Stephen Gately, RIP

While in high school, I was a pop music fanatic. It’s time to come totally clean about something that probably makes me totally uncool, but I don’t really care. I was head over heels for Swedish-produced dance pop along the lines of NSYNC, Britney Spears, The Backstreet Boys, etc, etc, etc… The American record companies were churning out pop acts as fast as they could to keep up with the appetites of young female consumers like me.

As I am a curious girl, my pop-loving wandering eyes ventured across the pond to European popstars. That’s where I discovered Five, Billie Piper (who FYI Is proving herself a better actress than she ever was a singer – I’m watching “Doctor Who” at present and she’s just grand!) and, the motherload of successful UK boybands, Boyzone.

Yes, it’s the dumbest name of a group ever.

But, they weren’t half-bad. I’m not saying they were genius, and they were obviously assembled by a studio looking for five photogenic young dudes to make cash off, but their singles didn’t suck and they were charming enough.

When I got back from my trip to Michigan this weekend, I learned that Stephen Gately, one of the Boyzone five, had died tragically – and mysteriously (cause of death still unknown) while on his own vacation, and it made me really sad.

Boyzone was not a collection of five great singers. Hardly. Ronan Keating has an interesting voice, but it was Stephen who could really belt it out. After Boyzone’s “break-up,” He proved himself in West End musicals and with a solo career.

He’s also the brave young man who came out at a time when everyone assumed that, as a member of a boyband, being gay would end your career. It didn’t. In fact, it made Stephen’s fans even more adoring than before.

(Stephen’s debut solo single – “New Beginning”)

(Stephen performing “Bright Eyes” live at the Point in 2000.)

The TingTings @ Metro

Oh, how I love music sometimes.

Eric introduced me to The Ting Tings a few months back as a band I would likely enjoy running to, and he was really super right about that. So, when we heard they were coming to Chicago for a show at the Metro on 4/5 – 6 days before my birthday – of course tickets were obtained.

FYI for those over .. 24? College.. whatever? An “All ages” show means that there are literally all ages.  From the middle-aged “Moms” in the front row dancing their fool heads off to the young kids leaning over the balcony with their parents (the kids were maybe 12.. probably younger) there was a very interesting vibe to the whole room. Lots of young teens, many of whom were clearly of the belief that they were the single most important person who had ever lived.

The opening act was called HOTTUB, which – according to the online research I found – is a “female rap trio from Oakland, California.”  Um, yeah. Basically, they appeared to be three bratty teenage girls drunk and/or high jumping around (and falling a lot) on the stage and yelling indistinguishable lyrics. Along with them was a young man who basically just danced wildly and kept jumping into the audience and onto people – including us at one point. I mean, I get that music is about energy, but looking around the venue, most of the audience (other than a few members singled out as being cousins of one of the members) weren’t feeling the energy and looked rather annoyed. Perhaps it’s because we weren’t all wasted.  For an all-ages show, they had songs called “Manbitch” and a song I’m guessing it called “This s%$t is f%$#$%g bomb.” Like I said, I couldn’t make out a single word.

Saving the day the second they hit the stage, The Ting Tings themselves put on an awesome show, performing songs from their debut album “We started nothing.” There are only two members of the band, but it feels like ten.  Katie White (the lead singer, who also plays guitar, keyboards, and drums and cowbell when needed) trots onto the stage looking like Sharpay from High School Musical, but with ever so much more grit and class, she’s a delight to watch. And Jules DeMartino (drums, guitars, vocals, everything else) keeps up with her every step of the way.  They played a good chunk of their album, as well as sampling some classics – “Walk this way” among others. It was a high-energy show, and they erased the memory of their appalling opening act by the end of their first song.

Check out The Ting Tings – their music is infectious.

True Colors – videos!

“True Colors” – Cyndi Lauper, Rosie O’Donnell, The Cliks, Tegan and Sarah, White Tie Affair, The B52’s and other band members.

True Colors Tour @ Chicago Theater

This was the gayest concert ever – and I mean that as the highest possible compliment. True Colors, the tour, was founded by Cyndi Lauper last year as a way to get out information and celebrate Unity, Diversity, and Equality. Being Cyndi Lauper, she was able to arrange a great line-up of acts, and this year True Colors returned again to bring a big colorful message of unity and celebration.

The Host: Carson Kressley. Who I expected to be mildly amusing, but was actually tremendously funny and campy and wonderful.

The Acts:

1. White Tie Affair – Chicago band, made up of five dark-haired little cuties. Brent and I dubbed them “Like Fall Out Boy, without the sucking and Ashlee Simpson connection.” We really dug them, and met the perky as can be lead singer post-shot briefly. Check them out.

