Thursday, June 30, 2005

JUNE TUNES ( last day!! )

Seeing as it is June 30th, today will be the LAST day any of the mp3's from my June posts are up. If there is anything you want to check out ( or snag ) do it today! Cuz they are getting yanked tomorrow!

signed,
the management

Monday, June 27, 2005

I Want Your Sex


George Michael: The WHAM years.
Posted by
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Actually, I don't want your sex. And as we've discovered in the past 5-8 years, you surely wouldn't want mine either. That doesn't mean I don't dig you, Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou.

I loved WHAM! UK ( later shortened to Wham ) as a teen ( and find that I listen to the Fantastic! album A LOT...still! ) and when he went solo, I was all for it. FAITH and LISTEN WITHOUT PREJUDICE are excellent albums. I think he has such a smooth, beautiful voice. He's got skillz ( used a Z for extra badass points. )

Anyway, it occurred to me on Saturday that it was his birthday ( the 25th.) He turned 41. But, Home Depot, Batman Begins, and lots of italian food got in the way of me making a blog-post about it. So, here it is....a couple days belated. Happy Birthday, George. Stay outta them rest area bathrooms!

George Michael - They Won't Go When I Go.mp3
( this is a Stevie Wonder cover, FYI )

George Michael - Too Funky.mp3
George Michael - Father Figure.mp3

Thursday, June 23, 2005

I'm a dog girl, but.....

Xena, Freddy, and Homer aka "My Pussy Posse"

Recently, a lot of my friends have lost some of their treasured pets. It's a very sad thing to go through. I've been there. This is why I felt the need to give some props to my cats.

I'm the first to admit, my cats are more of an annoyance than a joy. Something happens when you have a kid. These furballs were once my babies. Now, I'm like "Get out of my way." There is always a pile of cat barf waiting to be cleaned up. They shed everywhere. They stink up the place with their nasty pee smell and stinky litter. And the one that still has his claws loves to sink them into any upholstered furniture in his path. But we rescued them for a reason. We wanted pets. We wanted to save them from being put to sleep. And I will continue to care for them and give them a comfortable home as long as they live ( and being indoor cats, that could be a loooong time ) No matter HOW much they grate on my nerves!

Let me introduce you to the cat clan....

First up is Xena ( top photo ) - She is a gray tabby. Technically, she is Gabe's cat. He adopted her in Austin from an animal hospital sometime before he moved to Boston ( 97? 98? ) and at the time the vet thought she was about 4 years old. We are under the assumption now that Xena is either 11 or 12. She's the oldest of the group and only female. Declawed and spayed. Very quiet and likes to be left alone. Sleeps in our computer room most of the time. Pretty sweet, and loves to sit on laps when it's HER decision - but if you were to piss her off ( like the other cats do ) she will turn into one hissing growling bitch. She will also do this at the vet too. Hard to believe this petite, bony little thing can have a screech like she does. But trust me, she does.

Next up is Freddy ( middle photo ) - He is a dark haired tiger cat. Hands down the most beautiful of the 3. Amazing that we found him at a shelter. Gorgeous striped pattern with spotted stomach and the most incredible green-agua eyes. Freddy was adopted by both Gabe and I in 2000 from an animal shelter in Danvers, MA and he was about a year and a 1/2 then ( we say he is 6 or so. ) The youngest of the bunch, and hands down the biggest love slut I've ever known for a cat. LOVES LOVES LOVES to be petted and held and cuddled and will climb all over you to get some affection. He can be skittish and is known to hide when company comes over, but once he mellows you, you can't get rid of him. Neutered and HAS his claws, he's been known to do some damage ( you should see the walls at our old East Boston apt. ) and he does have a tendency to get TOO comfy and dig his claws in your thighs. Likes to stare out the window and makes really strange noises at squirrels and birds, and goes apeshit if you open a can of tuna.

