Archive for June, 2010

Bondage Ball! @ Circus 6655 Santa Monica Blvd.
21& Over.
Fetish Free Play Zones.
6 bars.
9 Areas.
8 DJ’s.
4 Dance Areas.
Pro Dungion Equipment.
Go-go’s.
Free Photo booth.
Mainstage Shows.
Roving Performances.
Slave Girls.
$20 online at www.BondageBall.com . Get your outfits now at Lip-Service.com !

See you there!

We’re shooting the new Lip Service Holiday 2010 catalog + our new costumes line July 16, 17, and maybe the 22nd. Would you like to join the ranks of Lip Service Models?

Here are the basic requirements:

* You must be at least 18 years of age.
* You must be in the Los Angeles area and available during the time-frame of the shoot.
* Women must be near a size 5 and be between 5 ft. 5 in. and 5 ft. 10 in. tall.
* Men must be approximately a size 32 in. pant and slim to medium size top.

Think you’re the right fit to be the face of Lip Service as we close out our 25th year? Just fill out and submit the information on our Model Submission Form. Please remember that all information is required, as well as a head shot and full body shot.

Seriously. I’ve come full circle with these damn things…

Just like the “She/He has schizophrenia and the whole ending is part of a delusion” got really old, really fast, remakes don’t have a good track record. At first I was on the fence about them. TEXAS CHAINSAW blew the big one but I really enjoyed HILLS HAVE EYES. Then the onslaught of crap-o-rama came.  Nothing was sacred from big budget remakes and the studios (naturally) didn’t give two shits whether it looked good, made sense, or even had longevity.  They just wanted the profits from opening weekend.

“Oh the injustice!” … “Oh the shame!”

Horror fans around the globe, myself included, bitched up a storm as one by one our favorites got re-cast with WB actors. I boycotted, wrote angry things on forums, and burned promo posters to express my rage at the situation. Then I just sorta got numb to the whole thing. Eventually, I started to see the positives … like the fact that some forgotten treasures found the their way to a special edition DVD because of the remake. I began to calm down and just accept that it’s all part of the landscape.

Then came the “American version” remakes.

Yes, I understand this concept is nothing new. Japanese horror film renditions  for American viewers saw a great surge ten years ago (THE RING, THE GRUDGE). The popular response to these remakes was always “Well I found the original to be much more scary, when I saw it two years ago.” – In this particular situation, I’m gonna have to call people out on a little bit of bull. There is a huge cultural and language difference between America and Japan. It’s not to say their films can’t be scary (Hello, AUDITION)  but pound for pound these films don’t tend to strike a fear chord with us. In these cases I can see why an American version is appealing.

What’s really getting my Irish up are these American versions of French, Spanish, and Italian films … that were made less than five years ago. Long gone are the days of imports, when you had the option to watch a foreign film dubbed in English or (God forbid) in its original language with subtitles in the theater. In this politically correct society, we are much too delicate for horror films (or any film for that matter) which may challenge or disgust us.  So we take a concept and homogenize it to fit our standards. This is both an outrage and a perfect snapshot of today’s America.

Conspiracy? Maybe … but that’s a topic to be explored in another column. Right now I’m just pissed off because the producer from TWILIGHT has a hold of the MARTYRS remake.

IN OTHER NEWS ……

The long awaited Nos website … goddessofgorenos.com  has an official content launch date! That means I’ll be terrorizing the internet with my own brand of sexy in just a few days. It’s different, doesn’t play by the rules, and I’m sure you’ll love it.  - Or you’ll hate it and never talk to me again. Either way it all goes down JULY 1st!

My bestie Ugly Shyla (http://www.uglyart.net/) has been hard at work on new morbid fine art dolls. Check out the latest one on her etsy shop. Ugly’s work is pretty incredible and any fan of horror should own at least ONE of her pieces in their lifetime.

AFTER PARTY MASSACRE has its first trailer up and I’m in it! Wheee! http://www.afterpartymassacre.com/mdf/

XoXo

Nos

La Carmina (www.lacarmina.com)

Good evening, creatures of the night! I’m La Carmina, and I’m devilishly delighted to be writing a new monthly column for Lip Service Webzine called “Global Gothic.”

