My 12"s

Well if that title did not catch you, I don't know what will.

For those 80's fans and collectors of 80's vinyl, I do hope you remember the 12" single - the extended remixes of songs - all, making your fave 80's songs longer - (the extended mix), or remixed in some way so that they can be played on a dance floor (or club as I so love to say). They were quite creative and now, some 20-30 years later they are masterpieces in their own right - collector's items - some difficult to get now.

I was, and still am a huge fan of those 12" singles. I remember those days in those neon, flashing light dance clubs, waiting to hear my favourite pop song remixed in some way or for the 12" to be played. Back then, there were no CD's - turntables were the way at that time, and the DJ's did an amazing job remixing and "fading" these masterpieces into each other.

Imagine this....being a student in the 80's, not much cash and bumming a lift from your neighbor or cousin to the club....all dressed up in my one and only fave green shirt, hot black dress slacks, and my new Georgio Brunti shoes (jeez - that is so dated) and getting ready to dance with friends, have a few drinks and pinch a few chicks' arse (yeah - now I go for the hot guys - talk about change).

Well if you can imagine that - that was me in the 80's.

Me and my sis were the ones who were into the remixes and our collection is quite extensive. Our faves were Depeche Mode - OMG - we so loved every remix they put out from "People Are People"; "Master and Servant" to "Personal Jesus".

Now I guess with blog sites, 12" are a thing of the past, as DJ's can post there exclusive remixes online - ah well! Times r changing, but the 80's so rocked.

I LOVE YOU 12"s.

And of course - my faves were:

- People are People - Depeche Mode

- Master and Servant - Depeche Mode

- Don't You Forget About Me - Simple Minds
- What's On Your Mind (Pure Energy) - Information Society
- Celebrate Youth - Rick Springfield

Here are some downloads if your interested:

Information Society_What's On Your Mind (Pure Energy)

Howard Jones_Things Can Only Get Better

Matthew Wilder_Break My Stride

Menudo_Hold Me

Peter Schilling_Major Tom

King_Love and Pride

Fine Young Cannibals_Suspicious Minds

TTYL - Sexy Peeps!

Chicago

Wow - it has been quite a while sonce my last post. Life took a bit of a hold and then I was in Chicago for a while - well only 3 days - but it was so worth it being their with the love of my life!

Well - with two boys in Chicago where else is better to stay than "Boystown". If you are visiting there are loads of gay clubs all along Halstead Street - including a "Steamworks". The martini bars and clubs are all awesome.

If you are in fact visiting, here's a list of a few good clubs:

- Spin;
- Mini Bar;
- Roscoe's;
- Sidetrack;
- Cocktail;
- Ultra Bar and Lunge;

My fave was MiniBar and Sidetrack!

Well folks - TTYL!

Led Zepplin - Heavy Metal Thunder

Led Zepplin - wow - we all the know the story - 4 lads from sunny-ole England who made history by being the most influential hard rock artist of all time - yarda - yarda - yarda.

I don't want to get into the details or history of this legend - but rather share my first time I saw and heard about this band - I was probably around 5, it was the mid 70's and my brother kept playing this amazing album which was not really my style initially - I mean I was more of a KISS fan - the make-up; dress up and hot chests exposed (no wonder I am gay:)). But anyways - each song from this album was stuck in my head - it was Led Zepplin IV.

I mean - come on - back then it was Vinyl baby - every song on Side 1 was great - "The Battle of Evermore"; "Black Dog"; "Rock N Roll" and the last track on Side 1 was - yep - you got it- "Stairway to Heaven" - love it. I mean - this album was released in the year I was born - we did not have a turntable so we went next door to my cousins where we used their stereo and rocked out - I think my first gay tendencies were exhibited here - I liked long hair so I would wear a wig and pretend I was Plant rockin'.

Now that I blog about this - I just realise that I have always had short hair - I was always military style, and I longed for long hair like my rock heroes so that I could look like them; be like them; but for some reason I hated long hair - so kept it short - hence the name of my blog!

When I think back - I cherish those moments with me; my sis; my bro and my cousins and the fun we had rockin out! We had every single Led Zepplin album on Vinyl - we were massive fans - we knew every song - we were in shock when Bonham died.

We followed the bands who covered "Stairway to Heaven" like Far Corporation (which is a most bodacious cover) and the many re-makes of the classic Zep songs.

I leave you with two thoughts -

1) THIS BAND WAS THE CREATION OF HARD ROCK/METAL; and
2) My Top 10 Zep Songs.

10. Black Dog
9.  Battle of Evermore.
8. Good Luck; Bad Luck
7. Communication Breakdpwn
6. Dazed and Confused
5. Whole Lotta Love
4. Thank You
3. Rambin' On
2. D'yer Maker
1. Stairway to Heaven

Well peeps - I wrote this whilst having my 3rd Acai Promagranate Martini whilst home - so hope you enjoy!