Clown And Corey Off Each Other
Corey Taylor and Shawn "Clown" Crahan unveiled their new film and TV productioin company at the Sundance Film Festival this past weekend. Living Breathing Films will concentrate on family friendly G rated entertainment about Christian values and Unicorns....yeah right! It will actually focus on more familiar territory for the two Slipknot members: "mystery, suspense, horror and the dark side of life".
Both Taylor and Crahan will be taking part in the writing, directing, and producing, as well as acting. They debuted their first short film "Thy Shalt I" which you can view and get creeped out by below. Looks like the guys are trying to escape their masked personas and evolve beyond Slipknot....or does it? I'm hoping they do a remake of the "Dukes Of Hazard" TV show but portray the Duke Brothers as psychotic, inbred, raping, and pillaging Rednecks that run drugs, shine, and guns, to the KKK. Just an idea guys....call me...
By the way, Slipknot will headline this year's Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival with Slayer, Anthrax, and a few others.
Chili Peppers Still Visually Appealing
The Red Hot Chili Peppers have always been pioneers in the Music Video field. They use the medium as another avenue to freak you out. Even as MTV phased out playing actual music videos to make way for a steady stream of diarrhea the Chili's kept cranking out interesting, groundbreaking, and most of all, entertaining videos. You can check out their vast body of video work here.
Their latest two videos continue the trend of visually striking madness.
"Monarchy Of Roses" is based on the work of legendary Punk artist Raymond Pettibon. Back in the 80's he created some of the most indentifiable and disturbing work for flyers and albums for mostly SST Label bands like Black Flag, Minutemen, and Sonic Youth. His brother Greg Ginn was in Black Flag and the label's founder. If you ever wanted to horrify your parent's you could just leave out an album with Pettibon's handiwork for them to see. They were sure to want to have "a talk" with you. The Chilis have always given a nod to their early 80's Punk roots. Like dedicating "Blood Sugar Sex Magic" to former Minutemen/Firehose bassist Mike Watt. Check out Ray Pettibon's site here.
Their newest video is for "Look Around", also from "I'm With You". Each member in their own "room" which I'm assuming is a reflection on their personalities. Anthony Keidis is at home with his son(who makes a brief appearance looking confused) and his dog. But he's also wearing prison stripes. Maybe feeling a little trapped? There's also a freaky little androgynous person(kid?) emerging from his refrigerator. Maybe this is the little bit of wildness still left in his sober soul. Chad Smith is in a bathroom sitting on his "Throne" playing the drums with a punching bag nearby. I'm guessing he still loves bathroom humor and beating the shit out of stuff. Josh Klinghoffer seems a little less willing to share with his sparse surroundings and general indifference. Or maybe by only having his guitar and amp he's letting us know it's all about the music. Flea seems to be the only member left that has retained the original goofiness of The Red Hot Chili Peppers. Which to me shows where the heart and soul of the band really are.
Van Halen, "You Really Got Me", Acoustic!
Eddie really kills it here. I hope DLR's voice makes it to The Boston show on 3/11.
You Really Got Me from Van Halen on Vimeo.
These Iranians Don't Know Schettino About Boating
Tensions are higher than ever between the U.S. and Iran over the latter's Nuclear Program and their threat to close off the Strait Of Hormuz, effectively strangling half the world's oil supply. But that doesn't stop Sailor's from abiding by the laws of the sea.
Three times in the past month U.S. Navy and Coastguard patrolling the Persian Gulf have assisted and rescued Iranian Mariners. The latest incident happened yesterday when the Guided Missle Destroyer, USS Dewey came to the aid of stranded Iranian fisherman. Earlier this month U.S. forces rescued a group of Iranian fisherman being held hostage by Somali Pirates and then days later the Coast Guard rescued another group of Iranian fisherman after their boat started taking on water. In all cases the Iranians involved were very grateful, unlike their government who continued to irritate the already severely tense relationship between the two countries.
While the actions of our Sailors is to be commended, my rezin soaked brain cells clicked into paronoia mode...
I think it's rather strange that so many distressing incidents that happened to require the assistance of U.S. Military ships occured in such a short span of time during such a period of uneasiness between the two countries involved. I have two theories.
1. The Iranians are manufacturing these incidents to get a closer look at U.S. Ships to better plan a attack under the guise of a distress call or to actually try to commandeer one. They now see we are willing to help any ship in distress at sea and are gauging how to take advantage of our good will. Or maybe they are working on a distraction plan to pull our ships away from one area to create an incident in another. Either way, there have been a lot of Iranians getting a nice close look at Destroyers and Cutters these days.
2. Navy Seals are creating these incidents by sabotaging these vessels which are in close proximity to U.S. Ships. By swooping in and saving these hard working Iranian fisherman we are showing the people of Iran that our beef is not with them but their oppressive regime that they failed to topple last year. It's all part of an elaborate "Hearts And Minds" campaign to send a message of support.
Or these Iranian Sailors went to the Capt. Francesco Schettino Maritime Academy Of Fucking Up.
