Saturday Sinema: The Loveless

With this pedigree "The Loveless" is a Film Buff's dream!

THEY'RE GOING NOWHERE... FAST! The United States, late 1950s. A time of generational conflict, of immense social change, of bold fashions and toe-tapping music - just some of the elements that collide in thrilling fashion in The Loveless, the feature debut of both its star, Willem Dafoe (To Live and Die in LA), and its directors, Monty Montgomery (producer, David Lynch's Wild at Heart) and future Academy Award®-winner* Kathryn Bigelow (Near Dark, Detroit). A motorcycle gang roars into a small southern town en route to the Daytona races, unnerving and angering the locals with their standoffish attitude and disrespect for social niceties. When one of their number, the charismatic Vance (Dafoe), hooks up with sportscar-driving Telena (Marin Kanter, Endangered Species), he incurs the wrath of the girl's father, setting the gang on a collision course with the rest of the town as simmering tensions boil over into violent retribution. Raw, angry and honest, The Loveless evokes, with unflinching clarity, both an attitude and a bygone era, exploring the tensions between two very different Americas - now fully restored and presented in high definition for the first time in this feature-packed new edition from Arrow Video! * 2010, Best Director, Best Picture: The Hurt Locker. "ACADEMY AWARD®" is a registered trademark and service mark of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Bonus Materials

• Brand new 2K restoration from the original camera negative by Arrow Films, approved by co-writer/co-director Monty Montgomery and director of photography Doyle Smith
• High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation • Original lossless mono audio • Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
• New audio commentary with co-writer/co-director Monty Montgomery, moderated by Elijah Drenner
• No Man’s Friend Today: Making The Loveless, new video interviews with actors Willem Dafoe, Marin Kanter, Robert Gordon, Phillip Kimbrough and Lawrence
• U.S. 17: Shooting The Loveless, new video interviews with producers Grafton Nunes and A. Kitman Ho
• Chrome and Hot Leather: The Look of The Loveless, new interviews with production designer Lilly Kilvert and director of photography Doyle Smith
• Order Here: https://mvdb2b.com/b2b/s/AV207
• Relentless, new audio interview with musician Eddy Dixon • Extensive image gallery, including on-set photographs, storyboards and original production
• Theatrical trailer
• Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Gilles Vranckx
• FIRST PRESSING ONLY: Illustrated collector’s booklet featuring new writing on the film by Peter Stanfield

"Cactusville"

THE HANGMEN set to release "Cactusville" 

via Acetate Records on August 23rd

The L.A. underground Rock legend's 7th studio album

"It's The Hangmen he wanted to kill... we got run out of Cactusville," laments Bryan Small on the album's title track of The Hangmen's seventh album. Flanked by longtime members Jimmy James (guitar), Angelique Congleton (bass) and newcomer Jorge Disguster (drums), Small recollects the harrowing tale of a gig in Tuscon promoting their major label debut. "It was such a formative trip for us as a young band. There was death, drugs, booze, guns, girls and rock n' roll... and we met some new friends along the way."

 

One friend in particular, Eddie Spaghetti of the Supersuckers remembers the gig well, "They pulled up in a perfectly shitty van and proceeded to literally fall out of it. I know that one of them immediately puked in the parking lot. Combine all the L.A. coolness of the dudes with the songs and, oh my god, no one could touch them. The fucking SONGS. Right out of the gate I was struck by the patient, laid back-ness of their rock-n-roll ways. They changed a lot about the way I thought about what a band should be and how songs should be delivered. They instantly became our heroes."

The Hangmen were formed in Los Angeles in 1986 and immediately caught the eye of Black Flag/Circle Jerks singer Keith Morris. Morris managed the band, and along with Bad Religion's Brett Gurewitz, produced the demos that landed them a deal with Capitol Records. They released their self-titled debut in 1987, but things soon came crashing down. A switch to DGC Records (the newly formed subsidiary of Geffen who's roster included The Nymphs, Nirvana, etc) seemed like the perfect landing spot for the band. Unfortunately, the album Suicide Doors was shelved and the band dissolved into addiction.

