Month: September 2006

Strange infatuation…

Placebo release a 10-year anniversary CD/DVD collectors edition digipak of their brilliant eponymous debut album next week. (September 25th)

The digitally remastered two-disc set contains rare demos, B-sides, videos and other performances. Here’s the tracklisting:

CD 1
01 Come Home
02 Teenage Angst
03 Bionic
04 36 Degrees
05 Hang On To Your IQ
06 Nancy Boy
07 I Know
08 Bruise Pristine
09 Lady Of The Flowers
10 Swallow
11 Paycheck (Demo)
12 Flesh Mechanic (Demo)
13 Drowning By Numbers (B-side)
14 Slackerbitch (B-side)
15 H K Farewell (Hidden track)

DVD 1
01 Come Home (Alexandra Palace – 11.04.06)
02 Teenage Angst (The Big Breakfast – 29.08.96)
03 Nancy Boy (Top Of The Pops – 31.01.97)
04 Lady Of The Flowers (Glastonbury Festival – 27.06.98)
05 Teenage Angst (The White Room – 23.08.96)
06 Bruise Pristine (Top Of The Pops – 23.05.97)
07 36 Degrees (Wembley Arena – 05.11.04)
08 36 Degrees (Video)
09 Teenage Angst (Video)
10 Nancy Boy (Video)
11 Bruise Pristine (Video)

I’m sure everybody here is well aware of David Bowie’s patronage of the band, particularly early in their career when they were the support act at his 50th birthday bash at Madison Square Garden in January 1997.

Two years later, DB covered T-Rex‘s 20th Century Boy live with Placebo at The Brit Awards in London in February 1999 and again at The Irving Plaza in New York the following month. At the latter date David also performed a duet with Brian on the band’s own Without You I’m Nothing, which was later recorded for posterity and released on single as Placebo Featuring David Bowie the same year.

Anyway, David has contributed this short tribute to Placebo in the sleevenotes of the re-issue:

“Lyrically, Brian is writing deeply evocative and darkly slithering things, quite scary and brilliantly supported by the band’s music. I think Placebo are now possibly one of the best three piece bands in the world.” – David Bowie, July 2006.

We’ll be running a contest shortly to win the collectors edition of Placebo, not to mention some rather cool promotional Placebo radios…So stay tuned! (Pun obviously intended.)

New York’s in love, With the way she talks, And the way she walks…

Iman and Jane Fonda were honourees at The Center for the Advancement of Women in New York City‘s annual gala at the Waldorf-Astoria in NYC last Wednesday evening, September 13th.

They were described by the Center as ‘outstanding women who have demonstrated vision and leadership for the advancement of rights and opportunities of women’.

Iman was dressed in a beautiful black ruffled, floor-length Angel Sanchez gown, and she was escorted by her fellow, (above left) who was attired in black tie, as the invitation requested.

Click on the above picture to view more photographs from the evening.

This one almost passed us by, but thanx to eagle-eyed BowieNetter Steph11 for the pointer.

The movie has come through…

Director Stephen Kijak has announced details of the world premiere of his film Scott Walker: 30 Century Man.

The premiere takes place in the UK on Tuesday, October 31st, at 6:30 pm as part of the 50th London Film Festival at the National Film Theatre on the South Bank.

Here’s what Stephen had to say about the news: “Hard to believe that an idea that sprang to mind in July 2001 will now come to life across that huge screen in the NFT?couldn?t have done it without the amazing creative team that has been working with me, all the people who have supported this project in one way or other over the years, and of course, the generosity of Scott Walker, inviting us into his creative world, if only for a moment?it has been an incredible journey. Look forward to sharing it with you all.”

As you know, one of the people behind the project is David Bowie, an executive producer of the film who was interviewed for it in New York last year.

For more information about the premiere, including ticket sales, etc., go here.

There is no information regarding screenings outside of the UK right now, but as soon as we have it, so will you.

If you want it, boys, (and girls) get it here, thing…

We’re hoping to have copies of the official 2007 David Bowie/Mick Rock calendar that we’ve been telling you about, (07.27.2006 NEWS: OFFICIAL 2007 BOWIE/MICK ROCK CALENDAR DETAILS) ready to order by this time next week.

