GENE SIMMONS "I want to be Dr. Doom"

*Warning: PIRATE RADIO presentation*

The relationship between legendary rock group KISS and comic books are a special one. After all, lead singer Gene Simmons is an outspoken comic book fan, and has mentioned on multiple occasions how KISS’ iconic costumes were inspired by the comic book heroes he read as a child. That appreciation has led to number of comic book collaborations, in which Kiss has traveled to the four-colored world for team-ups with Archie Andrews and Howard The Duck.

But, what if the roles were reversed and Kiss hosted a special comics collaboration? Which superhero or supervillain would the team sing about? During a special roundtable discussion at San Diego Comic-Con, Kiss’ Gene Simmons answered just that:

“Dr. Doom,” Simmons told ComicBook.com

Doom is certainly one of Marvel’s most nuanced villains, but what makes him worthy of a power ballad from of history’s top rockers?

 

“When a character is so defined, and when you understand his pathos—in other words—what makes this bad guy more than just a one-dimensional character?, you understand what makes him unique. When you saw King Kong, you understood that he cared for that girl he scooped up. He loved her. He would die for her. That’s what made King Kong unique. And what makes Dr. Doom unique,” Simmons elaborated. “He’s damaged goods. This guy’s face is damaged and scarred. So, he’s not fighting the world. He’s fighting himself. I could have written “Unholy” (a 1992 KISS song) about him.”

It wouldn’t be the first song KISS would write for a pop culture character. The band revealed that they wrote an all-new song dedicated to Scooby Doo in the upcoming Warner Bros. animated film Scooby Doo! & Kiss: Rock and Roll Mystery. And now that Kiss has added Scooby Doo to their impressive roster of team-ups, who would they to join forces with next?

“I’d like to team up with God,” Simmons said.

No joke. But Why? “Because he’s cool,” was all that he would elaborate.

Well, seeing as how Dr. Doom is currently playing the role of God in the Marvel Comics Universe for the Secret Wars storyline, the wish kind of lines up with his musical aspirations.

 

A day with ELSA HOSK

*Warning: PIRATE RADIO presentation*

Two months ago the lingerie house of Victoria's Secret made her the greatest honor that can make a model, give her that the wings of the angel

Known for its half-naked photographs of the striking blonde Elsa Hosk posed topless for the famous French magazine "Lui" July-August by hitchhiking on a road of California. The Hosk born 26 years ago in Sweden and CV to date includes collaborations with known fashion houses and photo shoots for fashion editorials in major women's magazines. 

The blond of hair and features blue eyes could not leave untouched natural nor known fashion house of Victoria's Secret, where the proposed cooperation in 2011. Two months ago of the lingerie firm made ​​the greatest honor that can make a model, give her that the wings of the angel.
 

#ILived RESTRICTED release

*Warning: PIRATE THEATER presentation*

#ILived

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5b_bVpO2x0DbWtBNm9fcjhET0k/view?usp=sharing

SPOTIFY vs Apple

*THE SYNDICATE DOES NOT EXIST*

Companies running subscription-based apps privately complain that Apple is acting anticompetitively.

The relationship between Apple and Spotify could be headed for a rough patch after a report about emails from Spotify instructing its users not to buy their subscriptions through Apple's app store. It's a dispute that perfectly illustrates Apple's awkward relationship with digital media companies, which rely on its app store as a major source of distribution even as they compete with Apple's own media businesses.

The emails from Spotify, posted on the Verge yesterday, explained to users that they pay US$13 ($19) when they purchase subscriptions through the Apple app store, compared with US$10 on Spotify's website. The price difference is because Apple takes a 30 per cent cut of subscriptions purchased through its app store. The emails explained how to cancel the app store subscriptions and sign up on the Spotify website.

Apple doesn't encourage this kind of thing. The company forbids any buttons or links within apps that could allow people to buy things externally that they would otherwise purchase through the app.

While its guidelines forbidding this practice aren't clear, it's likely that Spotify's iOS app would be rejected if it had included its email as a page within its app.

The same restrictions don't apply for Android.

Companies running subscription-based apps privately complain that Apple is acting anticompetitively. It has had similar problems in the ebook market, where a federal judge recently upheld a ruling that it had conspired with publishers to inflate prices. Apple and Spotify declined to comment for this story.

The prohibition on developers telling consumers how to find products at lower prices is ripe for legal challenge, says Tim Wu, a professor at Columbia Law School and a prominent critic of anticompetitive business practices in the tech industry.

"I think Apple is getting close to the line, if it hasn't crossed it, in its dealings with Spotify," he says.

Apple's charge is ostensibly a service fee that developers pay to use its platform. But it doesn't take a cut of purchases in markets where it doesn't compete. GrubHub, for instance, allows users to purchase food directly through its apps without splitting the pie with Apple. United Airlines doesn't share revenue when it sells tickets through its iPhone app.

Last May, Daniel Ek, Spotify's chief executive officer, said that he was concerned about a company like Apple abusing its market position to cut off competition, but he also said he didn't see it happening yet.

#FlowerAndSnakeZero RESTRICTED release

*Warning: PIRATE THEATER presentation*

#FlowerAndSnakeZero

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5b_bVpO2x0DcVMzUXdubEJiaEk/view?usp=sharing

Underground New Zealand "On The Air"

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Kiwi musician, Thomston.

The annual MTV Brand New competition has launched across Australia and New Zealand this week, with fans able to check out videos and interviews, and then vote for their favourite artist at mtv.co.nz.

Nineteen-year-old rising electro R&B artist Thomston is the only New Zealander in the competition, and while he certainly deserves his spot with his James Blake comparisons and emotive, vulnerable aesthetic, there are a few other local acts snapping round the edges of pop stardom who we reckon could have made the cut too.

So here are five fresh local acts you should keep your eyes on:

Fazerdaze

The stage name of Amelia Murray, Fazerdaze really impressed with the release of her self-titled debut EP in late 2014 (Reel is our favourite track). Recorded in her bedroom, it defies that low-fi aesthetic, and showcases her artful vocals in beautifully arranged indie-pop/rock beds. Like a sweeter and more youthful-sounding Cat Power, or Warpaint, we're looking forward to her debut album out soon (hopefully).

Leisure

They're a mysterious bunch of guys whose names start with J (Josh, Jordan, Jaden) and someone else called Tim or maybe Tom. There's very little public information yet available, but we've heard they just went away for a bit of a boys weekend to a bach, and ended up making a bunch of great tunes. And now there's a major label bidding war going on. This might all be factual - or it might be made up - but the earworm quality of fresh n funky grooves like Hot Love and Got It Bad (think Jungle mixed with plenty of falsetto) is undeniable. More please.

Boycrush

The solo electronic based project of drummer Alistair Deverick (who plays with a whole bunch of great bands including Carnivorous Plant Society, The Ruby Suns, Lawrence Arabia, and SJD among them), Boycrush grew out of Deverick's stint at the prestigious Red Bull Music Academy in 2011. He's been going great guns lately with the online release of his dance oriented EP Girls On Top, which features vocalists like Chelsea Jade and Madeira (aka Kim Pflaum of Yumi Zouma) over adventurous grooves.

Matthew Young

He used to be the lead singer for Artisan Guns, but Matthew Young has gone in a totally different direction with his new solo project, kind of electro-RnB, with a distinctly urban flavour and a touch of hip-hop. He's recently been signed to Sony Music, and released his EP, Dive, which has caught the attention of quite a few international blogs. He cites his big inspirations as Prince and Michael Jackson, but we can hear the more modern touch of Jessie Ware in there too.

Strange Babes

Sam McCarthy and Jaden Parkes, who have made music together for years, first in Goodnight Nurse (with Joel Little) and then as Kids of 88, started Strange Babes as a wee side project. But since McCarthy moved to LA, it's morphed into a three-piece band, with Maddie North and Leroy Clampitt joining the ranks. They released their excellent debut self-titled album for free online earlier this year, and have been pricking ears with their wonderfully melodic guitar pop, which mixes The Chills and The Clean with a touch of Teenage Fanclub and the Beach Boys.

 

#DudeBroPartyMassacre3 RESTRICTED release

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#DudeBroPartyMassacre3

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5b_bVpO2x0DcW53Q2xyLUlCTXM/view?usp=sharing

#FinalGirl RESTRICTED release

*Warning: PIRATE THEATER presentation*

#FinalGirl

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5b_bVpO2x0DNEVNaGlIYXMzYTA/view?usp=sharing

Doing DRUGS with KERRY KATONA

*Warning: PIRATE RADIO presentation*

WHO'S SHE GONNA CALL? Kerry Katona believes ghosts follow her around [ITV]

“I have a goal and then something bad happens… Drugs, divorce, bankruptcy, my exes' affairs or George's health scare.”

Kerry Katona

Ghosts.

We're not even kidding.

Kerry, who won I'm a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! in 2004, claims that ghoulies, ghosties and long-legged-beasties are to blame for the things that have gone wrong in her life.

Kerry even believes that her husband George Kay's Bell's palsy is the work of spirits.

"I know this sounds crazy," she told Star magazine.

Err, you said it, Kerry.

"But I'm convinced it was ghosts that did this."

Oh, Kerry love.

WOoooOOOoooOOOOH: Kerry Katona gets spooked [WENN]

The 34-year-old star went on: "The negative energy has been following me all my life.

"I have a goal and then something bad happens… Drugs, divorce, bankruptcy, my exes' affairs or George's health scare."

Apparently George, 35, also believes his Bell's palsy is "100%" down to mean spirits.

:(

As if contending with ghosts wasn't enough, it's also reported that Kerry has kicked George out of the martial home, just nine months after they tied the knot.

IN HAPPIER TIMES: George Kay and Kerry Katona [WENN]

Here's hoping those pesky spirits bring the pair some good luck soon.

We've reached out to a representative of Kerry for comment.