tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50856321611104862442024-03-03T17:44:23.637-06:0088 Miles Westdbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18074528787130903730noreply@blogger.comBlogger96125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5085632161110486244.post-33737954500490472562011-12-11T23:17:00.005-06:002011-12-11T23:35:42.547-06:00INTERVIEW: Steel Panther<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCcqtlIZ4KbJQPW_yzDpTrGd2GDsJSoPek7HnydTeQes1iTD5ACZmD1QZl4V6luR-Ib69q6GJjjsspGuetDhrT0g2E_8pKY5OHbnGZ7eqyVTpXqyqbpRiVFQ1FNt8Nd_Yu9jGvFrtOKuP3/s1600/steelppicture.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCcqtlIZ4KbJQPW_yzDpTrGd2GDsJSoPek7HnydTeQes1iTD5ACZmD1QZl4V6luR-Ib69q6GJjjsspGuetDhrT0g2E_8pKY5OHbnGZ7eqyVTpXqyqbpRiVFQ1FNt8Nd_Yu9jGvFrtOKuP3/s320/steelppicture.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5685107952956035106" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:georgia;" >by Chad Cooper (Dec. 2011)</span></span> <style>@font-face { font-family: "Times New Roman"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }table.MsoNormalTable { font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { page: Secti</style><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">Steel Panther is the greatest band on the planet. Wait. Check that — Steel Panther is the greatest band in the galaxy.</span></span> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal">Spawned in Los Angeles, this four-piece may have began playing parody covers but have since grown into a band of their own and are now touring in support of their second national release on Universal Records, <i>Balls Out</i><span style="font-style: normal;">, which ‘dropped’ in late October. </span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal">The sophomore record is a follow-up to <i>Feel the Steel</i><span style="font-style: normal;"> that featured the popular tunes “Death to All But Metal,” “Asian Hooker” and “Community Property.”</span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/bzUPG8olnO0" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" width="560"></iframe><br /></p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal">Like the debut, <i>Balls Out</i><span style="font-style: normal;"> doesn’t disappoint. Songs like “17 Girls in a Row,” “If You Really, Really Love Me,” “It Won’t Suck Itself” and “Just Like Tiger Woods” proves this band is for keeps.<br /></span></p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/31411314?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0" webkitallowfullscreen="" mozallowfullscreen="" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="225" width="400"></iframe></p><p><br /></p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal">From weekly shows on the Sunset Strip to headlining arenas in Great Britain, Australia and Germany, Steel Panther is taking over. </p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal">Michael Starr - vocals</p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal">Satchel - lead guitar</p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal">Lexxi Foxxx - bass</p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal">Stix Zadinia - drums</p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal">I caught up with lead vocalist Michael Starr, who spoke about not having herpes, playing on the moon and doing 25 girls in a row. </p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><b> </b></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><b><br /></b></p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><b>I’ve seen you guys several times but I will never forget the show in January at House of Blues in Vegas where a girl’s top got ripped off, which started a fight on stage.<br /></b></p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><b><br /></b></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal">Oh wow! You were there for that? My friend Tommy had to take that feisty chick off stage. She pulled the other girl’s top down and then a chick with no shirt tackled her on stage. So Awesome.</p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><b><br /></b></p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><b>You have a personal favorite song on the new album?</b></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal">Leaning towards ‘Tomorrow Night.’ It reminds me of super early Scorpions meets Van Halen, sort of like ‘Panama.’ </p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><b><br /></b></p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><b>I like ‘What Can’t You Trust Me.’</b></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal">Yeah, Facebook makes it hard for you to cheat on your old lady. That’s why Twitter is so much popular. It’s more private and you can lock down people. Myspace was the worst. I honestly think that’s why it’s gone. It’s true shit.</p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><b><br /></b></p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><b>When you started, did you imagine Steel Panther would go mainstream?</b></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal">No, I truly didn’t. I wanted it to happen, but I just didn’t see it coming. I think that is what attracts people to Steel Panther. It’s not fake. It’s cool to see what kind of vehicle to build and then what kind of race to enter. I did read where the album charted. Dude, I’m having a hard time breathing. I read this while I was sitting there taking a shit. I thought, I am on the toilet and people all over the world are listening to our music right now. It’s pretty weird.</p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><b><br /></b></p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><b>How does it feel to know the album is really doing well?</b></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal">Man, I got to be honest with you. My chest is all tight. I’m not sleeping very well because I am so excited to tour and support this record. When our first record came out, we didn’t have any expectations. Now we have the follow up (<i>Balls Out</i><span style="font-style: normal;">) to </span><i>Feel the Steel</i><span style="font-style: normal;">. I personally feel pressure to be the best I can really be. </span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><b><br /></b></p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><b>How do mainstream rock fans & bands react when they hear or see Steel Panther?</b></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal">Throughout the years, we have had multiple guests come on stage and rock it out with us. Cee-Lo, Kelly Clarkson, Linkin Park, GNR, everyone just enjoys it. I’m extremely surprised people dig it. </p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><b><br /></b></p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><b>On the song ‘17 Girls in a Row,’ could you not make it past 17?</b></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal">It’s funny you say that because we write all these songs together. I am singing them, so it’s first person. Satchel is the one who fucked 17 and couldn’t make it to 18. I personally did 25, but unfortunately 25 doesn’t work well in the song. Either 17 or 25, you have to lower your bar some to get to that number. No, you aren’t going to fuck 17 prom queens, it’s not happening. You got to fuck a couple of fat chicks and maybe even a retarded chick. </p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><b><br /></b></p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><b>So what you are saying is — Steel Panther doesn’t discriminate. </b></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal">Fat chicks and ugly girls are the best to hang out with. Hot chicks are annoying and the only thing they are good for is a picture. If you get a homely chick and bend her over, she looks the same as a hot chick who is bent over.</p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><b><br /></b></p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><b>I heard a rumor that you are the only band member who doesn’t have herpes.</b></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal">I don’t know where you heard that but it’s totally true. The other three guys have it and you know what? I am bummed. I feel left out. </p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><b><br /></b></p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><b>I also heard that you have a keen sense of smell. </b></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal">When I was younger, my mom always knew when I pooped in my pants. I developed her keen since of smell. She used to call me ‘stinkpot’ because I had a problem with that. I can smell cocaine, seriously, I can. I can smell an 8-ball of cocaine and tell you how bad it’s cut. Goes with girls too. Girls with really bad hygiene, I have a really hard time fucking them. If I have to do it, I will. </p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><b><br /></b></p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><b>When did your poop problems end?</b></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal">Maybe when I was 10. In my 30s, I had trouble with sharting. Do you know what that is? That’s when you fart and you don’t realize you have diarrhea. Shitting and farting together. </p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><b><br /></b></p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><b>What would be an ultimate tour?</b></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal">Van Halen, Scorpions, Def Leppard Motley Crue and Dokken.</p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><b><br /></b></p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><b>So what’s left for Steel Panther?</b></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal">I try to read all the comments everyone posts about us and so forth and one thing about Steel Panther, you either love us or hate us. West Coast, Las Vegas, United Kingdow, we got it going on. With this new record, we are selling out shows in Cleveland, Chicago, Boston, New York and Australia. The natural progression for Steel Panther, in my eyes, is to be a full-blown arena band touring the world. And to be the first band to play on the moon. I’d leave a petri dish with herps up there as a memento. </p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="font-family: georgia; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);" class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.steelpantherrocks.com/Default.aspx#%21news">Official Steel Panther Web site</a></p><p style="font-family: georgia; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);" class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/steelpantherkicksass">Steel Panther Facebook</a></p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><a style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);" href="http://twitter.com/#%21/Steel_Panther/">Follow Steel Panther on Twitter</a><br /></p><p style="font-family: georgia; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);" class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Steel-Panther/e/B002D63HFO/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1323667738&sr=1-1">Click here to purchase Steel Panther music</a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>Coophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10928544150944247761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5085632161110486244.post-85602139532953225682011-11-06T21:14:00.003-06:002011-11-06T21:40:09.640-06:00INTERVIEW: Doug Stanhope<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ls2bqZMAGGk3P-BPiZjN9bUJpvHsYUcvLlz5jx03y06rMD8hQvbhfzDQJh0lOd-FJpaOMCdwLMAs94pV6nUWA87tcBvAn22bsOq4iZRG2iMfnzcY8_gW4bG3i6IhVoohYybDe7mg8dLL/s1600/Stanhope-230_HR.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 290px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ls2bqZMAGGk3P-BPiZjN9bUJpvHsYUcvLlz5jx03y06rMD8hQvbhfzDQJh0lOd-FJpaOMCdwLMAs94pV6nUWA87tcBvAn22bsOq4iZRG2iMfnzcY8_gW4bG3i6IhVoohYybDe7mg8dLL/s320/Stanhope-230_HR.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672088149479232194" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: georgia;font-size:85%;" >by Chad Cooper (Nov. 7, 2011)</span> <span style="font-family:georgia;"> </span><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";} .MsoChpDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; mso-default-props:yes; font-size:10.0pt; mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;} @page WordSection1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.WordSection1 {page:WordSection1;} --> </style> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal">There’s not much that can be said that hasn’t already when it comes to Doug Stanhope. His resume includes running for President in 2008, appearing at every major comedy festival, co-hosting <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">The Man Show</i> with Joe Rogan, recording more than 10 albums and DVDs, and authoring a book. He recently appeared on the FX television show <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Louie</i> with Louis C.K. and earlier this year signed with Roadrunner Records and released <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Oslo: Burning The Bridge To Nowhere</i>, which was filmed in Norway.<br /></p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><span style="font-family:georgia;"> </span><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal">Stanhope has a handful of dates remaining on the tour, which includes one show at The Improv in Houston on Wednesday, Nov. 9, at 8 p.m. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased online by clicking <a style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);" href="http://www.symfonee.com/Improv/houston/comedians/Bio.aspx?Uid=f2994df3-8a1e-41c8-836d-f801e2279513">HERE</a>.<br /></p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><span style="font-family:georgia;"> </span><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal">The remaining tour dates include Oklahoma City (Nov. 10, City Arts Center), Dallas (Nov. 17, Trees), Austin (Nov. 18, Red 7), Irvine, Calif. (Nov. 30, Irvine Improv), Brea, Calif. (Dec. 1, Brea Improv) and the finale in Tuscon (Dec. 10, Rialto Theatre). </p><span style="font-family:georgia;"> </span><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal">Before the interview began, Stanhope lashed out with, “Just don’t ask me where do I get my ideas from and what made me want to be a comedian and we’ll be fine.” Typical Stanhope. </p><span style="font-family:georgia;"> </span><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"> </p><span style="font-family:georgia;"> </span><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><br /></b></p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">How do you process all this material?</b></p><span style="font-family:georgia;"> </span><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"> </p><span style="font-family:georgia;"> </span><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal">You know what, I have no idea. My brain must work organically. </p><span style="font-family:georgia;"> </span><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"> </p><span style="font-family:georgia;"> </span><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><br /></b></p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">It’s amazing how you do it. I was watching ‘Oslo’ and you coughed in the middle of a sentence and you mentioned it was a death cough. A super reaction. Your brain must be soaked with information.</b></p><span style="font-family:georgia;"> </span><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"> </p><span style="font-family:georgia;"> </span><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal">Soaked would be the accurate word, but not necessarily with information.<br /></p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"> <style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"Cambria Math"; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";} .MsoChpDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; mso-default-props:yes; font-size:10.0pt; mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;} @page WordSection1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.WordSection1 {page:WordSection1;} --> </style> </p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">Are you still a firm believer that pussy is the No. 1 factor we deal with?</b></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal">Oh, yes. Everything is driven by it. It’s the fuel that runs the machine. I’m glad I don’t care anymore, but at the same time, I probably wouldn’t be successful if it weren’t for that. It’s always the root cause and that’s why I am so fucking lazy now. There’s no one to impress.</p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">I recently heard you on Howard Stern with your girlfriend and you seemed happy. Are you still with her?</b></p> <span style="font-family:georgia;"> </span><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"> </p><span style="font-family:georgia;"> </span><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal">Yeah, it’s a perfect match. I’ve never been in a relationship where I could honestly say that. You have to say it (in) most relationships because she is going to read the interview. Sometimes you can’t be honest like you used to be because you would be ratting them out. Like going out and doing mushrooms with your buddy but his a firefighter and you have to change a little bit of the story and say you were in Sacramento instead of Oklahoma City. You know his friends are reading up updates on my Web site. Like this guy brought his prostitute girlfriend to a show of mine and I can’t say that because he’s got a wife and kids at home. The Internet has ruined all secret keeping. </p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><br /></b></p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">You’ve done some random things like picking up hitchhikers and so forth. What’s the last random thing you’ve done?