Washington Wizards All-Star Gilbert Arenas, along with 50 children from his Zer0 Two Her0 Foundation, unveiled his wax figure today at Madame Tussauds Washington D.C. Arenas posed side-by-side with his wax double and the children, who all donned Washington Wizards’ jerseys for the occasion.  The figure sports his signature #0 Washington Wizards home uniform, which was donated by Arenas. The wax figure will be a part of the attraction’s sports area alongside figures of other legendary athletes, including Evander Holyfield, Tiger Woods, Babe Ruth and Muhammad Ali.

“Gilbert Arenas is one of today’s most beloved basketball players — both in Washington D.C. and on a national stage,” said Janine DiGioacchino, General Manager, Madame Tussauds New York and Washington D.C. “As we move into our second year in the nation’s capital, we are thrilled to have a figure of the Washington Wizards’ fan favorite in our attraction.”

“It is an honor to join the ranks of sports icons such as Muhammad Ali and Tiger Woods by being immortalized in wax at Madame Tussauds Washington D.C.,” said Arenas.  “Like the Wizards, Madame Tussauds has become a fixture in the nation’s capital and one that I’m proud to be a part of.”

In order to create the incredibly lifelike figure, a team of Madame Tussauds studio artists flew in from London, UK to conduct a figure sitting with Arenas at the Verizon Center earlier this year.  Arenas was an enthusiastic participant in the creation of his wax figure – the sitting alone took more than two hours as the studio artists took hundreds of measurements and photos, as well as selected eye, hair and skin tone matches for his figure. The figure creation process is incredibly intricate.  Artists insert each strand of hair individually; the creation of Arenas’ figure’s head took nearly five weeks to complete. 

Since joining the NBA, Arenas has been a popular figure in the league.  Nicknamed The Hibachi and Agent Zero, he has transformed himself from a relative unknown to an NBA All-Star and a bona fide fan favorite.  His Agent Zero Blog on NBA.com, in which he offers fans an inside look into his whirlwind life with witty insights, is widely considered the top blog of any professional athlete today. 

Off the court, Arenas is passionate about several charities, including his own Zer0 2 Her0 Foundation, which helps promote the safety and well being of children by raising funds to support organizations that aid in the preservation of families through foster care, adoption and child welfare services.  

Fifty 7th and 8th grade students from James Madison Middle School in Prince George’s County, Maryland were part of the figure unveiling.  The students were recipients of Arenas’ Zer0 2 Her0 Foundation Christmas Dream program, and James Madison Middle School was a recipient of his Scores for Schools program last season.  Through Scores for Schools, Arenas donates $150 for every point he scores during Washington Wizards’ home games.

Washington Wizards’ fans will get to see Arenas’ wax figure again tomorrow when it makes its appearance at center court during the Wizards game against Houston at the Verizon Center.

Madame Tussauds Washington D.C. is located within walking distance of the National Mall and the White House with its entrance on the corner of F and 10th Streets.  With a limited time offer of $10 tickets for adults and seniors and $8 for kids ages 12 and under, now is the time to visit D.C.’s interactive “must do” attraction.  For more information, visit www.madametussaudsdc.com or call 202-942-7300.

About Madame Tussauds Washington D.C.:
Madame Tussauds Washington D.C. is a fully interactive, full-sensory experience, where visitors are able to touch, see and hear major historical events and celebrities in a way unlike any other Washington D.C. attraction.  Recent additions to the attraction include the beloved Jonas Brothers exhibit, where guests can snuggle up to figures of the famed trio and rock out with them on a pair of Gibson Guitars and a drum set.  Wax figures of superstars Penelope Cruz, Tyra Banks and Denzel Washington were recently introduced as well.  The attraction is located within walking distance of the National Mall and the White House.  The entrance is on the corner of 10th and F Streets.  For more information, visit www.madametussaudsdc.com or call 202-942-7300.

###

From punk provocateur to pop crooner, Elvis Costello has played many parts over three decades, but TV host? Well, yeah, even that. He sat behind the desk at the Late Show one night in 2003, filling in for an ailing David Letterman. Veteran music writer/producer Stephen Warden took notice, and a few years later — with Elton John joining the gig as a co-producer (and a guest star) — Costello is free to let his inner musicologist rock out. The music and chat show Spectacle: Elvis Costello With … premieres on the Sundance Channel December 3rd, and Rock Daily has a full report from behind the scenes and a few advance clips: Click above to watch Elton John explain why he had to change his name to something a bit more rock & roll, and follow the jump for two tunes (the pair jamming on “Border Song” and “Down River”).

• On the Set of Spectacle with the Police, Jenny Lewis and More

Watch: Costello and John play “Border Song”"

Watch: Costello and John team up for “Down River”

This week we had the opportunity to chat with lead vocalist and guitarist Mischa Suemnig and drummer Joseph Papke about the new album, the MSP music scene and what it’s like to have a track on MTV’s The Real World…

Who is Mighty Fairly?
Mischa Suemnig: We are an indie-pop 4some from Minneapolis. Started in 2004, we’ve just finished our second album Big Word and Power Chords. We’ve been lucky enough to attend SxSW 2006 and 2007, Hyperactive Music festival and to tour in 15 states. We’ve been included on a few compilation CDs, won 3 songwriting awards and we’ve never had a label or manager. We like doing stuff ourselves, naturally with the help of some of our very generous friends, family and fans. DIY FTW

Joseph Papke: The perfect bon mot to riposte the last crappy band someone dragged you to see.

How do you guys fit into the Minneapolis music scene?
Mischa Suemnig: The Minneapolis scene is very open to lots of different kinds of music, from hip-hop to singer/songwriter. We’ve got some favorite bars to play at, like The Nomad, The Turf Club and Bunker’s. Also, some local favorite bands who’ve been very nice to us over the years, Alva Star, Kid Dakota, The Small Cities and Mercer. In reviews from our first album, we got typified as having the ‘prototypical Minneapolis pop sound’…so, I guess we fit in OK.

Joseph Papke: With lube.

For a band who’s only been around for 4 years, you’ve been played on more than 280 radio stations. Do you guys have a fervent fan base or just a lot of free time?
Mischa Suemnig: We don’t have fans as much as we do disciples. We baptize them and then initiate…nevermind. Yeah, we have a few folks around the country that come to shows when we tour through. When we’re out of state, it’s really fun to stop by the radio stations that play us. They treat us very nice. And, yeah, I think we work pretty hard at trying to get the word out (read: whoring ourselves).

Joseph Papke: Neither frankly. We’re hoping the new album generates one or the other.

You had some songs featured on MTV’s Real World. Which songs and can you confirm that getting tracks on the Real World automatically gets you laid?
Mischa Suemnig: Wake up, Last Stand Started and Superheroes from the first album got played on The Real World:Sydney and The Real World:Hollywood. The 1983 Buick Station Wagon that Kellie and I do acoustic tours in is like spanish fly.

Joseph Papke: “Wake Up” and another one—I don’t know which, I don’t have cable. And yes, it does, but not with people you’d actually want to sleep with.

Tell me about your new album.
Mischa Suemnig: We’ve finally released an album with Glockenspiel. It’s been my life long dream. It’s more of a rock record than the previous, slightly less acoustic (though every song still has acoustic guitar on it) and more rock out with your rooster out kind of deal. Still couldn’t do an album without 4 part harmony on every other song…probably the most fun part of the recording process for us is to sit around in the control room and sing in 4 part harmony at each other and then argue about who’s part sucks.

Joseph Papke: It was recorded and produced by us. It features eleven original songs. The songs are quite good. The cd fits into a medium sized pocket for on-the-go types.

What was the writing/recording process like?
Mischa Suemnig: I like the Michelangelo theory of creating. The marbel already contains the statue, your job is just to release it. Michelangelo believed God had put the statue there. In my case, I think it’s Timbaland. Recording was really different this time around. Last time we worked with the FICTION team of John Hermanson and Eric Fawcett. We had Erik Appelwick come in and play some wurly and keys too. Alex Oana mixed and mastered it…..So, we had lots of folks we really respected helping us out and keeping us honest. This time around it was just the 4 of us banging away and hoping it would come out OK.

Joseph Papke: Blissful. There’s nothing better than creating.

What’s your favorite track on the album and why?
Mischa Suemnig: Save Your Love. Lyrically, it speaks the most honestly about how I feel about love. If you’re not willing to hurt, you’re not ready to love or at least retain love. In terms of pop songs, it’s not the best, but it’s my favorite story on the record. I’ve always loved great stories inside of great songs and I think that is often what makes a song timeless is having both an engaging plot and a hook. This one at least has the narrative part.

Joseph Papke: It’s very hard to choose, but since you insist, I’d have to say “Closer to End” due to equal parts heartfelt sentiment and deliciously unquarantinable hooks.

Tell me about your upcoming CD release show.
Mischa Suemnig: We’re playing at Bunker’s on the 21st, music at 9pm’ish us at 11pm’ish. Very excited to have The Small Cities and Mercer playing with us. Two of our favorite local bands who are also crazy nice people.

Joseph Papke: We’ll be playing, you’ll be enjoying; it’s gonna work out great.

16 years after infamously making an ass of himself in front of millions on the 1992 MTV Video Music Awards, Nirvana’s Krist Novoselic has tackled the subject the worst bass guitar throw in rock history. Of course, Novoselic blamed the ill-fated toss on a number of factors — most notably Axl Rose. It was Axl who famously told Kurt Cobain “Get your bitch in line” after Courtney Love teased the G N’ R singer. The incident swelled until later when, as Novoselic says, “I was walking toward the stage and came across my now-friend and colleague, Duff McKagan. I think Duff was also under the influence. He must have heard something from Rose and had a terse word for me. I was already a little bent out of shape and instantly replied with the same sentiment. The production people grabbed me and we continued toward the stage.” Adding to the tensions was MTV’s prohibiting Nirvana from playing the song they actually wanted to perform; Cobain wanted to go with “Rape Me,” but the band was forced to play “Lithium” to appease the nervous network.

After the toss (which you can watch above), Novoselic rushed to his dressing room. Despite a bloody forehead, relief came in the form of Queen’s Brian May. “Paramedics came in and put a little bandage on, then handed me a long medical release form to sign,” Novoselic writes. “Standing behind them was Brian May, the guitarist of Queen, with a glass of chilled champagne. I signed the release just to get the medics away from me so I could take a sip of Mr. May’s wonderful medicine.” Novoselic says he still owns the bass, but the neck is a little damaged.

Related Stories:

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• Writer Charles R. Cross Digs Deep in the Archives For Cobain Unseen

“Gilbert Arenas is one of today’s most beloved basketball players -- both in Washington D.C. and on a national stage,” said Janine DiGioacchino, General Manager, Madame Tussauds New York and Washington D.C. “As we move into our second year in the nation’s capital, we are thrilled to have a figure of the Washington Wizards’ fan favorite in our attraction.”

“It is an honor to join the ranks of sports icons such as Muhammad Ali and Tiger Woods by being immortalized in wax at Madame Tussauds Washington D.C.,” said Arenas.  “Like the Wizards, Madame Tussauds has become a fixture in the nation’s capital and one that I’m proud to be a part of.”

In order to create the incredibly lifelike figure, a team of Madame Tussauds studio artists flew in from London, UK to conduct a figure sitting with Arenas at the Verizon Center earlier this year.  Arenas was an enthusiastic participant in the creation of his wax figure – the sitting alone took more than two hours as the studio artists took hundreds of measurements and photos, as well as selected eye, hair and skin tone matches for his figure. The figure creation process is incredibly intricate.  Artists insert each strand of hair individually; the creation of Arenas’ figure’s head took nearly five weeks to complete. 

Since joining the NBA, Arenas has been a popular figure in the league.  Nicknamed The Hibachi and Agent Zero, he has transformed himself from a relative unknown to an NBA All-Star and a bona fide fan favorite.  His Agent Zero Blog on NBA.com, in which he offers fans an inside look into his whirlwind life with witty insights, is widely considered the top blog of any professional athlete today. 

Off the court, Arenas is passionate about several charities, including his own Zer0 2 Her0 Foundation, which helps promote the safety and well being of children by raising funds to support organizations that aid in the preservation of families through foster care, adoption and child welfare services.  

Fifty 7th and 8th grade students from James Madison Middle School in Prince George’s County, Maryland were part of the figure unveiling.  The students were recipients of Arenas’ Zer0 2 Her0 Foundation Christmas Dream program, and James Madison Middle School was a recipient of his Scores for Schools program last season.  Through Scores for Schools, Arenas donates $150 for every point he scores during Washington Wizards’ home games.

Washington Wizards’ fans will get to see Arenas’ wax figure again tomorrow when it makes its appearance at center court during the Wizards game against Houston at the Verizon Center.

Madame Tussauds Washington D.C. is located within walking distance of the National Mall and the White House with its entrance on the corner of F and 10th Streets.  With a limited time offer of $10 tickets for adults and seniors and $8 for kids ages 12 and under, now is the time to visit D.C.’s interactive “must do” attraction.  For more information, visit www.madametussaudsdc.com or call 202-942-7300.

About Madame Tussauds Washington D.C.:

Madame Tussauds Washington D.C. is a fully interactive, full-sensory experience, where visitors are able to touch, see and hear major historical events and celebrities in a way unlike any other Washington D.C. attraction.  Recent additions to the attraction include the beloved Jonas Brothers exhibit, where guests can snuggle up to figures of the famed trio and rock out with them on a pair of Gibson Guitars and a drum set.  Wax figures of superstars Penelope Cruz, Tyra Banks and Denzel Washington were recently introduced as well.  The attraction is located within walking distance of the National Mall and the White House.  The entrance is on the corner of 10th and F Streets.  For more information, visit www.madametussaudsdc.com or call 202-942-7300.

###

The music is quite heavy and little melodic as one could have imagined. While the musicianship is solid, the vocals aren't quite of the same level. This is probably why I prefer the first part of their suite called ''Journey To The Inside Of The Sun''.

It is called ''Sweet Leaf'' (huum, I've heard this before…) and is a pure jamming and good effort for over eight minutes. Actually, this might well be part of a so called suite (or epic) but none of the parts are linked whatsoever. It is more a collection of three songs than a one-piece unit. It falls a bit flat during ''The Rocket Ride'' and ''I'm Comin' Home'' (second and third parts).

