ilikey-Feeling British
Made in Sheffield
Live Forever:The Rise and Fall of Britpop
1461 3 Eye Doc Martens
Jarvis Cocker T-shirts
black frames. classic.
I love Eddie Argos' belly
well on my way
Liquid Sky Review
The other day, as I was diligently cleaning the VHS shelves at the media library, I stumbled upon the drug and sex induced gem entitled Liquid Sky. The box intrigued me. 
I couldn’t tell if it was an Anime flick, in which case I would have quickly put it back so there would be no evidence of me ever being enticed by such a thing, or if it was a New Wave cult classic. Luckily it was the latter.
Liquid Sky, which is also apparently a name for heroin, is the story of Margaret, an androgynous super model on the brink of destruction. Looking for love in all the wrong places, she has a tendency to be rapped or give her body freely with a desensitized existence which goes nicely with her emotionless expression. A sweet girl from Connecticut, she turned to a life cocaine, bisexuality and modeling. Why does this always happen!?
Luckily for Margaret, an E. T. craft lands on top of her Manhattan apartment looking for what she is dishing out. The amorphic aliens are looking for opiates but soon realize the euphoric pheromones released during orgasm by her lovers is just as good, if not better. One by one her lovers dissolve at the time of climax. Margaret unsure of why her “Indian” is killing her lovers, nevertheless goes on a sex rampage, getting revenge on the people who have abused her.
The fashion, makeup, music, lighting and special effects all epitomize the time when Liquid Sky was released, 1983.
Adrian, Margaret’s drug dealer girlfriend sings a decade spanning song entitled “Me and my Rhythmbox.” Any coked up hipster today would go wild for it. Think Rocky Horror’s Magenta meets Miss Kitten. Though many memorable moments; one of my favorites is the fashion show which is held in a dark, dank club filled with drug addicts and models in ridiculously amazing outfits. You can get better than that! It’s a must have for any party with a wall just itching for some cult aesthetics to be projected on it.
Summer Pasta Salad
I basically just threw a bunch of stuff together and it came out well! Here we go:
1 bag of ziti
1 large tomato, chopped
1 small jar of roasted red pepper (just use half of the jar), chopped
2 small jars of artichokes (I actually only used one but 2 would have been better)
1 can of baby corn, cut into threes
1 fresh bunch of asparagus ( I actually got seasoned asparagus the store had made), cut into threes
have some olive oil, balsamic vinegar, lemon juice and black pepper ready.
While cooking the ziti, cut all your vegetables. Drain the ziti and put into a really big bowl. Drizzle some olive oil on the ziti and mix, then mix in vegetables. Splash some balsamic and lemon juice, and then shake some pepper. Mix again and serve!
Yum Yums!
New Found Favorties
So since I’ve started working at the media library at UNT I am definitely watching a lot more movies. Well, I’ve always watched a lot of movies, but now I’m not just repeating the same 50 or so DVDs in my personal collection. Also, I’ve come across some neat ones just by hanging out with people. Who knew! Here are some of my new found favorites.
The Puffy Chair
2005
Duplass Brothers
Josh, and gang, determined to get his chair.
A classic coming of age story with a modern day twist. Sounds overdone and boring I know, but the Duplass Brothers carry it well.
Josh is your typical late 20’s Indie rocker, confused about his career path and is increasingly unsure of his relationship with his girlfriend, Emily. For his father’s birthday Josh purchases an old Lazy Boy recliner, one like his Dad used to have, off of Ebay. His plan is drive down to Atlanta from New York and pick up the Lazy Boy on the way. What starts as a simple venture turns into a roller coaster of emotions and situations when his girlfriend and his brother Rhett go along for the ride.
What I like most about this movie is how honest it is. Things don’t turn out okay all the time, and it’s a perfectly natural feeling to be unsure of what you’re doing and where you’re going in life. The characters portray the Y-generation stereotypes realistically, without going over the top. The soundtrack is a testament to the time the movie came out. I was automatically taken back to that period in my life when Spoon and Death Cab for Cutie meant everything to me, and was going through the end of a serious relationship and coming to terms that it was for the best.
I recommend this movie if you’re looking for some serious laughs during the roadtrip, but are okay with it being a bumpy ride all the way to the end.
Baghead
2008
Duplass Brothers
Who's the maniac killer in Baghead?
Okay, so it’s obvious I like these guys, but Baghead is a hilarious parody of a slasher film.
Four no name actors decide to take matters into their own hands and write a screenplay starring themselves. They retreat to a secluded weekend home determined to come out with a story, but what starts as a simple story plot soon becomes their reality!
This movie actually scared me. I know I get scared easily, but I think they did an excellent job on suspense with absolutely no music or effects.
Death of a Cyclist
1955
Juan Antonio Bardem
The begining of a downward spiral of paranoia for Juan and Maria
Juan and Maria’s affair turns deadly when they accidentally hit a cycilst while driving home from a late-night rendezvous. Rather than be caught, the couple flees the scene and reads of the death in the newpaper. The overwhelming sense of guilt, paranoia and blackmail starts to take a toll on the two resulting in one finding clarity and the other losing to insanity.
Death of a Cyclist is an excellent portrayal of the class stuggle in Spain during the Franco reign. If you’re a fan of Hitchcock, you’ll appreciate Bardem’s use of suspense, camera work and lighting.
Sisters
1973
Brian De Palma
Danielle and Dominique; joined body and mind
A tale of sibling rivalry and love, murder and mulitple personality, plots Sisters. A young reporter suspects her neighbor of killing a young man, but is brushed off by police. Determined to solve the mystery on her own, she winds up closer to the killer than she ever could have imagined.
If you like a psychological thriller, split screen action, and again Hitchcock (the score is done by a Hitchcock regular) then watch Sisters.
Southwestern Roasted Corn Soup, My Way
I love me some of this soup. check it!
4 ears of corn
1 carrot
1 white onion
1 red pepper
1 can diced green chilies
1 can black beans
2 things (cardboard containers, not cans) of veg. stock
some chili powder
to garnish:
sour cream
fresh avocado
cheddar cheese
tortilla chips
Cool, ok so now cut the corn off the ears and brown the corn on a skillet (use some oil or butter if you like). Cut the onion, carrot and red pepper up and start cooking them ( again use some oil or butter if you like) in the soup pot. Once the veggies are fairly tender add the corn, diced chilies and black beans to the the soup pot. Then add as much chili powder as you like ( I like a lot). Mix it together. Add the veggie stock and let the soup come to a boil while stirring occasionally. Lower the heat and let it simmer for about 20 mins. still stirring occasionally. Eek!! It’s ready ( this is where you can do the happy food dance). Serve with tortilla chips (el Milagro are the bestest), shredded Cheddar, a dollop of sour cream, and half an avocado in square chunks.
Makes a lot, share some with your friends !
of Montreal
I saw of Montreal two years ago when they were touring for the Sunlandic Twins album. More than anything I was just excited that a band I like was playing in San Antonio, (the fact that San Antonio is an hour away from Austin does not help the flow of music into our fair city, but that discussion should be saved for another blog). I had a really good time despite the Tex-Mex rumbling in my stomach. The band was full of energy, dressed outrageous and they had screens up projecting the album’s cover, which was good because it covered up the terrible mural at the White Rabbit. So yeah, I danced, I screamed, and I was satisfied. But I got the opportunity to see them again on November 14th at the House of Blues in Dallas. I was ify about going; I was going to be the third wheel with Sarah and the boy she is hollaring at. But I sucked it up and went.
We get to The House of Blues a bit late, Sarah is wasted and Of Montreal is just about to start. I purchase my ticket at a whopping 28 dollars and I’m thinking, “ Do I really want to do this? I mean they were good but not 28 dollars good. But what else am I going to do in West End Dallas? Maybe I’ll go to Hooters…” We head in and they have already started, “ Awesome, I don’t even get my 28 dollars worth.” But yes! Yes I do.
shoot
Who puts on a better show than the Flaming Lips? Yeah I said it. Of Montreal thats who. I felt like I was a little girl in a Technicolor amusement park. The three screen above the stage either showed the band with funky effects, diy video the band put together, or flash like animation back drops. Each song was a production; from a brawl at an old cowboy saloon to Greek mythology to lead singer Kevin Barnes killing himself in various ways. There were ten or so people acting out these scenes during and between the songs. It was a visual sensory overload.
Kevin Barnes hanging him self
Of Montreal’s music has become progressively dancey over the years. They’ve been making music since 1997. The majority of input come from lead singer Kevin Barnes. He’s kinda the master mind writing several albums on his own. The shift from lo-fi to dancey glam came in 2004 with Satanic Panic in the Attic and it has continued since. Barnes’ energy on stage was absolutely incredible. He has several costume changes and was constantly hoping up to varies pillars on stage to play drums or just cause. He was a flamboyantly sexing bunny rabbit hopping around the stage with his guitar. Oh and his body is amazing also.
I do however have a critique. Of Montreal’s last two songs were covers. The first one was John Lennon’s Instant Karma, which was fine because the entire crowd was singing along, it’s a good song, and it’s a few decades old. But then they end their set with Take Me Out by Franz Ferdinand. ………………..I’m letting you think about this…………………………What? Really? If you don’t see any problem with this then you and I are on a different plane. I mean I like Franz Ferdinand and I hate to be the party crasher but I was really expecting “The Party’s Crashing Us” (yes pun was intended). They didn’t play it at all.
When we were leaving the show I saw these two little kids that were no older than 12. That’s awesome in itself but they had scored a beach ball and a piccolo and had wisps of red paint on their faces, ( at one point Barnes was painted red by demonic monks). Two of the coolest kids EVER!
All and all it was a great show. My one complaint does not out weigh the intensity and beauty of the performance. Of Montreal has crossed over to one of those bands that I will see again and again. I just hope they keep at it.
