Pantha Du Prince - Black Noise

Sun: 228 lbs.

Pantha Du Prince has a new album coming out Feb. 9. He makes cool, ambient, acoustic-techno stuff, and the new album features Panda Bear. And that was enough to get me interested.

New Gorillaz record in March

Still sick.

I had no idea there was a new Gorillaz record in the works. I had to hear it from (gasp!) Entertainment Weekly. How did this get past me?

For 69 more albums the music nerds are quivering in anticipation for this year, go here.

Coachella 2010

Fri: 229 lbs. (I was hoping that the whole being sick thing would lead to an exorbitant amount of weight loss, but alas no.)

Take a look at the Coachella line up. It's pretty sweet.

Go here for more info.

Don't you wish you were going?

Me too.

Lleggs

Before i go overdose on Nyquil, take a gander at Lleggs. Check out their Myspace page and love that goofy 80's movie-music goodness. You can practically feel the moustache forming on your lip.

Like, totally.

Bleh.

No running today, but the song of the day is "Sick, Sick, Sick," by Queens of The Stone Age, since i feel like about a pound of crap right now.

It's like some mad scientists figured out a way to combine the swine flu, bird flu, and SARS into one awesome virus and then injected it straight into my lungs while i was sleeping. (If one of those scientists tea bagged me while i was out, i'm gonna be pissed.)

So, here's to over-the-counter drugs and sleeping on the couch.

Casual Victim Pile

The kind people over at Matador have been nice enough to release a 2LP/CD of Austin/Denton garage and punk rock. Bueno!

Also, be sure to check out most of the bands at Beerland the first weekend of February. It's only $5 a night.

Thurs, Feb. 4:

Follow That Bird!

Dikes of Holland

Kingdom of Suicide Lovers

The Distant Seconds

The Persimmons

Fri, Feb. 5:

Woven Bones

The Young

Wild America

Flesh Lights

Elvis

The No No No Hopes

Sat, Feb. 6:

Harlem

The Golden Boys

Bad Sports

Love Collector

The Stuffies

Lost Controls

-Jigga-jigga yeah!

What is this?

Tues: 230 lbs.
Wed: 229 lbs.











What the fuck are these? Glancing around at different music blogs, there is much argument about who these videos are promos for. They seem to be of pretty high production value, so it can't just be some new indie-electro band off the street.

Popular guesses so far include The Knife, Goldfrapp, and JJ (all of whom have new records coming out soon).

Other guesses include Fever Ray, MGMT, Lady Gaga, Trent Reznor, and the overwhelming favorite...Christina Aguilera.

The evidence for this is shaky, but apparently people with nothing else to do (i try not to be one of them) are using the string of numbers (9.20.19.13.5.723378) as a code where 1=A, 2=B, etc. Using that code, it spells, "It's me." As for the 723378, people have been adding all the numbers up to equal 30, and then using the 3 to mean C. C=Christina? Hmm.

She's supposed to be putting a new record out soon, and i know that Goldfrapp, MIA, and Santigold are all supposed to make appearances or produce which could explain the new sound, but why would she be viral marketing her new album to indie rock blogs? You'd think the major label she's on would be displaying this shit on MTV. So who knows?

I kind of hope it is Xtina because that would be fucked up.

5 More B-Movies i adore

1. "Night of the Creeps" - This one is pure schlock, but it meshes horror, sci-fi, and drive-in flicks into one tasty little morsel. Very enjoyable. Listen to character names, as almost everyone is named after a horror movie director. Also, there are some awesome homages to old horror film camera shots if you're into that sort of thing. Director Fred Dekker would go on to make "The Monster Squad," so kudos to him.

2. "Slither" - In a lot of ways this film is very similar to "Night of the Creeps," what with the slimy alien things that turn you into zombies, but this one has Nathan Fillion, a weird, slimy, bloody orgy, and an orca-fat pregnant woman exploding. So there.

