Sunday, August 17, 2008

Snake!-TDA's Rogers to the Rescue

It was a hot summer afternoon in the Great Northwest and we had all the windows and doors open. Suddenly LuAnn burst into my studio screaming that a deadly Northwest Timber Viper was under the dining room table. By the time I geared up, it had taken refuge under the sideboard.
I don't like to toot my own horn, but I gotta tell ya, this was one of my more amazing acts of courage. video

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Thursday, June 26, 2008

Bigger-Than-Life Bowling


Pottery Barn Kids' jumbo inflatable bowling ball and pins game probably isn't better than the real thing. But it is bigger.

From the catalog description: "Indoors or out, our inflatable games are perfect for parties or afternoon play. The bowling game includes three 42-inch-tall pins and a ball (25-inch diameter). Made of extra-durable, water-resistant PVC."

Now, if they'd just add a 60-inch-tall pitcher of cold draft beer ... (not so good for kids, I guess).

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Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Vince Neil Does the Chicken Dance



Everybody does the chicken dance, even Motley Crue singer Vince Neil. It truly is the international dance of love.

[Thanks, Bill!]

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Saturday, March 22, 2008

Time to Celebrate National Corndog Day


Today is National Corndog Day. Who knew?

The holiday is tied to the start of March Madness, according to the official National Corndog Day website. More importantly, it's the only holiday celebrated with corndogs, tater tots and Pabst Blue Ribbon.

Thanks to Flickr user Iason, who took this awesome picture of a surprisingly delicious-looking corndog pizza.

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Friday, March 14, 2008

Bingo + Chicken + Honky-Tonk = Texas Tradition

Anybody's who's hung out with Those Darn Accordions over the past couple decades knows we love a little local color. In Milwaukee, we love to hit Koz's Mini Bowl and Art's Concertina Bar. In Monroe, Wisc., we love the Turner Hall and the Baumgartner Cheese Store & Tavern.

Well, next time you're in Austin, Texas, on a Sunday afternoon, head over to Ginny's Little Longhorn Saloon for a dose of real honky-tonk flavor.

At Ginny's they play a game of what might politely be called "chicken bingo." (The official name's got a third word in the middle, a four-letter number that rhymes with "wit," but the Wall of Wheeze frowns on blue language.) Get an eyeful of this crazy Texas institution in Wired.com's photo gallery.

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Thursday, March 13, 2008

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.

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Tuesday, March 11, 2008

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.

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Friday, March 07, 2008

Squeeze Machine Secrets: 'Mr. Saggy Butt'

OK, let me just say from the outset that I am fully aware this is a ridiculous song. Of course, that only means it satisfies nicely the stringent criteria for inclusion in the TDA repertoire.

Having got that out of the way, let me quickly relate the inspiration for this ditty. It was on a family trip to the local mall, which in my case is about 40 miles away. There I had my first sighting of "The Mall Walkers."

I had read about these folks appearing in large midwest malls in the winter time and walking briskly around the the entire place for exercise. They usually show up just after the mall opens and begin walking a set course that takes them by literally every shop in the complex. I guess in a way you could call it power window shopping. They tend to walk in pairs and dress so they blend in with the rest of the shoppers, but not always. The more seasoned MW's wear sweats and headbands and take it pretty darn seriously. They've got elbows and they know how to use them, so you want to give these type a wide berth.

Regardless of dress, it's the relentless pace that gives them away. I was immediately mesmerized when I realized I had spotted some right in our own mall blazing by a Radio Shack and cutting a clean swath right through the heart of the line at the Cinnabon. I wanted to follow them but my wife yanked me into an Eddie Bauer and the moment was lost. It was a great image and I filed it away in hopes I could use it somewhere.

Now, every mall has at least one guy that does exactly the opposite of what the mall walkers do. His goal is walk as slowly as possible and linger as long as possible before he is rousted by the security guards and forced to move on. Although you could argue that they too are trying not to be noticed, you have to wonder when you see how they tend to accessorize their attire. In this case, I saw a fellow with all sorts of things hanging off his belt. A teddy bear, toy monkey head, etc. I never got a close enough to get a good look, so I was forced to make a few things up. But one thing that was very clear was his saggy pants. I think the idea is to drop one's drawers to such a low point, that the only mode of locomotion left possible is a slow shuffle.

It's really a bit like a self-imposed governor on one's ability to move. It seems to work great. So I went home with all this churning in my mind and mixed it all up and out came "Mr Saggy Butt." It's silly to be sure, but not nearly so much as the dance I made up to go with it.

I sent a little video of it to the rest of the band so they could learn it and they all replied that they were very concerned about my mental health. Not a new development, but perhaps further proof that may be used against me later. I do hope this doesn't show up on YouTube.

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Thursday, February 28, 2008

Squeeze Machine Secrets: 'Cocktails in Tehran'

Ever wonder where the Howells traveled before they got shipwrecked on Gilligan's Island? Me too. Listen to "Cocktails in Tehran," use your imagination and let Carri act as your own private tour guide as she whisks you on a whirlwind vacation that would satisfy the wanderlust of even Thurston Howell III and Lovey.

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Saturday, February 02, 2008

Meet the Dinks

I've been going through the vault and pulling out some PRETTY interesting stuff, not the least of which is my first forays into songwriting for a band. It was 1980 and I was living in Alameda, CA , just across the bay from San Francisco. I was rehearsing in a half burned down cottage behind the house I was staying in with two friends I knew from my college days in Delaware, OH, Jim Breece, Paul Morris.
The three of us crammed in that small space and we banged out a bundle of New Wave, Power Pop, Pre-Punk, Post-Wacko and just plain nutty tunes. Jim played bass and Paul played guitar. Later when we started to record, we added a local drummer, Jerry Myers. We managed to get most of these tunes down on tape in some kind of rough demo form and it's fun to hear the raw energy of those recordings.
We played the SF club scene for a couple years and a couple of name changes and had a great time doing it. So I invite you to take a trip back in time and Meet The Dinks!

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Monday, January 28, 2008

LOLMetal Makes Me Laugh


LOLcats never fail to get a grin out of me. There, I've said it; I'm not afraid to admit the truth.

LOLMetal pix -- which substitute death-metal clowns for cuddly kitties -- make me laugh, too.


(Via Underwire, where you can nominate future LOL fodder)

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Saturday, January 26, 2008

David Lee Roth Vocal Track Stripped Bare?

An MP3 file purporting to be David Lee Roth's raw vocal track from the Van Halen hit "Runnin' With the Devil" gives you a little insight into the recording process. Listen to it, and see how much magic there really is in a mix.

I don't know how, or where, Chunklet found this gem, but it's pretty amusing (even if it's not real -- but I think it is).

We've witnessed Roth's magical stage presence -- from the wings of the amphitheater at Oshkosh, Wisconsin's wonderful Waterfest -- as the only real Van Halen belter transformed from cigarette-inhaling guy to 1,000-watt entertainer as he made a few short steps into the spotlight. Amazing.

P.S. Want even more insight into the recording process? Buried in The Gear Page's forum discussion of the mystery track, member michaelvincent says: "The story I've heard about this song is that Ted Templeman thought the initial takes sounded too clean, and instructed ol' Dave to take a break, and go eat a cheeseburger and smoke a joint, then come back and do it again! I have no idea if it's true but it wouldn't surprise me in the least if it was."

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Wednesday, January 16, 2008

TDA's Next Cover Tune?

If you've got an accordion jones and a funny bone, check out the video for "I Just Don't Look Good Naked Anymore," as sung by squeezeboxer Stan Boreson. Truly an anthem for the ages.

(Thanks, Sharon!)

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Monday, January 07, 2008

Squeezeboxing Is Better Than Sex?

When it comes to burning calories, playing accordion edges out sexual activity, according to the the University of South Carolina report, "The Compendium of Physical Activities."

British blog Music Thing casts a wary eye on the study, and so do I -- for instance, the researchers say playing accordion takes less energy than "playing flute (sitting)." Have these researchers ever even lifted an accordion? Do they know people sometimes play them while standing up, or even jumping around?

I'll bet dollars to donuts these fancy-pants scientists never saw a Those Darn Accordions show.

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Putting the Squeeze on Street Accordionists

Norwegian cops are cracking down on accordion-playing street musicians, according to Aftenposten. The paper's quote from the police chief is awesome:

"The reports we've had indicate that people are being driven mad by the tunes coming from the accordions all day long," said police chief Truls Fyhn. "I have myself stopped to listen, and let me make it very clear: The quality of the music is very, very low."

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Monday, December 31, 2007

Happy New Year (Don't Try This at Home)

Most accordion greats start (and finish) with the full complement of fingers, so I can't endorse this cockamamie "How to Pop a Cork With a Sword" article and video from Wired News. (On the other hand, the story is a year old, and there haven't been any lawsuits yet, so maybe it's OK.)

Happy New Year!

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Saturday, December 29, 2007

The 10 Stupidest Rock Quotes of 2007

Rockers with foot-in-mouth syndrome get their moment of ignominy, courtesy of Gibson's list of The 10 Stupidest Rock Quotes of 2007. Thundering loudmouths (and rock heroes) Gene Simmons and Ted Nugent make the list, along with twittering idjits like Amy Winehouse, Kelly Pickler and Christina Aguilera.

Simmons' award-winning quote is hilarious, and actually makes sense (if you're not into the whole "music wants to be free" download fever):

"Every little college kid, every freshly scrubbed little kid’s face should have been sued off the face of the earth. They should have taken their houses and cars and nipped it right there in the beginning," Simmons told Billboard magazine. "Those kids are putting 100,000 to a million people out of work. How can you pick on them? They’ve got freckles. That's a crook. He may as well be wearing a bandit's mask."

It's a pretty funny read. (And what a relief nobody from Those Darn Accordions made the list.)

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Wednesday, December 26, 2007

'Heads and Horns': The Deer's Revenge

This video of a deer attacking a hunter is kind of old, but worth wasting a minute of your back-to-work Wednesday. I'm waiting for the "Heads and Horns" remix. (It's still my favorite song on Squeeze Machine.)

Enjoy!

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Monday, December 10, 2007

'Santa Lost A Ho' Hits No. 1


As I write this George Strait has been bumped by yours truly and "Santa Lost A Ho" is sitting up on top in the Amazon.com Country Swing category for MP3 downloads. It's No. 273 in all MP3 downloads. I'm not sure what any of this means when it comes to buying groceries, but it's still kind of fun to see that folks are catching on to the Christmas Jug Band.

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Friday, December 07, 2007

Behold the Gummy Haggis


Just look at it, sitting there in all its faux meaty goodness. It's Angry Scotsman's Gummy Haggis, and it wants to be in your stomach. Which is kinda weird when you think about it.

Reminds me that I always wanted to open a restaurant called The Haggis Shack. The motto: "The Haggis Shack -- Where the Offal Ain't."

Is there nothing they won't make out of "gummy" (whatever that is)? One thing's for sure: If it's weird, Archie McPhee sells it -- check out their meat-themed goodies.

(Via Laughing Squid)

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Saturday, December 01, 2007

'Santa Lost A Ho' Is Moving Up

That other darn band I play with every December, The Christmas Jug Band, is moving up the Amazon.com charts. One ditty I do with the CJB, "Santa Lost A Ho," is actually ranked No. 7 in downloads in the Country Swing category and No. 3,576 overall for best-selling MP3 downloads. Not too shabby!

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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."

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Sunday, November 25, 2007

Little Buddy Radio

I got a nice message from the folks at Little Buddy Radio, a streaming online radio station that keeps the dream of Bob Denver (Maynard, Gilligan) alive. They listened to "Maynard Played The Bongos" and liked it so much they are adding it to their playlist. How about that! And to think that poor song has been sitting on a shelf for years. Dreama, Bob's wife, said that Bob would have gotten a kick out of hearing it. That makes it all worth while for me! Little Buddy Radio is involved with the Denver Foundation, started by Bob and Dreama Denver to aid handicapped and disadvantaged kids in WV. Please give LBR a listen!

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Saturday, November 17, 2007

Look What They've Done to My Song, Momma!

When you write a song and put it out in the world, you just never know where it might end up. In this case, right in the middle of the Fruitcake Follies. It's a pretty entertaining version of "Santa Lost A Ho," I must say.

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Friday, November 16, 2007

I Want a Trunk Monkey



If I lived in Oregon, I'd be shopping for a car with innovative Trunk Monkey technology at Suburban Auto Group.

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Thursday, November 15, 2007

No 'Ho, Ho, Ho' for Sydney Santas

Politically correct Australian Santa schools -- which train seasonal workers to portray the jolly old elf Down Under -- have banned the phrase "ho, ho, ho," according to a report in The Daily Telegraph. A pair of recruits quit over the ridiculous ban, and at least one would-be Santa said the proscription was because "ho" is English slang for "prostitute."

Westaff, the recruitment firm at the center of the controversy, issued a statement saying the whole thing was overblown.
"Westaff has been a provider of quality caring Santas for over forty years," wrote Sari Hegarty, the company's national Santa coordinator, in an e-mail to stores. "Part of our advice to our Santas is that they should be mindful of children having their first Santa experience. We ask our Santas to try techniques such as lowering their tone of voice and using 'ha, ha, ha' to encourage the children to come forward and meet Santa. We wish you and your family a very merry Christmas."

Man, have I got a song for Australia (actually, Paul does): "Santa Lost A Ho," which is track No. 1 on The Christmas Jug Band's fantastically funny record, Uncorked.

BONUS: Download a free MP3 of "Santa Lost a Ho."

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Saturday, October 20, 2007

Heavy Metal + Parody = Priceless YouTube Humor



If you haven't witnessed the hilarious rock 'n' roll parodies created by YouTube prodigy StSanders, you're cheating yourself out of a free belly laugh. Earlier this week, Wired News ran an interview with the Finnish funnyman, who takes vintage heavy metal videos and overdubs crappy solos that are strangely convincing and remarkably funny.

Now he's unleashed another gem, "Iron Maiden shreds," this time targeting the veteran U.K. metal band's performance of "The Trooper." The climax of the video -- which features the appearance of Maiden mascot Eddie, set to a circus theme -- is, well, a monstrously funny moment.

Some of StSanders videos are surprisingly convincing -- the "Eddie Van Halen shreds" video had me scratching my head and despairing for the rocker's failing talents, at least until the "Iron Man" quote -- and some people fall for the parodies hook, line and sinker (just check the comments). But in the end, it's all in good fun.

P.S. My favorite StSanders creation is "Jake E. Lee shreds." The crazy Ozzy clapping, the vague haze of applause and Ozzy's under-enthusiastic wail about a minute into the clip ... truly inspired.

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Friday, October 19, 2007

Perfect for Hamsterman

Behold the treadmill desk.

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Wednesday, October 03, 2007

Bronze Fonz for Milwaukee?

TDA stalwart Bill from Milwaukee sends along a quick note about a bronze statue of Henry "the Fonz" Winkler that tourism booster Visit Milwaukee wants to erect in Beer City. The group might think it is capitalizing on the success of Happy Days, but Bill says, "I would give this thing about a week before it's vandalized."

The big question: Would the vandals be listening to TDA's cover of "Making Our Dreams Come True (Theme From 'Laverne and Shirley')"?

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Tuesday, September 25, 2007

Sheet Music From Hell

The Listening Post headline says it all: This is indeed "sheet music from hell." Suzanne might be able to these read ridiculous charts -- with their bizarre instructions such as "untie slip knot," "like a dirigible," "release the penguins" and "continue 'swimming' motion" -- but don't ask the bass player to hack through 'em.

I know Paul has put some weird notes on TDA charts, but just right now they're slipping my mind ...

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Friday, September 14, 2007

Is There an 'Accordion Face'?

Gibson.com captures a wide range of onstage emotion with its feature, "The History of the Guitar Face," which names and classifies those funny looks many guitarists wear while soloing.

So, is there an equivalent gallery highlighting "accordion face"? There ought to be ...

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Friday, August 17, 2007

Farming Fun at the Indiana State Fair

Blogger skaryma's cool snapshots of weird stuff -- like the awesome display of hog oilers -- at the Indiana State Fair captures the agricultural merriment of the event. She also describes a TDA set there as having "the worst audience in the history of the world." She bought a CD and some shirts to help us out -- hope she got Squeeze Machine (and likes it).

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Sunday, August 12, 2007

Ruin Your CD With These Recording Session Faux Pas

Maybe we should have read "41 Things Not To Say During A Recording Session..." before going into the studio to work on Squeeze Machine.

The all-too-true funny list comes from Bermuda Schwartz's Rock and Roll Lies, "Your source for classic rock and roll lies, famous last words and excuses for all occasions... entertainment industry humor... quotable quotes... humorous and scandalous band names... and more." (For those of you not in the know, Bermuda is the drummer for "Weird Al" Yankovic -- and so much more!)

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Monday, July 16, 2007

See the Funny Goats Faint

Why do I find it so hilarious when these fainting goats tumble like bowling pins?

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Thursday, July 12, 2007

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.

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Wednesday, June 27, 2007

This Is Your Crop Circle on Drugs

A hilarious overhead photo in The Daily Mail shows what happens when a cocaine-addled driver makes a run from the cops -- through a cornfield.

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Ad Boosts Accordion Hero II Awareness

Apparently the fine minds behind the faux video game Accordion Hero II went so far as to buy an advertisement in Computer Games magazine.

If you haven't heard, Schadenfreude Interactive's faux follow-up to the ausgezeichnet original Accordion Hero spoof features some mighty fine music, including "The Bowling King" by Those Darn Accordions.

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Sunday, June 17, 2007

Some Tattoos Are Cool


This one's kind of, um, questionable.
P.S. The Hicks With Sticks-sponsored twang show -- conveniently located at my neighborhood watering hole The Knockout -- should be a good time.

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Thursday, June 14, 2007

Hot Times in Frisco

Somehow a picture of a bunny makes me feel better.

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Friday, June 08, 2007

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.

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Monday, June 04, 2007

The Plight of the Human Metromone

And you think your job is bad. Witness the human metromone at work.

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Wednesday, May 30, 2007

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.)

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