mascara & monsters

Ah, the 1990s: a time of Power Rangers, Push Pops and Gameboys. It’s also a decade that gave us Nirvana, and a slew of recording artists that became one-hit wonders. But there are a few whose CDs (or in some cases, cassette tapes) are discovered dislodged from behind the stereo, that make you go hmmm (sorry, C+C Music Factory, I had to do it) I wonder what happened to them?

So with S Club 7, Steps, the Vengaboys and AQUA all reforming (a sign of the apocalypse, perhaps?), and Hanson reviving their career with an audience who are now mostly in their mid- to late-20s, here’s a hit list of who would be destined to grace the pages of Smash Hits magazine, if it were still in publication today, as a comeback act from the ‘90s. (RIP Smash Hits and your constantly incorrect Backstreet Boys lyrics.)

Press play!

Cleopatra
Super annoying sisters Cleo, Yonah, and Zainam Higgins formed Cleopatra in 1998 and released the equally annoying “Cleopatra’s Theme” the same year. And totally ruined 1998 for everyone. And good news, pop tarts, they’re still together. As the girls say, Comin’ Atcha!

S.O.A.P
Danish sisters Heidi and Saseline Sørensen formed S.O.A.P in 1998 (what is it about sisters forming drippy dance-pop groups in the late ‘90s?) Remember the song “This Is How We Party?” and the cheeky “Ladidi Ladida” with the oh-so-subtle lyrics of “I want to see you come/into my life/before I give you some/ Ladidi Ladida”? I so wonder what that’s about… Anyway, the girls called it a day after two years.

B*Witched
Irish girl group B*Witched released the sickly kitsch tune “C’est La Vie” and followed it up with the equally syrupy “Rollercoaster” and “Blame It On The Weatherman” in the ‘90s. In 2002, they split, but the girls still had various careers within the music industry. I smell a reformation…

Whigfield
God, I love that song “Sexy Eyes”, released in 1996. Danish Eurotrash poppet Sannie Charlotte Carlson, who is better known as Whigfield, started her dance quest in ’92. And Whiggy is still cutting records. Last year, she released the single “C’est Cool”. Awesome.

Savage Garden
Who would have guessed that frontman Darren Hayes would announce he was gay after penning some of the most romantic poptastic lyrics? And that Daniel Jones would marry a member of Hi-5? Regardless of their personal lives, Savage Garden were the biggest band in the land (and in the US too), and while Mr Hayes is into a techno fantasy for his solo career, I’m dreaming of a reunion with Mr Jones to do some shows. Not like John Farnham though, that’s just lame.

The Cardigans
“Love me, love me, pretend that you love me…” Who could resist the coquettish Lolita-esque vocals of The Cardigans frontwoman Nina Persson in “Lovefool”? Yes, the lead song to Baz Luhrmann’s 1996 blockbuster Romeo + Juliet sent girls into a tizzy. And good thing for those desperate to relive their Clare-and-Leo-oh-you’re-so-gorgeous-through-a-fishtank moment, these Swedes are still touring.

Silverchair
By the time we get to see Newcastle school boys again, they will be known as Silver Hair. Seriously. They called it a day in 2011 with the glorious term “indefinite hiatus” but they’ll be back. They better be.

M2M
Pokemon prodigies and Norwegian pop cuties Marion Raven and Marit Larsen came into the Pokemon soundtrack as M2M with “Don’t Say You Love Me”. If, like me, you own the Pokemon soundtrack, you can play it over and over and over now, because the group lasted only three years. They were pulled from Jewel’s tour in 2002 due to poor album sales. I blame Jewel, personally.

Which ‘90s acts would you like to see make a comeback?

While Australia didn’t fair too well in the highest selling singles and albums for 2011 (who am I kidding, Oz music didn’t even rate on the charts apart from Gotye!), it’s time to look at 2012 and see what Oz artists are doing this year. There are a lot of debut albums from Oz acts in 2012, and here are some that got my attention…

Catcall
Satellites – an electro fusion with coatings of sugary pop – Catcall is the guise of Catherine Kelleher. Her debut album The Warmest Place is due out in April or May this year, and I, for one, am excited to see what this kitty can pull off.

Gold Fields
During 2010, Ballarat fivesome Gold Fields went from day jobs to a sold-out gig at Melbourne’s Ding Dong Lounge in less than six months. Here’s why: you take little bit of Friendly Fires, mix it up with some dark, dramatic pop elements and add some glow-in-the-dark body paint – then you have Gold Fields. Their debut album is due in April-May.

Ladyhawke
Kiwi lass Pip Brown stole our hearts – and some ARIAs – with her gorgeous synth-infused debut album. In March, Ms Brown will release her follow up, Anxiety, and she sticks to her roots – there’s still an electro heart with some heavier guitars this time around.

San Cisco
From the cutesy call-and-response pop tune Awkward, this Fremantle-based indie-pop band perfectly captured the 21st century teen dilemma of text messaging and stalking after a first date goes awry. They currently have two EPs out, so a debut album could be close behind.

Last Dinosaurs
Expect more weird dance-pop craziness from this Brisbane band with their first album In A Million Years, due out in March. Strangely enough, two of the band members’ names translate to variations of “dinosaur” in Japanese.

Bleeding Knees Club
Part surf sounds, part indie-punk, this Gold Coast duo releases their debut album Nothing To Do in March. Sounds a little like the Beach Boys got drunk and had a fling with Joan Jett and then these two crazy kids are the love children from that fateful tryst. Like ear candy, only tastier.

Pond
Three members of Tame Impala got bored and decided to churn out some pop-rock with a neon-bright synth core. Think MGMT on steroids. This March, we’ll hear more of the trio when Beard Wives Denim comes out. Mint.

And keep your ear to the ground for…

The Temper Trap – The Melbourne lads are launching a follow up to their crazy gazillion-platinum selling album Conditions mid-2012.

Stonefield – Rumour has it this cute-as-pie sweethearts with the bluesy-soul vibe will record their debut album in Melbourne with a producer who was once part of one of Australia’s leading rock bands. Yes, I have the insight goss.

The Veronicas – yes, Billy Corgan wrote some tracks on the record but no word as to when the twins will release it.

Empire of the Sun – Luke Steele and Nick Littlemore have kissed and made up, so we can expect some new euphoric electro splendour sometime this year.

Have I missed any Oz acts? Which Australian releases are you excited for this year?

Ah, 2011. Gotye doffed his clothes, donned body paint AND cleaned up at the ARIAs with an all-killer, no-filler album, Boy & Bear gave Mumford & Sons a run for their banjos, and Metallica angered the rock gods by teaming up with Lou Reed for the shambolic Lulu.

It’s been a year of hits (sayonara Video Hits) and misses (Lady Gaga’s 10 remix albums released this year and arriving in an egg to the Grammys). So in homage to 2011, here is my countdown of the good, the bad and the ugly.

(Yes, I am aware my choices are slightly pop, slightly indie, but I this is the edited version of what I originally had. Tell me any you think I’ve missed.)

Good

Gotye – Making Mirrors
Marimbas and xylophones never sounded so cool. And body paint will never been interpreted the same way ever again. Listen: I Feel Better, Somebody That I Used To Know

Boy & Bear – Moonfire
Swept the ARIAs clean and has Joe Chicarelli’s stamp all over it, but this record still has a lush, crisp, banjo-plucking sound. Listen: Feeding Line, Percy Warner Park

Florence & The Machine – Ceremonials
How mainstream pop music should sound – majestic, glorious and glowing. Thanks Flo. Listen: Only If For A Night, Shake It Out

The Vaccines – What Did You Expect From The Vaccines
Well, expect a smidge of The Strokes, a bit of The Ramones punky angst and some pop thrown in. Listen: Wetsuit, If You Wanna

Kimbra – Vows
The pint-sized Kiwi poppet with the big voice shows off her lyrical flair and love of found objects to make a pop frenzy on her first album. Listen: Settle Down, Two Way Street

Pnau – Soft Universe
Elton John helped Nick Littlemore and Pete Mayes hone their boogie. Listen: Unite, The Truth

