The Future is Now

Photo credit: Kyle Mistry

Back in the proverbial day, Hipster, please! was all about some artist interviews. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that such features were the cornerstone of the project.

But much has changed over the years, and my focus has shifted a bit. Now it seems that compilation albums and the Radio Free Hipster podcast have become a bigger priority, and as a result the noble interview feature has fallen by the wayside. Still, as a man who prides himself on his ability to remember his roots I knew I couldn't just let this slide forever.

This is why I plan to close out 2010, an amazing year for both nerd music and this tiny blog that hopes to cover it, with a bang – by featuring not only the return of regular interviews, but by spotlighting a pair of my very favorite acts.

The first is Dr. Awkward. He is a man that exploded onto the scene with a relentless brand of musical aggression tempered with the unassuming soul of a poet, and who shows no signs of letting up. Doc was kind enough to chat with me about his solo work, hip-hop hybrid outfit The Bossfights, Harry Potter and his own unique musical journey.

Read on to go behind the mask.

-------

First things first, Doc: how long have you been rapping?

I've been rapping for roughly 6 years. It was never something I did consistently until recently however. I started rapping at a house party when I was 16. I stumbled into a back room, and stepped right into a cypher. It was love at first rhyme. From there I would just join freestyle sessions at parties and get togethers for kicks. 

How did you discover nerdcore hip-hop, and what made you decide to begin writing rhymes in that style?

I was introduced to Nerdcore through a friend, and fellow rhymer, Soup Dogg. He would constantly play me really obscure music and he was constantly telling me about Nerdcore. One day he played me an MC Frontalot track, and I fell in love. After some googling, I came across ZeaLous1's music and knew right away it was something I wanted to do. As a huge nerd, it just made sense that I would combine my love of Hip-Hop and my life as a dork.

Your Next Gen EP was an instant classic amongst nerdy heads and – in my opinion, at least – a real musical high point of 2009. How was this project conceived?

I wish there was some grand moment when it all came together, alas there is not. After hearing the aforementioned tracks, I decided I would try my hand at dropping Nerd rhymes. I grabbed my SOCOM II headset, a free beat, and a free music program, and began "writing" for the first time. I went to the forums, and asked for critiques on the first song I ever wrote, "Secret Genius," which was a track about Pinky and The Brain. After several critiques about sonic quality, Soup Dogg and I split a $300 equipment bill to upgrade to something listenable. From there I just wrote a bunch of stuff and kind of threw it all together. I was fortunate to release the first EP, in a "perfect storm" situation. I am still convinced the success of Next Gen was largely due to circumstances beyond my control. I am grateful that I was so lucky.

That release featured a number of standout tracks, not the least of which were joints like "F.U.F." and "Geekquilibrium." While the former is a rather self-explanatory banger, there seems to be some real emotional depth to the latter. How much of the narrative from "Geekquilibrium" reflects your own experience and attitudes? Is it a personal anthem?

"Geekquilibrium" is a really special song to me. The song itself came to me in a dream, as corny as that sounds. I was sleeping, and someone in my dream began shaking me and yelling at me to "find your geekquilibrium." I woke up and immediately wrote the word on a nearby napkin. The next day at work, I really started analyzing the idea of a "geekquilibrium," and it's something that I often have to deal with. I mean everyday for me is this weird struggle, so I guess you could call it a "personal anthem." I was actually really surprised to find that it was a problem others had to deal with, as well.

You followed up Next Gen with a full-length album, Unlimited, earlier this year. How do you feel this project differs from your debut?

Unlimited was a statement. I wanted to show people that I was more than the first EP. Next Gen was great, but some of the tracks didn't really represent me musically. I felt like Unlimited was a chance to show listeners what I was capable of. I want listeners to hear the tracks and not know what to make of me as an artist. The entire album is crafted in this fashion. I want you to take both albums, play them on random, and ask yourself "what is this?"

I've remarked on a number of occasions that you manage to rock the mic as both an MC and as a more traditionally-centered singer. Have you had any vocal training?

HA! Definitely not. I never sang a note outside of the car or the shower before Next Gen. I was writing the hook for "Clan War" and jokingly sang it dramatically. I liked the sound of it, so I kept it. When it came time for "Unlimited" I wanted to push boundaries, and incorporate different musical genres into my music. I chose R&B to step out of my comfort zone, while bringing something rarely heard in Nerdcore. I still don't think myself much of a singer, though I enjoy it quite a bit.

Your music employs not only clever lyricism, but also lots of bright instrumental hooks (with even the slightest hint of G-funk.) To what extent do you feel your style was influenced by your environment? Is Dr. Awkward a California artist? Does he make California music?

