My Bloody Valentine

Patrick bought tickets months ago to the My Bloody Valentine
concert in Los Angeles that occured October 1 and 2. I will admit that although I had heard a couple of their songs on KCRW 98.9FM National Public Radio in Los Angeles and on late night Big Sonic Chill on 94.9FM here in San Diego - I had never really followed them.

No longer. Once I knew I was going to this concert with the band that has a great punk-sounding name and has been on P's Myspace for a year or so - I began to research them and bought their last 2 cds.

Turns out they are now definitely one of my favorites in my huge, eclectic taste of music - ranging from opera to punk. A little background - they are a Dublin band that formed in 1984 with 2 Irish gents and 2 British gals. Their heyday was the early 90s when they became known as one of the original 'shoegazing' genre - speaks for itself..

The band disbanded for about 10 years and then reunited last year with the announcement of a small North American tour - of course we were going to go see them - even driving to smelly LA - was worth it as the fact that they reunited after so long prompted fans coming out of the woodwork with lamentations posted on their myspace page akin to, "I wish you were coming to Vegas (Connecticut, Des Moines, etc), I've waited my whole life to see you.."What made this concert extremely interesting and memorable for me as we listened, captivated, by the sound display was just that: the sound. These are musicians, creators, artist and writers. They are NOT performers. Think about what I am saying. Anyone with a recording label contract nowadays (especially in the USA), are prepped, pimped and made-over to be extremely photogenicperformers- - Even if they only churn out one #1 hit and a heavily-played video on MTV and VH1. Don't get me wrong - I can appreciate a really good performer, and usually most lead vocalists of a band have the ego and hunger for it. But this show, at the Santa Monica Civic Theater, was unlike anything I'd seen before.

I had even remarked to P on our drive up about how interested I was in seeing what they pull off, because they are a recording studio artist band - their "sound" consists of multi-layered guitars, warped, dreamlike synthesizer chords all bent-pitches and distorted. How on earth were they going to pull that off in a live concert?? Well, I will admit that listening to them live doesn't do their music justice. And the band knows it, from some of the quotes we've heard them say on tour. They evidently hate going on tour because they know that their recording sound is almost impossible to reproduce live.

That said, it was amazing and otherworldly-like. I'd never gone to a 'shoegazing' band before - they literally stare down the whole time at the floor, barely acknowledge each other much less the audience. They are not showy or performers, talkative or selling their personality, good looks, dance skills, or even their singing skills - as they treat the vocal line secondary to the music. Even on the cds it is very difficult to pick out the words they are singing about - pity, because they are poetic and moody (just how I like them) but you would need to really follow along with the printed lyrics to make them out.

The vocals are switched back and forth or sometimes dueted by Kevin Shields and Bilinda Butcher (evidently an item for some time who broke up DURING the recording of the appropriately named last album in 1992, "Loveless" --- ahh nothing like your heart completely trashed to bring out the best in an artist of any genre - sigh :P ).

Back to the concert, the light show was amazing, blinding, again - it wasn't about putting spotlights on the 4 members - they wanted to be incognito, hidden behind the sound of music they created. Most artists are such ego maniacs that it was amazing to see the band literally shrouded in dark, moody lighting with heads turned down.

Another notable concert fact is that this band evidently broke the Guinness Book of World Records for 'Loudest Band' live. Amazing, because although they really rock on some of their songs, they all tend to be moody and dreamlike. You'd think a screaming heavy metal band would win top honors, but what it is, is that MBV uses a lot of reverberated, crunch chords with the warped tones that swing momentarily out of pitch - creating an amazing dreamlike, spiritual and ethereal sound that you can physically feel resonate on inside on on your persona.

They are loud because you actually FEEL their music and the dissonance created at times made our hair stand up on our arms - I am not kidding! The last 22 minutes (yes - 22!!) of the concert was a "Wall of Sound" - they essentially just played 'white noise' - toneless and full of vibrations so loudly that they actually pass out earplugs (a concert staple for me in any case) at the door because they can really mess up one's hearing doing that. It went on so long that I honestly felt like I was 'tripping' out over the music and going to a different place. (There were some puffs of marijuana clouds coming from the alternative crowd - so I KNOW some people were literally: tripping.)

Patrick held onto me from behind - we were standing about 10 rows back - and it was as if we were traveling to another dimension. I cannot do it justice - cannot put words to it - it was something one cannot imagine unless being there.No encore, no other songs - just that last Wall of Sound. Those who thought they were too cool, and didn't wear their earplugs were witnessed leaving painfully holding their ears and looking miserable. But if you could stand it - it was well worth it. I will most likely never experience a concert like this again in my life.

