Hello Big Apple
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It’s summertime in the city and I got to take a mini-summer vacation by jetting off to New York City for a quick long weekend where I got lucky with the “Sex and the City” tour, got wicked with “Wicked”, visited Joey Ramone Place, played fashionista with Chanel, and relaxed in Central Park in some perfect-for-walking weather. See more on my trip HERE.
We had our own taste of New York in LA when scribe Steven Blush came to Book Soup to read from his latest book “.45 Dangerous Minds,” a collection of the most intense interviews from his famous underground magazine, “Seconds.” Steven has long been a fixture on the music scene and I first met him after the release of “American Hardcore: A Tribal History,” his definitive book on the testosterone-laden, post-punk thrash movement. Pick up his latest, which features outrageous quotes from Ron Jeremy, Ed “Big Daddy” Roth, Allen Ginsberg, Wayne Kramer, David Bowie and more.
Another New Yorker, artist Basquiat, has been packing them in at MOCA recently with select paintings from his a brief six-year career before a drug overdose took him in 1988. The exhibit spans his work that evolved from graffiti art to endearing, if-not-obsessive, displays of pop art that reflects his love of jazz and boxing, and his concern for African-American issues, as well as his much talked about work with Andy Warhol. Take the curator-led tour to get a real feel for where Basquiat was coming from and don’t miss the rare interview footage screening downstairs.
I became a punk rock couch potato while the Indie Film Channel aired Punk Rock Week with such gems as “Sid and Nancy,” “The Filth and the Fury” and the crown jewel debut of Don Letts’ “Punk Attitude,” featuring fantastic then and now footage and interviews with the pioneers of punk including Siouxsie, Paul Simonon, Legs McNeil, Jello Biafra and more. I have to say, watching how anger over the social political climate of the ‘70s spawned musicians to make their stand with music, led me to thinking, with our world such a mess today — where’s our movement? Anyone? Anyone? Long live punk rock!
Another punk worthy film release is Iggy Pop’s latest live DVD, “Live at the Avenue B,” which screened at Knitting Factory. I have to say hands down, the Iggy show at the El Rey a few years back was one my top three concerts of all time. It was great to see someone capture the spirit of his 1999 show in Belgium and watching it on the big screen was almost like being there (I repeat, almost!)
I was lucky enough to be invited to rock out to Billy Idol (thank you Budgie!) for a sold-out, two-hour set, “undiluted by an opening act” as stated on the Wiltern Theatre web site. And it was full of Idol’s classic bravado, raunchy gestures and fist pumping action with all the hits from his ‘80s heyday including “Dancing With Myself,” “Flesh For Fantasy” as well as a few memories as he announced, “Picture this – it’s 1982, I’m in the Danceteria, and I’m f*cking Madonna…” just before belting out “White Wedding.” Ah the memories! But I have to say, his new material was just as smokin’ as was his look — pushing age 50 with a full head of spiky blond locks, rock star swagger, and lean, ripped body, which he seemed to enjoy showing off to the ladies. “Ready, Steady Go” indeed!
When I wasn’t out ‘n’ about, I spent much of July tracking the Tour de France and watching Lance Armstrong “living strong” every moment. After being turned on to cycling last year, not only do I love watching the beauty of the athletes racing through the spectacular European scenery, but I’m just thrilled watching Lance thrive following his battle with cancer. And he didn’t just survive; he did something to help others. I’ve utilized his LiveStrong web site because my own family has been stricken by this horrific disease, and the support it supplies is priceless. If you or your loved ones are battling cancer, go to www.livestrong.org and take control. Thank you Lance — you rule!
Live every day like it’s your last,
K.
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