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 Your Hey Mercedes weblog. The Cast: Robert Nanna Damon Atkinson Todd Bell Michael Shumaker Dan Keehn Chris Bickert Norman Arenas Ryan Snyder 
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February 24, 2001
Robert: AAAARGH! OOOMPH! OOOOHHH! No I'm not reciting the screenplay for Gladiator - i just read on ZacharyBlarg that Mark Kozelek is playing at Schubas the same night as our show at the Metro.... There is good news, though. I'm certain our show will end by 10, and usually Schubas shows start pretty late. I'll find out the entire deal and plot out a gameplan right here....
Robert: 311 Repousse - Castor Where have all of the Castor links gone? Tomorrow I unveil AYWAW super project #15.
dan: People, My great friend Dave henderleiter stopped by to tell me about this awesome place to click around in, I hope ya'll like it..I certainly did..thanks hendy..
Todd: Your time has come, your day is done.. A new interest in June of 44 has arisen in me lately.. My arm is sore..
Todd: "Due to an internal error your request cannot be processed. We apologize for the inconvenience. Please try again later." What in the Hell does that mean? I've been trying to get into my hotmail account for over an hour.. Let a brother check his Email already!! Sucks. Had some problems earlier in the week as well. Guess thats what I get for sticking with the most frequently used free service on the net... sigh.. Speaking of the PRODUCERS, I attempted to get tickets to see it in Chicago earlier in the month around valentines day.. As soon as I heard about it I thought it would be such a cool thing, my first big play, a great story, great movie, and to see Matthew Broderick on the stage would be surreal. What a mess though! I tried to get tickets over a month early and all of the affordable seats where long gone for the shows I wanted to see. Only a few select seats left over for millionaires with flexible schedules.. Boo!! Guess I'll have to stick to watching him in the new 'Election' DVD I aqquired recently. The commentary isn't that good though. Sorry, Alexander Payne, at least try to be interesting.. I'm holding out for the new Stanley Kubrick box set too Bob.. You better get rid of your old one quick to make up for the cost of the new. Almost 200 bucks? Holy cow! A big thanks to my friend Chris Strong for giving us some fun photos to play around with (He shot the opening 'map' photo of us on the main page), can't wait to see the rest of them there photographs.. Anywho, Bob is coming up to practice today and it looks like we'll put the finishing touches on 'The Frowning of a Lifetime' if things go well.. More later..
dan: so far at the store here the things I've got to pack are: 1. softball bat (that had a dent in it due to the burly softball player who utilized said bat) 2. [2] headers [flow tech] 3. big ole' exercise ab track machine. these people that order exercise equipment get more of a work out hauling it around to return it than they would sittin on the thing..that's funny..
dan: .... these are the yummiest little deals I tell ya!..team one of these with some of that strong ace coffee and LooKoUt!!!!
dan: GOOD MORNING its snowing and I'm at work..yeah ! today on my way into work I had the pleasure of seeing one car in the ditch..It was totally turned around facing the opposite direction..it was a white grand am..people, when driving in slippery conditions you need not use the brake..because you shouldn't be going that fast..hello? I hydro planed twice on my way here and all I did was lay off the accelerator....that sucks though for the person in the ditch..lets be careful out there folks.. February 23, 2001
Robert: Here's a review of the new Dr. Strangelove DVD. Of course they would do this to me, as i already have the damn thing in the Stanley Kubrick collection. And to think they've added a bunch of extras, too. Just to spite me. They'll pay! ... The review mentions a scene in which one of the character actors in the War Room completely breaks out in laughter as Peter Sellers, as Dr. Strangelove, struggles to keep his arm in check... I always love little goofs like that... I found another one recently that wasn't mentioned in either of the commentaries - Boogie Nights. You know the scene where Philip Baker Hall, as Floyd Gondolli, is explaining to Burt Reynolds about the coming of "videotape" to the porn industry? Watch in the background as Robert Ridgely, as the Colonel, busts into uncontrollable laughter as PBH says the lines "butter in my ass and a lolipop in my mouth..." Feels weird just writing that. Feel weird reading that? A co-worker here went to see The Producers last night, which is playing for a short time in Chicago before it hits Broadway. It's the stage version of the classic Mel Brooks movie, which starred Gene Wilder and Zero Mostel. This production stars Matthew Broderick and Nathan Lane. He said it was phenomenal, and i don't doubt him. I'm a tad jealous... I've been reading nothing but raves.. Speaking of raves, I'd like to take this lull in work traffic to tell you about my most favorite theater experience: True West - on Broadway - starring Phillip Seymour Hoffman and John C Reily. PSH played Lee and JCR played Austin. It was the most incredible experience, seeing two of your favorite actors a few feet away from you (how did we get such good seats?), just glowing... This was the production that had them switching roles every three nights! I read about how perfect JCR played the part of Lee, but PSH just nailed the part totally... I wish I could talk more about it, but I swear, someone's reading over my shoulder... It's not too bad... But still I can't help but get that subtle sneer whenever Temp appears. It's all because he's keeping me from you blog. He's not a bad guy at all, but i just can't help but despise him. Despise him for ruining my perfect little dreamworld. Oh well... i better suck it up... it's all for the best. if it wasn't for him, i may not have had a job to keep while i'm gone... but wait a minute... is that really a bad thing?
Robert: 312 My Sharona - The Knack More of the same today.... I'll maybe have a tad more time, but nothing colossal... Gotta start this at home... February 22, 2001
dan: I'm starting to feel a little sleepy...I will type a few more words for people to read...My glass is almost empty and my eyes are getting heavy with all of this silence here at the house..I am at the last track Its time to go brush my toothes i love you all. peace drinks for everybody d*n THANKS FOR TUNING INTO THE NIGHTIME CHRONOLOGI\CALES PUERTO RICAN STYLE..I'VE GOT THE MEXICALE BLUES
dan: roberto was blogging the same time I was typing... ___ ___ || | | | |\ | || | | __ | | \ | ||__ | | | | \| keehn peace out-
dan: i am here...I did find some of that cellar wine...my friend mike and I drank some of it and now it feels like that one scene in LOST BOYS when the vampires say " michael..michael...michael..come on michael ..be one of us." aaarrrgghhhhh.....then he wakes up floating outside corey's bedroom...the only thing is, is , is i'm not floating outside cause iy's too damn cold so I opted for some inside flying..as I take a sip of my blasfimose wine or how ever you spell that ..I am reminded of that nighttime flight into the empty sky overlooking the city that was flooded with lights and constant movement. Tonight folks you ARE listening to the nighttime chronologicales as they would say in puerto rico or on Miami ViCe. track 5 on KID A is a great song to type to. The song after is even more enjoyable to tap my fingers to, or should I say ever so slightly taunt the little squares with letters and numbers on them..wine.wine.wine.I like this computer so much I might even buy one someday.. 1132pm here everybodys in bed and I feel I'm secretly sending messages via some outlandish observation post located near mira coordinates 12degrees horizontally even with the longitudial abgel..what the funk? every time I glance at my beautiful glass filled with its nectar from the cellar I feel the urge to prancy prance prance downy down stairs to give my glass a refreshing feeling of togetherness again.. is any one on my side?
Robert: Secret heart, what are you made of... what are you so afraid of... Life seems a little better when you've got Ron Sexsmith to serenade you. I've been going through one of my bad phases recently. Odd sleeping / eating habits (hence odd blogging times!), procrastination... It's a shame, too, because my roomates cleaned and rearranged some of the apartment today, and i want to do my part... but instead, i'm hiding in my room with my new laptop... trying to write some stuff, laying back, and then falling asleep... I'll probably go out there for some water eventually... but it's just so comfy in here! Plus, I'm scantily dressed... I just realized that i missed this improv show that i was going to go to tonight. Dammit. That would have certainly cured some of this ill. And what do i get in return? a bunch of half-dreams that i barely remember. That's it, folks, I gotta get out of here...
dan: great. everything I've been typing is gone..oh well I thought it was interesting and now I don't feel like re-typing everything...boohoo
dan: Pretty soon I'm outta here....wooooooooowhoooooo. Here's what I gotta do tonight: 1. pick up [2] pizzas for tonight.. a. cheese only b. pepperoni bake at 400 for about 15-20 minutes.. breast damn pizza this side of the mason dixon line. 2. Stop at the party store and pick-up a bottle of satanic wine that I learned of from my pal erika. 3. Stop at me maws house to drop some stuff off. 4. drive 45min home 5. preheat oven 6. check on the recording of survivor..I'm not ashamed to say that I watch it..It's a good excuse to have some friends over and drink a little and have some really bitchin' pizza. Besides last episode some guy killed a pig..with a knife on a stick what a freAk! pretty gross hey..sorry kids..7. 7. Check email and this . 8. Pop open the wine and let it breath.. 9. smell cork 10. pour myself a glass and wait for friends to come over.. 11. maybe I should have a glass while I'm doing everything else..? 12. move number 8 to position #1 Don't forget to check this here thang later- hopefully tonight.
dan: I thought I was the only one to use this link when refering to cold ones...But hey if it works for you I suppose that's ok..I don't care..I've checked the archives too buddy..
dan: I should've know that home-made cream of broccoli soup w/ oyster crackers is the antidote for a crummy hang-over. I tell ya after taking my friends dog to 'doggy day care' this morning and driving all over the place including 45 minutes to work, by the time I got to work I was ready to hurl. To much rock last night I guess...Boy does it look cold outside.. I swear there's a different paperboy delivering the paper every 2 weeks..it's hard to find good help these days i guess.. gotta run I might blog tonight depending on whether or not I find this certain wine I'm looking for...I'm gonna have some guests over tonight so I don't know if I'll have to sneak up to the computer room to fill all'y'all in on whats happening or WhAT...! Check out this little link I got from a friend...it's a pretty cool newsletter type thing.. peace out-
Robert: Alright, let's talk. Tonight, I will be updating the Hey Mercedes newspage. Lots to report... This force field that is keeping me away from my blog has got to go, pronto. It kind of feels like there's a pillow over my face and i'm only allowed to breathe twice within an 8 hour time period. A man could explode this way. I can't check my email, I can't read other blogs, I can't check on world news, dvd news... These wonderful sites are my direct lifeline to the outside world. Without it, I may as well be working in a cave. Sure the cave has free coffee and a decent bakery downstairs, but honestly now! So i feel like i have to condense all my thoughts into short bursts while the new cat is away. It's annoying... But i'll manage for the time being. Have you seen the movie Strangers on a Train? It's one of my favorite Hitchcock movies - one that truly scared me when i saw it the first time. It all had to do with the extremely likable villian, brilliantly played by Robert Walker. (Coincidentally, i just read this bit of info: one month after the movie was released, he died due to "adverse reaction to prescription drugs." Wow. You find out something new everyday. I also found out his son was in the classic movie The Man From O.R.G.Y. Put that one on your "to-rent" list.) Except for Mr. Walker, Strangers has your typical cheeseball overacting and melodrama, but there is one scene that is so poignant that it just makes the movie for me. It happens at a tennis match, where there is a shot of the crowd moving their heads back and forth watching the ball in play. Every one is in unison, except for our villian right in the middle, not moving a muscle, staring right at the camera (right at the protagonist). BRILLIANT! ... Another amazing scene is where a policeman, chasing a suspect, blindly fires a gun towards a merry-go-round! Full of children, no less. Luckily he just hits the guy operating the ride, causing the merry-go-round to spin out of control... and it's a funny part! How does that happen? I didn't see the Grammys last night. I was in Milwaukee working out "The Frowning of a Lifetime" while Eminem stared lovingly into Elton's eyes. Actually I really truly hate the Grammys. Ever since Metallica (back when they weren't so sniveling) lost out to Jethro Tull, I vowed never to watch them again. They always end up giving the awards to old foagies, which this time worked in my boys' favor, but still it's nothing I'm interested in. Wake me up when they have the indieblog awards, where we can all gossip about my duet with Nanette... And one last thing, I may claim to be a fan, but i still have not heard note #1 from that newest album... Hey, I got my boxset to keep me warm... Get along... get along kid charlemagne... Mark this moment. I will say more.
Robert: 313 Alex Chilton - The Replacements Speaking of replacements, it looks like yet again i may be ol two-blog bob today. As i mentioned, the Temp isn't as bad as the guy, but he still is constantly over my shoulder... even when i try and lean it into his path of vision from eye to screen. I caught this mofro reading some of my emails! What the? ... I 'flew' up to Milwaukee last night (and down this morning), and both ways took full advantage of the laptop. Amtrak was even so kind as to install outlets at each seat! Especially for me! How sweet of them. I figured it apropos to watch the Alfred Hitchcock classic, Strangers on a Train. I will say more about the movie at 12:30 blogtime... Ben Folds said in an interview how he admired the song "Dancing Queen" by Abba because it started with a bridge. And on that note, here comes Temp. February 21, 2001
Todd: I forgot to mention earlier, I saw what lies beneath last night and it was a pretty darn good lil' thriller.. Good angles, nice cinematography.. and yes, Michelle Pfeiffer can be pretty frightening at times, Harrison Ford too. Thank god I did'nt read any reviews of it before seeing it, I had no idea how it was going to end, just how I like it. A fun movie, thumbs up Robert Zemeckis. Also, just heard Bjork will be performing "I've seen it all" at the Oscars this year with Thom Yorke! Whoo hoo! They'll have a 55-piece orchestra with them on stage too. Crazy. Once again a plea: Someone tape it for us! Or we will have to cancel our show in Carroboro, NC!! Just kidding.. Or am I?
Robert: Well, things are going pretty well here. Lucky for me, we don't have another coffee-break-shadowin', tazmanian-devil-lovin', looney-tunes-tie-wearin' clowny-clown on my hands. Unlucky for you, though, because it's been a rather dull day because of it... It really chps my hide, being away from the blog for so long. My only condolance is this - once Mr. Temp learns my job inside and out, what is left for me to do while he churns away? That's right. Blog. I'm sorta sacrificing a blog now for a big blog later. Here a blog, there a blog. I have to run to my second favorite place on earth right now, the post office, to mail out some t-shirts, and with my luck, by the time i return, he'll be patiently awaiting my arrival... And as soon as i'm done here, it's on to the Hiawatha Express - which will zoom me up to the bestest practice space ever. This will be my first train trip with laptop in tow. I have brought along the Time Code and Strangers on a Train DVDs for my enjoyment. Is there a movie on this flight? Yes, two... Also, Todd, I'd like to inform you that i have secured a MAC version of Scrabble for the laptop! Oh yeah. Hours of fun, fun for all ages, Scrabble and a band.
Todd: Poor Bob. He's in his very own hell. Being held against his will just arms-length from a decent blog. Cheer up lil' camper, not much more of this work scenerio to go.. in heaven you can blog everyday 24-7.. and its right around the corner.. tour in 23 days. Start your engines. Get your list ready: -Do laundry. -Order new DVDs from Amazon for tour. -Get strings. -Pack travel Scrabble and dictionary. -Feed cat. All ready! Lets hit the road! I'm good to go! By the way, just so everyone knows, one of my favorite Coen Brothers films, the DVD edition of raising arizona is being re-released on March 6th. Now you can get it for 16 bucks instead of 23 dollars. Its the same version too, so all you lucky chumps who already own this gem of a movie never fear, it's just re-pressed. So it's a win-win situation! I've pre-ordered mine already. Hopefully it'll arrive before we leave. Full review later, hopefully from tour..
dan: ..the sun has positioned herself quiet nicely in the sky today. ...the taste of that philly blunt feels like it won't check out till noon. ....coffee brewed and ready to have it's fresh smell sulk in the computer room air. ...coffee to f'n hot to sip ..still nursing my third degree burn on my top lip thanks for tuning in this morning see you soon. {}dan{}::::::::: :::::::::: ::: ::: :: :
Robert: 314 I'm Walkin' - Fats Domino Just a word of warning... Today might just be the day. The day that begins 'the shadow, part two'. He may be waiting there for me... which is why i am posting this from the comfort of my own living room, blanket around me, Throat Coat Tea in hand... mockingbird wish me luck. February 20, 2001
dan: My good friend Jon Minor sent me this and I think you'd like it....more later. After a few drinks that are made out of, you guessed it, puerto rican rum and american cola. mmmm good. Just a couple though..I'll tune in later folks..
Robert: Zach, it's a good thing that you saw Coldplay when you did or you may have had to get up there and sing "Yellow" yourself!
Robert: Throat Coat Tea. Always to the rescue. I woke up on Sunday morning with a horrible sore throat. It felt like I had swallowed a pool ball and it just got stuck right behind my tongue. The magic elixir took care of it in record time. Only 3 cups and i felt like singing an opera. Take note singers. Before tour, get a hot pot. Get a thermos. Get a hell of a lot of Throat Coat Tea. Every morning, boil water and steep the tea in the thermos. Drink all day. Intersperse with some regular water (not cold). Finish the thermos? At the next gas station, go to the coffee stand and fill it back up with hot water. It's free, and you already got the tea... After the show, boil more water and drink more of the Tea... This sounds like another commercial doesn't it? AYWAW for Traditional Medicinals. The Hey Mercedes album has a name. I'll tell you about it soon. Maybe you can find it... DId you read about this? United Airlines, due to a computer malfunction, advertised a $25 round trip ticket to Paris for about an hour. About 150 people caught it and booked the fare. At first, United said that they would not honor it. Now they are changing their tune and for the sake of public affairs, a plane load of people will be traveling to and from Paris for the low price. I'm sure no one got fired for that. Reason #908 why I'm excited to go out on tour: Eating out. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy cooking, and i'm quite proud of my beer-battered eggplant fritters, but nothing beats a good night out at a nice restaurant. My previous band used to have an all-expenses paid dinner night once a week while on tour. And oh man, it was something to really look forward to. This band also has that tradition lined up (Mercy Meals), thankfully. But think about it - everyday, a new unique place to eat! Woohoo! Music and food. A passionate pair-up, indeed. One thing I'm working on is a list of my top 10 favorite restaurants in Chicago, complete with a recommended dish. I should be able to unveil that sometime this week.
Robert: Days off are amazing. No doubt about it. I spent the entire day getting stuff done. We slept late and then got up and actually cooked breakfast. Our plan was to make the infamous "egg in a hole," which is basically an egg fried in a cutout circle of a piece of bread. Brilliant. Who thought of such a thing? After a slight mishap (hard boiled eggs were bought by mistake), we got cooking and I enjoyed my EIAH with some veggie bacon and some Throat Coat Tea... Sure, I used to eat bacon, back when i thought it wasn't horribly repulsive. But what really gets me is the smell. That bacon smell means breakfast, and there's nothing like walking into a diner and catching a whiff of that subtle scent, mixed in with coffee and even a little smoke sometimes. That darn olfactory sense really takes me back. Ahhh. Now, being vegetarian, I have no plan or desire to eat real bacon again, but I still love that morning breakfast aura. (Now this will sound like a commercial) But with Morningstar veggie strips, the feeling is back, but without the fat and the killings! Yee-hah! I'm now thinking it wouldn't be so bad to publicly endorse Morningstar... Nah, what we should really do is actually market Hey Mercedes-brand vegetarian meals. Maybe then, with our name on every shelf, it would be easier to book shows... Enter segue... We are NOT playing Milwaukee on April 6th. The truth is, we tried to get the show at the Rave Bar and they basically said "Hey who?? Sorry, but no." That, my friends, is the honest truth. It's embarrassing, really, that we can't even get a decent show in our own hometown. Wait a minute. My hometown is Chicago. Our Metro show on April 7th is confirmed and ready to roll. So I guess we should be one-fourth happy... We booked a 3 week tour (half of it headlining even!) from st. louis to boston to orlando to houston without a snag... And it's Milwaukee that says "hey who?" Why I oughta... Who says we got it easy? So we've already made plans for that day, some friends are flying in and we're taking the whole day off... So this means that all of our Milwaukee friends will have to trek down to the Metro show if they want to come see us. Maybe we can charter a Hey Mercedes Super Bus, complete with a movie... That reminds me, one time on tour, we passed a touristy tour bus on the highway that was filled with senior citizens. It seemed like your usual bus trip until we pulled alongside and noticed what was playing on their TV screens. That's right, I said it. A porno. This is another strange but true story, courtesy of your pals at AYWAW? Lots more to talk about... Steely who?
Pumpkin: And just like that... saved. The new guy went home sick. Hot dog. This gives me a little more time to prepare for his presence. Maybe for his 'nuisance' ? ... I need something. I don't quite know yet what it is.
Pumpkin: 315 Gunshot Glitter - Jeff Buckley Oh no. It looks like we are primed and ready for 'the shadow part two,' as my two month replacement has arrived to the castle. Let's hope for the best. I'll try and get back as soon as i can. February 19, 2001
Robert: 316 Into Your Arms - The Lemonheads Yes, yes, i'm here. You have to remember, it being Presidents' Day and all, that I am not at work, but actually getting a lot of stuff done around the old campfire. I just watched the Bananas DVD as I folded T-shirts and it was around the scene where Esposito declares that "all children under 16 are now 16" that i realized WE ONLY HAVE SMALL GRAY SHIRTS. I've sent out what I could, and I've also sent out refunds to those who had ordered non-small grays. The black design is available in all sizes still, but the grey ones are near extinct. It's a good thing there are new designs on the way... So i'm going to dive back into the day off. I'll be back tomorrow with a full blown written attack on the work day.
dan: hey folks..I too was at rush-mor records this weekend having free chili and watchin la mantra ...Todd, didn't you see me? Anyway, I'm about 10 minutes away from entering " the rain room" gotta keep it clean. It's another cold one up here in the breww city folks..wear your hoodies.. have a gut one.. * note to self the word "gut" as mentioned in the above phrase is to be pronounced quiet briskly, and don't try to make it sound like your saying gut too much...lets practice: have a gut one.......good.. February 18, 2001
Robert: 317 Cornflake Girl - Tori Amos I think Todd screwed up his link for our cover song. Although, I wish it was true, let me actually steer you in the correct direction. I thank you. Speaking of screwing up links...
Todd: Good afternoon everybody. A long weekend filled with rock for sure. First off Hey Mercedes just worked out a succeful cover song, which will be recorded with our album in April and possible released on a single this year. I'm excited. Also, Friday night Mark and I witnessed the first show of our friends new band LA MANTRA at Rush-Mor records in south Milwaukee. Good turn out too. Lotsa kids down there reprezentin'. For those of you who are unfamiliar, this band features members of the short lived CONDITION and members of the defunct COMPOUND RED. Keep your eyes peeled for more of them.. THANK GOD one of my favorite cartoons of all time is finally being released on DVD March 6th. Please, never see the sequel though. It's terrible. Why do people think sequels are a good idea to a good film with great closure? Are you insane? Forget all that Disney crap, this film is right up there on the HBO 80's list right next to midnight madness and BMX bandits. Just avoid the sequel at all costs.. Thats right, I said it.. Does everyone go through phases like this: I've been listening to nothing but old rock music lately. Nothing that surpasses 1994. I do this about every six months.. Nothing has been overly appealing to me recently on the new releases list. I take that back.. there is only one exception, the new Ch'e cd rocks. Otherwise its a rotating list of Guided By Voices, Monsula, and Dinosaur Jr. albums.. I'm a closet case. Locked in my room babbling about when good movies came on HBO.. Please help me.. |