RIP Kevin Dubrow, Lead singer of Quiet Riot

I had to post this. I liked a lot of 80s metal, including the Quiet Riot songs "Cum on Feel the Noize" and "Bang Your Head"

Associated Press
LAS VEGAS – Kevin Dubrow, lead singer for the 1980s heavy metal band Quiet Riot that scored a hit with "Cum on Feel the Noize," was found dead in a Las Vegas home. He was 52.

The cause was not immediately known.
A neighbor summoned police and paramedics Sunday to the house where he was pronounced dead, police and coroner's officials said.
There was no forced entry, and no suspicious circumstances were reported, police Officer Jose Montoya said Monday.
Quiet Riot was perhaps best known for its 1983 cover of "Cum on Feel the Noize." The song, featuring Dubrow's powerful, gravelly voice, appeared on the band's album Metal Health – which was the first by a metal band to reach No. 1 on the Billboard chart.
DuBrow recorded his first solo album in 2004, In for the Kill, and the band's last studio CD, Rehab, came out in October 2006.
"I can't even find words to say," Quiet Riot drummer Frank Banali wrote on his Web site. "Please respect my privacy as I mourn the passing and honor the memory of my dearest friend Kevin DuBrow."
Determination of the cause of death was pending an autopsy and toxicology results, Clark County coroner's spokeswoman Samantha Charles said.

My condolences go out to his family, friends, and fans.

Family Portaits, Video Games, Karoke, and Movies:The Four-Day Weekend Thanksgiving Wrap-Up with extra Cranberry Sauce

Thursday:



On Native American Exploitation Day (just keeping it real), my brother and I went to our parents' house first, and then to my aunt Mary's house in Oakland. We chilled out, ate way too much, and took family pictures. This was a long process, and my knees started hurting, but it was cool. I didn't want to strangle anybody this year, and that's saying something. My uncle, the Elder Eugen Anderson also gave us communion. I need to start going back to church. I would probably feel better. My cousin Katerrius showed me all the new "Crank Dat" dances: Crank Dat Lion King, Crank Dat Spongebob, Crank Dat Jumprope, Crank Dat Ralphie, etc. Youtube brings families together...sometimes.



Later on that night, I went to the Karaoke Smackdown at the Vault. I sang "Here Comes the Hotstepper" by Ini Kamoze, "Hotel California" by the Eagles, and "Addicted to Love" by Robert Palmer. I also sang "I Swear" by All 4 One with my buddy Sean's brother, I can't remember his name right now. Our karaoke duo was named Voltron. I also sang "When Will I See You Again" by Babyface. I nailed it!!

Friday:

A friend of mine from college, Adam Bond, came by the house and he and my brother played NBA 2K8. Adam is a minister and lives in Wisconsin now. It is always good to see him. I went to Jordan's Karaoke Bar and Grill and sang some more karaoke.

Saturday:

I got my hair cut, then I went to the comic book store and took place in a podcast called Geekland. These guys interview comic book creators in the area and also talk about what they are reading. This is the link:

http://web.mac.com/vactor413/Site/Podcast/Entries/2007/11/26_Episode_9.html

You may need Quicktime to hear the podcast properly.

After that, I went to Studio on the Square and saw the new Coen Brother's film No Country for Old Men. Josh Brolin, Tommy Lee Jones, and Javier Bardem all gave great performances, but the ending sucked.

After that, I went to the Bartlett 10 and watched The Brave One. It was cool. Jodie Foster, Terrence Howard and Carmen Ejogo (briefly) gave good performances, but the ending was unrealistic.

After that, I went to Jordan's. I had a good time. I sang Prince's "The Beautiful Ones", Fray's "Over My Head", Billy Joel's "You May Be Right", Bobby Brown's "My Prerogative", I helped out Mother Duck and C-Dawg on Lil'Jon, Usher, and Ludacris' "Lovers and Friends", then I sang Justin Timberlake's "Sexy Back" with assistance from Mother Duck, and I helped out Emily S. on Rihanna' "Umbrella". I did Jay-Z's opening rap on that song. Good time, people, good times.

Sunday:

I went to the library to check email, then I picked up my good buddy Bryan Newcomb and we saw This Christmas. It was sappy and cheesy, but who cares? The world can use some sappy films. It's the holiday season, you scrooges!!!! Also, Regina King (Enemy of the State), Sharon Leal (Dreamgirls), and Lauren London (ATL) are freakin' hot!!!!

