Alright - I get it.  We live in Minnesota.  A nice day for us is one where we can feel our toes. But I'll never understand the Minnesotan obsession with the few days of warm weather we do get.  We complain all year about how cold it is - ITS MINNESOTA, Did you forget?!?!  Then, when it randomly SPIKES up into the 100's half the people complain about how hot it is.  The other half run, shoot, kill, sprint, break all traffic laws, ditch work, lie, cheat, fight and scream all the way to the lake.  Sure its nice to be outside - but people need to stop referring to it as 'the beach'.  Its not a beach - its a lake with some sand by it.  Life's A Beach coffee mugs showcase lakes in Minnesota.  Its not pretty, its not majestic, its not calming, its a hole with water in it.  Its Paul Bunyan's backyard swimming pool.  Most people just go to a city lake anyways - big whoop.  You can spend all day lying on dirt with your BFF's facebooking about how great the lake is and look at the TARGET that they are building across the way.  WTF.  We Minnesotans have the ADVANTAGE of having a small summer - less chance for Melanoma and other skin related nastiness.  So next time you think about hitting up 'The Beach'!!! OMFGHFATI!!!!!!! Don't. 

I asked my good friend Egypto Knuckles of the Background Noise Crew to make a playlist with Local artists that are awesome, this is what he came up with:

Tracklist:
1. Good Luck Charm - Red Pens
2. Alright - Traditional Methods
3. Death Ballad - Aby Wolf
4. Insistor - Tapes 'N' Tapes
5. Candy Cigarettes (feat. channy mo) - Black Blondie
6. Waitress in the sky - The Replacements
7. The Wind - Slug
8. Embrace - Low
9. Painkillers - Big Quarters
10. Meters - Heiruspecs

Last Thursday night, the wonderful loving finance and I went to a Midnight showing of Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides.  I was excited!  Really excited actually - so excited I brought it up during the Podcast and Jayson made fun of me.
The first Pirates movie I saw somewhat on accident.  I had gone to the theater planning to see something else that had just came out - but hadn't planned enough in advance because that movie was sold out.  I can't even remember what it was, regardless, Pirates took its place! Jack Sparrow quickly became a staple in my circle of friends.  Rum party's were thrown, pirate theme party's, everyone quoting lines and such. I was hooked - fast forward to Pirates 2.  Now the franchise has become a little self aware.  The producers and writers started thinking, now what can we get away with.  What sort of crazyness can we introduce, webs can we form, holes can we make?  Pirates 2 was fun, it didn't have the charm of the original but the new characters were super interesting and it was a lot of fun.
Then came Pirates 3 - this is a total disaster.  There are about 30 ideas happening all at once and this movie really takes a turn for the absurd with the last 40 minutes.  Knowing that a real battle of ships at sea could quickly turn into a boring sequence of events - they summoned up a giant whirlpool that surprisingly allowed the ships to still move quite well whist turning the tension up a notch.  If that wasn't enough, Orlando Bloom and Kira Knightly decide MID BATTLE that they need be hitched and Geffory Rush is MORE than happy to do it whist calmly killing everyone around him.  I know its a fantasy movie about Pirates and Curses but GIVE ME A BREAK.
I will allow such shinanigans - however Pirates 4 didn't do much for me.  It almost felt like a filler movie.  Oh sure there are a few swashbuckling moments, Jack is his Jack self, but none of the other characters took on much depth for me.  I was excited for Jack to meet up with a new bunch of lowlifes and swap stores, but most of their stories got tossed out and replaced with 40 minutes of un-needed action and comic relief.  Honestly the first 30 or so minutes of the move weren't needed at all - could have easily been summed up in a quick chat between a few characters with minimal loss.  And Blackbeard was pretty cool - but he didn't get much depth either...  blah... that's what I get for expecting Jerry Bruckheimer to put a little something extra in the mix that isn't already blowing up.    

Damn - Its been a few since I've updated because I've been trying to get other parts of the Page up and running!!!  But things are smooth now - SO - lets get into this.

First off - One of The Wonderful Loving Fiancee's besties was in town over the weekend and her brother came with her.  He and I share a love of music and we were often found in the studio just messing with sounds and such.  I played him some old beats and he fell in love with this one.

This little diddy is from a project that I put together within the first year of my move to the Twin Cities.  It was called "The Mixed-Up Tape".  It was a crazy album idea that I had and this beat was rapped over by a few MC's.  The most popular of the tracks was Trama's.  We actually got a mention for it here: City Pages Minnesota Mix-Tape 2007. 

A few Saturdays ago I went to Macalester College and Judged their Battle of the Bands!!!  It was an epic brawl, guitars were smashed, vocal chords were strained, and someone covered The Smiths.  It was a damn good time and I thank the fellas at The Hip-Hop Providers for the judging option! Here is how the competition shook out:

1st Round:
Broken Gnome took the stage first - a subtle 4 piece buried deep down somewhere south.  They had a smooth take off - little blues, little R & B, threw in some harmonies and few guitar solos; jammin'.  Looking back I really enjoyed the vibe - the rest of the line up had some similar sounds, these guys stood alone.
Froot Flies were due up next - but they decided they were too punk rock for the battle and didn't show.
The A.J. Experiencewas up next.  The only thing these dudes were missing was some back-to-back guitar tapping action.  They attempted a layered sound of multiple rhythms and progressions all climaxing to nothing.  I was let down when they finally reached their goal - but the journey was nice.
Next up, Mother Faulkners. These guys were a silly bunch.  Right out the gate they dropped an awesome Smith's cover. (Big ups to AP!!!! Dub C!!!)  Their original song was not up to The Smith's standard but I didn't matter - that cover sealed it for me.
Replicas filled the stage next. A whopping 6 piece made this band the largest of the night.  Horns, Keys, Drums, 2 singers, 2 guitars, Synth, they were a busy bunch.  My favorite group of the night by far - their 2nd song had this very distinct 'haunting' quality about it.  I would love to hear a recorded version, matter-of-fact if anyone in that band is reading this - hit me up, I'll record it.
Lastly, Radiator Grrrls ended the first round.  The smallest band - a mere 3 piece - was in fact the most tight knit.  They were an all around judge favorite and had a very interesting 'surf' sound.  Beach Boys whhhhaaa?!

