Saturday, August 24, 2013

Song Saturday: Before The MTV VMA's & Music Completely Died

This blog was originally published on Blogster August 24, 2013.



How's it going my hybrid Blogsterians? I have been taking it easy on my end compared to last week. I don't know how many of you know this but tomorrow night, MTV will be airing their VMA's

Now, if you are as old as I am (if not older), you remember when MTV aired music videos 24/7. Over the last 4-9 years, MTV has become a major shell of itself. The network is saturated with Reality TV Shows about bratty teenage sluts, who don't know how to use birth control, down our throats. What's worse is MTV loves glorifying teen pregnancy, no thanks to the current management of the network. It's amazing how they can still keep the name "MTV," when they barely show MUSIC TELEVISION anymore.

Last year, the MTV VMA's were a joke. Anytime the artists, who were nominated, barely knew each other, you know the network has gone downhill. These last 2-4 years, I've had to literally YouTube artists and groups, who were nominated for each category. 

If I didn't know any better, I would swear the MTV VMA's have become the next Teen Choice Awards, where you barely know, who the entertainers are. The last time there was a good VMA was in 2003. 

2003 was the year before everyone in Hollywood became pretentious, self-righteous, wannabe political activists just like Rage Against The Machine by condemning our last president in almost every album they released. 

The last 4-9 years have also been swarming with mostly tone deaf, talentless hacks like Rihanna and Katy Perry, to only name 2 examples.

1999 ended the '90s and the 20th Century with historic MTV VMA performances. The 1999 MTV VMA's had a decent variety of Pop, Rock, Hip-Hop, Rap, and R&B.   

Music as a whole was still fairly decent in 2003. Soon, music and entertainment in general took HUGE nosedives by 2004. With that being said, I decided to make this Song Saturday blog an MTV VMA Special, before MTV and music overall completely died. These were the performances I enjoyed during 1999 and 2003:

1) I used to really like Kid Rock, during my teenage years. That was until he ruined Metallica's "Sad But True" and turned it into "American Bad Ass." I also lost respect for Kid Rock the moment he broke Guy Code. He stole a skanky, porn star/former groupie like Pamela Anderson away from Tommy Lee. Considering that those 2 were friends and collaborated together on songs, that was just low.

Kid Rock [Featuring Run D.M.C. & Aerosmith] "Bawitdaba"/"Walk This Way" 1999 MTV VMA's

2) I really enjoyed the 1999 MTV VMA's. At that time, Rock Music still had a place on the network. Old School KoRn won their very first Moon Man and those of us in high school during 1999 had a chance to watch Johnny Depp present Nine Inch Nails' performance of "The Fragile", which made it even better. For some of us, that was like hitting The Jackpot. Watching both Johnny Depp AND  Trent Reznor on stage together at once definitely had me squealing like a schoolgirl on the inside. 

Nine Inch Nails "The Fragile" 1999 MTV VMA's

3) TLC performing their song, "No Scrubs" was another favorite. The trio was in a sense, forced to lip-synch most of their performance because it is difficult trying to do major dancing, while singing. Talk about being winded. The best part of TLC's performance was at the end. 

The soon to be late Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes, took the center of the stage and began rapping. The audience went INSANE once they started playing a sample of 2 Live Crew's "Too Much Booty In Da Pants." I'd like to see that stupid, spoiled brat, Miley Cyrus try twerking her scrawny ass to some 2 Live Crew.

Prince Introduces TLC "No Scrubs/Too Much Booty Medly" 1999 MTV VMA's

 
For some reason, this performance is suddenly muted in the YouTube video above. Below is the unmuted version of TLC's performance. 
 
The Unmuted Performance

The 2000 and 2001 MTV VMA's had some decent performances as well. Meanwhile, I barely even watched it in 2002 because it mostly sucked. 2003 slightly redeemed the MTV VMA's.

4) The 2003 MTV VMA's is highly remembered for Madonna, Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, and Missy Elliott's opening performance. 

The moment their performance began, there was a lot of tension, that RADIATED from the audience. The camera crew made SURE to zoom in on Eminem, 50 Cent, Avril Lavigne, Kelly Osbourne, Mary J. Blige, Snoop Dogg a.k.a. "Snoop Lion," and of course, Justin Timberlake. Literally a handful of those celebutards always HATED Britney and Christina. 

It was not until 2002, that Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake broke up. Years later, he remained bitter about the way his relationship with Britney ended. 

Let be know that Eminem, Avril Lavigne, and Kelly Osbourne always hated Britney without a valid reason. That's unless cattiness counts?

It's highly visible, that a handful of them had a major problem with Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera performing Madonna's "Like A Virgin." 

Madonna sensually kissing Britney and Christina was the most controversial moment from the 2003 MTV VMA performance. Of course the media LOVES ignoring the fact, that Madonna also kissed Christina. 

The media placed a major emphasis on the kiss because Britney Spears had recently broken up with Justin Timberlake in 2002. 

Supposedly, she cheated on Justin with their former dance choreographer, Wade Robson. That soon led to Justin throwing Britney under the bus for LYING about her virginity. 

Meanwhile, Christina Aguilera performed twice in the same night at the 2003 MTV VMA's. However, her 2nd performance was with Redman and Dave Navarro. 

I vaguely remember their performance and barely saw it the first time around. I was in the middle of doing last minute packing because my 2nd college 10 years ago, made fucked up, last minute changes to my housing arrangements, BEFORE college started again.

As I was saying, Madonna kissing Britney Spears the night of the 2003 MTV VMA's was the biggest slap in the face to Justin Timberlake. Those working at MTV laughed about it on TV.

5) Madonna [Featuring] Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, & Missy Elliot "Like A Virgin/Hollywood/ Work It Medley" 2003 MTV VMA's


Welp, this concludes my Song Saturday for this weekend. Let me know what you think!

Thursday, August 15, 2013

Early Song Saturday: Allen Lanier Tribute

This blog was originally published on Blogster August 15, 2013.

How's it going my hybrid Blogsterians? My youngest aunt said hours ago, that 1 of Blue Oyster Cult's band members died. Originally, we thought it was the vocalist. Then, I went onto Wikipedia. It said that former guitarist, bassist, and keyboardist, Allen Lanier died from COPD. That really sucks. 

Wanna know something really odd? Earlier this week, I was thinking about listening to some Blue Oyster Cult.

Buck Dharma was just a musical guest on That Metal Show last month, talking about them being on tour. He also mentioned, that Blue Oyster Cult is mostly known for their song, "Don't Fear The Reaper." That is very true. "Don't Fear The Reaper" has been covered a number of times over the last 10-20 years. 

Too bad not too many people know about Blue Oyster Cult's other songs. We can all blame traditional radio stations for only playing CERTAIN songs from certain singers and bands. 

The radio stations, that RARELY play Danzig, only play his song, "Mother," when he released MORE than a few albums. Well, Danzig is another topic for another time, but you get my point. 

Since I don't know what will happen to me after my doctor's appointment, here is a double dose of Blue Oyster Cult 2 days in advance for Song Saturday.

1) Blue Oyster Cult "Don't Fear The Reaper" Agents Of Fortune (1976)

2) Blue Oyster Cult "I'm Burning For You" Fire Of Unknown Origin (1981)

RIP ALLEN LANIER!

Friday, August 9, 2013

Song Saturday/Art Sunday Combo: Bauhaus' All We Ever Wanted

This Song Saturday/Art Sunday Combo blog was originally published on Blogster August 9, 2013.

 


How's it going my hybrid Blogsterian friends? It's that time again. This week, I decided to combine Song Saturday and Art Sunday with a Bauhaus fan made music video. This kills 2 birds with 1 stone. 

Lately, I have been listening to more Bauhaus. Those of us, who listen to Classic Goth Punk/New Wave Music have known about the band for years. If you have ever watched South Park within the last 10-16 years, there were Goth kids, that Stan hung out with a few times in the Comedy Central cartoon. Someone in the cartoon had a Bauhaus poster on his/her bedroom wall.

Every time I listen to Bauhaus, I now automatically think about the Goth kids on South Park. I haven't watched it within the last 7 years. I am amazed that South Park still airs on Comedy Central. When it premiered, I was only 15 years old.

As usual, I digress. If you don't know about Bauhaus, they are only 1 of the pioneer bands of Goth Rock. Joy Division (now turned New Order) and The Cure were also pioneers of the Goth Punk Rock/New Wave Genre.

Several years ago, Nine Inch Nails' Trent Reznor did a collaborative performance with Peter Murphy of Bauhaus on some of their classic songs. They performed Bauhaus' "Bela Lugosi's Dead" and covered Joy Division's song, "Dead Souls."

BTW: Nine Inch Nails covered Joy Division's, "Dead Souls" on The Crow Soundtrack, 20 years ago.

Anyway, enough of the history lesson. Here's a YouTube fan made music video, that somebody did for Bauhaus', "All We Ever Wanted." There's no need to worry (that's in case some of you are), it's nothing heavy.

Bauhaus "All We Ever Wanted" The Sky's Gone Out (1982)


Friday, August 2, 2013

Song Saturday: J-Pop And J-Rock Music Block

This blog was originally published on Blogster August 2, 2013.


How's it going Xangans and Blogsterians? This week, I am going a slightly different route for Song Saturday here at Blogster. So, I chose to share some popular J-Pop and J-Rock music videos.

Most of these songs have been featured in Anime such as NANA, Jigoku Shojo (Hell Girl), Vampire Knight, and Death Note. I am unsure if Girugamesh ever had their song, "Volcano" featured in an Anime.

While watching the former music televsion network, IMF in 2006, the network introduced me to the J-Rock band's music video for their song, "Volcano."

IMF was abbreviated for the International Music Feed. It REALLY sucks that IMF no longer exists. It was a lot like the original MTV from the 1980's except it was a 24-hour international music televsion channel.

IMF was especially educational because viewers had the opportunity to learn about foreign entertainment, cultures, folklores, etc.

While sorting through my J-Pop and J-Rock music choices on YouTube, I struggled to find the Japanese music videos with English subtitles.

I constantly watched these music videos and wanted to share them on Blogster with the English subtitles. Then, everyone can undersand what they are saying.

Here's some Japanese Music Trivia for you:

1) Olivia Lufkin's music has been used in both Anime and Japanese Dramas (J-Drama). Most of her songs were on the soundtrack to the Anime, NANA. Olivia's voice was also dubbed into the Anime for the character, Layla Serizawa.

NANA is a Josei (Womens) Anime about romance and rival J-Rock bands. If you ever have the chance, I recommend watching it.

Olivia Lufkin "A Little Pain" Olivia Inspi' Reira [Trapnest] (2006)

 

2) Mamiko Noto is not only a singer, but also a voice actress. In fact, she has done the Japanese voice for the protagoniat Ai Enma in the Shojo Supernatural Horror Mystery Anime, Jigoku Shojo (Hell Girl).

I have watched all 3 seasons of the Anime and Mamiko normally did the ending theme songs for the Hell Girl franchise.

In fact, this music video for her song, "Karinui" (Basting) was the original ending theme song for the Anime and has the Ai Enma doll.

In a sense, Mamiko Noto's giving a nod to the protagonist she voiced in Hell Girl. Damn, is that doll creepy!

Mamiko Noto "Karinui" Hell Girl Soundtrack {2005}


3) Kanon Wakeshima's songs were used as ending themes for the Shojo Horror Action Anime franchise, Vampire Knight. "Suna No Oshiro" (Sand Castle) was featured as the ending theme song for Vampire Knight: Guilty.

Kanon Wakeshima "Suna No Oshiro" Vampire Knight: Guilty Soundtrack {2008}


4) I think the Japanese Rock band, Nightmare is famous for being used in the Shonen Supernatural Thriller Mystery Anime, Death Note.