I am looking forward to shooting another short for the Lil' Film Fest this Saturday. The dream lives. Be easy, readers!!

Cattle Calls, Disappointment, and Poses: The Weekend Wrap-Up

Friday:

I got off work and I went to Blockbuster Video. I had a coupon for a free rental. I chose The City of Violence. It was an action film made in Korea. I chose to watch it in subtitles. It was different, but I liked it. I may have to purchase it later.

Saturday:

I went to the Comics and Collectibles and chewed the fat with these guys who tape a podcast at the store every Saturday. We were chitchatting about comics. They wanted me to talk on the podcast, but I had to go to an audition for Oliver Stone's movie Pinkville. I stood in a long line, but I was talking to this guy named Ian who was in the movie Eat. Shout out to my boys J-Kim and Tayrye, who were helping with casting. Shout out to Patrick (Eat, Curbside Confessions) and my buddies Kenon Walker and Mowbray who were in full Army camoflauge. Maybe that helped, because they got to go to the second phase of the cattle call. They went behind a curtain and talked to the casting people. I made it inside, but the took a look at me, took my info, and said "Thanks for coming". I didn't even get to sing like some people did. Oh, well, it might have been difficult for me to take a leave of absence for 6-8 weeks. I might have had to resign, which would have been scary. Those two weeks of boot camp might have done me in as well. I have high blood pressure and high cholesterol, and I am out of shape. I have been losing weight, though. I was depressed and tired from waking up too early. I guess I was anxious. I went to Perkins, went home and took nap, and I woke up feeling better. I just watched DVDs until I went to sleep.

Sunday:

I gave Rod Pitts his early birthday present: Stevie Wonder's latest collection of number one singles. He played music that he's considering using for some projects and we chatted for a minute. I left there and went to Borders. I had a $5.oo off coupon, and I was going to buy Rod's present, the Special Edition DVD of Harboiled. Don't worry, he knows it's coming. The checkout line was too long so I had to leave without it. I made it to the home of Chris McCoy and Laura Hocking by 4:30 to act in their short for the next Lil' Film Fest. The theme is Resolutions. They decided to make a parody of all those celebirty fragrance commercials and the Calvin Klein Obsession ads. The fragrance is called Resolutions, and I am Markus Seaberry, the famous actor (as opposed to Markus Seaberry, the up and coming indie actor). It was a lot of fun. We shot at Chris and Laura's home and at the Madison Hotel. I was fresh in my black suit...it's the only suit I have. Laura played my "bimbo". I prefer to think of her as my main girl. It was cool to play at being a celebrity and have fake photo shoots. I was trying to give 'em my Blue Steel look (if you've seen Zoolander, you get that). I don't know if Mom would want to see this one, but it was fun. Thanks to Chris and Laura for choosing me for the project, and to Adam Remsen for doing additional camera work. It's hard work being fly, let me tell you.

Monday:

This morning, I received news that Oliver Stone's Pinkville has been postponed. Apparently, the script is not ready for shooting, and the writers won't revise it because of the Writer's Guild of America strike. Many of my friends felt good about their chances. I am sorry for them. I support the writers and their demands, but as an up-and-coming actor trying to transition from low-budget indies to "the Big Time", this strike is a little disheartening. No writers means no scripts, and no scripts means no work. Be easy, readers.

Terrible Twos, Karaoke, and Inactivity: The One Day Late, Three-Day Weekend Wrap-Up

Friday:

I got off work and saw Michael Clayton. George Clooney played a lawyer who specializes in fixing messes who gets caught up in a plot by a corrupt corporation. Clooney was solid, but the movie dragged. I ran into one of the guys that was an extra on My Blueberry Nights while leaving the movie theater. He was with his wife. We talked about Nothing But the Truth, the new Little Brother album (Getback), and the very awesome new Jay-Z album (American Gangster). After that, I called it a night.

