I love music, and I love film. What better thing can there be than a good music video?
Some of them are art in its purest form; expressions of imagination (and other such ramblings)
Without further ado, I'm going to link to some of the most amazing music videos that left an impression on me.
I'm starting with Sepultura's 'Ratamahatta' circa 1996.
(Now, let's see how much I can recall without actually looking it up!!)
Sepultura are a Brazilian band, the word 'sepultura' means spine. In this song, singer Max is actually singing in Brazilian, if you can call it singing! It ranges from chants, shouts, singing and hacking coughs!
This video is truly fantastic and features some beautiful stop motion animation.
It doesn't even feature the band, not once! All the footage is of models, set in what one would assume is a Brazilian jungle; there's a village, a masked demons, voodoo doctors, spirits and skulls!
It's truly mind blowing, and looks as fresh as anything even today, 15 years later.
I love it because it's like all the darkest and best parts of my own imagination - I adore voodoo witchcraft imagery, and jungle scenes. Who wouldn't?!
It's a kickass song too.
Continuing the 90s theme -
One of my personal faves, White Zombie and 'Electric Head Pt. 2' circa 1995
Obviously one who understands film and presenting his imagination in full technicolour, Rob Zombie later became a film director (including shooting my fave horror visual fest 'House of 1000 Corpses'!)
What I love about the White Zombie videos, as well as being amazing rock songs, they were so visually full of delights. When at the time - 90s - other bands were all about playing image down and IMHO generally looking very dull and boring, bands like White Zombie were a sight for sore eyes.
Anyone who loves horror films, B movies, general vaudeville and showmanship will appreciate what this band do. Sadly never got to see them live, but did manage to catch Rob Zombie on his first solo tour; amazing live show, and what amused me most was the hollow, see-thru guitar that Riggs used, full of (fake) blood.
HOW COOL IS THAT?!
I've chosen this video as it's a mix of the band and one of their favourite themes - weird carnival circus freakshow! With some glow in the dark dancing girls. What more could you want? It even opens with a circus train!!
I've going to jump forward to the 'naughties now, to everyone's favourite band, Turbonegro!
Album 'Retox' came out in 2007, and this single was released with arguable one of the coolest videos ever made.
Muted colours/greyscale, amazing animation mixed with the filming, and little cameos of the band singing in the posters on the walls. Really clever, a joy to watch.
'Do Ya Dig Destruction?'
Now, I'm going to end on a somewhat 'kooky' note. If you don't know who Tom Waits is, shame shame -
and go buy his album Blood Money (2002) where this amazing song is from.
Tom Waits - you can still hear his cry of "maaassssterrr!!" from film Bram Stoker's Dracula, haha.
He is utterly incredible, there is non other like him.
This video is beautiful, the song is bizarre, and strangely catchy. I can't describe it much more than that, except for 'look out for the ostriches!'
Friday, 6 January 2012
Sunday, 1 January 2012
A Bar Tender Tale - almost here!
Happy New Year!
And what better way to kick off my first blog post with information about a new release :o)
(There are 2 new releases imminent for 2012, and atm A Bar Tender Tale is in the lead! LOL)
Dreamspinner have kindly set up a page for my ebook on their Coming Soon list, which means....
Sneak preview of the cover art by the ever talented Ria Chantler!
Read the blurb, add to your wish list!
And even read an extract!
Take a looksee right here
Cover art by Ria Chantler...
Doesn't little Nathan look uber cute?!
BLURB:
Twenty-two-year-old barman Nathan is always the odd one out. It's tough to get a date when his love of loud music, tattoos, and zombie paraphernalia usually sends potential candidates running for the hills. Trying to find anyone who wants to spend time with him, let alone stay in and watch trashy horror movies, has always been a problem.
Then, on his day off, Nathan does a friend a favor by covering a shift at a pub, and in walks a handsome stranger who shares his love of horror. It could be a match made in B-movie heaven, and Nathan is determined to pursue this new acquaintance, but—zombies aside—has Nathan got the guts to go on a real date?
* * *
Ooh er! ;o)
If you want to read an extract, visit the Dreamspinner link here
and click on 'Read an excerpt'
You can also add A Bar Tender Tale on Goodreads
Expected release date 30th January, but please check the Dreamspinner website for updates :o)
In the meantime, I shall be hurrying with my own website updates for more behind the scenes looks into my work. There have already been a few changes, which you can check out now!
xoxoxoxo
And what better way to kick off my first blog post with information about a new release :o)
(There are 2 new releases imminent for 2012, and atm A Bar Tender Tale is in the lead! LOL)
Dreamspinner have kindly set up a page for my ebook on their Coming Soon list, which means....
Sneak preview of the cover art by the ever talented Ria Chantler!
Read the blurb, add to your wish list!
And even read an extract!
Take a looksee right here
Cover art by Ria Chantler...
Doesn't little Nathan look uber cute?!
BLURB:
Twenty-two-year-old barman Nathan is always the odd one out. It's tough to get a date when his love of loud music, tattoos, and zombie paraphernalia usually sends potential candidates running for the hills. Trying to find anyone who wants to spend time with him, let alone stay in and watch trashy horror movies, has always been a problem.
Then, on his day off, Nathan does a friend a favor by covering a shift at a pub, and in walks a handsome stranger who shares his love of horror. It could be a match made in B-movie heaven, and Nathan is determined to pursue this new acquaintance, but—zombies aside—has Nathan got the guts to go on a real date?
* * *
Ooh er! ;o)
If you want to read an extract, visit the Dreamspinner link here
and click on 'Read an excerpt'
You can also add A Bar Tender Tale on Goodreads
Expected release date 30th January, but please check the Dreamspinner website for updates :o)
In the meantime, I shall be hurrying with my own website updates for more behind the scenes looks into my work. There have already been a few changes, which you can check out now!
xoxoxoxo
Monday, 21 November 2011
Slimelight - goth heaven!
Since 1987 there has been a weekly mecca for goths and the general misfits of London to pose in - Slimelight!
Doesn't look much from the outside - this is a club called Electrowerkz, which was used as a paint balling venue back in the day. Which explained why the Slimelight goo on the floor and walls was always a dark muddy purple colour!
Every Saturday night was and still is, Slimelight, which caters for goth music. It's definitely a lot different now, especially to how I remember it! (see my music blog for classic goth tunes)
Now, why am I posting about Slimelight?
I'm currently writing a series about a (fictional) goth rock band Crucifox, who are a bunch of goths hailing from London.
For Halloween I wrote a short prequel to my series, which you can read free online
In my prequel, anyone who knows the alt scene in London can probably guess where I'm setting scenes. The story starts at The Dev, which is a little goth pub in Camden. Then the characters head out to Slimelight, which is close to Angel tube station, not far from Kings Cross.
Ah the memories of travelling on the tube, trussed up in ridiculous clubbing outfits, getting stared at and even assaulted just for looking different. But once you descended down that dark alley and entered Slimelight, you were amongst your own.
However, I have to say that three floors full of beautiful, amazing looking people could certainly niggle at your confidence! When I was first introduced to Slimelight as a teenager, I felt EXTREMELY underdressed. And short. Subsequently, each time I went after that I was trying to do one better, and one better... Hair ten feet tall, outfits that consisted of barely nothing, platform boots that were more like stilts...
Ah, those were the days!
This is a view of the middle floor, empty!
That's the bar on the left, some tables on the right, and straight ahead is the dance floor. There were exit/entrance doors at each end, so you could basically walk around the club/up and down the myriad stairs all night, which most people did, in their own little worlds...
Sadly, Slimelight always had a No Photos policy. So searching for any photos of the club in full swing will bring up very little. Even my old photos of me and my friends getting ready to go out can't be scanned in, as modern scanners don't take full photo albums! Perhaps I will try...if I'm feeling brave!
And this is the top floor...
Again, doesn't look much in normal lights. This is the floor they hire out for bands now, apparently.
That bloody step in the middle there always tripped me up! I wasn't the only one though.
In the far left corner, the humongous unisex toilets, which was more of a hang out and pick up area....
Pick ups only if you were compus mentus, however!
Random memories... when I first fell over in high heels, into a man's lap. Ria's beautiful UV flowers in her hair. Dawn's amazing high heels. Paul in his nurse's uniform. Other Paul and his fairy wand. Marky almost punching me in the face whilst doing his energetic industrial dancing.... and so many other memories that had best stay wrapped up XD
For my sound track on the music to Slimelight, visit my music blog here on wordpress.
Crucifox #1 will hopefully be released in March 2013. Hurruh!
Doesn't look much from the outside - this is a club called Electrowerkz, which was used as a paint balling venue back in the day. Which explained why the Slimelight goo on the floor and walls was always a dark muddy purple colour!
Every Saturday night was and still is, Slimelight, which caters for goth music. It's definitely a lot different now, especially to how I remember it! (see my music blog for classic goth tunes)
Now, why am I posting about Slimelight?
I'm currently writing a series about a (fictional) goth rock band Crucifox, who are a bunch of goths hailing from London.
For Halloween I wrote a short prequel to my series, which you can read free online
In my prequel, anyone who knows the alt scene in London can probably guess where I'm setting scenes. The story starts at The Dev, which is a little goth pub in Camden. Then the characters head out to Slimelight, which is close to Angel tube station, not far from Kings Cross.
Ah the memories of travelling on the tube, trussed up in ridiculous clubbing outfits, getting stared at and even assaulted just for looking different. But once you descended down that dark alley and entered Slimelight, you were amongst your own.
However, I have to say that three floors full of beautiful, amazing looking people could certainly niggle at your confidence! When I was first introduced to Slimelight as a teenager, I felt EXTREMELY underdressed. And short. Subsequently, each time I went after that I was trying to do one better, and one better... Hair ten feet tall, outfits that consisted of barely nothing, platform boots that were more like stilts...
Ah, those were the days!
This is a view of the middle floor, empty!
That's the bar on the left, some tables on the right, and straight ahead is the dance floor. There were exit/entrance doors at each end, so you could basically walk around the club/up and down the myriad stairs all night, which most people did, in their own little worlds...
Sadly, Slimelight always had a No Photos policy. So searching for any photos of the club in full swing will bring up very little. Even my old photos of me and my friends getting ready to go out can't be scanned in, as modern scanners don't take full photo albums! Perhaps I will try...if I'm feeling brave!
And this is the top floor...
Again, doesn't look much in normal lights. This is the floor they hire out for bands now, apparently.
That bloody step in the middle there always tripped me up! I wasn't the only one though.
In the far left corner, the humongous unisex toilets, which was more of a hang out and pick up area....
Pick ups only if you were compus mentus, however!
Random memories... when I first fell over in high heels, into a man's lap. Ria's beautiful UV flowers in her hair. Dawn's amazing high heels. Paul in his nurse's uniform. Other Paul and his fairy wand. Marky almost punching me in the face whilst doing his energetic industrial dancing.... and so many other memories that had best stay wrapped up XD
For my sound track on the music to Slimelight, visit my music blog here on wordpress.
Crucifox #1 will hopefully be released in March 2013. Hurruh!
Saturday, 19 November 2011
blog tour 'The Price of Falling'
Have been hijacking other people's lovely blogs for 'The Price of Falling'
so just thought I'd put all the links here to find :o)
Kay Berrisford's blog - I've posted about 'written soundtracks'; why I write about music in my story/ what music adds to the atmosphere, and including a short excerpt of the character Mike being introduced to the band 'Rev Co'.
Michael Mandrake's blog 'A Gay Man Inside A Female Body' - I've posted answers to Michael's author questions, including what I think about replying to reviews, where I get inspiration, and seeing naked men!
Also with an excerpt of my characters on the dark cliff in the woods, before 'the deed' gets done!
Piper & MJ's blog - 'Babes In Boyland' - GIVEAWAY TIME!! Until sunday 20th Nov there's still a chance to enter your name in to win one of two copies of 'The Price of Falling'! Visit Piper & MJ's blog to enter.
I've posted about high school romance, peer pressure, and falling in love! Ahh.
Also with an excerpt of when Mike first speaks to Jason, which doesn't go particularly well!
Good luck in the competition :o)
so just thought I'd put all the links here to find :o)
Kay Berrisford's blog - I've posted about 'written soundtracks'; why I write about music in my story/ what music adds to the atmosphere, and including a short excerpt of the character Mike being introduced to the band 'Rev Co'.
Michael Mandrake's blog 'A Gay Man Inside A Female Body' - I've posted answers to Michael's author questions, including what I think about replying to reviews, where I get inspiration, and seeing naked men!
Also with an excerpt of my characters on the dark cliff in the woods, before 'the deed' gets done!
Piper & MJ's blog - 'Babes In Boyland' - GIVEAWAY TIME!! Until sunday 20th Nov there's still a chance to enter your name in to win one of two copies of 'The Price of Falling'! Visit Piper & MJ's blog to enter.
I've posted about high school romance, peer pressure, and falling in love! Ahh.
Also with an excerpt of when Mike first speaks to Jason, which doesn't go particularly well!
Good luck in the competition :o)
Saturday, 29 October 2011
Happy Halloween! 'Shadowman' photo shoot
IDEA -
Ever since reading 'His Mouth Will Taste of Wormwood' by Poppy Z. Brite I've absolutely loved the idea of a young, white boy being a voodoo priest. In Brite's story, set in New Orleans, the voodoo priest is Cajun (hence the being white) and preys on his victims in goth clubs.
Mixing the interest of the voodoo world with alternative subculture has been stuck in my mind for a decade, since reading Brite's story. I love anything set in New Orleans, old voodoo, witchcraft, and of course underground subculture.
Recently, Disney brought out a new animated romp 'The Princess and the Frog' which had an awesome baddie, Dr. Facilier, a voodoo witch doctor referred to as 'the shadowman.'
It reignited my love of this imagery (painted faces, top hats, skull-topped canes) and together with make-up artist Bebe Newson and photographer T. D'Villas we decided to collaborate on a project!
WRITING PROJECT -
I aimed release a new short story for Halloween 2011. I had an idea based around a haunted house motif, largely from mine and my friend's experiences. I spent a couple of weeks researching British based magic and different eras to set the story in, as it would be a British story, and started writing.
I'm not good at shorts. My short story over-flowed into lots of chapters, and I realised this would be a great story if I spent more time on it.
So at the moment, the haunted house story has been put to the side (sob sob) but it will be released hopefully 2012.
PHOTO PROJECT -
However, the photographic project for the eventual front cover would still go ahead. Mostly as I wanted to grab my friend Matt to model for us while he was around.
Without giving too much away, Matt is modelling one of my modern day, normal human characters who has dressed up on Halloween.
We loved the pics that came out (well actually I don't think Matt's seen them yet but I'm sure you'll agree he looks fabulous!)
Big thanks to Bebe for make-up, T. D'Villas for yet more awesome photos, The Regency Hotel Brighton for the space, and of course Matt!
These are a few of my favourite shots from the shoot...
For more shots from this shoot visit my website's Gallery or the photographer T. D'Villas at Two Pistols
Happy Halloween everyone!
Ever since reading 'His Mouth Will Taste of Wormwood' by Poppy Z. Brite I've absolutely loved the idea of a young, white boy being a voodoo priest. In Brite's story, set in New Orleans, the voodoo priest is Cajun (hence the being white) and preys on his victims in goth clubs.
Mixing the interest of the voodoo world with alternative subculture has been stuck in my mind for a decade, since reading Brite's story. I love anything set in New Orleans, old voodoo, witchcraft, and of course underground subculture.
Recently, Disney brought out a new animated romp 'The Princess and the Frog' which had an awesome baddie, Dr. Facilier, a voodoo witch doctor referred to as 'the shadowman.'
It reignited my love of this imagery (painted faces, top hats, skull-topped canes) and together with make-up artist Bebe Newson and photographer T. D'Villas we decided to collaborate on a project!
WRITING PROJECT -
I aimed release a new short story for Halloween 2011. I had an idea based around a haunted house motif, largely from mine and my friend's experiences. I spent a couple of weeks researching British based magic and different eras to set the story in, as it would be a British story, and started writing.
I'm not good at shorts. My short story over-flowed into lots of chapters, and I realised this would be a great story if I spent more time on it.
So at the moment, the haunted house story has been put to the side (sob sob) but it will be released hopefully 2012.
PHOTO PROJECT -
However, the photographic project for the eventual front cover would still go ahead. Mostly as I wanted to grab my friend Matt to model for us while he was around.
Without giving too much away, Matt is modelling one of my modern day, normal human characters who has dressed up on Halloween.
We loved the pics that came out (well actually I don't think Matt's seen them yet but I'm sure you'll agree he looks fabulous!)
Big thanks to Bebe for make-up, T. D'Villas for yet more awesome photos, The Regency Hotel Brighton for the space, and of course Matt!
These are a few of my favourite shots from the shoot...
For more shots from this shoot visit my website's Gallery or the photographer T. D'Villas at Two Pistols
Happy Halloween everyone!
Friday, 28 October 2011
The Price of Falling re-release
I'm very pleased to announce that my first novel The Price of Falling has been re-released by Two Pistols for October 2011.
It is still the same price of £1.99 where you can buy on Amazon, or drop me a line for an email copy.
Those who have already purchased the book, fear not, there are no major changes. Some very, very small amendments to the wording here and there.
The most notable difference is the change to US spelling, general spelling/grammar, and use of normal speech marks.
(Yes, I have to play by the rules now! lol)
If you already purchased a copy some time ago and want to ask about receiving an up to date copy, get in touch!
