I have no idea how they did this, but it’s funny anyway:
You are currently browsing the monthly archive for July 2007.
Former San Francisco 49ers coach Bill Walsh died of Leukemia today at age 75. In addition to leading the 49ers to three Super Bowl victories in the 90s Walsh is arguably the most influential modern football coach. He is credited with popularizing the West Coast offense and many of his assistant coaches have gone on to be head coaches in their own right. (click on the chart below for details).
Walsh will be missed, but his legacy will be felt in the NFL for decades to come.
Like fellow Sunday Music Spotlighter Dan Bern, Josh Ritter gets saddled with comparisons to Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen. Author Stephen King went so far as to say that Ritter’s song “Thin Blue Flame” was “the most exuberant outburst of imagery since Bob Dylan’s ‘A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall’ ” while claiming that his album The Animal Years
Coming off the tremendous critical success of The Animal Years
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Kevin Smith, beloved writer/director of Clerks
Smith’s involvement was announced at Comic-Con, during the Heroes QA. He quipped that he was ready to direct an episode about the first gay heroes, but that he didn’t want to be the guy to ruin Heroes.
Spider Pig, Spider Pig
Does whatever a Spider Pig does
Can he swing
from a web?
No he can’t
He’s a pig
Lookout, here comes the Spider Pig
If you’ve seen the trailer for The Simpsons Movie then you’ve heard these immortal words, and probably laughed. Well if you did, go see the movie. At the end of it I commented that the episodes for the last five years must have sucked because the writers were saving all the good ideas for the movie. I won’t go so far as to say it’s as good as the show was in it’s heyday, but the jokes are funny, the references are good, and there are enough inside jokes to keep die hard fans happy.
Movie Rating: 
Marketing Rating:
The teaser trailer for the next Batman movie, The Dark Knight is out. After the successful reboot of the Batman franchise in Batman Begins
(here’s a link to a higher quality version)
The trailer doesn’t reveal very much, but here’s what we know:
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RollingStone.com has a story about the recording of GNR’s Appetite for Destruction, in honor of the album’s 20th anniversary (goddamn that makes me feel old…). Apparently Axl wanted to make sure the moans on “Rocket Queen” sounded realistic, so he took Steven Adler’s girlfriend into the recording booth and, um, made her moan. It’s always nice to see a musician willing to do what it takes to make an album perfect…
Sitting in the theater waiting for Transformers to start I took a moment to think about my expectations. I tried to put aside my anger at the decision to “update” the robots and to make fundamental changes to their characters. I came to the conclusion that I was going to be angry about those things, no matter how hard I tried to repress those feelings. I was wrong. Way wrong.
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On the surface this Pac-Man hat is a little odd. I mean it might look cute on a little kid in an ironic sort of way, right? Then you read the product description and realize it’s for adults. Yikes. Further reading reveals it’s imported from Japan. Ah, now it makes sense.
But wait. Why can’t you ship it to Massachusetts, Ohio, or Pennsylvania? Are there statutes on the books there that outlaw the transfer of Pac-Man hats across state lines? Are those states cracking down on gangs that use Pac-Man hats to signal their allegiances? Or are they just pro-ghost states? I’m confused.
via BoingBoing
The more I hear this song the better it gets…
You’re the next host on The Price is Right! That’s right, the formerly famously bespectacled comedian has been picked to take over for Bob Barker on the super-awesome daytime game show. Carey is a longtime stand-up comedian and television personality, starring in The Drew Carey Show and hosting Whose Line is it Anyway.
Drew’s taking over a show that Bob Barker hosted for 35 years before stepping down a couple of months ago. Bob seems to approve of the decision, telling the AP, “I’m cool with it”. Seriously, that’s the quote. The 83-year-old Barker is apparently hip to what the kids say these days.
Some things Drew needs to start working on before he takes over:
- Putting - Bob rarely missed. And someone’s gotta show the contestants how it’s done
- Learning to tell if the big wheel is going to make it around the whole way
- Cracking Plinko - it can’t really be random, can it?
I think I’m ok with this move. Drew is WAY better than Rosie O’Donnell, who was rumored to be a possible replacement. And I can’t really think of anyone more suitable. So I’m going to go with it. What do you think?
Put Yonder Mountain String Band and Squirrel Nut Zippers in a blender and you end up with something very much like M Shanghai String Band. Taking their name from the Chinese restaurant that served as their birthplace, the band has provided Brooklyn with a taste of Appalachian flair since their establishment in 2002. They started by playing monthly shows in the restaurant’s basement and even recorded their first album, Up From the Ground Below in the restaurant’s dining room.
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From his new CD/DVD Werewolves and Lollipops:
Some asshat team of Canadians has written a computer program that cannot lose at checkers. Aside from the fact that this ruins a decent game, it apparently took an average of 50 computers EIGHTEEN YEARS to figure it out. Is this really where we need our resources? Not curing cancer? Or AIDS? Or mapping the human genome? But solving checkers? Oy.
Also disturbing about the BBC’s article is that the guy that wrote the program consulted with champion checker players. Um, what? There are checker champions? Are they the guys the chess club beats up?
Meg and Jack are at it again. When last we caught up with the wacky duo they were playing a two song concert on a bus in Winnipeg. Well that didn’t end their Canadian mischief. This time word spread of a secret show before their concert in St. John’s, Newfoundland. Fans showed up. The crew got all the gear ready. The former Mr. and Mrs. White take the stage. And play one note before proclaiming that they’ve now officially played in every province and territory of Canada. And leave. Being the intrepid reporter that I am I’ve managed to wrangle footage of the entire concert:
I’m glad that The White Stripes get the whole “we’re weird, and that’s why you love us” vibe that makes rock n’ roll so much fun.
Just a few days before it hits shelves Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows has leaked onto the internet. This despite publisher Arthur A. Levine Books reportedly spending $20 million to keep it under wraps until it’s July 21st release. There are spoilers floating around, but don’t worry, you won’t find any of them here (though if you’re into that sort of thing you can reportedly find them here).
The leaked copy that’s floating around is actually a series of photographs. One of each page. Yikes. Can you imagine trying to read that? For Pete’s sake folks, it comes out in four days. Just put on your wizard’s cloak and wait in line with the rest of the freakshow.
Coverage of the link at BoingBoing, Salon, and ComNetSlash
I have no information on this other than the video, but it appears to be a real-life transforming robot. And it doesn’t look like crap. See Michael Bay, it IS possible to do this stuff without ruining my childhood.
From our wacky friends in Japan comes what’s got to be the world’s least healthy pizza: The Pizza Hut Double Roll. It called your cheese-stuffed crust and raised you hot dogs. And pieces of hamburgers. And does the maple leaf mean there’s Canadian Bacon hiding in there somewhere? My cholesterol just went up from looking at the picture…
via Plastic Bamboo
Sunday Music Spotlight alum Limbeck has released the video for the latest single off of their eponymous album, “Big Drag”. It’s kind of cool, with a single shot following the various band members around a house.
Last night I went to see The Decemberists with The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra at Merriweather Post Pavilion. They put on a great performance. It was very cool to hear songs such as “We Both Go Down Together” with the full orchestra behind them. The highlights of the evening had to be “The Infanta”, a full epic performance of “The Tain”, Colin Meloy running out onto the lawn in mid-song, and last but not least, the encore performance of “The Mariners Revenge”, which I managed to record with my digital camera (please pardon the quality):
Falling into the category of bands whose name sounds like it would be one person, LA’s Rilo Kiley is actually a five-piece rock band. Lead singer and resident cutie Jenny Lewis shares the writing responsibilities with guitarist and singer Blake Sennett. Rounding out the group are bassist Pierre de Reeder, drummer Jason Boesel, and multi-instrumentalist Mike Bloom.
Like many bands, there’s a story behind Rilo Kiley’s name. Unfortunately nobody can agree on what it is. Some of the band members claim it has no real meaning. Others claim it was the name of a pair of Siamese twins and was chosen because of the band’s closeness. There’s even stories of it being based on a Scottish athlete or an Australian Rules Football player. Wherever it came from, it’s distinctive.
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Is Mark Cuban, the multi-bazillionaire owner of the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks, HDnET, and Landmark Theaters going to buy my beloved Chicago Cubs? Apparently he submitted paperwork to MLB to throw his name (and considerable bankroll) into the ring. How would I feel about the always outspoken Cuban owning the Cubs? After all, he’s rankled other NBA owners and commissioner David Stern. So how would I feel?
