Hey, thanks for stopping by to hang out. You're in the right spot for discussions about my favorite pop culture topics. Subjects may include vinyl, '70s sitcoms, cosmic super hero adventures, arena rock, conspiracy theories, thrift stores, '80s horror flicks, VHS culture, all things retro, lovely ladies, and the latest happenings in my world.
So come on down the steps (watch your head), pass through the rec room, and pull up a bean bag...you're hanging in my "bedroom in the basement!" EST. 1979
Well folks, there's only 2 days left in this month, and it looks like I won't be getting as deep into Maiden's discography as I intended. But fear not, as I will do more next May (barring an apocalypse in December 2012). Today and tomorrow I plan on posting videos from 1986's Somewhere In Time lp (which has one of the most detailed album covers...check it out!)
Today's song is "Wasted Years," a track written by rhythm guitarist Adrian Smith, who also sings lead vocals on the chorus. It's an example of a poppier '80s hard rock/metal sound, making it one of my favorites. The video rocks too, as it features clips of the band's older videos. It's funny they were already being nostalgic for their past only 6 years after their first album dropped!
Today's selection is my favorite song from their phenomenal fifth album, Powerslave. The footage is from their video compendium for their double Live After Death album which documented the World Slavery Tour of 1985. This tour was their biggest and most elaborate production to date, and showed the band playing at the peak of their performance.
As a follow up to my Essential VHS post from today where I discussed my love for "Teen Wolf," I thought I would post this video I found by a group who sing the praises of '80s movie goddess Susan Ursitti (aka Boof). It's a pretty catchy song, and funny. I long for the day where I find myself pounding beers at the bar and see a girl who looks like Boof. It might just change my life.
Ok, there's only one week left in May, so I have to step up my Maiden posts! While going through their albums in chronological order, I realized how much I love the Piece of Mind album. Here's one more from that one.
Today I'm going to start a new semi-regular theme for reviews of old VHS tapes I have recently purchased and viewed. My love for the medium of VHS is no secret to regular readers of this blog and I feel like it is ESSENTIAL for watching '80s horror and action flicks. The tinny music, the wavy lines, the graininess of the footage, and the cheap production values of the video company logos at the beginning all add to the viewing experience. Here's a clip featuring some of the more well-known home video companies...
VHS also transports me back to my childhood, when renting a movie meant going to a dusty part of the grocery store (past the machine that sold Freddy Krueger stickers and 6 packs of Tab) and checking out the artwork on the boxes for the movie that looked coolest. Back then nothing beat the thrill of holding that clamshell case in your lap on the ride home, anticipating a Friday night of thrills.
In the past few months I've been seeking out and purchasing only the finest of old videos. A while back I posted a pic of a large pile of videos I found at an area Goodwill. Just two weeks ago I found some cool cheap vids at one of my local record stores; look for a post reviewing those as soon as I watch them. Today I plan on talking about three worthy additions to my growing collection I recently found on Amazon Marketplace and watched over the weekend. The titles? "The Stoned Age." "Teen Wolf." And "Squirm."
"The Stoned Age" is a comedy that came out in 1994 about two stoners in the late '70s looking for booze and broads. As for whether it's better than "Dazed and Confused?" Well, that's a matter of taste. I do prefer "Dazed" but this movie has a certain charm for it. It is at times cheesy, cartoonish, sophomoric, and thinly plotted, BUT it's also a lot of fun. Plus, there are some fine chicks in it to look at and an ass kicking soundtrack featuring Blue Oyster Cult, Foghat, and Black Sabbath.
The movie also creates it's own language with all of the slang the characters use, most of which has probably never been heard elsewhere. Here's some examples:
Worm = Back-Stabber
Lumbo = Good Weed
Talls = 16 oz. beers
Skankweed = Bad Weed
Here's a clip where we meet our two main protagonists, Joe and Hubbs:
This movie also features Grace Slick and Paul Kantner's daughter China and has cameos by Eric Bloom and Buck Dharma from B.O.C. "The Stoned Age" is so bad it's good, and worth checking out. Just make sure you have plenty of talls to consume while watching it.
