I really liked the movie "Metallica: Some Kind of Monster," which had its NYC premiere Wednesday night. At the party afterward, I told an IFC exec (IFC Films is distributing the film) that the doc was great. But then I added, 'I'm a pretty big fan of Metallica, so I can't be the perfect gauge.' At that point, he gave me a bit of an askance look. I wanted to just say, 'yeah, I know it's not the typical gay thing to listen to.' That would've really mixed things up a bit, but instead I woosed out and just said, 'yeah, I know it's a bit surprising.' But, I've always liked hard rock beginning from the days when I'd blare Bauhaus on my tape recorder as a kid while going to bed.

But I digress... I knew the party would be a good one when I entered the party at the Gramercy Park Hotel, High Bar and the DJ was playing Hole's "Doll Parts." Our friend (Eugene was with me) Diana Holtzberg from Film Transit International (they're selling the film abroad) snuck us out to the VIP section. Unfortunately, the guard told me in the strictest terms I could not take any pictures from there, so scenes of Sean Penn partying down with Metallica could not make it into iPOP. Anyway, she introduced us to the band's newest member, bassist Robert Trujillo who was quite chatty. He said that film parties were very different because people would ask him "specific questions" about the movie and made inquiries that were more "about him" and his opinions. Apparently, much different from the chats he encounters elsewhere. Once, while working at Elektra, I had the pleasure of attending a post-Grammys party for Warner Music Group (Elektra was a part of that at the time). Metallica was there along with a ton of other artists on the varios Warner labels. I had the distinct honor of "escorting" one particular pop superstar (not Metallica) up the red carpet, because to put it nicely, Girlfriend Was Beyond Baked! Anyway, it might be comparing apples and oranges, but the music parties were overall, not surprisingly, on the more wild side. The "Y Tu Mama Tambien" party two years ago, however, definitely ranked up there though. Plenty o' top drawer tequila for shots is the big key always!! (at least if you're looking to f*** some real sh** up).

In one room of High Bar, photographers were allowed to stand around while the film's directors Joe Berlinger and Bruce Sinofsky as well as members of Metallica came for photo calls and for an on camera interview with local entertainment broadcast journalist George Whipple. Anyway, I was shooting a picture of the band's Trujillo and Kirk Hammett, when suddenly the cameras turned around and I felt a push from behind. I almost fell down, but caught myself, then turned around and it was Sean Penn trying to make his way through the room (which lead to the VIP area). His face was like 1 foot away from mine. Yesterday, as I was telling my friend this story, he said, "did you hit him?" I replied, "No I kissed him." (laughs) Of course, I did neither. Penn's reputation for hating photos and not posing for them (which is true so far in my experience in doing this gig) really causes a frenzy when a slight opportunity arises, which it did Wednesday. I almost joined the spilled cocktails on the floor because they just pounded him with flashes, and the fact I was already standing there made no difference, even at a "genteel" cocktail party. One photog yelled, "I got it, I got it!" not but two seconds after he passed through. To hell with decorum when you can pawn a photo of Sean off for top dollar and not get smacked doing it, right? As for what Sean must've been thinking at that moment, well, it can be a bit rough being so rich and famous. At least I think so...