Blink 182 Tribute to DJ AM

R.I.P. DJ AM

The New York Post is reporting DJ AM aka Adam Goldstein was found dead in his New York apartment just a couple of hours ago. Though the cause is not yet known, drug paraphernalia was found in his apartment by police alongside his body. Sadly enough, DJ AM was reportedly working with MTV at the time to help adolescents attain sobriety through an intervention show.

He left this message on his twitter three days ago:
"New york, new york. Big city of dreams, but everything in new york aint always what it seems."

I'm so shocked by this, seriously. No words, just a ton of respect for him and his family.

Phrequency, a Philly blog, conducted the last interview with DJ AM in print. Adam was born here, with a sister still residing in the city. Again, much respect to his family. You can read the interview here.

How You Love Me Now!

Today was ordinary. like any other rainy Friday. I was reading the boobs, when all of a sudden a screen name popped up I didn't recognize, asking me how I had been for the last six years. You see, six years ago, I ended my first "very serious" relationship because my then-boyfriend cheated on me. Since that time ~*the one who got away~* has become a drug addict, a felon, and a married man--which he equates to, "having someone to share the bills and getting laid on a regular basis." Lovely! So glad I let this dreamboat get away, right??? What possessed him to message me, I don't know, but here's the kicker. He claims just the other day he was surfing his computer when he "came across pics of us from back in the day." UM, WHAT KIND OF MARRIED LOSER KEEPS PICS OF A GF HE HAD SIX YEARS AGO???? But of course he brushed it off, saying he hadn't really thought about the situation "since then." Needless to say I told him I had erased those suckers from my mind ages ago and would continue on my merry man eating ways.

And to think, just the other day I was starting to feel down on all the things I have yet to accomplish. Today, I'm feeling pretty damn good!

Moral of the story: Don't keep the same screename for ten years. Don't go on the computer period. (Other than to read this blog, of course.)

R.I.P. Ted Kennedy

Senator Edward "Teddy" Kennedy passed away yesterday at 77 years of age, having suffered from a malignant brain tumor. He was the last of the famous Kennedy brother dynasty, and the second Kennedy to pass this summer.

All Is Love

Karen O has teamed up with the likes of Greg Kurstin, (The Bird and the Bee) Aaron Hemphill, (Liars) Bradford Cox (Deerhunter) and more to create a soundtrack for upcoming film Where The Wild Things Are. Collectively known as Karen O and The Kids, the group was enlisted by director Spike Jonze to "pour as much heart into the music as they possibly could." You can listen to the first single "All Is Love" on their official myspace, or wait until tomorrow when the official download for the track is released. O's vocals and the children's choir make it well worth the listen, and I can't wait to hear more.

The complete soundtrack debuts September 29th.

GUILTY PLEASURE

The Laramie Project Epilogue National Reading

Many of you may remember reading about the murder of Matthew Shepard, a gay man attending the University of Wyoming who was tormented and beaten for his sexual preference.

October 12th marks the ten year anniversary of Shepard's death, and The Laramie Project is encouraging the public to remember the tragic events that occurred that day by conducting readings across the country of an epilogue to the story, comprised of new interviews with Shepard's mother as well as his killer, Aaron McKinney. Though I have had many quarrels with my alma-matter, I admire them for being a partner in this project to make it happen. You can see if the readings will be taking place in your city here.

MIchael Vick Apologizes

Last week it was announced that NFL star Michael Vick would be joining the Eagles this season. Many fans were outraged, wondering why the team would sign a former participant in the gruesome sport known as "dog fighting." Well, Vick has issued an apology via blog form, and here it is:

"I'm sorry. That's the place where I need to begin. My feeling of remorse. I ain't never written a blog before, so putting my thoughts down on paper is a challenge - however it's a challenge I must face. I can look a 250 pound linebacker in his eyes at the line of scrimmage and have no fear. But expressing myself when I know that there are millions of people who are so angry with me, and rightfully so, is a challenge unlike any other I have faced before.

What I did was horrendous. Awful. Inhumane. And I've no excuses for my actions. It makes my heart hurt now to think about what I've done. And I'm gonna be real honest, it took a while for me to get to this place.

Sitting in a prison cell didn't make me feel remorse. It was meeting so many animal lovers, speaking with them and looking them in their eyes. Staring at them. Looking so deep into their eyes that I began to feel their pain. Allowing that pain to enter into my body is when I started to understand how bad it really was. I have been trying hard to connect with people who feel this pain,because for my whole life I was disconnected from the suffering of animals. And you might say, "come on Mike, how could you do those things to those dogs?" And you're right...I
ask myself those questions every day. What kind of person does this? How does a human-being treat dogs or any animal with such pain and cruelty? And the hard part for me is the answer to these questions. Because the answer is ME. And I am trying so hard right now to become a better person, because who I was, I am ashamed of.

