Have Mercy!

I've always kind of cringed at McDonald's commercials featuring everyone enjoying a Big Mac while freestyling at a block party. Ads like these by Mickey D's and others have always come across as inauthentic and sometimes almost cynical. It was interesting then to read The Big Money's annotated slideshow, Have Mercy! A History of African-American-Targeted Advertising. The slideshow showcases some awkward moments like McDonald's 1970s copy: "On the real side, kids can really dig gettin' down at McDonald's." It also contrasts African-American targeted ads with "general market" ads that happen to prominently feature African-Americans. It's at times funny, and others just painful, but definitely an interesting read throughout.

Lollapalooza Day 1 Recap

3G issues put a damper on liveblogging day one of Lollapalooza, so before I head out to catch Arctic Monkeys, Ben Harper and more, a few quick thoughts on yesterday.

Best Throwback Act: Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears: I previously only knew Black Joe Lewis from his song "Bitch I Love You" which was featured in Esquire's 50 Best New Songs of 2009 in it's March issue. His brand of throwback, country-fried funk and blues was spot on yesterday, and a great start to the day.
Most Bender-Inspiring Lead Vocals: The Heartless Bastards: Unfortunately I was stuck trying to decide between The Heartless Bastards and Bon Iver. I compromised, leaving after Erika Wennerstrom electrified the crowds with just a few songs. Wennerstrom's voice is like a rougher, more damaged Karen Oh that will make your hair stand on end.
Best Audience Banter: The Fleet Foxes: This was the second time seeing Fleet Foxes and an entirely different experience from the intimate concert hall venue at Palace of Fine Arts in SF. The Fleet Foxes adjusted their act perfectly to fit the festival mood. At the same time one of the highlights of boths shows was the Fleet Foxes' funny, self-deprecating conversations with each other and the audience.
Worst Audience Banter: The Gaslight Anthem: Although I'm kind of a fan of these New Brunswick guys, they proved they weren't quite ready for the big time with their awkward audience interactions which included a lame attempt at showing knowledge of Chicago history (Wasn't one of Capone's guys at the Congress Hotel? That's scary.) and a comment on the efficiency of the Lolla organizers that unintentionally evoked Nazi Germany.
Most Self-Indulgent Set: The Decemberists: I've heard that The Decemberists complete performance of Hazards of Love was a hit at SXSW, but on the Budweiser Stage at Lolla, it just hit the wrong notes. When The Decemberists are good, they're good, but when they're bad, they're real bad.
Worst Weather: Nonstop Rain: It finally let up when Andrew Bird came out, but during the hour wait between Bon Iver and Fleet Foxes, my spirits definitely hit a low. It was a dark time...

Day 2 highlights should include Los Campesinos, Arctic Monkeys, Santigold, TV on the Radio, Ben Harper and the Relentless7 and um, Tool.

This is Just Wrong...

HHCB is Goin Mobile

In case you didn't know, yes there's an app for that. Look out for upcoming Lollapalooza live blog!


-- Post From My iPhone

Food Party feat. New HHCB Crush Thu Tran

Brotherly Love

Hip hop? No. Comic books? No. Brilliant? Yes.


When checking to see if Joey Lawrence has ever acted on Las Vegas my friend and I discovered Vanessa Marcil was Nick Cage's wife from The Rock. Isn't this crazy that that matters as much as the fact that she's on TV 3 hours a day on TNT?

Kanye Responds to Gay Fish

A week after an inexplicably disgusting (even for South Park) episode dedicated to queefing, Trey and Matt returned to form with a more sensible subject matter: Kanye West's ego. A lot of celebrities are quick to get bent out of shape when they're completely ridiculed by SP or SNL, but Weezy showed uncharacteristic humility on his blog:

I NEED TO JUST GET PAST MYSELF. DROP THE BRAVADO AND JUST MAKE DOPE PRODUCT. EVERYTHING IS NOT THAT SERIOUS. AS LONG AS PEOPLE THINK I ACT LIKE A BITCH THIS TYPE OF SHIT WILL HAPPEN TO ME. I GOT A LONG ROAD AHEAD OF ME TO MAKE PEOPLE BELIEVE I'M NOT ACTUALLY A HUGE DOUCHE BUT I'M UP FOR THE CHALLENGE.

In case you missed the episode in question:

8 Mile Goes French New Wave

Not sure why, but Stella Artois decided to parody 8 Mile (along with 24 and Die Hard) as French new wave movies (via Gawker)