Stars Down at The Galaxy Theater

Lukas Rossi and Stars Down played a concert in Santa Ana at The Galaxy Theater recently, along with another one of my favorite bands – LA Guns – so of course I had to go! Who could resist? This was the first time I’d heard this particular line up of the band, and I loved the fact that they have two guitars now! Plus Lukas sounded as good as ever – he really is a huge talent!

I’m posting a few images from this concert as a teaser, but there are more in the RockBandLounge.com slideshow… http://rockbandlounge.com/news/2010-08-20-stars-down/

Lukas Rossi and Stars Down at The Galaxy Theater in Santa Ana, California.

Lukas Rossi and Stars Down

Lukas Rossi and Stars Down at The Galaxy Theater in Santa Ana, California.

Stars Down at The Galaxy Theater // Photo: Cheryl Spelts

Stars Down at The Galaxy Theater // Photo: Cheryl Spelts

Lukas Rossi and Stars Down at The Galaxy Theater in Santa Ana, California

Lukas Rossi and Stars Down at The Galaxy Theater in Santa Ana, California.

Stars Down at The Galaxy Theater // Photo: Cheryl Spelts

Stars DownStars Down at The Galaxy Theater // Photo: Cheryl Spelts

Stars Down at The Galaxy Theater // Photo: Cheryl Spelts

This is just a selection of images – to see a slideshow with more from this concert, go to http://rockbandlounge.com/news/2010-08-20-stars-down/

Malibu, California

Almost everyone is at least a little bit fascinated by the idea of Malibu – movie stars and rock stars living in beautiful mansions right on the beach – how fabulous is that? But if you focus on just the celebrity homes, you’ll miss some of my favorite parts of Malibu. It really is all about the beach!

Barbed Wire Fence // Photo: Cheryl Spelts

Pretty Weeds // Photo: Cheryl SpeltsThe Beach // Photo: Cheryl Spelts

House in Malibu // Photo: Cheryl Spelts

Barbed Wire and the Beach // Photo: Cheryl SpeltsPretty Weeds // Photo: Cheryl Spelts

Pretty Weeds // Photo: Cheryl SpeltsBeach through Barbed Wire // Photo: Cheryl Spelts

The Ocean // Photo: Cheryl Spelts

House in Malibu // Photo: Cheryl SpeltsPatterns in the Sand // Photo: Cheryl Spelts

Shimmering Sand // Photo: Cheryl SpeltsMalibu Gate // Photo: Cheryl Spelts

House in Malibu // Photo: Cheryl SpeltsSand Patterns in Malibu // Photo: Cheryl Spelts

Ocean Birds // Photo: Cheryl Spelts

Patterns in the Sand // Photo: Cheryl SpeltsCairn in Malibu // Photo: Cheryl Spelts

Previous Songs of the Day…

When I love a song, I really love it… So I started sharing some of my favorites on Twitter, and over time it’s grown into my Song of the Day. I’ve been archiving my picks manually on my blog – but since it wasn’t automated, it was rarely as up-to-date as I’d like it to be. So I’ve decided to move the whole thing from Twitter, to my blog, which will then update Twitter – it’s a big circle – but it works!

So here’s a list of all my previous picks… A true archive!

