Live performances at the Oracle Open World Conference in San Francisco

J!-ENT’s Angelo Delos Reyes taking a few pictures at Oracle Open World on Sept. 25th at the conference wrap-up party while everyone is hanging out to watch the live bands perform.

 

TV Talk: Monday’s Musings… “WWE Raw”, “The Hills”, “Exiled”, “CHUCK” and “HEROES”

With Monday’s gloomy stock fallout, the day started of with catching some “WWE RAW” on the USA Network.  For me, WWE hasn’t been the same since the Rock left the show but there are some shining stars that are good working the crowd and good with their mic skills.  Right now, the best thing I’ve seen on WWE right now is the Santino Marella.

Each time the man picks up the mic, you can’t help but laugh.  To see the guy appear on talk shows, his humor and what comes out of his mouth…that’s just priceless.  Sometimes I wonder how much is improvised and how much is scripted but it’s totally funny.

As for the women, I’m quite impressed of how along Kelly Kelly has come as a wrestler.  At first, she was just the cute face on ECW but now, she’s become one of the women that is exciting to watch wrestle.  And not sure how much she wants to further her wrestling career training but she’s progressing quite well.

After the first hour, it was time to switch to MTV to watch “The Hills” and interesting show with Heidi Montag’s mother making an appearance and I think this was a long time coming for her to call her boyfriend Spencer as manipulating.  I think the world feels poor Heidi has become brainwashed by her boyfriend and even in a moment of her mother crying, Heidi hardly even reacted.

Of course, the drama was between Spencer Pratt’s sister and Doug.  Doug who was a guy who was definitely looking to get some from Stephanie in the last episode, saying that he was spending time with her because she was like a “lost puppy”.

But the main entertaining parts for me in this episode was Heidi’s mother and watching Audrina go into the pool.  Speaking of Audrina, I had no idea she is a true blonde and interesting blog post from her former neighbor and classmate.

And as for the Hills, interesting after-show on mtv.com on Charlize Theron’s comments about “The Hills” and interesting comments from this week’s episode.

The next show was “EXILED” which MTV has selected the brattiest, spoiled, lazy teenagers featured on “Sweet 16″ that still have the behavior they had now as a young adult, as they had when they were in high school.  So, the show focuses on one person and ships them out to another country for a week and they have to live the life of that teen from that part of the country.

This time the show featured Meleny.  A spoiled rich girl who is sent to Peru and having to live the life of a teenager way up in the Andes mountains.  This episode was probably one of the most defiant episodes of an American teenager not wanting to learn how the other works.  And what was more interesting is to see the Peru teen not take her crap.  In one scene, she tells Meleny how water is important to get from the streams and not drop any of it.  Sure enough Meleny doesn’t care and drops it.  So, she tells her to get another bucket and Meleny continues and the Peru teen, who is getting fed up, throws her bucket and orders her to get the water again and not drop any of the water.  That was so cool to see!

There was one scene though that was surprising and throughout the show, you see guinea pigs running around the house.  I thought these were pets but they were what the family eats.  I would probably have the same gagging response as Meleny.  I’m up to trying different things in terms of cuisine but when its something that could be a house pet, there’s a limit that I just won’t pass.  Well, unless it was for survival I suppose.

Needless to say, I’m glad to see that the experience has made the teen do something in her life.  According to the after-show on mtv.com, she’s volunteering at a souphouse.  Good for her!

Next was “CHUCK” on NBC.  Yvonne Strahovski who plays CIA agent, Sarah Walker is just hot! Nuff said!

Then the show I was excited for and that was “HEROES”. The third episode definitely gets more interesting. We get to know more about who Tracy Strauss is and possibly the fate of Nikki. Also, who is the mysterious African man and is he another painter with visions? The show was another cool episode full of action and look forward to the next. So far, season 3, has been entertaining and look forward in seeing how the season progresses. To see Sylar helping the good guys is quite interesting… Well, he still manages to feast on one of the bad guys. But as for the Petrelli mother, man…she’s evil. All in all, a cool episode!

 

Red Bacteria Vacuum

The following photo is of the guitarist for Red Bacteria Vacuum at a performance in Los Angeles back in 2005.  Photo by Nergene Arquelada.

 

BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN AND THE E STREET BAND TO PERFORM DURING BRIDGESTONE SUPER BOWL XLIII HALFTIME SHOW ON NBC

BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN AND THE E STREET BAND will perform in the BRIDGESTONE SUPER BOWL XLIII HALFTIME SHOW on NBC at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa on Sunday, February 1, the NFL and NBC announced during halftime of last night’s “Sunday Night Football.”

The Super Bowl halftime show is annually the most-watched musical performance. More than 148 million viewers in the U.S. watched last year’s show. The Super Bowl and halftime show will be broadcast worldwide in more than 230 countries and territories.

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band join an esteemed list of recent halftime acts that includes the Rolling Stones, U2, Paul McCartney, Prince and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.

The BRIDGESTONE SUPER BOWL XLIII HALFTIME SHOW is an NFL NETWORK PRODUCTION and will be executive produced by Ricky Kirshner and Glenn Weiss of WHITE CHERRY ENTERTAINMENT and by DON MISCHER PRODUCTIONS. Don Mischer also will serve as director.

 

THE KING KHAN AND BBQ SHOW TO FINISH OUT 2008 ON NORTH AMERICAN TOUR!

King Khan and Mark Sultan (aka BBQ) get together to bring their show on the roadŠ

HEAR THE KING KHAN AND BBQ SHOW:
http://www.myspace.com/thekingkhanbbqshow

King Khan and BBQ join forces for a US tour hitting the road October thru early December 2008. Their electrifying live show, once again proves that rock and roll still has a beating pulse, it’s just harder to find under all the cumulative flab.
Lucky you, the King Khan and BBQ Show will grace our good shores and dumpy rock club stages, this time in support of their new Fat Possum released 45 rpm 7″ single, “ANIMAL PARTY” b/w “God of Raisins”.

The limited edition, one-of-a-kind single features a gatefold sleeve with a 15 page-coloring book featuring the artwork of renown Montreal Artist Mathieu Trudel, will be in stores during the first week of November. Khan (Vocals, guitar) and Sultan (Vocals, guitar, kick drum, and snare) two heavies in their own right, have been making music together and separately for over 15 years. Mark is known for his work as the one-man band extraordinaire BBQ, and Khan with his Fabulous Shrines. Years ago the two joined forces in the now legendary Spaceshits. As The King Kahn and BBQ show, the two bring their combined efforts on a cross-country tour that takes them from the mean city streets of Detroit all the way to the frozen barren plains of Ottawa.

Because they each stay busy with their own respective bands, recordings and tours, a King Khan and BBQ Show tour is about as rare as a Sarah Palin visit to an international departures terminal.

Selective biographies:
Mark Sultan, aka BBQ, currently resides in Montreal, and makes music as Mark Sultan. He has a completed new record, the follow up to his acclaimed “Sultanic Verses” LP(In The Red), due for release in the Fall. Mark has also played in Los Sexareenos, The Mind Controlls, The Spaceshits (With Khan) and as BBQ solo.
King Khan is currently living in Berlin with his wife and 2 children, and has a second music project, the famed King Khan and the Shrines, a 10-piece band complete with horn section and go-go dancer. They are working on a new record and toured the USA for the first time this Summer (Which included a show stealing spot at the Pitchfork Music FestivalŠyou shoulda been there).

TOUR DATES:
– ——————

10/27/2008 Detroit, MI – Magic Stick
10/29/2008 Oberlin,Oh – Dionysus Disco,
10/30/2008 The Horn Gallery – Gambier
10/31/2008 Chicago, IL – Bottom Lounge,
11/01/2008 , Minneapolis , MN – Triple Rock Social Club
11/02/2008 Omaha ,NE – Waiting Room
11/03/2008 Denver, Co – Larimer Lounge
11/04/2008 Salt Lake City – Urban Lounge
11/06/2008 Seattle -  Chop
11/07/2008 Vancouver  – Biltmore Cabaret
11/08/2008 Portland – Dantes
11/09/2008 San Francisco -  Great American Music Hall
11/10/2008 Los Angeles – Echo
11/11/2008 San Diego – Casbah
11/12/2008 Phoenix  – Rhythm Room
11/14/2008 Dallas  – Palladium Loft
11/15/2008 Austin  – The Mohawk
11/17/2008 Baton Rouge  – Spanish Moon
11/18/2008 New Orleans  – One Eyed Jacks
11/19/2008 Hi-Tone Cafe, Memphis
11/20/2008 Nashville  – Exit In
11/21/2008 Atlanta  – Lennys
11/22/2008 Bottletree, Birmingham
11/25/2008 Grey Eagle Tavern
11/26/2008 , Baltimore  – Sonar
11.27/2008 OFF  – thanksgiving!
11/28/2008 Philadelphia  – Johnny Brendas
11/29/2008 Brooklyn – Music Hall Of Williamsburg
11/30/2008 NYC – Bowery Ballroom
12/01/2008 Boston  – Paradise
12/04/2008 Princeton , NJ – Terrace F. Club
12/05/2008 Toronto  – Lees Palace, Toronto
12/06/2008 Ottawa  -  Babylon

 

metromediacomplex: The One about Sarah Palin

This is probably first time I’ve seen so many people interested in the presidential elections and to hear people in various industries on the phone setting their time to watch the presidential debates is just awesome!

In many conversations, people very passionate about their views and who will they vote for in the November elections. There is definitely a big difference in overall public sentiment over this campaign compared to the last two.

And I have to say that it’s because it’s the Republican Vice Presidential candidate, Sarah Palin.

This year’s presidential elections is quite interesting. You have many celebrities really coming out and supporting Obama but then you see this somewhat celebrity status for the Republican Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin.

From the Saturday Night Live Tina Fey Palin impersonations, to her Japanese designer glasses, Matt Damon and other celebrities coming out, to even former President Bill Clinton on “Larry King Live” giving his two cents about her as well.

But what is it about Sarah Palin that has caught the attention of Americans? Of course, there is worry about her overall knowledge of politics, foreign policy and more and of course, with her coming from Alaska, although she has the political support of her constituents when she was governor, many people feel that due to her inexperience, she’s not suited to be vice-president, especially as president, if anything happens to Presidential nominee John McCain.

But then there is this mystique, almost a celebrity type of aura that she has right now that I noticed people are attracted to.  Maybe because her demeanor is unlike your typical politician and more like a person you would come across at a business function or conference.

Even the politicians I have worked for and have worked with have typically had that “politician” style to them after working many years in Washington and Sacramento.  Palin, well she’s different.

In fact, to watch her with other constituents and how personable she is with them, I often wonder if its that small town mentality that surprises many from the big city.  But nevertheless, as many admirers of her out there who will support her, there are many who can’t stand her and coming out and being vocal.

Neverthless, watching the whole political landscape and how people are reacting… I admit, it’s actually quite entertaining to watch.

But let’s look at a few videos and I love to hear your comments about them.

I feel that a good video that shows the personality of Sarah Palin is a video such as her recent trip to Tony Luke’s in Philadelphia and even a bystander asking if Sarah Palin can talk to his friend on the phone. And she does… I found that quite amusing. Even more so, when another person starts questioning her on foreign policy, specifically, Afghanistan.

Even Showbiz Tonight’s A.J. Hammer had a segment about the celebrity coverage.

And of course, to hear Jack Cafferty and many others talk about her interview on CBS Evening News Katy Couric.

And to hear the McCain aide Nancy Pfotenhauer explain Palin’s performance in that interview.

What is even more interesting was to watch CNN’s Campbell Brown rant about the coverage of Sarah Palin.

But again, I go back to Sarah Palin’s recent visit to Philadelphia and watching everyone react to her.

Of course, watching all the happier videos from her visit to Philly…not everyone was happy in Philadelphia.

And of course, the latest Tina Fey parody on Sarah Palin…

Love her or hate her…Sarah Palin has definitely brought a lot of interest in the presidential campaign. A few more weeks of media coverage and debates and I hope everyone remembers to vote on Nov. 4, 2008.

Image from foxnews.com

Youtube videos are courtesy of youtube.com

SNL video courtesy of NBC.com

 

TWO WIIWARE GAMES AND ONE VIRTUAL CONSOLE GAME ADDED TO WII SHOP CHANNEL

Auspicious debuts and the return of a classic franchise top the list of new additions to the Wii Shop Channel™ this week. Art Style™: ORBIENT™ is the first in a new game series from Nintendo, combining deep game play with atmospheric flair and simple, elegant controls that anyone can pick up and enjoy. With two more Art Style titles scheduled for release in October, this is your chance to be the first to enjoy this truly remarkable gaming experience.

Bomberman makes his WiiWare™ debut in Bomberman Blast, taking the frenzied multiplayer action the series is known for online. Or if you just feel like saving the galaxy again, take on the Machine in Super Turrican 2.

