Silly Sunday

Name That Tune

"The tide is high, but I'm holding on, I'm gonna be your number one" - The Tide Is High, Blondie

Saw this meme and thought it was hilarious! Also true the fact that I found it hilarious means I am old. 

For those who may not be old let  me break this meme down for you. We have Debbie Harry frontwoman for the group Blondie. A case of Tide up on high shelf. Thus referencing the Blondie song The Tide Is High.

Simple no? 

Everyone needs levity, thus I felt the need to share the silliness, hence Silly Sunday.

Now get out there and live, love and laugh!

Blondie on IG -

https://www.instagram.com/blondieofficial/

Hello "Cruel World"

Yesterday I got a surprise when a friend unloaded a VIP ticket on me to the first ever Cruel World Festival in Pasadena at The Rose Bowl. It was a music festival of  consisting of, let's just put it this way, bands I grew up with. Please refer to the flyer above for those said bands.

Did I enjoy myself? "Yes" this is one of the better music festivals I've been to. Not to mention it was my first time seeing Devo. Alright I admit it, I had a blast! Here are photos by yours truly from it...Cheers!

That's Me In The Spotlight

Festival Goers

F#cking Blondie!!!

Motherf#cking Devo!!!

Cruel World on the WWW -

https://cruelworldfest.com/     

 

Tunesday Tuesday -

So I woke-up, quite early I might add. Four Ayem to be exact, with music on my mind. "Yes" it's true, so I thought "Perfect it's Tunesday Tuesday" after all!

Thus I bring you a blast from the past and my past - One Way Or Another by Blondie from their 1978 album Parallel Lines.

Although the song is stalker like I somehow find it motivating - in my mind when I hear "One way or another I'm gonna find ya" It makes want to go out and get what I want no matter what or who that is. Which is essentially the essence of the song. Debbie Harry is laser focused and getting that man or woman (the lyrics are gender neutral) no matter what.

So on this Tunesday Tuesday the mantra is: Go For It!

Hit the video for One Way Or Another after the jump -

Blondie on IG -
https://www.instagram.com/blondieofficial/?hl=en   

Michael's Musings

S-M-I-L-E!
Michael Shinafelt

"All in all you're just another brick in the wall" - Pink Floyd, Another Brick In The Wall 

Mexico is going to pay for the wall. More like Mexico is going to pay for your therapy you effin POS!

Oh, and aren't you happy?! I'm not entirely angry, yet marching into 2019 has me feeling like deja vu from 2018. Something has got to give, and it ain't gonna be moi. Capiche?! 

Carry on my wayward son...

Why did Adele cross the road? To say "Hello" from the other side

"F#cking Twat" was said on Vanderpump Rules - my life is complete

Sometimes I feel like Blondie "Call Me"

Surrender Donald

Don't do the Bird Box challenge states Netflix. Whatever the F#ck that is

Trolls, they don't simply live under a bridge

Julie Chen got replaced by Carrie Ann Inaba on The Talk - Oh, Julie that karma thing, you know getting a job because your husband is rich, powerful, connected. That's not happening for you anymore now is it???

Someone told me the Golden Globes are this weekend. In case you have a damn to give -

Bitch Pudding

I got the gift that keeps giving - Bitch Pudding! Thanks Karen Castrischer-Stegall 

"Find inspiration today, Life won't sparkle unless you do"

Someone mentions the 80's, what song pops into your head???

You know, that thing

Smell like a captain, screw like a bunny

The Candy Man can 

Fall in line with me at:

https://www.instagram.com/michaelshinafelt/?hl=en

https://twitter.com/MShinafelt 

Film Buff Friday - New Wave: Dare To Be Different

This is my kind of jam...!!!

NEW WAVE: DARE TO BE DIFFERENT 

Coming to DVD and Digital Formats on December 7th

The Story of the Most Influential Radio Station in America

Featuring Joan Jett, Debbie Harry, Billy Idol, Nick Rhodes, Denis McNamara, Jim Kerr, Vince Clarke, Curt Smith, Fred Schneider, Thomas Dolby, Midge Ure, Gary "Baba Booey" Dell' Abate, Seymour Stein, Paul McGuinness, Dave Wakeling, Annabella Lwin, Miles Copeland, Joel Peresman, Larry Dunn, Donna Donna, Max Leinwand, "Malibu Sue" McCann, Michael Pagnotta and Steve Thompson

In August, 1982, a small group of radio visionaries at WLIR Long Island knew they couldn't compete with the mega radio stations in New York City. With one brave decision, they changed the sound of radio forever. Program Director Denis McNamara, the crew at the station and the biggest artists of the era tell the story of how they battled the FCC, the record labels, mega-radio and all the conventional rules to create a musical movement that brought the New Wave to America - including bands like U2, Talking Heads, Depeche Mode and Blondie.

