MY RUIN in THE STUDIO
recording our new album "Ghosts and Good Stories"
coming in June 2010 on Tiefdruck-Musik!

Sunday, March 7, 2010

R.I.P Mark Linkous~!





Dear Friends,

I just read that Mark Linkous of the band 'Sparklehorse' committed suicide yesterday. He shot himself in the heart outside of one of his friends houses in Mick's hometown of Knoxville, Tennessee.

Hearing someone has taken their own life is always so sad and it makes you wonder what was going through their mind at the time. He was such a talented musician and true artist. Today a good friend of ours in Knoxville organized a memorial party to swap stories and share photos in honor of someone she [and many of our other friends knew] who was also a musician and who recently died of cancer. While the Hollywood elite celebrate their big wins on the silver screen, others mourn underground artists who were not a part of the mainstream. Someone very close to me killed herself many years ago and I have to just say that no matter how depressed you get, suicide it is not the answer. It may put you out of the pain but it leaves those you leave behind who love you with a pain and emptyness that lasts forever in their hearts long after you are gone. I speak from experience.

Over the years so many people have written me sharing their personal stories of rape, violence, child abuse, suicide and depression. I am not a therapist so sometimes it can be a bit overwhelming and scary reading some of these letters especially when the people writing are looking at me for answers but I'm just like everyone else and looking for my own answers. I write because that is my therapy just like it is for most musicians I suppose [or for those of us who don't do it for the money, fame or hot chicks anyway]. I write to relieve the ache, find the strength and often confront my own demons. I think Mark Linous felt the same way. He wrote haunting songs filled with entropic imagery, fragile beauty and allusive themes. Ironically the name of the song I am posting a video for below in the wake of his death is called "It's a Wonderful Life".

RIP tonight Mr Linous, you will be remembered.


TB[M]10
=X=



Friday, March 5, 2010

V.o.t.D~!


[DIVINE INTERVENTION?]

The Ten Commandments may have been set in stone but according to Christopher Hitchens who appears in the latest issue of Vanity Fair Magazine, it may be time for a re-chisel. With all due humility, the outspoken author takes on the job, pruning the ethically dubious, challenging the impossible, and rectifying some serious omissions. While I might not always agree with some of the things Mr Hitchens has to say on various controversial subjects, I love that he has the balls to say them. He is always an interesting read and/or interview. This time is no different and he actually kinda nails it. Especially with #8...
" Turn off the f**king cell phone!"

TB[M]10
=X=




Friday, January 29, 2010

V.o.t.D.~!



Krauthammer slams Obama
for lack of terrorism talk in SOTU address!


"And after a year, and we’ve had three attacks – the Arkansas murder, the Ft. Hood massacre and the attack on the airliner – and he has almost practically nothing in the State of the Union on terrorism."

Good point and I agree 100%!





Thursday, January 28, 2010

Abusing [the] Muse: Part 9 - State of the Union~!





ABUSING [the] MUSE
True Confessions, Revelations, Rants & Observations:
Part 9 – The State of the Union~!
:::::::::::
[B.I.O.B.]

Someone very scary once said:
"If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it."
As it always does in History, only time will tell.


Last night I watched President Obama’s extremely long 'State of the Union' address for his 2010 agenda which touched on everything from creating jobs to going after the banks and attacking the very institutions he has spent much of his first year in office trying to save from financial ruin. It was more lecturing than inspiring and largely a laundry list of proposals for the Congress to take up alongside statements of what he intends for the executive branch to do over the next twelve months with a bit of phony populism thrown in for good measure. Listening to Obama try to take on this new persona and political philosophy supporting the rights and power of the people in their struggle against the privileged elite after he signed the bills to allow this to happen last year was quite entertaining. His tone and message were pretty much shaped by the events of the past month - from the failed attempt to bomb a jet on Christmas Day to the GOP's upset victory in Massachusetts' Senate election, which has now jeopardized health care legislation and underscored voters' concerns over the economy. As usual he had a lot to say but as we have come to know, It’s easy to say plenty and do nothing while talking in circles. I tried to remain open minded but after all was said and done, I feel like he just kept repeating the same jargon that swooned so many Americans to vote for him in the first place. It also bothered me a bit that he seems to now be changing his tune on a few of the songs he previously sung and also taking credit for things his former running mate had suggested which he basically discredited in 2008.

