Tuesday 26 April 2011

"Smoke Stack" Northcott - DAY 133, April 27th, 2011




 Bored of Directives

Creative Studio Blog

Day 133, April 27th, 2011


Had a great read through this past weekend with Gary and new creative mate, Travis Temple.  We are in the process of creating a television series that we hope to make it to the little box one of these years.  No better way to read scripts than over Prosecco and New Zealand meat.  We can’t share the specifics just yet, but it’s coming.

In the meantime, we hope our other creative projects can keep you entertained:

























 








4.    STAND UP COMEDY

Gary and I are prepping for submissions of two documentary series.  One is a doc that we will film in Cambodia that is happening in June with three of Malaysia’s coolest and hardest working musicians.  The other is a short doc on Vietnamese Hip Hop that has already been filmed.  It is now a matter of postproduction.  It has easily been our most popular series on, On The Beat and Path and as such we are searching for even more avenues for release.

Randall has offered that we do a documentary about his life.  Oddly, Vanessa agrees.  It is Randall’s belief that we talk about him too much and people are only getting our perspective.  Which is unfair.  As such, Randall wants to tell his story.  Gary and I believe that is totally understandable. We told him that once things slow down around the office and his mother gets out of jail, then we’ll look in to.  Randall is already busy writing the proposal and treatment.  In crayon.

Today’s RollingStone Throwdown is our version of the Rugby 7’s.  There is a smaller talent pool facing off allowing the artists involved a higher chance of victory.  Let’s get to it.

STEEL CAGE MATCH (continued):
ROLLING STONE TOP 500 SONGS OF ALL TIME SMACKDOWN
Today’s Challenge: H & I Spells "High"

Commentary:

First, the eliminations:

Ike and Turner.  Can’t get along?  You’re out.  The Isley Brothers fall under the “band name that has family members included” (Pointer Sisters, Partridge Family, etc) rule. You’re out.

The Contenders:

Hank Williams is “bad-ass in a cup” and I love it.  Come to think of it, most in this category would be happy to light a bar on fire.  As such this is a tricky round.  Howlin’ Wolf has provided me with another name for the pregnant wife to shoot down.  I mean who wouldn’t want a kid named “Smoke Stack” Northcott? 

The wife would probably hope I consider “River Deep…” seeing as how we danced long distance for a long time but the cheese factor is too high. Plus, see above.

The Winner:

Daily readers who are starting to see me and my choices as rather predictable would have most likely assumed my choice would be Iggy Pop, before this round even started.  After listening to all of these songs, the purity, the rawness, the rock and roll edge of Howlin’ Wolf is too hard to ignore and “Spoonful” is one of those songs you wish you wrote.

Today’s Competition:

Hank Williams
I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry
Hank Williams
Your Cheatin' Heart
Holly Buddy
Everyday
Hooker John Lee
Boom Boom
Howlin' Wolf
Spoonful
Howlin' Wolf
Smoke Stack Lightning
Iggy Pop
Lust for Life
Ike & Tina
River Deep and Mountain High
The Impressions
People Get Ready
The Isley Brothers
Shout (Parts 1 and 2)
The Isley Brothers
That Lady
The Isley Brothers
It’s Your Thing


Winner of the A’s: AC DC’s HIGHWAY TO HELL.
Winner of the B’s: Bob Dylan’s Subterranean Homesick Blues
Winner of the C’s: The Clash’s London Calling
Winner of the D’s: Dolly Parton’s Jolene
Winner of the E’s: Elton John’s Rocket Man
Winner of the F&G’s: Gloria Gaynor’s I Will Survive
Winner of the H&I’s: Howlin’ Wolf’s Spoonful

Lake Week still makes met moist and I have seen it 8 times?  Are you looking to be left damp?  Do you find our references to refreshment annoying?  Either way, enjoy the soothing tones of our conversation lakeside:


Please, Catch Us Live Somewhere on this Planet.

