If you’re a regular-ish reader, you might remember that Flavorwire has featured the work of a pop culture and Smiths-obsessed Brazilian artist by the name of Butcher Billy a couple of times over the last few years. Well, he’s back, and this time he’s designed a series of faux comic-book covers featuring ’80s post punk/new wave singers (including Morrissey, of course) as superheroes. They’re amazing. Obviously. … Read More
Billy Idol
12 Notable Music Videos Directed by Famous Filmmakers
As we reported last week, Gaspar Noé — the man responsible for the French films Enter the Void and, shudder, Irreversible — has directed the video for the rather excellent new Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds single “We No Who U R.” The video is rather restrained by Noé’s standards, but it fits the song beautifully, and it got us thinking about other well-known directors who’ve moonlighted in making music videos. There have been plenty over the years, some triumphant, some rather less so — so here’s a selection for your viewing delectation! Marvel, giggle, shake your head in despair, and then let us know if we missed any. … Read More
Candid Photos of UK Punk Pioneers as Kids
Over the course of fourteen months spanning 1976 and 1977, punk changed everything, thrust forward with all the unbridled rage and authenticity of youth. Wait, these punks? Meet the group of angry young’uns dubbed the Bromley Contingent, ”the original punks” clustering around the Sex Pistols fandom and the fashions of Malcolm McLaren and Vivienne Westwood – Siouxsie Sioux, Jordan, Poly Styrene in all of their severity. These candid shots captured by their social accomplice Simon Barker, spotted by Dangerous Minds, show Siouxsie sans her decades-long mystique, slathering on make-up. A fresh-faced Billy Idol looks about twelve, strolling through the Vortex club, his iconic scowl replaced with a tentative little smile. Today, pictures like these would be on Facebook. Back then, they were the markers of cultural history. And then it hits you. These are just kids. … Read More
10 Truly Weird Holiday Albums
The holiday concept album is a tricky and often terrible thing. Many artists at the dawn of their retirement will turn a couple of festive tricks, putting a strange spin on carols that symbolize cozy, good cheer. The results are often bizarre and embarrassing, hammering another nail in the coffin of a recording career. Novelty recordings are usually no less weird, making family-friendly standards raunchy or rip-roaringly bad in cheap and silly ways. In a few cases, though, an unusual take on holiday tunes is just what we need to reinvigorate our spirit and help us appreciate the classics once more. We’ve uncovered ten truly weird holiday albums that should get you in the mood for this season’s celebrations — or at least make you shake your head and laugh. Check them out past the break, and leave your personal favorites below. … Read More
A Collection of Pop-Culture Tributes to Ziggy Stardust
David Bowie’s androgynous early-’70s alien character, Ziggy Stardust, is not only one rock’s most memorable characters; he’s also one of its most distinctive fashion icons, sporting skintight jumpsuits, pounds of glitter makeup, and a bright-red hairdo that gives mullets a good name. Although he’s nearing his 40th birthday, Ziggy’s iconic style continues to influence musicians, fashion designers, artists, and fans, as pop-culture homages to the bisexual space invader abound. Models have been the subjects of Ziggy Stardust-themed fashion shoots, actors have portrayed (and parodied) the role onscreen, and celebrities of all kinds have taken it upon themselves to revive the lightning-bolt look for fun and profit. See some of the best and funniest Ziggy Stardust tributes after the jump. … Read More
Video of the Day: Early-’80s Trent Reznor Covers Billy Idol
We’re not prepared to say that this video is either “good” or “bad” — what’s important is that it actually exists. What you see below is pop-industrial god Trent Reznor singing Billy Idol’s “Eyes Without a Face” in his early-’80s cover band, The Urge. The video quality here is poor, but you’ll still be able to make out his nigh-on-Flock-of-Seagulls haircut. As funny as this (and the other ’80s Reznor clips Dangerous Minds digs up) may be, let’s remember that most of us have probably had some fairly humiliating early-career moments that we wouldn’t want to see surface on YouTube should we ever get famous. … Read More
10 Celebrity Vegetarians Who Might Surprise You
Today is World Vegetarian Day, the official kickoff of the North American Vegetarian Society’s annual Vegetarian Awareness Month. In honor of the unofficial holiday, we decided to seek out some of the more surprising famous meat shunners. Maybe these unlikely herbivores will help convince you that anyone can do it. Or maybe they’ll just make you want to go eat a burger. Either way, enjoy! … Read More
Daily Dose Pick: Hear the World
Phonak’s Hear the World initiative is on a mission to educate people about the dangers of hearing loss and how to handle it — and it has some high-profile friends on board.
Musicians and other celebrities, including Amy Winehouse, Peter Gabriel, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Jude Law, Moby, Common, and Lindsay Lohan, have lent their faces (and voices) to the campaign as Hear the World “ambassadors.” Through their endorsement, the program’s numerous offerings are being noticed on a wide scale, giving the public access to vital information, and those in need invaluable support. … Read More
Awesome Infographic: The Rock ‘N’ Roll Metro Map
We’re not sure why Billy Idol gets the central spot in this infographic map about the world’s most influential rock bands. We’re also fairly confident that you’ll never spot us on the “E” (as in “emo”) line. Click here to view the full version and tell us: Which line do you travel on the… Read More
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