New Brainphreak Cards: Recognize The Patterns?

This is an easy one for all the guitarists out there...

Ran out of the old brainphreak cards and smartlevels is having a great deal, so I made up 2 new designs.

New Cover Art: Slow Kill - Radiation From Japan

Check out the new book "Slow Kill" by Greg Fernandez Jr. 
cover art by **brainphreak**

I was contacted by Greg two days before the deadline to get his book printed for an upcoming event. I quickly went to work and threw together the front and back designs which were used for the final prints. You can see the artwork and credits in the 'preview' of the book here.

Description:
The threat of nuclear radiation reaching the United States is real. The Fukushima disaster is what certain officials tried to cover up. A Slow Kill happens when people are not given truthful information, such as in the Chernobyl situation. When people in the United States should have been staying indoors after the 3/11/11 tsunami in Japan, the United States citizens were oblivious to the looming threat across the Pacific Ocean. We will examine what happened during these first days of a possible nuclear meltdown at Japan's Fukushima Daiichi nuclear complex, where plutonium, radioactive Iodine (I-131), Cesium, Xenon, and other harmful chemicals are exposed into the atmosphere, threatening the entire northern hemisphere with a "Slow Kill."

Support the Kids! Bister Mungle at Eureka High School Talent Show

Mr. Bungle continue to be one of my biggest influences and favorite bands to watch and listen to. I never had the opportunity to catch them live while they were still together, but have caught each of the members in their various projects which formed after the demise of Bungle. Each member of this band is uniquely talented and together form one of the greatest live acts to exist since Frank Zappa. In this rare opportunity we get to see genius musicians doing what they do while still in High School.

Mike Patton and the rest of Mr. Bungle, back when they were kids playing at the high school talent show.

1985 - Bister Mungle

You can see that Mike was well on his way to becoming a wild front man even covering songs in his own silly way. The band you can see already enjoyed mixing various genres and were beginning to have a stage presence. This was apparently before the band played out live under the name Mr. Bungle which as we know added a much darker edge as they wrote original tracks and became very skilled musicians.

I recently watched an old pro shot recording of the band from 2000 taken at bizarre festival in my collection and felt I must share the concert as a whole for the world to see. You will never see anything quite like this again unless we are lucky enough to live to see a reunion of the band.

2000 - Mr Bungle

It just goes to show, you should support the kids and their music. Even if they run around acting like jackasses on stage pissing off parents, teachers, and small dogs.

About Mr Bungle:
Mr. Bungle was known for its distinctive musical traits, often cycling through several musical genres within the course of a single song. Many of its songs had an unconventional structure and utilized a wide array of instruments and samples. Live shows often featured members dressing up and an array of cover songs.

The End Is Nigh!!!

www.familyradio.com

Mike Patton and PIVIXKI Premier Performance in San Francisco

Mike Patton and PIVIXKI

This past Wednesday I had the pleasure of watching one of my favorite musicians Mike Patton play a shredding set of noise with drum and bass duo PIVIXKI who came all the way from Australia for this one show. This was the very first live show, and quite possibly the only show knowing Mike's history. I do hope that Mike Patton and PIVIXKI decide to release an album, the music was a great experience bringing the heavyness of metal, chaos of noise and experimental, and the odd timing of classical jazz and progressive. Murderous piano, thundering drums, and Mike Patton screaming his head off like he can only do created an overall atmosphere that was very eerie and felt as if you were sucked into a scary movie like "the shining".  I highly recommend you see Mike Patton in any of his various experimental projects regardless of the lineup, you will always experience something unforgettable even if you do not connect with the music.

Here is a description of this new act from the venue promo:

"Australian piano/drums duo PIVIXKI is a classic example of something that
works when it shouldn't: a versatile composer hammering hyper-fast piano
riffs referencing, Cecil Taylor, Slayer, Xenakis, and Ethiopiques grooves
over immaculate blast beats by one the hardest-working drummers in
international grind, who also produces hip-hop and electro tracks in
Melbourne.  

Throw musical polymath Mike Patton into this territory and you have a
genuinely dangerous proposition: music with the borders completely invisible
and the possibilities immense. An early supporter of the band, and one of
the world's most versatile and creative composer/vocalists EVER, the
resulting trio promises an uncompromising night of delirious sonic reality. "


I was able to capture some footage of the show for all you web-sters. I had too many heads in the way so couldn't get anything up close but later I went to the back and upstairs, zoomed in and got this little bit of footage from up above. The camera was only 4x zoom and without image stabilization so I added some trippy effects and things to make the video more enjoyable.

Name That Brain! - Mysterious beams of blue light...

Here is a brain. It comes from a movie. Can you guess which one?

CLUES:

Plot: Strange lights descend on the city of Los Angeles, drawing people outside like moths to a flame where an extraterrestrial force threatens to swallow the entire human population off the face of the Earth.

_____ is a 2010 alien invasion science fiction film directed and produced by the Brothers Strause. The film was released on November 12, 2010. It stars Eric Balfour, Scottie Thompson, Donald Faison, and David Zayas. The Brothers Strause assert that Skyline is the first film in a series, which will include at least one other film.

Quotes:

Elaine: I hate L.A.

Can you name that brain?  (answer below)

ǝuıןʎʞs :ɹǝʍsuɐ

Note: Name that brain is randomly posted as I run into cool brains in movies I watch. I take a photo, give some clues, and you name that brain! (or movie)

Sleepytime Gorilla Museum Close Their Doors (Continued...)

Final Show in San Francisco April 10th 2011

Earlier this month I posted about one of my favorite bands Sleepytime Gorilla Museum closing their doors after over a decade together. After many requests for all the footage I have, I worked on the shots I took at the final show and put all the clips into a single 1 and 1/2 hour performance. I also fixed the convergence on the 3D to improve the 3D effect and remove ghosting. You can now watch on your 3D TV, or just on your computer using the glasses you have from any existing 3D movie. Change the options on youtube to switch from green/pink or red/blue 3D glasses to just plain cross eyed 3D viewing. If 3D is not your thing, you can also turn off the 3D effect completely.

www.sleepytimegorillamuseum.com

For More, See Previous Entry "Sleepytime Gorilla Museum Closes It's Doors"

Name That Brain! - "I'll buy that for a dollar..."

Here is a brain. It comes from a movie. Can you guess which one?

Clues:
Is a 1990 science fiction action film directed by Irvin Kershner and starring Peter Weller, Nancy Allen, Dan O'Herlihy, Belinda Bauer, Tom Noonan and Gabriel Damon. Set in the near future in a dystopian metropolitan Detroit, Michigan. It is the sequel to the 1987 film ______.

Movie Quotes: 
"Frank. The Benzedrine's got my teeth wiggling. Cut it with Sc- Scopalomine. 5 mills per. " - Cain

"They say he's got a brain. I wanna see it. " - Hob

Fake TV Commercial: "They say that 2 minutes in the California sunshine, is too much these days. After we lost the ozone layer. But, that was before there was Sunblock 5000. Just apply a pint to your body, and you're good for hours!  Surgeon General's Warning: Frequent use will cause skin cancer..." - Sunblock 5000 Girl

Can you name that brain?  (answer below)

II doɔoqoɹ :ɹǝʍsuɐ
Note: Name that brain is randomly posted as I run into cool brains in movies I watch. I take a photo, give some clues, and you name that brain! (or movie)

3D Photography: Am I Too Old For Toys?

Micro Machines

3D SBS (Cross-eyed Format)

 3D Anaglyph (Red/Blue Glasses)

Recently I have been looking online at pictures of all my favorite old toys that I grew up with. I remember the quality of the toys were much better back then, funner to play with, more unique, cost less, were not obsolete in 3 days, and they were much harder to break! I think my 'elders' told me these same things of their toys. My all time favorite before video games consumed my childhood was M.U.S.C.L.E. men figures and Micro Machines. Anyone who grew up in the 80's had to have been exposed to these great toys, and most boys my age owned at least a few. I have to admit, in my troubled youth I spent plenty of days inside the department store unsupervised trying to figure out the safest/easiest way to remove these toys from their protective pouch and get them into my pockets... I always found a way, and ended up with quite a large collection which was later stolen from me by a childhood friend who moved away. *karma?*

In tribute to some of the best memories I have as a child I took these 3D photos of my favorite toys, re-collected through the power of ebay. If it brings out any fond memories from your floppy grey matter, feel free to post!

M.U.S.C.L.E. Men

3D SBS (Cross-eyed Format)

 3D Anaglyph (Red/Blue Glasses)

M.U.S.C.L.E., (Millions of Unusual Small Creatures Lurking Everywhere), was a toyline of 2-inch tall monochromatic PVC gum wrestling figures produced in the United States from 1985 to 1988. The story involved intergalactic wrestlers fighting for supremacy of the universe. The toy line itself was straight forward and collectors continue to make the line a viable hobby. The US line included 236 official figures, a boardgame, a NES game entitled M.U.S.C.L.E., a championship belt figure holder, and a wrestling ring playset. The figures were distributed in clear, blister-packed random 4-packs, semiopaque garbage can 10-packs, and boxed fixed sculpt 28 packs.

Micro Machines: The Original Scale Miniatures (called either "Micro Machines" or simply "Micros") were a line of toys originally made by Galoob (now part of Hasbro) in the mid 1980s and throughout the 1990s. Galoob licensed the idea behind Micro Machines from Clem Heeden, a toy inventor from Wisconsin. Micro Machines were tiny scale component style "playsets" and vehicles that were slightly larger than N scale. Although Micro Machines have not been sold in the United States in some years, newer models are available in the UK, Europe and the outlets in the US now also once again sell Micro Machines. Early Micro Machines television commercials were famous for featuring actor John Moschitta, Jr., who is listed on the Guinness Book of World Records as the world's fastest talker.

Amazing: These toys are all over 20 years old and still as good as new
If it doesn't say Micro Machines, it's not the real thing!
I miss the 80's

Proof Osama Is Dead - The Constipation Room

There was a room full of witnesses!

You cannot argue with photographic evidence!

Brainphreak says: "Why wasn't I invited?" :(

Want a trip down the rabbit hole? Google "Tim Osman"! I dare ya!

Meeting Homer Flynn and "the Residents"

 3D Stereo Photo - (SBS) Cross Eyed Format

3D Stereo Anaglyph - (Red/Cyan Glasses)

Anyone who knows me, knows that I LOVE 'the Residents'. These masked men (and sometimes women) travel the world creating some of the most visually rich art and music there is, they are an endless fountain of inspiration for me. The main 'artist' and 'spokesman' for the anonymous group; Mr Homer Flynn, held a public art show in Oakland yesterday displaying masks, album covers, and other miscellaneous artwork that has been in use over the years on stage,  in media, and some never seen before.  It was awesome to see the work in person, and finally meet Homer and talk to him about his unique work and how it has inspired me. I also gave him a sealed copy of my very first album "ruining reason" which I am sure was hugely influenced by his work. Even better I got a nice 3D picture of the mad bunny boy himself!  See brainphreak hanging out with a sad eyeball above.

Ok everyone, frown for the camera!

Here is one of my all time favorite live videos of the Residents for your viewing and aural pleasure.

the Residents - It's A Mans World (James Brown Cover)

Check out the Residents at www.residents.com
BUY OR DIE!!!!

Sleepytime Gorilla Museum Close Their Doors

Quite possibly my favorite all time live act, "Sleepytime Gorilla Museum" (SGM) announced their grand closing recently and ended their days touring with 2 final shows on April 10th 2011 at the Independent in San Francisco.  I was able to attend the very last show in the evening and watch as the world becomes a darker place without them. I have been struggling with a back injury and worried about standing or even sitting the whole show,  but I could not miss the finale as I have been watching the band for about 10 years and doing my best not to miss a show in my area. The donkey headed-adversary of humanity must have been shining upon me and I was able to talk the security into letting me behind the scenes to the sound room upstairs! There I met a few great people, one guy who had toured with the band for about 10+ years was filming from multiple angles for an upcoming SGM live DVD. They allowed me to setup my 3D camera and record the entire show! Unfortunately I only got about 11 or 12 songs, but that was far more than expected, and some of the best footage I can get with full tripod. I talked to a couple others who have known members of the band for years including the sound guy who was running in multi-track s for later mixdown of the dvd.

One interesting thing I found about SGM, each time I saw them over the 10 or so years, they improved. Each time I was convinced this is the best performance they have ever done and they will not exceed it. Each album I thought the same. Each time the band has proved me wrong, adding new instruments, new styles, heavier riffs, crazier stage setups and costumes... more technical compositions... pretty much every aspect of them has improved, and this is why it is hard to see them close, knowing they have not yet reached their full potential, as impossible as it may seem. I am happy to have been able to witness this decade in history as this band grew and became one of the most interesting art projects on the planet. I am sad to see them close, but look forward to them fulfilling their final promises in the form of  a live DVD, another album, and an actual full movie. Without a doubt they will be historic works of art. 

Below is some footage I shot at the final show

Sleepytime Gorilla Museum - Ambugaton
*View On Youtube To Turn Off/On 3D*

For those reading who have not been exposed to these truly gifted artists, words cannot express the creativity that goes into their performances and compositions. Playing most of their instruments in unconventional ways, and sporting a truckload of instruments they made themselves, the sound is truly like no other. The best visual I can make is the Children of the Corn decide to form a black metal opera band who secretly play folk music and spend nights reading fairy tales. If that doesn't help, here is a brief description taken from Wikipedia:

SGM's music can be likened to experimental rock or avant-garde metal; however, as inherent to the music, the band attempts to escape any categorization. Some influences include Mr. Bungle, Trey Spruance, Mike Patton, King Crimson, Thinking Plague, Univers Zéro, and so on. In a review for SGM's second album Of Natural History, David Moore of Pitchfork Media states that SGM's debut album Grand Opening and Closing was an amalgam of Meshuggah and Secret Chiefs 3, resulting in "some truly cracked prog-metal anthems."

More footage from the final show

Sleepytime Gorilla Museum - Angle Of Repose
*View On Youtube To Turn Off/On 3D*

Watch All Footage From Final Show (11 Songs)


Be sure to check out more about this amazing band and all its members at:

www.sleepytimegorillamuseum.com
Each member is amazing and has his/her own side projects which are each unique and high quality!

"Pain" Experimental Song and 3D Video!

*3D Options Available Only On Youtube*
View On Youtube

I was playing around with Garageband for ipad the day after watching the Residents perform Talking Light a couple weeks ago. I came up with some stuff that was probably a bit inspired by the show, then wrote some lyrics regarding my early life and sang into the itty bitty mic on the ipad for vocals. The result is a kinda low fi demo, but it was scary and personal enough for me to share. I also have been wanting to experiment with multiple layers of 3D video and editing them together. I took my fuji w3 3D camera out in the garage and took some random 3D video of artwork and wind chimes. I came back and quickly spliced them together with the song. Hope you like the result and it doesn't give you a headache! Unless you like that sort of thing... Warning this is VERY experimental, and your eyes may pop out of your skull watching it. I will not be held responsible for your struggle to focus on floating non important objects.

If you like the song enough to listen to it without the video here is the MP3 for our eyePod: Brainphreak - Pain.mp3

*Note: No REAL instruments were used or harmed in the making of this song. Everything done using Garageband on the iPAD. Lyrics are embedded inside the mp3.