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.

All in the Family

Bomb-ass poster by Matthew Warlick. 

If you are reading these words it can be easily deduced that you already know this to be Nerdaplooza week. (It's kind of a big deal in our humble circle.) But it's my pleasure to hip you to some breaking tour news.

Internet rap sensations Jesse Dangerously, Adam WarRock, Mikal kHill and Tribe One are proud to announce 14 US dates for September 2012. Under the banner of the NOFRIENDS 2012 tour, these artists will be bringing their unique brands of geeky, indie hip-hop to the following cities along with some very special guests:

9/1 TBA
9/2 Chicago, IL - Burlington Bar
9/3 Pontiac, MI - Crofoot Pike Room w/ Sample the Martian
9/4 Cleveland, OH - Roc Bar w/ MC Cool Whip
9/5 Philadelphia, PA - M-Room w/ DevoSpice, Zilla Persona
9/6 Worcester, MA - That's Entertainment! w/ Shane Hall
9/7 Hartford, CT - Cafe Nine w/ Ceschi Ramos
9/8 Brooklyn, NY- Grand Victory w/ Schaffer the Darklord
9/9 Baltimore, MD - Metro Gallery
9/10 Chesapeake, VA - Chicho's Pizza w/ The Nerdlucks
9/11 Chapel Hill, NC - Local 506
9/12 Atlanta, GA - Drunken Unicorn
9/13 West Columbia, SC - The Conundrum
9/14 Charlotte, NC - The Milestone w/ Sulfur

Sponsored by Fat Kid Revolution Clothing, SIUniverse Media, The Variants, Word Realms, Rutgers GeekWeek, Agreeable Comics and *ahem* WIRED GeekDad, additional info regarding this musical meeting of the minds (and an inexplicable promo shot of Jesse D playing a ukulele) can be found at: http://adamwarrock.com/nofriends

Gathering of the Huggalos

Have you seen these nerds?

In just one week – and likely less than that for those not on the East Coast – many of you will be making your pilgrimage to Orlando, FL for this year's Nerdapalooza festival. As I previously mentioned I won't be around for this one, but many of close friends will be in attendance.

Among them is Matt, who you've heard me talk to and about a lot over the years, and his better half, Andrea, who is famed for her unparalleled expertise in the field of cunning hat creation. Matt mentioned to me recently that he'd love to pull together another Hipster, please! gathering, a tradition that dates way the hell back to the 2009 event, and I was , truth be told, honored that he'd even consider it.

It's a super low-key thing that basically exists for, in Matt's own words, "anyone who'd like to make some friends and/or have someone to head over to the venue with." And I think we could all use more friends.

Interested parties should look for the above pictured individuals in the lobby of the Crowne Plaza Orlando Downtown next Saturday morning starting around 11 AM. Attendees will then posse up and migrate to the venue(s) between 11:30 and noon. Oh, and while it's certainly not required anyone wishing to have a drink or three in my honor is certainly encouraged to do so.

Have fun, gang!

Your Nerdapalooza is in Another Castle

A cursory glance at the calendar indicates that we're just a couple of weeks out from this year's (unseasonably late) Nerdapalooza. This time around your favorite nerd's favorite nerd festival has once again changed location – to Orlando's twin night spots The Beacham and The Social – and with that shift comes a few more rules and regulations than in previous iterations. But such is the price you pay for the pleasure of experiencing a musical event at a proper musical venue.

Event Director Aaron has gone to great lengths to compile a helpful list concerning rules of conduct and simple dos-and-don’ts. I suggest you give' em a gander, and pay special attention to the all important Rule 621. Learn it. Love it. Live it.

In case you haven't heard, I will not be in attendance this time around. I'm actually prepping for a journey to the fabled O-town with the whole famn damily in October, so I'm afraid as a result this visit had to be sacrificed on the altar of Conserving Annual Leave Days. Y'all know how it is.

Now that being said, my boys will be in attendance. (And in this instance "my boys" does not actually refer to my testicles.)

New homies Tribe One and Adam WarRock will both be there, performing Friday and Saturday evening respectively. I've seen 'em both rock the mic on numerous occasions, and if you happen to miss either set I'm afraid we can no longer be friends.

Sci-Fried is playing an afternoon slot on Saturday. Those cats are – and I don't use this phrase lightly – my brothers. I love 'em, and missing them hurts more than any other single act on the bill. Please scream extra loud for 'em. I know they've got some amazing stuff planned.

My hometown heroes The ThoughtCriminals are going on immediately after. It's their first official showing at Nerdapalooza-proper, as their hotel room gig last year was some hardcore underground shit that must not be spoken of in the presence of respectable ladies and gentlemen.

The TCs have just released a Bandcamp fundraiser project to help them scrape together gas money for next month's trip down Florida-way. The minimum price of The Game Changer EP is nothin', but anything you'd be willing to chip in goes to getting my crew to where they need to be.

I'll be with 'em in spirit, so think of it as a metaphysical donation to yours truly.

Sheer Tourture

I reckon with all that's been going on this week it's difficult to remember that there are more geeky rappers than just mc chris, but, alas, 'tis true! There's this one cat named Random. Perhaps you've heard of him.

Ran is currently celebrating the successful Kickstarter campaign that funded his recent multimedia project with The Summer Sessions Tour. He's on the road throughout July and August with cats like Open Mike Eagle, DN3 and K-Murdock. Later dates also put him on the Monster Hunter Tour with mc, Richie Branson and Powerglove.

Tour Dates:
*With Open Mike Eagle and DJ DN3
^With Richie Branson, mc chris and Powerglove
#With K-Murdock
7.16 Berbati's Pan, Portland, OR*
7.17 Nectar, Seattle, WA*
7.18 The Glow, Bellingham, WA*
7.20 Velvet Lounge, Washington, DC*#
7.21 Capital Comics, Annapolis, MD*#
7.24 Dobbs Upstairs, Philadelphia, PA*
7.25 Cameo Lounge, NYC*
7.26 Empire, Portland, ME*
7.27 Con-Bravo, Burlington, Ont, Canada*
7.28 Pixel, Ithaca, NY*
7.29 Precinct, Boston, MA*
8.1 White Rabbit, San Antonio, TX^
8.2 Mohawk, Austin, TX^
8.3-5 Nerdapalooza @The Social/Beacham, Orlando, FL#
8.6 The Haven, Winter Park, FL#
8.7 Granada Theater,Lawrence, KS^
8.8 The Waiting Room, Omaha, NE^
8.9 Varsity Theater, MPLS, MN^
8.10 Gabe's Oasis, Iowa City, IA^
8.11 Subterranean, Chicago, IL^
8.12 Intersection, Grand Rapids, MI^
8.14 Blind Pig, Ann Arbor, MI^
8.15 Mickey Finns, Toledo, OH^
8.16 The Grog Shop, Cleveland, OH^
8.17 The Basement, Columbus, OH^
8.18.12 Mr Smalls, Pittsburgh, PA^
8.19.12 Mohawk Place, Buffalo, NY^

Now on to the elephant in the room. A few people have asked for my thoughts on Redditgate, and they are as follows:

Well goddamn that was uncomfortable to watch.

Yeah, that pretty much sums up my take on the whole thing from start to finish. I could say more, sure, but given that a legitimate tragedy recently unfolded on the periphery of nerd culture, it seems rather pointless to dwell on it.

If you're looking for sharp but even-handed commentary I suggest you check out Beefy's post from yesterday. He's a dude that's closer to the source than most – not to mention a guy that I genuinely trust – so I tend to believe that his words hold a good bit of water.

Plus he has a pretty fuckin' great new track too, so you should probably head over there anyway.

OverKicked StartMix

It's always a little weird to promote a Kickstarter that's already met its goal, but, as this one involves both OverClocked ReMix and the Final Fantasy series, I figured it couldn't hurt to help get the word out there to additional interested parties. McVaffe and zircon – two of the community's most talented and industrious remixers – are currently heading up a project that marks the 25th anniversary of Final Fantasy VI with an epic musical tribute.

Since this is OCR we're talking about, of course the final product will be available as a free download, but chipping in helps finance a limited edition physical pressing, covers studio/mixing/mastering fees and paves the way for OverClocked ReMix to continue the good work they do for game music and game music composers. Peep the video below for the skinny on all things Final Fantasy VI: Balance and Ruin.

Radio Free Hipster Ep. 136: Model Behavior

I realized as I was listening back to this episode that I say the word "weird" a lot while describing the concept behind the show. And that's simply because it's, well, weird.

It all started, as so many things do, with a slump. I had a clear vision for the last couple of podcasts, but the well had run dry by the time I got to this one. And then I heard a specific song. More precisely I heard a specific word in a specific song.

I sort of dared myself to build a show around it. And I did.

Download Radio Free Hipster Ep. 136: Model Behavior [hosting provided by Antisoc] Size: 50.5 MB Running Time: 38:49 Subscribe to RFH

Show Notes:

Intro: Baddd Spellah – "Radio Free Hipster Theme (feat. Beefy)"
Both these guys could be models. They's mad pretty.

Track 1: Handsome Boy Modeling School - "Look at This Face (Oh My God They're Gorgeous)"
Even if you think you don't know Handsome Boy, you know Handsome Boy.

Z's 1st interlude: "A particularly hilarious episode of short-lived Chris Elliot sitcom Get a Life."
You youngins may well have missed that one. Sadly, it only survived a couple of seasons, but a proper DVD release is in the works.

Track 2: Shael Riley and the Double Ice Backfire - "Hobby Model"
Shael has been known to write an occasional song about the ladies.

Track 3: Go Home Productions - "Models On Film"
Duran Duran vs. Kraftwerk -- what's not to love?

Track 4: Elvis Costello - "(I Don't Want to Go to) Chelsea"
Blurring the lines between punk rock, new wave and birth control glasses.

Track 5: Xoc - "Beetlejuice: Model Town"
Xoc's Cinema 80s is still the shit.

Track 6: Rolling Stones vs. Pantera vs. Right Said Fred - "Too Sexy For My Pantera"
"I'm Too Sexy" is sort of the quintessential cheesy model song.

Track 7: Mr. B, The Gentleman Rhymer - "The Very Model"
He is both a gentleman and a rhymer.

Track 7: Superpowerless - "Positive Role Models"
I stumble across an older Superpowerless track from time to time. And for some reason I always just assume it's brand new shit until I check the ID3 date tag.

Z's 2nd interlude: "Weird personal challenge."
Which is now the working title of my autobiography.

Track 8: Mikey Mason - "She Don't Like Firefly"
I imagine this wholly fictitious young lady was the only person not excited by this week's news.

Track 9: Rappy McRapperson and MC Wreckshin - "Modeling and Dancing In Space"
Are there any Rappy songs where he doesn't mention Lake Hills?

Track 10: DJ Schmolli - "Dirty Model (Kraftwerk vs. Wynter Gordon)"
Yep; more Kraftwerk.

Track 11: Type - "Role Models"
Type's Amateur Hour and Bad Tattoos are both free over at Bandcamp. I suggest you cop 'em.

Z's final interlude: "And I reckon I did alright."
Yeah, I'm gonna call this experiment a success.

Track 12: Flight of the Conchords - "The Most Beautiful Girl (In the Room)"
I just checked, and Flight of the Conchords is still $2.99. Buy that shit!

Okay, now that I've got that out of my system I promise to do a more traditional show next time. Maybe some, I dunno, Star Wars and video game shit. Some Ponies. You kids love the Ponies.

In the meantime, feel free to send me your song requests and show ideas. You know you want to.

In It to Win It

My northern brethren from Secret Cloud Art & Music and Hand'Solo Records are presently hosting a little giveaway that seems tonic to your collective interests. Up for grabs is a special edition "Power Pack" featuring the following top-shelf wares:

• 1 x The Garthim-Master & DJ Extend Ghosts of Nostalgia limited edition 12" clear blue vinyl
• 1 x The Wordburglar 12" self-titled EP
• 1 x Selfhelp - Old Friends CD
• 1 x Backburner - Heatwave CD
• 1 x Wordburglar - Burglaritis CD
• 1 x pack of original 1982 Dark Crystal trading cards
• 1 x pack of Star Wars candies
• 2 x Hand'Solo flyers

Winning this collection of dope shit couldn't be easier; just send an email to contest@secretcloud.com with your name and the answer to the burning question "Where's [Wordburglar & Garthim-Master's] AT-AT at?" It's that simple! Enter before July 28th, 2012 to get your name in the proverbial hat. A single winner will be chosen at random, and he/she/it will be contacted via email for the necessary mailing information.

Live From… The Place They Live

It's been a big week already. We Yanks celebrated our founders' lofty ideals of independence for all people all men white men via the traditional means of hot dogs and gunpowder, and the LHC found what appears to be evidence of the Higgs boson. Add to this the announcement of Kirby Krackle's Live in Seattle, and, y'know, even bigger week.

Recorded at Seattle's The Hard Rock Cafe during this year's Emerald City Comic Con, the album drops July 10th, but you can pre-order now. It features 10 of your favorite KK classics (klassics?) -- by which I mean 10 of my favorites -- as well as a very special cover of A-Ha's "Take on Me." Peep that one below, and I dare you not to sing the chorus.

Radio Free HipsterEp. 135: Beach Blanket Lingo

I figure with the Independence Day holiday week coming up for us Yanks, many of y'all are likely looking for something new to listen to. Thus this podcast. It's a distinctly summer-centered affair, and I'm right happy with the way it came out. I hope y'all dig it too.


Not gonna lie; I've been jamming to it all week.

Download Radio Free HipsterEp. 135: Beach Blanket Lingo [hosting provided by Antisoc] Size: 61.6 MB Running Time: 47:35 Subscribe to RFH

Show Notes:

Intro: Baddd Spellah – "Radio Free Hipster Theme (feat. Beefy)"
If I ran a summer camp for lovable misfits, these guys'd be my counselors.

Track 1: Select Start – "Color of the Summer Sky"
I don't generally start the show with an instrumental, but this one's so tight I made an exception.

Z's 1st interlude: "The price you pay to ride the music train with me."
Even I don't know what the hell this means.

Track 2: Solid Bold – "Summertime Loving, Loving in the Summer (Time)"
I love me some Regular Show.

Track 3: Teleidofusion – "Summer Mood"
Have I played this track before? I swear I have, but, once again, Google disagrees.

Track 4: Friday dialog / Adam WarRock – "Maybe (I Can Call You?)"
Mock me if you will, but "Call Me Maybe" is an exquisite pop song.

Track 5: Girl Talk – "Smash Your Head"
I was kind of in the mood for some Biggie. And also some Elton John.

Track 6: Slime Girls – "Vacation Wasteland"
Another fine freebie from Pterodactyl Squad.

Track 7: Doctor Popular – "Bad as They Seem (feat. Unwoman)"
I was actually pretty excited when I realized I wasn't the only person who remembered this one.

Track 8: Swamp Thing – "123"
A fitting introduction to Canada's three-headed musical beast.

Z's 2nd interlude: "While we're gettin' all Canadian up in here."
Related note: I am supporting Team Canada in this summer's Olympic Quidditch action.

Track 9: Teletran – "Beachwave"
Who knew what this song was missing was a dash of "Blue Monday?"

Track 10: Inverse Phase – "Atarible Lie"
Pretty Eight Machine is the first project to make me intentionally listen to anything Nine Inch Nails-related in years.

Track 11: POCKETMAN – "Just a Summer Drizzle"
K.K. Slider is my dawg. #seewhatididthere

Track 12: Nuclear Bubble Wrap – "Hulkulele"
Another nice tie-in to the summer's first true super hero blockbuster.

Z's final interlude: "This slice of warm-weather fun."
I'm not saying you have to play this podcast at your next barbecue. But, y'know, if you want too…

Track 13: Lager Rhythms – "Your Horoscope for Today"
The Twenty-Six and a Half Weird Al tribute is still in heavy rotation on my end.

It sorta seems this show is a continuation of the previous episode. And I'm fine with that. Occasionally we delve the darker side of geeky music around here, so if I'm lead to keep shit positive for a whole month I reckon that's a good thing.

As always, I appreciate your thoughts on the show, not to mention your song suggestions. So call me, maybe. I mean, uh, hit me up, okay?

Console Wars

Here are the facts as I see them:

Fact – The Jackson 5's "I Want You Back" possesses what is likely the single most infectious instrumental hook in rock 'n' roll history.

Fact – Biggie's shout-out to the SNES and Genesis in "Juicy" did more to legitimize gaming in popular culture than anything the fuckin' Spike Video Game Awards will ever accomplish.

Fact – Richie Branson's latest Otaku Tuesdays joint is the shit. (See above.)

"Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis (feat. Random)" is a tribute to the Golden Age of console gaming and hip-hop, and you can peep it below. Also be sure to watch out for Richie's July 10th release, The NERD EP, and be sure to catch him on tour with Ran anc mc chris this summer.

Kickstopper

It’s time once again for Adam WarRock’s annual donation drive, the one time a year when he actively solicits scratch from his legion of loyal fans. It’s a fine occasion for you, the listeners, to give back as a show of thanks for the ridiculous amount of free content Euge provides on a regular basis. And also to subsidize those complimentary t-shirts he seems to slide me every time we hang out.

This time around WarRock is celebrating the event with his first proper music video. It’s for the track "This Song" from his forthcoming Longshot mixtape – a release that is, coincidentally, available to all who donate between today, June 25, and July 2. This year's donors also receive a copy of the Adam WarRock Singles LP, an autobiographical Adam WarRock digital comic by Ed Piskor and a thank you sketch from Chris Haley. It's a pretty sweet payout on top of all the free singles and EPs Adam heaps on you during the other 51 weeks of the year.

Check out the video below, and then head over to adamwarrock.com to chip in.

Something Fishy

Apparently 2012 is the year of the animated video, with bands like Sci-Fried going in a direction that Kyle and Jim from Kirby Krackle have been exploring for a while now: amazing musical cartoons.

The latest comes from comedy musicians Nuclear Bubble Wrap. It's for "Sharktopus," a track available on both their 2010 full-length and their brand new Abracadaver EP. It's a great looking piece that really plays up the darkly humorous narrative of the song. Also there are Pokémans. Let me show you them.

Always Honest

Earlier this week I blogged about MC Lars's latest video, an interesting piece that uses rap to relay a lesson on the finer points of poetic meter, over at GeekDad. Interestingly enough, that's actually not the only example of educational hip-hop currently making the YouTube rounds.

Mega Ran recently released the first single from his Kickstarter-funded Language Arts multimedia project, subtitled "First Day of School." It's another solid slice of lyrical positivity that boasts stellar production from Richie Branson, nicely organic direction by Tom Larkin and a bridge in which Random takes a moment to explain the proper function of the musical bridge. #meta

The first volume of the 3 EP set is available now, as is a browser-based video game and digital comic. Check out all three, and look for Ran on tour throughout the summer.

Radio Free Hipster Ep. 134: All Good

You are a good person. You are a winner.

All of you are winners. Even my buddy Captain Dan… though Howard Stern would disagree. But fuck that dude!

You're a kick-ass guy/gal, and you deserve a kick-ass podcast. And this one's just for you.

Download Radio Free Hipster Ep. 134: All Good [hosting provided by Antisoc] Size: 56.3 MB Running Time: 43:03 Subscribe to RFH

Show Notes:

Intro: Baddd Spellah – "Radio Free Hipster Theme (feat. Beefy)"
I try not to be cocky, but I have a pretty damn amazing theme song.

Track 1: John Anealio - "Good"
I'm pulling together a album of 90s covers, and John was nice enough to let me use this cut.

Z's 1st interlude: "Feels like I haven't talked to y'all in a while."
Yeah, it's been a minute, and I've missed you much.

Track 2: MC Lars - "Hey There Ophelia (feat. Gabe Saporta of Cobra Starship & Brett Anderson of the Donnas)"
I really dig this song. Not only am I am fan of Hamlet, but I'm a longtime Donnas fanboy.

Track 3: Psycosis - "Don't Get Banished to the Moon" / "Discord Days"
Brony mash-ups deliver on so many levels.

Track 4: Optimus Rhyme - "Who Me"
Man, GrimROCK is positively fierce on this song!

Track 5: Dethlehem - "Circle of Deth"
Much love to my homies from Dethlehem. The second leg of their tour kicks off soon. Try and catch 'em if they're nearby.

Track 6: Zombie Slayer Diox OST - "Shoot 'Em Up!"
I was playing an awful lot of this 3DSWare title. And then? Pokemon Conquest! It's sort of monopolizing my handheld gaming time at present.

Track 7: Richie Branson - "Space Cowboy Serenade"
Richie's supporting mc chris on his summer tour.

Z's 2nd interlude: "You're the best!"
Yeah, at some point this episode became an affirmation. And I just went with it!

Track 8: Adam WarRock - "The Best"
I love that both Euge and Stevie D have used this cheesy-ass hook.

Track 9: Klopfenpop - "Phoenix Jones (instrumental)"
If you don't recognize the source material, act like you know.

Track 10: Childish Gambino - "I Love Clothes (Deadbeat Summer)"
I finally broke down and picked up Camp earlier this week. Maybe I'll play some new(er) Gambino soon.

Track 11: New Girl dialog / DJ CUTMAN - "Comix Zone Rocks! (Comix Zone)"
I'd forgotten how much I loved the music from Comix Zone.

Track 12: New Girl dialog / Kirby Krackle - "Web-Slinger/Hope-Bringer"
KK's annual summer single, this time about a Marvel-based film.

Z's final interlude: "Fuck it; we'll roll with it!"
"We'll do it live!"

Track 13: Mashup-Germany - "Ante Up to the Other Side"
For an impromptu closer, I think this one works pretty well.

I think maybe the looming holiday has made me a tad... paternal. I guess this show is just a manifestation of my urge to parent the internet at large, to let folks know that shit'll turn out okay. It's silly, sure, but sometimes you just have to let people know you're in their corner.

As we head into summer I find myself wondering -- even more so than usual -- what you lot wanna hear. If you're gonna be doing any travelling, any road-trippin' or long distance air travel, and need some good travel music, just give me a jumping-off point and I'll see what I can do.

In the meantime, enjoy your weekend, and happy Father's Day to all my fellow pops in the audience!

Nerd News in Brief

There was a time when I did these Nerd News in Brief segments with a nigh clocklike regularity, but alas that age has passed. With my recent shift to writing smaller dedicated posts about things like album releases and new videos – coupled with my adoption of services like Twitter and Tumblr, which lend themselves well to short, frequent blurbs – I've sort of abandoned this format. But looking back over my notes from the last couple of weeks it seems like an apt mechanism for the ensuing news blast.

• Dogs and Cats Living Together: Last night I was able to control my Microsoft Xbox 360 with my Apple iPhone. I'm just saying that this is some crazy shit. 
• Spider, Man: Kirby Krackle recently dropped a new single about a soon-to-be released reboot of a beloved comic movie franchise. You can pick up "Web-Slinger/Hope-Bringer Single" right now for a buck, and you may or may not hear it on tomorrow's podcast. #noncommittal
• What a Horrible Night: News from the crew at MAGFest revealed that, among the regular grocery list of kick-ass guests and featured acts, Castlevania composer Kinuyo Yamashita will be in attendance at next January's event. You should probably be there too. 
• I've Been Slimed: Speaking of gamer culture, musical collective Pterodactyl Squad just dropped an amazing new chiptune EP from Slime Girls entitled Vacation Wasteland. With surf rock and reggae-tinged melodies, it's a ready-made summer soundtrack.
• When It's Time to Pony We Will Pony Hard: Okay, that line is actually from my pal Steve, but it's soul-brony number 1, Church H Tucker, that hipped me to the news that musician, motivational speaker and party aficionado. Andrew W.K. will be speaking at the Canterlot Gardens My Little Pony convention in Cleveland this September. Apparently he is Pinkie Pie. 
• From the Ruins: If you dig Dethlehem you likely also dig Diablo 3. But just because you missed the boys on their recent tour stops doesn't mean you're doomed to never hear their epic cover of the Tristram theme. That's what YouTubes are for. 
• Where's My Flying Car: In one last bit of hot new YouTubery, my country cousins Sci-Fried have just dropped a brand new video single. "Looking Back at Today," from last year's Future Tense, was animated by the one and only Betsy Lee (who'll you'll likely remember from her work with Kirby Krackle.) Enjoy!

