Thursday, April 29, 2004
Watching that American Idol last night and seeing that red-headed bar-mitzvah-boy-in-training get the boot was almost as satisfying as the Chinese take out I had for dinner...
I got to thinking that there hasn't been a manufactured pop star (or stars) that's been remotely tolerable since The Monkees... And that was 40 years ago for the love of Dolenz. Which leads me to reveal that I've been on somewhat of a Monkees bender these past few days. The later more gonzo-post-TV-series-cancellation-period has always intrigued me most, starting with The Birds, The Bees, and The Monkees, the Head soundtrack, Instant Replay, and The Monkees Present.
Davy Jones (the most useless Monkee since Bubbles The Chimp) has always been a hinderance to my Monkees enjoyment. Suffice to say, I've no use for The Cute One in any male-dominated band and have never really dug a Davy Jones lead vocal save for "Daydream Believer" and "Valleri"...that was until I discovered THE BEST DAVY JONES LEAD VOCAL IN THE HISTORY OF THE MONKEES (and it rocks too!)! And being a full time Davy-hater its a lot a pride to swallow for me to make this admission.
The track in question is a flat-out rocker called "You and I". A deep cut from the Instant Replay album and featuring a post-Buffalo Springfield Neil Young on lead badass geetar, this tune is the least you'd expect from the mellow-voiced-midget who took Marcia Brady to the high school formal.
This Sleepy Jean has cheered up.
I got to thinking that there hasn't been a manufactured pop star (or stars) that's been remotely tolerable since The Monkees... And that was 40 years ago for the love of Dolenz. Which leads me to reveal that I've been on somewhat of a Monkees bender these past few days. The later more gonzo-post-TV-series-cancellation-period has always intrigued me most, starting with The Birds, The Bees, and The Monkees, the Head soundtrack, Instant Replay, and The Monkees Present.
Davy Jones (the most useless Monkee since Bubbles The Chimp) has always been a hinderance to my Monkees enjoyment. Suffice to say, I've no use for The Cute One in any male-dominated band and have never really dug a Davy Jones lead vocal save for "Daydream Believer" and "Valleri"...that was until I discovered THE BEST DAVY JONES LEAD VOCAL IN THE HISTORY OF THE MONKEES (and it rocks too!)! And being a full time Davy-hater its a lot a pride to swallow for me to make this admission.
The track in question is a flat-out rocker called "You and I". A deep cut from the Instant Replay album and featuring a post-Buffalo Springfield Neil Young on lead badass geetar, this tune is the least you'd expect from the mellow-voiced-midget who took Marcia Brady to the high school formal.
This Sleepy Jean has cheered up.
Wednesday, April 28, 2004
I am ass tired and feel neglectful of me blog. I need to hug it and make it feel loved.
I'm loopy to the crank-addict-power on three + hours of sleep and still have residual Paul Stanley make-up and black nail polish on from last night's costumed-hosting duties at L.A.'s coolest night of indie bands: Kiss Or Kill at the Zen Sushi in Silverlake.
Strangely enough, the band KISS has nothing to do with this night of Rawklobstah.
You can't click on this link so cut and paste you lazy iceholes:
www.kissorkillclub.com
Mario Machado and I are due for a "sub rosa" conversation next week...the plot thickens.
I'm loopy to the crank-addict-power on three + hours of sleep and still have residual Paul Stanley make-up and black nail polish on from last night's costumed-hosting duties at L.A.'s coolest night of indie bands: Kiss Or Kill at the Zen Sushi in Silverlake.
Strangely enough, the band KISS has nothing to do with this night of Rawklobstah.
You can't click on this link so cut and paste you lazy iceholes:
www.kissorkillclub.com
Mario Machado and I are due for a "sub rosa" conversation next week...the plot thickens.
Monday, April 26, 2004
By the way, a shout out to Hannah because nothing rules more than she...
It's hotter than an L.A. Riots-era floor lamp!!
