Rockabye... Metallica?

It's a NRT first! A children's album...

Have you ever been sitting around listening to Metallica and wondered what it would be like if Mater of Puppets were performed with a glockenspiel? Maybe a mellotron? Well, wonder no more! This past Tuesday, Baby Rock Records released their latest masterpiece - Lullaby Renditions of Metallica. You'll hear such gems as One, Enter Sandman, and Nothing Else Matters performed in a series of plinks, plunks, and vibes. To be honest, it really is quite soothing (click the song titles for musical clips). Who ever would have guessed that a glockenspiel could be useful when playing in a minor key? These folks have other lullaby albums using the works of Radiohead and Coldplay, with albums utilizing the songs of Pink Floyd and Tool (yes, Tool - you read that correctly) due out next month. There are also many more albums due in the coming months showcasing music from bands such as The Cure and The Pixies. I think that I'm going to start collecting these for when my sister has kids - that way I can start warping them while they're young!

To recognize this fabulous, yet somewhat bizarre achievement, the ear candy this week consists of a Metallica performed song that you will find on the lullaby album. I chose this particular track not only because I adore the song (see my 'tag line' under my blog title), but because Cliff Burton, the original bass player who tragically died in a 1989 bus accident, was part of its creation. I chose this particular video for a few reasons. First, this bootleg, from a 1986 concert in the USSR, contains footage of Cliff doing what he did o so very very well. Also, this was about the time I was discovering Metallica. I was in the 7th grade and the sound pissed off my father so much that he would bang on the walls telling me to turn down my ape music (and I wonder why I work with monkeys?). Finally, if you look close enough, you'll see that James is wearing a Misfits t-shirt. Why is this important? Well, in the summer of 1994, I had an assembly line job at an exact-o knife factory in Vernon, NJ. I sat on a stool for most of the day placing pieces of exact-o knives into blister packaging. Some days the handles, some days the card backs, but I digress... I was eating lunch early in my first week and I heard this hard hitting sound coming from the rafters. I started to look around and noticed that none of people around me appeared phased by this. Finally, one older woman saw the look on my face and said 'Oh, we've forgotten you're new. Sorry about the racket, dear, but the boys like to have band practice during lunch sometimes. We've just all become quite used to it and you will too.' Suddenly, the sound turned more familiar as the opening chords to Die, Die My Darling started to echo down the stairs. Then it hit me - the f@#&%$ Misfits (sans mister Danzig, of course) were upstairs! They never sang a single word during those times, but they jammed about three times a week. Never on Fridays though. Each Friday at about 11:30am, they would come stomping down the stairs (this was the only time I ever laid eyes on them as they treated that upstairs machine shop like their sanctuary) and would head out the front door only to come back about an hour later smelling like a brewery. So, in honor of of all things metal, click the link, throw your devil horns in the air, and bang your head until your neck is sore! Then, when you're finished there, move on down to the primate of the week link for facts about one hell of a tough primate.

Clap! Clap! Clap!

Yesterday, while in New Orleans, NBC Nightly News anchor man Brian Williams interviewed OGL regarding the Katrina anniversary and other points of interest regarding the current administration. It was CLASSIC!!! First, bravo to Williams for not only asking the questions that needed to be asked, but for keeping his composure (albeit with a smirk and a hand over his mouth stifling a gafaw like laugh) as OGL gave 'highly intelligent' responses to questions such as...

WILLIAMS: If your administration ended today would you be satisfied with the record thus far? Again, the view out there, I think if you asked 9 out of 10 historians -- High point: bullhorn, in the rubble of the buildings that came down. Low point: We're standing on it. Is that fair?

BUSH: First of all, there's no such thing as short-term history as far as I'm concerned. I think that you can't judge a presidency based upon a moment's notice. I believe you have to take -- eventually my standing in history will be judged by people 30 or 40 years from now who will be able to take an objective look, at whether the decisions I made led to peace and prosperity. You know, this is a job where you make decisions. And you, you do what you think is right. And you let people recognize, and the people are gonna say what's on their mind at the moment. But I read three histories of George Washington last year. The first President of the United States is still being analyzed by historians, which oughtta say to this president and future president: "Do what you think is right and eventually historians will figure out whether it made sense or not."

You'll find the entire interview (transcript and video) here.

