From the upcoming release Enemies List…
by Philly faves Nixon’s Head…
Please enjoy…
DONE DEALING!
Jul 122009
Jul 122009
When I asked myself which rockers possess rock’s most troubling Look, the first three that came to mind were Phil Lynott, Sam Phillips (of Sun Records), and Tom Petty. I see these cats and want to reach over and show them what they’re doing wrong.
Phil Lynott: Something’s gotta give.
Thin Lizzy’s Phil Lynott has long been dead, but his Look continues to trouble me. Something’s gotta give, be it the part in his Afro, the mustache, or the leather jumpsuits. His issues with Bat Wing Syndrome and his death notwithstanding, Lynott’s the first rocker I’d like to breakdown in front of a miror and recast in a less-sleazy, more powerful presence. Troubling.
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Jul 092009
Recently, Mr. Mod asked the assembled multitudes of RTH to choose between:
– ALL of Michael Jackson’s solo output EXCEPT for his four best songs
…and
– Pat Benatar’s two best “hits”
Now, like the Velvet Foghorn, I actually *like* at least one Pat Benatar song. But I posited to the group that — even if I found Pat Benatar’s entire solo ouvre completely without merit — the choice between listening to TWO songs I hated and having to listen to 70 or 80 godawful MJ non-hits was an easy one to make. I just chose the path that required me to listen to less crap. On a quantitative basis, I mean.
Well, Dr. John wasn’t convinced. Or maybe I didn’t make my point clear enough with my elephant dung vs. dog shit metaphor. That’s okay. I’m prepared to meet the good doctor on his own preferred field of battle, and furnish him with a non-top-four MJ single that I believe he’ll concede would be far more painful to endure than a Pat Benatar hit. I’m prepared to leave aside the fact that — according to Mod’s Big Choice Poll question — Dr. John would have to listen to not just this one MJ song, but literally 70 or 80 more that are not much better, rather than listen to *only* “Hit Me With Your Best Shot” and, say, “Heartbreaker.”
So how about it, Dr. John? Can you explain to me why this song is better than “Hit Me With Your Best Shot”?
I look forward to your response.
HVB
Jul 062009
Remember when a major artist like John Lennon could die and the next day a living artist of large standing, like The Boss or Neil Young, could quickly learn a Lennon song and perform it live, in tribute to the recently deceased artist? Beyonce does.
Even U2 made an effort at paying tribute to Michael Jackson in a recent concert. Skip to about the 1:50 mark to hear Bono launch into a little bit of Townsman BigSteve‘s nomination for the Last Decent Michael Jackson Song.
Maddona, who probably hasn’t sung in public since lord knows when, couldn’t quite muster the energy to belt out a chorus of “Wanna Be Starting Something,” but she brought out a Michael Jackson impersonator to come onstage and dance to the song while it was piped over the PA.
A picture of a young Michael Jackson appeared on stage while Madonna was performing “Holiday,” then the impersonator came on, wearing a sequined jacket, white T-shirt, white glove and white socks in the Jackson manner.
The music then switched to Jackson’s song, “Wanna Be Starting Something,” and the impersonator worked through Jackson’s moves, including the famous moonwalk. The impersonator didn’t sing.
Man, that’s fucking moving!
The funny thing is, prior to the concert, she had the balls to pump up this thing.
“I expected a bit more, but it was tastefully done,” said Jane Gadhia, 47, who said she thought Madonna would choose to sing a Jackson song.
Following the jump, Mr. Mod ponders an Important Question…
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Jul 062009
Townsman Chickenfrank‘s excellent coulda-woulda-shoulda enhancement of the BTO/pizza guy myth has me thinking there are more interesting Rock tales yet to be told — and I’m betting YOU have the creative writing talent to tell them! The general idea is simple: find a noteworthy sound or sight from Rock history and explain it in a sensational fashion that virtually guarantees the Internet will pick it up and run with it. Actual, true stories are discouraged. References to BTO and pizza gain you extra points.
Here are a few sights and sounds that could use more interesting explanations. You may also, of course, furnish your own:
1. Paul McCartney‘s bare feet on the Abbey Road cover
2. The distorted guitar in “You Really Got Me”
3. The false start in The Clash‘s “Wrong ‘Em Boyo”
4. What Led Zeppelin were *really* doing with that fish and that groupie in Seattle
5. Why “Cocksucker Blues” was never released — i.e., the stuff nobody has ever seen
I look forward to your responses.
HVB
Jul 042009
Former Rolling Stones and Beatles henchman, er, manager Allen Klein has died.
Our most sincere and heartfelt RTH eulogy follows the jump…
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Jul 022009
An example of what I’m talking about is Pretty in Pink. Although the movie uses a new version of the Psychedelic Furs song, the movie’s not really based on the song, is it? I think it was just a coincidence that a hip, new song was sitting there that could tie into the marketing of Molly Ringwald while the movie was in production.
On the other hand, Alice’s Restaurant is an adaptation of the song, so that one wouldn’t count. Same goes for movies “adapted from” entire albums, like Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band or Tommy.
Got me?
Finally, movies with titles that were picked up for use in rock songs after the release of the movie, such as Thunder Road, are not elligible. The possibly coincidental or at least not essential rock reference of the movie title must follow the release of the song. I hope that’s clear enough to get us going on this difficult task. Don’t worry, I think I’m holding the answer that will make me Last Man Standing!
