A Great Musical Moment in Cartoon History - Eep Opp Ork Ah Ah

I was a major cartoon fanatic in my youth and still am today. Whether it was the 80's Saturday classics like He-Man, GI Joe, and Transformers or the Nickelodeon classics like Doug or Rockos Modern Life, there is always a special spot in my heart for the animated cartoons of yesteryear.

It only made sense then for me to be overjoyed when cartoons mixed with another childhood passion, music. This happened A LOT and still does I'm sure but I thought I would take the time to put up one of my favorites.

The Jetsons - "Eep Opp Ork Ah Ah"
An all time favorite. Judy enters a song writing contest and wins a date with her favorite musical hunk, Jet Screamer. Jet performs her song and it is quite...groovy.



Hopefully I can sort of make a mini-series out of this as more tracks come to me...

Allen ill-y vs. Running Suicides

Allen Illy. Years after he released his debut flop rap album Allen Iverson has shown true talent as a performing artist. Who would have thought, just take a cocky rant of his, add an autotuner and a sick beat and bam you have hip-hop gold.

Truth is, it actually is real catchy. Props to the DJ.

The Artist Formerly Known As Shaq

I knew there was a reason I collected the rookie cards of Shaquille O'Neill.

Sure he was and still is a dominant force on the court, but it's his music career that keeps me coming back for more.

Always there to serve a healthy dose of Shaq-Fu, we find him here lip syncing to Akon's, "Over The Edge". (Perhaps his recent trade to the Cavs has Shaq getting all introspective?)

Case of the Mondays Track: David Byrne & Brian Eno - "Wanted For Life"

This track is by no means new. It's off the duo's newest album, "Everything That Happens, Will Happen Today", which was released in August of 2008.

I've talked it up to a lot of friends about how solid the album is in it's entirety, but as with many an album, you move on forget about it. That is until you're at a party or walking down the street and that little hidden gem comes on when you're just "shuffling" tracks.

That's the case with, "Wanted For Life"...at first listen in '08 I enjoyed it. Wasn't my favorite by any means, but it fit well with the other tracks. Then...it came on yesterday as I was driving home from a late wedding and it just struck the right chords. Maybe it was the lighting of the streets. The lack of traffic on the road I was driving or just the overall boat load of crap that the month of June has been. Give it a listen, its a wacky track, from a wacky guy, that can still hit all the right notes, and send the listener to someplace completely strange, but much welcomed.

Something's Phish-y

Check this out...the official Phish homepage:
http://phish.com/

Do you see what I see?

A "SAVE THE DATE" for 10/30, 10/31, and 11/01...

3 days in a row like that make me think the boys have a new festival cooking.

Oddly, you'll notice that the states of Idaho, Oklahoma, West Virginia, and New Hampshire appear to blow up and turn grey while the others are still colored.

I'm guessing it might be a one by one process where they remove 49 states and leave the one where the show will be (considering we only have dates now...no what, where, why)

I like...I like it a lot. i'm feeling a Coventry 2.0

R.I.P. Michael Jackson: 1958-2009

A tragedy...I don't even have the words to express my feelings.
Ironically, Chris had just posted some old school Michael Jams on this blog.
Who knew...who knew?

Mourn, but celebrate. Celebrate the music and crazy life of Michael. He will never be forgotten. Legendary.

Nostalgic Cameos and a Great Song

Michael Jackson - New Music - More Music Videos

Liberian Girl

The ninth and final single off of the 1987 his hit album Bad, MJ's song still has enough soul over 20 years later to make you wanna get down with the closest thing to you.

Love the cameos in this video. Takes you back.

Hump Day Jam: Discovery - "Orange Shirt"

This is a new side project whom call themselves, Discovery. consisting of Rostam Batmanglij of Vampire Weekend (the guy who brought all the awesome organ, harpsichord, etc. sounds into the band) and Wes Miles, the vocals for Ra Ra Riot.

What comes out sounds like neither of the two bands, but something else entirely awesome and sure to be one of this summers smash indie hits.

Terrible Awful No Good Music Videos Of The Day

Wow is all I have to say...found these on Dula TV, my new first stop in the morning when I get into work. Hold a pen in your teeth and watch these...guarantee you'll be smiling. (Thanks Kluge!)

