Freaky, Geeky Tattoos

My college buddy (and now Wired.com photo editor) Jim Merithew went to Comic-Con International earlier this year. At the show, we were able to finish a little assignment we'd been kicking around for months: a photo gallery of comics-related tattoos.

See for yourself in our gallery: Geek Ink: Comics Fans Show Off Tattoos.

No accordions, but still pretty wild, IMHO.

9 Things (You Think) Your Beer Says About You

Just in time for the Labor Day weekend, a wacky list of "9 Things (You Think) Your Beer Says About You" bubbles up on Cracked.com.

Pretty funny, but be warned -- there's some salty language!

P.S. Please note that Widmer Brothers' tasty beer -- which we will undoubtedly be sampling in Portland, Ore., when we play the brewery's fourth-annual Oktoberfest on Sept. 6 -- is not on the list. What does drinking a Widmer say about you? It just says you're cool (and possibly that you're listening to accordion music).

Accordions On The Rise

Cynthia Dizikes has a nice story on accordions in the LA Times. She cites the resurgence in popularity of the instrument and some of the folks that have helped make it "cool" again. If only we had known, we could have lent a hand as well!

Tiny Tim Remembered #2

TDA fan Michael Butler forwards this photo of he and the brilliant song stylist. As you can see, the photo was taken in July, 1993, which is about 7 years earlier than the one with Tiny and I at the Sweetwater. I wish I had a shot of Tiny when he got down on the stage and started spinning around on his back in a frenzy as we banged out an Elvis tune. It was a great moment in rock history.

Remembering Tiny Tim

You know, we've got some folks in Those Darn Accordions that have worked with some BIG names in showbiz. I'm not kidding. Mick Jagger, Pat Benatar, Melissa Etheridge, Billy Idol, etc, but no one tops my street cred. Here's the proof. What a magical night that was backing up Tiny Tim. If I hadn't happened to find this photo while cleaning up my studio, the moment would have been lost forever. I know to some of you this will explain a lot, and upon reflection, I suppose it does.

Man Builds His Own Bowling Alley

Next to homebrewing, this could be the ultimate DIY project: building a bowling alley in your garage. The guy is identified by TechEBlog as "Tim W.," with no reference as to where he lives. (I'm guessing it's the Midwest.)

The Brunswick automatic pinsetter is a noisy beast, and the lane is short (although probably about the same as the duckpin lanes at Koz's Mini Bowl in Milwaukee). But it's pretty darn cool to have a lane like that in your garage. Wonder if there's a Kegerator hiding off to the side somewhere?

TechEBlog has a photo gallery of the lane, as well as the videos below.



See the lane in action.



Behind-the-scenes shot shows the Brunswick pinsetter in action.

Secrets of ZZ Top's Sharp-Dressed Guitars

Those Darn Accordions dress up themselves (or at least the ladies do); those sharp-dressed hombres in ZZ Top pimp out their guitars.

Find out how in Gibson's informative article, "Sheepskin and Rhinestones: The Story Behind the Legendary ZZ Top Guitars."

Beer Can Table: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Modern Mechanix is showing off a cool picture of a table made of beer cans. The frothy furniture was assembled out of 420 soldered-together beer cans by Chicagoan Bernard Dier.

The photo ran in Science and Mechanics magazine in 1936, when people apparently had a lot more fun.

(Via Boing Boing)

Robots Serve Drinks at Roboexotica

Robots? Booze? How can you not click on "Boozebots Get Their Shot at Roboexotica"?

Too Bad Leslie Hall Doesn't Play Accordion

Because I'll bet she'd be a heck of a squeezer. Check out Wired News' profile of the gem sweater lady, "YouTube Gem Leslie Hall Bedazzles the Masses."

A Tour With Teller

Having had the pleasure of performing with Teller on Penn and Teller's Sin City Spectacular, I found it quite interesting to take an inside peek at the abode of this quiet magical genius, courtesy of USA Today. While Teller's onstage persona is mute, I am honored to say that I have had lively conversation with him and he is indeed a gentleman and a scholar.

Take a virtual tour of Teller's home in this Flash photo gallery (don't miss the secret bookcase).

Vote on Star Trek's Weirdest Aliens

Over at Wired News, we put together a gallery featuring Star Trek's 10 Cheesiest Classic Creatures. There's no Hamsterman or Loch Ness Monster, but you will find the Gorn, a salt vampire and, of course Tribbles. Is there a better job in the world?

Now That's How You Make a Record

Wired News' Listening Post blog dug up a couple of cool YouTube videos that show exactly how vinyl LPs are made. Fascinating!



Part 1: Making the master disc.



Par 2: Pressing the records.

Anybody Got an Accordion-o'-Lantern?

Sci-fi icons, geek titans, Halloween horrors -- it's a glowing pumpkin buffet! Vote for your favorite geeky jack-o'-lanterns or submit your own at Wired News' Underwire blog. An accordion-o'-lantern sure would make a nice addition.

Also: Don't miss the Robotic Snap-O-Lantern in action!

Have Beer, Will Travel

An idea whose time has come: Deschutes Brewery's Neighborhood Hops, a "traveling beer festival" designed to bring excellent beer, food and music to Seattle enclaves. Reproduce, please. (Can you hear me, Speakeasy?)

Pink Floyd a la Polka

The Polka Floyd Show, a musical mashup out of Toledo, Ohio, performs the classic rock band's songs polka-style, with an accordion high in the mix. "We take the songs and make our own thing out of it," drummer Frank Dramczyk tells The Independent Collegian. "We get an incredible amount of people shaking their heads, in a good way, saying 'Wow, that is really cool.' No one has walked up to us and said, 'You are a disaster.' We expected a lot more bad input than what we've received."

Musical genius or just another schtick in the wall? Hear it for yourself at the band's MySpace page.

Man Builds 'Ultimate Beer-Brewing Machine'

Its creator calls it simply The Device, but the wondrous task it performs is anything but simple: The self-contained machine makes and serves beer.

Constructed by Popular Science staff photographer John Carnett, "the ultimate all-in-one beer brewing machine" is a pretty amazing invention. In the video clip, Carnett walks through the brewing process that transforms plain old Philadelphia water into the magical beverage that made Milwaukee famous. It's something to behold, although at $4,315 to build, it's a lot cheaper (and easier) to nab a six pack at your corner store.

BBQ Hog Looks Smokin' Hot

I like to eat. I like to ride motorcycles. I need one of these.

Jet-Powered Outhouse Belches Flames

Growing up in Ohio, I've got an evil memory or three related to outhouses. But if you want a real fire-and-brimstone privy vision, you've got to see the Port-O-Jet, a jet-engine-equipped toilet that makes 46 mph and emits flames worthy of Beelzebub. Next up on creator Paul Stender's to-do list? A jet-powered beer truck, according to Popular Science.

Freaky News Saturday

@ Genetic defect yields "whopper of a whippet": Meet the Incredible Hulk of Hounds (with pictures)

@ Beijing bonus: Buns Made From Cardboard Found in China

@ Cut in half, but 100 percent spirited: Miracle Man Walks Again (with inspirational photos)

Let's Hope This Guy Doesn't Get an Accordion

We already discussed the fact that accordions might be hipper than iPhones. Now this joker has put one of Apple's pricey "Jesus phones" in a blender and hit the Smoothie button.

It's destructive and incredibly wasteful -- maybe even dangerous, considering the ominous look of that black, dusty smoke -- but priceless.

Let There Be Lights

We don't tout a million stupid things here on the Wall of Wheeze. But I can heartily recommend the Mighty Bright XtraFlex Duet Super LED Music Stand Lightyou see here. The twin-LED gadget is easy to pack and perfect for lighting up your music stand in a dark club. Plus, they look like aliens or something. Frankly, I wish I had invented the Mighty Bright.

Greg Proops Chat Show Heats Up

Something tells me the Greg Proops Chat Show this Friday at Largo in Los Angeles is gonna be completely off the hookamarook.

It's a great bill -- awesome actor John C. Reilly, singing sweetheart Aimee Mann, Brit muckraker extraordinaire Greg Palast and -- last but not least -- the working man's comedy king, Drew Carey. Wonder what band the Cleveland Kid might get to back him?

And then there's the promised "Liquor, Chicken and Dreams!" When it's time to party we will always party hard. But then you knew that.

When It's Time to Party ...

We will "Party Hard."

Thanks for the Airplay, Greasy Kid Stuff!

It's an honor to see Those Darn Accordions listed among the "kid-friendly" greats played by DJs Belinda Miller and Hova Najarian during their weekly show on 94/7 Alternative Portland. Want to find out more about "radio that stays crunchy ... even in milk"? Here are the deets.

P.S. Thanks to Aabra Jaggard over at TofuPunk.com for the tip.

Fire Up the Potato Cannon

Life's just more fun when you're launching vegetable projectiles with a potato cannon. (Although maybe it wouldn't be so great to live within firing range of these creative jackasses, as can be seen when the irate neighbor busts up the party at the end of the clip.)

Growing up in Ohio, we did the same type of thing using old Mountain Dew cans and tennis balls. And of course duct tape, lighter fluid and Blue Tips.

