Monday Motivation

May The Force Be With You Rocketman
Taron Egerton & Mark Hamill

Monday always gets a bad rap. It's the day after Sunday which is often referred to as Fun Day, and it's stuck with the adjective Manic. Thus today's Monday Motivation is to put some Fun Day magic into your Manic Monday.

How? I really don't know, only you hold the key to how that would work for you, but I believe in your power to do so. 

Thus I have provided you visual inspiration in a moment I like to call "When Luke Sykywalker met Elton John." That's right minions, this happened this past weekend at Comi-Con in San Diego, Mark Hamill aka Luke Skywalker and Taron Egerton aka Elton John both co-star in the offering The Dark Crystal: Age Of Resistance and were strutting their stuff to support it. So what are co-stars to do when sashaying down a catwalk? Shoot a selfie naturally.

How is this Motivation to put some Fun Day into your Monday you may inquire? How does this pairs enthusiasm and infectious smiles not spread some mirth your way? If it doesn't perhaps you should check to see if you still have a pulse.

So it's time to go for it and bend Monday like nobody else can. You've got this!

The Dark Crystal: Age Of Resistance on Wikipedia -
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Dark_Crystal:_Age_of_Resistance

Comi-Con 2019: The Eternals

Surprise!
Angelina Jolie

So what kind of monster would I be if I didn't acknowledge the one of the biggest, most influential entertainment spectacles on the planet Comi-Con in San Diego? What kind of monster would I be? I'm asking you? Come on you lovers of the fantastic, surely you can come up with something???

Lucky for you, you won't have to as I am giving a wink and a nod to it by posting this pic of Angelina Jolie swooping down on the convention Maleficent style to surprise all you comic loving monkeys.

Now Ms. Jolie I suppose was there in part to promote the upcoming sequel to Maleficent, but she had something even more devilish planned. "Yes" Angelina revealed she is soon to become part of the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe for the uninitiated) - she will be portraying Thena in The Eternals.

Like me you are most likely scratching something on your being and asking "WTF is an Eternal?!" fear not her is the explanation straight from IMDb's mouth: 

"The saga of the Eternals, a race of immortal beings who lived on Earth and shaped its history and civilizations."

Alrighty then. The Eternals is set for release on November 6th 2020, seems like almost an eternity...Ha!

The Eternals on IMDb -
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9032400/?ref_=nv_sr_1?ref_=nv_sr_1  

"Do It Again"

"Do It Again"
Cherie Currie & Brie Darling

CHERIE CURRIE & BRIE DARLING

Release The Kinks Classic “Do It Again” as Their New Single

 Grammy Museum Performance August 1

New Album “The Motivator” - Out August 2

Stream "Do It Again"

Album Pre-Order

 Los Angeles-based, female rock icons, Cherie Currie and Brie Darling have released their new single, The Kinks classic “Do It Again” today.  You can stream “Do It Again” HERE

“Do It Again” along with their covers of The Youngbloods’ "Get Together" and T. Rex’s  "The Motivator" will appear on their debut album, The Motivator which is set for release August 2, 2019 on Blue Élan Records and is available for pre-order.

Learn more about the new release HERE

Cherie & Brie are also set to perform songs for the very first time from the new album at the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles on Thursday, August 1.  Tickets Available Now.

The Motivator 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 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.”

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, Leslie Koch Foumberg, 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.”

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!"  

Follow Cherie & Brie

Facebook

Instagram - cheriecurrieandbriedarling

Twitter - @CherieandBrie 

An Alarm(ing) "On Tour Age"

The Alarm Launch “On Tour Age” (#ontourage) Podcast

Thursday, July 18

40 date “Sigma LXXXV” Tour featuring The Alarm, Modern English & Jay Aston’s Gene Loves Jezebel begins Friday, July 19

 On July 18th 2019, The Alarm will launch 'ON>TOUR>AGE' -#ontourage, the first in a series of Vlogs & podcasts (available from The Alarm You Tube Channel and all good digital media outlets including the official alarm Facebook page), that will be broadcast throughout the length and breadth of the Sigma LXXXV Tour 2019.

