GAY ZOMBIE MOVIE: Otto; Or, Up With Dead People

Posted on January 19th, 2009 by ekko

I’m not usually one to write based solely on a few mp3s and a press clipping, but when something comes to me promoted as a gay zombie flick, I have to pass it along. Here’s what I know:

Bruce La Bruce helmed gay zombie flick Otto; Or, Up With Dead People to be released on DVD next month following MOMA debut and nationwide theatrical run. This is from the press release:

Canadian director Bruce LaBruce, the man behind such gay-themed, controversial films as Hustler White and The Raspberry Reich recently premiered his latest and most accomplished film to date, Otto; Or Up With Dead People at NYC’s Museum of Modern Art in October, 2008. Obviously, John Waters was in attendance.

The film is a brand new, exceptional addition to the zombie genre that renounces the most obvious clichés, with LaBruce letting his protagonist – gay punk zombie Otto – ramble and roam the streets of Berlin until he finds himself cast for a low budget flick. Wrapping up a traveling nationwide theatrical run this month, Otto will make its debut on DVD in February.

While watching the film, music fans will notice more than 50 international tracks and sounds! After careful selection, Berlin-based label Crippled Dick Hot Wax presents the movie’s official soundtrack (featuring 14 tracks and available on CD or 2XLP), taking us on a truly crazy acoustic rollercoaster ride. Despite the artists glaring differences, the result is a surprisingly coherent, compact and homogeneous compilation.

Here’s some info about the soundtrack:

Artist: Various Artists

Title: Otto: Or, Up With Dead People Soundtrack

Label: Crippled Dick Hot Wax

Sample tracks:

No Bra – Doherfucker (direct link mp3)

The Homophones – Everyone’s Dead (direct link mp3)

And, in related news, a star of the film is releasing an EP:

Artist: Black Peter Group

Title: Its F**cked Up EP

Label: Gulp Communications

Goody Two Shoes (direct link mp3) (Adam Ant cover)

Its F**ked Up (direct link mp3)

And the video to “It’s Fucked Up”:

Tags: Movies, Zombies

PICTURE OF THE DAY: Touching Lennon Edition (with bonus songs!)

Posted on January 18th, 2009 by ekko

These folks put their hands on Lennon’s work:

Mother-Neutral Milk Hotel

Instant Karma-Whigs

Tags: Covers, Picture of the day

PICTURE OF THE DAY

Posted on January 16th, 2009 by ekko

Best. Protester. Ever.

Tags: Picture of the day

GUILTY PLEASURE OF THE DAY: RICK SPRINGFIELD

Posted on January 16th, 2009 by ekko

From soap opera star to pop star (and how much of a difference is there between the two, anyway), Rick Springfield had a string of pop hits in the ’80s, and even got some movie roles. The soundtrack to his big starring role in Hard To Hold featured “Bop Til You Drop,” one of the single most irritating forces of nature known to man. I first heard it when I was a kid, I bought the 45, and to this day when I wake up in the morning I hear it in my skull. Perhaps it’s because of the opening line . . . “You wake up wired . . .” and the refrain . . . “The alarm rings, you gotta get up, you gotta get up!”

Here’s the video:

Corny as it is to see Rick S. in postapocalyptic Mad Max garb, this video was directed by none other than David Fincher, the genius responsible for one of my all-time favorite film adaptations, “Fight Club.” Wonder why he didn’t cast Rick in that?

Sadly, there aren’t a lot of Springy covers around out there. The OK Go cover is ubiquitous. But the Jonathan Coulton cover is priceless. JC is the genius behind “Baby Got Back,” which may be the greatest cover of all time. (In my own opinion, too.)

Jessie’s Girl-Matt Nathanson

Jessie’s Girl-OK Go

Don’t Talk to Strangers-Jonathan Coulton

Tags: Covers, Guilty Pleasures

PICTURE OF THE DAY

Posted on January 15th, 2009 by ekko

Tags: Picture of the day

RADIOHEAD, JULY 1993

Posted on January 15th, 2009 by ekko

I’m one of the few who don’t love what Radiohead are up to nowaday. I don’t hate it, but it’s just not stuff I’ll listen to generally. I did like their older stuff, though, from Karma Police and before. So here’s a high quality show from July 12, 1993, in Los Angeles. A few tastes and a zip. Enjoy, and remember who loves ya.

