Thursday, November 27, 2008
Yamaha Digital Grand YGP 625- Great Gear for the Price!
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Happy Thanksgiving from Dissident Times
Here are all the things I am thankful for:
- Family
- A new beginning in Washington
- A president who is smarter than I am.
- Anne Coulter's broken jaw
- Smart is in again
- Cable TV
- Gibson Les Pauls and Fender Strats
- MSNBC
- Google Reader
- Ecomodder.com
- flickr
- Fill in your own answers here________
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
The Decemberists back at it
DECEMBERISTS BACK AT IT
The Decemberists recently sat down for an interview with Rolling Stone to discuss their forthcoming album, Hazards of Love. The famous literary band's promising 16 or so segments in a continuous, hour-long narrative.
The story covers a woman named Margaret who is ravaged by a shape-shifting animal; her lover, William, who is desperate for the two of them to be reunited; a forest queen; and a villainous rake. Sounds like appropriate fodder for Meloy and company. The band's last outing was The Crane Wife in 2006. I think my all time favorite Decemberist tune is "Shiny", " Here I Dreamt I was an Architecht" and "Leslie Anne Levine". Bring on the new CD!
The Decemberists recently sat down for an interview with Rolling Stone to discuss their forthcoming album, Hazards of Love. The famous literary band's promising 16 or so segments in a continuous, hour-long narrative.
The story covers a woman named Margaret who is ravaged by a shape-shifting animal; her lover, William, who is desperate for the two of them to be reunited; a forest queen; and a villainous rake. Sounds like appropriate fodder for Meloy and company. The band's last outing was The Crane Wife in 2006. I think my all time favorite Decemberist tune is "Shiny", " Here I Dreamt I was an Architecht" and "Leslie Anne Levine". Bring on the new CD!
Friday, November 21, 2008
How About a Salary Cap for CEO's? for Everyone?
A theory often supported by Green Party advocates is the theory of a "maximum wage", that would be preset at a certain percentage above minimum wage. Check out some of Jello Biafra's stuff on this on his spoken word recordings. It makes a lot of sense. I feel that by setting a maximum wage, it would help conserve resources on this overpopulated planet. From the Huffington Posts we have this article I found interesting:
"A powerful social science theory, much advanced by Robert Frank of Cornell, provides a strong rationale for setting a ceiling on the incomes of the executives of all corporations that receive public loans, capital injections, or some other favor from tax payers. (Surprisingly many, by the way, if you include specially tailored tax loopholes, credit below the market rates, export assistance, and so on). Before I can lay out what the theory of relative deprivation suggests the next Congress and White House should do in this department, a few words on how we got executives who are paid scores of millions in the first place.
You may well say that the astronomical pay checks -- supplemented by bonuses, stock options, and all kinds of other goodies from executive jets to suites in five star hotels -- simply reflect unfettered greed and the fact that, at least until recently, most corporate boards approved whatever pay schedules their executives put in front of them. (These boards included many of the executives' friends and retirees keen to collect hefty fees for attending an occasional meeting and voting yes.)
All this is true, but do not underestimate the role of Michael Jensen and his colleagues at the Harvard Business School. Professor Jensen was all the rage when I was teaching at what is called "The B School," on the Boston side of Harvard. He was known for his die-hard support of the free market, and his arguments that executives were underpaid. He held that given that executives generate billions in wealth for the shareholders of their corporations, to reward executives for their efforts, their income should rise as the market value of the company rises. Even if they just got a few percentages of the new wealth, Jensen argued, their compensation should have been much higher than it was at the time. No wonder he was the darling of the CEOs who visited the Harvard Business School with great frequency. They paid no mind, and still don't, to Jensen's argument that they should also pay "big penalties for poor performance."
Also, missing in Jensen's and his associates' proposal is any explanation of what, say, an additional million bucks would buy from an executive who is already making twenty. Because I was a member of a delegation that included CEOs, I got to spend several days with the CEOs of Protector and Gamble and of Boeing, and I met some others. I found them extremely hard working people. They worked long days, often taking work home, and traveled constantly from one plant to another, from one meeting to another, with little rest in-between. I cannot imagine that anything could make them work even harder -or, for that matter, that their business would benefit if they took even fewer times out. Nor can I figure out what one would buy--with, say, that last million dollars. An eighth house? Another sports car you have no time to drive?
The answer takes us to Frank and the theory of relative deprivation. Most CEOs use their compensation figures mainly as a measurement of prestige, a statement of their standing compared to other CEOs. They are keen to make more than the next guy or doll. (Indeed, this is the reason European executives, who on average make much less than Americans ones, are just as content as American ones, because their reference group are other European executives.)
A cap on executive compensation would not only save millions for the financially strapped corporations-- and be fair to the tax payers who help these corporations stay afloat-- but would also provide the executives with a new reference point. Anyone who makes the max allowed will have made it. No more need to try to outdo the other, money-wise. Such a ceiling would leave the CEOs free to do what is best for their corporations, the economy, and families-- rather than focus on ways to jack up the price of their stock each quarter.
The executives of Goldman-Sachs just announced that they will forgo their bonuses this year and will do with a "mere" $600,000 salary. Given their performances this year, one wonders why they were entitled to bonuses in the first place. Anyhow, if you are worried about how they will able to do on this meager income, perhaps you could send them a Christmas food basket..."
Amitai Etzioni is a University Professor at The George Washington University
"A powerful social science theory, much advanced by Robert Frank of Cornell, provides a strong rationale for setting a ceiling on the incomes of the executives of all corporations that receive public loans, capital injections, or some other favor from tax payers. (Surprisingly many, by the way, if you include specially tailored tax loopholes, credit below the market rates, export assistance, and so on). Before I can lay out what the theory of relative deprivation suggests the next Congress and White House should do in this department, a few words on how we got executives who are paid scores of millions in the first place.