</b></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal">You get to a place where you don’t notice things are out of sorts. When in-laws come over for Thanksgiving you notice you are a little different that other people. I remember one girlfriend I was dating, her mother was coming to meet me for the first time and we had been together for about a year or so. The mother was prudish and homebound, so I had to de-porn my house. There is a really funny comedian from Austin named Brendon Walsh. He drew a picture of a guy with 13 cocks dangling in his face and the caption read ‘baker’s dozen’ and I put it on my refrigerator. I forgot to take it down when my brother brought his kids over. Here's a picture of 13 cocks at eye level with the kids and I didn’t realize it the whole time they were here.</p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><br /></b></p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">Are you a big fan of porn?</b></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal">I rarely watch it. If I have to beat off, I’ll throw on a quick clip on YouTube. Years ago, I was in Vegas and hosted the porn awards and it was one of the most saddest things I’ve done. When I got there, I thought it was going to be hilarious fun, but you see how serious they take themselves and they were having no fun at all. They were nervous, edgy and snappy. They actually wanted to win.<br /></p> <p></p><span style="font-family:georgia;"> </span><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"> </b></p><span style="font-family:georgia;"> </span><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">What’s the biggest misconception about you?</b></p><span style="font-family:georgia;"> </span><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"> </p><span style="font-family:georgia;"> </span><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal">People think I party more than I actually do. They will come to the house for the first time and think it’s going to be a Hunter S. Thompson experience. I’m a pretty boring guy. I do a lot of nothing really well. </p><span style="font-family:georgia;"> </span><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"> </p><span style="font-family:georgia;"> </span><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><br /></b></p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">You’ve mentioned before that you love Vodka. What’s your favorite kind?</b></p><span style="font-family:georgia;"> </span><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"> </p><span style="font-family:georgia;"> </span><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal">I change them up quiet often but normally it’s Vodka with grapefruit. </p><span style="font-family:georgia;"> </span><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"> </p><span style="font-family:georgia;"> </span><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><br /></b></p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">Having a drink help you on stage?</b></p><span style="font-family:georgia;"> </span><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"> </p><span style="font-family:georgia;"> </span><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal">The last time I remembering performing sober was 2003. It was a random college that didn’t allow drinking. Glad I only had to do 25 minutes. That’s one of the few shows I can remember in the last decade. </p><span style="font-family:georgia;"> </span><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"> </p><span style="font-family:georgia;"> </span><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><br /></b></p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">You talk about things, not just what other comedians won’t discuss, but other people refuse to talk about like losing your sex drive. Are you comfortable discussing those things?</b></p><span style="font-family:georgia;"> </span><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"> </p><span style="font-family:georgia;"> </span><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal">I gravitate towards those things. I wish I had something else to tell you that would be off-putting, but I haven’t done much in the last couple of years.</p><span style="font-family:georgia;"> </span><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"> </p><span style="font-family:georgia;"> </span><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><br /></b></p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">Your fan base in the UK is off the charts and you’ve said that they are far more brutal that comedy fans over here in the U.S. Why so?</b></p><span style="font-family:georgia;"> </span><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"> </p><span style="font-family:georgia;"> </span><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal">They are comedy savvy and they treat comedy like an art form. If you have a bad show over there, it makes the paper. Over here, people go to birthday parties or adult Chuck E. Cheeses for fun times. </p><span style="font-family:georgia;"> </span><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"> </p><span style="font-family:georgia;"> </span><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><br /></b></p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">What is more of a problem — overpopulation or public stupidity?</b></p><span style="font-family:georgia;"> </span><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"> </p><span style="font-family:georgia;"> </span><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal">Overpopulation is kind of a world thing. People are in their own little worlds now with all these distractions like gadget phones, Twitter, Facebook, apps on phones, 300 channels and shit. What was the question again?</p><span style="font-family:georgia;"> </span><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"> </p><span style="font-family:georgia;"> </span><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><br /></b></p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">Well, I’ve heard you mention both of these in one of your shows. I didn’t know if you thought one was more relevant than the other. </b></p><span style="font-family:georgia;"> </span><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"> </p><span style="font-family:georgia;"> </span><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal">(Laughs). In the long run, it will be over population. But I won’t be around to deal with and I’m not leaving any litter behind so I won’t give a shit. </p><span style="font-family:georgia;"> </span><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"> </b></p><span style="font-family:georgia;"> </span><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><br /></b></p><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"> </p><span style="font-family:georgia;"> </span><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">Would you ever consider doing television again?</b></p><span style="font-family:georgia;"> </span><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"> </p><span style="font-family:georgia;"> </span><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal">Doing 'Louie' with Louis C.K. was a lot of fun. I hate the thought of acting, it disturbs you and it wasn’t a fun process for me. Doing it with Louis made it different than most because usually it’s cringing thinking how much they must fucking hate the decision they made to hire me. </p><span style="font-family:georgia;"> </span><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"> </p><span style="font-family:georgia;"> </span><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><br /></b></p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><b style="">What’s next on the agenda for Doug Stanhope?</b></p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></b></p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"> <style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} .MsoChpDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; mso-default-props:yes; font-size:10.0pt; mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;} @page WordSection1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.WordSection1 {page:WordSection1;} --> </style> </p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal">I’ll have another DVD coming out for Christmas and have a rough outline for another one after that. I’m going to Iceland to hang out with the mayor of Reykjavik for a week and that’s inspiring. Another friend of mine said he was going and a friend of mine who is a comedian got elected mayor on a goof when their economy shit the bed. So I sent him an email telling him we should meet and sign some documents of historic significance. I’m going to perform in a prison over there too. I didn’t want to do a show while I was there because shows fuck up vacations. A prison is different because there won’t be any critics and I can do all my old shit. I can ruin the show and it wouldn’t hurt my demographic. </p> <b style=""><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></b><p></p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="font-family: georgia; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);" class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.dougstanhope.com/">Official Doug Stanhope Web site</a></p><p style="font-family: georgia; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);" class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/officialstanhope">Follow Doug on Facebook</a></p><p style="font-family: georgia; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);" class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/dougstanhope">Follow Doug on Twitter</a></p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><a style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);" href="http://www.youtube.com/user/stanhopetv">Doug's YouTube Channel</a><br /></p><span style="font-family:georgia;"> </span><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"> </p><span style="font-family:georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family:georgia;"> </span>Coophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10928544150944247761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5085632161110486244.post-34410979407789889892011-10-23T20:24:00.003-05:002011-10-23T20:30:21.684-05:00INTERVIEW: Theory of a Deadman<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxhWJG4XyR5k4kTnCOVEFwZH9LHAqYiCqCdSgFA7uyo4d2mZMvvcf-nHpEmCkd827yf9VkGpjSUMwbGwmsLEHOT_gUWkPH5uZ5iVq6EJIQjiU6ZnToIZS7qXiSpzUXSwy6u5Cq-F2HTt6h/s1600/theory2.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxhWJG4XyR5k4kTnCOVEFwZH9LHAqYiCqCdSgFA7uyo4d2mZMvvcf-nHpEmCkd827yf9VkGpjSUMwbGwmsLEHOT_gUWkPH5uZ5iVq6EJIQjiU6ZnToIZS7qXiSpzUXSwy6u5Cq-F2HTt6h/s320/theory2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666864309349218482" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">by Chad Cooper (Oct. 24, 2011)</span></span><br /><br />Following the highly successful third album <span style="font-style: italic;">Scars and Souvenirs</span>, which reached platinum status and saw an unprecedented nine of its 12 tracks released to radio, Canadian rockers Theory of a Deadman have returned to the road in support of their fourth project titled <span style="font-style: italic;">The Truth Is ...</span> via Roadrunner Records.<br /><br />The album was released in July and has already hit No. 1 on three of the Billboard charts (hard rock, rock, alternative), and the first single, “Lowlife,” gave the band its second No. 1 song. “Out of My Head” and “Bitch Came Back” have been the second and third singles sent to radio.<br /><br />Theory of a Deadman formed in 2001, and their debut album was a self-titled record in 2002 that was produced and co-written by Nickelback frontman Chad Kroeger.<br /><br />Gasoline was the sophomore release and produced the hit tunes “No Surprise,” “Say Goodbye” and the ballad “Santa Monica.”<br /><br />For those who hadn’t heard the band up until 2008 certainly took notice when the second single of <span style="font-style: italic;">Scars and Souvenirs</span> came out, “Bad Girlfriend.” The catchy song not only hit No. 1 on the charts, but also became one of the most popular ringtones of all time.<br /><br />Other popular titles include “So Happy,” “By the Way,” “All or Nothing,” “Hate My Life,” “Not Meant to Be,” “By the Way” and “End of the Summer.”<br /><br />Constantly on the road, the tour-heavy boys from north of the border have played with the likes of Mötley Crüe on Crüe Fest 2, Daughtry, Avalanche Tour with Stone Sour and are fresh off the 2011 Carnival of Madness with Alter Bridge.<br /><br />We spoke with lead singer Tyler Connolly about a variety of subjects including the new album, co-writing with former American Idol judge and hit maker Kara DioGuardi and even recording music with a homeless banjo picker.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Any added pressure going into the studio to record the new album after all the success from ‘Scars and Souvenirs?’</span><br /><br />Yes, it was. I would by lying if I said there wasn’t, but it was good pressure. I don’t think I lost much sleep, but there was some stress. Once you have success like that, then you want to keep it going. There’s a lot of thinking involved in what direction you want to go in. Like do you want to keep it the same and have another “Bad Girlfriend” song? Those songs have done well for us but you don’t want to release five records and they all sound like the same tiring stuff. With this album, there was a balance to be made and a lot more thought. The last three records, we just wrote songs and put them on a record.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Listening to this album, the lyrics seem more personal.</span><br /><br />I went through a marital break-up, which was devastating for me. My manager said he had been through a few divorces and it’s the toughest time of your life, but it makes for a great rock record. It’s really good material for the fans because they can relate to it. Fans like the songs that are the most honest and most relatable.<br /><br />I noticed in the last album, Kara DioGuardi helped co-write a song; she starred in the video and helped you write three songs on this record. How was it working with a female songwriter? It was different. Up until that point on the last album, I never worked with any songwriters per say. Chad (Kroeger), who produced our first record, helped co-write some songs with us on the first album. She had written a lot of songs for pop artists like Britney Spears, Pink, Enrique Iglesias, Christina Aguilera and Gwen Stefani, but she had never written a song for a rock band. She was probably just as curious as I was. She actually lives about a mile from my house in Los Angeles and I went over there with my guitar, drank some wine and wrote “Meant to Be.” After we finished it, I sent it to her and she immediately said it was a hit so, so I was like, OK, let’s see what happens. This record, it just made since to do the same. It would have been stupid not to call her up again and work with her again.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">It also seems the band has a great relationship with producer Howard Benson. He has a great resume and has been with you since the second record.</span><br /><br />Working with him is great, but the first record with him was tough. We didn’t have a lot of experience with producers. Once we got past the personalities and the creative stuff, it turned out to be an amazing partnership and friendship with him. That’s why we have done three records with him. A lot of people say you shouldn’t use the same producer, but this feels great for us.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Do you have a personal favorite on the album?</span><br /><br />Probably “We Were Men,” which is the last track. It’s the first time I have ever written a military song. We travel a lot and have a lot of military fans that do come to the show. I remember once, we met some guys and he said the next day he was getting shipped out to Afghanistan. We also heard some not-so-good ones. One guy told me that he saw us two years ago with his buddy, who had since died in Iraq. I think it was time in my career to write a song like that. During a recent meet-and-greet, a fan who was in the Air Force said that was his favorite song. It was like the first time I didn’t write a relationship song or something goofy.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Did you guys really record a song with a homeless man?</span><br /><br />Yeah. Well, I don’t know if he was homeless, but he sure did look like it. He was on the street corner playing a banjo outside the studio and while I walked to the store to grab a drink, I started talking to him and gave him some money. I went back inside the studio and told the guys this old dude was outside jamming on the banjo, and they said well bring him inside. I had to call our manager and call our lawyers and make sure all this paperwork was signed just to come in and play banjo on a song. He ended up making about $800 for about a half hour’s work. You can hear it on “What Was I Thinking.”<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">You guys are tour heavy. How do you deal with the burnout factor?</span><br /><br />It’s easy to get burned out, but playing each night for fans is our drug that keeps us going.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">3 Doors Down, Theory of a Deadman & Pop Evil will perform at Ford Arena on Friday, Oct. 28, at 7 p.m. Advance tickets are $42.50, $38.50 and $34. Click <a style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);" href="http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/0C0047089F917804?artistid=710683&majorcatid=10001&minorcatid=1&brand=fordpark">HERE</a> to purchase tickets. </span>Coophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10928544150944247761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5085632161110486244.post-59797448901585544392011-10-23T19:42:00.003-05:002011-10-23T20:05:40.131-05:00INTERVIEW: 3 Doors Down<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZjukt1cg8pLKdjdq1NlFunm7hma2NqfEYwqjv7VTm8tF4QUoIdwZIx6x1e0XzsbKa-CKWDRogL30QUs31Gkba_s9Ve7vQqYB4kO0eKiRZTZGWJVmQKJ0tqm6P1YB_mr39WjkzrWg6Jk0H/s1600/3dd.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 158px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZjukt1cg8pLKdjdq1NlFunm7hma2NqfEYwqjv7VTm8tF4QUoIdwZIx6x1e0XzsbKa-CKWDRogL30QUs31Gkba_s9Ve7vQqYB4kO0eKiRZTZGWJVmQKJ0tqm6P1YB_mr39WjkzrWg6Jk0H/s320/3dd.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666856146368400162" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">by Chad Cooper (Oct. 23, 2011)</span></span><br /><br />With more than 16 million records sold, it’s hard to argue that 3 Doors Down doesn’t belong atop of any list. The southern boys from Mississippi — well, most of them anyway — last played Beaumont’s Ford Arena in 2009. But no matter how and when they play here, their popularity continues to soar.<br /><br />3 Doors Down is touring in support of their summer release <span style="font-style: italic;">Time of My Life</span>, which is the band’s fifth studio album on Universal Records and produced by Grammy-nominated producer Howard Benson. Three singles from the record have been in radio rotation including “When You’re Young,” “Every Time You Go” and “What’s Left.”<br /><br />With six No. 1 songs, which include “Kryptonite,” “Loser,” “Duck and Run,” “When I’m Gone,” “Here Without You” and “It’s Not My Time,” 3 Doors Downs appeals to more than just a rock audience.<br /><br />The band has gained other fans from other genres including country and modern rock. Drummer Greg Upchurch joined 3 Doors Down in 2005 right after the release of Seventeen Days. Upchurch, like the band, has southern roots as he was born in Houma, La., and is no stranger to the music world.<br /><br />After moving from Oklahoma to Los Angeles, Upchurch joined the bands Eleven and Puddle of Mudd before auditioning for the position with 3DD.<br /><br />Upchurch spoke with us before the hitting the road for the Time of My Life Tour. The tour will play Beaumont TX @ Ford Park on Friday, Oct. 28.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I read where you got a key to the city in Oklahoma City.</span><br /><br />Ha! The program director for the radio station 100.5 The KATT set that up. I was a little shocked, to say the least. I guess the expectations for Oklahoma City were a little low then.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">When did drumming become a part of your life?</span><br /><br />I started with pots and pans mostly. People asked me when I started playing, but I have no clue. If I had to guess it was probably 4 or 5 years old. Musically as a kid, KISS did it for me. I would play along with the records and when I really started focusing on drums, I got into Led Zeppelin. John Bonham (drummer) was the man.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Why did you choose to leave Oklahoma for Los Angeles?</span><br /><br />I wanted to do something musical and Oklahoma was tough to break through musically, so I thought either New York or L.A. I really didn’t want to do New York because the pace is so much different, so I chose L.A. and got a job at The Guitar Center on Sunset Boulevard. I met some people in a band called Eleven and their drummer quit to join Pearl Jam, so I auditioned and got the gig with them. I was literally in L.A. for six months and then found myself opening up for Soundgarden in Europe.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">So were you a natural fit when you started jamming with 3 Doors Down?</span><br /><br />They are from Mississippi and I remember showing up for the audition for drummer with a New Orleans Saints camouflage cap on, so that alone was a step in the right direction. Everything was in L.A. then, but it was an opportunity for me to actually leave the West Coast. It’s so expensive, and money doesn’t go very far there. Now I live in Nashville, and this is much more my speed. I got everything I needed out there. It’s been a long ride. But I’m content now.<br /><br />You came in after the third record but did tour to support it. How does this new one compare to the collection?<br /><br />I think this sounds like the first record, “The Better Life,” to me. It’s like going back to their original roots. My favorite track on this new album is “Time of My Life.” It’s a fun song to play on the drums.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">It’s a competitive industry, so how does 3DD keep its head above water?</span><br /><br />One thing is songwriting obviously, and Brad (Arnold) has a distinct voice that you can listen to. He actually sings, not screams. This music appeals to any age. It’s not pigeonholed to a certain market. Plus, we have extremely loyal fans.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I read somewhere that you played a show or two with Heart.</span><br /><br />Yeah, it was awesome and wild. I did it on two-days notice. Then, the bass player for Heart was the bass player for Chris Cornel when I toured with Chris. He called and asked me to fill in for their drummer and I said sure, but when? He said well, it’s two days. The first time I played with Heart was during a 20-minute sound check, which was for an hour and a half set. I knew all their songs, like “Barracuda,” “Crazy on You” and “Magic Man,” but I never dreamed I would play those songs with them.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Ford Park SRO opens at 5 p.m. for a pre-show experience featuring Texas Guardsman CW3 Darby Ledbetter, plus various military equipment and combat and rescue vehicles on display. Click <a style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);" href="http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/0C0047089F917804?artistid=710683&majorcatid=10001&minorcatid=1&brand=fordpark">HERE</a> to purchase tickets. </span>Coophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10928544150944247761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5085632161110486244.post-67169511577146641042011-09-24T16:39:00.003-05:002011-09-24T16:47:43.816-05:00MMA Blog - Vol 1, Issue 1 - Jones vs. Rampage<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3neuFyxckhjoBtHNXFRtWfP4lGX-lDOve3YZeQuKPQWppCXbrD_ZnbCahXxB4HsAC0KySF3GnZb0zaXCSONgIfA79iTPlDb9xfWi78boNFHWqLeAw_PVyC5tDJrJ7rsubsa3JdXq3Pskm/s1600/Jones-Rampage_staredown_weigh-in_large.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3neuFyxckhjoBtHNXFRtWfP4lGX-lDOve3YZeQuKPQWppCXbrD_ZnbCahXxB4HsAC0KySF3GnZb0zaXCSONgIfA79iTPlDb9xfWi78boNFHWqLeAw_PVyC5tDJrJ7rsubsa3JdXq3Pskm/s320/Jones-Rampage_staredown_weigh-in_large.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656045999741461730" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">by Chad Cooper (9-23-11)</span></span><br /><br />UFC 135 pits light heavyweight Jon "Bones" Jones (13-1) vs. Quinton "Rampage" Jackson (32-8) live on pay-per-view.<br /><br />Turning to my resident UFC expert and 17-year-old nephew Kasey Cooper (Twitter: <a style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);" href="http://twitter.com/#%21/thekaseycooper">@thekaseycooper</a>) for his main event report:<br /><br />Jones is the youngest UFC champ in history (so far, hehe), and has the longest reach in UFC history as well, at 84.5 inches. He made quick work of legendary Muay Thai fighter Mauricio "Shogun" Rua for the title, and has notable victories over Ryan Bader, Stephan Bonnar, Vladimir Matyushenko, and Brandon Vera.<br /><br />Jackson is an MMA veteran who has beaten such fighters as Chuck Liddell, Wanderlei Silva, Dan Henderson, and Keith Jardine. He has heavy hands and good wrestling to complement his iron chin, however his chin did show weaknesses against Lyoto Machida even though he went on to a controversial split decision win.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"> REACH</span>: Jones by far has more reach than Rampage, and since punching is Rampage's bread and butter, Jones gets the edge.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">EXPERIENCE:</span> Rampage gets the edge. He has fought the best in the business in the UFC and Pride.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />STAND UP:</span> As far as versatility in striking, as well as technique, Jones gets the edge.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">POWER:</span> Rampage, hands down, has more power than the champ. Rampage.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">WRESTLING:</span> Jackson has good wrestling, but Jones has proven that he has top notch skills. Jones.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">SUBMISSIONS:</span> While Jackson technically holds more submission wins, I believe that Jones has better submission skills. Rampage's last submission victory was in 2003. I give the edge to Jones.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">CARDIO/ENDURANCE:</span> Jackson has been in many wars with tough fighters but, to be honest, he's getting old. As shown in the fights against Machida and Matt Hamill, he doesn't have the endurance he used to have. Against the much younger, and faster, Jones, I don't think you can compare.<br /><br />Jones has my favor in 5 out of the 7 categories that I believe will be most important in this fight. That gives him about a 70% chance of winning, compared to Jackson's 30%.<br /><br />Jackson's only chance in this fight would be to corner the champ, get in close, and land power punches. However, with the long reach of Jones, it wont be easy. Just ask Shogun...<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">WINNER:</span> Jon Jones by TKO in the later rounds (4th or 5th). The reason I believe it will happen in the later rounds is because of Jones' young athleticism; I believe Jackson will be worn out by then. This should be an entertaining fight, but I do expect Jones to win.Coophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10928544150944247761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5085632161110486244.post-2276730124500744852011-09-14T14:59:00.002-05:002011-09-14T15:02:45.940-05:00VIDEO INTERVIEW: Hell or HighwaterWe caught up with Hell or Highwater frontman Brandon Saller backstage at the 2011 Rockstar Uproar Tour at The Woodlands Pavilion near Houston on Sept. 5. <div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3333FF;"><a href="http://www.hellorhighwaterofficial.com/">Official website</a></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="400" height="225" data="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=71377" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000"> <param name="flashvars" value="intl_lang=en-us&photo_secret=2e343e5caa&photo_id=6144553519"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=71377"> <param name="bgcolor" value="#000000"> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=71377" bgcolor="#000000" allowfullscreen="true" flashvars="intl_lang=en-us&photo_secret=2e343e5caa&photo_id=6144553519" height="225" width="400"></embed></object><br /></div>Coophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10928544150944247761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5085632161110486244.post-1342405549038619412011-08-25T23:18:00.003-05:002011-08-25T23:31:53.355-05:00INTERVIEW: Puddle of Mudd<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcVDQbDBtjj2GRk23_5WNb3U9NqVDiXeWOE2woXmN3IlwvONlNWp-ALqUKPyZfL-enCrBC6qd6_-aV-i6CjwrpLwyUosN9S-FLj8UmLC7duLCxIv60XWdZ6naJJyKwSmfZP6D18SVQnw98/s1600/PuddleOfMudd-MainPressShot-2011.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 272px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcVDQbDBtjj2GRk23_5WNb3U9NqVDiXeWOE2woXmN3IlwvONlNWp-ALqUKPyZfL-enCrBC6qd6_-aV-i6CjwrpLwyUosN9S-FLj8UmLC7duLCxIv60XWdZ6naJJyKwSmfZP6D18SVQnw98/s320/PuddleOfMudd-MainPressShot-2011.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645016508893979586" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">by Chad Cooper, Aug. 2011</span></span>
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<br />Platinum recording artist Puddle of Mudd released their first record in 2001, <span style="font-style: italic;">Come Clean</span>, which went on to sale more than more 3 million copies. The group would give us rock hits like “Control,” “Blurry,” “She Hates Me,” “Famous” and “Psycho,” just to name a few.
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<br />Now the band has taken on an entirely different project. On Aug. 30, Puddle of Mudd will release an album titled re:(disc)overed. The record is an 11-track disc featuring covers of tunes made popular by the likes of The Rolling Stones, Elton John, Neil Young, AC/DC and the Steve Miller Band.
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<br />The song list includes “Gimme Shelter,” “Old Man,” “T.N.T.,” “Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around,” “The Joker,” “Everybody Wants You,” “Rocket Man,” “All Right Now,” “Shooting Star,” “D’yer M’ker” and “Funk 49.”
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<br />It’s not your average, run of the mill cover album. It had better not be because doing covers can be a career killer. Not this time, though. The band focused on music that inspired them and hooked up with a great producer and added piano players and backup singers to keep the vibe of the originals but then added the Puddle of Mudd touch.
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<br />The band is one of seven that is appearing on the Rock Allegiance Tour, which plays the Cynthia Mitchell Woodlands Pavilion on Sunday, Aug. 28, at 5 p.m. Also performing are Papa Roach, Buckcherry, Crossfade, Red, P.O.D. and Drive A.
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<br />88MW spoke with guitarist Paul Phillips about the band’s new project and being a momma’s boy.
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<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">How did this project come about?</span>
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<br />We took about five or six months off after being on the Carnival of Madness, and that’s something we haven’t done since we started. So then, we started getting offers from summer tours, then Europe came calling and we aren’t the type of band to go out and play and just beat a dead horse. We want something new out there to draw traffic. Anyhow, we have been playing “T.N.T.” and “The Joker” and one thing led to another and the whole idea about a covers record came into play. We brought in piano players, back up singers and we wanted to bring those people out on tour with us, as well. It’s something different and off the wall and gives our fans an experience they have never had.
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<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Who came up with the song choices?</span>
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<br />It took probably three months bouncing ideas with Wes, our producer and manager. We kind of honed in on that ’60s and ’70s era. There are a few different eras of music that I like, but that time was the era we liked and were inspired the most by. We ended up with about 30 songs, then got it down to 14 and recorded those. After that, we chose 11 and that’s what will be coming out.
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<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Do you have a personal favorite on the album?</span>
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<br />There are a few for different reasons, but the one that was most challenging was Elton John’s “Rocket Man.” Just for the simple fact the song is piano driven, and that’s something this band doesn’t do at all. At first I didn’t know how we were going to pull it off. We are these grungy power-chord guys, but it was fun and exciting to get into the song and take a whole other approach and pull it off. Thankfully the producer on the album was Bill Appleberry, who is a piano player and played with the likes of Joe Walsh, James Gang and The Wallflowers.
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<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Did you guys play Devil's Advocate & think about the dangers of releasing a covers record?</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;"></span>
<br />Hell yeah. But we made a conscious decision not to choose cheesy ’80s New Wave songs that didn’t mean anything to us. We didn’t want to take the easy way out. We wanted to do timeless classics that we love from bands that we love. Also what comes with that is the fact you set yourself up for crucifixion because those songs are classic untouchables. The goal going into this was to record this record on our gear with modern sound but do everything we can to keep those songs intact, like representing every guitar and drum part. You don’t want to mess too much with them because then you’re asking for it. We recorded live with the drummer and the guitar was done on one or two takes, with the rhythm being just two guitars as opposed to being just five or six guitars. We wanted to keep it to that old school vibe. This record opened our eyes and ears, and I’m really excited to see what happens in the future.
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<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">You picked up the guitar early on in life, so was it a natural fit once you started playing?</span>
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<br />Yeah it was. My father always played music. He was in bands and played gigs in order to pay for college. The songs we did on this new record are songs I grew up listening to with my dad. When I finally got MTV, I naturally gravitated to the guitar. I started taking lessons when I was 11 but it was learning stuff like “Mary Had a Little Lamb” and “Jingle Bells,” but I was like that’s not Mötley Crüe and Van Halen. My teacher told me I had to learn that before I learned the other, and I figured out that was not entirely true. I actually put the guitar down for a few years then a friend of my showed me some power chords and I sat in my room and learned “Master of Puppets” front-to-back one summer and taught myself from there on out.
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<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What's the best piece of advice someone has given you?</span>
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<br />My mom always gives me the best advice about everything. She always has words of wisdom for me. I am really close to her and if things aren’t going well, I tend to call her for encouragement and advice.
