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Wednesday, May 31, 2006

I Love LA!

Ah, Randy Newman at his finest. I remember making a cd full of songs about LA right before I moved to NYC for the first time. It was a double set, actually. I would listen to those cds, eager to get back to Los Angeles. I made my move and 18 months later I was back in NYC for almost 4 years, vowing never to return to LA. Well, as circumstance would have it, I moved back. I've had a hard time remembering why I wanted to return so badly before. Slowly, I have been gathering little bits and pieces of what I once loved. Hopefully I will get to do something very cool on Saturday that will jog my memory. I can't talk about it or I'll jinx it. You'll know soon enough.

I can talk about my upcoming interview with 3 vocalist, Joey Eppard. That will be taking place on Friday at the Mint. Hopefully it will hit the blog before the weekend's over.

40 Greatest Metal Songs


So, last night I sat and watched VH1's 40 Greatest Metal Videos with my father. As with all VH1 countdown shows, there were no big surprises. Some of the highlights were:
1. My dad asking who the host (Sebastian Bach) was and me replying, "He's on Gilmore Girls, remember?" I do have to give him props though. He's an obsessive Kiss fan and Slave to the Grind is a pretty hard song. When people question why Skid Row was considered a hair band I have to wonder, did they really forget "I Remember" or whatever the ballad was called.
2. Pointing out all the nice Jewish men to my father, which brings me to
3. Scott Ian looking like he's 25 when he's got to be like 40, right?
4. My dad jamming out to Metallica's "Enter Sandman" and me grumbling that it's not my favorite Metallica song. When my dad asked me what should be on there I muttered something about "Master of Puppets," which isn't their best, but better than "Enter Sandman." Luckily "Master" was higher up on the list. 5. My dad telling me all about this tape he had back in his stoner days everytime a Sabbath song was on the countdown, then having to explain to my dad why Iron Butterfly was not included.
6. My dad asking me what the number one song was and me, never having watched this before, answering "Iron Man." It's good to be right.

Saturday, May 27, 2006

Big In Japan: May Featured Artist Dir En Grey

Recently I've discovered Japan. No, not just because of Gwen Stefani, but because of this awesome Japanese metal outfit called Dir En Grey. Their first American release Withering to Death is an amazing feat of melodic metal. Even though I can't understand most of the lyrics, the vocals still keep me drawn in. I had a chance to see them in March when they played at the Wiltern in LA and when they took the stage no one was safe. Of course, that was nothing compared to the giant sized sold out shows they play at home in the Tokyo Dome. They can't even approach the venue until it's time to play. I'm super excited about the future this band has in US. When they played back in March I sent Groupie Nicky Agnew to interview them:



Groupie Nicky Agnew: Have you guys seen all the people waiting outside yet?
Dir En Grey: We drove in from the backside so just a little.
GN: Is it really common in Japan to have fans waiting that long to see you guys?
DEG: Actually in Japan we have those kinds of fans around the venues. But nowadays we’re kind of getting used to this kind of situation so we’re coming late and getting rushed to the stage but this kind of thing has been happening in some Asian countries, which we have been touring for a couple of years and we were in Europe last year and the very same thing happened in Germany too.
GN: What do you think of the States so far?
DEG: We are just having fun.
GN: What do you think of the Groupies here?
DEG: [Laughing]You mean the girls following us around?
Groupie Nicky Agnew: Yes…
DEG: Actually it’s hard to say because we keep out distance from the fans like when we’re walking down the street but when they ask for pictures or autographs they’re not really hysteric.
GN: They’re polite about it?
DEG: Yes
GN: Do you guys have girlfriends back at home?
DEG: Manager says no comment.
GN: I guess we shouldn’t ruin the mystique… What are you guys influenced by musically?
DEG: Nobody is narrow-minded musically. When we started the band in ‘97 we were influenced by Japanese bands from the 80’s and 90’s that we were into as teenagers. But basically our musical tastes haven’t changed too much.
GN: Is there one American band that you were influenced by? I see you’re wearing an AC/DC shirt…
DEG: Actually AC/DC is Australian… It’s hard to choose, but if we had to choose one it would be Guns N Roses.
GN: You need to see the Whiskey and Roxy!
DEG: Cause they were there in the 80’s, right? Actually we walked around Sunset last night and saw the Rainbow and stuff, we wish they could stay longer, but we’re leaving tomorrow morning.
GN: That’s too soon! When are you coming back?
DEG: Actually we played New York before Los Angeles, but LA might be the place for us.
We’ve actually spent time in LA recording. We think that we know about Los Angeles.
GN: What do you make of all this attention? Are you used to it by now?
DEG: Actually we are kind of getting used to that situation. But it’s still fresh and inspiring. Actually we have some friends here who told us we have a lot of fans and should play here. We didn’t believe it until we saw the crowds, though. We don’t really get to talk to the fans, so the stage is the one and only place to experience that reality which keeps it fresh and new for us.
GN: The Rolling Stones played here not that long ago so you’re in good company. Do you guys fight for the mirror when you get ready for a show?
DEG: We don’t have that kind of vibe around. We used to play small venues so we know how to share and nowadays we don’t take that much time anymore.
GN:: Visually who influences you?
DEG: It’s really hard to tell, but originally we started putting the makeup on because it thought it was part of the original expression and expanded the image of the music it self, but that kind of thing always escalates after time. Nowadays we wear what we like to wear so it’s not so much a concept but at the same time the visual elements sometimes become outside motivation which drives the music. Does that make any sense?
GN:: Yes! Your bio says you’re influenced by pain and suffering… where does that come in?
DEG: When we do the big show those are elements we connect with through films, etc.
GN:: Are they films you make yourself?
DEG: We always have our own ideas and then they create them.
GN:: So you create it all?
DEG: Yes, sometimes we need help but basically we make all the decisions ourselves.
GN:: That’s good. It’s usually the other way around here. Music is very corporate…. Is it strange to see the Japanese influence on American culture?
DEG: It’s kind of interesting and funny, because we don’t care so much about that, but when we saw the Gwen Stefani thing we said oh they see things big in this light, so it’s kind of a discovery about the American people’s point of view... Maybe we can extend some new influences and that must be a sign of the future. The eastern and western cultures are different so even if we copy each other it’s totally different. If a Japanese person dresses like a cowboy he looks totally different and if an American girl dresses like a Japanese student she looks totally different too.
GN:: What’s the craziest thing a fan has done?
DEG: It’s really hard to say because we have been doing this for like 9 years so we have experienced a lot of different kinds of things. We’ve changed a lot, the music has changed and the fans have changed. They have said so many things and demanded so many things and we’ve had so many episodes it’s hard to say. Last year when they played in Germany we had fans show up from Brazil.
GN:: Thank you very much! I can’t wait to see the show tonight!

Friday, May 26, 2006

Gwen's a Mommy!

Congratualtions Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale!
Kingston James McGregor Rossdale was born today by caesarian!


Wednesday, May 24, 2006

What to do Friday LA

Just a quick note. Remember when I interviewed Street Drum Corps and I couldn't stop talking about how hot Bobby was? Well, his brother Adam's (also in SDC) band is playing on friday at Spaceland. I'M SO STALKING BOBBY! Who wants to come with me?

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P.S. Here's Bobby

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Soul Patrol!

-Americans would rather vote for pop idol than president!
-Prince shows us why he's the sexiest vegetarian
-Clay Aiken continues to transform into Barry Manilow


I don't know why I'm writing about AI, but I can't seem to hold the dorkiness in tonight. I'm kind of disgusted by the more votes than a president has ever gotten thing. I still don't know what's wrong with people. Anyway, I'm still kind of excited that Taylor won.



