Braindead Shithead

Oh, this is too much to handle. Ann Coulter claims she's a deadhead, yet never used drugs, and that deadheads are what "liberals claim to be but aren't":

As a Deadhead and a freedom-lover, I am wounded to the bone that you think the two do not naturally go hand in hand. The Deadheads I just met casually and not through conservative politics were almost always right-thinking, whatever they called themselves. Deadheads believe in freedom – not a government telling people how much water they can have in their toilets or where they can smoke or whether they should be allowed to own a gun. (Remember the photos of Jerry testifying before some Congressional committee while chain smoking? Yeah, he'd really bond with Henry Waxman.)

One of my Dead friends I met at Vail made candles for Grateful Dead merchandizing. His daily routine consisted of waking up, smoking a bowl, and turning on the Rush Limbaugh radio show while he made his candles. (It's true. He's so far out there he practices this weird, freaky ritual known as “commerce.” Don't try telling me pot is harmless!)

Umm... OK Ann. Normally I don't go in for talking much about Ann Coulter because that just legitimizes her, but you've absolutely got to read this surreal interview. On the face of it I want to say I don't believe a word she says, but I do recall a certain kind of countercultural impostor back in my college days who would wear the tie-dye shirts, smoke the herb, and generally go through all the motions of fitting in but never managed to assimilate any of the values of the community. And every now and then there was someone who would come back after summer break and they would suddenly have short hair, wear ties and join the Young Republicans. It happens, but I still find it hard to believe that Coulter, who gives the impression of saying outrageous shit just because she knows it'll get a reaction (positive or negative), was ever a deadhead.

Note: In the interest of full disclosure, I was never a deadhead either. I'm normally too contrarian to be a joiner.

Okay, there WILL be snark in here, but only in the nicest possible way.

Today, the man who brought us Tori Spelling has passed away, five days after suffering a stroke.




Okay, I know how much you all want to forget THAT part of it.
He also brought us quality drama, such as "Charlie's Angels", "Dynasty", "The Love Boat", and "Fantasy Island" (is there anyone in America who hasn't, at one time or another, said "De plane, boss, de plane!"?) His first hit as a producer was "The Mod Squad", which totally helped to shape America's love affair with the mini-skirt.

I knew about "Beverly Hills 90210", "Melrose Place", and "7th Heaven", the latter of which he proclaimed his favorite project (why, Aaron, why?), but also "Twin Peaks" and "T.J. Hooker". How can you hate a man who keeps recycling actresses (Shannon Doherty and Heather Locklear), and gave us William Shatner as a cop named "Hooker"?
Plus, "Twin Peaks" totally balances out the horror that is Tori.

I'm sure he'll be sorely missed, not just by his family but Hollywood in general, but his legacy will live on, thanks to TNT and Nick at Night.
And that skanky bitch Tori. I mean, EW.



(p.s.-is it cool or scary that his home is the largest single family dwelling in California?)

OK Shitheads, I've got another little treat for you tonight. A tasty piece of progressive rock history. It's Nektar's Earth friendly psychedelic opus Recycled from way back in the sands of progtime of 1975. While not quite up to the high bar set by their 1974 masterpiece Remember The Future, Recycled is perhaps the more approachable album.

Recycled is a concept album that is essentially two album side length songs with movements that flow seamlessly into one another. Part One paints a lush and vibrant picture of a future in which the dominant life form is recycled energy with new forms created out of previous patterns in the struggle to survive. Don't laugh! It was the 1970s! Part Two tells a cautionary tale of the despoiling of a tropical paradise and humanity's suicidal obsession with economic growth.

We've got the whole album here for you in uncut form. To listen to this album in any other way would spoil its' beauty. While some might decry the stylistic excesses of the mid-1970s progressive rock scene, Recycled remains one of those rare albums that is timeless.

