CHANGE MY LOCATION
The Kills' Alison Mosshart has a model musical career
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Jamie Hince and Alison Mosshart are the Kills. The duo plays Popscene in San Francisco Feb. 14.
SAN FRANCISCO (Map, News) - Growing up in small-town Florida, Alison Mosshart was fascinated with iconic celebrity images, but she never once imagined herself as potential rock star material. She was happy that way.
"I mean, I always took pictures of myself, like I think most girls do — just kind of dress up and play different characters and photograph myself," remembers the singer, who left the States for London eight years ago to join U.K. guitarist/vocalist Jamie Hince in a blues-punk duo dubbed the Kills. The band plays Popscene in San Francisco Thursday.
"But photogenic? I never really thought of myself like that." It's with awe and amusement that she's welcomed doing professional modeling.
Onstage, the shy Mosshart's face is often hidden beneath her dark tresses, as she stands sideways, facing Hince when she warbles and wails. But her beauty is now high-profile in fashion shoots like the one she just wrapped for the Lindberg clothing line, alongside Depeche Mode's Dave Gahan.
"I don't know how these things come up, but they do," she says. "I just get asked to do them, and every once in a while there's one which I don't think is too offensive, and I'll do it. Plus, it's a nice extra source of income when you're not playing gigs. And honestly, it's funny to me, because these companies have got more money than you could imagine, and they don't ask you to do very much — just hang out in a studio for about five hours. It's pretty crazy.”
Mosshart is in such demand, she can't recall all her assignments. But despite the extra work, she says, "an average day for me is pretty much doing stuff for the Kills."
The platonic team (Mosshart has a beau of two years; Hince has been dating supermodel Kate Moss) put a Herculean amount of time and effort into "Midnight Boom," its upcoming third CD. For months, they traveled everywhere seeking inspiration — Michigan, Los Angeles, Mexico during hurricane season — but finally found it at home, in "Pizza pizza Daddio," a documentary on U.S. inner-city kids from the 1960s.
Fascinated by the dark wordplay and handclap rhythms of their jump rope songs, the Kills came up with their own hopscotch chants, like "Sour Cherry," "Alphabet Pony" and the new single "U.R.A. Fever." The concept perfectly fits the group's stripped-down sound.
Yet the modeling gigs came in handy; The Kills literally went bust making "Boom."
Mosshart says, "But you just get used to not having any money — that's the way that artists live. And it's not a bad thing. it's pretty much our normal standard. You get paid for your record deal once every two years, but that money goes away quite quickly once you make a record and travel."
IF YOU GO
The Kills
Where: Popscene, 330 Ritch St., San Francisco
When: 10 p.m. Feb. 14
Ticket: $5 to $8
Contact: (415) 541-9574 or www.popscene-sf.com
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Jane Fall said:
I went to Cher's August 6th performance at Casear's Palace ... expecting a show of a lifetime. She started her show 30 minutes late and the crowd was really antzy. They started screaming, yelling and clapping until she finally came out. When she arrived, she announced her voice was not at its best, and that she had thought about canceling the show ... but decided the show must go on .. which I was quite happy about. The show would have been "Much Better" if she had just sung ... and not taken a break after each song ... and then made us wait 5-10 minutes while the acrobats and dancers performed for us to kill time. Also, she showed way too much of her past ... taking time to show excerpts from each movie, all her old hairdo's and way too much with Sonny as though they had performed recently!!! I feel she could do away with all of this and just sing for the money that we paid,and I had to pay $28.00 taxes on this ticket. Save Your Money --- Get a CD! Not worth it!!!!
4 agree | 2 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
whatever. anger in UK, Britain, or wherever. if they're a punk band singing about life and how hard it is, they should do the usual. drink, do lots of drugs, sex up and down, then die into infamy as rockstars. don't pick that guitar too much.
2 agree | 3 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Anger does not solve a thing! Anger is how we got where we are today...anger at the 9/11 attacks, anger at terrorists, anger at anyone who would speak of the USA in anything but glowing terms. More anger only breeds more anger. Todd USED to focus on SOLUTIONS, not base emotions like anger. He is now just another angry punk with a guitar. the lyrics to Arena are inarguably the worst he's ever come up with - compare them to other Rundgren albums. He will be embarrassed by this CD in another 2 years when he gets some perspective on (and control over) his anger.
