C’mon people . . . even though we don’t vote explicitly for Vice President, it’s important that they know what’s going on in America and around the world. We are voting for the people that picked them to run on the Presidential ticket. Who has shown better judgment in picking a running mate? Which VP knows what is best for America? Who would we be in better hands with if the "unlikely" happened and the VP became President? Joe Biden or Sarah Palin? I think you know the answers.

"Aw shucks, I’ve only been at this for 5 weeks and have no clue as to what the fuck is going on. It’s not fair to be asking me such things and to ask me to promise anything; but vote for McCain-Palin anyway."

 

Palin did not have any back-up to be able to debate these points with Biden.

 

Up yours Sarah Palin, you contemptuous, smug, condescending, clue-bag.
Americans are not buying your pit-bullshit.

     I was out at "The A" to watch the Yankees against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (yeah, a ridiculous name) this past Monday night. It was my last hurrah for 2008 to root for my beloved Yanks. Things started off well with the Bronx Bombers taking a 1-0 lead in the first inning. But with the rare siting of 2004 signing disaster Carl Pavano on the mound, my confidence for that lead to hold was minimal. The Angels ended up taking batting practice on Yankee "pitching," launching several home runs and beating NY 12-1. Awful. Truly awful. The only real excitement came when twinkle-toed center fielder Torii Hunter overreacted to being tagged by Yankee catcher Ivan Rodriguez and started a brawl. Benches cleared and both teams’ bullpens ran in to join the action. Hey Joba, chill out. We don’t need you getting hurt over some macho bull schiess in a meaningless game.
     Oh well, this season is toast. No playoffs for the first time since I was a junior in high school. No big deal. I still love ya Yanks. 2009 will be our year for sure.

     Trans Am opened up for Polvo this past Labor Day weekend at the Echoplex in Echo Park. It was the second show since Polvo reunited after a ten year hiatus.
     A week before the show I randomly went to Trans Am’s myspace page and learned of the tour. I thought I was seeing things. Trans Am opening for Polvo? The only other time I saw Polvo was back in 1998 at Tramps in NYC, and Trans Am opened up! That was the first time I ever heard of Trans Am, and thank god for that.
     Fast forward 10+ years to Los Angeles at the Echoplex. Trans Am put forth their usual tight, mind-blowing, grade A performance. They’re always fresh and powerful, crisp and colorful. TA remains in my top 5 bands to see live. Phil, Nate and Seb comprise this forceful trio, each with their own unique personality and musical traits contributing to the aural flavor. Phil even helped me pick out a Trans Am t-shirt after the show.
     Polvo followed and the anticipation was high. I really couldn’t believe it was them until they took the stage. Yes, it was them, with their signature guitar conversations and complicated progressions. However, in my opinion, they were somewhat understandably rusty. Polvo’s eloquent complexities and organized chaos seldom resembled that of the ‘98 Tramps show. Their detailed and precise guitar duo often broadcasted mushy and muffled over the Echoplex’s sound system (technical difficulties to blame?).
     At the same time, there was no denying the veteran stage presence and raw talent. Visuals alone got me immersed in the experience, from the first notes jammed by Ash Bowie’s leaned back ax delivery. Don’t get me wrong, they certainly had spans of divine musicianship, especially during renditions of Fast Canoe, Feather of Forgiveness and Enemy Insects. But even Polvo recognized it wasn’t their best performance. Before playing the first encore tune, Dave Brylawski inquired to the fans, "you’re going to give us another chance?".
     Whatever . . . bravo Polvo. Thanks for the opportunity to see live what I once thought was lost.

Phil Manley of Trans Am


(L-R) Nate Means, Sebastian Thomson and Phil Manley of Trans Am


(L-R) Ash Bowie, Steve Popson, Brian Quast and Dave Brylawski of Polvo


Ash Bowie of Polvo

     It’s almost lunch time on Tuesday and I’m hungry. I mean really hungry, so hungry that my stomach is growling. The abdominal symphony builds and builds until the floor starts to shake. Then the walls are shaking. Then my whole office is shaking. Wait, that isn’t from my belly; it’s an EARTHQUAKE! After about 10 seconds I stood up and got under a doorway. That’s what you’re supposed to do, right? It continued for another 10 seconds or so. Crazy. You have no control while this is happening. You just have to wait until it’s over or until the walls buckle and the floor caves in. Thankfully the latter didn’t happen. This 5.4 on the Richter Scale quake, epicentered in Chino Hills, wasn’t strong enough to cause such damage. However, it does serve as a wake-up call to a increasingly complacent southern California (myself included).

     About a year and a half ago I came to a horrible realization. It was Super Bowl Sunday, Colts vs Bears, and I was invited to the Stupor Bowl at El Dorado Lanes in Westchester, CA. As I got ready to head to the party, I went to grab my bowling ball and shoes. I found the shoes, but the ball was missing! To this day I have no idea what happened to it. People ask me “how do you lose a bowling ball.” I DON’T KNOW! So, since that day of loss I have been 15 lbs too light.
     To fill this void I navigated the depths of eBay in search of a Columbia Messenger Ti. This past February, a full year after losing the original, I found one that cost more to ship than the bid price. On Friday I finally trekked over to Bach’s Bowling Supply in Torrance, CA to get the ball filled (from the previous owner’s finger holes) and drilled to my specifications (see image below; it’s more complicated than you think). I cannot wait to pick up the ball tomorrow and get rollin’!

My specs.

I’m posting this video from last week with hopes that at least a few more people see it.
The full transcript is here.

     It’s been nearly 20 years since I first saw The Kids in the Hall television show, which quickly became my favorite of all time. Finally, this past weekend, I got a chance to see them live when their “Live As We’ll Ever Be” tour blazed through downtown Los Angeles at the Orpheum Theater. My expectations were high, and this Canadian quintet didn’t disappoint.
     The show opened up with a hilarious video clip (”Rape Kevin”):

     Live sketches from The Kids followed that had me crying and uncontrollably giggling. Highlights included an appearance by Buddy Cole (Scott Thompson). He delivered one of his famous monologues, this time about how Jesus was a homosexual. The Chicken Lady (Mark McKinney) waddled out to have phone sex. Cathie (McCulloch) had a heart-to-heart with Kathie (Thompson) about the new fabulous “meth diet” she’s on. Even Gavin (”this kid at school . . .”) made the stage, bursting with excitement when a couple Jehovah’s Witnesses showed up on his doorstep. David Foley worked his “time machine” at separate points throughout the show to his advantage (like turning back the clock to last call so he could get another beer). Kevin MacDonald serenaded the crowd with a half-written song convincingly “improvised” on the spot.
     But my favorite piece of the night was the Gut Spigot, where McCulloch and McKinney portray traveling salesman giving their infomercial-type pitch for the “Gut Spigot.” The duo strutted boldly around the stage, posing every few seconds in stances of masculinity and contemplation, enthusiastically hawking the miracle of the Gut Spigot to their potential customers. (Click here for the transcript).
     Overall it was a night I will never forget. Witnessing the genius of The Kids in the Hall in person is something every fan should do. The quality of material and execution of their performances are still fresh and vibrant after all these years. The Kids haven’t lost a step or become stale; instead they’re still raising the bar. Hopefully they continue to tour so more people can have the opportunity to experience their talents live like I did.
     The full sketch rundown is available here. Also, more photos of the “Live As We’ll Ever Be” tour are at the Flickr tour photo pool. But before you go there, check out this new clip (”Car Fuckers”) that was unveiled on the tour (presumably to help give The Kids a mid-show break):