The Illustrated Man

I dig tribute tracks. I'm not sure what that says about me – I dunno, maybe I'm just morbid – but I do.

Yesterday, tellingly enough during a rare astronomical event, literature lost one of its true visionaries, Ray Bradbury. At 91 it's tough to think he didn't have a good run, but it's a loss that resonates with all who enjoy the written word. Whether your thing is fantasy or horror or sci-fi (and whether or not you ever experienced the exquisite language of the man himself), Bradbury shaped the landscape of what I colloquially refer to as geek lit.

Cats like Stephen King and Neil Gaiman quickly had their say regarding Ray's death and the very real impact his work had on their own, and my buddy Eugene weighed in as well via a track called "F.451."

A dystopian dirge has never sounded so sweet.

"We've got too many internets." – Ray Bradbury

Dungeons & Drinking

Over the weekend I made one of my regular trips up to Charlotte, but, surprisingly, this time it wasn't for a hip-hop show at the Milestone. Instead metal was the order of the day at NoDa's Chop Shop, a joint I'd been hearing about for a while and had been meaning to check out anyway.

The Shop is a bit of a rare bird in North Davidson; like most of the local clubs it's nested in the remnants of the neighborhood's old textile area – in this case a repurposed warehouse – but there's an obvious lack of the sort of cookie-cutter gentrification that generally pervades the area. It's run by a co-op of locals, and boasts a distinctly eclectic feel that carries over to the venue's musical presentations. The Chop Shop was home to the closest date of Pittsburgh fantasy metal band Dethlehem's current tour, and, as this is an act I've been raving about for months, I simply had to go.

As I said, it was a very guitar-heavy bill. I missed most of both early openers' sets – GA's thrash-punkers Don’t Pet Hatchet and local doom outfit Stronghold Crusader – but did manage to catch a blistering performance by NIHM, a Buffalo NY-based 3-piece that relocated to Concord over a decade ago. This is a crew whose final number, a cover of the Beastie's "(You Gotta) Fight for Your Right (To Party!)," was worth the price of admission alone.

While the honor of closing out the night went to local legends the Poontanglers, Dethlehem upheld their headliner status with true style. Though most PA bands would've felt handicapped deep in the Carolina wilds (not to mention performing with a substitute bass player, the indubitable Hank the Guy), I'm excited to say that our noble band of adventurers really shined and the show was everything I'd hoped for and more.

Hitting all the high points of The Ghorusalem Codex, Vol 2: Of Magick & Tyranny – save, perhaps, its lengthy midpoint "Spelljammer" – the band ably combined swords and sorcery with elements of thrash and death metal to create the most epic concert experience this side of GWAR. With new lead vocalist Brutalitus the BloodBeard leading the charge cuts like "Circle of Deth" managed to turn a meager audience into a singular engine of boot-stomping D&D destruction. Overlord Brom's thunderous double-bass kept perfect pace among the screaming harmonics of axe-men Hildor and Bovice on joints like "Sky Palace of the Dragonriders," and guest keyboardist Allie Oxenblood (who also provided a third layer of vocal harmonies and a dash of fire eating) thickened up the mix nicely.

It was that rare event where the band on-stage and the gathering crowd both seemed to be enjoying themselves to the fullest. Many swords were swung, much alcohol was consumed and, hopefully, many t-shirts and custom dice were purchased.

Dethlehem have returned home for a brief respite before continuing the second leg of their tour in two weeks, but with upcoming stops in Ohio, Wisconsin and Maryland, I imagine many of you still have the opportunity to see them perform. If this brings them within driving distance, I highly recommend that you check 'em out. The sheer strength of their performance and their wonderfully outlandish stage presence is only outmatched by how truly personable the guys are while having drinks and snapping photos with the fans.

Big ups to my boys Seamonkey, Sean, Brad and Sy for kicking it with me at the show, and sincerest of thanks to the whole Dethlehem family for assuring that I and everyone else at the Chop Shop had a night of unabashed metal majesty.

Radio Free Hipster Ep. 133: The Jurassic Spark Mixtape

Apparently you guys really dig dinosaurs. I mean, when I floated the idea of this mixtape 'cast on Twitter the response was immediate.

But that's cool. 'Cause I like 'em too.

In fact I've recently noticed that a lot of my favorite tracks are about the great thunder lizards. Which likely explains why a number of these cuts are repeats.

Download Radio Free Hipster Ep. 133: The Jurassic Spark Mixtape [hosting provided by Antisoc] Size: 59.2 MB Running Time: 40:03 Subscribe to RFH

Show Notes:

Intro: Baddd Spellah – "Radio Free Hipster Theme (feat. Beefy)"
Beware the Beefasaurus.

Track 1: Scared Of Dinosaurs - "We Are Scared Of Dinosaurs (Intro)"
From the old Superpowerless side project of the same name.

Track 2: DrumUltimA - "JESUS CHRIST IT'S A DINOSAUR GET IN THE EPOCH" / Jurassic Park dialog
This percussion-heavy Chrono Trigger OC ReMix is exquisite!

Track 3: Tribe One - "Devil Rhymeosaur"
This is a great track to listening to at any time, excepting on your way to a job interview.

Track 4: Go Home Productions - "2000 Light Years from Bolan"
How could I not have a T.Rex mash-up in this one?

Track 5: Former Fat Boys - "SPACEDINOSAUR" / DR. SMOOV - "SOS Wheeljack"
Yes, I've used that "SOS Wheeljack" bit before. No, I'm not ashamed of it.

Track 6: Jurassic Park: Legacy - "Derezzed Daft Punk MUSIC Mash Up"
I just randomly ran across this on YouTube, and was struck by how well it fit the show.

Track 7: Math the Band - "Dinosaurs Were Made Up By the CIA to Discourage Time Travel"
Probably one of the greatest Math titles ever.

Track 8: Illbotz - "Dinosaur, Dinosaur"
This here is one of my go-to jams.

Track 9: Monster Magnet - "Dinosaur Vacume" / More Jurassic Park dialog
There're a lotta Jurassic Park clips in this thing!

Track 10: BC - "Raptor Song"
This song was likely the impetus of this particular mix.

Track 11: HORSE the Band - "Sex Raptor" / Still more Jurassic Park dialog
Okay, that title is just fucking terrifying.

Track 12: The Doubleclicks - "Hollywood Raptor"
A pretty recent repeat, but y'all know I have a real affinity for The Doubleclicks.

Track 13: The Late Cretaceous - "Carnivores & Herbivores Can Get Along" / The Land Before Time dialog
From their Demosaurus EP. The recording quality is kinda bad, but I dig this song so much.

Between the Parsec Awards nomination special and a dinosaur mixtape, it almost seems like I cheated you fine folks. It feels like I didn't actually do a proper podcast all month, and I am wracked with guilt.

Forgive me, internet, and I promise to make June's podcasts even more awesome. Okay?

I mean, we're still cool, right?

The Trickster

A couple of weeks back OG Don Vito hit me up with an unexpected email. It turns out that prior to his unfortunate passing, Josh "MC Gigahertz" Montgomery had been working with Vito on a new release.

In the aftermath of Josh's death, Don Vito combed through his production files and finished the project himself, an act that was both a fitting tribute to a fallen comrade and, I'd imagine, a difficult but cathartic experience. It now stands as what may be the first of several posthumous Gigahertz efforts, The Shapeshifter EP.

Its 6 songs are supplemented by literally dozens of pages of liner notes, the bulk of it email exchanges between the two artists. But if these candid notes are a time capsule of 4 months of fierce creativity in 2010, then the songs themselves are oddly colored by Josh's apparent suicide earlier this year. Even tracks like its standout closer, "Summertime is Over," now seem oddly poignant.

OG Don Vito has made the EP freely available, and anyone interested in exploring the more introspective side of the Clown Prince of Absurdcore is encouraged to give it a listen.