Far, far away from Party Mountain there is a very bad place.

(Click here to continue reading)

(Click here to continue reading)

Sully… he is just one man!

(Click here to continue reading)

Hi, I’m Meathead. This morning I was listening to the radio, for some reason, and learned that Chris Cornell is coming out with a new album, for some reason. Remember him? He was in a band called Soundgarden that was popular primarily during the early-to-mid-nineties. They began to hit their stride with 1991’s Badmotorfinger, but it was their 1994 release, Superunknown, that really hit it big. For a while there, you couldn’t turn on MTV without seeing either the video for “Black Hole Sun” or Matt Pinfield talking about the video for “Black Hole Sun.” In 1996 they put out their final studio album, Down on the Upside. It really wanted to be Superunknown Pt. II, and succeeded to some degree, but it was becoming pretty obvious at that point that their best days were behind them. They must have realized this too, because they split up the following year, thereby sparing their fans what would inevitably have been a depressingly shitty record, or a series of exponentially shittier records. You have to give them props for that. They could end their run with their street cred still intact. Well, minus the snobs who say they sold out after the Fopp EP, but every fanbase has their insufferable douchebags.

(Click here to continue reading)

Wanna win the boxset of the new Verve record “Forth”? Send me an email to travis@buddyhead.com with “FREE VERVE SHIT” in the subject and tell me why you should win this killer package. Here’s two video from “Forth” and a free mp3 that’s not on “Forth” but still RIPS. Check it.

The Verve - “Make it Till Monday”

(Click here to continue reading)

I’ve only been back in LA for a little over a week. DAMN IT FEELS GOOD to be back home in California. Got myself a new car, 89 Gold Volvo for $400 - parked at LAX when I landed at 8pm, she drove it there and flew out at 6pm cuz she was moving home to Alaska (tell me that isn’t fucking amazing). I then headed straight to see Spiritualized at the Echo and it was the best I’d heard the Echo and that band sound since I saw their first Australian show ever to under 100 people at a bar in 2002 (yes I’m bragging, I’m old that’s what us old people do). Also got a new apartment… so for the first time in 2009, I have a place to put what few things I own in a room that’s mine. I go pick up the key tomorrow and I can’t sleep cuz I’m so excited… I guess that’s why this washed up site gets a random rant, video and contest thrown up on it.

I feel like I’m starting fresh… got a new car that actually runs (it doesn’t look as cool as the Benz but standing on the side of the 405 freeway isn’t cool at all) , new place to live (and it’s month to month), I barely own anything cuz I pretty gave away or sold everything I own (aside from my bike, my surfboard, I might have a skateboard, a suitcase full of clothes, my books, enough cds to DJ with, some cameras and a computer - it all fits in my car aside from the bike), my on again off again “girlfriend” and self proclaimed “best friend” of 6 years informed me she’d been dating someone else for months but didn’t think it was important to tell me (I thought I’d cry like a baby when that day came but I feel like a massive weight has been removed from my shoulders and I’m really happy for both of us, hope he treats her better than I did - nail in the coffin - I can finally move on) so in other words I’m mentally single for the first time in a long time. So all of that added up means that I feel like I can pretty much do anything I fucking want, go anywhere I want and be anything I wanna be. Freedumb. I think limitless and free are words that work for how I feel right now. I’m just really positive about everything in life for the first time in a long time. I love right now. And I feel really lucky to be typing this from one of the coolest houses I’ve ever been in right next to the Hollywood sign. I have great friends. I’m blessed. And I’m really excited to do some cool shit… I hope you guys like and get excited about what I’ve got on my to do list… Currently me and Shelby are starting on the layout of my photography book, which after years of promising I’m gonna finally put it out before 2009. I’m really excited to show all of you that. Bookmark TravisKeller.com (the site is about 4% done) for more info and progress on that project. Thanks Allison… you’re the best. This girl has let me sleep in her guest room for weeks, borrow AC units, borrow her car, picked me up from accidents, driven me to the airport, and is currently helping me with my photo website. Plus she’s seen some really bad movies with me… now that’s a fuckin’ friend. Round of applause for Allison!!!

