Song Saturday: Siouxsie And The Banshees [Triple Dose]

How's it going lurkers? I have stopped participating in Blogster's Song Saturday Tours and have chosen to adopt Song Saturday, recently. Song Saturday is a fun concept.

Now, that I no longer particpate in the tours, I have LESS pressure on my shoulders because I am sharing whatever I want.

I am doing Song Saturday early. We are supposed to be getting more snow tonight and I will be too busy watching Grimm on NBC and the MMA's on AXS TV. MMA's stands for Mixed Martial Arts. It is nothing like the fake wrestling, that most people enjoy watching on TV. As usual, I digress.

This Song Saturday will be a triple dose of Siouxsie And The Banshees. They are an old Alternative Post-Punk New Wave/Goth Rock band from the late 1970's to 80's. These 4 kooks were originally from London, England.

It is surprising that most people do NOT know about Siouxsie And The Banshees. They highly influenced many bands and artists over several decades.

The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Jane's Addiction, Shirley Manson from Garbage, The Cure, U2, Tricky, Massive Attack, Depeche Mode, Sonic Youth, PJ Harvey, LCD Soundsystem, and TV On The Radio were all highly influenced by Siouxsie And The Banshees.

This is only a short list. I'm giving you a triple dose of my favorite Siouxsie And The Banshees songs. These first 2 songs from their album, A Kiss In The Dreamhouse released months after I was a new born.

Out of "Cascade," "Melt," and "Scarecrow," I don't know which song I like the best. Anyway, here's some Siouxsie And The Banshees:

1) Siouxsie And The Banshees "Cascade" A Kiss In The Dreamhouse (1982)

2) Siouxsie And The Banshees "Melt!" A Kiss In The Dreamhouse (1982)

3) Siouxise And The Banshees "Scarecrow" Peepshow (1988)

Cartoon Sunday: The Powerpuff Girls' Too Pooped To Puff

 How's it going lurkers? It is Cartoon Sunday. Just in case some of you didn't already know, Blue Exorcist will be premiering its English Dub next Sunday on Adult Swim. It's great, that it will be premiering sooner than expected. 

Originally, Blue Exorcist was supposed to have been premiering, next month. Had it been MY choice, I would've premiered it much sooner rather than premiering that shitty Space Dandy Anime. 

Okay, I understand that Space Dandy is a Seinen Comedy Anime, but it's stupid and obnoxious. I would love for Blue Exorcist to air before or after Bleach as opposed to waiting until 12:30 am on Sundays to watch it. 

If I were in charge programming for the Swimnami Toonami lineup, here's how I would've scheduled the shows:

10:30 pm Naruto Shippuden

11:00 pm Bleach

11:30 pm Blue Exorcist

12:00 am Black Lagoon

This would've been a better arrangement on Swimnami Toonami than what Adult Swim already has on their schedule. I have no respect for Space Dandy or One Piece. They're stupid and annoying shows, not to mention money wasted. Space Dandy alone was catching a lot of flack weeks before its world premiere. 

I don't know about everyone else, but I can think of other Anime from Japan, that can afford to be world premiered. Space Dandy wouldn't have even made the list UNLESS viewers love having their intelligence insulted.

Meanwhile, it still would be refreshing to have Shojo and Josei Anime on this Toonami rebranding, as well as some other female animation. Like I have said in the past, since Adult Swim chose to acquire Cartoon Network's reject cartoons for boys, they also could've acquired The Powerpuff Girls. 

The Powerpuff Girls had a history of being on the previous Toonami block. The cartoon was originally meant for the adult demographic. Believe it or not, The Powerpuff Girls has a lot of hidden messages and pop-culture references, that Generations X and Y will understand. 

Most diehard fans of The Powerpuff Girls franchise are still complaining about its reboot from last month on The Powerpuff Girls' Stalkbook Faceboook page. The fans are not a far cry from staging a revolt against Cartoon Network. That's how upset they are over The Powerpuff Girls' reboot. 

Since it's Cartoon Sunday, I decided to share another mini-epiosde from The Powerpuff Girls. I would love to share the cartoon's "Reeking Havoc" and "Super Zeros" episodes, but there aren't any episodes re-uploaded to YouTube. 

Instead, I chose to share the video link to The Powerpuff Girls' episode, "Too Pooped To Puff." In this episode, The Powerpuff Girls go on strike because Townsville has become lazy, entitled, and overly dependent on them to the extent, that they have the girls doing their own jobs for them. 

Click on the following video link:

The Powerpuff Girls "Too Pooped To Puff" (1999)

Song Saturday: Olivia Lufkin Block

How's it going lurkers? Hopefully everyone survived Friday The 13th. Next month in case you didn't already know, we have another Friday The 13th. Ugh! I did NOT  watch Friday The 13th. Although, I did watch Child's Play and the original My Bloody Valentine. Yes, I know. What a morbid way to celebrate both Valentine's Eve and Valentine's Day.

Luckily for me, I'm not getting any ANY attention-seeking Facebook notifcations from friends bragging about how much they love their boyfriends, girlfriends, and spouses. Whether it's on Valentine's Day or not, being forced to constantly read it in our news feeds is enough to make any single OR married person want to gag. 

Regardless if it's the beginning or the end of the day, those same relationships are NOT  as "cozy" as these couples pretend for the public.

Today we all have to survive Valentine's Day. While couples are celebrating it, I will be sleeping in, after sharing this Song Saturday blog. 

For a little while, I have not shared any J-Pop. You may recall that I published a Song Saturday blog about Anna Tsuchiya last year.

Since it's Valentine's Day and today is mostly about couples in America, I thought I would share some Olivia Lufkin.

She and Anna Tsuchiya were both featured singers on NANA. Much like Tsuchiya's, Lufkin's voice was dubbed into the Anime series for the character Layla Serizawa.

Olivia Lufkin's voice is beautiful as well as phenomenal. Her music should have more global exposure. It's been nearly a decade, since the time I discovered her. Olivia Lufkin is a Japanese Pop-Rock singer, who is mostly known for her contribution to the Josei Anime compilation, Nana Best. 

In addition to Olivia's music being featured in NANA and Nana Best, her song "Dream Catcher" was used as the ending theme song for the J-Horror Drama, Hell Girl.

It felt somewhat odd that the Hell Girl franchise chose to use her song "Dream Catcher" as the ending theme song for the Hell Girl J-Drama. 

Normally, the Hell Girl franchise used singer/voice actress Mamiko Noto's songs for the Hell Girl Anime.

Choosing an Olivia Lufkin song over Mamiko Noto's songs was a different approach for the Hell Girl J-Drama'

Mamiko's vocals have a low, soft, and ominous sound compared to Olivia's beautiful and angelic voice.

In Ai Yazawa's Josei Anime and Manga NANA, Layla Serizawa was named after Eric Clapton's song, "Layla." This character voiced by Olivia is the lead singer of the band called Trapnest. 

Olivia Lufkin also produced a lot of her own songs for NANA under the alias "Olivia Inspi' Reira (Trapnest)."

"Starless Night," "Shadow Of Love," "Winter Sleep," and "Alone In Our Castle" are some of my favorite songs from the Nana Best compilation by Olivia Lufkin. 

I really enjoy her songs "Alone In Our Castle" and "Recorded Butterflies." Rather than going the usual route, here's a block of Olivia Lufkin's songs followed by a bonus music video.

1) Olivia Lufkin "Alone In Our Castle" The Lost Lolli (2004)

2) Olivia Lufkin "Starless Night" Nana Best (2006)

3) Olivia Lufkin "Shadow Of Love" Nana Best (2006)

4) Olivia Lufkin "Winter Sleep" Nana Best (2006)

5) Olivia Lufkin "Recorded Butterflies" Olivia Inspi' Reira (Trapnest) (2007)

6) Olivia Lufkin "Dream Catcher" Hell Girl (2006); The Cloudy Dreamer (2007)

 

[BONUS]

Olivia Lufkin "SpiderSpins" Merry & Hell Go Round (2003); The Lost Lolli (2004)

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY, LURKERS!!!

Cartoon Sunday: Foamy The Squirrel's A New You

How's it going lurkers? It is Cartoon Sunday, once again. This week, I'm sharing another Neurotically Yours Animated Short from iLL WiLL PrEss, which features Foamy The Squirrel and his slutty owner, Germaine.

I haven't done so, in a while. This episode is called "A New You." In this short, Germaine returns and explains to Foamy about her supposed "makeover." 

I always love whenever women have makeovers. Sure, there are some, who really need them badly (both physically and personality wise). However, almost every time women have makeovers, they are usually physical makeovers. We are supposed to believe their physical makeovers miraculously changed their personalities. 

