Hey... I Moved Mood: d'oh Now Playing: Muse : Super Massive Blackhole Topic: Random Notes
Hey...
I ain't checked in here at Tripod in awhile, although I am grateful that this cool free service got me started on the web back in 1997...
Lately, I have been maintaining blogs elsewhere, my most popular one is hosted by Google's Blogger service and gets regular traffic of several thousand hits a week at Lil Mike's Last Known Thoughts & Random Revelations.
Lately I've been getting visitors from all over the globe at that site due to top ten popularity at Mp3Blogs.net, plus links from other sites like Entertainment Weekly, SF Gate's Culture Blog and various search engines etc.
Unfortunately the Blogger service is down today for some reason , so I thought I'd stop by here and let y'all know wassup...
and where ya canfind my most recenly updated posts
p.s if ya get a chance ...check out this important flick:
See Ya Round The Web...
Posted by Lil Mike @ MissionArts.org
at 2:30 PM PDT
AudioScrobbler Now Playing: Bargain Music - Movin On Up Topic: Random Notes
Hey, If you haven't heard about Audio Scrobbler, here's the mini scoop.
It's a free web based service that pulls data out of your WinAmp or Windows Media Player then posts it to a webpage for others to see, (or in my case for me to remember what I was listening too ).
Charts are compiled from shared user data and then we can find out tidbits like yes, "I Can't Get No Satisfaction" really is the most popular Stones song, and Ruby Tuesday seems to come in third. I noticed a lotta computer geeks seem to like going postal while listening to The Postal Service these days, and other useless facts.
Latest Music News - Gossip & Garbage - 2005 Now Playing: Latest Music News - 2005 Gossip & Garbage Topic: Music News
... Punk Legend Wars ...
So Joey got a street sign in the Bowery?, well Johnny gets a statue in Hollywood... so there...
The perpetual one-upmanship of the late boys from Queens continues with the unveiling of the Johnny Ramone statue in Hollywood Forever Cemetary last month in front a thousand fans...
Featuring Johnny in true combat crouch, clutching his Mosrite, the thing lurks over a pond in the famed cemetary that also holds the bodies of Valentino & DeMille.
According to Rob Zombie, who spawned the idea as a little joke between him & Johnny, the thing weighs 50,000 lbs and is made of bronze. Word is, Johnny paid the $100,000 it cost to be cast by himself. His wife Linda pulled the sheet off the 7 foot likeness wearing white go-go boots on a bright January afternoon surrounded by celebrity friends and media.
Tommy Ramone was there for the unveiling along with CJ Ramone, Seymour Stein of Sire, Anthony & John of the Chili Peppers, Rick Rubin, Vince Gallo, Lisa Marie Presley, and even her ex-Nicolas Cage, who spoke eloquently at the ceremony. Dee Dee was unavailable for comment, although he's buried pretty close by.
in other Ramones news, "End Of The Century: The Story Of The Ramones" will be released on DVD March 15th and also air on PBS April 26. The film follows the band's musical history, the often-strained personal relationships between the members.
The more homegrown video produced by Marky Ramone "Raw" got off to a strong start in late 2004 by debuting at #5 on the Billboard Music Videos chart, and has been declared gold by leading industry trade associations.
--------------------- SUPER BAD ---------------
While "King of Pop" Michael Jackson fights off his child sex abuse charges in California, "The Godfather of Soul" has his own sex machine thang going on... A Chicago area woman has sued Brown regarding an alleged 1988 gunpoint rape that she says left her with "Grave's Disease".
According to Brown's Attorney Debra Opri ( also a Jackson family attorney), the accuser Jacque Hollander's allegations are baseless "rag sheet fodder".
The lurid details in the suit state that Hollander, then a member of Brown's PR staff, rode in Brown's van to a car dealership. Brown began driving recklessly and foaming at the mouth upon leaving the dealership.
He allegedly tortured and raped Hollander after driving to a deserted South Carolina area, and threatend to kill her if she told anyone.
Hollander's attorney, Donald Rosen, acknowledged the statute of limitation on rape ran out long ago, but he said the lawsuit is valid because Hollander's doctor recently told her the thyroid disease she was diagnosed with in 2000 was caused by the alleged attack.
According to the National Graves' Disease Foundation, stress can contribute to the onset of the disease, but many times the exact cause is unknown.
Brown who was an admitted cocaine user in the 1980's, served nearly three years in prison after he was convicted of assault and leading police on a 1988 car chase through parts of Georgia and South Carolina.
---- SNOOP has something in common with James Brown ----
A makeup artist claims she was drugged and raped by Snoop Dogg backstage at ABC's Jimmy Kimmel show. Snoop has declared himself a victim of a blackmail extortion attempt from his accuser.
Emmy award winning make-up artist Kylie Bell filed suit in LA Superior Court claiming she was sexually assaulted in a dressing room after a January 2003 taping of Jimmy Kimmel Live. She is seeking $25 million and additionally names ABC, and the Walt Disney Company as defendents.
In other music industry legal news, Irv "Gotti" Lorenzo and his brother Christopher, executives with Def Jam Music surrendered to authorities on federal money laundering charges. The Lorenzos are accused of being part of an interstate drug ring linked to executions. They both plead not guilty and were each released on one million dollars bond. They face up to 20 years in prison. Ja Rule's manager was arrested as well for similar related money laundering charges. All have denied any wrongdoing. Sources have stated that Irv "Gotti" will be indicted on alleged tax evasion charges as well.
Jay-Z new president and CEO of the Def Jam Records Label had no immediate comment. Perhaps Jay Z was himself too busy visiting Shyne, the NYC rapper who is living in Rikers prison after his conviction from a 1997 club shooting involving P.Diddy & J.LO. The Brooklyn-bred MC who shares a cell with a corrupt former NY state senator Guy Velella, signed with Def Jam in 2004 in a deal that was reportedly worth $3 million. Shyne recently met with Jay Z about his follow up album to his debut "Godfather: Buried Alive". No tour plans are yet announced, although he is potentially eligible for parole in 2009.
Snoop of course can't escape this story either, as over $500,000 of alleged drug proceeds, the federal indictment states, were used to finance Snoop's straight-to-video film, Crime Partners.
Posted by Lil Mike @ MissionArts.org
at 3:40 PM PST
Mission Arts Monthly Column - Lil Mike's Pix For Sept 2004 Topic: Bay Area Events
Hey, this is a column from our second issue of Mission Arts Monthly, a publication bent on offering information, articles, previews and event info about the numerous activities around San Francisco's Mission District.
Our focus is on highlighting the many unique & talented folks preening, performing, painting,or somehow participating in the cultural stew that gives the Mission such a vibrant edge.
Having lived in this town for umpteen years, I can attest that the Mission is the supreme spot for eating, drinking, fucking and sucking up the sights and sounds. The creative cocoon is so diverse & darn welcoming that literally hours, days, weeks or months of your lifetime can go by and you'll perhaps barely need to leave the 'hood.
I just wanted to highlight a few of the local events and goings on that will be making September a little something special this year. These are some of my picks, and as of press time I hope you'll find time to check a few of these out. The growing gang at Mission Arts Monthly is psyched, and hoping to help us all celebrate the sacred, sordid, saucy, sick, silly and serene scenes that we have just outside our doors. ---------------------------------------------
Thursday, September 9th, 2004 @ SomArts Gallery
ART AUCTION 04
The Coalition on Homelessness is celebrating 15 years of the STREET SHEET with an Art Auction at SomArts Gallery. There will be works by: Barry McGee, Christine Hanlon, Eric Drooker, Alicia McCarthy, Rigo, Chris Johanson, and MANY MORE! Reception and registration begins at 6pm with Hors d'oevres, buffet dinner and art auctions to follow. Sliding scale admission $10-$40.
Where: SomArts Gallery, 934 Brannan Street (between 8th & 9th Streets), San Francisco
------------------------- Thursday, Sept. 9th @ 12 Galaxies ( 2565 Mission Street ) MEDITATE AND DESTROY
After the Somarts event, check out a benefit to finish a documentary film by Sarah Fisher that focuses on meditation teacher and author of Dharma Punx, Noah Levine. The show will feature former Chicago bike messenger Matt Skiba of the hip and hardy band Alkaline Trio, one of indie rawk's most promising acts. The Film Trailer preview is at 10:30.
Info: 415-970-9777 Check out the film website at: www.meditateanddestroy.com ----------------------------
Saturday September 11th @ Mighty ( 15th & Utah)
B.P FALLON'S DEATH DISCO
Once Paul McCartney's dope tester, Led Zeppelin's fawning former publicist,U2's Zoo TV tour DJ, BP Fallon has led the kind of rawkin' life inside the Velvet Goldmine that'd make Rodney Bingenheimer jealous. "Purple browed Beep" is how Marc Bolan described him in the T-Rex hit "Telegram Sam." In 1976 Phil Lynott said "BP's brilliant, though I'm not sure what he does". King Boogaloo brings his wacky world & White Widow to Mighty for a Death Disco style raveup & photo retrospective on Sept 11... I wouldn't miss it if you dig glam, slam, rock n roll...
