Glory Days?

I happened across Bruce Springsteen's "Glory Days" (1984) video the other day. Haven't seen it in years- funny to look back.

A real undercurrent of laughably unintended (?) homoeroticism going on here. Check out Bruce with his impossibly tight, open collared shirt and Nils Lofgren's French military inspired uniform. Little Steven, adorned in flamboyant gypsy attire, looks like he's on the edge of ecstasy when he and Bruce share the mic. And a way too happy Clarence Clemmons appears to be channeling Grace Jones. Patti Scialfa does her best not to look bored during the whole thing.

The boys from "Queer Eye" couldn't have choreographed it any better.

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My vote for Worst Song Of The 80s is still:

"Party All The Time"- Eddie Murphy and Rick James

Basically Rick James ripping off himself by taking "Superfreak" and letting wanna-be singer Eddie Murphy spout lame lyrics over it.

Lyrics that could have been written by a fifth grader during recess.

And the people that would go to clubs during the heyday of great New Wave and request this stupid song used to make me crazy.

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Speaking of The 80s, many Duran Duran fans are upset that their New Wave Heroes are collaborating with mega-teen idol, Justin Timberlake for their new album.

Apparently The Spice Girls were unavailable. However, there is speculation that The Girls will officially announce their reunion on June 28. Hope springs eternal.

DJ Craig

The Cinematics

June 11, 2007

Alternative rockers The Cinematics played at the historic Montmarte Lounge in Los Angeles Monday night. The appreciative crowd, many of whom got free passes to the show compliments of radio station Indie 103.1, were also treated to opening band, The Shys. The Shys paid tribute to Van Morrison by closing their set with a rendition of the classic rocker, "Gloria".

The Cinematics then took the stage and played an energetic set, including "Break" and Alt Rock fave, "A Strange Education". The Scottish quartet was probably itching to finally break out their instruments after their three day road trip from Washington, D.C. and it showed. The band was tight and lead singer Scott Rinning's impassioned howling captivated the SRO crowd.

The Cinematic sound is very reminiscent of Joy Division and The Chameleons. A a wailing wall of guitar that is both appealing and angst ridden, carries the songs against an insistent, determined back beat. You can check their website at:

The Cinematics

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Los Angeles DJ

Poison Returns

Poisons new album, "Poison'd!" is out and it's not as bad as I had feared.

Decent versions of Suffragette City, I Need to Know, Just What I Needed and Your Mama Don't Dance. Some of the other songs, such as What I Like About You, didn't fare so well.

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"Jarhand" by Immaculate Machine Is this week's Free iTunes Single.

According to iTunes, Canada's Immaculate Machine has opened shows for Arcade Fire and The Constantines.

"'Jarhand' draws a little on the harmonies of root-punk heroes X... also features backing vocals from Franz Ferdinand's Alex Kapranos and English trio The Cribs."

I think it's kinda catchy and did I mention it is FREE?

Get it here:

http://djcraig.net/music.html

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Here's a great bit bit of New Wave history- U2's first live appearance on American television from 1981:

Bush Sings U2, Don't Lose That Number!

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Plumbers battle for hit song phone number

Associated Press May. 19, 2007 03:06 PM

LINCOLN, R.I. - One-hit wonder Tommy Tutone made the phone number 867-5309 famous in the band's 1982 hit single, which uses the digits over and over in its catchy refrain.

Now, a Rhode Island company and a national firm are battling over the right to use the number, which doesn't reach the "Jenny" that Tutone sings about, but could find callers a decent plumber.

Two years ago, Gem Plumbing & Heating of Lincoln, R.I., trademarked the phone number in the early 1980s hit, which reached No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Gem acquired the number in Rhode Island when its original owner, Brown University, gave up 867-5309 after growing weary of the constant prank calls.

http://www.azcentral.com/offbeat/articles/0519number-ON.html

I Love Paris In The Summer!

Socialite, world class flirt and wanna be Rock Star, Paris Hilton, has been sentenced to jail for 45 days for violating the terms of her probation. Many "Parisites" (Paris Hilton fans and groupies) are aghast that their darling may have to actually do hard time. They have even created a petition to be presented to "The Governator" of California, demanding that their darling Paris be pardoned.

Not to be outdone, comedian and talk show host, Jimmy Kimmel is promoting a competing petition on his website- An Urgent Appeal to Governor Schwarzenegger: We implore you to officially proclaim Tuesday, June 5,

"PARIS HILTON IS GOING TO JAIL DAY."

Go here to add your name:

PARIS HILTON IS GOING TO JAIL DAY

DJ Craig