Culture Club – Church Of The Poison Mind

Culture Club – Church Of The Poison Mind

Culture Club - Church Of The Poison Mind
Born George Alan O’Dowd on June 14, 1961, in Eltham, London, to parents Gerry and Dinah O’Dowd. George grew up in a lively household with his four brothers and one sister. Despite being part of the large working class Irish brood, George claims he had a lonely childhood, referring to himself as the “pink sheep” of the family.

To stand out in the male-dominated household, George created his own image on which he became dependent. “It didn’t bother me to walk down the street and to be stared at. I loved it,” he later reminisced.

George didn’t exactly conform to the typical school student stereotype, either. With a leaning more toward arts rather than science and math, he found it hard to fit within traditional masculine stereotypes. With his schoolwork suffering, and an ongoing battle of wits between him and his teachers, it wasn’t long before the school gave up and expelled George over his increasingly outlandish behavior and outrageous clothes and make-up.

Suddenly George found himself out of school, and without a job. He took any work he could find that paid him enough money to live on including a job picking fruit; a stint as a milliner; and even a gig as a make-up artist with the Royal Shakespeare Company, where he picked up some handy techniques for his own personal use.

Forming the Culture Club
By the 1980s, the New Romantic Movement had emerged in the U.K. Followers of the New Romantic period, influenced heavily by artists such as David Bowie, often dressed in grand caricatures of the 19th century English Romantic period. This included exaggerated upscale hairstyles and fashion statements. Men typically wore androgynous clothing and makeup, such as eyeliner.

The style became a calling card for George, whose flamboyance fit their beliefs perfectly. The attention the New Romantics attracted inevitably created many new headlines for the press. It wasn’t long before George was giving interviews based purely on his appearance.

Read More…..www.biography.com

Picture Source….. scrapetv.com

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Roar Thor – Parody of Katy Perry

Roar Thor – Parody of Katy Perry

Roar Thor - Parody of Katy Perry

Before becoming YouTube’s “VenetianPrincess,” VP always had a passion for all aspects of the performing arts.  As a child, she grew up in Massachusetts performing in numerous plays and musicals.  She was also acting in feature films as well as several national commercials.  At home, she started directing and acting in her own home movies, starting at the age of 8 when her Dad bought her first video camcorder.

VP credits her mom for enriching her childhood with the arts.   She studied voice, dance, and musical theater there from the age of 5 to 17.  Also, during and after high school, she studied opera at the South Shore Conservatory of Music as well as the New England Conservatory of Music.

Volunteering as a teacher’s assistant at a local performing arts school, VP discovered and embraced her love of working with children. “I think I have a connection with kids, because I’ll always be one at heart.”  She explains.  VP went on to direct a modified version of the children’s classic “The Secret Garden” with her own original musical score.

In 2006, VP discovered the then-new website, “YouTube.”  At that time, it had just started reaching popularity. At first, she would use the site to upload audition videos, and then eventually decided to go back to her roots and create home movies.  Her videos included full-on fantasy adventures with elaborate costumes, as well as original noir period pieces.

As a child, she shared her creations with an audience of 4 or 5 family members or friends.  She had no idea that one day her videos would be reaching over 380 million people across the globe. Read more…..www.vprincess.com

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Miter Joints – Close the Gap

Miter Joints – Close the Gap

Perfect miter joints are the most challenging part of making picture frames.
Even though it’s the most challenging, if you follow these steps and take your time you’ll be able to produce perfect miter joints every time!
Making thousands of miter joints over the years, I have refined my process over and over until I got to the point of making perfect miters joints every time.

Below you’ll find the Golden Rules according to me – haha – of course there may be a difference of opinion out there some where.

It works for me and will work for you!
Miter Joints - Close the Gap
Golden Rule #1 Your miter saw or the miter gauge on your table saw must be set to EXACTLY 45°
Golden Rule #2. The opposing rails must be IDENTICAL in length
Golden Rule #3. You must use the EXACT same process when cutting miter joints on the rails; don’t change the stop blocks, don’t change the angle of the miter gauge, don’t turn your miter saw to “the other side” to cut the opposing miter.
Don’t let the rails move at all during the cutting process.
When I say exact same process I mean exact same process!
Break any of these Golde Rules and you, along with anyone else who sees your picture frame, will know you took the easy way out!!
If you follow these rules you will turn into a Miter Master!
Using a carpenter square will ensure that you have a 45° angle.

