ok everyone... time to sell our souls!

So this happened...

MTV needs a new name now

LONG gone are the days of MTV actually playing music videos. And now, the network's last program that actually aired new music videos or basically anything related to music at all, is coming to a close. That's right, TRL will air its finale on November 18th.

And just to make sure it is dead and buried, they've invited a whole host of unbelievably shitty performers to be a part of it. Read about it here.

Just for your pleasure I've compiled some of my favorite music videos throughout the years - enjoy...


Dire Straits "Money for Nothing"


Bone Thugs 'n Harmony "Crossroads"


The Chemical Brothers "Believe"



Dio "Holy Diver"



Notorious B.I.G. "Sky's the Limit"



The Pharcyde "Drop"



The White Stripes "Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground"



'Ol Dirty Bastard "Baby I Got Your Money"



The Talking Heads "Once in a Lifetime"

Some exciting shizz

- Emmy-award winning and instant classic show 30 Rock is starting its 3rd season this Thursday! If you can't wait that long, NBC has a preview (practically the entire episode) on their website. In case you weren't already convinced, Tina Fey is a genius. Watch the new episode here.

- One of my favorite books of all time, The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test, is being turned into a movie. Director Gus Van Sant (To Die For, Good Will Hunting, Psycho, Paranoid Park) is heading up the production on the film. Read more about it here.

- Dr. Pepper made some kind of bet with the United States that they would give every American a free Dr. Pepper if Guns 'n Roses releases their new album before 2009. Well, they've done it - and Dr. Pepper is keeping their side of the bet. Find out about your free Dr. Pepper here.

- One hit wonder band MGMT is continuing to hit it big with their only song, "Time to Pretend," as there are an endless amount of often hilarious remixes to it. Check them out here.

- In what can only be described as AMAZING, Crispin Glover has signed on to play a part in Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland (also starring Johnny Depp, Anne Hathaway and of course, Helena Bonham Carter). You may know Crispin Glover from such classics as Back to the Future, What's Eating Gilbert Grape, Nurse Betty, Wild at Heart, and oh so many more mostly B-movies. Read more about it here.

- Evidently, tomorrow night Barack Obama's campaign has bought a 1/2 hour on every major television network and he will be addressing the nation. Sheesh, how the hell much did that cost! How many voters could possibly be swayed at this point?

 - I've been looking for a specific pair of Blueblocker brand sunglasses for the past few days, to complete my Walter Sobchak Halloween costume, but I seriously can't find them. If anyone owns these, has seen them somewhere or knows where to buy them at, LET ME KNOW!

Out on DVD today

Zombie Strippers - Jenna Jameson & Robert Englund. Need I say more? Amazing.

Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers: Runnin's Down a Dream - While I may not have time for a four-hour long film about Tom Petty, you may. In fact, I don't really even care for this band. Enjoy!

The Flintstones: The Complete Series - A massive, 24-disc box set that includes every episode EVER.

Mystery Science Theater 3000: 20th Anniversary Edition - An old favorite, and includes some of the best episodes.

Animal House: 30th Anniversary Edition - Jeez, 30 years? I guess that's right... I mean, I'm not even 30 yet

Billy The Kid- A documentary about a 15-year old who loves KISS, karate and is a little bit different from his classmates in small-town Maine. (He was diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome after the movie was completed.)

Journey to the Center of the Earth - Yes, this is that crap starring Brendan Fraser that was filmed in 3-D. Sadly, I think I know a few people who will buy this.

The L Word: 5th Season - Mmm lesbians...

Hell Ride - A relatively lame, Quentin Tarantino-produced, Grindhouse-esque, biker film starring Michael Madsen & Eric Balfour.

Dark Shadows: The Beginning, Vol. 6 - Ah old soap opera vampire tales. I grew up watching this shit.

What's rolling around in my brain..

1. Last week was one of "those" weeks where I went out every night. and spent a LOT of money. oops.
2. 98% of the time I'm disgusted by the programming that MTV presents its viewers.... except for this crazy parody of The Hills that I am watching right now. Literally rolling on the floor. Seriously, at least MTV knows how bullshit this show is, and can make fun of themselves.
3. I have a new obsession with Belgian White beers.
4. I'm so happy to sleep in a bed tonight... even though it's not mine.
5. I also have an obsession with my new Raybans.
6. Seriously looking forward to election night - both to see what kind of drama will happen, and also just to have this over already.
7. Amy Poehler's Sarah Palin Rap last night on SNL was one of the funnies things ever.
8. My early 90's rock kick is in full effect right now - The Jesus & Mary Chain, My Bloody Valentine, Built to Spill, Dinosaur Jr., and Ride are all in my CD player right now.
9. Even though the movie The Happening was pretty stupid, it was also pretty disturbing.
10. Poor Mr. Nuts is forced to be holed up in my parents guest room bathroom at all times. I think he'll need therapy after this.
11. It's probably time to start looking for a new job.
12. The AWESOME Girl Talk show last Saturday. Yes, I think we were the oldest people there.

iMix

I recently discovered how to create an iMix using iTunes - and have since published my first of what I can imagine will be many different mixes. So I present to you LeftyJonno's Summer Sounds - (leftyjonno is my new online name, i've decided).

preamble ramble

I woke up today feeling good - like in a good mood. I actually sang in the shower. It's sort of a rarity these days, mostly related to a lack of interest in my current job. And by lack of interest I mean I want to get the fuck out of here ASAP. But this post won't be a rant about what exactly it is about my job I hate so much. That won't get me anywhere.

Instead, I'm going to use the time that I should be getting shit done at work to put down a short top 10 of those things that are currently giving me hope, or that I'm looking forward to, or simply make me smile. Let's begin.

1. The Rockets. We're on a 22-game winning streak. Best in the West. I have kickass seats to the game tonight against the Celtics. Awesome.
2. Tornados. Now I know that sounds weird - but I like them. I doubt I would like having one destroy my house, but they bring excitement into my life.
3. Sandwiches. I love sandwiches - probably all types. I had a roast beef and horseradish one at Brown Bag Deli today for lunch. It was delicious.
4. The prospect of getting a new car. It might be happening. Soon.
5. St. Patty's Day. Yes, it was yesterday but for me St. Patty's Day lasts an entire week. I still have green on today. And I will tomorrow.
6. My new puppy. I think he was birthed by the Devil, but I still love him. He's really cute.
7. Radar Detector Deterrent Detector Deterrent Detector Detector Deterrent...Detector............Deterrents. So much technology.
8. Television. In general - because to name off my shows this season would take a while. Here's a few. LOST. The Riches. John Adams. The Soup. Well, actually maybe that's it.
9. The Fam. Cause they're always there for me and don't ask questions.
10. Obama. An embodiment of the direction I want for our country.

In closing, I submit to you some of my favorite mc, Slug

i've got love for the french

mostly within non-mainstream music and the european club scene, the french have emereged as leaders of a new electronica revolution. paris seems to be producing some of the most innovative and experimental artists in the world. i've compiled a brief introduction to the french invasion below, via youtube of course...

DJ Mehdi feat. Chromeo "I am Somebody"


Justice "DVNO"


TTC "Travellier"


Kavinsky "Testarossa Autodrive"


Mr. Oizo "Flat Beat"

ghostland deliciousness, please? maybe not

perhaps my favorite series of shows in a while has been the 6 or 7 ghostland observatory performances i've stumbled upon in select cities around the south. this band puts on a damn good show - i mean spectacular.

so for all the hype over the past year or so, it's no surprise that their follow-up to the first two amazing albums Delete.Delete.I.Eat.Meat. and Paparrazzi Lightning would probably not live up to expectations. and in fact the assumption were true. this third album, Robotique Majestique, is lacking, well, anything original.

recently, Pitchfork called Aaron Behrens - Ghostland's pigtailed and besunglassed lead singer - "the latest in a long line of supplicants to Freddie Mercury's throne" - a jab at Behren's high-pitched wails and, well, lack of anything else. as a fan of Ghostland's work, when i first listened to Robotique Majestique i could tell that they were really, really trying. like really hard. too hard. much of the album - nearly a third in fact - are awkwardly-composed instrumentals that seem to try and emulate the reinvention of daft punk, the 2006/2007 french electronica movement, and conjure up all things Ed Banger (Justice, DJ Mehdi, SebastiAn, DSL, etc.). all innovative and interesting - last year. previous albums have been lyrically focused - incorporating the necessary dance beats and soul-blazing rhythms that make them a good listen and a great show. Robotique just didn't hit the mark. honestly, the track Club Soda on Ghostland's new album sounds almost exactly like Busy P's "Rainbow Man." come on - not only did Busy P do that first - but he's also Daft Punk's manager, garnering slightly more credibility that a disco-pop band out of Austin.

i guess every band needs a "sophmore slump" album of sorts. still, i'll go see them live any chance i get.

here's to you, internet!

Yes, the time has come.

I'm giving up and starting a blog.

While I haven't actually decided the theme, concept or purpose of my pontifications, it's all happening nevertheless. Initially I would find great pleasure in crafting my blog around my love of music. But I'm easily bored and often lack the stamina to keep up with the daily influx of the new post-punk or brit-rock or underground hip-hop phenomenon who was just discovered in some dingy after hours nightclub in LA or Paris or Berlin. Plus, I have a job.

Granted, I'm at my job right now penning the first entry of my new online journal - completely unrelated to the work that I actually get paid to do.

So before I go back to slaving away in the underpaid, high-stress, corporate rat race jungle be on the lookout for this blog to capture my prowess of cultural commentary, essential mind-altering youtube discoveries, and basic tomfoolery.

I leave you with my favorite piece of modern cinematic genius ever produced.