Cartoon Sunday: Sam Barnett's Operator

How's it going lurkers? The last 2 nights and 2 mornings, I have been spending more time than usual trying to find interesting content to share with you all.

Earlier this morning, I happened to find this Sci-Fi Horror Stop Motion Animated Short. Sam Barnett's Operator has been on hiatus for the last 4 years.

Barnett listed both his Kickstarter and Facebook pages on his YouTube channel. 

So far, there is only 1 episode of Operator uploaded on YouTube. Hopefully, he will be successful at filming more episodes of Operator.

Bob, who is the protagonist, works for an InfoCorp. Seeking out workers and enslaving them with bio-mechanical parasites is this corporation's goal(s). 

I am assuming these parasites are a brain eating plague, which has everyone fearing for their lives. Even though Operator is an incomplete web series, Bob must fight for his family's life and his own against these bio-mechanical parasites.

There is very little dialogue in this Stop Motion Animated Short. Therefore, you must pay closer attention to what you are watching. Anyway, here is Operator for today's Cartoon Sunday.

Sam Barnett's Operator (2012) 

What Is New Adult Fiction?

How's it going lurkers? For years, I have been trying to figure out which age demographic my short stories would be labeled. Since the time I was 17, I've written short stories about characters close to my age and a little older. 

Even when I was taking Creative Writing at UW-Parkside and Carthage College, during the early 21st Century, I mostly wrote about characters ages 18 to 20-something years old. 

Short stories I handwrote over these last 4 years have some characters in their early 30's, now that I AM in my early 30's.

Throughout these last 10-15 years or maybe longer, I had never heard of a particular category for adults younger than their 40's. These last several years, I have read and heard about Young Adult Fiction and assumed, that it was actually for "young adults" 18-30-something years old.

Then, I recently discovered that Young Adult Fiction is REALLY meant for preteens to teenagers 12-17. That is NOT  what a young adult is by any means!

How are 6th-12th graders considered "young adults"?

That is being an adolescent. If anything, 18-39 years old should really be labeled as YOUNG ADULTS for age demographics regarding books. This only shows that publishers today are pretentious with the labeling of age demographics.

Wouldn't "New Adult" really be considered "Young Adult," which is the same thing?

The "New Adult" branding for REAL young adults sounds absurd. Rather than saying "New Adult," it should really be named "Of Age" or "Coming Of Age Fiction." This seems more logical, if you ask me.

To get back on the topic of my short stories and their age demographic, they (short stories) seem like they would mostly fall under the "New Adult" and possibly Adult demographics. 

Thinking more about what I have written over the last 4-12 years, my work would mostly fall under the Horror and Thriller genres, as well as Realistic Fiction for the "New Adult" audience.

"Model Parent" is at least 1 short story, that would be considered Realistic Fiction. The rest of my other stories are more Horror and Thriller, which could fit "New Adult" Fiction age demographic.

Judging from some of what I have read about the New Adult age demographic, it's basically a bridge between Young Adult (TEENS) and Adult Fiction age demographics.

Personally speaking, I have felt for years that there were hardly any books for actual young adults ages 18-30-something years old. I have never picked up a book and read anything about characters being college aged or being college graduates. 

When the short stories and novels were not about characters under 18 years old, they were usually about middle-aged characters and older. Also, when publishers spend most of their time advertising and releasing stories for minors and older adults, they make it a lot more difficult for other writers to determine how to market their own books, which are neither of the 2. This especially applies to yours truly.

There should be more books for those of us, who are somewhere in-between young and old age demographics.

As someone, who is in her mid-30's, I do NOT  want to read a book about teenagers or characters, that are old enough to be my parents and grandparents. 

This might sound like something ageist to say, but I am beyond the age of a teenager and do not always want to relive my adolescence vicariously through teenage characters.

In addition, I don't necessarily care to read about empty nest characters and lonely housewives, since I am nowhere near that stage of life.

In today's society, everyone is NOT  married and/or divorced with or without children. Some young adults are just starting college, graduating from them, seeking employment after college, are still bachelors/bachelorettes, and have yet to settle down. 

Then, there are those, who cannot handle being eternally single, during their 20's and 30's.

If they really want to generate more readers, they must be willing to meet an ignored and potential audience, that is between the youth and the elderly. This is what more publishers really should take this into consideration. When saying "they," I mean authors, marketers, and publishers.

Something else that was repeatedly addressed, while I was learning more about "New Adult" Fiction was sex. Book publishers must decide how much sex there is in a book, in order to label it as Young Adult or simply Adult. Think of this in terms of movie ratings.

Are the sex scenes mild enough to be rated PG-13 or should they be R-rated?

It is somewhat amusing that the amount of sexual content in a published book is what determines if it is Young, New, or Adult Fiction. The fact that a story has any sex in it is enough to be considered for teenagers and adults of any age group.

If a book has any kind of sex in it, you already know that the book is NOT meant for young children.

As far as my short stories go, if we were talking in the terms of movie ratings, I would say that mine would probably range between PG-13 to rated R. This would all be due to violence and sexual content. 

Anyway, if you would like to learn more about the "New Adult" Fiction age demographic, click right HERE.

Cartoon Sunday: JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Phantom Blood Review

How's it going lurkers? You may recall from last Sunday, I mentioned that JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Phantom Blood will be premiering on Adult Swim's Toonami block this October. 

