Above & Beyond

I fucking hate award shows. Seriously.

All those lame-ass setups and the institutionalized hyperbole: they just aren't for me. And don't even get me started on the generally unworthy recipients!

Still, I love the concept of recognizing excellence, in whatever form it may take. This is why I will now outline my personal picks for Nerdapalooza 2010's Best in Show. Of course, since this is Hipster, please! I won't be relying on your more pedestrian categories.

No, this time around we're keeping shit nerdy with plenty of allusions to Xbox Live.

On with the show:

The Nerd Up Award: HDninja
"Hey, HDninja, you guys get to kick off Nerdapalooza with the very first set of the festival. Y'know, no pressure or anything. Just you guys. On stage. In front of a crowd that's expecting you to set the pace for the entire event to follow. Also, um, due to some scheduling problems we are gonna put you on a couple hours late. So folks might be kinda antsy. Oh, and one of your mics isn't gonna work. That's cool right?"

EMPulse Record's HDninja had the deck stacked against them – they were the very first performance of the festival on a day that had already proven itself a logistical nightmare. Plus, pretty much everyone in the crowd, myself included, were zombified from a late night of partying. Yet somehow, when the first note of the hook from "Carformer" hit, suddenly everything was okay. Well played, my ninjas. Well played.

Best Merch: T-Shirt Bordello / Nerdapalooza / Scrub Club
Nerdapalooza 2010 succeeded on a number of levels, not the least of which involved sponsors and merch. Both were in abundance this year, and added an interesting classic convention feel to the proceedings. So much so that's it's hard to quantify who did it best. In the end, I have to recognize a trio of fine merch-slingers.

The first is easily Jacksonville's T-shirt Bordello. Not only was their booth stocked to the nines with amazing tees – I managed to snag one of their swank TARDIS shirts myself – but owner Don Myers actually rocked a full zombie ensemble for the entire first day.

Not to be outdone, Nerdapalooza's own merchandise output was once again uniquely satisfying. Again relying on the talents of the one and only MadKiwiX, this year's logo design revealed an amplifier array behind the classic logo that, as hex put it, "looks like they've been back there the whole time."

And the first of many props to the Scrub Club family comes as a direct result of MadHatter's amazing (and unexpected) bead sprite art. Amongst the anticipated stickers and sampler discs, Hatter presented a fine selection of tributes to classic 8-bit gaming as well as pieces commemorating comic and nerd television icons.

Worst Merch: Those Goddamn Foam-Ball-Missile-Thingies
I love you, Cloudspace. Really I do. I mean, not only do you provide both hexWarrior and Nina with day jobs, but you also pulled out all the stops to support Nerdapalooza proper. Unfortunately, your choice of swag – those weird hybrid Nerf footballs/heat-seeking missiles – were like some kind of biblical plague on the show floor!

Show me a man who wasn't beaned in the noggin by a Cloudspace-branded foam ball, and I'll show you a dude who wasn't at Nerdapalooza 2010.

Chillest Set: Kirby Krackle
When I heard that Kyle from Kirby Krackle was doing a solo acoustic set at this year's festival, I was a little bummed. How could it possibly live up to the cranked-up, full-on comic book rock of their two studio albums?

Even with my undying faith in Kyle's skills, I could've never dreamed how effortlessly the Kirby Krackle bangers translated to this minimalist interpretation. KK wound down a hectic evening in style, and without losing any of their trademark geek rock substance.

The Iron Man Award: Marc with a C
Marc with a C is a longtime Nerdapalooza staple, and this year he proved himself to be a genuine trooper to boot. Somehow between working the sound boards, guesting with other artists and otherwise running about the event like the proverbial headless chicken, Marc was still prepared to rock a solid Sunday evening set for us. What he wasn't prepared for was to take a spill two songs in and sever a tendon. Live on stage.

Miraculously, not only did he finish the show, but this slightly less mobile than usual Marc still managed to keep the crowd entertained. "Bounce! Bounce! Bounce!" indeed.

The Rock Out with Your Spock Out Award: Sci-Fried
Sci-Fried transitioned from one of my most anticipated acts of Nerdapalooza 2010 to one of the brightest highlights of my festival experience within the span of about a song and a half. And while I was a little worried that their style would be lost on a crowd of nerdcore hip-hop heads, they easily commanded the audience with their blend of balls-out arena rock and southern-fried geekery. But their true claim to fame – even more so than their earnest, irony-free enjoyment of sci-fi schlock and Motley Crue-style antics – was the moment when they literally brought the house down.

In a nod to their rock 'n' roll roots, the band distributed beach balls to the audience and encouraged them to bat them around with extreme prejudice. Half a set and one broken chandelier later the inflatables were retired, but a nerd rock story for the ages had already been written.

Breakthrough Artist: The Bossfights
I can't exactly tell you what I expected from ZeaLouS1's new hybrid outfit The Bossfights. All I can say is that as high as my hopes were, even those paled in comparison to the grandeur of the actual listening experience. Blending searing vocals, machinegun guitars, punk rock energy and the slightest hint of funk rhythm, they are truly the breakthrough artists of 2010.

From the moment the guys hit the stage, under cover of darkness with the sounds of helicopters in pursuit, I was mesmerized. In a set that included everything from plasma grenades to a special MC Frontalot tribute track, it's hard to pick a defining moment. So instead I'll say that if you missed a second of the action you did yourself a grand disservice.

Best Stage Energy: Scrub Club and Emergency Pizza Party
When funky49 told me the Emergency Pizza Party set slated for early Sunday morning was church-themed, I told him he was full of shit. And then I saw the choir robes. And the pizza box crucifixes. And Sir-Up's bible.

In an event that could only be described as a musical conversion, EPP blessed us with the power of shine. But when they turned the stage over to their Scrub Club brethren, I assumed the sermon was over. That is until MadHatter unleashed the "Christian Side Hug" upon and unsuspecting audience.

What followed was a spiritual experience, to say the least.

Best Worst Cover Song: "Wannabe" as performed by MC Cool Whip
I was both congratulated and chided throughout Nerdapalooza weekend for my cover song challenge. It seems that tracks like the aforementioned "Christian Side Hug" were both the highlight and the bane of many an audience member's festival experience.

But surely no track was more divisive than MC Cool Whip's pre-party rendition of The Spice Girls' "Wannabe."

Tell us what you want, Whip. What you really, really want.

Best Best Cover Song: "Mr. Roboto" as performed by The Protomen
On the other side of the coin, of course, were the covers that everyone loved. And among them all none stood so high as The Protomen's impeccable interpretation of this Styx classic.

After a much-delayed, truncated set played sans-Panther on Saturday, attendants were delighted to learn that closing headliner MC Frontalot had agreed to push his performance up to allow for a second appearance by our favorite freedom fighters. As a result, "Mr. Roboto," though certainly no stranger to the band's setlist, was an unexpected surprise that closed out Nerdapalooza 2010 with a bang.

Best Support Artist: Kids / Bar2-D2
Nerdapalooza is about the artists and the fans, but often that blurry line between the two is all but ignored. You see, there are some individuals who are at once both and neither. They are the special guests. At Nerdapalooza 2010 this important position was held down by our most diminutive brothers and sisters.

Children played a delightful part in both the Emergency Pizza Party and Krondor Krew sets and a tiny back-up man of another kind – a special R2-D2 styled cooler – helped keep me and the Sci-Fried crew properly hydrated throughout a long, hot weekend.

The Gandalf the White Award: My Parents' Favorite Music / The Adventures of Duane and BrandO
This year's festival saw not one but two triumphant returns to the stage. Saturday afternoon, Steffo of My Parents' Favorite Music came out of retirement with an energetic set that incorporated dancing control pads, physical challenges and a Phoenix Wright costume. And Sunday saw a recently reunited The Adventures of Duane and BrandO tear up the stage to the mutual delight of nerdcore and VGFM fans alike.

FYI: If I was giving away an award for best hugs, these two acts would have to split that one too.

The Superfan Award: Datavortex
And while I'm celebrating the acts of Nerdapalooza, let me pause to also acknowledge a fan without peer. My boy Datavortex, a rabid supporter of nerd music and vigilant defender of our culture, deserves a special shout-out for all he brought to this year's event.

No, not what he literally brought! Although, now that you mention it…

I'm referring instead to the fact that not only did Data make a significant financial contribution directly Nerdapalooza (via their Final Boss program), but he also personally saw to it that both myself and Dr. Awkward could muster the scratch to make the trip down.

He's truly a pillar of our community.

The Schaffer the Darklord Award: Dr. Awkward
Each year, Nerdapalooza sees one artist show up everywhere. He's the guy rocks his own set, and then pops in for guest spots in practically everyone else's. Those of us in the know call this "pulling a Schaffer."

This time around, as STD himself made his mark (Aren't I clever?) between his own amazing performance, his hyping of the Epic Win burlesque crew and his brilliant guest spot on MC Frontalot's "Nerdcore Rising." And yet he was still somehow out-Schaffered by the one and only Dr. Awkward.

Doc commanded the stage during a solo set Saturday afternoon, brought the religion with his Scrub Club comrades MadHatter and Kabuto the Python Sunday AM and then knocked shit out of the park as part of The Bossfights that same evening.

The next generation of nerdcore has truly arrived. With a vengeance.

Missed Opportunities

Photo by: @awfulwaffle73

Let's assume for a moment that you are the one reader of this blog not already sick of hearing me go on and on about Nerdapalooza.

Yes, I fully understand that I am proceeding under a false pretense here, but the truth is I have an awful lot of shit to share about last weekend's event and only a handful of places at which to do so. Bear with me.

Just like in 2008, my post-Nerdapalooza coverage will be broken up into a number of posts. There's this introductory piece, of course, as well as a forthcoming GeekDad post wherein I examine what this year's festival tells us about the future of the franchise. In addition to these I also envision a special superlatives post, in which I'll shout out some of the festivals most epic moments and players, and a final piece of critical analysis where I'll break the thing down from start to finish.

But before I get mesmerized by my own grand schemes, let me cut to the chase here.

I experienced a lot of exciting and amazing things at Nerdapalooza 2010, but the further I get away from the event the more things I notice that I neglected to do. Some of them were things that merely eluded me at the time, ideas that I didn't even have until well after the fact, while others were on the proverbial list but never quite materialized.

I have selected ten specific examples. Like you do.

1. Big Up @starlainjury
   I expected to meet a lot of folks at Nerdapalooza 2010, but ThaSauce mainstay and regular Shael Riley collaborator Injury wasn't one of them. ThaSauce's table was located directly beside the GeekDad booth, but we only spoke briefly on day two and I didn't fully realize who she was until shortly before Shael and I went on our hot dinner date. At any rate, if you're reading this, Starla, yours is one of the most intriguing voices in the VGM scene.
2. Stooge it Up with @datavortex
   Are Data's folks big Three Stooges fans? Been meaning to ask him that shit for years, and planed to do so in person at this year's event. We actually spent tons of time hanging out over the weekend, but for some reason I never remembered to bring it up.
3. I'm @DKaine / You Know Me
   David Kaine does nerdcore karaoke. Hell, he even performed "I'm On a Boat" during the open mic. This is a fascinating idea which I planned to discuss with him at length. And then I totally flaked and forgot.
4. Hatcore
   I packed a pair of epic hats to wear at the event: my Cthulhu tuque from GrapevineFires and the cunning hat @freakapotimus made me. Yet I never even took them out of my suitcase. #hatfail
5. Play Matchmaker
   B-Type loves the States and wants to stay. My solution was simple: get hitched. I tried half-heartedly to find him a paramour over the length of the festival, but eventually I just decided on Colon:P. I mean, they were together all the time anyway.
6. Bring the Chain
   Finding out the Scrub Club Records table was located directly behind GeekDad's was a treat. Receiving my own Scrub Club medallion from MadHatter was a genuine thrill. Sadly, I could never find an appropriate chain, and thus I had to settle for carrying it in my pocket all weekend.
7. Swappin'!
   I got to talk a bit with both GeekPeekPost's @thelotech (who actually interviewed me) and my sister-in-arms Game Music 4 All's @chibi_ma on Sunday, but failed to orchestrate the meetings of the minds I had originally planned. Bottom line, ladies, I think we need to replace next year's Podswap with a Blogswap. :)
8. Mistaken Identity
   On the subject of GM4A, my pal Genoboost was conspicuously absent this year. I totally should've pretended to be him. I'm sure B-Type would have backed me up.
9. All These Damn Stickers
   I'm convinced that this last batch of Hipster, please! bumper stickers is multiplying. I kept giving the things away by the handful, but I swear I somehow have more now than I did when I left.
10. Sleep
    Yeah. I… uh… pretty much didn't sleep the entire weekend. Apologies to anyone who attempted to talk to me only to find me wholly incoherent. I'm an old man, and don't do well without 7 or 8 hours worth of regular sleepy-time.

Radio Free Hipster Ep. 91: The Sound of One Hand Washing

At this point in the game you are either packing your bags for Nerdapalooza 2010, or you are silently weeping in the corner.

Thankfully, I am among those fortunate enough to make the pilgrimage down to Orlando this year. It's taken some doing – and no small amount of funding from you, you magnificent bastards – but I am even now finalizing my travel itinerary.

Still, whether you're joining us or not, I thought you might enjoy another special Nerdapalooza-themed episode. It features my pals hex and Masu, two cats with whom I can assume you are already quite familiar. It was a great opportunity for us to talk about this year's event and to reflect on previous incarnations of the world's premiere nerd music festival.

But mostly it was just an excuse to laugh. A lot.

Download Radio Free Hipster Ep. 91: The Sound of One Hand Washing [hosting provided by Antisoc] Size: 84.4 MB Running Time: 1:32:11

Show Notes:

Intro: Baddd Spellah – "Radio Free Hipster Theme (feat. Beefy)"
Beefy won't be coming down for 'Palooza 2010. And I'm still really bummed about that. :(

Track 1: MC Frontalot – "Tongue-Clucking Grammarian (live at Nerdapalooza 2009)"
Can we expect another amazing live album to come out of this year's festival? One can only hope! 

Z's 1st interlude: "My old pals."
It is assumed that I am attending Nerdapalooza for the music. The truth is I'm going down to see all my friends. The music is merely a fortunate cover.

Track 2: Marc with a C – "Bounce Bounce Bounce"
In case you missed it, I reviewed Marc's newest earlier this week.

Track 3: The Protomen – "The Hounds"
I look forward with rapt anticipation to seeing The Protomen live!

Track 4: Kirby Krackle – "Can I Watch You"
The same goes for Kirby Krackle. In fact, I will go so far as to say they are my most anticipated new act.

Track 5: Random – "Boss Battle Metalman (The Megas Remix)"
Like hex said, we will have both Ran and The Megas in the house. Cross your fingers.

Z's 2nd interlude: "This ain't your first rodeo."
The guys have been holding down the proverbial fort re: the Nerdapalooza festival for years, and I think it's only gotten better with age.

Track 6: Schaffer the Darklord – "A Lot like Me"
Will STD steal the show at a 3rd consecutive Nerdapalooza? My sources say yes.

Track 7: Ministry of Magic – "Accio Love"
There's a really solid Wrock lineup at this year's event, so bring your house scarves,

Track 8: The Adventures of Duane and BrandO – "Guerrilla War"
Attendees will also be fortunate enough to catch the reunion of The Adventures of Duane and BrandO! 

Track 9: Emergency Pizza Party – "Shine Avenue"
It wouldn't be Nerdapalooza without EPP.

Track 10: Krondor Krew – "New Edition"
I largely watched Krondor Krew's set at Nerdapalooza 2008 through the doorway to the next room. This year, however, I will be both front and center.  

Z's 3rd interlude: "For those who've been living under a rock."
You rock-dwellers can find all the pertinent info concerning the event right the fuck here.

Track 11: Yip-Yip – "Audacity Beach"
With Yip-Yip, hex and the Nerdapalooza organizers have managed to do the impossible: they found a nerdy band that was totally new to me.

Track 12: The Great Luke Ski – "Dementia Revolution (feat. MC Lars)"
Luke and a number of his FuMP brethren will be on-hand to dispense with the Dementia music at 'Palooza 2010.

Track 13: Random Encounter – "Still More Fighting (live at Nerdapalooza 2008)"
Random Encounter had a solid set back in '08, though it was plagued by some sound issues. I have every confidence that this year will be their time to shine. 

Track 14: Sci-Fried – "Saturday Night On SyFy"
Sci-Fried is another new act I am really looking forward to checking out live. They have a very classic sound that differentiates themselves from most other geek rockers. 

Holy shit! A 4th interlude?!: "BYE, I'M HEX!!!"
Wait – did that muthafucker talk over my outro?! ;)

Track 15: George Hrab – "Think for Yourself"
It's good to see the skeptical community represented this year as well. I'm not exactly sure what George will bring to the stage, but I'm sure I'll dig it.

And that's it, kids. I'm afraid that's all the blogging I plan to do on this side of things. So, until I return from Orlando and regain my bearings, I bid you farewell.

If you're going to be at Nerdapalooza, be sure to holler atcha boy. And if you're a little uneasy diving into the event-proper without sufficient backup, feel free to come down for our poolside meet-up at 9:30ish on Saturday. It'll be like a can of instant friends!

For those of you who won't be joining us, please keep the internet safe while we're away. And watch my Twitter feed for my < 140 character event updates.

You know how I do.

Pop Goes the Record

Pop music has gotten a really bad rap. I blame Britney Spears. I blame The Archies. I blame M.

Wait – no. Not that last one.

Whereas once pop music, a simple derivative of the phrase "popular music," plainly described radio-friendly songs with distinct youth appeal, it has now become cultural shorthand for radio-friendly songs with distinct youth appeal and absolutely no inherent artistic merit. And that's a goddamn shame.

Because, from the very dawn of the age of the modern songwriter, pop has been a viable musical force. From Small Faces and Big Star to Cheap Trick and The Replacements, pop has proven itself to be just that: modern music. A rejection of classical tropes and high-minded motifs in favor of the understated strength of verse-chorus-verse. A music not necessarily low in substance, but rather high in charm.

And though proud pop fans like me have found ourselves forced to explicitly state our leanings with descriptors like indie pop or guitar pop or Townshend's classic power pop, we know the importance of the strong hook. Of the sing-along chorus. Of the lead riff.

Marc with a C is a lot like me. He's a man unafraid of exposing his pop leanings. But unlike me, Marc does so within the bounds of the art form itself, and his recently released Pop! Pop! Pop! is an 11-track pledge of allegiance to the Empire of Pop.

The album kicks off with the tuneful "Holly Vincent," a pop ballad in the style of any good guitar-based ditty named after a girl. Of course, this one is named after the frontwoman of punk-poppers Holly and the Italians. It makes a number of clever references to her 1980 breakthrough song "Tell That Girl to Shut Up," all the while touting the global appeal of a solid pop offering.

From there things stay in that distinctly upbeat vein with a brighter take on RetroLowFi's "Fighting For Love." It's a track that still loses me a bit on the chorus, but remains a well-metered charmer in spite of it. And follow-up "Joe Henry" drops the volume and ups the ante with bright, beautiful chorus harmonies and minimalist, last-minute percussion.

"Ammonia," another song with which I'm familiar due to its inclusion on his RetroLowFi collection, is an otherwise lackluster They Might Be Giants-style vocal track saved by phenomenal instrumentation, which plays perfectly into another RetroLowFi track, "As the Bombs Fell." It comes through as an album highlight, even among the other pop treasures that similarly balance angst and honesty in equal measure.

"Roll The Tape" marks the album's midpoint with vocal swagger and lyrics centered on the folly of a sure-thing. "Medicine Head," however, slows it down and dwells on the uncertainty of the un-medicated life, a topic that should resonate with a lot of us. "Winter Colors" keeps that string of somberness flowing, though it occasionally plods and again resorts to some clichéd lyricism.

"If You Loved Me" remains on the lower end with regard to tempo and manages to sound uniquely intimate, though it's not exactly Marc's best vocal delivery of the album. Still, it plays perfectly into follow-up "The Audience Is Listening," another not-so-subtle journey into the mind of the artist that breaks the cardinal rule of pop by extending past the five minute mark. More so, it also challenges multiple musical conventions by evolving into an acerbic spoken-word piece at irregular intervals.

Pop! Pop! Pop! returns to form with album closer "Just Stop Trying." Its double-time chorus punctuated by old school staples like who-who-whos and the all-important vocal countermelody really help to end the album with a bang.

With only minor shortfalls, Marc with a C's latest offering channels the pop music of our past into a shiny new version for tomorrow. It starts strong, gets a little mopey slightly after the midpoint and then pulls out all the stops for an 11th hour turnaround. Like the best pop, it challenges lyrical conventions in a manner both subtle and charming (by mining the artist's own experiences and attitudes), while at the same time making you sway with a healthy hooks and never-abused percussion.
If you're a fan of pop, in any of its myriad of forms, then Pop! Pop! Pop! is for you. But unlike those pop anthems of yore, it's freely available at retrolowfi.com.

Welcome to the future.

"Pop, pop, pop goes weekend radio."

Pleased to Meet Me

Even though it's still a week away and I'm not exactly, y'know, involved in the festival, Nerdapalooza has taken up the bulk of my focus and energy of late. Still, I'm hoping to hatch a least a couple more posts – specifically a new podcast and an album review – before I begin my long trek down Orlando-way next Friday.

But before I tend to those tasks, I find myself in need of your input, faithful readers.

At Nerdapalooza 2009 there was a special, informal event known as the Hipster, please! Meet-and-Greet. Yes, I am well aware that I didn't attend Nerdapalooza 2009, let alone my own meet-and-greet, but that's neither here nor there.

My question is simple; would those of you in attendance like to do something like this again this year?

Let me be straight with you: this isn't at all about meeting me. That shit is laughable. Rather, it's just about tying in with some folks before the event to hang out, introduce ourselves and maybe make some new friends.

Because of this year's extended performance schedule – 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM both days – finding a time to meet-up before the day's events is a bit of a daunting task, but if those of you in and around the Orlando Airport Marriott are interested, I am more than willing to get up a little early so we can convene and shoot the proverbial shit.

If any of you folks are down, just leave a comment and we'll hash out the details. And if not? Well then I'll just see you inside. :)

SUCKer MCs

Let's face it, Seattleites, after this weekend's rousing Independence Day festivities, you have absolutely nothing going on. By now you've had a couple days to sober up, to recuperate, to tend to your various firework-related wounds, and now you're back on the prowl for quality entertainment.

In that case, this is your lucky night!

This very evening, Tuesday 6th, big things are going down at The Rendezvous, where SUCK Films is commemorating their 3rd anniversary by hosting a night of nerdcore hip-hop. Show up at 7:00 PM to view your requisite shitty movie, and then hang around for amazing follow-up performances from Sea-town heavy-hitters Beefy, Billy the Fridge and Death*Star. This also marks the stage debut of my main medic Captain Spalding, so please give him some extra love.

Cap's gonna be celebrating the release of his new album Manual Override and Billy will have his newly revealed Lusty Lady memorial tees in stock, so be sure to bring ample scratch for the merch table.

And pick up an extra of each for your old pal Z! ;)

It's an EPP World

Having spent a good chunk of time in Central Florida throughout my early 20s, I learned fairly quickly that there is something in the water down there, metaphorically-speaking. As a direct result of the garish, vulgar nature of mega-attractions like Universal and Sea World and Disney, the rest of Orlando has been forced to adapt. Seemingly everything, from kitschy roadside classic Gatorland to that ridiculously oversized McDonald's on I-Drive, has swollen to outrageous proportions just to be heard above the incessant buzz that is the local tourist trap culture.

This same logic also applies to the music scene. From the sci-fi theatrics to of Killer Robots to the marathon performances of Marc with a C, there is a palpable differentness inherent in Orlando acts. And surely there's no better example of this than Emergency Pizza Party.

While 2nd generation nerdcore, AKA: the Rhyme Torrents era, was firmly centered on solitary artists toiling in private, EPP emerged as the scene's earliest recognized group. And though they've seen a number of personnel shifts in the years since their debut, the crew still produces the same kind of notoriously off-the-wall jams they were cranking out in the early days of nerdcore.

The band – now a quintet consisting of founders MC Wreckshin, Sir-Up and Betty Rebel, joined by returning member Benjamin Bear and longtime collaborator funky49 – recently celebrated their union with Scrub Club Records by dropping their first album in nearly two years, Shine Avenue.

Though as thematically diverse (and occasionally impenetrable) as any selection from Emergency Pizza Party's back catalog, the album is a love letter to the seedier side of Orlando, a warts and all portrayal of the outlying lands of the Magic Kingdom.

Shine Avenue kicks off with "Now Hiring," a fairly run-of-the-mill intro skit/song that gains bonus points for employing Gregory Abbott's "Shake You Down," but none for its inclusion of a superfluous bit character. There are also a few awkward rhymes that seem to barely contain the group's boundless energy. Still, with a fun chorus by Betty and BBear and a strong guest verse by Kabuto the Python, it's not without its charms.

Its follow-up, "Reppin'," fairs much better. With a James Brown beat and a just a touch of house, it boasts strong flows (particularly from Wreckshin and funky49) and a perfect mix. Sadly, "Orlando," loses that hard-fought ground. The intro verse by guest rapper Rappy McRapperson seems a bit stale, but the solid beat coupled with EPP's trademark lyrical surrealism makes it a fitting salute to the 407 nonetheless. Fan-favorite "Punch-Out!!!" rounds out the first third of the album, and, despite some textural problems as it attempts to blend live material and studio recording, it does give every member a chance to shine.

Shine Avenue sees a palpable shift on track five, "Omega." It's a brilliantly-backed apocalyptic jam with some solid scratching and a fantastic wrap-up by Betty. Ms. Rebel also comes through on "Kiss Kaboom," a damn fine effort that showcases her varying styles and includes a nice MC Wreckshin verse that helps break the piece up. This leads us to "Hyperbolic Torture Chamber," a silly send-up of a Wu-Tang classic that, while not strictly necessary, is perfectly indicative of EPP's shared sense of absurdist humor.

Deep into the release, Emergency Pizza Party come through with the rousing "Never Make the Airwaves," a bold statement of purpose punctuated by allusions to Public Enemy, a quick poke at MC Lars, a great chant chorus by Sir-Up and a nice outro verse from guest rapper KZA. "Look at My Mouth (Again)" was a total surprise for me. I went in expecting a loose collection of EPP in-jokes, but instead found another album highlight. The group totally gels and sounds more cohesive than ever before. Shit, as fantastic as ZeaLouS1's contribution is, the crew didn't exactly need the added firepower on this cut. This sets the stage for yet another fine selection, title track "Shine Avenue." It's a little repetitive with its Soft Cell-cribbed beat, but another great offering. The Bizarro Stylus-referencing chorus might be lost on some, but it merely adds to its eclectic charm.

Shine Avenue's final musical selection is a long slept-on joint – Betty estimates that the Oddioblender beat itself is easily three years old – simply titled "The Easy Way." Amid a string of high caliber numbers, this one easily stands out as not only the best Emergency Pizza Party jam of the album, but their absolute best to date. It takes their penchant for off-the-wall delivery and pairs it with an equally nontraditional rap song structure doused in just the right amount of dub. Moreover, it manages to be lyrically compelling, relatable and, dare I say, uplifting, while maintaining the traditional EPP sense of fun. It's a fine example of the nerdy musical affirmation that's already wormed its way into heavy rotation on my end.

But lest we fear that EPP has abandoned its core principle, "LOLd Dirty Dude" closes the album out with nothing short of good old fashioned weirdness. It's just the guys bullshitting in real life. And yes, Shael Riley is an old dirty dude.

Shine Avenue is a slow burn. It doesn't exactly start strong, but it manages to blossom into a thoroughly enjoyable offering.

If you're a longtime EPP fanboy who relishes their open-ended, off-the-dome rhymes and playful approach, what you'll find within the span of these 12 tracks is a slightly ratcheted up variation on that theme. However, if you've eschewed the band's previous efforts due to that same penchant freeform hip-hop, I still urge you to give Shine Avenue a try.

The honest truth is, Emergency Pizza Party has never sounded better. From the more cleanly spit rhymes of its five MCs and their new Scrub Club guests to the brightly polished production, Shine Avenue is an unlikely charmer from the misfits of nerdcore.

Give it a listen. And get your shine on.

"And I will serve you a very fine wine. I'll be very hospitable."

Radio Free Hipster Ep. 90: Nerdy Black Summer

There are rare occasions when it is acceptable to name a podcast after a Danzig song. Unfortunately, I am unsure whether or not this is such an occasion.

But what are you gonna do?

Yes, it's another sticky summer here in the southeast, so I am all but honor-bound to hit you up with my yearly musical celebration of the hot weather. That's not the entire sum of this episode, mind you, but it proved solid enough bedrock upon which to build a show.

Download Radio Free Hipster Ep. 90: Nerdy Black Summer [hosting provided by Antisoc] Size: 49.5 MB Running Time: 54:05

Show Notes:

Intro: Baddd Spellah – "Radio Free Hipster Theme (feat. Beefy)"
Because nothing says "summertime is here" quite like Beefy and Spellah! 

Track 1: The Garthim-Master – "Welcome to the Internet"
Who knew skekUng had such insight concerning modern electronic communications? 

Z's 1st interlude: "You'll likely notice a few recurring motifs."
This show doesn't have a theme, but instead focuses on summer jams, new releases and listener requests. 

Track 2: Beefy – "Smiles Times [feat. Epic-1 & Schaffer the Darklord]"
Matt suggested this one. I had another With Sprinkles song in mind to simply file under "new hotness," but since this one both has a summer feel and was a request, it gets the hat trick. 

Track 3: Parry Gripp – "Me and You and Pikachu"
Not exactly a new release (it's from January), but vaguely summery with its talk of islands and whatnot. 

Track 4: Math the Band – "Hang Out-Hang Ten"
A song not at all about surfing, but still possessing a certain fun-in-the-sun aesthetic. 

Track 5: Xoc – "Beetlejuice – Sandworm Planet"
This one rounds out a trio of vaguely beach-related tracks, what with its surf rock guitar. And since I haven't plugged it in a while, Xoc's Cinema 80s is the shit. 

Track 6: Bumper: "Bonebat Comedy of Horrors Film Festival Promo"
Since I actually stole the idea of including bumpers for other podcasts in-episode from The Bonebat Show, it seemed only fitting that the first time I do so should reference their Comedy of Horrors film festival. 

Track 7: DJ Topcat – "The Safety Booty" / Tycho Brahe dialog
Do the Ying-Yang twins make constant lyrical reference to onomatopoeia that only they understand, or is it just me? 

Track 8: Americans UK – "John Loves Wayne"
Another brand new release. It's quickly become my new favorite Am UK track. 

Z's 2nd interlude: "Which you may remember from episode 89."
Big thanks to all who listened to, commented on and shared my recent Wil Wheaton mixtape! 

Track 9: MC Gigahertz – "Summertime is Over [feat. OG Don Vito]"
Recently released as a part of the 2010 Puget Sound mixtape, this single was made freely available by new nerdcore netlabel Roll A Twenty. 

Track 10: John Anealio – "Unicorn Pegasus Kitten"
I'm not sure if John's musical interpretation can legally be entered in the fan fic contest it references, but if so it totally deserves to win. 

Track 11: The Kleptones – "Voodoo Sabotage (Beastie Boys vs. The Prodigy vs. Pendulum)"
This one's for my UK brother Talkie_Tim. He wanted to hear a "Sabotage" mash-up, so I pulled this one out of the collection. 

Track 12: Emergency Pizza Party – "The Easy Way" / Hot Shots dialog
I should have a review of the new EPP release Shine Avenue up later this week. In the meantime, enjoy this: it's musical highpoint. 

Track 13: Pixelh8 – "Spiral"
This Pixelh8 track is so new I don't even know if it's been officially released yet. It's from his forthcoming double-album The Schematic. 

Track 14: Calogero – "Pomme C"
And this one's for my pal Church. It popped up on Macenstein last month, and he all but demanded I include it in the rotation. 

Z's final interlude: "I will simply bid you adieu."
I really enjoy bidding you adieu. I like to think it makes us both feel fancy! 

Track 15: Matt Ryd – "California Gurls"
And before anyone says it, yes, I know Matt is actually a Chicago Boy.

I should be able to pull together one more episode before Nerdapalooza, but the content of that show is still up in the air. I've invited both Hex Warrior and Krondor Krew's Masu on to talk about the festival if time allows. If not, I'll simply improvise.

I'm also currently fielding requests regarding a post-Nerdapalooza wrap-up show, and, if you can believe it, recording a special episode on-site. While the former sounds doable, I'm a little iffy on the latter. Still, it doesn't hurt to investigate. I'll simply do whatever I can to properly convey the Nerdapalooza experience to those unable to attend.

Because I'm a giver! ;)

Keeping it Local

For years I have sought my own hip-hop home team, a cadre of nerdy rappers that are suitably close to my uniquely rural locality. Little did I know that such a clique was available a scant hour away in the nearby hub of Charlotte, NC.

I was lucky enough to make the acquaintance of The ThoughtCriminals, fronted by my boy Mikal kHill on MC Frontalot's last tour. With a full band setup that employs everything from biting guitar leads to homebrew DS blips and triple-teamed lyrics centered on subjects like the Ninja Turtles, it was clear fairly early on that these fellow Carolinians were indeed the droids I was looking for.

Last week the guys performed a benefit for the same venue that introduced them to me, The Milestone Club. And as cool as the concept of the band trying to help out one of the South's historic dives truly is, the most fascinating thing to come out of the show was the announcement of their forthcoming "tour."

Note the quotation marks.

This isn't a tour in the traditional sense, but rather an interesting variation on the theme. Rather than taking their show on the road, The ThoughtCriminals are instead bringing the rest of the country to NC as part of their Standing Still 2010 Tour.

Every date of the tour will take place at Charlotte's Milestone, and each performance will pair The TC's regional flavor with amazing rap acts from across the US. Though full dates have yet to be announced, the following have already been confirmed:

• July 11th w/ Forever Famicom (Mega Ran & K-Murdock) & Florida's Bleubird
• July 28th w/ Cincinnati's Mr. Dibbs
• August 13th w/ Rhode Island's Prayers for Atheists (Jared Paul/SFR) & Balto's Height
• September 24th w/ the incomparable Dual Core

It's really rare that we're able to coax this caliber of hip-hop so far down the coast, so anyone within driving distance is strongly encouraged to come out join in the fun. Also, be sure to keep a keen eye on The ThoughtCriminals' official site and the band's Facebook event page for further details as they become available.

This is not a (stationary) tour to be missed!

Rolling a Better You

There is something inherently odd about the nerd psyche that compels us to forsake our mortal shells. Whether it be through engrossing ourselves in reading or vegging out playing an MMO, we geeks often neglect pesky annoyances like, you know, exercise and proper diet.

Sure, there are many in this brave new generation of dorks who manage to balance both their D&D campaign and a healthy lifestyle, but I ain't one of 'em. Instead, I find that I must trick myself into being a healthier person.

Earlier this year I embarked on my own Pokewalker Fitness Challenge, leveraging the allure of videogames to help me stay active. Now, long after the conclusion of the contest proper, I still find myself slapping my Pichu-strapped pedometer on each morning. I have integrated a learned behavior (calculating my walking) into my daily routine that positively impacts my overall wellbeing. Sure, some days I only log a measly 5000 steps, but it's a tangible thing that I can wrap my head around.

Likewise, my boy MadHatter recently launched his own nerd-centered fitness game over at Scrub Club called Gain HP. It's an innovative system that relies on allusions to classic RPGs to keep participants, like me, focused on the task at hand.

Players gain experience points for pounds lost, structured exercises classes attended, doctor visits and monitoring real-life stats like blood pressure. This doesn't sound particularly glamorous, but when you replace the words "exercise" with "fighting" and "diet" with "foraging," you unlock an undeniable level of nerd appeal. There's even a saving throw system, inspired by MC Frontalot's stop-smoking plan, for those who can't kick the junk food cold turkey.

Weekly weigh-ins, which are relayed to Hatter himself, allow for regular point-tallying and leveling-up, with a leaderboard provided to showcase the top ten. Thus far in my first week of play I've managed to do, well, okay. I've worked in the requisite 45 minutes of daily exercise for my character class, Monk, and have done a decent job of cutting out the booze and junk food. (Aside from one morning where all we had to eat for breakfast were Pop-Tarts! #nutritionfail) But for me, at least, the important thing is that I'm putting forth the effort, and that I'm doing it with friends.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm gonna take another lap around the building. This Sloth Demon ain't gonna slay itself!

Nerd News in Brief

Earlier this month, Dr. Demento's weekly syndicated radio show went off the air for good. Since 1974, the good Dr. has been sharing not only parody and comedy music, but strange and nerdy recordings of all stripes with the world at large. Sadly, with the recent attempts at streamlining the failing industry, this material was deemed an ill fit for the modern radio audience.

I am of two minds regarding this. First, I find it unfortunate that a broadcasting luminary was cut loose for no better reason than the bottom line. But on the other hand, who the fuck listens to terrestrial radio anymore? It's a sinking ship, and Demento is likely much better off proceeding in the current manner, as an internet-only broadcaster.

This means you can still get your Dr. Demento fix via his web site, unfettered by the whims of mundane America.

• Pac-Man Fever: On the continued subject of nerd history, my pal Brux passed on word of some newly revealed sketches of Toru Iwatani's original Pac-Man design. Look on and be amazed.
• Fully Functional: Speaking of Demento, and thus by extension Weird Al, here is "White & Nerdy." Star Trek style.
• Shat My Dad Says: Also in the Trek vein, Church points out that William Shatner will be directing a new documentary. About himself. I don't even have a joke for this one.
• Zombies Beware: Also submitted without commentary: the axe holster.
• Run for the Hills: Which may or may not play into the new Zombie Fit fitness program. Sadly, it includes parkour. So my ass is out.
• Lusty Lab Coats: Church also directs us toward an interesting item for skeptical nerds. A group of science-minded UK geeks are putting together a (sanitized) pinup calendar to raise money to support libel reform. Anyone familiar with Simon Singh's recent run-in with the British Chiropractic Association surely understands the rationale behind this cause.
• The Many Moods of Koji Kondo: NeatoRama recently put together an astounding collection of covers of the classic Legend of Zelda theme. Our friends I Fight Dragons made the cut, but nothing can hold a candle to the LoZ wedding march!
• King of Kings: Likewise, Topless Robot kicked off the month of June with a list of the "16 Most Gloriously Nerdy Musical Acts." Among those listed were Gwar, DEVO, Stovokor and MC Frontalot.
• The Doctor is In: Earlier this month, Toronto's The Star ran this piece on geek chic and the buying power of the nerd community. Perhaps most importantly, it includes knowledge dropped by my longtime home-skillet, Geek Studies' Dr. Jason Tocci.
• Earth Girls are Easy: And just when you thought I'd gone and presented some genuinely compelling ideas on the current chic de geek, here's a piece from Whitney Matheson's Pop Candy about the god-awful Nerd Girls reality show. I weep for the future of television.
• Step 1 – Annoy the Shit Out of Z.: To balance out the two, here's an explanation of the trend from How Stuff Works. The more you know!
• For the Venn: And to return to another well-worn subject, Antisoc drew my attention to this recent xkcd. I believe it squashes the nerd vs. geek argument once and for all.
• I Summon E. Coli!: I also have to give it up to Church for hipping me to Healing Blade, a fantasy card game rooted in real-world infectious diseases/therapeutics by the fine folks at Nerdcore Learning. Never let it be said that Magic the Gathering can't be out-geeked!
• Charge of the (Dr.) Light Brigade: While the summer nerd music event on everyone's lips is surely Nerdapalooza, be aware that purveyors of the world's only traveling Mega Man rock opera, The Protomen, will also be on tour during the month of July. Look for them with special guests Super 8 Bit Brothers and The Adventures of Duane and Brando throughout the southern US.
• Your Yacht Got Capsizeded: In other new music news, Frontalot has just unveiled the video for his new single "First World Problem" over at the SPIN Magazine web site. It's animated, but not in the same manner as the performer's stage presence.
• The Dogg That Don't Bite: Not to be outdone, decidedly un-nerdcore rapper Snoop Doog has just released a video for his track "Oh Sookie." It's a musical tribute to True Blood's Sookie Stackhouse. Yeah, I'm as confused by this development as you are.
• Heads Up, Glasses On: Also making waves with a new vid is I Fight Dragons. Their bowling alley anthem "Heads Up, Hearts Down" has gotten the Avatar treatment. Meaning, of course, that now it's overly long and wholly derivative. Wait, no; I mean now it's in 3D!
• Trying to Unlock Your Heart: But in-amongst all these fine new specimens of video entertainment, the one that's taking us out this time around is from none other than Seattle comic book rockers Kirby Krackle. It's an animated interpretation of the song "Up, Up, Down, Down" from their debut album. It's all about nerd love, courtship and cannibalism.

Cover Me

It's rare that I get to use the name of a Bruce Springsteen song as the title of a post. I mean, I had one one time that I was gonna call "Tunnel Of Love," but that shit was just too crude.

At any rate, I am coming to you this morning to remind you that we are less than a month away from Nerdpalooza 2010. Are you excited? I am excited!

Last year Hex Warrior and I hatched a plan to introduce a new, albeit understated, element to the festival. We strongly suggested that each participating artist include a cover song in his/her set. Why? Because covers are awesome.

While there was far less than 100% participation – which is totally cool as this is a voluntary program – a number of exciting cover songs did make their way into the weekend's performances. Not the least of which was Krondor Krew's amazing (and wholly appropriate) take on Vanilla Ice's "Ninja Rap" from the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2: The Secret of the Ooze soundtrack.

This year, we're hoping that the performers will continue in this proud tradition, and that fans will encourage them to participate. Nerdapalooza is all about having fun with the other members of our tribe, and this is yet another way to keep things light, informal and amusing.

And speaking of this year's 'Palooza, unlike last year it looks as if I actually will be in attendance. That being said, I am in a bit of a money crunch at present, so if anyone would be willing to donate a few bucks to help me cover gas to get to Orlando and back, I would be most appreciative.

"Help me cover gas."

Well I'll be damned; that title is more appropriate than I thought!:D

Taking it to Another Level

My final holdover review of 2009 is from none other than my old friends Dual Core. (A fact that, I assure you, int eighty has taken great pains to remind me of over the past several months.)

I can't imagine that you haven't already purchased their excellent Next Level LP in the year since its initial release, nor can I imagine you are overly concerned with my impression of the project at this late date. And yet I am going to share it nonetheless. Because, to quote that very famous, very dead scorpion of myth, "it's my nature."

Next Level kicks off with a guitar-fueled tribute to Dual Core's fanbase. From the online fans to face-to-face friends and legitimate financial supporters to pirates spreading the music for free, "For You" is a musical thank you note from c64 and int eighty. It boasts the solid lyricism you'd expect from the latter and an even harder edge on the production by the former. In short, it's the perfect way to kick off a new album.

"Kick Back" was the first sneak-peak track I ever heard from Next Level, and it holds up well even after a year in constant rotation. Pushing forward with 64's more aggressive beats and a cleverly copped vocal hook from Beefy, it's another lyrical mission statement from eighty that makes it an early highlight. This leads us to "Natural 20s," a song that holds a very special place in my heart. Originally created for my long-delayed 20-Sided Rhymes compilation, it's a light-hearted gamer anthem for the tabletop set complete with a shout-out to Jim Darkmagic.

"The Hollow" kicks things back to the console with an atmospheric story-song centered in the world of Marcus Feenix. In truth, it actually relates the narrative in a more concise and properly balanced manner than the game itself, and c64's musical backing is understated perfection. It also blends perfectly into follow-up "I Remember," a joint that sees int eighty and YTCracker reminiscing about the early days of the internet. The background loop is a bit repetitive and the lyrics a tad tech-heavy at times, but it suits the former hackers to a tee. "The Game" ably contrasts the serenity of "I Remember" with a more abrasive instrumental and an expertly rhymed storyline concerning the darker side of modern hacking. Through the tale of Victor, a coder from the former Soviet Bloc who now relies on his skills at identity theft to survive, eighty paints a sympathetic picture of an unlikely protagonist.

The half-way point of Next Level is marked by epic posse cut "Magnificent Seven." Featuring guest artists MC Frontalot, MC Lars, Schaffer the Darklord, Beefy, Random and YTCracker, it boasts "twee-style rhymes" composed via an extended Twitter conversation. Though it doesn't exactly occupy the same hallowed real estate as its forbear (Lost Reality's flawless "Fantastic Four"), it's a definite crowd-pleaser that assures #followfriday will never be the same again.

"Forever" is another amazing piece of high-energy sci-fi storytelling that again contrasts excellently with the starkly realistic "Life's Work," which sees eighty returning to the concept of the unstable and unfair modern workplace, and heavily the introspective "Letter to C64,"wherein eighty reps the DJ like no other.

Next Level begins its final decent with what is, even in the absence of my trademark hyperbole, one of my favorite tracks of all time. "Here to Help" brings back a cat that I've long considered the unofficial third member of Dual Core, Remington Forbes. Atop a silky smooth hook, Remy and eighty relate the woes of end-user support. Suffice it to say that this one hits close to home.

From there Dual Core treat us to the soulful and touching "Painting Pictures," a track that pours all of int eighty and c64's combined musical might into preaching the true power of technological progress. Though the story related didn't exactly happen, it is based on a very real cochlear implant, a true miracle of science and technology.

Rather than straight-up pull together the various musical and thematic elements demonstrated throughout the breadth of the album, closer "Alright" instead kinda goes the other way. Sure, eighty raps directly to the audience about who he is and what he does and c64 brings in a brassy and frenetic beat, but the overall tone of the piece expresses a certain differentness. From the instrumentation to the flow, it stands out among many of the darker-tinged and more cleanly calculated tracks that precede it. Some might see this as a failing in the overall musical cohesion of the project, but, knowing the band like I do, I instead understand it to be a sign.

You see, amid individual album themes and numerous minor recurring elements, Dual Core releases always hearken back to a single unifying concept; the artistic journey of two friends through the infinite possibilities of modern music. From the introductory vibe of Zero One to the feeling of good-natured camaraderie that permeated Super Powers, the statement of purpose that was Lost Reality to the triumphant celebration of success that is Next Level, Dual Core always tell their story. They always encapsulate the moment in time that is the album's creation, its production, its release. From eighty's perfectly-metered delivery to 64's delightful penchant for false stops, Dual Core have spent years refining their sound without watering down the listener experience.

And if "Alright" shifts unceremoniously from the brashness of the primary track to the experimental eclecticism of its hidden follow-up, it's only because the duo is attempting to give us a hint of sounds yet to come. And I, for one, can't wait to hear what awaits us on the following level.

"I'm just giving credit where that credit is due / Everything we've done, I'm giving credit to you."

Radio Free Hipster Ep. 89: The Homecoming Mixtape

My first mixtape-style podcast was inspired by Wil Wheaton's 2007 PAX keynote. He managed to put into words everything I felt about gamers and geek culture, and I couldn't help but fold that into my own project.

When I heard that he was delivering the keynote for the inaugural edition of PAX East, I knew it was the perfect setup for a repeat performance on my end as well.

This time around Wil took a two-pronged approach to nerd evangelism. First, he focused on not just the joys of gaming, but on the truly inspirational force that our hobby has become. Second, he paid homage to the con itself, to the convention spirit that is at the very heart of nerd unity.

This, in turn, inspired a marathon episode that paired Wil's words with the music that we know and love, and I pray to the Geek Gods that I managed to do both elements the very vaguest of justice. At 25 songs, it's twice the size of a normal episode, but I hope that it manages to capture your attention for the duration.

It is a labor of love, and, moreover, a personal tribute to Wheaton, Penny Arcade and all the members of our global family.

Download Radio Free Hipster Ep. 89: The Homecoming Mixtape [hosting provided by Antisoc] Size: 89.5 MB Running Time: 1:37:5

Show Notes:

Intro: Baddd Spellah – "Radio Free Hipster Theme (feat. Beefy)"
As is tradition, I fucked with the theme song to let longtime listeners know straight-out-the-box that this wasn't an ordinary episode. 

Track 1: MC Frontalot – "Your Friend Wil"
There was really on one track that could kick this one off. 

Track 2: Shael Riley vs. R.h.oZ. – "Music Ruined Video Games"
Whenever I hear the name Jack Thompson, I inevitably think of Shael's "Music Ruined Video Games." This particular version is an obscure twist from an old Remix Fight. 

Track 3: YTCracker – "Wind Song"
And on the subject of mostly harmless geeks, we arrive at YTC. From his Chrono Nurga Vol. 1. A fine example of video game inspired music. 

Track 4: Uncle Monsterface – "I'm sorry (but your princess is in another castle)"
Another natural inclusion given Wil's choice of gamer sound bites. Plus it's hard to make a mixtape episode without the Monsterface. 

Track 5: Mega Ran and K-Murdock – "For the Gamers"
Arguably the most appropriate of all these songs. Wil's keynote was also for the gamers. 

Track 6: PK Mao – "Can't Knock the Hustle (Jay-Z vs. Animal Forest)"
PK Mao's Raptendo 64 is one of those mash-up collections that cross easily into the realm of game music. This one is a highlight, but the whole thing is well worth a listen. 

Track 7: posu yan – "purdieoldays"
And since Wil was talking about world-building, I figured I'd toss in a second Animal Crossing joint. That's a game where I spent an exorbitant amount of time crafting my own little microcosm. 

Track 8: Glenn Case – "D&D at the Public Library"
This one's from my forthcoming 20-Sided Rhymes compilation. It's become my go-to Dungeons & Dragons track, and I consider it one of Glenn's finest. 

Track 9: Sinister Six – "Master of Dice (MasDaMind's Metallica Mashup)"
A second mash-up. Another D&D track featuring the Sin Six. And Metallica. Which leads handily into… 

Track 10: The Four Eyes – "I Come Prepared"
A gamer anthem for those who understand the inherent strength in a set of polyhedral dice. 

Track 11: Marian Call – "I'll Still Be a Geek After Nobody Thinks it's Chic"
Sometimes you need to slow shit down. Thankfully, Marian Call is there for just such an occasion. With a fantastic little ditty about "the geek tribe." 

Track 12: Skull Kid – "Gauntlet Intro"
An arcade throwback to wet your nostalgic whistle. 

Track 13: Israfel – "Pac-Man Glass Cage"
Another OverClocked ReMix. It's impossible to do a gamer-centric show without OCR. 

Track 14: Futuristic Sex Robotz – "Back in the Day"
Closing out this wistful mini-set is an iconic track from the late, great FSR. Apparently they always knew Sulu was gay. 

Track 15: XMark – "Still Alive"
I'm surprised there aren't more covers of this Jonathan Coulton classic. Still, XMark's interpretation is such a solid offering that I find it hard to bitch. 

Track 16: The Smash Brothers – "ff1town.wav/Final Fantasy I"
The Smash Brothers is sort of a who's who of the VGM community. It's an all-star outfit that includes ailsean and virt. This is from their free Bacon EP. 

Track 17: POWERLIFTER – "03.0 - Level 3 (Buffalo)"
Honestly, I've been looking for a reason to include something from electro-chip outfit POWERLIFTER for a while now. This seemed like as good a chance as any, and it actually worked well both within this movement and the show itself. Plus, there's an in-song reference to one of the standout tracks from the original Wil Wheaton mixtape.

Track 18: Dual Core – "The Hollow"
It's got to be difficult to capture the intensity of Gears of War, but int 80 and c64 pull it off. 

Track 19: MC Lars – "Guitar Hero Hero (Beating Guitar Hero Does Not Make You Slash)"
Because no one could possibly draw genuine artistic inspiration from Guitar Hero. No… wait… 

Track 20: Mutherpluckin' B – "Air Guitar"
And on the subjects of video games and guitars, it's the Mutherpluckin' B! 

Track 21: Death*Star – "Looking for Group"
Much like the preceding Lars track, this one is obviously farcical. Still, it's an amazingly solid offering. Easily one of the best from their latest album The Fandom Menace. 

Track 22: The Advantage – "Blastermaster-Stage 2"
More epic game rock guitar! 

Track 23: Beefy – "Give Me My Gun [feat. Dr. Awkward]"
And we begin our final decent with Beefy and Doc Awkward. It's a gamer anthem that just don't stop. 

Track 24: Ultraklystron – "Five to Nine"
We change gears from game culture to con culture with an old school Ultraklystron joint. It remains one of my favorites from his entire back catalog. 

Track 25: Kirby Krackle – "Going Home"
As soon as I heard Wil's opening words, I knew there was only one way to wrap this edition up. Kirby Krackle's "Going Home" expresses in music everything Wheaton says about conventions and geek community. It's also a truly rousing way to sign off.