1) The most ridiculous attempt at a boy band I've ever seen goes to B4-4. Here is their god awful music video for "Get Down"...upon first watching you think it has to be a spoof. Saturday Night Live sketch or something. No No, they are dead serious.



2) This one isn't so much awful, as it is awfully hilarious. You shouldn't expect a song teaching kids about vegetables and agriculture to be a smash hit I guess. However, this guy might have a cult classic on his hands.

White Denim - "I Start To Run"

White Denim released, "Shake Shake Shake" last year and it still remains an album I enjoy playing in it's entirety. I can say that with only a handful...ok 5 hand fulls...of albums from 2008, so it's a definitely a sign of some success.

I've eagerly awaited a follow-up and got it last week in the form of their new album, "Fits"

I haven't gotten my hands on this yet, hopefully I can get a copy from someone...somewhere? Bueller? If you have one to donate to a friend in need hit me up at: jjcaffeine at gmail dot com

For those of you looking for a little taste, here you go. This is the track "I Start to Run" off of their new album 'Fits' I talked about above. Aside from an absolutely stellar jammy track...the video just kicks ass and makes me laugh. (Did I just say "stellar jammy"? Ahhhh, the consequences of too much coffee)

Seasick Steve and More Modern Blues

The blues are strange. They change and differ place to place and musician to musician. Yet the topics and the sound are always rooted in something deeper.
It's the telling of a story. Even without words a story is inherently being told through the feelings and emotions of each note.

The limelight is hard to find in the blues, what, when you're influences include Junior Kimbrough, Buddy Guy, BB, Hopkins, Muddy, Burnside...these people are institutions in music in general...surpassing any genre or label. They've effected all of them.

Here's a couple of acts whom fly under the radar but have found their own light to shine and you should check'em out:

Seasick Steve - An American blues musician more popular in Europe than he is in his own country, Seasick Steve does it all. No need for any introduction, as the man has been at it for countless years, but here's a sweet video to get you moving. You'll want to dig deeper:


Black Diamond Heavies - Dirt, grit, and sweat have never sounded so good. One listen and you'll know what I mean. This may take time to sink in, but when it does, you won't look back:

Black Diamond Heavies from Knik TV on Vimeo.

The F Word Has Never Been Sung So Eloquently

I came across this video through the interWeb and was unable to find it ANYWHERE! I'm checked Youtube, Google video, etc. It was only at this one site I frequent that doesn't allow embed and doesn't describe the videos either!

So allow me to introduce the greatest song with the word 'Fuck' in it, you've ever heard. If anyone knows who sings this, where it originated, where the concert was or anything, please comment!

NOTE: Don't play this loud! It's semi-work safe, no nudity or anything you could get busted for...just excessive foul mouths. XD

Please Hammer, Save SOME Dignity

Kathy Lee has always been mean, but embarassing a man in front of his child for something he did 19 years ago is just a little wrong. Let the man live, let the man live...

Th-Th-Th-THROWBACK JAM

Came out in what 1997? This song still has people going crazy over it. Brought it back at a Barbeque this weekend and the dancing got a little crazy.

Where are the songs like this nowadays? Theres only so much Blame it on the Alcohol that I can take.

An Inspirational Moment with MJ

I was chatting with JJ about an old friend who has become a model and from the looks of it she may do pretty well. Upon offering him a chance to meet her, he said it would never happen. I felt like he needed a little inspiration and immediately MJ came to mind.

Probably one of the best inspirational songs of all time. Still love him, even though he did somehow turn himself into a white woman. Enjoy some classic moments with the king in the above video montage.

Engrish of The Day: You Can't Touch This!

Was browsing Youtube in search of the video from the Today Show.
Apparently Kathy Lee thought it would be a good idea to ask MC Hammer's 10 year old son...if he knew about his fathers fall from fame and recent bouts with bankruptcy.

(Hammer didn't take to kindly to it...SEE HERE)

...but that's not what this post is about...its about this little gem I found while searching for the above video. (You know its a real gem when it only has 200 hits)

Happy Engrish Friday!

