“In The Dark” by Dev is old news and obnoxious. It was a single released way before her debut album, The Night the Sun Came Up, was released. It was over played along with her other single “Bass Down Low” to the point where I purposely changed the radio station/television station/internet radio station every time either of those songs came on. I was so over it.
Then around October or November of last year I heard “Kiss My Lips” by Dev at some random location and went to download it. Her album was still not out and neither was this song. Every few weeks, I went to check the date of the release, purely to be able to get this one song, and the dates were always changing. End of 2011, beginning of 2012, New Years Day, all different predictions.
Finally, I forgot about it completely. The song was not worth all this effort and stress. Then, I checked new releases this week and her debut studio album had finally been released. I had forgotten the name of the song I wanted which was refreshed as I looked at the track list. I downloaded the one track and noticed that the rest of the album was going to be about six bucks.
Eh, why not I thought to myself and downloaded all 12 tracks.
I hate Dev, the idea of her. The idea of all of all those tweens walking around with cut off jean shorts and neon green-rimmed sunglasses and converse shoes laced with pink laces. I hate that she says “What you lookin’ at, trick?” and “It’s the Cataracs” in a bunch of her songs.
But, I cannot help it; I do like this album. From her singles, she is a repetitive-techno-alternative-horny-diva like the rest of them. But, like most artists, the real good stuff is not released as singles but hidden in the ignored tracks on the rest of the album. The rest of The Night the Sun Came Up is actually a solid dance album.
The album starts with a song, “Getaway” which almost introduces us to the Dev we do not know. The likeable side of Dev. “I wanna take this money/get out of town/buy some time we can make it somehow/waiting for a dream to come around/you know me better than that/baby I’m not down.” She talks about leaving her hometown and not turning back. There is some sense of honesty in it. Same vibe in the song “Dancing Shoes.” A song with a ballerina-music box-like backtrack. Any Imogen Heap fans might find a little resemblance in this song.
Then there are of course her songs about getting down on the dance floor, poppin’ bottles, etc. However, like I said earlier, these dance hits are not these singles she has released. For example, “In My Trunk” is a great dance song. Almost laughably simple but a great beat. With the chorus being “it’s in my trunk” repeated approximately eight times, it is purely fun, nothing more complex than that.
The song I had been waiting for, “Kiss My Lips” features Fabolous. The track starts with a very unique beat that I love more than any other part of the song. I often listen to the first 10-15 seconds of the song and then stop it and start it over. “Hands up/This high/Tell them haters/Kiss my.” First good line out of Fabolous’ mouth since I was in college.
“Don’t Hurt It” featuring Timbaland is another good dance song. Obviously, Timbaland only produces gold so what else would I expect. This is one of her many songs where she does her little white girl rapping, similar to her lines in “Like a G6.” I want to make fun of her for this but she is really the only one out there doing rap segments like this. Her style is unique and she deserves credit for that.
So, like many other albums and arts, I want to dislike it but I do really like this album. It is worth a listen.
Within the same day I got this album, I also was interested in “Greyhound” by Swedish House Mafia. Apparently this song is meant for the Absolut brand’s Absolut Greyhound Vodka/beverage, vodka with a splash of grapefruit. I knew all the vodka info after the fact but that only enhances the amount that I love this song. Swedish House Mafia + Vodka = Happiness.
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Rihanna=Whore?
A few weeks ago, I bought Rihanna’s most recent album, Talk That Talk. I really enjoyed the single, “We Found Love” and I had always enjoyed her singles and albums in the past. So, I went ahead and bought the rest of Talk That Talk.
To be honest, the album sucks. I was distracted by just how dirty the entire album was. I love nasty and dirty tracks. Some of the best pop divas out there right now have all had their own “slutty” track and they are great. Christina Aguilera has “Dirrty” and “Woo Hoo,” Lady Gaga had “Teeth,” and Beyoncé’s “Video Phone”--all good songs. Even Rihanna has had some good ones like “S&M” and “raining Men.” But this whole album is just that-naughty anthems.
In the song “Cockiness (Love It),” Rihanna uses some word play to make some clear sexual innuendos. “Suck my cockiness/Lick my persuasion/Eat my poison/And swallow your pride down, down.” Then in “Roc Me Out,” she proclaims, “Come over boy, I'm so ready/You’re taking too long to get my head on the ground/And my feet in the clouds.” In “Watch n’ Learn,” she says: “Imma do it do it do it/Till you can’t take no more/Till my lipstick ain’t up on my face no more /Imma do it do it do it/On the bed on the floor on the couch/Only cause your lips say make it to my mouth/Just because I can’t kiss back/Doesn’t mean you can’t kiss that.”
Now come on, let’s talk about what is sexy. Part of being sexy is being subtle and this album has nothing subtle about it. I feel that Rihanna’s previous albums were sexy and even a little dirty without being totally outrageous. This album however is just too much. She is trying too hard to be sexy and it just comes out raunchy.
The one track I will give her credit for on this album, that everyone is buzzing about is “Birthday Cake.” It is the naughty track to beat on this album (now if only we could get rid of all of the other tracks . . .).
All in all, I wish I had just bought the one or two tracks I liked rather than waste money on the whole album. I guess every artist has a weak album—this must be Rihanna’s.
To be honest, the album sucks. I was distracted by just how dirty the entire album was. I love nasty and dirty tracks. Some of the best pop divas out there right now have all had their own “slutty” track and they are great. Christina Aguilera has “Dirrty” and “Woo Hoo,” Lady Gaga had “Teeth,” and Beyoncé’s “Video Phone”--all good songs. Even Rihanna has had some good ones like “S&M” and “raining Men.” But this whole album is just that-naughty anthems.
In the song “Cockiness (Love It),” Rihanna uses some word play to make some clear sexual innuendos. “Suck my cockiness/Lick my persuasion/Eat my poison/And swallow your pride down, down.” Then in “Roc Me Out,” she proclaims, “Come over boy, I'm so ready/You’re taking too long to get my head on the ground/And my feet in the clouds.” In “Watch n’ Learn,” she says: “Imma do it do it do it/Till you can’t take no more/Till my lipstick ain’t up on my face no more /Imma do it do it do it/On the bed on the floor on the couch/Only cause your lips say make it to my mouth/Just because I can’t kiss back/Doesn’t mean you can’t kiss that.”
Now come on, let’s talk about what is sexy. Part of being sexy is being subtle and this album has nothing subtle about it. I feel that Rihanna’s previous albums were sexy and even a little dirty without being totally outrageous. This album however is just too much. She is trying too hard to be sexy and it just comes out raunchy.
The one track I will give her credit for on this album, that everyone is buzzing about is “Birthday Cake.” It is the naughty track to beat on this album (now if only we could get rid of all of the other tracks . . .).
All in all, I wish I had just bought the one or two tracks I liked rather than waste money on the whole album. I guess every artist has a weak album—this must be Rihanna’s.
Friday, March 16, 2012
Soundtrack to Being Fired
I lost my job last week. What I often joked about or saw in overly dramatic Nicholas Sparks-type movies actually happened. It was real. Someone was bringing me into her office and telling me they had some “bad news.” I actually had to pack up my things, give someone my key and leave. Being fired was a lot of things and enjoyable was not one of them.
I started about 7 different blog entries and did not finish any of them because I did not know what to say. Each day, I started writing and I just got confused, distracted, and scared. There was too much to think about to focus on writing. So now, here I am, sitting here and wondering. . What do I say?
Well, what I can tell everyone without hesitation is through all this crap, and through crappy things in my past and crappy things yet to come, I have found and will find solace in music. I surround myself with music that does exactly what I want it to do. I want to be sad, happy, scared, excited; whatever-I can count on my music to help me be just what I want. It is a type of grieving.
Through this most recent experience, I listened to a lot of different stuff. And, for lack of ability to write something more creative, this is exactly what I went through over the last week and one day.
Thursday: I was listening a lot to “Fireball” by Dev before this happened. Not the original version, but the Eli Smith remix. I like the bridge in this version best. This was a happy song that suddenly seemed sad. I did not enjoy listening to it.
