BBC.com)(Associated Press)
11/30/07
friday fun facts - famous last words
(oscar wilde on his deathbed, via findadeath.com)in honor of a really great book , fotophonic brings you this selection of famous last words.
Caesar, Julius Gaius (100-44 B.C.)
"You too, Brutus?"
Chekhov, Anton (1860-1904)
"It's been a long time since I've had champagne."
Narvaez, Ramon Maria (1800-1868)
"I do not have to forgive my enemies. I have had them all shot."
O'Neill, Eugene (1888-1953)
"Born in a hotel room--and God damn it--died in a hotel room."
Stein, Gertrude (1874-1946)
"What is the question?"
Thurber, James (1894-1961)
"God bless . . .God damn."
John Kennedy (1917-1963)
"That's very obvious."
Villa, Francisco "Pancho" (Doroteo Arango) (1878-1923)
"Don't let it end like this. Tell them I said something."
Sponsored in part by Glurrmann's Yogurt. If the shit fits, wear it.
from NSFW to SFW in a few, um, strokes...
two of our favorite things. dirty pictures and portugese (?) cheese-rock.
all ur bases r belong to us
if nerds were pennies, fotophonic would be rich. some funny photoshoppery here...
11/27/07
11/26/07
11/21/07
friday fun facts (on wednesday) - squash
not the sport, silly, the fruit! (yes, they are fruits.) happy thanksgiving.
"Squashes generally refer to four species of the genus Cucurbita native to the New World, also called marrows depending on variety or the nationality of the speaker. In North America, squash is loosely grouped into summer squash or winter squash, as well as autumn squash (another name is cheese squash) depending on whether they are harvested as immature fruits (summer squash) or mature fruits (autumn squash or winter squash). Gourds are from the same family as squashes. Well known types of squash include the pumpkin and zucchini. Though considered a vegetable in cooking, botanically speaking, squash is a fruit (being the receptacle for the plant's seeds), and not a vegetable. The English word "squash" derives from askutasquash (literally "a green thing eaten raw"), a word from the Narragansett language, which was documented by Roger Williams, the founder of Rhode Island, in his 1643 publication A Key Into the Language of America. Similar words for squash exist in related languages of the Algonquian family such as Massachusett." (via wikipedia)
"Squashes generally refer to four species of the genus Cucurbita native to the New World, also called marrows depending on variety or the nationality of the speaker. In North America, squash is loosely grouped into summer squash or winter squash, as well as autumn squash (another name is cheese squash) depending on whether they are harvested as immature fruits (summer squash) or mature fruits (autumn squash or winter squash). Gourds are from the same family as squashes. Well known types of squash include the pumpkin and zucchini. Though considered a vegetable in cooking, botanically speaking, squash is a fruit (being the receptacle for the plant's seeds), and not a vegetable. The English word "squash" derives from askutasquash (literally "a green thing eaten raw"), a word from the Narragansett language, which was documented by Roger Williams, the founder of Rhode Island, in his 1643 publication A Key Into the Language of America. Similar words for squash exist in related languages of the Algonquian family such as Massachusett." (via wikipedia)
11/20/07
snoozeday art - cabooses
think we'll start up a new weekly tradition. tuesdays are boring, so we'll put up fotos of some sort of themed subject. if we know anything about them, we'll try to post on that too. enjoy.
11/16/07
friday fun facts - car radios
"From the earliest days of radio, enthusiasts had adapted domestic equipment to use in their cars. The commercial introduction of the fitted car radio came in the 1930s from the Galvin Manufacturing Corporation. In Germany Blaupunkt fitted their first radio to a Studebaker in 1932 and in the United Kingdom Crossley offered a factory fitted wireless in their 10 hp models from 1933. In 1952 Blaupunkt became the first maker to offer FM receivers. Advances in electronics allowed additions to the basic radio and Motorola offered 45 rpm disc players fitted to some Chryslers from as early as 1956. Tape players using reel to reel equipment followed but their bulk ensured popularity was limited but this changed in 1964 when Philips launched the Compact Cassette. Car audio competitions started in the early 1980s in a quest to find the loudest and/or most outrageous installations. For example, in 1985, Wayne Harris famously modified a 1960 Cadillac Hearse to feature three 24-inch subwoofers as well as eight 12-inch subwoofers. Little consideration was given to sound quality early on, but in the early 1990s, several organizations, including IASCA, began car audio competitions focusing on sound quality. The two styles -- SPL vs. sound quality -- have become almost mutually exclusive. The loudness competitions have become known as dB drag racing." (via wikipedia)
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Japan's melody roads play music as you drive | The Guardian
too cool not to repost here.
