All posts by Piercing Ken

I'm a Freelance Music Photojournalist from NYC and Founder of the Heavy Metal website PiercingMetal.com; I created this blog site to showcase the other things in life that keep my interest or catch my attention. Believe me that is a lot of stuff to talk about when it comes down to it. I hope you enjoy what we are delivering because there is so much to share as a resident of this bustling metropolis.
Features, PiercingKen Says

Here’s The Winners Of The 2017 MTV Video Music Awards

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mtv video music awards 2017

Last night The MTV “Video Music Awards” for 2017 were handed out at The Forum in Los Angeles. Last years they did this at our own famed Madison Square Garden and I guess it was proper to give LA a chance for the next go round. Now, I must admit to the readership that I no longer even remotely watch the MTV network nor have much of an interest in its programming. As a Rock guy with a lean towards the Metal side of the fence, its kind of hard for me to sit through endless Rap and R&B stuff since its not my thing. Sure I loved Run DMC and some Grandmaster Flash along with a few other legends over the years but there is no connection in my world of today with that sound. I generally post the “Rock” category winners over on PiercingMetal.com to get our readers all fired up and lamenting the state of the music industy but over on “The Chronicles” I am giving you the whole list that was compiled thanks to the other entertainment websites and the MTV one itself to be on point. We are here to entertain you after all so lets take a look at the list and who went home with a “moon person” stateuette.

Video of the Year:
Kendrick Lamar – “HUMBLE.” (TDE/Aftermath/Interscope) — WINNER
Bruno Mars – “24K Magic” (Atlantic Records)
Alessia Cara – “Scars To Your Beautiful” (Def Jam)
DJ Khaled ft. Rihanna & Bryson Tiller – “Wild Thoughts” (Epic Records/We The Best)
The Weeknd – “Reminder” (XO/Republic Records)

Song of Summer:
Daddy Yankee and Luis Fonsi, Feat. Justin Bieber – “Despacito (Remix)”
Ed Sheeran – “Shape of You”
Shawn Mendes – “There’s Nothing Holding Me Back”
Demi Lovato – “Sorry Not Sorry”
DJ Khaled Feat. Rihanna and Bryson Tiller – “Wild Thoughts”
Camila Cabello Feat. Quavo – “OMG”
Fifth Harmony Feat. Gucci Mane – “Down”
Lil Uzi Vert – “XO Tour Llif3” — WINNER
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Features, Food and Drink

Starting The Day With Burger King’s “Ultimate Breakfast Platter”

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Every couple of weeks I grab some coffee with a neighbor of mine to catch up on our mutual worlds and we either hit the local Dunkin Donuts, McDonalds or Burger King since each of them offers up a tasty breakfast menu. I’m a big fan of the Sausage and Egg Burrito or the McMuffin (but I don’t indulge in them as much anymore since they don’t work off of me as fast as they used to). Yesterday my friend had coupons for Burger King and they had a brand-new breakfast platter. The price was fantastic from the coupon so why not give it a try. My photo is of the exact item but you cannot really see the cup of coffee that was also a part of the deal.

As you can see, the Burger King “Ultimate Breakfast Platter” has all of this stuff on the plate. There are scrambled eggs, Hash Browns, sausage, a warm baked croissant and three fluffy pancakes drizzled which you can add butter and syrup to. If you think that this sounds like a lot of food well it is. Technically speaking you can assemble the eggs and sausage onto the croissant for ease of eating it all but I didn’t do that with this go round. I do love the hash browns that BK serves up since they remind me of tater tots and are easily dipped into the little ketchup cups. I should point out that there were a few more of them than you see in the photo but I was rather hungry that morning and ate a bunch before I realized that I should snap a photo to use in this foodie blog post. With this order would also be my very first time trying their pancakes and they were very tasty as well.

This can be compared to the McDonald’s “Big Breakfast” but it does seem to give you more for the money. Never a bad thing. From the look of the morning menu, it appears that BK is adventuring into breakfast a little more and offering up some interesting items. There is a giant burrito of some kind but it was not what I had a coupon for and it was pricey without one. This was a proper choice but will leave you full so a little extra walking is encouraged afterward.

Official Website: http://www.burgerking.com

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The Solar Eclipse Is Coming, The Solar Eclipse Is Coming!

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Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last few weeks, you probably know that a solar eclipse is coming our way on Monday, August 21st and if you live in the USA, there are parts of the country where you will see all or some of it. We haven’t had one since 2009. Now unless you are planning on watching this phenomenon from the comfort of your home on the television or streamed somewhere on the websites of the globe, its IMPERATIVE that you are wearing the proper eye protection. According to the news reports, libraries across the country as well as your neighborhood optical place should have free glasses that will allow for a safe viewing of said eclipse. The stuff down in the photograph below are NOT recommended for viewing this eclipse.

The friends circle who follows my Swarm app check-ins know that my quest for a pair of these glasses has been less than successful. I also did these Check Ins on YELP and you can follow my account by clicking HERE (I don’t add those who I have not met IRL but following the profile works just as good). I called two area libraries who said they never had them and didn’t think they’d arrive before the eclipse and the larger pharmacy and retail stores like Rite Aid, Walgreens and Duane Reade didn’t have them either. As a matter of fact one clerk tried to sell me these lens covers that you see below. I quickly informed him that this is NOT what people are asking for and unless the store wanted lawsuits afterward they should not try to push these are safe to use. Oh I didn’t buy these from that visit but they are perfect for covering my regular glasses in the bright sun.
Continue reading The Solar Eclipse Is Coming, The Solar Eclipse Is Coming! →

Features, PiercingKen Says

The “Fear The Riff” Expo Is Coming To Brooklyn In October

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It’s not often that I actually post a press release on both of my websites, but with this brand new “Fear The Riff” Expo that is heading to the beautiful Brooklyn Expo Center in October, it was something that I really needed to do. Check out the full press release below along with the show poster and I’ll close up with some thoughts about the matter.

The Press Release:
Brooklyn, NY – The first annual FEAR THE RIFF Expo will be coming to Brooklyn on October 7, 2017. Gearheads, effects aficionados and fans who want to meet their heroes alike will enjoy the event, happening at the Brooklyn Expo Center from 10am through 8pm.

The Guitar industry is in the midst of a true renaissance. A surge of innovative boutique and small batch crafters have carved out an exceptional market for true tone seekers and gear heads. FEAR THE RIFF is proud to have assembled the best in boutique guitar effects, amps and accessories in the country’s greatest city, New York. For one day, 50-plus vendors will converge upon Brooklyn’s expo center to demo their latest creations to industry, press and of course music fans from all over. FEAR THE RIFF Expo is the perfect environment for makers to network, get exposure for their latest creations and sell inventory on-site directly to the public.

In addition to the one-on-one experience attendees will have discussing products with the makers, they will also have access to our SAM ASH Sponsored demo stage. Throughout the day highlighted companies will have a chance to demonstrate products to the crowd. Renowned sponsored artists may show up to promote their favorite essentials and meet their fans.
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Hitting A Decade Of Using WordPress (2007-2017)

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So I am a few days late with this news but its been a little busy over here at the Creative Command HQ; The other day I received a notification on the WordPress Admin Dashboard which said that a super cool milestone had been reached and this anniversary is that I had signed up for WordPress.com some ten years ago.  Longer tenured readers know that I am using this blogging software on both of my websites at this time.   Check out the “Anniversary Graphic” and then we shall continue along.

As I’ve noted in past posts of this kind, I love sharing what amounts to a website anniversary or maybe with this its more of a blogiversary since its for the blogging software I’m celebrating here.  Ten years is a long time to be doing anything nowadays and while I’ve been using the WordPress software for that long, the main PiercingMetal website hit its 12th Anniversary back in April while “The Chronicles” is now just passed its 7th.  I should have gone to WordPress a little earlier with PM.com but was afraid to make the jump when this was something “brand new”.  Now, with both outlets fully using WordPress the creativity flows a whole lot easier than ever before.  Let’s take a look at where these two websites stand collectively.
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