Band I Didn't Know Until Yesterday: Cat Empire

A majority of my friends are music addicts. I mean it would only make sense since such a large part of my life is devoted to listening and playing music.

However tastes can certainly differ and no one is better than the other...so I am always open to new artists and acts.

Yesterday, a buddy of mine Dan mentioned he got tix to some band, "Cat Empire"...for DECEMBER! I mean, I purchase festival tickets, phish tix, and The Dead tix that far in advance...who could this band be that even they're doing it?

Turns out, they are an band from "down under" who've made quite the splash on their own continent and clearly are making headway on the rest.

Their mix of jazz, latin sounds, rock, ska, and pop are all equally attractive and their music just reeks of Summer, barbecues, and dancing until you fall down. To my surprise, not one guitar in the band...even more reason to be wondering how it sounds so good as you pick your jaw up off the floor.

Check out this live version of their song "Sly" and I recommend you dig further into their catalog...I know I will be for the coming weeks.

New Song From Jack Conte - "Impressions" with 3D Drumming

Came across this through a Tweep (Twitter peep) who tried to explain to me what "3D drumming" is...I still don't fully understand.

All I see is a crazy awesome video and some crazy awesome music coming from it.

Being a big fan of improvisational/jam music I was floored to find Jack's own description of how the song was put together on Youtube.

"Impression" is a VideoSong, a new medium with 2 rules:
1. What you see is what you hear (no lip-syncing for instruments or voice).
2. If you hear it, at some point you see it (no hidden sounds).

OK, I'm cool with that, so while its not off the cuff, at least its not produced garbage and the sounds you see and hear were all made in REAL TIME.

Jack even comes on at the end to explain how he's even letting the listener contribute to his music by letting them create an album cover for each song he makes.

Hell too much explanation...all you need to know is...its a good song

Green Tambourine by The Lemon Pipers

The 60's were a real wild time man...man...man....maaaan. But who's to say that they've come and gone?

A few years ago some friends and I were scrounging around through our parents old collection of 45s and 33s. Intoxicants may or may not have been involved, but something led us to a trippy tie-dye covered 33 with a giant Buddah on it. (The logo of 60's label "Buddah Records")

That album contained this very track, "Green Tambourine" by the then psychedelic pop band The Lemon Pipers. I won't say how many times we listened to that LP over and over and over again and still to this day the song is equal parts amazing and creepy.

Anyone from that time period knows this track as it hit #1 and is now known for sort of ushering in the genre of "bubblegum pop".

Know it or not, you will come to love it now again. This little video includes a great interview at the end with The Lemon Pipers themselves who...also seem to have dabbled with psychedelics. ENJOY!

Q-Tip Drops the Beat WITHOUT Building It

"The Renaissance" is Q-Tip's (of A Tribe Called Quest) second studio effort that dropped sometime in Novemeber of 2008.

The album is great in it's entirety and is definitely my "most listened to" hip-hop album of 2009 (...a close 2nd or maybe even a tie with Atmosphere's "When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold")

Anyways this track, "Dance On Glass", always jumped out at me as a killer. 1 minute of flow and then BAM! the beat just drops on you. If Weezy says, "let the beat build", than Q-Tip simply says, "On the minute mark...let there be beat."

Live Track of the Day: George Benson - "The Ghetto"

Got tipped off to this video by an old co-worker of mine.

Great stuff from the unbelievably-talented-after-all-these-years George Benson.

Here's a live take on, "The Ghetto" where we get Benson doing a little of what he does best. Jazz guitar, R&B, and some scatting to boot! The keys and percussion also make a big appearance on this track.

I found this a perfect soundtrack to a rainy Thursday morning here at the office...I hope you do too.

Thunder Power "Take A Hike"

Check these guys out! An awesome up and coming indie/folk group outta Nebraska.

The tunes they craft are some gorgeous melt-in-your-mouth pop. I did just use an M&M's reference to describe music, but that's the feeling I get.

Check'em out and here's their MySpace where you can find their just announced tour dates: http://www.myspace.com/thunderpowermusic

Star Trek + White Rabbit = Spark Me Up Scotty!

Had this mash-up of Star Trek clips to the tune of Jefferson Airplane's psychedelic 60's hit "White Rabbit" in my post queue for a while.

It's very well done; All the scenes fit the music and lyrics extremely well. I'd imagine it's funny sober...but it's probably hilarious if you're "spocked up"!

What Hip Hop Can Be at its Best

These guys just had a new album come out this past spring. Give it a look.

And Justus for All

Techno Tuesday with Chemical Bros & Ratatat

I know the term techno get's tossed around a lot to describe the genre of music created with the aid of computers and technology.

Don't mean to pigeon hole either of these bands, both of which I enjoy thoroughly so take the title with a grain of salt.

Whether you call it techno, rock, hip-hop, or electronica...at least we can agree it sounds AWESOME.

First we have the track "Dura" by Ratatat (a band I've posted about before)
Recommended listening: urban area on a rainy day




Next we have the track "Orange Wedge" by The Chemical Brothers
Recommended listening: After your first pit stop on a weekend road trip

It's Time For A Revelation Revolution

Ahhh...the 80's were glorious weren't they?

Take a deep breath, close your eyes, and try to remember the music and the fashion of this wonderful time in history.

...

O.K. open your eyes and I bet you saw something like this video by Michael Wehbe.

I'd love to know where this guy is now!

Bret Michaels Clotheslined at The Tony Awards

Good old Bret Michaels is always good for a laugh and 99% of them come at his own expense.

Lately it's been his ridiculous "Rock of Love" reality shows where the "rocker" (yes I put that in quotes purposefully) tries to find the "love" (yes I put that in quotes purposefully) of his "life" (...)

However, this one tops them all. At the end of his Tony Awards performance as Michaels is exiting the stage, he gets clotheslined by an inanimate prop. I know...I know...it sounds ridiculous.

Seriously, this is why the television was invented. This fall is the talk of the blogosphere. Videos are popping up everywhere. THIS IS ART!

New Phish Track Alert! "Ocelot"

Another fantastic track the boys debuted live at the Fenway show.

Funny that I get the same Dead/Jerry vibe from the track and it's lyrics that I pointed out in my earlier post for the premiere of the new "Kill Devil Falls". (HERE)

This new album is going to be rainbow in the nighttime sky while eating a bowl of Cracklin' Oat Bran good.

Check it out here...great quality vid and I'm guessing straight from the soundboard.

Check'em Out of the Week: Crystal Stilts

For those who have heard of the Brooklyn based band, "Crystal Stilts", you already understand how infectious their garage-pop sound is (I like to think Joy Division mixed with the Doors).

Though upon first listen you might be turned off, I demand you give these songs more attention than you think they deserve (because they do). Within a few days you will find yourself warming up to the band and their music...and by warming up I mean you won't be able to get enough. Perfect for the warm weather or a sandy beach but equally effective on a rainy day.

This is their single "Love Is A Wave", which sports a grade-A video to boot...enjoy it, however long that may take.

Man Dies of Stroke Waiting for Strokes

You might see that in your local newspaper headlines as...it's now June 2009 and still no news on the new Strokes album.

We know it coming from this little post on their MySpace at the end of March:

"After a long and much needed hibernation period that saw many of the band's various other musical projects emerge, we're pleased to announce that The Strokes are now all back hard at work in their NYC space on writing and rehearsing new material for a 4th full-length album. No recording studio time has been booked yet, as they sketch out the blue-prints of new songs and fine tune plans in their rehearsal space, but it will undoubtedly be all mapped out and etched in stone at some point in the not-too-distant future."

In the meantime, enjoy a live version one of the best songs ever written:

Drop the Porn Bomb!

Just...ridiculous...

I'm not sure the video needs any description and I'm not sure I could come up with anything better than, "just...ridiculous..."

More Literal 80's Music Video Loving

Take on Me: Literal Video Version - watch more funny videos

First time I watched this I was cracking up all the way through. This might be the same group from the post below. If so, keep it coming.

Total Eclipse of the Heart...Literally

Genius stuff at work here...really funny.

I can really see this taking off with all the cheesy 80's and 90's music videos out there.

Friday Jam of the Day | The Donkeys - "Nice Train"

This is off The Donkey's album "Living on the Other Side" which was released late last year. The album is fantastic with an old school pop vibe. Very relaxed and chill...I've been waiting for the summer time to roll around so I can give it a spin.

"Nice Train" popped up on my morning walk to the train station. My iPhone is always on shuffle today waiting for that Friday gem...and it came right on time.

Enjoy the song and enjoy your Friday!

Zevon and only...Warren Zevon

BIG NEWS from the estate of Warren Zevon today.

They've released a wide variety of live concert recordings spanning 1976 to 2001 over at Archive.org. Get your hands on them HERE!

I'm a huge fan of both the music and the personality of Mr. Zevon. He led the life he wanted to live and didn't let anyone or anything interrupt the path he was on. All the while composing dark and witty music that holds just as much meaning today as it did when he first wrote it.

In honor, I post this amazing version of "Lawyers, Guns, and Money" from a 1994 BBC show.

Note his opening monologue to understand the man's true brilliance.

New Phish Track Alert! "Kill Devil Falls"

I was lucky enough to be in attendance for the 06/02/09 Phish show @ Nikon at Jones Beach Theater.

To say that the band just melted face does no justice...they blew the place away.

During their second set, they got an audience request for a track called, "Kill Devil Falls". Almost everyone immediately looked at each other bewildered, "...what song is that? What album is it off of?"

Turns out, the rumors were true (by now you knew that) and Phish have been in the studio working on a new album. This song is on that album and those who were lucky enough to be at this show were the first to hear the tune live.

With the power of the internet, the rest of the world can enjoy from their living rooms.

As if the original I'm Blue Da Ba Dee Wasn't Enough

Someone posted this on a forum of mine over at http://www.zubazpants.com/forum/

There's like a 75 page thread about 'Metal' music...74 pages of which are garbage and then one page, with this little gem.

Does music...well I can't even justify calling this music...get any worse?

But Where's the Jugblower?

10 years in the making the Asylum Street Spankers are great musicians and better showman.

Big Light w/ Nathan Moore

Up and coming Bay Area band Big Light are currently on a co-headlining tour with singer-songwriter Nathan Moore

If you happen to be near a tour stop, catch it if you can.
If you happen to be near a computer, enjoy this pretty rad video of Big Light and Nathan Moore doing what they do best...while driving.

New Artist Showcase

Love this group.

Burning


Learn the dance...impress some ladies.


Check out Above You, Borders, and Fireworks if you get a chance.

Assclown Artist of the Week

Perv Singer. Random Ballerina. Halley's Comet.

This video takes the first assclown artist of the week.

Long Lost Track of the Day - Noreaga "Superthug"

Noreaga - Superthug
by yafs1925

God I forgot about this song. Used to love it back in the day.

On my way to Phish yesterday afternoon we mentioned something about the "english channel" and the first thing that popped into my head was this song. Crazy how the mind works and what triggers memories!

Not So Amazing Grace

I dunno what the deal is with this. haha

I'm not sure if it's just a person with a bad voice (in which case, its hilarious)
...or someone with a disability (in which case, I'm going to hell)

But it's been around the net quite a bit so I'd imagine that it's O.K. to laugh at!

Devendra Banhart - "Baby"

I've posted this clip numerous times in many of my blog incarnations...but we've settled in quite nicely here and I think we've finally found something to stay with.

That said, enjoy this little live ditty of a new track by Devendra Banhart called "Baby". One can only hope that with a new song, comes a new album.

Doug Funny's Secret Patti Mayonnaise Jam

Doug Funny 2009 tour (w/ The Beets)

I'd kill for a Doug/Beets tour...Doug encore with this "Secret Track" he wrote about Patti. I believe he recorded it in private but the public got a hold of a bootleg version which Patti heard (and actually enjoyed!)

Now you can too....



P.S. - can you tell my mind is still reeling from Mountain Jam '09 back to back with Phish @ Jones Beach last night?

Pearl Jam debut new track "Open Up"

Well wasn't last night just A BIG NIGHT of debuts?

We saw the first episode of the "Tonight Show" which debuted with it's new (5th overall) host Conan O'Brien.

The show's musical guest was Pearl Jam, who simply shredded the place with their new track "Open Up" off their upcoming new album "Backspacer"

Peep the performance here and let us know what you thought in the comments!