Thursday, October 18, 2007

Amazing Scientific Discoveries, Part 299 792 458 m/s

Space, the final frontier.

Larry went to Chicago to have the flux capacitor repaired. He made it back okay, though he missed ABC class in the effort.

Now that we have sufficient power to mess with the space/time continuum again, we'll be going where no man has gone before, i.e. the space gash.

With luck, we'll find intelligent life or some cool rocks out there.

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Injury of the Week: Poor Little Neglected Blog

Tsk, tsk, Brat Pack. What have you been doing that's so much more important than posting on your blog?
Just remember that if you neglect your responsibilities long enough, they'll eventually be outsourced to some guy who's like three times smarter than you and willing to do it for half the pay, and then everyone will laugh at you and call you a stupid loser. So post something already, ding-dongs.

Sunday, October 14, 2007

Guess What Tommy Tubular's Doing Tonight?



Believe this: Tommy Tubular (AKA the Brett Favre of Guitar) is actually watching the real Van Halen LIVE in concert FOR REAL.

No lie.

Friday, October 12, 2007

Amazing Scientific Discoveries, Part 5


Uncle Jeff, Noted Astrophysicist, writes to say that he went ahead and read the article by Rosenkranz, Williamon, and Rothwell from Journal of Neuroscience 27(19):5200-6, 2007 May 9. He correctly assumed that we'd never get around to reading it (but would say we did) and sent highlights:

p.5200 "Musicians not only have extraordinary motor and sensory skills, but they also have an increased ability to learn new tasks compared with non-musicians."

p.5200 "Similarly, musicians who started musical training before 7 years of age learn a timed motor sequence task much better than musicians who started later or non-musicians."


p.5203 "These features are compatible with the idea that both motorcortical excitability and plasticity are heightened in musicians. Because some of these changes depend on the age at which instrumental playing commenced, we hypothesize that they reflect adaptation to long-term musical practice."

p.5204 "Indeed, changes in gray matter are larger in musicians who started earlier, and they reflect the choice of instrument, consistent with a causal connection between presumed synaptic growth and the duration and pattern of training."


p.5205 "the number of hours of practice is well known to relate to musical skill"

p.5205 "Our experiments do not directly assess whether increased synaptic plasticity is produced by musical training, as a complex motor task and also a multimodal-sensory and emotional experience, or whether it is a genetic trait of successful musicians. However, some parameters correlated significantly with the age at which playing commenced as well as with practice intensity over the last 5 years."


p.5205 "Although this does not completely rule out any preselectional bias, it seems likely that some of the changes of excitability and plasticity are a consequence of long-term musical practice."

p.5205 "These changes may represent a beneficial adaptation in response to long-term musical training"



That's a lot of science for one day, so you're probably glad I skipped the bass player joke.

Thursday, October 11, 2007

Amazing Scientific Discoveries, Part 4

As it happens, one of our Contest Prize Winners is also an accomplished comparative biologist! She submitted this documentary evidence that love conquers all.

Tuesday, October 09, 2007

Injury of the Week: We Forgot Our Own Anniversary!!

Wow. When we turned 11 on October 1, outlasting even the 80s, we completely spaced it out because it happened on a Monday! Everyone knows that for musicians, Mondays don't exist.


We got back on the My Little Pony when we suddenly remembered our anniversary 5 days later and decided it wasn't too late to give ourselves flowers and candy and a good old fashioned whippin.

Monday, October 08, 2007

Maybe I should blow something up

Hmmmm. Maybe I'll blow some stuff up (very legally) on Tuesday, October 9th, in Crystal Lake Park in Urbana, Il, at around 8:15pm.

Hmmmmm.

Well, just maybe, if people ask real nice.

Saturday, October 06, 2007

Amazing Scientific Discoveries, Part 3.14159265

People who do yoga can read your mind.

Beware the Contest Prize Winner Who Has Yet to Collect Her Winnings

First they win one or two little contests, and they laugh and say "Oh it's really no problem that you haven't sent me the stuff you promised yet. I can wait."

