The News Review:
- SPT LIGHT: War refuge’and heavy metal
- The world of L
- Spring music preview: The female rulers of rock
SPT LIGHT: War refuge’and heavy metal
Pakistan Dawn – Mar 23, 2008
There were virtually no other journalists there at the time and westerners were being targeted constantly so we were at the mercy and care of our bodyguards who we credit with getting us out of there safely. I was scared of roadside bombs and of being kidnapped but by the end of the week as Eddy Moretti says ‘we got comfortable with the feeling of uncomfortability’. In the documentary while jamming at a gig held in Al-Fanar Hotel (in Baghdad) with over 100 Iraqi men head-banging a young man in the audience faces the camera and says (in thick Iraqi accent): “We are of the heavy metal music. We are in the Iraq. Nobody here can grow long hair you know? Because they will think we are the bad guys. So we need real freedom”. Soon after Faisal begins belting out Massacre a fierce angst-ridden Acrassicauda number.
The world of L
Malaysia Star – Mar 23, 2008
Do you always enjoy being the odd one out in school or in the entertainment industry in Japan? Are you always the popular student in school or the ignored nerdy student? I am often told that I am assertive. (Laughs) Your most recent characters L and Robo (in the TV drama series Sexy Voice and Robo) are obsessed with analysing crime cases and robots. What’s your personal obsession? I am now addicted to heavy metal music. You have listed pole vault and wheelchair basketball as your favourite sports. I’ve not had time to play those sports lately. Wheelchair basketball is recognised as a sport for people with disabilities but it is actually a hard and wild sport and very exciting when the wheelchairs clash with one another. If like L you knew that you have a limited time on Earth exactly 23 days how will you spend your last days? I would sign up for a life insurance policy (laughs) and be with my parents and do something nice for them.
Spring music preview: The female rulers of rock
New York Daily News – Mar 23, 2008
If this spring’s music releases were made into a movie it might be titled “Female Trouble. ” Women dominate the season’s major musical story lines on every level. Two of the biggest pop divas of all time – Mariah Carey and Madonna – will face off with albums in April. ne of the mightiest and most controversial pop tarts of the last decade – Ashlee Simpson – will issue her first CD since her “SNL” lip-sync disaster. And Foxy Brown rap’s feistiest female unleashes her first verbal torrent since she began spending more time in court than on stage… If nothing else it should certainly goose attention for illegal downloading. Either way the season of fresh blooms and chirping birds will give us plenty to tweet about. Here’s a breakdown of the albums dropping this season: MARCH 25The Cavalera Conspiracy “Inflikted”: A cool collaboration between brothers Max and Igor Cavalera two of the most important heathens in the world of Brazilian speed-metal. Counting Crows “Saturday Nights & Sunday Mornings”: More catchy mewlings from the self-immolating mind of Adam Duritz. Gnarls Barkley “The dd Couple”: A followup to the smash debut that improbably paired producer Danger Mouse with prog-rapper Cee-Lo. Panic At the Disco “Pretty.