Tag Archives: John Varvatos

Music, Pop Culture

Video Clip of The Week: Pretty Vicious, “These Four Walls”

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If you look back over the Video Clip of The Week entries that have graced this space so far in 2019, you could almost make a case for arguing that The Rock is making some kind of a low-focus comeback. I’m not one to get my hopes up or anything, but let’s assume that this is officially the case with the band featured in this weeks’ clip: Welsh grunge-revivalists (and —  I’m just guessing here —  Sex Pistols fans), Pretty Vicious. The tune is “These Four Walls,” and I’m just going to lay all of my cards on the table right now and say that this song is arguably one of the most contagious anthems of youthful rebellion since the original band called Alice Cooper announced that, “Schools Out Forever, Bitches” — or something like that.

There are those who will claim that knowing how to actually sing and play your instruments is overrated, and not a requirement for making good music, but those people are idiots. Pretty Vicious are not ashamed to have chops up the ass, starting with singer Brad Griffiths’ robust snarl that recalls Billy Joe Armstrong as channeled through 999’s Nick Cash — old school! Is it likely that Griffiths even knows who Nick Cash is? Hell no, but the you’re feelin’ it, who gives a shit? Wait for the bridge, where guitarist Tom McCarthy pulls out Slash-worthy leads that are just insane. Driving the engine is drummer Elliot Jones, whose adrenalized, machine gun cadence is so fucking punchy and precise, it will knock you right on your ass. And then there’s “I Am A Fucking Rock Star” bassist Jarvis Morgan (he’s the adorable, pouty blond seen in the photo below), who reminds me fondly of my immortal teenage punk rock crush, which, considering that individual went on to become one of most legendary figures in American punk rock history, can only be seen as a good thing. Because I know how to call them.

Visually, “These Four Walls” is a fast paced, performance-heavy clip, effectively capturing the kinetic live energy of Pretty Vicious on stage, while also peppering the action with documentary-style footage of the band cavorting in NYC’s Times Square. Rock action, urban sleaze, decadence, youth — OMG what a great band!

With appearances at huge UK-based summer rock festivals (Reading and Leeds) already under their not-quite-21-year-old belts, Pretty Vicious are certainly poised to give Greta Van Fleet a run for the money! “These Four Walls” will be available on the band’s  highly anticipated debut album due out on Big Machine/John Varvatos Records later this year. Enjoy!

Pretty Vicious Band

Music, Pop Culture

Steven Tyler Does Impromptu Performance at Launch of Riff Pop Up Clothing Store

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At the end of a very exciting week that included indulgent gourmet foodie events and a Rolling Stone Magazine-sponsored concert featuring cool bands like The Sheep Dogs and Cake, we rounded out the week in fitting scenester style at a party for designer Andy Hilfiger’s Andrew Charles line of ready-to wear-Rock ‘n Roll clothing, now on display/for sale at pop-up store Riff, located at 313 Bowery in the space formerly occupied by the Morrison Hotel Gallery. The designs in this moderately priced collection – which includes T-Shirts, blouses and tops, jeans, jackets and dresses – are inspired by the very fun style of legendary Aerosmith front man Steven Tyler and his daughter, model Chelsea Tyler.

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Music, Pop Culture

Don Hill’s Night Club Closes Its Doors Forever

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Well, this is a bit of a surprise; but then again, maybe not so much. Less than a month after the death of its former owner, it’s been announced that live music and dance club Don Hill’s is officially bankrupt and will be closing, effective immediately. Current owners Nur Khan and Paul Sevigny were apparently overextended in the wallet area from running other restaurant and nightclub ventures here and in Los Angeles and couldn’t seem to get the rent check in the mail on time. You know how it is when you’re a wealthy, jet-setting hipster.  Still, I’m not sure why club owners don’t seem to grok that this kind of thing happens when you don’t pay your rent. Sure, Don Hill’s was a legendary dive where everybody went do drugs and party with rock stars (I know I had many good times there), but who really gives a shit? Nostalgia goes right into the toilet when the landlord has bills to pay. The same exact thing happened when the late Hilly Kristal let the rent on CBGB lapse for a year and then had the nads to feed the public outrage over the place being shut down. It’s worth noting that the new tenant in the former CBGB’s space at Bowery and Bleecker, hot shot menswear designer John Varvatos, is also a hardcore rocker who turned his new boutique into a shrine to its former inhabitant, preserving many of the original walls and fixtures and selling vintage stereo equipment, vinyl LPS and coffee table books by Mick Rock. On the flipside, Nur Khan told Page Six that the building will be turned over to developers, noting that the property offered a “moneymaking opportunity unconcerned with preserving Don’s legacy.” Clearly, real estate owners aren’t very sentimental in New York City.

Music, Pop Culture

CBGB Gingerbread House

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If you remember the old CBGB rock club located at Bleecker and Bowery in NYC, then you know that the above Gingerbread rendering of the club’s former façade is pretty spot on. These days, the space is home to the John Varvatos men’s clothing boutique, which is still worth a visit even if you can’t afford the $500 sweaters they sell.

Music, Pop Culture

Bob Gruen Brings Rockers Photographic Exhibit to NYC!

Rockers!
Rockers Exhibit Flier from Sao Paolo Brazil

For winter weather-imposed shut-ins like me, who practically haven’t left the house in six months, last night provided a fantastic entrée into spring, when legendary Rock Photographer Bob Gruen brought his Rockers exhibit to the Morrison Hotel Gallery(formerly CBGB’s Gallery). Let me tell you, it was quite the scene-making opportunity I’ve been craving.

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