2)
My love for this movie is well-known, and I talked about it in my review of it's horribly unworthy sequel which I posted back in March. Not only is this flick one of my favorite '80s movies, but it's also one of my favorite movies of all time. It just hits all the right notes. I can watch this movie over and over and never tire of it. I watched it just this past Sunday and still got chills at the end where Michael J. Fox brushes past the sex goddess Pamela for the girl next door, Boof.
*Sigh* Boof. As soon as time travel technology is perfected, I'm going back to 1985 to win your love.
Another highlight of this flick? Jerry Levine as Stiles. He's the typical '80s flick teen bad influence. This movie is where I first got a look at what high school life was like. Here's a clip of him trying to buy a keg. The party store brings back memories of similar establishments I used to go to with my dad back in the day.
3)
I first saw this '70s b-horror movie as a 13 year old in a heavily edited version that aired on the "Thriller Double Feature." Every Saturday afternoon on Detroit's Ch. 20 they would show two horror flicks, typically from the '70s and '80s. Here's a clip of the intro for that program...you gotta love those old school low budget production values!
Anyway, I later saw "Squirm" in its' unedited glory years later when I found it on Netflix. This movie tells the story of three teens in a small Georgia town who have to face the wrath of carnivorous worms. The worms become frenzied killers after a freak lightning storms sends hundreds of thousands of volts of electricity into the wet soil. I totally love the red-headed main character, Geri, played by the beguiling Patricia Pearcy. Here's a link to pics and a clip of her brief topless scene in the film, showing a side view of her small but pert breasts. http://ancensored.com/nude-appearance/squirm-geri-sanders
I just can't get enough of those '70s gals!
"Squrim" is a total low-budget, drive-in movie theater style movie. The way it's filmed gives it an almost documentary feel, and I would compare it in that way to the legendary "Texas Chainsaw Massacre." Here's a clip of the trailer:
Well gang, that's all for this first entry in my series of "Essential VHS Viewing." Next on the docket? Three movies that didn't come out during the Carter or Reagan administrations but were still worthwhile: "Halloween: H20," "Halloween: Resurrection," and "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Movie."
It's been a while since I wrote a post about what I was currently listening to, so I thought it was high time I did. I have listened to a decent amount of records (by Steely Dan and the Allman Brothers, just to name a few) since the last column, so I thought I would showcase tonight's selections.
RUSH
Now that cover is cosmic
I was lucky enough to find their first album in excellent condition for only $4 at my favorite local store. Now this album ROCKS! It does have some mellow moments, but most of it is ass-kicking blues-based rock similar to Zeppelin or Blue Cheer (both bands that they used to cover in their early days). The lyrics are quite different on this album as well as their main lyricist, drummer Neil Peart, did not join until their second album.
This clip features the lead-off track "Finding My Way." Right from the get-go, these guys brought the jams!
This next clip features their more well-known track from this LP, "Working Man." This song was another staple on my favorite hard rock station as a kid. I love the Zeppelin-esque breakdown in the middle. This was a song that my old band Fretbusters used to jam. It was a fun one to play!
Jeff Beck Blow By Blow
I first heard about this album on a radio request show that airs every Saturday night on Lansing's classic rock station 94.9 WMMQ, which purports to be the first classic rock station in the nation. "Larry Allen's All Reqest Saturday Night" airs from 7PM to midnight and is know for playing eclectic rock and deep cuts. During one show I heard an instrumental tune by Jeff Beck called "Freeway Jam" and loved it.
Jeff really creates the atmosphere and feel of leisurely driving down the freeway on that song. Blow by Blow is the seventh album by Jeff but the first one to consist of all instrumentals. He had some help from some fellow legends on this one, including Stevie Wonder (who wrote and played on two tracks) and the legendary Beatles producer George Martin, who turned the knobs in the control room. For $1, I got more than my money's worth. I heard Jeff Beck backed-up Mick Jagger on the recent season finale of SNL. I was unable to see it as I recently got rid of cable (plus I'm usually busy being social Saturday nights). I will have to see if it's on Hulu or NBC's web site.
