Set Your DVRs: Week Of May 31, 2010

Everything's in repeats this week except for Lopez Tonight, which I wonder how many people are watching anyway. So this might be a good week to catch up on all the stuff you've missed. Or sleep.

Here are the musical acts appearing on the talk show circuit this week. We compiled this list to the best of our abilities. Check your local listings and don't shoot the messenger.

Monday, May 31st
Jimmy Kimmel Live: Slayer (R)
Last Call with Carson Daly: The Raveonettes (R)
Late Night with Jimmy Fallon: Corrinne Bailey Rae (R)

Tuesday, June 1st
Jimmy Kimmel Live: Stone Temple Pilots (R)
Last Call with Carson Daly: The Ariborne Toxic Event (R)
Late Show with David Letterman: Band of Horses (R)
Lopez Tonight: Hot Chelle Rae
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Natalie Merchant (R)

Wednesday, June 2nd
Jimmy Kimmel Live: Peter Frampton (R)
Last Call with Carson Daly: The Black Lips (R)
Late Night with Jimmy Fallon: Sheryl Crow (R)
Late Show with David Letterman: Brooks and Dunn with Reba McEntire (R)
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Dierks Bentley (R)

Thursday, June 3rd
Jimmy Kimmel Live: Mike Snow
Last Call with Carson Daly: Keane (R)
Late Night with Jimmy Fallon: Phish (R)
Lopez Tonight: Peter Frampton (R)

Friday, June 4th
Jimmy Kimmel Live: Deftones
Last Call with Carson Daly: Doves (R)
Late Show with David Letterman: Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings (R)
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Nas and Damian Marley (R)

Saturday, June 5th
Austin City Limits: Femi Kuti (R)
Saturday Night Live: Alicia Keys (R)

(R) = repeat performance
shows in red = our picks for the week

The Human League, "(Keep Feeling) Fascination"

As I mentioned two months ago, this is one of my favorite songs from the '80s.

From 1983, here's The Human League with "(Keep Feeling) Fascination."

Enjoy!

Mixtape: The Cure

We devoted our show to The Cure on this week's Culture Brats Radio. In case you missed it or just want to reminisce, here's the playlist:

SIDE A

1. "Boys Don't Cry"
2. "The Same Deep Water As You"
3. "Killing An Arab"
4. "A Letter To Elise"
5. "The Kiss"
6. "Pictures Of You"
7. "From the Edge of the Deep Green Sea"
8. "Fascination Street"

SIDE B

1. "Why Can't I Be You?"
2. "Like Cockatoos"
3. "The Lovecats" (Acoustic)
4. "In Between Days"
5. "Lullaby"
6. "Just Like Heaven"
7. "Close To Me"
8. "Hot Hot Hot!!!"
9. "Let's Go To Bed"
10. "Never Enough" (Acoustic)

Thanks to everyone who came out and requested songs. If you'd like to catch future shows, follow us on Twitter.

Gary Coleman Dead at 42

CNN is confirming this now, so I feel okay posting this.

From their website:

Coleman died of a brain hemorrhage at a Provo, Utah hospital, Friday afternoon, according to a hospital spokeswoman. The actor fell ill at his Santaquin, Utah, home Wednesday evening and was rushed by ambulance to a hospital, Coleman's spokesman had said in a statement earlier Friday.

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The World Of Recut Trailers

Yesterday, I paid an innocent visit to /Film. Several hours later, I regained consciousness after falling down a rabbit hole into the seedy underbelly of YouTube.

Like I said, things started innocently enough. /Film had an article about a fan-made trailer for (500) Days of Summer. The fan used different clips, added different music, and recast Joseph Gordon-Levitt More as a stalker:



I wondered if there were other recut trailers on YouTube.

Big mistake. There are tons of creative people with time on their hands producing them.

I really enjoyed this reworking of Willy Wonka as a drug baron:



Here's one that reimagines Top Gun as a love story between Maverick and Iceman:



But by far, my favorite was The Shining remade into a heartwarming romantic comedy:



And one more for the road (and because they won't let you embed it): check out this retooling of Dirty Dancing as a David Lynch flick!

[source]

Free EP From How To Destroy Angels

How To Destroy Angels, the new group Nine Inch Nails' front man Trent Reznor started with his wife, Mariqueen Maandig, will release a free six-track EP on June 1st.

If you preorder the free download from HTDA's website, you will receive an immediate copy of one of the tracks, "The Believers."

[source]

The Brady Bunch, "It's A Sunshine Day"

Sorry. I've had this in my head since I heard it at a talent show last night.

Now it's in yours, too.

From 1973, here's The Brady Bunch with "It's A Sunshine Day."

Enjoy!

Jason Voorhees Ain't Got Nothing On Bret Michaels

Check it:

April 12, 2010
Bret Michaels undergoes a successful emergency appendectomy.

April 22, 2010
Bret Michaels is hospitalized with a brain hemorrhage.

May 20, 2010
Bret Michaels suffers a stroke.

May 20, 2010
Doctors find a hole in Bret's heart.

May 23, 2010
Bret Michaels appears on the the live finale of The Celebrity Apprentice and wins!

May 26, 2010
Bret Michaels performs on the finale of American Idol and rocks the house!

He's indestructible!

Bret Michaels could have probably swum to the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico and stopped the BP oil spill!

At the very least, he could kick Chuck Norris's ass.

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MGMT, "Time To Pretend"

Needed to hear this song today.

Let's make some music, make some money, find some models for wives.

From 2008, here's MGMT's "Time To Pretend."

Enjoy!

Worst Video Game Ever?

Earlier today, we ran a story about The Bachelor: The Videogame. It looks pretty bad, right? But it got me to thinking: what was the worst video game I ever purchased?

For me, the answer is easy: Pac-Man for the Atari 2600.

I remember the hype that led up to its release. I had saved up my allowance, birthday money, and money earned from odd jobs. Finally, I went to Record Town in the mall one Saturday morning and looked at the locked display of video games behind the counter.

Pac-Man was nowhere to be found. It was sold out.

I should have taken it as a sign.

The next week, I tried again. It was there! I talked my Mom into going home immediately so I could play it.

When I popped it into the Atari 2600 and started playing it, I couldn't believe my eyes.

It looked nothing like the arcade version.

The screen was the wrong color. The ghosts flickered.

It looked like a five-year-old kid had created it.

I was devastated.

I don't remember, but I'd be willing to bet I cried myself to sleep that night.

So now it's your turn. What's the worst video game you ever purchased?

Go!

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The Bachelor: The Videogame: The Hell?

Not content with keeping The Bachelor and The Bachelorette on an endless loop throughout the year (which can be quite a problem in the fall as my wife and I play DVR Odd Man Out over The Big Bang Theory, Monday Night Football, and whatever poor man or woman has decided to find the perfect match on national TV), ABC has decided to expand its Bachelor universe. You'll soon be able to purchase The Bachelor: The Videogame (clever title, huh?) for Wii and DS.

I don't really know who would want this game. If you're married, why would you want to go through the awkwardness of the dating scene again? And if you're single, I'd doubt you acquire any useful knowledge from the game.

But hey! Don't let me persuade you in any way. Let the game's official trailer be your guide:



Seeing this makes me long for the simple days of Atari 2600 porn. Who's with me?

The Toadies, "Possum Kingdom"

From 1994, here's "Possum Kingdom" by The Toadies.

Enjoy!

Iconic '80s Fashion: Acid Wash vs. Leggings

On this episode of Criss Cross Counter Punch, The Weirdgirl and Mamatulip debate which was the more iconic '80s fashion: acid wash or leggings.

* * *

The Weirdgirl: Flashback to the '80s: you're getting ready for a concert. Maybe your first concert. Maybe a concert with that special someone who doesn't yet know you think he's special. You want to look trendy but with a little edge, like you could hold your own if a throw-down happened, if you weren't already too cool for anyone to mess with. A look that said you thought about it, but not too much. And you especially want the ideal light wash that highlights your derriere to perfection as you dance the night away. So what do you grab?

Acid wash jeans! One of the defining forces of '80s fashion. It was in the '80s that designer jeans really took off, yet jeans still represented the working class and rock and roll rebellion. The look of negligent coolness was in, and almost everyone (even you) fell for it at one point or another. Secretly wearing out your jeans until they were so exquisitely pale you had to sit down carefully behind your grade 10 desk, so you didn't bust out the butt.

Werewolves Are So Hot Right Now

I just about fell off my couch laughing this weekend when I saw that MTV is going to produce a TV series based on the 1985 film, Teen Wolf. Yes, you read that correctly, the Michael J. Fox flick, Teen Wolf. On MTV.

MTV's changing up the storyline though. From their press:

The Cure, "Fascination Street"

It's not the best album ever, as South Park's Kyle Broflovski claimed, but Disintegration does kick much ass.

Starting today, you can purchase the Deluxe Edition of Disintegration from iTunes. It contains the remastered album, twenty demos, and live versions of all the songs from the album. If you prefer to touch and smell albums, you can pick up a physical copy at your local record store beginning June 8, 2010.

From 1989, here's The Cure's "Fascination Street."

Enjoy!

A Stretch Armstrong Movie? Is Hollywood Really This Desperate?

I know there must be plenty of creative and brilliant people in Hollywood, teeming with original ideas. But then I read stories like this one and it makes me think that Hollywood's originality died in 1994.

It was announced last week that Twilight's Taylor Lautner will be starring in Stretch Armstrong, an upcoming superhero flick which will tell how Stretch Armstrong came to be.

Look, you can wrap it up in any bow you choose, but the simple truth is Strech Armstrong will be a movie based on a toy.

Set Your DVRs: Week of May 24, 2010

Kind of a not-so-hot week this week, unless you're curious about how Peter Frampton, Hanson, Stone Temple Pilots, or Toni Braxton sound these days or you enjoy The Black Keys, who will be performing on two separate shows.

Here are the musical acts appearing on the talk show circuit this week. We compiled this list to the best of our abilities. Check your local listings and don't shoot the messenger.

Goldfrapp, "Alive"

I know most everyone probably saw this video when it premiered last week, but in case you didn't, it's my front runner for best video of 2010.

Here's Goldfrapp's Alive.

Enjoy!

Mixtape: Cover Songs

We devoted our show to cover songs on this week's Culture Brats Radio. In case you missed it or just want to reminisce, here's the playlist:

Of Mice And Dancing Mannequins

YouTube turned five this week and I've only begun to realize its true potential: to find clips of all those little-known, oddball shows I watched as a kid just to prove that they did exist, and wasn't some kind of cough syrup induced dream while home sick from school.

I hadn't thought about Today's Special in years when another blog I read made a vague reference to it. Frankly I was shocked that so many commenters remembered the show. No one I know personally did, and generally look at me like I've just sprouted a second head when I say "mouse puppets," and "dancing mannequin who comes alive with the words, 'hocus pocus alimagocus!'"

The Black Keys: Brothers

I've recently gotten into a band that I'm digging so hard I'm kind of amazed that I'd never heard of them before, given the fact that they've got a decade's worth of material behind them.

The band? The Black Keys.

Happy Birthday, Pac-Man!

Thirty years ago today, Pac-Man was released. To celebrate the momentous occasion, Google has Pac-Manned its logo for the day:
And the best part? You can totally play the game!

And you were wondering how you were going to spend the last few hours at the office!

The Dark Crystal 2

When I was a kid, one of my all time favorite movies was The Dark Crystal. Released in 1982, it was a dark children's fantasy, created by Jim Henson and Frank Oz, the creators of The Muppet Show. Jim wrote the story, both Jim & Frank directed, and they collaborated with Brian Froud, a fantasy artist, to create a really unique and excellent film with amazing puppets and a lush world. Incidentally, this team went on to create another favorite film, Labyrinth, a few years later.

Every single character in the film is a puppet, which is pretty impressive as there are a large number of characters and creatures in the film. Some are humans in costume, some are more animatronic. Henson and Oz really upped the standards for puppetry with the film. I re-watched it a few days ago and I'm impressed by how good it still looks. And watching it reminded me that it kind of scared me as a kid - the Skekis and the Crystal Bats and the beetle things, and, well, a lot of dark creepy stuff happens. And I LOVED it.

Speaking of Ghostbusters

Earlier this week Improv Everywhere released a video of their latest mission. They went to the New York Public Library on 42nd Street and busted some more pesky ghosts. The NYPL actually asked the improv group to come stage something catchy as they're facing some serious budget cuts and wanted to get the word out. As the library was used in the opening scene of the original Ghostbusters film, the team came up with, well, just watch the video. I think the reactions of the patrons are outstanding.



