Examiner Feed - 08.17.12 - 08.22.12

Holy Time Delay, Batman! Got a *lot* of catching up to do, so let's do it all in one massive shot:

UPDATE: Members of Baroness Injured in UK - Orlando rock music | Examiner.com

Fred Durst Ejected From WWE Event and Declares Limp Bizkit is Done - Orlando rock music | Examiner.com

Writer Rick Remender Gives Details About "Uncanny Avengers" - Orlando Comic Books | Examiner.com

Jim Carrey to Join Cast of Kick-Ass 2? - Orlando Comic Books | Examiner.com

Image Property "Bloodstrike" to Become Feature Film - Orlando Comic Books | Examiner.com

Star Wars Celebration Night at Hard Rock Live This Weekend - Orlando rock music | Examiner.com

Superman and Wonder Woman Officially an Item - Orlando Comic Books | Examiner.com

Paul Ryan Makes Enemies in the Rock Community - Orlando rock music | Examiner.com

Disney to Revive the Rocketeer - Orlando Comic Books | Examiner.com

Mark Waid's Thrillbent Website Hacked - Orlando Comic Books | Examiner.com

Rob Liefeld Publicly Exits DC Comics - Orlando Comic Books | Examiner.com

Trilogy of the Nerds II: The Sequel!

Awright everybody, I gotta have this suit back by 6, so let’s try and get it right. We’ve got three big things happening in Nerd Media and we need to get to them, so let’s start with Mega Ran - Language Arts: Volume Two.

I remember mentioning when Volume One of Language Arts dropped that this was the project that Mega Ran mentioned when we interviewed for ”Revenge of the Nerds”. (Had to have that bit of vindication.) Spread across a total of the volumes, this is Mega Ran’s big push for 2012 - a series of albums, video game, and comic book telling the story of a teacher who stands on the brink of losing everything - his job, his relationship, and his crown as the best rapper in town. What? It’s Mega Ran. He can do that.

Language Arts: Volume Two is officially out as of two days ago. The story of Mr. J continues as, with all good trilogies, our hero hits rock bottom. I’m not going in to story details; that’s the whole point of the project is a rap concept album telling this story across three chapters. I will say, however, that the story takes a disjointed turn. I understand what’s going on and why it has to happen, but it’s like introducing a part of the story that wasn’t there just to put in jeopardy. Just to have that cliffhanger.

Mind you, I’m well and fully aware that telling stories through concept albums tend to run into rough patches because it’s the nature of the beast. There are good concept albums all over the place (and some not-so-great ones), but all of them have that rough patch due to trying to shoehorn a cohesive story into a format not necessarily meant for that sort of thing. It’s ye olde “trying to fit a round peg in a square hole” analogy, and Language Arts: Volume Two has the added agita of introducing elements not presented before and then having to take a turn for the worse before our hero’s big comeback (?) in Volume Three in November.

Now, the good news? None of that really matters (unless you’re as anal retentive about that sort of thing like I am). I wrote about Volume One that:

There’s a little of the video game-vibe here, but this more harkens back to The Call rather than having much in common with Mega Ran and Black Materia (Hah! That one’s still there!). Language Arts: Vol 01 is a nice hybrid of the more serious, introspective work Mega Ran excels at along with some of the digital rush of the gamer material.

(And speaking of Volume One, I need to interject here with a video that Mega Ran was able to put together from Kickstarter off of that album before we get in to Volume Two proper:)





Good stuff, right?

Now then. Volume Two continues that line of thinking, and shows just how good Mega Ran can be. For as much as the story seems to falter, the polar opposite happens to Ran musical acumen and the overall vibe of his oeuvre. The blending of the “video game” persona and straight hip-hop is more fully realized here, so much so that it almost becomes its own sound. There are less actual video game sounds than Volume One (unless you count bonus tracks), but the feeling is there - and that’s all that’s needed. Mega Ran, much like Lyrics Born, is on the way to achieving his own sound in hip-hop. And it’s amazing to hear in progress. You’re welcome to judge for yourself (for as little as $7!) by going and picking up a copy of Mega Ran - Language Arts: Volume Two. Seriously, you’ll be glad you did.

Next up is Alan. According to the press release for the book, “Alan is a soft science-fiction novel that takes place five years in the future and follows the story of Garth Hendricksen, a previously inconsequential developer, who creates the world's first artificially intelligent entity – Alan. Alan develops over the story from being a simple computer program that can only interface through a text prompt into a fully autonomous robot that can experience the world through sight, sound, and even touch. The reader follows Alan on his quest to determine whether or not he is truly artificially intelligent.”

Sounds pretty intense already, right? I’ve had the chance to read some of it and I’m really looking forward to more. It’s very interesting to see Hex stepping outside of his comfort zone of music director and working on something like this.

I can also report (spoiler-free) that it combines a journal format with that of how you would expect a computer program to develop its intelligence in print. It reads really quick, but not lightly or even close to forgettable. Very well played, sir.

The kickstarter campaign for Alan has met its goal already, but is still taking contributions for other cool perks that hex has lined up for it. I know I’ll be throwing in on it before it’s all said and done (which will be September 18, BTW). And speaking of things I’m donating to...





There’s a reason for this. A very good--well, depending on how you look at it, a very bad reason. I’ll let Mr. WarRock tell the story himself:

[On August 21] I was in St. Louis with my friend K, and basically her car got broken into and all our bags got stolen. In our bags were not only ipods, wallets and sentimental things that we will never replace, but also both our Macbooks. Being that we’re two people who earn a living on Internets, and being that I make music with my laptop, perform from my laptop, and use my laptop to, well, make any and everything that has to do with Adam WarRock, and being that macbooks is expensive, I’m kind of SOL right now.

So we’re going to do something I’ve always wanted to do. We’re going to do a 24 Hour Rap-A-Thon

HOW DOES A 24 HOUR RAPATHON WORK?

1. On Friday, August 24, 2012, I will wake up and sign online and timestamp myself.

2. For the next 24 Hours I will make as many songs as I can from complete scratch. No pre-writing, no pre-beat finding, nothing. Just fresh and new, me making music off the dome.

3. As fast as I can make the music, I will throw it up online for everyone to enjoy in real time.

4. People can pledge in two ways: one, a lump sum donation. But c’mon, the more fun way: you pledge a dollar amount per song that I will finish in 24 Hours. After the 24 Hours is over, I will invoice you via paypal to pay the amount (you are free to set a cap on your donation).

5. After the 24 Hours is done, I will burn a Rap-A-Thon CD with all the music made during this day, and send a signed copy and some free swag to everyone who pledges any amount. K has also agreed to make you something too.

6. My friend K will be blogging and tweeting this whole event in real time at @WarRockRapathon. We are working on possibly getting a uStream video up on the site.

7. We are seeking to raise enough money to replace our laptops, which is basically in the vicinity of $2,000. Any and all money raised over that amount will be donated to RAINN, the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization (b/c we were in Missouri, and screw you Todd Akin).

So, Adam WarRock is turning his and K’s misfortune into a hip-hop extravaganza that should be a sight to behold. Hell, without the Rap-A-Thon, I’d be pitching in, anyway. I’ve had a car broken into and stuff stolen out of it I can never replace. (By the way, Guy, be glad you took your crack-ridden ass back to New York. Maybe you’re in a ditch somewhere. Hopefully.) I know how that feels and how much it sucks. So, I’d be donating anyway.

But, a Rap-A Thon? From a guy like WarRock, officially one of the Best Damn %$@#&* Rappers In The Universe? Oh, I’m all in on this. Hopefully you will be, too.

The Megas - Count3rCu1ture @ Nerdapalooza 2012

After missing last year, The Megas triumphantly return to Nerdapalooza in one of the most anticipated performances of the weekend! Count3rCu1ture @ Nerdapalooza 2012 continues here.

Glad to see these guys back this year. Once again, well done.

8-Bit Brigade - Count3rCu1ture @ Nerdapalooza 2012

Know what happens when you have three kids starting school and a wife starting a new job as an Autism teacher? You get behind on things like *this*, that's what...





8-Bit Brigade are captured here in their second Nerdapalooza performance. We catch the action about halfway through their set...a full play-through - musically and otherwise - of Contra. Count3rCu1ture @ Nerdapalooza 2012 continues here.

I made it in to the venue at about level 2. At level 3, I realized exactly what was going on and thought this was beyond awesome. Halfway through level 4, it hit me - "Why the hell am I not recording this?!" So, I got set up and started shooting at level 5. And that's why this is so late into the performance.

Mother Russia, Madonna and the Prime Directive

So I’ve kind of been following this whole Pussy Riot bit going on in Russia. Not very closely, mind you; in fact, that’s going to be the entire point of this thing in a second. But, yeah, I’m aware of it - especially since Rolling Stone seems to be in love with this story (seriously, look at all the “related” links near the bottom). In fact, I kinda wonder if this story got so popular simply because they’ve been flying this flag as the “next big cause”. Yeah, you can already see where this is going, aye?

In case you’re not up to speed, I’ll keep this short. Pussy Riot is a Russian punk band that staged a protest against Russian President Vladimir Putin in a cathedral in Moscow. (Not St. Basil’s, mind you, but just a regular cathedral.) They were arrested and tried for “hooliganism,” and a whole slew of people here in America lost their minds. Everyone from your typical internet mook looking for another cause now that the Chick-fil-A thing has died down to people like Paul McCartney, Madonna (keep that name in mind) and the Red Hot Chili Peppers all waved the flag and showed support for this group, who were ultimately found guilty and sentenced to two years in jail for a simple protest.

