Ken Hell: Choreographer... Street Dancer

Not really. But he's the triple threat people, and who can resist a Breakin' reference. Hell's foray into acting via the latest ad campaign for Riva coffee. Gettin that TV money. CLICK THE PIC for the first webisode.

Killa! Jada! The Apollo! AAAAAAAAAAAHHH!

Kiss brings out Killa Cameron Giles @ The Apollo. Dude is back.

'The Combination' and their marketing choices

I saw the poster for this movie at Hoyts the other day. My first thought was "OMG! They finally got funding to make a Lebanese-Australian version of Kickboxer!". I did however just read this little piece of news, and learned that the movie is actually set in 2005 and based on the racially charged riots between white Australians and Lebanese in Sydney.

The synopsis of the film seems to borrow heavily from American History X (ex-con brother turns new leaf when released and fights to prevent younger brother from following his path of gangs and crime) and whether intentional or not, it's a striking similarity to a hugely acclaimed film which also focused on gangs, racism and hate crimes.

Returning to my initial reaction to the film's marketing, I can't help but feel they've misstepped here. The imagery in the poster screams 'dumb fight film' and looks like it's gonna be a Bloodsport meets Kickboxer affair. The name of the film sounds like a fight film when coupled with the imagery. The films slogan - and this is the clencher - 'No Second Chance', is definitely a slogan for an existing fight film. I mean, it has to be. I don't have patience to search but I'm sure that No Retreat, No Surrender 2 or Best of The Best 7 or something Lungdren/Van Damme/Stallone/Norris/Dudikoff MUST have used this. If not them, a B-Movie they turned down which never saw theatrical release. You know that period in the late 80s when there were hundreds of bad movies about ninjas or martial arts (See Dudikoff).

How many people will be turned off by this type of marketing? I'm actually interested in this movie now I have half a clue what it's about, but it was looking like Trojan Warrior revisited for a minute (or it's International release with the awesome name) and I'm sure I'm not the only one.

It's such a lovely day, we'll take our gaming outside

A man looking to collect on a debt broke into the house of 60-year-old woman in Brazil's Federal District, holding her hostage for ten hours on the business end of a Sega Light Phaser. Fortunately, the man released his hostage, unharmed, after negotiating with police. Wow!! Now you can use the Sega Light Gun rob the bank!!

Stolen from LikeCool who stole it from Elsewhere.

This guy's a winner.

Spotted over at Likecool. He's a bit American Pie lookin actually. This is a legitimate product. WAY TO SELL ME ON IT!!! As worn by jason biggs look-alike douchebag.

CHANGE.... Into a Truck.

Not the first Shepard/Obama art parody. I appreciate it though. This dude did it. You can buy it in poster form.

Street Fighter 4! XBOX 360! ZOMG!

Obligatory (albeit late) SFIV console release post. Having had a week or so with the game, I can say without a doubt that IV is indeed worthy of the numerals that adorn it, as there have been so many games (Alpha, Ex) and revisions of games (Alpha Sequels x2, Ex Sequels x 2, SFIII 'Sequels' x2) that have been outside of the main storyline and lacked that recognition.

As for the console version, I'm not reviewing it, but here are my pros and cons in short.

PRO:

- Arcade perfect port. Flawless by all accounts. We've finally reached that point and it feels great.

- Bonus Characters. Playable Gouken is a great add. I'm not a huge fan of the characters added mostly, as I'm more about the original 8, but it still adds heaps when one considers playing 9 other opponents, even if you still still to your Ryu.

- Trial Mode (similar to EX console ports to PS1) is insane. It alone is forcing me to get an arcade stick (not to mention netplay).

- Survival & Time Attack modes good for 1 player replay value.

- Online play. It CAN be amazing and has amazing potental. The concept of playing the latest incarnation of SF from your loungeroom against randoms the world over is so boss.

CONS:

- Online play. It CAN be awful and laggy. I guess even the best netcode can have issues, with the intensity of the graphics and the need for good responsiveness in SF games. Australia internet aint great, but I should have laggy games against aussies. Hope it improves. At this stage SFIIST HD Remix is more playable online.

- No Spectating or Winner-Stays-on style lobbies online. They will fix this I assume.

- Paying for alt costumes. With all the things you have to clear in challenge mode, they could have resisted the urge to cash-in, and given the alt colours as rewards instead of the 4-billion 'titles' you earn. The titles concept is a lil weak to me.

- Character balance. Guile could have used a make over by now. Vega is USELESS. Sagat is too strong and unbeatable in the right hands... again. Such is life though, you expect this by now.

OVERALL:

This shit is amazing. Must have for SF fans, and in a time when fighting games have all but disappeared from consoles, and arcades themselves are disappearing, this title can still appeal to joe avarage and hopefully will bring the genre back just a little.