For more info on Improv Everywhere, some behind the scenes information, and the library's cause, visit their blog here. (Maybe these guys should do Ghostbusters 3?)

Self, "So Low"

I'll never understand why this band and song didn't take off.

From 1995, here's Self's "So Low."

Enjoy!

The Inbreeding Has Begun

I was perusing the fine goods of Forever 21 (irony noted) when I had to do a double take over a t-shirt I swore was last seen on my best friend from 9th grade. Then I did a series of double takes and when my neck stopped hurting I had come to a conclusion... leopard prints were back.

Now leopard, and other prints where we pretend to be animals (because anything is cuter than being a primate, am I right?), has never gone out of style. Wait, correction... animal prints have never disappeared. (Style, as a definition, is an elusive mistress... she's hot but she steals your last yogurt as she walks out the door to see "a guy she knows", and then you wait up for her way too long.) But this latest breed of animal is purely of the 80s variety. A little too closely.

Guess which of these items I found on a costume website and which I found at Forever 21? I mixed them up just to be helpful like.

Fox-less?

My loathing of the Transformers movies has been well documented on the internets. They are noisy, nonsensical, soulless pieces of pop culture that despite being horribly made, have earned billions of dollars. The only good thing to have come out of the Transformers film franchise is the emergence of she-can't-really-be-that-hot-can-she Megan Fox. Her acting chops may not be of an award-winning caliber, but the 12-year-old boy in me strongly believes that every so often the world needs another pinup girl to worship. And for the past few years, Megan Fox has certainly fit that bill.

However, drooling fanboys will have to find someone else to ogle in the third T-Form flick* because Michel Bay has decided not to pick up Megan's option for the third movie. The reasons why are unclear. It could be because she called him "Hitler" sometime after the second one. I guess we'll never really know.

Yael Naim, "Toxic"

Last night's Culture Brats Radio was an all-covers show. This is one of the awesome songs that was played during the show's ninety minutes.

From 2007, here's Yael Naim's cover of "Toxic."

Enjoy!

The Michelle Pfeiffer Pface-Off: The Fabulous Baker Boys vs. Grease 2

In this episode of Criss Cross Counter Punch, Daddy Geek Boy and A Vapid Blonde debate which movie contained Michelle Pfeiffer's better singing role: The Fabulous Baker Boys or Grease 2.

* * *

Daddy Geek Boy: Let's face it, Michelle Pfeiffer was (and is) a luminous babe that made the '80s just a little bit brighter. But you honestly want to compare her star-making performance in The Fabulous Baker Boys to the drivel called Grease 2? It hardly seems like a fair fight. Everything about TFBB exuded class. It was sleek and stylish and funny and serious. It had a real story and real characters. It had a soul. Not to mention Michelle Pfeiffer in a slinky dress laying on top of a piano. What did Grease 2 have? Screechy pop songs about bowling and reproduction.

Wost Sequel Ever?

It's summer, so it's deja vu time at your local cineplex. In addition to the remakes, it's time for the sequels. We've already had Iron Man 2 hit the screens and before the sun sets on the summer, we'll be treated to sequels to Predator, Sex and the City, Shrek, Toy Story, and Twilight. Hell, I'm probably missing a few.

But we can all agree that quite often, sequels are a big let-down, right? And a good portion of the time, they downright suck.

So for this week's Your Say Hump Day, we want to know what you think is the worst sequel ever made.

Go!

Gene Loves Jezebel, "Jealous"

Always loved this band.

From 1990, here's "Jealous" by Gene Loves Jezebel.

Enjoy!

Who Ya Gonna Call? Maybe?

There's been talk of a Ghostbusters 3 for, oh, a zillion years. Bill Murray was rumored to be the hold up - he wasn't interested. But then rumor said that Bill finally agreed to do one. Sigourney Weaver, during an Avatar press interview, was asked about it and she leaked what seemed to be some plot details. It sounded like maybe this thing was going to really happen. Shortly after Sigourney's interview there was a rumor that Gene Stupnitsky and Lee Eisenberg, two of the geniuses behind the NBC version of The Office (though, to be fair, they did also write Year One), had a script ready to shoot.

The latest twist? A few weeks ago, while interviewing at the Tribeca Film Festival, Bill did an interview with Cinemablend and basically said that the whole thing is a pipe dream and that it's never gonna happen.

The plot of the third film allegedly centers around Sigourney's son Oscar, all grown up, and ready to join the ghostbusting team. Bill Murray gets killed and returns as a ghostly Dr. Venkman to help the team fight the latest menace and train Oscar.

So... do we want to see a third Ghostbusters? Do we like the above plot? Do we want the franchise to just give up the ghost (ha! I kill me!) and let it be?

Holy $#*!

What started as a simple Twitter feed about the ramblings of a cantankerous old man became a book and is now coming to a TV screen near you. It was announced yesterday that Shit My Dad Says (or $#*! My Dad Says as it's currently being called) has been picked up for series and is going to star the Shat himself, William Shatner, as the Dad.

This begs the obvious question, when is the @CultureBrats feed going to get our own series? Maybe we need to start cursing more.

So... will you plan on watching when it airs this fall? I'm gonna.

Godley & Creme, "Cry"

Wikipedia Fun Fact of the Day: Not only did Mr. Godley and Mr. Creme direct their own hit video "Cry," they also directed the following videos: "Every Breath You Take", "Everybody Have Fun Tonight," "Girls on Film," "If You Love Somebody Set Them Free," "Rockit," and "Two Tribes."

Pretty impressive resume, no?

From 1985, here's "Cry" by Godley & Creme.

Enjoy!

Pixels: A Happy Madison Joint

Back in April, Pixels, a two-minute short which showed New York being attacked by characters from Space Invaders, Frogger, Pac-Man, Donkey Kong, Tetris (yeah, I know Tetris doesn't have "characters"), and other video games, made its way around the web.

It was awesome. Even the credits rocked.

For the three of you who might not have seen it, here it is:

Set Your DVRs: Week of May 17, 2010

There are some cool bands on television this week: PiL, Weezer, Stone Temple Pilots, and Slayer. Seriously.

Here are the musical acts appearing on the talk show circuit this week. We compiled this list to the best of our abilities. Check your local listings and don't shoot the messenger.

Machines of Loving Grace, "Burn Like Brilliant Trash (At Jackie's Funeral)"

This album, released on North Carolina-based Mammoth Records, came out three weeks after Nirvana's major-label debut. But while damn near everyone has heard of Nevermind, only a fraction has heard of Machines of Loving Grace.

Ronnie James Dio (1942-2010)

Mixtape: Whistling Songs

We devoted our show to whistling songs on this week's Culture Brats Radio. In case you missed it or just want to reminisce, here's the playlist:

Classic Nintendo Is Still Totally Radical

I ran across the above t-shirt at Sharkrobot.com and now I really, really want it. Also, I dig that URL.

We had an original Nintendo (in fact, my mom might still have it) and had all kinds of neighborhood kids over all the time to play games. My brother and I would have to fight over times to play since we didn't share well. I still think that Super Mario 3 is one of the best video games of all time.

If you're like me and are feeling nostalgic for some classic Nintendo, then do I have the thing for you. Some mad geniuses made an online mashup of the original Super Mario game. You can choose one of a number of classic Nintendo characters (Mario, Link (from Zelda), Samus (from Metroid), etc.) and play Super Mario Bros.

It's seriously fun. And it's also sad that I remembered where more than one of the shortcuts were. I can't remember what I had for breakfast, but I can tell you where to find the level jump warp pipe that I found in 1985.

Oh, if you have a Wii, they have Super Mario 3 for sale on their arcade store. Totally worth the $5.

Good Morning To You, Too

Just released last month, Good Morning, Magpie is the fifth album of Murder By Death. I wish I discovered them four albums ago, because even though I've come late I'm really digging these guys.

I've heard them described as a blend of country, rockabilly, punk, acoustic and Irish, to name just a few, but "blend" is definitely the operative word. However, there's a freshness to their Americana indie-folk that seems very 21st century. (Which is rather welcome, don't you think? Does this decade have a sound yet?)

Adam Turla's lead vocals have a timbre that resonates Johnny Cash and a very smooth whiskey, and the melodies range from haunting to upbeat, and sometimes a little of both. It's subversive and sophisticated folk music, and that adds up to very sexy. If I were part of a modern day Bonnie and Clyde (but, you know, with a dose of Robin Hood thrown in because, seriously?, the killing?) Murder By Death would be my soundtrack as I sped down the road in a Dodge Charger.





