Too busy to actually blog...

The Get Up Kids DVD Trailer

According to this Punknews.org article, the Something to Write Home About reissue is out September 7 and includes a DVD with a full live performance of the album, as well as archival footage. I really hope there is more archival footage than what I've already seen on YouTube. I also wonder where these shows were filmed. If I remember correctly, one of the shows (maybe it was the On a Wire tour in 2002?) I saw at the Showbox in Seattle was being filmed...

Check out the trailer above. The 19-year-old in me can't wait!

The Future of Music?

I don't know what this really is, or why it was made, but it's awesome.

Found via The Stranger's music blog, Line Out

Floor Fest '09

My friend Casey is booking three awesome shows this week at the venue she is helping to manage, The Ground Floor. Between WhAAM and the Ground Floor, Bellingham's all-ages scene has never been stronger. Help create an even brighter future by showing up at these shows and telling your friends. Every single one of these shows is going to be a good time. I am especially stoked to finally see Hour of the Wolf!

August 11th - $5.00
- Xibalba (Ponoma, CA)
- Envision (Bham)
- Media Mind (Seattle)
- Torerro (Bham)

August 13th - $7.00
- Hour of the Wolf (Prescott, AZ)
- Wolves and Thieves (E. Bay, CA)
- Touche Amore - (Los Angeles, CA)
- ManEatingWolf (bellingham-sters)
- Bully (angry young enumclaw punks)

August 16th - $5.00
- Unrestrained - (Vermont)
- Unrestrained - (PDX)
- Not Sorry - (Seattle)
- The Helm - (Seattle)


Check out this goofy Hour of the Wolf zombie attack music video:

Road Trip From Hell

You may recall a post I made a while back with a trailer for a fake movie, The Legend of Zelda: The Missing Link (I highly recommend clicking that link (PUN!) if you haven't seen it yet).

That trailer was made for a monthly competition here in Bellingham called Trailer Wars. It's basically a group of friends who make movie trailers and have a screening every 6 weeks. After all the trailers are played, everyone in the room votes on their favorite. The winner gets to choose the genre and rules for the next competition. The Zelda movie was made for a "children's fantasy" film. Devon, who directed it, won the month before so he was ineligible. The group that did win that month chose a Road Trip movie that must include the following:

- A vomit scene
- A dead historical figure
- The song "Don't You Forget About Me" from the Breakfast Club (this rule was later removed to prevent YouTube from taking the videos down - we managed to get a version of the song in anyway)

So after Chris and I helped out with Devon and Joe's Zelda trailer, we decided to enter with our own trailer this time. We asked Lauren and Chris's fiance Jen to help out with a trailer we hoped would stand out from the rest (we assumed everyone was making comedies). And without further ado, here is what we produced:



We didn't win the competition, but still had a great time. Everyone was very friendly and inviting, we got to see some cool trailers, and I think it made us even more excited for next month. Speaking of which, next month's genre is "The Unnecessary Sequel!" That's it - no other rules other than it now must be under 3 minutes. Let's hope we can come up with something good!

DIY Air Conditioner

We are hitting record temperatures right now in the (normally moderate) Pacific Northwest, so I thought some of you might find this useful. I might consider going out this weekend and picking these materials up, because my little place heats up like an oven.

You will need:
- A box fan
- (2) 1/4 Inch vinyl tubes (2-3 feet long)
- 1/4 copper tubing (10 feet or so)
- Aquarium water pump (make sure it can fit 1/4 vinyl tube on the end)
- A package of zipties
- Styrofoam ice cooler
- Scissors

A Team Tetris Retrospective

First off, let me apologize for my severe slacking on the blog as of late... I don't have any excuses besides the fact that the laziness of summer has infected Bellingham and I've been a victim. Also, my car is sounding funny, I just had my wisdom teeth yanked, and I've been busy with a few video projects, as well as what you are seeing below.


Click the image above to be taken to a Flickr album of all the photos from this year. All photos by Lauren Miller.

Team Tetris debuted in 2004 in the Sedro-Woolley Loggerodeo Parade and we've been there ever since. Our main goal was to make the parade a more fun event for kids, and bring some familiar faces from the video game realm to Sedro-Woolley (something I would have loved when I was little). Plus, it's always fun for the participants as well. Somehow, we managed to wrangle up more people this year than I've ever dreamt possible, which was awesome!!! My niece Isabella even participated and had a great time :)

Here are some more shots from the event this year (click any image to be taken to Lauren's photo album):








And here's one of my niece Isabella, playing the part of Baby Peach! She did an awesome job and according to my sister Amy, she is already talking about next year!



