smartass blog title

Satisfied Fool

noreply@blogger.com (Li) — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 20:08:00 +0000

I wish I had more time (or disposition, rather) to tell you more about Karl Pilkington and how he became my favorite human on the planet lately - maybe another time (I'm sure I mentioned him on the blog before). Anyway, in honor of the second An Idiot Abroad series hitting hard, and having an absolute blast watching episode 1 yesterday night (I'll be putting a lot of distance in between them so they'll last longer), here's a little gem of a 20 min documentary Vimeo let me keep up for the time being, so enjoy it while it's here. A glimpse into the mind of the world's most loveable idiot savant - Karl Pilkington, Satisfied Fool.

Karl Pilkington - Satisfied Fool from Liviu B on Vimeo.

PS If you get the chance, read the man's books. Some people say it's absolute bollockery© , I say it's my favorite kind of philosophy. I want Larry David for my uncle and Karl for my best friend. Maybe next time, huh, God?

Nothin' Really Changes

noreply@blogger.com (Li) — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 13:02:00 +0000

2006:

2011:

I guess makin' stupid fanboy faces at Deftones gigs in Bucharest is one of the constants of my life. Thanks for the show, guys! See, that's why I ain't scared of turning 40 - Chino's 38 and I ain't seen one 20something to kick as much ass on stage. EVER.

PS conversation went:

Fanboy Li: You guys rocked! I loved the new album, it's amazing! You will come again, right?

Chino: Thanx, man, where you from? Your english is real good.

Fanboy Li: 200 miles away, came by train standing up the whole way!

Chino: Woah.

He said woah. HE SAID WOAH!!!

Transmission over.

Btw I'm turning 30 this winter ;)

GOLD COBRA - Instant Messaging Review and Full Album

noreply@blogger.com (Li) — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 12:52:00 +0000

Yo yo yo, crackaz and honkeyz, what it iz and what it doez? This is where my main crackalacka Domestos and I instant message review Limp Bizkit's hot new album, GOLD COBRA, in real time, from the comfort of our chairs and sitting 3 m away from each other. We're lazy. And Dome's hatin', too. Just kidding, we were objective as possible, seen as we've been limpin' with the Bizkit for 13+ years now. It's a pretty important effort, since it sees LB and incredibly talented guitarist Wes Borland finally reunite after a long-ass hiatus. I wrote a bit more on mr. Borland here. We did this before with the latest Linkin Park album, you can read that right here. Also, for your listening and pirating pleasure, I've taken the time to attach the full length songs, too. Now don't go downloading them, just play them once, forget about this blog and buy the Gold Cobra.

Hopefully Ironic Kitsch Cover Art
by Wes Borland, LB guitarist and painter extraordinaire
Actually the dude's a very talented artist, check the post mentioned above, yo.

And here's the review. Fangs of the Gold Cobra, ENGAGE!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

REVIEW INTRO/DISCLAIMER

Li: here we go. ladies and gentlemen! for your reading pleasure, me and my coleague here will review gold cobra in real time!

Dome: wait, I have to tir the coffee

Li: tir away!

Dome: *stir actually

Li: so do I.

Dome: 'cuz I like it stirred not shaken. I am ready to take on the Gold Cobra

Li: So am I. So!

Dome: but first, a disclaimer

Li: a word from our sponsors?

Dome: I'll keep it short. I am not a huge fan. That should suffice

Li: I used to be a huge fan but I've noticeably lost weight lately. Their first two albums rule the earth, I think you'll agree....And some great tracks on the others too.

Dome: well, not all songs on the first 2, but don't like the rest

Li: for those not familiar with the subject, it's a return to form for bizkit, as in the main mofo wes is back

Dome: with a new haircut and v neck t-shirts

Li: so what album do you have in your mp3 player now domestos?

Dome: ...and crazier makeup. A shout out to my homiez @ foobar!

Li: actually, just quote your latest 5 last fm artists.

Dome: yes.

Li: i'm brimming with anticipation.

Dome: so...

Li: I didnt mean actually quote them. naming them will do

Li: jesus christ, this takes you a lot doesn't it! are you updating your firefox?

Dome: 5 most recent artists - Ol' Dirty Bastard, RATM, The Scuba Cult, Jakob, Rollins Band.

Li: haha!

Dome: You've seen mine, now show me yours!

Li: I love how ODB crept up in there. Mine are Chevelle, 10 Years, A Perfect Circle, Bernard Herrman and
Skindred. I think that makes us even, I don't really like APC and you don't really like ODB.So without further ado, let's hit the 1st song!
Dome: yes

01. INTROBRA (listen to it here)

Dome: countdown

Li: 3...2... 1...Play!

Dome: go! ok

Li: BOOOM! bass!

Dome: synthbass ! ...a whining Fred !

Li: Freddie can't make it stop

Dome: uuu

Li: sounds like kitchen mixers starting up at the same time. and somewehere in the background john otto is beating eggs.

Dome: and a few pillows

Li: fast approaching track 2

Dome: yeah, the anticipation is killing me.

02.BRING IT BACK (listen to it here)

Li: Deadly riff!

Dome: sounds like something off record nr 2!

Li: Wes is at it. Oh wtf!!!

Dome: wtf

Li: Lil jon up in here. HHHWHAT? OKAAAY!

Dome: wtf! this ain't what I expected

Li: Sorta diggin it, though this southern hip hop shit never was my cup o'tea. rhymes are pretty tight. oh YEAH

Dome: sounds like bubba sparxx ona heavy metal trip

Li: here it comes!

Dome: tight

Li: 1:08 and it's kinda crazy already. guitar soundin a li'l more heavy metalish.

Dome: back to the southern hiphop... yeah

Li: HWHAT?

Dome: MO' MIDS !!

Li: freddie, it aint 2012 yet. toasting guts like nuts on xmas! Already my favorite lyric

Dome: freddie you ain't timbaland

Li: not such a good start imo

Dome: the chorus is tight

Li: ok we're at track 3

03. GOLD COBRA (listen to it here)

Dome: yeah. the title track

Li: so far so awesome

Dome: tight rhythm seck, as always

Li: well, we do know this mutha from the video, which btw rocks in case you haven't seen it yet, you twat! not you, domestos

Dome: yeah, but sounds better without the vid. the bass iz killin'! growls like a mofo

Li: thats just hating and doesnt necessarily reflect my views and opinions, or those of blogspot. and here's that kickazz chorus

Dome: hooray for hating diversity

Li: so far so mid paced

Dome: yeah

Dome: you can say 'shut the fuck up' just so many times, fred

Li: flush you turds down the drain! that's lyrical enlightenment right there

Dome: lyrical phrasing in the prechours sounds like rhcp

Li: and he rhymes think with bank, which just cleaned his sin slate clean

Dome: oook Fred...

Li: oh, you don't like this part, do ya?

Dome: ooh yeee -heeee

Li: OH YEAH. listen WHAT i'm tellin you. goodbye prepositions. how old is freddie? 50?

Dome: the brigde vocals suck ass. yeah. imma give him a break

Li: man he still got that swag. I hope i'll be rapping at 50! and it's on to the next one...

Dome: his rhymes be tight

Li: we heard a bit of this too a year ago

04. SHARK ATTACK (listen to it here)

Dome: but I think he should read more, though

Li: He's too busy directing. GUITAR!!!

Dome: guitar !!!

Li: GJJJIIIN GJIIIIEEEN! Break stuff part two.

Dome: sorta

Li: he don't need a chump talkin that junk in pajamas!

Dome: up till now I really dislike the re-usage of phrases from the previous records, Fred. nice guitar work

Li: That's cool dude, it's meta. i hope this aint the real chorus though...

Dome: I like Wes. does he have a facebook page?

Li: Dunno, we shd investigate. verse sounds a bit empty, maybe it's me. bad muthafucka..screw ya!

Dome: it sounds like typiczkit

Li: yeah. that's good, in a way, but the chorus is... how can I put it... simple.

Dome: yeah. what is this?

Li: I think I mistook this track for something else freddie gave us a glimpse of a year ago. wtf! wtf!

Dome: who is this?

Li: hahahah... weird azz break!

Dome: is this FRed?

Li: but I kinda liked it. It - was -old -skoool

Dome: sitll living where the donkey's at?

Li: wes sure was bored when he wrote the hook

Dome: I think I misheard

Li: alright, that wasn't great. on to track 5!

Dome: shut it down, Fred

05. GET A LIFE (listen to it here)

Dome: 05

Li: hippa to da hoppa. haha, my alias, polar bear? that rocks. i like it so far.

Dome: bass is rumbling, biotch

Li: yeah. nice guit stabs. how do you rhyme serious with siberia? haha... now he rhymed tank with think! freddie takin chances there

Dome: yea

Li: CHORUS! FUCK YEAH

Dome: thats' right Fred

Li: Best thing on the album yet

Dome: SCREAM YO' ASS OFF !!!

Li: fuck yeah

Dome: work for that dollar

Li: that's what i'm here for! limos make'm carsick

Dome: lemme feel some emotion, Fred

Li: just a crackalackin mofo! he lackin' crackers.

Dome: re-cycling lyrics is not sexy! aaaargh

Li: I wanna mosh to this so bad! with a knife in each hand and a helmet.oh no!

Dome: It's like the chorus is almost alive... what is this?