At the moment it’s looking like we’ll be offering the regular calendar (above left) for £6.99 (GBP) plus shipping and the limited edition (above right) for £5.99 (GBP) plus shipping. This is a special deal for BowieNetters and won’t be repeated elsewhere.

The limited edition will be limited to two copies per member, but you can buy as many of the regular calendar as your fancy takes you.

We will also be running a contest for ten copies of the limited calendar, which David has kindly agreed to sign…You never know, we may even get Mick Rock to add his rather flamboyant scribble too. (Actually we will, I just asked him)

Please remember the limited calendar will only be available here via BowieNet…unless you lot fail to snap up the whole run of 1,000, in which case any remaining will be offered to commoners at an increased rate.

In the meantime, don’t bother ordering the regular calendar elsewhere, unless of course you actually feel better about paying more for stuff.

Check out aforementioned news story for a reminder of the official 2007 David Bowie/Mick Rock calendar content.

You can’t stop meaningful Teenage Riots…

The November issue of Q is a 20th anniversary special that’s been produced in an edition of twenty different covers. I imagine the one above is the cover most likely to interest those of you reading this though.

In the spirit of Q’s 20th anniversary, there are twenty exclusive new interviews, and obviously David is one of the interviewees…except he isn’t!

Apparently, each artist was presented with a list of twenty questions, to which nineteen of them obliged. You’ve guessed who didn’t.

Accompanied by a different crop of the above Frank W Ockenfels shot (Frank also shot the cover), David, in the words of the magazine, “Had to be different.” with the explanation: “Ever unconventional, Bowie declined to answer any questions and emailed some thoughts instead.”

It’s an entertaining and informative piece, which I’ll let you discover the text of for yourselves…However, here at least is the concluding paragraph…

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“What I do play a lot of while driving are favourite tracks by three of my favourite artists from over the last 20 years or so: Pixies, Sonic Youth and Scott Walker. Their works never cease to enthral me. Call me old-fashioned. I would have loved to have written [Pixies’] Debaser, one of the greatest rock songs in my opinion, but how about [Sonic Youth’s] Teen Age Riot? It would also have been nice to have had Walker’s Nite Flights in my catalogue and up my sleeve, too. But at least I can get to sing them, a pleasure in itself.”

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Well, obviously we’ve heard David sing Nite Flights, both on BTWN and live. We’ve also heard Tin Machine‘s live version of Debaser, albeit with a Tony Sales lead vocal. Does this mean we can expect a Bowie version of the anthemic Teen Age Riot at some point in the future?…One can dream.

Somebody plays my song in tune…

I’ve received notification of a couple of Saturday shows that may tickle your fancy. BowieNetter FranksWildYears, aka Marik (above left), sent in the following regarding her show in Montreal…

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I am performing on Saturday, September 16th, in Montreal with my band, Dogs In Ninepins. We plan to perform an equal amount of our own originals and David Bowie songs, around sixteen or seventeen in total.

There will be a meetup with a few BNetters after the show, so it should be a fun evening. Here’s the address.

Le Petit Medley
6206 Ste-Hubert, corner Bellechasse Montreal.
Doors open at 7:00pm and the show starts at 8:00pm.

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Good luck Marik…though going by tapes of previous performances I’ve heard, you don’t need luck. This is one talented lady with a remarkable voice.

Meanwhile, if you’re south of the border and can’t make Marik’s show, that other DB, David Brighton (above), sent in these details of a free show in Pala, California…

Space Oddity – David Brighton’s Tribute To David Bowie
Sept. 16th
Pala Casino Spa Resort
The Grand Cabaret
Show time: 8:00 pm
Admission Free
11154 HWY 76,
Pala, CA 92059 USA
(1-877-946-7252)
Directions: www.palacasino.com/directions
www.palacasino.com

While we’re about it, I may as well give you details of the next Space Oddity show that takes place in Ojai, California, in a couple of weeks…