You may well say that the astronomical pay checks -- supplemented by bonuses, stock options, and all kinds of other goodies from executive jets to suites in five star hotels -- simply reflect unfettered greed and the fact that, at least until recently, most corporate boards approved whatever pay schedules their executives put in front of them. (These boards included many of the executives' friends and retirees keen to collect hefty fees for attending an occasional meeting and voting yes.)
All this is true, but do not underestimate the role of Michael Jensen and his colleagues at the Harvard Business School. Professor Jensen was all the rage when I was teaching at what is called "The B School," on the Boston side of Harvard. He was known for his die-hard support of the free market, and his arguments that executives were underpaid. He held that given that executives generate billions in wealth for the shareholders of their corporations, to reward executives for their efforts, their income should rise as the market value of the company rises. Even if they just got a few percentages of the new wealth, Jensen argued, their compensation should have been much higher than it was at the time. No wonder he was the darling of the CEOs who visited the Harvard Business School with great frequency. They paid no mind, and still don't, to Jensen's argument that they should also pay "big penalties for poor performance."
Also, missing in Jensen's and his associates' proposal is any explanation of what, say, an additional million bucks would buy from an executive who is already making twenty. Because I was a member of a delegation that included CEOs, I got to spend several days with the CEOs of Protector and Gamble and of Boeing, and I met some others. I found them extremely hard working people. They worked long days, often taking work home, and traveled constantly from one plant to another, from one meeting to another, with little rest in-between. I cannot imagine that anything could make them work even harder -or, for that matter, that their business would benefit if they took even fewer times out. Nor can I figure out what one would buy--with, say, that last million dollars. An eighth house? Another sports car you have no time to drive?
The answer takes us to Frank and the theory of relative deprivation. Most CEOs use their compensation figures mainly as a measurement of prestige, a statement of their standing compared to other CEOs. They are keen to make more than the next guy or doll. (Indeed, this is the reason European executives, who on average make much less than Americans ones, are just as content as American ones, because their reference group are other European executives.)
A cap on executive compensation would not only save millions for the financially strapped corporations-- and be fair to the tax payers who help these corporations stay afloat-- but would also provide the executives with a new reference point. Anyone who makes the max allowed will have made it. No more need to try to outdo the other, money-wise. Such a ceiling would leave the CEOs free to do what is best for their corporations, the economy, and families-- rather than focus on ways to jack up the price of their stock each quarter.
The executives of Goldman-Sachs just announced that they will forgo their bonuses this year and will do with a "mere" $600,000 salary. Given their performances this year, one wonders why they were entitled to bonuses in the first place. Anyhow, if you are worried about how they will able to do on this meager income, perhaps you could send them a Christmas food basket..."
Amitai Etzioni is a University Professor at The George Washington University
New CD from Propagandhi Almost Ready
PROPAGANDHI, Manitoba's most rocking punk band are busy at it again, finishing up a new album and preparing for a tour. I hope it rocks with "MotorLeague" intensity. From their website:
"For the first time in the last 10 years we have completed a record on schedule!! It is a killer record!! Everything went really well. We're really excited for everyone to hear it. We will begin touring all over the place in February 2009!! Prepare yourself!!"
Fat Wreck Chords will distribute the disc.
The band released Potemkin City Limits in 2005.
"For the first time in the last 10 years we have completed a record on schedule!! It is a killer record!! Everything went really well. We're really excited for everyone to hear it. We will begin touring all over the place in February 2009!! Prepare yourself!!"
Fat Wreck Chords will distribute the disc.
The band released Potemkin City Limits in 2005.
...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead To Release Sixth Album
The band with perhaps my favorite name of all time ...And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead have announced they will release their sixth album in February 2009 on Richter Scale/Justice Records. It was produced by Chris Coady (TV On The Radio, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, etc.). With a style that is hard to describe, dabbling into post punk, emo, hardcore, art rock... I caught on to these guys on the "Madonna" cd. Not Madonna the singer, the cd was called Madonna. I loved the way their sound had dynamics. Soft and loud sections, interspersed with extraneous sounds and tones. Cryptic songs. And on of the most interesting websites of any band. "Source Tags and Codes" and "Madonna" are my altime favorites. Hope this new cd lives up to those.
Taking Back Sunday News you can Use
Taking Back Sunday rocks hard with great melodies and interesting material. They manage to bring in emotion to their sound without getting overly sappy or emo on us. Looking forward to the new cd, called NEW AGAIN. It will feature a familiar lineup but with a new guitarist.
From their website:
"Hello everyone! We're having so much fun as a band again and we have loved playing live again recently in NY, Baltimore and the UK. We were excited to accept an invitation to help open the new CLUB NOKIA in Downtown LA this November because we haven't been out there for a while and we also decided to hit up a few places at the end of the year that we can't always get to when we are trying to cover most of North America in a six week time frame. We have so much fun at these smaller shows too because you guys really let loose!"
Here is the info for locations and dates. ENVY ON THE COAST are supporting on all dates.
December Tour Dates AnnouncedDec 3 Concrete St. Amphitheatre, Corpus Christi, TX
Dec 4 Las Palmas Race Park, Mission, TX
Dec 5 Club 101, El Paso, TX
Dec 6 Lonestar Pavilion, Lubbock, TX
Dec 7 Rialto Theater, Tucson, AZ
Dec 9 Cain's Ballroom, Tulsa, OK
Dec 10 Blue Note, Columbia, MO - on sale Friday, October 10
Dec 11 Victory Sports Complex, Loves Park, IL
Dec 12 Club Oasis, Louisville, KY
Dec 13 Orbit Room, Grand Rapids, MI
Dec 14 Civic Theatre, Toledo, OH
Dec 16 The Norva, Norfolk, VA
Dec 17 Millennium Center, Winston Salem, NC
Dec 18 40 Watt Club, Athens, GA
Dec 19 The Valarium, Knoxville, TN, on sale @ 12 pm
Taking Back Sunday's new album will be titled "New Again". Adam Lazzara and Matt Fazzi from Taking Back Sunday did an interview with Rolling Stone and talked about three songs from their upcoming New Again and much more. "Carpathia" has three-part harmonies and a bass solo that is the meanest-sounding thing they've ever done; "Catholic Knees" is "one of the heaviest [they've] ever written]"; "Lonely Lonely" is the "most relentless."Taking Back Sunday are in the final stages of work on their new album and have also announced the title for the follow up to 2006's Louder Now: The new album is expected in early 2009.
From their website:
"Hello everyone! We're having so much fun as a band again and we have loved playing live again recently in NY, Baltimore and the UK. We were excited to accept an invitation to help open the new CLUB NOKIA in Downtown LA this November because we haven't been out there for a while and we also decided to hit up a few places at the end of the year that we can't always get to when we are trying to cover most of North America in a six week time frame. We have so much fun at these smaller shows too because you guys really let loose!"
Here is the info for locations and dates. ENVY ON THE COAST are supporting on all dates.
December Tour Dates AnnouncedDec 3 Concrete St. Amphitheatre, Corpus Christi, TX
Dec 4 Las Palmas Race Park, Mission, TX
Dec 5 Club 101, El Paso, TX
Dec 6 Lonestar Pavilion, Lubbock, TX
Dec 7 Rialto Theater, Tucson, AZ
Dec 9 Cain's Ballroom, Tulsa, OK
Dec 10 Blue Note, Columbia, MO - on sale Friday, October 10
Dec 11 Victory Sports Complex, Loves Park, IL
Dec 12 Club Oasis, Louisville, KY
Dec 13 Orbit Room, Grand Rapids, MI
Dec 14 Civic Theatre, Toledo, OH
Dec 16 The Norva, Norfolk, VA
Dec 17 Millennium Center, Winston Salem, NC
Dec 18 40 Watt Club, Athens, GA
Dec 19 The Valarium, Knoxville, TN, on sale @ 12 pm
Taking Back Sunday's new album will be titled "New Again". Adam Lazzara and Matt Fazzi from Taking Back Sunday did an interview with Rolling Stone and talked about three songs from their upcoming New Again and much more. "Carpathia" has three-part harmonies and a bass solo that is the meanest-sounding thing they've ever done; "Catholic Knees" is "one of the heaviest [they've] ever written]"; "Lonely Lonely" is the "most relentless."Taking Back Sunday are in the final stages of work on their new album and have also announced the title for the follow up to 2006's Louder Now: The new album is expected in early 2009.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
The Lincvolt: Electric Heavy Metal
I have been reading about the lincvolt a lot lately. It is a modified 1959 Lincoln that is shooting for a goal of 100 mpg. So far they are getting around 60. That great technician Neil Young is touting them, I read his stuff on Huffington Post and, doggonit, it makes sense.
Here it is:
"From Wichita, Kansas we get this report: A 1959 Lincoln Continental repowered to be a self charging electric vehicle by a small group of engineers and local services, is now achieving up to 65 mpg in informal tests. Work there continues. The goal of the project is to attain up to and beyond 100mpg for the biggest and heaviest car made in 1959. The car has been driven in California and Kansas and shown to over 15,000 people. In an audience of 12,000, one tenth of the people raised their hands when asked if they would like to have a car like that. That Lincoln represents a future for Detroit. It is the possibility of Big Clean cars that do not promote Global warming. Let's build them now, as well as economical small clean and green electric cars and let's put people to work. We already have the existing tooling and the facilities and manpower." Bring it on and soon. That is all I have to say about it.
Here it is:
"From Wichita, Kansas we get this report: A 1959 Lincoln Continental repowered to be a self charging electric vehicle by a small group of engineers and local services, is now achieving up to 65 mpg in informal tests. Work there continues. The goal of the project is to attain up to and beyond 100mpg for the biggest and heaviest car made in 1959. The car has been driven in California and Kansas and shown to over 15,000 people. In an audience of 12,000, one tenth of the people raised their hands when asked if they would like to have a car like that. That Lincoln represents a future for Detroit. It is the possibility of Big Clean cars that do not promote Global warming. Let's build them now, as well as economical small clean and green electric cars and let's put people to work. We already have the existing tooling and the facilities and manpower." Bring it on and soon. That is all I have to say about it.
Open Letter to Katy Perry
OK, so you kissed a girl. Get over yourself and just go away. Your 15 minutes are up.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Reel Big Fish and other Ska-licious News
The music critics eulogized the ska-punk genre dead sometime back in the 90's. That is unfortunate for them, because there is still alot of good music going on in that scene. One of my personal faves is Reel Big Fish. Somewhere back there, I got my hands on a copy of "Turn the Radio Off". I like the in-yer-face-we are ska and we admit it tone to their sound. If you are a frequent visitor to this site, you know I like punk, ska, indie and all other styles without the judgment or hipsterism of other websites. Let the music speak on its own!
So from Punknews.org, here is a ska roundup of sorts:
Reel Big Fish have posted the cover art for their new covers album. The record is titled Fame, Fortune and Fornication and is due out January 20, 2009. The band will take on songs like Poison's "Talk Dirty To Me", Tom Petty's "I Won't Back Down", John Mellencamp's "Authority Song", and The Eagles "The Long Run" as well as ska/reggae classics like Desmond Dekker's "Keep A Cool Head" and Toots and The Maytals "Monkey Man."
Track Listing
1. Nothing But a Good Time (Poison)
2. Mama We're All Crazy Now (Slade)
3. Veronica Sawyer (Edna's Goldfish)
4. Authority Song (John Mellencamp)
5. Brown Eyed Girl (Van Morrison)
6. The Long Run (The Eagles)
7. Won't Back Down (Tom Petty)
8. Keep a Cool Head (Desmond Dekker)
9. Monkey Man (Toots and the Maytals)
10. Talk Dirty to Me (Poison)
The Mighty Mighty Bosstones have announced the dates for their 11th annual Hometown Throwdown show. The shows will take place December 26th through 29th at the Middle East Nightclub in Cambridge, MA, and December 31st at Lupo's in Providence, RI. The band noted:
So from Punknews.org, here is a ska roundup of sorts:
Reel Big Fish have posted the cover art for their new covers album. The record is titled Fame, Fortune and Fornication and is due out January 20, 2009. The band will take on songs like Poison's "Talk Dirty To Me", Tom Petty's "I Won't Back Down", John Mellencamp's "Authority Song", and The Eagles "The Long Run" as well as ska/reggae classics like Desmond Dekker's "Keep A Cool Head" and Toots and The Maytals "Monkey Man."
