...not in London, but here in the Paris of the Tri-State Metropolitan Area.
Seriously, here in Hackensack you can't see the hand in front of your face. Weird!
UPDATE: Somewhere in my nabe, an hour ago.
As you can see, it's as thick as sea poop.
Thursday, December 05, 2013
A Foggy Day...
...not in London, but here in the Paris of the Tri-State Metropolitan Area.
Seriously, here in Hackensack you can't see the hand in front of your face. Weird!
UPDATE: Somewhere in my nabe, an hour ago.
As you can see, it's as thick as sea poop.
Wednesday, December 04, 2013
And the 2013 Lou O'Neill Jr. Memorial Award for the Most Irksome and/or Preposterous Writer About Pop and Rock Goes to...
...this homunculus.
Better known as Bob Lefsetz.
In case you haven't been playing the home game, Lefsetz has been an annoying philistine know-it-all for several eons now; he formerly peddled his wares via a subscriber-supported website (who paid to read the stuff is something I do not even want to imagine) but of late his oeuvre has been available on the intertubes, for free, to anybody with a modem and no fear of having their IQ lowered by exposure to it.
I bring all this up because last Friday the proprietor of this here blog commented on Facebook about Lefsetz' latest series of annoying declarative sentences posing as a think piece, calling it -- and I paraphrase but only slightly -- "possibly his most assholish post ever." When the proffered link to the piece didn't work, I asked her what it was about, and she replied -- and again I paraphrase but even less slightly -- "talent doesn't matter and everybody should be like Rihanna."
In any event, I read the thing eventually -- you can find it here if you're strong of stomach -- and as it turned out I concurred: It really WAS his most assholish post ever.
Now, to be fair, the larger point (if that phrase is actually applicable) he was trying to make -- that the record companies are in business to make money, that their idea of quality is simply what they believe will sell, and that artistic content is consequently irrelevant to their business plan -- is inarguable.
On the other hand, if you read the whole piece, it's quite clear that Lefsetz actually approves of this state of affairs. And it occurred to me that some guy whose name rhymes with Sleeve Nimels had said something similar, in the pages of The Magazine Formerly Known as STEREO REVIEW somewhat earlier...
...by which I mean in June of 1990.
In other words, Bob -- no shit, Sherlock. How long did you ponder before coming up with that bit of blinding insight?
Oh and Bob -- congrats are in order for your win; that is some truly memorable wanking and I'm proud to bring it a wider audience. Heh.
Although I must admit that my pal Dave Lifton over at Pop Dose does a much funnier number on you than I ever could. Seriously, I'm not worthy.
Better known as Bob Lefsetz.
In case you haven't been playing the home game, Lefsetz has been an annoying philistine know-it-all for several eons now; he formerly peddled his wares via a subscriber-supported website (who paid to read the stuff is something I do not even want to imagine) but of late his oeuvre has been available on the intertubes, for free, to anybody with a modem and no fear of having their IQ lowered by exposure to it.
I bring all this up because last Friday the proprietor of this here blog commented on Facebook about Lefsetz' latest series of annoying declarative sentences posing as a think piece, calling it -- and I paraphrase but only slightly -- "possibly his most assholish post ever." When the proffered link to the piece didn't work, I asked her what it was about, and she replied -- and again I paraphrase but even less slightly -- "talent doesn't matter and everybody should be like Rihanna."
In any event, I read the thing eventually -- you can find it here if you're strong of stomach -- and as it turned out I concurred: It really WAS his most assholish post ever.
Now, to be fair, the larger point (if that phrase is actually applicable) he was trying to make -- that the record companies are in business to make money, that their idea of quality is simply what they believe will sell, and that artistic content is consequently irrelevant to their business plan -- is inarguable.
On the other hand, if you read the whole piece, it's quite clear that Lefsetz actually approves of this state of affairs. And it occurred to me that some guy whose name rhymes with Sleeve Nimels had said something similar, in the pages of The Magazine Formerly Known as STEREO REVIEW somewhat earlier...
