Computer Sings in the New Year

Just before Christmas i stumbled upon the unstoppable electronic harmonizing vocalizing wonder laptop belonging to a "Mr Hopkinson." This is no Microsoft speech generator though, Mr Hopkinson's laptop is a true emotional heart touching performer, the likes of David Bowie and Thom Yorke. However he prefers to compare himself to "Cylob, Morrissey, Eddie the shipboard computer, Stephen Hawking, Satnav & BT call minder."

This Winterval / Christmas / Hannukah / Eid / Divali / Winter Solstice has been passed not with the usual selection of classic tunes but instead to the vocoder tender tones of Mr Hopkinson's computer. My festive fave covers of his are "Happy Xmas (war is over)" and "Fairytale of New York."

However where this pitch perfect machine comes in to his own is with, in his own words, "indie songs from the 80's & 90's." His cover of Fake Plastic Trees was even described by Radiohead themselves as "better than original, way better. It's amazing, it brings tears to your eyes, his voice is so beautiful. I wish we could have done that." Now that's a pretty mighty accolade.

No robot should ever be able to bring tears to my eyes, not until Skynet invents the T-1000 and fucks us all, but Mr Hopkinson's laptop does. On a side note I reckon Mr H's Computer is our last chance against this, as Arnie is too busy driving his hybrid bioethenol electric hummer. I won't stop till i get to see Mr H's computer perform live (and he does). Infact iwon't stop till i get Mr Hopkinson's computer to headline UCL.

Some of his highlights include:
Fake Plastic Trees
Fools Gold
The Power of Love - duet w/ laptop The Audrey 3000
Nude

But my favourite, if not simply for his stage presence in this live video is Where is My Mind, the Pixies Cover.

Myspace - myspace.com/computersings

Dasal

MERRY (late) CHRISTMAS

I stumbled on this amazing website recently. It allows you to make videos of yourself using some premade templates by just uploading photos of yourself! Sooooo, merry christmas from us and here's our christmas present dance to you:

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

The Muppets Rock

Our 7th December radio show had the classic "Mahna Mahna" and ended with my two muppet heroes, "Statler and Waldorf," otherwise known as the two grumpy guys on the balcony.

Everyone loves the Muppets, and if they don't, they HAVE NO SOUL. I remember my days toddling along to Sesame Street and the Christmases spent watching the muppet movies. Heck i might even go to the extreme of saying that the combination Dr Bunsen Honeydew and Beaker inspired my love for science.

This sudden resurgence in love for the muppets made me track down some of their best musical moments. Who knew furry monsters with guy's hands shoved up their rear ends could produce music gems like these:















and finally, the immense james blunt:


Dasal

I hate Myspace Bands

I've finally had it with myspace.

No, it wasn't the horrific design, or the fake profiles, or the scams, or the $500 Macy's gift cards, or the bulliten whores.... the list goes on. It's the annoyingly massive number of bands that seem to single me out every week to add me as a friend!

Okay, i have nothing against am up and coming band trying to promote itself, but no, i don't like mexican soul or mongolian techno (maybe a little), but i most definately do not enjoy being deluged with requests and messages from these bands telling me that i'll love there new EP. They somehow think they can read my mind, admitedly myspace adverts try there hardest to this already.

Oh myspace, where once you were new, savvy, cutting edge and hip, now you just irritate me. You're lucky you have all the music and bands on your side, but even that is starting to wear thin now.


Dasal

Skate Log: Damn, I'm rusty.

Dasal's post about skateboarding inspired me to pick up my skateboard and ride again. Luckily I don't live too far away from a skatepark, so I took this relatively mild winter day and skated on down.

After a short session within which I managed a few ollies, a couple of kickflips and minimal injury (small bruising to the right knee) I realised one thing; I'm rusty.

Maybe it was just because of the salt in the seaside air...


But this was the start of my glorious return! Unfortunately I forgot my ipod so I couldn't try any of Dasal's musical suggestions. Maybe if I listen next time they will help me regain the low-level abilities that I once had.

Rob

Science > Sex

Dasal

I LOVE SKATING (and punk)

About a year ago at a party i was treated to the experience of watching a film called Ken Park. I was in for the long ride. Its a film by director Larry Clark based upon his and his friends' experiences of growing up. All i can say is that after watching that film he had a strange youth full of underage drugs, drinking, sex, murder, BDSM, incest, suicide, religious extremism....... and most importantly the art of "Erotic Asphyxiation." An all round family film then, one for the post Xmas meal some might say, i wouldn't. This film is only just watchable and extremely weird, and I'm sure will one day make it onto the radio show for conversation.


Recently at a friends house i decided to give Larry Clark another try, this time it was the turn of the film "Wassup Rockers"

Wassup Rockers is a far more tame affair which was a welcome respite from the last film. This film is loosely based on the experiences of a group of teenage Hispanic boys from South Central L.A. These kids, in stead of conforming with the usual gangster and hip hop culture they were surrounded with instead decided to pull on the drainpipe trousers, t-shirts, bandannas and skate to an awesome soundtrack of punk. They do some awesome skating and eventually end up in Beverly Hills where there adventure begins. The kids manage just about piss off / charm a whole range of Beverly Hills socialite caricatures, two of which manage to accidental kill themselves. My favourite being a gay fashion photographer who falls down his stairs whilst spying on one of the kids in the bathroom. This films is immense, and the kids are brilliant (all playing themselves). The DIY feel on the film, the almost inconceivably plot and the brilliant soundtrack make this film, well, Punk.

This film has most definitely re awoken my passion for skating and punk music, the kids in the film reminding me of what i used to be like, or what i used to want to be like more realistically. My inner skate self has been recharged to the extent that tomorrow I'm determines to get myself down to my local skate shop and get myself some new gear.

The second superstar in this film after the skating is punk music. I have long teased my punk flatmate about her music taste, but I've suddenly decided it ain't actually too bad, in fact its immense, at least in the right situation. (preferably not whilst I'm trying to have a nice evening in with the cocoa) I've decided to make myself a punk play list with all my favourite stuff, most of which i used to skate to.....

1. Wolves in Wolves' Clothing - NOFX
2. And Out Come the Wolves - Rancid
3. Americana - The Offspring
4. Sing Sing Death house - The Distillers
5. Hey Ho Lets Go - The Ramones
6. Enema of the State - Blink-182
7. Haunted Cities - The Transplants
8. London Calling - The Clash
9. The Velvet Underground - The Velvet Underground
10. Dookie - Greenday
11. Stranger Than Fiction - Bad Religion
12. Losing Streak - Less than Jake
13. Wasted Again - Black Flag

Dasal