filed under miscellany
But Offstage, Things Were Falling Apart...
Laugh if you want, but without VH1’s Behind the Music, I never would’ve known that Def Leppard used to go underneath the stage in the middle of huge stadium concerts to get blowjobs from mother-daughter duos or that Rick Allen’s first words upon being discovered by a farmer after losing his arm in a car crash was, “Help me. I’m a rock star.” I wouldn’t have known those things—or a million other incredibly useless rocktoids that take up space in my brain that might otherwise be used by rocket science and various other subjects that can actually get you a job. Anyway, the point is, VH1 is bringing back Behind the Music (!), and finally doing right by me and so many other people who have been lost—adrift in a sea of tabloid media that pale in comparison to the mother of all scientific studies of The Rise and Fall of the Rock Star—since the show ended in 2006. Now if only those witholding VH1 execs would bring back Pop-Up Video!
Reuters has the whole beautiful story.
No Rain Bee Girl
Ever wonder what happened to the “Bee Girl” from Blind Melon’s No Rain music video? She grew up like everyone else.
Heavy Metal Monk
Heavy Metal + Capuchin Brother Cesar Bonnizi = Heavy Metal Monk.
Kanye Can Afford a Cooler Blog than You
Did anyone ever truly think that Kanye West had the time to single handedly scour the web for every teeny bit of sleek design/avant art/hipster detritus so he could post it all to his blog? I mean, how would such an incredibly busy, super jet set superstar find the hours needed to pump out the many carefully crafted thoughts - in ALL CAPS no less, and followed by hundreds, sometimes thousands, of exclamation marks - that appear on West’s blog? New York magazine, super sleuths that they are, managed to get to the bottom of this oft debated mystery. Turns out, Mr. West (who has insisted in the past that he does all his own blogging) admits that he gets some help. And we quote:
“I have two people that I hired and I tell them exactly what I want - it’s just like how a designer would work. I tell them, you know, Surface magazine, Wallpaper, Architectural Digest, Hypebeast, Bossip - go to these different blogs and keep on pulling information. And then they send it to me, and I get like 80 emails, and I have to check and go through them.”
I don’t know how awesome my blog would be if I could pay a few people to dedicate their entire days to searching the InterWebs for cool stuff for me to blog about, but I think it’s safe to assume it would be pretty fucking cool. And yet, this only makes me find Kanye even more endearing (and I’m not being sarcastic). Self-importance is rarely appealing, and yet, somehow, he manages to make it work.
Anyway, for more on Kanye’s blog - in the words of Kanye himself - head here.
The Clash Were Almost Called The Weak Heartdrops
One of the hardest things about starting a band is coming up with a name. In fact, it’s a little known fact that most bands have terrible names. And I’m not just talking about horrible bands and people like Limp Bizkit and Kid Rock. No—this goes beyond that. Upstanding, talented musicians like those in Led Zeppelin and Death Cab for Cutie suffer from the same affliction. At any rate, behind nearly every famous band name there’s a story, and NME has collected 25 of them. Included—among so many others—are the tales that bred Bloc Party, Radiohead, Klaxons, Nirvana, Black Sabbath and The Cure.
Karen Carpenter Was A Monster Drummer
I didn’t first come to appreciate The Carpenters until I saw Todd Hayne’s cult film, Superstar: The Karen Carpenter Story while in college. At the time, the movie was something of underground culture and to have heard about it was almost as rare scoring a copy. I was fortunate enough to borrow a VHS copy from my film mentor that had already been dubbed down many generations. Using Barbie dolls as stand-ins for actors, the dramatic rise and fall of Karen Carpenter was detailed on super-8 film. Something about this evocative approach to storytelling truly allowed me to hear the music of The Carpenters with fresh open ears. I guess I’ll always think of their cheery AM music second to the sort of ironic dark underbelly that existed. What I had no idea of though until recently, was that Karen was an amazing drummer.
Here Karen sings and drums Dancing In the Street, complete with a hot little solo. And here, Karen shows off her rhythm skills with only a snare and kick drum.
TV On The Radio On the TV
In case you missed it, I thought I’d share TV On The Radio’s appearance on the Colbert Report.
Drummer Prodigies Make Me Feel Like Starting A Variety Show...
Here are two clips of crazy drummer prodigies. The first is an 11 year old girl who must’ve first started playing in the womb. And then, there is this insane 8 year old boy from Romania.
David Lynch on Twitter
David Lynch is on twitter and indeed it really is him. Apparently he likes to update with weather reports for LA. I found two gems linked off his page. Here is a clip of David Lynch, the cowboy singing in a studio. And here, he talks about making art. Only Lynch would think to title a painting, Woman with Broken Neck and Electric Knife Speaks to Her Husband.
A dome is such a great shape to project a movie on. I think one day people will have domes in their homes. They’re magical. - David Lynch
Nine Inch Addiction
Trent Reznor has worked tirelessly the last few years touring and recording many times over. He is currently working with the original line up of Janes Addiction in the studio. The two bands will hit the road for a short tour this summer and then he will be taking a NIN hiatus for an unknown amount of time.
Time to Make Singles
Elliot Smith's Leaky Basement
Look at what was hiding in Elliot Smith’s leaky basement.
Breaking Electric Boogaloo Style
Mr. Rogers gets an impressive lesson in breakdancing from a little B-boy.
No Need to Explain
Hatchetfish Are Watching You
Off the top of my head, I can rattle off a handful of reasons that hatchetfish have started to interest me lately: the fact that they’re bioluminescent (would that only I could make random parts of my body glow at will), that they travel in migratory nocturnal packs that aren’t so much schools as gangs, that they are shaped like…well, hatchets. That’s all pretty good on its own but even better is the fact that, head on, they seem to photograph like desperate, lonely souls trapped in boundless, watery purgatories. Other face-forward images of these fish I’ve found have the same eerie, pleading quality to them. It’s just a striking look on so many levels, from the starkness of what’s featured in the surrounding darkness to the sadness—even grief—that seems to stretch across their faces. Nature is the coolest weirdo ever.
Meeting Erik
We have some big news. After countless pints thrown back and endless hours of working on music together over the years, we are sad to say that Bill has departed DFN to focus his energies on another project. We wish him well. In his absence, Kali and I have turned to another musician of exceptional talent. We first collaborated with Erik Snyder some time ago on a photo shoot. We were as impressed with his passion for music as we were with his skills behind a camera. Erik’s unique stylings are already having a profound impact on us. We are working on new material and hope to present it with new dates and recordings in a timely fashion. Stand by for something different and new; in the mean-time check out this gorgeous image that Erik just shot in New Orleans.
Howard Wilson is an Indie Rock Nerd; Also, Cooler Than You
This may not strike anyone else as nearly as odd as I seem to find it, but Howard Wolfson (Hillary Clinton’s Communications Director? Remember?) 1) has a blog where he writes about indie rock and 2) has compiled a list of the best music of 2008 that’s basically just like reading a Pitchfork year-end summary. Take a moment to peruse it, because it really is worth your time, and includes—among so many other things—offhand references to both Jandek and Scott Walker, the use of Bon Iver’s real name, and a Last Shadow Puppets song. Howard, we hardly knew ye…
Anyway, to check it out, go here.
Say What You Mean
David Bowie is Unflappable
Crazy, Real Aliens
This is genuinely amazing. It’s weird to think that things that appear in H. R. Geiger assisted movies might exist among us, in places we can’t normally get to. Please, please check this out here.
Just Something to Remember
'70s Rock Stars at Home
It’s easy to forget that someone who is remembered for writing lyrics like “I’m gonna ram it up your poop shoot” has actual parents, but biology dictates that even the most controversial songsmiths do. That fact of nature is less of a head trip than actually seeing said songwriters not just alongside their ‘rents, but in the utterly un-rock’n’roll homes where they were reared. LIFE magazine apparently realized the subtle shock and oddly touching effect of photos of ‘70s rock stars—some of whom were, at the time, mostly known for publicly doing and celebrating things most of us wouldn’t so much as discuss with our parents—in their parents’ and grandparents’ living rooms, parlors and dens. It’s pretty f’ing awesome not just for the obvious reasons, but also because the featured rock stars seem to be so geniously color coordinated with the rooms in which they’re depicted. Anyway, head here to see a sampling of these vivid, brilliant pics.
Just Say Hell to the No
I know this site has been making the rounds for some time now, but I never cease to be amazed by just how damaging a few years—nay, a few months—of meth use can be (although, I did live in San Francisco briefly, so I’m not that surprised). In side by side comparisons, marvel at the amazingly rapid deterioration of meth users from boy or girl-next-door type to yuck. Go here—but I’m warning you, it’s not pretty.
Play with Daft Punk
Who could’ve expected that someday, Daft Punk would have their very own dolls? Not I. According to Hypebeast, the “400% Daft Punk 2Pack” won’t be ready to ship until March 2009, but that’s no reason you can’t oooh and ahhh over them now.
George Carlin Was Smart
I was just remembering one of my favorite Carlin truisms. I don’t need to editorialize about it; it pretty much sums it up on its own:
“Pro life conservatives are obsessed with the fetus from conception to nine months. After that, they don’t want to know about you. They don’t want to hear from you. No nothing. No neonatal care, no day care, no Head Start, no school lunch, no food stamps, no welfare, no nothing. If you’re pre-born—you’re fine. If you’re pre-school, you’re fucked. Conservatives don’t give a shit about you until you reach military age.”
Majors Still Fighting the Music Pirates Arggggh
Muxtape was a short-lived website that enabled users to share mix-tapes of 12 songs or less in a streamable fashion. The site was simple, easy to use and blew up almost overnight with success. As one might predict, the site’s creator was forced to shut down for copyright infringement. The truly odd part of the story is that users couldn’t download the music; this site was simply a way to turn people onto tracks they didn’t own. So in short it was great for everyone. Music was getting exposure and albums were being purchased as a result.
Oddly enough, several major record labels understood the talents of the site’s creator and wanted to usurp his knowledge. While it is still posted on the site, its worth checking out in his own words the story of what happened and where muxtape is going. It’s truly pathetic that the major labels stand by their posture of holding onto an antiquated way of doing business and fail to embrace the work of enthusiastic music lovers who offer free publicity.
My Alma Mater Doesn't Give a Sh*t
Apparently, these signs have begun appearing in the bathroom stalls in freshperson dorms at my alma mater, Oberlin College:
At a school where the president makes nearly $400,000 a year and tuition is nearly $50,000 a year, you’d think they’d pitch in for some t.p. And in thinking that, you’d be completely wrong.
This is Good
A funny sign my friend saw recently:
I LOVE Unintentional Double Entendres
How could Jesus pass this up?
Talk to the Airport X-ray Guy...Without Saying a Word
Artist Evan Roth deserves so much applause and so many props for this awesome creation. These metal plates go in your carry-on luggage. When they appear under x-rays, they spell out—in no uncertain terms—your message of choice. They should make one for touring bands that says, “That “bomb” you’re freaking out over? The one you’re about to take apart? That’s my guitar pedal, stupid.” But maybe there’s not enough room for all that…
John Lydon Hocks Butter for Bread
I guess these days musicians really do have to drop their standards to make some bread. Punk hero and Sex Pistols frontman John Lydon must be pretty strapped for cash. Since his years in the Pistols and PIL, he has been known for giving hilarious interviews in which he slams society’s conformity, his disdain for all that is commercial and his politics. Holy shit! The apocalypse really may be upon us. Johnny Rotten just did his first TV ad selling butter.
NIN iPhone Game
I have a love-hate relationship with my iPhone. I try to use it more as a tool and less as a means to kill time. Maybe you are different than me and can’t stop using it as a distraction. If so, and you also happen to be a fan of Nine Inch Nails, you are in for a treat.
It almost seems like a prerequisite these days for at least one member of a band to have gone to film school. Yep, I’m the token filmmaker in this group. Today, I cut together a series of model screen tests that I shot several years back. I’ll post the other ones at another point.
Jenya / Model Test Film from keef on Vimeo.
This Turtle Has More Punk Rock Cred than John Lydon These Days
If this turtle could talk, he would probably go on and on about how New York City sucks now because there’s no real junkies in the Lower East Side anymore and how the Bowery is total bullshit these days, especially since CB’s closed, and how he used to have a walkup on Avenue A that cost $100 a month, that he split with three roommates, and one time Johnny Thunders and Stiv Bators got into a fistfight on his fire escape while Billy Murcia shot up in his bathroom and how he introduced Sid Vicious to Nancy Spungen and man, does he ever regret that.