Li: don't whine on the bridgeeee, nooo

Dome: well, it's better than the previous whining

Li: this is for toning down the kids in the pits. nice scale, wes!

Dome: this part sounds like the apex theory. what is this?

Li: second weird azz rapped bridge. BRING IT AWWWN!

Dome: well, the chorus worked the first 2 times

Li: i just wanna smash my second monitor to this! (yeah bitch i'm rockin that dual shit)

Dome: third should've been sexier

Li: haha great outro. PRAVDA! oh man russian fans must be in heaven now

Dome: the devil wears pravda

Li: this sounds like a skit offa S.O. haha, yeah. alrightey, track 6!

Dome: ok, next

06. SHOTGUN (listen to it here)

Li: I have a gut feeling this ll rock.

Dome: guitars. bass.

Li: cuz, uh, we know this from before, too

Dome: ...drums. yeah. good so far. well ...and then came fred.

Li: it's a fucking good song, i've spinned it a few times. u a hater! listen to that verse theme

Dome: hey, nice music. yeah. but Fred....

Li: feels good, man

Dome: he don't do it. he not sexy. i need sexy. where is sexy? no sexy.

Li: you just hatin'.

Dome: fred no sexy

Li: listen to that chorus!

Dome: everybody jumps from the sound of the shotgun

Li: man, I wanna pogo pogo pogo til the break of dawn to this. nigga, I would!

Dome: yeah, Fred but it's not a sexy shotgun.

Li: I'd jump my ass in the sewer and cover myself in rats just to make sure. it'a a phallic reference, obviously.
freddie got bitches jumpin to the sound of his shotgun

Dome: u dig the rhymes? juts axing.

Li: well... he is white...

Dome: he is.

Li: and obviously a big fan of olskool hip hop

Dome: nice band work, though

Li: gotta respect that

Dome: gotta

Li: this song's real dope. voice and all. can't hate.

Dome: I am not hating

Li: I'll have to listen to the lyrics a bit more to express an opinion on what the hell he's on about

Dome: guitar soloooooo

Li: yeah

Dome: yeah Wes. I like Wes

Li: so far, two really good tracks and two mehs.

Dome: nice shotgun beat. I appreciate.

Li: next up:

07. DOUCHEBAG (listen to it here)

Dome: 7 is my lucky number

Li: mine too!

Dome: is it yours, Fred ? well, the instrumental is killing

Li: mash op di dancefloor! yeah! thats what im talkin bout! man, i like it. its 90s crossover no bullshit... up until that prechorus hit that is

Dome: well, nice guitar work. nice chorus...

Li: fuck you, fuck you fuck you up!!!

Dome: keeping it simple

Li: who can't relate to that

Dome: I appreciate that. and nice breakdown

Li: he does sound 14

Dome: sounded like real music.prechorus is less whiny than others.and I dig the guitar

Li: hell, at least it still rocks and I can jump around to it

Li: guitar sounds like a horse on the chorus a li'l.

Dome: yeeee exactly.

Li: what's that sound the horsies do? how do you call that? snivelin'?

Dome: I like this part. almost odd meter. man, that bass growls like a mofo

Li: I am that bag that you paid? Im sure I didnt hear that right. DOIȘPEEE!!!

Dome: hats off to Sam, Otto and Wes

Li: maybe not in headphones, but I bet it pumps you up in the pit

Dome: jazz it up !!

Li: haha great outro, yeah

Dome: yeah
Li: song 8,
Dome: 08

08. WALKING AWAY (listen to it here)

Li: we also know this one

Dome: sounds like a ballad title.we do?

Li: ...and lemme add I think it's one of the most beautiful bizkit soft songs ever written. I love it.

Dome: oh, god. I mean, oh good

Li: it was released some time ago... months. I like the lil countdown

Dome: ok, Fred is a good mc. and let me stop there.

Li: dude, I like his singin' too

Dome: good

Li: haha..hateeer

Dome: don't hate the hater hate the game..or something like that

Li: it's "don't hate the player, hate the gay" or something like that. this is a great song.

Dome: keep it PC. personal and computerized

Li: let the record show I think gay people are FABULOUS!

Dome: well, it does have a mood to it, which I appreciate ina song

Li: I may be biased but so far it's a good effort. I mean the album. lyrics were heaps better on the previous ones

Dome: well, I give props when props are due.

Li:... but then again, when you're surviving in the moshpit who gives a shit

Dome: true

Li: listen to that solo

Dome: and let me state that the bizkit have a killer live show, whether you're a fan or not

Li: True. I never kicked and punch so many people at one time in my entire life. or had my ass handed to me like to a bizkit tune . And let's use the opportunity to plug Wes' great band called Black Light Burns, in case you haven't checked them out, do yourself a favor

Dome: well, I like when Fred screams from the top of his lungs. feels like he's actually into it

Li: And we're on to track 9

09. LOSER (listen to it here)

Dome: 9 it is

Li: feels short, this album, doesnt it

Dome: this sounds familiar

Li: 3/4. i like it! i like it ! i licketylike it

Dome: sounds like something off of chocolate starfish, but happier

Li: it sounds fresh n creative

Dome: iz happy song, sorta

Li: i'm waltzin in my chair..GRWWOOOO GRWOOOOo. he just wants to be ok, there aint nuffin wrong wit dat! ... losin' my life away - i'll hold on to that for future use!

Dome: well if that was the chorus it wasn't adding much to the climax

Li: did he just say everybody goes thru a bra?

Dome: i think so

Li: i hope he meant unhinging one, not wearing

Dome: i never went through a bra, though

Li: maybe he meant bro, but that's just racist

Dome: a bar, maybe?

Li: dyslexic freddy strikes again

Li: oh shit wtf lol

Dome: guitar solooo

Li: what is this?! hahah, sounds like merry-go-round music

Dome: it's like the third solo on the record

Li: hey, i kinda like this novelty azz song

Dome: it's kinda fun, I guess

Li: but they did write much catchier songs before

Dome: but the chorus doesn't do it for me

Li: it's like their second first album, but i"m digging the no bullshit approach to the production

Dome: that was funny

Li: haha. it is

Dome: autotune it Fred. it's more fun

Li: and we segue into...

10. AUTOTUNAGE (10)

Li: dude

Dome: yes

Li: listen to that fucking riff

Dome: autotunage. nice beat

Li: this put the hairs on my arms in standin' attention mode. oh shit!

Dome: heavy guitars, oh yeah! Wes, do it, dooo it! riff that mutha!

Li: elephants rockin ak 47s comin for dat azz!

Dome: ok, this is weirding me out. nice instrumental, I get that it's a joke... but come on!

Li: dude, if you imagine better lyrics over this...! subject matter could use some..uhm... throwin away? i love this chorus.

Dome: heavy guitars, Fred, shut the fuck up.

Li: weird to tell em to smile to this mufucking ridiculous riff. man id still bounce to this

Dome: dude, srsly, I'd buy an instrumental version of this record. and you know I actually buy records

Li: hey, the recipe still works, fred just thought he'd go more basic cuz 00s kids are obviously dumber than us 90s kids

Dome: true

Li: yes, you are that naive, i'll give you that domestos

Dome: call me naive, call me what you will, but I respect musicians, and Fred too, sometimes

Li: hey, he keepin it positive! he wants to see some smiles

Li: i like the tongue in cheek autotunage. shoulda put more on tho

Dome: good for you. more tongue !!! and btw, where the fuck is the cowbell? that is what this album lacks

Li: dude, it's party music after all... can't really knock it till you hear it live

Dome: yeah, true

Li: aight we're on to number 11

Dome: hands down

11. 90 2. 10 (listen to it here)

Dome: bizkits rule live

Li: oh snap!

Dome: heavy metal !!!

Li: listen to that.

Dome: it's like slayer

Li: thats for all the fucking metalhead haters, dieeee hataz

Dome: but then again, it's not

Li: is that a cat in my right headphone? MEAOW.

Dome: kitty trapped in headphones

Li: it's like really bored cat forced to meow.

Dome: meaaow

Li: Sounds a li'l just like every other song, doesn't it?

Dome: yeah

Li: raekwon is on the mic! did he just say corey taylor?

Dome: a bit more diversified on the chord progression part, but maybe that wasn't the problem

Li: im wondering, are frat kids partying to bizkit over in the states?

Dome: I have a problem with the bridges on this album. they should be burnt.

Li: but...GIRLS LOOK SO GOOD! aw-hawww! you can't argue with that, dude. I really was hoping for some actual social-oriented lyrics, just a liiiittle teensy weensy bit.I want something to be mad about when i'm moshing, man!

Dome: well, I was hoping for lyrics, period.

Li: yeah, that too!

Dome: this sounds nice, what is this?

Li: oh yeah.

Dome: it's nice

Li: maybe freddy should put out a straight hip hop album and just sing to the other songs. i think it'd be an improvement. sing, not whinge.

Dome: yeah

Li: and here comes my fave track off the album, apparently...

Dome: zwölf

12. WHY TRY (listen to it here)

Dome: nice, heavy guitars

Li: and this one will rock you off your chair and out your underwear. chorus rips ribcages and yanks hearts out too

Dome: good, busy verse. sounds a bit like RATM. the prechorus rocks

Li: THE ALIGATOR GRIP GONNA TURN YOU TO TOAST!!!! FANGS OF THE GOLD COBRA, ENGAGE!!!! I want to kill our project manager to this! just kiddin sanyi, you'z a great dude.

Dome: the tune has a nice groove to it. it's like a train.Dome: it don't stop

Li: and unless the last song changes it, this remains the best song on the cd in my humble opinion

Dome: it's like an anthem for the inevitabilty of death. oh, I like the bridge! first tune with a great bridge

Li: and we're sadly at nr 13

13. KILLER IN YOU (listen to it here)

Dome: and I appreciate the fact that it's short. 13. Wes. WEEEEES

Li: I like it but it feels like the vox drown out the guitars... and everything else. nice oldskool beat.

Dome: and that burpy, growly warwick streamer stage 1

Li: this rocks!!! man, this really rocks

Dome: not that bad. let's see where they take it

Li: it's been a flawed album but still heaps better than everything they put out since 2k1

Dome: I like the guitar works and the bass burps

Li: i was hoping for more catchiness but classic raprock is way better than pop. chorus really got me hooked. voice, rhythm section and guitars sync perfectly

Dome: and the slap delay on the vox is nice

Li: lay a mufucker on the curb!

Dome: nice guitars !!! I like these types of riffraffs

Li: wes still got it

Dome: fo' sho'

Li: YEAH!!!!: kill that mufucka!

Dome: yeeea... which mufucka?

Li: whicheva! freddie aint fuckin around with no subtle shit no mo kids.

Dome: ok

Li: aaaand we exit this mufucka olskool style

Dome: yeah. no long outro, thank god

Li: so, let's jump to conclusions

CONCLUSIONS

Dome: conclusions

Li: hey, I liked it. I expected way more catchiness and hits, but oldskool raprock bragadoccio works for me

Dome: well, I listened to it.

Li: Lyrics, I give a 6/10 domestos?

Dome: lyrics, 4/10 because of constant reusage and lack of content

Li: there were funny bits and freddy sure talked a lot and we couldnt pay attention to every lil thing he says; but yeah, lack of content, thats i think what bothered me most. i mean egging people on to start riots and party is nice, but gimme something to give a fuck about, fred! music - 9/10, cuz it was pretty much flawless, if repetitive here and there

Dome: yeah, the music is tight - props to the band, a solid 8 from my part

Li: not very catchy but then again I can actually appreciate that when it comes to Bizkit. so, 6 plus 4 plus 9 plus 8 divided by 4 makes a... ??

Dome: ...exactly.

Li: 6.75 according to windows calculator. which is unfair, really, cuz it's a solid album. I'd give it an 8.5 overall. and thats just cause freddy didnt do his homework

Dome: in conclusion, a pretty solid raprock record/comeback with nasty ass lyrics, lack of content and whiny vocals. and i mean that with the utmost lack of disrespect for Fred. he cool. he knows his thangs.

Li: yep. something to listen to in your car when you're mowing down pedestrians. just don't direct no movies no more, fred, cause longshots made me want to put my head in the oven

Dome: but, I cannot reiterate enough - the bizkits should be seen live.

Li: yes.

Dome: that's where they shine. that's where the lack of content fades away.

Li: anything you'd like to plug, since no one will read this crap anyway?

Dome: yeah. as you guyz know, I have some music of my own that nobody listens to so I thought it would be nice if more people didn't listen to it. Absurdcus - Raya

Li: haha

Li: I'd just like to add I still don't like APC but the Renholder remixes are pure fucking genius and I wholeheartedly recommend them.

Dome: props to Danny Lohner

Li: And you can check out my Fragile Bird (City and Colour) remix, and two of my Alicia Keys remixes - Fallin' and Butterflyz.

Dome: are we done?

Li: We done. Toodles! until next time, Dome and Li, signing off

Dome: bizow

Li: still limpin with the bizkit!

Dome: bizking with the dumplings, yo.

BONUS: The Gold Cobra vid, yo. Rockin and smashin. Ch-ch-chhhhuuuch!

General Washington's Negro Body-Servant

noreply@blogger.com (Li) — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 10:00:00 +0000

Hey world, how's it going? I've been meaning to blog a little lately, really I have, but I kept postponing, and, you know... hopefully I'll be real time reviewing Limp Bizkit's hot new album with my man Dome, but for the time being, since you've reached my blog (again?) and that certainly means you're really running out of reading material, why not indulge in a classic? My sister hooked me up with some neat Mark Twain related audio conferences, and I remembered I wanted to share something with you. This below is one of my fave Mark Twain shorts, one of the few pieces of literature that cracks me up on each reading, and it seems to me it's undeservedly obscure. Enjoy! Hope to be back soon (yeah, I know, I keep saying that...).

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General Washington's Negro Body-Servant
by Mark Twain

A Biographical Sketch

The stirring part of this celebrated colored man's life properly began with his death — that is to say, the notable features of his biography began with the first time he died. He had been little heard of up to that time, but since then we have never ceased to hear of him; we have never ceased to hear of him at stated, unfailing intervals. His was a most remarkable career, and I have thought that its history would make a valuable addition to our biographical literature. Therefore, I have carefully collated the materials for such a work, from authentic sources, and here present them to the public. I have rigidly excluded from these pages everything of a doubtful character, with the object in view of introducing my work into the schools for the instruction of the youth of my country.

The name of the famous body-servant of General Washington was George. After serving his illustrious master faithfully for half a century, and enjoying throughout his long term his high regard and confidence, it became his sorrowful duty at last to lay that beloved master to rest in his peaceful grave by the Potomac. Ten years afterward — in 1809 — full of years and honors, he died himself, mourned by all who knew him. The Boston GAZETTE of that date thus refers to the event:

George, the favorite body-servant of the lamented Washington, died in Richmond, Va., last Tuesday, at the ripe age of 95 years. His intellect was unimpaired, and his memory tenacious, up to within a few minutes of his decease. He was present at the second installation of Washington as President, and also at his funeral, and distinctly remembered all the prominent incidents connected with those noted events.

From this period we hear no more of the favorite body-servant of General Washington until May, 1825, at which time he died again. A Philadelphia paper thus speaks of the sad occurrence:

At Macon, Ga., last week, a colored man named George, who was the favorite body-servant of General Washington, died at the advanced age of 95 years. Up to within a few hours of his dissolution he was in full possession of all his faculties, and could distinctly recollect the second installation of Washington, his death and burial, the surrender of Cornwallis, the battle of Trenton, the griefs and hardships of Valley Forge, etc. Deceased was followed to the grave by the entire population of Macon.

O n the Fourth of July, 1830, and also of 1834 and 1836, the subject of this sketch was exhibited in great state upon the rostrum of the orator of the day, and in November of 1840 he died again. The St. Louis REPUBLICAN of the 25th of that month spoke as follows:

ANOTHER RELIC OF THE REVOLUTION GONE.

George, once the favorite body-servant of General Washington, died yesterday at the house of Mr. John Leavenworth in this city, at the venerable age of 95 years. He was in the full possession of his faculties up to the hour of his death, and distinctly recollected the first and second installations and death of President Washington, the surrender of Cornwallis, the battles of Trenton and Monmouth, the sufferings of the patriot army at Valley Forge, the proclamation of the Declaration of Independence, the speech of Patrick Henry in the Virginia House of Delegates, and many other old-time reminiscences of stirring interest. Few white men die lamented as was this aged negro. The funeral was very largely attended.

During the next ten or eleven years the subject of this sketch appeared at intervals at Fourth-of-July celebrations in various parts of the country, and was exhibited upon the rostrum with flattering success. But in the fall of 1855 he died again. The California papers thus speak of the event:

ANOTHER OLD HERO GONE

Died, at Dutch Flat, on the 7th of March, George (once the confidential body-servant of General Washington), at the great age of 95 years. His memory, which did not fail him till the last, was a wonderful storehouse of interesting reminiscences. He could distinctly recollect the first and second installations and death of President Washington, the surrender of Cornwallis, the battles of Trenton and Monmouth, and Bunker Hill, the proclamation of the Declaration of Independence, and Braddock's defeat. George was greatly respected in Dutch Flat, and it is estimated that there were 10,000 people present at his funeral.

T he last time the subject of this sketch died was in June, 1864; and until we learn the contrary, it is just to presume that he died permanently this time. The Michigan papers thus refer to the sorrowful event:

ANOTHER CHERISHED REMNANT OF THE REVOLUTION GONE

George, a colored man, and once the favorite body-servant of George Washington, died in Detroit last week, at the patriarchal age of 95 years. To the moment of his death his intellect was unclouded, and he could distinctly remember the first and second installations and death of Washington, the surrender of Cornwallis, the battles of Trenton and Monmouth, and Bunker Hill, the proclamation of the Declaration of Independence, Braddock's defeat, the throwing over of the tea in Boston harbor, and the landing of the Pilgrims. He died greatly respected, and was followed to the grave by a vast concourse of people.

The faithful old servant is gone! We shall never see him more until he turns up again. He has closed his long and splendid career of dissolution, for the present, and sleeps peacefully, as only they sleep who have earned their rest. He was in all respects a remarkable man. He held his age better than any celebrity that has figured in history; and the longer he lived the stronger and longer his memory grew. If he lives to die again, he will distinctly recollect the discovery of America.

The above résumé of his biography I believe to be substantially correct, although it is possible that he may have died once or twice in obscure places where the event failed of newspaper notoriety. One fault I find in all the notices of his death I have quoted, and this ought to be correct. In them he uniformly and impartially died at the age of 95. This could not have been. He might have done that once, or maybe twice, but he could not have continued it indefinitely. Allowing that when he first died, he died at the age of 95, he was 151 years old when he died last, in 1864. But his age did not keep pace with his recollections. When he died the last time, he distinctly remembered the landing of the Pilgrims, which took place in 1620. He must have been about twenty years old when he witnessed that event, wherefore it is safe to assert that the body-servant of General Washington was in the neighborhood of two hundred and sixty or seventy years old when he departed this life finally.

Having waited a proper length of time, to see if the subject of his sketch had gone from us reliably and irrevocably, I now publish his biography with confidence, and respectfully offer it to a mourning nation.

P.S. — I see by the papers that this infamous old fraud has just died again, in Arkansas. This makes six times that he is known to have died, and always in a new place. The death of Washington's body-servant has ceased to be a novelty; it's charm is gone; the people are tired of it; let it cease. This well-meaning but misguided negro has not put six different communities to the expense of burying him in state, and has swindled tens of thousands of people into following him to the grave under the delusion that a select and peculiar distinction was being conferred upon them. Let him stay buried for good now; and let that newspaper suffer the severest censure that shall ever, in all the future time, publish to the world that General Washington's favorite colored body-servant has died again.

Talking Funny

noreply@blogger.com (Li) — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 08:13:00 +0000

Hey guys. I'll be a man of very few words: Seinfeld, Ricky Gervais, Chris Rock and Louis CK, hanging around talking shit. It's fresh off the HBO press:

...and you can watch it below, actually courtesy of Gervais' own blog. How cool is that of him? You're welcome! Enjoy!

Ricky Gervais Is In 2d And I Had No Idea

noreply@blogger.com (Li) — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 11:30:00 +0000

Hello! I'm posting again.

So, lately I've been involved in an ultra-secret (:P) project that involves 2d animation similar to that kind that you and I love so much, dear reader (we do, right?), the likes of Dexter's lab and such, and had the time to dig around, discovering or remembering related stuff. Anyone remember Time Squad? How cool were they?

Gnarly, daddy-o

So anyway, yesterday night I'm flipping channels and there's Ricky Gervais on Hbo Comedy in cartoon form!

Look, it's Barney Rubble. Wait, it's Ricky.

Yeah. I'm guessing most of the world was aware of that - I wasn't - I mean I knew about how successful his podcast was but how come no one told me it was animated? And in a groovy way too?

Anyways, you can stream it here on vplay.ro (free account required). And you know how you can tell I'm not getting paid to advertise their site? Google Chrome can totally help you kinda semi-hack their waiting system - if you're not a paying member, you have to wait for like 20 mins before you can watch an episode, and can't have several counting down at the same time. Well, your buddies @Google got that covered: simply go into super undercover secret agent mode (press Alt-Shift-N in Chrome and the super undercover secret agent new page pops up) and voila - count down as many as you like in just 20 mins. Yeah, I know, I should write lifehacks books.

Ok, back to animating. See ya!

Romanian Movie

noreply@blogger.com (Li) — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 14:21:00 +0000

So, I made an animation.

Props to my caucasian Dome for the sounds.

How The World Has Changed

noreply@blogger.com (Li) — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 10:01:00 +0000

Just a quickie. You know how people always say "this is how the world has changed", and it's usually negative? I'm all for progress and stuff.

But really.

This is how the world has changed.

To quote my sister, "no brainer"
(Not a miss-related pun, mind you!)

You can like Claudine Auger over here on facebook. She's 70 years old now.

2010 - Not Such A Hard Act To Follow

noreply@blogger.com (Li) — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 21:31:00 +0000

Hello, world!

So, 2010. Could've been better. A whole lot better. Heaps better. Did some good stuff, did some bad stuff, did some really stupid stuff. But hey, at least I actually got a vacation in '10. Two of'em, actually!

Summer:

Favorite city, favorite kitty

Fuck you , world

This is Gino. He is Italian cat.

I actually payed a guy on a vespa to paint that for my girl.

See, he ran out of paint towards the end

Winter:

Xmas destruction mode engaged

Objectives completed:

See Therapy? live - check

Only guy in crowd to sing along? Pick me, pick me!

See Korn? live - chickitty-check

Can't find pic, sorry

So, summing up, went to my other favorite country in the world (so far) again, saw kick ass bands live, and spent xmas with my baby and my kitteh and a constant flow of friends and board games and De Funes movies and cocktails and going to bed so late I'm still barely recovering from that.

House-wise, didn't finish the shelves yet. Or the tv console. Or the coffee table. I guess those are the risks of DIY. Well, actually PTBHAFWDIHFY (Pretend to be helping a friend who does it himself for you). Fucking shelves hanging over my back for nearly a year now, unfortunately in a very figurative way.

Drank more alcohol in the last 10 days of 2010 than prolly 2009 and 2010 combined. And no, it wasn't buckets of it. Note to self: start acting own age and drink obligatory alcoholic beverage when arriving at home. Ah, the sound of ice cubes hitting against the glass as you loosen your tie. Note to self: buy tie.

What else - My kitty is really big now. In case I hadn't mentioned it, we've had her since she was 2, this bundle of joy:

Hello. I R small Yumi. Pls to giv fewd?

Now she's turned into this:

Hi. I'm big Yumi. Fewd!

What else - car got hit by a taxi driver. He was leaving a parking space 2 meters away. Cracked my left rear view mirror while mysteriously shattering his right window. Fixing that tomorrow, it was fun having a kaleidoscope for a mirror for a while. Totally unpractical and unsafe; fun nonetheless.

Lost 2 kgs since New Years. On pretty cool diet my girl found online. Goodbye sugars. Goodbye Coke and Pepsi. Goodbye Pepsi. Goodbye rice, goodbye taters. Hello, cheese and ham. Ain't that bad, really. Was supposed to ditch coffee, too, but that's just pushing it.

2011 objectives:

- finish Amberskin album. Haha, who am I kidding...
- lose weight, gain sexiness.
- finish shelves, escape vacuuming around stacked books Acropolis.
- post more blogs. Been meaning to, didn't really have the disposition.
- think of 2012 objectives ahead.
- watch more De Funes movies.
- finish Red Dead Redemption side quest I abandoned last year.
- watch all De Funes movies.
- learn ProTools. Yeah, right.
- bored of this list. End of transmission. Stay safe and healthy!

PS Last but deffo not least, a very very very happy birthday to my Camibunny, who turns 21 today! Love ya!

Sex And Candy

noreply@blogger.com (Li) — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 10:48:00 +0000

Don't get all hot and bothered, guys, it's just the name of a 90s alt rock mega hit that's up for remixing, and, guess what, your truly's done it again.

Maybe, if you're past your 20s, you'll remember this particular video and that chorus that just creeps up in your ear and won't go away

And here's my rendition of it.

Keepin it real! And all that. Now, back to work on my Ace Of Base remix. I'm dead serious.

Satellite Mind

noreply@blogger.com (Li) — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 09:10:00 +0000

Hay guys whatsup? This mah latest remix of a band called Metric I hadn't heard of prior to said remixing. Wish me luck and throw a vote my way if ya digs (right now I'm on #24 of 100something).

Who knows, maybe one day I'll have some time to tell the world what else I've been up to. Who knows... :)

God bless

Hrusca Returns

noreply@blogger.com (Li) — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 12:10:00 +0000

He's back. Like every year.

stop! hrusca time from Liviu B on Vimeo.

Pendulum - The Island Remix Competition

noreply@blogger.com (Li) — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 09:06:00 +0000

"Oy there, mate"

Yes, you guessed it, my entry for the remix comp. Let the record show, I love Pendulum. I don't love deep house. Actually there are very few four to the floor tracks I can bare now, most of them being goa trance - that struck a deep chord when I was a youngsta and now it's there forever with me. So, of all their new great songs off Immersion, they just had to pick the ibiza one to be remixed. Luckily, these guys are like the Linkin Parks of electronic music, as in they can write a hook and a lead, I'll tell you that!

Here's my take on it:

Pendulum - the island (li boar's underwater sunrise remix) by Li Boar

And here's the original:

Thanks for your undivided attention. Signing off. Fingers crossed for your bwoi!

My Cat.

noreply@blogger.com (Li) — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 11:55:00 +0000

This mah cat. She craaayzeh.
:)

Yumi Gin Original Ninja from Liviu B on Vimeo.

Have a nice week!

Linkin Park - A Thousand Suns - The Yahoo Messenger Review

noreply@blogger.com (Li) — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 09:11:00 +0000

So, like the evil people that we are, me and mr Dome got our hands on the leaked copy of Linkin Park's new album, A Thousand Suns a whole 5 days before its official launch, and reviewed it in real time, via yahoo messenger. Convo and links below. Ch-ch-chuuuch!

TRACK 1 - THE REQUIEM

listen to it here

Dome: ok
Li: so, we're now on track 1
Li: the requiem
Dome: track one
Li: sounds like al quaeda slowly coming at us on spaceships
Dome: ambientic frantic chanting
Li: whole lotta wailin goin on
Li: it's a wailers tribute
Li: oH MY!
Li: it's that thing
Dome: what is is this
Li: they call a leitmotivf
Li: leitmotif
Dome: oh
Li: this is epic
Dome: is baby chester !
Li: EPIC I TELL YOU
Li: hahaa
Li: i could really use a guitar here

TRACK 2 - THE RADIANCE

listen to it here

Li: ok track 2
Li: the radiance
Li: nothing's kicked in yet
Li: did that guy say Vishnu?
Dome: i think he said something about duty
Li: uhm
Li: ok, track 2 ovr
Dome: destroyer of worlds !
Li: no song yet
Li: this is fluffy. he is the destroyer of worlds.
Dome: it's like a 3 minute intro

TRACK 3 - BURNING IN THE SKIES

listen to it here

Li: track 3! burning in the skies
Dome: ok
Li: we get a piano
Dome: piano
Dome: something familiar
Li: we like piano
Li: oh here comes the beat
Li: tapping my foot
Dome: is that an acoustic guitar?
Dome: blood of innocent burning in the stars
Dome: ocean of debirs
Dome: debris
Dome: kinda bleak picture
Li: this is something like pendulum without the two step pattern
Li: which is silly, really
Dome: apocalyptic pop with major chords
Li: I kinda dig it, but speaking of Pendulum, thus far they rock a lot mo' than the new LP
Dome: wörd
Li: it's like hoobastank discovering the MPC
Li: GUITAR!!!!
Dome: wait
Dome: electric !
Dome: with drive !
Li: on a disco beat!
Dome: and acoustic drums
Li: again with the burning bridges metaphor
Li: not that I haven't used it but this is ridiculous

TRACK 4 - EMPTY SPACES

listen to it here

Li: track 4 already? empty spaces
Dome: up till now it's like the linkin park content redesigned by a swedish webdesigner
Dome: whoa

TRACK 5 - WHEN THEY COME FOR ME

listen to it here

Dome: no5
Li: haha
Dome: interesting electrobass riff
Li: oh, this was in that video
Li: I kinda dug it
Li: dude
Li: wait
Dome: tribal drums
Li: start track 5 over, I accidentally misclicked
Dome: ok
Li: 3
Li: 2
Li: 1
Li: go
Dome: done
Li: I'm totally diggin the bass stab
Li: and the beat
Dome: has a nice swing to it
Li: yeah, like africans on ecstasy
Dome: yeah
Li: afrika bambaataa!!!
Li: RAPPING!!!
Dome: i like
Li: rapping is officially cool again
Dome: haz groove
Li: on rock records, that is
Li: so far this is my favorite.
Li: IM NOT A ROBOT
Li: IM NOT A MONKEY
Li: so far my fave lyrics
Dome: whoa
Dome: aaaa aaaa aaaa
Li: did he just say drink and drive motherfucker?
Dome: don't know
Li: chuck said an uzzi aint a motherfuckin gun?
Dome: definitely heard like 3-4 'motherfucker's
Li: oh nice arp
Dome: hello chester
Li: and here comes the linkin park build uuuup
Li: you better give us folks a distorted guitar heereee
Li: ...nope
Dome: nope
Dome: is there guitar in this at all?
Li: I think my senior relatives can dance to this too
Dome: cuz I can't tell
Li: yep, I can hear it in the background
Li: I think brad was in the otehr room jamming to this
Dome: maybe that electro bass stab is guitar
Dome: synth
Li: fl slayer for the win
Dome: I'm trying to figure out who's playing what
Dome: piano !

TRACK 6 - ROBOT BOY

listen to it here

Li: track 6 already. robot boy
Dome: no6
Li: alriiight
Li: schumman up in this biaatch
Dome: sounds like gospel
Dome: the choir
Li: afro electro gospel
Dome: I'm expecting someone to start preachin'
Li: I think the drummer really enjoyed making this album
Dome: hehe
Li: jornada del muerto better have some motherfucking overdriven guitars!
Li: cuz so far it's a kumbayafest
Dome: Muerto definitely sounds appealling
Li: not that there's anything wrong with that
Li: dude, I think I can now safely say your remix was 150% more linkin park than this
Dome: so far it's like all the guitarless songs from the last records weirded up and electrofied to the bone
Dome: yeah, I've already been told
Li: I'm telling you, it's the pendulum fad, kicking in late overseas
Li: but it's a nice song to end a gig with, everyone waving and tears rolling down cheeks and all that
Dome: that synth lead in the background is not that bad
Dome: yea
Li: it's cool
Li: it's like a ship leaving into the sunset song
Li: ok here comes nr 7.. JORNADA DEL MUERTO

TRACK 7 - JORNADA DEL MUERTO

listen to it here

Dome: let's see jornada del muerto
Li: *dramatic trumpets?
Li: nope
Li: it's the same fucking song, but in spanish
Dome: i think it's japanese, dude
Dome:
Li: oh
Li: my
Li: I like the synth lead
Dome: bulid up !
Li: let down
Li: .
Dome: come on ! guitars pleease !
Dome: damn
Li: that was it

TRACK 8 - WAITING FOR THE END

listen to it here

Li: ok.. track 8
Dome: wait !
Li: waiting for the end
Li: GUITAR!
Dome: is that a guitar?
Li: its there in the background
Li: could be!
Dome: hiphop beat !
Li: yeah!
Dome: could be good !
Li: I'm bopping my head
Dome: wait
Dome: yeah !
Dome: i like !
Dome: chester sings like
Li: voice melody sounds like friggin flypside
Dome: hmm
Dome: is like something from the 60ties
Li: so far it's a real nice electropop album you can play to yo' gran momma too
Dome: beach boys !!!!
Dome: srsly
Dome: something like the beach boys melodies
Dome: imagine this with some slide guitar
Dome: and a KOKOMO chorus
Dome: but I dig the Shinoda part
Li: this some tiki shit right here
Li: well at least no one will give'em shit for trying to act metal
Dome: yeah
Li: oh CRAP! it's a GUITAR!
Dome: I'm not that sure
Dome:
Li: they're on some walk into the light shit
Dome: dude

TRACK 9 - BLACKOUT

listen to it here

Dome: no9
Dome: Blackout
Dome: this could be the rock track !
Dome: sounds like a ROCK songtitle
Li: it's like nine inch nails at 2x speed
Li: without the guitars
Dome: at least chester screams
Dome: it's kinda weird
Li: dude, screaming over major piano chords is just wrong
Dome: slow piano with the 4drop drumbeat
Dome: weird
Dome: and that break
Dome: wasn;'t expecting it
Li: I mean you could easily spin this in retirement homes
Li: NUMETAL!
Li: holy crap
Li: it's numetal
Dome: where?
Li: let's see how long it lastas
Dome: i think this was it
Li: yep, that was it
Li: I guess they were popping happy pills and listening to a lot of genesis
Dome: dude
Dome: genesis was ahead of its time

TRACK 10 - WRETCHES AND KINGS

listen to it here

Li: track 10
Dome: haa
Li: wretches and kings
Dome: i know this voxover
Dome: Cog used this on their Sharing Space album
Li: beat is awsome so far
Li: oh FUCK
Li: this hits hard
Dome: yea
Li: dubstep of all genres
Li: ooh, public enemy reference
Dome: ye
Dome: so far the Shinoda rap parts were the highlight of the record for me
Dome: whoa
Li: same here
Dome: wait
Li: beats, too
Li: no, no
Li: this is actually fucking kick ass
Dome: Chester sounded David Drayman in the chorus
Dome: or what's his name
Dome: taht disturbed dude
Li: yeah, it's that weird diction thing
Dome: the phrasing
Dome: ye
Li: like he's biting into the lyrics
Li: oh, self-reference
Dome: I like this track the most till now
Li: ditto
Dome: got some mean groove
Dome: the voxover dude is Mario Savio
Dome: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mario_Savio
Li: mr hahn finally making an appearance onthe wheels of steel

TRACK 11 - WISDOM, JUSTICE AND LOVE

listen to it here

Li: we're now at track 11, people
Li: woah, this really IS gospel
Li: literally
Li: is this MLK?
Li: yep
Dome: martin luther king jr
Li: sounding like baphomet right about now
Li: I really dug this segue or whatever this is

TRACK 12 - IRIDESCENT

listen to it here

Li: track 12. iridescent
Dome: lotsa tracks on this 47:48 min record
Li: so far I'm really liking the feel of the album but a bit too much major chord load for me
Li: Imean I'm all for optimism but here and there it sounds like a really happy a-ha
Dome: yeah
Li: no, actually this song is yet another u2 tribute
Dome: has a bit u2 ishness
Li: just like shadow of the day
Dome: the 16ths
Li: I guess they'll have brad grabbing a synth if they'll ever play these live
Dome: guitar !
Dome: distorted !
Li: TURN IT UP, RICK!
Li: TURN IT UP!
Li: oh, I saw this coming
Li: for real
Dome: strum it Brad !!
Li: it's the united nations choir!
Dome: yee
Li: freedom innah afreekaah
Dome: )
Li: ladies and gents, we now have a little rockin' goin on!
Dome: yeah, i'm picturing a buncha robe wearing mofos swingin back and forth
Li: and reverend chester preachin, nigga, preachin
Li: and bono's leaning against the church door going "and so the legacy lives on"
Li: wiping a tear away
Li: feeding a somali kid twinkies

TRACK 13 - FALLOUT

listen to it here

Dome: this sounds menacing
Li: we have now reached track 13
Li: no..you just want it to
Li: it just sounds dark-happy
Dome: it sounded menacing till the vocoder came in
Dome: what's up with all the major chords
Dome: weird vibe
Li: I dunno but it's over already
Dome: menacing happy

TRACK 14 - THE CATALYST

listen to it here

Li: and we're at track 14, people
Dome: 14 !
Li: the one we remixed
Dome: already?
Li: yeah
Dome: yay !
Dome: can I listen to my own version instead of this?
Li: at least we know the lyrics
Dome: yeah
Dome: I think that's a bass
Dome: right?
Dome: a real bass, I mean
Li: TWO SYMPHONIES OF BLINDING LIIIIGHT
Li: hey at least they kept the lyrics standard up
Dome: yeah
Li: I'm not being sarcastic, they have
Li: now this beat
Li: is really fucked up
Li: I dunno
Li: it doesn't do it for me
Dome: it's like
Dome: we have this.. .now let's fuck it up with some fucked up beat
Li: this song just tricks you into thinking it's gonna start hitting hard, and it never really does
Dome: I'm all for experimenting and all
Dome: but where's the climax?
Li: me too, but this is as far from linkin park as they could get
Dome: it's like almost having an orgasm
Li: it's like pulling out right when you're about to cum
Dome:
Li: and starting all over again
Dome: my dick hurts from this album
Dome: fo' real
Li: not gonna comment on that
Li: but wait
Li: this part, I like
Dome: yeah
Li: lift me uuuuuuup
Li: nanananaaa
Dome: gospelishness
Li: play it in yo' pastor's SUV!
Dome: robe wearing mofos clapping again
Li: it's like the skies are opening
Li: and chester's getting lifted into a huge cross-shaped spaceship
Dome: yay
Li: by an alien gospel community
Dome: )
Li: and he's blowing kisses goodbye

TRACK 15 - THE MESSENGER

listen to it here

Li: and so we reach the final track
Li: what nr is this?
Dome: and the shuttle door closes and he gets a probe shoved up his ass
Li: hahaa
Dome: 15
Dome: acoustic
Dome: this sounds like a song
Li: I like!
Li: haha, it does
Li: sing it, chestah!
Dome: the mic distorts
Li: sing yo' ass off
Dome: cool !
Li: i love this
Li: my lighter's in the air
Li: this some everybody hurts shit
Dome: yee
Li: dude's got some serious voice
Li: no doubting that
Li: we can safely say this is a hell of an lp to play if you're recovering
Li: from an accident, a broken heart
Li: rehab, you know
Li: stabbing someone
Dome: yeah
Li: listening to too much death metal
Li: hey, I liked it overall
Li: it'll go shuffling right into my sting/ u2 playlist
Dome: iz like you listen to this when you just converted to another religion, like scientology
Li:
Dome: back to some aussie music
Li: dude
Li: let's jump to conclusions
Li: it's a nice, epic pop lp
Dome: LP rocks but not that much on this record
Li: yeah, they pretty much gospel on this one
Li: but it's nice
Li: I doubt I'll spin it as much as minutes to midnight
Dome: highlight of the album - definitely Wretches and Kings
Li: yep
Li: I also dug Wisdom, Justince and love
Li: ok that's it
Li: bye people!
Li: buy the album
Li: if you're into like phil collins and aphex twin
Dome: buy it ! support the artist !
Dome: if you won't buy it maybe they won't be able to make a comeback with the next one
Li: word!
Li: peace out
Dome: pax vobiscum
Dome: my back hurts

ALRIGHT THEN.

That was the review. Now you can check out my Catalyst remix here and Dome's here.
Peace to the gods and earths

Therapy? and KoRn Live, Baby!

noreply@blogger.com (Li) — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 11:42:00 +0000

SKIP THE INTRODUCTION

Soooo, has it been a year? Yep. A year and a month, to be exact, and boy did that month make a difference. The yearly peninsular festivities - something I've gone from enjoying to being crazy about in just 2 editions - took a turn for the worst, weather wise. As in it fucking turned autumn in the middle of the thing - Saturday, to be exact. But I wasn't there to witness that live. No, no, no, young bucky, it was the comfort of a cozy bar over Europe and other has beens for me - I did miss Tricky though, a dude I dig if you ask me, but have me name one song of his and, well, you get the picture.

Sooo, day one! That's a day I'd planned to skip, along with the other one and the one coming after that one. As it's a habit here in good ol' Romania, we're something like a bump in the road for most bands, so you'll have this festival, which we'll label A, and my favorite band, which we'll conveniently name B, and B is driving towards C ( C for Come here often, hold on, I'll explain in a minute) and suddenly B gets a call from A saying heeeey, B, how bout dropping by? So they'll check their schedule and go "alright". In comes the D factor, represented by yours truly, that was only going to pay for 1/4 of A, and suddenly B is playing A! I really tried simplifying the explanation, did it work? Therapy? was only announced a little over a week before Peninsula's opening. Now I'm so broke I can't pay my utilites. I just borrowed money for my kitty's vaccine. So it goes.

I have to say, if I think about it, it's a little bit freaky. Therapy? are my current favorite rock band ever (battling Chevelle for the spot, tbh), and KoRn were my favorite band in the whole wide world a dozen years ago. Then, suddenly, it's 2010 and they play my home town. Which is Nowhereville, Europe, population 120k. Talk about surrealism. Just a few years ago you could convince anyone of my buddies and I that chances of converting the whole Nation of Islam to the Jehova Witness Protection Program were substantially bigger than KoRn playing Tirgu-Mures, Romania. Then, I leave work on my scooter right at the beginning of a thunderstorm and a tree branch totals a coworker's car, right in the spot I was in a few seconds earlier. A few days later, I almost choke to death on cherry cream. Isn't this a little bit too much like things coming full circle?

Neah.

Anyway, Therapy?.

THERAPY?

Wanna turn 45 juuuust like this

As it's always the case with me when something big and positive's coming up, I go and get myself so sick a few days before magic Thursday that I wasn't even convinced I'd be there in the moshpit. Thursday morning, I'm giving blood and leaning against walls collapsing on top of me on hospital halls. A few hours later I'm still drowsy as fuck, and entering festival grounds. Still, I'm human, not dancer like some faggots would have you believe, so you know that little organism of yours has some ace up its sleeve just in case emergencies happen. Apparently, mine really understood how important this was for me and injected some feelgood juice into the ol' engine. As soon as my adidas stomped holy, beer can ridden moshpit land, it was like a thousand raging bull gods on steroids transcended off of crumpled Red Bull labels into reality and pumped me up like I was Schwarzie dumping on the bad guys.

And then, there was Therapy.

Me and Mr. McKeegan

For a few songs, I didn't even look back, and when I did, I wish I hadn't. I'm really, really hoping me, Roxa and Bogdi weren't the only fans around to witness the oirish posse in action, but you know what Slipknot said on their last album.

But fuck that, right? I was there, 1st row, 1st line of defense, jumping up and down throughout the whole set, right in front of Michael, and it didn't take him long to notice me singing along to every fucking lyric. They say Andy even shouted something at me but my mind was in rock n roll heaven at the moment. Did I say every lyric? I lied. With T?'s back catalog, you can't know them all. You just can't. They played a bunch of Crooked Timber numbers, then we had Stories, Epilepsy, Long Distance, Die Like A Motherfucker... and kept the evergreens for the grand finale.

It hurt a little bit to see how little known they were to the audience. It was fucking saddening when Andy introduced this song by ironically telling the crowd it was music to fuck to, maybe expecting a little bit of response, either way the crowd took it. I don't even wanna think about that. But it was nice to hear a BUNCH of people chanting "James Joyce is fucking my sister" along with the band, which leads me to believe at least folks here got their classics of universal literature right, right? Riiiiight.

That's me jumping up and down in the lower left corner,
right by Michael's feet, from 0:22 on

The gig was everything I expected it to be, and a little bit more. Well, I did stand around almost pointlessly for an hour waiting for the guys' autographs, in the newly arrived fucking COLD, and they did happen (proof below), but Irish people gon' be Irish, right? Cause all I got in response when I called out Andy's name as they were entering the van was a muted yoohoo and a bottle of booze shaken about and by the time he got inside the car he was probably already asleep. But hey, cut the guy some slack, he's 45, what ya gonna do...

Eventually, the lads came through

And you know what I loved about them? Not the fact that they actually knew where they were and pronounced Romania, Tg-Mures, etc correctly. Nope. I loved the fact that they were aware of the transylvanian political context, and Andy said something along the lines of "hey, romanians and hungarians... I'm irish, Michael is Irish, and him (pointing at Neil), he is british". Wink wink nudge nudge. That was really nice of them, and a nice thought in itself, but it was like buying seals fancy Skullcandy headphones. They might nod their heads and act all cool and everything, but the damned things keep falling off 'cause they HAVE NO GOD DAMNED EARS.

Live Therapy? was plain and simple one of the highlights of my life, as I had previously assumed. In the grand diagram of things, let's hope we turn into C, as in Come here often. My fingers are crossed.

KORN

And everyone's like, "oh, that's the Angelina Jolie song, right?"

I'm sure I've mentioned before what a huge fan I was, how when I was 16 I painted the white logo on a black background on my wall using oil colors and ruined all my pajamas and bed linen on a constant basis until my mom couldn't take it anymore and scraped it off, which was fine 'cos I had already moved on to the Deftones... all that junk. Me and my man Barbu were the biggest KoRn fans we knew, and that was a lot, seen that most of our friends were metalheads and a lot of them had already started jumping on the numetal hating bandwagon.

So there we were, more than a decade later, brimming with anticipation in the crowd, waiting for the ligths to go down and the skies to crack open and... ok I'm bullshitting y'all. It's really a little sad. Yeah, we were happy, we were excited right before the show started and all, but by the time the 3rd song had started, I was already meh'd out. Let a white boy tell ya why. This is the setlist:

Right Now
Here to Stay
Did My Time
Oildale (Leave Me Alone)
Falling Away From Me
Let the Guilt Go
Somebody Someone
Throw Me Away
Helmet in the Bush
Freak on a Leash
Blind
Shoots and Ladders / One
Clown
Got the Life

Meaning:

YYYEAH! KORN! OMFG!
Yyyyeaaah!
Yeah...
Meh
FUCK YEAH!
Aw, man, this is crap, hold this, I gotta go pee
YEAH! *singing along*
I wonder if I turned the gas off when I made that coffee
OH
GOD
THIS CAN'T BE REAL
OH MY GOD IT'S KORN
HOLY CRAP CAN'T CATCH BREATH
YYYYYYYYEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHhhhhh ( to be continued).

Nightwolf wins. Fatality.

It's really, really simple. KoRn is a textbook example of a band that should've quit while they were ahead. Three awesome albums, another real good one, and another 4 that are absolutely passable, even plain garbage by earlier standards. Still! The live show kicked ass. The classics were fucking amazing, and I still got muscle pain from that. Jon was really cool, the band put on a really tight live show, and when it was all over I really got the impression they dug their first Romanian crowd experience. A decade too late, but hey, better late than never.

But this ain't KoRn, jack. Nope. This is not the KoRn I loved and wanted.

It all started going downhill with the Untouchables album, that was them trying to be Pink Floyd or some shit, I dunno, fact is that's when I stopped caring. Then Head went the Jesus way - good for him! - then Dave left... and now it's like watching a crippled kangaroo on spring stilts. It still hops around and you remember the magnificent animal it once was, but it's a sad sight, really. That replacement guitarist was something like a crossover between a.. wait a minute, I can't even go there. I couldn't even make him out on stage. He could've been a cardboard cutout for all I knew and saw.

But don't get me started on the friggin' drummer.

I'm a Luzier, baby, so why dontcha kill meeh

You know, sometimes I think people just plain lose their fucking minds and identities. 'Cause I loved KoRn, among other things, for the fact that there wasn't any stupid ass parading of craftsmanship in their music - no fucking solos, just methed out crazy motherfuckers making their guitars bark and squeal and a whole lot of grooving and aggression coming from the rhythm section (hey, that rhymes!), and THAT'S how they revolutionized rock/metal back in the 90s.

But now... now they got this guy called Ray Luzier. That's right, read his name out loud, that's exactly what he is. Nah, actually, he should change his family name to Dewshbaggue. This fucking guy is acting like a total fucking ATTENTION WHORE that he is, and he's flipping his sticks around every 4 beats, and we're all like, what the FUCK is this, Manowar? And then he gets an intermission drum solo. Then another one. And so it fucking went throughout the whole fucking show, every KoRn classic I knew and loved re-arranged so that mister Kid Rock's retarded half cousing looking motherfucker could impress the audience with his skeeellz, baybeh. Hey asshole, if I wanted that, I'd've stuck it out with Europe Saturday. This guy single handedly ruins my first ever KoRn gig. I'd say this was like having Van Halen's drummer filling in the position in KoRn, but guess what, THAT'S EXACTLY THE CASE. This guy's previous employer was David Lee fucking Roth, who btw I think is a great guy, but gimme a fucking BREAK here! That's like having Head play in Diana Ross's band or some shit. Fuck. I had to get that off my chest. Fuck you, mr Luzier, and whoever recommended you, too.

Jon, if you're reading this - I know you get a lot of shit from fans, and tbh you damn' well deserve it... fire this loser, get Dave behind the drums again, or at least some decent guy with an ego smaller than the size of Texas, get Head back, do one more album and one more world tour and then gloriously retire. And call me soon, I'm'a demo some shit for you, exclusively. You crazy person lookin, track suit wearin motherfucker.

That's what I'm talkin bout!

AND THAT'S IT

You know, it's a little bit weird. I did see most of my favorite bands ever by having to move my ass around the continent, but when God starts throwing bands like NIN, the Prodge, Therapy? and KoRn at you in your own home, it's time to start considering it a sign. So, the way I see it, Jesus wants me to rock and roll some more! And that means you too, anonymous reader. And Saint Peter said some hiphop's good for the soul, too, as long as you realize we ain't really shootin niggaz and slapping bitchez, we jus playin, ladies. Have a rockin' autumn. God, that sounds sadder than I meant it.

Bonus pic: the dude from Gorillaz Sound System. I think.

Videos courtesy of my man Domesticus, pics as well, plus some of Johnny's.

Nice job if you read the whole thing.

You know, I can just go on and on.

And on.

I still have some crazy videos of me slam dancing at the KoRn gig.

But really, are you interested?

I'm just another dude, you know, moshing.

Except I'm almost 30 by now.

Ok, maybe I'll post them later.

Fuck outta here.

And With Every Tear A Dream

noreply@blogger.com (Li) — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 10:32:00 +0000

Therapy? gig yesterday night. Friggin' amazing. I'll be back with a post on that, with pics and vids and everything. But until then, on a totally unrelated note, I remembered this great song by a band I don't listen to anymore for years now. We get so little music with great lyrics nowadays... and this one's a masterpiece when it comes to what Edlund is whispering.

Great song. That is, if you're constantly hurting and depressed. Hell no I'm not depressed - I just saw Therapy? live for the first time, after 15 years of listening to their irish asses. But my back has been killing me, so there you go, I hope you enjoy the sounds and words as much as I do. I remember listening to this when I was a teen, along with KoRn and Coal Chamber, back when people could give a fuck less about who should hate what kind of music, and we were thirsty for that distorted guitar, whatever the hell kinda genre it was screaming at us.

First doom metal video on the blog - wooooo! Grab your cup of psilocybe tea and slit your veins to this one, folks.

Decoction of Jimsonweed
Slimy trailing plants distil
Claustrophobia and blood mixed seed
Cursed downstairs against my will
Cobweb sticks to molten years
Cockroaches served with cream
I wipe the silver bullet tears
And with every tear a dream...

With every tear a dream

Honey tea, psilocybe larvae
Honeymoon, silver spoon
Psilocybe tea

Energy trickles with the tide
Masterminds and the suicide squad
Drink acid water by my side
Stake the saviour of thier daily fraud
Overfilled toothpaste tubes
Sleepless and timeless faces
Drippety drop on sugarcubes
The one eyed's eye twinkles and gazes...

Twinkles and gazes

Honey tea, psilocybe larvae
Honeymoon, silver spoon
Psilocybe tea

Rock You Monkeys - Therapy? In Tirgu-Mures!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Li) — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 11:45:00 +0000

To paraphrase and contradict Andy Cairns himself, all you non-believers can kiss my ass. God does exist.

Yes, Therapy? are playing Peninsula, Tirgu-Mures, Romania.

That's where I live, muthafucka!!!

Hi, we're Therapy? and we'll be playing in Li's back yard this summer
'cos he's a real good friend of ours and an awesome dude, too

It's a little weird when people see I'm so excited and ask me to IM them over some Therapy? mp3 so they can get an idea of what's in store on August 26th. I think I can call myself a die hard fan and I have no idea what's in store for that night, either. Just check out their discography. These guys have covered so much ground in every direction possible and been so influential and eclectic, they're almost undescribable - every other album is almost the exact opposite of the previous... How many bands can you name to which both the "noise" and "pop punk" labels apply almost equally, and yet they're none of the two?

Speaking of discography, have you ever loved a band so much that you hold out on an album they released years ago and not ever listen to it, saving it for that time when you're craving something fresh from that band? I did that with the final song on Chevelle's "Sci Fi Crimes" last year, for 3 or 4 months, and it turned out I really saved the best for last.

Now, Chevelle and Therapy? are my favorite rock bands ever, without a doubt.

I can proudly say I've saved 3 entire T? albums for later listening (ok, with the possible exception of shuffle-related incidents). Like a fine french wine from the 17th century you keep in your cellar just in case there's something amazing to celebrate.

Today I pop "Shameless" open.

And I'll leave you with T?'s latest chef d'oeuvre of a song and video, off of their homonimous, amazing latest album, "Crooked Timber".

Therapy?—Crooked Timber from Therapy? on Vimeo.

I'm re-reading this and no, it doesn't by far convey the level of dopamine, serotonine and andrenaline I'm experiencing right now. I really, really thought it couldn't get better than NIN and Prodigy in my hometown. Apparently, it can!

And btw KoRn are playing the same festival. About 12 years ago I would've laughed my ass off if someone told me they'd play good old Tirgu-Mures, Ro. About 10 years ago I couldn't see them in Budapest because of my high school grad exams. Now they're playing here, about 1 km away from where I'm writing this, and I really, really couldn't care less. Oh, how the mighty have fallen! It's also been 10 years since they last put out a decent album, and I already saw Jon Davis live. But heck, that's pretty cool, too.

Getting ready for another one of the highlights of my life.

GOD IS GREAT!

End Of Me

noreply@blogger.com (Li) — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 11:56:00 +0000

Not really the end of me. And definitely not Gavin's.

I can't say I'd ever include Apocalyptica in my best of's, to me they always were nothing more than a novelty cover band, so I think this is their first personal effort I'm checking out, evidently because my hero's singing over it. STILL! I was really positively surprised by how fresh and bangin' the song sounds.

Apocalyptica: End of Me (feat. Gavin Rossdale) from Bruzsy on Vimeo.

And as a bonus, here's the making of.

New Bush album this fall!

Can't. Wait.

How To Write A Song That's Been Already Written And Still Be Cool And Get Mad Props Yo

noreply@blogger.com (Li) — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 12:11:00 +0000

Black Light Burns - wikipedia calls it an industrial rock supergroup, which is a bit funny/weird since it's nothing more than Wes Borland's other (read main) creative outlet other than Limp Bizkit ( I've written a post about him here). But I guess whatever band NIN members play in might be called a supergroup.

BLB, ready for that coal miner convention down the street

Clubroot is a dubstep producer from England I found out about via Therapy?'s Andy Cairne's 2009 best of. I can't say I'm a big fan of the genre, and I'm pretty amazed at how it just swept drum and bass right off the throne, but I diggs, ya dig? It's just weird that it's gotten so big, because, let's face it, this is supposed to be dance music, right? While jungle is still the thing that's most likely to get me moving on a dancefloor (although I've been avoiding them for a few years now, since blending in with 16yolds ain't that fun no mo'), drum and bass is still as close to the roots as you can get these days. For the non-conaisseur ,dubstep = those slow, fucked up beats with the weird, gargling syncopated bass lines that rumble about your belly like they were exercise machine vibrations.

This is Clubroot. Or so claims the Googel.

Anyway.

These two apparently un-related musical projects share a song. A cool ass song. Originally written by Black Light Burns, published 2007 (the "Cruel Melody" album). Re-iterated by Clubroot in 2009 AD, and the catch is that I'm convinced the brit never even listened to Borland's band. Now, I could be right. Meaning it's great and weird and great that two musicians would create the same friggin' theme and beautifully render it in such different ways using such different sound.

And I could be wrong and then we'd just call it a remix, cuz that's okay, right? Let's stop being hypocritical. I'm telling that to myself. I'm always unintentionally on the lookout for sound-alike songs, and screw me this time, these are two bits of music that sound very much alike and I'd rather clap my hands than point my fingers.

That, and the fact that they're basically revolving around 2 sameish notes.

That's why the fucking music industry is going down, whether we like it or note. Seen that 4 chords songs video, didn't you? That's not just a joke, my peeps. We might just be resorting to Dream Theater and the likes soon to get our original music fix. Brrrr, I really hope not!

Still like the BLB version more, though, although the other one could grow on me. Just don't play that shit when you're sad, ok? Ok.

Black Light Burns - I Am Where It Takes Me

Clubroot - Lucid Dream

To both, mad props yo. Booyakasha.

Big News!

noreply@blogger.com (Li) — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 14:24:00 +0000

The big news is that Bush is back. Bush the band is back.

Oi, blokes, we're back now, innit?

This is so hot and fresh it's burnin', baby. Gavin just premiered the 1st single called After Life on K-Roq yesterday, and yes we have the privilege of streaming it in hi q via gavinrossdalefans.com. So to show my love and support to the site, I won't embed it, just click here and pay them a visit. That, and also I have no idea how to embed it.

It's 2010 and we can safely say Bush ain't grunge no mo'. But that's alright with me - the tune oozes with feeling and boasts that unmistakable rossdalesque harmonic explosion, sort of like an emotional audio cumshot in your ear. Yes, it's radio rock. Bush has been just that a decade ago, and as it was cool back then, it still is now, even though production's since been taken to a whole new level and, at least in the case of this tune, guitars sensibly lost their punch. All you guys afraid of a little pop sensibilty sprinkled over your rock'n roll - this probably isn't for your elitist asses. I loved Gavin's solo effort, adored Institute, and I have a feeling this new album (dropping in October!) will take the middle road between the Bush discography and mr. Rossdale's projects.

Since we're on the subject, here's an Apocalyptica song featuring the same, ever flexible, sexy ass 40 year old Gwen Stefani husband:

And on an unrelated note, stupid me. Stupid, stupid me. Or stupid Therapy? website designers? I just realized Andy's written (happy people have no) stories about pretty much every song featured in the site's discography category. It says "story" to the right of the link. I must've seen that tens of times, and only now did I have the curiosity to click it. I think it's a great idea for the band to give the listener a little insight as to how the song came along, who or what inspired it, and what brand of soda they were drinking at the time. Nice Crooked Timber read right here.

And again, since we're on the subject, enjoy this great stripped down version of the title track below and, yeah, the fumbling about and apparent fuckups are all part of the Therapy? charm. Yes they are.

Alright, now looking forward to the autumn too, for a change.

A Good Day For Science. Literally.

noreply@blogger.com (Li) — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 07:10:00 +0000

I'm not much for scientifical advances unless they somehow directly impact my life, general public health, or move more faces of a polygon, faster. I'm one of those people that take things for granted and never question what kind of miracles happen so that I can watch people thousands of miles away in real time and ride through the city at 60kmh without putting any strain on my feetsies. I'm used to going "Ah, so they synthesize small animals now, huh? Pretty cool".

But a few days ago I was blown away.

There was this noise. This tinny, irritant tune the likes of Ballad for Adeline, Frere Jacques or something of the kind. It had just rained - thunderstorm, actually - and I was in a patio, all by myself and with no one else around. I looked around, but there was no cellphone to be seen.

And then I noticed it. The kids potty.

Science couldn't stay outta this one, either.

It played a merry, every so often ear-aching pitch shifted tune. But how did it do it? There was no one around to activate it, and it sure wasn't making a peep before the rain had started.

Well, my friends, let me tell you how you get your kid to pee on the potty. You buy one that has two small metal connectors on the bottom. As soon as your rug rat starts dishing out the golden shower, and both metal thingies are connected via liquid commonly known as pee, some obscure reaction I will never grasp turns it into a really obnoxious music box you can't stop unless you possess the secret. Needless to say, I didnt. It was like the apes in Space Odyssey trying to stop a time bomb. Science, you amazing motherfucker you!

I'm Not Really Here

noreply@blogger.com (Li) — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 10:40:00 +0000

I never thought I'd find myself listening to post-rock.

There was this night we were playing Catan and I fired up the groovy grooveshark and just typed in "chillout" and so I came across this great atmospheric band or whatever it is called The Album Leaf , and another awesome band I can't remember the name of and boy is that frustrating. Anyway I just thought I'd share, it's great music for sleeping, doing other stuff that requires a relaxing environment and, occasionally, it actually makes you stop and pay attention, which I can't say about 90% of the bands within this genreous genre (ba-dom-dshhhhh!). So I look them up on wikipedia and wikipedia says it's a post rock project. Fuck me, if this is post-rock I guess I don't dislike that so much, do I? Well, The Album Leaf sometimes lets me down when there are vocals involved, but most of the time they're (or better yet, he's) on point. Nice song below.

Also, Far's new album is out and, as expected, it's great. If you hate emo then you kinda wanna hate these guys - they have almost nothing to do with the scene other than the fact that they were one of the greatest influences. Don't worry, they really sound nothing like most of those gender condused queefs. I love them because they kinda sound like a very viable crossover between Deftones and Weezer, and that's always good. This song below was written for Deftones bassist Chi Cheng, who's already apparently coming out of the coma and showing signs of recovering. I've listened to this song a lot lately. Given the album a few spins, too - so far "Water & Solutions" is still my fave Far effort, but the new one is growing on me. Fave songs so far: the title track, "The Ghost That Kept On Haunting" and "Deafening".

That's about it for my new musical discoveries; as you can see I'm a lazy bug. Working my way toward that week-before-the-holiday when I start playing Chevelle's "Saferwaters" obsessively and dream about sandy shores, clear water and crashing waves on repeat. Later, world.

PS The title is another great Far track. Also great for titles when you're not particularly inspired.

Satisfy My Soul - Remix one

noreply@blogger.com (Li) — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 09:02:00 +0000

Now hear dis! Wagwaan? Listen up, rudebwoi, everytin irie whayaso lickylicky ya wangagot fifiman. Meaning I just made a reggae remix of a reggae song. Coming up, yet another remix of that same reggae song, only this time in a despicable club manner. Cuz I'm out to get rich, bitch!

Original song by Kriss-o, pictured below.

Bomboclot!

Say It Ain't So

noreply@blogger.com (Li) — Mon, 10 May 2010 08:28:00 +0000

That's it.