No Age Are Rad

July 21st, 2008 by Gnat

I’ve still yet to catch this LA-based punk/noise/pop duo live, even though they seemingly play every weekend here when not on tour. I showed up with my friends for the Central Library free daytime No Age/Mika Miko gig a couple of months back, but sadly the library auditorium was at capacity when we arrived. The fire department was there to turn us away along with a sizable throng of well dressed post-punk and new wave kiddies who were there to take advantage of the all ages activity. I dig this band’s new album Nouns and their previous collection of singles, entitled Weirdo Rippers.

No Age have been getting lots ‘o’ hype lately and seem to have still kept their integrity and wits fairly intact. Read this cool LA Times article to learn more of their brushes with celebrity and staunch vegan ethos. Then watch the killer Eraser video:

No Age is at a DIY crossroads

A Couple of Interesting Articles

July 18th, 2008 by Gnat

I grew up in suburban Houston from about ‘87-92, the years which spanned the end of junior high through my high school graduation. Ah Houston, a sprawling and lame megalopolis nested in the swamp-like climate of southeast Texas. Well, apparently Houston is still lame. Today I came across a great article summing up Houston’s lackluster music scene. I imagine this piece will bore the living hell out of you if you’re not from Houston or Texas, but I found it interesting, thorough and well-written:

Houston Has a Bad Reputation with Touring Indie Bands

Oh, and the title of this article alone should get you excited:

Why are ABBA songs so infectious? Science has answers

McDonald’s Genius Marketing Department

June 26th, 2008 by Gnat

How could a corporation possibly think it could get away with such blatant copyright/trademark abuse? Oh, that’s right…they’re assholes.

Devo Suing McDonald’s Over Happy Meal Toy

McDevo
(Devo photo by Shannon McClean)

Entering Texas

June 5th, 2008 by Gnat

If you haven’t seen this vintage Butthole Surfers short film, you’ll either stone or thank me for thrusting the twisted brilliance upon yr virgin eyeballs. Thanks to the miracle of Youtube, Entering Texas is no longer out of circulation. Enjoy:

Neil Young gets spider named after him

May 12th, 2008 by Gnat

In what seems like fodder for an Onion article, Neil Young has had a species of spider named after him. And apparently he’s not the first rock and roller to claim this arthropod honor. Roy Orbison and his widow, Barbara, have a whirligig beetle (Orectochilus orbisonorum) named after them. But an important question looms in my mind: will the Neil Young spider be able to effectively sport chops, hats and flannels as well as its namesake? Furthermore, can this spider even play guitar?

Neil Young
Neil Young

 

Myrmekiaphila neilyoungi
Myrmekiaphila neilyoungi

Read about it here.

Jesus loves the Woggles

May 2nd, 2008 by Gnat

Two days ago my band, Naughty Bird, had the pleasure of warming up the stage for one of garage rock’s finest combos, the Woggles. Rarely does a band inspire me to shake it with abandon and leave me begging for more. These guys are all top-notch songwriters, musicians and performers wrapped up in one soulfully Southern (they’re from Atlanta) package. I felt like a teenage girl seeing the Beatles for the first time. I’m still giddy from Wednesday’s show.

Here’s a short Youtube clip of the boys showing off some of their signature swingin’ moves:

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