Saturday, August 29, 2009

Falapels & Tee-heeni



THE FLOP HOUSE  is a highly entertaining podcast that reviews bad, recent movies.  The hosts are hilarious...HILARIOUS.  I made a video to submit for a contest they are/were/aren't(?) having.  Please enjoy the video and please check out THE FLOP HOUSE.

-Dash

Monday, August 24, 2009

Ep. 35 - Gruyere, Teeth, Karma

Episode 35 can't stop won't stop!


We discuss:

Dash gets tiny!
James got a broken face uh huh uh huh oo!
Gettin' wet!
Buddhism maybe!

Food of the week:


Songs discussed:

Trapped by Boards of Canada (James' choice)

Music:

Freeze - "Boston Not L.A."
Daedelus - "Fair Weather Friends"
Jerry's Kids - "Straight Jacket"
The Bug - "Poison Dart (feat. Warrior Queen)"

Here's two videos from Elephant Larry:






Stuff we want to hear from you:
Dad/Supermarket/Drug/Dog/Travel/Punk Rock Stories!
Opinions on chivalry!

As always, e-mail ANYTHING of interest to wearefriendspodcast@gmail.com

-Your Friends

Saturday, August 22, 2009

Lyrics

How important to you are lyrics in the music you listen to? The main focus? Irrelevant? Somewhere in between? For me it depends on the band or artist. With some music, the vocals are just another sound in the melody (or cacophony). And with other music, the lyrics absolutely kill me (in a good way).

Lyrics in music can be equated to poetry if you want to generalize. Rhyming sentences that tell a story, describe emotions, or whatever. However, like poetry, the "rules" of writing lyrics are only followed by some. If you want to have a top 40 hit, make your lyrics rhyme and have a catchy beat that's in tune with the music. If not, do what you want I guess.

Let's take a look at some bands and their different styles or lyricism:

Band/Artist: Devin Townsend
Song: The Death of Music (6:00 onward)

Don't die on me
Don't go away
When I need you here
In my need

A very simple passage, but Mr. Townsend sings these words with such passion and created such epic music around them that it feels like a divine aria, if you're into that sort of thing. And the words themselves are so succinct, but so genuine. This is what every person wishes of their loved one. This selection can make me cry every time.

Band/Artist: The Paper Chase
Song: I am Going to Spend the Rest of My Life Lying

You better mind your p's and q's and
You better thank your lucky stars, this
the bigger fish ain't made a meal out of you.
I'm drinking wine I didn't squeeze out of you cause

I'm a swinging axe.
I'm a baseball bat.
I'm a cudgel sort,
and I'm a quick reply,
a fast retort.

The Paper Chase have absolutely brilliant lyrics. Their songs are full of metaphors, catchphrases and all sorts of spot-on rhyming. If I found out that they all had PhDs in romantic poetry and political science I wouldn't be surprised at all. These guys are dark band and spend a lot of the time singing about revenge and spite. But instead of going "You broke my heart so fuck you!" they use imaginative and haunting words to tell their stories.

Band/Artist: Andrew W.K.
Song: Totally Stupid (3:38 onward)

When we find ourselves in trouble
We can find ourselves a way
You can find a place to stay
And the place is always safe

If you have a heart that's in pain
Don't be afraid
You're not to blame
There's a better world inside of us
Where we always thought it was
You don't need to hide
You can open up your eyes

Now Andrew W.K. might be known for partying "hard" as it were, but the man (in my eyes) is a god-damned genius. He exudes positivity and joy. These lyrics also showcase a talent of treading the line between the blunt and the poetic, lyrics-wise. The sentences are very straightforward, but what he's actually telling you is introspective and warm. Every time I hear "You don't need to hide" I want to hug the whole world.

Band/Artist: Jesu
Song: Sun Day (4:32 onward)

You're my heart.
You're my heart.
You're my heart.
You're my heart.

What is this? The dumbest, most unorginal lyrics ever? Maybe to you. But maybe you're like me, and you hear the strain in Justin Broadrick's voice, trying to tell whoever he's telling how much they mean to him. Without them, his heart, he will die. This is what I hear.

Band/Artist: Neurosis
Song: Burn (3:01 onward)

this world of cold stone gives nothing in return
to those who sleep while the restless burn
there are the few driven to flame
most are content to drown in the wake of dreams

the trail lies overgrown
across the years fade out of light
ever growing dim to an age in the dark
grasp from your soul a don't let it steal your eyes


Neurosis is a depressing and intense band to say the least. Their songs are rife with imaginative lyrics that can be interpreted in all sorts of ways. What these words mean to you could, and probably will, mean something completely different to me. Their lyrics are dark and surrealist paintings, allowing you to create your own story around them.

Band/Artist: Zimmer's Hole (with special guest Nathan Explosion of Dethklok)
Song: The Vowel Song

A, E, I, O, U, and sometimes
Y are you wasting my air?
Why are you still here?
Why must I tolerate, no debate, eliminate!
A, E, I, O, U... SUCK... SUCK!

Best lyrics in the world.

-James

Now playing: Cult of Luna - Back to Chapel Town

Friday, August 21, 2009

It's not just a cereal anymore.

I'd like to thank David Malki, who got James to watch this, who got me to watch this.  Life is fucking awesome and this dude did a pretty wonderful job of capturing some of the moments that make it up.  I love though, that all of these thing make up mayyyyyyybe 1% of possible human experiences.  Go out there and live your fucking life.  It's worth it.



-Dash

Monday, August 17, 2009

Episode 34: Robbie, Ashley, Travel

Episode 34! Those numbers are sequential! Just like our episodes! ONE AFTER ANOTHER. FOREVER AND EVER AND EVER AND EVER. Now go get lost in the vortex!

(PS SPECIAL GUEST ROBBIE AND PHOTOGRAPHER ASHLEY!!!!!!!)

DOWNLOAD.

We discuss:

Dash getting DA BIG SCOOP!
James getting lost in endless hallways!
Robbie begging for Ashley's affections!
Funky house smells!

Food of the Week:


(The three of us got pineapple and Ashley got coconut)

Songs discussed:
Concubine by Converge - James' choice
Guns of Thunder by Pierced Arrows - Dash's choice

Music:
Untouchables -"Nic Fit"
Latche Swing - "Swing 39"
Gang Green - "Kill A Commie"
J Dilla - "Reality Check (feat. Black Thought)"

Here's the Sears commercial we were talking about. If you were a kid in the 90s, you know this one and it haunts your dreams:

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Stuff we want to hear about from YOU:

Internet friend/relationship stories!
New places/people stories!
Opinions on chivalry!
Punk rock/Drug/Supermarket/Dog stories

And here is a slide-show of pictures Ashley was taking while recording (Thanks Ashley!):

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As always, we welcome and would love you to email us about anything! So hit us at wearefriendspodcast@gmail.com

-Your Friends

Saturday, August 15, 2009

REALLY!?!?

I'm fucking old.


This is a video of Miley Cyrus performing at the Teen Choice Awards.  1:08...or just listen to the entire song.  Either way, words fail.

-Dash

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Top shelf.

WFMU is a free-form, independent radio station broadcasting from Jersey City, New Jersey.  At any point, you could flip on the station and hear kooky punk rock, two machines fucking each other, field recordings, old-timey jazz, West African pop and everything inbetween.

The main reason I listen to WFMU is this man:

This is Tom Scharpling, the host of "The Best Show on WFMU".  The Best Show is a call-in/music/talk program.  Tom often has wonderful guests ranging from Paul F. Tompkins to Aimee Mann.  Tom also has a comedy partner named Jon Wurster.  Almost every week, Jon calls into the show as a character and sets up some elaborate, crazy premise that winds up with him threatening Tom's life somehow.  The show is hilarious, features great music and you never feel the length of it.  Please check it out sometime.  You can download it as a podcast, listen online at wfmu.org, or check it out live every tuesday night at 8 pm.  

Here's a video interpretation of one of Tom's typical audience baits:



-Dash

Monday, August 10, 2009

Ep. 33 - Jesus, Time Travel, Television

Episode 33 just...needs a minute...to take a chill.  Have a seat.

....


We discuss:

James rubbing oil all over himself!
Dash has heard about Jesus!
Some creepy goblins stop by!
WF TV Corner!

Songs discussed:

El Manana by Gorillaz - Listener Cullen's suggestion
Say Can You See by Wilderness - Listener Jeff's suggestion

Food of the Week:

Music:

Minor Threat - "Filler"
Major Lazer - "Pon De Floor"
MDC - "I Remember"
Double Helix - "Get Twisted"

Here's a clip from one of the Futurama movies:



Aaaaaaaaand some Gordon Ramsay:



Stuff we want to hear from YOU:

Serendipitous (good luck) stories!
Thoughts/opinions on chivalry! (specifically you ladies out there!)
Dad/Supermarket/Dog stories!
Drug stories!


Send whatever you got to wearefriendspodcast@gmail.com !

-Your Friends

Sunday, August 9, 2009

Vaseline

Do any of you watch "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia"? You really REALLY should. It's an incredibly hilarious show. Anyhow, this video shows the actors "out of character" and blowjobs are the main focus. Enjoy!



-James

----------------
Now playing: Mike Patton - Sweet Cream (Redux)

Friday, August 7, 2009

"Pon De Floor"

I seriously can not stop watching this music video. Directed by Eric Wareheim from Tim & Eric. Music by Major Lazer. Guh. It's gorgeous. Lots of color and people being totally awesome. Music videos have always been a big part of my life and this is the first one in a while that really makes me love the medium again. Please enjoy.


-Dash

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

New comics taken from old comics. FUN!

By now I'd imagine most savvy folks are familiar with "Garfield Minus Garfield", the hilarious comic that takes Garfield strips, removes Garfield, and showcases Jon as a depressed schizophrenic leading an awful life.  Today I'd like to introduce you to "Scott Meets the Family Circus".

Scott Gairdner is hilarious Los Angeles comedy dude involved in sketch comedy and internet videos.  He also takes "Family Circus" comics, then adds "unseen" panels where he shows up and tells everyone in the Circ-verse to stop being dumb.

I feel really stoked to live in a world where this kind of stuff is so easy to produce and distribute.  Especially THIS kind of stuff.  As a long-time fan of comic stuff, my gateway drug was newspaper comics.  Newspaper comics are mostly atrocious.  SURE there are a few select exceptions, but I believe newspaper comics were invented for those rare weirdos that will sit and read an entire 'paper from cover to cover and need a little dose of entertainment.  Guh.  Anyways, I'm a big fan of this and hope more people find cool ways to make fun of the funnies.

-Dash

Monday, August 3, 2009

Episode 32: Scrones, Luck, Chivalry

Well LOOKIE here. Seems like Episode 32 just decided to walk RIGHT in. Well, all you listeners will show him what's what by downloading the SHIT out of him.

DOWNLOAD IT.

We discuss:

James laughing in the face of customers!
Dash being involved with crimes!
An email from listener Jeff about his life is terrible (right now)!
How being nice equates to being an ignorant asshole!
(Basically a really happy episode. No really!)

Songs discussed:

Godless Faith by Sahg - James' choice
Bubblegum New Forever by Giddle & Boyd - Dash's choice (Click Bubblegum New Forever on the player)

Click the song title links to listen to the songs and the band name links to learn all about the bands!

Food of the week:

Rosemary Focaccia Bread (toasted)

Music:

Bad Brains - "Pay To Cum"
Dizzy Gillespie - "Salt Peanuts"
D.O.A. - "Fucked Up Ronnie"
Burlesque Music - "The Killer"

Stuff we want to hear from YOU:

Serendipitous (good luck) stories!
Thoughts/opinions on chivalry! (specifically you ladies out there!)
Dad/Supermarket/Dog stories!
Drug stories!

As always, we welcome and would love you to email us about anything! So hit us at wearefriendspodcast@gmail.com

Saturday, August 1, 2009

GRIM JEEEAANS

So I wonder if any of you remember THIS POST, where I spoke of jewelry inspired by black metal. Well, I have something to post about that is relevant to that post! There is a Norwegian clothing company called "Anti Sweden" (the name is apparently "a tongue-in-cheek style statement against better-known jeans brands from neighbouring Sweden" ref) whose main product are pair of black jeans. Not just ANY black jeans though, oh no no. These jeans are frostbitten, they are kvlt and troo, they are GRIM. Why don't we take a look at a commercial for them?

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That song in the background is a Sunn O))) tune called "O)))BOW1" which was a collaboration between the band and (in)famous noise artist Merzbow off the album "Flight of the Behemoth". This company is obviously going for a black metal vibe, which is shown through some of the photos they have on their site:

Wolves! AWOOOOOO!!


You see there, the inside of the pockets have rather "dark" designs on them done by Justin Bartlett, who's worked with Aura Noir, Gorgoroth, Trap Them, Dodheimsgard, among other bands. (One of the sections on his site is called "Killustration!)

Look, I guess I'm going to have to come to terms with black metal being fashionable. Maybe I'll get some highlights in my hair, put on my corpse-paint and go to Soho for a gallery opening and drink wine coolers while wearing my spiked gauntlets. If you can't kill 'em join 'em? NO, YOU JUST TRY TO KILL THEM HARDER! FOR ODIIIIIIIINNN!!!

(Thanks to Megan [via twitter] for showing me this!)

-James

Now playing: Windir - Resurrection of the Wild