Pre-order: https://mvdshop.com/products/new-wave-dare-to-be-different-dvd 

ABOUT THE FILMMAKER

Ellen Goldfarb is the Creator, Director and Producer of New Wave: Dare To Be Different. Ellen grew up listening to radio station WLIR, which greatly impacted her life. She has produced and directed many projects including 2 concerts, but this is her first feature film. She studied in New York and took screenwriting classes through UCLA's extension program.

Ellen is a major music buff and grew up listening to radio station WLIR. She experienced the format change in 1982 to "New Music" and was an avid listener and fan of the station. After the format change, like many in the greater New York area, Ellen remembers New Music WLIR becoming a central part of her life. Ellen created Dare To Be Different to document the history and energy of the amazing WLIR at its heyday in the 1980's when it introduced New York and America to New Music and launched groups like U2, The Police and many others to greatness.

Ellen started Jomyra Productions to house New Wave: Dare To Be Different and other entertainment projects.

Ellen is a born producer and director who is excellent at organizing, networking, creating and getting the job done. She is currently residing in Los Angeles with her husband and 2 children. Ellen comes from a family of entertainment industry folk.  

Slower Than Usual

"Smoke Your Cigarette Slower Than Usual"
Ariel Beesley
Photo:
Michael Shinafelt

"I fell in love with you last night, Wish I could take you home tonight
Oh, you dance so, so sweetly" - Ariel Beesley "Slower Than Usual"

Yesterday an amazing talent who I personally know, Ariel Beesley released a video for her hot, hot, hot single "Slower Than Usual" on Buzzbands.la -

I am so proud of this young woman who I once watched the movie Shrek (yeah, the first one) with at the age of...why don't you take today, Slower Than Usual?

Check out the bomb ass video after the jump!

Here is the 411 via Buzzbands.la - 

In 2016, San Fernando Valley-born singer/model Ariel Beesley was at a songwriting camp hosted by Aviici in Stockholm, Sweden. She met someone special but, as the story often goes, it wasn’t the right time to start something. What she did have was a moment. One night they were outside smoking and as she watched the cigarette burn, she wished she could make that moment last forever. And so the catchy pre-chorus to her debut single came to her, “smoke your cigarette slower than usual.” Beesley co-wrote the song with fellow camp-attendees Linnea Sodahl and Andreas Roos, and had it produced by Mark Needham (Imagine Dragons, The Killers).

The video was co-directed with her dad, director Matt Earl Beesley, and they tried to recreate the flavor of MTV videos she loved growing up. “When I write a song, I think about what the scene would be, the world in which the song would live,” explains Beesley. “I have always loved everything about the ’80s, especially the music videos. ‘Why is Debbie Harry performing in a room with no audience while the band jams behind her on telephone chords?’ I asked myself. Or ‘Why is Flock of Seagulls playing in a room of mirrors while two twins walk around?’ I loved it. For the ‘Slower Than Usual’ music video, I wanted to draw from those influences but make them modern.”

With an Ariel, we want more, more, more at -
https://www.instagram.com/arielbees/?hl=en
https://twitter.com/arielbeesley?lang=en
https://www.facebook.com/Arielbeesley/  

Fabulous @ 50 - Traci Lords!

Happy Birthday Traci!
Traci Lords

That's correct peeps the one and only Traci Lords turns the big five-oh today. Can you believe it?! So what's an Icon to do for her 50th? Why give her fans what they want most. New music and more Traci! 

I got Traci to slow down long enough to chat with me about her latest tune "Come Alive" and what it feels like for a grrrrrrl turning 50. After all that's what friends are for! It's time to lick it up!  

MS: Happy 50th, welcome to the tribe, how does it feel to be Fabulous & Fifty?

 TL: It’s about damn time!  I am so proud of everything I’ve accomplished and the life I live today. I can straight up tell you that I am happy, healthy and ready to finally take my place at the #elderbitches table! Bring it. 

MS: I wanted to tell you my sister's Birthday is the day after yours and she will be turning 50 as well.

TL: How funny!  Tell that Taurus woman that I wish her a very Happy Birthday!!!!

 MS: Any big plans to celebrate the beginning of another decade of living?

TL: I’m celebrating my 50th over the next year!  I’m going to do 5 things I’ve never done before. All of which must somehow terrify me! I’ll be traveling a lot, recording more music and really savoring time with  my husband and my little  boy! He’s growing up so fast and I love that I haven’t missed ANY of it. And yes, I will eat the cake. 

 MS: It's your party, what made you decide to gift your fans with the new single "Come Alive?"

TL: I really appreciate and love my fans.... without them there is no audience.  They have given me so much of their attention over the years and they have been relentless in their pleas for new music. But it’s been difficult for me to wrap my brain around. Thing is I  love to write and record  but I’m not in a band and I don’t consider myself an amazing singer. I’m more of a vocal stylist. Having said that, I’m excited to be collaborating with different people this year. I’m in an exploring stage.

 MS: Tell me what inspired the song. 

TL: "Come Alive" is about surrendering to what you ache for. When I write, I try to paint a picture. This story is really about the 17 year old Traci who created an ultra ego to dominate men and make her world okay. It’s about being out of control ( Control has always been my obsession! I am a Taurus!!!!). but somehow finding power while flailing.  It’s  about the stories we tell ourselves to deal with the shit life hands us. You know surviving.

"Come Alive" 

MS: Well I really like it. Are you planning a video for it? (Can I be in it?)  

 TL: Thank you so much Michael. The lyric video for "Come Alive" will be up on YouTube Today, my Birthday. 💋 The rest I’m not sure about yet! 

MS: What's the latest 411 on your Pin-Up Girl clothing line. 

TL: My Line at Pinup Girl is doing fantastic! I’ve had such an amazing time working with Laura Byrnes and my team. There’s so much creatively that’s going on in fashion right now. And I have several new pieces due out for summer that are truly classic vintage must have staples. Also, season 2 of our hilarious comedy series Swedish Dicks is landing on Pop TV this July 26. My character Jane McKinney is dressed head to toe in original Pinup Girl designs. We will be releasing the Jane collection as the show airs! 

MS: Tell me one thing that you want for your Birthday that money can't buy.

TL: Tomorrow

 MS: Who are you listening to at present (pun intended) 

TL: These days, no pun intended, I am listening to myself.That's the great part of being an elder bitch. (laughs) Musically though, for real  I am listening to Avicii remixes. I'm blown away that he is no longer on the planet, he was gone so young. I'm feeling a little nostalgic at the moment. I've been listening to the Pet Shop Boys, with a little Pat Benatar and some Blondie thrown in. "Yes" I'm in an eighties state of mind.

Elder Bitches in the Driver's Seat
Me & Traci

MS: Invite some famous people to celebrate Fabulous Fifty with you living or not, who would they be?

TL: Cleopatra, Brian Wilson, and Sid Vicious

MS: Any exciting acting gigs coming up?

TL: Season 2 of Swedish Dicks airs July 26 on Pop TV and my new indie film Steam Room Stories will start playing the festivals this Fall. 💋

"Come Alive"on iTunes at: 
https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/traci-lords/61320

Keep up with Traci on the www at:
https://www.instagram.com/tracilords/?hl=en
https://twitter.com/thetracilords?lang=en
www.tracilords.com/

W.O.W! Plasmatics!

Remember Wendy O. Williams and the Plasmatics? I sure do!!!

The rare Wendy O. Williams / Plasmatics live footage in this DVD has, in the main, never been released before. 

During the early years Plasmatics creator Rod Swenson, who directed and shot all the Wendy O. / Plasmatics conceptual videos (AKA known for his footage of the Ramones, Dead Boys, Blondie, and Motorhead among others) shot numerous Plasmatics shows the footage from which was never edited or released. Except for some short excerpts most of it until the discovery of this footage was thought to be lost or degraded (shot on tape which has been shown as with audio tape to degrade over time).

Recently during the moving of WOW / Plasmatics archive material the footage here was found unlabeled in buried boxes. While much had degraded producer / director Randy Shooter was able to discover, relabel, and with additional editing and restoration, salvage the rare and remarkable footage in this DVD. A lot of it is raw (and much of the audio is the audio from ambient video deck mics, noise and all) but the energy and power is there straight through.

The material includes two tracks from CBGBs the first of which was among the first Plasmatics shows ever as well as other footage from benchmark shows. A bonus track (Monkey Suit) features footage shot by Swenson when he was shooting the iconic album cover for "New Hope for the Wretched," but never released.

This item can be pre-ordered via MVD Shop or on Amazon