On my hit list.

Kathy Griffin has been driving me nuts lately.

Honestly, I wasn't even really aware of her until she was in Modesto two years ago and despite selling out a show at our venerable State Theatre, refused to be interviewed for our paper's cover story.

Apparently, the publicist says they do no press when the show is sold out.

That seemed a bit silly and pretentious to me, but lately....

She's EVERYWHERE!

I have news for you, lady - self-depreciating humour gets old fast. You are NO LONGER on the d-list, you twit.

I wish I'd have gotten a picture of it when I was in Hollywood last week. There's a huge billboard for her stand-up routine on the Sunset Strip. I think when that happens, you're no longer on the D-list... winning an Emmy probably gets you on the A-list, since everyone now knows who you are and has an opinion of you, favorable or otherwise.

Her TV show probably keeps me in shape. It's hard work running to the TV to change the channel when I can't find the remote!

Just what will it take for these guys to please you?

So two of my favourite bands are releasing brand new CDs in the next 2 weeks. Alkaline Trio is releasing Agony and Irony on July 1st and Less Than Jake is releasing GNV FLA on June 24th.

Both are also receiving major pressure from their fans and critics for some major reasons. 

First off Less Than Jake. My favorite band of all time. They split with Warner to form their own record label Sleep it Off. In With The Out Crowd didn't receive alot of great reviews from the "old fans" and it seemed to leave a mark on the band as well. They had help for the first time with writing some of the songs, and that didn't seem to go well with those "fans". The people that liked the earlier material (mostly because of some great ska tunes) expected the same thing. They wanted Losing Streak in 2006. Well like most bands, LTJ wanted to progress as a group and wrote some serious songs as well as material that wasn't "ska". Like I mentioned, it didn't go so well with the critics. So with GNV FLA, they recorded at Atlas Studios in Chicago, IL and have been promoting the new album like crazy in the Myspace world. I for one, am stoked. I've heard a few songs and love them already. They sound better then ever, and can't wait till June 24th. These guys have been playing for a very long time, and for the last 10+ years, have heard "return to your ska roots bla bla bla...". Whether or not there are "ska" songs on the record, I can't wait.

Alkaline Trio also is releasing a new record as well. They too, didn't receive any awards for Crimson with the elite fans. Granted, its a darker album, which isn't shouldn't surprise anyone, but the elite fans expected less-polished songs about drinking and alcohol which got them where they are in the first place. Just like LTJ, they progressed as a band and were writing songs different from the Goddammit years. So I've heard some of Agony and Irony, and I'm not sure if I'm liking it more or less then Crimson. "Help Me" is the new single, and it's very catchy and playing on some radio stations already. Just like "Time to Waste" did when Crimson came out. It seems with every new song, the band gains more haters. People expect the same thing, but are getting something they can't stomach because they are stuck with an album they fell in love with. 

So to end this rant that I have been thinking over and over in my head, we as fans can't expect a band that has played for 10 years or more to repeat the same material and sound they started with. Music changed for the better or worse no matter what the fans gripe about. If you strongly dislike an album, don't buy it, and shut up.

Why, people?

Easily the most ridiculous pop-culture status symbol is the bluetooth headset.

Not only does it make the wearer look like the guy from Star Wars, but it makes it appear that nothing is more important to them than an imminent phone call.

And apparently, they don't realize how silly it is to walk around appearing to talk to themself.