TV Watch: American Horror Story

Seen any good horror movies lately? I thought not, that’s because the best thing going horror wise is on FX….

“American Horror Story” rocks! It’s everything that you want your horror to be, edgy, nasty, creepy & best of all politically incorrect.

Two time Oscar Winner Jessica Lange, (one of my favorites) looks like she is having a blast, chewing the scenery as “Constance.” - with her daughter, "Adelaide" played by Jamie Brewer.

Their relationship is very “Whatever Happened to Baby Jane” slash Piper Laurie & Sissy Spacek from “Carrie.”

Being a total horror geek I can completely appreciate these references shed in a new light and there are many other horror flick wink & nudges in this frightfest. It is obvious that it's creators, two guys who did one of my favorite shows ever “Nip/Tuck” Ryan Murphy & Brad Falchuck, are huge horror geeks too.

The main victims, uh, family that moves into this infamous “murder house” are headed by Connie Britton, Dylan McDermott & Taissa Farmiga as the Harmon’s. The Harmon’s are a really dysfunctional lot, and that is the charm of them too, and why the “murder house” draws them in and owns them, nobody puts the “murder house” in a corner!

With so many juicy horror elements thrown in, and Zachary Quinto recently guest starring as one half of the previous 2010 couple who owned the house, hey the Harmon’s are so 2011, so, if you are true horror fan why aren’t you watching, freak?!

Really I do not want to give too much away if you have not seen it . There is one secret I could spill, perhaps…Dylan McDermott is one of the coolest guys I have ever met, oh, and beware of men in rubber suits…

“Take a look at yourself”!

http://www.fxnetworks.com/

Checking In With: Matt Zarley

Singer, Matt Zarley has released his follow up CD to “Here I Am’ the title of the CD?

“Change Begins With Me” has already yielded the hit dance single “WTF”

Matt is a guy on the go, let’s check in with him and see “WTF” is happening….
　
MS: Hey Matt, wanted to check in with you, Loving the theme of your new CD “Change Begins With Me.”

MZ: The CD is the result of a really tough break-up I went through years ago. We were together 4 years. I sort of did the album as a way to heal. “Forgive Me For Not Forgiving You” is the first song on the album that I wrote about that relationship. I’ve learned through this whole process that you can’t expect other people to change, you have to make that happen for yourself. It’s human nature to play the blame game, when you’re hurt. The person I was with is a terrific person, we just weren’t terrific together.


MS: How does the song “WTF” fit into this scenario?

MZ: That song was written about somebody I had a quickie romance with last year. The situation was profound only in the sense that I didn’t think I was ready to fall in love with somebody. It awakened me to the fact that I was ready, even though it was hurtful it served a great purpose in the end.

MS: When I was reading the press release I went: Wow, this CD is something everyone can relate to.

MZ: Well good, I am glad.

Get more Matt at: http://www.mattzarley.com/

Also if you are in Los Angeles on Tuesday November 8^th check out the information for the event Matt is involved in at the top of this page and get to it!
　
　

Video: Margaret Cho Is "Asian Adjacent"

Margaret Cho & Michael Shinafelt

Hey Peeps, check out one of my fave performers & interview subjects latest video from her CD "Cho Dependent".....

Margaret Cho is proud to release her latest video from her Grammy nominated "Cho Dependent" CD release. “Asian Adjacent,” which appears on Cho Dependent, her musical comedy album she released last year, wherein she collaborated with the musical minds of Fiona Apple, Brendan Benson Tegan and Sara and many more. For “Asian Adjacent,” she teamed up with singer-songwriter Grant Lee Phillips; and the dude also appears in the video– beautifully directed by Tani Ikeda.

Laughspin says: Margaret Cho is more than a comedian. She’s a force. She proves it time and time again. With each live performance, with each album release, television role and video, she keeps pushing the boundaries of what is considered mainstream entertainment

I agree...!

Click here to watch "Asian Adjacent": http://vimeo.com/31270345

Get more Cho at:
http://www.margaretcho.com/

Trick Or Treat: It's "Scream Queen" Raine Brown

Actress Raine Brown has done it all from drama to comedy, stage to film…

That being said, Raine is best known as one of the premiere indie horror actresses around. A “Scream Queen” if you will who has legions of followers and lights up any movie she appears in such as “100 Tears” for which she won best supporting actress at the 2008 Tabloid Witch Awards, “Barricade” & “Brain Cell.”

She also hosted “New York's Village Halloween Parade 2005” - Trick or treat, guess whose knocking at your door for Halloween…?

MS: Hey Raine..Boo! How are you? film anything that is going to make us scream this year?

RB: I’m doing great, I have done a couple of horror films and I am actually in the middle of shooting a comedy right now.

MS: Awesome!

RB: Yeah, it’s really cool, a different change of pace.