Anyway, that's all an extremely roundabout way of getting to my real worry, which is, simply put, that because the vast sums of money to be made in the record business today have raised the corporate stakes so precipitously that no future performer who is not on some level a clone of an already established star is ever going to get a chance in front of the public again.
...by which I mean in June of 1990.
In other words, Bob -- no shit, Sherlock. How long did you ponder before coming up with that bit of blinding insight?
Oh and Bob -- congrats are in order for your win; that is some truly memorable wanking and I'm proud to bring it a wider audience. Heh.
Although I must admit that my pal Dave Lifton over at Pop Dose does a much funnier number on you than I ever could. Seriously, I'm not worthy.
Tuesday, December 03, 2013
Another Day in Paradise
Having computer trouble. Blech.
Back tomorrow, assuming we get our issues resolved.
If we do, I should add, tomorrow's post will be a doozy.
Back tomorrow, assuming we get our issues resolved.
If we do, I should add, tomorrow's post will be a doozy.
Monday, December 02, 2013
When Black Monday Comes
In the spirit of the recent holiday shopping mania just concluded (and, also, as a tribute to the beloved CRASS COMMERCIALSIM segments over at Eschaton), allow me to simply mention again that Floor Your Love --
-- the superb newly re-mastered and redesigned CD by The Floor Models (featuring a bass player whose name rhymes with Sleeve Nimels) can be ordered over at the website of ZERO HOUR RECORDS over HERE.
To paraphrase the old Mad magazine: $9.95, cheap.
Needless to say, they make lovely Christmas presents.
And because I love you all more than food, here's a bonus track that didn't make the cut but which I'm inordinately fond of anyway. (I posted it here a while back, but in case you missed it..)
The song is "Fade Into Grey," a different studio take of which appears on our album. This version was recorded semi-live at WBAI-FM circa 1983; ace 12-string player Andy Pasternack edited out a dramatic, sort of Police-like middle section that worked better on stage and replaced it with sitar samples from The Beatles' "Tomorrow Never Knows," thus giving the tune a delightfully cheesy faux psychedelic feel.
As I said, I'm inordinately fond of this one, albeit now with a layer of bittersweet; Andy e-mailed me the MP3 of this in May, which was the last time I heard from him before his unexpected and tragic death in September.
In any case, go buy a copy of the CD in his honor. How's THAT for crass commercialism?
-- the superb newly re-mastered and redesigned CD by The Floor Models (featuring a bass player whose name rhymes with Sleeve Nimels) can be ordered over at the website of ZERO HOUR RECORDS over HERE.
To paraphrase the old Mad magazine: $9.95, cheap.
Needless to say, they make lovely Christmas presents.
And because I love you all more than food, here's a bonus track that didn't make the cut but which I'm inordinately fond of anyway. (I posted it here a while back, but in case you missed it..)
The song is "Fade Into Grey," a different studio take of which appears on our album. This version was recorded semi-live at WBAI-FM circa 1983; ace 12-string player Andy Pasternack edited out a dramatic, sort of Police-like middle section that worked better on stage and replaced it with sitar samples from The Beatles' "Tomorrow Never Knows," thus giving the tune a delightfully cheesy faux psychedelic feel.
As I said, I'm inordinately fond of this one, albeit now with a layer of bittersweet; Andy e-mailed me the MP3 of this in May, which was the last time I heard from him before his unexpected and tragic death in September.
In any case, go buy a copy of the CD in his honor. How's THAT for crass commercialism?
Friday, November 29, 2013
Have a Very Guess Who Post-Thanksgiving Weekend!
And in tribute to the original inhabitants of our noble republic, i.e., the people the Pilgrims stole it from, please enjoy Burton Cummings and the rest of those loveable canuckleheads with their stirring renditions of both the venerable oldie "Running Bear"...
...and their own perhaps less politically troublesome hit "Rain Dance."
You know, some days I find myself thinking that those guys were like the greatest band ever.
Then I usually get over it.
In any case, see you all on Monday.
...and their own perhaps less politically troublesome hit "Rain Dance."
You know, some days I find myself thinking that those guys were like the greatest band ever.
Then I usually get over it.
In any case, see you all on Monday.
Thursday, November 28, 2013
Walking in Memphis
Because nothing says Happy Thanksgiving, Everybody! like a deeply embarrassing Elvis Presley song...
..co-written by Ed Wood's girlfriend Delores Fuller.
True story: The 45 of this...
...was actually on the jukebox at my college snack bar, and one night I loaded it up with two dollars worth of dimes and played the song 20 times in a row. As an experiment to see how fast I could clear the place. Pretty damn fast, if memory serves, BTW.
In any case -- Happy Thanksgiving, Everybody!!!
..co-written by Ed Wood's girlfriend Delores Fuller.
True story: The 45 of this...
...was actually on the jukebox at my college snack bar, and one night I loaded it up with two dollars worth of dimes and played the song 20 times in a row. As an experiment to see how fast I could clear the place. Pretty damn fast, if memory serves, BTW.
In any case -- Happy Thanksgiving, Everybody!!!
Wednesday, November 27, 2013
I Could Be Wrong, But These Clips May Be the Greatest Things in the History of Television
From 1977 and his ill-fated variety show (it lasted exactly four episodes)...
...please enjoy comic genius Richard Pryor as he invents death metal. (Don't blink or you'll miss a shot of Sandra Bernhard in the audience.)
I should add two things.
1) This predates Spinal Tap by seven -- count 'em, seven -- years.
And
2) That isn't actually the funniest bit from the Pryor show.
THIS is.
Words fail me.
...please enjoy comic genius Richard Pryor as he invents death metal. (Don't blink or you'll miss a shot of Sandra Bernhard in the audience.)
I should add two things.
1) This predates Spinal Tap by seven -- count 'em, seven -- years.
And
2) That isn't actually the funniest bit from the Pryor show.
THIS is.
Words fail me.
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
Your Tuesday Moment of Words Fail Me: Special Nothing New Under the Lucky Old Sun Edition
Purportedly from 1962 -- although experts tell me it's actually from somewhat later, circa 1964 -- please enjoy ultra rare footage of Brit rock pioneer/legend Screaming Lord Sutch (doing business with The Savages) at Liverpool's fabled Cavern Club.
Say what you will about Sutch...
but I think it's pretty obvious that the guys from GWAR...
...ripped him off for pretty much their entire act.
Say what you will about Sutch...
but I think it's pretty obvious that the guys from GWAR...
...ripped him off for pretty much their entire act.
Monday, November 25, 2013
Your Monday Moment of Words Fail Me: Special Master Thespians Edition
A blog friend writes:
To which I can only reply -- ditto!
Seriously, I could give two shits about One Direction or any current boy band, but this is out of control hilarious -- it's like watching two immature teenage girls portrayed by Sirs Alec Guinness and Ralph Richardson.
[h/t Richard_thunderbay]
The below video, produced by Adrian Bliss for the comedy network Dead Parrot, provides a dramatic reenactment of an actual (and perfectly typical)
YouTube comment war: an empty and vile back-and-forth that originated beneath a popular One Direction video. The simplicity of the concept is
brilliant and its execution is flawless.
To which I can only reply -- ditto!
Seriously, I could give two shits about One Direction or any current boy band, but this is out of control hilarious -- it's like watching two immature teenage girls portrayed by Sirs Alec Guinness and Ralph Richardson.
[h/t Richard_thunderbay]
Friday, November 22, 2013
Happy Kennedy Assassination Day
I don't know if I've told this story before, but on this day 50 years ago, at Teaneck High School, I heard the news over the PA during a next to last period study hall.
"The president has been shot."
And my first thought was -- who the hell would shoot Timmy McBride?
Who was the student council president.
That's how unthinkable the idea of JFK having been murdered was, kids.
Music posting resumes on Monday.
"The president has been shot."
And my first thought was -- who the hell would shoot Timmy McBride?
Who was the student council president.
That's how unthinkable the idea of JFK having been murdered was, kids.
Music posting resumes on Monday.
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