Lego Hex Girls

Yesterday’s update was about a Lego version of Rude Boy and the Ska-Tastics. Tthose familiar with Scooby Doo Mystery Incorporated may have been wondering where the musical counterpoint to the undead skankers were.  So today I present a Lego version of the Hex Girls.  To be honest, the Hex Girls were originally the only band I was going to create in Lego form, but as I started working on them I decided it would be fun to recreate both bands in the episode Dance of the Undead.

 Much like the Rude Boy display this stage is modeled more to represent the theme of the band than it is an accurate depiction of the rooftops used in the episode.  This one is still a work in progress too.  The two bright red areas have changed a couple of times and I have the pieces for two more versions.   Dusk, the drummer, also has the wrong hair piece.  The blonde pigtails that I need won’t be available until September when series 16 of the Collectable Minifigures is released.  It’s hard to see in photos, but the stage actually has a clear red line bordering the edge.  It helps to offset all the black and I love the look of it.

I spent a ton of time obsessing over how to bring the Hex Girls into Lego form.  The first thing I had to figure out was the version.  In the classic Scooby Doo look they all wear vampire fangs.  Luna, the keyboardist, has a skin color that seems to change a little between appearances too.  Because I love Mystery Incorporated I decided to do that version.  Even using that as a guide the girls changed up their appearances a few times in their two episodes.  As much as I wanted them there was no way I could make the Dia des los Muertos versions with stock Lego parts. 

Once I figured out faces and hair that would work I had to figure out torso and legs.  Finding a perfect match for these things was sadly impossible unless I wanted to print my own stickers.  So I really picked things that I thought would match, even if it isn’t a perfect representation of what they wore on the episodes.  I’d like to do a Crush minifigure to represent Daphne when she joins the band, but I don’t even know where to start because of how little she wore.  If I ever figure it out I’ll post an update here.

Lego Rude Boy and the Ska-Tastics

I’ve been very open about my love for the show Scooby Doo: Mystery Incorporated.  I honestly think it is one of the best written cartoons I’ve ever seen.  One episode in the second season (Dance of the Undead) introduces Rude Boy and the Ska-Tastics as the monster of the week.  The back story is that Rude Boy and the Ska-Tastics were a one-hit wonder that failed to catch on.  The group faked their own deaths in order to take a year off and write the perfect song.  The perfect song actually took them 30 years and when they were ready to come back they realized the ska movement was dead.  So they dressed as zombies and infused their music with voodoo to turn everyone that listened to them into dancing zombies. 

When the Scooby Doo Lego sets were released last year I immediately started thinking of other things from the shows that I wanted to see put into Lego form.  Rude Boy and the Ska-Tastics were one of those things.  The first thing I have to say about it is that the stage isn’t show accurate.  In Dance of the Undead the band is playing on a rooftop with a large checkered banner behind them.  I knew I’d never be able to do their logo correctly; so I did a checkered floor instead.  I was able to keep the coffin backdrops, so I was pretty happy about that.  I added a few skulls for some additional flair.  It doesn’t look like a screenshot from the show, but I think it fits the characters.

You’d have to really look closely at the picture to notice, but it also isn’t finished.  Despite the big bags of Lego bricks I posted yesterday I’m still missing a number of tiles that I need to complete the stage.  Those will be fixed after I make my next order. I somehow mixed up the drummer and the keyboardist in this picture, something that probably no one else besides me would ever notice.  That one is an easy fix that will happen as soon as I finish writing this.  I'm pretty happy with how the band translated into Lego.  Obviously there are repeated pieces between the band members.  Sticking with official Lego parts didn’t leave me a whole lot of options to work with when I needed Zombies in suits.  I was happy that I was able to get the two different heads and bodies to split up between the four figures.  They really would have looked like clones if they all had the same head and clothes.  

This mini-Lego week continues tomorrow with another original build and then a Lego Flash Friday to end the week.

NPR Tiny Desk: Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats

For the past few months I've been super into Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats.  I first heard them on a local radio station.  Their music didn't fit the format at all but I was immediately blown away by the powerful vocals and amazing horn section.  S.O.B. quickly became one of my favorite songs and I dove into the rest of the music the band released.

Because the songs are still stuck in my head I wanted to post up a few of the videos here.  While searching through YouTube I found that I had somehow missed their appearance on NPR's Tiny Desk Concerts.  So instead of posting a handful of videos I give you one 15 minute plus one.  Hopefully you enjoy them as much as I do.

Muppets Kodachrome

This video hit the internet over the holidays so it's possible that a lot of people might have missed it.  I can't even count the number of times I've watched it.  It encapsulates everything I love about the Muppets in one video.  It also doesn't hurt that it stars the Electric Mayhem.



I really need a shirt with just that Electric Mayhem logo on it.

Puddles the Clown: Pinball Wizard

Sometimes you have to let the video speak for itself.  www.puddlespityparty.com

Ladybaby

So at this point most people have heard of Babymetal, the Japanese pop singers backed by a heavy metal band.  Something made me think of them yesterday and I played one of their videos for my son.  He was really into it and we ended up watching a handful of their videos back to back.  A little later we discovered Ladybaby.

Two teen girls and a crossdressing Australian named Ladybeard.  I can describe it all I want, but it really is something you have to see for yourself.  LED!

Mariachi El Bronx Wildfires

One of my favorite bands just released a new video.  The new album came out a while ago, but I urge you to give it a listen.  All three of the albums have been stellar and I'm upset that I haven't seen them play live yet.

Family

So.  We've been quiet for almost a year.  More on that tomorrow probably. 

Today, today is the Interrupters from Hellcat Records.  Just a short post to get everything going again. 

Postmodern Jukebox is Going on Tour

Postmodern Jukebox is one of those things you’ve probably stumbled upon while browsing YouTube or had sent to you.  They take modern songs like “Thrift Shop” or “Royals” and re-imagine them in a different musical style.  Some of the songs are good; most of them are incredible.  In June the band is taking the show on the road.  Sadly this is only a six show tour, so if you’re like me the band might not be playing anywhere near you. 

The tour is taking the band to Montreal, Boston, New Haven, Providence, New York, and DC.  I wish it was a larger tour but you can’t blame them for taking it slow.  It has to be an intimidating leap to see how many YouTube views turn into concert viewers.  If you’ve spent the entirety of this update wonder just who I’m talking about, let me leave you with my absolutely favorite video they’ve done.

Gwar: The Road Behind

"You know I snuffed a million planets but I still found time to cry."  I meant to attach a video to yesterday's update but I wasn't really thinking to clearly. 

 

Thank you Dave, it would be impossible to count the hours of enjoyment you've given me.  

RIP Dave Brockie, Oderus Urungus

There are several news reports coming out now that Gwar lead singer Dave Brockie passed away yesterday.  He was found sitting in his chair.  According to the results drugs, suicide, nor foul play are suspected.  There will be an autoposy to deterime the cause of death.

I just found out myself minutes befomre writing this update, so it may ramble a little.  I had to go back and look up when Corey died because it seems like it was just a little while ago; but that was back in November of 2011.

Dave was funny, intelligent, and of course vulgar as all hell.  I first discovered Gwar not long after Scumdogs of the Universe came out and have been following them ever since.  Somewhere tucked back in my closet is the first shirt I ever wore to a Gwar show, its mostly pink from when someone tried to wash it.  Gwar is easily the band I've seen the most live.  The few times I had run into the guys, they were all incredible. 

My thoughts go out to Dave's friends, family, and bandmates.  There will never be another person like Dave Brockie. 

Cracker: Eurotrash Girl

This week has been an extremely busy one for me at work, so I haven't had as much time as I'd like to make updates here at That F'ing Monkey.  So today we have a serving of Cracker.  My favorite song by them, "Eurotrash Girl".

 



Detroit Cobras

The Detroit Cobras are a pretty recent obsession of mine.  I really only started digging into their music for the past two months.  I honestly don’t even remember how I stumbled upon their fantastic garage rock.  The blend of rock and blues/soul singing just feels smoky and dirty.  I like it a lot.

A good number of their songs are old covers, but they’ve got a few originals too.  You can check out their website at thedetroitcobras.com.

Oderus Good Night Moon

The people over at Loudwire had Gwar’s lead singer, Oderus Urungus, read the children’s story book “Goodnight Moon.”  It is amazing as it sounds.  There are actually two versions of this video; a censored and an uncensored version.  I’m immature, I think swearwords are funny, but I think the censored version of this video is funnier than the uncensored one.  That being said, just because it is uncensored doesn’t mean it’s safe for small ears.  He manages to take the story to a few places that I don’t think are actually in the book.  Check it out for yourself.

 

We own "Goodnight Moon" for my son.  I think I'll wait a while before I show him Oderus' version though.  Now I have to start thinking about what will be the right age to introduce him to Gwar.  I know I discovered them right after Scumdogs of the Universe was released.  I guess it'll be a few years.





