Thursday, March 31, 2005

Since I'll be hungover tomorrow

and posting will likely be light I'll just say, "have a great weekend!"
and if you know me, there's a party at my house tomorrow night,
so come on over...

The Stypod: Stylus Magazine's MP3 Blog

The Stypod: Stylus Magazine's MP3 Blog:
"It's time, people. It's time to rehabilitate Digital Hardcore."

I didn't know much about digital hardcore at the time...
I knew I dug Atari Teenage Riot...
they took the things I didn't like about "techno" (used here as generic term for dance music I didn't get at the time) and turned them into the things I did like about punk rock. They made my ears hurt. They were political. I could put on their records and clear the room. What's not to like?

well, follow the above link and decide for yourselves what you think of them and their labelmates...
Me? I dig them.

Locust St.

Locust St.

Been exploring the world of mp3blogs over the last week or two,
and I just wanted to point to this one I just discovered...
great tunes (right now all from 1950) and more information on the artists than you see on a lot sites...
good stuff...
go grab some Hank Willams and Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup and be better off for it...

KINGBLIND: Music, Art & Entertainment: 03/01/2005 - 03/31/2005

KINGBLIND: Music, Art & Entertainment: 03/01/2005 - 03/31/2005:
"Out of print since 1997, Gang Of Four's seminal 1979 debut album 'Entertainment!' will be reissued on May 17 via Rhino. The original 12-song track list has been bolstered with the four-track 'Yellow' EP and four additional previously unreleased recordings. 'Entertainment!' has also been re-pressed on 180 gram vinyl for a May 10 release. "

I have a vinyl copy of the original release of this, and a CD from when Rollins (Henry, not Sonny) reissued it a few years back, and now I'll be buying it again...
but I'm not frustrated...
I'm happy.
This record is loud, rough, angry, smart and danceable...
what more could you ask for?
it would definitely be on my all-time records list...
whooohoo!

My Birthday

who do I share a birthday with?

Rene Descartes
Joseph Haydn
Henry Morgan
Leo Buscaglia
William Daniels
Cesar Chavez
Gordie Howe
Shirley Jones
Richard Chamberlain
Herb Alpert
Christopher Walken
Gabe Kaplan
Rhea Perlman
Al Gore
Ewan McGregor
and
Pavel Bure

from www.famousbirthdays.com

if they had let me cut and past this list I would've given em a real link...

Technopranks, audio cut-ups, and kids without coats

Stay Free! Daily: Technopranks, audio cut-ups, and kids without coats

Sounds like a brilliant conference...
you know I'm a fan of "collage" of all kinds...
but you should really follow the link to hear GW sing "Imagine/Take a Walk on the Wild Side" and "Sunday, Bloody Sunday"...

we make money not art: Brain orchestra

O.k.
if you didn't read the Eno interview I linked to yesterday go do that...
then read this...
This is exactly the kind of thing he's talking about...
This is exciting stuff...

we make money not art: Brain orchestra

Neil Gaiman

A quick reminder from Mr. Gaiman that the Brits can be just as hateful and stupid as we are! YAY!

Neil Gaiman:
"Back in 1988 in the UK, Margaret Thatcher's government passed a clause in a local government act that was intended to forbid schools from talking about homosexuality as a family relationship or depicting positive images of homosexuality. It was a clause aimed, as one minister explained, at eliminating 'the entire concept' of homosexuality, something that many of us found rather chilling. it was called Clause 28 and was introduced by Dame Jill Knight, who, coincidentally, had recently tried to get banned a comic of retold bible stories I'd contributed to. Alan Moore felt it rather personally, and he and his wife and their girlfriend put together a comic called AARGH! (artists against rampant government homophobia, if I remember the acronym correctly). The comic raised enough to buy a photocopier for the moore clan's local gay and lesbian centre, who, if memory serves, then decided that the entire Moore clan wasn't actually gay or lesbian enough."

And people wonder why I have issues with 80's nostalgia...
Cripes! Isn't it already enough like the 80's without you dressing like Pat Benatar?
I was there. My first concert was Frankie Goes to Hollywood. I know a lot of the music doesn't suck...
but the 80's are not a period to look to with love. THEY ARE NOT.
The 80's were Reagan and Thatcher and AIDS. The current hell we are living in right now
is a direct result of that time. That's important to remember. More important than "Family Ties" reruns
and Madonna...
trust me.

Gabba Gabba! We accept you! We accept you! one of us!

AMERICAblog: Because a great nation deserves the truth

at least now we know for sure that Johnny and Joey can argue about their legacy in the after-life...

Fafblog! the whole worlds only source for Fafblog.

Fafblog gives me hope!

Fafblog! the whole worlds only source for Fafblog.:
"'Oh but Giblets we will run out of resources and the world will end and oh what will we do.' You mean what will you do. Giblets doesn't need the world to last forever. He just needs it to last longer than he plans to use it. By the time the smog-choked Malthusian apocalypse comes Giblets will be long gone, either escaped in a rocket to Mars or happily expired in the midst of a gluttonous week-long oil binge. Those suckers from future generations can sweat it out trying to make a hemp-powered plane or edible plastic - serves 'em right for bein' born in the future! In the meantime there's only so much food, fuel, land, and water to go around, and Giblets is gonna use up as much as he can before any other Gibletses can get their grubby little hands on it! Fire up the engines! Pump up the nitrates! Giblets wants to stuff a panda full of coal just to watch it burn!"

that's the key to optimism!
MAYBE I'LL DIE BEFORE IT GETS MUCH WORSE!
whooohooo!
anyway, go read the whole thing...
it's funny...
and the punchline is dead-on...

Halliburton Employee Gang-Beaten by Baghdad Co-Workers

Daily Kos :: Political Analysis and other daily rants on the state of the nation.: "'My son Ronald Lee Chavez, an employee of Halliburton in Iraq, was severely beaten by peer Halliburton employees. These employees are known in Iraq as the Leesville, LA 'Red Neck Mafia'. "

See, people are just no good...
just no damn good.

Sure we hate you, but we hate queers more

Daily Kos :: Political Analysis and other daily rants on the state of the nation.:
"Doesn't that look like such a great picture? Leaders of different faiths all sitting at the same place. Could they be there for peace? To end the bloodshed that has wasted countless lives and ruined dreams in hope of a peaceful future? Well not exactly. "

and us humanists misanthropes? we just hate all of you...
gay or straight, christian or muslim or jew or hindu
why? why do we hate all of you?
cause when you get together you do and say stupid shit...
it's true...
some individuals I actually like,
but humanity just makes me sad (or angry,
depending on how tired I am...)

Talking Points Memo: by Joshua Micah Marshall: March 27, 2005 - April 02, 2005 Archives

Talking Points Memo: by Joshua Micah Marshall: March 27, 2005 - April 02, 2005 Archives:
"On the other hand in the gaggle discussion this morning about the Colorado incident, Scott McClellan said: 'I don't know the full circumstances of it. There are different sides to the story, I recognize that. But those individuals, themselves, said that their intent of coming to the event originally was to disrupt it (italics added).'"

These sons of bitches lie like it's breathin'
They just look right at ya and make shit up

read more of TPM's social security coverage
and you'll see what I mean...

Wednesday, March 30, 2005

flag.blackened.net :: View topic - FBI investigation info

flag.blackened.net :: View topic - FBI investigation info:
"At this point let me say, in all honesty and conviction, that if I end up dead by strange means - suicide, overdose, drunk driving accident (I never, ever, ever drink and drive), 'accidental' gunshot to the back of the head while sleeping ala Fred Hampton, car jacking, or anything else reasonably suspicious, contact the FBI in Chico, California for more details. "

Not sure what to say about this right now...
but I felt like I should post it.

via Slashdot

Here's some more Eno for ya...

This time an interview from 95

Wired 3.05: Gossip is Philosophy:
"Classical music is music without Africa. "

and a little story about my day...
I'm not really a huge Big Star fan but today "September Girls" was stuck in my head and I couldn't get it out...
so I decided, "I know. I'll use Eno."
and what did I use to displace "September Girls"?

King's Lead Hat!

so, in honor of that -
here's the lyrics

Dark alley (dark alley) black star
Four turkeys in a big black car
The road is shiny (bright shine) the wheels slide
Four turkeys going for a dangerous ride
The lacquer crackles (black tar) the engines roar
A ship was turning broadside to the shore
Splish splash I was raking in the cash
The biology of purpose keeps my nose above the surface (OOH)
King's lead hat put the innocence inside her, it will come, it will come, it will surely come
King's lead hat was a mother to desire, it will come, it will come, it will surely come

In New Delhi (smelly Delhi) and Hong Kong
They all know that it won't be long
I count my fingers (digit counter) as night falls
And draw bananas on the bathroom walls
The killer cycles (humdrum) the killer hertz
The passage of my life is measured out in shirts
Time and motion (motion carried) time and tide
All I know and all I have is time and time and tide is on my side
King's lead hat put the poker in the fire, it will come, it will come, it will surely come
King's lead hat was a mother to desire, it will come, it will come, it will surely come

The weapon's ready (ready Freddy) the guns purr
The satellite distorts his voice to a slur
He gives orders (finger pie) which no one hears
The king's hat fits over their ears
He takes his modicate (not mine) cold turpentine
He tries to dial out 999999999
He dials reception (moving finger) he's all alone
He's just a victim of the telephone
King's lead hat made the Amazon much wider, it will come, it will come, it will surely come
King's lead hat put the poker in the fire, it will come, it will come, it will surely come
King's lead hat was a mother to desire, it will come, it will come, it will surely come
King's lead hat put the innocence inside her, it will come, it will come, it will surely come
King's lead hat was a hammer to desire, it will come, it will come, it will surely come.

Nervous Acid: Xanax

Nervous Acid: Xanax: "The Killers' Brandon Flowers lashes out at The Bravery: 'Look at a band like The Bravery. They're signed because we're a band,' he said. 'I've heard rumours about [members of] that band being in a different kind of band, and how do you defend that? If you say, 'My heart really belongs to what I'm doing now,' but you used to be in a ska band. I can see The Strokes play or Franz Ferdinand play and it's real, and I haven't gotten that from The Bravery. I think people will see through them.' "

Never heard of The Bravery or The Killers - I'm an old man -
as and old man I've been in rock bands, jazz bands, noise bands, etc...
just because I play with The Mathletes on a Friday doesn't mean the show I do with The Last Bastions on Saturday is fake... I love MUSIC - all kinds of music, both making it and listening to it...
now, who wants to start a country band?

do you come here often? - PR Errors

do you come here often? - PR Errors:
"In these days when CD burning technology is available in every office, they maintain that their strict limits on promotional copies prevent them from giving me any. Not even if I beg. It transpires that it's part of a crackdown on piracy, to stop albums being punted around peer-2-peer networks weeks before release. Thus by mustering all my internet savvy, I managed to download both records in their entirety within 45 minutes. It's terrible when you have to indulge in practices bordering on illegality in order to give publicity to bands you don't necessarily like very much."

Fear of P2P driving legitimate users to P2P for legitimate promotional purposes! let's hear it for giants shooting themselves in the foot!

we make money not art: Brain-computer interface for music

Here's hoping blogger works this time:

we make money not art: Brain-computer interface for music

I gotta get one of these for Joe Mathlete!

ITF 2005

ITF 2005

In its 34th year, the International Trombone Festival is delighted to come to the birthplace of jazz - New Orleans. Continuing the theme of recent festivals, the ITF will feature an eclectic mix of trombonists in various styles and genres that befits one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world. Naturally, there is a strong emphasis on jazz throughout the four days, and a slightly easier tempo so that participants can find time to enjoy the surroundings and excitement of the Big Easy. We'll also look at the cross-over between genres and a selection of special rep session and jazz clinics will give everyone opportunity to try things out for themselves!

My schedule is such that I probably won't be able to attend...
but damn this would be fun...
nothing but trombones and whiskey for four days!
whoohoo!

Live at Super Happy Fun Land | Ourmedia

Here's the Easter Sunday TDU show for those of you what missed it:

Live at Super Happy Fun Land | Ourmedia

enjoy.

Tuesday, March 29, 2005

Caroliner interview

Caroliner interview

There is no station locally that will respond to our requests for entire Dock Boggs lp's, demonstration of early American electronics/instruments, Hal Holbrook's Mark Twain lp's, and sounds of train routes across the U.S. Unfortunately, no radio station will respond to our specific simple requests so we don't use them.

If you're not familiar with Caroliner go get familiar...
I bet you don't know any bulls that write music as good as theirs...

I saw them at The Axiom (or was it Harvey's or Catal?) back in the day and it was a truly unique experience. Lots of day-glo paint, and cardboard set pieces, and a genuine fear of the man swinging chairs around...
and then there was the music.

Lying Media Bastards � Mr. Kafka Goes to Washington

Lying Media Bastards � Mr. Kafka Goes to Washington:
"This month, the Washington Post got its hands on these classified documents (now declassified). These documents show that both American military intelligence and German police have no evidence that Kurnaz has links of any kind to any sort of terrorist activity."

A friend of mine mentioned his desire to go to law school the other day...
I've been thinking about it, and I'm not sure we'll even have laws by the time he gets a law degree...
It might be that your only chance is to present your plea to The Castle.

The revenge of Sapir-Whorf: Corante > Copyfight >

The revenge of Sapir-Whorf: Corante > Copyfight >:
"There's just one eensy weensy problem here - NOBODY's livelihood is being stolen. It's just not happening. There were no WMD in Iraq, there was no cocaine on that boat (*), and music sharing does not cost artists money."

BINGO! give that man a cigar!

on that note I may very well be posting either the entirety of TDU's last show or at least a few selections when I get home...

Daily Kos :: Senate recruitment

Daily Kos :: Senate recruitment:
"In just a few months since taking a key leadership post in the Democratic Party, Sen. Charles Schumer has quietly but forcefully emerged as one of the most powerful players in national politics."

Just wanted to take a moment to say that Schumer would have to become a veritable saint for me to forgive him for his behavior in the Branch Davidian/Waco hearings...
He was then, and is still, as far as I'm concerned a TOTAL ASS!
Go watch "Waco: Rules of Engagement" and you'll see what I mean... You can choose to believe the main arguments of the film or not, but there's no way you can't see that Schumer is an ass...


Countdown to Infinite Rampage!!!

Here's what DeFalco did for Marvel...

Countdown to Infinite Rampage!!!:
"For over twenty years, DeFalco distinguished himself as a top writer and editor at Marvel Comics. For almost eight of those years, he was Marvel's Editor-in-Chief and was one of the longest-serving individuals to ever hold that post. DeFalco was a key member of the management team that took Marvel public and under his leadership, Marvel's net profits from publishing rose by over 500%."

Monday, March 28, 2005

Pimps of Gore: SLINT's return to Spiderland

SLINT!

Pimps of Gore: SLINT's return to Spiderland:
"But last night at Chicago's Metro, they were back in full form. They even opened with 'Good Morning, Captain' and played every track from SPIDERLAND. I was a little disappointed with the crowd. What kind of asshole goes to see Slint reformed after 14 years and yells shit like 'Play Dude Looks Like a Lady,' 'Rockin' like Dokken' (yes, he got the saying wrong), or 'Take off your clothes'? My friend Matt even heard a girl behind us remark, 'You know, they could liven it up a little and jam or something.' Clearly, you don't understand this music. At all."

Go! Read more! and dowload LIVE SLINT!

Freiheit und Wissen: APA fails to move conference

Freiheit und Wissen: APA fails to move conference:
"I am embarrassed to say that the American Philosophical Association refused to honor the hotel workers strike in San Francisco this week and crossed the picket lines to hold their conference anyway."

This really should have been an easy one to call...
You DON'T cross picket lines.

What Comets, Stars and Moons are All ABout: Keeping up with the Cusack

wrote more about Cusack, "A Doll's House", etc...then blogger ate it...
suffice it to say, "I'm bummed this isn't being made."

What Comets, Stars and Moons are All ABout: Keeping up with the Cusack:
"The Doll House (cancelled) - I don't know much about this either. Apparently based on a play and was set to star Cusack, Kate Winslet, Annette Bening and Tim Roth. Winslet pulled out at the last minute sending the film spiraling into turmoil."

This is Pop!: Cracked mag plans relaunch

This is Pop!: Cracked mag plans relaunch:
"Cracked mag plans relaunch"

As a kid I read "MAD", "Cracked" and even "Crazy"...
and I hope that that my young cousins are reading them as we speak...
(who'm I kidding? they don't read.)
anyway, glad to see "Cracked" (which was and always will be junior to "MAD" for me and millions like me) is trying to get back into the game...
anybody know what DeFalco actually did for Marvel while he was there?

James Wolcott

James Wolcott:
"* We should be concerned with the here and now, with solving human problems with the best resources of human minds and hearts. If there is to be meaning in our lives, we must supply it ourselves, relying on our own powers, observation, and compassion. It is irrational and ultimately harmful to hang our hopes on gods, the supernatural, and the hidden, which arise out of imagination and wishful thinking. It is pointless - and often dangerous - to push aside human intelligence to reach for some flimsy veil of alleged truths."

I didn't even know there was a Council for Secular Humanism. Think they'll give me a job promoting secular humanism door to door? I already have my speech ready:

"Have you heard the good news? The good news about Jesus Christ? He's imaginary, just like his dad. That means you're free. Free to do anything you want, and responsible for everything you do. No longer can superstition keep you from reaching your potential. Now you are the only thing standing in your way."

whattaya think? How many doors could I knock on before some Chrazy Christian knocks me on my ass?

the weekend

what a weekend...
Friday night - the axiom - poison girl - the axiom...

Sat night - The Sweet Flesh Room (which was amazing) - Ft. Awesome - #'s - Ft. Awesome - Warehouse Party - Home - Warehouse Party - Party at my house - Bed (7 a.m.)

Sunday - sleep till 2pm - lunch - Ian interviews me and Charlie at KTRU re: TDU - home - load up - TDU show at SHFL with Friendship Bracelet (who were great...)

and now - WORK.

The TDU show was interesting. We had Kirk sitting in playing drums with us, since Bill couldn't make it. Some tempos seemed a little off, but otherwise it was a pretty killer show...my lips were shot by the end of the set...we actually had a dancer for a bit...
uh, that's it...
back to work...

Sunday, March 27, 2005

DeLay's Own Tragic Crossroads

DeLay's Own Tragic Crossroads:
"When his father's kidneys failed, the DeLay family decided against connecting him to a dialysis machine. 'Extraordinary measures to prolong life were not initiated,' said his medical report, citing 'agreement with the family's wishes.' His bedside chart carried the instruction: 'Do not resuscitate.'"

I almost hesitate to post this. This was most surely a hard, private, decision for the DeLay family, but surely since he has made another families hard private decision his business, and the business of the nation, well, his business should be our business too..