With the impending Rapture and the following Zombie Apocalypse on our doorstep I thought that it would be a great public service to turn MIN readers on to another great rockabilly band that actually took the time to search me out.
The band that I think everyone should ride out the end of the world listening to is the German band Bonsai Kitten who combine punk and bass rattling tracks with modern pop to form a unique sound that will definitely cause some sort of cataclysm.
Here is their bio:
When there is a genre for the own musical creations missing, one either has to weirdly name it "a mixture of..." or just come up with a new trademark for the own style of music. The Berlin combo BONSAI KITTEN did just that by labeling their mixture of NEWPUNK and ROCKABILLY simply as "KILLBILLY". It contains explosive own compositions next to well-known, yet energetically shagged songs from the 80is and 90ies. Founded by the female singer Tiger Lilly Marleen in early 2005, grasping lots of attention within a wee of time, BONSAI KITTEN soon released their self-entitled debut album on the Japanese record-label "ON THE HILL" in 2007. The Lady Tiger Lilly Marleen lives up her name by wearing sexy outfits in leopard-print to rock the stage and sing the songs with a husky alto and full body action. All songs are performed with heavy speed by KRCZYCZ double-bass and HAJO SUN´s electric guitar to ignite the explosive material with a feisty punk rock attitude. To top it all off, drummer ALEXXDelarge´s beats it all down to a burning boiling point of music. All in all BONSAI KITTEN sum up to a rock..n..roll driven combo of dedicated musicians, who cleverly merge all different kinds of music styles into a spicy killbilly party. They do their jobs whole-hearted, sexy and with a lot of fun.
Killbilly .... now that's something I hadn't heard of .... but in regards to Bonsai Kitten it fits.
Canadian musician Justin Bieber (AFP Photo / Ben Stansall)
Pop sensation Justin Bieber may only be 16-years old, but he knows he has no interest in becoming an American. In an interview with Rolling Stone magazine the Canadian declared he had no interest in trading in to become an American. “Canada's the best country in the world. We go to the doctor and we don't need to worry about paying him, but here, your whole life, you're broke because of medical bills. My bodyguard's baby was premature, and now he has to pay for it. In Canada, if your baby's premature, he stays in the hospital as long as he needs to, and then you go home,” he said. “You guys are evil.” Bieber further explained his opposition to dictatorships, highlighting “whatever they have in Korea” as “bad.” While he may be out of touch with American Republicans on healthcare, he is not on abortion. "I really don't believe in abortion. It's like killing a baby,” Bieber said. Even in the case of rape, Bieber opposes abortions. “Well, I think that's really sad, but everything happens for a reason,” he explained. It is unclear if Bieber’s stance will have any impact on US healthcare policy. But, unlike most Americans, let alone most 16-year olds, Bieber has met with US President Barack Obama on at least two occasions. Apparently, Obama’s daughters Sasha and Malia are big fans.
Written By: Ken Hulsey Source: Kitty Casket / Interpunk
Last week I posted a profile for the Austrian rockabilly band Kitty In A Casket which got a lot of people's attention including the band itself. The band's lead singer Kitty Casket was quite pleased and was quick to point out that their latest CD entitled "Back To Thrill" was due to be released on June 1st.
Kitty was also very interested in getting their horror themed music into actual horror movies, which I also thought was a great idea. At this point there are no deals in place and I am not really at liberty to discuss any details .... let's just say that there are two sides that have expressed some mutual interest and leave it at that.
Is that a tease or what?
Anyway, as I mentioned before Kitty In A Casket has been blazing up my Last FM play list over the past couple of weeks and I just can't seem to get enough of em. Hopefully you will have the same experience. Personally I can't wait to hear the new CD!
Here is the info:
The female-fronted Horror-Punk-Billy Sensation from Austria is "Back to Thrill" with this brand new Album! Even more powerful, with high intense Melodies and this fantastic Voice by Singer Kitty! Somewhere between The Creepshow and NoFx you find KITTY IN A CASKET coming straight from the Crypt! Incl. Guest Vocal by Rene D la Muerte of THE BRAINS on "Shake your bones"!