Japan's melody roads play music as you drive | The Guardian: "Motorists used to listening to the radio or their favourite tunes on CDs may have a new way to entertain themselves, after engineers in Japan developed a musical road surface. A team from the Hokkaido Industrial Research Institute has built a number of 'melody roads', which use cars as tuning forks to play music as they travel."
i want Main St. to play "I Love Livin' in the City" by Fear.
11/15/07
sexy Numbered Pool Ball Ring
(via etsy.com)
Numbered Pool Ball Ring: "This ring is hand carved from a used pool ball. As every ring I make is a one of a kind, no two are identical and the dimensions will vary."
About etsy.com
the return of Cactus Music - Houston
good news.
Happy Endings "Record stores--especially independently owned shops--across the country have been in peril for years, but, as usual, Houston is keeping it real. Cactus Records, one of the city's oldest and best-known independent music stores, is re-opening its doors a year and a half after its original owners retired and closed it down."
The Return of Cactus Music (Houston Press article)
another one bites the dust - Jonanna Widner Fired
We Shot J.R.- Dallas/Denton Music Blog: "A super secret inside source from the Dallas Observer confirmed in an email to us this morning that Jonanna Widner was fired as Music Editor yesterday. A retrospective on her role in the highly regarded local cover band/dudes with birds nest hair scene is forthcoming. None of the details are available at this time, but I bet someone will send us something soon. Stay tuned."
BocaTinta is upset
and as one might expect, WSJR commentors are, well, not upset.
Wu-Tang Clan's RZA Breaks Down His Kung Fu Samples by Film and Song
Wu-Tang Clan's RZA Breaks Down His Kung Fu Samples by Film and Song: "RZA gave WIRED the dope on Wu-Tang's cinematic source material and sounded off on a selection of rare movie clips."
Google Stands Up for Blogger Privacy; Wins Case
Google Stands Up for Blogger Privacy; Wins Case: "Today, a victory was won for privacy advocates and bloggers everywhere, as a school board member failed to convince New York State courts that Google should be required to hand over details about anonymous commenters on a Blogger blog. Recently, a lot of flak has been tossed in a lot of different directions, much of it towards Google and Yahoo (but of course we can’t forget Facebook) in regards to their various and often conflicting stances on privacy. Today, though, Google took a position on privacy that was commendable in that they refused to hand over anonymized data unless the person to whom the data belonged to consented to its release. Marcy Friedman, the Supreme Court Justice presiding over the case, ultimately agreed, stating that a decision against Google would have a “chilling effect on protected speech.”"
fotophonic is a Blogger blog, and Blogger is wholly owned by Google, so this is an important decision for anyone using this, or any other, Google service. all you "Anonymous" folks, feel free to comment away! your free speech is protected, for now.
Here are some initial proceedings. The fulltext of the decision will publish tomorrow, Nov. 16, 2007.
11/14/07
"Autopsying the Monkey Bar" - Dallas Observer
(photo by fotophonic)Dallas - Music - Autopsying the Monkey Bar
"About 100 people sat in the gallery of the city council chambers last Thursday at the city plan commission meeting—an oddly high number, considering the commission usually discusses such scintillating subjects as 1-to-1 slope gradations or some shit like that."
young dudes
hot. plus, a lady drummer which makes the Young Dudes extra hot.
Young Dudes - Doin Crimes (mp3)
Young Dudes - The Hit (mp3)
Stream the whole album at virb.com/youngdudes, or buy the thing at their store.
