Xander Deccio's Blog

We have an exclusive premier of the new music video for Evanescence's new single What You Want. The new single has been generating buzz all over the interwebs for the past few weeks.

 their highly anticipated self-titled album, is due Oct. 11.

Get a look at this photo of Johnny Depp! Many are wondering if this is his Halloween costume or if he's starting to act like the characters he plays in his films. It's actually from the set of his new film Dark Shadows which is based off the 70s soap opera about vampires. Depp plays Barnabas Collins the master of Collinwood Manor. He breaks the heart of a witch, Angelique Bouchard, who turns him into a vampire and buries him alive. In 1972, Barnabas is freed and returns to find his manor in ruin. It is occupied by dysfunctional descendants and other residents, all of whom have dark secrets

However this is what Barnabas originally looked like in the 70s soap played by Jonathan Frid.

Johnny Depp is sporting more of a Michael Jackson look then that of the original Barnabas Collins. The film will also reunite Depp with director Tim Burton and also stars Jackie Earl Haley, Michelle Pfeiffer, Eva Green and what Tim Burton film wouldn't be complete without...You guessed it Helena Bonham-Carter. the film is set to be released May 11, 2012

West Palm Beach based Surfer Blood has released the first track off their new EP, Tarot Classics EP entitled Miranda. Tarot Classics hits shelves October 25th.

Surfer Blood will also be hitting the road with legendary Alt-Rock band The Pixies. Here are the dates for the tour.

9/16 Echoplex - Los Angeles, CA
9/17 - The Getty - Losa Angeles, CA
9/21 Crowbar -  Tampa, FL

9/22 Double Down Live  - Gainesville, FL

10/27 The Wellmont Theatre - Montclair, NJ * 

10/28 Asbury Park Convention Hall -  Asbury Park, NJ *
10/29 Palace Theatre -  Waterbury, CT * 

10/30 Hampton Beach Ballroom - Hampton Beach, NH * 

11/1 State Theatre -  Portland, ME * 

11/2 The Armory -  Rochester, NY * 

11/3 State Theatre Center for the Arts -  Easton, PA * 

11/5 Paramount Theatre -  Huntington, NY *
11/6 Grand Opera House -  Wilmington, DE*
11/7 Ottobar - Baltimore, MA
11/8 War Memorial Auditorium -  Greensboro, NC*
11/9 Louisville Palace Theatre -  Louisville, KY * 

11/10 Tennessee Theatre -  Knoxville, TN * 

11/11 North Charleston Performing Arts Center -  North Charleston,SC*
12/8 The Brixton Academy - London, UK ^
12/9 ATP  - Somerset, UK


* w/ The Pixies
^ with The Vaccines

'Tarot Classics' EP Tracklisting

1. I’m Not Ready
2. Miranda
3. Voyager Reprise
4. Drinking Problem

In the words of Jeremy Piven's character from the 1997 film Grosse Pointe Blank (personal fav of mine BTW) "TEN YEARS!!!." It has been over ten years since Bush has put out an album of new material. Why has it taken so long you ask? Well it's because the band decided to part ways after releasing 2001's Golden State. I remember this album very well, the band had released a single titled Speed Kills while the song repeated the title lyric throughout the song. The band had to change it to The People That We Love mainly due to 9/11 and the notorious Clear Channel Memo that had tried to censor many song with objectional song titles or lyrics. However, Golden State proved to be Bush's worst album to date that was released and both Guitarist Nigel Pulsford and Bass Guitarist Dave Parsons decided to quit the band leaving no choice for the band to break up alltogether.

When it comes to Bush, the band can be described a pivitol Alt-Rock band of the 90s. Yes many know it was Gavin Rossdale's first band before becoming well known for marrying Gwen Stefani. However the band first two albums, Sixteen Stone and Razorblade Suitcase are considered classics in Alternative Rock. However things changed when they released their third album The Science of Things in 1999. The band dropped their grunge sound for more of an electronic alt-rock sound. Now this wasn't a bad thing as The Science of Things was actually a pretty good album. But it wasn't the Grunge sound that everyone had grown to love from the band. However in 2001 things took a turn for the worse. The band released Golden State which would be labled their worst album to date. It sounded nothing like Bush and it made many fans wonder "What the hell happened to Bush?" The band that was known for releasing classic songs such as Comedown, Glycerine and Swallowed; was now putting out crap like The People That We Love. 