There was a third theory I was working on but my Pizza just got here so I have to go....
SOPA? PIPA? Are These More Weird Royal Family Members?
PROTECT IP / SOPA Breaks The Internet from Fight for the Future on Vimeo.
SOPA is the Stop Online Piracy Act
PIPA is the Protect IP Act
Both have good intentions but are extremely dangerous to Internet Freedom and On-Line innovation and business. If these bills are passed any company can accuse a Website of copyright infringenment on "a good faith belief" and have them shut down without due process. It would allow the U.S. Government to restrict Websites much the same way the governmnets of China, Iran, and Syria do.
The U.S. sets the standard when it comes to the Internet. The U.S. is also hurting for jobs the last time I checked the news online. This would also limit start ups and innovation.
My personal paranoid opinion is the U.S. Government has witnessed the part the Internet and Social Media has played in the revolutions in Egypt, Tunisia, Syria, and the failed attempt in Iran, and are looking to be pro-active in having a way to shut everything down when we finally get fed up with the two party succubus. The less information we have and exchange the better, right?
There are more focused ways to fight on-line Piracy. The Open Act and The Digital Millenium Copyright Act. Both are more concentrated efforts to fight copyright infringement.
Please let your Representatives know how you feel. Check out these resources.
Americancensorship.org
The Wikimedia SOPA Blackout Page
How SOPA/PIPA Will Effect Sports Fans
Google Petition to fight SOPA/PIPA
My New Favorite Video This Week
This is Red Fang. They are from Portland, OR. They Like Beer....and ROCK! They apparently also enjoy recycling. Check out the video. It will make you thirsty...or puke.
Tim Murray's Big Foot
BIG news this week with Animal Planet's "Finding Bigfoot" covering a possible encounter in the Leominster State Forrest. Along with the recent information released about Lt. Govrnor Tim Murray's action hero-like car crash from last November it started the rezin churning in my crusty brain.
(The following should be read with the voice of Leonard Nimoy)
Murray claims he was not on his phone at all during his 42 minute thrill ride. He also initially claimed he couldn't produce phone records from that time because the phone company doesn't itemize calls and texts. But you can ask your phone company for that list, right? Why doesn't he do that? I believe Tim Murray was on the phone. I believe he was desperately trying to facilitate negotiations between State and Federal Authorities and the Big Foot Colony that lives in the Leominster State Forrest.
I believe the Government not only knows Big Foot exists but has reached a deal with these Man-Beasts of super strength to let them live on State and Federal Woodland areas in peace. Why keep them a secret? Since the North American Big Foot is 10 times stronger than a human they believe they would make an effective fighting force. Imagine it: Soldiers that not only posses super strength but have the most superior survival skills on the planet. A platoon of Big Foot(or is it Big Feet?) could be parachuted deep into enemy territory and not only cause major damage and chaos, but also scare the shit out of all who encounter them. There may even be some serving right now. In exchange the government let's them live on "reservations" where they are free to hunt and procreate. There may also be an agreement that if they are discovered by a civilian, they can eat them without prosecution. I also believe another reason we are doing this is because the Chinese have brokered a similar deal with The Yeti(or Abomidable Snowman) in the Himilayas and that is how that keep the peace in the far Western parts of their country. It's a Big Foot Arms race. I'm sure back in the 60's the Natick Town Forrest became to small due to suburban developement and the colony had to be moved from the convenient location next to The Natick Army Labs to the larger Leominster State Forrest. I'm sure past Governors of Massachusetts and other states that have "BF Reservations" have known about them in case they had to be mobilized to assist the National Guard or be used to quell any kind of uprising or invasion.
Which leads us to Lt. Governor Murray's connection...
Since Murray is a life long resident of Central Massachusetts he was a natural choice to be Big Foot Liazon for Governor Deval Patrick.(who by the way makes his home in Berkshire County which I'm sure is crawling with "The Foot" which he uses to protect his home) My belief is, after the "Halloween Blizzard", The Big Foot's home area in Leominster suffered severe tree damage which could comprimise their secret status. They requested to move to the Mt. Wachusett Area but State officials believed it would be too risky because of heavy emergency crew traffic. "The Foot" insisted and Tim Murray was called in to calm the savage beasts. He rushed up to Leominster and found "The Foot" representative insistent on talking directly to the Governor. Patrick agreed and Murray and "The Foot" rep(stretched out in the back of the Crown Vic to accomodate his massive size) raced down Rt. 190 to meet at a secret location in Holden. I believe the Big Foot, uncomfortable in the relatively tiny Crown Vic backseat) shifted his body and the weight threw the rear end of the car off the road causing Murray to lose control. The Big Foot Rep then grabbed the Lt. Governor and sheilded him from the crash with his gerth allowing Murray to escape with just a scratch. That has been the biggest question: How did Murray walk away from such a horrific crash? I think he immediately volunteered for a brethalyzer test to start a diversion for the media who he knew would investigate the incident thoroughly. After noticing a passing motorist the Big Foot Rep ran into the nearby woods. I believe Murray was also on the phone with Federal "Foot" Authorities trying to convince them the meeting was imperitive. That's why we will never see his phone records. Or if we do, they will be altered to hide that information.