This post is to honor all of those who lost their lives, homes, friends, families, pets, and/or any thing else that was precious, to one of the greatest natural disasters to ever hit our nation. One year ago, today, at 6:10am, hurricane Katrina made landfall on the eastern shore of Louisiana as a category 4 storm. The storm brought walls of water so high and winds so damaging that over 1800 people died and hundreds of thousands of people became displaced. We should never forget what happened on this date in 2005, nor should we ever forget the following weeks of bureaucratic idiocy that, to this day, continue to leave people homeless and without the basic needs in life. FEMA, I hope your ears are ringing.

To those of you who stayed in the hospitals, nursing centers, zoos, biomedical animal facilities, public works facilities, volunteer organization shelters, and rescue squad vehicles; and went without sleep for days at a time in order to help those who could not help themselves, know that you are all heroes.

To those of you who spent days on your rooftops waiting for help to arrive, know that you are all survivors and are the strongest of people.

To those of you who endured too many days of dehydration, hunger and death in public shelters that were crammed with too many people only to finally be placed on buses to be taken far away from your home into yet another too cramped place, know that you are both strong and heroic in your own right for making it through the most horrid chapter of your life and for moving forward following that nightmare. You are true inspirations.

To those that traveled to the torn regions following the storms and lived in tents to help the survivors, both human and animal alike - thank you.

And finally, to those of who have returned to the Gulf Coast to rebuild, I want you to know that I have always found those of you in the Gulf Region to be some of the most amazing, yet stubborn folks alive. My Uncle was in the military and trained in Biloxi and I worked for a brief time for the military along the Gulf Shores of Alabama, so a little part of my family does remain in your region. The I-10 corridor is filled with people and culture that I feel our nation simply cannot do without. It's not just the Jazz and Creole, but the way of life. The slower, kinder, live today like tomorrow's never gonna come attitude. This is something I cannot imagine the area without. So thank you and keep the perserverance going - from the French Quarter, to the Blow Fly Inn, to the community of Bayou, La Batre. I know that you're all going to make it come alive again.

My thanks to the United States Geological Survey. The pictures below were obtained from their website.

In memorandum...

Biloxi, Mississippi

Waveland, Mississippi

Dauphine Island, Alabama

And finally, thanks to the National Alliance to Restore Opportunity to the Gulf Coast and Displaced Persons for this last picture. As the physical and emotional damage to the city of New Orleans was so wide spread, I thought it best to remember them in a more public manner. In honor of that great city, I give you a branch of the New Orleans Public Library; located in the Lower Ninth Ward, and named after one of the strongest men of our time...

New Orleans, Louisiana

Bruce Gary: April 7, 1951 - August 22, 2006

Bruce Gary passed away yesterday, of lymphoma, at the age of 55. I find it somewhat ironic that two weeks ago I did a homage to drummers for NRT and now here I am honoring yet another - but for a very sad reason.

Gary was best known for his role as the drummer for The Knack (for those of you who may need a refresher - click the 'ear candy' link). However, this man's credit list is over a mile long. To start with, his session work covers everything from rock to surf to Broadway. In addition, he performed, and recorded, with such greats as Bob Dylan, Jimmi Hendrix (for whom he also produced several successful posthumous albums), John Lee Hooker, George Harrison, Jack Bruce, and Robbie Kreiger (if you don't recognize these last two names - Bruce was the bass player for this classic band, and Kreiger played guitar for this amazing group). And, sadly, even with all of that, I feel that Gary's talent was always somewhat under-appreciated. Regardless, Gary was an exceptionally talented drummer and musician. His presence in the industry will surely be missed.

And please forgive my tardiness with this post. Found a GIANT freaking wood spider in my living room (yes, my DC Metro Area living room) and we had a big 'ole battle. Needless to say my arsenal of carpet cleaning spray and my vacuum pronounced me the winner at the end, but the Buddhist community would not look kindly on my actions.

Oh yeah, I almost forgot. I need to post a new 'primate of the week'. I'm going to go with a small, yet powerful, creature that primatologist Dr. Dorothy Fragaszy calls 'Hercules with a Tail' (also the title of the very cool presentation she gave at last week's ASP meeting). Check out the 'primate of the week' link for this incedible little creature as well as more about Dr. Fragaszy's research.

I'm Ba-ack...

Well, I was back on Sunday night, but needed to catch up on a few things before I had the time to sit down and post. That whole 'life' thing just gets in the way sometimes. So, for those of you who might have been a little cranky that I didn't return to the blogosphere faster, you can stop being cranky and instead be slightly disturbed...