3. "Escape From New York" - There was a period of time where John Carpenter could do no wrong. A time when having Kurt Russell in a John Carpenter film meant absolute magic. Unfortunately that time is over now, but this one kicks ass. It's got Issac Hayes in it for God's sake, before he went all nutty over scientology. If you haven't seen this movie in a while, go back and watch it again. It will almost make up for "Escape From L.A."

4. "Cabin Fever" - Probably the most fun experience i've ever had in a movie theater. The crowd reaction to the shaving scene alone paid for admission. This movie is fucking gross, and i think i have probably made every one of my friends watch it.

5. "Evil Dead 2" - Quite possibly one of the greatest movies of all time. Bruce Campbell is the shit.

(I realize that most of my B-Movie favs are horror films, but that's my thing man.)

Japanese Heavy Rock Hits

Japanese heavy metal juggernaut Boris have released three 7" records for your consumption. Awesome metal riffs in a blender with 1980's hair metal, glam rock, shoegaze, and drone, these records will kick your ass.

Go to Southern Lord to purchase these and other ball-kicking records.

Still celebrating

Not much to add today. Cholesterol is down (so sayeth the doctor) and i'm still crying happy tears over the big victory. I'm quite sure Bourbon St. is still a mess.

SUPER BOWL BOUND!!!

We're going to the fucking Super Bowl!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have nothing better to do.

Ppppppllllllleeeeeeaaaaassssseeeee!!!!!

I've gotta go meditate on this game for a bit. Please, please, please let me get what i want.

Real quick

Sat: 229 lbs.

Left work early today. Hooray!

Shins are screaming from the run i just went on. Boo!

Picked up "Continent" by CFCF. Tribal, 80's music-influenced electro-jams. Hooray!

Crossing my fingers for tomorrow night's game. Who Dat!

Going bowling tonight.

20 Jazz Funk Greats

If you're looking for some awesome different music, check out 20 Jazz Funk Greats. It's an awesome British (?) blog that posts free mp3s. All kinds of groovy, synthy jams.

Enjoy mi amigos.

Team Conan

Just one more for the road.

Fuck you Leno. You're not funny. You've never been.

Until we meet again...

Conan O'brien's last show airs tomorrow night. I've been cracking up and dorking out for 16 years now. I'm gonna miss you buddy.

Sydney's Adoption Day

Wed: 226 lbs. (must be all the summer sausage)

We've had Sydney a year today. It's blowing my mind. All can think about is how fast time moves. I read somewhere that it's like water moving down a drain. The closer and closer we get to the end, the faster and faster it moves. Mull over that for a while and try not to get freaked out or depressed. Mwa-ha-ha!

Anyway, i'm not going to be judging Obama's first year in office. Rather, i'll be judging Sydney's first year in our house. It's time to take her for a walk. (That's part of her health care bill.)

Mmmmmmm summer sausage

Tues: 227 lbs. (whoo-hoo!)

Despite the drop in my weight over the last day (i do sweat a lot when i run), i have been eating an insane amount of summer sausage. I can't help it. This new affliction began on Thanksgiving, renewed itself at Christmas time, and has now parlayed itself into an almost weekly event.

The town of Elgin, Tx can thank me for their recent prosperity. Bring me your sausage...and not in the gross way that you're probably thinking. Pervert.

Monday

Mon: 231 lbs.

Went to the doctor and my dog is crazy. That is all.

The Walker Brothers

Sun: 230 lbs.

So, i went running with the dog this morning, and the first half was great. I felt awesome, finally getting what all those dipshits talking about a runner's high meant.

The second half was terrible. My leg hurts. Fuck those runner's high people.

Elsewhere:

45 to 14! Who dat!

LISTENING:

Picked up a Walker Brothers compilation, 65-67. It is magnifico! The songs sound like old standards (Scott Walker's voice has a lot to do with this) but with a twinge of psychedelia throughout.

You can probably find some mp3s here.

Who Dat?

35 - 14 at halftime. So far, so good. Keep it up buds.

Who dat!

Polvo's! Mmmmmmmmm

Fri: 232 lbs.

The wife wants to go get Mexican food. I really need to concentrate on the losing weight thing, but who am i to say no to beer battered fajitas.

Jay Reatard RIP

Thurs: 230 lbs.

So, Jay Reatard was found dead in his home yesterday morning. No cause has been issued as of yet, but we're all assuming drugs. I loved his bubblegum garage punk rock, and we're all gonna miss it here. Even the dog. He was 29 years old.

Here's the video for "It Ain't Gonna Save Me," from the album "Watch Me Fall," which came out a few months ago.



Jay Reatard R.I.P.

Mr. Bacon vs. Monsieur Tofu

Wed: 230 lbs.

LISTENING:

-The Orkustra - "Adventures in Experimental Electric Orchestra from The San Francisco Psychedelic Underground" LP: The title pretty much explains what the music is.

-Ice Cube ' "Amerikkka's Most Wanted" LP: Aw yeah!

READING:

-"No Country for Old Men" by Cormac McCarthy - 4 chapters in, and the movie was really faithful.

I thought this was pretty awesome

Tues: 230 lbs. (legs so sore)

So, this has been out for awhile, but as we're rapidly approaching the end of Obama's first year in office, i thought i'd celebrate with some Transformers humor.

Great for cartoons and pop culture art! Terrible for films! Go to hell Labeouf!

Another Top 5: Favorite Concerts

Mon: 232 lbs. (Jon Arbuckle sigh)

I've seen a few shows in my day. Here are my faves. (There may be more than 5. I hadn't really thought about this yet.)

1. Radiohead in Houston, 1998: My favorite band. My favorite show. I crowd surfed (i was still light enough to do that in those days) during the bridge of "Paranoid Android." This topped off one of my favorite weekends in college. I actually met my wife that weekend. We forgot each other.

2. The Flaming Lips at ACL Fest, 2006: I've seen these guys twice, and it's always a spectacle, but this time i got to see Wayne walk out onto the crowd in his giant bubble.

3. The Polyphonic Spree opening for Grandaddy in Austin, 2001: I've been told that this was only their second show. I have never seen a crowd so happy or ecstatic.

4. White Zombie and Filter in Odessa, Tx, 1995: Okay, Zombie actually kind of sucked, but this was my first concert, so it holds a special place in my heart. And, a guy standing directly in front of my got hit in the head with an empty bottle of Jack Daniels, so there's that.

5. Girl Talk at ACL Fest, 2009: As my friend Scott said, "Fuck Pearl Jam, i'm staying here." And we did.

6. David Bowie in The Woodlands, Tx, 2004: I love Bowie. I was as giddy as a school girl when he came out on stage. And he played everything.

I've seen some other good shit, i just can't think of what they are. Bright Eyes, Sigur Ros, The Melvins, MC Chris, Sunny Day Real Estate, Blur...all good. Muse, Arcade Fire, M83, Nine Inch Nails, Dungen, The Go! Team...also all good.

Must see more. (Another Jon Arbuckle sigh.)

Top 5 Songs That I Learned from Watching Commercials

1. Nick Drake - "Pink Moon" (from a VW Cabrio ad): A lot of hipsters will tell you that they actually knew who Nick Drake was before this commercial came out. About 80% of them are lying through their assholes.




2. Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons - "Beggin" (from an Adidas ad): This is a really groovy remix of an old 60's tune. Why Katy Perry's at this party, i have no idea.




3. ELO - "Mr. Blue Sky" (from another VW ad): I adore this song. The Delgados did a pretty decent cover of it a few years ago, but nothing tops the original.



4. The Walkmen - "We've Been Had" (Saturn ad): Nobody knew these indie darlings until this commercial came out. I would later find out that members of this band had also been in Jonathan Fire Eater. Far out.



5. The Orb - "Little Fluffy Clouds" (from yet another VW commercial): Yeah, i already knew this song. But, i had totally forgotten about it.



So, what lesson have we learned here today? Watch more television. We're commercial kids and we didn't even know it.

Shits and Giggles

Sun: 231 lbs.