Like anything I am influenced by my environment, but I wouldn't necessarily say Dr. Awkward makes "California music". I was born here in San Diego, CA. I grew up during the 90's west coast hip hop movement here. So artists like Tupac, Dre, Snoop, and Nate Dogg were my initial reference point of hip-hop. So I am sure that comes out in my music. At the same time I am inspired by artists from around the world, in all genres. For instance, my song "Unlimited" was inspired by the musical Wicked, and the hook for that song is inspired by Krizz Kaliko's "Genius." So I think it safe to say Dr. Awkward makes weird music.

Unlike a lot of nerdcore artists, you are a family man. Does married life make it difficult to gig and record?

It's only difficult to leave them behind. My family are my biggest fans, so it's tough to be away from them all the time. So that has been something, we've all had to learn to deal with. Other than that issue, having a family has really had positive effects on my music. I am constantly bouncing ideas off of them, to get a sense of how a concept will be received. I draw lots of motivation and inspiration from them, and I am blessed to have them. 

What albums, artists or events have provided you the most musical inspiration?

It's hard to narrow my inspirations down to a few specific things, because I draw from everything. As far as artists that really shaped major directions in my music, there are a few. The Grouch was the first artists that made me want to rap. As far as pursuing nerdy music, I have Frontalot and ZeaLouS1 to thank for that. 

Photo credit: the Scrub Club archives

You have a fairly prominent Dark Mark tattoo. Are you a big Harry Potter fan in general, or was it just that imagery in particular that appealed to you?

I hope you are not implying that I am an IMPOSTOR! In all honesty, I put the Dark Mark on my arm because I am a HUGE HUGE Harry Potter nerd. It was the single piece of literature that spawned my love of reading as a child. It is for that reason I saw it fitting to immortalize my love for it in ink. Even the cover of Next Gen, is the mask of a Death Eater. I am just fruity for the Potter universe.

Have you ever given any thought to a Potter-related musical project or to collaborating with any members of the Wizard Rock scene?

I would absolutely love to do some Harry Potter themed music. I think it would be really cool to work with some sweet WRockers, although I am kinda a potter snob. The music would totally have to meet the level of love I have for the literature!

In addition to your work as a solo artist, you are also a member of rock/rap fusion outfit The Bossfights. How did you fall in with that particular group of musical miscreants?

Begged on my hands and knees. Sent love letters. Washed cars. Anything I could do to be a part of the band! Honestly, it just all kind of came together. ZeaLouS1 told me about his new musical direction, and asked if I'd like to come see them practice. I made the trip and instantly fell in love with them. They are all incredible musicians, and just beautiful artists with their respective talents. We all hit it off and, to use cliches, the rest is history.

Early on you labeled yourself as a "next generation" nerdcore artist. What other acts do you feel represent a similar next gen aesthetic?

I think anybody can be a next gen artist. It just means someone dedicated to the evolution of their music. I think that's what nerd/geek music as a whole needs, more people who are willing to be unique. Awhile back MC LARS haphazardly tried to inspire artists to evolve, while I don't agree with his approach, his message was a valid one. We all need to evolve, and stop trying to conform to what is geek/nerd music now, and instead try to shape what it will be.

What do you see as the greatest threat to nerdcore as a movement?

I have a very weak grasp on nerdcore as a movement. Recently I have come to realize I don't fully understand it. I had a very naive view of Nerdcore when I released Next Gen. I said I'd be the next generation, in an attempt to bring it to the masses. I'm not sure that's what nerdcore wants. "Nerdcore" is a very abstract concept, it is both all encompassing and ready for new direction, while simultaneously content in its current state and obscurity. The more I attempt to change it to bring it to a different audience, the more I get the feeling I don't accurately embody "Nerdcore." So it's rather difficult to speculate on what threatens it, when I don't get it myself. I'd say the only who could properly answer that, is Frontalot himself.

If you, due to the ever-popular "circumstances beyond your control," were forced to immediately retire from music, what single track or performance would you want to be remembered for?

That's tough. I'm not really sure I've done anything that warrants being remembered. I can tell you that if I left music today, I'd remember Dr. Awkward for every performance, every "fan" I had the pleasure to meet, every email from someone who took the time to listen, every smile I saw when I was blessed enough to perform for people who wanted to listen. I'd remember Dr. Awkward as one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.

What's next for Dr. Awkward? What can we expect to hear from you in the future?

Right now I'm focusing on the writing process for The Bossfights debut album. As far as solo, it's hard to say. I'm gonna keep doing the music I love to do, and I hope it finds the ears of those that would love to listen.

Any parting words?

Keep those DualShAwks up and Keep Moving!

-------

Dr. Awkward is that rare act that grabbed me from the very first track. I remember listening to the opening strains of "Welcome to the Awkward Show" – with its Kasparov beat and its snarky, Eminem-style delivery – and being sure that Next Gen was nothing short of a keeper.

Since that time Awk's delivered a fantastic full-length, become a defining element in the first true nerdcore/metal fusion band and stunned me both with his lyricism on wax and his swagger on the stage. He has also come to represent to me a very pure strain of geeky hip-hop.

As an artist, Awkward pays a musical debt to early influences like Dr. Dre and Tupac, but isn’t afraid to admit the role that his scene contemporaries like MC Frontalot and ZeaLouS1 play in his continued evolution. Awk doesn't rep nerdcore because it's convenient, but because the style itself reflects his own dualistic nature.

Dr. Awkward is both nerd and hip-hop. Deeply. Genuinely. Unapologetically.

And if that ain't next gen, I don't know what is.

Radio Free Hipster Ep. 99: Bad Manners

Special episodes are gonna be the death of me. Between last month's Halloween Crap-tacular and next month's holiday edition (not to mention my big 100th episode right around the corner) I've got more special editions than regular ones these days.

This leaves me very little time to spotlight some of the new hotness, but I've done my best to pack this episode with brand new tracks that are ripe for the picking and a few older joints that you may have missed.

Download Radio Free Hipster Ep. 99: Bad Manners [hosting provided by Antisoc] Size: 46 MB Running Time: 50:20 Subscribe to RFH

Show Notes:

Intro: Baddd Spellah – "Radio Free Hipster Theme (feat. Beefy)"
There are few things more rewarding than having a custom-made podcast theme by two of your favorite artists.

Track 1: Supercommuter – "Robot Party"
Believe it or not, this is from Supercommuter's very first gig.

Z's 1st interlude: "We are gonna move from chip-hop to geek rock."
Which won't likely surprise you. 

Track 2: Nuclear Bubble Rap – "Inyourendo"
Once again just let me pause to give it up for the FuMP community.

Track 3: Marc with a C – "Bed Intruder Song"
For anyone who may have somehow missed this whole thing, here's a breakdown.

Track 4: Billy the Fridge – "Armstrong"
If we all join hands and wish really hard will Billy put out a follow-up album already?

Track 5: DJ Lobsterdust – "Knock Out Eileen"
The juxtaposition of Kevin Rowland begging for sex and LL making idle threats is… creepy.

Track 6: Dr. Octoroc – "Bad Horse Chorus"
I remain convinced that Dr. Oct is incapable of creating a bad track.

Track 7: Mr. B, The Gentleman Rhymer – "Beats, Rhymes & Manners"
Because we Yanks can never get enough chap-hop.

Track 8: Tom Milsom – "Bad Wolf Bay"
From Tom's free Trockstuff EP.

Track 9: SJ the Wordburglar – "Wordburglar"
This collab with Beatmason led to the eventual adoption of "The Wordburglar" as SJ's official moniker. 

Z's 2nd interlude: "The 2003 Hand'Solo compilation from whence it originated."
Pick up Bassments of Badmen 2. Seriously.

Track 10: Kirby Krackle – "Marvelous Girls"
From the band's self-titled debut.

Track 11: Urizen – "A New Revelation"
For fans of heavy metal, robots and cardboard boxes.

Track 12: C3PO – "C3PO Rap"
Blame Church.

Track 13: Desert Planet – "Return of the Ninja Droids"
Big ups to DataVortex for turning me on to this one.

Track 14: Adam WarRock – "Up and Adam"
An amazing cut from his phenomenal The War for Infinity.

Z's final interlude: "And that actually plays into our closer."
Inverse Phase's cover of "Fuck You" is a thing of beauty.

Track 15: The Kleptones – "Jump You Fucker"
This is the second mash-up featuring elements of Van Halen's "Jump" that I've played in recent months.

I only have one new order of business, and it is as follows.

I already have my preliminary list of song requests and voicemails to be included in episode 100 – would you like me to share it with you (so that you can make some last-minute requests if your faves have not yet been represented), or would you rather be surprised?

Totally your call.

Along Came a Spider

Doctor Popular and I have been internet homies for years now, but even if that wasn't the case I'd still say that his newest track "Spider" is his best yet. The premiere single off his forthcoming album Beeps and Smudges, it's a genuinely compelling piece of bitpop with a twist – "Spider" (and indeed the entire Beeps and Smudges album) was created using only iPhone and iPad apps. For this particular song Doc used nanoloop, an app that is also near and dear to my heart.

If the concept of an album based around tiny, nontraditional music applications strikes you as a bit of inspired genius, then the same can be said for this video. Rather than animate this tale of arachnid love, Doctor Popular instead elected tell the story from pieces in his own real life art show. The end product is a bit of a musical short film that's not only the classic tale of boy-meets-spider, but also a story of a man left alone to ponder his own artistic output.

Visually the piece alternates sharply between warm and bleak, and musically it's some of the most engaging vocal electronica I've heard since Supercommuter's groundbreaking debut. Beeps and Smudges drops next Monday, and I for one can't wait. Check out the video below to see why I'm so excited, and hit up the good Doctor's Bandcamp page to snag a free copy of this single for yourself.

Nerd News in Brief

Man, October really came and went! And now it's, like, November? Seriously?

In that case it appears as though 2010 is all but spent. Which I reckon means you are owed another edition of Nerd News in Brief.

Y'know, nerd news. Presented briefly.

Thus the name.

• Meeting of the Minds: MC Lars is on tour throughout November with some other cats you may have heard of. Names like mc chris, YTCracker & Schäffer the Darklord. Oh shit yeah! Check the tour page to see if they're coming to your neck of the woods.
• Everything's Bigger: Speaking of gigs, Texas's Antisoc has a show lined up for year's end. Catch him in Fort Worth at Club Aardvark on December 30th.
• Impactful: Last month Mega Ran's "Splash Woman" was used in a promo for TNA wrestling. And they may or may not have done so with his permission. Peep this video for the offending clip (featuring Elijah "The Pope" Burke) and to hear Random's humorous retort.
• Dropping English: On the subject of Ran, the Philadelphia Daily News featured him in a lengthy interview/profile piece early next month. It's an interesting, powerful tale about a guy who's only now being properly recognized for all he does both on and off the mic.
• Mmm, Mmm Good: Some things just can't be described. Like these Jude Buffum 8-bit butcher charts. Don’t worry – they're less gory than you'd think.
• BAMF!: My pal Brux was kind enough to pass on a link to this Gizmodo piece explaining how comic book sounds are translated for film. Not to spoil the surprise, but there are animal carcasses involved.
• In Plain Site: Likewise, my blogging brother Jason (of Geek Studies) shared his fascination re: this story from an October edition of The Escapist. It's a Jane Goodall-flavored satire about how elder geeks hide their passions. Sadly, it totally overlooks the myriad of modern examples to the contrary.
• Beater Scholarship: Church, Matt and I have been joking about NCAA Quidditch for ages. So imagine our surprise when this popped up at the NPR site earlier this week.
• Your Biggest Fan: Church once again came through with the video hotness. In this case it's an 8-minute fan film featuring Superman and The Joker. Check out "Die Laughing" by user blinky500. It may start a little slow, but it gets real good real quick.
• Love is in the Air: Early this month comic book artist Leigh Gallagher proposed to his long-time girlfriend Niki via his blog. In panel traditional form, no less. She said yes, thus proving that all is right with the world.
• Old World Wisdom: Attention UK-based nerdlingers - Jonathan Ross wants you to geek out. And not just on Friday Night. (See what I did there, Brits? I made a reference to his BBC One show. You are so very lucky to have me!)
• It's Our Year: And on a related note, here's more info from The Guardian regarding their Geek Calendar. Definitely worth watching.
• All About the Eyewear: And in case all that relevant exposition concerning geek culture from our European brethren has left a bad taste in your mouth, here's a particularly vapid showing from our own E Online. You're welcome.
• Badge of Honor: On a more appropriate note, Pennsylvania's The Reading Eagle pulled together an interesting feature on nerd culture's current mainstream appeal. Not exactly a groundbreaking exposé, but a fun read nonetheless.
• In Conclusion – Brits are Awesome: And one more from across the pond. It's a Suite 101 interview with Mr. B the Gentleman Rhymer. It's actually a piece I forgot to include in my September NNIB, but B's far too gentile to hold a grudge.
• Dare to be Stupid: Also from Church comes this Austin 360 interview with geeky music luminary Weird Al. It's a surprisingly nerdy offering. Until you remember that it came from Austin.
• Who Charted?: Last month Flowtown charted geek evolution in their own indubitable fashion – via a flow chart. Take a look into our distant past and marvel at our pointlessly segmented present.
• Shocking: From the who'd've-fuckin'-thunk-it file, Church busts out a pair of totally believable revelations. First, KISS's Gene Simmons doesn't understand file-sharing, hackers or the nature of DDoS attacks. Meanwhile, on the other side of the Internets, Something Awful (still) hates you and all that you hold dear.
• Two for the Road: And since this edition is a week late, I will shock and delight you with not one but two closing videos. The first, another find by Brux, is the Lando Calrissian edit of R. Kelly's "Real Talk." The second is from rapper A-1's After School Special mixtape, and it pulls its instrumental hook from a cartoon with which you're likely familiar.

Refuse to Fall

Though they are (spiritually if not outright geographically) my hometown heroes, it's likely that you've heard very little from Charlotte's The ThoughtCriminals. If this is the case, then I highly recommend you check out their brand new and totally free EP Still Standing. Hell, even if you are already familiar with Mikal kHill and the boys, I still suggest you cop it.

This project kicks off with "Radical Ish," a tribute to Orwell's 1984 – the work from which the band draws its name. It's a frantic pile-on of live instrumentation, NES-based chiptunes and Mikal's own hip-hop delivery. It's dense and weighty, but never off-putting.

From there we transition to the lo-fi chip-funk of "Warp Zone," an explosion of guitar noise and game-centered lyrical aggression. "We," the EP's center point, proves an unexpected highlight, with a piano-backed lead-in that quickly transitions to a full-on electronic assault. The beat is undeniably forceful and aptly supplemented by its delicate melody, but its' kHill's frank exposition regarding the decay of a relationship that provides its true power.

Likewise, "Roll for Initiative" is a musical highpoint that should serve as a textbook example of The ThoughtCriminals sound. A hodge-podge of organic soul-rock, electronic drones, hip-hop politics and geeky swagger, it's a fantastic fusion of underground indie and straight-up nerdcore.

Closer "God vs. PlayStation" is actually an acoustic reworking of a song from Mikal's solo effort This is Not an Entrance. From its scratchy vinyl intro and delicate key lead to kHill's fierce, almost slam poetry-style delivery, it's a solid closer. Sure, the vocal harmonies are a tad flat at times, but it's still a great way to wind down a really interesting, fairly eclectic effort.

The ThoughtCriminals always put on an inspired live performance, but this sadly makes it a bit difficult to capture that experience on wax. Their 2009 self-titled debut (while an enjoyable album in its own right) caught the crew in flux, so the disconnect between what you heard at a show versus the album experience was a bit striking. Still Standing, by contrast, features a selection of newer material more tonic to the band's current setup. And fuck – you can't beat the price!

If you're a fan of unique underground hip-hop, well-rounded fusion instrumentals or chip music, The ThoughtCriminals are for you. And if you like all three in equal measure, prepare to have your playlist assailed by Still Standing.

Fathers and Sons and Game Boys

I try not to double-dip between this blog and GeekDad, but this week's episode of our HipTrax podcast contains some info about a project that I think y'all should definitely check out.

By this point you are no doubt familiar with Seattle chip-hop giants Supercommuter. Admittedly, those of us coming at things from the nerdcore side immediately recognize the group's vocalist – Wheelie Cyberman, formally of Optimus Rhyme – but it is equally impossible to discount the contributions of chiptune veteran Andy "Stenobot" Myers to the band's coolly cohesive, techno-organic sound. Interestingly enough, Stenobot recently released an album of his own, and I'll hazard a guess that it's not what you'd expect.

Sink or Swim We'll Go Together is a solo work in name only, as it mines the talents of a number of interesting contributors. You'll likely recognize the dulcet tones of Jen Wood ("Butterfly Wings") from The Postal Service's "Such Great Heights," and former 90 Lb. Wuss frontman Jeff Suffering punks up pseudo title track "Far Too Far." Still, the most interesting aspect of this album is that Andy's own son Julian both provides some percussion and co-wrote most of the songs "in one way or another."

Four-year-old Julian has leukemia, and Sink or Swim We'll Go Together is an album very much about a family's struggle to fight the disease while keeping its own collective spirit intact. It's an amazingly personal album, and from the opening strains of the energetic "Running and Jumping" to the starkly mechanical "Counts," the haunting "Our Bodies Are Fragile" to anthemic closer "Dancing Shadows," it's an amazingly poignant musical study of struggle and hardship and, in spite of it all, hope.

It's available as a free download from local indie label Crunchyco, but more importantly there's also a short-run physical printing that comes with a handmade, hard-bound photo book for a mere $15. All proceeds from the sale of the album go to support the Child's Play charity, because no one understands the hardships facing hospitalized children more than a parent who's lived through it.

I want you to support this cause and to purchase this disc because it's important, but I want you to experience this music because it is beautiful, moving and exquisitely crafted. Sink or Swim We'll Go Together is a chip-pop masterpiece that presents its all-too personal subject matter in just the right light. It neither undersells the important thematic underpinning that childhood disease entails nor does it hide behind its weighty emotional appeal. Herein Stenobot has done what all artists endeavor to do when life takes a turn for the worse – he has turned tragedy into creativity.

Give Sink or Swim We'll Go Together a listen. Not because of what it is, but because of what it does. Because what it does is offer an amazing listening experience. Afterward, if you feel so led, copies of the special edition CD are still available.

Always on the Ran

Everyone's favorite Teacher-Rapper-Hero is on the move and coming to a venue near you. Yes, that Mega Ran - this time with his Forever Famicom partner in crime DC's K-Murdock - is on tour across the southern expanse of our great nation throughout the month of November.

For more information we'll cut to our live tour correspondent, guy-who-can-copy-and-past-a-press-release.

Take it away, Guy!

PHOENIX, AZ– Hot off the heels of their successful album Forever Famicom, Teacher/rapper Random and producer K-Murdock are taking their show on the road.

The Bits and Rhymes Tour will feature Ran and K doing what they do best, rocking crowds with their 8-bit beats and high tech vocals, and will feature guest artists, such as YouTube favorite Brentalfloss, TX rap group Crew 54, videogame cover band The One Ups and many other nerdcore and hip-hop stars. Random’s high-energy set always contains some surprises, such as his mind-blowing freestyle, where crowd participation drives the length and theme of the song.

Ran and K’s innovative album Forever Famicom released on June 1, 2010 and has managed to tap into a fanbase never before explored on such a large scale, the gamers and the hip-hop fans. The album has garnered high praise from top Hip-Hop sites all over the world, as well as the top videogame sites and publications, including Nintendo Power magazine.

The fan support has been phenomenal, and thanks to their donations through Kickstarter, Ran and K are planning a vinyl and DVD release of the Forever Famicom album and sprite videos. The tour will begin on 11/12/10 in Austin, TX, and ends 11/21/10 in Miami, FL.

Since the release of Forever Famicom, Ran and K have each dropped new solo releases. Random’s HEROES vol. 1 and K-Murdock’s DECADENSE are available now. For additional info or radio or interview requests, please contact random.megaran@gmail.com or learn more at http://megaran.com and http://neosonicprod.com

Tour Dates:

Nov 11, 2010 @ Headhunters, 720 Red River St, Austin, TX, w/Crew 54 and more, FREE 21+
Nov 12+13, 2010 Yule Con @ American Airlines Training Center, Ft Worth, TX w/Brentalfloss and more! $15-25
Nov 14, 2010 @The Highball, 1120 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX $7 21+
Nov 16, 2010 8PM @ Super Happy Fun Land 3801 Polk St Houston, TX $7 all ages w/MC Router and more
Nov 17, 2010 2PM @ Bedrock City Comics 4602 Washington Ave, Houston, TX all ages (performance & signing)
Nov 18, 2010 9PM @ Smoke And Barrel Tavern 324 W Dickson St, Fayetteville, AR w/The One Ups FREE 21+
Nov 19, 2010 8PM @ 331 Nightlife Cafe, 331 W Forsyth St Jacksonville, FL $5 21+
Nov 20, 2010 @ A Comic Shop 114 South Semoran Blvd.Winter Park, FL w/Krondor Krew and more $10 all ages
Nov 21, 2010 @ TBA, Miami, FL

Sadly, it seems my own rural locality didn't quite make the cut on this outing, but that shouldn't stop you from having a good time. I'm serious – go to the show. I insist!

Nerds in Texas and Florida are particularly blessed with regard to The Bits and Rhymes Tour, and, with two amazing co-headliners and a cadre of fantastic openers on-tap, this is not one to be missed.

To whet your appetite for all things Random, I'll even favor you with a little light reading. Peep Ran's recent interview with Searching for Chet Baker for more talk on the upcoming tour as well as an astute observation re: the mainstream. As properly illustrated by George Michael and Bubba Sparxxx, if you can believe it.

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.

That's No Podcast – It's a Space Station

Dick jokes galore!

There aren't a lot of things I'll stay up late for, but The Bonebat Show is one of them.

Last weekend I did just that. My pal Steve and his lifelong home-skillet Gord invited me on to sit in on what I consider to be the best comedy and culture 'cast around, and I was honored to do so. The fellows were amazingly gracious hosts who even allowed me to hock my wares – specifically the forthcoming 100th episode of Radio Free Hipster – and managed to keep me thoroughly entertained well into the early AM. Though, truthfully, I'm not sure if I did the same for them. Like I said, it was late, and I'm afraid I was a little off my game.

In addition to talking up my meager projects, we also spoke at length about music and comics and all that other dangerously important shit. I even endeavored to wax poetic about the odd semantics of geek-versus-nerd in their "What Pisses You Off?" segment, although I imagine my point may have been lost amid so much drowsy rambling.

The important thing, however, is that I was not the only guest on deck that evening. Seattle's own Death*Star were also all up ins, and they even managed to pull off a live performance in-show!

(Regarding this I am both totally pissed off that Steve and Gord did something like this before me and completely in awe of how well it came together. Mostly the latter.)

The long and short of it is that The Bonebat Show is awesome, and you should totally check it out. The episode in question won't be out until next month, but don't wait until then to wade into the delightful madness.

I'll also urge you to keep an ear to the ground concerning new stuff from Death*Star later this year, both as a contributor to the first in a series of themed EPs from yours truly and in the form of their own follow-up release to The Fandom Menace. But I can say no more, as half of these are not my beans to spill!

In closing I just want to thank Gord, Steve, 3PO, C0s and Bill Beats for their late night camaraderie, filthy jokes and riveting conversation. These are truly the things that dreams are made of.

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?

Call Me Uatu

In case you missed it, Kirby Krackle celebrated their triumphant return to Seattle – after a lengthy sojourn here on the east coast at New York Comic Con – with a show last week at famed local watering hole the High Dive. In tow were local nerdcore hip-hoppers Death*Star and Beefy, thus making it a true Sea-town musical affair.

A number of great videos of the set have already surfaced on the YouTubes, with my favorite footage coming from user futuredirt. To give you an idea of the level of awesome that was achieved at this event, here's a little taste.

It's a version of E for Everyone comic-funk classic "Can I Watch You?" featuring ol' Beef Thompson.

Radio Free Hipster Ep. 97: Famous Monsters

Oh, Halloween Crap-tacular – how I adore you!

These horror-themed episodes were my very first regular podcast feature, and much of what Radio Free Hipster is today was shaped by this diversion into the macabre. It led to both my regular use of background music and to my heavy reliance on film and television samples.

It's one of the reasons I so love my two-part October special edition. Well, that and the fact that Halloween is the geekiest of holidays!

Download Radio Free Hipster Ep. 97: Famous Monsters [hosting provided by Antisoc] Size: 42.6 MB Running Time: 46:28 Subscribe to RFH

Show Notes:

Intro: Baddd Spellah – "Radio Free Hipster Theme (feat. Beefy)"
Not a lot of people know this, but Baddd Spellah is totally a werewolf. It's a common affliction in Canada.

Track 1: John Anealio – "Lonesome October Night"
I misspoke. The Roger Zelazny novel is actually entitled A Night in the Lonesome October.

Z's 1st interlude: "Or not."
I try my best not to use time-sensitive greetings while recording the podcast. Shit, I have no idea when you're gonna be hearing this thing!

Track 2: Ghetto Lee Lewis – "Panic at Camp Crystal"
To my knowledge, this is the only OverClocked ReMix of a track from the Friday the 13th video game soundtrack.

Track 3: Kabuto The Python and Dr. Awkward – "Thinkin' Lincoln"
This episode features two appearances by Dr. Awkward. This is the first.

Track 4: Uncle Monsterface – "[feed mysterious creature]"
"You've been eaten by a chinchilla."

Track 5: Cheekyboy – "Busta Ghosts"
From this year's Monster Mash-Up double album!

Track 6: Darkest of the Hillside Thickets – "Space Ghosts"
How did I not toss a SGC2C sample into this?

Track 7: Grover – "Smell Like a Monster" / Vernian Process – "Monster Dance"
Best Old Spice parody ever!

Track 8: The Aquabats – "The Thing on the Bass Amp"
This one's a special request from my friend Dave the Knave.

Z's 2nd interlude: "Let me pause for a moment here to big up the creator of the background music."
virt is the shit.

Track 9: Schaffer the Darklord – "The Invisible Man (feat. Shael Riley)"
The narrative in this song has the sort of twist ending that could only come from the mind of STD.

Track 10: Tetrastar – "Skullcrusher Mountain"
I think Jaylyn really sells the role of mad scientist storyteller. Better, even, than JoCo.

Track 11: Mikal kHill – "The Walking Dead"
I dig that Mikal's zombie tale ends with the narrator giving up. It's an interesting take on the undead apocalypse.

Track 12: The Bossfights – "Left4Dead"
And this is Doc Awk's second appearance.

Track 13: DJ TOPCAT – "Grave Puppets"
I've never been a big follower of horrorcore, but there was always something really enjoyable about hip-hop supergroup Gravediggaz.

Z's final interlude: "A track both near and dear to my heart."
There are few things more beautiful and precious in this life than a Replacements parody.

Track 14: Illbotz – "Here Comes the Predator"
It saddens me to think that Illbotz are just far enough away to prevent me from actually seeing them live. :(

Obviously, episode 98 will also be Halloween-themed, so feel free to hit me up with your ghoulish requests.

After that we head straight-on into November with an un-themed episode (#99) and my all-important 100th show! I'm still taking song requests and begging soliciting for listener voicemails to play in-ep. Please do your part to remind me that I'm not just talking to myself in this podcast.

Seriously.

I'll be your best friend.

20-Sided Rhymes

Dave the Knave is a genius!

If I had any credibility at all, the 20-Sided Rhymes project would've blown it to hell. You see, this compilation hasn't been in the works for weeks or months, but for years – two of them, in fact. And like most things, what it ultimately became was not what I had initially intended.

The original idea that I pitched to a close circle of friends shortly before Nerdapalooza 2008 involved little more than a tribute album to the classic role-playing game (a la Dungeons & Dragons). But as tabletop gaming proved a bit of a limiting concept for our friends in the video game music scene I soon expanded the scope to include the electronic games that were the direct successors of pen-and-paper RPGs.

Since I was projecting forward it only made sense to also look back, and so the piece was altered again to encompass not only the more modern and technological flavors of role-playing but also the literary roots that inspired this entire movement in interactive entertainment.

But somehow that still wasn't enough. So in the end, 20-Sided Rhymes, this clean and simple concept that I thought I had totally hashed out years ago, somehow became something bigger. Because at some point I realized that the iconic die role and the eternal plight of Hyrule's green-clad hero and even the simple nerdy pleasures of seeing The Lord of the Rings series competently brought to life on a big screen weren't in and of themselves what I was looking to capture.

These were, if you'll allow me the luxury of hyperbole, merely manifestations of the true spirit of nerdom.
The thing that excited me about this project was the same thing that excited me about D&D and comics and sci-fi/fantasy and all the other trappings of my geeky adolescence – it all hinged on the ever-so appealing concept of losing yourself in a character.

Call me crazy, but I believe that we as nerds game and read and write and create more or less for the same reason. These activities are all about stepping outside ourselves, they are about exploring other lives and worlds and personalities. Some would likely attribute this to a sense of innate self-loathing, to the worst kind of escapism, but I have learned that playing another part or latching on to the experiences of a fully rendered external character actually serves to help me gain a firmer grasp on what it really means to be me. It allows me to further quantify my own motivations and reexamine my ideas and my attitudes.

From Nate's lament of his healer's lack of physical prowess to ZeaLouS1's gangstalicious take on CCGs, and even to Marc's rejection of the D20 in favor of a little transgender theatrical cosplay, 20-Sided Rhymes represents the musical equivalent of the fantastical character-driven narrative. Some of said characters may not belong to these performers outright, but the stories are all theirs. And that's the important part.

So please enjoy this fine selection of rarities, remixes, re-releases and more than a couple of tasty originals with my compliments. If you enjoy this project, please spread the word and support the artists represented.
As usual, I offer this compilation to you free of charge, although this time around I do ask that you consider doing one of the following:

Should any or all of the songs presented herein remind you of that magical journey you once took in the purely metaphorical shoes of another character, consider treating yourself to a new game or film or novel. And feel free to lose yourself within the power of an enchanting narrative. It's healthy.

You proceed to the local bazaar to gather supplies... 

More to the point, you could also donate a couple of dollars to the Child's Play charity to afford a sick kid that same opportunity to escape the drudgery of real life for a few scant moments. It's what a Lawful Good character would do!

You choose the path of righteousness...
 

And now that I've said my piece, on with the show.
---
Download 20-Sided Rhymes in its entirety
 
All songs mixed/mastered by The HT at Studio 6, Port Orange, FL except where otherwise indicated.
Individual track downloads:

1 – Videogame Orchestra – "Conan the Barbarian – Riders of Taramis"

2 – Beefy – "20-Sided Rhymes (feat. Snake Eyes)"

3 – The Four Eyes – "Painting Guys"

4 – My Parents' Favorite Music – "Rambo MacGyver (feat. Snake Eyes)"

5 – Spheres of Chaos – "Random Encounter in the Cereal Aisle"

6 – Glenn Case – "D&D at the Public Library (feat. Adam!)"*

7 – ZeaLouS1 – "I Get Mana"

8 – Nate Trier – "The Healer's Song"

9 – MC Frontalot – "Hassle the Dorkening (8 Bit Weapon Remix)"**

10 – Shael Riley and the Double Ice Backfire – "The Great Marbulu" [EXPLICIT]***

11 – The Ranger – "Stat Sheet (Massive DMG remix by Zen Albatross)" [EXPLICIT] 

12 – Brian Mazzaferri (of I Fight Dragons) – "Offering"

13 – Sinister Six – "Roll the Dice" [EXPLICIT]

14 – Uncle Monsterface – "LOTROMG"

15 – Epic-1 – "Sun Gem"

16 – Marc with a C – "Don’t Know a Thing about Role Playing"

17 – Krondor Krew – "I Play D&D (The HT Remix)" [EXPLICIT]

18 - Superpowerless – "120 Seconds to Save the World"

19 – Elfonso – "Retirement from Hyrule"

20 – Dual Core – "Natural 20s"

* Mixed and mastered by Adam! and The HT
** Mixed and mastered by 8 Bit Weapon
*** Mixed and mastered by Shael Riley and Ty Guenley

Amazing cover design by the one and only Dave "The Knave" White:

Wicked-awesome front cover

Equally wonderful back cover

Tiny little thumbnail

And don't forget my ridiculously lengthy liner notes!