Life is a ride, like days in a train. Cities rush by, like ghosts in the night. The rhythm of wheels, time fades away. Stations of a journey, destination unknown. ~Yello
The Genius Behind ‘Yello’ Prepares To Prove That All Production Music Is Not Made Equal
Boris Blank signs with Extreme Music
LOS ANGELES, Jan. 10, 2012 — /PRNewswire/ — In their tireless quest to change the face of the music library industry, Extreme Music, the production music arm of SonyATV Music, announce yet another super-deal, this time enlisting Boris Blank, the music genius behind the seminal band Yello.
Boris Blank, the man who made the mold for today’s electronic music, signs on with Extreme to create an original series adding his signature brand of cerebral audio anarchy to further bolster Extreme’s ever-evolving top shelf professional user catalog.
“The music I’ve written for Extreme is like a kaleidoscope. Turn it round and a completely new world of colour appears. You will find some fast, thrill-driven tracks and some delicate pieces like passing clouds over strange terrain,” said Blank. “It is a huge pleasure for me to write for Extreme and a challenge to produce my sound ideas in a new way.”
“The genius of Boris is that it’s impossible for him not to amaze and the music he is creating for this series simply cannot fail to inspire,” said Russell Emanuel, CEO and Co-Founder of Extreme Music. “He is as much a sonic inventor as he is a master producer and we cannot wait to unleash this series…. you will be putty in his hands!!”
The initial release of approximately 30 tracks is slated for release in March 2012. please visit www.extrememusic.com for more information.
ABOUT BORIS BLANK:
Boris Blank, born in 1952 in Zurich, never set out to be a rock musician. He never learned to play an instrument or read music. For him the world – whatever he heard, a motor, a clock – everything was and still is music.
This singular world view has served him well. When Yello started recording, the sampler had not even been invented. Boris diligently sampled sounds by recording directly onto tape loops. No one had ever heard such innovative electronic music before, not even the masters of the genre.
“I wouldn’t be where I am today without this Swiss electronic duo. Their music belongs to the most influential and remarkable in electronic music.” – MOBY
“So there was a producer in Switzerland who had an endless repertoire of bizarre sound samples and original and distinctive synthesizer sounds at his disposal that nobody had ever heard before. Who was this man? How did he create them? The music of Yello helped to mold all music that I would conceive in the future. The detail that was used to produce the many Yello albums has been a guide to how I produce my own music and beats. By the way, Yello IS mad, Oh Yeah.” – CARL CRAIG
“The most inspirational thing about Yello is their attitude to music. They have never made a record simply to have a chart hit. It seems to me that they only produce what they love and inspires them. Their records always sound like they’re just a bit more than music.” – CARL COX
“Boris Blank: he started it all.” – DAVID MORALES
“In the vast array of man machinists, Boris Blank stands alone. He rarely talks about technical details, preferring to use a language of his own. He once described a mix as ‘not having enough silver in it’. I first met Boris at Powerplay Studio near Zurich in 1981. He wanted to play me some rough mixes from Claro Que Si and started with Daily Disco and Homer Hossa. The music seemed to roar like a steam-train leaving a trail of smoke against an endless blue sky. I can still remember it today, clear as daylight, it was time and space travel rolled into one.” – IAN TREGONING
He has created the film scores for The Adventures of Ford Fairlane, Manga Space Adventure Cobra and Penelope Spheeris’s film Senseless. John Hughes used Yello’s international hit “Oh Yeah” in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and the song entered the modern world’s collective unconscious. The Secret of My Success with Michael J. Fox soon followed suit and also used the song to describe desire.
Boris has written numerous musical scores for advertising and promotional campaigns, such as Jean Paul Goude’s “Orangina” and “Lee Cooper” and Audi.
Boris’s friendship and collaboration with the late Billy Mackenzie of the Associates was mutually inspirational. Boris produced six tracks for Billy, and they merged their talents on Yello’s international hit “The Rhythm Divine” sung by Shirley Bassey.
