Fun With Paul Stanley

Who doesn't love KISS, right? The crass commercialism (everything and I mean everything for your favorite KISS Army member- from Kiss diapers to KISS caskets, literally) and arguable quality of their "greatest hits" aside, I dare anyone to find a more entertaining live rock show. Makeup and costumes, pyrotechnics, fire breathing, blood-spitting, 6 inch platform monster shoes- who could ask for more? And one of the more unintentionally fun aspects of a KISS concert are the screechy, spastic between-song rantings of KISS co-frontman Paul Stanley aka Starchild.

Lately, an album comprised only of Paul Stanley rants has been making the rounds on teh internets. And here is a link to it! Not the kind of thing I normally do, but seeing that its a bootleg anyway, what the heck. Are you prepared for 70 minutes of inane rock cliches and brainless ramblings?

Speaking of, from chilly Winnipeg Manitoba come a most unusual tongue-pressed-firmly-in-cheek KISS tribute band comprised of four Paul Stanleys, aptly called The Paul Stanleys! Behold a completely hilarious video of the legendary McDonalds Incident...



There are more clips of The Paul Stanleys on the same youtube page linked above. And please go check out their myspace page, while you are at it.

Lastly, The Onion recently profiled the best of the worst in on-stage rock banter. Not only does Mister Paul Stanley clock in at #3 on the countdown, but our very own Robert Pollard is right behind at #4 (though apparently bumped from the Onion print edition- wtf)! Anyone who owns the Relaxation Of The Asshole LPs knows the hilarity of Bob's stage banter full well...

Robert Pollard - Standard Gargoyle Decisions & Coast To Coast Carpet Of Love Covers Revealed!

(images courtesy of the Rich T)

Merge Records, Robert Pollard's current label, recently released an advance/promo CD (for radio stations, reviewers, etc.) of both upcoming (October 9th- mark yr calendars) solo records, Standard Gargoyle Decisions and Coast To Coast Carpet Of Love. Though loyal readers of the Pop Zeus blog already were familiar with the tracklist for both albums (listed above), what is new to everyone is the front cover art below!

The black and white photo of Bob will be the cover to the more pop and creamy Coast To Coast Carpet Of Love (text will be added to the photograph). The colorful collage, already familiar to readers of EAT 3 as a bumper sticker, will be the wrap-around textless cover to the weirder and more prog Standard Gargoyle Decisions. It appears that Bob changed his mind and will not be using the collage from EAT 3 labelled as the cover for Standard Gargoyle Decisions. I honestly like the new one better, so its a choice I stand behind! Click on the images for a closer look...

Guided By Voices - The Jon Stewart Show and 120 Minutes Video (Circa 1995-1996)

Hey kids! Been very busy with lots of stuff, hence the lack of updates. Also went out of town for 6 days bridging last weekend to visit my family in South Carolina with a side trip to the Doug Gillard show in Charlotte. More on that later!..

Some interesting new Guided By Voices videos just popped up on youtube. First up is GBV's network television debut from March 31, 1995 on MTV's The Jon Stewart Show. Clearly recall being up in my old attic bedroom in New Jersey, turning on the VCR, scooting up really close to the TV and cranking the stereo to bask in this broadcast. Also remember Jon introducing the Geebs as one of his favorite new bands. Really great performance from the so-called "classic lineup" (there were many other previous lineups) on King And Caroline / Motor Away medley from that year's Alien Lanes. My only gripe is not being able to hear Tobin Sprout's guitar at all in the mix...



followed by a second clip from the same show (indicative of Jon Stewart's GBV fandom) of Bob and the crew rocking out My Son Cool over the end credits. DECIDE NOW!..



and here is an short interview with GBV (including Demos, not Greer) in the summer of 1996 from MTV's 120 Minutes program. If you are too young (or old) to recall, 120 Minutes was the channel's long-running premiere showcase for the alternative to the mainstream "alternative" rock videos. The show was required weekly viewing back in the day amongst my comrades- always an excellent resource for what was new, cool or just plain weird in the world of rock. Matt Pinfield, the gravel-voiced interviewer here, was a local well-known New Jersey alternative radio veteran before getting the MTV job. Cool to hear Bob and Tobey speculate on what was coming next (ultimately Mag Earwhig after the "classic lineup" breakup, not the proposed Back To Saturn X!)...



Enjoy the clips and I'll post again when I can. Cheers!