STOP PRESS: I will be joined on Camp Freddy Radio tonight by my good friend, Danny-Boy (House Of Pain, La Coka Nostra). Danny will be bringing some music with him, and will be taking calls, so tune in from 6.00pm on Indie 103.1FM, or listen on the web at www.indie1031.fm.

I told you I'd get around to it! I managed to do a Q+A V-Blog for you all this morning, before getting lost in the usual day to day routines! Its Saturday again, which means another CFR tonight - this time it might well be just me, cos everyone else seems to be gone. But I will truck my tired ass in to do the show anyway - I love doing it, and I love that Indie 103.1 let us do it. I know that next week, Matt will be back, and Dave will return from the TPC/RS:SN tour soon enough. I do know that those guys will cover it all for me when (hopefully) I get out to do some dates later in the year. It really has been a busy week, but its all stuff that there is no point in going into - until things are in stone, what's the point in talking about them, right? I can tell you that two of the new Circus Diablo songs - a slow ballad called Kings And Queens, and a rocker called A Message For You, seem to be coming out really well. I'd love to get one recorded properly and get it up on the MySpace page........ "Band meeting, guys".....!!!
Have a great weekend and I'll be back soon.

Peace

Billy.

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Posted by vivelerock at 09:20 AM | Comments (20)

January 21, 2007

A STEAK ON SUNDAY

Its Sunday night, and I’m pretty beat…..just knocking around at home after a HUGE meal tonight at a place in LA called Arnie Mortens (a very well known steakhouse) where I probably ate enough food to keep me happy for a week!! If ever you get the chance to go, make sure you save room for the Raspberry Souffle ….. and order one each. You don’t wanna share this shit!! Anyway, my point is that its been a nice quiet weekend for me. I missed Namm, missed Sundance and feel like I am better for it! I have been holed up in my little studio, beavering away on lyrics and melody for the five new songs that Circus Diablo have written. I have completely enjoyed the process of being creative again with those guys, and I really don’t care too much about the result – I am just enjoying the process itself. The podcast from Saturdays CFR show is now up, again thanks to Dave from the UK, and that’s really about it. Mucho thanks to Matt S for the pics – they are from the Camp Freddy Costa Mesa show last year – and I really don’t have too much else to tell you. I have a screener of The Departed to watch (I never got around to that one in the movies, so I am looking forward to that) and STILL have The Descent on BluRay to watch. Its been all about the new series of MI5 on DVD recently, so I have a bit of catching up to do. Lets answer some questions while I’m here –

Peebs – Yeah, I did gain some weight when I stopped smoking. But being the vain asshole I am, I hit the cardio and pilates with a vengence and not only lost it all again, but actually lost more than when I started. So I am now a few pounds less than when I smoked! Seems like a good deal to me!!

Mark – I totally agree with you. Inspiration is all around us, and there for the taking. Its just up to the individual to open their eyes enough to see it. I get inspiration from the most random things!!

Mary – I ALWAYS have stuff that takes forever to come out. There is some shit in my head that I will never get out. But at the same time, there is stuff that just pours out in a stream and is done in five minutes. The songs on the forthcoming Circus Diablo album, called “Mad Parade” and “Hello, Goodbye” are both good examples of lyrics just coming out in one go.

Kelly – Hmm…..most exhilarating experience might well be the whole ‘diving with the tiger shark’ thing I did at Xmas. Although going 150 miles an hour on a motorcycle is pretty thrilling (did that more than once!!) and maybe some of the less ….. er …… legal activities that I used to get up to were a touch …… exciting at times!!

Vixen – No rituals at ALL!!! I’m usually asleep on a couch somewhere and they gotta wake me up. Or watching TV. Or if I’m on a bus, I’m playing video games or watching a movie. The only ritual I had was to light a cigarette, but now that’s gone, so I just kinda wander towards the stage when they tell me its time!!!

OK – done for tonight. Have a great week folks. I make a commitment to put a new V-Blog together this week. Its time. I have just been lazy, but the holidays are gone, its back to business, and so I really should bust out that video camera and get to work!! Lets see if the week brings an interesting background for one ….. you never know. Thanks to everyone for hanging around.
See ya.

