Monday, April 30, 2012

AUDIO: Phonies 1

Though the technology had been around in various forms for decades, it wasn't until the late 1970s that telephone answering machines began to take off as practical, relatively affordable home appliances. Just as the proliferation of cell phones years later would lead to a new market for obnoxious ring tones, the entry of the device into the average American's life also created a new product: the novelty answering machine message.

This example from 1977 includes 12 celebrity impersonations designed to delight (or more likely annoy) anyone who had the misfortune of ringing while you were out. Some of the personalities parodied on the tape are timeless legends of entertainment (Humphrey Bogart, Jack Benny, Peter Lorre, Groucho Marx), but many of the others are hilariously of the moment, reflecting the then-current state of politics and popular culture. Like some kind of goofy, uninformative time capsule, the tape also features send ups of 70s icons like Jimmy Carter, Paul LyndeTed Knight of The Mary Tyler Moore Show and, er, Idi Amin

So on the off chance you've been looking for a way to have a monstrous dictator or a beloved comedian to answer your phone, you've come to the right place, but these 10-15 second tracks are also pretty entertaining in their own right, especially when they come up on shuffle when you don't expect them.


Sunday, April 29, 2012

VIDEO: The Sifl & Olly Show - Episode 01

One of the funniest and most creative MTV programs of the 1990's (you know, back when MTV still broadcast funny, creative programs), The Sifl & Olly Show was the brainchild of longtime friends and collaborators Matt Crocco and Liam Lynch. It's an incredibly low-budget affair, even for a show about sock-puppets, but the homemade, even childish, aesthetic isn't a hindrance. In fact, it makes the absurd genius of the comedy all the more real and charming. The original show was cancelled in 1999, but the characters live on online, most currently as part of Lynch's popular podcast, Lynchland. Enjoy!  


Problems viewing the video? Watch on Network Awesome!

Friday, April 27, 2012

FEATURE: A Man With a Mask: The Flesh-and-Blood Icon of El Santo

A look at the colorful, kooky life of El Santo, the greatest luchador of them all. Even if you have little interest in professional wrestling (like me), this guy led one hell of a fascinating life, especially if you're a fan of comic books and exploitation cinema (again, like me).

Thursday, April 26, 2012

FEATURE: Tom Crawford: Terminal Milwaukeean

Before his Ex Fabula storytelling series reaches its spectacular finale this Saturday, I sat down with WMSE station manager and pillar of the city's music scene Tom Crawford to find out what it means to be a "terminal Milwaukeean".  


Poster by Dwellephant/Photo by Kat Schleicher

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

PLAYLIST: Mondo Radio (04/25/12)

Here's the playlist for this week's edition of Mondo Radio, which you can download or stream here. If you enjoy it, you can also find the show on Facebook and Twitter.