Jefferson Starship Red Octopus
Released in 1975, this was the second official release by Jefferson Starship (the first being 1974's Dragon Fly). You may remember a while back I reviewed the proto-Jefferson Starship album Blows Against the Empire, which was more of a solo album by Paul Kantner than a true new band.
Two bands formed out of the ashes of Jefferson Airplane, who ceased existence in 1974. One featured members Jorma Kaukonen and Jack Casady, and was called Hot Tuna. Jefferson Starship was the other, and featured previous Airplane members Paul Kantner (guitar), co-singers Grace Slick and Marty Balin, and a host of new faces. One of the new members, an African-American fiddle player named Papa John Creach, had jammed with the last Airplane line-up. The band also featured guitar wunderkind Craig Chaquiso, bassist David Freiberg (ex-Quicksilver Messenger Service), drummer John Barbata (formerly of the Turtles), and keyboardist Pete Sears. Here's a group photo from the back cover:
This album is solid if not spectacular, and features one very well-known track, "Miracles." Here's a clip. This song can best be described as dreamy and MELLOW. Marty and Grace's vocals are soft yet powerful...it's a tune to make love to for sure.
I hope you enjoyed this sampler of tunes I've been digging on as of late. As always, drop that needle and keep rockin'.
Here's my other favorite song off of '83's Piece of Mind, "The Trooper!" You can smell the smoke on the battlefield when you hear this one...the music and lyrics paint a very vivid scene!
Today's selection comes from their second album with Bruce Dickinson on vocals (their fourth LP overall), Piece of Mind. Recorded live in 1983 on their "World Piece Tour," this video features their performance of the lead-off track for Piece of Mind, "Where Eagles Dare." Bruce's vocals are totally rapid-fire on this one, with some crazy high notes.
I just learned of the passing of one of the Bee Gees, Robin Gibb. He sang lead on many of their songs, and sadly after his death there's only one Bee Gee left, Barry. Here's a clip of him from the early days. We will miss you Robin.
I had an awesome time at the Motor City Comic Con yesterday, with my good friends Ben, John, and Julia. What a blast! I got to meet Peter Tork from the Monkees, and he couldn't have been nicer. I also got to speak with one of my favorite alt comics creators, Peter Bagge. My buddy John told him how I turned him on to his work, and I mentioned how I turned others on to him also (I'm talking about you, Vintage Warrior!)...Peter then called me "the pied piper of Michigan." Now that's high praise! I found a few sweet items, like some Superman comics and Mad Magazines, all from the '70s. Check out the pics below, featuring just a fraction of the costumes we saw.
Ben with his fellow cosmic forces Galactus and Phoneix. John and Ben saw Galactus trying to enter the con and he couldn't get through the door, so he had to take his helmet off.
Stormtrooper and John
Darth Vader and myself. Darth wore a device that did the heavy breathing sound.
Me, John, and Ben in front of the A-Team van. We theorized that Mr. T was asleep in there and would eventually wake up not knowing where he was.
The Monkee mobile!
John vs. Wolverine...only one of them walked away!
John with Shredder
Here's the proof I met Peter Tork...
Ghostbuster, sexy Robin, and Slimer. Somewhere behind them is Billy Dee Williams' table
John and Ben with a Road Warrior
I can't wait for the next one! Sometimes you just have to go to a gathering of your people, ya know? It's fun knowing I'm not the only geek in the world...
With this entry the Bruce Dickinson era begins. Except for a 5 year hiatus with the band from '93-'98, Bruce has been a fixture of Iron Maiden 30 years. What a voice! This selection is from the tour supporting his first album with the group (and what a first album!) The Number of the Beast, and is my personal favorite off of that release..."The Prisoner!"
In non-Maiden news, tomorrow I'm attending the Motor City Comic Con. I have not been to a comic book convention in 6 years and I'm super excited. Me and my good friends John, Ben, and Julia will be attending. My goal is to get some pictures taken with Dean Cain and Peter Tork. Look for a blog about what transpires on Sunday.
This clip features the title track Killers album. This shit is INTENSE! Clanging guitar, impassioned vocals, and a propulsive beat drive this song to the top of my list of favorite Maiden songs.
