Sarah Dope

Please check out my friends project!! Watch the premiere Aug 6th on Vh 1!!

click photo to add their myspace and for more info!!!





"Mission: Man Band" finally arrives at 10 p.m. Aug. 6 on VH1.

Orlando Sentinel - July 18, 2007
By Hal Boedeker

The show taped in Orlando earlier this year and brings together four boy-band veterans to form a new group: Chris Kirkpatrick of 'N Sync, Jeff Timmons of 98 Degrees, Rich Cronin of LFO and Bryan Abrams of Color Me Badd. They lived together in Kirkpatrick's home in Orlando and worked to create music and a stage show.

And what does Kirkpatrick's former bandmate Joey Fatone make of the show?

"Interesting. That's all," Fatone told TV critics in promoting NBC's "The Singing Bee."

"I'm always supportive of him and what he's doing," Fatone added. "The same thing with me. He's very supportive of what I'm doing. He's very happy that I'm doing 'The Singing Bee' as well. So we're just supportive of each other."

I haven't seen any of "Mission: Man Band." VH1 initially said it would debut in the spring. The channel said this experiment could go either way: success or disaster.

Earlier this year, the channel and participants previewed the show.

"Orlando is still known as the mecca of boy bands," said Michael Hirschorn, an executive vice president at VH1. "For them to revisit their old hunting grounds is fascinating."

Hirschorn hinted there could be problems.

"It could be a complete disaster, and they might not get along," he said. "The hope is something will click. I think there is, among younger women, a huge affection for these guys and that moment in pop culture. Even though people often call the music shallow, girls loved this stuff."

Hirschorn said each man has a compelling story. Cronin probably has the most dramatic: He is in remission after battling leukemia.

"Today I feel like a million bucks, better than I ever did," Cronin said. "It's almost timed perfectly for me to get down there and start making music with these guys. And I'm very confident that I can add a lot to this, and my health won't be too much of an issue."

Yet the subject of pop-music impresario Lou Pearlman's camp "makes me sick," Cronin said. "He brought us to the dance, and I guess we got our shot through there, but it came at a great cost to me. So I'm not a millionaire myself."

Timmons said a main reason he is doing the show is that some proceeds will go to Cronin's foundation. Don't expect the show to be a love-in, though.

"I know we won't get along," Kirkpatrick said.

"We just got in a fistfight backstage," Timmons said. "They just broke us up."

You've been warned: There could be trouble.

http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment_tv_tvblog/2007/07/mission-man-ban.html


Trailer Clip 1

We will be in ST. LOUIS, MO VERY, VERY, SOON!!!! I expect to see all of my old friends there!! Seriously, how often do I come back to that area? ....Exactly.

I also expect to see the new friends from there that I've met on recent tours.... as well as fans (obviously)!

We (STRATA) will be in St. Louis, MO at VINTAGE VINYL on

AUGUST 2ND

for and IN STORE ACOUSTIC PERFORMANCE, and Eric will be doing a BOOK READING, as well!

I believe everything starts at 4:30 PM... SO COME OUT AND HANG!!!!
Oh, p.s.... did I mention that it was

FREE?!

....So if you live in/near the area, you have no excuse NOT to be there!!!!!

So during our long drives on the road, I have spent my time sticking my nose in Tour:Smart, reading every single page and every single word in print.

Reading through it all, I found myself in a pool of memories.

You see, Martin Atkins and Curse Mackey were just a couple of the people who were there for me since day one.

[Never heard of 'em? If you like bands like Nine Inch Nails, Ministry, Killing Joke, Grim Faeries, Evil Mothers, Pigface-- do some more research. Dig deeper into their long pasts.... and you will find your answers. Never heard of Pigface? Well, dig deeper into the pasts of Trent Reznor, Danny Carey, Chris Vrenna, Godhead, Dope, My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult, Meg Lee Chin, Hate Dept., Voodou, Chris Connelly, Pitchshifter, Jared Louche... and the list could go on and on and on... literally. Seriously, do your research!]

