YuppiePunk

'Dexter': A Cut Above

2006-10-01T19:29:00.000-07:00

Michael C. Hall, who played younger brother David on HBO's "Six Feet Under," stars in "Dexter," the newest one-hour drama from Showtime. The network, which is a distant second to HBO in the pay-cable wars, has done an excellent job developing series over the past few years, finding critical (if not commercial) acclaim with "Huff," "Brotherhood" and "Weeds," and "Dexter" seems poised to continue that trend.

Hall plays Dexter Morgan, a forensic blood expert for the Miami-Dade Police Department by day, serial killer by night. Only Hall isn't your average serial killer (is there such a thing?), he's a serial killer with morals, only taking the lives of people he believes should be punished. It's a code of ethics passed down from his adopted father, a homicide cop, who we see throughout the series in flashback, and who apparently had a similar struggle in his life with "the urge."

The show is weaved together with Hall's hollow, monotone voiceover -- a running inner monologue that provides a glimpse into Dexter's dark nooks and crannies. The narration provides a second layer to Dexter's surface life, something akin to listening to a director's commentary track on a DVD, only we get to hear Dexter comment on his life as he's living it, rather than looking back on it. By all appearances, Dexter is a normal dude, but underneath his calm demeanor is an unfeeling monster, a sociopath who is only alive in the presence of death, either by piecing together murder scenes for work, or orchestrating them on his own.

The city of Miami is also a character in the show. You can almost feel the hot summer heat on your back as the multi-cultural inhabitants shuffle around to the sounds of salsa and meringue in between scenes.

The show is based on the book "Darkly Dreaming Dexter" by Jeff Lindsay, and Hall's narration seems culled from chunks of its pages. Dexter is a complex, complicated protagonist, and unlike few we've seen on the small screen before. The show's biggest weak spot in the three episodes we previewed, is its handful of less-interesting supporting characters, namely Dexter's police lieutenant, who shamelessly makes passes at Dexter. But Hall's performance and the show's exciting visuals make the show a cut above the majority of primetime's dramas, while reinforcing Showtime's status as a legitimate contender for the pay cable crown. The series airs Sundays at 10 p.m. ET/PT on Showtime.

See a clip:
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Q&A: Spike Feresten

2006-10-14T11:06:00.000-07:00

Spike Feresten hosts his own Saturday night talk show on FOX, an anti-talk show really, the creatively titled "Talkshow with Spike Feresten." But it is his writing he is most famous for. Feresten penned the "Soup Nazi" episode of "Seinfeld" amongst others, and was a staffer for "Late Night with David Letterman" as well as a receptionist at "Saturday Night Live," where he got his start passing jokes to Dennis Miller, then host of "Weekend Update."

Before trying his hand at comedy, Feresten attended the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston, which likely explains his decidely-hip-for-a-talk-show-host glasses and his decidedly-cool-for-a-talk-show-host haircut. A recent interview described him as "a cuter, west coast Conan O'Brien," which seems particularly accurate given his hopeful transition from comedy writer to comedy personality. Spike was nice enough to answer a couple of our dumb questions via email.

We know you didn't have much on-camera experience prior to "Talkshow," but now that you're a few weeks in are you feeling more comfortable?
I am much more comfortable now that a few shows have aired and there have been no death threats.

What has been the most humbling thing abut being on the other side of the camera?
The realization that just because you've spent a good portion of your life in front of the TV, you aren't automatically ready to perform inside of it.

What are the ingredients for a good talk show guest?
I believe I am very close to landing the first interview with Mel Gibson since his arrest. I hear it's either me or Diane Sawyer, but I sweetened my offer with a box of red envelope monogrammed soaps. How can he say no?

Spike Lee or Spike Jonze?
I celebrate Spikes of all races, colors and creeds.

Before becoming a writer you had musical aspirations. Any regrets about not pursuing your love of music? You did get to sing on-camera in Pauly Shore's "Jury Duty" though, right?
On a recent show I sang a duet with "American Idol's" Kevin Covais. We sang "Don't Go Breaking My Heart." I may not win a Grammy, but then again I probably will.

Speaking of music, what records are you enjoying most these days?
This week's top 3 records are G-Love: "Lemonade" (he wrote our theme by the way), The Sounds: "Dying to Say This To You," Beck: "The Information." Also, I have been enjoying Howard Stern and the all-Rolling Stones channel on Sirius Radio. In fact I just leased a car based solely on having the Sirius Radio option.

With "Seinfeld"-isms peppering our vernacular (yadda, yadda, yadda, "No soup for you!"), has anyone ever made reference to anything you've written while in your presence, unaware that you'd had a hand in creating it?
I recently stopped for coffee at a country store by the beach and overheard the guy behind the counter telling a patron that he is referred to as the "Deli Nazi." But he was making polite conversation with a customer!! I wanted to strip him of his Nazi status right there.

PC or Mac?
I have an Angelina Jolie-Pitt blended, tech family. PC's, Macs, iPods and HPs all living under one roof. Have you seen those people collecting vintage Texas Instruments LED calculators from the '70s? That is ultra-nerd concentrate!

Any favorite websites?
I start off the day with all the news that's fit to print on NYTimes.com, but very quickly detour into sites like StuffOnMyCat.com or StatueMolesters.com, then its all a blur after that. I eventually wake up under my desk at three in the morning and wonder how the day got away from me.

Check out "Talkshow with Spike Feresten" Saturday nights at midnight on FOX.

Related post: Q&A: Fat Mike of NOFX

Rock Star Art Review

2005-08-25T22:47:00.000-07:00

You usually hear about musicians who to act, but what about musicians who want to paint? We were surprised to discover that more than a handful of rock stars had actually tried their hand at art, but not so surprised to find out that most of 'em weren't very good. But don't take our word for it, see for yourself (click the thumbnail for a larger image):

Artist: David Bowie
Title: Child in Berlin
Verdict: Bowie's been painting nearly as long as he's been making music, and his paintings and sculptures are as sadly beautiful and left of center as the music he makes.
Grade: B+

Artist: Paul McCartney

Group: The Beatles, Wings
Title: Unspoken Words
Verdict: Would Sir Paul have a book of his artwork out were he not a Beatle? Probably not. And if his artwork were a band? Definitely Wings and not the Beatles.
Grade: B

Artist: John Mellencamp
Title: Man in a Small Hat
Verdict: Mellencamp has a book out too -- "Paintings and Reflections" it's called. He's more emotion than technique, but his work has a broad appeal. We're not sure that makes it good necessarily...
Grade: B-

Artist: Iggy Pop
Group: The Stooges
Verdict: Iggy's art is outsider to the bone. It's raw and messy and emotional.
Grade: C+

