Ghosts Of Christmas Past - David Bowie & Bing Crosby

Ghosts Of Christmas Past: David Bowie & Bing Crosby

While writing about The Holiday Season this year one of my most interesting and favorite Ghosts of Christmas Past memories kept haunting me...

As a youngster I remember watching one of Bing Crosby's Holiday Specials with my parents, when what to my wandering eyes did appear but David Bowie to sing "Little Drummer Boy" with Bing this year.

Even as a kid I was a little taken aback as I was keenly aware of Bowie's reputation as a Rock-N-Roll raconteur and Crosby's as the picture of family wholesomeness.

But this was pure magic to me and truly formed an aesthetic that would be part of the basis of who I became in my adult life.

Of course guess who I became a fan of and guess who stayed my parents singer?

Here is one of the greatest most influential moments in Entertainment history, not to mention my  young life.

"Come they told me
Pa rum pum pum pum"....

                                                                 "Little Drummer Boy"

Bang A Drum With Bowie at: http://www.davidbowie.com/

My Meeting With David Bowie

This week has been a big one for music legend David Bowie. He turned 66 years young and he has released his first song in a decade "Where Are We Now". With an album to follow in March.

Yes! Anything Mr. Bowie does is head and shoulders above what's out there now. It also reminded me of the time I met The Legend.

Now, I am seldom, if ever get "Star Struck" - in fact most people are a polite "Hello" nice to meet you situation.

But David Bowie, well now that was an entirely different thing. I was working my first job upon arriving in Los Angeles, CA at the once landmark, now gone Tower Records on the Sunset Strip.

Minding my own business and stocking the shelves of the tape department (cassettes not 8 tracks) - I walked by David two times, when I finally registered he was in the store. I dropped my tape box and ran into the backroom of the store so as not to embarrass myself and screamed like a teenage girl: "Oh My God, it's David Bowie, he's out there in the store"!

After regaining my composure I walked back out and got a Tin Machine album and ripped the plastic off so he could autograph it as did my fellow co-workers.

Bowie was gracious, down earth, not to mention humble. When someone I worked with said: "Mr. Bowie it is an honor you are such a legend" His response was "Oh please, I'm not that big of a deal".

This was also in the era before camera phones, otherwise I am sure the gracious Bowie would have done photos with all of us.

David Bowie is an amazing artist and man who deserves everything he has rightfully earned, not to mention being one of the coolest people on the planet. Also the only famous person I ever got gaga over meeting.

Happy 66th David - and cheers to your latest "Where Are We Now"....!

"

"When I looked in her eyes they were blue but nobody home" : www.davidbowie.com

R.I.P: Tony Scott

This writer is indeed sorry to hear of Director Tony Scott's recent suicide, it was revealed today that he took his life over an inoperable brain tumor.

Tony directed many prolific films such as "Top Gun" & "True Romance" - most people forget (since it is so different from the rest of his repertoire) That he directed the elegant and artsy vampire flick "The Hunger".

With three of the most interesting leads in cinema history, the elegant and timeless Catherine Deneuve, the sexy and sensual Susan Sarandon & the enigmatic and never boring David Bowie.

This was a film that shaped me in my youth. Thanks to my late Father I have always had a thing for horror films. Cut to my first job ever in at the tender age of 16 in a movie theatre - and guess what film played in it, you guessed it "The Hunger"...

A modern take on vampire's it was the first time I had seen horror and eroticism blended so elegantly and artistically - this showed how horror could be adult and exciting. Since I got to see movies for free, I watched this at least 10 times! Sadly Hollywood does not make adult horror anymore and that's really a shame, and I think Scott's vampire yarn was pretty close to the last of this breed.

Tony Scott's "The Hunger" is one of the great modern horror films of American Cinema - and it really affected this writer, in fact one of my proudest possessions is the original lobby poster which I acquired on the job, I have it framed in my apt.

