Milli Vanilli Gets Movie

By |2019-05-25T14:40:50-08:00February 11th, 2011|

Florian Gallenberger will write the screenplay and direct the film on the scandal of 80s popstars Milli Vanilli. This will be the German-born filmmaker’s first Hollywood movie.

German record producer Frank Farian hired dancers Rob Pilatus and Fabrice Morvan to be the face of the singers of a band he put together; portraying them as the actual singers for the songs. Their looks were used to propel the songs on the charts. Rumors gradually spread that they lip-sync onstage; leading to empirical evidence when during a live performance, the recording they lip-synched to began skipping. The duo panicked and fled the stage.

Rob and Fab then had a change of heart and refused to promote another album unless they get to really sing, but Farian opposed it and revealed the charade to the public. The two attempted a legitimate music career despite the shame, but eventually the scandal overcame Rob who died from a drug overdose.

As an 80s kid, I am genuinely looking forward to the film. Milli Vanilli were huge and the scandal felt surreal; no one involved was innocent, and it ended tragically.

Gallenberger won various German film awards, including an Academy Award for his short film Quiero Ser — the story of Milli Vanilli is in good hands.

(Deadline)

Audio Post: Porcupine Tree

By |2019-05-25T14:40:53-08:00January 23rd, 2011|

Here’s Fear of a Blank Planet by prog band Porcupine Tree, off their 2007 album of the same name.

It’s an excellent album and one of my favorites.

You can buy Fear of a Blank Planet HERE.

Nine Inch Nail’s Year Zero Moves Forward as HBO Miniseries

By |2019-05-25T14:42:32-08:00September 29th, 2010|

In 2007 Nine Inch Nails released a concept album entitled Year Zero. Coupled with it was an alternate reality game to further the concept that dealt with a fictional future where politics leaned heavily towards evil intentions and fanatics drowned out sanity.

Trent Reznor wrote the album during his frustrations with the Bush Administration, but put a spin on the music instead of writing a straightforward protest album. With a dash of science fiction in a form called, “The Presence”, Year Zero had an underlining horror element.

Now, why am I talking about it? Because Year Zero is finally moving forward to become a miniseries like Reznor has hoped for. Daniel Knauf of Carnivale is penning the pilot with BBC Worldwide Productions as the studio. It’s planned to be an HBO miniseries — which is smart, given the subject matter. There’s no word yet on a release date.

Sure, the inspiration for the concept is now dated, but the story was captivating. And there’s a lot that can be expounded on in a television format. It’s bound to be a very intriguing miniseries.

Sacha Baron Cohen in Queen’s Freddie Mercury Biopic

By |2019-05-25T14:42:33-08:00September 19th, 2010|

GK Films, Tribeca Productions, and Queen Films have combined efforts to film a biopic on the front man of Queen, Freddie Mercury. Peter Morgan is penning the screenplay which will focus on the formation of the band to Queen’s 1985 appearance at Live Aid. Not too surprisingly, Sacha Baron Cohen has been cast to play Freddie Mercury.

The biopic has secured the rights to a catalog of Queen’s songs, although, it’s not clear if Baron Cohen will be singing or if they’ll use Mercury’s vocals. Yes, Baron Cohen is capable of singing, but Mercury’s singing is hard to match. He was unique. Nevertheless, Sacha Baron Cohen looks remarkably like Freddie Mercury, and he does have acting chops.

“Queen is one of the greatest rock bands of all time, and a music brand all unto itself. Freddie Mercury was an awe-inspiring performer, so with Sacha in the starring role coupled with Peter’s screenplay and the support of Queen, we have the perfect combination to tell the real story behind their success.”

-Graham King of GK Films

Roger Taylor, Brian May, and John Deacon of Queen gave the okay for the licensing and music publishing rights for the first time for a movie about the band — and went as far as creating Queen Films to become a part of the production team. It’s strongly evident that they have faith in the film project. I’m entirely looking forward to the Freddie Mercury biopic.

Hiatus Over for A Perfect Circle?

By |2019-05-25T14:42:35-08:00August 26th, 2010|

Four years ago the band A Perfect Circle went on a hiatus after their last effort, cover album eMotive was released. Maynard James Keenan went on with Tool and his solo project Puscifer, while Billy Howerdel put together the band Ashes Divide.

The website for A Perfect Circle has been left relatively untouched since then. Then last month an update appeared, saying, “Stuff . . . is happening.” Days later a new update appeared, telling, “Subtle stealth movement. Keep eyes and ears peeled for clues thru

[sic] all channels involving Ashes Divide and Puscifer.”

Lately they’ve been posting on Twitter and Facebook about a project that involves Josh Freese, and there’s a strong possibility that other members of A Perfect Circle are involved as well. They aren’t being straight-forward, but it’s pretty much a given that the band is regrouping and writing new music.

I was a huge fan of Mer de Noms and Thirteenth Step, and one of the few who liked their cover album eMotive too. I’m very stoked for their next effort and it cannot come soon enough. A Perfect Circle is a damn good band.

[A Perfect Circle]

San Diego’s A City Serene

By |2019-05-25T14:42:41-08:00July 7th, 2010|

On June 19th, A City Serene headlined at SOMA with a sold out show. They once again return to SOMA this Friday, July 9th. And once again, I highly encourage everyone to attend the show — you won’t regret it.

More on A City Serene HERE.

Tell your friends.