Get your facts straight, you filthy animal!

Evey song in this post has an animal in their name or band name. I also added little factoids for reading enjoyment. I am so lazy.

Coffee was first discovered when goat herders noticed the animals acting very energetic after nibbling on coffee beans. An autoclave is a device to sterilize equipment and supplies by subjecting them to high pressure steam at 121° C or more. It was invented by Charles Chamberland in 1879.
The Mountain Goats - Autoclave

Yaks do not bellow, bawl, or moo. Instead they communicate in quiet grunts, snorts and head shakes. Yaks are extremely intelligent, curious, independent, serene, mellow, and quiet animals that make them a pleasure to raise. If raised as a pasture pet, they will respond to you as a pet, always seeking attention and responding in turn with appreciation and with real personality. If raised on a ranch with minimum interaction, they quickly recognize and accept their caretakers as friendly and are not aggressive, as long as the caretaker knows how to communicate with their Yaks, and establish their leadership position in the Yak's pecking order. The Missouri River is about 2,540 miles long, making it the longest river in North America. The Nile is the longest river in the world at 4,132 miles as it travels northward from its remote headwaters in Burundi to the Mediterranean Sea. # The 8 longest rivers in the U.S. are (in descending order) Missouri, Mississippi, Yukon, St. Lawrence (if you count the Great Lakes and its headwaters as one system), Rio Grande, Arkansas, Colorado, Ohio.
Wild Yaks - River May Come

The rose is the official National Floral emblem of the United States. This legislation was signed into law by President Ronald Reagan on October 7, 1986. The rose is also the state flower selected by Georgia, Iowa, New York, North Dakota and the District of Columbia. Foxes are solitary animals that do not really prefer to live in packs. The fox belongs to the medium sized canid group.Although foxes belong to the Canidae family along with dogs, they also display behavior patterns similar to cats. The vertically slit eyes are on similar lines of the feline cats, besides, they also have retractable claws.
The Rosebuds - Nice Fox

The Big Dipper is not a constellation, it is an asterism. Many people consider the big dipper to be a constellation but, in fact, it is an asterism. An asterism is a pattern of stars in the sky which is not one of the official 88 constellations; they are also composed of stars which are not physically related to each other and can be vast distances apart. An asterism can be composed of stars from one or more constellations - in the case of the Big Dipper, it is composed entirely of the seven brightest stars in the Ursa Major (Great Bear) constellation. Tigers normally sleep up to eighteen hours at a time and can eat up to 50-70 pounds of meat in a meal.
Her Space Holiday - Sleepy Tigers

The eye is the only part of the human body that can function at 100% ability at any moment, day or night, without rest. Your eyelids need rest, the external muscles of your eyes need rest, the lubrication of your eyes requires replenishment, but your eyes themselves "never" need rest. But please rest them! The most important muscle in kissing is the orbicularis oris, also known as the kissing muscle, which allows the lips to “pucker. Every two to four years there is a change in the pride where either a younger male or a male from another pride takes over and drives out the older males. This is a violent time for the group. The new dominant male usually kills most of the male offspring of the previous leader of the pride. The females defend their own young but if they lose they begin breeding with the newcomer. The roar of a lion can be heard up to five miles away.
The Features - Lions

Super Sweet Human Being Bonus Song
The most snow produced in a single snowstorm is 4.8 meters (15.75ft) at Mt Shasta Ski Bowl, California (USA) between February 13-19 in 1959. Each square inch of human skin consists of twenty feet of blood vessels.
Miike Snow - Animal

The other night I rented a movie called Trailer Park Boys: The Movie. I saw it early in the morning on Comedy Central but was only able to catch the first 15 minutes or so before I fell asleep (not because the movie was boring, more from a night of drinking with friends). I remember it was really funny and had this guy who reminded me of Milton from office space named Bubbles(pictured above). I forgot about it for a long time and recently came across it at Ballbuster...*ahem* I mean Blockbuster. It's done by the same guys who did Old School, and although it's not as funny as Old School, it's still a great movie and has Canadian accents. I watched it two days in a row and it just keeps getting better and better. I am sure it's one of those movies that grows on you like Napoleon Dynamite. Anyway, go rent it. There is one scene that had a great song by 70's canadian band April Wine. This song has been slowly crawling it's way to the top of my playlist. I don't know if it's the trippy stoned out vibe of the song or the thought of seeing a trashy babe strutting to this song in a trailer park but I am a April Wine fan. P.S. Not only is Trailer Park Boys a movie but it's also a great TV show.
April Wine - I'm On Fire For You Baby

Billy Bragg has been making his often politically charged and romanticized music for over 30 years. Bragg was born in in Barking, Essex, England and started out in the punk/pub scene with the band Riff Raff. The band put out a few releases but never gained that much of a following. After deciding that the music career was not panning out he joined the British Army but after completing his training he bought his way out and decided to give the music career another try. Bragg began steadily touring playing solo shows. He solicited his demo tape to labels but got no response. That is until he pretended to be a TV repairman and got into the offices of he got into the office of Charisma Records. The record company liked his demo but they were not financially able to help him. He got an offer to record more demos from a music publisher and Charisma agreed to release them as an album. Bragg also caught a lucky break when famous BBC radio DJ John Peel, announced on air that he was hungry. Bragg who was listening ran to the BBC studios with a mushroom biryani. In return Peel played one of Braggs songs, however he played it at the wrong speed. Peel said that he would have played the song with out the food (which is a pretty sweet compliment) and played it later at the correct speed. The rest as they say is history. Bragg went on to record many songs both solo and with a band. He also has collaborated with Wilco, where they wrote music for penned Woody Guthrie songs. I first heard this song(Little Time Bomb) as a cover by Kind Of Like Spitting. I wouldn't find out it was a cover until years later, but that has not changed the way I feel about the song. When I first heard it I was struck by the lyrics. This song also includes one of my favorite lines "As the juke box says 'It's All Over Now'" In fact "as the jukebox says" was almost the title of this music blog. I beg you please check out Billy Bragg if you like music at all. I suggest either Back To Basics or Must I Paint You A Picture.
Billy Bragg - Time Bomb (No Longer Available, But This Is)

The Dodos hail from San Francisco, CA, and it shows in their music. It's cool, experimental, and catchy like a cold. The main thing you'll notice right away is the drumming. Metric Long (thats right his names is Metric) and Logan Kroeber both have a distinct love of the drums. Long has a interest in West African drumming and Kroeber has a progressive metal history. This band is making waves and they're ready to crush you. I didn't know what to think of this song at first. I think because the drums were so up front through out the whole song I focused on them and didn't pay attention to anything else this song had to offer. I can safely say that I love this song and it's been one of my summer anthems.
The Dodos - Red And Purple

I don't know much about Jamie T. He's a new comer around the states but he's been gaining fame in his homeland of London. I love this song because it's another one of those party songs. It's bouncy, and has a high pitched chorus that you can sing with (once you translate the thick accent). It might make you look like a fool singing it but man is it fun.
Jamie T - Sticks and Stones

I'll leave this post with a great pop song that always brightens up my day when I hear it. It's got positive lyrics, a great guitar hook, and it's meant to be cranked! Remember it takes less muscle use to smile than frown, have a great day!
The Holloways - Generator

Lost In The Supermarket

Lets start off today with a joke my Uncle told me. A young boy with a speech impediment was out trick or treating and rang the doorbell to a ladies house. "Twic o Tweet." said the little boy. Not understanding the child the lady repiled "I'm sorry what was that?" The child once again said "Twic o Tweet." "Oh, Trick Or Treat." said the lady grabbing the candy bowl. "My you look so adorable what are you supposed to be?" she asked. "Imm a pieate." The little boy answered back. "A what?" asked the lady, misunderstanding him once again. "Imm a PIEATE!" said the little boy slightly louder in an irritated voice. "Oh, a pirate! If your a pirate where are your buccaneers?" she asked. The little boy pulled on his ears and snapped back "Dey righ hewr, oben yo buccan eyes!"
Thee Pirates - The Pirate Song (No Longer Avaliable)

I have a complaint I would like to get off my chest. I am quickly becoming so sick and tired of Wal-Mart. Yes, I shop there and I know how it puts the small guys out of business, and they don't offer decent wages or benefits. I've heard it all and I do agree with it but at the same time, It's a hell of a lot cheaper than Meijers or any local supermarket. Right now I am all about spending as little as I can. As soon as I don't have to worry about money, I will be switching stores. Other than the previous issues mentioned, I also have a few others. The thing that has been pissing me off lately is that they are renovating my local store. Which means that for the past 2 months when I go in to get groceries, I CAN'T FIND A DAMN THING! Every single time I go in there something is moved. There is nothing I love more than walking all over, dodging carts(because no one else knows where the hell they're going either)searching for croutons like I'm Indiana Jones. It was funny, I overheard someone else saying "I can't find a damn thing in this store." I chuckled and replied "I'm right there with you." At least someone feels my pain. Now I do understand that when renovating it's hard to make customers happy. I have been through a renovation at an old job and it is a pain. However Wal-Mart is full of morons who decided to change all departments at the same time making it a long and drawn out process. It is called focusing on one area at a time. Less mess and less stress is the best. The other thing that really irks me is that Wal-Mart has 70+ check out lanes and seriously there are only 5 open at one given time. WHY?! Why not just have 10 lanes. URGH!!!! I can't wait until I can switch stores. I also had a similar experience with blockbuster the other day. I went to rent movies and they always ask if I want to join their special member plan and I can get free movies. Well their plan is 10 buck a month, and I might get A, as in one, free movie out of the deal from what I can figure. When asked I tell them no and most of the time they let it be. Well the other day I had to tell this douche bag no at least three different times. After the final refusal, he sighed and said "Fine pay full price."
I didn't say anything but now that I think back about it I should have unloaded on him. What kind of customer service is that? First you're pushy then you're a dick. I decided that I am going to another video store. It's further away but, at least they know how to treat their customers.
Subhumans - Supermarket Forces

Soul Asylum - Misery

Recently I went to a job fair for a local company that was hiring in the area. The last time I went to a job fair I got to the hotel where it was being held and there was a line of about 200 people waiting to just fill out an application. The end of the line had wound it's way parallel to the front of the line. As soon as I got in line someone behind me had asked how long the wait would more than likely be. One of the men about to go inside had told her that he got there at 9am and the time was 2pm. That's at least a 5 hour wait just to get in the door. I stood in line for about a half an hour until I decided like many before me to just leave, besides I had not ate lunch. I figured that I would come back after getting some food from down the street and hopefully the line would be shorter. When I got back it was, in fact there was no line and I over heard one of the organizers telling someone else that they were not taking any more applications even though the event did not end until 5pm. The frustrated applicant asked well when did you cut it off? She told him they cut off taking applications 10 minutes after I left. I was pretty disappointed but glad I didn't spend anymore time in line. I felt bad for the people who had been in line for hours and got jack. Well this job fair didn't go that way but I did end up standing in line for 3 and 1/2 hours. The good news was I made it through the "cuts" and got an interview. If I get the job it will be well worth it, but standing in line sucks! This song popped into my head numerous times while waiting.
Fugazi - Waiting Room

Since most of this music is punk rock, here are a few random punk rock favorites of mine.

This song always makes me laugh!
The Dead Milkmen - Stuart

Violent, raunchy, loud and in your face! Here come the Dwarves, the band that wouldn't die! If I ever made a movie and it had a party scene this would be the background music.
The Dwarves - How It's Done (No Longer Available, But This Is)

I had a really really hard time picking a song by NOFX because every song is great in it's own way. If you decide to pick up any album by them I'd suggest Heavy Petting Zoo or Punk In Drublic. I might do a entry totally devoted to these guys oneday.
NOFX - Don't Call Me White

F.Y.I.
Just in case you aren't a dorky as I am and missed the joke, the picture above is a parody of the album London Calling by the Clash. The Clash also have a song on that album called Lost In The Supermarket, which I didn't use because the other songs fit a little better. And yes I did make that picture on Photoshop.

