February 5-11, 2004

music

icepack

by A.D. Amorosi

Despite predilections for sugar-free Pimp Juice and low-carb morphine drips (shout to mom Eda, just off that particular diet at Jefferson Hos-pi-taal), my new drinks are Michael Jackson's favorites, "Jesus Juice" and "Jesus Blood." All drunk. Half fizz. Warning: When ordering, beware of asking for "what Jacko had." Speaking of, how bad do you have to be if R. Kelly is told to stay clear of you? And can no one in that family get decent plastic surgery (Jermaine's head, Janet's "shocking" Super Bowl limp-implant boob pop)? Forget surgery. Wear a wig. Like Jimi Mooney, who, as punkglamtrix Helen Back, celebrates the release of an eponymous 11-song CD with the Str8 Razors Feb. 6 at The Khyber. Along with the return of Andrew Chalfen to Str8 and scads of new songs, Mooney promises, "We want to retire those songs from the CD after the show. It's so Bowie." Know who else is retiring -- at least from Philly? Three 4 Tens. A source says Tenner Jamie Mahon claims Feb. 7's show at The Fire will be the last T4T gig for "three years." Apparently, T4T will tour Europe, "only returning to Philly when they've become gods." Just like The Hooters.… Ch-changes: Overwhelmed booker Sean Agnew's one-man R5 will become a democracy of nine with Agnew hiring eight department heads. So no R5 shows (with the exception of those already booked) till after April 19. After three years as a press officer for Philly's Museum of Art, Emily Raabe is outta there for the (literally) greener pastures of the Bucks County Conference & Visitors Bureau. After having done Kimmel PR since its start, singer Keisha Hutchins is leaving to pursue her music (Vanishing Peoples of the Earth) full-time. Ad maven Rachel Crowl (AOL, Y100) runs from City Paper to real estate, working for Coldwell Banker at the Curtis Center. Dave Rath, drummer of Heaven's Edge, is now VP at Roadrunner Records. Which reminds me: Were you in Bang Tango, Sick Vickki or Britney Fox? Do you remember The Galaxy, The Cellblock or Bonnie's Roxx in Atco? Did you do blow with Ace Frehley? If so, you'll want to contact Bullwinkle (BullwinkleRocks@comcast.net). With Bonnie's now a parking lot, B-Winkle's looking to reignite/reunite bands for a Bonnie's reunion at Pennant East (Route 130 in Bellmawr, N.J.) on May 8. And if your drummer blew up in Spinal Tap fashion, write Jim Drnec (

james@drnec.com), who pounded for White Foxx and Tangier.… Janet Bressler, when not busy releasing Evening Shades Prevail and starting a collective, Vaingloria, has been gathering troops for a 50th b-day tribute to late Philly songster Alan Mann at Tokio. She postponed a gig from his birth date, Jan. 22 -- now pals Randy "Dance" Bucksner, Peter Stone Brown, Kenn Kweder, Bobby Carburetor, George Manney and others (rumored: Palmyra Delran, Essra Mohawk) have time to enlist for Feb. 28's event. Want in? E-mail rjohnson1566@yahoo.com.… WhoWhatWhere: Wall Street-exec-turned-millionaire-lingerie-designer Josie Natori was feted by Drexel U. fashion doc Emil De John at Westphal Gallery. De John awarded Natori a red crystal Elsa Peretti piece, courtesy Tiffany's Sandra Alton. It's all in anticipation of Natori's Feb. 5 trunk show at Neiman's King of Prussia. Not only was the ICA's Yoshitomo Nara opening packed, pals Yo La Tengo showed up. "They drove from N.Y.C. as soon as they heard," says the ICA's John McInerney. Lauren Hart's "Girl Keeps On" can be heard on CBS' Joan of Arcadia, and now you can see her singing the national anthem in Disney's Miracle. I can't promise who'll be at MAXIM mag's Grammy party at the Borgata Feb. 8 other than swimsuit model Paige Butcher and Philly's Schoolly D. But they're working on it.… In time for Valentine's Day, Passional hosts Mistress Veronica Bound demonstrating her plastic male chastity belts -- no hard-ons unless she says so -- Feb. 7.… Speaking of balls, pricks, etc.: A roast is being organized by Harry Jay Katz for the love of Stu Bykofsky at Finnigan’s Wake, Feb. 5, on the occasion of his final gossip column. Monies go to Variety Club. Even I will pay. "All bullshit aside," e-mails Byko, "this will be … better than anything you can do on a Thursday night in February. There’s the Sixers, but they suck lately." Call 215-735-0803.… Happy b-something to Adam12 (formerly of Arrakis), who celebrated at La Tazza; to 90-year-old arts volunteer Gussie Spector, who’s been at the Kimmel longer than most of the staff -- she was feted at the Rosenbach; to Shampoo, who’ll hop in "Bed" for its seventh anniversary with the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation on Feb. 7 (GPTMC also hosts Feb. 5’s Pajama Party at 32º); and to Tiffany Bacon, who celebrates her b-day Feb. 7 at M Lounge and the fifth anniversary of her Inner City radio show at the Five Spot on Feb. 11.… While everyone’s lionizing dear departed radio magnate Ed Sciaky for his years of service to and love of Philly music and food (indeed deserved), I personally will miss our nattering arguments -- on film, album reviews or just the mean things I say. Condolences to Judy and Monica.