HOT DOG DAYZ!!!

a fragile queen

2012-02-09T14:38:00.000-06:00

Grand Rapids, MN, 11/25/11

don't lu$t after other women

2012-02-08T12:27:00.000-06:00

Nashwauk, MN, 11/25/11

Scene Report: Prep Hoops, DeLaSalle vs. Benilde-St.Margaret's

2012-02-07T12:50:00.000-06:00

DeLaSalle vs. Benilde-St. Margaret's, DeLaSalle High School, Mpls, MN, 2/7/12
Against my better judgement, due to a ridiculous hippy-death-cold that I picked up at work, I went back to D for my second time ever (and in a row) tonight to see how the Islanders would match-up against the number one ranked team in 3A in the state, their rivals the Red Knights. Quite well it would turn out, but still just one point shy of winning. It would come down to a last second missed shot by D. I'm too tired to write it all out, so here are my notes verbatim...sorta:

-Packed, hot as shit.
-BSM has candy stripped warm-up pants. Goofy.
-No D band tonight? Prolly to accomodate the large crowd.
-Celebrity sightings: Flip Saunders, Robbinsdale-Cooper's Rashad Vaughn, and Appple Valley's Tyus Jones.
-Washburn Millers in the house too.
-No sign of the Czar...oop, there he is. Not his normal spot though.
-College Sports News Guy, dressed better than last time.
-Barely audible warm-up tunes. All hip-hop instrumentals. No rapping allowed at Catholic schools I guess. Tyler the Creator's "Yonkers" beat is hot though. Wish I could hear it.
-Surprising number of people eating normal food. What constitutes normal? Not concessions. Chipolte, Jimmy John's, Punch Pizza, stuff like that. Weird.
-Diet Coke and peanut M&Ms for me. Every time I pour some in my hands, it's two of the exact same color--first brown, then red, now yellow. This is fucking freaking me out.
-It's like a sauna in here. But I can actually breathe, which is nice, because this ridiculous hippy-death-cold I picked up at work has been killing me.
-There is both a Superman and a Wonder Women in the front row of the D student section.
-My fav sign: Both Teams Are Trying Really Hard. Now that's some good old Catholic sportsmanship right there. Whoa, that's the second time I've written "Catholic" down. Oop, make that three.
-Fav quote of the night: Two 4-5 yr-old boys next to me: "Do you wanna be basketball players when we grow up?" "Yeah, but we both have to play for DeLaSalle because they are a real team."
-2nd fave quote of the night: Same boys: "Let's pretend to be basketball players." "Ok, you be DeLaSalle, and I'll be the bad guys."

There was also a really great basketball game going on, that I watched, and loved; reinforcing that I made the right decision to come out even though I should have been at home sleeping off this ridiculous hippy-death-cold that I picked up at work.

cum feel da riddims

2012-02-06T12:16:00.000-06:00

Do you like poontang pie? AKA-having a good time.

Contact: andersdinero@yahoo.com

Mail Art: Add/Pass, coming in and going out

2012-02-05T12:00:00.000-06:00

Are you into Add/Pass sheets? If so, get in touch: bnb@hotdogdayz.com

Scene Report: First Fridays, Lowertown

2012-02-04T11:07:00.000-06:00

First Fridays, Lowertown St. Paul, MN, 2/3/12
Last night we rolled down to the ever-changing landscape that is Lowertown these days. Never know if you'll find parking, and that if you do, which one of the four or five conflicting posted signs, you should be paying attention to. The neighborhood has been getting a whitewashed (literally) makeover the last couple years. Yep, ye olden gentrification has landed, and in my humble, yet highly respected opinion, it aint pretty. However, two of the TC's most active taggers LUCY and HULOCK have made a sweep through the hood recently, nailing every mailbox, lamppost, and whatever else in sight, so it's got that going for it. The Back Alley Gallery was slow as ever. Clowned around with the homies for a bit; telling stories and pouring down brews. Eventually we mounted up the posse and headed across the street (or rather, the future home of light rail tracks,) to the JAX building to visit our buddy Dave and make the scene at a party. After an hour or so of that, it became clear it was time to leave or I was going to end up ruining my nice-guy-in-real-life persona. My friend, a longtime LT resident, (who will remain nameless, as I believe he likes to keep a low profile,) joined us as we finished the evening throwing back drinks at one of the last bastions of the scallywag days of Lowertown, Kelly's Depot. We talked about many, many things but mostly just old-school pro wrestling. When it was time to head home, we were greeted with a fuck-you letter from the city of St. Paul, in the form of a parking ticket. Guess we picked the wrong sign. Nice.

Lowertown St.Pl, MN, 2/3/12

Scene Report: Prep Hoops, DeLaSalle vs. Blake

2012-02-03T12:38:00.000-06:00

DeLaSalle vs. Blake, DeLaSalle High School, Mpls, MN, 2/2/12

Last night I hoofed it across the Hennepin bridge a few blocks from where I hold down my day job a well-dressed nice guy to make my inaugural visit to home of gym of the Islanders. In all my time here in the TC, I had never previously been inside my father's former high school. I was shocked that I only had to drop a five spot to get in, rather than the seven dollar price tag every other school is asking. Like most schools, the old HDD press pass wasn't getting me anywhere at D either. But at least I saved a couple bucks that could be used on concessions. I grabbed a Snickers, a bag of Fritos, and the old fav, Diet Coke. (My Coke Rewards, bitch!) I quickly found a seat right next to the Czar. Would this be the night that I actually strike up convo with him? Sadly, no. But I did snag a ninja pic. The first thing I notice about the gym is that it's hot as hell and it stinks like sweat. I am immediately taken back in time to my own days as a player at the good old BHS gymnasium. Which reminds me, D beat us in the first round of our first ever run at the State Tourney back in '88. And sure enough, there is the banner hanging over on the wall to prove it. They took it all home that year, while we went on to take the long since abandoned Consolation prize. AKA-seventh place...out of eight. (I wasn't playing on varsity yet, btw. I'm not that old.) I haven't been in a gym early enough to catch the National Anthem in quite a while. Not sure who is responsible, because I can't force myself to look, but it is a horrendous rendition this evening. The match-up tonight is intriguing to me because it's two of the top-ranked teams in 3A in the state. Blake is #4 while D sits right behind them in the middle at #5. A win for either of them would likely move them up. The game starts with back-to-back ball possession violation calls. D goes on a 9-0 run to start the game. The Blake student section have some unique cat-calls they do while D players are at the line. Specifically, they yell the names of different famous female personalities--Toni Braxton! Renee Zellweger! Julia Louis-Dreyfus! Imagine you are standing at the free throw line, and right when you go to release the ball, someone screams "Sarah Jessica Parker!" at you. Funny. I respect that. DeLaSalle, unlike most schools these days, actually has a band that plays at games. And they are very good too. D eventually wins the game by nine points, but not without first seeing a couple monster dunk by Blake's high-scorer Kebu Johnson. D's most impressive player is 6'6" sophomore forward Reid Travis. He blocks shots, rebounds, dunks, and can hit the tre. It will be interesting to see how he developes over the next couple seasons. The teams split wins for the regular season, and I split for Snap Fitness, as I am feeling guilty about all this junk food.

A Few Things I've Learned from the Past 10 Years of Sloppy Immature Relationships

2012-02-02T14:18:00.000-06:00

A Few Things I’ve Learned from the Past 10 Years of Sloppy Immature Relationships

Doug: Don’t date trumpet players. Their egos don’t match up to anything else.
Erik: Don’t date guys from small towns. They grow up to be meth-heads.
David: Don’t date miniature Dave Grohls. Ever. There's a serious chance you'll be exposed to unhealthy amounts of "political punk rock".
Keith: Don’t date guys with kids and serious depression, no matter how good they play guitar.
Trent: Don’t date pill popping park rangers. But alliterate as much as possible.
Roger: Don’t date 43 year old… heroin addicts.… that you met at your court ordered AA meetings…... Shit… that was pretty obvious, wasn’t it?
George: Don’t date actors; they never stop acting. Was that the proper use of a semi-colon?
Thom: Don’t date guys who will never love you as much as you’ve always loved them. That pretty much just makes you a stalker with an agenda.
Chris: Don’t date stoner pastry chefs, they will just make your pants not fit right anymore.

I, Doomy G, am probably the last person you would ever go to for relationship advice. You know this. Unfortunately, many of my close friends still seem to trust my opinion. I’ve even been called “insightful” on more than one occasion. The problem with being a young advice sage is that you never take the advice you give other people. It all makes sense when you are the observer on the outside, but when you’re stuck in the middle of all those DAMN EMOTIONS and your brain refuses to work logically…and well… you just feel dumb. But you’ve all been through this. I assume HDD readers are at least like, 45 by now (neener neener neeeeener!). Your hearts have been broken more than once. Prolly even more than twice, if you aren’t super humans from the future sent here to impregnate fertile women in a plan to eventually take over the Earth. Then again, I kinda like the idea of fertile women with swollen breasts and ample thighs just sliding down a rainbow across the earth and filling the planet with fully functional humans. Yet, I digress. But perhaps I don’t digress. Maybe the future consists of men shooting their loads into the heavens and lusty thick thighed women catch the seeds as they slide down rainbows and repopulate the earth! And then humanity might possibly make sense. Because of like, aliens and shit. Yeah. Fuck. Yeah.

