Looks like CD's really are dead. At the very least, AnywhereCD.com is dead, or will be in a couple days. I've never heard of AnywhereCD until this post from the Michael Robertson (former CEO of mp3.com before it was sold off to AOL, and current owner of mp3tunes.com)

The idea behind AnywhereCD was a good one, some people want the CD, but they also want the music RIGHT NOW. On AnywhereCD when you buy the CD you also gain instant access to the high-quality mp3 download. Sounds silly at first, because people can always rip the CD to mp3 themselves, but the idea is that people who want the CD online also don't want to wait for it to come in the mail. They want the instant gratification of listening to it as soon as they push the [Pay Now!] button, and Michael Robertson figured this out.

Unfortunately, I think he figured it out too late. The release of AnywhereCD was lost beneath the media blitz surrounding I-Tunes posturing at selling Non-DRM music files. (Not actually *Doing* it mind you, just the mere mention of it). Michael lists other factors which undoubtedly contributed to the companies demise, including the fact that the CDs on AnywhereCD.com were listed at prices above what the American consumer believes fair (Strangely, he knew this but did not change his pricing.). Also, he was only able to pick up one of the major labels. Only Warner was willing to distribute through AnywhereCD. You should read how the rest of the major labels reacted to Michael's business model, it's pretty funny.

Oddly I've never heard of AnywhereCD before now, and if they missed me, it's because they simply weren't trying At All. I have read Michael Robertson's blog from time to time. I have an account on mp3tunes.com. I'm on the mp3tunes.com mailing list. Extremely strange that I haven't heard of them.

Not that it would have helped. Even if I had heard of AnywhereCD I wouldn't have touched it. I heard ages ago that Amazon was working on selling DRM-Free mp3's and you can already check out the beta site here. Walmart is offering Non-DRM mp3s *AND* they are undercutting the prices of I-Tunes. (Not that I would buy from WalMart either...) It won't be long before real brick-and-mortar CD stores like Best Buy, Down In The Valley and others jump in on the mp3 action. I'd be much more likely to buy a CD from an online store that has a location I can return or exchange problem merchandise, than some company with no phone number located in India.

I think Michael was simply trying to build up another company to sell off, like he did with mp3.com, only this time he was too late. If AnywhereCD had started up five years ago, had DRM-Free tracks, and ALL the major labels, it would have been the current I-Tunes, and Michael could have retired several times over. Instead, we get fucking Apple running the show, and making look like buying their DRM-Infected files is K-E-W-L. Hopefully, not for too much longer. I think that by Christmastime Amazon and Walmart will shove a sleighbell up I-Tunes chimney, if you know what I mean, and people at school will be teased for carrying an I-Pod.

Meanwhile, take advantage of Michael Robertson and buy up his surplus of CDs at $7 each before AnywhereCD shuts down...

Art Is Resistance
-Zero

Labels: Business Phenomena, music, Music Industry

If you hit the Twin Cities' clubs back in the 90's then you probably met Hardcore Dave. Hardcore Dave was at every single live music performance. Every one. I know you think this is impossible, but it isn't, because Hardcore Dave is a God. His official title is "Hardcore Dave, Rock God of the Twin Cities".

Last time I saw Hardcore Dave was when SchaffDog and I were down at the Cabooze, where we had paid five bucks and sat through a god-awful band called The Billies who actually made a whole song out of the Juicy Fruit Gum jingle. A whole fucking song. With a guitar solo and everything. It sucked, but you guessed that already.

But we suffered through it to see a band we really liked, The Nixon Pupils. It was worth the wait. They previewed a song they had just made up, a kind of beat poetry piece called "The Spirit of a Saturday Night". And for an encore, they invited Hardcore Dave on stage, and they played "Wild Thing" together, and the crowd went absolutely psychotic.

