Alice Cooper, Blood, and Fog at the NME USA awards

I covered the red carpet at the first annual NME USA awards last Wednesday.

For those of you not familiar with NME, it’s a huge music mag in the UK…kind of like their Spin or Rolling Stone magazine. They have an awards show over there and now they’re bringing it stateside.

The trophies were handed out at the historic El Rey on Wilshire. Aussie comic Jim Jeffries was the master of ceremonies and Har Mar Superstar did some hosting too, as well as opening the show.

I spoke with Kelly Osborne, Danny Masterson, Eli Roth and other curious choices for award presenters.

Note: NO ONE wanted to interview Perez Hilton. In fact the flashbulbs ceased as soon as he stepped onto the red carpet. He stood around waiting for someone to ask his opinion on something…he’s still waiting, as far as I know. I heard that he is suing someone in FLA for defamation of character…this from the guy who is making a living off slagging others. Karma’s a bitch, Perez. Now, please go away.

I practically swallowed my tongue when I got to speak with Mick Jones of The Clash who was receiving the Inspiration Award. Like most rocknroll lovers, I am a HUGE Clash fan. When I asked him what inspired him, he let me in on his hobby- creating collages. Who knew a member of the Clash is a scrapbooker? Joanns Fabrics should expect an increase in sales to punk tykes and hipster crafters soon.

The big story of the night was the reunion of all four members of Janes Addiction. I had seen Perry and Dave Navarro play with Flea on bass and Stuart Copeland on drums the week before at Tom Morello’s Justice Tour all star show (I know, I know. Heavy is the head that wears the hub cap diamond star halo), so I wasn’t frothing at the mouth (like Danny Masterson was).

No, I was more excited to meet Mick…and this gentleman, who is one of my all time favorites…

Mr. Alice Cooper:

from vlaze.com posted with vodpod

I heart Alice. I want Cold Ethyl to be my first dance wedding song…is that creepy?

Rock The Bells 2008 interviews: The Pharcyde, Murs, A Tribe Called Quest!!!

For whom the rocked bells toll I covered the Rock The Bells press conference yesterday. Legendary line up including the reunion of both De La Soul and A Tribe Called Quest. Look for my interviews with: Pharcyde, A Tribe Called Quest and Murs. Also, I sat down with my new bff, Pete Rock, at his Sessions show. Also spoke to DJ Nu-Mark, Just Blaze and 9th Wonder. Pete is the coolest cat. And Just Blaze is a walking encyclopedia of samples. He has an amazing ear. And you all thought I only knew rock. See you at Coachella… Ali, baller new interview on Urb.com: Three Six Mafia new interviews up on rockremedy.com: Flogging Molly The Cribs Burning Brides State Radio Beat Union Easter Conference Champions Skybombers new interviews up on electromixer.com: Ferry Corsten DJ Nu-Mark Christopher Willits new interviews up on hiphopexclusives.com: (coming soon) Pete Rock DJ Nu-Mark DJ Revolution 9th Wonder Just Blaze Murs Chang Weisman A Tribe Called Quest The Pharcyde

Ali On The Air at SxSw 08 – photo blog

South by So tired!

I attended the SxSw three ring circus, which has expanded to an 8 ring cirque de soleil of hyped hyphy drunk proportions. I took part in the Eastsport media lounge where Vlaze teamed up with Urb magazine, Girlie Action pr, VH-1 Classics and several sponsors. The bands would come in and get some food drink and swag, and then do a sit down interview with yours truly.

Big ups to Jessica and the lovely people at Girlie Action, Josh G. my media mafia partner from Urb Magazine, and Skull Candy who graced my golden head with new pink headphones. I already had a pair of white Skull Candy cans that I use on air at Little Radio, so don’t get all bent out of shape because I have girlish Barbie colored ones now. I can spin vinyl in any color headphones…I’m just that damn talented.

I was so busy working and doing interviews this year, that I unfortunately didn’t get to catch many shows. I have to say, though, that the Body Of War show was amazing. It was the only ‘showcase’ that wasn’t about self promotion, but about a cause. Check out more about the film here.

So I don’t have as many pictures this year, but the ones I do are behind the scenes, side stage or right up front. Quality over quantity, I say.

Hope it helps paint the crazy picture, if you couldn’t go – or remind you of how tired you STILL are, if you did. Thanks to Totally Like Duh and Shadowscene and to all of you who made me laugh.

Interviewing the Von Bondies at the Urb/Vlaze/Eastsport Media Lounge:

Matt Goldman, of Danceright, visits the lounge for some sips and swag

My trusty shooter, Nick, takes a break from filming

The Black Ghosts spin at dusk:

Matt and me at the I Heart Comix party where I interviewed Cut Copy:

The Fluokids from France:

Body Of War show:

American Bang watching at Body Of War:

The guest of honor, Iraq war veteran Tomas Young:

Mason Jennings:

BOW producer Phil Donahue rocking out:

Serj Tankian elects the dead:

I’m now a Ben Harper fan – he was amazing:

Ben is joined by one of my favorite people, Tom Morello:

Scott Igoe from Kimmel & Shirley Halperin at the BOW show:

Billy Bragg stumps for peace:

The Nightwatchman in action. Tom Morello gave me goosebumps:

The flirty UK boys of South at their Bluhammock showcase:

I actually looked forward to time NOT being on camera:

Mingering Mike, Dori Hadar and me at the Ubiquity Records Showcase:

Dori helps Mike set up merch. If you don’t know the amazing story of Mingering Mike, you should!

My personal grail on every road trip – the floaty pen:

Sam and Ze (aka NASA: DJ Squeak E Clean and DJ Zegon) spin at the Urb showcase:

Wale warming up the crowd for GZA at the Urb showcase:

Wale from sidestage:

Food on the road included Sprite with blue and purple cubes of jello in it – I’m suspicious of that kinda fun:

This place was a post office/taxidermist/feed store/bar – but they had an 8×10 of The Donnas hung up:

Travelin’ Cat at a truck stop:

Hopefully he didn’t end up at this truck stop: