The rollercoaster continues. Sleep is at a premium. The post-Jarvis week involved me running around the city, usually in some kind of sportsjacket (rare), taking meetings, making shit happen, and even looking at a new NYC office, which would be a nice thing to have these days! Once all of my colleages from LA and SF left, I thought I would have a moment to breathe, but alas, it's never quite the case, as then the Tribeca Film Festival started and Irene and I found ourselves racing around town all weekend. I probabably, and this is NOT a joke, spent about two bills on cabs this weekend just to get to everything ontime. Also, Matt Gentile and I have purchased tickets for our next gay date, which will be us seeing the reunited Jesus and Mary Chain, which better be awesome cause we just dropped a pretty fucking penny for that. Anyhow....
On Friday night, after Irene and I had dinner with a lovely lady who works with my friend Frank, we checked out SUBURBAN GIRL, a movie made by some friends that starred Buffy and Alec Baldwin in a May-December romance kinda thing. I like her a lot, and this was probably the first post-Buffy thing I have seen her in, but Baldwin, of course, owns it. It was uninentionally hilarious as Baldwin's character has an estranged daughter in it, thus leading to some of the most surreal moments that make you think theres a possibility that all his drama with this real life daughter this past week is actually a big work designed to push the movie. Come on, you gotta admit, the guy can cut a fucking promo like a superstar.
I was hoping Saturday would at least be a day of music fun, and then I realized I had made plans with the wonderful Gilez, who is in town, with his insane brother Duncan, and some mates, for holiday not unlike the ones the MOGpac used to take. You remember Gilez, chubby industrial lad with bad shoes who brought the aggression to the UK for their trimumphant 2001 show at the Underworld in London? Well, forget all you know. Divorce does a lad well. Yes, he still listens to the old school industrial (as you are all ashamed to admit, as i surely do not), but now he is a slim, healthy, Paul Frank wearing man of the world, who no longer dies his hair. I always have a soft spot for this kid, but man, he has really come a long way. I'm proud of him. He's gone through a LOT of shit and has come through it a better bloke. He wanted some steak, but i took him to Spurs himself and we spent a couple of hours catching up and how he now likes a lot of the shit "F.J. probably likes in the NME". A good time. During out meal, I suggested he check out a movie he couldn't see in the UK and then he lectures me how he didnt come all the way here "to go to the fucking cinema" and of course a day later he Emails me to say how much he loved Grindhouse. Wank Boy.
From there, grabbed Irene, and we raced down to what used to be one of our date spots, The Screening Room, which is now a permanent theatre for the Tribeca Film Festival people all year round. We then checked out a documentary WILL EISNER: PORTRAIT OF A SEQUENTIAL ARTIST, which was amazing. Knowing the guys behind it, and having a connection to Eisner, this was a very special thing to watch, especially with his family in the room. And boy did it deliver. What a movie. It was a love letter not just to Eisner, but to all those who he influenced as well. You don't have to be a comic person to enjoy this movie. It was very well done, and I hope it gets the attention it deserves. And I'm not just saying this because they thanked me at the end, this movie is the real deal. Check out the trailer here:
http://www.montillapictures.com/media/trailer_264.mov
Again, no rest as Sunday morning as Irene and brunched with the returning Bradley J. Fox, who was in town producing some stuff in conjunction with the Festival. Brad, who I love dearly, needs to understand that ordering a "soy latte" in a French restuarant in NEW YORK CITY is going to get him some weird stares. Of course, this gives your hero hours of material as he jokes this LA resident back to the reality of NYC. Though I'm sure as big money and real estate rape my beloved city even more, a soy latte will be as easy to get as crack in Washington Square Park ("sense, sense, soy?"). Anyhow, once Brad understood he was in NY, we had a good brunch and caught up on new times. He showed us lots of videos of his little one, who is adorable and sassy and smart. We then shopped like men and woman possessed, as Brad embraced his asian T-shirt addiction to the fullest extent. He loves Zakka and Uniqlo is his new mecca. Hell, even I got into the act. We had a nice stroll around Soho. Hopefully I will get to see him again before he heads back to La La Land.
You would think that was the end of our adventures for the week but NO! Irene and I then ran home very briefly to put on our Sunday best so we could hit the legendary Delposto so we could celebrate my folks 40th wedding anniversary. Sick, right? Anyhow, what a fucking meal. A certain Hamill who works there put a good word in because while we have always been treated like superstars there, this time was a whole new level. This was sick awesome over the top. More apps than you can imagine and of course the desserts were in full effect. I'm still full. They gave us more food last night than our last two meals there combined I think! It was the sweetest hook up. Ever.
Then FINALLY we went home, crashed on the couch, and watched TV. Till we passed out. Now we have a bit of rest before Los Angeles and Italy beckon. And how are YOU?
F
30.4.07
29.4.07
26.4.07
THE SHATNER SHOW
"I am not a Starfleet commander, or T.J. Hooker. I don't live on Starship NCC-1701, or own a phaser. And I don't know anybody named Bones, Sulu, or Spock. And no, I've never had green alien sex, though I'm sure it would be quite an evening. I speak English and French, not Klingon! I drink Labatt's, not Romulan ale! And when someone says to me 'Live long and prosper', I seriously mean it when I say, 'Get a life'. My doctor's name is not McCoy, it's Ginsberg. And tribbles were puppets, not real ani
animals. PUPPETS! And when I speak, I never, ever talk like every. Word. Is. It's. Own. Sentence. I live in California, but I was raised in Montreal. And yes, I've gone where no man has gone before, but I was in Mexico and her father gave me permission! My name is William Shatner, and I am Canadian!"
This is a real exhibit!!
http://vangooldesign.com/shatnerweb/SHATNER-WEB.asp?pname=intro
24.4.07
This Is Hardcore Awesome
My friends, there is so much to catch up on, so I will get right into it.
Last Thursday, I ran back to the city just to get to Brooklyn to see Ash perform with his latest band, The Equation. How were they? I have no idea. Why? Because they were scheduled to go on at 9 and by 11:30, tlike 5 crap bands had played and Ash’s gear was being moved to another venue because the venue was “screwing” them. Also, Brandt and I were way too drunk to know where to go next. Plus, your hero had to leave for Washington DC the next morning, which I will get to. I’m sure Ash had a good gig, and the night wasn’t a bust in any way shape or form as the HF crew got to catch up and any chance to see Mrs. Laura is a treat. She took some of these drunk ass pictures of us:
And I saw this in the toilet and thought it sounded like G:
Afterwards, Brandt put us on a bus to nowhere, but it actually took us somewhere. I don’t think I do well on buses in Brooklyn. I was happy to be born there, but I don’t like their buses.
Anyhow, the next morning I was on the Acela racing down to Washington DC. Why? Because your hero was moderating a panel on Manga and Anime at the Smithsonian Institution. That’s right. I wanted to go to this thing wearing the sweet robe in the hotel room:
But instead, your hero cleaned up nice like:
Me in a suit doing the Charlie Rose thing with a few legends of the Japanese entertainment. I was told that I was the first person to ever speak on the Japanese art form in the history of The Smithsonian. It was scary and a blast. I got to meet some awesome people from Japan and my pals from Tokyo came for the event.
DC is a cool city. I spent a lot of time here as a kid and then later when Irene lived here and it's nice to see from the top of a hotel:
However, a lot of it is Zagat rated, thus we can't play gigs with Ash here:
Somehow, 5 Japanese guys, a drunk southerner, a non jewish rabbi, 2 girls, and myself ended up at an “electronica dance night” at a gay bar, which led to many laughs. I also heard on this evening the single greatest pick up line of all time, which I will share with you if you ask me in person. But it was said by this guy, Kenji, who is basically the punching bag of my Japanese posse. Imagine all those times G got punched in the balls (especially in Russia) and you get an idea of my evening with these guys. Anyway, his pick up line worked and he married this girl an hour later:
Then me and some of the guys had pizza and then passed out:
Now back in NYC, the Monday night crew, sans Irene who was working, had some dinner and beers before going to Webster Hall to see the awesome man known as Jarvis. No Pulp tunes and yet it was my favourite gig of the year so far. I love this man. I forgot that he has plus one charisma. SO good and his band was great and getting my buzz on to Jarvis is always a treat. His band was tight, he had great energy and man does he have a career in stand up once his music gig is done. Amazing. I’m sure it was nowhere near as good as when B and Al saw him in Paris, but alas, this is Jarvis and this is awesome.
