The Fab Five of Moviedom

Sorry I haven't blogged in so long. I have had ideas, then not posted them or put them on the back burner...and now it's June. My friends and I have agreed on movie characters who have 'moved' us the most. We aren't necessarily going for the leads (sorry Tom Cruise) or the epics (sorry Brando, Pacino, DeNiro), but instead the ones who 'steal' the movies. To quote Jim Lange on the Dating Game, "Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeere they arrrrrre!"



Cousin Eddie (Randy Quaid) National Lampoon Vacation series

This one is pretty easy, as his popularity grew with each movie. Eddie is easily the most quotable character, moreso than Clark. He is the cousin no one wants to talk about. He always tries to kiss Ellen on the lips, brings his dog Snots to family gatherings, and is still holding out for a management position. Of course, he won't go sledding, either (for good reason). His fierce loyalty to Clark shines through in every movie by giving Clark his boss with a big bow, and taking him to 'his' casino (which featured such games as "How many fingers am I holding up?") in an attempt to help Clark win his money back.



Doyle Hargraves (Dwight Yoakam) Sling Blade

He owns his own construction company and sings in a band part-time. He has aversions to antiques and midgets. People remember this movie for Billy Bob Thornton's character, Carl Childers and his unforgettable voice (MMMM HMMM). Doyle, on the other hand, was hateful and politically incorrect. Doyle went on one of the best movie rants ever on his own band when Randy mentioned practicing more. He may have made it known clearly that he didn't adjust well to those around him, but all he wanted was some stability and food from the Chicken Shack. Of course, Doyle got his comeuppance in the end.



Uncle Rico (Jon Gries) Napolean Dynamite

"The older I get, the better I was." This saying accurately describes Uncle Rico, who came to live with Napolean and Kip as their mom was injured because she "broke her coccyx." Apparently back in '82, Uncle Rico's not playing cost him the good life and his team from winning State. According to him, he could throw the pigskin a quarter mile, a feat Manning, Brady, Elway, or Favre could never do. Between that point and thinking a vest would make him professional, it's easy to see why his character is so hilarious.

Dudley Dawson (Curtis Armstrong) Revenge of the Nerds series

You may not know him by the given name, but instead his nickname "Booger." He may have taken advantage of his fratmates (I have 2 7's- that beats your flush) early on in the film, but he knows how to spice up their party with the Omega Mu's! He was more of an outcast in the fraternity, but he went on in subsequent 'Nerds;' movies to be a lawyer. Most guys their freshman year of college make Booger look like Pierce Brosnan.

Walter Sobchak (John Goodman) The Big Lebowski

Sure, John Goodman gets second billing here, but the Brothers Coen could have easily wrote a movie based on his life. Walter is a very patriotic person, as he is proud to relate almost everything to his experience in Vietnam, even while eulogizing his friend Donnie, who he regularly told to "shut (sic) up" or that he was "out of his element." Walter is also very loyal to the Dude throughout the movie, as he is ready to make the nihlists enter a world of pain. Walter is also loyal to his ex-wife of five years, as he still babysits her dog, and brings it to the bowling alley with him. Walter is especially loyal to his ex-wife's religion- "Shomer Shabbas!" is all that needs to be said for those who have seen the movie.

That's all for now; comment if you wish!

I'll Never Catch the Dragon!!

I hope that everyone had an excellent holiday season! This year, my son got 2 versions of Guitar Hero for Christmas this year: II, and II, the 80's edition. I have referred to it before as a 'guys version of DDR,' and I will stand by it. This, of course, isn't intended as meaning that only females play DDR and males play Guitar Hero. I had heard of it and seen the game played. I laughed so hard at the South Park episode that parodied the game, as well as the father getting hooked on it, too. I have heard that if you don't really know much about playing guitar that you may be good at it, and I have messed up on songs that I know, not always hitting the right part on the beat where I think it will be.
The first night we played, it wasn't long, but when I went to sleep and close my eyes, I saw notes coming at me like I was still playing the game. There is something kind of funny and almost disturbing watching your 8 year-old son playing Van Halen, or your 10 year-old daughter playing Nirvana. Anyway, we played on Easy Mode for a good bit, on and off, until a week ago Friday. My 13 year old nephew came down for the evening, and we played on Easy Mode. My son got very tickled playing "Psychobilly Freakout" by Reverend Horton Heat. Of all the sentences ever uttered in the English language, I never thought that I would put my son in the same sentence as Reverend Horton Heat. We got to the last 'tour stop' on the game, which you have to beat all 4 songs. Since we took turns, it was up to me on the 4th song. It was around midnight, and I thought my eyes were bleeding. Somehow, though, I made it through, and there was a letter at the end saying that we unlocked the 'fish' guitar.
We decided to play the 80's edition this past weekend, and my eyes didn't bleed this time. We beat the Easy mode (just the kids and me), and we then went to 'Medium Mode,' which isn't to be confused with 'Mean, Median and Mode.' I haven't been hitting the high 90% accuracy like the easier level. A few times, I have been hoping for the song to quickly end so I won't see "FAILED" come up to booing fans, as well as booing children. I just tried 'Seventeen' by Winger, and I have a little more respect for Kip. I was given the double 'boos,' and a "Thanks" from my supportive son. I also find my forearm needing a rest after making through. After playing the game, though, I definitely need something to 'take the edge off,' and I don't mean the guitarist for U2. Any suggestions? Please comment, and thanks for reading!

Rock Gods and Greek Gods in the ATL

I hope that everyone had a Happy New Year! This is about my experience(s) with seeing one of my favorite bands of all time: The Police. Sherman, set the Way Back machine to the early '80's. When I was in high school, they were my favorite band, and everyone at school knew it. Well, my senior year rolled around, and they just happened to come to town (not exactly my town, but approximately 2 1/2 hours from the house). Synchronicity was my first concert, and it blew me away. Then, they went on hiatus for around 23 years. Still, though, I referenced "One World (not Three)" in my high school graduation speech.
Flash forward to about six weeks ago. I was on my way to the ATL, ready to go again! I was in somewhat of a shock that the day had finally arrived. I turned to Dave FM, wondering if they were doing 'all Police, all the time' like they had done when U2 had come to town. No dice. I then turned to hear the legendary radio voice of the Georgia Bulldogs call their game. You could feel the nicotine coming out of the speakers, kind of like feeling the alcohol in Harry Caray's voice when he did Cub games. Anyway, I get to my motel exit, and I find a rock station, and the dj starts introducing the song...it's "Message in a Bottle," and all of the sudden, I am ready to go NOW!
I take the MARTA to the arena, and I am informed that the person who killed 2 people at a MARTA stop had been caught. Boy, do I feel secure. I get to the arena safely with my camera. I saw online ON PHILIPS ARENA'S WEBSITE THAT NONPROFESSIONAL CAMERAS WERE ALLOWED FOR THE CONCERT. The security guard informed me that I would have to check my camera in for customer service to keep during the show.
What can settle the anger down, you might ask? Concert shwag, that's what! A hoodie and a t-shirt later, I was fine. I settled into my seat beside my actual seat, seat 3. The shwag was in seat 4, typical behavior until someone shows up with the ticket for that seat. A couple then walks up to my row, prompting me to stand up, inhale, turn my head to the left and do a backbend, your usual not-yet-crowded arena protocol. I will preface this by saying that I am very weak in Mythology, but, I swear, the man was half-man, half-mountain. I guess he would maybe be a Mountaur or something. He had to have been around 6'5, 280 lbs. He sat in seat 5, which prompted immediate prayer not to have anyone with tickets to seats 1,2, and 3 show up for the concert. Someone else came walked through our row, and the Mountaur grinned at me and said "These seats ain't too wide, are they?" I began more intense prayer, as I have somewhat of a pronounced girth myself.
The guy behind me, Dave, was there with his wife, and he had a small radio to try to listen to the Clemson football game. After he went off to find coca colas, he informed me that one of the kiosks had the game on their tv. Dave seemed pretty cool. After the opening band, Fiction Plane had played (and they played pretty well), Dave took me to the kiosk and we watched some of the game, and he bought me a cola as well. Dave is pretty cool.
I knew that the last song played before they come on is "Get Up, Stand Up." I heard it begin, and told Dave it was time. We hustled back to our seats, and right when he told his wife, "He said this is where they come out," the place went black and a roar came up. And a gong on a platform. And Stewart Copeland, with a huge mallet! He did an homage to T. Rex and The Power Station, and Andy Summers began playing those familiar strains of "Message in a Bottle."
The arena was going N-V-T-S NUTS! Two couples came up to me and asked if seats 1 and 2 were taken. I said 'no,' and they seemed happy to share the seats. I felt old, though, as they were in Kindergarten or first grade when the aforementioned Synchronicity tour came through. Sting and the boys tore through the set, and they still have 'IT.' They may not have been jumping on minitrampolines like the last time, but they were enjoying each other as they played. The anger wasn't there, but the musicianship still was. They got toward the end of their set, and the 'Can't Stand Losing You/Regatta De Blanc' was sounding incredible, and I wondered, whatever happened to the Asian kid who got shoved during this song on the Synchronicity concert DVD? Did he attend this show? Has he had a hard life being known as 'the kid who got shoved at the Police concert?' They also played 'So Lonely,' a great song live. Somehow, they worked in a Ska beat toward the end. The Ska spirit hit me, and I started doing something I hadn't done in years- the pogo. As the song ended, high 5's went all around to Dave, Mrs. Dave, the Mountaur and Mrs. Mountaur, the 2 younger couples sharing 2 seats. When they played their finale, 'Next to You,' everyone was jumping and singing, and the video screens were showing in superspeed all kinds of pictures of the band from the early days up to the present. A fitting ending to an incredible show! Sting was right when he said at the Grammys "We are the Police and we are back!"
When I got back to the motel, I watched espn to find out if Clemson had won or not. I could have went to the game, but 23 years is a long wait. I saw that Clemson's receiver couldn't catch a ball that was almost placed in his hands at the end of the game. That couldn't bring me down from the emotional high I was experiencing. A great time was definitely had.
Thanks for reading.