Speaking of not being able to hold in the dorkiness, did anyone catch Clay Aiken tonight? I don't know what it was. The hair, the suit, the completely confident manner in which he took the stage? He's so ready for his own Mandy. Someone buy him a dog already!

Okay, I'm going to let you in on a little secret. Remember when Prince was on the cover of some magazine completely nude? Well, I totally had a crush on him. I was about 7 or 8 years old and I stole my parents copy of Purple Rain. I still have a crush on him. He's just one of those people I guess.

Petey Pete Wentz

Thank you Amanda for pointing this out and thank you to idontlikeyouinthatway for finding it and posting it.


-----Original Message-----
To: adam@fueledbyramen.com, nicholas.scimeca@friendsorenemies.com
Subject: NEW PIX!
From: Petey Wentz
Date: Mon, 22 May 2006 12:37:32

hey guys.. i took some more pics. let me know what you think.

DON'T LET THESE GET OUT TO ANYONE!

p.s. the new hush sound cd rules

--peteywentz"


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Well, as much as this should really disgust me, I can't help that it really doesn't. What's wrong with me?

Tuesday, May 23, 2006

HardCore at Heart

I love advanced copies of albums. Especially when they're good.

I just got an advance of The Acacia Strain's upcoming release The Dead Walk. I had the car to myself so I decided to give it a listen on the way back from work. Boy did that bring me back. There was a point in my life when I worked at the Hot Topic in one of the epicenters of the Hardcore/Straightedge movement. (Does Strife ring a bell?) It was before Metal met Rap at a party, Rap smoked metal out, the straightedge was blown and NuMetal was born. Well, this album sounds just like that time period before Limp Bizkit ruined everything. It may be called Metalcore now, but the weight of the music really represents Hardcore. The booming voice throughout the entire album, the boom of the bass and the rapid fire drums brought me back to a simpler time. There was no fast and slow, no hardcore growl and then a metal whine, no radio hooks, just pure Hardcore. I love listening to hardcore because, well, I usually can't understand the lyrics, so it helps me to think and comtemplate life and stuff. It's honestly hard for me to judge a band like that without seeing them live. I really miss thoses shows, too... If you love HardCore like I do you might want to pick this album up when it drops on June 13th.




The Acacia Strain plays live:
(with Soilent Green, Demiricous)
6/10 Cleveland, OH – Peabody’s Downunder
6/11 Louisville, KY – Bulldog Café
6/12 St. Louis, MO – Creepy Crawl
6/13 Kansas City, MO – El Torreon
6/14 Denver, CO – Marquis Theatre
6/16 Orangevale, CA – The Boardwalk
6/17 Corona, CA – Showcase Theatre
6/18 San Diego, CA – Epicenter
6/20 West Hollywood, CA – Whiskey A Go Go
6/21 Tempe, AZ – The Clubhouse
6/23 Lubbock, TX – Winchester Pavillion
6/24 San Antonio, TX – White Rabbit
6/25 Dallas, TX – Gypsy Tea Room
6/26 Houston, TX – Java Jazz
6/27 Metairie, LA – The High Ground
6/29 Orlando, FL – Will’s Pub
6/30 West Palm Beach, FL – Ray’s Downtown
7/01 Jacksonville, FL - Thee Imperial
7/03 Wilmington, NC – Lucky’s Pub
7/05 Charlotte, NC – Casbah
7/06 Baltimore, MD – Otto Bar
7/07 Sterling, VA – Community Center

Monday, May 22, 2006

Vegetarian Groupie

Peta has announced the Sexiest Vegetarians of 2006. Unfortunately Davey Havok did't make #1. It turns out Prince and Veronica Mars' Kristen Bell are sexier. Meh, being a vegetarian is over-rated anyway. Like being straightedge.