Not one to be down for long, a newly sober Small started writing again, the result was 2000's Metallic I.O.U. Tours with longtime fans Social Distortion and the Supersuckers followed. Ness would later produce The Hangmen's 2007 release In the City. "I totally feel like we're kindred spirits," Small says looking back, adding that both bands emphasize "simplicity, and doing what you do and staying true to that."

In 2010, the Finnish label Hype Records, Lost Rocks, an 18-song Hangmen retrospective. Shortly thereafter, former Supersucker, Rontrose Heathmen joined the band for 2012's critically acclaimed East Of Western.

2019 marks the release of Cactusville and another chapter of The Hangmen legend continues. Small has taken his brand of songwriting to another level, putting him in an artistic class with the likes of Tom Petty and Neil Young as purveyors of honest and simple songwriting.

Side 2 of the LP features the Best Western Players, Bryan Small's countrified side project. In the same vein as Neil Young's "American Stars and Bars," the songs take on a different feel, with vocal harmonies and haunting pedal steel echoing throughout. It's familiar territory for Small, who grew up in rural Montana before making his way to Los Angeles. "The 'country' side of The Hangmen has been there from the start, it stems from the love of Gun Club, Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, etc.," explains Small, "the Best Western Players were brought in to realize the songs as they were conceived."

  

The Hangmen will join Acetate Records label mates the Supersuckers on a rare East Coast US tour in September. Additional dates TBA.

THE HANGMEN w/ Supersuckers (unless otherwise denoted *)

• 08/23 Los Angeles, CA @ Redwood Bar Record Release Party * 
• 09/02 Atlanta, GA @ The Earl 
• 09/04 Greenville, SC @ Radio Room 
• 09/05 Durham, NC @ Motorco Music Hall 
• 09/06 Wilmington, NC @ Reggie's 42nd St. Tavern 
• 09/07 Asheville, NC @ The Grey Eagle 
• 09/08 Nashville, TN @ Little Harpeth Brewing 
• 09/10 Richmond, VA @ The Camel 
• 09/11 Washington DC @ City Winery 
• 09/12 Harrisburg, PA @ 10th St. Stage 
• 09/14 Harrisonburg, VA @ The Golden Pony 
• 09/15 Pittsburgh, PA @ Hard Rock Cafe 
• 09/16 Cleveland, OH @ Beachland Ballroom 
• 09/18 Portland, ME @ Geno's Rock Club 
• 09/19 Hampton Beach, NH @ Wally's 
• 09/20 Cambridge, MA @ Middle East 
• 09/21 Amityville, NY @ Amityville Music Hall 
• 09/22 Brooklyn, NY @ El Cortez 

Cactusville Pre-sale - http://acetate.com/the-hangmen/

The Hangmen Website * https://the-hangmen.com 

Facebook * https://www.facebook.com/hangmen.usa/

Instagram * @the_hangmen * https://www.instagram.com/the_hangmen/

Twitter * @the_hangmen * https://www.twitter.com/the_hangmen/

Michael's Musings

Set It Off
Michael Shinafelt

Happy 4th of July! Is it really? Fall in line I'm going to sound off now!

"In the face of a humanitarian crisis, that this malignant narcissist would steal taxpayer dollars to stage a partisan display of Autocracy to massage his damaged psyche is nothing short of sociopathic" - Rob Reiner

Yeah, I'd love to say to all of you Happy 4th of July, but who am I kidding? Release the tanks and send in the clowns, wait they're already here...

On a lighter note...Slide....

Dear Instagram F#ck You

Shall I tell you how I really feel? I think I already have

I'm so not trying to be that person

But first, coffee

Is it the laugh you all need?

Guy Crush of the Week (and forever) Christopher Meloni

Is there anything better than Miley Cyrus' "Mother's Daughter" right here, right now?

A fanny pack is unacceptable

Boogie in your butt, or somewhere else perhaps?

