ASH FOX

Rock n' Roll Style Guide: Iggy Pop + How to Wear Metallic Pants

2011-10-09T11:52:00.000-07:00

(Balmain's uber lux silver pants are $4,500 a pop. Read on for my realistically priced options.)

Rock ‘N’ Roll Style Guides are all about channeling your inner rock star and looking to the greats for inspiration. Just like rock ‘n’ roll music, the clothing needs to be kept at equal volume...LOUD!

In rock ‘n’ roll’s fashion version of a high school yearbook, the winner of BEST PANTS would have to go to Iggy Pop. He wins not only for his assortment of metallic leather, but because it’s really the only item of clothing he wears. So I’m wondering, does the man make the pants or do the pants make the man? Read on to find out how silver pants will transform any mere mortal into a rock star.

A few years back I had the pleasure of bumping into Iggy Pop in Atlantic City. He was shirtless, hopping around the Taj Mahal casino on one foot, (the other foot was shoeless.) The only notable article of clothing, were his killer pair of pants. It was an odd sight, but it was Iggy Pop, one of the few people you might expect to hop around on one foot. Man, I’d be fine walking around shirtless and shoeless too on those grimy casino floors if only I had on a good pair of silver leathers.

We’ve all seen the iconic image immortalized by Mick Rock of Iggy in the mid-seventies clad in silver pants contorting into a perfect back bend. This may have been the first official sighting of silver pants on anyone other than an astronaut. It’s my favorite rock ‘n’ roll photo of all time. I wonder as I sit on my silver couch typing this, was Iggy a yogi back in 1970, or did the silver pants magically give him the ability to contort his body into all sorts of shiny shapes? Yoga may be a good idea if I want to look that good in my silvers and simultaneously twist myself into a pretzel.

Silver pants are all the best things about rock ‘n’ roll glamour rolled into one item. Slick, showy and iconic thanks to Iggy. To clarify, I’m talking about metallic PANTS, not leggings. Silver leggings have a more hipster, roller girl, Dov Charney connotation. Metallic pants connote Iggy Pop and outer space. They’re not modest by any means. In fact, while wearing silver pants you could act as a human reflector for a photo shoot. Silver pants are a rock ‘n' roll classic. They're never going out of style no matter how over exposed they become. They're rock ‘n' roll formal wear. No one will deny you the attention you’re asking for in silver pants.

My favorite pair of silver pants were snagged almost a decade ago at Century 21. They were oversized parachute pants by Dolce and Gabanna about 6 sizes too large, but they were the only silver pants I’d ever encountered in the flesh and they were $20. Those babies went straight to my tailor and became my second skin for every occasion no matter how inappropriate. Unfortunately, this was in high school before the heavens gave me hips, so they were soon retired. For years, I’ve been on a hunt for another pair to no avail, but this season things are looking up. Balmain, Burberry and others finally got hip to metal and the mass-market stores caught on. While this is fortunate for me and the lovely people reading, it will unfortunately also make way for the trend sheep masses to wear them. I’m sure you remember what happened with the spikes and studs trend just a few years ago? Then again, anyone confident enough to pull off a pair of metallic pants is pretty cool in my book.

How to Wear Metallic Pants

- Lust for Less: Let the pants stand on their own. They’re the bling of the outfit, so everything else should be kept simple. Overdoing it in the accessories department will make you look more like a Las Vegas lion tamer than a rock star, so keep the look simple.

- Going topless is an option…in theory. If you’re comfortable with a little exposure and happen to be on stage fronting a good band, go for it. Unfortunately, most public places require a shirt unless you really are Iggy Pop.

- They next viable option is a simple top or blazer. I love the look of a one button blazer over a bare chest. The simplicity of white and silver or black and silver is minimalist chic. With a pair of ruby red metallics, you could pair them with a leopard print blazer and no accessories, just good hair and a little sweat.

- Accessorize with wild hair, and sleek simple pumps.

1, 2, 3

Get the look: Where to find shiny pants

1. Zara: $59.90 You can always count on Zara to reproduce the best of the runway at a fairly reasonable price (Thank you Balmain, Burberry and Celine). The one downside is the cuts are very generic and often boxy. I find that a lot of their clothes camouflage curves more than they accentuate them. These low rider jeans look great on thin frames, with narrow hips, and an itty bitty bum. They come in silver or gold. Get em' here.

2. Apple Bottoms: $21.78 I've searched far and wide for a brand that accommodates curves and it looks like Apple bottoms says it in the name. (early '00s "Hot in Here" rapper Nelly started the brand.) These beauties are the least expensive of the bunch and are perfect for curvier figures. They’re higher cut and more flattering on the ass. As far as I’m concerned, how my tush looks is the essential purchase point. Not crazy about the way they seem to bunch at the ankle, but I'm sure you could hem them to fix that. Get 'em here.

3. Trash and Vaudeville: $60 These unisex ruby reds are perfect for skinny guys or for woman with narrow hips and a straighter figure. They’re pvc and a bit sticky, but they look slick! Your legs look like they were freshly painted in red corvette shellac. Get 'em here.

Welcome!

2011-09-09T17:55:00.000-07:00

(Outtakes from my shoot with SoundSystem NYC in my old apartment. Shot by the lovely Ky DiGregorio. Read the interview & see more pics here. )

Welcome to my new blog! It was time to clean up, get organized and create some blank space to get inspired by. In my parallel, non-virtual universe, I’m getting ready to move to a new place. The past month has been all about clearing things out, throwing away garbage, consigning and donating clothes, all to make room for new imagery and ideas. My silver couch stayed of course. Similarly, I’ve linked all of my style guides and reviews here, but left the outfit posts and other miscellaneous things over at the old site. Having a navigation bar should also make life a lot easier! Now that I’m feeling quite zen, I’m going to impossibly attempt to fill up this endless space with new content. One of the fundamental reasons I love blogging is that it’s an ongoing, evolving, interactive conversation with myself and with you. If you have any suggestions for style guides or other posts you’d like to see, feel free to let me know in the comments below. I’m looking forward to beginning a new romance with blogging, writing consistently from the <3, with a grain of salt! Stay tuned…

Scott Weiland at the Gramercy Theatre

2011-07-05T09:59:00.000-07:00

I was honored to be asked to contribute the the fantastic music site Sound System NYC, which will be featuring my style guides, show reviews, and photos from time to time. So to kick things off, here is my first post for Sound System NYC on one of my favorite people...Scott Weiland.

Scott Weiland played his first solo show in almost two years on May 18th at New York City’s Gramercy Theatre. Emerging at a time when glamour, style and stardom were dirty words, Weiland embraced the classic image of rock n’ roll and represents the last era of rock stars. The early 90s grunge pioneers took the fun out of rock n’ roll and left it with angst, drugs, and flannel. He knew our time craved an iconic rock star of our own and was more than happy to step into those leather pants. And they fit well.

Despite the limbo of criticism from his critics and fans, pleasing the public has never impacted Weiland’s songs. Unfortunately, though, it took an emotional toll. Most of his critics focused on the surface, singling out the rock n’ roll clichés, simplifying his 20-year career into an easily digestible, 45 minute “Behind the Music” episode for the average couch potato. The fans can be equally harsh. On this night, they ignored the inevitable unpredictability that comes with rock n’ roll. While the launch of Scott Weiland’s autobiography Not Dead and Not for Sale was imminent, a NY tour date at the Gramercy theatre was completely unexpected.

The night started off with haphazard scheduling. Earlier in the day there was a book signing at Barnes and Noble Union Sq scheduled for 7, while the doors to the Gramercy Theatre were slated to open at 7. Barnes & Noble was packed and buzzing, Scott was late, and people were worried they’d miss the show. Some were caught up in the tough call of whether they’d rather get a book signed by Scott, or secure a spot in front of the stage. As a long time fan, I knew Scott would be late no matter the case, and I figured that as most mortals can only be one place at a time, missing the show was unlikely. The Gramercy Theatre is small and pretty easy to navigate; you can see the band from most places in the room because of its slanted shape. I went in without any expectations.

