Radio Free Hipster Ep. 115: Urban Arcade

It’s the first day of school down here in my burg. I'm not sure if that's relevant save to say that the summer season is fast coming to a close.

Consider this another dose of warm-weather music for that ass.

As I assume your ass still requires warm-weather music.

Download Radio Free Hipster Ep. 115: Urban Arcade [hosting provided by Antisoc] Size: 63.4 MB Running Time: 47:41

Show Notes:

Intro: Baddd Spellah – "Radio Free Hipster Theme (feat. Beefy)"
My theme song could beat up your theme song.

Track 1: Kirby Krackle - "Booty Do Math (feat. Adam WarRock)"
I really can't overstate the fact that this is my jam.

Z's 1st interlude: "So many definite articles."
I guess you could say I was talking the shit. #clever

Track 2: Adam WarRock - "Andrew Garfield at SDCC"
I had my qualms with a Spidey movie re-launch, but it's really hard not to love this guy.

Track 3: USK - "Cheap Jungle"
This may well be the first time I've featured a solo Japanese chiptune artist.

Track 4: Parks & Recreation dialog / DJ Dain - "Black POWER 2000 (Dan Forden, Brian Schmidt & Steve Ritchie vs. Kanye West) [Clean]"
Confession time: I still haven't listened to My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy in its entirety.

Track 5: R_Garcia - "SMB2 (Underworld Theme)"
Big ups to Larry for hipping my to the Eightest Bits comp from Nophi. Also, did I pronounce it as "no-fee?" Fuck!

Track 6: Chokeules - "Fumes (hotbox remix)"
Toolshed. Backburner. Represent.

Z's 2nd interlude: "It might just renew your faith in the internet."
I'm serious. Watch it.

Track 7: Kabuto the Python and B.C. - "Tali (Em Version)"
The N7 EP was originally slated to be a full-length, but catastrophic hard drive failure is a motherfucker.

Track 8: Supercommuter - "#1 Kyabajo (feat. Rachel Haden)"
I have a review written of the new Supercommuter. I hope to have it polished up later this week or early next.

Track 9: MC Frontalot - "Critical Hit"
If you pre-order the new Frontalot you can download the digital version now. What's not to love?

Track 10: Heath McNease - "Turtle Van Damme"
Because you can never have too many TMNT tracks.

Track 11: SJ Tucker - "D&D"
This one is yet another great find by my boy Church Hates Tucker.

Z's final interlude: "My 3-year-old daughter's favorite new song."
If I had a nickel for every time she ran through the den screaming "ponies, ponies ponies, swag…"

Track 12: Swagberg - "Pony Swag (feat. Maros)"
It saddens me to realize that Mitch Hedberg isn't alive to hear what really happens when you remix a remix.

Drunken Podcasting Month draws nigh, and I honestly don't know if my liver can take it. But I'll do it for you, internet!

I'm actually hoping to do something a bit different with this year's drunkcast, but only time will tell if it shakes out as planned.

Expect at least one other (reasonably) sober podcast before then, though. And I'll likely pair September's aforementioned drunkcast with another specialty show.

Gundam Wang

As many of you already know, rapper Adam WarRock is my baby's mother. (Okay, not literally.) Ergo I am honor bound to tell you that this very month he is conducting a rare donation drive.

Y'see, Adam doesn't ask for handouts. He doesn't do Kickstarter. He pays for all of his expenses, from travel to merch to production, out of his own pocket. However with this fall tour backing up mc chris, MC Lars and Random coming down the pipe, he needs to pad the wallet a bit to help keep his belly full as he traverses the Nerd Nation. You can help out by heading over to his virtual home base to buy said merch or, better yet, by sliding the guy a couple dollars via this handy donation link.

Unlike PBS, Adam doesn't reward you with some shitty tote bag for sharing your hard-earned duckets. All month he's gonna continue to provide you special free weekly singles. These are singles in the classical sense, by the way, with their own b-sides -- a concept which I heartily endorse.

He and Tribe One kicked shit off last week with "Study Hall," and this time around it's the anime-tinged nastiness of "Gundam Wings & Fries." Snag 'em both, and keep a keen eye out for more of the new hotness from your favorite comic shop MC.

Nerd Money, Nerd Problems

A new Kirby Krackle album all but guarantees two things. The first is a glowing review from me. The second? Kick ass new videos!

Check out the latest in visual delights from the guys. It's for "Nerd Money," the second single from their Super Powered Love full-length. It was lovingly animated in ultra-chibi style by the one and only Betsy Lee, but the nerd wealth fantasy is universal.

Sorority Babes in the Slimeball Bowl-O-Rama

I'm leaving you, my tiny baby birds. I'm afraid you will be forced to fend for yourselves for the rest of the week while I take the fam on our regular pilgrimage to the coast.

Hush now. Don't cry. Your ol' Uncle Zack will be back before you know it. And if you really can't live without me you can follow my exploits via the Twitters. I will endeavor to regale you with tales of all the crazy shit my kids do. That'll keep you entertained for a bit, right?

Those of you in NYC, however, have a very special assignment in my absence.

This Saturday night (August 6), my good friends Schaffer the Darklord and the newly revamped Monsterface will be playing at… a bowling alley in Brooklyn? Wait; that can't be…

Yup. It's a bowling alley in Brooklyn.

I am counting on you Gothamites to head out there and support 'em. And to come back with a full report of the awesomeness that will assuredly ensue. And also to maybe bowl a couple of frames.

You have your mission. Godspeed, internet!

TeacherRapperLimo

I hate reality shows. Oddly enough, however, I love documentaries.

I suppose the difference, to me at least, is that the former focuses on hollow, superficial subjects while the latter illuminates the inner workings of the world around us and its most compelling denizens. For this reason alone I have been unwilling to call Random's continuing Life After Lesson Plans series a reality show. Y'know, because I actually care about the outcome.

But whether it's a mini-doc or a vlog it has, at least for the time being, drawn to a close. (If you haven't been keeping up, you can start from the beginning – which is always a fine place to start.) The series has managed to show our hero coping with some interesting challenges in his personal and professional life, and, fittingly enough, this final chapter winds down with an epic cliffhanger.

And also an epic breakfast.

Radio Free Hipster Ep. 114: Fear and Loathing in Orlando

I have come to realize that the more nice shit you say, the less likely others are to actually believe it. Over-hyping something, even retroactively, is a cardinal sin. So I shall reign in my post-Nerdapalooza bliss.

I mean, I wouldn't go so far as to say Nerdapalooza 2011 was a religious experience, but it was extremely enjoyable and ultimately impressive. As a hardened critic, I was rather surprised when I sat down to collect my thoughts and everything that seemed to pour out was positive. But hey, I've already made that known.

This episode revisits the festival as an audio experience for all to (hopefully) enjoy. It boasts many of the acts from the event's expansive lineup, as well as my take on what each brought to the show.

It also features some live audio that I captured. It's far from perfect, but, given that I made zero effort to ensure audio fidelity, I think it came out surprisingly well.

Download Radio Free Hipster Ep. 114: Fear and Loathing in Orlando [hosting provided by Antisoc] Size: 63 MB Running Time: 48:44

Show Notes:

Intro: Baddd Spellah – "Radio Free Hipster Theme (feat. Beefy)"
The title of this episode is actually a reference to a running joke between my friends GeekDad Curtis and funky49.

Track 1: Shael Riley drop / The BossFights - "Conspiracy Theory"
If you listen closely, you'll hear my friend Josh say something about Coast to Coast AM at the end of Shael's drop, thus the decision to start things off with "Conspiracy Theory." Though the fact that I love Bishop's riff certainly didn't hurt. 

Z's 1st interlude: "What I do remember recording was some bootleg audio."
I carried my H1 field recorder with me the entire weekend. Sadly, I only managed to turn it on a half-dozen or so times. 

Track 2: Inverse Phase - "Song 6502"
I've seen very few live chiptune performances -- so it's not like I have a lot to compare it to -- but I have to say Inverse Phase killed with his set.

Track 3: Dual Core - "Invaders Must Die (feat. Remington Forbes) [Live at Nerdapalooza 2011]"
That fucker that keeps screaming "Reeeemmmaaaaayyy" and ruining the audio levels? Me.

