Sonic Youth elder Thurston Moore recently narrated National Geographic‘s “Inside Straight Edge” TV documentary. For those not in the know, “straight-edge” is the strangely zealous punk phenomenon usually adopted by wildly naive and idealistic teenagers whose natural (and correct) inclination to dull their self-loathing senses with copious amounts of alcohol and cheap drugs is superseded by a hilariously contrarian and militant desire for clean, unencumbered living. The phenomenon was popularized by the militant Washington D.C. hardcore band Minor Threat in the early ’80s, who managed, against all odds, to become quite upstanding and normal adults, despite living their awkward teenage years in painfully aware soberness. [TheDailySwarm]
Details of the upcoming “Sex & The City” feature-length film plot are being guarded as closely as a mid-town Prada store, but some information on the soundtrack has leaked. Apparently Black Eyed Pea singer/actress Fergie has recorded the film’s opening number, “Labels & Love.” Director Michael Patrick King says, “It’s an entirely new song with lyrics, but it has the Sex and the City theme as the DNA — on steroids.” MC Jack Splash and Gnarls Barkley’s Cee-Lo wrote the film’s closing credits song, “All Dressed Up in Love,” which will be sung by Jennifer Hudson, who also stars in the film as Sarah Jessica Parker (Carrie Bradshaw)’s assistant. [Hollywood Insider]
R&B songstress Alicia Keys’ upcoming video for “Teenage Love Affair,” will pay cinematic homage to Spike Lee’s 1988 classic film, “School Daze,” a comedic look at black college life. “It’s cool to be able to honor Spike and an iconic movie by making it up-to-date and giving it new edge 20 years later,” Keys said. [EW]
The documentary, “Beautiful Losers” (which was scored by sometimes Beastie Boy collaborator Money Mark) is finally getting a theatrical release. Directed by Aaron Rose, the film features a loose-knit group of like minded underground outsiders artists (adults that refuse to grow up) and features appearances by agit-prop designer Shepard Fairey, professional skater Ed Templeton, San Fransican folk artist Margaret Kilgallen, graffiti artist Barry McGee, Jo Jackson, childlike painter Chris Johanson, filmmaker and graphic designer Geoff McFetridge, director Mike Mills (“Thumbsucker”), Stephen Powers, director Harmony Korine (“Kids”), painter Thomas Campbell & more…[Daily Swarm]
Watch: Commercial for “Inside Straight Edge”
Watch: “Beautiful Losers” trailer
Watch: Musical Scene from Spike Lee’s “School Daze”