SHHH: Jane's Addiction Tour Planned

It's definitely in the works friends, it's in the works. Lineup includes Dave Navarro.


THANK THE LORD because they only good thing about Satellite Party was when they played Jane's Addiction songs. Oh, and of course Carl Restivo's adorable little face and skills
Why believe me? Because darlings, it was the Blitz who found out first that Nuno Bettencourt was leaving Satellite Party, so we're obviously close to a few wondrous sources.

Flashback to grammer school music class...

NIKKI SIXX Gets Played for His Lover

The funny thing about love is the things people do for it. Like Nikki Sixx for instance - I fancy Mister Sixx to be the type of rockstar who wouldn't stoop to doing reality tv. Yet there he is doing appearances on LA Inked for his GF Kat Von D. Of course it was bound to happen as the chick has cameras following her around 24/7 for the show. However, I do recall about 2 years ago when Sixx didn't want to talk about his tattoos at all, and felt that doing interviews or talking about them for exposure was corny and pointless. So did you have to get inked on national tv?



I also remember when INKED magazine was going to put him on the cover but didn't because of the lame answers he gave during the interview. Check out their entire feature here.

Whats REALLY amusing about all this is that prior to the two of them getting together, Nikki was ousted from the cover and guess who the magazine used instead? That's right - the lovely Kat Von D.

Barack N Roll

I can't help but notice the similarities between Rage Against the Machine's Tom Morello and our new president Barack Obama (YEAHHH!!!). Morello, like Obama is half-Kenyan, both graduated from Harvard and they have similar mannerisms / milky chocolate complexions. Oh yeah, and they're both extremely politically active.

NewsBLITZ: Butch Walker 2009 Tour

Butch Walker is gearing up for a U.S. tour—with his Gang of Merry Musical Melodymakers—in support of his recently released album Sycamore Meadows. The singer promises that "tickets will be affordable" since "the economy sucks." Here are the tour dates:

March 5: Lee's Palace—Toronto, CAN

March 6: Magic Bag—Detroit, MI
March 7: Mixtape Cafe—Grand Rapids, MI

March 9: Varsity Theater—Minneapolis, MN
March 10: House of Blues—Chicago, IL

March 11: Grog Shop—Cleveland, OH
March 13: Mr. Smalls—Pittsburgh, PA

March 14: Webster Hall—New York, NY (MusikBLITZ will be at this performance!)
March 15: TLA—Philadelphia, PA

March 16: Paradise Rock Club—Boston, MA

March 18: Club Hall—Providence, RI

March 19: Maxwell's—Hoboken, NJ

March 20: Stone Pony—Asbury Park, NJ

March 21: 9:30 Club—Washington, DC

March 23: Lincoln Theatre—Raleigh, NC
March 24: Orange Peel—Asheville, NC
March 25: Variety Playhouse—Atlanta, GA

March 27: Exit/In—Nashville, TN

March 28: 40 Watt Club—Athens, GA

March 29: The Social—Orlando, FL


Visit Butch Walker's MySpace for more information on the talented musician.

TV ALERT: ROCK WIVES—THE E! TRUE HOLLYWOOD STORY

Show: Rock Wives—The E! True Hollywood Story

Premiere Date: Friday, Jan. 16

Time: 8PM

Channel: E!


This all-new 90-minute THS episode goes behind-the-scenes to find out what it’s really like to be the spouse of a rock ‘n’ roll star. Included in this episode is Poison drummer Rikki Rockett’s brand new bride, Melanie Martel; Pearl Aday, wife of Anthrax guitarist Scott Ian (and Meat Loaf’s daughter!); Playboy Playmate Teri Harrison, the wife of Sevendust drummer Morgan Rose; and Rita Haney, the longtime love of the legendary deceased guitarist Dimebag Darrell.

“Our cameras go into the studio, onto the tour bus and even into the bedroom to provide a truly ‘backstage’ look at what it means to be ‘committed’ to a rock star,” says E!'s official press release. “Viewers will share personal moments with couples as they do everything from getting matching tattoos to exchanging nuptials in a traditional Sikh wedding…. These couples candidly reveal the most personal aspects of their lives and loves—from basking in luxury to dealing with jealousy and heartbreak.”

Here’s a sneak peak at the show:




Visit E! online for more information.

Another One Bites the Dust

The closing of Virgin Megastore in Times Square brings me to bitch about the fact that I can't find a cheap old school metal or rock n roll t-shirt in NYC.

Love Saves the Day - a kick ass bric a brac shop in the East Village - is also closing this month. I'm way sadder about this psychadelic shop closing. Madonna shopped there in Desperately Seeking Susan. In 2003, it was because of Love Saves the Day that I was able to put together my "Vintage Dorothy" halloween costume. Hell, where are people going to go if they need a naughty Playboy magazine from 30yrs ago, dirt cheat t-shirts and other garments? Or perhaps one of the first Barbie dolls?





Not on St. Marks Place thats for damn sure. Andy's Cheapies, Search and Destroy and other shops on the now squeeky clean (ok, maybe not squeeky but still) street are a joke. Search and Destroy, a "thrift store" t-shirts now range from $35 - $400. Screw that. I actually found a GREAT place that sells tons of cheap (think $5) rock n roll shirts and other lovely vintage stuff in Murray Hill. Go figure.

NewsBLITZ: 2009 ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES

Metallica, Run-D.M.C, Jeff Beck, Little Anthony & the Imperials and Bobby Womack will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame on April 4 in Cleveland.

"This year's class of inductees truly represents what the Hall of Fame is all about. From classic artists that began their careers in the '50s and '60s to those that have defined the modern sound of rock and roll," says Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation President and CEO Joel Peresman. "These artists demonstrate the rich diversity of rock and roll itself. We are proud to honor these artists and celebrate their contribution to rock and roll's place in our culture."

"Wow . . . what a great way to start off 2009," says Metallica on their official website. "We are beyond proud to let you know that we will indeed be inducted."

Adds Run-D.M.C.'s Darryl "DMC" McDaniels: "I'm a rap dude, I'm an MC from Hollis [Queens, New York], just rockin' the mic, and to be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, with the Beatles, and [Bob] Dylan, and the rock 'n' roll gods? It's ridiculous! Ridiculous in a good way."

Let’s hope for a Metallica and Run-D.M.C. collaboration at the ceremony, which Fuse will broadcast live.

For more details, visit the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame online.

MOVIE REVIEW: THE WRESTLER

Mickey Rourke’s big comeback film, The Wrestler, is a tale of hopes and dreams stunted by the realities of life. While we may not all be aging wrestlers hitting major crossroads, we all have been or will be at a similar crossroads one day and just as scared about which path to choose.

The film is about Randy “The Ram” Robinson (Rourke)—one of the best professional wrestlers from the 1980s. It’s been 20 years since his heyday and he’s now old, achy, poor and lonely in New Jersey. During the week, Randy hangs out with the kids living in his trailer park and tries to earn some extra money by working at a supermarket. But every weekend, he tries to recapture his glory days by donning spandex pants and competing in local matches for diehard fans. It’s only during these matches that Randy truly feels like himself.

After suffering a heart attack, Randy must re-evaluate his life. He turns to his only “friend,” an aging stripper named Cassidy (Maria Tomei), attempts to reconnect with his estranged daughter Stephanie (Evan Rachel Wood) and gets a real job. But can The Ram ever be happy with a “normal” life?

From the moment the film starts, you are rooting for Randy to get through all of his troubles and make a big comeback in wrestling that will bring him all the glory his bruised ego requires—and the money necessary to have a decent existence. Golden Globe winner Rourke was perfectly chosen for the film's title role. He really got into this character both physically and psychologically, and the emotions he displays leap right off the screen and into your heart.

Most of the wrestling scenes were gruesome to watch—yet they still give an insider’s view as to what is faked and what is not. (Surely it was hard to film these highly choreographed matches—even for a former professional boxer like Mickey.) The “extreme” wrestling tournament is especially gross (Staples, glass and barbed wire! Oh my!), but it’s an important match to highlight because it shows that today’s wrestling fans want so much brutality than they did 20 years ago.

The Wrestler also has a great soundtrack featuring songs from the ’80s that a man like Randy would actually listen to. The Ram’s theme song is Quiet Riot’s “Metal Health (Bang Your Head),” he bonds with Cassidy over Ratt’s “Round and Round” and Guns N’ Roses’ “Sweet Child O’ Mine” plays as he gets ready for his (final?) match. Additionally, songs from Cinderella, FireHouse, Accept and Slaughter can be heard. However, it was the brand new tune “The Wrestler”—penned just for the flick by Randy’s fellow Jerseyite Bruce Springsteen—that took home a Golden Globe for Best Original Song.
The way director Darren Aronofsky draws a comparison between Randy and over-the-hill exotic dancer Cassidy is perfect. People get old no matter who they are and what career path they have taken. The point is to grow older gracefully and to keep moving forward; don’t get stuck in the past like these two.

—Cheryl A. Hoahing

VH1 Sober House Countdown

I didn't really get into the second season of VH1's "Celebrity Rehab," but I sure as hell was addicted (no pun intended) to the first season. Not because I find it humorous to watch Z-listers struggle, but because I really do find their (hopeful) road to recovery interesting.

VH1's "Celebrity Rehab" spinoff "Sober House," is premiering this Thursday, January 15th at 10pm EST. One of Season one's patients, Seth "Shifty" Binzer is back at the sober house, I assume because he's still smoking the crack.

Here's Shifty during his better days:

Eric Sherman Quietly Leaves FUSE

Did I call it or what?

Eric Sherman, who was responsible for much of the reality tv crap we've been seeing on FUSE (including "Redemption Song" and "The Brooklyn Way") was quietly pushed out of the network months ago.

BROADWAY NEEDS AMERICAN IDOLS...LIKE CONSTANTINE MAROULIS!

It’s no secret that Broadway is in trouble. Nine shows have already closed this year—and we’re only less than three weeks into 2009! More shows will surely be shut down in upcoming weeks.

On last night’s Saturday Night Live, they even aired a fresh, funny and relevant sketch on the problems plaguing Broadway:

And, in today’s New York Post, they pose the question: “Can an American Idol belter save Broadway?” Specifically, MusikBLITZ fave Constantine Maroulis.

The Post article is about how many former American Idol contestants have made big impacts on Broadway.

Personally, I’ve seen Tamyra Gray do a fantastic job in Rent as Mimi, the super-hot Ace Young play a dashing Kenickie in Grease and the fabulous Maroulis in both The Wedding Singer and one of my favorite productions ever, the off-Broadway show Rock Of Ages. Other contestants who have graced the Broadway stage include Fantasia Barrino (The Color Purple), Taylor Hicks (Grease) and Clay Aiken (Spamalot). It seems like the New York stage is the perfect place for Idol graduates to go.

Rock Of Ages is set to move to the big Broadway stage in March and, although Maroulis has yet to be confirmed for the Great White Way production, the Post (and MusikBLITZ!) believe if he does, he can help save Broadway.

“When we met Constantine, we instantly liked him and knew he would be perfect for Rock Of Ages,” says the show’s producers Matt Weaver and Carl Levin. “He has a real rock sensibility.” So where is the news that he will make the leap to Broadway? (Or star in the musical's film version, which MusikBLITZ previously reported on.)

Maroulis is Rock Of Age’s Drew…the charming busboy with dreams of becoming a big rock star in this super show about a Hollywood club in the '80s and all the characters who walk through its doors (all set to '80s hard rock classics).  He is vital because he appeals to both young and old fans, women and men (the women want him; the men want to be him). He can be cute (in that boy-next-door way) and sexy (in that bad boy way) at the same time. And, most importantly, he's got the big, melodic vocals to proudly sing all of the production's songs.

Wonder which American Idol will be the first to win a Tony?

Rolling Stone goes Enquirer Route

So I guess Rolling Stone is now in the business of photoshopping their covers. You know, FHM / Enquirer style. I'm talking about the current issue's cover story on Bush. Way to go Jann - you have one of the highest circulation music magazines and feel the need to run misleading headlines and photos on the cover. That's ok for Us Weekly, Wenner's other publication, but not Rolling Stone.

Check out the story here: http://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/25329027

Also the New York Post's piece on the cover: http://www.nypost.com/seven/01092009/business/its_shelter_skelter__149295.htm?page=2

FETTY JEWELRY

Semi Precious Weapons’ eclectic frontman Justin Tranter is more than just a singer for the New York City-based garage/glam-rock outfit —he’s also winning rave reviews for his recently launched jewelry line, Fetty Of Brooklyn.




The Fetty (an abbreviation for “Fucked up and prETTY”) collection currently has three distinct lines—Fetty, Fame and Precious Weapons—featuring unique pieces for all budgets and tastes in various settings (gold, silver, brass, nickel, etc.).

“I want Fetty to encompass a classic beauty, opting for subtly over showiness,” explains Fetty founder Tranter. “However, I am taking the concept of being classic one step further by oxidizing the metals and incorporating strong, contrasting symbols…”

Morbid pendants of weapons, skulls and bugs make up a large part of Fetty’s items.

However, Tranter does show a more sensitive side with his Braille pieces—each bangle, bracelet, ring and necklace features a word (like “baby,” “magnetic,” “love” and “precious”) spelled out in Braille via diamonds or crystals.



My favorite collection, though, is the Precious Weapons one. The necklaces, bracelets and earrings each consist of two pendants: 1) a weapon; and 2) a heart that has been damaged by said weapon. For example: The “Butcher’s Wife” piece has a knife and a heart with slashes through it; The “Love Bites” piece (which I bought for my best friend, the dental hygienist, for Christmas) has tooth and then a heart with a bite taken out of it; and the “Heart Beat” piece has a hammer and a dented heart. Very cute & creative!

Fetty is loved by celebrities like Rihanna, Lady GaGa, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Kate Moss and more.

For more information, visit Fetty online.

The music industry is plummeting; let's start a label!!