11/13/07
James + James on drums
The TahDahs invited their youngest member, James Jr., to sit in on their set @ Good last night. Daddy still has to do the bass pedal...
Physics of Meaning @ Good Records, Nov. 12, 2007
The Physics of Meaning played Good Records last night. They were excellent.
You can buy their album at Good or online here.
Small Towns and Invisible People - Physics of Meaning (mp3)
Oregon - Physics of Meaning (mp3)
You can buy their album at Good or online here.
Small Towns and Invisible People - Physics of Meaning (mp3)
Oregon - Physics of Meaning (mp3)
11/12/07
Follow up...
In the wake of the stabbing at the Red Blood Club on Saturday, it looks like the guys involved don't have health insurance. Alison over at Reno's had this to say:
"Reno's Chop Shop posted this up today:"I am sure that everyone by now has heard that Adam and Barry were stabbed this past Saturday in an incident in one of our Deep Ellum Clubs. In light of this, we know that they will have plenty of medical expenses that they will need help with.This coming Saturday, November 17th, Reno's will be hosting a benefit show. We need help with the following:1. If you are a band willing to play a free benefit show for that saturday, get with Alan or Sarah at Reno's and let us know so we can schedule times for everyone, we will be at Reno's every night after 7pm, or you can myspace or call us.2. If you are willing to volunteer your time to help out with the doors and taking donations.3. If you are a venue willing to help out in anyway. I know that some folks from other Deep Ellum venues had stopped by last night and expressed their desire to help out in any way. Lets get together and figure out how we want to work this.In light of all of the SUP's, i think that is important that we all pull together as a community and show that we care about our residents and friends and take care of those in our Deep Ellum family. I think this is a great opportunity for us to really show that we are a wonderful and caring community. These are two of the most wonderful people in Deep Ellum and we need to show them how much we care.Thank you all for anything you can help out with.Call us at either 214-448-3145 or 469-360-6844"-Also, please come to the DEEP meeting tomorrow night @ 9pm @ the new Deep Ellum Association office (2822 Elm St). BYOB and potluck meeting. We have lots to discuss, and lots of giving back to the community to do.xoxo,Alison"
"Reno's Chop Shop posted this up today:"I am sure that everyone by now has heard that Adam and Barry were stabbed this past Saturday in an incident in one of our Deep Ellum Clubs. In light of this, we know that they will have plenty of medical expenses that they will need help with.This coming Saturday, November 17th, Reno's will be hosting a benefit show. We need help with the following:1. If you are a band willing to play a free benefit show for that saturday, get with Alan or Sarah at Reno's and let us know so we can schedule times for everyone, we will be at Reno's every night after 7pm, or you can myspace or call us.2. If you are willing to volunteer your time to help out with the doors and taking donations.3. If you are a venue willing to help out in anyway. I know that some folks from other Deep Ellum venues had stopped by last night and expressed their desire to help out in any way. Lets get together and figure out how we want to work this.In light of all of the SUP's, i think that is important that we all pull together as a community and show that we care about our residents and friends and take care of those in our Deep Ellum family. I think this is a great opportunity for us to really show that we are a wonderful and caring community. These are two of the most wonderful people in Deep Ellum and we need to show them how much we care.Thank you all for anything you can help out with.Call us at either 214-448-3145 or 469-360-6844"-Also, please come to the DEEP meeting tomorrow night @ 9pm @ the new Deep Ellum Association office (2822 Elm St). BYOB and potluck meeting. We have lots to discuss, and lots of giving back to the community to do.xoxo,Alison"
king khan and the shrines
some tunes to get you through this gorgeous Monday afternoon.
King Khan and the Shrines - Welfare Bread
King Khan and the Shrines - No Regrets (mp3)
El Paso Hot Button @ The Public Trust
Just to add to Miss Info's comments on EPHB, I find his coordination astounding. The album he has out right now, Turtle Wars, is tinged with interludes and bits of Public Enemy stylings. This one-man-band bad ass has great sensibilities when it comes to album production. The vocals don't overpower the music itself while he keeps the drums as dirty at the guitar. Obviously, it's not high production but nor is it lo-fi. The sound is expansive while being right up front with the noise. If you get the chance, pick up his album or catch one of his shows to witness his amazing abilities at playing nearly six different instruments at the same time.