-OR-
He let the Big Foot drive.
Another question is: How much does Sammy Hagar know? The latest Chickenfoot song "Big Foot" may be a clue to his knowledge of the program. If there's one person in that band who knows anything for sure it's Joe Satriani. He's most definitely from outer space. Chad Smith may even be a by-product of cross-genetic experimentation with a Big Foot.
Check Out The New Van Halen Video For "Tattoo"
What do you think? Your thoughts are always welcome in the comment section below. Like I mentioned in a previous blog, it looks like they were given $500,000 to make a video(adjusted for inflation $2.5)and they spent 50k on the video and the rest on something else. Although I speculated it was cocaine in the previous blog, this time around it might be Motrin, Lipitor, and Viagra. Again, I am not a doctor. It's good to see the goofiness remains intact. It's not Rocket Science, it's Rock-N-Roll.
Tony Iommi Faces The Greatest Evil
Black Sabbath released a statement today letting fans know Guitarist Tony Iommi has been diagnosed with Lymphoma.
Here is part of the press release:
"Legendary BLACK SABBATH guitarist Tony Iommi has been diagnosed with the early stages of lymphoma, a cancer of the lymphocytes, a type of cell that forms part of the immune system.
Iommi is currently working with his doctors to establish the best treatment plan and remains upbeat and determined to make a full and successful recovery.
This comes as BLACK SABBATH — Ozzy Osbourne (vocals), Tony Iommi (guitar), Geezer Butler (bass) and Bill Ward (drums) — are writing and recording their first album in 33 years in Los Angeles (still set for release this fall) with producer Rick Rubin. They will now go to the U.K. to continue to work with Tony.
Lymphoma is the name for many different types of cancer that arise in the lymphocytes (immune cells). There are three types of lymphocytes: B lymphocytes
(B cells), T lymphocytes (T cells) and natural killer (NK) cells. B lymphocytes make antibodies to fight infection; T lymphocytes have many functions, including helping
B lymphocytes make the antibodies that fight infection; and natural killer cells attack cancer cells and viruses. Lymphoma may arise in any of these types of lymphocytes.
In general, B-cell lymphomas are more common than T-cell lymphomas; however, in the skin, T-cell lymphomas are the most common type.
About 20 percent of the white cells in the blood are lymphocytes. Most lymphocytes are found in the lymphatic system, the major part of the body’s immune system. The
lymphatic system consists of a network of organs, including the spleen, the lymph nodes (small bean-shaped structures located throughout the body), the lymphatic vessels and areas in the gastrointestinal tract.
Lymphoma is divided into two major categories: Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). Cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (CTCLs), cancers of the
T lymphocytes, constitute a rare group of NHLs that arise primarily in the skin and have various signs and symptoms, outcomes and treatment considerations."
Tony Iommi has created some of the most heavy and Evil riffs in the history of recorded music. Now he is facing the same Grim Reaper his band has been creating songs about for over 40 years. I wish Mr. Iommi nothing but the best of fortunes in his battle with this disease. The announcement on the Black Sabbath Facebook page in cluded the statement, "
His bandmates would like everyone to send positive vibes to the guitarist at this time."
All the Good vibes coming your way sir.
Van Halen "Panama" From Café Wha? 2012
Thanks to Doug Sherman for sending this to me. Fair quality for a phone/camera. David Lee Roth sounds like he's struggling a little but he's been doing it for 40 years. Still a great showman. What do you think? Letme know in the comment section below. Be fair, this is recorded on a phone.
Van Halen Awakes Once Again
The mighty Van Halen will play a show at the Café Wha? tonight in New York kicking off what is looking to be not just a cash/reunion tour but a full blown comeback with a new studio album due out on 2/7(according to the latest reports). We could be hearing new stuff here at WAAF soon and tickets for their TD Garden show on March 11 go sale 1/14 at AM.
I should correct myself for saying "reunion" in the previous paragraph. Unfortunately original bassist Michael Anthony will not be joining them because HE was obviously causing all the problems in the band.(Sarcasm) I think this new album and tour totally hinges on the health of Eddie Van Halen. Hopefully he's straightened himself out and has gone back to regular crazy instead of that babbling homeless guy crazy Sammy Hagar talk about in his book.
According to Swiss Shopping site CeDe the album could be called "A Different Kind Of Truth". You can see the details here. This will be the first full studio album with David Lee Roth since "1984". I remember waiting with friends, New Years Eve 1983 for the MTV premier of the "Jump" video. We were gathered with bottle of schnapps and bags of weed getting primed for what would, in our minds, definitely be an event to be compared to the Tunguska Event. When the video finally came on at Midnight we all froze, speechless and amazed at the incredibly sparse and stupid production. It looks like they were given a $500,000 budget to make it but only used 9 and spent the rest on cocaine. We were underwhelmed to say the least. They later made up for it with one of the greatest music videos ever made for "Hot For Teacher" and and amazing album of which "Jump" was the weakest song in my opinion.("Drop Dead Legs" is still the best).
