Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Tommy Haas: Shirtless and Bearded

With thanks to Leo and Dan: Mr. Haas looking awfully good practicing in Delray Beach. More HERE.

RIP, Davy Jones

The world of entertainment lost yet another one of its iconic stars today when Monkees singer Davy Jones died. He was 66 and reportedly suffered a heart attack at his home in Indiantown, Fla. As old as I feel sometimes am, the Monkees were actually a little before my time. But because of reruns of "The Brady Bunch," Davy was an indelible part of my childhood -- could you blame Marcia for having such a crush? he was nearly as tall as she was!!! -- which led to my seeking out 45's of "Daydream Believer," “Last Train to Clarksville,” “I’m a Believer” and “(I’m Not Your) Steppin’ Stone.” While it's not as painful as losing a 48-year-old diva, 66 still seems awfully young. RIP, Davy.

Blondie's Jimmy Destri Rides Again!

This one will probably only appeal to the hardcore Blondie fans who read my site -- we know Anthony's not one of them -- but the band's legendary (former) keyboard player made a triumphant return to the stage Saturday night at Joe's Pub, and I'm so glad I was able to cut out of a late-starting gay wedding I was at to catch his set. The second I heard the opening drum licks to "Bad Dreams" -- the lead track off his underappreciated 1981 solo (and sole) album, "Heart on a Wall" -- I knew I was in for a treat, but then it got even better. From there, he did an assortment of Blondie songs that he penned -- Blondiephiles know that he was the wonderful George Harrison to Debbie and Chris' Lennon-McCartney -- beginning with "Accidents Never Happen" ("They will happen quite a bit tonight, we didn't rehearse!" he joked before the band ate the beat a number of times), "I Didn't Have the Nerve to Say No" (one of several songs he had vocal assistance by a cute Lea Michele look- and soundalike named Janet LaBelle), "Fan Mail" (frequently cited as my FAVORITE Blondie song!), and "Atomic," which he gave a shout-out to Nigel Harrison (whose famous bass line makes the song) before starting (both Nigel and Frank Infante were seated near us -- a veritable Discarded Blondie Members Hall of Fame). He played three new songs I've heard via the Web before -- details HERE -- then closed the show with my favorite solo song of his, "My Little World." (More about that in a second.) The packed crowd demanded an encore -- Jimmy's wife Robbie had done a great job getting the word out about the premiere gig of Jimmy Destri and the Sound Grenade -- so back out they came, and after claiming they had nothing else up their sleeves, gave "Call Me" a shot. Janet's microphone didn't want to work, but it was fun hearing Jimmy imitate (in a very thick Italian accent) how Giorgio Moroder approached him back in '80 and asked him if he could make various sounds he had in mind for the "American Gigolo" classic. Afterward I briefly spoke to Mrs. Destri -- she's a fun one, danced throughout the show and even got the crowd up during "Atomic" as her hubby "begged" her to sit down! -- before running into Jimmy on my way back to the bathroom. He was as nice as could be -- no Rock and Roll Hall of Fame attitude here, and he looks damn good for pushing 60 -- posing for a photo and answering all of my fanboy questions. He said he's given up hope of "Heart on a Wall" ever getting a digital release (his wife told me Chrysalis says the tapes were lost, Jimmy says they claim it didn't sell -- so he's focusing on making new music -- yet he sees the LP traded in at record stores everywhere he goes), but more than anything I wanted to know the identity of the small boy singing at the end of "My Little World," someone I calculated would be about 35 now. (Ouch.) Without missing a beat, he explained that it was one of producer Michael Kamen's daughters (oops! not sure which one, Sasha and Zoe are listed online) who was hanging out in the studio and started singing along to the song's "You can follow me" refrain. Moments before, he had dedicated the song to "the great Michael Kamen who died way too young," but I only realized how "big" the "Heart on a Wall" producer was -- and that he had died -- when I got home. It's always been my favorite part of the song -- when Jimmy sweetly says back, "Where you going? Where do you wanna go?" -- it's one of those moments that you couldn't write better. Here's hoping this is just the beginning for Jimmy Destri and the Sound Grenade. With so many other great credits to his name -- "No Imagination," "Kidnapper," Picture This," "11:59," "Slow Motion," "Walk Like Me," "Angels on the Balcony," "Do the Dark, to name a few -- I wouldn't have the nerve to say no to a chance to see them again. (Learn more about the new band HERE.)

Status: Less Than Zero

Wednesday Ad Watch

Well, maybe Santorum does have a point ...

Caption Me

Hold My Ass Now

Contact Music reports that Alannah Currie -- formerly of the '80s Brit synth-pop trio the Thompson Twins -- has been commissioned to design a club chair for Blondie singer Debbie Harry's New York City apartment.

Contact says that since the Thompson Twins broke up the early 1990s, Curry "has become an in-demand furniture artist, known as Miss Pokeno, and she is currently renovating an art space in London with her husband Jimmy Cauty, who was once a member of chart-topping band the Klf."

Hadn't caught wind of this latest career change (when I last I heard she was doing something in New Zealand). But let's hope the chair is a bigger hit than the last time she created something for Deb -- the single "I Want That Man," which failed to make Billboard's Hot 100 back in 1989. Love 'em both -- fun to hear they're still in touch.

UPDATE: A friend who works in PR writes to tell me that the Thompson Twins -- well, Tom Bailey and Alannah -- have just signed to 401K Music:

"I was very keen to work with Tom & Alannah as I think their songwriting was, and is, incredible. You see a Thompson Twins song title and you immediately can sing it -- the songs are that memorable. I would love to help introduce their music to a whole new generation of music fans and build value in their catalog." enthuses Veronica Gretton, 401K's founder.

Hot-Ass Jason Varitek to Retire

The Boston Globe reports that Jason Varitek, a two-time World Series champion and the captain of the Red Sox from 2005-11, will announce his retirement today in Fort Myers, Fla. While it's blasphemy to root for the Red Sox here in New York, I think we can all agree that Varitek is one of the game's hunkiest players and has the hottest ass -- catchers always do -- even if the jury is still out as to whether or not this is really his heinie HERE.

This is definitely it, however, at the 50-second mark HERE.

Mwuaaaaah!

This ought to turn the GOP's chances around. Oh, wait. Guess I shouldn't joke. Fifty percent of the country is stupid enough to believe this is the president's fault ... just watch:

Morning Wood

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Brian Sims: I'm From Bloomsburg, PA

Gay rights advocate and policy lawyer Brian Sims -- who is currently running to be the first openly gay member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives -- tells his moving story of coming out ... to his college football teammates. (Part of the ongoing I'm From Driftwood series.) Check it out:

Bears for Romney?

Find out how these "Romney-loving" guys ended up on the Detroit Free Press' home page HERE.

Daddy & Me

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

Sheer Excitement

Funny how these things work. Ever since word got out that Cuban-American actor/model William Levy was cast on the next season of "Dancing With the Stars," the most popular post on my blog is THIS. (not super work friendly)

UPDATE:

Oh, yeah. I'm a tennis fan. Martina Navratilova's gonna be on, too.

Caption Me

With thanks to Ajax!

The Gay Marriage Dance

As we celebrate recent gay marriage victories in Washington and Maryland -- the governor of John Waters' home state is set to make it legal Thursday -- Abby Goodnough of The New York Times looks at the attempt to repeal marriage equality in New Hampshire, which is leaving some of us feeling the familiar refrain of two steps forward, one step back ... or more. New Jersey had its marriage bill vetoed by Gov. Chris Christie recently, and voters in Minnesota and North Carolina will vote in November and May, respectively, whether to enact constitutional amendments against gay marriage, as 30 states already have. Read HERE.

And People Said Sean Young Couldn't Get Arrested in Hollywood

Now the loony Catwoman from the Moon wants an apology:

The Daily New reports:

"I just want everyone to know that I was sober (and) extremely well behaved when a very stupid security guard went postal on me,” she wrote on Facebook after her Monday morning release from jail.

“The Academy's very stupid lawyer recommended a ‘private person's arrest,’ and I have grounds for a lawsuit against the Academy, although I believe a public apology to me would be much better,” she said.

If only the Oscars were half this entertaining -- I might have watched!

Morning Wood

With thanks to Ajax.

Monday, February 27, 2012

Lip Service for Bradley Cooper

I didn't bother to watch the Oscars last night -- I was in bed with Haven Kimmel and she's far more entertaining -- but after seeing Bradley Cooper's mustache, I'm really glad I didn't. I mean, really: How much more can I take?

Sheriff Lobo Homo Strikes Again

Michelangelo Signorile sizes the sheriff up good with his assessment of how the closet corrupted Pinal County, Arizona's Paul Babeu. (He's 7 cut for those looking to size him up in other ways, according to his Adam4Adam profile.) But does it explain why he ran an abusive private school and had a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old boy who was a student there??? Resign, sir. Resign now. You're a disgrace to your state, your fellow gay Americans and yourself.

Revenge of the Bullied?

Classmates of T.J. Lane, the 17-year-old boy who shot five people (killing at least one two three) this morning in Ohio, are coming forward saying he was a bullied outcast at his suburban Cleveland school. There is no excuse for gun violence. But having grown up in a sea of bullying, I'm mostly surprised something like this doesn't happen more often. Read HERE.

Going Down

The New York Post has some new details about the horrific elevator accident in Midtown Manhattan in December, reporting that mechanics "overrode the elevator’s safety system and stepped out of the lift just two minutes before it crushed young Y&R ad executive Suzanne Hart to death." We all make mistakes on our job, but someone is going to have to pay for this one. Read the full story HERE.

Thrill of the Grill

There's something a bit fishy about this tweet.

Monday Ad Watch: Renuzit Dooz-It All Right!

This ad campaign smells like a winner to me!

Darren Criss vs. Debbie Harry

Who sang "The Rainbow Connection" better, Darren Criss or Debbie Harry? Clearly Kermit's a Blondie frog! Watch Darren HERE -- and Debbie HERE.

(h/t Towleroad)

Sometimes a Kiss Isn't Just a Kiss

This photo of a gay Marine's homecoming has become a viral sensation -- it's adorable! -- and has sparked an outpouring of support from backers of the military's decision to allow gay men and lesbians to serve openly in the military.

'American Life' Is Sounding Better All the Time

As much as I rag on Madonna the Person (I think that's what she is), I've long been a huge fan of her music, the thing she does best. While her last album was marred by a poor choice of collaborators, and the two before it were uneven at best, I was hoping a reunion with producer William Orbit would lead to a return to form this time around. But if I thought the first single from "MDNA" was a bust (Toni Basil covered this ground in '82, my dear, and did it far better), the follow-up, "Girl Gone Wild," makes "Give Me All Your Luvin'" sound like a mashup of "Borderline" and "Into the Groove." Like its predecessor, it too is not one of the Orbit tracks -- this one's produced by Madonna, Benny Benassi and Alle Benassi -- which makes me wonder how weak those are if they are picking a song for a single that sounds like a wisely discarded demo from "Music." Zero for two. Can this album be saved?

Foster Care

It's times like this when I'm saddest that "Extreme Makeover" went off the air.

Caption Me

Mr. Tebow Goes to Hollywood

Page Six reports that Tim Tebow was the toast of the pre-Oscar parties in Hollywood this weekend -- with many of Tinseltown's most beautiful women bending over backward to meet the hunky quarterback -- and has signed with the William Morris Endeavor agency. Can a remake of Brian Bosworth's "Stone Cold" be far off?

Quote of the Day

Call it impassioned hyperbole -- or the stupidest thing anyone's ever said -- but when
when a 27-year-old pedophile in Queens, N.Y., who molested children then shared photos of his disgusting acts with other sickos on the Internet was being sentenced, here's what the prosecuting attorney had to say about it:

“This (defendant’s) crimes are far worse than some who commit homicides,” Assistant Brooklyn U.S. Attorney Michael Canty said.

Really? Try telling that to the families of Danielle Van Dam, Etan Patz, Adam Walsh, the victims of the Oakland County child killer, the victims of the Atlanta child killer and the thousands of others who have been abducted and murdered.

Morning Wood

See the slightly less suitable for work version HERE.

Sunday, February 26, 2012

On the Rag, 187

A weekly look at what's making news in the free gay mags:

There's not a new Sensitif out yet, but the archives certainly have a lot to look at HERE.

Next features "Mob Wives" star Angela "Big Ang" Raiola, shot exclusively by Kevin Thomas Garcia. More HERE.

Boi Chicago has a guide to carry-out and food delivery HERE.

Friday, February 24, 2012

Caption Me

(Too hot to hold onto 'til Monday's Morning Wood!)

A Star Is Torn


I don't watch "The View" and I can't even bring myself to watch this five-minute clip of Star Jones' "controversial" return to the show this week. But I've read the transcript-- and heard about it from Michael -- and don't have a problem with Barbara Walters and Joy Behar putting her on the spot about her shady behavior during her tenure on the show. That said -- and defending Star Jones isn't high on my list of things to do -- I'm still confused by Barbara's bitterness about Star's exit. Barbara didn't renew Star's contract, but then told Star she could say whatever she wanted about leaving, it would be their little secret. But when Star decided to blurt it on the show shortly thereafter -- remember the whole "after much prayer and counsel” bullshit? -- then Barbara didn't like it? To me it just sounds like Barbara is a control freak, and when Star tried to retain a little dignity -- the woman had been shitcanned, can you blame her? And Barbara TOLD her she could do it her way -- Barbara turned into a petty bitch. Am I missing something?

For 'Rent'

The Daily News reports that the former home of Life Cafe in Alphabet City -- where Jonathan Larson reportedly wrote a lot of the Broadway behemoth "Rent" -- is now up for rent. Who wants to open a coffee joint with me? I hear you can get a good deal on a five-hundred-twenty-five-thousand-six-hundred minute lease.

Is Zac Efron a Magnum Man?

Have you seen the trailer for Zac Efron's new film, "The Lucky One"? In it, Taylor Schilling's character totally brushes off the little stud's advances, which prompted Michael to bust out in laughter and say --out loud in the theater(!) -- "As if she'd turn him down." Well, as if Zac could be any hotter, check him out on the red carpet at the premiere of "The Lorax" in Los Angeles this week, where a condom appears to fall out of his pocket. While it's hard to see, his reaction seems to indicate it is indeed a rubber -- and a Magnum at that. What are you trying to do to us, kid? More HERE.