Hype! 1996

Hype! Is a 1996 documentary documenting the rise of the Seattle Grunge scene during the late 1980's and early 1990's. It follows a community of musicians who, with their grass-roots approach to both recording, performing and producing music were able to create a music movement of their own. Grunge was the answer to a generation that defied commercialism and capitalist values, to the kids of grunge, anything 'mainstream' sucked and independently organised music production "ruled" no matter how shit bad the quality.
However, as grunge music gained popularity within the youth culture of the 90s, capitalist forces demanded their own slice of the success and thus many original grunge bands found themselves and their friends becoming exploited by the very system they were ideologically against.

The film features rare concert footage and rad interviews of TAD, Mudhoney, Nirvana, Soundgarden, Coffin Break, The Gits, Love Battery, Flop, The Melvins, Mono Men, Supersuckers, Zipgun, Seaweed, Pearl Jam, 7 Year Bitch, Hovercraft, Gas Huffer and Fastbacks.

More Cowbell SNL skit

Blue Oyster Cult parody on Saturday Night Live  featuring Christopher Walken... so amazing

"I got a fever, and the only prescription is more cowbell"

George Brassai

I'm currently reading 'Spy in the House of Love' By Anais Nin. I had been meaning to read Anais Nin's romantic novels for a while as I had recently completed devouring her book on philosophy entitlted 'Book of the future'. I stumbled upon the book whilst perousing my friend Kecilli's fabulous book collection and instantly became drawn to the book cover..

What mainly drew me to this photograph are the angles in particular. The way the photograph taken on an angle, subtly revealing a portion of mirror that hints to the man's expression otherwise unrevealed. The woman's head is angled upwards, her gaze is both coyly seducing yet powerfully assertive, it's almost as if she is 'looking down' on the man who is drawn into her alluring expression. There's no question as to why this image was chosen as the cover for the book, the photograph was taken in the 20s at a time when female empowerment flourished socially and politically and this essence of the power of women is particularly reflected in Nin's work.

Upon closer inspection, written in fine line at the back of the book cover was the name Brassai. Brassai was a hungarian born photographer, who later attained a french citizenship. He was part of the generation of prolific artists,writers and poets living in Paris in the 20s and his contemporaries comprised of Picasso, Salvador Dali, Henry Miller, Man Ray and Hemingway. Brassai had been living in Paris where he had been painting and drawing. In fact when he decided to adopt photography, Picasso famously discouraged Brassai and warned he was "giving up his gold mine of painting for a salt mine of photography"

Brassai was particularly inspired by the dazzling streets of Paris at night and organised a collection of photographs entitled Paris de Nuit. His collection of images taken in the early 30s perfectly encapsulate a period lost in time. Paris in the 30s with it's fascinating array of prostitutes, pimps, madams, transvestites and assorted 'cold-eye pleasure-seekers' all woven together to create an atmosphere of seamless beauty and hedonism.

Apparently,Brassai was unhappy with the results of his photographs depicting Paris. I suppose a city as spellbinding as Paris would be hard to encapsulate in mere images... 

thanks and thanks

Lust 4 Life

Iggy Pop performing Lust for Life at the white room IN SHEER PANTS. I love everything about this, even the outfits and hair of the dancing girls!!

Iggy Pop

i just felt like my blog needed some nude Iggy Pop. BTW does anyone know where I can see any footage of his live performances naked? I know they exist! I just can't find any >.< 

In the meantime here is some Ewan Mcgregor channeling Lou Reed/Iggy pop from VELVET GOLDMINE

I really need to stop falling in love with film characters.. it's a flaw.

I'll do an in depth post about my recent infatuation with Velvet Goldmine soon.. so watch it! and be prepared!

Fusion presents: Tully and Wendy Saddington

This footage of Tully and Wendy Saddington performing sometime in Australia in the 60s.

I really love the Hey Joe cover, the funky hair and make up and the incredible psychedelic projections behind them. It's really cool to find this relic of Australian music history. I really love how Australia was able to embrace European and American Psychedelic rock culture and create something for themselves. However, when I think about music and art genres specific to Australia, I can only think of AC/DC pub rock and it's unfortunate to think that the majority of our home-grown culture still heavily relies on international influence.

Winehouse

Amy playing naked at a function raising awareness for Breast Cancer in 2007 

All this funk being played on the radio now is so amazing

Late night heart-broken funk playlists, sooth my burning soul

Latest embroidery

the text is actually green!