In a word? Fantastic. Cuban has proven two things while he’s owned the Mavericks: he’s committed to fielding a championship caliber team every year and he’ll do so while providing maximum entertainment to his fans. Who wouldn’t love your favorite team being run by someone like that?
Alas, Cuban’s not the only bidder. ESPN.com runs down the other potential suitors.
Patton Oswalt, stand-up comedian and the voice of the lead rat in Pixar’s Ratatouille (who also happened to grow up Sterling, VA, just like me!) completely trashes Daniel Radcliff, star of Harry Potter & The Order of the Phoenix on Leno. Both movies are out in theaters now, and apparently Patton feels a little threatened. Check it out for yourself:
Joining the pantheon of William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, and Don Johnson, Joe Pesci tried his hand at rapping in the late 90s. Here’s the video for the song “Wiseguy” off of his album “Vincent Laguardia Gambini: Sings Just For You” (which I’m ashamed to admit I actually own…from back in the BMG music club era…):
The classic Bugs Bunny cartoon “What’s Opera Doc?” was released 50 years ago this week (on July 6th, 1957). This is the operatic short that gave us Elmer Fudd singing “Kill the Wabbit, Kill the Wabbit” to the tune of Wagner’s “Ride of the Valkyries”. It has introduced several generations of children to the concepts and themes of opera. In 1994 it was voted the #1 cartoon of all time by 1000 members of the animation industry.
For those of you not familiar with the story, the demigod Siegfried (played by Elmer Fudd) is on a mission to kill the wabbits when he sees the fair Valkyrie Brunhilde (played by Bugs in drag) on what’s probably the fattest horse ever portrayed in animation. Siegfried falls in love, Brunhilde plays hard to get, they dance, Brunhilde’s wig falls off revealing Bugs, and then things get interesting. Siegfried calls upon the elements to strike down Bugs, and when he finally is successful in striking down Bugs with a lightning bolt, he immediately regrets it. This is an archetypal opera libretto, dealing with love, tragedy and regret. But enough of me talking about it; just watch it for yourself:
McSweeney’s Internet Tendency has a hilarious letter from Optimus Prime’s GEICO agent in regards to his recent claims:
$6,564,239.44 requested reimbursement for repairs to a truck part called the “Autobot Matrix of Leadership.” You stated this occurred in “an ultimate confrontation between good and evil,” with a Ms. Meg Atron and a Mr. U. Nicron causing the damage in question. Mr. Prime, I have checked every known car- and truck-part catalog published in the United States and have found nothing even resembling that part, never mind any part so expensive. Whatever disagreements you had with Ms. Atron and Mr. Nicron, I suggest that next time you either settle things peaceably or leave your Autobot Matrix of Leadership at home so it doesn’t break. GEICO does not cover Autobot Matrix of Leaderships.
The world’s greatest fake rock band regrouped for a performance at Live Earth. In this clip they invite seemingly every bass player in the building to join them for “Big Bottoms”. If you don’t understand why this is funny please go watch the bloody movie. Or, if you really want to blow your mind, go watch these same guys turn into a folk band in A Mighty Wind.
Looking for great summer music? Something catchy? With hooky melodies and tight harmonies? Then look no further than The Format.
Hailing from Arizona, The Format is primarily composed of Nate Ruess and Sam Means. Though they are the driving force behind the band they are joined in the studio and on tour by Mike Schey, Mark Buzard, and Don Raymond. Together the craft pop songs that would sound perfectly at home in any decade since the 60’s. Though the band’s name is a snide reference to the music industry’s standard formula for what a pop hit should be, the band excels at producing songs that fit within the basic parameters of it but remain creative and original.
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Pretty amazing really. Your friendly neighborhood Spiderman takes on his arch-enemies - in stick figure world. Incredibly well done.
Saxamaphone legend Boots Randolph died Tuesday at age 80. Boots was best known for his song “Yakety Sax”, which was used as the theme for The Benny Hill Show, but was no one hit wonder. He was a well-respected session musician in Nashville for decades, working with artists like Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Elvis. He’s even featured on the Brenda Lee’s Christmas classic “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree”.