Afterwards., we were joined by members both present and former of the now on hiatus Saintface over at this pub near the apartment. Naturally of course, having all these people in one room being so passionate about music is a potent formula and it was ON. I mostly listened, as I was off my tits, but man do I miss talking music with those characters, especially these two:
Peter had his hand on my heart until I mentioned he hated the Velvets. But it’s a minor blip ;-) Anyhow, I think I am in NY for a spell and am itching to work on some tunes. I miss sleep so much right now
xoxo
Last Thursday, I ran back to the city just to get to Brooklyn to see Ash perform with his latest band, The Equation. How were they? I have no idea. Why? Because they were scheduled to go on at 9 and by 11:30, tlike 5 crap bands had played and Ash’s gear was being moved to another venue because the venue was “screwing” them. Also, Brandt and I were way too drunk to know where to go next. Plus, your hero had to leave for Washington DC the next morning, which I will get to. I’m sure Ash had a good gig, and the night wasn’t a bust in any way shape or form as the HF crew got to catch up and any chance to see Mrs. Laura is a treat. She took some of these drunk ass pictures of us:
And I saw this in the toilet and thought it sounded like G:
Afterwards, Brandt put us on a bus to nowhere, but it actually took us somewhere. I don’t think I do well on buses in Brooklyn. I was happy to be born there, but I don’t like their buses.
Anyhow, the next morning I was on the Acela racing down to Washington DC. Why? Because your hero was moderating a panel on Manga and Anime at the Smithsonian Institution. That’s right. I wanted to go to this thing wearing the sweet robe in the hotel room:
But instead, your hero cleaned up nice like:
Me in a suit doing the Charlie Rose thing with a few legends of the Japanese entertainment. I was told that I was the first person to ever speak on the Japanese art form in the history of The Smithsonian. It was scary and a blast. I got to meet some awesome people from Japan and my pals from Tokyo came for the event.
DC is a cool city. I spent a lot of time here as a kid and then later when Irene lived here and it's nice to see from the top of a hotel:
However, a lot of it is Zagat rated, thus we can't play gigs with Ash here:
Somehow, 5 Japanese guys, a drunk southerner, a non jewish rabbi, 2 girls, and myself ended up at an “electronica dance night” at a gay bar, which led to many laughs. I also heard on this evening the single greatest pick up line of all time, which I will share with you if you ask me in person. But it was said by this guy, Kenji, who is basically the punching bag of my Japanese posse. Imagine all those times G got punched in the balls (especially in Russia) and you get an idea of my evening with these guys. Anyway, his pick up line worked and he married this girl an hour later:
Then me and some of the guys had pizza and then passed out:
Now back in NYC, the Monday night crew, sans Irene who was working, had some dinner and beers before going to Webster Hall to see the awesome man known as Jarvis. No Pulp tunes and yet it was my favourite gig of the year so far. I love this man. I forgot that he has plus one charisma. SO good and his band was great and getting my buzz on to Jarvis is always a treat. His band was tight, he had great energy and man does he have a career in stand up once his music gig is done. Amazing. I’m sure it was nowhere near as good as when B and Al saw him in Paris, but alas, this is Jarvis and this is awesome.
Afterwards., we were joined by members both present and former of the now on hiatus Saintface over at this pub near the apartment. Naturally of course, having all these people in one room being so passionate about music is a potent formula and it was ON. I mostly listened, as I was off my tits, but man do I miss talking music with those characters, especially these two:
Peter had his hand on my heart until I mentioned he hated the Velvets. But it’s a minor blip ;-) Anyhow, I think I am in NY for a spell and am itching to work on some tunes. I miss sleep so much right now
xoxo
14.4.07
13.4.07
SM All Star chat 112
F: I think you and the kidd owe me like 98 thousand dollars
G: For what?
F: ...for everything
G: You will not recieve this money
F: Not from you, but when i do, it might not be in the form of cash...
G: seMAN
F: You are disgusting. Respect
G: My sperm is the GOLD standard
F: Why is it funny when you write in CAPS? SO FUNNY
G: You want to know funny? Guess what Hamill means in Gaelic.
F: ?
G: ACTIVE
F: ...
F: Oh my lord
G: True
G: For what?
F: ...for everything
G: You will not recieve this money
F: Not from you, but when i do, it might not be in the form of cash...
G: seMAN
F: You are disgusting. Respect
G: My sperm is the GOLD standard
F: Why is it funny when you write in CAPS? SO FUNNY
G: You want to know funny? Guess what Hamill means in Gaelic.
F: ?
G: ACTIVE
F: ...
F: Oh my lord
G: True
11.4.07
9.4.07
Fluland
Hello All:
It's been a whirlwind here. The bout with the flu really knocked me on my ass big time. I usually recover quickly from these things, but this time I got smacked down like Danny in the foyer of the Swiss Consulate. Anyhow, I think I am back in shape, and I will now try and get you up to speed.
I took it easy for most of the week knowing that #1 nephew was due for an Easter cameo this past weekend. However, I did check out GRINDHOUSE, which is an interesting concept, one super movie (the Rodriguez one) and one OK movie (the Tarantino one), but a great experience all around. Trailers were the best part (featuring the greatest Nic Cage moment in 20 years), especially Edgar Wright, whose HOT FUZZ I am dying to see and missed a screening of last week. Rrrr. Well, America didn't come out to see GRINDHOUSE, but I sure liked it, and thanks to Lurch for taking my sick ass.
I made my first studio visit in weeks when both Ash and Charles swung into B's to lay down some bass. Ash was in full producer mode, armed with great ideas, and of course Charles delivered as always. I also enjoyed wandering the streets with Ash in search of true low budget ghetto chinese food, which he happily got and consumed (and promptly died, no I'm kidding). It was a slow, but productive night.
Musically, I have been listening to some interesting stuff. The NIN album leaked and of course I had to check it out. Some of it clicks with me, some doesn't, but I do like when he actually sings melodies and not trying to get his poopies out. His programming is sick, Moulder's mixing is amazing, but the songwriting is for shit. I think it's intentional that this is less a song driven album than it being about the larger story. The concept is cool and I'm still interested in the bigger YEAR ZERO picture. The whole thing could have rocked a bit more, as many of the songs seem to be similar in BPM, but it's all much better than the last album (which was only good when Interpol remixed them). Again some great moments, but I don't see this reaching the top of my best of this year.
Meanwhile, two enjoyable re-releases come from the late 80's/early 90's post break up/pre-reunion period of Echo and The Bunnymen: Ian McCulloch's first two solo albums in one package (with tons of extras) and the definitive collection of tracks from Electrafixion, Mac and Will's pre Bunnymen reunion project. I have wonderful memories of Mac's solo stuff. I remember wearing the CANDLELAND cassette out. But the CANDLELAND tour, which was one of the first gigs I ever went to (encoring with New Order's CEREMONY, which the Bunnymen recently performed with Hooky), was amazing. And later, his secret show at CB's for the second album MYSTERIO (which was an insane gig) was truly special (topped only by the reunited Bunnymen at Mercury fucking Lounge. A classic). There's some amazing stuff on those first two albums, especially the singles. While I felt you could have easily done a two CD set for each solo album (and included the awesome Japan only EP called 9 tracks), the re-master is great, the sleeves are cool and Mac writes a nice, humble introduction.
For some reason, I have very little memory of Electrafixion. Why? I don't know. I never saw them, I vaguely remember the album, though I do recall Johnny Marr being initially involved with Mac before the tapes "disappeared". It's always been a shady project. It also rocks. Very hard. Especially for these guys. I need to spend some more time with it as I am not as familair with it as I was with Mac's solo stuff. But that's the fun part of all this yes?
Then, small nephew arrived and kept it real. We had fun. He caught up on wrestling and with the guys, and his mother and her boyfriend joined us for a nice Easter dinner at 141 Fernwood. Of course, the videogame gods shined on this lad as the recently closed Chinatown Arcade was suddenly re-opened ("maybe just cause they knew I was here, Uncle"), and man you never saw a kid mark out like this! Anyhow, he is the best kid and here he is with his pal R2D2:
It's always tough when this little man leave us to go back to Montreal. This time was no exception. However, someday, he will go to College here, work at Nintendoworld, and eat his Aunt's homemade cooking every night. One of the things I look forward to in my older years. Sorta like the Hypefactor album.
Hope you are all well. Fuck you.
F
It's been a whirlwind here. The bout with the flu really knocked me on my ass big time. I usually recover quickly from these things, but this time I got smacked down like Danny in the foyer of the Swiss Consulate. Anyhow, I think I am back in shape, and I will now try and get you up to speed.
I took it easy for most of the week knowing that #1 nephew was due for an Easter cameo this past weekend. However, I did check out GRINDHOUSE, which is an interesting concept, one super movie (the Rodriguez one) and one OK movie (the Tarantino one), but a great experience all around. Trailers were the best part (featuring the greatest Nic Cage moment in 20 years), especially Edgar Wright, whose HOT FUZZ I am dying to see and missed a screening of last week. Rrrr. Well, America didn't come out to see GRINDHOUSE, but I sure liked it, and thanks to Lurch for taking my sick ass.
I made my first studio visit in weeks when both Ash and Charles swung into B's to lay down some bass. Ash was in full producer mode, armed with great ideas, and of course Charles delivered as always. I also enjoyed wandering the streets with Ash in search of true low budget ghetto chinese food, which he happily got and consumed (and promptly died, no I'm kidding). It was a slow, but productive night.
Musically, I have been listening to some interesting stuff. The NIN album leaked and of course I had to check it out. Some of it clicks with me, some doesn't, but I do like when he actually sings melodies and not trying to get his poopies out. His programming is sick, Moulder's mixing is amazing, but the songwriting is for shit. I think it's intentional that this is less a song driven album than it being about the larger story. The concept is cool and I'm still interested in the bigger YEAR ZERO picture. The whole thing could have rocked a bit more, as many of the songs seem to be similar in BPM, but it's all much better than the last album (which was only good when Interpol remixed them). Again some great moments, but I don't see this reaching the top of my best of this year.
Meanwhile, two enjoyable re-releases come from the late 80's/early 90's post break up/pre-reunion period of Echo and The Bunnymen: Ian McCulloch's first two solo albums in one package (with tons of extras) and the definitive collection of tracks from Electrafixion, Mac and Will's pre Bunnymen reunion project. I have wonderful memories of Mac's solo stuff. I remember wearing the CANDLELAND cassette out. But the CANDLELAND tour, which was one of the first gigs I ever went to (encoring with New Order's CEREMONY, which the Bunnymen recently performed with Hooky), was amazing. And later, his secret show at CB's for the second album MYSTERIO (which was an insane gig) was truly special (topped only by the reunited Bunnymen at Mercury fucking Lounge. A classic). There's some amazing stuff on those first two albums, especially the singles. While I felt you could have easily done a two CD set for each solo album (and included the awesome Japan only EP called 9 tracks), the re-master is great, the sleeves are cool and Mac writes a nice, humble introduction.
For some reason, I have very little memory of Electrafixion. Why? I don't know. I never saw them, I vaguely remember the album, though I do recall Johnny Marr being initially involved with Mac before the tapes "disappeared". It's always been a shady project. It also rocks. Very hard. Especially for these guys. I need to spend some more time with it as I am not as familair with it as I was with Mac's solo stuff. But that's the fun part of all this yes?
Then, small nephew arrived and kept it real. We had fun. He caught up on wrestling and with the guys, and his mother and her boyfriend joined us for a nice Easter dinner at 141 Fernwood. Of course, the videogame gods shined on this lad as the recently closed Chinatown Arcade was suddenly re-opened ("maybe just cause they knew I was here, Uncle"), and man you never saw a kid mark out like this! Anyhow, he is the best kid and here he is with his pal R2D2:
It's always tough when this little man leave us to go back to Montreal. This time was no exception. However, someday, he will go to College here, work at Nintendoworld, and eat his Aunt's homemade cooking every night. One of the things I look forward to in my older years. Sorta like the Hypefactor album.
Hope you are all well. Fuck you.
F
3.4.07
"your lack of energy scares me, It makes me think about my own mortality"
I must have been really out of it for Evan to say this after hanging with my sick ass as we all watched Wrestlemania 23, which of course was a lot of fun. It was a bright spot of a weekend that saw me totally laid out with the flu, the effects of which I am still feeling. So forgive me, I have little to report, though i did see MEET THE ROBINSONS and GRINDHOUSE and had a laugh at both. More on that soon. Stay classy, assy.