These people  were just two of a small handful of people who were around when I first started to get into the music industry in general; and long, long before I even though of touring; long before I began taking photographs as a profession; long before I began designing and programming; long before Alicia Simmons and I even knew each other existed. I was still a little teenage girl in Missouri, growing up.

Years ago, I was still quite young, and I was still "just" that passionate music-crazed fan who worked on a couple of streetteams. I didn't know many people in the business back then. I had my Dope boys; and my Godhead boys. Eventually, it was time for Godhead to tour with Pigface. Was I stoked? Fuck yes I was. Being a big fan of them for years, and they were finally hitting the road again?

I went to a few shows on the tour, mostly keeping to the Godhead boys-- my friends. It was through them that I had met Curse and Martin for the first time in the flesh.

Back then, I never imagined I would be asked to collaborate on a book with some of the industrial music underground's finest. Then again, I didn't imagine I would be working for Martin's label (Underground Inc./Invisible Records), either.

Sure enough, one night I received an email from someone at the label, informing me that Curse had passed along my information, recommending they contact me because I would probably be willing to help them out; and would probably be good at it. So from then on, I spent time helping them promote their shows, their artists, their album releases-- to the best of my ability. With time and hard work, one of their artists would come through town, and I would have a simple spot on the list or an all access credential waiting for me at the door.

Through time, relationships were built-- great business relationships, and some amazing friendships.

In this book, there is a small part where Martin talks about how even the "smallest" of things from the people he (or any band, for that matter) meets on the road can go a long way... even so much as a box of donuts.

The first time I read that, I got a good little chuckle out of it.

I clearly remember one day on the Godhead/Pigface tour, I had stopped at a Krispy Kreme to get some donuts for myself. While I was at it, why not spend a few extra bucks to pick up a box for the Godhead boys, and another box for the Pigface kids? I remember the excitement in Curse's eyes and the big grin on his face as I handed over the box...

...I believe those donuts were devoured within a few minutes.

Back then, I would always do kind, little things like that for bands that I was friends with; but thought nothing of it, really. No big deal. I was on my way to the venue to meet up with Professional Murder Music, and got hungry. So I stopped by a sub shop to grab a bite to eat. I was already there, why not give the bassist a call and ask if any of them wanted anything while I was already out?

And now here I am, many years later... and on the other side of it all. My mother just drove six hours to meet up with myself and Strata in Memphis, TN. With her, she brought a small care package of snacks-- chips and cheeze, some sweets, energy bars... and homemade banana bread. We currently feel as if we have died and gone to heaven. It sure beats the greasy fast food restaurants on the curbsides or the lack of choice around some of the venues we have been playing.

This loaf of homemade banana bread is probably the best thing on this tour so far directly after the release of the new album.

One small memory snowballed into tons of memories of running around with Pigface and crew from my beginning to the time Mikey Miller and Curse sat there trying to convince my mother to letting them kidnap me for more of the tour... to every single stage performance I've seen (which, for anyone who is familiar with Pigface, should know there is always always debauchery)... to the time Martin was giving me a few extra pointers in the front of the Blue Note in Columbia, MO... to the early stages of my photography interests and Michelle Walters sitting with me in St. Louis, MO, raving on and on about how much she loved my work... to my Dope boys collaborating with them on a new CD, creating a remix of "Bitch"; and Curse, knowing my past with those guys, dedicating the song to me at a tiny, tiny show in Kansas City, MO in the middle of a bad snow/ice storm.... to the time Edsel Dope got sick, woke up dry heaving in St. Petersburg, FL, had to be sent to the hospital, and Martin forming a "Get well soon/Edsel we love you!" song onstage that night... to the harsh winter and nothing but black ice on the roads in Chicago, IL, and somehow we all made it there in one piece (sort of)-- but the next problem was, "How do we sneak Sarah Dope into the hometown show?".... to the time I got called out and dragged onstage by Curse and Deadstar Assembly in Ft. Lauderdale, FL during "Suck"... You name it.