End of the Line

I’ve already posted music by Hurray for the Riff Raff on That F’ing Monkey but last week they released a brand new video for the song “End of the Line”.    The band will be releasing their newest album Small Town Heroes on ATO Records in February. 

I know I’m looking forward to the new album. Some days you just need good music to forget about everything else.  Hopefully this song will make your day a little better than mine is.

Perfect Day

Today has actually been a pretty horrible day.  Regardless of that I decided to share a little Lou Reed.  Playstation 4 has a wonderful commercial with gamers singing “Perfect Day” horribly off-key.  Normally something like this would drive me insane, but I find myself singing along with it every time I see it.  Then I started thinking that most the people this ad is aimed at have never actually heard the original song.  So enjoy some Lou Reed, hopefully your day will be better because of it.

I came very close to posting the video for “Sweet Jane” too.  I suppose that can be an update for another day.

Warren Zevon

Michael May has been killing it by counting Werewolves all October.  Really, make sure you check out his Adventureblog.  In his 31 days he hit on what I consider a pretty big one, Warren Zevon’s “Werewolves of London.”  It’s a fantastic song and it deserves to be a Halloween anthem but there is so much more to Zevon’s music than just the one song.  I actually wrote about the same topic way back in 2010 and have posted videos a couple of times.

Zevon has a 30 year music career and was awarded two Grammys posthumously for his album The Wind.  For me the music is one thing and don’t get me wrong the music itself is great but it’s his lyrics that really pull me in.  Most of his songs tell stories.  They might be about Werewolves, psychopathic killers, or hockey players.  If you listen close you can see the entire story play out in your head, it becomes more than just music. 

Zevon passed away in 2003 after fighting cancer far longer than his doctors said he would be able to.  He was an amazing artist.  Enjoy “Werewolves of London” this month, but check out more of his work; you won’t be disappointed.    

Hurray for the Riff Raff

And now my latest music obsession.  Hurray for the Riff Raff.

Hurray for the Riff Raff is one of those bands that needs to be heard.  Liveset apparently thought so too so they loaded this 30+ minute session up to YouTube. 

The video is from last year and I believe the band is currently working on a new album.  Everyone have a great weekend, we’ll be back next week with more strangeness.

Brown Eyed Boy

Hey everyone, this is a heads up that I'm going to be super busy the rest of the week with some family stuff.  Because of that, That F'ing Monkey won't be updating again until next week.  Sorry of the delay, I just won't have much time to talk about comics for the next few days.  Until then you should enjoy "Brown Eyed Boy" from the Hillbilly Moon Explosion.

I've posted their music before, but they are so fantastic that I don't mind posting a second song of theirs.  Everyone have a great weekend.

Getting Closer to the End

While I was working yesterday I heard my music cut out for a second and then jump to the next song.  Paranoid I reached over to my faithful iPod and clicked back to the song was just playing.  It cut out again in the same place and then jumped to the next song.  I was bothered, but I was content to listen to the song that was currently playing.  It played perfectly.  The next song stopped around the halfway mark and jumped to the one after that.  There was a sick feeling in my gut. 

I’ve been teased before at work because my iPod has been with me for so long.  Every day when I get into work I grab a cup of coffee and I hook my iPod up to a set of speakers.  My 40 gig, 4^th generation iPod.  The music player is almost 9 years old now and has close to 7,000 songs on it.  Every once in a while I get asked why I haven’t upgraded to a new one, but I never saw the point.  The classic was doing everything I needed it to.  Now that’s starting to change.  I’d say 1 in every 10 songs played is choppy or skips.  I can manage but I know the end is coming.

The real killer for me is that there isn’t a good replacement for what I have.  I got almost 9 years out of this one so I have no problem sticking with Apple, but they aren’t making it easy for me.  I have almost 30GB of music.  I don’t need to run apps or watch movies; I just want a music player.  I’d need 2 iPod nanos to carry what I have now.  At 150 each that isn’t going to happen.  The 32Gb iPod touch costs 300 too.  Besides that the touch is full of things I don’t need.  That brings us back to the iPod Classic.

The Classic.  The device that launched the line only comes in one version now, the 160GB.  That’s 5 times more than I really need and it’s 250 dollars.  Sure if it lasts 10 years that 250 will seem like a great deal, but right now it seems like a lot of money for more storage than I need.  I’m not going to do anything while my old Classic still functions, but the whole idea of it no longer working just makes me sad.