Their heavy music is tinted with blues and psychedelia (''You Mystify''), but this no big news for the period of release. It was quite conventional for such a trio to play this type of music. But they are probably more personal than a band as T2 for example who was too closely related with Hendrix Experience.

Nothing as such here. There is a definite prog feel when you listen to ''Tool Of My Trade''. It is not a ballad of course, but it swaps nicely between heavy passages and more sophisticated music. A highlight, for sure.

The more the album advances, the more diversified is the music. ''My Heaven'' demonstrates some Eastern influences delicately painted with some fine psychedelia. Some acoustic guitar is even featured and the interplay with distinct percussion is just perfect. To have reached this level at the age of eighteen is quite impressive. The album closed on some sort of heavy Tull piece (''Birdcatcher''). Aren't these fine references?

Three stars.

by ZowieZiggy


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But don't take my word for it — you can read Chuck Klosterman's lengthy review of the album at The Onion A.V. Club. Of course, since Klosterman, who made his name by telling us that everything we think is bad is actually good, is now so incredibly famous that he can publish novels and stuff, the article is actually called "Chuck Klosterman Reviews Chinese Democracy." And what do you know: Klosterman loves the shit out of it! The only reason he doesn't give it an "A" is that it's taken so goddamn long and doesn't quite live up to 15 years of hype!

Klosterman does open with one pretty funny, totally true insight, though, which I'll leave you with: "Reviewing Chinese Democracy is not like reviewing music. It's more like reviewing a unicorn. Should I primarily be blown away that it exists at all? Am I supposed to compare it to conventional horses? To a rhinoceros? Does its pre-existing mythology impact its actual value, or must it be examined inside a cultural vacuum, as if this creature is no more (or less) special than the remainder of the animal kingdom?"

Judah Tribe reggae band today announced the release of the controversial single “Judgment”. The release was marked by a special concert Saturday night (November 15, 2008) at the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM).

The concert attracted a capacity crowd and left hundreds outside in the cold, according to sources. Also on hand for the performance was Nicole Paultre Bell, wife-to-be of Sean Bell, who introduced the song “Judgment” to the audience.

Until November 30th, 2008, Judah Tribe will be offering FREE downloads of Judgment from the band website www.JudahTribe.com/FREE.htm.

The highly anticipated song was written as a tribute to Sean Bell, killed by NYPD officers on his wedding day. The song features lead guitarist of Judah Tribe, father-in-law of Sean Bell, Les Paultre. Les Paultre wowed the crowd with his high energy and heart felt guitar solos.

The release of the single coincides with the 2nd anniversary of the incident. A candle light vigil will be held on Monday November 24th at 11pm on Liverpool street, between 94th & 95th streets, in Jamaica New York. The vigil will be followed by a memorial service at the Praise Tabernacle Church at 6:00am.

Limited pre-release copies of the Judah Tribe album sampler are available from the band website www.JudahTribe.com. The CD contains “Judgment”, the highly political “Sleepwalker”, the love song “Sometimes Love” and other unreleased songs.

About Judah Tribe
With a style reminiscent of the golden era of reggae music, Judah Tribe has honed its unique blend of soul reggae. Judah Tribe has captured the imagination of fans; comparisons to legends such as Bob Marley & The Wailers and Steel Pulse are not uncommon.

The music of Judah Tribe has been heard inside the walls of the United Nations as well as at many prestigious events including; Chase Sounds of The City at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Target 1st Saturdays at the Brooklyn Museum, the Boston Music Festival & the CMJ Music Marathon. Judah Tribe has also been featured at the Danny Simmons Corridor Gallery, S.O.Bs and Galapagos in New York City.

Judah Tribe is led by singer/guitarist Josh David. Josh David has toured extensively with Little Jackie, Q-Tip of A Tribe Called Quest and has played with internationally renown artist Stevie Wonder, Common, Rene Neufville and Joy Denalane.

Together with music director & keyboardist Eric Toussaint, aka The General, Josh David has crafted a unique sound that is stirring lots of conversation. With members stemming from Cameroon, Jamaica, France, Haiti and the United States, Judah Tribe is developing a truly international following.

“Their music takes me back to the days of The Wailers, Jacob Miller and the real reggae giants.” - Renowned reggae artist Ed Robinson

“The music of Judah Tribe is ready for the world.” - Winston Watson of the legendary reggae group The Meditations

Judah Tribe is sponsored by Color Heritage clothing company.

Credits
Brooklyn Academ of Music (BAM) Photos courtesy Rudy Pierre
Band Photo courtesy Mike Dote
Clothing courtesy Color Heritage

For more information, please visit:

Judah Tribe Official Website
MySpace