Musical Dementia Documentaries

If you dare...dive into two wonderful musical minds that took a departure from reality.  I would like to recommend two amazing doumentaries about two influential performers.  "The Devil and Daniel Johnston" about Daniel Johnston and "You're Gonna Miss Me" profiling the great Roky Erickson from 13th Floor Elevators.  Both men are creative multi-instrumentalists who have written many songs.  Read more after the jump.

Full Force "Love is for Suckers"

Sometime in the late 1980's, in New  York City, I worked as an Electrician on this absolutely dreadful video for Full Force.  "Love is for Suckers" is a video with a whole lot of acting going on.  It's pretty obvious that a video like this could not be made in this day and age...and I say Bravo for that!  Go ahead sucker, take a look after the jump.

Mindless Self Indulgence "Mark David Chapman"

Thankfully there are still some kids who know how to wrap up a call for nonconformity in a pretty little angry box and spit it into the world.  Mindless Self Indulgence is a New York band that has been around since 1997, and twelve years later, I happily "discover" them thanks to greatest tool to ever broaden my musical awareness...the internet and YouTube in particular. Read more after the jump.

GS Boyz "Booty Dew"

I definitely need help!  I stumbled upon this song on YouTube a couple of days ago and now for the life of me, and my sanity, I cannot get it out of my head.  Proceed with caution after the jump.

Toddler Dream Machines

A friend of mine in Oakland told me that the latest street craze in his town is custom low-rider tricycles that have massive sound systems built into them. He tells me that when he stops at a red light they come out into the middle of the street, do a bunch of circles blasting music the whole time and then split. While my friend seems slightly annoyed I can't think of a better way to spend my thirty seconds at the light. Some of these toddler dream machines are real works of art. See what I mean after the jump.

Jonathan Richman "Abdul and Cleopatra"

As a history lesson I'm guessing this story might not really receive a passing grade, however, as a love song it's as good as they come.  Although Jonathan claims to have been miserable when he wrote the song, his guitar playing and his dancing will surely lift anyone out of the doldrums.  Watch "Abdul and Cleopatra" after the jump.

The Searchers "What'd I Say"

Drummer/vocalist, Chris Curtis (b. 1941, d. 2005), leads skiffle greats The Searchers and a dance hall full of screaming girls in this great Ray Charles cover. Watch "What'd I Say" after the jump.

Care Bears On Fire "Everybody Else"

Is it wrong that my eleven year old daughter and I like the same music?  Watch Care Bears on Fire's "Everybody Else" after the jump.

Lee "Scratch" Perry in the Studio

Great documentary clip of Lee "Scratch" Perry behind the mixing board in his Kingston, Jamaica studio, The Black Ark.  It's amazing when you think about all the great names that he recorded in that crowded little studio:  Early Bob Marley, The Upsetters, The Heptones, Max Romeo, Junior Murvin and even The Clash.

Junior Murvin and Lee Perry 1970's
Uploaded by LostPirate77. - Watch more music videos, in HD!

Lee "Scratch" Perry's Ultimate Collection Arkology

Fiji 1994

Fifteen years ago today we were married. We honeymooned in Fiji. This photo was taken on Toberua Island.

"Ball of Fire vs. Blimp"

"Ball of Fire vs. Blimp", originally uploaded by Stitcher.

144,000 160,000 acres have burned in the "Station Fire". This is the largest fire in LA County history. 78 residences have burned and two firemen died when their vehicle fell off a mountain road. The sheriff's office is declaring the fire an act of arson and now a homicide investigation has been opened.

I took this photo of the setting sun on the evening of September 3, 2009, from my balcony, through the smoke filled air as a blimp passed by.

Fernwood Tonight Meets Tom Waits

I love that memories like this can be found on YouTube. Here is one of my favorite TV shows from my childhood "Fernwood Tonight" starring Martin Mull and Fred Willard. In this episode their guest is Tom Waits. I'm certain at the time I just thought Waits was another comedian doing musical schtick, afterall he lives at the corner of Bedlam and Squalor. I wouldn't really become a Tom Waits fan for a few more years. I know this appearance was always in the back of my mind because whenever I heard a Tom Waits song I would think that I've seen this guy somewhere before...well here is where that "somewhere" was...


"The Piano Has Been Drinking" from Small Change

Thanks to AcquaticBigfoot for the upload to YouTube.

Selena Garcia Sings at the Gap

My friend Selena played a show at The Gap in West Covina. It's a bit strange watching the people pass the window and peeking in during the song. She's a really great singer and I hope she'll keep this video up on YouTube once she hits the Big Time!


"Don't Worry It's Not Love" from Don't Worry It's Not Love

The Seeds "Pushin' Too Hard"

I hope you like it...I think it's gassy!


"Pushin' Too Hard" from Pushin' Too Hard: The Best of the Seeds