Radio Free Hipster Ep. 137: Harshing Your Mellow

I appear to be right in the middle of one of those cycles where I have entirely too many things going on. There seems to be an overabundance of irons in the fire, if you catch my meaning.

So it's actually quite fortunate that this podcast came together fairly effortlessly over the span of just a couple of day. I basically put a list together, and the songs themselves did the bulk of the heavy lifting.

Download Radio Free Hipster Ep. 137: Harshing Your Mellow [hosting provided by Antisoc] Size: 59.8 MB Running Time: 46:00 Subscribe to RFH

Show Notes:

Intro: Baddd Spellah – "Radio Free Hipster Theme (feat. Beefy)"
I love these guys. For true.

Track 1: Psycosis91 – "Jenova Falls"
This is that Adam WarRock podcast I mentioned. Also, episode one of Gravity Falls is free right now in iTunes.

Z's 1st interlude: "Here's something from my old pal Beefy."
I sort of like that I don't have a proper timetable for when new Beefy joints come out. Makes things more exciting!

Track 2: Beefy – "God Bless America [f. Klopfenpop]"
Yup.

Track 3: The Plague Sequence – "Atomica!"
This band has a manifesto. Kotaku sort of took the piss out of them as a result, but I got no qualms about the power of a good manifesto.

Track 4: The Hood Internet –"Ignition (Keep It Remixing Louder)"
Yes, I still listen to R. Kelly. Yes, I am aware that this probably makes me a bad person.

Track 5: The Blibbering Humdingers – "Natural 20"
The Humdingers really go out of their way to mine that classic filk sensibility, and my hat goes off to 'em.

Track 6: The MC Type – "Never Grow Up"
Probably my favorite song in this entire episode.

Track 7: John Anealio – "I Wanna Be Loved (House of Lords Cover)"
For those not in the know, this is the original. Little different, eh?

Z's 2nd interlude: "We switched gears."
Indeed I am the master of the unceremonious transition!

Track 8: A-1 – "Reading Rainbow"
I still listen to After School Special pretty much weekly. So good.

Track 9: Kirby Krackle – "Somewhere Over the Rainbow"
Kyle loves ukulele ballads.

Track 10: Navi – "Young, Wild and Free (Remix)"
Navi, formally of Metamystiks, Inc. currently of The Whole Damme Delegation.

Track 11: tanner4105 – "DLR"
How much actual DLR is in this track? Just enough, my friend. Just enough.

Z's final interlude: "Everybody knows Larry."
Which is a great name for a sitcom.

Track 12: Mouth's Cradle – "Computer" / "Help Computer" dialog
Just in case any of y'all aren't familiar with that old internet gem.

I reckon many of you will soon be en route to Orlando, so I hope this serves as adequate travel music. I think it's a right fine mix, but what the fuck do I know?

Here's wishing you all an enjoyable Nerdapalooza, and a safe journey there and back.

Radio Free Hipster Ep. 131: Musical Comedy Is Not Pretty

It takes a special kind of bravery to be funny. I'm serious, so stay with me here.

Comedians, in whatever form, encourage others to laugh at them, which flies in the face of the innate human fear of seeming foolish in the eyes of one's peers. Moreover, these jokesters actively encourage audiences not to take them seriously, which is itself rather counterintuitive to the nature of the artist.

This is especially true for those who play music for laughs. They are often viewed as creatively compromised, accused of hiding behind humor to mask some manner of creative deficiency. They are labeled mere "novelty acts."

But being funny, much like being a superb songwriter or an adept guitarist, takes work. It takes both practice and skill. It takes dedication. And to do all three? Why that takes a very special kind of artist indeed.


Download Radio Free Hipster Ep. 131: Musical Comedy Is Not Pretty [hosting provided by Antisoc] Size: 61.9 MB Running Time: 47:36 Subscribe to RFH

Show Notes:

Intro: Baddd Spellah - "Radio Free Hipster Theme (feat. Beefy)"
Though humor is not their primary mechanism, both Beef and Spellah manage to creatively employ comedy in their music.

Track 1: Prairiebagel - "Ragnarok Blues"
I know this track is really played for laughs, but it's impossible to deny that it's skillfully written and expertly performed.

Z's 1st interlude: "The power of comedy in music."
And also the Power of Grayskull, but that's its own episode.


Track 2: "Weird Al" Yankovic - "Skipper Dan"
I heard some fans say this was their least favorite track on the album. Personally, I thought it was one of the best.

Track 3: Double Down - "This Is the Life"
I'll not lie, I sometimes say Jesse Dangerously when I mean Johnny Dangerously.

Track 4: Mr. B, The Gentleman Rhymer - "Let Me Smoke My Pipe"
Chap-hop at its finest.

Track 5: Adventure Time dialog / Insane Ian - "My Name is Neville"
Ian is a second generation nerd musician. I find that fact endlessly fascinating.

Track 6: Adventure Time dialog / Sci-Fried - "TNG 2.0"
Crusher truly is dynamite.

Track 7: Tom Lehrer - "We Will All Go Together When We Go"
I often wrestle with including classic songs like this, stuff that I assume everyone already knows, but I have to remind myself that someone out there's always hearing things for the first time.