Saturday:

I got up, got a haircut, hung out at the comic book store (Comics and Collectibles), and then I had an audition for a Graduate School film. The director was Anwar Jamison aka rapper 2Dash. We attended the U of M around the same time back in the day. He's in the grad school film program. After auditioning, I chatted with him and his cameraman about film, music, and other things. After that, I went to my friend Tamara'a house to celebrate her daughter Lexi's 2nd birthday. Boy, those twos might really be terrible!!! Lexi yelled at me for using her toy mp3 player, yelled at another little girl for playing with her toys, and yelled at Tamara, saying, "You aren't my friend!!" Her favorite word is "Nooo!" After that, I went to Jordan's Karaoke Bar and Grill. I sang a few songs, then I left. I was tired, and I am also tired of going out by myself. They say no man is an island. Shoot, my middle name is Tahiti!!! I went home and called it a night.

Sunday:

I went to Valvoline and got a tune-up, then I called Bryan Newcomb. We saw Fred Claus. Vince Vaugh, Kathy Bates, Rachel Weisz, and Paul Giamatti were solid, and the film had some warm, fuzzy moments. I felt good. Fortunately, that foolishness didn't last long. Then, I went over my boy Shomari's mom's house to watch some wrestling on pay-per-view. After that, I picked Bryan up and we went to the Karaoke Smackdown show at the Vault on Highland. Shout out to the host Turtlewaxx aka David H. Shout out to Sean George and his friends. I don't go there too often now because I work in the mornings now. I figured that I would take a chance since I was off the next day. Yay Veteran's Day!!!! Thanks for protecting us civlians from threats at home and abroad.

Monday:

I did a whole lot of nothing. I watched this wrestling DVD, Rey Misterio 619. I also started watching The Transporter Special Edition DVD. I hadn't seen the film in a while, so I had forgotten some parts. I went to Shoney's for dinner, then it was back to my house.

I plan to audition to be a soldier in Oliver Stone's film Pinkville. It is an army film, and he is having casting calls for soldiers in Memphis and New York. If you are chosen, you get flown to Thailand and get a salary, free room and board, and a per diem. That's like a little stipend you can use to buy things. Of course, I would have to request a leave of absence or (gasp!) quit my job. If I get it, I have to go for it. I am also scheduled to act in a short directed by Chris McCoy and Laura Hocking (Oddly Buoyant Productions). My film mentor Rod Pitts is supposed to be the Director of Photography (cameraman) on it. I am really ready to act in something again. Be easy, readers!!

My Thoughts on Dog the Bounty Hunter and Race in America

Duane "Dog" Chapman was caught on tape saying the "N-word" and they suspended his show. I really did not plan to write about this, but I guess I have to. I'm tired. I'm tired of celebrities saying the "N" word and then apologizing while bringing out an African-American person as if to say, "Hey, I'm not racist, and here's my Black friend!" That's a lame excuse. I am also tired of hate groups that want to see me dead because of my skin color. I am tired of it all. To be fair, I am also tired of African-American people (myself included) who use the word and honestly believe the whole "It's okay if African-American people use the word, but no one else can" rule. News flash, people: That rule has never worked. I am also tired of people thinking that I'm overreacting when I see racist stuff on TV and in film. I've even been told that "Oh, it's nothing, it's a PC backlash". Why does my race seem to bear the brunt of the backlash? I see Caucasian kids referring to themselves as the N-word with reckless abandon. I see African-Americans on shows like Flavor of Love, I Love New York, and Charm School that behave in ways that reinforce African-American stereotypes. Of course, when I talk about how this bothers me in a crowd full of Caucasian people who claim they love these shows, my views are dismissed.
I find myself longing for the "good old days" when people were a little more fearful of African-Americans. I try hard to appear "safe" because I am a tall, large African-American man. Maybe I try too hard. Maybe African-Americans are considered too safe now. People definitely seem to have no problem throwing around the "N-word" like confetti these days.
I have joked about not wanting to be African-American anymore, I say that I am now Honduran or Nicaraguan. These remarks are born out of the frustration and embarrassment when I see African-American pop icons such as Flavor Flave and these ignorant, materialistic rappers all over TV. The frustration also comes from our self-appointed "spokespeople" Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton. I don't really care for their approach to things.
In the end, I guess that all that I can do is try not to say the "N-word" anymore in my personal life and continue to try to treat everyone with respect, regardless or race, religion, or orientation. Also, I will continue to NOT watch most reality shows with African-Americans in them because, in case you haven't got my point yet, I am REALLY tired of minstrel shows and having all manner of African-American stereotypes carted out for the world to see. Be easy, readers.

