The Real Pat Blair

Thanks to all who came out for Cinco de Moustache IV – it was a great success, and a great farewell to Saint Radar. Let me just say that, when the time comes for the Strangers, I want our last show to be exactly like Radar’s, just with less swearing.
If you missed the show, shame on you. Here’s some video.

So, for a (prompt) follow-up to my last posts: The Lone Strangers took 1st place in the Veishea Wildcard Round (second year in a row) and 2nd place in the overall Battle (up one step from 3rd last year), and played the best outdoors-in-the-snow set that we have ever done. It was a lot of fun, and we’re always glad to get a chance to play.
Here’s a video of the show at the M-Shop… wait through the first 2 bands to see a full performance of Let You Go.

Finally, Cinco de Moustache IV: Quatro, Cinco, ‘Stache. Details below. It is Saint Radar’s last show, so don’t miss out.

It’s Dead Week here in Ames. At some schools, that means that nothing happens and the students are free to veg, study, and prepare for finals. At ISU, it means that you work so hard that you wish you were dead. A few years ago, GSB passed legislation to get professors to cut the nonsense: paper and test during dead week, final a week later, etc. Of course, there is no enforcement mechanism, so after a year of playing nice, my understanding is that it’s back to business as usual.
So to help everyone deal with the stress, or maybe just to help you enjoy spring-time, I’ve compiled a list of music that’s worth checking out. Most, if not all, comes via stereogum.com, a site which most, if not all, of my readers will find uninteresting, if not unreadable. But, credit where due.

• Party Ben – Every Car You Chase (The Police vs Snow Patrol)
  
  This is amazing. I really dig it. I have listened to it WAAAAY too many times already. You can download the mp3 from stereogum or from Party Ben’s site.
• The Bad Plus – Tom Sawyer
  A jazz trio – piano, drums, bass – covers Rush’s “Tom Sawyer”. Flawlessly. No video for this, but do yourself a favor and download the mp3 from stereogum
  Additionally, the cover of “Smells Like Teen Spirit” isn’t too shabby either. The Bad Plus’ covers are OK, right up until the free-form jazz jams, at which point they become amazing.
  
• Chris Cornell – Billie Jean
  
  Former Soundgarden and Audioslave singer Chris Cornell takes Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean” and turns it into a 6/8 blues scorcher. Not bad, but I personally think that the Lone Strangers dance version is far superior.

Enjoy!

So, honestly, who thought, after hearing “Loser” when it came out 13(!!!) years ago, that Beck would develop into a mature, credible, and consistently good songwriter and musician? Not me.
Guess I was wrong.

(Note: the video is homemade, and was filmed in the studio while they were recording the album. It is weird, and I’m not a huge fan. The song, however…)

If you’ve ever wondered what a Lone Strangers practice looked like when we were trying to learn a new song, you can watch this video and get a rough idea.

No wonder Scott loves me so much.

So, Valentine’s Day is coming up – it’s only a week away! I know there are mixed feelings about this alleged holiday. Sure, it very well may have been invented by greeting card companies, jewelers, candy store owners, and girlfriends. And yes, it the holiday is named after someone who was apparently killed because of their beliefs. Nonetheless, I personally think that St. Valentines day is a great holiday.

For me to poop on.

That said, remember my post about why Hollywood keeps making crappy movies? (Hint: it’s because you pay to go see them). Well, keeping that in mind, I should point out that there is a great new film called on the way called Music and Lyrics, starring Hugh Grant and Drew Barrymore. It was written and directed by Marc Lawrence (Forces of Nature, Two Weeks Notice, Miss Congeniality 1 AND 2), and will be appearing 2/14 at a theater near you. How nice! A romantic comedy just in time for Valentine’s Day!
If any of you go to see this movie, I will buy a bow and arrow and go all cupid on your posterior.
Consider yourself warned.

This has started making the rounds on the internet, so I’ll throw it up before you get to see it everywhere else. It’s an advertisement for a Flea Market that, believe it or not, is JUST LIKE a mini-mall.

Only in America.