-Doomgoblin
I'm Faster Than My Shadow

Send your stuff to bnb@hotdogdayz.com

HOPE, Infamous Prophet/Hate Monger

2012-02-01T13:46:00.000-06:00

Mpls, MN, Jan-'12

Record Review: Passiv Dödshjälp-Fasader LP

2012-01-31T13:36:00.000-06:00

Passiv Dödshjälp-Fasader (Power It Up)

By Nathan G. O'Brien on Scene Point Blank

I’ll admit it; any band that requires key strokes to properly type their name has a good chance of ending up in my review pile. The reason is two-fold: It stems from my days as a Motley Crüe-worshiping adolescent, and the simple fact that I am a sucker for Scandinavian hardcore. Thus we have here the latest vinyl by Stockholm, Sweden’s double dose of umlaut, Passiv Dödshjälp. Production-wise, Fasader has that familiar big-sound-crust-core feel to it—elements of D-beat, thrash punk, and black metal. ...Read entire review after the jump.

it just keeps cuming, literally

2012-01-30T13:35:00.000-06:00

"It looks worse than it is. It's just a rager."-Anders AKA This Is Some Funny Rap Music

Contact: andersdinero@yahoo.com

discarded

2012-01-29T13:20:00.000-06:00

Mpls, MN, 1/25/12

Scene Report: Prep Hoops, Super 60 Showcase

2012-01-28T10:07:00.000-06:00

Super 60 Showcase, Washburn High School, Mpls, MN, 1/28/12
Walk in late as usual--having missed the entire highly anticipated Prairie Seeds vs. Lakeview Christian match up--just before halftime of Robbinsdale Cooper vs. Mpls South game. Typical. No metal detectors at the door, which is different from the last time I was here. Guess I left my glock in the car for no reason. After snagging a disappointingly small box of popcorn and a Diet Coke, I take a seat a few feet away from a Michigan State scout and pull out my Moleskin. He looks at me like, "Who the fuck are you?" I'm look back like, never you fuckin' mind who I am. Then I realize he's probably looking at me because I'm wearing a BSU Beavers stocking cap the same shade of green as his Spartans gear and I pulled out a note pad, which is probably confusing him. Turns out he's a nice enough guy. He's here to see Cooper's big man Rashad Vaughn. Makes sense--who isn't? State dude says he was at Bloomington Jefferson last night, scouting HDD favorite, Apple Valley's Tyus Jones. He says, "He's just so good, you know." Yeah, no shit Sherlock, is how I want to reply but choose not too. They are playing loud-ass hip-hop over the PA, and that's A-O-fuckin'-K with me. Mostly new popular stuff--Rick Ross, Weezy, Drake--but they do drop in a Run-DMC track. There are no less than three red dodge ball-style dodge balls stuck in the rafters. Probably got there from some kids playing dodge ball or something. The Czar is here. But then again, where isn't the Czar. And how many of those blue polos does he own? (Note to self: see if the Czar would be up for an interview.) So is some dude wearing a really dirty Steven's Sports Report t-shirt. I think it's probably Steven. Another dude, wearing College Basketball News (also very dirty btw) and some old jeans comes over to talk to the State scout. Says he did a story on Tyus as an eighth-grader, in which Tyus claims State was his favorite team. Then tells the scout to say tell Tom Izzo that he says hi. To which, scout guy says, not at all sarcastically, "Yeah, sure thing buddy." I don't know about all of that. I suppose if the guy is indeed a reporter, he's just trying to get some ins. Eh, whatever. The second half of the game is lame. (Rhyme points, ya'll.) Vaughn pretty much takes over and Cooper shuts down South handily.

Next game up is the home team Washburn taking on visiting Totino Grace Eagles from the Fridley-ish/New Brighton-ish area. (Can I get a fact-checker on that?) If I'm not mistaken, Washburn's first warm-up song is the same one Apple Valley uses--Meek Mill's "I'm a Boss", featuring thee bawse Ricky Rozay. The Millers got some new unies since last year. Which is good, because those were the same ones the State Championship team wore in '09, and had that been-washed-and-dried-too-many-times thing going on. Washburn are dunking machines in warm-ups. Nothing much about TG stands out to me, other than that they have some big white fellows. Nothing like the Laveville North monsters, but big nonetheless. One of them has a wacky grown-out faux hawk-esque haircut, which, as normal as they have become, helps this particular fellow stand out a little I guess, but not enough for me to write his name down. (How's that for a sentence?!) Several of the Washburn guys have grown considerably since last season. They are a much better team as a result. There is some great coaching, especially at the one-on-one level, here by former Harlem Globetrotter Reggie Perkins. When reserve forward Noah Scarver loses his cool, Perkins pulls him over to the sidelines and talks him down until Scarver's breathing has evened out and he's nodding yes to everything the coach is saying to him. Great piece of coaching right there! There is a little excitement near the end of the game due to a particularly hard foul and subsequent shit talking. The Miller's Dejon Davis got tangled up with Eagle's large fella Nick Carr. Carr gets hit with the technical foul. Game is over. Millers win after going on an incredible run here at the end. I also had a can of A&W Root Beer and a package of Peanut M&Ms.

No, Thank YOU~!

2012-01-27T12:42:00.000-06:00

What a glorious package arrived today at HDD HQ! A great big box of awesome stuff, courtesy of our our kindred spirits in zinedom, Thank You out of Casper, WY.

Funny thing; PE is one of my favorite rap groups of all time, and Millions my fav albums. Yet, I never had an actual copy of it on cassette. Just a dubbed version from my homie. I still remember listening to that on my Walkman and being blown away by the raw-ass beats. I eventually picked it up on CD in some Columbia House-11-for-a-penny scam that I never paid for, but finally getting a cassette copy of the real deal is on some full-circle ishnit. Haha, yeaaahhhh boooyyy!

Also included was the new issue of a by-product/spin-off of Thank You zine, called Nineteen Ninety Eight. And let me tell you, this is on the ill tip right here. Dude gets really nice with it. Drawings, clippings, findings, etc. I highly recommend both TY and NNE.

Contact info: email and Facebook thankyouzine@yahoo.com

TSK reviewed by Randy Spaghetti

2012-01-26T12:13:00.000-06:00

A fine gentleman named Randy Spaghetti wrote a fair and accurate (and quite honestly, really nice) review of The Soda Killers. Unlike, ahem, MRR, it appears he actually took the time to read it and dissect it thoroughly. And for that, we are eternally grateful. Thanks again Randy!

"The Soda Killers is a lot like the collages contained within, an interesting and eclectic mix of seemingly unrelated stuff that comes together in weird ways and works."

Read whole review here:

http://sddzine.blogspot.com/2012/01/soda-killers-1.html

Then email me at bnb@hotdogdayz.com and ask how you can get one for yourself. Trades are encouraged, B T dubs.

viva la taqueria, thinking about it at least

2012-01-25T00:33:00.000-06:00

Mpls, MN, 1/21/12

Scene Report: Prep Hoops, Apple Valley vs. Lakeville North

2012-01-24T23:31:00.000-06:00

You may be asking yourself, "What's with all the Apple Valley lately?" Well, for a suburb, it's not terribly far from where I live on the South Side of Mpls. I mean, it's a drive, but it you want to see the good metro teams that are not in the city (like DeLaSalle and Washburn for example) you gotta travel. And it's closer than say, Hopkins. But the main reason is a particular sophomore star on the rise. You may have heard of him: first name Tyus, last name Jones. (Go ahead, plug that one into your Twitter.)

Not anywhere near sold out like it was last week when they met cross town rivals and fellow state-ranked team, Eastview, but still, quite a few more folks than when I had been there earlier in the season for a game vs. St. Louis Park. The AV Eagles were ranked third going into tonight's game, and Lakeville North was fourth. So, you get it, right? Big fuckin' game here. And it lived up to the hype. It's no secret they put HGH in the water down in Lakeville, as evidenced by the fact that the Panthers only have two guys under six feet on their team. Two of them--Tyler Flack and Brett Rasmussen--are freaking monsters. Someone might want to administer post-game piss tests on these two, know what I'm sayin'. And it was basically the tale of the tape that won out here. Not for lack of trying, the Eagles were clearly out-muscled tonight. One could make the argument that the refs let a lot of shit go (Jones could have easily doubled his twenty-two points at the line, had they been calling it tighter), but then again, they were letting it go both ways. Ultimately the Panthers took control of things late in the game for a convincing win. (If you want the specifics of the game, you can get that info from much more credible sources.)

Watching Tyus is like reading poetry if poetry was a basketball player and instead of reading it you got to watch it. (Not that I know anything about reading poetry. I just really didn't want to use a cliche like "poetry in motion.") So, ah, I guess you could say it's like poetry in motion. He just barely lost his composure near the end. Perhaps it was a combination of fatigue due to being overpowered physically and the culmination of several missed shots, especially at the rim. Another player on the Eagles that's fun to watch is Dustin Fronk. He's a scrappy slasher--who has an amazing handle on the ball, despite an unorthodox approach--and a relentless work ethic. Not to mention, he puts the ball in the hoop. Lakeville North is fun too. A little less flashy, but entertaining nonetheless. I look forward to seeing more of both these teams as the season rolls on.

Now for the important shit; concessions. Three bucks gets you a hot dog, chips and a can of pop. I went for it of course. Ketchup, mustard, regular Sun Chips, and a Diet Pepsi. You know the diet sodas makes the tube steak and chips ok, right? I managed to escape without eating at some sort of large chain restaurant this time too.

Scene Report: In-Store Breakfast Show, Treehouse Records

2012-01-23T22:52:00.000-06:00

Earlier in the day (before I went to see the Muppets at The Riverview Theater and before we went out to the 'burbs for a hs hoops game) LG and I got up early for coffee, donuts, and live tuneage at the second on installment of Treehouse Records breakfast in-stores. The band was ex-Vampire Hands peeps, Heavy Deeds. Not bad. It was like this: older-ish crowd, chill music, super sugary cake-style donuts (from Cafetto, I believe), and a nice brew (also from Cafetto, I think), in which I put--for the first time in a looong time--soy milk. I miss my soy milk like a mu'fucka. Donuts too. Anywhosers, it was, as they say, rad. I grabbed the latest Maximum RockNRoll and an old used Any Last Words 7". I don't remember what LG got, but it may have been Cheap Trick vinyl or something. We talked at length, as is our wont, about a variety of things--music, movies, Tim Tebow (I like him, or rather the idea of him. LG doesn't), how terrible Packers fans are (not as people, but as shittalking fans) and whether or not I snuck copies of our zines onto the shelves. (I did, btw.)

Treehouse Records, Mpls, MN, 1/21/12

it cums once again. yep, for real.

2012-01-22T22:45:00.000-06:00

Well, to those that thought--or perhaps, hoped--this was a one-time deal, you were wrong. These fools aren't about to let some pre-mature ejaculation (AKA-fireworks and a showdown with the local PD) stop them. Believe it or not, this thing is going down (pun intended) again. Details to follow. In the meantime interested parties can and should contact andersdinero@yahoo.com.

