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The Lonely Island “The Creep feat. Nicki Minaj feature by John M. Ellison IV
Like anybody, I’ve had some weird dreams. These dreams included a zombie Owen Hart attacking Triple H in the locker room on “Smackdown”, me warning a young Tupac to watch out for shady business execs and MTV calling me to be the art director for the re-vamping of the “Daria” series. Okay that last one wasn’t weird, that would pretty cool.
But in this case, I saw something Saturday night that I could never dream of. On Saturday Night Live, there was a surprise cameo of John Waters in a SNL digital short by “The Lonely Island” troupe lampooning the glut of dance songs in rap music called “The Creep” featuring Nicki Minaj. Not much of a Minaj fan, but not bad all around. Enjoy.
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Sean’s Iggy Pop Playlist
Hey folks,
I’ve been corresponding with one reader by the name of Sean lately and he sent me a list of his favorite Iggy Pop videos. Check this out.
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Free Moral Agents-Control This by John M. Ellison IV
Free Moral Agents started as a collective of musicians brought together by Isaiah “Ikey” Owens (keyboardist from The Mars Volta) to expand the sounds of what originally started as a solo project. In the spring of 2006, the band solidified into a permanent line up and consists of members and started playing shows around Long Beach and Los Angeles.
Isiah “Ikey” Owens stated “There was a time, before I put the record out, that I wasn’t playing in Mars Volta anymore, and I had just bought a bunch of recording instruments. I’d always wanted to record my own record but never did, so [Free Moral Agents] really started with just me. I knew J, who was actually my girlfriend at the time’s brother-in-law, who did poetry and sang and stuff, so I got together with him. This is before the vinyl. I was working at this record store and started talking to my friend Jeff Harris, who it turns out, was really good with ProTools, so I added him to the group. He’s really a producer and doesn’t really play with us live, but he’s very much responsible for the sound of the record. I knew Mendee [Ichikawa] for several years, and we had worked on and off, but I knew we needed a female element to the group, so that’s basically what Free Moral Agents is right there. As far as the music goes, it started as my project, but these people who I know I can trust, really bring it together.”
“Control This” is an album that was released in 2010 on Chocolate Industries and features the talents of Isaiah “Ikey” Owens – keyboards, producer, concepts, Mendee Ichikawa – vocals, echo, words, melodies, Dennis Owens – bass, falsetto, Ryan Reiff – drums, beats, Reid Kinnett – rhodes, effects and Jesse Carzello – guitar, noise
Most of the compositions on here are very tranquil…can’t really label it but it’s akin to jazz fusion, jazz funk, trip-hop. If you’re up for fairly long songs, this album might satisfy with the longest clocking in at 7:45.
Even though I enjoyed the album overall, the songs that really stuck out were the following.
North Red
At first listen, lead singer Mendee Ichikawa sounds like Bjork and the band sounds on this song sounds like Japanese band “TANK!” The first thing I thought of was that “This sounds like something you would find on the soundtrack for the anime Cowboy Bebop.” I wonder if they’re fans.
Dragon Prow
Dennis Owens and Ryan Reiff carry this song well. Honestly, you can pretty much loop their part and it wouldn’t get monotonous.
Six Degrees
This is a very chill synthesizer and keyboard driven song. Reiff and everybody else take a back seat in this case.
Girls with Glasses Only Please
Distorted synths, random spoken word verse over a monotonous programmed beat. No, it’s not considered rap though.
In closing, “Control This” is a good album for the prog/fusion set, the “Adult Swim” set or just anyone looking for something to listen to and chill to.
Check out their site at
http://www.freemoralagents.com/
26
Amul 9-Elevated Beings by John M. Ellison IV
Amul9 is a band from Atlanta that was started by vocalist Zoser and bassist Bilial. The band consists of Zoser on vocals, Bilal on bass and backing vocals also features Guitar by Lenwood, Drums by Darren Craig and Backing Vocals by Vito.
