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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 
Ebay: Bob Damon Todd Mike Ryan Go Clock Go: absolute punk all music guide alton brown art of the mix awkward pirouttes bipolar braid heaven c & c drums cadmium chicago shows! critical darling dullest dvd file ebay google news grandtheftautumn invisible city kempa look like kenny michael moore my friend goes left the new top ok plus three panaphobic pirate smiles pitchfork punk news quoc machinery recwreck rocket fuel the scout theme park thieves trouble vagrant weasel manor who would buy work of fiction you look good hallelujah it's the indieblogs webring list random previous next |
June 23, 2001
June 22, 2001
Robert: Let's say... someone i know is interested in securing (bartering for) a copy of Pro Tools for a Mac G3 laptop... What the? Who is that! Get outta here!
Robert: Well now. It seems as though the Violent Femmes show is actually on Sunday. I've got bigger OP fish to fry on that day. So, tomorrow we practice for the first time since April 14. Wow. I hope I still know how to play the piano. You'll be happy to know that I recently purchased a "shaker" shaped like an avocado... specifically for OP 908. I just checked the on-hand cashflow, and it looks as though lunch is going to be falafel. Yum. I loves me some good falafel. Also, it seems as though there's a very popular band running around with some Hey Mercedes fans in it. Can you guess which one? I'll give you a hint - the band's name rhymes with Fred Kreppelin. Possible tour on the horizon?
Robert: Money. What a joke. You know what's awesome? Having to pay a month's rent and a security deposit (equal to a month's rent) on a new place AND pay a month's rent on the old place... all for July 1st!!! I tell you, Vagrant better have our million dollar checks signed, sealed, delivered. I could sure use that cool million to fix up the ol jukebox. And now, back to work before the boss catches me! Oh how fun. Speaking of daydreaming, I woke up yesterday morning with an uncontrollable urge to produce and market Ron Sexsmith action figures. Some dream seemed to carry over into my conscious state, and seriously, for about 5 minutes I was sweating some Mattel deadline. But now I am back to full sanity, thankfully. Still waiting for those checks, though. I wonder if the Wicker Park currency exchange will cash a million dollar check. Speaking of Czechs, why the harvest burger hasn't P-diddy Drake blogged yet? He even emailed me to make sure he would do it right. Hmm. Hope all is well in Prague. You are our constant European connection. Keep us informed. I'm losing my mind. Too much coffee. Or perhaps not enough? Maybe I just saw Moulin Rouge yesterday. Yes, that is the ticket. If anyone knows where the Violent Femmes are playing tonight, please let me know. My buddy Gordon is dying to be a cog in m'906.
Robert: 193 Mandinka - Sinead O'Connor OK, this is kind of scary. First there was the Ramones thing, now the O'Connor thing. And I'm sure if there was a John Lee Hooker song on the list, it would have been tomorrow's... Anyway, both of the guys were great in their own ways - but lucky for us there are a zillion reruns and a zillion albums to be forever enjoyed! ...and for some reason, Blogger likes me today. Oh well. Who's complaining? June 21, 2001
Todd: Bob, I knew getting you that Oh Shelia big-hole (dime) 45rpm for your birthday would get you kick started! Lets have a jukebox parteh! Whoo hoo!