My sexy veggie bretheren

Davey's Everywhere

Thanks to P for letting me know:
Davey will be DJing at Live 105's BFD afterparty in San Francisco. Nick Zinner's spinning as well. Maybe I'll try and get ahold of Nick again...



Sunday, May 21, 2006

PS AFI News

I'm sure all the Despair Faction kids already know, but AFI is playing Street Scene in San Diego in August. It looks like the website for Street Scene launches tomorrow. I'm looking forward to going to as many AFI shows as possible.

John Hughes Saved My Life

So, I'm finally home from San Francisco. I was helping out my bff on her groupie quest, which oddly enough, is Vincent Gallo. I, obviously, didn't appreciate the show. When I told my friend John Lennon must be turning over in his grave right now (Sean plays on stage with Gallo) she informed me that Yoko was also friends with Gallo and he played at her birthday party. I'm not sure what to make of that.

Anyway, waiting for me on my bed was the latest issue of Blender with none other than Fall Out Boy on the cover. Needless to say it was all Pete. The article gives the excuse that Patrick hates interviews, blah, blah, blah and apparently this is a dyanmic that works for FOB. Good for them. I hope they get at least 2 or 3 more albums out before Pete leaves, thinking he can strike out on his own. And I'll try not to be so cynical. The most frustruating thing is the article didn't give a straight answer regarding Pete's status. Does he have a girlfriend or doesn't he? I know it doesn't make all that much difference. He lives at home in Chicago with his parents and if he thinks 27 year olds can't live at home with their parents he should come visit me. He won't find a bunch of Transformers on the floor, but he will find my Barbie collection. Oh, and I don't have a Morrissey poster. If I had a poster up it would be this giant David Bowie poster I have sitting in a poster tube somewhere that used to hang above my bed in my dorm room. I'm thinking I may need to take another trip to Chicago soon. The last time I was there was for Curiosa two summers ago. I wonder if Pete was there and I didn't know/care who he was. I wish I could quit you Pete! But you're that boy. The one in high school who thought he was an outcast, but dated the cheerleader and in some sick way, I'm still looking for that boy. Ugh. Maybe I should try getting some "sleep" from a bottle of Ativan. Just kidding. Seriously. How could I be a groupie if I was dead?



Pete's Balls

Ladytron

I just heard from Danny. Ladytron will be back in LA in Sept/Oct. Yay!

Saturday, May 20, 2006

Hills

We just climbed up taylor from the wharf.

San Fran

This is my brother at the Franciscan. He's a hippie.

Friday, May 19, 2006

No Accounting For Taste

Why is Meg White here?

PS

Yes I'm making her drive by his house tomorrow. I'm a total stalker.
What can I say?

Vincent Gallo sucks balls

Don't ask but my bff is obssessed with Vincent Gallo and since I dragged
her to AFI she dragged me to the horrible train wreck of a show I'm at
as I type. Anyway my only solice is that I can view AFI's website on my
trusty sidekick. I keep forgetting to let everyone know they'll be
doing a midnight signing at the Tower Records on the Sunset Strip in
LA. You know I'll be there. The only question is will Davey be hanging
out with me afterwards? Oh yeah it's June 5th. Duh.

On the way to san fran

Pea soup andersons is on the way to davey's

Thursday, May 18, 2006

Davey's Balls

Thank you to Amanda for this one. I don't know who this Nardwuor is, but he is totally annoying. Not that Tom Green wasn't. Oh, wait, he was Canadian too. Anyway, fair warning Davey, someday I will grab your balls. And you will like it. Of course it won't be while you're performing. Not on stage anyway...

Tuesday, May 16, 2006

I'm at a TGI Fridays in Overland Park, KS and Hard Fi's Cash Machine
just played. I'll bet everyone thinks it's new.

Pete Wentzville

I attempted to take some pictures of the signage. I am so lame.

Monday, May 15, 2006

Oh to be a hippie

At my grandmother's house is my uncle's old room. It made me want to
bust out Dazed and Confused. He had a closet like Laine on Gilmore
Girls but authentically "stoner." I'm only in the midwest 2 more days
and I swear go out and do something cool.

