No lie, but I started typing "Twat" instead of "Person." I'm sure you've all heard by now that Time magazine has awarded the "Person of the Year" honors to three recipients: Bill & Melinda Gates and Bono. No, I'm not kidding. I know it's hard to believe...I suppose all three have actually done worthwhile things this past year, but how can you look past Gates' pact with the Devil (damn you, Microsoft) and Bono's...I don't know what. He's just so annoying lately. But well done, trying to save the world is far from the worst thing to do with your time and money. And in other news, space cake Moby will be the first popstar in space (take that, Lance Bass!). Maybe he'll sing "We Are All Made of Stars" during liftoff? Oh, and that nutjob running Iran has banned Western music. Was he picked on as a child? Was he rejected by the love of his life? First the Israel thing and now this. Someone needs a hug.
There is nothing hotter than a bad boy. Especially when they play in a band. However, sometimes the boys take this a bit too far. Examine, if you will, one Pete Doherty. Ex of the Libertines, now in the shambolic Babyshambles. Pete is becoming better known for his drug-related exploits and famous ex-girlfriend than for his music. The latest chapter in Pete's destructive road show finds him under arrest. Again. For being under the influence. Again. It's really sad, because once you take away the narcotics and the booze he's a really talented artist. But the addict thing is wearing thin, and it's awful to watch someone who seems so hell-bent on destroying themselves. He's becoming another rock'n'roll cliche. Pete's misbehaving predeccesor, Keith Richards, also knows a thing or two about drugs. All you have to do is look at pictures of him from around 1965 to now to witness the true havoc he has wreaked on himself. It seems that footage Richards' legendary near-death on stage due to electrocution is for sale. If you're feeling sinister, forget about the minister and head on over to It's Only Rock and Roll for information. In other news, this weekend was most excellent. For those in the D.C. area who haven't yet seen Death by Sexy live, shame on you. Two boys making lots of noise (and let me not forget the feather boas) is a highly sexy thing. Make sure to see them. Soon.
Hooray. Hooray for Fridays, hooray for the holidays, and hooray for office Christmas parties... But all that is neither here nor there. A short note before I dive headfirst into the weekend roundup. Pet band of mine the Dirty Things are in need of some practice space in Chicago. If you've got some to share/rent, contact them via their Myspace page and I bet they'll love you forever. And now, the weekend ahead...not too shabby. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16 *Cyndi Lauper(!) 9:30 Club (Sold Out) *Bliss Dance Partay Black Cat backstage $6 *Liberation Dance Party DC9 $5 SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17 *Living Things (with some other bands) 9:30 Club (win only - through DC101) *ARMY OF ME, THE WHIPS, THE BONAPARTES (cd release) Black Cat mainstage 9:30 $9 *Death By Sexy (on around 9) DC9 $8 *Food Not Bombs benefit (f/Nethers, Her Majesty's Orchestra) Galaxy Hut $5 cover SUNDAY, DECEMBER 18 *ROCK-N-SHOP: a rock'n'roll garage sale w/ DJ Neville Chamberlain and D-Mac free Black Cat mainstage 8:30
I am torn on how I feel about this...do I jump for joy at the thought of new Joy Division, or do I recoil in horror at the thought of anyone other than Ian Curtis at the helm? It's a tough call. I think that some bands just have frontpersons who are too irreplaceable (Queen, INXS) and their remaining band members shouldn't even try it without them. Just cut your losses and reap the royalties, and if you record new material don't use the bands' name. I love New Order, don't get me wrong. But something just feels wrong about this. Oh, and I heard a while back Jude Law was being considered for the film role of Ian Curtis. I guess maybe that's changed...
Pitchfork is reporting that Britt Daniel, the absolutely dreamy Spoon frontman, has taped an episode of "Veronica Mars." Britt's episode will air on February 1st, and he'll be singing a cover of "Veronica." Pitchfork also reports that Britt has a girlfriend who lives in Portland. Alas.
I came across a very, very interesting piece of information this morning. Perhaps everyone already knows this (I'm a little behind the times every so often)...but according to Drowned in Sound, 1990s white boy hip hop outfit House of Pain just might honor us all with a reformation. Maybe the thinking is that getting back together can't be worse than their current jobs (Everlast's solo career, DJ Lethal in Limp Bizkit). Or maybe they just see dollar signs when they think of hocking their hit to a whole new generation of disgruntled youth.Go on, admit you loved "Jump Around." We all did...