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The Jesus And Mary Chain, "Head On"

And the world could die in pain
And I wouldn't feel no shame
And there's nothing holding me to blame

From 1989, here's "Head On" from The Jesus And Mary Chain.

Enjoy!

I Need A Monster Hunter. NOW!

Before I begin, realize this: I love monsters. But I'm sick of the monster/classic literature mash-ups. I spent ten minutes on Amazon and found the following titles that can be purchased or pre-ordered (and I'm sure I missed a few):

• Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and Zombie Jim
• Alice in Zombieland
• Android Karenina
• Emma and the Werewolves
• Little Vampire Women
• Little Women and Werewolves
• Jane Slayre
• Mansfield Park and Mummies
• Pride and Prejudice and Zombies
• Robin Hood and Friar Tuck: Zombie Killers
• Romeo & Juliet & Vampires
• Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters
• The Undead World of Oz
• The War of the Worlds Plus Blood, Guts and Zombies

It's monster porn fan fiction run amok. And it needs to be stopped!

But there's something even more disturbing than the zombies, vampires, and monsters that are rampaging through classic literature. Last week, I learned that Hollywood has optioned the rights to Paul Is Undead, an upcoming novel which paints the Fab Four as zombies and Mick Jagger as a zombie hunter.

Satan Ruined My Sweet Dreams

I was looking for a good song to kick off my hump day yesterday and settled on "Sweet Dreams" by the Eurythmics. And that made me remember the Marilyn Manson cover from the '90s.

There were a number of '80s songs covered in the '90s, some pretty good, some pretty awful, but the Manson version of "Sweet Dreams" really creeps me out. It's like Satan took a puppy and said "Hey cute little puppy, want some nightmares? Listen to this song while I eat this baby unicorn!"

Just for the record, things that creep me out: spiders, eyeballs, this cover.

Romeo Void, "Never Say Never"

From 1982, here's Romeo Void's "Never Say Never."

Enjoy!

Spin This

A few weeks back, Spin released their top 125 albums of the past twenty-five years. Their #1 album?

Achtung Baby.

Seriously?

Think about that for a minute. Of the thousands of albums released since 1985, they feel U2's 1991 offering trumps them all.

Please.

I can easily think of ten albums released during that time that were better than Achtung Baby:

Super 8 Is Coming... Just Don't Know What It Is

Didja see Iron Man 2 this past weekend?  If you did than chances are you've seen an unexpected trailer.

If you didn't, check this out.  Go ahead.  I'll wait.

You're back?  Good.  Check out those names:  JJ Abrams and Steven Spielberg.  Two great tastes that I hadn't thought of combining before, but now that the idea is out there I think it's brilliant--the movie equivalent of chocolate and peanut butter, or bacon and anything.

I'm not sure how JJ Abrams manages to keep his movie projects a secret like this.  I'm not even sure how he was able to film a trailer for a movie that reportedly hasn't even started production yet.  All I know is that the trailer has the comfortable feel of an Amblin film from the 80's.  And as a movie geek, that makes me sublimely happy.

Can't wait for 2011.

Night Ranger, "Sister Christian"

Admit it. You scream your lungs out to this song when no one else is around.

Or if you're like me, in front of other people.

From 1984, here's "Sister Christian" by Night Ranger.

Enjoy!

It's Complicated

Let's file this one under things you probably didn't want to know about me but are going to hear anyway. Music is a very big part of my life.

I spent my youth chasing tour buses, making posters to hold up at concerts, and plastering my room with the faces of the gods of rock/new wave/punk etc. Praying that one day the doors of that tour bus would open up with a loud WHOOSH and a priest would usher me on board, not for an exorcism, but for my wedding to the band member of my choice.

Ah youth.

There were any number of bands that made it into the inner sanctum of awesome that resided in my soul: The The, The Pixies, REM, etc. but none made an impact like the Police.

All Hail Animated Teen Angst: Daria Comes to DVD (Finally)

If you were a tween or a teen or a vaguely jaded twenty-something (raises hand) in the '90s, you were probably a fan of the sardonic, too-smart-for-the-room Daria, the bespectacled cartoon teenager who made her debut on MTV's Beavis and Butt-head before getting her own gig. It's been a long-time coming, but the entire series is available on DVD today. Here's what's included:

• The pilot, "Sealed With a Kick"
• Daria's crush's band, Mystic Spiral's video for "Freakin' Friends"
• A top ten video countdown hosted by Daria and her friend Jane
• Cast and crew interviews
• And a never before seen Mystic Spiral spin-off script

Leslie & The LY's, "Tight Pants/Body Rolls"

I wish I lived in Ames.