Look! It's my sister's ass!

Sunday, May 14, 2006

I just passed a sign that said Wentzville so I called it Pete
Wentzville.

Saturday, May 13, 2006

Unfortunately, I am in Kansas, well Missouri really. Unfortunately it's
not Chicago where I could at least think about Pete Wentz. I'm at my
little sister's graduation. I took her to the Riot House once to try and
convert her but she ran all the way to the midwest to get away. Oh
well. I promise I'll get back in the swing of things soon!

Tuesday, May 09, 2006

Miss Murder

First at the "secret show" at the Fonda that I WAS AT!!!!!!!!! OMG! It was sooooooo good!

Next the video premires on TRL? Yeah, I was in denial, but then I wanted to watch the video.

Sunday, May 07, 2006

Keith Died on One Tree Hill

So, I've been researching visitor paths to this blog (no, it's not creepy, it's a good market reseach tool) and I've decided to "answer" some of the searches I've seen that lead people here.

1. How did Keith die on One Tree Hill? Jimmy, the fat guy that talked shit about everyone on the time capsule video, brought a gun to school. He didn't kill anyone, but himself. When Dan found Keith with a dead Jimmy, Dan decided to kill Keith himself and make it look like it was Jimmy.

2. I guess I have to deal with the Interpol groupie searches. Interpol was a band I was very close to in NYC, in particular Carlos D. We were friends. I have since moved back to LA and we don't speak all that much anymore, although I did attend the event he dj'd at on New Year's eve. It makes me sad, but I'm grateful for the good times I had following them on more than one continent. And I'm very lucky to have seen the Cure so many times and I actually met one of my best friends through Interpol.

3. Here's an interesting one. "Steve Aoki Groupies." Honestly, I was not aware he had groupies. I haven't seen Steve in awhile. I guess he's too cool for school now and I hate getting his e-mails that say I'm djing here but it's exclusive and you can't come. Consequently, when faced with the decision of where to go on Tuesday nights, I have to choose Frankie Chan. The hipster crowd still irks me, but Frankie's gigs seem to be a lot more relaxed and comfortable.

4. "Matt Skiba's wife." I did hear that she's a sensitive subject for my beloved Davey because she dated Davey and then married Matt. I guess she better be gorgeous. Not that I'd kick Matt out of bed, but seriously, Davey? Why would you ever break up with him?

5. "Dave Grohl and groupies." I don't really know anything about Mr. Grohl. I did meet him once, but don't read into that too far. It was at a Foo Fighers instore, his fiance (now wife) was there and she was totally obnoxious. She insisted on standing in the front and it's not like she's short. I'm just annoyed because even though she gets yummy Dave all to herself, she can't even let the fans have him for one performance. Dave was lovely, though, and complimented one of my tattoos. I was speechless. All I wanted to say is, "Holy shit, you were in Nirvana."

6. "Erik Brunetti." Erik is the owner and creator of the brand FUCT. We used to hang out a lot, but he imported a girlfriend from Canada and I don't see him much anymore. His birthday was Friday. Happy birthday, Erik!

Well, those were some of the more recent searches. Oh, and I'd like to thank my current obssession, Pete Wentz, for getting me so many hits. Pete, I wish Peyton chose you so you could come back on One Tree Hill next season.

Saturday, May 06, 2006

Saturday Night- The Usual

THE VINE BAR - EVERY SATURDAY NIGHT




THIS SATURDAY MAY 6TH:
GUEST DJ CISCO ADLER

(cisco said he's gonnna bring the circus, the tunes & the chicks again)




1235 N Vine St Hollywood, CA 90038
Cross Street: La Mirada Ave
Free shot with a drink til 12.
$3 Beers. Rock n' roll provided by Travis Keller
10pm til the end. No List. No Cover.
No Hollywood bullshit!


