Just watched a movie on Netflix called “The Snowtown Murders” (aka Snowtown). For some completely inexplicable and completely stupid reason it’s nestled in the horror section with the likes of Tremors 2, Children of the Corn V, and Hellraiser 90: Pinhead Calls it Quits.
It is a gripping, glacially paced, fantastically shot, acted, and scored Australian film about real life 90’s Australian serial killer John Bunting and his small posse of devotees who torture, kill and barrel-seal people they feel are pedophiles or just plain no good to society. Daniel Henshall, the guy who plays ringleader John Bunting, is terrifying in his ability to go from happy-go-lucky to batshit crazy at the drop of a hat. It is absolutely not a horror film. It is long and has some moments that are very difficult to get through (though, not because of gore), but those who make it through the thing are rewarded with an uncommonly well orchestrated independent cinema experience. This is such an incredibly solid work. Rotten Tomatoes sums it up well; “It’s a bleak and brutal endurance test, but for viewers with the strength and patience to make it to the end, Snowtown will prove an uncommonly powerful viewing experience.”
Does anyone here heed my recommendations? Because I really recommend this.
The passing of Adam Yauch is one of the most personally devastating losses to music since the unexpected passing of Pink Floyd’s Rick Wright back in 2008. Yauch was an important link in the beginning of my evolution as a person who enjoys a diverse variety of music. I wrote a small reflection for BV Chicago. Give it a read. RIP Adam Yauch. I am sure his passing means the end of the Beastie Boys as we know it.
This is some of the oldest news on the internet, but I am in the mood to add a sliver of content to my infrequently visited, cob-web infested corner of the internet. Also, the album is so fucking incredible that I really feel the need to unload for a second. Sigur Ros’ new record Valtari is due out on May 28th 2012, but I managed to get my hands on an advance copy and I simply cannot stop listening to it. Each song is a thing of beauty; a slow building, almost low-fi swell of ambient vocal and instrumental wales, peppered with subtle interruptions and cameos by what sounds like ancient, wooden, instruments being played by Bruno S. and captured by some bloke with a tape recorder. The tone of this record feels much darker and less playful than, say, their 2008 release Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust. Especially absent is a song with the frenetic, celebratory feel of something like Gobbledigook. Obviously the album isn’t lacking in any of Sigur Ros’ signature sounds that they are known for and carry across the entirety of their catalog, but this album feels much, much more meditative and gloomy. Varúð in particular nails me square in the heart. To me, it’s almost a perfect masterpiece and I am completely addicted to the moods and imagery the album implants within my imagination. They will be playing some dates in the US (and abroad) this year and I look forward to seeing how these songs translate into a live setting (that is, if I can get a fucking ticket). Dates and a video for the new album below.
In my opinion, there are only two people called Matt Walsh who matter. The first is a comic genius. The second is a Matt Walsh who you may know for his roles in bands including The Desert Fathers, The Forms, The Wild Roverz, First Nature and more. This same Matt Walsh is the primary brains behind recording studio Florida Keys NYC. I think he is the only person I know personally and who I regard as an actual real life friend who makes or is involved with music that I actually like; music I don’t have to pretend to like out of support. Music that I will spend money on or go see if it’s happening live in my city. Anyhow, I can always count on this dude to bring cool shit to my attention. His most recent contribution to my personal orbit of cool shit is a guy called Luke Folger and his Electro Power-Pop Mobile Suit. This thing is so rad on so many levels I can barely keep my mind from blowing to shreds. As you will see below, the construction of the thing is a marvel. A body harness that not only accommodates all sorts of midi-synth stuff, but also decent sized speakers and the battery power required to keep everything running without a hard-wired external power source. And as you will also see in the video, the music kicks ass as well. To be able to build a portable electro studio is one thing, but to be able to put it to good use and create something that sonically kicks ass is a whole other story. Witnesseth, below: Continue reading ‘Luke Folger and His Electro Power-Pop Mobile Suit (video).’
I hate you. As a band and as individuals, I hate you. I never thought this would be the case. But I can say in complete earnest that, as a 35 year old metalhead who has seen you go from ragged, denim-clad metal gods to insecure fashion avenue wealth-casualties that I, in fact, hate you in a very real and very profound way.
In 1988, when I was 11 years old, I had a prepubescent musical and sociological awakening that was formed in large part by the environment from which I was borne. While many of my friends jumped on a bandwagon piloted by the likes of Michael Jordan and Nike, I found myself feeling rather dark, alienated, and unwilling to follow such a wiggerish pied piper. I was very turned off and vehemently opposed to such fashion and attitude. Who were we trying to kid? We weren’t urban. We were the sons of mechanics, cranberry growers, laborers, Masons, Elks, etc… It was 6th grade and I sought refuge and comfort with a classmate named Josh Schaeffer who had a mullet, an ear piercing, and a complete willingness to show up to school in a Guns N Roses shirt that featured an image of a recently-raped woman on the back. As a matter of fact, I am pretty sure he ended up in military school which, ask any metal head worth his salt, was a very real fear at the time. Anyway, through him, I discovered, among many many other metal icons, the great METALLICA. Continue reading ‘Dear Metallica. I Hate You. A (long) Letter.’
Just a quick note to the three of you who visit every month. I recently overhauled the TUNES section of the site to serve as more of a curriculum vitae of the various bands I have been in, including my solo GarageBand nonsense. As more stuff becomes available from the archives (closet, boxes, friends) I will update that area. I will not put every single solitary piece of recorded music I have ever participated in…. there’s too much garbage, too much audio of us dicking around the studio, too many “alternate versions” of different songs… you get the idea. The section will act more of a Top Shelf look at stuff I’ve done. Thanks for reading. Thanks for listening. And keep checking back, cause that shit gone grow son.
Here is the set list from the M83 show at Music Hall of Williamsburg on November 23, 2011. Yes, it says Montreal at the bottom, BUT I found this on the floor of Music Hall of Williamsburg after the show, and the songs listed reflect the songs played at Music Hall of Williamsburg.
Growing up, Megadeth’s Dave Mustaine was one of my heroes. I outgrew him being an idol-figure years ago, but I’ve never stopped loving his music. Having been listening to them for over 20 years, their music never really struck me as being very ’satanic’; that quality was always the craft of bands like Deicide and Slayer. No, Megadeth always struck me as more politically oriented and allegorical. I’ve always carried a certain image of Mustaine in my head all these years, but he recently went on television and eviscerated everything I ever thought by professing his new-found devotion to Christianity. Watch the heart-breaking confession below.
What could be better than spending a beautiful Sunday at the Williamsburg Waterfront catching the sea air, marveling at the majesty of the Manhattan skyline, watching the boats, and admiring the bridges that link us to Manhattan? How about enjoying all of that while the dulcet tones of Todd Barry’s voice tickles your funny bones with his comedy. Yeah. Ages ago Todd was added to the Pretty Good Friends show happening at the Williamsburg Waterfront on Friday July 29th. He joins an already stacked roster featuring Eugene Mirman, Patton Oswalt, Kristen Schaal, They Might Be Giants and more. Doors are at 5:30pm and the event is absolutely free! Beer me! This was announced ages ago, but I am now just getting around to mention it. Or mention anything else for that matter. Am I the shittiest, most run-of-the-mill blogger ever to take to the keyboard?