Lay it up against the teeth of the blade and the fence. It should be flush on both sides.

If there’s a gap –  you’re not at 45°.

Adjust the saw again and make sure it is exact.

Effort now, will save you later!

We know from the previous process of milling our wood, that the rails are the same thickness and currently the same length.
Before we set the stop blocks and cut the rails to final length, our first move will be cutting a miter on each end of both of the 36 inch rails.
Clamp your rails in place before making the cuts, this ensures there is absolutely no movement as the rail is being cut.
Make your first cut with the face side of the rail up (the inside of the rail, where your cove is, should always be facing the blade when making your miter cuts).
Make the second cut by simply flipping the rail end over end and cutting the opposite miter.
Repeat these steps on the second rail.
Do not change the process at all.

Read more……www.picture-frame-it-yourself.com

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Only Love Can Hurt Like This – Paloma Faith

Only Love Can Hurt Like This – Paloma Faith

Only Love Can Hurt Like This - Paloma Faith

Faith was born to an English mother and Spanish father in Hackney. Her parents divorced when she was four years old, and she was raised by her mother in Stoke Newington.  As a child, Faith was encouraged to dance by her mother and took weekly ballet classes in Dalston. After completing her A-levels at City and Islington College, she went on to study for a degree in contemporary dance at the Northern School of Contemporary Dance. Faith then went on to study for an MA in theatre directing at Central Saint Martin’s College of Art and Design, funding her studies by working various part-time jobs, which included: a sales assistant at Agent Provocateur, a singer in a burlesque cabaret, a life model and a magician’s assistant.

In January 2013, Paloma revealed that she was beginning to write her third studio album during her time in the United States, intending to work on it while in New York City. In February it was announced that Faith would be headlining the Evolution Festival, UK in Newcastle upon Tyne on Monday 27 May 2013 with The Vaccines headlining the day before. Other acts performing alongside Faith included Jake Bugg, Aluna George and Bastille.

In January 2014, the title of Faith’s third album was revealed to be A Perfect Contradiction, which was released in March. The album has become Faith’s fastest-selling album to date, currently certified Platinum as of June 2014. The album’s lead single, “Can’t Rely on You”, produced by Pharrell Williams, became Faith’s second top ten in the UK. The album’s second single, “Only Love Can Hurt Like This” became Faith’s most successful single to date, reaching number six in the UK. The album’s third single, “Trouble With My Baby” will be released in August 2014. In July 2014, British drum and bass duo “Sigma” announced their single “Changing” featuring vocals from Faith; it is set for release in September 2014.

She was briefly married to New Zealand chef Rian Haynes in 2005, however they split after eight months and were divorced four years later.  Faith has been accused of age fabrication after claiming early in her career to being born in 1985. She later admitted to having been born in 1981 after her birth certificate was revealed online. In 2011, a portrait of Faith was painted by British artist Joe Simpson, the painting was exhibited around the UK including a solo exhibition at The Royal Albert Hall.

Bio and picture source…..en.wikipedia.org

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U2 – Where The Streets Have No Name

U2 – Where The Streets Have No Name

U2 - Where The Streets Have No Name

One of only a few bands to achieve consistent commercial and critical success across three decades, U2 has charted success on its own terms on both the artistic and business sides of the music industry. From the band’s earliest days in Dublin, Ireland, to the present, U2 has broken free from the traditional limitations of what a rock band — and rock music — could and couldn’t do. By combining an original sound with honest lyrics and a challenging social message, U2 has earned the respect of their peers and critics, and an almost fanatical following of fans around the world. This is their story.

U2 formed in Dublin in the fall of 1976 after 14-year-old Larry Mullen, Jr. posted a note on the bulletin board at his high school seeking musicians for a new band. From the group of hopefuls that showed up at Mullen’s home that first day, a five-piece known originally as “Feedback” formed with Mullen (born October 31, 1961) on drums, Adam Clayton (born March 13, 1960) on bass, Paul Hewson (later nicknamed “Bono Vox” and eventually just “Bono”, born May 10, 1960) on vocals, and Dave Evans (later nicknamed “The Edge”, born August 8, 1961) on guitar. Dave’s brother, Dick, also played guitar for a while, but left Feedback very early on to join another Dublin band, the Virgin Prunes.

Feedback quickly changed their name to “The Hype,” and began rehearsing on weekends and after school as often as possible, forming genuine friendships and developing an undeniable chemistry in the process. After nearly 18 months of rehearsing, the band’s big break came at a talent show in Limerick, Ireland, in March, 1978. With CBS Records’ Jackie Hayden judging, U2 (they had just changed their name again) won the contest, earning a £500 prize and studio time to record their first demo.

Bio source…..www.atu2.com

Picture source…..gracenotesbysarah

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Rock The Boat – The Hues Corporation

Rock The Boat – The Hues Corporation

Rock The Boat - The Hues Corporation

Formed in 1969 in Los Angeles, California, USA. Their name was taken as a pun on the Howard Hughes billion-dollar corporation. They had been performing for five years when their biggest hit, ‘Rock The Boat’, arrived.

The vocal trio consisted of Hubert Ann Kelly (24 April 1947, Fairchild, Alabama, USA; soprano), St. Clair Lee (b. Bernard St. Clair Lee Calhoun Henderson, 24 April 1944, San Francisco, California, USA; baritone) and Fleming Williams (b. Flint, Michigan, USA; tenor). Their first record, ‘Goodfootin’’, was recorded for Liberty Records in 1970 but failed to hit.

They signed with RCA Records in 1973 and made the charts with a song called ‘Freedom For The Stallion’. ‘Rock The Boat’, originally a forgotten album track, was released in 1974 as the next single and reached number 1 in the US pop charts and number 6 in the UK, becoming one of the first significant disco hits. Tommy Brown (b. Birmingham, Alabama, USA) replaced Williams after the single hit and their only other chart success came later that same year with ‘Rockin’ Soul’, which peaked at number 18 in the US chart and reached the Top 30 in the UK.

The group continued to record into the late 70s, but they were unable to repeat their earlier success. However, in 1983 ‘Rock The Boat’ made another chart appearance when Forrest took the single to the UK Top 5 position.

Bio source…..www.oldies.com

Picture source…..www.soulwalking.co.uk

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RUN-DMC – It’s Tricky

RUN-DMC – It’s Tricky

RUN-DMC vs Jason Nevins - It's Like That

Darryl McDaniels or “DMC” as most of the world knows him, first made his start in the music business as one third of the ground breaking rap group Run-DMC and quickly became the most popular in terms of fans and influence. He has been in the public eye for the past 20 years, since forming the now legendary, defunct group, RUN-D.M.C with Joseph (Rev. Run) Simmons and the late, great Jason (Jam Master Jay) Mizell. Also one of the founding members of this multi-platinum music group, selling over 30 million singles and albums worldwide, it would be hard to overstate his influence on popular culture. He helped transform Rap and Hip Hop into the most popular music in the world, while building a fan base that rivals the biggest acts in Rock ‘n’ Roll.

As the first and greatest of Hip Hop’s superstars, Run-DMC succeeded beyond anyone’s wildest dreams – their own included – by embodying for the world endlessly creative subculture of young black New York. They were the first rappers to earn a gold album, the first to earn a platinum album, the first to go multi-platinum, the first to have their videos played on MTV, the first to appear on American Bandstand and Saturday Night Live, and the first rap band to grace the cover of Rolling Stone and Spin.

DMC has recently added another list of firsts to his life – his first book entitled “King of Rock: Respect, Responsibility and My Life with Run-DMC” (St. Martins). The book, written by DMC with Bruce Haring with the forward by rapper/actor Will Smith, offers a flavored tale of his rise within the music business while stressing the importance of respect and responsibility in today’s society. It has received rave reviews nationwide. Entertainment weekly called it “strangely compelling, bravely honest… plenty of entertaining anecdotes about life back in the day to keep you turning the pages. Like Will Smith, McDaniels is a born charmer.” Publisher’s Weekly says the book is “hard hitting yet sensitive… he (McDaniiels) argues astutely that ‘very few of the rappers will admit they’re creating a fictional character,’ and thereby create problems for themselves.”
In addition to the new book, DMC released his own musical project entitled Checks, Thugs, Rock-N-Roll.

Bio and picture source…..rundmc.com

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Bob Marley and The Wailers – Buffalo Soldier

Bob Marley and The Wailers – Buffalo Soldier

Bob Marley and The Wailers - Buffalo Soldier

As a poet, prophet and purveyor of Jamaican culture, he shattered musical boundaries around the world.

Bob Marley was born in a small village called Nine Miles in Jamaica. The son of British Naval Officer and Jamaican woman called Cedella, Marley rarely saw his father due to his mother’s family and their disapproval of his parents relationship.

By the time he had turned 16, Marley had recorded his first single ‘Judge Not’, and in 1963, he formed The Wailers with Peter Tosh, Bunny Livingstone, Junior Braithwaite, and Beverly Kelso. The band then scored their first number one in Jamaica with ‘Simmer Down’ on the Coxsone label.

When Braithwaite and Kelso left the group around 1965, the Wailers continued as a trio, Marley, Tosh, and Livingstone trading leads. In spite of the popularity of singles like ‘Rude Boy’, the artists received few or no royalties, and in 1966 they disbanded.

After marrying his girlfriend Rita Anderson, Marley spent most of the following year working in a factory in Newark in the United States, where his mother had moved in 1963. Upon his return to Jamaica, the Wailers reunited and recorded for Coxsone with little success. During this period, the Wailers devoted themselves to the religious sect of Rastafari.

In 1969, they began a three-year association with Lee “Scratch” Perry, who directed them to play their own instruments and expanded their line-up to include Aston and Carlton Barrett, formerly the rhythm section of Perry’s studio band, the Upsetters. Some of the records they made with Perry – like ‘Trenchtown Rock’ – were locally very popular, but so precarious was the Jamaican record industry that the group seemed no closer than before to establishing steady careers. It formed an independent record company, Tuff Gong, in 1971, but the venture foundered when Livingstone was jailed and Marley got caught in a contract commitment to American pop singer Johnny Nash, who took him to Sweden to write a film score.

Their breakthrough came in 1972 when Chris Blackwell – who had released ‘Judge Not’ in England in 1963 – signed the Wailers to Island Records and advanced them the money to record themselves in Jamaica. The first result of this new contract was 1973’s ‘Catch A Fire’, the breakthrough album that saw the band reach an international audience for the first time. It was followed a year later by Burnin’, which included the songs “Get Up, Stand Up” and “I Shot The Sheriff”.

The band toured heavily during this period, and Marley expanded the instrumental section of the group and bringing in a female vocal trio, the I-Threes, which included his wife, Rita. Now called Bob Marley and the Wailers, they toured Europe, Africa, and the Americas, building especially strong followings in the U.K., Scandinavia, and Africa. They had U.K. Top 40 hits with ‘No Woman No Cry’ (1975), ‘Exodus’ (1977), ‘Waiting in Vain’ (1977), and ‘Satisfy My Soul’ (1978).

In 1976, Marley was shot by gunmen during the Jamaican election campaign, but survived and continued to soar in popularity until his 1981 death due to brain, lung and stomach cancer. In 1987, both Peter Tosh and longtime Marley drummer Carlton Barrett were murdered in Jamaica during separate incidents. Rita Marley continues to tour, record, and run the Tuff Gong studios and record company.