Here are a couple group shots or video from the years past:

From 2008:


From 2007:



From 2006:





From 2005:


To become a fan of Team Tetris on Facebook and find out how YOU can get involved, click HERE!

The Legend of Zelda: The Missing Link Trailer

Trailer Wars is a competition of local creative types who get together once a month and show off a trailer they created (for a movie that doesn't exist). Each month, there are certain rules set up, such as the genre and specific requirements (must have a vomit scene, must have puppets, etc.) set by the previous month's winner. I was excited to be asked to help out for this one; check it out!

Bellingham's Tribute to Michael Jackson

This footage was shot last night at 11 PM in the heart of downtown Bellingham. These guys have done this before (last time was Halloween) and I was pretty impressed that they were able to pull this together again with such a large crowd with relatively short notice. I didn't film this, but I was there. The best part was definitely the homeless guy who comes in around 1:45 in the video. According to Lauren, who lives downtown, MJ's music was blasted with a crowd out there until about 2 AM!



Rest in peace, Michael!

Björk - Voltaic Preview

This is almost too much! I can't believe BELLINGHAM has one of the only confirmed screenings so far!!!!!! Thank you Pickford Cinema! I was lucky enough to see this tour live on my birthday 2 years ago, but this DVD looks incredible!

Lost: The Sitcom! Season 1 Intro

I wish I had thought to make this. Best clip I've seen all week by far:



Thanks for the heads up Lauren. If you liked it, click here for a bunch more.

Gamespeek Reunites for E3

I know E3 was over two weeks ago, but I wanted to post this anyway. Back on June 5 (I know, I know, I am really late posting this) I got together with my fellow Gamespeek podcasters Chris and Lauren to talk about the announcements of this year's AWESOME E3 Expo. Unfortunately we didn't have the money or credentials to go this year, but who know, maybe we can finagle our way in next year. Meanwhile, give this a listen. It's been awhile since Gamespeek had recorded anything, so we had a good time.

Gamespeek: E3 News Recap


Gamespeek isn't dead. We plan on doing more audio and video whenever we get ideas or time, so check http://www.gamespeek.com often. Or add us to your google reader with our RSS Feed. We have some very cool stuff planned in the near future, so stay tuned.

The Crowd at a Rock Show

Click the image for full-size.

Often I feel like 16. Sometimes 8, 9 or 10, as well... Maybe 5, too.

Happy 25th Birthday Tetris!!

Still one of my favorite games of all time! Challenge me on my scores on facebook, I dare ya!

Even Google celebrated. Did you see this?

Beat-boxing MADNESS

Holy crap. I had to share this. Do you think he had help by some post-production? Hands on a Korg perhaps?

My Golden Birthday

Just wanted to check-in and let the blogosphere know that I am not dead. In fact, I am pretty stoked on life at the moment! My boyfriend has been in town from Birmingham, AL, for the last week or so, meaning that blogging has been close to the last thing on my mind.

Also, I just had my golden birthday yesterday, so I have officially entered my mid-to-late 20s! We celebrated by driving to Seattle last night to meet up with some friends, get some food and beer, and see Helms Alee perform. They were incredible as always and this time they played 4 or so new songs, some still instrumental. It was rad. Oddly enough, the show wasn't advertised much and the room was pretty empty when they played. Way more people showed up to see them the last two times I've seen them in Bellingham (see evidence here and here - can you spot me in both images?)

This performance is from almost two years ago in Wenatchee, WA:

Remix vs. Original

Being somewhat of a musical purist, I am usually not too fond of remixes. Especially when people mess with Björk's music. She is no stranger to remixes either; she released an album of remixes called "Telegraph" and her singles almost always include remixes. I just never really like them.

Until now. Watch the original video for "Declare Independence" (directed by mastermind Michel Gondry) on top and then watch the remixed video and song. I like the remixed song and video much, much better. The original is probably my least favorite song on "Volta," so I guess this isn't too surprising. Anyway, check out the remix (below the original version) and how much better it is.





What remixes do you like more than the original?

The Pixelator

How cool is this? This video makes me want to create some sort of art installation using a lot of televisions and a lot of pixelators.



From their web site, http://jasoneppink.com/pixelator/

"Pixelator is an unauthorized on-going video art performance collaboration with the New York City Metropolitan Transit Authority, Clear Channel Communications, and its selected artists.

Since 2003, the MTA has made available for exhibition purposes 80 LED screens located at subway entrances across New York City. Unfortunately, the high cost of exhibiting (an estimated $274,000 per month per screen) prevents most artists from having access to these facilities. While the MTA's effort to create more opportunities for video art exhibition in public spaces is to be commended, selected works remain wholly fixated on commercial goods and media conglomerate events, a short-sighted curatorial choice that regrettably ignores the full potential of these promising exhibition spaces.

In an attempt to broaden the scope of MTA's video art series, Pixelator takes video pieces currently on display and diffuses them into a pleasant array of 45 blinking, color-changing squares. Since the project is an anonymous collaboration, the resulting video is almost entirely unplanned and unanticipated, with the original artists helping to create new works of art without any knowledge of their participation.

(Translation: Pixelator turns those ugly, blinding video billboard ads into art.)'

X-Men X-Travaganza

It just came to my attention this morning that my favorite cartoon growing up, and the reason I got into comic books as a kid, was recently released on DVD! X-Men, volume 1 and volume 2, are available now on Amazon.com for only $17.99 each. I have very fond memories of this cartoon, especially since the movies were all disappointing. They plan on releasing at least two more volumes to finish up the entire series. The only bummer? No commentary or any extra features :(



I was also thinking today about how awesome it would be to see the original X-Men Arcade game on Xbox Live Arcade. Honestly, they wouldn't have to touch up the graphics or anything - just include 6-player online support and it would sell like hotcakes. It was never released on any home console and really deserves a release...



And lastly, the awesome Angry Video Game Nerd posted his review of the classic X-Men and Wolverine games on the NES, plus a brief look at the Genesis games:

Ms. Pac-Man Nikes

I would totally sport these Ms. Pac-Man inspired Nike Dunks if I had the spare money. Unfortunately, I am sure they'll be expensive and hard to find. Select retailers will be carrying them in May, so hit up your favorite shoe boutique or pre-order at UNIV.

(original Kotaku.com story here)

Torche - Healer & Across the Shields (videos!)

Ever since I received Torche's "Healer / Across the Shields" record, I've been itching to post the music videos that came with it on DVD. Well, finally someone ripped them to youtube and "Across the Shields" is now a featured video on Myspace Music. So check em out already!!

Torche - Headbangers Ball - MTV Shows

Tiptoeing through the Tulips

I made my first trip to the Skagit Valley tulip fields last night. Ever year, thousands of tourists from all over the world visit Skagit Valley for the Tulip Festival. I've lived in Skagit and Whatcom counties most of my life and never bothered to make the trip. I was in the area with my sister, niece and nephew, so we decided to get off I-5 and take a look around. The best part of the visiting the tulips is the photos. Unfortunately I only had my Sidekick with me, but my sister Angela took some better shots with her digital SLR.

Marvel vs. Capcom 2 on XBLA!

When Street Fighter II HD Remix came out on XBLA, every serious gamer wondered, "What about MvC2?" because that's the game we all really wanted. Well, Capcom has finally granted our wish and announced the release of the game over Xbox Live Arcade and PS3 Store. And the unusual part? They are making every single character from the game available from the start! Quite an attitude change from the recently released Street Fighter IV.

This game is the main reason I bought a Sega Dreamcast back in the day. I have many fond memories of playing this game with friends for hours during my first year of college. That opening theme music while selecting your characters always drove us crazy. I am glad they are keeping that in tact, for nostalgia's sake.

Check out the (sorta cheesy) trailer below:

Sleeveface is awesome!!!

Check out this site, http://www.sleeveface.com. I want to submit one!!!

Trial - The Vera Project in Seattle - 4/22/09

What an awesome and crazy show. I love standing just behind where the stage-divers land so I don't get hurt, but I still get to witness the craziness up front. At least one guy got totally knocked out and another had a bloody face or nose. I know it sounds cheesy, but singer Greg Bennick spoke between songs about a lot of things important to the band, like using the energy and feeling from a show like that one to inspire yourself and transform the world around you. He talked about the Vera Project and how that venue is living proof that we can all find inspiration in ideas and make them into something real. For the most part, he keeps a very positive edge to his message which is rare in hardcore. If he was some sort of atheist minister, I'd totally go to his church. The dude knows how to speak and how to motivate.

I only got 3.5 hours of sleep the next night before working, but it was totally worth it. This was my second time seeing them, and they are easily the most intense, inspirational band in the history of hardcore (as I know it, anyway).

Here's the night's setlist I nabbed from http://xstuckinthepastx.blogspot.com

I Don't Believe in Earth Day

Because you should live every day like it's Earth Day.



In other news, I'll be driving (by myself, ironically) down to Seattle after work to see hardcore legends Trial play a sold-out show at the Vera Project with 108, Pulling Teeth, Skin Like Iron, Lewd Acts, Wait in Vain and Parasitic Skies. Life rules.

Record Store Day

Record Store Day is tomorrow. Check out the list of participating stores (3 in Bellingham!) and the list of exclusive items. I'll be picking up the My Morning Jacket exclusive double 10", the Sonic Youth 7"s, the Pavement live album and possibly the Sublime 7" (they were my favorite band growing up and it has two of my favorite songs).

Are YOU going record shopping tomorrow?

Kylesa - "Static Tensions"

This is my first record review of something I have been digging lately. Let me know what you think of the album if you pick it up.

First off, I need to mention that I had not heard Kylesa before this release, and I've yet to go back and check out anything else they've released. Some friends whose taste I usually trust never say anything good about this band so I always hesitated. However, Last.fm has recommended this band to me every time I log on, so I decided I should finally check out the new record; and I am glad I did. I think you should do yourself a favor and check out this album without any preconceived notions of this band.

Kylesa has two drummers, live and on the recordings. Being a drummer, I think this is a huge part as to why I love this record so much. The percussion is often simple and tribal, but very powerful and heavy-as-shit. For the most part, the drummers are playing the same thing and at times almost sound like a single kit. But then other times (like the toms during the beginning of "Unknown Awareness") it sounds like a marching band's worth of drummers playing their cadence and heading straight for you.

I really dig the occasional psychedelic tones that some of the songs have, especially on the closing track "To Walk Alone." It's nice to hear a band like this taking some chances and being successful in the end, without being overly experimental and boring. I like that the there are no six minute songs on this record. I love the dual male-female vocals. The flow is perfect and there is enough variety that it never looses my attention. So far, this is looking to be one of my favorite records of 2009.

P.S. Check out the song below. It's not very good audio quality, but should give you an idea of what to expect. Go to their Myspace page to hear my favorite track on the record, "Unknown Awareness." Also, do yourself a favor and listen to this album with headphones.

Standout tracks: Unknown Awareness, Only One, Almost Lost, Nature's Predators
Recommended if you enjoy: Torche, Helms Alee, Baroness, Zozobra

Kylesa - Scapegoat

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Vision For High-Speed Rail in America

This makes me giddy. Click the image for the full story on the White House site and HERE for the federal Department of Transportation info site.

Bend, Oregon

A few weekends ago, some friends and I embarked on our yearly trip down to Bend, OR, for lots of beer, food and friends. Oh yeah, and some nature, too. Here are some shots I took from our trip, in photo and caption format.


Finally got to eat the Rainbow Cake! Molly made the cake (which had an awesome frothy beer mug made of frosting on top) for Nate's birthday that we celebrated while on the trip. She didn't follow the recipe from that site for the cake - she made her own white cake instead. The one in the recipe sounds nasty.




The main purpose of our trip was to tour several local breweries. We hit up the Deschutes Brewery, the Bend Brewing Company and the Full Sail Brewery. It was especially cool for Nate and Molly since they've recently started brewing their own stuff.


The punishment for passing out early is being serenaded by the loudest, most drunken rendition of The Star-Spangled Banner that the group can muster. Obviously, I fell asleep way early.



On our last full day, Chris and I decided to meet his cousin and drive to Mt. Bachelor to go tubing! Unfortunately I couldn't get a picture, but basically you take a special "tube lift" up the hill and there are 6 or so tracks that run side by side down part of the mountain. At first I thought it looked lame, but you really get a lot of speed! My face was the only thing exposed, causing ice to build up in my beard. That was weird, but I am glad I had that layer of protection.

It was probably my favorite trip down there, out of the past three years. I hope next year can top it!