Most reviews written about the show would leave you with a disastrous impression. The major complaints were that Scott Weiland showed up 2 hours late and played all covers other than the encore song, Stone Temple Pilot’s “Unglued.” I feel for the people who may have driven in from the ‘burbs and parked their cars for a set amount of time, or whoever had to wake up early the next morning for work or school… Unfortunately, though, you can’t really plan rock n’ roll. Rock music thrives on spontaneity, and if anyone exemplifies this kind of living it’s Scott Weiland. I’m sure Justin Beiber plays his “original” material on time.

This concert was not a retrospective of Scott Weiland’s greatest hits, but rather live soundtrack to Scott’s book. Aligned with the concept of an autobiography, the book is from Scott’s perspective, not the perspective of a journalist, or a fan, and he played the songs that rotated in his head as he made his way through life. Weiland has had a solo career since 1998, so you shouldn’t buy tickets to a show billed as “Scott Weiland”, or any other solo artist, expecting to hear the set-list from their band. Considering Weiland’s tumultuous career, as a fan I’m happy for whatever I get. On this night I left with more than I could have anticipated: a book of his stories from the book signing before the show, beautiful, live renditions of his favorite songs, a brief, personal encounter, and documentation of it all. I couldn’t ask for more.

At 11:45, two hours later than planned, Scott strutted out on stage. A good portion of the crowd had bolted earlier to pick up parked cars and avoid $20 late fees. The remainder used the 2 extra hours to pound as many beers as they could afford. Pummeled with boos and a few faint cheers, Scott casually apologized and explained his lateness. “I only had 3 hours of sleep, interviews all day, sound check and a book signing”. As if it was any saving grace, he explained that the band had only two rehearsals and they had never played these songs to a live audience. The songs, he said, were his favorite songs, chosen to accompany his new autobiography. This was the proverbial straw that broke the camels back. “COVERS? No STP? No Velvet Revolver? BOOOOO” Even with his two solo albums outside of his career fronting rock bands, the crowd still somehow was expecting Scott and a band of non-STP members to play STP songs. Boohoo.

Without missing a beat, Weiland launched into the trippy opening jam, drowning out the crowds boos to a low hum. Scott was seemingly unfazed by the disapproving crowd and disappeared into the lights, swaying his hips side to side. He had an admirable calm about him, which many interpreted as smug. Yet he was far from the “diva” title he’s been branded with. A diva may have walked off stage, or given a subpar performance, but Weiland stuck it out and silenced the crowd with a truly beautiful and unique show. “Waiting For A Superman”, by alternative rock granddaddies, The Flaming Lips followed the jam. Still the crowd didn’t give up on the pipe-dream of a STP set list, and Scott couldn’t completely tune them out. The fact that he didn’t seem to care was a turn-on to some, and passive aggressive to others. A drunken, sweat drenched, enraged girl was screaming “FUCK YOU!!!”. Given her overall vibe, I suspected she would have been that way no matter the case. Finally, after one “Fuck You” too many he yelled out his own “Fuck You” and then went into a beat poet sermon of sorts about gratitude and our power to free speech, how we live in the best country in the world, and how we’re lucky we live in a country where we can yell out “Fuck You” if we so desire. He’s right.

In defense of covers, you have to admit playing “Plush” night after night can become a bit mind numbing. An artist’s own work carries its own personal baggage. The cover is the song the artist hums in their head, the song they sing in the shower. It doesn’t get more intimate that that. This show of unoriginal material happens to have been one of the most original shows I’ve seen. Weiland played from the classics including The Beatles, The Doors, and David Bowie, but the songs I found most compelling were those of his contemporaries, band such as The Lemonheads, Radiohead, Nirvana, The Flaming Lips, and Depeche Mode. Paying respect to the classics is typical, but Scott’s sincere homage to his peers was striking. We’re more influenced by the times we’re living in than we usually care to admit. One of the strongest covers, “Into Your Arms”, the 90s Lemonheads track, has a pop melody reminiscent of STP, but less layered and lyrically laden with metaphor. The lyric goes “I know a place that safe and warm from the crowd. Into your arms I go into your arms. I can go”. Hearing Weiland deliver such a simple unfeigned lyric made for a great cover. It was also ironic hearing him sing this sweet, vulnerable song to such a rough and rowdy crowd. One of the most ethereal, otherworldly songs was Radiohead’s “Let Down”, which Scott introduced as “A that song sang me to sleep when I had no one to put me to sleep. Space Pop Genius.” The softer, less electronic rendition of Depeche Mode’s “But Not Tonight” may as well have been his own song. It added another dimension to the autobiography, (which I practically finished reading during the wait for the signing). It’s a song about rising out of the ashes with clarity and gratitude. “Oh God it’s raining, but I’m not complaining, it’s filling me up with new life.” The weaker moments of the show were the Bowie covers. Weiland’s delivery was fine, but the peppy, “let’s party” dance vibe of the songs didn’t fit the disgruntled mood of the crowd who’d rather mosh to “Piece of Pie” than jive to a Bowie disco number.

Near the end of the show, the crowd seemed somewhat defeated. You couldn’t dispute the greatness of his performance. “Road House Blues” got them revved up a bit, but the crowd was still jonesing for a hard rocking, head bobber. Scott answered with, “Do you wanna hear a punk rock song?”, and instead of playing one of his own songs, gave a nod to the king of grunge, Kurt Cobain, with “Frances Farmer.” A song that goes “I miss the comfort of being sad.” It was the perfect antidote to the discontent. Kind of contradictory don’t you think? It’s amazing how far a little grunge can go. After “Frances Farmer”, I didn’t expect an encore. The encore should be the audience’s reward for good behavior, but ever the gentlemen, Weiland reemerged from the wings.

At a solo show in 1998, Scott known for his classic pre-song quips, spat out “I’ll give you your mother-fucking STP. I need a little bit of that motor oil, so I can lube myself up and take all you macho men up your asses”. Less crass, 13 years later, he simply introduced the encore as “We wrote this song two minutes ago” before launching into the STP classic “Unglued”. The macho men were pleased. Call him a diva for showing up late, yet he was late so he could sign every book of the 300 some odd people who showed up to the book signing. Call him an egomaniac, but he’s humble enough pay homage his contemporaries. Like the title of his book, taken from the song lyric from “Trippin on a Hole in Paper Heart”. “I’m not dead and I’m not for sale”. We can buy a ticket but we can’t buy the man. We have no control over what, when or if he’ll play. So I accept the uncertainty, the danger, the confusion, the tardiness and savor the rest.

Singing and writing from his soul, Scott Weiland is alive.

After the show I hung around and thanks to my good friends, and amazing local band the The Dirty Pearls (who were the opening act to the show), I was able to slip backstage and have an encounter with Scott. He graciously let me snap these shots of him with his songwriting partner Doug Green and guitarist Tommy Black. Scott liked the “trippy” photo the best.

Rock N' Roll Style Guide: What to Wear to a ROCK Concert

2011-04-23T11:55:00.000-07:00

photo by Ellen Von Unwerth

What to wear, what to bring, and how to feel your best at a concert, rock n' roll or otherwise. These are my tips on how to enhance the overall experience and make it a memory.

photo from gucci ad circa '98, photog unknown

In my grandmother's day, a trip to the Metropolitan opera was a big deal. You would’t think twice about dressing up because it was a formal affair. The Opera was a chance to wear your best stuff and feel glamorous. Today's cultural events are often filled with a room of jeans and t-shirts, a symptom of our generation's lax attitude and lack of respect when it comes to dressing up. In my grandma’s day, dressing up wasn’t just about dressing up to feel good, impressing the other attendees, or about looking good for your date. You dressed up to pay respect to the whole production. For this reason alone, it's our duty to look our best. We go to see our favorite performers live because we get pleasure from their art, so the least we can do is honor their presence in how we present ourselves. Whether or not you get the chance to meet your favorite rock star face to face, you will be breathing the same air! Honor the artist by looking your best. Would you wear jeans and a t-shirt in the presence of one of your heroes? I doubt it.

- Think beyond the t-shirt and jeans cliché. Very few people are able to make it work, even if you’re a supermodel. Pull out your best stuff. I don't care if you're at an outdoor festival like Coachella. A dirty tee shirt and cutoff shorts is the farthest thing from rock n' roll glamour.

- Looking good has its rewards. The more you honor the band with your look the more likely you’ll receive the honor of meeting them.

- Visualize your fantasy rock n’ roll party. What do you see? I see leather, sequins, glitter, and color. You don’t want to be the eyesore destroying the fantasy.

