Radio Free Hipster Ep. 35: The Precarious Adventures of Fair-Use Man

This is one of those episodes where I can't help but look back and think about all the songs that I didn’t play.

Superheroes and comic books mark fertile creative ground both within the bounds of expressly nerdy music and without. These topics can be approached seriously or with a distinctly playful air, nostalgically or with a more contemporary mindset. All things considered, it's pretty unique subject matter.

Whether you’re just some average joe on the street or a hardcore comic book guy, you recognize the logos. You know the powers. You appreciate their symbolism.

I probably take my funny books too seriously on a lot of levels, but in a world that’s bereft of the supernatural wonder of simpler times, don’t we need men who can fly?

Download Radio Free Hipster Ep. 35: The Precarious Adventures of Fair-Use Man (hosting provided by Antisocial) Size: 47.3 MB Running Time: 51:40

Show Notes:

Intro: Baddd Spellah – “Radio Free Hipster Theme (feat. Beefy)”
Baddd Spellah has laser vision, and Beefy can bend steel with his taint.

Track 1: Dual Core – “Day’s Work”
I could have simply played Super Powers start-to-finish and called it a day, but I didn’t. I did the hard work for you, of faithful listener.

Z’s 1st interlude: “Radio Free Hipster episode 34.”
I lied. This is episode 35. I just totally flaked for a minute there.

Track 2: LogicOne – “Paging Mr. F.”
There are few songs I can say this about, but there isn’t a single line in “Paging Mr. F.” that isn’t pure gold.

Track 3: Cars Can Be Blue – “Dating Batman”
This track comes to you compliments of my pal Matt from Stop Standing Still. I really should’ve credited him in-show. :(

Track 4: The Advantage – “Batman: Return of the Joker”
I feel I’ve been going a little light on the game rock of late, so I thought this track would make a welcome addition.

Track 5: Regurgitator – “Fat Cop”
Grandmaster Pink turned me on to Gurge and I have to say they’ve become a staple in my musical diet.

Track 6: Beatnik Turtle – “I.T. Department (Super Heroes of I.T.)”
Church suggested this track way back when I did my work-themed episode, but I decided to save it for this one.

Track 7: Shael Riley – “Captain S Theme (Blue Pigs in Heaven Remix)”
Don’t forget to support our friends at PBC Productions, the makers of The New Adventures of Captain S and other fine shows.

Track 8: Dr. Strangelove – “Superman… Is Dead.”
If Kenny sounds a little nervous in this piece, allow me to point out that this was recorded live at WOW Hall when he shared the stage for his first major gig with mc chris. You could say the pressure was on.

Track 9: Lazlo Bane – “Superman”
Lazloe Bane’s cover of the Men At Work classic “Overkill” really should make its way into your collection.

Track 10: Beefy – “I’m No Superman”
I can’t recall if it was Church or Matt that said it first, but Beefy is at this weird stage in his career where each new song he releases becomes the best Beefy song. It’s not a bad place to be, artistically-speaking.

Z’s 2nd interlude: “The Scott Pilgrim series.”
I know comparing it to The Watchmen may seem like a stretch to some, but Scott Pilgrim really is a modern classic, even if the videogame allusions remain jarring within the overall narrative.

Track 11: Stephen Lynch – “Superhero”
I’m not a huge fan of Lynch (or of musical comedy in general), but I thought this one fit in well.

Track 12: The Aquabats! – “Danger Woman”
I've always taken issue with the use of the word ska to describe the music of the ‘Bats, but that’s because I’m both a purist and a crotchety old bastard.

Track 13: YTCracker – “Super Super Hero”
There's something about the sound of this track that puts it miles away from most of YT’s other work, and I applaud him taking such a chance. It certainly worked out, as this song is brilliant.

Track 14: Felt – “The Two”
Felt’s another group that Pinky got me interested in. Slug and MURS really are fascinating cats, and I think they warrant your attention.

Track 15: Schaffer the Dark Lord – “Supervillian”
This one’s from Schaffer’s newest release Mark of the Beast. You should buy it.

Z’s final interlude: “I didn’t watch the last Spider-Man flick.”
I actually don’t watch most superhero films. I just find my quality of life is far superior that way.

Track 16: How it Should Have Ended – “He’s a Spiderman”
I hope you’ll find this at one least half as funny as I do.

As I stated at the end there, next episode will be the second annual holiday spectacular. My only regret is that I used “Give the Jew-Girl Toys” already. There are few songs that feel me with as much joy.

After that, I’m planning to wrap up 2007 with a big, geeky party music episode. So if you’ve got suggestions or requests for either, feel free to hit me up with ‘em.

Thanks, as always, for your time and attention. As you were, ladies and gentlemen, as you were.