Geeks Rule the World

So maybe you, like me, couldn't attend last weekend's Nerdapalooza festival. Hell, maybe you even missed the event's livestream, but thanks to the boundless magics of the internet you can still relive the set by my Florida fam Sci-Fried in its entirety.

From their opening medley to their stirring tribute tracks – one of which also doubled as their annual Nerdapalooza cover – it's a half-hour of geek rock (and geek sweat) created by Sci-Fried and lovingly recorded by my homie Michael Melchor.

Gathering of the Huggalos

Have you seen these nerds?

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

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

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

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

Have fun, gang!

Your Nerdapalooza is in Another Castle

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Damn it Feels Good

Kick-ass cover art by @Rusty_Shackles

So it's midday on a Wednesday, and I'm sitting at my desk high on spicy tangerine beef and low on energy when I get the most exciting news I've heard all week. Ever since I met him, ever since I heard him rhyme all live and in person at last summer's Nerdapalooza, I have been a huge fan of Tribe One.

Admittedly I already knew he was dope from his turn on Adam WarRock's debut album, but that was a concept piece and Tribe was mostly playing a part. What I wanted to hear, even if I didn't fully realize it back then, was Tribe One just being Tribe One. This particular revelation didn't come until that fateful July evening.

That night Tribe said—and I honestly didn't know if he was joking or not—that he was working on an EP of raps over Anamanaguchi instrumentals. It was a weird concept, but I was all for it. I just wanted more music. I wanted more Tribe One.  Which brings us to today's release.

Along the way we've all been treated to a couple of wonderful singles and a specialized collection of mostly live material that Tribe used to round out the merch booth on mc chris's Race Wars Tour. Hell, I even had the good fortune to see Tribe perform again alongside Adam, int eighty, The ThoughtCriminals and Illbotz, a crew that I proudly and frequently refer to as my fam. And it was all good.

Fuck that; it was all great.

Tribe One has become one of my favorite MCs, with his casual front-porch flow and his commanding but extremely personable presence, but more importantly he's become one of my favorite storytellers. anamanaGANGSTA // Devil Rhymeosaur is a collection of borrowed beats, sure, but the stories are all his.

From the project intro ("anamanaGANGSTA"), a lo-fi funkadelic mission statement, to the titular closer ("Devil Rhymeosaur"), the best damn intro track to ever grace the end of a disc, it's an amazing ride that, thankfully, I was able to experience in its infancy. "Expand Your Brain," another track I was treated to early in its development, is a chippy club banger and "I Will Make You Believe," which I've just heard for the first time myself, has a sort of maddening urgency that can't help but impress even if it runs a bit short.

The true highlights, however, are introspective WarRock collab "Midlife Crisis" and the monolithic braggadocio of "I'm Kind of a Big Deal," a joint that's been my new favorite song ever since a demo landed in my inbox a couple weeks back. I really can't praise that track ( or Tribe One) enough.

The six song EP is currently freely available via Bandcamp, and you need to download a copy right now.

Seriously.

The M Stands for Mike

Folks, there are a number of wonderful ways to kick off a week, but this is not one of them. Last night Nerdapalooza mainstay, Nerdy Show co-host and all around FL scene staple "Triforce" Mike Pandel was involved in a traffic accident. His injuries are serious, and he isn't expected to survive.

There's little that can be said or done to abate the pain felt by his family, his friends, his cohorts at A Comic Shop, his longtime cultural co-conspirators Hex and Cap. Instead each is left to reflect and, indeed, to grieve in his own way.

To that end, let us travel back to Nerdapalooza 2008. Specifically to that magic moment when, during the video game audience participation portion of Uncle Monsterface's show-stopping set, Mike earned his nickname. And let it stand forever as a musical tribute.

Radio Free Hipster Ep. 117: Man-Date with Destiny (Adam WarRock Special Edition)

In this very special episode I throw the age-old Radio Free Hipster formula right out the window! I've been slipping with regard to regular featured interview posts – the recent mc chris piece notwithstanding – so I made it a point to grab at least one audio interview at Nerdapalooza 2011.