LISTENING:

Shits and Giggles - "Trick or Treat" LP: Ariel Pink and a bunch of other weirdos make some magic together. This was limited to 500 copies on 180g vinyl, so try to get it here.

Unkle - "Psyence Fiction" LP: This is one of my favorite albums. DJ Shadow, James Lavelle, and slew of guests create one of the best electronica records ever. And i found it on vinyl. Good for me.

Dukes of Stratosphear - "25 O'Clock": 80's psychedelic pop.

WATCHING:

Football: And man were my picks wrong. I went 1 for 4 on this first round of playoff games. My only correct assumption was Baltimore's upset win over New England. I'll have to do better next weekend.

"Human Giant": Funny, funny, funny.

READING:

"The Death of Bunny Munro" by Nick Cave (Yes, that Nick Cave.)

"The Zombie Survival Guide" by Max Brooks

"City of Glass" by Paul Auster (again)

"The Simpsons" has been on for 20 years, and i'm gonna go let Morgan Spurlock (yech!) tell me all about it. Goodnight everybody.

I still love you Texas

A few short facts about the National Championship game:

-The stadium and surrounding area are gorgeous.

-There is a lack of technology in the said gorgeous stadium.

-I got my hopes up in the 4th quarter.

-I hung my head later in the 4th quarter.

-Bama fans are surprisingly nice and polite.

-LA is fruitcake city where the evening news plays out like the E! Network.

-I don't ever want to hear the phrase, "roll tide," ever again.

-Garrett Gilbert and Tre Newton are going to be pimps.

Muchos gracias go to John for scoring the tickets.

And much love and respect to all my Aggie and Texas Tech homeys for their support (if only for a few hours.)

Let's get this out of the way real quick

Sat: 233 lbs.

I ate a lot of crap over the last few days. Burgers, hot dogs, burritos, ya ya ya. But i'm working on it, i swear.

Goddamn it!!!

Goddamn it!!!

(Go look at a sports page or ESPN to see why.)

What time is it? Game time! What time is it? Game time!

I'll be off the grid for the next couple of days, as i have a play date with my old college roommate in Pasadena to watch the Longhorns battle the Crimson Tide for the National Championship.

If Texas wins, look for me. I'll be one of the 2 guys streaking across the Rose Bowl.

If Texas loses, then it's off to party at the Viper Room with River Phoenix.

And, i've decided to stop kidding myself about losing weight during football season. Working out these last couple of months, i've finally realized how much food and beer i actually consume during college and pro football game weekends. It's retarded. So, while i intend to continue running and crunches and whatnot, i have no intention of getting to my 204 lb. goal until i start with a clear, football-less head on February 8th.

Anyhoo, let's go eat some gumbo, grab a beer, and watch the Orange Bowl. Go 2 teams i don't care about. Yea.

TCU vs. Boise St.

So, who do i root for. I really could care less about either team. Let's see. TCU's in Texas. I'm in Texas. I have friends who went to school there. And Boise St. plays on blue turf.


Looks like TCU it is. Go Frogs!

Wha tha fuh?

Saints lose to Panthers? Shit.

Texans beat Patriots? Fuck yeah!

Cowboys shut out Eagles? Fuck the Cowboys.

Bengals get embarrassed by Jets (had the Bengals been victorious, Houston would be in the playoffs)? Well, that's some shit too.

(My wife likes the Texans.)

So, anyway, looks like we'll be playing either the Cowboys or the Eagles in 2 weeks. Bring it on motherfuckers.

I probably curse too much.

New Orleans I Love You, But You're Breaking My Heart

Sun: 230 lbs.

Feeling just a little hungover, but not bad. My Saints are already a touchdown behind. I can't handle a 3rd loss in a row. Yeah, we've already made the playoffs, clinched the division, got the first round bye, and clinched home field advantage, but going in with a 3 game losing streak is not the way to get to a championship. Fuck that.

New Orleans I Love You, But You're Giving Me A Goddamn Coronary.

Happy New Year

This has been out for a little while now, but i love it, and it's an awesome way to start out the new year. So, without further ado, Muppet Bohemian Rhapsody!