It’s time we honor the band and give them a sexy audience to stare back at from the stage. Bring on the glamour!

photo by inez and vinoodh

Since a rock concert is definitely not an opera you will likely be on your feet the entire time. I've spent countless hours in the heat, rain, and bitter cold in 5 inch heels waiting to get into shows. Looking back, wearing pretty shoes wasn't worth an evening's worth of foot spasms. When picking your shoes there are many factors to keep it mind. Rock shows are usually about 3 hours between the opening acts and the headliner, but you have to account for all the other time. Will you be standing for 3 hours before the show to secure a spot in the front of the stage? Will you be waiting outside the back door for the band to come out? Your wait could be anywhere from 5 minutes to 2 hours. Another thing to consider is your concert goer personality. Are you the moshing, crowd-surfing type? Chances are if your a mosher you won't last very long in high heels, and if you're a crowd surfer, your stiletto heel will easily poke out an eye. Are you a groupie that feels the need to wear 5 inch heels in case you meet the band post-show? What is your vantage point? Will you be sheltered in VIP box seats or watching the show from backstage? Is it an outdoor or indoor show, GA or seating? Could you use a few extra inches to see over the crowd?

- My answer to almost all of the questions is to choose a comfortable and attractive shoe. They do exist! If an orthopedic shoe, and a stripper heel got together this shoe is their child. My rock show shoe of choice is a pump with a thicker heel for balance, a slight platform for comfort, and an ankle strap for security.

- For men, I suggest a simple boot. With boots you look sleek, masculine, and you get an extra inch or two. Sneakers are sloppy. The only sneakers I own are patent leather and even so, I wouldn't wear them to a concert.

- Often the prettier shoes you wear, the uglier your feet become over time. This is a grand generalization, but if 5 inch spiked stilettos are your signature, eventually your feet will form into the shape of the shoe. Not so pretty. Rarely is anyone looking at your feet at a concert. The little bones in your feet do move around and standing around for hours on end dancing to rock n’ roll isn’t going to help them.

my favorite concert hang bags via polyvore.com

Almost every woman I know keeps the entire contents of her life in her purse. You may recall this scene from Mary Poppins where she pulls a lamp among other things out of her bag. This is pretty much my bag on an ordinary day, but when I'm going to a concert I edit the contents. Give the heavy oversized leather purse a night off and go for a small sparkly bag out for a change. Ideally, you want one with a long strap that falls at the hip. You need your arms free to move to the music, fist pump, wave your cell phone, and throw devils horns in the air. Unless you were invited as a press photographer, leave the big DSLR camera home. Your phone can double as a camera. While I regularly do photography, I’ve never been one for taking pictures at concerts. When I’m caught up in the thrill of the moment the last thing on my mind is pulling out a camera. If you want to enjoy the experience of the music trying to document every moment of the stage spectacle takes you out of it. If you're going to a show to experience a show, be in the present. If you're going to a show with the intention of photography, that's different. I'll take the vivid memory of the experience, over the photos any day.

- All you need is your ticket, phone, keys, credit card, a bit of cash, and maybe a lipstick.

- The best concert purse is small (slightly larger than a wallet) with a long, thin strap that can go across the chest. The pouch should fall at the hip. Go for a purse with pizazz. Sparkles and sequins are the epitome of rock n' roll glamour.

- Leave home bulky items like DSLR cameras, umbrellas, water bottles, and makeup compacts.

- Bring enough cash for a cab ride back, and take down the numbers of local cab services in the area of the concert before you leave. You don't want to be stranded in the middle of nowheresville post show.

photo credit unknown

While it's normal for me to gallivant around in a twenty pound Mongolian lamb coat on a regular day, there's no way that monster is coming with me to a rock concert. Indoor concerts are hot no matter the season, and even if you're outdoors you'll likely be warm from dancing and getting pushed in the crowd. If you don't have an actual seat to throw a jacket or sweater on, you'll be holding onto your jacket in the pit. Nothing is worse than carrying a big coat around when you want to dance.

- Wear a sleeveless top underneath, thin, light layers. Top your look with a scarf or shawl that can easily be wrapped around you or tied onto your purse strap. Stay away from bulky sweaters and jackets which can be annoying to hold when you want your arms free to move around.

- Any invaluable pieces of of clothing, should be your first layer

- Have a simple black jacket, wrap/ shawl, blazer, or poncho on hand that you wouldn't care to lose. I've brought, worn, and lost, many black shawls at concerts. They're perfect because they can be worn as a scarf, a wrap, thrown over a chair or tied over your waist and shouldn't cost more than $10. Something like this.

photo credit unknown

A rock concert is an opportunity to amp up your everyday look and take it to the next level. Rock n' roll is all about fantasy, so this is a chance to get creative with your look. Be the fantasy version of yourself. Sometimes it's nice to have a unifying theme when you’re getting dressed. If you need inspiration look to the music. What vibe are you feeling? Is it airy and whimsical, dark and brooding, glam and peppy? Imagine you’re the main character in your favorite song.

- Let your diverse music taste bring diversity to your wardrobe. What I'd wear to see Motley Crue is very different from what I’d wear to see Radiohead.

- You gan give an ode to your favorite performer without completely dressing up as them. For instance, get inspired by the textures and colors you associate with the artist rather than the signature clothing items they wear. For instance, if you were going to see Slash you wouldn't wear a leather top hat, but you could mix a leather jacket and silver rings.

- Don't wear the t-shirt of the band you're going to see. It's unoriginal. Think, would the band want to hang out with me in the outfit I'm wearing?

photo by terry richardson and ellen von unwerth

Many think rock n' roll isn't rock n' roll without its silly tagline. My preference is to experience a concert completely sober. A concert is an intense high for me, one that trumps any sensation that booze or a hit could ever bring. I’d rather have the natural glow of elation, than a spaced out, dumbfounded expression while watching a show.

There's bound to be a lot of movin’ and groovin’, moshin', surfin', and pushin' goin' on, so be prepared. If you’re a chick you need to be doubly prepared. It’s ruthless out there especially when a good majority of the crowd is inebriated and wants to be as close to the stage as possible. Unless you have the luxury of box seats or backstage passes I wouldn’t wear your shortest skirt and highest heels.

- Unless you're backstage or have box seats, you need to be aware of the many messy drunk people at the show (you definitely don't want to be one of them). Like a defensive driver, be a defensive dresser. Nothing you wear should be easy access. So sorry, no halters, and no mini skirts.

- If having a little something helps you loosen up and relax, then by all means go for it, but keep it to a minimum and don't get sloppy.

- Try to befriend security guards at shows. They'll protect you from the rowdy crowd, and if you're lucky, bump up your seats.

photos by me. taken side stage at gods of metal festival in milan '07

My favorite ruffled corset top has a weird bend in the boning, but whenever I wear it, it reminds me of being backstage at Gods of Metal in Milan. A rock concert is an epic event, so the clothes you wear should seal the memory. Dressing up sets the tone for the day, makes you feel good, and leaves you with a tangible memory. I find when people are the most excited about a piece of clothing it's because it's attached to a memory of an event. It's not everyday that you get to wear your glammiest, sparkly, studded wears. A concert may require your to bear the elements or be stuck between two sweaty t-shirt wearing beer guzzlers, but at the end of the night, a rip, tear, or stain on one of your favorite items is a battle scar, forever imprinted as an artifact of the experience. I encourage you to go find something extraordinary. Even if this special article winds up with a tear in the elbow, when someone says “you know you have a tear in your sleeve” you’ll have a chance to recount the time you were in the pit rocking out to your favorite band!

I love the stories my grandma tells me about skipping school to see Frank Sinatra. I frankly wish she saved the outfit she wore. Wouldn’t it be nice to give your grandchild not only a good story, but the shirt you wore when you saw your favorite band in 2011?

I'd love to hear your concert outfit experiences. Is there a certain pair of pants you covet, 'cause you met your favorite rocker while wearing them?

Do you have any questions, comments, or suggestions for dressing up for a rock show? I wanna hear!

