Today is the 13th anniversary of the death of Michael Hutchence, former frontman for the Australian band INXS. His death came to a surprise to all of his fans and he is still regarded as one of the most influential singers of my generation. I fell in love with Michael and the rest of the band when I was about 7 years old. My oldest sister was a big fan of their music. This was right around the time that Kick was released. She salivated at the mouth when she saw Hutchence in the "Devil Inside" video. From there, I was hooked as well. She is also responsible for my infatuation with Duran Duran all of these years. It was a match made in heaven with songs like "Don't Change", "Listen Like Thieves", "Never Tear us Apart", how could you not love their sound?
I recently read their autobiography and was so moved by the story of true brotherhood. Those guys were all in it together from the very beginning and never let any outside forces, like the record companies, come in between them and their duty of creating great music. I never had the opportunity of seeing them perform live, so like the rest of the world, I'm left with only live footage from before Michael's passing.
Michael passed away on November 22, 1997. He was in a hotel room completely blitzed out on a mixture of drugs and alcohol. It has been speculated that Michael killed himself during a bout with sexual autoeroticism, but I don't believe that. Especially after reading the book and learning of his state of mind he was in, only someone that has experienced that sense of desperation can maybe truly understand the situation. Michael left behind a daughter, Tiger Lily, that day as well as his bandmates/brothers. His legacy continues on to this day and his fans still miss him very much.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Check out this Band: Warpaint
I’ve recently discovered a wonderful band thanks to Last.fm called Warpaint. Warpaint is an all girl quartet based out of the Los Angeles area. Currently their line up includes Emily Kokal (vocals/guitar), Theresa Wayman (vocals/guitar), Jenny Lee Lindberg (bassist/vocals), and Stella Mozgawa (drums/keyboards). Since their inception in 2004, the band has gone through a few personnel lineups which have included actress Shannyn Sossamon and current Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist Josh Klinghoffer.
The original lineup, which included childhood friends Theresa Wayman, Emily Kokal, and sisters Shannyn Sossamon and Jenny Lee Lindberg formed in 2004 on Valentine’s Day. They wrote some of the bands substantial songs that helped produce their ethereal, psychedelic shoegazey sound. The songs, “"Stars," "Beetles," and "Elephants" would then go on their debut EP, Exquisite Corpse. It was during this time that Warpaint also played many shows around the Los Angeles area and created a fanbase that has grown larger over time.
Last week, Warpaint released their first full length album called The Fool. The girls are currently on tour in support of their new album and previously released EP making stops in North America as well as abroad in countries like Denmark, Germany France and the United Kingdom.
The Fool was well received among critics. Featuring tracks produced by post-punk indie queen, Siouxsie Sioux and New Order DJ-collaborator Andrew Weatherall, the album had caused quite a stir while the ladies played many festivals, including the ever-famous Lollapalooza festival, over the last few months in anticipation of its release. Stereoboard.com says Warpaint “have made an album that successfully takes experimental art-rock to the extreme.” At one point, the site even compares Kokal’s haunting lead vocals to that of Bjork and Beth Gibbons of Portishead, but essentially that is where the comparisons end. Warpaint has managed to combine many elements and sounds to create their own unique vibe.
This album is definitely going on my “Must have” list after only hearing a few tracks. It is refreshing to hear their sound. It brings back memories of the late ‘80s and early ‘90s when shoegaze was coming into its own along with a few hints of Pink Floyd-like psychedelic guitars and trippy beats of Massive Attack all rolled into one giant present wrapped with a shiny red bow. In other words, they rock and I love them and can’t wait to hear more!
The original lineup, which included childhood friends Theresa Wayman, Emily Kokal, and sisters Shannyn Sossamon and Jenny Lee Lindberg formed in 2004 on Valentine’s Day. They wrote some of the bands substantial songs that helped produce their ethereal, psychedelic shoegazey sound. The songs, “"Stars," "Beetles," and "Elephants" would then go on their debut EP, Exquisite Corpse. It was during this time that Warpaint also played many shows around the Los Angeles area and created a fanbase that has grown larger over time.
Last week, Warpaint released their first full length album called The Fool. The girls are currently on tour in support of their new album and previously released EP making stops in North America as well as abroad in countries like Denmark, Germany France and the United Kingdom.
The Fool was well received among critics. Featuring tracks produced by post-punk indie queen, Siouxsie Sioux and New Order DJ-collaborator Andrew Weatherall, the album had caused quite a stir while the ladies played many festivals, including the ever-famous Lollapalooza festival, over the last few months in anticipation of its release. Stereoboard.com says Warpaint “have made an album that successfully takes experimental art-rock to the extreme.” At one point, the site even compares Kokal’s haunting lead vocals to that of Bjork and Beth Gibbons of Portishead, but essentially that is where the comparisons end. Warpaint has managed to combine many elements and sounds to create their own unique vibe.
This album is definitely going on my “Must have” list after only hearing a few tracks. It is refreshing to hear their sound. It brings back memories of the late ‘80s and early ‘90s when shoegaze was coming into its own along with a few hints of Pink Floyd-like psychedelic guitars and trippy beats of Massive Attack all rolled into one giant present wrapped with a shiny red bow. In other words, they rock and I love them and can’t wait to hear more!
As Predicted, Interpol Did Not Disappoint
As I mentioned in a previous post, I was getting to see Interpol for the first time in six years. They made Houston their last Texas stop on Friday night before heading to New Orleans for Voodoo Fest. Being the anxious music lover that I am, I had already been reading about previous shows to see what songs they might delight us with and video of the performances. Nothing, though, could have prepared me for the show that took place that night.
By all accounts, Interpol is typically a band that is anti-image. That is probably why I love them so much. They are all about the music. They don't get a lot of airplay, at least in Houston. They look dapper and handsome in their fancy suits, but in the end it is their lyrics and music that wins over any true fan's heart. I wasn't sure what to expect from these guys. The first time I saw them was during the Curiosa Festival back in 2004. They opened for the Cure, my all time favorite band and they were touring in support of their first album Turn on the Bright Lights. They were good. They sounded different. They sounded edgy. I was immediately hooked. There was nothing fancy or spectacular about their show. It was just them. Now, years later, not much has changed. Their show was a raw, emotionally charged set.
Backlit by interchanging crimson red and ice blue lighting, it was just them. Paul, Sam, Daniel, David and Brandon. Just them and their music to which the crowd knew just about every lyric, every drum beat. They started off the set with "Success" from their latest album, but quickly dove into many old favorites from TOTBL and Antics. "Say Hello to the Angels" and "C'Mere" quickly got the audience jumping and singing. Mixing in more new songs like "Summer Well", the electrifying and energetic "Barricade" and the darker and sexier "Lights", the audience was taken on a journey from past to present and back again.
The energy of the crowd was great too, although I wish that more fans could have been a little more lively. I guess not everyone gets as excited about a concert as I do, but it was clear that these people love Interpol. It was a mixture of younger mid-twentysomethings to people in their mid-30's and even a few older ones as well. I loved that so many people in Houston turned out for this great show, especially since it was Halloween weekend and there was a Ghostland Observatory show going on just down the street. At one point, a guy standing next to me just leaned over and told me "Man, I love this band. They're so good!" and all I could say was "Yes, they are f*cking good, no better way to describe them".
Before I knew it, it was encore time. To end out the show, they played "Obstacle 1", the song that ignited my love affair for them, "Try it On" and finished up with "Slow Hands". Just as quickly as it began, the show was over and I was left wanting so much more. So was the rest of the audience.
The band continue their tour, playing for thousands of other fans. I could tell they really were having fun on the stage. I could tell they were loving every minute of it. All I can say is from a fan's point of view, we loved it too. And we'll be there to continue on the ride for the next one.
By all accounts, Interpol is typically a band that is anti-image. That is probably why I love them so much. They are all about the music. They don't get a lot of airplay, at least in Houston. They look dapper and handsome in their fancy suits, but in the end it is their lyrics and music that wins over any true fan's heart. I wasn't sure what to expect from these guys. The first time I saw them was during the Curiosa Festival back in 2004. They opened for the Cure, my all time favorite band and they were touring in support of their first album Turn on the Bright Lights. They were good. They sounded different. They sounded edgy. I was immediately hooked. There was nothing fancy or spectacular about their show. It was just them. Now, years later, not much has changed. Their show was a raw, emotionally charged set.
Backlit by interchanging crimson red and ice blue lighting, it was just them. Paul, Sam, Daniel, David and Brandon. Just them and their music to which the crowd knew just about every lyric, every drum beat. They started off the set with "Success" from their latest album, but quickly dove into many old favorites from TOTBL and Antics. "Say Hello to the Angels" and "C'Mere" quickly got the audience jumping and singing. Mixing in more new songs like "Summer Well", the electrifying and energetic "Barricade" and the darker and sexier "Lights", the audience was taken on a journey from past to present and back again.
The energy of the crowd was great too, although I wish that more fans could have been a little more lively. I guess not everyone gets as excited about a concert as I do, but it was clear that these people love Interpol. It was a mixture of younger mid-twentysomethings to people in their mid-30's and even a few older ones as well. I loved that so many people in Houston turned out for this great show, especially since it was Halloween weekend and there was a Ghostland Observatory show going on just down the street. At one point, a guy standing next to me just leaned over and told me "Man, I love this band. They're so good!" and all I could say was "Yes, they are f*cking good, no better way to describe them".
Before I knew it, it was encore time. To end out the show, they played "Obstacle 1", the song that ignited my love affair for them, "Try it On" and finished up with "Slow Hands". Just as quickly as it began, the show was over and I was left wanting so much more. So was the rest of the audience.
The band continue their tour, playing for thousands of other fans. I could tell they really were having fun on the stage. I could tell they were loving every minute of it. All I can say is from a fan's point of view, we loved it too. And we'll be there to continue on the ride for the next one.
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