Its here the muzzi has landed but you will have to read my boring blog first. A lovely Friday off and the kids and wife are packed off to London. The fridge is sporting a selection of Tyskie, Red Stripe and Corona and the games session has begun. Big weekend for all footy fans this week and I try my best not to blog on sport but you cant let a derby match go without comment. A game both teams need to win (nailed on draw) Both teams having a touch of bad press at the moment. Everton have had there plans for a new stadium  shelved and an extra cost that has not been mentioned much has been the waste of money the spent on the proposed new team bus as pictured below.

In the interest of fairness this web site has been set up dedicated to Liverpool end of season party. CLICK HERE FOR END OF SEASON PARTY So have fun on Sunday folks and remember its only footy. The derby has turned nastier over the last 25 years but I link it only to a decline in society in general and not footy related. If your thinking of having a scrap then cross your fingers you end up in this prison. A day out being offered as a raffle prize to prisoners at a Lancashire jail has been withdrawn after the governor revealed he knew nothing about it. Inmates at HMP Kirkham, an open prison, can enter the competition for £1 if they help make a Christmas lunch for elderly people at a nearby day centre. Earlier the Prison Service said the winner would get a “single town visit”. Well well well. Ive heard 2nd prize was a sawn of shotgun and 3rd prize a 30 second supermarket dash around the vaults of your nearest bank. Now this is one of your open prisons. Open , Prison am I missing something ? Nevermind just popping out to hold up the local poundland but my new muzzi might be a giveaway.

So onto the muzzi and it has landed. Give it a chance as thats only 5 days old. I have decided to so for an extended Paul Rutherford look from one of my fave bands from the 80’s Frankie Goes To Hollywood. I wonder if my parents were a bit worried with my liking of Frankie. I was only 10 when they burst on the scene and an innocent 10 year old at that. I could have been going through a confused stage of my young life. So lets remember the reason for the muzzi and its to raise funds for a prostrate cancer charity. Please spare a pound to have a laugh at me up to and including christmas by donating via my web page CLICK HERE FOR MY MUZZI PAGE I feel like Bob Geldolf at the moment “Jesus Christ just give us the fookin money.” So heres a shot of Mr Rutherford and Mr Fay.

I might pop into town tomorrow and see if I can get myself a leather vest. Hit me with those laser beams. So as I have mentioned all monies raised go to The Prostrate Cancer Charity. It’s easy for a man to get his prostate gland examined. It’s a walnut-sized organ at the base of the bladder. It can be felt with the tip of a finger inserted into the rectum. Its texture and firmness should be similar to that of the flesh between your thumb and the rest of the hand when you make a tight fist. If you feel anything that is as firm as the knuckle, then that needs to be brought to a physician’s attention. Oh shit I have just remembered Mrs Fay is away with the kids. I am gonna have to examine my own ewwwwwwwwww. On that bombshell I am signing off.

(Now I wonder what finger is best, maybe a thumb ??)

Peace

Fay x

Unbelievable – it’s actually 25 years ago Frankie Goes To Hollywood burst onto the music scene!

Can you believe that – 25 years ? What the Hell happened ?

If you were still in your nappies then, and to this point still haven’t discovered the mammoth Disco-marathon of the original version of “Welcome To The Pleasure Dome” – I thought it a fitting moment to do some public service.

Their original record label – ZTT Records – have just released a 25 year jubilee Greatest Hits compilation under the horrible title of “Frankie Say…Greatest”, and in usual fashion it includes all their major hits, which you’ve heard – ohhhh – about a trillion times before in mixed, remixed, re-remixed, re-re-remixed forms.

To me – the real exciting moment around Frankie was the original title track of “Welcome To The Pleasure Dome”. Produced by legendary producer – Trevor Horn – and clocking in at 13′38″ mins. it was, and still is, a humongous piece of music to kick off their debut album with.

In todays Disco-fied music scene this piece of work still sounds stupendously current with its slap-bass, strutting Disco groove, huge drops and builds and Trevor Horn sending Frankie onto the widescreen in glorious Technicolor.

Dive into the Pleasure Dome!

Mp3: Frankie Goes To Hollywood – Welcome To The Pleasure Dome (Full Version)

Grace Jones – Slave To The Rhythm

När den här låten kom i mitten på 90-talet minns jag att jag kände ett enda stort WOW. Det var ju en helt igenom perfekt låt, den hade allt och blev till en riktig favorit och är så än idag. Låten var tydligen skriven för Frankie Goes To Hollywood i åtanke, men gavs sen istället till Grace Jones.

Jag minns att jag i någon av dåtidens musiktidningar läste att det tog lite drygt sex månader att spela in den. Trevor Horn som producerade och som låg bakom låten är ju känd för att vara noga med det han släpper ifrån sig, något som vi musiklyssnare är väldigt glada för.

Grace Jones – Slave To The Rhythm

Slänger med tolvan oxå när jag är igång. Själv har jag den på bildvinyl, nackdelen är att ljudet är lite halvkasst men det är ändå lite coolt att ha en sån favorit i det formatet ändå.

Kan lugnt säga att det är en låt man kan lyssna på om och om igen för den är så välproducerad. Samtidigt så kan man alltid upptäcka nya saker i den, något som verkligen visar på vilket enormt jobb som är nerlagt i produktionen.

Tjillevippen

notbugs

Yet another 80’s classic being pimped to fit the new millenium, but apart from adding more bass beats it seems not much has happened in the dance scene in the past 20 years

I would have expected more, especially since the original song still stands strong

Frankie Goes To Hollywood

Relax

(Banned Version) [1983]

Frankie Goes To Hollywood – Relax (Banned Version) [1983]

Emmerich, Roland – The blow-em-up director of 2012 has announced that there’s a very strong possibility that his forthcoming disaster flick may be adapted into a television series. Sorry to burst your bubble, Roland, but I think the end of the world has already come to television, and it is Wilmer Valderamma playing a Dog Whisperer.

Link: Roland Emmerich Planning 2012 TV Series? (G4)

Fergie — The sometimes Black Eyed Peas frontwoman tells Cosmopolitan that her recent weight gain is due to a role in the upcoming film musical Nine, which focuses on an Italian director and the midlife crisis blocking his creative implulses and entangling him in a romantic web of intrigue in 1960’s Venice. Consequently, a role in an upcoming film musical which focuses on an Italian director and the midlife crisis blocking his creative implulses and entangling him in a romantic web of intrigue in 1960’s Venice is exactly the same reason I continue to give for my own personal weight gain.

Link: Fergie Talks Meaty Weight Gain for “Nine” (Cosmo via HuffPo)

Ghost Rider 2 — Screenwriter David S. Goyer says that the upcoming Ghost Rider reboot will restart the origin story from the very beginning, stating “we’re pretending that our audience hasn’t seen the first film.” Funny, that’s exactly the same thing everyone else has been doing since they saw the first film.

Link: Ghost Rider 2, Red, Prince of Persia: Nov. 5th Comic Reel (Comic Book Resources)

Hall, Daryl — The former Hall & Oates collaborator tells the Onion AV Club that he never enjoyed music, and that “when people are born into the arts, they don’t tend to see art as pleasure, they see it as work.” Nodding along, John Oates allegedly added “Can I have a sandwich? Seriously — I’ll mow your yard.”

Link: Daryl Hall and John Oates (The A.V. Club)

Hollywood, Bank of — In a new E! reality series, a group of pseudo-celebrities field requests from regular folk who need money. Among the personalities slated to appear are French poker player Vanessa Rousso, Pussycat Dolls lead singer Melody Thornton and Tori Spelling’s mother Candy Spelling, who will lend you money for several years and then write a tell-all book about what a terrible, ungrateful person you are.

Link: New E! Reality Show Has Folks Asking Celebs for Cash (The Live Feed)

Hollywood, Frankie Goes to — Holly Johnson, the former figurehead for 80’s rave band Frankie Goes to Hollywood announces that there will be no plans to reunite the band again. If this is terrible news to you, I don’t know what to tell you. There’s still a Ms. Pac Man machine at that Pizza Express on the corner, does that help?

Link: Johnson Won’t Reunite Frankie Goes to Hollywood (contactmusic)

Even though this new video is only half as sexy as the original(s), its good to see Holly Johnson up and running (even if its sans band) and this straighforward remix is pretty hot.

Doris Brazil Ladies’ Wear has always steered well clear of tee shirts with slogans. Frankie may have said “Relax” but in Appleton Marsh I never dropped my guard, not once. In recent years the fashion trend has been towards ever more provocative phrasing, typified by French Connection which brings me to my point. Why when I walk down the street, must I be confronted by young people wearing tee shirts bearing the slogan FCUK? It’s not clever, it’s not funny. It’s offensive. What will be next? INAVAG? SEPIN? CKCKSUCOER? French Connection… it’s time to drop the sniggering schoolboy slogans and, one day, who knows, you might get further than the front door of Doris Brazil Ladies’ Wear.

both useless facts, not really worth posting and certainly not worth clicking on but it’s been a long day up & down the motorway and so this helps relieve some tension -

george harrison played guitar on this

ray davies was married to chrissie hynde

we just picked up the latest frankie goes to hollywood best of cd today which i would like to put on itunes but it doesnt recognise it yet so that post will have to wait.  heard depeche mode people are people on the radio and it sounded immense – perfect pop.

the new weezer album is great – one track (cant stop partying) sounds like lady gaga voiced by rivers.

and finally – the fred falke remix of robbie’s bodies

thanks ants. thants.

1. Pete Burns becomes Faye Dunaway! I did know that Dead or Alive frontman (you know… “You spin me right round, baby right round…”) became a woman. That is decade-old news that Mtv already touched upon in their own series of 80s tributes a couple years back. I didn’t, however, see his latest female persona in which Burns has dyed his hair blond, packed his lips full of mumble-inducing Botox, and of course, made an obligatory appearance on a reality-TV show in which D-list celebrities act like assholes to revive their faded popularity. The lead singer of Dexy’s Midnight Runners attempted the same, but keeping it simple: an ugly man who likes to crossdress.

2. Young MC was an economics major who wrote “‘Bust a Move” (look for actor Max Perlich and RHCP bassist Flea!) in about an hour in his dorm room. He, too, made the obligatory reality-TV appearance, though it was a celebrity weight-loss show.

3. Let’s Talk About God, Baby… DJ Jazzy Jeff shows up in Salt & Peppa’s “Push It” video! And, although an incredibly hip duo, they split after about a decade of producing hits because Peppa (or was it Salt?) became the obligatory former badass girl celebrity turned reformed Born-Again (see also Prince’s ex-collaborator, Vanity).

4. Eric Foreman (or rather, Topher Grace as Eric Foreman) could play lead singer of REO Speedwagon should there be a biopic in the works before Topher Grace actually starts aging.

5. When you can’t play, but can rock… Spectacle rock bands like Kiss and Twisted Sister are living proof that it can literally pay to make at least one simple hit party tune. Because even if it is a stupid song (like “Cum On Feel the Noise”), it can be licensed up the ying yang, paying out in royalties long after the music career is over. Case in point: Twisted Sister’s “We’re Not Gonna Take It.” Because really, who can take Dee Snyder singing about being a rebellious bad ass when he’s wearing the makeup of a stand-in for Bette Davis in Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? 80’s music, above all else, really highlights the birth of megalomanic consumer culture. (Duh!)

6. The Clash were dubbed the “only band that mattered” at one time. Or, to quote Vince Noir (who a similar comment about Human League): “Before them, everything else was just tuning up.” VH1 only seems to think there are two members of The Clash (Mick Jones and Joe Strummer are the only two they offered Where Are They Now info on), and even failed to mentioned the late Strummer’s work in film soundtracks, particularly collaborating on several films with cult British director, Alex Cox. Which, considering Strummer’s musical contributions to Sid & Nancy, is especially ironic given the rivalry between punk’s primitive Sex Pistols and the sophisticated Clash.

7. The rivalry among the Police: It’s old news that, despite the number of hits put out by the British trio The Police, the band was increasingly at odds. Guitarist Andy Summers and drummer Stuart Copeland both cite Sting’s ego as the major source of contention. In fact, in the 90s, VH1 had developed a celebrity version of music jeopardy that ran for about three episodes. Police guitarist Andy Summers appeared as a guest in the first episode and completely flubbed the Final Jeapordy question at the end purposefully as an opportunity to zing Sting’s ego. It was obviously a had-to-be-there moment.

8. Modern English was a little ticked that their publishing company sold the rights to their “I’ll Stop the World (and Melt With You)” to Burger King since the keyboardist was a vegan. Though, as lead singer Robbie Grey said, “…then again, it was $90 thousand dollars.”

9. Before breaking for commercials, this VH1 special featured pre-concert clips of mega band fans from the 80s. Research suggests that 90% of these fans were big-haired female residents of Northern New Jersey, which in turn correlates with the concentration of Aqua Net sales. I also enjoyed the clip of male heavy metal fans with equally massive bouffants expressing their love for the rebellious music, as illustrated in the hairstyles that might have prevented being employed in “a better job,” though the same research also suggests that hair wasn’t the only decisive factor.

10. Ol’ Whats-Er-Name… These idiots completely failed to mention that Soft Cell’s “Tainted Love” was originally a (well-done) R&B song performed by Gloria Jones on the Motown label in the late ’70s. Of course, they mentioned all those who did the song that came after Soft Cell… And okay, college rock superstars, R.E.M., made the list… but where the fuck are their Minnesota rivals, The Replacements?!

11. MTV owns VH1. Given specials run by both on the 80s, it’s hard to believe the corporation behind the original music channel now own so few licenses. It’s the only thing that can explain why the same handful of 100 songs are selected for these kind of filler shows. On a side note, MTV’s last great moment as a channel actually devoted to promoting music was in the late 90s when it aired (in full) the top 500 music videos over the course of several days. What a pity.

12. In his close-ups in the Wham! video “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go,” George Michael very closely resembles the retarded fruit vendor in Amelie.

13. Ever watch a music video of a song that you have loved for so long only to find out that the band is actually incredibly gay? I don’t mean homosexual, but rather, “ghhheyyyy” (to borrow Ed’s Shaun of the Dead pronunciation) meaning embarrassingly corny? The lead singer of British guitar band, The Cult, loved digging through Prince’s hand-me downs, searching for those frilly shirts and applying the artificial beauty mark. And while true, the catchphrase “gender-bending” has come to frequently define the decade’s music videos, it kept a decent 80s guitar band from gaining more respect. Their songs really weren’t party hits like working-class-esque Journey churned out, nor did they produce the kind of nonsense music that accommodated the theatrics of hair bands from that period. So in conclusion, the manufactured persona was more like a failed PR move. On a side note, Axel Rose’s high hair look in the “Welcome to the Jungle” video looks suspiciously modeled on Rebecca DeMornay’s club look scenes in Starships’s “Sara.”

