2015, OCT. 15: BOTB RESULTS (Or, CARNIVAL IN CREEPVILLE)

STMcC’s Vote On '2015, Oct. 15th: Battle Of The Bands'
(Or, 'Scott Rooney Vs. Abelkain')
And The Final Tally:

I just kind of fell into this particular Battle. This was NOT what I had originally planned, but a friend asked me to suggest a spooky song for a Halloweenie-themed BOTB, and I suggested this one. (It's the spookiest song I know.) In the end, she decided not to use it, so I grabbed it up quickly and used it myself. 

I probably would have used this song two Halloweens ago, but I never dreamed anyone had ever covered it. When my friend asked for a song, I looked into Alice Cooper's 'STEVEN' from his hit album 'Welcome To My Nightmare' and was amazed how many covers there were. But, in my opinion, these two that I presented here were easily the best. They were like Great Dogs in an 'Ugly Cat Show'.

[Did Alice get some ideas from Tiny Tim's 'Welcome To My Dream'? And there are a few Tiny songs that seem to me as if they could have almost been precursors to Alice's 'Steven'. Was Alice a Tiny fan? Just a tawt I tawt.]

Scott Rooney's cover is very much like the Alice Cooper original. Abelkain deviated more from the overall sound. So, in a way, it was like I was sorta-kinda putting Alice Cooper up against Abelkain. (Except, had I used the real Alice Cooper original against Abelkain, this would have been a shutout. And had I used the real Alice Cooper original against Scott Rooney's cover, it would have been another shutout.)

But I thought Rooney and Abelkain made a pretty good match-up on a song that I never dreamed (or "nightmared") anyone would ever attempt to cover.

There's no question that Abelkain can seriously sling six-strings. I don't normally go in for Heavy Metal, but this dude even impressed a Light Wood guy like me! 

However, because there were more sonic textures in the Scott Rooney version (as there are in the Alice Cooper original), he got my vote. Voting for Scott Rooney is like voting for Alice Cooper's kid brother.

At first, it appeared this was going to be a total blowout. After 10 votes, Rooney had 9 of them. But then Abelkain scored the next 5 in a row. Suddenly it was 9-6. But in the end, it looked like this: 

Scott Rooney = 15 Votes
Abelkain = 8 Votes

OK, I promised y'all that I would present the ALICE COOPER original, including the 3-minute intro titled 'YEARS AGO'. And I said that I'd found perhaps the world's creepiest video to go along with it.

The video was put together by someone named LANCE SHAFFER. This is 8 minutes, 44 seconds of "Main Street, Creepville". The spookiest song I know combined with some really creepy imagery. No, no blood and guts and gruesome pictures. Just... weird... creepy... disturbing... nightmarish images. (Where in Hell did Lance Shaffer find all those pictures of dead dolls? Or did he create them all himself for THIS video? If so, that boy has a future in Hollyweird!)

If you're prone to nightmares, you might want to skip this Halloween spooktacular combo of sounds and sights.

'YEARS AGO / STEVEN'
Music by Alice Cooper, Video by Lance Shaffer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpZ6of85D4M


You can't say I didn't warn you.

Now then, who was the "real" Steven? Here's Alice Cooper with the surprising answer. (This video-answer was found by Dixie, my friend who eventually rejected this song - and, girl, is she sorry now! Are you, Pigtail Polka?)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQpz2ifLLWk


You know, you kinda HAVE TO LIKE Alice Cooper, don'tcha? I mean, if that's not a likable guy... then neither am I! (OK, don't even go there!)

My thanks to all y'all who listened and voted. Or voted but didn't listen. Or listened but didn't voted. Or didn't listened and didn't voted.

I hope to see yaz all here again on November 1st when I will present a BOTB that is GUARANTEED TO... be here.