Peace,
Steve


Blogspot: onthebeatandpath.blogspot.com
CBC Radio 3 (Original Canadian Indie Music): radio3.cbc.ca/#/bands/On-The-Beat-and-Path

steve@boredofdirectives.com
gary@boredofdirectives.com

Thursday 21 April 2011

Meet the 4th Tenor - Day 132, April 22nd, 2011


Bored of Directives
Creative Studio Blog
Day 132, April 22nd, 2011

It’s Friday and it’s a beautiful day in the Bored of Directives office.  Gary will be by at around 3 pm and we will initiate a rarely seen Friday edition of EDBMD (Eat Drink and Be Merry Day).  Work will be complemented with fruit shakes and vodka as we plan out what is going to be a very interesting 3 months of our lives.  There are many exciting announcements to share, none of which we are comfortable confessing at this moment. Randall is losing his ming and his inability to keep a secret is resulting in him being ducktaped to the railing on the balcony.   We feed him a cracker every eight minutes. We don’t do this to ward off hunger pains, but more because he is the weirdest eater you have ever seen.  Regardless of what he is putting in his mouth, he eats it as though he were eating corn on the cob.  Weird.  Anyway, the good news will be coming.  Stay tuned.

Today’s RollingStone Throwdown will continue a little differently. For the first time in the existence of this competition, band names from TWO letters will throw down for the right to go to the next round.  Randall thinks this is stupid and we should never change.  He might be right (he’s never right) but it’s my contest and I love the way F&G sounds when you say it out loud (Eff’in G!).  It’s like something a gangster may say to another gangster when he is upset with something the other gangster did.  Let’s get to it.

STEEL CAGE MATCH (continued):
ROLLING STONE TOP 500 SONGS OF ALL TIME SMACKDOWN
Today’s Challenge: Eff’in G!

Commentary:

First, the eliminations:

There are some impressive contestants in this round and it is a little challenging to choose ones to eliminate purely on a whim.  I’ll start with Guns & Roses. This may alienate some fans of the program and I respect Rose for his tryst with Tommy Hilfiger and all (www.popsugar.com/Tommy-Hilfiger-vs-Axl-Rose-6941) but if the man can’t keep friends in a band, how is he to be ultimately respected?  He is slipping in the rankings of best rock band of the 80’s.  Currently, in my comprehensive and hardly thought-out list, Guns & Roses are tied for 4th with Whitesnake and Scorpions (Def Leppard just leapfrogged them for sole possession of 3rd).

The Contenders:

Fats Domino is a legend and the first to use an insulting term proudly as a nickname (the second.  The Four Tops are the definition of Sugar Pop Music (perhaps that should have put them in the previous paragraph?) and even reading the title to “I Can’t Help Myself” results in me singing the chorus a few times (you too?).

The Winner:

Gladys Knight almost scored a late round knock out with Midnight Train but I have to choose another soul princess on this one and go with “I Will Survive”.  Not because it is a better song mind you, but because Randall continues to sing it on the balcony eating crackers whilst his hands tied behind his back.

On a side note, Randall sings beautifully when he has food in his mouth.  It’s the most peculiar thing. Take food out and he sounds like a puberty stricken Peter Brady, shove some granola in there and he’s the 4th tenor.  I can’t explain it.  Randall can’t explain electricity. Everyone appears happy.  Except Vanessa.  We just had an additional person join our FACEBOOK page (she hates that).

Today’s Competition:

Fats Domino
Blueberry Hill
Fats Domino
Ain't That A Shame
Fleetwood Mac
Go Your Own Way
Fleetwood Mac
Rhiannon
Foreigner
I Want To Know What Love Is
Four Tops
Reach Out I'll Be There
Four Tops
Baby I Need Your Loving
Four Tops
I Can't Help Myself
Four Tops
Standing in the Shadows of Love
Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers
Why Do Fools Fall in Love
Funkadelic
One Nation Under a Groove -- Part 1
Gene Vincent
Be-Bop-A-Lula
George Harrison
My Sweet Lord
George Jones
He Stopped Loving Her Today
Gladys Knight And The Pips
Midnight Train To Georgia
Glen Campbell
Wichita
Gloria Gaynor
I Will Survive
Grandmaster Flash
The Message
Guns 'N Roses
Sweet Child O' Mine
Guns 'N Roses
Paradise City
Guns 'N Roses
Welcome To The Jungle


Winner of the A’s: AC DC’s HIGHWAY TO HELL.
Winner of the B’s: Bob Dylan’s Subterranean Homesick Blues
Winner of the C’s: The Clash’s London Calling
Winner of the D’s: Dolly Parton’s Jolene
Winner of the E’s: Elton John’s Rocket Man
Winner of the F&G’s: Gloria Gaynor’s I Will Survive


Have you seen Lake Week?  It can make you moist and leave you damp:

Otherwise, Catch Us Live Somewhere on this Planet.

