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>>> September 27, 2001
Almost famous Rockology: If you mixed Hardcore Logo with Schoolhouse Rock, you'd get Rock School, the not-so-definitive slice-of-life guide to playing in a local rock band. The creation of Bostonian garage-rocker Crispin Wood, the site presents a guide to the perils (many) and pleasures (maddeningly few) of scenesterdom. From rock injuries and juggling romantic relationships while in a band (hint, you can't) to how to write songs, you'll soon become a self-styled expert like, you know, that guy there. With the hair. Making heavy use of Shockwave animation, Rock School is so much fun, you might forget about the crushing meaninglessness of being in an indie band. Or not. Rock on at www.rockschool.com. Propaganda due: If you have a healthy skeptical view of, well, the world, you'll like the old-school propaganda films over at the Propaganda Gallery. With clips from all over the political spectrum, expect an even dosage of evil lies. Be convinced at carmen.artsci.washington.edu/propaganda/video/index.html Michael Citrome |
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>>> September 20, 2001
Robo roach Computer bug: This has to be seen to be believed--scientists in Japan have developed a cybernetic cockroach. Researchers have attached a tiny computer, via electrodes, to a roach's nervous system, allowing them to remotely control its movements. The computer sits atop the bug's carapace in a "backpack." You have to see the photo--it's sick, scary and funny at the same time. Just imagine one of Godzilla's less impressive nemeses and you'll get the idea. Sleep with one eye open after you go to www.intercorr.com/roach. Busted! To paraphrase Marge Simpson, why would the Fruit Punch institute give bad advice about fruit punch? Well, the fact is, those official-sounding organizations--like the International Coalition of Experts--are the puppets of private industry. Impropaganda Review, a section of the excellent PRwatch Web site, presents a rogue's gallery of the worst offenders, including petrochemical industry thinktanks that deny the existence of global warming and tobacco research institutes that deny cigarettes cause cancer. Get real at www.prwatch.org/improp/. : Michael Citrome |
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>>> September 13, 2001
Swing batta batta Bowled out: The game of cricket is long, slow and relies largely on flat bats and droopy hats. This game, Just Not Cricket, likewise relies on flat bats, but you use them to attack opposing players and the flesh-eating badgers that emerge from the green. So it's not really that different from the civilized English game--except for the badgers. It's fun and it's Shockwave, so make sure it's installed before you load up. Be in top form at www.bossmonster.com/e4/cricket/ cricket.html. Fast funny: Cartoonist Scott McCloud is a busy man. So far he's published the award winning treatise Understanding Comics, and its digitally-aware sequel, Reinventing Comics. Now the indie comix legend has his own daily online strip--jam style. Called the Daily Improv, these daily comics come a few panels at a time and form surreal, loping storylines. Perfect for winding down and sighing. Scribble down www.scottmccloud.com for later. Michael Citrome |
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>>> September 6, 2001
Dude looks like a Kenny Academic: Sent in by Networthy operative Joe, MC Hawking's Crib is home to the man who is arguably the greatest computer-aided MC to ever rock a mic. There are plenty of (doctored) photos of the Hawkman with hip hop luminaries, including Eminem and Mister Knowledge himself, KRS-1. And of course, there's fresh joints, tackling such gritty subject matter as entropy and relativity, all taken from the seminal and possibly fictional LP A Brief History of Rhyme. At www.mchawking.com. Local junk: Online auction site eBay has finally launched its Montreal-centric portal. Just bid on items and get your lazy ass onto the métro to pick them up. It's handy for stuff too big to mail, or just browsing the stupid crud that locals offer up for sale. So whether it's a Harlem Globetrotters plush bear ($3.88) or a B&W 8mm film of polka dancing ($5.43) you'll find it at http://pages.ca.ebay.com/Montreal. Michael Citrome |
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>>> August 30, 2001
Sex scared Demonic: So this guy thinks that sex-crazed female demons are tracking him and trying to kill him by, y'know, lovin' him up. A self-confessed Succubus Hunter, it's hard to tell if this guy's nuts or if the site's a put-on. Hey this isn't so bad, ouch arrgh at www.succubushunter.com. Art-official intelligence: The Ink Syndicate is one of the funniest sites on the Web--provided you're not looking for funny in a Hamster dance vein. This site, run by a shady character named Patrick Runkle (represented by a bitter mascot) is home to a detailed history of Golan/Globus films (the Israeli exploitation film geniuses who brought us Breakin', Charles Bronson and two Lambada movies). But the site's real gem is the Robot Rock Critic that'll generate eerily realistic reviews and interviews based on very limited input from you, the reader. It might eventually put real rock journalists out of a job. Knock wood at www.inksyndicate.com. Michael Citrome |