What came as no big surprise and was sadly expected was Obama once again playing the blame game which has now become jokingly referred to as “BIOB” or “Blame It On Bush” by using last night’s speech as an opportunity to once again dwell on the problems he inherited from the previous administration without offering much in the way of new ideas or concrete solutions. He failed to act as he was asking others to act by engaging in petty finger pointing and reliving the past that he knew all too well he was getting into when he was sworn in as President of the United States. This is his reality now, he must deal with it regardless who gave it to him. If the answer to everything is to blame Bush, then the real question we should be asking is when exactly does his administration plan to start taking over is? The Bush bashing act is starting to get really old, fast. The fact that the President continues to bash his predecessor after over a year of being in office makes him seem like a child with a “poor me” chip on his shoulder. It's time he accepts responsibility for some of the things he's been saying and doing and quit pointing the finger at every given opportunity. I don't remember any other President that has ever done this to such a degree including Bush who although I’m not some big fan of, I will give him props for opting not to play the blame game which he could have easily implemented himself taking over the mess Clinton had made.

On a positive note, there is no denying Obama is a good orator. He is full of charisma and the big guy even had a few jokes. He managed to keep clear of the flashier rhetoric of his inaugural address and avoided the biblical and literary illusions he favored in South Bend and Cairo. However, he did remain true to form in one regard. In past speeches, it seemed as though Obama tried to channel famous Americans ranging from Martin Luther King to Abraham Lincoln. Call me crazy but tonight, it felt like he was trying to summon the spirit of Ronald Reagan while rehashing old campaign speeches and slowly but surely adopting each one of McCain's campaign promises he so adamently opposed. He delivered his speech and reacted to the room that in return reacted to him with more standing ovations per minute by members of his own party than his girl Oprah gets when she’s giving away cars on her show. You get the point right? Well let’s just be honest shall we? Between Joe Biden’s freakishly constant weird smile and Nancy Pelosi’s glassed over facial expression coupled with her maniacal botoxed reactions to every word Obama spoke, it was hard not to feel a bit distracted in what seemed like 3 hours rolled into just under 90 minutes so I guess we can’t really blame superstar Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid for nearly falling asleep because afterall, he’s been alseep at the wheel for a while so it was nothing shocking to see him yawning. Ironically MSNBC cut away mid-yawn, but FOX News and CNN kept the camera fixed on Mr. Reid throughout his gigantic yawn. Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano on the otherhand obviously forgot the middle aisle was filled with photographers, one of which caught her nearly losing consciousness during the event.



One of the more cringe worthy yet priceless moments of the speech was when the President took aim at a recent court decision which said that corporations could spend as much as they wanted to sway voters in federal elections. Obama said “Last week, the Supreme Court reversed a century of law to open the floodgates for special interests -- including foreign companies -- to spend without limit in our elections,” Obama said tonight. “Well, I don’t think American elections should be bankrolled by America’s most powerful interests, and worse, by foreign entities. They should be decided by the American people, and that’s why I’m urging Democrats and Republicans to pass a bill that helps to right this wrong.” With the black robed Supreme Court Justices only a few feet away and basically burning holes through Obama with their alien like stone faced stares, the cameras flashed on them seated and looking very pissed off while everyone else was on their feet clapping for the Presidents remarks. The court’s ruling overturned a century-old restriction. In a 5-4decision led by the court’s conservative bloc, the justices said that corporations had the same right to free speech as individuals, and for that reason the government could not stop corporations from spending to help their favored candidates. Many analysts predict the ruling will benefit Republicans in next fall’s midterm elections.