Ruby Tuesday

2011-01-17T20:04:00.000-08:00

It’s Tuesday night and as any real New Yorker knows, it’s the best night to go out. The streets are clear, the suits are in bed, and a certain spot becomes a rock n' roll playgrounds for those who’d rather experience to live music than sit on their bum watching bad tv or dancing in their underwear to muffled noise coming out of crappy computer speakers. I'm talking about Ruby Tuesday at Don Hills. Have you ever heard the fairytale “The 12 Dancing Princesses”? After the kingdom was asleep the princesses would tip toe through a secret passageway that led to a beautiful lagoon with gondolas waiting to take them to the fairytale version of a hip club with handsome princes. Ruby Tuesday is pretty much the rock n’ roll version of this story, except my gondola is a yellow taxi cab bringing me to Don Hills in Tribeca. From 12am- 3am live bands play raw rock n’ roll. This is a live rock n' roll party happening in the middle of the night.

Here’s a small sampling of what’s been going down the last few weeks...

THE NUCLEARS

The Nuclears are a Brooklyn band that plays hard. They could make even the most uptight person let loose. Nick Vivid is the modern day Iggy Pop, with moves, swagger, pipes and bare chest to keep you screaming “MORE”. The songs are a cross between NY Dolls and The Stooges, it’s rock n’ roll you can dance to.

MAX IS KING

Max is King is a collaboration between Nick Fowler and Art Lynn. Nick is a gifted lyricist, given he’s an acclaimed author. Art Lynn lives up to his Jim Morrison image with his guitar chops, looking every bit the rock star in his practically painted on leather pants.

MALACHI

Malachi are a country duo from Pennsylvania whose music put me in a trance. There is an indescribable depth to their music. Moody, melodic, and transportive are all I can come up with. They’re a band you have to experience. After the show I spent a few hours playing and replaying their tracks on the band’s MySpace.

THE DEAD EX'S

The Dead Ex’s are David Patillo and Wiley Wirth. It’s baffling how much sound and energy can come out of a twosome. The Dead Ex’s play classic rock n’ roll spiked with a little Southern Comfort.

DIRTY & NAUGHTY

Dirty and Naughty ooze classic rock n’ roll charisma. There’s a whole lotta love happening on stage. They’re also are sharp dressers. Gass is one of the few people who can pull off leopard on leopard. The band is everything their name implies, naughty, rock n’ roll for your listening pleasure.

The bands are the main event, but Ruby Tuesday is also a dance party attracting many familiar faces from the downtown scene, with other special guests.

DJ's Ian El Derado & Kelle Calco

Me/ Ash Fox and Jeffree Star

Photos by ASH FOX Edited by KELLE CALCO

RUBY TUESDAY is a weekly ROCK N ROLL BOUTIQUE at the new DON HILLS showcasing cream of the crop classic rock inspired bands, DJs & personalities in SOUND & STYLE curated by Club Calco every Tuesday. ADMISSION IS FREE!

"Have you heard what's hapnin down at the new Don Hill's man?! We're gonna rub real shoulders and showcase no less than the highest standard of whats shakin man! LIVE and ELECTRIFIED! Righteous Rock N Rollers that write songs and carry the torch, struttin the sex, spreading the good genes and blue jeans around alright? Bands, bitches, bottles and boy wonders! Spankin that city into a natural groove! Trip down 6th to Soho man! Long hair, hookers, sinkers & action alright! Don't hide in your hood and whine 'Where have all the good times gone?" Don't wallow in worlds of words, ruins, relics, records, fossils and photographs. Don't ride the train into dungeouns full of rubber brains. Are you stuck in a scene with three dicks and no team? It's no wonder nobody knows your name! Keep it sexy or stay out you stubborn mother! Love it all and live it now girlfriend. Release! The guitars, the glamour. The models & musicians. The good head & fancy threads! Roll the stone! Dig the dylan! Rep the zeppelin baby! I'm talkin bout my generation! I'm back in the New York groove! I'm waitin for my man!" -Kelle Calco

For more information and band interviews check out ClubCalco.com

For more photos CLICK HERE

RUBY TUESDAY: Kelle Calco and The Colored Boys

2010-11-27T16:07:00.000-08:00

RUBY Tuesday is the newest night of sound and style brought to us by “Club Calco”, a club of which I’m proud to be a card carrying member. In NY nightlife, where parties are a dime-a-dozen Kelle Calco is the party maestro, throwing the ones with the best music and coolest people.

photos by ASH FOX edited by KELLE CALCO

The opening night of Ruby Tuesday was doubly special being the debut performance of the “The Colored Boys” (Kelle Calco, Ronnie Magri, Zephaniah O’Hara, Dante Dalli, Matthew Demiccio). Leading up to the show everyone was abuzz… we all knew Kelle Calco as the DJ/host of our favorite parties and ringleader of Club Calco. He has the magnetism, swagger and look of a rock star but few had heard him perform. The launch of Ruby Tuesday, confirmed all that Kelle exudes. On this Indian summer night in November, the whole scene gathered in the new Don Hills. Floppy hats, paisley dresses, and furry coats were in abundance, mingling with the usual spikes, sparkles, cowboy boots, leather and lace. The walls of the renovated club are reminiscent of the 80s downtown art scene, punk perverted images layered together, clearly inspired by the likes of Basquait, and Richard Prince.

When the lights dimmed, we were all on our toes crowding around as The Stones ode to friendship, “Waiting on a Friend”, echoed through the speakers. It was apropos considering wherever you looked your eyes locked with a familiar face. The Boys walked through the crowd and onto the stage opening with “When the Velvet Comes” a song that mixes funk, soul and country with Kelle’s glammy vocal stylings. The Colored Boys are all you could ask for in a band, talented musicians, with style and charisma. It was refreshing to see musicians who knew how to put on a show. The Colored Boys brought back the energy of a time most of our parents have hidden away in dusty attics…classic goodness as an antidote for our plastic era.

It’s pretty much unfathomable how in one years time Kelle Calco transformed the NY rock scene. Spinning it around, shaking it on its head and stewing together all the local bohemians with blood type “R’NR”. For those of you who don’t live in NY, there really hasn’t been a scene since the late 80s. To give you a sense of my own experience... in 2005 NY was a dead zone for rock n’ roll. My high school boyfriend would play acoustic sets in leather pants to a crowd of 10 in places with depressing names like, The Bitter End. In 2007, I dreamt of living in LA, with all the aging rockers gripping onto thin threads of the 1980s Sunset Strip. The relic "Rainbow" with all the big hair, and the rock crowd aged about 20 yrs is cool and all but in 2010 with Club Calco there’s no reason to leave this city. Instead of a being part of someone else’s nostalgic memory we have our own Rock N’ Roll reality.

RUBY TUESDAY is a weekly ROCK N ROLL BOUTIQUE at the new DON HILLS showcasing cream of the crop classic rock inspired bands, DJs & personalities in SOUND & STYLE curated by Club Calco every Tuesday at 11pm.

Rock N' Roll Style Guide: Jim Morrison

2010-11-03T22:25:00.000-07:00

There may be some debate on this, but in my opinion Jim Morrison is responsible for making leather pants a staple in rock n’ roll stage attire. I say this with a bit of hesitation as Elvis and others must have worn leather pants in a music context, but ultimately it was Morrison who made the look iconic. The debate as to “who wore them first” has been raging since Gerard Melanga claimed Jim jacked his look in the early 60s at The Doors first performance at The Ondine. Andy Warhol mentions this little pop culture diehard-rock n’ roll- fashion-junkie-tidbit in his 60s social history book Popism: The Warhol Sixties. “When we walked in, Gerard took one look at Jim Morrison in leather pants just like his and he flipped. ‘He stole my look!’ he screamed, outraged. It was true enough—Jim had, I guess picked in up from seeing Gerard at the Trip”. The story made me think of the scene in Velvet Goldmine when Brian Slade first meets the gender bending beauty Jack Fairy. Brian kisses him, steals his earring and eventually “steals” his image. All rock stars and pop culture icons are the sum of many influences, icons and unknowns alike, but what makes the star a star in their own right is the way they curate all the elements. Jim Morrison took leather pants out of their motorcycle context and made them rock n’ roll.

Style Breakdown

Jim’s look is all about carefree minimalism, there’s restraint in his color palette, in the few articles of clothing, the lack of layering, and little adornment. Yet, it’s carefree from his wild wavy hair, to the loose buttoning of his shirt, and the grab n’ go easiness of the look as a whole. I see a lot of rockers on the scene doing the “The Morrison” and it’s all good. Leather pants are a classic rock n’ roll staple just like The Doors.

The Essentials

A flowing silky button down shirt, loose enough to expose bits of chest

Skin-tight leather trousers- tight enough to keep you guessing both how he got into them and how he’ll get out of them
A western style belt conveniently drawing your eyes to hips

Get the Look: Tips for buying leather pants

It’s all in the fit. They should sit right on your hips or 1-2 inches above or below. I like how I look in higher waisted, pocketless leather pants, but svelte narrow hipped men tend to look better in lower waisted pocketed pants that sit right on or below the hip. Make sure they fit well before you buy them as leather pants are difficult and expensive to tailor.

There shouldn’t be any bunchiness in the crotch area. This is a big problem I find with most cuts of leather pants. Sometimes you have to compromise thinner leather for a better fit. I find thicker leather pants to be more bunchy.

Leather pants come in many variations. My favorites are high-waisted, pocketless, with slits or zippers on the bottom, but they come in many different fits, cuts, colors, and variations of leather.

Leather pants are versatile. Pair black leather pants with a white ruffle top and a blazer and you have an office look. Pair leather pants with a sequin top and stilettos and you're ready to go dancing.

You don't need to be a rock star to afford leather pants. I purchased my favorite leather pants are from the French label Plein Sud at Housing Works Thrift Shop for $55. I highly recommend Housing Works Thrift for leather pants, they usually have about 10 pairs at all times. It took some searching before I found the right ones but ti was completely worth the time. If you don’t live near a Housing Works, any thrift shop or Salvation Army will do…most people don’t have the guts to wear leather pants, so many beauties wind up in thrift stores, for 80% off the price tag.
Leather pants aren’t only for rock n’ rollers or for people of a certain age. I recently saw a woman I assumed to be in her 80s walking in Madison Sq Park in red leathers. She made me smile.

Stone Temple Pilots at Jones Beach

2010-09-12T15:25:00.000-07:00

Stone Temple Pilots at Jones Beach Theater on September 4, 2010

images courtesy of audioperv.com

collage by ASH FOX

It was the first day of September cool enough to break out the leather jacket. On a whim, I made the trek out to Jones Beach from Manhattan to see my favorite band Stone Temple Pilots. I linked up with fellow STP devotees and we hung out in the parking lot drinking beers and reminiscing about our favorite STP performances. We were from a few different generations, but all equally hard core about STP. Being a rock fan is similar to being a comic book nerd, except that instead of attending a convention like Comic-con we congregate in parking lots and back doors at rock shows. Some of the diehards were decked out in STP apparel, others had STP tattoos, but they all had a recognizable glimmer in their eye while talking about STP.

It was perfect concert weather. The sensation of the seasons changing reminded me of the quintessential STP song bridge. Even in some of STP’s darkest songs the bridge always provides a welcome reprieve. It uplifts and gives a feeling of renewal like a cool day after thick summer heat. Entering a new season feels simultaneously new and nostalgic. The beginning of a season always makes me think of where I was the year before. Every STP every song is colored with memories, but I still always hear something new.

Our seats were 10th row center with a perfect view of the stage. I’ve found that buying tickets at the very last minute is risky, but often the way to go. After seeing STP in GA the last time it was nice to have a seat. The madness of GA can be exhilarating, but having your own designated area of space to breathe and dance without people crashing into you and spilling beer on your outfit can be just as sweet. At around 8:45 (early for STP) the haunting intro music began and the audience rose up in unison. Scott Weiland strolled out onto the stage followed by drummer Eric Kretz, bassist Rob and guitarist Dean Deleo. They opened with Crackerman, a classic Core era STP song that always gets the crowd roaring. The show’s set list had more variety than some of their past performances. They mixed up the classic hits with a few tracks from their new self-titled album, as well as some lesser-known fan favorites such as Pretty Penny, Still Remains, Silvergun Superman, and Heaven and Hotrods. When they launched into “Heaven and Hotrods” an upbeat, heavier track from the album No. 4, the crowd went wild. There’s a lyric in the bridge “I’m still healing. Coming down. I’m still breathing” which seemed apropos for this era of STP. It’s 2010 and Stone Temple Pilots are going strong. They’re one of the few bands that have survived the 90s with all four members intact and are still writing new music. 80% of the venue was full proving there is still an audience for raw rock n’ roll. The Deleos were smiling, Eric was banging away and Scott’s voice sounded clearer than ever. Scott Weiland has a newfound calm and refinement about him. He’s no longer the feverish, shirtless, whirling dervish, but he’s still ever the showman. The focus seems to be less on stage antics and more on vocal performance. Weiland sounds deliberate in the way he uses his vocal instrument, there is less uninhibited angst. Still, I imagine singing your old songs must be like reading back your childhood diary entries. You read with enlightened eyes, but you can still hear the voice of adolescence in your head.

One of the show highlights was the performance of the love song, “Still Remains”. Scott’s high notes on “if you should die before me ask if you can bring a friend” meld perfectly with the high hum of Dean’s guitar. I interpret the lyrics as a proclamation of selfless love, to give of yourself and leave all your defenses behind. It always makes me swoon. The song, the performance, and the moment itself were so beautiful, that I couldn’t hold back a few salty tears.

I often get e-mails asking, “What do I wear to a rock show?” My answer in short is to go glam, amp up your everyday look and be comfortable. This next little story proves that dressing up for a show has it rewards. Before the concert began, I spotted a woman in a red fedora channeling Scott Weiland's current look. I pointed her out to my friend and couldn’t help but smile. Her look reminded me of the time I wore silver pants to a Velvet Revolver concert intent on channeling Scott Weiland in the “Slither” video. As I could tell, the red fedora lady was one smart cookie. During the encore, Scott motioned to her in the audience and next thing you know he pulls her on stage. They hug and he hands her his megaphone to sing the intro to “Dead and Bloated”. Fortunately someone captured this on video.

It was a magical moment for STP fans and for anyone who has ever dressed up as their favorite artist. If you’re now curious where you can find a red fedora I’ve got the hook up here.

When the band took their bows, the band’s children ran out onstage. Clearly, I’m sentimental when it comes to STP. For those who have been following STP since their beginnings it’s been over a 20-year relationship. Mine has been a bit shorter, but the fact is STP has shaped so many of my experiences. As a kid I wasn’t exposed to contemporary rock so hearing Purple for the first time was like an epiphany. It took 17 years to find music that made perfect sense to me. Is their a band or artist that has captivated you for years? I's love to hear your greatest concert memories.

Click below for my other Stone Temple Pilots related posts...

Just a Fan: My STP Concert Saga

Rock N' Roll Style Guide: Stone Temple Pilots

Scott Weiland's Hybrid Style

Rock N' High Fashion Collide: John Varvatos

2010-07-05T18:49:00.000-07:00

Velvet Revolver, Chris Cornell, Alice Cooper, Perry Farrell, and Iggy Pop by Danny Clinch for John Varvatos

John Varvatos sure mastered the art of the fashion campaign. When Varvatos launched his first “rock star” campaign with Chris Cornell, shot by Dany Clinch I immediately took notice. The photographs had Cornell caught in reverie, strolling through the West Village in a dapper white trench coat. Who was this John Varvatos and what did he do with Chris Cornell’s dirty t-shirt and jean cut-off shorts?

After lusting over magazine tears of the ad on my inspiration board I ventured to SOHO, home of the Varvatos Flagship store. Lining the store windows were images of Chris Cornell blown up to life size. Upon entering the store I was greeted by a handsomely dressed mannequin. Who knew I could be so attracted to a headless man? The store was filled with buttery leather jackets and shearling winter coats, vests with delicate pin stripes, and perfect skinny ties. Everything was masculine and classic, but with an undeniable rock n’ roll “cool”. While perusing the store I kept coming back to the images of Chris Cornell on the wall and the ingenious of this new lifestyle brand.

Danny Clinch’s photographs portray the grown-up rock star on his day off. He’s aged and refined, with a newfound sophistication in his sartorial choices. A model can make or break a campaign, so the choice to use rockstars was a major branding decision. Not every man aspires to look like a rock star, but they all want a bit of their swagger. It’s the same idea as buying into the Victoria’s Secret brand, you’re not going to be a supermodel "Angel" if you wear their lingerie, but you may feel a bit sexier.