Church of the Snake @ The Public Trust, Nov. 11, 2007
These guys were great. With 2 drummers, 2 guitarists and 3 singers, the Church's melodies are labyrinthine and rhythms complex, almost like jazz, but still punchy, noisy, and complicated. EPHB seems to have put together some new gear with his cymbals since I last saw him, and he sounded great. He's so talented and serious. He played with just a bare bulb sitting under his chair, which looked rad. I wish the pix had turned out, but it was too dark.
The Evens @ The Public Trust, Nov 10, 2007
it was amazing to be in the presence of rock legend and personal hero, Ian McKaye, and his partner, Amy Farina. with his bald head, white gym socks, and soft-spoken demeanor, it was easy to see that this duo has no intention of being the next White Stripes. the crowd was asked to sit on the floor and nearly all chose to do so. it was a bit like being at a Raffi show, but with really good music...
McKaye's guitar work for The Evens is in his distinctive style - low, minor chords and rapid progressions. made me wonder if he even thinks in that same key...all in all, it was a good performance. kudos to The Public Trust for booking and hosting, it's a fine gallery and venue. and kudos to everyone who got organized and down to the gallery by 830p to see the show. keep this up, Dallas, and folks might think we have a scene around here.
A few Bad Apples
So, while we were doing our thing over at the Public Trust with The Evens, looks like there was some dumbasses trying to make a bad scene for everyone about a block down.
11/9/07
friday fun facts - peanut butter
(via foodreference.com)
"Developed in 1890 by a St. Louis doctor for his patients with bad teeth. It was promoted as a health food at the St. Louis Exposition 14 years later, but the oil separated from the grainy solids. In 1933, a California packer was able to homogenize the peanuts into a stable butter - "Skippy Churned Peanut Butter". Peanut butter accounts for over half of U.S. peanut production, and Americans eat almost 7 pounds of peanuts and peanut butter per capita. People who become hysterical when peanut butter sticks to the roof of their mouth have 'arachibutyrophobia'. It takes about 550 peanuts to make a 12 ounce jar of creamy peanut butter. Creamy peanut butter is preferred on the East Coast, Chunky on the West Coast. The Jif plant in Lexington, Kentucky is reportedly the largest peanut butter factory in the world. Peanut butter's high protein content draws moisture from your mouth. That's why it sticks to the roof of your mouth. Peanut butter was almost uniquely American until about the 1960s. - most of the rest of the world just didn’t understand it at all."
brought to you by Glurrmann's Yogurt.
Glurrmann's Yogurt...Now made in China!
11/7/07
Why? The Hollows
If you don't know about Why? for god sake don't tell anybody. Go buy Elephant Eyelash now! Once you are addicted, you can relish in the fact they have a new single....it's gonna be alright.
11/6/07
The Right to Wait for a Ballot
Note: This post is also crossposted at my personal blog, The Oddity Odyssey, of which the attached link will take you to. I felt that the issue was important enough for everyone to share in.
I was subtly denied my vote today after getting off work. Went to my normal polling station and was immediately told that the stations was out of ballots and more were on the way, but the original call was made more than half an hour ago. Went I live in nearly walking distance of City Hall, I find this sort of cock-up appalling. I live in a precinct that actively votes and votes Democratic. The proposal that was bringing people to the station was one that riled liberal interests and made traditional businessmen (re: conservative) jump with glee. So to find that near the end of the day, after most people left work and (like me) wanted to go vote, that we could not exercise our constitutional right due to a lack of paper in a high voting, liberal precinct, I became more than a little suspicious. I don't like it, particularly after pestering my friends to go vote themselves. There's something to be done here and some of you will have to help me.
