Even creepier at night

I'd shiver if it weren't so damn hot outside. Oh, and if you're wondering where this is, it's the valley with Glendale to the fore-right. The fire's closer to Burbank on the left.

Right out my front door

Fire, people. There's fire. Look close and you can see flames. Los Angeles now smells like a giant woodburning stove as opposed to a giant sweaty butthole like every other day of the year. Click on a pic, friend.

If you want to do something nice for me...

...then you should know that buying me this watch will suffice. Oh, and remember that the price is in pounds so convert your currency accordingly.

My new favorite label I've never heard of

Wow, these people really have their shit together. Great bands, great website and just a great name in general-- Asaurus Records. Check it, yo. Download some free mp3's while you're at it. I recommend Elliot the Letter Ostrich's "I Want To Love You But I'm Too Busy Fighting These Nebulous Bees". Yeah, I hear you, man. Bees sure do suck.

Kubrick In Pink

And by pink, I mean gay. This makes me feel all uneasy inside when I watch it. This thing touched me where my bathing suit covers. Well, figuratively of course. Who's bloody responsible for this?!

Cake before dinner.

Destroyer tonight!!! Before the New Pornographers!! This is definately a case where I'm more into the opening band than the headliner. I best hear some Streethawk: A Seduction action ce soir.

Jeeze, this happens at work all the time

It's nice to see the mouse isn't the only company that draws real blood at meetings. Er, I mean ideas. We draw real ideas. Watch this, fool. Always an instant classic when there's glass smashed over some dishonorable sucka's head. Mortal Kombat!!!!!!!

New Deerhoof On iTunes

Okay, so this came 2 weeks early. Their new album, "The Runners Four" is now up for download only. I'm shocked this hasn't created bigger waves in the internet-music-sphere-- or any waves at all for that matter. Weird. Whatever. Just buy this album. It's quite possibly one of the best records this year. Try this on for size!! (mp3 from Stereogum)

Hush Puppies

I can't really talk too much about it but I'm handling some really drool-worthy things at work. This anomaly has got me all into what I do again, which in case you forgot, is usually shovelling shit. More later.

One of my parents' cats recently had a litter of four kittens and only one survived. I'm not a cat person at all (we already have 2 bitchy dogs) but after seeing the photos I've really been considering flying back east to claim this adorable kitty before someone else does. Its mother is hands down one of the most interesting looking specimens I've ever seen, especially in the gray tabby type. She's got the long face of an Egyptian pharaoh's cat with bright green eyes and a sleek body. Instead of a bunch of little stripes on her back, she has these wide meandering lines that comtinue all the way to the tip of her tail. Gorgeous.

And so it begins...

Pitchfork fired the proverbial indie rock gun into the air today by reviewing Wolf Parade's "Apologies to the Queen Mary" and bestowing it with both a 9.2 rating and the stamp of "Best New Music" label. I can almost hear the way-too-cool-for-school population going into a manic frenzy, racing to get their hands on this album (meanwhile maintianing a facade of calm and collectiveness- lack of cred will kill you, man). Remember the Arcade Fire? It's an explosion like that. And I can safely say that it's worth every ounce of hype. These guys are golden.

FFF

Despite what I was hoping, the Found Footage Festival last night was a re-hash of all the stuff I've already seen on their DVD's. None the less, the guys that put it on were totally entertaining and bolstered each clip by commenting and doing their own awkwardly funny interstitials. Unfortunately, going to the M Bar really made me miss the Comedy Death Ray shows that used to take place there. Boo to that.

You should definately check out the Found Footage Fest's website. Maybe order a DVD or two, I don't know. But I will warn you that you'll get yer booty hooked.



Anyone check out The Shining at the Hollywood Infinity?

So it's full break-neck speed ahead on my storyboards for the next couple weeks. No new comics will see the light of day until we return from Tokyo towards the end of October. Please feast your eyes on what magic is already floating around The High and Low. Well, maybe it's not magic per se but there sure are a lot of amateur doodles! Okay, I'll stop now. But yay for Tokyo!!

Who? Where?

