So I decided to check out Battala Rock Stars, a battle of the bands type competition, the other day. Must admit, was a bit hesitant at first for a few reasons…a. the reverb is a venue I try to avoid at all costs. it can get ridiculously hot in there, it’s aesthetics are a bit slit-you-wrist depressing and it usually smells like cat pee… and b. the last time I went to a battala rockstars showcase…the previous year…there was a band so atrocious that when they went on that muchmusic tv show disband, they were practically laughed off the stage for being so ridiculously bad…like BAD. list worst band ever. ever!
But alas… I was convinced to come give it another try and things had already started off promising when the first thing I heard upon getting to the venue was Vampire Weekend… Vampire Weekend? This was definitely not your cat-pee-smelling Reverb!
So after the pure bliss that is any Vampire Weekend song, Purr went on to rock the heck out of the venue! Loud electronica type music with a light show that could potentially cause seizures.
The group started off their first performance with an instrumental number donning a pair of white masks..very cool! They’re definitely a talented bunch and the girl drummer kicks some serious ass! Definitely worth checking out live; pretty freaking solid. When it came down to the judgement of the panel; Karen Bliss, Darrin Pfeiferr and Edwin, they all pretty much agreed with my thoughts.
Karen Bliss thought it was ‘amazing’
Edwin called the group ‘prodigy on acid’ and thought it was a great piece of work
Darrin Pfeiffer was ‘effin’ blown away’ and thought it was ‘really, really cool’
Kudos to Purr!
Next up was Bella Clava, but before I go on to talk about them, let’s talk about the host for a lil’ bit, shall we?The chickie was a bit dry and didn’t really bring anything to the table… Also, totally know this ain’t a fashion show..it’s a rock show for eff sakes!...but since *I* made an effort to look cute to even just come to the show, you better believe I’d look my darn cutest if I were hosting it…which is why I’m not so sure that wearing a pair of black modrobe looking pants, an I heart boys lots t-shirt and some black and white striped shirt underneath that makes you look like Wednesday Adams is the best hosting outfit…
I mean come on, we’ve all made bad fashion mistakes and heck, I even had a ‘I’m with the band’ t-shirt..but that was in 2002!
Moving on from the clothes, you would think hosting duties would involve introducing the next band, engaging the audience and some cute banter with the judges. There was none of that. In fact, up until the very last song…I had no idea who the next band was…just that it had a chickie vocalist playing the keyboards, dude in a cowboy hat and … a blowup doll?!
Yup.A blowup doll wearing a ski mask.
The band was also pretty good, completely different genre than Purr andt very reminiscent of Modernboys Moderngirls.They definitely needed a stylist, though. The girl vocalist and dude in cowboy hat looked great in their country chic outfits but the drummer and bassist looked a bit off…like the one half was totally appropriately dressed for their genre while the other half looked like they just stepped off a fubu ad. In fact, best dressed award goes to the blowup doll outfitted in a red mini dress. But nothing a pair of fitted jeans and t-shirts won’t fix.
I momentarily tuned out when I noticed the tv and the hotness that was cadence weapon on etalk..cadence weapon on e-talk! Note to self: check that sh*t out.
Tuned back just in time to hear the band introduce themselves and play their last song.
And this is where it kind of got icky for me…the judgment time.. because hello, if you’re going to sign up for a competition where a panel of judges..um..JUDGES you, don’t be all pissy and with attitude and talking back when the judges are actually being super complimentary but with some suggestions on how to improve.Seriously chickie, lose the ‘tude!
I wont bother writing about the judges’ suggestion because if the band doesn’t care on how to improve than why should we..but I will say that they were pretty solid and could be fantastic with the recommendations.
As the timing neared midnight and in fear of going all cindrella..or the fact that I was just really, really tired..i had to miss the last remaining band, surefire machine.
Really wish I had stayed around because the competition was quite solid and the bands I did see really brought it! Though with the judges doing an awesome job at critiquing, I’m sure I’ll see the band that deserved to go on the most in the Battala Rockstars finale August 22.
If youd like more info on Battala Rockstars, check out their myspace:
After 60 years, Archie finally grew a set and made his choice.
Much like the Dylan-Brenda-Kelly triangle on 90210, Archie found himself choosing between the sexy crazy-eyed brunette Veronica and the sweet but most likely bulimic Betty. And he chose Veronica. And they're, like, totally engaged. I can't help but think he chose Veronica because she's, like, rich. And she looks like she'd let him do anything to her. Like, anything. And rich girls always have the best pot.
And as all skanks (and winners) do, Veronica announced the engagement on her blog, saying: "There is so much to do, so many plans to make. I wonder if Betty wants to be my Maid of Honour? I bet she is so happy for me!"
Oh, snap.
In a depressed haze fuelled by 3 pints of Haagen Daz and a little glue sniffing, Betty took to her own blog to tell the world she is "so sad," and that "I don't even know what to say." (Memo to self: don't ever read Betty's blog again. Yawn city.)