I'm not sure how no one else has picked up on this, but the geniuses at FUSE tv were planning to start a record label this past fall. Their first signing was to be The Lordz (of Brooklyn) - a hip hop / rock group started in the early '90s by the McLeer brothers, Ad Money (DJ ADM) and Kaves - who's FUSE reality show "The Brooklyn Way" tanked last summer. Maybe I'm crazy but shouldn't a network like FUSE, who's programming in my opinion was better than MTV's (keyword: WAS) put their money into more of a buzz band? How would The Lordz generate money for Fuse...or better yet help their image? A Paramore-ish or NOFX type should have been their choice. Not a group who's touring with Everlast and hasn't had a hit or real buzz in over 10 years.

Anyhoo label plans were nixed. Maybe it had to do with the axing of one of their execs a few months ago. How does this story end? To be continued. 

WHERE IN THE WORLD IS SCOTT STAPP?

Over the weekend, I was flipping through the channels on the old boob tube and came across the Spherion Orlando Citrus Parade. Yes, there were floats entirely made of oranges and other citrusy things. I was captivated.


Then along came a car with a family of four cheerfully waving to the crowd of onlookers. The father, who had a buzzcut, was kinda cute. I figured he was some sports-related person (since these types of parades usually precede football games). Then, I paid more attention.


In that car was Mr. Creed himself, Scott Stapp.




I didn’t know what to make of it. Was it a good thing or a bad thing that this former rock God was now appearing in a family, sunny-day parade? (And say what you want about Creed, but I always liked Scott and the band). Anyway, here’s what I came up with:


IN DEFENSE OF SCOTT APPEARING IN THE PARADE
1. Scott was in the car with his wife, Jacklyn, the reigning Mrs. Florida America. Pageant winners are always in parades. Scott was there in loving support of his wife.
2. Florida native Scott sang the National Anthem before the parade. Singing the National Anthem is usually a cool gig (although I’m not certain if it qualifies as 100% cool if its before a parade and not some sold-out sporting event). Since he was already there, why not take part in the parade?
3. Scott & Jacklyn’s kids were riding with them. Kids love parades, so being in one would take them “Higher.”
4. It made people aware that Scott Stapp is still around. (Although I’m sure none of his fans or anyone who would actually want to know this were watching.)


IN OPPOSITION OF SCOTT APPEARING IN THE PARADE:
1. WTF!?! Rockstars—even if “former” should appear before that word—should not be in parades. Fans don’t want you to appear “With Arms Wide Open” at family-friendly events that their grandparents might be watching. We want you dark and brooding and to only come out for naughty, nighttime parties.
2. Scott, your career has been going downhill since you split up Creed. Shouldn’t you be working on new music and/or other ways to revitalize your career instead of wasting time at a fruity parade?
3. Couldn’t the parade organizers find a more appropriate person to represent Florida and their delicious citruses? How about some fresh-faced teen or twentysomething?
4. It made people aware that Scott Stapp is still around. (Did anyone watching care?)


So, four pros and four cons. Hmm... I'm still “Torn.”

Gonna Dress You Up in Akon!

Frozen ft. Akon - OFFICIAL VIDEO


Lovely pop princess / A-list Jamaican celeb Tami Chynn recently unleashed her sexiness on the U.S. with her Akon produced single "Frozen." Funny thing about the single is that, being produced by the multi-platinum artist / producer / fan flinger, its got that whole Cher vocal thing going on that Akon is known for...however, it's also way too similar to "Just Dance" by Lady GaGa, which Mister Kon also produced.

Lady GaGa - Just Dance
by LadyGaga

Call me crazy, but "Frozen" also sounds too much like pre-Kabala Madonna...

CELEBREALITY

Hi, I'm Cheryl and I'm...addicted to Celebreality TV.

For others who share my addiction, I advise you to tune in to VH1 this Sunday night, January 4, for the following treats:

7PM: Rock Of Love Charm School Reunion Special—Relive the past season of this always fabulous show with all of the girls and, of course, headmistress Sharon Osbourne. Spoiler alert: Sharon and the horribly conniving Megan get into a fistfight!!! Must. See. TV.

8PM: Confessions Of A Teen Idol—Catch the premiere episode of the sure-to-be-delicious series featuring former "heartthrobs" Christopher Atkins, David Chokachi, Billy Hufsey, Jeremy Jackson, Eric Nies, Jamie Walters and Adrian Zmed. Even if they all weren't worthy of Tiger Beat centerfolds, their sad stories and comeback attempts are going to be so much fun to view.

9PM: Rock Of Love Bus—Bret Michaels is back for a third season of hooking up with some of the most outrageous groupies on the planet. I can't wait to see what the Poison singer makes the girls do for his "affections" this time around as they travel the U.S. with him!


I'll be looking forward to viewing all of your comments on these three shows Monday morning!

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Happy New Year Everyone!

In 2009, MusikBLITZ will offer the most pop culture news, reviews, opinions and so much more!

So keep on reading!

Thanks for your support!


~Cheryl & Jenn