KIAC are the Shooting Stars in Europes big growing Horror/Punk-A-Billy Scene. There first Album and following EP where big selling Hits and made them play big Festivals and Supportshows all over Europe. With the new Album Viennas female-fronted Hooror-Punk-A-Billys will meet new heights in their career! This is fast driven, high-melodic Horrorpunk with a great Doublebass. If you like Bands like The Creepshow, you will adore Kitty in a casket!
ANNOUNCEMENT: MENAGE A TROIS WILL ONLY BE PERFORMING ONCE DURING THE MONTH OF APRIL AT DON THE BEACHCOMBER, DON'T MISS THIS GREAT SHOW! WE'LL HAVE LOTS IN STORE FOR YOU!!!
$5.00 Cover At The Door Helps Pay My Band and for more future events!
Come out and Support and Commemorate our male and female troops that have given their service and their lives for this country by partaking in or attending our Military Memorial May Pin Up Con...test!!
Of course, Menage A Trois jazz will be here to entertain you all evening with live jazz and showtune performances before and after the contest. (A lot of these tunes were also performed for the troops during WWII!!) Celeste Cartier will be hosting the pin up competition and we will have a panel of special judges with us!
THEME DRESS IS STRONGLY ENCOURAGED FOR THIS COMPETITION!! Come dressed in your sailor/nautical pin up wear, vintage WWII wear, or other vintage military costume/attire to impress our judges, of which one at least will be a US. Veteran of the armed forces.
This is your opportunity to win a complete photo shoot package with hair and makeup artists, Make-Up Munecas who have teamed up with Pinups Garage photography!!
We'll have great vendors selling beautiful items and accessories also so don't forget to bring some extra cash on hand!
We do not discriminate based on age (18+), height, weight or orientation. Judges are given a list of criteria on which to judge including: HAIR, MAKEUP, CLOTHING, PERSONALITY, AND OVERALL. Overall will include how closely you've stuck to our monthly theme. You win a tiara and may be asked back to judge future shows. I will ask each participant a general question so that we can get a dose of your sparklng personality because we know all women are gorgeous, but we want to see what lies beneath the surface!
Keeping up with my series of bands that have been blazing up my Last Fm play list as of late comes today's bio on Thee Merry Widows a group of young women who are certainly got their B movie mojo in full effect.
Certainly their cover for "The Devil's Outlaws" wins the award for best album art ever. The thing just screams "Faster Pussycat! Kill! Kill"
Like a living, breathing Russ Meyers movie brought to life, Thee Merry Widows are a sight and sound to behold!
Combining elements of traditional psychobilly with their love of horrorpunk, surf, and garage, Thee Merry Widows are America's first all female psychobilly band. These girls may be pretty, but make no mistake, they ain't afriad to rock the fuck out!
Started by vocalist and burlesque queen Miss Eva von Slut and upright bassist Nikki Nightbreed in their San Francisco apartment, the band grew quickly to include sci-fi sweetheart drummer Andrea, garage rock rhythm guitar goddess Mistress Mandy, motorcycle maniac turned upright bassist Jenna Ferocious, and lead guitarist/kindergarten teacher Nishone.
Emerging from the underground, the band has become a major force to be reckoned with in California's psychobilly scene and have rocked shows with Demented Are Go, The Meteors, GuanaBatz, Mad Sin, Nekromantix, The Long Tall Texans, Batmobile, The Coffin Nails, Hellbillys, and The Misfits to name a few. Thee Merry Widows have toured the US, the UK, Europe, and played a very special show for the boys at San Quentin. The girls are currently working on a blood lust follow up to Revenge Served Cold, slated for release in early 2008!
Alcohol-soaked and rocking like the Runaways on speed, these gals are ready to rumble! Think you're man enough?
That about sums it up!
Hot girls with a Russ Meyer inspired attitude playing hot rockabilly! Do you really need any thing else?
Yesterday I posted a rather long profile on the Danish rockabilly sensations known as The Horrorpops so I thought that I would continue along that line with another band that has really stated to grow on me, Kitty In A Casket.
Rockabilly is quickly becoming my music of choice these days an Kitty In A Casket, like The Horrorpops is a bass rattling trip to the other side fronted by a female vocalist, actually known as Kitty Casket, who can really belt it out.