My Favorite Things (Right Now)

I like different things and different types of music, so I wondered how could I make this stuff public and maybe make other people aware of these things. Through the magic of blogging and Youtube, I will share the things that I am digging at this very moment:

1. First of all, let's start with Little Brother (www.myspace.com/littlebrother). They are an independent rap group that reminds you of a young Tribe Called Quest. They specialize in everyman rap about down to earth subject matter. Their new album Getback is in stores now. Here is the first single from that album, "Good Clothes":

http://youtube.com/watch?v=h3hOEaC0K1k

2. Brooklyn born rapper Talib Kweli (www.myspace.com/talibkweli) also has a new album out, Eardrum. Talib Kweli often collaborates with rapper-actor Mos Def. On this song, however, he is collaborating with singer Res (www.myspace.com/res) for his latest single, "Everything Man":

http://youtube.com/watch?v=iVL3wx_hLMk

3. Popular rapper Jay-Z also has a new album out, American Gangster. It is not the official soundtrack to the movie starring Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe, but it is inspired by it. Here is the latest single, "Roc Boys":

http://videos.onsmash.com/v/lpfbTekxRAM2HP6L

These are a few of the songs that I am digging right now. Maybe somene else will like them, too. Be easy, readers!!

Birthdays, Disappointments, and Hanging Out:The Weekend Wrap-Up

Friday:

I got off at 6 PM, then I went to Best Buy and checked out some CDs. I decided to purchase the soundtrack to the animated Transformers movie, the one from the 1980s. Yes, I am a geek. After that, I went to the Chilis across from the Wolfchase Mall. I was supposed to meet local filmmaker Arnold Edwards, his girlfriend Dayna Hinkel, and other friends there. We were celebrating Dayna's birthday. I bought her Lance Bass' autobiography. She was an NSYNC fan, and she liked it. It took us forever to get seated at Chilis. It was very packed. Shoutout to actor Glen Ring (Dollars and Signs, Rommel's Crossroad) and actor Dedrick Bullard (Eat, Rookie Bookie). It was a nice evening. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Afterwards, we went back to Arnold and Dayna's place and ate cake. I am happy for Dayna. That's my girl.

Saturday:

I got up early and ironed my clothes and put possible outfits in my car, anticipating working on a short. The shoot was canceled. I went to Studio on the Square movie theater and watched The Assassination of Jesse James. It had solid performances from Brad Pitt, Casey Affleck (Ben's brother), and Sam Rockwell. However, it was too freakin' long!!! They could've cut out 45 minutes, seriously. After that, I went to Steak Escape, then I went home and read some comics. I just really didn't feel like going out alone again. I decided to be alone at home.

Sunday:

I got up, disappointed that I hadn't received a call from the big-budget film Nothing But the Truth. They were looking for extras for Sunday, and I sent them an email with my headshot and resume attached. However, they never called me Saturday night. Maybe it didn't happen. Maybe I didn't have the look. Maybe they'll call me soon. Oh, well. I watched the Tennessee Titans game. They beat the Carolina Panthers. Then, I hung out with Bryan Newcomb. We couldn't decide on a movie to watch, so we went to the urban clothing stores on American Way. I found a cool T-shirt and an interesting conversation with a store employee and a customer. The customer said that she was leaving to "cheat on her husband". I looked at her crazy, hoping that she was joking. She started calling me the "moral police" and got very defensive. Oh, well, I hope she doesn't get hurt. Many people don't take kindly to unfaithfulness from their mates.

Later, I went to Jordan's Karaoke Bar and Grill. No one showed up for karaoke, but the owner's husband, Jeff Jordan, let me sing a few songs. I sang "I Wish" by Carl Thomas, "Can You Stand the Rain" by New Edition, "Come See Me" by 112, and "Big Pimpin" by Jay-Z featuring UGK. I also dueted with Quinn, another Jordan's employee, on Linkin Park's "In the End". Good times.

Hopefully, the short that I was hoping to act in will take place next week, and hopefully Nothing But the Truth will call me to be an extra. They had actually originally called me about 2 weeks ago, but I had to turn them down because I had to give a test at my job that day. It's hard balancing my dream (acting) with reality (day jobs). Lord willing, one day my dream will BE my reality. Be easy, readers!!!