She does weddings!

From 2010, here's "Tight Pants/Body Rolls" by Leslie & The LY's.

Enjoy!

How Pretty In Pink Should Have Ended?

Cinematical has an interesting article about the end of the John Hughes film, Pretty In Pink. If you've been following this site you know that we're pretty big fans of the Hughes films around here, so I thought I'd see what you all think.

Script Collector has gotten their hands on the supposedly original draft of Pretty In Pink and the ending was actually a bit different. Cinematical says that the original test screenings came back negative for this original ending and that the screening triggered a re-write. Here's how the original script supposedly went (with stage directions included):

Set Your DVRs: Week of May 10, 2010

One cool thing going on this week: all musical guests on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon will be performing Rolling Stones tunes this week.

Here are the musical acts appearing on the talk show circuit this week. We compiled this list to the best of our abilities. Check your local listings and don't shoot the messenger.

Monday, May 10th
Jimmy Kimmel Live: Crash Kings
Last Call with Carson Daly: Wild Light (R)
Late Night with Jimmy Fallon: Green Day
The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson: Wilco
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Limp Bizkit

Moving Pictures, "What About Me"

You know, if I ever get to a chance to make my coming-of-age-in-the-'80s movie, this is what will be playing in the background during the pivotal scene where the boy and girl run to each other in the rain.

From 1982, here's "What About Me" from Moving Pictures.

Enjoy!

A Little Jam For Mother's Day

From new artist Hesta Prynn, here's "Seven Sisters".

Mixtape: Songs About Mothers

With Mother's Day right around the corner, we devoted our entire show to songs about mothers on this week's Culture Brats Radio. In case you missed it or just want to reminisce, here's the playlist:

America Sucks

Earlier this week, Mamatulip apologized for many of Canada's offenses, including Celine Dion. I'm here today to tell Mamatulip that Americans do not need her apology. Apparently, Americans like Celine Dion. While I've never actually met one of her fans, Harris Interactive found a lot of them as she was named America's Favorite Singer/Musician.

The hell?

But wait! The rest of the top 10 is equally as bad. Here are America's Top 10 Favorite Singers/Musicians:

Haircut 100, "Love Plus One"

Wanted something from the '80s to close out the week.

From 1982, here's Haircut 100 with "Love Plus One."

Enjoy!

And if anyone knows what this song's about, drop me a line. Because I really don't think it has anything to do with cannibals.

Have T-shirt, Will Travel

In American culture there is no better way to celebrate the things we love than with a t-shirt. In fact, I think it's almost an unwritten code. I don't force my son to wear tees emblazoned with '80s video game characters in a vague attempt to relive my youth - he just wants to! It was while searching for yet another Mario Bros shirt for him to brag about that I stumbled across the site 80s tees. The array of '80s-themed t-shirts, accessories, and other items is staggering.

But the impressive thing was how slyly clever some of them were. What can I say? I like a little silly in my '80s.

The Blow, "True Affection"

From 2006, here's "True Affection" by The Blow.

Enjoy!

Oh My Hairness...

The Hair. Somebody. Stop. The. Hair!

I am about to thoroughly embarrass myself with this post so please be kind and don't kick me out of Culture Brats. Pretty please!

Oh the '80s, what was I thinking? The hair, the hair for crying out loud, it makes me recoil in shame as well as rejoice! My choices were wide open, strange and wonderful, as well as deranged and damaging.

From the moment I was able to 'DO" my own hair I could not, would not, leave well enough alone. A whole new world opened up to me. Sun-In? Pfft, that was for sissies. I would sit in the sun with hydrogen peroxide in my hair for hours while I put on frosty pink Wet 'n' Wild lipstick! A very hot look once you got all tan with your baby oil sheen!

I had my version of A Flock of Seagulls around 1985 oh yes, yes I did... see?