Cause see, my whole life has been numb. I was numb to the violence in my community...cause I saw it all the time, ever since I was a child. I mean, how does one grow up in a city that's nickname is Bad Newz? You can probably guess that from the jump, ya' know I've seen some bad things in my life. And football was the only way that I could escape. As a kid, I even used to go out fishing, and most of the times I wouldn't catch a darn thing, but just needed to get away from the chaos every once in a while. So, when the commissioner called my name as the #1 draft pick in the NFL - the first time a black quarterback had ever been chosen as the #1 pick, I thought my life was all good. But, what I didn't realize then, that I have begun to realize now, is that even though I had more money in my pocket, big cars and big houses, I was still numb. And when I say numb, I ain't talkin about not realizing the stuff that was going on around me, it was just like I was living life asleep. However, that is still no excuse for what I did. But let's not forget that there are still hundreds of thousands of young people growing in similar environments and seeing violence at a young age has severe consequences.

Now that I'm trying my best to wake up, I know I have a lot of work to do. And this isn't about trying to win a Super Bowl ring or a MVP trophy...this is about trying to save lives. I think back to when I use to play football and of course I use to see all those kids in the stands wearing #7 jerseys. And I would never want them to look up to the Michael Vick who did all of those terrible things to the dogs. I know where I need to do the most work is with all of the people around the world who continue to fight dogs. Let me be straight forward with y'all: What I did was wrong, and what you're doing is wrong. We must stop dog fighting, and I will do everything in my power to be a voice of someone who has finally woken up from the numbness, and knows just how bad it really is. My mission now is to be a source of service to save many animals. I am working very closely with The Humane Society and will be launching a new campaign shortly. If I had one hope in life, it would be that my actions will speak louder than my words. I know it will be hard to forgive me until you see my sincerity through my actions, but I promise you and I promise myself that that day will come.

Lastly, I accept this challenge, not of writing this blog, but of redeeming myself."

Publicity or real? You decide.

INTRVW WITH BELLS BELLS BELLS

^ Bells Bells Bells, Romick in white.

Psych Folk Philly style. The Big Ugly chats with Bells Bells Bells leading lady Amandah Romick about the band's new record, summer reads, and pills. Click here for their myspace, see below for the intrvw.

the Big Ugly: Rumor has it you’ve been in the studio recording new tracks. How’s the recording process treating you so far?

Amandah Romick: Recording is a wonderful and grueling process that is my favorite part about being in a band. It's all about time, keeping in it and preserving it. It's a way of defying mortality-preserving these few moments that will be repeated in some distant context of another human being's CD player, maybe miles and years away. It's literally the past imposing on the future. On a less metaphysical level, it is going well. Isaac Betesh always does an amazing job and this will be a great record if i can get over myself long enough to be content with it.

BU: Since “Throw Down Your Anchor” hit the shelves, how has your artistic vision for the band evolved?

AR: this record takes some of the ideas from throw down and takes pushes them farther. It’s darker, more nuanced and also, more fun. we really just went with what seemed a logical progression of musical maturity.

BU: Tell us about some of your new songs. What are they about? Are there any literary nuances or memoir-esque lines?

AR: Ha! Yes, one song was inspired by Marilyn Robinson's housekeeping. It’s about the danger of becoming to attached to normalcy, or the resistance to moving on. Another song was inspired by Melville's descriptions of the horizon in Moby Dick. As far as memoir-esque, the personal aspects of my lyrics are confined to my perspective and that's about it. I observe, but that's a lot. It’s probably exposes me more than if I wrote a song about my own experience or emotions.

BU: How’s your summer been so far? Any memorable moments?

AR: I've had such a great summer so far. I just got back from Los Angeles which was very fun. I needed a new perspective, some time away from my life. Saw some old friends, went hiking in the canyon. It’s made writing fun again.

BU: With the current economy and unemployment rate, has getting your music out to the masses gotten easier or harder?

AR: Harder, definitely. People aren't as willing to part with their money to see shows or buy CDs and our funds to travel are severely limited. But the only thing I can do is my best and hope it gets better?

