Muppets Bohemian Rhapsody

Best thing I have ever seen on Youtube.

The Devil is Real

I was watching "Walk the Line" with Zoe the other day... and the scene where Johnny is talking about playing Folsom, and the record execs are telling him his church going audience won't approve... And the man in black says, "Well then they ain't real Christians." I've been thinking about that, and about how my Mama has always claimed religion would be alright if more Christians were religious the way the Man in Black was...

Mulling all that over, and then I find this awesome song, by probably the country's most under appreciated songwriter, Kevin Kerby... vocalizing thoughts that passed through my stoned teenage mind loitering in this exact same church parking lot twenty years ago...

Damn, Kevin, we don't deserve ya...

Take the Skinheads Bowling and discuss Mod History

I guess parenthood has made me tragically unhip... I had no idea that Camper Van Beethoven had gotten back together, but here they are, performing that late 80s college radio classic "Take the Skinheads Bowling"
Schweet!

and along a similar vein, I recently found this info graphic, which illustrates the history of Mod culture in the US. While it doesn't specifically mention scooters, or SHARPS, it does a good job of illustrating that Nazi skins are merely an extremely vocal and attention seeking sub-genre of the subculture. I was also proud to realize that this chart is on the servers of Evergreen, my Alma Mater.

And just so's you know where I stand, here's a little message to Aryan Skins, courtesy of Jello Biafra:

Jello Biafra's Advice to Obama

If you are up for some in depth reading, I suggest you check out this open letter to Barack Obama from Punk-Rock-Patriarch Jello Biafra. It's the sanest thing I've read in some time.

IRAQ – TRY THIS!

The closest thing to a solution I have heard was offered clear back in April 2004 by the Organization of the Islamic Conference (www.oic-ico.org). The OIC is comprised of 57 Islamic countries ranging from West Africa clear over to Southeast Asia. At their annual meeting they found six member nations (Indonesia, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Yemen and Morocco) willing to pony up enough of their own troops (approx. 150,000) that our troops could have gone home! Who slammed the door on that one? Colin Powell, on the grounds that having the Islamic soldiers under UN command instead of Americans was out of the question.

WHY??!? Wouldn't a neutral force of Muslim peacekeepers make a lot more headway than the disaster we've made? Wouldn't they at least command a lot more respect, resulting in a huge drop in violence? Surely the non-stop carnage and Iracketeering we have spawned is Exhibit A that we need to get over this colonialist illusion that other countries' problems can only be solved by Americans. The OIC's proposal for US withdrawal and peace in Iraq must be revisited immediately, and also considered for Afghanistan.

T C and Me: A Little Rockumentary

Yet another documentary on the coolest little music scene you've never heard of, this one about the Rockingest of the Little Rockers, TC.

I can't wait to see this one, TC is one of those characters that once you meet him, he's burned into your psyche. He changed the way I looked at Metal (the man is like a Man-O-War song made flesh) and the way I look at shoes. Plus in the above preview, there are some clips Vic Wiley... Bonus!

TC, here's hoping Odin's smiling upon you.

Thanks for the tip Bircho!

Zoe Read Armstrong Auerbach

That's right folks, the Dragon is a daddy!

Jes had about 31 hours of early labor and about 2.5 hours of active labor. The attending midwife and nurse both were amazed at how quickly and smoothly Jes delivered.

Mom and baby are both recovering fine, thanks for asking.

So far Zoe has been a joy. She is a calm, curious infant whose most frequent expression is dubious but observant.

Though I son't intend to make this a baby blog, I'm sure more details will come.

For now we'd like to clebrate Zoe's arrival with song.

Isn't she lovely?



or for those you are the freakier side of reality, how about how about East German Punk Diva, Nina Hagen's trippy song celebrating the birth of her daughter Cosma Shiva?



And last, but certainly not least, I'd like to share the song that local Redding musician Mark Hinkley performed for us at Jes's Baby shower.

Zoe's Song

May you be blessed with loving kindness,
May you be well,
May you be graceful and at ease,
May you be happy.

May your first sight be of your family,
May you reach out,
And keep your family close to you,
May you be happy.

May your first steps grow strong and steady,
May you cry out,
Then may learn to sing of love,
May you be happy.

Firefly + Bluegrass + Radiohead = Bliss

Or to steal a page from Warren Ellis's book:

Q: Conan, what is good in life?

A: Mashing-up Nihilistic British Pop music, virtuoso American rural folk music, and the best Gorram show to be canceled before it could find its niche.

True Origins of Iron Man

There is a great story over on Boston.com, titled We Are Iron Man, which attempts to trace the literary and comic book influences on the classic Black Sabbath song "Iron Man".

So what might a song whose themes were in all probability cobbled together from Iron Man's origin story and Ted Hughes's heady children's book mean?

During the Vietnam War era, and again today, those of us who aren't off fighting in a senseless war -- and who know that it's a senseless war -- gain cold comfort from the shrill middlebrow arguments we find in liberal magazines and on op-ed pages. But Black Sabbath’s vaguely antiwar dirge, whose lyrics aren't high-, middle-, or lowbrow, but hilobrow, and whose music is savage, relentless, and overwhelming, is cathartic. It forces listeners to experience man's inhumanity to man, to experience for a moment what it's like to be crippled and deformed by, say, explosive ordnance. Or by the everyday indignities, injustices, and absurdities of contemporary life. ...

Anyone who desires nothing so much as to prevent humankind from tearing itself to pieces, but who feels paralyzed, helpless, tongue-tied -- and therefore full of inarticulate rage, perhaps even a desire for revenge of some kind -- is an iron man.

We're all iron men.

I love how memes travel, and also how they sometimes spontaneously pop up in different areas and media. Joshua Glenn offers several theories as to what the possible connections are between the Marvel Comics superhero, the Ted Hughes children's book The Iron Giant, and the heavy metal anthem. Some of theories are pretty compelling, but he neglects the one I think is most likely, which is that certain archetypical figures just reappear in pop-culture from time to time. Perhaps all these creative individuals were operating under similar influences...

Anyway, I'm stoked about the new Iron Man movie coming out soon. The previews look awesome, Downey seems a perfect choice for jaded, worldly Tony Stark, and the use of the Black Sabbath song in the soundtrack and previews is a no-brainer, but it still makes me very happy!

Metalheads for Obama

I'd like to say something clever about this, but am overwhelmed by its inherent cleverness. Sheer metal genius from Jay-Jay French, guitarist for Twisted Sister.

Flaming Lips + Cat Power = "War Pigs"!!!

Oh man! This is fantastic!

Hmmm... makes me wonder if getting blood on the American Flag is considered blasphemous pinko desecration?

Think for a sec, afore ya answer that, eh, hoss?

I'll say one thing for Bush & Co., they have heightened my appreciation of Black Sabbath and Ozzy.

For many years I wrote Ozzy off with the typical art-fags disdain for stoner-metal. But the only competition this song has in pop-culture is Dylan's "Masters of War," another of my favorites, but "War Pigs" works on a populist, mythical level... which Dylan is little too high-falutin' to ever achieve.

Ah, but who am I kiddin'? I love me some trash-talking Dylan!
Especially when he's giving the powers-that-be the what-for.
And even more especially when that trash-talkin' is reinterpreted by Pearl Jam:

German Steampunks Force Lionel Ritchie to Sing Under the Influence of Helium

I have recently been alerted to this Germanic Steampunk conspiracy to take over the world, beginning by forcing 80s R&B stars to sing their hits in Mickey Mouse voices:

Stage one: Force R&B Stars to sing after inhaling Helium.

Stage two: ????

Stage three: RULE THE WORLD!!!

BWAAH HAAA HAAA!!!!!

Look out Peabo Bryson, you're next!

Seriously though, look at the raiment of some of the gentlemen on this show: Has Steampunk become High Fashion in Deutschland without anyone notifying me?

via Neatorama

Michael Franti and Spearhead

That last video I posted got me thinking about Spearhead.
They played at my Alma Mater during the later half of my freshman year, and my roomate Sparky had one of their posters up for the remainder of the year. The next year, when I'd cook up five gallons of my infamous Cajun Dragon's Breath red beans and rice, at least one of my room mates would start into the chorus of "Beans and Rice." There's only one vid for this song I can find online, and the sound quality isn't great, but if you choose to watch it, the lyrics are here.
Most people on the planet/ eat beans and rice
Some can’t afford beef or they think cows are nice
If you talk table manners don’t believe all they
Told ya I eat with my fingers like an african soldier
I don’t know which fork is for meat or for salad
I haven’t got a clue when they say "whet your palate"
Eat a lot a prunes it’ll keep you loose
Skin’ll turn orange if you drink carrot juice
I think beef jerky tastes like a boot
When I’m on the street I chew a licorice root
And if I have a soar throat /then I eat ginger
And I will break bread /with those who are strangers
So come into my cave / tonight I will show you
Food is for life / and life I will show you.
If you’re havin’ problems/ I invite you here
Step into my kitchen /we will cook away your fears

Now the Dragon is the furthest thing from a vegetarian. I'll meat in any color of the rainbow, but this song comes the closest to capturing my attitudes towards food and fellowship.

But as important as nutrition and cuisine are, Mr. Franti turns his exceptional songwriting and singing skills to other vital topics such as Iraq. For instance, turn your eyes and ears towards "Time to Go Home."



Definitely one of the best Iraq protest songs I've heard... at least until the end of this post.

And it speaks to Franti's great talent, that his darker songs make the hairs on the back of your neck, while at the same time he crafts light hearted ditties like "Hello, Bonjour" which still contain heavy nuggets of wisdom, but tickle your heart with effervescent bubbles of joy.



Michael Franti is an interesting cat. His Wikipedia entry has such eyebrow raising facts as he goes through most of life shoeless. And there is huge internet archive of free Spearhead live performances, following a taping policy first originated by the Grateful Dead. I guess I'll just have to forgive such blatant acts of hippiness, on account of what a badass he is.

Do you remember "Hole in the Bucket," which got some airplay back in halcyon days of the mid-nineties, the last time radio was worth a damn?
Spearhead, yup, that's right.



Seriously though, after four years at Evergreen, and seven years in Oly, I have a low tolerance for the outer trappings of wannabe hippies and trustifarians. I can't stand reggae, or most jam bands. But Spearhead still cuts through these prejudices, managing despite all my cynicism to surprise and inspire me. Finding out that Franti began in the punk scene was interesting. To me , punk was always much more an attitude, one of questioning and exploring, born of the harsh facts of how life really is for too many, and propelled by the concept that outrage and indignation can be cleansing. Somewhere along the line it seems this has reached a disconnect, and contemporary punk seems to be more about anger as an end, as a style. Still, I guess there are a few old punks out there still using anger as a means. Still willing to "Yell Fire" in a crowded abattoir.

Art of Noise

That's right kiddos, the Dragon's here with another flashback video post, eating through your bandwidth like a chainsaw through a baby grand.
Enjoy the techno-anarchistic glee!



and what 80s flashback would be complete without a visit from Max Headroom?

Thumpin' Bikes or Dance-Dance Pedal Revolutions

The New York Times has an article and slide-show up about the latest trend for Guyanese and Trinidadian youths in Queens, strapping ginormous stereo systems onto bikes, as in bicycles.

The bikes roar, but the booming sound has nothing to do with engines — because there are no engines. They are ordinary bicycles, not motorcycles, although these contraptions look and sound more like rolling D.J. booths. They are outfitted with elaborate stereo systems installed by the youths.

“This one puts out 5,000 watts and cost about $4,000,” said Nick Ragbir, 18, tinkering with his two-wheeled sound system, with its powerful amplifier, two 15-inch bass woofers and four midrange speakers. It plays music from his iPod and is powered by car batteries mounted on a sturdy motocross bike.

Man, I'm all for crazy custom jobs on vehicles that will "freak the mundanes," from custom paint to covering your car in AOL cds, but this one has got me head scratchin'. Still some of these set ups are kinda cool, and definitely the result of a lot of time and effort. Having just had a birthday, I'm going to try and keep seeing it that way... though my knee-jerk reaction is closer to that of my grandparents whenever one of those cars would roll-by with a stereo that registers on the Richter scale.

Two Gallants - Despite What You've Been Told

Well, whaddayaknow, there is some justice in the world after all...

I was prowling Youtube, on a totally unrelated blogging-mission, and just happened to notice that the Gallants were the tops of the Tube's featured videos.


Great video for a great song.
It's really nice to see these two guys getting the attention they so rightly deserve. Here's to hoping fame doesn't water down their poignant self-loathing, it's better than whiskey for helping a grown man cry.

That's How the Yodel was Born

The Roy and Dale sign-off link on that last post, made yer humble Dragon all nostalgic for some good old-timey cowboy music, the kind of fever that not even cow-bell can cure.
No sir, there is only one cure for an old-school cowboy music fever, and that is Three on Trail.
So here they are explaining the origin of the yodel:



I first saw these guys at Prescott College in Arizona, when they were touring with their first album Three on the Trail. Somewhere in storage, I still have a signed poster from that night. Man, that was like 25 years ago, and Too Slim's mustache was still fully colored. Since then, they've added the accordian, had a Saturday morning kids show, and a slew of albums. But really they haven't changed a bit. I think they are even still using the same jokes...

And on that subject, I bring you the Riders' latest press release, announcing their solidarity with the Writer's Strike:

Riders Declare Solidarity with Writers, Vow No New Jokes

Riders In The Sky announced today "full solidarity" with the ongoing entertainment writers' strike, vowing no new jokes or routines "until our latte lappin' punchline partners out there in L.A. are free to fire up their laptops and earn a fair ancillary wage."

"I can't go out there and walk the picket line," said Riders funnyman Too Slim, "but I can tell old jokes."

"He certainly can," agreed Riders fiddler Woody Paul. "Some of his jokes must be twenty five, thirty years old. That face-playing routine is eligible for Social Security."

"Yes, yes it is," added Ranger Doug. "But as a union organization, I think it's important for us not to cross a picket line, even if it's only imaginary. If people think they'll get fresh comedy just by coming to our show, that could undermine the strike."

"What about the Milton Berle jokebook in the back of the bus?" suggested Joey, the Cowpolka King. "Can't we just steal some one-liners or limericks from that?"

"Technically yes," answered the Ranger. "In a way, they ARE reruns. But splitting hairs, seeking loopholes and ignoring an underlying issue's true spirit is certainly not..." and he turned his face toward the setting sun, "The Cowboy Way."

"It's a shame," concluded Too Slim. "I was making some real progress on the turtle joke. I was hoping to have it ready by '09. Oh well. Can I at least end this story with a clever riposte?"

"Nope," answered the Ranger. "Just let it trail off into

Heh, heh, heh...
Till next time folks, remember if this was a logical world, men would ride side-saddle.

Cowboys' Ten Commandments

Mark Frauenfelder has a post up on bOINGbOING about a recently uncovered Mafiosos' Ten Commandments. Eh, that's mildly interesting, more illuminating though, is that he contrasts it with Gene Autry's Ten Commandments for Cowpokes:

1. The Cowboy must never shoot first, hit a smaller man or take an unfair advantage.

2. A Cowboy must never go back on his word, or a trust confided in him.

3. A Cowboy must always tell the truth.

4. A Cowboy must be gentle with children, the elderly and small animals.

5. A Cowboy must not advocate or possess racially or religiously intolerant views and ideas.

6. A Cowboy must help people in distress.

7. A Cowboy must be a good worker.

8. A Cowboy must keep himself clean in thought, speech, action and personal habits.

9. A Cowboy must respect women, parents and his nation's views.

10. A Cowboy is a patriot.

Something to shoot for, I reckon.
Of course to continue the compare and contrast, I offer you what might be seen as the downside of emulating cowpunchers, via Willie Nelson:

Cowboys ain't easy to love and they're harder to hold
And they'd rather give you a song then diamonds or gold
Lonestar belt buckles and old faded Levi's each night begins a new day
And if you don't understand him and he don't die young
He'll probly just ride away...

Cowboys like smokey old pool rooms and clear mountain mornin's
Little warm puppies and children and girls of the night
And them that don't know him won't like him
And them that do sometimes won't know how to take him
He ain't wrong he's just different
but his pride won't let him do things to make you think he's right

Of course, to quote ol' Willie one more time:

I grew up a-dreamin' of bein' a cowboy,
and Lovin' the cowboy ways.
Pursuin' the life of my high-ridin' heroes,
I burned up my childhood days.
I learned of all the rules of the modern-day drifter,
Don't you hold on to nothin' too long.
Just take what you need from the ladies, then leave them,
With the words of a sad country song.
My heroes have always been cowboys.
And they still are, it seems.
Sadly, in search of, but one step in back of,
Themselves and their slow-movin' dreams.

Till next time, Happy Trails, pardners...

A Ska Scout is Tolerant, Energetic, Playful, and CLEAN

Wow!
Illnoise over at 2Strokebuzz posted this today:

I have this whole rant about how parents today think they’re so badass and hip and enlightened, when they’re really just forcing their embarassingly lame 20-year-old values on their poor kids just like every other parent before them (They Might Be Giants and IKEA are actually several notches down the hip scale from Shel Silverstein and avocado-colored appliahttp://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gifnces). But today I’ll spare you that lecture and pretend it’s cool that my Debbie-Harry-obsessed daughter watches a kids’ show that runs stuff like this.

While this is only peripherally scooter related (there's a scoot-toy to be seen hiding in the messy room), this really made my day. The cartoon hits Ska nail on the head, and as 2Stroke is trying to say, does it with a useful message, and without watering it down. "Pickitup, Pickitup, Pickitup" as a cheerful admonition for neatness in kids is just genius. This song will be my new cleaning-day mantra, and probably the bane of any children I may have.

Pirate Papa, you gots to check this out!

The Slits

Pardner, there ain't no school like the old skool.

The older this old drake gets, the more I feel I's got to explain what Punk really is to young'uns.
I mean, shiznit, tadpole, Siouxe Sue, the Cure, and the Violent Femmes were all considered Punk back in the day. It's got a lot more to do with attitude than it does with noise and decibels.
And if you wanna talk about iconoclastic, long-lasting, STILL ahead of their time, ol' skool punkers... well you'd be hard pressed to come up with a better example than the Slits.





Online Videos by Veoh.com



Honky-Tonk Dragon says check 'em out

Rise

Back in the misty time of legends when the Dragon was in High School, this was his theme song. Years of therapy and intermittent Buddhist practice may have caused my attitude towards anger to become, shall we say, more sophisticated, but there is still a special place in my heart for Mr. Lydon's jeremiads. Plus we use the same dentist, and frequently the same hair-stylist.

Iain de Sane, hope this will make up a bit for us missing the Southern detour on our trip...

A tip of the Stetson to Warren Ellis.