blogging away in LA to move to Tumblr this week

So it's come to this.

I've been posting more music over at my tumblr blog than right here. I'm sorry, but aside from reading friends blogspot's I spend more time on tumblr.

Not to say tumblr is perfect, but I do get a more 'community' feel out of using it. You can 'like' and reblog other posts, and follow people, and they can openly follow you! The major downside? It gets slow and the downtimes are constant. But when it works, it looks cool.

By the way, I am no longer listed in The Hype Machine, which is with merit as I haven't updated this blog in a long time now, mainly due to several factors which I would not like to get into right now.
To the bands, groups and management who reached out --thank you and I promise to get back to you all on the new blogawayLA.com --though until the process is complete it's called:

http://blogawayla.tumblr.com
Thank you and thanks to blogger.com for four very awesome years together. I'll post one last time here when the switch is official... and I'll always leave the Blogspot blog up at blogawayla.blogspot.com

--Ivan
email: ivan at blogawayLA dot com

James - Sit Down

The Traits - Nobody Loves The Hulk

Ramin Djawadi - Driving With The Top Down

Passion Pit - Sleepy Head

The Cure - Maybe Someday

Spock sings!

In celebrtion of the new Star Trek feature film out now, today we'll look at one the weirdest great novelty songs, The Ballad of Bilbo Baggins. Written by Charles Randolph Grean and infamously performed by Leonard Nimoy in 1968 for his album The Two Sides of Leonard Nimoy. Today the song is a fine example of 1960's camp; along with the Adam West Batman tv series and "beach movies" like Gidget. C'mon everybody--- Do the Hobbit!

The Ballad of Bilbo Baggins
by Leonard Nimoy 
from the album The Two Sides of Leonard Nimoy

Tonight's WWE WrestleMania XXV Pay Per View is live from Houston, Texas! Besides featuring the biggest wrestling matches of the year, the show also sports two AC/DC songs serving as their theme songs: "Shoot to Thrill" (Live) and "War Machine". Enjoy these songs below, and don't forget to order WrestleMania 25 tonight on Pay Per View!

Shoot to Thrill (Live)
by AC/DC
From the 1992 album AC/DC Live


War Machine
by AC/DC
From the 2009 album Black Ice

We Should Be Dead concert tonight in Downtown LA

A little last minute, but excellent band We Should Be Dead are playing tonight in Los Angeles! The band takes the stage at 11, so if you're in the LA area tonight show up and have a good time!

21+ $8
Silver Factory Studios
915 Mateo St
Los Angeles, CA 90021


I Fell in Love with You
by We Should Be Dead
from the album Forget Romance, Lets Dance!

New File From Single File

Former swing jazz band (!) Single File have a new album coming out April 7 titled Common Struggles on Reprise. Enjoy this catchy new song from the Westminster, Co trio.

Girlfriends
by Single File
From the upcoming album Common Struggles

Christmas in Heaven

GOOD EVENING LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.
IT’S TRULY A REAL HONOURABLE EXPERIENCE
TO BE HERE THIS EVENING.
A VERY WONDERFUL AND WARM AND
EMOTIONAL MOMENT FOR ALL OF US.
AND I’D LIKE TO SING A SONG
FOR ALL OF YOU.

It’s Christmas in Heaven,
All the children sing,
It’s Christmas in Heaven,
Hark hark those church bells ring.

It’s Christmas in Heaven,
The snow falls from the sky …
But it’s nice and warm and everyone
Looks smart and wears a tie.

It’s Christmas in Heaven,
There’s great films on TV …
“The Sound of Music” twice an hour
And “Jaws” I, II and III.

There’s gifts for all the family,
There’s toiletries and trains …
There’s Sony Walkman Headphone sets
And the latest video games.

It’s Christmas, it’s Christmas in Heaven,
Hip hip hip hip hip hooray,
Every single day,
Is Christmas day.

It’s Christmas, it’s Christmas in Heaven,
Hip hip hip hip hip hooray,
Every single day,
It’s Christmas day.

Monty Python - Christmas in Heaven

Buy Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life DVD today at Amazon.com

Friend in need

Just as change will start to set upon the world, not all is well currently. Businesses are suffering, downsizing, closing. People are losing jobs, and it's now more difficult than ever to find one. Heck, I-myself as seeking work (and will take anything really; email me for a resume). But this ain't about me, it's for a friend.

Friend to music Angela Poe has recently lost her job. She very resourceful and knowledgeable in multiple fields. Here is a good example of her creativity--

Click on the image above or click here for her resume.

Kings of Leon - Knocked Up

Nine Inch Nails - Into the Void

New America

Above is the new President of the US of A.
Behind him is the Man of Steel.

To US citizens, I hope you voted. I don't give a fuck who you voted for, but if you did. There are millions of people who are still without that honor, so we should take advantage of it like a drunken male/female whore at your friend's booze-filled party. To non-US citizens, uhh, sorry.