Zoser…I remember meeting him in ‘09 at the yearly Black alternative rock festival called the Afro-Punk Festival. Yes folks, there’s more to black music festivals than “Essence” and “Rock the Bells.” We were introduced by a mutual friend named Beya. But, we went our separate ways and mingled with the rest of the misfits
Anyway, we first started talking and then in the midst of my usual chatty demeanor realized his shirt was an Atlanta Falcons jersey. I asked “…is that a Michael Vick Jersey?” He started laughing and I responded “Man, I can’t say shit; I was going to wear a Chris Benoit t-shirt here!” I realize out of context and lacking inflection we sound like two assholes right now. But, he’s one of the most genuine people I’ve gotten to know. So, he gave me the band’s demo. I wrote about said demo and featured it on here in ‘09. In comparison from the 5 track demo I acquired to now, I’ve noticed a development in the band’s sound.
The album “Elevated Beings” was produced by Paul Hudson (drummer for Bad Brains) so I feel that it has that Bad Brains feel arrangement wise…to me at least *shrugs.* Vocally, Zoser is less of the traditional singer than he is spoken word artist/preacher. His all around message throughout the album is to raise the pan-African conscious, so don’t expect any club jams on here…unless its punk night at some bar that is. Throughout the album, I noticed a shift between a more traditional punk sound and hardcore sound into something they’ve branded as “Nubian Rock.” The songs that really stuck out “riff” wise are “DNA” and “Know Thy Overseer.” Interesting enough, the opening to “Know Thy Overseer” has that military drum roll that reminds me of the proto-punk classic by Detroit legends “Death.”
In closing, Amul 9 has a lot of potential and I can’t wait to see what’s next from the band. I recommend this to any of your friends, associates etc. that’s looking to expand their musical palette from political hip-hop to a more aggressive sound.
Check out their official site here
Official website
25
“I’m a Grown Ass Moron!” by John M. Ellison IV
You know what’s weird? The over use of the phrase, “I’m a grown ass *insert gender*!” Honestly, if you’re truly a grown ass man, woman, Martian or whatever you are…you don’t need to state it.
The catchphrase “I’m a grown ass man!” was coined by comedian Cedric “the Entertainer” during one of his stand up routines. I’m not sure when it was first used but I know that the phrase is used in the 2000 standup comedy film “Kings of Comedy.” This catch phrase has become a part of the urban pop culture lexicon and to some it’s a “movement” to express a sense of independence and maturity yet ironically their actions are still juvenile.
From the experiences I’ve had and still have dealing with people that use this phrase, I noticed that it’s often used by people that usually don’t have their…how can I put this eloquently? Oh…that’s right “shit together.” I say that because if you’re truly a “mature” adult you wouldn’t have to use a now over 11 year old catch phrase from a standup routine to declare your maturity to others!
Honestly, the use of the phrase is reminiscent of any idiot that brags about how “punk”, “hip-hop”, “gangsta”, “goth” etc. they are. But, notice people that “label” themselves or brag about their credibility whatever subculture are usually deemed posers or “fake” by others who are deeper in said subcultures. Remember “actions speak louder than words.”
In closing, if one’s truly an adult and who has reached maturity, your actions will show and stating that you’re “a grown ass whatever” will be redundant.
24
GWAR-Nitro Burnin’ Funny Bong (Live Version)
I can’t really remember the circumstances on this version of “Nitro Burning Funny Bong” by GWAR. All that I know is that the band hates this song because Dave Brockie felt the song was annoying. Anyway, here’s a live version of “Nitro Burnin’ Funny Bong” by GWAR with some live chatter by Brockie that I found on Youtube and can’t find on there anymore. So enjoy!
GWAR_-_Nitro-Burnin__Funny_Bong___LIVE_____
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Check out these shirts at my Zazzle store
Hey, I thought I would show some designs off in a new medium for me…t-shirts! Check this out!