BU: As a vocalist, do you feel that your voice has gotten stronger since your band’s full length debut?
AR: Yes and no. I went to college to study opera and dropped out. It's taken me a while to realize that my training and obsession with 'the voice as instrument' was really holding me back from expressing myself.

BU: With indie starlets like Jenny Lewis, Feist, and Zooey Deschanel, do you feel that the indie music scene does a better or worse job than the mainstream music scene when it comes to objectifying female artists?

AR: It's a different sort of objectification cultivated for a different audience. indie fans like their front women to be both delicate and strong, emotionally exposed. Mainstream fans want blatant sexuality and entertainment. But they both want to see their own idea of desirability represented in their front woman. Playing dress up and performing can be fun but eventually we're not going to be cute anymore and unfortunately that affects a band's popularity. That’s sad because some of the best male musicians really hit their stride later in life (like Lou Reed, Leonard Cohen, Scott Walker, etc), not as many women are given that opportunity. Marianne Faithful and PJ Harvey both put out amazing records within the past few years that hardly sold at all but were great.

BU: As you already know, one of my hugest vices is procrastination. What’s one of yours?
AR: I like pills.

BU: From what I recall, you’re a bit of a bookworm. Any recent reads we should check out?

AR: I am reading some heavy Early American Gothic texts for a research grant I received for the fall. Lippard, Rebecca Rush and Bird. They’re all based in Philadelphia and its fun to imagine our city inspiring these writers in the mid-19th century.

BU: Any major plans for the fall? If so, spill.

AR: hopefully finish this record and begin promoting it. play some shows here in Philly and NYC. Come see us! You'll dig the new record!

Perez Hilton Presents His First Tour

With the sponsorship of Neuro Products and Drinks, blogger Perez Hilton is putting together his very own tour. Tickets go on sale today at 10am, with acts Ida Maria, Ladyhawke, FrankMusik, Julian Peretta, Eric Hutchinson, Semi Precious Weapons, and Sliimy scheduled to perform. Personally, I don't think anyone here in the states really cares about any of those acts, except maybe SPW because they're from here. Perez lists Katy Perry and Lady Gaga as two of his best friends; couldn't he have enlisted some help from them? I think he might actually want to have some acts on his record label (besides Sliimy, who, again, no one cares about.) before putting together a tour. Kind of disappointing, Perez. Anyways, if you're interested, you can find out what cities the tour's stopping in and where to get your tickets here.

EDIT: He also has a fashion website now called Coco Perez, which he says will be "bigger than Vogue some day." Um, excuse me? It look EXACTLY like your regular site, and I've seen some of your style choices...I've stuck by you in the past, but your new "take over the world" persona is getting ridiculous.

• 
  

Thinking of You Geo!

An old professor of mine (who I will never forget, regardless of whether or not he forgets me) wrote an article about being unemployed and how not to get bent out of shape about it. I’ve been rather bent lately, and decided to copy some of the things he said to remind myself (and our readers) that life is free.

“I’m no money guru but there are three things I recommend for staying punk during the global economic downturn.

•••

First: Take control of your life.

If you have access to a computer and the Internet, you can be your own business and it will cost you absolutely nothing.

Create a blog using free web space. Design your own T-shirts and sell them through cafepress.com. You can have postcards and business cards printed for free on sites like clubflyers.com. You can design your own magazine and sell it via print-on-demand services. Even if you have a job, start prepping for life if the gig disappears.

It’s never been easier to have a voice. It’s never been easier to broadcast your thoughts and opinions. It may only earn you peanuts – or nothing at all, but it could catch on.

If you are mired in the workaday world, start planning your exit strategy. I did night classes for four years while working a job that wasn’t satisfying. It took my mind off the daily grind and it helped me land in a more comfortable place.

Second: Live modestly.

You don’t need that large automobile or that beautiful house. Don’t get trapped in the system, burdened by debt. If you can’t afford stuff, don’t buy it – everything from your morning coffee to concert tees.

I’ve been riding the same bicycle since I worked in York. I bought my winter coat in 1997. My puffy red couch was super cool when my father bought it in 1981, and it’s totally still comfy today.

Take advantage of your friends and share resources. Copy your friends’ music. Split a case of beer or bottle of wine at home rather than meet your pals at the bar. And be your own entertainment – tell stories, play games and enjoy each other.

Last year, I planted 10 tomato bushes, peppers, zucchini and a bunch of herbs. I ate homemade pasta sauce through Christmas and it only cost a few dollars for seedlings.

Remember: the less you owe, the more you control your own life.

Third: Get a dog.

