A message to the KHKers.

I thought about doing this a few weeks ago and with the release of WUTS, it gave me all the more reason to put this down in words:


On Septmember 30th 2008 I joined the Kill Hannah Kollective. I had no idea what to expect other than a community with a shared love of one amazing band. It wasn't hard to make friends, just a little strange as is everything when you're one of the new people. But everyone was so welcoming, polite and kind, just like a big family.

Some of my best memories from the past year have been with you guys, like the Non-New Heart party on Stickam for all of us not going to NHFXMAS, the random conversations we've had via comments or even on the forum. Plus the regular Stickam chats, watching people dance on webcam, spamming the chat with the worst fan-fiction ever, staying up 'till the early hours talking gangsta, and talking about how exicted we are about the new KH album. Then there's the mini chats on msn, coming up with KH anti-lyrics, random youtube video wars, talking about our love for The Big Bang Theory and giving each other Smurf names in German. Oh and who could forget the epicness that is Divino McMat? Even though we couldn't go through with our mission as planned, that whole thing provided so many laughs and helped work our over-active imaginations more than usual.

Then there's all the hard work we've done (and still do) promoting Kill Hannah and the KHK. With promo days, at concerts, online; basically doing everything we can to get the word out there. Our love and support for KH keep us together and I can't imagine not having the KHK in my life.

You've all been there every single day if I needed someone to talk to, cheer me up or just have a random conversation with. I feel like I know some of the most wonderful people in the world, all because of one band. To have the ability to attract so many fans from all over the world and to have one big community for them is pretty damn impressive. Even though I don't know each and every one of you, or might not have known you for very long, I can honestly say you're the most wonderful people I've never met. I can't wait until I can meet some of you in person, but until then:

I LOVE YOU ALL <3

Jeffree Star - 'Beauty Killer' album review

Love him or hate him, Jeffree Star has released a new album.
And there's no getting away from it.

Jeffree Star is undoubtedly one of the biggest internet stars to have emerged in the last five years. With a total of over 80,000,000 plays and 1,036,267 fans on Myspace alone, this is pretty impressive for an artist who people seem to "hate on" a large percentage of the time. But with his new release Beauty Killer, all this is going to change.

Rewind three years ago and Jeffree Star's song writing was nothing more than "some crazy verses" and "making silly songs on a computer". Now, it's clear that Jeffree has matured as an artist and wants the world to take him and his music seriously. The lyrics may still be far from what most would call 'serious', but Jeffree is here to have fun and take us all along for the ride.

Album opener Get Away With Murder is an extremely danceable track, full of synth, electronics and a thumping drum beat that contrasts perfectly with the dark lyrics "It's time to spill your guts/And I don't like what I see on the inside." Whereas the lyrics to title track Beauty Killer are all about vanity and the need to look beautiful; but there's a sombre edge to the song that shines through Jeffree's flawless vocals.

Thanks to the sheer hilarity of the lyrics, Bitch, Please! could well be the song of the album. Almost every line makes fun of someone in Hollywood at present, "Be Flo Rida and spin me right round round/But don't try to bite me like Chris Brown" or even "They all go Lady GaGa over my throat skills/Gave Zac Efron my poker face & left him with chills". Whether Star is going for the shock factor or not is really irrelevant; since the drums, synth and the lyrics themselves, are such a good combination the song is definitely one that will stick in your head.

Among the light-hearted tracks that don't take themselves too seriously is Prisoner, the first 'new' song that was put up on Star's myspace. This particular song feels like the most personal and heart-felt track on the entire album; lyrics like "I know this seems so wrong/But I'm just a love-sick criminal." show a new side to Star that has never been seen before. The vocals here, and on the whole record, show how much feeling has been put into this release, rather than having an album full of 'rap' songs.

Being such a big name clearly has it's benefits, on Beauty Killer Jeffree has collaborated with Matt Skiba from Alkaline Trio, Nicki Minaj and the popular band Breathe Carolina. And if that wasn't enough, tattoo artist Kat Von D is behind the gritty album cover art.


Beauty Killer is full to bursting with sugary-sweet synth and electronics; but there's a rock edge to it to prevent listeners from ODing on the sweet stuff. Some of the lyrics are laugh-out-loud funny, showing that Jeffree still has his comedic side despite taking his music seriously. But, you either love him or you hate him. For most people, Beauty Killer will satisfy your craving for up-beat, electronic music you can dance to. And for the latter, you may have to find a safe place to hide: Jeffree Star is here to stay.

