Sunday, August 16, 2026

Could It Be Satan???

Oliver Reed & Vanessa Redgrave
"The Devils"

Urbain Grandier: "Call me vain and proud, the greatest sinner ever to walk God's earth, but Satan's boy I could never be. I haven't the humility." - The Devils, Ken Russell 1971

One of my favorite films is Ken Russell's The Devils. It came out in 1971 with a fanfare of controversy. It was cut significantly and still received and "X" rating. Thus I saw what everyone else saw a more tame version of the same film. Trust me it was still a quite intense and graphic affair.

Well I am eagerly looking forward to the restored cut opening October 16th in 35 mm rated NC-17.

Here's the synopsis:

"In 17th-century France, Father Urbain Grandier's protection of the city of Loudun from the corrupt Cardinal Richelieu is undermined by a sexually repressed nun's accusation of witchcraft"

Sex, Violence and Religion what more could you want in a controversial NC-17 film? I ask you? I'm waiting...

The Devils on IMDb -

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0066993/?ref_=ttqu_ov_i   

Saturday, August 15, 2026

Bring Me The Axe

Bring Me The Axe!

Remember how you were never promised a rose garden when you were growing up? Well guess what? Perhaps it was because some homicidal psycho took an axe to it.

"Yes" it's the famous scene from Mommie Dearest where Faye Dunaway as Joan Crawford takes an axe to her rose garden. 

 "Tina, bring me the axe!" was the battle cry etched in our pop culture consciousness forever.

How fitting that the rose garden was sacrificed, the elusive paradise of our childhood. Torn to  shreds and shattered illusions.

That's why there's hope.

Mommie Dearest on IMDb -

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0082766/

Friday, August 14, 2026

"Bad Summer"

Ballyhoo!
Photo: Dennis Pike

Maryland alternative-rock mainstays Ballyhoo! will release their new single “Slowly Dying” on August 14, offering the final preview of their highly anticipated tenth studio album, Bad Summer, out August 28 via Right Coast Records.

Stream “Slowly Dying” here:
https://1212.to/bhsd

Produced by John Feldmann (Blink-182, Avril Lavigne, Goldfinger), “Slowly Dying” is a full-throttle pop-punk anthem driven by big guitars, undeniable energy, and a soaring chorus built to be shouted back from the crowd.

“This song is a huge pop-punk ripper with a chorus that soars!” says frontman Howi Spangler. “We went into the studio with John Feldmann to make this album, and we wanted an anthemic pop-punk/rock track that would really step things up. John pitched the idea for the intro and chorus, and I wrote the verses. The guys came in and smashed their parts, and the end result turned out even better than we’d hoped. It’s a standout track among the band members, and we think people will love it.”

The new single follows previously released tracks “Bad Summer,” “Cali Girl II,” “I Guess I’ll Go Fuck Myself,” and “Thunderstorms,” each revealing another side of an album that moves between beach pop-punk, alternative rock, and massive sing-along hooks.

For Ballyhoo!, working with Feldmann marked a full-circle collaboration with a producer and songwriter whose work has long influenced the band. The sessions pushed Ballyhoo! toward one of the biggest and boldest productions of their career while preserving the chemistry, personality, and honest songwriting that have defined them for more than two decades.

“Ballyhoo! were a joy to work with!” says Feldmann. “They are all such incredible musicians and super open-minded, and we made an awesome album! I can’t wait for everyone to hear it. So stoked to be included in this musical masterpiece.”

Spangler adds, “We knew we wanted the next thing we did to be special, and I’ve always wanted to make a record with Feldy. We put ourselves out there and took a big swing to make that happen. The record turned out even better than I thought it would. We’re so very proud of Bad Summer, and we can’t wait for you to hear it August 28th!”

“Slowly Dying” arrives just days after Ballyhoo! wrapped their first European tour, which included appearances at BrakRock in Belgium and Punk Rock Holiday in Slovenia alongside club dates throughout the continent.

On Monday, August 24 at 8 p.m. ET, Ballyhoo! will premiere the video for the album's title track, “Bad Summer,” and join fans for a live chat during the premiere.

The band will return to the road later this month, beginning with an August 29 hometown-area performance at Cult Classic Outdoors in Stevensville, Maryland. Additional North American dates follow this fall, including a run with Bowling for Soup. Ballyhoo! will also join the 311 Caribbean Cruise in March 2027.

Nearly twenty-five years into their career, Ballyhoo! remain one of alternative music’s most enduring independent success stories, building a fiercely loyal audience through relentless touring, undeniable live energy, and songs made to be shouted back from the crowd. With Bad Summer, the band enters its next chapter without losing the chemistry and personality that brought them this far.

Bad Summer arrives August 28 via Right Coast Records.

Pre-save Bad Summer:
https://badsummer.ballyhoorocks.com/

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Thursday, August 13, 2026

Michael's Musings

Gotta Get Up, To Get Down
Michael Shinafelt 


"I won't bore you with the detail, baby

I don't even wanna waste your timeLet's just say that maybeYou could help to ease my mindBaby, I ain't Mr. Right" - Fastlove, George Michael 

Always say yes to a quick 30 minute drink with your bestie. those 90 minutes could be the best 3 hours of your life 

Frank-N-Furter said it best: Don't dream it, be it! 

Your past doesn't need you anymore. Your future does. The more you know...

Karoline Leavitt leaving the White House to spend more time lying to her family 

The humidity in Los Angeles has been quite grotesque of late, discuss

I love DeSano Pizza...that's all 

Why would one go to an AA meeting when they are not an anonymous alcoholic, but a well known one? I ask you??? I'm waiting...

Granny had two passions in life. LSD and ducks. And aren't you happy?!


Woman Crush of the Week - with Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma playing how could it not be the amazing Gillian Anderson??? 

I can't get enough of the Madonna/Kylie Minogue collab Love Sensation! The lyric video is resplendent!

Sagittarius Thought of the Day: I choose to play stupid but trust me, I know everything you think I don't 

America is becoming a torture chamber for smart people, think about it, but not too much

Put the lime in the coconut and ________ That's correct fill in the blank, do it and do it now!!!

Having my pre-colonoscopy screening appointment today. Hope it all comes out OK

Be the universe with me here -



Wednesday, August 12, 2026

Hump Day & Chill

"Little Death"

"If you've seen his movies, you know, he always comes back." - Billy Presley (Gillian Anderson)

Who always comes back? Well we are going to Hump Day & Chill to them as a matter of fact. It is none other than "Little Death" from the long running Camp Miasma franchise.

And guess what "Little Death" is back in Teen Age Sex and Death at Camp Miasma.

Here's some background on the killer du jour:

"Camp Miasma is a long-running slasher franchise that originated in the 1980s. Its recurring villain is "Little Death", the ghost of a child who was purportedly raised as both boy and girl by their parents. After being drowned by hateful campers, Little Death periodically rises from the lake that borders Camp Miasma, slaughtering everyone they find with a spear. The series' original installments were successful, but a spate of low-quality, unprofitable sequels has left it in limbo."

Wow! "Little Death" seems like they are pretty angry!

Hump Day & Chill and watch your back!!! 

Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma on Rotten Tomaotes -

https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/teenage_sex_and_death_at_camp_miasma

Monday, August 10, 2026

Monday Motivation

Hello Monday..."Yes" it's another one of those Minions, Monday August 10, 2026 to be exact. 

Back in the days yore, 1980 to be exact, Devo summed up Monday Motivation best when they said: "crack that whip" from their hit song Whip It!

Thus we shall go fourth and and fulfill the prophecy of the mighty Devo...

C'mon whips start cracking!!!

Whip It! on Wikipedia -

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whip_It_(Devo_song)