I must also say that the Congress getting chewed out by Obama was kinda well deserved but his body language was pointing directly to the Republicans during that "chewing out" which was an interesting side note to the drama. He said the Republicans aren’t showing leadership when they say no to his policies and repeated that in a few different ways. For him to say “its not showing leadership” made no sense because what it comes down to is there are some people [myself included] who simply do not think his agenda is the best for our country. Obama is both dismissive and condescending in his dislike for anyone who does not not endorse or has a persistant disagreement with his policies but what exactly has been accomplished with a Congress that had majority membership before on the left? This Congress's performance has been poor at best and people like Pelosi and Reed need to be reminded who they really work for. They also need to get a clue as to what is really a priority to the American people! I believe Americans are starting to finally wake up and speak out and it’s about time. Our political leaders need to pay attention, listen and understand, not just hear. There is a big difference.

As much as it appears to be about policy, the purpose of last night’s speech was mostly political and partisan. I just want to say for the record, I’m really tired of so many far left Liberals still acting so self-rightous in light of the fact they have been handed a few reality checks lately with the stunning upsets Obama actively engaged in such as (Virginia, New Jersey, Massachusetts) now showing just how dramatically the political landscape has shifted during his first year in office. As an American I would very much like affordable heath care on the other hand, I do not want the government running my life or telling me what I can and cannot do so I will say it again—I am against big government!

Another bone of contention with me during his speech was when he stated so matter of fact like: “Throughout our history, no issue has united this country more than our security. Sadly, some of the unity we felt after 9/11 has dissipated. We can argue all we want about who's to blame for this, but I'm not interested in re-litigating the past. I know that all of us love this country. All of us are committed to its defense. So let's put aside the schoolyard taunts about who's tough. Let's reject the false choice between protecting our people and upholding our values. Let's leave behind the fear and division, and do what it takes to defend our nation and forge a more hopeful future for America and for the world. That's the work we began last year. Since the day I took office, we've renewed our focus on the terrorists who threaten our nation. We've made substantial investments in our homeland security and disrupted plots that threatened to take American lives. We are filling unacceptable gaps revealed by the failed Christmas attack, with better airline security and swifter action on our intelligence.”


This whole sentiment is nice but in reality does not really ring true considering Obama was more worried about “political correctness” than the safety of his country and correct me if I’m wrong but wasn’t it Obama and his administration that said they didn’t even want to use the word “terrorism” so they invented the catchy little “pc” phrase “man caused disasters”? I for one do not believe Obama is commited to our defense. Far from it. He’s been commited to apologising for our previous administration’s commitment to our defense. Again, correct me if I’m wrong but we had not one terror attack on U.S. soil after 9/11 until the attack on Ft Hood by the self proclaimed Anti- American Army Major Malik Nadal Hasan who was a card carrying “Soldier of Allah” which was on Obama’s watch and has virtually been played down past the point of insult by the U.S. military’s recently released 86 page report detailing various slipups by Army officers but not once mentions Major Nidal Hasan by name or even discusses whether the killings may have had anything to do with this Terrorists view of his Muslim faith. The fact that there is so much silence in America and by our government when it comes to Islamic extremism shows you how deeply entrenched the values of “political correctness” have become and it’s definitely getting worse. How many more dead bodies do we need to learn a lesson and how many more business cards do we have to read before we can identify someone for who they really are publically? It has nothing to do with “schoolyard taunts or who’s tough”. Sorry but I would rather have a tough president who means what he says and says what he means rather than one who is willing to bow dow to all our enemies. As for what happened this past Christmas. My thoughts are this-- It shouldn’t be up to passengers on a plane to stop a Terrorist attack. It should be up to our government to keep us safe so something such as this does not happen but when our president is more worried about saving face than saving lives that’s when “political correctness” has gone too far and that’s when America needs to wake up before we have another 911 on our hands and a president apologizing to us for once for not paying enough attention to the seriousness of the situation.


After watching his speech I went online and decided to do a little research myself and take a look at some of his claims Obama very arrogantly made and stated as fact and how they compare with the actual facts. It seems there was a lot of “fact checking” going on after this speech but not much as it was being written. It bothered me when he brought up the new idea of a “spending freeze” saying it was part of HIS solution to the exploding deficit yet it was Obama who once considered government spending freezes “a hatchet job” and criticized the man who initially came up with the plan. He didn't explain what had changed his mind or even give credit to the person who before his came up with this idea but he sure did pat himself on the back as though he thought of it all on his own. The best part is that he is only freezing a very small percentage which basically is a move just for show to try and make it look like he’s moving to the right. Here are a couple points in his speech which I found interesting in comparison:


OBAMA: "Starting in 2011, we are prepared to freeze government spending for three years. Spending related to our national security, Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security will not be affected. But all other discretionary government programs will. Like any cash-strapped family, we will work within a budget to invest in what we need and sacrifice what we don't."