Track Listing:
1. Get Away With Murder
2. Prisoner
3. Louis Vuitton Body Bag (feat. Matt Skiba)
4. Beauty Killer
5. Electric Sugar Pop
6. Love Rhymes With Fuck You
7. Bitch, Please!
8. Lollipop Luxury (feat. Nicki Minaj)
9. Get Physical
10. Fame & Riches, Rehab Bitches (feat. Breathe Carolina)
11. Fresh Meat
12. Queen Of The Club Scene

Beauty Killer is out now through Popsicle Records

Kill Hannah - Wake Up The Sleepers album review

"In this climate of economical collapse, it’s so cool when bands can collaborate in the true spirit of art." The Chicago five-piece are back with a new album they call the "proudest accomplishment of our lives."

Kill Hannah may well be Chicago's best kept secret. With an extensive back-catalogue, a combination of fourteen EPs and albums, that dates back to 1994 you might be wondering why you've never heard of this band before. After over a year of touring in Europe, Kill Hannah are back with a brand new full length, Wake Up The Sleepers, which will prove to be the album of their careers.

Recorded in Chicago over a period of two months, Kill Hannah took control of the production themselves going back to the early days of the band where everything was done by them and no one else. The title itself is a "statement of affirmation in a music industry that has tragically lost its way.", proving that this is a band that wants to make a change in the industry.

Wake Up The Sleepers is a far cry from the more 'commercial' sounding 2006 release of Until There's Nothing Left Of Us, this album is darker and more intense; a sound that makes your heart ache due to it's sheer beauty. Why I Have My Grandma's Sad Eyes is a mixture of dark synth, bass and Mat Devine's trademark effeminate vocals, with uplifting lyrics like "Universe wrap your arms around me/Make me strong so I can take on anyone." that are sure to make anyone feel unstoppable. Whereas Promise Me, the shortest song on the album, uses only a bass and Mat singing in almost a whisper which creates a delicate and heart-breakingly beautiful song reminiscent of the early Kill Hannah material.

As would be expected from Kill Hannah, there are Mat's super-romantic lyrics that add more depth to each song. Especially on track number two, Snowblinded; it's put quite simply "I just want you to know I think you're beautiful". The chorus of Mouth To Mouth is also pretty blunt, "Get over here/I need you mouth to mouth". But the layers of that song in particular, ambulance sirens, synth that resembles a pulse and piano, add a darker and more lustful romanticism to the entire track.

Something that may be thought as unusual for Kill Hannah, are the more upbeat and danceable tracks like New York City Speed, Tokyo (Dance In The Dust) and Escape Artistry. NYCSpeed is a remastered version of a demo from a few years back that has been given special treatment with heavy guitars, electronics and a thumping drum beat. Tokyo features the same elements but with a breakdown with only vocals chanting "T.O.K.Y.O", it's almost impossible to imagine this song would not be played live. And Escape Artistry is a fast-paced song with stunning guitar work that could easily become a live favorite as well.

What is also impressive about this album is the number of big names Kill Hannah have collaborated with the create this album. Benji Madden from Good Charlotte, Chibi from The Birthday Massacre, Shiny Toy Guns, the lengthy guitar solo in Strobe Lights is done by Tom Schleiter, from Chicago band Powerspace, and Amanda Palmer all lend their musical talents to create what truly is an amazing album. On this subject, vocalist Mat Devine wrote on his Fuse blog: "In this climate of economical collapse, it’s so cool when bands can collaborate in the true spirit of art."

Overall, Wake Up The Sleepers is an extremely impressive album that is a perfect combination of uplifting dance-esque tracks, deeply romantic lyrics and beautifully intense music. This is definitely one album that you will listen to over and over, and still have a hard time picking a soild favorite because of the wide musical variety. One thing that is certain, Kill Hannah won't be an underground band for much longer.

Track listing:
1. Radio
2. Snowblinded
3. New York City Speed
4. Living In Misery
5. Strobe Lights
6. Why I Have My Grandma's Sad Eyes
7. Tokyo (Dance In The Dust)
8. Mouth To Mouth
9. Vultures (Be There For Me)
10. Escape Artistry
11. Acid Rain
12. Laika
13. Promise Me

Wake Up The Sleepers is released on September 29th through Original Signal

'You forget that we are in the native land of the hypocrite'

Listening to: Blood On My Hands - The Used, WUTS audio clips on amazon.com
Reading: The Picture of Dorian Gray

I've just been inspired by Hannah to make a bucket list, since the one I have now only has two things on it. She wants to bite Mat Devine's hand before she dies, makes me look like I've got no imagination. Well, what do I want to do before I die? Skydive? Bungee jump? Psht, no. Seriously, everyone wants to do that and it's just so...common now. Okay I'll start with the obvious ones:

Go to Chicago for NHFXMAS
Go to Disney Land
Meet all of KH
Meet Mateo from Madina Lake (god knows that man's hard to find sometimes)
Live in another country
Get a KH tattoo

So far, so safe. Oh, I want rid of my Twilight series and dvd. I feel like I might die if I don't get rid of them soon, then what would be the point in that? SMeyer would be responsible for my death, something I. DO. NOT. WANT.

Visit Oscar Wilde's grave.

(Only cause I'm (still) reading Dorian Gray...This would be my only reason for going to France. Fuck going to see a heap of metal in the middle of Paris that's not in the slightest bit romantic, let's go see where a writer was buried. Oh how writers are so unappreciated these days and look at what shit they're spitting out..*cough*SMEYER*cough*

Go to a Fashion Week
Get on a guest list
Buy a horse and call it Trace
Give Mat the smarties lid with a raccoon on it

Fashion week is kinda self-explanatory, since I want to be a designer some day... And a guest list just cause I want to feel (somewhat) important. The horse, well you just gotta go type "Trace Cyrus" into google image search and there's your answer. As for the smarties lid...nah, I'm not even gonna explain that one.


I finally went to see Dorian Gray yesterday and I have to say, it was quite amazing. Despite the fact that Ben Barnes' chin was distracting in some scenes I enjoyed the dark image the whole film had and I even enjoyed trying to contain my laughter at that party scene. Even though I haven't finished the book yet (goddamn), most of the film was right or thereabouts. Only complaint that I can think of: Sybil Vane and how she commits.




As far as I can remember, she and Dorian don't sleep together, she doesn't find out his name until they become engaged (Prince Charming, hello?), he sees her for the first time acting, not in a bar with Lord Henry and she is not ginger. No offense. And the way they make her commit suicide made me want to punch someone. In the film, the first role Dorian sees her play is Ophelia. Okay, that's wrong cause she's supposed to be Juliet. God. Anyway, she gives up her acting for him. He doesn't want that, tells her she's stupid and leaves her crying in a heap on the floor. Right. Dorian finds out she's dead cause of her brother turning up at his house. Wrong, he finds out in the paper after staying out all night. She commits by drowning herself. WRONG. She's supposed to poison herself with prussic acid in her dressing room at the theatre (darling). As if we wouldn't notice the Ophelia suicide thing when she played Ophelia the first time Dorian saw her. Oh! that's like, so clever! I would never have thought of that. *headdesk*



But I did like when they had the montage of 'sinful' things Dorian has done, shown as he is dressed in a white suit and sat having tea and scones with ladies. Very good Mise en Scene, Mr Director, very good. Having the white suit symbolizing his purity while the montage shows him wearing black. The jam on the scone and the blood was quite clever too. That's for realzies, no sarcasm. Oh and every time we had a scene where Dorian had disheveled hair, like that bit in the graveyard in the snow or every time he was drunk and or high. Mmm. Also, they do a good job with keeping the picture's true identity a secret right until the end. Ah, the wonder of suspense. Something SMeyer knows not of. One more thing: I felt like the script lagged a bit at the beginning if I'm honest.

Overall, it's a 4/5 for me.

Now you're one of us, so fall in love with tragedy

Listening to: Strobe Lights/NYC Speed/Living In Misery - Kill Hannah
Reading: The Picture of Dorian Grey

Can I just explain how excited I am for 'WAKE UP THE SLEEPERS'? I'm so excited that (at the time of writing this) I've listened to Strobe Lights 38 times, NYC Speed 47 times and, since being sent it an hour ago, Living In Misery 19 times. 12.3 minutes of sheer amazingness, just so you're aware. I've made banners, flyers and even come up with another listening party type event for the KHK. I think I went into full-blown-hyper mode when I saw the pre-order of the album, available with a pillowcase. A fucking pillowcase!! Now in most cases this would be cheesy, but it fits.

And I'm so happy it's finally nearing autumn. I don't know why, but I think KH have something to do with it. See, it was round about this time last year that I discovered and joined the KHK (September 30th to be exact), and it was also around this time that I started going up to Newcastle every weekend to see my brother at university. There was just something so...wonderful about driving back home in the dark, listening to KH on my mp3 player, along motorways and watching all the lights of Newcastle just go by. Then there's the fact that KH and winter just go so well together. If you listen to them I promise you you'll hear it.

I was in Newcastle on Saturday helping my brother move into the apartment he's going to be living in this year, and I had Living In Misery and Mouth To Mouth in my head. (I'd only heard live versions of both at this point) We didn't start the drive home until sometime around eight o'clock and it was getting quite dark by this point. Cue me sat in the back of the car listening to KH all the way home, watching all these lights go by. It makes me want to move to a city so bad. I've even said I can't wait until I start university, just so I can move to Newcastle and I'll be able to go to see every good band that come and play up here.

And I really want to go to New Heart For Xmas next year. To see Kill Hannah, in Chicago. I've seen photos from people who went last year from the UK and it looks so beautiful. Just white snow everywhere. It reminded me of that scene from Dead Poets Society where they receive the bad news and run outside into the snow and everything's so perfect in light of the most tragic event that's happened. I want to see something like that. Sure we get snow here, but it's slushy, dirty and only lasts a week at most. That said I love when there's snow covering our garden and on the rooftops that I can see from my bedroom window. When it's all perfect and untouched.

Chicago in winter. I don't know why, but it just seems so beautiful.

//fin

Strobe Lights: 43 plays
Living In Misery: 23 plays
New York City Speed: 51 plays

I'm going to hell...so bring the sunblock

Listening to: The Blackout
Reading: The Picture Of Dorian Grey
Watching: TBO youtube videos

I love these blogs: http://fuseblog.typepad.com/kill_hannah/

It's just hit me how soon September's come around. I got my GCSE results last week; eight A's, two B's, one C and a Distinction. Pleased much? So I've enrolled at 6th Form Collage and I start on Monday. I'm not even nervous. Maybe I will be the morning of. Yesterday I realised that reading makes me so tired. Especially when it's written by Oscar Wilde. I want to finish reading The Picture of Dorian Grey before the film comes out. I have until next week sometime. Will it be possible? Maybe, I read kinda fast.

TWIHARDS LOOK AWAY NOW




I have found my hero. His name's Mark and he reads 'Twilight' and posts reviews of each chapter on Buzznet.
http://markreadstwilight.buzznet.com/user/journal/

(From the review of Chapter 13)

Bella: So...what do we do now?

Edward: Let's just sit here and keep staring at me. You're welcome to touch me as if I'm a wax statue, though.

Bella: Oh, I love the chance to be unnecessarily awkward?

Edward: I don't scare you?³

Bella: Do you mind if I start stroking your forearm in an action that closely resembles me giving you a handjob?

Edward: No. You can't imagine how that feels.⁴

Bella: It's like we're both virgins, isn't it? And we're finally on the path towards SEXUAL FULFILLMENT, right? Right?

Edward: Shut up and keep touching me.

Bella: Yes sir. Anything you say.

3) Another quote. What's so horrible about this is that, obviously, WHO WOULD BE INTIMIDATED BY A VAMPIRE THAT LOOKED LIKE A THIRD GRADE CRAFT PROJECT? Maybe a third grader?
4) You'll notice a theme very quickly with this entire chapter: nearly every piece of dialogue and action is disgustingly sexual, this included, which is another quote from the book. In fact, short of penetration or foreplay, it's almost as if the two characters are actually having sex. But they're not, which is crucial to understanding the blatant Mormon propaganda that Smeyer forces down your throat. Literally. Like a giant cock of morality. Open wide!



This. Is. Pure. Genius. I thank you, Mark for saying what everyone else is thinking. If only more people would read this and really see what 'Twilight' is: glorified fan fiction . And what is with all the 'Twilight' merch? We have the obvious Tshirts, hoodies, posters, necklaces, bracelets, keyrings, and badges. BUT THEN we have umbrellas, fleece blankets, hair clips, pillow cases, musical jewelry boxes, lunch boxes, bandannas, DOLLS, lip gloss with the word 'Twilight' on it and then this:

http://www.hottopic.com/hottopic/LicensedGear/Twilight/All/Twilight-Edward-Body-Shimmer-209141.jsp

You'd buy this? You'd seriously buy this? ORLY? You sure?

Thought not.

Anyway, I've finished with my 'Twilight' rant for now. Oh no, wait. I want to sell my copies of the books and the DVD. That's how much I'm sick of them. How much do you reckon someone would pay for all four books + the movie? £25? £30? More? Hey, they're in good condition. 'Twilight' was read about three times, the rest of them only once and the DVD watched twice. They're practically brand new! Eh, I'll put them on ebay

//END RANT//

I'm kind of in love with The Blackout now. Honestly, about a year or two ago I used to dislike them (even hate), but now I don't know why I didn't even give them the time of day. Because of my hatred for them, I missed out on going to see them live last October. Originally it was just to go and see Escape The Fate supporting, but then they canceled and in the end, I didn't go. Now, I regret not going since I'm in love with them now. I'm sure it's the accents, I love Welsh accents for some reason.
Note to self: the next time TBO are in town (or up at Newcastle at least) I'll definitely be going.



Oh, only 26 days until WAKE UP THE SLEEPERS! 'cited much? And what's this KHK? Listening parties? Interesting...