Judging by only watching Season 1: Episode 1 on my own last week, it really doesn't seem like too bad of a series. If anything, I'm quite surprised that JASON DEMARCO, who is running the Toonami block, took such a risk.

JoJo's Bizarre Adventure is not the stereotypical Shonen Jump Action Anime, that would be aired on either Cartoon Network, or Adult Swim. This is a series that I would've expected to have been aired on Chiller TV, Syfy, IFC, or another cable or satellite channel. 

So far, the only real complaint I have about the JoJo's Bizarre Adventure franchise would be, that the illustrations of the characters look somewhat dated for a 2012 Anime. This Manga franchise debuted in 1987, which could POSSIBLY explain why the characters look like something from the Speed Racer Manga circa 1966. However, the Anime illustrations for JoJo's Bizarre Adventure look MORE modern compared to the Manga illustrations.

JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Complete Manga Set Vol. 1 (Parts 1-5)

Last weekend, I YouTubed vlogs, which gave summaries about the franchise. This was BEFORE watching episode 1 of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Phantom Blood. 

As I watched Lore In A Minute's animated summary for a better understanding about the characters, it made me laugh.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lore In A Minute: "JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Phantom Blood" Animated Summary (2016)

So, you are probably wondering what genre(s)/sub-genre(s) is JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Phantom Blood? 

Even though I have only watched Phantom Blood Episode 1, JoJo's Bizarre Adventure is considered a Horror, Thriller, and Supernatural Action Adventure Anime.

This series is obviously meant for the male audience, since its target demographic is between Shonen (boys) and Seinen (men).

I don't know as much about JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, but I WILL say that only reading summaries about the franchise, both the Anime and Manga are really complex. JoJo's Bizarre Adventure has 8 parts to it in regards to the Manga. This is not including the novel, OVA's, or Anime.

JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Season 1 only explains the first 2 parts of the series, which include both Phantom Blood and Battle Tendency. 

We still have yet to be given the exact date in October for its Toonami premiere. All we know is that JoJo's Bizarre Adventure is premiering in 2 more months.

Speaking of the first 2 parts of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, Season 1 begins with the Phantom Blood Arc, which is set in England 1868. Dario Brando, who is a thief, tries raiding an overturned carriage.

To give a better explanation about episode 1 (since the link for today is English Subtitled), Dario then changes his mind after learning a father (George Joestar) and son (Jonathan Joestar) are still alive.

Rather than raiding the overturned carriage, he rescues them. About 12 years later, Jonathan sets out to become a "gentleman" after becoming of age. This includes fighting for a "woman's honor" (Erina Pendleton).

At the same time, Dario is on his deathbed and forces his son (Dio) to move in with Jonathan and his family, in order to fulfill George Joestar's life debt. Dio obeys his father prepared with his OWN hidden agendas.

In other words, Dio Brando moves in with The Joestar Family and social climbs his way to the top, in order to become the next heir to The Joestars.

Dio goes as far as sadistically upstaging Jonathan in performing his "gentlemanly" duties. To bruise Jonathan's ego, Dio becomes a more skillful boxer than him. Making matters worse, Dio SLANDERS Jonathan by spreading lies about him to all of Jonathan's friends.

Adding more insult to injury, Dio stoops as low as poaching Jonathan's childhood love by forcing Erina to kiss him; He steals Erina's first kiss from Jonathan, making her feel extremely violated (as if she had been raped). When Jonathan learns of the news, he flies into a fit of rage. After being punched, Dio's blood is spilled on an ancient Stone Mask. It starts to react. 

Suddenly, George has to interrupt the brawl between Jonathan and Dio. Just when we all thought the situation could NOT get any worse, it DOES!

Watching JoJo's Bizarre Adventure feels more like a Japanese animated soap opera. It will NOT surprise me, if a J-Drama will soon be in the works. 

Not only do I sympathize, but also empathize with Jonathan. Coping with slander really hits close to home for me, especially when it comes to double standards for glorified, lowlife men.

Today's blog has been quite a lengthy review. I hope did not spoil too much for everyone. There is still more that I haven't mentioned for Phantom Blood Episode 1. I tried locating a decent English Dub of this particular episode on YouTube but had no such luck.

Luckily for me, I have watched Episode 1 on another online streaming site dubbed and the characters have British accents. It is probably much better for you to watch JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Phantom Blood in Japanese, before it premieres on Adult Swim's Toonami block in October.

With that being said, here is Phantom Blood Season 1: Episode 1 for today's Cartoon Sunday. 

Click on the following video link:

JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Phantom Blood Season 1: Episode 1 (2012) [English Subtitles]

Cartoon Sunday: WatchMojo's Top 10 Horror Based Anime

How's it going lurkers? Last night, I watched the premiere of the Seinen Action Anime, One Punch Man, on Adult Swim. Judging by the premiere, it was a WTF? Moment for me. 

Other than the fact, that it somewhat reminded me of Dragon Ball Z meets Bleach, I don't know what else to make of One Punch Man. The premiere went over my head. 

It does not seem like this will be an Anime that I will run to my TV for and watch every Saturday night. Like I already expected, the Toonami sycophants on Adult Swim overhyped One Punch Man.

