sparkrobot

New live rock galleries up: The Coloffs, The Paper Dolls and The Zip Guns from Friday night at The Funhouse, Seattle.

Tim Robbins’ Keynote Speech at the National Association of Broadcasters’ Convention Monday evening. This is just one of many gems.

In the ’70s, radio took a serious nosedive when Edwin Armstrong invented FM to eliminate the static and noise associated with AM and unwittingly provided a home for easy listening jazz rock, overly dramatic disco songs and 20 minute psychedelic sitar jams.

There are more photos over here.

I picked up The Breeders‘ new record Mountain Battles over the weekend. My favorite song so far is “It’s The Love” on side B. A bonus: there’s a Vaughn Oliver designed booklet on the inside. The printing is stunning.

Also just got a documentary on Beulah from the Netflix, A Good Band is Easy to Kill.

A good weekend? Maybe. But then again, I have to file my fucking tax return. So, maybe not.

I guess this is what I’ve been listening to. The reason I guess is, this doesn’t include what happens in the car and it’s hard to audioscrobble vinyl. For what it’s worth:

1		American Music Club	26
2		Blue Skies For Black Hearts	23
3		The Apples in Stereo	19
4		The American Analog Set	13
4		The Young Fresh Fellows	13
4		Superdrag	13
7		Alex Chilton	12
7		Beirut	12
9		Islands	11
10		Willie Nelson	10

So… Internets, what are you listening to? I’m all ears.

I ventured out last Friday to catch a couple of bands. Peter Parker and Dept of Energy played live at The Comet Tavern. The Comet is a cool venue to see shows. The bands play live on the floor, but it’s dark as shit in there, making photography difficult. The Globes opened the show, but I didn’t have the Nikon tuned in to get any shots of them. I posted some photos of Peter Parker and Dept of Energy from the show to the Live Rock Photos gallery. Enjoy. Or not. I’ve also posted them to Flickr.

Since the announcement from Polaroid that they would cease to manufacture in February, a group of instant film enthusiasts and talented artists have pooled together in joint effort to save instant film by creating savepolaroid.com. I have a couple of SX-70 Polaroids that I’d love to keep using, so I can certainly get into the movement. Hopefully, with some nudging, either Polaroid or another manufacturer will step in to produce more film in the future.

From the site:

Since this announcement, we’ve been assembling articles, links, stories and planning out the best way to create a joint effort to save instant film. We’ve contacted Polaroid, Fuji and Ilford about licensing. We have more in the works and will update this site regularly.

Link to Save Polaroid - Save Instant Film.

Thank you * for completing your Jury Summons response online.
Status: Not Qualified. You are excused from Jury Duty.
Reason: Moved from jurisdiction

Sweet. Extra perks.

Ta-Dum-Tizz. Thanks, I’ll be here all week.

Late last year, I mentioned after deliberation, we had decided to sell our house in Tacoma. Finally, in late January, we received an acceptable offer and took the opportunity. The house is now sold and all things are moved.

After six and a half years of living in Tacoma, and just about five in the house that just sold, it had become increasingly apparent that the appeal that Tacoma once held was diminishing rapidly. I felt like I had done pretty much everything there was to do. I spent more time in Tacoma than any one place I have since college, but ultimately, I was finding myself burdened with a lot of questions — too many actually — and realized it was time to go.

I met some cool people in Tacoma. With some of those people, I started a band. Lots of things happened: I got married in Tacoma, I bought and sold my first house in Tacoma, I discovered I liked cameras a lot. I played a lot… in and around Tacoma, but that’s all over. I know a lot of people love Tacoma. Unfortunately, I just don’t. I have no real ties to the place and honestly I heard a lot of talk and saw little action.

All the best to you Tacoma. Have fun talking about parking lots and public squares. I’m yawning now, so I’m checking out. Be good.