:: A DREAM LIKE THIS MUST DIE ::

Posted by: Sucka Pants

Before there was the Newmore Switchblades tour, there was this:

:::

Bikes In The Kitchen & Jelly NYC present:

Secret Special Guest!
NinjaSonik
Team Robespierre
Juiceboxxx
Wild Yaks
Cerebral Ballzy
Dre Skull
dj C.lo

Saturday, February 28th
11pm. All Ages. $6
@The Shank
98 Bayard St. + Leonard St.
Brooklyn. NY 11222
FREE PBR 11pm til gone
Flyer here

:::

MP3:

Further evidence that if you start with a really good sample, it's hard to go wrong (M.I.A. - Paper Planes, anyone?).

- RQM - Bloody Sunday (Robot Koch Version)

A band's place in myspace.

:: BOOGIE ON DOWN TO THE BOTTOM OF THE BARREL ::

Posted by: Sucka Pants

(photos from some summer-time abandoned building exploration)

In trying to organize the digital file/photo mess that has been in place since my photo drive deleted itself years ago, I came across these photos from this past summer's adventures. Good friends, good times.

MP3:

Someone sent me a link to this cover on YouTube. I think my weakness for acoustic cover songs is becoming pretty apparent.

- Alan Pownall - Love Lockdown

A band's mood on youtube.

:: AN OAK TREE IN YOUR SPOKES ::

Posted by: Bryan

I know this looks like a Sucka Pants post, but it's just the other guy masquerading. Nobody shoots Bike Kill like Sucka Pants. Still I needed to see it firsthand. I shot the bikes for Wired.com and I shot the chaos for myself. It's pure pedal-powered madness. Riders brave a gauntlet of foam skulls and cocks on bikes barely rideable. Then there's the six-pack attack followed by a food fight. Mix in some broken bones and jousting and you've got yourself a mighty fine block party.

:: SCARY MOUSTACHE IN THE KITTEN SHIRT ::

Posted by: Sucka Pants

(These Are Powers performing at their CD release show/art show at Secret Project Robot, more here, or here)

Another entry into the "Helpful stuff for other photographers" category.

I have had problems with people "borrowing" images without giving credit in the past. Fortunately Chris La Putt read about it and tipped me off to how you, as the copyright holder, can take direct action to have your content removed from a site that uses it without permission. It's called a DMCA letter, you can read more about it here. Basically it is a legal letter that presents your claim to the hosting company that holds the file(s) in violation of your copyright, requesting that they remove them.

For the most part, I have had success with this approach. The one loophole I have encountered is when a site does not have a real host included in their "whois" information, such as Boners.com for example (and these guys even went as far as to watermark my image with their own name). When there is no way to contact the hosting company, you are kind of out of luck. Regardless this seems like valuable information for other photographers posting their work online.

With that taken care of, I've come across a new nuisance, people who are reposting the entire content of my posts on their own spam blogs (1, 2, 3). Once I blocked their outside requests for image files, that cut down most of the ones on their sites, but they also have "ghost hosts" so there is no way to send a letter requesting their removal. Oh well, win some lose some I guess.

MP3:

Such a pinnacle of music.

- Big Black - Kerosene

A band's place in myspace.

:: SIAMESE DANCE PARTY IN A BOTTLE ::

Posted by: Sucka Pants

(flyer by Tony Bones)

Bad-n-booty-dance-wreck-yourself-Chicken-Hut-style-party-fundraiser this Friday for the Swimming Cities of Serenissima crazy Euro-junk-raft-voyage we are hoping to embark upon this spring.

:::

THE SWILLING CITIES OF SERENISSIMA
present DOUBLE TROUBLE
"Aint nothin like a house party yall"
at
The Chicken Hut
(169 Spencer St at Willoughby in Brooklyn)
this Friday, February 20th at 9pm
fer 6 bucks you get-

2 grotesquely conjoined rooms of musical amplification!!!

--Dance!!Attack!! Pleasuredome--
( DJs )
J Stacher (Black Label)
Dirtyfinger (Dance!!Attack!!)
Mr. Andersonic (LIVE Booty-Bass set)
$mall Change (WFMU)

vs.

--The "fuck guitar hero, play a real instrument" Room--
( BANDs )
Parakeets
The Gamut
Toothache
Altaer
Carcinogenic Static Carnival

plus
Live silkscreening!!!

All you could ever want to know bout everything:
www.myspace.com/thetoothaches
www.myspace.com/he111 (parakeets)
www.myspace.com/thegamut
myspace.com/djdirtyfingers
www.myspace.com/mrandersonic
www.myspace.com/thestachemaster
djsmallchange.com/
_________________

Brought to you by The Swimming Cities of Serenissima
2 Shipping Containers of art & junk
+ 3 converted Mercedes car engines
_________________________________
= 3 boats that we will build in Slovenia and sail cross the Adriatic Sea to Venice
for some good reason.

swimmingcities.org/

You will get trashed
And we will build rafts from trash
Sounds like a haiku

:::

MP3:

- Jay Reatard - Always Wanting More

A band's place in myspace.

