Grilling It

Don't Change

2011-12-07T19:50:00.009Z

As we tip toe (no Xmas until the 20th rule BROKEN) gracefully towards the holidaze, toqued and jammied, it is a real Christmas miracle to receive today's mixtape. Seriously, on par with the immaculate birth of the world's most famous bearded dude.

Who? ME!
NO! Not you, Mcshane! Jesus!

ME!

NO! Not you fake Bunyan! Mcshane had a better chance! JESUS!

We sent Schimmer's new mixtape to @JesusHChrist, and this is the picture he emailed back.

The Winnipeg born, Montreal heeled, Charlotte NC based Schimmer is always on the list of Grilling It's favourite Djs. Schimmer is a disc jockey with a mandate to make you hand shake. That is to say, he plays feel good music for people to love themselves. It is for breeding not for brooding. His usual milieu is fresh re-contextualization and funk vacations through house, boogie, breaks, and raps that are as good for long haul road trips as they are for dancehall aerobics.

Much like the man himself: funky, upbeat, and full of heat.

Shake hands with yourself as you bask in the warm love of Schimmer.

31 and Change by Schimmer

"Cold weather makes you shiver? We make it Schimmer."
-Mailroom Intern Laverne

"Rad"
-Santa

Rap your presents.

Santa came down the Internet and went straight to the fridge. Gathering up all the beers, billowing smoke, he spoke with the wisdom of his years: "they're for my reindeer."

A Matter Of Style (Ball)

2011-12-05T22:44:00.005Z

A Poem, by Jason Parker Quinton

I Am Very Proud Of Myself For Not Napping

To be a true baller you must master the following three concepts:

1) Be happy where you are
2) No care what anyone thinks
3) Give generously of your time, money, and spirit

If you can't give it you don't got it. If you aint got it, you aint balling.

What do you do if a mountain is there?
(move it)
How do you answer to a challenge in today?
(take it)
When your back's against the wall?
(fake it)
What do you do when you've done it all?
(ball)
-Ray Steezvens

It wouldn't be cool not to play you out with this classic Grilling It choon.

"When it comes to that paper, I stack books"
-Dwayne

"But do you READ them?"
-Me

Happy Yanksgiving

2011-11-24T18:38:00.004Z

The majority of our readers live in the excited states. To Y'all: enjoy chilling out! We'll be up here, watching your movies and television.

PEACE

Modern Short

2011-11-23T15:08:00.010Z

"A man is like a cat; chase him and he will run - sit still and ignore him and he'll come purring at your feet."
-Helen Rowland

I know someone really digs me if they can tune me out. In this time of instant comments and closed windows, I give thanks for people who are willing to wash the webs off their hands in the stream of my consciousness. The following is a conversation between myself and a close relative. I'd tell you who, but she just started a job as a smart cookie at the Canadian Department of Defense, in our capitol, Canada City. Here is a piece of our exchange:

Me: Where do you work again, the MOD?
Relly: DND
Me: I used to play DND
Me: I had so many dice
Me: and figurines
Relly: I mean someone has to defend this nation.
Me: Just level up and roll for an invincibility spell
Relly: It's soooooo snowy here

"Most people ignore most poetry because most poetry ignores most people."
-Adrian Mitchell

MOD

Matronly Occupant Defeated

Man Overboard, Darren!

Moving Ounces Daily

MOD stands for many things. If we at Grilling It have stood for anything it is to love. This blog began because there was so much good music to share. As we march toward the 400th post and ineveitable re-branding, it must be yelled: If you've been featured, love from this office. If you were up here, we love you. Except Lily Allen. I think we posted her song with the Professor Longhair sample, but she was churlish in the interview, and kept butting her cigarettes on fancy hotel carpet.

The sun is melting people's hoods off right now.

Like it's proud we got ready for this winter.

Y'all malcontents better BUNDLE UP.

Firebrands find barrels.

Put your hands together.

For now, the ray ban is lifted, and the city is strollable.

At grilling it, our primary occupation is heat.

We love all of you.

"It is true that a fellow cannot ignore women - but he can think of them as he ought - as sisters, not as sparring partners."
-Jim Elliot

YANKEE THANKSGIVER BONUS BEAT

Still Grill

2011-11-21T23:02:00.007Z

21 Sovember 2011

Dear Reader,

The editorial staff of Grilling It has come to a decision regarding this blog's future. We will keep blogging from this space until we hit a total of 400 posts.

In the new year the blog will take new forms, names, locations (still internet based,) and naps. This period of posts up to 400 will hopefully be the lapping at the cup of victory. We hope to remind us all of why this kooky little music weblog ever seemed like a good use of time.

A man in his mid-twenties once took a break from editing skateboard videos, looked out across the city of London and decreed: "these blogs are neat, let's make one."

They still are. We still do. Music now.

Always,

Grilling It

PS: We heartily support the Occupy Movement. Currently we watch for the flames from our sky-high midtown Toronto offices, as Mayor Rob Ford's case against the people is finally furthered by the City Crews and Toronto Police Squads. Will they be removed? Will there be a riot? Will innocent people be arrested? How long will it be before Toronto's millions of resident's can get back to enjoying the glorified dog toilet that we call St. James Park?

Stay tuned.

"They are racists and hate mongers among us-they are the Ku Klux Klan. I piss down the throats of these Nazis. And I am too old to worry about whether they like it or not. Fuck them."
-Hunter Stockton Thompson (2003)

Free Beard Sticking Out

2011-10-29T13:19:00.006+01:00

It is impossible to send postcards from the edge. If you are involved in a stamp purchase, the edge is that way. Write with SASE for sticker pack. Subscribe now and receive knit stocking cap.

I read a few periodicals methodically. There is no reason to buy the Fader, but I get it for the pictures. Sure, the articles too. Ultimate everlasting respect for Catch when he did The Let Out. Built a altar for Ronson. Weekly. Welcomed us to Jamrock. There once was a time when pop heroes and tastemaking moguls would talk about what the fuck was going on. There were Raconteurs, Futureheads, every new riddim got rinsed, but there was still time for shit like this:

More on the other mags when their gifts get better. Always word to Big Brother. Dave Carnie didn't quit. Check in with KING SHIT

Friday night, French dance, Kingston Killing, rappin ass seven days. "Catch em sleepin out in the open." Rap about it.

KEEP GOIN.

Q

Turn the Gas Back On

2011-10-28T06:07:00.003+01:00

We are the 1%

Of people who were good at this shit, before everyone's Auntie had a twitter.

In Canada we say it "Anti."

If the Geurewitz, Wear It.

Tom Waits for no M'am.

We Hollerize the wounds of the kids who took a tumbl.

Beloved Aunt.

I am back blogging again, BBQ on Grilling It, watching the tops of the waves. When I paddle out, it will be to catch kingmaker showcase showdown heights.

For now. Back in the old neighbourhood, cigarettes taste so good. So glad that you still come by my old house in the suburbs sometimes.

If you keep reading my diary, I'll keep writing it like poetry, hiding the man I shouldn't be, behing http://celebrity

You don't even have to put that in anymore.

Keep searching.

Elements of style 3D (BBQ's Flowers of Remorse Disco Edit).

It's Friday. Your Big Brother Qualities return from the wild. Let's dance.

Time Out Of The Season

2011-01-06T18:26:00.006Z

Don't stop the car, she said.

C'mon sis, your older bro just needs a bargain on a backpack.

Briefcases and valises are unbecoming of a man who needs both his hands.

I've got skateshop cheese, but I also need expensive cheese cheese.

And get so fucked up that all I can eat is melted cheese cheese.

Quoth the big Sis: "I have too many Ex-Boyfriends who work at Mountain Equipment Co-Op"

We were in Victory City, BC

She makes a mean granola.

How do you make a Granola mean?

Club a seal.

They don't play enough Seal in the club:

Back to our regularly scheduled granolagram...

Hippie steez is alive and tweeting in the west.

(yeah, sing into the microphone...this is so much easier than guitar....)

"Home" by Ed Sharp and his band of of zeros, without that twee rambling love story/arborism bail

On public transit, cans on, you cast Zooey Dechanel, or lil Juno in the lead.

The people on bikes ripped past your tram.

They don't give a shit beyond the street.

Queen street in particular

Queens everywhere.

Pints of glitter in bars named like garages.

Padise Lost fell off in the last season.

Kids that didn't want to put in the work to get Modest Mouse were quick to hop over and pogo for Justice.

The Winter of our Nu-disco tent.

Winter Wheat, held close.

"What Wu Tang manual doesn't come in video game form?"

Let me get that Gucci Maine and Wacka Flocka Flame.

Seem safe and legit...

Sounds tight.

Like my pants.

Ouch!

Don't get your underoos in a knot, Macauley.

But those dudes picked names that rhyme with everything, depending how you mispronounce it.

Game, lame, blame, shame, plain...plane...

It's winter time and we're staying sylvan. We gotta get out of this place, if it's the last thing we ever do.

Girl, there's a better life for me and -

Coo-roo-coo-coo-coo-coo-roo-coo-kook

We stay animals.

Find a forest if you can.

Starts with trees.

Taste the reign.

"Our thesis is mimesis/being like the trees is"

"Seeing the seams in the seeming jesus"

Beards, robes, passing on the kool-aid

Pull me another Kool out the pack.

I never did get that backpack.

All Humans Are Tumblers

2010-12-29T11:53:00.004Z

Grandpa fell in the ocean, I hauled him out, soaked, embarassed, didn't even change his slacks or polo.

Dad fell on the floor. Got up. Lit a smoke. Finished his story.

Important Earnest just went the Hemingway on the bed side shelf.

Cucumber sandwiches and calling Mr. Henry James to the night stand.

Not reading yet because the topic of men and our aging is fresh by the fire side.

There is a fireplace in my old room at my parent's shack, but I don't light it much. The crackle distracts from reviewing my old vinyl.

Tough choices to be made when you can only fly with 26kgz. You can't mail Zappa to an assumed name at your new bedsit.

Parent's just don't understand why I can't explain twitter. Grandparents won't fathom why we vote how we vote, or why the royal "wii" don't vote.

If anyone can invent a methodone for this internet craze, we are buying. Don't say friends, sex or fun. They are part of it.

I will blog this blog, then look at ocean, lights and mountain. Just...one...more...click...

"Chem Bros Electro" is not enough to google the video you want.

Not even in 2011.

Somebody get me Prof Gore on the phone.

Here's an inconvenient truth, dude couldn't outrun a Bush.

All zoo patrons are advised, not to feed the Blairs.

Kate Middle-claws will be such a beautiful bride (I read in the evening standard newzzzzz).

Give me Standard Lager and an Adirondack to watch our patriarchs age.

Me, my old man, my Grandpa

30 - 60 - 90

Lottery numbers or clues to a riddle.

The answer is 666.

For it is a humane number.

You were told to keep checking back at this location. Fear not, proper journalism will jump off as soon as the cheques are signed, third drafts are mailed to ones-selves and the vacation is over.

There is no break for the funky drummer.

Dude works always, forever.

Timeless.

I'll sleep when I'm paid.

This blogging is amateur sport.

We approach it like amateur skateboarding.

No money, but travel and shoes for free.

Stay free 2.0 threadcount embedding.

The internet should have never been about money.

Somebody subsidize my downloads.

Like the elders used to.

Word to the natives.

I can see the olympic mountains through this dawn.

Yes dear reader, it's still on.

Back To The Grill Again

2010-12-28T21:07:00.003Z

This long dormant blog was once a source of joy. You read it, you loved it, you checked it - and it was always there for you.

We've grown up together. Not like family, lovers or colleagues, but the way you grow up with movies and records; the very things this space was intended to get hyped about.

To anyone reading for the first time, yes, I realize the last paragraphlette is reason enough to stop for ever.

Do not stop.

Until we can paint the store and build new shelves, we are back at this address.

The glut of mediocrity on the internet is no reason to pause. Be not intimidated by the hubris of the weak. Get what you have to give because they do not, or can not, or never will.

Grab your drink, walk over to the internet and say anything. It doesn't matter, she wants to talk to you. After she's left your apartment/office/playroom while you are in the shower, see a doctor if it burns, call her if she left a number, but smile at the exercize.

Our culture is too fat. Get up, indulge and work it off.

Liposuction for the fat egos of the new "me" newbies.

Tricks and tweets.

This is not about me.

This is not about you.

It's not a break-up, it's a break.

Dance to the break.

The break is the inexplicably short part of the permanent record.

We still grill.

The Trillness is not fatal, but it will not be cured.

Cure meat.

Sniff at the sickness.

Sew your patches on.

Smell the paint.

Breathe out.

Hit send.

It can only get better.

Fudge

2010-04-26T19:41:00.000+01:00

Al Blendy

2010-03-29T22:32:00.003+01:00

Sometimes smash togethers just work. Take a look at this parallelalzied display of gloriousical synchronacity!

Under Zero

2010-03-26T16:47:00.004Z

Freezing Friday Fire For Followers Feeling Fine

Get Your Phil

2010-03-12T17:18:00.001Z

Seoul Crushing

2010-03-10T08:19:00.004Z

Scoops has a new blog dedicated to the greatest hate being reserved for only the finest student.

SHUT YOUR MOUTH BRIAN KIM

Watch that space.

Hand Me Down World

2010-03-10T03:38:00.004Z

Major dude Rogie comes through with full glowing heart to tell you about a classic performance of Burton at a Jets game killing it at anthemics in Canada's murder capital.

MEAN MEDIA MODE

2010-03-09T06:43:00.005Z

I Mike Collaborator and U Mean Competitor are hard cats to link to because their balls of string give contact highs and their pages crash browsers (of the mind) and induce seizures (of the mind) as well as making you scream screams (of the mind).

I'll be damned if this page of URMEAN2COMPUTER isn't as nice a hair of netting as I've seen since I plucked chickens for the yellow bellied coward committee.

Click HERE to break the atmosphere

A Cop. A Feel.

2010-03-09T06:11:00.001Z

The Gonz Rap

2010-03-09T00:30:00.005Z

Over the last grip of years, this dude Gonzales has made a bunch of excellent music ranging from hip-hop to pop to dance to ragtime to classical.

See:

On his new mixtape he gets real seriously flippant as he jacks a bunch of rap, reversioning the joints, adding accapellas, underscoring and cutting in clips of himself talking about making things:

"I'll just be sitting at home, counting my money off those Feist royalties, in front of the fire, hot French sluts, one after the other, it's crazy man. And I'll be like, oh shit, I'm the underdog...and I have to find adversaries - real or imagined - and believe me, I find them."
-Gonzales

Tape of the year for me, so far:

Pianist Envy - Chilly Gonzales (Download Link to Arts & Crafts Mixtape)

For you casual internet users who may have missed it:

Shit With The Guru

2010-03-04T02:17:00.004Z

Guru is not okay.

In fact, the situation is very far from okay. Watch this video by Guru's nephew Justin for the real story.

I knew something was up with this cat Solar when I saw Guru perform at The Jazz Cafe in London.

a) Dude cut Primo beats off with the gunshot sound effect
b) He called Primo a "faggot"
c) Guru came up to see fans and even humour a geeked out Canadian dude who wanted to talk about if he would ever patch things up with Premier, but Solar went backstage.

Stay there.

EDIT

Woah, I posted this, cracked a beer and pressed play on the ipod...this played...

Woah.

Style

2010-03-03T17:47:00.002Z

This video of Eek A Mouse's crib is beyond the beyond. I'm talking about a futuristic vision of the past sent back from the future viewed in the present.

Dig in:

Our Closing Ceremonies

2010-03-02T20:08:00.002Z

The Olympic closing ceremony was an abomination of Canadian music. If you saw, you know. For those that didn't: Neil was dope, so was Shatner and then...

Nickleblech
Afro Laveene
Simple Plan
Hedley (who is Hedley?)?
K-OS in rave paint doing a dance song
etc.

Here is a loosely curated alternative.

These Song Will Change Your Wife

2010-03-02T18:15:00.005Z

Nice out.
Boots off.
Yachting loafers ready...sneakers on.
(air horn)
Shades off the bench.
Hat time.
Fuck yeah.
I melt with you.

I took my morning coffee at my neighbourhood spot sans headphones today. The sun owning the city, smells of real spring (not just fraudulent warm snap fool's gold spring), and my thoughts. One of the best things about shunning the curation of one's own soundtrack is that dj brain takes over and various tunes float into the consciousness. Here are the three that I sang internally before returning home to zap them to you.