Jubilee kicked ass on the massive 6 week tour of UK/Ireland they’re finishin up now. They’ve been on fire and I’ll be posting lots more photos and live videos I shot on the tour. If you shot any live video I can post or photos please send them to traviskeller@gmail.com (subject “JUBILEE MEDIA”). They band are back in the US on October 5th and I have no idea what they plan to do… but I’ll keep you posted. I’m gonna guess they’re gonna bang out the finishing touches on their debut album… wait til you hear it, it’s one of the best debut rock records I’ve heard in a long time. I’m crossing my fingers for some US shows too… HEY OASIS, TAKE JUBILEE ON TOUR.

Jubilee playing their new single “In With The Out Crowd” live In York, UK. Buy it at www.jubilee.LA

Contest time - Win rare unkle stuff.

Here’s what we’re giving away… a few copies of the vinyl for ‘Remix Stories’ and then two copies of ‘End Titles…’ which comes in limited edition packaging. All you gotta do is email traviskeller@gmail.com with “RARE UNKLE CONEST” in the subject and tell me why you should win. The winner will have their prize mailed to them at the cost of Unkle’s PR company and your answer will be posted here. See how that works? Free content for us washed us hacks who used to be funny when we made fun of dumb rockstars. It’s a win win for everyone except the reader. WOOO! Both of these are two “records” that have a few good songs on em. James is trying to act like everything is ok right now cuz he just blew it and kicked Richard File out… Dude, he’s the reason “War Stories” was rad, the one before it was god and your first record is ok. Do the math bro. Get the band back together bro, stop ego tripping.

Anyhoo… big day ahead of me tomorrow, plus I ain’t sleepin alone tonight, gotta get new brakes put on the $400 89 gold hot rod Volvo, high five the dudes at Topspin and then check out My Bloody Valentine at the Santa Monica Civic Center with Ian Rogers and Nikolia. Can’t wait.

Also…. my new DJ nights….

This Thursday @ Bar Chloe (map) - 1449 Second St. Santa Monica, CA 90401 (310) 899-6999)… if you’re going to the second night of MBV make it your after party (UPDATE: So I ran into Kevin Shields at his show tonight (thanks to my manager, ian C. Rogers, for the ticket and the bike ride there - you’re the best and only manager I’ve ever had!), Kevin remembered me from the Primal Scream tour I went on back in 2003 - “You’re the photographer that went home with those girls in London… and then rode on our bus once you resurfaced days later!” and laughed. Then he told me that he’d like to show up and guest DJ at Bar Chloe with me! So after My Bloody Valentine play their show at the Civic Center tonight - Thursday Oct 2nd - head on over a few blocks to Bar Chloe @ 1449 Second St. Santa Monica, CA 90401 (310) 899-6999! Should be super fun!). For the record… I’m there every Thursday and it’s a way killer bar dudes, everyone is super cool and they have KILLER food. Shaka! I recommend everything but my favorite is the Burger and Fries with a coca cola. Fuckin’ perfect. I also recommend drinking a lot and headbanging when I play The Rolling Stones, Funkadelic, BRMC, Stone Roses b sides Oasis c sides and d sides from The Verve. Maybe some CCR too. Get into it.

I’ll be DJing at the Viper Room on Monday (with Jimmy Hey, I think) and they’re having a wet t shirt contest. Come by… I have no idea what to expect. But it’ll be different… that’s for sure.

And I’m also back DJing The Bar (or “The Bronson Bar” - 5851 Sunset Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90028 Phone: (323) 468-9154), Starting a week from today, I’ll be DJing there every Wednesday (Wednesday October 8th, 2008 - guest DJ Jeordie “Twiggy” White (from Marilyn Manson who I promise you will only play Oasis and The Verve), DJ Troy Boy (from Jubilee) if he’s taken off his grumpy pants and DJ Fred Sablan (it’s a going away on tour party for fred). Lots of friends will be there… should be a good time.

The end. Bed time.

(Click here to continue reading)

It’s a fact… look it up.

Guy Swallows Microphone Video

 

Kid Curious about Guy Swallows Microphone Video

(Click here to continue reading)

JUBILEE ARE PLAYING A SECOND SHOW IN LONDON TONIGHT

 

- September 24th -

 

SPECIAL GUEST DJ MIRA AROYO FROM LADYTRON AND LES GARS

If you don’t live in London, forward this any and all friends you have there that like their rock n’ roll. Cuz tonight @ The Metro in London the best new rock band that I’ve heard in a long while is playing. Listen for yourself… click the “PLAY NOW” button below to stream (and buy if you want) both of Jubilee’s singles “In With The Out Crowd” & “Rebel Hiss”. Remember kids, you can always steal your parents credit card and head on over to Jubilee’s website @ www.jubilee.LA where you can buy all of Jubilee’s tunes straight from the band.

Play Now

That’s right, Jubilee is playing another show in London at The Metro, TONIGHT! Yes, cancel all plans for Wednesday, September 24th to celebrate the release of the band’s new single, “In With The Out Crowd”, which will be available for sale (yeah, I know, finally - What can I say… they’re losers) at the show way before hittin’ the shops. Our old buddy from Ladytron, Mira Aroyo, will be DJ-ing at the show before, between, and after the bands, and our new buddies from Toronto, Les Gars, will also be rockin’ the dump. The damage to get through the door will put ya back 8 squids. That’s like 16 bucks if you live in American and wanna pretend you’re going. Doors are at 7:30pm & curfew at 11:30pm

You can find these vagabond delinquents at:

THE METRO
19-23 Oxford Street
London
W1

The club’s website is http://www.blowupmetro.com
Webpage for the show is http://www.blowupmetro.com/bandinfo.aspx?id=080924g

Here’s a quick bio for those of you in need of a quick history lesson on who these dudes are and what they’re up to:

(Click here to continue reading)

Hi, I’m Meathead. Sorry things have been slow around here. This won’t help, but I thought I’d share this thing that I made. I know you people are into music, and this has some music in it, so it should be right up your alley. I’ve been making a series of poorly-animated shorts for my poorly-designed website, and the latest installment is actually based on a true story. Well, loosely based on a true story. That I made up. Sort of. I don’t really get out much, and I do dumb shit like this to pass the time. *LOL*

(Click here to continue reading)

On August 16th 2008, Queens of the Stone Age were joined by Alain Johannes, PJ Harvey, Tenacious D, Brody Dalle, Matt Cameron of Pearl Jam (ex-Soundgarden), Jesse Hughes of Eagles of Death Metal, and Chris Goss to celebrate the life and memory of their fallen comrade Natasha Shneider. Proceeds from the sold out show at Los Angeles’ Henry Fonda Theater went to deal with medical costs incurred during her battle with cancer.

As a means of keeping the event going beyond that one evening, QOTSA collected a number of signed items over the course of the event, which are currently being auctioned online at the Rekords Rekords Treasure Chest at http://stores.ebay.com/Rekords-Rekords-Treasure-Chest_W0QQcolZ2QQdirZQ2d1QQfclZ3QQfsubZ0QQftidZ2QQtZkm. Among these items are an autographed Troy Van Leeuwen signature Yamaha guitar, an autographed Baratto custom cig fiddle, and several signed commemorative posters. Please check out the items up for sale and drop some coin for a good cause on some very cool items.

(Click here to continue reading)

David Byrne & Brian Eno have a new album out today entitled “Everything That Happens Will Happen Today” that you can stream right here. Check it out… its a pretty good record for two old farts.I’d write more here about how great this shit is but I’m in freakout-mode cuz we fly out of LA tomorrow for the UK for 6 weeks…. gotta make sure I dont forget anything. Being in England without the proper undergarments is a bummer.

Speaking of england… The Verve’s new record SLAYS! Check out”Noise Epic”… it really kicks in at about 6 minutes.

(Click here to continue reading)

Hey everybody…

Just wanted to let you all know that not only have Jubilee posted two new songs (”In With The Out Crowd” & “Pioneers Get Shot With Arrows (Planet Outer Space Version)” from their upcoming second single, but they have also announced a whole bunch of tour dates for a very extended stay in the UK and Ireland. We’re all really excited to “jump the pond”, get back on the wrong side of the road and start rockin’ again. If you haven’t already signed up for the yearly digital subscription club (Topspin) on their website http://jubilee.la/, I highly recommend doing it now. For what Aaron spends on Red Bull for just one day of his life ($19.99), you can have the band’s entire yearly output of audio, video, photos and an exclusive 7 inch only available to members! It’s a fuckin’ steal kids, get it on and bang a gong while you’re at it.

I also recommend signing up for a couple other artists using Topspin’s subscription software… The first being, Imaad Wasif @ http://www.imaadwasif.com/ (the demos are almost better than the actual album) and the second being David Byrne & Brian Eno @ http://www.everythingthathappens.com/ (not only does their record kick ass but the screen saver they’re gonna be giving away is probably the coolest thing I’ve seen since I was 8 and cracked open my first Penthouse).

Anyhoo… back to us… yeah, Jubilee has new songs up and we’re going on tour for a very long time. The funny part is that once again, I will be tour managing, taking photos, film making, selling merch, wearing as many hats as I can and being the most responsible person on the tour (scary right?). So make sure to come say hi to me at the merch table, don’t forget to bring some cash either cuz we’ll have cool stuff for sale. And I’ll pretty much do anything for an extra 20 pounds.

Jubilee have even MORE shows that will be announced really soon in other parts of the world too, so stay tuned for those, it’s gonna be a fun year to say the least! Just wait til you hear the new songs! In the meantime download this b side from their first single “Rebel Hiss” (video after the jump) called “Fuzz Are Down”.

Jubilee - “Fuzz Are Down”

Here’s the first batch of rock shows….

JUBILEE UK/IRELAND TOUR DATES 2008:
August 21st- Club ifor Bach- Cardiff, Wales
August 22nd- Reading Festival- Reading, UK
August 23rd- Leeds Festival- Leeds, UK
August 24th- Westport Bar- Dundee, Scotland
August 25th- Cafe Drummonds- Aberdeen, Scotland
August 26th- The Raigmore- Inverness, Scotland
August 28th- The Cathouse- Glasgow, Scotland
August 29th- Carling Academy 2- Newcastle, UK
August 30th- The Empire- Middlesbrough, UK
September 1st- Duchess of York- York, UK
September 2nd- Roadmenders- Northhampton, UK
September 3rd- Soultree- Cambridge, UK
September 7th- The Leadmill- Sheffield, UK
September 8th- Water Rats- London, UK
September 10th- Moles- Bath, UK
September 11th- Night and Day Cafe- Manchester, UK
September 12th- Sugarmill- Stoke, UK
September 13th- The Forum- Tunbridge Wells, UK
September 14th- Bar Academy- Birmingham, UK
September 15th- Esquires- Bedfore, UK
September 16th- Louisianna’s- Bristol, UK
September 18th- Bullingdon Arms- Oxford, UK
September 19th- Joiners- Southhampton, UK
September 21st- The Cavern- Exeter, UK
September 22nd- The Orange Box- Yeovil, UK
September 23rd- Bodega- Nottingham, UK
September 26th- Auntie Annie’s- Belfast, Ireland
September 27th- Roisin Dubh- Galway, Ireland
September 28th- Savoy Theater- Cork, Ireland
September 30th- Dolan’s- Limerick, Ireland
October 1st- Whelan’s- Dublin, Ireland
October 2nd- Nerve Centre- Dairy, Ireland

Paul Westerberg - “49:00″

Bob Dylan - “Up To Me”

(Click here to continue reading)

Here’s the new Oasis trailer… yep, that’s all I got for you. Getting ready to leave on tour with Jubilee for a few months. Until then you can come see me DJ at these places, pick a night of the week.