Joan As Police Woman – The Deep Field
Jeff Buckley’s girlfriend churns out soul-embracing, beautiful, soaring pop with a lot of heart. Listen: The Magic, Flash

The Kills – Blood Pressures
Written by Jamie Hince as the other half of the Kills – the sexy and illusive Alison Mosshart – was busy fronting and touring with The Dead Weather, this record is perfect booty-shaking rock in every way. Listen: Baby Says, Future Starts

The Vines – Future Primitive
The comeback kids of rock give it their all on their fifth album and get back to basics. Listen: Future Primitive, Gimme Love

Bad

Lou Reed and Metallica – Lulu
WTF? Enough said. Listen: Don’t bother with this one.

Vanessa Amorosi – V
Too broad, too many genres stuffed into one – from ska, rap, pop, rock, the list goes on – and with lines like “I love you/ love you like ice-cream… Yum” it’s about as deep as Paris Hilton’s underwear drawer. Listen: Ice-Cream

Sleeper of the Year

CAKE- Showroom of Compassion
I don’t know why this album flopped here, but it’s a great CAKE record with all the vibraslap idiosyncrasies you could ever want.

My picks for 2012

Band of Skulls – Sweet Sour
Dirty rock, hard fast and low with a soft, soul-tearing centre of regrets and beautiful melodies. Listen: Sweet Sour, Bruises

Chairlift – Something
Brooklyn pair master electro-pop madness, sounds like an Eighties party bash minus the kitsch and koala earrings. Listen: Amanaemonesia, Met Before

Ladyhawke – Anxiety
Kiwi lass Ladyhawke furthers her dance-pop dominance with her perfect blonde locks and gorgeous honeyed pop splendour.

Wolfmother – As yet untitled
Those Wolfies are back with a “hard-driving and catchy” third bite at the ‘70s rock pie. I, for one, am excited.

What are your hits and misses for 2011?

Which releases are you hanging out for in 2012?

Peace out Superman!

The silly season is a time for too much festive cheer, plum pudding and wearing tinsel and those crappy paper crowns from the Christmas crackers out in public.

If your Christmas is anything like mine, which is pretty much the same as everyday, just with more turkey and the family acting crazier than usual, then you might also have to consider picking up a gift for said family or friends that you’re spending the silly season with.

Forget the boring things, I’ve put together some cute ideas that will rock your socks off (literally).

So you need to ask yourself one question: have you been naughty or nice this year?

NICE

The Great Australian Songbook
It can’t get any more Australiana than that Aussie Jingle Bells song (you know, “Dashing through the bush in a rusty Holden ute”?), which is – thankfully – not on this collection of 40 iconic Aussie songs.
The Great Australian Songbook comes in two versions – the music-only version as a two-CD collection, and a 90-page hardback journal with two CDs, featuring the best of this century and last century in Oz music.
The cover art was created by the delightful Rolf Harris, modelled on Sidney Nolan’s painting of Ned Kelly.
It also has Gurrumul’s Aborginal lyrics embossed on the page in Braille and Kylie’s handwritten note about her love of her lalalala…. Can’t Get You Out Of My Head.
Where can I get ‘em: greataustraliansongbook.com

Record coasters
These could be a big hit (ha!) with the American diner-attending crowd who love listening to Frankie Valli while the waitresses in roller skates serve a good ol’ fashioned burger. Or if you just like music, these vinyl record coasters make tea time a lot more smashing!
Where can I get ‘em: beserkclothing.com

NAUGHTY

Blood splatter leggings
Zombies, Dexter worshippers and knife-wielding Alice Cooper fans (me included) will love these blood splatter tight-as-a-bug leggings, which are perfect for a 24-hour rampage through every rock venue. They’re tight, sexy and unique. Best of all, they’re Australian made and designed, so you’re keeping it true blue. Oh, and they also make blood splatter swimsuits/bodysuits. Mint.
Where can I get ‘em: blackmilkclothing.com

Kinky fluffy handcuffs
Sorry, I couldn’t resist putting these in. Because they are made from “strong steel and are lockable” and are “covered in faux fur for comfort”. It’s the ultimate nice present for someone who’s been naughty. Or for someone who’s a fan of The Muppets.
Colours include baby pink, black, blue, white, and purple.
Where can I get ‘em: sirendoll.com.au

WTF?

Bridal outfit for pet bunny
If you’re totally stuck for ideas, how about you buy your best friend, significant other or family member a bridal dress for their pet rabbit?
Oh yes, thanks to the wonders of Etsy.com, someone has created an adorable but gag-worthy white and pink tulle ribbon fiasco for little Cuddles the bunny. It’s just want you’ve always wanted. Probably not a good idea to buy this for someone then serve rabbit stew, bunny owners are sensitive folk.
Where can I get ‘em: Esty.com

KISS Beer Steins
If KISS wasn’t freaky enough with Gene’s multi-purpose tongue, you can know drink out of KISS-imprinted mugs! Each member of KISS has their own mug on the mug (ha!) and comes with a song title altered to coincide with beer. Magic.
Where can I get ‘em: Esty.com

And I hear you asking dear reader, but what can I get you, my lovely, sweet Angela? Well, all I want for Christmas is you, of course!

Stay festive!

Fans, ghouls, lovers of American Horror Story,

You may have heard me rave incessantly about Alice Cooper. My fangirl antics have even led to me getting a tattoo on my forearm of the words “You & Me” in homage to Alice’s 1977 hit from his album “Lace & Whiskey” (the song reached number 2 in Australia). It’s OK – turns out this obsession with Alice is genetic. My mum got the same tattoo on her forearm as well. Groupie.

In 2009, I even tried to track down Salvador Dali’s original sculpture of Alice Cooper’s brain, after an interview with Alice in 2009. The Dali exhibition was in Melbourne at the time and the contact at the National Gallery of Victoria helped me track it down. The official response from the Dali gallery in Spain was that the original sculpture was possibly destroyed years ago as they don’t have it nor do they know its whereabouts. Unfortunately, due to the Great Windows XP Crash of 2009, I have since lost that email. I like to think Dali was buried with Alice’s brain.

So to get to my point, you, dear reader, are in for a treat. I have asked the very lovely Brian who is part of Alice Cooper’s super talented road crew to give you a taste (or is it bite?) of what it’s like being on the road with Alice. And to my surprise, delight and shock, Brian agreed. So Brian is going to be my partner in crime and help me co-write a few posts while he’s on tour with Alice on the No More Mr Nice Guy world tour. He’s even sharing some pics! What a dude. Show him some love!

This is not the greatest job in the world, this is just a tribute…

Brian has been on the road with Alice for 6 years. Here’s a view from where he works…Both of these cuddly critters belong to Brian…

It’s a Billion Dollar Baby!

“Is that a crocodile there, too?” I asked Brian when I first got the pic.
“The dino is Geico Lizard,” Brian emailed me.
It’s not a crocodile, people! It’s a dino. DINO.

And before you leave us comments saying, “What is the Billion Dollar Baby wearing on his hat?”
Brian has got that covered too: “It’s skull heads.”

If you look really hard, you can see the guitar to the left of the Billion Dollar Baby. Appropriate, since Brian is the guitar tech.

Occupational hazards

This is the stage set-up from the No More Mr Nice Guy tour in Mannheim, Germany. From the audience’s point of view, this is what the stage looks like. When taken with a weird iTouch app courtesy of Brian, it looks a little warped. But herein, the warped and wonderful things continue.

Stay tuned for some occupational hazards you might not see everyday. Well, unless you’re an extreme stunt artist or something. But Alice and his team are way cooler and have better music. High five!

I know when I go to work, there’s a million to one chance that I’ll run into a snake. I will encounter some snakes of the human variety (Ooh good one! *Boom tish*), but never a giant, organ-squeezing, so-alive-it-could-get-you albino python. This is just an everyday run-of-the-mill thing for Alice (who is afraid of needles, not snakes, mind you) and his team, including Brian. Although Brian doesn’t deal directly with the python, he snapped this awe-inducing pic of Alice and guitarist Steve Hunter hitting the stage with their slithering band mate a few months ago.

Brian told me they’ve never had any issues with PETA or any other animal welfare agency in the 6 years he’s been on the road with Alice, regarding the snake needing earplugs due to the noise levels or anything (ha!). They did, however, used to bring their own snake on the road with them from country to country, but since 9/11 and the stricter laws in place, they have to source a python locally. The python’s owner assists with the snake, and Alice’s assistant helps Alice on stage with it. However, there was a time when the python escaped (!!!) in a hotel.

At least we can safely say the python is an Alice fan just like us. And seems to dig the guitar. I vote the python as honorary band member for life.

This puts a WHOLE new mean to the term dirty laundry! When they tour Europe, this is what Brian calls the “Roadie Laundromat”.

This usually happens in Europe because they don’t have any dryers in hotel rooms, or as Brian wrote to me, “Why would someone by a washer and no dryer?”

So, sometimes, you end up, like Brian does in Italy, hanging your clothes outside on racks in the sunshine. And sitting there watching them dry and ensuring no one runs off with your pants.

Can anyone else spy a lot of black clothes? Makes sense!

You call that a knife? THIS is a knife!

Now we get down to the nitty gritty of what it’s really, really, really like on stage with the master of darkness, Alice Cooper. Brian is such a trooper; he shot the video (below) a couple of weeks ago, which shows what he faces with pythons, knives, a guillotine and swords on stage. Not all at once, of course.

Alicehasaknife – Computer

►

This is just one example of a knife/sword-throwing incident that Brian deals with every night when Alice performs Halo of Flies. Brian and the drum technician usually leave the area, but Brian decided to video the throw, and the drum technician decided to squat down out of the way.

If you watch really closely, you see Alice come up to a mesh screen, which Brian is behind, and as he throws the knife, you can see the knife whiz right past Brian’s hand (see that little bit of hand movement, that’s the knife). It was about 6 inches (or 12 cms) from Brian’s hand and the camera. 12 centimetres, people! That’s not a lot between your hand and a knife. A very sharp knife thrown by Alice Cooper. This happened because the knife slipped as Alice let it go.

After Alice throws it, he runs off stage for a wardrobe change. So Brian picked up the knife and took it back to the props guru and Alice’s assistant. Brian said to them, “I think Coop is upset with my performance.” They asked why.
Brian said, “Because he threw this knife at me and ran away.”

They all started laughing, including Alice, “the greatest boss of all time” (Brian’s words), and proceeded on with the show. Aw!

So it’s proof that, although Coop is a larger-than-life rock villain and a seasoned swordsman and knife thrower, he is only human.

And I just wanted to include this note that Brian sent to me, as I thought it was so sweet, and to hear Brian in his own voice:

“All of us touring folk face adversities everyday, everywhere, but at the end of the day, we make it happen and hopefully send the fans home happy and the boss to the bus even happier.”

Thanks Brian!

That’s part 1 done and dusted…

Maybe I can convince Brian to share some more stories… What do you think?

Psst… Just an update from the lair… Alice Cooper and his team found out about this post and popped on AliceCooper.com (and cue: fangirl FREAKOUT!). Here it is again, on Alice’s site, looking very snazzy, might I add: http://alicecooper.com/latest/alice-cooper/excerpt-access-all-areas-road-alice-cooper AND on the homepage at AliceCooper.com AND on the blog entries here: http://alicecooper.com/blogs/alicebackstage! Thank you Alice and team, and my pal and partner in crime, Brian!

Right now, I should really be slapping on my new, glossy Vamp Red lipstick, downing two shots of vodka, dancing around in my underwear to Kanye West and partying like the out-of-control rock chick that I am (on paper and on my blog, that is).

But aside from dealing with international emails (including the very exciting project I have for another blog post that I am co-writing via email – wait till we unleash it, it’s literally going to rock your world. I mean it!),  I am a homebody tonight, updating you all on the latest and greatest (and not so great) of what arrived for review in the past few weeks, so you can fork out your hard-earned dosh on something that’s worth a pretty penny, in my books.

So, here we go…

CD reviews

Metallica & Lou Reed
Lulu
OK, I’ve had my fun with this one on Twitter. But seriously, what were they thinking? Oh yeah, they weren’t. Not enough Rick Rubin telling them to SHUT THE HELL UP. It kinda sounds like a very inebriated Bob Dylan squealing over the harsh, brutal sounds of Metallica. It does not work. Was there an A&R guy or producer in the studio at the time they cut this monstrosity, which is so self-indulgent, it goes over two CDs? It ends with a 20-minute song, “Junior Dad”, that would have been great if they cut out 15 of those minutes. Remember, less is more folks. “Iced Honey”, which clocks in at a manageable five minutes is the only one with the potential to be great. The operative words there are “potential” and “to” and “be”. The opening line of the first song, “Brandenburg Gate”, is a scorching, deep and poignant one: “I would cut my legs and tits off,” courtesy of one Lou Reed. Thanks for that Mr Reed. I would do the same if I had to listen to this one more time. #earbleed
Powderfinger
Footprints & Fingerprints
A two-CD set that features all of seminal Brisbane rockers Powderfinger’s songs from “My Happiness” through to “Empty Space”. If you don’t know Powderfinger, get educated with Odyssey Number Five, then ask me about the time I spent an entire awards night sitting and chatting to their guitarist and didn’t even know it was him. Curses!

Book reviews

40 Years of Queen
Allen & Unwin
Coming in a case with a DVD and a large hardcover book, this is a beautiful collection of everything to do with Queen. From personalised letters, tour passes, menus (check out the 1977 menu from one of Queen’s shindigs – so ‘70s), newspaper clippings and chock-full of information. It has forwards by Brian May and Roger Taylor (natch) and rare photographs, covering the entire history of Queen.
And while we’re on the subject of Queen and to give you some insight into the main man Freddie Mercury, in July 2009, I was lucky enough to score an interview with Peter Freestone, who was Freddie Mercury’s personal assistant for the last 12 years of Freddie’s life. I spoke to Peter about the Queen tribute show, Queen: It’s A Kinda Magic, before it opened in Melbourne, so here is the interview:

Queen: It’s a Kinda Magic
Preview: Angela Allan

Peter Freestone has some amazing stories about late Queen singer Freddie Mercury. As his personal assistant for the last 12 years of Mercury’s life, Freestone knew the real creative genius.
“On stage, everyone knew Freddie could hold the world in the palm of his hand. The Freddie that I knew would walk down in his tracksuit into the kitchen and go outside into the garden to play with his cats.
“He needed some space to be on his own and think lyrics. The garden was his place.”

In the 18 years since Mercury’s death, Freestone has been asked on countless occasions to attend Queen tribute shows. He usually declines (although at the moment, he has six projects on the go – only two of which do not involve Mercury and Queen), but when he heard about Queen – It’s A Kinda Magic, he decided to go along.
“I went into the theatre and sat at the back and it started, and I thought, oh another Queen show. But I was struck by the audience. They were on their feet for the entire show, dancing and screaming.”

Melburnian Craig Pesco portrays Mercury in the performance, who Freestone says the audience reacts to him like they would for the real British pop group.
“The last time the crowd did that was during Queen’s Crazy Tour in England.
“Everything (Pesco) does comes from within. He would never want to appear to be sending Freddie up or doing something wrong. He really does believe it. He’s got it in him to carry it off.”

After touring around the world and securing a legion of more than 250,000 fans, the theatrical production is back in Melbourne. The show recreates a Queen concert with the classic songs, dazzling lighting and costumes.
“Queen’s music is just magic. It was before its time. Some of their songs are now 40 years old and they sound as fresh as they did all those years ago,” Freestone says.

Until next time pals!

Signing off.

“If every vampire who said he was at the crucifixion was actually there, it would have been like Woodstock.” – Spike

Hey loyal Buffy fans!

Here’s my two articles on James Marsters, who played Spike, and Clare Kramer, who played Glory, on Buffy.

Some things you should know:
1. I had a phone interview with James, who does have a Texan Californian accent. Nothing at all like the voice of Spike! (Thanks to the fans for picking me up on this, I had the wrong accent!)
2. I also had phone interview with Clare, she also told me her fave line in “Bring It On”, which is “You’re a cheer-tator, Tor!”

Tell me your favourite Buffy quote  below!

Supanova Pop Culture Expo
When: April 16-18
Where: Melbourne Showgrounds
Preview: Angela Allan

Those who worship fangs, light sabres and the Vulcans won’t need to travel light years in their spaceship to feel right at home.

At this weekend’s Supanova Pop Culture Expo, US Actor James Marsters, who is best known as Spike, the bleach-blonde vampire on Buffy The Vampire Slayer, will join other believers of the sci-fi world.

Marsters has had roles on Torchwood, Smallville as well as Caprica, a prequel to cult TV show Battlestar Galactica.

“I don’t have a problem beliving in [sci-fi] sitatutions, you know, somethig like, ‘Big robot, run!’ doesn’t seem stupid to me,” Marsters says. “I’ve always had an affinity with that so I suppose my imagination has no problem going there. I dig it.”

Marsters played Spike on Buffy and spin-off show Angel for seven years. Fans response to his portrayal of the smart-talking British vampire kept him on longer than his proposed five-episode stint.

“On Buffy, you really didn’t know what the hell they were going to do. It could be a musical or a silent movie,” Marsters says. “Afterwards, the writers started to take my character into dark and surprising places, I realised I had to go anywhere they wanted me to, and they wanted me to go to hell. It become really scary but also, really exciting.

“It was called Buffy the Weekend Killer. We worked 14- to 15-hour days.”

Marsters is also working on a solo record with Charlie De Mars from his former band Ghost of the Robot. Marster’s son Sullivan will play guitar on the album.

At Supanova, Marsters will engage with fans on topics ranging from his roles in Shakespeare plays to who he shared the most passionate on-screen kiss with.

“You know what my favourite person to kiss was? John Barrowman on Torchwood. I’m not kidding you, he was awesome. We played ex-lovers and we kissed and then we got to beat the crap out of each other. A little note to all men, shave beforehand.”
COPYRIGHT: PUBLISHED IN MELBOURNE TIMES WEEKLY, 2010

The power and the Glory
Cult pop expo show confirms once a Buffy star, always a Buffy star. By Angela Allan

Clare Kramer still has a soft spot for her time as part of the “Buffyverse” – the world dreamt up by Buffy The Vampire
Slayer creator Joss Whedon.

For next month’s Supanova expo, Kramer, who played villain Glory on the TV series, says she is considering bringing customised T-shirts to give to fans who ask the best questions. Printed on the T-shirts will be: “Then Buffy staked Edward … The End” – taking a dig at the new vampire lore in Twilight.

“People who follow Buffy tend to have a lot of questions. I love people to give their perception on the show, if they have any questions about the characters or the writers. I love to give as much insight into Glory, the show, and anyone I worked with,” Kramer says.

Aside from Glory, Kramer also played catty cheerleader Courtney in teen flick Bring It On, but it was while portraying an evil deity from a demonic dimension that she really got to show her mean side.

“Everyone says it’s so fun to play the villain, and it is,” she says. “Glory got to say what you would have liked to have said in certain times of your life, and I was able to channel any frustrations I ever had at anyone and put that all through Glory and she just laughed about it. That was the best part.”

Kramer also runs a production company and is the official spokewoman for several children’s charities, but she can’t seem to shake her connection to Buffy. Last year, she made her directorial debut in Hard Love with Nicholas Brendon (who was Xander on Buffy) and is about to start work on Hot Mess with Julie Benz (vampire Darla on Buffy). Benz will also be here for Supanova, and will share a panel about the cult TV show with Kramer.

And her favourite line as Glory?

“Oh, don’t quote me on this one, but it was something like, ‘Did everybody else know the Slayer was a robot?’.”
For more information and tickets, visit supanova.com.au

COPYRIGHT: MELBOURNE WEEKLY 2011