Emilie Autumn 2013 F.L.A.G. Tour

January 26, 2013. We arrive at The Door (a.k.a. The Prophet Bar), at 6:20 p.m. We are in the door by 6:30.
To preclude these festivities, I purchased VIP tickets back in July of 2012. Just after I purchase these tickets, I find out through emails from the Asylum that someone has taken ill, and the tour postponed! Curses! Ah, but all is well, the tour resumes and we come to find out that the Plague has made its roundabout journey back to Dallas in January of the following year. Almost a year after I saw Emilie Autumn the first time!  All is well with this world.
I originally purchased the tickets with myself and my roommate/best friend, Brian, in mind. This was just before I met my now girlfriend, Trina. As I've mentioned, the tour was postponed. It was supposed to be here by October, and it was on a weekday night, but, I was willing to make sacrifices. This show, this time, occurred on a Saturday night. I LOVE it when things work out like that! By this time, of course, my relationship with Trina has seriously solidified. As I readied myself for the show, I saw that Brian was running a bit behind. I told him I had to leave, and would meet him down there. I pick up Trina and we head to downtown Dallas, Deep Ellum area where the venue of our concert lies.

So, the VIPs get little gift baggies on their way in the door, which consists of a signed set list, a white banner on a small black pole with the Asylum logo and F.L.A.G. in bold red lettering on it (this is, of course, Fight Like a Girl), and a small tin of Emilie's Asylum Teas VIP Tour Blend). We all wait for a few, begin a queue, and wait for our Beloved Rat Queen to appear.  There are tables set up and a camera in front of them. I figure this is where we get the pics taken. I was relieved I wouldn't have to fumble around with my little new camera, as I was still rather unfamiliar with it.  As you can see in the above pictures, there were a couple of adjustments made to perfect the shots.
As I walk up to her, I bow with a flourish from my top hat ( I'm also wearing my kilt and typical Irish laddie garb). Emilie fawns over both me and Trina (no matter what Trina wears, she makes it look good!). I tell Ms. Autumn about my love of her music, and that I found the title track to her new album, Fight Like A Girl, significant to me.
I was trained originally in the martial arts form known as Wu Wei Wing Chun. For those who are knowledgeable, this form of martial arts was created by Shao Lin monks for women to be able to defend themselves. It was the first form of Gung Fu taught by Yip Man to Bruce Lee.  It is still considered one of the most effective and adaptable forms of martial arts in the world. She says," That sounds like something I should learn. Thank you." I told her it would be to her utmost advantage as she asked me to write down the spelling of this new idea to her.
I then told her my favorite track on the new album was Scavenger, and would she ever consider doing the whole "Asylum" thing as a musical.  Through her music and lyrics, I have over the years found myself transported to this Gothic Industrial soundscape she has created, and have become mildly addicted to it. She giggled and said they are currently working on that and should be ready to open in 2015 with the first performance in London. I was tickled pink and black....  So we got our pictures taken, she signed my flag, and we moved on...

My roommate showed up late, and unfortunately I left my phone out in the car and didn't get his text.  He waited for a bit, and I'm sure he was miffed for being so late. I called him and asked where he was. His excuse was it was cold and dreary, the weather was hurting his bum knee and he was unable to stand outside for so long.  I was saddened by this, for he was already on his way back home.  But, we had other friends show up and we were ready to be entertained.

Usually at an Emilie Autumn show, there is Emilie and her three Bloody Crumpets, and these are Captain Maggot (Maggie as she's sometimes called), Veronica, and the Contessa.  The Contessa was nowhere to be seen! Found out today through my sources through EA's website that she is currently working on other projects, and may decide to show up again at some later date....  Most of the concert was for the Fight Like A Girl album, so, that's the majority of the songs they played.  The most significant performances were during the 4 o'clock Reprise where Emilie is stripped of her Fauxhawk, and she became the sad little girl in an asylum from her stories, Dominant, where Veronica did an amazing fan-dance,  Scavenger, one of my favorite songs from the album, where Emilie acts in a mannish way, singing of being the purveyor of young girls for the asylum, and Maggie comes out on stilts in an amazing outfit consisting of a mask that looks like a cross between and owl and a raven, and on her hands, these great hawk-like claws. Kind of like a raptor-like representation of death and pain. Gaslight, also from the album, is a very well-done song, and hearing live nearly broke my heart for all the pain in the lyrics.  The banners all the VIP ticket holders were given were waved at the final song, One Foot in Front of The Other Foot, everyone who had them waving their FLAG banners about.

Having obtained the set list, I was expecting to hear Mad Girl, and Thank God I'm Pretty. Now, either they tricked us and started striking set to see who would stay or go (of course, we went), and played those songs after we left, or they didn't feel like doing those songs that evening.
Even so, the show was great, though a little pared down (streamlined?), and it became quite the event.
My apologies for the lame ass pictures in this.  New camera, and I haven't figured out all the capabilities of the thing, yet.
I will be awaiting the next endeavor from Emilie Autumn with the patience of a hunting cat.