Oy Ve...a Monday that really was a Monday in the purest form. Work sucked. Emotions ran higher than the temperature in my apartment (around 520 Fahrenheit) and I've yet to leave the office.
Oh well, at least tomorrow night I'll be appearing as Paul Stanley, introducing the definitive L.A. alt rock combo The Letter Openers!
So Rock N Roll All Nite! The Party Has Began!
www.letteropeners.net
Oy Ve...a Monday that really was a Monday in the purest form. Work sucked. Emotions ran higher than the temperature in my apartment (around 520 Fahrenheit) and I've yet to leave the office.
Oh well, at least tomorrow night I'll be appearing as Paul Stanley, introducing the definitive L.A. alt rock combo The Letter Openers!
So Rock N Roll All Nite! The Party Has Began!
www.letteropeners.net
Friday, April 23, 2004
Well its been an obscenely busy day Beatle People (nothin' quite as draggy as actually having to work during the work day) but here are the random thoughts/praises/observations at the end of another week in Meshugga Valley:
To the homeless man pushing his equally homeless comrade (legs kicking in the air and a face full of insatiable glee) in a shopping cart down lil' Santa Monica Blvd: I thank you for the laughter and the joy you gave me this past Wednesday morning.
To Mario Machado, I thank you for the necktie, the compliments, and sharing your birthday lunch with me of all bloggers.
And lastly to Mr.Gene Simmons who treated me like a Real Asshole at his CD release party last night.
A good weekend and a pleasant tomorrow to all.
To the homeless man pushing his equally homeless comrade (legs kicking in the air and a face full of insatiable glee) in a shopping cart down lil' Santa Monica Blvd: I thank you for the laughter and the joy you gave me this past Wednesday morning.
To Mario Machado, I thank you for the necktie, the compliments, and sharing your birthday lunch with me of all bloggers.
And lastly to Mr.Gene Simmons who treated me like a Real Asshole at his CD release party last night.
A good weekend and a pleasant tomorrow to all.
I'm now a VIA, a Very Important Asshole (the laminate tells me so)...(as an attendee of Gene Simmons "Asshole" CD release party this is the title you earn).
Thursday, April 22, 2004
I guess one has to endure the shittiest of work days to balance out lunches with Broadcast Legend Mario Machado and Gene Simmons album release parties in the evening...
You take the good with the bad.
You take the good with the bad.
Wednesday, April 21, 2004
The God of Thunder Has Smiled....
The Good Rev.Speats was one of the lucky winners invited to attend Gene Simmons' album release party tomorrow eve! With the forthcoming album titled"Asshole", it promises to be a tasteful night of considerable restraint.
My movie-going year has peaked with Kill Bill Vo1.2. I doubt highly I'll see a more entertaining film this year. After so much mediocrity passing itself off as decent cinema (Eternal Sunshine anyone?), it's almost disconcerting to see something this badass...and David Carradine is a fucking rock star.
The Good Rev.Speats was one of the lucky winners invited to attend Gene Simmons' album release party tomorrow eve! With the forthcoming album titled"Asshole", it promises to be a tasteful night of considerable restraint.
My movie-going year has peaked with Kill Bill Vo1.2. I doubt highly I'll see a more entertaining film this year. After so much mediocrity passing itself off as decent cinema (Eternal Sunshine anyone?), it's almost disconcerting to see something this badass...and David Carradine is a fucking rock star.
Tuesday, April 20, 2004
The more meaningful entry comes to you live from the Stanley Mosk Courthouse juror waiting room in lovely downtown Los Angeles!
Yes prospective jury duty has come knocking at my door again like Reggie (my parents recently-evicted unwanted houseguest). I just don't know how much impartiality I can dispense at $15 a day, if this were 1875 I'd serve on juries year-round but sadly it is 2004 and I can't be blamed for not being born in Pioneer times. Perhaps I could be a write-in juror...now there's an idea whose time has come!
Oh its not all that bad, I do have free internet use in this lovely brown and comfort-challenged waiting area (which looks like it was last renovated during Sam Yorty's failed mayoral re-election bid against that young upstart Tom Bradley) and the snack bar doesn't scare me. Hell, a homeless man even declared my KISS T Shirt "baaaaaaaaaad" upon entry to the courthouse this morning. There have been worse days.
On to other things:
My dad (aka The Buzzard) has matching Buick hats for his respective Buicks. While riding shotgun in his '73 Buick Centurion (replete with working 8 Track stereo) round the wide open roads of the Northwest San Fernando Valley over the weekend, my dad became Too Fast Too Furious at a Lexus full of standard issue Valley punks and raced them up Winnetka ave, leaving them in the dust at around 85 mph. I was Bo to my dad's Luke (or should I say Uncle Jessie?) as we blasted Waylon Jenning's "Cowboys and Outlaws", secure in the knowledge that Sheriff Roscoe P Coltrane was not on our trail and those punks know better now than to race a man wearing a Buick cap.
Yes prospective jury duty has come knocking at my door again like Reggie (my parents recently-evicted unwanted houseguest). I just don't know how much impartiality I can dispense at $15 a day, if this were 1875 I'd serve on juries year-round but sadly it is 2004 and I can't be blamed for not being born in Pioneer times. Perhaps I could be a write-in juror...now there's an idea whose time has come!
Oh its not all that bad, I do have free internet use in this lovely brown and comfort-challenged waiting area (which looks like it was last renovated during Sam Yorty's failed mayoral re-election bid against that young upstart Tom Bradley) and the snack bar doesn't scare me. Hell, a homeless man even declared my KISS T Shirt "baaaaaaaaaad" upon entry to the courthouse this morning. There have been worse days.
On to other things:
My dad (aka The Buzzard) has matching Buick hats for his respective Buicks. While riding shotgun in his '73 Buick Centurion (replete with working 8 Track stereo) round the wide open roads of the Northwest San Fernando Valley over the weekend, my dad became Too Fast Too Furious at a Lexus full of standard issue Valley punks and raced them up Winnetka ave, leaving them in the dust at around 85 mph. I was Bo to my dad's Luke (or should I say Uncle Jessie?) as we blasted Waylon Jenning's "Cowboys and Outlaws", secure in the knowledge that Sheriff Roscoe P Coltrane was not on our trail and those punks know better now than to race a man wearing a Buick cap.
Monday, April 19, 2004
Am I in ever need of a nap...
It's definitely a Monday because I'm here staring at the computer feeling my brain curl up for a siesta...cruel cruel fate.
A more meaningful entry will appear soon.
It's definitely a Monday because I'm here staring at the computer feeling my brain curl up for a siesta...cruel cruel fate.
A more meaningful entry will appear soon.
Friday, April 16, 2004
Ok, I skipped a day on this here blog and I feel less than my daily allowance of vitamins and iron as a result, the Kelloggs people would be really pissed off if they found out...
I decided that this day I would not rant or complain just to mix it up.
First off, a shout out to the Hollywood Beautification Team...Every time some gang filth tags my apartment complex (Bronson-style-vigilante-daydreams abound) or any apartment in my 'hood for that matter, one phone call later, the HBT is there to cover it up....sending a message that this type of defacement is not tolerated. Let's keep the 'hood tolerable and send them taggers to Canada where they're needed...not enough blight (or is it plight?) in the Great White North anyway!
Today's commute selection reviewed:
Matthew Sweet's In Reverse is one of the most underated pop masterworks of the past half-decade. Recorded with the Wrecking Crew (the core group of studio musicians who made up the Wall of Sound and later recruited for more than a few Brian Wilson sessions in the '60s), this is timeless pop music. If it were released 37 years ago it would've been looked upon now as a classic...
From my ears it ranks with the best of them...
A good Kill Bill Vol.2 weekend to all!
I decided that this day I would not rant or complain just to mix it up.