The subject of said sit-down was Adam WarRock, and, rather than transcribe it, I elected to cut it up and intersperse the dialog with relevant musical material.

You could call that laziness, but I prefer to think of it as innovation.

This podcast format is a bit of an experiment for me, so please let me know if you'd be interested in hearing more shows in this vein.

Special thanks to Eugene for taking the time to gab with me. And to you, of course, for checking it out.

Download Radio Free Hipster Ep. 117: Man-Date with Destiny (Adam WarRock Special Edition) [hosting provided by Antisoc] Size: 28.6 MB Running Time: 22:02

Show Notes:

Intro: Baddd Spellah - "Radio Free Hipster Theme (feat. Beefy)"
I thought about fucking up the intro music a la the mixtape episodes, but decided against it.

Track 1: Adam WarRock – "Bipolar"
Probably my favorite joint from Adam and Tribe's latest Paper Cutters & Dangling Headphones. It was recorded at Icon Studios in Atlanta, and the level of polish is superb!

Track 2: Adam WarRock – "Leaf on the Wind (feat. Mikal kHill)"
Adam and kHill leaked some of this song on YouTube last month, but they were nice enough to let me premiere the track in full. Thanks, brothers!

Track 3: Adam WarRock – "The Silver Age (feat. Tribe One)"
This one is sort of Adam's mission statement. A stand-out track from the debut full-length that still stands up beside the best of his more recent output.

Track 4: Adam WarRock – "Epilogues"
Picking a closer for this 'cast was simple. It's from the Irrelevant Vol. 1 collection, that you, sadly enough, may have missed. If so, please rectify this most grievous error.

I've always thought about doing artist-specific podcasts, but I could never find a suitable angle. The hybrid music/interview thing seems to work, though. I mean, at least I think it works.

As always, you in the listening audience are the ultimate judge.

I certainly hope you dig it, and I similarly hope you'll join me in a few weeks for my annual Drunken Podcasting Month special. This time around I think Matt, Church and I are expanding our circle. Because you can never have too many drunk nerds on a Skype call.

I hope.

TeacherRapperLimo

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

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

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

And also an epic breakfast.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Show Notes:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Señor Superlatives

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

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

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

/lights dim

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

#NAP2011 was an Inside Job

Photo/bead sprite by @madhattersez

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Real (Drunk) World

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

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

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

See you in Orlando, internet!

Might Makes Right

Maybe it's the beard, but lately I've been in a metal mood. After years of slowing things down, of listening to The Smiths and singing Replacements tunes to my kids in their cribs, I've once again gotten in touch with my inner shit-kicker.

This was a rather fortuitous development, as my recent return to heavier music just happened to coincide with the proper debut album from chaotic Californian clique The BossFights. Those with proper memories will recall that the crew wowed me at last year's Nerdapalooza, and they managed to channel the bulk of that stage energy into their self-titled LP.

"Ctrl_Z" opens the album with fire and fervor. The guys sound amazingly tight with ZeaLouS's lead rhymes and Awkward's smooth chorus weaving between the solid groove of the Juggernaut/Kevonious rhythm and Bishop's metal-tinged hook. The only problem is that the mix feels distant and, at times, paper thin, but while the production sounds rather demo-y the track itself is a marvelous monster.

"Shatterhand," on the other… uh... hand, feels grand, sweeping and weighty. A war(craft) anthem that's actually a subtle cry for peace, it plays well off the more prog-metal style of follow-up "Before The Dawn," a track in which Dr. Awkward shines thanks to appropriately soulful vocals. Sadly, it loses points due to some obnoxious over-modulation on the pre-chorus harmony vocals.

"Eye of the Rising Sun" fares much better. A triumph of lyricism and musical mechanics, it might not be my favorite song on the album, but it's likely the best. With inventive (but never over-the-top) use of a talk box and delicately layered guitar tones, this one is Bishop's song, but the rest of the boys do far more than just pull their weight. "Take it all Away" continues the album's thematic build with an intoxicating blend of soft-spoken lyricism and in-your-face instrumentation. Again, the production feels a bit too mid-rangey for my taste, but its bass line is so engaging that you have to listen hard to notice.

