The Daylights

I've been hyping this Los Angeles band for about six months now.

Why nobody has signed them is beyond me, but hopefully this video helps.

The Daylights and their video for "I Hope This Gets To You"

Simple, elegant, creative. Awesome.

Private

Yes, this dude's voice is fucking HIGH.

Yes, there is one bar when I think he may have inhaled helium.

That being said, I am fucking DIGGIN this UK act, Private.

"My Secret Lover" is fanfuckingtastic. Oh man, can you dig that fuckin beat???

Hot hot HEAT. x

Alphabeat

Alphabeat is so so so so so so so fun.

"Fascination" reminds me of every awesome 80s movie soundtrack from my childhood...

And I like it.

CB350 Cafe

This bike is definitely on the smaller side, and there's no way my fat ass could ride this and not look ridiculous...

But I love the bare-bones, stripped-down simplicity to this Honda CB350 Cafe Racer. Just gorgeous.

From BikeEXIF:

Zach O’Brien got his 1971 CB350 for just $400, running and titled. He’s built several bikes, but this one is a favorite: his wife, daughter and son all helped with the build. After picking up the CB, Zach took it home and “went to town, tearing it down. Cut off as many tabs and extrusions as I could.” He then sold off most of the surplus parts and got his $400 back. Just about every remaining component was repainted, powdercoated or de-chromed. Zach tossed the battery, battery box, and wiring harness, re-wired the bike and stuffed everything related under the new seat.

“I love the look of absolutely nothing between the rear tire and the engine,” he says. “I wanted the headlight to flow with the tank and tail, instead of up high as seen on a lot of cafe racers. So I bought a small chopper headlight and mounted it to the triple.“ The seat is a replica item, and Zach rebuilt the forks, cutting off the ears on the fork covers and cutting down the fender to give the front end a beefier look. He ditched the speedometer, mounted a tach, and installed clubman bars with just a throttle, levers, and a kill button. The exhaust is stock: stripped of the chrome, and just chopped. (“It’s stupid loud.”) There’s no rocket science here, just a bare bones racer look. And it works. Just the essentials, and nothing more.

Audio Bullys

This UK act is blowing my mind. I can't stop moving.

Can't. Stop. Moving.

Full on dance party in my chair as I work.

Audio Bullys with their jungle party track "Only Man"

Turn em up. NOW.

Best Coast

I saw these lovelies at the South Street Seaport this past summer.

There are few bands that make me miss living in Los Angeles... but none as much as Best Coast.

"When I'm With You"

Funeral Party

My old boss signed these guys.

Funeral Party.

I love this video for their song, "Just Because"

Trampled by Turtles

Trampled by Turtles in their video for "Wait So Long"

Hat tip to Mr. Black and his kick ass blog, Monsters Nest.

I can not even express in words how stoked I am that bluegrass has now entered the mainstream.

My grass has been blue since my mountain man days in southwest Colorado.

First Mumford and Sons break through and now TbT... YES.

Killing Hipsters

Brilliant. Def brought the LOLZ.

Blackbells

New York rock band Blackbells filmed live at Mercury Lounge NYC 4/14/2010.

Video by Mia Swier

One of the most talented bands I have met in New York City in years.

Four kick ass rockers that all bring something unique to the table.

"This is Home" is a gorgeous rock song that bleeds emotion.

Check out an upcoming gig. I'll be in the audience singing along.

So come over and dance with me. x

Miami Horror

My man, Mr. Black, turned me onto Miami Horror.

Diggin this track right here. Some disco fueled rock n roll.

Turn up your fuckin speakers. NOW.

Sebastian Tellier

Sebastian Tellier is my new hero.

Watch and take fucking notes. This guy is killing shit.

In his sleep, no doubt.

WTF: Black Friday

Here are some Black Friday lunatics at a North Buffalo area Target store.

Seriously. What the fuck is wrong with you people? Calm the fuck down.

Hat tip to Dan for the clip. But that's all you're getting, a hat tip. This scarred me, homey.

What. The. Fuck.

Porn Star Dancing

My Darkest Days

"Porn Star Dancing"

This video sums up my favorite things in life.

Fact.

Jon Lajoie

"I Kill People"

Jonh Lajoie is pretty fucking hilarious.

I may be a bit late to the party, but I'm diggin this dude.

Katy Perry

I gotta admit, this song is pretty fucking catchy.

I've heard it on the radio a few times, but after watching the video, I'm hooked.

Wasn't really paying attention to the lyrics until I saw this. What a cool fucking song.

Pretty bummed that the label didn't post the directors name on Vevo. Kinda lame.

But kudos to whoever you are. This is an outstanding anthem to all those kids getting picked on or thinking their different.

It gets better... x

Pursuit of Happiness

This new singer/songwriter, Lissie, is brilliantly talented. I was already a fan...