Hardcore Dave was at the top of his game back then. Everyone knew who he was, and those who didn't, pretended that they did. I was pretty thick into the Minneapolis music scene in the 90's and ran into Dave all the time, but I didn't know any more about him than his name. I thought that maybe he was an industry exec or a talent scout, but he sure didn't act like one. Turns out that he was simply a professional fan of live music like me.

On Sept 25, 1996, exactly Eleven Years Ago, this article came out. It gives you a glossy overview of Hardcore Dave, and what makes him tick.

It was exactly Eleven Years after that article came out that I ran into Hardcore Dave. Today. Sept 25, 2007. Eleven Years to the Day.

More correctly, I should say that Hardcore Dave ran into me. Of all places, the gas station. I was wandering around in an uncaffinated haze, my mind functioning just enough to push my body towards the nearest source of caffeine. I was just thinking that was probably how it felt to be a zombie in Resident Evil: Extinction, (except replace 'Caffeine' with 'Brains') when I noticed someone talking near me. Talking towards me.

Talking *to* me.

"...there he is!"

My eyes came into focus on a well-dressed man, bald (but Dave never had much hair) with a large friendly grin.

"Dave?" I asked, my hand half-extended in case I was wrong, "Hardcore Dave?"

It was. He didn't look much different from how I remembered him.

Anyway, we got to talking and he said he recognized me right away. From eleven years ago, and of all the people he ever met (and never spoke to) *he* recognized *me*.

Strange days, indeed.

I told him the story of Jagged Spiral And The Very-Very-Nearly-Finished Recording "Days From Evil". He made me promise to get him a copy of the album, and he asked if I could sign it.

Hardcore Dave asked me for my autograph.

What an awesome day...

Art Is Resistance
-Zero

Labels: A Day In The Life, Days From Evil

In an attempt to make this blog more useful, I have added the following monitor for the current Terror Level Alert.



Cross reference the current alert level with the following chart:






Art Is Resistance
-Zero

Labels: Funny

You have to love the entire concept of Zombies. It requires the utmost in audience 'Suspension of Disbelief'. For example:

Career Guidance Councilor: "OK, Mr. Zombie, welcome to career counseling. Lets start by filling out this application form. I see the first pen I gave you...you seem to have...eaten. Hmm. Well, that is certainly a unique approach, it shows you aren't limited to imperialistic dogma, and you are willing to think outside the, um, the box. Ok, I'll just ask you the questions, and fill this all in for you alright? So, first question, what is your primary long term goal?"

Mr Zombie: "Brains!"

CGC: "Excellent. Brains are very important. Now, can you think of a short term goal that will help you to reach that primary goal?"

Mr Zombie: "Brains!"

CGC: "OK...I suppose it does take brains to get brains doesn't it? Heh. Now, what time frame were you thinking of for the completion of your primary goal?"

Mr Zombie: "BRAINS!"

And so on. My point here is that you know what you're getting into when you go to Resident Evil: Extinction, and seeing the other Resident Evil movies beforehand is nice, but not necessary.

Extinction ditches the video game feel that the other two R.E. movies had, and I'd say that is a good thing. All three R.E. movies are gritty and bloody, this one takes the prize for being the grittiest, bloodiest, and most ridiculously violent of the three. As a matter of fact, although they relied on some of the old sets (and footage) from the first film. Extinction branches away from the constricted underground research-lab feel of the first movie, and into the barren wastelands of post-apocalyptica. At this rate, the next R.E. movie will be in outer space.

After a disjointed and slow start (including a dyslexic encounter between Alice and some zombie-dogs), the movie works out to be a remake of Road Warrior done by George Romero. I mean that in a good way, although I didn't care for any of Romero's "[Fill in the Blank] of the Dead" movies. The concept of 'domesticating' the zombies comes up, and people will make all the comparisons to Zombie Consumerist Culture (and all the reactions against it), but I don't think there is much reflective/educational/societal commentary value to Resident Evil: Extinction.