The Shins are a band that get hated on mercilessly by those who resent the burgeoning and fickle hype machine that emerged in the 00's as "alternative" changed to "indie" as a marketing tool for an industry that was losing its ability to market. Around here, we still think that they're dope, and this autumn tune works as well in Spring as it does in the fall it was penned for.

Scandinavian pop punk of my youth about food. No further explanation necessary.

Apparently Guru is out of his coma. Excellent. Gifted Unlimited Rhymes Universal is one of the best mc's to ever do it, and as he recovers, let us all do the same. Whether taking a trip, tripping, falling, springing, traveling or flying: let the wisdom of the greats be your guide and let us celebrate before it's too late.

I Don't Like Pumpkins

2010-02-27T08:40:00.001Z

Comissioner Gordon Bombay

2010-02-26T17:20:00.006Z

Hello Friends,

First thing's first:

WHO IS THE CUTEST?

Il Fordinho from Calscary Al-Hurta (Calgary AB) haas made a mix that I am loving. Dude has zeroed in on the common rhythms from around the world that have been underscoring many jamming dance ditties these last few years. Dude says:

"I remember in the 90's when I used to "Rave" these CD comps that came out called Ethnotechno. No matter how ridiculous the name seems now, the title seems to be very appropriate for a lot of the dance music coming out right now. This mix is for a serial "E" trip, no special K please. Man I miss getting high. Just kidding, druggies."

I have a folder on my computer called "Unicef" and am happy that this dude beat me to the curation of such a tape, because it bangs like the stamp on a passport and blends like once disparate cultures. It's filled with that "ethnic*" sound that is pefect for your barrio bombox, suburban spin class, drive to school, piazza Cappuccino, or coup d'etat. I'm using it to get psyched about Curling and Hockey.

Il Fordinho - Ethnicity Volume Uno

Slovakia vs Canada tonight! Getting ready:

*Italics and visible air finger "quotes" are used to allow less imaginative readers to get the right latte sipping lilt on the word ethnic.

Slow Vacuous

2010-02-25T20:38:00.006Z

"Some people believe the Mayan myth that the world is going to end in 2012. Personally, I'm excited for 2012 because Dakota Fanning's birthday means I'm not a pervert anymore"
-Scoops

Adam Gopnik for Thine New Yorker on Canada vs Russia (literary references)

Speaking of iced canes, we were victorious against the Ruskies, and I have almost recovered from all the syrup I chugged in triumph.

Tomorrow night! Slovakia. A bunch of venerable killer players who can make it through the game at their advanced ages thanks to the courtesy of the olympics not letting dudes punch them in the face and stab them with sticks.

For The Strange Love Of The Game

2010-02-24T05:02:00.006Z

The Canadian assembly of millionaire superstars were able to beat Germany tonight.

Tomorrow. Russia.

We have nothing to fear but fear itself. Well, that and not having a shot at a medal, and the ensuing laughingstockery to which we will be subjected.

"I don't know how it could get much worse, unless the Russians happen to get up there first."
-Bob Dylan

Usually reserved for the NHL playoff posts, here's Zevon's TOP SHELF CLASSIC!

Party. Serious.

2010-02-23T21:27:00.006Z

The Wiz and I were in discussion about websites and google buzz, while getting googley eyed and catching a buzz on Friday. His feelings on this site being: "Bro! You came back strong, but now you're dropping the ball. You got to get up like EVERY DAY." I'm with this, so expect posts of lil stuff I discover in addition to the full blown banter, journailzingers or polemics.

Today, I present:

TWO YOU TUBE VIDEOS AND A MOTHERFUCKING CROSSFADER DOT COM

See you soon loyal faithful, I have a draft to finish before I start yelling "NAZI!" at hard working German Olympians that dare to score on Roberto Luongo.

The Baron made me laugh hard the other night in a lamentable loss to the Yanks (read Caps full on lambasting here), when he said "At least we have Crosby and Nash, if only we could get Stills and Young on there we'd be good."

Full Car: Took The Trunk To The Bar

2010-02-20T13:59:00.002Z

Hey Blogopolis,

This space will continue to be a regular source of things worth checking. The 100 or so of you who look here every day are beloved. You don't know. I wish you did, but there's just so much I don't know about you. If you visit here, you probably love being put onto or reminded of songs. Here's two that are jamming like a drum circle that cures apathy on a Saturday.

Sincerely,

The Proprietor

Cold World

2010-02-11T17:13:00.003Z

The worst thing about the depths of winter in our inhabitable northern cities is the effect it has on already crusty people's attitudes. Well, no, it's the freezing cold. The cutting, destructive, heartless, racist cold, that is the worst. The bad attitudes that worsen inside the crusty, that is the second worst.

It's freezing here in Canada's business capital, somewhere in Vancouver a dude is taking his sailboat out, in LA a guy goes skateboarding in a t-shirt and in Winnipeg, a gang of dudes hang out in a basement loving that it is so cold nobody can expect them to go outside.

Here's one to shiver to:

Do It, Dude (Crazy Heart Review)

2010-02-11T07:27:00.004Z

Since this blog is not being retired/deaded/put out to pasture/pasteurised/euthanised, it is time to start with the new features. Here's one:

Keep It 1000: A Review In 1000 Words or Less Where We Don’t Ruin The Story

Crazy Heart (2009)
Directed by Scott Cooper
Written by Scott Cooper based on a novel by Thomas Cobb
“The harder the life, the sweeter the song”

This movie begins with a dude. A Dude in the Rio Bravo Dean Martin tradition of an alcoholic Cowboy at the end of his rope, struggling to hang himself, if only he could keep his hand steady. Not literally. Read on dear cinephile, there are no suicide spoilers in this review.

Crazy Heart is a film about a dude digging himself. Our hero is played by the soft and weathered Jeff Bridges, known for playing THE Dude in The Big Lebowski (Coen, 1998). The Lebowski comparisons are ineveitable and may be claptrap that you’ll hear a horn-rimmed greenhorn spouting over ironic PBR (ordering cans, in a bar, dude they have TAPS in bars) this weekend, but permit me one observation: Our dude, in this film, shows up at a bowling alley that is not a respite nor office nor social club: it is his venue. Former superstar Bad Blake has been reduced to playing dives across a lonely, infinite, and panoramic American Southwest that is as filled with vistas as our protagonists chain smoking and sour mash barf bouts are tinged with hubris. This is a whole other breed of dude and the opening scene at the bowling alley is a firm reminder that we will not be seeing Jesus, the bowler or the saviour. Through Bad Blake, Bridges gives us a bitter and haunted glimpse at a entertainer who has been going through the motions for so long that he doesn’t know his wheels have come off and his truck is in the ditch.

The film moves like a road trip or a tour. There is no stopping its move towards resolution at the edge of a final breathtaking vista. The dialogue is casual, the characters real, the scenes wear jeans. You can feel the disaster looming, and there are plenty of broken strings, disconnections and showers of gravel along the way, but what makes Crazy Heart feel so good is that it is tender without being too sympathetic. The journey for Bad Blake is fraught with trouble, but only the kind of trouble that he has earned, and is willing to take to the bank and find out what it’s worth.

The life of the country musician has almost made Blake as irrelevant in the world of the living as he is in the music industry. This film handles the change in country music, where the once badass heroes of slang, twang and doin’ thurr thang have been replaced by pop stars. Contemporary country embodies little of the outlaw spirit that is at the core of western, rap, rock and much of the powerful lyric driven music of our times. This film is not a Country song about how sad it is that you can’t make a decent country song. It is a tip of the Stetson to the solid axiom that problems need to be fixed, be it in your life, your craft or your love. It just happens to be about a country musician, and having lived in the country and the city, we all need to listen to more Country Music (which is provided by T Bone Burnett who brought Appalachian Folk to the suburbs in Oh Brother Where Art Thou, so he might just get slow burner tear-in-my-beer Ballads to downtown headphones).

The world of Crazy Heart is backed-up by the reality that a country musician can still sell records. That the songs these guys and gals record in Nashville and Los Angeles still get bought. The stakes are high in this regard, and for Bad Blake the dirt road to renaissance is waiting to be paved with tears, the mud, the blood and the beer. This is what makes Bad Blake decent to watch. The fights that cause a Cowboy to get thrown through swinging saloon doors and into the shit filled gutter are the beating heart of the Western Music that made us deify Johnny Cash with regard more to what he had learned than how much cash was rolling in. Bad Blake is knocked down, but he’s not dead yet, in fact he is just getting up.