Friday: I started listening Korn. Mostly new stuff “Chaos Lives In Everything” and “Burn The Obedient,” the latter being the best choice as I substituted certain names for “Obedient.” I tried to listen to Nicki Minaj but it just didn’t seem right. It was obnoxious to me.
Saturday: I was home visiting my parents so I took advantage of Sirius radio. I tuned into Octane radio, which was mostly heavy metal. After hearing it on Octane, I downloaded “Still Counting” by Volbeat, mostly because of the line “counting all the assholes in the room, and I ‘m definitely not alone.” That song spoke to me, for some odd reason (note sarcasm).
Then I started listening to Drowning Pool’s “Bodies” a lot. It came on the radio in the car once and my mom noted, “didn’t we already hear this song?” Oh yes mom, we did. Then I offered to change the radio station. My mom responded, “No, it’s ok. I am just having trouble singing along.”
“I’m not,” my dad chimed in. “AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.”
Sunday: More of the same. I bought “Feed the Machine” by Red. A good angry song. Made me feel good. Then I remembered that I had heard another song by The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus earlier in the week and I had not decided if I wanted it or not. I downloaded it; “Face Down.” It is a bout a girl whose boyfriend beats her. Not really relevant to what was happening to me but whatever, there was yelling in it so I thought, why not.
Monday: I started listening to Black Stone Cherry, “Rain Wizard” and “In My Blood.” The later song is a little peppier than I wanted so I had to intermix Linkin Park’s Hybrid Theory and Slipknot.
Tuesday: My parents and I had “Party Favorites” radio station on in honor of my mom’s birthday. I heard “Hangover” by Taio Cruz and decided to download it. I have yet to listen to the whole song. It actually kind of sucks except for the first 20 seconds or so.
Wednesday: I returned home. I listened to more Linkin Park. Mostly “Valentine’s Day,” “Hands Held High,” “Irridescent,” “Shadow of the Day,” and “When They Come For Me.” I listened to “One Step Closer” a few times at the highest volume on my headphones but then my ears started to hurt.
Thursday: I listened to Nero, Skrillex, Linkin Park and Porcelain Black.
Today: I bought AWOLNATION tickets so I started listening to Megalithic Symphony—mostly “Not Your Fault,” “Burn it Down,” and “All I Need.”
Music is there in a way nothing else can be. Music is a friend that comforts you without asking questions or giving advice. My music gets me like no one and nothing else does. Music can make you realize that there is so much more than whatever you are upset or concerned or stressed or mad about.
“Do you feel cold and lost in desperation? You build up hope, but failures all you’ve known. Remember all the sadness and frustration and let it go.”
I started about 7 different blog entries and did not finish any of them because I did not know what to say. Each day, I started writing and I just got confused, distracted, and scared. There was too much to think about to focus on writing. So now, here I am, sitting here and wondering. . What do I say?
Well, what I can tell everyone without hesitation is through all this crap, and through crappy things in my past and crappy things yet to come, I have found and will find solace in music. I surround myself with music that does exactly what I want it to do. I want to be sad, happy, scared, excited; whatever-I can count on my music to help me be just what I want. It is a type of grieving.
Through this most recent experience, I listened to a lot of different stuff. And, for lack of ability to write something more creative, this is exactly what I went through over the last week and one day.
Thursday: I was listening a lot to “Fireball” by Dev before this happened. Not the original version, but the Eli Smith remix. I like the bridge in this version best. This was a happy song that suddenly seemed sad. I did not enjoy listening to it.
Friday: I started listening Korn. Mostly new stuff “Chaos Lives In Everything” and “Burn The Obedient,” the latter being the best choice as I substituted certain names for “Obedient.” I tried to listen to Nicki Minaj but it just didn’t seem right. It was obnoxious to me.
Saturday: I was home visiting my parents so I took advantage of Sirius radio. I tuned into Octane radio, which was mostly heavy metal. After hearing it on Octane, I downloaded “Still Counting” by Volbeat, mostly because of the line “counting all the assholes in the room, and I ‘m definitely not alone.” That song spoke to me, for some odd reason (note sarcasm).
Then I started listening to Drowning Pool’s “Bodies” a lot. It came on the radio in the car once and my mom noted, “didn’t we already hear this song?” Oh yes mom, we did. Then I offered to change the radio station. My mom responded, “No, it’s ok. I am just having trouble singing along.”
“I’m not,” my dad chimed in. “AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.”
Sunday: More of the same. I bought “Feed the Machine” by Red. A good angry song. Made me feel good. Then I remembered that I had heard another song by The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus earlier in the week and I had not decided if I wanted it or not. I downloaded it; “Face Down.” It is a bout a girl whose boyfriend beats her. Not really relevant to what was happening to me but whatever, there was yelling in it so I thought, why not.
Monday: I started listening to Black Stone Cherry, “Rain Wizard” and “In My Blood.” The later song is a little peppier than I wanted so I had to intermix Linkin Park’s Hybrid Theory and Slipknot.
Tuesday: My parents and I had “Party Favorites” radio station on in honor of my mom’s birthday. I heard “Hangover” by Taio Cruz and decided to download it. I have yet to listen to the whole song. It actually kind of sucks except for the first 20 seconds or so.
Wednesday: I returned home. I listened to more Linkin Park. Mostly “Valentine’s Day,” “Hands Held High,” “Irridescent,” “Shadow of the Day,” and “When They Come For Me.” I listened to “One Step Closer” a few times at the highest volume on my headphones but then my ears started to hurt.
Thursday: I listened to Nero, Skrillex, Linkin Park and Porcelain Black.
Today: I bought AWOLNATION tickets so I started listening to Megalithic Symphony—mostly “Not Your Fault,” “Burn it Down,” and “All I Need.”
Music is there in a way nothing else can be. Music is a friend that comforts you without asking questions or giving advice. My music gets me like no one and nothing else does. Music can make you realize that there is so much more than whatever you are upset or concerned or stressed or mad about.
“Do you feel cold and lost in desperation? You build up hope, but failures all you’ve known. Remember all the sadness and frustration and let it go.”
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Sleigh Bells at Terminal 5
Last night, Sleigh Bells performed at Terminal 5. I arrived at 8:30, getting a second wristband to add to the one I got previously at a happy hour in midtown. The guy checking bags searched my bag and told me I could not bring my Beats headphones in.
“Nah, I’m just fucking with you, ha ha,” he said.
Not funny.
There were two opening acts. One was bad and one was worse. The first opening act (couldn’t catch the name) consisted of 3 guys, the lead singer, an overweight angry guy, trying to get his aggression out on the audience. What did we ever do to you? Why are you punishing us? Clearly he had a lot of pent up hostility, probably from all the women who have broken his heart in the past. The band wanted so badly to be heavy rock, however, if your drummer is wearing a Ralph Lauren pastel yellow and green polo, it kind of kills that vibe.
After the initial crappy band, Black Bananas came out. This band, two guys and a girl, like Sleigh Bells, attempted to blow our minds with their edgy sound. Now, whoever this girl was (the lead singer), she was a Janis Joplin, Grace Slick wannabe. She was drunk out of her mind and trying to make it look cool. Let me tell you something, you have to be pretty up there on the rock God scale to get away with sucking at a performance because you’re wasted. This bitch is nowhere near there.
Black Bananas, in short, was awful. There was no theme or consistency to their music. No pattern. Every song, I was like “what the fuck is this?” It was a gumbo of obnoxious noise, drunken slurring and too much electronic editing. I spent part of their set in the bathroom, making a to-do list for next week, trying to be as far away from the stage as possible. At the end of their performance, the ego-driven female stormed off the stage without a word. Thank god—smartest thing she did all night.
Sleigh Bells came on stage around 10:30. Alexis Krauss, the lead singer, was incredible. She owned the stage. I could not tell you anything about the two guitarists with her but I could tell you every detail of Krauss’s performance—she stole the show and demanded my attention. Walking on stage with a black leather jacket, pink tank top, ripped jeans shorts and tights, she was all any woman rocker should be.
They played a bunch of their hits: “A/B Machines,” “Tell Em,” and of course “Riot Rhythm” and “Kids.” They played some new stuff, including the downloadable single, ‘Comeback Kid” off of their upcoming album, Reign of Terror, being released this coming Tuesday.
One thing that set Sleigh Bells apart from some other acts I have seen is their new songs were just as compelling as their stuff that I knew. I didn’t get disappointed when Krauss announced, “this is a new song.” I was excited to hear it! Their new album will be worth it!
The audience was totally smitten with Sleigh Bells. Everyone was dancing, jumping and screaming, as Krauss kept demanding we all dance with her. Well, she made it easy. Hearing “Riot Rhythm” and “Kids” live was pretty amazing. They did not sound exactly like it did on the album and I loved that. I am pretty sure all their songs that they performed were better live than on their album, and often it is the opposite—some bands can’t cut it live. Their sound is awesome to rock out to, and to dance to. It was a stellar performance.
Reign of Terror, February 21st . . .
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Top 5 Reasons Why the 2012 Grammy's Sucked!
I have been going back and forth about whether to comment on the Grammy’s this year. Ever since Monday morning when I was thinking back on the show, I debated whether I should discuss my thoughts. But after enough pondering and people asking me what I thought, I have decided to speak out. So, here are my 5 reasons as to why the 2012 Grammy’s sucked!
1. Too much country
I felt like after every commercial break, a new country artist was presenting or a new country artist was performing. Taylor Swift, Blake Sheldon, Jason Aldean, Glen Campbell, Carrie Underwood. It was all too much. There was not enough diversity. And “Rhinestone Cowboy” is perhaps the worst song I have ever heard. And The Band Perry, really? I felt like I was watching the Country Music Awards and I never like to feel that way.
2. No surprises
Adele won practically everything. She took home every award she was nominated for. And trust me, I love Adele but where is the surprise and suspense in knowing exactly who is going to win? Why bother naming the other artists? Award shows are fun to watch because you get to guess and get excited about the possibilities of who is going to go home an award-winner. However, this year’s Grammy’s was Adele’s and we as music lovers knew this fact, weeks before the actual show. This led to a very anticlimactic experience as a viewer.
3. I stayed up past 11:00 PM for Nicki Minaj?
I am a huge Nicki Minaj fan and was super pumped to see her perform. However, half of her performance was a video based on the film, The Exorcist (so not an actual performance) and the other half was her rapping a little but most of the time just trying to shock the crowd. She has shocked us all, mission accomplished. Now we want to hear her sing. And she really didn’t.
4. Foo Fighters . . . again?
I am not a Foo Fighters fan. I respect them and think they are extremely talented and Dave Grohl will always get a pass with me because, well, he is Dave Grohl. However, I feel like every music award show I watch, this band performs and they win an award. I mean, I have to think there are other rock bands out there that people also like, besides just the Foo Fighters. Plus, they performed twice. I was sick of seeing their face by the end of the show. Enough!
5. No Skrillex
Skrillex did not win for best new artist which was the first problem. The second problem is the show itself never gave any shout outs or attention to him as an artist. Even in the opening when LL Cool J was talking about the nominees, he mentioned almost all the new artist nominees besides Skrillex. And then, the show did a tribute to dance music and had two DJs perform, David Guetta and Deadmua5. So here they are, doing a tribute to dance music with DJ performances and rather than have a Grammy nominated DJ perform, they have two other DJs perform instead. Really?
So, in conclusion, the Grammy’s this year were repetitive, predictable, and lacked any shock value or respect for non-Katy-Perry-Rihanna-type artists. It was a disappointment overall so all we can do is hope next year is better.
1. Too much country
I felt like after every commercial break, a new country artist was presenting or a new country artist was performing. Taylor Swift, Blake Sheldon, Jason Aldean, Glen Campbell, Carrie Underwood. It was all too much. There was not enough diversity. And “Rhinestone Cowboy” is perhaps the worst song I have ever heard. And The Band Perry, really? I felt like I was watching the Country Music Awards and I never like to feel that way.
2. No surprises
Adele won practically everything. She took home every award she was nominated for. And trust me, I love Adele but where is the surprise and suspense in knowing exactly who is going to win? Why bother naming the other artists? Award shows are fun to watch because you get to guess and get excited about the possibilities of who is going to go home an award-winner. However, this year’s Grammy’s was Adele’s and we as music lovers knew this fact, weeks before the actual show. This led to a very anticlimactic experience as a viewer.
3. I stayed up past 11:00 PM for Nicki Minaj?
I am a huge Nicki Minaj fan and was super pumped to see her perform. However, half of her performance was a video based on the film, The Exorcist (so not an actual performance) and the other half was her rapping a little but most of the time just trying to shock the crowd. She has shocked us all, mission accomplished. Now we want to hear her sing. And she really didn’t.
4. Foo Fighters . . . again?
I am not a Foo Fighters fan. I respect them and think they are extremely talented and Dave Grohl will always get a pass with me because, well, he is Dave Grohl. However, I feel like every music award show I watch, this band performs and they win an award. I mean, I have to think there are other rock bands out there that people also like, besides just the Foo Fighters. Plus, they performed twice. I was sick of seeing their face by the end of the show. Enough!
5. No Skrillex
Skrillex did not win for best new artist which was the first problem. The second problem is the show itself never gave any shout outs or attention to him as an artist. Even in the opening when LL Cool J was talking about the nominees, he mentioned almost all the new artist nominees besides Skrillex. And then, the show did a tribute to dance music and had two DJs perform, David Guetta and Deadmua5. So here they are, doing a tribute to dance music with DJ performances and rather than have a Grammy nominated DJ perform, they have two other DJs perform instead. Really?
So, in conclusion, the Grammy’s this year were repetitive, predictable, and lacked any shock value or respect for non-Katy-Perry-Rihanna-type artists. It was a disappointment overall so all we can do is hope next year is better.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Get Down With Your Valentine Self!
Happy Valentine’s Day everyone. Ah yes, flowers and chocolates and jewelry and snuggling. But enough of that sentimental shit--ladies, this blog entry is for you!
Below I have listed some of the best stripper songs out there. These are songs are perfect for that Valentine’s evening that you want to try something a little different. Whether you have a significant other or flying solo, these songs make for excellent entertainment. This compilation features songs I have heard in strip clubs, songs preferred by pole dancers and exotic entertainers, and some just deserve to be on this list. Whether you are a rock, hip hop, or pop chick, there is something here for everyone. So enjoy your Valentine’s Day, ladies!
“Lick” Joi
“Bad Girlfriend” Theory of a Deadman
“Fake It” Seether
“Riot Rhythm” Sleigh Bells
“The Way You Love Me” Keri Hilson
“Pig” Nine Inch Nails
“So Cold” Breaking Benjamin
“Teeth” Lady Gaga
‘Word Up” Korn
“Angel of the 7th Dawn” Danzig
“Call My Name” Rah
“The Dope Show” Marilyn Manson
“Gimme More” Britney Spears
“Counting Bodies Like Sheep to the Rhythm of the War Drums” A Perfect Circle
“Blindfold Me” Kelis
‘Forty Six & Two” Tool
“Beautiful Monster” Ne-Yo
‘Tainted Love” Marilyn Manson
“Crazy Bitch” Buckcherry
“Lit Up” Buckcherry
“Passive” A Perfect Circle
“Drop it Low” Ester Dean and Chris Brown
“Irresistible Force” Jane’s Addiction
“Closer” Nine Inch Nails
“Lollipop” Framing Hanley
“Smack My Bitch Up” The Prodigy
Below I have listed some of the best stripper songs out there. These are songs are perfect for that Valentine’s evening that you want to try something a little different. Whether you have a significant other or flying solo, these songs make for excellent entertainment. This compilation features songs I have heard in strip clubs, songs preferred by pole dancers and exotic entertainers, and some just deserve to be on this list. Whether you are a rock, hip hop, or pop chick, there is something here for everyone. So enjoy your Valentine’s Day, ladies!
“Lick” Joi
“Bad Girlfriend” Theory of a Deadman
“Fake It” Seether
“Riot Rhythm” Sleigh Bells
“The Way You Love Me” Keri Hilson
“Pig” Nine Inch Nails
“So Cold” Breaking Benjamin
“Teeth” Lady Gaga
‘Word Up” Korn
“Angel of the 7th Dawn” Danzig
“Call My Name” Rah
“The Dope Show” Marilyn Manson
“Gimme More” Britney Spears
“Counting Bodies Like Sheep to the Rhythm of the War Drums” A Perfect Circle
“Blindfold Me” Kelis
‘Forty Six & Two” Tool
“Beautiful Monster” Ne-Yo
‘Tainted Love” Marilyn Manson
“Crazy Bitch” Buckcherry
“Lit Up” Buckcherry
“Passive” A Perfect Circle
“Drop it Low” Ester Dean and Chris Brown
“Irresistible Force” Jane’s Addiction
“Closer” Nine Inch Nails
“Lollipop” Framing Hanley
“Smack My Bitch Up” The Prodigy
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Skrillex at Roseland
Last night was the Skrillex concert at Roseland Ballroom. On the ticket, the time was 9:00. I got to the end of the long line that wrapped around the block around 9:30 behind a guy with a Trojan condom bandana wrapped around his head. I was in line until 10:15 when I was finally out of the cold and away from the little 16 year olds with their fake IDs drinking Gatorade mixed with who knows what. I could not breath with at that much glitter around me.
When I got in, Zane Lowe was on stage, rocking it! People were already going nuts dancing towards the front of the venue. I noticed that a lot of people there were clearly more concerned with their outfits than the music. There were neon bras and ripped shorts and bright fake tattoos and pink hair extensions everywhere. It was like 80s night back in college. I should have reminded one of these tiny bitches that her mom was waiting outside with her asthma medication.
But I digress . . . I went to the bar and tipped generously on a drink and a shot. From then on, I could go to that bartender and never have to wait for service among all the shirtless guys sweating all over the bar or even other girls showing way more skin than I was.
Zane Lowe was great. He played some great songs. He clearly is a fan of Jay-Z, playing “N**as in Paris” and “Empire State of Mind.” Then he slowed it down and shouted “DUBSTEP!” and broke it down. People went nuts, including myself. I realized that dubstep is this whole movement that is taking over the music industry and the clubs. Hell, Skrillex is nominated for like 5 Grammys! All day having had to explain . . . “Skrillex. . He is like a DJ but like Dubstep . . .” No one got it but these people GET IT!
Zane Lowe won me over by asking the crowd “Any metal-leather-wearing mother fuckers in the house?” and then busted a dubstep version of Rage Against the Machine and Metallica. I threw up devil horns and rocked out.
Spank Rock and A-Trak come on next. I was not a fan of Spank Rock so I left and bought a t-shirt and waited in the long bathroom line behind some girl throwing up in the trashcan wearing a purple sparkle bra. The bra looked less cute with the puke on it but to each their own I guess.
I came back up and saw the end of the performance. It was almost 1:00 so I assumed next would be Skrillex. I was wrong. Fool’s Gold came in next, which explained the random guy with a big Styrofoam brick of gold walking around before the performance. Fool’s Gold is a local Brooklyn artist. I think it was awesome for this performance to include such variety of artists. Fool’s Gold was great too. This was the first time I was not pissed the main artist was not on stage yet.
Skrillex came on around 2 AM. Everyone screamed. I ran through the crowd, escaping the guy who was clearly more enthralled at the thought that I might be interested in him than the fact that Skrillex was on stage. I would not be distracted during this.
It was kind of emotional, actually; seeing this tiny guy from LA rocking out performing for all of his fans. He has been kind of the face of this music movement, making strides for other local artists trying to do the same thing. He has come so far . . .my little baby’s growing up!
He had fairly minimal special effects given it was a DJ show. There was a screen behind him that most of the time featured a skeleton DJ that moved with Skrillex’s movements. His stage and his tables were all white which set him apart from all the dark black stage set-ups previously that night. Skrillex performed his big hits, “Bangorang, Kyoto, Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites.” He even played Benny Benassi’s “Cinema” which of course was nothing without the Skrillex remix.
He closed out the show with “First of the Year (Equinox)” and “Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites.” It was the coolest thing to hear everyone in the crowd scream “CALL 911 NOW!” together. I could feel my hair vibrating. He was clearly into it. When he performs, he bangs his head, sways, and dances. He has fun with it! It makes you want to be apart of his dance party.
I revoke my previous statement that Skrillex is better as a featured artist—last night he totally proved he can hold his own. Best new Artist this year MUST be Skrillex
When I got in, Zane Lowe was on stage, rocking it! People were already going nuts dancing towards the front of the venue. I noticed that a lot of people there were clearly more concerned with their outfits than the music. There were neon bras and ripped shorts and bright fake tattoos and pink hair extensions everywhere. It was like 80s night back in college. I should have reminded one of these tiny bitches that her mom was waiting outside with her asthma medication.
But I digress . . . I went to the bar and tipped generously on a drink and a shot. From then on, I could go to that bartender and never have to wait for service among all the shirtless guys sweating all over the bar or even other girls showing way more skin than I was.
Zane Lowe was great. He played some great songs. He clearly is a fan of Jay-Z, playing “N**as in Paris” and “Empire State of Mind.” Then he slowed it down and shouted “DUBSTEP!” and broke it down. People went nuts, including myself. I realized that dubstep is this whole movement that is taking over the music industry and the clubs. Hell, Skrillex is nominated for like 5 Grammys! All day having had to explain . . . “Skrillex. . He is like a DJ but like Dubstep . . .” No one got it but these people GET IT!
Zane Lowe won me over by asking the crowd “Any metal-leather-wearing mother fuckers in the house?” and then busted a dubstep version of Rage Against the Machine and Metallica. I threw up devil horns and rocked out.
Spank Rock and A-Trak come on next. I was not a fan of Spank Rock so I left and bought a t-shirt and waited in the long bathroom line behind some girl throwing up in the trashcan wearing a purple sparkle bra. The bra looked less cute with the puke on it but to each their own I guess.
I came back up and saw the end of the performance. It was almost 1:00 so I assumed next would be Skrillex. I was wrong. Fool’s Gold came in next, which explained the random guy with a big Styrofoam brick of gold walking around before the performance. Fool’s Gold is a local Brooklyn artist. I think it was awesome for this performance to include such variety of artists. Fool’s Gold was great too. This was the first time I was not pissed the main artist was not on stage yet.
Skrillex came on around 2 AM. Everyone screamed. I ran through the crowd, escaping the guy who was clearly more enthralled at the thought that I might be interested in him than the fact that Skrillex was on stage. I would not be distracted during this.
It was kind of emotional, actually; seeing this tiny guy from LA rocking out performing for all of his fans. He has been kind of the face of this music movement, making strides for other local artists trying to do the same thing. He has come so far . . .my little baby’s growing up!
He had fairly minimal special effects given it was a DJ show. There was a screen behind him that most of the time featured a skeleton DJ that moved with Skrillex’s movements. His stage and his tables were all white which set him apart from all the dark black stage set-ups previously that night. Skrillex performed his big hits, “Bangorang, Kyoto, Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites.” He even played Benny Benassi’s “Cinema” which of course was nothing without the Skrillex remix.
He closed out the show with “First of the Year (Equinox)” and “Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites.” It was the coolest thing to hear everyone in the crowd scream “CALL 911 NOW!” together. I could feel my hair vibrating. He was clearly into it. When he performs, he bangs his head, sways, and dances. He has fun with it! It makes you want to be apart of his dance party.
I revoke my previous statement that Skrillex is better as a featured artist—last night he totally proved he can hold his own. Best new Artist this year MUST be Skrillex
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