Re-Up Update, Zach Galifianakis, Man V. Fire

Well, Google was smarter than I thought.

It turns out that they reserve the right to stop you from making money at any time and if they think you are clicking your own adds a bunch, they will. I am confident that this was in the fine print somewhere so I'm gonna let sleeping dogs lie.

Anyway, this shit is hilarious:

Apparently, Absolut gave Zach Galifianakis, Tim Heidecker and Eric Wareheim, free range to make whatever short film they wanted as long as they plugged Absolut Vodka in some capacity.

Parts 2 and 3 are also on Youtube if you feel compelled....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3EQcvKCFFW4&feature=related -- Part 1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nx6LAT-FqxU&feature=related -- Part 2

He also has a series of interviews with famous actors called Between Two Ferns. Guests include Steve Carrell, Sean Penn, Bruce Willis, Michael Cera and more. ALL HILARIOUS. Here's the episode with Ben Stiller.

Between Two Ferns with Zach Galifianakis: Ben Stiller from Between Two Ferns

I especially like it when the interviewees come off weirder than Zach.

Between Two Ferns with Zach Galifianakis: Charlize Theron from Between Two Ferns

Lately, I have been playing and writing for a rock band for the first time since I was in high school. The band is made up of me, Chris Holdridge, and Cory Sterling (Guitar, Bass & Drums from Re-Up) and Charlie Rockwell of Love In Stockholm (www.myspace.com/LoveInStockholm) on Vocals. Check out a track below. And please don't compare it to Re-Up. This is rock music. If you liked Re-Up but you don't like rock, you probably wont like this. And also, your probably not a red-blooded American.

Don't Wanna Fight by Man V. Fire

As for Re-Up, we are taking an extended hiatus for a while. It came abruptly and it sucked to disappoint all our fans but it is hard to keep an 8 piece band on the same page and everyone is off doing their own thing for the time being. I hope to record a couple new Re-Up tracks this year and do a couple shows but I really can't promise anything. No matter what happens going forward, I want to sincerely thank all of our fans, friends, and family for the endless support we received. Even when things weren't running smoothly internally I could always count on you all to show love for the music we made and it meant a lot. Some lessons in life just have to be learned the hard way.

That last line was straight out of Dawson's Creek.

From the front,

Owen

Variety Shows Past and Future

Good people of the Czech Republic.  I come to you today with a heavy heart.  As you may know the art of the variety show is lost on our generation.  I don't mean Talk Shows.  We have some decent talk shows today.....

But even Conan doesn't captivate the nation (think Ed Sullivan) and honestly, 9 of every 10 guests are garbage

Don't actually watch that.

My favorite old variety show is The Johnny Cash Show.  He just brought all his favorite musicians on the show to perform and usually play a tune with him.   Check out Ray here playing "Ring Of Fire."

Television just doesn't get that classy anymore.

Then of course I have to mention the Dean Martin Show.  This still cracks me up every time I watch it.  It's a big deal these days when someone goes on a talk show drunk but Dean Martin got wasted before every show!  The show included a smashed Dean Martin sliding down a fire pole, telling dirty jokes, making guests uncomfortable, and slurring his way through a few tunes...

And it's hilarious.

  

The late 90's saw an unlikely variety show revival in the WB's saturday morning cartoon lineup.  I (like thousands of other kids) was addicted to "The Animaniacs."  The premise involves 3 "Dog Children" that live in the famous water tower on the Warner Brothers movie lot.  They always escape from the tower and run around causing trouble until the end of the episode when they are caught and returned to the tower.  This was a true variety show with different characters, (Pinky and The Brain, Chicken Boo, Katie Kaboom, Slappy Squirrel and more) hilarious satire, (most of which I missed when I was 8) and enough anvils and explosions to entertain any child.  AND IT WAS EDUCATIONAL!!  

Here they are making fun of tv nerds

Unfortunately, the Animaniacs went the way of the do do bird and Johnny Carson.  It is my dream that someday I will have enough money to fund my own variety show.  I'll play with all my favorite musicians, I'll mess with celebrities in front of a giant audience, and I'll be drunker than Dean Martin.

Click a few of the adds on the side of my page and help make that dream a reality.

From the front,

O

7 things cashiers hate, Them Crooked Vultures, Re-Up Documentary

Well, people of the world, you asked for it and its here:

The Top 7 things Cashiers at Casual Restaurants Hate (I couldn't think of 10)

1. The most obvious one: Customers approaching the register while on their cellphones.

At the very least tell whoever your talking to to hold on. What conversation could be so important that you can't even take a break to order a burger? And if it's that much of an emergency maybe food shouldn't be your number one priority....

2. Searching through your change forever so that you only get bills back.

Can't you see the ten people waiting behind you? Is it really that important to you that you find 17 cents? You know your still spending the same amount of money right? A little consideration, folks.

3. Approaching the register before you know what you want.

You mean in all the time that you were in line you didn't give any thought to what you wanted? What have you been doing for the last 5 minutes? At this point just pick something you know you like..... or get out of line! I guarantee 90% of these people know what they want already. Let them take a crack at ordering.... maybe you'll learn a thing or two by watching their technique.

4. Asking for a receit for your burger and fries

There is one exception to this. If your employer is paying for your lunch, I understand your need for proof of purchase. But, if your a house wife, college student, or anyone else who is not having a corporate-funded lunch, just let it go. Do you really plan to declare that burger on your taxes in 5 months?

5. Getting weird when I ask for your name.

It's just so that they can call you when the food is ready. What do you think I'm gonna stalk you? Yea ,I know your name is Kate and you like salad. I'll be at your apartment at 4 in the morning. Is your ego really that big?

6. Complaining to the cashier about the food.

Look, I'm sorry that your burger was a little too rare for you or your delivery order was cold or whatever. But..... I DIDN'T MAKE IT!!!!!!!!! If the food was that bad ask for the manager and complain to him. What if I came to the office where you work and complain that your corporation didn't properly spend its bailout money? You would tell me to talk to your boss.....

7. Not cleaning up (or at least apologizing) for the huge mess your infant made.

These are in no particular order but this one might be the worst. I know that it is my responsibility to clean the restaraunt. And I know that you go out to eat so that you wont have to clean up after yourself. But if your baby is shredding burgers and throwing the cherrios and peas you brought all over the place, you need to take some initiative. The fact is if you talked to me I would probably clean it for you anyway. It just baffles me how a civilized, well off, young, professional couple can let their infant empty a ziploc bag of cereal on a table and just walk away.

The "Them Crooked Vultures" record is starting to grow on me. I think the concept definitely needs development, but their hearts are in the right place. Put preconcieved notions aside, people. Dave, Josh and John are just three guys excited about making rock music. This is not a super group overrun by egos and images. These guys just wanna rock. Just like you when you were 14. I hope they release a couple more records because I think their third one is gonna be awesome.

In other news.....

Re-Up will be filming and releasing a documentary in the coming months.  We are gonna bring a camera crew headed by my friend JJ Rok to all (or most) shows, rehearsal, meetings, parties, recording sessions, etc.  Hopefully they will come on tour with us this winter and spring.  

The documentary will be released in weekly increments of 20 minutes or so and a larger documentary will eventually be release with a bunch of the episodes linked together.  

I'm a little nervous because I think the band will be put off, initially, by having a camera around.  It's also gonna reveal a lot about us as a band and as individuals....... 

 It might make rehearsals more productive though.  

We need to get better at acting natural around cameras anyway.

Also in the near future:  Re-Up Iphone application!  Get free stuff for coming to Re-Up shows!

From the front line,

O

I think that having wet feet and walking around in wet shoes should be added to the torture methods we use for political prisoners.  Now, I don't support torturing prisoners by any means.  Having said that, (Larry David, your a genius) if we're gonna be torturing people the wet sneaker technique should definitely be added.

My roommates' band, Dopapod just dropped a sweet promo video.  Check it out at http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=547475497759&ref=mf.  Awesome song in the background (who was that, Rob?) but definitely no indication of what they sound like (myspace.com/dopapod.)  They're playing a house party in Philly tonight that's sure to be bananas.... Check it out if your in the area. 

I can't stop listening to the Ray Charles record "Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music."  The arrangements Ray comes up with never cease to amaze me.  PLEASE go listen to this record.  You'll be glad you did.  

We (Re-Up) are heading to Ballards in Durham, NH on thursday.  I'm reminded of a sick gig we had there last year.  Hope its packed again.  Cliff was sick but still gave 110%.  Ricardo White on Drums (chris, you suck at snowboarding,) Mike Brooks on Alto (Jeremy was recording w Randy Runyon,) and Tasos Korkovellos on keys (fuck yea.)  Audio is a little rough but you'll get the point  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVAibvvBUNY

Just got done watching Mark track drums with Kyle in the brand new Basement Studio @ 64 Ridgemont.  Sounds awesome!  Well, enough cool shit...... time to go stand behind a cash register for 5 hours.  

Peace be with you and also with you,

O