Sunday, April 22, 2012

PurrView #46 - Absinthe Las Vegas


                When friends of mine enthusiastically recommended I go see Absinthe-- a sexy, tantalizing, politically incorrect, traveling circus-esque, acrobatic variety show held on the Royal Plaza of Caesar's Palace-- their rave reviews did not prepare me for how absolutely awesome the intimate show turned out to be. Their descriptions of Absinthe were actually quite brief; perhaps they just couldn't find the right words to describe it. They resorted to simply stating that I just need to go watch it. In a post-script manner one friend added, "…and don’t bring your mom."   
(lasvegasblog.harrahs.com)

The venue was a single-ring circus sized tent with Bohemian décor and wooden audience chairs encircling the stage in the center. The style of the show was one that suggested a sexy Gypsy freak show (with some of the hottest, most daring and most flexible freaks in the western hemisphere).  The performers were close enough to spit on; every seat in the house was a good one. But I certainly felt bad for a couple of the faint-of-heart, bashful audience members that regretfully sat in front. They mostly gawked in horror throughout most of the show and tried their best not to make eye contact with any of the talented, erotic performers. The majority of us however hooted, hollered, and laughed our asses off the entire show when we weren't silenced in awe at some of the stunts performed.
(absinthevegas.com)

The Gazillionaire and Penny Pibbets
(millerpolooza.wordpress.com)


                Our compere-- a mustached, racial slur-spatting, Borat-resembling creep known as The Gazillionaire-- led the audience through the circus of naughty acrobatics, comedy, stunt routines, and feats of strength suggestive of a lucid, bizarre (wet) dream world. His sidekick Penny Pibbets threw in just the right amount of additional awkwardness and a kooky slant indicative that females can be just as creepy, hilarious and perverted as the male species. And sultry singer Melody Sweets made love to our ears and eyes with her sexy voice and ravishing features-- she had me turned on before the first layer came off.
Melody Sweets
(photo: Tom Donoghue)
                If abundant use of the S and F words, twisted humor, sexuality, and flexible, glistening, fit-as-all-get-out Eastern Europeans all sound like great entertainment to you, Absinthe is a must-see Vegas show. Though many would find the spectacle offensive, vulgar and discomforting, there were only two discomforting feelings I personally experienced: pain (in my face from laughing so hard) and goose bumps (from watching the amazing acrobatics).
Here's a taste of Absinthe

~Meow~
Pennies


Monday, April 16, 2012

PurrView #45 - Snoop Dogg feat. Tupac - Coachella 2012

(photo: pitchfork.com - Snoop, Left; Tupac, Right)

Snoop Dogg closed out the first weekend of Coachella 2012 on Sunday night, April 16, with help from beloved and dearly-departed fellow West-sider Tupac Shakur. Thanks to the beauty of technology, Snoops’s revolutionary performance with Tupac’s hologram made the onstage collaboration powerful, magical and a bit spooky for audience members.

(photo: Getty Images - "Tupac" onstage at Coachella 2012)

What started out like any normal, smoky performance for Snoop, turned into a tech-savvy recreation of his past onstage chemistry with Tupac. The set included collabos with friends and big-name recording artists Dr. Dre, Eminem and 50 Cent. “The D-O-double G’s” rap-superstar set was also added to by the fresh, young Wiz Khalifa, who blew the audience away at Coachella 2011; he’s been a frequent Top 40 name ever since.
(photo: pitchfork.com - Dr. Dre, Left; Snoop, Right)

On September 7, 1996, Tupac was gunned down in Las Vegas. He died a few days later on Friday the 13th. Fans continue to mourn the loss of the rapper, and rumors that he is still alive continue to sporadically resurface. But for the first time since Tupac’s death, he has-- in essence-- hit the stage once again to perform "Hail Mary," and to join Snoop for an apropos performance of “2 of Americaz Most Wanted.”

(photo:rap-up.com)

Without a doubt, Goldenvoice Productions should pat themselves on the back for hosting another revolutionary move in the music world. They've left the music festival community and an eclectic mix of fans in shock-and-awe at this hologram performance of one the most respected poets of Gen-Xers and younger.

Check out the amazing, albeit trippy performance at this link before it gets taken down. 


(Fair warning: explicit lyrics)

~Meow~
Pennies

Monday, April 9, 2012

PurrView #44 - Of Monsters and Men


                New to the American music scene, Icelandic sextet Of Monsters and Men embodies a melodious, artistic and catchy-- yet intelligent-- sound that's got a delightful, earthy folk vibe. The band is headed up by founding members and singer/songwriters Nanna Bryndis Hilmarsdòttir and Ragnar "Raggi" Pòrhallson.  

                Of Monsters and Men nods to the well-orchestrated instrumental prowess of Arcade Fire and captures the gypsy-like cadence of Edward Sharpe & the Magnetics Zeros, while also harnessing the folksy, heart-rending emotion of Mumford & Sons. They are an act that will surely be on the radar in 2012. The tambourine and accordion accents are enough to make your heart dance. But fair warning-- singers Nanna and Raggi's voices melded together might also make your heart melt.
                In February 2011 the band signed on to craft their debut album with Record Records in Reykjavik, Iceland. Released in September 2011, My Head is an Animal brought the band to its cozy No. 1 spot on Icelandic charts. And subsequently, the album's captivating dual-vocal track "Little Talks" shimmied its way on over to the hearts and ears of Americans.
                In December 2011 Of Monsters and Men released a four-song sample of their debut album via EP Into the Woods, leading up to the band's April 3, 2012 worldwide release of My Head is an Animal; both under Universal Records.
                The band is now in the midst of their first American tour which began at SXSW festival in March. I eagerly welcome a chance to catch them in person so I can find out if they're as fabulous and entertaining live as they are in my earbuds.

Nanna Bryndis Hilmarsdòttir - guitar / vocals
Ragnar "Raggi" Pòrhallson - guitar / vocals
Brynjar Leifsson - guitar
 Àrni Guôjónsson  - piano / accordion
Kristján Páll Kristjánsson - bass
Amar Rósenkranz Hilmarsson - drums

"Little Talks" in-studio performance, KEXP Seattle --> http://youtu.be/8Dw8qdmT_aY
~Meow~
Pennies

Saturday, April 7, 2012

PurrView #43 - Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekend


Rockabilly enthusiasts from across the globe meet once again in the sunny state of Nevada for the 15th annual Viva Las Vegas. Held April 5-8 at The Orleans Hotel & Casino, Viva Las Vegas is the quintessential Rockabilly stomping ground and time-warp to a place in American history when hair was pomped, Chevys had that feel-good rumble, and the seeds of Rock and Roll that were planted have become today's "vintage" genre of style and fashion.

Here's what's to look forward to at VLV 2012:
Burlesque shows
(photo: edinburghspotlight.com)
Cars and Hot Rods galore
Check out Josh Clason's video of VLV 2011 cars -->  http://youtu.be/EZpdhsJHfDY

Rockin' Bands

Pin-Up Fashion

If the nostalgia of the 50s appeals to you-- the fashion, the hair, the music, the cars, the photography-- it would behoove you to make your way to Viva Las Vegas, stat.

Official VLV Website --> http://www.vivalasvegas.net/

~Meow~
Pennies