NIN Announce Final (Final) Tour Dates

This was one of the bands I listened to a lot during my angst-y days. It's good to hear when I'm in a foul mood, even now. For some reason it picks me back up.

-Evie Nagy, N.Y. Billboard.com
Nine Inch Nails frontman Trent Reznor announced today that the band will play a final "handful of shows" in New York, Chicago and Los Angeles beginning August 22.

While NIN originally planned to stop performing in the U.S. for good after the tour with Jane’s Addiction that wrapped June 12, Reznor wrote in a post on the band's website that "the NIN/JA tour felt like we had to rush through sets due to a limited allotted set length and many shows were in daylight - it just didn't feel right to end NIN that way." NIN also has dates scheduled across Europe and Asia through August 15.

Title for the article, itself, I had to post. Brings to mind Cher's Final Tour, Goodbye Tour, Last Tour, OMG i swear this is the Last Last Tour.

Natalie Portman's Shaved Head

This is NOT a review about the movie V for Vendetta. Although I heard it was a decent movie.








I find it amazing how work conversation leads to my eternal search for music. We were talking about Star Wars trivia one day (because we are those kinds of geek) and I recalled a band that I heard of a few months back. The hook was of course their name. I decided to finally listen to the band and was pleasantly surprised. I went on blip.fm and found this song. Again the name was the hook.

If the band's name didn't clue you in, a mashup of electro, pop, new wave, and synthetic '80s chart sounds, augmented by goofy lyrics about beard maintenance and other Net-generation concerns puts Natalie Portman's Shaved Head on the flippant side of things. And to pretty great effect, too, on the band's 2008 debut, Glistening Pleasure.

-Adrian Mack Straight.com:

There is a definite something about this band. Maybe it's the quirkiness of the songs, or the nostalgia, or just the attitude they project. But you know there is some kind of awesome when they got to play with Duran Duran during the Fourth of July weekend this year.

If you want to check them out, they will be playing at the Crocodile Cafe on July 9 for the Seattle locals. Otherwise go to their blog to see the most current tour dates at http://natalieportmansshavedhead.blogspot.com/

I heart Ipod

A few years ago, a coworker came in with a weird looking thing attached to some headphones.

Just like all things electronic-related, the Ipod has gone through so many changes in a rather short period of time. First-Gen Ipod had the headphone port on the top of the device and connected to computers via firewire.

I did not get a first generation ipod because it had cost an arm and two legs to get it, but I knew eventually it would come down in price. And years later there are many variation of Ipods and mp3 players as well as integrated players. My current Holy Grail is the Iphone.

For now my current Ipod is only 8GB (heh, only). It serves its purpose. I am one of those that has the device attached to his ear almost all the time. Mainly because I really enjoy music. I also enjoy a wide variety music, and the shuffle feature is just right for me. Best of all, it helps me through my workouts. I think one of the best motivators is music itself. Of course, you can tell when a slow song just queued up when I'm lifting and for some reason I start to struggle.

July the Fourth!

Don't Mind Devil Duck.

Ah. Independence day. You know the day Americans celebrate the birth of their country by setting off fireworks, having a good old BBQ, or like this year going away for a three day weekend. Fun stuff!

Last year I had the great opportunity to see the fireworks display over Lake Union on top of the Swedish Cultural Center. The view is fantastic from there but I was able to get on the roof of the building with a few others. Now THAT was spectacular.

I also got a good view of Gas Works Park. The mass of people that go there for the fireworks display is ginormous. This year's Gasworks Park celebration almost didn't happen because of a lawsuit. The Colbert Report was entertained by the suit and the park itself and had something to say about it.

Have a fun and safe Fourth of July.

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
4th of July Under Attack
www.colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor

Be afraid. Be very afraid

I know this has been circulating for years, but it's so darned cute and foreboding at the same time. His facial expression reminds me of the Mona Lisa. Can anyone guess what the dog is thinking? Is he out for total domination or complete annihilation? What is behind that sneer?

The other half actually used photo paper to print the image and turned out eerily well. We may put it in a frame downstairs only because we're that kinda of funny.

Ponder him as he ponders your doom.

Happy Canada Day!

Since It's only a few hours to Canada from where I live, I would like to say Happy Canada Day or Fête du Canada! (I'm not near Quebec, but gotta include).

Our friendly neighbor to the north is taking a holiday for this special day and I would like to acknowledge the great musicians Canada gave the world. I cross a few genres in this list so, if you don't know an artist, its 'cause I listen to way too much music.

• Sum 41
  
• Celion Dion - ugh! I had to.
  
• Finger Eleven
  
• k.d. lang
  
• Nickelback
• Diana Krall -jazz
  
• Rush - Tom Sawyer. nuff said.
  
• Alanis Morissette - First she was angry now she has found peace. God on "Dogma".
  
• Bif Naked - tattooed punk chick. FTW!
  
• Nelly Furtado
  
• Rufus Wainwright
• Loverboy
• Barenaked Ladies - Tugs at my geek side oh so good
  
• Cowboy Junkies
• Our Lady Peace
• Shania Twain - ugh! I had to.
  
• Avril Lavigne
  
• Alannah Myles
  
• Sarah McLachlan - Lilith Fair.