THE FACTS: The anticipated savings from this proposal would amount to less than one percent of the deficit -- and that's if the president can persuade Congress to go along. Obama is a convert to the cause of broad spending freezes. In the presidential campaign, he criticized Republican opponent John McCain for suggesting one. "The problem with a spending freeze is you're using a hatchet where you need a scalpel," he said a month before the election. Now, Obama wants domestic spending held steady in most areas where the government can control year to year costs. The proposal is similar to McCain's.

::::::::::

OBAMA: He called for action by the White House and Congress "to do our work openly, and to give our people the government they deserve."

THE FACTS: Obama skipped past a broken promise from his campaign -- to have the negotiations for health care legislation broadcast on C-SPAN "so that people can see who is making arguments on behalf of their constituents, and who are making arguments on behalf of the drug companies or the insurance companies." Instead, Democrats in the White House and Congress have conducted the usual private negotiations, making multibillion-dollar deals with hospitals, pharmaceutical companies and other stakeholders behind closed doors. Nor has Obama lived up consistently to his pledge to ensure that legislation is posted online for five days before it's acted upon.

::::::::::

OBAMA: Drawing on classified information, he claimed more success than his predecessor at killing terrorists: "And in the last year, hundreds of al-Qaeda’s fighters and affiliates, including many senior leaders, have been captured or killed -- far more than in 2008."

THE FACTS: This is an impossible claim to verify. Neither the Bush nor the Obama administration has published enemy body counts, particularly those targeted by armed drones in the Pakistan-Afghan border region.


I was impressed when Obama vowed to work with Congress to repeal “Don't Ask, Don't Tell”-- the military policy that bans openly gay, lesbian and bisexual people from serving. I agree with that 100%. Do I think he made an honest effort to set aside the partisanship that has marked his first term so he could find some real solutions to the problems facing America? No. Do I think he gave any real examples of ways he is willing to move to the center, perhaps by embracing several initiatives from the other side on taxes, spending and the true size of government? No. As I said above, it felt like more of the same recycled talk as he continues to press ahead on his current course and as more and more people lose faith in his message of “Hope & Change” nothing has changed except for the fact that “Obamamania” is finally starting to die down. The lacklustre poll numbers now speak for themselves and the political stakes are high, perhaps as high as they have ever been for president just beginning his second year in office. Most poll numbers show the country ready to embrace the the other side once again as a way to voice their continuing frustration with Washington and although I am not a Republican. I don’t blame them. For a man who based his whole platform around change, he has quickly come into Washington and it’s been business as usual.


In a speech that felt part pep talk and part scolding Obama directly appealed to Americans' patriotism stubborn resilience" in a time of economic difficulties. "We have finished a difficult year," said the president, who has three more to go. "We don't quit. I don't quit. Let's seize this moment to start anew, to carry the dream forward and to strengthen our union once more." Americas greatness in not in question. It can’t be and it won’t be but our union is and President should be. Basically his speech did not add up to much politically and many of his past promises have since rang hollow leaving us all a bit sleepy. Earlier this week, Obama said he would rather be a "really good" one-term president than a "mediocre" two-term president. I say be careful what you wish for.

So there you have it my friends,
my thoughts and two cents on the Presidents first
“State of the Union” address.

Thank you for reading.
TB[M]10
=X=



Friday, January 22, 2010

Live Free or Die~!





["LIVE FREE or DIE"-->The RevolutionaryHolocaust!]