Z's 2nd interlude: "A fuckin' horrible segue way."
Yeah, not my best work.

Track 8: Illbotz - "The Power Glove (Lucas' Theme)"
Only Stevie D could retell the story of The Wizard from Lucas's perspective.

Track 9: Torrentz - "French Toast Tango (feat. Milk-Plus, MC Wreckshin, and Rappy McRapperson)"
Probably my favorite Rappy guest verse ever.

Track 10: Helen Arney - "Statistically I Love You"
Maths are sexy.

Track 11: Donald Glover and Danny Pudi - "101 Rap"
Oh, Community, how I missed you!

Track 12: Steve Martin - "The All Being" / MC Hawking - "Entropy"
A throwback track to episode 18.

Z's final interlude: "Sort of inclined to give them an additional tip of the hat."
Note to self: buy new hat.

Track 13: mc chris - "Discord"/ Betty White, Donald Glover and Danny Pudi - "Anthropology Rap"
I missed it myself, but apparently mc's site was totally ponied up for April Fools'.

I play a lot of funny music on this 'cast, but I rarely spotlight it as such. With the sort of stigma that sometimes gets attached to comedy music, maybe I oughta.

I really have a lot of respect for people who are genuinely funny. It's not an easy thing to do, and I should know; I likely try and fail more often than most.

But that's the strength of humor. When it hits, it hits hard. And there's always a payoff. Then it somehow has the power to make everything, even the pains of daily life, seem just a little less dire. A little more fun.

Hermione Everdeen

Considering the dogged persistence of the Wizard Rock community—stalwart defenders of the Wizarding World Harry and the Potters, for example, kick off a new tour next week—and the growing Rockingjay music movement, I thought that this item might be relevant to your collective interests. It's a new mash-up tee from our friends at the International Quidditch Association that combines these two incredibly popular and uniquely nerd-friendly series into a single clever package.

Behold the District 9 3/4 shirt. (I can only imagine their chief industry in broomstick and Time-Turner manufacture.) It was designed by the IQA’s very own Melissa DeVarney and Allyson Burton, and is available now for $19.99.

All the profits benefit the International Quidditch Association's twin missions of physical activity and social awareness, which is pretty damn cool in and of itself. Plus, if you order by at 7:00 AM Eastern tomorrow, Friday, March 16th, you'll get yours in time to sport it at next week's Hunger Games movie premiere. Use it as a divining rod to root out potential row-mates. If they get the joke, they are your kinda people!

Those Cunning Folk Use Any Means

Okay, so I've known about this project for a long time, but an official announcement has at last been made so I can, y'know, actually talk about it and shit. My friends Adam and Mikal, the same duo that brought you The Browncoats Mixtape, are now taking a run at another fine flavor of fandom: Potterdom. The catch is this one is actually themed around the House the Dark Lord built.

The Slytherin House Mixtape is slated to drop on June 4th, but I'll see if I can't coax an early track out of the guys within the next couple of month. Oh, the things I do for you listeners! ;)

Radio Free Hipster Ep. 122: Head Down or Chin Up

It seems as though I've been doing a lot of these shows lately: episodes wherein I desperately try to raise my own spirits through the power of music. I'm not exactly sure what that says about my mental wellbeing, but it's probably nothin' good.

Still, if I can somehow manage to squeeze even a little enjoyment for you the listener out of my whiny-ass angst, then at least it's good for something.

Download Radio Free Hipster Ep. 122: Head Down or Chin Up [hosting provided by Antisoc] Size: 58.6 MB Running Time: 45:38 Subscribe to RFH

Show Notes:

Track 1: Adam WarRock - "I Am (Not)"
This joint has served as Adam's opener during his past few shows. Really hoping he kicks off with it this Saturday in Charlotte.

Z's 1st interlude: "My very, very favorite people."
I'm serious, y'all, this is like my dream tour lineup!

Track 2: Mikal kHill & Romero Shaw - "ONLYFAM (feat. Adam WarRock, Sulfur & Tribe One)"
I've always liked the way kHill writes, but I gotta say I find the chorus of this track particularly satisfying.

Track 3: Insane Ian - "Say Accio"
Ian's Weezard EP has been a long time coming. Songs like this one make me happy it finally managed to make its way to the masses.

Track 4: Harry Potter dialog / Dedicated Servers - "S.O.S. (Save Our Selves)"
Minister Rufus Scrimgeour -- always the politician!

Track 5: Echelon High - "Voigt-Kampff (Antisoc All-Your-Blades-Are-Belong-to-Us Remix)"
Soc sent me this track a long time ago, but I only recently thought to ask for play permission. Yes, believe it or not I do sometimes do the honorable thing and ask acts before I play their shit.

Track 6: Wordburglar - "Forward Front Facer"
"I laugh when people ask if I'm nerdcore. / If you ain't smart what you listenin' to 'Burg for?"

Z's 2nd interlude: "A glimmer of light from… an adjacent tunnel."
Okay, admittedly I can sometimes turn a phrase.

Track 7: I Fight Dragons - "Down Today"
This was one of those unexpected covers that just served to remind me why I loved IFD in the first place.

Track 8: General Mumble - "Gator in the Tub"
The brony community goes out of its way to rep all the MLP characters, even lesser known critters like Gummy.

Track 9: Mikey Mason - "Me and Alan Moore's Beard"
This track runs a little long, but it's just so damned enjoyable!

Tack 10: Alan Moore interview dialog / Rae Sterling - "Blink (and I'm There)"
The bass mix in this one was a little funky, and that led to some leveling issues. Still, it's a brilliant track that I definitely wanted to share.

Z's final interlude: "Whatever kinda shit you're handling as well."
Whenever I feel down I try and remember that other people are likely struggling too. It does little to put things in perspective, but there's something about misery and company.

Track 11: Random - "Lookin' Up"
I'll go on record as saying that this is probably the ideal Random song; with a soulful hook, an uplifting message and a strong chiptune backing, it's got it all.

We only have two more shows left in 2011. The next one will, of course, be holiday-inspired, but my year-end episode is pretty open. I mean, just in case y'all wanna make any song or theme suggestions.

I don't typically look back at previous shows until year's end, and I was honestly a little surprised by my output this time around. I think the past 11 months have seen some of my best work to date. Of course that's just my own opinion, which may or may not be rooted in reality.

At any rate, I hope you've enjoyed 'em, and that you'll stick around for more.

In Brightest Day, In Blackest Friday

Those Best Buy lines are brutal!

Once again I am postponing my metric shit-ton of album reviews for a specialty post. This one concerns Black Friday sales, so those of you not in the States are instead encouraged to watch this new performance video from Jonathan Coulton.

I mean, my fellow Yanks can certainly do the same, but first you might wanna peep the savings.

Amazon, of course, is having its annual crazy-ass Black Friday sale, complete with ample Lightening Deals. Obviously the big draw for our tribe is their video games. Which featured items tickle your gamer fancy is highly dependent on your system of choice, but my suggestion would be the Skylanders: Spro's Adventure Starter Pack in the appropriate flavor -- especially for those of you with kids. If you're not in the know, the game essentially substitutes physical toys in the place of traditional DLC. You import these figures into the title, level 'em up through play and their stats can be saved back to the miniatures. This means that your save states, at least as far as characters' powers and attacks, are essentially cross-platform.

On the subject of multi-platforming, I gotta say my favorite version of the Skylanders is the 3DS iteration. It looks and plays amazing, and if you haven't yet snagged Nintendo's new handheld this really is the time. Super Mario 3D Land is the de facto system seller, but games like Skylanders, the Ocarina of Time and Star Fox remakes and the forthcoming Super Mario Kart 7 -- which I've already received my review copy of, so I can assure you it's a must-play -- ably supplement any library.

Closer to home, the Penny Arcade shop is having its annual blowout. There are lots of cheap tees and posters, but the big news concerns the pricier items. Those ultra-classy Jim Darkmagic paintings are presently $26 off. (Which is one more than $25 off.) There's also a new Fruit Fucker figurine. It's forty bones, which I think is regular price, but it's brand new and hilariously offensive. Oh, and domestic shipping is free until December 15th for orders over $50, so you got that going for you.

Wizard Rock icons Harry and the Potters were the first band to announce a holiday sale -- another tradition, if memory serves. They got them $5 CDs, son, so stuff yo' stocking! They also have free shipping on orders of $50 or more, but you gotta use the magic word "DOBBY" as your checkout code for the trick to work.

MC Lars, meanwhile, is offering 50% off everything at his web store. That Lars and YT Beavis and Butthead tee? 10 bucks. Legend of Zelda hoodie? Seventeen-fitty. Collectable USB robot key ring with his whole MP3 catalog? $25. The discount is applied at checkout, though, so don't freak out if everything still says the original list price on the product page.

Still, the one I'm most excited about is the Kirby Krackle Black Friday sale. Jim and Kyle got $7 tees and $5 GelaSkins (iPad 1 and iPhone 4 only.) They're also offering $2 button sets, and every order gets some special freebies. This one starts today at 8:00 AM PST and runs 'til midnight on Cyber Monday, so don't delay, nerdlingers!

Now these are just my initial picks, so if I missed some good shit -- especially merch sales by musicians -- please feel free to point it out in the comments.

This is Muggle Tap

Today is both Veterans Day and Nigel Tufnel Day. Not to mention the wedding day of my good friend DataVortex. (Congrats, Larry!)

As if that wasn't enough merriment for a single weekend, tomorrow marks the first day of the 2011 Quidditch World Cup.

100+ colleges, 2,000+ athletes and 10,000+ rowdy New Yawkas will descend on Randall's Island to celebrate the sport of wizards and witches alongside a dozen bands, circus performers, face-painters, owls and, I can only imagine, the occasional confused passerby. Tickets are still available to this family-friendly (not to mention nerd-friendly) event starting as low as $5. And since this is a Potter-centric affair, those champions of justice from the Harry Potter Alliance will also be on hand with new merch and helpful information about how to leverage fandom for global good.

If you're in the greater metropolitan area and haven't made plans yet, you're gonna wanna make it out to see this one, folks.

