Gone with the Sin - HIM

I know this song is a decade old, but I just cannot get enough of it lately. I absolutely love Ville Valo's vocal tone (it makes my toes curl in a very good way).

Finnish band HIM was formed in 1991 by Ville Valo (vocals), Mikko Paananen (bass) and Mikko Lindström (guitar). When asked in an interview about the name, vocalist and frontman Ville Valo said, "In almost every interview someone asks what does HIM stand for. I can't even remember our latest lie about that. When Hanson was hot, we said it means Hanson Is Murder. The name doesn't have a particular history. His Infernal Majesty was a totally different band. I think HIM derives from some death metal joke. And it was our protest to Haile Selassie's rastafarian religion, he used to be called His Imperial Majesty. But nowadays because of Linde's hair, we actually might be supporting him."

"Razorblade Romance" was released in Europe in 1999 and re-released in 2002 in the USA where the band had to change their name to HER because an American dub band, HiM, already held rights to the name. They were eventually able to buy the rights to the name and all subsequent pressings have been released under the desired name.

HIM announced last month that they will be going into the studio to record a new album in August. The working title is "Screamworks: Love in Theory and Practice" and is scheduled to be released Valentine's Day 2010.

Gone with the Sin by HIM from the 1999 (2002 USA) album "Razorblade Romance"



HIM website

HIM MySpace page

Treat Me Like Your Mother - The Dead Weather

Jack White's latest project. I adore Jack White. ADORE. Have since I first discovered The White Stripes a gazillion years ago on mp3.com. This newest project of his rocks so hard I can easily forgive him for the James Bond song he did with Alicia Keys(I expected so much more from that). Listening to The Dead Weather ... well ... I want to be Alison Mossheart (also of The Kills).

Treat Me Like Your Mother by The Dead Weather from the 2009 album "Horehound"



The Dead Weather website

Third Man Records website

Always Out - The Urban Voodoo Machine

I am so excited to get this CD. I ordered it as an anniversary gift for my husband (sssshhhh) but it's, obviously, a bit late. That's ok. It wasn't released until a week after our anniversary. And it is being shipped from halfway around the world (it's a UK release). I can be patient. Sort of. I expect to find it in the mailbox any day now. Maybe today. Cross your fingers for me.

The Urban Voodoo Machine began in 2003 when singer/frontman Paul-Ronney Angel was asked by a promoter to fill a spot in a triple bill gig. He made some calls, pulled in some favors, and 48 hours later he had a band pulled together.

Always Out by The Urban Voodoo Machine from the 2009 debut album "Bourbon Soaked Gypsy Blues Bop'N'Stroll"



The Urban Voodoo Machine website

The Urban Voodoo Machine MySpage page

The Urban Voodoo Machine Facebook page

No Blood to Spare at Utah Arts Festival 2009

I was lucky enough to sing with No Blood to Spare again at this year's Utah Arts Festival. They are an amazing band and I always have such a great time with them.

Savage Celebration by No Blood to Spare, danced by Sekmani



Graceful Vagabond by No Blood to Spare, danced by Las Gitanas



Switchcraft by No Blood to Spare, danced by Dragenthe



No Blood to Spare website

No Blood to Spare MySpace page

Summer Wine - Ville Valo & Natalia Avelon

I've been on a bit of a H.I.M. thing lately. I love Ville Valo's voice. It's very rich - like dark, melted chocolate.

Summer Wine was written by Lee Hazelwood and originally recorded in 1966 by him and Suzi Jane Hokom. The song became famous a year later when he rerecorded it with Nancy Sinatra and released it as the B-side for the single "Sugar Town."

Summer Wine by Ville Valo and Natalia Avelon from the soundtrack of the 2007 German movie "Das Wilde Leben" (released in USA as "Eight Miles High") based on the life of German groupie/model/actress, Uschi Obermaier.

WARNING: There is nudity in this video. Do not watch if you are offended by nudity.



H.I.M. website

Natalia Avelon iMDB page

Plainsong - The Cure

Plainsong is the opening song on The Cure's 8th studio released album, "Disintegration", released in 1989 and sets the mood for the band's return to the darker, moodier hallucinogenic goth rock that set them apart in the early 1980s. The record label, Fiction Records, feared it would be commercial suicide but this album remains the band's best selling record to date. But more importantly ...

Fifteen years ago today this song was played at my wedding - as my wedding march - to the most wonderful man ever to walk this earth. Even after all this time he still manages to surprise me and find little ways each day to make me fall in love with him all over again. He truly is my life, my love, my heart and my soul.

Plainsong by The Cure from the 1989 album "Disintegration"



The Cure official website

The Cure MySpace page

The Cure Facebook page