Say It Ain’t So!
I'm unable to find the permalink, so my apologies if this gets pushed down a slot or two over the next few days. But one of my favorite groups is losing one of my favorite bassists, and it's causing some pain. Leonard Hubbard may have been the perfect bassist for hip-hop (not to slight the contributions of Preston Crump and Mike Elizando in any way) because he knew exactly when to emulate the 808 or take off on his own line and let everything else follow him. From the mostly upright contributions on the early albums to the more electric sounds on the last few, there was nothing Hub couldn't handle. Listening to some of the cuts on live Roots tracks perked my ears, especially on songs like "The Next Movement." He was taking hip-hop and playing counterpoint while still making it funky. He knew what to do and when to do it, and he will be missed.
Sitting up and taking notice . . .
The Indianapolis Star's business section devoted some column inches to my fair district today. They forgot to mention the free wireless, but that's more of an incentive than a business. Anyway, it looks like the green stripe of paint is become more than just pigment of promise, and thus it is news pleasantly accepted.
The Excellent Virtu Fine Art Gallery was a sight to behold when I browsed through it last Friday. I usually only get to peek in the windows during early-morning dog walks, so it was great to get a look inside. It was an interesting assortment of original works and movie memorabilia, and you had to be VERY careful which comics you chose to let your children peruse. Damn fine work.
I should also mention that the article left out an stellar graphic designer and a talented freelance bassist/author, but let me know if you want to talk to them.
Music Dump
I moved a little music to the iPod this weekend, between the monthly re-up at eMusic and some rummage sale finds. Anymore, I seem to just be shuffling podcast on and off my player, and it can sometimes be a chore keeping up with them. There are the can't-miss episodes from Downtown Soulville, Coffee2Go, the Indiefeed hip-hop show, and the Onion, and some others sprinkled in that I can take or leave. Still, I managed to fit some albums in there, including music from:
- Charles Mingus And Max Roach - an interesting collaborative album on some standards; I actually got this after an NPR story on Governor Faubus, and I wanted to associate that name with something good
- Chuck Brown and the Soul Searchers - a collection of live stuff (the only way to listen to go-go) that showcases his groove and easy transition from one song to another (just to keep the dancers moving). He's also got his priorities straight - he spent at least half of one song instructing the men to back up so the ladies could get to the front of the stage
- Little Axe - the Sugar Hill rhythm section attacking the blues dub-style; like most dub albums, I think the entire disc what sets the mood, and picking and choosing individual songs is kinda useless. This sets the mood well.
- Roger and Zapp - yeah, it's a greatest hits thing; so what?
- Jason Moran - excellent young pianist
Upon reflection, I think I need to go find some newer albums. Catalog stuff is fine, but I'd like to see what else is out there. Any suggestions (besides the new Dethklok and Me'shell N'degeocello albums coming out on 9/25, that is)?
Genius, for the most part
Metalocalypse returns for a second season on September 23rd, which is exactly the news one needs to rule the barren earth with grim determination. The show, a brilliant mix of Aqua Teen Hunger Force and Spinal Tap, still holds a huge chunk of our DVR hostage, waiting patiently to be freed by a DVD release. Adult Swim, make it happen.
Only one small problem - the bassist is kind of a doofus. To be fair, the entire band is composed of doofuses, so there's nothing really for me to complain about there. The creators did, however, saddle Murderface with the worst haircut. In metal, that's a death sentence, I think. And a metallic death sentence is nothing to sneeze (or roar gutterally) at. I suppose I should be thankful that they at least gave him a solo project and left his bass in the mix.
Kickoff Weekend
My dog Sadie is deeply, profoundly deaf. We found her that way, and it doesn't look it went away when the ear infection she had was cleared up. Today, though, it was to her benefit, as the many and varied loud noises I made cheering the Steelers/Browns score updates would have probably annoyed her to no end. Instead, she slept blissfully through the 34-7 throttling the Steelers inflicted on Cleveland to open the season. She's happy, I'm happy, and everything is right with the world. I'm going to have to get her a jersey.
