Keep it unreal.
Sean
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Brain Training
Today I got stuck in this little game for quite a while. It's called Lost in Migration and it's about ducks.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Monday, July 5, 2010
The beginning of Led Zeppelin
In 1968 the #1 artists included Diana Ross & The Supremes, Herb Alpert, Simon and Garfunkel and of course The Beatles. In January 1969 the #1 single for that month was Marvin Gaye - Heard it through the grape vine. Also in January 1969, Led Zeppelin released their first self titled LP. It a tough thing to put into perspective but this video gives a good idea of the worlds introduction to Led Zeppelin.
It seems almost absurd to see the audience so placid while watching this. At the time, this must have been the heaviest thing they've ever heard and they don't even know how to react. Check out how intense John Bonham plays near the start of the song, that kind of playing has barely been matched since.
It seems almost absurd to see the audience so placid while watching this. At the time, this must have been the heaviest thing they've ever heard and they don't even know how to react. Check out how intense John Bonham plays near the start of the song, that kind of playing has barely been matched since.
Also notice that this was obviously filmed before Jimmy Page bought his signature '59 Les Paul Standard. Here he is sporting a psychedelic Telecaster he received as a gift from Jeff Beck to say thanks for recommending him to the Yardbirds, securing him the spot over Eric Clapton (a spot he would later lose to Clapton only to start The Jeff Beck Group).
This whole show can be found on this here DVD along with a whole whack of other amazing gear.
Keep it unreal!
How to be in the baddest band on earth
Step 1
I found this on a routine trip to the Music Swop Shop yesterday, tucked away in one of the many nooks and/or crannies. This baby is a circa '74 Australian made Strauss "Lancer" 100 watt valve head (marked as a PA head rather than a guitar head) sitting atop 2 (!) vertical 4x12 cabinets! Madness! That thing would make some serious noise.
As for becoming the baddest band on earth, I guess once you own this amp, someone will ask you to join their band, who are already the baddest band on earth?....what am I a doctor?
Buy this amplifier.
I found this on a routine trip to the Music Swop Shop yesterday, tucked away in one of the many nooks and/or crannies. This baby is a circa '74 Australian made Strauss "Lancer" 100 watt valve head (marked as a PA head rather than a guitar head) sitting atop 2 (!) vertical 4x12 cabinets! Madness! That thing would make some serious noise.
As for becoming the baddest band on earth, I guess once you own this amp, someone will ask you to join their band, who are already the baddest band on earth?....what am I a doctor?
Some other highlights at the Swoppy at the moment are:
Canora Flying V
Don't be put off by the non Gibbo status of this guy. I'm a big believer in the lawsuit era Japanese stuff of the early and mid 70's. This is a great example, a nicely scuffed, almost identical copy of a 67 Flying V. Relatively light, great neck, great feel AND comes with a case.
A steal for $599
Fernandes Jazzmaster
I have quite a soft spot for Jazzmasters and I have been listening to a bit of Dinosaur Jr lately, that could explain my fondness for this guy. I don't know a huge amount about Fernandes as a brand, I just know this guitar looks rad a plays super nice for a $400 guitar. Definitely not your typical Jazzmaster, this guy has a hot humbucker in the bridge and a single at the neck, none of those wacky switches and a sweet paint job.
Fender "Contemporary" Stratocaster
Yep! You read that right, this is a legit Fender, well...a Japanese Fender, but don't let that put you off. When the Japanese Fender factory opened, the early guitars they were producing were serious rivals to the ones coming out of the USA. This is from that era, circa '85 the time of the shred kings. It's got the whole floyd system with locking nut, a hot humbucker in the bridge and a metallic pink paint job. The action in set super low right now but it feels super solid and super quick. Electrik Dynamite I'm looking at you...
Desperately in need of a setup but a great deal at $899
The future of furniture!
As our living spaces get smaller (we know we all see the apartment of the future being a tiny little cube a-la Benders closet in Futurama) so our furniture can get smaller too!
Check out this incredible fold away furniture. The highlight for me is the folding shelves that stay upright!
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Electro Harmonix - Effectology
This has been blowing my mind for the last half an hour. This fella called Bill Ruppert at Electro Harmonix can seems to be able to create just about any sound he wants with EHX pedals. In these videos he makes bird sounds, ocean swells, cellos, blues harmonica and many more.
Check this shit out!
Mercadante Italian Restaurant
Walking around the north end of the city yesterday, it was time for a late lunch, Lygon street seemed an obvious choice. After walking past a dozen restaurants (half of which are Italian) Mercadante looked like a pretty authentic place to grab a pizza.
We sat out the front in their big seating area, and helped ourselves to menus. After a short wait we ordered our first course, the bruscetta with fresh tomato, red onion and feta. The cocky waiter took our drink order proclaiming that they have "any beer you want!"...except apparently Coopers. He hadn't even heard of it and somehow managed to mispronounce it when saying it back to me. The beer list is modest but a Cascade Premium for $4.80 sounds pretty good to me.
The bruscetta arrived looking delicious, drizzled in olive oil and well stocked. Delicious and fresh, the dough was nice and thin but super soft. A small was more than enough to cover the 2 of us for a starter. After a fair wait our main arrived, a small pizza with potato and olives. The chunks of potato looked odd at first but on first bite we were convinced. The amazingly cooked potato almost melts in your mouth and tastes delicious. Once again the small was more than enough for the 2 of us.
Mercadante was indeed the authentic Italian restaurant we hoped for and it only set us back $35 for the 2 of us including the tip. Highly recommended.
(Photos pending)
Turning 2 minute noodles into food!
Requirements:
- Broccoli (or any other vegetable you have lying around)
- 1tsp Garlic, chopped (from a jar)
- 1 tsp Ginger, chopped (from a jar)
- 3 Spring onions, chopped
- 2 tbs Veg oyster sauce
- 2 tbs Teriyaki sauce
- Asiany hot sauce (sriracha?)
- 2 tbs Sesame oil
- AND 2 packs of 2 minute noodles
Boil some water for your noodles.
heat up a oil in a pan or a wok, on high. I've used sesame oil just because it gives everything a badass sesame taste. You could use regular oil if you don't have it though. Throw in spring onions, garlic and ginger. Toss them round a bit until "fragrant" then throw in your other sauces. I've used oyster sauce and teriyaki sauce but you could substitute those for soy, black bean, (veg) fish sauce etc. Chuck noodles into boiling water. Throw your broccoli into your sauce mixture, toss around to coat. When noodles are soft, drain and throw into sauce mixture. Toss that sucka around and serve in a big deep bowl. Enjoy with an Asahi and have an authentic asian 2 minute noodle lunch.
heat up a oil in a pan or a wok, on high. I've used sesame oil just because it gives everything a badass sesame taste. You could use regular oil if you don't have it though. Throw in spring onions, garlic and ginger. Toss them round a bit until "fragrant" then throw in your other sauces. I've used oyster sauce and teriyaki sauce but you could substitute those for soy, black bean, (veg) fish sauce etc. Chuck noodles into boiling water. Throw your broccoli into your sauce mixture, toss around to coat. When noodles are soft, drain and throw into sauce mixture. Toss that sucka around and serve in a big deep bowl. Enjoy with an Asahi and have an authentic asian 2 minute noodle lunch.
Serves 1 hungry person.
Friday, July 2, 2010
Guitar Soiree
I'd have called it the Guitar Bazaar but I guess soiree works too....
Pretty zany but incredibly badass. I've once had the pleasure of playing one of these and it was just amazing. My friends dad owns a Dobro, a National and a Donmo and out of those 3, the Donmo was definitely my favourite.
AND of course when looking at Gibbos, who can avoid taking a squiz at this guy.....
That there is probably the most valuable guitar in Australia. Thats a crazy thought.
This Sunday at the Corner Hotel there is the inaugural Guitar Soiree, an event which nobody seems to know for sure what will be involved. None the less, I'm excited. I'm guessing it will be a great opportunity to gawk at a whole bunch of really amazing and rare guitars.
With that in mind, today I woke up with guitars on the brain and have been looking at a few things.
Donmo Resonator guitars
This is a dude from Adelaide who makes resonators that look like they fell straight out of the 1930's. He often uses scrap corrugated metal from old demolition sites (over 100 years old, anything new is too brittle) and rolls it flat to make his bodies. The result is called the "Rustbucket" and looks something like this.
Pretty zany but incredibly badass. I've once had the pleasure of playing one of these and it was just amazing. My friends dad owns a Dobro, a National and a Donmo and out of those 3, the Donmo was definitely my favourite.
1957 Gibson Les Paul Gold Top with Black Parts
Apparently this is an insanely rare guitar and I just fell in love with it after seeing it on Jacksons Rare Guitars. Brought back to Australia by the dude from INXS, it's not being sold POA, who knows how much that thing would go for? $150000? Gee whiz.
AND of course when looking at Gibbos, who can avoid taking a squiz at this guy.....
1959 Les Paul Standard Sunburst
Too cool, when I make my millions you'll definitely see me having a jam on one of these guys. The holy grail of electric guitars as played by Jimmy Page, Billy Gibbons, Eric Clapton etc.
That there is probably the most valuable guitar in Australia. Thats a crazy thought.
Keep it unreal.
