Monthly Archive for April, 2009

When KISS Was Cool – The Creem Magazine Unmasking (1974)

Creem Magazine KISS Unmasking

Back in 1974 it had been reported that KISS were duped into being photographed sans make-up by Rock magazine Creem. The band had been promised a generous spread in the magazine on the proviso that they also allow themselves to be photographed without the make-up. Now as everyone knows, back in KISS’ heyday, no one knew what they looked like as photos without the greasepaint in the 70′s were practically non-existant. Granted that today, there are many photos of the band during the 70′s without the make-up. (Look for a future ‘When KISS Was Cool’ segment on this blog for some mind-blowingly candid off-stage shots!)

The following photos are some of the first to appear of the band without the trademark war-paint. Jaan Uhelski, Creem journalist who was once painted with a collage of each member’s make-up and appeared on-stage with KISS in Detroit circa 1975, says… ” I actually inherited the KISS beat at Creem, because no one else really wanted it. For me, nothing is more compelling than an idea whose time had come. KISS’ had. They first came into my life when their promotion man at Casablanca Records called and asked if we could do a Creem profile – the fake ad we used to have in the magazine based on the Dewar’s Scotch ad. So without any hesitation, Larry Harris brought them to our office, a rather casual suite of offices in suburban Detroit above a movie theater. They walked in without their trademark make-up, looking like four rather normal rock types. Very politely they asked if they could take take over the women’s bathroom to suit up. The transformation was incredible. When they had their make-up on they became towering giants and they took up more psychic space than they did without the make-up on…”

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When KISS Was Cool: Hotter Than Hell – Norman Seeff

KISS - Hotter Than Hell - Norman Seeff

Out of all the early classic KISS albums, ‘Hotter Than Hell’ never sat well with me due to the muddy and poor production sound. Looking back over it now, one realizes just how great an album it is as it features some of KISS’ finest material.

The album was released in October of 1974 and featured a garish and colorful Japanese influenced cover art.

The photographer for that infamous photo-session was Norman Seef.

Photographer Norman Seeff designed KISS’ second album cover (Hotter Than Hell) with startling visuals to complement the bands’ powerful sound. Seeff, with art director John Van Hamersveld, took his cue from the band’s kabuki-style makeup and incorporated hints of Japanese culture into the cover. The result: a striking hybrid foursome that jumps off the printed surface and magnifies KISS’ unique look.

Now 30 years later, Norman Seeff is selling some absolutely mind-blowing photos from the Hotter Than Hell photo sessions. The vast majority of these photos have never been seen before. Visitors to Norman’s website can purchase a wide selection of photos from the many, many bands that Norman has shot throughout the years.

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Jane’s Addiction To Tour Australia

Jane's Addiction To Tour Australia

Twenty-one years since they provoked with the masterful ‘Nothing’s Shocking’. Seventeen years since Perry Farrell founded the Alternative Nation. Six years since they warped minds and corrupted souls at the Big Day Out. In 2009, Jane’s Addiction return to Australia for the first time with the original line-up.

The legendary Libertines of cosmic punk rock led the alternative music vanguard throughout the ‘90s and their sound is as thrilling today. They willingly leapt on the rock roller coaster but only a fool could think that Jane’s Addiction would ever die. Back in their complete form, the classic line-up not seen on these shores since 1991: Perry Farrell, Dave Navarro, Eric Avery, Stephen Perkins. Jane’s Addiction will work their voodoo across Australia throughout July.

Tickets on sale 9am Friday 1st May

Sunday 26th July Tivoli Brisbane
www.ticketek.com.au 132 849, www.oztix.com.au, www.bluemurder.com.au, Rocking Horse 07 3229 5360

Monday 27th July Hordern Pavilion Sydney
www.ticketek.com.au 132 849

Wednesday 29th July Thebarton Theatre Adelaide
www.venuetix.com.au 08 8225 8888

Thursday 30th July Festival Hall Melbourne
(licensed and unlicensed all age areas)
www.ticketmaster.com.au 136 100, Festival Hall Box Office 288 Rosslyn St West Melbourne

Saturday 1st August Metro City Perth
www.moshtix.com.au 1300 GET TIX, www.bocsticketing.com.au 08 9484 1133, 78′s 08 9322 6384 www.78records.com.au

Corpsepaint For Dummies

Having trouble straightening the misery lines dripping from your mouth? Still mortified after that guy mistook you for Paul Stanley? Scared you’ll get murdered by your bandmates beneath the full moon because you don’t look grim enough? Never fear, children of the black mark—we’ve got the ultimate how-to right here. This bright young thing from the dark side would make even Nattefrost himself nod in solemn agreement. Watch this video, follow these easy steps, and you too can look like the epic soldier of Hell’s blackest pit that you are. Results may vary depending on level of pure evil in your heart; side effects include fire-blowing, goat-throwing, and blemishes. (via)

20 Questions with Ron English

20 Questions with Ron English.
Ron English is a living legend. From his eye catching pop-infused paintings to collaborative mural projects; illegal billboard stunts to the tour of his iconographic Abraham Obama image, Ron English has mastered the art of popaganda, and that’s just the way he likes it.

