Desolate Astroland

Another summer, another video starring Coney Island:

The music in it is a patch I've had up on the modular since the weekend and have been reluctant to tear down. I'll miss you, creepy sci-fi background music patch...

Edit: can any of our intrepid readers tell me how to remove the letterbox-style black spaces from the video above? Is it a resolution setting or something (I'm using iMovie and don't actually know what I'm doing)? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Update: video repaired! If you're having this sort of thing happen to your iMovie files (unintentional letterboxing), be sure to select the correct format when creating a new iMovie file (the default is set for an 3:2 aspect ratio-- changing this to 16:9 ("DV widescreen") removed the black spaces).

Shows this weekend and next week

It seems like nothing but show postings around here these days:

The Christian Pirate Puppets-- with special guest Sam (from The Leader) on drums-- are playing a CD-release party at Goodbye Blue Monday this Sunday, headlining a handpicked all-star bill. Ten new songs, based on our favorite no-budget, 90s LA kung fu classic, "For Hire"/"Lethal Ninja" (the movie uses one on the box and the other in the credits). It's going to be insanely good. Plus: it's free! Here's a photo from this evening's run through of the songs-- it's tough to see, but Chris is wearing a homemade "For Hire" t-shirt:


Then, on Wednesday, September 1st, at 7:30, Chris and I will be reprising our roles as The Science Jerks at the Sidewalk Cafe. Classic rock covers, played in the style of Half Japanese, with an entirely new batch of songs for the show!!

Motorcycle Money: September 17

This just in: Motorcycle Money is playing at Tommy's Tavern on Friday, September 17th! Also on the bill: Estrogen Highs, Outer Spacist and Day Creeper!

Flier and details will be up here once I have 'em. BE THERE!!

The Shamblers are playing on Thursday

The Shamblers are playing at Matchless in Greenpoint THIS THURSDAY at 10pm (show starts at 7). We're bringing this old chestnut out of retirement for the occasion:

BE THERE!!

Mototcycle Money: back in action!

Motorcycle Money got together last Thursday after a month's rest, and it turns out we haven't missed a step. Kyle and I hope to play a show soon-- details will be posted here well before it happens. In the meantime, enjoy this little jam from Thursday's rehearsal:

Motorcycle Money rehearsal at Flood, 8/12/10 by Colonial

Thee Iran-Contras in Portland

Thee Iran-Contras played their second impromptu show at the Spare Room in Portland, OR in as many years this past weekend, at the post-reception afterparty for Colonial co-founder and stand up citizen Terry D. 50% older hits (mostly from my favorite of our CDs, "That's We Rapping"), 50% made-up-on-the-spot new ones. For example:

The full set can be heard here:

Thee Iran-Contras live at The Spare Room, 8/8/10 by Colonial

We wish you were there, too! Photos soon...