A Funny-Animal Comic Book: Cerebus

Published on July 30th, 2008 in: Comics, Issues, Underground/Cult |

By Christian Lipski

I am reading a funny-animal comic book called Cerebus.

That’s what I imagine people say when I try to explain what Cerebus is all about. There are so many questions to get past before you can really get down to why the epic is worth reading, but here are a few answers to those questions. . .
Continue reading ‘A Funny-Animal Comic Book: Cerebus

Comments Off on A Funny-Animal Comic Book: Cerebus

New Kids on the Block, Hangin’ Tough

Published on July 13th, 2008 in: Issues, Music, Music Reviews, Retrovirus, Waxing Nostalgic |

By Christian Lipski

nkotb hangin tough

I’m cheating a little on this one, as I didn’t actually own this album. But I do definitely remember when it was released, and when it exploded into a phenomenon. I would see the video for “Please Don’t Go Girl” from time to time, back when the boy band was a relatively new concept in the U.S. (at least for those who didn’t remember the Osmonds). It wasn’t until a couple years later that I really started getting into the NKOTB, but I did dip back into their “old school” stuff when “Step By Step” came out.
Continue reading ‘New Kids on the Block, Hangin’ Tough

Sparks: Exotic Creatures of the Deep

Published on May 30th, 2008 in: Current Faves, Issues, Music, Music Reviews, Reviews |

by Less Lee Moore

“Ron’s lyrics are humorous, but they have a deeper side. Though they make you smile, there’s a darker undercurrent.”
Sparks’ Russell Mael in Current Planet Sound, May 2008

Continue reading ‘Sparks: Exotic Creatures of the Deep

Comments Off on Sparks: Exotic Creatures of the Deep

Top Five Canadian Broadcasting Company (CBC) Programs

Published on May 30th, 2008 in: Canadian Content, Current Faves, Issues, Music, Radio, Retrovirus, Top Five Lists, TV |

By Nicole V.

One of Canada’s national treasures is the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, or the CBC. Since an early age, I’ve understood its reach across the country as a public broadcaster and have even referred to it as the lifeblood of the nation, a proclamation that is perhaps a bit dramatic (not to mention very nerdy), but for as long as I can remember the CBC has been both a television and radio staple in my life. Why so beloved?
Continue reading ‘Top Five Canadian Broadcasting Company (CBC) Programs’

Comments Off on Top Five Canadian Broadcasting Company (CBC) Programs

If Money Talks Then He’s a Mime: Dick Valentine

Published on May 30th, 2008 in: Current Faves, Issues, Music, Reviews |

Towne Lounge, Portland OR
April 5, 2008

By Christian Lipski

Dick’s band, Electric Six, is known for its loud-rocking electronic dance style, so when I heard that the lead singer was going to be appearing as a secret special guest in a solo acoustic show, I had to go. Plus the show was five dollars for four bands.
Continue reading ‘If Money Talks Then He’s a Mime: Dick Valentine’

The Kids In The Hall: Live As They’ll Ever Be

Published on May 30th, 2008 in: Canadian Content, Comedy, Issues, Reviews, TV |

By Jemiah Jefferson

Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, Portland OR
May 11, 2008

“What? Are they still around?”
Continue reading ‘The Kids In The Hall: Live As They’ll Ever Be’

Comments Off on The Kids In The Hall: Live As They’ll Ever Be

Looking For A Visionary: Redd Kross on YouTube

Published on May 30th, 2008 in: Issues, Music, Top Ten Lists, Underground/Cult, Video |

By Less Lee Moore

thescream

Although Redd Kross recently reformed with its finest line-up to date (Jeff McDonald, Steve McDonald, Roy “No Relation” McDonald, Robert Hecker) and although they have been playing shows all over the world for the past few years (UK, Spain, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago. . . to name a few) I’ve chosen to focus on ten older videos (plus one honorable mention).
Continue reading ‘Looking For A Visionary: Redd Kross on YouTube’

For Your Consideration: An Interview with Trztn of Services

Published on May 30th, 2008 in: Current Faves, Interviews, Issues, Music |

Interviewed by Julie Finley

Trztn (AKA Tristan Bechet) may not be a household name, but you may have heard of him in a variety of instances, since he’s been circulating in NYC’s underbelly of musicians since the late 90s. Unlike many others in that circle, he’s not an unimaginative fashion plate riding the horribly coined “Now Wave” scene (I won’t mention names to protect the not-so-innocent). . . in other words, you’re probably not going to find him schmoozing with phonies like Sofia Coppola anytime soon, although he’s pretty tight with those that probably do.

Continue reading ‘For Your Consideration: An Interview with Trztn of Services’

Comments Off on For Your Consideration: An Interview with Trztn of Services

Popshifter‘s Secret Garden of Crushes

Published on May 30th, 2008 in: Issues, Movies, Music, Retrovirus, TV |

By Less Lee Moore

pizzazz
Pizzazz of The Misfits

WFMU’s Beware of the Blog is a fabulous resource for discovering music, movies, and art that I would likely never know about if left to my own devices. Sometimes, however, my favorite blog entries are the first-hand accounts of the often-perverting effects of pop culture.
Continue reading ‘Popshifter‘s Secret Garden of Crushes’