Deadspin has a great on-going feature called “Look at These Fucking Hoopsters,” the latest installment being from the recent Lollapalooza Festival in Chicago. It appears that hipsters have now decided to take their irreverent and ironic fashion sense to the hardwood. Original, replica and throwback jerseys are all the rage for fans of shitty music who spend hours trying to look like they just don’t care. The older, more obscure and irrelevant the player’s jersey you choose to sport, the better. Champion seems to be the brand of choice for the “hoopsters” and either everyone has saved their childhood idol’s gear from age eight, or they’re spending hours sifting though piles of shit at the local thrift store. Keep reading →
August 11, 2010
Chef Diesel’s Fantasy Football Draft Guide
I hated Bill Simmons’ most recent column on how to fix fantasy football. The tone, the excessive pop-culture references, the elitism–I just wasn’t a fan. I’m of the mind that if it isn’t broke, don’t fix it. Simmons makes some interesting arguments for auction drafts and a universal scoring systems, but overall the piece felt mailed in and just something he threw together to boost traffic since the next four weeks are the most important weeks of the fantasy calendar. Draft time, baby! And, I WILL TELL YOU MY BORING FANTASY STORY AND YOU WILL LIKE IT.
Real talk: I’m back-to-back champion in my ten team work league, and I won a twelve team friend league last year as well. I know some shit, but I know that I’ve been very lucky in the process. You want to be diesel and taunt your friends this fantasy season? Bone up on these tips. Keep reading →
August 8, 2010
Summer Jamz: Hellogoodbye – “When We First Met”
A light and breezy song about a relationship seen through hair cuts. What’s not to like?
August 6, 2010
Sara Quin Be Mine
Dear Sara,
I saw your show the other night. It was rad. You said it was the first time you ever played in New Hampshire. I hope enjoyed your time in the Granite State and we gave you enough love to want to come back soon. Honestly though, I never really listened to your songs until about a week ago. Maybe I was scared or just got the wrong idea about your band from somewhere. But the jams are fun, poppy, sincere, quirky and a total change of pace for me, which is a good thing. I love The Con. Sainthood is a great spin too. “Back in Your Head,” “Call It Off,” “Alligator“–undeniable. Your harmonies slay me. Completely jealous.
August 4, 2010
Summer Reading: Medium Raw
Or cooked well-done?
I feel like a jaded music fan when it comes to Anthony Bourdain. I was there from the beginning. I read Kitchen Confidential when it first came out, man. I ate at Le Halles when he was still behind the stove. Needless to say, I’m still a huge fan of his television work and his writing. By no means has he sold out, but his snarky edge and no bullshit attitude has increased his appeal far beyond foodies and fellow chefs.
This is a blessing and a curse. The ravenous popularity of Confidential, his “obnoxious” (Bourdain’s word) tell all, has opened the door to Bourdain’s mainstream success but also painted him in a corner. In Medium Raw, Bourdain’s latest effort, it feels like he spends too much time explaining or apologizing for the success of Confidential. Some years later, he doesn’t seem content. He’s in a different place and I can’t tell if he’d trade in all the money and fame just to once again be an anonymous chef working the line every night.
Bourdain is angrier than ever in print and has an even sharper tongue. His criticism of vegetarians, the processed meat industry and the Food Network is solid, but easy prey. His food writing is the most exciting and the book contains probably the best examination of rock star chef de jour David Chang to date. The tiny travel vignettes transport you to lands you’ve probably only seen on No Reservations. Keep reading →
August 1, 2010
Summer Jamz: Westbound Train – “Check Your Time”
Enough with Bob Marley. I’ve said it once, I’ll say it for the rest of eternity: Bob Marley is fucked out. Playing Legends on repeat at your beach house is the laziest act of any rich yuppie. But white people love reggae. It makes them feel cool and as if they’re in the Caribbean sipping an umbrella drink. FINE. At least listen to some decent grooves by some more relevant bands.
Boston, MA outfit Westbound Train are a breath of fresh air on the ska/reggae scene. Very smooth, old school vibes. Love the vocalist’s tone and I’m a sucker for any track with an organ. “Check Your Time” is a laid-back head nodder with a more serious message if you choose to listen closely. Not all reggae has to be about weed, jamming and standing up for your rights to smoke weed and jam.
July 29, 2010
Jeffrey Ross Roasts Chef Diesel
Public humiliation is not often sought out. Some people tremble at the mere thought of standing on stage in front of a room full of strangers while a trained assassin points out your flaws. I, on the other hand, was looking forward to it for weeks. You see, I’m a huge fan of comedian Jeffrey Ross and when I learned that he’d be performing at Montreal’s Just For Laughs Festival, I extended my trip to Canada just to see his show.
As detailed in his awesome book I Only Roast the Ones I Love, Ross explains that roasting is an art, and not something that is meant to be mean-spirited. The tradition of busting balls is more a ode to the subject than a personal put down. To me, to be roasted is an honor. And by the best in the business? How could I pass up the opportunity? So, after a few beers and a killer start to his set, Ross invited whoever wanted to be subjected to his wrath to the stage. I jumped to the front of the line and the cameras rolled: Keep reading →