:: HOPEFUL HEARTBREAK ::

Posted by: Sucka Pants

(photos from the "Love Your Lane" Valentine's Day party by Times Up at the Autumn Bowl, including (pictured) naked skateboarding, the So So Glos, Team Robespierre, and DJs K-Tel and Team Free Danger, more here)

So how was your Valentine's Day?

MP3:

Does this song make anyone else suddenly feel transported to driving a car at night through Alligator Alley in Florida, or is it just me?

- Doveman - Holding Out For A Hero

A band's place in myspace.

:: BECAUSE FANCY THINGS ARE FOR BORING LIVES ::

Posted by: Sucka Pants

(photos from the last-minute Japanther + Spank Rock + Ninjasonik + Totally Michael show at The Bodega, full gallery here)

Just trying to catch up with myself here. Enough Japanther and Ninjasonik to last you for a while?

MP3:

- Make Up - Free Arthur Lee

A band's place in myspace.

:: DISTILLING SPIRITS, RAISING CAIN ::

Posted by: Bryan

As part of a job in Europe and Russia, we toured a few factories that make or bottle alcohol. Here's a little glimpse at the tedious, sterile environments that make the firewater that makes you crazy.

:: HOMEMADE LOVE SONGS FOR THE DEAF AT HEART ::

Posted by: Sucka Pants

(Japanther, Ninjasonik, Cerebral Ballzy, and Totally Michael at the Bell House, more photos here)

One more time, here is your weekend:

FRIDAY:

:::

ALL ABOARD FUTRE
Friday February 13th, 2009
Viewing 8 to 10 pm
Free Live Performance 10:30
Secret Project Robot Art Space | 210 kent ave | brooklyn | NY | 11211

These Are Powers:
All Aboard Future Record Release Party and Art Opening

Secret Project Robot is pleased to present:
ALL ABOARD FUTURE,
a rejection of fear of the future // a celebration of community and music. Curated by Brooklyn/Chicago band These Are Powers (Dead Oceans) for the concurrent release of their album ALL ABOARD FUTURE..

Featuring works by:
Hisham Bharoocha, Cody Critcheloe, Fay Davis-Jeffers, Bea Fremderman, Jessica Hopper, Cody Hudson, Tyler Larson, Brendan J. Missett, Pooper, Shouwang, Holly Stevenson, Alex Valentine, Sarah Wilmer, And many more friends

Artists were asked to interpret the concept for ALL ABOARD FUTURE-the possibility, potential and rising of a positive and dynamic New Age, in a medium of their choosing. The result is a diverse and exciting showing of emerging talent from around the world.

Works featured in the artwork for the recorded album will be on display in addition to a larger body of contemporary pieces commissioned for the show, unique to the opening will be an installation which the band will perform in, created by Brendan J. Missett.

:::

FLIGHT & FLURRY
friday the 13th of february
an evening of songs and aerial performance featuring

+fall harbor
( www.myspace.com/fallharbor )

+hannah marcus and our very own TIANNA KENNEDY
( www.myspace.com/hannahmarcus )

+amelia jackie ( www.myspace.com/ameliamaryna )

+trapeze performances by natalie agee & c. ryder cooley (
www.natalieagee.com / www.carolynrydercooley.com)

friday the 13th of february.
at union pool.
at 9pm.
eight dollars

Union Pool is located at 484 Union Avenue on the corner of Union &
Meeker, in Williamsburg, Brooklyn two short blocks north of the
Lorimer L stop and one block off the Metropolitan exit of the Brooklyn
Queens Expressway.

:::

PUNK ROCK AT CHIEF BODEGA
FEBRUARY 13
1089 BROADWAY, BROOKLYN
WWW.CHIEFBODEGA.COM

part of B.A.M.'s "sounds of brooklyn" festival
THRILLER- NYHC punk
CEREBRAL BALLZY- new kids on the block skate punk
SMARTS- uhhhh, from baltimore
DJ MAWXWELL 57- uhhhh, max

lots of room for activities
drinking upstairs, karate in the basement

:::

SATURDAY:

:::

LOVE YOUR LANE RIDE & VALENTINE'S DAY PARTY!!
Saturday, February 14th

- Love Your Lane Ride: 7 p.m., Meet at Astor Place Cube

- Valentine's Day After Party 8:30pm, with Team Robespierre and DJs Stacher, and K-Tel- at The Autumn Bowl, 73 West St., Greenpoint, Brooklyn

LOVE YOUR LANE RIDE
Saturday, February 14th 7 p.m.
Astor Place Cube, NY, 8th Street and Lafayette Street

Come celebrate Valentine's Day with your true love- your bicycle, and ride through Manhattan's lover's lanes. Join the Party on Wheels as we listen to love ballads from the soundbike, throw roses at all the cars parked outside of the bike lanes and spread the message of love to all the drivers we pass stuck in traffic. Road rage is OUT, bike-lane-loving is IN. The ride ends at the after party.

VALENTINE'S DAY PARTY !!!
Saturday, February 14th, @ 8:30 p.m.
The Autumn Bowl, 73 West Street in Greenpoint, Brooklyn

With live bands Team Robespierre and The So So Glos
and DJs Stacher, Porkchop, and K-Tel
Projection Installation by CJ and Friends

This is a Time's Up! Fundraiser- $10

Love Your Bike Lanes with Time's Up! at the Autumn Bowl - Celebrate bike infrastructure with an awesome dance party in the skate bowl! Team Robespierre, The So So Glos, with DJs Stacher and K-Tel will make you dance in this funky space. **with possible Special Guests** Projection Installation by CJ and Friends. Come with or without a sweetheart, free food, and free valet bike parking. Dress for love.

We need volunteers for the party. Please go to the link & e-mail barbaraross2@gmail.com with the open time & position you would like to sign up for:
http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=pwKJFXqit_65nPyGjSufmHA&hl=en

For more info and updates go to times-up.org

:::

SOUNDS LIKE BROOKLYN
Sat. Feb. 14th, 10pm, free

Japanther and Ninjasonik perform at the BAM Cafe.

:::

MP3:

Best ever.

- Dead Moon - It's Okay

A band's place in myspace.

:: LAST MINUTE JAPANTHER-SPANK ROCK-NINJASONIK = TONIGHT! ::

Posted by: Sucka Pants

(Tonight!)

So yeah, party tonight at the CHIEF BODEGA

Japanther
Spank Rock
Ninjasonik
Totally Michael

6 bucks!

Doors at 8, Show starts at 9pm sharp
also, FREE colt 45 from 8-9pm
(we have a door guy keeping people from sneaking booze in, but we're still giving it away for free!)

1089 Broadway
Brooklyn, NY
J to Koscuisko OR M to Myrtle Ave
chief mag

:: MASOCHISTIC TENDENCIES AS A WAY TO CLEANSE THE HEART ::

Posted by: Sucka Pants

(photos from the Idiotarod '09 in NYC)

More great events and fundraisers coming up this week. . .

:::

FLIGHT & FLURRY
friday the 13th of february
an evening of songs and aerial performance featuring

+fall harbor
( www.myspace.com/fallharbor )

+hannah marcus and our very own TIANNA KENNEDY
( www.myspace.com/hannahmarcus )

+amelia jackie ( www.myspace.com/ameliamaryna )

+trapeze performances by natalie agee & c. ryder cooley (
www.natalieagee.com / www.carolynrydercooley.com)

friday the 13th of february.
at union pool.
at 9pm.
eight dollars

Union Pool is located at 484 Union Avenue on the corner of Union &
Meeker, in Williamsburg, Brooklyn two short blocks north of the
Lorimer L stop and one block off the Metropolitan exit of the Brooklyn
Queens Expressway.

:::

Times's Up! Valentine's Fundraiser

LOVE YOUR LANE RIDE and VALENTINE'S DAY PARTY
Saturday, February 14th

Party: 8:30 p.m., the Autumn Bowl, Greenpoint

Celebrate bike infrastructure with an awesome dance party in the skate bowl! Team Robespierre, DJ Stacher, DJ Dirty Finger, K-Tel and *Special Guests*will make you dance in this funky space. Projection installation by CJ and friends. Come with or without a sweetheart, free food, and free valet bike parking.
Dress for love.
This is a fundraiser! $10 Gets you in.

LOVE YOUR LANE RIDE
Saturday, February 14th

7 p.m., Astor Place Cube

Celebrate Valentine's Day by riding through Manhattan's lover's (bike) lanes. Join the Party on Wheels as we listen to love ballads from the soundbike, throw roses at all the cars parked outside of the bike lanes and spread the message of love to all the drivers we pass stuck in traffic. Road rage is OUT, bike-lane-loving is IN. The ride will end at the Valentine's Day Party!

:::

MP3:

- Dump - 1999

A band's place in myspace.

:: NEVER TOO LITTLE, NEVER TOO LATE ::

Posted by: Sucka Pants

(Ninjasonik and Cerebral Ballzy tear it up at The Bodega in Brooklyn, more photos here, including a special guest)

What's the only thing worse than having a 9AM court appearance on a Sunday? Finding out that the cop wrote down the wrong date (courts are closed on Sunday, which I kind of suspected) and so now you have to come back and do it again on Monday. At least my wedding/funeral/court suit is getting some use.

MP3:

F*ck yes.

- Cerebral Ballzy - Anthem

A band's place in myspace.

:: LIMITED DAYLIGHT AND INHERENT MISERY ::

Posted by: Bryan.

St. Petersburg, Russia. Fall 2008.

Then and now.

I met some young punk kids in the park and they really wanted to take me to a place called Castle Hill. I
imagined it would be something akin to the Moontower from Dazed and Confused for Russian punks and
metal heads.

We journeyed all over town and stopped at a pellet gun range.

Castle Hill turned out to be nothing more than a head shop with spiked bracelets and Zeppelin posters. Cool,
but not what I was hoping for. Maybe it's telling of Russia's current capitalist embrace that this store is the holy grail for young punks.

Still, many thanks to my gracious tour guides.

FTW.

:: HIDE ME LIKE YOUR DIRTY LITTLE SECRET ::

Posted by: Sucka Pants

(photos from the Brooklyn VS Bmore show featuring Dan Deacon in the last show in his current set up "for a really really really long time," along with These Are Powers and Double Dagger, among others, full gallery here)

Damn, updating this thing takes too many hours, and life is busy working, planning and raising funds for future voyages. Speaking of, please come to our first fundraiser at Silent Barn this Saturday (see below).

I'm also working with Glowlab (where I am currently showing photos in a group exhibit) who has generously agreed to share part of their booth at the the Fountain Art Fair (part of the upcoming NYC Armory Show Art Week). So the Swimming Cities will be having an art sale to help get our butts over to Slovenia, and eventually Venice. If you know any kinda-famous artists that would be willing to donate a piece to our cause, please get in touch.

Also, I've been invited to show my photographic interpretation of the title of the new These Are Powers album, All Aboard Future, at their record release art show at Secret Project Robot on February 13th. More info below.

:::

GOING FOR BROKE.
Saturday, Feb. 7th at Silent Barn

This is the first in a series of Swimming Cities of Serenissima fundraisers. Help make miracles happen!!

With noise bands and indie rockness and then our beloved BLBC DJs and friends. There will be live silk-screening and lots of Swimming Cities patches/shirts/bandanas to sell.

Music, Silk-screening, Dance Party at:

Silent Barn
915 Wycoff Ave. @ Hancock St.
Bushwick/Ridgewood.
$4-10 donation

Bands upstairs:

Adam Caine Trio
Creosote
Twisty Cat
Altar
I'm in You

DJs downstairs:

DJ Dirty Finger + Stashe Master Bill + Pork Chopula (BLBC) + DJ The Paw

Come out, come out, pass this message around, bring on the support for your hard-ass working friends and crazy dreamers....
Flyer here

:::

GLOWLOUNGE

Shaking up the traditional art world model of the month-long-show-with-opening-reception, Glowlounge opts to evolve over the course of four weeks. Each Thursday night we’ll stay open late with a changing selection of artworks and participating artists in attendance to discuss their projects with our guests. These nighttime lounges will have limited capacity, and reservations may be secured via email to rsvp@glowlab.com. The exhibition will also be on view during our regular gallery hours.



Glowlounge brings long-time Glowlab collaborators Steve Lambert, Sal Randolph and Lee Walton together with current gallery artists CutUp, Beka Goedde, Heather L. Johnson, David Kesting, Roberto Mollá and Mark Price. We’ll also introduce works by Paloma Crousillat, Pablo Helguera, Emily Henretta, Brian Leo, Casey Porn, Tod Seelie and additional artists as the show unfolds in an environment of chance and discovery.

For further information please contact gallery Director Christina Ray: 718.388.5911 or info@glowlab.com

Gallery hours: Tuesday-Sunday, 12-6pm
Location: 30 Grand Street between Thompson Street and 6th Avenue
Travel info: A/C/E train to Canal Street
Website: glowlab.com

:::

ALL ABOARD FUTURE (Record Release show)
Friday, February 13 at 6:00pm

All Aboard Future is a full-length audio recording to be released world-wide by These Are Powers on the Dead Oceans label on February 17, 2009. 13 artists from New York, Chicago and Beijing were chosen by the band to interpret the concept for All Aboard Future—the possibility, potential and rising of a positive and dynamic New Age.

These artists had the option of listening to the album or to interpret the album title independent of the music, creating a collaboration between These Are Powers and a collective expression of the future. Their work will be on display in addition to other submissions from artists worldwide for this unique event.

Secret Project Robot
210 Kent Avenue
Brooklyn, NY, New York 11211
www.secretprojectrobot.org

:::

MP3:

- The Whore Moans - White Noise Melody

A band's place in myspace.

:: MY LITTLE BABOOSHKA ::

Posted by: Bryan

Moscow.