His Snake-tastic Majesty's Request

If anything, Halloween is a holiday for the bad guys, which makes this announcement from Slytherin Wizard Rock staple Draco and the Malfoys all the more relevant:

After 7 years on that WRock-grind, it appears as though brothers Brian Ross and Bradley Mehlenbacher are hanging up their scarves. Of all the scene's notable dissolutions in recent years, this is particularly significant. You see, the Malfoys epitomized 2nd-generation Wizard Rock in its truest form.

Debuting in 2004 – at what was likely the first ever all-WRock show, a house party featuring Harry and the Potters that also saw the introduction of The Whomping Willows – the band represented the first instance of an act being formed in direct response to the Potters phenomenon. To put it another way, if the brother DeGeorge were MC Frontalot and YTCracker, then Brian and Bradley were Beefy and Ultraklystron. (And, by extension, the house party was… Rhyme Torrents? I dunno; maybe I'm grasping to extend my metaphor here.)

Still, the band served as the bedrock foundation of what would go on to become the musical arm of Harry Potter fandom, a cultural juggernaut that leveraged its recognition and acclaim into an engine for social good. Not bad for a couple of Parseltongued miscreants!

While naysayers have been prophesying the end of Wizard Rock since Deathly Hallows rolled on to bookstore shelves, and the disbanding of the Malfoys doesn't exactly run counter to said claims, it's hard to understate the impact that acts like DatM have had both on nerd culture and on the developing social awareness of their young fans. And for that, you power-hungry, soul-split revenants I salute you.

(Hat-tip to Matt, my finger on the pulse of Wizard Rockery for the tip!)

Radio Free Hipster Ep. 111: Goes the Weasel

I don't often say this, but I fuckin' love this episode! I think I've finally got my sound quality and bitrate issues settled, and (aside from some weird plosives in the third act) I think the mechanics of this show are on par with my best work.

And the song selection? Phenomenal! At least from where I'm sitting.

I think you're in for a treat, listening audience. A genuine treat.

Download Radio Free Hipster Ep. 111: Goes the Weasel [hosting provided by Antisoc] Size: 67.8 MB Running Time: 51:28

Show Notes:

Intro: Baddd Spellah – "Radio Free Hipster Theme (feat. Beefy)"
Contrary to popular belief, I receive props far less often than nonstop.

Track 1: Supercommuter - "10th Generation (Klopfenpop Mix)"
I love me some Klopfenpop. I also love me some Supercommuter.

Z's 1st interlude: "But I am back… in the proverbial house."
Which is likely where my proverbial ass belongs.

Track 2: Kirby Krackle - "Tony Stark (Live)"
Buy this EP and help a koala. No, I haven't' recently suffered a stroke or anything; this really is a fundraiser for a koala sanctuary.

Track 3: seal of quality - "Thor"
Okay, maybe not exactly about the Avenger of the same name, but a great track nonetheless.

Track 4: Adam WarRock - "Spider-Woman"
Adam makes mad mixtapes. This one, for example, was dedicated to the West Coast Avengers.

Track 5: Americans UK - "[Inappropriate] Word[s] To Your Mother"
I really dig Jef UK's vocals on this one. I dig 'em hard. 

Track 6: Danny Dementor - "Fight to the End (Pre-Adolescent Mix)"
I would go so far as to say Danny Dementor made some of the greatest Wizard Rock of the scene's latter era.

Track 7: The Factory Kids - "The City (killsaly remix)"
Much like Klopfenpop, killsaly is one of those cats I truly believe can remix anything.

Track 8: Mega Ran - "Metal Dance (feat. The Megas) (Acoustic Mix)"
Upon much reflection, I actually think I prefer this to the original "electric" version.

Z's 2nd interlude: "Props to Church for turning me on to that one."
And since I know you're gonna ask, here's a link to that King of Thrones theme song cover. 

Track 9: Marc with a C - "Motherfuckers Be Bullshittin'"
Though Marc sings the titular phrase with a bit less conviction than I would've hoped, the building repetitive vocal coda at the track's conclusion is true pop genius.

Track 10: Aperture Science Psychoacoustics Laboratory - "Turret Wife Serenade"
I can't imagine anyone missed this, but if so: linky.

Track 11: Insane Ian - "Super-Powers"
Again, not my favorite work from Ian on the verses, but the chorus more than makes up for it.

Track 12: The Amazing BrandO - "ZELDA 3 [Episode2]: Hyrule Castle"
BrandO really channels Link's borderline psychopathy in this one.

Track 13: Parks and Recreation dialog / Dethonator - "Rock of the Dress"
I really didn't understand how big My Little Pony fandom had gotten until folks started requesting remixes from the show's soundtrack.

Z's final interlude: "From the cartoon series My Little Pony: Friendship is Magical."
Okay, the actual subtitle is Friendship is Magic. I'm pretty sure that one mistake alienated all my bronie listeners.

Track 14: Robin Skouteris - "One Hell or Another [Avril Lavigne vs. Katy Perry vs. Blondie vs. A-ha vs. Toni Basil vs. The Knack vs. Offspring vs. Ting Tings]"
This track is a bit long, but I felt it made a perfect closer for this episode.

In addition to my regularly scheduled episodes, next month I will also be preparing my Parsec Awards nomination sampler. I will, in keeping with tradition, share it with y'all. The only question is when.

A lot of that depends on how I choose to do things during July, as that is Nerdapalooza month. If I can still swing two shows then that mini-sode will simply be an added bonus. If that proves too problematic it may instead have to replace a regular episode.

Still, I have to submit the thing to the judging panel by June 15th, so if anyone has some sort of compulsive need to hear it early, just give me a yell and I'll link you straight to it.

Radio Free Hipster Ep. 110: The Southern Accents Mixtape

In case you haven't realized, I've been thinking a lot lately about my region. About how the South has shaped me, as well as about how I view it. It took me years to make peace with the fact that I was a nerd, and it's taken even longer to come to grips with my innate southerness.

I don't for a minute think that my particular geographic area is somehow superior to others, but I have also begun to accept that it's also not wholly inferior either. Admittedly, we have a rather sordid past, but so does our nation. So does our world.

I like to think of the current era as the New New South. And unlike previous iteration its strength is a genuine sense of self-awareness. Not an overinflated view of heritage or a skewed personal history, but rather an understanding that we are not our fathers or our father's fathers. We have reached an understanding that there is more to the world than our meager boundaries, so rather than just being simple southerners we simply are.

Nerd music tends to shine when it is inherently nerd rather than intentionally so. The same goes for southern music. Here are some examples of both. It's a selection of geeky music from southern artists that refuses to outright pander to either demographic.

Download Radio Free Hipster Ep. 110: The Southern Accents Mixtape [hosting provided by Antisoc] Size: 69 MB Running Time: 52:38

Show Notes:

Intro: Baddd Spellah – "Radio Free Hipster Theme (feat. Beefy)"
By this point you all know that a fucked up theme song = a mixtape-style episode, right?

Track 1: Parks and Recreation dialog / DJ Earworm – "If I Were a Free Fallin' Boy"
To me, Tom Petty really defines the contemporary end of the southern musical tradition.

Track 2: The Mudbloods – "Glenrock Falls"
Much like that Petty mash-up, this is actually the kind of song I'd typically reserve for a show closer. Still, it felt pertinent to represent Austin, TX early (and often) in the ep.

Track 3: The Emotron – "Bigger than J.C. (demo)"
Emotron is a notorious live act in the regional music scene.

Track 4: Illbotz – "Ride On to the Real, Death to the Fakers"
I'd like to point out that this joint cribs the musical hook from Drivin' N' Cryin's "Fly Me Courageous" and the ending lyrical rant from Guns 'N' Roses's "Get in the Ring."

Track 5: The OneUps – "Bowser Castle"
Fayetteville's OneUps are on the Nerdapalooza 2011 bill. They're another act I have yet to see live, so I'm pretty excited about finally getting the opportunity.

Track 6: Nuclear Bubble Wrap – "Sharktopus"
NBW hail from Nashville, a town renowned for music. Still, I wonder sometimes if people really understand how much more it produces than just simply roots rock and country artists.

Track 7: HDninja – "Fighting"
I had to decide which of Florida's many nerd-friendly acts I would spotlight. I ended up going with HDNinja, mostly because they have long been a personal favorite.

Track 8: Metroid Metal – "Norfair (NES)" / Matt Davis "You Don't Talk Country" dialog
Though Metroid Metal now has a number of members in other locales, it was founded by North Carolina-based arranger Stemage.

Track 9: Sci-Fried – "Geek Rock"
Another Florida outfit that's particularly near and dear to my heart is Orlando's Sci-Fried. Them's my boys!

Track 10: Marc Gunn – "Samwise Gamgee"
Marc Gunn is a cat dedicated to keeping Austin's music scene healthily weird. He also provides this edition of the podcast with the proper dose of Celtic-flavored filk.

Track 11: The ThoughtCriminals – "Earthbound (feat. Adam WarRock and Random)"
The TCs are my Carolina brothers and Adam WarRock also spent his childhood in the South. Ran? Not so much, but I give him a pass. ;)

Track 12: Bill Hicks "Flying Saucer Tour" dialog / John Lennon vs. Bubba Sparxxx – "Oh Yoko's Ugly"
I played this Bubba Sparxxx mash-up years ago, but felt it was the perfect time to revisit it.

Track 13: Marc with a C – "Satellite" / Foghorn Leghorn dialog
Marc has some really amazing songs, but this one's always seemed particularly strong to me. I settled on it as the show's closer very early on.

I'm still not entirely happy with the sound quality of this episode, but it should be good enough to get you through a single show. Expect more tweaks as I figure out my new recording/editing setup.

I have a few more proper show themes brewing, but I think I'm going back to the potpourri approach from episode 111. Then again, I'm sure there's some sort of weird numerological concept I can mine from the show's number itself, so don't quote me on that.

Funny Business

When nerdcore took its first tentative steps into the mainstream, it was very careful to brand itself as something different than your typical comedy rap. Not wanting to be seen as a performer of parody is always a pressing concern for white rappers, but nerdcore's insistence that it wasn't a "joke genre" seemed to run counter to the keen humor inherent in the concept.

This clearly underscores the problem with comedy music, or rather the perception of comedy music; it's easy to write off a humorous artist as insincere or as the producer of a pale reflection of another more legitimate form simply because his output is comical in nature. Phrases like "parody artist" and "musical comedy" have accordingly become thinly-veiled slights, often insinuating that the act in question is somehow less important or less legitimate than his more straight-laced peers.

But what about when the music isn't merely a conduit for the humor? What about creators who instead use comedy to truly express themselves musically?

From the classic filk circles of old to the Dr. Demento show to the internet's prolific Funny Music Project, silliness and sarcasm have always had an apparent, unapologetic place in the music of nerd culture. With the advent of YouTube and the glut of social media and sharing options afforded to today's musicians, what may have once been a standalone novelty track success story has morphed into endless opportunities to shock, amaze and delight.

Still, the very act of billing oneself as a musical comedy act can provoke derision from the countless haters in the scene and beyond. Yet this doesn't stop everyone from defiantly exploring the power of lyrical humor.

My first exposure to Nashville's Nuclear Bubble Wrap was an early, demo-y version of their comedy Wrock track "Draining the Lizard on a Dead Gay Wizard," and I was...unimpressed. It was juvenile and trebly and repetitive, but just like other humorous punk rock outfits, the kings of which were certainly the late, great Dead Milkmen, Nuclear Bubble Wrap manages to turn those same liabilities into strengths.

Their latest release, Exploding Head Syndrome, is all about sharp guitars, arrested sexuality and lyrics that walk the fine line between ridiculous and inspired. And what makes it work is the band's unique self-awareness. Nuclear Bubble Wrap isn't talking about the plight of indigenous peoples of the piss-poor state of the global economy. They are instead writing puns about Pokémon names and making sweet musical love to poultry.

While the comedy is often lowbrow, the songwriting itself is generally clever and the instrumentation eclectic and satisfying. The album kicks off with "Burning Ambitions," a hard rocking joint about pyromania, before switching immediately to the off-kilter folk-punk that is the delightfully dirty "Inyourendo." The guys exercise their parody muscles early on with "Food Belongs in Me" featuring a great guest spot from Johnna Day, but follow-up original "Raichu a Song" stands out as the most geek-friendly of the album's offerings.

The key-heavy "Captain Abduction" likewise channels broader popular culture – casting the alien abduction phenomenon as a Fallout Boy number – into a proper pop rock anthem that could easily be mistaken for the work of a more vanilla indie outfit, like the one that inspired it, if not for its laughable lyrical slant. The laidback "Birdfucker," itself a Neil Cicierega cover, scores points for production and melody (not to mention its pure conceptual depravity), but gets lost among the album's more enjoyable fare like TMBG cover "I Never Go to Work" and the surreal indie pop of "Sharktopus."

"Avada Kedavra" is a sharp mash-up of Potterdom and Disney fluff that succeeds more thanks to clever instrumentation than its hammy Borsht Belt lyrical delivery, but it does play well off the mock arena rock of Green Day send-up "Know Your Power Chords." The album's final movement begins with "Lesbian," another great track that falters because the core joke isn't quite as strong as the song deserves. "Holes in the Fort" likewise stops just short of Jonathan Richman-level humor-punk.

"Words Like Arsenic (Thyne Eyes Befell the Celestial Carnival)" continues this unfortunate trend, sounding like a dark cabaret piece that never quite gels despite fantastic use of accordion and acoustic guitar. This, of course, makes way for the aforementioned "Draining the Lizard," a song that certainly sounds like a more polished version of the original track that put me off the band to begin with.

But just as I begin to give up hope on the latter moments of Exploding Head Syndrome, closer "In Space No One Can Hear You Scream" comes along with the same blend of funny writing and true musical chops that the band exhibited earlier. A perfect juxtaposition of twee pop and blues, of strong, upbeat melodies and humorous hopelessness, it's a truly solid ender.

Exploding Head Syndrome starts off strong, but it loses much of its steam in its waning act. Still, it's an excellent example of snarky alterna-rock that heaps humor on top of already skillful writing. Also, at 15 tracks Jace and the boys hit far more than they miss, and that alone says a lot.

If Nuclear Bubble Wrap puts you in mind of punk's classic pranksters, from the Milkmen to the Minutemen, then surely Virginia's Illbotz are their spiritual kin from just the other side of the rock 'n' roll dividing line. Known for mining hip-hop's oft-forgotten comical past, the boys go so far as to show their old school roots in the very title of their latest LP. Pudding is Delicious, itself a classic LL Cool J reference, further takes strides to keep funny rap alive.

It's "Fair Eastside" intro is a soulful slice of surreality that segues nicely into the bombast of "Illbotz Rock the Spot and Go Crazy," a veritable party jam already unleashed on an unsuspecting word as part of the crew's All Bot and a Bag of Chips collection. Still, as weird as it is it can't hold a candle to the eastern funk-rap of "Throw Me That Eggroll." While not exactly an example of Poe Mack's most groundbreaking production, it's a solid banger to help kick the album off in style.

"Dinosaur, Dinosaur" on the other hand shows both Stevie D and Poe at their best on a dirty club track that's almost too ridiculous to be believed. The "What's That All a Bot?" skit doesn't exactly stand up to many of their best segues, but it does pave the way for the stellar "Bot Life." "Stevie D's iPod" brings back the Illbotz charm in spades, and partners perfectly with "Your iPod Sucks," a song which I've already fervently praised. The one-two punch of "True Love and a Fat Boys Record" and silly soul number "Baby Bot" also keep the dream alive by showcasing the crew at its finest. (Though these too were included on the band's previous career retrospective.)

Stevie and the boys switch shit up with 50s-style pop "Zombie Girl," and then bring things back to the 80s with "The Power Glove (Lucas' Theme)." The "Scenester Joke" skit is mercifully short and it doesn't do much to setup the fierce sex rhymes of "Can I Put it on a Sandwich?," but it's certainly no stranger than spontaneous hardcore punk number "Stupid Lazy Eye (Get Off the Couch)." The punk rock-style lingers through both "Enter Marshall" and "Marshall (the Friendliest Punk in Town)," which are rather middle-of-the-road tracks that mostly serve to add a new character Illbotz mythos. They also lead us to the only real disappointment of the album "Perm's Poem," a great gag from the group's co-MC that lingers entirely too long.

"Give a Little Love," a song previously shared on the first Nerdcore Now comp, is another genuine standout that helps wind the album down, but the down-home gospel of "Jesus Gave Me Water (But What I Wanted Was a PBR)" surely succeeds as both the biggest surprise and the strongest joke on the entire album. It showcases the wholly bizarre chemistry between Stevie D, Big Perm, DJ Samson and Poe Mack by taking them as far away from their core hip-hop element as imaginable. "Perm's Got Bad Breath" gets the giggles, but seems a tad superfluous save to setup the excellent "Stank Ass Rappas," and Poe and Stevie again shine on closer "My Crown," which gives the producer a rare chance to rhyme on an Illbotz joint.

Of course an Illbotz album never ends without a hidden track, and this time around you get two-for-one. The first is a goofy New Age joint about 2012 that gets points for skillfully working in many of the album's recurring comedy motifs (specifically ODB and the all-important Brown Sugar Cinnamon Pop-Tarts.) But of course the real knee-slapper is the impromptu cover of Billy Joel's "For the Longest Time." It finishes up the boys' best album to date, not to mention one of my new personal faves, in true Illbotz style.

With notable exceptions like The Lonely Island, Tenacious D, Flight of the Conchords and, of course, the indubitable Weird Al, the idea of a successful, respected purveyor of comedy music is all but unheard of. At least in the mainstream.

But out on the periphery, on an internet where memes reproduce like tribbles and a funny tune doesn't need a the love of some shitty drive-time DJ to make it a stick, countless acts toil away stacking silly puns and bawdy one-liners atop skillfully crafted instrumentals. And as inspiring as it is to think of artists combining the strengths of their twin passions of music and comedy in an indifferent world, it's even more so when you realize that, rather than apathetic, much of the surrounding musical landscape is downright hostile.

But the true funnyman doesn't care if you're too cool to get the joke, nor does he worry that his efforts will be branded as insincere. Instead he plies his craft and makes the music he wants to hear without fretting over whether his efforts will merely land him in the novelty bin.

Radio Free Hipster Ep. 106: Just Because

For those of you that don't follow me on Twitter, I described the recording of this particular episode as "the biggest fucking pain in the ass" I've experienced in a great while. It's important to note, however, that this was solely because of difficulties with my spoken interludes. (I'm beginning to wonder if my laptop is not long for this world, but I'll save that panic for another day.)

The song selection, on the other hand, was a breeze. I mentioned in passing that I was taking request, and many of you let your voices be heard. Thankfully, these requests seemed to flow well with the tracks I already had earmarked for the show, and I'm pretty pleased with the final product.

Please let me know if you feel the same.

Download Radio Free Hipster Ep. 106: Just Because [hosting provided by Antisoc] Size: 43.4 MB Running Time: 47:28

Show Notes:

Intro: Baddd Spellah – "Radio Free Hipster Theme (feat. Beefy)"
Because you never get a second chance to make a first impression.

Track 1: Kirby Krackle bumper / Kirby Krackle – "On and On"
Much love to Jim and Kyle for the intro bumper!

Z's 1st interlude: "Here's a brand new track that needs no introduction."
On account of it supplies its own.

Track 2: Mike Relm – "SCOTT PILGRIM 'Threshold 8 bit' vs. Ludacris 'How Low'"
Both Luda and @DataVortex are based out of Atlanta. Coincidence? I would imagine so.

Track 3: Harry and the Potters – "Horcruxes"
@kdnewton wanted some Wizard Rock, and I was more than happy to oblige.

Track 4: Parks and Recreation dialog / ZeaLouS1 – "Next Gen 2. (feat. Dr. Awkward)"
Several people asked for something from the new ZeaLouS1… as if I wasn't gonna play that shit anyway!

Track 5: crashfaster – "time"
crashfaster's disconnect EP is phenomenal. Any and all chiptune fans need to check it out.