The judges all deliberated - punches were thrown - bottles were broken - Randy Jackson gave us words of wisdom, finally we re-entered the area armed with our choices for the final round: Radiator Grrrls, Replicas and Mother Faulkners.

The second round wasn't decided by us - it was up to the people.  Mother Faulkners let me down big time, saddly I wish I could take my vote back but C'est la vie.  Replicas came out with a ballad, a very surprising song choice for a closer.  I was quite happy with their performance.  But the night was owned by Radiator Grrrls - they came out with a hot burner.  Had they played this 2nd Jam in the 1st round.  I would have just thrown the towel in.  The people spoke and they said: Radiator Grrrls.

Lastly:

Holy Moly Ole!  Status Reign had officaly dropped is solo debut "Brutally Honest"  In support of it he is going on tour with Analyrical!!

I'm sure there will be plenty of stories to tell and fun times to be had.  Meanwhile, I'm just hanging out in the basement.  I'm debating on doing an entire album in a blues/rock feel - maybe it will come out next Neveruary. 
I've been watching Daria on Hulu.  I forgot how hilarious that show was!!  Everyone knew someone like Trent in High School.  Sootable Roots (my high school band) recorded our first album with a guy that is an EXACT copy of Trent (Jane's older brother from the show).  His name was Fletcher - I used to be friends with him on Facebook... I wonder what he is up to now?  Last I knew he was making tunes with my buddy Danny.  Danny has a band now - he lives in LA - His band is called The LA Font - his music is superdopefreshawesome.  Their album is available HERE.

And on THAT note...  LOOK AT PHAUST!!!!

This place just opened up in my Neighborhood....  AND ITS GREAT.  Serious - the pizza is top notch.  I've had a flat crust pizza and a deep dish.  Both were awesome.  The red sauce has a slight spicyness to it - fresh ingredients - and quick dilivery.  Anyone living over south, hit this UP!  http://www.dinokos.com/

By Bad - I mean BAD ASS.  The Venture Brothers season 4 comes out in its entirety on March 22nd. It is hands down the 2nd best show on TV.  Why 2nd best Jason? - Well, 1) it is not Family Guy, which is the best show on TV. and 2) its not The Office which is the 3rd best show on TV.  Thus making it the 2nd.  Watching The Venture Bros. is a hilarious ride into failure and old-school cartoon mystery sillyness.  GO TEAM VENTURE!

First - For Egypto Knuckles Birthday!!! Happy Birthday!!

I've been thinking lately - I'm usually late on "getting with" the times.  I tend to listen to "new bands that just came out and are awesome" a year or so after they have become awesome.  I'm not up to date on technology - I still use a brick looking Nokia phone.  Its most advanced function is color.  (Serious.)  And I find myself getting addicted to TV shows long after their live TV runs.  (I just watched Friends for the first time a year or so ago.) 
With that said there are a few things I've started using and now that I have them - I have no idea what I used to do without them...

1. Pandora - Are you SERIOUS?!?!?!  Pandora has to be the most awesomest badest ass thing ever.  I can just type in a band I like and VOILA - It will play a massive amount of other similar music that I like.  Its pure GENIUS!  I can't believe I used to wade through a crap ton of crap to here 3 songs that I actually like on a radio station.  Pandora has very literally changed my life.

2. Hulu - Again...  ARE YOU SERIOUS?!?!  TV when I want - however long I want - and EVERY season of Family Guy?!?!  You HAVE to be joking?!  I bought every DVD - I'm freaking stupid.  I got every single episode a mouse click or remote click away.  My life is officially over.

3. iPod Touch  - Not only does this little beauty use the last 2 things I listed.  It also holds a SHIT ton of my music and awesome movies that I watch over and over again. PLUS - Angry. F'in. Birds. Period.  My iTouch is in constant use - its staggering how much I do on that stupid little thing.  Its also staggering how many times I've dropped it,  Hell - Even Wonderful Loving Girl Friend dropped it.  But that baby just keeps on keepin on.

Which brings me to my last point.  What the hell is the point of Twitter? 

What up Ballers and Ballettes?!?!

Last night we had a fun get-to-gether at The Depot Coffee house up in Hopkins.  The place is super cool - old school video games, nice stage area, and lots of community things going on inside its walls.  It was really nice to see!  I kicked Analyrical's ass REPEATEDLY on Tony Hawk Pro Skater 1 on the N64 - more importantly the show went off smashingly.

Big thanks to Audio Perm - Phonetic One - Wize Guyz - Mercies May!!!  Stat and ToneKrusher will be BACK at The Depot on March 25th - so bring the kids!

TQD will be spending some time down in the basement today - Finishing up ONE of his many projects he is slated to drop upon y'allzzzz. 

On that note......