Sing LOUD with no one hearing it

What’s that corny phrase you see on the give-ya-feels posters, “Dance like no one is watching, SING like no one’s listening”? Well, now you can do one of those with a new device called Beltbox. It’s a small mask that is designed to allow the user to sing as loud as they want without anyone hearing most of it, it comes off like a whisper. It’s meant for actors and singers working toward their next audition or preparing for their next performance but maybe they don’t want to wake up their roommates. And yes, you can bring it into the shower.

It’s quite clever and still allows you to try to belt out all those notes you think you are hitting. I know some wanna-be karaoke kings and queens who could use this one.

The device is not brand new to the market (they are available online) but has started to pick up more popularity with popularity recently.

 

Running Eagle Fans slams into subway pole

This Philly Eagles fans felt the reality of his team into Super Bowl is something he literally ran into in this viral video. The Eagles enter the ‘BIG GAME’ of Pro Football on February 4th against the New England Patriots, after crushing the Minnesota Vikings  last night for the NFC Championship. The celebrations were raucous in Philadelphia area, with local officials worried  before the game over-zealous fans would climb light poles so they had to grease them with Crisco. Well I guess these same fans decided to just run into the poles instead.

 

 

 

LISTEN: The Original Demo for The Killers’ “Mr. Brightside.”

It was 2001.  Brandon Flowers was a bellman in his hometown of Las Vegas.  Guitarist Dave Keuning wanted to leave his job at Banana Republic, so he posted in a weekly ad looking to start a band.  Flowers liked what the ad had to say, according to this article from Rolling Stone:

“Flowers then hopped into his 1992 Geo Metro and headed over to Keuning’s house to get acquainted. They hit it off instantly and before Flowers left, Keuning handed him a cassette tape of five song ideas. The very first one caught his attention immediately and he fleshed it out with lyrics about a jealous guy convinced his girlfriend is cheating on him. “Now I’m falling asleep and she’s calling a cab,” he wrote. “While he’s having a smoke and she’s taking a drag/Now they’re going to bed and my stomach is sick.” Unable to come up with a second verse, he merely repeated the first one again after the chorus. He called it ‘Mr. Brightside.'”

Listen to the rough first version of the song below.  — [eric]

My Chemical Romance, Reuniting in 2018? (Maybe, Maybe Not)

I present to you an example of how fast information moves in modern times…and how a rumor can stoke the fire of a fan base that so clearly wants the news to be true.

Alt Press launched a story late last night that says, yes, it appears there is evidence that My Chemical Romance might be touring in 2018.  NME had their own version of the story today — and it offers a cold bucket of water to the face of emo fans everywhere.

First, the Alt Press article:  they provided a screen shot of the band’s website, which was updated to reflect that a tour announcement was coming soon (📷 : Alt Press)

One little problem:  no such information appears on My Chemical Romance’s site, as of the publishing of this article.  Check it out for yourself.

That’s where NME’s reporting comes in:  they not only point out the missing proof on the website, but track it down to a 2016 post from a fan blog with a similar template to the band’s official site:

This could very well be a false alarm.  However, MCR has indeed been posting new videos to its YouTube page…this on the heels of posting the entire “The Black Parade Is Dead!” concert on their channel as well.  The big question is…why now?

So, they might be getting back together this year.  But, they also might not.  The only definitive answer?  Word from the band themselves, which we will surely post if anything ever comes of this.  — [eric]

‘Tactical Baby-Gear’ for Dads spoofed by ‘Late Show’

Some dads feel a little odd sometimes carrying baby-gear around with them when caring for their toddlers, so enter a new trend of baby caring items.

‘Tactical baby gear’ gives gear that has a military feel while you are also stocked up to wipe a baby’s butt and change that diaper. The story is covered in a new article from the Wall Street Journal entitled “Worried About Diaper-Bag Emasculation? We Have One in Camo” and got spoofed big time by Stephen Colbert and former Marine-turned-comedian Rob Riggle on the ‘Late Show’ this week.

 

 

‘Shaun of the Dead’ Stars working new Horror + Comedy TV series

The dynamic dudes that gave us 2004’s ‘Shaun of the Dead’ are prepping a new horror-comedy TV series titled ‘Truth Seekers’. Simon Pegg and Nick Frost went on to work on several comedy films like ‘Hot Fuzz’ but their mix of gorey undead action and madcap British humor in the zombie movie is still their definitive work, so it’s interesting to see them taking similar concepts to the small screen for a binge delivery.

Talking to Variety, Pegg said: “Each episode is going to be an adventure, a potential haunting or something. It’ll start as a very parochial idea, a very small business venture for these people, but it will expand as the series goes on to be something far more global. It’s a language everyone understands – the mystery of the unknown. Shaun Of The Dead was a very parochial story set in North London and somehow it managed to get this global reach because everyone understands the language of zombie movies.”

DO NOT EAT LAUNDRY DETERGENT: Pizza ‘Pied Pods’ to the rescue!

 

This Tide Pod Challenge thing is getting out of hand. This call-to-dumb-action meme trend has been springing up with the attention-craving teens biting in the laundry detergent pods in hopes of instant internet glory but it’s incredibly dangerous and poisonous. It’s gotten so bad, Proctor & Gamble who make Tide have launched a public safety campaign to make sure people don’t put the detergent in their mouths. The weird trend has sent some people to hospital, but it has sparked some fun edible alternatives.

A Brooklyn pizzeria named Vinnie’s has jumped in to save the day from “harmful if swallowed” to ‘delightful if swallowed’ with their ‘Pied Pod’. It’s a delish mini-calzone with dyed-cheese on the top giving it same color scheme as the Tide Pod, but it’s edible and tastes good!

VICE got to check out ‘Pied Pods’ in person and relayed their approval.

“Listen. We’re concerned about the youths. They’re eating laundry detergent pods. We needed to do something,” Vinnie’s Pizzeria in Brooklyn wrote in a since-deleted Instagram post on Thursday. “Our Pied Pods have [those] bright, alluring colors that youths crave BUT are 100 percent edible and 100 percent not poison.”

The ‘Pied Pods’ are not a permanent part of the menu at Vinnie’s, in response to this owner

Sean Berthiaume says “If people start coming in and asking for them, then I’ll put them on the menu.”

 

 

Netflix News: Mo’Nique calls for Netflix boycott, News search engine for the binge

It’s quite the first world problem when you can’t keep track of your current binges on Netflix, are they going to be yanked off the streaming service before the month? Wait, is my favorite cartoon from my youth coming to the Net of Flix next month? Leave it to a useful internet tool to simplify the issue with Flixable.

It works pretty easy with clean interface that let’s you search what’s coming, what’s going, and when those changes will happen plus it gives you IMDB ratings for the titles which is independent of Netflix internal user rating system.

#BOYCOTT#NETFLIX FOR #COLORBIAS AND #GENDERBIAS. PLEASE STAND WITH ME. I LOVE US.

A post shared by Mo'nique (@therealmoworldwide) on

In other Netflix news, comedian Mo’Nique has claimed the popular video platform is sexist and racist, after reportedly low balling the comedy legend for a possible stand-up special. The award-winning comic claims to her followers that the she was offered $500,000 for a special when comparatively other popular comics like Amy Schumer, Chris Rock, and Dave Chapelle were offered millions more. She claims her tenure and merits in comedy should give her much more value, and she clarifies in the video interview with TMZ that she is not deriding the value of her fellow comedians, but simply standing up for herself and other black women.

When entertainment blog Vulture reached out to Netflix for a comment, they responded  “Netflix does not comment on contract negotiations.”