Scene Report: Prep Hoops, Minnetonka vs. Rochester John Marshall

2012-01-21T21:19:00.000-06:00

photo: Scoreboard.MN

We hit the road to Minnetonka for a game earlier this evening. Had the baskeball jones, I guess. Plus it's something to do, ya know. The concessions at Minnetonka HS are set up really weird. You pick up your stuff at the counter, then walk over to this table to pay for it. So on a busy day, like at the Breakdown Tip-Off Classic say, or if they are playing another state-ranked team like Hopkins, you could probably just walk off without paying. Minnetonka school district is doing just fine if they lose a couple bucks on a soda here and there, believe me. I mean they have a local pizza chain and Caribou Coffee up in that joint. Another weird thing is the soda--whether in a can or a bottle--is the same price. Seems kind of goofy, amirite? I got peanut M&Ms and the GF got a Snickers. We both got Diet Coke(1) of the bottled variety. The game was only close for like, five minutes before the 'Tonka Skippers completely took over. Most of the time we spent studying the players sock-n-shoe choices. Ninety nine point nine percent of the time the socks and shoe brands match. If a player is wearing Nike sneaks, they are wearing Nike socks. Same with Addidas, Jordans, and surprisingly even Under Armor.(2) The one percenter in question was a dude on the Skippers, who wore the Addidas Derek Rose model(3) with, gasp, Nike socks. What a rebel!(4) Another Skippy had black and yellow shoes, which stood out in contrast to their school colors, royal blue and white. Rochester John Marshall was not without their very own Sid Vicious of the normies though. This particular kid was wearing some very colorful Nikes. At first we thought they might be all breast-cancer-awareness-pink but upon further inspection, they were most definitely peach. I didn't catch any of the names of the previously mentioned dudes, but I do remember 'Tonka's big man, Latrell Love because of his horrendous free throw set-up. He spends too much time rocking back and forth while spinning the ball way out to the side in his non-shooting hand (pictured.) Then he throws up a brick. Not sure what his free throw percentage is, but my guess is it's a near-Shaq level atrocity.(5) Someone on the coaching staff needs to spend some time with him after practice. He could make vast improvements at the line by keeping the ball in front of him the whole time with one or two dribbles at most, before bringing it straight up with a higher-arching shot. But don't take my word for it; I know more about stealing concessions that I do basketball.

1-shout-outs to longtime HDD commentor "diet coke."
2-I don't know about you but I'm just not ready to accept Under Armor as a viable sneaker option.
3-Which are, as the Beastie's would say, noice.
4-I'm no stranger to brand mixing on the court. I wear Addidas shorts, Nike shoes, and Puma socks. Puma socks, yo. Take my word for it.
5-But other than that, he's god mad, mad game though.

Out Now: If You Stink At Getting Ladies, Call Me-#5

2012-01-20T12:20:00.000-06:00

If You Stink At Getting Ladies, Call Me-issue#5
Some movie reviews, a couple--literally, as in two--record reviews, a short interview, and a whole bunch of original Dadaist/Fluxist/Stuckist art steez (AKA-total bullshit.)

Photocopy fest 2012!

Free. Mail only.

Send your snail addy to bnb@hotdogdayz.com and we will mail ya one. Then when you get it, you'll be like, "Oh, that's why it's free."

on the stere-ere-o

2012-01-19T11:42:00.000-06:00

Oh, what's that, you're looking for music recommendations, old and new, and wondering what we--known taste makers and know-it-alls--have on rotation here at HDD HQ? Well thanks for asking. Here is list of some of CDs/records/tapes/downloads/etc. currently rocking the office stereo:

Against Empire-Thieves and Leeches
Anthrax-Spreading the Disease
A$AP Rocky-LiveLoveA$AP
Baltic Cousins-For the Hell of Us
Black Milk & Danny Brown-Black & Brown
Brute Heart-Lonely Hunter
Butthole Surfers-Psychic..Powerless..Another Man's Sack
Cryptopsy-None So Vile
Dead Milkmen-Eat Your Paisley
I Self Devine-LA State of Mind
Quelle Chris-Shotgun & Sleek Rifle
Raekwon-Unexpected Victory
Run DMC-King of Rock
Sonic Youth-Evol
Soul Asylum-Clam Dip and Other Delights
Thurston Moore-Demolished Thoughts
Vallenfrye-A Fragile King

As well, you can always click the "music" tag/label thingy to see our past posts on tuneage.

face in the crowd

2012-01-18T10:49:00.000-06:00

St.Pl, MN, 12/15/12

desecration row

2012-01-17T10:28:00.000-06:00

Mpls, MN, Dec-'12

makin' movies

2012-01-16T10:20:00.000-06:00

Bemidji, MN, 12/27/12

discount double choke

2012-01-15T10:54:00.000-06:00

Fuck the Packers for life.

LOL...ALOL...RAOTFLMFAO...ARAOTFLMFAOOL

arnold

2012-01-14T10:18:00.000-06:00

Mpls, MN, Dec-'12

Scene Report: Prep Hoops, Apple Valley vs. Eastview

2012-01-13T10:30:00.000-06:00

pic: MN Basketball Hub

We arrive at Apple Valley High School ten minutes before tip-off only to find out the game is sold out. Minnesota is a basketball state, no question. Fuck hockey. That will show us for thinking we can walk right into the 'burbs and do whatever the hell we want. We tried the old HDD press pass trick but to no avail. Fire codes and shit. On the flip side, we ate at a restaurant that we never have before, and subsequently probably never will again. It's a burger chain called Round Robin. Maybe you've heard of it. But oh boy is it ever mediocre. And everything you touch has this weird greasy film layer to it. I went to pick up the ketchup bottle and it was like trying to hang on to a jelly dong when you have too much lube on your hands. Not that I would know anything about that, but you know, I bet that's what this greasy ketchup bottle was akin too. Got home in time to catch the tail end of the game on this really amazing thing called the Internet.

malt-o-meal

2012-01-12T10:06:00.000-06:00

Northfield, MN, 12/16/12

FLORA

2012-01-11T10:03:00.000-06:00

Mpls, MN, Dec-'12

Putting the Sex in Sex World

2012-01-10T13:47:00.000-06:00

Mpls, MN, Dec-'11

unframeable

2012-01-09T13:44:00.000-06:00

Bemidji-MN x Newport Beach-CA x Mpls-MN, Sum-'11

Scene Report: Drinking Forties By Myself

2012-01-08T10:42:00.000-06:00

I don't know about you but I always like to have at least one--preferably two--forties of ice cold M-bizzy in the frizzy. (That's wigga-speak for "malt liquor in the fridge", btw.) I'll do Colt 45 or Mickey's, or, if they don't have those, Olde English "800". But I def go with Colt or Mick's first. No St.Ides, Black Bull, Camo, double malts, or anything "ice" or "gold." And I absolutely draw the line at Ojo Malo-Evil Eye. That shit isn't even funny for a joke. Forties are my go-to beverage on Saturday nights when I decide not to do anything that requires leaving the crib. The routine usually goes something like this: Crack one and head into the studio to work on zines or some shit but mostly end up just flipping the radio dial between various rap shows on KFAI, the Current, and KMOJ. (The latter of which, being the only time you'll catch me listening to Drake, Weezy or anything resembling R&B or rappers who can't rap. But that's cuz they do it with a nice mix that includes dancehall and old-school hip-hop. Plus, like Brother Ali said years ago when he was defending 50Cent to the backpackers, "You gotta know what the streets is listenin' to.") Maybe I'll get a page or two of a zine done but primarily it's just dancing by myself and tough-guy-B boy-posturing to nobody but my cat, who looks at me like, "whaaaat the fuck..." Then when the rap shows are over, I crack another forty and put on some punk rock records and try to work on art stuff again, but pretty much just end up playing air-guitar and/or air-hardcore singer. This will last until I get tired of having to change the records every three songs--usually another 40oz. Then I go out to the living room to watch late-night broadcasts of Lucha Libre and listen to The Root of All Evil and send text messages that I will regret the next morning. I haven't crossed into the three-forties-in-one-night zone in years, but I might have a few additional regular-sized light domestic beers while partaking in this particular activity--eventually leading to the big pass-out.

same day as samurai, the weirdness of

2012-01-07T10:37:00.000-06:00

Mpls, MN, Dec-'11

way of the samurai, something about it

2012-01-06T10:29:00.000-06:00

Mpls, MN, Dec-'11

in and or around it anyway, the news

2012-01-05T10:29:00.000-06:00

Mpls, MN, Dec-'11

The Soda Killers reviewed in MRR

2012-01-04T10:57:00.000-06:00

The Soda Killers got "reviewed" by the really nice know-it-all folks at the longest running, no sense of humor-having, punk rock bible Maximum Rock-n-Roll.

Either this gal didn't actually read it, or she's pissed because we covered a bunch of the same records as MRR but did it about a million times better. Or, more than likely, she just hates fun. After reading the other zine reviews she did in the same issue, we're thinking she secretly hates zines too. Hating zines and fun??? Must suck to be her.

Opinions fucking rule. Kind of a bummer when someone shits all over your hard work, but that's the breaks when you're putting something out to the universe to be consumed and/or judged. After all, we are no strangers to ripping shit apart either. As the old saying goes, what goes around comes around. Oh well.

If you should still be interested after reading such rave reviews, there are some left. Contact bnb@hotdogdayz.com or andersdinero@yahoo.com.

PS-For the record, the writing is both snarky AND clever. And the teen thing; that was the idea, dipshit.

The 20 Best Hip-Hop Records of 2011

2012-01-03T22:56:00.000-06:00

The 20 Best Hip-Hop Records of 2011

An excerpt from 2011: A Year In Review

By Nathan G. O'Brien on Scene Point Blank

Despite what you may have heard elsewhere, there were a lot of really good hip-hop records this year. In fact, trying to single out twenty of them is hard enough, let alone put them in some sort of numerical order. Rankings are bullshit anyway. Of course some things are better than others and some things are just bad. I mean, there is a reason you won't find Throne, Weezy, or Tyler on here. But trying to decipher who should get the highest honors can turn into a endless game of he-said/she-said—friendships will end, divorce rates will increase, brothers won't talk for 10 years, and limbs will be lost. So I am going alphabetical-by-artist on this one. You might think of it as a cop out, but I think of it as saving a life. The 20 best hip-hop records of 2011...

Action Bronson-Dr. Lecter

Bronson’s cadence oddly familiar to that of Ghostface or Big Pun, skills-wize though, the argument could be made that he is actually superior. He moves effortlessly through a variety (albeit a small scope) of subject matter—pro-wrestling, weed-smoking, sports, the streets, and food. Dude makes me straight hungry. "Lock the refrigerator/there's no controlling me/steak and chocolate got their motherfucking hold on me." And he's funny too. Example: "Never mess with the blanco/and that's word to O.J.'s Bronco." Producer Tommy Mass—who is known mostly for his work with hipster-hoppers Team Facelift—created a backdrop consisting primarily of breakbeat loops. It all makes for a very ‘90s New York hip-hop vibe.

Action Bronson & Statik Selektah-Well Done

Following on the heels of his first solo album Dr. Lecter, Action Bronson teams up with production workhorse Statik Selektah for his second full-length record of the year. Of the all the underground MCs on the verge of breaking through (MaLLy, Freddie Gibbs, Danny Brown, Torae, Quelle Chris, etc.), Action Bronson seems the most poised of the bunch—showing the ability to grow in terms of both subject matter and delivery. Selektah provides a variety of beats and no doubt encouraged Bronson to broaden his approach for this record. Much like his mentor DJ Premier, Selektah has a knack for picking just the right samples to drop in the cut.

Away Team-Scars & Stripes

Coming out of North Carolina, this duo—MC Sean Boog and Khrysis—drop their latest album; showing a noticeable growth both in terms of production (all courtesy of Khrysis) and song structure. Khrysis’s beats are on some serious head-nod ish; the bass is low but not rattling—like getting punched in the chest underwater. The record is loaded with guests—Evidence, Talib Kweli, and Phonte among them—that complement Boog’s raspy dialect.

Beastie Boys-Hot Sauce Committee Part 2
Old-School hip-hop…scratch that, rap music resurfacing at a time when contemporary popular hip-hop is in dire need of actual rappers. Complete with all the obscure cultural references (Kenny Rogers Roasters, André Leon Telly, Jerome Crooks, Splenda, etc.) and witty humor you’ve come to expect from the Beasties. Sample Adrock lyric—“The proof is in the pudding/And the pudding is in my pants/You’ve heard me rap/Now watch me dance.”

Chef Raekwon-Shaolin vs.Wu-Tang
Raekwon seems hell-bent on not repeating the lackluster outings that happened between the first and second installments of Only Built For Cuban Linx, as evidenced by last year’s team-up with Ghostface and Method Man—Wu-Massacre, and now this album. Rae comes hard as ever with a bevy of complimentary guest MCs in tow—Lloyd Banks, Nas, Rick Ross, Black Thought, and several of the usual suspects—sans RZA—from the Wu-Tang Clan. Complete with all the kung-fu movie samples and sword-slashing Wu-distinctions, the record is throwback-ish yet refreshingly contemporary.

Cool Kids-When Fish Ride Bicycles
Mikey Rocks and Chuck Inglish have earned a rep for themselves as those new-school kids, supplying that old-school vibe—simplistic 808-heavy beats, high-treble claps, and a laid back flow. With this record, the core formula hasn’t changed much but they have expanded a bit on overall sound; adding in elements of R&B, Southern hip hop, and funk. In what might initially seem like an odd pairing, UGK’s Bun B makes an appearance on “Gas Station.” It works surprisingly well though, as the beat is hazy and gangsta-lean, and Chuck and Mike slow their roll just enough that it matches Bun’s appropriately.

Edo G - A Face in the Crowd

Boston’s Edo G has been in the game for a minute now. And he’s not shy about it either. “I Was There” is an ode to ‘90s, wherein Edo pin points various people, places, and events from the Golden Era, of which he was connected. Edo’s mates from Special Teams, Slaine and Jayson drop by for one, and he’s backed by production from likes of Statik Selektah and DJ Premier. That latter of which laces him on the standout track “Stop it.”

Evidence-Cats & Dogs
It has been a lackluster year for Rhymesayers, what with veterans Atmosphere and Blueprint turning in disappointing albums, and barely noticeable outings from Grieves & Budo and Hail Mary Malone. But Evidence swooped in to save the day late in the game with his second solo outing since Dilated Peoples was put on hold back in ’06. And this is perhaps the most inspired he’s come since the Expansion Team over a decade ago. Dropping clever and pointed rhymes amidst a complimentary beat selection (Preemo, Alchemist, Khrysis, and Evidence himself took turns behind the boards), this release places him atop the indie heap.

Kool G Rap-Riches, Royalty & Respect
Over two decades in the rap game, Kool G Rap proves he is still a lyricist not to be fucked with. This OG can wrap…ah, I mean rap circles around these youngins’ out here today. On this record, Kool spins tales of gritty street life—from the perspective of a” ‘70s-ass gangsta”—around beats from a number of lesser known producers. Gordon H.U.M.P. Humphrey provides a dark, DefJux-dubstep-like grind on “Going In”—A track in which G Rap cements his status as the elder statesmen; throwing cautionary warnings to those on the come-up. As well, Alchemist and longtime collaborator Marly Marl lace a track each. Don’t sleep on true hip-hop!

Midwest Konnect-The Trailer
This is what happens when California and Indiana, in an act of “divine intervention”, meet up in Minnesota, discover that not only are they roommates, but that they share a mutual admiration for J.Dilla, Native Tongues, and Golden Era hip-hip. Aquatic Son (California) and LeMons (Indiana) are dual headed monsters in their own right (both produce and rap) but when they work together something special happens—that is Midwest Konnect. This record is as impressive as it is ambitious—twenty-some tracks, existing in the middle ground between backpack and jiggy. Students of hip-hop’s history, capable of making big moves in the future.

Mr. Muthafuckin’ eXquire-Lost in Translation

Okay, this one might technically be a mixtape—It has a bunch of recycled beats on it and it’s a free download—but then again it might not be—there is no annoying DJ shot-calling his own name between songs and Bandcamp calls it an “album” (yes, I know they call everything an album)—but either way, I have to include it here. If anything, because of the glorious cover art, and because, well, his name is Mr. Muthafuckin’ eXquire after all. Plus “Huzzah!” is the hood party anthem of the year. The hook: “Drunk driving on a Wednesday/ With three bitches and an M.P.V./ Half a gallon of Georgi Porgi/And cranberry that's the P.O.P./ The love passion, a recipe for terror/We mix that shit together, then we have an orgy.” Also there is an entire song dedicated to the chicken spot-“Chicken Spot Rock.” But mostly it’s because MMeX don’t give a fuck. Dude recorded himself getting a blowjob from a hoe, and put it on here. Seriously!? Production provided by El-P, Jake One, Necro, Esoteric, and the “Huzzah! Remix" with Danny Brown, El, and Das Racist aint bad reasons either.

Pete Rock & Smif n Wessun-Monumental
Aptly-titled, this project brings together a legendary producer and two of the underground’s most revered MCs: Pete Rock—half of the duo (along with CL Smooth) responsible for early ‘90s classic Mecca and the Soul Brother—has been the monster behind the boards of your favorite rapper’s favorite rapper for a long-ass time; and Boot Camp Click members Tek and Steele— known collectively as Smif n Wessun—have been rhyming for some twenty odd years. In a genre where the focus has shifted from being skill-driven to more personality-driven, it’s exciting when an album like this comes along that celebrates the original aesthetic of hip-hop laid forth in the Golden Era.

Phonte-Charity Starts At Home
Heralded for his time with 9th Wonder and Rapper Big Pooh in the group Little Brother, North Carolina MC Phonte reemerges in 2011 with his first solo record. This is a heartfelt outing that finds the rapper flexing a variety of styles—soulful R&B vibes, emo-ish personal insights, and braggadocios rhymes, evocative of classic hip-hop. Big K.R.I.T., Evidence, and Pharaoh Monch make reciprocal appearances, and 9th produced a few of the tracks.

Random Axe-Self Titled
A multi-regional supergroup of sorts, Random Axe is comprised of three men who have cut their teeth in the hip-hop underground: Detroit’s Black Milk and Guilty Simpson and NYC’s Sean Price. Individually, these three carry lavish resumes, but as a clique they offer an even more impressive product. Sean P’s gruff and rugged voice and Simpson’s penetrating off-kilter flow complement each other well. Milk—a formidable MC in his own right—forgoes rapping this time, and instead concentrates primarily on the production and beat-making side.

Reks-Rythmatic Eternal King Supreme

Veteran Massachusetts rhyme slinger Reks comes hard on his third official full-length. Laced by an impressive grip of beatmakers, including Preemo, Pete Rock, Nottz, Statik Selktah, Hi-Tek, and Alchemist; Reks slings tight lyricism like it aint not thing but a chicken wing on a string, Burger King. “You are now in tune to the fact: Rek is the black Aristotle with beers in the backpack.” Straight no-frills rap music. Highly recommended.

Saigon-The Greatest Story Never Told
Another long-awaited debut album that finally saw the light of day this year. With Just Blaze behind the boards, Saigon maneuvers his way through a range of topics—the streets, church corruption, impressionable inner-city youth, single mothers, and prison life. That latter of which, he knows all too well. The Yardfather’s tale, while entertaining, is also one of caution. Real talk from the realist of rappers.

Sims-Bad Time Zoo
More than a half-decade since the release of his debut album, the veteran Minneapolis MC returns with venomous tongue-lashings directed at both the over-caffeinated, plugged-in, self-serving masses and the man in the mirror—all laid upon some of the most innovative and hard-hitting beats this side of the Mississippi, courtesy of fellow Doomtree member, Lazerbeak.

Statik Selektah-Population Control
Despite several projects throughout the year with individual MCs (Action Bronson, Freddie Gibbs, Freeway, Freddie Foxxx), Statik reaches into his bottomless bag of beats and pulls off an ambitious solo album. The M.O. here is standard producer-album-format: Selektah invites a bunch of MCs to rap over his beats. But where this excels is actually in the selection of said rappers. Aside from a few big names, he brings in a ton of unknowns and up-n-comers. You can find the likes of Sean Price, Talib Kweli, and Styles P rhyming alongside Terminology, Saigon, and Li’l Fame. Smoke Dza goes it alone on “Harlem Blues”, a standout track in which Statik shows off his scratching skills.

Strong Arm Steady-Arms & Hammers

For the second year in a row this California click drops one of the better albums of the last twelve months. Aside from one track, SAS goes at it without Madlib, the production wizard behind 2010’s In Search of Stoney Jackson—instead selecting harder-nosed beats from a variety of sources like Nottz, DJ Khalil, and Jelly Role. Combine that with grimy street raps, and the result is a more heavy-hitting sound. A bangin’ record from a highly under-appreciated crew.

Torae-For the Record

Large Professor, DJ Premier, Pete Rock, 9th Wonder, and Khrysis are among the beat-providers on Torae’s first official solo record. You’d have to be really bad on the mic to screw this up. Like, really bad. Like, Riff Raff bad. Thankfully Torae in no way whatsoever resembles the Texas Tornado. Well, other than that they both rap. But even that is questionable. Jokes aside, Torae is on some real personal ishnit here. He’s not up in the club poppin’ bottles, making it rain, or lying about which kind of whip he’s got a lease on. This is a concept album of sorts—it’s the story of Torae’s foray the hip-hop biz, from high school graduation to present day, and even a little peak into the future. He strikes a unique balance between street-level raps and high-IQ lyricism.

Simultaneously posted here.

New Years Resolutions

2012-01-01T22:01:00.000-06:00

Yeah right. Nice try, you fuckin' pussies.

One Minute Reviews: Vacation Film Fest

2011-12-31T21:50:00.000-06:00

On my recent vacation I watched a whole bunch of movies in a really short period of time. And because I have an outlet in which to express my shit (aka this ~~website~~ blog) I will now review them very quickly for you, the unsuspecting reader.

The Artist
A silent movie about a silent movie star. Saw it at the Edina theater. Almost didn't have to pay. The ticket both was closed down, instead directing people to the concessions to purchase tickets. There were lots of folks, so I could have just walked right by. But I really wanted popcorn, and I figured they would think it's really strange that a dude is just buying P-corn and no movie ticket. Anyway, it is a really good film, and not at all boring like I was worried that it would be. Plus the main chick really turned me on. Someone said it's probably because you couldn't hear her talk.

30 Seconds or Less
I was intrigued by a funny cast that includes that one guy from Parks & Rec, that one guy with the mullet from that one HBO show, that was also in some other movies and is good friends with James Franco, and the guy from Adventure Land and Zombie Land, that was also the main dude in the Social Network. The latter of which has a corny line in this movie about not having Facebook because he's "off the grid" or something. It is a fairly stupid flick, but has some ~~good~~ cheap laughs. Got it from the Redbox, which is basically like losing money if you don't rent something.

Warrior
Also Redboxed at the same time as 30 Secs. A intelligent MMA movie about two brothers who have not seen each other in ages because of some old-school family shit that eventually have to fight each other in the main event. That's not a spoiler; it's pretty much given away from the cover image. Even if you hate MMA--which you shouldn't, cuz it's the sweetest science ever (besides hoops)--you'll like this movie. And if you don't, it's because you secretly hate good movies.

Young Adult
The new movie from the former local practitioner of bad fashion, Diablo Cody. It's like Juno, if she sorta grew up and got a writing gig. Normally I don't really like C-Ther, but she was pretty good in this movie. Highly identifiable for numerous people for numerous reasons. That one kind of fat guy that may or may not be from Minnesota was in it too. Saw it Southdale, where I did not buy any concessions, but I did indeed have laughs at all the people that would oh-and-ahh whenever a Mpls landmark/landscape came on the screen. Don't be a shithead that hates 'Blo-co cuz she went for it and got kinda famous and you didn't; go see this movie.

The Art of Getting By
I've been known to say "give me coming-of-age or give me death" from time to time. Death can fuck itself in the ass for all I care. Coming-of-age is what you get with this film. Really enjoyed this Redbox sleeper flick. Not sleeper like, it's so boring you fall asleep, but sleeper like, nobody probably knows about it unless they go to the Redbox. Well, I didn't anyway. Rite-of-passage would also be an accurate description. Loved the main character--apathetic awkward trouble-maker dude with a nice wool coat.

Win Win
Another heartwarming jam. Also Redboxed with both the above and below-mentioned discs. That one dude--the heavier-set, more famous one--from the movie about guys that like wine, that had a cover that was green, and that you can see in the used DVD section all the time now...Sideways, I think(?)...stars in this one. He's a high school wrestling coach and a father and an overall good guy that makes a poor decision here and there. One of which is not adopting a troubled young man that is also a really great wrestler. Nope, that was a good decision, and is the basic premise of the movie. You'll probably like this unless you hate emotions. I'm kind of middle-of-the-road myself when in comes to emotions, but I liked this movie.

Fright Night
The remake, not the OG (which I just watched for free on On Demand back in October), starring Anton Yelchin--the kid that played Charlie Bartlett and the kid who gets killed in Alpha Dog and Chekov (sp?) in the Star Trek remake. The GF thinks it's better than the OG, but I fell asleep on this shit. I do however remember that Mr. Yelchin has some really nice abs. Other than that it was just a lot of really loud noise that kept waking me up.

Our Idiot Brother
Redbox FTW, FTW. Thats fuck the world, for the win, btw. This is a g to the reat movie, believe me. It's seriously hindered by it's name. It should be called Our Brother Ned or Brothers Know Best or something. And don't be fooled--like I was--that because it has Paul Rudd in it and they only show the one-liners in the previews/adds that it's a comedy. Well, it is funny, but it's also like, really good. I don't know maybe I was sentimental cuz of the holidays and shit, but it sort of touched me in a strange way. Then again it could be the really sweet--literally and figuratively--carmel cheesecake ice cream I was eating while watching it.

-BNB

Scene Report: Fwd: Icky!

2011-12-30T20:48:00.000-06:00

Mpls, MN, 12/6/11

-Doomgoblin
I'm Faster Than My Shadow

Send your fucked up shit to bnb@hotdogdayz.com

cops

2011-12-29T20:46:00.000-06:00

Nashwauk, MN, 11/25/11

Top 5 Songs Under 30 Seconds

2011-12-28T17:38:00.000-06:00

The Descendents - "Weinerschnitzel"
An excerpt from The Set List: Top 5 Songs Under 30 Seconds
by Nathan G. O'Brien on Scene Point Blank

In 1981 The Decendents steamrolled punk rock angst and childish humor into a SoCal pinner doobie and hot-boxed it with disenfranchised teenagers everywhere. Perhaps no song in history quickly, yet accurately sums up youthful suburban boredom as well as “Weinershchnitzel” does. The Fat EP—which clocks in roughly as long as it takes to hot-box an actual pinner doobie (four and half minutes...so I'm told) features other short but awesome songs like “My Dad Sucks”’ and “I like Food.” But “Weinerschnitzel” is not only the quickest; it’s the greatest—glorious in its simplicity. “Welcome to Der Weiner Schnitzel. May I take your order please? Yeah, I want two large Cokes, two large fries, chilli-cheese dog, large Dr. Pepper, Super Deluxe with cheese and tomato! You want Bill sperm with that? NO!" Ten seconds later you’re asking yourself three questions: A) Why is everyone yelling? B) Is it over? And C) Wait, did he really just say “Bill sperm?”

See what else made the list after the jump.

car facts

2011-12-27T18:21:00.000-06:00

Nashwauk, MN, 11/25/11

Record Review: Nightgaun-Absurdity of Meaning 7"

2011-12-26T17:29:00.000-06:00

Nightgaun-Abusurdity of Meaning 7" (Primitive Future)
By Nathan G. O'Brien on Scene Point Blank

There are a number of adjectives that would accurately describe Tempe, AZ’s Nightgaun—noisy, filthy, retching, etc.—but perhaps none more fitting than “raw.” Continuing the chiropteran-themed imagery first displayed on their impressive self-titled 7” debut, the cover art for Absurdity of Meaning— a crude depiction of a bat being stabbed through the sternum with a switchblade—provides a strong indication of the frantic assault within. ...read full review after the jump.

Coming Soon(and sort of already here): A New Column

2011-12-22T00:00:00.000-06:00

We are very busy here at HDD HQ comparing tall boys of various domestic light canned beers, reading angry letters from people who don't think rap music is punk, watching lots of basketball (which will also piss off the ponx,) creating new zines, and putting together our year-end best-of lists. The last two of which, will be coming along shortly...plug-plug. As well, we have brought a couple new contributors into the fold: Ashley, who tells us her first installment of Ashley's Thrash Zone is on its way (So, like, where is it then Ash? Hint, hint. -Ed.), and a friend of the family, who has yet to decide on a handle, who we will refer to in the interim as, ah, Friend of the Family. The latter of which, will be covering some of the more rootsy, folky, Americana-tinged extensions of punk that fall outside of the crust/black/thrash/D-beat/doom/sludge/hardcore yada-yada realm normally discussed in these proverbial pages. As always, we are open to ANY ideas from you. There is virtually no topic we are afraid of. I mean, if you're all like, "I'd like to do 'This Month in Child Pornograpy'", we'll politely decline, but you get the idea--we're open. It you'd like to throw something down, whether it be one time, or on the regular, get in touch: bnb@hotdogdayz.com. Now without further adieu, Friend of the Family, take it away...

Hey There,
So here's the skinny: every couple weeks I will run down on whats hot, what you should avoid, and talk about upcoming new music--punk, rock, folk and the like. I officially start after the new year. But in the meantime, here is my recommendations of 2011 records that you should be adding to your iPod or vinyl collection...

Top 7 albums of 2011

1. Nothington-Borrowed Time
Third full length from the bay area quartet, first on Brendan Kelly from Lawrence Arms fame, new label Red Scare Industries. To me it could be the punk rock's Nebraska. It's honest, working class punk rock at it's finest! Now if Rancid could give us another good album.

Reminds me of: Social Distortion Key Track: "Where I Can't be Found"

2. The Horrible Crowes- Elsie
It could be called a Gaslight Anthem homer, the everyday band of Brian Fallon. With the help of his guitar tech Ian Perkins, Falllon writes some goddamn depressing shit. It's usually what Ryan Adams writes about, sad bastard music. Fallon is one of this generations most important up and coming songwriters. He is the jukebox romeo, but with his side project he moves away from the Springsteen comparisons, and lays down layered "night time music" as he describes, in his own words. It is heavily influenced by The Afghan Whigs, and Tom Waits, with a touch of the heavily underrated band The Cure.

Reminds me of: Bob Mould-Workbook Key track: "Ladykiller" (My favorite track of 2011)

3. Dave Hause-Resolutions
Taking a detour from his punk rock band Philadelphia's The Loved Ones, Dave Hause puts out a very eclectic debut solo album. There's piano, keys, and some of the most vivid imagery I've heard since Craig Finn of the Hold Steady. And as a bonus Pete Steinkopf from the Bouncing Souls produces and plays on a few tracks. Dave's passionate about what he does and shows it in the way he carries his voice.

Reminds me of: Chuck Ragan (Hot Water Music) Key track: "Time Will Tell"

4. Kasey Anderson and the Honkies-The Heart of a Dog
Now back home in Portland with a new band, Kasey is another great up and coming songwriter in the veins of Steve Earle and Springsteen. This album has it all, blues, rock, folk.

Reminds me of: Steve Earle-Guitar Town Key Track: "My Baby's a Wrecking Ball"

5. Title Fight-Shed
Post-punk hardcore blasts from the speakers and aims to tear the roof off this motha. Their debut record and the best one of the year.

Reminds me of: Jawbreaker Key Track: "Shed"

6. Ryan Adams-Ashes and Fire
On his one millionth album Adams does his best Neal Young Harvest. The songs are simple but Adams always so vivid with his imagery. I'm starting to think of Adams is in the same category as The Beastie Boys and Beck. Whatever they put out even if it was a techno/country record I'd buy and it would actually be pretty good. Ryan goes back to his first album Heartbreakers more stripped down acoustic roots. Norah Jones provides great background vocals and Ethan Johns who produced records for the Rolling Stones, does so here. Sobriety and Mandy Moore have him sounding at his best yet, vocally.

Reminds me of: Ryan Adams-Cold Roses

7. Red City Radio-The Dangers of Standing Still
Oklahoma City has found it's big punk band. They're anthems, foot tappers, and they sound like Hot Water Music!