Just to let you know now, I’m not getting on either side of whether or not them getting arrested and jailed for a simple protest is “right” or “wrong”. I don’t know that much about them and I have yet to hear a lick of music. I’m sure a lot of people are in that boat, but the difference it didn’t stop them from picking a side in this whole debate. I’m just not sure why they did.

The blunt, crass way of doing this would simply be to ask, “Why does America care?” This has to do with a Russian band in the Russian nation facing Russian laws. It would seem to me that this country shouldn’t have any involvement. Again, that’s the blunt and crass way, because I get why people do care. It’s a matter of basic human rights and the freedom of expression without being locked in a stank-ass dungeon simply for having an opinion. Totally understand that.

So, rather than do this the blunt and crass way, let’s table that for a second and look at another story that came out of that country. I told you to remember the mention of Madonna, right? Yeah, that would be because, on August 9, she played a show in St. Petersburg, Russia, and flat-out challenged another country’s gay pride ban. Again, I can see why she did it - but a group of activists that are now suing her for $10.5 million dollars don’t see her reasoning at all.

This was a story I almost completely ignored, until I read some of the quotes from the Union of Russian Citizens courtesy of their lawyer, Alexander Pochuyev. One was, "We must defend our right to normal cultural life without propaganda of values and views that contradict the Russian culture." Interesting use of the word “propaganda”; you have to remember, they remember World War II just like we do. Hell, in many respects, they had it a hell of a lot tougher than we did. But “propaganda of values and views” feels exactly what they’ve all been hit with lately, betweeen the Pusssy Riot bit and now this.

But, more hard-hitting than that? "While speaking of tolerance, she abuses the feelings of believers." Translation: “We’re God-fearing people, and this foreigner just waltzes in to our country and had the unmitigated gall to tell us our beliefs were wrong while preaching how all people should be accepted and loved.”

(AFTERTHEFACTUPDATE: Oh, and then she goes and calls on the country she just offended the hell out of to free the members of Pussy Riot. Yeah, because that'll go over with them so well right now.

So, rather than the blunt, crass way of addressing this let’s harken back to Star Trek. No, seriously. Follow me here a second.

One of the big things that Starfeeet believed in was the Prime Directive. That Prime Directive that Starfleet (aka the rule that “the good guys” based all of their actions on) was basically “that there can be no interference with the internal development of alien civilizations.” In other words, Starfleet believed they didn’t have the right to interfere with any other civilization’s development, and that civilization should be allowed, for good or ill, to progress at their own pace. The worst thing they could do would be to steer that evolution in any given direction because they had no right to impose their beliefs, no matter how well-intentioned, on others.

So, why do we? What gives us the right to tell Russia how they should or shouldn’t conduct themselves as a people or government? How would we like it if they came over here and did that to us? We’d tell them to go do something involving sexual intercourse to themselves, right? And yet we’re getting all bent out of shape when we’re getting that reaction from them?

Once again, folks, I’m not calling anybody “right” or “wrong” All I’ve ever asked for in my combined-over-a-decade of writing is that people stop and think for themselves for a second before going along with any kind of trend, movement or crowd. I just want people to do a double take and wonder if their actions are really serving the best example of mankind. Despite best intentions, it looks like Russia’s answer lately has been, “hell no.” Because, as we all know, that road to hell is certainly paved with good intentions.



Trust me, honey - right about now, Russia feels the same way about you.

Mega Ran - Count3rCu1ture @ Nerdapalooza 2012

MegaRan and his partner in rhyme, K-Murdock, packed the Social in downtown Orlando for a Saturday night Nerdapalooza performance that has to be seen to be believed! Count3rCu1ture @ Nerdapalooza 2012 continues here.

I loved seeing these guys again, especially in front of a place this packed! Great on them.

Examiner Feed - 08.16.12

This is happening now because it almost didn't happen today. Between training for a couple days at the "day job" and then a wonderful dinner out with my wife, I wasn't sure I was getting anything published today.

Alas, I was still able to make a couple posts, anyway:

Iron Man 3, Avengers Sequel, and More Marvel Movie News - Orlando Comic Books | Examiner.com

Garth Ennis "The Boys" Revived at Another Studio - Orlando Comic Books | Examiner.com

Oh, and before i go? Yes, I'm well and fully aware of the Dave Mustaine story regarding his comments about the Colorado and Sikh Temple shootings. That was not posted deliberately. I know it would have been a big hit-getter and everything, but I explained on Facebook why I refused to do it:

Did Dave Mustaine lose his mind? I didn't buy that Bush was behind 9/11 and I'm not taking this bait, either. I can't write or report on sensationalism (idiocy?) with no substance, so this is all I'm saying on this.

ArmCannon - Count3rCu1ture @ Nerdapalooza 2012

Danimal brings his band "ArmCannon" to Nerdapalooza for another blistering festival appearance! Count3rCu1ture @ Nerdapalooza 2012 continues here.

Out of the three (!) appearances Danimal made in various formats ove the weekend, this was the only one I was able to get.

Kris Humphries to Put Reality on Trial

I’m going to make it clear right off the bat that I hate most of the Kardashian family, save for Bruce and possibly Khloe/Lamar. The reason those three are off the hook is because they don’t seem to be quite the fame whores that everyone else in the family is. They’re the most shining example of what is wrong with American pop culture - by-products of reality television.

Which is why, oh my GOD, I am so rooting for Kris Humphries in his divorce against Kim Kardashian. Just about every other “news” site has ranged from being biased (for obvious reasons) to attempting to be be glibly cute (and failing miserably). My old stomping grounds had actually one of the better recaps about the hearing on August 15, but it seems even they kinda missed what’s about to happen and why I’m rooting for Humphries.

To be fair, this is probably one of those bits that Jeremy had to report on for 4111 because it was news, but could probably actually care less. I totally get that; won’t hold it against him a bit. In fact, I’ll lift most of his recap of the hearing because the other two make me want to retch, for completely different reasons and, whether this was intentional or not, Jeremy nailed what’s so important about this:

Wasser complained in court that despite the lengthy proceedings to date, it isn't clear what Humphries wants out of the subpoena. She noted that Humphries has been all over the place, wanting to put reality TV on trial and subpoenaing Kris Jenner as well as people at NBC Universal and Bunim/Murray, who produce the family's various reality shows. She also said that she doesn't know why Humphries believes the marriage was a fraud, as he went in fully aware of all situations.

Kris' lawyer replied that he intends to prove that the marriage was a fraud to benefit Kim's reality show and that the subpoenas are in order give him all the information he needs before he deposes Kim. When Wasser asked why it was important for Kris to get an annulment, he didn't answer. Wasser then noted that she will get Kris to pay all of Kim's attorney fees.

Check that underlined bit again. That’s exactly what’s going on with this divorce. It’s not just Kris going after Kim anymore; this is all of “reality television” being put on trial for being anything but. Kris basically claims that the marriage was all for big ratings and a big payday and that, once all the contracts expired and the big payoff went down, she (along with the network and production company) had no use for Humphries and ditched him. So, for the sake of justice (or revenge; who cares, really?), Kris is out to expose the whole sham in a court of law. As John Wilkes Booth once said to Lee Harvey Oswald, “You’re the one that’s gonna sum it all up and blow it all wide open!”

Mind you, I’ve already said this was the case and that it’s even been admitted to already. But to have Humphries blow that wide open for all the world to see? I’m rooting for this guy. And I give a damn what football team he plays for.


AvX is cool and all...but I’m much more excited by HvK.
.

Examiner Feed - 08.15.12

Yeah, this was a busy day. And these were just the stories I was able to get to!

Axl Rose Receives Court Date for Lawsuit Against Activision - Orlando rock music | Examiner.com

Producer Roy Thomas Bakker Sues Sony Music for Royalties - Orlando rock music | Examiner.com

Metal Band Baroness Injured in Bus Crash - Orlando rock music | Examiner.com

US District Judge Set to Decide Superman's Fate - Orlando Comic Books | Examiner.com

Elton John Bassist Found Dead of Apparent Suicide - Orlando rock music | Examiner.com

Examiner Feed - 08.14.12

Seems the next morning post with yesterday's date (because that's when the stories below were actually published) is becoming the norm due to schedule constraints...

Fox's Daredevil Adaptation Stalled Yet Again? - Orlando Comic Books | Examiner.com

DC Comics Spoils the Return of the Joker - Orlando Comic Books | Examiner.com

Blur Release Olympic Performance Digitally as Band May be Done - Orlando rock music | Examiner.com

Tribe One - Count3rCu1ture @ Nerdapalooza 2012

Tribe One returns to Nerdapalooza to command the stage at his own set for 2012 before heading out on the NoFriends Tour with Jesse Dangerously, Adam WarRock, and Mikal kHill. Count3rCu1ture @ Nerdapalooza 2012 continues here.

Tribe One, to me, is pretty slept on. Dunno why because I think this dude is pretty damn good. Really hoping he catches a good break soon.

That tour, by the way? Starts in September. You can get more info about it here. I've seen all four of these guys separately or in some combination, but not all four together like this. I would suggest not missing this tour if it's near you, by any means.

P.S. WarRock and kHill will be at Super Fly Comic and Games's 5th Anniversary Party. If you're in the area and can go, I envy you.

Examiner Feed - 08.13.12

Yes, I realize this is dated a little weird. It's because I'm catching up from yesterday.

What? Raw was on last night. What do you want from me?