Otherwise, it was an exceptionally lazy day. I managed to hang a bass guitar holder on the wall in my office, so I can finally place all of my basses in holders in the office and still keep one in the car. I always forget to take one anyway, so leaving one in the trunk is a good compromise with my addled memory. There are a couple more Warner Gear shows on the calendar, so we'll start prepping for those soon. And Jennifer and I are headed to Monolith soon, at which we'll no doubt get our fill of wonderful music and oxygen deprivation.
Lighten up a little . . .
Before embarking on my volunteer experience for Art Vs. Art this evening (I sold the HELL out of some tickets this very evening), I ran across the street for a quick iced coffee. Since it was First Friday, there was quite the crowd standing around, observing photographs and enjoying the obligatory wine and cheese. The Art Vs. Art event was brought up, and somebody expressed their disdain for the event, saying they would never go somewhere where they were destroying art.
And that's understandable, I suppose. It'd be a terrible crime to run through the galleries of a museum, hacking and slashing and applying all manner of abuse to the works contained therein. Were this what was actually happening, this distaste would be perfectly understandable. In this case, though, there are a few notable exceptions:
- The art was created specifically for this purpose; nobody was surprised by the possible outcome
- The arts was created in a certain four-hour time frame from materials assigned to them. I doubt the emotional attachment to these pieces was very high to begin with
- The whole thing is a benefit for an art-based non-profit organization
- The event is as much performance art as the paintings themselves are
- A little gratuitous destruction is good for the soul
It's not an affront to the monumental importance of art in today's society. It's more of a light-hearted potlach. With chainsaws. As many smashed guitars as we've been forced to sit through, it should be refreshing to at least give something back with your random act of violence.
More Mural Updates . . .
The person in charge of the Fountain Square mural project has posted a gallery of the work, which makes me extremely happy.
----------------
Now playing: Jason Moran - Break Down
via FoxyTunes
I can’t WAIT to see some art get chainsawed
Today marks the return of Art Vs. Art to the lovely environs of the Fountain Square Theater. Some artist friends of mine usually participate, and it's entertaining to see what they can come up with in 4 hours with a limited amount of supplies, as the rules of the competition require.
It's also entertaining to see which paintings get sawed in half, slashed by a ninja (presumably imported from outside the Fountain Square area), bashed, smashed, or otherwise mutilated. The paintings go head to head in an audience-driven vote, and the loser faces elimination in all kinds of nasty ways. Remember, the event is as much performance art as the paintings are art. Good bands at Radio Radio afterwards, too. All of that wonderful entertainment in a block's walk. Makes the trash that pops up in my lawn tolerable (see, evidently there's this lady who actually throws trash in Fountain Square lawnsl; our neighbor Jen Fu has seen her).
My Work Computer Is Feeling Violated
A friend of mind brought back the most wonderful gadget back from Japan for me. Needless to say, it came to work with me for demonstration to my co-workers. It went over well, although I have to admit that my desktop seems to be a little ashamed, maybe even a little humiliated. I've decided against using it on my laptop - I do have to live with it, you know.
It’s Finally Here. Our Long National Nightmare Is Over.
The space between Fountain Square and work, otherwise known as downtown Indianapolis, is pretty much closed for business today. Later this afternoon, fans will brave rain, packed crowd, and the sounds of Kelly Clarkson, Faith Hill and Hinder to celebrate the official opening of football season. The preseason is over, the cuts have been made, and all is ready to begin. That's a good thing. A spectacular thing, in fact.
Not that I'll actually participate in today's happening. It's for the Colts fans, and I'm not one. Instead, I'll retreat to my home and await Sunday, when the Steelers face the Browns. It'll be a good game - I expect a solid effort from both teams. That mantra got me through both the Super Bowl and last season, so it's a comfortable and reassuring friend.
My Jerome Bettis jersey, long the target of comments due to both the team from which it originates and the somewhat old and worn status it has achieved in its lifetime, is being retired in favor of a new custom jersey, due to arrive soon. It probably won't make it in time for this weekend, but soon folks will wonder who the hell "Sweaty B" is and why they never saw him on the offensive line, as the number 63 might indicate.