Ahh yet another pretty unqiue and memorable experience to share with my own 'bloody valentine', eh ??? :P

"Lights" Really Turn it ON!

 

YYYYEEEAAAAHHHHHHH! Friday night was a KICK at House of Blues where I gathered a few 80s fans made up of both new and very old friends to join me in supporting and singing along with an old schoolmate/actor friend of mine, Juan Del Castillo, as he fronts the very worthy tribute band to Journey, called "Lights Band".

Firstly, I must preface this by saying with my sometime ridiculous work ethic of never saying 'no' to work offered me, I was always working the past 3 times that the "Lights Band" has made it to San Diego. Well, I knew I would make this concert this time even if I had to go alone -something that wouldn't have bothered me in the least since I am very outgoing and a people-person. Let's just say it this way - it wouldn't have been the first concert I would have gone to alone - and I am actually quite proud to admit to that :) he he he

That said, my week was improving when I got my 80s-dancing partner in crime, Richele, to come with me. I then thought to invite my 80s and Journey-loving ex boyfriend from highschool, Joey and my even longer known neighbor and his best friend, Eric, to join us. I was very excited and then thought, 'why the heck not invite my new gal buddies I met under such extraordinary circumstances less than a week ago at Ray At Night?" If you read the blog I called them, H and A - Heidi and Alana. As Heidi commented to me, "I shall finally get my '15 minutes'!"

 

Ah yes, the night had FUN, good people and GREAT music written all over it. Let's get to the band - - AWESOME!!!! I have performed professionally with Juan before, and know the boy can really blow (slang for really belt it out in a passionate way). I remember when he was signed onto a record label for a while and even had a hit song in Spanish on the radio - I am so proud of him. :) Knowing his high tenor voice and forward-placed quality of singing (singers might know what I am talking about here) I knew his voice would be perfect for Steve Perry and Journey repertoire.. and he didn't disappoint.

 

Joey brought from work, Puerto Rican marine and UBER-Journey fan, Pedro - who ended up being such great company. I think Pedro even had a better time than I did (como es posible?!!!!) as he knew all the words even to the older songs from the late 70s and pre-Steve Perry. Shucks - we were all impressed by him and got even happier by seeing how into it he was. As Eric joked, "By the 3rd song Pedro was ready to go home with Juan" - - HA HA the boy is straight, ya'll!!

Eric, Joey and I are all professional singers and musicians to varying degrees - and were all pretty darn impressed and not let down by the band and Juan's singing. Hot dog - just awesome - top notch! Plus my dear Joey was such a good sport because he knows he can sing Journey pretty well himself but even he admitted to Juan that he (Juan) has got about 1.5 notes higher range than Joey - Ha HA - we are such dorks - love it!

The crowd was mostly 40s with everyone having a great time and even though we were all standing pretty close - about 3 rows back in the throng - sometimes I just had to get right up there to the stage (even once seriously ticking off 2 older blond women who did NOT like my pushing past them to stretch my hand out to Juan for him to hold)...

Well, gosh darn it - when the 80s music gets a hold of E - I just have to 'work it out!'

The great concert was ended even better by Juan spending time with us at our table for a bit, in his sincere down-to-earth way (I love down-to-earth people). You could just tell he was so appreciative of us all coming and he enjoyed talking with and meeting everyone.

And to go with my week long theme of meeting fabulous new friends under out-of-the-norm circumstances - the girls and I zoomed in on and started talking to an accented man who went ALONE - that is exactly what I mean about just having to get out and do - even if it's by yourself - the things you like). Being the colorful people we are we immediately hit if off with him and invited him to join the rest of the eve with us upstairs. Por favor, meet Carlos-the-Spaniard - who hellooo, if you know me, read my blog, or even look at my headline at the top of the page you should know that elsamart is a huge Europhile. Huge. Massive. Let me put it this way, if I hear an accent: I am white on rice, baby. White on Rice.

So there was E, pleased as punch, having gotten to sing and dance to her beloved 80s music with 2 old friends that are wonderful musicians themselves who have known me most of my life; my fabulous, 80s-loving Richele, my pretty new gal friends Heidi and Alana, passionate and full of life Pedro who made a great impression on all us girls and then our new friend from Madrid via Colorado: Carlos.

Great times filled with foreign language, music, talking with Heidi and new friends Pedro and Carlos about our love for travel, all things foreign and foreign films that we all need to see, etc etc... all I can say is that E was in her element... great people, great music, foreign languages = a superb evening :) Can't wait for the next one.

Click on and check out the slide show below of Lights Band and friends - Pictures generously used by permission from Miss Heidi, thank you very much... and see you all the next time the band comes to town :P

Lights Band

Beyonce Bounces thru San Diego

Last Sunday several female and male models from my agency were hired to work the Beyonce concert at San Diego State University's Cox Arena. Now, I wouldn't call myself necessarily a fan of hers - but I have certainly respected her talent and determination starting at such a young age and especially for writing and producing most of her music.

Upon arrival none of us had any clue as to what we were doing. But I was pleased to see my favorite male model of the agency, Elzie, was working as well as one of my favorite young promo models, Madison. We were herded into a VIP room sponsored by Samsung and given black dresses, style "Sasha" from her clothing line of Derreon (you can get it for $69.99 here).
Even though the dresses were light we were sweating a ton and it was definitely not a good hair day for anyone, especially us wavy and curly-haired girls.
As exhausted, hot and uncomfortable as we were the job ended being a blast. Essentially we were paparazzi taking digital pictures of the crowd and then giving them a card with their number on it so they could download it for free later (you see the attached pictures as examples). People really got into it. Most of her fans were African-American (of course) and very fashionable gay men (you know I love my gay men!) so they got crazy or super sexy in front of the camera :)

My group was chosen for having most energy an enthusiasm to work the main red carpet at the entrance of the Cox Arena. Thank God - because we had a GREAT DJ spinning next to the red carpet to dance to as well and people loved posing on the red carpet (whereas the other teams had to just wander the crowds and offer to take pictures).
The best part was that we got to enter and watch for free most of the concert at the ground level close to the stage! Like I said before: I am not a huge fan, but it was a very energetic spectacle. I noted that her band was all women and mixed ethnicities - VERY cool! Of course there were tons of dancers - several women of various colors and then 5 African-American, very cut men. hahaha. I screamed and closed my eyes to Elzie's laughter when they got too raunchy and sexual with their dancing - I actually don't like that gyrating stuff.

Also worth noting - in person, Beyonce looks younger - what is she only 25 or so? I mean: she is young and in her videos or on awards shows she has so much hair and makeup going you almost forget how young she is. Don't get me wrong - she was sporting butt-long extensions, false eye lashes and silver glittering eyeshadow - you know, stage makeup, more than beautiful makeup - she actually resembled a drag queen at times to me. Her outfits were horrible. I know her mommma, Tina, designs all her clothes and obviously they are going for flash and pizazz most of the time - but even Elzie - a gorgeous man who is a fan of hers said, "She shouldn't wear that" or "that one outfit really doesn't flatter her." HAHAHHA

Of course she had several costume changes, the worst being this one leotard - yes, LEOTARD (have you seen this gal's thighs and ass??) that was half nude-colored (making her from stage look naked) with strategically-placed patches of bright silver sequins and fake diamonds on her chest and big old butt. The worst is that her very toned dancers wore it, looking amazing and you couldn't help compare her and say, "deammn her legs and ass are HUUUUGEEE!" God Bless her for not giving a flying fig and trying to pull it off. Don't get me wrong - the woman has had some gorgeous moments in some videos and in the movie, "Dreamgirls" where she lost 25 pounds to beautifully show off the great period costumes, but when there is no air brushing or dieting involved and she is busting a move all over the stage with girls that weigh half her weight - well sheeit, there be a whole lotta jiggling going on. I also loved how she had across the entire front bottom of the stage very strong blowing fans that constantly kept her extensions flying wildly off her face (and kept her from sweating enormously with all that jiggling go on). Editor's note - J-Lo is a fan of this technique also- hahahaha :)
I also have to mention my recent pet peeve how everyone is jumping on the Middle Eastern belly dancing train. Columbian ex-rocker (she has sold out) Shakira can authentically do it and has trained in it since a little girl (and is half-Lebanese at least). But now everyone is doing it. I saw that pipsqueak excuse of a singer, Hilary Duff, even try it the other day on TV. Please. Well, Beyonce recently did a duet with Shakira with a fabulous video and so when she came out to perform the song (not as a duet) she came out in a belly-dancing outfit with her thong showing through the see-through material. Let's just say she ain't as petite, sexy or toned that way as the 5'1 Shakira is. Okaayyyyy????

Not to dwell on the negative, I do appreciate that she did a long medley of her Destiny Child hits (man, some of their earlier stuff was g-h-e-t-t-o!!!) She also can dance and shake it like crazy and at least sings for real in her concerts - not this lip-syncing bologna that seems to be accepted by younger and newer pop stars nowadays. Good for her - it was a very entertaining concert - I really enjoyed her energy and commitment. I can certainly recognize a lot of hard work went into it.