Miami Vice

All of this talk about Hurricane Earl hitting the eastern seaboard of the US this past week got me remembering Hurricane Gloria which hit the east back in 1985. I grew up on Long Island and Long Island was hit pretty hard by Gloria, I was nine at the time and I remember we didn't have power for one week. All of us kids thought it was the coolest thing ever but the grown ups were ready to go nuts! In that time that we didn't have any power "Miami Vice" was airing a special episode where Crocket and Tubbs go to New York to solve a case. And at the time my mom was obsessed with "Miami Vice" (she even rocked the lady version of Crockett's white linen jacket) and so we borrowed our neighbor's power generator for two hours just so mom could watch this episode of "Miami Vice"!


Now for all of you who are too young to remember "Miami Vice" or were living under a rock in the 80's, the show was about two rebellious, undercover Miami Vice cops Crockett played by Don Johnson of Nash Bridges fame and Tubbs played by Philip Michael Thomas. Crockett & Tubbs mainly took out drug dealers and solved drug cases but they did so against the back drop of Miami and to the music of musicians from Arethea Franklin to X.

I've gotten into watching old episodes on Netflix and I can see why Mom was so into it, "Miami Vice" was so action packed, the scenery was so vibrant, the music was so cool and they had people like Frank Zappa, Phil Collins and Leonard Cohen as special guest stars. Leonard, Phil and Frank weren't playing themselves they were playing a drug dealer, a shady game show host and a French drug lord.

Check out clips of Leonard, Frank and Phil's appearences on "Miami Vice".

Jonny Corndawg

As mentioned this summer I have been on the indie country rock kick i.e. These United States, Ha Ha Tonka etc. My latest "indie" country obsession is Jonny Corndawg. The Corndawg's music can best be described as a mix of outlaw country, punk with a side of very tongue in cheek humor.

Check out clips out Jonny Corndawg singing about "Ford Pick Up Trucks" and "Keeping Your Body Happy Through... Exercise"! Enjoy!!






If you click on the title link that will take you to Jonny Corndawg's myspace site were you can hear more music and get tour dates.

Peaches and some more stuff....

I forgot to add to my list of real and amazing female musicians who I would like to see more up and coming female musicians emulate their essence and style is Peaches! I LOVE her!!





My very dear friends The Art of Shooting play Union Hall in Brooklyn on Friday night the 10th of Sept, the tenth also happens to be my birthday! So for all you New Yorkers and all of you who are in town that weekend, who are looking for something to do after your Fashion Night Out events I highly recommend coming to Union Hall to see The Art of Shooting and to help me celebrate! I'm not just saying this cause they are my friends but the Art of Shooting is one of the best bands in New York right now. And I can't think of a better way to celebrate my birthday by seeing The Art of Shooting play live and meeting all of you!

Union Hall is located at 702 Union Street in Park Slope, Brooklyn and The Art of Shooting plays with Elsinore and My Other Friend. Doors are at 8pm and it's eight dollars at the door and that is soooo worth it!

Stuff

In my ranty mood yesterday I forgot to thank everyone who made this month's blog party another great success! So big thanks, hugs and kisses to; The Madison Square Gardners, Ego Puppets, SelfSame, The Dardys, DJ Funk Master Fareed, The awesome staff at the Glasslands and all who came out and had fun!

The next blog party is on 9/29 at the Glasslands and that one stars; Bottle Up and Go, Shark?, The Senors of Marseille and a very special headlining band they are so hot I can't tell you who they are! Nick Kinsey and Wyndham Boylan Garnett from Elvis Perkins' backing band Dearland and The Diamond Doves who DJ the night. Like all Whatever blog parties it's gonna be fantastic and lots of fun and you need to be there!

As of late I've been on a Blue Oyster Cult kick. For all of you who aren't familiar Blue Oyster Cult was a NYC band who hit their peak in the 70's and 80's, the most well known Blue Oyster Cult songs are "Don't Fear the Reaper" and "I'm Burning For You". Blue Oyster Cult, gets dismissed as being nothing more then 70's heavy metal cock rock when in all actuality BOC had some really well written intricate songs that went beyond the typical 70's heavy metal cock rock style, such as the song below "Godzilla". Enjoy!

Ugggh Women in Music a rant...

I'm in one of my ranty moods so just bear with me hear. A certain female singer song writer named Dawn Landes has been brought to my attention apparently she's married to a well known folk singer named Josh Ritter. And in regards to Ms.Landes' husband I will admit I've read about him but honestly have not been interested enough to actually sit and listen to his music. Today I decided to sit and listen to Ms. Landes' album "Sweetheart Rodeo" with an open mind. I sat and I listened and I was not impressed at all.

I felt like I was listening to a someone doing a bad Linda Ronstadt (without the powerful vocals) and Beck (without the whimsy charm) impersonation while trying to be extra cutesy, sweet and wacky. To me there was no substance, edge or realness there.

And here is were my rant comes in, I'm sooo sick to death of these over hyped female singer songwriter types trying to do these bad Linda Ronstadt, Emmylou Harris and Beck impersonations! While trying be sooo extra cute and wacky!

We need more; Chrissys, Graces (both Slick and Jones), Janis', Courtneys, Pattys, Ann & Nancys, Debbies, Shirleys, Ninas, Kathleens, Pats, Kims, Kates, Lizs, Siouxsie Siouxs, Carries and yes Wendy Os in indie rock these days and less Dawn Landes!

That's why I love; Kelly Irene from The Art of Shooting, Shilpa Ray, Brenda from North Highlands, Mary and Rachel from the Detroit Cobras, Nicole Atkins, Marisa from the Screaming Females, Allison Mossheart from the Kills and the Dead Weather, Emily from Metric, Meg White and Marta from Coyote Eyes.

There is something awesome and real about each of the ladies' music I mentioned above, there is substance there and their music is not trying to be something it's not.

To me tough smart chicks are the future of rock and roll!

And that's just my two cents I could be wrong.....

Below is a clip from two ballsy amazing ladies doing it in indie rock right Mary and Rachel from the Detroit Cobras preforming "Cha Cha Twist" .



And here is a clip of one pioneering ballsy rocker chick Miss Chrissy Hynde performing her ballsiest song "Tattooed Love Boys".





Enjoy!!