If I ever pull all the podcasting equipment from the dark recesses of my closet and get to it…this could be the theme song.
Netflix Streaming Titles Expiring By 5/15/12
After streaming a double feature of Charley Varrick and Busting the other night, all I wanna do is watch gritty, sleazy 70s crime films. But it’s always a good idea to check expiration dates and see what’s gonna disappear soon. I’m targeting these three that expire in the next week:
The Trial - Directed by Orson Welles, based on Kafka and starring Norman Bates. Seems promising (expires 5/12/12).
Gojira - I’ve seen the U.S. version of Godzilla with Raymond Burr, but never the original Japanese film. If I can’t get enough, may also check out the sequel…Godzilla Raids Again (both expire on 5/15/12).
Johnny Got His Gun - Remember Metallica’s video for “One”? This is the movie that inspired it. Been meaning to check it out for awhile (expires on 5/15/12).
Don’t be fooled by how melodic and accessible this song is. Burning Sensation’s (from Perth, Western Australia) 12 song, 15 minute self-titled 12” is full of short, raging punk tunes like “I Fear Erections,” “Kitchen Knife,” etc. The entire thing can be streamed here: Burning Sensation 12” on Soundcloud. It is fucking awesome.
The debut LP from Sweden’s Terrible Feelings was on my list as one of the most anticipated records of the year. Gotta say, as great as some of the songs are, it doesn’t really hit me as hard as their 7”s. I think the production might be a little too slick? Still, there are a handful of powerful songs on the album…none moreso than the opening track, “Days To Come.” I fucking love this band and can’t wait till they play shows in the U.S.
Netflix Streaming Titles To Watch By 4/30/12
Now that I’ve done away with the DVD part of my Netflix service, I’m paying a lot more attention to when streaming titles expire. As nice as it would be to have access to stuff forever, the expiration dates force me to take a look at things that might otherwise sit in my queue for years. Here are five of interest that will be gone by the end of the month:
Who Is Harry Nilsson? - My answer to the question posed by this film is: I have no fucking idea. But I’m a big documentary guy and I like filling in the gaps in my musical knowledge, so I’ll give this a shot (expires 4/26).
The Grapes of Death - A French horror movie from the 70s about pesticides used on the local grape harvest causing people to turn into zombies. Sounds promising. Never seen a Jean Rollin film. Dude’s work is supposed to be on the campy side (expires 4/30).
Herb and Dorothy - Doc about a postal worker and librarian couple who become influential art collectors. Why the fuck would I watch this? I told you I was a documentary guy. Also, my lady studied art history and she’s interested (expires 4/30).
How I Killed My Father - The French do fucked up psychological dramas better than anyone (expires 4/30).
Urban Explorers: Into The Darkness - Did I mention that I like documentaries? This one is about people who go underground to explore hidden areas of cities (expires 4/30).
Also, check out Steve Carlson’s new weekly column where he spotlights three off-the-beaten-path Netflix streaming titles.
One of the best ways to discover great, under-the-radar bands is to find a room of people with excellent taste in music at turntable.fm. Conan Neutron (of Victory and Associates fame) moderates a room there and he’s a good man to know if you wanna discover quality indie rock/noise rock stuff. He’s been championing Oakland’s B. Hamilton on turntable lately and a couple songs have burrowed their way into my brain. This is one of them.
As for what the band sounds like, it’s hard to describe. I guess I’d go with Pocket Jury’s take:
The most obvious reference point would be any of the great shoegaze bands of the past twenty years or so, though B. Hamilton’s songs are far more passionate and energetic than any group in the loosely defined subgenre.
No better way to celebrate being back at work on Monday than some filthy, ugly metal from Chicago’s Lord Mantis. Their new LP is called Pervertor and this song is “Perverter of the Will.” The genre-obsessive call them “blackened sludge.” Whatever it is, I’m liking it. It makes me wish I was sitting in the dark…drinking whiskey and cutting myself.
Lorcan Is Having a Shitty 2012
I don’t usually post photos of my animals or write about their physical maladies, but today I’ll make an exception for my buddy Lorcan. We’re not even three months into 2012 and he’s already had a miserable fucking year.
First, he managed to eat a flea (probably during one of his many bursts into the apartment building hallway when we open our front door) and got tapeworms for his trouble. Never had the pleasure of seeing your pet with tapeworms? Picture yellowish, squiggly kernels of rice emerging from your little buddy’s cornhole. It’s fascinating, but also nasty as hell.
A parasite infestation would be a big enough deal for most, but Lorcan upped the ante with a urinary tract blockage. After three failed pissing attempts followed by bouts of howling and licking of his own junk, we called our vet. The result was an emergency animal hospital visit complete with catheter insertion and an overnight stay. Evidently, he didn’t appreciate the catheter because he’s been wreaking havoc on any member of the hospital staff who tries to handle him. That’s my boy.
Looks like the little man is gonna be okay, but one more malady and we may have to hold a benefit to cover the vet bills.
Listened to the first Sleigh Bells LP, Treats, exactly one time when it came out. I fucking hated it. I love loud music of all kinds, but I just couldn’t get into what they were doing. After reading Bourdain’s appreciative twats about the band over the weekend, I gave their new record (Reign of Terror) a listen. Still not on board completely, but the shoegazer-techno-metal of this song sort of won me over.
From Dan Sartain’s new LP, Too Tough To Live. 58 seconds…speaks for itself.