During Season 1, "The World" was Death Note's original opening theme song. All the while, "Alumina" was the ending theme song. I ALWAYS favored Nightmare's song, "Alumina" over "The World."

Nightmare "Alumina" Single {2006}


5) When I originally saw this J-Rock band, Girugamesh on TV with their music video, "Volcano," I remember how they really blew me away.

BTW: Girugamesh is the Japanese romanization for the ancient Sumerian king/demigod, Gilgamesh.

Girugamesh "Volcano" DVD Single {2007}


So, this concludes my J-Pop and J-Rock Music Block for Song Saturday.

What are your thoughts about these Japanese Rock bands and singers? Let me know what you think in the comments section below!

Thursday, July 18, 2013

What Are My Overall Thoughts About The So-Called Xanga Relaunch?

This blog was originally published on Blogster July 18, 2013.




Xangans and Blogsterians, how's it going? Until now, I have not published any blogs this week and have barely been on Xanga 1.0. If anything, I have been trying to relax. After all, it would be pointless for me to publish another blog over there. We should REALLY thank The Xanga Team for causing "community" division.

If The Xanga Team sincerely cared so much about their so-called "community," why did they poorly deliver their "relaunch" message by pressuring every Xangan like they were our bill collectors? We should NOT  be required to pay to exist on Xanga 2.0. 

I cannot help reiterating that The Xanga Team used their financial dilemma to cause hysteria and fights among us. Isn't it already awful enough, that Xanga spams us with their daily Facebook notifications about changing Xanga's profile and cover pictures? I do not see exactly what The Xanga Team changed because they are THE SAME DAMN PICTURES! 

The reverse psychology may work on some people but not everybody. Not only that, but also some of us Xangans are tired of the favoritism being played on their Facebook page. 

As long as someone is cheerleading the Xanga "relaunch" like a sycophant, the owner of Xanga's Facebook fan page shares links to certain blogs.

Earlier this month, my blog about Xanga 2.0 made it in the top 5 on Xanga 1.0. It's still getting readers, responses, and recommendations. However, Xanga's Facebook fan page owner didn't share it. In fact, there were other Xangans, who made it in the top 5. They also weren't praising Xanga's "relaunch." Therefore, I know FOR A FACT, that The Xanga Team is blacklisting those of us with opposing views. 

My Xanga page and others keep getting hijacked by the self-righteous Xangans. They patronize us about paying to blog is a "privilege." They're The Xanga Team's pawns and are too blind to know it. Other Xangans that already pay are highly dissatisfied with Xanga's lousy service, and they support us free users.

Earlier, a Xangan subscriber of mine said to me over there, "Xanga's actions have poisoned the community well rather than helped it." I can't agree more. 

The incessant begging and pressuring every Xangan to pledge for Xanga 2.0 to be a mandatory pay site is the equivalent of bill collectors calling our homes 24/7. If you don't pay, something gets repossessed. In our case, since us free users never paid to blog on Xanga, our blogs are being stripped YET we still maintain our old subscribers and the ability to comment, once Xanga 2.0 uses WordPress as their personal platform! Wow! Talk about a crock of bullshit. Welp, I've stated all that I needed to, for now.

So Xangans and Blogsterians, what do you think about this Xanga 2.0 fiasco?

Thursday, July 4, 2013

Xanga 2.0 = No Shirt, No Shoes, No Dice

This blog was originally published on Xanga, then on Blogster July 4, 2013.

 

Xanga's Current Situation:

We only have 11 MORE DAYS, until this so-called Xanga 2.0 "Relaunch" starts. 

When it comes to us FREE users, the new motto implies, that we either pay to be on Xanga, or we're gone. It's not that big of a deal for Xangans, who already pay to blog. They are allowed to be a part of the "relaunch." 

As I have said before on other pages, I fully understand, that Xanga is a business and needs money to run. What The Xanga Team FAILS to understand is by them requiring users to pay on Xanga 2.0, there will be LESS users.

If Facebook required users to pay, there would be less people on it. Isn't it already bad enough, that older Xangans left Xanga 1.0, before some of us newbies joined? 

I may not be a veteran Xangan, however, I feel like I am being treated like some low class low-life, who waltzed into a convenience store without wearing shoes and a T-shirt. 

The Xanga Team chose to use WordPress as a common ground for a blogging and social networking site, while turning Xanga into The Repo Man. See, THAT  already caused division within the community.

According to what I have been told by a several veterans, Xangans were ALREADY divided because most have fled from Xanga, before this relaunch. The Xanga Shut Down now turned "Relaunch" is the final nail in the coffin. 

I have already deleted more of my other Xanga blogs, since most of them are now on Blogster. I am still on Xanga because I am waiting, until I hear back from some more Xangan friends. Once July 15th comes, it's deuces for us free users. So, here's something I don't understand:

Hypothetically speaking, if Xanga does succeed in raising 60 grand to maintain the relaunch and every Xangan is paying to use the site, what happens when they are not on it DAILY? Are they still going to get their money's worth? OR a total waste of time and money? 

Saying that it is "possible" for Xangans to be on here for free is NOT set in stone. Therefore, us free users need to have a back up a blog or so. I am not begging for anybody to pay my way to be on Xanga 2.0. That's the last thing I want or expect. 

Had I known, that Xanga required me to pay use this site, I would've never joined and none of you would've ever met me. I will really miss my Xangan friends, who actually cared to be my subscribers. 

I wish that more Xangans would follow me to Blogster, but I know that will never happen. Everyone's not on WordPress and Facebook. This only leaves a functioning e-mail account for some.

Most of my Xangan friends/subscribers already know that I'm on Blogster, have me on Facebook, and my e-mail address. It's only up to those, who WANT to keep in contact with me. If they don't want to keep in contact with me, it is what it is.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

After publishing this blog on Xanga, a rude and retired, old hag wanted to start shit on my Xanga page. She already hijacked my Xanga Pulse saying: 

"There's no free lunch. Why should there be free blogging -- I expect other sites will either not be free, or will soon begin charging too." 

That same hag returned to comment on my current blog. Because that hag would NOT stay in her lane, I blocked and deleted her ass from my Xanga page after she posted:

"You seem to forget that life is made up of choices and priorities. If it is your choice to blog elsewhere and not pledge to relaunch Xanga, so be it -- but the choice to pledge is also a valid choice for those who wish to make that choice. Perhaps it will be a smaller Xanga for a while, thanks to vocal naysayers who attempt to take that choice away, but in time it has the opportunity to become as popular and well-loved as it has been for all of us. If you choose to go elsewhere, perhaps your energies would be better spent blogging there."

Instead of responding back, "STHU and get off my page!" blocking and deleting her worked much better. An extra perk was that I got 2 free robo e-props.

So, Xangans and Blogsterians, what do you think about all this?

Sunday, June 30, 2013

What Blogsterians Don't Know About Me

This was originally published on Xanga, then transferred to Blogster June 30, 2013.


 

 

Hey! How's it going? Is there anything else you want to know about me? Because I noticed, that I have quite a few friends on here, I ask.

I will share more from my Xanga profile, that Blogster does not have for a profile fill in. Anyway, here are more things Blogsterians don't know about me.

More Things Blogsterians Don't Know About Me:

* Nicknames: Anna and "DJ Daze" (to only name 2)

* Nationality: Multi-racial (Heinz 57)

* Expertise: Blogging, Creative Writing, Live Broadcasting, Disk Jockey, Live Radio Censorship, Lyrical Scanning, Radio Show Hostess, Script Writing, Japanese

* Favorite Authors: Edgar Allan Poe, Emily Dickinson, Octavio Paz, Stephen King, Bret Easton Ellis, R.L. Stine, and James O'Barr

* Favorite Book Genres: Short Realistic Fiction, Revenge Fantasy, Horror, and Psychological Thriller

* Favorite Cuisine: Chinese, Mexican, Italian, Fast Food, Seafood, Home-Made, desserts, etc. (As you can see, I love to eat.)

* Favorite Dishes: Too many to list but Shrimp Alfredo is 1.

* Favorite Desserts: Galaxy Desserts, Pie a la Mode, Home-Made Pudding, cheesecake, cake, ice cream, and cookies

* Favorite Junk Foods: Tacos, Burritos, Cheeseburgers, Jalopeno Poppers, Cheese Curds, etc.

* Favorite Restaurants: Red Lobster, The Cheesecake Factory, Taco Bell, Maggiano's, Culver's Frozen Custard, etc.

* Foods I Hate: Mushrooms, Salisbury Steak, Roast, Country Fried Steak, Hostess Cupcakes, Chicken Parmesan, Potatoes,Twinkies, Bologna, Hot Dogs, Indian, Sushi, Beets, Ribs, and PB&J

* Favorite Actors: Mark Dacascos, Tetsuji Tamayama, Mika Nakashima, Kenichi Matsuyama, Brandon Lee, Alex O'Loughlin, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Dave Chappelle, Kate Beckinsale, Maggie Q, Jack Nickolson, Brittany Murphy, Charlie Murphy, Val Kilmer, Johnny Depp, Chris Tucker, Jason Mewes, Eva Longoria, Seth Green, Amy Acker, Eliza Dushku, Keanu Reeves, Rachel True, Jackie Chan, and Jared Leto

* Favorite Directors: Alex Proyas who was the original director for The Crow 1 and Mary Harron for American Psycho

* Favorite Movie Genre(s): Horror, Psychological Thriller, Suspense, Action, and Comedy

* Favorite Soundtracks: Airheads, Bride of Chucky, The Crow, The Saint, Le Femme Nikita, American Psycho, Queen Of The Damned (God knows the movie sucked.), etc.

* Favorite Music Genre: Goth Rock, Metal, Industrial Electronica, Industrial Metal, Acid House, Dark Trance, Japanese Pop and Rock (J-Pop and J-Rock)

* Music I Hate: Most songs from 2004 to now, especially songs by Green Day, Taylor Swift, P!nk, Maroon 5, Katy Perry, Rihanna, Nicki Minaj, and Drake. Also, Country, Ska, Dub Step, Pop Punk, Emo, and Screamo.

* Guilty Pleasure: Taylor Swift PSYCH! Bwahahahahahahahaha!!!

* Where I Shop: Dots, Kohl's Department Store, K-Mart, Wal-Mart, Sears, Hot Topic, and Bath & Body Works

* I Like To Wear: Pastel Blue and Pink, Emerald Green, Turquoise, Red, Black, Gray, Leopard Print, Plaid, and Pinstripe are my favorite colors and patterns.

Also, bootcut pants, mini and long skirts, and knee-high and ankle boots. I can't balance and walk in Stiletto Heels. Function over fashion, when it comes to me wearing regular shoes; I'm more into boots than shoes.

* Can't Live Without: My laptop

* Prized Possessions: My old Samsung TV from 1996 and my CD's.

* Favorite Channels: NBC (only for Grimm ), CBS, CW (only for Nikita) ABC (only for Dr. Oz now), MTV (only for The Real World, Girl Code, and The Challenge), Adult Swim (mostly for Bleach, right now), AXS TV (mostly for the MMA's), Oxygen (mostly for The Bad Girls Club and its spinoffs), etc.

* Characters I Relate To: Angel/Angelus, Darlene Conner, Daria Morgendorffer, Nikita, Kat Stratford, Gabby Solis, Ai Enma, and Lydia Deetz to name a few.

* Shows I Secretly Watch: MTV2's Guy Code

* Shows I Wished Weren't Cancelled: Everybody Hates Chris, Emily's Reasons Why Not, The George Lopez Show (Sitcom), Eastwick, The Secret Circle, Ringer, Moonlight, Fastlane, Eve,  Half & Half, All Of Us,  The Rub, The Crow: Stairway To Heaven, etc.