New Wave Wednesday: "A Town Called Malice", by The Jam (music video)

I have to say that I'd never heard the song before this morning, but I really like it. I've been having to dig a little deeper these days to find some really good New Wave jams and what better choice than this little ditty by The Jams. "A Town Called Malice" was released on January 29, 1982 as the first single from the album, "The Gift". The single reached number one on the British singles charts and stayed there for three weeks.

A Town called Malice was featured in the soundtracks of National Lampoon's European Vacation, The Matador and Billy Elliott.

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"Lady Tee" Teena Marie passes at 54

News broke Sunday night that veteran R&B singer Teena Marie passed away in her home. Details are sparse at this time, but Huffington Post reports that the singer was found by her daughter and had a medical history of unspecified seizures.

I first heard Teen Marie's music back in '79 or '80, when she was part of Rick James' stable of talent at Motown. James produced several of her hits, including "It Must Be Magic" (featuring backup vocals by The Temptations), "Square Biz", "Portuguese Love" and  "Fire and Desire" (a duet with Rick James). But Marie scored her biggest hit after leaving Motown with 1984's "Lovergirl".

The four-time Grammy nominee never achieved the super stardom of her contemporaries, Donna Summer and Gloria Gaynor, but every time I here her music, I remember partying the night away with my friends at our favorite DC night spots The Lost and Found, Mr, P's and The Frat House, during the last days of Disco.

Teena Marie stood "less than five foot-one", but she could belt out a song with the best of them. R.I.P. Lady Tee.

Georgie Jessup Concert at Backstreet Cafe Saturday Night (music video)

Georgie Jessup performs at Roanoke's 2nd Annual Rally For GLBT Equality.

Had enough turkey, travel and family drama? Then get downtown to the Backstreet Cafe tomorrow night to blow off some steam with some incredible music by a truly unique performer. Georgie Jessup makes her return to the Star City for two sets at the historic Salem Ave. bar. The show starts around 9pm. There's a $2 cover at the door.

Many of you had the opportunity to hear Georgie when she was the featured entertainer at last summer's Rally For GLBT Equality in Roanoke's Elmwood Park. The rest of you really missed out on some first class entertainment. Come on down 

I'll be meeting up with Georgie in Floyd on Saturday afternoon to check out some potential performance venues. Georgie is psyched about the possibility of performing at FloydFest X next summer. Here's a sample of Georgie's music, with "Road to Trinidad" from her album, "Woman in a Man's Suit". This soulful Native American/Transgender singer/songwriter runs the full musical spectrum. The lady knows how to rock the house!

New Wave Wednesday: "China Girl", by David Bowie

What can you say about rock legend David Bowie that hasn't been said before?

Bowie's been at it since the 60's, when he had to change his name from David Jones, because of Davey Jones from the TV Show, "The Monkees". His 1972 concept album "The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars" is the epitome of the glam-rock era of Rock and Roll history. So when New Wave hit the 80's music scene it was as if it was tailor made for the bisexual, gender-bending Bowie.

Did I mention that he's married to Queen Bitch/Super Model Iman?

From 1983, here's David Bowie with "China Girl".

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Singer Georgie Jessup Returns to Rock the Star City!

Native American Transgender Singer/Songwriter Georgie Jessup (Woman in a Man's Suit, American Holocaust), who rocked Elmwood Park last June at Roanoke Equality's 2nd Annual Rally For LGBT Equality, returns to the Star City on Saturday, November 27th for a show at the historic Backstreet Cafe.

The Backstreet has been reinventing itself lately as a live entertainment venue. Manager, Deanna has overseen the face lift of one of Roanoke's oldest and most popular LGBT gathering places, giving it a warmer, more homey feel.

The Washington Post called Georgie's style, “…cold soul, thrill seeking, Motown social-conscience funk”.

Sire Records recording star, r&b/blues singer/songwriter Candye Kane says, "Jessup's songs, with their strong messages and anthemic choruses, make you want to join in even if you have never heard them before...organic and rootsy yet open to the world."

I totally agree with Kane's assessment. As I listened to Georgie sing for the first time at the rally, I found myself singing along after just a few minutes. The show starts at 9:30 pm. Visit Georgie's website to sample some of her music.

I just want to say that while I think drag shows are a great form of entertainment, there is a whole world of talented artists within our community that write and perform their own music and we need to support them with as much enthusiasm as we do our drag artists. Mark your calendar and treat yourself to an evening of kick-ass live entertainment. 

New Wave Wednesday: "You Spin Me Right Round" (music video)

Image via WikipediaThis week's choice for New Wave Wednesday seems especially relevant in light of last night's election results. Rand "Head Stomper" Paul? Seriously America?

What the fuck is wrong with the American people? Are they really so stupid that they can't read the label on the repackaged,  failed Republican policies that created the mess we're in? Sadly, the answer is a resounding "YES!"

Fasten your seat belts. It's going to be a bumpy night. From 1985, here's Dead or Alive with "You Spin Me Right Round (Like a Record)".
 

Dead Or Alive - You Spin Me Round (Like A Record)
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New Wave Wednesday: "Don't You Want Me?" by Human League (music video)

Image via WikipediaThis week the Way Back Machine takes us to 1981, when androgyny and gender-benders ruled. My friends and I were still reeling from the untimely death of Disco and looking for something to dance to at our favorite DC dance club The Lost and Found.

Some of the members of my little circle of friends were really into New Wave and would blast it almost non-stop in the townhouse they shared on Massachusetts Ave, SE. Every time I hear "Don't You Want Me?" by Human League, I remember those days and the friends who helped me through some rough times.

The Human League - Don't You Want Me
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Oopsie! New Wave Wednesday is not the same as Taco Tuesday. "Human Behavior", by Bjork

Perhaps an explanation is due here. I woke up this morning thinking about what to post and realized that due to a Tylanol PM-induced brain fart, I did a New Wave Wednesday post on Tuesday. I hope I haven't disrupted the flow of the universe. I've been dealing with back pain the last couple of weeks and waking up after a dose of the over-the-counter miracle drug helps me sleep.

It's nothing serious, just the usual sciatica that creeps up every now and then. I do my stretching and use my heating pad and eventually it passes.

So without further ado, let me get back on track with a selection from Icelandic singer/songwriter/performance artist Bjork, who set tongues wagging back 2000 when she attended the Oscars in a swan dress. She was nominated for best supporting actress that year for her role in Dancer in the Dark. The singer has also received 13 Grammy nominations and a Golden Globe nomination.

Bjork places #36 on VH1's "The 100 Greatest Woman in Rock and Roll" and  #8 on MTV's "22 Greatest Voices in Music".

Released in June, 1993, Human Behavior  falls outside the usual late 70's-early 80's time line of the New Wave genre, but it captures the look and feel of that sound so well, that I've wanted to include it for a while. I think that after listening to and watching this video, you'll have a better understanding about the notorious swan dress.

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"Try a Little Tenderness", from The Commitments soundtrack (music video)

Image via Wikipedia

Here's a clip from one of my all time favorite movies about a rag-tag bunch of Irish kids struggling to raise their expectations and sing their way out of the Dublin slums. From the 1991 film The Commitments, "Try a Little Tenderness". It's well worth the rental, if just for the music.

 Band manager Jimmy Rabbit explains why he wants his band to sing soul music with the best line from the movie, "Do you not get it, lads? The Irish are the blacks of Europe. And Dubliners are the blacks of Ireland. And the Northside Dubliners are the blacks of Dublin. So say it once, say it loud: I'm black and I'm proud."

Try A Little Tenderness @ Yahoo! Video

Lady Gaga Sweeps MTV Video Music Awards (Video)

I did something I never do any more last night. I watched the annual MTV Video Music Awards (VMA's) for the first time in years. I guess I'm getting older, because I have to admit that I've never heard of half the nominees, but I'm a big fan of comedian Chelsea Handler, who hosted the show, so I decided I couldn't miss it.

Chelsea made her grand entrance by being lowered from the 60-foot high ceiling onto the stage wearing a costume designed as a tribute to Lady Gag, complete with a head-dress shaped like a house. The garage door opened to reveal the blond funny lady's face. She also released a dove from somewhere around her waste.

MTV pulled out all the stops with this show and it was well worth watching. Lady Gaga swept the awards, picking up eight Moon Man trophies, including one for Video of the Year for "Bad Romance", which was presented by Cher in her signature 80's look, a unitard, leather jacket and big hair. Not bad for 64 years old! Gaga used the awards ceremony to make a statement about DADT repeal. She was accompanied by four former service members who were booted out under the discriminatory policy.

Here's a clip of last night's highlights, via the Associated Press.

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The Bear Song, by Pixie Herculon, featuring Margaret Cho (music video)

I was cruising YouTube this morning and came across this awesome video by the band Pixie Herculon, called "The Bear Song" featuring Margaret Cho. It's got some explicit language (which is what I think I love most about it), so if you find that sort of thing offensive, hide the kids in the attic like Ann Frank while you listen to it.

If in-your-face musical comedy is your style, you'll enjoy the hell outta this as much as I do.  

 

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New Wave Wednesday: "Tonight She Comes", by The Cars (music video)

This week's New Wave Wednesday features the 1985 hit "Tonight She Comes", from the Boston-based band The Cars.  

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New Wave Wednesday: "Turning Japanese", by The Vapors (music video)

This weeks' featured video topped the charts in the US, UK and Australia way back in 1980. British band, The Vapors, achieved "One-hit Wonder" status with their hit "Turning Japanese". Ironically, the band knew they had a hit and made the New Wave classic their second release in order to avoid this dubious distinction.

The true meaning of the song about a guy obsessed with taking pictures of his girlfriend has been the subject of speculation for thirty years. At the time, many people thought the title referred to the face a guy makes when he climaxes during masturbation. The band says that's not true. Band member David Fenton says it's about what can happen when you become obsessed with someone you love. He said in a VH1 interview, "Turning Japanese is all the clichés about angst and youth and turning into something you didn't expect to."

The Vapors - Turning Japanese
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Sometimes you just need a dose of Cher: "The Shoop Shoop Song" (music video)

Twenty years ago I shared a townhouse with my sister and her two eldest daughters after she left her first husband. I was totally out of my element in a house full of females.

By the end of the year we spent together, the movie "Mermaids", starring Cher, Bob Hoskins, Winona Rider and Christina Ricci came out. It resonated for me on many levels.

This music video for "The Shoop Shoop Song (It's In His Kiss)" always reminds me of my sister and my nieces and that crazy year in the townhouse. The girls are all grown up now and are currently visiting their paternal grandmother in Lebanon with my grandnephew (damn, I'm old). Here's wishing them a wonderful trip and a safe return.

New Wave Wednesday: "Take Me to the River", by Talking Heads (music video)

This week's New Wave Wednesday pick is the classic Talking Heads' cover of the Al Green R&B classic "Take Me to the River". When I think of New Wave music, Talking Heads is the first band that comes to mind. The band, under the leadership of David Byrne, defined the sound of the late 70's/early 80's pop music scene.

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Trans Singer/Songwriter Georgie Jessup to Appear at Roanoke's Rally for Equality

I am thrilled to announce that Native American/Trans Activist/Singer-Songwriter Georgie Jessup has agreed to perform at Roanoke Equality's 2nd Annual Rally for GLBT Equality on Saturday, June 26th at Elmwood Park. The rally will take place from 10:45 a.m. - 12:15p.m. near the Franklin Rd. entrance.

Ms. Jessup will be in Roanoke appearing at the Pride in the Arts International GLBT Film Festival and has agreed to be the opening and closing act for our rally as well.

The film festival will be taking place over three days at the Shadowbox Cinema. Jessup is featured in the documentary, "Woman in a Man's Suit". The film is just one of five independent queer films being screened over the weekend of June 25 - 27. Tickets are on sale now at the Pride in the Arts website at just $6 each for advance purchase and $7 each at the door. Additional discounts apply if you purchase tickets for all five films.

This is the first ever event of it's kind in Roanoke and I am so thrilled that Stonewall Society founder, Len Rogers has brought us this gift.

One of the things that has long been missing in Roanoke is some sort of recognition of the Stonewall Riots, which took place 41 years ago this month. The very first "Pride Parades" were, in reality, Gay Liberation protest marches held in New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco on the first anniversary of Stonewall, 40 years ago. The film festival and rally are two great ways to celebrate our history of activism, our acheivements and the artistic contributions of queer artists to American culture.

Mark you calendars, buy your tickets and come out and express your queer spirit!

Eve Ziebert of The Washington Post described Georgie Jessup's sound as "... cold soul, thrill-seeking, Motown social-conscience funk." Check out Georgie's music for yourself at her website.

If you are unfamiliar with Len Rogers and his 40-year history of activism and promotion of GLBT artists, there is an excellent article at the blog, Jed Central that appeared Wednesday, chronicling his career and highlighting the Pride in the Arts International Film Festival. Check it out.

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New Wave Wednesday: "Roxanne", by The Police (music video)

This week's video comes from the British New Wave/Rock band, The Police. From Wikipedia:

The Police were a rock  and new wave trio from London, England, formed originally in 1977. The trio consisted of Sting (lead vocals, bass guitar), Andy Summers (guitar, vocals) and Stewart Copeland (drums, vocals, percussion). The band became globally popular in the late 1970s and are generally regarded as one of the first New Wave groups to achieve mainstream success, playing a style of rock that was influenced by jazz, punk  and reggae music. 

Their 1983 album, Synchronicity, was number one in the UK and the US and sold over 8,000,000 copies in the US. The band broke up in 1984, but reunited in early 2007 for a one-off world tour lasting until August 2008, in celebration of the 30th anniversary of their hit single "Roxanne" and also, to a lesser extent, their formation as a group. The Police have sold more than 50 million albums worldwide, and became the world's highest-earning musicians in 2008, thanks to their reunion tour.[1]  Rolling Stone ranked The Police number 70 on their list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.[2]

New Wave Wednesday: "You Might Think", by The Cars (music video)

It wouldn't have been New Wave without The Cars. You Might Think, from 1984. Lead singer Ric Ocasek is married to 80's super model Paulina Porizkova, whom he met while making the video for "Drive". Porizkova has made headlines recently for slamming Hollywood's addiction to plastic surgery.

The following comes from Wikipedia:

The Cars were at the forefront in merging 1970s guitar-oriented rock with the new synth-oriented pop that was then becoming popular and which would flower in the early 1980s. Robert Palmer, music critic for The New York Times and Rolling Stone described The Cars' musical style by saying: "they have taken some important but disparate contemporary trends—punk  minimalism, the labyrinthine synthesizer and guitar textures of art rock, the '50s rockabilly  revival and the melodious terseness of power pop—and mixed them into a personal and appealing blend."[1]

The band broke up in 1988, and Ocasek has always discouraged talk of a reunion since then, flatly telling one interviewer in 1997 "I'm saying never and you can count on that."[2] Easton and Hawkes, however, joined with Todd Rundgren in 2005 to form a spin-off band, The New Cars, which performs classic Cars and Rundgren songs alongside new material.

Gaga A'Capella: "Bad Romance" by Univ. of Oregon's On the Rocks (music video)

Here's the latest viral video that's been burning up the internets this week. The University of Oregon's award winning all male a capella group On the Rocks performing Lady Gaga's "Bad Romance", complete with choreography. 

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New Wave Wednesday: "Dreaming", by Blondie

In the mid-70's "Blondie", fronted by lead singer and former Playboy Bunny Debbie Harry, topped the charts in Europe and Australia with their New Wave/ Punk sound. It wasn't until 1978 that the band broke through in the states with the release of their album "Parallel Lines" which included the hits "Heart of Glass", "The Tide is High". In 1979, the band released the album "Eat to the Beat", featuring the hit "Dreaming".

Debbie Harry went on to a successful film career, most notably as Velma Von Tussle, who hid a bomb in her beehive in the 1988 John Waters classic "Hairspray" (the original, not the sucky movie version of the Broadway musical).

Blondie was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006

Blondie - Dreaming
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