January 04, 2009
ART AND OTHER ATTRACTIONS
The usual work vibe is slowly creeping back in - and I don't mind at all. I have had enough time to rest up and enjoy the holidays. Now my head turns to 09. I know that I will be going to the NAMM show - I believe I will be doing something at the Gibson Guitars Stand for the new Dark Fire guitar (the one I played in December at The Roxy) - and I think its on January 15th. I will get more details but if you are a guitarist or a tech head, drop by and say hello on that day. I also hope to be up at Sundance after that - either with Camp Freddy or DJing, although confirmations are still to be had. And as always, its not for sure until its over! One event that I do know about is this art show at The Pop Factory on Melrose Ave in Los Angeles on Saturday January 10th. The artist, Rome Apple, is a friend of mine, and I already have a piece by her. If you are into Pop/Modern/Contemporary Art - give it a look. I love her work. Once I finally finish playing Resistance 2 on the PS3, I will get my head into gear and start thinking about some new music - Billy Morrison/Circus Diablo - who knows how it'll see the light of day. But I feel another record coming on this year in some form or another. More Freddy as well for sure, as and when it happens. Until then - hit me with yer 09 questions.
Billy
Posted by vivelerock at 09:01 PM | Comments (7)
December 31, 2008
HAPPY NEW YEAR
After a few days with the phone pretty much switched off, and the computer in sleep mode, I am feeling nicely chilled and ready to tackle 2009. I'm now back into LA after a nice easy time in the desert and ready for tonight's celebrations. Although I really am not sure what I'll be doing. I know that being in a car between parties sucks! Done that a few times, in my haste to get away from one place and get to the 'real party' - which is usually just as shit anyway!! So I now pick one destination and stick with it. Tonight could be the Travis/AM party, or it could be a friends house in the hills for a quiet game of cards and the TV. I don't know yet. The holidays were pretty uneventful and I really just enjoyed the time away from the usual technology that pervades my every waking minute! Sometimes you just gotta realize that it has an "Off" switch!
What a year it's been. I am so extremely greatful for the fantastic things I got to do this year, and for the wonderful people I got to do those things with: - not least, I got to be married for another year to my gorgeous (and very patient!) wife Jennifer. Still madly in love after 7 years together. And 2008 was absolutely the busiest and most successful year so far for Camp Freddy. Two residencies at the Roxy in May and December. Billy Idol, Ozzy Osbourne, Billy Gibbons and Paul Stanley all joined the Camp Freddy family, along with hundreds of our usual friends and guest artists. We hit Chicago, Vegas, Aspen, New York and had an amazing time doing it all. Scott P...staying strong, getting better and fighting the disease - we love you. Brent - thank you for everything. Rick - welcome to our wonderfully dysfunctional family. And to Dave, Matt, Chris and Donovan - you guys are my inspiration and my light. What we do together is very special and I love you all.
I flew to the East Coast to be in a movie and I finished a screenplay with Jennifer. We actually got paid for it. In a town full of unemployed actors, writers and directors, I believe this is quite a big deal! I continued to DJ, actually started to get better at it, and found myself spinning at parties and events regularly. I spent two full weeks scuba diving in Cozumel - in the middle of a fucking hurricane!! I also finally released the Stimulator album after 10 years. What a great feeling to see that record get officially released. I did the whole thing myself, from artwork to pressing to digital distribution. I earnt more money from that release than I did from the Circus Diablo album. This speaks volumes about the state of the music industry. It also means that the 'DIY' approach will enable musicians to continue creating music and that I, for one, will be doing it again.
2009 will be upon us in a few hours and I look forward to more of the same. Camp Freddy is already lining up shows (as well as a couple of other things) for the coming months. I am beginning to write some music to go with the tracks that I recorded this year with Patrick Cornell (in some fashion, I will be releasing more original music next year). Jennifer and I just completed our next screenplay together and will be starting a third very soon. The first one will go into production this coming year. And if all goes well, I have at least two movies that I will be acting in, on the calendar for 2009. Hopefully I will be doing more of that as the year rolls out. And finally I have to thank the faithful! The people who continue to email me, post on this site, message me on the MySpace profile.....I know I say it a lot but you guys are the ones that keep it all going. Continue to give me energy (and I have tons of that!!). Please, all of you, be safe tonight and wake up tomorrow in a new year. Renew your spirit. Be thankful for another year. And thank you all.
Peace
Billy
(CLOSED)
Posted by vivelerock at 07:53 AM | Comments (11)
December 24, 2008
OZZY AND FREDDY AT THE ROXY
Tired. Drained. Beat. Mentally Exhausted. Emotionally Bankrupt. Spiritually Enlightened. These words describe how I feel after five hours sleep and one of the best Camp Freddy shows in the bands seven years. The noise that the audience made when we brought the one and only Mr Ozzy Osbourne out to the stage was deafening. And Crazy Train, Iron Man and Paranoid brought the house down. I don't care who you are - watching a true legend like Ozzy perform in a small club like that is a very special and very intense experience. Standing on the stage with him playing those iconic songs is beyond. Linda Perry, Steve Jones, Juliette Lewis, Naveen Andrews, Chris Vrenna, Mark McGrath and Royston Langdon were all part of the final show at The Roxy. And we closed the month long residency with Ozzy and huge smiles all around. The energy was electric, both from the completely sold out venue and the band onstage. Huge thank you's go out to all the musicians and performers that took part in the shows with us. I hope everyone who played, came out, watched and experienced these gigs had as good a time as we did. I would imagine that pictures and video will be flowing freely as usual and when I get it all, I'll put it up here. I want to wish everyone Happy Holidays and thank each and every one of you for the love and support. 2009, baby. More of the same coming your way soon.
(CLOSED)
Posted by vivelerock at 07:57 AM | Comments (13)