Artist - Song - Album
Pink Fairies - Do It - Never Never Land
Pink Fairies - Teenage Rebel - Never Never Land
Captain Beyond - Frozen Over - Captain Beyond
Captain Beyond - Thousand Days Of Yesterdays (Time Since Come And Gone) - Captain Beyond
Cactus - One Way...Or Another - Cactology: The Cactus Collection
Cactus - Bro. Bill - Cactology: The Cactus Collection
Blue Cheer - Out Of Focus - Vincebus Eruptum
Blue Cheer - Parchment Farm - Vincebus Eruptum 
Van Der Graaf - Mirror Images (Live) - Vital
Van Der Graaf - Sci-Finance (Live) - Vital
Can - Mother Upduff - Cannibalism 2
Can - Spoon - Cannibalism 1
Frank Kumagai - Oki No Kamomeni - Authentic Folk Songs Of Japan
David Bowie - The Man Who Sold The World - The Man Who Sold The World
David Bowie - Rock 'N' Roll Suicide - The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars
Lou Reed - The Heroine - The Blue Mask
Lou Reed - Heavenly Arms - The Blue Mask
Brian Eno - Dead Finks Don't Talk - Here Come The Warm Jets
Brian Eno - Needles In The Camel's Eye - Here Come The Warm Jets
T. Rex - Telegram Sam - The Slider
T. Rex - The Slider - The Slider
Sweet - Into The Night - Desolation Boulevard
Sweet - Solid Gold Brass - Desolation Boulevard
Mott - Shouting And Pointing - Shouting & Pointing
Mott - Career (No Such Thing As Rock 'N' Roll) - Shouting & Pointing
Lesley Gore - You Don't Own Me - The Golden Hits Of Lesley Gore
Little Peggy March - Wind-Up Doll - 7" Single
The Jelly Beans - I Wanna Love Him So Bad - 7" Single
Little Peggy March - I Will Follow Him - 7" Single
The Cookies - Chains - 7" Single
The Ad-Libs - Boy From New York City - 7" Single
The Cookies - Don't Say Nothin' Bad (About My Baby) - 7" Single
Lesley Gore - Hey Now - The Golden Hits Of Lesley Gore
Roy Orbison - Dream Baby - The All-Time Greatest Hits Of Roy Orbison
Little Richard - Good Golly Miss Molly - 15 Greatest Hits
Chuck Berry - Sweet Little Sixteen - 7" Single
The Beatles - I Saw Her Standing There - 7" Single
Chuck Berry - Maybellene - 7" Single
The Beatles - I Want To Hold Your Hand - 7" Single
Little Richard - The Girl Can't Help It - 15 Greatest Hits
Roy Orbison - Blue Bayou - The All-Time Greatest Hits Of Roy Orbison
Black Lips - Trapped In A Basement - 200 Million Thousand
Black Lips - Short Fuse - 200 Million Thousand
Harlem - Poolside - Hippies
Harlem - Friendly Ghost - Hippies

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

UPDATE: "The (Forgotten) Black Walt Disney" on the Huffington Post

I'm happy to report that my Network Awesome Magazine feature "Jim Simon: How Could Such a Man Be Forgotten" was featured on the Huffington Post with a snazzy new title. Check it out if you missed it!


Monday, April 23, 2012

IMAGE: Promo Flyer #3

After some research, I can confidently say this is an octopus and not a squid. At least I think so. Either way it's totally irrelevant.

VIDEO: Movie - The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes (1969)

Released in 1969, this live-action Disney feature stars a young Kurt Russell as an underachieving student at the fictional Medfield College, whose life is turned upside down after a freak accident gives him the smarts of a giant super-computer. Wacky, squeaky-clean hijinks ensue. Enjoy!  


Problems viewing the video? Watch on Network Awesome!

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

PLAYLIST: Mondo Radio (04/18/12)


Here's the playlist for this week's edition of Mondo Radio, which you can download or stream here. If you dig it, you can also find the show on Facebook and Twitter.

Artist - Song - Album
The Velvet Underground - Sunday Morning - The Velvet Underground & Nico 
The Velvet Underground - What Goes On - The Velvet Underground
David Bowie - Life On Mars? - The Singles 1969 To 1993
David Bowie - Unwashed And Somewhat Slightly Dazed - Space Oddity 
The Stooges - 1969 - The Stooges
The Stooges - No Fun - The Stooges
The Dictators - Weekend - Go Girl Crazy!
The Dictators - (I Live For) Cars And Girls - Go Girl Crazy!
Ramones - Rockaway Beach - Ramones Mania
Ramones - Gimme Gimme Shock Treatment - Ramones Mania
The Clash - Career Opportunities (Live) - From Here To Eternity: Live
The Clash - Armagideon Time (Live) - From Here To Eternity: Live
Stiff Little Fingers - Johnny Was - The Peel Sessions
Stiff Little Fingers - Suspect Device - The Peel Sessions
Clannad - Strange Land - Legend
The Damned - Neat Neat Neat - Damned Damned Damned
The Damned - Fan Club - Damned Damned Damned 
The Cramps - Color Me Black - Fiends Of Dope Island 
The Cramps - Mojo Man From Mars - Fiends Of Dope Island
The Adverts - Great British Mistake - The Best Of The Adverts
The Adverts - Television's Over - The Best Of The Adverts
Adam And The Ants - Tabletalk - Dirk Wears White Sox
Adam And The Ants - Zerox - Dirk Wears White Sox
The Normal - Warm Leatherette - 12" Single
Les Visiteurs Du Soir - Je T'Ecris D'Un Pays - BIPPP: French Synth Wave 1979-85
Ruth - Polaroïd/Roman/Photo - BIPPP: French Synth Wave 1979-85
The Normal - T.V.O.D. - 12" Single
Anna Domino - Zanna - GRLZ: Women Ahead Of Their Time
Nicole Meyer - Nowhere By Mir - GRLZ: Women Ahead Of Their Time
Joy Division - Dead Souls - Substance: 1977-1980
Joy Division - I Remember Nothing - Unknown Pleasures
New Order - 60 Miles An Hour - International
New Order - Crystal (Radio Edit) - CD Single
Ian Brown - Dolphins Were Monkeys - Golden Greats 
Ian Brown - Kiss Ya Lips (No I.D.) - Solarized
Primal Scream - Kowalski - CD Single
Primal Scream - Kill All Hippies - XTRMNTR
David Lynch - Stone's Gone Up - Crazy Clown Time
David Lynch - So Glad - Crazy Clown Time

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Saturday, April 14, 2012

UPDATE: "Jim Simon: How Could Such a Man Be Forgotten" on WFMU's Beware of the Blog

In case you missed it the first time around, my Network Awesome Magazine article, "Jim Simon: How Could Such a Man Be Forgotten", made the jump to WFMU's illustrious Beware of the Blog. Always happy to be included on such an cool site, so be sure to take a look around when you're done reading!


Wednesday, April 11, 2012

PLAYLIST: Mondo Radio (04/11/12)


Here's the playlist for this week's edition of Mondo Radio, which you can download or stream here. If you enjoy it, you can find the show on Facebook and Twitter.

Artist - Song - Album
Aphex Twin - Bucephalus Bouncing Ball - Come To Daddy
Blasterhead - Killbots - Killbots EP
Blasterhead - Route 909 - Killbots EP
Adventure - Loredo - Adventure
Adventure - Civilization - Adventure
Dan Deacon - Woody Woodpecker - Spiderman Of The Rings
Dan Deacon - The Crystal Cat - Spiderman Of The Rings
Terrior Bute - Realm Dweller - Realm Dwellers 
Terrior Bute - Summon Da Sandman - Realm Dwellers
Devo - Girl U Want - Freedom Of Choice
Devo - Planet Earth - Freedom Of Choice
Elton Motello - Falling Like A Domino - Pop Art
Elton Motello - In The Heart Of The City - Pop Art
Terraced Garden - Forty Days - Within
Depeche Mode - Just Can't Get Enough (Edit) - 7" Single
Depeche Mode - Master And Servant - Some Great Reward
Laid Back - So Wie So - Keep Smiling
Laid Back - Elevator Boy - Keep Smiling
Blondie - 11:59 - 7" Single
Talking Heads - Take Me To The River (Edit) - 7" Single
Blondie - Heart Of Glass - 7" Single
Talking Heads - Life During Wartime - 7" Single
Nilsson - I Guess The Lord Must Be In New York City - 7" Single
Sir Robert Charles Griggs - Singing For The Lord - The Legend Of Sir Robert Charles Griggs
Leonard Cohen - Suzanne - Songs Of Leonard Cohen
Sir Robert Charles Griggs - Clint Texas - The Legend Of Sir Robert Charles Griggs
Nilsson - Maybe - 7" Single
Nirvana - Wings Of Love - The Story Of Simon Simopath
Nirvana - In The Courtyard Of The Stars - The Story Of Simon Simopath
Nirvana - Pentecost Hotel - The Story Of Simon Simopath
The Kinks - Death Of A Clown - Something Else By The Kinks
The Kinks - Two Sisters - Something Else By The Kinks
The Kinks - Situation Vacant - Something Else By The Kinks
Roxy Music - Re-Make/Re-Model - Roxy Music
Roxy Music - Out Of The Blue - Country Life
David Bowie - Five Years - The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars
David Bowie - Moonage Daydream - The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars
Belle & Sebastian - The Blues Are Still Blue - The Life Pursuit
Belle & Sebastian - Funny Little Frog - The Life Pursuit
Stephen Malkmus And The Jicks - Brain Gallop - Mirror Traffic
Stephen Malkmus And The Jicks - Long Hard Book - Mirror Traffic

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

FEATURE: What to See at the 34th Annual Latin American Film Series

For the 34th year in a row, UWM's Latin American Film Series brings a week of the region's best to Milwaukee audiences, all 100% free of charge. Though all the films are certainly worth a look, we've highlighted three that are not to be missed, including Cuba's first zombie film Juan of the Dead.


FEATURE: Jim Simon: How Could Such a Man Be Forgotten

A look at the biopic-ready life of animator Jim Simon, a man once known as "the Black Walt Disney". It's got everything, talent and tragedy, frustration and inspiration, all along with some wonderful cartoons.


Wednesday, April 4, 2012

PLAYLIST: Mondo Radio (04/04/12)


Here's the playlist for this week's edition of Mondo Radio, which you can download or stream here. If you're interested, please find the show on Facebook and Twitter.

Gil Scott-Heron & Jamie Xx - I'm New Here - We're New Here
Gil Scott-Heron & Jamie Xx - NY Is Killing Me - We're New Here
Blaqstarr - Oh My Darlin' - Divine EP
Blaqstarr - Turning Out - Divine EP
Phonies - Richard Nixon "San Clemente" - Phonies 1
Tricky - Murder Weapon - Mixed Race
Tricky - Come To Me - Mixed Race
Massive Attack - Unfinished Symphony - Blue Lines 
Massive Attack V Mad Professor - Radiation Ruling The Nation (Protection) - No Protection
Phonies - Jimmy Carter - Phonies 1
Escort - Starlight - Escort
Escort - All Through The Night - Escort
Charanga 76 - Music Trance - Bob Blank: Blank Generation Blank Tapes NYC 1975-1985
Milton Hamilton - Crystalized - Bob Blank: Blank Generation Blank Tapes NYC 1975-1985
Phonies - David Brinkley - Phonies 1
Honey Davis - My Heart Attacked Me - My Heart Attacked Me
M - Pop Muzik - 7" Single
Prince - U Got The Look - 7" Single
M - M Factor - 7" Single 
Prince - Housequake - 7" Single
Phonies - Ted (Baxter) Knight - Phonies 1
The Art Of Noise - Kiss (7" Version) - 7" Single
Malcolm McLaren - Duck Rock Cheer - Swamp Thing
Malcolm McLaren - Buffalo Love - Swamp Thing
The Art Of Noise - E.F.I. - 7" Single
Phonies - Idi Amin - Phonies 1
ABC - Poison Arrow - The Lexicon Of Love
ABC - The Look Of Love (Part One) - The Lexicon Of Love
Frankie Goes To Hollywood - Relax - Welcome To The Pleasuredome
Frankie Goes To Hollywood - Krisco Kisses - Welcome To The Pleasuredome
Phonies - Groucho Marx - Phonies 1
Debbie Harry - Surrender - Kookoo
Debbie Harry - Inner City Spillover - Kookoo
The B-52's - Junebug - Cosmic Thing
The B-52's - Channel Z - Cosmic Thing
Phonies - Ed Sullivan - Phonies 1
Chromatics - At Your Door - Kill For Love
Dreams West - Shells - Dreams West
Fort Romeau - Say Something - Kingdoms 
The Samps - Peppergood - The Samps
Food Pyramid - Oh Mercy - Mango Sunrise
Phonies - Paul Lynde - Phonies 1
Blur - Caramel - 13
Blur - Trimm Trabb - 13
Phonies - Bill Cosby - Phonies 1

Sunday, April 1, 2012

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