Track 4: The OneUps - "Something about Koopa Beach"
My 6-year-old recently discovered Mario Kart (thanks to a DS Lite promo bundle from Nintendo), so we've been listening to a lot of cuts from this particular OneUps album.

Track 5: The Protomen - "The Fall"
Am I the only one who gets confused as to when to first pump and when to heartbeat clap at a Protomen show?

Track 6: Schaffer the Darklord - "Battlefont"
In case you missed the related Twitter conversation, I have asked STD and Nelson Lugo to host my wake. And they have agreed to do so. Best. Death. Ever.

Track 7: I Fight Dragons - "Money (feat. Klopfenpop) [Live at Nerdapaloza 2011]"
After all these years I finally got to meet Brian from IFD! Admittedly it was only for about a minute and a half, but it still totally counts.

Z's 2nd interlude: "I hung out with him and Stevo and Larry Oji."
Though it lacked the foam sword fighting and booth babes of some other installations, the OC ReMix table was easily the most entertaining at Nerdapalooza 2011. Simply by virtue of including these three amazing cats.

Track 8: Adam WarRock - "I Believe in Harvey Dent (feat. Tribe One) [Live at Nerdpalaooza 2011]"
Early on in the weekend Adam WarRock became my true-blue homeboy. He's relocating to my region later this year, so I imagine we'll start having sleepovers and painting each other's toenails. #pillowfight

Track 9: Illbotz - "Transform"
Let it be forever known that DJ Samson runs shit!

Track 10: The ThoughtCriminals - "Return of the Antagonist (featuring Illbotz) [Untested Methods Remix]"
kHill and Sulfur drove down from Charlotte on Saturday and, though they also had to cut out a bit early, they more than made their mark on Nerdapalooza 2011.

Track 11: Insane Ian - "Harry Potter"
When I think back on the FuMP sets from this year's festival the first words that my mind conjures are "impeccable comic timing." These are followed shortly by "multiple guest star."

Track 12: Shinobi Ninja - "This is How We Do It"
If you get a chance to catch Shinobi Ninja while they're on the road promoting Rock Hood, by all means take advantage of the opportunity. They blend metal and hip-hop and soul and reggae rock, but mostly they exude an infectious brand of stage energy.

Z's final interlude: "I just wanna say thank you to everyone who hung out with me at Nerdapalooza."
It was so amazing to meet all of you! 

Track 13: Sci-Fried - "Fett's Vette [Live at Nerdapalooza 2011]"
I actually managed to record the entirety of the Sci-Fried set. I'm gonna clean it up and see what I can do with it.

Alright, I think I've said all I can and rightly should say about Nerdapalooza. I mean, except for revisiting that Adam WarRock interview I recorded. I should really do something with that.

But for the foreseeable future, at least, I'll shut the fuck up about it.

Because if you were there you already know what a magical weekend it was. And if you weren't then I kinda feel sorry for you.

The Commute Cometh (Again)

Every job has its perks. If you are a medical professional, drug reps regularly ply you with free meals and branded merch. Similarly, I am led to believe that astronauts get all the Tang they want, although I am unsure how this fares in our new post-NASA era.

For music bloggers like me, however, the benefits tend to fall into two categories. One is swag. The other is access to early preview tracks.

While the former can and should be proudly flaunted, the latter must typically be kept under the tightest of wraps. Except when it morphs into its magical secondary form, "the exclusive."

With that in mind I would like to hit my fellow inhabitants of the Nerd World up with some knowledge concerning the latest from Seattle chip-hoppers Supercommuter. I am pleased to report that the sophomore release from Wheelie Cyberman, Stenobot and Tron Juan, dubbed Products of Science, is set to drop next month.

On the most basic levels it picks up where their self-titled debut left off. Much of the album was built from music and lyrics conceived during the band members' daily commutes and the proceeds from its sale will again benefit Child's Play, but this time around the trio has certainly shook shit up.

While it retains the experimental sheen of Supercommuter, Products also seems noticeably more cohesive. The songwriting, which was approached more collectively, offers much more in the way of melody – both vocal and instrumental – and it also serves to expand the band's thematic sphere. Though robots and human/robot relations are certainly a core component, the guys have given Products of Science a more classical sci-fi feel.

This dozen-strong collection of beeps, booms and rhymes also boasts a fine selection of guest vocalists including Rachel Haden (That Dog, The Rentals) and Jen Wood (Tattle Tale, The Postal Service.) And diehard Optimus fans will be particularly delighted by the inclusion of fellow Autobeat Stumblebee on the track "Natural Immunity."

But a full dissection of the latest from these otherworldly androids is another story for another day. Right now I insist that you peep free teaser track "#1 Kyabajo." It's a cautionary tale from a hostess bar (featuring the aforementioned Rachel Haden on the chorus) that eschews much of Wheelie's fantastical storytelling in favor of a more earthbound narrative. Though its beat – which plays like an 8-bit cut from the Blade Runner soundtrack with a digital grindcore breakdown – is very indicative of the album's new feel.

Give it a listen, and keep your auditory sensors open for more news concerning the full release. Or you can quit playing coy and pre-order the physical pressing right now.

Shake It (Like a Cheeseburger)

I've been a big fan of Seattle's heavy-drinkin' hip-hop clique Southside for years now. Thunderball and the boys simply do things differently, they blaze their own trail. From lyrics to instrumentation to… um… promo, Southside always manages to not only be different, but to actually remain entertaining.

Right now the crew is putting the finishing touches on their forthcoming album Science Diction, but they could use some help generating funds for the mastering and duplication of the disc. Now Southside ain't asking for a handout or nothin' – in fact their Kickstarter offers appropriately priced pre-sales of the album and new band swag alongside some other pretty tempting treats. (Shit, dude, if you donate $250 and live in the PacNW they will literally come to your house and play a private show!)

The band's just 4 days out from the deadline, and they're still around $400 short of their goal. So if you can afford to help please do.

Readers unfamiliar with the band or old fans who haven't yet copped it are encouraged to check out the Science Diction promo EP for a taste of the new hotness. And, of course, Seattleites are invited out to the album release party next Thursday, August 4th at Crocodile Café with the big man himself, Billy the Fridge.

You'll wanna be there.

The (Super) Power of Love

Kirby Krackle's 2010 release E for Everyone was, hands down, my favorite rock album of the year. Since its release I've reviewed it, played it on my podcasts, interviewed founding members Kyle Stevens and Jim Demonakos, scrutinized both their live band setup and their team of crack studio musicians and pretty much pimped the group out anytime I was given even a moment to discuss the overarching concept of geek rock.

Yeah, you could say I'm kind of a fan.

This, of course, means that I've been anxiously awaiting their follow-up album, with part of me terrified that it wouldn't live up to the band's legacy and the other part just glad to know that more music was on the way. Earlier this month the guys' third studio album Super Powered Love was released, and, Galactus be praised, it was every bit as epic as I'd hoped.

Allow me to elucidate. In exhausting detail.

"Then Again, Maybe Not" lacks some of the urgency of E for Everyone opener "Vault 101," but it’s a solid up-tempo rocker that's a fine introduction to the new album. It describes the unspoken attraction between a superhero and his arch-nemesis. Although, as the title implies, she seems a bit less than interested. This leads us to "Bite of Another," a Black Crowes-style southern vampire stomper. It's new sonic territory for the guys, and Kyle's vocals sound better than ever.

Three tracks in we strike gold with "Booty Do Math," my new favorite Kirby Krackle song, and, truthfully, another addition to my growing list of all-time favorite genre-benders. Though the hook-laden guest verse by my pal Adam WarRock grabs the listener's attention, Kyle Stevens's R. Kelly-inspired counter-melody vocals across the song's latter bars punctuate things perfectly, as does his Bieber-esque pronunciation of the word "shawty."

"Big Heart" tells the story of a superpowerless superhero -- a la Kick-Ass -- amid a solid rock 'n' roll shuffle, while "Hunt 'em All Down" channels a vaguely funk-metal groove into a pitch-perfect tale of (what I at least believe to be) the IDW continuity Transformers. Thereafter, what "In Another Castle" loses for its obvious instrumental and structural similarity to Kirby Krackle's debut album stand-out "Zombie Apocalypse" it more than makes up for in ukulele-soaked gamer goodness.

