About Last Night...

Hey Ho, Let's Go...
Moi & Traci Lords

What happens at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery, never stays at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery. That's because they want the publicity darlins' - and no they are not whores.

Last night my good friend Traci Lords put me on her guest list to attend the Johnny Ramone Tribute screening of Barbarella. Thus I went, when your friends beckon you go - girl/guy! 

A fun time was had by all...here are my photo impressions of and about last night...

Any Questions?

WTF?!

V.I.P.

Enter, No Risk


Hollywood Forever on the WWW -
http://www.hollywoodforever.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

Are You A "Crate Digger?"

Crate Digger: An Obsession With Punk Records

by Bob Suren

Available on June 9th - Trade Paperback, 192 Pages - $14.95

An insider's account of the last 30 years of punk rock and vinyl records, 

including new information on many punk luminaries. 

Oh how fondly I remember "crate digging" - it was so much fun, I would go to the Tower Records once a week and find out what new vinyl I could buy, punk included. Yes, I was and still am a Punk Rocker!!!

Bob Suren spent more than 30 years immersed in punk rock. His obsession with punk music, culture, and especially record collecting began with a loaned mix tape in a small town in Florida when he was a teenager and slowly took over all aspects of his life.

He started a record label and distribution company, opened a record store, managed a thriving bootleg merchandise empire, published a magazine, promoted shows, and traveled the world with his own band. He mentored generations of younger punks and built a movement that put Florida on the map. He stayed a step ahead of all the ups and downs of the music industry, always pioneering.

Join Bob as he hangs out with punk luminaries like Jello Biafra, The Meatmen, Raw Power, Black Flag, The Dead Boys, Millions of Dead Cops, Rattus, and more. He relates his (mis)adventures breaking his curfew to see the Dead Boys' last show, almost getting arrested after seeing the Ramones, touring with his bands in Egypt, Ecuador, Brazil, and more.

As Jeff Nelson of Minor Threat said, "Really brings to life the early days of the American punk scene as it spread slowly across the country, through turntables, fanzines, and word of mouth. His vivid vinyl recollections illustrate how good record stores and adventurous college radio stations were so essential in bringing startling new music into the lives of many previously isolated kids. It follows the trajectory of a kid-turned-concert-promoter as his passion for music became all-consuming." 

Then one day it all fell apart. He'd built up his life like a record collection, but it didn't satisfy him anymore. He sold everything, dropped out, moved far from home to start fresh... and wrote this book.

Crate Digger is written in short spurts tied to actual records. The result is real, heartfelt, and deeply informed by the music of the last thirty years. It's a basic piece of your punk history collection. 

"Bob Suren delivers some great punk rawk history through anecdote and wit, intermingled with personal stories of love, loss, the characters that have come and gone and that elusive hunk of vinyl that's just around the next corner.... All spanning 30 years of Bob's life." 

- Ami Lawless, Voetsek 

"More than just your typical "record guide," Crate Digger allows us to accompany Bob on his passionate 30+ year punk rock journey. The anecdotal approach reminds us that, for the passionate music fan, there's a personal connection to a particular record that often conjures up various memories, both good and bad." 

- Al Quint, Suburban Voice magazine and Sonic Overload Radio. 

Purchase:  http://microcosmpublishing.com/catalog/books/5296/

Michael Shinafelt: U + UR Hand

Everyone Needs A Hand Sometimes

"Keep your drink just give me the money
It's just u + ur hand tonight" - Pink

OK people it's time to keep it real, honest & raw with yours truly. Friend and fellow horror fan M.E. Franco, author of the popular supernatural thriller Dion series of books: Where Will You Run? Where Will You Hide? & Where Will You Turn? Was curious about me and my Entertainment Journalism career.

Prepare yourself, I am direct and do not hold back, I talk candidly about my most surprising subject and tell you who the biggest Jackhole was I have ever dealt with. 

That's right, it's just you, me and our hands, right here, right now!

ME: Some personal things that I always like about your blog, but may not have said, is that I love the way you are supportive and respectful of people. Even when you make fun of stuff, or look at things critically, you are usually positive, and I love that about your writing

Hey M.E. Glad UR Entertained 

MS: I am flattered and happy you noticed. There is too much negativity in the world and I want to Entertain as well as be truthful without being snarky or a jerk.

ME: What got you interested in the entertainment industry?

MS: Growing up I loved movies, I used to watch them, go to them and breath them day and night. I also loved TV shows as well. One of my favorite things was to watch horror movies on TV on the weekend with my Dad. I came to Los Angeles to act and ended up writing and have now gotten back into acting again as well.

ME:. Who was the first person you interviewed?

MS: Singer Erin Hamilton, who happens to be Carol Burnett's daughter. She was sweet enough to be my first interview, we met for coffee and it was a fun time!

ME:. What have you learned about interviewing since then?

MS: To prepare less and not write down any questions. All I ever write down are a few notes about names of things the subject is doing or has upcoming. My experience has taught me to simply have a conversation as the person you are interviewing will tell you everything you need to know.

ME: Whose interview surprised you most?

MS: Margaret Cho. My first interview with her was sitting across from her on a couch after a photo shoot that she had done for it. Our chat was the cover story for Frontiers magazine. She was really low key and quite demure, I thought because of the lack of energy the interview was going to suck, it didn't. She gave great answers...while I did not expect her to be like her stage personae, I also did not expect how shy she actually was. Since then I have interviewed her several times and she now knows me, we basically have conversations and she is a lot more relaxed.

Me & Margaret Cho

ME:. Who would be your dream interview, and what one question are you dying to ask?

MS: I would have liked to have interviewed Elizabeth Taylor. What would I ask? What wouldn't you ask her?! She really lived! I would also like to have chatted up Joan Rivers, another woman with an incredible life who you could ask everything.

ME: You're a big fan of horror movies and have been in a few yourself. What do you find so appealing about horror movies?

MS: There is a catharsis with them, a visceral thing. Not to mention they are just plain fun and entertaining! Who doesn't like a good scare?

ME: What was your most spectacular death scene?

MS: My death scene in The Summer Of Massacre - something that I know you have seen. I loved sitting at the premiere with my then boyfriend and seeing the Boogeyman crush my skull in slowly until it popped like a cherry on a fifty foot screen, it was awesome!

Premiere Time: Myself & "The Boogeyman" Scott Barrows 

ME: Is there a famous horror character you'd like to interview? What questions would you ask?

MS: Norman Bates. I would ask him: Does mother really know best?

ME: On your blog, you outspokenly cover what you love, including controversial topics. Is there any topic(s) you avoid?

MS: Politics. I refuse to discuss that, and I can't stand people who do. If you know the answers get in office and go solve the United States many issues, please I would love for them to be resolved. I have my opinions, but mostly, unless I am with really close friends, I keep them to myself.

ME: You often build relationships with the musicians and entertainers you interview, which makes your blog so much more personal and interesting to read. Do you ever get nervous before an interview? If so, what do you do to relax?

MS: Never. Being an actor, and having a certain amount of my own celebrity sort of makes those nerves not exist for me. Especially since a lot of my subjects are friends of mine in real life. People in the music biz especially cotton to me as I have studied piano, guitar and have sang. I can still read sheet music and a keyboard - which I love. Thus I can talk shop with them and know what I am actually saying, same goes for the actors I interview as well. Since I have done, and still do it...

ME: Have you ever had an interview get out hand?

MS: Yes, Marky Ramone, who was not one of The Ramones founding members but was inducted into the Rock-N-Roll Hall of Fame with them. He bumped our time twice during the day to later than scheduled. The second time the PR guy gave me his direct number and said that Marky told him to have me call him in fifteen minutes. I did and Marky told me he was shopping or some lame thing and to call again in an hour. That was the straw that broke the camels back! I called the PR guy and said that clearly Marky was a complete Jackhole with no intent on giving an interview and no respect for my time and I called the whole thing off.

Get more on M E. at:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/M-E-Franco/238711609482912

Traci Lords Is A Punk Rocker

Look! It's Traci Lords

Hey readers guess who stopped by recently? That's correct peeps, friend and favorite on "Entertain Me" Ms. Traci Lords is in the house!

The Ramones fan stopped by to discuss her latest project The Ramones Go To Heaven on FOD, that's Funny or Die for the uninitiated. There are also several other things that she is up to, or that crossed her mind during the course of our one on one that just might surprise you, or perhaps not.

When the two of us get together it's anything but boring...

Shall we get this party started with a big Gabba, Gabba, Hey?! Yep, I thought so, here she is the girl with the most cake, Traci Lords!

TL: Oh my God Honey, I'm sorry I was late.

MS: That's OK sometimes people space out, I know I do. (laughs)

TL: Yeah, I don't know if it's old age, distraction, or what it is (laughs)

MS: So what have you been up to besides your recent video on Funny or Die? 

TL: What have I been up to besides the video? I am in the process of writing my next book. 

MS: Dish. What's it called? What's it going to be about?

TL: Um, I don't have a title yet. I'm not going to tell you anything about it, it will be a surprise. (laughs) I want to keep it under my hat for a moment.

MS: Well that's most likely one of the reasons you are distracted. When you write, time does not exist.

TL: You can appreciate that. Once you sit in that chair, I don't think a lot of people really understand that writing is really a physical act. You have to put your ass in the chair and write.

MS: And you let your brain flow, doesn't it surprise you what pops out on the written page?

TL: Oh yeah, and sometime it surprises me the way I feel about things. I mean, I know that I feel that way about them, but then I read back what I've written and I'm like, wow, that's kind of intense. 

The Ramones Go To Heaven

MS: So my dear how did The Ramones Go To Heaven video for Funny or Die with Dave Foley come about?

TL: Actually it came directly from Funny or Die - and I wondered, because I had Tweeted about Tommy Ramones death a little bit, when I heard that he had passed away it was a moment like: Wow! they are all gone. There was that time I thought it was so strange that they are all not on this earth. It made me think about life. That as you carry on with it, if you are lucky enough to, that you see people go before you, people that you know. I don't know if you have ever lost somebody that you are close to, somebody that you know? It makes you think about your own mortality. 

MS: Oh Yes.

TL: Maybe it's why it's that uh, huh moment. It made me think of the Limelight and how The Ramones were always there. More than anything I think it marked a certain time in my life, and that was a really fun time, but life goes on and things change and now it's completely different. I don't long for the past, but I love the memories. 

MS: I get it, I don't long for my past either, trust me not in a million years, but you do have those memories that are always going to be good. The Ramones were a good memory for a lot of people.

TL: Did you know I sang back-up on their song Somebody To Love? 

MS: No I didn't, was that the cover of the Jefferson Airplane song? 

TL: Yes, that's the one!

MS: What was your first exposure to The Ramones? 

TL: My first exposure to them was probably, oh, the late 70's.  

MS: Was it  Rock N Roll High School ?

TL: It was Rock N Roll High School - I had never heard anything like it before and I was like: What is that?! We have this whole history together, Gary Kurfirst who was their first manager and is no longer on this planet signed me to do my first album 1,000 Fires, I was influenced by the artists he represented like The Ramones &  Debbie Harry and then to go into this world of dance music...

My Name Is Traci, I'll Be Your Mistress Tonight

MS: Your dance music was always edgy it was not typical.

TL: And I can hear it in my first single from the album, Control it was a heavy metal riff that inspired that song. It wasn't fluffy or bubblegum at all.

MS: That's why I gravitated toward your dance album, I like my music edgy.

TL: Oh thank you honey.

MS: By the way, I  think your work in the film Excision was as good as anything I have ever seen nominated for an Oscar.