Picture source…..foreverb.rxmedicalweb.netdna-cdn.com

Bio source……www.thebiographychannel.co.uk

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Hollaback Girl – Gwen Stefani

Hollaback Girl – Gwen Stefani

Hollaback Girl - Gwen Stefani

Stefani’s family was instrumental to her music career, with her parents introducing her to music and brother Eric forming the band No Doubt, which would later make her famous. Stefani’s parents were folk-music fans and she was taken to Emmylou Harris concerts and introduced to the music of Bob Dylan as a child. Musicals such as ‘The Sound of Music’, ‘Annie’ and ‘Evita’ were also influences, with Stefani’s first foray into public performance being a rendition of the song ‘I Have Confidence’ from ‘The Sound of Music’ at her high school talent show.At Loara High School, Stefani was on the swimming team while working part-time jobs at Dairy Queen and on the make-up counter of a department store. After graduating, she attended California State University in Fullerton.

Older brother Eric introduced Stefani to two-tone Ska music while she was still at high school through bands such as Madness and The Selecter. When he formed his own Ska band in 1986 with friend John Spence, he asked his sister to join as co-lead singer. She became the sole lead singer of the fledgling band after Spence committed suicide in 1987, with the other band members later crediting her as the glue that held the band together through the difficult time.

In 1987, Stefani also began a relationship with bass-player Kanal. She had had a crush on him since he joined the band, but he initially rejected her to promote band-harmony. Stefani persisted and the pair’s relationship eventually lasted for seven years. Stefani admitted to interviewers that her role in the band was passive to begin with. “My brother did everything. I was like, ‘I’m just the sister.’ And then after that I was ‘Tony’s girlfriend.’ And that was good enough for me. I never really had any ambitions or goals or dreams.”
The band had limited success to start with and remained little more than a garage band until the early 1990s.

Grunge was growing in popularity at the time and No Doubt’s ska-pop sound did not fit in with the movement. Stefani opted for sexiness instead of the aggressive grunge female lead typified by singers like Hole’s Courtney Love. The band continued playing though, touring with ska punk band Reel Big Fish and gathering a loyal following in Southern California, and in 1990 it was signed to Interscope Record.

Bio and picture source…..www.lifetimetv.co.uk

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Wasted – Angus and Julia Stone

Wasted – Angus and Julia Stone

Wasted - Angus and Julia Stone

We argue about a lot of things, but never about music, says Julia about the relationship she has with her brother Angus. We don’t get on a lot of the time but when it comes to making music it’s always pretty simple for us.

It’s this language of music that forms the basis of Angus & Julia’s debut album A Book Like This a collection of thirteen heartfelt and organic songs that share their experiences and observations with listeners. Together, and with respective singer/songwriter talents, Angus & Julia Stone form two halves of a musical act whose words and music reveal a pure and genuine love of music, and a talent for telling beautiful and beguiling stories.

Raised in the northern beaches of Sydney, Australia, Angus & Julia’s love of music was inextricably intertwined with their experiences of growing up in their musical family. Music was an integral aspect of family life, with music as the bloodline through both their mother and father’s families. A long line of musicians made for an environment that encouraged the duo to express themselves using their voice and any of the many instruments lying around the house.

Mum listened to Janis Ian a lot, but a big part of our childhood was listening to dad’s covers band it was music from the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s, says Julia of their early influences. It was everything from Van Morrison to The Eagles and The Beatles. We didn’t know any of those bands, we just knew the songs as dad had sung them. It was only a couple of years ago that we listened to The White Album, and thought to ourselves, oh right, these guys are a band – dad didn’t write these songs! ‘

Music continued to play a role in their lives throughout their teenage years. Living at their dad’s place and being unemployed’ish ‘ a state that saw Angus working at odd-jobs as a labourer, and Julia teaching-trumpet the two musicians treated their music as a personal discovery and outlet for their thoughts and observations. When Julia returned home after a year of travelling she encouraged Angus to play his music at some local open-mic nights, and not long after, having helped him out with some backing harmonies, she joined him on stage to play some of her own compositions. That was a mere three years ago. Eventually it worked out that we were doing a split-set, says Julia. It seemed very normal for us and there was no reason not to record together also. It was just easy. Natural, I suppose.
Read more…..take40.com

Picture source…..hangout.altsounds.com

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