New Kids Dreams Can Come True TWICE!!!

Last night something very very special and one of a kind occurred down on the Sunset Strip. None other than the New Kids On The Block played a “private”/”secret” show rehearsal in preparation for their upcoming appearance on Good Morning America this Friday.

The only logical thing I could think of doing when I found myself standing in the venue awaiting the kids first appearance on a stage in front of fans in 15 years – was to PINCH MYSELF. HOW the HECK did I finally get the chance to see my 6 year old dreams fulfilled? I spent my younger years playing with the nkotb Barbie Dolls, wearing the themed nightgowns while sleeping in my official nkotb sleeping back with the matching pillowcase – this was serious business for me as a kid. Sadly though, the closest thing I ever got to seeing them in concert was watching one of their live shows from a Vegas hotel room…until now!!!

Thanks to my good friend and co-worker Gina Star I was informed about this secret special event on Monday and God bless the soul of Peter Torres (Rock A&R for Thrive) for pulling through and getting Jenna and I on the house list for this event.

Around 8:30 a blank white screen covered the curtains of the stage of the House of Blues Sunset and the shrill screams of grown women filled the room like an arena. A montage style video full of tons of New Kids nostalgia on film proceeded to remind each and every one of us why we were there… after all these years we were all just as excited as we would have been back then.

The white screen was replaced by 5 microphones and as the curtains rose so did the decibels in the room, to such a level that one would think they were at the Staples center witnessing 20,000 pre-tweens cheer for Miley Cyrus.
The Kids (or men, rather) hit the stage sharp dressed, in shape and accompanied by a full line of back up dancers. The stage reached into the middle of the room and NKOTB danced their routines and hit their notes with such finesse…we all forgot they are now in their 30’s and 40’s? The room was enamored, elated, and ecstatic - the energy was unlike anything I’ve ever witnessed.

It was a short performance, The Kids played a wonderful medley of their hits, which included Step By Step, Please Don’t Go Girl, Hangin’ Tough, The Right Stuff and more. They then continued with their new single “Summertime” and finished off the night with one more song and dance - along with a very sweet farewell to the crowd.
Cell phones and cameras were not aloud in the venue, but thank God for my boots – I snuck my blackberry in and towards the very end I was lucky enough to snap a few shots to share with you all. Check ‘em out below as well as a few youtube vids I thought were quite appropriate to share.

OH and ps-
Joey is still my favorite. He's still just so darn cute.







This was one of my favorites of all things that came of the new kids:


The New Kids On The Block Reunion Tour! Are You Ready? They’ll Be In So. Cal This FALL!!!!! :)

omg. NKOTB secret show tonight in the OC!

my first autograph i was ever excited about was from the NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK back in the daaaaayyyyyyy. (The Hangin Tough' tour - - right before the Funky Funky X-mas tour)
My dad is a television engineer and happened to work on this show - - he surprised me with an autographed copy of the entire show script - - signed by all 4 members of New Kids On The Block. I was shocked and so surprised that my dad (who has a rule never to ask for an autograph, or photo from famous people) actually hooked up the best gift EVER.
Turns out - - years later he told me that him and his buddies forged all the signatures of the New Kids On The Block - - he had been lying the whole time! man what a letdown! note to all lying fathers out there - - - keep the lie going! your kid will NEVER KNOW THE DIFFERENCE!

all this NKOTB talk is for a reason - - i just got word they are playing a secret show TONIGHT @ the HOB Anaheim!!!! soooooo exciting! if anybody has an extra ticket - email me! heather@hellyadeejays.com


NKOTB 'Hangin Tough' youtube video

so jealous of everyone that has a ticket to this . . . this means you kelsea. hahaha.

i want details and blog post recap asap.

and call me when they play 'I'll Be Lovin' You Forever'. ahhhhh.

and see if you can score me some autographs while your at it!!! thanks dad. haha ;)

Ravished Hearts in Africa: Getting Word Out

So, I realize that this is a music blog… And most of the time you would come here to hear about our next show or a new video that is amazing or a band that you have to take a listen to… Not that there is anything wrong with that, in fact the people I am going to tell you about today I met at a show this winter. They are friends of a couple of the bands we work with here at Hell Ya, and just like the rest of us they love the arts and music… They just happen to be using their talents on a different front for the next two months.



I met Joshua at The Shys residency at the Detroit Bar earlier this year. He is a close friend of several of my friends and colleagues and though we had seen eachother many times, we had never spoken. Joshua told me of the trip he would be making a month from then to Africa where he would be working with a team of talented people to document and spread the word of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Africa. They will be living there, speaking with the people, visiting orphanages, helping wherever they can, hoping that maybe the knowledge they gain can shed light for the rest of the world.

HIV and AIDS is a worldwide epidemic. The number of cases in the US grows yearly, but that is in no comparison to Africa where an estimated 5% of the adult population is living with HIV or AIDS, causing over 1.5 million deaths in 2007. What is even scarier is the lack of knowledge of the disease. Keri, one of the members of the Ravished Hearts team received an email from her friend Megan who was working for the Peace Corp in Tanzania, described in notes on their website, “She had attended [a church service] soon after arriving in the village she now called home. The local pastor gave a sermon speaking out against the use of condoms, citing condoms is what gives one AIDS.” And that’s not all, a friend of mine who lived in Africa for school was told to wear a wedding ring on her travels since a common misconception is that if you have sex with a virgin it will cure you of HIV, causing the numbers of rape to go up in the culture. The misinformation is leading to millions of deaths. With no cure in sight and the growth of those infected with the disease, the silence of the subject is extremely alarming, to say the least.



It is so easy to be “out of sight, out of mind” especially when the sight is such a horrible one to see… But I ask you to spread the word. Talk about it. Tell your friends, neighbors, co-workers, your favorite bloggers, parents, and siblings, ask them to do the same. The more people aware of the challenges of the world, the more of a chance we have to save it. Joshua, Ryan, Keri, Breezy and Megan have taken the step to enlighten, now they just need your help getting word out.

Visit their blog at AFRICA.GETTINGWORDOUT.COM for more information on the project. They update frequently with information on what they have seen, heard and what they are trying to accomplish.

Thanks for your time, guys. I will see you at the next show.

xoxo
Emily

have i told you lately that i signed my first band? if so, i'll tell it again anyways!

DUKES OF DAVILLE! HELLLLLLYA! Life is good. Just found out they got placed in another big movie! and the album isn't even out yet! (i wish it were pushed up a bit - but hey - beggars can't be choosers!

Dukes Of Daville Sandwich! (me w/ Ric & James while recording in LA)



just found out they are going to be in the new Ashton / Cameron Diaz movie in Vegas::

What Happens In Vegas (movie preview) i'm sure you have seen all these commercials already - - - everyone has been calling me saying they heard Metro Station 'Shake It' in the same movie spots as well!

So either that music supervisor is either A) super awesome and apparently we love the same shit, i need to get in touch. or B) is my friend/and or a music supervisor that I've already been in touch with - both Dukes & Metro have been on about every Hell Ya! Mix of the past year!

i found this video interview w/ the dukes today - - check it:

Dukes Of Daville interview in the studio in Hotlanta between mixing/recording

Nothing is more satisfying than seeing your work come to fruition. I am still in shock that I'm even INVOLVED in this project, it's too damn good! Turns out everything ALWAYS happens for a reason, and I was meant to do just this!
I just can't wait till I can play it for everyone I know!! (you know i will now anyways - - that's just how i do things. the more people that know about it - the better right???? with that said, here's my new favorite dukes track - shhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

DUKES OF DAVILLE - Beggin' (via yousend it link)

tell me what you think! i love feedback - both good and bad - so bring it on ;)
if you know who did this song originally - i'll give you a prize. ;) email or comment here if you know!

DUKES OF DAVILLE on MYSPACE

get to know VENUS INFERS (especially if you like Razorlight as much as I do)

I have been so f-ing busy that I forgot to give a quick recap of the last 1029310374 hell ya nights - - - so before I forget AGAIN - I wanted to quickly post about Venus Infers.

I first heard about this band from LARRY LITTLE from his kick ass TANKFARM compilation. Right away I loved the track, and when I saw a photo of the band I instantly thought of KINGS OF LEON. (hot)
These guys are damn good. I mean really good. I couldn't take my eyes off the lead singer for a number of reasons: 1) he's really pretty 2) he's really tall and super thin (*i like my rockstars to dissapear when they turn sideways!) 3) he's got some serious pipes 4) he started and played the whole set SHIRTLESS! SEE PHOTO

(mind you this is at the ECHO, i'm sure most people in the audience were put off by this, but I applaud them for having the balls to do it. Take that hipsters. If you got it, flaunt it! If you don't, create it! haha

So for fans of Johnny Borrell (RAZORLIGHT) & Kings Of Leon, etc.... this may be your new favorite band!


VENUS INFERS 'London's Raining' youtube video

**Thanks to all the bands who played, because the whole HELL YA! lineup was awesome - BIRDS OF AVALON and CAVIL AT REST both SLAYED live. Will somebody please get CAVIL AT REST a great producer that can capture their live show?

Head over to ROCKINSIDER to read more about the show and download mp3's. JAXwrote a great recap of the show on her blog HERE and posted photos from the night on her Flickr page HERE.)

oh yeah, he is the satisfier!

I cannot believe how long it took me to tell you guys all about this phenomenal experience Heather and I had a few weeks ago, I apologize for the time delay on this post, just be sure to read below – this is a band you don’t want to miss the boat on…

On April 18th Eli “Paperboy” Reed and The True Loves put on a stellar performance at the Continental Room in Fullerton. Although I have been to this part of the O.C several times this little spot totally slipped below my radar and I am sad it took me so long to discover it. Boy do I feel out of the loop! Check out some photos below of this place and you’ll see what I mean…








The setting was so unique, and the crowd was beautiful. Eli and the True Loves got the entire place moving their feet; even Miss Heather Peggs who swears she doesn’t ever dance could not stand still. I felt like we were transported straight to the early 1960’s, I don’t know how the night could have been more perfect.
I was absolutely blown away. It’s really quite difficult to explain in words how much fun I had or to express how great the music was. You should have seen the smile that literally did not move from my face the entire night.
Eli Reed passionately belts out perfect note after note of music that is reminiscent of Otis Redding and other pioneers of soulful rock. His accompanying band was flawless and just as full of passion as Eli himself. This soulful sound has definitely been making its way back up on the charts with influential artists like Amy Wineshouse paving the way. It is without question that Eli “Paperboy” Reed and the True Loves are just at the forefront of their stardom.

Here are a few photos from the show that night and a couple of youtube videos of past performances. These are some of my favorite songs. You can check them out at www.myspace.com/elipaperboyreed

OH! And be sure to NOT MISS their show at Spaceland on May 19th!!





Take My Love With You:


It’s Easier:


Satisfier:

oh snap another one? hell ya girl school is this thursday . . . final lineup!

i know, i know, i can hardly keep track myself. so many club nights, so many great bands, not enough time in the day to get organized! thank goodness i'm finally learning how to delegate (thanks jax, evan, emily, kelsea) and of course the hottness GIRL SCHOOL duo (ANNA + MELISSA @ viper room)

here's the final ben tegel poster design + show info + lineup for this thursday! it will be the 4th installment of the HELL YA! / GIRL SCHOOL presents series @ the Viper Room. SO far - we have a great batting average. Hope we can keep our sellout/streak happening this week!



HELL YA! & GIRL SCHOOL @ the Viper Room
Thursday, May 1st, 2008

DOORS @ 8:30PM
(21+ / $12 Cover)

9 pm - The Library

10 pm - Buddy Akai

11 pm - The Lady Tigra

12 am - Wallpaper

for guest list inquires: evan@hellyadeejays.com


p.s. happy bday tyler shields, and happy early bday to anna gayer - i mean geyer. hahaha. ;)