Flip Video Headaches, Problems, Customer Support Idiots, etc.

By Greg Swan, on December 31st, 2007%

In addition to a tony Nikon D40, I bought myself a Flip Video camcorder for Christmas.

It’s a cheap, pocket-sized point and shoot vido camera weighing in at 4.8 ounces. It captures 30 fps VGA video — suitable for YouTube but not full-screen TV.

I wanted one for posting concert and family videos to YouTube. I have a high-end Sony video camera we use for the important stuff. But the ability to conveniently carry a point and shoot video camera that holds 60 minutes and runs on two AA batteries for $100 bucks was too good to pass up.

The Flip Video has a . . . → Read More: Flip Video Headaches, Problems, Customer Support Idiots, etc.

Beast From Sea ready EP, offer sneak preview snippets

By Greg Swan, on December 30th, 2007%

Chicago indie rock group Beast From Sea are gearing up for an early spring recording session at Chicago Recording (The Smashing Pumpkins, The Cure, Smoking Popes) to lay down tracks for their debut EP.

Spring is a damn long time to wait, so here are a few mp3 snippets of their new material:
Beast From Sea : “Today Was Beautiful” intro (mp3)

Beast From Sea : “Other People” outro (mp3)

Beast From Sea : “Tree Climber” . . . → Read More: Beast From Sea ready EP, offer sneak preview snippets

RIAA says even ripping CDs you own is now illegal

By Greg Swan, on December 29th, 2007%

Even on the heels of Radiohead’s unparalleled “In Rainbows” music industry bitchslap, the RIAA continues to bash its head against the wall by suing its customers and alienating artists. And now they’re taking it yet another step…
Tomorrow’s Washington Post has a story about a man being sued for simply ripping CDs he owned into mp3s on his computer.

In legal documents in its federal case against Jeffrey Howell, a Scottsdale, Ariz., man who kept a collection of about 2,000 music recordings on his personal computer, the industry maintains that it is illegal for someone who has legally purchased a CD to transfer . . . → Read More: RIAA says even ripping CDs you own is now illegal

I bet you $5 dollars you played Guitar Hero this week

By Greg Swan, on December 29th, 2007%

Judging by the running commentary from my Twitter friends over Christmas, Guitar Hero was the family time killer this year.

I am equally guilty of indulging in eggnog-fueled delusions of rock and roll grandeur this holiday season. And what’s . . . → Read More: I bet you $5 dollars you played Guitar Hero this week

Young Dudes : "(Doin') Crimes" (mp3)

By Greg Swan, on December 28th, 2007%

Still putting together that New Year’s Eve party mix?We recommend this track from Young Dudes, a South Dakota/Minnesota hybrid quartet who majored in Rolling Stones cock rock with a minor in garage glam. Their self-titled LP on Afternoon Records comes only on vinyl or digital download, because CDs are SO 2007, people.

Young Dudes : “(Doin’) Crimes” (mp3)

Buy it on iTunes here: . . . → Read More: Young Dudes : "(Doin') Crimes" (mp3)

Radiohead Offers New Year's Performance On Current TV

By Greg Swan, on December 26th, 2007%

Christmas comes late to Radiohead fans this year…a special performance by Radiohead will be aired exclusively by Current TV on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.

The band will be performing all of the tracks from its newest album, In Rainbows, for a taped, private, hour-long performance, which will run commercial-free on Current TV and on www.current.com simultaneously.

Broadcast times:
Current TV — December 31, 2007:

9 p.m. PST / 12 a.m. EST
10 p.m. PST / 1 a.m. EST

Current TV –January 1, 2008:

5 a.m. PST / 8 a.m. EST
6 p.m. PST / 9 p.m. EST

Webcast –December 31, 2007

9 p.m. PST / 12 a.m. . . . → Read More: Radiohead Offers New Year's Performance On Current TV

Review: Dane Cook : Rough Around the Edges: Live from Madison Square Garden

By Greg Swan, on December 20th, 2007%

Dane Cook
Rough Around the Edges: Live from Madison Square Garden
Label: Comedy Central Rec.

I recently ran a focus group with 10 college students of various ages — all from the Minneapolis/Wisconsin/Dakotas-area. I was name-dropping celebrities to see who resonated and Dane cook was the #1 pick of every single one of them.

Essentially the Adam Sandler equivalent to my generation, Dane Cook didn’t need SNL to launch his raunch, bombastic, explicit comedic career.

Um, did I mention explicit? This guy has more f-bombs than Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Live from Madison Square Garden is a double CD/DVD set featuring Cook’s . . . → Read More: Review: Dane Cook : Rough Around the Edges: Live from Madison Square Garden

Groovesect : On the Brim

By Greg Swan, on December 20th, 2007%

My coworker’s brother is in a band called Groovesect. They’re a funky New Orleans-based instrumental funk band that leans more toward lounge/ contemporary jazz.

Good stuff. Great to have on in the background while trying to wrap up work before vacation.

Upcoming dates:

Dec 20 2007 Mexicali Blues, with FRED WESLEY Teaneck, New Jersey
Dec 21 2007 Live At Nectarâ€™s, with FRED WESLEY Burlington, Vermont
Dec 22 2007 The Lionâ€™s Den, with FRED WESLEY New York City
Jan 25 2008 Le Bon Temps Roule New Orleans, Louisiana

Stream . . . → Read More: Groovesect : On the Brim

Review: Wild Sweet Orange : The Whale EP

By Greg Swan, on December 19th, 2007%

Wild Sweet Orange
The Whale EP
Label: Nervous Blood / Canvasback Music

Alabama’s Wild Sweet Orange has a nice little EP, The Whale, I’m classifying as vast and pervasive. The opening track (“Wrestle with God”) is probably my favorite, followed by a Corganesque acoustic number called “Tilt.

Wild Sweet Orange : “Wrestle With God” (mp3)

They been touring with The Whigs and The Broken West this year. Expect to see them again in 2008.

. . . → Read More: Review: Wild Sweet Orange : The Whale EP

Review: Slightly Stoopid : Chronchitis

By Greg Swan, on December 18th, 2007%

Slightly Stoopid
Chronchitis
Label: Stoopid Records

This morning I’m rocking out to Southern California band Slightly Stoopid’s new album, Chronchitis.

The Sublime protÃ©gÃ©es play loose, funk-filled reggae with spots of hip-hop and jam band. This album is a perfect New Year’s Eve party pick.

I don’t have an mp3 off Chronchitis, but here’s one from their ’05 album, Closer to the Sun.

Slightly Stoopid : . . . → Read More: Review: Slightly Stoopid : Chronchitis