UnkeyMonkey -the art, music, and thoughts of Michael DeMatty

As i was watching the video for Lady GaGa’s “Bad Romance,” i realized that i had seen it before somewhere. It didn’t take me long to figure it out. It is the video for Madonna’s “Express Yourself,” almost scene for scene! I looked on the internet to see if anyone else had noticed this, or if Lady Gaga had spoken about it, but they had not. Someone did mention that their was one similarity, (the cat crawl,) but Lady Gaga herself has not mentioned any connection. She says that the video is inspired by everything EXCEPT Madonna. You be the judge. Below is a side by side comparison of 21 scenes from Madonna’s video, (which was based on a classic film,) to Lady Gaga’s.

Sitting in a weird tub.

The creepy cat.

The guy with the remote.

The crotch grab.

The sexy back silhouette dance.

The liquid pouring down the face.

The cat crawl.

Looking up at the camera close-up.

The gathering of the bad men.

The cold, hard beds with water element.

The black outfit leg spread.

The graceful gown walk with matching background pattern. (Window and ceiling.)

The green-gold dress.

The side lay with arm outstretched.

The broadcast.

The guy with facial hardware.

The dark, hard, wet setting with bright lights.

The arm curl pose.

The ghostly white figures in posed dance.

The weird hand thing with fingers curled into a ring.

The white bed at the very end, (where she beds the facial hardware guy.)

There are other similarities besides these as well, such as the troupe of dancers, and the element of shining light. Now, the only thing i see wrong with this is that no one has admitted to it yet. Another publicity stunt? Obviously.

Dear friends,

One of my bands, Happily Ever After, have released our 3 song ep entitled Deep Inside, including the songs “Frustrated,” “The Kill,” and “But Tonight” on iTunes, Amazon.com, and Emusic.com that you can purchase now for less than $3. You should get it and give it a listen and let me know what you think. I would be very grateful.

X

Michael

It started with 2 shows in one day with Total Eclipse. The first was a community barbeque fundraiser in Lafayette, immediately followed by rushing to San Francisco to make our show at Maggy McGary’s at Grant and Green.

The next day was a wedding gig in Livermore. Drank a bunch of wine, danced and sang, and had a blast.

We started outside in the olive orchard, and then moved inside where there was more light.

Finally, I started Paul’s tattoo that he has been begging me for, (since way before he even decided what he wanted!) So far I have only done the black, but after it heals I’m going to make it very colorful.

Then, I used the lotus design I made for Paul to make a design for my wrist. I like how it continues the water theme of my forearm.

I hate my job.

I actually couldn’t love it more. Do what you love. If you’re not doing it yet, at least make sure you’re working toward that ultimate goal, whatever your job is now. Yes, money can bring a great deal of happiness, but always remember that happiness is more important than money. Am I wrong?

Finally, after a lot of hard work and amidst busy schedules, and complicated by my last minute re-write of “Frustrated,” (which became a fitting title,) we finally finished our 3 song demo.

Check out Happily Ever After’s demo here on imeem.

Find:

How many photos of Paul/Me singing for a crowd?

2 women related to me?

A woman and man related to Paul?

Ruben making a chicken burrito?

How many photos of drunkenness? (Trick question.)

This was our whirlwind Holidays. Leaving straight from Paul’s show with his other band to drive straight through to Texas to visit my family, then to Missouri to visit Paul’s family, then back to California JUST in time to play a New Year’s Eve show at Maggy McGary’s in San Francisco. And now it’s 3pm, and Paul’s still sleeping. =)

My band, Happily Ever After, in the studio recording our demo. The songs will be done mixing soon.

Today was a day of boots, butts, leather, penises, tattoos, and Shiny Toy Guns. I think they are my favorite band right now. We went to the festival mostly just to see them, and i was not disappointed! (Except for the fact that they did not play my favorite song, “You Are The One“!) They have a new female singer. She is awesome! I don’t have many pictures to share, since we were only there for 1.5 hours.

Paul loves CSI. All of them! We watch hours and hours of CSI! Personally, i’d watch something else, but i do get something out of it. I discover a lot of incredible music from watching CSI. Actually, from commercials as well. Today, while watching an episode of CSI:NY, i heard a really groovy song in one of the scenes that i immediately recognized as being by the Swedish band The Knife. I recognized the voice, but i didn’t recognize the song. It’s called “We Share Our Mothers Health.” I originally discovered them from an episode of Criminal Intent, if i remember correctly, when i heard the phenomenal song “What Else Is There?” by Royksopp, (from Norway,) featuring singer Karin Dreijer of The Knife.

Around the same time, there was a hotel commercial featuring a song called “In The Morning,” by Junior Boys. (Another of my favorite songs and bands!)

While watching Criminal Intent, i discovered a heartbreakingly beautiful song called “Prisoner” by Adam Crossley.

There was also a Target commercial, (i believe,) that featured a song i really loved that turned out to be by Snoop Dogg! It’s called “Beautiful,” (ft. Pharrell.) I’m pretty sure it was another Target commercial that featured the groovy yet eerie song, “A Little Bit More” by Jamie Lidell, who i just saw on late night TV last night. (David Letterman maybe?)

Enjoy!

The Knife – “We Share Our Mothers Health”

Royksopp – “What Else Is There?” Interesting note: The woman floating around in this video, (with milk apparently pouring from her vagina,) is actually Marianne Schroder, a fashion model. (Karin, the actual singer, is the one eating the apple. Very confusing!)

Junior Boys – “In The Morning”

I like to make music, both my own and covers. I use Garage Band to make all the music on my computer with a USB piano keyboard, (even for the guitar parts, since i don not play guitar.) Then i record the vocals in my bathroom or bedroom. My laptop has a built in mic.

I have a few 80s songs that i have covered, and i decided it would be a lot of fun to make videos for them, using the original music videos as inspiration. Here is the first one for Scritti Politti’s “Absolute.” I have absolutely no idea what this song is about. From watching the original video, club goers seem to be putting some kind of party drug called Absolute into their eyeballs! It is possible that the song is about a party drug which the songwriter calls “holy girl, my paramour.” I totally loved all the funky dance moves in this video, so i tried to recreate them in my video. I had a blast making this! I used the old version of iMovie. I tried to use the new version on my new MacBook, but i could not figure out how to use it for the life of me! Enjoy!