Makeovers may simply change women and/or men physically, but those makeovers won't remove their insecurities and flaws about themselves as people. Sometimes their physical makeovers change them into worse people. They start over compensating because they still feel the same and have to prove to themselves and others, that they are suddenly "different people" compared to their last perceptions of themselves. I always found this to be hilarious. It is a lot like that old adage, "a leopard doesn't change its spots." If only some would learn. Anyway, here is today's short for Cartoon Sunday.

Foamy The Squirrel: "A New You" (2014)

Cartoon Sunday: Black Lagoon Roberta Vs. The Columbian Cartel

How's it going lurkers? As of last week, I have been watching Black Lagoon, before Adult Swim's Toonami block premieres it on March 22nd. You might be asking yourselves, "What's the point of watching it so early, when it will be on TV, soon?" 

I have been watching Black Lagoon early because I am impatient, want to see everything before it gets censored, and because I was curious about this Seinen Anime being any good. 

So far, Black Lagoon is a decent acquisition, that Swimnami Toonami has acquired. It is a Seinen Crime Action Anime, which means it is meant for men. The female audience can also watch it, if there are females interested in Crime Action Anime. This is especially when REVY is the leading female character. 

If viewers didn't know any better, they would assume that she was the protagonist. Black Lagoon must be the only Action Anime meant for the adult demographic within these last 2 years worth watching. 

Don't get me wrong. As much as I like Bleach and Naruto Shippuden, they are stereotypical Shounen Action Anime with teenage boys as their protagonists, which are oblivious to girls being attracted to them. That's not including the protagonists are always super/anti-heroes, that always get their asses handed to them in fight scenes, while being on some kind of never ending quest.

Black Lagoon is a nice change of pace from the usual Shounen Jump Action Anime. By this series being meant for men, they don't have to sit through watching the stereotypical Anime meant for teenage boys. 

Considering that the network is called "Adult Swim," shouldn't it always be airing more ADULT animation including Anime? This is only food for thought. 

Adult Swim mostly panders to teenage boys, when it comes to their "adult" programming (especially on Saturday nights).

Anyway, Black Lagoon started as a Manga created by Rei Hiroe. He based Black Lagoon on actual piracy cases in the East China Sea, during the mid to late '90s, and was inspired by the works of James Ellroy, John Woo, Quentin Tarantino, and Stephen King. 

The Crime Action Anime begins with the protagonist, Rokuro Okajima (also known as "Rock."). Rock is a businessman (who would also be labeled a "salary man" in Japan) for Asahi Industries in Tokyo. 

The protagonist is sent by his company to deliver a disc in the East China Sea. In the process, his boat gets hijacked by pirates/mercenaries known as the Lagoon Company, who were hired to steal it. Revy, who happens to be the only Chinese American female mercenary in Lagoon Company, chooses to hold Rock hostage in hopes of him being ransom worthy. 

Eventually, the disc is no longer worth the headache to them. Rock's Department Chief, Kageyama, declares him "dead" and abandons Rock, in order to hide the smuggling operation. 

Because Rock no longer works for Asahi Industries, he works for the Lagoon Company as their negotiator/translator by choice and claims to suffer from "Stockholm Syndrome." Gotta love it.

I watched the entire Black Lagoon Anime and recently began streaming the OVA's, which are mostly about the Columbian maid, Roberta. OMG! Roberta is by far, my favorite Black Lagoon character. She is a bad ass, motherfucker with some tricks up her sleeves (no pun necessarily intended).  

Roberta has a history of being a guerrilla trained assassin from Cuba and an internationally wanted criminal, while posing as a housemaid for a rich family in South America. 

In addition, she is referred to as being a "hardcore terrorist." Roberta gives Revy a run for her money, when it comes to packing heat. She is introduced in Season 1: Episode 8 of Black Lagoon. This Cartoon Sunday, I chose to share scenes from Season 1: Episode 9 of Black Lagoon. 

In these scenes, Roberta faces off with Revy and the Columbian Cartel, when she is in the middle of trying to search and rescue the heir, Garcia Lovelace.

1) Black Lagoon Roberta Vs The Columbian Cartel: (2006) 

2) Black Lagoon Roberta Vs. Revy (2006)

Song Saturday Special: Happy 49th To The Late Brandon Lee

How's it going lurkers? This Song Saturday, I have decided to do something a little different. 