Check out these titles, "Bride of the Monster", "Horror Express" and "Space Invaders". Good stuff no.
Kitty in a Casket came into being in autumn 2008, when Kitty and Billy decided to start a band together. That's when Bloody Lovesong and Canibal Paradise was written. Later that year they found an outstanding double bass player (Marc), as well as a drummer from hell (Mike) and immediately recorded their smashing debut album „Horror Express“, which came out in spring 2009 on the famous „billy“- lable CRAZY LOVE RECORDS. By that time lots of live shows and festivals have been played in all over Europe. In the same year, merely five months after „Horror Express“ was in stores, they released another fancy record „HalloWien“ on the most crucial of all fests: Halloween. Since then the sound of KITTY IN A CASKET got a bit harder, punkier and faster than on the debut- but not only that, also the vocals and the backing vocals are more unique and more sophisticated. After the release and a triumphant Halloween-show, KIAC found themselves a well- known double bass player, as Marc all of a sudden decided to quit the band. Slappin Suspender (Heiko), who plays also with P.O.X. and Mason Dixon Hobos now rocks the stage with Kitty. It won't take too long until new tunes will be produced by this talented and crative band. Until then be sure to attend one of their remarkable shows this year.
Here is sample of Kitty In A Casket tracks from Amazon.com:
Here are some music videos:
Kitty In A Casket photos:
Lyrics - My Cannibal Paradise
Tonight's the night you waited for People want more and more Now you'll get what you all need We'll go for it, we are better than Speed
We'll be there play our show, Show you what's rock and roll Tonight will be special gig This party will give us all the kick
You' won't believe your eyes When you watch your boy die And someone in the crowd shouts: Hey ho, let's go
My cannibal paradise, paradise, paradise, oh oh My cannibal paradise, paradise, paradise, oho My cannibal paradise uhohohuhoh, My cannibal paradise, paradise uhoh
Surprise, surprise, now here's the clue Right, what we want is you We eat you alive tonight Nothing ever felt so right
We love the smell of fresh meat That's all we ever ever need One sweet arm, a spicy chest That's our wildest cannibal fest
You will run, you will hide But you are caught inside
My cannibal paradise, paradise, paradise, oh oh My cannibal paradise, paradise, paradise, oho My cannibal paradise uhohohuhoh, My cannibal paradise, paradise uhoh
McKitty's happy meal ohohohohoh
My cannibal paradise, paradise, paradise, oh oh My cannibal paradise, paradise, paradise, oho My cannibal paradise uhohohuhoh, My cannibal paradise, paradise uhoh
Written By: Ken Hulsey Source: Hellcat Records / Last Fm
There is one band that has been dominating both my ipod and Last FM play lists for about 6 months now, the ultra-hot Danish rockabilly sensations known as The Horrorpops. With tracks like "Walk Like A Zombie" and "Thelma & Louise" how could a monster movie maniac like me resist? The hard-core vocals of the amazing Patricia Day (left) will turn anyone into a true believer in a millisecond and the thumping bass driven rock will melt your toes right off! When it comes to cool, the Horrorpops are on the top of the chart.
Here is the bands bio from their website:
From virtual unknowns to stars of the Warped Tour and stadiums across Europe, HorrorPops have thrived on the strength of great songwriting, remarkable intuition, a jaw-dropping live experience and a willingness to explore an array of styles. Be it new wave, punk, surf, ska, rockabilly, metal or goth, the trio's self-produced, film-centric third Hellcat album, Kiss Kiss Kill Kill, embraces all of the aforementioned rock & roll subgenres with admirable aplomb.
Crafting a thrill ride of an album is no easy feat, but Patricia Day (lead vocals/upright bass), Nekroman (lead guitar/vocals) and Niedermeier (drums/vocals) have done so by adhering to instinct. By staying true to their original and diverse musical vision, HorrorPops have flourished, building a tremendously loyal and ever-growing following in the process.