Peace,
Steve


Blogspot: onthebeatandpath.blogspot.com
CBC Radio 3 (Original Canadian Indie Music): radio3.cbc.ca/#/bands/On-The-Beat-and-Path

steve@boredofdirectives.com
gary@boredofdirectives.com

EARTH DAY, WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO? TODO DIA Video and Tab

In Celebration of Earth Day, we would love to share with you a song inspired by the beauty of Brazil and the love of global travel.  This is Todo Dia, which in Portuguese means "Everyday".



Here are the words and Chords if you want to play along
TODO DIA (Everyday)
A    (secret chord)        E          A
Mango fruits got no alarm clock
No responsibility no tick tock
Break
Get up when I damn well please
Everything seems nice and ease
D                                                                                                    A  E  A       A   E
Everyday is brighter when it’s brighter when you’re around
And I hear is music even when there is no sound
Yesterday made everything good today
Now its time its time to unwind now we go out and play

Got no flipflops & I lost my shoes
Grab the blender and some local booze
Suns playing tag with the clouds again­
Taking all the love that you feel you can lend
BRIDGE
F#minor                                                                                     D            
Flag Green and Yellow all the locals saying hello take my vodka with some sugar and lime
F#minor                                                                         E
No one pays attention to the time or the direction but everything is gonna be fine
LAST VERSE
Moon pops up without a fight
Welcoming the love of night
No time out and no regrets
No one knows what’ll happen next
Catch Us Live Somewhere On This Planet

Peace


www.boredofdirectives.com


 

 

Wednesday 20 April 2011

Hash Is Not What It Used To Be - Day 131, April 21st, 2011

Bored of Directives
Creative Studio Blog
Day 131, April 21th, 2011

It has been a hectic run-of-a-week and I am not just talking about the fact that I have been ill advisedly preparing for the first HASH RUN of my life.  As it turns out, I will not be able to take part in the Hash (which as far as I knew from University, carried an entirely different meaning) but I am still very sore.

Last week, Gary and I enjoyed an hour on BFM Radio 89.9.  The lovely folks gave us an opportunity to talk about our travels and what On The Beat and Path has been up to for the last 10 months.  David Ross was able to record it from his phone while in his van (Sweet sweet ol skool’ technology) and we’ll convert it as soon as we can and get the whole interview online very soon.

We are encouraging fans of the show to contact BFM and request ANYTHING MATTERS (our hip hop/folk/gamelon jam recorded in Bali) and help us land what we will believe will be an incredible weekly radio show.

Contact BFM here: www.bfm.my/contact-us.html

We are flying through April and there is so much to see from our Sumatra release: episodes, podcasts, blogs, photos.  Check them all on the official site:

www.boredofdirectives.com/OBPath_index.html

There is so much to come from ON THEW BEAT AND PATH that we can safely say the ride will be continuing for another year.  Enjoy and tell a friend.

The Hillside Music Festival (Guelph, Ontario, Canada) has recently announced their stellar line up.  On The Beat and Path has been generously granted access to cover this epic weekend as we search the world for incredible music festivals.  I am a HILLSIDE veteran but Gary and Hannah will be newbies and I am pretty sure that Randall will be nowhere near the event.  The last time Randall went to a music festival, the drummer from “Lamb of God” nailed his wooden shoes to a port-a-potty.  With Randall still in them.  Randall is the best.

If you are reading this blog and enjoying On The Beat and Path from Canada, it’s worth your time and money to hit up Hillside this year.

www.hillsidefestival.ca/#/home

STEEL CAGE MATCH (continued):
ROLLING STONE TOP 500 SONGS OF ALL TIME SMACKDOWN
Today’s Challenge: E’s

Commentary:

First, the eliminations:

I think it is safe to say that I can’t list an Elvis song.  I want to.  He is the King, and newly minted friend Tom Rhodes loves the guy.  Admittedly, the way he left our planet is epic and unforgettable (which is very important).  However, there is too much evidence to suggest that much of his success may not be entirely attributable to his talent alone (hips and hair are all his – respect to the King).

I would have preferred older Clapton.  The Everly Brothers fall under the “Will not allow a band with the name brothers (Everly), sisters (Pointer) or family (Partridge) to advance in the competition” rule.

The Contenders:

Sweet Dreams is still relevant and improves with covers and inclusions in teen movies.  Eminem somehow managed to make a good movie (somehow making Britney’s Crossroads even worse) and an even better song. And when I make a list of the top ten coolest people in the world, Elvis Costello will always make that list (ranking depends on the hat he is wearing that day).

The Winner:

For his glasses, his ability to hold his vices, and his massive catalog of greatness, I have to go with Rocket Man by Elton.  Have to.

Today’s Competition:

Elton John       
Your Song
Elton John       
Rocket Man
Elton John       
Candle In The Wind
Elton John       
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
Elton John       
Tiny Dancer
Elvis Costello       
Peace, Love & Understanding
Elvis Costello       
Alison
Elvis Costello       
Watching The Detectives
Elvis Presley       
Hound Dog
Elvis Presley       
Heartbreak Hotel
Elvis Presley       
Jailhouse Rock
Elvis Presley       
Mystery Train
Elvis Presley       
Suspicious Minds
Elvis Presley       
That's All Right
Elvis Presley       
Don't Be Cruel
Elvis Presley       
All Shook Up
Elvis Presley       
Can't Help Falling In Love
Elvis Presley       
Blue Suede Shoes
Elvis Presley       
Love Me Tender
Eminem       
Lose Yourself
Eric B. & Rakim       
I Know You Got Soul
Eric Clapton       
Tears In Heaven
Eurythmics       
Sweet Dreams (are Made Of This)
Everly Brothers       
All I Have To Do Is Dream
Everly Brothers       
Cathy's Clown
Everly Brothers       
Bye Bye Love
Everly Brothers       
Wake Up Little Susie

Winner of the A’s: AC DC’s HIGHWAY TO HELL.
Winner of the B’s: Bob Dylan’s Subterranean Homesick Blues
Winner of the C’s: The Clash’s London Calling
Winner of the D’s: Dolly Parton’s Jolene
Winner of the E’s: Elton John’s Rocket Man

Have you seen Lake Week?  It can make you moist and leave you damp:

boredofdirectives.com/windows_to_the_world.html

Otherwise, Catch Us Live Somewhere on this Planet.

Peace,
Steve

www.boredofdirectives.com/OBPath_index.html

Twitter: twitter.com/#!/OnTheBeatNPath
Blogspot: onthebeatandpath.blogspot.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/OnTheBeatAndPath
CBC Radio 3 (Original Canadian Indie Music): radio3.cbc.ca/#/bands/On-The-Beat-and-Path

steve@boredofdirectives.com
gary@boredofdirectives.com

Sunday 17 April 2011

Michael Franti is the Shit! Day 130, April 18th, 2011

Bored of Directives


Creative Studio Blog


Day 130, April 18th, 2011

We are back from an incredible weekend in Singapore.  Gary and I had the opportunity to cover Singapore’s ROCK & ROOTS FESTIVAL.  It was a marvelous and radically appropriate kick off to the filming of Season Three and our emphasis on music festivals around the world.  We had the opportunity to see Toots & The Maytals, Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue, Imogen Heap, Bob Dylan, John Legend and the show stopping performance of Michael Franti & Spearhead.


Steve Filming Franti at work.

Michael Franti and his incredible band ended the show on Friday night (Night One) and basically embarrassed every other artist with his musicianship and presence.  Not to take anything away from Toots and Co. but Bob Dylan doesn’t allow filming for a reason.  Simply put, if you do not have any music by Michael Franti, do yourself a favour and pick some up.  Your mood will thank you.