Mt. Righteous & Cryptacize
Last Wednesday my friend Mike took me to go see his friends’ band play. Mount Righteous is a full band. And by that I mean they have guitars, drums, a xylophone, trombone, tuba and even melodicas! Most of the kids were in band in high school so it’s fitting. The sound is super bubble gum pop minus the electronics. Think of a really happy Architecture in Helsinki instead of Bis’ Power Puff Girls theme song. It was a little too over the top for my taste. At one point I told I him I felt I should be on fire because of all of the Jesus talk. He looked at me weird and said none of them were really religious. I justified me saying this because they were opening up for Danielson. But no, Mount Righteous is not one of those Christian turned Indie bands; they just really want you love yourself and everyone else. Okay Mount Righteous, I’ll try.
Enter Cryptacize. They’re a really simplistic three piece from Oakland. The singer, Adelle, has an amazing voice. One of the best female voices I’ve heard in awhile. It’s reminiscent of The Sundays’ singer,_______. She has really great vocal control which allows her to create some haunting melodies. I was hypnotized through out the whole set.
Cryptacize serenading me
Danielson then came on. The members from Cryptacize were in the back up band, nurse uniforms and all. I’ll admit I was a little disappointed. It only took one song of his annoyingly falsetto voice to get us to leave. We drove back to Denton and got wasted off of dollar beer at Lou’s. Praise Jesus!
Nada Surf
One of the things I love about Denton, is that you have the opportunity to see some great bands play. Sure I’ve been driving to Dallas a lot lately but Denton will have waves of touring bands come through. This weekend I got to see one of my most favorite bands ever, Nada Surf. I’ve seen Nada Surf four times now and their show in Denton was the best by far. This was Nada Surf’s first time in Denton, which I thought was really weird, but you could tell they were happy to be there. It wasn’t like “ oh our sales are doing poorly, I guess we’re going to have to play some shit shows.” They obviously knew Denton’s music history and were excited about the night. The guys were hanging out on the floor and were really friendly to people that would come up to them. I didn’t. What would I say? “Gosh I love you guys, your music has got me through some tough times.” Generic yet truthful, but yeah no thanks. I tried doing that once with Dave Gahan of Depeche Mode and I couldn’t get any of my words out.
The band played a little over an hour and half. Amazing. And though I love pretty much everything Nada Surf has come out with, Let Go is my favorite album. Did they know this? They played the majority of the album. If you were there I was the drunk girl at edge of the crowed going nuts. Sure, Nada Surf isn’t the craziest band but after 16 years they can still rock out. And I admire any one who can still be what they intended after and MTV buzz. I think they’re better for it. I’ve been writing all day so this blog is a little shorter than I’d like but I hope it conveyed that the show was awesome, Nada Surf is awesome and that I am a Nada Surf fan. Yes, yes I think is has…
Electric Six
Dick Valentine sings his libido out.
Oh Electric Six, how I love thee. My friend Rosy and I first saw Electric Six five years ago at the now defunked Gypsy Tea Room in Dallas. It was a night to remember and while I’ll keep those memories to myself, that night created a lasting relationship with the band. To be honest I haven’t heard E6’s new album. I know, I’m a horrible fan, but that didn’t stop Rosy and I from attending the show last night at The Granada. Local H was opening for E6 which was nice and nostalgic. But after a couple of vodka sodas I was ready for the headliner. First thing we notice is that John R. Dequindre was not playing bass! The Colonel told us later it was just time for him to do his own thing. This is nothing new; E6 has had several line up changes through out the years. I enjoyed all the new songs but I have to say when they played anything off of Fire, I was happiest.
The Colonel gearing up for winter
What I love about E6 is their ability to cross so many genres. This is shown through their fan base. On a given show night you can see 15 year olds, 60 year olds, total bros, business folk, hipsters, dancers, rockers, whoever! Their glam rock disco punk sound can make any introvert shake their shit. The best part of the evening was the last song when The Colonel handed me his guitar! I didn’t know what the fuck to do with it. I just held it up and let the kids around me pic at it. Rosy tried to get a picture but all she got was my arm. Haha oh well.
We ended our evening in typical Dallas fashion, a midnight snack at Cafe Brazil. I then began my trek home and fell asleep with a smile on my face. I dreamt I was a glam rock Cinderella amongst the glitter, lights, and nuclear war.
Woot!
Hello all! Let’s see, right now I live in Denton, Texas attending UNT and working towards a degree in Anthropology with a minor in Journalism. I just love people watching. Before I became a professional student again, I was a semi professional radio journalist and announcer for Texas Public Radio in San Antonio. I had a my own podcast called Culture club that focused on arts, music and “hip” culture in San Antonio. I also worked at a music store so I could safely say that I was a badass. Now I work in a library. Interesting, yes. Exciting, no. I’m not really a print journalist. I can’t write or speaka de english correctly. I love using sound to create my stories and this is probably because I’m not a very descriptive writer. But I am working on that! And that is why I have activated this little blog here. So lets see what I can do! Stories, interviews, reviews, art, music, video, whatever.
