Mariachi El Bronx - Cell Mates

this is currently my favorite song. Great video too. Something about the mariachi plus the slow, even pace. i can't stop listening to this album. i am also really tired and busy lately so i might take a short break from updating daily. i will still update but maybe not daily. we'll see.

They Might Be Giants - Birdhouse In Your Soul

Possibly one of the best TMBG live performances. When you got a super catchy amazing song such as Birdhouse... then add the TOnight Show band that just tears up these giant licks.. man... BOOM!

Rocket from the Crypt - Born in '69

There is nothing else to say about this other than: AMAZING

Mr. President - Coco Jambo

While searching for the previous video (up, up and away) I came upon this and figured its too amazing not to post. Right? Right? Anyone?

The 5th Dimension - Up, Up, and Away

Man. This song. They used to always play it at Trader Joe's and the first five times I thought it was amazing. The next five times drove me crazy. After the tenth time, I embraced it and I was off in my beautiful balloon.

I also wrote this song into my Giant Robot script.

Jonathan Richman - Everyday Clothes

For some reason, it's really difficult to find good quality JR clips on youtube. This is the exception and near perfect. This man, in many ways, defines music for me: fun, loose, and clever. Nothing too serious, nothing too stern. Just fun music that makes you shake your rear.

12:08 East of Bucharest clip

I'm not sure why I had this movie, 12:08 East of Bucharest, in my possession but I did. I knew next to nothing about it (and kept confusing it with another Romanian movie about abortions) but when I watched it I was blown away with how funny and engaging it was. I highly recommend it, even if it can be very slow and/or go over non-historian/romanian heads at times.

This scene is a great part of the movie when the local school band jams out some sweet latin-tinged music only to be scolded and forced to play more traditional Romanian jams. And check out that kids moves!!!

Toy-Box - Sailor Song

How have I not posted this sooner? I have an epic Aqua story I will need to tell one day, but obviously this band is NOT Aqua (DUH!!). This is Toy-Box. When I randomly stumbled upon them, one dreary day spent cruising youtube, I was blown away. This is prolly their most... real song. They have other jams about ET and Best Friends and stuff.. but this is what would go on my desert island mix tape for sure.

IAM - Je Danse le Mia

There is just something about this video.. i can't put my finger on it.

Jovanotti - L'ombelico del mondo

When I was in Italy, Jovanotti's song "Salami" was everywhere. I will need to post that video here sooner or later, but for now, enjoy this clip of a more recent track that I had never heard until today. It's good. Jovanotti is kinda like the poster child for modern rock in Italy. He started as a rapper and moved to pop and hippie almost territories, but regardless, he's Jovanotti... the same dude who was in this video:

Blackout Crew - Put A Donk On It

How did I not post this sooner?!?!?? This is the definition of amazing. No joke! Look it up!

Warren Zevon - Excitable Boy

I'm not sure how anyone could dislike Warren Zevon. My only thought would be "Oh, they haven't heard enough by him" or "obviously, your ears are glued shut..". I was always excited when Paul Shaffer would take vacation time off from Letterman so Zevon would fill in.

Great, great songwriting and as you can see, pretty intense performances. Lost way too early but man, did he rock.

Naked City - Thrash Jazz Assassin

When I was in elementary school, I chose to learn how to play the saxophone. Now, the reason I did this was because I wanted to be in a rock band when I got older and better. I don't know HOW I thought the saxophone was the one instrument that was the most likely to be needed for a rock band but... anyways.

Years later I discovered John Zorn, and this outfit in particular: Naked City. One minute songs with as many genres jammed in as possible. Nearly technically flawless. Fun and crazy and without a doubt rocking.

I think this is what I was imagining when I was a 5th grader trying to decide between the dumb old trumpet or THE SAXOPHONE!!! Keep an eye out for more Zorn on this blog, but this clip is short and sweet and not... too crazy.

Zoobombs - Doo-Bee

Here's an example of one of the many bands Kerry has gotten me into. Zoobombs are a lot like Guitar Wolf but at the same time have a different vibe to them. Less space, more rock? I dunno. Whatever it is, I really like Zoobombs. I like Guitar Wolf too, don't get me wrong but I'm always surprised by how many random people in this world already appreciate Guitar Wolf yet never heard of Zoobombs. So: World, I give you the Zoobombs!

Hot Snakes - Braintrust

I wasn't really into the whole Swami Records scene until I spent some time in San Diego. After my first Nico's burrito, something in my blood yearned for pure manly fueled on carne asada rock and roll. I saw the Hot Snakes when I was in SD and they rocked my face. Of course, I was sick after eating some bad Mexican food (or Mexican food that was TOO AWESOME for my stomach to handle, I should say) but it still was a great show. I almost flipped out when the singer started to make HUELL HOWSER REFERENCES! Between songs he kept saying "LET THE FIRE...FALL!!!!" and what Huell episode was on earlier that day? Yep, you guessed it:

Gael Garcia Bernal - Queiro Que Me Quieras

I recently saw "Rudo Y Cursi" and it was really good. Mexican film is really pretty great, or at least the stuff I've seen. You should totally recommend more Mexican films to me in the comments. I can't stop listening to this song.

Garfunkel & Oates - Worst Song Ever Medley

On top of having one of the funniest band names ever, these two put out some funny and ubercatchy pop-comedy tracks. Their EP was released recently (or at least I got my hands on it recently) and all the songs are great and goofy and you will find yourself singing it. Anyways. The only song this medley is missing is "Heaven Is A Halfpipe".

Har Mar Superstar - DUI (live)

I saw Har Mar open up for Atom wayyyy back in the day. I had NO clue what to expect. Let's just leave it at that. Also, this was back before his crazy outfits and wahtever. Just another indie looking dude who stripped down to his underoos by the end of the set.

I love this song and this video is just bizarre. I can't find a decent quality version of the actual video (in which he is singing and dancing in a pet store...) but this.. wow.. this is a treasure.

Potshot - She Is Cute

Whenever I think "Hey, Ska wasn't ALL bad", the first band that jumps in my head is Potshot, the japanese ska/punk outfit. Short, sweet, catchy as hell. I love this band. Years ago I saw an awesome music video of their that had them running in front of a blue screen but I haven't been able to find it since. Any help?

Dead Milkmen - Punk Rock Girl

Quite possibly one of the greatest guitar solos of all time. On top of that, amazing sense of humor, an accordion pumping away (but not seen), and some amazing lip syncing. I ran into this band by accident when I was younger and flipped backwards, couldn't believe what I was hearing.

I borrowed two of their cassettes from one of my friends way back in the day and um, still have them.