The Dude Jeff Lebowski could abide. Bad Blake doesn’t get to choose. Jeff Bridges takes us on a trip through the music and country in which a man who truly “fits right in there” has to be able to stand under his own power and deliver it.

Jason Parker Quinton

Additional Notes That Should Encourage A Viewing:

1) Maggie Gyllenhaal felt a few years too young as the love interest, but her performance is detailed and captivating as usual. My friend Allison thinks she is “too thin” and that Hollywood needs to get their shit together and put some real women on the screen. Not just emotionally real, but with hips (see Precious (Daniels, 2009). But, ya know…white women… not named Streep.

2) Robert Duvall is in it. There is a scene where Jeff Bridges and Robert Duvall go fishing and talk about fatherhood. Yo!

3) The film was preceeded by a trailer for the upcoming “Kenny Chesney In 3D” which underscored where the music and cinema are at right now. The tricks and the cheese are all accepted easily, but great characters, handled with aplomb by filmmakers who take their time still seem to be acceptable.

Let's Go

2010-02-10T17:43:00.003Z

Greetings readers,

This blog will be returning shortly. No nifty re-design. No hosting service for Mp3's. No frills. No shirt. No shoes. No dice.

There have been choices made at headquarters about: do we really want to participate in the deluge of disposable bloggery and unnecessary bafflegab that clogs our internets?

Well, the answer is yes. There will be words here. Tell a friend or call the cops or cut us from your bookmarks.

We Still Grill.

Not Dead Yet

2010-01-25T18:36:00.000Z

Jazz Trance

2009-12-16T18:33:00.003Z

Paul F Tompkins - Jazz

Tell Me Something Good

2009-12-16T15:29:00.007Z

Humbug mode, on standby. Coal sack, stocked. Reindeer meat, thawing.

Be not fooled ye merry ladies and gentlemen. It's not Christmas on this blog. Not yet.

We've put up no decoration in the Grilling it offices, in fact, we lost all the candles for the menorah and have had to resort to reefers in their stead. The Christmas celebration doesn't begin until December 20th, we're not even playing the Dipset, Bob Dylan, Eek A Mouse or Hello Kitty holiday records yet, but I pause the Scroogery to bring you the issue of the 2009 Christmas Number One.

The Christmas Number One is a hallowed holiday tradition from the land of cobbled stone, clotted cream and overs of the Ashes over pints of wife-beater.

Yes. England.

A land where people still line-up (sorry, "queue")on the sidewalk (ahem, "pavement") to clutch Cd single's the day they come out. This year, due to a movement on Facebook; Rage Against The Machine are in the lead for this year's sales title. Hip Britons are gobbling up the MP3 of "Killing In The Name," as it rocks alongside a tune by their latest reality TV singing star Joe McElderry.

The pop song seems the natural choice, but following each other like a yonder star, Rage might just win through the glory of the internet.

Here for your enjoyment and bemusement are our favourite of the Christmas number ones:

1965

1975

1981

2000

2009?

Will the subjects of Queen Elizabeth II's kingdom have the bandwidth to say "Fuck You, I won't Do What You Tell Me!" Can glorious indignant rock of the 90's spit in the face of Simon Cowell's latest pop of mush out of the telly mold? Oh Nine could end with a lot of spine.

Get Up, Get Out, Get Something

2009-12-15T18:10:00.002Z

Call Of Duty

2009-12-11T15:57:00.000Z

Inside The Rap Artist Studio (No Lipton)

2009-12-07T22:31:00.004Z

Do you have seven minutes to listen to Mos Def talking about why he loves MF Doom?

"De La are technicians...that's on some Steely Dan shit."
-Mos Def

What Does It All Mean

2009-12-01T07:05:00.002Z

Trying to meet writing deadlines, moving to a new house, working as a bartender...has me shook like I'm Mike Shank.

Know Know

2009-11-29T09:05:00.005Z

The pitching of a Major League no-hitter on LSD is unfathomable to most. Prepare for a heavy dose of strong fathomability in this animated documentary about one of the greatest, hippest sports stories ever dropped.

This is like getting a shutout in the NHL, on mushrooms. No?

Research Breaks

2009-11-24T10:45:00.003Z

The process running an operation like Grilling It Video Entertainment, involves a great deal of research. We mill through thousands upon thousands of videos a year, and are inspired by...and...inspired to share, a stellar few.

Comfort Food

2009-11-22T22:33:00.000Z

Ass Toot Observation

2009-11-20T08:46:00.005Z

When you trifle in the comments section of youtubes, you can find absolute winners buried in and cloaked as a wild and real glut of gobbledygook. This blog post is about an interesting video about the hidden magic codes in the Manitoba "Ledge" Legislature building, and as an hor d'ouvre...some comments from previous viewers.

ISSUESTHATMATTERMOST: I've gotten stoned there too on 4/20 but I find the leg. bldg both intriguing and creepy as it is on a vein of 'evil' for lack of a better word or time.

Smartfan2: This is not glory to God. It is blasphemy in its highest form. Satanic!

DalesChannel: WHAT THE FWAWK THIS IS AMAZANG

I think Daleschannel speaks for all of us.

Then there's this cool dispute about whether or not the buidling is in the geographic center of the continent...oh man...you shoulda seen it, the this one guy, nicknamed like 88773354 is all: "The geographical center of North America is in a town called Rugby, Noorth Dakota, except he spells it right...anyway...there's apparently this sweet monument about being in the center there. Google road trip? Wikication? Ok.

The comments that I liked most were usually short.

Bye

Since the title of this post includes the word "Observation." Let us observe...THE SABBATH!

Fuckin' CLASSIC...mannnnnnn....

2009-11-18T10:26:00.003Z

Since the vast majority of Grilling It readers are American, we try to avoid specific, nostalgic Manitobicanadiana....well, hell, this came up....

Wizzed Out

2009-11-14T22:48:00.001Z

Cancer Awareness

2009-11-13T19:30:00.005Z

Hey Gang,

Jason Parker Quinton, Music Journalist here with another desktop chart topper.

I'm still shopping my my treatise on "Over Stock: Selling-Out In Music In The Digital Age" around the bigger buildings downtown, so I can't go to deep into this video, let I give away parts of the the rising tension in the second act.

Just kidding. The book is called "Waits or Will.I.Am: Sucking Dick Because Your Shop Got Burgled"

However.

I hope Dude N Nem didn't get any money from McDonald's. I hope they made this song, because they genuinely like McDonald's, and their girl is so special they done took her there. That makes me feel good on a Friday.

Here is the Dude N Nem (best band name ever?), MONSTER JAM from 2007.

DUDE N NEM - Watch My Feet (Remix Feat Twista)

Novemberance Day

2009-11-11T23:17:00.002Z

Farmed from Caps-Ton America

At 11:11 on 11/11 I was on an underground train going to meet great friends for brunch. No need to fight.

Section S - Winnipeg Stadium

2009-11-10T20:33:00.005Z

It may be because I'm currently living in Toronto, a city where I can't get behind any of the local sports teams. It may be because I'm a bit of a scofflaw. It may be because I wish I was there...

Let's say, for the record (and the cops reading the blogs) that because of lines like the following, I share this link:

"A struggle ensued with the intoxicated fan before a middle-aged man -- who was described as being dressed like Hulk Hogan -- could be wrestled from his seat."

"several others officers who assisted were showered with beer."

Bomber Fans Assault Police

Now, a jovial, happy, football image:

Red Rubber Ball

2009-11-10T09:39:00.002Z

Farmed from Bateman's blog...Everything On The Sly

Into The Mistral

2009-11-05T10:05:00.000Z

My homies Al Jazeera (aka Apple Jam) and Drugs Delaney (aka Ch-ch-ch-Chames) are founding members of the Elk Aida Windsurfing Collective(named after the haunted and magical island seen above). These are dudes who spend their time crushing beers, smashing 10's and cranking Jeezy (or Neil Young, The Talking Heads, GZA or Bob D, but that's the starting squad) and following their gale forced passion for windsurfing, aided by a gang of bon-vivants, shredders, painters, sports fans, and the occasional Peter Pan manboy.

They've started a fresh website called "Windsurf Your Goddamn Face Off" that tips the dudicalometer into the red at a reading of 11.4 They even did it up in a classic windsurfing colour scheme.

Highest goddamn recommendation.

WINDSURF YOUR GODDAMN FACE OFF

PS: Somebody even gave me the keys to the shed
PSS: I got that map from http://vbpolice.ca
PSSS: Ha ha ha

Hungover Insomniac Stunts Theatre

2009-11-02T07:53:00.001Z

It is, still...kinda close to Halloween.

THIS YEAR HALLOWEEN FELL ON A WEEKEND

2009-10-30T16:30:00.002Z

The Phone

2009-10-21T06:56:00.005+01:00

I'm in the middle of heavy research, which includes re-watching Wet Hot American Summer. Shout out to Scoops, who used to keep a VHS and DVD copy of the film in his backpack, just in case.

If you call my old UK cell phone, a version of me singing the next song is prolly still the voicemail greeting answering machine electronic message recording:

DE LA SOUL - Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)

This next choon is a cover of Soulja Boy by dude supreme Sammy Bananas and his friend, chanteuse Maggie Horn. It also features a verse by a guy from hipcat NYC band Ninjasonik that might make you think they don't totally suck (they totally don't totally suck).

Regardless, give it a listen, this one tongue in cheek remake can replace/explain all the heavy effects new rap n B that you don't want to even not try to eventually not get.

TELEPHONED - Turn My Swag On

Spike Into My Veins

2009-10-19T06:27:00.004+01:00

Will you watch anything that Spike Jonze has made? Do you not hate Kanye West? If you answered yes to either of those questions, watch this:

"We Were Once A Fairytale" - Kanye West Dir: Spike Jonze from Yooj‽ - Recording Live From No on Vimeo

KANYE WEST Featuring NAS - We Major (Kickdrums Remix)

In case that didn't do it for you, loyal reader, here's a clip from another Spike Jonze film, Fully Flared, which although not narrative celebrity fiction, is still unbelievable.

"An Old Pro Gress For Life" aka Marc Johnson's Part...

Marc johnson lakai fully flared
Uploaded by guigs-kun. -

"The Last Spike"

Willing

2009-10-16T08:50:00.004+01:00

Wilco are the best live band in rock. I just saw them twice in two nights, and when I can even process it, I'll try to blog in as few words as possible what kind of staged spectacle they pulled off. Here are videos of the last songs they played in the encore, at the respective shows.

"Sidewalk, streetcar, dance a goofy dance..."

McKee Bump

2009-10-14T06:40:00.001+01:00

Rocket Ship 27

2009-10-09T05:51:00.002+01:00

So many things are good about this minute of Trailer Park Boys.

Doing Life

2009-10-08T22:26:00.000+01:00

Jarming

2009-10-06T08:19:00.004+01:00

Jim Jarmusch's 5 Rules (via Yurrple)

Rule #1: There are no rules. There are as many ways to make a film as there are potential filmmakers. It’s an open form. Anyway, I would personally never presume to tell anyone else what to do or how to do anything. To me that’s like telling someone else what their religious beliefs should be. Fuck that. That’s against my personal philosophy—more of a code than a set of “rules.” Therefore, disregard the “rules” you are presently reading, and instead consider them to be merely notes to myself. One should make one’s own “notes” because there is no one way to do anything. If anyone tells you there is only one way, their way, get as far away from them as possible, both physically and philosophically.

Rule #2: Don’t let the fuckers get ya. They can either help you, or not help you, but they can’t stop you. People who finance films, distribute films, promote films and exhibit films are not filmmakers. They are not interested in letting filmmakers define and dictate the way they do their business, so filmmakers should have no interest in allowing them to dictate the way a film is made. Carry a gun if necessary.

Also, avoid sycophants at all costs. There are always people around who only want to be involved in filmmaking to get rich, get famous, or get laid. Generally, they know as much about filmmaking as George W. Bush knows about hand-to-hand combat.

Rule #3: The production is there to serve the film. The film is not there to serve the production. Unfortunately, in the world of filmmaking this is almost universally backwards. The film is not being made to serve the budget, the schedule, or the resumes of those involved. Filmmakers who don’t understand this should be hung from their ankles and asked why the sky appears to be upside down.

Rule #4: Filmmaking is a collaborative process. You get the chance to work with others whose minds and ideas may be stronger than your own. Make sure they remain focused on their own function and not someone else’s job, or you’ll have a big mess. But treat all collaborators as equals and with respect. A production assistant who is holding back traffic so the crew can get a shot is no less important than the actors in the scene, the director of photography, the production designer or the director.

Hierarchy is for those whose egos are inflated or out of control, or for people in the military. Those with whom you choose to collaborate, if you make good choices, can elevate the quality and content of your film to a much higher plane than any one mind could imagine on its own. If you don’t want to work with other people, go paint a painting or write a book. (And if you want to be a fucking dictator, I guess these days you just have to go into politics...).

Rule #5: posted above

The Mayor

2009-10-06T06:22:00.006+01:00

This cat Mayer Hawthorne is becoming a big deal. So before you sleep on it for months, and then hear one of the joints in a thirty second car commercial or a thirty minute show about phlegmatic vampires or loquacious liberal arts students, take the time to download this song, and infect yourself.

Sweet soul music released on heart shaped vinyl by a hip hop label...

Most of the record is slower burning, lighter floating, boudoir, bubblebath and backward baseball cap delicacies, but this is my jam tonight as I write:

MAYER HAWTHORNE - The Ills

A Cross

2009-10-02T20:12:00.002+01:00

David Cross Tonight! Stay Tuned. I'm going downtown!

Watch

2009-10-01T05:19:00.002+01:00

Starting Line-up Smoove homey Lance Dubowitz Phelps shares a jukebox classic. Check this video, an instant pop masterpiece, excellently staged within the necessary frame of mass TV of the time.

Break It Down

2009-09-29T05:04:00.005+01:00

"if you wish to make an apple pie from scratch, you must first invent the universe."

"I'm shakin hands with many devils in the industry
Believe the Genesis life fill with stills mean that I'm def
so like the autographs you sign until the...
Breakadawn"

"Helpless Like A Baby
Sensual Disguise
I Can't Help But Love You
It's Getting Better All The Time"

TASTE

2009-09-28T07:32:00.005+01:00

Mad Decent have done a podcast with David Rodigan that is a must hear. When you listen to Rodigan's releases - sure, the banter is hilarious - but, what drives the whole operation is a dude digging the music that he loves the most, so hard, that it moves a crowd.

In the era of disposable songs that don't even physically exist, clean out the recycle bin in your brain and appreciate this mix, and my favourite fact from it:

Rodigan became a dj due to his large record collection, when short of money pursuing his craft, he sold pieces of his career (records).

Wild, impressive, top quality.

Rated.

Rodigan

REGGAE CHAMPION DAVID RODIGAN - MAD DECENT PODCAST #53

This Ain't A Movie Blog

2009-09-22T05:45:00.012+01:00

"This aint' a movie dog."
Jay - Z

This is:

All I'm doing down here at the dog track, in Greektown, skirting the full on ratrace in East Toronto, watching films and TV, writing film and TV, and reading about films and tv (and reading about the writing of films and TV).

There's still a new Jay, new Rae, new Ghost, still haven't absorbed any of it. Here's what I'm listening to as I walk and write and write talkies and talk about writing(the best this "music" blog has got at the moment).

Noel S. Baker who adapted the Hard Core Logo screenplay, also wrote:

"There are days when you have to admit that life is better than movies, love is better than glory."

Shoshanna's Revenge or: Kill Hans. from George Pallidis on Vimeo.

The season premiere of Curb was bonkers by the way, Catherine O'Hara is in it. Best show on television, any genre.

I Smell Like I Sound (Fragrance Related)

2009-09-18T06:34:00.005+01:00

I was trying to find clips of the film "Dog Park" on youtube.com and found this in its stead instead.

We're not big fans of advertisements around here, but Old Spice is a product we use (shit's like catnip!) and Big Bruce McDeezy has a pass.

I'd also post Duran Duran's amazing song and video "Hungry Like The Wolf," but EMI music and blogger will delete the post because they are not

"In touch with the ground"
-Duran Duran

A Bird Dog In The Hand Is As Good As Two On The Blog

2009-09-18T05:57:00.006+01:00

"His jokin’ ain’t so funny [what a dog] "
-Don & Phil Everly

"Do you have $300 worth of ass I can woop?"
-R.D Mercer

Are You Game?

2009-09-12T19:56:00.003+01:00

Grilling It Video Entertainment Operative "Scoops" turns in another stellar truncation.

BIG TIME!

2009-09-12T16:44:00.004+01:00

Writing from way up pon the grassy hill in Toronto (turnmyswagONtario). The Wiz's new school old crow's nest is a perfect spot for this.

More to come soon...I know it's been patchy, but sometimes you have to go faster than the internet.

Serious journalism forthcoming.

BBQ

Both Is Better

2009-08-30T18:58:00.003+01:00

Last summer's anthem has become this fall's dirge.

HEAD EAST - Never Been Any Reason

BIG TIME!

Chemically Treated Meet

2009-08-27T18:59:00.005+01:00

DISCLAIMER: The following scene is intended only as a condiment to the post. It may or may not have happened. In no way should any future romantic interests or flirtatious employers assume that it is either true or false. Rest assured, fact or fiction, it ended in a cuddle.

EXT-NIGHTCLUB SMOKING AREA-NIGHT

Me: C'mon girls, I'll be the weiner, you be the ketchup and she can be the mustard. The back seat of my tan station wagon even looks like a bun.

Disco Doll (ketchup): Hot dogs are made of lips and assholes.

Rave Slave (mustard): I'm into both.

"Mustard" was dressed in yellow, and it was friday, but I digress.

Some important facts:

1) Hot Dogs are usually a modestly priced and filling option at a cinema concession bar.

2) Homemade/street purchased hot dogs - if properly wrapped - are among the easiest snacks to smuggle into cinemas via coat/hoodie pockets. See also tacos/burritos.

3)I Love Hot Dogs is a assembly of stills from films of note that range from cult to household. It is interesting internet of the highest order for cinephile and sinning philistine alike.

Go In. Gorge yourselves.

I LOVE HOT DOGS

Later August

2009-08-27T15:52:00.000+01:00

Why Buy Records?

2009-08-22T22:41:00.003+01:00

Because they sound amazing, and when you open some of them up, they turn into this:

Uh Huh

2009-08-21T09:25:00.005+01:00

My buddy twentytwenty aka Big Cliff Lazerface aka Clifford The Bleep Red Bleep, just released a new song.

It's one of those electronic dance joints with hilarious jokes in it that also makes a point about the nature of the exercize of digging/making electronic dance songs. Sounds in the song sound like the title, again...there are jokes and aching filtered refrains about time and aging. Not every song has to be designed just to make people spark intercourse on the dancefloor. But...if you conceive a child to this song, they will make excellent club sandwiches and be good at both Mandarin and math.

twentytwenty - Uh Huh

That's twentytwenty on the left, me on the right, as I cry glowing tears of rave juice into my hanky soaked in "the eternally optimistic sweat of them youths."

Real Talk

2009-08-17T16:53:00.004+01:00

Still in Manitoba. Cuddling with Dukester who IS the casual dog. Sorting through all of the "Whattup's," "Call me" and "My husband is at the lake..." emails.

One more night of this ridiculous, challenging and sobering bender.

Just A Little

2009-07-27T20:55:00.002+01:00

The weekend started like THIS:

The Winnipeg Blue Bummers got destroyed, but then the boys loaded up and went to the beach.

Then it got...

And then...

And now, in Winnipeg, gathering strength, back with scars to show.

Oh brother...

We pick up, we dust off, we go again.

It's all good.

Aaaaaaaall.

Good.

Chow

BBQ (Big Brother Qualities)

Real Bear That Play Hockey

2009-07-24T20:31:00.001+01:00

Via the venerable honourable Big Willy Buffalo aka Capsworth!

Win Great City

2009-07-24T19:58:00.004+01:00

Winnipeg has been crazy so far. Fringe madness, revisiting old brunch spots and hanging with life long friends while cultivating promising everything with new associates. They redesigned my favourite bar to look like the Miami Airport First Class Lounge, but I'm not mad. Hyping the crowd while Dance Craze Fraze dropped "Flat Beat" doubles, cutting up the "I used to know Quinnin..." The good times have just begun.

Bomber game (CFL = Cool Fuckin' Life!) followed by The Crumbs. This prairie dog is happy in the sunshine. The Toronto players will not withstand my garbage strike related barbs.

Here's some friends who I played with last night, doing their awesome, emotional music video thing.

Gotta go meet my high level political operative buddy Park Daddy and pop champagne out the tailgate of a Malibu.

Here's one more brown on for the snowy road, for the road...

Me and Apple Jam got wild in the bassment the other night/morning...this being our theme music in these crucial and serious times.

My name's Jason, but they call me young Jasie
Neil Young in the whip, let's get Cazy.

Yes, I said, Cazy.

CHOW

BBQ

Aim For The Middle

2009-07-22T08:57:00.003+01:00

I'll be off to the homeland for a spell. Keep checking, if I'm good, I'll get up once a week. In the meantime...

Check twitter.com/jaypeecue for all relevant updates on

-Comedy shows
-Burgers
-CFL fandom
-Family hootenany
-Music
-Sunburn
-RPG's
-Back with the homies
-Shorts
-Ducks
-Clubhouses
-Dipsomania
-Attending the wedding of a comedian
-High School reuinion
-Getting back to the West Coast alive

Much Love/ See You Soon

JPQ

Cherchez La Femme

2009-07-18T18:33:00.008+01:00

Niagra Detroit's artwork is sensational. A grounding in film iconography and vernacular of the 30's-60's will help and appreciator on the nudge and wink side, but is totally unecessary.

Q: What's harder than writing succinctly and meaningfully about music?
A: Writing succinctly and meaningfully about art.

Take 2 (Sinatra only would've needed one).

Niagra Detroit presents a warp speed technicolour version of the drafts to radical to be produced. She puts mushrooms in the potboiler and then leaks her witchy brew into the metropolitan water supply. Her artwork is as much vivid as it is dark, the upfront pulpy, comical frames confound with as much mystery as they confront with magic.

This dame's got balls. Be careful what you say, you might wake up dead.

There we go.

Here you go.

CHOW

BBQ

PS: This is The Grill's 270th post. In honour of that, Guy Mariano doing a 270 to boardslide. Someday, this blog will be as dope and look as easy.

Guy Mariano Bs 270 Lipslide from skateboardmsm on Vimeo.

Timing Of The Shrewd

2009-07-10T08:09:00.006+01:00

At a performance of Taming of the Shrew tonight, one of the lines had the words "dark matter" in it.

Got me pumped.

Not to mention Elizabeth Taylor when she was a buffet of babe. Forget the pilled out, shakey dog E.T, real buffs know the deal. She was the dark, round, gold standard for a generation of wood.

FF the video to 1:15 and BRACE YOURSELVES!

ANDREW BIRD - Dark Matter

Good morrow, Kate...

On A Private Beach

2009-07-06T11:42:00.003+01:00

Most of the readers here are in it for the jams, so I'll hit you with the promo like the king of spam.

NEW WILCO

Whole album, called Wilco (The Album).

Fuck yeah! Summer is how I got into what was then a meek, udder-achieving cuntry outfit.

"Douchebags are hygenic products, so I'll take that as a compliment"

Summertime lords and ladies, fresh...clean...let's go in at SPFinfinity (Simple Perfect Fun)

PIMP (promises, I made promises)

2009-06-30T18:37:00.003+01:00

Alex Jones is the Roger Federer of this suspicion game/ unkown soldier of the infowar!

CUIZINIER - Pimp Under Class (feat. Paris the Black Fu & Teki Latex)

DJ EXCEL - That's What A Pimp Does (OBAMA!)

The Bay

2009-06-27T18:45:00.007+01:00

Michael Bay (oh ye of good taste bear with this post - it's worth it for the youtubes).

Enlarge and read the above graphic.

I hate this Shy Leboof X Megaham Fox Tranceformerz Franchise as much as any other 80's baby who played with toys, but...one time only...begrudgingly...

In support of Michael Bay (via facts)

Dude waved 1/2 of his paltry 40K payday on Bad Boys to film an explosion.

He directed a movie called The Rock.

That is all.

The film adaptation of the novel Bad Boys 2 was a hefty slice of deece. The highlight being this scene where Will Smith made me laugh for the first time since he lived with Phil and Viv.

Word to Don Simpson (he's in the middle of Krooze and The Rook and he was THAT DUDE).

This Is Real

2009-06-27T18:03:00.004+01:00

The Making Of Buzz Aldrin's Rocket Experience

Never Can Say Goodbye

2009-06-26T07:54:00.008+01:00

It's tough to write an erudite obit/tribute to Michael Jackson, because I'm still shocked...however...I go on...

I've had this out in bars, cabs, on docks, on decks and more times than I ever wanted. I'm referring to the argument about Michael Jackson's body of work that I find untainted by his public relations and media management masochism.

Mike was great, remains great and always will.

No feelings are changed by his death, and the internet is boiling over with opinions, "Beat It" will be referencing the issue to death or the dead horse of an enduring legacy. In as simple terms as I can wring it out:

Michael Jackson was an incredible entertainer who became a lamentable, frightening and often miserable public figure.

His death is sad, but with his modern visage fading from the press, we'll be left with the music, which reflects the spectrum of human emotion better than anyone's. This is how I've been remembering him since the early 1990's.

Whatever demons were haunting him, I hope he's free from. Few artists convincingly display the sheer force of their gift. The otherworldly, intangible power that moves them to not only create, but transcend the medium. Michael wrote anthems for and from all the hearts of the planet at once.

I only wish that Michael himself could read the loving tributes that are cascading from around a world that he has seperated from and no doubt felt alien to.

Listening to these albums tonight, I don't hear a lil popstar with an afro and a billion dollar smile, I don't hear a spry twentysomething fully branded funky juggernaut moonwalking his way into every pantheon and stratosphere we have for entertainers, and I don't hear the besmirched skeleton of the circus of the last decade.

I hear the song and dance man, who wrote a tune called "Bad" that was the best thing I'd ever popped in my Fisher Price tapedeck. All it said on the tape was "Michael Jackson."

People who love music, LOVE Michael Jackson.

I was never afraid of him, only for him, and there's one less reason to be afraid.

Michael Jackson - Someone In The Dark

*Drawing by Eli Escobar (at age 8)

What Ever Are You Doing?

2009-06-09T06:10:00.005+01:00

Hey friends/readers/countryfolk...

This blog is planning a summer and getting work done to facilitate said summer, hence the infrequent posts.

Here's what's been up (you're not missing much):

For your own sterry-erry-ohs, telephones, ipods and such...

Dj Ayres & Nick Catchdubs "Just Kickin It"

Relaxed. Check out the tracks and tell me this isn't...Reeeeelaxed!

DJ AYRES
Alkaholiks - All Night
Royksopp - Vision One
Snoop & Xzibit - Bitch Please
EPMD - You Gots To Chill
Kool & The Gang - Jungle Jazz
J Dilla - Fuck The Police
Slick Rick - Mona Lisa (instrumental)
Rene Costy - Scrabble
Aretha Franklin - Rock Steady (Mr. K edit)
The Apples - The Power
Africa Bambaataa - Planet Rock (DJ Ayres Unplugged Edit)
DJ B-Eazy - Bongo Remix

NICK CATCHDUBS
Novaima - Yo Voy (Seiji Remix)
Scottie B and King Tutt - African Chant (Top Billin Remix)
Rod Lee - Latin Groove
Dre Skull f. Sizzla - Gone Too Far (Buraka Son Sistema Remix)
Ms Dynamite - Bad Gyal
Dance Area - AA247 (Nacey Remix)
Cubic Zirconia - Fuck Work (Nacho Lovers Remix)
Juan Maclean - One Day (Surkin Remix)
Mac Dre & Mac Mall f. E-40 - Dredio
Kid Sister - I’ll House You ‘09
Donnis - Like Dat

The Cover Up #2

2009-05-26T19:41:00.006+01:00

Once the Grilling It executive branch promised to keep posting records that time forgot (because they suck) which have awesome covers. Remember installment #1?

In our spotty commitment to undercooked online journalism and slapdash music blogging:

Welcome to installment #2:

PETRA - NOT OF THIS WORLD

The album is generic soft boy trying too hard to be futuristic radio friendly cock rock. Overproduced, yet undercooked. I won't lie, I only listened to side one.

But the cover is a guitar spaceship blasting out into a cartoonish 80's spacescape:

Since the Petra has no jams to offer, here's my absolute top tune from the "palatable anachronistic pre-future cosmic rock" sub genre:

ZAP!

2009-05-19T19:40:00.003+01:00

Some people are mad about the raging "us" ification of Switch and Diplo's Major Lazer. This video encapsulates the awesome dog's breakfast that is danchall fusion in the web age.

All Dressed Up For Sunday

2009-05-17T17:49:00.004+01:00

That's a picture that my Uncle Johnny sent me of "The Bench," a sacred spot near our log cabin. Taken yesterday. I should be down there shotgunning beers with Dube, Rogie, Apple Jam and whoever else is around...

My only concern is the effect that a May snowfall has on mosquito reproduction, as that bench will be getting myself, The Wizard and a boombox added to it come August.

Sunday is a day for CLASSICS.

LOU REED - A Gift

From the appetite whetting new Mixtape Blood On Chef's Apron

RAEKWON - Beauty (feat Noreaga & Joel Ortiz)

Here's to urban music in bucolic settings.

Like?

2009-05-08T19:21:00.011+01:00

In the winter of 2005, I was holed up in Toronto, living mostly alone in a four bedroom house on barely the right side of the tracks, staying warm, being poor, doing comedy and working at HMV.

That winter, as every cold winter (and spring/summer/fall) I took refuge in songs, and titled all of my mixtapes after tunes by Ike Turner & The King's of Rhythm. I still listen to "Prancin'" and "The Rooster."

IKE TURNER & THE KINGS OF RHYTHM - Getting Nasty

Ike was bad, but he's dead, so I like him.

A scene from the Shannen Doherty/Cypress Hill Saturday Night Live
(Aired October 2nd, 1993)

Ike Turner Played by Tim Meadows
Kevin Nealon Played By Himself

Kevin Nealon: Joining us this week to help sort out the new Clinton Health Care Plan, is Weekend Update correspondent, Ike Turner. Welcome, Ike.

Ike Turner: Alright, thank you, thank you, Kevin Nealon. Well, President Clinton brought out his newest plan, baby, because there are 225 million people in this country without Health Care, you dig?

Kevin Nealon: Uh, excuse me, Ike. I believe that figure is 25 million people without Health Care.

Ike Turner: I don't need that from you, Kevin Nealon!

Kevin Nealon: Oh.. sorry, Ike. I was just trying to help you out.. sorry.

Ike Turner: Oh, you trying to help Ike, huh? You trying to help Ike? Ike don't need your help! If I can get a band, I got songs in my head, I could get my music going, baby!

Kevin Nealon: Yeah. Ike, uh.. you were talking about the Clinton Health Care Package, I believe..

Ike Turner: Oh, okay, Kevin Nealon, is that how it is, huh? Fine! You want to talk about Health Care, baby? You want to take about Health Care with Ike?! Alright, then, look at this, huh, look at this.. [ pulls out cake ] Alrigh,t this cake is the U.S. budget, you dig? [ pulls hunks of cake loose as he talks ] Alright, you got your taxes, and you got your defensive spending.. [ eats from the cake ] Mmm.. this is some great cake. Have soem cake, Kevin Nealon, you want some cake?

Kevin Nealon: I'm not hungry, thanks..

Ike Turner: Come on, baby, it's good!

Kevin Nealon: No, I'm not hungry. Thanks, anyway..

Ike Turner: Now, don't you do this to me! Don't you do that to Ike!

Kevin Nealon: I don't want the cake! I'm not hungry Ike. Please!

Ike Turner: Alright! You don't want the cake, here's the stupid cake! [ throws the entire cake at Kevin ]

Kevin Nealon: Ike! Stop it, that hurts! Come on!

Ike Turner: Oh, baby.. I'm sorry, baby.. I just get crazy sometimes!

Kevin Nealon: I know you do!

Ike Turner: I'll make it up to you, I promise, baby, I promise..!

Kevin Nealon: Just don't even touch me! Ike.. Turner.. ladies and gentlemen. Just get away, just get away!

IKE TURNER & THE KINGS OF RHYTHM - Getting Nasty

Rockies

2009-05-07T17:47:00.006+01:00

The Luminato Festival is a Toronto-centric burgeoning cultural blip that is attempting to host the world's largest jam session, and pick the "Great Canadian Tune."

I don't know if this means the song that is the best, made by a person born in Canada, or the song that best represents Canadian-ness. Either way, I'm bummed that Spirit of the West, Maestro Fresh Wes, Propagandhi, and our girl Joni didn't make the cut.

I ride fervently for Feist, Sarah Harmer, "Taking Care Of Business," and The Hip, but of all the choices, "Boy Inside The Man" by Tom Cochrane, although a bit of a weak song, probably summarizes bits of our fractured and developing identity better than any of them.

"Sister cool this face
As if it's carved in stone
Don't leave me in this place
Like a boy without a home (repeat) "

However, the choice is between: "The Weight" and "Helpless" if we're being honest with ourselves (never a hallmark of Canadian media, but hey...).

This is the video I referenced just the other day. Also, this is the song with the lowish angled profile shots of Younger where a now infamous "rock" had to be removed from his nose in post-production. Neil Young's soul is made of solid rock, so that should come as no surprise.

As an added bonus, here's KD Lang haunting the life back into Helpless while Neil lay in the hospital.

This space has been ROCK HEAVY as of late. Might have to get into the rap and technos next week just to keep the blogger crowd. I'll be typing:

"this jam is a banger that is sure to have all the peak time party time party people putting their fists in the air to its wobbly bass, chopped-up vocals and banging jammerness!" As if this site was done from Scandinavia and I wasn't University educated. We'll see.

Ok, rock on eh.

Ok, fine, since I mentioned them before...here's one great Canadian tune. It represents all the conflict, luxury and stress that we're born into if we're born in this country, but really just born free:

Cat Skills

2009-05-06T19:40:00.004+01:00

Hi gang. I'm currently working out a short story on cats (the animal not the musical) and as soon as it's done and published, then you'll see it. Well it's not JUST about cats, it's also about deer, Indians, the afterlife, western expansion, rabbits, living in the moment, a man's false construction of the things he did not do having some bearing on his fate, rock music and staying up all night. Oh, and it's a comedy.

The point is, I've had cats on the brain in a serious way, and then today I see this amazing video of Louis Wain's work and its progression as he descends into Schizophrenia. His renderings of cats get progressively unreal as he becomes more mentally ill.

THE KINKS - Phenomenal Cat

THE COUP - Fat Cats, Bigga Fish

If anyone has any cat related media that I should be using as inspiration, please leave tips/links in the comments. Bear in mind that I have TS Eliot, the Cat Power Discography and Fritz The Cat.

Ok, thanks for reading watching listening stopping...skip on...

DOM (Died On Monday)

2009-05-06T19:23:00.005+01:00

I know it seems arbitrary and ridiculous when I choose some notable deaths and ignore others. It's not ignoring, just Bea Arthur was too tough to blog about. I grieved about Bea as you might expect, by watching Golden Girls and by ogling Blanche as I touch myself under the covers. Just kidding (not kidding). No. Just kidding.

Dom DeLuise, peace.

Lunar Unit Moon Loosie

2009-05-05T07:15:00.008+01:00

SOCIETY ALARM

Is a kid becoming a raveterestrial better than morphing into a hog on Mcwhoppers and on-line gaming? This may be a critical parenting issue.

I think kids should dance, but if it seems that they enjoy spinning or hyperventilating to dissorient themselves, then the parent should search their room for illegals well into the child's thirties.

ECHO & THE BUNNYMEN - The Killing Moon

I played this album (Ocean Rain) five times in the car today. Precipitationary (rainy) spring days in the Nerd American Pacific rain forest calling for the throbbing basic superficial gloom, deep thoughts and emotional sparseness of...

Soon I will start an improv troop that plays as "Mr. Echo & The Funnymen." The only suggestion we will ask for is: "What's something that was awesome on Lost?" Then we'll play for 44 minutes exactly, ending with a cliffhanger that will make your brain wish it was your butt.

That's me on the left.

The Past Is The Dark Side

2009-05-04T18:23:00.007+01:00

I'm yelling at that clown: "CHEER UP PATCHES! You're rolling with Lord Vader and a boss Ewok!"GROWING UP STAR WARS

Different Sets Of Circumstances

2009-05-04T00:14:00.008+01:00

Coyote Uh Huh Glee

The problem of having too many songs, in digital, vinyl, cd, and cassette form, is an enviable one. There is a balance to be achieved between rifling through so-called "jams" and "bangers," connecting with heavy piles of wax and getting Compact Disc's to their final resting place. The balance is one as crucial as work/play or teaching/learning. It's fun to sort through music, to judge lp's by their cover and to skip through dance mp3's. But you're not really listening.

As I was working through my music, I stopped and opted to play something I know, The Last Waltz, and was treated to Joni Mitchell's "Coyote."

One of the beautiful moments about Scorcese's sequencing in the Film The Last Waltz, is how Joni is introduced by her striking, distinctive, silhouette singing backup for Neil Young & The Band on "Helpless." Only to then emerge as a representative of women, folk, the womenfolk amidst the joyous big-time boy's club of The Last Waltz, and absolutely SLAY her coyote.

When Robbie Roberstson starts playing those little leads towards her, and she is still just locked in on driving "Coyote" right to the end, she shrugs his noodling off like a lewd whistle in a truck stop bar.

Oh they still make em like they used to, but it gets harder and harder to find them.

(Nightime At The Nucleus by Joni Mitchell)

For those of you curious about the image up top, it's from a peace on graf in Iraq up at Hear The Sounds farmed from El Stence Stence Stence.

That's it for this wordy bloggery, I'm retiring to work out some material not to be heaved into the awesome abysss of the onlines.

GOOD GRAVY Galloping Gophers (gorilla grapes)

2009-04-30T08:22:00.008+01:00

As seen on TWITTER

GG is what some of our female and otherwise readership have been caught using to describe their newest favouritest show of all time ever: "Gossip Girls" or as it's more accurately called: "The Hills Sex In The OC 90210 Howser MD CitYPD Blueossom"

DISCLAIMER: The next bit of this blog post is for people who DO NOT watch The Gossip Girls. If you're a person who needs a weekly fix of TV about rich people fucking and lying and pretending to change, then fine, skip to the youtubes.

GOSSIP GIRL TRUTH ALERT BELOW!

____________________________________________________________________________________

I watched some Gossip Girl. Here's the scoop, so you know why you're not watching it:

It is poorly written and acted. It makes Lost look like Short Cuts, The Sopranos like Goodfellas. Plus they REALLY rip-off "Sex in the City" while the corpse of its legacy is still warm from the tanning bed. Imagine a show set on an island told through flashbacks, the year after "The Lost Movie" gets panned worldwide.

The real "GG" pushed me down a youtube rabbit hole for an hour tonight...here's some Grilling It TV:

Sorry to all the Indians who watched the last clip. Also, to fans of television, please don't be offended that in the British pre-make of the ABC hit "The Office" they called Jim: "Tim." Both names are awesome, just like Indians.

Update From The Wiz

2009-04-25T15:29:00.002+01:00

MAN IN PREVIOUS POST...

NOT A REAL WIZARD!

Festive Police Zap Wizard

2009-04-24T08:50:00.008+01:00

I probably would've been watching a band, rushing to a stage, or in a beverage line instead of peeping some stripping wizard. Regardless...this video is far out. The dude yelling "Freedom of speech holmes" is missing the point that you can't really show a crowd of people your wedding tackle at a Hullabalooza with a thick police presence.

Still, I'm shocked (no pun intended-o) that the fuzzles would so gratuitously taze someone who was non-violent and didn't run away. In Vancouver, when they do that, the perp dies.

One schmohawk gawker starts yelling "The world is watching" as if that's going to un-tazer the nude mage. The thick neck Oakley jock cop is going to go: "Oh really, this will be on youtube? I just wanna give a shout out to all the boys at Precinct 518! Hi Mom, how's the lumbago? Honey, just put my stroganoff in the oven on low, I'll have it when I get this nude wizard that I just assaulted processed at the station..."

Take a look:

Naked Wizard Tased By Reality from Tracy Anderson on Vimeo.

The pan across the front row of staring, placid, festival goers was even creepier than the miniscule johnson on the spellcaster.

STILL

Wizards dispense electricity not receive it. In my world, they still do.

Awaiting a take from our resident Wizard in the comment section.

PUBLIC ENEMY - Long and Whining Road

A part of me cries out that a Ras Trent wizard like that was neglecting the haze of fog and smoke and the flowing garments in which Wizards are customarily found...for a reason...