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<br /><a style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);" href="http://puddleofmudd.com/">Official Puddle of Mudd web site</a>
<br /><a style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);" href="https://www.facebook.com/puddleofmudd">Follow POM on Facebook</a>
<br /><a style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);" href="http://twitter.com/#%21/puddleofmudd">Follow POM on Twitter</a>
<br /><a style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);" href="http://www.amazon.com/Puddle-of-Mudd/e/B000APRZ80/ref=sr_1_10?qid=1314332965&sr=1-10-ent">Purchase POM music</a>
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<br />Coophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10928544150944247761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5085632161110486244.post-61770403972258928842011-08-09T19:35:00.003-05:002011-08-09T19:50:13.200-05:00INTERVIEW: Filter<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGsEtgx5BsIGqYQMpq8B5LWTavU7V8crdn9aRsq3RH7PMNVm0YBOjuUXCjf9fuSwgUe9gAPPNqRIfFO7hmKiwuTawqZj3Y86tiZe0ii0laNy-wROlDhVUYdBKmIJDLDVaHBs-KSuojOudQ/s1600/FilterBand_Approved.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGsEtgx5BsIGqYQMpq8B5LWTavU7V8crdn9aRsq3RH7PMNVm0YBOjuUXCjf9fuSwgUe9gAPPNqRIfFO7hmKiwuTawqZj3Y86tiZe0ii0laNy-wROlDhVUYdBKmIJDLDVaHBs-KSuojOudQ/s320/FilterBand_Approved.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639023155006978178" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >by Chad Cooper, Aug. 2011</span>
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<br />Many thought Richard Patrick was crazy for leaving Nine Inch Nails in 1993, but after millions of fans heard the first album from his band Filter, they applauded him.
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<br />Filter graced the music world with five studio albums with popular tunes such as “The Best Things,” “Welcome to the Fold,” “Dose,” “Where Do We Go from Here?” and, of course, “Hey Man, Nice Shot” and “Take a Picture.”
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<br />Touring in support of the 2010 release <span style="font-style: italic;">The Trouble with Angel</span>s, Filter will play Scout Bar in Clear Lake on Wednesday, Aug. 10 (doors 7 p.m.) and in Beaumont at The Gig on Crockett Street on Friday, Aug. 12, with doors opening at 8 p.m.
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<br />Though Patrick has been a steady presence, Filter has gone through several changes since its early ’90s inception, and this is the best the band has sounded. That has a lot to do with drummer Mika Fineo, who joined the band in 2008; and bassist Phil Buckman and guitarist Rob Patterson, relative newcomers to Filter though veterans of the music scene.
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<br />Buckman was born in Queens, N.Y., then relocated to Los Angeles and began playing in several bands. But he also has built quiet an empire for himself as a television and film actor. He’s starred in movies such as <span style="font-style: italic;">American Werewolf in Paris, A Very Brady Sequel</span> and <span style="font-style: italic;">The Great White Hype</span>. Buckman was also a regular in TV series like <span style="font-style: italic;">City of Angels, Married with Children </span>and <span style="font-style: italic;">Boston Public</span>.
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<br />If you still can’t place his face, it’s guaranteed you’ve heard his voice for promos on The Late Show and countless times on ABC, CBS, NBC, The WB and products for Nestle, Carl’s Jr., Tombstone pizza, Pontiac and a plethora of movies and video games.
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<br />Patterson, like Buckman, joined Filter in 2010 and totes an impressive resume. Born in Natick, Mass., Patterson has played guitar in bands such as Korn and OTEP; performs and excels as a DJ; was a contributor to the 2010 novel Sex Tips from Rock Stars; and let’s not forget he’s engaged to Carmen Electra.
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<br />88MW spoke with both Buckman and Patterson in a telephone interview as they prepared for a show in Portland.
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<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Joining Filter last year, were you able contribute to ‘The Trouble with Angels’?</span>
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<br />Phil:</span> The reality of it is, Rob and I came to the group after the record was done. We came in when they had one song left and we wrote “Shot from the Sun,” which is a track on the bonus version of the album.
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<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Looks like you had fun with the video ‘No Love.’</span>
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<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Rob:</span> My friend Mark Racco asked if he could direct a video for us. So then I asked my fiancé if she would do the video and she did. I thought it came out really well.
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<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Phil, how did you make the transition from acting to music?</span>
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<br />Phil:</span> I left college when I was 20 years old to do music. I saw this band called the Electric Love Hogs, which had members that went on to be in the bands Goldfinger, Orgy and Velvet Revolver, and I literally said this is what I want to do with my life. I had been playing bass for a few months so the very next day, I stopped going to class and just practiced playing the bass. I had been an actor before and when I moved back to L.A. to join the band Tribal Sex Cult, I told my agent that I was back in town but I look totally different and have long hair and earrings and if anything comes along and you need someone who looks like me now, let me know. All of a sudden, I was getting hired like crazy. I always called acting my waiting-tables job because I was just trying to make money until the music thing took off. I never really stopped playing music. Well, I did once when I played in this band called The Imposters. We signed with Interscope records but the deal fell through and some of us took it really hard and stopped playing music. I like performing. There is definitely something really cool about playing in front of a live crowd. Last night, we played in Seattle in front of a crazy crowd that was literally hanging from the rafters. They were out-of-their-minds crazy, and you come off of the stage with this incredible high. I got that when I was doing sitcoms. Wait, let me rephrase that — most sitcoms. Sometimes you didn’t have a script and you’re like, ‘Oh God this fucking sucks.’ You have to perform it and guess who gets blamed for it? We do. When it’s a great show, the writers get the credit. When it’s a bad show, the actors get the blame.
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<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">You both have played with impressive musicians. How is it working with Richard?</span>
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<br />Rob:</span> We are both kind of veterans for what we do and we have a mutual respect for each other. We have our arguments, but this tour we have been getting along. When we do have our disagreements and this guitar player and singer combination dynamic gets on edge, it sort of helps the music, in a way. That hasn’t happened this tour, so I am going to have to make myself get pissed off before I get on stage.
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<br />Phil:</span> We all want the best for this band, and we all have different ways in realizing that vision. In the past, we didn’t really have the respect for what someone else was saying, and it created friction. It wasn’t being an asshole to be an asshole. We had a big sit-down and realized we are all on the same page, and there’s no reason for this head butting. Since then, we have taken a much greater respect to what we have to say. It made for a better work environment, and the tour bus is much more harmonious now opposed to situations in the past. Rob and I have been friends for 17 years. We’ve never had an issue.
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<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Rob: </span>Well, this one time, but we won’t get into that (ha, ha). Going back to working with Rich, what’s really cool is he is always thinking creatively. When I was in Korn, for me it was like being in a cover band. Like, this is what you play and that was it. Aside from getting from the MTV Unplugged thing, when I got to write some extra stuff, that was it. With Filter, Rich wants us to come up with different stuff while we are playing to make it more interesting — to go off the grid, so to speak.
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<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Phil: </span>Almost every single night, we play each song differently. We aren’t bound to playing this verse 16 bars and this chorus has to be eight bars. We can do different breakdowns. We are all good musicians that can follow each other. In the performance ‘So I Quit,’ Rob does something that will blow your mind. I won’t tell you what it is because I want you to see it. Rich also likes to grab cameras from the crowd and take pictures and he does this while we are doing these musical breakdowns. That to me is what playing music is all about.
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<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Any favorite places you need to stop at when you are on tour?</span>
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<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Rob:</span> Starbucks.
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<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Phil:</span> Yeah, Rob always has Starbucks’ locations pulled up on his phone.
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<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What would you be doing now if your mother chose your career?</span>
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<br />Rob: </span>Exactly what I would be doing now because my dad is a cellist in the Boston Symphony Orchestra. That, or a computer geek.
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<br />Phil: </span>I would have probably been a doctor, which I would have been fine with if it wouldn’t have been for all that pesky book learning.
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<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What was the first song you learned to play?</span>
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<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Rob:</span> Oh, that’s a tough one. I think ‘Back in Black’ by AC/DC.
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<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Phil:</span> I first started playing bass when I was 19, so it was probably ‘Sweet Child of Mine’ or ‘Lips Like Sugar’ by Echo and the Bunnymen. I started playing guitar when I was 9, though. I played guitar in a cover band while I was in college and the singer played bass. We had another guitar player who was a lot better than me, though. The singer would stop playing bass to sing, so I said give me that fucking thing. Once I started playing bass, I caught on pretty quick. It was a natural fit for me.
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<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What was the strangest thing you’ve seen thrown on stage?</span>
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<br />Phil:</span> I was in band a once called Go Betty Go, which were three girls and me. Some dude threw his boxers on stage and missed the singer and hit my feet. That was horrible.
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<br />Rob: </span>I had cake thrown at me before, and some fruit. Of course, bras.
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<br />Phil:</span> Oh yeah, bras for sure. Last year, a bra was thrown on stage and I put it on my mic stand and Rob took it.
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<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Besides the essentials, anything you have to bring on tour?</span>
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<br />Rob:</span> My iPad for sure.
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<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Phil:</span> I brought my longboard skateboard and land paddle with me. It’s like stand-up paddle surfing but on a skateboard.
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<br /><a style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);" href="http://www.officialfilter.com/">Official Filter website</a>
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<br />Coophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10928544150944247761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5085632161110486244.post-8718926742678249572011-07-28T11:59:00.006-05:002011-07-28T12:17:33.279-05:00INTERVIEW: Mickey Avalon<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN4lb9Sjn63ofSiu15kiE_xsThGdb0WG3Y8sQzW_mSBJApvHDW9EDTjInxobg-K6JTmHGdcjIvTAmRvXb5jluSFcAka8DgD_8V3AYw9D7aW04gFN3-GUVska8xVO2f8UuT5tEJ1q6ooRoM/s1600/Mickey+Avalon_2011_approved_photo.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN4lb9Sjn63ofSiu15kiE_xsThGdb0WG3Y8sQzW_mSBJApvHDW9EDTjInxobg-K6JTmHGdcjIvTAmRvXb5jluSFcAka8DgD_8V3AYw9D7aW04gFN3-GUVska8xVO2f8UuT5tEJ1q6ooRoM/s320/Mickey+Avalon_2011_approved_photo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634449466674149106" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span">by Chad Cooper, July 28 2011</span></i></span><div><br /></div><div>There’s been a plethora of white rappers such as Eminem, 3rd Bass, Beastie Boys, Bubba Sparxx, House of Pain, Insane Clown Posse, Kottonmouth Kings, Paul Wall, Rehab and Vanilla Ice, just to name a few. Each has had their own niche whether it was rapping clowns, dancing or straight up lyric-slinger. But none are Mickey Avalon.</div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The 35-year-old rapper has released just one album, which was a self-titled record in 2006 and included the song “Jane Fonda” that quickly gained national attention. <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">After a few bootleg songs were released, Avalon played several shows with pop phenom Ke$ha opening and the two even recorded a song together entitled “Stickey Mickey.” His popularity soared as he was offered a spot on Snoop Dogg’s Blazed and Confused Tour in 2009. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">While working out his logistics to release a new album, he recorded “Stroke Me,” which was a play off of Billy Squier’s 1981 hit single, “The Stroke.” Avalon’s version was picked up by Columbia Pictures and used for the trailer of the comedy <i>Bad Teacher </i><span style="font-style: normal;">starring Cameron Diaz. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-style: normal;"></span>88MW spoke with Avalon via telephone from his home in Hollywood before he hit the road to play shows in Dallas, San Antonio, Austin and Clear Lake.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b>How did music play a role in your life?</b></p> <p class="MsoNormal">My dad was into music. He collected the old 45 records so I was around music when I was a kid. My dad and I would go to like record swap meets and stuff. When I was 11 or 12, I discovered rap music. I listened to Run-DMC, Beastie Boys and Public Enemy. Too Short was already out but I didn’t find him until later on. It wasn’t anything I saw myself doing. I didn’t play any instruments or anything. I did take piano lessons but I quit because I didn’t learn any Jerry Lee Lewis right away. It was all scales and stuff.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b>What was the first concert you attended?</b></p> <p class="MsoNormal">My mom took me to a Run-DMC and Beastie Boys concert when I was 11 and that was awesome. I also won tickets to see Boogie Down Productions then my dad took me and a friend to see Eazy E and King Tee in concert. It was cool to hear them on tape then come into town and see them perform. I saw Chuck Berry when I was a kid too. Not too long ago, I saw Jerry Lee Lewis in concert. It was probably his last concert. He looked like death.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b>How did it all get started?</b></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I would always write rhymes in my head, I just never thought I would do anything with them. The way technology has changed, it has made it easier on me. Back then you had to save up a bunch of money just to record a demo. I probably wouldn’t have done that. I was living in a halfway house and going to my friend Dirt Nasty’s (aka Simon Rex) place and recording some stuff. I had to be home early and he would go out and hand the stuff out. I was kind of embarrassed about it because I didn’t want anyone to hear it, but it worked out.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b>Your lyrics aren’t like others in this industry.</b></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I think rap is the folk music of today — storytelling. Two different stories could be totally different but the one thing in common is it’s their story. Let’s say if 50 Cent is talking about selling crack and I’m talking about buying crack, that’s two different stories but really the same, if that makes sense. Instead of doing this over an acoustic guitar, it’s storytelling over a drum machine. It’s a tongue and cheek thing as well. I’ll journalize pimps, prostitutes and junkies to flip the stones over. I’ve lived through a bunch of things that if you sat around long enough and thought about it you would get depressed so sometimes it pays to turn it around and make fun of the situation you were in.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b>The 2 Live Crew had trouble rapping about some of the things you rap about, but now you are embraced by those who called their music disgusting.</b></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I think it’s an even playing field. In general, people appreciate the truth as long as you treat everyone the same. I also think women are more aggressive now than they ever were. One song I am rapping about bulimia and boob jobs and some of these girls think some of these songs are written about them. Like it’s a compliment. HA!</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b>Can you clarify the rumors about your new music?</b></p> <p class="MsoNormal">In a nutshell, there have been a lot of things going on but I finally have new management and everyone is on the same page. I still have to get my masters back from my old record label but in the meantime I will put out some new material. It will be an EP or mixtape along with a video while we are working to getting the record out.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b>I heard you did some collaboration with Katy Perry, Travis Barker and Perry Farrell. Will those be on the new record?</b></p> <p class="MsoNormal">No, those will probably be on a bootleg record that will finally make its way out.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><i>Mickey Avalon will perform alongside DJ Kid Mac with special guests CB Kings and Evak & Babel Fish at Scout Bar in Clear Lake. Advance tickets are $16.50. For more information, view scoutbar.com</i><span style="font-style: normal;">.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);" href="http://www.mickeyavalon.com/">Official Mickey Avalon website</a><br /><a style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);" href="http://www.facebook.com/MickeyAvalon">Follow Mickey Avalon on Facebook</a><br /><a style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);" href="http://www.twitter.com/mickeyave">Follow Mickey Avalon on Twitter</a><br /><a style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);" href="http://fastlaneconcerts.frontgatetickets.com/choose.php?a=1&lid=55625&eid=63554">Click here to purchase Tickets</a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> </div><br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/9EFhtygsHEY" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" width="560"></iframe>Coophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10928544150944247761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5085632161110486244.post-65265484533453880422011-07-22T15:02:00.004-05:002011-07-28T18:39:36.153-05:00CD Review: "Sunrise Sessions" by Kottonmouth Kings<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYa97OCTSkY55ZLZJ89KcfixC9ILCZInbKIYdjC9RoQS0Nqahk57RvehJmFAGxOLiaqYdBI4q6hqxUtjZGHx0EEboBqWYX6wLM6azQFLuGogsnyOEFr3R6iBb2CEpqaqhDsSPHnjD9107w/s1600/Kottonmouth_SunriseSessions_Cover.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYa97OCTSkY55ZLZJ89KcfixC9ILCZInbKIYdjC9RoQS0Nqahk57RvehJmFAGxOLiaqYdBI4q6hqxUtjZGHx0EEboBqWYX6wLM6azQFLuGogsnyOEFr3R6iBb2CEpqaqhDsSPHnjD9107w/s320/Kottonmouth_SunriseSessions_Cover.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632283795816576802" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">by Chad Cooper, July 22, 2011</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Kottonmouth Kings</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Sunrise Sessions</span><br />(Surburban Noize Records)<br /><br />The Kottonmouth Kings are back for a their 18th studio project — <span style="font-style: italic;">Sunrise Sessions</span>. 18th you say? Yep. This group has been going strong since the early 90s and that shows a big commitment from not only the group itself, but a strong and loyal fan base.<br /><br />Even if you don't blaze, this record will leave you will that 'funny feeling.' Grab it and let the high times roll. As one of the lyrics in the track "Love Lost" says, if Kottonmouth Kings were a turkey, they would be "king of the gobble."<br /><br />If you've never heard of the KMK, they describe themselves as "psychedelic hip-hop punk rock" but this album is much more than that. From start to finish, I felt reggae to pop.<br /><br />The reggae sound really shows it head with tunes like "Love Lost," "She's Dangerous," "Ganja Daze" and my personal fav "Great to Be Alive."<br /><br />For the dubstep club goers, you will love "Stoned Silly. " If you like tattoos on your necks and motorbikes, then "Cruzin" is for you. I even get a Sublime and Rehab resemblance, which is something radio savvy, with the tunes "Kalifornia," "Back Home," "Closing Time" and "Be Alright."<br /><br />What I am trying to say is — this album has something for everyone.<br /><br />1. Stonetown (4:37)<br />2. Love Lost (5:34)<br />3. Down 4 Life (4:45)<br />4. Kalifornia (4:52)<br />5. My Garden (4:59)<br />6. Boom Clap Sound (4:58)<br />7. Back Home (5:00)<br />8. She's Dangerous (4:55)<br />9. Ganja Daze (4:55)<br />10. Stay Stoned (3:03)<br />11. Stoned Silly (4:25)<br />12. Closing Time (4:54)<br />13. Cruzin (3:33)<br />14. Great to be Alive (4:22)<br />15. Be Alright (4:20)<br />16. Said & Done (5:47)<br /><br /><a style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);" href="http://www.amazon.com/Sunrise-Sessions-Kottonmouth-Kings/dp/B0052SNOCQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1311368110&sr=1-1">Click here to purchase the album</a><br /><a style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);" href="http://www.kottonmouthkings.com/">Click her for official website</a><br /><a style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);" href="http://www.facebook.com/kottonmouthkings">Follown KMK on Facebook</a>Coophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10928544150944247761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5085632161110486244.post-28808662605961185742011-07-18T16:57:00.005-05:002011-07-18T17:35:41.488-05:00Dita Von Teese in "Strip Strip Hooray!" headed to Texas<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh05hLhpuR6sCMuuLvFDlJWNAhzAlHx3aYA9C9q-1wipnjCnClSvQIK1PenlmidURyh8MkBcrgRlxTEnub8kd5qlFI2QPTXWsbFNWtbge6ZmvYAvMuPSJAP4LpEzzFq-0LZdjOzqbzS8O3W/s1600/dita.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 229px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh05hLhpuR6sCMuuLvFDlJWNAhzAlHx3aYA9C9q-1wipnjCnClSvQIK1PenlmidURyh8MkBcrgRlxTEnub8kd5qlFI2QPTXWsbFNWtbge6ZmvYAvMuPSJAP4LpEzzFq-0LZdjOzqbzS8O3W/s320/dita.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630822925964924226" border="0" /></a>Returning to the city where she first debuted her iconic martini glass show, Dita Von Teese opens her southern tour at the House of Blues New Orleans on July 26th. The 3 city tour continues in Dallas on July 28th, and closes in Houston on July 30th.<br /><br />The show treats audiences to three of Von Teese's most spectacular performances, including her new Swarovski Martini Glass act which she calls her “ultimate, most decadent, and dazzling martini glass ever!” This beautiful art-deco style cocktail glass is crystalized from top to bottom and features over 250,000 Swarovski crystals.<br /><br />Von Teese will also perform her “Rhinestone Cowgirl” show which features her dressed in head to toe pink Swarovski crystal, twirling sparkling guns, and strutting around in custom-made Christian Louboutin Cowboy boots complete with spurs a spinnin'. After strip-teasing out of her rhinestone chaps, Dita seductively rides the world's most glamorous authentic mechanical bull. Yee-Haw!!<br /><br />Joining Dita Von Teese on stage will be “the hardest working middle-aged man in show business,” MC Murray Hill, along with a who‟s who of Burlesque, including Dirty<br /><br />Martini, Selene Luna, Monsieur Romeo (Host of L'Effleur Des Sens), Lada (from the World Famous Crazy Horse Paris) and Medianoche.<br /><br />Guests at the Dallas event will also be treated to Dita's new cocktail, the Cointreau MargaDita, a bold and seductive reinvention of the classic Margarita, the #1 selling cocktail in America. Dita Von Teese's tasty new libation is the 2nd drink she has developed as a part of her role as the global ambassador for Cointreau. The Cointreau MargaDita is an homage to Margarita Sames, the bon vivante Dallas socialite who created the original recipe in 1948 while vacationing at her Acapulco cliffside hacienda.<br /><br />According to Dita Von Teese, "The Cointreau MargaDita is a tantalizing haute-cocktail<br /><br />Tickets are on sale now by <a style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);" href="http://www.livenation.com/event/0C0046D5E9AFAD5D?brand=hob">CLICKING HERE</a>.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Dita Von Teese</span> - Making her name on the burlesque and fetish scene in the 90s, Von Teese became famous as the “girl in the glass” with her Martini Glass show. Since then, she has gone on to perform all over the world at events for Louis Vuitton, Cartier, Chopard, Marc Jacobs and more, and is the first guest star in the history of Crazy Horse Paris, the world‟s most prestigious cabaret. Von Teese is also the Global Ambassador for Cointreau, the face of Perrier‟s Limited edition of bottles and cans, and a best-selling author. Currently, Von Teese is developing her own fragrance, a cosmetics collection, a lingerie collection as well as a capsule collection of dresses modeled after some her most treasured vintage find. For more information please visit, <a style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);" href="http://www.dita.net/">www.dita.net</a>.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Murray Hill</span> - Comedian and renowned entertainer Murray Hill, “the hardest working middle-aged man in show business,” is a relentless retro shtick slinger, buster of audience chops and freewheeling ad-libber. Murray's razor sharp wit and frenetic showman antics led the New York Times to anoint him “Downtown's New-It-Boy.” Murray has also had a string of recent cameos in HBO's Bored to Death, STARZ's Gravity, and BRAVO's Real Housewives of New York. For more information, please visit, <a style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);" href="http://mistershowbiz.com/">mistershowbiz.com</a>.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Dirty Martini</span> - New York Magazine calls Dirty Martini "the sexpot sophisticate," and the New York Times declared her "one of the best in burlesque." Featured in the film "Tournee" which premiered at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival, Dirty Martini is one of the leading figures in the American Burlesque revival. Please visit <a style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);" href="http://missdirtymartini.com/">missdirtymartini.com</a> for more information.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Selene Luna</span> - At 3'10", Selene Luna is a small package with a very big presence. The New York Times calls her "A polished spitfire," and the Washington Square News says, "She's a huge presence and owns the stage during her 5-minute romp." Luna was an original member of Velvet Hammer Burlesque and is well-known as Margaret Cho's sidekick on "The Cho Show." For more information, please visit <a style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);" href="http://seleneluna.com/site/">seleneluna.com</a>.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Lada (of the Crazy Horse Paris)</span> - One of the stars of the Crazy Horse Paris, Lada was hand-picked by Dita to appear in "Burlesque: Strip Strip Hooray!" after they met during Dita's guest star appearances at the famous cabaret in 2010. As Crazy Horse Paris Creative Director Ali Mahdavi notes, Lada is "the ultimate expression of a Crazy Horse dancer. She epitomizes the essential blend of strength, femininity, and a sense of humor." Find out more at <a style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);" href="http://lecrazyhorseparis.com/">lecrazyhorseparis.com</a>.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Monsieur Romeo (of L'effleur des Sens)</span> - Representing BOYLESQUE in the show, Monsieur Romeo was born in France and raised all over Europe where he worked as a model for Giorgio Armani, Vivienne Westwood and Jean Paul Gaultier, before moving to Los Angeles to pursue acting. Well-known as the host of the LA-based Parisian Cabaret L'effleur des Sens, "Monsieur Roméo exudes disreputable savoir-faire, seeking women in the audience to help him strip during his solo, and behaving as if anyone who even looks at him is hopelessly corrupt." (LA Times). Check out <a style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);" href="http://leffleurdessens.com/">leffleurdessens.com</a> for more info.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">MediaNoche</span> - Medianoche was born and raised in southern Spain and is formally trained in flamenco and tango dance. She brings a distinctly European je ne sais quoi to venues such as Duane Park, Highline Ballroom, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and the Hotel Empire. Although always at her best when emerging from Isis wings, rhinestoned flower petals, or her signature red pheasant feathers, Medianoche also dances Argentine tango professionally in theaters and ballrooms throughout the United States. For More information please visit her <a style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);" href="https://www.facebook.com/medianocheburlesque">Facebook</a> page.Coophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10928544150944247761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5085632161110486244.post-5210939043312596862011-07-17T19:49:00.005-05:002011-07-17T20:33:25.479-05:00CONCERT REVIEW: Rihanna @ Toyota Center<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2BCHo_FLJIuUZMtNdimWzU9zUnJTAp2jxOw0lb2o8Duyus4u9pq4LI_4PmUeHcD16ryYA0PlqBXKbF9halesI3nw2gyogAIgL7XYglgTBcErSAWs_7JO7I8Fc49J0ITdoy8LfpifMEiB6/s1600/rihrih.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 219px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2BCHo_FLJIuUZMtNdimWzU9zUnJTAp2jxOw0lb2o8Duyus4u9pq4LI_4PmUeHcD16ryYA0PlqBXKbF9halesI3nw2gyogAIgL7XYglgTBcErSAWs_7JO7I8Fc49J0ITdoy8LfpifMEiB6/s320/rihrih.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630498537098413778" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >by Chad Cooper</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Who:</span> Rihanna<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Where:</span> Toyota Center, Houston TX<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">When:</span> July 9, 2011<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Crowd:</span> 12,000+<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Opener: </span>J Cole<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Show pictures: </span><a style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/88mileswest/sets/72157627053840439/"><span>View here</span><span> </span></a><br /><br />Recently crowned the most popular entertainer on Facebook with more than 40 million followers, Rihanna, just 23, is on top of the music world. The Loud Tour, which opened with a 30-minute set by DJ Dummy then a few songs by newcomer J Cole, had 88MW vibrating with anticipation.<br /><br />The show opens with a over-sized static ball type thing that you may see dropping in NYC during the countdown on NYE. It opens and out comes Rihanna singing "Only Girl (In the World)." She looked amazing with above shoulder length hair with the color the vintage maroon we are so used to seeing.<br /><br />With over 20 million in album sells and a plethora of hits, she sang 'em all. The two things that stuck out in my mind were her version of Prince's "Darling Nikki" and her doing "The Glamorous Life" by Sheila E.<br /><br />After "Man Down," Rihanna disappears momentarily but a short video keeps our attention. When the lights come back on stage, out comes three stripper polls with Rihanna in the middle dressed in a classic black and white gangster suit directing the pole dancers.<br /><br />The Barbados beauty later ran through the crowd and set up above and behind the sound board was some percussion and she played them and sang "The Glamorous Life," doing a wonderful impersonation and performance of the great Sheila E.<br /><br />Add in there somewhere that one lucky male concert goer received a 45-second lap dance while chained to a rotating bed.<br /><br />88MW has covered 100's, if not, a 1000 shows and this concert had the hottest babes in attendance of them all. Rihanna, OF COURSE, was the queen of the hotness.<br /><br />One last thing....SHE SANG.<br /><br />Move over Gags.....Rihanna is taking over.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Setlist</span><br />Only Girl (In the World)<br />Disturbia<br />Shut Up and Drive<br />Man Down<br />Darling Nikki (by Prince)<br />S&M<br />Let Me<br />Skin<br />Hard<br />Breakin' Dishes<br />The Glamorous Life (by Sheila E.)<br />Run This Town<br />Live Your Life<br />Unfaithful<br />Hate That I Love You<br />California King Bed<br />Pon de Replay/What's My Name<br />Rude Boy<br />Cheers (Drink to That)<br />Don't Stop the Music<br />Take a Bow<br />Love the Way You Lie Pt. 2<br />UmbrellaCoophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10928544150944247761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5085632161110486244.post-67485416359430777352011-07-17T16:23:00.004-05:002011-07-17T16:55:18.119-05:00CONCERT REVIEW: Seether @ L'Auberge du Lac<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7LvKsXk5ixLqOgr8qrLv3glZZooUgqAjCUX65noZXp3g1sGJpzT8dRV9RQxw-Bbx0U1ZLMf4XVTH5eOB2w2uv7J9mhB0c5F1WjBU89e7xtKTHZ9uwbQUYYMzu6cia2RxAkE7_1Qc0EDn5/s1600/seether.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 216px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7LvKsXk5ixLqOgr8qrLv3glZZooUgqAjCUX65noZXp3g1sGJpzT8dRV9RQxw-Bbx0U1ZLMf4XVTH5eOB2w2uv7J9mhB0c5F1WjBU89e7xtKTHZ9uwbQUYYMzu6cia2RxAkE7_1Qc0EDn5/s320/seether.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630442209550706546" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >by Chad Cooper</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Who:</span> Seether<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Where:</span> Party by the Pool @ L'Auberge du Lac, Lake Charles LA<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">When:</span> July 7, 2011<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Crowd:</span> 3,500-ish<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Show pictures: </span><a style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/88mileswest/sets/72157627148989516/">View here</a><br /><br />It's hard-pressed to find a more popular band on the planet right now than Seether. Their fifth album, <span style="font-style: italic;">Holding onto Strings Better Left to Fray</span>, debuted at No. 2 on the <span style="font-style: italic;">Billboard </span>200 in May and the debut single, "Country Song," hit No. 1 on the rock charts.<br /><br />Though guitarist Troy McLawhorn has left the band, the three-piece has never sounded better and vocalist Shaun Morgan, who was born in South Africa, now is at the fore-front with his guitar skills.<br /><br />Just two songs were featured from the new album during the show, "Country Song" & "Fur Cue," but the goodies were not forgotten like "Gasoline," "Fine," "Breakdown" and the closer, "Remedy."<br /><br />The first big pop from the crowd came with the third song, "Fine," then the loudest of the night was when Morgan and bassist Dale Stewart, performed an acoustic version of "Broken." If that was enough to give you chill-bumps, Seether did their own version of Nirvana's "Heart Shaped Box" - WINNING.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Set list<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span></span></span>Gasoline<br />Needles<br />Fine<br />Driven Under<br />Broken<br />Fur Cue<br />Heart Shaped Box (Nirvana)<br />Breakdown<br />Country Song<br />Rise Above This<br />Fake It<br />Remedy<br /><br /><iframe width="560" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ZgBDAeZ1cwI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Coophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10928544150944247761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5085632161110486244.post-11423329131207195612011-07-17T15:40:00.004-05:002011-07-17T16:16:32.893-05:00CONCERT REVIEW: Puddle of Mudd @ L'Auberge du Lac<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsBJWXM7eJEbYHZExj2vgi2QoZSaY_49vwj3F88Q4FLSU6QcY2dJvvXH9Q0nwXgzmoYRgv5tZdYOeZWOKVCEOHoHgpjXItaiza9H2rexGdsQV5XPPAUDyWefGJ_XYKwCncN-Kr3YpqwDsM/s1600/POM.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 216px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsBJWXM7eJEbYHZExj2vgi2QoZSaY_49vwj3F88Q4FLSU6QcY2dJvvXH9Q0nwXgzmoYRgv5tZdYOeZWOKVCEOHoHgpjXItaiza9H2rexGdsQV5XPPAUDyWefGJ_XYKwCncN-Kr3YpqwDsM/s320/POM.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630432324292630786" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >by Chad Cooper</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Who:</span> Puddle of Mudd<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Where:</span> L'Auberge du Lac, Lake Charles LA<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">When:</span> June 30, 2011<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Crowd:</span> 1,700-ish<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Show pictures:</span> <a style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/88mileswest/sets/72157626967937045/">View here</a><br /><br />The outdoor Party by the Pool concert series at L'Auberge du Lac casino in Lake Charles LA is the place to be on the Thursday nights during the summer months.<br /><br />That trend continued when Puddle of Mudd rocked the stage for nearly 90 minutes. Of course, all of the POM's classics were played, and sung loudly by the crowd, like "Control" (with a little Ozzy mixed in), "Drift & Die," and the set finale "Blurry." They also played "TNT," which was made popular by AC/DC.<br /><br />That song will be one of 10 tracks on the forthcoming album, <span style="font-style: italic;">Re(disc)overed</span>. The album should be ready for release in August and POM covers classic songs like "Rocket Man," "Gimme Shelter" and "All Right Now," added with a POM touch.<br /><br />As usual, the band did not disappoint. The only negative in the 13-song set was the absence of "Spaceship." But I'll go without my favorite POM song, just to a see this band perform.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Setlist</span><br />Bleed<br />Control<br />Famous<br />Livin' on Borrowed Time<br />Drift & Die<br />TNT<br />Away from Me<br />Nothing Left to Lose<br />Think<br />Stoned<br />Psycho<br />She Hates Me<br />BlurryCoophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10928544150944247761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5085632161110486244.post-69438710525065002712011-06-27T21:39:00.002-05:002011-06-27T21:45:16.038-05:00Video Interview: PrinzzessVideo interview with Prinzzess @ the 2011 AEE in Las Vegas.<br /><br />Prinzzess was nominated for several awards at the 2011 AVN Awards.<br /><br />See her at <a style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);" href="http://www.girlfriendsfilms.com/">Girlfriendsfilms.com</a><br />Twitter <a style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);" href="http://twitter.com/#%21/REALprinzzess">@RealPrinzzess</a><br />Official Website: <a style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);" href="http://www.prinzzess.com/">prinzzess.com</a><br /><br /><object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=71377" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" height="360" width="640"> <param name="flashvars" value="intl_lang=en-us&photo_secret=62a231b097&photo_id=5384807544"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=71377"> <param name="bgcolor" value="#000000"> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=71377" bgcolor="#000000" allowfullscreen="true" flashvars="intl_lang=en-us&photo_secret=62a231b097&photo_id=5384807544" height="360" width="640"></embed></object>Coophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10928544150944247761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5085632161110486244.post-73212729650092522972011-06-27T21:29:00.002-05:002011-06-27T21:34:32.902-05:00Video Interview: Jayden ColeVideo interview with Jayden Cole @ the 2011 AEE in Las Vegas.<br /><br />Jayden was nominated for Best Scene at the 2011 AVN Awards.<br /><br />Twitter <a href="http://twitter.com/#%21/ClubJayden">@ClubJayden</a><br />Website: <a href="http://www.branddanger.com/">branddanger.com</a><br /><br /><object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="640" height="360" data="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=71377" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000"> <param name="flashvars" value="intl_lang=en-us&photo_secret=a8d59d1fb9&photo_id=5384789858"></param> <param name="movie" value="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=71377"></param> <param name="bgcolor" value="#000000"></param> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=71377" bgcolor="#000000" allowfullscreen="true" flashvars="intl_lang=en-us&photo_secret=a8d59d1fb9&photo_id=5384789858" height="360" width="640"></embed></object>Coophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10928544150944247761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5085632161110486244.post-24418380959474087962011-06-27T21:06:00.002-05:002011-06-27T21:19:25.545-05:00Video Interview: India SummerVideo interview with India Summer @ the 2011 AEE in Las Vegas.<br /><br />Ms Summer was nominated for several awards at the 2011 AVN Awards including MILF/Cougar Performer of the Year. She won Best Actress for <strong style="font-weight: normal; font-style: italic;">A Real Swinger’s Party in San Francisco.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></strong>Catch her @ <a style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);" href="http://www.girlfriendsfilms.com/index/">Girlfriends Films</a><br />Twitter <a style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);" href="http://twitter.com/#%21/MsIndiaSummer">@MsIndiaSummer</a><br /><br /><br /><object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="640" height="360" data="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=71377" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000"> <param name="flashvars" value="intl_lang=en-us&photo_secret=03b2cec35c&photo_id=5384176661"></param> <param name="movie" value="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=71377"></param> <param name="bgcolor" value="#000000"></param> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=71377" bgcolor="#000000" allowfullscreen="true" flashvars="intl_lang=en-us&photo_secret=03b2cec35c&photo_id=5384176661" height="360" width="640"></embed></object>Coophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10928544150944247761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5085632161110486244.post-16200933760021186462011-06-27T20:36:00.004-05:002011-06-27T20:59:59.195-05:00Introducing...Kopek<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDRLyaggl_QtEu1nGFWwECpSjU8VB4V8YLuFsyt_ISsZHjOsh-QHeuAzgHdi4_xUbIAuH48AqY2088F2qVyar7GkhE6vb3cqLmkSyouumWxabbfAPHg9UBxNh_yu91pCevVBkb6sLXuimS/s1600/Kopek-Band.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDRLyaggl_QtEu1nGFWwECpSjU8VB4V8YLuFsyt_ISsZHjOsh-QHeuAzgHdi4_xUbIAuH48AqY2088F2qVyar7GkhE6vb3cqLmkSyouumWxabbfAPHg9UBxNh_yu91pCevVBkb6sLXuimS/s320/Kopek-Band.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623082971891775506" border="0" /></a><br />If you haven't already heard of Kopek, 88MW would like to introduce this 3-piece Irish rock band to you.<br /><br />Daniel Jordan - vocals/guitar<br />Brad Kinsella - bass<br />Shane Cooney - drums<br /><br />The band formed in 2002 & went on to win the title of Best Live Act at the Global Battle Of The Bands – www.gbob.com – earned them $100,000 and a world tour.<br /><br />They released their first album last year, <span style="font-style: italic;">White Collar Lies</span>, with the single "Love Is Dead" featured on the <span style="font-style: italic;">Saw 3D </span>soundtrack.<br /><br /><a style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);" href="http://www.kopekofficial.com/">Official site</a><br /><a style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);" href="https://www.facebook.com/kopek">Facebook</a><br /><a style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);" href="http://twitter.com/#%21/kopekofficial">Twitter</a><br /><a style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);" href="http://www.amazon.com/Kopek/e/B004KNQKDY/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_3?qid=1296760351&sr=8-3">Buy <span style="font-style: italic;">White Collar Lies</span></a><br /><br />Bellow are two videos - "Sub Human" and "Floridian"<br /><br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/HISGGT3E6IY" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" width="560"></iframe><br /><br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Y3BSHvY3kiE" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" width="560"></iframe>Coophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10928544150944247761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5085632161110486244.post-87435345806465770282011-06-03T12:18:00.005-05:002011-06-17T16:39:49.822-05:00CONCERT REVIEW: Papa Roach @ Warehouse Live<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ4GRlbjBtE3yZ7M5HPohingO5ZsIHgY_DIj1k__0cQEkGQieH9K2zaUmBACKBXPLpZ3nm3knrWNrsmN-iVMDXxr3h20ijU0NGuIbAFAZRI_eGADP6AkLKP3ZFHkoYwRy1qF3f22YuoLuI/s1600/5807124044_280899fb64_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ4GRlbjBtE3yZ7M5HPohingO5ZsIHgY_DIj1k__0cQEkGQieH9K2zaUmBACKBXPLpZ3nm3knrWNrsmN-iVMDXxr3h20ijU0NGuIbAFAZRI_eGADP6AkLKP3ZFHkoYwRy1qF3f22YuoLuI/s320/5807124044_280899fb64_z.jpg" width="216" /></a></div><span style="font-size: 85%; font-style: italic;">by Chad Cooper</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Who:</span> Papa Roach<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Where:</span> Warehouse Live, Houston TX<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">When:</span> May 31, 2011<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Crowd:</span> Sold out (lots of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">hotties</span> & rockers) - 1,500+<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Openers: </span>Pop Evil, The Hunger<br />
<br />
Arriving at Warehouse Live an hour before doors opened, there was already a line to get into the venue about 200 people deep. Now that my friends is a dedicated following (plus they did a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">pre</span>-show meet & greet for some lucky fans, and many bands won't do such a thing.)<br />
<br />
P-Roach opened the show with the hard-hitting "Getting Away with Murder" and it was difficult to hear <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Jacoby</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Shaddix's</span> vocals (not really) because the crowd was signing louder than he was.<br />
<br />
<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Shaddix</span> is one of the best, if not the best, rock-and-roll <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">frontmen</span> in the business. His <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">vocals</span> are good, energy is always there and his crowd interaction is top notch.<br />
<br />
The West Coast rockers have released six albums on a major record label and the band did a good job of spreading the 16-song set out to make sure each album was covered. Four of their newest songs were played from the latest release , <span style="font-style: italic;">Time for Annihilation,<span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span><span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span></span> and four tunes from <span style="font-style: italic;">The Paramour Sessions</span>.<br />
<br />
If someone put a gun to my head and ask me to find a negative in the show, and it would be knit-picking and of course only to save my life, would be they didn't perform "Broken Home," which is one of my P-Roach favorites.<br />
<br />
I have seen over 1,000 live shows and it's hard-pressed to find a band with as much energy every time they play than Papa Roach. The boys from Sacramento do it, and do it well.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Papa Roach set list</span><br />
Getting Away with Murder<br />
Burn<br />
Between Angels and Insects<br />
Forever<br />
Hollywood Whore<br />
Time Is Running Out<br />
...To Be Loved<br />
Born with Nothing, Die with Everything<br />
Enemy<br />
Crash<br />
Kick in the Teeth<br />
Lifeline<br />
One Track Mind<br />
Scars<br />
Dead Cell<br />
Last ResortCoophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10928544150944247761noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5085632161110486244.post-83502460423811889262011-06-02T16:12:00.003-05:002011-06-02T16:26:26.077-05:00CONCERT REVIEW: Collective Soul @ Party by the Pool<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHMzP7rKDe3W-MO8HJ6ICqNgDZETsz9mLDjP3tbotBJFqj-ilaaLwxFRidzJEduCuyajw4FY5IJK7cEB1ABgky6WlvzT-nrW0GOsC069Tgrtg2MF5H8lIzImBXmd_Xvge501Fr90YmDeK_/s1600/untitled-498-Edit.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 202px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHMzP7rKDe3W-MO8HJ6ICqNgDZETsz9mLDjP3tbotBJFqj-ilaaLwxFRidzJEduCuyajw4FY5IJK7cEB1ABgky6WlvzT-nrW0GOsC069Tgrtg2MF5H8lIzImBXmd_Xvge501Fr90YmDeK_/s320/untitled-498-Edit.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613736918106882466" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >by Chad Cooper</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Who:</span> Collective Soul<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Where:</span> Party by the Pool @ L'Auberge du Lac, Lake Charles LA<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">When:</span> May 26, 2011<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Crowd:</span> Packed (lots of girls in bikinis)<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><br />Even if you weren't a Collective Soul fan, the weekly Party by the Pool Liquid Society summer concert series at L'Auberge du Lac in Lake Charles is the absolute place to be. Great atmosphere, no young folks, great national acts and plenty of eye candy! Plus, you can now bring your bathing suit and get into the pool.<br /><br />It's been years since I have seen Collective Soul. In fact, I saw them in 1995 when they opened for Aerosmith in Houston at the Compaq Center, which is now the Lakewood Church.<br /><br />The band has aged well (haven't we all), but they haven't missed a beat. The band has recorded eight albums and the first four were certified platinum that produced seven No. 1 hit records, which they began the show with one in "Heavy."<br /><br />They toyed with a few new sounds and later announced they would soon hit the studio for a new record that will follow their 2009 self-titled album.<br /><br />Pictures from the show (David Block): <a style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/88mileswest/sets/72157626695898475/">Click here</a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Collective Soul set list</span><br />Heavy<br />Listen<br />Tremble<br />Needs<br />Better Now<br />December<br />Hollywood<br />You<br />She Said<br />Heaven<br />Why Part 2<br />Gel<br />World<br />Run<br />Precious<br />ShineCoophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10928544150944247761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5085632161110486244.post-31855248364692364152011-06-02T15:37:00.005-05:002011-06-02T16:02:28.286-05:00CONCERT REVIEW: Drowning Pool @ The Gig, Beaumont TX<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUtlomaptrXZRNn6xns65cq2jUknPcWTyeDOo8yNEOZGnrS0GF9bEA9xYRh1SWCYeKbGhK7tiTS_0UqJUAh7fj3lrQZy43zyg2Xy5U0pNgnAbbBuHKJsrLNT3BpBELn2nD4j-8-QVOv_yE/s1600/DrowningPoolA-503.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUtlomaptrXZRNn6xns65cq2jUknPcWTyeDOo8yNEOZGnrS0GF9bEA9xYRh1SWCYeKbGhK7tiTS_0UqJUAh7fj3lrQZy43zyg2Xy5U0pNgnAbbBuHKJsrLNT3BpBELn2nD4j-8-QVOv_yE/s320/DrowningPoolA-503.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613726375607022738" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >by Chad Cooper</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Who:</span> Drowning Pool<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Where:</span> The Gig - Beaumont TX<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">When:</span> April 21, 2011<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Crowd:</span> Packed (lots of dudes)<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Openers:</span> Pop Evil, Anew Revolution, Static Cycle<br /><br />Going to a Drowning Pool show, you know you are in for a treat. It's kind of like the "death and taxes" verbiage. Expect nothing less than a high energy, well-sounding show. If you aren't in to jumping around, some crowd surfing and sweaty people rubbing up against you, then you need either stay in the back of the venue or stay home and whine about not going.<br /><br />DP's performance at The Gig was no different. A great crowd watched three openers and began to chant "Drowning Pool, Drowning Poll" just moments before they took the stage.<br /><br />The 15-song set opened with "Sin Begin" and ventured to the popular tunes such as "Soldiers," "Turn So Cold," "Enemy" and "37 Stitches." And when singer Ryan McCombs lit up a cigarette on stage, camera phones took to the air.<br /><br />The band even covered the Billy Idol smash, "Rebel Yell," and did a spectacular job. What energy that was left by the closing song, "Bodies," was spent in surfing and moshing during the final 3:21 of the show.<br /><br />I lump DP into the live show category of Sevendust and Papa Roach, and that's hard to achieve.<br /><br />Pictures from the show (David Block): <a style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/88mileswest/sets/72157626432906523/">Click here</a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Drowning Pool set list</span><br />Sin Begin<br />Step Up<br />Soldiers<br />Shame<br />I Am<br />Turn So Cold<br />Enemy<br />Tear Away<br />Pity<br />37 Stitches<br />Rebel Yell<br />Regret<br />Sinner<br />Feel Like I Do<br />BodiesCoophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10928544150944247761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5085632161110486244.post-21828502388791799562011-05-26T11:54:00.003-05:002011-05-26T12:04:47.605-05:00INTERVIEW: Papa Roach<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzts19sWYmKhNHnmhjiscHaQpm_64gr-fQwOS_0eCB7A_L2KG6M4s0pbetD_jCU7kkZtDhAHPPGW5vKBAQxzw3ddCN8HO4cxvNhjFgKxuE4LS5JTyLZHeERufZGODajRlpgMSZD2D9ILt6/s1600/PapaRoach-043-Edit.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzts19sWYmKhNHnmhjiscHaQpm_64gr-fQwOS_0eCB7A_L2KG6M4s0pbetD_jCU7kkZtDhAHPPGW5vKBAQxzw3ddCN8HO4cxvNhjFgKxuE4LS5JTyLZHeERufZGODajRlpgMSZD2D9ILt6/s320/PapaRoach-043-Edit.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611071196726190050" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >by Chad Cooper, May 2011</span><br /><p>The music industry is one of constant change. One thing is for certain though — Papa Roach is a mainstay in the rock world.</p> <p>The rockers from Sacramento celebrated 10 years of greatness last September with the release <span style="font-style: italic;">Time for Annihilation</span>, which is a 14-track disc with five new songs and nine live recordings of some of their best hits like “Getting Away with Murder,” “...To Be Loved,” “Lifeline,” “Scars” and “Last Resort.”</p> <p>For those living under rocks, P-Roach formed in the early 90s and hit the mountaintop in 2000 by releasing their second album, first on a major label, called <span style="font-style: italic;">Infest</span>. Thanks to the hits “Last Resort,” “Broken Home” and “Between Angels and Insects,” the album went on to reach triple-platinum status and the band earned a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist. The instant success also earned P-Roach spots on tours like OzzFest and Vans Warped Tour.</p> <p>Three more albums, <span style="font-style: italic;">Lovehatetragedy</span> (2002), <span style="font-style: italic;">Getting Away with Murder</span> (2004) and <span style="font-style: italic;">The Paramour Sessions</span> (2006) meant more good music. The latter produced the single “...To Be Loved,” which was used by the WWE as the theme song to their popular weekly television show Raw.</p> <p><span style="font-style: italic;">Metamorphosis </span>hit the shelves in 2009 and gave the band their second No. 1 hit, “Lifeline.”</p> <p>Despite the success, the band has partnered with WhyHunger, a national non-profit organization founded in 1975 by the late Harry Chapin & current Executive Director Bill Ayres that works to put an end to hunger suffered by 49 million Americans.</p> <p>We spoke with frontman Jacoby Shaddix spoke via telephone from his home in Sacramento a few weeks ago before the band began their latest stint on the road.</p> <p><strong>Of all the accomplishments, what are you most proud of?</strong></p> <p>I am proud of several — the music we have created and our live shows. That’s what it comes down to. Also, the brother hood amongst the band is awesome.The P-Roach live shows are amazing. We have always been a very energetic live rock band. Over the years, it’s turned from me trying to destroy myself on stage to a celebration of fucking rock and roll with the crowd. It’s a great mix of the sound, music, energy and the crowd.</p> <p><strong>Do you ever go back and listen to your earlier stuff?</strong></p> <p> </p> <p>That’s a crazy question because last night, we were actually listening to some old P-Roach and old music we were listening to back in the day like Wu-Tang Clan. We have a studio here in our hometown of Sacramento and we’ve been hanging out here kicking it old school and reconnecting with our old friends. It’s looking back at the history of the band and enjoying it. It’s a trip.</p> <p><strong>How did the band come together?</strong></p> <p>I was at a Deftones show way back in the early 90s and I remember flipping the fuck out during the show. I got in the moshpit and tore it up. It was then I knew what I wanted to do be in a rock band. I went to the show with our original drummer, Dave (Buckner), and after the show, I said let’s start a band. So we did.</p> <p><strong>What led you to affiliate yourself with the WhyHunger non-profit organization?</strong></p> <p>For me, it’s a great way to give back to our fellow citizens. The first year of my families’ life, we were homeless. To be where I’m at and receive the gifts we’ve received, we are very fortunate as musicians and it’s important to be a part of a cause that is bigger than ourselves and not just in music, but something else. WhyHunger is the organization we choose to affiliate ourselves with because people talk alot about supporting the troops, but alot of the homeless people in this country are war veterans. My biological father, who is a Vietnam veteran, is actually homeless. I tried to help him out, he didn’t want it, so I try to help others out. There is a homeless guy who runs around the neighborhood and I hire him for all kinds of stuff. He’s a real good dude.</p> <p><strong>The last record, ‘Time for Annihilation,’ was a mix of some new songs and live recordings of older music. What was the idea behind that?</strong></p> <p>I think it’ a rad way to celebrate 10 years of Papa Roach. Our mission was to prove we are one of the most kickass live rock and roll bands around. We realized our fans really appreciated the live stuff. It’s a look back along with some new tunes.</p> <p><strong>That album was released on Eleven Seven Music, which is a label with great rock bands. Has it been a positive move?</strong></p> <p>It was a breath of fresh air. It was nice to be amongst people who see eye to eye with our creative vision — what we want to do and execute it all the way from beginning to end. There’s good energy with these guys and the fans will start noticing it more when we start releasing more music with Eleven Seven.</p> <p><strong>I know you love hip-hop, so if you could team up with a rapper, who would it be?</strong></p> <p>Eminem. Hands down. He slays, man. I love the way he lays it down lyrically. He is one of those guys who is a master at his craft. We toured with him years ago and it was way cool.</p> <p><strong>How many tattoos do you have and what was your first one?</strong></p> <p>I got my first tattoo 16 years ago and it was my wife’s name, Kelly. I have what you call in the tattoo biz a long sleeve shirt — my ribs, back and chest are covered. I have a bunch.</p> <p><span style="font-style: italic;">Papa Roach is performing a sold out show at Warehouse Live in Houston on Tuesday, May 31. The Raid the Nation Tour also features The Hunger and Pop Evil. </span></p><p><a style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);" href="http://paparoach.com/">Official Papa Roach website</a><br /><a style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);" href="https://www.facebook.com/paparoach">Follow Papa Roach on Facebook</a><br /><a style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);" href="http://twitter.com/#%21/paparoach">Follow Papa Roach on Twitter</a><br /><a style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);" href="http://www.amazon.com/Papa-Roach/e/B000APPI1G/ref=sr_1_7?qid=1306429130&sr=1-7-ent">Click here to purchase Papa Roach music</a></p>Coophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10928544150944247761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5085632161110486244.post-75262645377202231602011-05-19T15:49:00.004-05:002011-05-19T15:57:05.941-05:00Interview: Joe Nichols<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhcRzExjOYahw7z4ELbhDBOQYUlQ5IrVUr7ctupcHChq8viR8Yr02R-k-Ev92UC_OTto0KhIaerHw_-Ubb7ys2-0pGRgtrWoWbFD8tCa4ctp-fZ6Kp4rFuWyZajIRPn7SNp1LHJQ2WpYh2/s1600/JoeNicholsHI.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhcRzExjOYahw7z4ELbhDBOQYUlQ5IrVUr7ctupcHChq8viR8Yr02R-k-Ev92UC_OTto0KhIaerHw_-Ubb7ys2-0pGRgtrWoWbFD8tCa4ctp-fZ6Kp4rFuWyZajIRPn7SNp1LHJQ2WpYh2/s320/JoeNicholsHI.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608532832447074690" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >by Chad Cooper, May 2011</span><br /><p>Not many know, but Joe Nichols had a very tough decision to make as a teenager in high school — continue to play baseball and become the best baseball player he could be or go down the path of music. Apparently, it was the right one.</p> <p>Born and raised in Rogers, Ark., Nichols, now 34, signed his first independent record contract at 20, but after several years of hard work, Nichols upgraded his status by signing with Universal Records, now Show Dog-Universal Music, and releasing Man with a Memory in 2002.