Shawn C. Baker

Time Machine Go!!! 2006

So my time traveling assistant Takashi has had some time off. In fact, at our quarterly meeting he revealed to me that he had hired a new accomplice to help in the construction a new Time Machine while he was on holiday. This perplexed and excited me, until I saw the designs: it was a … Continue reading

The Pilo Family Circus

Let’s face it – the clown thing has been done. As has the carnival, the evil circus, etc. I spent years when I was younger mourning this fact because of course artists, musicians, often try, consciously or not, to emulate what they love, and Mr. Bungle’s self-titled debut album, combined with years of hanging around … Continue reading

Black Francis + der Golem

I am a huge Frank Black fan. Black Francis. Charles Thompson. Etc. Whatever name the man uses I will follow. I love The Pixies, Love The Catholics, Love everything I’ve ever heard the man record/perform. I’ve seen him live a number of times*, bought almost everything he’s ever released in one way or another and … Continue reading

Announcement of New Liars Album Does Nothing to Dissuade Belief That They are Indeed the Second Coming…

The Liars do not just make records – they make what you could probably get away with calling something like ‘Repeatable Audio/Visual Installation Experiences’. Such a hoighty toighty New York Nouveau title may place me in the same contingent as a twenty-one year old art student who’s just has his first run-in with Ayn Rand, … Continue reading

Drum n Bass Mystery Finally Solved…

The coolest thing happened to me recently. Well, not as cool as being able to punch Mel Gibson in the testicles, but pretty cool regardless. In order to relate this though I have to invoke a flashback sequence, so hold on to your cookies my friends, we’re going back… back… back to 2002 Napster. I … Continue reading

Actual Magazine Titles From Around the U.S.

I, just another fine American like yourself, enjoy a good magazine article from time to time. However, there are very few good magazines. Tennis Life? City Dog? Arthritis Today? Bah! Below is a listing of some of the unbelievable shite I have stumbled upon while perusing the local newsstand.The Affluent Traveler – For those with … Continue reading

Headphone Hedonism

A good friend recently lent me his remarkable headphone set-up. We’re talking about an Antique Sound Lab Mrk III DT tube headphone amp, a pair of Sennheiser phones and a pair of Grado RS1i Reference Series phones. I myself have a pretty posh pair of Sony MD-60’s* so between the three I was set for … Continue reading

Midlake's Courage…

I think at some point last year I probably put up a rant about Paste magazine. To condense for a preface here then let me just say that some time ago they ran a promo where you could subscribe for any amount you wanted, I spent $3 and ended up feeling it was still too … Continue reading

The Rise and Fall of 80's Skateboarding

Lately I’ve been on a documentary kick. Chief among what I’ve been interested in is an entire slew of films chronicling the fates of the professional skateboarders who reigned supreme during my adolescence. Call it morbid curiosity, voyeurism or closure, I have been fascinated by the culling that took place after Vert skating became suddenly … Continue reading

Sick Day

So after holding a gallon of coffee in my bladder for the better part of forever (where forever = James Cameron’s Avatar) I came down with a UTI. This is already bordering on a case of TMI so I’ll leave it there*. Needless to say Tuesday and Wednesday I was Sick as all hell and … Continue reading