November 29, 2004
Seven Questions for the Guitar Solo from "Stairway to Heaven"
At long last, this revealing interview with "the clarion call of rock 'n' roll's everlasting triumph" has appeared!
November 26, 2004
Larry Brown
Well damn, this news sure is sad. Joe is one of my favorite novels. I'm very sad to hear this. 53 is too young.
November 23, 2004
Busy Busy
Busy busy around here before the holidays. Little time for posts. I also just found junk mail in some old comments entries. Blech. IP banning now in place. We'll see how well it works.
Oh and I lifted the Red Chuck description from an old piece I wrote about Will Self who is even more grotesque, ticklish, and daft than me.
November 20, 2004
WXYC
Speaking of great playlists, I've been listening to WXYC religiously for the past two days. This was one of my favorite college radio stations when I used to live in good old North Carolina. I had no idea they have been broadcasting over the internet for 10 years! Wow. They just launched live playlists which is also very cool. I also like their take on FreeForm Radio. Way to go guys and Happy 10th. Here's to ten more years of great independent music.
November 18, 2004
How to Dismantle a Mediocre Album
6 inspired songs. A lean mean fighting machine. U2 jam econo and its about time. Nothing but hits on this lil' sucker. Nothing but hits.
Ahem. It's called playlisting boys. And it works wonders.
Consumer Review
Elliot Smith, From A Basement On The Hill: A-. The White Album it ain't. But we don't really need another White Album.
Arcade Fire, Funeral: B. Grim. Very grim. (Check the title.) Maybe because I'm old. And to the Arcade Fire I am probably very old. I dig the Gang of Four folk-ness, the hypochondriac's disco grooves, but, and unfortunately, not the songs.
So who's got my Saharan nomads cd?
November 17, 2004
More Franken
Don't forget, we've got Al Franken and Katherine Lanpher broadcasting from Soundscapes again today!
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Click here to listen.
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Todays guests include former Clinton press secretary Mike McCurry and Senator John Glenn.
Cheesus
November 16, 2004
Whigs in 2008
Remember the Whig party? Well? What do you think? The Whigs got going because they thought the President was guilty of executive tyranny. Sound familiar? So... why not? And yes, I know. The Whigs had some problems. But I'm not talking about a literal interpretation of the old platform. Just the name and the espirit de corps. For one thing, those guys really knew how to get the word out. So there's one good thing we now know about Whigs. And... oh yeah... the curse. But this is the age of broken curses. We can elect a Whig! Not only that, we can break the curse! We can elect a Whig who will live longer than a month as a President! Who's with me?
Damn.
Somebody beat me to it.
I hate it when that happens.
CD Exchange
"The Knitting Factory along with H.O.P.E. (Horrified Observers of Pedestrian Entertainment) are offering the good people of America who have been duped into buying Ashlee Simpson's CD a reprieve; the opportunity to turn in her CD for one of a higher entertainment quality. Just bring your Ashlee Simpson CD down to the Knitting Factory Box Office between 10 and 5 PM Mon thru Sat and get one by the likes of Elvis Costello, The Ramones, X, Jimmy Page and Robert Plant, Aretha Franklin, Mr. Bungle, Ray Charles, Abe Lincoln Story, Grateful Dead, Neil Hamburger, Joni Mitchell, and Brian Wilson... "
I guess these guys haven't read the recent Ashlee Simpson appreciation piece in the Village Voice. Don't they know that Ashlee Simpson's debut Autobiography has "Fruit Stripe bubblegrunge guitars and insanely chewy melodies and an ear-tickling production job".
Mmmmm Fruit Stripe bubblegrunge guitars.
Franken in da House
SOUNDSCAPES is proud to be hosting Al Franken and co-host Katherine Lanpher live from Studio A today and tomorrow. Dave Greaves is engineering the broadcast, which begins at noon Eastern time, 11 central, etc.
Franken and his Air America crew are in Little Rock for the opening of the Clinton Presidential Center. Today's guest will be Little Rock native General Wesley Clark. There will also be an interview with former President Jimmy Carter.
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Click here to listen to The Al Franken Show on Air America, live from Soundscapes Studio A!
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Dr Van Ambulance Halen
Remember that no man loses any other life than this which he now lives, nor lives any other than this which he now loses. by texas hold'em poker
November 15, 2004
Autolux Influences
Here's another link today to the NYT, this time because they are profiling Autolux.
And here are links to Autolux's self pronounced influences:
Ghassan's
A must stop if you ever find yourself in Greensboro, NC — 2501 High Point Rd. Amazing steak and cheese subs. The cheese is so subtle its subconscious. Plus they add a touch of oil and vinegar so you're not overwhelmed by greasy steakness. Its gotta to be the most healthy steak sandwich in the world. Maddenly delicious. Also check out the hummus pita. I'm not a huge hummus fan but theirs is superior. Their falafel is hard shelled, which is different but good nonetheless. What else... oh yeah, hand traced Beatles flyers above the door, 10 years + in business, 3 locations. The place is blessed! Who do I pray to for frachisees?
Alice Munro
This is a stunningly original book review by Jonathan Franzen. He lovingly praises his subject, Alice Munro, while hollowing out the whole book review thing. My favorite line:
- This is not a golfer on a practice tee. This is a gymnast in a plain black leotard, alone on a bare floor, outperforming all the novelists with their flashy costumes and whips and elephants and tigers.
BTW, get it while its hot. After an NYT article slips into the archives (a week maybe?), you have to shuck bucks to get it back.
November 12, 2004
What rhymes with ue?
Remember that no man loses any other life than this which he now lives, nor lives any other than this which he now loses. by texas holdem
November 11, 2004
Veteran's Day
In honor of Veteran's Day here's a page dedicated to BBC war correspondents and their equipment. Just imagine hauling one of these 35—40lbs "Midget Disc Recorders" around a battlefield. These suckers cut 3 minute recordings into double sided, ten inch discs. Here's a sample from the Mark 1A instructional manual:
- The sequence of operations to make a recording will be as follows.
- 1. Place case in a reasonably horizontal position and remove winding handle from its folded position.
- 2. Release clasps and open lid to its vertical position.
- 3. Clear wire off machine.
- 4. Place and clamp disc on turntable. (Clamp shown right)
- 5. Check that the spring motor is fully wound.
- 6. Release cutter arm and set cutter point about ¼" in from edge of disc.
- 7. Set the attenuator switch to "normal" or "distant" as required (see note below).
- 8. Remove microphone from its holder in lid.
- 9. Turn knob slowly clockwise; the first part of the rotation will switch on the amplifier, & continued rotation will release the motor brake & lower the cutter head on to the disc. This operation should be done carefully to avoid bringing the sapphire down on the disc too violently, which will chip the point.
- 10. The duration of the cut is approximately 3 minutes, & a warning light shows in the front of the equipment fifteen to twenty seconds before the mechanism is tripped by the cutter head reaching the innermost limit of its traverse. The auto trip switches off the amplifier and stops the motor as well as raising the cutter head and releasing the traverse.
- 11. If desired a series of bands may be cut on the disc by pressing the trip button on the front panel when a band is finished. The next band can be commenced by repeating operation (9).
- 12. Re-wind motor ready for next disc.
Jesusonic
Do you play guitar? Do you like effects processing? Do you have a messianic complex? Well then, this is for you.
Dress Me Dog
This morning Auntie called at 6:30. "Can you come wake up a drunk guy that broke into my house last night?"
It seems a young neighbor got dropped off at the wrong house. He passed out on Auntie's deck. At 3:30am it started pouring rain. He broke into Auntie's house. Instead of calling the police, Auntie told him he could sleep downstairs. She locked herself upstairs and called me and Fred at dawn.
Drunk boy was way gone. It took me an hour to rouse him. Finally a spray bottle and an alarm clock got him up.
"Get dressed. Its time to go home," I said.
"Dress me, dog," he replied.
Finally drunk boy got himself dressed and I walked him a block to his house.
"Is this you?" I asked as we approached his residence.
"No," he slurred. "It is not my legal entity. It is the house where I live."
"Take care," I said and he let himself in.
Lucky guy. Most people would have called the cops or shot him. I think he picked the only house in Little Rock where he would be given a bed. Auntie even offered him a coke on his way out. Now that's southern hospitality.