Just to give you an idea of how long ago that was here are some other notable events of the year 1984:
US "Ma" Bell was declared a monopoly and broken up clearing the way for everybody and his skeevy Uncle to start a phone company.
The 1984 Summer Olympics were held in Los Angeles, California but were boycotted by the Soviets because we boycotted the 1980 Moscow Olympics to protest the Soviet invasion of...Afgahnistan.
Johnny Carson(the guy who hosted the Tonight show before Jay Leno, Conan O'Brien, and Jay Leno) hosted the 56th Annual Academy Awards where "Terms Of Endearment" was the big winner including Best Picture with Oscars also going to Jack Nicholson and Shirley MacLaine for their performances.
The single "Do They Know It's Christmas" was released to raise money to help the Ethiopian people fight a deadly drought and famine.
A new drug was introduced into the Greater Los Angeles area called "Crack". It was a real big hit with the kids.
And some guy named Mark Zuckerberg was born who grew up to attend Harvard University and start a Social Network called Facebook the most people now think is real life.
So a lot has changed since the last studio album from Van Halen with David Lee Roth. Except in Afgahnastan...and Ethiopia...and Crack is still around too and the kids still think it's pretty fly.
Here are some notable broadcasts from 1984:
President Ronald Reagan joked about bombing Russia with a "Hot Mic". That Gipper, always joshin' the Reds.
Welsh Comedian Tommy Cooper died of a heart attack live on Television. At least in his final moments he kept em' laughing.
Ok, that's a little creepy. But so is David Lee Roth.
ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL...
While I sit in my office and ponder whether you or I would have been charged with driving to endanger if the State Police found that we were going 108 miles an hour at 5:26 in the morning….here are the five songs that may have been playing on Lt. Governor Tim Murray’s radio on that fateful morning in Sterling when he “fell asleep”:
5) Bob Marley “One Cup of Coffee”. When Marley sings “one cup of coffee and then I’ll go”, you just imagine how fine a brew it is that makes a man drive miles out of his way to enjoy it.
4) Golden Earring “Radar Love”. “The road has got me hypnotized and I’m speeding into a new sunrise”. Certainly a buck oh eight qualifies as speeding into the sunrise, right?
3) Sammy Hagar “I Can’t drive 55”. It’s 5am. You’re the Lieutenant Governor. You’ve got places to go and people to see and silly speed limits just aren’t your thing.
2) AC/DC “Black Ice”. Remember how Tim Murray told us at the press conference it was the “black ice”? Remember how the responding trooper said it was so bad, he slipped when he got out of the cruiser? Do you think they may have been fibbing? “Black ice, end of it all. End of the line. End of the road. Black Ice”
1) Judas Priest “Breaking the Law”. I think this one covers just about all of it. No seatbelt. Doing 108 miles an hour while surveying storm damage. Sleeping at the wheel. Never once hit the brakes as you careen off the highway. I think there was more than one law that was broken by our Lieutenant Governor that morning, don’t you?
Feel free to submit your own song suggestion and we’ll get Tim Murray an Ipod, so he doesn’t fall asleep next time he’s driving one of our vehicles.
Check out the new SHINEDOWN single 'Bully'
Shinedown have announced the details on their new album AMARYLLIS which will be released on March 27th.
Check out the first single BULLY below.
Download the new song on iTunes by clicking here!
What do you think?
How Weird Was Your New Years Eve?
Hopefully you brought in 2012 with a big bang(both audibly and physically). I always believed the whole point of ripping it up on New Years Eve was to exorcise the demons and bad vibes of the previous year and start the new one with a scorched palate ready for more abuse....that was before I had a kid. Let's just say, since then, my New Years Eve celebrations have been of the PG variety. This past weekend I blasted into the new year by drinking A beer and reading "Prince Caspian" to my daughter in her room with Hello Kitty, her Horsey Pillow Pet, and assorted Barbies. Yeah that's right, I started 2012 surrounded by babes and animals. Pretty crazy right?
I unfortunately didn't get the invite to Russian billionaire Roman Abromovich's St. Barts, Caligula-like extravaganza. It must have been lost in the mail. The USPS is having a rough time these days. I would've liked to hang out with George Lucas, Rupert Murdoch, Russell Simmons, while being entertained by The Red Hot Chili Peppers but I was busy rocking the C.S. Lewis with my 7 year old in Worcester. You can check out pictures of the affair here. I think I had the better time.(I keep telling myself that)
I would've liked to have been at the Mala Restaurant in Maui though. That's where the forces of the Universe conspired to have 3 of the Wizards Of Weirdness convene to entertain a lucky few. Steven Tyler, fellow ragged veteran Alice Cooper, and a man who has parodied both, "Weird" Al Yankovic, played the apropo "Come Together" at the small oceanside Tavern. There is video evidence of this below. I sincerely hope that all three were inspired to collaborate on a new "Supergroup". It would make the Lou Reed/Metallica partnership look like the Today Show. It would be so orgasmically weird that Steven Tyler would weep afterwords and Weird Al would find himself pregnant with Cooper's child. If this were to actually happen what would they name themselves? CT&Y? Whole Lotta Hair? Billion Dollar Accordions? Let me know your ideas in the comment section below. Happy Weird Year!
Scott Weiland is full of Spirit(s)?
Ok, Scott Weiland is officially scaring me. He's done some crazy, scary, junky shit in the past, but this is creepy!
Don't get me wrong, I love a lot of Christmas music. But I can't tell if this is an art experiment, a freakish narcotic hallucination, or a desperate attempt to battle the evils of the Rock-N-Roll Lifestyle with an extreme attempt at 50's style Frank Capra gooeyness? It reminds me of the great shape shifter David Bowie whom Weiland is a huge fan. Bowie scrapped the Ziggy Stardust persona for the conservative vampire-like "Thin White Duke" during the height of his fame and cocaine consumption. He also took a stab at banality during his "Let's Dance" tour. Of course one of the most bizarre Bowie moments took place with crooner/family beater Bing Crosby with a version of "Little Drummer boy and the surreal accompanying video:
This was 1977 and David Bowie was living in Berlin trying to kick his addictions to Cocaine and Heroin while making the groundbreaking albums "Low" and "Heroes" as well as producing albums for fellow recovering addict Iggy Pop. Scott Weiland has seemed to make an entire Christmas album based on the weirdness of this one curious moment in music history. "Awkward" would be an understatement for the CNN interview below. Is he lost or is he just trying to keep us on our toes? Is this a big Holiday joke? Did he lose a bet? Maybe he's being a shrewd businessman and making a play for the Holiday market? I'm putting this album in my collection next to The Hallmark Michael McDonald Christmas album, "Through Many Winters" and the collected works of the great William Shatner.
A Brief Tribute To Kim Jong Il
Thought I would share this moving tribute to a guy who really put the Dic in Dictator. Thanks Andy Richter. You should be working at The History Channel.
It's not fair.
To paraphrase a famous quote: WHERE DOES JULIAN EDELMAN GO TO GET HIS REPUTATION BACK?
Now that prosecutors have dropped the indecent assault charge against the Patriots receiver for lack of evidence, what does Julian Edelman do to clear his name? Will as much time be spent on blogs, and radio and TV talking about how he was railroaded as was devoted to calling him a sex offender on the day after Halloween?
How many phone calls did we take that morning from those who said he would be dumped by Belichick and the Krafts before practice started? How many people had convicted Julian Edelman of gross and inappropriate fondling before he had even arrived for his arraignment that morning?
According to prosecutors the charges were dropped because “video evidence and eyewitness testimony showed that Edelman briefly took the woman’s hand on the dance floor” and it was “fleeting and did not meet the elements of any crime”. So, when they looked at the surveillance tape it was what many thought-a New England Patriot on the dance floor is a prime target for bogus claims.
We ought to ask the Boston Police why a man was arrested and arraigned for taking a woman’s hand on the dance floor? Why was Edelman detained and handcuffed rather than the charge being investigated on follow up by detectives who could view the evidence and make a determination of whether a crime had been convicted? Did his NFL status lead to treatment that was above and beyond what would normally happen in this kind of case?
And we should have a genuine discussion about whether the alleged victims in these cases can remain anonymous? If the accuser is identified before conviction, and his reputation ruined, why isn’t the accuser identified when the evidence clearly shows that there is no truth to the outrageous allegation she made? Yes, I am bothered by this because I know Julian and he’s an incredible guy. But I am also bothered because a man was skewered publicly for something he didn’t do and will forever have to tell people “the charges were dropped”.
It’s not fair.
Miley Cyrus: Naturally spectacular?
Best news of the day… Miley Cyrus hit twitter to answer the question we all asked Monday morning after watching the CNN “American Heroes” special Sunday night: Are they fake or just naturally spectacular?
In case you missed our show Monday or you are an eunuch, here’s a close up look at what Tim Tebow would tell you Miley got as a gift from above:
And here’s her tweet today:
If you believe her, it’s nice to know that there’s at least one wealthy celebrity who could afford implants but is just saying no. It does make me laugh that she always acts like she is blown away that people are even talking about it. I mean, come on, you wear a dress like that on the red carpet and you don’t think 99% of us are staring at your breasts?
No word on whether Billy Ray confirmed their realness. And, frankly, I think we’d all prefer that he didn’t.
It Takes Balls To Cover Zeppelin..Apparently Karen O Has Them
Covering Led Zeppelin is a daunting task with odds leaning toward failure and ridicule. Covering a Zeppelin "Classic" doubles those odds. But I think Trent Reznor and Karen O(Yeah Yeah Yeah's) are able to wrangle the odds and deliver a cover that stays true to the essence of this Viking Anthem and still give it their own twisted flavor. What do you think?
Please Watch This Short Video Before You Take Those Embarrassing Holiday Photos
These guys have some really good tips...and sweaters! I'm going for the "Shirtless Dad" this year. I would especially like to direct the attention of Mistress Carrie to the Pets section of this video. Happy Posing!
You've Got Awkward Family Holiday Photos
Metallica XXX
While a team of lawyers and promoters try to piece together a Stones 50th and Pearl Jam celebrates 20 with a multi-media extravaganza, Metallica quietly(but not so quietly) celebrated 30 years with Friends and fan club members at 4 intimate(in Metallica terms) shows at The Fillmore in their hometown of San Francisco.
I remember the fist time I heard Metallica. I was in the car with my Father and WAAF played "For Whom The Bell Tolls". It was like the music grabbed my head Herman Cain style and pulled it against the radio. At that time I was just starting to compliment my diet of Scorpions and Judas Priest with Punk stuff from the SST label as well as the local compilation "This Is Boston Not L.A.", so hearing a band mix both styles was revelatory. There were no rules. These guys are proving it right now! So fucking heavy with not a trace of cheese. My Dad's critique was stereotypical, "That's not even music!" I've been a fan ever since. And yes, I was skeptical of "The Black Album" at first and still believe the "Load" albums could've been one great album. But with every left turn and failed experiment I realized they were doing it to survive. They spent a decade trying not to sound like Metallica to make sure they were that band that help start a metal revolution.
Below are a few clips from the recent celebration with friends and former estranged family members:
I'd like to think Cliff Burton was looking down and smiling but he was probably giving everyone the finger while smoking a pinner.
December 8 is a sad day in music!
Before 2004, December 8 was a sad day for music, because it was the day that we lost John Lennon in 1980. he was shot dead by a crazed fan. Howard Cosell announced his death during Monday Night Football while the Patriots were playing the Dolphins. I was shopping with my Mom that night, and they announced over the intercom, that Lennon was dead. My mom and her friend started to cry. I remember wondering why they were crying for a man that they didn't know. Obviously, I grew up a Beatles fan, and I understand NOW why they burst into tears at the news. John Lennon changed the world with his music. Even this many years later, people all around the world pause to remember him and his music.
That night at the store, I could never have imagined growing up to have my own reason to cry on December 8. In 2004, I got a call from a friend telling me that 'Dimebag' Darrell Abbot was shot by a crazed fan while on stage. I knew Dime for years, from his days in Pantera and Damage Plan. Being invited to go on stage and sing 'Walk' with him was a HUGE experience for me! That night the world of Rock 'n' Roll lost one if it's most talented and colorful 'characters' and Vinnie Paul lost a brother. The world also learned the name of a Columbus Ohio police officer names James Niggemeyer, who was the hero that night in 2004. He stopped the nightmare, which could have been much worse.
I will be smiling with a 'Blacktooth Grin' tonight, toasting John Lennon, Dime, and Officer Niggemeyer!
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2012 announced!
The Class of 2012 has been announced! Congratulations go out to the Red Hot Chilil Peppers, Beastie Boys, and Guns 'N' Roses!
They were all voted in this year, along with Donovan, Laura Nyro, The Small faces/The Faces, Freddie King, Don Kirshner, Cosimo Matassa, Tom Dowd, and Glyn Johns!
Here are my questions...
1. Who will actually 'induct' RHCP, BB, and GNR?
2. What will the RHCP wear?
3. Will Axl, Slash, Duff, Izzy, and Steven Adler get on stage together at the ceramony?
4. Will the Beastie Boys be healthy enough to perform?
The 27th Induction of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame will take place in April 2012 in Cleveland.
Click here for more info.
Is Tex Richman part of some kind of Socialist plot?
I was watching Eric Bolling on “Follow the Money” (Fox Business) Friday, when he suggested that the antagonist in the new Muppet movie, Tex Richman, is a part of the Hollywood Liberal Elite’s plan to turn our children against the wealthy. Richman is a one percenter, a loathsome oil man who wants to shut down the Muppet Theatre so he can drill for oil underneath it.
Not being an extremely paranoid conservative, I doubted this theory. However, a review of the last few Muppet villains kind of makes his case:
Doc Hopper (The Muppet Movie): This rich restaurant chain owner chases Kermit all over the country in his heinously decadent limousine! His stated goal is 1,000 restaurants-complete and utter domination of the industry. Wouldn’t just a couple restaurants suffice for this greedy pig?
Rachel Bitterman (It’s A Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie): A lucky sperm club member, Ms Bitterman runs the evil empire known as the Bitterman Bank and Development Corporation. Of course, Ms Bitterman is running around, as corrupt bankers do, threatening to foreclose on nice people like the Muppets.
I think Eric has a point. When I was growing up, the enemy were terrifying spies like Boris and Natasha. Or scary machines like Hal or the Terminator. Now, it’s those who are successful. Oil men, bankers, and restaurant chain owners. The evil business owners who dare make more money than the rest of us. Those nefarious individuals who’s blatant pursuit of the American Dream has kept the rest of us from being successful. Rather than hunt you down and kill you, today’s bad guy is stalking you in his three piece suit so he can put a lien on your property.