Track Listing
1. Nothing But a Good Time (Poison)
2. Mama We're All Crazy Now (Slade)
3. Veronica Sawyer (Edna's Goldfish)
4. Authority Song (John Mellencamp)
5. Brown Eyed Girl (Van Morrison)
6. The Long Run (The Eagles)
7. Won't Back Down (Tom Petty)
8. Keep a Cool Head (Desmond Dekker)
9. Monkey Man (Toots and the Maytals)
10. Talk Dirty to Me (Poison)
The Mighty Mighty Bosstones have announced the dates for their 11th annual Hometown Throwdown show. The shows will take place December 26th through 29th at the Middle East Nightclub in Cambridge, MA, and December 31st at Lupo's in Providence, RI. The band noted:
There will lots of great bands, special guests and surprises along the way. Please check back for more info in the coming weeks. We have made some changes to the ticketing situation in response to the rampant ticket scalping that went on last year: The Middle East shows will have a strict 2 ticket limit and will be Will Call only, paperless shows. In other words, no actual hard tickets will be issued or exchanged. We apologize for any slight inconveniecne this may cause - it's the only way we can keep the tickets out of the hands of Grinch-like scalpers and ticket services.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Circle Jerks News
I have long been a fan of these guys. Keith Morris, lead singer for both the Jerks and my other favorites, Black Flag, and Greg Hetson of Bad Religion fame are two guys who have been around for the long term. While there will be no new album in the near future, Circle Jerks have released two new vinyl editions of their album, Group Sex. The first version is a 12-inch picture disc, a selection of which have been autographed by the surviving original band members Keith Morris, Greg Hetson and Lucky Lehrer. The signed copies are available exclusively through Aural Exploits.
The band has also released a set of limited edition colored vinyl of the album. The run includes various colors including pink, clear and clear blue. The skinny on the blue vinyl is that it will be exclusively available through retailer Hot Topic while pink and clear will be in mom and pop stores. Red and yellow clear vinyl will be available in the new year via Porterhouse Records.
Finally, much of the band's back catalogue is now available as mp3 downloads at various outlets. Also, the Jerks have unveiled plans for a tour of South America in March of 2009. The band's last studio album, Oddities, Abnormalities, and Curiosities, was released more than a decade ago. Though the band released a new song last year, guitarist Greg Hetson mentioned this past June that a new album from the long-running band may not happen in the near future. That is a shame. These guys were pioneers, and make great music together.
The band has also released a set of limited edition colored vinyl of the album. The run includes various colors including pink, clear and clear blue. The skinny on the blue vinyl is that it will be exclusively available through retailer Hot Topic while pink and clear will be in mom and pop stores. Red and yellow clear vinyl will be available in the new year via Porterhouse Records.
Finally, much of the band's back catalogue is now available as mp3 downloads at various outlets. Also, the Jerks have unveiled plans for a tour of South America in March of 2009. The band's last studio album, Oddities, Abnormalities, and Curiosities, was released more than a decade ago. Though the band released a new song last year, guitarist Greg Hetson mentioned this past June that a new album from the long-running band may not happen in the near future. That is a shame. These guys were pioneers, and make great music together.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Oxford Word of the Year? HYPERMILING!
The 2008 Word of the Year is hypermiling.
I have been doing this for years. I learned to drive in the late seventies when the first wave of the energy crisis hit. I had a Dodge Omni with the transverse mounted four cylinder engine. my dad, who was a guy who grew up during WWII gas rationing and was an old race car driver from the dirt track days, taught me how fuel can be conserved by coasting, and pulse and glide etc. We didn't have a fany word for it then. Now we do.
Here are some tips:
keep the tires on your car properly inflated to the maximum recommended amount.
Kill your roof rack to streamline the car and reduce drag.
Turn your engine off rather than idling at long stoplights.
visit www.ecomodder.com
I am a frequent visitor to the site to get new ideas.
Here is some ink from the Huffington Post about the whole deal:
"Some history:
“Hypermiling” was coined in 2004 by Wayne Gerdes, who runs this web site. “Hypermiling” or “to hypermile” is to attempt to maximize gas mileage by making fuel-conserving adjustments to one’s car and one’s driving techniques. Rather than aiming for good mileage or even great mileage, hypermilers seek to push their gas tanks to the limit and achieve hypermileage, exceeding EPA ratings for miles per gallon.
Many of the methods followed by hypermilers are basic common sense—drive the speed limit, avoid hills and stop-and-go traffic, maintain proper tire pressure, don’t let your car idle, get rid of excess cargo—but others practiced by some devotees may seem slightly eccentric:
• driving without shoes (to increase the foot’s sensitivity on the pedals)
• parking so that you don’t have to back up to exit the space
• “ridge-riding” or driving with your tires lined up with the white line at the edge of the road to avoid driving through water-filled ruts in the road when it’s raining
Hypermiling has also gotten some positive attention in 2008, gaining mainstream traction as gas prices soared and the need to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, especially those from foreign sources, has become more apparent. A new initiative launched by the Association of Automobile Manufacturers and supported by such notables as California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger advocates the practice, referring to it as EcoDriving.
President-elect Barack Obama observed during his campaign that Americans could save as much oil as would be produced by proposed off-shore drilling if only they kept their tire pressures at recommended levels and took their cars in for regular tune-ups. Republicans’ subsequent criticisms of Obama’s statement put these measures advocated by hypermilers in the center of the debate between conservation and drilling as solutions to Americans’ foreign oil dependence problem.
A growing number of Americans favor hypermiling as a sensible set of practices for all drivers who are concerned about their wallets, the environment, and fuel independence, not just for those on the fringe who are obsessed with increasing their MPG numbers."