The latter half of the album kicks off with the Tex-Mex lotto-winnin' daydream of "Nerd Money." It's likely Super Powered Love's weakest selection, but on its own merits it's still a rock-solid joint. It's followed by the album's debut self-titled single, which is just as endearing, engaging and enjoyable as it was when Kyle leaked it to me all those weeks ago.

"Comic Shop" welcomes back E for Everyone guest rapper GMK The Great on an off-kilter parody of 50 Cent's "Candy Shop," which is worth a listen for the humorous censoring alone. (Spoiler: it's Walking Dead-related.) "Rainbow Bridge" likewise keeps things in that comic book vein with a power ballad dedicated to Marvel's Thor. Because Kirby Krackle is nothing if not nerd-topical.

The album begins its wind-down with "Needing a Miracle," which borrows both a shade of its guitar melody and its theme of human/superhuman romance from "Super Powered Love" (albeit with the gender roles reversed this time around.) That track builds big and then dissolves into "Open up Your Window," which plays like a continuation of the same musical love story.

Super Powered Love closes with the glam-punk "I Wanna Live in a World Full of Heroes," a song that, with a couple of obvious exceptions, plays like the album's triumphant mission statement. With the overall project centered firmly on tales from within our favorite fictional worlds, it's a fitting end that again pushes the band in a new musical direction.

While only time will tell how well Super Powered Love stands up against this year's other heavy hitters -- both The BossFights and Supercommuter have proven that Kirby Krackle isn't the only band to up its game in 2011 -- it easily boasts the single greatest track of the summer. I'd recommend the album as an easy buy simply on the strength of "Booty do Math," but with a dozen other top-shelf cuts Super Powered Love is another must-own masterpiece from Seattle's reigning kings of geeky guitar pop.

Buy it now via iTunes or Bandcamp. Then kneel before Zod.

"'Member when your magic made me pregnant? / 'Member when you turned Africa Asian?"

[This piece was cross-posted from the Wired.com GeekDad blog.]

Rock Well

In the earliest hours of this AM, nerdy rap mainstay mc chris announced the supporting acts for his fall Race Wars tour. The lineup is, to say the least, inspired:

Obviously another mc chris/MC Lars outing is a big draw, and since truncating the first third of his TeacherRapperHero duties Mega Ran has become even more the epic showman. I'll caution attendees, however, not to write off relative newcomer to the scene Adam WarRock. I had the pleasure of catching him at Nerdapalooza, and, in addition to being a helluva nice cat, he truly commanded the stage during his performance. Shit, he more than held his own during the Dual Core freestyle session as well. (Dude even came correct with a Casey Anthony reference! #topical)

No dates have been announced, but you can be sure mc's people are hashing all that out quickly. Keep an eye on each of the artists' official web presences for further information as it becomes available.

And if the show comes through your burg, definitely make it a point to come out. This lineup is truly a force to be reckoned with.

Señor Superlatives

Last year I framed my post-Nerdapalooza coverage as a mock awards show. You know, for lulz. But folks actually seemed to dig it. In fact a screen shot of said post actually popped up on the monitors during the Sci-Fried set at this year's festival.

(Did I mention that them's my boys?)

So, as this blog is really just rote cleverly disguised as good-natured spontaneity, let us commence with dispensation of these wholly fictitious and delightfully sardonic awards.

/lights dim

The Chicken Salad Out of Chicken Shit Award: Scrub Club
The Scrub Club set at the pre-party should have been a disaster. It was a steamy southern Friday night performance in front of a heavily jetlagged crowd that had started drinking the moment their feet touched the ground. Practically the entire label was expected to perform in a slot time that could've easily been a tight fit even for a single act. Oh, and MadHatter's plane was delayed. Seriously delayed. But instead of folding, the crew dominated. In a rapid-fire set that not only showcased each of the Scrubs in attendance but actually saw the crew welcome some new blood, in the form of Torrentz and Soup or Villains, to the family, the Club once again made their mark on central Florida.

 

Pass the Mic: Insane Ian, Devo Spice, the great Luke Ski and Carrie Dahlby
While Dual Core's trademark freestyle session was off the proverbial chain at Nerdapalooza 2011, theirs was not the only guest-heavy set at the festival. The Funny Music Project crew managed to come correct across a trio of humorous sets that showcased both their immutable stage presence and their artistic cohesion. Even with copious notes I have trouble separating my memories of the FuMP's trio of top-shelf performances because each act featured so heavily across all three.

The Seamless Transition Award: Marc with a C and Sci-Fried
When I asked Sci-Fried's Dammit Jim what his band and geek rock troubadour Marc with a C had planned for Saturday's Power Hour, he just grinned. A performance that was, by the guys' own admission, nearly six months in the making proved an early highlight of the event. A glorious Marc with a C set wrapped with a rocked up version of his Alro Guthrie-esque "Nerdy Girls" with Sci-Fried serving as the backup band, and then Sci-Fried returned the favor with phenomenal live version of their collaborative track "Foiled Again." Marc also reappeared later to help cover Weezer's "Hash Pipe" as part of an appropriately raucous send-off.

Cover Song of the Year Decade: Sci-Fried/The Protomen
I think my cover song challenge has been irreparably broken. Between Sci-Fried's own pair of closing cover tunes (the aforementioned Weezer joint and mc's "Fett's Vette," for those who missed it) and a series of larger-than-life rock classics spread between both Protomen sets (my favorite of which had to be Sunday's "Total Eclipse of the Heart,") I'm afraid it will never be the same again.

Hit Me Baby, One More Time: Captain Dan
The talk of the town after Captain Dan and the Scurvy Crew's late afternoon set on Saturday was less about the performance itself and more about the tech, specifically Dan's new hands-free mic. Many an MC called him out on this unorthodox new addition, but I think we all know it was the ninjas doing the bulk of the smack talk. While it did admittedly make the Cap look a bit like an overzealous employee running a Long John Silver's drive-through, it also freed him up for more stage antics. Ere go I will call it an overall win.

Blow up the Small Stage: Illbotz/Adam WarRock and Tribe One/Dual Core/Mega Ran and K-Murdock
Like its predecessor, Nerdcore 2011 boasted a pair of stages: the larger NOS-sponsored main stage and a smaller GeekDad stage set around the corner from the main conference hall. The big stage was, for the most part, home to the more rock-centered acts while the GeekDad stage boasted the hip-hop. A few acts, however, seemed wholly unaware that they were on the "little stage." Roanoke's Illbotz, comic shop hip-hopper Adam WarRock and perennial favorites Random and Dual Core blew that fucker up with energetic sets that could scarcely be contained by the room's meager geography.

Them's My Boys: Adam WarRock/Stevie D
I joke that I go to Nerdapalooza to hang out and that the music simply provides for that primary activity a nice soundtrack. Sure, that's only partly true, but it seems like each year I spend the bulk of my time – both while watching performances and after hours – hanging out with a widening circle of friends. This year Adam WarRock and Stevie D joined the ranks of my true homies alongside previous Nerdapalooza acquisitions int eighty and Sci-Fried.

The Preternaturally Chill Award: The OneUps
I was a little intimidated by the prospect of meeting VGM legend and super producer Mustin, but I was delighted to find him to be an easily approachable, almost unbelievably chill individual. I can't properly quantify how much time he and I spent just talking between sets, but it would likely have to be calculated in hours. His band, The OneUps, brings that same sort of effortless cool to their performances. Even on a bill opposite brilliantly aggressive VGM acts like Arm Cannon, those guys truly shined.

Best Stage Banter: Inverse Phase
Already handicapped by holding down the chiptune scene almost entirely on his own, Inverse Phase was further stymied by receiving a lunchtime slot on Sunday. Everyone was hungry, tired and hung-over, but those who made their way to his performance found themselves treated to a uniquely enjoyable set of covers, originals and audience participation. His rousing game of Name That Tune will live forever in the annals of Nerdapalooza history.

Breakthrough Artist: Shinobi Ninja
Nerdapalooza 2011 introduced me to a number of new artists. Koo Koo Kangaroo filled a gap left by the longtime absence of Monsterface and Math the Band, while Beebs and Her Money Makers brought beards, kazoos and a dash of Florida ska-core to the table. My favorite, however, was blistering Brooklyn rock/hip-hop fusion outfit Shinobi Ninja. They offered not only one of the finest performances of the show, but also provided an ideal backing track during GeekDad Curtis's tattoo session.

