Happy Holiday Monday

CALIFORNICATION THEME PARTY
Sunday, January 25th in NYC

WHO: Hank Moody, Mia Cross, Charlie Runkle, Becca Moody, Karen, Marcy Runkle, Lew Ashby, tons of Showtime’s “CALIFORNICATION” fans and more.

WHAT: A “Californication” theme party complete with multiple TV screens showing Seasons 1 and 2, Famous Shamus cover band performing music featured on the show, goodies, lots of F***ing and Punching and much, much more. Dressing up as your favorite character is highly encouraged! *This party is not affiliated with Showtime or the makers of “Californication.”

WHEN:
SUNDAY, JANUARY 25th
7 – 11pm
$5 cover

WHERE:
***RSVP REQUIRED FOR MORE INFO

California Dreamin' - Californication Season 2 Finale

“For her, yeah. At the end of the day, it's all about her. It's always been about her. What happens between us I can't ... control. Lord knows I've tried every which way. But what I can do is be the absolute best I can be for her. If I followed you to New York, I'd just be hoping against hope that we lived happily ever after. Maybe we do, maybe we don't, but you've got some ---- you've got to do, lady. I think you should do it. I'll hold down the fort. Keep her off the pole.”

Josh Gajewski at the LA Times "Showtracker" blog notes that "“Californication” is now revealing itself as a story about Hank and his daughter more so than about Hank and Karen..." THAT is what makes the show so great. It's not the sexist bullshit show or "Sex and the City for men" - the plot is humorous, witty and at times heart wrenching (especially dialogue between Hank Moody and his daughter Becca.

It's been a few days now and I'm sure you're aware that in the final episode of Californication, Lew Asbhy is in fact dead, Mia Cross heads out on a book tour, Hank finishes Ashby's book, Runkle begs Marcy back and she denies (HELL YEAH), Karen accepts a job in NYC and Sonia gives birth to a black baby.

At first Karen tells Hank he has to stay behind in LA but has a change of heart after Sonia pushes out a baby that isn't Hank's. As they're packing into the car for a road trip to their new home, Becca freaks because she lost her iPod and who shows up but the dorky BF Damien. With a new iPod in hand for Becca (complete with their playlist) he tells her he wouldn't be able to forgive himself if he let her leave without saying goodbye. Hank sees this display and decides he's willing to stay in Hell-A for Becca...because, again "at the end of the day, it's all about her."

CANDLEBOX Brings the RAIN

I'm kind of too BLAH today to write anything intelligent, which is a shame because I've been meaning to go on and on about the amazing CANDLEBOX show at Irving Plaza (Filmore East...whatever) last Friday. I joked with them that they brought the shitty Seattle rain with them because Thursday night I almost drowned trying to get to a private party they were playing. I decided just to go to their gig at Irving Plaza the next night.

New York magazine's listing said

Dec. 12: Reviled upon their début, in 1993, for being shamelessly corporate, Seattle’s Candlebox borrowed heavily from the style and aesthetic of genre forerunners like Soundgarden and Pearl Jam. Despite the antipathy, the band scored a couple of radio-friendly hits (notably “Far Behind”) and later signed to Madonna’s ill-fated label. The hits dried up in short order, and the band vanished for ten years, until a new album, “Into the Sun,” came out earlier this summer. Despite the passage of time, Candlebox’s sound is unchanged, like a flannel-clad mosquito preserved in amber.

They actually returned to the masses in 2006 when Rhino released THE BEST OF CANDLEBOX. Also, I wouldn't have described their hits as "dried up" since many of our major alt rock stations (whats left of them) and tons of satellite radio shows continue to keep "You" and "Far Behind" on constant rotation. To show off how terribly cool I am (or what a pathetic super fan I am), FYI the band named themselves after a line from the Midnight Oil song "Tin Legs and Tin Mines."

Very quickly - I love and always have enjoyed the whole band, especially Kevin Martin's voice and Peter Klett's lead guitar skills. But back to RAIN. Someone said to me a few years ago "if you're gonna do a blues song, do it dirty" while listening to this song. But I disagree. Without going into a whole wordy review, "Rain" was the finale song during the show and a big round of applause to Sean Hennesy (rhythm guitar) for the awesome solo for which he climbed on top of the speakers to play.

This video isn't from the Irving Plaza show, but I'll update with a quality live video of that display soon.

Late Night Musical Chairs

All this talk about Jay Leno shaking up Prime Time / Late Night television with his upcoming NBC show makes me wonder - who is the next generation of Late Night TV? Yeah, Jimmy Fallon is funny, but I haven't seen him prove himself as an interviewer. I'll tell you who has though...Damien Fahey.

Damien Fahey, longtime host of MTV's “TRL” who took over for Carson Daly in 2003, has interviewed TONS of A-list celebrities and musicians including Tom Cruise, Bono, Britney Spears, Fall Out Boy. WAY too many to list. Lately, major television networks have been vying for his attention as has Extra. He's regularly co-hosted “Live! With Regis & Kelly,” was tapped by David Letterman as one of four finalists to take over CBS' “The Late, Late Show,” and has done pop-culture commentary for major publications and television shows. He also holds the distinction of being the only VJ on MTV to ever host and write for the show.

HE NEEDS HIS OWN LATE NIGHT SHOW!!!



Also, somewhere along the way someone said Damien Fahey and John Norris were both casualties of the MTV / Viacom layoffs that took place this month. Wrongo! Fahey recently signed a contract with MTV to stay at the network in a number of different capacities (he just interviewed Britney for the specials that aired last week).

http://abcnews.go.com/video/playerIndex?id=6258472

BUST Magazine's Holiday Craftacular

Armed with all of 60 bucks, I went to BUST's (my fav magazine) annual Holiday Craftacular yesterday in NYC. The line was insane - crazier than Lucky Shops. Good for them! AMY SEDARIS (who FYI isn't one of the nicest people in the world) and PROJECT RUNWAY's Stella Zotis were on hand selling homemade cupcakes, crafts and "leatha."

Here are a few of my favorite new things:

JEMMANIMALS!! These little guys have so much personality. I want to bite them. Holiday dots for holiday cheer.



HERB + GINGER

Their Mork and Minty herbal tea had such a party in my mouth that I would consider giving up coffee for this lovely beverage. Herb + Ginger also sells great tea strainers, infusers and other fruity and herbal teas. Check them out: www.herbandginger.com

NewsBLITZ: BON JOVI’S THE TOP TOURING ACT OF 2008

Bon Jovi has been named the top touring act in the world for 2008 by Billboard magazine. The rock group’s international jaunt, in support of latest release Lost Highway, grossed $210.6 million and drew 2,157,675 fans.

“The foundation of our success was and is touring,” says frontman Jon Bon Jovi. “Whether it was a nightclub or a stadium, we played each show like it was our biggest show. Our fans have been the reason why a second generation now share in this great honor. We thank you all.”

MusikBLITZ witnessed multiple Bon Jovi shows this past year and thinks the band rightfully deserves this title!

NewsBLITZ: ROCK OF AGES TO HIT THE SILVER SCREEN

A favorite of the MusikBLITZ editors, the off-Broadway hit musical Rock Of Ages will soon make its way on to the big screen!

New Line Cinema has just inked a deal with Chris D’Arienzo, who authored the book for the original show, to write the screenplay and direct the movie.

Rock Of Ages takes place in Hollywood in the decadent 1980s where a Sunset Strip rock club is in danger of being torn down. Working at the club are many interesting characters whose stories unfold to some of the best hard rock tunes of all time. Songs from Bon Jovi, Poison, Whitesnake, Twisted Sister, Warrant, Journey, Extreme, Mr. Big, Pat Benatar, REO Speedwagon and other favorite acts are featured.

No word yet on who will be cast in the Rock Of Ages film. The star of the off-Broadway production—currently in performances at New York City’s New World Stages—is gorgeous American Idol finalist Constantine Maroulis.

Here’s a clip of the cast performing the big number “Here I Go Again” on Late Night With Conan O’Brien in November:

For more information, visit the official Rock Of Ages website.

All I Want For Xmas

Holy crap. Michael Jackson's signature glittery glove, which premiered in the 1983 video, "Billie Jean" is being auctioned off. As soon as I could understand music and sing along, maybe around 4yrs old, i took a liking to Michael Jackson, Billy Joel and Madonna (thanks mom). I looooooved "Billie Jean" and my Aunt made me a glittery glove just like Michael's.

Who's buying the glove for me for Christmas? It's up for auction at Auction Network. Our boy's Neverland Ranch is also set be sold at a seperate auction on March 19, 2009. So i'll take either the glove or the ranch. Thanks guys!

DOKKEN IS COMING TO TOWN

I'm getting into the Christmas spirit. You should too with Monster Ballads XMAS album, which was released last year and A BLACKHEART CHRISTMAS, available now on Joan Jett's label's website www.blackheart.com

RIP Kurt Cobain RIP Lew Ashby

I remember what I was doing when Kurt Cobain committed suicide. I was in Mandee's (yup, as in "Mandee to the rescue") with my friend Laura shopping for a long flowery dress and combat boots to wear to my 8th grade prom because I was oh so "grunge."