~ Stephen T. McSevenyearoldboyinsideyaz

2015, OCT 15: BATTLE OF THE BANDS (Or, SCOTT ROONEY VS. ABELKAIN)

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Mothers Vs. Drunk Drivers, The President Vs. Congress, The Senate Vs. The House, People Vs. Politicians, Bocephus Vs. Cats In The House, The City Vs. The County, The County Vs. The State, The State Vs. The Government, Justice Vs. The System, The Horse Vs. The Automobile, The Bus Vs. The Train, The Train Vs. The Jumbo Jet, Bocephus Vs. Fishing In The Rain, Your Doctor Vs. You Smoking, D-FensDogG Vs. You, And The Devil's Against Us All. But I'm For Love, And I'm For...

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BATTLE OF THE BANDS! (‘BOTB’)

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Shoop-Shooby –

Shooby-duh-Dooby-Doop-Dooby-Dooby-Doo-Wah –

Buh-Doo-Wah!

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Yes, it’s time once again for ‘Battle Of The Bands’ (‘BOTB’)

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Alright, let’s get on it...

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EUGENE  MARTONE  VS.  JACK  BUTLER

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Welcome to my SpOoKtAcUlaR Halloween edition of BOTB. 

When I was a teenager, there were a few songs and albums I particularly liked to listen to through headphones with the lights out... for maximum sPoOkInEsS: 'Revolution #9' by The Beatles, the Pink Floyd albums 'Meddle', 'Ummagumma', and 'Dark Side Of The Moon'. Also the song 'YEARS AGO / STEVEN' by Alice Cooper. Unless you are/were an Alice Cooper fan, it's not likely you're familiar with today's featured song.

Cooper released the album 'WELCOME TO MY NIGHTMARE' in 1975 and it spawned the big hit 'Only Women Bleed'. 'Years Ago' (track 8) served as something of a nearly 3-minute long intro for the next song 'STEVEN', which is the EeRiEsT one-two combination I know of. I never dreamed (or even had a nightmare) that I'd find covers of 'Steven', but I did. And it's only fitting that Stephen use 'Steven' for a Halloween treat... or trick.

Come back on Oct. 21st for the voting results when I'll also post a very cReEpY video of the original by Alice Cooper, and I'll tell you who 'Steven' is really supposed to be. (Interesting info discovered by my friend Dixie "Pigtail" Polka. Dixie found it.) 
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GOODNIKS  VS.  NO-GOODNIKS

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Please refrain from watching this video while the song is playing as it might unduly sway the way you vote, either pro or con. Please just listen, but no watchee.
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'Steven' by SCOTT ROONEY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oueDXo2ZsDQ

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GODZILLA  VS.  KING  KONG

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'Steven' by ABELKAIN

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNF_X6ASJtk
 

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RIDDLER  VS.  BATMAN

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Alright now, “you know the gig”... I welcome you (whoever you are) to vote for your favorite of these songs in the comment section below. And feel free to tell us WHY you chose one song over the other. 
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After voting here, I suggest - actually I insist - you pop over to the blogs of the other 'BATTLE OF THE BANDS' participants to see which songs they have chosen and vote there also. (If their ‘BOTB’ blog bits aren’t posted yet, pour yourself two shots of ‘Grand Marnier’ over ice – do it twice – and then return to their blogs to vice your voice ...vote your vice ...voice your vote.)
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Voice Your Vote @ ‘FAR AWAY SERIES’ by clicking HERE.
@ ‘TOSSING IT OUT’ by clicking HERE.
@ ‘YOUR DAILY DOSE’ by clicking HERE.
@ 'BOOK LOVER' by clicking HERE.
@ 'MIKE'S RAMBLINGS' by clicking HERE.
@ 'CURIOUS AS A CATHY' by clicking HERE.
@ 'THE SOUND OF ONE HAND TYPING' by clicking HERE.
@ 'DCRELIEF - BATTLE OF THE BANDS' by clicking HERE.
@ 'THE DOGLADY'S DEN' by clicking HERE.
@ 'CHERDO ON THE FLIPSIDE' by clicking HERE. 
@ 'ANGELS BARK' by clicking HERE.
@ 'JINGLE JANGLE JUNGLE' by clicking HERE.
@ 'WOMEN: WE SHALL OVERCOME' by clicking HERE.
@ 'J.A. SCOTT' by clicking HERE.
@ 'NOVELBREWS' by clicking HERE. 
@ 'HOLLI'S HOOTS AND HOLLERS' by clicking HERE.
@ 'QUIET LAUGHTER' by clicking HERE.
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As I've done in the past, I will continue to return to my 'BOTB' blog bits on the 7th and 21st of each month to post my own votes and announce the winners in the comment sections.
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~ Stephen T. McCarthy
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BOTB RESULTS (DAVID AND DAVID VS. RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS) / 25 FAVORITE MOVIES