John Varvatos line is all about the essence of the rock star refined a repackaged for the average guy. Ahem…an average guy who can afford a $4,000 leather jacket. The brand has changed a bit over the years, but the rock star is still Varvatos’ muse. I still can’t help but get excited when I bump into one of my favorite rockstars blown up to ten ft tall in a Varvotos ad at the bus stop.

Just a Fan: My Stone Temple Pilots Concert Saga

2010-06-20T15:51:00.000-07:00

Without fail, whenever I have a concert to attend, it rains. However, having to bear the elements always sets the mood of the story. "We stuck it out in 5 inch heels in the dead of winter for 6 hours straight" is a line that shows up in almost all of my concert re-tellings. Fro-ed out, frizzy hair is pretty much a guarantee, no matter how smooth it was when getting ready. When the band hits the stage you're too caught up in the magic of experience, transfixed by the music to give a crap about what you look like. Rain storms, other than emphasizing what I'll withstand for rock, and making my hair a frizzy mess, have made me superstitious. If it rains on a show date I'm pretty sure that night will be a magical rock n' roll experience. I've never been wrong.

As I made my way downtown to meet my friend at the Gramercy theater, I recounted my crazed, groupie fan girl days. In the past, I'd arrive an embarrassing number of hours before the show to secure my front row spot - now I was cool with showing up only an hour in advance. Over the course of my fandom, I went from buying tickets on Ticketmaster and Craigslist, to prearranged comped tickets, VIP passes, and band's guest list. I went from having my ribs slammed into the barricade by drunk, sweaty beer stenched men, to watching the show backstage with plenty of room to dance and breathe, standing next to Tommy Lee. After a few years out of the scene, spoiled by the rock-star treatment I was back to Craigslist.. compulsively checking for overpriced scalper's tickets. The trade off of being an insider is having to be on your A game at all times. You're not going to let on how much of a crazed, screaming fan girl you really are while standing next to Tommy. The trade off for being just a fan is having to deal with the travesty of acquiring tickets through Ticketmaster, Craigslist or the scalping agency fronts for Ticketmaster.

At 4 pm on the day of the sold-out show, after a week with no ticket options other than a $400 ticket from a scalping agency...I got a call from someone willing to sell me his tickets. Apparently, he and his girlfriend got into a fight and weren't going to the show. My adrenaline was rushing at the thought of tickets, so I ignored all of the "too good to be true" signs. I absolutely believe there is no dream too good to be true, but when something in reality seems too good to be true, run. When the guy showed up to deliver my ticket I asked him a few questions, gave him the money and jumped for joy inside that I’d be finally realizing my dream of seeing STP in a teeny tiny venue. Stone Temple Pilots are a stadium band and they rarely if ever play theaters. This small show was a special exception, a taping for Jimmy Kimmel Live.

The idea of being scammed didn’t even enter my consciousness until the dude online next to me told me he bought his ticket on the street from a scalper and had a feeling it was fake. He asked to see my ticket and mine was just as dull, thick, and blue as his. The couple to my left had purchased their red, thin, shiny tickets at the venue. My heart stopped and all the tell tale signs came flooding through me.. how overly eager the seller was to come to my location, the lack of perforation on the ticket, the fact that he sold them to me for only 20% over face value, and most obviously... his thinking that Stone Temple Pilots was a punk band. It's humbling to write this. Around 10:30 pm they started letting us into the venue. The moment of truth. The group of guys in front of me who purchased tickets from the street scalper were scanned first. "Fake, Fake, Fake, and Fake" the scanner girl said. "Sorry, you have to be careful when you buy tickets from scalpers.” I was shaking hard as I handed over my ticket to the scanner. “FAKE!” She ripped up my heart and my tickets. I was too numb to feel my friend tugging on me to leave. "You need a drink" he said. "There’s no point in standing here torturing yourself.” I turned to him and said, "No, I need to punish myself and feel this." I was naive and deserved my fake tickets. My adrenaline rush had overpowered my sixth sense. I stood on the other side of the barricade watching grinning STP fans, with authentic tickets in hand make their way into the venue screaming "woo hoo." How far I'd fallen. I was standing behind the barricade holding back tears, telling myself I deserved my humilation, what a chump I was buying tickets from a dude who thought STP was a punk band. I deserved my fate. Suddenly, a woman with a staff badge came outside and started calling out for the guests of the band to come up front. I was the farthest thing at this point, a peon. Her eyes caught mine. She said "Are you waiting to go inside?" "No, I bought tickets from a scalper on craigslist and they turned out to be fake. My tickets were ripped up." I said. "You look devastated. I can tell you're a real fan. You know what?" She reached into her VIP staff badge pocket. "Is this better?" She held up two hard-tickets. "These are for you, enjoy the show." I was in utter shock. All I could do was hug and kiss this angel sent from the hard rock heavens.

The show was magical.

Post show, I was in a state of euphoria. We hung out at the Gramercy Hotel for a bit enjoying our post show high and then took a little walk. We walked past the theater and noticed a few diehards waiting for the band. We saw our fellow scammed friends. They ran over and hugged and kissed me. As it turned out my admittance of defeat had helped four other scammed people get into the show. The hard rock angel took pity on them too. Suddenly out walked Eric Kretz, STP's drummer, who posed for a pic and gave me a huge hug. Minutes later, Dean Deleo came out in an amazing denim buttondown with red rhinestone buttons, and gave me a massive hug and kiss and told me "beautiful women like you are the reason I love my job." I guess I stood out as one of the few women amongst STP's grizzly, sweat-soaked, male fan base. Robert Deleo came out and we chatted about the new album. He looked and smelled amazing and was very friendly. Scott Weiland had left the venue earlier. With all I'd experienced, how could I be disappointed?

Sometimes it's great to just be a fan.

Dave Navarro's Rock Loft

2010-06-15T09:12:00.000-07:00

images courtesy of the LA Times/ Chicago Tribune, and Heidi Toll Design

Dave Navarro's Hollywood loft designed by Heidi Toll is the perfect crash pad with its golden ratio of modern elegance and rock n' roll glamor. Bone imagery, dramatic red lighting, and snake skins, give it the metal edge suitable for a the guitarist. I totally get off on unexpected patterns like the X-ray wallpaper, which has that Chuck Close affect.. it would look like a simple diamond pattern from a distance. The bathroom is a stage dressing room on steroids. How fun would it be getting ready for a night on the town in front of those glorious bulbs? The red lit chandelier over the bed is exceptionally sexy. A famed rock n' roll photographer once told me that red lighting makes everyone look better...I'm sure this applies here.

The design modernizes gothic imagery and makes it appropriate for everyday living. Instead of a dirty rock bar it feels like a swanky hotel suite. Such a fantastic representation of the rock world at it's most glamorous, made for the rock star accustomed to sleeping at the Waldorf as opposed to a tour bus cot. All of this glam couldn't be achieved without the expertise of designer Heidi Toll, who clearly understood Navarro's personality and vision. All in all it's a space sophisticated in it's design, but playful enough for Dave's lifestyle.

Rock n' High Fashion Collide: Givenchy

2010-06-04T07:35:00.000-07:00

When Ricardo Tisci took over Givenchy in 2005, we were in for a treat. Givenchy became the go-to label for well tailored clothing with a modern approach to iconic rock looks. Even if the prices are out of reach for the average Jane or Joe, they inspire the season. This spring I scored a Bowie stripe inspired Givenchy knock blazer at H&M.. good design trickles down. Givenchy is still known for their brilliantly tailored suits, but now they look less like office wear and more like stage attire. Recent campaigns for the brand pay homage to the glam, metal and gothic elements of rock n' roll with unexpected styling. Each collection focuses on rock star staples--bold stripes, striking hair, and layers and layers of chains. If I could only peek into Tisci’s studio, I wouldn't be surprised to see a picture of Shirley Manson tacked to Fall '10's mood board. I may just have to go magenta come fall.

My favorite Givenchy looks for Fall. Obsessed with the tube top and arm band look.

