popwreckoning updates

LebowskiFest 2009

Posted: 23 Apr 2009 02:06 PM PDT

Tomorrow, tickets go on sale for Lebowski Fest 2009. What is Lebowski Fest, you may be asking? Only the a phenomenal festival dedicated to one of the greatest movies ever created by The Coen Brothers, The Big Lebowski. Though the Coens themselves have failed to associate themselves from the fest that launched in 2002 thanks to two fellas by the names of Scott and Will, The Dude himself, Jeff Bridges, along with many other cast members, have made appearances at the various Lebowski Fests worldwide.

After having started in Louisville, Kentucky, Lebowski Fest expanded to major cities worldwide including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Las Vegas, Austin, Seattle, London and Edinburgh. Fans of the film,known as “Achievers”, head to the fest, often in costume to drink white Russians, throw a briefcase full of dirty undies, and party with likeminded moveigoers. It’s a two-day party that typically opens with live performances and screening of the film the first night and concludes with a raucous bowling party the following night.

Los Angeles
May 07 - The Wiltern Theater – Movie Party (buy tickets)
May 08 - Cal Bowl – Bowling Party (buy tickets)

To start the tour off right, 2009’s inaugural Lebowski Fest is going down on May 7 and 8 in Los Angeles. Due to a scheduling conflict, Jeff Bridges will not be able to attend, but he was gracious enough to film a video greeting for the Fest and our beloved 'Achievers’ that will premiere at the Movie Party at The Wiltern. Confirmed attendees thus far include Jeff Dowd (the man who inspired Jeff Bridges’ character, The Dude), as well as actors from the movie, including the two thugs who soiled the Dude’s rug: Philip Moon ("Woo, Treehorn Thug") and Mark Pellegrino ("Blonde Treehorn Thug"). Also slated to appear are Jon Polito ("Da Fino"), James Hoosier ("Liam O’Brien," Jesus’ bowling partner), Robin Jones ("Ralph’s checkout girl"), and Lu Elrod ("Coffee Shop Waitress"). Also performing will be Yuto, the 8-yr-old guitar prodigy, at the Movie Party on the 7th.

Louisville - 8th Annual Lebowski Fest (buy tickets)
Jul 10 - Executive Lawn (ft. “The Daily Show”’s Rob Riggle) – Movie Party
Jul 11 - Executive Strike and Spare – Garden Party, Bowling Party

The 8th Annual Lebowski Fest Movie Party will feature a stand-up set by “The Daily Show”’s Rob Riggle, and music sets by the Black Diamond Heavies and, Louisville’s own, Whistle Peak, all followed by a massive outdoor screening of the film. The Lebowski Fest Louisville - Garden Party has also incorporated various reenactments of scenes from the film, art exhibits, and carnival-style games like the Ringer Toss, whereby contestants toss a bag of white undies out the window of a ‘72 Plymouth Fury III (dubbed the Lebowski-mobile, naturally), toward a Nihilist dummy target, for prizes. The Marmot Fling (catapulting a stuffed ferret into a small bath tub) and The Sheriff of Malibu Coffee Mug Toss are also 'Achiever’ favorites.

Seattle (tickets on sale Friday, April 24th)
July 20 - Fremont Outdoor Movies – Movie Party
July 21 - Acme Lanes – Bowling Party

Portland, Or. (tickets on sale Friday, April 24th)
Jul 22 - Aladdin Theater – Movie Party
Jul 23 - Hollywood Bowl – Bowling Party

San Francisco/Oakland (tickets on sale Sunday, April 26th)
July 24 - Classic Bowling Center – Bowling Party
July 25 - Fox Theater – Movie Party

San Diego (tickets on sale Friday, April 24th)
Jul 26 - House of Blues – Movie Party
Jul 27 - Kearny Mesa Bowl – Bowling Party

Las Vegas (tickets on sale Friday, April 24th)
Jul 28 - House of Blues – Movie Party
Jul 29 - Red Rocks Lanes – Bowling Party

Announcement with remaining North American dates and cities forthcoming. Rumor has it, one of those cities might be Philadelphia. Who’s got two thumbs and hopes it happens? This guy editor.

Lebowski Fest: website | mailing list

Fuck it, dude. Let’s go bowling.

March 2, 2009 — Win a copy of “Soul Men” starring Samuel L. Jackson and Bernie Mac (1)
January 9, 2009 — My Bloody Valentine 3-D (0)
December 12, 2008 — Arcade Fire ‘Miroir Noir’ Film (0)
November 28, 2008 — Noise Pop 2009 Dates, Early Artist Confirmations Announced (0)
July 30, 2008 — Pineapple Express Giveaway! (0)
June 30, 2008 — Air (0)
June 16, 2008 — The Love Guru Soundtrack (0)
May 9, 2008 — Black Diamond Heavies, Two Gallants Tour Dates (0)
April 11, 2008 — Smart People (2)
January 17, 2008 — The 4th Dimension Gets a Distro Deal (0)

MP3 Minute: Discovery “Osaka Loop Line”

Posted: 23 Apr 2009 12:25 PM PDT

Rostam Batmanglij of Vampire Weekend has teamed up with Wes Miles of Ra Ra Riot to create Discovery. Available here for download is “Osaka Loop Line” and you can listen to “Orange Shirt” on the band’s MySpace page, the only other tune available for listening.

While “Osaka Loop Line” has some interesting twinkling computer effects going on, the synthetic beats, vocal distortions don’t really do much for me. Overall I find this track as bland as I find Vampire Weekend’s live show. I find it to be a case of indie rockers jumping on the electronic bandwagon.

Discovery - “Osaka Loop Line”

Discovery: myspace

April 15, 2009 — Death Cab for Cutie @ the Holland Performing Arts Center, Omaha (3)
November 5, 2008 — Wolf Parade @ The Slowdown, Omaha (2)
August 9, 2008 — Ra Ra Riot - The Rhumb Line (1)
April 23, 2009 — MP3 Minute: Middle Class Rut “Busy Bein’ Born” (0)
April 22, 2009 — MP3 Minute: The Sounds “Dorchester Hotel" (0)
April 22, 2009 — Win Tickets to The Dears (0)
April 15, 2009 — MP3 Minute: Kristinia DeBarge “Goodbye” (0)
April 10, 2009 — MP3 Minute: Iglu & Hartly “Day Glo” (0)
April 9, 2009 — MP3 Minute: YACHT “Summer Song”, album artwork revealed (0)
April 9, 2009 — MP3 Minute: Halloween, Alaska “The Hollywood Sign” and CD giveaway (5)

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

MP3 Minute: Middle Class Rut “Busy Bein’ Born”

Posted: 23 Apr 2009 10:36 AM PDT

Next month, Middle Class Rut will be releasing their 25 Years EP via Bright Antenna, with a full-length to follow in the Fall. Members Zack Lopez (guitars & vocals) and Sean Stockham (drums) had been playing together in various bands for years before realizing their strength as a two-piece in 2006 to form Middle Class Rut. Hailing from Sacramento, the duo plays garage rock with a burning intensity that can simultaneously remind listeners of the power of The Black Keys with the attitude and sound of Jane’s Addiction.

Currently taking over the UK on a tour with …And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead, US audiences will get their first listen with the release of the 25 Years EP on May 12th, but you can get a sneak peak by downloading “Busy Bein’ Born”. Honestly, kind of boring, but some people are into this stuff.

Middle Class Rut - “Busy Bein’ Born”

Tracklisting:
1. 25 Years
2. Dead Set
3. I Guess You Could Say
4. All Walks of Life
5. Tied Up
6. I Don’t Really Know

Middle Class Rut: website | myspace

January 29, 2009 — Black Keys’ Dan Auerbach plans solo record/tour (0)
April 23, 2009 — MP3 Minute: Discovery “Osaka Loop Line” (0)
April 22, 2009 — MP3 Minute: The Sounds “Dorchester Hotel" (0)
April 22, 2009 — Win Tickets to The Dears (0)
April 17, 2009 — SXSW Interview With: Miles Zuniga of Fastball (3)
April 15, 2009 — MP3 Minute: Kristinia DeBarge “Goodbye” (0)
April 10, 2009 — MP3 Minute: Iglu & Hartly “Day Glo” (0)
April 9, 2009 — MP3 Minute: YACHT “Summer Song”, album artwork revealed (0)
April 9, 2009 — MP3 Minute: Halloween, Alaska “The Hollywood Sign” and CD giveaway (5)
April 8, 2009 — Under Cover: Tommy James & The Shondells “I Think We’re Alone Now” (Part II) (0)

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Passion Pit Contest!

Posted: 23 Apr 2009 09:39 AM PDT

We’ve teamed up with InSound to bring you dear readers a chance to win a copy of Passion Pit’s new album Manners. Plus the album comes with this exclusive lithograph poster and you could win your very own copy!