Track 6: Powerglove – "The Simpsons (feat. Tony Kakko)"
Blame the inclusion of this delightful piece of lunacy on @Proz.

Track 7: mashmike – "I Want You 2 Want Me (Rihanna and Drake vs. Cheap Trick vs. Fat Joe vs. Busta Rhymes)"
How could I not play a Cheap Trick mash-up?

Z's 2nd interlude: "I'm not gonna bore you with any more talk."
The fact that my recording rig was moments away from going tits-up may or may not have contributed to this.

Track 8: Action Adventure World vs. The Plasmas – "They Kidnapped The Princess (Intro)"
@btypemusic asked for some Action Adventure World. I gave him The Plasmas at no additional cost.

Track 9: Being Human dialog / Beefy vs. Mikal kHill – "Sidekick (kHillmix)"
Been sitting on this little beauty since last episode.

Track 10: Chipocrite – "Bizarre Love Triangle"
As featured in a certain wildly popular YouTube vid.

Track 11: oki – "Bizarre Bottom Girls"
This seemed to be the only logical follow-up.

Track 12: Terp 2 It – "Backpack"
New listener David mentioned he was a fan of Terp, so I promised I'd toss him into the mix.

Z's final interlude: "Closing us out today is a special treat."
I get a lot of pre-release versions of upcoming albums, but it's rare the performers actually let me share 'em early.

Track 13: Sci-Fried – "Invasion"
You don't expect a southern geek rock band to bust out an electronic tribute to War of the Worlds, which is yet another fine example of the genius of Sci-Fried.

And that's another show in the bag.

It's kind of strange when I spell it out like this, but while the podcast creation is much more involved now than in its early years I have to admit that I enjoy it in spite of the hardships. Even more now than then, in fact.

I sometimes wonder what I'll do when I retire from this particular project, but I know I'll always want to do something along the lines of Radio Free Hipster.

Well, as long as there are a couple of people still interested in listening. ;)

Radio Free Hipster Ep. 105: C'est L'amour

I typically try and drop a holiday-specific episode a few good days before the event itself, but when I realized I could potentially release my regular Valentine's show on Valentine's Day I figured I'd go for it.

Unlike previous years, where the theme has been love in a larger sense, this time around each one of the song titles contains the actual word "love" or some apparent derivation.

Clever concept or lazy song selection? You be the judge!

Download Radio Free Hipster Ep. 105: C'est L'amour [hosting provided by Antisoc] Size: 42.4 MB Running Time: 46:19

Show Notes:

Intro: Baddd Spellah – "Radio Free Hipster Theme (feat. Beefy)"
I love 'em both! 

Track 1: DJ Moule – "Good Love, Good Rock"
Led Zeppelin vs. Joan Jett vs. Does It Offend You, Yeah? vs. Peaches

Z's 1st interlude: "Perhaps even more literally than in years past."
I'll give iTunes one thing – it does make searching for song titles containing a certain word a breeze!

Track 2: The Remus Lupins – "Lovely Lily"
Not my favorite vocal delivery from Alex, but easily one of the band's best instrumental performances.

Track 3: the1shanti – "I *heart* Olivia Munn (ElekTro4 Remix)"
From Tru Statement Entertainment's F?@K LOVE.

Track 4: Q-Unit – "Old Fashioned Outta Control Lover"
Q-Unit's Greatest Hits was the first proper mash-up album I ever downloaded in its entirety.

Track 5: Super Bad dialog / OxygenStar – "I Used to Love Her"
Rather than my typical romance movie sound clips, this time around I went for more of a bromance thing.

Track 6: Sprites – "I Love You, You Retard"
From their phenomenal Modern Gameplay album.

Track 7: I Love You, Man dialog / Hellostereo – "Digital Love"
"Digital Love" may be the ultimate nerd love song.

Z's 2nd interlude: "And now we are gonna head right back into the music."
A listener recently told me that I keep my between-set commentary short and to the point. I'm actually pretty proud of that fact.

Track 8: Illbotz – "Give a Little Love"
Perm's Charlie Sheen line still cracks me up!

Track 9: Ookla the Mok – "Guggenheim Love"
And I followed that up with yet another great comedy track.

Track 10: Maroon 5 vs. Marvin Gaye – "This Healing Love"
This particular mash-up was shared with me by my good friend Glenn Case.

Track 11: Warp 11 – "Replicate My Love"
Warp 11 remains the most delightfully filthy act in Trek Rock.

Z's final interlude: "And that is some bullshit."
For those not familiar with the game, all of the background music for this episode comes from Animal Crossing. K.K. Slider FTW!

Track 12: HDninja – "No Love Song"
Since I mentioned how I felt HDninja was under-appreciated last ep, I decided to include them in this show as well.


These lovey-dovey editions are always greeted a certain amount of ambiguity depending on how each individual listener views the subject of romance and it's place in this particular holiday. That's why this time I went more with love as a lyrical device than as an inspirational concept.

Maybe it worked – maybe it didn't. I'm pretty pleased with how it came out, and I hope you dug it too.

But either way, consider it my Valentine's gift to you. You know, 'cause of my undying love and whatnot.