Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Politics: Barack Obama’s Response to the President’s State of the Union!

This is the transcribed version of Barack Obama's Response to Bush Boy's Final State of the Union Address. For some reason those "nice people" at YouTube took it off already. What is this, Stalin's Russia?...Oh wait, it's Bush's America....(Oh Snap!!!)

January 28th, 2008

"Tonight, for the seventh long year, the American people heard a State of the Union that didn’t reflect the America we see, and didn’t address the challenges we face. But what it did do was give us an urgent reminder of why it’s so important to turn the page on the failed politics and policies of the past, and change the status quo in Washington so we can finally start making progress for ordinary Americans.

Tonight’s State of the Union was full of the same empty rhetoric the American people have come to expect from this President. We heard President Bush say he’d do something to cut down on special interest earmarks, but we know these earmarks have skyrocketed under his administration.

We heard the President say he wants to make tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans permanent, when we know that at a time of war and economic hardship, the last thing we need is a permanent tax cut for Americans who don’t need them and weren’t even asking for them. What we nee

We heard the President say he has a stimulus plan to boost our economy, but we know his plan leaves out seniors and fails to expand unemployment insurance, and we know it was George Bush’s Washington that let the banks and financial institutions run amok, and take our economy down this dangerous road. What we need to do now is put more money in the pockets of workers and seniors, and expand unemployment insurance for more people and more time. And I have a plan that to do just that.

And finally, tonight we heard President Bush say that the surge in Iraq is working, when we know that’s just not true. Yes, our valiant soldiers have helped reduce the violence. Five soldiers gave their lives today in this cause, and we mourn their loss and pray for their families.

But let there be no doubt - the Iraqi government has failed to seize the moment to reach the compromises necessary for an enduring peace. That was what we were told the surge was all about. So the only way we’re finally going to pressure the Iraqis to reconcile and take responsibility for their future is to immediately begin the responsible withdrawal of our combat brigades so that we can bring all of our combat troops home. But another reason we need to begin this withdrawal immediately is because this war has not made us safer. I opposed this war from the start in part because I was concerned that it would take our eye off al Qaeda and distract us from finishing the job in Afghanistan. Sadly, that’s what happened. It’s time to heed our military commanders by increasing our commitment to Afghanistan, and it’s time to protect the American people by taking the fight to al Qaeda.

Tonight was President Bush’s last State of the Union, and I do not believe history will judge his administration kindly. But I also believe the failures of the last seven years stem not just from any single policy, but from a broken politics in Washington. A politics that says it’s ok to demonize your political opponents when we should be coming together to solve problems. A politics that puts Wall Street ahead of Main Street, ignoring the reality that our fates are intertwined; a politics that accepts lobbyists as part of the system in Washington, instead of recognizing how much they’re a part of the problem. And a politics of fear and ideology instead of hope and common sense.

I believe a new kind of politics is possible, and I believe it is necessary. Because the American people can’t afford another four years without health care, decent wages, or an end to this war. The woman who’s going to college and working the night shift to pay her sister’s medical bills can’t afford to wait. The Maytag workers who are now competing with their teenagers for $7 an hour jobs at Wall Mart can’t afford to wait.

Each year, as we watch the State of the Union, we see half the chamber rise to applaud the President and half the chamber stay in their seats. We see half the country tune in to watch, but know that much of the country has stopped even listening. Imagine if next year was different. Imagine if next year, the entire nation had a president they could believe in. A president who rallied all Americans around a common purpose. That’s the kind of President we need in this country. And with your help in the coming days and weeks, that’s the kind of President I will be."

Can you guess who I'm voting for? If you like the T-shirt you can buy it here, or here.

Saturday, January 26, 2008

Video: Hearcules & Love Affair - Blind

Check out the new video for Hercules & Love Affair's "Blind". Like I said a couple posts back, Blind features Antony from Anthony And The Johnsons on vocals and will be out on DFA March 3rd. Expect an album release Later this year.

Thursday, January 24, 2008

Music: Nuevos Ricos Mariachi Sleaze!!!

Extra! Extra!
For some years now Mexican Label Nuevos Ricos (New Rich) has been providing the Barrio and Los hipsters with some sick electro grooves. Notorious for their over the top shows and spastic antics, Nuevos Ricos are the Zeitgeist of the Mexican-Electro/Punk-Garage Movement. The Label is signed to EMI, and yet on their website they promote pirate copies and even provide the Cover Art for it... if that's not punk rock then I don't know what is. With some 13 unfortunate acts on their roster, Nuevos Ricos not only promote Musical Anarchy, but also a new economic policy of misbehavior. If Ed Banger is considered a crazy artsy Party Label, then Nuevos Ricos is like Factory on Crack with Tequila as a chaser!!! No word yet on the availability of these records in the Land of the Free... so for now let's just have them cross the boarder through the interwebs. If you can't wait till John McCain passes immigration reforms, you can buy or listen to them Legally HERE.

Oh wait, This is what they have to say for themselves!!! LOL!!! Enjoy...