Peace

Billy

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Posted by vivelerock at 11:27 PM | Comments (28)

January 17, 2007

THE CREATIVE GENE

I think everybody has it. I'm just not sure everybody knows what to do with it. The creative gene is inside all of us, but I believe that when its stimulated in some of us, it gives off a feeling that is unlike any other - kinda like having sex ....... but not!!! Hmmm ..... that sounds weird, so let me explain. When you have sex, it feels a certain way, and its almost impossible to recreate that feeling with anything else (trust me, I have tried most drug combinations, and while some are very ...... interesting, ..... none actually feel similar to having sex). I think the creative part of our brains is the same way, and I think that once we have stimulated it a few times, it becomes another feeling that we cant get any other way. What makes me pontificate like this?..... well, getting together with Billy and Ricky (and also having Brett send some riffs digitally from New York to work on) has stimulated me again. We went through a writing period last year that was great, and then we recorded the album. But then you move on to a different part of the job - might be gearing up to rehearse and play some shows, or it might be "hurry up and wait" with the whole record deal situation. Either way, its not the intense creative feeling. So getting back to basics and writing more songs with the guys has been really good for me. I feel inspired, I feel energized, I feel like I have something to say. Thats why I have always loved that part of making music. The business side of it all usually ruins most of that feeling, but as I get older, I realize that I dont really care!! I like touring, I like doing press, I like being a part of all of that stuff. But the thing I like the most is actually creating something from nothing, and then listening back to it when its done. The creative gene. Mine is making a big mess on the sheets at the moment!!!

Peebs (and everyone else asking about Miami) - I honestly dont know if its a public show or not. I'll find out soon and let you know. Chances are though, that its not going to be. Let me find out.

Muse (and everyone else asking about Circus Diablo dates) - We are currently waiting to finish a deal with a company. We will not be playing until all that is locked in. Once we have a release date for the record, we will schedule our touring around that.

Kelly - My most prized possession? Either my signed Jamie Reid Sex Pistols artwork thats framed in my living room (see the VERY posed pic to the left!!!), or my Seditionaries parachute shirt. Or I could get existential on yer ass and say ..... "My memories" ......

Linda - Vive Le Rock was one of my favorite Seditionaries tee shirt designs. It is also one of my many internet identities ...... sometimes its better than broadcasting BILLY MORRISON, if you know what I mean.

Paul - Nope. Have not seen Body Shots. Any good?

Max - Although the radio station does have some archived CFR shows, and I have a bunch on CD somewhere, I just dont have time to digitize them, and put em up on the site. One day, I'll get it done.

Ylais - No I havent read it. In fact I dont even own it. I really should go get that one, right?

OK - I am off to the gym, and then its another afternoon of tickling the creative G spot. Oh, I could SO get carried away with that analogy, but I believe I have played it out already. The top picture today is from Billboard magazine. Nice little piece about Camp Freddy and a good pic of Terri Nunn messing about with me onstage. See you guys.

Peace

Billy

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Posted by vivelerock at 07:40 AM | Comments (19)

January 12, 2007

..AND THE WINNER IS .....

UPDATE: Last night's podcast is up on the Podcasts page of this site and is also available on I-Tunes. Click the Subscribe button for details.

Its amazing how just about everybody I know has all the Academy screeners. I mean, not to let the cat out of the bag (cos we all know its running around loose!!!) but every year, I am guaranteed a phone call from someone, telling me they have all the DVD’s of the award nominated movies and would I like to watch them. It’s this huge, top secret Hollywood thing, that actually is no secret at all!!! So I just spent two days watching most of the films for this year. Babel (pretty good), Crank (I LOVE Jason Stratham and the style of this movie is right up my alley), Rocky Balboa (have to disagree with Dave on this. I got bored during the opening retrospective and turned it off!!!), Blood Diamond (another winner for me, with Leonardo showing just how good he really is), Borat (pure genius. Enough said) and tonight is the last of them, including Helen Mirren in The Queen. Love her ….. should be a good one. Also got a bunch of Netflix, some Tivo, and The Descent on BluRay to get through. Maybe I should just become a film critic – then I could earn a living eating popcorn and watching movies.

Tomorrow is a Circus Diablo writing day. Billy and Ricky will be working with me on some riffs that Brett Scallions recorded last time he was in LA, and no doubt they will both have some ideas we’ll lay down and work with ….. and I will be carrying on with the vocals to the other tunes. I just love working with those guys because the ideas flow really quickly and the fat is trimmed, the idea is fleshed out, and put down. Then we move on. I don’t think rock and roll was meant to be thought about too much. If it’s a winner, then it’s a winner on a piano, or an acoustic guitar, or a fucking bass guitar even ….. a good song is a good song. If it doesn’t work, move on and do another one. So I am looking forward to spending a day writing music. And by the way, todays images are from the Circus Diablo/Strutter magazine feature that’s out now. More details from www.struttermagazine.com.

Peebs – The tattoo on my leg was done in Japan and is water, rocks and wind, surrounding a flower. And the picture from Hawaii was taken in the Wailea area of Maui, where we stay.

Lara – I promise you that stuff is on the boil with CD. We just have no definitive answers yet. Be assured that when we know, you will know. And no, I have not played the wii – I am too busy with the X-Box 360 and PS3. Can’t add another system just yet!!

Merc – YouTube is an area that I want to expand, so I will commit to putting all the V-Blogs up there this year.

DaPope - P.G. Wodehouse…..remind me. I know I have read him, and know that I enjoyed it. Long time ago, though. Whats your favorite?

Jake – I’m gonna keep my PS3 name a secret on here, cos I don’t want to be getting hijacked and killed every 30 seconds!! But I will keep an eye out for you.

Danni – Camp Freddy usually appears in the major cities, because that’s where the clients that book us are located. I am sure we would look at anywhere if the show was right, though.

Linda – We have been married for five years and it gets better and better on a daily basis!!!

Matt S – Email me and I will give you an address to mail pics to…… Click on the big postage stamp on the left of this page.

Niki – My hair is naturally wavey – so I have a Japanese straightening process done twice a year that takes about five hours. I don’t fuck around with a straightening iron any more. This means that I can basically get out of the shower, and my hair is straight. I do NOTHING to it …… and its straight and messy, just how I like it.

Vixen – Good question. Tours are usually done to promote something. Bands don’t really tend to tour unless they have a record out. And they are put together by agents, who’s job is to put a good bill together, get good money for the bands, and route it so that it makes sense. The bands do get to have a say, but there is a LOT of other factors involved in touring that make it logistically tough to just ….’throw together’ …… I hope that makes some sense.

Kelly – Vegemite…….ok. Marmite …..ROCKS!!!

Camp Freddy will be performing in Miami on March 17th at a Bacardi event. I have no other details right now, but suffice to say that I will be spending a few days diving after THAT show!! And Saturday is another CFR on Indie 103.1 – with Dave out on the road, I will have to see if Matt or Donovan are gonna come keep me company. But either way, after last weeks dramas, I intend to be on the air. So call in, keep me amused, and lets have some fun. That’s all I got for you right now. Till the next thrilling installment …..

Peace

Billy

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Posted by vivelerock at 09:00 AM | Comments (31)

January 08, 2007

EASING BACK INTO BUSINESS

So we kick off the first proper business week of 2007, and I am keen to see how it all plays out. I know we have a couple of Camp Freddy things in the works – no details of anything yet, but as usual, we’ll let you know when we have anything. And obviously, we are looking forward to getting some Diablo details happening. Our management are back in action this week, so hopefully they will let us know how all that’s going. I have two new Diablo tunes that we demoed late last year to get working on – melody, lyrics etc – so I will be concentrating on working at home this coming week and will try and finish those two tracks in my studio.

Paul has sent me the podcast from last Saturdays CFR – thanks to all the well wishes – my Father In Law is ok. A little shaken, but he’s fine. So go ahead and start 2007 by subscribing to my podcast in I-Tunes. Just click on the “Subscribe” button and it will automatically download any new podcasts every time you fire up I-Tunes. Gotta love technology. And while we are on that subject, let me tell you that the Playstation 3 is everything it’s been cracked up to be …….and more. Watching the blu-ray movies is just incredible, and Resistance, Fall Of Man (which was the first game I fired up, and finished just before vacation) is THE best game I have ever played. Now I have the machine all hooked up wirelessly to the web and can BROWSE THE WEB on my TV!!! Ahhhh…..so many ways to become a slobbering, twitching mess on the couch, unable to speak.

Tony – Well, if I was pushed, I suppose the other two in my top five would be Iggy Pop and Adam Ant. And I did know a couple of the Clash guys way back when – Mick Jones did B.A.D. with my friend Nick Hawkins, and Topper was always around on the scene. Also met Paul Simenon over at Paul Cooks house a few years back.

Vixen – my top five things? That’s a little broad, but I’ll try!! – er …… yeah, like you say, it would include playing music and scuba diving, and then maybe shooting …… and good movies. And of course, being married.

Kelly – I am not really much of a sport guy. And I gotta tell you that cricket dulls my senses beyond belief!! So no, I haven’t been watching The Ashes …… and won’t be starting to anytime soon!!!

Pelu – Camp Freddy in Europe? What a great idea!! Now all we need is the money to do it. Got any?

Max – I have NEVER thought of myself as an actor. And seeing as my acting totals about five and a half minutes of screen time so far, I doubt if anyone else does either!! I’d love to do some more, but don’t really spend too much time trying!! If it comes my way, then great.

Right. That’s it. Gonna move into Monday with another coffee. First New Year I have spent in a LONG while without cigarettes, though. That’s CRAZY!!! Have a fun week, and I’ll start thinking about another V-Blog very soon. Todays pic was chosen to remind me of the vacation that now seems months old! If I close my eyes, I can still hear the surf gently hitting the lava ........

Peace

Billy

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Posted by vivelerock at 08:40 AM | Comments (28)

January 04, 2007

ALPHA DOG

Last night I attended the premier of the new Nick Cassavetes movie, Alpha Dog, starring Emile Hirsch, Bruce Willis, Sharon Stone and Justin Timberlake. Its the story of Jesse James Hollywood, the youngest man ever to appear on the FBI's Most Wanted list. And what an amazing film it is!!! In fact, its the best movie I've seen in 2007. And yes, you are correct that it is, in fact, the ONLY movie I've seen in 2007 so far!! But seriously, it really is a class act - from the clever directing, through a really incredible story that is TRUE(!!!) to some performances that really surprise and shock. Sharon Stone and Bruce Willis both turn in far greater performances than anything else they have done recently, and Justin Timberlake steals the film. I mean, he really is a great actor ....... and we had the parents of the victim sitting in front of us, which REALLY made the whole experience more moving.

New Years Eve in Las Vegas. Now thats how to have a party!! The WHOLE city of Las Vegas is ripping from about 6.00pm onwards, and everywhere you turn there are people partying. In the hotels, in the casinos, in the streets, in the bathrooms ....... and Camp Freddy joined in at The Hard Rock, hitting the stage at a few minutes before midnight to orchestrate the big countdown, and then we played seven songs. Full set was - Suffragette City, Search And Destroy, Highway To Hell, Man In The Box, Whole Lotta Love, Roadhouse Blues and I Wanna Be Your Dog. We were joined by Chester Bennington, Billy Duffy, Jerry Cantrell and Steve Jones. Chester singing Man In The Box, with Jerry Cantrell really was a very special moment, and as usual, we brought everyone onstage for a chaotic version of I Wanna Be Your Dog at the end. I cant think of a better way to start a New Year ....... except maybe if Dave had been with us as well. He was over the other side of town on a previous commitment, and we all missed him.

Jude - I checked out your pirate top, and it looks like a nice one! I actually have that one, but thanks for thinking of me. Good luck with the auction.

Its kinda strange how all that vacation time has passed, and LA has immediately launched into movie premiers, preparing for CES in Vegas, Sundance in Park City, the Golden Globes ...... its like the holidays never happened. I feel pretty relaxed, and I am trying to hold onto that for as long as I can. Once that goes, it becomes the crazy, phone ringing, deal making, late night world that fills up most of the year. Don't get me wrong - I love it, and I am blessed to be a part of it, even in my own small way. But I am just enjoying stretching that feeling out to the max ..... ringing out the very last drops of 'doing nothing', 'not thinking about work or career' and 'I think I'll take a nap!!!" until I am forced back into the real world. I estimate I can make it last until CFR on Saturday. From that point onwards, its all Venti Americano's and Go Go Go!!!!! Here's to a good year for us all, and I will do my best to fill it with plenty of V-Blogs, podcasts, pontifications, personal preferences, peaceful protests and pictures!!! Ha ha!! Now THERE's some alliteration for ya!!! Peace.

Billy

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Posted by vivelerock at 08:37 AM | Comments (22)