Wednesday, May 3, 2017

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

Tuesday, May 2, 2017

Mike Clifford Is "Wonderful"

Everything Is Wonderful
Mike Clifford
Have you heard the latest buzz?! Former Teen Idol Mike Clifford of Close To Cathy fame is back! It's totally true, he has a new single and video out. What is it you are asking?! It's a ballad and a dance cover of  Louis Armstrong's classic What A Wonderful World.

While I know many of you are beleaguered in these, shall we say, interesting times...OK trying ones, there is still so much beauty in the world to appreciate and pay attention to. Mike is here to tell you 10 things that still make this a wonderful world!

1. Friends & Family
2. Research For All Diseases
3. Firefighters & Paramedics 
4. Pets Of All Kinds
5. Doctors & Nurses
6. NASA
7. The Arts (especially music!)
8. The Internet
9. Flowers & Hummingbirds
10. Sunshine 

There you have it from the mouth of Mike. Check out the video for What A Wonderful World after the jump and be sure to find out more about what he is up to now by clicking on the links provided. After all despite certain things, it still really is a wonderful world! 


Keep the wonderful energy flowing with Mike at:
https://www.facebook.com/MikeCliffordsWonderfulWorld/


Monday, May 1, 2017

The Glamorous Life

A Feast For The Eyes
Pierce Brosnan & Sharon Stone
Let's kick off May Day as the first of May is affectionately known with a touch of glamour shall we? Well since it is my blog and I'm choosing to do just that, you really have no say in the matter so guess what? We are!

Feast your eyes on one Pierce Brosnan and his female counterpart Sharon Stone. Don't they look smashing and quite glamorous together? Say "yes" because they do. 

They were photographed at a gala for Jeff Koons this past Monday in Los Angeles at MOCA (Museum of Contemporary Art for the acronym challenged). 

Makes me wonder why Ms. Stone was never in a Bond movie with Brosnan she would have made quite a formidable, not to mention hot villain. 

File this under: Alternative Facts.

Happy May Day!

Sharon on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/sharonstone/?hl=en

Pierce on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/piercebrosnanofficial/?hl=en  

Sunday, April 30, 2017

Introducing: Avriel & The Sequoias



Another facet to the talented Avi Kaplan of Pentatnoix 

"Rustic and grave, it's a gorgeously somber and symphonic slice of introspective chamber/indie folk that's sure to stay with you."- PopMatters

Avriel & the Sequoias and PopMatters have teamed up to release the gorgeous new video for "Fields and Pier." The track is a first listen from the upcoming debut EP, Sage and Stone, set to drop June 9. "Fields and Pier" pays homage to the wild and beautifully unkempt world Avriel grew up in: "For the video, I wanted to show how my music is deeply connected to nature," he explains. "The strings are represented by the way the leaves tremble in the Northern California wind, the steady finger-picking is represented by the sun-kissed fields of Oregon and the cello by the slow, steady current of the Smith River." Watch the video on PopMatters HERE.

Sage and Stone is the debut independent release from the multi-talented and multifaceted Avi Kaplan, Grammy Award-winning performer and arranger of a cappella phenoms PentatonixSage and Stone is inspired by and purposefully presents the full spectrum of Avi's folk palate without ever abandoning his talent for lush, layered vocals, intricate arrangements and tasteful acoustic performances. It's evident in every note on Sage and Stone, that Avriel Benjamin Kaplan has a reverence and respect for folk music that goes well beyond his years. Songs like "Fields and Pier" and "Sage And Stone" recall the sounds of modern indie folk artists like Iron & Wine and Bon Iver, while tracks like "Song For the Seeker" and "Sweet Adeline" draw clear inspiration from legendary artists such as Simon & Garfunkel and John Denver.

Avi's upbringing - in Visalia, CA, near Sequoia National Park - plays an integral part in his story and is a heartbeat in this new music: the majestic Sequoia trees are where he found inspiration and escape, and where he first discovered music in its most organic and truest form. Sage and Stone simply - and profoundly - pays homage to where Avi's passion for music was born, and is a stunning introduction to this different and exciting new chapter of his musical journey. It is honest and humble. It is thoughtful and unrestrained. It is Kaplan at his core - passionate, emotional, inspired and unapologetically vulnerable.

Saturday, April 29, 2017

Model Behavior???

Constant Craving
Heidi Klum
Well now, here's a rare sighting, a super model dining on a to go bag from McDonald's. Yep, you read this correctly and your eyes are not playing tricks on you. While making a mad dash from the airport one Ms. Heidi Klum was photographed scarfing down on a bag full of grub from the famous fast food chain. Say that three times fast, I dare ya!

Since I have been dieting hard core for the past week, and by dieting I mean eating healthy etc...not starving myself. OK, back to what I wanted to say, I felt all sorts of hunger pangs and somewhat jealous that Heidi was eating junk food and still looks amazing. While I being a mere mortal eating such would look like Violet Beauregarde from Willie Wonka minus the blue hue if I noshed a nibble of what she was having. 

File this under: life is not fair, unless you are Heidi Klum.

Now if you'll excuse me I need to get back to my smoothie before I head out to my spin class. 

Heidi on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/heidiklum/?hl=en 

Friday, April 28, 2017

Sometimes We All Go A Little "Reckless"

Taylor Momsen
Photo:
Taryn Becker

They're Pretty! They're Reckless! Get it? Got it? Now Carry on!


The Pretty Reckless have dominated the rock charts over the last 8 years garnering four number one singles along the way. Their brand new single, “Back To The River” finds the band experimenting with a classic southern rock and blues sound and features Gov’t Mule’s legendary guitar virtuoso Warren Haynes We had this great southern rock track called Back to the River, we recorded the whole thing live and left sections open for some lead parts.  I think it was our guitarist Ben who said, we should call Warren Haynes.  We did, he said yes, and we're thrilled he did because he raised the song to a new level.  His playing is extraordinary.” says lead singer Taylor Momsen  

“Back To The River” has already been added at WMMR Philadelphia, the biggest rock station in the country.  Stream the song here: http://bit.ly/2piJ5Lh 
   
In addition, the band have been nominated for two Alternative Press Music Awards for Artist Of The Year and Best Hard Rock Artist.  The fourth annual APMA’s will broadcast live July 17 from Cleveland’s Quicken Loans Arena where the band will also perform. Fans can visit www.altpress.com/vote to cast their votes.

“Take Me Down,” which was nominated for Rock Song of The Year at this year’s iHeart Radio Music Awards was the first #1 rock single from their latest album Who You Selling For. This milestone marked the fourth consecutive #1 for the band, who broke records as the first female-fronted band to have three chart toppers in a row with “Heaven Knows,” “Messed Up World” and “Follow Me Down” (all from 2014’s Going To Hell) - a feat that has not been accomplished since The Pretenders in 1984, over 30 years ago. 

The Pretty Reckless performed the song on CONAN here:  http://teamcoco.com/video/the-pretty-reckless-02-28-17?playlist=featured-videos

The Pretty Reckless’ extraordinary third studio album Who You Selling For features the bands #1 rock hit  Take Me Down.”  Produced by longtime collaborator Kato Khandwala,Who You Selling For expands the band’s sound to encompass soul, blues and rock and roll. The songs were written by front woman Taylor Momsen and guitarist Ben Phillips. Momsen’s dark lyrics and raw, charismatic vocals are on full display and the band delivers at full intensity with a level of musicianship that raises the bar.

Huffington Post says, Who You Selling For is a fire-breathing monster of a record that offers adrenaline-rush stompers (“Oh My God”), revolutionary rockers (“Living in The Storm,”“Take Me Down”), breathtaking ballads (“Who You Selling For,” “Bedroom Window”) and pretty-gritty R&B (“Wild City” is like taking a step back into 1970s Motown). 

TPR will continue to tour throughout the year in support of the album.  They kick off the tour this week with upcoming shows with Soundgarden & various festival shows including Rock on The Range, Carolina Rebellion and Northern Invasion in the US as well as Europe. Additional tour dates will be announced in the coming weeks.

The Pretty Reckless official website:www.theprettyreckless.com






Full routing is as follows:

April 25                           Boston, MA                          Paradise Rock Club
April 26                           Washington DC                    930 Club
April 27                           Richmond, VA                      The National
April 29                           Jacksonville, FL                   Monster Energy Welcome To Rockville
April 30                           Fort Myers, FL                     Monster Energy Fort Rock
May 2                             Mobile, AL                            Soul Kitchen
May 3                             Atlanta, GA                          Fox theater w/Soundgarden
May 5                             Virginia Beach, VA               Lunatic Luau
May 6                             Concord, NC                        Monster Energy Carolina Rebellion
May 7                             Chattanooga, TN                 Track 29 Revelry Room
May 10                           Indianapolis, IN                   Farmer’s Bureau Ins Lawn w/Soundgarden
May 11                           St. Louis, MO                      Delmar Hall
May 12                           Council Bluffs, IA                 Rockfest
May 13                           Somerset, WI                      Northern Invasion
May 15                           Peoria, IL                             Exposition Gardens
May 16                           Peoria, IL                            Exposition Gardens
May 17                           Detroit, MI                           Fox Theatre w/Soundgarden
May 19                           Sayerville, NJ                     Starland Ballroom
May 20                           Camden, NJ                        WMMR – BBQ – BB&T Pavillion
May 21                           Columbus, OH                    Rock On The Range
May 24                           Wichita, KS                         The Cotillion Ballroom
May 26                           Pryor, OK                            Rocklahoma
May 27                           San Antonio, TX                  River City Rock Fest
May 28                           Dallas, TX                           BFD  

Thursday, April 27, 2017

Michael's Musings

Throwback:
Revenge Of The Nerd
Michael Shinafelt
It's Thursday and time for another dose of whatever I feel like saying. This weeks column may be a tad foggy with a a 100% chance a sinus issues.

That's correct my sinuses have had havoc brought unto them by the Santa Ana Winds blowing all sorts of lovely things around the City of Angels. Let me tell you it's no fun and makes me count to ten way more than usual throughout the day because I am so damned irritable!

OK, now that I got that out of my nasal passage let's do it!

Feud on FX ended this past week, I must say the final episode was masterful

Quote of the Week: "The Kardashians look like turds with frosting"

There is a band with the name Palm Springsteen, brilliant!

Juan Pee Pee. All you hardcore Law & Order: SVU fans know what I mean.

I like big butts and I cannot lie

Starbuck's slogan for the Unicorn Frappauccino should be: Shit the rainbow

Mike Clifford's video for his cover of Louis Armstrong's "What A Wonderful World" dropped this week, if you need to smile check it out after the jump. PS I'm in it.



T.G.I.F! Thank God I'm Fabulous!

My Twitter bio reads - Proud Muslim Lesbian. Wanted to see if you are paying attention.

No more printed paper towels or napkins!

A friend informed me this week you can have pot delivered to your door. The more you know.

I know you are going to judge but the last ten episodes of Pretty Little Liars is now down to eight left. Yes, I am starting to feel empty.

Misery loves company, thus join me at:

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