ABOUT EXTREME MUSIC
World-renowned as the “Bad Boys of the Industry” Extreme, the worldwide production music division of Sony/ATV Music Publishing, has made it their duty to change the face of library music. Since exploding onto the scene in 1997 these production music zeitgeists have consistently delivered an industry-quaking catalogue that leaves their competition sleeping with the lights on and establishes them as the undisputed masters in their field. Their unrivalled A-list packed roster famously boasts names such as Quincy Jones, Hans Zimmer, Sir George Martin, Snoop Dogg, Rodney Jerkins, Robbie Nevil, Junkie XL, Paul Oakenfold, Mark Mothersbaugh, Boris Blank, Timbaland, Michael Giaccino, Xzibit and Vince Clarke to name a few.
Users addicted to Extreme include Music Supervisors for hit TV shows such as Revenge, Up All Night, Glee, Modern Family, Mad Men, Parks & Recreation, 30 Rock, Shameless and Big Bang Theory; Hollywood blockbusters and trailers including Man on a Ledge, The Muppets, The Iron Lady, Twilight Saga: Eclipse, Horrible Bosses, Inception and Harry Potter; plus memorable advertising campaigns for Coca Cola, EA, Toyota, Virgin Atlantic, Target, Stolichnaya, Land Rover and AT&T.
This one’s for Lisa M, Chris W and Jamie C, because you all specifically mentioned you were looking forward to this blog. I would be skeptical if I didn’t know you’re actually serious!
This past Christmas, I went to visit my Dad who lives in Northwest Las Vegas. Besides the obligatory gambling, we decided, at my suggestion, to go on a road-trip to Area 51. I wonder now in hindsight if…, no I’m pretty sure that…, actually, I’m fairly positive I was subliminally influenced ever since seeing the movie, Paul on a recent Virgin Atlantic flight to London. If so, then Simon Pegg and Nick Frost have a lot to answer for!
So first, let’s set the mood, shall we?
Paul (2011) – Official Trailer
So as one does, I Googled for tours to Area 51. Well, I quickly ditched any thoughts of a tour from Las Vegas because the going rate is about $195.00. Per PERSON. Haha! No way were my Dad and I going to spend nearly $400.00 unless it was an Actual Tour OF Area 51!
A do-it-yourself road-trip was the answer and this is where the fabulous website, Area 51 – Dreamland Resort was hands down perfect for a “crash course” (Haha a little UFO humor) on the topic. Anyone and Everyone, planning their own trip to Area 51 should first check out the Dreamland Resort: Area 51 FAQ links. I found these web pages most helpful:
Another great resource was this blog, “Without Baggage“, from which I specifically printed the inset section,”How to Visit Area 51″.
And you can’t go wrong with Area 51 Sightseeing tips from USA Today, right? Right. Another one printed!
After a final review of all the maps, directions and cautions, Dad and I hit the road.
We gassed up and drove north on Interstate 15. As soon as you exit Interstate 15 onto Hwy 93 you immediately realize a feeling of solitude on the 2-lane highway. This stretch of road introduces you to the concept of remote in a hurry. For the next 85…long…miles, there are not too many vehicles playing passing games on this road. Why? Because there’s no one on this road to pass. But you may get lucky and find yourself behind a slow truck (slower than 80 mph? not bloody likely). Well, then it’s a slam dunk…make your passing move whenever you darn well fancy, cuz there’s no one coming in the opposite direction to worry about.
But hey! what’s this? A couple little towns near the end of the 85 mile stretch? Yep, Alamo and Ash Springs! Don’t Blink, Don’t even Blink. (Haha a little Doctor Who humor for Lisa M). These two towns are tiny but you will be so relieved to see them. Get ready, cuz here comes our first spectacular road-trip point of interest, the Alamo Truck Stop.
Alamo Truck Stop is perfect for picking up a bag of chips and a toilet break. I highly recommend it. Plus, any place that exactly matches the color of my car, is a definite WIN in my book!
Alamo Truck Stop, NV
Soon after Alamo, is where this trip really begins to “take off” (Haha more UFO humor). We arrive shortly at the junction of State Hwy 375.
In April 1996, Nevada State Highway 375 was officially named the ”Extraterrestrial Highway“ for the many UFO sightings along this lonely stretch of road. You can see how visitors from around the world have left their “mark” on the sign. This sign is at least one replacement (of how many?) that the state has had to install since the original.
Extraterrestrial Highway Sign (26 Dec 2011)
Funnily enough there were some folks taking a break at a picnic table. One guy, came over to have a look at what Dad and I where taking a picture of. Was it possible that this guy just stopped to have a road-side lunch and seriously had NO IDEA that this was the ET highway??? The mind boggles!
We were barely back on the road when, in less than 5 minutes, we reached our next stop. The Alien Research Center with its 30 foot aluminum Alien. Naturally.
Alien Research Center (Hiko, NV)
The Alien Research Center is a roadside attraction-style museum run by self-professed Area 51 expert Glenn Campbell. There weren’t any cars in the ample parking lot and we soon saw why. The center was closed on Mondays. Damn it all to hell. I could see through the glass front door the plethora of alien souvenirs and whatnot on display. Disappointed!
Back out on the ET highway and time to find our next point of interest, the “Black Mailbox” about 20 miles up. This is where a good set of printed directions is critical to have on hand because you can’t expect to rely on your phone or its GPS. Mine had already gone out shortly after we left the Alien Research Center.
Twenty minutes later between mile marker 29 and 30, we saw the mailbox and pulled into the wide open area surrounding it. There, Dad and I burst into laughter as we beheld the glory of the graffiti-laden mailbox on a pole that we had just driven roughly 2 hours to see. We weren’t entirely sure why this mailbox was so notorious, but knew it was a “Must-See”. And so we saw. And took many pictures. From Every Angle.
(click pic for mailbox detail)
The "Black Mailbox" near Area 51 (26 Dec 2011)
Turns out, that the mailbox is a popular spot for enthusiasts to watch for UFOs. Although originally black as its name implies, the “Black Mailbox”, is now quite obviously white, having since been replaced by its owner (due to wear and tear… from ordinary humans, most likely). The mailbox, reportedly made of quarter-inch-thick bulletproof metal and which I can confirm is also clamped shut with a Master Lock, belongs to a local rancher (you can still see in black letters “STEVE MEDLIN, HC 61, BOX 80″).
I wonder what color the next replacement will be, as you can see this one has become quite festive and I learned later that the green Alien face is apparently a very recent addition.
The “Black Mailbox” is also conveniently located on the corner of Mailbox road, a wide dirt road that leads west deep into the desert, towards Area 51.
Speaking of dirt roads, deep desert and zero mobile phone service without any GPS network, it’s also Open Range country. This means that cattle wander across the highway and there are no fences. So be alert and on the lookout for them. You don’t want to hit one. We passed a dead one on the side of the highway and saw car parts strewn about as well. Not good for the Cow, Car or Cattle Rancher (who will be looking for reimbursement).
We travel along Mailbox road and it’s about 8 miles with a few forks and turns before we arrive neatly at the Area 51 Boundary. What’s interesting to note here, is that there is no actual barrier, but there are warning signs on both sides of the road, security cameras amongst the surrounding cacti and a manned white sentry truck parked on a nearby hill.
And don’t think you will catch the sentry unawares. It’s parked just high enough to have clearly seen our massive dust cloud we trailed behind us since leaving ET highway through the 8 miles of dirt road in the barren desert. My dad also cracked a joke that they surely would’ve also seen us coming in my bright yellow car! No, there’s NO subterfuge here on our part at all!
Area 51 Boundary Sign - Left hand side (26 Dec 2011)
(click pic below for detail of white sentry truck on the hill)
Area 51 Boundary Sign - Right hand side (26 Dec 2011)
I will admit that my Dad (and doesn’t he look totally great for 82? Yep, he rocks!) and I were both disappointed to see that the boundary sign no longer portends “Use of deadly force authorized” against trespassers. What a shame. Now the errant wanderer only gets to look forward to simply being detained or arrested and most certainly fined. I’ve tried to research roughly when the language was wussed-down by comparing other dated pics on the internet, but can’t determine yet when it was changed. Below is a pic of how the right-hand side sign would’ve looked in 2003. Compare the latest one above showing a pasted piece that obscures the 2003 version here:
Former Area 51 Boundary sign (courtesy of addlepated at photo.addlepated.net)
Oh well, deadly force or not, by this time it’s about 2 pm and Dad and I are both ready to head to Rachel, NV for some lunch at the Little A’Le’Inn for their famous “Alien Burger”.
