How to Write a College Paper

Perhaps you remember that I recently wrote about “How to love the Killers” just a few entries ago. I think “How to” stories are starting to rule my life. They are cropping up in so many places: interests, work, etc.

As I found myself writing a “How to” college paper, I made the discovery of this hilariously true “How to write a college paper.”

1. Sit in a straight, comfortable chair in a well lit place in front of your computer.

2. Log onto MSN and ICQ (be sure to go on away!). Check your email.

3. Read over the assignment carefully, to make certain you understand it.

4. Walk down to the vending machines and buy some chocolate to help you concentrate.

5. Check your email.

6. Call up a friend and ask if he/she wants to go to grab a coffee.  Just to get settled down and ready to work.

7. When you get back to your room, sit in a straight, comfortable chair in a clean, well lit place.

8. Read over the assignment again to make absolutely certain you understand it.

9. Check your email.

10. You know, you haven’t written to that kid you met at camp since fourth grade. You’d better write that letter now and get it out of the way so you can concentrate.

11. Look at your teeth in the bathroom mirror.

12. Grab some mp3z off of kazaa.

13. Check your email. ANY OF THIS SOUND FAMILIAR YET?!

14. MSN chat with one of your friends about the future. (ie summer plans).

15. Check your email.

16. Listen to your new mp3z and download some more.

17. Phone your friend on the other floor and ask if she’s started writing yet. Exchange derogatory emarks about your prof, the
course, the college, the world at large.

18. Walk to the store and buy a pack of gum. You’ve probably run out.

19. While you’ve got the gum you may as well buy a magazine and read it.

20. Check your email.

21. Check the newspaper listings to make sure you aren’t missing something truly worthwhile on TV.

22. Play some solitare (or age of legends!).

23. Check out bored.com.

24. Wash your hands.

25. Call up a friend to see how much they have done, probably haven’t started either.

26. Look through your housemate’s book of pictures from home. Ask who everyone is.

27. Sit down and do some serious thinking about your plans for the future.

28. Check to see if bored.com has been updated yet.

29. Check your email and listen to your new mp3z.

30. You should be rebooting by now, assuming that windows is crashing on schedule.

31. Read over the assignment one more time, just for heck of it.

32. Scoot your chair across the room to the window and watch the sunrise.

33. Lie face down on the floor and moan.

34. Punch the wall and break something.

35. Check your email.

36. Mumble obscenities.

37. 5am – start hacking on the paper without stopping. 6am -paper is finished.

38. Complain to everyone that you didn’t get any sleep because you had to write that stupid paper.

39. Go to class, hand in paper, and leave right away so you can take a nap.

Haha, it does sound a little familiar. Although the list maker might need to get a with the 21st century a little more. I’m pretty sure nobody uses kazaa anymore. Also on #2: MSN or ICQ? Perhaps, that’s a Canadian thing, but those of in States seem to prefer IM or Gchat.

Credit goes to Logical Insanity.

2009 – Acts You Should Know

Since I’m a sucker for lists, so the end of a year is always a great time for me. All the bloggers are posting their “best of” and “worst of” 2008 lists. I’ve, of course, given my own top ten albums of the year a lot of thought (no, while I love the Killers, they aren’t number one.) I think my personal favorite album of the year might have to go the soothing harmonies of the charismatic Fleet Foxes.

Now as much as I like looking at the past year, I’m also really excited to hear about what is going to happen in music for 2009. To help give everyone some early tips on who to watch out for, BBC has posted their longlist. I think of the artists on this list, I’m really excited to see that they are pushing Empire of the Sun. I’ve checked out a few other artists on this list, but many are new to me, so I look forward to giving this some further investigation.

How to love the Killers…

In my feature writing class, we’ve been writing a lot of how to articles. I don’t know if I’m really a fan of writing these, but I am a fan of this photo how to story featuring my beloved Brandon Flowers, lead singer of the Killers.

The story is called, “How to Buy a Tux” and it was featured in GQ. Check it out here.

I’m a big fan of this story and of Flowers in the casual tux: Absolutely adorable. Although, the T-shirt alone is $295, so I don’t know what average guy is going to be replicating this look.

I’m also a fan of the photography for the story. Like I’ve mentioned in previous posts, I’m really getting into photography. I just like the clean looks of these photos and I like the idea of telling a “how to” more through photos than through the print. I could get into doing stories like that, especially if Flowers was involved.

Getting Back to the Get Up Kids

Don’t be mad at me dear reader. I didn’t mean to leave you hanging for so long, but my life has been filled with tons of exciting music events (and also tons of not-so-exciting-homework days. ugh).

When I last left you, I wrote I had gone to the Kansas City Get Up Kids reunion show. There was a weird way they were handing out tickets, but I was fortunate enough to get a good number that put me in the front row!

