"Hollywood, DC: Lights! Camera! Election!" exhibit at WORLD OF WONDER

Batmobama and Robiden by Paul Richmond

Snow White Palin and Dopey McCain by Richard J Frost

Farrah Palin by Jamie Boling

Condoleessa Rice by Jason Mecier (literally made of rice)

Reagansaurus by Richard J Frost


The artwork above is part of "Hollywood, DC: Lights! Camera! Election!" exhibit on display through election day at WORLD OF WONDER Storefront Gallery located at 6650 Hollywood Blvd (at Cherokee), Hollywood.

The exhibit features the political artwork of more than 40 artists. Most of the pieces make you laugh out loud. All of the work is great. The ones above were favorites of mine. I'll be spending election night at this gallery watching the results and hoping for the best! This party is open to anyone wearing an I VOTED sticker. The party will be going until the vodka runs out or the results are in.

Flogging Molly, Anti Flag, The Briggs, and Jackson United at the Hollywood Palladium

JACKSON UNITED




THE BRIGGS





ANTI FLAG




FLOGGING MOLLY






Flogging Molly, Anti Flag, The Briggs, and Jackson United totally rocked the newly remodeled Hollywood Palladium on this last night of their most recent tour. It was awesome to hang out with so many great friends and to see four incredible bands perform in one night. The place was packed, the bands were amazing, & everyone in the audience and the bands obviously had a blast.

Hollywood Boulevard at Night

I love Hollywood Blvd at night.

While it's not beautiful in the traditional sense, there is a lot to see - from the wild window displays to the old movie stars painted on the storefronts' roll down shutters.

I highly recommend taking a leisurely stroll down the boulevard's "Walk of Fame" after 10pm any night Sunday through Wednesday to experience the absolute contrast of the daytime hustle and bustle of the vehicular and pedestrian traffic. It's actually quite serene.

Tiny's KO on Hollywood Blvd

I'm continuing my birthday week celebrations tonight at Tiny's Mustache Party.

Tiny's is a small, friendly, punk rock bar located on Hollywood Blvd just East of Cahuenga. Everyone who works there is super cool and fun, the decor is interesting (clowns and naked ladies), the food they serve is better than a lot of local restaurants, most of the people sitting at the bar are regulars, the jukebox is the best in town, and many bands faithfully gather there for drinks after their Hollywood shows. Ron (who works behind the bar Sun/Mon and other random nights) is my favorite bartender ever.

If you haven't been there yet be sure to check it out sometime. What they say on their MySpace page is true. Tiny's will be "your new favorite bar." Tiny's doesn't open until 8pm these days, but has 2 for 1 drink specials until 9. And really... grab dinner there sometime. The chef cooks up only fresh food and offers many veggie options. Hey - you just might need some food after the 2 for 1 specials and the strong drinks.

Expect some pictures from the mustache party in this blog soon. : )

Amon Amarth

I spent two nights rocking out at the Anaheim and Hollywood Amon Amarth shows. The first night was a last-minute surprise by a friend. I had actually never heard of them before. When she described them as "Swedish Viking Death Metal" I knew I was in for a treat. The crew was super cool and hooked me up for a photo pass for the second night.

Their current North American tour doesn't include many dates in the states, so I feel fortunate to have seen them twice. I had forgotten how much fun metal shows are to attend. They put on one hell of a show and I'll definitely be watching for them when they come around again.

One of the highlights for me was their beer horns. I love how the vocalist wears (and drinks) from his for the entire show. The horns are very intricately carved with the band logo and runes, and I was told they cost 400-500 pounds. I suggested plastic versions to sell at the merch booth. Perhaps we'll see those in the future. ; )

\m/ \m/

The History and Hauntings of the Hollywood Tower

I have been living in the Hollywood Tower for about 3 years and love this building's rich history and many accounts of hauntings throughout the years. I've been collecting stories from residents from the 70's, 80's, 90's, as well as current residents and plan to put out a book covering the history and hauntings of this historic building.

The Hollywood Tower was the inspiration for Disney's Tower of Terror ride. I'm not so sure that the elevator ever crashed in the actual building, but there are definitely some very interesting stories.

Back in the 30's and 40's there was a doorman and the place was frequented by movie stars. It's rumored that George Raft built it, but I'm also finding that it was built as a long-term hotel for actors and crews filming at the Warner lot.

This is the first place Humphrey Bogart lived when he came out to Hollywood to "try acting," Carmen Miranda was married in the lobby. Errol Flynn stayed here. The building went through a serious decline around the late 70's and early 80's. A lot of Hollywood locals tell me it was the hot spot for great drugs.

There were murders and suicides in the building. There are rumors of the mafia throwing people from the back of the building and quite a few have jumped from the roof to their death. There are several accounts of hauntings in most apartments and a shadowy, floating figure on the 4th floor. Many people, myself included, have seen very clear images of people in the apartments.

I don't want to reveal too much right now because I have many psychics and a few teams of ghost hunters that I'm bringing in and will document what they see. I'm looking forward to matching up the stories they tell me and the visions they experience to the descriptions I have from past and current residents.

I created a MySpace page to gather stories. Friend me!

The Devil's Orchestra at Key Club and Rainbow Graffiti

I'll just tell you now that I'll be writing about these guys often - because they're so great I go to see them play all the time. The Devil's Orchestra played the Key Club tonight. Yay. This is one of my favorite venues for shooting because they have some of the most amazing stage lighting in the Los Angeles area. Right now they're having free shows every Tuesday.

You can always see The Devil's Orchestra on Sundays at Cinespace on Hollywood Blvd. It's FREE to get in before 10pm and they have FREE VODKA drinks from 9:30-10:30pm. The band goes on at about midnight. And it's well worth the wait.


When The Devil's Orchestra was done playing I headed over to the Rainbow for dinner. I always take my camera with me when I go to the ladies room because there is always great graffiti. Who knew you could see such wise words in a bathroom stall in a restaurant on the Sunset Strip?!

Flower Photos

I took these photos years ago back in Maryland.

Unfortunately I have not been able to get any nice flower photos in my area of LA.

In Hollywood the flowers look beautiful from a distance, but when you get up close and really have a look you see that they're covered in a filthy, black soot.

I love Hollywood, but can't help seeing the irony in this.

The PBR Free Beers for Bros Fest at Safari Sam's Featuring Charlie and the Valentine Killers, Lonesome Spurs, and Superbees

Safari Sam's, one of the best venues in Hollywood, hosted the PBR FREE BEERS FOR BROS FEST where about 15 awesome Hollywood bands played for 15 minutes each. Music highlights of the night for me were Charlie and the Valentine Killers, Lonesome Spurs, and The Superbees (all pictured above).

Other highlights were getting a "bro" wristband to get free PBRs all night long and catching up with an old friend from back East who is filling in on bass for the Valentine Killers.

The night was super fun and kicked off the beginning of a 2 week tour for the Valentine Killers where they will be supporting David Allen Coe. Be sure to check their tour dates and go see them if they're going to be in your town.
Charlie and the Valentine Killers MySpace
Charlie Overbey is a very talented and accomplished musician and always finds other talented (and often well-known) musicians to join the band. You're sure to enjoy them.

Lonesome Spurs MySpace
It's simply impossible to not love a band where the female bass player/vocalist kicks out the drum beats on a suitcase! Yes... a suitcase!

The Superbees MySpace
I loved these guys and must find out where I can get a CD!

Safari Sam's Website
This venue has a lot of amazing shows. The menu is delicious (even includes vegan food), and original, local artwork is always on display and available for purchase.

The Devil's Orchestra

Snake, Rocko, and Elmo are some of the most ridiculously talented and original musicians I've ever known. This band is mind- blowing. I'm not exaggerating.

If you're in Los Angeles you can check them out FOR FREE every Sunday night at Cinespace (Hollywood and Ivar). Just be there by 10pm. There's incentive to get there early - all vodka drinks are FREE from 9:30-10:30pm.

TDO goes on at midnight, but between free vodka hour and the performance there's plenty to do. The night features art exhibits, live art, DJs, and 2 other bands. And if that's not enough... I've seen several celebrities there - including Jared Leto and Adrien Grenier.

Check them out on MySpace and go see them live. You WILL be hearing about them!