Because I feel the need to blog at least once a month

If any of you are interested there was a blurb about me in the Staten Island Advance's entertainment section last week which you can read here. Yes, I'm one of many on an "Island of DJs" though unlike many of the others, I own a turntable. I actually had a long conversation via telephone with the piece's author, Ben Johnson, a few days prior to the article's publication. We touched on such subjects as records that weren't well known but could still get people dancing, the phenomenom of the exclusively-playing-MP3s iDJ and many other things. Unfortunately, he only wrote about the the first 5 or so songs I thought of when asked what were good dancefloor-filling crowd pleasers. Of course, if I had bothered to return his message days prior it might have allowed for him to write a piece where I don't don't seem like a hacky Bar Mitzvah DJ. Mea culpa, Ben.

In any case, I did write later write up a more balanced mini-playlist that probably better reflects what I play but probably sent it to him past deadline:

1. New Order "Blue Monday"
2. Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five "White Lines (Don't Do It)"
3. Prince "Erotic City"
4. Pigbag "Papa's Got a Brand New Pigbag"
5. Fugazi "Waiting Room"
6. The Misfits "Last Caress"
7. The Pretty Things "Come See Me"
8. David Bowie "Watch That Man"
9. The Futureheads "Decent Days and Nights"
10. James "Laid"

Eh, that's not really a great list either.

If you have the desire to hear me play all, some or none of these songs, I'll be DJing this Saturday night at the Cargo Cafe on Staten Island. I'm really hoping this gig will lead to getting me some tracks on the next Ghostface record. Somebody tell him to come out please.

Since I haven't posted here in a while, I thought I'd grace you all with some random thoughts (or, more accurately, gripes).

One of benefits of working in an office with people who do not share my musical tastes is that I get to hear all kinds of music I wouldn't normally listen to because I assume it's terrible. Usually my assumptions are correct and in the case of the Mars Volta they turn out to be even worse than thought they might be. Seriously, while my co-worker was playing their new album I though we were listening to Helloween or something. I had heard they were kind of "proggy" but i figured they were like math rock or something not unlistenable mess I heard. They are now a nominee for my award for worst current band in the universe. If anyone wants to defend them (or nominate other bands) the comments section is below.

Did anyone catch the commerical during the Super Bowl for the upcoming Adam Sandler movie Don't Mess with the Zohan? I had to do a double take to make certain it wasn't a spin off movie of John Turturro's character in The Big Lebowski.



Actually under further examination it seems to be ripping off Borat more than The Jesus. IMBD tells me that Judd Apatow is the co-writer which means one of three things:

1) It isn't the total piece of garbage I'm assuming it is and is actually very funny in a silly Anchorman kind of way
2) Someone bought a Judd Apatow script and turned it into an Adam Sandler vehicle. (After all wasn't I Now Pronounce Chuck and Larry written by the guys who wrote Sideways?)
3) My opinion of Judd Apatow is way too high

Finally, in a non-griping, rather delightful tidbit, I suggest you check out the latest edition of Kaplan's Korner.

Attention Brooklyn Residents!!

For those of you who like to leave the house every now and then I will inform you that I am DJing at The Diamond in Greenpoint this Thursday, January 17th along with my buddy Nate Knaebel. The Diamond is a really cool place that will appeal to the beer snob in you. None of the beers they serve here sponsor NASCAR if you get my meaning. Since Nate is a well-respected rock critic I asked him to write a little blurb for our gig:

Smart like a new suit and deep as space, our record mix consists of the finest power pop, punk, and garage (with maybe a little indie thrown in for the kids and some classic soul and R&B for the old headz). Call it what you will, rock will suffice for us.

Expect to hear: Times New Viking Jay Reatard Exploding Hearts Adverts Speedies Alice Cooper Pink Fairies Dead Meadow Marked Men Live Fast Die Oblivians Twinkies Stooges Wire Thomas Function Colored Balls Mission of Burma Prisonshake CCR Paul Revere and the Raiders Dictators Rubber City Rebels Radio Birdman Saints et al

Nate is also threatening to play the new Prisonshake single at least 6 times. (Why haven't I ordered that yet? I can surely afford the $1.50 right?)

Come join us, won't you?

Thursday, January 17th
DJs PB and Nate
at The Diamond
43 Franklin St
Greenpoint, Brooklyn
10 pm until Dave Pollack kicks us the hell out