Reminds me of: NOFX-The Decline Key Track: "50'th & Western"

'Til next year; live the dream!
-Friend of the Family

come punk of to shape the

2011-12-21T12:23:00.001-06:00

top: StPl, MN, Nov-'11 bottom: Mpls, MN, Aug-'11

Record Review: Condominium-Warm Home

2011-12-20T12:10:00.000-06:00

Condominium-Warm Home (self-released)
By Nathan G. O'Brien on Scene Point Blank

The title of Twin Cities trio Condominium’s latest is quite misleading. Warm Home is not the record you put on for an evening in front of the fire place with hot chocolate and a novella. This is anything but comforting. Instead, imagine the following scenario: The clock strikes 2AM just as the pot cookie you ate between your first and second 40oz.—that latter of which is now entering the dreaded swill stage—is rapidly taking control of your mind, body, and for all intensive purposes, soul. (Those of you who like to keep your edges straight, can play along too: Take a minute to eat a carrot, slap yourself in the face a few times, do ten pushups; and join the rest of us when you’re good and ready.) You’ve grown tired of worrying about the music being too loud for the neighbors, and quite frankly, in your current state of fucked-upness, you could care less. Plus you’ve been listening to old-school rap for the duration of eighty ounces of malt liquor, and now you’re in the mood for something abrasive. It’s time to rage up in this bitch! Drop the needle on Warm Home. ...read the rest of the review here.

totes quotes 12/19/11--for nerds only

2011-12-19T11:27:00.000-06:00

"Gamera, like Omar, is a friend to all children."
-The Roommate

-Doomgoblin
I'm Faster Than My Shadow

Send your totally quotables, nerdy or otherwise, to bnb@hotdogdayz.com

the double double

2011-12-18T11:15:00.000-06:00

Newpoort Beach-CA x Mpls-MN, Sum-'11

going green

2011-12-17T11:09:00.000-06:00

Pics by NASER, Mpls, MN, Nov-'11

Totes Quotes 12/16/11

2011-12-16T10:41:00.000-06:00

"It's not that there are too many Christians, there's just a startling shortage of lions"

-Doomgoblin
I'm Faster Than My Shadow

Send your overheards, mini-musings, tidbits of advice, goofy txtmsgs, and totally quoatables, etc. to Totes Quotes at bnb@hotdogdayz.com

shine on

2011-12-15T10:32:00.000-06:00

StPl, MN, Nov-'11

ASOE

2011-12-14T16:36:00.000-06:00

Mpls, MN, Dec-'12

fly the red eye

2011-12-13T11:18:00.000-06:00

Top: Bemidji-MN x Sauk Centre-MN, Summer-'11
Bottom: Back Alley Gallery, St. Paul-MN, Aug-'11

One Minute Reviews: Tragedy-The Story of Queensbridge

2011-12-12T21:33:00.000-06:00

One Minute Reviews
By Nathan G. O'Brien exclusively for HotDogDayz

Tragedy-The Story of Queensbridge

Finally got around to watching Tragedy Khadafi's documentary The Story of Queensbridge. Honestly didn't hear about it 'til way after it was out, and that was still like two years ago that I wrote myself a note to check it. So it was a long time commin'. I recommend any hip-hop head who hasn't seen it, do so immediately. I could on and on about how insightful it is and all that, but you can YouTube it or Vimeo it or whatevs yourself. Afterwards, I quickly iTunes'd Capone-n-Noreaga's War Report, which I probably hadn't heard in 13-14 years. Those Capone-in-prison phone calls are on some real ish. And the record is straight hip-hop, up and down--banging just as hard today as it did in '97. Can't argue with the $7.99 price tag either. Then I decided to Google Map "Queensbridge housing" to see where all these classic cats like Trag, Mobb Deep, CNN, and Nas come from. The "reviews" are hilarious. Dimeblock gave it five stars, "liked" it and says, "Dimeblock is the illist!" Meanwhile, nicole (who doesn't capitalize her name) "dislikes" it with one star, and--representing fans of racism and poor grammar alike--says, and I quote, "There's a lot of blacks I hate it they constantly fights and gonna shots." It might surprise you to know she didn't actually use a period at the end of the sentence. I took the liberty of adding that for her. OK, enough for now. You're going to go watch The Story of Queensbridge now, and I'm going to roll one, crack a forty, and listen to "Illegal Life."

I know; not really a review, but I bet it only took a minute to read. Let's call it even.

On the Tyus Jones Tip

2011-12-11T15:05:00.000-06:00

I went way, way out to the lily-white suburbs of Minnetonka for the Breakdown Tip-off Classic yesterday. Lots of great ball, highlighted by the player the Star Trib is calling "the most heralded basketball prospect in Minnesota high school history"; Apple Valley's Tyus Jones. I'm not sure how many people were even in the big gym for Hopkins vs. Cretin-Derham Hall game, because the small gym was packed well-beyond fire-code capacity to see this kid. Dude is so hot right now, even his little brother is famous. When he walks by peeps are like, "Yo, there goes his bro right there" and shit. Jones led his team to a 10 pt. win over Tartan--home of Jake Sullivan, Jen Brown, and the worst-dressed coaching staff in the metro (seriously, what's with those matching motorcross-style shirts?)--in a steamy gymnasium full of fans, haters, and, enough college scouts to staff the Target Corporation. I was about hit up Tubby Smith for a loan, knowhatimsayin'. Fool makes two mil a year. Anway, Jones is every bit as good as they say he is, but that doesn't mean there isn't room for improvement. As a seasoned veteran of the professional unsolicited Internet advice-giving game, I'd suggest practicing the following fundamental but effective bullet points.

Shoot More
Your ball-passing is impeccably accurate. Whether it's a drive & dish or a full-court pass, you somehow find the open man. The sign of a great player is one that makes those around him greater. And you do that, but don't be afraid to take more shots. No offense to some of your teammates, but dumping the ball off so much is not always leading to an assist, if you know what I mean. I know you're getting your points, but there is more to be had. Speaking of shooting...

Follow Your Shot
I know you're not used to missing, but on those rare occasions that you do, you're throwing away second-chance opportunities by not following the long rebounds. Follow your shot homie, and your teams scoring contingency will go up.

Hands Up on D
Elementary, my dear Tyus; elementary. You have a fairly wide wingspan; use it. It's an often-overlooked/forgotten-about basketball basic. Put those hands up on defense. You'll force more turnovers, which will lead to more points.

Other than that; I like that you keep it humble. Stick with that and it will take you a long way on and off the court. Good luck this season.

double expose'

2011-12-10T12:46:00.000-06:00

Bemidji-MN x Sauk Centre-MN, Summer-'11

warm home

2011-12-09T12:21:00.000-06:00

This is what happens when a 40oz. of Olde English, a 40oz. of Mickey's, one pot cookie, and four Bud Lights meet up at 4am in the art studio for a listening party--the new Condominium wax Warm Home on the turntable. Well, this and lot of black-out text messaging. Sorry about that everyone!

keepin' it one hundred

2011-12-08T12:15:00.000-06:00

Sauk Centre, MN, July-'11

Holiday Gift Ideas Just For YOU!

2011-12-07T11:08:00.000-06:00

Still not sure what to get that special someone in your life? Well this is not the right place. I mean, I'm sure there is a jewelry store around or a Bed, Bath & Beyond or some shit like that where you could get them something real shiny that will bring tears to their eyes and/or make them smell nice or whatever. Don't waste your time with us. However...

If you're looking for just the right gift for that artistic, nerdy, nephew/niece/son/daughter/etc. with the green hair and combat boots, that was shocked to learn that you were once actually kind of cool when she found your old box of Siouxsie and the Banshees and Sugarcubes tapes in the garage, and is always drawing skulls in their notebook, and always has their ear buds in when you go on family road trips or out to eat, then by all means give them the perfect thing this holiday season: ZINES~!

Maybe you know one of those guys that's all "the Underground" this and "the Underground" that and "DIY 'til I die" and whatnot, but only wears Levi's and Nikes and loves Rick Ross? (Believe me, we know that guy really well.) I imagine he would also dig finding one of these under the old Hanukkah Bush.

ZINES, ZINES, ZINES~!

HotDogDayz #2
Restore the Power #1, #2
If You Stink At Getting Ladies, Call Me #4
The Soda Killers #1

Dirt Cheap! As in, free. Questions? Just ask: bnb@hotdogdayz.com

The Soda Killers, #1, Oct-2011

Restore the Power, #2, Nov-2011

various land$capes

2011-12-06T11:05:00.000-06:00

top to bottom: Playa Del Carmen, Mexico, Bemidji, MN, Mpls, MN

Record Review: Action Bronson & Statik Selektah-Well Done

2011-12-05T10:41:00.000-06:00

Action Bronson & Statik Selektah-Well Done (DCide)

By Nathan G. O'Brien on Scene Point Blank

Individually it has already been a busy year for both of these East Coast cats. Well Done marks the third release of 2011 for the culinary chemist-turned-rapper Action Bronson—following the the Bon Appetite…Bitch! mixtape and the impressive Dr. Lecter album—and the fifth for producer/DJ extraordinaire Statik Selektah, who dropped collabo joints with Freeway, Freddie Gibbs, and Freddie Foxxx, as well as an ambitious solo record, Population Control.

Well Done starts off a little suspect, thanks to a very ill-advised and misplaced homophobic slur (by an unidentified hype man) between the first and second verse of “Respect the Mustache.” (Seriously, who cleared that?) ...continue reading review after the jump.

i'm telling you, run the triangle defense

2011-12-04T10:04:00.000-06:00

St.Pl, MN, 11/13/11

nobody ever talks about brown face

2011-12-03T11:33:00.001-06:00

Nashwauk, MN, 11/24/11

we're going to create medieval magic

2011-12-01T11:16:00.000-06:00

St.Pl, MN, 11/13/11

Coming Soon: Ashley's Thrash Zone

2011-11-30T23:55:00.000-06:00

Hey Brohams and Brohamlettes,

I figured it's about time I contribute something, so the HDD powers that be and I have worked out a little plan here for a semi-regulus thing...ASHLEY'S THRASH ZONE! (It won't always be cap-locked and exclamated. I'm just really excited about it at the moment.) I'll officially start next week, but in the meantime BNB wanted me to fill in the blanks on this questionaire for you...

My name is Ashley Marinelock but you can call me Ashley (or Smashley when I'm wasted. But only when I'm wasted. Otherwise it kind of pisses me off.)

I’m originally from Costa Mesa, CA but I currently live in Minneapolis, MN (Midtown. Do people care about neighborhoods here?) Yes. -Ed.

One of my greatest achievements so far is I ate tacos everyday for the month before I moved here. Then on my first day here, my hamlette Andrea was like, "Oh, I know this really great place to get good tacos," and I ate them again.