MS: So Raine, shall we get spooky? It’s Halloween…

RB: I love getting dressed up, honestly if I did not get in costume all year long, I would be so gung ho for getting into a costume for Halloween. But whenever there is an event or a party, it makes getting dressed up for Halloween a little less exciting, because I am always putting together a costume.

MS: Ah, show biz! (laughs)

RB: Halloween is actually my Mom’s Birthday too, so that’s kind of cool. We go crazy decorating the house. Everyone always gives her Halloween decorations for her Birthday - so we have plenty of stuff to use. (laughs)

MS: What is your favorite role in a horror movie?

RB: Definitely “I Heart U” …I co-created the story & the character, produced and starred in it, it was great being involved from the ground up a little bit more. It’s in post production and close to being finished.

MS: Can you tell us what it is about?

RB: It is a horror/romantic/dark comedy - it's about a husband and wife who live this perfect suburban dream. But they each have this secret life, they are both serial killers and neither one of them knows about the other. It mocks the “dream” and what is really going on underneath it all. I love that they are evil and yet you root for them, it’s a wicked little twist. (laughs)

MS: Hit us with your favorite horror movie.

RB: I’d have to say it’s “Carrie” that to me is classic. I love that it is female based, that is always of interest to me. Also I love that it is so psychological, you really feel for Carrie, it’s really, to me, honestly about her story more than it is about the blood, the blood is more of a symbol of what’s going on. Every time I see it, I think, ah, that is such a good movie.

MS: OK, Ms. Brown, time for your favorite horror movie villain.

RB: Ooooooooooooooh, my favorite horror movie villain, that’s a hard one….well the one that scared me the most, recently, and now it’s old is Jigsaw, from the original “Saw” movie. He scared me the most out of every villain that I have ever seen. That was part of that whole torture craze, and that dude scared hell out of me! I’m not sure if that makes him my favorite or not, but he got the job done! (laughs) I’m like Unnnnnnnnh, I don’t like that! (laughs)

MS: Getting the job done is half the battle, so do tell, for those not in the know, what’s it like being a “Scream Queen”?


RB: Well, it’s very messy! (laughs) You often spend the whole day covered in sticky, bloody goo! (laughs) I love the fun of it. It’s a great genre to be a part of, because the people who love horror, just LOVE IT! They follow it, and that’s been able to keep me working a lot. Fans go: Oh My God, let’s see what Raine’s doing. People hire me because they know people will watch it because I am in it. As you know the “Scream Queen” is only on part of what I do - I do every kind of film, theatre or character there is, just throw it at me, I love it! The horror is a large part of what I do, and the fans are great!

MS: Ever thought about cutting a single?

RB: I can sing, maybe I should.

MS: Any parting thoughts on Halloween.

RB: It used to be a Holiday for kids, but now it’s like, it’s time for grown-ups to get out and have fun, release your inner craziness! It’s the one day adults can be a total freak and show it on the outside! Also free chocolate just for ringing a door bell? I mean c’mon that’s the American way, I love chocolate!

Get down, with Raine Brown at:

http://www.rainebrown.com/

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Raine-Brown/200385190029588?sk=wall
　

WebTV: I Feel "Pretty"

I have a confession to make, I had heard of the Internet series “Pretty” for a couple of years now…I have heard how funny it is, how great the cast is and that they get high profile veteran soap opera performers, like Joan Van Ark from “Knots Landing” to guest star. I’m even on the Facebook  fan page for it, but I have never seen an episode until now…

When the invite came through to catch a screening of the season 3 premiere episode on the Warner Brother’s lot and that soap icon, Genie Francis of “General Hospital” Luke & Laura fame was the season opener’s guest star and would be in attendance for the Q&A to follow….Well, it’s about time I check this award winning comedy/soap out!

So off I went with my partner in crime for the evening and I am glad I finally caught the saga of pageant Dad Michael Champagne (Sam Pancake) and his pageant contestant Daughter Annette Champagne, named for Annette Funicello (Stacy McQueen).

The creation of writer/director Steve Silverman, “Pretty” is not to be missed.

Everything from the flawless cast to the writing, production, technical aspects….well I could go on but why bother you get the picture, I love this show!

Now that I have seen the season 3 opener, if you will excuse me, or better yet why not join me, I have 2 seasons of “Pretty” to watch before it’s Internet premiere on November 1^st.

Feel “Pretty” and log onto:
 http://www.prettytheseries.com/

For Immediate Release: James Durbin

American Idol’s James Durbin Attracts an Army of Rock Royalty For Debut Album, Memories Of A Beautiful Disaster

First Two Singles Impact Rock and Top 40 Radio

Rocker Reveals Track Listing

October 2011 Los Angeles, CA – American Idol finalist, James Durbin, is gearing up for the release of his Wind-Up album Memories Of A Beautiful Disaster on November 21^st, and is giving fans a taste of what’s to come as he reveals the track list and first two singles from the highly anticipated debut. The anthemic lead single “Stand Up” will go to rock radio and the power-charged “Love Me Bad” will go to Top 40.

Unforgettable performances on the Idol stage with legends such as Judas Priest and Zakk Wylde led Durbin’s own “Idols” to support the rocker’s first ever release. Mick Mars of Mötley Crüe, songwriters James Michael (Sixx A.M, Mötley Crüe) and Marti Frederiksen (Aerosmith, Buckcherry, Ozzy Osbourne) along with Swedish rock band Hardcore Superstar. Durbin, who co-wrote five of the albums tracks exclaimed it was “surreal” to be working with this bevy of rock royalty and recalls, “When Mick Mars started shredding on his guitar I literally lost my mind.” The long-time Mötley Crüe fan continued saying, “He’s a true rock legend and he’s playing on my record. It doesn’t get any cooler than that.” Mick Mars echoed the same fervor, “It was sick to have played on James’ debut album. To be the only featured guest artist on the record was really cool as I know a lot of others wanted to be on it. James Durbin kicks ass, he’s the real deal.”

“Stand Up” is a gleaming showcase for Durbin’s signature rock-star yowl and powerful, energetic voice and the NFL agrees. It has tapped the single as its stadium anthem for the 2011 season featuring it on jumbotrons nationwide during games this fall and are featuring it on their “Game Day” EP as the song impacts radio.

22 year-old Durbin was guided throughout the making of “Memories Of A Beautiful Disaster” by leading rock producer, Howard Benson. Benson (My Chemical Romance, Daughtry, Motorhead) gives Durbin room to evolve musically on the hard-hitting album saying the opportunity to work with Durbin was “Pretty Simple: I loved his voice. I think he has a compelling story to tell.” Benson, who kept his eye on Durbin throughout Idol thought “it was interesting that he spoke his mind and didn’t back down from who he was. That’s always a good sign.”

On American Idol, James Durbin waved the flag for rock and it was that devotion to rock that helped him overcome his private struggles with tourette’s and aspergers syndrome. He touched the hearts of people everywhere while on the show, and with the release of “Memories Of A Beautiful Disaster” he is ready to wave that flag high again.

Full track listing for Memories Of A Beautiful Disaster is:

Higher Than Heaven
All I Want
Love In Ruins
Right Behind You
Love Me Bad
Deeper
May
Screaming
Outcast – feat. Mick Mars
Everything Burns
Stand Up

Follow James on Twitter and Facebook here:

http://twitter.com/durbinrock,

http://facebook.com/durbinrock, http://www.durbinrock.com

Traci Lords "Last Drag"

It has been 16 years since pop icon Traci Lords album “1000 Fires“, was released in 1995. The first single off of it, “Control”, went double platinum, climbing to #2 on the Billboard Dance Charts. It was also featured on the Mortal Combat sound track.

The album’s second track, “Fallen Angel”, was showcased in the Denzel Washington/Russell Crowe film “Virtuosity.”

Well the notorious TL returns to the dance floor with a brand new high energy single “Last Drag.” I caught up with Ms. Lords in New York, before her fitting for the grand opening of Studio 54, in New York City.
　
MS: Hey Traci, how are you?

TL: I’m here in New York, Sirius Radio is doing a one night thing tonight at Studio 54, to celebrate their new channel that they are launching, that is dedicated to all the music of that era. I never went to Studio 54, but of course I know about the stories, and the outrageousness that took place. So I’m pretty excited…!

MS: Well I know you have a wardrobe fitting for the big evening soon, so I have a little quickie thing I want to do with you.

TL: I beg your pardon?! You and everybody else honey! (laughs)

MS: Yeah, take a number. (laughs) I am going to give you 10 Things and you say the first thing that pops into your head.

TL: OK, This sounds dangerous….

MS: No, it’s cool.

MS: John Waters
TL: Skinny Moustaches

MS: Underneath It All
TL: Redemption

MS: Drag Queens
TL: High Hair, Aquanet

MS: Purple Room
TL: My Safe Place

MS: Marilyn Monroe
TL: A Loss

MS: Love
TL: Family, My Husband & My Little Boy

MS: Melrose Place
TL: Heather Locklear

MS: Aliens
TL: Yes

MS: Sharon Lesher
TL: Spiked Eel Gucci High Heels

MS: Last Drag
TL:I Smile..It Is Like An
Alexander McQueen
Gold Necklace. It’s
Dangerous, But It Has A
Sense Of Humor To It.

MS: Have a great time tonight, at Studio 54.

TL: Thank you, have a great day.


“I kicked that habit, when I kicked your ass out the door” - Last Drag

Check out my full interview with Traci at:
http://www.chorusandverse.com/content.php?id=20111026A

Take a "Drag" at:
www.seatosun.com  
www.tracilords.com