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Dear Friends & Readers,


Some of you may already know about this but for those who do not, I wanted to give you the heads up!!! Tomorrow there will be a special hour long long groundbreaking documentary on Fox News where Glenn Beck takes us back in time to examine the roots of socialism and communism and the evil that followed. Whether you like Glenn Beck or not, has nothing to do with it, put that aside for a minute. I'm not some huge Glenn Beck fan but once in a while it makes a few valid points that I do happen to agree with and who knows, this film may just be one of them. We'll see. Apparently it is which is filled with both real and graphic footage that has never been seen until now so that in itself has my attention. We all know about the horrors of the holocaust where the pure evil Hitler inspired claimed the lives of millions of innocent people but most do not know about the millions upon millions of lives lost in a different genocide of the Ukrainian people under the Stalin regime [including me] so that's something I'm interested in learning more about. This special is said to also take a look behind the iconic fashion symbol of Che Guevara showing that the myth doesn't tell the story of the man who was a blood thirsty killer which to be honest, is something I personally had no idea about until today so there ya go. There is also footage of Mao Zedong, the leader responsible for 70-million deaths during his reign. All communist and all killers.





The film will be shown during the Glenn Beck show at 2pm [westcoast] & 5pm [eastcoast] tomorrow (Friday) so make sure you don’t miss it. If you're not going to be home then try to set your DVR's to record it. It's important to know the truth about history, our history and the history of the world. There are a great deal of misconceptions about certain people and leaders and what they stood for and stand for now. Although I have pretty good idea what this film is going to be about from all the on air promotion, until I see it for myself I cannot judge one way or the other or say I agree with the message but I am going to watch it with an open mind and I have posted this here in my blog because I would like to invite as many of you as possible to join me in watching. I plan to share my thoughts on my Facebook wall after viewing it and once I do, I hope those of you who watched it will do so as well to let me know what you thought.

I have to admit that it looks really interesting from the trailer and I'm curious to hear what exactly the makers of this film have to say knowing that so much of history been distorted, erased, and even hidden. Sometimes the truth is as hard to know, as it is to swallow once we do know it and who knows, maybe we will all learn something we didn't know before once we do watch it. It never hurts to learn as much as you can abour past so we can prevent the same mistakes from happening in our future.

KNOWLEDGE is POWER.

TB[M]10
==




Wednesday, January 20, 2010

V.o.t.D.~!




In honor of his birthday, it seems today is officially "talk like Paul Stanley day" so I want to share this little clip featuring some of his classic stage banter. Paul rules and this is just another example of why.






HAPPYBIRTHDAYSTARCHILD

"Nothing could ever stop KISS. I've seen the band in down times where critics were like vultures circling overhead saying things like, Well, you know it's the end of your career."
[Paul Stanley]



KISS was the very first band I ever saw live. I was 13 and I was obsessed. They played the Forum in└A and it blew my mind. My bedroom walls were covered with their posters and I knew every word to every song I would lipsync in the mirror while holding my hairbrush as my microphone.

I guess you could say that Paul Stanley [along with his longtime partner in rock Gene Simmons and Ace Frehley & Peter Criss] were the first rockstars that left a real impression on me and in a certain way helped to influence what I do today. I hate it when people say they hate KISS. If you hate KISS, you just don't understand KISS. Paul will always be one of the greatest frontmen in rock & roll and he has influenced many who have seen him over the years. He loves to talk shit on stage with his infamous banter but he does it in a clever way that is all his own and I love the fact he's never been afraid to "shout it out loud" and call motherf**kers out! A true rock & roll preacher man with 7 inch leather heels, a loud guitar and a set of pipes that stand the test of time.


I found this photo of a poster I shot in 2002 for Tattoo Magazine in my files today so I decided to post it in honor of his birthday but it kinda makes me sad because I wore it so much it became a shredded rag. I now use it to dust with but whenever I dust I make sure i'm playing KISS~!

TB[M]10






Saturday, January 16, 2010

In The Studio with The Troggs~!




FOR YOUR LISTENING PLEASURE!


Ladies and gentlemen please enjoy the legendary recording of the Troggs arguing in the studio control room. A perfect example of a nightmare band and one too many ideas. This recording is said to have inspired some of the scenes in Spinal Tap and the infamous line:

"put some f**king fairy dust over the bastard! "

is still widely quoted in the recording industry to this day.







V.o.t.D.~!


O.R.C.H.E.S.T.R.I.O.N
For all you music geeks out there
[and I mean that in the sweetest way]
Enjoy this is amazing video of the day.


Wednesday, January 13, 2010

R.I.P Teddy Pendergrass~!





(March 26, 1950 – January 13, 2010)


R.I.P. TEDDY BEAR

A true R&B legend and the man with the velvet voice.







V.o.t.D.~!




HAIL SATAN!
::::::::::::::::::::



GOD I HATE RELIGIOUS FANATICS!!!


That being said, please check out the latest video clip of yet another prime example of bullshit religious propaganda straight from the mouth of another clueless television evangelist. As Haitian Prime Minister Jean-Max Bellerive said "well over" 100,000 people may have died in the recent natural disaster, in Haiti, Pat Robertson took to the airwaves today and said that the country has been "cursed by one thing after another" since they [get ready for this]---> "swore a pact to the devil." According to Robertson, "something happened a long time ago in Haiti and people might not want to talk about it" but he apparently felt it his duty to spill the beans on his show and let everyone know [as fact mind you] that the people of Haiti got together and told Satan "We will serve you if you get us out from under the French". I love how he says this is a "true story" and then goes on further to actually quote the Devil by saying "and he said okay, it's a deal". Really? Like he was right there to witness the whole thing. Wow!

It's bad enough the country of Haiti just went into total collapse and chaos but now this creep has to add his self righteous know it all 2 cents and kick em when they're down! Real "Christian" of him might I add but i'm not surprised because Robertson has a habit of doing this.This is not the first time he has made controversial comments in the wake of disasters. Remember when he said Hurricane Katrina was linked to terrorist attacks and legalized abortion and 911 was a punishment for sinners? Obviously he seems to think he has an exclusive hotline to God that empowers him to instruct the world on God's motives. Well here are some words of wisdom from my lips to God's ears.... Pat Robertson is a f**king crazy old kook of a fruitcake! He's also a deluded egomaniac who needs to stop sippin the Holy water and shut the hell up. Can you please fire him or atleast send him on a long overdue vacation to visit his pal Lucifer whom i'm sure he made his own pact with considering he's still on television?




It's astounding this man has any followers but then again so does Limp Bizkit and that my friends, is the scariest part of this "TRUE STORY"!!!

::::::::::::::::





Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Blasphemous Girls~!





[Photo @ Rios, Leeds - England]


Keri Henfry & Sophie Neumann are two very special hot rockin ladies I have had the pleasure to meet while My Ruin was on tour in the UK in 2008! They have been at more than a few of our shows and always give it back to me with their screams front row as good as I give it to them from the stage. Since they have taken the time to frame something of mine, I have decided to frame something with them....

A MOMENT IN TIME




This past year these beautiful and blasphemous girls bought one of the very first stamped leather hearts I created for the launch of my new online store in honor of the heart I designed for My Ruin's last album cover "Throat Full of Heart". Recently Keri & Sophie sent me these photos and a note which read:

"We have decided to do something a little different with the TFOH we bought from you. We wanted to keep it in perfect condition, and always have it on show, so we have framed it in a special box frame."

LADIES,
my heart looks great in it's new frame
and you both rule for taking the time to make my wearable piece of art
a part of your home decor treasured collection.
It's women like you who inspire me to do what I do.
Thank you.
xoxo


























V.o.t.D~!



YOU KNOW YOU WANT THIS ROOSTER IN YOUR BAND!






Saturday, January 9, 2010

Art by Kelly Ann Fogg~!







This kick ass sketch was sent to me by the artist


Kelly Ann Fogg
xo

Friday, January 8, 2010

V.o.t.D.~!






I Cheese Puffs and I Elvis.


This is possibly the coolest piece of art I have seen in a while.

Long Live The King~!





[A HUNKA HUNKA BURNING ROCK]

Those with suspicious minds may scoff – but this 1,800-year-old relic is the spitting image of Elvis Presley. Complete with quiff and strong jaw, the likeness to the singer in his Las ­Vegas years is uncanny.It has been verified by experts, who say it is a decoration found on the corners of a Roman coffin.