Starting tomorrow, and for the second half of May, we will be seeing Maiden videos featuring their second vocalist Bruce Dickinson (and maybe a clip of brief third singer Blaze Bayley). Enjoy this last clip of Di'Anno, and if you're brave enough, find a recent picture of him. Scary!
Another selection from Killers, this one is called "Innocent Exile." I love Steve Harris' bass intro...he is one of the top bass players of all time, in my opinion.
I haven't had too many posts about old TV shows, so I thought it was high time I wrote something up. So starting today I will have a semi-regular feature called "Tube Time."
On my streaming Netflix I have been slowly watching every episode of the A-Team. Just last night I completed season 3, which means I have 2 seasons left. Expect a posting once I finish the show, which will be kind of a retrospective on the series. Today I'm going to write about a show that is from the same time period but a little more...dramatic. That show is "Dallas." One word to describe it? Epic.
The first (and I think greatest) of the legendary '70s-'80s primetime soap operas (Dynasty, Falcon Crest, etc.) told the story of a Texas oil company run by gruff old-timer John Ross "Jock" Ewing and his 2 sons: the manipulative John Ross Jr., or J.R. (played by "I Dream of Jeannie" star Larry Hagman) and Bobby, the honorable son (played by Patrick Duffy, later of "Step by Step"). The show was ubiquitous when I was growing up, and the theme song and opening credits were indelibly burned into my mind. Here's a clip to refresh your memories...
My personal memories of the show date back to 1984 or so, watching it with my parents. I'm certain that I didn't know a lot about what was going on in any given episode, but I remember the characters being compelling. I even remember the episode where Bobby Ewing dies!
Don't
worry, he gets better in a controversial retcon the end of the next
season which said it was "it was all a dream" (and I thought comics had shitty
explanations for returning dead characters!)
The show ran for a staggering 13 seasons (and also had spin-off called "Knots Landing," featuring the black sheep of the family, middle son Gary Ewing). I remember it being a big deal when it went off the air, ending on a cliff-hanger where it looked like J.R. killed himself after a supernatural encounter:
Don't worry, he survived to star in two reunion films that came out in the late '90s and will also be part of a new "Dallas" series to air this summer on TNT featuring the next generation of Ewings. A little over a year ago I watched part of a marathon of episodes and found them to be well-done and highly entertaining, so I put disc one of season one on Netflix (it's not streaming unfortunately). It came in the mail earlier this week and I watched it this past Wednesday evening while I laid on the couch sick as a dog.
Holy crap did I enjoy the heck out of those first 3 episodes! They had great acting, great writing, and interesting characters and stories. THIS is how primetime TV used to be, back when there were only 3 networks and millions of people all watched the same shows which were of the highest quality possible. With cable and other media diluting everything these days, primetime has turned into a wasteland of by-the-numbers procedural cop shows and *shudder* glorified talent shows. Plus, being the retrologist I am, I love all of the '70s fashions, including the suits and ties. I need an entire wardrobe of clothes like this I can wear to work.
The crux of the show was that the good son Bobby eloped with Pamela, the daughter of Jock's old business partner, Diggar Barnes. Jock kind of screwed over ol' Diggar back in the day (and also stole his woman, Miss Ellie), so there's a lot of enmity there, leading Diggar to be a broken down old drunk. To add to the drama, Diggar's son and Pamela's brother, Cliff, Barnes, acts as legal counsel to a government investigation of the Ewing's business doings. The chess game is set! Other drama includes Jock's granddaughter and Gary's daughter Lucy having an affair with the foreman of the Ewing's ranch, Ray Krebbs (who used to date Pamela). J.R. was also having an affair with his secretary, played by Tina Louise (better known as Ginger from "Gilligan's Island"), who in turn was feeding information to Cliff. Oh what a tangled web they weaved...