It's Accordion Lovers Day

Help spread the word about a little-known holiday, Accordion Lovers Day. (The Empire State Building will light up bright white tonight.)

This is part of what makes June the happiest month of the year.

Long Live the Pink Flamingo

America's iconic lawn bird is not extinct after all. And they say there's no such thing as good news.

P.S. Get 'em while they're hot from Amazon.com for just $8.98!

Nessie Surfaces on Tape (Maybe)

Amateur scientist Gordon Holmes videotaped something in Loch Ness. Could it be the famous monster? See the video and judge for yourself. Kinda looks like a log to me.

If you'd like to know more about the guy who faked a famous photo and then confessed to the stunt on his deathbed, read Great Moments in Science's entry on the Loch Ness Monster. It provides interesting background on Christian Spurling, who helped convince the world of Nessie's existence with just a toy submarine, some wood putty and a respectable witness.

The Zimmers Rock It Old-School

Reeaaaaaal old school. As in, the British singing group's average age is 78. The 40-member senior chorus performs a few well-picked covers (The Who's "My Generation" and a twist on a Beatles tunes, "When I'm (One Hundred and) Sixty-Four"), according to The Washington Times. It's like when TDA squeezer emeritus Clyde Forsman sang Jimi Hendrix's "Fire" and Rod Stewart's "Da Ya Think I'm Sexy," only times 40.

Now the Zimmers are riding a wave of buzz to America. (The well-produced YouTube video below has been watched more than 2 million times so far.)

Zombies Invade San Francisco!

See the zombies set upon a mall and a Disney store in search of brains (no luck)! Watch a zombie take a Scientologist stress test! Witness an actual zombie wedding! Lots of, um, tasty bits in this fun photo gallery that documents the zombies' descent upon foggy Frisco last Friday. (Hilarious captions, too.)

That's the kind of stuff that makes this city fun.

Thirsty for a Carlton?

Strangely, I am, and I've never even had one of the Aussie beers. Maybe it's because I watched this really cool ad for Carlton Draught.

Awesome Limeade Recipe

I had a bunch of limes. I was thirsty. The internet gave me this awesome limeade recipe. I rejoice.

Cool Things That Crashed on the Moon

Popular Science launches some lunacy with a photo gallery of all the wacky-looking spacecraft that have landed (or crash-landed) on the moon (plus some cool views of the lunar landscape). The accompanying article, "Junkyard on the Moon," gives a little background on the competing space programs that littered the satellite with man-made debris.

Get Guinness in Vintage-Label Cans

Now Guinness stout is not just good for you -- it's eye candy, packaged with vintage labels used by bottlers in the good old days. Get 'em while they're cool.

Retro Tourism Posters Illuminate Illinois

Cool images of a 400-pound cow made of butter, the world's largest catsup bottle and similar attractions make a summer tour through the Prairie State seem even more enticing. Take a quick historical trip that's enlightening -- and easy on the eyes -- thanks to the Illinois Bureau of Tourism.

Cool Nessie Garden Hedge

The BBC's got a picture of John Dobson's 15-foot-high hedge handiwork, plus video of the Englishman in action trimming the topiary wonder.

See the Red Sheep of Scotland

Yesterday I told you about an art student who's painting roadkill. Now witness the red sheep of Scotland. Historically, farmers dyed the animals for easier spotting. Now it's apparently becoming a fad to decorate your livestock: Be sure to check out the cow covered with images of Andy Warhol's face.

Freak Yourself Out

... with a very wild online optical illusion. Probably not recommended for anybody who's susceptible to migraines or epileptic fits.

(Via reddit)

Want to Read Something Great?

Pick up a copy of Paper Trails: True Stories of Confusion, Mindless Violence, and Forbidden Desires, a Surprising Number of Which Are Not About Marriage and get ready to enjoy yourself.

This new collection of old columns by newsprint poet Pete Dexter is sometimes harrowing, frequently laugh-out-loud funny and always masterful. Crammed with colorful characters and heartbreaking detail, the book's 82 columns read like compressed novels.

If newspapers these days had the guts to hire real writers like Dexter rather than spending all their money on showboat editors, well-paid bean counters, fancy infographics and market research, they might not be bleeding subscribers. Some piqued readers might get a little loony and write in, offended, when the columnist in question shows a slim glimmer of the knife. But that's the price you pay for relevance.

P.S. Special thanks to David Miller for turning me on to Dexter.

P.P.S. And speaking of newspapers and columnists, doesn't this headline look familiar?

Amazing Pix From the Bottom of the World

All I can say is, "Wow." This photo gallery of the Dry Valleys of Antarctica is beautiful and mind-blowing.

(Via reddit)