Ode to the Pinup Girl

The Pussycat Dolls were created by dancer-choreographer Robin Antin. Since 1996, they performed every Thursday at the Viper Room. By 2002, they moved to the Roxy and became Hollywood's hottest ticket. They were described as an "Ode to the Pinup Girl."

Christina Applegate, co-founder of the Pussycat Dolls

Acclaimed Hollywood actress Christina Applegate, reminisces about the start of the Pussycat Dolls with her roommate Robin Antin. Robin formed the dance troupe with Christina, and practiced in their garage. Christina eventually got them a regular gig at the Johnny Depp's Viper room.

Christina Aguilera's stint as a Pussycat Doll

About Christina Aguilera joining the Pussycat Dolls, Robin Antin recalls,"Christina came down [to the Viper Room] the night that Gwen [Stefani] was in it, and immediately wanted to do it.

Gwen Stefani as a Pussycat Doll

Gwen Stefani came to the Viper Room to see a show of Robin Antin, Christina Applegate, and the Pussycat Dolls, and she just loved it. Robin Antin recalls," Immediately, she [Gwen] was like, oh my God, this is exactly always what I've wanted to do."

Carmen Electra and the Pussycat Dolls

Original PCD founder Robin Antin, reminiscing with ex-roomate Christina Applegate about the growing years of the Dolls, said of Carmen Electra: " I really owe a lot to her. Wherever she goes, she talks about the Pussycat Dolls. And she comes to every rehearsal on time, like you."

Britney Spears even hired the Carmen Electra and the Dolls for her brother's birthday party. Brintey's brother Bryan got a special treat for his 27th. Britney put on a Pussycat Dolls costume and joined Carmen and the Dolls in singing Happy Birthday to her brother.

Daughters of the American Revolution

Extreme Comes to Hollywood August 26th

After 12 years without a studio release, Extreme is back. They are remembered for their acoustic ballad, "More Than Words", which reached #1 on Billboard's Top 100 in the United States. So whip out your lighters folks because Extreme is back playing a gig at the House of Blues on Tuesday, August 26th.

The Best Rock Ballads Ever! is a deluxe edition consisting of of 4 CD's of the greatest rock ballads of our time.

Memories Rehearsed

The historic Western Building, a Hollywood icon, was the scene of many many Hollywood dreams rehearsed. Guns N Roses, among many others, rehearsed here. A few years later, alternative music by indie bands spawned in this Art Deco building set the tone to cap the end of a millenium and the birth of a new one. The building itself has been designated a historical and cultural landmark by the City of Los Angeles. It was built in 1928 by none other than Louis B. Mayer, founder of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios.

Former Bandmates Reunite

It was an emotion-laden reunion in Vegas between ex-bandmates, vocalist Krista Pflanzer and keyboardist Toffey Ray of the former Hollywood band informally known as Krystal Sensation, or simply The Krista Pflanzer Band. Uncertain what to name their group at that time, bassist Bud Nicholson, also of the AntjaMimes, suggested the name Wool to bandmates Peter Stahl, lead guitarist Franz Stahl, and drummer Pete Moffett. It was of course a tongue-in-cheek suggestion.
Upon disbandment, the name Wool became sentimental to the Stahl brothers who subsequently formed their own band called Wool, signed to London Records. That Wool produced two albums, the first dubbed Budspawn in acknowledgement of Bud Nicholson's wit, and the second album being a Box Set. The Stahl brothers of course were the former bandmates of David Grohl in the Washington D.C. punk rock band Scream. David Grohl joined Kurt Cobain to form Nirvana, and the rest is history. The memorable reunion in Vegas was joined by LV man-about-town himself TobyWoby.

Guess who's playin' at the Pearl tonight?

Look what the cat dragged in? Glam rock returns to Vegas with Poison, and special guests Dokken and Sebastian Bach.

Since we've all missed Axl's peculiar sway all these years, Bret Michaels could remind us of that, except that a Midwest paper calls it a cross between Axl's moves and accidental line dancing. Hey, every rose has its thorn.

Has youth gone wild or is youth just plain gone? Whatever. I'd like to see Sebastian again, with or without Skid Row. Throw in Dokken for a hardcore edge.

Tober's Birthday Bash in Vegas

Toby Woby shares the same birthday, the 16th of August, with Madonna. Like the material girl, who claims her advancing years have done little to dampen her attitude in life, Toby Woby remains undaunted.

Super Cool Chick

The big question Toby Woby would like to know is who was that super cool chick? Any clues? We're not referring to Madonna, not to deny her total coolness, but was that other cool chick an illusion at the Rain?

J-Rock invades Hollywood

"It's odd that it took so long for a Japanese mainstream band to make it to America,'' reports Kirsty Evans at the San Francisco Weekly.

In my tardy bard opinion, America was not ready for J-Rock until the last few years. The only J-Rock band to garner some airtime during the rock era was Shonen Knife, with their rendition of Top of the World.

There is a lot that America has been missing. Take a listen to "Winter Again" in Glay's 1999 album, Heavy Gauge. It has a haunting melody, with hard driving rock beat driving its chorus. If one were to decipher the Nihongo, one might see pure poetry in the lyrics - a passionate call to the band's roots in Hokkaido, the northernmost island in Japan reminiscent of Siberia.

The ballad to top all ballads is entitled "Zutto Futari De" from their 1995 album Speed Pop. I can't stop playing it over and over again in the deep recesses of my cranium. The melody will enchant, the lyrics will make you turn Japanese.

Tonight at the House of Blues in Hollywood

8 PM

House of Blues (Hollywood)

8430 Sunset Strip

West Hollywood, CA 90069

From Russia with Love

Give me a bottle of Vodka and a Coca Cola.



















NO, give me a Sprite. Coca Cola makes me sick.

What happened to indie?

uhh... dunno... did you check under "mainstream?"

Any minute now

They'll be here... any minute now. Any minute now.