Artist: Chris Mars
Group: The Replacements
Title: Haggerty
Verdict: Mars' work is excellent. It's creepy as shit, and although it'd be hard to hang most of it up in your house, he's a terrific painter. He likely makes more money as an artist than he ever did behind the drums with the Mats.
Grade: A

Artist: Jon Langford
Group: Mekons
Title: Lofty Deeds
Verdict: Langford's paintings are tributes to the sound and fashion of rockabilly music and the Old West. His images are wrought with guns and cowboys and guitars and he beats them all up to look weathered and worn. He's got a unique aesthetic –- scuffed up browns, grays and turquoise. And when you look at one of his paintings, you know it's one of his.
Grade: A

Artist: David Byrne
Group: Talking Heads
Verdict: Byrne works in many mediums: photography, pen and ink, sculpture –- and like his pioneering rock group, his artwork is interesting, yet totally fucking weird and cerebral at the same time.
Grade: B+

Artist: Marilyn Manson
Title: The Enabler
Verdict: Manson paints in watercolors and he's quite good. His aesthetic is foreboding, but duh, it's Marilyn Manson. There's depth and emotion behind the scary images he paints, and if he hasn't already, he could easily have a show.
Grade: A

Artist: Jerry Garcia
Group: The Grateful Dead
Title: Lizard Board
Verdict: Jerry may have been a great musician, but his art is pretty lame. It's colorful and surreal like most hippie art, but looking at it for any extended period of time is like being on an acid trip. That's probably the point, but that doesn't mean we want to hang it on our wall.
Grade: C-

Artist: Bob Dylan
Title: Self-portrait
Verdict: Dylan's self-portrait doesn't much resemble him, save for the Jewish nose. But maybe the painting is what Dylan would look like were he not to have found music. Perhaps this is a look at Bobby Zimmerman, CPA.
Grade: B-

Artist: Mickey Dolenz
Group: The Monkees
Title: Oh-No Ozone
Verdict: Mickey Dolenz' artwork is for "Star Trek" fans that are also hippies with bad taste. If you're not stoned and listening to an extended "Sugar Magnolia" jam, you probably won't dig this, man.
Grade: C-

Artist: Robbie Krieger
Group: The Doors
Title: She Lives on Love Street
Verdict: Robbie Krieger is to art what Jim Morrison is to... art. What we mean is, Krieger's pastiche of color and shapes is pretty mediocre. Then again, so were the Doors.
Grade: D

Artist: Tony Bennett
Title: Brotherhood
Verdict: Bennett's watercolors are smooth, polished and calming –- much like his beautiful voice. Like the classic big band songs he sings, his paintings are tip top and the real deal.
Grade: A

Artist: Robert Smith
Group: The Cure
Title: Self-portrait
Verdict: Oh sad, sad Robert. Pretty good self-portrait though.
Grade: B+

Artist: Jon Anderson
Band: Yes
Title: Children's Toys
Verdict: Surprisingly, Anderson's watercolors aren't half as wanky and self-indulgent as Yes' music. Still, the paintings are much too nice for our tastes.
Grade: C-

Artist: John Lennon
Group: The Beatles
Title: Real Love
Verdict: Lennon seemed to sketch more than draw or paint, but his images, like his songs, have become iconic. Looking at this image, it is immediately associated with him and Yoko.
Grade: B

Artist: Ringo Starr
Group: The Beatles
Title: Chef Ala Mode
Verdict: Ringo is so fucking happy. These paintings are exactly like Ringo -– all surface. We like Ringo, but you have to really like him to put one of these babies up in your house.
Grade: C

Artist: Ron Wood
Group: Faces, Rolling Stones
Title: Red Charlie
Vedict: Yes, that is indeed Charlie Watts, the Rolling Stones drummer. And yes, this is Slash. Ronnie likes to paint his fellow musicians, and he does it just fine... for a guitar player.
Verdict: D

Artist: Eric Burdon
Group: The Animals
Title: Bob Marley
Verdict: Burdon's work feels very contemporary. His tribute to Bob Marley would be right at home alongside any urban graffiti artist's best work. And that's not a putdown.
Grade: B

Artist: John Entwistle
Group: The Who
Title: Generations
Verdict: Entwistle is a pen and paper man and his illustrations resemble the kinds of things you drew on your high school notebook. Subject matter included. But they do make you smile and they have a great child-like quality about them.
Grade: C-

Artist: Ron Asheton
Group: The Stooges
Title: Commercially Dead
Verdict: Much like the messy hard rock of his group the Stooges, Asheton's paintings are simple and emotional. They are punk rock on canvas.
Grade: B-

Artist: Janis Joplin
Title: Scarecrow
Verdict: Janis could actually draw. She could paint too. She was known for her phenomenal voice, but chances are she could have made it as an artist too.
Grade: B

Artist: Grace Slick
Group: Jefferson Airplane
Title: Carrots
Verdict: Slick's work is very feminine. There's an Alice in Wonderland vibe to a lot of it, though she also likes to paint musicians, rabbits and nudes. But if you like your art bland and with cute bunnies, perhaps Ms. Slick is just right for you.
Grade: D+

Ranty McPrick's Underrated: Devo

2006-02-15T19:42:00.000-08:00

Against our better judgment, YuppiePunk World HQ spent three hours last week staring at the gluttonous gangbang of bad musical taste called The 48th Annual Grammy Awards. Other than the mesmerizing Sly Stone (who looked like a cross between Angelo Moore and Miles Davis), it was pretty much another nail in the coffin for the quality of popular music.

But god bless overrated pop shills like Kelly Clarkson (2 Grammys), because it got us thinking about bands and artists that somehow never got the credit they deserved.

And no one got screwed harder than Devo. Influential and essential, the kings of anti-establishment geek rock changed the face of modern music with a fierce mesh of outsider paranoia, snotty punk aggression and daring multimedia exploration. They looked terrible, did ridiculous things and made incredibly important music, ages ahead of their time in both sound and substance, yet most people write ‘em off as those S&M weirdos who like to whip barnyard animals.

Well, fuck that. In no particular order, here are ten reasons why Devo is one of the most underrated bands ever.

1. So cool they were signed to a major label by David Bowie and Iggy Pop.

2. Best Rolling Stones cover ever.

3. No Devo = No Weezer.

4. "The Truth About De-Evolution"

5. Founding member and lead singer Mark Mothersbaugh has scored all of Wes Andersen's films.

6. No Devo = No Oingo Boingo = No Danny Elfman = No "Simpsons" theme song.

7. It's not a hat, it's an energy dome.

8. "Girl U Want," "Jocko Homo," "Blockhead," and "Beautiful World" are the blues for social misfits.

