Halloween Hoo-doo

Things that might be happening around for Halloween:
-Engadget.com is giving away some iPod nanos for the best gadget based costume!
-The U of L New Media Department is having a New Media Mixer Today! If you are from Lethbridge, come on down and check out my sweet cowboy costume.
Halloween.com is getting all horny for their favourite time of year.
Jack Thompson Has gone bat-shit fucking insane, for Halloween.

Happy times.

+oy pIano

I just finished a mix and I'd like to present you all with it here:
+oy pIano

For Hi-rez cover

The tracks are as follows:

Make Love - Daft Punk
Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels) - Arcade Fire
High School Lover - Air
Surface to Air - The Chemical Brothers
In the Darkest places - Burt Bacharach and Elvis Costello
Motherfucker=Redeemer - God Speed! You Black Emporer

It's short and it gets to the point quickly with a crescendo that ends almost too abruptly, then turns in to a room filling ambient comedown. I like it, I hope you will too.

I understand this may be hard for you

However, my absence from blogging isn't a big deal at all.

I saw Atrophy Manuscript (again) and Nikola Tesla at Trio's Bar and Grill (just like Bend Sinister). AM did a pretty good job as always, then the drummer (steve) touched my bum area. Nikola Tesla is a hardcore band from the Calgary area (that is based on Atrophy Manuscript's Myspace profile) and they were pretty good if you like hardcore.

This post is almost terrible, when I am feeling more writerly, I will get back to you guys.

:) My Bananatree

Jack Thompson: Insane

The mighty lawyer responsible for the controversy around the "Hot Coffee" mod for GTA: San Andreas, has broken down to name calling and petty legal threats. Sending unsolicited emails to webcomic artists just to start a fight. Trying to add ammunition for his media war? "Penny Arcade said this" "VG Cats said that", he is actually calling these people and egging them in to a fight. Gabe from Penny Arcade organized a fundraiser that actually raised a half a MILLION dollars for children's hospitals in two years. All gamers are violent ass holes? Look at me, student council president senior year, volunteer, member of the community. This guy is targeting normal members of society, branding them as freaks, then yelling at them with weak legal threats.

VG Cats

And Penny Arcade:
Comic
The story

After nothing but a sassy e-mail, this guy lashes out. He can't take a joke, or let an e-mail roll off of his back.

He does have one point that does make sense: Kids should not play violent video games. It's that fucking simple. That being said, M rated games should not be played by children under 17 without some parental consideration. I've personally played all of the GTA games, except the San Andreas, and I started around age 14 or 15. This wasn't optimal for my development, but by that time I realized the difference between right and wrong. I am pretty smart, and not bat-shit insane, so I realized that I shouldn't kill people.

OK, so let us recap. Jack Thompson is making a huge deal out of nothing that a little common sense can't fix. Associating people who play video games with murderers (like my mom, who loves tetris), and harassing those who choose to question his action in a humorous manner.

My suggestion to remedy this problem. Write letters to people of importance and tell them you do not support the actions of Jack Thompson. Also support Penny Arcade! they just donated Ten Thousand dollars to the ESA foundation. What nice guys eh? And now they are apparently going to be charged with criminal harassment. Front Page

Butt Load

The new Broken Social Scene is butt load of awesome. Probably one of the better things I have listened to lately. I've listened to the whole thing a few times, in different states of listening, passively and actively and I can say I really enjoy it on both levels.

combining a lot of what they did on "Feel good Lost" and "You Forgot it in people". Tight pop, obscure sound collage, and general good times. While it doesn't have a stunning focal point like "Cause = Time" from "You Forgot it in People", the whole album makes up for this fact, with solid tracks throughout. If you liked Broken Social Scene's previous attempts, then you will enjoy this one. If you haven't heard anything from them yet, you might want to check them out on a legal downloading service first

In other news:
This Friday: Cuff the Duke The Tounge n' Groove
The Doers, feat. Sabertooth Tigers October 28th
Michael Bernard at the Tounge n' Groove Nov 1st

4 Dollars can buy a beer

Well, douche-baggery has spoken, and they have won.

CKXU's referendum to raise our student levy by 4 dollars per semester has been defeated. There will be another few years of bringing Lethbridge independent and local music with the meager funds that we have.

I half expected this, it's sad to say it, but I had some faith in humanity, and it failed me a little. One more notch in the belt of apathy and the main stream stepping on us. 4 dollars to spend on your community per semester is apparently too much to ask. Even though you really cannot put a dollar amount on what CKXU does for the community. I guess enough people did the math: 4 1 dollar hi-balls, 8 50 cent hi-balls (for later in the year) or at least a beer (maybe 2 if they are cheap, 4 if they are almost undrinkable)

Should I be surprised? The same people that are buying 8 drinks with their referendum money, don't really listen to community oriented music. The clubs are filled with the same few songs looped by someone claiming to be a DJ. Cropping the top 40 for addictive beats, and ass grinding bass lines, slowly washing over your ears, as you go deaf from the loudness.

Is that music? Some would say no, I kind of agree with them, but it is music. However it is only one small part of music, and CKXU is trying to fill the rest in, the gaps where Top 40 radio/clubs turn a blind eye. An eye that won't see what won't make money. I guess it makes sense though, since money is the only thing that is going to buy you alcohol.

Pod

The new and improved iPod just dropped, not a Video iPod as stipulated, but an iPod that plays video instead... Smaller, longer and lighter, that is the new iPod. Playing video should prove very interesting for the way we watch movies and television. Episodes of "Lost" and "Desperate Housewives" (plus a few others) can be purchased for 1.99 dollars USD, music videos can also be purchased for the same price.

Will this affect the way we watch TV, the same way the iPod apparently changed the way we listen to music? Could homebrew videocasting take off like podcasting has done already? Will the underground get a new digital leg up in it's war on the lame-ducks of corporate media? Did porn just get a new outlet?

The new Broken Social Scene album is delightful to saw the least. Shit, it's a BSS album, so right there it has quality. I've only listened to the first 8 tracks and that was in a hazy state of sleep, so I will put off making any REAL judgments till later. I'm also probably going to see another band tonight, once I get a new digital camera I'll be hitting these up and taking more pictures. With the lack of anything to blog about lately, music is my only real outlet. Pictures, recordings, interviews maybe? This IS Life By Stereo... not Jaron's Stupid Life By Stereo......

Musical Theatre

So I saw Bend Sinister like I said, I was going to post about it earlier, however I got distracted with some random things and didn't get around to it. Bend Sinister really rocked the house down with their great combination of rock and prog. The Sabertooth Tigers did a really good job as well, using a tested and true formula of noise rock, and 80's covers. Devo and the Cure would've been proud, as The Sabertooth Tigers not only did the songs justice, but they added their own twist to make the songs as noisey as possible.

I went home for a few hours on Monday to see my parents and my sister, it was a good time, as we drove up very early in the morning, and came home just at dusk. Regardless of what anyone thinks, driving at dusk is the best, just add some chill music, and maybe some fresh air, and you've got yourself a memory right there.

Speaking of memories, Einars put together another mix that I am excited to hear. It can be found here

Also, two things happen today. First: Arrested Development Season 2 comes out on DVD. This should prove hilarity for a good couple of hours. Second: The new (and Self Titled) Broken Social Scene album comes out today. BSS is one of my favourite bands, and their unique blend of neo-folk pop really got me through some lonely times while I was living alone these past two summers.

That's all I have for now, best regards and all that jazz.
~Bananatree

Mostly Thanks Givings, but some Others as well

I may not be going back to Airdrie for the long weekend that us Canadians call Thanksgiving. Scheduling problems, coupled with me not giving a damn, have created a situation where I am working until 9:30 pm Sunday, and I must do my radioshow on Saturday, so I cannot sneak that in anywhere.

I think I might end up speeding home after I am done work and visit my family for the bulk of the day, plus or minus a few hours. This should be fine for my family, as I haven't been home since early July. For those who don't know me that well, I don't hate my family, I just don't like the City of Airdrie. To be fair, the municiple government isn't half bad (they are doing a lot of good, but waste a lot of money of things like a giant christmas light festival [hypocritical?]), just the general scene is dead to me.

Luckily, I have Thursday off, which is very cool, because if you read this before Thursday night, you can join me at Trio's Pub and Grill. A few bands are playing and the show seems like it could be very cool. Bend Sinister (couldn't google a better link sorry), and a newish local band called (the) "Sabertooth tiger(s)". I completely forget if it is a "The" band, and if it is plural or not. However I am going to make Martine take pictures and we will be there.

Support local music,
Bananatree

The Good Indie

In addition to supporting CKXU, the campus radio station at the university of lethbridge, I am also a member.

Soon a referendum will be held to decide the future of our dear radiostation. The referendum will decide if the student levy should be raised from 3 dollars, to 7 dollars. This isn't a unreasonable fee increase, and will help the station out substationally. If you are able to vote, please do, and please vote yes. For the sake of Lethbridge's only community radiostation.

Regards, bananaananatreeeee

P.s does anyone else notice formatting errors in my site? (misaligned text)