Just Call Them "Hipster McDouche"

WHERE IZ MA BORED SHORTZ???

Shark Attack, as feature on the front of Revolt Magazine.

Term "Hipster McDouche" copyright 2008 Cat Dirt Sez. (link demonstrates zero "exact matches" for "hipster mcdouche" as of 8/22/08.

Show Review: Crocodiles @ the Casbah

Have you seen these crazy Beijing Olympic Mascots? You can actually see them capering around at the beginning of the Beach Volleyball games. I haven't seen them in, say, the Gymnastics stadium or at the track. I've got my eyes peeled, though.


Standing in the Casbah last night, I couldn't help but look at people and try to think of funny "lolcats" captions. "OH HAI! IM SADDD." and then there would be a guy in a cardigan with horn rim glasses. You know what I'm talking about.

I went last night for the first time in months to see Crocodiles, who were opening for Ilya. Ilya's music is "shoegazer." I'm pretty sure the 100+ people who were there last night were, in fact, Ilya fans, since they had an "alt-rock" look going. They were respectful and attentive listeners to Crocodiles, so I've got no problem with them.

Crocodiles have been working on their sound. They had a cool key board thing looping going on. At times it reminded me of Steve Reich, so much so that I went home and actually inflicted Steve Reich on our house guests. "The queen is not amused." Steve Reich is not party music or quiet sitting around music. It's not a dance kind of looping, but more experimental in outlook. Like I said, it sounded like Steve Reich.

Crocodiles development has me hopeful of an excellent first record, but they'll need more then "Neon Jesus" to turn heads. I also think the "ipod" drums is a limitation on what is otherwise a promising take on spiritualized influenced no wave(???). The stylistic touch points are feedback, looped synths and knowing, cynical song writing. It could be a compelling mix of influences with potential wide spread appeal. The album is the thing. 10 songs. I'd settle for ep. I'm def. waiting.

Also, for this style of group I think they need a more developed view point. I'm confident it's there, but a four-six song set with a (couple of?) covers isn't showing it off.

I'm not comparing Crocodiles to Dresden dolls but maybe like- Berlin era Lou Reed? That was a huge commercial success, after all. New movie coming soon on that record.

Musically, right now I'm basically like, if you're playing in a conventional rock format, drums, bass, guitar & singer I'm saying, "SEE: guitar hero." I don't want to directly say that the popularity of guitar hero essentially spells the death of indie rock music, but that's kind of where I'm headed. I'm looking for everything besides that set up. Of course, existing bands in that area are excluded- new Oasis record anyone? new Verve record? Don't worry- I'm getting there.

I was disappointed not to see any "phelps phans" t-shirts on the attendees. Where is the patriotic spirit?

Conversation drifted between Phelps record breaking swim that was going on during the show as well as a spirited debate on whether the "further security action" clause of the Russia-Georgia Ceasefire agreement allowed Russia to just take over the rest of Georgia whenever they wanted to or even whether Georgia signed a treaty with that language in it or signed a different agreement entirely.

What with China Olympics and Russian Invasions, you will forgive me if I don't get a little misty eyed for the late 70s- early 80s cold war era- Russian invasion of Afghanistan, boycott of the Moscow Olympics. I don't know, can we get a little "cold war nostalgia" as a trend? Fashion designs? Books about the Cold War? re-makes of Cold War era movies?

The time is right for this particular revival.