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July 30, 2005
SATURDAY MORNING
Good morning. Another weekend rolls around and today I have .... NOTHING to do!! Sunday, I have a couple of bits and pieces, but thats Sunday. So I plan on doing nothing all day. There is no CFR tonight, as Indie are broadcasting live from the San Diego street scene festival. The powers that be assure me that it will be back to business as usual next week. I really miss the show - feels like I havent been on a show in months!!! Today, I think I'll go with Jen to a movie - there are so many out there that I wanna see. She wont wanna see The Devils Rejects, but I think we might agree on War Of The Worlds, The Island or maybe the new Batman. I am so behind in the movies.
Yesterdays post was intended to give you a heads up about next fridays show! It backfired as other internet sites picked up on it and now its all over the place!! Ooops!! It is an invite only show, but I know people can be very resourceful if they want to be (see Laurrie and Jezzi's ideas on how to get in!!!) and I just wanted to give real people a chance. We are never able to say where we are going to play when we do shows like this until after the occasion. So I was just trying to help out. Whatever. I hope some of you figure out a way in. There is nothing I can do - they just dont let us have any tickets. But now you know where it is, and when it is. So make of the info what you will.
So I have to say that television is picking up for me right now. Daves new show, Rock Star INXS, is just about the most entertaining thing I have seen in a long while. I think Dave does a fantastic job, looking all skinny and cool every day, and I know he has just grown so close to all those kids. Good fucking job, my friend!! And what about the mad kid. JD? And they just voted TWO girls off at the same time???? I am so into this show. Who's my favourite? Well, girl with dreads, and guy with mohawk have the absolute best voices on there. But I think good looking skinny Australian guy is the one who fits INXS the best. We shall see.
Also, The Law Firm started airing this week, and that is riveting TV! I am 100% behind Olivier (as he happens to be a friend of mine as well!!) but I never thought that a reality show about Lawyers would be as interesting as it is. Hmmm.....maybe I am watching too much TV? Better start getting out at night again!
Leon - While the 12 year old kid that lives inside my head thought about jamming with Sabbath every night, the reality would have been 25,000 screaming metal heads shouting "Who the fuck is that?", Tony Iommi would have wondered why there were now two guitarists onstage, and Ozzy would have screamed ..."Sharon.....?? Get him off my stage!!!"
Jay - Great question. Learning new tunes for Freddy really is what makes CF a great band. We don't rehearse, we just do long soundchecks, and personally, I just listen to the tune a few times the week before the show (you know, figure out the basic key, arrangement and chords) and then when we all get together, it just somehow sounds .... right!!! I'll show Dave a bit that I picked up from the record, he'll suggest that we split the octave for the chorus, and thats just about it.
Cori - I am about halfway through the new Potter book. Havent read anything since I got back from Ozzfest, cos like I said yesterday, life just accelerates when I am at home, and I just dont get time to do stuff like that. Maybe I'll pick the book up and do a few chapters when I've finished posting this.
Jake - See above for my explanation of the HOB show.
Zannebee - The show I speak of is in production right now and I believe airs in September. Its a reality show about Danny Bonaduce (cute kid from The Partridge Family). I have been writing and producing music for a few episodes.
D-Wez - KILLER Dunks!! Haven't seen these before, but from the website address, it looks like they are Japan Issue only. But, yeah, they are perfect Willy Wonka Dunks!!! I shall have to start my obsessed search for them immediately!!
Lastly, I just want to comment about something I have started recently. Pilates. Its a form of exercise, and for me, that is a completely alien concept. I mean, I havent done any exercise in about 15 years!! Coffee and cigarettes have kept me where I want to be, but I have started wanting to tone up, get lean, and feel better. So I started taking Pilates with a private tutor, Hope Allen. And I love it!! I mean I can feel myself getting tighter, fitter, I eat less junk now, and I am 100% into it. I never though I would buy into the whole fitness thing, but I am also not frightened of change. Its the only way we grow as human beings. So I am going with it for now, and although my body is feeling a little shell-shocked (after all, if you feed something nothing but crap for 15 years and let it sit around doing nothing, and then suddenly start pulling it around and making it do stuff, its gonna be a little weirded out!!) I like it! Maybe its just a phase, maybe I'll still be doing it ten years from now. Who knows.
OK - so I am gonna get on with doing nothing. Have a great weekend everyone, and keep figuring out ways to bribe/forcibly/sneakily get yourselves into next weeks Freddy extravaganza!!! I'll be back soon.
Todays pic is a sweaty close up from the recent SF show, with Brandon and Mickey from Incubus in the background. Later.
Peace
Billy
Posted by vivelerock at 08:07 AM | Comments (17)
July 27, 2005
TIPS AND TRIPS
What is it about LA that just makes me work non stop? I have been working like a dog since the moment I got back from my Ozzfest trip. I mean, I got around to posting most days while I was out there, and havent dropped a word since I got back. And I still have a ton of shit to do - I dont understand!!! But it was fun to tour with those guys for a while - and all I can say is .....Sabbath fucking ROCK!!
Anyway, I wanted to give you a quick update on things. First and foremost, I can see!!!!! Its official. I went for a check up today down at AXIS, and I am 20/15 - which is kinda Spinal Tap language for 'It goes to 11!!' No pain, great vision, and a new pair of Gucci sunglasses to celebrate. My HUGE thanks to everyone at Axis for talking me through it, being kind, informative and professional, and for giving me my eyesight back.
Also, I'm not confirming or denying anything, but the House Of Blues on Sunset are having a nice little X Games party next friday 5th. And I am sure that Camp Freddy will be nowhere near the venue on that day. Read between the lines people, I am trying to help here!
What else? Well, more auditions, more songwriting, more stuff for the upcoming Bonaduce reality show, more work on the Freddy record. Now remind me about Hawaii......? Oh yeah, I remember......vacation, sandy beaches, no phones .........
It has to be a quick one, but I will try and get another post in soon, and answer any questions I havent answered. Just wanted to get in while I could and say hi. So ...... HI!!! Love this pic from Frisco of Dono and me rockin out - Nice Raiders Dunks, Mr Morrison!
Peace
Billy
Posted by vivelerock at 07:46 PM | Comments (21)
July 23, 2005
BURTON, DEPP AND WONKA
I finally got to see Charlie and the Chocolate Factory yesterday - and I am happy to report that it was everything I had hoped for ....... Burton's dark, twisted vision, another brilliant Depp portrayal of a character, and lots and lots of chocolate! Full of fantastic color, its the product of wonderful imagination, and the story remains pretty much true to the original, but Depp's performance is just fantastic. He has to be the best actor our there right now. And I heard this morning that he is shooting the sequel to my favourite movie, Pirates Of The Caribbean with Keith Richards playing his dad!! Now THAT is inspired casting.
Today is the last Ozzfest show for me for a while - I return to LA tomorrow - and although its been fun out here, I am ready to get back to writing music, and having my fingers in their usual pies. I have Anacondas on PSP ('They have two snakes that big out here?') and Constantine on DVD ('Get ready to quit smoking, Billy!') for the plane home, and if that doesnt keep me occupied, I can always read some more Harry Potter. I am sure that I will do a few more shows on the tour later on (some of the So Cal shows are easy to do, and I fancy a trip to Florida at the end of the tour, in Sept) but for now, I'll do tonights show and call it a wrap. Ozzy and Sabbath have been amazing to watch, and I have been lucky to have been invited to experience the Ozzfest like this. Thanks to everyone.
I will obviously miss CFR again this week - I feel bad that I have been away so long, and I think Dave and Matt are busy, so I suppose it will be a re-run tonight. But I will be there next week for sure, and I cannot wait. I've missed doing the show the last couple of weeks, and my fingers are crossed that Dave or Matt (or both) will be around to join me next week. But I'll be there for sure.
Thank you all for giving me a laugh with the captions. I always love doing that, and it seems you lot like it too!! I love how inventive you all get (I even love the obvious ones!!) and it provides some nice light relief in the morning when I'm reading them, while the news plays on the TV. Its crazy whats going on right now, and my thoughts and prayers are again with the people of London and Egypt.
I hope to have some news about Doheny next week - I have a meeting early in the week, to find out what (if anything) we can do to get a record made. The music business has played hardball with this band and it doesnt matter how hard you push, and how good the band and the songs are, sometimes you just keep coming up against brick walls. Unless someone knocks on my door with a suitcase full of cash for us to go into the studio with, I cant say that I hold out a lot of hope. You never know with this game, so I'll let you all know what happens as soon as I can. And I am hoping that I can tell you about another thing I have been working on pretty soon. Its no great secret - its just that I want to be sure of what I am doing before I talk about it. A period of change, my friends. Always a good thing.
OK - rambling on now, so I am gonna get outta here. I might try to get a morning showing of Zombies new movie in before we leave for the show. The Devils Rejects is his new movie (the last one, House Of 1000 Corpses was awesome!) and I hear that it's pretty disturbing....which is right up my alley! If not, then it'll be top of the list to see back in LA. Have a wonderful weekend everyone, and I'll see ya next week. Peace.
Billy
Posted by vivelerock at 06:19 AM | Comments (24)
July 21, 2005
KEENAN, THE KING OF KLOBBER!!
Mr Keenan Duffty, punk rock rebel, fashion designer to the stars, and an all round good bloke! If you aren't aware of his clothes, you should check him out. www.slinkyvagabond.com Check out the pic of his designs that I picked up yesterday. Based in New York, he did all the Pistols stuff for the last tour, and its very Punk inspired - very original, and always a good choice if you wanna get your boss a little pissed off!!
What else is happening? Well, I met up with Donovan yesterday and went over to Tommy Hilfiger's offices to meet with a few people. Some kind of fashion thing, we hung out and talked clothes, music and the art of doing nothing and getting paid for it! Somehow, I have the first two under my belt but havent quite figured out the last one yet! Watched a few movies on the TV last night, and went to sleep early. Its a show day today, so its a long one. We leave the hotel soon, to get a flight to Buffalo, NJ. And I get to watch Sabbath again - I have to tell you that War Pigs blows my mind every time I hear it!!
Nothing much else to report - New York is hot and humid, I miss my wife, and I need to make music again. Enough of this acting, and hanging out.......I wanna rock!! I believe Camp Freddy has something coming up soon, which is always a lot of fun, and I look forward to getting a guitar on again and turning it up loud.
Junebug - Thank you for asking about my eyes. They dont hurt anymore, and I am slowly noticing daily improvements in my vision. I think it was a success. I have a check up next week when I am back in LA, and I'll know then exactly how successful it was - Hopefully, I'll be 20/20 by then!
Bonita - I am waiting to see Charlie And The Chocolate Factory until I am back in LA, cos i wanna see it with Jen. But yes, I am VERY excited!!!
Pony - I went to a Spin Magazine Cocktail Party that Gibson were hosting. I hooked up with my A+R girl there, and we spoke about a few things in the pipeline. I'm not sure what the story is with the Digi Les Paul - I know that I did some things with it for Gibson, and it has a ton of potential. But I havent used it recently, and I have no idea if and when it will be released to the public.
Jezzi - Welcome back! Ozzy is actually really good with the smoking thing. He doesn't judge me, but does get a few digs in occasionally!! I think he just cares.
Danielle - Just email a pic of yourself to me at the address on the Blog, and I'll post it in the Rogues Gallery. And by the way - anyone else is welcome to do that as well. Building the family...!
Right. A quick caption pic (above) to get the comedy happening here. The 'Two Billys' at the CF show in Anaheim. Post what you think I'm saying, and give me a giggle!! Gotta dash, so have a great day, and I'll be back soon. Peace.
Billy
Posted by vivelerock at 08:28 AM | Comments (27)
July 19, 2005
TUESDAY TALES
New York City - and right now it feels more like Bangkok, with the heat and the humidity!! I mean, it hits you like a slap in the face as you leave the air conditioned peace of the hotel room, and step out into the noisy, crowded, hot streets of Manhattan. I walked down to Times Square from 55th (about 14 blocks) yesterday and by the time I got back to the hotel, I was dripping with sweat. What on earth would have me do such a thing? Nike Dunks of course! I picked up a couple of pairs - some red and black Terminators, and a pair of dark blue and white - I mean, it would be rude not to, right? Other than that, and a quick visit to Gibson Guitars last night, I havent left the hotel. Its too crazy out there! But I am feeling a trip down to Broadway/Tribeca tomorrow (another day off) so I'll build up my strength for that one. Today is a show day - Camden, NJ - and it really is an honor to be up close and personal with Sabbath. They really are a scary sounding band. When they launch into the song, Black Sabbath, I get chills - every time. To answer Ylais' question, Billy Idol is not doing the US Ozzfest. I have been friends with Ozzy for a while, and when the Prince Of Darkness calls you, and invites you to join him on the road for a week or two, there is only one answer!! So I am out here with him, hanging out and having fun.
Bonita - Yes, standing on someone elses stage does make me itch to play! Its great to be out and close to the rock and roll, but it does make me wanna get out there again. Its a good incentive and a reminder of how much I love the road.
Amy - The X Games are a week of extreme sports, usually sponsored by ESPN Sports Network. Its all snowboarding, skateboarding, BMXing and stuff like that. I am sure that the show we are trying to confirm is some kind of party, as they usually hit LA and have the games during the day, and shows and parties at night. Once its confirmed, I'll post details.
SSS - What happens when you organize the songs by something else? ie - by artist? And have you played with the print options? Depending on what version of I-Tunes you are using, it should be possible, so keep tweaking.
Ylais - I wont be out there like the rest of the town, hitting 5 auditions a day! But I will put it out there that I like it, and that I would like to do more. If I get an audition, I'll give it my best shot. Its just fun for me.
Laurie - Well now, I haven't actually listened to any reggae for years! And it looks like I am coming back next Sunday, so I will miss another week of CFR - a bummer, but I am sure that Dave will be as funny as he always is!!
Jay - On the ball and as observant as usual! Options are definately open, and things in the pipeline. Thats all I am saying.
Aaron - I am up to chapter 5 in the new Potter opus, and enjoying the book loads.
Zanabee - The Black And Blue tour? Wow - very cool. And I can tell you that they are as good as they have ever been on this years Ozzfest. War Pigs, NIB, Fairies With Boots ...... Heavy shit, baby!!
I would like to finish off with a small observation about large crowds of people. Now I dont know if its because I dont get wasted anymore, or if I am getting old, or if I am just plain missing something. But at the last Ozzfest, it had been raining earlier in the day, and the ground was really muddy. At some point, a mud fight started that had to be seen to be believed. I mean the sky was dark with flying mud!! Now, I just want to figure out why, exactly! I mean, even when I was out of my mind, in my early 20's, lying face down in the mud at Reading festival, it didnt occur to me to start throwing the stuff! People were staggering out of the lawn area the other day, hurt from the mud war going on....... is it a macho thing? I dont understand!! I watched as these people continued to throw shit in the air, and also watched as the same people came running out of the venue, clutching their heads after being hit by clumps of hard mud!! Is that fun? Do they go home going ..."Fuck, that was a great mud fight. Got a real good one right to my temple?!" Interesting ......
Anyway, I have time to get out and buy Constantine on DVD before the bus shows up to take us to the show. I've done 5 cups of the hotels finest coffee, smoked myself silly (I HAVE to stop that!!) and I am ready for the day. I hope everyone reading this has a good day, and I hope you will all continue to be a part of the chatter that keeps me putting one foot in front of the other around here! Take it easy and I'll see ya soon.
Peace
Billy
Posted by vivelerock at 05:25 AM | Comments (18)
July 17, 2005
SABBATH BLOODY SABBATH
Modern rock music - the whole detuned guitar thing - singing about the Devil - it was ALL invented by a little band called Black Sabbath. No matter where the music has ended up, it can all be traced back to a handful of bands, and Black Sabbath are pretty much at the beginning of that road. And I have to tell you that they still sound absolutely 100% amazing!! I am out here on the road with the Ozzfest, hanging with my friends, and the first show was on Friday in Boston, at the Tweeter Center in Mansfield, MA. By the time we got to the venue, I just had time to catch some Iron Maiden (pretty good, lots of goats, Eddies and flag waving) and then get some food before Ozzy hit the stage. I was lucky enough to catch Sabbath at Milton Keynes years ago, but I havent seen them since then. The opening to NIB, and I am standing on the side of the stage, and the lights go up, and that was it for an hour and a half. Ozzy sounded just incredible, Tonys guitar......God, that guy is just heavy, what can I say......and Bill and Geezer laying down a HUGE groove. Its not a bad life, getting to see the original rock band, doing their thing every night. Today is another show day, this time at The Meadows in Hartford, CT. I'm in the hotel, packing my bags, cos after tonights show, we move on to New York, and the shows around there. Ahhh ...... the retail possibilities just opened up!!
I went and bought the new Harry Potter book yesterday and read a few chapters - I regress to about 11 years old when I read those things! Pure fun and fantasy - the antidote to the reality of real life. And I have heard nothing but amazing things about Charlie And The Chocolate Factory - but I havent had time yet. I am sure I'll hit that in New York.
Tina - I did catch the first episode of Rock Star and I loved it SO much! I thought that Dave was funny, charming and the perfect host, and its ALL about Ty, the mohican-sporting contestant. He is just too cool!! Although dreadlock girl will definately give him a run for his money. Its on my season pass on the Tivo back home, along with Lost (are you guys watching that? Its the best thing out there - I love it!).
Jezzi - I cant believe they made you have a background check!!! But glad its all good. We'll be seeing you soon then. And the Ozzfest hits the Hyundai Pavillion in San Bernardino on Sat Aug 20th. Dont miss it.
Bonita - You know, its strange. I have always had a tiny thought in the back of my head that I would like to try acting. But just never followed it through. The role in Actor came about because I told my manager about maybe wanting to try it out, and he sent my photograph out to the casting person on that film. I got called for an audition, asked to do a call-back, and got the part. I really didnt think about it too much. But now I have done it, I do want to try a few more auditions and see what happens.
Matt - I hadnt though about it, but its a great idea for CF to have a couple of Rock Star contestants as guests. I'll see what Dave thinks - maybe we can have the winner do a song with us if it works out.
Junebug - I feel stupid, but I still haven't had a full conversation about Doheny with our management! Now I am out here, and I have to just let them get on with it. Getting a deal has proven to be very hard, and for whatever reason, we are still without one. The band is two years old, and we have written and recorded some great songs. We now have to let those songs do the talking and cross our fingers. If it doesnt happen, then so be it. But we havent given up yet.
Brett - No I didnt get to keep the pig mask, but now that you mention it, I shoulda asked them right? Oh well, never mind. It would have looked out of place in our home anyway - Jen would have hated it!!
Shazz - Great idea!! Now all write to the BBC and tell them that the new Sheriff Of Nottingham is alive and well and living in Los Angeles!!
I'll take my camera to tonights show and get a few nice Ozztastic pics - for now, I have some work to do. Camp Freddy are in the process of sorting out an August LA show for the X Games (NOT confirmed yet, but I have some preliminary work to do to try and make it happen) and I am still writing lyrics for the omnipresent 'project' that I cant reveal yet!! So I am outta here. I hope CFR was fun yesterday - I tried to call the hotline (I presume Matt and Dave did the show) but I couldnt get through. Knowing those two, I am sure the show was another success!! Until next time, have a great day, and thank you all for being around. And Jen - if you are reading this (and I am sure you are!!) - I miss you terribly!!!
Here's a pic from the CF San Fran show -
Peace
Billy
Posted by vivelerock at 08:50 AM | Comments (11)
July 14, 2005
THE SMELL OF THE CROWD, THE ROAR OF THE GREASEPAINT!
OK – So I’m now sitting comfortably, flying at 35,000 feet, on my way to Boston, and I have time to reflect on yesterdays experience of being in a movie. Well,….first of all, I certainly wouldn’t call myself an actor – I don’t think that one day of acting makes you an actor. But I did have a lot of fun, and I would like to do it again. Does that make me an aspiring actor? Kinda like everybody in Hollywood? Oh God!! I can see myself discussing camera angles and screenplay choices with the car drivers now!!
Everybody was so cool with me on the set. The movie is called Actor, and it is being directed by Marcus Nash. It’s not a multi-million dollar budget film, although it certainly impressed the hell outta me when I showed up in Silverlake for my call time of 7.00am, venti coffee in hand. People everywhere – I mean lots of people. Art department, first AD, second AD, DP…..everyone had an abbreviation. Trailers, miles of cable (of every size and description), lights, cameras…..I mean this was a proper movie set. Oh shit!! What have I got myself into?? They have their own language as well – it was kinda crazy to listen to nine people, all shouting at each other in a normal sized living room, and not understand a word they were saying!!
I was taken straight up to a dressing room, dressed, made up (to look pale and gaunt, with a Gothic twist), met the other actors, and then it really was straight onto the set for around 7 hours. Now for me, that was a long time (especially wearing my Chrome Hearts long leather coat in the 80 degree heat, indoors with no air conditioning) but I know that for real actors, that is nothing. It put a new perspective on watching movies like Troy, with the cast running around in a desert for three months, ALSO dressed up in leather!!!
So my character is a drug dealer, who sells some psychedelics to the two lead’s in the movie. He is somewhat twisted, with a fascination for pig masks (hence the pic!) and quite possibly has sex with men!! Don’t ask me – I didn’t write it!! But it is really funny in a dark way, and I loved the character. And I loved that they wanted me in that role – I mean, I have never done this before and they were taking a chance. I obviously had the look they wanted ……. And it turns out they were really happy with my performance as well. Again – just so that no one misinterprets me, I was no Laurence Olivier!! But I got applause from the crew after a few takes and a few adjustments, and everyone seemed very happy. Close up’s, establishing shots, overheads……..they made sure they had my stuff from every angle, and then it was, as they say in ‘The Biz’, A WRAP!!!!
Fun fun fun, but now I am looking forward to seeing how the Ozzfest 2005 is shaping up. Boston, then to New York (where I hope Jen will join me – I miss her already and its been about 5 hours!!!). I just watched The Machinist on my laptop – and it was amazing. I thought the story was a little flawed, but Bale is just stunning in his role. Skinny does not begin to describe his appearance, and it really is a disturbing movie. God knows what the woman next to me was thinking while it was playing – I had my headphones on, so I was lost in the movie. Hope she didn’t glance at my screen during some of the nastier moments!!
So I will get an hour or so of sleep, and I’ll sling this post up on the site when I get to the hotel. I’ll get a few pics and that movie clip up as well. All questions answered so fire away people. I am outta here…….. and here's the clip. Excuse the quality - its all I could get from a quiet, locked down set. But its fun, nonetheless .....
Peace
Billy
Posted by vivelerock at 05:32 PM | Comments (16)
THE THESPIAN INSIDE.
I LOVE it!!! Acting, I mean......yesterday was the first proper acting that I have ever done - and its so much fun!! It's 5.00am and I am off to Boston, so I intend to do a full account of the Thespian Experience while I am on the plane (if I can tear myself away from my new PSP game, Dead To Rights!). I have a small movie I can put up, and a few pics - but here's one to be going on with - I play a 'goth type drug dealer' and the make up was so cool - made me look on camera like I was seriously in need of about an ounce of coke or something!! Its been a while since I looked in the mirror and saw that face staring back!!
I gotta get going - I have an early flight so I can get into Boston early evening and chill tonight. Tomorrow I'll hang out with my friends and check out the first US Ozzfest - Sabbath, Maiden, Zombie ........ Rocktastic!!
My eyes are getting better each day - vision is not 100% yet but I get flashes of full focus, and its crazy when that happens. Laurie - I have totally thought about seeing an audience again (its been years!) and I cannot wait! Its kinda like I've only been getting half the rush when I play live. The feeling comes from connecting with an audience, Mind you - I suppose I'll also be able to now see that guy thats standing right in front of me, flipping me off!!! Never mind - I'll be able to give him his money back and ask him why he's at the front if he's having a shit time anyway.
Have a wonderful day, and I'll post from the road.
Peace
Billy
Posted by vivelerock at 05:47 AM | Comments (11)
July 11, 2005
THE MINCE PIES ARE HEALING..
"Nice pair of Minces, love" Think about it..........YES! You've got it. Mince Pies - EYES!!! Here endeth Cockney Slang 101 for today. Yep - there is definately a healing process involved with this type of surgery!! I have been holed up at home over the weekend, with the lights off, just resting my eyes. But as you can see - I am starting to be able to do my normal stuff again. Typing this is a little difficult (excuse me if there are more spelling errors than usual!) as my eyes get tired easily, but I can see the improvement for sure. I went back to see the team at Axis this morning and they removed the contact lenses (which felt GREAT!!!) - the lenses are put in to hold the top layer of tissue in place while it attaches itself back to the rest of the eye.
Believe me it all sounds and looks bad, but it will be SO worth it when they are all healed up and I can finally see without having to wear lenses etc (not that I ever wore them before! - I just walked around blind!)
So - I still need to keep it fairly brief. They are starting to sting ......
Once I have shot the scenes for this movie thing (I think my character might have just developed some kind of nervous twitch which requires the wearing of sunglasses at ALL times!!), I am going to leave town for a few days and join up with the Ozzfest. Not playing (obviously!) - just gonna see a few shows and hang out. Should be fun. And I wish I could say more about the song writing I've been doing recently - but I cant just yet. Maybe next month I can drop a few details - need the approval of all involved in the project.
Doheny management arrived back in LA today, so I look forward to hearing what they might have cooked up (or not, as the case may be!). And we are trying to arrange an LA Camp Freddy show for everyone - no details AT ALL - just talking about it and trying to make it happen.
A big thanks to all the well wishers posting on here - you really do make my day, every day! And also thank you to the enquiries about my London friends and family. All present and accounted for - but please keep the city in your thoughts. It was a terrible thing, and we forget so quickly about these tragedies.
OK Billy - ENOUGH!
Have a good week people
Billy
Posted by vivelerock at 08:19 PM | Comments (12)
July 09, 2005
A CLOCKWORK ORANGE?
Hi, folks. This is actually Jen typing with Billy lying on the bed dictating to me. So in his own words...
Wassup everyone? I'm lying on the bed with the lights off, sunglasses on, enjoying my time dictating to the wife as I am not allowed to watch television, read a book, or look at a computer screen for a few days. So let me describe to you exactly what they did to me.
I chose to use the Axis Eye Institute who specialize in ACC (Advanced Custom Cornea). This procedure differs slightly from the more well-known LASIK surgery. Whereas with LASIK, the patient can see straight away, with ACC there is a few days healing time during which you are extremely light sensitive and your vision is not great. The upside is that there are a lot less potential comlications with ACC. So off we go to see Dr. Johnson and his team down at Axis. Jen has to drive as I will be unable to on the way back. Up to this point, I've not really thought much about what I'm about to do...(In typical Billy Morrison fashion!) and when we arrive, the team are ready to go. I can't help thinking that this is much like most of the tattoos that I've had done - I kinda just wander in without too much thought, sit in the chair, and tell them to get on with it. Not until I'm three hours into a session (and my skin is screaming) do I remember that this shit hurts!!! I take a few photos with the doctor and I lie down on the operating table, complete with baby blue medical hair bonnet and shoe sterilizers! Despite me asking her, Jen refused to be in the same room - in fact, she can't even watch through the observation glass. She's completely freaked out. (CAN YOU BLAME ME?)
As most of you know, I choose not to drink or take drugs (as I have consumed more of each than any man should do in an entire lifetime). This procedure usually comes complete with a handy prescription of valium and vicodin. It's not that I'm a martyr - it's just the way I live these days - I turned the prescription down. So there I was, fully conscious with my eyes clamped wide open, Clockwork Orange-style. I have to say at this point that everyone involved in the procedure was absolutely professional, courteous, and knowledgeable. I wouldn't have gone anywhere else.
However, having a guy scrape your eyeball, shoot it with a laser (and believe me you can smell the burning), and continually spray various liquids into your socket would have anyone feeling slightly ill at ease.
The whole thing lasts less than 15 minutes. And Jen guides me like a blind man back to the car and home to rest up. The last couple of days haven't been too bad - I have what seems like a pharmacy of eye drops to keep using, and I have to say that sitting in a Japanese restaurant the evening of my surgery (it was a business meeting - I had to go) with sunglasses on did make me feel like a complete arsehole. I miss being able to look at the computer .... I'm sure anyone who reads this regularly will know how tough this is for me! But it will be worth it in the end. I should have 20/20 vision without any dry eye, infection, or complication.
I have to dash as I am going to attempt to do CFR in about an hour. Dave is busy, and so I look forward to the welcome return of Matt Sorum who is joining me on the show tonight. Good job it's radio and not TV. I can keep my eyes closed the whole show!! No time for any pics - gotta go. Have a great weekend!
Peace
Billy
P.S. I'm reading all the posts to Billy aloud, so thanks!
Posted by vivelerock at 05:09 PM | Comments (19)
July 08, 2005
WHAT A BEAUTIFUL CORNEA YOU HAVE, SIR!!
Billy
Very hard to look at a screen right now (too light-sensitive) but I just HAD to post this!!
Full report and pics tomorrow. One more day of no books, TV or computers (I snuck this post in while Jen's still sleeping!!)
Peace
Posted by vivelerock at 06:23 AM | Comments (15)
July 07, 2005
THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS
The phone rang at 3.30am this morning and I have been awake since then. London has been the target for terrorist attacks, and its impossible to get in touch with people as most cellphones are down. So we have been sitting watching the news channels. Its a very surreal thing for me to be watching the very areas that I have frequented so many times, left in dissarray by the bombs. And the thoughts of all my friends and relatives in London keep running through my head. I want to send my thoughts and prayers to the people in London, to the people who are injured or who have suffered losses today. And to my friends and family - I love you all.
I had a really funny post in mind for this morning because I have my surgery at 9.00am - something about lasers and eyeballs not belonging in the same sentence. But I don't really feel like making that post right now.
Kim - I appreciate that you are going through tough times, and I offer you my thoughts and prayers as well. My posts here are meant to be fairly lighthearted, and the TV story is just an 'artistic interpretation' of a quality problem. I am sure that no one really thinks that I take that shit as seriously as all that!! And by the way - thank you for all the posts that related to my frustration. Nice to know I'm not alone in my madness.
I am sure that when the dust settles in the UK, I will be able to get in touch with the people that I know in those areas that were bombed today. So for now, I'll go and get on with things. Hopefully Jen won't be too squeamish and I can persuade her to take some digi pics of the surgery. Feeling very flat and dull - I'll be back tomorrow.....hopefully without a guide dog and a white stick.
Spread the love today people - the world needs it.
Peace
Billy
Posted by vivelerock at 06:24 AM | Comments (17)
July 05, 2005
THE PSYCHE OF TELEVISION RETAIL
Good morning people. Did we all have a nice 4th July weekend? Did we all eat lots of chicken and get drunk and watch fireworks and generally goof off and have a relaxing day yesterday? Well I hope some of you did, because despite my post yesterday, I most certainly did not do any of that!! The reality of my weekend was spending three whole days trying to buy a television. Not particularly interesting, you say?.....well read on.....
As the title of todays post suggests, I feel the need to examine exactly how I spent my weekend, and to what lengths we (or maybe just me) will go to spend some money and buy a new toy. I honestly don't know if everyone is like me, or if I am just a little obsessed and a little crazy. But Friday night, one of the speakers in the bedroom television blew. OK - no big deal, the set was 7 years old, and kinda didn't really go in our hi-tech, slim line home vibe anyway. So Saturday morning, Jen and I decide to get a new television. A simple matter, one might think, in this modern, retail friendly age. Oh no, my friends - not true. We finally finished the saga at 1.00am last night. Three whole, complete days, four stores, 260 miles of driving, and two TV sets later, we finished what we started with a simple ...'Honey, lets go get a new TV for the bedroom'!!!
We decided that we would get a plasma screen as we like the way they look, and I am a great believer in buying the best quality you can. So the first move is about two hours of internet research by yours truly. Now this involves learning about stuff like aspect ratios, anamorphic 2.35:1 versus 1.85:1 widescreen movies, contrast ratios, native resolution and component/HDMI versus Composite inputs. Now I actually know a lot about this anyway, so I zipped through a few sites, brushed up on my knowledge and was ready to go. The problem is that when your wife isn't as knowledgable about all the tech stuff as you, hitting a store that has 50 TV's all looking good is a big problem. " What about this one? It looks really cute"....." I've told you ten times, that one doesn't have 1024 x 1024 resolution!!" Honestly, the first store was a three hour visit, with Jen looking at each TV, and trying to understand why I wasn't interested in each model. We also butted heads with the size - she wanted a 32" LCD cos they looked cute in the store, and I kept dragging her over to the 42" plasmas cos they are way better and cooler (but also more expensive!!). Eventually, we agree on one ......and now Jen decides she wants to check out the price in some other stores. So after driving the salesman in Good Guys mad, we leave and go over to Burbank to check out the other stores. After looking in all those places (and confusing ourselves even more with choices) we finally agree that the LG 42" in Good Guys is the one for us. So we drive all the way back, buy it, and go home.
Its late when we get back, so we go out to eat, and just fall asleep when we get back. So on Sunday, we wake up and begin the task of getting rid of all the old stuff we have - the old Sony TV that broke, an old Sony reciever and a couple of DVD players. We remember that Best Buy over in Burbank have started a new program where you trade in all your old electronics and get store credit. So seeing as we are upgrading the whole bedroom set up, we decide to drive all the way back over there with the old stuff and trade it in for a new DVD player. Off we go again, this time with Jens car full up with TV etc. The sales guy in Best Buy turns out to be a rock fan, and talks to me for ages about music, while he's doing the trade in (nice and all, but GET ON WITH IT!!!!) and eventually we leave with a new Sony DVD player. Back over the hill and home to finally rig all this up and watch a DVD on the new LG TV. Except its shit!! The picture looks terrible, and without boring you all with details (have I done that already??) we go to sleep completely pissed off with our purchase.
Monday morning, and we both wake up hating the TV, and decide to take it back, spend more money, and get the best HD Plasma we can. FOUR HOURS of research later, and we have a Panasonic model number that is rated the best 42" HD TV. We start to call around and no one has any in stock....BUT.....we find one in Circuit City in.....wait for it.....PALMDALE - two hours drive from here. We look at each other....."Fuck It - here we go again!!" So we break down the LG, put it in the car, and set off to take it back, get the money back, and drive to Palmdale to get the Panasonic. After what seemed like days, we finally get there, buy it, and load it into the car. BUT - you cant lay plasma screens on their sides, they have to travel upright.....and the Panasonic wont fit in the goddamn car!! Jen has a brainwave and we take it out of the box, on the side of the street, and I ride back to LA, sitting in the back of the car, holding on to the new screen for dear life. How do two people take so long and drive so far, to buy a television?? I have no idea if we are exceptionally crazy, or just cant make decisions. The good news is that we are now very happy with what we have, but the whole holiday weekend is now over, and neither of us have any time to relax in front of the new box and watch a movie!!!
Sorry if that was a boring story but I needed to vent it, and perhaps some of you will relate to the craziness and tell me that we actually are normal!! Either way, its done and I can get on with my week.
Thank you for the AOL tip off - when I get a moment, I'll check out the site and watch some of the stuff from Live 8 that I missed. I have to go to a wardrobe meeting for this movie this morning - hopefully they will let me wear my own stuff. I have visions of some wardrobe guy saying to me - "ok, so we want you to wear this green silk kimono, and could you try this taffeta robe on as well? Oh, and do you own a fedora hat?" My response to that?......."Piss off - its black leather or nothing"!!!
I am off to get my caffeine - and I'll throw a quick glance towards our lovely new TV as I rush past it on the way to the closet. Nice TV, I'll think - have to find time to switch it on one of these days!!
Thanks for indulging me and letting me rant - have a great week, and speak soon.
Peace
Billy
Posted by vivelerock at 08:48 AM | Comments (19)
July 04, 2005
HAPPY 4th TO ALL
The long weekend ..... and I wake up this morning with NOTHING on my calender!! Blissful, lazy day, watching DVD's and just hanging out. I truly hope that you all have a nice day off, and that you eat far too much at the BBQ. Just wanted to check in with everyone, before I hit the sofa and veg out for the day.
So - did you see the comet that they blasted yesterday? They say its for scientific reasons.....but I believe it was just like the movie. It was heading straight for us and they had to do something!! I believe that they secretly sent Bruce Willis up there last night to save us all!! Either way it looked really cool on TV.
Apologies for the lack of CFR this week - Dave and I had no control over that. We got an email Saturday morning saying that Indie were doing some kind of block party, and that they wouldnt be running the show. Never mind - we are back to normal next weekend.
Now then - Glad you all liked the review, although I have no idea about Duffy's knees being sexy!! Not sure where that came from, but you know the saying ......."Whatever turns you on!!"
Jezzi - I'm not a big fan of BBQ myself. If I inadvertently find myself at one, I suppose shrimp is my skewer of choice, but I'll be the one eating the chips and dip in the corner.
Live 8 - I watched what I Tivo'd last night and I dont believe I saw it all. I mean - no VR, no Robbie. Did I Tivo the highlights or something? I'm bummed cos I really wanted to see it all. From what I saw, The Who were amazing, Linkin Park were shit, Green Day were VERY brave, covering We Are The Champions, and everything else was just kinda ok. I did think that Floyd's Money sounded cool. And the whole Hey Jude finale thing was just a touch too ..... random....for me. Great idea, but the TV sound at least was appalling. But HUGE respect to Geldof, who really does believe in what he does, and we could all learn a thing or two from him.
