Thursday, December 30, 2004

2004 Musical Notables

Mondo changes at work, home and school are capable of extinguishing the light of any well-meaning, casual blogger. Toss in a pinch of the flu during the last month of the year and you've got a bonafide blog strike on your hands. Sorry for the lack of updates around here. I can't say for sure how active this space will be next year, but rest assurred, I have no plans to zap it from cyber space any time soon.

I wouldn't feel right about going into 2005, if I didn't throw my own year-end musical post out there. I'm not in much of a ranking mood, and I'm sure you're just as tired as I am of 2K4-pop-culture-rehash, so I'll make this fun and pepper it with Deckie-brand wit*.

Green Day - American Idiot
This is my favorite album of the year. It's also my favorite Green Day album. Honestly, I expected it to be good, but even I was a little shocked at how great it turned out to be. Jesus of Surburbia is my favorite song. Mushrooms are my favorite pizza topping. Having fun yet?

Ted Leo - Shake the Sheets
This was almost my favorite album of the year. Holy awesome! StS is no doubt the best TL outing to date. I've liked everything by Ted so far, but there are special things going on here. The songs are better. The riffs are better. His voice is better. I guess it's just better.

Saturday Looks Good to Me - Every Night
Another "best" by another one of my favorites. Their strongest album so far. The songs are catchier than one of those extra fuzzy tennis balls that come with the velcro mits. The sleaker production is a plus in my book. If you're itching to connect these first three artists, SLGTM's second album has guest vocals by Ted Leo, who's on Lookout Records, Green Day's former label. Blamo!

Eleni Mandell - Afternoon
I think I've inadvertently stumbled upon a theme here. Yes, this is my favorite Eleni Mandell record. It's a shame that she's not more popular. I've heard whining helps. Waaahhhhh!

Jonathan Richman - Not So Much To Be Loved
Did I break the theme? Not really. It's very difficult to pick a favorite Jo Jo album. I love them all for one reason or another. This happens to be the best he's put out in a very long time. Solid from start to finish, with a new version of one of his best songs, Vincent Van Gogh. I saw him in Cleveland at a place called the Grog Shop and we made eye contact.

Also good this year: Elliott Smith - from a basement on the hill, Modest Mouse - Good News For People Who Love Bad News, Loretta Lynn - Van Lear Rose, Wilco - A Ghost is Born, Iron & Wine - Our Endless Days Are Numbered, Tom Waits - Real Gone, Fiery Furnaces - Blueberry Boat, Porchsleeper - Everyday is Better Than the Next.

I'm also quite pleased with Havilland's debut outing, Get Used to the Deuce. It's my favorite by them. Props to them, err, us.

*Deckie-brand wit may not actually be witty.

posted by Deckie Holmes @ 9:58 AM | link it | (0) comments

Monday, November 22, 2004

All I Want For Christmas is My Lizard Music

I recently rediscovered my favorite childhood novel. Unfortunately, I can't find my original copy anywhere. It's called Lizard Music and it was written by Daniel Manus Pinkwater in 1976. The book is about Victor, whose parents leave him home alone (ahhhh!), while they go on a vacation to mend their broken marriage. His sister is supposed to keep an eye on him, but she takes off on a camping trip with friends. Late one night, after hours of eating junkfood (ahhhh!) and experimenting with his mother's lemon-flavored cigarettes (ahhhh!), Victor decides to watch TV. He eventually stumbles upon an unlisted jam session of talented jazz musicians, who just happen to be giant lizards. Just when it seems that things are getting a tad absurd, Victor meets the Chicken Man, who helps him track down the outer space jazz lizards deep in the heart of Thunderbolt City, on their secret invisible island. Brilliant!

I didn't realize the author, Pinkwater, is the same lovable goofball commentator frequently featured on NPR's Weekend Edition and All Things Considered. Here's an old Salon.com interview with Pinkwater.

Anyway, Lizard Music is a must read. But don't take my word for it! The book is also a former Reading Rainbow featured selection.

posted by Deckie Holmes @ 1:24 PM | link it | (0) comments

Monday, November 15, 2004

And the Walls Came Down

Jesse Popp was great on Friday night at Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase. The other comics were different from Jesse. The headliner was an ex-cop and he was just crazy. One time he and his family did this crazy thing and his wife just couldn't believe it and she totally didn't get it. Let me say this, he just wasn't right. What a trip!

Stella was also great. I haven't seen the Blind Pig that jam-packed since Havilland rocked out to Tweeter and the Monkey Man at this year's Dylanfest.

R.I.P. O.D.B. This is the last line of Big Baby Jesus' obituary:

"He is survived by 13 children by a number of different mothers."

In a related story, CBS fired the Producer who broke into "CSI: NY" last week for a special report to announce the death of Palestinian Leader Yasser Arafat. Not for breaking into CSI to announce the death of Palestinian Leader Yasser Arafat, but for not breaking into Saturday's boradcast of the low rated drama Clubhouse to announce the death of Ol' Dirty Bastard. Honestly, even Dean Cain was offended.

posted by Deckie Holmes @ 4:05 PM | link it | (0) comments

Tuesday, November 09, 2004

We're goin'... Sort of

Saturday night I had dinner with friends at a Mexican dive in downtown Detroit, close to Greektown Casino before heading over (we did not walk or drive) to Cobo Arena to catch a fantastic Green Day show. All of the new stuff sounded great, and their cover of Queen's We Are the Champions complete with confetti-blizzard finale was top notch, however unpunk.

You're probably wondering how we got from Greektown Casino to Cobo Arena without walking or driving. Hint: we also did not run or blade. That's right, we took the People Mover! Now, I've ridden this sorry excuse for mini-mass-transit dozens of times and I've always maintained that without a presence on the world wide web, the Detroit People Movie is doomed to failure.

As the "train" pulled up that night, one thing was noticeably different. And no, it wasn't the post-op transexual clarinet player hiding under the seat. No, it was the unfamilar URL painted clearly on the outside of the happy mover of people. That's right, folks, the Detroit People Mover finally has a web home:

And, yes, you can find the Detroit People Mover slogan there. What? You don't know the Detroit People Mover slogan?

"We're goin'...
...where you're goin'"

You'll also find all of the Detroit People Mover safety rules, like...

Footwear shall be in good condition and laces tied prior to riding on the system escalator. No bare feet.

and...

The Detroit People Mover is under surveillance at all times.

You'll also find false information about each of the stations. Take for instance this description of the Bricktown Station, which is attached to the building where I work and close to nothing but bullshit:

... This stop puts you in the midst of quaint pubs, eateries and dance and jazz clubs. Handmade jewelry, fashion and a taste of the local art scene can be found along the streets of Bricktown.

Wow! How the heck have I been missing all of that goodness!? Unless, by "quaint pubs and eateries," they mean "a Subway restaurant with no air conditioning and bulletproof glass everywhere, and an old bakery that was recently converted into a used furniture store," yeah, I guess I've experieced that. And all the "homemade jewelry, fashion and art" must be hidden in that homeless man's urine-soaked trousers. I get it. I just haven't been looking hard enough. Thank you, Detroit People Mover Station Guide.

posted by Deckie Holmes @ 8:20 AM | link it | (0) comments

Monday, November 08, 2004

Searching For Stella?

The hilarious comedy of Stella, the three-man comedy group made up by Michael Ian Black, Michael Showalter, and David Wain, is coming to Ann Arbor Friday night.

You can usually check out the Stella shorts here, however the site seems to be down right now.

Or, you can by all 23 original Stella shorts on DVD at sketchartists.net.

Or, better yet, come out to the Blind Pig and see the show on Friday night.

Of course, before Stella and the fantastic Wet Hot American Summer and even before Michael Ian Black loved the 80s, 70s and 90s, the boys were members of MTV's The State. The State is supposed to come out on DVD within the next six months, but in case it doesn't, sign this useless internet petition that's sure to make all sorts of virtual waves.

Hmm, I'd also planned on linking to statemedia.net, a site with clips from every episode of the State, but that's down too. What a useless post this has been.

Oh well-a, you should still come out to see Stella.

posted by Deckie Holmes @ 3:05 PM | link it | (0) comments

Wednesday, November 03, 2004

God Puts His Tool Back Into Office

W. wins 2nd term, GOP controls house and senate, 11 states ban gay marriage. I guess all them bumper stickers was right: the south done rised again. Fly your bars and stars, as the arrogant, uncaring cowboy gets four more years to muck things up, per Jesus.

When I went to vote yesterday I was encouraged by a report that I heard on the radio on my way to my polling location. Michigan Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land had given poll workers the right to forcibly remove any partisan poll challengers who attempt to intimidate voters. Encouraged, that is, until I arrived at my polling location, which doubles as my daughter's elementary school, to find a half dozen 100-year-old milk shakes and pre-teen pretty boys running the show.

How in blazes could this rag-tag crew forcibly remove anyone from anything? I could take this whole place hostage with a pencil and tip the entire precinct 3 in favor of Kerry/Edwards, then be out the door before you can say "Karl Rove."

I didn't do that. I voted and peacefully walked out of the school. But as I left, I reminded all of the mothers picking up their children to vote or face the red hot wrath of P. Diddy.

Hey, at least the proposal to show the Star Wars Episode 3 trailer on TV tomorrow passed.

posted by Deckie Holmes @ 5:03 PM | link it | (0) comments

Thursday, October 28, 2004

Countdown to NaNoWriMo

National Novel Writing Month is almost upon us and I've yet to decide on what I'm writing about. Here are some of my ideas so far:

Mel & Me
Mel Gibson and Mel Brooks agree to go horseback riding with me because we're all named Mel and they think it'd be hilarious for three guys named Mel to go horseback riding. Things take a turn for the worse, once they discover my name isn't actually Mel.

Warwick's In Love With Me
Warwick Davis falls in love with me after I hypnotize him to fall in love with the first person he sees whenever he sees me.

See Me, See Breckin
I show Breckin Meyer a fake paternity test that proves that George Lopez is our father. Breckin takes the prank a bit too seriously and gets a make over to look just like me! Things get complicated when someone leaks the phony news to George Lopez himself and he murders me and Breckin to avoid child support payments.

Me So Tilly
Jennifer Tilly convinces me to disguise myself as her and sleep with all of her ex-boyfriends. Everything goes perfectly until Jen starts falling for me--as her!

Now You See Me, Neeson Don't
Liam Neeson and me are the best of friends until a kooky wizard accidentally turns me invisible. After that, Liam Neeson can't see me no more.

One thing's certain, any of these ideas would make a fantastic 50,000 word novel about me. Stay tuned to find out which gem wins out. And good look with your shitty novel.

posted by Deckie Holmes @ 6:34 PM | link it | (0) comments

Wednesday, October 27, 2004

Indiana Groans 4: The Secret of the Blech

By the way, I'm successfully freelancing for Mad Magazine these days.

Will someone please tell Lucas that the rest of us long ago accepted the fact that this movie will never be made?

I doubt even the Movie Mole has any faith in this project.

posted by Deckie Holmes @ 5:47 PM | link it | (0) comments

Tuesday, October 26, 2004

Inhabiting the Blog

Jim Roll combines two of my favorite things, George W. Bush bashing and Columbo, for a stellar debut to blogging. Let's hope he sticks to it, as we've dared him to.

Meanwhile, my brother-in-law, Jeffrey Frederick, combines two of my least favorite things, John Kerry-disliking and puppy mills, for an equally astrophysical start. Let's hope he learns to resist the dark side and recognizes the partisan hackery that is Sean Hannity and Rush Limbaugh.

I'll update my links soon.

posted by Deckie Holmes @ 8:56 AM | link it | (1) comments

Monday, October 25, 2004

Big Downs To Leaves

Ashlee Simpson is scheduled to perform at tonight's Radio Music Awards in Las Vegas. There's really not much more for me to say about the whole fiasco. I'm still in shock. I suppose next we'll find out that Barry Bonds uses performance enhancing drugs, or that George W. Bush doesn't actually know what the fuck is going on.

Uncle Grambo doesn't really offer any new thoughts on Ashleygate, however, he does refer to her as "Trashlee Simpsucks". What can I say? The man has a god given talent.

Dan Kennedy has an optimistic take on the scandal.

Chris Monks doesn't give a care about Smashlee Slimpsnot (see, I got nothing!), but he sure does love his new leaf hog. Big ups to C. Monks and big downs to all little bitch leaves.

posted by Deckie Holmes @ 3:39 PM | link it | (0) comments