IN DEPTH: Dresden Dolls "Shores Of California"

Once upon a time — well, the '80s, to be exact — there was little difference between sexy and sexist when it came to music videos. The master of the genre was David Lee Roth, who managed to come across as  nothing more than a harmless, lovable poon hound in a series of absolutely classic and campy videos. The most famous of the bunch is "California Girls," in which Diamond Dave serves as a tour guide to all the ladies one can ogle and fondle across the plains of America. If there was ever an act with a disposition that's the polar opposite to Lee Roth, it's the gay-friendly "Brechtian punk cabaret" duo Dresden Dolls. So, it's absolutely genius that the video for the Dolls' "Shores Of California" is a faithful recreation of Roth's "California Girls" clip, with singer Amanda Palmer in the starring role. What makes it work is that this isn't a parody. After all, the original video can best be viewed at this point as a parody of male sexual desires — Roth does work awfully hard to make you believe he loves pussy — so what can be better than playing it straight? Another thing in this video's favor is timing. Vh1 is in pre-production on the reality competition series Clash Of The Music Videos — executive produced by none other than Drew Barrymore and her former boyfriend, Strokes drummer Fabrizio Moretti — in which directors will be given small budgets to recreate classic music videos from the '80s. Something tells me they should give "Shores Of California" director Andrew Bennett a call. Speaking of Mr. Bennett, we were able to get him to share some secrets from the set and reveal some of the guest stars you might not recognize in the video.

Andrew Bennett, director: "The idea came from singer Amanda Palmer; she wanted to do an homage to David Lee Roth's 1985 video for "California Girls," but with her own Dresden style and Brechtian theatre twist. We wanted to add new characters, like Liam Sullivan, who created the you tube sensation character Kelly; David J from Bauhaus, who was kind enough to lounge in the hot sun in a suit while a bikini girl crawled over him; and Margaret Cho, who assisted Amanda in schooling some young girls in the ways of the world. Along with those new ideas, we kept true to many of Diamond Dave's original elements, like the tourists and bikini girls. I did make a valiant effort in begging at the feet of Diamond Dave to do a cameo, but to no prevail. Nice guy though, sharp dresser."

--> watch "Shores Of California"

Dresden Dolls "Shores Of California" (Roadrunner)
Andrew Bennett, director/editor | Frank Caridi, producer | Highway 114, production co | Laure Scott Management, rep | Andy Strahorn, DP

SHOT: Kid Rock - Jay Martin, director

Kid Rock gears up for the October 9 release of his new album, Rock N Roll Jesus. Video shooting today (Friday) in Los Angeles...

artist: Kid Rock
song: "So Hot"
label: Atlantic
director(s): Jay Martin
production co: DNA

NEWS: Merge @ Crossroads Signs Gil Green

Director Gil Green has signed with Merge @ Crossroads, where Tommy Labuda of Labuda Management will represent him for music video work.

Green's latest credits include:

• DJ Khaled f/ Akon, Rick Ross, Fat Joe, Baby and Lil' Wayne "We Takin' Over"
• Elephant Man feat. Wyclef Jean "Five O"
• Akon "Don't Matter"
• Kat DeLuna feat. Elephant Man "Whine Up"

BOOKED: Kelly Rowland f/ Snoop Dogg - Andrew Gura, director

artist: Kelly Rowland feat. Snoop Dogg
song: "Ghetto"
label: Music World/Columbia
director(s): Andrew Gura   
production co: Partizan

SHOT: Shop Boyz - Ghettonerd, director

artist: Shop Boyz
song: "They Like Me"
label: Universal Republic
director(s): Ghettonerd
production co: Goon Media
rep: Heidi Gregory Management

SHOT: Brisco f/ Lil Wayne & baby - Scott Franklin, director

artist: Brisco feat. Lil Wayne and Baby
song: "In The Hood"   
label: Cash Money/Universal Motown 
director(s): Scott Franklin
production co: Fred Films
rep: Labuda Management

SHOT: Naked Brothers Band - Scott Franklin, director

A fictional band in a kid's TV series (on Nickelodeon) is about to turn real with the forthcoming CD from The Naked Brothers Band. Kind of like The Monkees...

artist: The Naked Brothers Band
song: "If That's Not Love"   
label: Nickelodeon/Columbia
director(s): Scott Franklin
production co: Fred Films
rep: Labuda Management

SHOT: Linda Kiraly - Patrick Hoelck, director

U.S. debut from this Hungarian pop star...

artist: Linda Kiraly
song: "Can't Let Go"
label: Universal Republic
director(s): Patrick Hoelck
production co: Collaboration Factory
rep: Labuda Management

note: Patrick Hoelck is signed with Merge @ Crossroad

NEW RELEASE: RJD2 "Work It Out"

There's nothing quite like watching someone overcome a disability, or at least finding a feasible workaround. Bill Shannon aka Crutch had something called Legg-Calve-Perthes syndrome which left behind a femur that is deformed at the hip socket. It's apprently very painful, but Legg-Calvé-Perthes syndrome never looked so awesome as it does in his routine for RJD2's "Work it Out." After playfully avoiding a standard gesture of help from RJD2 himself, Shannon launches into a routine outside Brooklyn's Borough Hall using rocker-bottom crutches and a skateboard to create dance moves that would make any B-boy insanely jealous. In so doing, Shannon turns the question of disability and empathy on its societal head. And, it's a way for Shannon to turn what is a fact of life into a super-cool art form. Therefore, I would like to award him — with Video Static Steve's permission —  the first Video Static Medal of Honor. (review by Kevin Holy) --> watch "Work It Out"

RJD2 "Work It Out" (XL/Beggars)
Joey Garfield, director | Michaela McKee, producer | Ghost Robot, production co | Maceo Bishop, DP/steadicam operator | Jacob Craycroft, editor

note 1: The performance in this video is ONE TAKE. Shannon performed it 16 times through to get the final versions. That's right, versions. It was apparently a split decision on which take was best, so one version of the video/routine is online (and linked above), while the other is airing on TV and can be seen here.

note 2: The Video Static Medal of Honor does not exist and has no cash value.

BOOKED: Mya - Erik White, director

artist: Mya
song: "Ridin"
label: Universal Motown 
director(s): Erik White
production co: Uncle