Last but definitely not least is Homer ( last photo ) - He is a Maine Coon cat. Complete with a huge head, double paws, and weighs in at 20lbs. ( and yes, that's normal for a Maine Coon! ) I adopted him from a cat hospital in Auburn, MA as a gift to myself on my 30th birthday. He was a 2 year old neutered MONSTER in a cage, and I just knew I had to have him. He's 8 years old now ( the middle cat ) and he also has no claws. Definitely a mellow cat. Will just sit and watch what's going on around him. Not phased by much. However, he's not a super friendly guy either. While he does have a purr that sounds like an outboard motor, he bites. Mostly it's a persnickety playful bite, but when he wants to ( and if provoked ) he will take a chomp. Been that way every since I got him ( leads me to believe he wasn't treated well at his first home ) Has a low gurgly meow and will sit nearby as I eat cereal, PRAYING I give him the leftover milk.

Unfortunately, because all of these cats come from different homes at different times, it makes them very wary of each other. They "tolerate" each other. That's it. No cuddling. No sleeping together. And if one is in the other's space, they let them know FAST. I've known cats that were way mor of a hassle than these guys are, so I guess I can't complain TOO much. While I may be a dog girl ( the reason we have cats is because where we were both living, we couldn't have dogs ) I do like a good cat. You'll hear all about my dog fascination in another post.

Squeeze - Cool For Cats.mp3

The Cure - Love Cats.mp3

Tom Jones - What's New, Pussycat?.mp3



Wednesday, June 22, 2005

Bela Lugosi's Dead....


Dave Vanian of The Damned: a goth-punk vision
Posted by Hello


Leather pants, black nail polish, torn fishnets, vinyl dresses, boots with endless buckles, burgundy velvet, capes, corsets, piercings, pasty skin, makeup for days, crimped-teased-dyed-extensioned hair.....you've entered the Goth Fashion World.

I wouldn't call myself a "visual goth" by any means. Day to day I do not look like Diamanda Galas or Elvira. For the past 20 years - since I was 16, I have DEFINITELY dabbled in it, and it's a look I can appreciate and pull off ( sometimes ) - My hair has been dyed black more times than I can count ( and purple, and red, and burgundy. ) I have more black in my wardrobe than anything else. And I've got the boots, the leather, the vinyl, the buckles, the chains, the fishnets, etc. for when I really want to step into Gothville for the evening. I love a hot goth boy or girl. If someone can really put a look together and WORK IT, I'm all for it. I will always clock on the boy with Ian Astbury hair, unbuttoned frilly white blouse, torn Nick Cave t-shirt and bondage pants. I will always crush on the girl with the dark red waist length dreadlocks, septum piercing, black PVC maid's dress, and 6 inch platform vinyl thigh high boots. It's hot. Something about the goth look turns me on. But, as we all know, there are people that just CANNOT pull off that style, no matter how hard they try.

It's more than the look though - you've got to have the right soundtrack for the setting. As someone that has frequented many "Goth Nights" at various nightclubs in my time, there are certain songs & bands that are MANDATORY for the evening. Bauhaus, Skinny Puppy, NIN, The Cure, The Damned, Ministry, Nitzer Ebb. A little goth, a little industrial, a little new wave, a little electo-clash ( a new term I'm still grasping for a sound/image that is NOT new. ) Throw in a pack of Djarums and some tea rose oil and you are all set. I know I'm being somewhat stereotypical here, but as someone who's been around the scene for a while, I've seen that it hasn't changed THAT much ( accept for the addition of some bands, Hot Topic - making goth fashion more accessible, and better hair dying products. ) Even the dance moves are the same. The infamous being ( what my good friend Mr. Sarah calls ) "Catching Butterflies". You've seen it. Put on a slow Siouxsie tune like Beatles cover "Dear Prudence" and you will watch the room quickly turn into a mass of swirling bodies, all reaching up to the sky in slow motion with fingerless gloves, like they are trying to catch that mystical fluttering bug. I'm not knocking it. I'm guilty of it. But get out of my way if "Radio Babylon" by Meat Beat Manifesto comes on, because I'll be one dancing sweaty flailing pogo'ing goth fool.

I dig the goth scene. I dig the look, I like the music, and it's a pretty passive friendly bunch. You aren't gonna see anyone on "Industrial Sundays" try to beat someone's ass for bumping into you at the bar. Instead, you may see some guys sharing a tube of black lipstick at the urinal. And I like that.

Now, go get your black suede creepers, your skintight Peter Murphy t-shirt , and purple vinyl Lip Service pants. We got some "gothin" to do!

Siouxsie & The Banshees - Hong Kong Garden.mp3
Ministry - Burning Inside.mp3
Nitzer Ebb - Join In The Chant.mp3
The Damned - Anything.mp3
Bauhaus - Rosegarden Funeral Of Sores.mp3
Sisters Of Mercy - Lucretia (My Reflection).mp3
The Cure - One Hundred Years.mp3
Nine Inch Nails - Kinda I Want To.mp3
Skinny Puppy - Dig It.mp3
The Birthday Party - Release The Bats.mp3
Ministry - Everyday Is Halloween.mp3
Front 242 - Headhunter.mp3
Tones On Tail - Go.mp3

Monday, June 20, 2005

A God turns 45


John Taylor ( Duran Duran ) - 1981. A mere 19 years old. And gorgeous.
Posted by
Hello

Today is John Taylor of Duran Duran's 45th birthday.
To think that I remember celebrating ( with a fucking CAKE even ) his 25th birthday totally blows my mind. Aaaaah, the memories. The love I had for the guy. The obsession. The LUST.
I mean, it's still there - but it's mellowed. I'm not the hysterical 16 year old anymore.

*swoon*

I love his early look. The "New Romantic" frilly burgundy pasty lanky Brit boy.

Happy Birthday to you, NIGEL ( hehheh...his real first name ) Any "Duranies" reading this are like "Duuuuuh? We know!! Puh-leeease!"

But, did you know ( or remember ) that he was born at Sorrento Maternity Hospital ( outside of Birmingham, England - near Hollywood) and that he weighed 6 lbs 12 oz?

Wow, that's kinda scary.
Here are some tunes to pay homage to my man, JT.

Duran Duran -New Religion.mp3
Duran Duran - All She Wants Is.mp3
Duran Duran - Come Undone.mp3
Duran Duran - Anyone Out There.mp3
Duran Duran - Planet Earth.mp3

I wish I had an mp3 of "I Do What I Do" ( by John himself from the '9 1/2 Weeks' stdk ) - as well as any of his Terroristen/Neurotic Outsiders or solo stuff. I have them, just not in a format I can use on here!






Wednesday, June 15, 2005

VH 4-Eva


Van Halen, in their sexy drunken heyday
Posted by Hello
I love Van Halen.
Really, I do. I think they are one of the best rock bands ever created.
Let me elaborate on this.
I love VAN HALEN.
1984 and earlier.
I do NOT like anything past that.
I do NOT like Van HAGAR whaaaaatsoever.
And do not get me started on the addition of Gary Cherone.
Van Halen or Bust, baby.
Diver Down. Fair Warning. Women and Children First. VH II.
You see where I'm going. This is the Van Halen that I will acknowledge.
My VH appreciation started in 1979-1980, when I was in the 5th grade. I was 10 turning 11 and I had a brother in high school. He turned me onto them. I thought they were wild and crazy and that David Lee Roth had such a sexy mane of hair. It wasn't until Jr. High that my infatuation turned onto Eddie Van Halen, and I started covering the inside of my locker with pictures of him and writing letters to Valerie Bertinelli about "how cool" her husband was. Van Halen reminds me of my youth. Summertime. Feathered hair. Trans Ams. Cut off shorts. Carnivals. Metalheads. Sun-In. First tastes of booze at a slumber party. They were the ultimate fun time kick ass rock band. Not only was the frotntman one of the most sexually expressive/outrageous performers (with a killer voice) to hit the stage, the band was by far one of the most innovative ( guitar player and drummer at least ) to come along. That Eddie sure can shred.
After 1984 ( the year and album ) it all hit the fan. Band turmoil, booze, fights, and Adios Dave.
Sure, Roth went onto a pretty successful solo career ( "Eat Em' & Smile is a kick ass album". Saw the tour and it was great. He got another amazing guitarist to rely on , Steve Vai. He could have done a lot worse. "Crazy from the Heat" is okay too. After that? Eeeeeeh....)
I will give credit where credit is due. Van HAGAR was very well-received. But, it was NOT for me. It was DAVE or NOTHING. And I stand by that. When I was working at Tower Records, and they came out with that Van Halen Greatest Hits ( that was a mix of both Roth AND Hagar ) if we were playing it in the store, I would sneak into our dj booth and try to program it in advance so no Sammy songs were played. My boss would get pissed, but I had to "represent".
Van Halen may not be the band for you. You may think Roth is too overboard and Eddie is just finger-masturbating on his Flying V, but they made some incredible music. I won't argue with you though if you say Michael Anthony is a boring bass player. "Running With The Devil" can tell you that. But, he's vital to the group. Just as Alex is with his tight drum fills and notorious "SSSSSS" cymbal sound. They rocked the 80's. Just listen and see:

Monday, June 13, 2005

OJ: Part Deux?


Michael Jackson, arriving at the courthouse on June 13th 2005, to hear his verdict.
Posted by
Hello


Results are in. After 14 weeks of heavy duty trial. Michael Jackson. Not guilty on all 10 counts ( lewd act with a minor, attempt of lewd act with a minor, conspiracy to abduct, giving alcohol to minor, etc etc. )

My thoughts?

BULLSHIT!!!

I'm sorry. NOT GUILTY ON ALL 10 COUNTS?
I know some of the prosecution got flimsy at times. There is talk that the accuser's parents set him up to testify. There are things to be questioned. And there is a the fact that Jackson has repeatedly shared his bed with young boys and he fully admits to it. I just don't believe that's "all there is." The secrets. The private room. The phonecalls. Very DEVIANT and inappropriate behavior.

Something is rotten in Denmark. I mean, Neverland.
He better not be getting away with this.
This better be legitimate. The idea of a possible child molester, as famous and revered as he is ( was. is. was. ) , being set free makes me sick and enraged.

Clutch - Binge & Purge.mp3

Friday, June 10, 2005

Happy Birthday Judy Garland!


Judy Garland as Dorothy Gale ( from The Wizard of Oz )
Posted by Hello

(Apparently I have a penchant for wishing anyone named JUDY a Happy Birthday. First Judy Collins, now this. Totally unplanned. Why is that? Kismet? Fate? Judy Fetish? Maybe I've accidentally stumbled upon a theme and I should stick with it.... )

Anyway, Judy Garland would have been 83 today. Would have been interesting to see how she would look now or where here career would have gone ( had she not loved the pills. )
I bet she's "somewhere over the rainbow" right now.
:choke:gasp:cough:
Yeah, that was weak.

Judy Garland - Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen.mp3

Monday, June 06, 2005

Thank you for coming back.....

the best fucking show on earth
Posted by Hello

....BUT HOW DARE YOU LEAVE ME!!

I'm having some issues over the return of Six Feet Under. Tonight is the season premiere of Season 5. I've been waiting MONTHS for this. I am counting the hours until it comes on this evening. So, you could say I am very happy.

But, I'm not just happy. I'm also groaning in agony because this is going to be it's LAST SEASON. Fini. Adios. No more. Not gonna re-appear in 6 months. It's GONE. Done. And it's killing me.

I'm sure you are thinking, "Jill. Get a grip. It's a goddamn TV show."