First off, a shout out to the Hollywood Beautification Team...Every time some gang filth tags my apartment complex (Bronson-style-vigilante-daydreams abound) or any apartment in my 'hood for that matter, one phone call later, the HBT is there to cover it up....sending a message that this type of defacement is not tolerated. Let's keep the 'hood tolerable and send them taggers to Canada where they're needed...not enough blight (or is it plight?) in the Great White North anyway!
Today's commute selection reviewed:
Matthew Sweet's In Reverse is one of the most underated pop masterworks of the past half-decade. Recorded with the Wrecking Crew (the core group of studio musicians who made up the Wall of Sound and later recruited for more than a few Brian Wilson sessions in the '60s), this is timeless pop music. If it were released 37 years ago it would've been looked upon now as a classic...
From my ears it ranks with the best of them...
A good Kill Bill Vol.2 weekend to all!
Wednesday, April 14, 2004
What the hell is this 'Sturm and Drang' crap????
It seems this obscure German adjective (or phrase, who the hell knows?) is now the 75 cent cliche du jour among pretentious music journalists (is there any other kind??) everywhere.
I don't need obscure Kraut-speak to pepper my MOJO magazine feature to let me know that Queen's best work was before the '80s...Just give me my freakin' review and leave the Fatherland jargon at home with the schnitzel and accordion solos.
If Lester Bangs were alive today he'd shoot David Fricke in the Sturm and Drang out of respect for his fellow readers.
It seems this obscure German adjective (or phrase, who the hell knows?) is now the 75 cent cliche du jour among pretentious music journalists (is there any other kind??) everywhere.
I don't need obscure Kraut-speak to pepper my MOJO magazine feature to let me know that Queen's best work was before the '80s...Just give me my freakin' review and leave the Fatherland jargon at home with the schnitzel and accordion solos.
If Lester Bangs were alive today he'd shoot David Fricke in the Sturm and Drang out of respect for his fellow readers.
Tuesday, April 13, 2004
God bless Netflix!
It has become my haven for the lost Clint Eastwood films of '70s...sure everyone remembers Dirty Harry and the movie with the ape (that could've easily been Ron Jeremy in an ape suit for all I know) but what about The Eiger Sanction (where Clint does his best Roger Moore-era Bond imitation with George Kennedy as his comic foil), and The Gauntlet (Clint battling bikers, Sondra Locke, and the entire Phoenix PD against the backdrop of glorious '70s Las Vegas)?
Netflix has given me the opportunity to see all these quasi- classics that KCOP 13 (in those distant pre-syndicated/pre-infomercial days) showed time and again when I was a lad but never got to enjoy in there pure unedited widescreen glory until now.
Thank you Netflix from the bottom of my DVD player drawer...
Next up: Clint and Shirley MacClaine wrangle up Two Mules For Sister Sarah.
It has become my haven for the lost Clint Eastwood films of '70s...sure everyone remembers Dirty Harry and the movie with the ape (that could've easily been Ron Jeremy in an ape suit for all I know) but what about The Eiger Sanction (where Clint does his best Roger Moore-era Bond imitation with George Kennedy as his comic foil), and The Gauntlet (Clint battling bikers, Sondra Locke, and the entire Phoenix PD against the backdrop of glorious '70s Las Vegas)?
Netflix has given me the opportunity to see all these quasi- classics that KCOP 13 (in those distant pre-syndicated/pre-infomercial days) showed time and again when I was a lad but never got to enjoy in there pure unedited widescreen glory until now.
Thank you Netflix from the bottom of my DVD player drawer...
Next up: Clint and Shirley MacClaine wrangle up Two Mules For Sister Sarah.
Monday, April 12, 2004
Ever been so goddamn tired napping sounds too draining of a task? That's where I am today folks...
So the soon to be cancelled Nick and Jessica Variety Hour proves that you can never improve on the standard set by Pink Lady and Jeff 24 years ago on NBC. The only real difference is that the Japanese singing and dancing sensation had a better handle on the English language and they spoke it phonetically!