Set List:

• Recycled Part One: Recycle (2:47), Cybernetic consumption (2:32), Recycle countdown (1:51), Automaton horrorscope (3:08), Recycling (1:46), Flight to reality (1:18), Unendless imagination? (4:36)
• Recycled Part Two: São Paulo sunrise (3:05), Costa del Sol (4:04), Marvellous Moses (6:37), It's all over (5:11)

Total time: 36:45

The observant among you may have noticed that this file is twice as long as the total time indicated for the recording. Believe it or not, there's a good reason for that. Recycled was originally mixed by Beatles engineer Geoff Emerick at Air Studios in London but this mix was not used. Many consider Geoff Emerick's mix to be superior since it nicely shows off the keyboards of Larry Fast (of Synergy) who was brought in for this album, whereas the mix ultimately used tends to muddle them. So the first time through you get the standard mix and then you get Geoff's mix.

but man, not quite enough to not post it.

From the headband that makes me want a banana to the "hunk" who looks underage, from the beat stolen from the "Ducktales" theme song to the "Abracadabra" rip off and enough day-glo to choke a mule under its left armpit, the only good thing about this video is that La Toya still has some nose left. Maybe if she'd stopped working on her nose here, she wouldn't look like the entire tip had been cut off parallel to her lips.

I had almost forgotten this juicy bit of Krofft goodness, but thanks to our friends at YouTube and Bubblegumfink, we have video proof this show did exist.

Ladies and gentelmen, Bigfoot and Wildboy.

So, you're a truck driver. And you drive around with your mom. That's creepy enough as it is. Good Ol' Mom is 82. That's a little old to be traipsing about the country-okay, anymore it's not, as long as you're healthy and have the desire to traipse-but whatever, I'm sure she enjoyed it.
Mr. Robert Adams's girlfriend also rode with them. It sounds like one big happy road-tripping family.

Until the inevitable happens, and mom dies.
On the road.
And he decides to go ahead and do that next run.

What makes this even weirder? Okay, it says he last talked with his mom about 2 a.m., took a nap about 4, and discovered her body about 6:30.
The girlfriend was in the truck at the same time mom was dying.
And, it says that sheriff's deputies discovered the mom naked. Um, okay. Did she always sleep like that, or did they undress her?

There were scratches on her legs,attributed to falling while trying to get into the cab of the truck.
Look, I've seen big rigs. I know how high up those steps are. And she's freaking 82!

I love that he called into his boss, told them that his mom was dead, and they said to cancel his next run and alert authorities.
But apparently he needed the money too much.

Okay, enough trying to wrap my brain around "Let's drive my dead mom around for one last trip..."
Ugh.

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In my own way, I've written a review of the show, over at my place. I fear the thing is too long to cross-post all of it here.

Shorter Montag: "It was fucking great."

Go check it out if you like that sort of thing.

Ok, a friend sent me this this morning. It's Vader dubbed over with James Earl Jones quotes from other movies. (Have I given too much away now?) A lot of them seem to come from Field of Dreams. Can any Shithead spot any others?

I just saw this at vSocial. I can't make out the language of the telecast, but it's obviously a somber subject they are discussing. Suddenly, the interviewer bursts into laughter (over a male guest's squeaky voice). I'm not certain, but I think I heard the word 'Darfur'. This is the most painful thing I've seen in a while. Still, I couldn't stop watching...and laughing!

I just wonder if it's legitimate.

Back again after an unscheduled break last week! We continue American Rock with "Mother Necessity".

Dude takes a bug zapper...to the tongue!

This video is for you! How many times have you thought to yourself, "Man, I wish I could see the cops catch that douchebag!" Here you go.

Isn't that how the saying goes?

Anyway, here is a pretty cool video of liquid nitrogen being tossed into a swimming pool.

A British insurance company (appropriately enough, entitled Britishinsurance.com) has withdrawn their coverage of three sisters. In this case, "sisters" actually doesn't mean "nun".

What had the sisters taken out 1 million pounds of insurance on?

In case one of them has a virgin birth of the Christ child.

Note-they've had this insurance since 2000. Hmmm.

The managing director of the insurance firm, a Mr. Simon Burgess, had this to say
"The people were concerned about having sufficient funds if they immaculately conceived. It was for caring and bringing up the Christ.

"We sometimes get weird requests and this is the weirdest we have had."

Though, I like that the burden of proof that it was, indeed, Christ, lay with the sisters.
How do you prove something like that? DNA? Compared to what?
Okay, wait, lord only knows what the Catholic Church has in its vaults in Vatican City, so never mind that...

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Thanks to The Onion's AV Club for bringing this freaky little film to my attention. The strangest game of 20 Questions you will ever see.