Nothing has governed my finances more in recent years than my 15-pound shih tzu, Mookie. Unless he travels with me, I don’t go places. I rarely travel anymore. I don’t spend nights out partying. I’m completely satisfied by staying at home and throwing chew toys all night as he flops around.

Because he needs to walk several times every day, I get tons of exercise. He keeps me warm in the winter, sleeping beside me in bed. He provides unconditional love when I need it the most.

He’s way cheaper than a child and he has far fewer needs. Plus, his energy and excitement make me laugh. You can’t put a price tag on that.”

To Be Yourself Is To Be Someone Else

A re-touched Kelly Clarkson on Self Magazine:

Kelly Clarkson was chosen for the latest cover of Self Magazine, her second time debuting on the front of the mag since 2007. Both times, however, Clarkson has not appeared as herself, but an unrealistic, completely retouched image of a "slimmer" star. I don't blame Kelly Clarkson for this, as she is always one to step up and say when she's been photoshopped to death, and is okay with her figure at any size. (Which I actually believe, compared to other starlets.) But Editor-in-Chief of Self Lucy Danziger (not related to the beautiful Danzig, sadly.) says the photo was retouched to show Clarkson's "at her best." Well Miss Danziger, if you didn't think Kelly was her best untouched, then why the fuck did you choose her for the cover? Retouching to make her look her best would have been fixing a stray hair, or a pimple. Not her entire face and body shape. Self is a magazine that is supposed to make you feel good about your body, to help you manage a healthy lifestyle. If you aren't willing to show healthy girls for who they are on their cover, they you should be called "Self-Absorbed: How to look as good as the photoshopped image!" This kind of shit gets me fuming because body image is such a crucial topic across the world, and is perceived so inaccurately as to what one should look like. How about creating a magazine that shows curvier women who are healthy and feel great? "Fat chance," I guess.

R is for Rhode Island, and Rehab!

In May 2009 a report on drug use statewide was released by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration of Department of Health and Human Services. (Ummm, I think they need to shorten their name if they want people to pay attention. Just sayin.') You can check out to see how your state did here by clicking on the map visual.

But here's something interesting:

Rhode Island scored highest in illicit drug use, marijuana use, and alcohol use.

Attention Lindsay Lohan, Pete Doherty, and Amy Winehouse! Why haven't you moved to RI yet?

Another Angel Has Passed

Eunice Kennedy Shriver has passed away today at 88 years of age. She held that famous Kennedy name, as sister to John and Robert, but she was much more than a name. She was the founder of the Special Olympics, earning her the Presidential Freedom Award in 1984. When I had first heard of her work in my high school years, it inspired me to go out and help these children, something I was a part of for four years, and hope to get back into. She made me realize how much joy these children can bring to life. Eunice Kennedy Shriver was greatly needed in this country, and her work will continue to live on for years to come.

CURSIVE AT FUC

Click through the pics /// Read the Review

Here's the setlist:

The Great Decay
Big Bang
Driftwood: A Fairy Tale
From the Hips
The Casualty
Butcher the Song
Dorothy At Forty
Mama, I’m Satan
The Recluse
Making Friends and Acquaintances
Mama, I’m Swollen
Art is Hard
Rise Up! Rise Up!
What Have I Done?
The Martyr
I Couldn’t Love You
The Love Cats (The Cure)
Some Red Handed Slight of Hand

STOP THE VIOLENCE

THE DEETS /// COMPLIMENTS OF FCBK

"On Saturday July 25, 2009 Dave Sale, 22 of Lansdale, PA attended a bachelor party at the Philadelphia Phillies VS St. Louis Cardinals baseball game. Later in the evening they attended McFadden's bar where a fight broke out which was then continued outside. Dave was "jumped" by three men until he was beat unconscious. He was rushed to the hospital where he was pronounced dead. This is only one of five murders that occurred that Saturday in the city, with a total of seven murders that weekend alone.

TONIGHT M.A.A.D. Management & Center Stage Promotions will be holding a benefit show at the Troc in memory of Dave Sale and those lost to the violence in the city of Brotherly Love. Show starts at 9pm with a $10 cover charge. All proceeds will be donated to Dave Sale's Family. The lineup features some of Philly's finest, including Sandman, Scholar, Deap, Adlib, Friascanb, Francis A.D., 2ew Gunn Ciz, Unique, Authentic, Young Reek, and more."

Korean Journalists Released

American journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee have been released from detention in Korea. The journalists were sentenced to 12 years of hard labor in Korea back in early June. With a recent visit from former president Bill Clinton, their release was secured.

Modest Mouse Done by Heath Ledger

The video for King Rat, filmed just prior to Heath Ledger's death.

Sixteen Candles to Heaven

Director John Hughes (famed for Sixteen Candles, Pretty in Pink, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, etc. has passed away at just 59 years of age. He'll certainly go down as one of my favorite directors.

Zooey's Favorite Fabric

The touch, the feel, the fabric of her life? Indie darling and Gibbard's girlie has a passion for fashion and cotton. I'm sure you've seen this vid already, but I can't get enough. I seriously think my girl crush on Jenny might be over. This just in, I'm in love with Deschanel.

Deerhoof Redux

^ Deerhoof @ the Starlight Ballroom Oct. 25 2008

Old News, Still rad. Here's an interview I did for City Paper back in the Fall with Deerhoof's Greg Saunier. Enjoy.

CP: What differences where there in your approach toward creating your most recent release, Offend Maggie, that varied from your earlier releases?

Greg Saunier: It’s always different — we don’t have this music-making thing down pat yet. All of our records are just the timid first steps of complete beginners.

CP: What sort of emotives are you trying to convey through Deerhoof’s music? Have they changed as your career’s progressed?

GS: I’m not sure what [vocalist/bassist] Satomi [Matsuzaki] or [guitarist] John [Dieterich] or [guitarist] Ed [Rodriguez] would say, but personally there’s no emotion I’m trying to convey. There’s music I’m trying to convey and it sounds very emotional to me. But that’s not quite the same thing. The musical ideas that come into my head are what they are, and I’m not trying to force them into any pre-planned emotions, like “I want our album to be happy” or “I want our album to be sad.” I always think that one of the wonders of music is that the same piece of music can sound happy or sad — or both at once, depending on how you feel when you listen to it.

CP: What are some major themes, images, messages that appear throughout the songs on your new album?

GS: Maybe a sort of overbearing or unhealthy masculinity runs through a lot of the lyrics and the sound of the music. One that is a bit flawed, or bruised, but that is overcome eventually. That’s how I hear it, anyway.

CP: It’s been awhile since you last played in Philly. How do you think your live set has evolved since then?

GS: It’s funny, because actually I never get to see our live show. The best person to ask would be someone who came to our show the other day. The best I can do is talk about how our Philly audience has evolved. We had such a great time the other night, and it was all about the audience. Every time I looked up while we were playing, I saw grins and dancing, waving arms and mouths singing along. I saw people of all ages. I felt like everyone was there to listen, I mean, you could hear a pin drop in the quiet parts, and and that doesn’t always happen. It may have been the best audience we’ve seen on the whole tour.

CP: Favorite track on the new album?

GS: Ooh, not an easy question. Keith Richards always says it’s like choosing your favorite baby, but I think it’s worse than that even. More like a love-hate relationship. I can’t really listen to one of our songs and get a sense of what it actually sounds like unless I haven’t heard [it] in a LONG time. And obviously, our new record just came out a couple weeks ago and we’re playing the songs every night, so I’m in maximum confusion mode right now.

CP: Favorite things about being on tour?

GS: Being on tour is fun in all kinds of ways, but the one thing that consistently gives me a pleasant surprise is the audience while we’re playing. Their enthusiasm for Deerhoof is the reason we keep going.

CP: Anything crazy happen so far?

GS: Just last night, Jamie Stewart, singer of Xiu Xiu, came onstage for our last song (”Basket Ball Get Your Groove Back”) and sang along with Satomi. It sounded so amazing. But really there has been craziness/fun-ness on stage every single night. My bandmates always surprise me It has just been a wonderful tour.

DEVENDRA STRIKES AGAIN

Portman's ex boy toy, Devendra Banhart, splits from XL and signs to Warner. His follow up to '07's "Smokey Rolls Down Thunder Canyon" is set to hit shelves in October. Recorded with the likes of Megapuss comrade Greg Rogove and more, Banhart's latest, "What We Will Be," most likely will cause listeners to swoon, sway, and blaze. For deets on the track listing, see below.

01 Can't Help but Smiling
02 Angelika
03 Baby
04 Goin' Back
05 First Song for B
06 Last Song for B
07 Chin Chin & Muck Muck
08 16th & Valencia Roxy Music
09 Rats
10 Maria Leonza
11 Brindo
12 Meet Me at the Lookout
13 Walilamzi
14 Foolin'

CRYSTAL CASTLES

Crystal Castles at All Points West. Jersey City, NJ.
Click here for more pics.