by The Fatimas (1967)

When on shuffle, unfamiliar songs will often pop up and their presence in my library can’t be explained. Sometimes it’s quite annoying (boring indie rock – who put this here?) and other times it is a complete happy surprise.

The Fatimas’ whirlwind chanting garage rock out “Hoochy Coo” is one such delight.

While I’ve learned the song has gained at least a few new listeners from its inclusion on the Girls in the Garage, Part 2 compilation, very little information about the band is readily available.

See more: Songs 1960s Rock

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Posted on June 28, 2013

The Pride of Texas

People get fanatical about Shiner Bock – a Texas beer that outsiders once freaked over if they ever found it outside the Lone Star state. (Now it’s distributed to most of the U.S. with the exception of the NE).

Hill Country in Manhattan wooed the company for years in order to get it served in their Austin style BBQ joint, because it was so key in defining the Texas culinary experience (they finally won them over and now even New Yorkers can partake in the admired brew).

Unlike many things with such hype, though, Shiner is really that great. It’s slightly sweet, rich and malty but with zero after taste. Drinkable and satisfying.

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Posted on June 23, 2013

Directed by Peter Strickland

Highly recommended by a friend, I settled into a strange, uncomfortable little horror movie called Berberian Sound Studio last night. While the title is forgettable, the film lingers in your mind. A Creepy, claustrophobic little homage to Giallo – it was a welcome change from the children’s programming that makes up my days (you know you’ve gone deep when you curse to yourself “Cinders and ashes!”).

Toby Jones plays the celebrated but private and meek sound man Gilderoy who, it would seem, has rarely left his pastoral boyhood home. After accepting a job, he finds himself unable to speak the language in more ways than one when he’s trust into machismo world of horror film making in Italy. The film he’s come to work on is “The Equestrian Vortex”, which he quite naively expects to be horse film similar to the nature movies he’s known for. Instead he finds himself listening to blood curdling screams on loops, stabbing heads of lettuce to folly torture scenes, and recording countless fruits splattering on the ground to simulate smashed brains.

Exactly what happens is somewhat open to interpretation. Unlike the graphic violence of the film within the film, all the horror we experience is implied. Tension and unease are created with sound and silence in stark contrast to the nasty bit of exploitation featuring witches, goblins and blood that slowly gnaw at Gilderoy’s subconscious. While we hear descriptions of the movie and the sounds of terror, we only ever see its opening credits (which are perfectly done – Giallo fans will get a particular kick out of them.) Oppressively, we are locked inside tight, smokey sound rooms and tiny recording closets, only once in a jarring turn seeing the outdoors. It’s very unsettling – a mood second time director Peter Strickland paints masterfully.

While there’s a moment it rather lost me and the conclusion could leave one unsatisfied (I truly haven’t decided if I wanted more or less explanations or if he got the balance just right) the journey is an interesting one with extremely innovative sound design that gets under your skin.

BBS is in theaters and available to rent at Amazon prime.

See more: Movies 2010s Horror

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Posted on June 18, 2013

Happy Father’s Day!!

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Posted on June 16, 2013

2110 N 55th St  Seattle

Uh oh, could Top Pot not really be “tops”? Jim says yes, that Mighty-O Donuts takes the “cake” but I’m still on the fence (if you’re talking sprinkles vs. sprinkles, though, Mighty-O definitely comes out on top – just look at that beauty).

Whoever is right, though, it’s clear we live in a town where you don’t have to go far to find a good donut. Mighty-O’s are certified organic (no GMO’s!) and made locally and the shop is on a lovely corner that’s great for people watching and has nice sidewalk seating.

See more: Desserts Donuts Seattle Wallingford

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Posted on June 13, 2013