The coming week holds a few interesting things for me. I have a couple of days writing on this 'project' that I have been working on, I have my Eye Surgery on Thursday, we finally tackle the hardest song on the Freddy album this week (dont wanna give the title away, but it really is a tough song to cover) and I have wardrobe for the movie that shoots the following week. Nothing really to sink my teeth into, but a lot of little things that add up to a productive week. And Doheny's management return from their trip to Europe, so I am sure that we will be having a "Whats going on, what do we have, how do we do it" kind of meeting with them. But for now, the main decision I have to make is if I should go see War Of The Worlds on a holiday monday. Two schools of thought - One is that LA is empty cos everyone has gone out of town. The other is that they are all hiding and are all deciding that its movie day today!! Hmmmm - what to do.....
Have a wonderful day and I'll be back soon.
Peace
Billy
Posted by vivelerock at 08:42 AM | Comments (9)
July 01, 2005
FREDDY FINGERS FRISCO
What a fun trip that was ..... and what a great show!! Complete with real, honest encore!! I mean, the crowd just wouldnt leave!! The techs were onstage, breaking down the equipment, the house lights were up, and no one would go home. They just kept chanting 'One More Song' for ages!! Eventually we realized that they actually weren't going to leave unless we did another one, so on we went for one more. Anyway, I digress.......
It was an early pick up for us all - 8.00am car for a 10.00am flight, so we all arrived at the airport clutching Venti Starbucks and Coffee Beans!! I took the usual gadgets to keep me amused - a PSP and an I-Pod. Even though the flight is an hour or so, I still like to remove myself from the plane and everyone in it, so I watched the Bruce Willis film, Hostage, on the way up. All good fun, and Bruce doing his usual 'I'm worn out with my life, my wife, and the world in general, but I'm still a bad son of a bitch, so don't mess with me' role. Once in SF, we drove to our hotel, checked in, I had a spot of room service, and it was all down to the venue for soundcheck. This time around, the guests were Jerry Cantrell, Billy Duffy, Brandon and Mickey from Incubus, Brett from The Donnas, Steve Jones, Steven Jenkins from Third Eye Blind and Gina Gershon. Perkins was filling in for Sorum (still on tour) and Dave was unable to join us, so the guys took turns filling in for him on guitar.
The venue was the Moscone Center Arena - a huge, cavernous 5000 seat room, with a massive stage all set up for us. Soundcheck was boomy - the room was empty, so the sound just bounced around and it sounded like shit. On top of that, the crew at the venue was all local union, and they kept threatening to walk out and pull the show because I was smoking onstage and it was a non smoking building!! Despite our production manager continually walking onstage and whispering in my ear to put it out, I kept forgetting and lighting another one!!! Whatever - no one pulled the show, I got to smoke as much as I liked, and the soundcheck was eventually done. A storm in a tea cup ( as these things usually are!)
After an afternoon of wandering around town with Jonsey and Dono, we went back to the hotel, got changed, and went up to the opening of a new Chanel store ..... and promptly turned around and left as soon as we got there!! It was the most uptight, plastic, contrived bunch of people I have ever seen!! Love Chanel, HATE the staff!!! So we gave up on that idea, and went over to Asia De Cuba (a beautiful restaurant) and met up with Brent and Deb, (our managers), Brandon, Mickey and the rest of the cast. After a nice hang in the restaurant for an hour or so, it was time to go back to the venue.
Five minutes before we hit the stage, reports come flooding into the dressing room that this 5000 seat room is absolutely EMPTY!!! A quiet panic starts to spread through the dressing room, until we realize that Dennis Miller (the comedian) is doing his set in a different room, and that the moment he finished, people started streaming back into the main room, and, unbelievably, as we walk up the stairs to hit the stage, we see that the room is now packed. Wow!! And then, someone decides to wish the company we are doing this for, a Happy 10th Birthday......and they do a massive balloon drop......right over the stage. Clever. Now we are walking onto a stage that we can't see, because it is literally covered with balloons. The first three songs look more like the World Soccer Cup, as we all spend most of the time kicking the balloons back into the audience while we try and play and sing the songs!! Of course, the audience think its all part of the fun, and begin punching the balloons back to us onstage!!! Eventually it all settles down and the second half of the set is relatively 'balloon free'!!
Brandon singing Whole Lotta Love, Brett (The Donnas) singing Shot Down In Flames, a weird and wonderful version of God Save The Queen, with Steven Jenkins on vocals - the highlights were many. But the biggest suprise was the encore. I mean they just screamed for more ..... and kept screaming. So we decided to have a go at Man In The Box, with Brandon taking vocal duties. Completely unrehearsed. And he KILLED it!! One of the best versions we have ever done. At the end of the day, we all went back to the hotel bar tired but happy. Another successful Camp Freddy show.
Back in LA - and today its time for me to go back in the studio with Mike and continue work on the Freddy album. We are preparing a song for the vocals to go on next week. I cant say what song, or who's singing it, but I, for one, am VERY excited to get this one done. I better get my ass into gear and get going. The weekend looms again, which means another CFR tomorrow - always a blast to do - and of course, its 4th July Weekend. So I hope all of you have a wonderful holiday weekend, enjoy the BBQ's and I'll see y'all when I'm looking at ya!!
Peace
Billy
Posted by vivelerock at 08:13 AM | Comments (16)