This world, then fireworks

Whut Up, Hoes? I'm asking, do tell...

Tangle your web with me at:

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

https://twitter.com/MShinafelt

Hump Day & Chill

You've Placed A Chill In My Heart
Craig

Today's Hump Day & Chill is particularly artsy. The shoots I usually feature are all artistic, but not artsy there is a difference and today you will see it when you click on the link below. The Chill you may get this Hump Day will most likely be an emotional charge rather than  a carnal one.

Even though this weeks photos of Craig by Richard Rothstein bears the title "Erotic Isolation" I'm not sure how sexy they actually are, but the images are beautiful and provocative. Reference the photo that I posted above, and you'll see what I mean.

Oh "Yes" the model is entirely naked as usual in the piece, how could he not be? I would never let you down that way.

So buckle up, you are in for a totally different Chill this week. The link below awaits you...

You're Welcome.

https://favoritehunks.blogspot.com/2018/07/erotic-isolation-craig-by-richard.html 

You Ain't Nothin' But A Hound Dog

Contenders to the Throne
l-r
Austin Butler, Ansel Egort, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Harry Styles & Miles Teller

With the success of Freddie Mercury biopic Bohemian Rhapsody and Rocketman the Elton John one. Well biopics based on music legends are all the rage now. "Yes" as per usual Hollywood sees something that works and is going to ride the wave until it crashes.

Next up is one based on the life of Elvis Presley directed by Baz Luhrmann of Moulin Rouge fame. Apparently Tom Hanks is set to play Elvis' controlling manager Colonel Tom Parker. Yawn...I confess I have not seen the two mentioned above, nor do I have the inclination. This is one I especially will not see being Elvis' story as it has been done countless times already, unlike the other two.

What's that? Why won't I see the other two? Because Bohemian Rhapsody is badly reviewed and is  PG-13 film about an iconic musician who was gay and that happened to be a HUGE part of who he was. But wait, Rocketman tackles John's gayness quite openly with sexual scenes between two men you say. "Yes" and Elton John is still alive so why bother seeing it IMHO.

This being stated picture above are the five hopefuls who hope to portray Elvis who have tested for Baz. Personally I like my actors to resemble who they are playing which Rami Malek as Freddie Mercury and Taron Egerton as Elton John do. Thus I say if you must do this film Austin Butler for the win.

Elvis on Biography.com -
https://www.biography.com/musician/elvis-presley

Monday Motivation

Meditation = Monday Motivation - While I have meditated in the past it has only been on occasion, not as a regular practice. Thus with my impending surgery on the 16th I feel the needed to get my mental state in the best and strongest place it can be. Dissipate my anxiety and just plain chill out.

Thus today I am going to take the time to get my zen on everyday starting today until the going under the knife. 

Although I listed my reasons above, for wanting to go inward, here are some others from an article I found online.

Research shows that meditation can:

• Reduce stress
• Increase energy
• Improve sleep
• Decrease anxiety
• Increase creativity
• Make you look younger and live longer    

Sounds like a good gig to me. So surrender and enjoy your week and Motivate your Monday with some good old fashioned meditation. 

Mediation on Wikipedia -

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meditation

World Pride

She's Got Spirit!
Lady Gaga

Today is the official last day of World Pride, and while the party may be over, the celebration should continue. "Yes" life should be a celebration every damn MotherF#cking day!

Bear witness to Lady Gaga sauntering her way in rainbow regalia to The Stonewall Inn, the place where the first Gay Pride was literally a riot. Hence on the 50th Anniversary of the historic event which transpired on June 28th in NYC - the Pride Party this weekend in the city of origin is an extravaganza!

So of course Gay ally our Lady of Gaga is out in full force and rocking it like a unicorn! Hey, she was Born This Way...

Thus on the last day of the party I leave you with this delightful image to remind you to keep on keepin' 365 days all the time. You and your life are a reason to celebrate!

Rainbow High Five!

Gaga on IG -

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