Sorry I Missed It: Cherri Bomb Is Now Hey Violet

Remember how much I loved the all girl punk group Cherri Bomb? They were amazing, and their debut album was one of the best first attempts from a new group I had ever heard. Well they kind of disappeared. Well, I thought they did. Turns out they've been around all along, but with a new name. It's about time I caught up with the new incarnation of Cherri Bomb called Hey Violet.

I know, I know. It's a bit of a change from what you heard on their debut album as Cherri Bomb, but the name seems to be symbolic of the change. A few years back, one of the founding members, Julia, made a departure from the band. She was replaced with a guy named Casey who had been good friends with most of the band since they were kids, making him a perfect fit. While I am a huge fan of all girl rock groups (see my obsession with The Runaways), Casey seems to be meshing great with the band, so I don't have too many complaints.

As for the sound change, I'm not as excited. They've gone from pure punk to a fusion of punk and pop. It works, but it's not what I'm used to hearing from them. I guess if I had heard this incarnation first, I would be completely in love. There is nothing wrong with it, but since I heard "Cherri Bomb" first, it kind of put me off a little. Objectively, they are still very talented young adults who know how to rock it out, and the (albeit slight) genre change won't deter me from enjoying them.

As of right now they have one EP out, and a full album on the way. They also have an array of fun videos on Youtube allowing their fans to get to know them either all over again or for the first time. It looks like these guys are destined to be stars, and even with the reset of a name change, they aren't backing down. Just check out their awesome cover of Taylor Swift's "Blank Space" and tell me that they aren't the raddest group you've listened to.

You can pick up their debut EP on iTunes now!

Below Deck Season 3 Episode 10 [Review]

If there is one thing I like about Below Deck it's that you never know what is going to happen. People snap mentally, others get fired, and they can go from lovers to enemies in no time flat. I guess that's just how it is living on a small boat for months at a time. But the season is coming to a close very quickly, and it's unclear who will make it all the way to the end.

Even More RuPaul Themed X-Mas On The Way With Drag Race Album

Yas, hunties! It has been confirmed that we are getting even more holiday cheer in the form of men dressed up as woman. Who care about tradition? These ladybois are ready to rock you, and they don't give a damn about morals. Well maybe Ginger does, but the rest don't! So let's check out this sexy and sleek new RuPaul's Drag Race alumni Christmas album!

That's right! All of your faves are back! As long as your faves are Alaska, Ginger Minj, Miss Fame, Sharon Needles, Courtney Act, Katya, Jiggly Caliente, Detox, Darienne Lake, Ivy Winters, Pandora Boxx, Violet Chachki, Phi Phi O'Hara, Jinkx Monsoon, and Manila Luzon, because that's who alls on it. I see a lot of names that I have come to know and love, so I for one am excited about it. People Magazine online broke the story earlier this week, and people have been going crazy! Check out the track list!

1. “We Wish You a Merry Christmas,” Christmas Queens
2. “Everyday Is Christmas,” Alaska
3. “Christma-Hannu-Kwanzaa-Ka,” Ginger Minj
4. “Toyland,” Miss Fame
5. “Jingle Bells,” Sharon Needles
6. “12 Days of Christmas,” Katya
7. “From Head to Mistletoe,” Courtney Act
8. “Ratchet Christmas,” Jiggly Caliente
9. “This Is How We Jew It,” Detox
10. “Christmas Sweater,” Alaska, Courtney Act, and Willam
11. “A Very Cozby Christmas,” Willam
12. “Christmas Is Coming,” Darienne Lake, Ivy Winters, and Pandora Boxx
13. “The Night Before Christmas,” Violet Chachki
14. “Naughty or Nice,” Phi Phi O’Hara
15. “Red & Green,” Jinkx Monsoon
16. “Slay Bells,” Manila Luzon

I'm very glad to see Manila back, yet again. She, along with Pandora Boxx (who also is a delight to see) are the only ones that aren't on the more recent seasons, being from the third and second seasons respectively. Nobody from the first season made the cut despite Ru's obsession to this day with Bebe. Weird, right? Willam, Alaska, and Courtney (the AAA Girls) really dominate the album, so it would seem they are the masterminds behind this.

The preorder is TBA, but the release is coming November 13, just in time to annoy the hell out of everyone for playing Xmas music before Thanksgiving!

RuPaul Busts Out Brand New Christmas Album "Slay Belles"

Oh, RuPaul. How you never cease to amaze me. It's like every time we think that he can't do something fresh and new, he proves us wrong -- usually in the funnest way possible. In the down time from the upcoming season of RuPaul's Drag Race it looks like he's put together a new album. This time, he's wanting you all to get in the Christmas spirit. Who cares if it's not even Halloween yet? Since when has Ru followed anybody's rules?

Now before you go jumping to any conclusions, Slay Belles is a fully fleshed out album. It isn't just some work slapped together with hot glue and duct tape. Listening through this piece, it's obvious that Ru took his time in crafting this work. Producer Lucian Piane is back, and notably so, as the music is very throwback to the first two albums that came out of Ru's revived RPDR career. It makes for a very fun romp through the holiday season.

What I love the most about the album is that it doesn't really feel like a Christmas album. Sure the lyrics are all about Xmas, bells, and snow, but it doesn't have that traditional holiday cheer backing to it, making it more of a pop album inspired by the holidays than anything else. I really feel like when pop singers do a holiday album, too often do they just make the same song over, but much like Aqua with their non-traiditon "Spin Me A Christmas", Slay Belles really separates itself from the norm. With tracks like "Jingle Dem Bells", it's obvious that it's not meant to be taken seriously as a lover of Christmas, but instead just enjoyed for what it is.

Slay Belles also comes packed with an impressive list of guest appearances. Ru invited previous besties Michelle Visage and Big Freedia, as well as other fun guests such as Markaholic, Ellis Miah, Siedah Garrett, and even Todrick Hall himself. Now if an album doesn't skyrocket in notoriety from having the king of Youtube music on it, I don't know what will. Also, let's not forget that Ru himself is a vocal powerhouse, too. I guess what I'm trying to say is, this may be the best Xmas album of all time.

No, really.

Then again I'm not much of a Christmas person.

You can get the album on iTunes now! Do it!

Below Deck Season 3 Episode 9 [Review]

When will the insanity end? Ok, so it's not that bad, but still, things are starting to get a little out of control. You'll see what I mean. It looks like this charter season is about to reach a breaking point, and I really doubt that we've seen the end of the firings for the year. Without any further distractions, let's find out exactly what happened this week.

Check It Out - I Have A New Side Project

In case you have been wondering what the decrease in posts around here is all about, I thought I'd let you know that I have been working on a couple of side projects. Yes, Famous By Proxy is still in the works (and much further along than I might have let on), but this one is a bit different. It's aimed at a bit of a different audience than usual. This time around, I'm getting into some anime and manga discussion. Welcome, lovers of Japan!

I know, I know. Anime isn't what this site is all about, but it is something I am doing, and it is worth noting why I've been a bit MIA lately. I will still keep up with the weekly episode reviews, and next month I am picking up a new show (No, not RHOA). I hope you can all stick with me through this, and even support the new YouTube channel by liking and subscribing if that's your thing.

If not, it's all cool. I wanted to showcase two different facets of myself in two different ways. I have been interested in anime and manga for far longer than I have in pop music and drag queens, so to be fair this is something I've been putting off. I hope that those of you who like both, much like me, will take the time to look into what I have to say. I have more reviews coming soon, so don't worry. The channel is barely a week old. There is plenty more to come in the upcoming weeks.

Again, thank all of you for your continued support. There will be more info on the Famous By Proxy podcast closer to the new year.

Robert Bartko Releases Fun And Funky New Single "The Breakdown"

If you're an avid reader of my blog, the name Bartko is probably familiar. That's because Sammie Bartko, who I covered both on the reality competition show Skin Wars and in her own music career, is married to Robert Bartko. Go figure. But Sammie isn't the only vocalist in that family, as Robert has had a long career in both writing and performing music, and "The Breakdown" is only a taste of what he has to offer.

Robert, in case you are still skeptical, has been writing and producing music for a long time. Most famously he has produced for the rock band Korn ("All In The Family", "A.D.I.D.A.S.", "Wicked"), but he has also put in a lot of writing work with other groups over the years. He occasionally and sporadically releases new music on his own, and quite frankly I cannot believe I am just now picking up on his positive vibes.

Positivity isn't the only vibes that are coming out from "The Breakdown", and by that I mean it's totally funky. Robert has a really smooth voice, and the bass-slapping beat that is accompanying him only make the song all that much more awesome. He has a very strong control over his falsetto, creating some memorable hooks. It really sounds like a classic 70s funk track, but with a fresh update to it. It's basically like a time warp for music.

Over the years he has released a lot of music, from pop to religious, and he really has shown us that he is multifaceted. I really wish I had picked this up earlier (again to repeat what I've already said), as he would have made an amazing addition to the site in it's formative years. Now that I've see what he can do, I will be on the lookout for more Bartko music (from either source, to be honest), and I doubt I'll be disappointed.

For now, grab the track on iTunes and spread the love!