But our children, and the Muppets, shouldn’t fret. Even George Bailey triumphed over that original evil one percenter, Mr. Potter, at the end of “It’s A Wonderful Life”. Just don’t tell anyone that it was another rich businessman, George Wainwright, who gave him the money to do it.
Check out the NEW Black Keys video & contest!
This guy was only supposed to be in a little of the video, but the band liked him so much that they gave hom the ENTIRE thing! Hilarious!
If you want to meet The Black Keys at a sound check party at the TD Garden and leave the party with the guitar off of Dan Auerbach’s back listen Saturday and Sunday (12/10-12/11), win tickets to see The Black Keys play the TD Garden on March 7th. All ticket winners will attend a sound check party and meet the band. One luck winner gets the guitar!
AAF Army members, log in to get you unfair internet advantage and know what hours we will be giving away tickets!
Click here to cign up or log into the AAF Army!
See the Black Keys at the Garden on Wednesday, March 7 2012! Tix go on sale 12/9 at 10am through TICKETMASTER
Sexting: The New Abstinence
A 2008 study found that 1 in 5 American teens had texted a naked or semi-naked picture of themselves electronically. The Hormone Express is very much active in the Digital World. A more recent and more focused study has found that only 1% of just teens 10-17 have actually Sexted. The author of this latest study, Research Assistant Psychology Professor Kim Mitchell(Not the one that had a hit in the 80's with "Might As Well Go For A Soda") says it's nothing to panic about and is actually quite rare.
I find it hard to believe that of the 1500 teens they talked to only 15 said they had practiced Sexting. That's just the cynical old bastard in me thinking all teens are just horny bags of hormones trying to figure out why they feel that way while trying to also figure out how to hide it from their parents. The closest thing we had to sexting when I was a teenager was the classic Polaroid Camera Photos that may have been circulated among the student body or pinned up on the school bulletin board. And that was pretty rare. If we wanted any kind of sex we had to actually talk to girls and that was harder than the erection we were trying to cover with our jackets. Most of the time it was a stray Hustler Magazine that we found in the parking lot of Building 19 that we took turns bringing home and using to release our teen stress.
But that's just me. These days teens are forced to take in 10 times more information and have 100 million more sources for all that info including sex. I'm sure internet porn has altered the paths of many teens sexual evolution. As well as the rather easy ability to take a picture of your junk and send it to someone who you might think will actually like it. Or in the case of a 10 year old boy who did just that, "To gross out" the girl he was sending it to. In fact, Sexting is like the new "dry-humping".
You can't get pregnant by sexting, although I'm sure it's not that far off. Somehow someone will invent a way to fix a QR code over a uterus and figure out how to digitally get someone pregnant. Or maybe a "Morning After" App for those unwanted pregnancies.
As a Father of a 7 year old girl I know I will be confronting this situation sooner than later. My biggest fear is seeing naked pictures of my daughter while surfing the internet for naked pictures of someone Else's daughter. Or should my biggest fear be some son of a bitch sticking his penis in her? At least with sexting there's no penetration and all that "comes" with it.
For now this new study says we don't have much to worry about...with our kids anyway. Our elected officials and favorite pro-athletes though...that's another story...or study.
In the meantime, here's that Kim Mitchell song I was talking about earlier.
WOW! A ROCK band is nominated 6 times at the Grammys!?!
OK Dave Grohl, how did you manage to pull this off? This is a David Copperfield makes the Statue of Liberty disappear sized magic trick, but done with no camera tricks or smoke! The Foo Fighters are nominated 6 TIMES at this years Grammy awards, including a prestigious Album of the Year nomination! Of course they will have to beat out Adele, Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars and Rihanna to take home the statue, but hell... they were nominated! What planet am I on??? I can't believe that there are enough people on the pop infused music business that can spell FOO?!?
The Foos are also nominated in the Best Rock Song (Walk), Best Long Form Video (Back and Forth), Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance (White Limo),Best Rock Performance (Walk), and Best Rock Album (Wasting Light).
After the 3 hour Rock clinic that Dave Grohl and Company put on at the Garden a couple weeks ago, I feel sorry for every band that is nominated against them! I just don't know who is doing it better these days?
By the way, CONGRATS to local Drum God, Mike Mangini for his Grammy nomination with Dream Theater!
Here is a list of all of the ROCK categories, who do you THINK will win?
Click here to see the FULL LIST of Grammy nominees, and tune in 2/12/2012 at 8pm on CBS to see who wins!
Best Rock Performance
Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall
Coldplay
[Capitol Records/ EMI/ Parlophone]
Down By The Water
The Decemberists
Track from: The King Is Dead
[Capitol]
Walk
Foo Fighters
Track from: Wasting Light
[RCA Records/ Roswell Records]
The Cave
Mumford & Sons
Track from: Sigh No More
[Glassnote Records]
Lotus Flower
Radiohead
Track from: The King Of Limbs
[XL/ TBD Recordings]
Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance
On The Backs Of Angels
Dream Theater
[Roadrunner Records]
White Limo
Foo Fighters
Track from: Wasting Light
[RCA Records/ Roswell Records]
Curl Of The Burl
Mastodon
[Reprise Records]
Public Enemy No. 1
Megadeth
[Roadrunner Records]
Blood In My Eyes
Sum 41
Track from: Screaming Bloody Murder
[Island]
Best Rock Song
The Cave
Ted Dwane, Ben Lovett, Marcus Mumford & Country Winston, songwriters (Mumford & Sons)
Track from: Sigh No More
[Glassnote Records]
Down By The Water
Colin Meloy, songwriter (The Decemberists)
Track from: The King Is Dead
[Capitol; Publisher: Osterozhna Music]
Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall
Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland, Will Champion & Chris Martin, songwriters (Coldplay)
[Capitol Records/ EMI/ Parlophone; Publishers: Edition Pink Music/Hanseatic Musikverklag, Opal Music/Upala Music, Universal Music Publishing, Woulnough Music/Irving Music]
Lotus Flower
Colin Greenwood, Jonny Greenwood, Ed O'Brien, Phil Selway & Thom Yorke, songwriters (Radiohead)
Track from: The King Of Limbs
[XL/ TBD Recordings; Publisher: Ticker Tape Ltd.]
Walk
Foo Fighters, songwriters (Foo Fighters)
Track from: Wasting Light
[RCA Records/ Roswell Records; Publishers: M.J.-Twelve Music, I Love The Punk Rock Music, Living Under A Rock Music, Flying Earform Music, Ruthensmear Music]
Best Rock Album
Rock 'N' Roll Party Honoring Les Paul
Jeff Beck
[ATCO]
Wasting Light
Foo Fighters
[RCA Records/ Roswell Records]
Come Around Sundown
Kings Of Leon
[RCA Records]
I'm With You
Red Hot Chili Peppers
[WB]
The Whole Love
Wilco
[dBpm Records/ Anti Records]
The Burgermeister outlaws Christmas in Rhode Island
Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Chafee has decided that the traditional Christmas tree that stands in the Rhode Island State House must now be referred to as the “Holiday Tree”. Really? Who died and declared him Burgermeister?
Chafee had the balls to cite Roger Williams, who founded the state, as the inspiration for his act of placation. He should read up on his history. While Roger Williams did indeed buy the land that became Rhode Island in the name of religious freedom, it wasn’t because he was an atheist! In fact, he named it Providence because he believed it was GOD’s provenance which had delivered him there. He was a minister-he was a Christian. He would have been warmed by the concept of the Christmas Tree.
Can we stop bowing down to those who we think we might offend when we are celebrating one of the great traditions in this country?
Long ago, Christmas stopped being mostly about Christ and started being mostly about presents. And family. Who doesn’t love getting up Christmas morning, chowing down on a delicious breakfast with the family and then opening up some primo gifts? Throw in some drinks, some beef for dinner and a Christmas carol or two and you have the single best holiday of the year.
And this guy wants to ruin it. But honestly, I expect nothing less from a man who’s middle name is Davenport. Never really worked a day in his life, went to Phillips Academy and Brown University. Then, get this: he attended the Montana State Horseshoeing School. I’m serious. Such an institution actually exists. And he graduated from there. He got his seat in Congress when his father passed away. This guy is lucky sperm club all the way. No concept of how many hard working American’s look forward to celebrating CHRISTMAS. Not “the holiday” but Christmas. A few days off, a few drinks, a few gifts and a midnight Christmas Eve service to keep it all legit.
Stop ruining Christmas. It’s an incredible tradition in this country and it’s one of the things that makes Americans what we are.
And The First Beer Launched Into Space Is....
YES! THE FIRST BEER IN SPACE IS A NATTY LIGHT!!! NATTY LIGHT!!! Natural Light..... I know what you're thinking. Out of all the beers made here in the Micro-Brew Capital of the world, The USA, this is the one these geeks chose to represent humanity in Outer Space? Then I thought about it a little more and it makes sense. What if there was a tragic mishap and the beer was lost or damaged? That would be a waste of a good beer...that's if it was a Pretty Things, Smuttynose, or a Gansett'. So make the Natty light a test chimp for this historic experiment. This can will now be in the history books much like the Cosmonaut Canine Laika who became the first animal to orbit Earth...as well as the first to die in space. At least this brew made it back safe. No word if it was consumed and if anything happened to the drinker.(Did you ever see The Andromeda Strain?) At least any Alien trying ti invade the planet may stop to try it and be scared off by the ensuing hangover.
Apparently these two "Scientists" aren't the first to experiment with beer in Space. The Japanese brewer Sapporo brewed beer made with barley grown in the International Space Station. There's also an Australian Brewer working on a beer you can actually drink in space. Apparently if you drink a real beer in space you get what they call the "wet burps". In zero gravity when you try to expel the carbon dioxide it becomes a "near-vomit experience" with the beer as well as anything else in your stomach trying to shoot out. Much like your third hour into a dollar draft night. You can get more info on that here.