November 08, 2004
Ham + Vampires = Sammy Hagar
So its been a couple days since a post because of some weirdness with our provider. As Billy Pilgrim would say, so it goes. Now that I'm up and running again, I am surprised to see that no one at SpinSouth has reported on the recent Boondogs show in Alexandria. Ahem. So here goes.
Once again, the "No Practice Before Gig" maxim is proving effective for the Boondogs. Call it potluck rock. Don't set the menu and see what the guests bring. That being the plan, everyone shared sonic delicacies Saturday night. There was sonorous bowed bass and there was tasty snare and fill. Even Julian got in on the act, scat singing on "I Don't Belong".
Then "Lil' Scat Man" Julian attempted his first stage dive. Momma, Dadda, and Godfather all dropped their instruments and ran to thwart Julian's attempt to lower himself off the stage. Momma helped him down and excused herself and "Lil' Scat Man" for a couple songs.
Disaster averted, the promoter asked us to tack a few more songs on to our set. After "Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues" and "Same to Me", Indy made it back to the spotlight for "Jennifer Rice, Artist".
Everyone involved in the Alexandria Music Project (AMP) rocked. The promoter was friendly, laid back, and gracious. The sound crew was astounding. Peter, the soundman, seemed genuinely pleased when Jason asked him not to close mic the drum kit. Also, and a big plus for this, they mounted the mains on separate risers instead of on the stage itself. Smart, very smart. So best of luck to AMP. I hope that they continue to thrive, that each festival gets bigger and better, and that we get to play someday for them again.
So after load out, some Lea's Ham Sandwiches (thank you again AMP), and Holiday Inn check in, the men of the Boondogs headed into downtown Alex. While strolling down 3rd St, four local teen vampires appeared. Two of them had identical brand new black Jack Daniel's T-Shirts. One looked like Marilyn Manson except that he had shaved his teeth into fangs. All wore dark baggy jeans and spiked jewelry. So Isaac, of course, casually challenged them to a fight. I think his exact words were, "so... ya'll wanna fight?" An overly enthusiastic "Yeah" was lisped by the tallest vampire. To which Isaac politely rescinded. So once again, disaster was averted. And while walking away, Isaac was reprimanded severly by his chicken ass bandmates.
Since downtown Alex is bar free, the rest of the evening was spent in JJs at the Holiday Inn. Dominoes pizza and wings were ordered and many bad jukebox decisions were made. JJs was happenin' and so was our Saturday night in Alexandria, LA.
Sunday morning, Isaac and I hit the road at 7:30. We were making great time northward. Our great time was clocking in at 73mph in a 55. We got zapped on a lonely stretch of 29N about 5 miles short of the AR border. My first ticket since high school. There goes a clean record. I am truly disappointed in myself. The officer was straight out of central casting — big belly, sheriff's hat, and toothpick. I think he might have been an extra in Thunderball. To add insult to injury, "I Can't Drive 55" came on the radio as we were pulling away. WTF. And, wow, what a horrible song that is. Why Sammy...
Why?
November 05, 2004
Back to the Newsstand
So everybody's talking about the new How He Did It Newsweek. And if you didn't know already, this is the exclusive coverage. They enlisted a special team of reporters and everything for this tall tale... I mean, big story.
For my money, in the post election wrapup game, I thought The Economist did a good job summing things up. They kept their analysis short and unsweetened.
And if there's anybody that can learn from all this, its MoveOn. Don't get me wrong. I'm all for MoveOn. But as the Economist points out, the RNC did a great job at the polls. They had their list and they were checking it twice. MoveOn did a great job in the email department. But they sent me so many emails, I stopped reading them. And what we really needed, in the end, was voters at the polls, not emails.
Obviously there's a lot more to it. The country has turned to the right since 9/11. And big media is keeping people scared. Which is why we desperately need MoveOn. But we also need organization on the street. In the future, I would like to see MoveOn in my RSS reader and a DNC representative at the polls. Hopefully someone will suggest that. Because MoveOn really did a suberb job of getting the word out on the important issues. But getting the word out and getting people to the polls, as we have learned, are two very distinct things.