While there are many memories for everyone of this late great director of cinema, this is my personal and favorite one.

"Nothing Human Loves Forever"

For Immediate Release: Japan's TsuShiMaMiRe Is "Shocking"

Japan’s TsuShiMaMiRe release their new concept album “Shocking” as well as an extended version of 2011’s “Giving Blood” album entitled “Giving More Blood” on May 1 2012 via Good Charamel Records

Humans are the only living thing which can love FOOD and love ROCK ‘N’ ROLL.

“Kufuku and Kuhaku”(“Hungry and Empty”), people feel empty in the world that is filled with only objects and information. The 3 main ingredients departed the planet “SHOCK­ING” on the UFO called “SARA” (It also means plate in Japanese); these ingredients names were; Cabbage Wild, Marice and Mizevi. They landed on the planet earth, and started becoming people’s messiah, “Meshiya”...

As you can see, Japanese Female Alt Rockers, TsuShiMaMiRe have found another way to express themselves.

The “Shocking” album follows a theme throughout the album with a storyline, Shocking is “Concept Album”. You know, like “Ziggy Stardust” by David Bowie, “Berlin” by Lou Reed, “Sargent Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” by The Beatles or “Tommy” by The Who….you get it.

“Shocking” consists of 12 stories of Space themes. We are not going to mention the theme and stories here as we don’t want these notions to get in the way of your own imagination.

TsuShiMaMiRe started their own label “Mojor Records” in Japan and established the en­vironment to be able to create their work without any pressure or restriction. Sound engineer Soichiro Nakamura, who was a part of Guitar Wolf and Yura Yura Teikoku engineered this album. And on May 1 Good Charamel Records will release the “Shock­ing” concept album in North America!

After numerous tours around the world with acts such as The Suicide Girls and Peelander Z, TsuShiMaMiRe continues to push out their boundaries and create new, stimulating sounds that set this unique group of women apart from the rest.

Good Charamel will be releasing this amazing album in North America in 2012 as well as simultaneously releasing an extended / remastered version of TsuShiMaMiRe’s 2011 release “Giving More Blood” with bonus material and remixed tracks.

Please press “Play”… and that will launch the rocket. Please Enjoy “Shocking” the new album by one of Japan’s most creative, cutting edge musical acts, TsuShiMaMiRe!

Watch the video for “Hungry and Empty” from “Shocking” at the link below

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bIiFjyMbJfE&context=C46084a9ADvjVQa1PpcFOCee4yu85Z__cVj3oafhu_ouOoHeKFaL0=

Sample tracks from Shocking here:

www.goodcharamel.com/?select=artists&data=tsuShiMaMiRe

www.tsushimamire.com

www.goodcharamel.com

TsuShiMaMiRe also contributes 2 songs to the just released I Love J-Rock 2 compilation.

View the I Love J-Rock 2 album trailer and sample all 8 songs from the record at: http://www.goodcharamel.com.

For Immediate Release: "Bless This Mess" Prima Donna On Tour

Prima Donna set to tour on "Bless This Mess" Kicking off at SXSW March 15th  "Packed with pop hooks and preening attitude, Bless This Mess is sinfully delicious." - Michael Toland, THE BIG TAKEOVER Call them punk, glam punk, rock n' roll... any way you cut it Prima Donna channels such influential groups such as X-Ray Spex, Ramones and Sex Pistols, as well as '70s glitter idols Mott the Hoople, T. Rex and David Bowie. But it's their sharp, concise songwriting, that separates the band from the pack and sidesteps any notions of the group simply being "retro." After extensive European and Asian touring with longtime supporters, GREEN DAY, Prima Donna were invited to record at their Oakland, CA studio with head-engineer Chris Dugan (Iggy Pop, Green Day) producing and Willie Samuels mixing. The result is "Bless This Mess" - 12 tracks of catchy, hook-laden, high-intensity Rock n' Roll! Little Steven's Underground Garage is spinning 4 tracks from the record, including "Puta, Te Amo" as the "Coolest Song Of The Week". Other influential stations have come aboard as well, including KPNT (St. Louis), WEND (Charlotte) and KROQ (Los Angeles). Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Prima-Donna/54937229876 SXSW Shows: Thursday, March 15 @ Legendary White Swan - 1906 East 12th Street Set Time: 12:30am *Also on the bill, Jesse Malin Friday, March 16 @ Rusty's - 405 E 7th St Set Times: 6PM and 10PM TOUR: Mar 17, 2012 - Oklahoma City, OK @ The Blue Note Mar 19, 2012 - Tulsa, OK @ Treehouse Mar 20, 2012 - Columbia, MO @ The Blue Fugue Mar 22, 2012 - Kansas City, MO @ Davey's Uptown Rambler's Club Mar 23, 2012 - Clive, IA @ Bombay Bicycle Club Mar 24, 2012 - Lombard, IL @ Brauer House Mar 27, 2012 - Cleveland, OH @ Now That's Class Mar 28, 2012 - Lansing, MI @ Mac's Bar Mar 29, 2012 - Indianapolis, IN @ The Melody Inn Mar 30, 2012 - Rockford, IL @ Kryponite Mar 31, 2012 - Green Bay, WI @ Crunchy Frog Apr 01, 2012 - Minneapolis, MN @ 7th Street Entry Apr 02, 2012 - Fargo, ND @ The Aquarium (Dempsey's Upstairs) Apr 06, 2012 - Spokane, WA @ Carr's Corner Apr 07, 2012 - Bremerton, WA @ Manette Saloon Apr 09, 2012 - Seattle, WA @ Funhouse Apr 10, 2012 - Everett, WA @ Tony V's Garage Apr 12, 2012 - Redding, CA @ Bombay's Apr 13, 2012 - Stockton, CA @ Blackwater Cafe Apr 14, 2012 - Oakland, CA @ Uptown Apr 27, 2012 - Los Angeles, CA @ Redwood Bar # # #

Popstar - Author: Sir Jet

Sir JET aka Joel Evan Tye is a popstar like no other. With his super-hero body and love for skin tight costumes and anime.

JET's childhood struggle with gender anxiety that lead him to become an agoraphobic mute for almost a decade to only rediscover his voice again at age 20 and become the man you see today.

His mission in life is to help people who struggle with their identity and to encourage them to find their true selves by going within like he did.

The result is the book: "I'm Enough: How to Live Life Like a Popstar and Find Your True Self in the Process"...let’s check in with the man himself, Sir Jet..!

MS: Hey Sir Jet, was looking over your book today, there’s a lot of stuff in there that is really helpful. What made you decide to add author to your resume’?

SJ: Several months ago, I thought: what can I do at this point? Do I keep making music? Do I work harder on my acting? I started noticing on the Internet there were a lot more reports on teenage suicide, and you see all these reports about these politicians trying to kill gay people…and I’m thinking “This is a fu@ked up world.”

MS: In certain ways it is.

SJ: Then I started thinking of a way to help people, I thought what if I write book about what I’ve done for myself? Thinking that if I share it, that maybe I could help a few people, I’m not sure how many, but there are people who are sitting in the corner wondering why their life is so horrible.

MS: Right.

SJ: Because that is the place where I came from as a teenager, I had all the tell tale signs of someone who would do something bad to themselves. But, what stopped me was the idea that I’m going to get out of this place.

MS: With all the bullying going on right now it’s scarier than ever to be a teenager. Did you hear about Jamey Rodemeyer, the teen who did a “It Gets Better” video then killed himself?

SJ: In terms of the “It Gets Better” campaign, I think it is a wonderful idea to tell people it gets better, the next step is to show them how. That is why I wrote the book. People need instruction, they just can’t be told when you stop being a teenager it gets better. Let’s start helping them now, let’s show them how to shift their perception of the world.