That, boys and girls, is the premier attraction of the Davey Crockett Interactive Outpost in downtown San Antonio, TX - right down the street from the Alamo and nestled next to Ripley's Believe it or Not. I personally think that this should be a display for Ripley's. Instead, this frightening creature sits out front and 'dances' at the waist while it pumps the gun up and down, points out into the street and belts the song Davey Crockett. If I hadn't been so weirded out, I would have had the good sense to take a short video to post. But, alas, a still is all I have to share. I dare say it's enough.

Other than that, the ASP meeting was a blast! I had a great time catching up with old students, friends, and colleagues; 'did' the Alamo (where they have a log from Davey Crockett's childhood home on display - complete with plaque; still pissed that photos weren't allowed inside because that's a really hard sell without evidence); walked the lovely river walk through downtown San Antonio; got nice and drunk a couple of times; and just talked monkey. I had a great time and didn't miss DC one bit.

Things I did miss, however, included NRT. Sorry kids, no internet access and well, I was just a touch busy on Thursday night drinking beer and whatnot. So, to make up for that, I present something that I found on another blog - Electric Monkey Pants. You will now find a link to this blog over yonder in the 'fellow blogger' links. It's good read - check it out. Anyway, if you know Outkast's Hey Ya (if not - take a listen here - I can almost guarantee you'll start boppin' along) you're going to love this cover. It's performed by Mat Weddle of the band Obadiah Parker (who are pretty good - a little folk, a little funk; light and easy on the ears and soul). But anyway, on this cover, it's just him and his six string doing a folked up version and it's AMAZING. Click here and enjoy. If your ears like what they hear, he also does Bjork!

Better Late Than Never

As many of you may know, one of the Discovery Channel's biggest ratings draws is Shark Week. That glorious time of year when they present specials containing bizarre people, with thrill issues, in cages trying to get as close as possible to these awesome creatures. Some of it can be really cool; but sadly, they missed the boat on advertising this go round. This year, Shark Week ran from July 31 through August 4, and during that time, the Discovery Channel headquarters in downtown Silver Spring, MD opted to advertise in a BIG way by turning their building into a shark for the week. The pictures that I managed to snap (forgive the quality - I was in my car waiting at red lights for both) simply don't do the beast justice. It was amusing to say the least as it was held up to the building with cables and strings. Seriously, this thing had Mystery Science Theater 3000 written all over it (I'm secretly hoping that some wanna be film director got some overnight footage for the best 'B' movie ever). What really gets me is that this sucker was five years in the making and supposedly made of some kind of space-age material that could withstand 40mph winds and then be reinflated to original size in under four minutes should rain and/or heavier wind knock the air loose. They had that down, but couldn't find a more aesthetic way to attach it to the building? To top it all off, the 'ass' end of the shark is what faced the downtown proper. So, as you drove into town from the north, south, or west you were greeted with the back end first. Is Discovery trying to tell the people of Silver Spring something? Hmmm...

And on that, I shall bid you all ado for now. I will be absent for the next week as I am heading to San Antonio, TX to attend the annual meeting of the American Society of Primatologists. It's a glorious five day period where all we do is talk monkey by day and drink by night. How I do love my peers. If all goes well, and the FAA doesn't decide to hold me hostage for having a tube of lip balm, I shall return early the week of the 21st with delightful tales of monkey mayhem.

TTFN!

NRT: With Added Flair!

Greetings! Yeah, I know, a whole week. Sorry 'bout that. Been just a little busy. The big news (the flair, if you will) is that my colonoscopy went off without a hitch and it seems that I will live. Yippee! Now, you may be asking yourself, why is she sharing? Well, it's because the word colonoscopy gives just about 99.9% of people who hear it the heebie-jeebies. Due to this, I am opting to get the word out that really it ain't so bad. Seriously, the worst part is what they kindly refer to as 'the prep'. That's the joy of cleaning out your system the day before so they can get a good look at all your plumbing - you have to fast all day, drink the cocktail around 6pm and then you get to set up camp near the 'head' for the evening (good time to catch up on some reading). Then, once you get to the procedure in the morning, it's cake. They give you an IV, fill it with happy drugs, and viola! In less than 90 minutes you wake up in a comfortable haze with a nice person asking what you'd like to drink. No pain, no discomfort (well, my lower tummy is a tad sore today, but nothing horrid) and you get to walk away on your own accord. And ladies, there's an extra added bonus - you get to leave on your bra! Some dignity is maintained!! So, if there's anyone out there who has been told that a colonoscopy is in their future - fear not.