2 agree | 6 disagree
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Balderdash to this myth said:
At 54, I had to bemusedly read this article after the fallacious statement that states one does not look up in wonder at the world. In a word, that is simply balderdash: untrue tripe! I look at my world with, in, and full of wonder, every day. This is just another stereotype that will fall as healthier aging is experienced by millions. Some advice: whatever you've been told or led to believe about growing older is likely not true, being heavily biased. My suggestion is to keep and make friends of many different ages and learn and grow from each other.
3 agree | 2 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Obama's got my vote, and I don't think you should take Todds Statment about "Hope" as a large slam against Obama. Sure he's angry and I am too. My good paying job of 17 years went to China, we were lied into a very expencive war that was not at all necessary, this country has run up a record dept pushing a half a trillion for this year alone, the dollar isn't worth anything, gas is four dollars a gallion ect, do I have too go on? Yes this is a good time to be angry and it is time for change... big change.
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glitch said:
Todd has always been a bit of a left wing nut - "If you hope that the Earth is just going to go back to its normal temperature." And what is the earth's normal temperature Todd? That aside I've heard a couple cuts from this CD and they are just incredible - which is to be expected from this phenomenal musical genius. I absolutely can't wait to get TR's latest offering.
5 agree | 15 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Todd needs to grow up. He's such an angry old man it's scary. He says what bothered him about Obama is the message of hope? Just how in hell does one expect a change if one does not have hope that change can take place? In one of his new tunes he talks about losing his convictions....he could not be more correct. He has lost more than his convictions, he's lost his way and he's losing fans with every stop on this tour. People are walking out of these shows. Todd used to make people think in constructive ways, in ways that made the world have more COMPASSION instead of more ANGER. Go get some help for your late-life crisis - it's not so bad being 60. And being all pi$$ed off about it isn't helping you or anyone else. Get over yourself, write some decent tunes and try it again....unless you want your last effort to be a CD everyone looks back on as your worst ever...except those who will gladly kiss your arse just because you are "Todd".
38 agree | 42 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
The 60th birthday, "Toddstock" was phenominal. He opened his home and land to any fan who could fly to Kauai. The $300 covered a campsite in his yard, 2 meals a day, endless fresh fruit and 24/7 tap beer, Martini's and Mai Tai's, a Real Luau, the fun never ended. The Rundgren's were unbelievably gracious and had to have lost a lot of money on this party. Hodja451
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Examiner Reader said:
todds up to the challenge as long as you dont touch his money his land or any of his property....just everyone else....the average american. great musician, producer...moron of a human being
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Examiner Reader said:
"Could I save your life like you saved mine?" ... doesn't that refer to his own son? You actually quote him later saying "...the most selfish thing I could do, to leave my children..." This article could probably have used a bit more research.
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Examiner Reader said:
Camp Mather produced revenue of $1,490,000 in the 2001-2002 fiscal year. Campers paid fees totaling $1,352,000. Revenue from concessions included $16,000 from the general store and $1,000 from Mather Saddle. Camping fees were last raised in 1998. • The Strawberry Music Festival has used Camp Mather on the Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends for 20 years. RPD has extended its use through 2008. Strawberry Festival, Inc. paid RPD $121,000 for use of Camp Mather in the 2001- 2002 fiscal year. RPD staff members do not agree on whether use of Camp Mather by 5,000 persons over each weekend of this bluegrass festival has a negative environmental impact. • RPD anticipates that Camp Mather operating expenses, including facilities maintenance, will total $678,594 for the 2002-2003 fiscal year. The camp is projected to return revenue of $1,275,000 in the 2002-2003 fiscal year.
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Examiner Reader said:
The city has been neglecting Camp Mather for years and this increase in fees had better be accompanied by major improvements in the way they maintain this jewel of a camp. Parks & Recs own public financial statements from earlier this decade show total Camp Mather income of $1.6 million($125k from Strawberry, plus all the non-cash work). Out of this only $600k went back into Mather, the rest was siphoned off into The City's General Fund.
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Examiner Reader said:
I too have attended this festival since it's inception in 1982. This time, the Park & Rec dept. is cutting off its nose to spite its face. The rent increase will double the rent in five years time. They clearly want to "stick it" to the festival to off-set their new water treatment plant. The rent increases for the festival alone over the eighty year life of the plant total more money than the original cost of the plant. This is what some people would call: Rent Gouging ! Shame on You Parks & Rec. Dept.
12 agree | 11 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
I have attended this festival since it started. It is truly a beautiful and well organized family event. The festival leaves Mather sparkling. My children have grown up there and now return as adults. Why that this is even an issue with the Parks and Rec people is beyond me. Hopefully in this time of budget cuts, a wonderful, treasured money maker for the city will be allowed to continue on with it's wonderful tradition. SF Park and Rec, Wake up!