In other news, its time to get that goddamn homeless leech out of my parents life and back to Canada where he belongs! Any suggestions?
So the soon to be cancelled Nick and Jessica Variety Hour proves that you can never improve on the standard set by Pink Lady and Jeff 24 years ago on NBC. The only real difference is that the Japanese singing and dancing sensation had a better handle on the English language and they spoke it phonetically!
In other news, its time to get that goddamn homeless leech out of my parents life and back to Canada where he belongs! Any suggestions?
Friday, April 09, 2004
I met a bulldog named Ace this morning, he looked at me with complete acceptance and whatever blues I had evaporated...dogs are the perfect beast. God bless you Ace!
Turning to other things:
Long before it was that slightly overrated Chris Cooper/Kevin Spacey romantic comedy, "American Beauty" was known best as the only truely listenable Grateful Dead album. I am not one for jam bands, but this is the Dead at their most restrained. An acoustic folk collection that holds up remarkably well 34 years down the line.
Listening to it this morning (especially standout tracks like "Operator" and "Box of Rain")was like comfort food for the ears, reminding me of good times and old friends that have been on my mind lately.
Sometime a band can create a lasting work that outshines the band itself...
This is one such record.
Turning to other things:
Long before it was that slightly overrated Chris Cooper/Kevin Spacey romantic comedy, "American Beauty" was known best as the only truely listenable Grateful Dead album. I am not one for jam bands, but this is the Dead at their most restrained. An acoustic folk collection that holds up remarkably well 34 years down the line.
Listening to it this morning (especially standout tracks like "Operator" and "Box of Rain")was like comfort food for the ears, reminding me of good times and old friends that have been on my mind lately.
Sometime a band can create a lasting work that outshines the band itself...
This is one such record.
Thursday, April 08, 2004
Mario Machado flaked on lunch today, I am a bit blue, but then again, how many people have two lunches with the famed broadcasting legend in the same month...?
So obviously the no-talent ass clowns (to borrow an "Office Space" epithet) who make up the bus riders of this shape-less burg did not read yesterday's entry.
Note to man with backward baseball cap and Jansport backpack (what is this 1995 Mr.Hootie?) who decided that his seat next to mine was his own private Smith-Barney office: Keep your legs somewhat closed, do not let the your knees meet mine, and unfold your newspaper in an orderly fashion (folding in half as not to have the ink stain the collective shirtsleeves of the passengers), and for the love of John Houseman if you're gonna read The Wall Street Journal or The Financial Times in my presence, wear a goddamn business suit!
I've got no time to have my cultural stereotypes messed with, life's too short!
So obviously the no-talent ass clowns (to borrow an "Office Space" epithet) who make up the bus riders of this shape-less burg did not read yesterday's entry.
Note to man with backward baseball cap and Jansport backpack (what is this 1995 Mr.Hootie?) who decided that his seat next to mine was his own private Smith-Barney office: Keep your legs somewhat closed, do not let the your knees meet mine, and unfold your newspaper in an orderly fashion (folding in half as not to have the ink stain the collective shirtsleeves of the passengers), and for the love of John Houseman if you're gonna read The Wall Street Journal or The Financial Times in my presence, wear a goddamn business suit!
I've got no time to have my cultural stereotypes messed with, life's too short!
Wednesday, April 07, 2004
I skipped a day on my blog, I blame this damn Bush/Cheney economy and an Excel spreadsheet that I swear Tom Wilkinson was behind, the rat bastard!!
You know what really chaps my Pay Less slippers? Bus riders who leave their public bus riding etiquette at home with the running faucets and Jerry Springer reruns.
The worst offenders? The mouth-breathers who sit too damn close when I have a window seat. These people oughta be locked in a closet with a rabid pit bull and a drunken Carrot Top for this constant violation of my personal space!
Listen my fair little public transport patrons when you sit with your legs so far apart you might give birth or pass a bowling ball, Do me a favor for the love of Schnapps, SIT THE HELL SOMEWHERE ELSE!!
I need your knees touching mine like Cheney needs a corporate kickback!
Hurumph and Good Hump Day To All.
You know what really chaps my Pay Less slippers? Bus riders who leave their public bus riding etiquette at home with the running faucets and Jerry Springer reruns.
The worst offenders? The mouth-breathers who sit too damn close when I have a window seat. These people oughta be locked in a closet with a rabid pit bull and a drunken Carrot Top for this constant violation of my personal space!
Listen my fair little public transport patrons when you sit with your legs so far apart you might give birth or pass a bowling ball, Do me a favor for the love of Schnapps, SIT THE HELL SOMEWHERE ELSE!!
I need your knees touching mine like Cheney needs a corporate kickback!
Hurumph and Good Hump Day To All.
Monday, April 05, 2004
SoCal's baddest ass local band (and personal friends of mine) The Letter Openers were played on Indie 103.1 (an L.A. "alternative gold" station that doesn't suck) last night! Hail hail rock 'n roll!
To have your asses rocked 'til the break of dawn check out www.letteropeners.net for details...
To have your asses rocked 'til the break of dawn check out www.letteropeners.net for details...
Mundane, Monday (blah, blah, blah, blah - *sung to the tune of "Monday, Monday")
I'm waiting for inspirato to strike so a blog entry can happen, so far nothin'
Why the hell am I sneezin' so much? Allavert sucks!!!
By the way, I should be an Uncle Speats anytime now...stay tuned.
I'm waiting for inspirato to strike so a blog entry can happen, so far nothin'
Why the hell am I sneezin' so much? Allavert sucks!!!
By the way, I should be an Uncle Speats anytime now...stay tuned.
Friday, April 02, 2004
Goddang I have to say I had the best time in recent memory at the movies laughing my ass off to the tune of the Coen Brothers' ode to our collective slapstick past "The Ladykillers".
Not only does Tom Hanks prove that his best work was (and is) comedy (especially when the role calls for a Southern accent and the fashion sense of Col.Sanders), but the film itself revels in its utter ridiculousness...Character actor J.K. Simmons (with a booming voice that you would swear was borrowed from one of Harry Shearer's Simpsons creations) nearly steals the film as a handyman with Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Fantastic, some quality work going on there...
Such a refreshing change after the labored and somewhat tedious experience of "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind"...and the best thing about "The Lady Killers"?? NO GODDAMN TOM WILKINSON!!!
A wonderous Friday to all.
Not only does Tom Hanks prove that his best work was (and is) comedy (especially when the role calls for a Southern accent and the fashion sense of Col.Sanders), but the film itself revels in its utter ridiculousness...Character actor J.K. Simmons (with a booming voice that you would swear was borrowed from one of Harry Shearer's Simpsons creations) nearly steals the film as a handyman with Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Fantastic, some quality work going on there...
Such a refreshing change after the labored and somewhat tedious experience of "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind"...and the best thing about "The Lady Killers"?? NO GODDAMN TOM WILKINSON!!!
A wonderous Friday to all.
Thursday, April 01, 2004
Inspirato struck me last night like Sheriff Buford Pusser weilding a 2X4 of justice on some pond scum!
I'm going to bring a horror semi-classic to the small stage!
More on this story as it develops!!
In other news, famed TV personality and friend of mine Mario Machado has arranged for my father to meet one of his idols, a Swing-era bandleader by the name of Orrin Tucker (who had a slew of hits around the time World War II was invented).
The Buzzard is quite chuffed at meeting this 95 year-old legend!
Tis a good Thursday all the way around.
I'm going to bring a horror semi-classic to the small stage!
More on this story as it develops!!
In other news, famed TV personality and friend of mine Mario Machado has arranged for my father to meet one of his idols, a Swing-era bandleader by the name of Orrin Tucker (who had a slew of hits around the time World War II was invented).
The Buzzard is quite chuffed at meeting this 95 year-old legend!
Tis a good Thursday all the way around.