OK then, on with NRT (New Release Thursday for those who may be behind). First, the new monkey of the week. I was having a bit of a time deciding until big news came out of the Philadelphia Zoo this week: A new Golden Lion Tamarin was born!! Click on the Primate of the Week link to catch the news feed from the Philadelphia CBS station - pictures and video galore. This is fantastic news as it is helping the zoo's primate preserve's quest towards conservation of several primate species. Way to go!!!

And now, on to the music!! This week, I'm going to do something just a little different. This morning as I was checking to see if Dwardisimo Rex rose from his vacation slumber, I read some new comments added to last week's NRT Annex. Seems that his buddy Poppersmoke feels that drummers aren't respected near enough. As I am a drummer myself, I am here to change his mind. Sure, most of us can't sing to save ourselves (hence, why Keith Moon needed to be 'removed' when the Who did ballads live), but we can beat the hell out of a pulled skin with a stick and we'll stop the show in the process. Think about it - who's the coolest group in the marching band? The DRUM line. When's the only time marching band is ever considered to be cool? DRUM and bugle core. What's every kid's first instrument albeit a spoon and pot? A DRUM. OK, I think you get the point. A unique bunch, we talk loud, party hard, and really could give a shit about what others think. Because of this, we tend to worship the ground our heroes walk upon. I will now proceed to discuss three of my favs and with each, you will find a link that will take you to that individual's page on Drummerworld where you'll get a bio, music clips, and be able to watch videos of some of their greatest performances.

First on my list is John Bonham of Led Zeppelin. I simply don't have words to describe my love for this man. Seriously, if I could remove the vocals and guitar from some of Zeppelin's tracks, I would, just to listen to Bonham go ape. Next time you listen to Whole Lotta Love, give that some thought. However, his greatest achievement is by far Moby Dick, where the solos would rage on for up to 30 minutes. Others have tried, but none can match Bonham's ability to drive along the toms and cymbals the way he can.



Next up is Carter Beauford from the Dave Matthews Band. I would first like to thank Arsenio Hall for saying that he didn't want Carter for his show's band. This enabled Carter to return to Virginia where he hooked up with Dave and friends. As for DMB, sure, Dave is one hell of a song writer and has quite the swooning voice, but without Carter behind him, as far as I'm concerned, the band wouldn't have the depth and power it does with Carter at the helm of the percussion. I classify Mr. Beauford as a 'super genius'. He's clever, creative, and somehow manages to be smooth, yet tight while sitting behind a 20+ piece kit. Also check out his work with Victor Wooten: it'll help you get your groove on.

To round out my three (and be grateful that I'm only doing three because I could go on forever), I give you Dave Grohl. Drool, pant, howl, etc... I worship this man, plain and simple. The younger folk out there may only know him as the founder and lead guitarist of the Foo Fighters, but this man is a bonafide drummer extraordinaire. From his early days with Nirvana up until the Queens of the Stone Age were wise enough to have him sit in on an album, Dave has beat the skins with a fierceness and passion like no other. Love you, LOVE you, LOVE YOU, Dave!!

And there you have it, an NRT dedicated to drummers!! I hope that you have found this both educational and enjoyable. Look for sequels in the future. Oh, I nearly forgot - the ear candy link is a sure treat. There is just something about a drum duel and no group does it live as well as Godsmack. Flair indeed!

A 'Keen' NRT

I won't be getting into this week too deeply simply because I've been ultra busy. Between work (where I'm still at - just taking a quick break) and the mini-flood I found in my bathroom last night (nothing is quite like finding that it's raining indoors), it's been a very interesting few days. Nonetheless, I wanted to get some new tunes posted for the week. And of course, there's a new monkey as well. Check out the Primate of the Week link for a fascinating new creature (with a very unusual name) brought to you by the Oregon Zoo. I highly recommend checking out the videos to watch the kids at play. It'll lower your bp - promise.

OK then, the tunes this week are from a band from across the pond - Keane. I discovered Keane while listening to internet radio a few months back, and was enthralled by the song Somewhere Only We Know, the first track off their first full length album Hopes and Dreams. It's all very good stuff. Lyrics and melody match beautifully with singer Tom Chaplin's marvelous set of pipes. I encourage you to check them out if you're not familiar. Also, to add to the fun, they released a new album in late June (Under the Iron Sea) and the first single is the very catchy Is It Any Wonder?. You'll find that neatly tucked into the ear candy link. But before you treat your ears to that, take a listen to this performance of Bend and Break (from their first album) from the Late Show. They're just as good, if not better, live as they are on recording.