Hank and Karen however, were deciding weather or not to keep the baby that was growing inside of Karen. While I thoroughly enjoyed all the shirtless Hank action that went on during the flashbacks, I really loved the insight into the beginning of their relationship. As they both contemplate all that’s fucked up about their young relationship, the fact that she’s knocked up while they’re both cheating on their partners, Karen seems all too blasé about letting go of him, and Hank’s struggling with his heart – he knows he’s madly in love with Karen and doesn’t want to let her go.

Our boy sits at his (noisy) typewriter and writes a love letter to Karen that she takes a peek at while he’s in the shower. Later that day they decide they can’t see each other anymore and as they leave each other on the crowded street, Karen sees Hank drop the letter in the mailbox. She calls back to him and invites him to a Cobain vigil.

They live happily ever after….for a few years anyway.

Next episode Lew Asbhy goes and over doses. Who saw that coming?

MUSIC ON THE SUBWAY

As a New Yorker who spends a minimum of three hours a day on public transportation, I am often subjected to musical performances from panhandlers.

There are all types of performers roaming the subway system, many of whom actually play pleasant music. There are various accordion players, mariachi bands (always dressed nicely!), a cappella groups, violinists, brass instrumentalists, etc.

One of my favorite singers is a guy I call The Chicken Man. He often boards the E and F trains in Queens begging not for money, but for chicken! He sings in a monotone voice and has his own special rhythm that gets lodged in your head for days. His lyrics include lines like: “I am hungry/ I love chicken/ I love all kinds of chicken/ Kentucky Fried Chicken/ Kennedy Fried Chicken/ Chicken McNuggets/ Chicken Wings/ I love to eat chicken.” Once, I actually had leftover chicken fingers from a restaurant I dined at and gave The Chicken Man the chicken. I felt so proud!


However, last Saturday night, I met the new king of subway performers—The Extraterrestrial Saxophonist.

The Extraterrestrial Saxophonist boarded the 6 train in Manhattan going towards the Bronx around 1AM. He was wearing a Santa hat with tin foil antennas. He immediately announced that he was an alien and needed money to get back to his planet. He later told us that if we gave him money, he would take Sarah Palin back to his planet with him. Then he began playing his saxophone. At first, it was decent—not great, but passable. Then he played high-pitched squeals that hurt the eardrums. After that noise, he said that he would keep playing until people gave him money. No one did. A couple of drunk 20-year-olds decided to request songs from him; he didn’t know any of the tunes. He then played his sax again, followed by the squeal and begging. This went on for well over 10 stops. At one point, a bum went to get on the train. Once he saw The Extraterrestrial Saxophonist, he threw his hands in the air and ran off the train. He knew better than all of us who just sat on the train and continued to listen to this crap. Then, The Extraterrestrial Saxophonist said he was going to play a special song for the prettiest lady on the train. Of course, that just had to be me (sometimes it doesn’t pay to be this beautiful!). He stood right in front of me and played “For (S)he’s A Jolly Good Fellow.” Everyone on the train was looking at me. I was mortified! Throughout all of this, The Extraterrestrial Saxophonist was laughing; he knows he’s crazy, but he knows that he was also—in some bizarre way—entertaining the subway riders. Finally, he got off the train. At the next stop, we all heard his saxophone wailing from the next car in front of us and we all laughed, relieved to know he had moved on and was now torturing other riders.

Holy Californication!!

a BIG THANK YOU to Carlos Alcala from The Sacramento Bee for the best surprise gift i've ever received (well, with the exception of my engagement ring)!!!



I know its a crappy picture however, instead of dumping an unwanted CALIFORNICATION PROMO COOKIE, Carlos mailed it to me because apparently i'm "the only person in the world who would want something like this."

;)

Rock and Roll Hall of BLEHHHHHHHHH

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame FINALLY realized what a great idea it would be to open an annex in NYC. The museum itself is amazing - i had the pleasure of going through it alone last Friday and the opening video portion you sit through before entering the actual museum had me all choked up (which i guess isn't saying much as i am the girl who weeps at Californication).

However, the "party" they threw last night to celebrate the opening couldn't have been less fucking rock n roll. But I guess I shouldnt have expected anything more from a foundation who still has not inducted JOAN JETT or ALICE COOPER (yet they have the nerve to play Joan Jett + the Blackhearts songs at their party). But i digress. The DJ got off to a really awesome start playing Sabbath, The Clash, Zeppelin...then I'm not sure what happened but I started hearing lots of hip hop and weird remixes. Debbie...i mean...Deborah Harry and Chris Stein performed acoustically (YAWN). Other "true rock n roll" guests included Ciara, Taylor Momsen, model Jessica Hart, Lenny Kay of Patti Smith Group (he is one of the coolest guys ever), Kat DeLuna and Molly Simms. Les Paul was there, and that is damn cool.

I'LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS

Check out Twisted Sister & Lita Ford's video for their great version of "I'll Be Home For Christmas."