Bad Movie Society - Night of the Living Dead

Last week, the BMS changed things up and didn't watch bad movies. Instead, we (meaning, me and Andrew) watched 1968's Night of the Living Dead. The lighting was surprisingly creepy considering the budget, and the acting was above-average considering the budget. Considering the budget, I'd say Night of the Living Dead was pretty good!

Let's get specific about what makes this movie fun/creepy. When Barbara's (Judith O'Dea) brother is killed by cemetery-zombies, she flees to a farmhouse. There, she runs into Ben (Duane Jones), a black guy who pretty much takes over as leader and only common sense-haver. Barbara gets all catatonic for the rest of the film. She wasn't attacked or infected, but she gets zombie-fied nonetheless. The horror lies not in the zombies outside, but in Barbara's zombie-like disposition. What's her problem, and what is she gonna do?

This is a problem a lot of modern horror movies have: no power of suggestion. George Romero, the director, lets us know that there's a zombie-child in the basement, but he never gives us a candid look; she's just a threat. Hell, we don't even get to see the zombies outside too much. The real terror lies in the boarding up of windows, the conversations people have about the child they know must be killed, and the bizarro-world in which a black guy can order around white people with success. Just kidding about the last one, but imagine what some moviegoers must have thought!

PS. An amazing sweatshirt.

Did you hear? Expired Youth - Demo

When Expired Youth broke up on April 17, 2007 (I'm looking at the last show shirt now, actually), it seemed like everyone who liked hardcore even a little bit came out. Such a fun time, but it ranks as my second-favorite time seeing them. The first was when they played Depaul with the Killer and some touring bands. They had the old lineup, considerably fewer fans, and a kickass demo.

And a good demo is really all a band needs to succeed at first. EY released a 7-inch on Think Fast! records, but I prefer the demo. Maybe it was a time-and-place thing, but that demo spent an entire winter in my car stereo. I can't remember the last time such a young band made that kind of impression on me.

Get it here!

Bad Movie Society - Troll 2

These last 2 weeks, I've been conducting an open-ended experiment in which I invite my friends over to watch bad movies. I call it "The Bad Movie Society." I try to choose movies that are so bad, they're good, and so far we've watched The Room and Troll 2. How bad can it get? We shall dive head first into the pits of taste. Hopefully we live to laugh about it.

In Troll 2, goblins (not trolls) terrorize a family vacationing in a rural community. The acting is weak, the plot is confusing, and the dialogue is stiff. This movie truly stinks. The filmmakers seem to want to make a horror/ thriller, but their execution is laughable. A truly good horror movie builds and releases tension. Take the Michael Myers walk. The audience forgives Michael's "laziness" because they know he will ultimately catch up to his victim. In Troll 2, the goblins give the Waits family all the time in the world to eat their poisonous food (which is hardly enough, as the Waits family is monumentally stupid and slow at coming up with plans). The only acceptable responses from the audience are to leave or celebrate brainpower. Even we could make a better picture.

Still, I recommend Troll 2. There are some great one-liners, a popcorn sex scene, and this. Next week, in honor of October, we'll be straying from the usual format to watch Night of the Living Dead.

Cat Plaza #1

My new zine is finally out! It's called Cat Plaza. Inside, you can find a short story that I wrote, music/ movie reviews, poetry, and all sorts of other stuff. Dude, it's like being in my head for a half-hour.

If you want a copy, contact me any way you know how. I'm selling them for a buck in person, but if you want me to send one in the mail, consider sending me $2. Yes, I'll put a copy aside for you if that's what you want.

Look at the cover!

I'm going to start work on #2 soon. If you want to submit something, get at me. Panther1215@hotmail.com. I'll take fiction, poetry, opinion pieces, record reviews, drawings, photographs, whatever. If your shit is good, I'll print it. Simple as that.

Did you hear? Random Candy - Buddy, I Drove You Here

My band, Random Candy, just did a new EP called "Buddy, I Drove You Here." Andy Nelson at Bricktop recorded and mixed it in June 2009. You can download it for free by clicking on the link below.

Download here!

PS - How do I get around Myspace's block on Mediafire links?

This is a selection from my forthcoming zine, ya' freaks!

Dear Wearers-of-band-shirts,

When you go through your closet, and thinking about the day to come, choose to wear a shirt or sweatshirt with a band logo or image on it, you shoulder exciting and basically unspoken responsibilities to that band, that band’s fans, and music fans in general. You are obligated to talk about the band whenever another person approaches you with the intent to talk.

He or she (usually he) could say something as simple and harmless as dude, nice shirt. In this case, you ought to say thank you or hell yeah! depending on your mood. After all, the compliment-payer might be a norm, in which case he probably just likes the graphic or something.

In the event that the compliment-payer says great band, you should reciprocate with enthusiasm. In this case, hell yeah! is more acceptable than thank you. Frankly, thank you doesn’t make a whole lot of sense.

It doesn’t happen a lot, except for maybe at shows, but when a person comes up to you and wants to strike up a conversation (or even a friendship) with your band shirt as the lead-in, you must have at least some opinion about the merits of that band’s work. It will usually go something like this:

Compliment-payer: Love the shirt, brah. What’s your favorite (let’s say) Saves the Day (but New Found Glory, Slayer, Nas, etc. would all work fine) record?

Well, well, well Wearer-of-band-shirts, the burden now rests with you. Tread lightly.

Answer #1: Through Being Cool, of course!

Analysis: Good answer. You stuck with a fan-favorite and older record, a good strategy with most bands. The compliment-payer should react positively, and if spirits have been served, you two might get involved in a wee sing-a-long. “Holly Hox” anyone?

Answer #2: I like the newer stuff a lot, maybe even more than the old stuff.

Analysis: Whoa, dude. You’ve just entered no man’s land. On the one hand, your loyalty to a great band is commendable. On the other hand, you’re wrong. If compliment-payer doesn’t clown you, you’re sure to hit it off.

The point is, don’t ignore someone if they like your shirt. This especially applies if the shirt is from an obscure band. Remember that music people are some of the best people out there. For every geek waiting in wings to discuss the American Nightmare demo, there are countless others who can get all-up-in-your-face, and guess what? They want to talk about The Fray. Be thankful that you’re in-the-know and you’re not alone.

Sincerely,

Cat “Why don’t you want to talk about the Descendents?” Plaza

Pat's dos and don'ts of Pitchfork Fest 2k9

Last year, I gave you some advice about how to spend your precious weekends in Chicago. This year, I have constructed a tidy list of dos and don't s to help make P4K extra special!

DO - See the National. They haven't put out a record in a long time, but this new video of a new song suggests that their new record will be more of the same. IOW, awesome.

DON'T - Wear jeans, long sleeves, carry an unnecessary umbrella, or act like the Coachella Wizard.

DO - See Fucked Up. The put out a good record last year, and they rule live!

DON'T - Forget to drink water. Especially whilst under the influence of magical mushrooms.

DO - See Mew. Their record Frengers is seriously awesome. Here's an example. They will most likely kill it, as opposed to...

DON'T - See Japandroids or The Very Best when you could be watching the Thermals. You should probably skip The Walkmen, The Black Lips, Beirut, and basically every other band in order to watch the Flaming Lips, M83, and Vivian Girls. But wait, you're saying, doesn't Vivian Girls sound a lot like some of the aforementioned bands? Yes, they do, but this is my blog, and if you want to write about one of the other thousand garage revival bands out there, be my guest.

DO - Go to the first day. Obviously, it's going to be sweet.

Lollapalooza looks pretty dumb. Won't be going. It sucks to miss The Beastie Boys. How bad are Silversun Pickups and Thievery Corporation? Enough. Have fun.

P4k - July 17-19, Union Park, not a whole lot of money
Lolla - August 7-9, Grant Park, a whole lot of money