Who I am (other than a Lip Service fan and spooky kid)? I run a blog about alternative/Gothic fashion and lifestyle, particularly in Japan (think Gothic Lolita and Visual Kei ). I wrote three books on Japanese pop culture/food, including Cute Yummy Time (about turning your food into adorable characters) and Crazy, Wacky Theme Restaurants: Tokyo (think vampire waiters and cross-dressing maids). And I host TV shows on the subject of food, fashion and travel.

Bizarre Foods Tokyo w/ Andrew Zimmern

Ever since I was young, I’ve been collecting stamps on my passport. Now, I’m very fortunate to be able to fly around the world for work. (You may have seen me recently on Travel Channel, taking Andrew Zimmern of Bizarre Foods to a horror prison theme restaurant.)

Whenever I have a day off, you’ll find me browsing local Goth clothing stores and nightcrawling at EBM/industrial parties. So the aim of this column is to shine the spotlight on dark, alternative fashion in various parts of the world. What is Singapore’s Goth scene like? What do people wear to clubs in Berlin, or music festivals in Australia? Let’s globe-trot together and get the scoop… beginning with Osaka, Japan.

In May, I was in Osaka and lady luck was on my side… Black Veil (one of the longest-running and largest Goth events in Japan) was celebrating its 10th anniversary with an all night ball. Japanese Goth female fashion tends to be an alluring combination of spooky and cute. I saw decadent feathered eyelashes, gems around the eyes, and grandiose trailing headpieces.

The men cross-dressed flamboyantly, or wore ruffled shirts and top hats that would befit an undead Victorian aristocrat.

Neon wigs, subdermal implants, elaborate tattoos… Every avenue of alternative beauty is explored in the Osaka Goth nightlife.

Where else do dark ones congregate? Fu-ki, ex-vocalist of Visual Kei band BLOOD, opened a heavy metal bar called Midian in Osaka. (Address, directions and more photos are here.) On any given night, you’ll find spike-haired and pierced rockers headbanging to Black Sabbath, downing cocktails with names such as “Black Rose,” and scandalizing newcomers with boy-on-boy action.

The best place to shop for Goth/Lolita/Rock/Punk clothing is in the Shinsaibashi district, especially the Amerikamura area. (I’ve posted an Osaka Gothic Lolita shopping map here.) My favorite Japanese Gothic/Lolita brands have boutiques in this area, including Atelier Pierrot, Black Peace Now, and the indie designer Dangerous Nude. There’s always fashion inspiration to be found in “Triangle Park”; just take a seat and watch the Goth/Punk youths strut by.

I’m excited to bring more Global Gothic coverage to you every 4th Wednesday of the month. Please feel free to connect with me via Twitter and Facebook — I always love to hear from you. You can also see my Harajuku adventures, Goth outfits, silly Scottish Fold cat videos and more on my daily blog: www.lacarmina.com/blog

† Dark Wishes †
LA CARMINA

Check out the July issue of Spin Magazine for a 2 page spread with Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong in his cherry red Stretch Fuck’n Jeans, crowd surfing during a gig with his side project, Foxboro Hot Tubs. Dig it!

Billie Joe Armstrong crowdsurfing w/ his Stretch Fuck'n Jeans

see full size in gallery below

Holy Glam Rock Batman!!!

The M3 Festival in Maryland kicked ass this weekend!! 16 bands and 15,000 hard-core hair-heads gathered for 1 day of fun in the sun!! My band, Jetboy, played at 12 noon on the main stage as everyone was arriving and, despite the fact it was around 100 degrees, I still had a great time!! Highlights were great sets by Kix, Cinderella, Vince Neil, and Scorpions. It’s refreshing to get out of LA to a place like Baltimore. All the people I met were so cool and friendly, the vibe was truly great and violence or trouble was virtually nonexistent.

I got to hang out a bit with former LS designer Karen Shultz (still one of the best LS designers ever), who is an 80’s lover, and she texted me she was watching some 12 year olds bangin’ their heads to my song Feel the Shake!! All I can say is, if you haven’t dug deep and embraced your inner 80’s rocker, please do so. It was a truly glorious time and, of course, spawned the birth of our favorite clothing brand LIP SERVICE!!! Don’t be too cool … it’s just GLAM!!! Love it for its cheesy goodness!!

see full size in gallery below

Also last week, I had a visit from my friend Wednesday 13 and the Murderdolls. They played at the Key Club Thursday night plus had a video shoot on Friday and needed some new clothes, so I hooked em’ up proper!!! Super nice guys! We hung out for a while and they told me some great stories about recent partying in Hollywood!! It’s great to see such an awesome band back together and I wish them all the luck and good fortune they deserve. Their show kicked ass and Wednesday came onstage in a Division LS military trench coat he fell in love with on his shopping spree!!

Well, needless to say, my 40-something year old body is wrecked from a decadent weekend of little sleep and massive partying, so I’m gonna leave it at that and crawl home after another day in the life of a Lip Service Rep/Rock Star!!!!

Incidentally, the LS Holiday line has an awesome Rock n Roll group called This Corrosion which is badass and would have fit into the 80’s rock scene perfectly!!!
Have a rockin’ week!
Fashion+Music=Life
Mickey Finn

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- What is the inspiration for fabric selection? How complicated/difficult is the process of creating custom fabrics and have there been fabrics not made/replaced due to their complexity? (Thanks to Summer, Cynthia, NM, and The Lady of the Manners herself, Jillian Venters!)

Actual etchings from a graveyard in upstate New York - see full size in gallery below

Thanks for the question! The fabrics we use are from all around the world. I love, love, love fabric and the more unique and different fabrics I can find the better! I usually go on shopping trips to source new fabrics. There are multiple fabric shows around the world, with the biggest fabric market in China. The one in China is so large, I have to spend around three days just looking ’til my eyes can’t see anymore. The fabric market in LA, though, is the best in the US and a lot of times I can find what I need right there.

If I can’t find what I’m looking for I go to plan B, which is to develop a custom fabric, whether it’s a print or just a texture. A lot of times a group idea starts from the fabric while, in other cases, the group idea starts from another inspiration, then we hunt down the perfect fabric. But, in the end, the fabric will make or break a group.

Developing a one of a kind print isn’t that difficult. In Los Angeles there are quite a few print houses to work with and it really isn’t that expensive to burn the screens and print. It usually starts with finding a graphic artist who can understand the concept of the group. After that I just hand over any reference images and colors I’d like to work with so they can start putting all the elements together. Usually a new print will take around 2 to 4 weeks to create the art, depending on how many colors and how complicated it gets. If I’m printing on a woven fabric or vinyl, I will most likely send my print to Korea to get printed because that is where the fabric originates. If it is a knit or a screen print, like our summer Erotomechanics group, I would do that here in the USA.

Have a great stylegroup name for this fabric? Let us know! - see full size in gallery below

Today we just finalized a print you will see in our upcoming Spring Blacklist line. I love it. It’s really romantic and sweet.

Does anyone have any suggestions on a name for this group? If so let me know. (Just email to the webzine!)

Also, if you have any killer ideas for new prints, just let us know and we will definitely consider them for future groups!

I love fabric, without it we would all be naked!!!

Later…. Autumn

Have a question or comment you’re dying to ask the Lip Service design team? Just email to the webzine!

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Lip Service presents Bondage Ball! Saturday, July 3 – come celebrate YOUR FREEDOM TO BE ENSLAVED!

Hosted by International SUPER MODEL MASUIMI MAX. Bondage Ball will be held at a new location: CIRCUS – 6655 Santa Monica Blvd. Los Angeles, CA

For more information see the Bondage Ball Website.

Gear up for getting tied down – Shop lip serVICE and lip serVICE Sale!

Black Veil Brides Andy Six and Drew @ Lip Service HQ

Andy Six from Black Veil Brides stopped in for some Stretch Fuck’n Jeans and other goodies this week. Their debut album, “We Stitch These Wounds,” is due July 20th – with a two month headlining tour across America to follow – go check ‘em out!