Rock N' Roll Style Guide: Betty Blowtorch

2010-05-07T08:49:00.000-07:00

all images courtesy of google images

I recently watched Anthony Scarpa’s wonderful documentary "Betty Blowtorch: And Her Amazing True Life Adventures" about the late great rock band. It was bittersweet. Four ferocious women break ground on the LA rock scene, come close to achieving some commercial success, and then lose everything due to the untimely death of lead singer and bassist Bianca “Butthole” Halstead. Their music was a combination of 80’s style hair metal with a bit of pop/ punk mixed in.

The film was shot with a small DV camera. The beauty of the low-fi approach is that you feel like you’re living moment to moment with the band on the road. Nowadays, everything has such high production value. Just because 24p and HD cameras are readily available doesn’t mean they’re appropriate for the content. Some scenes feel like a fan captured them on their camera phone. The effect is a raw quality that a high gloss “Behind the Music” episode could never have. The interviews with Bianca feel especially candid. You see her sprawled out on her leopard couch, casually recounting stories as if she were hanging with one of her best friends.

The film opens with a Betty Boop cartoon. She wiggles her hips while singing a song about how to keep your "girlish" figure. When the songs stops, drums kick in, and you hear the roar, "We're from Hollywoooood" as the four foul mouthed, hard rocking women, with greasy hair and tattoos launch into the anthem "Hell on Wheels". While they share the namesake of the 1930’s cartoon star, Betty Boop’s restrained sexiness and demure “girlish” charm is a far cry from Betty Blowtorch’s in-your-face explicitness.

Betty Blowtorch were disciples of the Runaways, further paving new territory for women in the hard rock genre. As a feminist, I often have to reconcile my love of hard rock with my disdain for misogynist lyrics. Whether or not it’s right, it’s refreshing to hear a song like “Size Queen”…it feels like the answer to GNR’s “It’s So Easy”. Most of their songs were purely fun and tongue-in-cheek, but others pact a “personal is political” punch. “Get off”, confronts incest and “Rock my World” is an anthem of sexual autonomy. Bianca Halstead and Betty Blowtorch will be sorely missed, but hopefully their legacy will inspire the next generation of women in rock.

For more info on the film check out bettyblowtorch.com. Watch the trailer here.

Now just for fun.. if you want to look like a hard rocking biker chick, I’ve supplied you with the goods. Grab your bass, drum set, or guitar and you’re ready to rock!

topshop tank $36, pimkie boustier , sailor jerry belt buckle $24 , forever 21 vest $40 , von zipper sunglasses $90, ash sneaker heels $186 , french connection leather pants $260 , alexander mcqueen spiked cuff , sam edelman boots $112 , sang a clutch , luxury divas studded belt $13

Rock N' Roll Style Guide: Keith Richards

2010-04-16T07:45:00.000-07:00

"Fashion thinks more about me than what I think about it" says Keith, and I'm not surprised. When you're Keith Richards entire collections are built around you. Does Balmain Fall 2010 come to mind? Keith Richards is a classic rock star for a reason, he hasn't changed his signature sound or style in the past 40 years. When you have a good thing going..why change?

Style Breakdown: Glam, hippie, pirate, gypsy. Perfectly tailored suits accented with statement pieces (feather boas, sequin waistcoats, printed scarves, velvet bell bottoms). The frame of mind that you must wear everything you'd need for a month long tour all at once.

The Essentials

Layers: You see a hint of polka dot underneath a pin striped blazer, a paisley scarf braided with a solid one. His layers and pattern mixing keep you wondering "what's underneath?". Layering should work is such a way that each layer you remove still reveals a complete look. Even if you're shirtless! When Keith removed a layer there were always necklaces and scarfs underneath. Not every layer has to be a statement piece, the statement is the completed look. You can add variation and contrast by mixing layers with prints all in the same color scheme, or by wearing a few different textured or colored fabrics in similar prints.

Bell Bottoms: Tight on the thigh, belled below the knee, in jean, crushed velvet, and leather.

The Perfect Suit: Well cut, high-waisted, and three-piece.

Glam Accessories: Feather boas, sequin vests, leather cuffs, silk scarfs, statement belts

Get Keith Richards' look..etro top $380, mathew williamson vest $1000+, lucky brand necklace $39, lucky brand scarf $50, lucky brand leather belt $49, jbrand jeans $180, cavalli top $580, isabel marant earrings $120, lucky brand fabric belt$50, lucky brand shoes $110

I recommend finding less expensive versions of the tops in stores like Zara or Century 21. Another option is scouring the men's sale racks at department stores. Guys are less likely to purchase wild prints and smaller sizes are often left over and heavily discounted. Despite it's $1,000 price tag, I like that this vest is a nuetral color which makes layering easy. A great sequin vest shouldn't be hard to find in a vintage store. The Lucky Brand accessories are great for finishing off the look... lots of authentic looking accessories at a fairly reasonable price.

Rock N' Roll Style Guide: Stone Temple Pilots

2010-03-24T06:44:00.000-07:00

Images courtesy of belowempty.com's incredible STP picture archive.

Stone Temple Pilots, (Scott Weiland, Dean Deleo, Robert Deleo, and Eric Kretz) have evolved together musically and visually. I've been blasting my Twitter this month with the BIG news (at least for a hardcore fan like me) that Stone Temple Pilots are releasing their first single in 9 years on March 31st. You can stream the new single "Between The Lines" here. I'll have to listen to it about 100 times before I can form a solid opinion, but STP can really do no wrong by me.

The images above are from a spring concert during the The Shangri-la-dee-da tour in 2001, courtesy of belowempty.com.

At a concert, I find what the band is wearing to be as important as what they're playing. Concerts become memories, so it's great when musicians take pride in their appearance and mix it up for the audience. I find nothing more boring than seeing shots of a band from a four month tour with the same jeans and t-shirt ensemble repeated over and over. It's also refreshing to see a rock n' roll band age gracefully. The greasy long hair, heavy eye makeup, leather-busting-at-the-seams look doesn't work for anyone especially in your mid 40s.

Style breakdown: Elements from the best decades of rock, streamlined and aged to perfection.

The Essentials

Subtle accessories: A little "heavy metal" as in delicate and eclectic chains, rings and earrings toughen up skinny pants, and floral tops. Accessories on the hand draw your eyes to the guitar work.

Unexpected Prints: It's rare to see a man in a floral print unless it's an Hawaiian shirt paired with a beer belly. You have to have a little swagger to make it work. Floral works great on men as an accent element as long as the print is simple and the colors are muted. Dean's is dusty blue with a simple stencil flower print.

Skin: It's all about keeping things in proportion. I was never a fan of the baggy shorts/shirtless look a la Chris Cornell circa 1992. Scott Weiland is the king of shirtless-ness. He pairs high-waisted tuxedo pants with a bare chest, but his lean frame and tattoos keep him from looking like a Chippendale dancer. Dean Deleo and Eric Kretz have mastered the buttoned down-button down. Tank tops are cool on younger rockers, but button-downs look sophisticated on STP. Notice it's not a standard dress shirt. Theirs are of the thinner, sheer variety which let's your skin breath as you play. Striking colors work well on stage. You'll never see STP in "corporate blue".

Sweat: When you're rocking out, sweat is inevitable, but there is an art to making it look good. Notice, no stringy wet hair or pit stained tees.

Rock N' Roll Style Guide: PJ Harvey

2010-03-18T06:52:00.000-07:00

The so-called "effortless" look was all the rage this year. It was about trying to look as though you rolled out of bed without actually having rolled out of bed. The look was cool in that it was inspired by 90s grunge, but it quickly became tired and contrived when attempted by socialite party-people. Calculated looks can be as cool as effortless ones depending on how you carry them. The quintessential example of effortless, raw, low maintenance style is PJ Harvey.

Her outfits look like she literally grabbed some random items from a pile lying next to her bed with her eyes closed. She gets away with it because she is PJ Harvey, one of the rawest singer songwriters of our time. Her look is believable because she wrote "Big Exit", and "Rid of Me". Everything she wears looks naturally faded and worn, not cut up or DIYed. The only rationalization I have for people purchasing pre-faded t-shirts or "destroyed" denim is that they are trying to buy style. In high school, I used to tote around in a pair of jeans, which were so badly tattered that at the end of their run there were more patches than original jean material. They became like a second skin, so it was hard to stop wearing them. The people who gave me strange looks and comments were the same people buying up pre-distressed denim the next year. It's easy to get swept into the desire for something new, especially when you immerse yourself in fashion blogs, but if you truly have a style of your own, then none of your old clothes will look stale. PJ's look makes me appreciate the raggedy things in my closet that may not look glamorous, but definitely have stories to tell.

