this Saturday (9/18/04) at their new digs in Chinatown.
WHAT: Hellraiser II, a carnival-themed fundraiser including: Dunk-a-Doll, Pie Eating Contest, Velcro Wall, Sumo Suit Wrestling, fun games, AMAZING prizes, DJs, and much, much more...
WHO: 21 and over ONLY!
WHEN: Saturday, September 18th
Doors open at 8 pm
WHERE: The Dollhouse
1460 Naud Street in Los Angeles
HOW MUCH: $10 before 10 pm
$15 after 10 pm (cash only)**
VIP: $25 VIP ticket includes admission to L.A. Derby Dolls roller derby match on the rooftop (10 - 11 pm), panoramic views and private bar
MUSICAL GUESTS: Los Mysterioso (at approx. 11 pm)
**please bring cash with you as there are no ATM machines
Alex's Bar is catering the event so make sure you say hey to Alex, Stacey, and Jenny. Alex's band Los Mysteriosos are playing, and I do believe the Ms. Fits and the Bolides will also be playing but I don't have a confirmation on this. I unfortunately will be holding down the fort in Long Beach.
Here is a statement/quote sent out by Marky Ramone's publicist today:
"Johnny Ramone was my bandmate and brother for over 15 years. The bond between band members was closer than any others in the Ramones’ organization. John kept things in control when they could have spun out of control very easily. I'll never forget the day he asked me to join the Ramones in 1978. I always admired his guitar playing. He was the originator of the down stroke 8th note guitar style, which is very difficult to do for hours on end like he did playing in the Ramones. Four months ago, I knew about the serious nature of his illness, but for a while, he had a turn for the better. This comes as a shock, but it was inevitable because of the severity of his condition which worsened more recently. We were lucky enough to talk and hang out a few months ago when he was strong enough to do the commentary track on the DVD "Ramones Raw", which was his last professional contribution to the Ramones. I spoke to him most recently when I was in LA for the 30th Anniversary concert that we put together for Ramones fans. Based on our last conversation, I felt this moment was coming. I'm sorry to see him go--like this. I hope the fans take the news as best they can. His legacy will live on in every band that has, is and always will be trying to duplicate the Ramones sound. It's a sad day for Ramones fans and a sad day for rock and roll." --Marky Ramone
R.I.P. Johnny
One of the founding members of the Ramones, Johnny Ramone, passed away today 09-15-04
I happend to listen to Indie 103 one night, during Joe Sib's set, and Johnny Ramone called to talk about the upcoming 30th anniversary of the Ramones show at the Avalon, which was this past Sunday.
I thought he didn't sound very good. I knew he was battling cancer but he just did not sound well.
I think he hung on to be apart and witness the 30th anniversary. Funny how life works that way.
I enjoyed when he was on Jonesy's show in the afternoon and how both, more Johnny then Jonesy, would tell their stories when punk rock was real. Very interesting and funny stories. I hope but I'm sure they taped those stories. A book would be great. The Ramones were and still are great.
If you haven't already gotten out to see The Scotch Greens, do so. The San Diego band has created a new musical hybrid by marrying punk with bluegrass. Think of the Pogues on speed... Not to be missed.
The band has a Tuesday night residency at Molly Malone's in mid-town Hollywood this month and will be at Alex's Bar with the Irish Brothers on Thurs. 11/30.
Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Are we there yet? No kids, we're still not at Oscar season. This week's releases make that fact painfully obvious.
Damn you studio system! Damn you to hell!!!
1) Criminal
2) Paper Clips
3) Screw it. Stay home and jerk off.
Okay, so I missed a week (maybe two I've lost track)(What am I? A machine!? Go pick on someone who doesn't have a life. Oh wait. That's me.). That's no excuse for the studios to release a week of pure trash. I did not deserve this.
In retaliation, I will recommend previous weeks releases that would have made my top three list had I been slightly less lazy. Procrastination and I are familiar friends.
1) Hero
2) Vanity Fair
3) Suspect Zero
This article came to me via Ray E. Jiminez, Ph.D., and his e-newsletter. (Click here for an enhanced view of this newsletter). In it, he purports that "The iPod had become an icon, a status symbol, an important part of one's life. It is an extension of their personality" (sic) and supports Duke University's decision "to distribute iPods to its incoming freshmen as part of an experiment to motivate both faculty and students to think creatively about using technology in education and campus life. The iPods will be pre-loaded with related content as information on orientation and the academic calendar. Students will also be able to download faculty-provided content."
(Click here for the Duke article)
According to Jiminzez, "The gospel of Duke University and Steve Jobs accomplishes three things:
1. It makes it easy for technology to be friendly, cool and hip
2. It will be ubiquitous, becoming a part of our everyday landscape
3. It will make the learning tool portable, self-paced and easy to use"
Now, stop me if I'm wrong, but every time academia or the mainstream co-opts something that is supposed to be "friendly, cool, and hip" don't they create a backlash that renders things extremely UNhip?
Upon closer reading, Jiminez is trying to sell you a seat in his e-learning seminar on blended learning so you can master the technology needed to dazzle your students with Flash (more "edutainment"). Jobs has sold Duke on the iPod. Now Duke is trying to sell you an iPod with your diploma. Want fries with that?