But, I looooooooved this show. Never has a show touched me on so many levels as Six Feet Under. It's thought provoking, spiritual, clever, disturbing, sweet, sexy, upsetting. It's probably the most REAL show I've ever seen. You fall in love with these characters. Their fuck ups and complexities. The chemistry between David and Keith. Ruth and her gentle sincerity. Claire and her desperation for truth, art, and love. Nate's confusion. Brenda's power.

I bow to the creators of Six Feet Under, for making a show so magical. While I agree that a show should stop when it's still intense, and not when it's 3 seasons tired and burnt - it doesn't make it any easier on me to know that it won't be there anymore.

Everything about this show is amazing. From the music, to the storyline, to the cinematography, to the acting. I could ramble on for hours about my favorite moments on the show. The ones that made me cry, cringe, or crack up. But, I'm gonna end this post with a song that was played in Episode 45: "Terror Starts At Home" from Season 4.

Thank you, Six Feet Under.

When your time comes, may you rest in peace.

Death Cab For Cutie - Transatlanticism.mp3

Thursday, June 02, 2005

Dream Brother


Jeff Buckley - RIP
Posted by Hello
How could I forget. On May 29th, I make a brief boring post about nothing, when it was the date of something far more important to me. May 29th, 1997 was the day that Jeff Buckley was pronounced dead. Drowned. And a part of my heart shattered. I know I sound tragic and groupie-like, but his music has been so much to me. I have never met someone with such charisma, talent, heart, humor, and a pure joy for song and life ( no matter how painful or sad life can be. ) I didn't like to share him with anyone. I felt like those songs were mine and mine only, and the people in my life at the time ( boyfriend mostly ) weren't worthy enough to experience it. His "Grace" album became a sanctuary to me. My life at the time of it's popularity was filled with chaos and hurt, and his voice made it go away. I feel honored to have met him. One of the best memories of my life is sitting up in the VIP section of Avalon with Jeff, drinking beer, watching PJ Harvey. I mean, you don't GET moments like that. You can't even make that shit up. In a word, it was AWESOME. I knew his girlfriend at the time, and they would pop into Tower when he was in town and he was always friendly and down to earth. We cracked jokes about his chicken salad sandwich at the in-store he did and then in a blink of an eye, he could walk onto that stage and go from "average joe" to "voice from beyond". I've seen him perform twice and both times I was brought to tears. Magical, beautiful, raw, tender, aggressive, out of control.....he took me with him when he sang.
It's so sad that he is gone. So young. The only thing about his death that gives me any comfort is that he died singing. Drunk in the Mississippi River, his guitar player says that Jeff was floating in the water, singing Led Zeppelin's "Whole Lotta Love" at the top of his lungs shortly before he disappeared into it's murky depths after a boat went by. If there is a way to go....
Again, I know I sound like some crazed sycophant. What makes him better than anyone else?
Why is HE so special? Because he was. That's all. His music made my emotions come alive. The good and the bad. The world might argue with me. Some of my friends might say "Eh" when hearing some of his songs. But to me, he was larger than life while at the same time being so small and fragile. The day that I found out he had gone missing and was presumed dead, I broke down into tears at work. I went home later that evening, put on "Grace", lit a sage bundle, and stared at the wall and cried some more. Dramatic, sure - but I needed to grieve. Someone who moved me so deeply was gone. I also wrote a poem ( which I still have ) and here it is:
In Sweet Memory
So fully ripe with flavor
In the milky coat of summer
That angel's drunken wander
Did he ever stop to ponder
that this might possibly be
a last attempt for free?
An angel's voice was silenced
in a last attempt for leisure.
There was no saving grace
A silver lining now been cut.
Songs are floating into space
Tears flow down a lover's face.
This was his last goodbye
A last attempt for leisure.
It's no Walt Whitman, but it came from a real place in my heart.
I wish he could be here, creating and singing. He had so much more to give.
RIP Jeff
*I apologize for the bad spacing/un-even paragraphs. Blogger is not co-operating with me today.