Javelin

Javelin made the rounds at SXSW this year. Unfortunately i missed them, because i'm loving their stuff. They put out a couple of EP's on Thrill Jockey which are very cool. I especially love the covers. They used sleeves from old records and printed the band name over them. Very awesome. The new album, "No Mas" comes out on April 20th on Luaka Bop Records. Go sample some Javelin here. You should be able to pre-order the record there too.

On another note, i mowed the lawn today. I'm so suburban.

Sweet Christ, No!!!!!!

We're on Facebook now. We'll try to keep it updated. Don't get your hopes up.

Eternal Summers

Eternal Summers have a 10" out on Chimney Sweep Records. Go there to procure yourself a copy. They are great. And, if i'm saying that, it must be true.

RIP Alex Chilton

I know this is 2 weeks late now, but happy trails Mr. Chilton. Now go power pop the hell out of heaven.

Some favorite songs so far

The year 2010 is just about a quarter of the way through. Here are some songs i'm really digging thus far:

1. Pantha Du Prince (w/ Panda Bear) - "Stick to My Side"

2. Liars - "Scissor"

3. Joanna Newsom - "Easy"

4. Girls - "End of the World"

5. Caribou - "Odessa"

6. Gonjasufi - "Sheep"

7. Javelin - "Lindsey Brohan"

8. The Knife - "Colouring of Pigeons"

9. Morning Benders - "Excuses"

10. Gorillaz - "Stylo"

You can probably find mp3's for all of these on The Hype Machine. Go get them! Right now!

NERDS!!!!!!

Comicpalooza was a lot of fun. Bruce Campbell was really funny and cool (didn't get any pics though, hrmph!), found some great comics (Miracleman yo!), met Ben Templesmith and got a killer Jesus as zombie slayer print, and actually found Rob Liefeld endearing during his Q & A.

(Note to non-comic nerds: Liefeld is a very divisive writer/artist/publisher in the comics arena. Generally you either love him or hate him.)

(I was always part of the latter group, but he seemed like an OK guy, so i guess my world has been thoroughly rocked.)

Here's some pics:

Paige being awesome

Peter "Chewbaca" Mayhew and me (he's absolutely enormous)

Paige and me and James Hampton (the dad from "Teen Wolf")

Ben "Paige's new favorite person" Templesmith

What's a comic book convention without one of these guys (a whole bunch of storm troopers played laser tag together during the convention...quite possibly one of the nerdiest/coolest things i've ever seen)

Can't wait to go to another one. Excelsior!!!

Comicpalooza

Going to Comicpalooza is Houston this weekend to see Bruce Campbell and a million fawning nerds. Should be a good time.

These guys will probably be there:


And it wouldn't be too surprising if some of these guys showed up (that would be kind of awesome):

And you never know where this guy's gonna be:

2nd Spring Break

Ok, so i'm not in school anymore (in fact, it's been quite a while), so i don't get to enjoy spring break like i used to. I have to work like the rest of us schlubs. But, since i did take one day off to go and catch some SXSW fun, i got to reminiscing about the old days when my roommate John and i would come back from spring break and start 2nd spring break that Monday. After all, it's spring break somewhere. So, in the spirit of 2nd spring break, i'm taking off Friday for a 3 day weekend and heading to Houston to nerd it up. Hail to the king baby.

X Y Z

Tues: 229 lbs.

Here are some random things i've been listening to lately. (I only noticed the end of the alphabet thing while writing this.)

Xiu Xiu - "Dear God I Hate Myself"
-These guys always make interesting records. Some songs can get a tad unlistenable for people, but it's always different. This time around 80's synths and some real melodic structure sneak their way onto the tracks. Honestly, this is probably the most accessible music they've made since covering "Under Pressure" with Michael Gira (Swans; Angels of Light) doing the Bowie parts. Give it a whirl.

Ye Olde Maids - "God Blesses Us, Mother Dresses Us"
-Cool, reverby, synthy bedroom rock from the dude from Cold Cave and Art Fag Records . This one's a bit harder to find, but you should be able to find a couple mp3's online.

Zola Jesus - "Stridulum" EP
-This one's pretty gothic-sounding. She really reminds me of Siouxsie Sioux, so take note all your Banshee fans.

Not Quite Hollywood

Go rent this right now.

"Not Quite Hollywood" is a documentary about Australian B-movies (ozploitation) from the 70's and 80's. Apparently, it was a favorite at the 2009 SXSW film festival, and rightly so. With a ton of clips, poster art, and interviews from producers, directors, actresses, stuntmen, and Quentin Tarantino, the film will rock your brain. There were little to no restrictions on these filmmakers. Lots and lots of car chases, blood and guts, full frontal nudity, explosions, and beer.

Go rent this right now.

Sunday with Stabba

Dear SXSW,

You were a lot of fun. I got to see a ton of great bands, drink a lot of (sometimes free) beer, and hang out with my wife and some friends. But now, it's time for everyone to get out and leave town. You don't have to go home but you can't stay here.

Love,
Tommy

Here are some Stabba pics. I would have loved to stick around for Paradise Titty (an all girl Guns n' Roses tribute band), but i have to get up and go to my job and stuff.

My SXSW Buddies

Sun: 229 lbs. (I can't believe it! Apparently chicken and waffles are good for you!)

David G (the bud)

Paige (the wife)

Drew (the bro) and me (the nerd)

Ending SXSW 2010 in a winter chill wasn't too bad. Maybe it will keep the Californians away for awhile. We'll have to do this again some time. Only one last thing to do...STABBA!!!!!!

Red Bull Thre3Style

After witnessing the carnage of Gwar, we went over to a parking lot on 4th and Colorado for a free DJ show. We got to see a bunch of DJ's, including DJ Jazzy Jeff, who's still the shit after all these years. Kudos my friend. Mos Def closed it, so i'd call that a great evening.

It was cold as balls outside though.

DJ Jazzy Jeff

Mos Def

Mess With Texas Pics

Fucked Up

Andrew WK

Andrew WK

GWAR!

GWAR!

Mess With Texas

Not doing anything on Saturday? Come to the Mess With Texas festival to see Andrew WK and Gwar! Sure, there's some other bands there too, but Andrew WK!!! And Gwar for God's sake!!! You'd have to be stupid not to go to the event to end all events. Rain or shine, Andrew WK's gonna get you ready to party, then Gwar's gonna dismember your drunk ass and feed you to a giant worm monster! Hooray!

(The rest of the line-up is actually pretty good too.)

Salem! JJ! GZA! Hooray!

Tommy and Paige (or the biggest sensation to sweep through SXSW since the brothers Hanson)

First Aid Kit

Salem

Salem

jj

Holy Fuck

GZA

Small Black, Vivian Girls, and Liars at Club Deville

Went to an awesome day party over at Club Deville brought to us by our friends at Insound. It was fun, and the drinks were free! free! free!...until they ran out and we had to pay for them. I did manage to pick up a copy of the self-titled 12" EP by Small Black, and that makes me happy.

Small Black

Vivian Girls

Vivian Girls

Liars

Liars

Contact High Five at Dog and Duck Pub

I'm starting to feel old. Two days of SXSW has practically killed me. (It doesn't help when you have to work.) I've been catching some great shit, and drinking like a college freshman, and i got to see Jon in a tiger suit. Here's some pics.

And as eloquently noted by the band, this was quite possibly the soberest Contact High Five show is history.

Bobby Hill

This little dude is cooler than you, and you're all going to have to accept that.

Some pics from the 20JFG party

Fungi Girls

Coasting

Fluffy Lumbers

Best Coast

Best Coast

Slava