Soundtrack was good (Including the fantastic remake of White Rabbit from Collide's "Chasing the Ghost" LP which was my first online music purchase, and is only seven years overdue for recognition)

They need to hire back Marilyn Manson to do score and sound design. The ambient sound in the first R.E. movie was some of the best ever done, and really lacking in the second and third R.E. films.

And I have mixed feelings about Alice finally finding some clothing, after running around the first two films half-nekked. But don't worry, you will get to see plenty of Milla. Let's just say an exponentially exposed amount of Milla, and leave it at that.

Since your mind was already on the topic of having sex with Milla Jovovich, I have heard rumors that she is pregnant, and I just wanted to officially state for the record that no matter what you might have heard, I had nothing to do with it.

So the Executive Summary Review would be that R.E.3 is better than the second, but not quite as good as the first. Definitely worth seeing in the theatre.

Art Is Resistance
-Zero

Labels: movie reviews

Some old, fat, white industry exec must have realized that mp3s aren't really a fad after all, and it might be a good idea to shift marketing over to the New format. So the floodgates are open, and businesses are clamoring over themselves to get mp3s into your ears, and some $$ out of your account.

The revelation came too late for Sony, though. According to the latest garageband.com newsletter, Sony Connect has folded, and good riddance. Sony can take their proprietary-my-way-or-the-highway crap and, well, hit the highway with it. Take your fucking 'memory stick' technology with you.

MTV's Urge service is merging with Real Networks Rhapsody. While I wish they would both die a quick death with Sony's Connect, it turns out they are working on a merger with Verizon Wireless, which sounds like a really great way to fuck up my phone service. "Can you hear me now?" No. I can't fucking hear you now, because all the satellite bandwidth is used up by people downloading the latest Jagged Spiral release.

I'd like to this was all my fault for posting things like this, but industry execs don't read my blog. That probably also explains why I haven't been offered a job by them (or been assassinated by their smokin' hot female ninja hit squad).

But the best news hit me from the most unlikely of allies. Wal Mart's online store is offering non-DRM infected mp3s, and undercutting the prices on itunes...

...you read that right. Wal Mart, (whom I've been less than kind to in the past) turns it's Consumerism-Tractor-Beam-Of-DOOM on the customers of I Tunes.

HA! It's like watching two people I hate get into a fist fight. Either way, I win!

Even better news (I know, it's hard to believe it could get better) is that Amazon.com has been threatening to get in on the non-DRM frenzy since Feb 2007, but the rumor is that they may start having non-DRM mp3s available online as soon as mid September, probably in an attempt to

(Um, hello Amazon? Mid-September would be Right Now, Ahem.)

HEY I-TUNES! I DOUBLE-DOG-DARE YOU TO CONTINUE RELEASING YOUR MUSIC WITH DRM! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAaaaaa.....

Art Is Resistance
-Zero

Labels: Business Phenomena, DRM Sucks, Music Industry

Missed it last year, but thanks to a timely e-mail from the Geek Goddess, I have been informed that today is International Talk Like A Pirate Day!

Cheers, matey! 'N here be some lovely pirate metal music to go with yer grog.

Art Is Resistance
-Zero

Labels: Culture, Funny

The latest Escapist Magazine has a short article on the interactivity surrounding Nine Inch Nail's latest masterpiece: Year Zero.

Those who don't know WTF I'm talking about can take a look through these old posts or you can go here for the latest, a sighting of the mysterious force called 'The Presence' this time sighted over Minneapolis: http://www.hourofarrival.net/

Or you can dive headfirst into the maelstrom at ninwiki.com

The excitement surrounding Year Zero has died down since the album's release in April, but it is picking up buzz again with the upcoming release of the Remix album. The second half of the Year Zero album is due out sometime next year, and I predict that the conspiracy will reach new heights around the end of 2007.

The article in the Escapist (aside from calling Year Zero a "Dark and Noisy work"), defines the marketing campaign surrounding Year Zero as an ARG, short for Alternate Reality Game. The 'game' is free to play, and anyone with an Internet connection and some time (*lots* of time) can jump in and play. Clues are left in different formats in different places (e-mail, voice mail, websites, secret meetings in public places, secret codes left in plain sight...) but now-a-days, the internet is the perfect place for ARGs.

In the case of Year Zero, the 'prize' was a secret concert. You can read more about the Year Zero ARG here.

No doubt, the term ARG can be applied to other social events; from serial killers leaving clues for the police, or my sister and I trying to schedule a time to get together for lunch. We leave each other e-mail and voice mail clues as to when a good time and place would be, and try to 'solve the puzzle' as it were.

I'm hoping more artists and entertainers will generate this level of interactivity with their fans.

Art Is Resistance
-Zero

Labels: Culture, NIN, Viral Marketing

Looks like this Friday is the night to go if you were thinking of heading over to Crypticon, the Circus of Terror. Friday they will be showing some independant horror films. I don't think I can swing the $25 to get in, nor the $20 if you buy tix online. I don't know anyone who went last year, so I can't tell you if it's worth it or not. If you went to Crypticon, or know someone who did, drop a comment here.

KTHXBYE,
-CZ

Labels: indie movies, Minneapolis Event

Um...



...WOW...

KTHXBYE,
-CZ

Labels: Video Games, Videos

You might recall that I was playing Oblivion as an Axe-Wielding Barbarian, which was quite a shift in character for me.

Well, in the past year (60 game days) I have tracked down the king's heir; Tiber Septim. I located the Amulet of Kings, relit the Dragon Fires, and enabled Tiber to vanquish the evil Lord Dagon. I have cast evil back into the shadows, and was treated to a lovely extended battle animation sequence, then proclaimed a Champion of Tamariel.

In the process, I joined a dozen secret societies, shut 14 oblivion gates, and killed off 1062 beings.

Oblivion has now been added to my list of completed video games.

Oblivion was simply a fantastic game from start to finish. A complete world to be immersed in, and do whatever you please, regardless of the world-ending plot hanging over you. In fact, after defeating the Evil To End All Evils, the game does not stop. You could continue on and help out each and every person with a problem, or kill every living soul who crosses your path. The expansion packs: "The Shivering Isles" and the "Knights of the Nine" (which will be realeased in the Game Of The Year edition soon - Yes, Oblivion was Game Of The Year last year) means I can continue on my rampage of Killing For The Greater Good with new locations and quests, if I so choose.

Smashing Graphics, and a fantastic plot. So many quests, that I finally had to be picky with whom I aided, and in the end, I had to forsake all other quests and focus on the big one...

"Sorry about those rats in your basement ma'am, but I have to go close some interdimensional rift in the time-space continuum..."

For the record, Oblivion has replaced F.E.A.R. as my vote for Best Video Game. Here are my previous favorites:

Quake I (1996)
Half-Life I (1998)
F.E.A.R. (2005)
Oblivion (2006)

The game Deus Ex was in there between Half-Life and FEAR, it was pretty good, but I lost interest in the game very near the end and never finished it.

It took a long time for anyone to beat the original Half-Life, and FEAR only did it by taking Half-Life and adding in some great level design, audio environment, spooky paranormal events, and the kick-ass effect of "Bullet Time" where you could slow time down momentarily and take out a roomful of bad guys by yourself.

Oblivion topped them all by creating huge, GPU-melting environments, and a open world, where you weren't locked into a linear plot. You choose where you want to go, and what you want to do. If you want to take up a skill you don't have yet, just start doing it. The more you do, the better you get.

Now, I'm on the lookout for another game to sate my trigger finger, probably something SciFi, now that I've quested as an axe-wielding barbarian for about a year now. Tabula Rasa looks promising, as does Crysis. But, what I really want to do is fly and X-Wing online with a squadron of online gamers against the Death Star...


KTHXBYE,
-CZ

Labels: Video Games

Just to prove that I actually DO attend some of the events I blog about, I swung out to Club 3 Degrees on Friday night and checked out the first night of their band competition. Several bands played just over a half-hour set each, and were judged by several industry/media pros. As the series of contest concerts progresses, bands accrue points during their performance, and the bands with lowest points bands will be eliminated. The series of concerts goes until next spring.

Since Club 3 Degrees is an Outreach (taking the church to where the kids are) that is a factor in all the bands and their music. Some bands were 'preachier' than others, some you wouldn't even know it. I don't let their motivations weigh in my music reviews, everyone has their own reasons for making music, and it doesn't have any bearing (to me, anyways) on whether I like the music or not. Choirs of Demons can sound every bit as good as Choirs of Angels to me.

Unfortunately, I missed out on the first band, so I can't tell you anything about them.

9-Ball - I'll be the first to tell you that I think Emo music sucks ass, and while 9-Ball's music didn't make me puke, it did make me nauseous. 9-Ball is from Kentucky, but don't hold that against them. They have asymmetrical haircuts and an overabundance of energy, so hold *that* against them instead. They looked like animals at the zoo just before feeding time. The lead singer/guitar player and the bass and second guitar all had wireless units and raced around the stage like maniacs. [Warning: Lots of Posing.] I like to know that the musicians are actually ALIVE when I go to see them play LIVE, so the exaggerated animation was refreshing, but they overdid it to the point where people were laughing. GREAT Bass tone, BTW.

Red Dress White - More Emo, although not as gut-wrenching as 9-Ball, but the same setup, (Bass, Singer/Gtr, second gtr and drums). Their songs were good (for Emo...), but their stage presence was far worse. They fretted with settings, cables and the lead singer's monologue was forced/nervous/clumsy. He would also forget to jump around, then suddenly flail like a madman (or he has severe mood swings). Anyway, this band's studio work is better, but their live show will improve with practice. They just aren't quite concert calibre yet. Their songwriting skills are better than 9-ball, and the acoustic song they performed was possibly the best song of the night. The bass player is about ten years old. I don't know if/why that is important.

Searching For North: This band was intense and professional, with intro score before they came onstage, and loud, tight, well-practiced music that is borderline Epic Metal. Lots of talent here, but their attitude onstage and in the crowd after the show makes me think are quite full of themselves, and they should have checked their egos at the door. The music was really punchy and powerful and smacks of Tool (whom they list as a reference), but the lead vocalist is thin, and doesn't cut through the mix.

Claret: Claret won the judges high score for the night. I think they had a good balance of being active onstage without looking like idiots. They seemed comfortable without being overconfident, good level of energy without looking like they were trying too hard. I like that their music is 'emotional' without embracing the puking whine of contemporary 'Emo' music. Their songwriting is very adult, and makes good use of dynamic range (check out their demo of Hold Fast on their myspace page for an example.) Their closing song, "Picket Fences" was a hit, and made clever use of the audience sing-along, but the repeated ending dragged on for too long.

KTHXBYE,
-CZ

Labels: Cool Event, Minneapolis Event, music, music reviews

Thought I would pass this along:



Click on the picture to head over to Claret's myspace page, where you can sample some of their work. Also, the band asks that you 'wear your claret' to show your support. In other words, wear some Red and Black, (and perhaps a splash of white) I doubt you will be mistaken for a member of the Crips; Club 3 Degrees is a non-profit ministry outreach - in other words, a pretty wholesome place. [Editors Note: If you read this blog at all, you could probably use a little outreaching.]

The show is the first in a series of contests where bands will be slowly eliminated, so you can be sure Claret and their competition will all be in fine form.

KTHXBYE,
-CZ

Labels: Concert, Minneapolis Event, music

For those who don't know, Mercedes Gorden was severely injured in the I-35W bridge collapse on 1 Aug 2007. She's one of the lucky ones: she survived. Shes had a lot of work done to repair her shattered ankles, shins and fractured spine.

I don't need to tell you that she's got a long way to go. I don't need to tell you that the medical bills will be astounding. But I do need to tell you how you can help. There is a benefit concert on Sept 23rd at the Fine Line, including a silent auction to help raise money for her medical expenses.

The lineup: Tapes 'n Tapes / The Ocean Blue / The Melismatics / So It Goes / The Deaths / Coach Said Not To

Details about the event and how to contribute can be found here.

Even if you can't make the concert, there are other ways you can help. Follow the link and there is a paypal account set up to receive donations, or an address to send mail. You can donate any item of value to the silent auction. You can get the word out about the event on your blog/website/word-of-mouth/e-mail/psychic-connection. Or I'm sure even some prayers or positive thoughts would be appreciated.


KTHXBYE,
-CZ

Labels: Concert, Cool Event, Good Cause, Minneapolis Event, music

Alright, so I don't like spiders. There is a simple rule in my house:

if (creature.legs > 4) then KillItToDeath(fast);

Being that spiders have more than four legs, the outcome of any event of spiders in my house should be obvious. I've never had to worry about applying the rule outside of my home until this week.

I first noticed single strands of webbing in my car on the daily commute last week. A new single strand every day. Fine. I'm not going to waste my time looking for it. I figured that if multiple listenings to the preproduction copy of 'Days From Evil' didn't kill it, the extended holiday weekend would. So, I left my black car with the black interior parked outside in the sun, with the windows up all weekend long.

"Live through *that*," I thought to myself.

Something did.

I was cruising back from Caribou Coffee today when I saw it. A spider. A big spider. I mean, like Big, OK? And he was hungry from the lack of food, deranged from all the heat, and pissed off from going cold-turkey off a Jagged Spiral binge.

Hungry, Deranged and Pissed.

And BIG.

Of course, I did what any rational person would do. I leaped at it.

OMFG! ITS FUCKING HUGE! I've only seen spiders that big in the movies! WHERE'S MY GUN?!!!

As I wrestled with the mutant spider in the backseat (My ColdPress Coffee in one hand and steering the car with my foot, thank you very much). Other drivers on the highway were, shall we say, Not Impressed with my ability to multitask. Thankfully, I had the windows open, and yelled at the nearest car,

"Help! Help! Call 911! I'm being carjacked by an Arachnid! The pistol isn't big enough! Someone throw me a Nailgun!"

Of all the days Not to bring my fucking Nailgun. If we were in California, someone would have passed me a shotgun or harpoon gun or something. But here in Minnesota, you yell for help and people just pretend not to hear you.

Did I mention it was Fast too? Yes, it was Hungry, Deranged, Pissed-Off and Quick spider. And BIG. Did I mention it had a tattoo of a person on it's leg? I mean, it was fracking XXL.

The damned thing got away too. I barely escaped with my coffee, although I really didn't need it after a refreshing wrestle with a giant spider.

I've decided to burn the car and walk home. I'm also taking up Tae Kwon Do again. My next car will have a handy place to keep a spare nailgun.


KTHXBYE,
-CZ

Labels: A Day In The Life, Funny

Someone asked if I was going to see the remake of Halloween. My initial response was 'Hell Yeah!', because the first Halloween is a truly scary classic.

Unfortunately, I had to change my decision after I realized that you were behind the filming. I can't really bring myself to see anything you are involved with after watching "House of 1000 Corpses" and "The Devil's Rejects" (You can read my review of The Devil's Rejects here)

Sorry Rob, but I can't even give you the benefit of the doubt now. I don't believe that you are capable of making a horror movie without making blowing the Hokey-Meter off the charts, and I won't let you wreck a timeless classic.

You should stick to the song you keep releasing over and over, it's really good, but your movies are worse than Suck-Squared.

KTHXBYE,
-CZ

Labels: anti, Movie News, movie reviews, Open Letter, Ubersuck