PS. My Gamertag is in the sidebar. Holler for a game.

Sega Mega Drive Soundtrack - On Vinyl?

Cash goes to charity. For all you L337 Djs still playing real vinyl and dying for the chance to do a stupid def dope blend with the Streets of Rage theme and some awful MF Doom record.

Bid on it @ eBay here

It's numbered #1 of 3500. So it's teh ultimate, ultimate.

It's pretty cool though. Pointless. But Cool.

SHIT NEWS: Swayze is almost....Swayze

It has been reported that 80s/90s movie legend and iconic mullet-model Patrick Swayze has all but lost his battle against cancer. This is some sad shit. Aside from the fact that I have enjoyed the man's work on varying levels throughout his career, I've caught a handful of interviews with dude since he has been fighting the disease, and he comes across as a genuinely great person. Forget Dirty Dancing. Forget Ghost. Peep the below guide to essential Swayze viewing.

Red Dawn (1984)

Classic 80s Anti-Communist Pro-Firearm American action movie. Commie troops invade US soil and Swayze (Jed Eckert) and his boys (The Wolverines) grab their guns and represent. Super violent for it's time, super redneck. Classic. Allegedly about to be remade (read: legacy ruined) in a 'post 9/11' America (replace 'Commie' with 'A-Rab').

Road House (1989)

Possibly the greatest Swayze movie ever. This ridiculous yet always entertaining movie that features Swayze as a heroic nightclub bouncer known only as 'Dalton', saving a small town from a wealthy standover man who despite his age and stature is quite the brawler. This film is so violent. It's essentially end to end fighting, with occasional breaks for gratuitous nudity. Swayze rips a henchman's voice box out. This is one for the collection. Contains Very Frequent Violence, Course Language, High Level Sex Scenes & Extreme Mullet Swagger.

Donnie Darko (2001)

If you haven't seen this film we cannot be friends. You might be a big poof named Heez and struggle with suspending disbelief enough to enjoy it, or lack closure from the film's abmiguous ending and lack of explanation (Directors Cut helps with the latter) - or you might just agree with me about this film's place amoung the SciFi greats. In a supporting role, Swayze puts in the performance of his career as self-help seminar guru, Jim Cunningham. Unlike aforementioned roles, this one is essential viewing not for nostalgia or unintented humour - it's just fucking good. If you're behind the 8 ball on this go grab the directors cut. If you haven't seen the DC, it's worth it for the soundtrack tweaks, alternate scenes and the inclusion of excerpts from Roberta Sparrow's book at relevant points throughout the film.

Pure Evil Incarnate

What kind of piece of shit does this?

Fucking appauling.

BMX - BSX 1 v 1 on Monday @ Pheasant Creek

Hit up BMXULTRA for info. Yours truly will be in attendance on my ET Anniversary Kuwahara. Strictly spectating. Until i get fit again....and win the Aussies.

It's not gonna happen.

Wow. No kids for this dude.

I have no words. Apart from those.

...and those.

X & Hell x A-Style - Drunk Girls & Disco Fights Mix

This long intro and rant was up at Affinity. I'm not gonna not steal it.

Drunk Girls & Disco Fights is a new mix from Melbourne duo X & Hell, mixed by their DMC winning DJ A-Style, as a soundtrack to all your intoxicated bad decisions and broken New Year resolutions.

In all its party-hazed glory, Drunk Girls & Disco Fights takes its influence from X & Hell's manic live show, and serves as a nice little pre-cursor to the release their forthcoming long-player Million Dollar Sex Party, due in April through Illusive Sounds.

Throwing together random shots of pop, Miami bass, electro, new jack, bassline, rap and brand new X & Hell cuts, Drunk Girls & Disco Fights is an international, multi-genre kickstarter, created truly in the spirit of it's title.

Drunk Girls & Disco Fights is available for free download HERE

Drunk Girls & Disco Fights can also be streamed HERE

Drunk Girls & Disco Fights Tracklist

1.Seven Nation Army / Move It Move It - The White Stripes / Reel 2 Reel
2.Don't Stop (Wiggle Wiggle) - Outhere Brothers
3.Don't Stop Movin (Original/Winning/A-Style/Dublin Aunts Mixes) - X & Hell
4.D.A.N.C.E (MSTRKRFT Remix) - Justice5.Bounce - MSTRKRFT feat N.O.R.E 6.Green Light (Diplo Dade County 1988 Remix) - John Legend feat Andre 3000
7.Maui Wowie - KiD CuDi
8.When We Were Young (Styalz Fuego Remix) - Sneaky Sound System
9.She Needs My Love - The Dream
10.Here Comes The Rain Again - Eurythmics
11.Mr Vain - Culture Beat
12.Day N Nite (Crookers Remix) - KiD CuDi
13.Stronger (A-Trak Remix) - Kanye West
14.Where The Party At (Remix) - Tonite Only feat X & Hell
15.Sweaty Wet (Remix) - KillaQueenz feat Ken Hell
16.Hoochie Mama - 2 Live Crew
17.Tootsie Roll - 69 Boyz18.Ghetto Musik - Outkast
19 You Know What - N.E.R.D
20.My Fkn Hat (Produced by Shazam) - X & Hell
21.My Cool (Remix) - Adam Tensta feat Weapon X
22.N.A.S.A Music - LA Riots feat Method Man & E-40
23.Jump - Van Halen
24.Lights & Music - Cut Copy
25.Shades Off (Reprise) - X & Hell
26.Shooting Stars - Bag Raiders
27.We Are The People (Shazam Remix) - Empire of the Sun
28.Send Me An Angel / Jump The Gun - Real Life / X & Hell
29.Come On Girl (Delinquent Remix) - Taio Cruz
30.Heartbroken - T2 feat Ayesha
31.My Destiny - Delinquent feat K-Cat
32.When We Were Kids (Bag Raiders Remix) - The Galvatrons
33.Good Luck - Basement Jaxx

Drunk Girls & Disco Fights

In Memory of Owen Hart

Ain't bought new kicks in roughly 2 years. Had to break the drought for the late Blue Blazer. RIP Owen Hart. If you don't know - get familiar.

Jack Fucking Bauer

After the somewhat disappointing 6th Season, The aptly titled 7th season pre-movie "24 Redemption" coupled with the first 4 episodes have won back a lot of love from this viewer. Essentially, the writers are 'putting the band back together' and I couldn't be more appreciative.

I remain doubtful that this series can ever soar to the heights it once reached, but at least I get to watch Bauer beat the bejesus out of some people for another 20 hours or so.

Neyo vs Jim Jones on Twitter

If you haven't heard, Jones' and Neyo's respective "crews" got into it at a Louis Vuitton store. Google it if you need a late pass. I may indeed need one myself for this post, but I don't care.

Over at COMPLEX they compiled this fictional twitter fight. Too funny. That's Jim's new CD artwork at the bottom there BTW. Not bad. Jim may have excessive facial hair at the best of times, but Neyo is BALLLLDINNN.

GoonieGooGoo ballin out at the lv store

GoonieGooGoo xmas in harlem!!!!!!

GoonieGooGoo @ ChinkSantana yo go grab that duffel and some lv parachute pants 4 me ima be over here doin pushups and not shaving

ChinkSantana hjksdflhkj

GoonieGooGoo u really need 2 learn 2 type ni**a

GoonieGooGoo yo is that neyo

GoonieGooGoo this mr potato head lookin ass dude just grabbed the last duffel!!!

GoonieGooGoo @ NeyoSoul thats my bag ni**a

NeYoSoul @ GoonieGooGoo that aint yr hand on it tho is it

GoonieGooGoo @ NeYoSoul no thats your lotiony ass hand gimme dat bag Shaffer

GoonieGooGoo @ NeYoSoul i got 40 stacks in my jeans no homo

NeYoSoul @LittleTyTy lets go man i gotta go make a song that uses a disease or addiction metaphor to explain romantic entanglements

LittleTyTy @ NeYoSoul so go buy the bag then

NeYoSoul @LittleTyTy you do it im practicing licking my lips these full length mirrors r hardbody

GoonieGooGoo @ MelMatrix yo is that jay camel’s man’s brother

GoonieGooGoo @ MelMatrix that is a terrible swag contest ni**a

GoonieGooGoo mini me just went 2 the register this is not goin down

LittleTyTy@S_C jimmy here runnin his mouth about you again

GoonieGooGoo @missinfo spolier alert im about to stomp out your boy

missinfo “Spoiler Alert”? Who talks like that? LOL!

S_C @LittleTyTy l’chaim!!!!

LittleTyTy goddamnit i cant wait to be promoted to weed carrier

GoonieGooGoo @DameDash Call Kalina

GoonieGooGoo KALIIIIIINNNNNAAAAAA

missinfo Lawyers? That’s so Un Rivera! *puts on disguise and meets G-Dep in Harlem for coffee*

NeYoSoul ow shit wtf was that

NeYoSoul someone just threw a thermal @ my bigass head

Oshy @NeYoSoul that was me ni**a BYRD GANG RAWR

MelMatrix neyo about to get pwned!!!!

GoonieGooGoo wtf is pwned?

NeYoSoul wtf is an oshy?

MelMatrix @GoonieGooGoo clearly you’re not well-versed in web 2.0 slang. perhaps i assumed it was lingua franca, but i was apparently mistaken. mea culpa!

MelMatrix @GoonieGooGoo i mean SOOWOOOOO

LouisVEmployee Sacre bleu, les savages est dans le magasin!

GoonieGooGoo Fuck i just skinned my knuckle on this dudes purse

NeYoSoul @GoonieGooGoo Yeeeeahhh feel the power of the LV clutch you dirt angel

JuelzSantana Jimmy where r you? My digital mixtape just went plutonium SKULL GANG! PAUSE!!!!!

missinfo Seriously people, the only thing worse than beefing rappers is beefing singers. What year is this? SMH LOL SMH ZOMG I’m going to bed.

NeYoSoul Man im glad ive been takin these boxercise classes at crunch

NeYoSoul @GoonieGooGoo HAAARRRRYUUUUUKEN

LouisVEmployee @HipHopCop come quick jimmy is whylin out again

GoonieGooGoo @Camron THIS RUCKER ALL OVER AGAIN NI**A WHERE THE FUCK R YOU

MaxBiggavelli im outside the lv store selling pencils and just saw jimmy catch a speedknot!!!!

MaxBiggavelli srsly im telling the truth also i fucked jims wife and im very very wealthy off my music

MaxBiggavelli Id give neyo a deal if i could hey amalgam gimme an imprint

MaxBiggavelli @ amalgamdigital oh yeah and buy a pencil they so waaaaaaaavy

BTW you can find on twitter like the socially starved n3tb0y i am. ST_Flames

TV is the new RADIO.... and what the hell that means

Since Australian radio (as a rule) has stopped breaking new artists and has kind of become the last place you'll hear songs 'for the first time' - the effect of synchronization to TV programs, station promos or advertisements has never been so poweful. Just today on Nova I heard 'Everybody's Free' which is a Global Deejays remix of the Rozalla dance classic. This is the song used on the extended pre-season promotion for Channel Ten's So You Think You Can Dance Australia (see video above) over the past couple of weeks, and it certainly didn't garner any daytime radio spins prior to the Ten campaign.

With the exception of marquee artists (whose popularity and sales history is at a level where anything new they service to radio will get added to CHR) and songs which have seen huge charting overseas prior to release here, radio is not playing 'new' music. They're waiting. Taking no chances. Someone once told me that an Austereo honcho (Fox/2day/b105/MMM etc) stated that they are not in the music business, they are in the advertising business. That statement has never been truer. Meanwhile, Channel 10 should start a record label or publishing company already, as they are the biggest driving force in Australian music today.

ARIA recently released their Annual lists of the biggest songs/albums in Australia, which included the Top 20 Australian Singles of 2008. Fuego said he was keen to compare these songs to the Most Played on radio, but peep my comparison.

Purely from memory and from my own exposure, I've picked out the songs from the Top 20 which were aided largely by TV. There are more I'm sure, and I only watch 10, ABC & SBS.

19. Natalie Bassingthwaighte - Alive

She's from TV in the first place. This is the Minogue Imbruglia Goodrem model in full effect. Rogue Traders have always had heavy placement with Channel TEN, no doubt resulting from NB's Neighbours role. This her first solo single was smashed as part of TEN's NYE promos, in addition to other station promos around earlier in the year.

17. Mr.G - Naughty Girl

Song from the TV show, credited to the TV Show's fiction character. It don't get more reliant on TV than this.

15. Axle Whitehead - I Don't Do Surprises

First gen Australian Idol jazz-douche makes good with decent pop song after a stint as Video Hits presenter. he took his time to cash in musically on the idol thing but he did it pretty big in 08.


14. Rogue Traders - I Never Liked You

Again. Neighbours chick front-woman. Heavy Ch10 support. It's a wrap.

09. Faker - This Heart Attack

This was definitely used by Ch10 for promos of upcoming shows, shitty local drama comes to mind. Really heavy mid 2008.

08. Wes Carr - You

This years winner of the Australian Music Industry's 'Free Parking'.

07. The Presets - My People

I know this ended up scoring the Hyundai A-League Ad. They considered one of our tracks for this actually. To be fair, this song had been a hit by the time these Ads aired, and I can't remember if it was TV fodder any earlier. That said - It went back into daytime thrashing on Nova after the A-League ads aired.

06. The Potbelleez - Don't Hold Back

Massive Massive Massive TV Driven success. Channel 10 hammered this mofo along with one other song through the marathon first season of SYTYCD Australia. I'm also pretty sure it was a Big Brother fave.

04. Jessica Mauboy ftg. Flo Rida - Running Back

Idol. Bang.

02. The Veronicas - Untouched

Hammered, and I mean HAMMERED on SYTYCD Australia S01. Ch10 didn't stop there, but it was this placement last year that made me realise that TV had become the most integral part of marketing records in Australia.

10 of 20 and that's from memory. I don't watch that much TV either.

ARIA Info via auspOp

She'll slap the dicks out your mouth