------------------------------------
Thursday, September 16 @ Galeria De La Raza ( 24th & Bryant) STITCHING COMMUNITIES - an Urban Folk Fashion Show The fashion of contemporary Mexican and local artists wil be modeled and displayed in an art gallery setting. It is their hope to stitch a larger cross cultural community of artists that combine ancestral and urban design without loosing their traditions. For more info write Norma at stitchcominfo@yahoo.com
----------------------------- Friday September 17th @ Thee Parkside (17th & Wisconsin)
THE FONDAS
When not rocking onstage with the Boss, or playing a heavy on The Sopranos, Little Steven hypes the undergound garage rock scene via his syndicated radio show (heard locally Sunday nights on KFOG). One of his fave bands of late is Detroit Mi's The Fondas, who he's had brought in for gigs with Iggy, NY Dolls and more. Well, The Fondas are in SF this week for shows & will rock the house with Nagg and The Straightjackets at our beloved Parkside. If you dig The Bellrays or Detroit Cobras, then I guess I'll see ya smoking on the patio...
--------------------------------------- Sunday September 19th @ Valencia St ( twixt 21 & 22nd )
VALENCIA STREET FAIR ( noon til 6pm )
Heck, the street already has an under utilized bike lane, why not it's own fair! Maybe we can make it a permanent feature too! Bands to play include Japonize Elephants, Why-Sall Lane, and that legendary librarian lady herself Ms. Penelope Houston. Sponsors include local chiropractor Dr. Milton O' Brien (Whom I'm gonna start calling Uncle Miltie just for the heck of it...)
As part of the THE UNPLUGGED, (BUT LIKELY DRUNK) concert series, we welcome the stray soul survivors still reeling and rocking from the street fair to wander to the far side of the moon for a free show at Potrero & Mariposa. The bands herein will be redefining that sorta flaky folksy flava via a quasi acoustic assault on your senses. In the interests of journalistic integrity, I must warn ye that I will be not only participating in this debauchery, but bartending as well. Sadies is often a fave stop for folks headed in or out of the psych wards of SF General, and we hope you'll include us in your travels.
A far cry from the preceding Sunday acoustic attack at Sadie's, the showcase here promises to not only entertain, but perhaps help change the political world as we know it. Performers include Minnesota's dynamic duo Story Hill, locals Chuck Gonzalez & Liz Ross as well as a solo performance from Alan Tower of world fusion legends Ancient Future who plays hand fired clay percussion. There's also a drawing from EMB Studios who're giving away 4 hours of recording time and if you'll register as an Absentee Voter, you get in free...Damn! It's Just All Too Much! ------------------------------
Thursday, September 23 @ 826 Valencia ( 826 Duh ) DEVIL IN THE DETAILS Book Release Party
A book release party for Jenny Traig's first memoir, Devil in the Details. Jenny has previously been published in McSweeney's, and is behind the popular Crafty Girl series for Chronicle Books. Now, the party is here for her new memoir that truly touches on her own "Obsessive Girlhood". I'm also thinking there might be a lil' free wine too!
Anyhow, that's about all I have room to squeeze into this space, and I hope you folks have new excuses to get out about the hood more often this month.
Peas & Love Handles , Lil Mike
LilMike @ MissionArts.org
For info on advertising and submitting your events to this non profit 5000 copy circulation San Francisco neighborhood newspaper, visit Mission Arts.org
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Posted by Lil Mike @ MissionArts.org
at 8:26 PM PDT
After 24 Years The Dicks Still Hate The Police ! Floyd More Years! Now Playing: No Fucking War! Topic: Music Reviews
Thursday night I was sucked into the pit in a leather bar as O.G Texan commie/fag/punk band The Dicks tore the roof off the sucker.
There was literally less than standing room, as a sweaty mob of fans reeled and rolled across the beer soaked floor of the Eagle Tavern. It was like a family reunion of people without traditional families, and the crowd included cast members of plenty decent raw & rocking acts of the last 20 years. This isn't surprising since this group influenced a generation with the anger & energy of their early political punk.
Artists such as The Butthole Surfers, Mudhoney, Bob Mould and Mike Watt have all mentioned Gary Floyd as an influential spirit on their work.
David Yow of Jesus Lizard was cramped in front of the stage near Steve Koepke, the List keeper, while the safety first Jello Biafra preferred an eye in the sky perch on a ledge above the video poker machine. "My God, a 300-pound communist drag queen who can sing like Janis Joplin" is how Biafra once described Gary Floyd.
Mike Millet of APPLE/ Broken Rekids held tight to a spot in the hairy huddle near the bar, and Jimmy & Sothira of Crucifix played it cool by the door. The room was a virtual Rock Against Reagan reunion, and the patio was full of folks that never even thought about quitting smoking, even if their mohawks were receding and spikes a little dulled with time. Other punk rock-n-rollers spotted amidst the mayhem were members of The Rhythm Pigs, RKL, MDC, AOG and SPBT... (If you need to know what all the acronyms stand for, you probably wouldn't have dug the scene anyway).