Before you know it they have gained control of your soundman's mind by forcing him to slam a zillion Jager bombs and making him stay up all night in a casino. A couple of years later they assure you, after winning EVERY OTHER contest you ever have, that "not getting any prizes at all, even though a heck of a lot of interest has accrued, is really really okay."

If you've been through all of that like we have, you better start to worry that your Contest Prize Winner is after something much much bigger - your eternal soul.
Pictured here with Larry and a total stranger is Deanna, Winner of Every Prize Not Won by Melissa "Mole," not pictured here but equally clever and out to get us.

Thursday, October 04, 2007

Amazing Scientific Discoveries, Part 1

When he's not holed up in The Seagulls Foundation's top secret basement laboratory, Josh hangs out at the public library, enjoying a good graphic novel and a refreshing carbonated beverage(decaf, please!) or just shooting the breeze with amateur anthropologists. This week, he uncovered a little known historical fact: cell phones weren't very popular in the 80s.
A picture of Guido Menudo taking an important call during a song. This couldn't have happened in the 80s. Or could it?

Wednesday, October 03, 2007

Working the Bootyus Maximus

It must be Wednesday if Electric Larry, Dr. T, and Lynndi Lauper are chillin at Absolute Body Conditioning class, waiting for some bass players to show up. Our custom jumpropes have been pre-tested on barefeet, so we're ready to go.

David Lee Roth - "I used to jog but the ice cubes kept falling out of my glass."

Brat Pack Automation


In an effort to reduce the minuscule amount of physical labor that I do, I have invented “Roadie-Bot.”

Roadie-Bot does some amazing things. He carries gear with unprecedented strength. He convinces previously impervious fans to purchase T-Shirts and CD’s. And, perhaps most important, he is completely immune to the sexual advances that the many HOT lady-fans of The Brat Pack normally direct towards me.

I’m not sure how to thank Roadie-Bot for his help. I think maybe his next quart of 10W-40 is on me.

Tuesday, October 02, 2007

Amazing Scientific Discoveries, Part 0.666


Using the most advanced, top secret, costly technology, blogger is able to figure out if you are a robot, and it will let you know within 24 hours.

Most of you probably already knew that, so allow me to blow your mind with another Amazing Scientific Discovery about blogger. It can actually DELETE your blog from someone else's link list without them knowing it! Or maybe not!

It's An 80s Movie, Dammit


I know this guy who knows this guy who knows this guy who knows this guy who knows this guy who knows this guy who knows this guy's BROTHER who posted this in the comments section of a blog somewhere out there. Be sure to watch it with your eyes closed because it changes everything.

Tales of the Roadie

I think it's worth mentioning that there's a new Tales of the Roadie question-and-answer entry on my MySpace blog.

Monday, October 01, 2007

Amazing Scientific Discoveries, Part 0.25

Earlier this evening, I checked in with Josh of Seagull's computational myophysiology team leader, Dr. T, and learned what that group has been working on in the Seagulls Foundation's top secret basement laboratory. I can't tell you all the details because they're very scientific, but I came away with one exciting conclusion of their well-funded research: never jump rope in bare feet.

Isn't It About Time for a Picture of Tom's Crotch?

The Truth about Our Many Wounds

I'm sorry to disagree with the darling Mr. Kendells, but this week we can barely declare an Injury of the Week for all the trials we have endured! See how well we buck up that our road/stage/lifestyle manager didn't even realize the depth of our anguish?


Slipped Tongue. Poor Tommy Tubular. He had more malapropisms than he has in a long time. This could be evidence of his previous tongue injury (from foot in mouth) not responding well to therapy (washing it out with soap.) Larry checked the gear and couldn't find any electronic cause for Tommy's recent vocal impairment. Should we worry that he's in the early stage of AtM Disorder?

Split Fingertips.You and I can laugh all we want about dry peeling splitting skin and make fun of people who buy and use expensive, girly moisturizers. We can think of them as suckers, but when they start slamming those crusty bleeding digits across a keyboard, all I can say is OW OW OW. You better believe Jesse Van Halen was hitting the Spongebob bandages hard.

Scorched Retina. Oh my eyes will probably never recover from the things I saw this weekend. I'm thinking about assembling a team of top ophthalmologists, opticians, behavioral optometrists, vision therapy providers, CGI animators, and corneal topographers.

Menudo Gets the Last Word. So there we were at the end of Saturday night's exciting visit to Tailgater's in Bolingbrook, reminiscing about all the fun we had. Guido smiled as he lifted the million pound steel plates and said he had saved the worst job for last. I was blathering on and on about how amazing it was to get through the whole weekend without anyone being clobbered by those plates. Just then, Guido set the plate down and bent over to hold his shin.

Only one minor injury!

Kudos to the band for not having any major injuries this weekend. That's a nice change.

I heard that Guido had a "plate" related incident, but it apparently didn't deter him from cheering on his White Sox! Hope you enjoyed the game dude! (You certainly didn't enjoy the Chi-Bear's game.)

I trust that God will ensure that we have an equally safe couple of gigs next week. I'm sure because we wish only happiness to all that we see.

In the mean time, be good, or not. I really don't care.

K'Dub

Saturday, September 29, 2007

I'm no expert, butt....

I witnessed a "single Colorado reach-around reverse ariel" for the first time tonight. That takes both strength and stamina.

What else can I look forward to this weekend? Another Cowboy's victory?

Thursday, September 27, 2007

Going "Into The Cave"

It's a little known fact that computer programmers must put themselves into "solitary confinement" in order to actually accomplish anything. It's really the opposite for performers, who must have a crowd to be successful.

I've been in the "programming cave" for a few days now, and am about ready to come out to play. Is anyone cool coming to Sliderz Friday? I dig that place, and know a few people there (from my times mixing for That 90's Band.) If not, are The Brat Pack's newest groupies coming from Joliet to Bolingbrook this weekend? I have a good feeling about both gigs...looking forward to anything that doesn't look like a computer monitor!

Let's Rock!

Wednesday, September 26, 2007

O! How They Suffer for Their Art

Boo hoo.

I Feel Sorry for The Brat Pack

It must be so hard to be them, always gorging on excellent food like the wings and chocolate cake at Heroes West just before they perform. How in the world can they get any blood back to their brains from their stomachs in order to remember those very difficult tunes they play? And further, how can they hop around on one foot or sway back and forth all night while drinking shot after shot of free liquor? It's a wonder the guy with the hat doesn't hurl all over himself from headbanging while drinking. Worse yet, they must all be blind as bats to look out on the sea of hot chicks and not be completely devastated. They really have the toughest job around, keeping their cool in the face of these distractions.

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

Gig-Injury Remedies

After careful consideration, I believe my pinched finger injury is far less serious than Lynn's knee injury. It turns out that a HUGE Cowboys Victory over the Bears is a very good remedy for a pinched finger.

Similarly, Diamond Dave should make sure that the Pittsburgh Steelers continue to win, as their wins somehow seem to prevent backdrop/plate injuries.

Lynn, it might be time to consider another new career. Using pneumatic machines on yourself to test knee-braces, just for the sake of setting ISO standards, might not be the career you were destined for. Maybe you should try singing in a band, or otherwise helping people?

Monday, September 24, 2007

Pinched Finger or Bruised Knee: Which Do YOU Prefer?


This week's Injury of the Week is a tie between my left knee, repeatedly smashed into the corner of a speaker throughout the weekend, and Kendell's pinched finger, which is now a swollen, blistered, throbbing, disgusting, yet somehow impossible to look away from, mess. So we put it to you, gentle reader: which is worse, the gradual chipping away of my patella or Kendell's monstrously disfigured digit?

P.S. Happy Birthday, Tommy Tubular!

Friday, September 21, 2007

We Have a Winner

The author and star of About the Girl has officially won our zillion dollar prize by guessing that the famous 80s star I REALLY SAW was this friend of hers. She knows other fabulous celebrities of the 80s such as Billy Idol, Cheap Trick, Van Halen, Run DMC, Madonna, and Combo Audio. Or some of those. Congratulations Stephanie, your check's in the mail!

Thursday, September 20, 2007

How Many Bass Players Does it Take to Make Lauper Look Stupid at the Gym?

That Tommy Sedseaux (whoever he is) can't stop picking on the fab local faves of yesteryear. Doesn't he have anything better to do? I had an idea for how Don Gerard could get back to his playing weight by Summer 2008, but thanks to the miracle of new blogger, I couldn't leave a comment and so am forced to counterblog.

Wednesday Absolute Body Conditioning class! If it's good enough for Electric Larry, a bass player who wears three cell phones on his belt, it's good enough for Don, a bass player who wears ties to work, where he keeps a sled. After the foxy ladies of ABC worried and worried about Larry's one absence (twisted his ankle in the garage,) he made a glorious comeback and even kicked the teacher's partner's butt in "construct/deconstruct!" Go Larry! Anyhoo, this type of activity ought get Don into pre-21st century shape. All other bass players are welcome to join.
Electric Larry, showin some love, leadin the parade.

Don on the far left, all buff and behatted in the 90s.

Rory, another kick-ass bass player who could make me look stupid at the gym.

Aaron, also on the bass, also getting ready to race a bunch of women on Wednesdays.

Sorry, can't make it, got shit to do.

Nuff said.

It's A Magic Number

Josh of Seagulls has been working on his American Sign Language skills. Here he is indicating that the next tune should be played in 7.

Wednesday, September 19, 2007

Alright, I'll Give You a Clue


Because Don Gerard came so close with his guess in a comment, and because, thanks to the miracle of new blogger, I can't comment back, I will reveal the activity (but not the identity) of the huge 80s star I saw this morning. He was saving the lives of blue torso people, and he was SMOOTH!

Guess Who I Saw This Morning?!!?!

I'm not going to name names or tell you where I saw him or what he was doing, but he's a REAL 80S STAR, and I saw him this morning, and he was being very star-like and very 80s, and he's in the upper left hand corner of this picture, and he looks just as hott as ever.

Better Yet

If anyone out there is driving late at night, and sees any white van, I (as the official Brat Pack Ambassador) give you permission to "Moon" them with all flamboyancy while you pass them. Slap your butt, let things hang out...regardless, it'll be funny.

Brat Pack Injury

I would just like to say, in defense of the members of The Brat Pack, we had no accidental injuries this week (Thank Goodness!!!) Instead, our injuries came in the form of allergy afflictions (Yes, it's true, "The Brat Pack" is human and feels the pain of normal life just as you and I do!) With harvest going well as we would hope, allergies pop their head up all the time. Claritin has its place.

Yo Lynn!!! We're heading somewhere this weekend that I've never been to before (Heroes West!!!) I've done almost 200 gigs with you guys, but I've never been to Heroes. I've heard spectacular things about that club (I hear the food ROCKS!)...y'all better put on a good show, or I'm gonna have Electric Larry do some funny things with your sound! LOL!!!

Can't wait! Go Dallas Cowboys!!!

See you there!
Sixteen Kendells

Monday, September 17, 2007

Paying the Bills

It may not be 80s, but it's the kind of dance instruction we highly recommend.

Injury of the Week!


This week's featured injury is the Killer Hangover! At least four of us got one this weekend, and that beats the scratched cornea and dry skin I had going.

Saturday, September 15, 2007

If it's David Hasselhoff, It Must Be 80s


Just like the 80s, this guy never quits. I thought you should know.

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

Injury of the Week!


This weekend's featured injury is hurt feelings! To avoid adding "insult" to injury, I won't say another word about it. Except that hurt feelings are sad and bad, and you (or whoever it really was) should never ever not ever do that to me (or whoever it really was) again.

Wednesday, September 05, 2007

Who's Got Two Tickets to See Van Halen Next Month?

And who's taking bets on exactly when the tour gets cancelled?
I want in.

Monday, September 03, 2007

Injury of the Week!


Jesse wins! Thanks to a variety of unrelated incidents at each of three BP gigs this weekend, he suffered multiple cuts and contusions, like way more than anyone else. Even though he didn't lose a toenail or most of his vision, we're giving him this one! Plus he's coughing like crazy. Phase Two of the '07-'08 plague perhaps? And some of us didn't think he was even human.