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Examiner Reader said:
Regarding the article on the problems with the lease for the Strawberry Music Festival. If the rent was the only thing Strawberry brought to Mather that would be one thing, but they also clean the the camp grounds prior to the festival and after the festival the camp staff mentioned it is cleaner than at any time of the year. Yes in this time when State, County and City budgets are in a squeeze and in need of money nothing is going to replace the festival at Mather. I am a consultant for another music festival and when I read the the City would not be able to tender a contract until August I couldn't believe what I just read. No festival could allow that short of a lead time knowing they may not have a facility for the next year. Within a week or so after the festival you begin planing for the next one. I can't believe that since November the City has not been able to specify the "outstanding issues". Is this they way the conduct their business in all ways?
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Examiner Reader said:
ilove cher im not dissopointed with her at all;
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Heidy from Holland said:
I went to the Cher show and also saw her Farewall tour in Holland in 2002. I thought the 'opening' night was very dissapointing, her voice wasn't very good and a very stiff public, no dancing at all. I think after this show she should retire. Yes a legend but don't push it.
10 agree | 12 disagree
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Ian H said:
I can't wait to see these guys at the Greek on Saturday. "Living Well's the Best Revenge" is their best barn-burner since the Monster tour 13 years ago. And as a 20-year fan, I'm totally with Buck on the layering. Thanks for leading the charge on a great album, Peter!
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Music Lover said:
Cher is amazing...a true legend! She got the talent 4ever. Her Music & Show nobody can do, only her!
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Examiner Reader said:
Asia show at the Ballroom was fabulous. Steve was complete animated like I have never seen at a yes show. Carl Palmer, what can you say except assume? Did anyone buy the $30 wrist band of the Show? Wondering how it sounds.
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Examiner Reader said:
nice. we remember seeing the band in Dan's Bar and the G street pub in sacto and playing with other local bands trying to launch out of San Fran, and thriving ivory did it while others feel off the face of the earth. bravo.
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Examiner Reader said:
Was very disappointed with Nick Lowe. My new ex fav. Acoustic on stage with a mic for his warmup then with him. How about a band, some pub rock? It was like Donovan in a bad time warp. I remember when that bard used to rock and roll... sadly...
16 agree | 14 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Ray Davies' "Peace In Our Time" is about a troubled relationship, not about the end of the war. Please read the lyrics before writing your article. Rolling Stone made the same error. You'd think the media in San Francisco could learn to read before writing. Thank you.
18 agree | 13 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
$215, plus fees, for such an ecclectic lineup? No thanks.
18 agree | 15 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Regarding "Come to the Cabaret" no mention has been made of how the new Razz Room intends to include local artist or even if they will be able to book the room as in the old days with the Plush Room. While it is nice to know that the "Big Names!" in Cabaret will have a place to play, it would be nice to know that the little man will still be considered. That's what was nice about The Plush. It did provide opportunity for local talent.
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Examiner Reader said:
Can't wait for this. Biffy Clyro are probably the best band on the planet at the moment.
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Examiner Reader 2 said:
Actually, spreading 'virally on the Internet' is how Ms. Gauthier seems to be getting her music heard these days. Being from Britain, of course, you don't fathom the sorry state of US radio. And it appears she wants nothing more than to share these multilingual versions of her song with listeners around the world, for free. Perhaps sparking some understanding, or at least a potential discussion, in the process. Aided, of course, by that malevolent Machiavellian device, the Internet. Does that sound like a self-centered 'celebrity' to you? We Yanks aren't as stupid as we look.
135 agree | 128 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
I doubt that Mr.Lanham did anything more that reprint a press release, which will no doubt spread virally on the Internet and make money for Ms. Gauthier as "news." This is the problem with celebrity culture and the lack of a world view in the United States. To think that a song which stands to make the "artist" some money is going to stop the torture that is life in the Mideast is a grave disservice to the people suffering there. Celebrities are a simple-minded lot and Americans believe them. From UK visitor
173 agree | 148 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
great band - great show!
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Examiner Reader said:
Huey was hot in the 80's, but now it's sort of sad to see that he's becoming, well, middle aged. I'm glad to see that he can still rock and roll even though it makes me feel old!
408 agree | 439 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
I know this is a really third-rate rag and you're doing the best you can, but would it kill you to proofread a bit and spell the names of the people you quote correctly?
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"Weird" Michael said:
Good article! I always head that Al got his nick name "Weird Al" whilst attending university. deadairpodcast
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MCRGirl said:
Interesting.
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