Brüno

Finally, the trailer for Brüno has arrived! IMDB says it is out July 10! I know it's pretty gay of me, but my only complaint is his hair. I guess they probably had to change it from the Ali G. Show since he's gained popularity due to Borat. Anyway, check it out. And it's NSFW.

Tim And Eric Awesome Show Great Job!

One of the only reasons I wish I had cable. These guys are hilarious. This is probably one of my favorite skits I've seen so far:

And also for a good laugh, be sure to check out the 3-part ad Zach Galifinakis was commissioned to create for Absolut Vodka, also starring Tim and Eric.

April Fool's Day

Every April 1st, I usually tend to stand back and observe everyone lying and screwing with each other, hoping the whole time that I am not going to be a victim. Isn't it odd how we have one day a year where people are encouraged to trick one another and lie publicly? Facebook has been pretty entertaining, with everyone saying they are moving, quitting facebook or something equally predictable. Google always participates, and so did YouTube and a ton more.

Every year I enjoy reading about a lot of video game-related pranks and fake stories coming across the web and in magazines (RIP). Here's a good list that 1up.com posted:

http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3173539

What was your favorite April Fool's joke / prank / story? I thought these were pretty funny, but obviously jokes:





p.s. Bjork is apparently taking over as lead vocalist for Led Zeppelin.

Upcoming Shows this Weekend (+ Monday)

Friday, March 27
Envision, Horizons, Rebuilt, Wolfellatio
@ 1100 21st St.
Bellingham, WA

Envision are all good bros and I am excited to see them live for the second time. Check out the demo HERE, which I hear they will have at the show in cassette format. I would post a video from their last show that I recorded, but they'd get pissed. Fuck it, they won't see this. Click HERE for video I filmed from their first show at a different house in Bellingham.

The other bands should be good too. Dragline used to play with Rebuilt occasionally, Horizons has some members from Daggermouth, and I've been meaning to see Wolfellatio. Be there or go to the other house show in town - support local music!


Saturday, March 28
United State of Electronica, Velella Velella, Strength
@ the (reopened!) Crocodile Cafe
Seattle, WA

I haven't seen many U.S.E. shows during the last few years, especially compared to the 25 or so times I saw them over a year or two span back in college. They were on sort of a hiatus while working on the new album, but it looks like it will soon see the light of day! Check out a new track over at the Stranger's music blog LineOut. I am more than ready to dance my ass off, see some familiar faces I haven't seen in too long, and have a great time.


Monday, March 30
Pelican, Wolves in the Throne Room, Tombs
@ the (reopened!) Nightlight Lounge
Bellingham, WA

This is the first show that will finally get me out to the newly-reopened Nightlight in Bellingham. Up until this point, it seems like they've been having a lot of hip-hop shows, which I am not as much into in a live setting. Anyway, I am excited to be back there, and even more excited to see Wolves in the Throne Room. They play ambient black metal with really thick guitar tone and minimal howling vocals. I think it'll be really interesting live. I haven't seen Pelican live before either and unfortunately, I am not too familiar with their back-catalog, which I am told is better than the sorta-boring, but still decent "City of Echoes." This will be a fun show, and a warmup for next Saturday's Torche show!!!

Being A Dairy Cow Wouldn't Suck at THIS Farm

Thanks for the link Lauren!

Cave 9: 2002-2009

Cave 9 was the only music venue solely dedicated to all-ages shows, usually of the punk / hardcore genre, in the city of Birmingham, Alabama. Due to some complications finding a permanent space and significant debt, Cave 9 is gone. Because my boyfriend has been involved for the 6+ years of Cave 9's life, I personally attended a handful of shows at the original Magnolia St. location, as well as the first show when they moved above Greencup Books. Even though punk rock will live on and kids will find new places to book shows, the permanence and camaraderie of Cave 9 will be sorely missed. The venue changed a lot of lives and put Birmingham on the map. Ask anyone in a punk or hardcore band who toured in the south sometime in the last 6 years, and they'll tell you fond memories of their experience at Cave 9.

The following is a documentary shot in 2007 to let the public know about the function and importance of the venue, as well as their tax issues they faced:



More articles / photos after the jump:


A feature in the Birmingham News about the organization in 2007

Bham.fm reports the closing of the venue

And lastly, a photo after the final show at the venue's original location: