Norman's Rockwell

Hey Soul Mates, yes, nothing but hits from the 80's! First the INXS tryouts on Friday. Tonight, I'm going to see Duran Duran at the Staples Center. And Sunday, I'll be taking a crack at reviewing 80's hoops classic Hoosier for DVD Movie Central (see link). Inbetween, I have some writing and rehearsing to do. Have a great Saturday everybody! Video killed the radio star because she blinded me with science and I'm hungry like the wolf. Are you ready for the new sensation in a big country? Love, Power, Peace

Hey Soul Mates, I'm just in from a looong morning into afternoon at the Whisky A Go-Go. Today, I auditioned for CBS' new reality series "RockStar." The gist is that the winner of the contest will become the new lead singer for INXS . Recording a new record in LA and touring being the big prizes. If you've read my web bio, you know this is one of my chief writing influences. I'd seen INXS in concert in 2001 on their Just For Kicks tour with replacement lead singer Jon Stevens. Their live show was very entertaining, like a virtual jukebox of hits. I never did see INXS with original lead singer Michael Hutchence, but I have the DVDs. I didn't make up my mind to go to the audition until about 8:15. So with nasty traffic, I got into Hollywood around 9:30 a.m. wearing dark blue jeans, a red shirt, a new/vintage silver tuxedo jacket and my favorite shades. And proceeded to wait for 5 hours before getting in. There weren't that many contestants ahead of me (I ...

Hey Soul Mates, A few weeks ago, while driving to Anaheim, I threw in the Jackson 5's Greatest Hits. By the time the disc was done, I was nearly in tears. The dozen tracks on that CD are filled with hooks and heart. They remind me of my childhood. Of (truly) simpler times. Of cutting out a Jackson 5 single off the back of an Alphabits cereal box. Of playing the Jackson 5 cartoon board game. Of putting Jackson stickers on my dresser. The first fan club I belonged to? The Jackson 5's. The first concert I ever attended? The Jackson 5. The first LP bought for me and my brother? ABC by the J5. The first LP I ever taped to cassette? Thriller. In particular, the J5's hits are filled with joy & innocence. They are pop masterpieces aimed at an ageless audience. My mom and dad knew how much I loved Michael Jackson in particular. Birthdays or holidays would be punctuated by the gift of the latest record, 45 or 8 track from the Jacksons. I remember haggling over Thriller with my br...

Hey Soul Mates, just a quick shout out to journalist Hunter S. Thompson, who did himself in tonight... finally. Thanks for a perspective, a favorite piece of "non-fiction" and a band name. It was a wild ride on this side. If you've never read any of his work, it's got flashes of genius; Ego-mania; Drug fueled paranoia; Lies. All the hallmarks of good writing. Ciao, Duke. For the latest with Rush Hour Soul: rehearsal was fantastic yesterday. Despite the rain, we've been cooking up our new material and we will be debuting a new funk number at the next show, March 2. It's a gas to play. I can't wait to see you all dancing to it! Bryan and I have also been working up songs here at the pad. There are at least 3 new things that I think are going to go over very well. It's been a productive week. Tonight, Bryan and I took a break and watched Napoleon Dynamite. Not bad. Not great, but worth a rental. Bry says his favorite line is "I caught you a delicio...

Hey Soul Mates, I know it's been a few days since last I wrote. I have been busy. Let's see. Last night, Bryan came over after American Idol. We worked on new material for about an hour and a half. We were fleshing out a funk number the group is working on when we stumbled upon a whole new song. Which is very cool and lots of fun. So we nearly finished the new idea before turning our attention back. Then we worked on a couple of Bry's new ideas. All very cool stuff. Once we get Doug playing on these numbers they will be solid. Then I'll work out some lyrical ideas. I've also been working on a design for our custom pics. Which we should have in time for our next show at the Gig. Tonight, I went to a new place called Tangier on Hillhurst in Los Feliz. My buddies, the Waking Hours were doing an acoustic set. The vibe of the place is definitely "rock the kasbah." Plush reds and middle eastern trappings. Dunno if the food is good, but the bottle of pellegrino w...

Hey Soul Mates, we had a great time entertaining everyone who braved the rain at the Joint last night. The line-up was cool, because all the acts drew, meaning we played to a full house. Of course, that's quite a few people in the newly expanded Joint. Thanks to you all. And thanks to the Joint for having us. It's a pleasure to know that the band is in demand at venues and that we are appreciated for our performances and our fans. That means a lot. We threw down last night. The 3 of us really felt good about our performance and we got some good feedback from the people in attendance. If you are one of those who decided that you can wait to see us in the future... the future is now. YOU NEED TO SEE US. We are blazing. Ask anyone who was there. Some people complain about having to pay a cover charge or "driving over the hill." $5 is not a lot of money. And our drummer drives 90 minutes to get to most of our shows. Heck, Portner drove in from Vegas. Pretty soon, it'...

Hey Soul Mates, I'm just in from our last rehearsal before our show on Friday. It was very productive; but quite warm in the studio. We are ready to entertain you. Are you ready for us? I've just created a fun thing on MySpace: it's your very own RHS Soul Mates' Group . If you haven't been to check us our on MySpace, what are you waiting for? You can listen to streaming songs on the site, maybe even make some new friends. On the group, you can post (tasteful) bulletins, notes and pictures. Be advised we have a fan base that is wide and varied, so try not to offend too many people with your input... Portner. LOL. See you on Friday, Love, Power, Peace.

Hey Soul Mates, whaddya think? Click the "link." I wanted to make the main page more obvious and a little more modern. Hope you like it. Have a great week. See you on Friday at the Joint! Love, Power, Peace

Hey Soul Mates, it has been a wonderful birthday morning. Began with a jog beneath the Hollywood sign. The trail overlooks Lake Hollywood. In the fog this morning it actually looked like a Scottish Loch. Perhaps, Loch Holliewyde. There were very few people about, but there was a bluebird (!) and some eastern european tourist who rode up in a cab to take pictures. OK. Remember my post about Tony Millionaire: The Genius. I'm the luckiest boy on earth. Today my wish came true! My beloved gave me "Duck-Hat/Poo Poo" the original art by Mr. Millionaire. I haven't laughed so hard in so long as that strip makes me break up. You know I've been lusting after Tony's original strips for some time and to receive one that I particularly loved is amazing. This is me and my New Arte Worke. Someday, I believe Tony's strips will hold a respected place in the comics pantheon. Or at least have a key to the men's room. Thanks, Tony for the artistry and thanks ...

Hey Soul Mates, it's been a good night. I have nearly polished off the first of two new songs we will be debuting at our next show. It's the midtempo number I mentioned. Bryan came in with the progression and we have lifted off with it. Hopefully you'll enjoy it. Why do I love this town? I just got back from my neighborhood Ralph's supermarket. Behind me at the checkout line was actor Paul Gleason, the principal from Breakfast Club. I wanted to say "Hello," but the urge to follow it with "Eat my shorts was too great." So I didn't bother him. Oh, my goodness: the Breakfast Club came out 20 years ago. Wow. Don't you forget about me. Love, Power, Peace

Hey Soul Mates, here's an odd anniversary for you from my musical recollections. There have been many influences on my music and my desire to perform. But one major experience reaffirmed my need to be in a band: seeing Oasis perform live at the Palace on Vine, 3 Feb 1995. I had picked up their disc at the (now defunct) Blockbuster music on Vine St. It was the first time I ever listened to a new CD at a store before buying it. I had seen the disc at shops, but it wasn't until I saw them on the cover of the first copy of MOJO I bought that it clicked. The article was entitled "The Band You've Always Wanted!" This was the vanguard of Britpop which lead me to blur, Pulp, Supergrass, Manic Street Preachers and many others. It also revived my love of the Kinks and the Beatles (on the cusp of the Anthology releases). While my writing doesn't particularly resemble that of any of these groups, they certainly were a motivating factor. From the opening blast of Rock ...

Hey Soul Mates, last night AI4 got punked by one of my favorite up-and-coming comic actors, Christopher Noll aka Chris Wylde. He was the contestant that said he was a "nanny" then proceeded to improv a rap about all 3 judges and celebrity judge Brandy. The rap was very good and funny. Of course, he wasn't put through, but he was entertaining nonetheless. When he left the audition room, Noll tried to appear pissed and abusive, but having seen his act, I could tell he could barely contain his glee at having got one over on national TV. Even the painfully hip Ryan Seacrest didn't get it. It would not surprise me if his audition winds up as a sketch on his own show. It also would not surprise me in this unironic world that the producers of AI4 were in on the joke. Chris Wylde has been on a terrifically brutal show called "Film Fakers." On the show, 3 real/amatuer actors are conned into thinking they're making a real film, usually the most Z-grade garbage...

Hey Soul Mates, just in from the Big Monday at the Joint. It was a good night for music. Blondie Chaplin was in great form on "Change Is Gonna Come." Keith Allison (of Paul Revere and the Raiders) did a nice take on "Parachute Woman." I also got a chance to chat with Richard Bosworth, our producer about our project and some other things he is working on. I also fliered the place. Hopefully a few of the folks will deem it worth their while to check us out next Friday. The sad news I got from Kim (one of the Big Monday regulars) was that Jeff Sessler, the quasi-manager of the Big Monday crew, passed away on the 22nd. Jeff was a scruffy, roly-poly guy with a great smile. He had been a roadie for the Stones and wrangled the band that made up Waddy's group. I had seen Jeff on the 20th at the Mint for Blondie's set. 2 days later... gone. Which made me a bit sad. Jeff was always welcoming and appreciative of my attendance at Big Monday. He constantly wanted to...