July 31, 2008

About a Girl (Getting Kicked in the Head in the Pit): Warped Tour 2008 in Pittsburgh, PA 7/29

Wow.  What a rush.

This was my first ever Warped Tour, and it was everything I expected and more.  When I finally fell into bed Tuesday night I was tired, sunburnt, had a raging headache...and I couldn't be happier.

But let's back up.

My first ever day at Warped started with a Shuttle Bus ride out to the Post Gazette Pavilion.  For those of you who don't know, it's technically not in Pittsburgh.  It's in Burgetstown.  Which is pretty much a pain to get to from the city.  Especially without a car. 

After a nervous ride and a wait for my pass at Will Call, I ended up inside the venue, wide eyed at everything around me.  It was shocking to me.  It was part fair ground, part rock show, part flea market and part something totally indescribable that both scared me and made me feel bubbly and sociable.

I checked in for performance times and then...well, that's for later.  I mean, it happened early in the day.  But it's really a surprise for later.  Trust me.

First show of the day I caught was Cobra Starship, and they were fucking amazing.  I'd seen them this past March (read my recap and watch the video that hollow1005 took without me knowing) but I was still shocked at the show they put on in almost 90 degree heat, pounding sun and with only half an hour on stage.

From Cobra I took time to wander the grounds and check out booths.  I finally got myself registered to vote, met up with the folks from Planned Parenthood who gave me awesome stickers and let me sign a petition for Wal-Mart to carry the morning after pill.  I got my political action on while getting horribly sunburnt.  Totally worth it.




I caught the Gym Class Heroes set (check out my pictures here).  I had never seen them live before and damn is Travis McCoy a showman.  And the way the man can command an audience, well...let's just say all he had to do was ask people to throw up their peace signs when, suddenly:




On top of that, Disashi shreds like a mo-fo and I think I have a new appreciation for his talent....which I always thought was impressive, but damned.



Speaking of impressive, I caught All Time Low, a band I didn't know much about, so I could grab some shots for Buzznet.  I really enjoyed what I got to see of the set.  Which wasn't much since they threw the photographers out of the pit about 3/4's of a song in.  It was an absolute mess, possibly because the band went on a bit late.  I booked it out of there pretty quick, for my own safety.

Which meant I had plenty of time to get over to the stage where The Academy Is... was scheduled.  Once again, I'd never seen them in concert, but I have now come to the conclusion that William Beckett's on-stage campiness is second only to Gerard Way's.  He commands the stage, but always moves so gracefully.  He was also awesome at interacting with the crowd, reaching out to touch the hands of the fans and grinning at them.

When I could tear my eyes off of William, I watched Adam T. Siska rock out on his Clandestine bass (make sure you come back on Monday for pictures from this set as well as a recap of my interview with Sisky Biz).  And of course, The Butcher going crazy on the drums.



My final set of the day was Bring Me the Horizon, another band I wasn't terribly familiar with.  While I can't say I was as into them as I was All Time Low, I had to admit they put on a hell of a show.  They're all over the stage, making photography a little difficult.  Well, that combined with me being very short.  And getting kicked in the head by a crowd surfer in the middle of shooting.  Still, I think my shots turned out okay.

But the heat...ugh.  I'm sorry, but in that heat, if you're charging $3.50 for a bottle of water and then not letting me have the cap to put back on it?  You suck.  You suck HARDCORE.  And yet you not only give the artists water, they get it in special cans:




Luckily, there were the soak stations.  And our friendly security guards were there to fill up water bottles for people at the front of the pit.  They also had some other methods for cooling people down.




All in all, it was totally worth it.  Like I said, I've got more for you coming up this week and next week, so stay tuned.

Oh, and also?  This girl's outfit was just flat out awesome:



Posted on 07/31/2008 4:16 PM Comments (14)

July 26, 2008

"The Umbrella Academy" Wins Eisner Award at Comic Con 2008

Gerard Way and Gabriel Ba's comic series "The Umbrella Academy" has already made waves in the comic community.  Far from being the vanity project of such celebrities as Courtney Love, Avril Lavigne and professional wrestler Kevin Nash, Way's comic garnered fantastic critical reviews, intense sales numbers (the first printing of the first issue sold out so quickly a second printing was issued less than a month later) and has already generated movie buzz, which Gerard confirmed in a recent interview.

But yesterday at the 2008 Comic Con in San Diego, CA, TUA was honored with the Eisner Award for Best Limited Series


Gerard Way talks with the awesome Blair Butler of G4's Fresh Ink

Congratulations to Gerard, Gabriel, and the entire Umbrella Academy Team.



Related Groups: BUZZMOB
Posted on 07/26/2008 7:49 AM Comments (6)

July 25, 2008

Height Difference is Fundemental!

So, I know a lot of people revisited their childhoods via Transformers last summer.  And yeah, sure, I had a few as a kid.  But growing up, I was weird.

Wait, I'm still weird.

Anyway, my father worked shifts when I was a kid and exposed me to the finer things in life. Like mid-day sci-fi/fantasy movies on cable TV.  This, my friends, is why I grew up on the movie Red Sonja.



So with the announcement of a remake, I was both excited and nervous.  Yes, remakes are bad, but dudes, RED SONJA.  I thank/blame Bridgitte Nielson in that part for the way I turned out as an adult (remember, this was before she was just that girl who was dating Flavor Flav).  Hell, I call myself "The New Age Amazon," don't I?  Granted, ironically (I'm quite short) but that's not the point.

But I was ready to see who they were casting in the leading role.  It had to be a woman of strength, I figured.  Power.  Someone who could stand beside someone like Arnold and not look miniature.  A buff beauty who could swing a sword and you KNEW she was gonna do some damage.

So they cast Rose McGowan.

...

Now, don't get me wrong.  I think Rose is a lovely woman and was a fan of her in Charmed and especially in last year's Grindhouse (which, if you haven't seen it in it's entirety, both films together with the trailers inbetween?  Go do it somehow.  Right fucking now.  I can say "fucking" because I'm talking about a Tarantino movie!) but...well...


Bridgitte Nielsen = 6' 1" (185.42 cm)


Rose McGowan = 5' 4" (162.56 cm)

You do the math, folks.  Because I am sure as hell not doing it for you.

Sadly, this gives me no hope in regards to the casting for the new Wonder Woman movie.  I'm actually fearing something along these lines.


Related Groups: Buzznet Movie World
Posted on 07/25/2008 10:24 AM Comments (9)

July 24, 2008

My Chemical Romance to Cover Bob Dylan for 'Watchmen' Movie

Right now all the hype may be about "The Dark Knight,"and rightfully so, but with ComicCon starting today it seems fitting that an announcement has been made regarding another huge superhero film ... "Watchmen."


Due in 2009, the film is based on Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons' groundbreaking graphic novel set in an alternate universe version of 1985 where nuclear war is never a far-off possibility. The limited series is acclaimed for altering the way people looked at comics, and is the only graphic novel to ever win the Hugo Award.

It has a huge fan following. My Chemical Romance frontman Gerard Way recently named it to a list of his Top 10 All-Time Favorite Graphic Novels, stating: "This is the first graphic novel I tell people to read if they are slightly unfamiliar with comics, and it is the graphic novel that changed the way I thought about superheroes and mainstream comics. I often refer to 'Watchmen' as a gateway drug because that's exactly what I think about it. It's the one graphic novel that leads you to more cerebral, "outside-thinking" works. In suggesting this first to people, I realized that it actually does help to have an understanding or nostalgia for traditional superhero works, because that's exactly what it deconstructs."

So it's only fitting that My Chemical Romance will be contributing a song to the film version's soundtrack, as "Watchmen" director Zack Snyder revealed to MTV.com today.


Dear MCR: Gimme new promo shots or I'll photoshop your heads onto the Pussycat Dolls.

The band is set to cover a song by Bob Dylan, but no definite song choice has been announced. We do know where the song will fit into the film, however. As MTV.com reports: "The track will close out the film, and will be the only modern composition making up the movie's soundtrack. I've talked with him and I've heard a little bit of some stuff that's he's done ... and it's pretty freaking cool," Snyder exclaimed.

Pretty freaking cool, indeed.



In 2006, My Chemical Romance's "To the End" was featured on the "Underworld: Evolution" soundtrack. Speaking of movies, rumor has it that Way's popular comic book, The Umbrella Academy, may become a movie in the near future.

What do you think? Can MCR pull off covering Dylan?


Related Groups: Buzznet Movie World
Posted on 07/24/2008 12:25 PM Comments (25)

Late Night Double Feature Remake From Hell

So MTV films, the same people about to bring us the tour de force picture Twilight (note: this is sarcasm.  After seeing the latest trailer I've come to assume that the effects budget was mostly spent on body glitter and bad wigs which left approximately $7.46 for stunts), has decided that what the world really needs is more remakes.

Like The Rocky Horror Picture Show.



Okay, MTV Films.  STOP RIGHT NOW. 

Rock Horror is a cult classic.  Half the fun of the film is that it's cheesey and B-movie like.  We don't need a remake with Justin Timberlake playing Rocky (not a real casting rumor, just the assumption Ari and I have made).  In fact, Rocky Horror has been proudly cemented on my list of "Films You Should Never, Ever Remake Under Penalty of Death."  Along with Ghostbusters and The Princess Bride.

Though I'm sure MTV or someone else will be announcing intentions to remake at least one of those within the next year.