Some of my favorite moments and the best times were with members of Pigface; old and new.

Fond memories aside, as I continued through this book-- this collaboration of what feels like one giant underground family, I read things that I wish I would have known back when I first started; things I know now; and things that formed new ideas for me and my future work.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again-- Hell, I'll never shutup about it..... but this book is truly a brilliant piece of art.



www.tstouring.com

Martin Atkins - www.myspace.com/martinatkins

Curse Mackey - www.myspace.com/cursemackey

Pigface - www.myspace.com/officialpigface

Underground Inc. - www.myspace.com/undergroundinc

Tour:Smart on MySpace - www.myspace.com/toursmart

Tour has been great. Tiring as hell... Loooots of work especially for this first week of album release. Keeps me on my toes, though.

I scored a new endorsement the other night. Details soon.

Also, the wonderful Martin Atkins has asked me to contribute to the Tour: Smart website. Fuckin' rad. (P.S... You can already find a small contribution from me in the actual printed book that you can purchase from www.tstouring.com).

Okay. Time to grab food before doors.

Gee, I wonder which one I picked. hahaha

Check it out!

http://strata.buzznet.com

We just put up a video of us trying to play "the Repeat Game" while driving from San Jose, CA to Cleveland, OH.

Expect fun new pics, videos, and blogs from the boys very very soon!!!

Also, guess what came out today? Oh yes. The brand spankin' new album, STRATA PRESENTS THE END OF THE WORLD!!!

Hellooooo stoked.

So there have been a few changes within the Strata camp lately. The boys changed management. We have moved onto Freeze Management.

For those who are unfamiliar with Freeze, let me just throw in a few words or so:  The Used, Street Drum Corps, Warped Tour, Taste of Chaos, Head Automatica.

A few days before I knew we were to leave, I found myself on the phone with our new manager, discussing matters from the previous tours and what was a good day for me to fly out to San Jose to meet up with the boys.

Friday the 13th, I was on a plane to San Jose with one of our new techs that Freeze hired. We also met up with another new tech of ours-- both who may be young, but are well experienced, and so far, seem to be completely on top of their shit.

We loaded the trailer, crashed at Hrag's, and left in the morning to start driving (since yes, we are back in a van again.... for now).

Stopped in Salt Lake City, UT... and are now about to leave again to continue driving.

July 17th. First show. Cleveland, OH. Agora Theatre.
Strata. Sick Puppies. Finger Eleven.
Oh, and THE RELEASE OF STRATA'S NEW ALBUM... ahem.

In early 2006, while on the road with Powerman 5000, I was excited and flattered when Martin Atkins contacted me with his idea and asked for a small contribution from myself.

I knew it was going to be good, but I had no clue it was going to be as great as what lies on the coffee table next to me right now. The more I look through my copy, the more excited I become; definately more than I imagined I ever would be.

For those wondering what exactly I said in the book, I have received permission to post my two pages:





You can also find me quoted throughout the book.

Flipping through this piece, I find contributions from a handful of people I have worked with and for in the past. Their own little sections open up a door of old memories. Memories from the road; from meeting these people in the flesh; from learning from them; from loving their music; from forming acquaintances; acquaintances that grew into friendships. But there aren't just contributions from this person I may know, or that person... but from so many others; big and "small".

I am not only proud of my 'small' part... but I am proud of each and every person involved's part-- from written contributions, to editing, to the very design of the cover.

These are our words. This is our art.

So much great advice and interesting stories. It makes me think of you.

Each and every one of you who have ever asked myself or my friends how we got to where we are, or what we do, or how we do what we do, or how to become a roadie, etc. etc. etc.

This book should be your new Bible.

I want to make sure this is shared with you all.



Tour: Smart MySpace - www.myspace.com/toursmart

Tour: Smart Website - www.tstouring.com

Martin Atkins on MySpace (the genius behind this masterpiece) - www.myspace.com/martinatkins

Underground Inc. - www.myspace.com/undergroundinc

I received something special today.

An advance copy of the first edition of a killer book I contributed to.

This is a piece of work so many other amazing people (Martin Atkins, Curse Mackey, Kevin Lyman, Henry Rollins, and SO much more) in the music industry have also helped out on.

It looks fucking FANTASTIC... and it's something I am definately proud of.

You can pre-order it by clicking the banner below. Also, apparently a distribution deal with IPG was signed. So I believe the book will start hitting stores in September... How cool..

If you have been keeping up with me on MySpace, Buzznet, or any of my accounts on art sites, you might have already seen this set of shots that were recently put up onto ALTERNATIVE PRESS MAGAZINE'S Warped Tour 2007 journal site!

However, even if you have already seen my set, PLEASE check the site out and check out the other great A.P. contributing photographers' work on there, as well!!!

The Clear View Treatment Center
2nd annual Celebrity Poker Tournament

What: Celebrity Poker Tournament
When: Monday, July 16th.
Where: The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel
Why: To benefit The Clear View Treatment Center
Who: Jay Davis, Dane Cook, , Donnie Wahlberg, ANT, C. Thomas Howell,
Phil Varone, Aaron Ellis, and many more…
How: With your help

The Field’s Foundation are present the second annual Celebrity Charity Texas Hold ’em Poker Tournament benefiting the Clear View Treatment Center.

Established in 1997, The Clear View Treatment Center is a non-profit residential treatment program providing services to adolescent boys ages 13-17 who have been the victims of abuse, neglect and abandonment by their families. During the nine to twelve month program, the children receive the best possible counseling and guidance to help move their lives in a positive direction toward a drug free lifestyle.

The event will be hosted by Jay Davis and will feature celebrities such as Dane Cook.
Cards being dealt by The Dealer Dolls as seen in Oceans 13, Amateur Poker Tour will be the table sponsor for the event.

The poker tournament will take place at the prestigious Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel on July 16th.  The Red Carpet, Registration and seating assignments begin at 7:00pm. Tournament starts at 8:00pm.

Seats are limited to the first 200 entrants.
Buy-ins are $200.00 with re-buys for $100.00.
Prizes will be provided by The Fields Foundation, GameroomGallery.com,
Victor the SnakeMannn (NightWindCreations.com), The Guitar Center, Soda Sunglasses, Coola Sunblock, Unified Ride Shop of Lake Arrowhead, Ca, Sprayology, and Lake Arrowhead Resorts. 

Food generously donated by Contemporary Catering and Event Production

Pre registration is strongly encouraged:
Contact: Jana Martinez @ 909.885.6156
Or Jay Schachter @ 323.782.4326

I kicked off my day with grabbing sushi with some friends, and then it was off to two different house parties. Both with pools and BBQs... and alcohol, of course.

Unfortunately, I don't have any photos from last night.

And if you're wondering, yes, I did end up getting thrown into a pool... and no, we couldn't see any of the fireworks from the hills.

I hope all of you enjoyed your holiday!

My Warped Tour weekend was amazing. Hot as fuck, but amazing.

I worked my ass off all day in Pomona, photographing left and right for Alternative Press.

The next day in Ventura... was pretty much my lazy day. I was soooo exhausted from the day before that all I did was watch SDC and Shannon (Leto), a couple of Bleed The Dream's songs, visit catering (where I ran into Steve and Karen of Buzznet), and be lazy backstage. So I apologize for anyone who was looking for me that day.

Anyway.

My good pal Shaun Carty and I decided at the last minute to get out of our apartments and head over to the Arclight for the 12:20 AM early showing of Transformers! There, I randomly ran into Steve, which is always a pleasure (OoOoOoOoooo look Steve! I namedropped you. Feel special. and loved. and I didn't freakin' delete you. hahahahaha).

Uhm. Can we just say AWESOME????

Seriously.

Probably the best movie that has come out in a long, LONG time.

GO. SEE. IT..... NOW.