Because You Demanded It!

Ladies and Gentlemen, I haven't the words to describe what you are about to witness. Language simply fails at moments like these. But suffice it to say that video footage of Brandon "Blak Lotus" Patton's impromptu performance of "Munchin' the Cooch" from last month's Nerdpalooza appearance has finally surfaced.

Much thanks to the delightful Kourtney Campbell for favoring us with this moment of musical mastery!!!

Nerd News in Brief

Say, if you're not doing anything tonight and you find yourself in or around the Brooklyn area, how about heading out to this weekend's Death By Audio show? There you can support my friends Uncle Monsterface and Math the Band as they play the rock and roll music.

There will be puppets, beer and guitars. And honestly, what else do you need?

This all-ages event is $7 at the door and commences at 8:00 in the PM. And I guarantee it'll be awesome! If I had a reputation, I would totally stake it on that fact.

As for now, here's your regularly-scheduled Nerd News in Brief.

• The Long Con: Church was nice enough to hit me up with a pair of interesting post-Comic-Con wrap-ups. The first, from TV Squad, breaks down what the event was and was not. The second is from People.com, and it discusses the women of Comic-Con. And by "women of Comic-Con," they apparently mean famous actresses who were there to promote shit. Points for trying, People, points for trying.
• Ran Gives Back: Speaking of Comic-Con, check our Random's post-event review at YouTube. Therein you'll also learn how to win a copy of the ultra limited edition Marvel vs. Capcom 2 mixtape. On vinyl no less!
• Nerd to the Core: And don't forget to check out this fine selection of Comic-Con weekend performances from our old pal Ant. They'll make you wish you were there all over again.
• Hard to the Core: Ross from Original Nintendo also sent me a link to this ridiculous speed run of Super Mario Bros. Frustration hack. Watch it with your eyes glazed and your ass puckered.
• Like a Gay Musketeer: In other YouTubery, here's a rap about LARPing. It features and autotuned wizard.As well it should.
  
• Brings All the Boys to the Yard: Oh, and have you seen that vid of Bill Chott and Captain Moerke of The Browncoats making Mudders Milkshakes? It's puke-tastic! Literally. (Blame this one on Church, folks!)
• Even Nerds Gotta Eat: Earlier this week, @xarquis tweeted about a site called NerdDinner. It's an easy way to arrange regional geek gatherings at your favorite restaurants. Check it out, content in the knowledge that I will totally pimp your attempts at nerd herding.
• Super-Sized: Congratulations go out to Maja for getting yet another pop for his recent string of McDonald's spots. Word is there's also a G4 appearance on the way, so keep an ear to the ground for that one.
• Their Powers Combined: And congratulations are also in order for Superpowerless, who recently joined Dr. Awkward, Benjamin Bear and the rest of the Hee-Haw Gang at Scrub Club Records. Hit up Scrub Central for more details, and keep an eye out for future releases from the UK artist through this Midwest powerhouse.
• AC/D.C.: Back on my side of the country, MAGFest preregistration has opened. Now in its 8th year, the Music And Gaming Festival will unleash another weekend of gaming and rocking next January 1-4. And not only does pre-registering save you some scratch, it also affords you entrance to the event's New Year's Eve party!
• This is Me. Thunderstruck.: If you're in the market for a true musical oddity, check out Hellsongs. This Swedish trio performs amazingly mellow covers of metal tracks. Thanks to Dave the Knave for the pointer.
• Faygo, Face Paint and Family: Another unlikely combination is mc chris and Juggalos. Strange but true: mc will be playing the 10th Annual Gathering of Juggalos, along with Ice Cube, Tech N9ne and GWAR, in Cave-in-Rock, IL. Hit the event's site for full details and one hell of an eclectic list of performers!
• Something to Lick: The Painted Man recently posted a review of MC Lars's This Gigantic Robot Kills, and provides some fine motivation to pick it up if you haven't already. You should also check Lars's newest video podcast for some tomfoolery with our own YTCracker, as well as an introduction to the stringed instruments of antiquity. Oh, and even more post-Comic-Con revelry.
• Creepy Uncle: Of course, I can't end this week's news without pointing out that there's a new episode of Vagina Deep in Podcast awaiting your perusal. It's got mCRT and ghosts. A winning combination if ever I heard one.
• All That Jazz: Taking us out is some great game music. It's Kento's ragtime take on "Saria's Song" / "Lost Woods" from Ocarina of Time. Check out the video, then grab the MP3 and, for the musicians in our midst, the sheet music.

Vote for a Scrote

I don't ask you guys for much because, let's face it, I'm in no position to be making demands. Still, this is the kind of thing that's quick, easy and free, so I'll put it out there.

My friends the Brilliant Gameologists are up for an ENnie Award for Best Podcast - which they are - so I simply wanted to ask if any of you would be willing to head over to the poll page and cast a vote on their behalf. There are 19 other RPG-related categories that could use your input as well, so be sure to plug your favorite publishers and products to boot.

And, on the off chance that you're not already a subscriber to the BG's podcast, I'd highly recommend you check them out. Whether you're a life-long tabletop gamer, a new convert or somewhere in the middle, I think you'll find the topics relevant, the discourse illuminating and the humor refreshing.

There's also Zeke's singing, which is truly what keeps me coming back.

Look at That Handsome Bastard!

In case you missed my earlier tweet, I am currently Nerdabout’s "Geek of the Week." Hell yeah I am! This means that I got a nice little plug on Discovery’s Science Channel web site, as well as a certificate suitable for framing.

Okay, I actually made the certificate myself out of construction paper and glitter glue, but that other part is totally true.

I’d really just like to take a moment to thank all the little people who helped me along the way: the fairy folk, the gnomes, Hobbits, the Keebler Elves and the citizens of the bottled city of Kandor. But most importantly I would like to thank the kobolds. Where would I be without their constant moral support and classic Germanic mischief?

In a word: nowhere.

In all serious, though, I would like to thank @sciencechannel and @nerdabout for giving me this most esteemed nod. And I’d also like to thank everyone, regulars and half-interested passersby alike, for checking out the blog and the podcast. You are the wind beneath my wang wings.

Oh, and for the record: yes, that is a picture of me in a gibbet. You know you’re a GeekDad when the only photos you can find of yourself are from your family vacation.

Highlights (Like the Magazine)

I'm really trying to stop rambling on about Nerdapalooza, as I understand that it's sort of asinine for me to do so. I mean, I wasn't even there!

Still, I think this is just a little too interesting not to pass along. It's an event recap by Corey Clark that my boy MadHatter turned me on to. It features music by Schaffer the Darklord, performance clips from The Grammar Club, The Megas, MCs Frontalot and Lars, and some great interview snippets with the fans, performers and organizers.

Give it a look-see. Then be sure to rate, comment and/or pass it on.

The Return of Dub Cyber

I have made no secret of the fact that there's been an Optimus Rhyme-shaped hole in my heart ever since the band split last year. (Yes, Church, Optimus really broke up.) Thankfully, a recent missive from Mr. Cyberman has helped to abate the pain.

You see, the debut album from Supercommuter, a new hybrid nerdcore/chiptune outfit featuring former Optimus frontman Wheelie along with Stenobot and Tron Jaun, is slated for release on August 25th. (Which falls dangerously close to the one-year anniversary of Optimus's farewell show.) And if you pre-order now you'll also get the digital version early!

Over the weekend, I was fortunate enough to score such a digital copy myself, and it's easily as excellent as I anticipated.

Skeptical fans are encouraged to check out both this week's Hiptrax podcast over at Wired and next week's edition of Radio Free Hipster for a pair of sample selections. But I'll warn you not to bother wearing socks, as they will just be rocked right the fuck off.

All 11 tracks of the self-titled Supercommuter are available for a mere $9.99 via the band's official merch stop. Shipping is 2 bucks for those of us in the States and $4.50 for fans in Canada and the UK.

There's also a listing at the same virtual storefront for a pretty swank t-shirt that's, sadly, not yet available. But hopefully we can demonstrate enough interest in the album to expedite its appearance as well.

In short, go over there and pre-order a copy. Maybe two. I mean, you're already in the market for a new favorite band, right?