Scene Report: Art In The Streets at MOCA

Art In The Streets, Geffen Contemporary at MOCA, Los Angeles, CA, 7/9/11

From the MOCA website: "Art in the Streets is the first major U.S. museum survey of graffiti and street art...the development of graffiti and street art from the 1970s to the global movement it has become today...paintings, mixed media sculptures, and interactive installations...will emphasize Los Angeles's role in the evolution of graffiti and street art, with special sections dedicated to seminal local movements such as cholo graffiti and Dogtown skateboard culture. A comprehensive timeline illustrated with artwork, photos, video, and ephemera will provide a historical context for the work."

From the first time I heard about this, I knew there was no way I was going to miss this show. Words can't describe how much stuff is up in here.  Just amazing.  It's like, everything I love about...I don't know...life.  All in one place at one time.  I can't imagine the amount of work that went into putting this together.  Every time I turn the corner, there is something new--something or someone I recognize, some artifact from my youth, something I've only heard about or seen in magazines.  Its like constantly trying to catch your breath but never being able to.  The poor GF is dizzy within' minutes of being in here and it's going to take hours to get through.  There is literally no escape from the imagery--explosions of color, dirt, grime, sound, words, debauchery, etc.  It's swirling all around us. Haze's original sketch of the Beastie Boys Check Your Head logo, Jaime Reid's original Sex Pistols collages, Jean-Michel Basquiat, cholo lettering, Neckface, Craig Stecyk's Dogtown photos, Fab Five Freddy, Bozo Texino, Dash Snow, Rammellzee, Terry Richardson photos from his punk rock teens, Raymond Pettibone, Thrasher Magazine, Estivan Oriel, motorcycle gangs, Banksy, Fairy, McGhee, Os Gemeos...ugh, too many to name.  It's fucking U N B E L I E V A B L E!  Seriously.  I'm having a hard time comprehending it all.

We are being mind-fucked to death so hard that we are coming back to life...

Here's a few thirty some photos so far, but this won't be the last you'll see of Art In The Streets on HDD...

Art In The Streets, Geffen Contemporary at MOCA, LA, CA, 7/9/11

HDD reviewed on One Minute Zine Reviews

Listen to this amazing one minute audio review of HotDogDayz issue #2.  You'll no doubt want to get your hands on a copy after hearing such high praise.  No, srsly, thanks to DJ Frederick for taking the time.  We greatly appreciate it.  Take a listen...

http://zinereviews.blogspot.com/2011/07/audio-review-hot-dog-dayz-2.html

Contact us at bnb@hotdogdayz.com or thee.n.o.b@gmail.com or simply click on the PayPal link on the upper right hand side of this here blah-guh.  It's all the rage, man.

Scene Report: Motley Crue and Poison Live At The Target Center

Mötley Crüe and Poison- A Live Report
By Nathan G. O'Brien on Scene Point Blank 

It was as if the rural communities of Minnesota and Wisconsin took a giant crap all over downtown Minneapolis on Friday night. I’ll paint for you a simple picture of the folks in attendance: Old. Fat. Ugly. White. You might laugh at me, but I was actually a little surprised by this. I have seen the Crüe a few times in the last six or seven years and the crowd is usually a little more, ah, current. At one point the GF told me it would look less-obvious that I was in awe of these creatures, if I was actually talking to her while observing them, rather than standing there— jaw on the floor, shaking my head in disbelief.

Coors Lights were eight bucks a pop...  Continue reading here. 

Record Review: Mauser-End Of The Line

Mauser-End Of The Line (Vinyl Rites)
By Nathan G. O'Brien on Scene Point Blank

In terms of underground punk, there has been a noticeable trend lately towards a less-produced sound—a focus more on rawness and distortion, than on cleanliness. Such is the case with this Gainesville, FL four piece’s impressive new 7”. There is an obstinate noisiness present throughout End of the Line—blown-out, screaming vocals, guitars and bass dripping with reverb, and severe blast beat drums—that will leave the listener feeling dizzy, exhausted, and quite possibly looking for a Xanax. Yes, played at the proper volume (loud, duh), this stuff is totally capable of triggering a panic attack.  ...Read the rest of the review here.

HDD reviewed in MRR

The fine folks at MaximumRocknRoll reviewed HotDogDayz #2 in their latest issue. A few inaccuracies though--it is issue #2, not #1 and it is $5 donation, not free...unless you are broke, want to trade, or ask nicely. We still have some of these left. Email one of us at bnb@hotdogdayz.com or thee.n.o.b@gmail.com or simply use the PayPal link at the top right of this here blaaaarg.

MRR #338, July 2011

Scene Report: The Gateway District Live At The Hexagon Bar

The Gateway District live, Hexagon Bar, Mpls, MN, 6/23/11

You know those times; you're standing alone in a dingy bar, watching a really great band--maybe you've had a few...or a few too many--and suddenly a wave of sentimentality comes crashing down onto you, crippling your emotional coping capability, leaving you no choice to but to face the fact that perhaps you'll never see those certain someones again--be it your running mates from the salad days or the ones-that-got-away--and that even if you did, it wouldn't be like it was back then, and then you decide it's a good time to start sending out text messages to the folks in question.  Oh, that's never happened to you?  Huh.  Well if it did, odds are it was while you were singing along to The Gateway District.

Last night's crowd at the Hex was sparse to say the least.  Perhaps it was the bubblegum garage pop of Oakland, CA's overrated and gimmicky No Bunny, taking place across the river at The Turf Club (highly unlikely), or maybe it was because--depending on if you still look at MySpace band pages or not--you didn't even know GD was even playing.  (Thank gawd for Facebook updates, amirite?  Nah, JK.)  Even with the meager audience The Gateway District did what they always do best--have a blast playing good-time, catchy pop punk.  As usual it was all smiles on stage between the two former Salteens, Carrie and Sturgeon; and those vibes extended to us, making it easy to have just as much fun as they were.  Like the last few times I've seen GD, there were the same three or four superfans right up front, singing along.  I know they are just having a good time and who am I to knock them for that, but at certain point it becomes a little obnoxious and quite frankly, annoying.  You're not in the band.  GD played all the older ones from Some Days You Got the Thunder and a bunch songs that I didn't recognize, that I assume are from the brand new record, Perfect's Gonna Fail.   They were by far the most captivating band to play last night, as evidenced by their set being the only time the band room of the Hex was somewhat full.

For loner dudes like me, the only downside to seeing the Gateway District play is that it has to end at some point.  And then you are left, an emotional wreck, nostalgic for days (and people) gone by, trying to hide under the brim of a tightly pulled Twins cap, staring at your phone, wondering what those certain someones are up to, and shooting off ill-advised text messages to them, which will no-doubt go unanswered, prompting you to go home and spend the late-night hours YouTubing videos the 'Mats performing "Answering Machine."

HDD Summer Series #2: A Tribe Called Quest

The Tribe documentary comes out in a couple of weeks.  Apparently everyone involved with this flick is pissed off at each other, playing a game of he-said-she-said. Who cares! Here's hoping this comes to the TC. It's bound to bring back a lot of memories...

It's no secret, Tribe was the shit. I still remember the first time I heard of them--Yo! MTV Raps with Ed Lover and Doctor Dre, all day! The video was for "I Left My Wallet In El Segundo" and I knew immediately that I had to have it. I spent more than a few summer days walking the shores of Lake Bemidji and Nymore (what'up Nymore!) with a deuce-deuce of Mickey's in a paper bag, rocking People's Instinctive Travels and Paths of Rhythm or Low End Theory cassettes on my knockoff Walkman. This was well after Midnight Marauders was out on CD, but my broke ass still didn't have a CD Walkman. I had the pleasure of seeing them three different summers--Lollapalooza in '94, Smokin' Grooves in '96, and opening for the Beastie Boys on the Hello Nasty tour. You know, like, back before you were born and shit. 

And let's not forget Michael Rapaport has been down with hip-hop since way back. Zebrahead anyone? Shit, that man named one of his kids after Maseo from De La Soul.  It's comical to think about now, but that shit--white kids into hip-hop--was kind of controversial back in the day. And I can tell you from experience, it wasn't easy. (Shout outs to my old-school Bigfork "wiggers.") Anyone remember Chris Mullin shouting out Brand Nubian in 1990? I do. 

I also remember a living room, the smell of herb hanging heavy in the air, a ridiculous amount of blunts being passed, and "Jam" from Beats, Rhymes and Life on the stereo; everyone rappin' along, "It was a Friday afternoon in the middle of June/Heineken bottle caps and the aroma of boom...Then he introduced me to that hydro smoke/I took one toke/Yo, I almost choked."

Hellz yeah, I'm looking forward to this.

Record Review: Culo-Toxic Vision

Culo-Toxic Vision (Deranged Records) 

By Nathan G. O'Brien on Scene Point Blank

As it turns out, Cülo are actually four white dudes from Elgin, IL—technically a suburb. I have to admit: a younger, idealistically naive version of me very well may have dismissed a band based on such knowledge. Now, as a seasoned veteran of this game, I can proclaim confidently (and with only a tiny percentage of irony): the suburbs got it goin’ on!  ...Read the rest of the review here.

Scene Report: Dirty Biker Party

Last Sunday we went to the Dirty Biker Motorcycle Shop for a party aptly titled, Dirty Biker Party. Billed as a "Motorcycle and Metal Show," it was a full day of music, BBQ, beer, and, of course, motorcycles. Unfortunately, the nice weather was too nice for people to not be out riding, which meant their were not as many cycles in the lot as they had hoped.  But there were still a handful to check out...if you dare get near them.  (Not sure if you're aware of this, but bikers can be kind of intimidating.)  A total of five bands, spanning the metal spectrum, tore it up inside the shop, while various volunteers kept the grill rolling all day outside. And everything was complimentary to boot. There was a modest but enthusiastic crowd in attendance—not bad for an event in a city ripe with Memorial Day options for those not camping or on the road.  We know we must have had a great time because we woke up with sore necks from headbanging and hangovers from, well, you know what causes hangovers. 

We got a chance to catch up with Jason Austin, owner and operator, of the upstart Dirty Biker Motorcycles, to chat about the shop and the party...

HDD: Tell me a little bit about Dirty Biker. You’re a new shop—when did you start?

Jason Austin: We opened up shop in the spring of 2011.

What’s your deal? Like, what services and/or products do you offer?

We specialize in service/repairs for all Harley Davidson, American V-Twin custom motorcycles and select import bobbers and choppers. We also buy and sell new and used parts for these types of bikes. We will also do motorcycle apparel. As well, we do house calls for motorcycle services and simple repair, and towing, detailing, storage, and consignment sales of motorcycles.

How did you come up with the idea for the party this past weekend? What inspired that?

It came from a vision I continually get when I look in my parking lot—it screams, "If you throw it, they will come.” I have all this space; I may as well use it. This shop is more than just a business to me—it’s about building off of the local art and music scene and incorporating it into the motorcycle scene. And I guess the party was me making a move on that.

Nice. We look at our bicycles as pieces of art—the way people personalize their fixies and whatnot. Motorcycles—especially customs—are pieces of art too.

I think of these bikes as art that people are building in their homes or garages. I like being a part of that scene. It’s where I get the inspiration to build myself a custom bobber or chopper.

The party was a success, wouldn’t you say? Both kegs were killed and all the food was gone by the time the last band finished up.

The party was success in my mind even if there were more cars in the lot than motorcycles. The people that were here thoroughly enjoyed themselves and were appreciative of what I am trying to do down here.

I assume you look forward to having more events like this one.

I plan on having another party real soon. I want to do some art shows as well. Dirty Biker is not just a motorcycle shop to me—it’s an art gallery, it’s a music venue, and it’s a place to both give and receive inspiration.

Dirty Biker Motorcycle Shop
1117 Washington Ave S (Next to Grumpy's)
Minneapolis, MN

Shop Hours: Mon - Sat, 11am-7pm during the riding season.

Dirty Biker Party, Dirty Biker Motorcycle Shop, Mpls, MN, 5/29/11

Scene Report: Midwest Hell Fest~Day 2

Midwest Hell Fest Wrapup-Day 2

By Nathan G. O'Brien on Scene Point Blank

(Midwest Hell Fest Wrapup-Day 1 here.)

Despite intermittent sleep, I wake up feeling fairly well rested.  If memory serves correctly, I’m somewhere deep within the confines of enemy territory—Wisconsin.  Sports rivalries aside, I’m happy to be here.  For one, there’s a punk festival happening a couple blocks away, and secondly, there is cold pizza and bread sticks for breakfast within arm’s reach.  Memory of how the food got here and why it's for the most part untouched is somewhat foggy.  ...Continue reading here.

Record Review: Ground Sloth-Demo

Ground Sloth-Demo (self-released)
By Nathan G. O'Brien exclusively for HotDogDayz.

From the colonial landscape of Williamsburg, WA—“the birthplace of the American Dream,” so the tagline goes—hail Ground Sloth. This outfit is comprised of four young gents who found each other while working as DJs for the college radio station at nearby William & Mary. Ground Sloth has only been playing shows around Williamsburg for about three months now, but that has not deterred them from unleashing to the world (via the Internet) this four-song demo of clamorous metal-punk.


The first track, “9-11 Hot Wings”—which gets my vote for Best Song Title of the Year—can best be described as a gloomy romp through the tortured mind of a soldier high on psychotropic drugs. Of course I could be totally wrong about the subject matter because, fact is, the vocals are largely unintelligible. It makes no difference to me though, as actual lyrical content usually matters little, provided it’s not singing the praises of Michelle Bachman or arguing for the recompense of slavery. I can assure you they are neither or anything as equally revolting. It’s probably anti-war or, about getting stoned…or, an anti-war song about getting stoned. Let’s move on, shall we?

Song two—“Right to Self-Destruct” starts off, well, appropriately—“Don’t deny my right to self-destruct!” Lyrically, it doesn’t take long to figure this one out. Whereas the previous song had sludge-stoner-metal affections, reminiscent of High On Fire or Eyehategod, this song is more in the vein of raw noise punk that’s become quite popular of late—like a slightly less chaotic Nerveskade. To anyone familiar with his work ska-crust ragers Diskast or the highly underappreciated Clean Girls, bass player, Josh Makela’s patented high-pitched vocals are easily recognizable on this one. Mid–song there is a nice mosh breakdown that lasts exactly six seconds before effortlessly transitioning into a speed metal spot that is equally as short. Believe me, it’s, like, totally rad. Put your keg cups in the air!

“Drug Haze” shows Ground Sloth flexing their hardcore punk rock chops. Again, the noise elements are present though. It’s like Murder Disco X and Raw Nerve met at a house party, smoked up, and slammed out some tracks in the bathroom or kitchen or some other place that sounds like the inside of a PBR tallboy.

“The Last Unicorn” is appropriately placed at the end of this demo, as it captures all the best moments of the previous three songs in one masterful doom-infected juncture, which may or may not be a tribute the 1982 animated feature of the same name.

Overall, the quality of the recording is what you’d expect of a demo—raw and lacking a few of the fine-tuning adjustments that usually happen once something gets laid to vinyl. I get a boner for demos, so I think it’s perfect. I would love to see this come out on a cassette. However, I think we’ll be lucky if we see any more Ground Sloth output at all. At present, the drummer, Erik plans to move to Seattle at the end of the summer and there is a good chance Josh will be leaving for NYC. So catch them while you can in the next few months—they are booking shows around Williamsburg and Richmond, VA and Washington DC.

If you’re still not sold on Ground Sloth, you no-doubt will be after you hear how Josh explains them—“We just hang out, smoke weed, drink, talk about girls, and occasionally bang out a hardcore breakdown and write a song around it.”

Now if that isn’t living the American Dream, I don’t know what is.

Stream or download here.

Send us your stuff for review to BNB at  bnb@hotdogdayz.com or Nathan at thee.n.o.b@gmail.com

Record Review: Power-Death Haunts

Power-Death Haunts (Twelve Gauge Records)
By Nathan G. O'Brien on Scene Point Blank

Having existed for roughly three years now, Bremerton, WA’s, Power have created somewhat of a rep for themselves in the Pacific Northwest. The aftermath of one particular incident resulted in half the band landing in jail—a demolished automobile left in their wake. And legend has it that Power set a dumpster on fire while Tacoma band, Sojourner, were filming a music video. All malignant actions aside, Power is most known for being the best hardcore act to come out of the area in recent times...  Continue reading here.

Scene Report: Midwest Hell Fest~Day 1

Midwest Hell Fest Wrapup-Day 1
By Nathan G. O'Brien on Scene Point Blank

After losing a year of my life behind the wheel, I finally arrive at my destination: Kimberly, Wisconsin. Upon walking into the hotel—and I use this term loosely—lobby, I am happy to find a lovely old lady behind the counter chatting it up with a handful of punks.  Punks I can only assume are in town for the same reason I am—the first annual Midwest Hell Fest...  Continue reading here.

Record Review: Beastie Boys-Hot Sauce Committee Part Two

Beastie Boys-Hot Sauce Committee Part Two (Capital Records)
By Nathan G. O'Brien on Scene Point Blank

Long before it became acceptable for rappers to get by over-relying on Auto-Tune, the Beastie Boys were exercising a variety of vocal effects. That tradition continues in several instances on Hot Sauce. On “Tadlock’s Glasses”, when MCA humorously raps, “You’ve got a bagel in your pants and that’s a must/Plus I cuss and grab my nuts/Got a six finger ring that says ‘Excuse Our Dust’” his pack-a-day smokey drawl sounds like it’s been twisted into a pretzel and stuffed in a tin can. In other words, it’s the aural equivalent of huffing a whippet balloon underwater...  see entire review here.

Record Review: Atmosphere-The Family Sign

Atmosphere-The Family Sign (Rhymesayers Entertainment)
By Nathan G. O'Brien on Scene Point Blank

Atmosphere’s MC, Slug has made a career, literally, out of exploiting and exercising his own personal demons as well as of those around him.  He has an uncanny knack for telling a deeply personal story—sometimes his, sometimes someone else’s—all while moving the crowd.  In short,  he’s the heart-on-his-sleeve guy who rocks the party.  Though, as Slug gets older, there’s a little less of the fun stuff...  Continue here.

Record Review: Criaturas-Aranas en el Corazon

Criaturas-Aranas en el Corazon (Lengua Armada Discos)
By Nathan G. O'Brien on Scene Point Blank

Austin, TX—wich recently shed its longstanding slogan “The Live Music Capital of the World” in favor of the less desirable “The Place Where Ben Weasel Punched That Chick”—is home to a relatively new five piece hardcore band called Criaturas.  As is usually the case with incestuous genres such as punk, Criaturas shares its members with other bands...  Continue reading here.

HOTDOGDAYZ issue #2 OUT NOW!

It's been over a year since the first issue of HotDogDayz came out. We did release two little teasers slash offspring last year--Restore the Power and If You Stink At Getting Ladies, Call Me (both out of print)--but now the mothership has landed once again.So without further adieu... 

Finally HDD has come back to...  Ahhh, yeah, uhm, well we're not that good at speeches, so like, here's the HDD zine, part deux...

Cover-to-cover HotDogDayz #2 is 32 pages of art, photography, collage, found items, and more--bullet belts, Crass font, graffiti, James Franco, vomit, etc. Gritty black & white with a full-color centerfold. HDD is a non-profit venture. The sales from each issue are donated to a charitable cause. If you'd like to purchase a copy, you can do so by clicking on the Paypal link below or emailing thee.n.o.b@gmail.com or bnb@hotdogdayz.com. Include a name and an address. Suggested donation is $5 ppd. However, any amount under/over $5 is greatly appreciated.  Please don't hesitate to contact us with any questions. Update: Next issue due Summer '11.  We mean it, man!

Record Store Day Wrap -Up (Late Slip)

Loren G and I braved the masses of commerce last Saturday for Record Store Day.  At Extreme Noise we inhaled complimentary veggie dogs and crammed into the back room to see short loud sets by Frozen Teens and the always awesome Condominium.  Live at the crack of noon!  Then we went over to Fifth Element where we stood in line with all the white kids from the burbs.  I'm pretty sure we looked like dads.  Having hit the two of the four major food groups--punk rock and hip-hop--and fulfilling our duty as retailers, we called it quits. 

LOOT LIST:

Aberrant/Unholy Grave-split7"

Against Empire/Holokaust-Threat To Existence-split 7"

Atmosphere-The Family Sign-CD

Blueprint-Adventures in Counter Culture-CD

Death Wish Kids-There's Nothing In School…-7"

Deskonocidos-Problemas-7"

Lord Green-Last Demo Ever-Cassette Tape

Maximum RockNRoll Magazine-#336 May 2011

Opt//Out-Demo 2010-Cassette Tape

Party Fowl-s/t-7" 45

Poliskitzo-s/t-Cassette Tape

Rayos X-Sufrimiento-Cassette Tape

Semi.Official-The Anti-Album-LP

Tear It Up-Taking You Down With Me-CD

Vacuum-Demo-Cassette Tape




CONDOMINIUM, Extreme Noise, Mpls, MN, 4/16/11

 

Record Review: Victims-A Dissident

VICTIMS-A Dissident (Deathwish Inc., Tank Crimes, La Familia) 
By Nathan G. O'Brien on Scene Point Blank

You know how after your favorite bands have been around for a while they eventually make that back-to-our-roots kind of record that reminds you of the fire they once had?  Well this is one of the records that happen before that one.  Existing well past the decade mark, Stockholm,  Sweden’s Victims have been called many things—punk, hardcore, thrash,  d-beat, crust, metal, and…well, you get the picture.  With the release of their fifth full-length album, A Dissident, one could make an argument for the addition of another genre to the list: Pop.

As anyone who has had the pleasure of witnessing Victims play live can tell you, they bring an aural onslaught capable of transforming any dance floor into a whirlwind of flailing bodies and flung beer...  Continue reading here.