So Long and Thanks for All the Fish

Hey all. Wow! What can I say about my time spent with music reporting. It's something I've done for ten years. Although there is no fortune involved, I can honestly say I have a lot of glory.

I have been apart of Planet Verge since the "Fan 'zine"-style days ('02). Joelle and I worked on the Beacon (one of William Paterson University's newspapers) together. One day, she asked if I wanted to write for her music mag. I said sure. The rest is history.

Besides writing, I also raised funds for printing, since it was coming from out-of-Joelle's-pocket. Everyone was super supportive, even our professors. It's nice to see how it was coming a long. But like everything that's in print nowadays, moving to blog-style was the best move. Now PV is reached globally with an instant touch of a mouse.

I did take a hiatus from PV after my mom died and while I lived/worked in Korea. Mourning after my best friend/mother and trying to move-on like "all is normal" is not an easy task. Everyone functions with loss differently. Living and working in Korea truly changed me and my life for the better. I now have goals and dreams that I plan to conquer.

I will always be a huge music lover, or as my friends Jason S. and Thomas dub me, a "Music Goddess." Right now, all of my energy is focused on landing a full-time teaching job. Good news on that front-I had part one of an interview in Paterson last week, I have an interview in D.C., an interview in NYC, and if all does not go well with landing a job here, I'm back overseas again. Where? Either Korea or Japan. I love being in the classroom and engaging in learning with my students. I have learned so much from them. I even find ways to incorporate music in my lessons. For instance, I like to use the song, "What a Wonderful World" in my basic ESL classes because of the use of colors and visuals.

As I finish up here, I do want to say that Joelle, it has been a pleasure. It was an honor being apart for the ride. I will always be around if you need advice, ideas, or vent. So I want to leave here with some fond memories of PV from behind the scenes that some/most/all of you might not even know but hopefully can appreciate:

*When I tried interviewing a certain performer, his PR person was a total bitch. The interview was lined up and everything and then they snubbed me. Now-where is this artist? Let's just say karma got the best of him, and he's filed under "Where are they now?"

*Watching "Almost Famous" before and after taking music reporting seriously is like watching a how-to guide on music reporting all thanks to the words of music writer genius Lester Bangs. Rule #1-"Never make friends with the rock stars." Rule #2-"Be honest and unmerciful."

*After a show, a few staff members were invited for the after party. Where was the after party? A high class strip club in Tribeca (not our choice but then again not like we had a say). :) We left when things were getting too crazy.

*Joelle finally allowed politics to be mentioned on here. Woah! :)

*Joelle helped give me some good advice while my late great dog Rebel and my mom were in their last weeks.

*After a Fixer show at CBGB's (I miss that sweat hole), a friend, who I will keep nameless because I don't want her to get in trouble, and I danced on top of a bar (not topless/clothes completely on) at Bar 2 x 4 in the East Village. Our bar tunes were, "Pour some Sugar on Me"(classic Def Leopard) and "Closer (NIN)." I can't speak for my friend but I can speak for myself, I was completely sober and carefree for that fun-filled evening. After our dancing numbers, the bartenders offered us shots and to put our bras on the ceiling with the others. We took the shots, but kept our bras on (it was my fav. bra).

*I gave Matt Groening (creator/Simpsons genius) a copy of PV at the All Tomorrow's Parties festival in Long Beach, CA back in '03. I strongly believe he read it. God only knows if he kept it, but he is a huge music fan; hence why so many musicians/artists have been guest voices for the past 20+ years on the show.

*One thing is for certain, the music/entertainment industry lends for some eccentric people. Some real and some fake. A piece of advice to any future music writers: stay true to yourself and don't get lost in a crowd.

*All of the knowledge I learned on creating a home-grown business, its freakin' tough. But I give the future of PV credit. Moving on to internet TV might be the best thing handed to them since internet TV is the new wave of technology.

*The hidden secret behind my Concert Junkie name. Concert-because I'm an addict. I can barely afford to go to them anymore. Junkie-I took it from the late great Hunter S. Thompson's book, Better than Sex: Confessions of a Political Junkie.

*Blood, sweat and tears went into making each issue of PV and now its a bag of Cheetos for each blog-post. :)

I leave this with a quote from one of my favorite albums of all time, "And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make."

By Lori who can attest, "There is no darkside of the moon really. As a matter of a fact, its all dark."

Hypocrisy, thy name is Simpson.

I'm sure you've all seen the photos of a slightly more robust Jessica Simpson. Frankly, I think a lot of what seems like weight gain was the effect of unflattering pants (not everyone is built to rock a high waist)--but that's beside the point. The fact is, she's still betterlooking than I and a good 90% of the world's population, with or without an extra five pounds.

My issue is with her nepotist sister, Ashlee.

Following the release of Jessica's photos, Ashlee posted a blog saying that "All women come in different shapes, sizes, and forms and just because you're a celebrity, there shouldn't be a different standard" and musing, "How can we expect teenage girls to love and respect themselves in an environment where we criticize a size 2 figure?" She also got really deep: "A week after the inauguration and with such a feeling of hope in the air for our country, I find it completely embarrassing and belittling to all women to read about a woman's weight or figure as a headline on Fox News."

Fair enough. I agree that Fox News has more pressing and pertinent things to run, like how our president's middle name is Hussein and that he's a Socialist.

But there are still three problems here, sweetheart. One, if you're going to embrace all sizes, at least be honest about them. Jessica Simpson is not a size 2. Neither was Jennifer Love Hewitt. I am not a size 2--I am lucky to squeeze my behind into a 6--but I don't lie about it to make myself feel better. I embrace my bodaciousness, and so do the creepy construction workers on West 57th.

Two, what the Hell does Obama have to do with this?

And three: You got a nose job. Pot, meet Kettle.


*By Jess, who craves peanut butter at a really inappropriate time.

On the Verge w/ Bombshell Betty

Our favorite pinup/burlesque starlet, Bombshell Betty, stopped by the On The Verge studio at Ambush TV last night to dish and give Jessica a pinup makeover. Tune in for style tips and more when On the Verge debuts.

Here are some behind-the-scenes photos. Get more at www.myspace.com/pvgirls

Concert Junkie Gives a Brief Inaugural Review

Its official. America swore in the first African American president at 12:05 P.M. on Jan. 20, 2009. Barack Obama took the Oath of Office in front of over two million people, who were lucky enough to be at the actual event despite the frigid temperatures, and a global audience of billions. One does not have to be a political expert or fan to honor this moment in American history.

Obama inherits the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression, two wars (not also counting the tensions in Mumbai and Gaza), the threat of Global Warming and Schools not quite making their marks and a failed Healthcare system. This is a huge order for the native Hawaiian to tackle. However, Americans can rest assure, we now have someone in office who is willing to actually unite instead divide (for real this time), interrogate instead of torture and resolve instead of invade.

Obama spoke with style and grace when he proclaimed, "America is a friend of each nation." The new president has a tremendous amount of work ahead. Now is time for our government to "put aside childish things" and put the U.S. in a better direction once more.



By Lori who enjoyed sharing Inauguration Day with her students and is happy to have a First Lady with great style.

Listen and Learn: LeATHERMOUTH Releases Debut CD This Week

When Epitaph Records releases LeATHERMOUTH'S debut, XO, this week, don't expect it to soar to the top of any Billboard charts.

Though the band is fronted by My Chemical Romance guitarist Frank Iero, that's where any similarities between the bands end. True MCR fans---the ones who appreciate the music, not the swoon-worthy looks of its members---will most likely not be rushing out to purchase XO. It is, indeed, a dramatic creative departure for Iero. For those who were pulled into My Chem's Kingdom of hook-heavy melodies, this album is far from an easy listen.

That's what makes it so great. Iero states:

“For me LeATHERMOUTH is how I can vent about all the bullshit that I see going on in the world that makes me ill. I try to belabor the topics people want to forget exist. LeATHERMOUTH is where I can vomit out all the aggression that has built up inside. After recording or playing a LM show I feel empty of all that hatred that’s been bottled up. It’s a pleasant, cathartic experience. I would love to not feel the way I do about certain things, and have rainbows and birds chirping in my head, but that’s just not the way I’m built. I am embarrassed by my emotions and originally wanted to keep LeATHERMOUTH anonymous...but fuck it, none of us are perfect, the world is going to shit, and someone has to say it. I think it would be worse if I hid from it.”

Through LeATHERMOUTH, Iero will reach a whole new audience of fans. Count on all the hardcore kids who thought they were too cool to listen to MCR to be converted.

Don't forget, Iero's music roots began in the NJ punk scene when he sang in Pencey Prep. It's no surprise he wants to continue pursuing other musical styles.

A true artist always evolves and experiments. They use their canvas--whether it be paint or an instrument-- to expand the minds of their audience and express themselves. That's exactly what's going on with XO.

Even if you can't decipher a word Iero's saying, take some time to read the lyrics.

Perhaps you'll be inspired or can find comfort in knowing you're not alone.

"They'll never understand cause they were understood, an "open minded" fake in a bright white coat."-- "Sunsets Are For Muggings"

"I'd rather have my eyes sewn shut than see all the shit that we've done. I'd rather be deaf, dumb and blind than pledge allegiance to a man of your kind."--- "I Am Going To Kill The President Of The United States Of America"

Stay tuned to http://www.myspace.com/leathermouthlives for tour dates. Leathermouth just did a few dates with Mindless Self Indulgence and will hopefully have more lined-up for '09. In a year that promises change for so many, why not start right here? Even if screaming isn't your thing, the live show will pull you into a new world you just may never want to leave.

WATCH LeATHERMOUTH PERFORM "FIFTH PERIOD" AT CMJ:




*By Joelle, who just finished designing the event program for Fashion A Cure and hopes to see you all there this Saturday for indie music & fashion in support of the American Cancer Society! www.myspace.com/fashionacure

Petition for the Arts

America is one of the few countries where the Government doesn't fund art programs. Let's change that!


Quincy Jones has started a petition to ask President-Elect Obama to appoint a Secretary of the Arts. While many other countries have had Ministers of Art or Culture for centuries, The United States has never created such a
position.


Sign the petition here.

Hipsters are the modern yuppies.

Thoughts on this? Michael said it to me the other day.

I went to Urban Outfitters today during lunch. Every time I'm there, I always feel like the workers are judging you and the customers (who think going shopping there is
an occasion to look their most hipsteresque)are secretly going "OMG that girl isn't wearing skinny jeans!" Ick.

I just buy the houseware items. They have cute lamps and plates.

However, I find the clothes to be TOTALLY overpriced and pretty much U-G-L-Y.

That's what I have to say.

I am FINALLY listening to the new Funeral For a Friend.

Just got the Leathermouth CD in the mail. Gonna pop that in next. Stay tuned!

*By Joelle, who is designing the program magazine for Fashion a Cure and hopes to see you all there next week!

Another lawsuit:

Contact Music reports that a fan is suing Insane Clown Posse for an injury he endured at one of their shows.

In other news, I'm suing Insane Clown Posse for the injuries I've endured to my auditory cortex.

*By Jess, who wouldn't mind if ICP and their fans were exiled to Guantanamo. They'd make for good, cheap torture for the last few days of the Bush regime, no?