July 18, 2007
June 13, 2007
June 8, 2007
So apparently, Win Butler of the Arcade Fire (aka the band with this year's front runner for Album of the Year) likes to play basketball. So much, in fact, that when he was asked to leave a UC Berkeley court so that a group of guys could play an actual game, Win allegedly freaked out and had to be removed by security.
Anyway, one of the guys who was waiting to play foolishly left his basketball unattended. Someone stole it, and the guy claims it was Win Butler. So, he did what any good citizen would do; he started a blog. Whaaaaa?!
At his blog (which has since been mysteriously taken down), the story is told as such. Dudes show up to play basketball. Win Butler of indie darlings the Arcade Fire is playing a solo game of half-court while waiting for some friends to arrive. Dudes ask Win if he wants to play. Win says no. Dudes ask if Win can leave so they can play. Win allegedly grumbles something about paying too much money ($10) for the use of the facility to not use the time to its fullest.
At this point, the narrator gives up trying to reason with Win (?), and two supervisors apparently try to explain the "court rules" to Mr. Butler. Over the next 45 minutes, security shows up, someobody may or may not have been pushed, Win Butler was "extremely agitated and animated", and this dude left his basketball unattended on the court while he played basketball with his friends (I know; "the whole situation was so intense, I struggled with my jump shot").
So, the story is sketchy at best. But it all went overboard when a rebuttal blog was opened, allegedly by Win Butler's brother, claiming that Win, in fact, did not steal this dude's basketball.
Have you had enough of this story yet? Because I sure as shit have. Not because it's so mind-numbingly ludicrous, but because it's spread like wildfire across the globe! All of the major music sites have been over this; chances are, you heard about it before you read this. It's been discussed, analyzed and ridculed to death, and it hasn't been a week since the story broke. Across the interweb, smartass hipster comedian wannabes have already made other, equally ludicrous claims against other bands and artists. Stuff like, "Sufjan Stevens anally raped my cat while the Shins watched", and "Clap Your Hands Say Yeah annoyed me with garlic breath", and "Wilco made a shitty album" (the latter of which is not true; you fucking indie snobs aren't getting another Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, so stop fucking bitching incessantly about Wilco's new album. I can't believe an album could be dissed so heavily for having melody).
I think it's safe to say that shit is out of control. The internet has gone too far. Know how I know? More people know about what's going on with some random asshole's basketball than what's happening at the G8 summit (to save you some time, $60 billion aid package to Africa, an agreement was reached to cut greenhouse gas emissions in half by the end of the world... er, I mean 2050, and the poison didn't work).
Anyway, I just thought I'd share this with you as we head into the weekend. I've got no intentions whatsoever of posting a video roundup, so have a random jank video to go. Later, suckas.
P.S. If you're wondering what the fuck just happened, it will all be explained here.
June 4, 2007
So technically, it's been two weeks since I posted some new videos but, what can I say? It's been slow. Regardless, let's play catch up with these...
The White Stripes: Icky Thump
The title track from the Stripes' new album, in stores June 19. It's already leaked to the interweb, but I've as yet restrained from downloading. I'm actually going to try and hold out until release date so that the other tracks are a surprise. Although, it shouldn't be a surprise to anyone that Icky Thump is the kick ass song of the summer. Because it fucking totally is. As for the video? Let's see; Prostitutes? Check! Drunken stupors? Check! Meg's boobs at their bouncy finest? Double check! Political message? Check! Subtitles en espanol? Check! Video of the Year? Just maybe.
Velvet Revolver: She Builds Quick Machines
"Weiland & co." used to refer to Stone Temple Pilots, which was one of the 90's greatest bands. That's why it's weird to refer to Velvet Revolver as "Weiland & co." That said, maybe we should refer to Velvet Revolver as "Slash & co." No, wait, Guns n' Roses was "Slash & co.", no matter what that Axl guy has to say about it.
So, presenting "She Builds Quick Machines", the first video from the forthcoming (read: out July 3) album Libertad... by Duff & co. I believe in you, Duff!
Green Day: Working Class Hero
Taken from Instant Karma: The Campaign to Save Darfur, here we have Green Day at their most... er, U2ish? It would seem that Bono's preachy self-important lifestyle rubbed off on Billie Joe while they were recording "The Saints are Coming". And the results are rather staggering; this is a band that was singing juvenile songs about masturbation and cross dressing just a decade ago. They have a hit politically charged album, and suddenly they're covering John Lennon and delivering a poignant PSA. Ease up, Bono Joe. Us motherfuckers didn't sign up for no fancy book learnin'.
Instant Karma comes out on June 12.
My Chemical Romance: Teenagers
I don't care what you think. This is a good song. That's right, assclowns, I like My Chemical Romance. Does that make me emo? Nope, cutting myself makes me emo. Watch this shit while I carve out a love letter down my arm to all the black angel whores who engulf my essence in darkness and pain!
If you absolutely, positively must stay for another, oh, say, 21 minutes, here's an entire episode of Wonder Showzen! And if you don't know what that is... whatever you do, heed the warning!
And we're done here.
May 20, 2007
Queens Of The Stone Age: Sick, Sick, Sick
You know what rock videos need more of? Cannibalism!
Chris Cornell: Arms Around Your Love
With his new solo album in stores June 5, Chris Cornell has chosen a rocking new single for radio in "No Such Thing". Why he chose this kinda syrupy, generic tune for video is kind of mind boggling... unless, of course, he aspires to be Chad Kroeger. Nevertheless, have a peek at the clip, and make your own opinion. Ah, democracy.
Smashing Pumpkins: Tarantula
Yup, this be brand spankin' new shit from Corgan and friends. It's been seven years since their last official studio album, and many would argue that we really don't need to hear any more from the creepy little bald guy (lest we forget Zwan and that wrong, bad, worse than Adore solo record a few years back). Well, surprisingly enough, this track is rocking pretty hard. I wouldn't go so far as to say we've got a new "Zero" on our hands or anything, but it damn sure ain't dullsville.
UPDATE: The interweb saw fit to eat the original, politically charged fanmade video I posted originally, so here's a lame ass video, which uses band photos and crappy editing. Enjoy!
And, because I usually like to end this with cats and/or something strange, allow me to present the weirdest fucking Mastodon video you're ever going to see! The song is "Aqua Dementia", from their 2004 mindmelter Leviathan, and if you get lost, don't worry! The lyrics appear on screen, enabling you to sing along! F! U! N!!!
Did I neglect to mention that this was a Russian karaoke video? And that it was actually another one of those "misheard lyrics" videos? In Russian? With penis slippers? My bad. Looks like I let everyone down again. Not to worry! I've always got a Plan B...
Later, taters...
EDIT: STOP THE PRESSES!
You're kidding me... you've got to be fucking kidding me!
Okay, that'll do.