The crowd, easily the densest I've ever seen crammed into The Eagle for a show, was raging, rowdy and ready by midnight. After what seemed like a long sweaty, pushing & shoving wait, someone shouted "Quit Dicking Around & Play !!!" Mr. Gary Floyd looked up from studying his setlist and realized it was about time to get it going, lest he have a riot on his hands.
Proclaiming himself "Spiritual Leader of the Universe !", He took to the mic stand looking unusually svelte and almost professor like, with his salty beard. Gone are the wigs & panties with liver in them, but the bespectacled showman still knows how to rawk a party.
They opened with "Kill From The Heart", a tune that really got the packed room pulsing. The band played it fierce & continued to wash the room in a much needed dirty bath of sordid sonic history, including the great "Fake Bands".
After a couple tunes, Gary tried to to get the excitedly swarming mass to mellow just a little , stop ripping at the overhanging sound cords, cease the ridiculously dangerous low ceilinged crowd surfing, and just be a little more gentle with each other. Gary even had to bitch out some misbehaving thugs upfront with a "Don't start acting punk now for the first time in 20 years!".
Threatening to stop the show, he soon tried to relax the mob, with an intro to song that was supposed to "calm y'all down a bit". Along came a rousing "Dead In A Motel Room", with it's bluesy sing-along chorus of " I Don't Know... Who I am Anymore!", where amidst the heat and sweat of the swerving maw of the pit, at least from my perspective, I can testify that it was indeed true. We were just one big heaving hunk of punk.
Gary made a point to thank Doug Hilsinger and the staff and owners of the bar, who've made music a part of The Eagle's legacy. Where else, I wonder but under the always warm & welcoming wings of The Eagle could such a reunion occur? Gary introduced the band, all original members except for the missing Glen Taylor who died a year back, and "would've been right at home, drinking a beer at the bar!"
The band's long torrid 24 year history came pouring out of the sound system as the tightly packed crowd swelled around the stage. At some point David Yow ended up on he mic, unseen, he was singing "Wheelchair Epidemic" a song his band Jesus Lizard had covered and repopularized years ago on a 7" single. Amidst the moments of thunderous mayhem and gangs of gawkers, the Dick's onstage visages were often only visible as ghostly white silouettes provided via overhead infra-red security cam. Then even the view via the upper stage right TV monitor went black in the cord tugging chaos.
All the ol' faves were played like "Shit on Me" and "Bourgeois Fascist Pig". The setlist looked long, but the songs were short, and The Dicks 2004 reunion finished with a fierce "Dicks Hate The Police". The song originally appeared on MDC's R Radical label as a 7" in 1980 and MDC's drummer Al Shvitz was there fresh from prison last night to usher in another decade with the aging anthem. He hadn't seen some of these folks in 10 or 20 years, and the recently turned 50 hardcore pioneer was obviously touched. "It's a very special night", he said and attending it caused him to lose his bed at a halfway house.
After the show I decided "Floyd More Years!" was the only worthy election year chant I could be down with, and Gary showed his approval by licking my ear.
While the diehard old school punk fools at The Eagle were enjoying a reunion of the original commie pinko fag band, I guess in NYC there was a party with an altogther different flavor happening.
Isaac Hayes introduced Kid Rock to a crowd last night that included Dennis Hastert, the first daughters and hundreds of others at a Republican Convention / RIAA party at NY's Avalon club.
"He's a baaaad Mutha... Fucker!" boomed South Park's Chef voice out to the red state richies and liquored up lobbyists who were lovin' it!.
Ironically , the white trash rapper from Michigan hasn't always been the GOP's favorite son. Sen. Zell Miller, the convention's keynote speaker, said after watching Kid Rock's recent crotch grabbing flag waving Super Bowl halftime performance, "He should be tarred and feathered and ridden out of this country on a rail."
The grand old partyin' kids in NY apparently have another opinion...
According to Michael Schere of Mother Jones:
Riotous applause spread through all five levels of the club, a former church when Bob Ritchie a.k.a Kid Rock laid out his platform "I'd give the working man back his money and make every lowdown dirty Democrat in D.C. pay!"
"I'd give the State of the Union address flying high, smoking a joint on Air Force one." The roar was even louder now. "If I was president, I wouldn't have sex in the oval office and then lie about it to everyone. I'd put in TV cameras so every man could watch ol' Rock lay it down."
Apparently, if the crowd response of enthusiastic pandemonium is an indicator, this voyeuristic concept was a well received idea by the 1st daughter's demographic hanging in the DJ booth and the lucky V.I.P types throughout the hall.
d'oh