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Lord it was hard getting out of bed today. Good thing I work at Lip Service!! By the time I get in my car and on the freeway, I’m listening to Kevin and Bean on KROQ and plotting the moves for my day of bringing in sales. But sometimes my aging body lets me know I’m not the punk kid I used to be and rest IS sometimes needed! Oh boohoo, I know … well I’ve had my coffee and thought I’d start with a quick recap of last week’s sales trip and my weekend.

I flew into Eugene, Oregon Tuesday morning, picked up my rental car and drove over to Slash n’ Burn (findcoolclothes.com) to show the entire LS 2010 line including Summer/Fall, Costume/Lingerie and our new Holiday styles. This was a huge amount of garments but April and Stephan greeted me eagerly with warm smiles! Two of my favorite customers, they are true alternative fashion-heads who have a great website and also a store in front of their warehouse. They have a local guy who makes some amazing leather masks and bad-ass Steampunk goggles you must check out! They also carry some of the best alternative brands around, including Lip Service, and are a reliable and trustworthy site with great customer service!

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After wow-ing them with the new line we finished our meeting, said our goodbyes and I packed my car full to the brim with my 6 garment bags to hit the highway again, heading north towards my next destination and hotel in Portland. Beautiful state up there and the drive, although plagued by rain storms, was nonetheless breathtaking as I passed through mountains rich with thick evergreen forests. I arrived late evening exhausted and, as luck would have it, there was an Indian food buffet right in front of my hotel so I didn’t have to give much thought to dinner and, after a fat meal, I retired for the night.

Day 2 and off to the Hawthorne Blvd area of Portland to visit Metro Body Piercing, Naked City, a new account called Dysfunctional Doll, who run a great Goth-specific website, and a whole slew of Lingerie/Adult stores to spread word about the new Lingerie/Costumes lines. Another long drive and across another state line up to Seattle WA and my next hotel. This time, not so lucky. My hotel is near the airport for an easy out Friday morning and the choice of restaurants in the area is slim at best! Sucks but not worth the fuse; a quick trip to Safeway and luckily there is a microwave in my room to heat up some comfort food! Sound boring?! Trust me, the times you get to or even feel like exploring or partying on sales road trips are far and few! Night 1 in Seattle and I’m in bed by 10:00!

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With a full day ahead of me, I begin Thursday heading downtown and through a maze of stores and checks off my list. I end up at my last stop at Metro/Panache, which is a great store catering to a wide variety of alternative fashion from Goth, to punk to hipster club wear, shoes, lingerie, and some great local designers as well. If you’re ever in Seattle, check out Metro on Broadway, ask for Tom and tell ‘em Mickey sent ya!

Orders in the bag and another great sales trip under my belt Friday afternoon, I was on my flight from Seattle to Salt Lake City, then on to Las Vegas for a Gig at Diablo’s Cantina with my band the Cold Blue Rebels, with Three Bad Jacks, Guana Bats and my friend Sean Kama’s band. Also as a treat, right before our set, I got to see legendary skater Duane Peters’ new project The Great Unwashed. They were a cool-ass band, although I’m not sure Duane was really feeling the Diablo’s vibe at first. He seemed to get into it more as their set developed. A little bit old-timey/country, the band were obvious veteran players and the music was sweet. Duane played the railroad hobo character to a tee, and was every bit as convincing as Tom Waits ever was, but of course a lot more punk rock!!

This was our second time playing at Diablo’s and hats off to Steve, the club manager, who does a great job with the upstairs patio bar and treats bands with the respect we deserve! It is a class act, with all the bartenders and waitresses sporting tattoos and mohawks! Next time you do Vegas, hit Diablo’s. The food is great and the party rocks!! The Cold Blue Rebels rocked the stage, with the Zombie Rebel Dancers in tow this time, and we all got trashed and partied till the wee hours. We chilled by the pool at the Monte Carlo on Saturday and came home on Sunday, just in time to get a few hours of sleep before the Monday blues kicked in.

So there you have it, another chapter in the life of a Lip Service sales rep/occasional Rock Star!! I hope you all had a great week, too. Until next time remember…..
Fashion+Music=Life!!!!
Mickey Finn