Vampire Beavers: Halloween Canadian Style

Now vampire beavers don't really exist.......do they? For the past 30 years this mythic creature has been celebrated as well as vilified, thanks to the cult status of Joe Hall's ode to these scary creatures.

Since noone really knows what a vampire beaver looks like, this picture at left is the closest thing I could find, courtesy of photographer Josef Hsalek. The credit on his photo claims it is a procavia capensis. (Of course! I knew that!) If anyone can tell me the actual English name for this little guy, please feel free to leave a Comment.

Now, I should inform any non-Canadian readers that we DO NOT celebrate Halloween by honouring these scary looking creatures. The beaver is Canada's national animal, and it seemed only fitting that Mr. Hall satirize this creature in song.

A staple on the Dr. Demento radio shows, the song was originally issued on the Rancho Banano album in 1980. I have to say, it has always been a regular track on my many Halloween party mixtapes over the years, and it seems to be a hard one to find on the net. Ironically, a quick search of Dr. Demento's website reveals the song was included on 25 shows' playlists. So it can't be that obscure.

So, in honour of our Canadian Halloween, I give you the scary musical tale of "Vampire Beavers"....

mp3: Joe Hall & The Continental Drift - Vampire Beavers


Buy CD at iTunes

Brash 3D: The Reel Experience

From the dancefloor to the movie theatre, Hollywood's growing obsession with 3D has finally caught up with the imagination of Jaime Lopez and his digital, three-dimensional creations.

Brash 3D Studios Inc., a division of Advance Media Group Inc., is currently focused on a marketing plan aimed directly at Hollywood. By creating 3D content for advertisers and video production houses they are looking to add that extra dimension to the theatre-going experience. Previously known for integrating their creative content to corporate and music industry clients, this is an exciting new development for the industry and consumers.

The move from 35MM to digital projectors in recent years has opened new possibilities for pre-feature 3D content. Patrons will no longer complain about having to sit through commercials they can see at home, when they are shown in three dimensions on the big screen.

In anticipation of films such as Disney's A Christmas Carol (which will also be released in IMAX 3D), theatre owners are enthusiastically embracing the value-added content of pre-feature 3D commercials and promos. Providing this optimized visual content, accompanied by digital CD quality sound, Brash 3D is looking for to enhance and improve a night out at the movies that a mere at-home DVD screening on the small screen cannot accomplish. In other words, this will give moviegoers "more bang for the buck".

Combining artistry with technology, Jaime Lopez boasts an extensive resume of 3D modeling and animation, interactive 3D, and 3D video. Through the Brash Live division, under the moniker Mr. Brash, he has displayed this creativity in the electronic dance music scene as a VJ, working with such scene stars as Tiesto, Danny Tenaglia, Erick Morillo, and John Aquaviva. The Brash Media Server has also seen duty on tour with such performers as Kid Rock, Nelly Furtado, and Eros Ramazotti. For a bit of visual history, check out some of Brash's postings on You Tube.

This past summer, Jaime and Brash Live provided art direction and content for Big Wig Productions' Rocktagon, a multimedia installation at the Calgary Stampede and Exhibition. A couple of postings on You Tube show the installation in action. Here's one posted by an employee working at the Stampede:



Be sure to check out the Brash 3D website.

On a final note, let me say, we've come a long way from Dr. Tongue's 3D House of Stewardesses.

Totally Shameless Plug No. 00003: DJ Zazoo - Flirting With Nostalgia 2

Now this is a totally shameless plug.

My alter ego (aka DJ Zazoo) is a creative outlet for my aural conceptual pieces. I like to look at it as an artistic expression. They're DJ mixes, but not necessarily ones you can dance to. (I've included a direct link in the right side frame to check out my previous creations and also for future reference.)

The reason for this post is to advertise the fact that I have just uploaded the sequel to Flirting With Nostalgia on the b00mb0x website.

Once again, I've played with classic rock tracks, mixed up with movie samples, mashups, and various audio samples, at times coming across as a bit of a statement. But what artistic expression is not a statement? Socially, politically, or otherwise? It's a little dark and evil at times, and a little psychedelic and fun.....perfect timing for Halloween, I guess.

It's also small enough to fit on a CD. All the better for you to enjoy within the confines and comfort of your automobile, living room, bedroom, or other locale.

The playlist:
01. Colatron – The Voice of Love Is Crying
02. Frank Zappa – Centerville
03. Bernard Herrmann – Diary of a Taxi Driver
04. Colatron – Twin Hearts
05. Chris Isaak – Dubbed Out Games (Trentemøller’s Unreleased Mix)
06. Mark Vidler/ GHP – 2000 Light Years From Bolan
07. Bernard Herrmann – The Day The Earth Stood Still
08. Peter Sellers – Hard Days Night
09. Beautiful People – If 60’s Were 90’s (PM Dawn’s 12″ Remix)
10. Riccardo Eberspacher – Sand
11. Rough Trade – Grade B Movie
12. Black Sabbath – Black Sabbath
13. Dark Side Voices – Excerpt from Dark Side of the Moon A Capella – Breathe
14. M3 – Mash From Hell (intro)
15. AC DC – Hells Bells
16. The Nice – America
17. Deep Purple – Listen, Learn, Read On
18. Jimi Hendrix – Third Stone From The Sun
19. Mike Devine (Hi-Brid) – Fools Watchtower
20. Rolling Stones – Sympathy For The Devil
21. Dark Side Voices – Excerpt from Dark Side of the Moon A Capella – Brain Damage/ Eclipse

Play and/or Download here

The Prisoner returns

AMC's new interpretation of the old 1960's series satrring Patrick McGoohan makes it's highly anticipated premiere on Sunday, November 15 at 8pm ET.

Starring Jim Caviezel and Ian McKellen, the series reinterprets the ideology and paranoia of the original Village. Number Six (Caviezel) is still trying to escape the confines of what he assumes is a prison of sorts, where he is being held against his will. Number Two (McKellen) continues to arrogantly deflect Number Six's attempts at finding out why he is in The Village, not to mention his attempts at escaping.

Prior to his death, Patrick McGoohan gave his approval to the series, and was even considering a cameo. But, from all accounts, his failing health prevented any appearance that I know of. Then again, something may have been filmed in anticipation of his death. I guess we will have to watch and see.

Scheduled to air two episodes back to back over three consecutive nights, it will also be available On Demand the day after the broadcast, if available on your cable operator.

Already, the preliminary hype has started. Besides AMC's blog on their website, a Village Wiki has been created as an addendum to the series, further adding to the mystery. I'm sure there will be even more fan based sites popping up as the days count down to November 15.

If you were tuned into the season premiere of AMC's Breaking Bad, then you would have surely caught the unprecedented 9-minute trailer for The Prisoner following that show. If you did miss it, do not despair, since the wonder of the internet (and YouTube) makes it available at any time.

So without further ado, please enjoy this extended preview of what could be the TV event of the season.

Totally Shameless Plug No. 00002 - Lost Valentinos

A few years back, I became interested in the Oz music scene, and have found the quality of programming on Triple J to be exemplary. As a subscriber to Triple J’s free new music podcast, the flow of music into my iTunes continues weekly. As can be expected, some I like and some I don’t, and some stick out like a sore thumb, begging for acceptance.

Australia’s Lost Valentinos are one such band. Wikipedia states a quote from the NME describing them as “A skittering shitstorm of punk fury, disco beats and psychedelic excursions, the sonic invention of M83, Can and My Bloody Valentine melding with the panty-poking fun of Wham!, The Pixies and The Human League."

Having released a couple of EP’s, they have just released their debut album. This past summer, they toured Europe and the UK. North America, it seems, has yet to experience them. A quick check on the Hype Machine shows I'm not the only one praising their creative ouput. Be sure to check out their eerie webpage.

mp3: Lost Valentinos - Midnight


BONUS #1: Free downloads from the 12" of "Midnight" remixes are available here.
BONUS #2: Couldn't resist putting their latest video up, "Serio" from the album Cities Of Gold.....enjoy.



MySpace
Buy CD at Sanity

Happy Thanksgiving?

As a resident of Canada, this weekend marks our Thanksgiving; a weekend where we celebrate the harvests of our agriculture. Back in 1957, the Canadian government officially declared the second Monday in October as Thanksgiving Day. Since Remembrance Day is celebrated on November 11, days before the American Thanksgiving, it was decided that our holiday should fall a month earlier.

Every year, the questions arises. Like Christmas, has Thanksgiving become too commercial? In the United States, the Friday following Thanksgiving is know as Black Friday, which marks the beginning of the Christmas countdown and celebration. It is also the biggest retail shopping weekend of the year. A "do or die" weekend for retailers.

It seems the original, almost Pagan, meaning of a time for “giving thanks” has evolved for the majority of the population. 2009 has been a very unforgiving year for many. The tumbling economy coupled with the bankruptcy of the auto industry is a main example of this.

I know first-hand the devastation of having a 15-year career for an auto parts supplier suddenly end, with nothing to show for it. I suddenly began thinking about all that overtime and that “110%” that I gave. It was all for naught. The best I can hope for is getting my sizeable severance from the receiver, after all the assets have been sold off.

I know first-hand the feeling of frustration in search of equal employment, and the toll it has taken on my wife and family. It seems the only jobs available right now are junior positions at half the salary. I have also felt that my being turned down for a position was due to the fear of the interviewer (to whom I would report) for her job, since I may have been perceived as a threat with my qualifications. Living through the bankruptcy of my employer has left me with feelings of doubt, and questioning the viability of any new position. Is it really worth it for me to work so hard with the threat of dissolution that could happen at any time?

I know first-hand the feeling of loss felt by friends who have experienced a death in the family this year. I’m sure everyone has experienced a loss this year, physically and/or emotionally. Hopefully, this will bring friends and family closer together. Loss and grief can be handled in many ways. Perhaps reflecting on the good times while they were on this earth will help begin the healing.

So what do we have to give thanks for in 2009?

Well, to begin with, we can be thankful we are alive. We can be thankful we are healthy (despite the fact that I’m battling a cold right now). We can be thankful that no matter what our household income is, there is an income, seeing us through these times, putting food on our table, gas in our car, and putting our kids through school.

For me, this year has been more of a year of hope than thanks. Personally, I can’t see the year end soon enough, since 2010 couldn’t be any worse than 2009.

Happy Thanksgiving, Canada!