2. The Cliks – We weren’t really sure who they were, but the lesbians all around us sure seemed to know and liked them a lot. They were really good – particulary their cover of Justin Timberlake’s “Cry me a river.”

3. Tegan and Sarah – Win the award for best banter, seriously. They’re so sisters. Adorable little Canadian pop/rock duo. Loved them.

4. Rosie O’Donnell – Did a mini-stand up routine which actually had some sweet and serious moments, and almost made me cry a little bit. She’s really truly a great speaker and endearing presence – and funny as hell.

5. The B-52s – I have loved this band on albums and singles for forever, but never seen them live, and it was interesting. They’re energetic and new wavey, and sound great and got people dancing, but .. it was a little like watching your parents dance. I don’t know if that’s positive. Love the new single “Juliet of the Spirits,” though.

6. Cyndi Lauper – Let’s take a moment here and pause and bow down. Because none of us are worthy. Cyndi was amazing, the showstopper, the highlight, and the best part of the show. She did tracks from her new album “Bring ya to the Brink” as well as some crowd-pleasing favorites like “She-Bop,” “Time after Time,” “I drove all night,” AND was joined onstage by Rosie for a lively version of “Girls just wanna have fun.” She still sounds exactly as amazing as she did back in the day, has tons of energy, and rambles her banter like a crazy woman. All in all, it’s a glorious effect.

For the grand finale, all the acts came back onstage and sang “Everyday people” and Lauper’s “True Colors,” which was touching and lovely. (Video to come soon..)

What a great and entertaining evening.

Check it out.

http://truecolorstour.com/

True Colors

Summer has begun.

I just bought tickets to the True Colors 2008 tour stop in Chicago.

Cyndi Lauper, The B-52s, The Cliks, Tegan and Sara, Rosie O’Donnell, and your special guest host…Carson Kressley.

Whee!

SCREAM!

I am a giant ball of stress right now. Like, stress that hurts. I might scream.

On that note – enjoy some Jacksons.

ituned in.

So, according to my ipod… my top played songs are:

*REHAB, Amy Winehouse
*SO SMALL, Carrie Underwood
*ITS YOUR WEDDING DAY, The Wedding Singer Broadway Cast
*THE LAST REAL RECORD STORE ON EARTH, High Fidelity Broadway Cast
*RADAR, Britney Spears
*ONE HEAVY FEBRUARY, Architecture in Helsinki
*STAY WITH YOU, Goo Goo Dolls
*LOST HIGHWAY, Bon Jovi
*HOW FAR WE’VE COME, Matchbox Twenty
*THEME TO THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN

I don’t think there’s any question that my musical tastes are eclectic.

Music that could change your life: Swinging Mademoiselles

Shut up and listen to it. Seriously.

Highlights: “Des Tigres Et Des Minets” by Christine DeLaRoche – “Cafe Creme” by Christine Pilzer (which sounds like The Monkee’s “Daddy’s Song”) – and “Saperlipopette” by Clothilde.

Britney does it again.

What can I say, Britney? You did it again.

No, I’m serious. “Blackout,” despite all the media drama you’ve been through/caused in the past few months/year/however long you’ve been crazy, is a good album. It really is. Granted, it feels like you barely showed up to record your vocals, but your almost glaring absence from the record doesn’t detract from the incredible dancability of the music you’ve hired the best producers on earth to create for you. You might be crazy, but you’re not crazy enough to not know that you’ve never been the greatest singer on earth and you’re best suited to electropop.

Favorite track: “Heaven on Earth,” which reminds me of the last track on IN THE ZONE, “Brave New Girl,” which seemed out of place but fabulous on that album. Both are new wave-y, uptempo, fun songs.

Give it a shot. Seriously.

when a star falls down #2

….Well, thanks to my news sources (ie, perezhilton and thesuperficial) I woke up this morning to read the sad news that a) Britney’s manager quit, b) Kevin is officially getting custody of the babies, due to Britney’s issues with “nudity and drug use” since leaving rehab, c) Britney may have hired a hit-man to “take care” of Kevin, and d) Britney was also banned from the Chateau Marmont due to questionable behavior.

All of which leads me to state once again that, hello – this girl needs some help. Anyone? Anyone? Britney’s mom? Justin? Christina Aguilera? Madonna? Rosie? Someone interested in anything other than making $ off this poor lost little kid with all the money and fame in the world and no interest in it anymore?

I’ve been a Britney fan since day one — and I want the old Britney back.

The Britney who made crazy fun dance songs, iconic videos, and electrifying live shows. The Entertainer who looked like she cared.

Take her infamous “Satisfaction/Oops” performance from the VMAs years ago and compare it to the recent “Gimme More” fiasco. That’s the difference.