What do Out of Grey, State of Play & Pink Floyd have in common?

They all occurred this past weekend!!

A few months back, Chris (fellow Life on Mars (UK) and John Simm fan, So Cal and anglophile compadre) and I made plans to get together for the opening weekend of State of Play starring Russell Crowe and Ben Affleck. The Hollywood version of State of Play is based on the critically acclaimed 6-hour British Series that starred John Simm and David Morrisey. As an avid collector of both John Simm and Russell Crowe’s work, I will soon have two DVD versions of State of Play with each of them in the same role (although John will forever own it, hands down)

[And can I insert a little aside here to say, “I only have three actors whose work I faithfully collect…is it really necessary for two of them to overlap in the same freakin’ role?” I mean what are the odds here? For feks sake…there’s a bazillion actors out there…]

Right, Chris also made the brilliant suggestion to go see the Pink Floyd LaserSpectacular at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center that was being presented for one night. I immediately remembered the time I had seen Pink Floyd’s The Dark Side of the Moon Laserium Show at the Los Angeles Griffith Observatory in the 80’s. So of course I said, YES!!  I’m easy that way

And as it happens when two anglophile’s get together we planned a British shopping excursion and Pub as well.

Then, a week or so ago, I learn that Out of Grey will be performing live Friday the 17^that the World Famous Roxy in Hollywood. I had met guitarist Show at All Corked Up a few months back, later checked out his band on MySpace and also one night when they performed at The Vu in Newhall, CA.

I emailed long time best friend Catalina to see if she was available to join me for a rockin’ night at The Roxy. She said, YES!! She’s easy that way

FRIDAY

Cat and I meet up, have a quick dinner of the best ever quesadillas at a nearby Mexican café, then it’s over the hill to Hollywood and The Roxy.

Here’s a video I captured

After the set we caught up with Show…Thanks Cat for the aerial angle pic!

SATURDAY

A blessedly easy drive in the morning down the 405 frwy to Long Beach to meet Chris.

We head straight to the British shop to stock up on food products. Chris brings a CD of recorded show “Tank Top” (music of the 1970’s) that airs on Siren Radio and is presented by Bryan Rudd & Mark Forster. This particular show is special because it includes guest Professor Tony Williams of English Studies at Southern Illinois University – Carbondale. Tony is British born and moved to the US in 1984. Tony is a mutual online friend of Chris and I and this is the first time I’ve heard him. Was really great to hear Tony speak and present his music selections for the radio show. I loved the tracks and at the end of the show was pleasantly surprised that I was included in a shout out that Tony did to all those he wanted to say Hi to. I had no idea he’d done that!! Thanks Tony!! HI back at ya!!

After the British shop we head to the cinema for State of Play

Movie Review verdict? I loved State of Play with Russell Crowe!

Next up, over to the Carpenter Center…

…For some Pink Floyd

Hang on! You mean the price of admission includes special LaserSpecs?!? OMG!! Yes please!!

And just to make y’all jealous and envious of our fashionable and highly sought-after LaserSpecs…here’s Chris and I. Check out the stage behind us too!

The Pink Floyd LaserSpectacular was incredible and amazing. They recreated the feeling of the original Laserium show plus combined it with videos. For the first half of the presentation they played The Dark Side of the Moon in its entirety. After intermission we were then treated to Pink Floyd’s Greatest Hits including The Wall.

Here are two vids, the first is most memorable to me from the original Laserium show and the second is dedicated to Chris

Final destination of the day is to head to British pub, The Whale and Ale. After a minor navigator malfunction and a spur of the moment, Hey, let’s download Google Maps for GPS on the Blackberry to help get us back on track.

After fab meals of Fish and Chips, Bangers and Mash, Rasberry Sherry Trifle and Sticky Toffee Pudding, oh and per Chris’ recommendation, a pint each of London Pride we wearily leave to call it a day.

Wow you Gotta love Good Times!

Spot theshellmeister at the Whisky A Go Go!

My Friend Catalina and I went to see Creature Feature at their sold out show at the World Famous Whisky A Go Go on Oct 23, 2007. A work night for most but I’m such a wuss I scheduled to take the next day off from work so I could enjoy the late evening in style!

The Monstor Army of Creature Feature on MySpace found me because I like Oingo Boingo and Danny Elfman and invited me to listen to their sound. I was instantly hooked. What fun lyrics set to truly rockin music!! …as Catalina so succinctly put it, it’s…”pop evil”!!

Ok, so here’s the test…Creature Feature recently returned from being on the road a few months and posted some pics in their fab blog. Well, lo and behold they posted a couple pics from The Whisky when Cat and I were there!! And I’m quite visible in this one…Can you spot me?

Creature Feature Live at the Whisky A Go Go

Where’s theshellmeister? Hint: I’m the one in the center (in black) with my left arm in the air.

Ok… a couple more pics here… Curtis Rx and Erik X are truly good people in person and I wish them nothing but the best, plus all the successes they deserve!!

Curtis Rx's beautiful arm...Tell me it's insured?!

Curtis' trademark drop to his knees during "Aim For The Head"

(Pics courtesy of Creature Feature).

…and finally their first Music Video released Oct 30, 2007:

Life On Mars and John Simm: Suitable for Framing!

IT’S BACK!!!!!!

The autographed Life On Mars photo signed by the Cast that my sis presented to me after winning it at the The Railway Arms Meetup Charity Auction is back and now framed! I LOVE IT!!! Thank you Wibble so very much for making the rounds to get the cast signatures (…and thanks to the cast themselves!). Wibble, I’d love to have you post your story of getting all the signatures since I believe you said it took from Feb of this year up until the Thursday just before the meet?!? Huge thanks to my dear sister Theresa and special thanks to The Railway Arms for such an opportunity to revel in Life On Mars fandom! Basically, it’s a pure LOVE fest from me to all of you {MWAAAHH}.

First, here’s the story of how the autographs were gathered as told by Clarey and wibble from The Railway Arms:

Clarey (September 24, 2007) – “I’m trying to remember the dates and the places that the cast photo was signed. I think Phil was the first to sign it at the Macmillan Cancer charity do the 21st April, then I think Liz signed it the same day when we waited for her after her play Dying for It. I not too sure when John signed it – I think Wibble got it done on the opening night of Elling – was that the 9th May? I know Marshall signed it on 9th June in York when he met us after a performance of Wuthering Heights.

Deano was the last to sign it, but I’m not too sure of the date – it was only a couple of days before the actual meet-up while he was down in London. Maybe Wibble can fill in the rest of the gaps, or someone else can confirm the dates?

whatever – it took some doing and I don’t think there will ever be another one like it again.”

wibble (September 24, 2007) - “Blimey Clarey you are good with dates! I’ve just checked my diary and the Elling premiere at the Bush was on 25th April so John would have signed it then. Deano was the last to sign – I remember the date (30 August) as it was my friend’s 40th birthday and so after meeting Mr Andrews I had to take the cast photo, signed dvd and a rather gorgeous A4 sized signed photo of Dean to my friend’s birthday dinner in a central London restaurant. I was paranoid about losing the bag – and at one stage I had it so securely wedged underneath my chair that I temporarily lost track of it – there then followed a few minutes of sheer panic before I located it again. Phew!

So all in all it started out in Nottingham, then went to Walthamstow, Sheen, Islington, Shepherds Bush, York, Bermondsey, W1, Ealing and finally Manchester. And now it’s found a home in California. That photo could probably claim Air Miles!

MeShelley the photo looks fantastic in that frame! Great colour choice ;D“

2 matt colors used (burgundy and orange):

One of a kind Life On Mars photo autographed by the Cast

Close-up: One of a kind Life On Mars photo signed by the Cast

Autograph Detail: One of a kind Life On Mars photo signed by the Cast

I also won the LIfe On Mars series two promotional poster in the charity raffle and well I couldn’t resist getting it framed too…and with incredibly awesome results!!

3 matt colors used (flesh, tan and black):

Professionally framed Life On Mars Series 2 Promo Poster

Close-up: Professionally framed Life On Mars Series 2 Promo Poster

And finally, although not actually part of the TRA/LOM meet I did have another pic that I felt was more than suitable for framing! Of course it’s from after Elling on 5 Sep.

3 matt colors used (grey, burgundy and cream):

First time meeting John Simm - after Elling at Trafalgar Studios, London

View my original post and more online at The Railway Arms

MEN Reports: The Railway Arms – Life On Mars 2007 Meet

Two reports by the Manchester Evening News about The Railway Arms’ Life On Mars 2007 Meet held September 1& 2 (I was there!)

City trail of cult series
Don Frame
8/31/2007

John Simm as DI Sam Tyler

IT was the series that had people glued to their TVs as they struggled to work out whether cop Sam Tyler was in his own words ‘mad, in a coma, or back in time’.

Even after watching the final episode of the nail-biter, many were still unsure of the answer – but the award-winning drama has become a cult show, with fans around the globe.

And this weekend a group of them from as far afield as the USA, Germany and Finland, will meet up in Manchester to get closer to their heroes by touring locations across the city where Life On Mars was filmed. more

 
 
 

Trip to Life on Mars
Paul R Taylor
9/6/2007

Fans at Victoria Baths

FANS of drama series Life on Mars took a nostalgic trip back to Manchester in the 1970s.

Fabulous Ford Cortinas, kipper ties and backdrops such as Victoria Baths, the Northern Quarter and Stockport’s Stopford House made the show an international hit.

Fifty fanatical fans of the award-winning series came from around the world for a tour of those filming locations. And to learn that Victoria Baths is the secret star of the show – used for a variety of scenes including an Irish community centre, a criminals’ hide out, the scene of a chase sequence, and as a mortuary – as seen in a series of on-location photos which have been released for the first time.

The group of devotees travelled from America’s west coast, Finland, Germany and across Britain for the event, which was organised by a website run by the fans themselves. more

My Personal Life On Mars Compilation (2-disc CD): Track Listing

This is my personal compilation I made last year:

THE FRONT:

THE BACK:

Disc 1 (Episodes 1-4)

1. David Bowie-Life On Mars?

2. The Who-Baba O’Riley

3. Cream-White Room

4. Paul McCartney-Live And Let Die

5. The Upsetters-Jungle Lion

6. Pink Floyd-One Of These Days

7. The Upsetters-Dreamland

8. Sweet-The Ballroom Blitz

9. Free-Wishing Well

10. Atomic Rooster-Head In the sky

11. David Bowie-The Jean Genie

12. Slade-Gudbuy T’Jane

13. Frankie Miller-I can’t Change It

14. Sweet-Blockbuster

 

Disc 2 (Episodes 5-8)

1. Thin Lizzy-Call The Police

2. Status Quo-Good Thinking

3. T. Rex-Jeepster

4. Nina Simone-I Wish I knew How It Would Feel To Be Free

5. Louis Armstrong-What A Wonderful World

6. Britney Spears-Toxic

7. Pulp-Disco 2000

8. Nina Simone-Sinner Man

9. Atomic Rooster-The Rock

10. Atomic Rooster-the Devil’s Answer

11. Roy Wood & Wizzard- See My Baby Jive

12. Lindisfarne-Meet Me On The Corner

13. Free-Little Bit Of Love