9. Had a punk rock manifesto more poignant than any of those fuckers on Epitaph.

10. Number of Grammys: Zero

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Rally 'Round the Flagg

2006-03-26T20:52:00.000-08:00

Zachary Flagg Baldus is an amazing illustrator. He's a member of Meathaus, a comics collective that grew out of New York's School of Visual Arts, the largest independent undergraduate art college in the United States.

Baldus primarily draws portraits, which are both photorealistic and surreal at the same time, much like the work of Eric White. Along with his work for Meathaus, Baldus has done quite a bit of work for Insight magazine. Despite the commerciality of his magazine work, his illustrations maintain a deeply personal quality that never overshadows the subtle emotions beneath his subjects' eyes. His drawings rarely have backgrounds, but rather, broad strokes of bold colors, which allows viewers to focus intently on the subjects without being distracted.

He's done book and album covers too, but we're partial to his personal work. This wedding present is gorgeous, and this portrait of the Hulk with his nephews is amongst his more humorous pieces. You can see much more from Zachary Flagg Baldus on his website. Or click the thumbnails below for the full-size images.

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What Ever Became of the Bands on 'Bands on the Run'?

2006-05-16T22:59:00.000-07:00

Anyone remember the reality show "Bands on the Run," the VH1 show that pitted four unsigned bands against each other in a quest for the almighty major label record deal? The show lasted only a single season, but was a favorite here at YuppiePunk World HQ. And while it may not have attracted the sizeable audience it deserved, it did manage to snag itself an Emmy nomination, so at least we weren't alone in our admiration of the show. But have you ever wondered what became of the bands featured on the show? Wait, don't answer that.

Denton, Texas-based alt rock band Flickerstick won the whole shebang and eventually snagged a deal with Epic records. Their debut album, "Welcoming Home the Astronauts" was released in November of 2001 to modest acclaim, but despite debuting on the Billboard Heatseekers chart at number 2, the album quickly disappeared from the charts. The band was released from their contract with Epic the following year. Flickerstick released a follow-up album in 2004 on hip Dallas indie Idol Records, and the band are still slogging it out on tour across the country. For the latest on the band, check out their website.

Harlow were the show's runners up. They were an all-girl hard rock band from Los Angeles. Their singer, Amanda Rootes, was a member of a British band called Fluffy, who in the mid-90s were a semi-big deal, releasing a record on Capitol and touring with Marilyn Manson and the Foo Fighters. But despite the exposure the band gained from being on the show, they appear to be inactive these days. Their website reports that they made a record with ex-Germs / ex-Nirvana guitarist Pat Smear, though what became of that record we're not exactly sure. Both Amanda and Chimene have frequently-updated blogs however, and you can sample some of the band's old tunes here: "Mike Hunt" "Static Cling"

Soulcracker sounded like every other generic mid-90s radio-friendly rock band: exceptionally boring. They also had the biggest egos of all the bands on the show. This, of course, made them the show's villains, but also terribly interesting to watch. The band is now defunct, but some of the members have resurfaced in the we're-so-fucking-ironic-it-hurts Van Stone. Others formed Safety in 2003, and they sound like this.

The Josh Dodes Band were led by Josh Dodes (duh!), pianist extraordinaire, and the group were a sort of poor man's Dave Matthews Band. They were way too nice for a rock & roll show like "Bands on the Run," and way too bland to compete against the much louder bands featured on the show. The exposure helped the band land high-profile supporting gigs with acts like Avril Lavigne, Duncan Sheik and Pat Benatar, but the band wasn't long for this world. Leader Josh Dodes has remained active in the music scene however, and is currently a member of Toby Lightman's band. Lightman is a singer/songwriter signed to Atlantic who is currently doing a run of dates with James Blunt, Rob Thomas and Jewel. And no ladies, Dodes is not single. And yes, he is in fact, according to his bio, BBC (bald by choice).

For all you fans of the show, there may still be hope. Reality Blurred reported in March that VH1 is in production on a second season of the show, this time featuring more established acts like Enuff Z'Nuff and Bow Wow Wow. An earlier report also named Faster Pussycat as possible participants. Either option would be fantastic, and we'll keep our collective fingers crossed that the network will make the right decision and decide to air this forgotten-about gem.

Update: Members of Soulcracker email YuppiePunk World HQ:

-----------------
From: sutton
To: yuppiepunk@gmail.com
Date: Oct 29, 2006 10:58 AM
Subject: where is soulcracker?

wow you really ARE a punk. you should check out MY new band. www.ragsy.net www.myspace.com/ragsy

love and kisses,
sutton of the exceptionally boring soulcracker.

-----------------

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10 Things You Should Know About William Zabka

2006-09-16T19:35:00.000-07:00

1. He is greatest film bully of the 1980s. Witness his assholishness in the tremendous trifecta of bullydom: "The Karate Kid," "Just One of the Guys," "Back to School."

2. He's been nominated for an Oscar

3. His dad Stan wrote the original theme to the "Tonight Show"

4. To get the part of Johnny Lawrence in "The Karate Kid," Zabka grabbed the film's director and threw him into a table during his audition

5. He has a MySpace page

6. There is an organization dedicated to "spreading the principles of Zabka"

7. In Czech, his nationality, Zabka means "little frog"

8. His character Johnny Lawrence from "The Karate Kid" has been the subject of fan fiction by comedian Patton Oswalt

9. Two of his roles appeared on the Dickhead Dozen, GQ magazine's look at the biggest a-holes in movie history

10. He's currently working on a film for Warner Independent Pictures

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Label Profile: Doghouse Records

2006-04-11T21:38:00.000-07:00

Are you hip to the sweet sounds of Toledo, Ohio's Doghouse Records? You should be, as they've been quietly releasing some of the underground's best rock records for
the past 15 years, and many of their artists have gone on to find major indie success. The Get Up Kids started on the label, as did Hot Water Music. All-American Rejects were the first band of theirs to sign to the majors, a feat recently duplicated by Say Anything, who have just had their Doghouse debut re-issued by J Records, a division of Sony that is home to Pearl Jam, Alicia Keys and Maroon 5.

The one common thread among all the Doghouse acts is tunefulness. The sound of their bands varies from alt-country to hardcore, but all of the records they release are melodic and well-produced. To boot, the label doesn't skimp on design. Their album artwork and packaging is top-notch, as are their website, ads and promotional assets. It's nice to see a label take pride in their overall aesthetic, not just the aesthetic of the bands they sign.

The label was started in 1988 by Dirk Hemsath as a means of releasing records from his band Majority of One. The first band on the label to strike major indie success, however, was emo forefathers Get Up Kids, who released their first few long-players on Doghouse. The success of GUK increased the label's profile dramatically, and today, the label is known as one of the premier independent labels in the country -- a label with a taste for excellent bands. Though many of their bands have left for bigger labels, they still have a great roster that includes The Honorary Title, Cruiserweight, Limbeck, and Koufax. Please poke around their website or sample some of their bands below:

Cruiserweight - "Goodbye Daily Sadness"
Limbeck - "Julia"
Say Anything - "Alive with the Glory of Love"
Chamberlain - "Manhattan's Iron Horses (Last Train Out)"

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Masters of (Pecker) Puppets

2005-03-01T14:38:00.000-08:00

These guys may just have the weirdest job in the world. They are the performers/creators of a show called "Puppetry of the Penis." You've probably heard of it. The concept is simple: Twist, stretch, bend and sculpt your genitals into various shapes. The show evolved out of a project by an Australian dude named Simon Morley, who put together a collection of his dozen favorite dick tricks and sold them in a calendar. On New Years Eve 1997, after endless ribbing from friends and colleagues, Morley took his tricks to the stage with a chum named David Friend, and a worldwide phenomenon was born. During the show the duo manipulate their members into a variety of differnent poses and impressions. The show has since run in London and New York to rave reviews, and has played in many major cities across the globe. The concept is hard to resist, as most men have tried at least some of these various "stunts" at one time or another and most women are curious of the results. Here are some of our favorite tricks. Click on the diagrams below to see a photo of the results (NSFW, obvs). And if you think you've got the right stuff, why not try out!

Nessy!

Viva La France!

Pass the ketchup please!

Don't hurt yourself.

Pardon Our Dust

2007-02-02T12:18:00.000-08:00

Hey kids, we're in the midst of porting over the current site to a new design. In the mean time, we sort of screwed up the formatting of many of our previous posts, so please bear with us while we make the transition and get everything back to normal. We should be up and running with the new site very soon.

Your Worst Nightmare of What Art Can Be

2007-02-01T22:19:00.000-08:00

To describe the art she creates with partner Tim Noble, Sue Webster references Hank Shocklee's description of his work with Public Enemy –- "Your worst nightmare of what art can be." While art aficionados in this country may not be familiar with Noble and Webster, the British have been mesmerized by their work for nearly a decade now. The duo entered the London art scene in the mid-1990s, just as Damien Hirst and other members of the controversial Young British Artists movement had. The YBA movement sparked debate from its inception, not just because of its intentionally shocking imagery (six-legged calf floating in formaldehyde, anyone?) and tabloid-style self promotion, but because the term was coined by advertising vet-cum-gallery owner Charles Saatchi, who in true shill style, named the movement and then pitched it to the public. Amongst the duo's most notable pieces is "Toxic Schizophrenia," an imposing wall structure of a piece made from colored light bulbs, foamex and vinyl that animates a classic tattoo design -- a bleeding heart pierced by a dagger. The piece's overwhelming beauty is in the way it preaches the secret glamorous side of heartbreak. Another standout is actually a pair of pieces –- a larger than life-sized girl and boy, both made of neon, who blankly stare at one another from opposite ends of the room. The boy looks as if he was attacked by an infuriated baby-momma in a late night fit of neon rage, while the woman has been branded a "cunt face." It’s a powerful statement that spurred us to fantasize about what we'd write across our ex’s face given the chance. But the recent neon pieces aren't what Noble and Webster are most famous for. The couple is best known for their shadow images. Their careful assemblages of trash and taxidermy create whimsical shadow portraits of themselves. And while undeniably clever, they fail to make our hearts go pitter-patter. Which is after all, what good art is supposed to do.

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Pinhead Gunpowder's Choice Cover Tunes

2006-11-07T22:43:00.000-08:00

Pinhead Gunpowder is an Easy Bay punk rock supergroup of sorts. Most notably, the band sports Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day on guitar and vocals, but also features Aaron Cometbus (founder of the essential Cometbus fanzine/ex-member of Crimpshrine) and Bill Schneider from Monsula. The most refreshing thing about Pinhead Gunpowder is that it's members got together for no reason other than to have fun, get drunk and play great, messy pop punk. The band has made a bunch of records for Lookout!, and more recently for Armstrong's Adeline label. They also have a knack for putting great cover tunes on their records, some of which are highlighted below.

Joni Mitchell's "Big Yellow Taxi" translates perfectly to an uptempo punky number, and the song's lyrics, which lament the state of our environment, lose none of their immediacy in the three decades since they were originally penned. ~~Pinhead Gunpowder - "Big Yellow Taxi"~~

Perhaps the most obvious of their cover choices, their version of the 'Mats "Achin' To Be" is as sloppy and glorious as the original.
~~Pinhead Gunpowder - "Achin' To Be"~~

The Diana Ross-sung version of this tune was nominated for an Oscar, and the song appeared on the soundtrack to the film of the same name, which also starred the Supreme.
~~Pinhead Gunpowder - "Mahagony"~~

"Song of My Returning" is a sentimental ballad by Phil Ochs that proves the chord structures and vocal melodies of punk rock aren't that different from folk rock.
~~Pinhead Gunpowder - "Song of My Returning"~~

And as a bonus, this is technically a Green Day song, but since it's title alludes to Armstrong's pseudonym in PG, it seemed apropos to include it here. ~~Green Day - "Ballad of Wilhelm Fink"~~

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Bloom, Jones or Tony?

2005-07-26T22:20:00.000-07:00

This game's easy. Just decide whether each fact is related to Orlando Bloom, Orlando Jones or Tony Orlando. Got it? Good, let’s play (answers at the bottom):

1. Which Orlando's nickname is Orli?

2. Which Orlando has a Christmas show booked at the Mohigan Sun casino?

3. Which Orlando is best known for his role as the original 7-Up spokesperson?

4. Which Orlando was named one of People magazine's "Hottest Bachelors" in 2004?

5. Which Orlando appeared on the 2005 Jerry Lewis telethon?

6. Which Orlando appeared in the Broadway production of "Smoky Joe's Café"?

7. Which Orlando enjoys making pottery?

8. Which Orlando was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1990?

9. Which Orlando's father was a legendary political activist?

10. Which Orlando was the voice of Snack in the short-lived animated series about Siegfried and Roy, "Father of the Pride"?

11. Which Orlando Grew up in the New York City's slum called Hell's Kitchen?

12. Which Orlando was in the Keanu Reeves/Gene Hackman flick "The Replacements"?

1=Bloom 2=Tony 3=Jones 4=Bloom 5=Tony 6=Tony 7=Bloom 8=Tony 9=Bloom 10=Jones 11=Tony 12=Jones

Voodoo Dolls and Playing Cards

2005-07-19T22:27:00.000-07:00

Criss Angel is an illusionist with a new show on A&E called "Mindfreak." It’s the first weekly TV magic series in over 40 years. Go figure.

Angel is sort of Bam Margera crossed with Trent Reznor, and the tricks showcased on the first couple episodes of his show are a lot like those of fellow illusionist David Blaine. Like Blaine, Angel has taken his magic to the street, yo. We assume that's because its way more fun to freak out innocent bystanders than it is paying customers. And while Blaine may be more mysterious, Angel is more likeable. His illusions are elaborate and effective brain teasers that will leave you scratching your head in hopes unlocking their secrets. It can’t be easy to make a total stranger levitate or to burn someone’s arm by putting a lighter beneath a voodoo doll.

On "Mindfreak," Angel takes classic illusions into the modern age, and his metal-dude-from-New Jersey looks and his taking-it-to-the-people approach are a winning combo. Despite all this, the show still manages to be pretty cheesy, due primarily to the fact that Angel insists on performing the show's music and theme song himself. Just because Jonathan Davis produced it, doesn't mean it's good. In fact, it’s probably the opposite. And why not just join a rock band instead? We assume people only take up magic as a last gasp at ~~being cool~~ getting laid –- and surely chicks dig guitars more than playing cards. But if you like those David Blaine specials -- or buff, hunky, goth dudes, you'll probably dig this.

"Mindfreak" airs on Wednesdays at 10 p.m. on A&E.

An Open Letter to MTV's 'Laguna Beach'

2005-11-01T21:31:00.000-08:00

Dear "Laguna Beach,"

At first we weren't sure about you. You didn't look and act like other reality shows, but we eventually warmed to your charms anyway. And as much as we hate to admit it, we've really grown to like you. You are a guilty pleasure of the mammoth kind. In fact, the mere writing of this letter is incredibly liberating, for it is with these words that we can finally purge ourselves of the passion we've been storing up. It's been very hard to keep our love for you contained over the past few months, but with your second season wrapping up, we just had to let it out. It was all we could do to keep from running through the streets screaming.

Kristin -- thank you for being exceptionally hot again this season and for not talking too much. And for being almost humbled by your dad's purchase of a BMW SUV for you. The fact that we still kinda like you despite that unbelievably grotesque display of wealth must mean you haven't done anything too silly this season (though we hear you're dating Brody Jenner, which you have to admit is pretty silly).

Jason -- thank you for hooking up with every girl in Laguna Beach, nearly concurrently. This makes for excellent television, and we've quite enjoyed watching your handsome, lady-killing ass get handed to you time and again. Who'd have thought that a boy band-looking dude could be such a playa? Because guys like you existed in high school, the world's bloggers will eventually get laid, so thank you.

And to the rest of the cast, lest you not be forgotten, thank you too. All of you looked great in your swimwear (even you Stephen) and your sunglasses and your expensive houses. Enjoy your Orange County winter, and we'll see in you in a few months when you start college. Oh my gosh, you're going to college!

Sincerely,
YuppiePunk.org

Killer Art: A Serial Killer Art Review

2005-01-22T13:05:00.000-08:00

Artists have long been fascinated by death and dying. Joe Coleman and Pushead made names for themselves several years ago by using gore as a primary theme in their work. And recently it seems that a new generation of artists have found influence in the same kind of material -- guys like current NYC it-boy, Neckface. But is it possible that these artists have been influenced by the actual art of serial killers? In hopes of finding out, we decided to take a closer look at the creative underbelly that is this country's mass murderers. Here's our rundown (click thumbnails for full image):

Killer: Angelo Buono
Body count: 10
Fun fact: Was one half of the duo known as the Hillside Strangler
Review: A little too Thomas Kinkade for our tastes, but technically-speaking, not too shabby
Grade: C

Killer: Arthur Shawcross
Body count: 13
Fun fact: Ate several of his female victim's genitals
Review: Your run-of-the-mill flash tattoo designs
Grade: C-

Killer: Charles Manson
Body count: We'll never know
Fun fact: Has a swastika tattooed on his forehead
Review: The Rothko of serial killer artists
Grade: A

Killer: Charles Ng
Body count: 25+
Fun fact: Became a jailhouse lawyer and has yet to stand trial for his murders
Review: A decent representational artist, though his subject matter likely got him beaten up in the hoosegow
Grade: B-

Killer: Gerald Stano
Body count: 41
Fun fact: Was killed in the electric chair in 1998
Review: Uh dude, is that a Care Bear?
Grade: F

Killer: Harrison Graham
Body count: 7+
Fun fact: Lured junkie prostitutes back to his apartment to kill them
Review: Mediocre pen and paper nature drawings
Grade: D

Killers: Henry Lee Lucas & Ottis Toole
Combined body count: 6-200+
Fun fact: Henry was the inspiration for the film "Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer." Together, Henry and Ottis cooked and ate a man during a Black Mass ritual
Review: Lucas' monster portraits are downright scary. Toole's monster portraits ain't bad either
Grade: Lucas, A-; Toole, B-

Killer: Herbert Mullen
Body count: 13
Fun fact: Was voted "most likely to succeed" in high school
Review: Nice use of color, though fairly mundane
Grade: C+

Killer: John Wayne Gacy
Body count: 33
Fun fact: Used to work as a clown at hospitals
Review: Gacy has actually had legitimate art shows, though his art is often as twisted as he is
Grade: A

Killer: Kevin Haley
Body count: 8
Fun fact: Liked to kill and rape with his brother
Review: Draws about as well as we do
Grade: D-
Killer: Patrick Kearney
Body count: 28+
Fun fact: Left his victims in trash bags along the California highway
Review: What Shepard Fairey's work would look like if he were a serial killer
Grade: B+

Killer: Richard Ramirez, a.k.a. "The Night Stalker"
Body count: 16+
Fun fact: Left Judas Priest lyrics at a crime scene
Review: High school notebook scrawls of heavy metal mascots
Grade: D

Killer: Robin Gecht
Body count: 17
Fun fact: Will be eligible for parole in 2022
Review: Like, totally surreal dude
Grade: B-

Killer: Tommy Lynn Sells
Body count: 12+
Fun fact: First committed murder at the age of 16
Review: Probably gives killer jailhouse tattoos
Grade: C+

If any of the above images have piqued your interest, you can purchase your very own serial killer painting here.