I'm hoping for an invite to this wedding. But it may be tricky, given that it's a comic book and all. Think that coked-out eastern European chick from the Aha video for 'Take On Me' can hook me up?
XOXO,
Blair
She's been working hard, curbing the shoplifting and slowly getting more and more work in better and more high-profile projects. And now she's landed the cover of Elle UK for July. I root for you, Winona Ryder. I really do. And you look amazing. Still a touch of crazy in the eyes, but that's how I like you.
XOXO
Blair
So us TBS ladies will be taking over the USA by storm when we land in the Windy City for some 4th of July debauchery hi-jinks. I've been planning my fourth of july outfit since basically the day I was born and by-god I think I've found it!
I'll be pairing this ridiculously hawt vest:
Over this magnificently patriotic bathing suit:
And if by chance I can immaculately concieve in about a months' time, or hey, just baby-nap some cute bugger, you best believe I'll outfit them in this:
I'll be the best dressed broad in the history of the Fourth of July...with a kid to boot!
The countdown is on, my friends!
As always, I strive to bring to you, our readers, the important news of the day. The real heavy-hitting shit, you know? So here goes.
You standing up? If so, sit down.
You sitting down? You should probably stand.
Oh, and you'll want to empty your bladder. I'll wait............................................................................"tall and tan and young and lovely...the girl from Ipanema goes walking...and when she passes, each one she passes goes - ah"..........la la la......................and you're back.
50 Cent and Bette Middler are new besties. I shit you not. Bette refers to 50 as the 'Godfather of Jamaica, Queens' and 50 refers to Bette as 'crazy white lady with big voice'. Kidding on that second part. Lucky for my lunch, which was making a return trip up my esophagus, they have denied rumours of a musical collaboration. I'm still recovering from Eminem and Elton John's duet.
I will also mention here that Bette said that 50 makes her life worth living. Clearly, she hasn't been shot 9 times. But keep hanging 'round with 50 and anything can happen.
Oh Bette.
Never again will I sing your beautiful words in my shower/on a crowded elevator/at strangers' weddings:
It must have been cold there in my shadow,
to never have sunlight on your face.
You were content to let me shine, that's your way.
You always walked a step behind.
So I was the one with all the glory,
while you were the one with all the strength.
A beautiful face without a name for so long.
A beautiful smile to hide the pain.
Did you ever know that you're my hero,
and everything I would like to be?
I can fly higher than an eagle,
'cause you are the wind beneath my wings.
XOXO
Blair
Because shit like this happens: http://www.nme.com/news/various-artists/44838
Billionaire Sentenced to Death for Murdering Pop Star
Egyptian billionaire and former political figure Hisham Talaat Moustafa has been sentenced to death for the 2008 murder of Lebanese pop star Suzanne Tamim. Yesterday (May 21) a Cairo court found Moustafa guilty of paying ex-policeman Muhsin Sukkari $2 million (£1.2 million) to murder Tamim in 2008. As the verdict was read out, several people in the courtroom burst into tears and one fainted, reports BBC News. Tamim was stabbed to death in Dubai last July shortly after she ended her relationship with Moustafa. The court heard that Sukkari gained entry to Tamim's flat by saying he was working for the building's owner. He killed her as she opened her front door. Suzanne Tamim originally gained fame in the Middle East after winning a 'Pop Idol'-style contest in Lebanon in 1996.
Alternately, this blog could have been titled 'Reason #4 Why I'll Never Pursue My Dreams of Becoming a Lebanese Pop Star. Now if you'll excuse me, I've got a sudden hankering for kabob.
XOXO
Blair
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Book: Paperback |
$24.00
Ok, so when I was in grade four and discovered my passion for writing and totally thought I was going to be the worlds bestest selling author short of Kit Pearson (who I worshipped and adored and hello The Sky Is Falling one of the best books of all time!), I would totally write these ridiculous short stories about couples who were rich and beautiful and famous and had 18 children.
And then it’d get super confused and I would forget who was who and move on to my next short story… about a couple who were rich and beautiful and famous and had 18 children…
So when the first thing I saw upon opening the book was a ‘guide’ to the ten thousand families living in the building, I proceeded with a big red flag…
But more on that later.
First, I’m a total sucker for covers, so when I saw this:
I was totally intrigued. Even more when I discovered that the book was, according to the publisher ‘ set in a turn-of-the-century brownstone on New York's Upper East Side, The Girl Next Door follows the stories of the building's residents, showing their lives, their loves and the way they live together’, as it totally reminded me of one of my favourite books of all time ‘Kissing in Manhattan’, if only a more nicey-nice chick friendly without any psycho rich boys…oh Patrick!…le sigh…
Anywhooooooo, back to my initial reaction. So yeah, totally became opposed to the focus of too many characters, but surprisingly enough, the book started growing on me. The novel mainly revolves around Eve and her husband Ed, a pair of Brits new to New York and the apartment complex and focuses mainly on Eve’s insecurities and the discomfort she feels living in New York, while Ed is loving every minute of his new job. To tell the truth, I found Eve to be a bit annoying and would even skim through some of the parts that focused on her…her character development could have been implemented more and I would have liked her to get a hobby other than hanging out with the 80 year old British lady. I mean, woman, you’re in New York..how can you possibly not find SOMETHING great about that city?!