You
The Bends
Vegetable
Creep
Ripcord
Stop Whispering
Pop Is Dead
Thinking About You
Faithless The Wonder Boy
Blow Out

ZIP FILE

B.I.G. M.O.V.I.E. COMING FRIDAY!

Posted on January 15th, 2009 by ekko

It’s rated R, so there’s at least a chance it’ll be good. Haven’t seen who’s playing Lil’ Kim, who’s not happy with the flick, but I hope it’s a Barbie Doll in fishnet. As for casting Biggie, I still think they should have went with Artie Lange.

10 Crack Commandments (Notorious B.I.G.)-Joseph Arthur

Afternoon Delight (Starlight Band)/Days/Somebody Told Me (Killers)/Jessie’s Girl (Rick Springfield)/8675309 (Tommy Tutone)/Ghost Busters (Ray Parker Jr.)/Staying Alive (Bee Gees)/Physical (Olivia Newton John)/Pour Some Sugar on Me (Def Leppard)/Jeremy by Pearl Jam/Pieces of Me (Ashlee Simpson)/Hollaback (Stefani)/Big Poppa (Notorious B.I.G.)/Hero by Enrique Iglesias-Stephen Kellog

Blister in the Sun (Violent Femmes)/Hypnotize (B.I.G.)-Ominous Seapod

Tags: Movies

PICTURE OF THE DAY

Posted on January 14th, 2009 by ekko

Tags: Picture of the day

. . . AND SPEAKING OF . . . (A shout-out post)

Posted on January 14th, 2009 by ekko

Cover Me has the “Best of 2008 Again”, which is a post of bands covering songs from albums that made Hype Machine’s Best of 2008 list.  Including Hot Chip covering Vampire Weekend!  Check it out here

And speaking of covers, one of the best places to go is Buffetlibre, who released an awesome ’80s collection last year called “Buffetlibre.”  Well, go get the sequel, Buffetlibre2!  It features Au Revoir Simone covering ELO and Division Day covering Japan, among many others!

And speaking of the Best of 2008, Amy posted a few hot tunes you might have missed from albums that weren’t as good as the singles . . .

And still speaking of the Best of 2008, Ryan posted a few observations about The Most Overrated Band Of The Year.  And I thought I was the only one who didn’t “get” Fleet Foxes . . .

And speaking of getting things, did you all get my “Guilty Pleasure of the Day” post a few days ago?  Should I do it again?

Speaking of talking about myself, I wrote about Blind Pilot about a month ago, telling you all that they should have been on my best of 2008 list.  Turns out, I’m not the only one who feels that way.  I’m so sorry I didn’t hear them before I made my list . . .

And speaking of disappointment, my favorite blogger discovered a “new” Brother Ali comp, but the ziplink was down!  You can still get a few of the songs there, though.

And I’m not speaking anymore.  For now.

WITCH-“Paralyzed”

Posted on January 14th, 2009 by ekko

Am I a fan of Dinosaur Jr.? Yes! Do I like J Mascis’ latest project? Of course! That Witch is heavy, hard, aggressive, and loud should be no surprise to anyone. That it’s also accessible may be mildly shocking. That it also has some borderline pop riffs may make your jaw drop.

Check out this cut:

Mutated-Witch

Most of “Paralyzed” (which dropped in March 2008) sounds like a punk band covering Black Sabbath on LSD. And there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. This was their second album together, and you can catch Witch on tour with Earthless:

2/20 Toronto, CA The Legendary Horseshoe Tavern
2/21 Montreal, CA Les Saints
2/22 Providence, RI AS220
2/23 Boston, MA TT The Bears
2/24 Philadelphia, PA Johnny Brenda’s
2/25 Brooklyn, NY Music Hall Of Williamsburg
2/26 Washington, DC DC9
2/27 Asbury Park, NJ Asbury Lanes
2/28 Baltimore, MD Ottobar