Monday Motivation

All That Jazz
Katy Perry

This weeks Monday Motivation takes on the shape of Katy Perry showing her jazz love at what else? The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, naturally.

Katy went all out in her, dare I say awesome, unique and completely original choice of outfit. Ms. Perry is going big, as you can see, living her best life as it were.

"Yes" now you are seeing where I am going with this piece of Monday Motivation - live your best life, you only have one damn it, so just do it!

For example today I am hitting the yoga mat, as it does my body and my twisted soul good. Thus I am doing something that is making my quality of life the best it can be. Yeah, it's that simple people, do something that is good for you, buy something that makes you smile or engage in an activity that makes you feel good if you get my drift (wink, wink, nudge nudge)

Even if it means wearing something like Ms. Perry, whatever it is, if it makes you happy, it can't be that bad...can it???

Katy Perry on IG -

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

Sunday Sinema: Bachman

"Bachman: Special Edition" coming to Blu-ray and DVD on May 10th The story of Randy Bachman from his early days in The Guess Who  to Bachman-Turner Overdrive to present day As a member of The Guess Who, Bachman was part of the first ever No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 by a Canadian band with "American Woman / No Sugar Tonight," and then topped the Hot 100 again in 1974 with another band, Bachman-Turner Overdrive, with "You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet." "That's a pretty rare thing for a recording artist who gets two No. 1s with two different bands," notes John Einarson," biographer and music historian, at the start of the new documentary, Bachman, chronicling the life of this 74 year old who is still regularly making music and performing. The film follows Bachman as he looks to the past for inspiration from rarely seen footage, pictures and documents that have been stored at the National Archives in Ottawa for decades. Among the other hits Bachman has written or co-written are "These Eyes," "No Time," "New Mother Nature," "Takin' Care of Business," "Let It Ride," and "Roll On Down The Highway." "He was like my biggest influence when I was a kid," says Neil Young in the film. "Watching him play guitar, he had an amazing sense about the way he played. And the feeling that you got when you listened to him. It was more than just chops." Young, who has known Bachman for about 55 years, added, "I hear Randy - when I see him, I hear him, and I feel him." The documentary made its world premiere in Toronto at Hot Docs 2018 before a festival run, and eventual airing in Canada on CBC's Documentary Channel. Incorporating numerous present-day interviews with family, management, and fellow musicians, director John Barnard (2012's The Sheepdogs Have At It) touches on everything from Bachman's childhood to his various rock bands -- The Guess Who, Brave Belt, Bachman-Turner Overdrive, Bachman-Turner -- and solo work. Trailer: https://youtu.be/Fv4v5EZA_ns  Pre-order: https://mvdshop.com/search?q=bachman Bonus Materials Neil Young on Winnipeg Randy's Crazy Horse Building a Reprise 'Here Comes the Sun' On Chords Songwriting 'When No One Knows' Theatrical Trailer 5.1 Surround, Stereo English subtitles for the deaf and hearing-impaired

"The Motivator"

The Motivators
Cherie Currie & Brie Darling
Photo:
Corey Parks

CHERIE CURRIE & BRIE DARLING

Join Together to Release New Album “The Motivator” - Out August 2

Los Angeles-based, female rock icons, Cherie Currie and Brie Darling have joined together to record their debut album, The Motivator.  The album was produced by the six-time Grammy nominated Dave Darling (Brian Setzer, Stray Cats, Janiva Magness, Tom Waits) and features nine classic covers by bands including T. Rex, The Rolling Stones, Stevie Wonder, and John Lennon, plus three powerful new originals, “Too Bruised,” “I’m Too Good, That’s Just Too Bad” and the topical “This Is Our Time.”  The album will be released August 2, 2019 on Blue Élan Records with the title-track, lead single, out  on all streaming services. 

Listen  HERE

The Runaways front-woman and solo artist, Currie, met the Fanny drummer and singer, Darling, in 2017 and immediately connected.  Currie had come in to contribute vocals to Fanny Walked the Earth, a reunion album from the trailblazing Fanny, the first all-female band signed to a major label (Reprise) in 1969.  Though the two musicians were certainly admirers of each other, they had not yet met until that session.  Once connected, the idea to continue collaborating was hatched and soon the idea to record an album was solidified.

It was decided they would record an album of cover songs that resonated with the duo.  The covers chosen mostly share—unintentionally—a socio-political resonance that’s as relevant today as when the songs were written.  “The original album concept was that Brie was going to sing a few, I’d sing a few, and we’d back each other up,” furthers Currie. “But I knew our voices really work well together. On T. Rex’s ‘The Motivator,’ Brie did a great soulful rock scratch vocal but maybe I have more of a tough rock quality to my voice, so I think Dave decided I was going to sing it.  But in my head I heard a duet, me doing the first verse, her on the second verse….and that started the dialog of using our voices together as a concept. Our voices complement each other, so we decided we should share the majority of these songs, because it makes them better.”  Producer Dave Darling says, "It's extremely rare to have two such powerful vocalists in the same band. Cherie's a steam roller and Brie's a flame thrower. That just doesn't happen!"  

