*Bonus Post* - Week Forty-Seven: Side Projects - Presence - "Act of Faith" - Inside

***Happy Good Friday***

That's right, my dearest blogland readers, you are getting a bonus post this week! Why is that? Well, it's because, first of all, I have today and Monday off from work --- some perks of teaching at a Catholic school, of course. In addition, I was going to spend the day online job hunting, but my fabulous prof gave me two job leads last night... and that's not even the cool part. The cool part is that all I have to do is call in on Monday, do a "name drop", and request an interview. I feel like I just got the equivalent of **rock star parking** in the job search realm... how fancy is that?!?!?!?

I was initially going to offer you a post for this band, Presence, in place of Arcadia (and then talk about Arcadia when I get around to having a Duran Duran week), but I could not find any lyrics to any of the Presence songs. However, I'll tell you a little bit about this band, and then I'll offer you multiple YouTube videos since I cannot offer you lyrics.

Presence is made up of two founding members of The Cure - Lol Tolhurst and Michael Dempsey - as well as a former roadie for The Cure. Porl Thompson also played on a few of their songs. I don't know a whole lot about this band or their history, but I was most certainly under the impression that they had only one album, Inside. However, when I consulted Wikipedia, I learned something quite cool:

"In March 2013, their unreleased second album Closer was made available for listening in its entirety through SoundCloud. The band have also announced plans for recording new material and touring in 2013."

Week Forty-Seven: Side Projects - The Glove - "Like An Animal" - Blue Sunshine

This, to me, is the epitome of side projects because it has none other than Robert Smith, from The Cure, and Steve Severin, from Siouxsie & the Banshees. In case you didn't read my Re-Introduction post that I made at the very end of 2012, I have already mentioned that Siouxsie & the Banshees has been my favorite band since 1991, and "Just Like Heaven" has been my favorite song since 1988. So it follows that if you put these two musical geniuses together, you are almost guaranteed something like musical magic!!!

Apparently, Robert Smith was not able to sing due to restrictions placed on him by his label; therefore, they recruited Jeanette Landray, the ex-girlfriend of Budgie (also from Siouxsie & the Banshees) to sing for them. At that time, Budgie & Siouxsie were off recording their first album as The Creatures.

I never knew the origin of the name, so I looked it up, and according to Wikipedia:

"The band's name refers to the enormous flying glove in The Beatles' 1968 animated movie Yellow Submarine, and the album's title Blue Sunshine refers to the horror film Blue Sunshine, in which people who took the fictional "Blue Sunshine" variety of LSD became psychotic murderers ten years later."

I am also including two others by The Glove called "Punish Me With Kisses" & "Looking Glass Girl"...

One mile in the air that's where she lives

Her body looks so thin and pink and small

Dropping eggs from nervous shaking hands

And swallowing her fingers as they fall

Two people dance on the edge

Three of us push them away

There's nowhere to go

We're all in this

But nothing can hurt us at all

Fight her all you want you'll never win

Couldn't we just once leave her in bed

Let the dry air cut her happy throat

Hide her heart and lose her happy head

First I was a murderer then I was a saint

Now I live on stolen time

Twist and run like paint

Like an animal

Tuesday in the sun

Nothing could be worse

Not now not ever not anymore...

Week Forty-Seven: Side Projects - Arcadia - "Keep Me in the Dark" - So Red the Rose

Arcadia was the side project of those super-deliciously-yummy-looking Duran Duran boys, also known as Simon LeBon, Nick Rhodes, and Roger Taylor. An interesting fact that I read on Wikipedia about this side project was that they were attempting a more "gothic" look:

"Arcadia continued the Duran Duran tradition of a slick image, tasteful fashions and hair-dos. For the Arcadia incarnation of their ever-changing band aesthetic, Le Bon, Rhodes, and Roger Taylor donned an upmarket gothic look of black tuxedos, vintage formal wear, and bow ties. The three also dyed their hair black, as seen when they performed (as Duran Duran, with Andy and John Taylor) at the 1985 Live Aid concert in Philadelphia."

I'm not so sure they truly achieved the "gothic" look they were after, but I'll let you be the judge - even the person who originally posted this pic commented - "See? They aren't smiling, that's gothic...":

I'm somewhat shocked that the song I selected for today's post, "Keep Me in the Dark", was not a bigger hit for them because it is my favorite one off the album. I am also including one of the songs that was a hit called "Election Day".

When the evening's sunlight fingers

Stretch across the floor

Cover up your eyes with feathers

Softly close the door

Take me in your heavy lips

Take me where the shadows lie

I need your blind full secrets

Hunting fast and loose

The lacy intrigue of this weekend

Should not be abused

You can take me where you want

Could you take me all the time

Away, yeah

Wait a little longer

Don't go too far

I wouldn't like

I wouldn't like you keeping me in the dark

Tender is the truce I’m tasting

Watching you dictate

Heady nights of sleepless wasting

A face I can't escape

We could wave the world goodbye

To all of the boys, cheerio

Away, yeah

Wait a little longer

Don't go too far

I wouldn't like

I wouldn't like you keeping me in the dark

Away, yeah

Wait a little longer

Don't go too far

I wouldn't like

I wouldn't like you keeping me in the dark

Help me now I’m slipping deeper

Tell me what to say

When without words you call me closer

Each time you turn away

Something inside you cries

But is it something I'll never find

Away, yeah

Wait a little longer

Don't go too far

I wouldn't like

I wouldn't like you keeping me in the dark

Away, yeah

Wait a little longer

Before we go too far

I wouldn't like

I wouldn't like to think you

Were keeping me in the dark 

Week Forty-Seven: Side Projects - Love Spit Love - "Am I Wrong" - Love Spit Love

Although Love Spit Love was not intended to become a side project for The Psychedelic Furs' singer, Richard Butler, it kind of turned into one by default, since The Furs got back together eventually.

It should come as no surprise to you that I am a huge Psychedelic Furs fan; the name of my blog is based on one of their songs, after all. So when I heard that Richard Butler was working on what was originally intended to be solo material after The Furs split, I couldn't wait to hear what it would sound like.

I guess that, in the process, he decided that a solo gig was not really what he was after, and so he got together with various other musicians to form Love Spit Love, which was apparently named after an art performance exhibit put on by Kelly Cutrone - I vaguely remember watching her reality TV show for a bit back when I still had TV - I think it was called Kell on Earth, and it was about producing New York's Fashion Week.

Anyhow, in addition to "Am I Wrong", I am including YouTube clips for their songs, "It Hurts When I Laugh" & "Fall on Tears".  I am also including their cover of "How Soon is Now?" by The Smiths, which was originally recorded for the film, The Craft, but was also snagged by the TV show, Charmed.

There's too much

That I keep to myself

And I turn my back on my faith

It's like glass

When we break

I wish no one in my place

And I've seen

You don't need their seeds

When their dirt goes in deep

And I'm lost in sleep

I can't stay

In this place

I can't stand

When the room turns round

On my fate

You give no guarantees

There's no promise

I can keep

I can't stand

I can't see my way

I feel blind

On my feet

I can't stay too long

Am I wrong?

Goodbye, lay the blame on luck

Goodbye, lay the blame on luck

Goodbye, lay the blame on luck

Goodbye, lay the blame on luck

Goodbye, lay the blame on luck

Goodbye, lay the blame on luck

I'm so tired

Of my mood

And sleep comes

With a knife, fork and a spoon

You're so pale

In your face

You let life

Get in your way

And I've seen

You don't need their seeds

When their dirt goes in deep

And I'm lost in sleep

Am I wrong?

Goodbye, lay the blame on luck

Goodbye, lay the blame on luck

Goodbye, lay the blame on luck

Goodbye, lay the blame on luck

Week Forty-Seven: Side Projects - Monaco - "What Do You Want From Me?" - Music For Pleasure

Although I was always fully aware that Monaco was a side project of Joy Division/New Order bassist, Peter Hook, I wasn't aware that it arose from the ashes of another band called Revenge, a band that has an interesting start-up tale.

So apparently, Peter Hook was not pleased with Bernard Sumner (also of Joy Division/New Order) starting up a side project with Johnny Marr (of The Smiths) --- remember that fabulous band, Electronic? (Oh, and there will be an Electronic week eventually). 

So anyways, Peter Hook started up a band, Revenge, with David Potts (the other member of Monaco) joining them to play live. The name, Revenge, was directed towards Bernard Sumner, and according to Wikipedia: the name came from the word Revenge emblazoned on a leather jacket worn by George Michael in the video for his hit song, "Faith".

Eventually, Revenge broke up, and the remaining two members, Hook and Potts, formed Monaco. I am including another one of my favorites by them below the lyrics called "Shine (Someone Who Needs Me)".

There is one thing. That I would die for.

It's when you say. My life is in your hands.

'Cause when you're near me. Your love is all I need.

Now I can't imagine.

What do you want from me?
It's not how it used to be. 

You've taken my life away

Ruining everything.

Sha la la la la la la x4

What do you want from me?
It's not how it used to be.

You've taken my life away

Ruining everything.

Give me something. I can rely on.
Far away from. The life that I once knew.

But what does it matter. That's all I have to say.

And I can't imagine.

What do you want from me?
It's not how it used to be.

You've taken my life away

Ruining everything.

Sha la la la la la la x4

Week Forty-Six: Doo-Wop - The Chords - "Sh-Boom (Life Could Be a Dream)" - Sh-Boom: Doo-Wop Classics

So, I have a Pandora station based off of The Shirelles, and I often listen to it on my planning period at school when I'm grading papers and getting lessons prepared for the next day... because this music always puts me in a pleasant mood, whilst those activities often put me in a foul mood.

On occasion, a student will pop into the classroom while I'm on my planning period listening to my Pandora station, especially if he or she needs to pack to go home early for whatever reason.

So one day, a student wandered in while this song was on, and she started singing along to it. I was completely perplexed as to how she would possibly know about such a tune, until she revealed to me that this song is in the Disney-Pixar film, Cars.

So I looked it up, and sure enough, it was in the film. In fact, it's a really cute scene, so I will include a YouTube clip for the film, as well as one without any dialogue interruptions.

And before I leave you for this week, I met my nephew, Carter, for the first time last night, and I swear that I will not turn into one of those crazy-baby-picture-freakshow-weirdos on this blog; however, I have to share at least two pics (for now - totally joking - I am a woman of my word!!!):

Here, I am explaining to him that while we might have incredible difficulty squeezing mouse ears over our super-awesome pompadours on our first excursion to Disney World, it will still be well worth the effort...you can see that he is greatly concerned!!!

And here, I am telling him that I am totally cool with him kissing Snow White on the cheek as long as he doesn't tell his mom...because, ya know, what happens at Disney World, stays at Disney World...oddly enough, I think he found it kind of funny!!!

Life could be a dream, life could be a dream
Do do do do, sh-boom

Life could be a dream (Sh-boom)
If I could take you up in paradise up above (Sh-boom)
If you would tell me I'm the only one that you love
Life could be a dream, sweetheart
(Hello, hello again, sh-boom and hopin' we'll meet again, boom-a-boom)

Day dong da ding-dong
Sha-lang-da-lang-da-lang
Ah, whoa, whoa, zip
Ah bo da do da dip, whoa

Life could be a dream (Sh-boom)
If only all my precious plans would come true (Sh-boom)
If you would let me spend my whole life lovin' you
Life could be a dream, sweetheart
(Do do do do, sh-boom)

Every time I look at you
Something is on my mind
If you do what I want you to
Baby, we'd be so fine

Oh, life could be a dream
Sh-boom, if I could take you up in paradise up above
Sh-boom, you'd tell me, darling, I'm the only one that you love
Life could be a dream, sweetheart
Hello, hello again, sh-boom and hopin' we'll meet again, boom (Ba-boom)

Day dong da ding-dong
Sha-lang-a-la-lang-a-la-lang-a-la-lang-a-la
Whoa, whoa, bip
Ah bo da do da dip, whoa
Life could be a dream, life could be a dream, sweetheart

(Do do do do, sh-boom)
(Do do do do, sh-boom)
(Do do do do, sh-boom)
(Do do do do, sh-boom)
(Do do do do, sh-boom)
(Do do do do, sh-boom)
(Do do do do, sh-boom)

Whoa, life could be a dream
Sh-boom, if I could take you up in paradise up above
Sh-boom, you'd tell me, darling, I'm the only one that you love
Life could be a dream, sweetheart
Hello, hello again, sh-boom and hopin' we'll meet again, boom (Ba-boom)

Day dong da ding-dong
Sha-lang-a-la-lang-a-la-lang-a-la-lang-a-la
Whoa, whoa, bip
Ah bo da do da dip, whoa
Life could be a dream, life could be a dream
Do do do do, sh-boom

Week Forty-Six: Doo-Wop - The Coasters - "Poison Ivy" - The Best of The Coasters

I'm not sure if I have mentioned this yet or not, but a few years ago, I joined an adult tap dance class - go ahead and laugh if you must, but it was really fun!!! In fact, I would still be tapping today if I could fit it into my busy schedule.