But then she went and covered my favorite Kid Cudi track, "Pursuit of Happiness"

She just got even cooler in my book.

x

A Slayer Christmas

This makes me hate Christmas just a little bit less...

\,,/

Kanye at Bowery

Kanye performed at the Bowery Ballroom in NYC last night.

Around 500 lucky fuckers were in attendance.

To all the haters out there, watch and take notes.

Kanye is doing things right now that people only dream about.

He is the fucking man. And this track is straight FIRE.

Way Back Home

The sickest trials rider on Earth, Danny MacAskill, put out a new video last week.

This kid is so fucking gnarly.

Way Back Home is the incredible new riding clip from Danny MacAskill, it follows him on a journey from Edinburgh back to his hometown Dunvegan, in the Isle of Skye.

You can read about it and watch the interviews with Danny at http://www.redbull.co.uk/waybackhome

Ural Taiga

You see, folks, this is exactly why I need a shitload of money...

Because, honestly, who could possibly need this motorcycle? Answer: No one.

However, how cool would it be to have this baby in the garage of your chateau in Colorado?

From BikeEXIF, as per, well, always:

Ural’s latest release is the bike you see here, the 2WD Taiga Limited Edition. Based on the popular Gear-Up, it takes Ural’s off-road performance to new heights. There’s an engine skid plate, an auxiliary spotlight and even a winch.

There are towing points both front and rear, and a large windshield to protect the rider from the elements. The Taiga is also equipped with a fluid canister, a first aid survival kit, and a shovel. In the trunk you’ll find an air pump, a Maglite flashlight, a tool kit and a tow strap. Only 27 of these models will be sold in the US and the price is just $13,999, so you’ll have to contact your nearest Ural dealer quickly if you want one.

You can keep in touch with the world of Ural via their page on Facebook, and on Twitter too.

Decoded

I have been dying to see this ever since I read the first blurb about it...

Dr. Cornell West is one of my favorite human beings on Earth.

And.

Jay Z is my favorite rapper of all time. Fact.

To see the two of them square off is a dream come true.

If only I could have been at the New York Public Library for this.

Lord knows I tried. But alas, without success. Shit was the hottest ticket in town.

Enjoy. x

Chromeo

Man oh man, do I fucking love this duo...

Chromeo - killin shit as usual - with their newest video for "Hot Mess"

And it is absolutely a hot fucking mess.

WIN. x

Arcade Fire

Arcade Fire's new video for "The Suburbs" was directed by the incredible Spike Jonze.

This is the title track off their new album. If you haven't heard it, you're missing out.

On a side note, I just watched Spike's "Where the Wild Things Are" during one of this past week's spells of insomnia.

I am so pissed at myself for listening to all the haters when that film came out.

It was exceptional. I can't believe I paid attention to the masses once again. Fuck.

Nano Watch

How cool is this?

Check out the article and images at Kickstart er...

Hedge Fund Republic

A Hedge Fund Republic

by Nicholas Kristof

Earlier this month, I offended a number of readers with a column suggesting that if you want to see rapacious income inequality, you no longer need to visit a banana republic. You can just look around.

My point was that the wealthiest plutocrats now actually control a greater share of the pie in the United States than in historically unstable countries like Nicaragua, Venezuela and Guyana. But readers protested that this was glib and unfair, and after reviewing the evidence I regretfully confess that they have a point.
That’s right: I may have wronged the banana republics.

You see, some Latin Americans were indignant at what they saw as an invidious and hurtful comparison. The truth is that Latin America has matured and become more equal in recent decades, even as the distribution in the United States has become steadily more unequal.

The best data series I could find is for Argentina. In the 1940s, the top 1 percent there controlled more than 20 percent of incomes. That was roughly double the share at that time in the United States.

Since then, we’ve reversed places. The share controlled by the top 1 percent in Argentina has fallen to a bit more than 15 percent. Meanwhile, inequality in the United States has soared to levels comparable to those in Argentina six decades ago — with 1 percent controlling 24 percent of American income in 2007.

At a time of such stunning inequality, should Congress put priority on spending $700 billion on extending the Bush tax cuts to those with incomes above $250,000 a year? Or should it extend unemployment benefits for Americans who otherwise will lose them beginning next month?

Click here to continue reading...

Health Insurance Whistleblower - Part 1

Keith Olbermann hosted Michael Moore and Wendell Potter on Countdown this week.

Wendell Potter is a former health insurance executive turned whistleblower who has come out admitting the insurance companies got together to form a smear PR campaign against Moore and his film, Sicko.

This is Part 1 of 2.

What the fuck is wrong with this country? Why can't everyone see the evils of our health care system?

And how the fuck do seemingly intelligent people buy into the bullshit propaganda from the Right?

Health Insurance Whistleblower - Part 2

Keith Olbermann hosted Michael Moore and Wendell Potter on Countdown this week.

Whistleblower Part 2.

Gwyneth Goes Country

I gotta admit, I am absolutely floored by Gwyneth Paltrow's performance at the Country Music Awards.

Here is her duet with the legendary Vince Gill, singing "Country Strong"

Don't even try to tell me you're not impressed.

S & S Cycles

I think I just died a little... There are few things in life that get me going like this bike does right now...

From BikeEXIF, of course:

The bike is owned by Pat McGowan of Northern N.J. “I was going to try and build a bike myself,” he says. “I started getting parts together and went to Bill Dodge of Bling’s Cycles to order a frame and other stuff of his I liked. But after talking with him, I decided I would be better off letting him build it.” While Pat scraped money together, he and Bill got to know each other. “It turned out that Bill was trying to renovate his house himself,” says Pat. “We then decided that a trade would work for both of us. So we did just that: I finished his house, and he built my bike.”

In the end, Bill used only the motor that Pat supplied, a 97″ S&S. The transmission is a Baker PowerBox and the rear wheel is a Marchesini upgraded by Bill from a cheap billet import. According to Pat, “The rest is either from Bill’s parts line or things he had stashed away.” Check out more of Bill Dodge’s bikes here—and more lovely photography from Cicero deGuzman Jr here.

WTF: Hatsune Miku

I am going to introduce another regular segment entitled "WTF"

Yeah, I know. Really fucking original, Robal.

But watch this clip above and there are few other responses that could possibly come to mind.

Hatsune Miku is a computer generated avatar that performs songs.

"She" has topped the pop charts in Japan and sold out stadium concerts.

She was created by a company called Crypton Future Media which synthesizes Miku’s voice using Yahama Vocaloid software.

It takes an awful lot to leave me speechless, but Ms. Miku just blew me the fuck away.

Only in Japan.

The Band Perry

Here is The Band Perry with their amazingly gorgeous song, "If I Die Young"

For you country and Americana fans, keep your eyes out for this young Nashville act.

Winwood

The legendary Steve Winwood singing an acoustic version of the Blind Faith classic, "Can't Find My Way Home"

Wow. Absolutely gorgeous.

Day One

Yes, I believe this sums up our President's first day in office quite perfectly.

Thanks, Bush.

The Boys

Phish covering Led Zeppelin at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, NJ.

10/30/2010.

Ramble On ~ Thank You ~ Stairway to Heaven

And you people wonder why this is my favorite band of all time.

Wowsers. Rock and fucking Roll.

Tracy Morgan

Tracy Morgan of Saturday Night Live and 30 Rock is interviewed on morning television by Robert Holguin of KVIA. The live interview goes wildly out of control when the whacked out comedian takes off his shirt.

Amazeballs.

Q

Showbiz411's Roger Friedman interviews Quincy Jones.

The man is a fucking legend.

Shatner Sings Fuck You

William Shatner sings Cee Lo's smash, "Fuck You" on George Lopez show.

Amazeballs.

Springsteen on Fallon

Take the time to watch this if you missed it on TV.

Fallon devoted an entire episode to The Boss and it is television at its finest.

A performance of "Because the Night" is one for the books.

But Fallon (as Neil Young) and Springsteen duet on Will Smith's daughter's ridiculous pop song, "Whip Your Hair" and it is absolutely priceless.

Cee Lo on Colbert

The Colbert Report

Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c

Cee Lo Green - F**k You

www.colbertnation.com

Colbert Report Full Episodes

2010 Election

March to Keep Fear Alive

Here is my big man, Cee Lo Green on Colbert.

This is the uncensored version of "Fuck You"

But on the televised version of The Colbert Report, he changed the lyrics to "Fox News"

Fucking amazing. x

Kirk Kicks Kid

From RoadRunner Records' blog, Blabbermouth:

Another clip has been posted online of a METALLICA concert that took place in Sydney, Australia last Thursday (November 11), where guitarist Kirk Hammett is seen kicking a large black balloon that accidentally smacks into a small child standing onstage and sends the child flying several feet into the audience. Despite early reports that the toddler was the son of frontman James Hetfield, it was apparently the daughter of either METALLICA's production or tour manager. (Note: The child was reportedly not injured during the incident.)

Bruno Mars

I am really diggin this Bruno Mars kid.

Outstanding, soulful voice and smart lyrics.

This is "The Lazy Song" from Billboard's studio sessions.

BMW R60/5 Custom

Take a look at this gorgeous piece of iron... Gotta love those old Beamers...

From BikeEXIF, of course:

I’ve always had a soft spot for 1970s BMWs, but I haven’t seen anything quite like this slash-five before. It’s owned by Frenchman Gaëtan Pillaud, and he calls it a ‘Clubber’—a mix between a clubman and a bobber. The bike started life as a 1973 R60/5, which means it has an aircooled 599cc boxer twin motor, shaft drive, and a kickstart mounted on the back of the gearbox. It’s got a Trackmaster tank and seat sourced from eBay, military-spec Firestone ANS tires, and café racer clip-on bars from LSL. Gaëtan dropped the forks at the front to improve the bike’s stance, and fitted custom shocks to keep the back end under control.

The alloy rear fender was made by French motorcycle legend George Martin, and the exhaust is an authentic Dunstall. If the headlight, almost dwarfed on this bike, looks familiar, that’s because it’s from an AMF-era Harley shovel. Even the wiring harness has received attention—it’s sheathed in woven cotton in true vintage style. It’s a little rough around the edges, but this Beemer has a strange charm all of its own—the perfect machine for a spirited blast down a winding road in the Pyrenées. [Via Ze Last Chance Garage.]

Raise Your Glass

This is for the pretty lady who just landed her promotion.

Pink's newest jam, "Raise Your Glass"

So raise your fucking glasses, people. Congrats! x

A Life on Facebook

Can't Stop Partying

Rivers Cuomo from Weezer and Jermaine Dupri performing, "Can't Stop Performing"

I gotta have Patron.
I gotta have the E.
I gotta have a lot of pretty girls around me.

Fucking EPIC.

Blackbells

Kick ass rock band, Blackbells, just put this out.

Their anthem tune "Testify" recorded in their practice space in Brooklyn.

Fuckin love this band and can't wait to see what's coming next...

Daniel Merriweather

This is my kind of song.

"Cigarettes" by Daniel Merriweather

Filmed at the Music Hall of Williamsburg this year.

Sent by my lovely friend, Deborah. x

Shining

This brought the LOLZ.

The Shining - Recut

Adrenaline Junky

This is absolutely fucking insane. Hat tip to Karl for the link.

From YouTube:

Speedriding, speedflying and wingsuitflying in the area of Wengen, Switzerland.

Camera and edit by me.
Co-pilot Jokke Sommer ( http://www.youtube.com/jokkesommer )
Music: Mirwais - Disco Science

Chromeo + La Roux

The disco funkness that is Chromeo just dropped this blazer, with a little help from my crush La Roux.

"Hot Mess"

You know La Roux from their smash 80s throwback song, "Bulletproof"

And if you do not, please stop what you're doing and download that shit. Stat.

This song is straight FIRE.

Greatest Play Ever

Driscoll Middle School may have pulled off the greatest trick play in football history.

Amazing.

Macy Covers Radiohead

Wow wow wow wow.

The legendary, and totally fucking timeless, Macy Gray covers Radiohead.

This, my friends, is epic.

x

OK GO

Last Leaf

OK Go | Myspace Music Videos

A new video from the legendary viral champs in OK GO.

This brilliant piece of art is entitled "Last Leaf"

Incredible. x

Cleveland Rocks

Cleveland fans put together a reaction video to LeBron James' pretentious new Nike ad.

Love it. Burn!

Fair Game

I can not fucking WAIT to see this film.

What Karl Rove did to this couple is treasonous, plane and simple.

Joe Wilson and Valerie Plame will finally get the last word on this situation.

From Brave New World:

Former CIA Officer Valerie Plame & Former US Ambassador Joe Wilson--wife and husband--came by Brave New Studios to talk about their new film, Fair Game, a biography picture, at the moment the White House leaked that Plame was a CIA agent. The film deals how the White House tried to discredit Joe Wilson, by hurting his wife Valerie, in retaliation for writing a New York Times op-ed saying the Bush administration had manipulated intelligence about WMD to justify the invasion of Iraq.

The Speech

Just watched this for the first time since the Rally for Sanity...

Got a bit choked up. What an amazing, epic, surreal, proud day for America.

So glad I went. x

Frightened Rabbit at T5

Now I fully regret not going to see Frightened Rabbit at Terminal 5 last week.

From Stereogum:

Frightened Rabbit’s fourth single from The Winter Of Mixed Drinks, “The Loneliness And The Scream,” will be out in the U.S. in early December, and it’ll come with an early Christmas gift: a cover of Elton John/Kiki Dee’s 1976 smash “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart” by Frightened Rabbit and Craig Finn. We haven’t heard the studio version yet, but Finn did show up during the encore of Frightened Rabbit’s Terminal 5 show on Saturday to play Kiki Dee to Scott Hutchison’s Elton John

Henry Rollins vs My Old Friend

This video has been making the rounds of the music blogs this week, so I finally sat down to watch it.

Henry Rollins is on a date with an Iranian woman in exile and they wander into punk rock mecca, The Cake Shop, in the East Village.

All of a sudden I realize that Rollins is talking to someone I have known for 25 years, my old friend Merideth.

Fucking crazy.