Can we please, PLEASE stop with the remakes?  Look, I know you're worried about movie going audiences not paying for films, especially with internet piracy being such a concern.  But here's an idea: make better movies.  Consumers are not stupid.  If you keep handing us crap, we will refuse to pay for your crap when we can get it for free somewhere else.  Make movies the way they should be made: for the big screen.  Make us want to sit in a theatre for crying out loud!  And stop charging me $10 for a box of snowcaps.  I like them, I just don't like them THAT MUCH.

And consumers?  STOP PAYING FOR CRAPPY MOVIES.  Just stop.  I'm not saying that the only things you need to see are Emmy worthy films about tea cozies, hell, Blue Crush and The Fast and the Furious are among my top 10 favorites of all time.  But come on, there are movies you see in theatres, movies you rent later, and movies you need to consume ridiculous amounts of alcohol to get through.  Please learn the difference and choose wisely.

As for you, Hollywood, I know you're currently wringing your hands trying to figure out how to top The Dark Knight, which appears to have redefined the ideal of the action film...really, movies in general.  It's made $200 million in 5 days.  5.  So now you've got to try to figure out how to live up to that.

Here's a hint: it doesn't involve sticking someone else into Tim Curry's fishnets and heels.  There are original scripts that might suit your needs.

Oh, right.  That means you'd have to stop treating your writers like shit.  Never mind.

Related Groups: Buzznet Movie World
Posted on 07/24/2008 9:39 AM Comments (16)

July 22, 2008

The Cab's Alex DeLeon: Inspiration, Patrick Stump and Refridgerators

With an infectious fusion of rock, funk and pop, The Cab are set to be a breakout act.  After getting their demo to fellow Las Vegas native Spencer Smith, drummer for Panic at the Disco, the band found themselves signed to Decaydance records.  Since then they've opened for Cobra Starship on the Really Really Ridiculously Good Looking tour (check out my photos from the date at Diesel in Pittsburgh!) and then We the Kings on the Long Hair, Don't Care tour before releasing their album Whisper War.  In the middle of this buzz, lead singer Alex DeLeon did a short interview with Popeater.com.



In the interview, DeLeon reveals that while he was in high school he would drive from Las Vegas to LA for gigs and then back again so he could be in class the next morning.  He mentions how going from being a high school student in a band to a professional musician inspired The Cab's music.  He also brings up the band's desire to write hopeful music rather than the more depressing fair offered up by a number of other modern bands.

DeLeon also cites Fall Out Boy vocalist, rhythm guitarist and tiny musical genius Patrick Stump as a professional role model of sorts.  In his own words, he praises Stump by saying "I could only hope to have half the impact that he has had and half the career that he has created for himself."

And ladies, you know they say the way to a man's heart is through his stomach.  So what sort of food should you be considering if you want to woo DeLeon?  Well, he claims "I am the most unhealthy eater alive, and I probably have the most clogged arteries of any 19-year-old in the world." 

Yes, Singer.  But those are amazingly talented clogged arteries.

The Cab is currently supporting The Hush Sound on the Dance Across the Country tour.  Whisper War is currently available in stores.  You can also watch the band's video for "One of THOSE Nights" featuring Patrick Stump and Panic at the Disco's Brendon Urie. 

Read the entire Popeater column and interview here.

Related Groups: The Cab Crew
Posted on 07/22/2008 5:56 AM Comments (2)

July 17, 2008

HI. THIS IS ME OFFICIALLY CALLING OUT PEREZ HILTON

So, for awhile, Ari and I have been slowly but surely trying to provoke Perez Hilton.  In that "itching powder in his boxers" sort of way.

Sorry, Ari.  Now is the time where I'm going to approach that attention whoring snake and beat the fucker with a big stick to agitate him.  Because the time has come.

Perez, I stopped reading your site on a regular basis awhile ago.  Because it seemed to me you had the sense of humor, not to mention the IQ, of a 14-year-old boy.  Wait, let me correct that.  Your average 14-year-old boy, I've known some mature 14-year-olds in my time.

Do you know what the word "sycophant" means, Perez?  It means someone who kisses someone else's ass entirely because it is in their own self interest.  Because it will get them further in life, because it will get them a reward, like more status...or e-fame.  We all do it occasionally, sometimes a little ass kissing is a good thing.  But Perez, you are not just a sycophant, you are a backstabbing asshole.

Pete Wentz has supported you in a lot of ways.  He's hung out with you and appeared on MTV with you.

And you've now turned around and accused him of being an attention whore during an incident where he was attempting to protect his pregnant wife and their unborn child from overly-aggressive paparazzi.

Nice friendship thar, Perez.

