Radio Free Hipster Ep. 146: Larry, Did You Know?

Season's greetings, faithful listeners. Apologies for delaying this particular episode, but things have been… complicated.

Unlike the Halloween eps, which I see as a treat, these Christmas shows always strike me as a bit of an obligation. But that being said, this one is probably the best I've done so far.

I hope you dig it, and I further hope it helps you through this most joyous season. Which always seems to come bundled with its own unique complications.

Download Radio Free Hipster Ep. 146: Larry, Did You Know? [hosting provided by Antisoc] Size: 65.6 MB Running Time: 45:07 Subscribe to RFH

Show Notes:

Intro: Baddd Spellah – "Radio Free Hipster Theme (feat. Beefy)"
I probably should've looped a jingle bell sample behind this one, right? That's the poor man's holiday podcast theme.

Track 1: MisCast – "Christmas Don't Be Late"
Jay shared this cut with me early, and I marked it as this show's opener weeks ago.

Z's 1st interlude: "We say 'the holiday season' around here."
Because, y'know, of all the holidays

Track 2: Chaz Kangas – "A JCVD X-mas"
Nothing says the Christmas quite like Jean-Claude Van Damme.

Track 3: Doctor Octoroc – "Super Jingle Bros."
Doc's 8 Bit Jesus is a holiday classic.

Track 4: Uncle Monsterface – "Jingle Bells"
This one is a favorite of my four-year-old.

Track 5: TXL and dj BC – "Rock the Jingle Bells"
A holiday hip-hop track like no other.

Track 6: The Doubleclicks – "Happy Holidays, Too"
My thoughts are with all you poor bastards currently suffering through the hazards of air travel.

Track 7: DJ Flack – "O Chanukah Dubstep Bassline Remix"
Happy belated Chanukah, guys and gals!

Track 8: Paul and Storm – "Backward Santa"
P&S as TMBG.

Track 9: Helen Arney – "Christmas 1994"
In the Dark Ages before DVR.

Track 10: dj BC – "8-Bit Hip-Hop Christmas (Black EL vs Bit Shifter)"
Another inspired dj BC cut.

Z's 2nd interlude: "Let's keep the holiday mash-ups coming."
If you don't already have Santastic 7 in your collection your yuletide playlist is sorely lacking.

Track 11: lobsterdust – "Sister Christmas (Silent Night Ranger vs. The Temptations)"
Pretty much the best title ever.

Track 12: 8 Bit Weapon & ComputeHer – "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen"
'Tis the season for vocoder.

Track 13: Mega Ran – "'Twas the Night Before Christmas"
This one runs a little long, but it just felt right in the show.

Track 14: John Anealio – "Winter Day"
Probably one of my favorite Anealio tracks. Not as Christmassy as the rest of the EP, but so beautifully textured.

Z's final interlude: "At month's end for 2012's last hurrah."
I already have some quality tracks lined up for this one.

Track 15: Kirby Krackle – "Baby it's Cold Outside (Hoth Version) feat. The Doubleclicks"
Fact: The Doubleclicks make everything more awesomerer.

I ain't gonna lie to you, guys; I have likely never felt less like dispensing seasonal pleasantries in my life. But any way you slice it this is the season of giving, and the least I can do is give y'all some tunes to help you through your own holiday hassles.

With that in mind, I'd like to point out that the name of this episode – while continuing my tradition of bad jokes – references my good friend Datavortex. We've been homies online and off for a long time now, and he and the Missus recently sent me a gift that once again helped me level up my podcasting rig.

Happy Crimbo, Larry!

Hoth Isn't Very Nice

"Baby It's Cold Outside," Frank Loesser's weirdly catchy, oddly date rape-y seasonal standard, has taken on new life in recent years. From Glee to Zooey Deschanel that song is everywhere you may-or-may-not want to be. (And I ain't here to judge.)

This week, however, Kirby Krackle—along with a helpful assist from The Doubleclicks—has transformed the track into a tale of two willing participants. Oh, and also they put it in the Star Wars universe.

I reckon that part's important too.

I Spared Every Expense

I don't really get that into Black Friday. I mean, let's be honest here; I don't exactly require a lot of stuff. I've got mad stuff already, y'all. And just as importantly I'm a big fan of sleep. I cannot say enough nice things about sleeping.

Online sales, however, are the shit. We're all sorta sitting at monitors all day anyway, so that's the very definition of convenience. As such, here's a quick rundown of where I'll be dropping a few duckets throughout the day.

Mimoco
I'm sort of obsessed with the Adventure Time and Transformers Mimobots. Today those products and pretty much everything else Mimoco sells are 20% with the code BloohFriday20. And of course there are also further discounts on their dedicated sale page.

ThinkGeek
ThinkGeek's Black Friday deals are a little thin this year, but the $5 blinking D20 and $10 Star Wars family decals are solid buys.

iTunes
Let me be clear; I only ever buy Apps from the official Apple store. My music all comes from Amazon  when I want to be thrifty and Bandcamp when I want to make sure the artist gets his/her fair cut of the sale. Even when I do buy Apps I'm hardwired not to pay full price. Today's game deals include Jumping Finn Turbo – by current fave time-waster – and a volumes 1-7 of the Gamebook Adventures choose-your-own-adventure-style RPG stories for 99 cents apiece. Get 'em!

MC Lars
Right now everything at Lars's online merch shop is 50% off. That means $10 tees, $6 CDs and $17.50 hoodies. Now is the time to stock up.

mc chris
mc is doing his regular post-Thanksgiving sale as well, but currently the actual Indiemerch page itself seems to be fucked up. You can browse for merchandise manually, though, where you'll find shirts for $5-$10 and hoodies for $20.

Mikal kHill
This year my homey kHill is throwing his hat in the savings ring as well. He's offering 25% off on a bunch of digital downloads (including the pre-order for his upcoming EP buy product.) and CD/t-shirt bundles. He's also throwing in free CDs and comps with different purchases. Check out his blog for the discount code and for the pledge such deals entail.

Amazon
Last but not least, Amazon has pretty much everything else you could possibly be looking for. The first season of Adventure Time is under $20 – Have I mentioned I love that show? – and 3DS launch title Steel Diver is appropriately priced at $5. Plus when you buy shit from there using my links I get a little cash on the back end. Which is how I got all that mad stuff I was talking about.

UPDATED

Rusty Shackles
I totally didn't realize that my brother Rusty Shackles also had a Black Friday sale currently in progress! If you read this blog you've obviously seen this guy's amazing work on the old style concert posters of MC Frontalot, Adam WarRock and Mega Ran. Peep Rusty's blog for details and directions.

Radio Free Hipster Ep. 143: Franco-American Horror Story

Oh, second half of my annual Halloween Crap-tacular, how I love you! How I loathe you! I'm all conflicted and shit.

It's a bittersweet event, y'all. It means that the Halloween season is nearly behind us. But, of course, Halloween itself is almost here. Wrap you heads around that.

Download Radio Free Hipster Ep. 143: Franco-American Horror Story [hosting provided by Antisoc] Size: 68.5 MB Running Time: 47:37 Subscribe to RFH

Show Notes:

Intro: Baddd Spellah – "Radio Free Hipster Theme (feat. Beefy)"
Beefy mentioned via Twitter that he was dressing like Soos for Halloween. Dude better not be joking.

Track 1: Wordburglar – "Fred Broca"
It's hard to pick a favorite 3rdburglar track, but this one definitely makes the short list.

Z's 1st interlude: "Plastic surgery and sleeper agents."
Yeah, it's some pretty twisted shit.

Track 2: CW2K3 – "December 4th (Castlevania III)"
After the nuclear apocalypse the only things to survive will be cockroaches and Jay-Z remixes. I've done the math.

Track 3: Swamp Thing – "Creature Feature"
This album just dropped today. Go get it.

Track 4: Gravity Falls dialog / Superpowerless – "Ghost"
What you know about Halloween Tricksters?

Track 5: Maximalism – "A Beast Approaches"
When Brad Podray isn't spitting rhymes about the briny blue he's making music for the action movie that is your life.

Track 6: VOICEDUDE – "Goblin Style"
Always Alice Cooper. Always.

Track 7: More Gravity Falls dialog / Nuclear Bubble Wrap – "In Space No One Can Hear You Scream"
There's a bit of "Space Oddity" in this one.

Z's 2nd interlude: "My very first Halloween podcast."
Halloween Crap-tacular Prime!

Track 8: DJ BC – "Haunted House of Mash-Up"
I'll play anything that samples "Werewolves of London" save that fuckin' Kid Rock song.

Track 9: Nocturnal Symphony – "Trioxin Theme"
So this guy's office is right next to mine. As you can imagine horror movies and metal are our go-to water cooler topics.

Track 10: Zombie Lou – "Brains on Fire"
BRAINS!

Track 11: VOICEDUDE – "Nightmare Maybe"
Not gonna lie; this one's a work of diabolical genius.

Track 12: Sticks Downey – "976-EVIL"
Check out SD's previous Halloween tracks too.

Z's final interlude: "The bigger scares of Election Day."
Because politics is terrifying.

Track 13: Adam WarRock – "I Believe in Harvey Dent"
One of Eugene's best. And that's saying something.

And with that, kids, I'm gone. I'm on vacation for the next week, so don't expect to hear anything from me. At least around here.

There will, however, probably be some noise on Twitter. And some pics of our Halloween shenanigans. So many shenanigans.

Rock 'n' Roll Nightmares

This year's selection of Halloween-themed releases boasts some of the best (and most eclectic) to date! Obviously you'll be hearing more from each in the second edition of my annual Halloween Crap-tacular, but, in keeping with the dark prophecies traditions of old, I shall also break them down for you here in the prescribed manner.

The Monster Mash-Up collection is always at the top of my list of seasonal projects, and The Curse of Monster Mash-Up is no exception. This two volume set hits numerous diabolical highs with cuts like Thriftshop XL's gritty remix of "Bring the Noise" and Socolfn dubstep-y "Zombie Planet." It includes all the usual suspects – VOICEDUDE's "SCARY CUDA" is oddly satisfying, as is fettdog's "Texas Whip It" – but newer names like brutal redneck ("lily monster aquaviva") also manage to stand out among the album's best. Still, likely the finest selections come from stalwarts DJ BC (the project's original curator who'll again be taking the reins for next year's comp) and current coordinator cheekyboy.

It turns out the cheeky has instead turned his attention to creating original music, and another appropriate release, Sam Haynes's Halloween Carnival, comes courtesy of his evil alter ego. Created as an album that's both podsafe and specifically engineered to serve as ambient music for holiday haunted attractions, Halloween Carnival runs the gamut from the delicate "Creeper" to the dynamic "Haunted House" to the aggro disco of "Something Wicked." Of all this year's releases, this one was certainly the most surprising as well as the most cohesive. Definitely pick it up if you're looking to inject a little atmospheric creepiness into your Halloween festivities.

For those in the market for more rock-inspired instrumentals, I suggest the Something in the Dark EP by one man band Nocturnal Symphony. The light keys of intro "Cellar Dweller" quickly give way to the massive bass and smart leads of what is easily my favorite take on "Trioxin Theme" from Return of the Living Dead, and it only gets crazier from there. Paying tribute to beloved properties like Evil Dead while simultaneously exploring wholly original soundscapes, it's a satisfying slice of symphonic metal that's available for whatever you choose to pay. But maybe you should hit this guy with a couple of bucks for his trouble; David, the man behind the mask, is actually my officemate, and I know he's not exactly making mad bank at his day job.

Surely the biggest arrival on the hip-hop front is the debut full-length from Canadian trio Swamp Thing. Consisting of rapper/producer extraordinaire Timbuktu, Savilion (whose guest work on the latest Toolshed release was nothing short of exquisite) and Chokeules (equally renowned for both his gravelly spit and what is likely the world's greatest Twitter feed), the crew crawled out of the swamp earlier this year with the slasher film-themed Grindhouse EP. Standouts "123" and "All About the Brains" from that release return for the late-night picture show that is Creature Feature, and they're joined by 11 more about monsters ("B-Movie Monster"), time travel ("Time Machine Massacre") and just how goddamn dope Swamp Thing truly is. Oh and also weed ("Reefer Vendetta"). This one's a Hand'Solo joint, which means two things; first and foremost there's not a single stinker among its 13 selections, and secondly there are guests galore. Its closer, which also happens to be the title track, is a five minute, stripped-down posse cut with Modulok, Jesse D, Burg, Ghettosocks, More or Les, Ambition and my pal Mikal kHill all pitching in to rep their favorite movie villains. The bad news is this one won't be available until Friday the 26th, while the good is you can pre-order now. Which you should.

And though it's not a Halloween release by any stretch of the imagination, Random's Language Arts Volume 2 does include a relevant track that, not-so coincidentally, was just released as a new video single. So I will leave you to enjoy the pre-pubescent slaughter of "Zombie High."

Radio Free Hipster Ep. 142: Haunted Garage Sale

I've got the spirit, friends. I already have that Halloween spirit. And I'm inclined to share. By way of, y'know, a podcast or two.

We have a lotta ghosts this time around, with some zombies and assorted demons for added flavor. Oh, and also samples from cartoons. 'Cause I am a grown-ass man!

Download Radio Free Hipster Ep. 142: Haunted Garage Sale [hosting provided by Antisoc] Size: 73.4 MB Running Time: 50:17 Subscribe to RFH

Show Notes:

Intro: Baddd Spellah – "Radio Free Hipster Theme (feat. Beefy)"
They got them treats for y'all.

Track 1: Gravity Falls dialog / Swamp Thing – "All About the Brains"
Mad excited about new stuff from the Swamp.

Z's 1st interlude: "The geeky apparitions of my Halloween Crap-tacular."
They'll haunt your ear-holes!

Track 2: The Grammar Club – "Super Girls 'n Ghosts" / Gravity Falls dialog
Apparently Beefy got bamboozled. Ghost girls'll do that.

Track 3: The Crimson Ghosts – "Hybrid Moments"
Yep, cribbed this one from Chris Haley's Halloween mix.

Track 4: cheekyboy – "Diary of a Madman"
Never: that is when I'll get tired of Gravediggaz remixes.

Track 5: Kavinsky – "Ghost Transistor"
Really thought this creepy piece of retro electronica fit in nicely.

Track 6: The Aeronauts – "Ghost's Song"
For all you steampunks out there.

Track 7: South Park dialog / A-1 – "Goosebumps"
Yet another cut from After School Special.

Track 8: Sam Haynes – "Phantom Creep"
Much love and respect to cheekyboy/Sam Haynes, without which these annual Halloween eps likely wouldn't exist.

Z's 2nd interlude: "More Gravity Falls dialog."
Expect a lot of clips from that show to continue to crop up in this podcast.

Track 9: lukemounlasolomon – "Gravity Falls Harry Potter Music Box Mashup"
Just stumbled across this one and totally loved it.

Track 10: Armcannon – "Bhost Gusters"
This is probably one of the single greatest cover songs of all time. It's Armcannon at their most Armcannonist.

Track 11: Psycosis – "Giggle Ghosties Inc."
I feel like I've been neglecting the bronies of late. So here you go, folks!

Track 12: South Park dialog / Sci-Fried and Marc with a C – "Cannibal"
From the epic crossover event known as Co-op Mode.

Track 13: John Anealio – "Undead Love Song (Acoustic)"
John Anealio singing about zombie cocks always makes me giggle.

Track 14: Death*Star – "The Devils You Know"
Such a hard joint from three of Seattle's finest.

Z's final interlude: "Shake what your monster mama gave you."
Which was this episode's alternate title.

Track 15: dj BC – "Ghost Wobble"
Have I mentioned you positively have to cop The Curse of Monster Mash-Up?

One down and one to go. That means if you have Halloween-y requests, get 'em to me with the quickness.
 
Come to think of it, the post-Halloween/pre-Christmas show playlists are starting to fill up as well, so feel free to hit me with non-spooky song suggestions as well.

Peace, Goodwill

Some would argue that I've already had my say regarding holiday music for this season, but fuck those people! (Seriously, those people are dicks.)

The rest of you – you fine, decent individuals – already know that I've once again given my yuletide musical recommendation to the classic holiday chiptunes of Doctor Octoroc and 8 Bit Weapon/Computeher. By this point their 8 Bit Jesus and It's a Chiptune Holiday releases are practically a part of my own Christmas tradition.

Similarly this year I shined the festive light on both Helen Arney's phenomenal It's Going to Be an Awkward Christmas, Darling and Kyle Steven's exquisite reinterpretation of "Christmas Bells." But before we hunker down for the holiday's long haul I'd also like to point out two more of my favorites.

My good friend and infrequent co-conspirator John Anealio has just made his holiday EP Seasons Geekings free for a limited time over at Bandcamp. It includes his delightful "Batman Smells (A Rebuttal)" as well as epic Hannukah Channuka Chewbacca Hanukkah jam "Is a Chupacabra Kosher?"

Also free from the camping of the bands is today's brand new Christmas release from the great Kirby Krackle. It's a rocked up rendition of "Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer," and it's Kyle and Jim's 2011 Holiday Single.

Radio Free Hipster Ep. 123: Merry Xmix

It's mid-December, and that means it's time for my own little holiday episode of RFH.

I imagine many of you – particularly those in the States who've been forced to listen to it in department stores for a month already – don't care much for Christmas music, and newcomers might be eyeing this show suspiciously. Let me just assure you that I'm already sick of goddamn holiday-themed radio rabble, and this regular feature is my antidote.

I find the weirdest, wildest, dorkiest songs, and I wrap 'em up just for you.

Download Radio Free Hipster Ep. 123: Merry Xmix [hosting provided by Antisoc] Size: 66.2 MB Running Time: 50:50 Subscribe to RFH

Show Notes:

Intro: Baddd Spellah – "Radio Free Hipster Theme (feat. Beefy)"
Well, in Whoville they say that Beefy's heart grew three sizes that day.

Z's 1st interlude: "My annual holiday show."
It's my own little Christmas tradition.

Track 1: Illbotz - "Cold Chillin' Wit Jesus (Feat. Sequoya)"
Stevie D is the reason for the season.

Track 2: Troy and Abed - "Christmas Infiltration"
"I am Jehovah's most secret witness!"

Track 3: the great Luke Ski - "Black Friday"
The first of three FuMpers to make the cut in this year's ep.

Track 4: Community dialog / Square Wail - "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree"
From Square Wail's new freebie A Merry Christmas.

Track 5: Andrew W.K. - "Silent Night"
Thanks to Dave the Knave for the request.

Track 6: Devo Spice - "Lean Christmas"
Okay, admittedly things get a tad bit depressing here.

Track 7: Doctor Octoroc - "Icarus! the Angels Sing"
Probably my current favorite from Doc's 8 Bit Jesus.

Track 8: Random (Mega Ran) - "Snow Business"
Be sure to cop Random's new Christmas-themed project as well.

Track 9: DJNoNo - "BlacKmasDub"
There are actually a couple of DJNoNo's. This one's my internet homeboy Tim of Radio Clash fame.

Z's 2nd interlude: "Our journey into the twisted heart of the holiday season."
Which probably would have made a much better episode title.

Track 10: Jonathan Coulton - "Christmas is Interesting"
I never realized how many damn Christmas songs JoCo has!

Track 11: 8 Bit Weapon & ComputeHer - "Greensleeves (What Child Is This)"
It's a Chiptune Holiday is currently a buck at Bandcamp.

Track 12: Big D & the Kids Table - "Christmas in Allston"
I actually found this one a while back thanks to a holiday mash-up comp, and I thought we could do with a Run DMC homage this time around.

Track 13: Abed - "Sad Quick Christmas Song"
From "Abed's Uncontrollable Christmas."

Track 14: Smashy Claw - "Chuck Norris is Coming to Town"
An unexpected seasonal delight.

Track 15: My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic Soundtrack - "Winter Wrap Up (The Living Tombstone's Remix)"
I think we all know who asked for this one. ;)

Z's final interlude: "I reckon family is what it's all about anyway."
Perhaps my most profound seasonal musing of ever.

Track 16: Helen Arney - "Traditional Family Christmas Argument"
Helen's It's Going to Be an Awkward Christmas, Darling is required yuletide listening.

I am presently torn between doing my usual end-of-the-year shit-I-missed wrap-up or a dedicated Illbotz show using the audio from my interview with Stevie D from earlier this month. Not sure which way the wind will ultimately blow, but whichever doesn't hit at the end of this year will surely kick off the next.

In the event that I lead with the former as opposed to the latter, feel free to hit me up with your tops tracks of the year. Particularly if they're songs I haven't yet featured.

Old Familiar Carols Play

It never fails; I sit down to edit my holiday podcast, and somebody choses that exact moment to drop a dope-ass new Christmas song. Curse you, Kyle Stevens!

In other news, my good pal Kyle Stevens (of Kirby Krackle fame) released a dope-ass new Christmas song that you probably oughta check out. Even though his timing fills me with eye-bloodying rage.

It's a solo acoustic arrangement of "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day," a traditional carol that I only recently came to realize is based on a poem by Longfellow. The Carpenters' version was a staple of my own childhood – my mom's a vocalist, and Karen Carpenter has long been one of her favorite singers – and it seems as though the song has particular significance for Kyle as well.

It's a free download, so cop that sucker and put it into your holiday rotation.

In Brightest Day, In Blackest Friday

Those Best Buy lines are brutal!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hallowinners

image credit: @galendara

This year's crop of Halloween-related musical releases has been a little light. But I reckon between occupying Wall Street and bitching about folks occupying Wall Street and everyone preparing for the Rapture we've all really had a lot on our collective plate.

Still, there is some good, spooky shit out there, and I am gonna pause for a moment to shine my own little light on a handful of my favorites.

The Halloween mash-up collection is what we can now safely call an annual tradition. We've been gettin' 'em steady since 2004 thanks to the combined might of scene staples like DJBC and Cheekyboy, and they are always positively packed with pleasant surprises. This year's compilation is the double disc Texas Chainsaw Mashacre, which notably includes, among its Duck Sauce and Deadmau5 bootlegs, Sticks Downey's "C.H.U.D.," an original horrorcore cut that I actually included in last year's Halloween Crap-tacular.

The Texas Chainsaw Mashacre volumes 1 and 2 are freely available from the Monster Mash-Ups site, and I insist that you check 'em out.

While not intentionally Halloween-y, per se, the latest from my Canadian homeboy The Garthim-Master should fit in nicely with your seasonal playlist. Combining thick, atmospheric beats from German producer DJ Extend and The G-M's own unique blend of story-driven narratives and impressionistic lyrical gymnastics, Ghosts of Nostalgia is a look back on the beloved entertainment properties of our childhood that's not afraid to take a grim turn. For every breezy "Dude, Where's My AT-AT At?" there is a dirge-like "Krang" or a surreal "After Midnight."

I've actually been grooving to early leaks of joints like "Save the World," "The Crystal Shard" and "Rorschach's Journal" for a while now, but the full release is now available to everyone. For the very competitive price of free.

Expect a full review in the near future – most likely after the limited edition vinyl drops – but in the meantime spend a little quality time with this one yourself.

Lastly comes a brand new single from fellow GeekDad John Anealio. Generally, there are a number of elements I expect from John's songs: things like delicate guitar-work, straight-ahead percussion and cleverly-layered counter-melody. What I don't expect is bawdy humor, but "Undead Love Song" certainly has it.

There are a few easy jokes to be made about a human-zombie marriage (and consummation), and Anealio makes 'em all. The trick is, he's so mellow and earnest with his delivery that you totally don't even mind!

This one is also available as a free download, so add that grisly fucker – I made a pun! – to your collection.

So what about you, faithful readers? What's on your new Halloween listening list?

Radio Free Hipster Ep. 119: Vampire State of Mind

These Halloween Crap-tacular episodes will always hold a special place in my cold and lifeless heart.

This annual two-part celebration of musical monstrosities was among the first RFHs to feature a theme. Moreover, the inaugural episode marked the first time I ever incorporated background music into the show.

Now if only I hadn't given it such a cheesy goddamn name!

Download Radio Free Hipster Ep. 119: Vampire State of Mind [hosting provided by Antisoc] Size: 63.6 MB Running Time: 49:04 Subscribe to RFH

Show Notes:

Intro: Baddd Spellah – "Radio Free Hipster Theme (feat. Beefy)"
Unlike candy corn, you'll never get sick of my tasty theme song. Sadly, you can't wedge the track into your gums and pretend to be a vampire. Touché, candy corn!

Track 1: Sci-Fried - "Vampires Suck"
Another fine tune from Florida's premiere geek rockers. Not exactly their most original title, mind you, but still.

Z's 1st interlude: "A message from the great George Takei."
Sulu wants you to have a fun and safe Halloween.

Track 2: Community dialog / Kirby Krackle - "Bite of Another"
I love that a bunch of cats from Seattle can bust out the southern-style soul-rock.

Track 3: The Consortium of Genius - "Bite Me"
Wait; did he say "bite me on the butt?"

Track 4: ToToM - "Buffy the Toccata Slayer Freaks Out"
From this year's Texas Chainsaw Mashacre Halloween bastard pop compilation.

Track 5: Shael Riley and the Double Ice Backfire - "Juese Belmont"
That's me doing the intro. I'm famous now.

Track 6: Community dialog / Action Adventure World vs. The Plasmas - "Zombie Killing, Blood Spilling (Overworld #1)"
If you haven't already, cop their epic 2010 release Vol. 1 Ghosts n Goblins.

Track 7: Anthrax - "Fight'em 'Til You Can't"
Anthrax's Worship Music is, without a doubt, one of their greatest efforts to date. Having Joey Belladonna back makes all the difference.

Z's 2nd interlude: "With the stage set for a zombie apocalypse."
Because honestly, when isn't it?

Track 8: Community dialog / Death*Star - "The Quick and the Dead"
"Holy crap; Leonard's a zombie!"

Track 9: 8-Bit Weapon - "Die Die My Darling"
I have gotten far more miles out of that 8-bit Misfits tribute than even I would've thought possible.

Track 10: The Misfits - "Twilight of the Dead"
I'm still not quite sure what I think of the new (new-new?) Jerry Only-fronted Misfits, but this track fit so I went with it.

Track 11: Community dialog / Cheekyboy - "Living Dead Temper Baby"
Because nothing says Halloween like a Rob Zombie vs. Prodigy mash-up.

Track 12: Buck 65 - "Zombie Delight"
Likely the highlight of what is, at least in my opinion, a sweet-ass set. This one was suggested to me by my Canadian homey SelfHelp.

Z's final interlude: "We are the ultimate enemy."
Also, vampires and zombies are kinda cool. I think I left that out amid all my high-minded posturing.

Track 13: Illbotz - "Zombie Girl"
Yes, the Illbotz do doo-wop. It's one of the many services the group offers.

Let us now forget, boils and ghouls, that there's another Halloween-themed episode coming. A handful of artists have already told me to expect new seasonal singles by month's end, but I should still have plenty of room for requests.

Assuming, of course, that you've got 'em.

Americana

In a tiny Austrian village a child is born to a doting mother and a police chief (and former Nazi Party member) father, an unremarkable boy from relatively unexceptional circumstances. Yet that child would go on to win the Mr. Olympia contest, to shoot lots of 'roids and smoke lots of weed, to grope many women, to garner cheese-ball accolades as a Hollywood action movie star and, eventually, to become the governor of the great state of Kahl-eee-fawn-eee-ah.

I believe that's what we call the American Dream. So to commemorate our country's independence let us pause to enjoy a new video from the Illbotz. It is thematically focused on what is clearly the aforementioned thespian's cinematic masterwork.

And while we're at it, how about another video? This one ably demonstrates true Yankee Ingenuity. By mashing up Wu-Tang Clan and My Little Pony.

Welcome to my America.

Up Chip Creek

I currently have what can only be properly quantified as a metric shit-ton of half-finished album reviews sitting on my hard drive. Staring at me. Accusingly. But today I have elected to ignore their bitter gaze in favor of attending to another issue.

Recently there has been a shift in what I like to term my most-asked-question™. This has historically been a title held by nerdcore-related queries, but the crown has been usurped by a distinctly chiptune-y brand of ephemera. Specifically, people want to know what chip albums I am currently listening too.

Admittedly I am not a chiptune authority – I am much more well versed in the areas of nerdy rock or hip-hop – but, as the Supreme Court said in regards to pornography, I know what I like.

Wait a minute; I think that last bit may be incorrect.

No matter.

It just so happens that three new chiptune albums recently made their way into heavy rotation on my end, so here is the straight poop on the content and location of each.

Videogame Orchestra – BiTBOTiZED
Joe (of Spheres of Chaos fame) always keeps me in the loop re: new Pterodactyl Squad releases, and that netlabel is currently home to the latest and greatest from phenomenal Greek duo Videogame Orchestra. BiTBOTiZED sees the guys recreating some of their favorite 20th century standards via the power of their own ultra lo-fi electronica. From The Blues Brothers to Screamin' Jay Hawkins to Nina Simone, Videogame Orchestra manages to put a distinctly digital face on the iconic music of yesteryear. Best of all, it's free. So get on that shit right now.

Bit_Rat – Alberta EP
While you're perusing the fine wares at Pterodactyl Squad, you'll also wanna cop the frenetic new EP from Canadian chip artist Bit_Rat. Created over the span of a single 15 hour session, the Alberta EP melds old school tech and new school dance beats to honor Rat's homeland in song. The final product rests in a weird stylistic zone between IDM and digital hardcore. An odd juxtaposition, to be sure, but it totally works.


Doctor Octoroc - Shamroctoroc
My final selection comes from none other than my boy Doctor Octoroc. One of many esteemed physicians frequently celebrated here at Hipster, please! – alongside his fellows Dr. Awkward and Doctor Popular – his newest release is a uniquely seasonal affair. Dropped in anticipation of the forthcoming cultural booze-fest known as St. Patrick's Day, it features chiptune covers of classic Irish folk ballads and drinking songs. Unlike the previous selections Shamroctoroc will set you back 6 bones, but it's a small price to pay for 13 tracks of 8-bit Celtic goodness.

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

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

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

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

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

Show Notes:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

Radio Free Hipster Ep. 101: Snowblind

I can't help but think that what our great nation – nay, the world needs is an irreverent and occasionally sexually explicit holiday podcast.

In fact, I've taken it upon myself to provide the citizens of Earth with just that. Because I am a giver.

Download Radio Free Hipster Ep. 101: Snowblind [hosting provided by Antisoc] Size: 42.5 MB Running Time: 49:25 Subscribe to RFH 

Show Notes:

Intro: Baddd Spellah – "Radio Free Hipster Theme (feat. Beefy)"
Tis the season for Baddd Spellah. #falalalalaalalalalaa 

Track 1: 30 Rock dialog / Catchlove – "It's Still Snowing (feat. Danny Dementor)"
Is it me or is Danny D channeling mc chris in this tune?

Z's 1st interlude: "Compliments of my fellow Christmas elf Dave the Knave."
Much seasonal love to Dave for the 30 Rock audio clips.

Track 2: Voicedude – "Fuck You, Santa!"
From the amazing new Santastic V: Snow, Man! comp.

Track 3: 30 Rock dialog / Billy the Fridge – "Bad Santa"
Billy the Fridge is the official nerdcore Santa.

Track 4: jmr – "Little Drummer Boy"
An OCR classic from 2007.

Track 5: Elliot Kimmel – "Mitosis in a Winter Wonderland"
Once again Church comes through with the holiday hook-up. 

Track 6: 30 Rock dialog / Anamanaguchi – "All I Want 4 Xmas Is U"
Yet another fine selection suggested by Dave the Knave. 

Track 7: Former Fat Boys – "Jingle Bells, Batman Smells (The Joker Got Away)"
This track starts out pretty low-key before getting all freaky and disturbing. Such is the FFB way! 

Track 8: John Anealio – "Batman Smells (A Rebuttal)"
Available on John's new Season's Geekings EP.

Track 9: Sci-Fried with Marc with a C – "Star Wars Christmas"
Easily at the top of this year's holiday music offering is this little ditty from my southern brothers.

Z's 2nd interlude: "Let's take a look back at this year's very early Hanukkah."
Dear Jewish calendar: you really confuse me. Love, Gentiles everywhere

Track 10: 8 Bit Weapon & ComputeHer – "Hanukkah (Festival of Lights)"
From their own It's a Chiptune Holiday collection.

Track 11: Schaffer the Darklord – "Terror of the Bells"
Just like the Billy the Fridge track, this one is from the Shael Riley-helmed Come Down the Chimney. 

Track 12: 30 Rock dialog / TheCoop – "Algorhythmic Bells"
I swear I've played this one in a previous holiday special. :/

Track 13: Abra West – "Lonely Christmas Eve"
If you're unfamiliar with this fan series check out the awesomeness.

Track 14: 30 Rock dialog / Paul Slocum – "Up on the Housetop"
Side note – I have convinced my son that the words for the original song are as follows: "Up on the housetop, reindeer balls…"

Track 15: Go Home Productions – "High Tides and Blocked Peace Pipes"
It's a very Blondie Christmas!

Z's final interlude: "As long as you buy me a present."
Let's not forget the important things this year.

Track 16: Insane Ian – "Yellow Snow"
Big-ups to Ian for sharing this new single with me early.

With this measure of holiday merriment out of the way we begin looking toward year's end. I pretty much have the final podcast of 2010 all worked out, so I've got that going for me. Which is nice.

As promised I'll also be sharing another interview, a profile piece and my annual year in review post over the coming weeks.

What will 2011 hold? Only time will tell. But until then, happy holidays to you and yours!

Raindrops on Roses and Whiskers on Kittens and Shit Like That

"Oh balls!"

The crossover into early December is typically when we bloggers put on the cruise control. It's all about gift list this and top ten that, but I (sadly) don't have that luxury.

This year, as in holiday seasons past, I am helming GeekDad's 12 Days of Geekmas giveaway, which means I'm doing even more writing and podcasting than usual. Still, I'm taking it as a personal challenge not to let Hipster, please! fall by the wayside as a result of my professional responsibilities.

While I can't promise an abundance of posts or anything on par with the kind of mega-contest we're hosting over GeekDad-way, I do pledge to you that I'll be using this month to spotlight my favorite artists, tracks and albums of 2010.

Highlights include an interview with one of my favorite hip-hop crews, a feature piece on the south's preeminent geek rockers and, of course, my yearly nerdcore wrap-up. And along the way you'll also get the requisite pair of December podcasts.

You're very much encouraged to share your own picks for 2010's superlative nerdery. Y'know, the kinds of things you remember so that you don't… feel… so bad?

Wow, I extended that Sound of Music thing to an unhealthy level, didn't I?

Radio Free Hipster Ep. 98: From Beyond

The second installment of the Halloween Crap-tacular is bittersweet for me. It always reminds me that I've made it almost entirely through yet another year, but it's also hard not to realize it'll be another 11 months before I can once again bust out some of my favorite candy-covered jams.

Le sigh. Such is life.

This episode is sort of a grab bag with songs about monsters and witches and a handful of out-and-out Halloween-y joints. May they find you in good health and prepare you for an evening of happy haunting.

Download Radio Free Hipster Ep. 98: From Beyond [hosting provided by Antisoc] Size: 42.3 MB Running Time: 46:15 Subscribe to RFH

Show Notes:

Intro: Baddd Spellah – "Radio Free Hipster Theme (feat. Beefy)"
This Halloween I am going trick-or-treating dressed as Beef Thompson.

Track 1: Sticks Downey – "C.H.U.D."
In case you missed this slice of 80's horror schlock, you can score your very own copy of C.H.U.D. for, like six bucks. Seriously. 

Z's 1st interlude: "Just two away from my big centennial."
I am excited! Are you excited? 

Track 2: Chibibo – "Halloween"
A full year after its original release, I am still listening to Eightbreeders.

Track 3: voicedude – "Keeping Halloween Fly"
I'm not particularly fond of "Keepin' Halloween Alive" or "Pretty Fly (for a White Guy)," but damned if they don't sound good together.

Track 4: Dino-Mike – "Halloween Night"
Is it weird that I heard multiple "Fireflies" remixes, parodies and mash-ups well before I encountered the original song?

Track 5: John Anealio – "A Stormtrooper for Halloween"
John just dropped this track a couple of weeks back, so I had to include it just in case any of you missed its subtle genius.

Track 6: The Oceanic Six – "Monster Eats the Pilot"
Sometimes I really miss LOST, but mostly I mourn the fact that it never shaped up to be the supernatural freak fest that I originally mistook it for.

Track 7: Insane Ian – "We're All Gonna Die (feat. Kiki Canon, Devo Spice and Schaffer the Darklord)"
"I'm not gonna die before I've touched a boob."

Z's 2nd interlude: "A couple of tracks about witchy women."
My only regret is that I only mocked The Eagles once in this entire episode.

Track 8: Navi – "Bad Juju"
Navi seems to write a lot of songs about evil women, but this one sounds particularly sinister.

Track 9: I Fight Dragons – "Sorcery"
I snagged this one from the I Fight Dragons mailing list. That should be reason enough for you to sign up yourself. 

Track 10: Jack Black –  Be Kind Rewind dialog / voicedude – "Ghostbusters N Stuff"
Two voicedude tracks in a single episode? Yep, because they fuckin' slay!

Track 11: Sci-Fried – "Too Many Zombies"
I honestly didn't realize this was a Primus parody until the 3rd of 4th time I listened to it.

Track 12: Timbuktu – "X-Files (feat. Chokeules & D-Sisive)"
Another find selection from our neighbors to the north.

Z's final interlude: "Once you've finished your weekend haunting."
How bad does it suck that Halloween falls on a Sunday this year?!

Track 13: Marc with a C – "Shock Treatment"
Someday I really must remember to ask Marc who sings the exquisite harmony vocals on this track.

The next episode will be wonderfully theme-free. I've amassed a ton of amazing new tracks over the past few weeks, and I am itching to share them.

Of course I could also be persuaded to play a special request or two. You know how I do.

I promised myself I wouldn't bug y'all anymore for input into late-November's 100th episode, but, alas, I cannot resist. So please tell me what you wanna hear and leave me some nice listener voicemail.

Don't make me beg.

Halloweiners

It occurs to me at this late date that I have yet to share with you my picks for this year's top Halloween music downloads. Yes, yes – shame on me!

So now, my head hung low with shame and degradation, please allow me to remedy this most horrendous oversight.

First up this year are a couple of mash-up projects – both of which I featured on my most recent podcast. The annual Monster Mash-Up collection is back this year with a pair of offerings. Disc one, Pumpkin on Your Stereo features tracks form Frog The Dawg, Thriftshop XL and Toby Gore, while the second volume, subtitled Phantom of the Mashupera, boasts some amazing cuts from El Creepo as well as series regulars Voicedude and Cheekyboy.

Slightly less thematic but certainly just as enjoyable is DJ TOPCAT's Metal from the Grave, an EP that mashes horrorcore pioneers Gravediggaz's rhymes with instrumentals cribbed straight from metal icons Metallica. Both projects are freely available and I encourage you to cop 'em immediately.

Sticks Downey have also gotten in on the regular Halloween release train, this year offering up a tribute to the titular Cannibalistic Human Underground Dwellers of 1984's "C.H.U.D." Familiarity with this cult classic is purely optional, as Wockenfuss does a good job of summarizing the plot in-verse.

As always, our friends at the FuMP have also stepped up to bring music to the season of fright. A pair of notable examples include Dino-Mike's Owl City parody "Halloween Night" and Steve Goodie's kid-friendly "Halloween."

My personal favorite, though, is Insane Ian's brand new single "We're All Gonna Die" featuring Voice of Kiki, Devo Spice and Schaffer the Darklord. It explores pretty much every horror movie trope imaginable, so definitely give it a listen.

Lastly I gotta give it up for a wonderfully nostalgic new song from my pal John Anealio. His "A Stormtrooper for Halloween" is the mostly-true tale of 5-year-old John's own Halloween costume, and it's available as a name-your-price single from Bandcamp. The download includes both the original cut and an alternate acoustic version, and there's no minimum price.

With all that said, now I must know what you folks are listening to this Halloween. So tell me, dread diviners of the sinister tuneage, what are your seasonal picks?