Orange County Music Blog

​If you're wondering why we haven't yet heard about this holiday season's it-toy, rest assured. Presenting: Zhu Zhu Pets.

Fuzzy, squirmy "pet" hamster dolls that zoom around tracks, chase balls, run in wheels and even cars (apparently, even a hamster "garage" is available)--but without all that nasty potential rodent cannibalism, death and poop stuff.

And don't think you're way ahead of the game, either: A buddy of ours in Yorba Linda has already paid her motherly duty and stood in a long line outside of her local Toys "R" Us about an hour before opening time.

After the jump: The Zhu Zhu Pets commercial and catchy-as-all-fuck jingle that will surely soon haunt your dreams. 

Hope you got a few hundred stashed away for some eBay huntin' fun!

Sure, you're probably already way beyond sick of hearing about Kanye West at the MTV Video Music Awards (or possibly just sick from Lady Gaga's fake blood-stained performance, but we thought it was pretty rad). But this mash-up video by "freeyourpixels," briefly exploring the heretofore unknown connection between Kanye and Joe Wilson, is just so obvious--yet elegant in its simplicity and perfectly executed--it's no surprise it was up within a couple hours of the actual VMA incident. It's already racked up a ton of views. What's one more? Click!

OK, so the jokes in this video will surely fly over the heads of all but the most ardent rhythm game enthusiasts, but there are a ton out there at this point, so I feel pretty secure in posting this. Tomorrow is Beatles Day across the globe--what with the much anticipated release of not only The Beatles: Rock Band, but also the entire remastered Beatles catalog and the Stereo and Mono boxed sets. Everyone seems to agree that The Beatles: Rock Band is much more "Norwegian Wood" than "Yellow Submarine"--Metacritic has it at the always desirable "universal acclaim" mark--but this video asks what life would be like if the super-popular yet perhaps less didactically musically nerdy Guitar Hero franchise, the same team that released a game called Guitar Hero: Metallica and included a song by the Foo Fighters, landed the Beatles license instead. Geeky lulz ensue!

Yep, it was only a matter of time: Now you can add Michael Jackson to the ranks among Elvis (still eating), Tupac (still rapping), JFK (?) and Hitler (vacationing in South America).

I mean, really, check out this video from LiveLeak.com of Jackson supposedly walking out of a Los Angeles coroner's van. See that white shirt? PROOF. Michael Jackson wore white shirts.

Here's what LiveLeak.com has to say about this matter: "This video shows that Michael was still alive after his dead body was transported to the Los Angeles Dept. of Coroner I checked the license plate number and it looks like the King of Pop is jumping out of the same van, his dead body has been in. I got the original video tape from a trustworthy source. I know him for years. And I am sure it´s real and Michael is alive."

Done! Now that that's settled: You think the Freemasons were behind this one?

Finally, the Kidz Bop franchise have moved beyond just releasing countless records of anonymous little kids singing currently popular songs. They've made the first signing to their Kidz Bop label, 12-year-old singer Sinai Rose, and are actually producing music that isn't anonymous little kids singing currently popular songs. For better or worse.

Thanks to Tim Heidecker (of the sublime Tim and Eric Awesome Show Great Job! on Adult Swim), who posted the link to this video on his Twitter account. Hope you're ready for a new favorite song. We've all enjoyed the combination Taco Bell/Pizza Huts in the past (not so much their bastard cousin, the combination KFC/A&W), but how many of us have ever thought to immortalize the place in a song? Brooklyn rap duo Das Racist, that's who. Enjoy this tender tribute to the hallowed high-caloric hybrids. The lyrics are deceptively simple. Or maybe just simple. Now, it's time to stick some breadsticks in a gordita.

OK, so this has been floating around for a bit, so it may already be "old," but if you haven't seen it yet, is truly is worth a look. It's so hard to figure out the Best Part: the comedy stylings of Rowdy Roddy Piper? The inexplicable presence of Ice Cube? Helicopter Rides? (Smart money's on that one.) More information on the sure to be scintillating 2009 Gathering of hte Juggalos here, and don't snooze on the involvement of Orange County's own Kottonmouth Kings.

Chris Victorio

​Number one nerd fantasy: Princess Leia under the enslavement of Jabba? Probably.

Here are a couple more excellent photo outtakes by photog Chris Victorio from San Diego Comic-Con 2009--hot gals, skimpy cosplay, ROBERT fucking PATTINSON (meow!) and more.

There's also plenty of images from the super popular Twilight panel (are we fans? Not really. Fans of R. Pattz? Yes. Very much so). Throw in a couple of fuzzy fictional animals (Max of video game classic Sam & Max takes the cake!). celebrities (Xena! Kevin Sorbo! LOST! Rumer Willis?), and you've got the gloriousness that is Comic-Con.

Many, many, many more photos after the jump!

Just when you thought you've witnessed every possible permutation of the Rickroll, from the Barackroll to Beaker of the Muppets singing "Never Gonna Give You Up," here comes a clip to, however briefly, breathe new life into the grizzled viral video genre. Like all the best mash-ups, it's spooky how well the tempo changes have been matched up--and the video, too, with Kurt appearing to sing along with "tell a lie" at 1:03. Alright Rick Astley, we'll watch you one more time. But this is it! Honest. (Maybe.) Mash-up is by DJ Morgoth, video by Thriftshop XL.

It may be a bit much to publish yet another piece about Michael Jackson, but word from the Associated Press is that the King of Pop left behind an "endless supply" of unreleased tracks.

I'm really tempted not to type anything about Michael Jackson because I don't want to feel like some scumbag TMZ "reporter," but his passing -- and the word of his public funeral -- is news.

Rumor has it an event is planned for 10 a.m. July 7 (that's Tuesday) at the Staples Center and the adjacent Nokia Theatre. Nothing has been 100 percent confirmed, but sources say there will be video screens outside the venues for the expected mass of people who wouldn't be allowed in.

Here's my advice: If you really feel like you have to go to this, leave right now. That's the only way you're getting in.

Let's hope this funeral is as classy as the Chick Hearn memorial held at the Staples Center after his death. I remember it clearly: I thought there was no way in hell I could have attended. Sure, no one loves the Lakers -- or Chick Hearn -- more than I, but going to the memorial? That seemed crazy. After hours of watching the coverage on television, I packed up my little brother and busted ass to get down there before the line was closed. I won't lie -- I got teary-eyed and for that reason, I won't say a bad word about anyone who chooses to go see Jackson's fairwell.

On a related note, Jermaine Jackson was on NBC's "Today" and told reporters he wished he died, not Michael. Jermaine...sure, you weren't "the king of pop," but you were a large part of the Jackson 5's success. Give yourself a little more credit.  

Here's something cool to help you along in the Michael Jackson mourning process: in honor of the now-deceased King of Pop (you haven't heard?), this site has matched up the immortal "Billie Jean" video with an animation of actual Twitter posts containing words that line-up with the lyrics. Some may call this a waste of time. Others may call it an incredible waste of time. But it's still kinda neat.

I was on the treadmill last night when Rocket from the Crypt's "Summer Survivor" came on the ol' iPod. It's an upbeat ditty that appears to be about people taking over San Diego beaches. Some of my favorite lines include "wet t-shirt/in piss/sun block/with shit I don't care," "bougeouis vikings/dead by noon" and "tastes filling/less great/fake tits/as bait."

Anyway, the tune got me thinking that summer is officially here. Each year around this time, I go through a few rituals that usually announce the season, but for some reason, it hadn't dawned on me until last night.

For starters, I've been working on my tan. Duh. Instead of being transparently pale, now I'm just averagely white.

Secondly, my musical taste has shifted. Gone is the spring's cool jazz, hip-hop and Elvis (spring is the re-birth and there's no better way to be re-born than the King) and its its place is lots of the Beach Boys (all eras, not just the surf stuff), early Marvin Gaye (I've never heard anyone else say this, but early Marvin Gaye is the soundtrack to the summer) and plenty of KKJZ's blues shows on the weekends when I'm in my garden drinking beer and playing in the dirt.

Finally, and this has nothing to do with music, but I've been seeing lots of females wearing less and less. Each time I see one, I wonder what the hell I'm doing with a girlfriend. Then I know it's summer.

Wow, what a great day to spend your disposable income (even if its not so disposable). After a quick scan of all the new albums that drop today, I have to say that this is probably one of the biggest days for summer releases that you're likely to see. I counted about 20 new sonic gems that include just about every genre (from Deer Tick to Cheap Trick, Dream Theater to Regina Spektor). And with all the incessant touring, promotion and general awesomeness that comes with concert season, some of these bands have even been pushing their presence right in our own backyard.

Bands like Dinosaur Jr., whose album The Farm come out today, are fresh off a packed show last week at Detroit Bar. Rock and roll crooner Pete Yorn kicks off a tour in support of his latest, Back and Fourth, at an acoustic show courtesy of Fingerprints Record Store in Long Beach.

Then of course you have OC/LB's ubiquitous aural provacateur Ikey Owens, whose band, The Mars Volta (pictured), releases their highly anticipated album Octahedron. And yes I did mention Ginuwine in the title of this post (you remember that 90's jam "My Pony" right? How could you forget?). Today marks the R&B icon's first album in four years (A Man's Thoughts) as he reemerges with a national tour to follow.

But seriously, this IS definitely a day to celebrate your love for music by disregarding your cheap, penny-pinching ways for just one afternoon to drop some cash on some new ear candy. Follow me after the JUMP to check out a full list of today's releases, courtesy of Meta Critic (note: The new Roots album How I Got Over is NOT out today). Any new releases I missed? Plug your shit here.  

There really should be more dance-related ambushes in our society. Take this one, for example, in which a group of high-spirited fellows wearing MC Hammer pants doing "U Can't Touch This" moves flashmob into trendy LA shop LIVE! On Sunset. Why? Well, why not, right?

I've written about the "Literal Version" videos before, and some of them are pretty great, and some of them are kinda lame--this one falls in the former category, yep yep. Sure, Bonnie Tyler's "Total Eclipse of the Heart" is pretty ripe for parody as it is, and I'm not crazy about the talking bits in the middle, but I laughed out loud at "a bunch of preppies making a toast," which is not bad for a Friday afternoon.

Okay, so there's plenty of reasons to be a jaded Cold War Kids fan in the OC these days. Besides getting plenty of ink from hipsteratti media outlets (including this one) and praise for just about everything they do from an ever growing fan base world wide, they haven't been that "super underground band that only the in-crowd knows about" for a few years.

 But thank god, or else they probably wouldn't have had the resources/cash/innovatve design team to pull off their first interactive music video for the song "I've Seen Enough" from 2008's Loyalty to Loyalty. To see exactly what I'm talking about, quit wasting time and click THE LINK. While you're checking that out, notice that the song is spliced into four different versions that allow each interactive band member to play a different style of the song simultaneously. Cool right? You can also see some "fan favorite" permutations that tend to sound eclectically bad ass.

 So I guess we can thank MTV for this one. That might seem strange to you, but suck up your pride and spend a few idle minutes fucking around with the video and then thank them later. It's nice to know that as they slowly trek the path to world stardom that the OC/LB-based group is still succeeding at being on the cutting edge of cool.

So many guest stars! It's sad to see another season of the totally outrageously hilariously awesome 30 Rock end, especially given today's totally outrageously completely lame news that it once again won't start until midseason next year. Blerg indeed.

But savor the good times with this video, from last week's season finale, featuring Clay Aiken sharing the mic with Elvis Costello, a surprisingly relevant "We Are the World" parody, a conspicuously absent MCA, and a bunch of people--like Steve Earle and Rachael Yamagata--that were never identified during the episode and thus a lot of people probably didn't recognize. Sad!

No, that's new nu-metal, but new, as in not old.

Anyway, Richard Christy, famed metal drummer and the dude who does all sorts of gay shit on the Howard Stern Show, has put together an all-star metal group. I'd tell you all about it, but just read this.

"Metal Blade Records is proud to announce the signing of Richard Christy's new project, Charred Walls of the Damned! This newly formed outfit features some of the most talented musicians in metal. Their collective experience is colossal and their musical pedigrees speak louder than any verbal or written praise.

Fu Manchu guitarist Bob Balch has a website devoted to music lessons. Now, that in itself isn't newsworthy, but I did a little snooping and realized he's really onto something.

 

Anyone who ever took a lesson knows how boring they are. A 14-year-old wants to learn Metallica riffs (at least I did), not pentatonic, major and minor scales. Balch seems to know this and has set up videos by musicians from bands such as Fu Manchu (duh), the Dwarves, Helmet, TSOL, Torche, Monster Magnet, the Dickies, 3 Inches of Blood, Exodus, Pelican and more. There are even videos with Mike Watt laying down the low end, which is worth checking out even if you don't play any instrument.

 

The site, which is called PlayThisRiff.com, offers a few free videos, but guests need to register for full access. Yes, there's money involved, but from what I can see from the freebies, this might be the best instruction site on the net.

 

One of the biggest pet peeves I had when I took those two lessons way back when was how my teacher was completely out of touch with the music I liked. All he wanted to do was jam Beatles tunes all day (I dug -- and continue to dig -- the Beatles, but I didn't want to play their music). In fact, he was so weird that whenever he'd write down transcriptions for me, he'd alter the names of the songs just slightly because he was afraid of getting sued. So instead of being taught "Something," I was being shown how to play "Sum Ting" by "the Beat-less."

 

And you wonder why I get paid to write about music instead of getting paid to play it.

Well, hopefully someone will post a better video of this, but here's No Doubt's appearance on Gossip Girl last night. They played an '80s parallel universe version of themselves (called "Snowed Out," ahahahahaha, so clever) in a mostly flashback episode meant to test the waters for a possible spinoff starring Brittany Snow at a young Lily Rhodes (what we call in the business a "backdoor pilot"). They performed their cover of "Stand and Deliver" by Adam and the Ants, the same tune they played during the encore of their return show at Bamboozle earlier this month.

No Doubt will be playing Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in Irvine on July 31, August 1, August 2 and August 4; scattered tickets still available through Live Nation.

We were so busy seeing sets at Coachella this past weekend that we apparently missed out on some of the real stories--like this naked wizard getting chased around and tased by on-site cops. Everyone wants to have fun at there, but apparently this naked wizard was having a little too much fun. Here's the video that's been making the rounds online, and keep in mind that it is decidedly not safe for work, unless your work is particularly amenable towards copious amount of naked wizard dong. If so, hold on to that job as if it were gold, friend.


 
Naked Wizard Tased By Reality from Tracy Anderson on Vimeo.

Though some have decried recent seasons of South Park for being a bit too smug in its satire--"South Park has gotten so self-important it should be parodied by South Park," a friend of mine said just now--I still think it's mostly great, deftly tackling targets that (usually) deserve it. The latest subject was Kanye West, with jokes involving his infamously large ego, natch.

Here's a clip:

Well, kinda...

For those who can stay up late, MTV has announced a novel concept called AMTV. The show, which airs from 3-9 a.m. Monday through Thursday, does nothing but air music videos for six hours. Call me crazy, but this might be the start of something new. I mean, I could even see this expanding into hours when people are actually awake.

I'm not sure if AMTV is going for something particular because two nights ago I saw Billy Idol's "White Wedding" followed by some Kelly Clarkson song. Some maybe it's the shuffle method. Whatever. At least it's not another reality show.

In related news, does anyone remember when MTV2 was supposed to be where videos were shown? The first (and only) time I ever watched that channel, I got a killer back-to-back of Public Enemy and Weezer. Two weeks later it was "The Real World San Jose" or something like that.

And no, I'm not linking to MTV's site. They don't need the help.

Music can be made from just about anything--jugs, rubber bands, those guitars with two necks that are like, double guitars. And, in this instance, even a remote controlled car and a row of wine bottles! And of all the songs to play with such a unique set-up, why not the Super Mario theme song? Those wacky Japanese folks. (I can say that, since I'm part-Asian. Right?!) Full story here.



EMBED-Mario Theme Played with RC Car and Bottles - Watch more free videos

I had never been exposed to Puerto Rican merengue singer Elvis Crespo before, but now he definitely has stained my memory, and I doubt it'll come out for a while. The singer is being investigated for allegedly masturbating on an airplane, and the accompaning Associated Press article is full of uninentionally (well, maybe) hilarious bits. Such as:

When asked by police at the airport about the accusation, the 37-year-old Puerto Rican singer said: "I don't recall doing that."

Ah, yes. The perfect defense for masturbating on an airplane! I wonder why I didn't think of that. And then there's this:

According to the police report, 52-year-old Patricia Perea of Canyon Gate, Texas, told police she was sitting next to the singer of the hit song "Suavemente." She said that about 15 minutes after the plane left Houston, Crespo covered himself with a blanket and began to masturbate, then exposed himself.

Fifteen minutes in? For a plane ride from Houston to Miami? I guess maybe he was trying to squeeze a couple in. At least he covered himself with a blanket, though I guess that didn't last long. I wonder if it'll help his defense if something really sexy happened before taking off. Those cartoony drawings of people on the safety procedure cards can be pretty hot.

Yes, usually "Before It Gets Old" includes a video. I think we're all OK that there's none this time around.

Here's something neat making the rounds: ...shot then, a blog I was previously unfamiliar with, is hosting an "8-bit hop hop medley," a mash-up of famous rap songs ("Gold Digger," "Ridin'," "Move Bitch," more) replicated through the sounds of old NES games. Much better than the weird lyrics they made up for the Super Mario Bros. theme song for that cartoon show that was hosted by Captain Lou Albano as Mario in live action segments ("Shake your hips, from side to side, come and do the Mario!"). Disturbing on many levels. Sadly, there's not a lot of info as to what sound effects came from where, so you'll have to do your best to guess yourself at this point. Or just enjoy it for what it is. (Not as fun. Americans are people that demand answers.)

Am I way behind the times? Or maybe this video isn't that popular (yet), but either way, I'm sharing it with you.

The song's called "Everyday Normal Guy" by a comedian named Jon Lajoie. Now, thanks to the Howard Stern Show, my tolerance for parody music usually lasts about 30 seconds, but I actually got through this entire tune and didn't feel like I wasted my time.

And the funny thing is, for a non-rapper, this Lajoie guy can kinda flow.

If you dig this, Lajoie is playing two gigs a night April 10 and 11 at the Irvine Improv.

Despite being pre-judged by nearly everyone familiar with the source material as the worst thing ever or the best thing ever, Watchmen did pretty good this past weekend: $55 million. But even if you loved ever frame of giant blue penis, could the film realistically hope to be nearly as good as this video? The shot of Rorschach lovingly petting those dogs pushes it over the top, and that's less than halfway in.

I'm not usually too crazy about Funny or Die, as the site often showcases mediocre-or-worse attempts at comedy by celebrities (like this). But the series of "literal videos" they've hosted--past ones include "Take On Me" by A-Ha and "Head Over Heels" by Tears For Fears--are usually pretty funny, and this most recent one, of Billy Idol's "White Wedding," is probably the funniest one yet. It should not die.