Rob Zombie, Marilyn Manson and More To Play Halloweenie Roast in Orlando - Orlando rock music | Examiner.com

Killing Joke Frontman Releases Statement on "Disappearance" - Orlando rock music | Examiner.com

Stone Sour Reveal Details of New Album - Orlando rock music | Examiner.com

The ThoughtCriminals - Count3rCu1ture @ Nerdapalooza 2012

(Yes, I realize I did not do this yesterday. Things were happenin'. My wife's first day back as a teacher and other business had to be handled. Sue me, okay?

Now then...



After performing an "unofficial" set at last year's festival, the ThoughtCriminals - kHill and Sulfur - play Nerdapalooza proper with a blistering set. Count3rCu1ture @ Nerdapalooza 2012 continues here.

So glad to see these guys get their well-earned spot as an "official" act this year. Hopefully we get to see it again in 2013.

Comics Legend Joe Kubert Passes Away - Orlando Comic Books | Examiner.com

Comics Legend Joe Kubert Passes Away - Orlando Comic Books | Examiner.com

Seriously, RIP to a true comics legend. Some sad news coming out of today.

The Revival of Abraham Washington

(This, by the way? Is post #300 on this site. This is *so* Sparta.)

So, Abraham Washington - you know, dude who made the Kobe Bryant crack about Kobe Bryant on Raw? Yeah, he's been canned. The only surprise is how long it took WWE to do it, especially considering AW's "gracious" exit rant on Twitter.

But, there's hope for AW yet. Especially if TNA is smart. Because if they are, he's their next signee.

No, seriously. Follow me for just a second.

All the attention in the wrestling world - and even some in mainstream circles - is on AW right now. For all the wrong reasons, mind you, but it's there. And it's not unprecedented that, with the right amount of legitimate heat, there's money to be made in wrestling. Like it or not, Wrestling's Most Wanted are proving that as I type this. So, TNA should take that forward-thinking example and strike while the iron is hot.

Here's how this could work: TNA hires Washington as a manager. You could put him with virtually anyone (although Zima Ion stands out as a good immediate candidate). Give him the live ringside mic. Give him a line that he can't cross with certain subjects on the other side of that line. (Do I even have to say that rape is one of them?) And then let him dance right on that line week after week. Like Paul E did when he was still a manager in ECW.





The moment it's announced that TNA has signed Abraham Washington, the groans begin. "Oh, good Lord, what is this guy gonna say here?" He already has the attention. And whether people will admit it in public or not, they'll tune in to see what AW's gonna say. Let him be as edgy as he wants (within reason) and keep people hooked. Give viewers a reason to have that "did he seriously just say that?!" reaction week in and week out.

Against their better judgment, they're hooked to tuning in. Whether people are fascinated by the train wreck or whether they start enjoying his rants and he actually gets over, more people will be paying attention to the show - and, as a result, the product that TNA produces.

In this day and age where people seem to be actively looking for reasons to get outraged? Give them what they want. Let them get outraged. Let everybody talk about how despicable Washington is for making that rape joke. Let everybody talk about how TNA is so "low class" to sign the guy that made said joke. And then sit back and let the money roll in. Millions of dollars, millions of dollars.

DJ RoboRob - Count3rCu1ture @ Nerdapalooza 2012

DJ RoboRob rocks Nerdapalooza, and he's not alone! Schaffer the Darklord, King Pheenix, MegaRan, Adam WarRock, int 80, Duane, and many more join RoboRob for a mind-blowing time! If that weren't enough, an announcement is made about the future of DJ RoboRob! Count3rCu1ture @ Nerdapalooza 2012 continues here.

Seriously, this...was pretty mind-blowing. Great showing from all involved.

Examiner Feed - 08.09.12

If I'm gonna do multiple posts at a time and maintain the pace I have been, I may as well give the site posting with all of them their own title and format (kinda), eh?

Hatebreed Hates CNN for Declaring Them White Supremacists - Orlando rock music | Examiner.com

Matt Fraction's "Defenders" Ends in November - Orlando Comic Books | Examiner.com

Is Ben Affleck Really Directing the "Justice League" Movie? - Orlando Comic Books | Examiner.com

Money Boys - Count3rCu1ture @ Nerdapalooza 2012

Okay, first of all, if you're easily offended by sexually explicit content? Then this isn't for you. I'm sorry, but I have to let you down gently if you're of a sensitive constitution and explicit, detailed talk of deviant sex acts disturbs you.

Now, with that out of the way...





You know...just to be on the safe side...

***PLEASE PAY ATTENTION TO THE DISCLAIMER AT THE BEGINNING OF THE VIDEO. THE MONEY BOYS SET CONTAINS VERY EXPLICIT CONTENT THAT CAN POTENTIALLY OFFFEND OT TITTILATE. PROCEED AT YOUR OWN RISK!***

EXCLUSIVE! After running the streeets of South Lake Hills with a tight oral grip, The Money Boys bring the dude-on-dude action to Nerdapalooza. Count3rCu1ture @ Nerdapalooza 2012 continues here.

I can't really claim to be homophobic (thank God), so this was a wild time. Some of the most fun I've had at a show (that wasn't a Nerdapalooza set) in a long time.