MS: Something surprising to me, that I had no idea about when we first met, is that you had gender confusion, expand on that.

SJ: OK, most of my life I really liked female things…girl clothes & toys. For the most part I was told “You can’t have that” and I said “Why not”? The answer was “Because you’re boy” - I thought “Then I don’t want to be a boy” they told me “You don’t get a choice”.

MS: Oh, Wow!

SJ: From that point on I always thought “Isn’t there something in between”. The story of my life has been to find what is that thing “in between” ? I knew I was someone who did not want a sex change, I don’t mean that is a bad thing in any way, it just wasn’t right for me.

MS: I totally get it.

SJ: Finally I realized I can be a boy, I can wear those things that are generally made for women and it’s not shameful. That’s how the personae of Sir Jet came about, by playing dress up.

MS: Well I love your gender bending photos, very David Bowie.

SJ: Very. (laughs)

MS: You talk about creating your appearance, let’s talk about your body, what motivated you to want to look the way you do?

SJ: For me, I love superheroes, and I’ve always had a fantasy about being with a superhero. One of the things you learn in this “law of attraction” world is, be the person you want to attract. So I made myself into my version of a superhero.

MS: So, what’s up with your music?

SJ: Right now I am working on a new song, I can’t say with who because I signed a confidentiality agreement, but….it’s somebody famous!

MS: Any parting thoughts about your book, and where can we get it?

SJ: When people read it, I hope they will learn how to be happy and enjoy life. Also it’s very inexpensive, it’s only $4.99 - $5.00 to change your life. Currently it is available as an E-book on Amazon, iTunes, Barnes & Noble and I’m also working on getting it into a print book.

MS:  Thanks Sir Jet!

Become a disciple and follow Sir Jet at:
http://www.facebook.com/#!/iamsirjet

Sylvia Tosun "World Keeps Turning"

Sylvia Tosun is a singer-songwriter to be reckoned with. The operatically trained vocal powerhouse has a big hit on her hands with the thoughtful and extremely danceable, “World Keeps Turning”.

She also owns Sea to Sun Recordings, her own record label that puts out all of her music as well as Traci Lord's current dance smash, “Last Drag”. Sylvia appears in the song's video and gets to make out with Traci.

A smash hit single, her own record label and in a music video making out with an icon….fluff up your pillow and dream, here comes Sylvia Tosun!

MS: Hey Sylvia, since 2011 was such a lame year, let’s kick off the beginning of 2012 with some fun!

ST: 2011 sucked, completely! S-U-X apostrophe D!

MS: Then let’s rock 2012!

ST: You’re on!

MS: Since the 411 is you were an opera singer, what is your favorite opera to perform?

ST: La Boheme.

MS: Which male rock star would you be if you could?

ST: Freddie Mercury!

MS: Awesome, I picked David Bowie.

ST: Oh, I’d take him too, anytime baby! (laughs)

MS: What else would you like to own besides a record company?

ST: A mansion and a yacht.

MS: Oh, good one! Name your favorite place to write music.

ST: In my head.
MS: That makes sense, I thought maybe you had a little tranquil room or place you might go to.

ST: It’s always tranquil in my head with enough wine! (laughs)

MS: Funny, I drink wine when I write too!

ST: Totally, with a bottle of wine I can sit in a corner anywhere and write.

MS: Do you sing in the shower?

ST: Never! Once in a while if I am in a hurry I will vocalize in the shower, but I never sing in it.

MS: Since you lock lips in the video for “Last Drag” with her, what kind of a kisser is Traci Lords?

ST: Oh My God, she’s great! She’s amazing, she’s gorgeous, articulate and extremely intelligent. Also she is a lot of fun!

MS: Thanks Sylvia, you rule!

Keep the fun flowing in 2012 and check in with Sylvia at:

http://www.seatosun.com/

http://www.facebook.com/#!/SylviaTosun