I have been doing this for years. I learned to drive in the late seventies when the first wave of the energy crisis hit. I had a Dodge Omni with the transverse mounted four cylinder engine. my dad, who was a guy who grew up during WWII gas rationing and was an old race car driver from the dirt track days, taught me how fuel can be conserved by coasting, and pulse and glide etc. We didn't have a fany word for it then. Now we do.
Here are some tips:
keep the tires on your car properly inflated to the maximum recommended amount.
Kill your roof rack to streamline the car and reduce drag.
Turn your engine off rather than idling at long stoplights.
visit www.ecomodder.com
I am a frequent visitor to the site to get new ideas.
Here is some ink from the Huffington Post about the whole deal:
"Some history:
“Hypermiling” was coined in 2004 by Wayne Gerdes, who runs this web site. “Hypermiling” or “to hypermile” is to attempt to maximize gas mileage by making fuel-conserving adjustments to one’s car and one’s driving techniques. Rather than aiming for good mileage or even great mileage, hypermilers seek to push their gas tanks to the limit and achieve hypermileage, exceeding EPA ratings for miles per gallon.
Many of the methods followed by hypermilers are basic common sense—drive the speed limit, avoid hills and stop-and-go traffic, maintain proper tire pressure, don’t let your car idle, get rid of excess cargo—but others practiced by some devotees may seem slightly eccentric:
• driving without shoes (to increase the foot’s sensitivity on the pedals)
• parking so that you don’t have to back up to exit the space
• “ridge-riding” or driving with your tires lined up with the white line at the edge of the road to avoid driving through water-filled ruts in the road when it’s raining
Hypermiling has also gotten some positive attention in 2008, gaining mainstream traction as gas prices soared and the need to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, especially those from foreign sources, has become more apparent. A new initiative launched by the Association of Automobile Manufacturers and supported by such notables as California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger advocates the practice, referring to it as EcoDriving.
President-elect Barack Obama observed during his campaign that Americans could save as much oil as would be produced by proposed off-shore drilling if only they kept their tire pressures at recommended levels and took their cars in for regular tune-ups. Republicans’ subsequent criticisms of Obama’s statement put these measures advocated by hypermilers in the center of the debate between conservation and drilling as solutions to Americans’ foreign oil dependence problem.
A growing number of Americans favor hypermiling as a sensible set of practices for all drivers who are concerned about their wallets, the environment, and fuel independence, not just for those on the fringe who are obsessed with increasing their MPG numbers."
AFI Brings Us the Goods on Their New Record
AFI has wrapped up writing for their forthcoming eighth album, and will be hitting the studio to record it soon. Guitarist and songwriter Jade Puget explained via the band's blog:
"We've officially finished writing the 8th AFI album, and now we enter the studio to put it on tape. We have a fabulous producer we'll be working with, David Bottrill, who has worked on some fantastic and legendary albums by Peter Gabriel, Muse, Silverchair, Placebo, and Tool. We've spent this whole year crafting these songs and we're impatient to share them, so let's get busy."
After a couple of years away from recording as a band, and keeping themselves busy with a variety of side projects, the new record is expected in 2009. From remixing the Cure to developing their own fashion line, these guys don't let the grass grow under their feet. This post punk/emocore quartet keeps a fresh sound and play with a sense of urgency. I look forward to the new record.
"We've officially finished writing the 8th AFI album, and now we enter the studio to put it on tape. We have a fabulous producer we'll be working with, David Bottrill, who has worked on some fantastic and legendary albums by Peter Gabriel, Muse, Silverchair, Placebo, and Tool. We've spent this whole year crafting these songs and we're impatient to share them, so let's get busy."
After a couple of years away from recording as a band, and keeping themselves busy with a variety of side projects, the new record is expected in 2009. From remixing the Cure to developing their own fashion line, these guys don't let the grass grow under their feet. This post punk/emocore quartet keeps a fresh sound and play with a sense of urgency. I look forward to the new record.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Merle Haggard Battling Cancer
Country Music Legend Merle Haggard is battling lung cancer. He has had a cancerous growth removed from one of his lungs. I hate to hear about his failing health. Merle Haggard has been a driving force in "real" country music for the last four decades. I have a loathing for modern country that defies description. I am so tired of the crap Nashville has hoisted upon the listeners of this proud genre since the late 70's. On the alt country scene, there are many great bands and artists, who of course, never see the light of day on country radio which sucks in ways I cannot begin to describe here.
Merle has been a true voice, a singer songwriter of the highest notch, who sings about things he has lived, not just something they gave him to sing. When Merle and George Jones are gone, they can close the Grand Ole Opry and burn Nashville like Sherman did Atlanta.
Just my opinion. Get well Merle!
Merle has been a true voice, a singer songwriter of the highest notch, who sings about things he has lived, not just something they gave him to sing. When Merle and George Jones are gone, they can close the Grand Ole Opry and burn Nashville like Sherman did Atlanta.
Just my opinion. Get well Merle!
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Bad Brains - Grandfathers of Hardcore
Meet Bad Brains. The band, which formed in 1977, are among those responsible for modern American hardcore and were a key influence for a myriad of bands, not the least of which was Washington DC's Minor Threat. The band's founding members reunited last year to release Build a Nation. They have been traveling the world touring ever since.
I remember a Bad Brains show back in the 80s. Pounding music. Bodies literally flying through the air. The feeling of danger in the air... that was Bad Brains. do yourself a favor and check out these guys who were there at the beginning of it all.