The Man, Michael Franti.
 Imogen Heap and her multi-instrumental charm and quirky hairdo (which is better face to face, not on large screen for the masses to tolerate) was my pick for performance of the night throughout the second evening.  This was not an easy pick as Trombone Shorty and his 2-note-circular-breathing-trombone-ridiculousness was rather epic.  John Legend was as great as John Legend could be was but his audience is not the 34-year-old man, unless that 34-year-old man is in bed with a 26-year-old woman.

Imogen Heap doing her thing, which is a lot of things.

We won’t be releasing the “Festival” episodes for a while, as there is still so much to come from ON THE BEAT AND PATH including next month’s show from Myanmar & Thailand.  There is so much ridiculous coming your way that Randall no longer watches the episodes as he claims they have the same effect on him as sugar.

Welcome to the new member of our crew, Kyra Boyer who will be lending her photography brilliance to upcoming shoots.  She joined Hannah in taking photos at the Rock and Roots Festival.  Stay tuned.  Check out her work at www.misskyraphotography.com.

We are halfway through April and there is so much to see from our Sumatra release: episodes, podcasts, blogs, photos.  Check them all on the official site:


STEEL CAGE MATCH (continued):
ROLLING STONE TOP 500 SONGS OF ALL TIME SMACKDOWN
Today’s Challenge: D’s

Today’s Competition:

David Bowie        
Heroes
David Bowie        
Changes
David Bowie        
Ziggy Stardust
David Bowie        
Young Americans
Deep Purple        
Smoke On The Water
Del Shannon        
Runaway
Depeche Mode        
Personal Jesus
Derek And The Dominos        
Layla
Diana Ross        
Baby Love
Diana Ross        
You Keep Me Hangin' On
Diana Ross        
Where Did Our Love Go
Dion        
The Wanderer
Dion        
Runaround Sue
Dionne Warwick        
Walk On By
Dolly Parton        
Jolene
Donna Summer        
Hot Stuff
Donna Summer        
I Feel Love
Dr. Dre        
Nuthin But A G Thang
Dusty Springfield        
Son Of A Preacher Man
Dusty Springfield        
You Don't Have To Say You Love Me

There are many ways one could evaluate this round.  There are some classic gems in this set list (classic gems are sort of missing from my list of finalists so far).  Songs like Runaround Sue, which is so annoyingly catchy it makes me beg for ‘Steal my Sunshine’ (www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwtTOxouD5Q). I know I can be more of a modernist (is that a word?).  At times it is like comparing basketball players from the modern era to those from 1960. It is not that I don’t love music from the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s.  I do. 

Who doesn’t love putting the bomp in the bomp da bomp da bomp?  I love putting the bomp in the bomp da bomp da bomp.  However, I am not moved emotionally by putting the bomp in the bomp da bomp and that makes a big difference.

Dionne Warwich is tragically eliminated due to her involvement in late night TV hawking (hey, it’s my competition and I’ll vote how I want to).  So since we’re dealing with the D’s, I’ll choose Dolly Parton’s Jolene for obvious reasons.  Plus, this Jolene cover by punk rock super group, Me First and the Gimme Gimme’s kicks ass: www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBoTwOTKw0I)

Winner of the A’s: AC DC’s HIGHWAY TO HELL.
Winner of the B’s: Bob Dylan’s Subterranean Homesick Blues
Winner of the C’s: The Clash’s London Calling
Winner of the D’s: Dolly Parton’s Jolene

Have you seen Lake Week?  It can make you moist and leave you damp:


Otherwise, Catch Us Live Somewhere on this Planet.

Peace,
Steve


CBC Radio 3 (Original Canadian Indie Music): radio3.cbc.ca/#/bands/On-The-Beat-and-Path

steve@boredofdirectives.com
gary@boredofdirectives.com


Wednesday 13 April 2011

What? No Cake? Day 129, April 14th, 2011

Bored of Directives


Creative Studio Blog


Day 129, April 14th, 2011

Our live, moving screen saver/podcast series, WINDOWS TO THE WORLD continues with our 5 part series from LAKE TOBA called, appropriately, Lake Week.  Windows to the World is revolutionizing the way that we use screen savers and listen to senseless podcasts.  Essentially, we are merely combine them.  But it is still rather brilliant, at-times funny and shamelessly contributes to our body of work.

Excitement is mounting here at the BoD office as we are leaving tomorrow for Singapore to see Bob Dylan live at the ROCK & ROOTS Festival.  We’re going to be filming the event and talking to concert go’ers as part of a Season Three episode.  Thank you ROCK & ROOTS for your support of our program. 

Our Festival goal:  To get Dylan alone for a little private time in front of the camera.

Randall will not be present at the concert.  When we first mentioned the festival as a possible film opportunity for Season Three, Randall responded with, “Wasn’t he the old dude from the original 90210 TV series?”  That is why Randall is not coming.

Missed yesterday’s music match. I was a little worn out from the previous day’s “Battle of the B’s”.  However, As promised, I will continue my special mission: to listen to the top 500 songs of all time as chosen by Rolling Stone Magazine.  Today we are looking at artists who start with the Letter C and I will choose the best song.  Check the OTBAP Facebook page for comments by other Bored of Directives folk such as Gary and Randall (yes, he is even starting to post).  

Here are a few liberal rules I have taken for this round.  In the event that a band has more than one song listed (Chuck Berry, Creedence) I will list the song that I think is the best one from their catalogue.  I will add some snarky comments as necessary (**) and how I choose the winner of the C’s is totally subjective and up to me.  I may even add a song that I think SHOULD be added but wasn’t (shame on your Rolling Stone). Discussion is encouraged.  Here we go!

STEEL CAGE MATCH:
ROLLING STONE TOP 500 SONGS OF ALL TIME SMACKDOWN
Today’s Challenge: C’s

Today’s Competition:

Carl Perkins
Blue Suede Shoes
Carole King
It’s Too Late
Carpenters
We’ve Only Just Begun
** horrible band, great song name for any sort of middle school taunting
The Chantels
Maybe
** Not today
Cheap Trick
Surrender
Chic
Good Times
The Chiffons
One Fine Day
The Chords
Sh-Boom
Chubby Checker
The Twist
Chuck Berry
6 songs: Johnny B. Goode
** purely for that life-changing moment in Back to the Future.  It was at that point, I knew that one day, I would be on a stage with a guitar.  Prom setting optional
The Clash
5 songs: London Calling
** It will be hard for me to not choose a Clash song.  They are a true inspiration
The Coasters
Young Blood
** Cool name.  Cooler song name.
Cream
3 songs: Crossroads
CCR
4 songs: Fortunate Son
** Play this during any slow motion strut in a movie scene and tell me it wouldn’t work.
CSNash
Suite Judy Blue Eyes
CSNY
Ohio
The Crystals
3 songs: Then He Kissed Me
** I can’t believe Puff Daddy hasn’t sampled this great riff.
The Cure
2 songs: Just Like Heaven

First, the omissions:  I can’t believe that CAKE was left off this list.  I could put up countless songs but purely for the base line and the message, I will scream crying foul that Short Skirt Long Jacket does not make an appearance.  I have no problem with Coldplay not making it to ‘the list’ but am surprised by no Counting Crows.  I would have no problem adding Round Here or Long December to the list.

So after some not-so-serious deliberation and after three cups of coffee, the winner has to be The Clash’s “London Calling”.

Reasons:  Because a whole genre of music might not exist today with out it.

Winner of the A’s: AC DC’s HIGHWAY TO HELL.
Winner of the B’s: Bob Dylan’s Subterranean Homesick Blues

All episodes from ON THE BEAT AND PATH in Sumatra are live and can be seen here:

www.boredofdirectives.com/episodes_sumatra.html

Photos from our shoot in Sumatra are also live and available on FACEBOOK:

www.facebook.com/album.php?id=117330331613463&aid=58955

Otherwise, Catch Us Live Somewhere on this Planet.

Peace,
Steve

www.boredofdirectives.com/OBPath_index.html

Twitter: twitter.com/#!/OnTheBeatNPath
Blogspot: onthebeatandpath.blogspot.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/OnTheBeatAndPath
CBC Radio 3 (Original Canadian Indie Music): radio3.cbc.ca/#/bands/On-The-Beat-and-Path

steve@boredofdirectives.com
gary@boredofdirectives.com

P.S Oh yeah, Lake Week continues tomorrow with PART 3!