Panoptikon

Making ready for tonight's event with Emilie Autumn. I will be stopping somewhere here in a little bit and purchasing a camera so I can have my photo op with Ms. Autumn.
Last night, though, was quite the event all it's own.
There's a little something called "Panoptikon" that occurs in Deep Ellum in Dallas on Friday nights. I had promised my brother time enough to go to this event, and I made good on that promise. Considering he lives about forty miles away from Dallas proper. So, I go get my brother.
Earlier that day, my girlfriend, having issues with work and family, told me she was not feeling like going out that evening.  I was fully planning on going straight out to the club with a stop to get myself something to eat.  Right on the city line of Irving I get a call.
"Would you be angry if a woman changed her mind?" my girlfriend timidly asks me.
I laughed.
I replied, "I'm used to it!"
Thirty minutes later, we're there, and wait for her to get herself together, itemized and finalized.
We stop by sonic for munchies, and head on down there.
We get to the club, and you can feel the vibe outside in the parking lot. It feels good.
The only thing about that night was the fact the my brother is not a dancer, really.  The word "wallflower" comes to mind.
I and Trina see a bunch of familiar faces and friends. My brother people-watched, and guarded our stuff.  I will give ti to my girlfriend, after hours of cajoling and persuading, she actually got him on the dance floor for a couple of minutes. Then, as if someone hit a switch, he started twitching and acting goofy, left the dance floor, never to return there that evening.
A couple of points of interest: A fellow I know who has been trained in Danse Oriental was at the club, and the way he was dressed was surprising. I am used to seeing him in either street clothes, a kilt and Scottish garb, or male "Middle Eastern" attire. This evening he was in a dress and high heels. He looked like a well-dressed bearded lady. It was kind of weird, but, if one feels they need to take that journey, then okay...
I had struck up a friendly acquaintance with a customer of mine, and invited her to come out to the club to check it out. She showed up with her husband, and, had either been drinking before they came to the club, or, had been drinking profoundly since they arrived. They greeted us and she was three sheets to the wind.Slurred speech, stumbling, and rather touchy-feely. I found it rather amusing.
We stayed there and danced until the club almost shut down. We took my rather inebriated girlfriend back home and I then took my brother home. As late as it was he offered their couch to crash out for a little bit, and he had to get ready to go to work. I desired MY bed way too much. I was home by 5:00 am.
I slept until 11:00 and got my things together for the show that evening.  I think I'm going to take a little cat nap and retell everything that happened at Emilie Autumn last night.
Cheers!

Prepping Podcast

Going through my list of possibilities for my podcast.  I still have oodles of stuff to put on my computer to transfer to mp3 format. I don't think I'll stick with simply the Goth-Industrial format.  I have lots of stuff to offer. Electronica, Retro, Metal, Blues and Rock.
I draw the line at Country/Western, Rap and Tejano.  I would have to have a very special request to do anything Classical.  I would probably do some of that for a nice Halloween special.
If any one has any suggestions for shows I am planning, let me know!

Les Miserables

I and Trina, my girlfriend, went out last night to a movie.  We were torn between Django Unchained and Les Miserables. Guess which one won?
Anyway, I'm a movie AND musicals geek, so I have no regrets.
I was slightly familiar with Mr. Hugh Jackman's repertoire as a stage and screen fella, and I have heard him sing. I was still moderately impressed.
I had heard snippets of Anne Hathaway singing, so hearing her full-bore singing was a distinct pleasure.
Amanda Seyfried was a nice surprise. That she could sing at all was a pleasant discovery. Her style reminded me of those chanteuses from the old 1920's and '30's. One word: soprano!
Russell Crowe has a rock band in Australia, so I wasn't surprised by him at all. Eddie Redmayne plays Marius in the movie, and he also strikes me as one who has seen his fair share of stage time.
Aaron Tveit did quite well, I liked his voice.  Samantha Barks was lovely. I really liked her voice. There was a passion that she really brought forth in her songs. Helena Bonham Carter and Sasha Baron Cohen (Three-name actors, hmm, a conspiracy?) were a joy. They both know and sing comedy with the best of them. And, yes, Sweeney Todd is a terribly guilty pleasure of mine. Kudos to the rest of the cast and crew on this EPIC freakin' musical!

Interview on Sixx Sense

A couple of weeks ago, some guys over in Hollywood came out with their list of the top 10 most desirable women in Entertainment (TV, films, models...). Nikki Sixx on his morning radio show, the Sixx Sense,  went through this list on the air. I was listening and noted that there were some glaring deficiencies in the list. He welcomed anyone to email him a list of people's faves or dislikes or modifications to this list. So, I did. Mere days later, I got an email from his producer Kyle Chrise, and he said that they wanted to talk to me about my list. I was tickled pink by this opportunity!  They called me up, finally, and we had a very nice 10 minute chat about my list. I also just days ago obtained the edited version of the interview via mp3 form, and I now present this to you, along with my list.  Questions or comments, of course, are welcome.

10.  Anne Hathaway (Get Smart and Dark Knight Rises, anyone?)
9.  Kerri Kasem
8. Cindy Scull ( a local favorite DJ)
7. Scarlett Johanssen
6. Jennifer Lawrence
5. Mila Kunis
4.  Jessica Biel or Kate Beckinsdale (this amendment was made post-interview, because I didn't put Kate down originally)
3.  Sofia Vergara (beautiful and funny: that's hot!)
2.  Christina Hendricks
1.  Milla Jovovich
Here's the link to the interview:

http://www.mediafire.com/?22ecrvzecftpcu3

God Thoughts

I was listening to a really interesting debate on NPR on Intelligence Squared. the show is like an Oxford Debate contest taking place in New York.  The debate was "Science Refutes God." There were four panelists, and each one made excellent arguments, gave intelligent answers, and summarized their arguments like champions. I was terribly impressed with each one.  My take on this whole scenario is this: God, in whatever form God exists, is beyond our ken, and, so, it makes it terribly, wonderfully human to argue about such things.  Atheistic scientists refute the spirit. Puritanical religious types refute evolution. And here's my mutation (snicker...): The spirit evolves.  I believe God is evolution. God him/herself evolves to the tenets/morals/mental capacity/evolution of humanity. When God first showed up in human lives, we see terrifying deities of power and fear, demanding sacrifices of human and animal lives to appease a divine blood thirst. The humans felt empowered and emboldened by their God of choice to utilize the divine to heal, find love, sanctify marriage and birth, grow crops, bring game, make war, control others, enslave nations and other tribes, and cause death. Humans have had an interesting way over time of sidestepping blame to save face and life time and again, and blame it on the "Hand of God."
The God I believe in IS omnipotent, and just beyond the realm of my true understanding. To quote a particular saying from a Van Halen video:  "Right now God kills moms and dogs because He has to." Honestly, it's not a job I'd willingly step into. I've seen the Boss' job, and I don't want it.
I've had too many strange and wonderful experiences through my life to discount any of that.
To quote one of the panelists from Intelligence Squared:  "Science tells us the how of the Universe, but, not the why."

Odhinn Bless,
Brandon out!

What's on Brandon's iPod?

My musical tastes are rather eclectic. I have a relatively new computer, so, I have more CD's  in my collection than I have on my computer. Also, in a short while, I shall be utilizing my account on Pod-o-matic.com and doing pod-casts.
So, a rundown of the bands I have on my iPod: (as this will give you an idea of my tastes, shadows, and sense of humor...)
Adam Ant, Alice Cooper, Alice in Chains, Alien Sex Fiend, Aphex Twin, Atari Teenage Riot, Beats Antique, Black Sabbath, Collide, Concrete Blonde, The Cure, David Bowie, Dead Can Dance, Diary of Dreams, Duran Duran, Ego Likeness, Emilie Autumn (ALL HAIL THE RAT QUEEN!!!), Faderhead, Faith and the Muse, Filter, The Fixx, Front 242, Gary Numan, Genesis, How to Destroy Angels, In This Moment, Iron Maiden, Kidney Thieves, King Diamond, Korn, Lords of Acid, The Machine in the Garden, Makaras Pen, Marilyn Manson, Ministry, Motorhead, O. Children, Otep, Overkill, Ozzy Osbourne, Pantera, Paul Young, Peter Gabriel, Praga Khan, The Prodigy, Queen, Queensryche, Radiohead, Rage Against the Machine, REPO! the Genetic Opera, the Rocky Horror Picture Show soundtrack, The Rolling Stones, Rush, She Wants Revenge, Spawn soundtrack, Skinny Puppy, Slipknot, Sneaker Pimps, Suicidal Tendencies, Switchblade Symphony (Susan Wallace, where ARE you?!), Talk Talk, Testament, Thomas Dolby, A Tribe Called Red, Type O Negative, U2, WASP, Wall of Voodoo, Wumpscut, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Yes, Zola Jesus, Zombie Girl, The 69 Eyes.
I did a lot of growing up in the 80's, so, the retro should be obvious. Old school rock still needs a bit more of a contingent, here. I've got some Nazareth and Stevie Ray Vaughan to go on here eventually.
The electronica was something I actually really liked, even in my "Metal" days of my youth (see retro crap). In my freedom as an adult, I explored this facet of myself even further. I still have bands like Nine Inch Nails and the like to get on here, as well.
The Metal, for those who know me, is freakin' obvious. For those who don't, Metal took me through an integral part of my life. It gave me a reason to exist when others reasons failed. The music empowered and inspired me. Though I am a peaceful warrior, the Metal spoke to my "warrior" nature.
There was an interestingly dark time in my life where I became attracted to the Goth scene and music. Rozz Williams and Christian Death were on everyone's minds and they were getting protests here in Dallas for even WANTING to play here. My thoughts at that point were like this, "Wouldn't the Christians want a Christian death? They get really upset when their deaths are pagan or secular..."
Of the more interesting finds in here, my recommendations are on A Tribe Called Red (think native American  Dub-step), The 69 Eyes, Emilie Autumn and Faith and the Muse.
Hey! If anyone has any suggestions in music, my brain is always hungry for new music!