TL: I appreciate that. I have to tell you I am very proud of that film. In my opinion that is some of the best work I have ever done. That and my stuff on the Profiler was really good. It's such a shame that the stuff that I have done that is really good, nobody's seen. (laughs)

MS: Although I told you this a while ago I was rehearsing a play at the time, I came home and turned on the TV and Profiler was airing. I saw this great actress in a guest starring role and I could not place her, yet she was familiar, you did have a black wig on, then it registered it was you!

TL: You were like, ah ha! (laughs)

MS: Name your favorite Ramones song.

TL: I don't know if I have a favorite.

MS: That's fair.

TL: Although I don't know that I have a favorite Ramones song, but the theme song I had for my time in the 1980's was I Wanna Be Sedated.

MS: I'm partial to Sheena is a Punk Rocker.

TL: I love that one too. I mean who didn't want to be Sheena?!

MS: I know I did! (laughs)

TL: I did too! (laughs) I would have fought you for it! (laughs)

Cry-Baby/Johnny Ramone Tribute Screening
L-R: Joe Dallesandro, Traci Lords, John Waters, Johnny Depp, Ricki Lake

MS: Let me throw a quote at you that I would like some clarity on, when the Cry - Baby reunion/Johnny Ramone Tribute screening came up at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery this quote was attributed to you about the incarcerated actress Amy Locane who was in the film: "Amy Locane, the female lead, was 17 -- she wanted to get out of high school. Now she's in prison." This seems out of character for you, was it taken out of context?

TL: You know it's funny. The way it came across in print I was not happy with,  I truly wasn't trying to be insulting to Amy Locane - what happened with her could have happened with anybody. Thank God that has not been my journey in life. I think where the quote came from is I said everyone on the set was trying to escape from something. She was only seventeen when she did that movie and she did a fantastic job! I was not trying to disrespect her.

MS: I didn't think you were, but I wanted to give you the chance to clarify your intentions for those who might have. 

TL: Oh good, when I read it it made me cringe because I though it made me come off a little bitchy. 

MS: Well since you had a certain stigma attached to you at the time...

TL: Yeah, there is that stigma, I can't believe how much I have pulled off! Hollywood has been an amazing playground for me, I've gotten to do some amazing things. I am amazed and grateful for every opportunity I have had. Wow! What a ride! I'm just now moving into the next phase of my career and my life.  I'm moving into producing & directing. I will have the opportunity to act or not act in my projects, to make music for them or not, it's a whole new world for me and I am excited about being a female filmmaker! The possibilities are absolutely endless, I am happy about that.

MS: So shall we call it Traci, what number are we at? 3.0 I am guessing?

TL: (laughs) I think that's where I am, it might be more.

MS: What is the greatest role you have ever played?

TL: It's not one that's been filmed. I have this amazing child, my favorite role is being a Mom. It's the most juicy, satisfying character I have ever played! 

Go "Punk" with Traci at:
https://www.facebook.com/tracilords
https://twitter.com/thetracilords
http://www.tracilords.com/ 

For Immediate Release: Shonen Knife - "Ghost Train"

SHONEN KNIFE RELEASES "GHOST TRAIN" - 2ND VIDEO FROM THEIR LATEST "POP TUNE" ALBUM

On the heels of their North American "Pop Tune Tour 2012" Japanese Pop Punk 

Princesses "Shonen Knife" have released their second promotional video from their latest album release "Pop Tune" (Good Charamel 2012).

 The video is for the track "Ghost Train"  shot at The Osaka Pangea and Shibuya O-Nest in Japan, it was produced by by Mike Rogers and Ken Nishikawa. 

After a brief break from touring Shonen Knife returns to promoting the "Pop Tune" album with a European tour and an "Osaka Ramones" (their Ramones tribute alter ego) appearance in their hometown of Osaka.

Check out the new "Ghost Train" video  below ...

www.shonenknife.net

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 # # #