I don't think I've discussed the new url yet. After doing this for a few years, I knew I wanted to do more with this site. The new url and banner are just the beginning. I'm writing a new template right now, and will alos expand coverage on *sigh* nerdier topics like comics and movies because, well shit, I am a comic and movie nerd. You will also see a shitload more new bands and artists who I feel need a push, and since MTV and KROQ are focused on playing the same artists that suck over and over again, why not try something refreshing. Change. That's some Obama shit right there!

One more thing to add: there is a new email address to match the new blog url. ivan@blogawayla.com has a nice ring to it. Use that email addy to send what you think I and others will like. If you would like to just say hey or discuss comics and movies, my personal/pro email is located at the very bottom of the web page. Spam me and I'll DDoS attack your ass.


Bad Religion - New America

NO, WAIT: Colbert Loses To Obama

New York City, November 5, 2008— The Daily Bugle is reporting that, despite winning the popular vote, Stephen Colbert did not win the United States Presidency in the Marvel Universe, with Democratic nominee Barack Obama triumphing.

When questioned by the media regarding the confusion, Marvel Comics EiC Joe Quesada said, “We completely forgot the Marvel Universe reflects what happens in the real world...Ooops, our bad.”

More on this story as it develops.

Peter Bjorn and John - Let's Call It Off

Simon and Garfunkel - The Sound of Silence

Kiss on my hand After dark

I'm watching Goodfellas right now, after that it's Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure, and Ed Wood. Not very Halloweeny, but fuck I felt like watching 'em. I liked posting some of my favorite Misfits songs yesterday, so tonight I'll be spotlighting some evil, vile, venomous Halloween tunes... oh, and burning crosses on a nigger's lawn, and I want to fuck, I want to fuck the dead. Interesting songs I hope you will enjoy! Happy Halloween!

Christian Death - Romeo’s Distress

TSOL - Code Blue

Ministry - Every Day is Halloween

Dead Kennedys - Halloween

A Misfits Halloween

It's Halloween tomorrow. In a somewhat celebration of the damned, here is just a sampling of what those bastards could do back in their day, when they had Danzig to lead them.

American Nightmare from Legacy of Brutality

Die, Die My Darling from Collection I

Halloween from the unreleased 12 Hits From Hell

If you like what you hear, please take a look at The Misfits store on Amazon.com

Cyber Sunday

Tonight is the fifth annual Cyber Sunday event from World Wrestling Entertainment, live tonight at 8pm (5pm here in LA) only on Pay-Per-View, from the US Airways Center in Phoenix, AZ. Every match on tonight's card features a stipulation/gimmick that is determined by fans (aka the WWE Universe) via voting by text message. Example: you can vote for the special guest referee for the World Heavyweight Championship match between Batista and World Champion Chris Jericho. Your choices are Shawn Michaels, Randy Orton, and Stone Cold Steve Austin.

Text HBK to 44993 for Shawn Michaels
Text ORTON to 44993 for Randy Orton
Text AUSTIN to 44993 for Stone Cold Steve Austin

Sadly, this voting format has a drawback: it costs .99 cents each time you text a vote. Lame, WWE.

Like with every monthly WWE PPV, the event has a theme song used throughout the night, and tonight it's the song Propane Nightmares by Australian group Pendulum, from their 2008 album In Silico. A rocking electronic tune, it meshes very well with the unique gimmick of the PPV.

Pendulum - Propane Nightmares

Two Can Play

Released earlier this month on Dangerbird Records, Tempted To Do Nothing is the newest four-song EP from the band Eulogies. Think of this release is an appetizer; their upcoming full-length album, Here Anonymous, is due out Spring 2009. Featured here is the song Two Can Play, featuring Nikki Monninger from Dangerbird labelmates Silversun Pickups on guest vocals. Eulogies begin a US tour next month. Enjoy Two Can Play.

Eulogies - Two Can Play

Hush Now

Indie-pop-shoegazers The Hush Now, from Boston Mass., have released their first single from their self-titled new album due soon. Traditions is an energetic track clocking in at four minutes and fifteen seconds. I hope to hear more from these guys in the future.

The Hush Now - Traditions

Vote for Rick!

Pop singer and internet legend Rick Astley of "Never Gonna Give You Up" and Rickroll is up for Best Act Ever award at the MTV Europe Music Awards... FUCK YEAH. I've been a fan of Rick's before there was such a thing as Rickroll, having been raised on pop music of the '80's and '90's. Now, for those who live in another continet, there are altnerate ways to for ol' Rick. Check out my desktop screen sample above.

RickVoter, created by cliche for Best Act Ever will allow you to vote for Mr. Astley from your desktop without needing a web browser. Sweet.

Rick Astley - Never Gonna Give You Up

We're no strangers to love
You know the rules and so do I
A full commitment's what I'm thinking of
You wouldn't get this from any other guy

I just wanna tell you how I'm feeling
Gotta make you understand

Never gonna give you up, never gonna let you down
Never gonna run around and desert you
Never gonna make you cry, never gonna say goodbye
Never gonna tell a lie and hurt you

We've known each other for so long
Your heart's been aching but you're too shy to say it
Inside we both know what's been going on
We know the game and we're gonna play it

And if you ask me how I'm feeling
Don't tell me you're too blind to see

Never gonna give you up, never gonna let you down
Never gonna run around and desert you
Never gonna make you cry, never gonna say goodbye
Never gonna tell a lie and hurt you

Never gonna give you up, never gonna let you down
Never gonna run around and desert you
Never gonna make you cry, never gonna say goodbye
Never gonna tell a lie and hurt you

(Ooh give you up)
(Ooh give you up)
(Ooh) never gonna give, never gonna give (give you up)
(Ooh) never gonna give, never gonna give (give you up)

We've known each other for so long
Your heart's been aching but you're too shy to say it
Inside we both know what's been going on
We know the game and we're gonna play it

I just wanna tell you how I'm feeling
Gotta make you understand

[Edit-- updated Rick Voter, thanks cliche!]

OMG! DHC FTW

blink-182 approved.


Dance Hall Crashers - Triple Track from Short Music for Short People

A proud Slack-er

The lovely Slackmistress Nina Bargiel is celebrating a birthday today.

Stop by The Slack Daily to read her exploits and wish her a happy birthday, and do also check out her husband Will, aka Be The Boy's blog which kicks as much ass.


The Beatles - Birthday

Jerry Finn

On August 21, music producer/mixer Jerry Finn died. After suffering a cerebral hemorrhage in July, Finn was taken off life support on August 9, 2008 after never regaining consciousness. He was 39 years-old.

What Rick Rubin is to Hip-Hop and Hard Rock, Jerry Finn was to Punk Rock. Throughout the 1990's and early 2000's his method redefined the sound of punk, saying that musically it was OK to sound clean and polished and still get their message across to the listener. He mixed Green Day's first major LP Dookie and then followed it with Insomniac. He produced albums with Pennywise, Rancid, MxPx, Alkaline Trio, Tiger Army, AFI, and blink-182.

I came into contact with Mr. Finn almost five years ago through the Morrissey-Solo website. There was an article that was about Morrissey's then-new album being recorded and produced by Jerry Finn. My comment was about what we would expect, and I made the error of saying that Sorrow from The Process of Belief was mixed by Finn. My bad.


Moz
Tuesday, November 18, 2003 10:06 AM
From:
Jerry Finn
jerryfinn@mac.com
To:
this_charming_man_13@yahoo.com

Hi,

I was just reading your post on the Morrissey-solo sight and I really
enjoyed it. I wanted to correct one thing though. I didn't mix "
Sorrow " for Bad Religion. I only mixed one track on that album. It
was a tune called " Epiphany " and it was much darker than a majority
of the album.

Glad to see you liked "About Time" I wish they made them like that
still.

Thanks for your time, Jerry Finn

P.S. The new Morrissey album is going to be incredible. The band have
really outdone themselves. Not to worry.


We exchanged more emails after that, but not too many as he kept very busy. A great lad, gone too goddamn soon. His amazing work will never be duplicated, and the man himself is missed greatly.

Below is just a sample of his producing work.

Green Day - Basket Case

Pennywise - It's What You Do With It

Rancid - Journey to the End of the East Bay

Bad Religion - Epiphany

Morrissey - Let Me Kiss You

AFI - Love Like Winter

blink-182 - Not Now

The night is darkest just before the dawn

Hey everyone, what a shitty summer! Obviously, The Dark Knight was a real highlight... remember my promised-yet-undelivered review of the movie? I remain unsure of whether to post it or not. This has got me thinking... what kind of a blog is this? Is it a music blog? Is it a movie blog? LA blog? Is it even a blog?

I don't like to question myself, but really now... I think that this page still has some juice left. I've been managing web pages and blogs for almost a decade now, since I was a teenager. I will continue, dammit. There are thousands of blogs on the net, and you are here. Thank you.

Warren Zevon - Werewolves of London

John Lennon - Steel and Glass


oops, forgot this fella

Monsters Are Waiting Wanna Be Adored

Local band Monsters Are Waiting from Echo Park covered the indie-classic (whatever the fuck that means) classic song (that's more like it!) I Wanna Be Adored by The Stone Roses. And... it's awesome. Seriously, I like it, and I love the original song (I could have said adored, but... y'know). More often than not cover songs sound exactly like their source material, nothing too original about it's new composition, none of that present here. Kudos to this excellent local band, and I hope to hear more from them soon.

Check out the band's official website and Myspace music profile for more about 'em

Monsters Are Waiting - I Wanna Be Adored