I remember a Bad Brains show back in the 80s. Pounding music. Bodies literally flying through the air. The feeling of danger in the air... that was Bad Brains. do yourself a favor and check out these guys who were there at the beginning of it all.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Mighty Mighty Bosstones News: Politics and the New CD
Dicky Barrett of the The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, spoke out about the election of one Barack Obama, or as he is also known, "That One". Barrett noted:
You can check out the songs on their myspace page
MMB has also announced the dates for their 11th annual Hometown Throwdown show. The shows will take place December 26th through 29th at the Middle East Nightclub in Cambridge, MA, and December 31st at Lupo's in Providence, RI. The band noted:
I feel like the world is now a better place, and a large chunk of my faith in my country has been restored. I don't think we made a good choice, I think we made a great choice. I'm looking forward to living in a country where the guy who runs it is smarter than I am.The Mighty Mighty Bosstones have also announced plans for a brand new full length and before that, a new 7-inch. The band explained:
Lately we have been busy writing and recording music for a new MMB record. Two of the songs, "Impossible Dream" and "next To Nothing" will be released next month on a limited edition 7" on our own Big Rig Records (500 on black, 500 on white). We added these two songs to the player TONIGHT in order to commemorate and celebrate this historic election. Enjoy!
You can check out the songs on their myspace page
MMB has also announced the dates for their 11th annual Hometown Throwdown show. The shows will take place December 26th through 29th at the Middle East Nightclub in Cambridge, MA, and December 31st at Lupo's in Providence, RI. The band noted:
"There will lots of great bands, special guests and surprises along the way. Please check back for more info in the coming weeks. We have made some changes to the ticketing situation in response to the rampant ticket scalping that went on last year: The Middle East shows will have a strict 2 ticket limit and will be Will Call only, paperless shows. In other words, no actual hard tickets will be issued or exchanged. We apologize for any slight inconvenience this may cause - it's the only way we can keep the tickets out of the hands of Grinch-like scalpers and ticket services."Who says ska is dead? Well the MMBs did a tour called Ska is Dead. But I think it is still alive and kicking. I caught on to these guys back in the 90s. My favorite track is from the Kiss My Ass compilation, where they covered Kiss tune "Detroit Rock City". That one rocks the house.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Election Day 2008
Great speeches by both John McCain who was very gracious in defeat, as well as Obama, who was humble in victory.
The day started off with a mid-morning vote at the AmVets hall, where my precinct voted. No long lines. Mostly old people milling around. Since I knew McCain was going to win Kentucky anyway, I voted for Nader. I didn't have to worry about it messing up the status quo as if I were in a swing state.
I am glad that Obama won, but I hope he will move leftward as time goes on. Especially on environmental issues. All told, a great day for America. I hope we have driven a stake through the heart of the Rovian era of us versus them.
The day started off with a mid-morning vote at the AmVets hall, where my precinct voted. No long lines. Mostly old people milling around. Since I knew McCain was going to win Kentucky anyway, I voted for Nader. I didn't have to worry about it messing up the status quo as if I were in a swing state.
I am glad that Obama won, but I hope he will move leftward as time goes on. Especially on environmental issues. All told, a great day for America. I hope we have driven a stake through the heart of the Rovian era of us versus them.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Jello Biafra Speaks about Decision '08
Jello Biafra of the legendary Dead Kennedys and independent record label Alternative Tentacles [www.alternativetentacles.com], recently did an interview with the sundance channel regarding the upcoming election.
"Here it is:
1. What's your favorite political movie?
There's so many, where do I begin - "Boat People"? "Dr. Strangelove"?, "The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. t"?
2. What role do you feel art plays in politics?
People respect and listen to artists far more than politicians. In an
age of dumbed-down, censored, Soviet-style mass media it is up to
artists to be what Chuck D once called "The real CNN". If we don't wake people up to what's going on, who will?
3. What do you think is the biggest issue for the next generation of Americans?
Preserving human rights and our Constitution. We can't fight global warming without this. Who would have thought that we would have to struggle to have our vote counted - and stop wholesale torture and prison camps - in the alleged land of the free?
4. Who was the first political candidate you were excited to vote for and why?
Can't remember a person, but it sure has been fun voting down new sports stadiums. Local ballot questions and initiatives may well be the most important reason to vote and vote smart.
5. What factors are important to you in choosing a president?
They must be on the right side of the issues I care most about. I will not vote for anyone who supports the Patriot Act, the Drug War, the death penalty, NAFTA, corporate bailouts, etc. One Strike You're Out.
Or to put it less politely, F#$% YOU. I'd rather work or vote for something I want and not get it than work or vote for something I don't want and get it.
6. What issues would you like to see politicians focus more on?
Standing up and saying no to the Military Industrial Complex, the Prison-Industrial Complex, the Homeland (In)security-Industrial Complex, and now the Election-Industrial Complex. Use the money we waste on the war machine for the homeless, the poor, our underfunded schools and to repair and upgrade our crumbling infrastructure for the 21st Century. It's so much easier to get around when there are proper train systems. Imagine how much easier travel would be if our high-speed rail technology caught up with Europe or Japan!
7. Which issues would you like to see politicians focus less on?
Handouts and socialism for the wealthy while the world burns.
8. Which candidate's initiatives do you feel better address environmental concerns?
Ralph Nader, Cynthia McKinney, Dennis Kucinich. Did Al gore ever get rid of all his stock in Occidental Petroleum?
9. This is your soapbox - shout it out! What do you need to get off your chest?
There are two things about an Obama regime that worry me the most.
1. I remember someone else who had the audacity to misuse peoples' Hope when they were desperate for a change, and his name is Bill Clinton. Let's not forget it was not Bush but Clinton who gave us NAFTA, the WTO, the Telecom Act of 1996 that opened the floodgates for Clear Channel and Fox News, and laugh out loud Abstinence-only sex "education." Clinton signed Newt Gingrich's cruel welfare reform bill at the urging of Al Gore. And, yes, it was Clinton who planted the seeds of the economic meltdown when he gleefully deregulated the banks. If Obama turns out to be another Clinton - and surrounding himself with Biden, Lawrence Summers, Robert Rubin and Zbigniew Bzrzinsky is not a good sign - I fear he will break the hearts of whole energized generation of voters who won't feel it's worth it to participate again.