I was subtly denied my vote today after getting off work. Went to my normal polling station and was immediately told that the stations was out of ballots and more were on the way, but the original call was made more than half an hour ago. Went I live in nearly walking distance of City Hall, I find this sort of cock-up appalling. I live in a precinct that actively votes and votes Democratic. The proposal that was bringing people to the station was one that riled liberal interests and made traditional businessmen (re: conservative) jump with glee. So to find that near the end of the day, after most people left work and (like me) wanted to go vote, that we could not exercise our constitutional right due to a lack of paper in a high voting, liberal precinct, I became more than a little suspicious. I don't like it, particularly after pestering my friends to go vote themselves. There's something to be done here and some of you will have to help me.
Writer's On Strike, Or is the Pen Mighter than the Sword?
Why Strike II - John Roger
Something of interest for those of you out there who (like me) are only just hearing of Hollywood's writer's strike. This is a different sort of strike than one done by auto or airline workers. This is more akin to a strike by recording artists against someone like the RIAA and asking for more of their rightful share of the money. So read away, even the tangential links.
Something of interest for those of you out there who (like me) are only just hearing of Hollywood's writer's strike. This is a different sort of strike than one done by auto or airline workers. This is more akin to a strike by recording artists against someone like the RIAA and asking for more of their rightful share of the money. So read away, even the tangential links.
11/5/07
Down the Rabbit Hole
Unless and until Miss Info posts her photos from the show ya'll have to do with my pretty words on the White Rabbits show this past Thursday at the Cavern. Now the Cavern is certainly a place to see a band; smoky, dark, and dirty. Yet it was still surprising to see a band of the White Rabbits caliber play at such a venue. But they still earned their money that night. Miss Info and I both agree it was one of the best shows we had seen in the last six months.
The Cavern's stage is small, leaving us to wonder how a band the size of the White Rabbits were going to fit themselves up there, but after setting up the keys, amps, guitars, mike stand and two drum kits (yes kiddies, that's two, count 'em two, drum kits) the band somehow squeezed themselves in between the mess of instruments. The band started with energy and tore through their set. The two drummers worked as one while the second guitarist ran around between his guitar and another drum, nearly falling over the lead singer on keys several times. The other guitarist and bassist were weaving around each other, knocking into mike stands and each other on more than one occasion. But the leader singer stole the show. Playing two sets of keys in a typical tiered array his hand flew over the faux ivory. Joined for a few numbered by the jack-of-all-trades guitarist, the singer hammered on the boards, letting his large and wonderfully long fingers compete with the quality of his lyrical talents.
It's been said that the White Rabbits have a ska-influenced latin sound but I disagree. This is old Texas Baptist greaser music from the fifties. This is the kind of band who channeled the same essence as the smaller local act Budapest One. Songs about love and individuality come tinged with that humid air of an east Texas spring, where good and evil play between the kitchen and slamming screen doors. If you doubt me, then one look at the singer and one listen to his voice and you could imagine this man walking from his house, down a dirt road to a full service gas station. The White Rabbits are pure east Texas music played with such enthusiasm and righteous as to make their performance more of a sermon than a rock set.
A thin, but animated crowd helped out and more than once I was surprised by the kind of people there for the band and not the alcohol. After an emotionally exhausting day, the White Rabbits show lightened my soul. Well, that and cheap Lone Star.
The Cavern's stage is small, leaving us to wonder how a band the size of the White Rabbits were going to fit themselves up there, but after setting up the keys, amps, guitars, mike stand and two drum kits (yes kiddies, that's two, count 'em two, drum kits) the band somehow squeezed themselves in between the mess of instruments. The band started with energy and tore through their set. The two drummers worked as one while the second guitarist ran around between his guitar and another drum, nearly falling over the lead singer on keys several times. The other guitarist and bassist were weaving around each other, knocking into mike stands and each other on more than one occasion. But the leader singer stole the show. Playing two sets of keys in a typical tiered array his hand flew over the faux ivory. Joined for a few numbered by the jack-of-all-trades guitarist, the singer hammered on the boards, letting his large and wonderfully long fingers compete with the quality of his lyrical talents.