Last winter, when Xanga 1.0 still existed, I published a blog about Brandon Lee's 48th birthday. This year, he would've turned 49 had he survived that gunshot wound, during the making of The Crow.

If you would like to read more of my Xanga 1.0 blog from last year, you can read it on It's Not All Gumdrops & Unicorns. 

Happy 48th Birthday To The Late Brandon Lee! (2013)

This year, I am sharing some past Brandon Lee movie montages and scenes, that he was in, before making The Crow. 

Also, I'm sharing some music from The Crow Soundtrack, along with Shannon Lee's vlog. In Shannon's vlog, she explains her bond with her dead brother, Brandon. This Song Saturday, be prepared to watch my Brandon Lee Birthday Tribute. 

I think the only time I ever go into fangirl mode is when it's about him. I always hear people say they're these Brandon Lee "fans," when they only watched him in The Crow. 

Within the last 2 decades, I have watched him in 3 other movies besides The Crow. I have watched Brandon Lee in Legacy Of Rage, Showdown In Little Tokyo, and Rapid Fire. 

However, I never watched him in Laser Mission. One of these days, I should try watching it.

I would've watched Laser Mission years ago, but it was very hard renting Brandon Lee's movies on VHS, when I was a teenager. Luckily, I had watched Showdown In Little Tokyo and Rapid Fire. That's how scarce Brandon's movies were in the '90s.

Last year, I YouTubed his Legacy Of Rage movie. I disliked the movie mostly because Brandon played as a prisoner. In the film, his "friend" set him up. Watching Legacy Of Rage infuriated me. 

I was NOT used to seeing Brandon Lee playing such naive and defenseless roles in his films. He may have been beaten, tortured, and murdered in his other films, but his other characters always swore vengeance and were better at self-defense than in Legacy Of Rage. Showdown In Little Tokyo and Rapid Fire were better. 

Even though Showdown In Little Tokyo was a really cheesy Action Flick, at least Brandon Lee and Dolph Lundgren provided some great comic relief. Sometimes I still don't know, who had the most hilarious 1-liners.

Behind The Scenes: Brandon Lee And Showdown In Little Tokyo (1991)

Brandon Lee's Funny 1-Liners About Dolph Lundgren's Huge Trouser Snake (1991)

Brandon & Dolph's Witty Banter While Cary Hiroyuki Tagawa Tortures Them (1991)

Behind The Scenes: Brandon Lee And Rapid Fire (1992)

Shannon Lee Remembers Brandon And Discusses The Crow (2011)

Speaking of The Crow, the comic book artist, James O'Barr, created it in black and white. I never completely read The Crow comic book. Although, I have read some pages.

In the comic book, James O'Barr wrote song lyrics from the band formerly known as Joy Division, which later became New Order. Those of us fans, who have The Crow Soundtrack and watched the film, heard Nine Inch Nails' cover of Joy Division's song, "Dead Souls."

I recently discovered there is an actual music video by the band, For Love Not Lisa. Their song on The Crow Soundtrack is called "Slip Slide Melting." 

"Slip Slide Melting" was featured in a bar scene with the villains shaking their guns in the air, shouting, "FIRE IT UP! FIRE IT UP! FIRE IT UP!" Talk about a legendary scene in The Crow. 

As I watched For Love Not Lisa's "Slip Slide Melting" music video, I noticed it was not only shot in black and white, but the song was also shortened. 

"Slip Slide Melting" is almost 6 minutes long compared to the music video only being 4:09. I assume the band had to shorten the music video, in order to get any airplay. That reminds me. I have NEVER seen For Love Not Lisa's "Slip Slide Melting" on MTV or any other music channel. 

During 1993-94, music channels still aired music videos. As for "Slip Slide Melting" being shot in black and white, I think For Love Not Lisa created their music video that way because The Crow comic book is in black and white, and because Brandon Lee originally wanted to shoot the film that way.

This Song Saturday, I have decided to share Joy Division's "Dead Souls" and For Love Not Lisa's "Slip Slide Melting."

1) Joy Division "Dead Souls" Unknown Pleasures (1979)

2) For Love Not Lisa's "Slip Slide Melting" The Crow Soundtrack (1994)

HAPPY 49TH BIRTHDAY AND REST IN PEACE, BRANDON LEE!!!