The opening set was forgettable, so I won’t bother writing about it. I mostly just wanted to hear from the Get Up Kids and they did not disappoint. They played Something to Write Home About in its entirety and a killer six song encore.

I managed to snag a few videos from the show on my camera. Here’s “My Apologies”:

Now as epic as the show was, there were a few things that made me happier than the music: 1. The band was so happy and getting along. They were excited to be there, which is refreshing because their last year together had a lot of tension.

2. The band posted my videos on their MySpace! I feel pretty VIP about that, so be sure to check out their page here: Get Up Kids on MySpace.

3. I met this pro photographer who I will further explain later in this entry.

Now, just when I thought the Get Up Kids excitement was over, I found myself in Omaha checking out one of my favorite Kansas City bands, The Republic Tigers, and as a last minute addition, The Roman Numeralsopened. Now the Roman Numerals feature none other than the very same drummer as the Get Up Kids. Exciting, I know. Even more exciting was when the band was stumped as to what to play for an encore and I was able to provide the suggestion. Their guitarist was really shocked I could name so many of their other songs and talked to me about it after the show. I love being so knowledgeable, haha.

As I mentioned, the photographer I met would come into play later. He was also at this show and since he remembered me, we got to talking. This was a great opportunity for me because he gave me lots of tips, which as an aspiring photographer, were invaluable. It was cool to get to question somebody about how they got a gig following a band around on tour and shooting for a newspaper.

I’ve gone to a few other shows since these, but since I built up the Get Up Kids show so much, I felt it important to not leave my readers waiting with baited breath for my update.

But, Ah Surprise….The Get Up Kids Reunion!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, the title of this post deserves that many exclamation marks. The Get Up Kids of emo legend are playing a reunion show this Sunday in none other than Kansas City! The Midwest never gets this type of stuff. It usually happens in New York or Los Angeles, but we finally get our special show. Sure, it helps that Matt Pryor and the gang are from here, but still, I couldn’t be more excited about the exclusivity of the show. So as you are reading this, I’m probably sitting in line waiting for this show to happen. I hope I’m not too cold, haha.

The venue, The Record Bar, is a very small venue with capacity a little over 200 and tickets are only available day of show, so I’m being a little crazy and camping outside the venue starting Saturday. I’m not the only one doing this and if you check on-line forums, I might be waiting too long to start my camping.

To give a little background, The Get Up Kids formed in 1995, but it wasn’t until they released Something To Write Home About, that they started getting national attention. In 2005, the band played a farewell show and the members pursued their other projects. Matt Pryor had The Terrible Twos, The New Amsterdams and his solo project Matt Pryor. Jim Suptic had several other groups as well and I caught one of his shows in Blackpool Lights. The Pope brothers, Ryan and Rob, had Koufax. Keyboardist James Dewees was especially busy with his project Reggie and the Full Effect and helping on really big name tours with the likes of My Chemical Romance. This reunion marks the 10 year anniversary of Something To Write Home About. Plans are a few more reunion shows in the spring, but they are not officially back together.

The Get Up Kids: website | myspace

Killers just having fun.

Continuing my trend of obsessing over the awesomeness that is The Killers, not only do I love their original material, but I love when they cover songs.

Recently, they covered Cyndi Lauper’s “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” for the Yellow Bird Project at the Little Noise Sessions at Union Chapel.

Looks like too much fun. I can’t wait to see them in January.

I also want to note that Brandon Flowers is not wearing his hideous feathered jacket. This one in the video is more to my taste, but I still personally prefer his Hot Fuss days in the hot pink leather jacket:

And because I’m in the sharing mood, some of my other favorite Killers covers:

“Romeo and Juliet” by the Dire Straits, recorded for the live acoustic Abbey Road Sessions. Flowers was recovering from bronchitis that day, but I think he still sounds great. In fact, I think it adds an extra flair to the cover.

This cover of Joy Division’s “Shadowplay” was used in the soundtrack to Control, the documentary about Joy Division frontman Ian Curtis‘ tragic life.

One of their first covers was of one of the band’s influences, Morrissey and his song “Why Don’t You Find Out For Yourself,” and while this is not an official music video, it uses pics of the band and their audio.

I have a few other Killers covers like The Beatles‘ “Helter Skelter,” David Bowie’s “Moonage Daydream,” Kenny Rogers‘ “Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love to Town,” etc. They love to do covers and I love to hear them, so just because I didn’t post more videos, make sure you don’t stop here and I encourage you to search out more of their covers.

The Cool List

Alright dear readers, I have some shocking news. Regretfully, “NME” the popular UK news site and music magazine has left me off of their “cool list” yet again. I don’t know what they were thinking. Instead, the declared Alice Glass of Crystal Castles as the coolest person of the year. Oh well, I guess I admit I love the electronica stylings of that group. I’m also pretty amused that she barely wanted to give “NME” the time of day when they tried to ask her if she was thrilled by this “honor.” That’s actually pretty cool.

I was pleased to see Gruff Rhys added to the list at number 44, not because I’m a huge fan, but because my beloved label, Saddle Creek has a a connection. I’m glad Brian Fallon of The Gaslight Anthem made the list as well. These Jersey boys are finally getting some much deserved attention. I hope to catch their set Dec. 10. Also a big shout out to Ezra Koenig of Vampire Weekend. I loved listening to “Oxford Comma” while doing editing homework and I think a lot of people would have been shocked if he hadn’t been on the list. I’m also not surprised that the other big buzz band from the year, MGMT had a member on the list, too.

While I love people like Muse’s Matt Bellamy and Yeah Yeah Yeahs‘ Karen O, I was a bit shocked that they were still on the list despite a rather dormant year. They weren’t the only sleeper stars to make the list. I suppose when you are that cool, you don’t need to do anything to still be considered the coolest.

Now, I know you can already guess that I was thrilled to see Brandon Flowers himself actually make the list. Granted, I would have liked to see all The Killers on this list because I really think they are all that and a bag of chips.

My biggest disappointment: Scarlett Johansson. I’m sorry that I don’t worship the blonde, big breasted actress turned singer, but I don’t see the talent and I’m not swayed by her looks because I don’t swing that way. Her Tom Waits cover album was a huge waste of an album and I’m sad I even bothered to listen to it. Please get her off this list.

Something that really surprised me was that The Smiths / The Cribs / Modest Mouse member Johnny Marr was on the list as a new entry. This guy has been in music for so long that I can’t believe that this is the first time he would have been on the list. I guess singers like his bandmate in The Smiths, Morrissey, are usually the candidates to make the list, but still. It was about time he got on the list.

So what do you think? Anybody you shocked to see on the list or glad they made the cut?

Check out the list in full here.

Halloween at the Disco

With Halloween fast approaching, I couldn’t resist sharing this adorable video from Las Vegas quartet Panic at the Disco.

If you didn’t notice their Beatles vibes before, they are pretty evident in not only PATD’s sound, but also the video style. This is easily something I could see happening one of the British band’s videos.

So check this video out. Even if you don’t like the song, you might become inspired by one of the costumes for your own haunting adventures.

 

Adorable, right?

So speaking of Vegas bands, I think we are all aware my favorite band is The Killers. I am very pleased to announce that I will get to see them for a sixth time in January!!!! Granted, I have to drive to Denver, so I hope the weather will be nice. Although, I’d drive through a blizzard I’m that excited. Did you see all the exclamation points?

Panic at the Disco: website | myspace

The Killers: New Music Video for “Human”

While the fact that I love The Killers isn’t a newsflash, the fact that they released a new music video to iTunes yesterday is one.

The video is set in the desert and stars the $1500 jacket with feathers. Well, it stars the Killers, but that jacket seems to have a life of its own.

There’s a lot animals and some hilarious computer moments and photo exchanges that the band does. Some people think this video looks cheap and is a let down and after the brilliance of the song its for, “Human.” I, on the other hand, find the video to be quite ironic and a good fit for the song.

The only thing that disappointed me is that there’s no fake band name to be seen. For the release of Hot Fuss, the band’s video for “Mr. Brightside” had them performing in the video as The Genius Sex Poets. For the release of Sam’s Town, the band’s video for “When You Were Young” had them performing as Los Dientes del Perro. I loved this trend because it served as a nod to New Order. The Killers got their band name from a video where New Order performed their song “Crystal” under the name of The Killers. Hopefully the next single off this album will continue the trend.

Check out the Killers’ music video for “Human” here:

The Killers: website | myspace

The Not-So-Enharmonic Band

In musical terms, an enharmonic is when one note has different names. C sharp is the same thing as D flat. This happens in other places in music as well.

For example, Omaha band Son, Ambulance was originally called Ambulance, but they were forced to change their name for legal reasons. They’re the same band, but with a different name.

Some might argue that some side projects have enharmonic qualities. For example, some might argue that Conor Oberst as a solo artist is really just a different name for the same type of music he was doing with Bright Eyes. Granted, that is just a matter of opinion.

So, now we are left with a little problem. What about the reverse? Lately it seems like a lot of bands have been going through line-up changes such as Hellogoodbye. In this band, all members have been changed except for the position of singer. This bothers me. I feel like that much of a change makes it a different band, but they’re using the same name. Do singer’s really get that much ownership over the band? I don’t know. It just doesn’t sit well with me.

Granted, there are some bands like Dashboard Confessional, Rocket Summer and Jack’s Mannequin where the singer really is in complete control. These are all basically solo projects where the singer is writing all the music and lyrics, but invite friends to tour with them, since obviously they’d be able to play all the parts live like they could in a recording studio.

So, what’s the line? I’m going to use WordPress’ new little poll feature to see what you think: