Tuesday, December 11, 2018

The book review of the Beastie Boys Book none of you asked for

I just finished the Beastie Boys book and it could be the most I've ever enjoyed a book. It's like a mix tape, paces really well, with Adam and Mike going back and forth with short chapters. It feels like the book form of a goddamn Beastie Boys song. It's wild. There's a ton of guest contributors too that keeps it fresh. Lot of great pictures spread throughout the book instead of sticking them all in the middle. It's bittersweet that it's over. It's about 600 pages and usually I don't enjoy books that long. I don't trust a story that can't be told under 300 pages. But this was different. It went by fast, too fast. I wish it was the size of Infinite Jest, maybe more. I want more! I wish MCA was still with us. I wish the Beastie Boys were still writing silly rap songs in their 50's. I don't think I'll ever be over the death of a Beastie Boy. That shit will be sad forever, but in a good way I guess. Better to have had the Beastie Boys than not at all.
Beastie Boys forever. Thanks for the book.

Image may contain: 3 people, people standing and shoes

Tuesday, July 17, 2018

Warped Tour

I was going to wax emo poetic about how this past weekend was the last Warped Tour on NJ soil, a punk-ish rock festival I haven't attended in well over a decade. I was gonna lament over the end of an era and succumb to the heavy nostalgia thinking about Warped does to me. But Warped hasn't put together a line up I wanted to see in a long time. And that's okay, it shouldn't. It should be geared towards young people, not me. Things are changing and as time passes, things become old and tired. Warped will be gone by the end of the summer and that's okay because that means it won't hang around and try to exist well past its own suggested expiration date. The kids will figure something out. CBGB's closed and rock and roll is still alive and well any night of the week in NYC. Something will always come along. The kids will be alright. I'll reflect on the past with fond memories but also accept my own wear and tear. I'm 38 and can no longer hang out in the hot sun for 8 hours and mosh all day. You can find me at the back of an indoor venue now, wondering if I'm the same age as the parents of some of these young punks, rockers, and moshers, just happy to know that even though it may not seem like it in the mainstream, rock and roll is alive and young people are still tearing shit up.

Sunday, August 13, 2017

Pizza and Pop Podcast, Episode 12: Jukebox Heroes







Host Josh Wells and a panel of guests discuss all things jukeboxes. They cover a range of jukebox related banter and build a list of jukebox commandments along the way. Also, glory holes.

This episode's panel:

Angelique Londino- the Moses of jukebox Commandments
Cowboy Steve- jukebox owner
Zack Breheney- the king of Bayonne jukeboxes
Dani Mania- hates your jukebox picks


https://soundcloud.com/user-968319645/pizza-and-pop-podcast-episode-12-juke-box-heroes


 

Monday, July 24, 2017

Pizza and Pop Podcast, Episode 11: Dance Music


Host Josh Wells and panel discuss dancing, dance music, clubs, dj's, dress codes, the Chicken Dance, Funk Master Flex, and more.

Panel:
Kasey Coresh- hates the Chicken Dance
AJ Dunk-only one meeting the dress code requirements
Rob Garrison- funky white boy

Wednesday, July 5, 2017

Pizza and Pop Episode 10: Bands We Hate That Everyone Else Loves


Host Josh Wells and panel discuss the bands they hate that everyone else seems to love. We also learn that Jason Alexander was in a Nickelback video and make plans to go to a Jimmy Buffet tailgate (but not concert) and a Norwegian forest to watch black metal.

This week's panel:
Cha- great singer
Carlos- hates the United Kingdom
Hakeem- the most quiet of the panel drops the biggest bombshell
Dani-Mania- hates witch voices

https://soundcloud.com/user-968319645/pizza-and-pop-episode-10-bands-we-hate-that-everyone-else-loves

Monday, June 26, 2017

Pizza and Pop Podcast, Episode 9: Music and Movies



Josh Wells hosts a panel discussion about music in movies. Things get creepy, movies get spoiled, and Dani's mic doesn't work, but all in all, a very fun episode.

panel:

DiSalami- not his real name
Raphael Hernandez- reveals a dark secret
Gaby Avila- likes Dirty Dancing
Kasey Coresh- also not his real name
Dani-What's-Her-Face- new fake name Dead Air Dani


https://soundcloud.com/user-968319645/pizza-and-pop-podcast-episode-9-music-and-movies


Monday, June 5, 2017

Pizza and Pop Podcast, Episode 8: Chris Cornell/Early 90's Rock/Grunge Icons



Host Josh Wells and panel discuss Chris Cornell, early 90's rock/grunge icons, Lollapalooza, drugs, radio, and the movie 'Singles.'

panel:
Dave Durkin- went to all the cool concerts
Matt Reynolds- Perry Farrell kissed him
Jeff Wolf-vocalist/fitness dude who slummed his diet to eat pizza and drink beer with us
Dani What's-Her-Face- grunge baby

http://nerdopotamus.net/2017/06/05/pizza-pop-podcast-episode-8-chris-cornell-early-90s-rockgrunge-icons/