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Slayer in the Studio: Loud, Fast and Ready to Thrash

Slayer in the Studio: Loud, Fast and Ready to Thrash.
Shredding on Dimebag’s guitar and bashing religion as the metal vets prep their 10th album.

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Slipknot: ‘Sulfur’

When KISS Was Cool – Alex Cooley’s Electric Ballroom – June 22, 1974

When KISS Was Cool - Alex Cooley's Electric Ballroom - June 22, 1974

Come on! You know you wanna see more…

Click on through!
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Luna Park Gets D*Face(d)

Luna Park Big Mouth Project

D*Face is a London-based sculptor and stencil artist, who uses London as his own personal gallery. Sticking, pasting and drawing on any wall or space he doesn’t actually own. Known for his subversive images, which involve a family of dysfunctional characters whose roles are to shock as well as entertain, his work challenges orthodox thinking whilst sticking two fingers up at the establishment. An associate of Banksy, he has shown works at the world famous Santa’s Ghetto and recently had his own solo exhibition at the Stolen Space gallery in East London.

What is the Big Mouth Project?

The Big Mouth Project is a collaboration between artists and WorkSafe Victoria to celebrate out biggest asset in the workplace. To help spread the word we’ve asked some of the world’s most talented artists to bring to life our big fat friend to life in any way they see fit.

More info at bigmouthproject.com

Marilyn Manson ‘The High End Of Low’ Details

Marilyn Manson The High End Of Low

The official track listing for the forthcoming Marilyn Manson CD, ‘The High End Of Low’ is as follows:

01. Devour
02. Pretty As A Swastika
03. Leave A Scar
04. Four Rusted Horses
05. Arma-goddamn-motherfuckin-geddon
06. Blank And White
07. Running To The Edge Of The World
08. I Want To Kill You Like They Do In The Movies
09. WOW
10. Wight Spider
11. Unkillable Monster
12. We’re From America
13. I Have To Look Up Just To See Hell
14. Into The Fire
15. 15

Marilyn Manson’s anticipated reunion with longtime friend and foil Twiggy Ramirez inches closer with the release of “We’re From America”, the first listen from “The High End Of Low”. Available as a digital single, it previews Manson’s forthcoming seventh studio album landing May 26.

The album’s official first single, “Arma… geddon”, arrived at radio April 13.

Produced by Manson, Vrenna and Twiggy, “The High End Of Low” was recorded in Manson’s Hollywood Hills studio and also features the track “I Want to Kill You Like They Do In The Movies”. Manson says of the new album, “I think my life definitely ended and began. The record sounds very final, but it’s almost optimistic — though that feels like a strange word to use. It’s a phoenix from the fire and a redemption resurrection.”

In a recent interview with U.K.’s Kerrang! magazine, Marilyn Manson stated about “The High End Of Low”, “This is not a record that we would leave black and self-titled and mature. This is the experienced record. This album is the 12th-grade guy that has VD and did cocaine in high school, who has been arrested once and the 9th-grade girl wants to fuck him.

“The songs on this record are quite autobiographical, but they’re also very much their own stories in the same sense as some of my earlier work on ‘Antichrist Superstar’. The songs are in the order in which they were written and sung. It was a story that took place and I didn’t really know what it was going to be ’till it happened. I had to find out how it was going to end in order to end the record. This album left many scars, and I think they are good ones.”

“I wrote all the lyrics on the wall of my room. It wasn’t to be decorative; it was one of those things, like it’s the last thing someone sees before they put them somewhere else. I think it looks good. And if anyone wants to come into this room and fornicate with me, I think they are a keeper… and when I say keeper, I mean kidnapping. I am probably going to do most of the press for the record from my house, before I leave or destroy it, because you can see the story and what the record as made from within the house.”

“During the whole process I took a lot of photos, so the artwork is a lot of storytelling and the way that the songs have turned out is more from my point of view rather than looking at me. Because I always wanted to take pictures, my house is set up like a movie set. Instead of lamps I have movie lights and smoke machines and things.”

“I really look at this record as a film, maybe because I sort of directed it. I stopped trying to conform regular life into the idea that it’s regular life. Why isn’t it all just a movie? If people are watching, they’re watching me being an asshole or being boring or creating something amazing. That’s just a part of the movie. It allowed me to be more creative.”

“’15′ is track 15 on the album. It’s the most important song I think that’s been written by MARILYN MANSON as an entity. It’s the most unusual song I have ever heard. I thought that the album was done, as there is a glorious epic track [before that] that I think will make Twiggy forever recognized as a guitar hero. That felt like the end of the record, but what was happening in my life had not resolved itself. So on January 5, one five, I sang ’15′ and the lyrics will tell the story of that day…”

Manson’s new lineup, including Ramirez (for the first time in close to a decade), plus keyboardist Chris Vrenna, and drummer Ginger Fish, will close the main stage at the Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival, this July through August. Manson will also kick off his world tour with a headline festival run this June in Europe.

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