'Fans seeing this face from the distant past will be forgiven for thinking that their idol may well have lived a previous life in Rome,' said a spokesman for Bonhams, which is auctioning the item in October. This Elvis probably dates back to about 200 AD – about 1,750 years before the birth of rock'n'roll. But it could even date to 400 BC, experts claim.The bust is an authentic acroter­ion – an ornament often found on the corners of sarcophagi, stone burial chambers where the most important people were laid to rest.

It is part of one of the world's most stunning private collections of ancient art, which will go under the hammer in London.The 150 lots, once owned by Australian collector Graham Geddes, ­include Greek and Roman vases and r­eliefs showing battle scenes. Many of these will go for up to £90,000 each although Elvis is unlikely to make even a fraction of that, unless the resemblance sparks a bidding war between fans. The figure could fetch as much as £25,000 when it is sold.


'It is perhaps the strangest item in the sale, certainly to modern eyes.'The likeness is so great that the collector himself calls the carving Elvis,' added the spokesman for the auctioneer.'Looking at this face with its quiff, jaw and nose, one is led to the thought that the human face, for all is diversity and subtlety, has an ability to repeat itself.'It is not just auction house staff who are taken aback by the bust – others are all shook up too.'It bears an uncanny likeness. It's the quiff that does it,' said Greek and ­Roman art expert Georgiana Aitken.'You do get some weird and wacky things at the corners of sarcophagi. The quiff was not a hairstyle of the day as far as I know.'

:::::::::::::::


This raises some important questions for historians:
1) did the pompadour originate in Pompeii?
2) when was the first time that Elvis played the Coliseum?




All Hail The King~!





HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the KING of ROCK & ROLL~!

If life was fair, Elvis would be alive

and all the impersonators would be dead.















Wednesday, January 6, 2010

4AM~!


Tallulah Bankhead & Marlene Dietrich chat on The Big Show, January 7th 1951.
Marlene sings "Falling in Love Again" accompanied by a Choir/Choral section.







Marlene Dietrich once said “It's the friends you can call up at 4 a.m. that matter.” Never so a true a statement. As I listen to this vintage recording featuring two of my all time favorite complicated women laugh, poke fun and carry on with each other, a special person comes to mind. One with sass, class and and her own unique style and love of the past. She is the one I call up at 4am.

A blasphemous girl, my UK counterpart and girl with the analogue
HEART.
Miss
Adele [Elizabeth] Brown





V.o.t.D.~!



Thanks to Mr Scottie Deablow I have just been reminded why I never liked Mike Love. Being a California girl and a radio child from the 70's I grew up listening to K-EARTH 101 and The Beach Boys so this fued has always fascinated me in some weird roundabout way. I especially like the last shot of this video montage that shows Brian giving Mike the finger followed by the end credit which reads "Paid for by a partnership for a better Mike Love". As for the song, priceless~!



Tuesday, January 5, 2010

The Leaning Board~!




REST in PEACE
[to lean or not to lean, that is the question]

:::::::::::::::
Back in the day, there was an item of furniture known as 'The Leaning Board'. It could be comparable in structure to a flat bench but positioned at a vertical diagonal position and it was often made with attached arm rests. 'The Leaning Board' was used primarily in movie making and popularized in the early era of Hollywood; the purpose was for actresses in elaborate costumes, hair and makeup to be able to rest their bodies (or even sleep) without becoming disheveled or in situations when their costume prohibited sitting down. These photographs feature the beautiful Jean Harlow on the set of the 1933 film 'Dinner at Eight' which was directed by George Cukor. The film is about a high-society dinner party that masks a hotbed of scandal and intrigue. One of my favorite classics she starred in next to "Bombshell". In these photos Jean utilizing a leaning board in between takes, she was often known to be sewn into many of her gowns, including this one.





Saturday, January 2, 2010

V.o.t.D.~!



Rumor has it......SOUNDGARDEN is back.


"The 12 year break is over and school is back in session.

Knights of the Soundtable ride again!"
-Chris Cornell


Thank Christ, It's about damn time!