There's an alternative playlist to the diet of sex, sex, and more sex served up to the kiddies on music video television (according to the Bailey Report), in DK's latest 'music video blog' on the Sight & Sound website.
David Knight - 17th Aug 2011
There's an alternative playlist to the diet of sex, sex, and more sex served up to the kiddies on music video television (according to the Bailey Report), in DK's latest 'music video blog' on the Sight & Sound website.
David Knight - 17th Aug 2011
(Simone Grattarola is one of the UK music video industry's favourite colourists. Based at Rushes, Simone has graded many hundreds of music videos. Unfortunately for him, absolutely none of these were for Whitesnake, Scorpions or Guns 'N Roses. Because Simone's love of heavy metal goes way back to the day, and seeing the marvellous Anvil recently has inspired him to share some of his guilty pleasures with the Promo nation. Genuine classics, cult classics, or just plain wrong - they're all jawdroppers. And more hairspray was used making these than anything by Girls Aloud.So let's rock...)This is somewhat of a collage to my spotty youth. Inspired by the new Anvil film I list some of my favourite Heavy Metal videos.As a 12 year old boy I idolized my older, cooler cousin. He had long hair and rode a motorbike. There were probably some underlying issues I'd not resolved the day I wandered into his bedroom to find his record collection spread across his bed. I ignored the dull pictures of modish men on the sleeves of The Jam and The Clash records and instead was drawn to the Scorpions Lovedrive, a man pulling chewing gum off a woman's breast and Lovehunter by Whitesnake, a giant snake wrapped around a naked woman.Whitesnake - Is This Love David Coverdale was the curly-permed lead singer of Whitesnake who married Bachelor Party thespian Tawny Kitaen. The videos for his re launched Stateside career drew attention to Tawny and to David's 'armadillo' (one for readers of Kerrang's View From The Bar). I have to admit I preferred Led Snake's Still Of The Night and Is This Love vids to Here I Go Again, as there was more flesh to be had and better shots of their sponsors, Jaguar. The only thing British he had left of himself.Whitesnake - Ain't No Love And this is British David before he sacked everyone and sailed in search of the golden strand, sorry, land.http://www.youtube.com/watchv=qiSkyEyBczU[/youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watchv=7h3_y-eUHXI[/youtube]Motley Crue - Smokin' In The Boys Room Motley Crue were bad. Musically they were bad. They lifted all their best riffs from Cheap Trick. But they were Heavy Metal. Or at least they were to me. They fought (they beat up Metallica in a fist fight, when men were men and not Blur and Oasis), raped (allegedly - read The Dirt, Motley Crue's biography, which is exhaustingly monstrous, funny, despicable and sad), and killed (sorry, vehicular manslaughtered - Hanoi Rocks guitarist Razzle,) their way to the top. They even killed themselves in the process, only to be brought back to life. So with all of that tumultuous baggage on board you'd think they would have the darkest, filthiest vids. But no, they go out and tear a massive hole out of the ozone layer, stick on some bad make up, lycra catsuits and stilettos, and rehash Smoking In The Boys Room, a video replete with the "I hate school" theme.Europe - Cherokee Part of the essence of heavy metal is excess. In that walk between greatness and insignificance there are a hell of a lot of vapid and merit-free vids associated with the genre. There's a tipping point where parody takes over, a bit like De Niro's acting - his tipping point being the film Jacknife. His career is defined by 'Before-Jacknife' and 'Post-Jacknife'. One of my favorite 'shit' videos is this one for Europe. We never got to see their 'BJK'. However, I met them once. I was bored and sat in the school common room with my mate and we stumbled across an advert in Raw saying how Europe was shooting a video for their new single at the Astoria that day. We really didn't think it through.On arriving we saw that there were only two or three dozen people there, so we'd all have to squeeze to the front of the stage. On the one hand this meant being up close and personal to some rock chicks, but on the other it meant we would be immortalised in a crappy sub-Bon Jovi (that bad) band's video forever. We decided that none of these girls were worth the bother. Yes, I'm sure it was that way round.We went to the back of the venue only to be met with a heavy cloud of stinging sex panther-aroma'd hairspray. Then in slo-mo, through the vapour, came the silhouettes of five permed and bottle-kissed Scandinavians ready to rock. They ignored us as they strode out to the heaving mass of a dozen or so fans. We left with sore throats and blinking eyes. Hello London, this is Cherokee. I'm convinced this will get them the gig to soundtrack Cormac Macarthy's soon to be filmed Blood Meridian. Watching Anvil the other day made me cry with laughter. When I was younger I thought Scarface was the coolest film ever, but the more I watched it the less dangerous it seemed - with all it's excessiveness - and now it never fails to make me laugh. Tony Montana's fleeing of Cuba to the promised land of America can be seen as a correlation to Mr Coverdale's, less the chainsaw.To end I leave you with something far greater than my blinkered and personalized view. Penelope Spheeris's 'tribute' to the heavy metal genre, The Decline Of Western Civilisation Part 2.http://www.youtube.com/watchv=y9KCS8d82EM[/youtube]
Promonews - 7th Apr 2009
Wot do you call it Urban Well, yes, let's go for Urban. I wanted to research this and get it right. So I consulted MOBO for the definitive answer "black music born out of adversity that has evolved into mainstream popular culture - urban."So here we have my urban playlist. I had real difficulty putting this together mainly due to narrowing down my choices. Not to mention the fear of e-thugs pissing on my chips.My prodigious youtube viewing meant there was so much that I wanted to cram in but couldn't. So I've streamlined my selects to true personal favourites with some little treats thrown in here and there. All via youtube of course.Missy Elliot, The Rain. Dir: Hype Williamshttp://uk.youtube.com/watchv=ZCbvYY9PKRg[/youtube]This video blew my tiny little mind. I'd never seen or heard anything like this before. This was the first video that made me aware of the genius of Hype Williams. It was so ahead of its time it's silly. I literally went out and bought Supa Dupa Fly the very next day. For me this was the dawning of a spangly bright shiny silver new era and therefore a perfect place to start.Wiley, Wot Do You Call It. Dir: Adam Smithhttp://uk.youtube.com/watchv=vBvhx_QBniI[/youtube] http://uk.youtube.com/watchv=xiMZAPIfZxI[/youtube]As everybody who knows me will tell you I LOVE GRIME. Like really really love it. Wiley is self-appointed Godfather of the scene and this video and Adam Smith's accompanying documentary showcase everything that was great about the nascent scene; The Igloo Riddim, Eskimo dance, one line flows, Crazy Titch (FREE TITCH), De Ja Vu FM and Rhythm Division.I get all tingly and excited when I watch these, I genuinely do. Grime had so much potential at this point and Adam captured it perfectly. In my eyes early grime was more punk than any of the guitar music at the time. It wholeheartedly embodied the true spirit of everything punk in the 00's. A music born out of frustration by the young and disenfranchised, two fingers in the bling face of UK Garage. The only difference from punk of old being that the guitars had been swapped for Playstations.Fact, "Wiley is scared of no animals".Kelis, Milkshake. Dir: Jake Navahttp://uk.youtube.com/watchv=4CIUkmERKA4[/youtube]Here is my sexy video selection. There is no way I could do this and not have a booty video. I like this one as its not your usual type of misogynistic fare. Feminism in action Kelis is in control whilst hubby Nas scrubs the dishes. Also I had to include Jake Nava somewhere in this post. LIVING. THE. DREAM.Busta Rhymes, Gimme Some Mo. Dir: Hype Williamshttp://uk.youtube.com/watchv=P2asIbbS9aQ[/youtube]I couldn't not have more than one Hype video. Come on. And likewise I couldn't not have a Busta video. This is my favourite, I love this era of Hype's work so much it makes me feel sad that nowadays everyone has opted for the mandatory club video with mandatory car, mobile phone and champagne endorsements. What happened to running round dressed like a demonic blue cartoon child in hip-hopRoots Manuva, Witness. Dir: Mat Kirkbyhttp://uk.youtube.com/watchv=wbuSdXKtJX4[/youtube]One thing that really bugs me with a lot of music is that no one appears to be having any fun in their videos. I love this video because that is exactly what it is good clean, well cheating fun. This track was absolutely massive. I literally heard it every time I left the house at one stage. If it came out today the mobile phones on the bus would resonate with tin pot rounds of Witness.Thecocknbulkid, On My Own. Dir: Oliver Suddenhttp://uk.youtube.com/watchv=FJVX1G466YE[/youtube]Seems everybody else that has done a playlist slips in a scurrilous plug for there own wares. This is my latest video. For the first time in about 12 months I'm actually really excited by some of the music coming out of the UK. Anita is one of my favourites. I love her mesh of sounds and the fact that there is nothing that reminds me of The Kooks. Hallelujah!Kanye West, Flashing Lights. Dir: Spike Jonze and Kanye Westhttp://uk.youtube.com/watchv=mEccxPPwXmI[/youtube]Kanye West has a huge ego and can be a bit of a doink, but he cares about what he does and he cares about his videos. There are some fantastic urban videos about at the moment but, this is the best music video of any genre I have seen in years. Bear with me, but this really reminds me of this Monty Python sketch. I think it's the pacing, the minimal cut that lets the performance breathe and sardonic humour.No Just me Oh well.
Promonews - 17th July 2008
Price James (pictured right, that's him in the glasses) burst onto the British music video scene last year with his highly imaginative micro-budgeted videos for the likes of Simian Mobile Disco, Lost Penguin and Shitdisco, and then signed to RSA/Black Dog. Price knows his music video stuff, so we asked him to make a playlist of his favourite videos. So of course he's mostly gone for the work of his young video-making east London chums and, it has to be said, a fair amount of micro-budgeted work...In this era of low budget music videos, the network you need of friends and helpers who will drop everything and help out is the most important element of the whole process. Everyone I know in east London is in the same boat, and supporting each other is the only way that videos get made at all. It's kinda like a music video Byker Grove.There is no keeping DoP's numbers to ourselves like hiding our poker cards. This movement isn't precious. We are adaptable and unselfish, we share information and try to support each other...Commercials are for money, making music videos is a passion that we itch and crave, and I think its incredibly exciting at the moment. Yeah, there are a few touchy subjects that a lot of people picked up on after Dan Millar's comments on PromoNews a few weeks ago. But as I've only been in this industry just over a year and still a 'rookie', the most important thing for me is creating good work and being excited by others.Its obviously a transition period for the industry which is always scary, but on the other hand its also immensely exciting to be part of it.Guy Stephens shot the stills and my favourite designer Nova Dando made the incredible outfits. We were both working at a call centre at the time and had to have meetings about the design of them in our lunch breaks. Everyone there thought we were total weirdos.Jo Apps the legend of editing stayed at my flat for a week cutting it. We never saw daylight. Big up to everyone on that shoot - and RIP Lost Penguin.
Promonews - 4th Apr 2008
(After the extraordinary response to our first Guest Playlist, who could possibly follow Dan Millar Who else would dare submit their own current video favourites to the crucible of public opinion Malachy McAnenny, one of our finest music videos producers, that's who. Well, he probably thinks he's safe because he isn't a commissioner. But then, he doesn't want to even countenance the B word. Nor did he didn't send in a photo of himself flicking a V. Frankly I suspect that's not even his crotch... - ed)With Neil Young's blistering 16 minute version of Down By The River live from last night's gig in Hammersmith still ringing tinnitus in my ears, the thought of getting involved in a prolonged debate about budgets is about as appealing as being stuck in a room with Tarquin and Nigella from across the street for a week solid, feverishly discussing house prices and school catchment areas. I'm that interested. Not that it's not important, but let's just enjoy the music, man. Just for today.They looked amazing: Fetishistic wearing of cop uniforms Check. Great haircuts and shades Check. Sometimes I lay awake at night dreaming about what it must have been like to have been around in 1978 and to have worked with guys like these. I fantasise about what kind of deal I would have done with their glam squad... Then, if I get really inspired, I will get up and go into my living room, and by the creeping light of dawn, I might try to work out how much that would be in today's money (excluding mark up and insurance).Anyway, the Terri Timely boys are certainly laid back dudes, and criminally underrated in my opinion, and true gentlemen to boot. This is a video they did for a Modest Mouse album track last year and I love it.Anyway, I'd do 6 videos in 1 day for half the money in a heartbeat for these guys because I'm an old romantic at heart, and despite what a certain someone might say, I think he's up there with the greats. Buy his album and definitely go and see them live. This little trailer for his fantastic new album made me laugh.Sonic YouthTeenage RiotDirected by the band()Watch: YouTube We all know how Sonic Youth invented synth pop and girl drummers but did you know they also invented the DIY You Tube mash up video with Teenage Riot This was made in the halcyon days of the late 1980's at the exact halfway point between indoor plumbing and Broadband internet. Instead of filling it with footage of people falling over they put in loads of stuff of their counter culture heroes looking cool. I said to them at the time: "Don't do it that way, you'll never make a dime" Did they listen Did they fuck.The Broken HeartsBlack CatDirection/Animation/Illustration: Zac Ella & Rob FlowersWatch: YouTube My fiancee(!) came in last Friday night clutching a 7" from some girls she'd met DJing somewhere or other.This is the video for said 7" and I like it because the song reminds me of Love Cats and they look really cool. It's that simple.Joy DivisionTransmission(From TV show The Wedge, with intro and outro by John Cooper Clarke)Watch: YouTube If you have or haven't seen Control but kind of wonder what all the fuss about Joy Division is, then watch this.If the hairs on your neck are not on end from the get go then you cannot be my friend. If by the end you are not on the floor gasping for breath, then you have no soul and probably cast a very weak reflection.Either that or you are a cost controller.
Promonews - 7th Mar 2008
(Sony BMG's stylish video commissioner takes time out of his busy schedule to present a few of his current favourites. Appears he has a particular fondness for stuff that didn't cost anything - ed)Things sure ain't what they used to be in the music video world and is seem to get less "like it used to be" every year.Less money, less time. So I've decided to playlist my current favourite zero-to-low budget music videos.Watch here: YouTubeWatch here: YouTubeWatch here: Embed Ida MariaDrive Away My HeartDir. Magnus RenforsProd co: Filmteknarna, Sweden This is another one of mine. Magnus was recommended to us by the girlfriend of the drummer in the band and he is a revelation. The budget on this job was truly tiny and I honestly have no idea how they managed to get all the costumes, cars and locations.Watch here: Quicktime movieWatch here: Quicktime movie
Promonews - 21st Feb 2008
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