But I wouldn't expect anything else from you, really.  You're the sort who writes an entire article accusing Trace Cyrus of Metro Station of being transphobic because of his feud with Jeffree Star.  Except that the feud was over shit Star has said about Trace's girlfriend and at no point did Cyrus say anything in reference to Jeffree Star's apparent gender dysphoria.  But you still tried to paint him as a bigot, despite the fact that in this situation both parties are behaving stupidly.  But only one of them has been caught on camera uttering racial slurs.

But what's more important here is that, on the exact same day, you turned around and used "tranny" as an insult towards Brooke Hogan.

Wow, Perez!  Your utter hypocrisy astounds me!  No, really.  How do you fucking justify it?  Oh, I'm guessing with continuing undeserved e-fame, sourceless "rumors," starting feuds with celebrities with actual talent (sorry, but Lily Allen owned your unattractive ass) and that priceless talent of altering celebrity pictures in MS Paint.  Plus, your ability to project your issues with your sexuality and fame whoring onto everyone else in Hollywood.  Kudos, man.  You have proven yourself to be beyond a shadow of a doubt an utter waste of time and space.

Oh, and one more thing?  You called the Black Canary a ho.  There's this funny thing called "research" Perez.  Black Canary does dress like that, yes.  She's also one of the strongest martial artists in the DC Universe.  She's a superheroine.  Anyone who attempted to solicit her would quickly find their head buried in their ass almost as far as yours is.

You're tempting me to ask DC to give you more undeserved fame in a special comic entitled "Perez Hilton Meets the Black Canary."  Where in you run a rumors site about superheroes.  And you run a story about "lesbian activity in the Birds of Prey" (her former team affiliation, try to keep up).  And then she shows up and beats the ever living fuck out of you. 

I really feel it would be one of their top sellers.  All proceeds would go towards women's shelters.  Because, you know, you're so sensitive to women's issues.





Posted on 07/17/2008 6:19 AM Comments (18)

July 16, 2008

Rap and Rock and Roll: A Match Made in Heaven

So since it was reported that Fall Out Boy has collaborated with T.I. on a song that may or may not appear on his next album Paper Trail, I've seen numerous out cries of "OMG!  WHY ARE THEY DOING RAP MUSIC?!  THEY'RE NOT A RAP GROUP!  I HATE RAP!"



And it hurts my soul, folks.  Well, not really, but some of my research has shown that using that particular phrase may aid in getting people to stop saying things you don't want to hear.

It is upsetting though because rap and rock and roll have a decent history of mixing with each other.  From samples to full out collaborations, the two genres borrow from each other on a regular basis.  Don't believe me?  Here's some of the highlights.

Run DMC ft. Aerosmith "Walk This Way"

When Run DMC, one of the most influential rap groups in history, remixed Aerosmith's classic hit "Walk This Way" they got the band involved.  Steven Tyler and Joe Perry even appear prominently in the classic and iconic video for the song, where the wall between rap and rock was symbolically knocked down.

The classic collab was revisted at the MTV Video Music Awards in 1999, when Aerosmith and Run DMC joined Kid Rock (a genre crossing artist in and of himself with his mix of rap, funk and southern rock) to perform an update of the song.

Eminem's "Stan"

Controversial artist Eminem sampled a then-largely-unknown-in-the-US artist by the name of Dido for his single about an obsessed fan.  Dido also appeared in the video for the song as the pregnant girlfriend of the song's title character (played by Devon Sawa).

But perhaps the more shocking collaboration on the song was when Eminem (who was under fire for supposedly homophobic lyrics) performed the song at the 2001 Grammy awards with Sir Elton John, who is not only openly gay but a gay rights activist and icon.

Eminem also sampled Aerosmith's "Dream On" for his song "Sing for the Moment."

Public Enemy and Anthrax "Bring the Noise"

Public Enemy's music is often political in nature and they are known for their social commentary and involvement.

Anthrax is one of the best known thrash metal bands in the world.

Both bands have been together and putting out music since the early 1980's and have influenced a great number of artists both within their genre and within others.

So of course they collaborated on a song.

The Offspring ft. Redman "Original Prankster"

Like them or hate them, you can't deny The Offspring's influence on punk music, especially modern pop-punk.  From classic hits like "Self Esteem" and "Come out and Play" to their concept album Americana which spawned hits like "Pretty Fly for a White Guy" it seemed like they had covered all their bases.

However, for their 2003 album Splinter, the group teamed up with rapper Redman for a song entitled "Original Prankster" which became their first single from the album.

Linkin Park and Jay-Z Collision Course

With more and more people able to access digital mixing software on their home PC's we came into an age of homemade mash-ups.  For example, a mash-up of Kelly Clarkson's "Behind These Hazel Eyes" and the Led Zepplin classic "The Immigrant Song."  No, really.

But when you're Jay-Z, you don't sit around and wait for somebody with Garageband to mash up your music.  You get together with Linkin Park and put out an entire album of mash-ups, including a fantastic mix of "Numb" and "Encore."  Check it out.  Also, a three song mix of "Points of Authority," "99 Problems" and "One Step Closer."

Timbaland ft. Fall Out Boy "One and Only"

For their album Infinity on High, Fall Out Boy worked with hip hop greats Jay-Z and Babyface.  They also had their lead single "This Ain't a Scene, It's an Arms Race" remixed by THE man in hip hop today, Kanye West.

But they took it one stop further and collaborated on a song with Timbaland entitled "One and Only."  While singer Patrick Stump had worked on songs with hip hop artists in the past (including semi-hip hop, semi-rock, semi-something else label mates Gym Class Heroes) this time the entire band was along for the ride to perform a verse in the song as well as it's catchy hook.

Now we're headed into the future with the Fall Out Boy/T.I. collaboration as well as talk of Panic at the Disco getting ready to work with Snoop Dogg after performing his hit Gin and Juice on stage in Germany as well as on the premier episode of F'N MTV.  So for those of you dreading the idea of Fall Out Boy's image or music being tarnished by working with hip-hop, rap or R&B stars?  Look, they aren't the first to do it.  They sure as hell won't be the last.

And maybe you should think about giving hip-hop or R&B another chance.  Just like every other genre of music there's a ton of variety and you never know, you just might find something you like.  Keep an open mind.  It doesn't hurt.

Much.

A special thanks to everyone who helped me gather links and song suggestions for this post.  You guys all fucking rock.

Related Groups: BUZZMOB
Posted on 07/16/2008 6:29 AM Comments (10)

July 15, 2008

New My Chemical Romance Contest: Create a Playlist and Win!

So in case you haven't yet heard, there's a new contest to win one of the last ten limited edition copies of My Chemical Romance's live CD and DVD The Black Parade is Dead.



The contest is being run through IMEEM and encourages you to make your own My Chem playlist...complete with your explanations of why you picked each song.  Sadly, there's nothing from I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love to choose from (I really wanted to include "Early Sunsets Over Monroeville" on my list and couldn't), but there's a ton of live, unreleased and bonus tracks.

So head on over, read the official rules, and enter.

Oh, and if you would, check out my entry (embedded below).  I'd greatly appreciate it!


NewAgeAmazons Contest Entry
Related Groups: BUZZMOB
Posted on 07/15/2008 7:20 AM Comments (1)

July 14, 2008

Pete Wentz Talks New Fall Out Boy Record, Writing Lyrics and Collaborating with TI

Pete Wentz has done a lot of talking about the new Fall Out Boy album ... and he recently revealed to Rolling Stone that he and Patrick Stump have been spending the summer working hard on tracks for the record. More.

Posted on 07/14/2008 4:56 PM Comments (26)

July 11, 2008

Fall Out Boy 2008 UK Tour Dates Released

After an abnormally quiet summer (well, for some band members, at least), Fall Out Boy has announced their first tour dates since they wrapped last year's Young Wild Things Tour which also included Gym Class Heroes, currently on the road with the Vans Warped Tour.

Where will they tour?

Posted on 07/11/2008 11:26 AM Comments (27)

Pete Wentz Writing Lullabies?

Last we heard of Fall Out Boy's follow up album to their hit Infinity on High, Pete Wentz said that the band would be drawing inspiration from rockers AC/DC, adding to the list of other artists he'd already name dropped (Oasis, The Smiths, Iggy Pop). 

But now, in an interview with Ryan Seacrest on KIIS-FM, Pete has talked about his writing now that he and wife Ashlee Simpson-Wentz are expecting their first child.

It's affected my perspective on the world. I care less about stupid things, petty feuds," Wentz said.
-source

We became aware of Fall Out Boy's collective global focuse last year when they traveled to Uganda with Invisible Children.  While in the war torn country, the band recorded a video for their song "I'm Like a Lawyer With the Way I'm Always Trying to Get You Off (Me and You)" focusing on the struggles of the Ugandan people.  But now it seems the Wentz's writing is being driven in a different direction.

I can't help but wonder, with Pete's new take on writing and with the mentioning of Oasis as inspiration (consider their songs "Wonderwall" and "The Masterplan") does this mean that Pete and Fall Out Boy's resident musical genius Patrick Stump could be working on something vaguely like a lullaby for their new album? 

Only time will tell.  But if Pete's already saying things like “It’s like making a record, but knowing you’re going to mix it for the next 18 years of your life," then I really can't wait to hear what else he's got to say.



Pete, Ashlee, and Pear Liberal Studies Wentz out and looking happy in LA.

Posted on 07/11/2008 7:07 AM Comments (3)

July 10, 2008

HE'S NOT DEAD YET!

GERARD WAY IS COMPLETELY AND UTTERLY ALIVE.

I thought the sparkles might help get your attention.

Look, there's a lot of rumors going around right now.  But they're totally fake.  A bunch of people at a well known website called 4chan (I'm not linking you there and I suggest you don't visit it, I care too much for your sanity) decided to try and screw with My Chemical Romance fans.

The "news reports" and Facebook posts are not true.  Wikipedia was briefly edited but has been corrected and locked to prevent future editing.  No reputable news source has or will report this...because it's not true.  Keep in mind, it says that Gerard died near his home in New Jersey, but recently in the Umbrella Academy Trade Paperback Gerard identified his hometown as Los Angeles.  He has also been keeping a lower profile while going on and off tour with his wife Lyn-Z of Mindless Self Indulgence who are currently in the UK.  So Gerard may not even be in the US at this moment.

THE SAME THING HAS BEEN PLANNED FOR PETE WENTZ.  So any reports of either of their deaths are totally made up.  Please tell your friends.  And don't ask Mark/panasonicyouth what's going on.  He doesn't know.

Posted on 07/10/2008 12:56 PM Comments (39)

CROSSPOSTED FROM MY INSANEJOURNAL: Dissecting the Twilight cover of Entertainment Weekly:

Please be warned.  The cover is below.  I'm assuming from the cover shoot that hints are being given as to the events in Breaking Dawn.  As per Meyer's insane requests, I'm warning you and preparing to have this blog removed:

Image and video hosting by TinyPic

-The most important thing here is that Edward Cullen has, apparently, contacted the T-Virus.

-This implies that Bella Swann will discover that the evil vampires from the first three books were actually working to prepare Forks to become the new headquarters of Umbrella who is working with vampires in exchange for their DNA.

-Bella will discover how special she really is.  Rogue scientists, working under the direction of Alice Janus, created her as an experiment using information from Project Alice and DNA from Rain Ocampo:Image and video hosting by TinyPic
Bella is meant to act as a sleeper agent, luring in the vampires so that they can be destroyed.  When activated she will cease being the dumb as fuck character we are familiar with and will instead instantly recall the military and survival training that was "programmed" into her brain during her creation.

-The Apple is obviously a reference to the cure that Bella will help recover...but will be not be able to administer to Edward in time.  She will be forced to use her training and skills to defeat him when he becomes a vampire-zombie hybrid.

SORRY FOR THE SPOILERS, SMEYER!  But really, that cover made it PAINFULLY obvious!

EDIT: The amazing skintight has shared this with us:




Posted on 07/10/2008 6:02 AM Comments (18)

July 8, 2008

A Rallying Cry Against Stupid Helmets

So RedEye, a subsection of the Chicago Tribune, is having a tournament to find the Best Superhero Ever.  The first round matches are ending on Friday and I'm taking this chance to put out a rallying cry.

I don't care if you vote more than once in the entire thing.  I don't care if even like the other superheroes or heroines involved.  The only thing I care about is this:

BUFFY SUMMERS MUST NOT LOSE TO THOR.

She'll try the charming thing once.  Then, she'll just beat a vote out of you.  But some of you might like that.


Yeah, sure, he's the God of Thunder and all that.  Good for him.  But Thor, you total N00B, Buffy has beaten gods before!


A crazy, shoe obsessed Hellgod is STILL technically a god.

And so you've got a helmet.  Big damned deal.  Buffy's got trendy yet afforadable boots.  So why don't you just take your little hammer, turn around, and go back to Asgard, hm? 

Besides, if Buffy wins we get Buffy versus Batman in the next round.  And tell me that's not fucking awesome!

SO GO!  VOTE BUFFY!  FOR TRUTH!  AND JUSTICE!  AND PUPPIES!



Related Groups: Buffonia, oh my joss!
Posted on 07/08/2008 12:44 PM Comments (3)

False Start Covers Katy Perry

One of Buzznet's own, False Start, has lent their own twist to Katy Perry's bisexual experimentation and/or drunken sorority girl-esque attention whoring anthem "I Kissed a Girl."  The cover can currently be found on their Myspace and, according to a bulletin the band sent around, will be featured as part of Buzznet's MPFree program next week.

The band's album Through the Looking Glass will be released on July 21st and is currently available for pre-order here.




Posted on 07/08/2008 5:36 AM Comments (0)

July 7, 2008

IT'S A SIMPLE CASE OF RANDOM!

Hey!  So you remember awhile back when I posted these pictures?




That's my friend Random and her dreads, part of the stock over at her online store The Cobbler Magpie on Etsy.  And now, she's got a Buzznet to show off her stuff and interact with the rest of us here.  So go check her out to stay updated on what's in her shop and what cons she'll be attending (she does Artists Alley at a few local anime cons).  And add her, dammit!  ADD HER!


Posted on 07/07/2008 7:06 PM Comments (5)

Bring Me the Horizon Announce European Tour Dates

Bring Me the Horizon just won't stop in 2008.  Which is far from a bad thing, at least for their dedicated fans.  Already this year they've toured constantly, taking time to hit up the European festival circuit, including Geleen, Summer Blast, Graspop and Eastpak Etnika, and in July and August they'll be appearing on the Vans Warped Tour in the US. 

Where will BMTH show up next?


Posted on 07/07/2008 9:45 AM Comments (5)

The Big Twilight Question:

Edward Cullen "died" at the age of 17, right?  And has been physically 17 for almost 100 years. 


DAZZLE ME HARDER, RPATZ!  UNF UNF UNF!


Think about your average 17 year old boy.  Even your above average 17 year old boy.

Actually, I really think it was said best in that GOOD teenage vampire series by Joss Whedon:

Cordelia: Do guns make you wanna have sex?
Xander: I'm 17, linoleum makes me wanna have sex.

Okay, so we know that Edward hasn't felt ANYTHING for ANYONE until Bella.  And because in Meyer's universe, love and sex are equated and having sex without true love and marriage is BAD, NAUGHTY, WRONG, TERRIBLE, CANDLE SALAD, this implies Edward Cullen is more than likely a virgin.

LOL 100 year old virgin.  They really should have gotten Steve Carell to play the part in the movie.


Hey, Carell dazzles me, you tasteless plebes!  Just check out his glistening topaz orbs!

But besides that, Meyer's projected morality on the books is obvious.  Sex hurts women, you don't do it until after you're married, it's scary bad-wrong and icky icky icky.

So does that extend to masturbation?

In other words, is Smeyer REALLY trying to convince me that someone who has been a 17 year old boy for over 100 years has really NEVER FLOGGED HIS DOLPHIN?  Edward has never beat his meat, shook hands with little Eddie, pet his ferret, played with his willie? 

COME ON.

I can suspend disbelief when it comes to vampires.  Unfortunely, as many young Twilight fans have shown me, I don't have to suspend disbelief when it comes to a woman being stupid and spineless enough to stay in an extremely emotionally abusive relationship just because he's OMG so hawt and says he loves you when it's all over. 

Am I hurting your soul, Stephers?  Want me to twist the knife deeper by saying that Bella is your blantant and poorly written Mary Sue and that your little scene where Bella hit Jacob and broke her hand was basically saying women shouldn't defend themselves from unwanted sexually advances because it'll hurt them more in the end?  What the fuck was Bella supposed to do, Steph?  Lie back and think of *dazzle?*

But anyway, I can suspend disbelief so far.  But I cannot truly believe that anyone, male or female, who is physically 17 for that long could really have gone 100 years without masturbating.

And Bella, I know you're not real, but here's a suggestion: buy a vibrator.  They make glittery ones.  It'll probably be better for you than your first time with Edward.  'Cause if he's gone that long, well, let me put it this way: you'll be humming Missy Elliot's "One Minute Man" for the next three weeks.

Posted on 07/07/2008 5:58 AM Comments (15)

July 2, 2008

Root, Root, Root for The Cab Guys!

With July 4th right around the corner, it seems like an awesome time to talk about America's past time, baseball!

*crickets chirp*

Okay, okay.  I'd rather watch soccer, too.  But stay with me here.

From ESPN.com:

Baseball fans remember 1908 as the year the Chicago Cubs last won the World Series. But it was also memorable for another reason: "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" was born. To commemorate the 100-year anniversary of baseball's most famous tune, "Baseball Tonight" had nine popular musical artists record a rendition of the song.

And who's on that list?  Why, none other than those awesome up and comers, The Cab.  They're up against artists like REO Speedwagon and Gretchen Wilson, so it's stiff competition.  But come on, let's at least see if we can get the boys into the top three, if not help them bring home the pennant!



See, it's a baseball reference.  You know, World Series?  Oh, dammit.  You didn't get it.  I'm gonna cry.





;_;
Related Groups: BUZZMOB, The Cab Crew
Posted on 07/02/2008 8:11 AM Comments (4)

I Can't Tell If This is Offensive Or Just Stupid

According to Dlisted, Benji Madden of Good Charlotte has announced his intentions to get a tattoo of current girlfriend Paris Hilton.  Believe it or not, that's not the part that made me go O_o.  I mean, getting a tattoo of your girlfriend is fairly dumb in my humble opinion (I don't believe in even getting names tattooed on you unless they are the names of someone close to you who is deceased as a memorial, or the names of your children), but it's really nothing offensive, even considering who his girlfriend is.



It was this quote from Hilton herself that made me go "Wait, what?"

"He is going to get one of me but he won't let me get one. He doesn't like tattoos on women. He thinks I look pure."