From the charged anthem, "Missfit" - replete with an amusing nod to Madness' "Our House" that takes the song to unexpected heights - to the adventurously dark title track, Kiss Kiss Kill Kill is both captivating and inspiring. The album's namesake, which elicits memories of The Cure, Siouxsie & the Banshees and - thanks to its deep, sinister harmonies - Sisters of Mercy, is at once an ingenious new tune and an ardent tribute to past icons.
While the Denmark-reared, L.A. based HorrorPops' expertly crafted new disc marks a return to the new wave leanings abundant on its widely-cherished 2004 Hell Yeah debut, Kiss Kiss Kill Kill is also a bold song-cycle that balances circle-pit punk and Hot 100 pop with exhilarating results.
"We started HorrorPops so that we could play all styles of music," Patricia explains. But after its 2005 rock-based sophomore breakthrough Bring It On!, Day admits, "We really wanted to get back to the classic new wave feel that we love. And I think our excitement about these songs has made a hell of difference."
Kiss Kiss Kill Kill finds HorrorPops reverting back to a trio for album number three. Despite the lineup shift, the disc exudes a new level of confidence. It's a point affirmed in the prowess of the ferocious surf instrumental, "Horrorbeach Part II," the shimmering, hook injected "Everything's Everything" and the fiery, old school "Boot To Boot."
Based on the recent riots in their home city of Copenhagen, the latter is the only song that doesn't fall into the album's film theme. Chronicling HorrorPops rage over the dismantling and ultimate destruction of Youth House - which doubled as one of Copenhagen's finest rock venues and the last place for punks and street kids in Denmark to call home - Patricia says, "Twenty five years after they enacted the program, there was a change of government that decided that everything weird had to go. So they sold the house to a Christian community who tore it down. Copenhagen has been on fire. And "Boot To Boot" is dedicated to our displaced friends."
A complete about face from the seriousness of "Boot" comes in the form of "Disco", which is arguably the most amusing moment on Kiss Kiss Kill Kill. A fun, percussion-driven number with the kind of rattling rim-shots not heard since Kings of the Wild Frontier, this rollicking and infectious winner of a tune was not initially based on Bret Michaels asinine VH1 reality series, Rock of Love. However, "It fits so perfectly with that show, that it wound up being movie/television related anyway," Patricia laughs.
Equally stellar is the captivating disc-opener, "Thelma & Louise," which gives Kiss Kiss Kill Kill its levitation with an escapist view. And with its perfect flow - all the way through to its explosive, too-good-to-be-missed parting shot "Private Hall of Shame" - it would be easy to assume that a lot of time and energy went into the sequencing of the songs for HorrorPops third disc.
Of course you know what happens when you assume! "We barely thought about it," Patricia snickers. "The sequencing just sort of offered itself. Anyone looking at the cover will know the album is mostly about movies - old movies and new movies or music for a movie. In fact the song "Hitchcock Starlet" was written to fit almost any Hitchcock movie. It has that kind of vibe."
But getting back to the aforementioned song that takes its name from that 1991 Susan Sarandon-Geena Davis film where housewives turn hellions, Patricia says, "I think a lot of people have that feeling, where they just want to leave everything behind, feel freedom and get the fuck away."
But she adds, "Luckily, we've all been able - from touring - to make a little more money recently. So we are able to live on a little more than just toilet paper and spaghetti. We've all bought some vintage cars and every once in a while we just get in them and go."
In fact, its easy to imagine sitting in the passenger side of Nekroman's 1924 Ford-turned-"coffin on wheels" cruising the sticky asphalt of Los Angeles with the accompaniment of Kiss Kiss Kill Kill blasting skyward. Of course, Day's '51 MG convertible - which she proudly notes gets an epic 46 miles a gallon - would be a similarly solid choice. With fuel economy like that, to quote Patricia, "a hybrid can go fuck itself."
Speaking of hybrids, when the members of HorrorPops hit the road, they still continue to morph from a trio to a quintet. In case you've been under a rock, the band's infamous live spectacle boasts two voluptuous go-go dancers. And Rita-tah and Tweek are new for 2008.
"There is a big difference between the live act and the band," Patricia notes. "So as much time and energy as we put into creating the songs, we also care a lot about the live performance. It's really important for us to put on a show. We take pride in bringing some kind of spectacle to the stage."