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“The Anxiety Theory” review by John M. Ellison IV
“The Anxiety Theory” review by John M. Ellison IV
Here we have rapper Donnie Darko’s new album, “The Anxiety Theory.” I’ve been meaning to review this album for like a month actually. But, remember I’m doing all of the writing here and these reviews are a fairly meticulous process to execute so expect the occasional delay. But, I digress. “The Anxiety Theory” is more of a continuation of Darko’s previous album “As Death Takes Place.” At first listen, I haven’t really noticed any stark contrasts between this album and the previous release. That’s not a bad thing though; it shows that he’s consistent with his work.
Like the previous release, “The Anxiety Theory” is produced by DJ Bless. With Bless, expect his signature sound that usually includes a shuffle drum pattern that would probably remind you of east coast rap, sampling of 70’s R&B pitched up and then samples of “whatever-core” genre laced throughout the album. You could say that aside from the apparent contrast the adhesive in this is the shuffle beat. Maybe that’s just me though.
Similar to the previous album, I noticed that Darko doesn’t really make albums with “songs” per se. To me, they’re more like journal entries that rhyme. They’re fairly short entries and to the point too. From what I’ve noticed, the longest song on the album clocks in at 3:26.
That being said, I’ve noticed on this album and the previous release is the eschewing of common song structure that you would find in current mainstream rap. For most of “The Anxiety Theory”, the common verse/chorus/verse structure that’s used often in rap isn’t used on most of the tracks. Well, except for “Loser Pt. 6″ featuring McNastee and “The War Within.”
Aside from “Loser Pt. 6” and “The War Within”, the tracks that really stuck out to me word play wise are “The Anxiety Theory”, “For Better or Worse” and “Vintage.” If you follow me on “Twitter” you probably know that almost every Friday I shout out Darko and refer to him as a lyrical gymnast. These songs are an example why I use that term for him.
In closing, if you enjoyed Donnie Darko’s “As Death Takes Place”, 80’s-90’s rap with a shuffle beat laced with 2000’s “-core” breakdowns. Then this is something that you would probably enjoy.
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Ghettopunkrocker.com has an e-store now!
Check out the new Ghetto Punk Rocker E-store! I’m starting a line with shirts with original designs.
create & buy custom products at Zazzle
17
An Adult Simpsons Parody? That’s Taking Lemon Fiction to another Level by John M. Ellison IV
Y’know, this might be one of the hardest…err, most difficult series to lampoon in live action adult entertainment. I mean, theoretically to make an accurate Simpsons porn parody you would have to have some really goofy looking people that you probably wouldn’t want to see naked in the first place.
You probably realized by now that anything that’s released for public consumption, it’s probably going to have an adult parody or an adult parody in development. If it’s a comic book or whatever graphic medium of your choice, cartoonists (pro and amateur) with a sense of humor and time on their hands have probably drawn your favorite character/s in sexual acts that would leave you in shock or laughter.
If you don’t believe me just look up “Tijuana Bible” you will never look at Popeye the same way again.
Actually, the link between the Simpsons and adult humor isn’t so vague, I mean, there was a “pictorial” of Marge Simpson in Playboy back in October 2009? I’m not sure who drew it though. Also, in the episode “Barting Over” they featured a scene where Bart and Lisa find a cache of old home videos called “Marge and Homer Gettin’ Dirty.” The scene is Bart and Lisa looking at screen and the viewer only hears a few seconds of questionable dialogue and then it cuts to the screen and it ends up just being Marge and Homer just carving pumpkins…like all the other videos in their collection.
Now onto the film that takes Lemon fiction to a whole new level! “Simpson a XXX parody” Safe for Work but still use at your own discretion.
Seeing from the safe for work trailer, it looks like Homer and Marge are going to make a sex tape and apparently the sub-plot includes McBain, Moe Syzlak, Homer Simpson, Marge Simpson, Cookie Kwan, Ned Flanders and Barney Gumble. What impressed me was the even though the impressions weren’t exactly pitch perfect, they’re way better than I expected.
It looks amusing though and depending on your sense of humor, you might enjoy this.
Check out the Not Safe For Work link here at The Simpsons Parody
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