Nintendo adds new and classic games to the Wii Shop Channel at 9 a.m. Pacific time every Monday. Wii™ owners with a high-speed Internet connection can redeem Wii Points™ to download the games. Wii Points can be purchased in the Wii Shop Channel or at retail outlets. This week’s new games are:

WiiWare™

Art Style: ORBIENT (Nintendo, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone, 600 Wii Points): Explore the universe like never before in Art Style: ORBIENT. Take control of gravity and anti-gravity and carefully maneuver your small star through 50 stages set in multiple galaxies. Collide with other stars to absorb them and make your own star expand in size, or capture the stars in your orbit and have them become your satellites. Space isn’t empty, though, and you’ll have to avoid bumping into obstacles or getting pulled into a black hole. If you feel like relaxing while still being challenged, this is the game for you. Its combination of simple controls, atmospheric sound and unique environment make for an experience unlike any other.

Bomberman Blast (Hudson Entertainment, 1-8 players, Rated E for Everyone—Mild Cartoon Violence, 1,000 Wii Points): A brand new addition to the Bomberman series is available on WiiWare. Up to eight players can battle online simultaneously via Nintendo® Wi-Fi Connection. Simple controls make this a great game for family and friends to enjoy anytime. You can trigger new items by shaking the Wii Remote™ controller, creating new levels of Bomberman excitement. You can even take the intensity up another notch by adding your own Mii™ caricatures to the mix. Battle results can be recorded on the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection Ranking, so you can see how you stack up against others around the globe. This title will prove to be a blast for everyone–from those who’ve never touched a Bomberman game to the Bomberman masters.

Virtual Console™

Super Turrican 2 (Super NES™, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone—Violence, 800 Wii Points): As the last survivor of the United Freedom Forces, it is your duty to destroy the Machine’s forces that have devastated the galaxy. Fight through countless hordes of enemies using everything at your disposal. Use weapons and power-ups to fight back the tide of oncoming enemies. Use special abilities like the Energy Wheel and Cyberfist to find secret areas and score extra lives. When your lives and continues are gone, the mission ends. You are the galaxy’s last hope. Are you up to the challenge?

For more information about Wii, please visit wii.com.

 

Photos From The Nintendo Wario Land: Shake It! Competition At Six Flags St. Louis

In this photo provided by Nintendo, tournament participant, Zoran Mullins, 6, right, sharpens his gaming skills with the help of Nintendo ambassador Julia Li, at the Nintendo Wario Land: Shake It! competition held at Six Flags St. Louis in Eureka, Mo., on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2008. Wario Land: Shake It! is an action-packed, side-scrolling video game featuring NintendoÕs popular bad boy, Wario. (AP Photo/Nintendo, Whitney Curtis)

 

THE WATSON TWINS PERFORM ON CONAN O’BRIEN TONIGHT!

THE WATSON TWINS PERFORM ON CONAN O’BRIEN TONIGHT!

ANNOUNCING FALL TOUR OPENING FOR THE LEGENDARY BILLY BRAG

Kentucky is renowned for blue ribbon exports to the rest of the world. The Sport of Kings, bourbon and Will Oldham to name a few but perhaps none are finer than The Watson Twins.  Their first solo appearance on late night tv will happen Monday, September 29th on Late Night with Conan O’Brien (12:35/11:35 central on NBC).  Chandra and Leigh Watson will join the UK singer songwriter Billy Bragg for a 13 date tour beginning October 17 in State College Pennsylvania, concluding on November 2 in Asheville North Carolina.  This particular swing through the US will include stops in Appalachian country, a perfect backdrop to experience the evocative harmonies of The Watson Twins and the fiery agitation of Bragg. More information and tour dates below.

MYSPACE:  http://www.myspace.com/thewatsontwins
WEBSITE:  http://www.thewatsontwins.com/

“The Watson Twins live and breath ochre-tinged folk-rock, each track sinking into the twilight. It’ll…knock you sideways.” -FILTER

“When the twins harmonize, the results are sweeter than sugar-dipped honeysuckle.” -ALTERNATIVE PRESS

“Their haunting harmonies are in full effect… they coo seductively over atmospheric folk-rock arrangements.” -SPIN

TOUR DATES:

Oct 17- The State Theatre
State College, Pennsylvania

Oct 18 -State Theatre
Ithaca, New York

Oct 19 – Monmouth University-Pollak Theatre
West Long Branch, New Jersey

Oct 21 and 22 – Somerville Theatre
Somerville, Massachusetts

Oct 23 – Lebanon Opera House
Lebanon, New Hampshire

Oct 24- Keswick Theatre
Glenside, Pennsylvania

Oct 25- Manhattan Center Grand Ballroom
New York City, New York

Oct 27-  9:30 Club
Washington DC

Oct 28- Ram’s Head Live
Baltimore, Maryland

Oct 29- Paramount Theatre
Charlottesville, Virginia

Oct 30- Attucks Theatre
Norfolk, Virginia

Nov 1- Duke University-Page Auditorium
Durham, North Carolina

Nov 2- The Orange Peel
Asheville, North Carolina

 

GANGA ZUMBA – SUMMER SESSION UM+ – LIVE at SHIBUYA-AX (a J!-ENT Music DVD Review)

“THE BOOM’s lead vocalist Miyazawa Kazufumi known for his passion for world music and from his travels through Europe and South America has gathered talented musicians from various countries and created a band to reflect his world music passion, the band known as GANGA ZUMBA and their first major concert DVD is full of excitement, energy and fans won’t be disappointed by it!”

DVD INFORMATION:

DVD TITLE: GANGA ZUMBA

DURATION: Approx. 102 minutes

DVD INFORMATION: 16:9, Region 2, Rel. March 26, 2008

CATALOG #: VFBV-00022

COMPANY: FIVE D PLUS

OFFICIAL WEBSITE

DVD TRACK LISTINGS:

1. Rainbow Warriors
2. HABATAKE!
3. ちむぐり唄者
4. SAMBA CAOS
5. すばらしい日々
6. Cangurus em Recife
7. 美しい島
8. 楽園
9. Toquio
10. Mambolero
11. BAILA CON GANGA ZUMBA
12. BRASILEIERO EM TOQUIO
13. WONDERFUL WORLD
14. Jardim Das Delicias
15. Bridge
16. DISCOTIQUE
17. Why?

Kazufumi Miyazawa will always be remembered for bringing Okinawan music to the forefront along with his band members from The Boom but during the Boom years, Miyazawa would experiment with world music.

In 1998, he released his first solo album “AFRO-SICK” which was released in Brazil.  Between 2002-2005, Miyazawa known for his solo act as “MIYAZAWA SICK” toured through South America and Europe and encountering musicians around the world.

Eventually in 2006, he and these musicians from various parts of the world would create the band GANGA ZUMBA.  The name is derived from one of the first leaders of Quilombo dos Palmares, now known as Alagoas, Brazil.

The band released their first mini-album “HABATAKE!” and the album featured a song used for the 2006 FIFA WORLD CUP.

Because of the various musicians involved in th eband, the group has featured music style that compliments Spanish, Latin and Brazilian music.

Watching this concert was very exciting and Miyazawa and fellow musicians and background singer really go all out and they feed off the crowd’s energy.

I was pretty much amazed at the performances and I have to admit that it took sometime to get used to vocalist  Kazufumi Miyazawa with longer hair (my last time seeing him was probably in 2006 with the BOOM).   His vocals were spot on and the musicians were really awesome to watch as they were really into their music playing and the background vocalist was also jamming onstage and fully of energy.

The band members were just as awesome.  Violin & Erhu player Reiko Tsuchiya was pleasant to watch, as were Tsuyoshi Miyagawa on drums, Marcos Suzano on percussion, Kenji “HOOK” Imafuku on percussion, tatsu on bass, Hiroshi Takano on guitars, Fernando Moura on keyboards, Luis Valle on trumpet and Claudia Oshiro on background and also main vocals.  From playing with the band or their designated solos, they all did an awesome job!

Overall an electric performance by everyone in the group and 17 tracks of awesome music!

The DVD insert is a standard bi-fold with photos from the concert in the interior pages and production credits and DVD cover on the outside.

I have to admit that I was not entirely familiar with GANGA ZUMBA with the exception of THE BOOM’s Miyazawa as the lead vocalist.

Overall, I really enjoyed hearing Miyazawa’s world music influence reflected in his music and bringing together a variety of talent from various countries.  That’s pretty cool!

The group are performing in Japanese and in Spanish and even when the trumpet player Luis Valle would come out and sing or rap in Spanish, the crowd was really into it and I felt that Reiko Tsuchiya played amazingly on violin/erhu as well!

All in all, this DVD was a surprised.  Each song, I enjoyed and again, there is so much energy during this concert, that it’s worth watching.  I was very impressed by the concert especially for the fact that it was my first real taste of GANGA ZUMBA and watching them perform together.  They are a cohesive group and look forward to hearing more from them.

 

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