Which explains why, with its heralded live shows and rollicking discography, HorrorPops have successfully earned the adulation of kids throughout the globe and inspired a number of women to front bands. "It's fucking awesome," Day says of the group's following. "But at the same time it's weird."
"As far as bands go, the more women in the music business the better," she continues. "When I started, there were no females, and the other sex didn't want to play with me. We're still at the point where every female vocalist has to be compared to Madonna or Gwen Stefani, simply because they are the only females on the rock charts. So I still feel like there's a lot to prove, and I'm hoping on getting that changed around. Having it so someday gender isn't that important in rock & roll is something that's very important to me."
On the heels of recent tours with Danzig and Dropkick Murphys, not to mention its Warped triumphs and a full-on stadium tour through Europe with the Offspring on its resume, HorrorPops have proved they can fit in with any number of rock varieties. In respect to their latest album and their history as a band, Patricia acknowledges, "It feels like we've accomplished what we set out to do, which is crush genres."
While the core of HorrorPops has remained unchanged and its focus unclouded since it was founded more than a decade ago in Copenhagen, its relocation to L.A. three years ago was the impetus for all that has followed. Looking back, Patricia remarks, "It's amazing that we've gone from not having a contract to touring stadiums and having a real steady and growing fanbase in just a couple of years. The fact that we've got a loyal following, even though we never asked for it or expected it, it's really been cool."
And what about the many kids who are so loyal that they've gone ahead and tattooed "HorrorPops" on their bodies?
"That scares the shit out of me." Day concludes." How do you live up to that? That's on their skin forever. I hope we never disappoint them.
Listen to tracks from the Horrorpops via Amazon.com:
Horrorpops Videos:
Horrorpops Photos:
Lyrics - MissFit
I don't always tread, don't always tread careful Yeah Most of the time I'm quite annoying I don't watch my mouth Don't find an out in a fight! I can scream and shout and be a loud mouth!
And I, I'm from the wrong side of the town Now proud On top of that I'm female! Nothing, nothing I say is adequate According to you I'm a MissFit! What made you my judge and juror?!
So I don't give into the common trends Why is that something I have to defend? Who made you my judge and juror?
So I carry my fists, I carry my fists high 'Cause most of the time I know I have to fight For what I believe in, what I believe is right Even stupid things like keeping my hair dyed
And I... I'm from the wrong side of the town Now proud.. On top of that I'm female! Nothing, nothing I say is adequate According to you I'm a MissFit! What made you my judge and juror?!
So I don't give into the common trends Why is that something I have to defend? Who made you my judge and juror?
My fist in the middle of your face My fist in the middle of your....
Nothing, Nothing I say is adequate According to you I'm a MissFit What made you my judge and juror? So I don't give in to the common trends Why is that something I have to defend? I still stand tall!
I know you won't read all this, but truly, there's some good stuff in here to know!!
Be sure to repost this event to your friends on your Facebook pages. I know lots of people are looking to hook up for carpools so that can be discussed on the main event page!! I look forward to seeing you all and thank you very much for your support. I know it will be a lot of fun for all to be had!!
The Line Up is as follows:
6:00pm Doors open -come visit our vendors, have dinner, take photos with the cuties, etc.
7:00pm In an ideal world we will be ready to have THE HOT ROD TRIO go on at this time, but it may be as late as 7:30pm since a lot of people may be in traffic.
9:00pm I will be hosting the PinUp Contest with my special panel of guest judges. This is a CLASSIC 40s-50s pageant open to all shapes, sizes, colors, types of women. Winners will be judged on personality, clothing, hair, makeup and overall look.
9:30pm Celeste Cartier (moi) and my new jazz trio, Menage A Trois will be making our first debut appearance feating Sabine Pothier on keys, Kaytlin Hansen on bass and our guest performer, Tino Marrufo on drumkit.
Party goes until 11:30 then you can scoot on to your next LA, Long Beach or OC party or head back home to SD or your hotel, wherever the wind blows!!
If you haven't already, please visit my FAN Page too and select "like" on it. I'm trying to build my list of followers.
By the way, it's CASH ONLY at the door so bring your cash ($8 cover). Cash only for the t-shirts ($12 each) and other items we are selling. It's only $5 to take a photo with The Cuties & the proceeds go to the San Diego Animal Support Foundation, a private, volunteer dependent, non-profit organization dedicated to improving the welfare of animals in overburdened, underfunded local shelters and rescues. I do believe a couple vendors take plastic and I know the restaurant does, but be sure to have both on hand!
Unless you missed my story from last week, or any of my numerous Facebook posts, you undoubtedly knew that my lovely wife April and I spent our Saturday night at the Hensley's Flyng Elephant pub in Carlsbad, Ca in support of Cuties for a Cause, a group of local San Diego pin-up models who do charitable work.
The Valentine's Day themed event was called "Cuties for a Cause SMOOCH-O-RAMA", which means, as you probably already guessed, that for a small donation to their cause the "cuties" would plant a smooch on you. Which they did, plus also pose for a photograph with you.
There was an amazing turn out and the ladies were able to raise a lot of money for their selected charities.
Though the event was a celebration of hot pin-up girls running around in their underwear it was also a celebration of ska music and let me tell you, the bands on Saturday night set the pace on fire. In fact they were so hot that right in the middle of the first set by "Ottly Mercer" I popped onto Facebook and posted "If you love ska? Get your ass down to Carlsbad .....NOW!". That however was just the start, the following two sets by both "The Amalgamated" and "Kingston a go-go" had the faithful at Hensley's ready to tear the place up.
If all the amazing looking women didn't get your heart rate up the thumping ska undoubtedly did the trick for sure!
Feel bad that ya missed it? Fear not, the "Cuties" will be putting on a special St. Patrick's Day show on at the Flying Elephant ..... more details on that soon!
As if the cinematic delight of Syfy’s eagerly anticipated Sharktopus isn’t enough, now there’s a sharktastic theme song available on iTunes to accompany the melodic sounds of the beast chomping on sun-bathers.
The Sharktopus Song is sung by the up-and-coming all-female band, The Cheetah Whores. The band was handpicked by Sharktopus director, Declan O’Brien (Wrong Turn 3, Rock Monster, Cyclops) to write and sing the breakout pop song based on their unique, catchy sound and high-powered live performances.
Sharktopus premieres on Syfy Saturday, September 25, at 9PM (ET/PT).
The 6th annual Fantastic Fest will honor Roger and Julie Corman with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the World Premiere of Sharktopus on Friday, September 24, 2010 at The Paramount Theatre in Austin, TX. The film will play as the second part of a double feature with the U.S. premiere of Machete Maidens Unleashed!, a documentary about Philippine exploitation films from the 70's and 80's directed by Mark Hartley (Not Quite Hollywood), which features Roger Corman prominently. The Lifetime Achievement award ceremony will take place between the two shows, each of which will include classic Corman trailers and surprises.
In Sharktopus, Eric Roberts (The Expendables/The Dark Knight) plays a research scientist who, with his talented daughter (Sara Malakul Lane/Belly of the Beast), develops a secret military weapon -- a hybrid shark/octopus that can be controlled by electrical implants. But when the controls break down, the monster goes on a killing rampage at the resort beaches of Mexico.
Roberts received Golden Globe nominations for his starring roles in King of the Gypsies (1978) and Star 80 (1983). He was nominated for the 1985 Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for Runaway Train. In 1987, he won the Theatre World Award for his Broadway debut performance in Burn This.
In The Dark Knight, Roberts portrayed Sal Maroni, a Gotham City Mafia boss who hires The Joker (Heath Ledger) to kill Batman (Christian Bale). His other memorable roles include The Expendables, Raggedy Man, The Pope of Greenwich Village, Nobody’s Fool, Final Analysis and A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints.
Roger Corman, who received an Honorary 2010 Oscar, is the legendary director and producer of numerous low-budget cult classics, among them It Conquered the World, Teenage Doll, The Little Shop of Horrors, House of Usher, Pit and the Pendulum, Premature Burial, The Raven, The Masque of the Red Death, The Wild Angels and The Trip.
Sharktopus is produced by Roger Corman and Julie Corman.
You just knew that this was going to happen, someone has composed a 'Klingon' opera.
I'm certain that there are many of you out there that believe that some people just take this whole "Star Trek" thing just way too far, and if you are one of them, then this story should just make you shake your head.
If you are one of us, and by "us" I mean people who love "Star Trek", and believe that you can never have too much of it, then this should put a smile on your face.
Indeed, a group of composers in the Netherlands, lead by Floris Schönfeld, Eef van Breen and Xavier van Wersch, are about to put on the first 'true' Klingon opera, complete with traditional instruments (never before seen here on Earth), costumes and songs.
The show is simply titled "u", which stands for 'universe' and, of course, the entire performance will be in Klingonese, so it may be kinda hard for us Earthers to understand.
To ensure that there would be no errors, and to ensure that the opera would be 100% Klingon, the production team enlisted the help of Mark Orkrand, an American linguist who created the Klingon language for the "Star Trek" television series.
Now, the one important question that is probably on every ones mind is, "who would want to see a Klingon opera?" Well, beyond hard-core Trek fans that is.
The answer is simple, actual Klingons.
Okay, I know that you are really confused know, and here is where this story really gets a but nutty, but the producers of "u" believe that they have located the exact location in space for Qo’noS (Kronos), the Klingon home world and and broke into an abandoned telescope station and transmitted an invite for any Klingons to drop in and check out the show.
Here is the scoop from the 'u' website:
The Klingon are known as passionate opera-lovers.
However very little is known about their highly evolved form of musical expression here on earth.
Floris Schönfeld has managed to lay his hands on some fragments of a masterpiece of the batlh jachlut or Honorable Battle opera.
Its title is ‘u’, which can be translated as ‘universe’ or ‘universal’. It will be the basis for the opera ‘u’, the first complete, authentic Klingon opera here on earth.
Klingon opera uses the principle of musical combat. Beauty in Klingon music comes from the impact of two opposing forces. To quote a well known Klingon proverb qa’ wIje ‘meH masuv or ‘We fight to enrich the spirit.’ The Klingon orchestra is made up of various indigenous Klingon instruments, some that have never been heard on earth before. The Terran Klingon Research Ensemble has been set up further develop a coherent Klingon musical practice amongst human musicians.
The libretto of ‘u’ is based on the epos of Kahless the unforgettable. Betrayed by his brother and witness to his father’s brutal slaying, Kahless is pitted against his bitter enemy the mighty tyrant Molor. To regain his honor he must travel into the underworld, create the first Bat’leth, be united with his true love the lady Lukara and fight many epic battles. Through this awe inspiring adventure Kahless redefines what it is to be truly Klingon. With the help of Marc Okrand, the worlds leading Klingon language expert, we have managed to piece together the stories in their original epic-poetic form for the first time.
The project ‘u’ has been running for about two years now. In this time the KTRE and Floris Schönfeld have given numerous performances and lecture in The Hague, Rotterdam and Amsterdam, as well as being invited to the artist-in-residence program of Robert Wilson’s Watermill Center in New York. The premiere of the opera is planned for September this year on the location of the Celestial Vault, a land art piece by James Turrell in Kijkduin.
Here are the dates and venues for 'u':
9, 10, 11 and 12 September 2010 Theater Zeebelt, De Constant Rebecqueplein 20A, at 20.30, tickets 15 euros For reservations email kassa@zeebelt.nl or call +31 (0) 70 3656546
25 September 2010 Qetlop in Farnsberg, Germany A special event for exclusively for the Klingons of the Khemorex Klinzhai Fleet. See http://www.khemorex-klinzhai.de/
Klingon opera may be new thing here on Earth, but Klingon heavy metal has been around for some time, thanks to the Portland, Oregon based band Stovokor, who also perform their songs in Klingonese as well.
So far, there has been no response from Qo’noS, so it can be safe to assume that no actual Klingons will be attending 'u' this time around, or checking out any Stovokor shows in the near future either.
I think that the producers of the show kinda forgot that it takes years for sounds to travel through space.
So don't be surprised if sometime in the future a bunch of Klingons show up in tuxes expecting to see an opera, then get really angry when they learn that they missed it by a few hundred years, and start kicking the crap out of people.
Written By: Ken Hulsey