STMcC’s Vote On '2015, October 1st: Battle Of The Bands'
(Or, 'David & David Vs. Red Hot Chili Peppers')
And The Final Tally:

Sorry I'm late, y'all. I was sick for about a day and a half. (I've been a vegetarian for 30 years, and I think I accidentally ate some meat in a noodle dish at a buffet on Sunday. My system said, "What are you? I don't recognize you. GET OUT!" And believe me, it "got out".)

And then they screwed with my work schedule. (I'm mad and ready to quit. I won't be pushed!) So I'm way behind on my comments to everyone. I'll get there... eventually.

First of all, my gratitude to EVERYONE who took the time to listen, watch & vote on this "special" BOTB installment. I got 25 voters, and that ties my all-time record, I believe. You people are GREAT! I thank you, Thank You, THANK YOU! 

I've already explained how I got the idea to make this Battle theme-based (the excesses and broken dreams of Tinseltown, the underbelly of life in Los Angeles) rather than song-based. It wasn't until I did a little research into the song 'UNDER THE BRIDGE' by the Red Hot Chili Peppers that I had the idea to make this a dual duel - requesting separate votes for Song & Video. I found the following at Wackypedia:

The members of the band respected Van Sant both as a person and an artist and were elated when he agreed to direct the video for "Under the Bridge". Flea credits the video as "the thing that really made us break through the mainstream of American and worldwide pop culture".

MTV placed the "Under the Bridge" video on heavy rotation. At the 1992 MTV Video Music Awards the Red Hot Chili Peppers led the nominations, which included the categories of "Best Video", "Best Group", and "Best Direction." "Under the Bridge" won the group "Breakthrough Video" and "Viewers Choice Best Video".

I thought to myself: "Doggone it, are you kidding? The themes are similar, but the David & David video is a godzillion times better'n the RHCP video. So, I'll make this a contest between songs AND VIDEOS." And that's how this "different" Battle was conceived.

This will surprise many: As much as I like 'Welcome To The Boomtown', I voted for the song 'UNDER THE BRIDGE' by the Red Hot Chili Peppers. It was super-close for me (my vote was like a 52%-48% decision). But any song that can get stuck in my head as quickly as 'Under The Bridge' can is a song I really dig at some mysterious level. 

Note, however, that 'Boomtown' by David & David is one of my favorite Rock albums ever recorded, and I sincerely believe it's the most underrated of all time. There are 9 tracks on the album, and 3 or 4 of them I like even better'n the hit 'Welcome To The Boomtown'. That gives you a clearer understanding of how much the 'Boomtown' LP appealed to me, and still does.

If you follow this blog on a regular basis, you will encounter David & David here again, when I resume posting blog bits about 'THE SOUNDTRACK OF MY LIFE'. 

I was astounded by the voting outcome. I was sure that David & David would clobber da crap outta the Chili Peppers in the Video category, and they did... and then some. But since 'Under The Bridge' went to #2 on the Billboard music chart, as compared to 'Welcome To The Boomtown' at #37, I figured that the Chili Peppers' hit would edge out David & David's hit in the Song category. But, you know, the only thing one can really know about 'Battle Of The Bands' is: You never know.

Song:
'Welcome To The Boomtown' (David & David) 
= 13 votes
'Under The Bridge' (Red Hot Chili Peppers) 
= 12 votes

Video: 
'Welcome To The Boomtown' (David & David) 
= 19 votes
'Under The Bridge' (Red Hot Chili Peppers) 
= 4 votes

I feel the Video vote is a total no-brainer, and it seems so did most of all y'all. 'Welcome To The Boomtown' is superior in 101 ways, and one of those ways is how some images were synchronized with the song's recurring percussion "BANG!" That cleverness ALONE makes the David & David video better'n its competitor in this Battle.

Here's the video for a repeat performance. Watch for that synchronized image / sound device:
0:32 - Person dives into swimming pool.
2:04 - The gunshot.
2:32 - The boxer's left jab.
3:03 - David Baerwald and the drunken man high-fiving.
3:23 - The wrecking ball striking the abandoned building.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97wvwuHUMCw

Once again, I thank EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU for participating, and I hope to see you here again for my spooktacular Halloween BOTB installment on October 15th.


And now, a special message to YOU from my friend Kevin (and me)...

WHAT ARE YOUR TOP 25 FAVORITE MOVIES EVER MADE?

I was hoping that YOU would participate in a fun survey a friend and I have done a couple of times in the past (1994 and 2004) with people all over the USA. The survey is NOT going to be published or distributed to the general public, but if you want a final copy we can send you one when it is finished in late 2015 or early 2016. 

My friend Stephen T. McCarthy and I are asking folks to come up with their Top 25 Favorite Films of all time. Not what you believe to be the 25 greatest, but what films are your all time favorites? 

It is really fun to participate in, read the final results and see what films were popular in the final tally. I would also encourage you to get as many friends and family to join in as possible. The more, the merrier!

There are a few simple rules and requests if you decide to participate (and I hope you do because I included you hoping you would take part)

What you need to include:

YOUR NAME

STATE

FILM TITLE & YEAR

When listing the film, make sure to include the year of the film, so if the movie you have chosen is a remake we will list the RIGHT version. A great place to verify film years is the Internet Movie Database: 

IMDb - Movies, TV and Celebrities

Also, the year included will help us determine WHICH movie in a series the person means, when they get lazy and write "Alien" instead of "Aliens", or get lazy and don't add a number, like, I, II, III, IV.

 

Top 25 lists should be in TWO PARTS: The Top Ten, and The Next Fifteen. You don't need to order them as #1, #2, #3, etc. You can alphabetize them if you want (that's helpful), or you can just list them in any random order, so long as we can tell the Top Ten from The Next Fifteen (because 'Top 10' movies will receive 3 points, while 'The Next Fifteen' movies - in your Top 25 list - will receive 2 points).

And, according to our old rules, a person can list singly a movie from a series, or they can take the ENTIRE SERIES and list it in one spot. But they CAN'T pick and choose installments and then try to lump them all into one slot. Examples:

These are OK:

1: "Back To The Future"

or

1: "Back To The Future" Trilogy 

But THIS is NOT acceptable:

1: "Back To The Future" and "Back To The Future" III 

In a case like that, we would count BOTH of those movies ("Back To The Future" and "Back To The Future" III) as separate entries, and whatever is last on your list is going to get dropped off. 

I really hope YOU will participate in this fun survey. Take your time thinking about it. No rush, but I would say a good due date to have this completed would be October 31, 2015. Again, feel free to pass this along to anyone else you know who enjoys watching movies. We have had people participate from east to west, even outside the USA, in the past. Husbands, wives, sons and daughters can ALL participate. We look forward to your response!

Sincerely,

ZooKeeperKevin, and...

~ Stephen T. McCarthy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=invnCfdq-fk

2015, OCT. 1: BATTLE OF THE BANDS (Or, DAVID AND DAVID VS. RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS X 2)

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Republican Vs. Democrat, Male Vs. Female, War Vs. Peace, Light Vs. Dark, Good Vs. Evil, Man Vs. Machine, Love Vs. Hate, Dog Vs. Cat, Sun Vs. Moon, Brain Vs. Brawn, Oscar Vs. Grammy, Angel Vs. Demon, Laurel Vs. Hardy, Beer Vs. Wine, TV Vs. Radio, Pitcher Vs. Batter, Paper Vs. Plastic, Reality Vs. Fantasy, Yeshua Vs. Beelzebub, Conservative Vs. Liberal, You Vs. Me, House Vs. Senate, Offense Vs. Defense, Kramer Vs. Kramer, Spy Vs. Spy, Fischer Vs. Spassky, W.C. Fields Vs. Sobriety, Harold Gimpy, Jr. Vs. Sheldon J. Pismire, Rock Vs. Paper Vs. Scissors, Islam Vs. Everything, Singer Vs. Singer, Band Vs. Band...

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BATTLE OF THE BANDS! (‘BOTB’)

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Shoop-Shooby –

Shooby-duh-Dooby-Doop-Dooby-Dooby-Doo-Wah –

Buh-Doo-Wah!

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Yes, it’s time once again for ‘Battle Of The Bands’ (‘BOTB’)

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Alright, let’s get on it...

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EUGENE  MARTONE  VS.  JACK  BUTLER

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In a recent BOTB comment section, the Eagles' song 'HOTEL CALIFORNIA' was mentioned, and that got me to thinking about two other songs I dig which focus on the city where I was born and raised.

The excesses and broken dreams of Tinseltown, the underbelly of life in my "homemegalopolis", Los Angeles, are mentioned or alluded to in 'WELCOME TO THE BOOMTOWN' by David & David, and 'UNDER THE BRIDGE' by the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Ordinarily, I'm a staunch traditionalist, but this is one of the rare times I'm putting together a BOTB installment that is "thematically" linked, rather than using the exact same song.

There's another new little "twist" this time: Rather than asking you to ignore the music videos so you can concentrate solely on the songs themselves, I'm going to ask you to submit TWO VOTES. Please tell me which of the two songs you like better, and then tell me which of the two music videos you like better.

Some people may be voting for the same band twice, while others may be splitting their votes - giving one band the win in the "Song" category and giving the other band the win in the "Video" category. However you choose to cast your TWO VOTES, it's A-OK.

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GOODNIKS  VS.  NO-GOODNIKS

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In 1986, I listened to David & David's 'BOOMTOWN' album more than any other I owned - 'Boomtown' was essentially my Soundtrack Of '86. I s'pose I must have heard the title track on FM radio before it became a Top 40 hit and I purchased a copy of the LP for that one song, but then happily discovered that there were 3 or 4 songs I liked even better'n the hit!

'Boomtown' was the only album released by David (Baerwald - the curly-haired lead singer) and David (Ricketts - the dark-haired lead guitarist). They broke up afterwards, despite the fact the song 'Welcome To The Boomtown' went to #37 on the Billboard chart. It seems the Davids couldn't get along with each other too well.

It was a pretty dark album that was certified 'gold' in 1995.

Wackypedia sez: Baerwald and Ricketts played all the instruments on the album except for drums on some tracks which were played by Ed Greene.

Although Baerwald and Ricketts would go on to co-write some of the material for Sheryl Crow's debut album, the duo pursed [sic] divergent musical paths with Baerwald developing his solo career and Ricketts working with singer/musician Toni Childs.

Every song from the 'Boomtown' LP has been uploaded to YouTube multiple times. If you go there and begin reading the comments below each upload, it's rather astounding the affection - even tremendous reverence - with which so many people still regard these songs by a duo that released only one album and remain largely unknown.

The massive number of glowing comments begins to give a person the impression that 'Boomtown' is one of Rock music's most underrated and overlooked albums of all time. Hellck! I've been saying that since 1986!

Although it didn't win any awards that I know of, I also believe the music video that was created for David & David's one hit can compete with just about any I've seen. Did they even have Music Video awards in 1986? All I remember about '86 is David & David, psychological and emotional pain, and Jack Daniels ("...it will help you to think").

By some curious coincidence, just the other day, my buddy LC featured a David Baerwald song on his blog 'DiscConnected', HERE. 

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For full-sized viewing window, click the URL link below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97wvwuHUMCw


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GODZILLA  VS.  KING  KONG

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It was about a year and a half ago that I heard 'UNDER THE BRIDGE' for the first time. I had temporarily stopped listening to The Pat Metheny Group while driving and started tuning into the Classic Rock radio station in Phoenix.