Father Abraham is a producer and rapper from Boston, Massachusetts that will blow you away without a doubt. He has some sick rhymes, slick well engineered beats, and a name that will always make me think of an Amish guy. He recently released an album called I Am Not a Sailor I Am the Captain that was recorded in a converted mill in MA. Which adds to my Amish guy image even more. Father Abraham is currently working on a new album called 52 Pickup where is is recording a new song every week for a year. If thats not cool enough for you, check out his site where you can track the albums progress and listen to each new song every week. Oh yeah, did I mention that not only is his recent album free for download but also 2 other albums. Do your thing Papa Abe!
Father Abraham - Spacemarch (No Longer Available)

When I used to work for a thrift store that I won't name, It's one of the big ones, we used to get all sorts of awesome things. Retro furniture, some pretty sweet rap t-shirts, various converse shoes in all colors including a Christmas themed pair tricked out with bells, but nothing compared to the amazing selection of music I would come across. Most of my record collection came from when I worked there. We always used to get peoples old blank tapes as well. I came across some mix tapes in a box one day some were labeled and some were not and the track lists looked interesting. So I bought the box and listened to a few. They were alright but nothing I thought was amazing. I didn't listen to them all and I figured if I ever wanted to use them for mix tapes (yes some people still do that on cassettes) they would come in handy. A few years went by and recently I was cleaning out some old stuff and I found them and decided to give them a second listen. I am really glad I did. I came across this great alt-country mix tape that had an Uncle Tupelo song on it. The band was formed by Mike Heidorn, Jay Farrar, and Jeff Tweedy(of Wilco). The band did not gain much commercial success but quickly became legends in the alt-country arena and put out some great music. The band broke up due to troubles between Farrar and Tweedy. When the band decided to call it quits Tweedy formed Wilco and Farrer went on to form Son Volt. Wow, that was quite a lot to read just to get to me talking about Son Volt. The history is so interesting though I suggest reading it. Anyway, If I never heard Uncle Tupelo I wouldn't know about Son Volt because I'm not really a fan of Wilco. This song is a sad and beautiful. Son Volt just recently released a new album called American Central Dust.
Son Volt - Cocaine And Ashes

I HAVE to share this site because it just to excellent to keep quite about. I was using Stumble Upon, which is a super addictive search that takes you to the best of the best the web has to offer(go ahead click on it I promise you won't stop clicking for at least an hour) and I came across a RockyMusic. It's all about the music of the musical/cult classic The Rock Horror Picture Show. I'm not a big fan of musicals or into the goth scene but I am a huge fan of Rocky Horror. If you have never seen it I insist that you stop reading this and go out and rent it NOW! This website has all the information you ever wanted to know and more. From composers, to artists, to out of print records and songs(including a huge listening library)to lyrics. Below are two selected tracks from the site. The first one is from Richard O'Brien who wrote The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Fun Fact: Shock Treatment is a follow up film to Rocky Horror that was originally titled The Brad and Janet Show . I love the chorus of this song. The second is one of my favorite sort of songs. A song that tells a story. It's a 60's Phil Spector esque style song that reminds me of The Shangri-Las Leader Of The Pack only darker.
Richard O'Brien - Shock Treatment

Kimi And Ritz - I Was In Love With Danny (But The Crowd Was In Love With Dean) (No Longer Available)

This song is amazing in both lyrically and musically. It's a self-deprecating song about being in lost love and using someone else to replace the missing piece of once was. The tune is catchy, and the singing is nervous and yet sincere in it's own special way.
Two Gallants - Despite What You've Been Told

Geek love, dum dums and their rabid fans, and making music pay

Hey!*waves* It's been a while since I updated anything. Not a long while but at least a week. I don't think anybody missed it too much if at all. Want to know the reason I was away? Well it combines two of my favorite things and it kind of makes me depressed. I was playing Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga for Wii. God, I need a girlfriend. So If anyone knows of a girl who likes Star Wars and digs guys who like music they should let me know. I know they are out there. I once went to a video game store a few years ago and there was a pretty looking girl working there and I thought "Wow thats, 1. Awesome and 2. Really rare." After perusing I found something worth purchasing and went to pay and this girl had the Imperial and Rebel insignia tattooed on each wrist. I was so in awe I was tongue tied and couldn't spit out something funny like I went back to that place a few more times but never saw her again. Maybe I should have used some of these pickup lines. Er...maybe not.

Symphony X - Star Wars Suite

I just had to mention this because it's so funny to me. I recently read an article on myspace about how Lauren Conrad, or L.C. from the TV show the Hills, has a new book out. I guess it was number one on the New York Times best seller list and when I saw that I had to laugh. I decided to read the comments and those were quite funny too either they were making fun of her of people were saying she was their role model. Which made me laugh even harder. So I thought I would throw my two cents in as well. I was one of the ones making fun of her and wrote something to the effect of how I can't believe the book reached that high and there must have been so really bad books released that week. I also left a little blurb about how if people were seeing her as a role model they should re-evaluate and look elsewhere than an MTV generation dummy. Well I just went and checked my myspace account today and I received this message from one of her fans. "and let me guess who your role model is? the creepy molester guy that raped you when you turned 7? STOP HATING ON PEOPLE YOU DONT EVEN KNOW, JEALOUS BITCH" Ah, how I love the internet flame. At first I was just going to delete it and forget about it but then I thought, "No. I'll send her something back." Here was my response. Thanks for further proving my point by flaming me on the internet and not even making a valid sophisticated argument. On top of that you should think twice before sending messages like this. Everyone is allowed an opinion. If you don't like what I have to say then don't read it. Or do and go about your day. Sure I don't know her but I, along with way more than a few people, know there is no way that book is going to give any insightful direction. Other than to the mall. By the way you have been reported to the Myspace police. Have a nice day! P.S. thanks for giving me something to write about in my blog. I was having writers block. You rock! I could have said a lot more but thought I'll leave it at that. I haven't heard back. Maybe she took my advice, maybe she was scared of the Myspace police, or maybe she took a long walk off a short pier. Either way she and L.C. make me sad for America.
New Boyz - You're A Jerk

I may have mentioned this before but I am a HUGE fan of podcasts. I think my absolute favorite is and always will be Smodcast, which is a podcast hosted by Kevin Smith And Scott Mosier. If your not familiar it's the dudes who made Mallrats and Clerks. It's pretty crude, but it cracks me up every time. Worth a listen. Anyway the reason I bring this up is because there is one other dude in the Smodcast crew named Ken Plume who puts together the background music to go along with whatever their talking about. The man knows music! I want to do something like that as my career. I always wondered who puts together soundtracks for movies or chooses songs for T.V. shows and the like. I'd love to do that. Actually I'd love to make music my job. Weather that be slapping together soundtracks, booking shows, or writing reviews. I want to do it. I had this sort of realization that I should make my love of music into a career. I decided that I am going to go back to school and try to major in journalism. I mean from what people have told me they like the blog. I don't know if it's for the sometimes funny stories or just for the music but I know a few people dig it a little. I'm not fishing for compliments or trying to sound arrogant but the reason I do this IS in hopes that people like it. I know I like it and it's a blast doing it, but I digress. I'm going to make something I love and will be happy doing earn me some dough.

Neil Innes - Stoned On Rock
Carl Belew - Folding Money

Super Sweet Bonus Song:
I know I blogged about Jaydiohead, but there are a few encore tracks that came out.
Jaydiohead - Song and Cry

I'm SOULed!

The first time I heard James Carr belt out this soul scorcher I could not believe what I has hearing. In my opinion it just may be one of my favorite country-soul songs ever. Although not as popular as his fellow soul singers like Otis Redding and Percy Sledge, Mr. Carr is considered one of the best emotional delivery men by hardcore soul junkies. Unfortunately popularity wasn't as easily attained for James in part to his sever bipolar disorder which affected his touring and recording. This song, "You Got My Mind Messed Up", was released on GoldWax in 1966 and was his first big hit. Not his most famous, which is "The Dark End Of The Street", but I hope you'd agree that it's a top notch soul song.
James Carr - You've Got My Mind Messed Up

I tried to find some information about Johnny Cool And The Counts but my search came up null and void. I do know that it was released on the Custom Label but other than that I got nothing. I happened to come across Johnny Cool And The Counts from a now sadly defunct soul music blog. This song is something that is a bit different from other soul songs, it's a lot more up tempo hence the word bounce in the songs title. I love the quickness of this song and the drums are incredible. It's a fun listen for sure. I'll post the other equally amazing song I have by Johnny Cool And The Counts in another post. For now just enjoy this one.
Johnny Cool And The Counts - Love Bounce


Swamp Dogg (Jerry Williams, Jr.) is one of the most eccentric characters in the Soul/R&B realm. He says whats on his mind and doesn't care. He started out as a producer, engineer, and occasional songwriter with Atlantic in the '60s. He cut a few songs under the name Little Jerry Williams before transforming into the Great Swamp Dogg. He released his first album under his new moniker called Total Destruction to Your Mind which featured him in his underwear on the album cover. He also has another cover that was voted worst album cover for Rat On! Needless to say that the Dogg is eccentric. I read an interview where he explained that he changed to Swamp Dogg was because "Whatever I wanted to sing about I could do it as a dog since you expect a dog to do just about anything... and you're forgiven afterwards (laughs)." Don't let all the eccentricities fool you though, Swamp Dogg delivers great songs. Sometimes it's political, sometimes it's racial, sometimes it's about a war veteran hooked on drugs.
Swamp Dogg - Sam Stone

Fun Facts about this song. It was a song in the movie Grindhouse Presents: Death Proof directed by Quinten Tarantino. It's a revised cover The Shirelles "Baby It's You. The Smith didn't really have many singles and were mostly a cover band doing rock and R&B songs in the late 60's. The soulful female singer is Gayle McCormick, who had some little solo hits in 1971 after the Break up of the band. Baby It's you was a Burt Bacharach composed song, what didn't that man do? This song has been covered by The Beatles as well. Enjoy!
Smith - Baby It's You

So close to being trashed but we were saved and suggested.

Most of the time if I hear a song I don't like I will delete right off the bat. I always feel kind of bad when I do that because that one song could be the type that grows on you with time. Such as the case with Too Much Time by John Vanderslice. When I first introduced this song to my earholes I listened to it about twice and I decided it wasn't interesting. It was sort of depressing and I really didn't like the singers voice. So it went in the round file with the rest of the duds. A few days went by and one day while I was doing dishes the chorus popped into my head and I somehow remembered the words to most of the song. I instantly decided to give it another chance and I am glad I did. It is quickly becoming a major contender in my sad songs playlist. It's nothing special musically or lyrically. To be honest I don't know why I like it so much, but I do.
John Vanderslice - Too Much Time

Whenever I hear the name Florence And The Machine I think about Flo the redhead spokesperson in the Progressive Insurance commercials. Then when I think of the title "Cosmic Love" I instantly think of the 60's. Which seems to work nice because Florence Mary Leontine Welch has a voice that invokes the women singers like Janis Joplin and Grace Slick. I have been really digging this tune lately. It wasn't one that I thought I would be keeping around very long either but I love the drums and you can't deny that powerful voice. You can tell she has soul and it's poring out of every inch or her. If you like this tune I suggest checking out a few tracks from Bat For Lashes as well, I'm not a huge fan, but I know a lot of reliable music blogs are.
Florence And The Machine - Cosmic Love

To round up this post I have one suggested band and one suggested track.
The suggested band is Matt & Kim. It was suggested to me by a good friend who has excellent taste in music. The track "Daylight" is a groovy little number that has a warm bouncy fun feel. In most other songs there are male female vocals but it's mainly Matt in this one. I chose this one in particular because it's in a Bacardi Mojito commercial. Now you can impress all your friends when the commercial comes on and look like a music dork too! YAY!


Matt & Kim - Daylight

Last but not least is a track by the Melvins that my "BOY" told me about (he told me to holla' at yo boy! So I am!) Actually the friend I am referring to gave me the name for this blog. Anyway he usually doesn't listen to this kind of music so I thought if he likes it I'll give it a try. The song is pretty strange and yet awesome. The first listen I instantly took note of how cool the drums are in the beginning. Then I got the unexpected surprise in the middle of the song, I won't say what it is but it's great. I found some other Melvins songs but unfortunately none of the others sounded remotely listenable to me.
The Melvins - Skin Horse