Purple Stuff Podcast: Spooky Songs 7!

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The 7th edition of SPOOKY SONGS is coming at you on The Purple Stuff Podcast! It’s hard to believe that we’ve come this far, but Dinosaur Dracula and I love doing the Spooky Songs show. It’s one of our most fun episodes. In light of a really odd year, it’s nice to just cozy up into your Halloween 6 blanket with some pumpkin coffee and chill out while listening to some tunes. We’ve got 10 tracks for you that smack with spooky vibes. We’re getting into some rare territory which is very cool! Expect the unexpected here, but we’ve got you covered. You’ll here us talk about songs from horror movies, late night TV show intros, and GHOSTBUSTERS! It’s a damn good time and I’m happy we’ve arrived at it. We hope you dig this one and as always, your support is appreciated! I hope you are enjoying your Halloween season!

If you would like to support the Purple Stuff Podcast and get access to all of our bonus episodes, you can visit us on Patreon.com/PurpleStuff

THE PURPLE STUFF PODCAST’S SUMMER SATURDAYS KICKS OFF!!!

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The hot, blazing summer has come for all of us. Just think, if we make it out alive we are one step closer to the Halloween season! At least that’s my incentive to persevere through these hellish, humid days. Even though it’s my least favorite season, I admit that theres so much to enjoy about it. If you can deal with swamp ass and drenching back sweat then you’ll have no problem appreciating the finer things that the summer has to offer. To encapsulate it all into one tiny nostalgic trip, The Purple Stuff Podcast is very excited to bring to you SUMMER SATURDAYS! We look at this as a way for you to savor the summer while sipping Shasta cans in the yard.

What is Summer Saturdays you ask? Essentially, me and Matt will be bringing you a new podcast every Saturday throughout July focusing on some of the highlights of summer for us. We’ll be presenting a variety of different themes during this extravaganza, but first, to kick things off, we have a music show for you compiling our summer playlists. You know us by now, we intentionally try to avoid the typical fare in favor of spotlighting the slightly more obscure stuff.

Whacked out is the best way to describe the variety on this episode. From songs heard in horror films to more songs heard in horror films to a member of the Mickey Mouse Club, to The Lost Boys on the beach, to fun with Phoebe Cates it’s just bananas. Check this one out if you’re chilling by your pool, doing yard work, *PAINTING THE FENCE, or just living that sloth life on your couch in the air conditioning. It’s a fun way to kick off your summer and we’ve got a lot more in store for you this month so stay tuned!

Thank you for listening to the show! If you would like to support The Purple Stuff Podcast we greatly appreciate your help! You can spread the word to friends IRL, leave us a positive review on iTunes, share us on social media, or join in the fun on our Patreon where we present a monthly bonus show exclusively for our “Patronies.” Thanks again and we hope your summer kicks ass.

*Can you name what movie this references? That’s another hint to a movie that gets brought up in this episode thanks to the awesome summer song!

 

 

Candy Coated and Explosive: Tommy London’s New Single “Sugar Red” Debuts!

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In the final days of 2017, I kept seeing everyone on my social media feeds post their favorite movies of 2017. Now that’s a lot of f’n people. On Twitter alone, I follow literally thousands of actual real, non-robot accounts. Every day, I swiped by another Top 10 Movies of 2017 list. I toyed with the idea of being a basic bitch and posting my own, but instead, my brain trained in another direction.

I wondered why I hadn’t seen any Top 10 lists of music from 2017? I’m sure there were a million lists like that posted by social media users all over the world, just none that I came across. I started to really think about what music came out not only in 2017, but in the last couple of years. Did any song or album have enough of an impact on me that would’ve inspired me to compile a “best of” list? It’s pretty sad, but I’m sitting here so hard pressed to come up with even a few albums or songs that I absolutely loved in the last couple of years. I sure as hell can’t give you my Top 10 Albums or singles of 2017. 2018 on the other hand seems to have already turned the corner on two wheels!

