Joaquin Phoenix Speaks Up

In a recent interview in Newsweek, Joaquin Phoenix spoke up about rumours of his so-called "breakdown" on the set of Walk the Line last year. The reports that he was banging his head against a bedpost because the scene reminded him of brother's death are according to him "bullshit."

"You know, the press has kind of imposed upon me the title of Mourning Brother, and because I haven't been vocal about it, the assumption is that I'm holding onto it and all this s—t that's just not there. I don't need to pull from my experience for a character, and I've never understood why actors would, except for lack of ability, imagination or research. I had all three things, so this is a little frustrating to me, because it denies my work and the research that I did." He pauses. "It bothers me that this happens, because it's slightly exploitative. Suggesting that I would use this personal part of my life for a f---ing movie... it kind of makes me sick." ~Newsweek

I mean, if he was channeling the experience everytime he had an emotional scene to do, he would have ended up in the mental hospital long ago instead of rehab. What happened was an unfortunate tragic event and people should quit using it to identifying Joaquin. In every article and news blurb it's always "Joaquin Phoenix, who's brother River died of a drug overdose in front of the Viper Room." Okay people, we got it. Please, let's move on.

I hope there will be more interviews like this one. Maybe soon we'll be reading "Joaquin Phoenix, who won an Oscar for his portrayal of Johnny Cash."

Johnny Cash Covers

Today I heard a punk rock version of “Ring of Fire,” the June Carter/Merle Kilgore song originally recorded by Johnny Cash. I guess as the release date of the Johnny Cash biopic “Walk The Line” draws near, we’ll be hearing a lot more of his songs on the radio.

I did some research and discovered the cover I heard was done by Social Distortion back in 1990. I must say it gave me a whole new perspective of the song. I was impressed. I was also surprised I hadn’t heard it before. It was fast, energetic and passionate in all the right places as only a punk rock spin can give. I wouldn’t say it was better or worse than Johnny Cash’s version, just different.

When I compare it with Johnny Cash doing the Nine Inch Nails song “Hurt” the difference is like day and night. The first time I saw the video, I was blown away. It’s very simply done, shot from the side with Johnny at the piano and June Carter Cash sitting quietly reflective behind him. It reminded me of an Annie Liebowitz portrait for Rolling Stone. As he sings the song, the video shows his life through out the ages, mostly through home movies. The rock stations around here started playing it after he died and I could never hear it without feeling his pain.

The vibrato in his voice speaks of someone who has dealt with pain all his life, but some how kept going in spite of it. The song is about drug addiction, about someone who has caused others around him pain because the pain they have endured. Coming from Johnny Cash, who has experienced drug addiction, personal tragedy, prison, ridicule, heartache and triumphed over all of it, it is powerful, moving and yet heartbreaking.

The Nine Inch Nails version is dark, sinister, and reminds me of a soundtrack to a Tim Burton movie. Where Johnny’s version is passionate and affecting NIN’s version comes across whining like a five-year-old who mashed his finger in the door.

Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails wrote the song about his heroin addiction after he overcame it. The song has a powerful meaning that Johnny Cash interpreted to fit his style and his life’s pain.Even Reznor was impressed, saying that after seeing the video he felt like the song no longer belonged to him.

I also like the Cash arrangement better, from the way he starts out singing a ballad that turns into a growling protest song to the way he changes the lyrics from “crown of shit” to “crown of thorns.” He changes it from symbol of pity to a symbol of martyrdom.

Different? Better? Worse? I guess it all depends on your perspective and your taste in music.

Spam Prevention

I have found it necessary to select the "word verification" option on the comments portion of my blog.

Sorry for the inconvenience, but lately I've been getting spammers on my blog (dirty bastards are everywhere) and I wanted to stop it before it got out of hand.

So comment away, (yes, please do!) just retype the little weird letters into the box so "Mr. Blogger" will know you're a real live breathing flesh-and-blood person and not some program devised by some deranged marketing geek.

Thank you.

Signs That The Aliens Are In Control

My creativity has gone down the toilet, I can’t seem to control my focus long enough to get any work done. I can’t think of a damn thing to write on my blog. Oh, I guess this is it, this is my entry.

Sometimes I feel like aliens or something are controlling my brain. Maybe I should make one of those tinfoil hats like in “Signs.”

My empty inbox continues to vex me, as does the lack of interest in my blog. Perhaps I should start plugging it on Data Lounge and Sleazer. That should get some action!
And it doesn’t help that I seem to be connected by six degrees of separation to someone I've been communicating with online. It's a long story. But that's the kind of stuff that's been going through my mind.

The ironic thing about the six degrees thing is you may know somebody, who knows somebody, who knows somebody, etc…but it doesn’t really mean anything. It’s sort of like being Clint Eastwood’s third cousin. You may be related to the guy but you’ll probably never meet him as long as you live.

And speaking of Data Lounge, I found these links to Marty Casey's band site, and I have to take it back what I said about him. He is not a bad rock singer. The music has sort of a Staind, Puddle of Mudd sound. But as Garry Beers would say it, “He’s just not right for our band, INXS.” That's the thing I like about that show...watching the singers work and improve.

Other things I’ve discovered while battling a bad case of ADD…

MSN recently had a chat with Dave Navarro. He had these things to say ( in between disclaiming that he is not a member of INXS and has no input about who they select) about Rock Star:INXS:

What’s the question the contestants ask you most?
Dave: “Do these pants make me look fat?”

About the sudden change in J. D.’s attitude, which I would not go so far as the chat host did and call it “humbling.” Dave: That is what we call the magic of editing.

Commenting on whether he thought J.D. is misunderstood, Dave remarked that he thought J. D. was totally understood.

To read more go to MSN Celebrity Chat.

Joaquin's New Job

Stop the presses!!! Or blog update!!!! Or whatever!!!!!

This is a new music alert! Well, maybe not new. The CD was released in April, so sue me for not being able to keep up with the thousands of new music title released every year.

The CD and artist is “Ringside.” The song "Tired of Being Sorry" is being played on some radio stations. The duo is made of singer/songwriter Scott Thomas, and actor Balthazar Getty, whom some may remember from Ladder 49. I’ve heard a few songs from their website and great. Nice to hear something different and it definitely is that, from flamenco to rock. I love his voice which is sometimes raspy, sometimes soothing. Haven’t pick up the CD yet, but I’m ordering it tomorrow. It sounds awesome. To hear more samples of Scott Thomas, check out his website.

They’re shooting a video with Joaquin Phoenix as director. Maybe this will be an alternative career for Joaq. At least it might keep him busy and out of trouble during his off time. (Just kidding.) Good luck to all!

Happy Birthday!

Today’s my birthday.

A milestone year. No, I'm not telling.

I woke up with a headache…I feel like crap…my check didn’t come today. And due to bad planning on my part, I have to work tonight. I wonder if the universe is trying to tell me something…

Is it going to rain today, too?