Hosts with the Most(s): Schaffer the Darklord and Nelson Lugo
While they will always be primarily remembered for bringing many-a scantily clad woman to the Nerdapalooza stage, STD and Lugo managed to keep the train rolling all weekend long with an intoxicating blend of humor, insight and charm. They also do bar mitzvahs.

A Winner is You: Beaker
Those same gents hosted a weekend-long ThinkGeek raffle at Nerdapalooza 2011. From which my boy Beaker won practically everything. Remember, kids, you can't win if you don't play.

#NAP2011 was an Inside Job

Photo/bead sprite by @madhattersez

I'm dying to share with you my impressions of Nerdapalooza 2011, but it's proving rather difficult. Right now most of my memories are indistinct, amorphous. (And not just because of the booze.)

I think I'm still a little too close to the event itself.

I remember once going to the Dali museum in St. Pete and looking up at The Hallucinogenic Toreador on its original, full-size canvas. All I saw was flies, fabric and arches until I stepped back and took the whole thing in from a distance.

The same principle's at play here, and I should be able to relate the overall experience better in a couple of days when I've achieved that optimum distance.

For now, though, I'd like to reveal a subset of my notes from the event. They were tucked away on their own little page under the heading "Inside Jokes." If you weren't there they probably won't mean much, and even if you were some will still miss their mark. Shit, there are a couple of 'em even I don't understand, so consider this a rough experiment. Or better yet my own fragmented attempt at gonzo journalism.

• Drinky Time with Shael and Z.
• "Cover your shame and your nipples with this fine quality t-shirt!"
• The ever-living cookie meme
• "[X] do you know [Y]?"
• Matching faces with screen names
• "Z. is away being a social butterfly."
• Sexy elevator voice
• The utter debauchery of the Sunni cam
• "They also seem to aid in the abatement of hangovers, though I couldn't find that anywhere on the packaging."
• "Give me all the bacon and eggs you have…"
• "What could anyone possibly have against Doritos?"
• "When I say hip, you whisper hop!"
• MC Bagels (It ain't nothin' for him to toast a bitch!)
• "How old is your little dude?"
• "I expected a cowboy hat."
• Big stage sets on the little stage
• "The price of that man's love? Two AA batteries." 
• "This raffle never ends!"
• The mysterious (but probably distasteful and damn-near Faustian) Larry/Mark barter
• "He paid his dues on the fast track, very likely using night classes and summer school."
• Over 1000?!
• "On three: 1-2-3 5 minutes!"
• Attack of the tiny bass players
• "See? That's the kind of shit that happens when white people dance."
• A science-free weekend
• Magic blankets

Today's wholly incomprehensible post is brought to you by the letters N-A-P and the number 1000.

The Real (Drunk) World

This weekend see what happens when a godless socialist and a godlike sociopath stop being polite and start getting real. Yes, once again Curtis "Hi, Ho" Silver and I will be manning the GeekDad table at Orlando's annual Nerdapalooza festival. This year, however, we will have a real table with real merch, not to mention a camera setup for artist interviews and (hopefully) adequate beer money.

So if you'd like a GeekDad tee for yourself or, say, your geeky dad, come on by and see us. Hell, come on by and see us anyway, as it gets lonely sitting at a folding table all weekend.

I reckon it's also worth noting that I'll also have Hipster, please! stickers and badges available on the off chance anyone would care to pay/barter/beg for 'em. I'll also have my field recorder on-hand to capture audio for my post-Nerdapalooza wrap-up edition of Radio Free Hipster. I'll likely be hassling performers, event coordinators and attendees for sound bites to use in the show, so if you're positively dying to say something to the RFH audience – or if you'd just like to record an "I'm [blank] from [blank] and you're listening to Radio Free Hipster"-style drop – please feel free to chase me down and demand you're time on the mic.

See you in Orlando, internet!

Radio Free Hipster Ep. 113: Secrets and Lies

Contrary to the title, I'm gonna talk straight with you, internet; this is a pretty kick-ass show! It boasts the kind of play list that started out as an episode outline, but actually ended up morphing into my commute music for the better part of a week.

Like the great George Peppard, I love it when a plan comes together.

With Nerdapalooza just around the corner (and summer at last in full swing) I figured most of you will be hitting the road soon, and thus deserved a proper driving mix. This one, I think, hits all the high points.

We've got some remixes and mash-ups, some nerdcore and geek rock, and lots of new releases. All available to you free of charge.

You know how I do. 

Download Radio Free Hipster Ep. 113: Secrets and Lies [hosting provided by Antisoc] Size: 65 MB Running Time: 49:26

Show Notes:

Intro: Baddd Spellah – "Radio Free Hipster Theme (feat. Beefy)"
I am your one-stop shop. So says Beef Thompson.

Track 1: The BossFights - "The Cake is a Lie"
An amazing track from an equally amazing album.

Z's 1st interlude: "I lied."
A cursory listener poll led me to believe y'all would rather have a wrap-up show as opposed to my regular pre-Nerdapalooza 'cast. So be it.

Track 2: Ali G - "The Science Rap"
Check out Melodysheep's original video right the fuck here.

Track 3: Steve Goodie - "Everything You Know is Wrong"
This track kicks off Twenty-Six and a Half, and it is truly a tough act to follow.

Track 4: Captain Dan and the Scurvy Crew - "Would the Real Jack Sparrow Please Stand Up"
Like most longtime pirate aficionados, I have a mixed feelings about the Pirates of the Caribbean phenomenon.

Track 5: WoodenToaster - "Avast Fluttershy's Ass"
An MLP-inspired remix of Kitsune^2's "Avast Your Ass."

Track 6: The ThoughtCriminals - "Turtle Power"
Why was Sulfur naked with all his Ninja Turtles action figures? The mind boggles!

Track 7: Scapegoat Wax - "Aisle 10 (Hello Allison)"
Shael mentioned Scapegoat Wax on a recent episode of Captain Podcast, which inspired me to include the band's big single in this show.

Track 8: Raising Hope dialog / Dammit Matthew Dammit - "Nobody Likes You"
I can only assume that my enemies have now been proper crushed.

Z's 2nd interlude: "In my own little insignificant opinion."
After all, that's the only kind I have.

Track 9: Brandon Patton - "My Girlfriend was Kidnapped by Aliens"
Another great story song from Blak Lotus.

Track 10: Community dialog / Childish Gambino - "Bitch, Look at Me Now (Two Weeks)"
FYI: "Tracy Chapman" has now worked its way into my regular vocabulary.

Track 11: Totom - "Pigs Must March"
I dig song requests. Especially when they're for tracks I might've otherwise missed!

Track 12: The OverClocked Plaid Muffins - "Kirby Super Star Ska Buffet (All You Can Eat Clean Version) OC ReMix"
Gotta give it up to Hex for turning me on to this one.

Z's final interlude: "I ain't even packed yet."
But I've done all my laundry, which is at least something.

Track 13: Kirby Krackle - "Super Powered Love"
This song is great and all, but I hear tell if you keep an eye on the Twitters today you may get a taste of the album's true standout, "Booty Do Math!"

Bonus track: Anderson Cooper 360 dialog / Austrian Death Machine – "Who is Your Daddy and What Does He Do?"
Am I trying to make some sweeping social or political statement about the discrepancy between Schwarzenegger's espoused views concerning the sanctity of the traditional American family and his recently revealed infidelity? Maybe, but mostly I just find it funny.

And with that I leave you to your own devices as I ready for my trip to Nerdapalooza 2011.

I really hope to see you there, to rock out to Illbotz and Sci-Fried right next to you or maybe grab a beer between sets. Because, while I go to Nerdapalooza for the event, I stay for the fellowship.

Once again, you know how I do.

Pretty Cunning, Doncha Think?

My brother kHill actually leaked word of this project to me a while back, but I was sworn to secrecy. Thankfully as of this AM the cat is fully out of the bag, so I can at last share with you my excitement for Adam WarRock's forthcoming Browncoats Mixtape.

Now before you watch the following embed I'd like to point out two things. The first is the fuckin' theme song-based beat used for the bulk of the teaser. That shit is hot! Second is the fact that the official project page lists the release time as "Fall 2011," which ain't too far away.

Shiny!