Watch Fall Out Boy perform ‘Hold Me Tight or Don’t’ on ‘Late Show’

On the same day they announced their HUGE Wrigley Field show on September 8th (ENTER TO WIN TICKETS HERE)  and their new album ‘M A N I A’ out today,  Fall Out Boy performed their new single ‘ Hold Me Tight or Don’t’ on ‘the Late Show with Stephen Colbert’ on CBS last night.

Here is their latest song of ‘M A N I A’ , ‘Church’. You can get the whole album on major streaming platforms.

Matt Bellamy of Muse

Just exactly HOW did Matt Bellamy of Muse end up in a Beatles cover band?  And just exactly HOW did he end up playing with Paul McCartney the other night?  Insanity.

Matt playing Macca with Macca.  He’s a happy dude.  Wonder if they are going to take the Dr. Peppers Jaded Hearts Club Band on the road?

<3 @laurenoneil

Foo Fighters Planning Beer and Pop-up Bars

The Foo Fighters are opening pop-up bars hotel in Australia. Sidney gets “Foo Fighters Hotel”  January 24th to the 27th. Then they’re hitting Melbourne, Australia with “The Fooie Bar” from the 27th to the 30th. They also have their own beer for the special events! The brew will be called “Foo Town.” It’s a lager being provided by a brewery called Young Henrys. There band posted a rundown of everything they have planned.

Again, the crappy part, it’s happening on the other side of the world. But, this should give us hope to at least get our hands on a can of Foo brew when they come to Wrigley for two shows in July. You can score your way in to the show HERE.

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Beastie Boys Memoir Coming this Year

The idea of a Beastie Boys memoir started with a book deal in 2013. Looks like Mike-D and Ad-Rock are finally close to making it happen. According to The Guardian the book should be out this fall. Sounds like they tried a few different versions of the book before they landed on the form that they feel accurately tells the story of the Beastie Boys.

As for new music, I wouldn’t expect anything. After the loss of MCA in 2012, they effectively said they can’t tour or make new music without him. As awesome as something new might be, I think any Beastie fan would agree.

At least we’ll always have these…

 


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WKQX Bishop Briggs Web & Text Contest

WKQX-FM’s “Bishop Briggs Web & Text” Contest
Official Rules

A complete copy of these rules can be obtained at the offices of radio station WKQX-FM (“Station”), owned and operated by Cumulus Media Holdings Inc. or one of its subsidiary companies, 455 N. CityFront Plaza Chicago, IL 60611, during normal business hours Monday through Friday or by sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope to the above address.

The Station will conduct the WKQX-FM “Bishop Briggs Web & Text” Contest (the “Contest”) substantially as described in these rules, and by participating, each participant agrees as follows:

  1. No purchase is necessary to enter or win. A purchase will not increase your chance of winning.   Void where prohibited.  All federal, state, and local regulations apply.
  2. This Contest is open only to legal U.S. residents, excluding Florida and New York residents, age eighteen (18) years or older at the time of entry with a valid Social Security number and who reside in the Station’s Designated Market Area (“DMA”) as defined by Nielsen Audio, who have not won a prize from the Station in the last 30 days or a prize valued at $500 or more in the last 60 days, and whose immediate family members or household members have not won a prize from the Station in the last 30 days or a prize valued at $500 or more in the last 60 daysVoid where prohibited by law.  Employees of Cumulus Media Holdings Inc., its parent company, affiliates, related entities and subsidiaries, promotional sponsors, prize providers, advertising agencies, other radio stations serving the Station’s DMA, and the immediate family members and household members of all such employees are not eligible to participate. The term “immediate family members” includes spouses, parents and step-parents, siblings and step-siblings, and children and stepchildren.  The term “household members” refers to people who share the same residence at least three (3) months out of the year. The Contest is subject to all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations. Participation constitutes entrant’s full and unconditional agreement to these Official Rules and Station’s decisions, which are final and binding in all matters related to the Contest. Winning a prize is contingent upon fulfilling all requirements set forth herein.
  3. Contest Period. The Contest will begin at 1:17 pm CT on Friday, January 19, 2018 and will run until 11:59 am CT on Thursday, May 31, 2018 (the “Contest Period”).  The Station’s computer is the official time keeping device for this Contest.
  4. How to Enter. To enter:

(i)  Online: Visit the Station’s website www.101wkqx.com during the Contest Period, click on the “Contest” link, click on the “101WKQX Presents… Bishop Briggs” Contest link, and complete an entry form.  All entries must be received by 11:59 am CT on Thursday, May 31, 2018 to be eligible for the Grand Prize drawing.  Limit one (1) entry per person per email address.  Multiple participants are not permitted to share the same email address. Any attempt by any participant to submit more than one (1) entry by using multiple/different email addresses, identities, registrations and logins, or any other methods will void that entry and the participant may be disqualified.  Use of any automated system to participate is prohibited and will result in disqualification. Station is not responsible for lost, late, incomplete, invalid, unintelligible, inappropriate or misdirected registrations, all of which will be disqualified.  In the event of a dispute as to any registration, the authorized account holder of the email address used to register will be deemed to be the participant. The “authorized account holder” is the natural person assigned the telephone number by the wireless carrier or an email address by an Internet access provider, online service provider or other organization responsible for assigning email addresses for the domain associated with the submitted address.  Potential winner may be required to show proof of being the authorized account holder. All entries become the sole and exclusive property of Station and will not be returned.  Station reserves the right to contact entrants and all other individuals whose email address is submitted as part of this promotion.  No mail-in entries will be accepted.

(ii) TextSend a text message with the keyword BRIGGS to 312-101 during the Contest Period.  All entries must be received by 11:59 am CT on Thursday, May 31, 2018 to be eligible for the Grand Prize drawing.  Standard text messaging rates, as established by an individual’s wireless carrier, may apply, and Station assumes no responsibility for any fees or charges incurred for and associated with any text message sent to or from Station.  Any and all fees arising out of the transmission of a text message shall be the sole responsibility of the entrant.  Limit one (1) entry per person per phone number. Multiple participants are not permitted to share the same telephone number. Any attempt by any participant to submit more than one (1) entry by using multiple/different telephone phone numbers, identities, or any other methods will void that participant from further participation in the Sweepstakes.

  1. Winner Selection. At approximately 1:00 pm CT on Thursday, May 31, 2018, Station will select three (3) entries for the Grand Prize in a random drawing from among all valid entries received by Station during the Contest Period. The winning entrant will be contacted using the email address and/or telephone number provided with the entry and may be awarded the prize (subject to verification of eligibility and compliance with the terms of these rules).  Station’s decisions as to the administration and operation of the Contest and the selection of the potential winner are final and binding in all matters related to the Contest. Failure to respond to the initial verification contact within three (3) days of notification will result in disqualification.
  2. Verification of Potential Winner. THE ELIGIBILITY OF ALL POTENTIAL CONTEST WINNERS IS SUBJECT TO VERIFICATION BY STATION WHOSE DECISIONS ARE FINAL AND BINDING IN ALL MATTERS RELATED TO THE CONTEST. The potential winner must continue to comply with all terms and conditions of these Official Rules, and winning is contingent upon fulfilling all requirements. The potential winner may be notified by email and/or telephone call after the date of random drawing and/or winner determination. The potential winner will be required to sign and return to Station, within three (3) days of the date notice is sent, an affidavit of eligibility and a liability/publicity release (except where prohibited) in order to claim his/her prize, if applicable.  A winner who returns the affidavit of eligibility and liability/publicity release will be deemed to have accepted the contest prize and thereafter will not be permitted to rescind their acceptance of the prize and/or return the prize. If a potential winner cannot be contacted, fails to sign and return the affidavit of eligibility and/or the liability/publicity release within the required time period (if applicable), or if the prize or prize notification is returned as undeliverable, potential winner forfeits prize. In the event that the potential winner of a prize is disqualified for any reason, Station may award the applicable prize to an alternate winner by random drawing from among all remaining eligible entries.    
  3. Grand Prize. Three (3) Grand Prizes will be awarded in this Contest.  The Grand Prize is two (2) tickets to Bishop Briggs on Saturday, June 2, 2018. ARV: Fourty Six Dollars ($46). Winner is responsible for all taxes associated with prize receipt and/or use.  Odds of winning the Grand Prize depend on a number of factors including the number of eligible entries received during the Contest Period and listeners participating at any given time.

There is no substitution, transfer, or cash equivalent for prizes, except that the Station may, at its sole discretion and to the extent permitted by law, substitute prizes of comparable value or cash.  The prizes are expressly limited to the item(s) listed above and do not include taxes, gratuities or any other expenses.  Any tickets and/or gift certificates/cards awarded as part of a prize will be subject to the terms and conditions set forth by the issuer and are valid only on the date(s) printed on the tickets or gift certificates/cards.  Other restrictions may apply.

  1. Entry Conditions and Release. By entering, each participant agrees to: (a) comply with and be bound by these Official Rules and the decisions of the Station, which are binding and final in all matters relating to this Contest; (b) release and hold harmless Station, Cumulus Media Inc., and its subsidiaries, related and affiliated companies, participating sponsors, the prize suppliers and any other organizations responsible for sponsoring, fulfilling, administering, advertising or promoting the Contest, and each of their respective past and present officers, directors, employees, agents and representatives (collectively, the “Released Parties”) from and against any and all claims, expenses, and liability, including but not limited to negligence and damages of any kind to persons and property, including but not limited to invasion of privacy (under appropriation, intrusion, public disclosure of private facts, false light in the public eye or other legal theory), defamation, slander, libel, violation of right of publicity, infringement of trademark, copyright or other intellectual property rights, property damage, or death or personal injury arising out of or relating to a participant’s entry, creation of an entry or submission of an entry, participation in the Contest, acceptance or use or misuse of prize (including any travel or activity related thereto) and/or the broadcast, exploitation or use of entry; and (c) indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Released Parties from and against any and all claims, expenses, and liabilities (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising out of or relating to an entrant’s participation in the Contest and/or entrant’s acceptance, use, non-use or misuse of the prize.
  2. Except where prohibited by law, participation in the Contest constitutes winner’s consent to use by the Station and its agent of winner’s name, likeness, photograph, voice, opinions and/or biographical information (including hometown and state) for promotional purposes in any media, worldwide, without further payment or consideration.
  3. All state, local, federal and/or other taxes, duties, tariffs, title fees, licensing fees, or other fees for prizes awarded become the sole responsibility of the winner.  All those who win a prize or prizes valued $600 or more in any given year will be issued an IRS Form 1099 to report their winnings.
  4. General Conditions. Station reserves the right to cancel, suspend and/or modify the Contest, or any part of it, if any fraud, technical failures or any other factor beyond Station’s reasonable control impairs the integrity or proper functioning of the Contest, as determined by Station in its sole discretion. Station reserves the right in its sole discretion to disqualify any individual it finds to be tampering with the entry process or the operation of the Contest or to be acting in violation of these Official Rules or acting in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner. Any attempt by any person to deliberately undermine the legitimate operation of the Contest may be a violation of criminal and civil law, and, should such an attempt be made, Station reserves the right to seek damages from any such person to the fullest extent permitted by law. Station’s failure to enforce any term of these Official Rules shall not constitute a waiver of that provision.
  5. Limitations of Liability. The Released Parties are not responsible for: (1) any incorrect or inaccurate information, whether caused by Station, entrants, printing errors or by any of the equipment or programming associated with or utilized in the Contest; (2) technical failures of any kind, including but not limited to malfunctions, interruptions, or disconnections in phone lines or network hardware or software; (3) unauthorized human intervention in any part of the entry process or the Contest; (4) technical or human error which may occur in the administration of the Contest or the processing of entries; or (5) any injury or damage to persons or property which may be caused, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, from entrant’s participation in the Contest or receipt or use, non-use or misuse of any prize. No more than the stated number of prizes will be awarded. In event that a production, technical, programming or other error causes more than stated number of prizes as set forth in these Official Rules to be claimed, Station reserves the right to award only the stated number of prizes by a random drawing among all legitimate, unawarded, eligible prize claims.
  6. Entrant agrees that: (i) any and all disputes, claims and causes of action arising out of or connected with this Contest, or any prizes awarded, shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action; (ii) any and all disputes, claims and causes of action arising out of or connected with this Contest, or any prizes awarded, shall be resolved exclusively by the United States District Court or the appropriate state court located in the Station’s listening area; (iii) any and all claims, judgments and awards shall be limited to actual out-of-pocket costs incurred, including costs associated with entering this Contest, but in no event attorneys’ fees; and (iv) under no circumstances will entrant be permitted to obtain awards for, and entrant hereby waives all rights to claim punitive, incidental and consequential damages and any other damages, other than for actual out-of-pocket expenses, and any and all rights to have damages multiplied or otherwise increased. SOME JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW THE LIMITATIONS OR EXCLUSION OF LIABILITY FOR INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, SO THE ABOVE MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU. All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of these Official Rules, or the rights and obligations of entrant and Station in connection with the Contest, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the state in which the Station is located, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules (whether of the state in which the Station is located or any other jurisdiction), which would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the state in which the Station is located.
  7. Entrant’s Personal Information. Information collected from entrants is subject to Station’s Privacy Policy, which is available on the Station’s website under the “Privacy Policy” link. All entry blanks, forms, devices, and materials gathered during the course of entry, as well as all information contained therein, shall become the sole property of Station to be used, disposed of or destroyed in its sole discretion.  Station is not responsible for any incorrect or inaccurate information entered by website users, and assumes no responsibility for any error, omission, interruption, deletion, defect, delay in operation or transmission, communications line failure, theft or destruction or unauthorized access to Station’s website.
  8. Contest Results. A winners list may be obtained within thirty (30) days after the Contest Period expires by sending a self-addressed stamped envelope to the Station identified below.