Friday, May 05, 2006

Too Much Pete is Not Enough

Here's a good one. Especially if you like annoying, midwestern accents.

Thursday, May 04, 2006

Get FUCT

Wednesday, May 03, 2006

Slowly Revealing My Secrets

Since I don't have much to talk about today and I'm still trying to decide what to do about The Secret Machines show tomorrow I'll tell you the short story of when I met Josh Garza.
It was a typical night in NYC. I was hanging out with my sister groupies at their St.Marks apartment. We were probably eating fish sticks and drinking $6 champagne, since at the time, that seemed like the best thing to be doing. One of my friends handed me a magazine they had been saving for me. A Spin magazine with the Yeah Yeah Yeahs on the cover. (I was obssessed with Nick Zinner at the time and I must have read that interview a hundred times. That was also the week I met him, but that's a different story) Inside the magazine was a blurb about The Secret Machines and a picture. I believe it was this one:



One of my other friends in NYC had recently played their yet to be released album for me and I was really into it. So, I was staring at the picture and I decided I wanted to meet the drummer. Now that I look back on it, I'm sure I had seen them or met them before because they looked so damn familiar.
After drinking the champagne and eating the fishsticks we headed over to Cheers, I mean Luna Lounge to hang out with our favorite bartenders. I don't remember what compelled us, but (this was before Darkroom, like maybe a week before it opened I think?) we decided to walk over to Bar 13 (Now The Annex owned by Jason Baron and Paul Banks). I think Eric was working. Anyway, we walk in and who do I see but Josh Garza. I decided that was fate and I had to meet him. I was really drunk. Somehow Carlos D entered into our conversation and Josh made a comment that basically sounded like he was calling me fat. Then he had the nerve to ask if I was going to see them at the Bowery the next night. I told him it was between them and the Killers at Mercury Lounge! Hah! Take that Garza.
Well, I didn't see either band the next night, but soon after I discovered The Secret Machines would be touring with Interpol. Here's a picture from Philadelphia that a lot of people won't approve of, but since I'm talking about TSM and it has Brandon in it I think I'll just post it. I never took any pictures with Josh. Maybe I'll take one tomorrow...



P.S. This picture is from one of my most favorite nights ever. I think this is where the Drunk Groupie was conceived.

The Not So Secret Machines

So, I decided to bite the bullet and go to The Secret Machines' instore at Amoeba last night. It was a decent show, all accoustic and very intimate. Though I have to admit, the boys looked kind of tired.
TSM and I go way back to my NYC days. They toured with Interpol when I was following them so I've seen TSM many times. I actually met Josh before that tour started. I guess you could say we had a thing, a VERY LITTLE thing. He was mainly kind of an ass, but I guess you could also say I like that, too. For example, when we met, he inadvertently called me fat. For some reason I decided to overlook that...
Anyway, I did talk to Josh after the show. I think he has some German girlfriend. Hmmmm, it's like Carlos' parents but reversed. It looks like Benjamin is still with the same girl from that other band whose name I can't seem to remember. Josh asked if I was coming to their show Thursday. I said I didn't know and he said, "You want me to hook you up, don't you?" I guess he's right. I'm still up in the air about it. I guess I'll call him tomorrow when I decide...



I swear this is the elevator in their old building.


Check out my friend Irene's website, Broken Calm for live shots of the performance.

Tuesday, May 02, 2006

BJ Bullsxxt!

Okay, so I thought I was being cute and I commented on a post on that bullshit Vincent Gallo blowjob website. And the BS Bunny writes back and says she can't post my comment because she's afraid it could be traced back to her. I DON'T EVEN KNOW THIS BIATCH! And I'm pretty sure Carlos isn't speaking to me because of comments she made on this blog. Okay, we all know VG is totally gay, so please go to her blog and mention this!




Artist's Rendering of the BJ Bunny