Archive for July, 2009

I’m a new to Mower, as a whole, but I’ve had the pleasure to see them perform a couple of times over the last few years. With “Make It a Double”, things just feel more lighthearted to start with.  We started off with “The Party” and got more of what we liked about the music live.

“Nothing says ‘Go to Hell’ like a Bullet to the head..” ~”Wolves”

Then the mood changes.  When I had a chance to talk with Mower earlier this year, there was a new concept emerging.  It’s called Slower.  Described in their own press as a “jazz/lounge alter-ego”, the group took a few songs from their first two records and reworked them to show the softer side of their material.  Maybe not being a longer time Mower listener, maybe these songs don’t have the impact they would the big fans.  But in the long run, this is a good album to introduce you to the diversity of the group, for sure.

After a short break entitled “Alien”, the second half of the album was so low key, well, it was unnerving.  Out of curiosity, I passed the CD off to a coworker that was a bit into the rock n roll, nothing heavy except straight metal, and he loved the second half.

The only downside is that the average listener coming across this in their record store might not know what they’re getting into.  The album is also full of guest appearances by members of Anthrax, Snot, Stone Sour, and Mad Juana.  A list that any long time music fan can appreciate.  In the long run, the disc lifts the veil on Mower as a group that shouldn’t disappoint.

The album is out now.

This week, I received a message from an emphatic Shook C that he wanted to get the word out on things going on.  So he’s got the floor to tell us about his new label ventures, what’s been going on, and his upcoming appearance at the Gathering of the Juggalos.  You can find out more about Shook C on his Myspace page.

Pick up that latest interview on Talkshoe, or subscribe to us on iTunes!!!

A little piece I did for Podcamp Pittsburgh.  Expect more to come….

Last year leading up to Podcamp Pittsburgh 3, we showcased the regular people around Pittsburgh that were doing great things with Social Media. People such as Justin Kownacki of Something to Be Desired, iJustine, Rachel from Webbie Nominated ThatNight.net, and members of the Should I Drink That and Wrestling Mayhem Show Podcasts. This year, we wanted to approach businesses around the area already using social media to further their businesses.

Our first spotlight is on ModCloth and their efforts. ModCloth is a vintage clothing company that has built their site and nurtured their customers using Twitter, Facebook, and more.

You can also listen to an extended version of our interview with Maggie Glover on the Podcamp Pittsburgh Cast. We will be featuring interviews and discussions here about socal media and the Pittsburgh area. There are also several sessions from Podcamp Pittsburgh 3 already available on the stream. You can subscribe on iTunes so you don’t miss a thing!

Michael Facade, Vicki Gambino, and IWC Super Indy Champion Super Hentai, with his shiny belt, join us in the Mayhem Studios  to talk about IWC No Excuses 5, The Super Indy Tournament, and more.  Then we delve into DJLunchbox’s challenge to Fedor, and cover a bit of WWE.  Also, Silent Ninja enters the Mayhem Training Program, with coaching by Sorg and Facade.

This is Episode 178 for Tuesday, July 28, 2009. You can get the episode here on Talkshoe, subscribe, and as always, stay tuned to www.wrestlingmayhemshow.com for the latest! The Wrestling Mayhem Show is recorded live and can be heard/viewed from 8 PM to 10 PM Eastern on Talkshoe.com and BlogTV.com. Let us know what you think of the show, and your thoughts on the wrestling world by emailing us at goodtimes@wrestlingmayhemshow.com! Don’t forget you can find links related to the show’s news stories and more at our Delicious Links Page for Episode 178!

Supercommuter

Mantis
“You Don’t Know” (mp3)
from “Still Life”
(Brick Records)

Buy at iTunes Music Store
Stream from Rhapsody
Buy at Rhapsody
More On This Album

Boycott Blues
“Da Math (Radio) [feat. Consequence & Insight]” (mp3)
from “Chkabloaww b/w Da Math (Single)”
(Brick Records)

Buy at iTunes Music Store
Stream from Rhapsody
Buy at Rhapsody
More On This Album

So,  I’ve had a long standing love/hate relationship with Facebook.  I’ve been slow to accept it.  But I’ve not rejected in fully.  I know, it’s the kind of user I am.  I’m the sort of person that needs to find the value in a site like this to accomplish my goals on a personal and professional level.

The biggest problem I’ve always had with the social sites is that inevitably, someone had slipped through the cracks.  Too often I’d send out an event on there, or post on one of my many social sites, and a good friend would feel jilted on not knowing about it.  Myspace had this problem.  Twitter has too steep of a learning curve that is only now being conquered thanks to the exposure on CNN and Conan O’Brian.  Finally, Facebook has met that critical mass that I find it useful.  This is the closest thing I have found to connect me in some fashion to almost anyone I could want to.

When my friends in the social media community are as equally involved in something as my mothing in law up in New York Applachia and her family, something good is going on.  Finally,  I’ve found the site a good way to connect with people on events and news for my clients and podcasts.

The connectivity with things like my Twitter have helped add a new layer of responsiveness and outreach.  No longer does someone have to comprehend Twitter to follow my thought provoking ideas, such as…

Somewhere, the Chris Masters kid just had a young heart attack…

That’s right.  Even my mom will know when I’m having a good sandwich.  (ahem)

But I still think applications are worthless.  Show me one that’s useful.

Silent Ninja Ponders the Reactions

For WrestlingMayhemShow.com.

I’m not referring to the highly  recommended social book (that’s on my to read list after a recent Kevin Rose guested TWIT).  I’m talking about having people around you when you watch your wrestling.  Wrestling is something to be watched in crowds of people.  It’s filmed in front of over 10,000 fans each week.  So much is adapted to those reactions.

So what are you missing sitting there alone on Monday Nights?

I’ve experienced that feeling.  Watching any of the shows or pay per views by yourself, or with someone just not that into it because you have it on.  It’s hard to get into as well unless you’re into the mood.  In recent weeks, I found myself watching a paritcular PPV that I just couldn’t get into a little bit.  Then a RAW that was quite fantastic (the Seth Green encounters) that I just phased out and started doing work instead.  Only catching residual information from the show so I know what’s going on the next day when we record the podcast.  But even then, it’s on the outer rims of my memory.  Not that great for discussion.

Lately, I’ve returned to watching Pay Per Views at Fox and Hound, despite the cover charge, and revisited the reaction factor.   For Night of Champions, it was an eye opener.  I never expected the opening tag match, with Big Show revealed as the mystery partner, to get applause.  To see the reactions and heckling of CM Punk’s long winding, but amazing, promo about Jeff Hardy basically being a gateway drug to marajuana, and his “dyabolical” arm bands that the kids wear, all with the undertones of the failure of parenting in America.  The factions of people that were pro Cena, Triple H, and/or Orton, and the reactions to the false tap out, then subsequent dirty win by Legacy.

It’s not just there.  Everytime we go to a live show with our Mayhem Crew, there are groups of chants you don’t hear on television.  Subtle things that just don’t carry over.  Reactions that just surprise us.  Whether it’s small factions of pro Jericho fans chanting when he’s completely heeling out, or the sheer intensity of reaction to a Jeff Hardy or John Cena entrance, those are things you can’t appreciate on television as well.

And on the latter end.  Twitter and chat rooms.  Often, you can find Mayhem Crew and fans gathering in chat rooms on BlogTV, or in the IWC Chat.  You can sometimes see some commentary on the Twitter streams.

So if you find yourself feeling burned out and bored with what you’re watching, invite some friends over, get out to see the show at a bar, or join up with a chat that isn’t full of trolls.  It might change your perspective on what’s going on a bit.

She needs some sun so bad....

Last night, as I had my over the air television on for noise, and a double header of The Office helping the decision, while working on some freelance, I was distracted by the recent Palm Pre commercials.  As I toiled away in my audio and writing, my eyes were diverted by a ghostly figure filling my 42″ television.

So she stood there.  Looking at me.  Looking off to her phone.  Or her dominatrix master.  I’m not certain.  Telling me about reincarnation and things of a spiritual nature.  I found this odd.  And went back to my work.

About fifteen minutes later, I was once again diverted by our accursed heroine.  Staring at me.  Disaprovingly.  Then I heard a level of bass from this serene commercial I was unaware my television was able to make.

Watch out for the pale lady….

Helping to spread the word:

Written by Norm

July 23rd, 2009

Photo by: Kimberly Reed. PodCamp Pittsburgh needs you for many reasons. If you are a co-organizer then you know your job (find some sponsors). What if you aren’t involved in planning but are looking for ways to help promote this years event. The easiest way is to simply tell everyone you know about the event, even the guy at Subway serving up your five dollar foot long. But what if you aren’t that kind of a social butterfly? Under the Schedule tab above we have a link to badges and other content you can use to help us promote PodCamp. We have your standard badges: Feel free to insert these into your blog posts, sidebars and email signatures. If you have a podcast and are planning on attending please consider using our audio or video bumpers. Every little bit helps. PodCamp is a great way to connect with your audience/readers so make sure they know you’ll be there. Since we are a 100% FREE unconference, PodCamp Pittsburgh NEEDS YOU to help us promote the event.

Jimmy Demarco and Chest Flexor join the Mayhem Studios.  *ahem* Chachi Studios to talk about IWC No Excuses 5, PWO, AIW, and a little about life.

This is Episode 176 for Tuesday, July 21, 2009. You can get the episode here on Talkshoe, subscribe, and as always, stay tuned to www.wrestlingmayhemshow.com for the latest! The Wrestling Mayhem Show is recorded live and can be heard/viewed from 8 PM to 10 PM Eastern on Talkshoe.com and BlogTV.com. Let us know what you think of the show, and your thoughts on the wrestling world by emailing us at goodtimes@wrestlingmayhemshow.com! Don’t forget you can find links related to the show’s news stories and more at our Delicious Links Page for Episode 177!

Drake
“Dead Perspective” (mp3)
from “Dead Perspective”
(Dope Lotus Records)

Buy at iTunes Music Store
Stream from Rhapsody
Buy at Rhapsody
More On This Album

Morgan Knockers
“Denial” (mp3)
from “Loss of Reality”
(Second Rock Records)

Buy at iTunes Music Store
Stream from Rhapsody
Buy at Rhapsody
More On This Album

Scarlet Getting Freaky

While I grew up watching Transformers, He-Man, and Ninja Turtles in my after school days, one series that evaded me was GI Joe on my three stations of over the air viewing growning up.  I had a few tapes to rent, (and re-rent) from my local Video Shelf (they’re still around, too.  And I’m loosely related to the owner, last I knew).  So when I found GI Joe in the Retro section of Joost, I was elated and started diving into them.

So the first random issue I started with was “Cobra Stops the World”.  The plot:  Cobra takes over the air waves to remind us that it has already taken down our drilling platforms and stolen our tankers in an attempt to, well, “Stop the World”.  Immediately, this seems like a storyline still fitting for today’s eventual energy crisis.

• So Cobra is Al Quiada before the caves.
• Somewhere down the line, Cobra Commander lost the mask and grew a funky beard.
• Two divers in a plane can take down you’re whole evil anti drilling operation.
• aborigenescan be tempted to the dark side with a fancy gun and a candy bar from a sketchy man in an eye patch.
• Scarlet is a hot old lady.  And can threaten an underling to give the info when it’s obvious that a Joe probably never killed anyone in the whole series.  (until the movie, of course.)