Guests on the album include a host of family and friends who came in to do backups, including Currie’s sister, actress Sondra Currie, her ex-husband, actor Robert Hays; friends, Susan Olsen of Brady Bunch fame and actress/director, Allison Scagliotti. Darling’s brother, Henry Berry is on “He Ain’t Heavy”; and brother Phil Berry does a guitar solo on the Kinks tune “Do it Again” while her sister, Rory Berry Bishop plays drums on Thunderclap Newman’s “Something in the Air.” Patti Quatro—Suzi’s sister and a member of Fanny—plays guitar and sings on “For What It’s Worth.”

To listen or purchase “The Motivator,” visit: http://smarturl.it/ccbd-themotivator

Follow Cherie Currie here: Facebook

Be the first to follow Cherie & Brie on:

Instagram “New”- cheriecurrieandbriedarling

Twitter “New” - @CherieandBrie 

Sigma - The Alarm

The Alarm’s New Album“Sigma” Set For June 28^th Release

Lead Single & Video For “Blood Red Viral Black” Available Today

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=spR34zbjYs8&feature=youtu.be

SIGMA LXXXV TOUR 2019

Featuring The Alarm, Modern English &

Jay Aston’s Gene Loves Jezebel Kicks Off July 17

New Dates Just Added

  The Alarm have confirmed they will release a new album Sigma on June 28^th to coincide with their North American summer tour which kicks off July 17 in Nashville, TN.  The band have also released the first song (and video),“Blood Red Viral Black” from Sigma today with Classic Rock magazine premiering the video: https://www.loudersound.com/news/the-alarm-return-with-new-album-and-video-for-the-single-blood-red-viral-black

Sigma is available for pre-order here:  https://thealarm.ffm.to/_sigma

All pre-orders will instantly receive an Instant Grat track of “Blood Red Viral Black” 

Sigma acts as the sequel for 2018’s critically acclaimed EQUALS release and features musical contributions from original Alarm guitarist Dave Sharp and Billy Duffy from The Cult. "It's an honour to have Dave Sharp performing on Sigma", said singer Mike Peters. "Dave was and always will be, part of The Alarm family, and to have him feature on this record is a thrill for all of us and I’m sure, for all the fans too. Billy Duffy of The Cult also makes his mark on guitar just as he did on Equals, and we have been fortunate to have such an incredible talent in the studio with us for a second time. Sigma is the summation of a period of creativity that started out during the initial 'Blood Red Viral Black' project and has continued through Equals towards Sigma. All the albums in this sequence have been defined through symbols and equations included in the cover art and they all add up to this new album Sigma.”

“Having Billy Duffy play guitar with The Alarm has become part of our DNA, “says Peters. “It’s a relationship that goes back to the start of this new century, when the beginnings of new era’s for both The Alarm and The Cult were being formed. Blood Red Viral Black defines our relationship as friends and opposites, human beings united through the colour of sound.”

Click here to watch the latest on The Alarm: https://youtu.be/959jUj-bpBc

The Alarm
Photo:
Andy Labrow

The Sigma LXXXV Tour #sigmatour2019 will showcase a fraternity of alternative British rock bands led by acoustic pioneers The Alarm, post punk auteurs Modern English, and the charismatic Jay Aston’s Gene Loves Jezebelthat will stop by some 40 North American cities, presenting the very best music and ideas from a generation of enduring artists, brought together through a legacy of timeless sound and song. Tickets and information is available at all three bands websites:  www.thealarm.com, www.modernenglish.me, www.genelovesjezebel.co.uk

Throughout the Sigma LXXXV Tour, Love Hope Strength (co-founded by Mike Peters),   will be hosting bone marrow drives at each concert aimed at finding donors for people suffering from Blood Cancer who need a transplant for a second chance at life! The charity has already registered over 200,000 individuals and located some 4,000 plus potentially lifesaving matches. Visit www.lovehopestrength.org for more information.

Alarm fans attending the tour will also be able to enhance their participation at each event, by purchasing EXPERIENCE SIGMA LXXXV TOUR 2019 passes which will allow early entry into the venue for an exclusive pre-show acoustic performance with Mike Peters.

QUOTE FROM MIKE PETERS of The Alarm

"The Sigma Tour will bring out the best that The Alarm has to offer the 21st Century, and along with our friends Modern English and Jay Aston's Gene Loves Jezebel, we look forward to taking part in an event that will hopefully, live long in the memory for all our fans." says Mike Peters. "Our music, which still gets played on the radio every single day, gives us all a platform for creativity that will shine through every second of the Sigma Tour. Fans can expect collaboration, moments of reflection, camaraderie and also the unexpected. The tour will be alive on all the social media platforms allowing fans from around the world to see what it’s like for British bands to be on the road in the USA. Each show will be presented by an in-house MC / DJ and play host to intimate pre-show events that will connect fans to the musicians in a setting away from the spotlight. Up on the main stage every night, The Alarm will be celebrating the release of a new music album entitled Sigma, and honouring the 1985 Strength album reissue that has literally changed and saved lives through Love Hope Strength, the charity which sprang from the intention of the lyrics. The Sigma Tour will look, sound and feel like no other. It's an opportunity for our generations of fans, to make themselves heard, and for us as artists to prove that we are still as relevant as when we first helped shape the musical landscape of America, and when it's citizens looked to British bands for inspiration and alternatives." 

In addition, Mike Peters was recently honored with an MBE (Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) Award by His Royal Highness, Prince Charles, Prince of Wales at Buckingham Palace.  The MBE is one of Britain’s highest honors.  Mike was awarded for his services to charity, having raised thousands for cancer care projects in the UK and abroad and dedicating his life to giving hope for families affected by cancer.

Sigma LXXXV Tour 2019 Dates

July 17                        Nashville, TN              Cannary Row (The Alarm only)

July 19                   Austin, TX                         3Ten Live

July 20                   Dallas, TX                          Gas Monkey

July 21                   Oklahoma City, OK         Tower Theater

July 24                  Las Vegas, NV                  House of Blues

July 25                   San Diego, CA                  House of Blues

July 26                   Temecula, CA                  Wien’s Family Cellars

July 27                   Los Angeles, CA               Microsoft Theater – Music Festival Show

July 31                    Phoenix, AZ                    Celebrity Theatre

August  2               San Francisco, CA           Regency Ballroom

August  3              Sacramento, CA               Ace of Spades

August 5               Portland, OR                     Aladdin

August 6               Seattle, WA                      Triple Door

August 7               Spokane, WA                    Bing Crosby Theater

August 8               Salt Lake City, UT             The Complex (The Alarm/Jay Aston’s Gene Loves Jezebel only)

August 9               Denver, CO                       Oriental Theater

August 10            Lawrence, KS                     Liberty Hall

August 12            St. Louis, MO                     Delmar Hall

August 14            Minneapolis, MN              Fine Line

August 15            Milwaukee, WI                  Turner Ballroom

August 16             Chicago, IL                        House of Blues

August 17            Detroit, MI                         St. Andrews

August 18            Cleveland, OH                   House of Blues

August 20            Portland, ME                     AURA

August 21            Boston, MA                        Paradise

August 23            Huntington, NY                  The Paramount

August 24            Jim Thorpe, PA                  Penns Peak

August 25            Falls Church, VA                State Theatre

August 29            Asbury Park, NJ                 Asbury Lanes

August 30            Staten Island, NY               St. George Theater

August 31            Philadelphia, PA                The Keswick Theater

Sept 1                   Norfolk, VA                        Norva

Sept 3                   Charlotte, NC                    Neighborhood Theatre

Sept 4                   Atlanta, GA                        Masquerade

Sept 5                   Orlando, FL                           The Social (The Alarm/Jay Aston’s Gene Loves Jezebel only)

Sept 6                  Bonita Springs, FL             Southwest Florida Event Center   Fort Meyers

Sept 7                  Miami, FL                           The Ground at Club Space

Sept 8                  St. Pete, FL                         Ferg’s Concert Courtyard      

Michael's Musings

I'm Wild Again, Beguiled Again -
Michael Shinafelt

“In Xanadu did Kubla Khan, A stately pleasure-dome decree" Samuel Taylor Coleridge 

That's correct minions I am kicking off this Thursday with a quote used in the movie Xanadu starring one of my all time favorites Olivia Newton-John. Not sure why this particular opus is on my mind, I believe it may be in reaction to the world at large. Xanadu is escapist fare all the way, escaping, yeah that's today's ticket...

Surreal Moment of the week: Billy Idol meeting the RHOBH

My gangsta name? Five Speed Douche

Accidental anal hair, discuss...

His breath really smelled, perhaps he ate some ass before Spin Class

I'm watching you, oh yes I am

That can't be the only gorilla suit in Germany!

Crazy Boxing Guy the myth is real

When visiting the super bloom beware of the Wicked Witch of the West

Caught a screening of The Breakfast Club on the rooftop of The Montalban Theater in Hollywood last night. Still a great film!

He's Still Got It @ 63
Billy Idol

Speaking of Billy Idol...with a Rebel Yell, baby!

Don' you forget about me

Beware of dogs with agendas 

Frozen Blueberries - that's all

It's better with a concubine 

Come up to the lab and see what's on my slab at:
https://www.instagram.com/michaelshinafelt/?hl=en
https://twitter.com/MShinafelt   

Hump Day & Chill

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Just Because...Cha-Cha-Cha

Cha Cha Cha
Madonna

Just Because it's catchier than you initially think. Just Because of it's dream like quality and Just Because it uses the phrase Cha Cha Cha I present to you Madonna's first single off of her upcoming album Madame X - Medellin.

Honestly upon first listen I was so like WTF?! Then I listened again, and again and the Cha Cha Cha goes on...

She collaborated with Latin star Maluma who is from Medellin, Cha Cha Cha.

When I play it while sipping my black fly free Chardonnay I often feel like I am drifting into a fugue Cha Cha Cha.

But mostly it makes me want Cha Cha Heels for Christmas, for I am Nikki Finn and I will not be denied, Cha Cha Cha.

Madonna on IG -

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