Timing is everything, and I repeatedly tuned in at times when this song I'd never heard before was getting played. About the third time, I realized how much I liked it. (That chorus was so addictive that it would get stuck in my mind and play as if on a tape loop for a couple days after hearing the tune. It's been playing in my mind for the last three days, since I first started composing this blog bit.)

I memorized a line of lyric and Googled it one morning after getting home from work. I was shocked, Shocked, SHOCKED! THAT(?!?!) is the Red Hot Chili Peppers? "But I don't like the Red Hot Chili Peppers!" I reminded myself. How could I EVER like anything by a band who would release an album cover like 
[link-->] THIS?

Sometimes... the wholly unexpected.

I was surprised the song was by the Chili Peppers, and also surprised that it had an L.A. connection. Somehow I missed that part of the lyrics the first few times I heard it.

Wackypedia sez: Vocalist Anthony Kiedis wrote the lyrics to express feelings of loneliness and despondency, and to reflect on narcotics and their impact on his life. Kiedis initially did not feel "Under the Bridge" would fit into the Chili Peppers' repertoire and was reluctant to show it to his band mates until producer Rick Rubin implored him to do so. ... 

The dejection he was experiencing, coupled with memories of [girlfriend] Ione Skye and prior drug use, led to emotional distress: "the loneliness that I was feeling triggered memories of my time with Ione and how I'd had this beautiful angel of a girl who was willing to give me all of her love, and instead of embracing that, I was downtown with f@#%ing gangsters shooting speedballs under a bridge."

Kiedis' feelings of alienation from his bandmates led him to believe that the city of Los Angeles was his only companion: "I felt an unspoken bond between me and my city. I'd spent so much time wandering through the streets of L.A. and hiking through the Hollywood Hills that I sensed there was a nonhuman entity, maybe the spirit of the hills and the city, who had me in her sights and was looking after me."

The song became a critical and commercial success, peaking at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 and later certified 'platinum' by the Recording Industry Association of America. The single's success was widened with the release of its accompanying video, which was frequently played on music television channels. It won the "Viewer's Choice Award" and "Breakthrough Video" at the 1992 MTV Video Music Awards.

For full-sized viewing window, click the URL link below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwlogyj7nFE


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RIDDLER  VS.  BATMAN

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Alright now, “you know the gig”... Time to vote! Which SONG do you prefer, 'Welcome To The Boomtown' or 'Under The Bridge'? And which MUSIC VIDEO do you like better, the one for 'Welcome To The Boomtown' or the one for 'Under The Bridge'? Feel free to tell us WHY you chose one song and one video over the other. 
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After voting here...
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Voice Your Vote @ ‘FAR AWAY SERIES’ by clicking HERE.
@ ‘TOSSING IT OUT’ by clicking HERE.
@ ‘YOUR DAILY DOSE’ by clicking HERE.
@ 'BOOK LOVER' by clicking HERE.
@ 'MIKE'S RAMBLINGS' by clicking HERE.
@ 'CURIOUS AS A CATHY' by clicking HERE.
@ 'THE SOUND OF ONE HAND TYPING' by clicking HERE.
@ 'DCRELIEF - BATTLE OF THE BANDS' by clicking HERE.
@ 'THE DOGLADY'S DEN' by clicking HERE.
@ 'CHERDO ON THE FLIPSIDE' by clicking HERE. 
@ 'ANGELS BARK' by clicking HERE.
@ 'JINGLE JANGLE JUNGLE' by clicking HERE.
@ 'WOMEN: WE SHALL OVERCOME' by clicking HERE.
@ 'J.A. SCOTT' by clicking HERE.
@ 'NOVELBREWS' by clicking HERE. 
@ 'HOLLI'S HOOTS AND HOLLERS' by clicking HERE.
@ 'QUIET LAUGHTER' by clicking HERE.
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I will announce the the winner of each category ('Song' and 'Video') here on October 7th.
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~ Stephen T. McCarthy
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