Scary Movie

There are a lot of movies of the '80s that stick in my head. I was young, impressionable. The rating system was questionable. Perhaps I was a little too sensitive. I was prone to nightmares, leaping off my bed in the night when I had to use the potty so to avoid that cliched monster under the bed. He was there. I know he was. He'd have grabbed my foot if I'd stepped just out of bed neatly near the mattress.

Ahem.

Well, now that you know I have issues let's discuss this movie that scared the living daylights our of me as a girl yet I subjected myself to watching it over and over thanks to the luxury of HBO. (Which also brought us Fraggle Rock, THANK YOU VERY MUCH!)

I suppose you want to know what movie I am talking about. The movie that terrified me?

My Robot Friend, "Waiting"

Beautiful song. Beautiful video.

From 2009, here's "Waiting" by My Robot Friend.

Enjoy!

I'm Sorry Aboot Justin Bieber, Eh?

While the rest of the fine writers here at Culture Brats hail from the US of A, I'm the lone Canadian in the bunch. I was born and raised in the Great White North; was brought up on back bacon, Bob and Doug McKenzie, maple syrup and Degrassi Jr. High.

I also grew up in an igloo.

Okay, so that's not true. But it IS true that our currency looks a lot like Monopoly money, we say 'oot', 'aboot' and 'eh', and, in general, are an apologetic people. I've spent a lifetime saying sorry for certain sports teams, Celine Dion and those goddamn Canadian geese, and now I'm going to apologize for something - er, someONE else:

Piranha 3D

I know we normally bash remakes in our Reboot, Remake, Regurgitate column, but from the looks of its trailer, Piranha 3D could be the greatest flick E-V-E-R.

What's it got going for it? Witness:

• Piranhas (hence the title)
• An overacting Christopher Lloyd
• Half-naked young men and women frolicking in the water
• Elizabeth Shue, which can only lead to a Back To The Future II/III reference/pun/parody between her and Lloyd
• Richard Dreyfuss, who is no doubt on board for a Jaws reference/pun/parody
• Piranhas, people!
• Ving. No last name necessary

Seriously? What more do you need? But don't take my word for it. Have a look at the trailer:

Meat Loaf Is Back

Meat Loaf is back with a new album due for a North American release on May 11. It's already hit the top 10 charts in the UK. The album, called Hang Cool, Teddy Bear is a 13-song album that was written as a synopsis to a screenplay and short story.

Meat Loaf says about the album:

Teenage Fanclub, "What You Do To Me"

This is a perfect pop song.

Short. Sweet. To the point.

From 1991, here's "What You Do To Me" by Teenage Fanclub.

Enjoy!

Is Big Hair Big Again?

You know you wondered it the minute you saw your first Bumpit commercial... was big hair coming back in again? The New York Times and scientists at MIT seem to think so. Apparently, when the economy suffers, big hair comes back in. Because hair is cheaper than diamonds. And since celebrities and rich people want to show they're all sensitive and shit, they go for big hair and fancy clothes in lieu of big jewels and extra fancy clothes!

I am so touched by their economic solidarity!

Imitation Is Flattery And All That

If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then the Governator is the most flattered actor in California right now. Let's look at the list of Arnold Schwarzenegger films that are currently on the remake/sequel list:

Conan (remake)

Terminator (another possible sequel)

Red Sonja (remake)

Predator (sequel I think)

And you can now add Commando to the list. Commando is being touted as a grittier, more lifelike reboot.

Set Your DVRs: Week of May 3, 2010

Here are the musical acts appearing on the talk show circuit this week. We compiled this list to the best of our abilities. Check your local listings and don't shoot the messenger.

Monday, May 3rd
Jimmy Kimmel Live: Two Door Cinema Club
Late Night with Jimmy Fallon: Corinne Bailey Rae
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Godsmack

The Candle Thieves, "We're All Gonna Die (Have Fun)"

I think I have a new theme song.

From 2010, here's "We're All Gonna Die (Have Fun)" by The Candle Thieves.

Enjoy!

The Truth Is Back

It's been over two years since a new episode aired, but The Boondocks, one of the funniest and most controversial shows of the past ten years, begins its third and final season tonight. To get you in the mood, here's the trailer for the upcoming season:



[source]

Mixtape: Songs About Cross Dressing

On this week's Culture Brats Radio, we devoted our entire show to songs that mention cross dressing. In case you missed it or just want to reminisce, here's the playlist: