Pigpen’s blog

Are NZ bands/musicians innovative enough?

nobody@vox.com(Pigpen) — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 23:47:38 +1200

An interesting topic to discuss... Is there enough creativity in the NZ music industry??? Personnaly I think NZ musicians are missing out in the worldwide marketplace by not being innovative, it all is more of the same. No one really tries something new or does things different.

I'm not saying there isn't enough talent in NZ... I do think there are heaps of young musicians around that have the talent to be great. The big problem is that they all play the same kind of music and try to copy each other. What do you guys think???

Btw the reason I'm wondering this is because I'm a huge music fan and love going to gigs but I notice it's all the same. Especially in the Kiwi rock (hard rock, punk rock, regular rock etc) scene, there isn't enough drive to set themselves apart. I don't see any bands being really innovative.

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40th International Film Festival

nobody@vox.com(Pigpen) — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 14:43:18 +1200

It's that time of the year again... July means cold weather, lots of rain and heaps of awesome films @ the International Film Festival in Auckland. So here are some of the flicks that caught my attention and that I'm definitely going to see (except for the first one as I already saw that one several times)....

The King of Kong

View trailer

Director: Seth Gordon

Year: 2007

Running time: 80 mins

USA
Photography: Seth Gordon
Editors: Seth Gordon, Luis Lopez
Music: Craig Richey

With: Steve Wiebe, Billy Mitchell, Walter Day, Nicole Wiebe, Steve Sanders, Robert Mruczek, Brian Kuh, Mike Thompson

Festivals: Slamdance, SXSW, Tribeca 2007

This supremely crowd-pleasing doco has had audiences erupting in cheers. But let‘s get one thing out of the way first: this look at rival video gamers is not about video games. It‘s possibly the ultimate depiction of good versus evil committed to film. On the side of good, we have mild-mannered and handsome family man Steve Wiebe, who has had his share of woe. On the side of evil is arrogant Billy Mitchell: hot sauce impresario, patriot and reigning world champ (since 1982) of the game Donkey Kong. Mitchell‘s empire is rocked when the loveable Wiebe submits a video of himself breaking the record. In a series of unbelievable (but true) twists and turns, The King of Kong transcends its pop culture origins and becomes a real life Shakespearean drama. Do not miss this hilarious tale of life‘s nicest man versus the egomaniacal might of a sleazy supergamer who will stop at nothing to remain on top.

Respect Yourself: The Stax Records Story

Director: Robert Gordon, Morgan Neville

Year: 2007

Running time: 114 mins

USA
Screenplay: Robert Gordon, Morgan Neville, Mark Crosby
Photography: David Leonard
Editors: John Olivio, Alexis Spraic
Music: Otis Redding, Sam & Dave, Booker T. & the MGs, Isaac Hayes, Eddie Floyd
Narrator: Samuel L. Jackson
DigiBeta/PG low level offensive language

Festivals: Amsterdam Documentary 2007; Sydney 2008

How Otis Redding, baggage handler, came to sing his sublime "These Arms of Mine" late one Memphis afternoon in the early 60s, thereby changing his fortunes and those of a small recording studio, is just one of the many anecdotes comprising this illuminating history of Stax Records, low-down cousin to Detroit's silkier Motown. It's a riveting story, dosed with triumph, loss, betrayal and renaissance, set against a backdrop of desegregation and massive social change. Reminiscences from the label's key figures - its founders, producers, performers and visionaries - are judiciously intercut with rare archival footage, ensuring that the pulsing Memphis Sound remains at the forefront. Volcanic concert performances of songs by Sam & Dave and Redding - allowed to play out their entire, searing duration - raise blisters and may also break your heart. Essential viewing for every soul fan, or for anyone passionate about American popular music.

I Think We're Alone Now

Official site
View trailer

Director: Sean Donnelly

Year: 2007

Running time: 69 mins

USA
Photography: Phil Buccellato
Editors: Sean Donnelly, Phil Buccellato
Music: Alesandro Minoli, Dan Wholey, Malcolm Francis, Cyrus Shahmir, Calvin Lam, Palo Colorado, Josh Neuhmann
DigiBeta/M offensive language

With: Jeff Deane Turner, Kelly McCormick

Festivals: Slamdance 2008

An intimate look into the lives of two stalkers of 80s teen pop one-hit-wonder Tiffany, Sean Donnelly's I Think We're Alone Now is absolutely disturbing, wince-inducing trainwreck viewing of the highest order. These are characters so jaw-droppingly singular no scriptwriter could ever dream them up: Jeff Deane Turner, a middle-aged time travel and radionics enthusiast who believes he can communicate telepathically with Tiffany through a machine he's created; Kelly McCormick, an intersexed fitness freak who's convinced they are destined to be together no matter what happens ("I love her down to the bone marrow!"). More than a shock sensationalist exposé about weirdo stalkers, the doco aims deeper. It's equally a poignant and unsettling study of two social misfits, grappling with mental illness and loneliness, who pose less harm to the object of their obsession than they do to themselves.

Teeth

View trailer

Director: Mitchell Lichtenstein

Year: 2007

Running time: 88 mins

USA
Screenplay: Mitchell Lichtenstein
Photography: Wolfgang Held
Editor: Joe Landauer
Music: Robert Miller
R18 sexual violence, horror, sex scenes

With: Jess Weixler, John Hensley, Josh Pais, Hale Appleman, Ashley Springer

Festivals: Sundance, Berlin, Sydney, Edinburgh 2007

Mitchell Lichtenstein’s fiendish, black comedy-horror Teeth updates the ancient myth of “vagina dentata” into a high-concept social satire with a razor-sharp script, outlandish gore and a phenomenal comedic performance by the hypnotic Jess Weixler. As the leader of a school chastity movement called The Promise, virginal Dawn is pushed to go “all the way” by seemingly nice guy Tobey. Unfortunately they both discover, rather messily, that she has another set of chompers between her legs. As her sexual awakening blossoms, the arterial flowering is close behind and Dawn deals with the profound changes in her life. When Dawn’s creepo heavy metaller brother begins to act on his disturbing and lifelong obsession for her, we know that this probably isn’t going to end prettily. Teeth is possibly the worst date movie of all time, or the best: it depends on how perverse your date’s sense of humour is.

See the official website of the International Film Festival for even more great films. There is so much to choose from.

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Klopt helemaal... HAHA

nobody@vox.com(Pigpen) — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 16:16:42 +1200

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Shihad Across New Zealand!

nobody@vox.com(Pigpen) — Fri, 09 May 2008 02:40:28 +1200

Hot on the vapour trail of their chart-topping album 'Beautiful Machine', the finely-tuned rhythm-and-power unit Shihad are thrilled to announce a return home for a national tour in July.

The 'Beautiful Machine' Tour will see the group play six cities across New Zealand.

Those who missed the band's triumphant headline slot at April's Homegrown Festival now have another chance to experience Shihad in what is fast shaping up to be the groups' most successful and unforgettable year so far.

Support acts on all tour dates will be ex-pat heroes The Mint Chicks, returning from Portland, Oregon for their second NZ visit of 2008; and Luger Boa, the hard-hitting new act formed by Jimmy Xmas, formerly of the D4.

All shows will be MC'ed by Mr Dai Henwood, of TV's C4

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Interesting Festival: G-TARanaki 2008

nobody@vox.com(Pigpen) — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 17:05:40 +1200

G-TARanaki, the 1st New Zealand International Guitar Festival, will be held 15th to 19th July 2008 in New Plymouth, Taranaki. Centred on two full days of concert performances at the TSB Stadium, the event also features 3 days of exclusive shows across the region.

G-TARanaki also includes fringe events in the CBD bars and cafes, exhibitions, forums, workshops and acoustic sets – all held for the first time in New Zealand! This is an event for everyone, from ardent music fans to aspiring musicians, bringing together internationally renowned artists working and jamming with Kiwi talent and passing on their knowledge, experiences and skills.

G-TARanaki Festival - Main Event Presented by Venture Taranaki

Friday 18th July 4.30pm - 5.00pm: National Acts (TBC) 5.00pm - 5.30pm: Guitar Hero Competition 5.30pm - 6.15pm: Alex Skolnick Trio 6.15pm - 6.45pm: Guitar Hero Competition 6.45pm - 7.30pm: Gilby Clarke 7.30pm - 8.00pm: Guitar Hero Competition 8.00pm - 9.00pm: (Act TBC) 9.00pm - 9.30pm: Guitar Hero Competition 9.30pm - 11.30pm: Uli John Roth Saturday 19th July 5.30pm - 6.00pm: National Acts (TBC) 6.00pm - 6.30pm: Guitar Hero Competition 6.30pm - 7.15pm: Tim Donahue 7.15pm - 7.45pm: Guitar Hero Competition 7.45pm - 8.30pm: Glenn Hughes 8.30pm - 9.00pm: Guitar Hero Competition 9.00pm - 11.30pm: Joe Satriani

G-TARanaki Festival - The Midnight Sessions Presented by Venture Taranaki

Late night, unique acoustic sessions from international guitarists, like Glenn Hughes. More names to be announced soon!

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Paper + Plastick

nobody@vox.com(Pigpen) — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 06:57:13 +1200

"Agree or disagree with me but as the digital age of music comes ripping in I find myself missing the art. I miss holding the record, I miss reading every single lyric printed and every name on the thanks list.

Paper and plastick started for the bands that still love visual art to go with the music they put out and for the artists that use their creative energy to produce a backdrop of art for record covers, tshirts, screen printed posters and every other facet of a band visually besidesthe music." - Vinnie (Less Than Jake)

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Interesting useful/less facts...

nobody@vox.com(Pigpen) — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 09:06:25 +1200

Pure capsaicin is lethal stuff, as even a 16 million-fold dilution of pure capsaicin still provides a pungent and spicy punch ;) Chili's pungency/hotness are measured in Scoville Units, here is a chart for your comparison:

0-100 - most Bell/Sweet pepper varieties.
500-1000 - New Mexican peppers
1,000-1,500 - Espanola peppers
1,000-2,000 - Ancho Pasilla peppers
1,000-2,500 - Cascabel Cherry peppers
2,500-5,000 - Jalapeno Mirasol peppers
5,000-15,000 - Serrano peppers
15,000-30,000 - de Arbol peppers
30,000-50,000 - Cayenne Tabasco peppers
50,000-100,000 - Chiltepin peppers
100,000-350,000 - Scotch Bonnet Thai peppers
200,000 to 500,000 - Habanero peppers
Around 16,000,000 Scoville Units is Pure Capsaicin

Thanks to Thinkgeek.com.

And I just found a deliciously hot and typical Kiwi hot sauce yesterday: Waha Were Kiwifruit & Habanero Sauce made by Kaitaia Fire.

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Happy St Patrick's Day 2008

nobody@vox.com(Pigpen) — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 15:50:07 +1200

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Scream for me sunny weekend....

nobody@vox.com(Pigpen) — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 18:06:43 +1300

It’s been a while since the last musical horoscope... Time to do another one. What will faith bring us this time???? Plenty of awesome rock, that’s for sure....

Prowler (live) – Iron Maiden
The Brazilian – Roger Waters & friends (from ‘When the Wind Blows’)
Kristallnach (live) – BAP
Big Night Out – Fun Lovin’ Criminals
Man on the silver mountain (live) – Dio
Lateralus (live) – Tool
No W – Ministry
Third chance (live) – The Gathering
Two gates – Ayreon
The trooper (live) – Iron Maiden

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Altijd lachen... Fokke & Sukke compilatie

nobody@vox.com(Pigpen) — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 08:51:02 +1300

(see FokSuk.nl for more fun)

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