2. When Clinton got in, people rejoined "Ding Dong, Bush is gone. Now we can finally sleep at night" - and went to sleep for the next 8 years! We can't rest easy and sleep this time. There will be no change from Obama or a congress of corporate-owned Democrats unless we increase the pressure and keep a blowtorch up their ass the whole time they're in power. We need leaders, not more deal makers, Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid (remember him?) need to be replaced with people who actually give a s#$t.We stopped Vietnam. We torpedoed the Gulf War. Our civil rights and environmental awareness as we know them today didn't happen because our corporate lords granted the peasants new rights out of the goodness of their corporate hearts. They don't have any. We got where we are because we got together and fought for it. Same for the New Deal. It was us. And the only thing standing in the way of more wars, more Abu Ghraibs and more Guantanamo Bays coming soon behind a Wal-Mart near you is us.So don't give up, OK? Besides, causing trouble is so much fun.
10. Do you have any recommended links, books or movies so people can learn more about the issues you care about?
Don't hate the media, become the media. Don't just question authority, question bloggers. Question this site. Help people develop better bullshit detectors. I don't think people should be able to graduate from high school without passing a class on media literacy. But for some reason they don't have those classes, so we need to spread our knowledge instead."
My personal editorial comments? I think he makes a lot of valid points. I wish Obama were more liberal, less middle of the road. I hope he doesn't waste the political capital he has built up. I hope this election shows a real swing to the left, and the end of the Rovian politics of fear. I, like Biafra, am more inclined to the Green Party ideology than the Democrats. Let's hope there is a strong green voice in the Obama administration.
"Here it is:
1. What's your favorite political movie?
There's so many, where do I begin - "Boat People"? "Dr. Strangelove"?, "The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. t"?
2. What role do you feel art plays in politics?
People respect and listen to artists far more than politicians. In an
age of dumbed-down, censored, Soviet-style mass media it is up to
artists to be what Chuck D once called "The real CNN". If we don't wake people up to what's going on, who will?
3. What do you think is the biggest issue for the next generation of Americans?
Preserving human rights and our Constitution. We can't fight global warming without this. Who would have thought that we would have to struggle to have our vote counted - and stop wholesale torture and prison camps - in the alleged land of the free?
4. Who was the first political candidate you were excited to vote for and why?
Can't remember a person, but it sure has been fun voting down new sports stadiums. Local ballot questions and initiatives may well be the most important reason to vote and vote smart.
5. What factors are important to you in choosing a president?
They must be on the right side of the issues I care most about. I will not vote for anyone who supports the Patriot Act, the Drug War, the death penalty, NAFTA, corporate bailouts, etc. One Strike You're Out.
Or to put it less politely, F#$% YOU. I'd rather work or vote for something I want and not get it than work or vote for something I don't want and get it.
6. What issues would you like to see politicians focus more on?
Standing up and saying no to the Military Industrial Complex, the Prison-Industrial Complex, the Homeland (In)security-Industrial Complex, and now the Election-Industrial Complex. Use the money we waste on the war machine for the homeless, the poor, our underfunded schools and to repair and upgrade our crumbling infrastructure for the 21st Century. It's so much easier to get around when there are proper train systems. Imagine how much easier travel would be if our high-speed rail technology caught up with Europe or Japan!
7. Which issues would you like to see politicians focus less on?
Handouts and socialism for the wealthy while the world burns.
8. Which candidate's initiatives do you feel better address environmental concerns?
Ralph Nader, Cynthia McKinney, Dennis Kucinich. Did Al gore ever get rid of all his stock in Occidental Petroleum?
9. This is your soapbox - shout it out! What do you need to get off your chest?
There are two things about an Obama regime that worry me the most.
1. I remember someone else who had the audacity to misuse peoples' Hope when they were desperate for a change, and his name is Bill Clinton. Let's not forget it was not Bush but Clinton who gave us NAFTA, the WTO, the Telecom Act of 1996 that opened the floodgates for Clear Channel and Fox News, and laugh out loud Abstinence-only sex "education." Clinton signed Newt Gingrich's cruel welfare reform bill at the urging of Al Gore. And, yes, it was Clinton who planted the seeds of the economic meltdown when he gleefully deregulated the banks. If Obama turns out to be another Clinton - and surrounding himself with Biden, Lawrence Summers, Robert Rubin and Zbigniew Bzrzinsky is not a good sign - I fear he will break the hearts of whole energized generation of voters who won't feel it's worth it to participate again.
2. When Clinton got in, people rejoined "Ding Dong, Bush is gone. Now we can finally sleep at night" - and went to sleep for the next 8 years! We can't rest easy and sleep this time. There will be no change from Obama or a congress of corporate-owned Democrats unless we increase the pressure and keep a blowtorch up their ass the whole time they're in power. We need leaders, not more deal makers, Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid (remember him?) need to be replaced with people who actually give a s#$t.We stopped Vietnam. We torpedoed the Gulf War. Our civil rights and environmental awareness as we know them today didn't happen because our corporate lords granted the peasants new rights out of the goodness of their corporate hearts. They don't have any. We got where we are because we got together and fought for it. Same for the New Deal. It was us. And the only thing standing in the way of more wars, more Abu Ghraibs and more Guantanamo Bays coming soon behind a Wal-Mart near you is us.So don't give up, OK? Besides, causing trouble is so much fun.
10. Do you have any recommended links, books or movies so people can learn more about the issues you care about?
Don't hate the media, become the media. Don't just question authority, question bloggers. Question this site. Help people develop better bullshit detectors. I don't think people should be able to graduate from high school without passing a class on media literacy. But for some reason they don't have those classes, so we need to spread our knowledge instead."
My personal editorial comments? I think he makes a lot of valid points. I wish Obama were more liberal, less middle of the road. I hope he doesn't waste the political capital he has built up. I hope this election shows a real swing to the left, and the end of the Rovian politics of fear. I, like Biafra, am more inclined to the Green Party ideology than the Democrats. Let's hope there is a strong green voice in the Obama administration.
Frank Navetta, founding member of Descendents has died
Frank Navetta, founding member of Descendents has passed away. Frank founded the band with Tony Lombardo and Bill Stevenson in 1979. He died of a short but undisclosed illness.
