It’s official, the Spice Girls are back. The group officially announced Thursday that they would reform for a world tour at the end of 2007. Of course, they are visiting only 11 cities, none of which are close to Sheboygan. So, a Spice Girls reunion is pretty pointless round these parts. But it’s good to see the girls are getting back together. According to several articles, it appears that no new Spice Girls albums are on the horizon, but a Greatest Hits CD is set for release around the time of the tour.
The Top 10 Bands You’ve Probably Never Heard of: Boris The Sprinkler
Boris the Sprinkler is the best damn punk band ever ... period. I know what you’re asking. What about the Sex Pistols? Rubbish. The Buzzcocks? Blah! The Ramones and The Descendents? Um ... Boris the Sprinkler is one of the three best punk bands ever!!!!! Formed in 1992, in Green Bay of all places, BTS became known for its goofy pop-punk anthems that imitated, parodied and ultimately eclipsed some of the greatest punk rock groups of all time with their solidly written music and the psychotically comical jaw-dropping rants of lead singer Reverend Norb — who would often take the stage wearing a motorcycle helmet with deer antlers attached to it. Add catchy songs with titles like “Kill the Ramones,” “Goddamn Rollerbladers” and “My Radio Is Telling Me To Kill (The Guys On My Radio)” and you’ve got one heck of a musical experience! Though BTS never reached the huge audiences it should have, Boris released a handful of punk rock masterpieces on a variety of labels, from Rev. Norb’s Bulge Records to major-minor labels Go-Kart Records and Lookout Records. I personally didn’t find out about Boris the Sprinkler until 1998. The first time I saw them, they were playing in the back room of a bowling alley in Riverwest, Milwaukee. The sound sucked, the opening band had this guy who I thought was wearing a shirt (but really he was very hairy), and I had no idea what kind of show I was in for. But dammit, they won me over. Now, I have six of their CDs loaded onto my iPod (and I’m looking for a copy of their last CD “Gay,” so if anyone knows where I can get one e-mail me). That and I saw them play with the Lunachicks and the legendary Buzzcocks in 1999, and they made the Buzzcocks look like a bunch of chumps! CHUMPS! Boris the Sprinkler broke up a couple of years ago, and I have heard rumors that a comeback has been discussed (from guitarist Paul #1—Hey Paul, when we going out for that beer?). Maybe they need a little motivation. Hey Boris the Sprinkler, the Spice Girls are getting back together. Do you guys really want to be sitting on your couch, watching TV and eating cheezy poofs with the Spice Girls running around again? It’s time for you to get out there and “Do The Sprinkler” one more time!
You can download two songs on Boris the Sprinkler's MySpace site CLICK HERE.
Also, here's a video I found on YouTube of Boris playing in Manitowoc. I can't tell what the song is. Still interesting to check out.
She amazed internet audiences everywhere, now Pearl (the star of Will Farrell's "The Landlord") is back, and badder than ever. After the video was released, Pearl issued a statement that she leaving acting behind to pursue was going to pursue "broader challenges as I approach my 26th month." We'll miss you Pearl!
CD Review Kelly Clarkson “My December” RCA Records
Let’s see if I got this straight. Avril Lavigne got happy, while Kelly Clarkson got angry? American Idol Alum Clarkson’s third CD, My December, hits stores tomorrow and much of it is a side of Clarkson most we haven’t seen before - her angry side. Now, I have no idea what is going on in Clarkson’s personal life (after she won American Idol she stopped calling me ... actually she didn’t really start before she won ... let’s just say we don’t talk) and KC has managed to stay out of the tabloids, but listening to My December it appears that she was really screwed over by someone. The first single off the CD, Never Again, (below) is an ode to being jerked around by someone. In it, Clarkson sings (and screams) about being done wrong by her cheating significant other. And she’s angry, so angry. What’s disturbing is that Never Again is not Clarkson’s only livid rant on My December. "Hole"(link) has Clarkson screaming lyrics “I’m so far from where I need to be/I’ve given up on faith on everything” and “There’s a hole, inside of me/It’s so cold, slowly killing me” like over gnarled guitars and thundering drums. The grief-stricken “Haunting” has Clarkson exclaiming she’s “dying inside,” while “Judas” “Don’t Waste Your Time” are (once again) about being screwed over. From there it gets depressing. “Can I Have A Kiss” (Link) is pure desperation, “Maybe” is filled with somber introspective revelations and “Sober” isn’t a pretty picture either. But in all of My December’s painful sadness, there are a few interesting gems that show Clarkson’s life isn’t so bleak. “How I Feel” is an interesting pop gem, much like her “Behind These Hazel Eyes,” and “Yeah” is a sultry jam - still dark, but with a sexy twist. The highlight of the disc is “Irvine,” a heart-filled ballad that is way to artistic to ever be a single, and the bonus track “Chivas” (Link), a light-hearted tale of preferring the fit of a man’s jeans over his company. Both are excellent examples of what Clarkson does best, and should be doing more of. But that doesn’t mean “My December” is without merit. Clarkson, who has been bubbly as all get out after winning the first season of Idol, can pull off anger; very well in fact. In my humble opinion, it’s not her strong suit. But, with My December off of her chest, maybe Clarkson can cheer up and get back to being a singer.
The Top 10 Groups you’ve probably never heard of: Feist
This Canadian singer/songwriter and member of the indie rock group Broken Social Scene, has the coolest video out right now. In what seems like one shot, Feist (aka Leslie Feist) partakes in an elaborate performance dance piece that is flawless, all to the beat of her amazing song, 1234. Fiest has been in the music scene since the 1990s, but has pretty much stayed under the radar. A couple of years ago, her song Mushaboom off of her second solo album Let It Die was used in a Lacoste commercial, and remixes of the same song introduced her to new audiences worldwide.
Listen to the K-os Remix of Mushaboom by clicking HERE (track courtesy of Dial 6-1-3)
Her latest album, The Reminder” features 1234 and the stellar My Moon My Man (both have been remixed by several producers with interesting results).
Listen to the Boyz Noise remix of My Moon My Man by clicking HERE (track courtesy of Missing Hoof)
Some of the CD's tracks were leaked onto the net early, creating a lot of buzz for the new disc. Feist seems to be on the verge of breaking out of the indie scene into the mainstream, so now is a good time to jump on board.
