I Lost It At The Movies

There are three documentaries out this fall that I've just gotta see, all mixing a nihilistic attitude with fascinating portraits of artistic ambition.

One Fast Move or I’m Gone: Kerouac’s Big Sur inspired an album by Shore Fire clients Jay Farrar And Benjamin Gibbard, who are also in it; it's sure to make me want to get on the road again.

William S. Burroughs: A Man Within should be an intense look at the Naked Lunch author (fun fact: what legendary duo, now featuring our client, bassist "Ready" Freddie Washington, in their touring band, named themselves after an object in that novel?).

Watch the out-there trailer for a glimpse of a manic Iggy Pop:



And last, but certainly not least, is Let Them Know: The Story of Youth Brigade and BYO Records, about the legendary SoCal punk label. Lots of great punk energy, premiering in LA September 10 and available on the 22nd in a limited-edition box set with a double-LP compliation of 31 loud-fast-rules songs and a hardcover, full-color book.

Look at this and just try not to slam dance at your desk:



I'm buying the popcorn!

Punks May Be Dying, But Punk's Not Dead

I've been remiss in not noting the sad and too-early passing of two punk greats: Lux Interior of The Cramps and Ron Asheton of The Stooges.

Today comes news of Lux's recent memorial service (Poison Ivy wore leopard print), as well as an item indicating that ex-Sex Pistol Steve Jones, once host of Jonesy's Jukebox on the recently left-for-dead Indie 103.1, has been talking to Iggy Pop about replacing Asheton on tour.

I learned about all of this from the indispensable Daily Swarm. It affirms my belief that punk's not dead.

Hammers Of The Gods

Last night I was witness to an amazing thunderstorm in Central Park. It was flashy and loud, and my dog, who as a Southern California-raised girl is used to such qualities, but not in weather, didn't like it one bit.

Lightning forks lit up the sky, so powerful and clearly etched that it looked like Zeus and Thor were having a throwing contest, and it made me think of songs about thunder and lightning, including:

• "Thunder Road," by Bruce Springsteen;
• "Knock on Wood," by Sam and Dave ('It's like thunder, lightning - the way you love me is frightening");
• "You Love The Thunder" by Jackson Browne;
• "Riders on the Storm" by The Doors (if that's playing on classic rock radio, you know it's raining);
• "Chain Lightning," by Steely Dan

And a list like this wouldn't be complete with the thunderously heartbreaking Johnny Thunders:

Iron Man Is "Institutionalized"

I really loved Iron Man, one of the better superhero movies ever. Great performances by Robert Downey, Jr., Jeff Bridges, Gwyneth Palrow and Terence Howard (and the best robot team since R2D2 and C3PO) and strong direction by Jon Favreau give life to a smart, action-packed script.

Music plays an important part in the movie, including the accidental destruction of a Bluthner piano, which horrified me more than the subsequent pulverizing of a mint-condition Lotus (and, in a production that features blatant product placement throughout, made me wonder, why not Fazioli or Bosendorfer?).

The song choices by music supervisor Dave Jordan, also responsible for Transformers and The Fast and the Furious, were excellent, especially Suicidal Tendencies' hardcore plaint "Institutionalized," used perfectly to express our hero's angst. (Yes, that is indie-film superstar Mary Woronov as the mom in the original video below.)



Wired's Listening Post blog has an excellent rundown of various kinds of Iron Man music, past and present. Who knew the Cardigans covered Black Sabbath?