We're very sorry to announce that founding member of The DESCENDENTS, and close friend Frank Navetta passed away on October 31, 2008 after becoming ill over the course of a few days. This is obviously a huge loss for the DESCENDENTS family. His contribution to the band, and to music in general can not be overstated. Frank will be truly missed. We will share information about memorial services when we find out.
Among other classic albums, Frank wrote and played on Milo Goes To College. Descendents was influential in forming the school of SoCal punk that gave rise to the diy, self-effacing, sophomoric dude-punk that still exists today in bands like NOFX, Lagwagon, Bracket and many others. Our deepest condolences to Frank's friends and family.
We're very sorry to announce that founding member of The DESCENDENTS, and close friend Frank Navetta passed away on October 31, 2008 after becoming ill over the course of a few days. This is obviously a huge loss for the DESCENDENTS family. His contribution to the band, and to music in general can not be overstated. Frank will be truly missed. We will share information about memorial services when we find out.
Among other classic albums, Frank wrote and played on Milo Goes To College. Descendents was influential in forming the school of SoCal punk that gave rise to the diy, self-effacing, sophomoric dude-punk that still exists today in bands like NOFX, Lagwagon, Bracket and many others. Our deepest condolences to Frank's friends and family.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
2008 Republican Principles (Chuck Lasker's perception)
I'm a Republican Because...
I BELIEVE the strength of our nation lies in military might and God's help, as long as we do His Will and make this a Christian nation while supporting Israel until the day Israel is destroyed and Jesus returns.
I BELIEVE that each person's dignity, freedom, ability and responsibility must be honored unless we can encroach on these in the name of safety or other short-term excuse that the idiot populace will accept.
I BELIEVE in special rights and justice for Republican politicians, Christian leaders, the extremely wealthy and lobbyists, regardless of cause as long as the money is right.
I BELIEVE in equal justice and equal opportunity for everyone else, regardless of race, creed, sex, age or disability, unless we're talking about lazy black people, illegal Mexican people, uneducated women, homosexuals, or, if justice and opportunity for disabled people costs businesses money.
I BELIEVE large corporate profits, stock market wealth and protection of monopolies will bring this nation opportunity, economic growth and increased prosperity for the upper one percent of incomes.
I BELIEVE government should talk about fiscal responsibility and allowing individuals to keep more of the money they earn, but should actually borrow and spend recklessly and place the full burden of taxes on those with lower and lower incomes and future generations for short term gain. Any taxes on the rich are socialism.
I BELIEVE the proper role of government is to advance Christian evangelical morals through tax code, control of education, judicial appointments, privatization and the proper Christian philosophies of wealth and warfare.
I BELIEVE the most effective, responsible and responsive government is government run by those who know best, and all means necessary must be used to work against poll access by the lowly, the lazy, the stupid and the poor.
I BELIEVE the Republican Party was founded by America's founding fathers to fight Roe vs. Wade, to protect "Under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance they wrote, to put "Under God" on our money, and to keep the Ten Commandments in our Courtrooms and government buildings.
I BELIEVE that we must never speak to our enemies, unless they're very big enemies with money and cheap labor agreements.
I BELIEVE in free trade with lower nations that provide cheap labor and higher profits and any attempt to induce labor or environmental equality on these nations is liberalism.
I BELIEVE you're either with us or you're with the terrorists. If you do not have the same beliefs we do, you are un-American and worthy of derision, abuse, vandalism, placement on no-fly lists and investigation.
I BELIEVE anyone labeled "liberal" is a socialist, which is actually communist, which is actually Marxist, which means evil.
I BELIEVE abortion must be made illegal, but stopping extramarital and teen sex is more important than reducing abortion rates, so I support abstinence-only education, blocking of access to birth control by teens, and punishing poor people for being lazy by blocking access to health care to those women who want to keep their babies.
I BELIEVE Americans must retain only those principles that we consider important while developing new and innovative ideas for bringing power to a Republican executive branch and reducing the power of the annoying Congress and the activist Courts.
I BELIEVE Americans value and should preserve our national strength and pride while working to extend peace, freedom and human rights to good Americans only, and to create international opportunities throughout the world to develop inexpensive manufacturing for American companies.
FINALLY, I believe the Republican Party is the best vehicle for translating these ideals into positive and successful principles of government, and I believe we must use any means necessary, including lies, smears, voter suppression, federal police, the Secret Service, warrantless spying, even the destruction of lives and reputations, to progress our God-endorsed agenda
Saturday, November 1, 2008
New Jersey's Finest: 20 Years of The Bouncing Souls
With their 20th anniversary just behind them, The Bouncing Souls, will be heading down to The Fest to play a birthday show that is guaranteed to please geriatric punk fans like myself (I am 45 years old). They recognize that, often emploring the crowd to take it easy on the old guys in the mosh pit... Hey we might break a hip.For their set, the band is promising to only play songs from 1995 and earlier, which means songs from Maniacal Laughter and The Good, the Bad, and the Argyle.These guys kick it old school, east coast. I caught on to these guys with "Tie One On", their 1998 release. So I was a little late to the party, but what a fun party it has been. For a good taste of this great live band, check out their live cd from 2005, named, simply enough "Bouncing Souls Live". These guys are everthing I love about punk.Driving beats, screaming guitars, attitude and energy have defined these guys for 20 years now.
Halloween on Bardstown Road
Spent the early hours of Halloween on Bardstown Road, watching the passers-by. The beauty of this Louisville neighborhood is that it is often difficult to tell the people with costumes from those who dress that way every day. Long live non-conformism!
In my short time eating a burrito as big as my head at La Bamba's, I spotted a man-as-robot, several zombies, a castaway, man in ape suit, Dracula, and a woman dressed as some undefined zombie slut. Not sure if that last one was a costume or not. Anyway, great fun had by all!
In my short time eating a burrito as big as my head at La Bamba's, I spotted a man-as-robot, several zombies, a castaway, man in ape suit, Dracula, and a woman dressed as some undefined zombie slut. Not sure if that last one was a costume or not. Anyway, great fun had by all!
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