CONTEST SPONSOR: Cumulus Media Holdings Inc., WKQX-FM, 455 N. CityFront Plaza, Chicago, IL 60611.

METRO, 3730 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60613

 

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Fall Out Boy set to play Wrigley Field

Fall Out Boy at the friendly confines of Wrigley Field, it’s happening. No confirmed date just yet, but Willmete’s finest will be playing at the home of Cubs which the band announced today online. The big news comes just a day before they release their long anticipated new album,‘ M A N I A’ tomorrow. FOB played a brief performance at Wrigley on opening day of last season, when the Cubbies played St. Louis. Expect the show to go down sometime later this year. 

FOB’s Pete Wentz previously expressed his desire to play Wrigley in the past. During a 2016 interview with the Chicago Tribune, Wentz shared his dream show for the band who have gone from VFW halls in the northern burbs to being one of the most successful bands in the world. Read that here.

As for the new album, the band is more than excited go somewhere new with their sound. “This [record] is the most off-script we’ve gone,” Stump told AltPress in a cover story on the alum. “I want to try to invent something, because life’s too short.”   

 

 

 

Measles in Chicago

A new year bring hope and promise… and it looks like 2018 is bringing us MEASLES.

The second confirmed case also out of O’Hare (might be time to start booking everything out of Midway…)

The measles virus can linger in the air and on surfaces for hours after an infected person leaves the area.  This infected person was at Terminal 5 Jan. 9th between 8:30a and noon according to the Illinois Department of Health.  Other time and locations in Skokie of potential exposure to the case can be found on the Sun Times site  HERE.

Signs and symptoms from the CDC HERE

(Inforgraphic from www.cdc.gov)

2018.  The year measles came back.

<3 @thelaurenoneil