The Air Force vs. The White Stripes

Perhaps good friend of the program (Tirpak) can verify this, but I remember sitting around Sunday watching the big game, seeing this Air Force commercial, and saying something like: "Cool...the White Stripes."

Well, I guess it's not so cool. The Air Force had someone compose "original" music for their add, which the composer claims was "original." Now Jack and Meg are peeved, having not given permission for Kem Kraft (the Salt Lake City composer) to use "Fell in Love With a Girl", the tune he obviously ripped. Reminds me of the time Vanilla Ice claimed his "Ice Ice Baby" was different than Queen's "Under Pressure":

"Theirs goes, 'Ding ding ding dingy ding-ding.' Ours goes, 'Ding ding ding ding dingy ding-ding.'"

Judge for yourself (starts about 10 secs in):



The White Stripes:



Now personally, I think Jack White comes off a bit pretentious at times. But when you're right, you're right. And he's definitely got a beef here. The Air Force immediately pulled the add upon the White Stripes objection.

Word to your mother.

MTV Stops Living a Lie

Quietly, MTV has gone with a slight change in their logo, eliminating the "Music Television" tag from the iconic M. THANK YOU! Next step will be to come up with another M word to replace music, and we'll all be good.

Now, all we need is a 24 hr music video channel...

Buzzcocks Reissues

It seems to be all about the reissues these days. This time, the Buzzcocks first 3 studio albums get their just due, all being re-released as double-disc CD's loaded with a slew of goodies. Another Music In a Different Kitchen; Love Bites; and A Different Kind of Tension will be packed with John Peel sessions, live tracks, and demos courtesy of Mute U.K. Get the lowdown on all the tracks from all 3 albums from Pitchfork HERE. Disappointing, however, there does not appear to be a vinyl format :(

From their legendary 1976 4-track EP Spiral Scratch, this is "Breakdown"...

An Announcement (Exclusivly on EC)

When I walked away from the sport years ago, it was at a time that I had become tired with the daily training and commitments that took me away from family and friends. It wasn't the game days, it was the all of the other days that had made me question my love for the game. I wasn't sure if I had the passion necessary to become a champion, to be the best.

Now, years removed from those days, and after much personal soul searching, I believe now is the time to return to the game I've always loved. I know it will be a strain on my other commitments and responsibilities, but I am ready for that sacrifice. With that said, I am here to formally announce my return to the sport of competitive Monopoly, with a goal of competition in and winning the 2013 United States Championship and then, the 2013 World Championship. As part of my preparation, I will gladly welcome any and all games of Monopoly and look forward to regaining my past form.

I want to thank my family and friends now, as this would not be possible without their support and understanding.

The EC Guide to Super Bowl Prop Bets

With the beloved not extending their season into February this year, the Super Bowl loses a lot of luster and excitement. However, thanks to the world of inane prop bets, you can still have the chance to yell and curse the television during the big game, and even for more than the 11 minutes of the on-field action.

Here now are prop bets you should be playing for tonight's Colts-saints tilt...

Coin Toss: Tails (-101) - Everyone knows tails never fails. Bet it and win big with only 1% juice!

Team To Win Coin Toss: Saints (-105) - The Saints are the visiting team, and Drew Brees also knows the tails never fails. These are the easiest two bets of the night.

Team to Commit First Penalty: Saints (-140) - Saints will take the opening kickoff and someone will be a little too amped on the opening drive and flinch on the line. Saints are the favorite for good reason, bet the favorite here.

Total Fumbles Lost by Both Teams: Over 1.5 (+115) - Come on now, we all know Bush is good for one, and given the line, I'll take the chance on someone giving up a second.

Will There Be a Successful 2pt. Conversion: Yes (+400) - Look at the line, play it!!

Total Number of Players to Attempt a Pass: Over 2.5 (+220) - The Saints are good to try something new every so ofter, or a trick punt/field goal and you're good. Take the over.

Total Sacks in the Game: Over 3.5 (+200) - Saints will get to Manning once or twice, and every game is good for a broken play sack, I'm liking the overs in this game.

First Team to Challenge a Call: Saints (-125) - I don't think Caldwell even knows what that red flag they give him is for.

Length of the National Anthem: Under 1:42 (-145) - The rumor is that this Underwood chick is going to keep sing the song, as opposed to giving her rendition of it. Going under.

Number of Windmill Moves Pete Townshend Will Do on Stage: Over 5.5 (-220) - He'll be doing it, not because he's feeling it vibe, but because he's probably contractually obligated to do them. They'll suck, but you'll win the bet.

Will Pete Townshend Smash a Guitar on Stage: No (-180) - Every performance of The Who I've seen from last five years has seen Pete's guitar stay in tact. I don't see it happening.

There it is, 11 Prop bets sure to make your "Super Sunday" all the more enjoyable. If your looking to bet on the game; I got no idea, the total line is stupid high...

New Pornographers new album announced

AC Newman contributes 9 songs, Dan Bejar has 3. The whole cast of characters is back and represented, including the lovely Neko Case. Hopefully, a tour date announcement will follow. Release date for Together is May 4th, on Matador:


They've also got a spiffy new website: The New Pornographers. Check it out.

Here's hoping the new record is a return to form from either the Twin Cinema or Electric Version days. I, personally, wasn't the biggest fan of Challengers, relative to their other records...but that's just me. From Twin Cinema, this is "Use It"...

Don't Make Me Sing

Haven't watched a lot of SNL over the years, but I found this to be pretty hysterical last week...

The Soft Pack (YEAH!!!!)

New album was released Tuesday by Kemado Records. FCKYA!!!!!



performing "Extinction" (from the Muslims EP), live at Amoeba Records...



Pretty kick ass website HERE.

Tour dates on their MySpace page below. No plans to visit Pittsburgh yet...of course not.

The Soft Pack on MySpace HERE.

Buy record from Insound HERE.

Deerhoof Custom Made double 7"

All Tomorrow's Parties has released its third installment of the "Custom Made" series. This time, it's our beloved Deerhoof. Limited to 1000 copies. Check the option for the screen printed version (only 100!! available). Cool. Buy HERE.

Perfect Sound Forever: Robert Pollard

Dan Coffey, a friend of the program, wrote this nice little piece on our favorite super hero and his solo years since the retirement of GBV...

Perfect Sound Forever: Robert Pollard

And the Nominees Are

Apparently the Grammys were last night. Who knew? I was too busy making sure I didn't have the Pro-Bowl on.

Nonetheless, we are officially in awards season, with my favorite awards, The Razzies, releasing their list of nominees, today.

Since I don't think I've actually seen any of these films, I'll have to do my best Lumley impersonation, and to work watching the best of the worst in '09.

You can find the full list of nominees and categories at the Razzies here. Below are the big three categories.

Worst Picture of 2009

All About Steve
20th Century-Fox

G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra
Paramount / Hasbro

Land of The Lost
Universal

Old Dogs
Disney

Transformers: Revenge of The Fallen
Dreamworks/Paramount


Worst Actor of 2009

All Three Jonas Brothers
JONAS BROTHERS: THE 3-D CONCERT EXPERIENCE

Will Ferrell
LAND OF THE LOST

Steve Martin
PINK PANTHER 2

Eddie Murphy
IMAGINE THAT

John Travolta
OLD DOGS

Worst Actress of 2009

Beyonce
OBSESSED

Sandra Bullock
ALL ABOUT STEVE

Miley Cyrus
HANNAH MONTANA: THE MOVIE

Megan Fox
JENNIFER’s BODY and TRANSFORMERS: REVENGE OF THE FALLEN

Sarah Jessica Parker
DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THE MORGANS?

The Razzie Awards Show will be March 6. Pumped!!!

Liverpool: Best Fans in the World

Yeah, I said it. Check out the sign to Rafa:

"Don't walk through a storm. We'll carry you."



Chilling. The very definition of "supporter."

Skills Like This

Robert Pollard is going into the Hall. The Northridge High Athletic Hall of Fame, that is (along with little brother, Jimmy). Not only is he the greatest song writer to ever grace the planet, but he can bury a trey in your face and no hit your ass.

Rotten Advice, I'll Say it Twice

The guessing is over. Matador released the track list of Pavement's forthcoming "best of" record to be released March 8th.

A few glaring omissions, me thinks. "Father to a Sister of Thought" and "Rattled by the Rush" are a couple. Also thought they'd only take one track from the Watery Domestic EP, but I was pleasantly surprised to see "Shoot the Singer" on there. "Zurich is Stained" is the best tune not represented (imho)...

The tracklisting of 'Quarantine The Past' is:

'Gold Soundz'
'Frontwards'
'Mellow Jazz Docent'
'Stereo'
'In The Mouth A Desert'
'Two States'
'Cut Your Hair'
'Shady Lane'/'J vs. S'
'Here'
'Unfair'
'Grounded'
'Summer Babe (Winter Version)'
'Range Life'
'Date With IKEA'
'Debris Slide'
'Shoot The Singer (1 Sick Verse)'
'Spit On A Stranger'
'Heaven Is A Truck'
'Trigger Cut'/'Wounded-Kite At :17'
'Embassy Row'
'Box Elder'
'Unseen Power Of The Picket Fence'
'Fight This Generation'

We Must Make U.S. Kids Tough

By the time the 2022 Winter Olympics come around, the United States will be an "also-ran" in men's ice hockey. Unless we make changes now. While all of us in the States continue to make our kids less accountable and soff, the Russians are getting their youth to toughen up and protect their teammates at an early age. Like nine year old early.

Russian, youth hockey league, under ten age group, bench clearing brawl. What else needs to be said...