But first we need to backtrack along the dirt road to the ET highway. Remember the Open Range warning? We drove up upon a handful of Cattle near the road. So I shot one…with my camera. Isn’t he a beauty? And note the amazing scenery and Joshua Trees. You should click on the pic for a bigger view.
Open Range Cattle near Area 51 (Groom Lake Road, NV)
We reach the ET Highway again and after another 20 miles we arrived at Rachel, NV with our appetites ready.
Little A'Le'Inn Bar, Restaurant and Motel (Rachel, NV)
Did you see the Self Parking sign for Spaceships on the roof?
Here’s a few more pics just outside the Inn:
Tow Truck with UFO (Rachel, NV)
Whoa! Check out the snow! I get such a kick seeing snow in the desert. I found more snow in the shade near some creative artwork:
Little A'Le'Inn Art (Rachel, NV)
Our waitress at the Little A’Le’Inn was very friendly and exactly full of the character one expects at an Alien joint in the remote desert. She handed us our menus and hurried off to ring up some folks buying souvenirs.
Little A'Le'Inn Menu Cover
Of course, we had our minds set on an Alien Burger, but we still looked at the menu to see what else they had to satisfy both Human and Alien appetites:
Little A'Le'Inn Menu
Our waitress came back to take our order and invited us to take all the pictures we wanted, but cautioned us not to take any pics of patrons because they might be workers at the Area 51 site. Hmmm, I began to try and sort out the tourists from the locals. In the meantime, here’s some more pics from inside the famous Little A’Le’Inn:
Little A'Le'Inn Counter Bar and Dollar Bill Ceiling
Little A'Le'Inn Evidence Room
Area 51 Poster (Little A'Le'Inn)
By this time lunch had arrived. Alien Burger to order! What, you expected it to be round… just like Earthlings’ burgers?
Little A'Le'Inn Famous Alien Burger
Round or not, it was a fabulous burger! We quickly devoured lunch and picked up a few souvenirs before setting back out on the road.
Uh-oh, I think I accidentally took a picture of some Patrons while at the Little A’Le’Inn. I hope they were mere tourists like Dad and I… and not Area 51 workers…
Little A'Le'Inn Patrons
Heading back to Las Vegas about 1.5 miles southeast of Rachel, there’s another dirt road that leads to the Area 51 North Gate. It goes 10 miles deep into the remote desert. My dad and I debated whether to check it out and I reasoned, “Well we came all this way didn’t we?” So we went.
With our ever present dust cloud plumage announcing our intentions, we soon arrived at the North Gate. This entrance is also serious about no trespassers and not only has warning signs but also two barriers and a row of guard shacks. However, we didn’t see any guards manning the Gate in the setting sun.
Area 51 Boundary North Gate (26 Dec 2011)
It seems the warning signs here too, lack any notice about “Use of deadly force authorized“. Well burst my bubble…what is there left to do then, but to simply head back to Las Vegas?
So aside from having our expectations dashed from the promise of Authorized Deadly Force apparently no longer in force or enforced, it was still a fun road-trip. The scenery by far is absolutely marvelous even while keeping an eye out for UFOs. But please be sure you do your homework before traveling Highway 93 and 375 as they really are very remote areas. Heading back as darkness fell there was one stretch with no cars ahead or behind us, nor did one pass in the opposite direction for at least 15 minutes. It was comforting then, when Las Vegas finally came into view, with its spectacular show of lights spread out like a twinkling sea surrounding the brilliantly sparkling Hotel and Casino skyline of The Strip.
I wonder if aliens like to gamble…? Maybe they’d like a tour bus to Vegas? Wonder if they think $195.00 per alien is reasonable.