Ok, so goings on and such. This Saturday is a bit screwy because there's two enormously cool things going on simultaneously. The M Bar is hosting the highly anticipated "Found Footage Festival". Our friend Eric from Film Threat has us hooked on that that series like peanut butter coated crack. Been waiting a long time for the new stuff that drops on Saturday night (the time we have tix, of course). On the other hand, there's the last Cinespia event this summer at the Hollywood Cemetery ( the one where they project the movie on the side of a mosoleum and you sit in the graveyard with beer). And what are they showing but THE SHINING!! Either way, we can't lose but I'm thinking of building a cloning device which will enable me to enjoy both. Hmmm.

There you have it, paperrad

Click here for the site. And hey, why don't you download a track while you're at it too, mister? Sweet Ninten-tunes and 8-bit butter for sore ears. Mmmm butter.

Book Nerd

Some artsy books worth mentioning:

Kramer's Ergot 5 by Sammy Harkham
This is a beautifully bound large paperback full of comics from various indie artists-- quite frankly, the best around. Incredible collection and soon to be out of print, I'm sure. Good luck finding #4.



The Stanley Kubrick Archives ed by Alison Castle
This one kind of goes without saying. Absolutely thorough visual archive categorized with tabs just like the way Kubrick used to obsessively organize his own documents. Don't gawk at the $200 price tag-- it's worth every penny.

Everybody Needs A Tinpo!

I love these things. I bought a few at the UnklBrand booth at ComiCon this year and want the rest of the set. They come with little capsules that have a part of a "mini pet" in them. If you get the whole set, you can create 2 pets. Adorable.

Thunder!

Oh sweet bloody heavens it's fucking gorgeous outside today. Thunderstorms kept me up all night but I didn't mind at all. Talk about comfort food for the otherwise blackened soul. Been having some pangs of Autumn homesicky-sick lately so this is a great switch in the skies for southern California.

Speaking of beautiful noises-- Orphaned Philadelphia gypsy troublemakers, Man Man have finished their second album. It will be due out on Ace Fu Records in February 2006.

So, Arrested Development, huh? It's well Mexico! Just waiting on another season of Nathan Barley and all will be right in the world. 15-Peter-20 better have a part though.

Don't Forget

Tonight is the night, kids! Don't forget to set your TiVo's or VCR's or actually just make time to watch it--- The 3rd Season of Arrested Development starts tonight!

Thumbsucker

This one was a very pleasant suprise. I totally fell in love with the lead character, Justin Cobb (played by Lou Taylor Pucci) as he grows up and partially overcomes the awkwardness of being a teenager. He nailed it. The cinematography was candy for my eyes and the color schemes kinda threw me into my own bout of nostalgia (for home). Very whimsical, not stressful or laden with heavy consequences and is thoroughly entertaining. I highly recommend this movie.



I spent way too much money this weekend. Stupid stupid. Ugh. I have to get back to silently weeping over my unfinished storyboard panels while I wait for my design books from Amazon to arrive. And to answer the question I'm sure you all have burning in your pure, virginal minds--- no, there will not be a comic this week.

Live Goodness

Don't say I've never given you anything! Click here for some live Wolf Parade action. (Thanks Cory)

Another note to self:

Art Brut @ Spaceland on 11/17/2005 AND @ the Echo 11/18/2005.

Ahoy hoy. I think the movie making peoples abandoned Burbank for the Bahamas to do on location shooting for the sequel to (you may have heard of the first one) Pirates of the Caribbean. It's really quiet here now. No Jonny Depp, no Orlando, no other random crew folk that aren't worth mentioning. But I digress. Haha, it was always a party when Lindsey Lohan was around shooting Herbie. Good times. Well, depends on what you'd consider a "good time". She always had an entourage of 4 very young girls who looked like they got brand new boob jobs for their bat mitzvah's. They would never talk to me. It made me sad. All I ever wanted was to hang out. Maybe it had something to do with the fact that I followed them everywhere. Oh yeah, and I would whisper ever so gently, "Lindsey, you're so pretty, so hot" anytime I got close enough for her to hear. Which was often until I was issued a restraining order from the security office... but anyhooo. **

I have aslo been privy to the fact that they've been shooting Alias all over the lot and in my building too. Jennifer Garner is very pregnant but it looks like they're keeping her sufficiently busy and effectively away from that douchebag, I mean, very nice man, Ben Affleck.

** Read with tongue planted firmly in cheek

One more

Here's another (very useful) constantly updated entertainment gossip/ news rag: Oh No They Didn't!

And now back to purging my office of old tapes and scripts. Fun.

Note to self:

American Analog Set @ the Knitting Factory - 11/1/2005

So, You Like Stuff?

Because I sure do. Let's be friends. Good friends. Oh wait. I'm just kidding myself that you'd want to talk to me. Oh, and would you look at this? I'm typing! This is a blog. It's one sided. Sorry for the confusion. Click here for a lame story about blogs. You could at least humor me just this once.

One more month

...until super-happy-fun-time-hyper-party-fun-fun-happy-happy Tokyo!

Uh-oh, work calls. This blog will have to wait.

Lights Out

I guess unless you've been living quietly under a rock today, you've most likely heard about the 2 hour long power outage affecting most of LA. We just stood around on the movie lot outside our building since they evacuated it for some bizarre reason. There's nothing like watching a bunch of office-types whip out their HBO-survival knowledge in times not-so-dire. People freak out when shit like this happens. Then, as quickly as it went off, the power flicked back on and here I am back at my desk at work typing this blog to you. The best part is why the electricity went out in the first place... Click here. D'oh!

Rescued

Now this is the kind of news I like to read... Click here.

I usually never ask for this sort of thing but please donate to the ASPCA to help the animals abandoned by the storm! Click here.

New Comic

Please visit the Weekly section of The High and Low for a new comic called, "Cross The Line". Kusai gets edgy. Wooooo.



That's all for now. Ugh. Got work tomorrow. Not looking forward to dealing with the peoples on the movie lot.

Hooligans

Actually, us wankers re-named it Green Street Hooligans. Why? I don't really feel like expelling the energy to rant about what I think. So I don't know. The movie itself was okay. Had some moderately entertaining moments such as the only time we see them at a football match. The Brit boys were great, especially the bit part played by the guy from Shaun of the Dead appliance store who gives Shaun shit for the phone call from Liz. I think his name is Rafe Spall.

Anyhooo... Elijah Wood made the overall male camaraderie element reek a little homo. Sorry, I kept wanting him to yell "Sam!". What? Outside of that, this movie falls victim to the inevitable and totally predictable plot. Though if you like to watch pasty (but insanely cute) lads fight with bricks and no consequences (I guess that's because it's movie magic), then go see this movie. Not enough FOOTBALL!!!!

Jon Brion

I've been researching some songwriters for new main titles at work and have completely fallen in love with the work of Jon Brion. The Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and I Heart Huckabees soundtracks have been on constant rotation in iTunes the past few days. It's not that I didn't know who he was or wasn't familiar with his body of work, I simply never listened to it out of the context of the films it accompanies. Great stuff. We managed to find his album called "Meaningless" and I definately recommend it. He also most notably collaborated with Kanye West on his new album and the early parts of Fiona Apple's overdue album, "Extraordinary Machine".


(image from ign.com)

No White Christmas

Ugh. Looks like the skyrocketing prices of flights over the holidays is going to keep me from being with my family yet again this year. This is so depressing. Christmas in California. Lame.

I am stoked that it's overcast and a bit chilly outside today. I live for this kind of weather. Put on some Nick Drake and Kings of Convenience and you have yourself a perfect melancholy wonderland.

Happy Birthday Steve!

My former boss and good friend, have a great birthday! Here's to another year of finding great music...

Well son of a-

Okay Apple, you win. I will sign my entire weekly paycheck over to your empire. I do not need to eat. I simply need your smaller and infinately fascinating computer products. Grrrr. Check this new addition out. Oh Nano! This Island Earth can be yours for the small price of $249 (for the 4GB). And it comes in black. Classy.


(image courtesy of apple.com)

The Exorcism of Emily Rose

It was not as golden as the trailer led me to believe. We patronized the Arclight last night for its AFI Director's Pre-Screening of this movie (I almost typed "film", whoops) and I left with a headache. Granted, the few times we actually see Emily Rose in her possessed state are thoroughly terrifying. Sure. Though after I let it sink into my skull overnight, the overall "made-for-TV-movie" feel doesn't let the aforementioned horror elements breathe nearly enough. The whole story is actually centered around the investigation of Emily's death at the hands of the priest in charge of the exorcism and takes place some time after the event. Too much Laura Linney, not enough demons and Emily Rose. It's not that I really wanted to know Emily as a character but just seeing more of her possession would have sufficed for sheer entertainment value. Man, the girl they cast as Emily was a visual freakshow. She certainly had the part down pat-- demonic, contorted poses and all. I wouldn't suggest that you stay away from this movie but if you're curious and must see it for horror's sake, just go in with the info I armed you with.



My web server is having problems which means nothing to anyone else but me because I can't check my highandlow email. I never realized how annoyed a problem this trivial would make me. Oh well. Baby steps. Baby steps.

Gouge Away

Ticketmaster sure has a stranglehold on the live music world. Even the semi-indies can't escape. I just bought 2 tickets for the New Pornographers show at the Henry Fonda at what started out as $16 a pop. Guess what the grand total came to? $52. Sheesh.

In Touring News

A few bands worth noting are going on tour this fall. Coming to LA:

Fiery Furnaces - 9/29/2005 @ the Troubadour
**The New Pronographers - 9/29/2005 @ The Henry Fonda
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - 10/7/2005 @ The Troubadour
Architecture In Helsinki - 10/16/2005 @ The Troubadour ( Wish I could go-- I'll be in Japan)
The Shout Out Louds - 11/18/2005 @ The Troubadour
**Deerhoof 11/22 & 11/23 2005 @ The Echo
The Wrens - 12/3/2005 @ The Troubadour

My 216th post

Wooo! I can't contain my excitement. Look at me. I'm reeling with joy. Actually, I think I'm more excited about the fact that I have the day off. Go Labour Day!

We went to the Echo Saturday night to watch what musical stylings The Juan Maclean had to offer. Aside from waiting an eternity to get into the show, it was pretty damn good. I was completely mesmerized by the drummer the entire time, not because he was hot (and he certainly was not) but because he was an all out disco metronome robot with no slip-ups between the acoustic kit and the analog drum/synth pad he had. I always like to see how people pull off "Daft Punk-esque" music in a live setting and these lads had it down. It was definately a more enjoyable time as opposed to the last time I was there witnessing the live birth of the 'Corn Gangg. Ugh. Sorry to bring that up again.

I've been storybarding the Kusai & Ben short this weekend so there may be a delay in the delivery of a new Weekly comic for you all to not read. There you have it.

Oh yeah, and to ease my own self-induced guilt about my previous comments on the hurricane shit, I've donated some money to the Red Cross relief efforts. I'm definately a hater but a hater with at least a little bit of a heart that responds to its own deep seeded Catholic guilt.

3 down...

I just got back from my 3rd tattoo zapping procedure. This time it really fucking hurt. I think they turned up the juice on the laser machine or had it re-calibrated or something. I'm okay now though. I decided to focus the remaining "zappings" that I already paid for on just the one tattoo of Grendel (the comic book character) on my left arm.

Just sold some records on eBay for some extra loot to cover the stupid amount of money I've spent on other new/old guitars. Damn, the kids love their Death Cab For Cutie. 2 of their older out-of-print LP's just went for $71. So did all my old Pearl Jam Lp's. Good riddance to those embarassing relics. Good riddance to my tattoo.

Mug Shots

After I got back from picking up my new/old bass guitar in weirdville outside of LA last night, I had to "pretty" myself up and say cheese for some last minute head shots. These were by no means professional and could be considered borderline novice-amateur but I think they turned out okay. And believe me, I absolutely loathe looking at myself in pictures. Oy vey. I'd rather scratch myself raw with dull blades, pour lemon juice on the open sores and proceed that with a team of fire ants. Yeah, it's like that. These were oddly okay though and didn't invoke a gag reflex upon first viewing.

Here'e one (gulp) now:

People are just plain lazy...

...and they LOVE to be victims. Now I know the whole situation is FUCKED beyond any and all reason but read this little tid-bit of "I friggin' told you so".

Ugh. I don't think I'm in the mood right now to be tactful let alone respectful. So I'll not speak of this subject anymore.

The dead will walk the Earth!

So call me a total asshole and a terrible human being but everytime there's a crappy disaster- be it natural or derived of man- I am always ready for the dead to rise and walk the Earth. Especially since this whole hurricane thing has flattened the already shitty south. The rage virus is out there man, I'm telling you and it will be released into the air down there, what with all the dead bodies floating around already. If you're offended by my awful paranoia, please start this blog entry over and read my mini disclaimer in the first sentence. But just look at this photo! It's clearly zombies surrounding the Superdome!


(image from cnn.com)