Throw Your Hands in the Air: The Slow Clap

2007-01-22T21:12:00.000-08:00

Catharses don't come often and they don't come cheap, so when we learn life's most valuable lessons about greed, honor, love, courage, jocks and nerds, it's nice to get some feedback. And there's no better way to validate a particularly emotional victory than with a long, hard, and distinctively slooooow...

... clap.

Immortalized in a slew of inspirational 1980's films, the slow clap has remarkably maintained its place as Hollywood's favorite unthinkable victory cue. It begins with a single clap, often coming from the protagonist's abandoned best friend or mean yet shockingly honorable nemesis, only to spread through a confused audience faster than Britney's legs. Soon, our hero stands before a crowd of naysayers who have suddenly seen the light, whooping and hollering their unbridled support despite nearly an hour and a half of being incredible assholes. Is such an emotional U-turn realistic? Hells no, but neither is Corey Haim's acting.

So throw your hands in the air and wave them like you might have just witnessed something worth caring about, because we proudly present the longest, hardest and slowest clap ever. No applause necessary.

Related posts: 10 Things You Should Know About William Zabka | A Rebel Yell: The Wilhelm Scream | A (Not So) Complete History of Sibling Filmmakers

DeLonge vs. Flowers: Rock's Lamest Feud?

2006-10-21T23:17:00.000-07:00

9.16.2005: Of his new band, Angels & Airwaves' debut album, ex-Blink-182 guitarist/singer Tom DeLonge says, "Best fucking album anybody has heard in 20 years."

10.3.2006: One year later, Brandon Flowers of The Killers tells MTV that his band's album "Sam's Town" is, "One of the best albums in the past 20 years."

10.18.2006: DeLonge accuses Flowers of stealing his line. "He must have heard that I said that first, right?"

10.18.2006: Jim Adkins of Jimmy Eat World sums up the foolishness by boasting of his band's recording process: "I have to say, we are making the best album anyone has heard in 21 years."

And let's not forget DeLonge's other recent ridiculousness. During a guest stint as a DJ on San Diego radio station 91X, DeLonge came clean about his feelings on the 9/11 attacks: "The [World Trade Center] came down in a fashion similar to a controlled demolition ... and the expertise that is needed to fly those gigantic planes into that exact location could never have been achieved by someone who just learned how to fly a small plane."

Related posts: Least. Metal. Moment. Ever | Pretty Fly for an Asswipe

Flashback: Matt Dillon's Early Work

2006-11-12T22:59:00.000-08:00

Matt Dillon is an A-lister for sure, but not exactly what you'd call a leading man. His name alone can't open a film, but his presence can certainly add to the cache of a project. Dillon has been working steadily for 25 years now, and has emerged as one of the great character actors of our time, no doubt attributable to his varied role selection. He has proven himself adept at comedy as well as drama, and he even co-wrote and directed a film, the little-seen 2002 drama "City of Ghosts."

Dillon finally earned his first Oscar nomination for "Crash" (which for the record was way overrated, though Dillon was good), but for our money, his early work is his most iconic, and the best work by any young actor during the early '80s, rivaled only perhaps by Sean Penn (and later that decade by River Phoenix).

Dillon rose to fame by playing a series of badass teenagers, which likely wasn't a stretch. He landed his first role in 1979's "Over the Edge," a cult classic about rebellious teens in a Colorado suburb, when he was spotted by the casting director while ditching school 0ne afternoon. He followed up his performance with a number of memorable roles, many of which are as vital today as they were at the time of their release: "Little Darlings," "My Bodyguard," "Tex," "The Outsiders," "The Flamingo Kid" and on and on. He wrapped up the '80s with one of the best roles of his career, as a drug-addled drifter in Gus Van Sant's "Drugstore Cowboy," a role which earned him the Best Actor trophy in the Independent Spirit Awards.

Dillon continues to make interesting career choices today, showing up in films as varied as "Herbie: Fully Loaded" and "Factotum." But it is his early work that we will always admire most. Was there ever a better run of performances by a teenager?

Related posts: Must Love John | Dustin Hoffman's Hooters | Zwigoff? Why Not! | Phat Albert

O Brother, Where Art Thou?: A (Not So) Complete History of Sibling Filmmakers

2006-11-16T22:23:00.000-08:00

To qualify for our list (and believe you me, it is a mighty prestigious list!), our sibling filmmakers had to have worked together on the bulk of their filmography. This immediately disqualified brothers like Ridley and Tony Scott since they tend to work on their own projects rather than collaborating. Ditto Sophia and Roman Coppola, who have worked together on films, but not so much in actual collaboration. It also DQs Jake and Jon Kasdan, which is too bad since they are actual FOY's -- friends of YuppiePunk.org. Christopher and Jonathan Nolan ("Memento," "The Prestige") come close, but since Christopher has directed as many films not written by his brother as he has films written by him, we didn't count them either. But that still leaves plenty. Oh brother!

Bros: Joel and Ethan Coen
Division of labor: Though credited separately (Joel for directing, Ethan for producing, alternating top-billing for writing), the Coens essentially tackle all tasks together.
Pros: "Miller's Crossing," "Fargo"
Cons: "Intolerable Cruelty"
Blood brothers: John Turturro, John Goodman
Blow-by-blow: Perhaps the most beloved sibling filmmakers of our time, the Coens succeed more than they fail, but even their failures are quirky and unique.

Bros: Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne
Division of labor: Write, direct and produce together
Pros: "L'enfant," "Rosetta"
Cons: None really
Blood brother: Jérémie Renier
Blow-by-blow: Belgian brothers have twice won the Palm D'Ore at Cannes, the festival's top prize, making them two of the world's most renowned directors.

Bros: Jay and Mark Duplass
Division of labor: Mark writes and produces, Jay directs
Pros: "The Puffy Chair"
Cons: "The Puffy Chair"
Blood brother: Mark
Blow-by-blow: We haven't seen the film, but it was good enough to land them a deal with Universal for their next one.

Bros: Peter and Bobby Farrelly
Division of labor: The brothers co-write and co-direct all of their films together.
Pros: "Kingpin"
Cons: "Fever Pitch"
Blood brothers: Jim Carrey, people with disabilities
Blow-by-blow: Despite their fascination with potty humor, the Farrelly's films have a lot of heart.

Bros: Allen and Albert Hughes
Division of labor: The twins direct and produce their films together as the Hughes Brothers.
Pros: "Menace II Society," "From Hell"
Cons: "Dead Presidents"
Blood brothers: Larenz Tate, Johnny Depp
Blow-by-blow: The Hughes' make stylized pictures with dark and violent overtones. They've also tackled documentary filmmaking with "American Pimp."

Bros: Albert and David Maysles
Division of labor: With a keen eye, they shot and directed films together. Pros: "Grey Gardens," "Gimme Shelter"
Cons: David died in 1987.
Blood brothers: Christo and Jean-Claude
Blow-by-blow: There are few documentarians as gifted as these two. They have a true knack for capturing beautiful non-manufactured moments on film, needing little more than the moments themselves to create an amazing film.

Bros: Mark and Michael Polish
Division of labor: Mark and Michael write together, Mark directs. Pros: "Twin Falls Idaho"
Cons: "Northfork"
Blood brothers: Themselves
Blow-by-blow: The Polish brothers' films are dreamlike meditations, drifting between the surreal and the sublime.

Bros: Andy and Larry Wachowski
Division of labor: Write and direct together as the Wachowski Brothers. Pros: "The Matrix," "Bound"
Cons: "The Matrix Revolutions"
Blood brothers: Keanu Reeves, CGI
Blow-by-blow: "The Matrix" trilogy was uneven at best, but their legion of loyal fans will be anxiously awaiting their live-action version of "Speed Racer," currently slated for release in 2008.

Bros: Chris and Paul Weitz
Division of labor: Chris produces, Paul directs -- except for "About a Boy" which was written and directed by both.
Pros: "About a Boy"
Cons: "American Pie"
Blood brothers: Dennis Quaid, Hugh Grant
Blow-by-blow: Though "American Pie" put them on the map, their subsequent films have been far brainier (and far better).

Bros: David and Jerry Zucker
Division of labor: The Zucker brothers work on most projects together, usually writing and directing, though over the last decade, David has helmed a few projects of his own.
Pros: "Airplane,"
Cons: "Ruthless People"
Blood brother: Leslie Nielsen
Blow-by-blow: Along with Jerry Abrams, the Zucker brothers pioneered a unique brand of a thousand jokes-a-minute slapstick. Their heyday was brief, but their films from that era hold up as classics.

Related posts: A (Not So) Complete History of Band Tattoos | A (Not So) Complete History of Onstage Altercations | A (Not So) Complete History of 'Boy' Bands

Selections from the Vault: The Letter "J"

2006-12-07T22:05:00.000-08:00

Occasionally we like to lock ourselves in the record room at YuppiePunk World HQ, dump out an entire shelf of CDs, pop them from their jewel cases and rub their hard, shiny plastic all over our hairy body. What's the point of telling you this? We have no idea, we just needed an intro. But now that that's out of the way, please enjoy some selections from our record collection, this time we're joyously jamming to the jivin' jams of the letter J.

~~Jawbox – "Cooling Card"~~
Their fans flipped out when they signed to the majors, but this record rules.
~~Jawbreaker – "Sea Foam Green"~~
A great Jawbreaker compilation track about a '63 Plymouth Valiant.

~~J Church – "Alone When She Dies"~~
The train they're named after runs through San Francisco.

~~Jets to Brazil – "Further North"~~
Blake Schwarzenbach really seems to like band names that start with J. And also songs that are both beautiful and sad.

~~Josh Joplin Group – "Happy At Last"~~
Littered with pop culture references, this is Elvis Costello-influenced power pop.

~~The Jayhawks – "Waiting for the Sun"~~
This is the song that turned us on to alt country. What a voice on Gary Louris.

~~The Jealous Sound – "Naïve"~~
Assembled from the ashes of Knapsack, these guys released one of 2003's best records and then promptly disappeared.

~~The Jesus Lizard – "And Then The Rain"~~
Dark and creepy and just this side of normal.

Related posts: The Letter "B" | Podcast #4: Bands Named After Cities | Hits from the Bong

The Battle of the Batmen

2005-06-20T21:50:00.000-07:00

With "Batman Begins," Christian Bale appears poised to usurp Michael Keaton as the definitive big screen Batman. What can we say, we like our Batmen like we like our Ashlee Simpson hair color, dark. To that end, the franchise’s first installment was right on target, but until now we’ve not had a terrifically dark leading man beneath the bat suit. Christian Bale is just right as Bruce Wayne. By flipping back the clock the beginning of the series, Bale and director Christoper Nolan are free to explore Batty’s darkness. Bale proved he could play dark in the underrated "American Psycho," and he nails it again here. As for the other Batmen? Michael Keaton held the top slot for a decade and a half. Val Kilmer is better suited to play rock stars and drug adicts. George Clooney is likeable enough, but have you forgotten that his Batman had nipples? Here are some more Batfacts to jog your memory:

Film: "Batman" (1989)
Total gross: $413M
Batman: Michael Keaton
Villain: Jack Nicholson (Joker)
Vixen: Kim Basinger (Vicky Vale)
Director: Tim Burton
Fun fact: Jack Nicholson received a percentage of the gross on the film, and due to its massive box office haul, took home around $60 million -- the single-movie record for an actor's salary.

Film: "Batman Returns" (1992)
Total gross: $282M
Batman: Michael Keaton Villain: Danny DeVito (Penguin)
Vixen: Michelle Pfieffer (Catwoman)
Director: Tim Burton
Fun fact: Annette Bening was cast as Catwoman, but was replaced by Michelle Pfeiffer when she became pregnant. Michelle Pfeiffer's $3 million salary was $2 million more than was offered to Annette Bening.

Film: "Batman Forever" (1995)
Total gross: $335M
Batman: Val Kilmer
Villain: Jim Carrey (Riddler)
Vixen: Nicole Kidman (Dr. Chase Meridian)
Director: Joel Schumacher
Fun fact: Mark Hamill was briefly considered for the Riddler.

Film: "Batman & Robin" (1997)
Total gross: $237M
Batman: George Clooney
Villain: Arnold Schwarzenegger (Mr. Freeze)
Vixen: Uma Thurman (Poison Ivy)
Director: Joel Schumacher
Fun fact: One of three movies to feature two future United States Governors acting in the same film. Jesse Ventura, elected Governor of Minnesota in 1998, and Arnold Schwarzenegger, elected Governor of California in 2003. (The other two films were "Predator," and "The Running Man.")

Film: "Batman Begins" (2005)
Total gross: $113M
Batman: Christian Bale
Villain: Liam Neeson (Ducard)
Vixen: Katie Holmes (Rachel Dawes)
Director: Christopher Nolan
Fun fact: Katie Holmes barely beat out Natalie Portman and Sarah Michelle Gellar for the role of Rachel Dawes.

Paris Hilton Boyfriend Review

2005-11-28T21:37:00.000-08:00

Over the past several months we've catalogued lots of useless things here on the site (serial killer art, SNL's black dudes, rock stars who died at age 27), but few of them have been as fun as our current venture: reviewing Paris Hilton's paramours. Paris loves men, there's no doubt about it. And what better to over analyze than this annoyingly gorgeous gaggle of man meat. But before we begin, here are a few words from Paris herself about the kind of dudes she digs:

"I like guys who are hot and funny and sweet and loyal and honest, and don't lie or cheat on you -- mostly someone who will make me laugh cause I love to laugh. My friends keep telling me I don't have one type of guy, I have had so many types of boyfriends. I like all kinds of guys, they just have to be hot!!! Since all smart women know that men are just really desserts -- not the main course -- why have only one -- when you can have many?"

So without further ado, and in alphabetical order, a (partial) list of the men who have had the resources required to spend a night at the Paris Hilton:

Name: Nick Carter
Occupation: Backstreet Boy
Fun fact: Carter was arrested for drunk driving in 2005.
That's hot-o-meter: Antarctica
Verdict: What could be less cool than telling your friends you're banging a Backstreet Boy? Telling your friends you've been videotaped banging a Backstreet Boy.

Name: Jamie Kennedy
Occupation: Comedian
Fun fact: Posed as his own manager, Marty Power, who over the telephone, attracted the attention of real agents and managers who helped him launch his career.
That's hot-o-meter: Iceland
Verdict: Their relationship lasted about as long as "Son of the Mask" was in theaters. (alternate punch line: Paris refers to this portion of her dating life as "The Jamie Kennedy Experiment.")

Name: Paris Latsis
Occupation: Greek shipping heir
Fun fact: Paris' real last name is Kasidokostas.
That's hot-o-meter: South Beach
Verdict: The dude has a Guns 'N' Roses tattoo. And his name isn't Slash or Axl.

Name: Stavros Niarchos III
Occupation: Kite boarder (don't worry, we don't know what that is either)
Fun fact: Once paid a homeless man $100 to dump a soda on himself
That's hot-o-meter: Idaho
Verdict: You should never date a man prettier than you are.

Name: Rick Salomon
Occupation: Amateur filmmaker
Fun fact: Was once married to Shannen Doherty.
That's hot-o-meter: Cancun
Verdict: Yeah, like you haven't seen the sex tape.

Name: Jason Shaw
Occupation: Pretty boy
Fun fact: Majored in History at the University of Chicago.
That's hot-o-meter: Sao Paulo
Verdict: Gee, how original, dating a Tommy Hilfiger model. What's next, dating a blogger?

Name: Simon Rex
Occupation: Actor / ex-MTV VJ
Fun fact: Started his career stroking his wang in gay porn flicks.
That's hot-o-meter: Phoenix
Verdict: Um, the dude was a gay porn star.

Name: Deryck Whibley
Occupation: Singer / guitar player for pop punks Sum 41
Fun fact: Paris was once Deryck's date to the UK's Kerrang! Awards.
Hot-o-meter: Pluto
Verdict: C'mon, who's more punk than Paris? Oh right, Whibley's new lady, Avril.

All Hail The Mighty Joe Somar (And His Moustache)

2006-11-30T20:32:00.000-08:00

For a website that likes moustaches as much as this one does, the video below, featuring Joe Somar of the band The Fugue, made our week. OK, our month. It's a glorious exit interview from an episode of "The People's Court," and though we haven't seen the full episode, we can infer that Somar won his case (woot!), since the winning litigant exits the courtroom second.

Somar's interview is so laden with irony, that the generally smug and unflappable "Hallway Guy" Curt Chaplin is left all but speechless. The most genius thing about the interview (aside from the shirt, glasses, haircut and loud crashing noise in the background) however is the way Somar gets Curt to walk right into his trap. He baits the line and waits for a nibble. And nibble he does. Somar's timing on his closing line is impeccable.

Check out the clip below, and feel free to read along. For those who still want more Joe, G4 TV's "Attack of the Show" has posted a follow-up interview.

Curt: So, you were the storage guy for him?
Joe: Yeah it was fun.
Curt: Fun?
Joe: I just feel emancipated right now. It's been weighing heavy on me.
Curt: What do you mean? Joe: I haven't slept in like eight days.
Curt: Really?
Joe: It's hard. It's hard being me.
Curt: Really?
Joe: Yeah.
Curt: What's the hardest part about being you?
Joe: Moustache.
Related posts: GG Allin on Jerry Springer | I Mixed Up the Batter, She Licked the Beater | Least. Metal. Moment. Ever

Rock Stars Dead at 27

2005-03-21T12:23:00.000-08:00

Ah 27, we remember it as if it were yesterday. We were young, under employed, and had a full head of hair. But what is it about that age that causes so many rock stars to not live through it? Perhaps it's that rock & roll has long preached that excess was best. Maybe by the time we hit 27 our bodies simply can't take the heat like they used to and conk out like an old jalopy. Was Def Leppard right when they philosophized that it was better to burn out than fade away? Or maybe it's just some bad numerology karma. If you add up all the numbers between 2 and 7, the total is 27. Perhaps that combination casts some weird voodoo curse that when crossed with musical success increases the odds you'll expire soon. Here's a look at some talented musicians, all of whom died too young at that cursed age of 27:

Name: Chris Bell
Band: Big Star
Cause of death: car accident
Year: 1978
Buried: Memphis, TN

Name: D. Boon
Band: Minutemen
Cause of death: car accident
Year: 1985
Buried: Rancho Palos Verdes, CA

Name: Kurt Cobain
Band: Nirvana
Cause of death: suicide
Year: 1994
Buried: Ashes scattered in the Wishkah River, WA

Name: Jimi Hendrix
Cause of death: overdose
Year: 1970
Buried: Renton, WA

Name: Robert Johnson
Cause of death: poisoned
Year: 1938
Buried: Morgan City, MS

Name: Brian Jones
Band: The Rolling Stones
Cause of death: drowned
Year: 1969
Buried: Gloucestershire, England

Name: Janis Joplin
Cause of death: overdose
Year: 1970
Buried: Ashes scattered in the Pacific Ocean

Name: Jimmy McCulloch
Band: Wings
Cause of death: heart attack
Year: 1979

Name: Ron "Pigpen" McKernan
Band: Grateful Dead
Cause of death: alcohol
Year: 1973
Buried: Palo Alto, CA

Name: Jim Morrison
Band: The Doors
Cause of death: heart attack
Year: 1971
Buried: Paris, France

Name: Gary Thain
Band: Uriah Heep
Cause of death: overdose
Year: 1976

Name: Jason Thirsk
Band: Pennywise
Cause of death: suicide
Year: 1996
Buried: Ashes given to family and friends

Name: Al Wilson
Band: Canned Heat
Cause of death: suicide
Year: 1970
Buried: Everett, MA