To estimate, I’d say more than half of you think I’m absolutely crazy while the others are still listening to the Mega-Mutant-Monster-Meltdown-Mix CD they made for their car in 2002. It was killer then, probably still killer now. I don’t judge you. Either way, for both sides, I submit to you that popular music is in dire need of one of those legendary nights out…you know, the kind where you don’t get home until 6 AM and there’s a whole Mac makeup counters worth of lipstick on varying parts of your body. Don’t remember much, but at this point, who cares – it was a blast. Sometimes you need that kind of night, one that you hope never ends. The music blasting on the car stereo the whole time, in some kind of old Mustang, (probably stolen of course) is by Tommy London.

This brings me to a brand new song called “Sugar Red,” the debut single from Tommy London.

I hit play and the atmospheric, punchy build-up brought to mind AC/DC’s “TNT.” That intro sucked me right in and there was no turning back. I felt like I was flying down the highway with this baby blasting. London’s melodic vocals compare to the best solo stuff from David Lee Roth, think “Just Like Paradise.” F*ck I really dig this.

It’s infectious. Producer John Fields helped provide a retro fabric with flashes of nostalgic pop, yet it packs enough power for fans of harder edged music. It’s easy to pick up on the swagger of Tommy’s former band The Dirty Pearls, while new elements are infused flawlessly. Perhaps unintentionally, there’s even a bit of a “Blue Orchid” (The White Stripes) feel to it. Influences aside, this track is amped up and in a lean and mean 3 minutes, it single handedly resuscitated my favorite genre of music.

This is arena rock at it’s best. “Sugar Red,” is perfectly orchestrated for the crowd to clap along to its thunderous beat. It indulged the spirit of a kid like me who grew up with infectious pop, rock, hip-hop, and metal. From my own personal musical background, the songs I loved most growing up made me want to go wild, not get all mopey and introspective. We’re firing on all cylinders with this one and I can’t stop listening.

Tommy London is a magnetic guy, the cool one. If you can imagine combining the DNA of Danny Zuko, James Dean, and Arthur Fonzarelli with the musical stylings of Roth-era VH and Jesse and The Rippers, that’s him. It may sound convoluted, but I know you’re picking up what I’m laying down. With a description like that you might think he’s destined for the cover of Tiger Beat, but think more along the lines of Rolling Stone.

What I liked most about listening to “Sugar Red,” was that it made me want to get into some trouble. That kind of misbehavin’ needs a soundtrack. It’s been a while since I’ve heard new music with that vibe. The song wears it’s influences like patches and pins all over its denim vest. Infusing a cross section of party rock and roll, Tommy London and fellow writer and guitarist Matt Hogan have whipped up a tasty jam, the rock music personification of a sweet Cherry Slurpee spiked with your favorite liquor and a few surprise Red Hots at the bottom of the cup. As an introduction of what’s to come from Tommy London, “Sugar Red,” is quite a tease that’ll leave you wanting the rest of the album jammed into your earholes ASAP. BTW, I just started compiling my Top 10 Songs of 2018 list and “Sugar Red” is right on top.

Who The F*ck Is Tommy London? The Dirty Pearls Frontman Talks With The Sexy Armpit!

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Tommy London art by Jonny Dambrosio

The Sexy Armpit has always been a little bit comic book geek, a little bit rock and roll. Through over a decade on the Internet, one of the staples featured on the site has been the reigning kings of New York City’s rock scene, The Dirty Pearls. They’ve amassed a monstrous, loyal fan base, tour the country, and even show up at swank clubs to sing and play with the rest of their NYC crew known as The Rivington Rebels, whose legend precedes them. Am I jealous that there’s no Route 9 Rebels? No, because I just invented it, and I’m Master of Ceremonies of the New Jersey Chapter, otherwise I wouldn’t have been able to score this interview! Just ahead of their upcoming tour and forthcoming new album, our friend and lead singer of The Dirty Pearls, Tommy London, took some time out of his busy schedule to answer some of those classic “Jay” questions that I always have.

Continue reading Who The F*ck Is Tommy London? The Dirty Pearls Frontman Talks With The Sexy Armpit!

Purple Stuff Podcast Episode 27: TV THEME SONGS!

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To arrive at their optimum relaxation zone, some people listen to the soothing sprinkle of a rainstorm or the natural sounds of a tropical rain-forest. But, for my ears, there’s something about TV theme songs that I find strangely comforting. Maybe it’s little details like the “sha-la-la-la” at the end of the Family Ties theme or the hum at the end of the Diff’rent Strokes intro that make me have that extra fondness for them. If you consider yourself the same kind of wacko, then you’re reading the right website! This week, the Purple Stuff Podcast brings you a show entirely dedicated to a select bunch of TV theme songs.

To say that my iTunes is quite a hodgepodge of various types of music is an understatement. If you listened to one of my playlists while driving around with me, you’d likely hear one of hundreds of TV theme songs. Chances are, you’d know the lyrics to the majority of them. That’s what makes it fun. You don’t even need to be an avid viewer of a show to have the theme song stuck in your head, which makes the genre that much more incredible. This is one of the reasons why I felt so compelled to convince Matt that we should do a whole show about some of the TV themes that stand out most to us.

After an arm bar into an Irish whip, followed up by a flying forearm, Matt agreed that it was a good idea. I’m kidding of course, but it did take a little bit of convincing since it is so difficult to do a show like this and not be accused of leaving all the important themes out. Everyone has their favorites, but these are just a handful that we felt compelled to talk about. Some of your favorites are ours too, but we’d need 8 episodes to touch on ALL the good ones.

Personally, I think some of the best TV theme songs are the ones that work on different levels. Some TV themes are great for what they are and work splendidly as a theme for a show, yet other TV themes soar beyond that. There are TV themes that are so catchy that you wonder how the hell they haven’t been deemed required curriculum in music classes in schools. Others are so versatile that they could be covered by metal and punk bands. Most of all, the best TV themes are the ones that pop into your brain the minute you hear someone mention the name of the show that it’s from.

I demand equality for TV theme songs. Even though a show’s theme usually undergoes subtle changes between seasons, a TV theme has the power to bring to mind the full reel of scenes in the opening credits. I loved when the opening credits of a show were so ridiculous. You can sit there and pick out the episode that each scene was from. The theme will also make you reminisce and sing along. Some themes are cheerful or quirky while others are arena-ready and triumphant. In all cases, there’s a lot to discuss so check out The Purple Stuff Podcast Episode 27 and share some of your favorite theme songs in the comments!

Purple Stuff Podcast Episode 8: SPOOKY SONGS!

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Check out Episode 8 of The Purple Stuff Podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, and Podbean!

To reference Ice Cube, today was a good day. Fall is officially in session and the temperature here in New Jersey has dropped from the mid-80s last week down to maybe 12 degrees today. Of course I’m exaggerating slightly, but the cool air is so comforting. I am not one for the heat and I’ve been waiting for it to get cooler outside so I can crack open the windows, hear the crickets in the background, and actually believe that it’s Halloween time. Trust me, roasting in 90 degree temperatures is not a way to celebrate the spookiest of seasons. It’s almost as if Halloween time arrived overnight here in Jersey, completely out of nowhere, like Santa Claus coming down the chimney last night. Before you start listening to this week’s episode of The Purple Stuff Podcast, let me update you on a few things.

Several weeks back, Matt broke the news that Burger King was going to start selling HALLOWEEN MOTHA’F*CKIN’ WHOPPERS! We discussed it on the podcast and ever since I’ve been waiting with extreme antici…pation. I’m a lifelong BK fan from an early age, and although they didn’t have the enticing playground and Officer Big Mac Jail Cell that scarred me for life, my Dad and I frequently got Whoppers at Burger King and those are some of the greatest, simplest memories of my childhood. Sitting there eating junk and bullshitting about toys and whatever else I thought was intellectual when I was 5 years old to my Dad who was always genuinely interested in what I was saying.

Earlier today, after several hours of editing a piece of the Halloween special, (that ultimately will only amount to about 35 seconds in the final cut) I decided to venture out to run a few errands. I’m a man of efficiency, so I decided to stop at the store that was near one of our BK’s. To my surprise, I spotted the poster in the window from about a half mile away. I can’t see that last line of a vision test, but sure as shit can see a Halloween hamburger poster from triple the distance. I’m going to leave the detailed review to Dino Drac, but I must say, the A1 steak sauce in the bun gives the entire burger an extra tang that it didn’t have. I wouldn’t say that I like it better than the original Whopper, but I would definitely eat them if they came around each year. Plus, the crown of bones is pretty friggin’ great. Thanks to Matt for bringing this to our attention!

In other news, I’ve promised to have a production blog posted, and unfortunately that hasn’t happened yet. The reason for this is because the production of the Halloween Special 2015 has sucked up every second of my personal life, hence leaving me very little time to write posts. I am going to be relaying my thoughts on this special and the process of making it very soon. It feels like I can’t write about it until it’s nearly completed because I might jinx it. That’s just superstition though.

To cap off an awesome day, grab yourself some pumpkin anything, a cold beverage, and join Matt and I for tonight’s episode of The Purple Stuff Podcast! This week we get into one of my favorite subjects: music! We count down some of our favorite Spooky Songs and try to formulate the type of playlist you would hear at a Halloween Party, but a party that only lasts about 45 minutes. We’d also like to hear your favorite Spooky Songs so tell us about them in the comments or on Twitter! Appropriately, we also premiere our cool new theme song from our friends Leopardactyl! Thanks so much to them for making it and thanks to all of you for listening!

The Dirty Pearls at The Brighton Bar in Long Branch, NJ

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCyWZUz6vJw?rel=0]

My blogging time has dwindled as of late, so this recap should’ve been posted weeks ago, but it’s here now! Get ready to watch, listen, and read about The Dirty Pearls show at The Brighton Bar in Long Branch, NJ on April 11th, 2015. After their upcoming show at The Viper Room in West Hollywood on May 23rd, it’s onto their BIG New York City concert, Saturday June 20th! Tickets are available now.

The show at the Brighton Bar was basically a warm up for the band. When you’re prepping for a workout, you might want to stretch first so you don’t pull a muscle. Some people choose to contort themselves, others jog in place. Occasionally, you’ll see some crazy bastards doing thousands of jumping jacks. That’s all good if you’re exercising, but what if you’re a rock band preparing for a bunch of concerts in support of your new music? You can do all the vocal exercises you want, but you better be on point when you come to New Jersey. In this case, the crew from the lower east side of New York City, The Dirty Pearls, brought their A-game to The Brighton Bar  – no arm circles necessary.

Evaluating a band like The Dirty Pearls, who are constantly running on all cylinders, they don’t need much of a warm up. Just give ’em a stage to play on and they’ll blow the audience away, which is precisely what they did at The Brighton Bar.

On our way to the show, I realized that I hadn’t been to The Brighton Bar in about 10 or 11 years. This fact was shocking to me, and after the night was through, I already wanted to go back because it’s such an awesome place to see a show. The layout is perfect for seeing bands and the bar made me want to plant myself next to it for a few hours. I felt at ease there which is rare for me since I’d rather watch the concert via my couch at home.

Back to the DP concert!

These guys are always on, and I have no idea how they do it. Their fuel may very well be “Caffeine and Gasoline,” which happens to be one of their most potent tracks, one that will get you energized before you can even reach over and crack open that Red Bull to get you through the night. Naturally, it was included in their set list, among many of their other staple tracks, like their opener, “Whether You Like it or Not,” followed by “Bring on the Night,” “Sucker for a Sequel,” and sending it home with their signature anthem “New York City is a Drug.”
I always try to seize the opportunity to check out one of my favorite bands, The Dirty Pearls, when they’re playing merely miles away from my house. It was all the more awesome since they debuted some brand new tracks, some were never performed live previously! 
If you checked out My Top 6 Favorite Dirty Pearls Songs, you know that “Dynamite” made the list, and sure enough, they played it at the Brighton Bar! After talking with the band, that song will likely appear on their next release, along with the other tracks they premiered that night including, “Boom Boom Boom,” “Who Will Save Rock and Roll?” and “We Don’t Need Your Kind.” These new tunes planted a pop-rock punch while maintaining the booze splashed punk edge and Lower East Side attitude of their previous work. 
Smashing the kit and spinning his sticks, Mr. Marty E. looked like he was having a blast as he always is. That dude has fun whether he’s at a real estate seminar or rocking out on stage. Frontman Tommy London interacted with the crowd throughout their set. Always entertaining, London bestowed us with his definitive David Coverdale impression and even made a Friendster reference. Not many lead singers of rock and roll bands are gonna be making references to ancient social media sites, but leave it to Tommy! Along with telling amusing anecdotes about some of their popular tracks, he broke into a homage to Billy Idol with a bit of “Rebel Yell,” and also dedicated a cover of “Sheena is a Punk Rocker” to New York’s beloved Ramones.
This was merely an appetizer prior to their big New York City show at the Gramercy Theater on June 20th. Tickets are on sale NOW! GO HERE FOR MORE INFO!

My Top 6 Favorite Dirty Pearls Songs

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The Dirty Pearls are one of my favorite rock bands…ever. For me to put a band in such a prestigious category is a testament to just how damn good they are. About 8 or 9 years ago they began to pump blood into the New York City rock scene. Their kickass songs, showmanship, and rock and roll attitude elevate them from an independent band driven for success into what I consider legendary. If it sounds like I’m embellishing, I’m not. These guys have been friends of mine for many years and I’ve simultaneously been one of their biggest supporters from the very early days.

The Dirty Pearls flawlessly incorporate sleek guitar riffs and headbanging drums with pop hooks and serve it all up on a grand scale. Every time I witness them on stage it’s as if they are a masterful arena rock band who skipped a grade. To top it off they pull a Springsteen and refuse to leave the stage until you are 100% in awe.

Although they are primarily known for their NYC shows, once in a while, they’ve thrown New Jersey a bone. Over the years, they’ve played down the shore in Asbury Park at The Saint, The Stone Pony, and The Wonder Bar, and even up in North Jersey at the Wellmont Theatre in Montclair. They’ve opened for KISS, and so many other giant acts, but their New York City shows are iconic.

In this post I’ll describe songs that I have memories attached to and that’s a lot to say for a modern, independent band. It’s easy to claim to have awesome memories of songs from bands you grew up listening to or discovered in your teenage years because they’ve lasted a lifetime. Those songs may have gone from the mix tape you used to play in your Walkman, to the mix CD you blasted in your car, to the iPod playlist you listened to while sharing earbuds with your favorite girl (or guy!) The impact that the ‘Pearls have had on myself and their fans is thanks to their tireless commitment to their music, and their fans. They perform unforgettable concerts and have created moments that will last a lifetime. Check this out, here’s one that I was front and center for. It was when the ‘Pearls and DMC joined together on stage for “Walk This Way.” It was insane. The place went nuts, the floor was literally shaking.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FtDIIvMwY4?rel=0]

These guys are amazing songwriters. It’s not often that modern bands get truly get commended for their songwriting abilities, but the ‘Pearls are an exception. What makes their tracks so original is that  it’s not easy to pinpoint exactly the influences because they love it all. The entire band are music fiends. You can’t call them a “junior” version of any previous band. The Dirty Pearls songs flawlessly intertwine their passion for the music they love and the music they want to hear which equates to truly original rock/pop tracks for this generation. I connect with these songs. All of The Dirty Pearls songs are staples on my iPod, but here are 6 of my absolute favorite tracks from The Dirty Pearls. 
6. “Sucker for a Sequel” The Dirty Pearls EP

There are 2 versions of this song. My preference is for the early version from the The Dirty Pearls first EP, not only because it was the one that I listened to for a long time before their full length debut album was released, but also because only some of the tweaks that were made in the latter version were better than the original. After speaking to frontman Tommy London about it, much of the changes were influenced by their debut album producer, David Kahne, but he won a Grammy so I digress.

The original version is some badass bombastic bluesy bar rock, you might pick out an early Aerosmith vibe and some booze fueled sleaze in the vein of Faster Pussycat. There’s also a brilliant breakdown that calms the mood only to leave you primed for the chorus again. The newer version, still great, lacks the natural flow of the predecessor and has a noticeable pop sheen, which is never a bad thing, but the irony here is that this song is actually a sequel to their song about being suckers for a sequel. If you understand that, then great, either way, I’m still a sucker for the original!

5. “Gimme Gimme” – The Dirty Pearls Volume 2 EP

This “oldie” from the band didn’t make the cut on their debut, Whether You Like It Or Not, but it still embodies the type of party rock with a punk streak that will blow you away at a Dirty Pearls show. This one will have your fist in the air and ready to rock out.

4. “Dynamite” – Unreleased (…so far!)

Not sure if frontman Tommy London will get mad at me for even writing about this, but they played this track at the Stone Pony back in May 2013 and I have no idea if it will surface on their upcoming sophomore full length album, but I’m really hoping it does. I recorded the song at the Pony so I’ve been able to hear the live version often, but for the masses, I’d love if you could hear a studio version! It’s a simple, energetic, hard rocking pop gem with a dash of the ’80s. Imagine a harder rock version of The Romantics if they were produced by Ric Ocasek. The result is nothing less than “Dynamite.” With the refrain “…Your love is like dynamite,” this one is sure to be the soundtrack to think about your crush, if it surfaces.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8EOnzc0QgPA?rel=0]

3. “Who’s Comin Back to Who” from Whether You Like it or Not

Much of Whether You Like It Or Not was pop influenced, and I’m so on board with the pop/rock marriage, especially when The Dirty Pearls are delivering the vows. Infectious vocal harmonies, giant drums from Mary E., an insane guitar solo, and a phenomenal breakdown beat will make you clap your ass off. And a fun fact for ya: I WAS IN THE F’N VIDEO! It doesn’t get much cooler than that shit. It’s the unnominated winner of Best Video at the MTV VMAS in 2011. It’s such a kickass video directed by my friend, Jersey guy, and Starkiller lead singer, Jasin Cadic, check it out above. Finding me in the video is like Where’s Waldo. To read more about my experience in the video read this.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEgbn_OZJ9Y?rel=0]


2. “Static” from Whether You Like it or Not

The video for this song was directed by Matt Weckel and filmed with an Xbox Kinect! It’s one of the coolest videos since The White Stripes were big. The sick visuals merge perfectly with this track that’s a pounding pop rock assault with some sick grooves. Put this on when you’re alone and you’ll be singing and dancing in front of your mirror like a silly asshole in no time. I know from experience.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjH_Ik4nLIw?rel=0]


1. “New York City Is a Drug” – Whether You Like it or Not

This one was originally a single released to iTunes, but was a no brainer to be included on their debut album since it captures the essence of the band. I’d say it’s gospel that this is The Dirty Pearls signature track and there’s probably not too much debate on that. Although, with two EPs, a debut album, and another whopper of an album on the way, I bet they have a couple of other classics up their sleeve.

Take Sinatra for instance, sang about New York City. Old Blue Eyes was from Hoboken, just a short swim across the river, but still, Hoboken wasn’t the pounding heart of the world. Billy Joel’s “New York State of Mind” is bar none unbeatable, but it’s not inspiring any headbanging as far as I know, unless you do some serious audio editing. That brings me to KISS. They sang about Detroit, but they were from New York City, so go figure. Thanks to The ‘Pearls, we have our quintessential rock tribute to NYC. This atmospheric track will make you envision all that late night debauchery in the lower east side of Manhattan, but with a bit of drama and bombast.

This song hits home to so many people, you may not be one of them yet if you aren’t familiar with the band, but you will be soon. It’s dedicated the downtown New York scene, it’s for the crew of people at the bars who love to party, it’s for the crew at Jerome’s, it’s for their fans, the late nights, the fun, the booze etc, and conversely it’s not only for New Yorkers, it’s for anyone who loves and thrives off being with their crew on their own stomping grounds. Hell, if there was anything cool to do in New Jersey, this track would’ve inspired me to write a song about my exploits, but in the meantime I’ll just continue to live vicariously through The Dirty Pearls enjoy
The sentiments in this song and leaving a Dirty Pearls show always leave me feeling high on life. Or maybe it’s just the vitality of New York City? Sure I’m all about New Jersey, but they’re singing about a metropolis that looms over my town merely miles away in the distance – New York City is where it all goes down.

The rest of my favorites list includes tracks like “Caffeine and Gasoline,” “Whether You Like it or Not,” “Bring on the Night,” and “Love Sick Love.” Get their track on iTunes, Spotify, Soundcloud, and their videos are on YouTube. Click Here for their official site!

The Dirty Pearls are LIVE! Tonight at the Brighton Bar in Long Branch, NJ

New Jersey’s Great Pop Culture Moments Vol.83: The Ghosts of Christmas Eve

The holiday rock extravaganza that is the world renowned Trans-Siberian Orchestra left their mark here in New Jersey – Jersey City to be exact. The Ghosts of Christmas Eve, their made for TV concert special that originally aired on the Fox Family Channel on December 14, 1999, was filmed here in Jersey’s most famous movie house that opened 70 years prior in 1929.

As we’ve mentioned many times before here at The Sexy Armpit, the classic Loews Jersey theater, located in Journal Square, is one of our state treasures and it’s actually a star of this production in its own right. The beautifully shot special highlights glimpses of the theater’s cavernous ceilings, and the rich, finely detailed interior. It’s fitting that the concert is titled The Ghosts of Christmas Eve, because I wouldn’t be surprised if the Loews Jersey theater has some ghosts of its own.

It’s not just you average concert. What makes this stand out is the combination of the thunderous music with striking holiday visuals that help weave in the plot of a runaway girl who wishes she’ll be welcomed back into her home by her family. The story begins on Christmas Eve where we join the girl as she hides in an abandoned theater – the legendary Loews Theatre in Jersey City.

The TSO are incredible musicians and it translates into their concerts which often evoke a haunting quality, ultimately they’re very uplifting, but there are elements that conjure up memories and emotions, especially during the holidays. This spectacle may give you feelings of inspiration, forgiveness, and in this case, you may recall a lost loved one, like the runaway daughter whose story unfolds during the concert.

Ten songs are blasted through in just under 45 minutes, so there’s no time to be bored. Some of the highlights include “Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24,” “Joy to the World,” as well as several guest performances, two of which were Jewel and Michael Crawford. I’d forgotten how lovely Jewel is and her version of “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” was equally as enchanting. Later on, perhaps the key moment in the special is a resounding performance of “O Holy Night,” from the former Phantom of the Opera, Michael Crawford. If that didn’t awaken the ghosts in the theater nothing else could.

The Ghosts of Christmas Eve is subtle yet bombastic, well crafted, and breathtaking. It will enhance your Christmas Spirit and it will also provide fare different than the typical stuff airing constantly on TV throughout December. It’s also perfect to play in the background while you’re putting decorations up or you have company over. Bonus if you have surround sound! You don’t have to be a huge TSO fan to fully enjoy this, but fans of rock music in general would get the most appreciation out of it, especially those from New Jersey. This special is still available on DVD.

WIN Tickets for Barnstorming The Bowery in NYC!

Barnstorming the Bowery is not just a concert, it’s really more of a music festival taking place on August 21st and it’s sure to be equally as entertaining as the name sounds. This jam packed night of music spawned from an innovative idea pulling together 7 local bands to make up one mammoth night in downtown New York City! On deck for this rock and roll party: The Dirty Pearls, Ten Ton Mojo, Mother, Killcode, J and the 9s, The Liza Colby Sound, and The Threads!

*What makes this show different? A lottery will take place throughout the night to determine the lineup of bands taking the stage! That’s some exciting shit right there! Who’s on first? I’m on the edge of my seat already! This approach adds an element of intrigue that you won’t get at any other concert!

This summer, why waste your time taking your significant other to the boardwalk to play a silly wheel game just to win a giant box of gum that’ll just lose its flavor in under a minute? Take your shot at winning tickets to Barnstorming the Bowery – right here…NOW!

WIN 2 tickets to see this massive merger of bands right here from The Sexy Armpit!

Contest Rules: 

All you have to do is correctly match each band to their song! It’s that simple. Send your answers to sexyarmpit@comcast.net and include your full name and the subject BOWERY. All correct answers will be pooled and a winner will be chosen at random. Winner will be notified by e-mail. Contest ends on 8/1 so get those answers in!

For more info and to purchase tickets head over to Ticketmaster:

August 21, 2014
Doors open at 7PM, show starts at 8PM
The Bowery Ballroom
6 Delancy St.
New York, NY