I even performed in two recitals. The first year, we did a ragtime swing number. The second year, we performed a dance to this song, "Poison Ivy", by The Coasters.

I wish I had some video footage to offer you of that recital because it was soooooo entertaining, but all I have are some snapshots that my brother took of the performance.

There is a YouTube clip out there of a tap dance that I performed with some fellow teachers for a school talent show to Marvin Gaye's song, "Got to Give It Up", but sadly, it has my school name and info on the clip... and the last thing I need is for some crazed stalker hunting me down when I'm just about to quit the place for good... so I'm not about to post it.

However, if you know me personally and if you have any interest in said YouTube clip, contact me by whatever means you have to contact me, and I'll send that link your way.

Otherwise, you will have to settle for the photos. I noticed that I still had my braces on, which means that this was about 3-4 years ago. Yes, I got braces when I was 30, and yes, it really sucked!!!

And this just wouldn't be a proper post for The Coasters without including another one of their hits - "Yakety Yak"

She comes on like a rose,

But everybody knows,

She'll get you and such.

You can look but you better not touch!

Poison Ivy,

Poison Ivy,

Late at night while your sleepin',

Poison Ivy comes a creepin' around.

She's pretty as a daisy,

But look out man, she's crazy!

She'll really do you in.

If you let her get under your skin!

Poison Ivy,

Poison Ivy,

Late at night while your sleepin',

Poison Ivy comes creepin' around.

Measles make you mumpy and mumps will make you lumpy,

And Chicken pox will make you jump and twitch.

The common cold will fool you,

And whooping cough will cool you.

But Poison Ivy Lord will make you itch!

You're gonna need an ocean,

Of calamine lotion.

You'll be scratchin' like a hound,

The minute you start to mess around!

Poison Ivy,

Poison Ivy,

Late at night while your sleepin',

Poison Ivy comes creepin' around.

Measles make you mumpy and mumps will make you lumpy,

And Chicken pox will make you jump and twitch.

The common cold will fool you,

And whooping cough will cool you.

But Poison Ivy Lord will make you itch!

You're gonna need an ocean,

Of calamine lotion.

You'll be scratchin' like a hound,

The minute you start to mess around!

Poison Ivy,

Poison Ivy,

Late at night while your sleepin',

Poison Ivy comes creepin' around.

Week Forty-Six: Doo-Wop - Chris Montez - "Let's Dance" - The Monogram Sides

It's practically impossible to listen to this song and to watch the YouTube video that I selected and to not be compelled to want to "do the twist, the stomp, the mashed potato too, Any old dance that you wanna do..."

I just don't see how anyone can call all that nonsensical "bumping and grinding" that the kids do these days "dancing" when people have full access to clips like this in order to see what "dancing" really was at one time.

I told my dad that if I ever got married, instead of walking me down the aisle, we would do that dance called "the washrag" down the aisle until we were so dizzy that we couldn't see straight.

His response was: "Sounds good, kiddo!" Either he is really stoked about making such a grand entrance, or he is convinced that I'm never getting married, which would let him off the hook for this one. I haven't been able to figure it out yet!

The Ramones covered this tune; so I am including a YouTube clip under the lyrics...

(One, two)

(One, two, three, four)

Hey baby won't you take a chance?

Say that you'll let me have this dance

Well let's dance, well let's dance

We'll do the twist, the stomp, the mashed potato too,

Any old dance that you wanna do

But let's dance, well let's dance

Hey baby, yeah, you thrill me so

Hold me tight, don't you let me go

But let's dance, well let's dance

We'll do the twist, the stomp, the mashed potato too

Any old dance that you wanna do

But let's dance, well let's dance

SPOKEN: OK, wail now.

Oh, yeah

Hey, baby, if you're all alone

Maybe you'll let me walk you home

But let's dance, well let's dance

We'll do the twist, the stomp, the mashed potato too,

Any old dance that you wanna do

But let's dance, well let's dance

Hey, baby, things are swingin' right

Yes, I know that this is the night

Well let's dance, well let's dance

We'll do the twist, the stomp, the mashed potato too

Any old dance that you wanna do

But let's dance, well let's dance

FADE

But let's dance

But let's dance

But let's dance 

Week Forty-Six: Doo-Wop - Ernie Maresca - "Shout! Shout! (Knock Yourself Out)" - The Original Wanderer

This week marks the official beginning of Spring, which marks the time of year that I love driving around town with my windows down, blasting Doo-Wop favorites! The reactions I get from other drivers are definitely varied. Some look at me as if I have lost my mind; others tell me to turn it up, but my favorite is when little kids or old people start boppin' to the beat!!!

I'm not sure why I so closely associate Spring with Doo-Wop... the only thing I can come up with is that the first time I ever went Swing Dancing at Sons of Hermann Hall, it was during Spring Break. If you haven't ever tried it, you are seriously missing out --- it is fuuu-uuun!

I also realized what a fabulous resource this blog has become for me to be able to research artists and musicians I would have most likely never taken the time to learn much about... granted, it doesn't really count for much that I now possess all of this knowledge, but it means something to me, at least!

So what I learned about Ernie Maresca is that he helped with writing many of the songs for Dion & the Belmonts, like "Runaround Sue" and "The Wanderer"!

***Update: I'll also include another one of his tunes called "I Don't Know Why"... They took down "I Down't Know Why", and I can't find another version on YouTube; so I am replacing it with "You're the Only Girl for Me"...

Wop wop wop, wop wop adada dada

Wop wop wop, wop wop adada dada

Wop wop wop, wop wop adada dada

Wop wop wop, wop wop adada dada

Shout Shout knock yourself out...
Come on yell yell loud and swell

You gotta Scream scream you know what I mean,

Put another dime in the record machine...

Hey we're having a party now it's just begun
We're all over here and we're having fun...

Joe's all alone and he wants to be kissed

While Mary's in the corner and she's doing the twist...

So Let's Shout Shout knock yourself out...
Come on yell yell loud and swell

You gotta Scream scream you know what I mean,

Put another dime in the record machine...

Hey Play another song like A Runaround Sue,
Let's do a dance that we all can do...

Turn that jukebox up mighty loud,

Let's liven up this crazy crowd...

Come on Shout Shout knock yourself out...
Come on yell yell loud and swell

You gotta Scream scream you know what I mean,

Put another dime in the record machine...

Every party that I intend
Believe now it's the livin end

Moving and groovin with some friends of mine...

Saturday night now we're having a time ...

So Lets... Shout Shout knock yourself out...
Come on yell yell loud and swell

You gotta Scream scream you know what I mean,

Put another dime in the record machine...

Hey Doing the fly with our hands in the sky...
Yeah, foot stomping baby just a you and I

School was out about a quarter to three

And we're having fun it's plain to see...

So Lets... Shout Shout knock yourself out...
Come on yell yell loud and swell

You gotta Scream scream you know what I mean,

Put another dime in the record machine...

Week Forty-Five: Richard Blade's Flashback Favorites - Blancmange - "Don't Tell Me" - Volume 3

As I mentioned in a previous post, one of the most convenient methods that I employed to learn about Retro/New Wave/80's bands was compilation cassettes.

One of my most loved series was Richard Blade's Flashback Favorites. The greatest thing about this series was that he included a small blip of info about each band in the liner notes.

This week is Spring Break (my last one ever)... and well, I'm supposed to be "breaking", so I am going to let Richard Blade tell you about this week's bands... but the scans are from the actual cassettes that I still own!!!

+|+|+|+|+|+|+|+|+|+|+|+|+|+|+|+|+

I will also include another favorite, "Living on the Ceiling", below the lyrics...

I'll stay with you until the end

I'll say you'll let me be your friend

I'll say you'll let me in the end

I just wanna be your friend

How can I be sure you're breaking all the rules

How can I be sure I should be high above

I'll climb the mountain, reaching for the skies

And all too soon I jump the moon and find I'm losing my mind

And don't tell me I'm the howling wind

And don't tell me you're the moonlit star

And don't tell me I'm the devil's friend

And don't tell me, no don't tell me I've gone too far

I didn't hear you as you left my room last night

Don't turn your back on me

I didn't hear you as you left my room last night

Please return and set me free

I'll climb the mountain, reaching for the skies

And all too soon I jump the moon and find the sun burns my eyes

And don't tell me I'm the howling wind

And don't tell me you're the moonlit star

And don't tell me I'm the devil's friend

And don't tell me, no don't tell me I've gone too far

No no no...

No no no...

I can't get a grip on...

I can't get a grip on...

I can't get a grip on... (you)

I can't get a grip on... no no I can't get a grip on!

I'll say you'll let me in the end

I'll say you'll let me be your friend

I've maybe asked this once before

Don't you love me anymore

And from the same book that I mentioned in Tuesday's post, I will offer you a Blancmange album cover: