spin.

in correlation with fixed gear riding's burgeoning popularity comes an influx of track bike videos.

over the summer, there will be at least three highly anticipated videos coming up, all of which have uber-nice trailers for the kiddies. here's a quick rundown of the trailers with links to every project's respective myspace.


MACAFRAMA Trailer from MACAFRAMA on Vimeo.
"macaframa" from san francisco.


Fast Friday from David Rowe on Vimeo.
cadence fast fridays from seattle.


council of doom: official full-length trailer from wolfgang on Vimeo.
council of doom from orange county, ca.

all high quality footage of high quality riding. all of this regionalism makes me wonder what new york has up their sleeves.

p.s. there will be a premiere for the council of doom video on july 20th at the detroit bar in costa mesa. live bands, booze, and bikes. how could you say no to that?

garfield without garfield.

file this under: "nostalgia, reappropriation of".

i remember being in elementary school and going to those scholastic book sales and going through those biographies of wayne gretzky, magic johnson, emmitt smith, etc. for god knows how long only to end up getting another garfield fat pack, which, for those of you who don't know, were giant anthologies of garfield comics in somewhat chronological order. i kind of think that the influence of garfield on me is analogous to a college sophomore reading nietzsche and sartre for the first time and suddenly getting all sarcastic and cynical about existence. yeah, garfield had that impact on me, except, you know, i was eight.

if you combine the whole "existentialism for beginners" thing with the whole garfield thing, you get garfield minus garfield, a website where they've taken garfield comic strips and taken out that lovable cat. the description from the site sums it up much better than i ever could, so i'll just quote it here:

Who would have guessed that when you remove Garfield from the Garfield comic strips, the result is an even better comic about schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and the empty desperation of modern life? Friends, meet Jon Arbuckle. Let’s laugh and learn with him on a journey deep into the tortured mind of an isolated young everyman as he fights a losing battle against loneliness in a quiet American suburb.

so good.

it's like reading camus' the stranger, but it only takes three panels to get the same effect.

Homenaje

..

"Windy City ComDICKS"

Much less of a blog, much more of a rant...




I recently had the opportunity to tour the great city of Chicago. By and large, the people seemed to be friendly, mild-mannered and less concerned with making it than they were about being content. I dug it.

Looking back, there weren't many snags in the trip; however, one event does stand out... Almost getting my ass kicked in a comic shop in boys' town. Boys' town comic store, be proud, you're the first in a series of jerks and awkward circumstances that showcase my innate and uncanny ability to attract bad luck. Boys' town comic store, you're reason #1, why the world thinks "I'm the asshole."

It was a little over thirty degrees out and two friends and I were walking down Clark street in Chicago. It was about my third day in the city and so far things were going well. I had seen a lot of cool things and met a lot of cool people. Chicago was nice. There was still way more to see and experience though and my guides were determined to show me everything that this city had to offer.

On our way to more sight-seeing, one of my friends had to swing by her workplace and take care of some paperwork. She ran in and took care of business and we were on our way.

She works near what's known by the locals as "boys' town," a place where male mannequins sporting fishnets and leather suits are not completely uncommon. Heading back to the train, it was inevitable that we took a stroll through this unique little community; it was here where we would come across a little gem of a comic shop.

Now, I'll retain its anonymity, for the sake of saving face, but suffice it to say that this place has every potential to be rad. On coming in, I first noticed the stacks and stacks of carefully placed books and illustrations that harken back to every cool indie comic or record store you've ever seen. The clientele was your standard 40:1, male to female, comic-going ratio. I had to get a photo.

Suhh-nap. click.

Almost as soon as the shutter released I pulled my eyes away from the viewfinder only to meet eyes with the proprietor of this fine establishment. He spoke with a loud, booming (nasaly) whine:

"Excuse me, what are you doing?"

I stood there dumbfounded and his tone immediately gained more anger.

"You should probably ask before you start snapping pictures, huh?"

"I'm sorry, I'm just a fan of comic shops"

"Yeah. We should probably ask before snapping pictures, huh?"

"Sorry. Can I ..."

"--What are they for?!"

"I don't know, personal use? I'm just a fan of comic sho..."

"Personal use for what?!"

Spandex, bicyclist man turns around from reading his latest editon of whatever and lets out a shout from across the room.

"What, ya never seen a comic book shop before?!"

"I'm just a fan of comic shops."

Suddenly all eyes are on me and the people I came in with are deep into the comics that were closest to them and are doing everything they can not to laugh hysterically. I am soo confused and yet can sense the tension in the air. It's so thick it's nearly palpable. No one's saying a thing and the daggers are practically piercing my skin.

"How 'bout we stop snapping pictures."

"Okay..."

I sneak away toward the back of the room and try to ignore the fact that I've just become the jock that was thrown into the geek den... I spot a cool cover and barely touch the corner of the light leaf before [dunk, dunk, dunk...] the display falls to the floor. The only sound is a kind of silent, growing fury. I dare not look up. I'm immediately in shock. I just grab the comics, stand back up quickly and scurry to fix the display. Instantly, I realize that it's time to go. My friends are busting up a little and I've got this awkward smirk/terror on my face [what an asshole].

We head toward the door and as the door opens and we're leaving, I make one last attempt to make amends, I look toward the man that started this all.

"You have a good one..."

He just glared back, as if I were both the spawn of Hitler and the Riddler. It was clear that I was no longer welcome anywhere in or around the comic shop.

Comic Shop in boys' town, you're reason #1: why the world thinks "I'm the asshole."

satellite of love.

i woke up bummed the fuck out today.

and then i finally looked up the jarvis cocker cover of "satellite of love" that a friend of mine was absolutely enthused about and boom, i feel so much better.

so for everyone out there who could use a little more awe in their lives (and really, who in this world doesn't?), i now present you with my spring pick-me-up.



now, let's go out on our bikes with beaming grins on our faces.

Taste the chocolate rainbow

These skittles commercials are getting better and better.

Dj Kozy

I love artist couple, kozyndan sooo much.

So much i have a tattoo of their bunnyfish on me.

So much, that everytime I bump into them I get speechless and look down.

So much that I just have to share Kozy's Dublab set.

Kozy- Dream of Tropical Sand

Kozy- Okinawan Dance Mix

Renegades Crew 25th Year Anniversary

This weekend we'll be traveling up to San Francisco for the Renegades Crew 25th Year Anniversary.




It felt just like yesterday, when we would walk home from school and hang out at our friend's house and get all hyped watching the Renegades Vs. Style Elements battle on our Radiotron VHS. We grow up fast.

Pillow Fight Day

Saturday March 22, 2008

is International Pillow Fight Day.

Use the link below to find your nearest pillow fight:

http://www.pillowfightday.com/

For my Los Angeles peoples, the pillow fight will be held at

Pershing Square
535 S Hill St
Los Angeles, CA 90013

3:00pm.

bomb the bass.

it's no secret that music video is becoming an increasingly dead medium. the past decade has seen air time and budgets disappear, and it seems as if the creativity has gone away as well. it always cheers me up to discover good work coming out via youtube (does mtv even play videos anymore?), and i love how these things get passed around from person to person like we're on some juicy secret that we don't want the masses to know about but we just have to share out with our like-minded friends.

so, like-minded friends, i present you with the video for bomb the bass' "butterfingers". the clip was directed by the perish factory, who apparently have worked previously with the sea and cake and basement jaxx. good stuff.

LA Premiere of Planet B-boy

Tonite is the premiere of "Planet B-boy: Breakdancing Has Evolved" at The Landmark.

The Landmark

10850 West Pico Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA

http://www.planetbboy.com/

The Big Sad: Barry Mcgee & Clare Rojas

riverside art museum is having a barry mcgee/clare rojas show.

in riverside.

i'm as surprised as anyone of hearing that something cool is happening in my hometown.

the opening exhibition is on sunday, march 30th from 4-7PM. the show runs through the 17th of may.

i'm going for sure. make sure to say hello.

interesting.

i'll try not to make every post from now on bike related, but i think this is pretty cool.

leah buechley made this turn-signal jacket with LEDs. the controls for the signals are wrist-mounted. and it's washable!

i wouldn't get much use of it, the way i ride, but it's cool nonetheless.

more photos here via Flickr.

Poketo Art Show this Saturday

March 22nd, 2008

6:00-10:00pm

Poketo Studio

510 S Hewitt Street

Unit 506

Los Angeles, CA 90013

www.poketo.com

Happy St. Patty's Day!

"A Cockload of Art Shows," said Winner.

SurfBEAT features a broad cross-section of what is collectively referred to as "lowbrow" artists. From world-renowned to local heroes: Surf artists, Animators, Hotrod air-brushers, tattoo artists, skateboard artists, concert poster illustrators, tiki carvers, pin-up photographers and sundry ne'er-do-well artists converge in a celebration of decadence sure to titillate and amuse all but the most puritanical pillars of the community.

The show opens MARCH 15 at The Light Gallery in Costa Mesa.
Please check out the flyer below and watch for show updates at http://www.blogger.com/%3Ca

Surf beat

6pm-midnight
theLightGallery
440 e.17th st
costa mesa 92627



Et Tu Brute?
Passion Power and Betrayal
7pm - 10pm
765 Saint Clair St
Ste B
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
(714) 724-4633
www.boxboxbox.com



Revolution

Mauve Gallery
ART EXHIBIT HOURS:

7pm - 11pm

AFTER PARTY HOURS:

11pm - 2am

LOCATION:
507 E Balboa Blvd
Newport Beach, CA 92661

Do The Test

Think you got skills?

Click this link and Do The Test:

http://www.dothetest.co.uk/

Tell me how it goes.

This week's Dance Right:

Wish we could be at SXSW this week, but at least we have each other..

hipster classical wünderkid

its wierd when people you know start to make it big. not that I would know. But I know people who know people.

It seems that going to Columbia not only guarantees the *chance* at getting a job which will pay you to live within 40 minutes of Manhattan, but also a darling status in your chosen art form (ahem, Vampire Weekend). Which therefore begs the question: if the future of bubblegum indie rock is west african pop, whats gonna happen to classical?

well nico muhly says its in church music. hurray.

the columbia and julliard grad composer, 26, is as golden as a golden boy can get. he is conducting, he is assisting philip glass, he is working with rufus wainwright and bjork. pretty solid, yeah? totes.

so im like, well what is his stuff like, his own compositions?  Apparently, hes into medieval. layers et dissonance. go figure.  what promises to be the avant-garde is actually premodern. post structuralist = pre structuralist. end of days, man.

chck him out.

 

Bikes and such

Not into the whole dancing thing? That's okay. How 'bout bikes? You like bikes?

Cyclists Inciting Change thrue Live Exchange (C.I.C.L.E.) will be hosting the Pasadena Art Ride at 6 PM on Friday, March 14th. It's an easy-paced ride that welcomes cyclists of all levels of gnarliness. Whether you're a fast-paced hustler or a cool cat that likes to hang toward the back, this ride's for you! The ride will stroll through the lovely streets of Pasadena and will include stops at many of the city's fine galleries and museums. For this night only, they'll all be open and they'll all be free! The ride meets at 6 PM at the One Colorado Courtyard in Pasadena and leaves just a half hour after. More info at bikenow.org.

Where: One Colorado Courtyard, Pasadena

When: 6 PM

Why: 'Cause you're awesome, that's why.

Be whimsical.

World of Dance

Isn't Lil' Bob cute?



Go to their site for more information: http://www.worldofdancetour.com/?gclid=CLCx1diIgpICFRM8awodj1u59Q

CROOKED

Check it. Crooked by Evil Nine feat. Aesop Rock. These fools know how to get down.

the shittiest mixtape

Year of the Rat

YEAR OF THE RATOVER 50 ARTISTS PARTICIPATING
March 15, 2008 - April 16, 2008
Reception: Saturday, March 15, 6:30 pm - 10:00 pm

GR2

22062 Sawtelle Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA 90025

gr2.net

(310) 445-9276

Giant Robot is proud to host Year of the Rat, a group art show celebrating year 4706 on the lunar calendar. Pieces will include oils, pencils, prints, sculpture, and other media–all dedicated to the first sign on the Chinese zodiac cycle.

Contributors will include (but are not limited to) the following:

Andrice Arp

Derek Ballard

Sasha Barr

Gary Baseman

Robert Bellm

Chris Bettig

Kelie Bowman

Aaron Brown

Jeffrey Brown

Buff Monster

Martin Cendreda

Shawn Cheng

Jo Dery

Dutch Door Press

Theo Ellsworth

Austin English

Noel Freibert

Susie Ghahremani

Leif Goldberg

Tim Gough

Katherine Guillen

Gunsho

Lizz Hickey

Andrew Holder

Yellena James

Kaori Kasai

Dan-ah Kim

Diana Kwok

Olaf Ladousse

Jesse Ledoux

Travis Lampe

David Magdaleno

Le Merde

Thom Lessner

The Little Friends of Printmaking

Jay Ryan

Tyler Parker

John Pham

Emilio Santoyo

Ashira Siegel

Ryan Jacob Smith

Daniel St. George

Hannah Stouffer

Deth P. Sun

Daria Tessler

Elisabeth Timpone

Kelly Tunstall

Edwin Ushiro

Steven Weissman

A reception for will take place from 6:30 - 10:00 on Saturday, March 15.

A must see bboy battle

So, one of my favorite bboy battle videos. A classic.The battle is between ALLMost/Top9 (Russia) Vs. Mind180(USA).If you are a bboy or bgirl who hasn't seen it, you gotta watch it now. Enjoy it cool cats.

Part 1:

Part 2:

Dublab events of the week:

TUESDAY, MARCH 11
DUBLAB & PART TIME PUNKS present…

GIVE UP meets A SAD, SLOW DANCE PARTY
inside = slow dancing with crying eyespatio = epic blue tunes for big tears
FREE / 21+ / 9pm-2am
La Cita336 S Hill St, Downtown Los Angeles, CA 90013
dublab.comparttimepunks.com
...stop dancing & cry then start slowly dancing again...

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

THURSDAY, March 13th
BEACH HOUSE (early show)

a special performance of lovely musical movements featuring:
BEACH HOUSE
PAPERCUTS
DJ Michael Stock [Part Time Punks / dublab]
$10 / 6:30pm / ALL AGES
THE ECHOPLEX1154 Glendale Blvd.Los Angeles, CA 90026

*************RECURRENT EVENTS*************

every WEDNESDAY
Alpha Pup presents...
LOW END THEORYfringepsychelectronicIDMreggaehiphopglitch&more



Resident DJs NOBODY, D-STYLES, GASLAMP KILLER and DADDY KEVplus Resident MC NOCANDO and Resident Artist MEAR ONE
Three rooms of sound including downstairs reggae lounge. TurboSound by Mobius Audiophile.
$5 / 18+ / 9pm-2am / Full bar with ID
The Airliner2419 N. Broadway,Los Angeles, CA 90031
lowendtheoryclub.com

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

every 1st MONDAY the month
AROUND THE WORLD IN 360 MINUTESa journey for music lovers

Please join us for a magnificent, communal music experience. We've asked all of our DJ friends, and family, to bring a few of their favorite records from around the world, and play them!(Frequent DJ rotation throughout the night.)
FREE! / All Ages
8pm-2am = 360 minutes
Rudolpho's Bar & Grill2500 Riverside DriveLos Angeles, California 90039323.669.1226

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

every 1st THURSDAY of the month
dublab presents...
MOTIF : a highly themed, monthly happening
FREE / 8pm-Midnight / 21+
Mandrake Bar2692 S. La Cienega blvd.(between Venice & Washington)Los Angeles, CA 90034310.837.3297mandrakebar.com

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

tune into the turn on:
"She comes in Colours" with the Minister Alvin X & Dr. Frederick Phases - every Monday 10pm-Mid KXLU 88.9fm
"Headspace" with Hoseh - every Thursday 8-10pm KXLU 88.9fm
"Spaceways" with Carlos Nino - every Friday 8-10pm KPFK 90.7fm

Kid Singer..

Go to jail & learn how to crank that...

the hardest thing about rollerblading ...

This week I watched Human Giant for the first time.



It sucks losing your cable.
Because I miss out on awesome shows like Human Giant on MTV and Lucy Daughter of the Devil on Adult Swim.





I also have to be the last one to see and the first one to hear about things like how the jabbawockies did on America's Best Dance Crew.

Watch the Pretty Young Thing clip:

Game Tweek!

This week my brother Ken launched his first website.

www.gametweek.com



It's full of fun and free online games. So I recommend you drink one of these cool gamer mana energy potions:



And play on the site for a few hours and tell me what you think.

Where The Wild Things Are Movie

I love this children's book and I love Spike Jonze. Put them together and you get this.



Click Here to see the screentest clip on FilmDrunk.

Beat Swap Meet

Beat Swap Meet this Sunday at the Echoplex.

Come by and check out the Quiet Doing stuff.