The album's first single, "The Cake is a Lie," certainly wasn't chosen on a whim. Pitch-perfect from top to bottom, it integrates the aggressive prowess of …And Justice for All-era Metallica with the musical acrobatics of Infectious Grooves. Less funk-metal than soul-metal, it's unique and accessible. Especially considering it was written by a group of guys who all look like extras from The Road Warrior.

"Dogfights & Dynamite," by contrast, brings the funk. Another musical highpoint, it all but abandons the group's traditional hip-hop leanings, but still somehow sounds at home on the album. It is followed by "When It Rains," a joint that takes things in a jazzier, more experimental musical direction. It could conceivably challenge the uninitiated listener, but to me it's just another example of The BossFights mastery of pop sensibility even within a distinctly underground framework. Relatable and inspiring, it's easily a personal favorite.

"Conspiracy Theory" takes things quickly back into metal territory, but, to the guys' credit, it's far from jarring. Dual guitars are the song's strength, but the back-and-forth between Z1 and the good Doctor is its heart. Follow-up "Six Feet Under" is the closest thing to a filler track across the album's 15 song arc. Atmospheric but plodding, it's an interesting diversion that mostly forgoes ZeaLouS1's trademark growl in favor of Awkward's ethereal crooning throughout. It's not bad by any stretch of the imagination, it simply feels a little distant from the album's other offerings.

The BossFights begins its final act with the abrupt melody of "The Banished Prince," a song that boasts and amazingly satisfying verse-to-chorus shift and some quick stops that serve both to punctuate and to power the song forward. Lyrically it's a powerhouse, but the complex interplay between the vocalists and musicians really drives home what superb songwriters The BossFights truly are.

"Beautiful Nightmare" stands out for its delicate instrumentation that borders on folk-metal. Doc probably gives his most earnest-sounding performance of the album and the guitar solo adds an eerie but nonetheless aggro element that would otherwise be missing, but the lack of ZeaLouS1 is certainly noticeable. A delicate transition brings us to the crunchy "3 Days," but a sloppy build causes the energy to wane before Z1's triumphant lyrical return.

"Left for Dead," a track originally included on the band's introductory EP, sounds as thick and resonant now as it did a year ago, and it certainly showcases the band at its most nerd-friendly. An instant crowd-pleaser, it ably makes way for the musical denouement "The Lion's Den." Trippy and groove-heavy, it's an excellent closer with stereo rapping from ZeaLouS1 and Dr. Awkward and a sound that beautifully builds, but sadly fizzles.

The BossFights are a band that, even while occasionally struggling with a consistent sound, possess an indubitable style. Though I, like others, was quick to call it rap-rock shortly after their big reveal at Nerdapalooza 2010, I am even now in the process of refining my premise. Presently I am content to say that The BossFights are instead a new school thrash band. And not merely a thrash band, mind you, but a goddamn excellent thrash band.

Moreover, their self-titled full-length is a phenomenal neo-thrash album. Yes, the predominant form of lyrical delivery is rap and, yes, there are times when the production is thinner and less aggressive than I would've preferred, but the bottom line is in a world where metal has again been relegated to the underground The BossFights stand out as an ideal example of its unique power, innovation and continued evolution. Like its frontman, The BossFights is big and loud, but at the same time subtle and thoughtful. As with any project, there are times on this album where one element or one member falters. The trick is that doesn't seem to faze The BossFights in the slightest.

They are an outfit that is more than the sum of its part, a construct sturdier than its raw materials. The BossFights are a bundle of sticks; at times one may bend, drop a beat or lose a note, but their cohesiveness, the sheer density of their combined strengths, renders them unbreakable. 

A dark fantasy analogue to the sci-fi majesty of the late Optimus Rhyme, The BossFights are a blessed union of traditional instrumentation and hip-hop lyricism. And though it shows the occasional chink in its tank-like armor, though it often recycles the same ending fadeout and sometimes zigs when it should likely zag, that doesn't make their debut full-length any less impressive.

An early frontrunner for my album of the year and a fucking steal at under 10 bones, The BossFights is all that stereotypical rap-metal is not. It is cohesive. It is groundbreaking. It is relevant. And, personally, it's likely the most fun I've had with an album of aggressive but accessible music since the skate rat days of Among the Living and How Will I Laugh Tomorrow When I Can't Even Smile Today.

"You can trim off the waste and what's left? / Excess."

Chapters of the Chosen

I have made no secret of the fact that the gentlemen of Florida's geek rock juggernaut Sci-Fried are, as they say in the modern parlance, my boys. Thus it is with great pleasure that I present to you The Chosen One, an 8-bit RPG themed around their song of the same name.

Lovingly crafted by Sci-Fried's own KSV, it's an epic tale of… epicness provided freely for your amusement. It also contains what is likely my favorite disclaimer of all time:

Many of you playing this game will actually be in it somewhere. Do not read too much into your role in the game. If you have a small part, I don't think you're unimportant. If you die, it doesn't mean I hate you. If you die easily, it doesn't mean I think you're a wuss. It's a game. If I made it accurate, it would be boring.

But enough of my idle bullshittin'! Take a moment to download it from the band's official web site. Enjoy the nostalgic visuals, the midi-style Sci-Fried tunage and the utter lunacy of a game in which you must learn to play piano in order to free Dr. Vern.

Also be sure to check out the band at next month's Nerdapalooza festival in Orlando. They will be onstage rocking it out. And, if history has taught us anything, I will be offstage drinking their beer.

Quick Picks

We're less than a month out from Nerdapalooza 2011, and my excitement is building. Earlier this week I did my first piece of promo for the festival over at GeekDad, and, in lieu of hosting Hex and the boys on Radio Free Hipster for the umpteenth time, I'm planning to have the Nerdapalooza crew on the next edition of my Wired.com podcast HipTrax.

What can I say? Supporting NAP has long been a personal mission of mine.

I think the most intriguing thing about this year's event is the wider variety of artists and styles represented. Nerdapalooza 2008, my first geek-centric music festival experience, leaned very heavily toward nerdcore hip-hop. Last year's iteration, however, made serious strides to include significantly more geek rock and VGM artists.

Nerdapalooza 2011 has continued this trend, and, while the absence of regular headliner MC Frontalot makes me a bit wistful for year's past, I think this new direction is the right move. That's not to say that the pendulum has already swung the way of the rock, mind you. In fact I'd argue the lineup strikes a nice balance, with Dual Core contrasting nicely against Sci-Fried and so on.

The roster of debut performers is especially impressive, and I've spent a great deal of time pondering over whom I'm most excited to check out. On the off chance that you actually give a shit, here are my top picks for must-see Nerdapalooza newbies:

• The OneUps - Bringing an ample serving of jazz-pop to the typical grinding guitars of Videogame Music is exquisite Arkansas-based collective The OneUps. Both a pleasant surprise and a totally logical choice, this is one featured act that will surely stand out from the crowd.
• Consortium of Genius - Comedy music (specifically from the Funny Music Project community) is well represented this time around, but New Orleans's mad scientists Consortium of Genius are a personal favorite. Renown for both their stylistic flexibility and their over-the-top stage show, I am fully expecting to be wowed by the pure power of their COGitude.
• Metroid Metal - Last year aggressive geek music came to us courtesy ofThe BossFights and local legends Sci-Fried. This time around they will be joined by both the metal majesty of Arm Cannon and the epic concept rock of Metroid Metal (featuring founder Stemage and Arm Cannon's own danimal.) I've been waiting ages to catch this crew live, and Nerdapalooza 2011 has finally afforded me the opportunity.
• Illbotz - As evidenced by the frequency with which they're played on my podcast, the Illbotz are my boys. In fact, they're possibly my most anticipated new act of NAP 2011. I am looking forward to both catching their live performance and getting totally shitfaced with them immediately thereafter.
• Adam WarRock and Tribe One - I've been an Adam WarRock fan since the first verse of "I am Him." The good news is Adam rolls through the Atlanta metro area regularly. The bad is that I'm never on that end when he does. Once again, Nerdapalooza is enabling me to see one of my favorites perform live for the first time.

