Thursday, February 26, 2009

Rock Of Love Bus: Mud, Sweat & Beers!

The ever-awesome Chickbomb is back with another "no hos barred" Rock of Love Bus recap. Which of Bret Michael's prospective soul mates wins MVP of Mudbowl III and gets to jet off on a private date to his show at Billy Bob's in Dallas and attend the intimate after party for two. Lastly, but not leastly, though maybe a little bit yeasty, find out which ho's torrid tour ends in Music City USA. Will it be Beverly, Ashley, Mindy or maybe even a girl whose name doesn't even end in a "y". Hi-yo!

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Never Mind Milk, Got Moleskin?

Stuff White People Like # 122 reports on the moleskin notebook, highly coveted by creative Caucasians in coffee shops from Portland, Maine to Portland, Oregon. The handsomely bound, blank paged tomes aren't any better at documenting your caffeine induced random thoughts than the drug store variety. But somehow like overpriced java, The Colbert Report and indie rock, they just make you feel smarter. Write on!

Friday, February 20, 2009

Top Chef: Ciao, Fabio!

Grub Street's Michael Alan Connolley dished with Top Chef's Fabio Viviani, the latest chef-testant to be sent packing (though possible fan favorite) about his upcoming cookbook, culinary aspirations, how his mother is doing and what makes chef's such great lovers. Mama mia!

As for Episode 13 itself, I can't believe Carla got away with a non-alcoholic cocktail just because she doesn't drink. If it had been a pork roast competition would the judges have let Ms. Hootie Hoo substitute eggplant instead? I think not. Therefore, Jeff should have won and Stefan and Hosea been sent packing. Still it was great to see Gail Simmons again and Padma looked even more delicious than usual in her black Mardi Gras dress.

Lastly for a view from the judge's table, dig into Tom Colicchio's blog to read about how Jeff royally shucked himself with his oyster dish, what made Carla's cuisine reign supreme and how you can help rebuild New Orleans if you can't make it down to Bourbon Street to stimulate the local economy personally.

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Rock of Love Bus - Rollin' on a Riverboat

After a brief absence for naughty nurse (and expensive shoe shopping) duties the ever obsessive Chickbomb is back with another no-hos-barred Rock of Love Bus recap. This week's skank-tastic analysis includes a must see makeover challenge, an awesome riverboat cruise and a last night on the tour for the "girl" Bret suspects is packing a little something extra under her trademark tutu. Hi-yo!

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Stones' Teen 'Zine Editor Tells All

Bill Germain was a mere lad of 16 in 1978 when he started up "Beggars Banquet" a Rolling Stones fan 'zine.

In a scene straight out of "Almost Famous" Mick and the boys took a shine to young William's scribblings and allowed him to hang with the band and document their midnight ramblings, not for one night, or one tour even, but for the 17 years. Germain has recently cooked his myriad adventures with the 'Stones down into a printable memoir "Under Their Thumb: How a Nice Boy From Brooklyn Got Mixed Up with the Rolling Stones (and Lived to Tell About It)".

The New York Post has more on Germain's juicy journal, including insight into why Keith and Ronnie say half-jokingly that Mick "is a nice bunch of guys". Shadoobee!

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Top Chef - Leah's Last Supper & Who Doesn't <3 Padma?

Gawker's Joshua Stein dishes on Top Chef's "Last Supper" episode includes and as side dish a titillating Padma tribute video by Mike Byhoff. Mangia!

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Tattoo You

Stuff White People Like's 121st satirical sociological study involves the fine art of tattooing and the even finer art of selecting a design that will still be hip after the bandages come off. Read on before getting "Boys II Men IV Evs" ironically emblazoned across your left butt cheek. Ouch!

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Because Life is a Tough Little Beach

In what sure beats Groundhog Day as the first rite of spring, Sports Illustrated has revealed the cover babe on their 46th annual swimsuit issue will be none other than Leonardo DiCaprio gal pal Bar Refaeli. Can't wait to get to the newsstand to get your trembling mitts on the ravishing Miss R.? Todayshow.com has a bevy of Bar bonus features to keep your other hand busy for now.... Surf's up!

Monday, February 9, 2009

Death Takes Holiday Cocktail Lounge's Stefan Lutak (1920 - 2009)

Sad news from St. Marks Place. Stefan Lutak who for more than 40 years ran the Holiday Cocktail Lounge, the best damn dive bar in New York City passed away last week. He was 88.

Cheers to a life well lived and a bar well tended. What I wouldn't give to have the ever irascible Stefan, who since 1965 ruled the Holiday with an iron swizzle stick, set up another round of Black Sambuca and Heineken. On second thought, better make it two and some singles for the jukebox.

Vanishing New York has more....

Thursday, February 5, 2009

Lux Interior, Cramps Singer, Dead at 62

"Life is short, filled with stuff, don't know what for, aint had enough" - The Cramps, New Kind of Kick

Lux Interior, charismatic singer and founding member of New York City's punk-rockabilly pioneers The Cramps, is looking for kicks in rock'n roll heaven now. Lux died Feb. 4 of an existing heart condition at Glendale Hospital in California. He was 62.

"Lux has been an inspiration and influence to millions of artists and fans around the world. He and wife Poison Ivy's contributions with the Cramps have had an immeasurable impact on modern music. He is a rare icon who will be missed dearly," according to a statement issued by the Cramps media representative.

Lux is survived by his wife of 37 years, Poison Ivy Rorschach (real name Kristy Wallace) with whom he formed The Cramps in 1973. The group’s unique combination of Lux’s reverb drenched vocals over Ivy’s grinding guitar and a rockabilly beat resulted in such cult hits as “Garbageman”, “New Kind of Kick” and “Goo Goo Muck”. Their sound would influence several generations of punk, garage, and “goth” bands including the Gun Club, Sisters of Mercy, My Bloody Valentine to White Stripes.

The Cramps were an integral part of the original New York City punk scene of CBGB and Max's Kansas City, and quickly made a name for themselves with their singular sound and iconography, combining rockabilly and surf music along with campy, horror movie imagery.

One creepy career highlight was the band’s performance for patients at Napa State Mental Hospital in Sacramento, CA which later became a fan favorite when released on video.

Lux, real name Erick Lee Purkhiser, was born October 21, 1946 in Ohio and was falsely rumored to have passed away from a heroin overdose in 1987.

Coincidentally, guitarist Bryan Gregory who was with the band from 1976 to 1980 also died of heart problems, in California in 2001.

According to Billboard.com, The Cramps released fourteen albums. Their latest, 2004's "How To Make a Monster", sold 11,000 copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan. Their best-selling album, 1984's "Bad Music for Bad People", has sold 95,000 copies.

To read Rolling Stone's rockin' post-mortem, click on...

Photo – Brian Rasic/Rex Features

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Inflation is Really Out of Control!

It's nice to know in these days of diminished expectations that some dreams really do come true. Just ask Sheyla Hershey the Texas mom who after nine plastic surgeries has fulfilled her desire to have the world's largest bust line, a whopping 38KKK. The hellbent for back pain Ms. Hershey had to travel to Brazil for the record breaking procedure after celeb plastic surgeon Dr. Rey (aka Dr. 90210) declined to perform the record, bra-strap breaking operation. For more from Britain's "Daily Star" read on...

Sunday, February 1, 2009

Weapons of Trash Destruction

"Rock & Roll Never Looked so Beautiful," according to New York City's own Semi Precious Weapons who kicked out the glam jams in the swanky Highline Ballroom on Saturday night as the homecoming show of their "Hell on Heels" tour in support of the new CD "We Love You" (Razor and Tie).

The fierce foursome fronted by bleached blond, bone thin Justin Tanter recalls the glitter of Ziggy-era Bowie, the street walkin' attitude of Iggy Pop and the blitzkrieg energy of the Ramones. Though SPW's set was semi-short for the $12 ticket price and an encore would have been appreciated (c'mon boys ya must know Rebel Rebel) the crowd left as energized as if they had just downed a Starbucks venti with a vodka and Red Bull chaser. And to his credit Justin went straight from prowling the stage to working the merchandise table, which included jewelery of his own design and tote bags emblazoned with the band's mantra "I CAN'T PAY MY RENT BUT I'M F*CKING GORGEOUS" guaranteed to wow 'em at Whole Foods.

So though the band could have played longer and calling your crowd by the "C" word might not be the most heartwarming sentiment, it's still reassuring to know that the future of glam rock as we know it is safe so long as glitter junkies like Semi Precious Weapons are around to keep the fuse lit. For Metro's "the world's largest global newspaper" profile of the band and a bit of banter with Mr. Tanter read on...