Then there was David and Rachael a lovely dovey couple who seemed to have the most perfect life until that douche went off and started cheating on her. I mean, from the description, he seemed to have the hottest, most awesome wife..so why the eff would you go off and do that?! It was dealt pretty realistically in the book i.e. cause guys are douches, that’s why, so that was pretty conforting.
Other characters included a gay couple..cause there’s gotta be one in every book, right?... an effed up sorority girl, a dorky librarian, and another young miserable couple with a bratty little baby, weaved in with a few other characters.
My ultimate favourites, however, were Trip and Emily. Trip, a rich boy whose mommy and daddy paid for his a$$ while he partied and boozed and had no life plans whatever. I was instantly in love. Maybe cause I pictured Chuck Bass the whole time. And then there was Emily, raised by a single mom, total man-hater and an employee of NBC in their production research department. I immediately wanted her job. Naturally Chuck Ba…erm Trip wanted her and I totally loved the cuteness that was their relationship. I think I got cavities?
I would have really loved to have the author explore their relationship…heck, even have a novel just about them…
While not completely scholar material, the book was a really fun read; it was nice to get lost in it from the realities of life and totally gave me hope that I will, one day, upon moving to New York and living in a turn-of-the-century brownstone apartment, find my very own Chuck Bass!
Xo
Ang.
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P.S. You're ugly.
I'm sorry, but seriously - SERIOUSLY - how are you relevant? who cast you on this show? sorry, I know I'm being a total bitch here but I'm having a bad day and need to take it out on someone and I'm tired of taking it out on Jennifer Love Hewitt because at least Jennifer Love Hewitt KNOWS she's irrelevant and hence Jessica Szohr who doesn't know yet but will know soon and I'm going to church to pray for my soul now.
XOXO
Blair
Keeps You Up When You’re Down
Fall 2008
Hugtight Records
www.theperms.com
I love mail.
Last week’s mail brought me the Perms CD.
I’m the kind of person that needs to be impressed with a CD on first listen; I
need to be interested in a track in the first 7 seconds or I’m skipping
forward. I gave this album as much consideration as I gave the Saves the Day
album In Reverie. I was not a fan of the album. I love love loved Through Being
Cool, I was just unimpressed with In Reverie. My friend Johnny D was also a fan of Saves the Day, so I gave him the CD and he loved it. So I say, to each their own –
not sure who said it first, but I’m saying it now.
Stand out tracks from Keeps You Up When You’re Down, are Running Away, Night Shift and Things Left Unsaid. I’m fully recommending a MySpace listen to the 2008 release. The band has been together and releasing music for over 10 years so I’m willing to bet their live show is tight even if their latest recording wasn’t my cuppa vodka.
Happy listening!
M
ISBN:
978-014317101-0
Trade Paperback
$24.00
Fiction
352 pages
Publisher: Penguin Canada
Publication Date: April 11, 2009
“When this place likes you, it’s like owning the world. You can do anything. Anything. People think it’s about the money. Fuck the money. You don’t need money – people line up to give you anything you want. It’s about the power, the sort of power you can’t buy and you can’t make. People just surrender it to you. It’s like being elected God.”
The ‘place’ is Hollywood, and this, one of my fave lines from Loser’s Town, is spoken by an aging actor names Ross Whitcomb who made a fortune playing the ‘charming redneck’ on the silver screen in the 70s and 80s.
In Loser’s Town, author Daniel Depp depicts Hollywood in all its seedy glory: the sex, the drugs, and the money. I was instantly drawn into this book because it read a little like a Stuart Woods novel, which are always entertaining and fast-paced.
Loser’s Town follows David Spandau, a former Hollywood stuntman and current private investigator. Spandau is hired to investigate threatening letters being sent to Hollywood ‘It Boy du jour’ Bobby Dye. The novel also follows a supporting cast of equally fucked up and interconnected characters including Potts – a goon-for-hire with a heart of gold; Terry – an Irish guy with a penchant for drinking and a dark and violent past, Richie Stella – cheesy club owner who’s in with the mob; and Allison Graff – a single mother struggling to make ends meet while working for the insufferable Stella.
I
enjoyed everything about this book – I like that it was dark but funny and at
times even touching, and I especially enjoyed the depiction of Hollywood’s
seedy underbelly that also shows the dark side of the movie-making business.
There’s definitely some violence courtesy of a few detailed fight scenes, but I
thought they were written well. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys a
noir crime-style novel.
XOXO
Blair