14. How do you know when you’re watching a re-run countdown filler show about the 80s? The King [of Pop] isn’t dead yet.

15. Almost none of the bands featured in this filler countdown show disappeared. So while 80s fans might feel old for recognizing the songs their younger counterparts might not (or not be quite as obsessed with), the bands got even older. So, everybody wins! Also, I wonder if the guy featured in the clip of the die-hard Frankie Goes to Hollywood fan (dressed in the dark glasses, tux shirt and bowtie rather than the traditional “Frankie Says Relax” t-shirt) who claimed that the British pop sensation wasn’t just another short-lived fad (citing the Beatles as one example) still feels the same way? And more importantly, is still so dedicated so as to wear the same clothes.

16. If a band’s lead singer dies and they replace the lead singer via a contest held on television (INXS) or with members from other successful bands (Queen, Alice in Chains), they should consider writing new material as a new band. Otherwise, they’re more like a cover band.

17. Suzanna Hoffs of the Bangles married the director of Austin Powers. The VH1 special failed to mention Hoff’s own late 80s attempt at movies, particularly in the spectacularly awful Allnighter, which starred Hoffs and was written by her mother.

18. Osama Bin Laden is obsessed with Whitney Houston and once joked to his mistress that he’d kill Bobby Brown? No… no… I’m  not making it up. But are they?! I mean, this is the same world in which Michael Jackson is still living!

The 1980s pop group, Frankie goes to Hollywood, are back in the public eye with a remix of their classic track, Relax, and a new Best of collection called Frankie Say Greatest.

The marketing for this has been interesting. It has come on the back of the Virgin TV advert and commemorates the 25th anniversary of the bands debut album, Welcome to the Pleasuredome. Singer Holly Johnson’s solo albums are now all available to download online for the first time with physical CD reissues planned for next year I understand.

A few weeks ago there was a teaser campaign with Frankie Say Coming posters across London and last month the Frankie Say T-Shirt was the focus of 25 years of British fashion design. Not only that, CD promos of 11 remixes of Relax have been circulating and unsurprisingly these tracks can now be found on the net. This was always likely but is it all a ploy by generate interest? If that was the case it has certainly worked.

Social networking has also played a part in the success of this campaign with a multitude of postings on YouTube, Twitter and Facebook with Holly himself even getting in on the act. The producers of the new video – which hints at the Virgin ad that sparked all this new interest – invited people to appear by publicising auditions on a variety of media.

Frankie fans, this is your golden opportunity to be in Frankie Goes To Hollywood’s brand new video.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Frankie-Say-Greatest/128373872491?ref=nf

The new ‘Relax’ video shoot is taking place next Monday afternoon in London, and we’re offering one of you (plus friend) the chance to be in it.

It’s a very high profile music video for Universal Records and is going to be shown on all major music television networks, so it’s a great opportunity to be a star!

We are looking for 100 extras to party on the magnificent Kensington Roof Gardens , the music video will be fun, bright and sexy dance based video incorporating a great choreographed routine, a hot pilot dj, and some scorching air hottest podium dancers! A giant martini glass takes centre stage and the rocking club reaches fever pitch as the extras will be having fun, dancing at Kensington High street!

So if you want to have some fun and get a really good exposure please apply now!

*Please note!*

Entrants must be aged 18 and over
Entrants must be able to attend on the stated date; October 5th from mid afternoon through to the evening
Travel expenses will not be reimbursed for winners travel to and from Central London
There is no guarantee that the footage filmed will be used in the final cut
The competition closes at 12pm Friday 2nd October

Will all this lead to a big hit? Probably, especially as Holly himself has appeared in the new video for the song.

The 1980s pop group, Frankie goes to Hollywood, are back in the public eye with a remix of their classic track, Relax, and a new Best of collection called Frankie Say Greatest.

The marketing for this has been interesting. It has come on the back of the Virgin TV advert and commemorates the 25th anniversary of the bands debut album, Welcome to the Pleasuredome. Singer Holly Johnson’s solo albums are now all available to download online for the first time with physical CD reissues planned for next year I understand.

A few weeks ago there was a teaser campaign with Frankie Say Coming posters across London and last month the Frankie Say T-Shirt was the focus of 25 years of British fashion design. Not only that, CD promos of 11 remixes of Relax have been circulating and unsurprisingly these tracks can now be found on the net. This was always likely but is it all a ploy by generate interest? If that was the case it has certainly worked.

Social networking has also played a part in the success of this campaign with a multitude of postings on YouTube, Twitter and Facebook with Holly himself even getting in on the act. The producers of the new video – which hints at the Virgin ad that sparked all this new interest – invited people to appear by publicising auditions on a variety of media.

Frankie fans, this is your golden opportunity to be in Frankie Goes To Hollywood’s brand new video.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Frankie-Say-Greatest/128373872491?ref=nf

The new ‘Relax’ video shoot is taking place next Monday afternoon in London, and we’re offering one of you (plus friend) the chance to be in it.

It’s a very high profile music video for Universal Records and is going to be shown on all major music television networks, so it’s a great opportunity to be a star!

We are looking for 100 extras to party on the magnificent Kensington Roof Gardens , the music video will be fun, bright and sexy dance based video incorporating a great choreographed routine, a hot pilot dj, and some scorching air hottest podium dancers! A giant martini glass takes centre stage and the rocking club reaches fever pitch as the extras will be having fun, dancing at Kensington High street!

So if you want to have some fun and get a really good exposure please apply now!

*Please note!*

Entrants must be aged 18 and over
Entrants must be able to attend on the stated date; October 5th from mid afternoon through to the evening
Travel expenses will not be reimbursed for winners travel to and from Central London
There is no guarantee that the footage filmed will be used in the final cut
The competition closes at 12pm Friday 2nd October

Will all this lead to a big hit? Probably, especially as Holly himself has appeared in the new video for the song.

Finally, the following content has been taken from my other blog which was first published last year and focuses on the sleeve to Welcome to the Peasuredome and the Frankie Say T-Shirt. Enjoy!

Welcome to the Pleasuredome – an 80s icon?

Following my visit to the Art of ZTT exhibition at the Art Vinyl Gallery in London, I got thinking about the Welcome to the Pleasuredome album cover. It always surprised me that it never got listed as a classic sleeve when it has such strong visual imagery and identity. Personally I love it but maybe I’m just past being objective about the design.

Everything about that album was overblown and it stretches itself to the very limit. I think the very reason that it doesn’t appear as ‘a classic’ is because it was TRYING to be a classic. You simply cannot force creativity in that way.

This by no means diminishes the power of the imagery of the artist, Lo Cole, who was then barely out of art school. What a gig to get so early in your career. To this day this album is still in my Top Five packaged albums of all time.

Iconic images whether art, sculpture or photographs are of the moment and just capture the essence of the time they are in. This applies to other objects too such as furniture or even in changes in the language. “Loadsamoney!”

WTTP takes references from many periods of art and sleeve design and it’s purpose was to shock and I think this agenda and non-specific period of imagery that means it’s not rated as highly as it could be. The inside of the gatefold and the censored ‘tongue’ imagery on the reverse just played to the tabloid view of the band at that time.

I’m not saying it’s not good or it’s not of its time but that it isn’t the artistic icon it set out to be. However, the band and the label already have an icon to their name with the ‘Frankie Say…’ T-Shirt so that is achievement enough. Unlike the album I am pretty sure that ZTT were just producing a striking design, albeit ripped off from Katherine Hamnett, that would sell and not think anything of its longevity.

To finish, back to the sleeve design. Below is some original artwork which is similar, but not the same, as that used on the inside of the gatefold sleeve. An image that is likely to cause some embarrassment if seen by a parent back in 1984!

To view further images of the album including inner sleeves and label designs please visit the excellent Zang Tumb Tuum And All That fan site. “Thanks Bob!”

Muss man noch irgendetwas über Frankie goes to Hollywood sagen? Gibt es wirklich irgendwo jemanden der “Relax” oder “The Power of love” nicht kennt? Ich glaube nicht. Kaum eine andere Band der 80er Jahre hat die Musik dieser Dekade so beeinflusst wie FgtH. Und nie wieder klang eine Band so schwul und kraftvoll wie FgtH auf “Welcome to the Pleasure Dome”. Die Leichtigkeit des Synthie-Pop gemischt mit dem Bombast 70er Jahre-Rocks. Glasklar produziert und abgemischt von Trevor Horn, der einige Jahre später die Pet Shop Boys produzierte (was man an einigen Stellen hört). Diese Platte gehört in jede gute Sammlung. 4 Sterne von mir. Immer noch. Auch nach 25 Jahren.

Tracklist:

1. The World Is My Oyster
2. Welcome To The Pleasure Dome
3. Relax
4. War
5. Two Tribes
6. (Tag)
7. Fury
8. Born to Run
9. San Jose
10. Wish The Lads Were Here
11. The Balled of 32
12. Krisco Kisses
13. Black Night White Light
14. The Only Star In Heaven
15. The Power Of Love
16. Bang

Tras la muerte de Lucy Vodden, quien fuera la niña que inspiró primero a Julian Lennon (cuando era un niño) a dibujarla y llamarla “Lucy in the sky with Diamonds”, para que luego su padre, John Lennon,  creará con el mismo título una de las canciones más emblemáticas de los Beatles, la cual por años se pensó que era un tema que hablaba de la droga LSD, nos hace recordar que en el rock la inspiración de los compositores llega de hechos reales, que muchas veces por el mismo arte se vuelven una ficción.

Hagamos un recuento de otros temas rockeros emblemáticos y el origen de su inspiración.

“Angie” es una gran balada de los Rolling Stones, que habla sobre un amor perdido y por años se ha dicho que es un tema dedicado a Angela, la ex esposa de David Bowie,  y que fue una composición para disculparse con ella, porque  se sintió muy lastimada al encontrar a su  marido en la cama con Mick Jagger.

Aunque al principio ella declaró que ambos habían tenido relaciones sexuales, tiempo después en un programa de televisión aceptó que jamás los vio en el acto, sino que simplemente los encontró desnudos en la cama de su casa.  La bisexualidad de Bowie siempre fue pública, pero la de Jagger jamás ha sido confirmada por él mismo, ante este rumor el cantante de los Rolling simplemente dijo que todo era una “tontería”y que el tema en realidad fue hecho por Keith Richards, y que se basó en el nombre de la hija del guitarrista.

“Do you really want to hurt me” fue compuesta por el andrógino Boy George, líder del grupo Culture Club, que invadió al mundo en los años 80’s con su mezcla de pop suave y bailable con reggae y esta canción legendaria nació de sus peleas de pareja con el baterista Jon Moss.

George  acusaba a Moss de usarlo sexualmente para que él pudiera crear música, con la promesa de amarlo. Sin embargo, a la larga, el baterista prefirió convertirse en un heterosexual padre de familia, lo que provocó gran desilusión en el cantante, quien decidió refugiarse en las drogas y terminar de tajo con la carrera de Culture Club, pero su dolor de amores dejó una gran balada para las posteridad.

“Relax” fue un tema controvertido por su mensaje sexual pero que generó millonarias ventas y el reconocimiento público de la banda tecno, Frankie Goes to Hollywood. Aunque las tendencias homosexuales de algunos de sus integrantes generó que la canción se asociará con la comunidad gay, la realidad es que según palabras del cantante Holly Johnson, el tema hablaba del clímax sexual, que puede darse tanto en una mujer como en un hombre.

“Born in the USA” es un tema de protesta de Bruce Springsteen, que muchos norteamericanos pensaron que era un himno a la nacionalidad del país más poderoso del mundo, lo que provocó que varios políticos la tomaran en cuenta para sus campañas electorales.

La realidad es que la canción se inspiró en el estadounidense que no tuvo acceso al sueño americano y que terminó en el fracaso y se basa principalmente en la experiencia traumática de un veterano de Vietnam. Así que era un tema para querer dejar de ser estadounidense.

“White Riot” de The Clash es la esencia de la inspiración punk, ya que nació de una protesta hecha por la comunidad negra en Londres, que realizaron un motín, ante la falta de oportunidades que tenían en Inglaterra.

Dos miembros de The Clash quedaron precisamente en medio de la protesta y vieron cómo  la policía a punta de toletes y gases lacrimógenos detenían violentamente a los manifestantes. Tal experiencia generó en estos músicos la conciencia de ver que los residentes naturales blancos de Inglaterra, tenían un conformismo digno de vergüenza y por eso pedían una protesta para ellos.

“School’s out” tiene un motivo más simple, ya que Alice Cooper en 1972 se inspiró en sus jóvenes fans que salían de vacaciones de la High School, así que el cantautor quiso plasmar ese momento cuando toca el timbre en el último día de clases, y todo mundo se pone a gritar como loco porque no tendrá que ver libros o hacer tareas por varios días.

Con este tema, el gran creador del teatro-rock logró uno de sus clásicos más respetados y que lo llevó a la cima de las listas en Estados Unidos y el Reino Unido.

“Smoke on the water”  tiene una letra que nos explica a detalle de dónde vino la inspiración y como si fuera un corrido mexicano, nos cuenta cómo un casino en Montreaux,  donde tocaba Frank Zappa and The Mothers quedó hecho polvo por un incendio provocado por un fan.

Las llamas caían sobre un lago y el fuego se levantaba hasta el cielo, no hay más que decir, los miembros de Deep Purple tras ver el incendio se encerraron en un hotel que usaban como estudio y crearon el tema de heavy metal que tiene el riff más conocido de todos los tiempos.

“Detroit Rock City” de Kiss con el propio título da la impresión que será una canción más de fiesta y diversión, pero la realidad es que la letra tiene un mensaje oscuro, ya que fue inspirada en la muerte de un fan que en la ciudad de Detroit se dirigía a ver un  concierto de esta banda, pero que en el camino murió atropellado.

Los miembros de Kiss se impactaron al conocer la noticia y aunque en la mayor parte de la letra se habla de la euforia por estar vivo y escuchar rock, al final se pregunta a Dios con un simple “por qué” el destino fatal de irse intempestivamente de este mundo.

“Thunderbird” es una canción de Quiet Riot, compuesta por el extinto vocalista Kevin Dubrow, en honor al guitarrista  Randy Rhoads, quien fuera fundador de esta legendaria banda y que muriera en un accidente aéreo.

Rhoads decidió irse a tocar con Ozzy Osbourne, cooperando en el ascenso de la carrera solista del ex cantante de Black Sabbath.  

“Somethin’ to Believe in” es una canción de Poison, inspirada en la muerte  de uno de sus trabajadores o roadies, al cual le tenían mucho afecto y que al irse de este mundo tan joven, provocó que esta banda glam creará una de sus baladas más conocidas. En el video salen imágenes de este empleado, quien por palabras del cantante Bret Michaels, llegó a ser un gran amigo para todos los miembros del grupo.

“18 and Life” de Skid Row se inspiró en un hecho trágico que vivió un joven a sus escasos 18 años, quien asesinó a su mejor amigo.  

Por este crimen, este joven estadounidense fue condenado a cadena perpetua, y a más de 20 años de que salió este sencillo, esperemos que el acto de esta persona que le dejó ganancias millonarias a esta banda de rock, por lo menos pueda reclamar la libertad por buena conducta.

Holly Johnson (Frankie Goes to Hollywood) – Being photographed is kind of torture for me but yours are lovely.

Matt Chandler (Technical Director VFX, Jellyfish Pictures) – Fantastic work – Thought I’d drop you a line to show you my support. Perused your site and love your portrait work.

Adrian Tarrant – I felt I had to write to you not only to say what a truly wonderful website you have, but also to comment on the beautiful photographs that you have taken and the fact they they just reach out and speak being that they are so vivid… I used to do some modeling some time ago and I know how difficult it is sometimes to capture the right setting and get that right shot. It would seem that you have managed it on every occasion. I currently live in Zurich, Switzerland having moved from London 2 years ago. I think if you were somewhat closer I may of even considered putting my modeling boots back on and would of loved to have worked with you

Gilles M Mougin – Your photos are very beautiful. Congratulations!

Adam Membrey – Your work is incredible and to be applauded.

Graham C Taylor - As a Scot now living in America (the east coast of course and as an ex-professional photographer (If it’s in our blood then do we really ever give anything up?) I just wanted to say how much I admired your work…

I saw the bizarre publicity about you and couldn’t resist looking to see if you were subject to the same bizarre censorship I was back in the 70’s.

Yup, you do beautiful work; sometimes erotic, but always beautiful… always tasteful and, it seems, always a pleasure to view.

May I say a simple “thank you” for brightening my Saturday evening?

Jim Palfrey – I’ve recently retired from full time photography I would just like to say I am extremely impressed with your web-site and the images it contains.

Mike Reynolds – Having viewed the images on your website I would like to say that they are beautiful.

deviantART – I sat and stared at this picture for quite a while… wondering what makes it different from the thousands of other pregnant pictures out there. Was it the fact that you used natural colors instead of softening or gray-scaling the picture? (Well, yes.) Was it the angle you chose (again yes.) Was it the incredibly gorgeous model? (resounding yes.)
Most of all, though, I think it was the choice to have your model deliberately looking directly at her pregnant belly. The vast majority of pregnant pics treat the pregnant belly as if it just “happens” to be there. Sure the mother (and sometimes even the father) have their hands on the belly, but they’re usually looking somewhere else, or at each other… as if to say “We’re looking at the future, or anywhere besides this baby that’s about to wreak havoc on our lives.” To me, the focus of the picture should be the new life that’s about to be brought in to the world.
Your model has a look of contentment, nurturing comfort and possibly even a little anticipation… all focused directly on her unborn child. THAT is beautiful.
Bring all those aspects together and you have a masterpiece. I think you’ve done something here quite original.
Max.

Fleshbot - Naked lady pictures are really great and all, but when anyone with a camera and a naked lady can do it, how do you make yours a little more interesting than the norm? Well, Neolestat – who is actually photographer Andy Craddock in web disguise – does it with a variety of beautiful, but not necessarily professional models, an aversion to Photoshop filters, and a playfully kinky vibe that adds some spice to his images while still keeping it simple. Oh, and maybe an occasional octopus on the vagina. Honestly, you can never go wrong with a few extra tentacles.

deviantART – I have to say, some of your photos, and this is one of them, posses a fineness to them that more than meet the requirements of the corporal world. You’re capturing something that few people can, and a few of these gems want to be archival prints hanging before the eyes of people who really, really know what they’re talking about.
deviantART – There are some self opinionated photographers in this world, few though have the ability to back up their words.
I’m glad to say you ain’t one of them
Been a pleasure wandering through your work, and reading your “shizzle”.

deviantART – You are very talented, and I love talent. I am always happy to give praise where praise is due, and my friend, you are due a LOT.

deviantART – Dude? Are you for real? Knock your models? No way. Knock your photographs? Also, no way. These models are everyday people, and your photographs capture their beauty and playfulness. You are fortunate indeed to work with such people. It takes a special eye and attitude to get so much from a subject and bestow it in a moment’s image. Great stuff.

Laura Billing Photography – The photograph of me and MJ where you’ve made my tattoo all bright is the most beautiful pic I’ve seen in a very long time. <33

Rome Romanne – This is PURE CONTRAST! This is POP ART, and has the potential to be iconographic!!!
Simon Barnes – Easily one of the best shots I’ve ever seen. Kudos.
Matthew Harrison – Reminds me of the works of Eric Kroll. This is good… not what I would expect for a high key portrait. Nice irony.
Chuck Burns – Fantastic photo! You are the master of your art… I admire your portfolio and style.

Amy (Stockholm) – Awesome, beautiful and extremely funny. I simply love this picture. It is one of the most incredible pics I’ve seen in… a while!

Victoria via deviantART – I love your gallery. Your photos are beautiful. They say a lot without being overbearing. I guess I’m lost for words after that. Awesome work!

I have found Unconditional Love.

What does this mean?

It means sometimes my guy does things, or says things which upset me.

But it doesn’t matter.

No matter what happens. No matter what he does. I just Love him anyway.

And I do now believe he Loves me.

Because he is aware of all of my failings. He’s seen all my ugly bits. And still, he Loves me.

We’ve been through so much.

And we always bounce back.

We always come back into Love. Naturally.

Whatever happens, we always wake up in the morning and the first thing we say, and the first thing we hear, is, “I Love you.”

The Power Of Love. Frankie Goes To Hollywood. Click on image to watch/hear.

To me this is Unconditional Love.

Just Loving someone for who they are.

Love without stipulation, manipulation, condition or control.

I feel I’m really lucky to have found this.

I know whatever happens, I will always Love this guy, Unconditionally.

As Damian Marley says, Unconditional Love is scarce.

Damian Marley. There For You. On YouTube. Click on image to watch/hear.

♥Ali.

I have an Angel.

I have many Angels.

One of my Angels is called Andrea.

She is my best friend in the world.

I Love her so dearly.

We’ve known each other since we were schoolchildren.♥

We reckon, when we were teens, we were hippy chicks.

Then in our 20’s and 30’s we did a bit of a detour, doing children and career.

And it was all a bit Thatcherite and all about power.

Now in our 40’s we’ve come full circle and are back to hippy chick! Peace and OneLove.

Frankie Goes To Hollywood. The Power Of Love. On YouTube. Click on image to view.

♥Ali.

For September, I’m changing up the music round just a bit. During the month, all music round songs will come from the 1980s. So pull out your old cassette tapes of Madonna, Tears For Fears, The Police, The Cars, et al. because some of those tunes are bound to show up at some point.

Here’s a few clues to songs that could be used in the music round on Sept. 2. The link will take you to iTunes to hear a sample of the songs.

The Safety Dance – Men Without Hats

Tuff Enuff – The Fabulous Thunderbirds

Relax – Frankie Goes to Hollywood

You Dropped a Bomb On Me – The Gap Band

It’s Tricky – Run-DMC

Keep Your Hands to Yourself – The Georgia Satellites

Relaxation and the easy ride

frankie goes to hollywood, discharge goes online; easy rider and the death of wanderlust; scant rant about the prison industrial complex; guattari’s chaosophy; beckett illustrates the transversality of desire through sucking stones

clarifications:

- “liberalism” as contra-radicalism, not endorsement for conservatism

- transversality, e.g.

consumer discovers the relentless anti-union murder campaigns funded and controlled by coca-cola. consumer says, ugh, i’ll stop buying coke…i’ll buy pepsi, instead.

instead: stop the cult of option! stop the buying!!

- desire and semiotics

coherent theoretical construction, e.g.: woman desires children

semiotic scaffolding, e.g.: discourse of abstaining from parenthood

- deterritorialism: the cult of option

sit back and relax

Ab 1983 wurde Frankie goes to Hollywood mit Titeln wie Relax, The Power of Love oder Two Tribes bekannt. Es erschienen im Wesentlichen die Alben Welcome to the Pleasuredome 1984 und Liverpool 1986. Bekannter Frontmann der Liverpooler Band war Holly Johnson, Produzent war Trevor Horn. Charakteristisch ist der wuchtige und treibende Sound. Allein der wegen des homoerotischen Textes skandalumwitterte Titel Relax wurde von der Band in verschiedensten Versionen eingespielt. 1987 trennte sich die fünfköpfige Band nach Streit. Johnson und Paul Rutherford outeten sich als homosexuell. 2003 erfolgte die Wiedervereinigung. Für Holly Johnson kam Ryan Molloy, der dem ehemaligen Frontmann stimmlich erstaunlich nahe kommt. Bei dem Prince’s-Trust-Concert 2004 im Londoner Wembley Stadion war die Band  mit einem exellenten Liveauftritt zu erleben:

Seems each Friday, I take subconcious pleasure in making this as difficult as possible for myself – this week, The Fashion Office Recommends…Power Ballads.  Sorry people, things are about to get very slushy…

Sostylistic opts for:  Aerosmith – Don’t Want To Miss A Thing.

Ellie: Bon Jovi – Always.

New Favourite Thing chose: White Snake – Here I Go Again.

Sartoriology: Frankie Goes To Hollywood – Power Of Love.

A Work In Progress: Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston – When You Believe.

Stevie: Roxette – It Must Have Been Love.

Another new recruit, Frankie recommends: Bonnie Tyler – Total Eclipse Of The Heart.

Soldiersailor: Madonna cover’s disco diva Rose Royce’s, Love Don’t Live Here Anymore.

I really didn’t like this track back in the 80s.  As a child, I found it miserable compared to the more frenetic tracks, Over and Over and Angel on Madonna’s debut album Like A Virgin.  Several decades on, with age (and less sugar in my diet), I’ve grown to love it by understanding the pain the lyrics convey, and as an adult, think this is a peaceful, really quite beautiful track.

Check out what revamped and remixed tracks made the list last week in The Fashion Office Recommends – Sampled Tracks.