Which brings us back to corporate sponsored media outlets. So what really happened this election? How did he do it? If you want the soap opera... I mean the Newsweek slant on the campaign — McCain's weird wooing, Carville's tearful plea for organization, Theresa's migranes and sore eyes — then head to the newsstand. (Don't forget to pickup an October Vanity Fair while you're there. A much better read, I wager.)
I'm just surprised no one has mentioned the Time cover. To me they've really gotten to the heart of the matter, don't you think?
November 04, 2004
Communion
Did you know that in the last months of his life, Johnny Cash regularly took communion with Rick Rubin? Yep. Cash acted as priest and administered the sacrament. This comes from a great article by David Kamp in last month's Vanity Fair. Unfortunately those greedy CondeNast people won't publish the article online so you'll have to pickup an issue at the newstand. Its a good read. Kamp approaches Rubin and Cash's friendship with a great deal of respect, unlike some people. Thankfully there are other readers out there. And believe you me, if Johnny Cash was alive today and officiating anywhere within a 5 hour drive...
Return of the Rat
So I was thinking about putting together a "Notta Nutha' 4 Years" playlist. Seemed like a good idea. As usual I've been turning to my music library for consolation. But 1) I have zero time for such a cataloging endeavor and 2) I started to think it was very BLG.
And who needs playlists when we've got prophets like Greg Sage. The first 7 songs of the Wipers' debut , Is This Real? cover the wide range of emotions I've been experiencing this week.
Here's my bafflement, anger, frustration, despair, and horror played out by some Portland, OR punks circa 1980. And really what could be a better shock-and-horror-that-so-many-turned-out-to-vote-for-this-creep tune than Return Of The Rat anyway? So everybody sing along:
You better watch out
You better beware
They're coming from all sides of the country
You better beware
Return of the rat
No, no, no, no!
Once again, you can purchase aforementioned platter of tuneful angst here.
November 03, 2004
Over There
Thinking of moving abroad? I like the city of Vancouver's mission statement. I also hear its a great town for trying out that new sushi diet. Unfortunately the weather can be a little unpredictable. To add insult to injury, those crazy canucks are now saying this to yanks making a run for the border.
That leaves Melbourne. Horrible shortages there these days. Also the weather ain't so great. (BTW Adam, you ever try setting up IP banning on ye olde blog, buddy boy?) And as for eats there's this to consider. Zoinks.
I guess its best to stay put.
*Flight map courtesy the Sendai Airport website.
Currently Hearing
I haven't heard or even thought of this song in a long long time. It popped into my head about an hour ago and won't stop going. In high school I thought it was cool cuz it name-checked the Minutemen and Black Flag. Today it's chillingly appropriate. Especially the way the list of political/ethical/global crimes snow ball into a chorus that oh so cleverly challenges American political/ethical/global torpor. X we need you again!
And don't forget to buy the album.
The Proof's in the Puddin'
An Introduction to Lighting for Digital Filmmaking:
TECHNIQUES
Back Light
A light that illuminates the subject from behind. Used primarily to separate the subject from the background. It produces a rim of light typically on one side, along the shoulders and side of the head. When placed directly behind the subject, it can produce a halo effect.
Chapman’s Dictionary of Slang:
GIVE someone THE FINGER/MIDDLE FINGER by 1940s 1. verb phrase, To treat unfairly , dishonestly, etc. = ‘screw,’ ‘shaft.’ 2. to show contempt and defiance by holding up the extended middle finger toward someone; = ‘flip the bird’ [from the figurative insertion punitively into the anus]
Conclusion:
The proof's in the puddin', folks. Here's to another 4 years w/ Puddin'head.
Currently Reading
An oft-quoted quip of Bush's--"If this were a dictatorship, it'd be a heck of a lot easier, just so long as I'm the dictator"--certainly doesn't reflect any plan of his to abolish democratic procedures or principles. But it does reveal his impatience with those procedures and principles. Bush and his team have shown contempt for many of the bedrock elements of liberal democracy, including public access to information; a press that interrogates its leaders; a give-and-take between parties that represent different interests; a separation of powers among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches; the preference for reason over the use of force; and the support of legal safeguards to prevent the arbitrary exercise of power by the executive. They have routinely violated the bounds of acceptable political behavior in a democracy.
— David Greenberg, "The Triumph of Anything Goes"