'first' blog

This was my first post, done by request for the drama teacher at my school during Spirit Week....

First of all, thanks to The White Guy for giving me the chance to blog, as I have never done this before. He asked me to come up with a must-have list of punk/post-punk/ new wave songs from the early 80’s. Since the 70’s would have to be represented some, too (no sappy AM radio stuff), the list will also include them. The ones that came to my mind first are as follows, with my thoughts on them (title, artist, album). Thanks for reading!

"God Save the Queen"
The Sex Pistols
Never Mind the Bollocks
This is the first song from the album that started the UK’s version of the punk movement. This is definitely not sung to the tune of "My Country ‘Tis of Thee."

"London Calling" and "Train in Vain"
The Clash
London Calling
The title track and first released single from the album that is usually ranked #4 on Rolling Stone’s top all time albums list, only bested by 2 albums by the Beatles and Bob Dylan. Train in Vain was on the top 40, and wasn’t even listed on the album originally.

"Invisible Sun" and "One World (Not Three)
The Police
Ghost in the Machine
The best song ever about a man who went on a hunger strike (Bobby Sands- ask your history teacher about him), and a song of hope as well. One World (not Three) is a song that reminds us that, despite economics, we’re all in this together

"Driven To Tears"The Police
Zenyatta Mondatta
"Too many cameras and not enough food- this is what we’ve seen." No one alive hits a snare drum like Stewart Copeland can. Even though this isn’t a released track, it is a major concert staple on their highly successful and satisfying reunion tour.

"Regatta de Blanc"
The Police
Regatta de Blanc
Even though it is an instrumental, "White Reggae" won a Grammy in 1981.

"Radio Radio"
Elvis Costello
This Year’s Model
Playing this song on Saturday Night Live got Elvis banned from performing on the show for years. Ironically, it contains the line "I wanna bite the hand that feeds me."

"Cars"
Gary Numan
The Pleasure Principle
First of all, let’s put the urban legend to rest: The Cars didn’t record, or help him record, this song. The song has held up well over the years, as Fear Factor covered it in the 90’s.

"Rio
Duran Duran
Rio
The fab 5 makes my list because their videos and songs both enhanced each other so well. I am using this song because it’s edgier than "Hungry Like the Wolf." Unfortunately, I have never met a girl named "Rio."

"Message of Love"
The Pretenders
Extended Play
Heavy on the kick pedal, this song is a nice compromise between "Brass in Pocket" and "Precious"

"Whip It"
Devo
Freedom of Choice
No list of early 80’s songs would be complete without the Spud Boys’ highest charting single. There are better songs (Girl U Want, Speed Racer, et al), but this is the easiest identified. Check out the video to their cover of ‘Satisfaction’.

"Rock Lobster"
B-52’s
Wild Planet
The birth of the Athens scene starts here! Nothing spells success like a combination of opera falsetto, semicampy 60’s keyboards, beehive hairdos, and the unmistakable voice of Fred Schneider.

"Radio Free Europe"
REM
Murmur
Although they hardly play this one anymore, this first song sets the tone of their career off on a good note. If you want a faster version, their Eponymous cd has the Hib Tone mix.

"We Got the Beat"
The Go Go’s
Beauty and the Beat
This song from these California girls opened the epic movie "Fast Times at Ridgemont High." This song could be an inside joke to the girls themselves- they couldn’t play their (or any) instruments when they met.

"I Will Follow"
U2
Boy
The Irish lads’ first single from their first album. As much as they sing about global problems, this song is about a simple parent- child bond. The Edge’s trademark guitar sound rings loud and clear and has you hooked.

"Since You’re Gone"
The Cars
Shake it Up
The Cars were an excellent band during that time period, as they produced a lot of hits. Any male my age can’t walk past a Casio keyboard without hitting the snare key 5 times, trying to imitate its infectious sound throughout the song.

"Blitzkrieg Bop"
The Ramones
The Ramones
Hey! Ho! Let’s Go!! Although now played at all stadium events, the ‘brothers’ from New York showed off their buzzsaw sound and started the punk movement on this song from their first album.

"I Apologize"
Husker Du
New Day Rising (1985)
This Bob Mould- led band from Minneapolis was influential as they helped bridge punk and grunge. This is one of their best guttural songs. Husker Du means "Do you Remember?" in Danish/Norweigan.

"Unsatisfied"
The Replacements
Let it Be
The Replacements were called by many the best band to never make it big. The Minneapolis quartet heavily influenced the grunge movement (The Nirvana album Nevermind was taken from one of their song titles). Paul Westerberg was great at writing songs that unconfident, lonely, or unsure people could identify with. This song is considered their most touching

Video Killed the Radio Star
The Buggles
The Age of Plastic
The first song ever played on MTV, which some scholars believe is the reason for the dumbing down of society.

"Safety Dance"
Men Without Hats
Men Without Hats
This band from Canada gave us permission: We can dance if we want to!!

"Once In a Lifetime"
Talking Heads
Remain in Light
This song is a Zen like experience, very calming. Now I find myself with a beautiful house…and a beautiful wife.

"One Step Beyond"
Madness
One Step Beyond
Most people know the song "Our House." This one is heavy on the ska beat and light on the lyrics, as its title is also the only lyrics.

"Left of the Dial" and "B@stards of Young"
The Replacements
Tim
The first song describes how hard it is for indie bands to make it big, as they get airplay on college radio stations (which are usually located on the left of the radio dial). The second song is on here for 2 reasons: 1) The video, shot in black and white, was only a stereo speaker playing the song; 2) The song gives an effective description of feelings of those born just after the baby boomers.

"Mirror in the Bathroom"
The English Beat
I Just Can’t Stop It
Great bass line. Great beat (pardon the pun). Great song. You can watch yourself while you are eating!

"Dreaming"
Blondie
Eat to the Beat
Although "Heart of Glass" was their huge hit and first release, and Rapture was the first top 10 pop song to feature rap, this is the song I prefer. This has more of the ‘performing at CBGB’s sound’ to it. Debbie Harry could be the only person I know who has aged worse than I have since the 1980’s.

"Saved by Zero"
The Fixx
Reach the Beach
Although "One Thing Leads to Another" was a bigger hit, the math person in me prefers this song.