Style Breakdown: Haphazard combos of undersized hammy-downs paired with remnants from a stripper's closet.

The Essentials:

T-shirt from your 10 year old sibling's closet paired with a sequin or latex mini skirt
Thrift store stripper boots
A patchwork dress made of a cheesy pop culture icon like the "Spice Girls"
A zip-up top zipped down to your belly button
A choker necklace
Lingerie worn as outerwear
A cotton tube top paired with sleeves cut off from a long sleeve shirt
Choppy short hair and bangs that look like you lopped it off yourself
Loads of black eyeliner and lipstick

When it Rains

2010-01-21T09:57:00.000-08:00

Collage inspired by Garbage's "I'm Only Happy When it Rains", Directed by Samuel Bayer

Lately I'm on a Garbage kick..well, a 90's kick in general. It's possible that my nostalgia is due to the fact that we've hit the 20 year mark. The music of the 90's never went stale for me, but the aesthetic sure did. I never imagined turquoise eyeshadow was acceptable on the street, until yesterday. My crushed velvet orange purse is finally getting some use. The 90's aesthetic was all about complimentary colors, contrasting patterns/textures, fish eye, and blur effects. Stay tuned for my take on the 90's look, next post...

Bad Reputation

2009-12-30T07:53:00.000-08:00

As much as I love a good film, I rarely go the movies. The truth is, most Hollywood films bore me. Films intended for a female audience (chick flicks) tend to be embarrassing to our sex. That being said, I'm dying to see the "The Runaways", because not only is it one of my favorite genres, a biopic, it's a rock biopic about one of the first all girl rock bands. Of course I'm going in with the expectation that the story will play like a glorified "Behind the Music" episode. For some reason the cliché "sex, drugs and rock n' roll” story entices me again and again. Even if “The Runaways” script is mediocre at best, we can still expect a killer wardrobe and soundtrack.

When I heard Kristen Stewart would be playing Joan Jett, I was skeptic. However, after seeing the trailer I can't imagine any other actress who could wear Joan's iconic mullet as well as Kristen.

I watched a few recent performances and interviews with Joan Jett, and she happens to be vibrant as ever. I love female rockers, because they refuse to shrivel up and go into hiding. Like Souxsie, and Chrissie, Joan is in her 50's and can still pull off an all leather-clad ensemble. The photo on the upper left hand corner of my collage is RECENT! Again, it's my theory..stay creative, do what you love, and nature will reward you.

I came across these two great interviews in which Joan spawns the following quotes...

"People say are you a tough girl? I mean can handle myself if I need to, but I don't go around looking for trouble".

"I want a certain sort of fame. When they write the ultimate rock n' roll history book, I want my name to be there, standing for something."

"People always said to me, 'Why don't you dress like a girl? Why don't you wear a dress, wear your hair different or have a lighter image?’..Even if I were still in school I wouldn't have gone to prom, I wouldn’t put on a prom dress for any money. No way! That's like posing nude for me."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DgA2TBEBCn4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BA6R15iVGM

I didn't go to prom either. We need more role models like Joan Jett..and every little girl should have Joan Jett Barbie.

Chrissie Cool

2009-10-27T12:41:00.000-07:00

A thick tie usually brings to mind a wall street shark in an ill fitting, boxy cut suit..or Chrisse Hynde. She is one of the few people who can make a thick tie look cool. Beauty and confidence seems to radiates from her. I think the secret to staying eternally young and beautiful is not necessarily being a vegan (in Chrissie's case) but continually creating, dreaming, chipping away at new ideas and attempting to contribute to society. I had a professor in college who was so vibrant and young in both spirit and appearance..he looked no older than 60..the man was a 77 year old artist (he was one of the first people to experiment with video as an artform and continues to make and show his work.

The Pretenders released their new album "Break up the Concrete" a few months ago. Her voice is pure and crisp, her iconic pop/rock songs are girl power anthems. She is constantly on tour bringing unsurpassed energy. Chrissie forbids meat products from entering the venues she plays. Beauty is standing by your convictions. Chrissie Hynde is one of the few celebrity rockers who has not been injected, cut open, and molded. I love Chrissie's natural low maintenance look, her signature bangs, her t-shirts and jeans.

I do a lot of ranting here on some of my heroes, but it's because there are very few mainstream celebrities who aren't famous for any reason other than being what our current mainstream society thinks is valuable.. fame for fame's sake. The idea of internal beauty is a commonplace truism, but credit should be given when credit is due. I like to use my blog as a platform to recognize creators who have a strong personal aesthetic that reflects their personal creativity.

Thank you all for your mind blowing comments and for your beautiful blogs. They continue to inspire me. I am so proud to be part of this blog revolution.

Scott Weiland's Hybrid Style

2009-10-08T13:52:00.000-07:00

Photo Credits: Belowempty.com, GettyImages, Corbis, Google Images

Stone Temple Pilots, challenged the grunge of the 90’s with melodic Beatles-y pop, infused with Zepplinesque riffs, tied together with Weiland’s stream of conscious lyrics which conjured images of black clouds and purple flowers. Scott Weiland's music does not neatly fit into any sub genres of rock, yet is unquestionably rock n' roll. Likewise, his style encapsulates the best aspects of rock n’ roll fashion.

After going through the picture archives on belowempty.com (the source for everything STP related) it is clear that Scott Weiland is a true showman who understands that a concert is an audio experience as well as visual spectacle. Weiland's style takes its cues from rock legends such as David Bowie, John Lennon, Keith Richards and Iggy Pop.

If you have seen Scott Weiland live you know what a dynamic performer he is, but for the purposes of this post I will focus on his stage outfit. He is serious musician who clearly has fun dressing up. Weiland has performed wearing Kiss makeup, dressed as Hedwig, and even like a member of Judas Priest. A typical show will go as follows: Weiland takes the stage fully layered and accessorized with a leather jacket, fitted blazer, or fur coat, mirrored aviators, assorted scarves and a hat. After the first few songs, the hat and shades come off and he sheds a layer to reveal a patterned button down, a vintage t-shirt, or a simple white tank. The songs ensue, he dances, and his chemistry with the audience is infectious. For the last two songs including the anthem “Sex Type Thing” Scott is shirtless displaying his lithe torso and arms adorned in tattoos. On one particular STP tour, Scott ended the show by stripping down to nothing more that an American Flag wrapped around his waist. Unfortunately I didn’t have the privilege of being at that show or for any of STP's performances before 2008 (I became a fan a little late in the game). These days he performs in a three piece suit, or a simple blazer accented with a bare chest.

Fortunately for all SW fans Scott Weiland now has a clothing line, a collaboration with Christopher Wicks’ of “English Laundry”. “Scott Weiland for English Laundry” is a collection of blazers, button downs, and vests all evocative of Weiland’s signature look. I assume the collection is intended for a male consumer, but I’m sure girls can also pull it off. I often take men’s clothes to the tailor to get fitted. All this talk about Scott Weiland’s style makes me wonder if I’m more psyched for English Laundry or the upcoming Stone Temple Pilots album?

Check out Scott Weiland for English Laundry here.

Bad Ass Chicks: Juliette Lewis

2009-07-23T07:38:00.000-07:00

I saw Juliette Lewis for the first time playing with Camp Freddy at the Roxy in LA last summer. It was a show full of men until this incredibly talented lady stepped on stage and the energy of the room completely changed. She rocked harder than any male rock star I have ever seen. She is an amazing showwoman. Her voice is loud, powerful, gritty, and upbeat. You can always tell that she is having an amazing time. Her band "Juliette and the Licks" released two hard rocking and insanely catchy albums. "Sticky Honey" was stuck in my head all last summer..and my ring tone happens to be "Hot Kiss". The Licks recently disbanded but Juliette Lewis is releasing a solo album in September, which I am psyched for.

Check out http://www.myspace.com/juliettelewis . Listen to "Terra Incognita" and "Fantasy Bar". Of course rock n' roll and fashion are synonymous with each other. Juliette always looks chic with a rock edge, on and off stage. Would love to see her rocking a Tit Tee some day.

images from: Corbis, Gettyimages, and Google Images