The things that make me tired are/is instrumental and/or prog rock and boys who can't make decisions.

The first thing I do in the morning is start the coffee and do ten pushups.

The last thing before bed is a secret Lame. -Ed.

People would say I dress like a boy but I think of it more as only using the top two buttons of my plaids.

When I was a kid I wanted to be a pizza shop owner and now I'm hocking Aldo's.

My mother always says I don't tell her what's going on with me.

So that's me I suppose. I'll be back next week talking thrash and thrash-related biz with the first installment of...Ashley's Thrash Zone. (See, no caps or exclamation point. It's already lost some of it's luster I guess.)

-Ashley

We are looking for new contributors. Send your idea or whatevs to bnb@hotdogdayz.com to get the ball rolling. You too could be a superstar blogger zinester scenester. Make it happen!

"Academics" Just Now Figuring Out Sex Pistols Rule, Beatles Suck

2011-11-29T23:37:00.000-06:00

Rotten's Sex Pistols-era graffiti "may be of more significance than the discovery of early Beatles recordings."

Yeah, no shit.

Sorry Mom, sorry Dad, but the Beatles fucking sucked.

Ever get the feeling you've been cheated?

rapids railcars

2011-11-28T17:15:00.001-06:00

Grand Rapids, MN, 11/25/11

egg nog season of the abyss

2011-11-27T16:32:00.000-06:00

Mpls, MN, 11/18/11

old colony celebrations

2011-11-26T16:19:00.000-06:00

Nashwauk, MN, 11/24/11

Black (Metal) Friday '11

2011-11-25T15:57:00.000-06:00

--+ shop 'you drop +--

--+ retail 'em all. let gawd sort 'em out +--

photos: Nashwauk, MN, 11/23/11

thxgvng, fvck yeah!

2011-11-24T15:51:00.000-06:00

Nashwauk, MN, 11/24/11

health i$ wealth

2011-11-23T15:47:00.000-06:00

Seward Cafe, Mpls, MN, 11/18/11

oh, them lumberjacks

2011-11-22T15:43:00.000-06:00

Bemidji vs. Mankato West, Mall of America Field, Mpls, MN, 11/18/11

One Minute Reviews: Action Bronson-Dr. Lecter

2011-11-21T22:38:00.001-06:00

One Minute Reviews
By Nathan G. O'Brien exclusively for HotDogDayz

Action Bronson-Dr. Lecter

I must admit I'm late as hell on Action Bronson. I don't recall exactly the first time I heard about him, but I didn't check it for reals until I read that Mr. Muthafuckin' eXquire considers him a contemporary. Action has since quickly become one of my favorite MCs. While his cadence is oddly familiar to that of a one Ghostface Killa, skills-wize I would argue that he is actually superior. He moves effortlessly through a variety (albeit a small scope) of subject matter (some of which, just happen to be my favorite things)--pro-wrestling, weed-smoking, sports, the streets, and food. Hella, hella food. Dude makes me straight hungry. I highly recommend Dr. Lecter...unless you're on a diet. On "Ronnie Coleman" he addresses his obvious (over) eating disorder, "Lock the refrigerator/there's no controlling me/steak and chocolate got their motherfucking hold on me." And he's got punchlines galore. Example: "Never mess with the blanco/and that's word to O.J.'s Bronco." Producer Tommy Mass--who is known mostly for his work with hipster-hoppers Team Facelift--created a backdrop consisting primarily of breakbeat loops. It's a very 90's New York vibe going on here. Usually I don't like it when rappers release multiple records in a year but I'm looking forward to seeing how this holds against Bronson's upcoming collabo album with Statik Selektah later this month. (Ed Note: it drops tomorrow!)

Totes Quotes 11/20/11

2011-11-20T22:13:00.000-06:00

Friday night my son was loungin' with some of his homies over north. When I texted him to make sure he wasn't gettin' in no trouble, he sent this pic message back...

"Nah chillin. We on that Friday night hiphop diet."

Sorry, some things are just too cute not to share. Proud papa!
-Piru B.

Send your overheards, mini-musings, tidbits of advice, quirky txt msgs/emails and totally quotables to Totes Quotes at bnb@hotdogdayz.com

oh, them birds be dead n' shit

2011-11-19T22:02:00.000-06:00

Mpls, MN, Nov-'11

1-900-HUSTLER

2011-11-18T21:56:00.000-06:00

StPl,MN, 11/13/11

Totes Quotes 11/17/11

2011-11-17T21:40:00.000-06:00

"Tonight I'm going to get gnarly with my twat out."
-Jojo

-Ole Shaky Hands

Send your overheards, mini-musings, tidbits of advice, quirky emails/txt msgs and totally quotables to Totes Quotes at bnb@hotdogdayz.com

AMOEBA

2011-11-16T21:32:00.000-06:00

Mpls-StPl, MN, Oct-Nov-'11

EWOK, MUCH drips

2011-11-15T15:34:00.000-06:00

StPl, MN, 11/13/11

Record Review: Pete Rock & Smif n Wessun-Monumental

2011-11-14T10:53:00.000-06:00

Pete Rock & Smif-n-Wessun-Monumental (Duckdown)
By Nathan G. O'Brien on Scene Point Blank

Monumental is, in a larger sense, a tribute to a true craft. Hip-hop has existed in some form or another for nearly forty years now. But the era that true heads speak most fondly of is the mid ‘80s to the mid ‘90s. The Golden Age, if you will, was perhaps the most important time in the development of hip-hop. The ‘80s were about exploration and diversity, and the ‘90s…well, shit just got hard. Sure hip-hop has made strong moves in terms of popularity in the ‘00s and the ‘00-teens, but the focus has shifted from being skill-driven to more personality-driven. So it’s exciting when an album like Monumental comes along that celebrates the original aesthetic of hip-hop laid forth in those early years. ...Read entire review after the jump.

i don't know what's right or wrong. my thoughts are lethal. i see dead people

2011-11-13T10:49:00.000-06:00

StPl, MN, 11/13/11

gettin' old man moves on the court, and off

2011-11-12T10:18:00.000-06:00

Mpls-StPl, Oct-Nov-'11

Mpls D.I.D. not

2011-11-11T09:57:00.000-06:00

Downtown has had a sweep for a minute now. According to Downtown Improvement District there has been 12,453 graffiti removals to date. Although, the clean (as in, no garbage) streets are cool and the D.I.D. street peeps are about the nicest folks you could ever meet, I still miss the days I flicked tags and stickers and shit on my way to work everyday. Even though these are on buildings, which is private property, which I have mixed feelings about, it's still nice to see something downtown again...

Mpls, MN, 11/11/11

One Minute Reviews: Black Monolith-Demo EP

2011-11-10T05:00:00.000-06:00

One Minute Reviews
By Nathan G. O'Brien exclusively for HotDogDayz

Black Monolith-Demo EP

The tags on Black Monolith's Bandcamp page say "black metal, crust, d-beat, hardcore, California." Which, aside from California (because there is really no way of telling that by listening to them) and the not capitalizing of the D in D-beat, is exactly how I would have described them. I mean, they are not black metal in a kill-your-friend-and-wear-a-necklace-made-of-parts-of-his-skull way, nor are they crust in a adopt-a-dog-and-force-him-into-living-a-life-of-train-hopping-and-not-being-fed way, but they are incorporating all of said tagged genres. And it's pretty rad how they shift between them within' a single song. The first track "Abandon Heart" is raging D-beat hardcore until exactly half-way through, at which point it switches to black metal-esque guitar shredding. For fans of Wolfbrigade, Tragedy, Skitysystem, etc., as well as blackened crust like Martyrdod or Dodsdomd. Available for free download.

i've lost my post game, but i can throw a look-away pass like nobody's business

2011-11-09T10:22:00.000-06:00

St. Pl, MN, 11/5/11

One Minute Reviews: DJ Quik-The Book of David

2011-11-08T13:03:00.000-06:00

One Minute Reviews
By Nathan G. O'Brien exclusively for HotDogDayz

DJ Quik-The Book of David

This is the umpteenth release by veteran Westcoast MC and producer DJ Quik. Aside from his underwhelming '09 collabo with Kurupt, I am not familiar with anything he's done since his debut Quik is the Name. That was back when I was a Northwoods wigga obsessed with anything coming out of Compton with a Raiders or Kings cap and a large rope chain. (Arabian Prince, anyone?) That being said, he sounds pretty much like I remember him. His production is super slick G-funk, heavy on keys and bass; and his voice still sounds like an eager youngin'. Detroit rapper Gift turns in nice guest spots on both "Luv of my Life" and "Hydromatic." Ice Cube shows up on "Boogie Till You Conk Out", which is nice simply because it is Cube and Quik together in 2011. "Across the Map", featuring Bizzy Bone and one of the reigning kings of guest-spot appearances-Bun B, is far and away the best song on the album. It has a heavy synth buzz, over which the Trill OG spits, "I'm rollin' with the homie DJ Quik, and if you don't like that you can suck my DJ dick." At a whopping seventeen songs, David is way too ambitious. You can easily weed it down to six or seven good ones that you would actually put on your iPod.

Unfinished Business

2011-11-07T10:55:00.000-06:00

Mpls, MN, 11/5/11

One Minute Reviews: Quelle Chris-The S.O.N. Demo EP

2011-11-06T10:34:00.000-06:00

One Minute Reviews
By Nathan G. O'Brien exclusively for HotDogDayz

Quelle Chris-the S.O.N. Demo EP
Quelle Chris is new-ish MC and producer out of the Motor City. He dropped this EP free via the Internet last month. While other QC stuff is pretty hot, the majority of this is mediocre at best. Both on the mic and behind the boards, this is primitive stuff. Oftentimes that's a good thing, but here it just comes off like as a lackluster effort. His flow on this release is sort of like a poor man's version of his fellow D-town MC and frequent collaborator Danny Brown. That being said, the track "Shitting On Niggas" is one of the illist two and a half minutes I've heard all year. The low-end buzz is hard as hell, and I can't get the hook out of my head--"Shittin' on niggas, it's the son." If anything, it is worth the download just for this song alone. Expect a full-length later this month.

i had an opportunity because of my basketball past, but i blew it

2011-11-05T09:41:00.000-05:00

Mpls-St.Pl, MN, 11/5/11

HERO, What Evers Clever

2011-11-04T09:25:00.000-05:00

I've spotted HERO from LA's WEC crew twice now tagging at the tracks. Just lurked on the back of a car while he did his thing. He left a message for the toyest of toys who I will not mention by name, as said toy doesn't deserve recognition because all he does is cross other people out. Cool to see an LA head here in the Midwest though.
-NASER

All flicks: NASER, Mpls, MN, Oct-'11

Send your stuff to bnb@hotdogdayz.com

Congrats Bigfork Huskies!

