Assault Of The Two-Headed Space Mules Does Urgh! A Music War

When it comes to seminal concert films, there are few spectacles that match Urgh! A Music War.

Host Douglas Arthur of Assault Of The Two-Headed Space Mules along with guests Jim Fitzsimons and myself blather about the film, our favorite performances and more.


Enjoy ...

.......... Ruprecht ( STOP )

Bob 2, 1952 - 2014

An integral part of the band Devo is lost.

Robert Casale - commonly known as "Bob 2" - passed away. Bob's passing was a result of medical complications which unexpectedly led to heart failure Monday.

Devo has been a favorite band of mine since high school. I erroneously mistook the band for The Cars once, comically asking on hearing My Best Friend's Girlfriend "Is this that 'Devo' band?" Little did I know at the time I would come to love the band, understand and relate to who and what they are and embrace their music. 

Rest in peace, Bob 2.
 

"For you ... it's not for me!"

Below is a seldom seen collaboration with Devo and Neil Young featuring lots of Bob 2.

.......... Ruprecht ( STOP )

The "A" Word

Maybe it's nothing more than my grouchiness getting an early start on the year, but I seem to recall reading or hearing about the mitigation of certain materials and usages and phenomena going into 2014.

One such thing - something that's been on the books for a number of years actually - is the use of the word "awesome." It was defined by Barb Sawyers in this article perfectly, as being (and I paraphrase) "monotonously ubiquitous." 

In my opinion, it's one of those words which has not only been used to death, but used as a convenience such that it's lost its true meaning by those who use it to excess.

And it has lost its meaning by those who syllablize it without thought. Sort of, like, those people who, like, can't, like, put together a coherent thought and, like, use the word "like" diarrhea-like.  

Iit's just more evidence of The Further Decline Of Western Civilization, one of my favorite topics. Or, mayhap Devo's concept of "de-evolution?" The idea that - 'instead of continuing to evolve - mankind has actually begun to regress as evidenced by the dysfunction and herd mentality of American society' ... ???

Additionally, my buddy Clark Brooks has summed it up quite nicely: 

"I've placed a personal moratorium on the use of 'awesome' and 'amazing'. Lots of things are pretty good or even great. Very, very few actually inspire awe or amazement. Erupting volcanoes are awesome; the cupcakes someone brought into the company break room are not."

Bully ...

.......... Ruprecht ( STOP ubiquity, practice synonymity ) 

 

Another Devo Moment ...

I had a dream early this morning. Extremely vivid. My most vivid dreams are in the hours before I awake.

I was at a commencement ceremony, sitting in the stands, awaiting the year's graduates to name's to be called and for them to head up to the stage to accept their diplomas.

Suddenly, I had the urge to go to the restroom. I couldn't hold it. I needed to go NOW ...

I asked someone next to me if they knew where a restroom was located. A man pointed to the auditorium doors and told me to go to the right. I'd find it without any problem, he said.

One long corridor later, I still couldn't find the restroom. At the end of it, I made a left that opened up into a grand 17th century mansion hallway complete with plush, decorative walls filled with paintings and stuffed beasts and more. Grand crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling the entire length of the hall. I continued walking, desperate for relief.

The hallway seemed a football field in length and I couldn't find a restroom to save my life. But all of a sudden I bumped into a janitor who motioned me backward and to my right: "You just passed it. It's that room right there," he pointed.

I approached the door he noted and opened it. Inside were a couple dozen drunken revelers, hooting and hollering for some reason. I quickly made my way through them, found an open urinal and unzipped my fly ... but I was interrupted.

Three smashed Japanese men, nattily dressed in suits and ties and who had their arms interlocked forming a three-man line, approached me from behind. I caught a glimpse of them over my shoulder just as I was about to conduct "my business."

They stopped at my back, gathered their wits about them and began swaying drunkenly toward me. And then away from me. And then toward me once more, then away from me again. You know when two people have a kid's arms and legs grasped between them, the tyke rocking back and forth while singing some childhood nursery rhyme? That's what these guys were doing ... just drunkenly, interlocked between themselves. 
 
And yes: They were chanting in broken English while getting ready to squish me forcefully into the urinal: 

"Go, Baby! Go, Baby! Baby, baby, go baby! Go, Baby! Go, Baby! Baby, baby, go baby!"

I was afraid I was going to get my head bashed into the wall or have my teeth connect with the urinal's plumbing. I yelled sing-songishly back at them:

"No, Baby! No, Baby! Baby, baby, NO baby!"

And, just before they slammed into me, I woke up from the dream.

After lots of thought, I realized the song was a take on Devo's "Please, Baby, Please" with obviously different lyrics:
 

.......... Ruprecht ( STOP )
"'Stop' ... ??? NO! We must repeat ... !!!"

The Truth About Devo, Part 2

Douglas Arthur It's the continuing Assault Of The Two-Headed Space Mules via Douglas Arthur. More talk between us about one of our favorite bands, Devo.

Part 2 of 2 ...

...................... Ruprecht ( STOP )

The Truth About Devo, Part 1

Douglas Arthur of Assault Of The Two-Headed Space Mules and I talk Devo. Lots of it.

Part 1 of 2 ...

...................... Ruprecht ( STOP )

50 Bands

Rupe was intrigued at Clark Brooks challenge in listing 50 Artists or Bands I've seen in concert.

The Rules: List the first 50 acts that come into your head. An act you saw at a festival counts, as do opening acts count, but only if you can't think of 50 other artists. In addition, list the first concert you ever saw.

This was pretty much a breeze for me ... but I see where it could get difficult for many. I got stuck a few times after 45, but an additional couple dozen came flooding in after I went to bed .....


1. DEVO
2. The Cure
3. The Cramps
4. David Bowie
5. Depeche Mode
6. Flock Of Seagulls
7. Lyle Lovett
8. Queen
9. Lenny Kravitz
10. Frank Black
11. Tears For Fears
12. Crowded House
13. Stan Ridgway
14. Oingo Boingo
15. Annie Lennox
16. Sting
17. Peter Gabriel
18. Sweet Pea Atkinson
19. Booker T. & The MGs
20. Tones On Tail
21. The Police
22. The Clash
23. The The
24. 3 Dog Night
25. BTO
26. Wall Of Voodoo
27. The Blasters
28. The Reverand Horton Heat
29. Johnny Lang
30. Adam & The Ants
31. Thompson Twins
32. Stray Cats
33. The Fenigans
34. The Orb
35. Pet Shop Boys
36. El Vez
37. Mojo Nixon
38. The Doobie Brothers
39. The Gore Gore Girls
40. Men At Work
41. Tracy Chapman
42. Klaus Nomi
43. Grizzly Bear
44. Dick Dale
45. Haunted Garage
46. Dramarama
47. The B-52s
48. Love & Rockets
49. Graveyard Farmers
50. Andy Prieboy




First band I ever saw live? During high school years, Adam & The Ants at the Hollywood Bowl with my cousin.

........................ Ruprecht ( STOP )