For me however it's much more personal. To sum it up, Bush is considered one of my favorite bands of all time. I actually had to re-buy Sixteen Stone and Razorblade Suitcase twice, because I wore them out... Especially the later as Razorblade got me through some really tough times in high school. Yes, I was bullied constantly and music is what got me through the hard times. If it wasn't Razorblade Suitcase, it was Sublime's self-titled album or Lemon Parade by Tonic. 

So after 10 years, Bush is back together sans Nigel and Dave and have a new album out entitled The Sea of Memories. This album was due to be released around the same time last year under the title Everything Always Now and had released the single Afterlife as the first track. However, production on the album took longer than expected and the album was pushed back to Fall of this year. The band also released a second single this summer entitled; The Sound of Winter which sounds like a mix of The Science of Things meets Razorblade Suitcase. However if you're looking for old school Bush, you will be sadly disappointed. The band decided to mix all of their sounds from preveous albums and put them together in The Sea of Memories. Afterlife at first I didn't care for as it didn't sound like Bush at first and thought it was another song off of Gavin's solo album. However, it grows on you. All Night Doctors is a subtle track with elements of Glycerene mixed with a piano score. To sum up this album, it's Bush grown up. It still has the Alt-Rock feel to it but also mixes a softer side to it as well and keeps some of the elements of it's past and includes some of the electronica as well. The thing that really hurts this album is Dave and Nigel's abscence. Both of their talents are what gave Bush their sound. Nothing against Chris Traynor or Corey Britz, but it's not the same without Nigel and Dave's contribution. 

Overall; this album is pretty enjoyable. For a band that hasn't produced anything in over 10 years, it's sure as hell better than 2001's Golden State which to me was one of the worst albums ever made. Most people will not enjoy this and if you're looking for something on the likes of their earlier work you will sadly be disappointed. However, I highly suggest listening to this with an open mind as it's not a bad record in the least bit, but a new chapter in the book of Bush.

Yesterday, FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH unveiled the brand-new video 'Under and Over It', which ARTISTdirect called, “the video of the year.”  The satirical video was directed by noted film director Ethan Maniquis (co-director of Machete) and shot at Gavin Maloof's spectacular mansion in Las Vegas. 

“We wanted to hit a pretty sarcastic tone with it, so it looks like a typical big cock-rock video, but in a tongue in cheek way," states guitarist Zoltan Bathory. "We put all the 'big-time video' clichés in it except for the booty shake, or maybe we even got that, I don't remember. We do have the party scenes, cars, airplanes, mansions, pools and girls - of course you can't have a raaawwwk video without your token pool scene. Also, it's shot from a behind-the-scenes perspective where you can actually see the director 'trying' to direct our music video.  He is running in and out of the frames, posing the band, trying to make us act a certain way, which is pretty typical of most video shoots and it always annoys the hell out of the bands. It's an interesting angle the fans never get to see, and adds to the sarcasm of the whole clip. We just wanted to have fun with it, and actually it ended up being a blast and more of a party than a stressful video shoot. Maybe we'll shoot part two for this. Haha!”

So I decided to revamp "Pop Goes The World" and do a feature article based on crazy stuff I find on the interwebs. The reason this came about is due to the fact that I am constantly finding crazy stuff on either Youtube or the web in general. I originally was going to restart up Sick Sad World, but then again I don't think Buzznet is ready for something cynical as that. So why not revamp an old idea and give it a face lift? Alas, Pop Goes The Interweb is born!

The first installment of Pop Goes The Interweb, is a parody that I found by mistake while reading The Huffington Post one morning. The spoof that is Tiny Fuppets! This crudely drawn web cartoon that is a spoof of the 90s cartoon Muppet Babies is a cynical breath of fresh air. The web series 'created' by Arturo Lima is in Portuguese with English subtitles but doesn't act like the normal Muppets we are all used to and love. No, Tiny Fuppets has more of a grown up feel to it, without the vulgarity. The character names have also been changed as well with the different attitudes that reflect differently then what you're normally used to (I.E. Nanny is portrayed as the mean guardian and Kermit has a more cynical attitude.)

Here's an episode for your viewing pleasure.

Overall, it's crude and campy. But it's fun none the less. To see more episode check out the official website. 

FX's hit popular tv series It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia is back for it's seventh season, and it couldn't come at a better time. This season the gang will tackle on topics such as Jersey Shore, Obesity, Illiteracy and many more topics that would be considered taboo for regular television. Here is a trailer for the new season.

I will also be reviewing each episode after it's airing date so look forward to that. To see more clips of the show click the graphic below

Allright, being the first episode of Guilty Pleasures did very well, I have decided to move it to Fridays. So this week I am keeping up with the 90s decade and what better way to continue this with Pop songs of the 90s. Of course we have our favorites that we hate to admit we like. Whether it be Barbie Girl, or Jump, if you were a kid of the 90s you had to have a few songs you loved, but now would hate to admit you liked them, but deep down you still jam out to them.

As a kid I used to listen to many of these pop songs when the Hot 9 @ 9 on 107.3 KFFM would play every night. Hell I even made my mix tapes to some of these songs as well. So I have come up with 10 songs that I admit are guilty pleasures.

1. PM Dawn - Set Adrift on Memory Bliss

PM Dawn was one of those bands you didn't want to admit you liked but their songs were catchy and memorable. Not to mention Prince Be's silky voice.

2. Kris Kross - Jump

I remember when this song came out, it was HUGE! I remember kids were wearing their clothes backwards to where teachers started complaining to parents about it. Now a days I don't think that will fly but hearing this song makes you want to wear your clothes backwards.

3. Another Bad Creation - Iesha

I don't know if most people remember ABC but they came around the same time as Kris Kross and I also remember the feud, which started when people compared Kris Kross to ABC which irritated them (which can be heard in Jump) Anyways not many people will admit they like this song as it sums up the term Guilty Pleasure.

4. Jesus Jones - Right Here, Right Now

Jesus Jones never took off and this song had potential. However, it is pretty cheesy for Alt-Rock standards hence why it's a Guilty Pleasure.

5. Meatloaf - I Would Do Anything For Love

Everyone knows Meatloaf; from his numerous classic hits such as Paradise By The Dashboard Light or Two Out of Three Ain't Bad. To his film resume I mean who couldn't forget him in Fight Club. But in the early 90s he released this single which is pretty campy even for Meatloaf... However the video rocks!

6. Londonbeat - I've Been Thinking About You

I even hate to admit this but this song is a personal guilty pleasure. In matter of fact, at random times of the day I will blurt out "Cha Pow Pow." 

7. Milli Vanilli - Girl You Know It's True

I don't care what anyone says, Milli Vanilli is the shit! I don't care if they lip synched or not this album was awesome. 

8. Deee-Light - Groove Is In The Heart

Many find this song to be annoying. But how can you call it annoying when the legendary Bootsy Collins contributes? 

9. Lou Bega - Mambo #5

This song came out when Ska, and Swing were making a big comeback in the dance scene. Lou Bega thought, "Hey what about Mambo?" It worked, but sadly his career never flourished leaving this to be a guilty pleasure for many and for a Lou, a one hit wonder.

10. Donna Lewis - I Love You Always Forever

I'll probably get questions on why this is on the list. I'll put it this way, most people will not admit they like this song. But deep down they LOVE IT!

I know their are others that fit this list, but i have to keep it at 10. What are some of your uilty pleasures?

P.S. i'm throwing an extra by Garfunkle and Oates just because it fits with this and because I love these girls.

Heavy Metal outfit Mastodon has debut a single off their forthcoming and highly anticipated new album The Hunter. This is one of the few albums I am anxiously awaiting for and this single couldn't have come any sooner. Spectrelight is the 2nd off the new album and this album is shaping up to be one big epic monstrosity of nature in itself. I have to say I'm really diggin' this track and this should be a little treat for all you metal-heads out there who can't wait

The album will hit shelves September 26th. What do you guys think?

P.S. Just got the album, look for my review tomorrow.

Rock band Evanescence has re-emerged with a new single entitled What You Want. The band hasn't released any new material since 2006's The Open Door and to be honest, I never know who singer Amy Lee has kicked out of the band or if the band is back together or broken up. I enjoyed Fallen to an extent but i'm sorry, My Immortal gets on my nerves.

But I have to admit, I am actually enjoying this new single What You Want. It's a bit more harder than their other efforts and it's catchy.

What do you guys think? Is this song a good comeback, or should Evanescence just break up for good? Lets hear your thoughts!