Anyway, I'm going to keep watching, and follow the show through the many seasons. It's going to take some time, but I think it will be worth it. And since I don't have cable anymore, I won't have any other shows competing for my attention. They probably wouldn't be as good anyway. Before I wrap this post up, here's a clip of J.R. being his lovable, slimy self towards his new sister-in-law:
This might be my favorite track off of the legendary Killers album. I love the fast, frantic pace of Di'Anno's vocals on the chorus. The vocals are both punk sounding and pop sounding at the same time...very impressive. And the musicianship is of course top notch. This band accomplished more on their first 2 albums then a lot of bands do in their whole catalog. The lyrics are an early example of the band using an old horror movie as inspiration.
I couldn't find a clip of Paul singing it live, so this one from 1982's "Beast On the Road" tour feat. Bruce Dickinson will have to do. Enjoy "Murders In the Rue Morgue!"
I just learned that Eric Burdon (singer for the Animals and War) turned 71 today. Holy crap I didn't realize he was that old, but if you do the math I guess it all adds up. I dig all of his stuff with the Animals but I think this is my favorite performance of his...enjoy.
Ok, I warned you all this one was coming...in this edition of "Guilty Pleasures" I'm letting the whole world know: I like the Carpenters.
The legendary light rock duo's career spanned 14 years, from 1969-1983. The act consisted of brother Richard and sister Karen Carpenters, with Richard playing the piano and providing back-up vocals while Karen sang lead.
Which one's the sister?
Karen's voice is nothing short of incredible...rich, deep, and considered by many to be one of the best in popular music. Not only was she an amazing singer, but she was also an accomplished drummer.
Richard was the backbone of the group, and his piano playing was integral to their sound, as were his low-key backing vocals. I don't remember when I first heard this band...it's like they've been there, in the background, my whole life. One distinct early memory I do have of one of their songs is Rick Moranis's off-key but touching rendition of "(They Long to Be) Close to You," written by Burt Bacharach, one of my favorite song writers of the '60s (now there's another idea for a blog post!).
This video pretty much sums of the Carpenters for me. It's a live performance that features their trademark vocals, shows off their lighthearted interaction with each other, and even has some country twang thrown in for good measure.
Call them cheesy, call them gay, call them lame as hell, but don't call them untalented or uninteresting. I dig these two a lot, and it's a shame that Karen isn't around to show some of these auto-tuned pop stars how to really sing.
The first of many sweet instrumentals by the band, this one is from a show in 1981 and also features a solo by Dave Murray (a very underrated guitarist in my opinion).
When I thought of how I could memorialize this very talented fellow Gen-Xer, I knew I had to do it with a video from the Beasties song I liked best. There are so many good Beasties songs to choose from, but this was the one that first popped into my head. I love the beat, love the rhymes, and love the video. RIP MCA.
I've been planning this theme month since the week I started this blog, so I'm very excited that May is finally here. Iron Maiden are not just one of my favorite bands of the metal genre...they're also easily in my top 10 bands EVER. At times I don't even think of them as metal, as I feel that label stifles their amazing abilities and variety of sounds. They are at times metal, at times prog, at times virtuosic punk...I really dig everything they did primarily from 1980-1993.
I especially dig on the early stuff...those first 2 albums with original singer Paul Di'Anno totally ROCK. They have such a raw, primal energy. That band came screaming out of the gate on those first 2 albums, and when Bruce Dickinson became their singer in 1982 they didn't lose any momentum...they took it to the next level, and started trading in the punk-on-the-street lyrics for dungeons & dragons style imagery. And they pulled it off very successfully.
I will try and post at least a video a day by them, starting out from the very earliest stuff all the way to...well, we'll see how recently I get. Will infamous third singer Blaze Bayley make an appearance? He might...he just might.
For now, here's some really old footage of the first song from their first LP, a number entitled "Prowler." CRANK IT!
Sooooo, this past Saturday the Canadian Belle and I made a pit stop at the Goodwill in DeWitt, MI on our way home from my place of work (I had to run in there on my day off as I left my cell phone charger in my office. I kind of needed it ya know?)
Anywho, I thought I would check out the records and vhs to see if there were any hidden gems. Boy did I score on this outing! The Belle did too...she picked up three Peter, Paul & Mary lps (her collection of records is still in its' infancy but slowly and surely growing). Check out what I found...
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