So, I was travelling through YouTube today, and had to post this little gem.

Robin Williams singing "Blame Canada" at the Oscars.



See, "It's Hard Out Here For A Pimp" was not the first totally ridiculous song nominated. (and, can I just mention again, that song blows? Really.)

And, for you purists, here's the original.

Don't get mad at me, but I think this needs a little love on the Shithead.

June 20, 2006

By theINSIDER's Marc S. Malkin

Will MATT DAMON get beamed up? Could happen. I'm told J.J. ABRAMS is very interested in casting the Oscar-winning Damon as a young Captain Kirk in the upcoming 'Star Trek' movie that he's directing and producing. He's so interested that he's apparently already sought support from the original Kirk, WILLIAM SHATNER. "Shatner gave his blessing," my source says. "J.J. got his approval." Damon first popped up in Trekkie circles as soon as the Abrams-'Star Trek' deal was announced. Rumor had it that the new movie would center on Kirk and Spock's early days at a space academy. "J.J. wants Damon as Capt. Kirk," my source reports. "He really loves the idea."

Let the hate/love-fest begin!

A great find by Rich and John from the Bloodthirsty Vegetarians podcast. Despite their name, the Israeli band Trespass, dating to the late 1990s, has nothing whatsoever to do with Genesis. They do however do a more than passable recreation of the old Emerson, Lake and Palmer sound which is no mean feat as the band claims to have never heard of the '70s power-prog trio before. Well, whether or not one believes that, I think you'll agree that Trespass' work is as beautiful as it is anachronistic.

No intellectual property rights lawyers were caused mental distress in the production of this sampler as all files were taken from the Pod Safe Music Network. However, if you're so inclined you can buy the band's CD from Musea Records.

Set list: Wind Song, Forest Birds Fantasy, Vivaldi, Creatures of the Night, In Haze of Time, City Lights, The Mad House Blues, Ripples

Via so many, many places but particularly What Would Tyler Durden Do, comes this musical end to Connie Chung's low-budget cable talk show career. Actually, in any sane world this would be the end to her career period but I don't think we live in that world. Seriously, have you ever seen someone behave this way who wasn't drugged up or at the very least having a bad reaction to medication?

Highlight: If you can't bear to watch the whole thing, you have got to see the piano dismount at 1:30!

So, you're a bus driver. You're driving your bus, and there's a problem. So, you radio the other driver you're with today, in bus #2, and say "Hey, I've got a problem, I'm pulling over."
Bus driver #2 says "Okay, cool, I'll pull in behind you to help give you some cover."

Then, a truck comes by, and hits the back of bus #2. Sending it into bus #1.
Oops! You're still between the buses!

That's what happened yesterday to Mr. Ephriam Williams.

What makes this so amusing is what Bus #1 and #2 were transporting.
Special Olympics athletes.

Somehow, the Special Olympics makes everything funnier, in that "Is it wrong for me to be laughing about this?" way.



Via

Late, late, late this week. Of course, SIMV9 is better off than Education Friday, which I completely forgot! Sorry about that.

A decidedly European flavor this week, which should come as no surprise given the great music coming from Europe these days. I'm trying the Bolt jukebox feature this week, so let me know what you think. I have no patience with scanners, so when I could find a copy of the album cover I included it, otherwise I...improvised.

I've been doing SIM for a couple of months now and I really enjoy putting it together, but are there any changes I should consider making? For instance, would it be helpful to provide brief (I promise!) descriptions of the songs or indicate the type of music? Or do you prefer the surprise element? I was just curious what you guys thought.

Anyway, here's this week's playlist. Enjoy.

A little straight up heavy metal tonight with Onmyouza. Onmyouza's music is just drenched in Onmyodo, a type of Japanese occultism that blends natural science and the supernatural. In fact, Onmyouza's name literally means "a band in Onmyodo". I don't know if Onmyouza's members believe in this stuff, but they certainly play it for great effect in their videos and live shows. I absolutely love that use of traditional Japanese costumes and imagery juxtaposed with the brutal modernism of electric guitars, basses amps and drums. In any event, not exactly musically original, but what a show!

Set List: Akki Hogan, Beat Motion (Live), Kusa Ni Murakumo Haana Ni Kaze, Youkaninponchou, Nemuri