The first event will go out 'live' on July 18th from Sun Studio in Memphis, Tennessee, where Mike Peters and The Alarm will pay homage to Elvis Presley, their friends U2, and a host of significant others, who have all made the pilgrimage to play at the birthplace of rock and roll.

Fans are encouraged to send suggestions for songs / artists to be covered to twitter.com/thealarm and tag posts with the hashtag #ontourage and any other artists identifiers and song links as deemed appropriate.

Utilising all the modern and accessible camera technology to create vital content, 'ON>TOUR>AGE' will be hosted by none other than Gareth Jones who will be the official MC, presenter and tour guide, taking viewers behind the scenes and into The Alarm's touring and recording world to interact with band members, and all the other essential characters who make a tour like Sigma LXXXV 2019 possible.

The Alarm
Photo:
Andy Labrow

'ON>TOUR>AGE'

Ever wondered what it’s like to go on tour with a rock band across America?

This summer, the 'ON>TOUR>AGE'  film crew with Gareth Jones as presenter, will hit the road, coast to coast with Mike Peters and The Alarm, taking in 40 shows in 40 cities, broadcasting findings and observations to the world and streaming daily on the Internet.

The Alarm and presenter Gareth Jones are no strangers to the USA, having  first arrived in 1983, as guests of Bono and U2 for the War Tour, creating a constant presence on the continent ever since.

What’s changed? Well,  'ON>TOUR>AGE' in association with Mike Peters and The Alarm, will contrast and compare as they bounce along the interstates and highways, headlining a massive 8 week tour of ballrooms, theatres and festivals.

'ON>TOUR>AGE' will also be co-hosted by Jules Peters - breast cancer survivor and Alarm keyboard player who (along with husband Mike Peters MBE), was the subject of two very recent, high-profile BBC documentaries, including the award winning US movie - Man In The Camo Jacket.

The 'ON>TOUR>AGE' entourage, features a host of formidable and humorous characters such as charismatic drummer Smiley who has performed with Robbie Williams and Joe Strummer. The 'youthful' James Stevenson of Generation X and The Cult (who can lay claim to having played guitar for 72% of the world's bands), not to mention being a connoisseur of fine drinks and vintage instruments.

Also on board are the wildly whacky and mildly eccentric team of American roadies and lampies, who set up the shows, and take down all the gear, night after night after night.

This innovative and intimate podcast series will give unrivalled access to the band and their entourage, telling their unique story and the rock and roll adventures that happen to them, in real time, on film and in vlog / podcast format.

Blasting out daily missives from the road, the truck stops, the diners, record stores and radio stations as they go about their business, not to mention playing concerts at some amazing iconic venues such as Sun Studio in Memphis, Tennessee, where Elvis Presley put together the first three chords of world changing music.

Where will it all end, where will it take them?

Tune in and find out this summer.  Available at all podcast online outlets and The Alarm You Tube Channel:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUxf6WCerflAEhwtniLeaNg

'ON>TOUR>AGE' - #ontourage

In addition, The Alarm have launched a very special exclusive You Tube Playlist featuring 33 tracks from all three bands - The Alarm, Modern English and Jay Aston's Gene Loves Jezebel that will all feature on this summer's forthcoming Sigma LXXXV Tour 2019.

The Alarm have also recorded their very own special versions of the Modern English classic 'I Melt With You', along with a stripped back reading of the 1983 Gene Loves Jezebel single - 'Screaming For Emmalene'.

Both tracks can be heard now exclusively on the official Alarm YouTube Channel and viewed on this page along with a premiere presentation of the widescreen edit of The Alarm classic 'Spirit Of '86', edited and enhanced by Gary Overington.

SIGMA LXXXV 2019 Tour Dates w/Modern English & Jay Aston’s Gene Loves Jezebel

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 27             Albany, NY                         Skyport – The Alarm only

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

And This Cross Is Your...
Michael Shinafelt

"And this curve, is your smile, And this cross, is your heart, And this line, is your path" Red Shoes, Kate Bush

It's only the second day post my bunion surgery and it feels like an eternity. I have been for the most part off my feet per Drs. orders. Also having erratic sleep patterns and lack of appetite. For someone who is usually very active as I am this is not the best case scenario. It's not the worst either. My mantra "This line is your path"...

Imagine a world where air came to earth in balloons, 99 red ones to be exact

Go Speed Racist, Go!

On a lighter "Go" note "Go Flash Go" from the 1980 camp classic Flash Gordon (for those who are young)

Big Little Lies season two finale this Sunday...can't wait!

Remember when you were reading your History Books and couldn't wrap your head around how Nazi Germany happened? 

Did you hear? They are going to reopen a hair gel mine in Kentucky? Now THIS is what Fake News is

In case you care the Emmy Nominations were announced yesterday, doesn't it now seem so far away?

Caught Tim Burton's Mars Attacks! on the rooftop of The Montalban Theater in Hollywood this past Friday. My first time seeing it on a big screen. It's bonkers! In case you are wondering that is a recommendation 😉

Woman Crush of the Week - Laura Dern, she puts the top in over the top on Big Little Lies

It is blue, it reminds me of you

Who stole the cookies from the cookie jar? Oh wait, I don't have a cookie jar, nor do I buy cookies

Got Wine?

Big Brother apparently is airing and everyone is complaining about the disgusting contestants on Twitter. So whats your point???

I like to ride my bicycle, but at this point I'd settle to be able to get to Trader Joe's in an Uber

Mention it all to me here -
https://www.instagram.com/michaelshinafelt/?hl=en
https://twitter.com/MShinafelt  

Hump Day & Chill

Everyone Know It's Kenny!

This week's Hump Day & Chill honor goes to Baker and Adams for their simple yet compelling, not to mention downright sexy images of model Kenny.

Baker and Adams also shoot against one of my favorite things a stark white backdrop. Kenny has a sexy ease, a comfort in his own skin that is quite evident while he is naked in front of the camera.

This might be because, or might not be because, Kenny is a dancer (who am I kidding it is because Kenny is a dancer.) 😃 Wow does this make for some sensual, erotic photos that need to be Hump Day & Chilled to ASAP, like now, right here, in the moment, as it were...

Tye as in Tye Briggs Favorite Hunks & Other Things gets to the bottom, so to speak of, what made this shoot so special.

So what are waiting for? I've already started, roll with me by clicking on the link below. Down below, below your belt, ahem!

Now where did I put that...???

https://favoritehunks.blogspot.com/2018/07/stark-white-kenny-by-baker-and-adams.html  

Just Because... "Law and Order: Special Victims Unit"

Pals
Mariska Hargitay & Peter Gallagher

Just Because it will become the longest running TV Drama in history this season, twenty-one years and counting. Just Because it is one of my favorite TV Shows ever & Just Because Mariska Hargiaty is terrific as Olivia Benson. Here she is along with another actor I like, Peter Gallagher on the set the upcoming record breaking season in NYC.

It never ceases to amaze me how intricate, clever and compelling Law and Order: SVU storylines are. The coolest thing about them is they start out headed in one direction and more often than not veer off into another one you would have never thought. "Yes" snd they all make logical sense.

Along with top notch actors, the writers are amazing as well. When I see these stories unfold, as a writer I think to myself "Wow! How did they come up with that?!"

To keep a show going this many years and maintain the quality and keep it's audience is no small feat. 

Congratulations to all involved I am looking forward to this season dropping, can't wait to watch!

Law and Order: SVU on Twitter ("Yes" I follow it on there)
https://twitter.com/nbcsvu