Silverio is A drunk, an elegant dandy, a womanizer and an icon at any club, he is a phenomenon in the Entertainment industry unseen since the Elephant Man.

Silverio - El Dedo Suizo

María Daniela y su Sonido Lasser like to define their music as Electro Pop for the Dancing Halls and want their sound to invigorate the current Mexican High Energy scene (whatever that means).

María Daniela - Miedo

Faca will delight you with their vocoders and samples are designed to make you shake your booty until the wretched sun comes up. Their music is hypnotic and representative of the Pop Music in Spanish: copy paste copy paste… Who said you must know about music to be a musician?

Faca - Testosterona

Aux Raus are the dutch emperors of gabberpunk. Based in Amsterdam it features jazz legend Luuk van den Hurk and speed addict Bastiaan Mineur as the super explosive Human Reverse Magnets. 2 best friends, 200 bpm, 2 minute songs, 2 cheap drum machines and sweating bodies. Their album was recorded and produced in Mexico City by Nuevos Ricos, creating an irrepressible mix between peanut butter and Jalapeño peppers.

Aux Raus - Wire



Jessy Bulbo: Garage Rock is no longer just Nostalgia. If you haven't clipped your toe nails since the 70's, well Jessy Bulbo is here with her debut album SAGA MAMA. The First Single "MALDITO" will settle itself in the throat of all disenfranchised teenagers across the Aztec plains. Psycodelic Garage and Lyrics of cosmic black humor...OUCH!!! If you like loveless Sex, then this will be your nightstand CD.

Jessy Bulbo - Maldito

TITAN! A mix between rock from the stone ages, white trash blues and the latest progressive Hi-NRG rock influences – a delicious cocktail that blends both the past and the future of rock into a poisonous mixture.

Titan - Amor y Pasion

Humble, but at an exagerated level, Dick El Demasiado has been declared Cultural Patrimony and knighted Great Rooster Awakener of the Experimental and Lunatic Cumbias. His fifty songs are danceable, acidic and culturally laxative. The phenomenon rose in Argentina, where he is perceived between football matches, troskist-congresses and children’s merry-go-rounds. The life that Dick El Demasiado’s music transmits shakes all girls’ and boys’ bones mexicanically, leaving the dogs foaming at the edge of the lit dancefloor.

Dick El Demasiado - Bam Bam!


So here you have it Folks... this is NUEVOS RICOS!!!
p.s: Andres, I want my CD's Back Dude!!!


Nuevos Ricos is gonna take America one gladiator at a time!!!

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Music: Don't Doers Radio, Session #00

I happened to spin at a really good party this weekend and I'm still with somewhat of a rush. Here's a little mix I did with some leftover records that didn't make it to the DJ bag. mmm... I should probably put those back in their place before my Cat (Iggy Poop) decides he's a scratch DJ. Enjoy, but listen at your discretion!!!

Tracklist:

1. Juan MacLean - Give me Every Little Thing (Cajmere Remix)
2. Simian Mobile Disco - It's the Beat
3. Still Going - Still Going Theme
4. Hercules & Love Affair - Roar
5. I-Robots - Frau (Acapella)
6. I-Robots - Frau (Kid Alex Minimal to Disco Mix)
7. Tiga - Move My Body (Boys Noize Remix)
8. Justice - Waters Of Nazareth (Erol Alkan Durr Durr Mix)


Download it Here!!!


Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Film: "The Future is Unwritten"

I grew up in the 80's and I never cared much about movies with John Cusack, but the fact that he was such a fan of The Clash always made him ok in my book. The fact is, The Clash is one of the few bands that are loved as much commercially as they are by angry hipsters. Although I personally liked Mick Jones Cowboy outfits more, there is now doubt Joe Strummer was the soul of the group. It's been 6 years since the 'punk rock warlord' passed away and I'm glad it's taken this long for someone to finally make a biopic that really shows the virtues and defects of the Clash's front man. "The Future is Unwritten" is this, and much more. I just watched it, and all I can say is WOW!!! Buy the DVD Here, but let's hope no one ever makes a movie about Bono!!!

Music: Fabric poops on Justice and we love it!!!

Last fall we heard that the folks at Fabric had asked Justice to put together a Fabric Live mix. For some reason, that Mix was rejected. The mix is mostly composed of cheesy french pop classics and that's probably why Fabric turned it down (them being Pub Drinkin' Rave Brits!). I doubt it was the: "they weren't ready for something like this." Justice claimed. I bet it was probably the stupid royalties Fabric would have had to shell out to clear all those tracks. They probably already regret having spent all that money when they made James Murphy's CD a couple of months ago.

In any case, I know a couple people who almost cried about this incident, but you know what, the French duo put it out for free anyway! You can go download it here now, so stop crying!!! I do gotta give it up to them though. The mix is pretty good. There's some hidden gems here, But please, next time add some Cerrone ok...Now if you excuse me, I'm gonna open a bottle of red wine and enjoy some stinky cheese with my baguette. Bon Appetit!

Justice - Xmas Mix!!!(aka rejected Fabric Mix)

Track list:
1. Sparks – Tryouts For The Human Race – Virgin
2. Rondo Veneziano – La Serenissima - Universal
3. Goblin – Tenebrae - Cinevox
4. Daft Punk – Ouverture - Virgin
5. Surkin – Next Of Kin – Institubes
6. Symbolone – Love Juice - SymbolOne
7. Korgis – Everybodys Gotta Learn Sometimes – Angel Air
8. Midnight Juggernauts – Ending Of An Era – Mindight Juggernauts
9. The Paradise Ft Romauld – In Love With You – Vulture
10. Justice – TTHHEE PPAARRTTYY (Acapella) – Ed Banger
11. Chic – Everybody Dance – Atlantic
12. Frankie Valli – Who Loves You – Warners
13. Das Pop – Underground – Das Pop
14. Julien Clerc – Quand Je Joue – EMI
15. Daniel Balavoine – Vivre Ou Survivre – Barclay
16. Richard Sanderson – Reality - Barclay
17. Zoot Woman – Grey Day – Wall Of Sound
18. Fucking Champs – Thor Is Like Immortal – Drag City
19. The Rave – Mother – The Rave
20. Fancy – You Never Know - Fancy
21. Frank Stallone – Far From Over - Universal
22. Sheila – Misery – Warners
23. Todd Rundgren – International Feel - Warners

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Art/Architecture: Graffitecture!!!

I do gotta say I've got the best friends in the world...Kate who I hadn't seen for a while surprised me with this fantastic book. If you know me personally, you probably know I'm involved in Architecture. For other's, I'm that dude that draws Panda's all over coasters at bars. So what's that Graffitecture book about anyway? Well let me tell you... Over 40 Chicago graffiti artists were given photographs of architectural spaces from around the city and were asked to draw directly on the photos. So What? Well... Graffitecture is an exploration of what happens when graffiti, a wholly original Art form rooted in urban culture, clashes and commingles with the built environment. Most importantly, I hope this book helps those in the Architecture field realize that Graffiti should not be considered an ILLICIT Art Form, but rather an ADDITION to our Urban Fabric. Yeah I said it!!!

Music: Hercules and Love Affair (DFA)

New from DFA Records. Hercules and Love Affair is one of the newest things from Brooklyn. The Brainchild of of producer/DJ Andrew Butler, Hercules and Love Affair has already garnered a lot of attention for the vocal support of Antony (of Antony & The Johnsons fame). Part Arthur Russell part old Chicago house, this new recording on DFA will have critics talking for a while. Buy the new single here!


Hercules and Love Affair - Hercules Theme
Hercules and Love Affair - Blind (Hercules Club Mix)

Sunday, January 13, 2008

Skate: "to be or not to be"...SKATING!!!

I've just come back from a quick trip in Mexico, and while i was there i ran into an old friend of mine. While most people name their kids boring names, this guy is actually called Hamlet. I know I know...you're probably expecting the "to be or not to be" joke, so I'm a spare you with it. What I'm not gonna spare you with, is his awesome youtube video. Enjoy!!!

Thursday, January 3, 2008

Design: Pussy and Papers, Poetry, Power and Pistols Book!!!

So I got a lot of awesome stuff for Christmas, and among these was a book I was not expecting. A special Colombian friend got me this little piece of awesome. I'm pretty sure he has no idea how awesome this book really is but I'm glad he thought of me when he got it. Although this book is a retrospective of over 500 t-shirt designs by Kevin Lyons, this book is way more than that. Not only does it tell us the story of the early days of streetwear, but it shows us how influential his work has been on the independent music and clothing worlds. I mean, this guy was art director at Stussy not to mention all the graphic work he's done for Supreme, aNYthing, Huf and Ssur!!! (All brands people are still drooling about). As an aspiring designer, I am in awe of the work here, flipping page after page and thinking: "what, he did that too?" Shit, The book design itself kicks Mike Tyson's ass!!! If you get a chance, check the fake library card in the back, It will make reconsider how you present your resume. Over 200 pages of awesome shit, this book is Manifest Destitute recommended. p.s: Thanks Andres!!!

Yeah That's right...over 500 t-shirts!!!

Jordan T-shirt: Check
Supreme T-Shirt: Check
Stussy T-Shirt: Check... and the list goes on and on.



Tuesday, January 1, 2008

Sports: Undefeated!!!


I know it's a little too late to post about this, but since everyone is still ranting about it, well I will too. Not only did the Patriots end the regular season undefeated (16-0), but they also broke all sorts of NFL Records. The best part of it is that as a Bostonian, this shit is kinda important to us, and granted I don't know a damn thing about football but it's still fun to scream at dive bars and get hugged by random ass drunk people. Also...it's nice to know that Tom Brady is not the all-American boy no mo'. He's all like bangin' Brazilian super models and paying child support while flashing Superbowl bling. Way to be Gangsta' Brady....way to be Gangsta'.


Lynn: Tam's nicest Bartender

One the most talented Baby's Daddies in the NFL.