(Click here to continue reading)

Some most wonderful improvements have been made in the translation apparatus’ binary transitance modulators, resulting in report generation with improved readability and accuracy. Thank you to readers who have submitted material to the translation device.

U2: Boy/October/War
It says: Bono’s powerful vocals– he got his nickname from a shorter form of Bono Vox (Good Voice)– bring immediacy and energy to the album. And he was matched by the Edge’s guitar playing, which he approached like a painter does a brush, using it as a tool to coat the canvas of the song with sound rather than resorting to basic riffs or simple strumming.
It means: Sometimes instead of just wiping it off, I draw squiggles with the stuff that spatters on the screen of my laptop.

(Click here to continue reading)

Hi, I’m Meathead. As part of my ongoing quest to “edutain” (that’s a combination of “educate” and “entertain”) you people who come here to read about The Duke Spirit and get pissed off whenever you see I’ve posted something, I’ve collaborated with the hip musical group Color Me Badd to create an informative video about fecal incontinence. That’s a fancy medical term for “crapping all over the place, not just for fun, but because your anus is broken.” It can happen to you! Not to me, though, thank god. Gross.

(Click here to continue reading)

On July 2nd, Natasha Shneider passed away peacefully in her home. On that day, at 11:11 am, cancer took Natasha from us all… Temporarily… Only for her to begin a new challenge and chapter in her eternal existence. This world lost a woman whose intelligence, individuality, talent, and aura was so incredibly powerful, that even if you only ever briefly encountered her, there’s no way that you could possibly ever forget it, or not have it affect you somehow. For those who didn’t have the pleasure and blessing of knowing, or just meeting Natasha in this lifetime, she will surely inspire even more souls once we’ve all met up with her again on the other side.

Natasha was not only undoubtedly one of the most gifted musical talents we’ve ever had the honor to cross paths with, but beyond her extraordinary gifts as a musician, songwriter, producer, etc., with awe inspiring artistic abilities… Such as the most PERFECT pitch that anyone could possibly be blessed with… She was also a vibrant and electrifying whirlwind of inspiration, who blended her outspoken and fearless nature, with a grace and panache unlike that of any other person we ever have… Or ever again will encounter.

Natasha was always able to see the talents and abilities within each of us, that even we were unable to recognize. Whether it was performing before thousands of people in bands such as Eleven, or Queens of the Stone Age… Or producing young, wide-eyed bands such as Wires On Fire in her home with Alain… She never gave any less than everything she had, and made sure that she pulled the same out of everyone else around her. One way or another, Natasha brought the best out of us all.Please, PLEASE, help alleviate the financial burdens accrued over the course of Natasha’s fight against cancer by donating whatever you possibly can to the Natasha Shneider Memorial Fund here: The Natasha Shneider Memorial Fund. Anything great or small is deeply appreciated.

Also, as a celebration of Natasha’s life, Queens of the Stone Age will be performing a show on August 16th at the Henry Fonda Theatre in Hollywood, California. Please don’t miss this opportunity to honor, and pay tribute to Natasha by way of what she herself respected so very deeply throughout her entire life… The beauty and power of song. All of the proceeds from this event will also be donated to the Natasha Shneider Memorial Fund.

Please forward/repost this message, or the link to the Natasha Shneider Memorial Fund to as many people and places that you can. Thank you.

(Click here to continue reading)

Hi, I’m Meathead. I’d like to take a moment from doing whatever the hell it is I normally do and share some vitally important information with you. You Buddyhead readers are the closest things I have to “friends”, and I don’t want anything bad to happen to you, so please pay very close attention. This is serious. Yeah, maybe I’m being a little paranoid, but just humor me, okay? I’ll buy you a Slurpee*.

*not legally binding

(Click here to continue reading)

After several years working around the clock in our clandestine subterranean laboratory, I am most happy to reveal a great breakthrough on a secret project of magnanimous import. Through a most rigorous battery of tests and careful, meticulous examination we have engineering a computerized prototype linguistic translation apparatus which can successfully rework the ultimately inscrutable critical writing — the full meaning of which was once only appreciable to an elite tribe of administrative assistants — to a crude, yet comprehensible text for the common reader. Even with the early-stage bugs in the system, we are thrilled to bring these findings to the community at large.

Albert Hammond Jr.: ¿Cómo te Llama?
It says: At a time when indie audiences are demanding more and more esoteric touches like Afro-pop, lo-fi C86isms, or Balearic revivalism, a songwriter like Hammond feels like a well-needed junk food binge.
It means: Dr. Dog needs to offer XXL tees. ism. ism. ism. Quisiera que él me diera bebés!

(Click here to continue reading)

Hi, I’m Meathead. I’d like to talk for a minute about something very important. I don’t know if you’ve ever watched TV, but if you have, you’ve probably seen at least one advertisement in which the person pitching the product and/or service claims to be mentally unsound. Whether it’s mattresses, televisions, fireworks, eternal salvation, or mattresses, there’s always that one guy who tries to lure you away from the competition by acting like he’s still in Vietnam and there’s a pretty good chance you’re Charlie in disguise. These shizophrenic salesmen range from the non-threatening “I’m so freakin’ nuts that I want to sell you this Blu-Ray player for a price that’s slightly less than you might find at, let’s say, Circuit City” to “I’m so fucking batshit insane that I want to slather my nude body in piping hot Miracle Whip and then stab you in the neck for no readily apparent reason, regardless of whether or not you buy this motherfucking Blu-Ray player, and if you get the extended warranty, I’ll chug this milk carton full of dog’s blood while masturbating at no extra charge”. This guy, for instance, falls into the latter category:

Crazy Gideon is clearly unhinged, and he probably carries a gun. But at least he comes right out and admits that he’s crazy. Then again, don’t they say that if you think you’re crazy, then you’re really not? Crazy Gideon probably wouldn’t sell as many flatscreens if he went by “Emotionally Stable Gideon” or “Gideon Who Has Never Strangled A Man To Death With His Bare Hands For Simply Clearing His Throat”. I would imagine that a good number of these spokespersons are only faking it, their logic being that if they portray themselves as insane, this will make it seem as if they are easily duped into selling their wares at prices so low that they would actually lose money. Sure, you might end up getting anally raped by a man in a Little Red Riding Hood costume, but if you can score a brand new Sirius radio system for only eighteen cents while you’re there, then who cares, right? Bend over and take one for the team.

(Click here to continue reading)

“America has lost a great public servant and true patriot today,” a White House spokesman said, after learning of Senator Jesse Helms’ death on the Fourth of July.

Yes, we will truly miss this great man, who was a champion for the interests of rich, white, heterosexual Christian males everywhere. He’s with Jesus now, hanging out with Jerry Falwell and waiting for Billy Graham and Pat Robertson to show up. We at Buddyhead (well, me, at least) would like to pay tribute to Mr. Helms by sharing some touching remarks made by the late Bill Hicks:

Also, here is a beautiful song by MC Hawking that sums up this great man’s life much more eloquently than I ever could.

MC Hawking - “Why Won’t Jesse Helms Just Hurry Up And Die?”

(Click here to continue reading)