R.I.P. Scott Hardkiss

Earlier today, DJ and producer Scott Hardkiss passed away unexpectedly, at the age of 43. He had reportedly suffered an aneurysm.

Born Scott Friedel, the early 90's saw him forming the influential Hardkiss with "brothers" Gavin and Robbie. They would lead the way in the west coast/ Bay Area's developing electronica scene with their acid house/trance/psychedelia sounds and legendary warehouse parties, key to the development of the 90's rave scene. He also worked under the moniker God Within, defining an era with 1993's Raincry. 

In the late 90's Hardkiss moved to Brooklyn, where he continued DJing and producing under the name Scott Hardkiss (official site), also working the musical end of film and television projects from the likes of Spike Lee and Wes Anderson. In 2009, he would finally release his well-received debut solo album, Technicolor Dreamer.  I'm most a fan of his countless remixes for artists that include The Flaming Lips and George Clinton.

Goodbye to a musician whose distinct hand effortlessly blurred the lines between what's hip and what's beautiful. Rest assured, he's remixing the tired afterlife into a better place.

Obituary: Captain Beefheart

This past Friday, December 17th, music lost a psychedelic rock idol. Captain Beefheart of Captain Beefheart and His Magic Band (real name: Don Van Vliet) died at age 69, after a 20 year battle with multiple sclerosis. 


The iclonoclastic front man (with or without his Magic Band) inspired going on three generations of musicians, with heavyweights like The Pixies, Nirvana, Tom Waits, Slash, and Beck citing him as influence. His signature combination of funk, blues, rock, and absurdist humour has been covered in the studio by the likes of The Black Keys, The White Stripes, Sonic Youth and XTC. The band he fronted also inspired another of the greatest psychedelic-rock outfits in history: Dr Teeth and the Electric Mayhem.

And if you've inspired Muppetry, you've led a full life. 

Captain Beefheart will forever be an icon of a too-brief golden age when rockstars were eclectic, otherworldly showmen and never worried about being grounded or accessible.

Rest In Peace, Captain. I hope you and Frank Zappa are dropping acid and writing music in rock-and-roll heaven. 

Since Monday is cover day around these parts, we'll do two from Captain Beefheart  and cover versions from the bands he inspired:

Party of Special Things to Do (Captain Beefheart)(1974) by Mr.Shuffleupagus

Party Of Special Things To Do (The White Stripes Cover) by Mr.Shuffleupagus

Grown So Ugly (Captain Beefheart and The Magic Band)(1967) by Mr.Shuffleupagus

Grown So Ugly (The Black Keys Cover) by Mr.Shuffleupagus

Obituary: The Walkman

Japan--The Walkman, 31, has been quietly euthanized by Sony following a long period of irrelevance. His tragic end was hastened by the development of digital technology and music lovers' deep hatred of having to fast-forward then check then fast-forward then check to get through songs they don't like.

Born March 24th 1979, Walkman began his life as a chunky, 4-battery using youth, but grew into a svelte, colourful fashion statement of the eighties.  During his peak years, the number of people who claimed to walk as a form of exercise increased by 30%. The exact number of lives saved by aiding cardiovascular fitness and improved by keeping people from becoming ugly fatty-fats is unknown.
 
The Walkman is survived by the Discman (also not long for this world), dusty mixtapes still stashed somewhere in our mother's houses, and hipsters who think that releasing stuff in unplayable cassette format is ironic enough to be cool.

RIP Walkman. You will soon be forgotten.

*Fun Fact: The above artwork was created by Andy Warhol for a campaign Sony never used.