“My Best Theory” by Jimmy Eat World – http://youtube.com/watch?v=lk47ecL1z5w My threat, My appetite, My true desire  22 Oct
“Say You’ll Haunt Me” by Stone Sour – http://youtube.com/watch?v=eEn-nTkbEM0 21 Oct
“Radioactive” by Kings Of Leon – http://youtube.com/watch?v=wPBbMbKSZrQ 20 Oct
“Politicians” by Switchfoot – http://youtube.com/watch?v=sbLYYrytGqY 19 Oct
“Animal” by Neon Trees – http://youtube.com/watch?v=qY–Yu4kzz0 18 Oct
“Alien” by Pennywise – http://youtube.com/watch?v=a_txOETYz6s 17 Oct
“Bubble Toes” by Jack Johnson – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PKdX1n5wn8 14 Oct
“Taylor” by Jack Johnson – http://youtube.com/watch?v=dTXqR1nsEMo 13 Oct
“Good People” by Jack Johnson – http://youtube.com/watch?v=hxuCLopcEy4 12 Oct
“At Or With Me” by Jack Johnson – http://youtube.com/watch?v=vM_10MzkX6k 11 Oct
“Wasting Time” by Jack Johnson – http://youtube.com/watch?v=ebpTPmRiCHA 10 Oct
“Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” by Wham! – http://youtube.com/watch?v=pIgZ7gMze7A&ob=av2e 7 Oct
“Need You Tonight” by INXS – http://youtube.com/watch?v=gkLL7JdnIk0 6 Oct
“Take My Breath Away” by Berlin – http://youtube.com/watch?v=NEOem7U2LPE 5 Oct
“I Wanna Be A Cowboy” by Boy’s Don’t Cry – http://youtube.com/watch?v=s05jcrJw0as 4 Oct
“Eyes Can’t See” by Marty Casey & The Lovehammers – http://youtube.com/watch?v=IKCLxQiEPfA Should’ve learned by now… 1 Oct
“Driving Blind” by Marty Casey & The Lovehammers – http://youtube.com/watch?v=2HLlQ22NpP8 30 Sep
“Mr Brightside” by Marty Casey – http://youtube.com/watch?v=Xd8-M2F3nPQ It was only a kiss, it was only a kiss 29 Sep
“I See Stars” by Marty Casey – http://youtube.com/watch?v=zynn03FEP44 Come with me… 28 Sep
“(Hit Me) Baby One More Time” by Marty Casey – http://youtube.com/watch?v=Z1SM0kdLoFE I must confess, I still believe… 27 Sep
“Creep” by Marty Casey – http://youtube.com/watch?v=Lyn9LndGYj4 I want a perfect body, I want a perfect soul 26 Sep
“Summer’s End” by Foo Fighters – http://youtube.com/watch?v=uT_DLuDnxkg Golden lips & cherry wine, Moonshine in your hair 24 Sep
“Monkey Wrench” by Foo Fighters – http://youtube.com/watch?v=I7rCNiiNPxA What do you do when all your enemies are friends? 23 Sep
“Times Like These” by Foo Fighters http://youtube.com/watch?v=rhzmNRtIp8k It’s times like these you learn to live again 22 Sep
“Wheels” by Foo Fighters http://youtube.com/watch?v=ONkiLR5Ehys I wanted something beautiful, I wished for something true 21 Sep
“Everlong” Acoustic and Live by Dave Grohl – http://youtube.com/watch?v=PGQAfolOJUI Breathe out, so I can breathe you in 19 Sep
“Teenage Dream” by Katy Perry –http://youtube.com/watch?v=98WtmW-lfeE 17 Sep
“Thinking Of You” by Katy Perry – http://youtube.com/watch?v=kxfxDycUVnE 16 Sep
“Hot N Cold” by Katy Perry – http://youtube.com/watch?v=X75mry1LcFg 15 Sep
“Waking Up in Vegas” by Katy Perry – http://youtube.com/watch?v=1-pUaogoX5o 14 Sep
“California Gurls” by Katy Perry ft. Snoop Dogg – http://youtube.com/watch?v=CwE-SLnLkqY 13 Sep
“Love Hurts” by Incubus – http://youtube.com/watch?v=Wy-S2WrX-8o ’cause without love I won’t survive. 10 Sep
“Unwritten” by Natasha Bedingfield – http://youtube.com/watch?v=b7k0a5hYnSI Drench yourself in words unspoken… 9 Sep
“Taste It” by INXS – http://youtube.com/watch?v=J8d-MpFziDE Sweet, sweet, sweet… Could you taste it? 8 Sep
“Taste You” by Melissa Auf Der Maur – http://youtube.com/watch?v=SOhCGJ9IKRk Tempt you with it now… I will taste you. 7 Sep
“Taste” by Josh Abbott Band http://youtube.com/watch?v=WXZ2Hk2Bvrw Our lips collide in a burning ride with a warm embrace 6 Sep
“Eyes Can’t See” by Lovehammers – http://youtube.com/watch?v=IKCLxQiEPfA Wanna hop on a plane and see a show NOW! 2 Sep
“After Hours” by We Are Scientists – http://youtube.com/watch?v=rv2_LSIujHk Thoughtful, sometimes epic, vaguely danceable 1 Sep
“Must be Dreaming” by Frou Frou – http://youtube.com/watch?v=uryUCVhjtr4 31 Aug
“Check My Brain” by Alice In Chains – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZTQ7xlFFA8 30 Aug
“Californication” by Red Hot Chili Peppers – http://youtube.com/watch?v=YlUKcNNmywk If you want these kind of dreams… 27 Aug
“Dragonfly” LIVE by Patrice Pike – http://youtube.com/watch?v=29VRN-Uvkc4 26 Aug
“This Is War” by 30 Seconds To Mars – http://youtube.com/watch?v=LPajZ0074Ks It’s a brave new world!v24 Aug
“In The Sun” by She & Him – http://youtube.com/watch?v=pZ3cTwI9bIw How can you not like Zooey Deschanel? 23 Aug
Vintage Trouble live at Harvelle’s Blues Bar Gracefully – http://youtube.com/watch?v=Mk_t7yc1j2M Ty Taylor’s new band! 20 Aug
“The High Road” by Broken Bells http://youtube.com/watch?v=gWBG1j_flrg 19 Aug
“My Body” by Young the Giant http://youtube.com/watch?v=DlrrYYPvHFA Orange County band signed to Roadrunner Records 18 Aug
“California Via Tennessee” by Shooter Jennings – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7ti6L93dGw 17 Aug
“The Fixer” by Pearl Jam – http://youtube.com/watch?v=U-K_MHXeO2Q Love this one! So awesome! 16 Aug
“YOU” by Deanna Johnston – http://youtube.com/watch?v=gHepSQKO7qU Sultry and gorgeous… 13 Aug
“Barricade” by Interpol – http://youtube.com/watch?v=6W873FDIviM Full speed half blind, full tilt decline… 12 Aug
“Skinny Little Bitch” by Hole – http://youtube.com/watch?v=FbOmwSPoR-E 11 Aug
“Collector” by Here We Go Magic – http://youtube.com/watch?v=EKLKszXzHts It’s dizzyingly hypnotic and fun! 10 Aug
“Believe” by Suzie McNeil – http://youtube.com/watch?v=aByA-svpXYw Suzie with a full orchestra and Olympic athletes! 9 Aug
“Real A Lie” by Melissa Auf Der Maur – http://youtube.com/watch?v=m2lSa8Bnx_M I want to make a video like this someday… 6 Aug
“No Mercy” LIVE by LA Guns w/ Marty Casey – http://youtube.com/watch?v=0fYtBN0ENMs Missed this live? You missed out… 5 Aug
“Let go” by Frou frou – http://youtube.com/watch?v=x52w8txtiQs Love me if you dare… 4 Aug
“Hollywood” by Lukas Rossi http://youtube.com/watch?v=lP9K8sW80kQ It’s Lukas NOW and it’s beautiful. 3 Aug
“Never Tear Us Apart” by INXS featuring Ben Harper http://www.inxs.com/ben_harper_inxs.htm Brand New Song! Released today! 2 Aug
“Taste It” from the Max Sessions by INXS 2.0 – http://youtube.com/watch?v=vX04kgi9VKY Is there such a thing as too sexy? 31 Jul
“Elegantly Wasted” by INXS – http://youtube.com/watch?v=D2SRrUGW5Gw Sexier than you thought was humanly possible… 30 Jul
“Madame Chung” by Mink http://youtube.com/watch?v=xpXESO9b7yM Hear it tonight on the season two premiere of Jersey Shore! 29 Jul
“Driving Blind” by Marty Casey & The Lovehammers – http://youtube.com/watch?v=2HLlQ22NpP8 So luscious… 28 Jul
“Teenage Dream” by Katy Perry http://youtube.com/watch?v=8fj2HVYlD_4 Come on… Listen to it! It’s really good! 27 Jul
“Breathe” by Ryan Star – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUKO6yOWm-g 26 Jul
“A New Day” by Tamar Kaprelian http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBtU8POWZgA 24 Jul

Terri Nunn and Berlin in Thousand Oaks

As promised… images of Berlin, live in concert at the Civic Arts Plaza in Thousand Oaks!

Terri Nunn

Terri NunnBerlin

BerlinTerri Nunn

BerlinBerlin

Terri NunnTerri Nunn

Terri Nunn

Terri Nunn and BerlinBerlin had a string of hits in the 1980s, including The Metro, Sex (I’m A…), Take My Breath Away – which was featured prominently in Top Gun – and my personal favorite, No More Words.

I first saw the band in concert two years ago – at Crash Mansion in downtown LA – and fell in love then. And even though it was a shorter set this time, and the production was less elaborate, the band sounded better. The Thousands Oaks Civic Plaza theater may not be the typical rock concert hall – the ushers are all senior citizens and dress up for events in matching uniforms – and the staff seems more used to producing Broadway shows, than hosting rock and pop stars. But what the hall lacks in rock cred, it makes up for in sound quality. I loved hearing Terri Nunn’s voice in that hall!

Berlin was the last act of the night, and they really were the perfect way to end the show. So many hits. So much passion and joy and emotion. It was just maybe, my favorite part of the night!

To see the slideshow from this concert, go to ROCKBANDLOUNGE.COM – the images of Berlin are at the very end – and they’re slightly larger than here!

80’s All-Star Party | Benefit Concert

Nick Richards 80's ConcertLast weekend some of the biggest artists of the ’80s got together for a benefit concert at the Fred Kavli Theatre in the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza. Boys Don’t Cry, Terri Nunn & Berlin, Garry Beers from INXS, Fee Waybill from the Tubes, Martha Davis & The Motels, Roy Hay from Culture Club, and Deon Estus from Wham performed some of their biggest hits. Original MTV VJ Martha Quinn, DJ Richard Blade, and actress Jane Seymour hosted the event.

I initially heard about the concert because of the INXS connection – I have friends who hear about everything – and they pass it on! And seeing bassist Garry Beers onstage again was great. He was clearly having a good time, and is so much fun to shoot!

But that wasn’t the only highlight of the night for me! I absolutely loved seeing Berlin again – in fact, I’m saving those images for another post tomorrow – and they’re HOT! And I got introduced to a brand new band, made up of four fourteen-year-olds – more about them next week. And I got to shoot one of the sexiest men from the mid 1980’s – Nick Richards was (and still is) in a band called Boys Don’t Cry, and their big hit was called “I Wanna Be a Cowboy”, which peaked at #12 on the Hot 100 in 1986. The video featured Nick in a clawfoot bathtub – which I love – and he has the sexiest eyes.

I also loved meeting Martha Quinn for the first time, and meeting Richard Blade again – he was backstage occasionally during Rock Star: INXS, and he introduced INXS at The Greek in 2006, and hosted Rock Star: Supernova at Universal City Walk – so I’ve crossed paths with him quite a few times!

But perhaps the highlight of the night was when Fee Waybill of the Tubes came out to perform his biggest hit, “She’s a Beauty” and the crowd got excited – and Fee was clearly touched. It was great! Spontaneous joy from the crowd and real appreciation from the singer. Just very cool!

Boys Don't Cry

80's All-Stars PartyNick Richards

Garry Beers and Nick Richards

Martha QuinnBoys Don't Cry

Garry Beers

Fee Waybill

Garry BeersNick Richards

The MotelsGarry Beers

Garry Beers

And yes, I did sneak an awful lot of Garry Beers into this post – but there’s a reason for it! Even though I’ve seen INXS perform live over a dozen times, I’ve only shot the band live in concert once – way back in 2006 – and during the one and only time I shot them, I didn’t get very many images of Garry. Six members in a band, and only three songs to shoot, so not a lot of margin for error… and I accidently shortchanged Garry that night. So this was my chance to make up for that oversight – and I made the most of it!

To see the slideshow from this concert, go to ROCKBANDLOUNGE.COM – and yes, there are more images in it – and they’re bigger than here! Or, check out Facebook in the coming days for some backstage photos

I have a palm tree!

My Palm Tree // Photo: Cheryl SpeltsI haven’t written much about my new home here – I’m still in the middle of painting and building shelves and removing wallpaper – which is NOT fun. Well painting is fun, but removing wallpaper is definitely not! But today I wanted to share one of my favorite things about my new home. I have a palm tree!

I would probably never plant a palm tree – I don’t really care for the short ones, I like the super-tall Hollywood palm trees that line main streets all over Southern California. The kind of palm trees that are disappearing in some areas. The kind of palm tree that’s expensive, and takes many years to reach it’s full height. The kind that doesn’t add much value to the landscaping of an individual home, since they’re so tall, you don’t even see them unless you look up.

But this house came with exactly the kind of palm tree that I like best.

It’s as tall as they come, just as tall as the palm trees in Hollywood. It’s in a corner of the yard and it’s so tall, you don’t even see it – unless of course you look up… Which is exactly what I did today!

An added bonus? I can see where my house is from at least a mile away – I just have to look for that sky-high palm.