2011-11-03T21:59:00.000-05:00

Congrats go out the Bigfork Huskies football team tonight, for not only avenging their only loss of the season--by one point, I might add--but for making it to the Minnesota State Football Tournament for the first time in school history.* Go Big Blue~!

*can I get fact-checker on this?

Randumb Thizoughts: The Return

2011-11-02T21:58:00.000-05:00

Sometimes writing is total bullshit. Not saying what people write is bullshit--although most times it is--but rather the process of writing is bullshit. Total bullshit. You have to worry about grammar and shit and making sure you're not writing stream of conscious-style or someone will discount you as "not a real writer" or "just a blogger" and shit. Why er'body gotta be so critical and shit? I tell you, writing is total bullshit, man. Total. Bullshit. But people bitching about other people's writing is even worse. You don't like it, too bad. Do your own thing. What, nobody reads your shit? Too bad. Like Dilated Peoples, you gotta work the angles, sharp and precise. Admittedly, the stuff that goes up on here isn't winning any points with the ladies in the oh-I'm-a-writer-category but we do what we do and the angles we work seem to, well, work. Believe it or not, this shit has an audience. I mean you're reading this right now, amirite? But, uh, back to the lecture at hand. This particular total bullshit occasion marks the return of an age-old HDD original--going back to the, ahem, MySpace days--Randumb Thizoughts. A column in which we just spit shit off the top o' da dome with no "frame of context" and shit that real writers use. Just us and our thoughts and a forum in which said spitten shit lands. Let the total bullshit commence...

...Work of Art is back on Bravo for it's second season, which prompts us to ask the same unanswered questions from last season: Why has Bill Powers not fired his personal stylist yet? (Ed. Note: he's married to her. But yes, he does reek of trying-too-hard.) Why is Jerry Saltz still alive? Who the fuck is China Chow? Who the fuck does China Chow think she is? And more importantly; how can we hate everything about this show, yet feel compelled to never miss an episode?...

...OMG Sons of Anarchy. If you're not watching this show, it must be because you don't have a TV...

...2011 might just be the year of hip-hop. Or as we like to call it, rap. There are roughly thirty good rap albums to come out this year so far. None of which are Weezy, Throne, or Tyler. Some of which are Evidence, the Away Team, Statik Seletktah, Edo. G, Kool G Rap, and Smif-n-Wessun, to name a few. (Ed. Note: Stay tuned, as we'll be going more in depth on this come year-end. As well, in the next few days we'll be discussing the hottest guest-spot MCs going right now)...

...Speaking of rap, remember when it was called that? If you do, you're old like us. But you probably also remember stuff like "college rock." Before it became "alternative", which was eventually anything but an alternative. Then that became what we have now, "indie rock", which has become anything but independent. College rock was a real label because that's the only place that shit was getting played; on college radio stations. Left of the dial...

...Speaking of left of the dial, we are looking forward to the yet another installment of the annual Mats tribute at First Avenue. This year they are doing Sorry Ma...Forgot to Take Out the Trash. Here's hoping they keep it punk though...

...The NBA had it's best season in years last year, and now the stupid lockout. Talk about bad timing. Of course we want the NBA lockout to end for purely selfish reasons. Which is apropos, seeing as how selfishness is the root of the problem. At least locally, there are hoops worth looking forward to...

...Speaking of local hoops, it will be interesting to see how defending NCAA Div III champions St. Thomas will react this season, as four of their starters have graduated. On a similar note, will Hopkins destroy everyone in 4A Boy's competition for the millionth year in a row? Both the Breakdown Tip-Off classic at Minnetonka and the Best Buy holiday tourney at Augsburg look intriguing. Also of intrigue in the local hoops scene is the Gophers. Hopkins' alum Joe Coleman enters the mix amidst a handful of other local talent...

...Good luck to the Bigfork Huskies football team Thursday night as they attempt to avenge their only loss of the season en route to a first-ever MN state tournament appearance...

Peace!

Restore the Power issue #2 OUT NOW~!

2011-11-01T10:50:00.000-05:00

We are ~~very~~ a little bit proud to announce the ~~long~~ not really at all by anyone other than us-awaited arrival of the second issue of our HDD preview/teaser 'zine Restore The Power. Cover to cover RTP is 24 full-color pages of ~~stuff~~ shit that will to make your eyes and/or mind shed tears and/or explode with orgasm power. Literally half the size of HDD--5 1/2" x 4 1/4", and ~~literally~~ almost literally half the price--$3 ppd worldwide. Or free w/trade and/or if asked nicely and/or demanded convincingly. Interested? Let us know!

Still available from the HDD empire:

HotDogDayz #2--$5
Restore the Power #1--$2
If You Stink At Getting Ladies, Call Me #4--$1
The Soda Killers #1--$7
All prices are ppd worldwide. Available for trade.

Coming in 2012:
New issues of all of the above and more...

Seeking contributors and/or co-conspirators. All inquires: bnb@hotdogdayz.com

Record Review: Get Rad-Choose Your Own Adventure 7"

2011-10-31T10:20:00.000-05:00

Get Rad-Choose Your Own Adventure 7" (Halo of Flies)
By Nathan G. O'Brien on Scene Point Blank

...Being made of concrete would be kind of be the opposite of rad though, which is weird because rad is kind of exactly what these guys want you to get. I mean it would be cool if you got in a fight or something. Your opponent would have to be made of jackhammer or ten years of bad weather to fuck you up. But if you wanted to cuddle with your sweetie, it would probably be really uncomfortable for them. And as much as fighting rules, cuddling is like, a million times better. ...read entire review after the jump!

Dear HDD, I'm Over You

2011-10-27T13:15:00.000-05:00

Hey,
What the fuck is with you "guys?" Yes I put guys in quotes. Because I'm not entirely convinced it isn't the same couple people posing as different personas. If that is the case how fucking lame is that? Pathetic! But anyway the main reason I'm emailing you is because I feel that you need to kill this thing. HDD is fucking bullshit nowadays and gay as all hell. Everything is backdated and feels as though it's lacking in effort. Plus, what is really the point of this blog anyway? Oh yeah, it's a blog by the way. NOT a website. And it's not considered published work so I don't know why you're wasting your time with it. You write some really good stuff and you put up some decent photos every once in a while, but like, (as you say, like, all the damn time) what is the fucking point of this blog? I think I originally came here a couple years ago because I Googling for something funny about local Juggalos. Then I started enjoying the way you "guys" would add your spin to the way you covered things locally. But now it's pretty clear it has run it's course. When you have to backdate posts it means you don't care anymore. What I'm trying to say is, please kill it. I'm over it anyway, so I'm gone from this point forward, but you should save yourselves any further embarrassment and kill it now! And since I'm on my way out the door, I have a few things I'd like to say about how you fags liberally throw around terms like "punk." If this is punk then everything I have ever known about punk was wrong because this is clearly not. Punk isn't about fashion and graffiti and heavy metal and rap or fucking pottery. Punk is a way of life. A way of life that you "guys" are clearly not living. Just because you have a Sex Pistols shirt does not make you punk. Or wait, you're "normies" now right. Or was it hipsters? Or what the fuck? There is so much bullshit terminology thrown around in the stuff you "guys" write that is anything but punk. And I bet you don't do graffiti you just take pictures of it. Oh, how punk! Fuck digitized bullet belts and gay ass "Crass font!" Sorry, got carried away.  The point is, "guys", please kill it. It's over.

-anonymous

ps, I bet your zine sucks too.  Haha fags.

Anon,
You're way out of line with that not-a-website comment. How dare you!
-HDD

PS: You're totally wrong about the zine, man.

Static, whole cars

2011-10-26T12:45:00.000-05:00

Mpls, MN, 10/15/11

RE: I'm So Uncool: Things I Normally Like But Are Sort Of Pissing Me Off Lately

2011-10-25T12:23:00.000-05:00

Well it's time for another installment of I'm So Uncool. A series in which we list things we like/don't like/could care less about/have strong opinions about etc., etc. As always, we welcome any and all contributions. Send yours to I'm So Uncool at bnb@hotdogdayz.com. In the meantime, here are some things I normally like but are sort of pissing me off lately...

Chicken Breast
There are not of options for eating clean. You got your green veggies, citrus fruits, almonds, egg whites, whey, and lean proteins. Lean proteins are basically limited to poultry, fish, and cuts of beef with "top" and/or "round" in the name. Well, you're not supposed to eat fish more than a couple times a week because of mercury levels and shit, and beef even less. Which leaves you with poultry the majority of the time. And let's be honest, poultry basically means chicken. (Yeah, I know about turkey dumbass, but I'm not talking about nitrate-filled deli meats here; I'm talking about healthy yet economical choices.) The leanest part of the chicken is the breast, and if you want to keep it that way there are limited ways in which you can prepare it. So it boils down to that old too-much-of-a-good-thing thing. Chicken breast, you're one of my favs, but you're monopolizing the clean eating world and that shit is really harshing my gig.

Georges St. Pierre
GSP is the current UFC welterweight champion and one of my favorite fighters ever. However his last, oh I don't know, million fights have been total snoozefests. Yes he pretty much dominates everyone he steps in the octagon with but he never seems to go for the finish. Instead, opting for the unanimous five round decision. Whether he's out-striking his opponent on the feat or imposing his will in a twentyfive minute humpfest on the ground, he's putting people to sleep. And where he used to cut passionate post-fight promos, now he just apologizes for being, well, boring. Georges, you're the man, but goddammit finish someone already! You're really frustrating the shit out of me. Also, if you're gay, just admit it. Trust me, that would be the most badass thing in the history of MMA.

Justin Theroux
Yeah, I know that as a punk I'm supposed to hate Justin Theroux because he wears a Crass shirt to Starbucks in Maibu with his gf Jennifer Aniston and shows up at Hollywood celebrity functions in a patched-up jean vest and mismatched Nikes. Yep, he dares to break the cardinal rule: you can't be both rich & famous AND punk. He must not know that punks are supposed to hate money and success or whatever. Anyway, he had a photo spread in last month's GQ in which he sported two things I extremely dislike: '70s-style gear and a cigarette in his mouth. Justin, I like you but that shit pissed me off. The'70s is the decade that fashion forgot about, and smoking, well that's just fucking stupid.

Popcorn
Popcorn, you're the best. You're reliable and comfortable, and you have the uncanny ability to make the worst movie watchable or the shittiest bar tolerable. I sincerely love you. But here's the deal: you're always stuck in my teeth and you affect my bowel movements in a really weird way. It's kind of pissing me off.

Runner's Up: CM Punk, Red Hot Chili Peppers, local Hip Hop, The Vikings, The NBA

-BNB