The Days of Lore

Not OK Computer: A TDoL Joint

Wednesday, May 5th, 2010 | fliX, musiX | No Comments

Larry fell on his radiohead again.

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Tags: A TDoL Joint, Fitter Happier, Not OK Computer, Radiohead

Xtranormal Presents: A TDoL Joint

Monday, April 19th, 2010 | fliX, musiX | 1 Comment

I’m no filmmaker, nor have I ever aspired to be one. But since discovering Xtranormal last week, I’ve made three animated shorts.

Xtranormal is a not-so-new [AP Style update alert!] website that claims “If you can type, you can make movies.” I can type. Barely. And that is really all it takes … perhaps a little wit and some camera-savvy helps. Not only can you create dialogue, but you can choose your scenes and angles, add music, sound-effects, choose your actors, which language they speak, and so on. It’s good fun … and a great time sucker, which I know we could all use.

So far it’s sucked about 30 minutes out of my life, give or take. Hipster Hoo Haw (above) is my second … I know, I hope they get better, too. I have a couple others floating out there in the ether: Bacon, You Idiot (my directorial debut) and Clowns Are For Kids, both of which are fast becoming Internet (still capitalized per AP Style?) sensations.

The plan is to keep making semi-regular shorts here at The Days of Lore that are topical, musical and, of course, radical. You’ve all been warned.

Tags: A TDoL Joint, Bacon You Idiot, Clowns Are For Kids, Hipster Hoo Haw, Xtranormal

It might, possibly, perhaps get loud(ish)

Thursday, February 25th, 2010 | fliX, musiX | 9 Comments

I recently watched Davis Guggenheim’s It Might Get Loud, the documentary that takes a gander at the electric guitar by way of the calloused fingers of David Evans, James Page and John Gillis. Yeah, I’ve never heard of ‘em, either.

And I really liked it (save for maybe the trio’s flimsy rendition of The Band’s “The Weight” at the end)—especially the backstories of Jimmy Page and The Edge (Page’s early days as a young virtuoso skiffle player, and The Edge barely knowing what to do with that old Explorer). Seeing/hearing that old footage again of U2 before the members had probably ever touched razors to their faces was fun. And the smile on the (then) 64-year-old Page’s face as he played air-guitar to a crackly 45 of Link Wray’s “Rumble” was pure gold.

When I first heard about the film—and who was being featured—my immediate thought was, “Jack White?” Don’t get me wrong, I love White’s Detroit punk and R&B background (especially his love of Son House and cheap Montgomery Ward guitars), and I’m probably more in tune with his philosophy on music than I am his elders in the movie. BUT (there’s always a but) while Page and The Edge define styles that can’t be duplicated, White is more of an encyclopedia of blues licks with a stomp box.

That said, I found his thread in the movie the most interesting. He’s definitely the most charismatic of the three … I mean he had a younger version of himself following him around fer chrissakes. And in all honesty, when asked by Poor Old Dirt Farmer, I was unable to come up with another guitarist that could replace him (at least one that I could stomach).

Of course, it could also be argued that Page and The Edge could have been replaced—hell, it would probably be easier. Townshend? Clapton? Johnny Marr? Eddie Van Halen? So, let me ask you this: If you could remake It Might Get Loud, who would you feature in the film?

Post your ideas in the comments section, along with a full script (just kidding). Keep in mind this is about the electric guitar and that each guitarist represents a different era. This is not a test, although you will receive bonus points for not choosing Yngwie Malmsteen.

Tags: Davis Guggenheim, It Might Get Loud, Jack White, Jimmy Page, Led Zeppelin, Son House, The Edge, U2, White Stripes

Zack Attack and The Roots?!

Tuesday, June 9th, 2009 | fliX, musiX | 5 Comments

I was a huge fan of Zack Attack in high school. The way Zack Morris, Kelly Kapowski and Lisa Turtle’s harmonies blended together gave me chills. When they broke up, so did a part of my left ventricle.

I was more than excited when Morris appeared on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon the other night. He talked about the old days, his new career in acting, his divorce from Kapowski. Morris even timed Fallon out (which I enjoyed quite a bit) and capped the appearance with a performance of Zack Attack’s hit “Friends Forever” with The Roots.

Fallon is working on a class reunion of sorts for our old pals from Bayside High—the only two holdouts are Kapowski and Screech. Who would have thought Screech would be the most successful one of the group, with his work as a stand-up comedian, film actor (Saved By the Smell is a must-see) and as a musician? Might be tough to nab him.

Tags: Jimmy Fallon, Kelly Kapowski, Saved By the Bell, Screech, Zack Attack, Zack Morris

Black Friday: Anvil … almost famous. Again.

Friday, May 22nd, 2009 | fliX, musiX, pdX | 6 Comments

Steve “Lips” Kudlow is an optimistic guy. This despite his band Anvil being handed the proverbial shit sandwich, while their metal contemporaries—bands like Scorpions, Bon Jovi, Whitesnake—went on to sell millions of records worldwide. Life ain’t fair, I tell you.

Anvil made its name in the early ’80s with its definitive album Metal On Metal, while the band toured all over wearing fetish gear and playing their guitars with vibrators. So why was Anvil left in the dust? “Sometimes life deals you a tough deck,” says Slash, one of a handful of metalheads (including Slayer’s Tom Araya) who gives the Canadian band its props in the opening sequence of Anvil! The Story of Anvil.

Kudlow and his partner in crime Robb Reiner have been working day jobs (like most musicians) while keeping Anvil going … and by going I mean quietly releasing records and playing to drunken lunkheads at Ontario dive bars. The band soon finds itself in Europe after a fan books them a tour. What follows is a series of mishaps that brings to mind … well, This Is Spinal Tap. The members of Anvil get lost in Prague, stiffed money from a venue (also in Prague), and play a 10,000-seat arena to only a couple hundred diehards. And even then, Kudlow offers: “Things went drastically wrong, but at least there was a tour for it to go wrong on.”

Director Sacha Gervasi (who was a roadie with the band back in the day) walks a fine line between spoofery and heartfelt docudrama—early on. As the reel winds down, and we get to know these likable (lovable?) headbangers, Anvil! reveals itself as the latter. They’re just a couple of guys with big dreams like everyone else. They have loving families. Above all else—we see that playing music makes them truly happy, famous or not.

I overheard someone say after the movie that they wanted to buy Anvil’s album just to show support for Kudlow and Reiner. If Anvil! The Story of Anvil affected everybody who came out of the theater that way, I could see it being a big year for the band … then again Anvil’s forthcoming album has the ridiculous title Juggernaut of Justice. Which explains a lot.

Photo by Brent J. Craig

Tags: Anvil, Anvil! The Story of Anvil, Juggernaut of Justice, Metal On Metal, Robb Reiner, Spinal Tap, Steve "Lips" Kudlow

Black Friday! Anvil! The Story of Anvil! Greatest rock doc ever?! We shall see!

Friday, February 20th, 2009 | fliX, musiX | No Comments

Canadian metal band Anvil got its start in the early-’70s when guitarist Steve “Lips” Kudlow and Robb Reiner decided they were going to play metal. Forever! Well, it’s been forever, and Anvil is more popular now than they were during their days playing stadiums with Scorpions and Bon Jovi in the ’80s. You’ve never heard of Anvil, have you?

Well, Anvil released a number of records including the classics Hard ‘N’ Heavy, Metal On Metal and Strength of Steel. Still nothing? That’s sort of the basis for Anvil! The Story of Anvil, a film that follows the band in their eternal quest to make it as the “demigods of Canadian metal.” There was a time when Anvil was being touted as the next Metallica. Everyone knows how that turned out.

Director Sacha Gervasi’s film debuted at Sundance last year and has received lots of press—some see it as an emotional triumph of following your dreams; others as sad and ludicrous as This is Spinal Tap. It’s probably a little of both, a story that’s been played out a million times … I say why not let it be the gents in Anvil who find that elusive success by telling their tale? Anvil! The Story of Anvil will show in select U.S. theaters in April, including in Portland at Cinema 21 on April 24.

Trailer for Anvil! The Story of Anvil

Tags: Anvil, Anvil! The Story of Anvil, Black Friday, Robb Reiner, Sacha Gervasi, Steve "Lips" Kudlow

Black Friday: Lemmy have it

Friday, December 12th, 2008 | fliX, musiX | No Comments

It all started with The Rainmakers and The Motown Sect in the early ’60s. Then The Rockin’ Vickers and Sam Gopal. Following the breadcrumbs? Opal Butterfly, Hawkwind …

Ian “Lemmy” Kilmister has been living the rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle for 40 years. With the exception of Hawkwind, the only band that really matters, of course, is Motörhead. In junior high I borrowed a cassette of Orgasmatron from a friend … and I think I literally pooped my pants … I just did it again typing the word “Orgasmatron.” The band’s self-titled 1977 debut and 1980’s Ace of Spades are where it’s at, and it goes without saying that Motörhead has influenced everyone … except God, because, well, you know …

And when I say Lemmy lives the rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle, he LIVES it. Rumor has it he’s bedded down some 2,000 women, and I think his idea of a midnight snack is a fifth of Jack and a pack of Marlboros. Well, all of the rumors and stories are going to be exposed in all their gory detail in next year’s Lemmy: The Movie. That’s Lemmy: The Movie. See for yourself. I just want to know how C.C. DeVille got in there.

Trailer for Lemmy: The Movie

Tags: Ace of Spades, C.C. DeVille, Hawkwind, Lemmy, Lemmy: The Movie, Motörhead, Orgasmatron