“Kick My A–” Paul Shaffer as Artie Fufkin in “This is Spinal Tap” (1984) dir. Rob Reiner

Posted on July 3, 2013 by Dave's Strange World

One of my favorite bits from “This is Spinal Tap,” this is Paul Shaffer as the unctuous and inept Polymer Records promotions man Artie Fufkin. What’s great about this scene is that Fufkin won’t allow the band the dignity of being angry with him after a screw-up. He literally throws his own dignity on the mat and stomps on it himself.

By the way, this is something I’ve been dying to do for years when offering an insincere apology, but don’t have the balls to do it, lest anyone literally take me up on my offer … or not know what the hell I’m referencing.

“See a Little Light” – Bob Mould

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Former Husker Du lead vocalist Bob Mould goes acoustic with his most famous song outside of Husker Du and the theme music for “The Daily Show.” “See a Little Light” was later the theme song for multiple TIAA-CREF ads. From Mould’s stellar “Workbook” album from 1989.

“I’ll Never Forget You” – Husker Du

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From the classic 1984 double-LP punk opera “Zen Arcade,” this is Husker Du at their most ferocious. While Bob Mould was later known for his intense and emotional acoustic songs, he positively shreds his vocal chords on this one.

“Gilligan’s Island (Stairway)” – Little Roger and the Goosebumps

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A notorious but funny piss take on Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven” from the punk era. Little Roger and the Goosebumps cover “Stairway to Heaven,” but substitute lyrics from “Gilligan’s Island” instead of the ones we all know … and maybe love … does it really even matter anymore?

Way funnier than it has a right to be, even though Zeppelin’s lawyers were not amused. They threatened to sue Little Roger and the Goosebumps and demanded that all remaining copies be destroyed back in the day. Maybe Robert Plant wasn’t informed … or maybe he came around … but according to Wikipedia, he said in a 2005 NPR interview that this was his favorite cover of “Stairway to Heaven.” Now thanks to the glory of YouTube, you can check it out.

“I Think We’re Alone Now” (2008) dir. Sean Donnelly

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This has to be one of the saddest and creepiest films I’ve ever seen. This is a documentary about two VERY obsessed fans of Tiffany, the late 1980s teen-pop singer. One of which is a 50-something man with Asberger’s syndrome (who Tiffany at one point issued a restraining order against). The other is a 30-something transgender person with issues of their own. Despite the subject matter, it’s not quite the freak show you think it’s going to be. OK, it IS a bit of a freak show. But I also felt incredibly moved by these two very lonely and deluded individuals who are obsessed with a pop icon that’s over 25 years past her prime … and who wind up meeting each other 2/3 of the way through the film. You’d think these two would be perfect for each other as a romantic couple … but this is not a Hollywood rom-com. “I Think We’re Alone Now” reminds me of those immensely sad Velvet Undeground songs like “New Age” or “Candy Says” … or the version of “Madame George” Van Morrison recorded for “Astral Weeks” … in that, they seem sensationalistic, but are ultimately sad and moving tales about loneliness and the inability to connect because of tragic mental or physical chemistry.

Yes, the film seems like it was shot on someone’s phone. But when the subject matter is this rich, the technology involved is beside the point.

The final scene of “Toy Story 3” (2010)

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Damn. What the hell happened to Pixar? Never has a creative entity sustained more outstanding, classic films as they did from 1995-2010. I can’t think of any filmmaker (even Martin Scorsese) who sustained consistently excellent films over a 15 year period.

This is the final scene of “Toy Story 3” where Andy (the lead human character) gives up his toys for good as he goes to college. If you want to be an a–hole, you can sneer and say this is some sad statement about how we as a culture have become too attached to “things.” For me, this is one of the most moving portrayals of someone passing on to another stage of their life. And damn, if it doesn’t move me to tears every time I see it.

Triumph the Insult Comic Dog v. Star Wars Nerds

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Hands down, the funniest Triumph the Insult Comic Dog segment of all time. From Late Night with Conan O’Brien in 2002, Triumph the Insult Comic Dog (aka Robert Smigel) “interviews” Star Wars fanatics as they wait on line to be first to see “Attack of the Clones.” Albeit, this is a bit cruel, but hysterically funny.

“Raining Blood” – Slayer vs. Tori Amos

Posted on June 27, 2013 by Dave's Strange World

Here’s two great versions of the same song …

The first is the original speed/death metal classic by Slayer from their 1986 “Reign in Blood” album:

The second is a more subdued, but no less creepy cover by Tori Amos, from her terrific 2001 album “Strange Little Girls”:

Look, I love me some Slayer … but I have to give the edge to Ms. Amos.

“Los Angeles” – Frank Black

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The lead-off track from the Pixies’ Black Francis’s solo debut from 1993 (who had subsequently changed his professional name to Frank Black). I remember hearing this for the first time in May of 1993, having a beer or three with a good friend after an unsuccessful date. I remember this slammin’ song cheering me up immensely.

“Freedom Rock” Album commercial from the 1980s

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Here’s the other infamous American compilation commercial from the 1980s. Yes, folks, this is the “Freedom Rock” ad … in all of its 2-minute glory. C’mon … you know the dril:

Opening chords of “Layla” ….

Hippie 1: Hey, man, is that Freedom Rock?

Hippie 2: Yeah, man.

Hippie 1: Well, turn it up!!!

And yes, like “Hey Love,” I kind of wish I had this album. “The ink is black … the page is white …”