For now, check out my blog post for fellow author and general awesome person, Kay Berrisford
In Kay's blog I talk about the music in my stories and post an extract from my book.
Check it out here
And look out for my new free read coming out on Halloween! :)
It is still the same price of £1.99 where you can buy on Amazon, or drop me a line for an email copy.
Those who have already purchased the book, fear not, there are no major changes. Some very, very small amendments to the wording here and there.
The most notable difference is the change to US spelling, general spelling/grammar, and use of normal speech marks.
(Yes, I have to play by the rules now! lol)
If you already purchased a copy some time ago and want to ask about receiving an up to date copy, get in touch!
For now, check out my blog post for fellow author and general awesome person, Kay Berrisford
In Kay's blog I talk about the music in my stories and post an extract from my book.
Check it out here
And look out for my new free read coming out on Halloween! :)
Monday, 3 October 2011
The best glam is from Scandinavia
Who started glam? Bowie, Elton John, Marc Bolan? Arguably the Brits.
But what we started in glam the Scandinavians finished - and are still doing it better than anyone else.
Keep your 'glam lite' bands who only put their lipstick on for stage performances, I want true glam!
The band that everybody (yes, everybody!) tried to copy in the '80s, Finland's
Hanoi Rocks
Hanoi Rocks, as they were 'back in the day'. Below, live footage of 'I can't get it' from around 1984.
Singer Mike Monroe, spawning the 'is that a man or a woman?' look for many, many copy-cat glam bands for the rest of the '80s. And here's Mike a little later on...
Now a jump forward to the '90s, Sweden's Backyard Babies
Pic circa '98/'99.
At a time where everyone I knew was listening to some truly dire music, I thank the powers that be for bands like Backyard Babies who have kept the Scandinavian 'glam flag' flying high.
Video 'Look At You', fast, funny and very punky glam.
Yes, that is the drummer about to eat a hot dog...
From the early '90s up until right now, Backyard Babies are currently on a 'long hiatus', which brings me to why I have linked these two bands together for this blog post.
BYB have always been friends with other glammies, including Danko Jones, Ginger from The Wildhearts and of course Mike Monroe. All the above mentioned have guested on various Backyard Babies songs, my favourites being 'Friends' and 'Babylon' (Faster Pussycat cover mixed with Beastie Boys).
Now Mike Monroe has a new album out, 'Sensory Overload', with some killer artwork I might add...
And guess who's in his new band? Dregen from Backyard Babies, of course!
Here they are... (centre- Mike, centre right- Dregen)
And they are touring the United States in October RIGHT NOW so I strongly recommend you check out their tour dates right here and get yourself along to a show.
I know I'll be in the front row when they come back around to the UK.
For news and updates check out the official website MICHAEL MONROE.
Long live glam!
But what we started in glam the Scandinavians finished - and are still doing it better than anyone else.
Keep your 'glam lite' bands who only put their lipstick on for stage performances, I want true glam!
The band that everybody (yes, everybody!) tried to copy in the '80s, Finland's
Hanoi Rocks
Hanoi Rocks, as they were 'back in the day'. Below, live footage of 'I can't get it' from around 1984.
Singer Mike Monroe, spawning the 'is that a man or a woman?' look for many, many copy-cat glam bands for the rest of the '80s. And here's Mike a little later on...
Now a jump forward to the '90s, Sweden's Backyard Babies
At a time where everyone I knew was listening to some truly dire music, I thank the powers that be for bands like Backyard Babies who have kept the Scandinavian 'glam flag' flying high.
Video 'Look At You', fast, funny and very punky glam.
Yes, that is the drummer about to eat a hot dog...
From the early '90s up until right now, Backyard Babies are currently on a 'long hiatus', which brings me to why I have linked these two bands together for this blog post.
BYB have always been friends with other glammies, including Danko Jones, Ginger from The Wildhearts and of course Mike Monroe. All the above mentioned have guested on various Backyard Babies songs, my favourites being 'Friends' and 'Babylon' (Faster Pussycat cover mixed with Beastie Boys).
Now Mike Monroe has a new album out, 'Sensory Overload', with some killer artwork I might add...
And guess who's in his new band? Dregen from Backyard Babies, of course!
Here they are... (centre- Mike, centre right- Dregen)
And they are touring the United States in October RIGHT NOW so I strongly recommend you check out their tour dates right here and get yourself along to a show.
I know I'll be in the front row when they come back around to the UK.
For news and updates check out the official website MICHAEL MONROE.
Long live glam!
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