Robert: Blocked Posts from June 21, 2001 8:45 AM 194 She's Leaving Home - The Beatles Been beat up... been thrown out... but i'm not down... no i'm not down.... 10:15 AM Egg sandwich. Hash browns. Coffee. Rock and roll. And speaking of breakfast, I hope we occasionally get some on the upcoming tour (not a dime). If not, I could always dish out some EITH, depending on how accomodating the bus is. Elvis Costello collaborating for an opera record of obscure pop songs? With all due respect, has the guy just run out of ideas? When do we get the next just-plain-Elvis record, huh? ... I'm not sure if it was Chris or a friend of his who saw Elvis C and said it was just amazing. He closed the show with an acapella version of "God Give Me Strength" WITHOUT A MICROPHONE! Maybe it was the operatic influence a-creeping up. And the radio is in the hands of such a lot of fools trying to anesthetize the way that you feel... Speaking of the radio, I'd like to make a suggestion - Alkaline Trio's next single/video should be "Private Eye"... but obviously bleep / mute out all of the swearing. Seriously, swearing is the way to go these days if you want to make it on the radio. It's like a weak / subtle form of rebellion. Hey, when I was a kid, and the radio played some song where there was a bad word, I just went nuts. That was awesome. I think they said "damn". Quiet! Your mom will hear us! (case in point: the entire album of Licensed to Ill.) And don't even get me started on hip-hop songs. It's so great because they have to mute out whole verses at a time! If you want to sing along, you have to be adept at complex syncopation! It's all about the radio edit, Bob... Now if i could just get over that grade school guilt! Leslie, could you please email me that blog address again? I'm so clumsy, I fucking deleted it. * Hey Mercedes exclusively use Zach Kuhn-brand posts. Here's a testimonial: Bob says "Love that Zach. I never play shows without a Zach post." * 2:20 PM Not another OP, Bob! Yes... it's OP910 and let me tell you about it. As soon as my family moved from Chicago to the burbs, we "inherited" this old jukebox... Since it was basically for me (no one else in the fam is musically inclined / interested), I amassed a great deal of 45's, typed up labels for each, and threw em in there. Within a year, the thing was broken. And since 1990, that mofro has been sitting, collecting dust in our basement. I just realized (today at lunch) that I want to fix it and I want to take it... so I've been browsing round the net... and i stumbled upon this website which I'm sure will help me tremendously in my obsessive project. I even found a possible repair manual for the model we have (United, 1957-1964) ! Woohoo! So Mr. "All-Thumbs" is going to get that manual, dive into the old relic, and get those wheels spinnin' again! Yee-hah! I'm going to stop by the horse on Monday to find out the exact model # so I can get to work. I'll keep you updated on my progress.
dan: thanks to damon for the nice dinner last night..we sat by the river and talked awhile..then I went to mike allens and watched 'o brother where art thou' it was awesome..he downed a cool one and I just had a few regulars ..got my points reduced to 3 and 74 dollars paid within' 60 days..not bad...otherwise it's dead around here...
Todd: Happy Summer! Heres a short(As I can get) list of some of my favorite summertime records. Most of these titles where spun in the car on cassette, windows down, driving around looking for skate-spots, going to shows, or just growing up. Sorry for all the nostalgia! FIREHOSE from ohio. DESCENDENTS all. GREEN DAY kerplunk. DINOSAUR JR bug. VELOCITY GIRL simpatico. REPLACEMENTS don't tell a soul. BAD BRAINS I against I. REM document. THE SMITHS strangeways.. JULIANA HATFIELD hey babe. JAWBOX novelty. JAWBREAKER bivouac. SMOKING POPES get fired. SAMIAM soar. AC/DC back in black. SEAWEED weak. Other noteworthy summer driving records: JESUS and MARY CHAIN stoned and dethroned. SUNDAYS reading writing.. TEAM DRESCH personal best. GENE olympian. Wow. 20 records? Thats the best I can do to narrow? And that was mostly off the top of my head.. and i'm sure I left out tons of good stuff, I'm sure there is a forgotten Small Factory, Iron Maiden or Shudder To Think record in there somewhere.. Ugh. It never ends.. I think its about time to make a super summer mix tape. That will be be my new OP project. What do you think Bob? An attempt to make the worlds greatest mix tape? argghh!! Well, gotta run to work, bust my hump for the man.. June 20, 2001
Todd: Just got back from Seeing Shrek. A very cute and wonderful movie, but you didn't here that from me.. I'm big and tough!! For once the critics where right, it was good. Plus, I got to hear Rufus Wainwright covering Leonard Cohen's 'Hallelujah' in the movie, which I first heard on the Grace record and thought it to be a Jeff Buckley original. More tomorrow when I list some of my favorite summertime albums.
Todd: Maybe we should all post some of our favorite summertime records tomorrow? hmmm.. Get's me thinking..
Todd: Off of work finally, and to quote Dante from Clerks: "I'm not even supposed to be here today!" That was my catchphrase for the day, as I was covering a shift for a friend. Listening to side two of Bug. One of the reasons I'm in a band is because of that era of records and that band. Good memories and good summertime music. After all, tomorrow is the first day of summer. Gotta be prepared and pump the jams. All blessings go out to Mike D, all layed-up on the couch after a vicious sprained ankle, or possible fracture courtesy of The Promise Ring Basketball Association. I saw him yesterday and brought him some DVDs to pass the time. Go to the promise ring site and Email him a 'get well' postcard of himself if you get the chance. New records I've picked up lately: Travis "the invisible band" CD and Nathan Larson 's "I must learn to live alone" EP. Good stuff..
Robert: Hey party people: Tomorrow is the first day of summer, a perfect time for you to join in the madness and partake in your own obsessive projects... Make the summer of 2001 special, the OP way. The funniest man in Chicago starts an OP tomorrow, why shouldn't you? Me, I've already got too much on the OP plate. 906 is rolling full speed ahead. 907 is at a temporary standstill. 908 is gathering speed for September 23. And 909 may just jump out before tour... Soon you will know... Boy, that Tortoise can sure put on a rocking show... and Mark, after you shoot the shot in line at the bar.... it's OP906 time, baby. ... And for the record... Last night, i did not put up (or authorize the putting up) of any flyers to obscure the stage. That would just be rude, wouldn't it?
mark: In breif(I'm on someone's computer who should be working.I'll hurry!)Tortoise was amazing.I mean fucking HOT!!Those guys make me want to either throw all my gear away,and never play again,or sit down,and learn to play the drums.The only problem was the asshole in Madison who was harshing my mellow.I had to tell him to shut it(more than once)and his "buddy" got real defensive.After it was clear that I wasn't about to throw down in the middle of the set,they went away.Jon (from Pele) really got a kick out of itWhy do people always want to fight me at shows like that?I could understand if we were seeing Slayer,but Tortoise?Come on!! .Metro was hot as well.Somehow,my drink never got too empty.Scary!I got to see lots of musicians hanging out.It's a little weird .You listen to their records all the time,then you end up shooting the shit with them in line at the bar.I never know what to say,so I don't say much.Those of you who know me understand what a feat that is. Forstella Ford always plays real nice like.Go see them if you can.Also- on tour right now is Since By Man,and Seven Days of Samsara.GO SEE THEM!!You will not be dissapointed.
dan: yes judge, I mean your honor..ok..I would greatly appreciate it if you could either take some points off and reduce the fine or both..I'm a law abiding citizen and I respect the law, I just can't afford this ticket for not making a complete stop at this moment..and If you still feel the need to fine me I would be most worthy of you if I could set up a payment plan so I could gradually pay it off..sound good? Traffic school..NO.thankyou!!! pray that doesn't come up I don't have time to sit at some comedy club listening to some guy talk about traffic..I did that once and I don't know If I told ya'll but when I got a dui on my mountain bike in coronado california they fined me 300 dollars and sent me to traffic school..that was so dumb.. but hey, it reduced the fine from some crazy figure i think was $9010.32 or something. I was head of the class with all of my bicycle jokes..and nobody believed what had happened..my luck..as long as the things that happen in my life aren't too life threatening like when I got electricuted..but I'll tell that story some other time..FREEZE PUT YOUR HANDS ON THE HANDLEBARS..!!!
Robert: Alright, you're going to need an eggplant, some dark beer, flour, and eggs. Now I don't have the recipe in front of me, but i'm pretty sure you mix the eggs, the beer, and the flour - dip in an eggplant slice and then fry it in a pan till golden brown... Or wait, it might be: drink the dark beer till drunk, then juggle the eggs, plant the flour, and slice the egg. Voila! ... That's it. First thing I do when i move into my new apartment is cook up some BBEFs. Hot damn. Man, all this talk is making me hungry. Luckily, they're having a food day today, somewhat in honor of yours truly! Unluckily, it's a bunch of sub sammiches, loaded with cheese. Well, I'll just have to casually remove it. If you'd like some, let me know and i'll send it to you. Perhaps I can make flyers out of the discarded cheese and tack them up at other bands' shows. Easy there! Time to kick it up a few notches. No shark jumping this week.
Robert: Alright, it's time to come clean. We've got a big grudge against this Black Rebel Motorcycle Club. I know I'm just giving them more name recognition, but hey, if you're like me, the more you feel pelted with signals, the more likely you are to learn to ignore them. Such is the case with the BRMC stickering incident at a party in Madison. You see, I've got no problem with street teams, but show a little tact why dontcha, and don't be sticking some crappy band's sticker on a stranger's jacket... And the kicker of it is - I'm not really too convinced that they are a crappy band, per se. I've really only heard their soundcheck, albeit a 3 hour soundcheck. Albeit a 3 hour soundcheck damn near cutting into our early door time at the Troubadour... And the whole time during the soundcheck, there were at least 5 different people PLASTERING posters all over the club. Mind you, this is inside the club. Seems like a big waste of paper, right? I mean, haven't the people already paid to come in and see the band? ... And even worse, they weren't even playing our show! They were playing the late show! Hence, while us, Onelinedrawing, and Limbeck were on stage, there would have seriously been BRMC posters blocking people's vision of the stage! This cannot be... I did my part by ruthlessly tearing some down, and i even recycled by using 4 of them as setlist paper. But, hey don't worry, there were still at least 100 (not even kidding) posters still up and intact. We get your message and it hurts our eyes. And the worst part is, the BRMC guys seemed nice enough when we were frantically trying to get our stuff on stage to soundcheck. In fact, they even looked a little peeved at their soundguy's endless requests for more this and less that. I even seem to remember one of them actually apologizing to us. But that was the only peep we heard, cause while our show was going on, they were hiding out in the back, antisocializing... taking a hands-off approach to their impending stardom. So I cringe everytime they are brought up. And now, thanks to some big shoulders, they are worming their way into our subconscious, and even onto this blog... and that's what THEY want when THEY pelt you with poster upon sticker upon picture. There is a tactful and artful way to publicize, but this is nowhere near it. If they are a good band, great... but don't be deceived by what you are forced to see. I give you a lot more credit than that. And that is my two cents, by Robert Nanna. Coming up next, cooking killer beer-battered eggplant fritters. (Maybe I can even fry a Hey Mercedes logo into each of them and pass them out at the next BRMC show! - Easy now.)
Robert: 195 Blue Rondo a la Turk - The Dave Brubeck Quartet Well ain't that a kick in the head. I just registered a website for the obsessive projects and i'm BLOCKED from it! How does this surf block thing work? Is it all because the word "massive" is in the domain?! What a gyp... Anyway, just as I can now forever and ever get to the once-blocked Blogger, there are ways around everything... Speaking of which, the OP906 was in effect last night. For the good of the project. It's going to be an OK day, i can feel it. June 19, 2001
Robert: Cool stuff about David Fincher and the newest novel(s)-to-be-made-movies by Chuck Palahniuk.
Robert: As you can tell by my lack of bloggin, it's been busy busy busy here... and there is no end in sight. Luckily Todd picked up the slack. You are a gentleman and a scholar.
dan: went and looked at a house today with my camera..it was cool built in the 30's..choice's sister is buying it..we looked here and there and then I had to go to work..bOO.! it had copper gutters..wow huh.? nothing going on just preppin' for the conference tomorrow..sounds like todd had a bad experience at the locust show..that sucks..oh yeah todd one other thing..I only listen to classic rock when working on the house..don't ask why but If yer gonna help your gonna hear that..and please be there early so as not to roast in the sun too long..or if you want to sit in the sun, if there's sun, that's your deal..thanks bro.
Todd: So here I am, my first day off from being back at work. Coffee is a brewing, Jeff Buckley is on the stereo. Got to do some laundry today sometime. I went and saw The Locust last night with my friend Keith. What a bunch of chumps. All they could talk about was how boring everyone was 3 song in, and how everyone should dance, so some kids started dancing and they got all bent out of shape, like they where being made fun of. So, then they said something mean about Milwaukee (along with other dumb quotes throughout the set), so people started kind of heckling them a bit, saying things like "Tell us what to do!". It was kind of funny then, but I was kind of aggrivated so I left. I think everyone was kind of aggrivated about the show, it was in a weird place and there was no authority so the show ran really slow and the bands took a long time changing over (except for the amazing and remarkably fast FORSTELLA FORD who just keep blowing my mind), a pet peeve of mine, I hate it when a drummer breaks down his kit before removing it off the stage. Move already! There are other bands that need to set up you know, don't be so selfish. It was hot too, adding to the impatience of everything. Thank God for FF for making my night and saving the show... and not wearing tight black pants. It kind of baffles me about punk rock and how bands go into a show being so negative. Are'nt you having fun doing what you're doing? Do you hate traveling around and playing music you like to people who will pay to see it? Maybe thats their thing being like that, a gimmic or something, mad at the world I guess.. But should'nt you be stoked that there are 100 kids at an all ages show benefit in the middle of nowhere (Mitchell Park?) in Milwaukee on a Monday night? OK. Sorry about that, just riffing. Im planning on going to see Shrek tomorrow, (thanks for all the Email reviews!) let you know how it is..
Robert: 196 You're the Good Things - Modest Mouse you're the extra ton of cash in my sinking life raft... June 18, 2001
Robert: This is what the office makes you do - scrape the very bottom of the blog-content-barrel. (and speaking of barrels) Consarnit! The vending machine downstairs said Dads Root Beer and it spits out a Barqs. Barqs is by far THE worst root beer on the planet. It tastes more like Coke than root beer if you ask me. Dads is good. Mug is OK. A & W is great. IBC and Stewarts are excellent. Yuck. This is just terrible. Last dollar, too. And Damon would like me to tell you about an interview he did at Hardly Cool. I think that's an appropriate name for his endeavors cause if he was cool, he would have blogged it up here HIMSELF. But no, he just leaves it up to me n' Dan. Where has Todd been (oh, sorry. you are here.)? Mark? J? Has Paul even figured it out yet? Do I have to resurrect Pumpkin or Drunk? Actually, Susanne expressed great concern over my well-being when she witnessed firsthand my quintupling of personalities... with separate names and everything... Now you know what drove me to such an act! Perhaps I should give you Paul Drake's coveted new spot? C'mon Susanne, where's the Flower Blog? I'm sure you're overflowing with crazy Tortoise stories. Coincidentally, that's the name of our next record, for kids : Crazy Tortoise Stories. Spoken word by Damon Atkinson.
Todd: Been busy as a F-in' bee lately. Looking for a place to live too. Trying to get all of my stuff together to be out of this hellhole in two weeks, hopefully with somewhere to go. Worked all day today and yesterday(on the sabbath even?). It's kind of nice to be back at work and making a little money, but, I'll probably be sick of it by weeks-end for sure. Luckily all I got to do is count down until tour. Hey! Weezer is on the MTV2. The cat is shedding like mad, summer is finally here.. I'm going to try to catch The Locust tonight, they are playing in a park outside somewhere in Milwaukee. Hmmm.. Anyone knows where it is for sure, Email me by 7pm or so tonight. Thanks! Also, any comments on Shrek? Heard it was pretty good and looks pretty funny, might go see it tomorrow night or Wednesday. Looking forward to my Shirley Bassey record coming via eBay too, kick out the jams Mutha Focka! Yee ha! Hey Dan, you still need help on Saturday? Let me know.. I work for a mere two cold ones an hour. That's cheap!
dan: yes I made it back to wisconsin this sunday after driving my rented buick century..those things float down the freeway like a frickin' boat..how sweet a ride it was..traffic wasn't bad either.the wedding was fun lots of pig to eat and mashed potatos and gravy free beer and a shitty dj..but, i'm sorry it was your typical dj spinning all the hits..I did dance with choice to 'lady in red' so that was fun..this wednesday is my pre-trial conference with the law pray I get the fine reduced and points reduced as well..If anyone has any good advice on how to sweet talk a judge or have any good reasons why I ran the railroad light email me..I've already got a plan..lets say they say we'll reduce the points but you still have to pay the fine I'm gonna request that I pay it off in a long period of time due to money issues right now..sound good..? I should get a hair cut before I go in there but I don't want to get it cut for ' the man' that would be totally against everything I stand for..judge me not for how I look but for the content of my character..be'atchs.got some golfing in this weekend too..it mustofbeen a few years since I swung a club..on the golf course that is..we played best ball and my partner was pretty good so when I sucked he picked up the slack and vice versa..we tee'd off at 7am..woke up at 5:30.. I haven't cracked one since highschool..this saturday gonna work on the house and then grill out..and then go down to chicago to see fugazi ...it's dead here at work..but now the suns out..can't wait to get off..!! (dime)..
Robert: I'm washing my hands of it. This is what I want to do... Get some food on the way home. Walk to the lake. Eat the food while reclining in the grass. Read a book. Listen to some music. Sleep. Anything but this. It's hot in here and as usual, after 11 or so, after about 3 hours of contant grind, I just become useless. It's an age old office problem. You've got your peak periods and then you've got you're downtime... and it's all becoming downtime. Slowly but surely. Got a watch. It's 2:35. About an hour and a half to go. I'm not really writing for any reason this time... Just to write. This is the perfect Red Bull moment. Grow wings... and sing...
Robert: Sorry, I can't yoga tomorrow. I've got some OP906 business to take care of at the Metro. Though, I'm sure yoga would help me out tremedously. I'm feeling rather vicious here today. They didn't have lemon poppyseed muffins at the bakery this morning, and now they have no veggie chili and their mushroom and barley soup is made from "uh... we don't know... it's either beef or chicken..." stock. Thanks. Just try and mouth off on the phone to me. I dare ya. I don't care how long you've been in this business, partner. Speaking of business partners, I'm still on the lookout for possible book publishers... if you were wondering. So, I'm spreading the wealth across 3 different post offices today, so as not to offend any one in particular. If you remember, they hate me over there, so I try and do my best to appease them by letting other branches in on the fun... And I hope to get over to the site tonight and actually throw more stuff on it. I can at least guarantee that it will be finished by the time we leave for tour... And there will also be a song or two from the new album up in a week or so. But i didn't tell you that.
Robert: I've got so much going on, it's not even funny. I'm shaking with excitement. Ron Sexsmith last night was amazing, as I expected. There was a great quote in the Reader about how he's not much to look at but once he gets on stage and opens his mouth, he's "the most handsome man in the place." Too true. How does the guy write such beautiful, sultry pop tunes? And that deep dark voice! Brilliant. He rocked through a ton of songs in about 75 minutes and played all of my favorites: "Strawberry Blonde" "Right About Now" "Secret Heart" - and some from his newest album (the best being the piano-driven "Foolproof"), and even an incredible version of a Tom Waits ditty. And Martyr's artichoke-spinach dip deserves a positive plug as well. Unfortunately, I'm not going to be able to make it to the super rock n' bowl bash, because you decided to have it on the wrong day! I have some important (OP906) business to take care of at the Tweeter Center on July 7th. dontcha know. Bowl a strike for me. Hate. Filing. Grrr. It's Monday and it sure feels like it. Maybe I'll sign a lease today. Who knows? It seems like good lease signing weather. I'll be back.
Robert: 197 Dear God - XTC It was a very very good weekend for the OP906. You wouldn't even believe it if i told you. June 17, 2001
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