</p> <p>The album reached platinum status and charted four singles, which included “The Impossible,” “Cool to Be a Fool,” “She Only Smokes When She Drinks” and his first No. 1 single, “Brokenheartsville.”<br /></p><p>Later that year, Nichols was nominated for three Grammy Awards and went on to win Top New Male Vocalist from the Academy of Country Music.He followed that success with the 2004 album Revelation. The 11-track album featured two Top 10 hits, “If Nobody Believed in You” and “What’s a Guy Gotta Do.”</p> <p>After a Christmas album later that winter, Nichols continued making hits and that was apparent with the 2005 record III. The first single, “Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off,” became his second No. 1 and “Size Matters (Someday)” and “I’ll Wait for You” were also quality Top 10 songs.</p> <p>More hits continued to fly out of the ballpark like “Another Side of You” and “It Ain’t No Crime” off the 2007 album Real Things and a third No. 1 chart topper, “Gimmie That Girl,” anchored his last release Old Things New.</p> <p>A 10-track album called Greatest Hits was released in January and Nichols is currently working on new material. 88MW chatted via telephone with Nichols before he began his current tour.</p> <p><strong>Growing up in Arkansas, did music play a big part of your life?</strong></p> <p>I think I was probably in high school when I came to that point in my mind where I had big thoughts. I didn’t want to sit on my tail for the rest of my life and wonder what I could have done. Maybe it was me dreaming big and not being realistic about my options in life, I don’t know. I wanted to get off my butt and try to accomplish what I wanted to accomplish in music or work my butt off to become the best baseball player I could be. I decided it was going to be music. I was passionate about both music and baseball, but somehow was drawn towards music. </p> <p><strong>How does it feel to have a greatest hits album?</strong></p> <p>I didn’t think I had that many hits. I guess you could reword that album and call it my only hits. HA HA. I think it’s great we have enough songs to compile an album full of hits. Certainly it doesn’t feel like it’s been nine years. I’m proud of it. </p> <p><strong>Whose idea was it to release a greatest hits project?</strong></p> <p>It was the record label’s idea. I wanted to do some new music, which we are working on now, but they wanted to get something out before the new stuff to keep the awareness up. It was a refresher idea like remember these songs like “Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off,” “Brokenheartsville” and “Gimmie That Girl.” </p> <p><strong>I’m glad you mentioned new music. Your last release came in 2009, so how close are you into releasing a new album?</strong></p> <p>We’ve been in the studio recording and we feel like we have a strong list of songs. It’s a lot of fun up-tempo stuff and a couple of ballads that are very, very special. The songs are there and now it’s just a matter of getting the magic right in the studio. We are trying some different formulas such as personnel like new musicians. Hopefully it will be ready for a summer release. </p> <p><strong>Will the fans see a big difference?</strong></p> <p>I hope not. I sing the way I do and there’s not a whole lot of change in that. The production around it is subject to be tinkered. The one thing I try to remain consistent on is making sure my home base is traditional country music. That is what I do and who I am. I will step outside of that and do some progressive things, but nothing that will confuse people about who I am and what I love. </p> <p><strong>With previous success and a plethora of competition, any added pressure making every song a hit?</strong></p> <p>There’s always pressure to hit a home run. Every time we go to the studio there is money being spent and the truth is, if you don’t hit a home run, it is a failure. The pressure I put on myself has everything to do with what I think I am capable of and my mind won’t let me rest until I achieve it. Sometimes I get obsessive compulsive about it. Going into the studio, I may hear a certain vocal, or line to a song or instrument out of tune that caught my ear. That’s not wanting the song to be competitive with other songs out there; I want it to be the best it can be for me. I just want to make a good record and good records find there way to radio and fans find their ways to the store to buy them.</p> <p><strong>I read that the legendary Merle Haggard had great things to say about you. Now, how does that feel?</strong></p> <p>Pretty damn good. He is like my boyhood hero. We used to listen to a bunch of records from front to back and over and over again and most of those were his and George Straight. To hear your childhood hero say good things about you, it makes me feel incredibly special. I don’t think I am deserving of it, but I sure am appreciative. I hold him in the highest regard.</p> <p style="font-style: italic;">Joe Nichols will perform at Whiskey River in Beaumont TX on Friday, May 20, with doors opening at 7 p.m. Advance tickets are $17 ($22 day of show) and the show is restricted to ages 18 years and up. For more information call (409) 832-2999.</p><p><a style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);" href="http://joenichols.com/">Official Joe Nichols website</a><br /><a style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);" href="https://www.facebook.com/JoeNichols">Follow Joe Nichols on Facebook</a><br /><a style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);" href="http://twitter.com/#%21/joenichols">Follow Joe Nichols on Twitter</a><br /><a style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);" href="http://www.amazon.com/Joe-Nichols/e/B000AQ0478/ref=sr_1_7?qid=1305838392&sr=1-7-ent">Click here to purchase Joe Nichols music</a></p>Coophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10928544150944247761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5085632161110486244.post-22882977984604283632011-05-12T13:28:00.000-05:002011-05-13T15:45:01.982-05:00INTERVIEW: Lit<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjTqPHwgd2iA04600iOT8ZqbTqW3qrNUr4zLvL_C9_4CAa4NWNrhCfVgTGCHUe2aEA6J32Jk9Kh2ndRvysZLLRPCiIdZiJl_hWUC4q_BYQrB473eivPFJflE3EJrOcKxuifQQUCFmUjGI8/s1600/016_LIT_9194KEV.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 235px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjTqPHwgd2iA04600iOT8ZqbTqW3qrNUr4zLvL_C9_4CAa4NWNrhCfVgTGCHUe2aEA6J32Jk9Kh2ndRvysZLLRPCiIdZiJl_hWUC4q_BYQrB473eivPFJflE3EJrOcKxuifQQUCFmUjGI8/s320/016_LIT_9194KEV.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605898660262766914" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">by Chad Cooper, May 2011</span></span><br /><p>West Coast rockers Lit returns and they seem to be better than ever. The band that brought our ears the giant hits “My Own Worst Enemy” and “Miserable” are in the midst of releasing a new material for the first time in more than seven years.</p> <p>Lit signed with RCA Records in 1999 and along came their first national release <span style="font-style: italic;">A Place in the Sun</span> that reached platinum status and gave the music world a breath of fresh air. The first single, “My Own Worst Enemy,” remained atop of the Billboard modern rock chart for more than three months and earned the Billboard Music Award for best modern rock song of 1999.</p> <p>The group followed that singled with the Top 10 hits “Zip-lock” and “Miserable.” The video for “Miserable” gained worldwide attention because it featured the blonde bombshell Pamela Anderson.</p> <p>With super success on Lit’s shoulders, the band earned a rightful spot on tours like the Vans Warped Tour, Woodstock 1999 and shows with Kid Rock, Garbage, The Offspring and No Doubt.</p> <p>Their second album on RCA came in 2001 with <span style="font-style: italic;">Atomic</span>. “Over My Head” and “Addicted” charted and “Lipstick and Bruises” led the way giving the band their fourth Top 10 single.</p> <p>Lit parted ways with RCA in 2002 and released a self-titled album in 2004 on the DRT Entertainment label, which also featured bands such as Powerman 5000, Clutch and Seven Mary Three.</p> <p>Also during this time, guitarist Jeremy Popoff opened a restaurant in Fullerton called the <a style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);" href="http://www.slidebarfullerton.com">Slidebar Rock-N-Roll Kitchen</a> that has gone on to become highly successful.</p><p>The band had to deal with tragedy in 2008 when drummer Allen Shellenberger was diagnosed with having a brain tumor. A year later, Shellenberger lost the battle at the age of 39.</p> <p>The guys took time to heal and decided to continue to play music and found drummer Nathan Walker and just last year added a fifth member.<br /></p><p>After seven years, Lit has announced plans for new music and a new tour. One of those shows will be May 19 with Fuel as a part of the weekly Thursday night Party by the Pool’s Liquid Society at L’Auberge du Lac in Lake Charles. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the casino or online at Ticketmaster.com. The show is restricted to those aged 21 years and up.</p> <p>Between interviewing applicants at his restaurant, Popoff spoke with 88MW about new music, his business venture and his love for poker.</p> <p><strong>What’s the band been up to since 2004?</strong></p> <p>We have gone through some stuff. Very personal tragedies and what not and it has sort of kept the band sidelined. We never really stopped playing, we just stopped recording and didn’t tour extensively because we were spread thin. Musically we have been writing the entire time for other artists. I personally spent some time in Nashville writing some country music. I also opened a bar/restaurant in Orange County (California). Everyone needed a re-charge and we are back with a bunch of new songs, a new record in the works and a new management company.</p> <p><strong>Tell me about the new music. I hear you guys are working with producer Marti Fredericksen, who has Aerosmith, Def Leppard and Mötley Crüe on his resume.</strong></p> <p>We worked with a few different people and added a fifth guy to the band, Ryan Gilmore. He is playing guitar, keyboard and singing some backup vocals. Plus he’s a great songwriter. It’s nice for me because being a guitar player for all these years, I now get to do some stuff in songs that I haven’t been able to do before. Sonically, the new stuff is a little bit more dynamic. We have played a few shows and performed the news songs and the crowds have loved it.</p> <p><strong>Does it seem like less pressure to record an album this time around?</strong></p> <p> </p> <p>We really don’t have anyone to answer to but ourselves, which is kind of scary. The band has always tried to stay true to what we were about. We never tried to re-invent the wheel. The old fans are going to be stoked and I think we are going to win over the new ones.</p> <p><strong>Do you think the down time will hurt?</strong></p> <p>Yes and no. Hardcore Lit fans can’t wait for some new rock-and-roll. I know I am excited. I’m not a super huge fan of any of the ‘modern rock’ music out there right now. I think people are looking back in the their collection and finding songs that actually made an impact in their life. All we can do is make good songs and put on good shows. We have a great management company now and they manage bands like Maroon 5, Stone Temple Pilots and 3 Doors Down so we are in good hands now and can sit back and focus on making really good music. We a have a new website that will launch soon. We re-recorded ‘My Own Worst Enemy’ and ‘Miserable’ and we are going to give away ‘My Own Worst Enemy’ on the new site just for coming to check the site out and we’re going to put ‘Miserable’ up on iTunes.</p> <p><strong>So a new website soon?</strong></p> <p>We are also going to have all kinds of cool stuff on there including demos of new music. The address is going to be Litband.com. Fans are going to love it because we are going to get them heavily involved. We are planning to do online contests where we fly out some fans, have dinner with them and listen to some new music. We may even have a contest to where they fly out and help us produce a song or two.</p> <p><strong>Tell me a little bit about your 2006 venture, the Slidebar Rock-N-Roll Kitchen.</strong></p> <p>We live in Fullerton, which is just north of Anaheim. We spent most of our lives here and I thought it would be a cool place to have a bar or restaurant. Plus it would be a good place to hang out when we are not on the road. If nothing else, a place I wouldn’t get kicked out and get free drinks. It’s been open for five years now. We are known for killer food and we get a lot of celebrities that come in here. We have great shows too and this place has become a legitimate music venue in Orange County. There’s never a cover charge. It turned into a big operation.</p> <p><strong>I hear you are a poker player.</strong> </p> <p>My brother (A. Jay Popoff, lead singer) and I grew up going to my grandfather’s house. He lived in Arizona in Bullhead City, which was right across the river from Laughlin, Nevada. It was like a mini-Vegas on the river. My brother and I were always fascinated with the casinos and once we were old enough to go to Vegas, we would go all the time. The record we put out, ‘A Place in the Sun,’ had a lot of Vegas influences, as did our stage show for that tour. Before that album, I would play poker two or three nights a week to make extra money to pay for groceries and stuff. I would hustle the local games.</p> <p><strong>Ever play in the World Series of Poker?</strong></p> <p>No, but I have been watching it every year on television. My problem is I like to drink when I gamble and I can’t sit in any place for too long. As much as I love poker, I also love the thrill of gambling and going all-in. I am not a very disciplined player.</p> <p><strong>Is your favorite starting hand pocket aces?</strong></p> <p>Yeah, I get a little excited with those. There is a game in town here in Fullerton that some of my bartenders go play in and I’ll play some. It goes into the wee-hours of the morning. Just recently, I was watching that game and there playing was some friends of mine from the band A Thousand Horses. The lead singer Mike hit a royal flush. If I had not been there, I wouldn’t have believed it. The funny thing was, the game was being played by a bunch of broke musicians and in the pot was $12. I said ‘dude, you just blew your poker wad.’ All over some cheap bear, pizza and a $12 pot.</p><p><a style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);" href="https://www.facebook.com/home.php#%21/LitLounge">Follow Lit on Facebook</a><br /><a style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);" href="https://www.facebook.com/home.php#%21/LitLounge">Click here to purchase Lit music</a></p>Coophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10928544150944247761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5085632161110486244.post-61790003432576352742011-05-11T14:54:00.000-05:002011-05-13T15:45:01.865-05:00Video Interview: Electric TouchVideo interview with Electric Touch @ BuzzFest 26 (May 1, 2011 @ The Woodlands Pavilion).<br /><br /><a style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);" href="http://www.electrictouch.com/">Official Electric Touch website</a><br /><a style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);" href="https://www.facebook.com/electrictouchmusic">Follow ET on Facebook</a><br /><a style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);" href="http://twitter.com/#%21/ElectricTouch">Follow ET on Twitter</a><br /><br /><object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=71377" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" height="225" width="400"> <param name="flashvars" value="intl_lang=en-us&photo_secret=1a7a28e4bd&photo_id=5693554009"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=71377"> <param name="bgcolor" value="#000000"> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=71377" bgcolor="#000000" allowfullscreen="true" flashvars="intl_lang=en-us&photo_secret=1a7a28e4bd&photo_id=5693554009" height="225" width="400"></embed></object>Coophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10928544150944247761noreply@blogger.com0