Referees from Robert Barocci on Vimeo.

Your much-needed sports b-ball fix!

“During a timeout, two college basketball referees discuss the finer points of bringing their off-court hang-ups to bear on their on-court performance.”

Hooray for Ted!

You’re a good punk, Charlie Brown!

Video Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2JXOUBQCiQ

This old fella has been feeling very nostalgic lately, especially for the sweet, sweet mindless TV watching of my youth. In particular, I have been gathering a lovely batch of videos MTV played during its first few months of existence. Some fabulous, some scary bad; but oddly enough, I loved them all.

When ever you mention very early MTV in a group discussion, your loudest (and lamest) friend or coworker will no doubt jump in and ruin the conversation with, “Video Killed the Radio Start… Video Killed…!” No shit pal, that’s novice talk.

I’m not taking about the usual crap you hear hack comics discussing on VH1’s Best of The 80s (Michael Jackson, Pat Benatar, etc.). I’m talking to you — my friends and fellow Fourth-Level Dwarfs with hit points to spare — the basement-dwelling, video-obsessed music nerds who watched the once-great video channel from day one (August 1, 1981) and who thoroughly enjoyed seeing the eclectic mix of artists and songs like “No Time to Lose” by the Tarney-Spencer Band and “So Long” by Fischer Z played at least six times day, every day. MTV sure had a lot of time to fill, here are some standouts:

“We Can Get Together” by Icehouse

These guys had one of the first MTV “Triple Dips” with the song “Icehouse” on the album “Icehouse” by the band “Icehouse”. That is quite awesome.

“No Time to Lose” by the Tarney-Spencer Band

This made me want to get high and I didn’t even know what that was.

“I Got You” by Split Enz

New Zealand’s finest export put out a slew of stellar videos, this one still holds up nicely.

“Too Late” by The Shoes

Zero stage presence, but these mop tops produced some of the best melodic power pop ever. Also check out the equally brilliant “Tomorrow Night”.

“Swords of a 1000 Men” by Tenpole Tudor

So freaking bad-ass! Every Brit over the age of 30 worth his salt should know all the words to this classic drinking/sword-fight song. Also check out “Wunderbar”.

“So Long” by Fischer Z

Nothing was more fun then belting out the epic line “Why didn’t you tell me?” in that slightly affected howl. This song rules so much you might not be able to handle it. “Oooohh… you should’ve told me…”

“Guilty” by Classix Nouveaux

Here’s the most famous scary bald front man until that Midnight Oil guy dethroned him. This crazy-ass Goth extravaganza was played about twice an hour, every hour.

Donnie Iris – Ah! Leah!

While the 3 live concert videos really put him on the map, including the epic “Love is Like a Rock,” this loveable nerd enjoyed a minor hit with this ode to a lovely lass (who looks like a tranny).

“What’s He Got” by The Producers

Read review here.

“Edge of Sundown” by Danny Joe Brown and The Danny Joe Brown Band

Sit back and enjoy one of the longest guitar solos ever by multiple guitarists, also enjoy the sweet-ass ax slinging by the dude in the flowing blue tunic. No one took himself more serious than this Danny Joe Brown character.

“Sign of a Gypsy Queen” by April Wine

Three word review: “Triple Guitar Threat!”

“Calling All Girls!” by Hilly Michaels

I despise novelty songs, but this silly and saturated, rotoscoped gem has some serious charm.

“Two Triple Cheese” by Commander Cody

Ear-achingly bad, but visually interesting. Proof positive MTV had hours upon hours of time to fill.

“I Wanna Be A Lifeguard” by Blotto

Catchy. Funny. Weezer must have studied these guys.

“Pop Music” by M

You gotta love the drugged-out chick with the headphones and giant blue sweater singing back-up.

“Hold on Loosely” – 38 Special

I know, not as obscure as the others, but you can’t mention the early days of Music Television without these Wild-Eyed Southern Boys.

“So This is Love” – Van Halen

“I got myself a brand new Oakland scarf right here…” Back in 81, most bands only had live concert footage, which I preferred. Thankfully, Van Halen had a few classics ready for heavy rotation. Also see “Unchained”.

“Some of My Lies Are True” by Huey Lewis & The News

Not to be confused with their later masterpieces, J.J. Jackson and the other drug-addled Veejays played the shit out of this then little-known band, so you can blame them for their popularity. This study in early video choreography and budget effects is actually very fun to watch. Check out the running in place at the end, very athletic.

More Gems!

Unearthed Videos

Video: http://youtu.be/3dYWof3QZbQ

“Baiting The Public” blew me away in 2006. “Black Albino Bones” did the same in 2008 (when Ben Cook slides in with “I need a little escape,” wow, so perfect). Now it’s rock opera time and “A Little Death” might be their best song yet. Wait, “Queen of Hearts” and “Turn the Season” are up there too and well, this whole record is brilliant, not a clunker in the bunch. I especially love the addition of Jennifer Castle’s vocals (a nice contrast to Damian’s roaring vocals) and the nods to epic concept albums of the past like the mighty Zen Arcade and the classic Tommy.

Website: www.davidcomestolife.com

Order: David Comes to Life

Video: Press Conference: Ford Taps Doug  as 2012 Focus Spokesperson

“Well, pretty pants…” Up until the moment Paul F. Tompkins’ voice boomed from the mouth of this delightful little orange fella, I pretty much hated all puppets (non-Muppet puppets that is, oh and Triumph the Insult Comic Dog, of course).

I am now a Doug the Puppet fan, and dare I say a 2012 Ford Focus fan. These commercials directed by Paul Feig are really funny and make good use of Tompkins’ refined yet aggressive delivery. Watch them all. You can even follow Doug on Twitter (@FocusDoug) and read the tweets aloud doing your best PFT impression (put on bow tie and a natty steam punkish outfit first to get in the mood).

Now that I am assisting in a multi-tiered viral marketing campaign (I used the phrase “2012 Ford Focus” like three times) for the 10th largest American corporation I fully expect to be compensated with — at the very least — a Ford Fiesta.

This kitty is kind of being a dick. Good for him.

Video: Via Pitchfork

More: The New Superchunk Video is Very Very Funny, As You Would Expect

Dammit, my neighbor’s kids make SO MUCH NOISE in the morning! (thanks to Jen K for the link)

In honor of St. Paddy’s Day, here are some of my favorite bands and artists from the Emerald Isle, both North and South, old and new. Pictured above: The lovely Gemma Hayes.

Originally posted 3/15/09, Updated 3/15/11

The Thrills - “Nothing Changes Around Here”

Therapy? – “Screamager”

The Frames – “Dream Awake”

Stiff Little Fingers – “Alternative Ulster”

Gemma Hayes – “Hanging Around”

Thin Lizzy – “Jailbreak”

Sinead O’Connor & the Chieftains – “The Foggy Dew”

The Undertones – “Teenage Kicks”

Luka Bloom – “Don`t Be So Hard On Yourself”

My Bloody Valentine – “Soon”

That Petrol Emotion – “Big Decision”

Damien Rice – “Rootless Tree”

The Pogues With The Dubliners – “The Irish Rover”

Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova – “When Your Mind’s Made Up”

U2 – “Out Of Control”

Follow these simple directions:

• Enjoy this excellent video directed by Jack Ferry.
• Listen to Ted Leo live on WFMU tonight.
• Donate some money to WFMU to keep a good thing going! (Pledge during The Best Show with host Tom Scharpling tonight from 9:00pm-Midnight EST.)
• For your kind support, you’ll receive some some lovely gifts!
• Now watch Scharpling-directed video for The New Pornographers because Carl Newman will also be playing live tonight!

More: Bottled In Cork video directed by Tom Scharpling

Latest Updates: @scharpling @tedleo

“Transmission” by Joy Division, Lego version via @63merc

“Transmission” by Joy Division, original version

“Transmission” by Joy Division, caribbean steelband version via @WFMU