Makin' Passes, Shakin' Asses

I sometimes fear that I overstep my meager bounds re: Nerdapalooza. In previous years I was the guy who suggested that acts begin including cover songs in their sets, and already this year I've planned to help my boy kHill coordinate an admittedly ill-fated hotel room mini-show after the event's official pre-launch party.

I mean who the fuck do I think I am? This ain't my party! This ain't my disco! This ain't my foolin' around!

But of course all this self-flagellation is really just the lead-up to another of my harebrained schemes.

Don't act like you didn't see it coming.

Nintendo's newest handheld, the 3DS,hasn't exactly been the runaway success that many of us anticipated, but it's certainly managed to move an acceptable number of units in spite of its currently less-than-stellar game lineup. Part of the reason for this – at least from my own personal experience – is the cleverly implemented social features, and chief among these is the StreetPass.

StreetPass lets you share user data with other 3DS users simply by virtue of proximity. This data not only relates to specific retail titles, but also impacts the system's built-in games. The problem, at least for users in more remote areas like yours truly, is actually stumbling across another 3DS gamer within range.

To remedy this Nintendo has designated Saturday, June 25th as sort of an official meet-up day for 3DS users, a time when we can StreetPass to our very hearts' content. But it occurs to me that, though it occurs several weeks after this particular push, the Nerdapalooza audience's geek- and tech-friendly makeup would prove ripe for a similar event. The best part being that since most of us are staying at the same hotel, we can really just pack our 3DS systems in our carry-ons and activate StreetPass when we get to the venue. Easy peasy. George and Weezy.

So here is my modest proposal: bring your Nintendo 3DS to Nerdapalooza 2011. Turn on the StreetPass feature and then toss it in your cargo pocket or your swag bag. (Hell, you could even just leave the thing in your hotel room!) This way when you're checking out the gallery or grabbing a drink between sets or rocking out to Adam WarRock or even just roaming the halls, you can also be fighting it out in Figurine Mode or picking up new warriors for Find Mii.

Do it for your fellow gamers. Do it for you fellow Nerdapalosers. Do it for America.

Return of the Merch

For those who missed my flurry of tweets concerning this late last week, I ordered some new Hipster, please! swag. More specifically, I ordered some 1" buttons… or badges… or pinbacks depending upon your personal preference and country of origin.

I actually sprung for 50 each of two different designs. The first combines the tattoo flash my friend Denika put together for me "back in the day" – the one that is even now, in a slightly altered form, etched into my arm flesh – and the TSR-style logo Dave the Knave used on the 20-Sided Rhymes album art. The second is a takeoff on the old school DC Comics logo. I made this one myself. Which means it took exponentially longer than it rightly should've.

I've already had a couple of folks ask what I plan to do with them. I have responded to these queries by shrugging my shoulders and knitting my eyebrows together comically.

The original idea was to take them to Nerdapalooza, and that was about as far as I got in my dastardly plan. Once there I suppose I'll give 'em away. Or sell 'em. Or maybe try and trade 'em for beer. I seriously have no idea.

In the meantime, though, if you aren't gonna be all up ins NAP 2011 and simply must have a set, just let me know. I am sure we can work something out.

Nerdapalooza Cometh

With the responsibilities of family, a day job and multiple blog/writing/podcast projects constantly weighing on my tiny shoulders, I am not exactly what one would call a traveler. I sort of have to budget out my trips with extra care, as both time and money are rather scarce. That being said, I will once again be spending my meager vacation days supporting the geeky musical community at this summer's  Nerdapalooza festival.

Actually, it occurs to me that I keep saying I'm going to Nerdapalooza, but I haven't, y'know, actually done anything with regards to arranging my travel or accommodations. I better get on that shit. But first, let's talk shop!

Thus far the lineup is looking pretty damn amazing. Random, Dual Core, The Protomen, Schaffer the Darklord and a handful of other phenomenal acts that I can't help but think of as "the regulars" have already been announced, and with the addition of my favorite sophomore performers, Florida's own Sci-Fried, I can't help but get a little giddy about the bill. Add to this outstanding newcomers like Metroid Metal, Adam WarRock, The One-Ups and my boys Illbotz, and you've got the recipe for an unbelievable musical weekend.

The best part, for me at least, is that there are still performers yet to be announced! Personally, I'm holding my breath for the inclusion of NC's The ThoughtCriminals, the return of Kirby Krackle and, of course, Frontalot and Co. Still, part of the fun is in the discovery.

With the big event less than two months away, those of us that closely follow the scene are gearing up for it a number of ways. GeekDad's a sponsor of Nerdapalooza 2011, so Curtis and I are even now scheming for ways to both promote the festival and cover it from within. Likewise, Hex's own Nerdy Show is getting into the proverbial groove by featuring a number of this year's featured MCs in their next remix contest, The Marvel Vs. Capcom Mixtape. Of course as the duly elected emperor of the land of Hipster, please! I am also doing my part to remind performers and attendees of Nerdapalooza's long-standing cover song tradition. You know how I do.

But mostly I'd like to know your thoughts on this year's celebration of musical nerdery. Who are your most anticipated acts? What are your picks for the last handful of artist reveals? What are you plans for Nerdapalooza weekend itself? Most importantly, can I bum some gas money and sleep on your floor? ;)

Loo-Tech

Nerdapalooza 2010 was an interesting affair, and not just because of DataVortex's magical confections. (Bazinga!) This year's festival featured a strong geek rock component that really helped define the fan experience. Admittedly I've already talked about this at length, but a recently unearthed video interview of yours truly by the delightful Lo-Tech of The GeekPeekPost revisits this topic. We also discuss nerd parenting and compare D20 tattoos. In a unisex bathroom.

Which, for the record, is where I shall be conducting all of my future interviews. Seriously. Check my rider.

Southern Fried Geek

Meet the band.

I make it a point not to tout my own perceived skills or abilities – generally because that's the quickest way to come off looking like an uninformed chump – but please indulge me when I state that I know a few things about nerdy music. Following such acts has become, if not my bread and butter, at least my coffee and jam over the last several years. I put a fair bit of effort into such endeavors, so I hope that when I say that Florida's Sci-Fried is a geek rock band like no other you'll at least entertain the notion.

I discovered Sci-Fried in the same manner as many other nerdy outfits – it all started with an email. Drummer and co-founder Jim Frederick introduced himself (and the band) to me by way of a track entitled "Level UP!" From that point I was hooked.

By the time I caught the guys at this summer's Nerdapalooza I'd already committed a number of songs, both standard fare like "Level UP" and b-side material like the KISS send-up "Doctor Jones," to memory. Not by choice, mind you, but because tracks like that, music that combines the most studious of geeky passions with the power of classic-style arena rock, appeal to me on a base level.

You see, I am a lover of hip-hop and I've said many times that I grew up punk rock, but the most elemental components of my formative musical years were steeped in Zeppelin, Rush, ZZ Top, Nugent and all the other iconic bombast of rural classic rock radio. Yet despite the uncanny influence of these powerfully patch-worked styles, few modern artists (geeky or otherwise) mine it directly.

And yet Sci-Fried does just that.

Formed in 2007 when Jim and guitarist Chuck Silver set out to combine their twin loves of science fiction and rock 'n' roll, Sci-Fried began in a most unsuspecting manner – by cranking out high-energy parodies inspired by their favorite movies and TV shows. The addition of co-vocalists Dr. Vern and Mike "KSV" Jensen and bassist Sunni Simmons rounded out the lineup and also shaped the band's overall sound. Sunni's metal roots helped to add an additional level of musical aggression, while the combination of Vern's soulful, theatrical voice and KSV's low-key almost nerdcore-style delivery helped to smooth out the mix. Which brings me to my second and likely counter-intuitive point.

While Sci-Fried are perfectly comfortable channeling the wild energy of what I have affectionately come to think of as redneck rock – Sunni once referred to the band as the Mötley Crüe of the geek scene – they refuse to be musically boxed in, to limit their repertoire to what may be simple or expected.

Though I find it hard to quantify the exact essence of their intoxicating blend of styles and influences, let me endeavor to do so:

Part Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, part Anthrax, part Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem,Sci-Fried has easily inserted itself into the list of my favorite bands in all of musical nerddom.

Across the breadth of two albums Sci-Fried have explored a sonic palette colored by everything from American soul to British pub rock, from rap to punk. I'll be the first to admit that all this sonic experimentation leads to an occasional ill fit, but the guys are always expanding their musical scope while still holding onto that very classic rock element that provides their greatest strength.

Slated for an early 2011 release!

The aforementioned albums showcase the band as a split entity. Their twin debut LPs Geeks Unite (which features an amazing selection of original material) and Ramming Speed (a humorous collection of filk-rock parodies) present the Sci-Fried sound in very different ways.

Geeks Unite opens with "Welcome to the Geek Age" and the title track – a clever and hard-hitting affirmation of nerd life. From there it weaves ably through surreal noise rock ("Don't Phase Me, Bro"), aggressive sleaze metal ("Sci-Fried") and ridiculously hilarious Dementia Music ("Ninja Drinking Song.") Occasionally the band's odd juxtaposition of styles fails to satisfy ("A Hero"), but more often than not it manages to hit the sweet spot. Nowhere is this more apparent than on the album's stand-out track "Saturday Night on Syfy" - a song infinitely more palatable than its titular subject matter.

Ramming Speed likewise starts strong with another odd spoken-word piece that bleeds into the Primus send-up "Too Many Zombies." It's not exactly KSV's strongest vocal performance, but it manages to grab the listener. Joints like "Stargate Zone," "Trippin' through The Wormhole" and " My Name Is Spock 2.0" also blend the easily recognizable sounds of their musical source material with properly geeky lyrical content, but this album also has a few skippable selections. More often than not, though, Ramming Speed's material tends to fall along the lines of WAR parody "Land Speeder." It's fun in small doses, but not exactly the most compelling stuff the band's provided to date.

I'm not going to mislead you here; I genuinely adore Sci-Fried. A number of my friends were a tad skeptical as I talked the act up early this summer, but seeing the fellows perform live on the Nerdapalooza stage managed to make true believers of most. As much as I enjoy the sound of the band on wax, the live experience truly showcases their strengths. From Vern's larger-than-life voice to Chuck's classic licks, Sci-Fried is a band that begs to be experienced live.

They're also one of those acts that relishes the chance to connect with fans both on-stage and off. I'd be lying if I didn't say that some of the best parts of my Nerdapalooza experience was spent simply hanging out with Sci-Fried and their extended musical family. (What up, Jaime!) And it's important to note that Nerdapalooza was merely one stop on the band's dorktastic summer circuit. TOUR 2010: The Year We Make Con‐Tact took Sci-Fried from nerd hot-spots like Megacon, Dragon*Con and even the Klingon Feast. A fitting tour regimen for the reigning kings of southern geek rock.

Yeah, that pretty much sums 'em up.

Over the past couple of weeks I've had the pleasure of further cultivating my love for this most unorthodox act by way of a series of preview tracks from their forthcoming album Future Tense. Thus far I've been treated to a strong Serenity-themed ballad, a literal geek rock anthem and a proper studio version of the Marc with a C collab they unveiled at 'Palooza 2010. The sound of the album seems to be a bit more consistent, but the guys are still experimenting with styles and merging genres for the greater good of nerdy music.

To illustrate this point, I'll close with a season-specific single from Sci-Fried (and again featuring my brother Marc with a C.) It's the perfect example of the kind of good-natured musical madness one can expect from the band. And if this one doesn't do it for you I encourage root around a bit in the Sci-Fried back catalog. They offer a myriad of sounds for any mood.

Assuming, of course, that said mood involves geeking the fuck out.

Radio Free Hipster Ep. 92: A Change of Pace

I am making a concerted effort to stop talking about Nerdapalooza. At least for a while.

I mean, I've said a lot, but I could say more. Still, I think it's time we move on to other issues.

Wait – what else has been going on?

Seriously, though, this episode of Radio Free Hipster serves as my transition from full-on festival mode back to… whatever the hell it is that I do under regular circumstances.

So kick back, relax and enjoy the tuneage.

Download Radio Free Hipster Ep. 92: A Change of Pace [hosting provided by Antisoc] Size: 44.7 MB Running Time: 48:49

Show Notes:

Intro: Baddd Spellah – "Radio Free Hipster Theme (feat. Beefy)"
The show theme is my one perfect constant in a ever-changing world. 

Track 1: 8bit bEtty – "crimson dreams (8bit bEtty vs Doctor Popular vs crashfaster)"
You've played KnifeTank, right? It's only, like, the best game ever. 

Z's 1st interlude: "A double dose of his Beefyness."
Much like money and RAM, you can never have too much Beefy.

Track 2: The Bossfights – "Frontalots"
Probably the single greatest moment of Nerdapalooza 2010 was The Bossfights' live reveal of this track. 

Track 3: G3RST – "Love Exploder (Jefferson Airplane vs. Tenacious D)"
It's been a long time since The D has graced this podcast. Too long, I'd say. 

Track 4: Molly Lewis – "Poker Face"
There are a ton of nerd (and non-nerd) covers of "Poker Face," but none are like Molly's. 

Track 5: Half Baked dialog / mc chris – "i heart drugs"
mc chris isn't exactly renowned for his filk-style parody tracks, but this one is surely a keeper! 

Track 6: Sci-Fried – "Don't Phase Me Bro"
There's the slightest hint of Suicidal Tendencies "Institutionalized" in this one. 

Track 7: Injury – "Above the Clouds"
I decided to say fuck convention and use lengthy instrumentals, which I usually reserve for mid-set pieces, as closing tracks. I think it really gives this ep. a different feel. 

Z's 2nd interlude: "The lovely and talented Injury."
Starla was one of the many amazing artists I met at this year's Nerdapalooza. 

Track 8: Girl Talk – "Once Again"
As I mentioned in-show, this one's for my pal Data Vortex. 

Track 9: Phoenix Wright dialog / My Parents' Favorite Music – "For Beatrice"
It's so good to have Steffo back!!! 

Track 10: HDninja – "The Romero-Hyrule Disconnection"
Damn. I really should've saved this one for Halloween… 

Track 11: The Blues Brothers dialog / The Megas – "Sunglasses at Night"
I've gotta give it up for The Megas' new Sparked a War EP. It really makes me look forward to their new album. 

Track 12: funky49 – "Fireflies Remix"
My only concern with funky49 joining Emergency Pizza Party was that it might preclude him from doing his own solo work and crafting his amazing remixes. This track puts my mind at ease. 

Z's final interlude: "And musical convalescence."
In truth, I am only now recovering from Nerdapalooza weekend. 

Track 13: Matt Ryd – "Romeo and Juliet"
I would be totally content with ending every episode with a Matt Ryd cover. And yet I resist. All in the name of variety.

I think I'm going to me doing un-themed shows throughout August. September will no doubt feature some drunken podcasting, I'll bust out the Halloween crap-tacular in October and we'll wind the year down in December with the regularly scheduled tomfoolery.

Somewhere in there I may do a Star Trek themed show, but I make no promises.

Also, if my calculations are correct, I should hit episode #100 in November. I still have no idea how to commemorate this milestone, so feel free to float me some suggestions.