Due to some incomprehensible NFL merchandising rule, you can't buy custom jerseys for retired players. So I chose the name as mine but used the number 63 for Dermontti Dawson, probably the best center of his time. Mobile, agile, and crushing. It was awe-inspiring to see him clear opposing teams out for whatever running back trailed in his wake. He also spent his entire career with the Steelers, a rare feat in today's world of free agency and Rooney stinginess. Were I given more time, I could try and write a nice little monograph on how bassists and centers share the same tendencies (doing all the work in the trenches, getting no recognition, supporting the team while others grab the glory), but I'm on lunch, and I'm tired of sports analogies. I can't run for daylight, and most athletes can't manage a walking bass line to save their lives (special recognition given here to Wayman Tisdale, who could dunk on my ass AND play rings around me. He is a smooth exception).
Anyway, enough geekery. Let the games begin. I've gotta dig out my Terrible Towels now.
I'd also like to point out that, despite my geekery, I'm not this crazy. Wow.
The Bass Geek’s Twitter
- Oh, you Afghan Whigs . . . you know how to make me happy on a Friday with a free new track and all - t.opsp.in/1DSob 39 minutes ago
- New blog post: Fountain Square Music This Weekend thebassgeek.net/2012/05/18/fou… 3 hours ago
- New blog post: Bass On The Broadband thebassgeek.net/2012/05/17/bas… 1 day ago
- In my pew, ready for the @Mike_Doughty_ show at Irving Theater. More venues should use cheap & efficient pew seating. http://t.co/KkneTce3 2 days ago
- I should note that the previous tweet's feedback loops concerned user feedback, not audio feedback. I've never known wikis to blow speakers. 3 days ago
Pages
Dates and Times
My Bands
No shows booked at the moment.
Topics Of Discussion
- Adult Swim
- Apple Geekery
- Bass Guitar
- Battlestar Galactica
- Blog Business
- Computer Tech
- Fountain Square
- From The Cell Phone
- Law And Order
- Local Music
- Monon Bell
- Movies
- Music in General
- Music Tech
- Pittsburgh Steelers
- Podcasts
- The Low End In General
- Uncategorized
The Latest Word
- Fountain Square Music This Weekend
- Bass On The Broadband
- Fountain Square Music This Weekend . . . and MORE!
Archives
- May 2012
- April 2012
- March 2012
- February 2012
- January 2012
- December 2011
- November 2011
- October 2011
- September 2011
- August 2011
- July 2011
- June 2011
- May 2011
- April 2011
- March 2011
- February 2011
- January 2011
- December 2010
- November 2010
- October 2010
- September 2010
- August 2010
- July 2010
- June 2010
- May 2010
- April 2010
- March 2010
- February 2010
- January 2010
- December 2009
- November 2009
- October 2009
- September 2009
- August 2009
- July 2009
- June 2009
- May 2009
- April 2009
- March 2009
- February 2009
- January 2009
- December 2008
- November 2008
- October 2008
- September 2008
- August 2008
- July 2008
- June 2008
- May 2008
- April 2008
- March 2008
- February 2008
- January 2008
- December 2007
- November 2007
- October 2007
- September 2007
- August 2007
Blogroll
- Beetqueen
- Calcinator Death Ray
- Celebrated Sounds
- Cleis Design
- Fickle Foe
- Funky 16 Corners
- Hooserati
- Inside Home Recording
- Jack's Bass Blog
- Mike Doughty
- My Old Kentucky Blog
- Naptown News
- Porch Dog
- Propellerheads News
- Shae’s Place
- Special Agent Dale Cooper
- The Bus
- The Girlie Leep
- The MCP
- WFMU’s Beware of the Blog
Links
Windows XP Digital Music For Dummies
Teach Yourself VISUALLY Bass Guitar (Teach Yourself Visually)
MySpace For Dummies (For Dummies (Computers))