Another Batch Run

No, not like that. Get your mind out of the gutter. I mean another busy series of articles going up today:

Primus Coming to Orlando and Auctioning Bass for Special Cause - Orlando rock music | Examiner.com

Surviving Monkees Announce Reunion Tour - Orlando rock music | Examiner.com

The Who, Muse, Blur, More to Close Olympics - Orlando rock music | Examiner.com

Captain Dan and the Scurvy Crew - Count3rCu1ture @ Nerdapalooza 2012

Yahhr! Captain Dan and the Scurvy Crew drop anchor at their fifth Nerdapalooza appearance hot on the heels of their "America's Got Talent" audition aired on NBC wherein the Crew was unjustly keelhauled. Having escaped, they return to Nerdapalooza in triumph. Count3rCu1ture @ Nerdapalooza 2012 continues here.

This one's for Howard Stern. Douche. There's a whole lot of people that know what you missed out on. Everyone except you.

Busy Day!

Okay, rather than pelt this board with separate posts, let's do today's batch (and a few more) all in bulk...

Joss Whedon to Return to the "Avengers" and to Television - Orlando Comic Books | Examiner.com

UPDATE: Fox NOT Trading Fantastic Four for Daredevil - Orlando Comic Books | Examiner.com

MegaCon 2013 Announces Star-Studdded Lineup - Orlando Comic Books | Examiner.com

Could the Monkees be Reuniting? - Orlando rock music | Examiner.com

All on top of getting this year's Nerdapalooza videos out (now up to a total of seven on the YouTube channel) and the Wrestling's Most Wanted post having to be updated, too?

Yeah, it's been a busy day.

Marc with a C - Count3rCu1ture @ Nerdapalooza 2012

Marc with a C returns to Nerdapalooza with a cover tailor-made for the Nerdapalooza faithful as well as a tribute to one of their own. Another great (if unfairly short, I feel) outing by Marc.

This is where the Triforce Mike tributes started this weekend. It'll end with one that had me in tears. You'll see that in a few days.

UPDATED: Wrestling's (Legitimately) Most Wanted

UPDATED 08/07/12 @ 4:05pm EST: Courtesy of The Wrestling Blog comes some new info regarding WMW.

The video seen below? Was apparently shot after a NWA Smoky Mountain show. Where the Team Ambition Team Bandits Wrestling's Most Wanted guys (okay, okay, sorry, couldn’t resist one more!) were portrayed as an invading faction, kicking off an angle.

So, the idea presented below, about taking things too far in real life in order to gain hatred to the point where promoters will bring you on because everyone wants to see them get their come-uppance? Totally worked.

Wrestling’s Most Wanted are now indeed that, as they are becoming quite the attraction on the independent scene despite their legitimately foul actions. This is going to be interesting to see if (or how long) they can fly in the face of politically-correct behavior and social media moralism and not reap any serious backlash.



ORIGINAL:

I've kind of sat on this Team Ambition Team Bandits Wrestling's Most Wanted situation since it happened. Partly because it was already being talked about elsewhere, partly because the story is even still unfolding.

Before we go any further, let's get the uninitiated caught up to speed. Team Ambition was Kyle O'Reilly, Tony Kozina, and former Ring of Honor World Champion Davey Richards. (You'll see why that's ironic in a second. In fact, there'll be quite a few ironic statements throughout this whole thing.) There are two formerly-thought-separate-but-apparently-related incidents at play here. One is how Team Bandits stable member Tony Kozina legitimately assaulted a 16 year-old kid in a "match" where Kozina legitimately choked out a minor. The second happened the day after that, where Davey Richards, Kozina and O'Reilly took $350 from a promoter they were supposed to wresstle for and ran without working the show. Since all of that, Richards and Kozina remained silent at best and trolling at worst. Meanwhile, O'Reilly gave his share of the money he took back and has distanced hiomself from the rest of the gang. There's more to the incident(s) than what's over-simplified above, but you have the gist of what's going on, at least. Please feel free to follow the links above and/or find your own. It's an interesting tale of wrestling in 2012 - and it's getting more interesting because now, the remaining three - Richards, Kozina, and Darren Dean - are Team Ambition Team Bandits Wrestling's Most Wanted:





First of all, I'm sure a lot of people won't even post, embed, or link that video because of how "disgusting" and "morally reprehensible" these guys are. And for the record, I'm not cheering these guys or declaring my fandom or anything like that. Taking a promoter's money and running is one thing; most everyone has denigrated Team Ambition Team Bandits Wrestling's Most Wanted for being "unprofessional", but typically wrestling has been the Office vs. the Boys. Which do you trust? What Kozina pulled, though - and the rest of his team's support of it - is another matter. I'm honestly shocked that Ryan Kidd's parents aren't suing the living hell out of that litttle goblin Kozina and/or the promotion it happened in, or that that Kozina's not rotting away in jail. Just sayin'.

But, it's that patented reaction of outrage and comdemnation that fuels Team Ambition Team Bandits Wrestling's Most Wanted now (okay, I'll drop the strike-throughs after that, I promise). If all of this was done deliberately to cultivate this type of reaction, consider my mind blown. That would take guts that I don’t think very many people have anymore. However it happened - whether they planned all of this, whether the promotion they ripped off or even Ryan Kidd is in on this is all now pretty much immaterial. WMW seem to have accomplished a goal that no one else could have even visualized, much less saw coming.

Wrestling's Most Wanted have combined the omnipresence and availability of information the internet affords, the meme-filled, rapid-fire-yet-rarely-fully-informed opinions of social networks, and the "on-your-best-behavior-or-ELSE" intolerance of anything "offensive" belonging to a politically correct culture and created a real life heel stable. These guys aren't hated because they were scripted (booked, wwhatever) to beat the unholy beejeeezus out of the good guy after a match. They are hated for actions that were (seemingly, because anything in wrestling can be a work) perpetrated outside of a wrestling ring that riled up a holier-than-thou internet fanbase and convinced everyone paying attention that these guys are real assholes. They’ve taken the modern sense of palpable and very easily obtained outrage and used it to their advantage while thumbing their nose at a culture where we know everything as soon as it happens and nothing can get past us, amIriteguise?

I can’t say for sure that this was Wrestling’s Most Wanted’s plan. They very well may have stumbled onto this bit and decided to just run with it now. Even if that’s the case, what they’re taking and running with - a near-tangible hatred based on unprofessionalism and assault on a minor that’s gotten out everywhere thanks to the omnipresence of the ‘net - is nearly unheard of in this day and age. I’m very curious to see where this story and this stable heads next. I personally can’t stand them - but then that’s the point, isn’t it?

Sci-Fried - Count3rCu1ture @ Nerdapalooza 2012

It starts right here!



Sci-Fried bring all-new material and some special guest stars to Nerdapalooza on the heels of their brand new album, "Co-Op Mode".

A couple notes here. This is already out there and I've gotten some great feedback from the Slacker and the Man guys as well as Z from Hipster Please! I'm glad everyone enjoyed the video; I made it a point to have it out ASAP to make sure those who couldn't see it or those who wanted to again had that opportunity.

Which brings me to point two. You notice this is pretty much raw. Not a lot of editing or production values (like I had those anyway?) going in to the series this year. I want these out as soon as it can happen. So, there won't be a lot of editing with any of these, unless it's absolutely necessary. The music and the artists are the stars, not me.

Third, Sci-Fried was the first one but there are already more out there. You can see them at my YouTube channel. When they hit here, they're "officially" out there - but there's more content to be had already. Enjoy and thank you all again.

Lamb of God Singer Releases Statement on Incarceration - Orlando Rock Music Examiner

Lamb of God Singer Releases Statement on Incarceration Okay, business is out of the way. Now for the fun...

Morrissey Lashes Out at Olympic Coverage in Home Country - Orlando Rock Music Examiner

Morrissey Lashes Out at Olympic Coverage in Home Country

"...the spirit of 1939 Germany now pervades throughout media-brand Britain..." That's pretty serious. Two down, one more to go before we start getting to the fun stuff - video.

Fox to Trade Marvel's First Family for Daredevil? - Orlando Comic Books Examiner

Fox to Trade Marvel's First Family for Daredevil?

This is one of a few coming tonight. Thanks in advance for your patience, because at the end of those, we start rolling out (officially) the full set videos for Nerdapalooza 2012.

Slacker and The Man » Blog Archive » Video Of Sci-Fried’s Set At Nerdapalooza 2012

Slacker and The Man » Blog Archive » Video Of Sci-Fried’s Set At Nerdapalooza 2012

First of all, big thanks to the Slacker and the Man crew. A hilarious show week in and week out about all things geek. Go check those guys out.

And as far as the videos? I'll be posting them here. But, to be honest, you'll probably be able to find them on YouTube faster.

Lamb of God Singer Released From Incarceration - Orlando rock music | Examiner.com

Lamb of God Singer Released From Incarceration - Orlando rock music | Examiner.com

Free at last!

Marvel NOW! Announces New Creative Teams - Orlando Comic Books | Examiner.com

Marvel NOW! Announces New Creative Teams - Orlando Comic Books | Examiner.com

Don't call it a reboot - they've been here for years.

Captain Dan Makes Port Call at Nerdapalooza - Orlando rock music | Examiner.com

Captain Dan Makes Port Call at Nerdapalooza - Orlando rock music | Examiner.com

...which marks the end of the Nerdapalooza 2012 countdown. I will now be preparing and headed for the festival, so if I'm gone a few days, you'll know why. Yes, I'll be back after just that time. No, seriously.

Great place to keep up with this weekend's happenings from my point of view is on my Twitter page. Hell, you don't even have to search Google or anything - I'll give it to you. It's the best way and place to catch me online aside from here, really. And I'll be on it pretty much all weekend reporting from Nerdapalooza.

Sci-Fried Enter "Co-Op Mode" (Review) - Orlando rock music | Examiner.com

Sci-Fried Enter "Co-Op Mode" (Review) - Orlando rock music | Examiner.com

Yeah, now that the vitriol is out of the way...

My boys Sci-Fried are at it again, only now with a WHOLE lot of other folks. Go read about how cool the new record is and follow some links to pick up a copy of your own. You won't be disappointed.

T-minus...wow, not even 36 hours from Nerdapalooza 2012 as I type this. One more work day and a wake-up to go.

“The Only Two Things I’m Prejudiced Against...”

Okay, are we done with this whole Chick-fil-A thing? Have we all gotten it out of our system yet? Basking in the afterglow of a successful campaign to promote or put an end to hatred? Feeling pretty proud about yourself and the moral stance you took over this whole stupid thing?

Great. Good on you. Because now that it’s all said and done, I have something to say.

Quite a few of you people are hypocritical imbeciles.

Take a careful lookat what’s been written so far just in the few paragraphs above. No side has been taken and no one has been singled out. Because there are offenders on both sides of this argument.

Between all the chest-thumping, grandstanding and moralizing about either thinking gay marriage is a crime against nature or doing the same while preaching tolerance and understanding for all, I’ve seen some pretty dumb and ignorant statements on both sides of the argument.

Politicians turning an innocuous statement about personal beliefs into a political rallying cry? Stay out of this. This is none of your business, quite frankly, so there’s no need to incite a cultural battle.

And you? The idiot who called in a bomb threat just to get this place to stop selling chicken? I hope jail provides you with an opportunity to reflect how dumb you are in threatening lives while promoting “tolerance”.

Seriously, people don’t realize that they’re doing this all wrong. On one hand, there are those taking the “moral high ground” while speaking out against a group of people that have made a personal choice to be happy with their lifestyle. There are also those who preach “peace and tolerance” who have attacked a group of people by simply lumping them in with a religion. All of them, no matter their stance, have betrayed their beliefs of “morality” and “peace” with their actions and words.

You can support Chick-fil-A or not. You can be for or against gay marriage. That’s your choice and you have the right to be heard. What you don’t have the right to do is be a jackass about how you think and feel. What you don’t have the right to do is treat others like dirt and call for torches and pitchforks to be brought to their front door because they don’t believe the same way you do. What you don’t have the right to do is attack someone simply for their belief system when they’ve never raised a harsh word or hand against you. And that’s what I’ve seen a lot of.

This issue, to me, is no longer about promoting hate or beliefs. This isn’t about human rights or the First Amendment of the Constitution. This is about not being a dick to your fellow man and having the sense and real tolerance to sit and have a civil discussion about beliefs, why you feel the way you do, and how we can overcome those differences to all live and work together.

If you read that and said you can’t? Then you’re part of the problem. Feel free to get the hell off my planet. I’m only prejudiced against two types of people: morons and assholes. And I hate to say it, but this whole situation has proven that there are more of those two than African-Americans, Gays, Indians, Muslims, Middle-Easterns, Asians, and WASPs combined.

If you read that above and agree? Good. Stop talking and thinking about it and do it. I’d love to see some more examples of debates rather than stupidity and hatred. And that goes for whether you’re a “moral” or a “tolerant” person.

As for me? Did I go to Chick-fil-A on August 1 and support them, or did order a “Mc-Fil-A” from McDonalds to show solidarity for that side?

Honestly? I went to Zaxby’s. Because their Buffalo Tenders are pretty damn good. And because, after all the ignorance and hate I’ve seen on both sides of the fence, I honestly didn’t feel like supporting either side of the argument.

I supported a third argument, instead - and that argument is that, as human beings, we’ve shown that we could all use some work.

Trailer Premieres for "The Dark Knight Returns Part 1" - Orlando Comic Books | Examiner.com

Trailer Premieres for "The Dark Knight Returns Part 1" - Orlando Comic Books | Examiner.com

Ehr. Mah. GERD. You seriously have NO IDEA how long I've been waiting for this to happen. I don'tr care if this is live-action or animated; we're talking about one of the mini-series/graphic novels that completely steered not only my love of comics, but a good chunk of my childhood, period.


So, yeah, this is cool. Guess I'll check it out when it comes out.

Nerdapalooza to Score an Epic Win - Orlando rock music | Examiner.com

Nerdapalooza to Score an Epic Win - Orlando rock music | Examiner.com

Nelson's such a great guy. Looking forward to seeing him and the crew again.

Oh, and by the way? The countdown to Nerdapalooza? Totally on. T-minus (well, as I type this it's technically) 2 days and counting...