Now, with the solemnity befitting this occasion, here’s his most famous tune:
Today’s the day the Americans celebrate the birth of their country by grilling meat, drinking beer, and blowing shit up. What could be more American than that? In honor of the holiday here are a few songs about our great nation:
So pissed that I didn’t think of this…
An enterprising entrepreneur in Winnipeg has come up with a brilliant idea. Here’s how it works: You call and order a pizza. Porno Pizza delivers your pizza. As you eat your pizza a pornographic picture is revealed underneath. This is simply genius.
To anyone that’s both a math geek and a music geek: Brace Yourself. Indie-rock’s resident math enthusiast Robert Schneider of The Apples in Stereo is set to speak and play at this year’s MathFest. Who knew there was such a thing as MathFest? Given that there is such a thing it’s not surprising that it would draw Schneider’s interest. In the videos that accompany The Apples in Stereo’s latest album New Magnetic Wonder Schneider reveals that he recently took physics classes, and created a new musical scale based on logarithmic relationships between notes.
Schneider will do a public interview on August 2nd and perform an acoustic set on August 4th. If this sounds interesting to you, go ahead and register.
Let’s say you’re a rock band. You’re scheduled to play a show in Winnipeg. And you’re bored before the show. What do you do? If you’re the White Stripes you post a message on your message board telling fans to be at a certain spot at a certain time. Then you round them up onto a bus and play a couple of songs for them. Kick ass!
Here’s what one lucky person on the bus said, in their description on YouTube:
On July 2, 2007, a small group of dedicated White Stripes fans got an excellent surprise. A message was left on a message board that said: “Please meet us at the southeast corner of Water Avenue and Waterfront Drive (near the Provencher Bridge) at 3:10pm SHARP. Further instructions will be delivered there”.
Around 100 people arrived 10 minutes after the message was posted. Only a few (Including myself and Free Press Photographer, David Lipnowski) made it onto a Winnipeg Transit bus where they were soon joined by Jack and Meg White. They played wheels on the bus, and Hotel Yorba for these incredibly lucky fans. They left the bus after the two songs, and thanked the fans. They hopped into a white van and headed on down to the Provencher bridge.
David and I ran from portage and main, to the forks and arrived in time to hear them play We’re gonna be friends. Jack then had a jam session with one lucky busker.
And now, because with camera phones everything can be recorded, here’s how it went down…
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In quite possibly the most natural movie tie-in ever, this weekend 7-11 converted twelve of their stores into real-life Kwik-E-Marts to promote the July 27th release of The Simpsons Movie. In addition to the store makeovers, 7-11s all over the country will be selling Springfield products like Buzz Cola and KrustieO’s, and will be re-branding their classic Slurpee frozen treat Squishees. You can keep up with all the festivities at The Simpsons Movie Kwik-E-Mart Mirror
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So apparently that ageless wonder Tom Jones was on the bill at a Princess Diana tribute concert at London’s Wembley Stadium yesterday. For his second song he busted out a cover. But not just any cover. An Arctic Monkeys cover. And a good one at that. He belted out a surprisingly good rendition of “I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor”. With Joe Perry on guitar. And a horn section. That’s almost head-spinningly surreal. Well I guess the horn section isn’t surreal; it’s Tom Jones after all. Check out all the Jonsian goodness below:
Tom Jones - I Bet You Look Good On The Dance Floor
And for comparison’s sake, here’s the original:
Arctic Monkeys - I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor
Canadian songstress Leslie Feist’s career has run the musical gamut from old-school jazz singer to killer bitch rapper. It started in a high school punk band called the Placebos, which did well enough to open for The Ramones. She toured with them for five years, until her voice gave out and she had to quit. Her voice troubles gave her a reason to learn guitar, and she returned to music as the guitar player for By Divine Right. When that had run it’s course she lived and recorded with vulgar female rapper Peaches (under the pseudonym Bitch Lap-Lap, given to her by Peaches). After that she moved on to recording and touring with Broken Social Scene. Finally she’s turned her full attention to a solo career, where her music reflects the journey she took to get there.
The undoubtedly craptacular Michael Bay helmed Transformers movie comes out this week. If you’re looking to retain your childhood memories instead of having Hollywood soil them, check this out instead. These people-with-too-much-time-on-their-hands made Transformers costumes that actually transform. Looks like they’re based on actual Transformers too. So sit back and relax and pretend it’s 1985 all over again…
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