...okay, so let's get the Hilton-centric ranting out of the way.  One: PURE, Benji?  PURE?  Did you miss the jail time and sex tape?  Two: Benji, you are aware she already had a tattoo at one point that she's since had removed, right?  It was the name of her boyfriend at the time, Nick Carter of the Backstreet Boys.  See, kids, this is why you don't get your boyfriend or girlfriend's name tattooed on your body.  Because there are these messy things called "break ups."

But let's get right down to what set me off.  "...he won't let me get one." 

Which brings up a whole NEW set of problems.

Like the idea of cultural double standards for body art on men and women's bodies.  I've run into it before from guy friends who basically used the same argument.  "I don't like the idea of a woman's body being defiled like that, but look at the sweetass skull I got on my chest!"  And yes, we can get into physiological and biological differences in the male and female body, but not one of those differences explains why a woman shouldn't have a tattoo.  Which brings us to...

...the cultural stereotype of women as something "pure."  The female body does just as many gross things as the male body, and a few tricks that are all our own.  And I have to wonder, if Benji Madden thinks women are so "pure" what does he think about menstruation?  See, this is where the problem tends to come in: a woman is pure until she starts bleeding from her crotch.  Then she's unclean for about a week before returning to purity again.  If you're going to claim the female body is pure, then you've gotta claim all of it's fun little quirks are pure too. Including visits from our Aunt Flo.

Finally, the idea that men have sovereignty over the bodies of their wives and girlfriends.  That they have the right to just say "No, you can't do that to YOUR body."  It's one thing when a guy says "I'd rather you don't, and here's why.  But it's your choice."  Hell, even if he leaves off that "your choice" thing it's better than this.  But Benji is making it clear that Paris's body is his territory and he can tell her what she can and can't do with it...and Paris is going along with it just fine.

And that's what kicks me in the gut.  I don't ever look to Paris Hilton as a bastion of feminism, but like my issues with Twilight I don't see this sort of thing in the media as a cause.  I see it as a reflection of where society is.  Women still allowing men to basically own their bodies because it's just what girls are supposed to do is really disgusting.  That a woman like Paris who is, for whatever reason, independently wealthy and could walk away from Benji without a thought and still be set for life would let someone order her around like that.

Ladies, I know we know better than this.  Relationships should be built on a platform of equality, of both parties entering into it as joint partners,.  That's not to say men can't be stereotypically masculine and women can't be stereotypically feminine, that's not saying that traditional gender roles are wrong for everyone.  It's just saying that both partners need to understand the expectations of the other, you need to be able to talk about things like this as equals, weigh each other's opinions.  And when it comes to matters of the body, be it body modification, surgery or choice issues, while both of you can express an opinion, it comes down to the owner of the body to make the final call.  There is no right or wrong choice, there's just your choice.  But it should be YOURS.

Oh, and Benji?  If you really don't think a girl should have tats, you might want to change the lyrics to your band's song "Riot Girl:"

She's got
Tattoos
And piercings
She likes Minor Threat, she likes Social Distortion

Might I suggest:

She's got
tiny dogs
and no shame
she hates big words and house arrest bracelets?

Posted on 07/02/2008 5:50 AM Comments (8)

July 1, 2008

New Umbrella Academy

Hey, heads up!  Tomorrow, July 2nd, a new Umbrella Academy story will be running on the Myspace Dark Horse Presents page, free of charge!

Supposedly the story is set to revolve around Vanya and Diego/The Kraken in their teenage years.  While we saw a little bit of the younger versions of the members of the team in the free comic book day issue, this issue will supposedly explore their background a little more and help show us more of why Vanya and Diego were so close in The Apocalypse Suite (now available in trade paperback.  Have I shilled enough for this damned thing yet?).

So check it out.  And take some time to look over some of the other titles, like Sugarshock by Joss Whedon (Buffy: The Vampire Slayer, Astonishing X-Men).

EDIT: So, due to timestamps being vague on a message sent out by DHP, I can't tell if the new issue launches today or tomorrow.  It's possible that July 2nd will be a day of celebration, or that Dark Horse, like The Rumor, is a LYING LIAR OF LIES!

However, the message also warned for us to watch for updates on the next Umbrella Academy series next month, AND promised a sneak peek at Joss Whedon's new project, an online horror film called "Doctor Horrible's Sing Along Blog."  It stars Neil Patrick Harris.  Need I say more?

EDIT THE SECOND: I heard a rumor that it's gone live!

Posted on 07/01/2008 1:53 PM Comments (1)
ARCHIVE
What If I Wanted to Break?
Look In My Eyes...
Smoke
MY FRIENDS


Newageamazon's Journal Widgets:
RSS - ATOM - JavaScript
Buzz Feed