Sept. 30th
Ojai Classic Rock Festival
Space Oddity’s show time: 6:00pm
(Bands will be performing from 12:00 noon on)
Libbey Bowl, Libbey Park,
200 S. Signal St. Ojai, California, 93023, US
All Day Admission: $25 (Six Bands)
(805) 640-9014
To Order Tickets: www.howardpresents.com/page4.html
(they’ve asked that you would please mention Space Oddity when you order)
For More Info: www.howardpresents.com/page3.html
www.DavidBowieTribute.com
www.myspace.com/davidbowietribute

BowieNetters Linda (above left) and Lindzay Crosby (right) were at the Space Oddity show that we told you about last month. (08.17.06 NEWS: DAVID BRIGHTON IN BRITISH INVASION SHOW) Lindzay sent in his review of the evening…So, here it is…

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Tonight David Brighton is David Bowie

We travelled for 5 hours by road to Mackinaw City to see the British Invasion Show. A tribute to British rock and pop icons David Bowie, Elton John and Rod Stewart.

The Show’s star performance was without a doubt David Brighton?s David Bowie impersonation. Having three Bowienet members and three who have followed David Bowie?s career for close to thirty five years meant that David Brighton had a hard audience in the three of us. If he had been bad we would have left. Frankly a homage is nice, but if you want to make a living being someone else then you better be good at it. He was.

David got the loudest reception from the audience. I heard shrills of delight and big yea yeas! David Brighton made an entrance dressed in a familiar Serious Moonlight yellow pastel suit. He opened with Let?s Dance and ran through a list of songs from the Serious Moonlight set lists. David included a fine 12 string guitar performance of Space Oddity and a medley of Under Pressure and Heroes. We all thought he sung Golden Years very well.

After all three tribute acts had had their go the three of them ended the show singing together. David Brighton dressed in a Rebel Rebel pirate costume with eye patch sang a fine duet with Elton John rocking and rolling the house down with a good version of Suffragette City. The audience on cue raised their voices at the Wham Bam Climax.

How would I describe David Brighton?s performance? He has got the movements and the timing of the real David Bowie down and so accurate with a demeanour to match. David Brighton puts on a jolly good show and I would go again. Just hope it’s nearer to Detroit. – Lindzay

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Thanx Lindzay. Keep those reviews coming, folx.

I’ve got to write it down…

Here follows details of a few recent Bowie-related publications, created by BowieNetters, that are surely worthy of your attention.

First up (see above) long term BowieNetters will remember the two editions of Inside that Seven created by compiling content from the message boards and galleries, etc., during 2000 and 2001.

While these aren’t official productions as such, each collection is a wonderful snapshot of those two early years behind the scenes on BowieNet.

Seven is kindly donating any post tax profit there may be from the sales of both to Save The Children. Click on the image above to order online and to read more details of both editions.

Next up is the first online issue of the Bowie Zone fanzine, created by the very prolific BowieNetter, TheMadman.

Here’s a note from TheMadman himself regarding the fanzine…

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The Bowie Zone fanzine has put out it’s first issue, which includes a Q&A with Earl Slick. Issue 2 will have a fantastic Q&A with Mike Garson & issue 3 will have one with Carlos Alomar.

The very lovely Gail Ann Dorsey has just agreed to answer questions set by Bowie Zone members for issue 4 and Tony Visconti has also promised to do something for a future issue.

If you’d like to ask Gail anything please send your questions to: bzfanzine@bowiezone.co.uk.

You will need to be a member of the Bowie Zone forum board to download the finished fanzine.

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So there you have it. Issue 1 contains no less than 41 pages and it’s free, though TheMadman has mentioned the possibility of a hard copy that may go on sale too.

Those old pros over in Holland have unleashed the latest issue of The Voyeur which boasts a colour cover and a 4-track CD by Bowie fan Shane. Here’s what you can expect in this edition…

Watch out for “The Voyeur”
Welcome to “The Voyeur”
George Underwood (an exclusive interview)
The Letter (the opinion of a fanclubmember)
Rumours and Lies and Stories they made up (news items)
Dressing room extravaganza?
Four page full colour David Bowie centrefold
File Under Shane (“The Voyeur” meets the artist)
How Glam Rock started (by Marion Ziemke)
Yellowbeard (a review)
Invasion of the British (“The Voyeur” Fan(club) meeting reviewed)

All the usual stuff, plus some healthy debate between the editorship and a fanclubmember…and yes folx, there is indeed “room for criticism in fandom”.

If you’re not already a fully paid-up member of The Voyeur, you can purchase the 24-page fanzine by clicking on the cover above.

Who will love A Lad Insane?…

Award winning New York based British fashion designer and musician, Keanan Duffty, is the creator of the above 20 inch, one-of-a-kind, customised and hand painted ‘Dunny’.

The unique artwork/toy is called A Lad Insane and currently has a bid of $200 on eBay.

Keanan joined over 120 other artists and celebrities to create the work for the ‘Rewrite The Future’ charity auction, a Save The Children federation global education initiative in war torn areas such as Afghanistan, Haiti, Indonesia and the Sudan.

Self-confessed life-long Bowie fan and indeed BowieNetter, Keanan has shots of a few of the various celebrities he has dressed in recent years, including a picture of Iman and DB from 2000.

Pop along to the appropriately named slinkyvagabond.com for more information about Keanan and his work in fashion and music.

There are six days left to bid on A Lad Insane…click on the cute little fucker’s arse to get to the eBay page.

Little fat man who sold his soul…

Ricky Gervais has been busy doing press ahead of the screening of the first episode of the second series of EXTRAS, which airs on BBC2 in the UK at 9:00pm tomorrow night. (09.05.2006 NEWS: DB ON COVER OF LTD EDITION RADIO TIMES)

This week’s NME (September 16) has a full-page interview with both Ricky and long-term collaborator, Stephen Merchant. Here’s the relevant bit:

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NME: How did you manage to bag David Bowie?
RG: I met him at a charity concert. Obviously someone told him, ‘That’s the bloke out of The Office.’ Then I got an email that said, ‘I’ve watched, I’ve laughed, what do I do now?’
SM: So you tried to flog him the DVD and the book! Ha ha! David Bowie is a person of enormous fame and credibility. We used him [in the show] to accentuate the fact that he’s everything Ricky’s character isn’t.

NME: Has Bowie ? a man who was so off his head he claims he can’t remember an entire decade ? got a sense of humour?
RG: David Bowie is one of the funniest people you will ever meet. You forget that he’s still David Jones from Beckenham. When he goes home he still kicks his shoes off and sits in his slippers watching telly.

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Meanwhile, Tomorrow’s Sun newspaper has a full page interview with Ricky, in which some of the first details of the song performed by David are revealed thus:

Bowie even writes and performs a song about Andy, which goes: ?Little fat man who sold his soul, little fat man who sold his dream, chubby little loser . . . pathetic little fat man, no one?s bloody laughing.?

You can read the whole article before the newsagents even open online here.

While we’re on the subject of that song (I can’t reveal the title just yet), I don’t think I’m giving anything away when I say that, despite the comedy angle, to these ears the piano backing and vocal melody could almost be a Hunky Dory outtake…kind of a shame it wasn’t used for a legit Bowie recording in a way.

As I say, the second series of EXTRAS starts on BBC2 in the UK at 9:00pm tomorrow night, Thursday, September 14th. The first show features Orlando Bloom, and you can see the David Bowie episode next week on the 21st.

I stand without a word to say…

The rather tasty Scarlett Johansson was left speechless when she met David Bowie backstage at one of his shows, because she’d apparently been obsessed with the Goblin King Jareth he portrayed in the film Labyrinth.

The 21-year-old star of Lost in Translation, The Black Dahlia and The Prestige, said: “My first crush was David Bowie in the movie Labyrinth. I actually met him a year or so ago, backstage at one of his concerts. I couldn’t tell him he was my first love because I couldn’t actually speak when he shook my hand.”

Time flies, it was the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on February 2, 2004…Anyway, don’t worry Scarlett, you’re not alone. Jareth’s ‘charms’ have worked wonders on many a person reading this, as I’m sure they will do for generations to come.