I still say that Tokyo Ghoul could've been Parasyte -The Maxim's- replacement. Even though I have yet to marathon Tokyo Ghoul (I only watched the episode 1), I found this Seinen Horror Anime to be more intense than Parasyte.

Speaking of Tokyo Ghoul, I CANNOT  believe that it has already been an entire year, since Chiller TV debuted their Anime Wednesday block, only to cancel it within its first 3 weeks. During commercial breaks, Tokyo Ghoul was advertised more so than Chiller TV's block, Anime Wednesday.

This was no thanks to the bratty middle schoolers and ingrates on Facebook and other social media sites. They griped about a PG-13-rated Horror network airing Horror Anime on a HORROR channel.

It was already outrageous that Chiller TV took almost ZERO initiative to promote their own block for both Horror and Anime fans. This is excluding the fact that most Americans don't possess a satellite package like Direct TV or Dish Network.

There were 12-13-year-old middle school boys on Chiller TV's social media pages, who condescended to fellow Horror Anime fans and myself by telling us to go watch Toonami. That was ridiculous. 

Not to sound like an old lady, but their pompous asses should've either been in bed at midnight, or they should've shut the hell up and watched something else. Instead they ruined a block, which had some potential.

The Anime fans from Adult Swim (mainly the bratty Toonami incels) exacerbated problems by them bitching about Is This A Zombie? being aired on Anime Wednesday. They acted as if Is This A Zombie? was THE ONLY ANIME on the entire block, when there were 3 others to watch.

Could Chiller TV have bought better Horror Anime?

Yes, the igorami in charge of the network really should have. However, I mostly blame Chiller TV for their lack of advertising, considering that the network is owned by NBC Universal. Also, when there are ingrates continuously nitpicking ONLY 1 SERIES the entire time online, it does not help generate MORE viewers to an already niche audience.

Since we're mostly on the topic of Horror Anime, I thought I would share WatchMojo's countdown to their Top 10 Horror Based Anime. Some of WatchMojo's choices I have already seen within the last 4 years or so. 

In fact, some of them have been already shared in Cartoon Sunday blogs over these last 2 years as well. There are a few listed on the countdown from the late '90s to early 20st Century, which I have never seen or heard of until now. The more I think about it, tons of Horror Anime exist and YET  this particular genre gets very little recognition. 

Most Anime and Manga licensors, publishers, and especially ignorant marketers at Adult Swim only want to dumb down and pander to mostly teenage boys and impressionable man-children, who love the cliche supehero stories. Anyway, here is WatchMojo's top 10 picks for Horror Anime.

WatchMojo's Top 10 Horror Based Anime (2015)

Which Writers Made Writer's Relief's Top 10 Horror Writers Countdown

How's it going lurkers? Because I normally blog at least 2-3 days a week on here, blogging appears to overshadow the fact, that I am also a Horror Writer. 

I have been creating MY OWN stories with MY OWN characters, since I was a 3rd grader. This cannot necessarily be said about those, who write Fan Fiction.

I'm actually amazed by some people I meet in public, who have NEVER heard of Fan Fiction or know what it is. Even though I am not yet published, I have never liked or respected Fan Fiction. Neither do more established and published authors such as Stephen King, for example.

Fan Fiction is more like a disguised form of plagiarism by nerds online, who want to pretend they are so-called screenwriters. I have said this countless times, if you are able to write your own stories, you can create YOUR OWN CHARACTERS, as well.

Why re-write another author or screenwriter's story to best suit YOUR OWN LIKING, when you can create your own characters and write your own stories?

I can understand basing your story on a historical figure/event or paying homage to an author. 

In fact, 11 years ago, I was assigned to pay homage to an author for a Creative Writing class during my college junior year. 

My short story, "Dolls", which I eventually renamed "Across The Street," is mostly an homage to Octavio Paz's Flash Fiction piece, "The Blue Bouquet." 

In addition to paying homage to Paz, I incorporated an homage to the inside album cover of KoRn's Follow The Leader album and James O'Barr's The Crow.

This will surely offend quite a few by me saying this, but it seems like it is mostly Millennials, who are so quick to write Fan Fiction rather than creating their OWN stories to write and creating their OWN characters.

It's as if Fan Fiction writers are striving to be wannabe "screenwriters" and expect for everyone to pat them on their backs for UNoriginality and copycatting. 

Writers of that ilk don't try to be innovative in the slightest because they deluded themselves into believing, that they can write a famous author or screenwriter's story BETTER than he/she did. This automatically makes me roll my eyes and laugh.

If Fan Fiction writers can create such dynamic stories, they can surely create their own characters. I don't care HOW they try justifying to me or anyone else. You will be a lot more respectable, WHEN you create your OWN characters with the stories you independently created. It would NOT surprise me if most publishers consider Fan Fiction writers to be laughingstocks.

Speaking of writers in today's blog, Writer's Relief shared a YouTube video sharing their countdown of Top 10 Horror Writers. Since I am a Horror writer and a FAN, I thought I would share their video.

When I was growing up, I was NOT a bookworm. Reading books typically bored me to sleep. Watching TV, movies, and music videos were entertaining. However, I will say that whenever I DID enjoy reading books, they were usually published books by R.L. Stine or another Horror author.

Whether I was reading or watching it, Horror always kept my interest. Then again, it's like I already said, I was born and raised during the 1980's and '90s. During the 1980's, TV shows such as Freddy's Nightmares, for example, used to air on local TV stations.

Slasher Horror was highly condemned and demonized yet it was a favorite among Horror fans. The Horror fandom was not like it is today. Horror was nicher for a niche audience.

Almost everyone today is a Horror fan because Horror is now widely acceptable, more contrived, LAMEstream, and "trendy" for the HIPSTER demographic.

You will have to forgive me, if I sound more like an elitist for saying this, but a lot of today's so-called Horror fans are hipsters. Those supposed Horror fans did NOT  earn their proverbial stars and stripes of being labeled as a sociopath, psychopath, FREAK, weirdo, serial killer, or any other type of negative label, which most of us REAL Horror fans were demonized and branded as, during our youth.

Anyway, here is Writer's Relief's video countdown for their Top 10 Horror Writers.

Writer's Relief's Top 10 Horror Writers Countdown (2015)

Cartoon Sunday: The Real Ghostbusters

How's it going lurkers? Last week, I forgot to mention that Blue Exorcist is actually getting another season! This is fantastic news for us fans! 

Hopefully with a 2nd season, there will be more exploration about the character, Renzo Shima.

The finale for this Supernatural Shonen Jump Action Anime felt incomplete much like a cliffhanger. Even though Rin Okumura is the protagonist, I still am quite fond of Renzo Shima. 

He and Rin Okumura are my favorite characters from Blue Exorcist. Shima wants to act like he is a Don Juan YET  he's a cowardly character, who's always scared of everything. That is always hilarious to watch.

Nearly 2 years ago, I remember reading a summary about the Blue Exorcist Manga and its characters. 

If memory serves me right, Renzo Shima becomes a double agent and is very skilled with his weapons. 

If this is true in the Blue Exorcist Manga, maybe Shima hides the fact that he's a lethal agent from everyone. Hopefully the Blue Exorcist Anime shows that Renzo Shima is a double agent for Season 2.

Meanwhile, are you feeling nostalgic for the 1984 Ghostbusters movie franchise? If so, there's more '80s nostalgia for you today.

Last night, I was able to locate the Ghostbusters cartoon I grew up watching during the 1980's. If you are at least in your mid-30's like myself, you should remember The Real Ghostbusters. 

The Real Ghostbusters debuted in 1986, which was 2 years after the original Ghostbusters movie. I CANNOT  believe that it has been nearly 30 years, since I last watched this '80s classic!

Being able to understand a childhood cartoon as an adult is the best part about re-watching it!

Whenever I re-watch a movie or  TV show from my youth, it is more like viewing something without blinders over my eyes; It's like being a virgin to that show or movie all over again.

There are more times, when I re-watch a show or movie and think to myself, "I don't remember this happening. When did this happen?" or "Hmm, I never thought of it that way."

While re-watching The Real Ghostbusters' pilot "Ghosts R Us," I started realizing how much the animated illustration for Dr. Egon Spengler resembles some of the characters we always see in today's Japanese animation (Anime).

This made me question if those, who did the illustrations were Japanese and/or possibly Korean.

After watching the ending credits scroll during the end of "Ghosts R Us," I saw a lot of Japanese names listed for the animation. This explained a lot to me. 

Even though The Real Ghostbusters was an American cartoon, some of the characters resembled Japanese illustrations. The illustration for Dr. Egon Spengler was an automatic dead giveaway for yours truly.

It's amazing how much you can learn by watching Japanese animation! Things that make you go hmm...

Okay, now I am REALLY showing my age here. Anyway, if you have NEVER had the chance to watch The Real Ghostbusters circa 1986, you now have the chance for today's Cartoon Sunday.

The Real Ghostbusters Pilot "Ghosts R Us" (1986)

Cartoon Sunday: Masam Hashimoto's Fireworks Beads

 

How's it going lurkers? I am sharing something a little different for today's Cartoon Sunday.

Since Independence Day is tomorrow here in the gold ol' U.S. of A, I have chosen to be a little more "festive" by sharing this phenomenal piece created by Masam Hashimoto. Masam Hashimoto is a Japanese Stop-Motion Animator.

He created this amazing piece with fireworks beads. I never knew that such a thing existed, UNTIL 2 days ago. Well, ya learn something new everyday. When I stumbled upon Hashimoto's animation of fireworks, I could NOT  resist sharing it with everybody.

Normally, I'm more indifferent to fireworks, but this is an exception. When it comes to yesterday's Song Saturday blog and today's Cartoon Sunday blog, I have been making quite a few exceptions lately.

With that being said, I will leave you with this Stop-Motion Animated Video of fireworks created by Masam Hashimoto for today's Cartoon Sunday.

Masam Hashimoto Fireworks Beads Animated Video (2013)

Song Saturday: Ikimono-gakari's Hanabi

How's it going lurkers? Yes, I am back with Song Saturday this weekend. I already know that many of you have been waiting for over 1 1/2 month.

Can you believe that Independence Day is in ONLY 2 more days?

For this weekend, the theme is fireworks. While working on this blog last night, our neighborhood could not help hearing fireworks from the outside. 

I actually live not too far away from another park besides Hart Park. There are also firework shows at Summerfest, which is in Downtown Milwaukee.

As I was saying, the theme for this weekend is fireworks. 

Those, who are fans of the Shonen Jump Action Anime and Manga, Bleach may be familiar with today's song. It comes from the J-Pop Rock band, Ikimono-gakari.

Their song "Hanabi," meaning fireworks in Japanese was featured as an ending theme song for Bleach. To be more specific, "Hanabi" was the 7th ending theme song to the series. 

The song is also 1 of my favorite Bleach ending theme songs. Considering my favorite genres of music, "Hanabi" is a bit unusual for me to like as a song.

As most of you already know, Metal is my favorite genre. However, you may also recall that I do enjoy other music genres, including some J-Pop. 

Normally, I would NOT  be a fan of listening to the harmonicas. Therefore, Ikimono-gakari's "Hanabi" is an exception for me.

You can find "Hanabi" on Ikimono-gakari's debut album, Sakura Saku Machi Monogatari. I'm sure that all you Bleach, J-Pop, and Anime Otaku fans were just dying to know, which album you could find the song. Now, you know. You're welcome. Anyway, here is Ikimono-gakari's song, "Hanabi" for today's Song Saturday.

Ikimono-gakari "Hanabi" Sakura Saku Machi Monogatari [The Story Of The Town Where Cherry Blossoms Bloom] (2006)

She's Not Your Average Bass Player: My Interview With White Zombie's Sean Yseult

How's it going lurkers? These days, weeks, and months just keep getting more hectic for me in 2016.

As you already know, I had a once in a lifetime opportunity to interview the Horror Groove Metal bassist, Sean Yseult from the band, White Zombie. 

There were some complications before, during, and after our interview. I explained 2 weeks ago.

Today's blog is more like a Q&A blog. Those of you, who have been subscribed to yours truly these last 2-3 years, already know how I publish Q&A blogs. 

If there is enough time during this summer, I may do another personal Q&A blog. 

Since our interview was NOT  recorded like I expected (Then again, it was better to have not been recorded; The sound quality was garbage.), I have summarized Sean's answers.  

The following are questions I asked Sean Yseult, during our interview on Tuesday, May 24th:

Question #1: You are immensely talented and juggle many different careers. Do you ever have to struggle with your increasing success in general? If so, what challenges and/or struggles are you facing?

Answer: According to bassist Sean Yseult, there are no struggles that she is facing. Right now, everything is going swimmingly well with music and her artwork.

Question #2: Have you ever considered doing your own animation?

Answer: Sean is uninterested in creating her own animation. She is only interested in single image artwork, which consists of photography, designs, and designing her own scarves.

Question #3: Since you design your own scarves, is there any chance that you will design your own Horror or Goth clothing line?

Answer: This answer is similar to the 2nd question. Sean Yseult is NOT  interested in releasing her own Horror or Goth clothing line.

Question #4: With the passing of another legendary music icon (that being Prince), almost everyone knew that purple was his signature color. Do you have your own signature color(s)?

Answer: Sean does NOT  have her own signature color. However, what she and I BOTH have in common is that we LOVE blue and turquoise. Shauna laughed when I told her about how much turquoise dominates my wardrobe. 

I am BOMBARDED with TURQUOISE clothing by the women in my immediate family for birthday AND Christmas presents. Emerald Green, pink, and red are my other favorite colors.

Anyway, Sean Yseult's answer is blue and turquoise.

Question #5: Out of curiosity, have you ever sat down and watched the Adult Swim animated series, Metalocalypse? If so, what are your thoughts about the show?

With the inclusion of Dark Humor, Macabre Horror, inside jokes, and music references to other Metal bands that ONLY Metal fans and bands will understand, do you feel Brendan Small and Tommy Blacha (the creators) do a fantastic job of depicting what it is like to be in the Metal Industry?

Answer: Sean Yseult also LOVES Metalocalypse (something else we have in common) and feels that the creators depict the Metal Industry very well.

Question #6: What are your general thoughts about today's Metal bands getting the most radio airplay on traditional Rock stations? Feel free to also mention your thoughts about Rob Zombie's direction, as a soloist if you would like.

Answer: Sean is NOT  following what is being aired on today's stations right now, much like yours truly. I spent time explaining to her about how politically TOXIC entertainment has been over these last 10-12 years, which was partly why I quit hosting my own radio show.

Sean Yseult mentioned, that White Zombie's songs were not played on Rock stations until their Geffen releases. This is something I can confirm.

When I was a teenager during the 1990's, my local Rock stations normally played White Zombie at midnight, when most people were asleep. I let Sean know that every time I saw White Zombie being advertised for a movie soundtrack, I bought those soundtracks as well as White Zombie's albums.

Sean currently enjoys frequenting live concert performances, in order to get a better idea of what the bands sound like musically.

Question #7: I have always seen Spider One from the band, Powerman 5000 with spiky, dyed, yellow hair, wearing eye goggles, and space suits. Otherwise, I've seen him wearing Punk Rock garb, while somewhat resembling Billy Idol.

As a White Zombie fan, I was unaware of Rob's younger brother, Spider One being in the music video for "I'm Your Boogie Man." The song was featured on The Crow: City Of Angels Soundtrack, 20 years ago. Spider playing the role of "Dr. Spooky" REALLY surprised me. 

Out of curiosity, what is Spider One really like as a person?

Answer: When asking Sean Yseult this question, she seemed really surprised that Spider One had any involvement in the music video for the cover of KC's "I'm Your Boogie Man."

White Zombie's 1996 cover of KC and The Sunshine Band's, "I'm Your Boogieman" was released JUST  before White Zombie disbanded that same year.

Considering that Rob Zombie directed every White Zombie music video, I get the impression that the rest of the band was edited to be in it. Anyway, Sean hasn't seen Spider One from Powerman 5000 in years. Although, she does remember Spider as being someone, who did his own thing.

Basically, Spider One is very individualistic; Sean Yseult referred to him as being a "smart and witty kid," when they all were younger, years ago.

Question #8: Over the last 20 years or so, I have noticed that Rob Zombie tends to have women gyrating in his music videos, including his wife Sheri Moon. When you were in White Zombie, did you EVER feel that Rob wanted you to have a much "sexier" image or to give up your self-respect by acting like a stereotypical bimbo to appease he and your fanbase?

Answer: According to Sean Yseult, this was NEVER a problem for her. Sean was always "one of the guys" and treated with the utmost respect; Sean was allowed to be herself and never had to worry about changing her image for the music industry or Rob Zombie.

Question #9: Throughout your years of being White Zombie's bassist, did you EVER have any male and/or possibly female groupies, who already knew that you were a woman, while trying to meet you backstage?

Answer: Sean explained a funny story about having a gay groupie for a White Zombie fan. The fan assumed she was a man in the band. Then, he discovered that she was a woman after meeting her backstage in New Orleans.

When you really think about it, it makes sense that her groupie assumed that she was a man. Most women don't have the name, "Sean."

Question #10: Did you change your name from Shauna Reynolds to "Sean Yseult" to be taken more seriously and to gain more respect by a male-dominated Rock Industry?

Answer: Since the time of growing up, Sean was always called "Sean Yseult" (her first and last name) by her parents. 

Sometimes people called her "Shauna" but anyone, who knew her or has been close to her, has always called her "Sean."

Sean Yseult's parents added an "a" on the end of her name, when she was born; They were expecting to have a son and changed the spelling from traditional Irish because the name was unusual in the The South, 50 years ago. 

In addition, Sean's parents thought it would be difficult for people to pronounce her name. When she was in high school, Sean changed her name back. Personally, I like calling her "Shauna."

Question #11: Do you still keep in contact with your surviving bandmates from White Zombie or did you all part on really volatile terms?

Answer: When we were talking, Sean Yseult said that she, Jay, and Johnny Tempesta still keep in contact with each other whereas Rob Zombie does NOT  try to initiate any contact with them. 

I let Sean know I think it sucks that most of White Zombie's bandmates STILL keep in contact with each other except for ROB ZOMBIE. It really would NOT surprise me, if she felt the most hurt out of the group.

Question #12: So, I keep hearing and reading about an actual White Zombie Reunion. Will there be a reunion or is the media spreading rumors and lying to us White Zombie fans for publicity?

Answer: As of right now, the media is ONLY spreading rumors about an actual White Zombie Reunion. However, there is NOT  that possibility, according to Rob Zombie.

There is a White Zombie box set, which JUST  released on June 4th.

Those with very little knowledge about White Zombie have no idea, that Rob Zombie and Sean Yseult have a long time history with each other, which dates all the way back to their Art School days at Parsons School of Design.

Not only was Sean Yseult the co-founder of the band White Zombie, but she and Rob Zombie were also a COUPLE for 7 YEARS. If memory serves me right, Rob made his roommate act as his wing man to ask out Sean, when they were attending Parsons.

Out of respect for Rob Zombie, Sean Yseult, and their spouses, I did not want to pry too much into Rob and Sean's romantic history. I felt that it would've triggered some painful memories, which was something I really did NOT  want to do to Sean Yseult.

It was such an honor having the opportunity to speak to a musician, who was a major part of my adolescence during the '90s. 

Sean told me she appreciates the fact, that I spent the time and money buying White Zombie's albums and the movie soundtracks their band was featured on. 

Rob Zombie wrote the lyrics, while Sean and Jay wrote the riffs.

Most people don't know, that Beavis and Butt-Head was 1 reason White Zombie became famous.

Maybe someday Rob Zombie will stop alienating his former Horror Groove Metal band, that made him rich and famous more than 20 years ago. This was YEARS before he became a solo act and a supposed Horror "filmmaker."

Anyway, thank you so much for reading! Don't forget to like, subscribe, share, +1 on Google Plus, and leave your feedback in the comments section below!

Follow Up To My Previous Blogs About Sean Yseult

How's it going lurkers? On Tuesday, May 24th, 2016, I DID actually manage to interview the former bassist of White Zombie, Sean Yseult. The interview was somewhat rocky. When I say "rocky," I mean there were some SKETCHY approaches taken, that some of us like moi were unaware of this week. There were also a few technical difficulties we faced live.

To clarify, Sean Yseult, her publicist, and I are NOT at fault for what happened. Some people aren't the best communicators. Sean and I were expecting for our interview to be recorded. There ended up being someone flaking out on the original arrangement, at the last minute. Luckily, there was a backup plan; I wrote down some brief notes, during our interview.

Before sharing the interview with everyone, I will allow Sean and her publicist to read a draft of it. This is in order to make sure there is nothing misprinted by yours truly. I've considered publishing my interview with Sean Yseult in a Q&A format. 

All 12 questions that I asked her will be published and I will share her answers. The goal is to have my interview with her published sometime within the next few days.

Despite the technical difficulties we faced, I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to interview Sean Yseult from White Zombie. She is an immensely talented artist in MANY different ways. Most people have no idea who Sean Yseult is unless they're White Zombie fans like myself.

During our interview, I told Sean that I still have White Zombie in my album collection more than 20 years later, and that I favor White Zombie over Rob's solo albums. 

When you listen to White Zombie and compare them to Rob Zombie's solo direction, you CANNOT  help noticing the differences in their sound. White Zombie was more of a Horror Groove Metal band, whereas Rob Zombie as a soloist evolved into MAINSTREAM Hard Rock. Rob Zombie's newer fans like his more recent works, whereas some of us veteran White Zombie fans from 20 + years ago DON'T.

I am not saying, that I hate Rob Zombie. However, some of us veteran White Zombie fans feel that Rob purposely "sold out." 

Over this last decade or so, Rob Zombie wasted time focusing on being a Horror "filmmaker" rather than being a Horror Groove Metal vocalist. Rob remade Classic Horror Movies for the sole purpose of patting himself on the back and getting praise from Horror film hipsters.

Whenever I read or listen to sycophants, critics, and reviewers praising Rob Zombie about his remake of John Carpenter's Halloween, I instantly shake my head. As much of a Rob Zombie fangirl I was as a teenager, he RUINED Horror films, that did NOT need remakes.

More than anything, I would really love to see a White Zombie Reunion. Knowing that Rob completely discarded Jay Yuenger, Johnny Tempesta, and Sean Yseult, (who was the co-founder of White Zombie) is upsetting for some of us veteran White Zombie fans.

It honestly would NOT surprise me, if Sean was really hurt about being discarded. She had the most history with Rob Zombie out of all their past and present bandmates.

Even though, I did NOT physically meet her for our interview, Sean Yseult seems like she would be someone I could do lunch and/or dinner with. I can imagine us sitting at a table somewhere and discussing various topics. After all, we have a few things in common.

This is all I have to say for now. I must spend time working on my interview with Sean Yseult. Then, she and her publicist have to read and verify her answers, in order to make sure I don't misprint anything. In the meantime, stay tuned!

Cartoon Sunday: David Firth's Crooked (Orcus) Rot Vs. Adam Rosenberg's Manny

How's it going lurkers? As you already know, I love animation. Something has been really "grinding my gears," as Peter Griffin says.

Lately, I have noticed how indifferent many adults are, when it comes to watching most animation. All the while, some of those SAME adults will buy tickets to see the latest Disney film at their local theaters.

Those adults don't necessarily have any children yet they will act self-righteous to those of us, who watch more mature cartoons, Japanese animation, and/or simply animation in general. Most adults don't realize that the snobbery is real, in regards to animation.

In Sociology, we are considered to be "social deviants" because adults watching cartoons is "abnormal."

Being an adult, who loves to watch any type of animation, is normally viewed as being "childish," "immature," "nerdy," "weird," or just plain taboo.

I have been watching animation, since the time I was in diapers. In fact, my mother taught me how to record my favorite cartoons on her Beta VCR, when I was only 2 years old.

Throughout these last 3 decades, I watched regular shows and continue to watch them much like whenever I am watching animation in general. 

If you have been paying very close attention to my blogs over these last 2-3 years, you know that Cartoon Sunday is a regularly featured topic on here.

I love watching various types of animation, including animated shorts. Whenever there is an animation that I enjoy watching, I try sharing it with you all.

Last week, I managed to find at least 2 creepy and disturbing Stop-Motion Animated Shorts by David Firth and Adam Rosenberg on YouTube. 

David Firth's "Crooked (Orcus) Rot" and Adam Rosenberg's "Manny" are very similar to each other.

Even though I've never done my own animation, I can surely tell you that these 2 Stop-Motion Animated Shorts required more time to create. 

I commend David Firth and Adam Rosenberg for their hard work. At the moment, I am favoring "Crooked (Orcus) Rot." 

The animation for this short is so dark, disturbing, bizarre, and abstract that it creeps me out the way Horror movies really SHOULD. 

Like I already said, "Manny" is quite similar Firth's short. However, Rosenberg's short left me with a more intense vibe as opposed to feeling creeped out.

Regardless, both David Firth and Adam Rosenberg did phenomenal jobs creating these Stop-Motion Animated Shorts. 

I highly suggest that everyone, who reads the blogs on here, should watch and give the both of these shorts fair chances for today's Cartoon Sunday.

David Firth "Crooked (Orcus) Rot" (2008)

Adam Rosenberg "Manny" (2010)

So, do you still believe that animation is childish, immature, and meant for children? What are your thoughts about "Crooked (Orcus) Rot" and "Manny"?

Song Saturday: Prince Tribute Block

 

How's it going lukers? Are you Princed out yet? It's amazing. "The Purple One" died 2-3 weeks ago and was cremated YET  the media is still talking about him. Without a doubt, we know there are at least some people already suffering from Prince fatigue.

Honestly, I would much rather hear and read more about Prince than this election any day of the week. If anything, everyone should be politically fatigued.

So, I meant to publish this Prince tribute blog ~3 weeks ago, but trying to schedule an interview with a famous Metal bassist, shopping for Mother's Day and birthday presents, celebrating birthdays, and handling cyberbullying on Adult Swim kept me completely swamped both on and offline. 

Meanwhile, more news also continues to surface by the hours about Prince. 

Since we are on the topic of Prince, we have learned that he did NOT die from the "flu." The Purple One died from a drug overdose. 

Considering that he had to take Percocet for his hip injuries and underwent surgery, chances are great that the prescription caused the overdose.

Whenever I hear Percocet being mentioned on the news, I automatically think about Nirvana's Kurt Cobain. Eventually, I will update that 2-year-old Song Saturday blog, which I published about Nirvana. Cobain took Percocet for his stomach ailments.

When Kurt no longer had access to the prescription, he turned to heroin, which is much stronger than the prescription, Percocet.

Judging from what I continue to learn about the highly addictive prescription, Percocet, could possibly be the so-called "gateway drug" to heroin. 

Here in WI ~2 months ago, I heard on our local news, that hospitals are trying to allow EMT's to give heroin addicts Narcan to counteract heroin overdoses.

Shortly before Kurt Cobain's supposed suicide, the doctors gave him Narcan in March 1994 because he overdosed on heroin. Weeks later, he was found dead.

Speaking of the Grunge band, Nirvana, Krist Novoselic and David Grohl considered Prince to be 1 of their musical influences. By my OWN observations about these 2 surviving members of Nirvana, I believe Dave Grohl enjoyed listening to Prince MORE than Krist and Kurt.

In fact, the Nirvana drummer now turned frontman for The Foo Fighters covered Prince's song, "Darling Nikki." The cover is featured on a B-Side album from 2003.

As I have mentioned at least several times in previously published blogs, "Darling Nikki" from Prince's Purple Rain album led to Tipper Gore launching the Parental Advisory (nicknamed "Tipper Stickers") labels on explicit albums in 1984.

Prince was actually the main contributor to censorship in entertainment, during 1984. Tipper Gore got "triggered" because she caught HER DAUGHTER, Karenna listening to Prince's "Darling Nikki." Don't you just LOVE masturbation?

BTW: May is Masturbation Month. HAPPY MASTURBATION MONTH!!!

Well, getting back on the topic of Prince, he made his mark in entertainment, throughout these last 3-4 decades in various music genres. 

He released 30 studio albums, wrote songs for OTHER singers in Pop, Country, Rock, R&B, etc. under numerous pseudonyms, and wrote THOUSANDS of unreleased songs, which are said to possibly last an entire century.

There are many reasons why people hail The Purple One. Prince managed to surpass not only Elvis and Jimi Hendrix, but also Michael Jackson as a music icon. This speaks volumes.

Since the time of Prince's demise, I have read news articles, watched news programs, and famous musicians on social media performing tributes. I was very surprised to see Metal and Rock bands covering his most popular songs in tributes to him, when they were not posting their condolences.

Growing up, I wasn't a huge Prince fan, but like I creepily mentioned in my Vanity blog, I knew my uncle would be devastated if Prince were to die SOON. Oh yes, he idolized The Purple One and his androgynous ways. 

My uncle may love Jimi Hendrix, but he ALWAYS worshiped Prince. In a way, Prince can be somewhat considered THE Jimi Hendrix for older Gen Xers. 

As I watched ABC's 20/20 News special about Prince 3 weeks ago, my mother walked into my bedroom imitating me, when I was a little girl. 

Watching her imitate me listening to "When Doves Cry" with my headphones on as a toddler was hilarious.

The more I think about it, it makes me realize that I haven't changed all that much as I became an adult. I still listen to music wearing my headphones. If only friends could see me, now.

Even though I am NOT  a Prince zealot like my uncle, I still enjoy listening to some of his songs. It would take me forever to mention facts about The Purple One but I will mention a few. 

Here's some interesting trivia for you!

* Prince did the entire soundtrack for Tim Burton's Batman movie in 1989. 

* If you WERE a fan of Buffy: The Vampire Slayer during the 1990's, you MAY remember the character, Jenny Calendar. The actress, Robia LaMorte was 1 of Prince's dancers in his music videos for "Get Off," "Cream," and "Strollin'."

This is the part where I let you watch some of my favorite Prince music videos from the 1980's and '90s for today's Song Saturday.

1) Prince And The Revolution "When Doves Cry" Purple Rain (1984)

2) Prince And The Revolution "Raspberry Beret" Around The World In A Day (1985)

3) Prince And The Revolution "Kiss" Parade (1986)

4) Prince [Featuring Sheila E. & Sheena Easton] "U Got The Look" Sign “☮” the Times (1987)

5) Prince "Batdance" Batman Soundtrack (1989)

6) Prince And The New Power Generation [Featuring Rosie Gaines, Eric Leeds, & Tony M.] "Get Off" Diamonds and Pearls (1991)

7) Prince And The New Power Generation [Featuring Rosie Gaines] "Cream" Diamonds and Pearls (1991)

REST IN PURPLE, PRINCE!!!