Johnny Strange Redefines “Extracurricular”

Johnny Strange is a student just like me, but in his spare time, instead of doing keg stands and playing beer pong, he’s out scaling the seven summits. That’s right, Johnny Strange is the youngest person ever to climb all of the seven major summits—including Mount Everest! He’s got one of the most inspirational stories that I’ve ever heard, and he never stops pushing himself. That’s always very invigorating to read and hear about. He even listens to his favorite music when he’s climbing on his iPod. He’s going to be a pop culture force in the near future so keep your eyes out for him.

 

What do you think of Johnny Strange?

Lady Gaga Rocks Staples Center

I had a long day at work, but I managed to score some Lady Gaga tickets last minute. She was completely and totally worth rallying that second wind to go see! I was literally blown away by her show. She’s like a Broadway production mixed with Marilyn Manson and a whole lot of dance music and crazy fans all dressed like her in the crowd. So good…

Were you there?

Doing The Devil’s Work For Him is SOMETIMES a Good Idea

A friend gave me a very cool book recently. It’s titled “Do The Devil’s Work For Him: How To Make It In The Music Industry (And Stay In It!)”, and it’s a must-read for anyone who wants to break into the entertainment industry. The book discusses getting an internship, how to make a name for yourself, creating your own brand, and all kinds of “biz” etiquette to rise through the ranks. It’s got perspectives on how to break in from a variety of different rock stars too. I loved it, I learned so much and I was even able to apply it to my internship. Here’s a taste below…

Will you be buying this book?

“Dolor “ Book Reading Was Mind Blowing

I recently attended a reading and release party for The Dolor Saga: Books I-V, and it was one of the most unique and unforgettable shows I’ve ever seen. The book’s author Rick Florino covers himself in fake blood—in character as the book’s main character a policeman—and he reads the entire first novella in the series “Lila,” all the while jumping off tables, cracking jokes, and engaging the audience. The story itself opens up a whole world, and it totally made me want to read more. I will be front row for the next “Blood Reading” I promise that! For a little taste, check out the below video!

Will you be checking out Dolor? It’s 4.99 for a limited time at www.bookofdolor.com

“Sucker Punch” Was Actually Good

Now, I didn’t know what to make of this movie from the trailer, but I caught a screening of it and it was actually super cool. There was a lot of gunplay and some killer CGI action sequences. I recommend it for sure. Watch the trailer!

Have you seen “Sucker Punch?”

Linkin Park Was Good But The Prodigy Was Better

Okay so Linkin Park was fantastic at The Staples Center, but The Prodigy smoked them. I love “Firestarter” and The Prodigy played that. Their light show was also like an electro show which I was so into. Linkin Park was awesome, but they just didn’t speak to me the way that The Prodigy did. See my pictures below!

Were you there?

Korn Destroyed The Joint

Korn has been one of my favorite bands my whole life. I finally had the chance to see them play a sold out show at The Joint at The Hard Rock Hotel in Vegas. They tore through all of the classics with a palpable, powerful, and potent energy. “Here To Stay” and “Blind” were chilling and I was singing “Ya’ll Want A Single” for days after. When they finished, I had the pleasure of going back to the guitar player Munky’s bus and listening to his new band The Fear and the Nervous System with one of his famous author friends. Another great night in Vegas I’ll never forget…I even got to hit Drai’s after! Perfecto…

What’s your favorite Korn song?

Hanging Out With Aaron Lewis of Staind Was Funny

Recently, I got to see Aaron Lewis of Staind play a sold out acoustic show at Pechanga. It was a fantastic show because Aaron played all of the Staind hits—“So Far Away” and “Tangled Up In You” are my favorites—and he even dropped in a cover of Cyndi Lauper’s “Time After Time.” His voice is so incredible, and I got to hang out with him backstage afterwards. Through a haze of smoke, he told me the bling in my ring was burning his eyes [Laughs]. He’s such a nice dude and a genuine talent. I can’t wait for Staind’s new album this year, and I’d love to see him play acoustic again. See a picture of me and Aaron below!

Do you like Aaron Lewis and Staind?

More People Should’ve Seen “Drive Angry 3D”

Nicolas Cage is the man, and “Drive Angry 3D” still proves that. It was a bullet-riddled action masterpiece and I wanted to kick some cult butt after I saw it. Cage has some awesome one-liners and the character of The Accountant was so cool! I dug the movie, but none of my friends saw it! I feel like it should’ve been a big hit. Why didn’t more people see it? Watch the trailer!

Have you seen Drive Angry 3D? What’s your favorite Nicolas Cage movie?

I Could Not Sleep After “Insidious"

I swear to God I will never sleep comfortably again after seeing Insidious. It’s the scariest movie that I’ve ever seen, no joke. Recently, I’d been talking about how nothing really scared me anymore, and then I saw Insidious and I’ve been terrified to go to sleep ever since. Once you get one look at that “lipstick” demon you’ll feel the same way. Yours truly, The Sleepless Supeerflydiva. Watch the trailer below for a taste of the terror to come…

Will you be seeing Insidious this weekend?

Sasha Grey

The Entourage (TV Series) star and modern sex symbol kills it behind the board every time she gets in front of a club on stage. She infuses a seductively dark aesthetic into the electronic space, adding nouveau industrial and goth tones that will make you dance. Peep her band Atelecine too!

Have you heard Sasha spin? What's your favorite Entourage episode with Sasha?

DJ Pauly D

We all know and love him from Jersey Shore (TV Series), but the boy really is a mastermind "behind the wheels of steel." He spins house his own way with a distinct, direct bounce that's meant to be heard live and really loud. Pauly knows the style of music, and he knows how to switch things up on the fly. Adaptable to any club, party, or "Situation," Pauly turns heads no matter what. For further proof, just spin "Beat Dat Beat (It's Time To)" from the Jersey Shore soundtrack. It's transcendent, titillating, and tremendous electronic.

 

 Do you think all that hair gel helps him DJ faster?

Jonathan Davis of Korn

Korn frontman Jonathan Davis is not only one of the most powerful and important vocalists ever, but he's also a hell of a DJ. Mixing and mashing metal, dance music, and hip hop, his live sets pulsate with an entrancingly evil energy that you can't help but rock to. He headbangs like he's playing in front of a Korn crowd, but he knows how to temper the mix just right to keep the crowd bouncing. He fearlessly treads new waters and breaks the mold in the process—just like everything he's done.

 

Do you know what Jonathan Davis's first job was?

Destructo

Destructo epitomizes everything that a 21st century DJ should be. He melds hard house beats, a dash of disco, metal, and elegant techno into a style that makes jaws drop , fists fly, and asses shake. He's the man behind the premier electro festival, HARD, and he's not afraid to shock the shit out of crowds by mixing in a little Guns N' Roses. This is a forward-thinking, ballsy DJ, entrepreneur, and visionary. Every art form could use more cats like Destructo.

 

Have you heard Destructo? Have you been to his HARD Festival?

Skrillex

Skrillex just can't be fucked with. He takes a little bit of dubstep, a tiny bit of house, and a whole lot of heavy metal attitude and devises some of the most explosive synthesis out there. There's a funk bounce to Skrillex that few can muster. He's got a rock 'n' roll vibe that's reminiscent of Daft Punk but on its own plane. On his latest EP, Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites, Skrillex busts heads with heavy bass, schizophrenic robotic vocals, and drum beats on "Kill Everybody," and then he lifts listeners up to outer space on the dreamy "All I Ask Of You." The metal heads and electro fiends love him, and we know you will too!

 

What's the craziest Skrillex lyric?

Kaskade

His name's certainly not new, but he keeps getting bigger, better, and more brilliant. With remixes on his resume including pop's biggest names Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake, Timbaland, and Lady Gaga and personal projects like Late Night Alumni's latest dreamy masterpiece Haunted, Kaskade continues to entrance listeners beyond the clubs and even on the pop dial. Who can forget "There's An Angel On My Shoulder" which leaves a lasting impression and chills on any listener? Rock to the clean catchy beat of "Feeling The Night" too.

 

What's your favorite Kaskade song?

Dubfire

He's one half of pioneers Deep Dish, but his latest brand of vibrant, visual, and versatile underground house could seriously send any club goers into a full-blown musical rapture. Another pro who keeps challenging himself and listeners, just spin the chaotically amazing "Grindhouse" or "Rabid" for proof.

 

What's your favorite Dubfire track?

David Guetta

David Guetta infiltrated hip hop, and he's brought rap music into his "house," creating spacey soundscapes for everyone from Akon and Kid Cudi to Black Eyed Peas and Ne-Yo. Guetta can go from great rock electro with "Love Is Gone" to fantastic hip hop like his Kid Cudi joint, "Memories." He's been crucial in bringing electronica to the masses, but his underground remixes are still where it's at. His finger stays on the pulse and he keeps up with the beat of the world, setting trends...

 

Does David Guetta make you dance?

DJ Tiësto

Tiësto has long been synonymous with the art form, but he keeps pushing boundaries and consequentially pushing the genre forward. His most recent album Kaleidoscope is the perfect amalgam of house and trance with some outside-the-box collaborations with Nelly Furtado, Cary Brothers, and Tegan and Sara. There's nothing like seeing him live either. He continues evolving and taking risks, like any great musician should.

What makes Tiësto a legend?

Deadmau5

Deadmau5 signals a rebirth for the genre in many ways. On his latest Ultra album 4×4=12, propulsive underground house beats and textures fuel danceable hooks that are focused, futuristic, and fiery. Deadmau5 effectively infuses his live energy into the songs, and it's palpable, poignant, and powerful on the likes of "Not Exactly" and "Arguru" and his incendiary collaboration with Kaskade "Move For Me" which fueled interest making crowds hungry for me. Then there's "I Remember" which could send shockwaves through any club or arena. Plus, he's got a style and show that's inimitable. Deadmau5 blazes a new trail…

 

What venues have you seen Deadmau5 spin at?