It's been said that the White Rabbits have a ska-influenced latin sound but I disagree. This is old Texas Baptist greaser music from the fifties. This is the kind of band who channeled the same essence as the smaller local act Budapest One. Songs about love and individuality come tinged with that humid air of an east Texas spring, where good and evil play between the kitchen and slamming screen doors. If you doubt me, then one look at the singer and one listen to his voice and you could imagine this man walking from his house, down a dirt road to a full service gas station. The White Rabbits are pure east Texas music played with such enthusiasm and righteous as to make their performance more of a sermon than a rock set.
A thin, but animated crowd helped out and more than once I was surprised by the kind of people there for the band and not the alcohol. After an emotionally exhausting day, the White Rabbits show lightened my soul. Well, that and cheap Lone Star.
what happened to lily allen?
here she is at her clothes line's launch party, looking bright, youthful, healthy, and happy.
and here is one of her most recent publicity shots, in which she looks like she fell down a well and landed on Morticia Adams. it is not just wonderful.
and here is one of her most recent publicity shots, in which she looks like she fell down a well and landed on Morticia Adams. it is not just wonderful.
...like lines of coke on a peruvian boy's ass
I dared the Nazi security and surgically-clean House of Blues last night to watch the glittering stylings of M.I.A. An amazing performance by our dear Maya was kneecapped by a sound tech who thought he was playing house music and not an actual hip-hop act. So other than the vocals all the music was at the same level. Maya was backed by an unknown DJ from Baltimore and another singer with the occasional interlude by a new 16-year-old rapper with a wonderful flow. Still, it was strangely comforting to see a bunch of whiteys pogoing, shaking and generally getting in touch with their rap souls. The set opened with the first track off her new album (of which you must all buy/download/stab an old lady for). The highlight of the night was $20 with the slowed and fuzzed out backbeat pulled from New Order's and the mixing in of lyrics from The Pixies Where is My Mind that went from the original M.I.A. mix to the full New Order original and a momentary hope that something amazing would happen. Sadly, this is Dallas and amazing things like that at The Big Show don't happen.
As for the more serious criticism, I have to say that M.I.A. needs to expand her touring act. Three live drummers are needed along with a cadre of other singers and keyboard players. the live aspects of Maya's sound need that real, physical representation to truly get the sound she wants, I think. Maya did do something unexpected however, something quite cool for the Big Show. She invited a large number of people from the crowd on stage for one song and then ordered them off. So the rest of us further back in the crowd quickly filled the void and had a better view of the set. Maya was shaking it all night without care or posturing. Constantly standing on the monitors, she incited and riled the crowd to keep moving and was greeted in kind.
Overall it was a good show, not great, not astounding, but well put together and suffering from few serious flaws, despite the sound tech's stupidity. The crowd was sufficiently involved and Maya proved once again that I should have her babies. So go find her music, anything at all, even the weird Digitialism/M.I.A. mashup.
As for the more serious criticism, I have to say that M.I.A. needs to expand her touring act. Three live drummers are needed along with a cadre of other singers and keyboard players. the live aspects of Maya's sound need that real, physical representation to truly get the sound she wants, I think. Maya did do something unexpected however, something quite cool for the Big Show. She invited a large number of people from the crowd on stage for one song and then ordered them off. So the rest of us further back in the crowd quickly filled the void and had a better view of the set. Maya was shaking it all night without care or posturing. Constantly standing on the monitors, she incited and riled the crowd to keep moving and was greeted in kind.
Overall it was a good show, not great, not astounding, but well put together and suffering from few serious flaws, despite the sound tech's stupidity. The crowd was sufficiently involved and Maya proved once again that I should have her babies. So go find her music, anything at all, even the weird Digitialism/M.I.A. mashup.
11/4/07
Coming to you from BoingBoing is this image of a genetically modified mouse brain. Personally, I find it beautiful. The complexity of the brain itself is one of the main reasons why I think individualized (i.e. autonomous) AI is still decades away. Perhaps the Internet itself will gain a consciousness, but when you see how complex a mouse's brain is, it makes you wonder if that's ever possible. Still, enjoy the beauty and think of the color of your own neurons.
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