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Midnight Music


Drew from Fark and I are doing this thing for Tech TV on December 9 (more details when the date gets closer) and TTV called today for a pre-interview.

All talk shows have a pre-interview. It's where a producer asks a future guest lots of questions, to detemine what the host will ask the guest when the guest is actually on the show. That's what's on those blue cards that Letterman is always smacking around, and it lets the host "control" the interview better.

(Big industry secret: on most of the late night talk shows, if a guest strays too far from the questions on that card, that guest will never be invited back to the show. I know people who have been shown the cards and told, "[Host] will ask you this, and you'll say this. Then [Host] will ask this, and you will say this, then [band leader] will say this, then [wacky character] will run in and say this . . ." it's almost as scripted as Average Joe.)

Well, here's how lame I am: the pre-interview used up all my creative energy for the day, and I just wasn't able to make any progress on my rewrite. Which is a bummer for me, because it's sort of like waiting for the next chapter in a serialized book to come out.

Well, I guess that's exactly what it is, isn't it?

I was determined to make some progress, but it was like standing at an old TV with one hand on the rabbit ears, and another on the fine tuning, trying to get enough of the static out of the way to see the show . . . but there was just no way to get a clear picture today.

Eventually, I gave up, and spent the afternoon playing with the server on my desk, breaking and fixing code and junk. I also wasted tons of time at TotalFark. Dudes, if you don't have a TotalFark membership, you missed out on one of the funniest threads in history today.

When I was done not making any progress installing qmail or understanding DNS, I thought I'd make myself a mix CD on my iBook, with some music to listen to while I did cooking and cleaning later on.

I started out with stuff like Flogging Molly, Radiohead, Get Up Kids, Tenacious D, Chixdiggit, The Cure, Underworld, Pixies, I was even going to put some Iron Maiden on it . . . oh yeah, it was gonna be an alternative rockathon.

But when I sat down to make the playlist, Anne called.

With Anne on my mind, here's the playlist that I ended up burning:



Pictures Of You -- The Cure

Fragile -- Sting

A Summer Song -- Chad and Jeremy

Jump -- Aztec Camera

See A Little Light -- Bob Mould

Under The Milky Way -- The Church

Going To California -- Led Zeppelin

Nothing In This World Can Stop Me Worryin' Bout That Girl -- The Kinks

Whenever You're On My Mind -- Marshall Crenshaw

I'm A Loner Dottie, A Rebel... -- The Get Up Kids

Texarkana -- R.E.M.

More Than This -- Roxy Music

Gold -- Spandau Ballet

I'd Rather Go Blind -- Etta James

Bad -- U2

Yeah. I am such a sissy. But don't let it get around, okay?

Comments

No Flogging Molly? Doh!

Well, I guess that answers the question of weather or not Wil does house work. :)

BTW, any list with Led Zepplin isn't all bad.

I wont tell anyone your a big sap if you don't tell on me. Oh wait you don't even know me, all the better for your defense I guess, haha!

Good stuff.

Lloyd: "Hey my brother, can I borrow a copy of your "Hey Soul Classics"?"
J-Man: "No, my brother, you have to go buy your own." - Say Anything

Any playlist that ends with U2's Bad is almost as good as any playlist that ends with U2's 40. If you're man enough.

Not enough EVIL in that list for me.

Yes, just like you, DNS turns me into a mawkish sap every time.

I love Flogging Molly! And if you like them, check out Dropkick Murphys. They're a Boston band that play a cool cross of traditional Irish music and punk rock. They even manage to work "Guiness" into a song. Mmmm, beeeer.

Oh sure, it's more than okay for girls to be tomboys these days, so why isn't it okay to be a sissy?

You be you, Wil, you're cool and you've got friends online, and a great life otherwise.

Good luck getting cable for your brain. :)

Chris

I always liked you, Wil, but now that I've seen Aztec Camera's "Jump" on your list, there is no doubt in my mind that you rock.

Best. Cover. Ever.

No, Wil, you are not lame. Not by a longshot! Now *this* is lame:

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=573&ncid=757&e=7&u=/nm/20031126/od_nm/master_dc

Some people really do have too much time on thier hands, don't they?

Roxy Music...for the sophisticated romantic in us all. :^)

Have a nice Thanksgiving!

You get a hundred points for "Going to California." Because Stairway really obscures everything else on that album, which is a shame because there are so many good songs on that classic.

Interviews? Scripted? Say it ain't so, Wil! Say it ain't so!! *cries in the corner*

I only recognized 3 artist on your list. God, I'm old.................

PS: I highly recommend a Canadian act called Tragically Hip. Get there album, "Up To Here." You won't regret it.

Flogging Molly.. The Cure.. Etta James.. Radiohead.. Dude.. You SO OWN.

Mister Wheaton.. There simply aren't words to express the urge I have to relive my "Gordy/Wesley" adolescent fantasies, at this moment. I therefore dub myself unworthy in the presence of your greatness.
I very recently (coughtodaycough) discovered your site, and have been captivated for hours on end. I have nothing but respect for the man that you've become.

Many wishes for a marvelous Thanksgiving to you, and yours.

R.E.M. ROCK!

Mike Mills on vocals rule!

Sean

Wil, some of that music is on my own playlist...and some of it isn't only because I haven't ripped the CDs in question yet. That isn't "sissy" music by a long shot.

I just got the new Strong Bad CD ("Strong Bad Sings And Other Type Hits") in the mail two days ago. You should get that one...it's got the fully-arranged versions of "Trogdor," "The Cheat Is Not Dead," "Everybody To The Limit" (live!), Limozeen's "Because It's Midnight," and a bunch of other good stuff.

Sweet! I knew you were a fan of Fark, but I didn't know you knew Drew. Guess I should've known. :) Tell him I said "hi"? Haven't heard from him since I suggested he talk to Rob about an idea of his.

Oh: and I heard from Warren Ellis's email list that you'll be one of the invitational exhibitors at *SENT in February. Congratulations. :)

Dammit, Mark.

I have put so many of those songs on mix CDs for Nicolle...

Here's to your X-Wing, bro.

holy shit wil...

"see a little light" by bob mould?

you sir, have officialy gone up eleventy hundred cool points in my books...

i got the album 'workbook' by bob back around grade 11 in highschool...it totally blew my mind...
songs like 'sinners and their repentences' and compositions for the young and old, my friends and i used to sing them all the time...
awesome music..

copper blue by 'sugar' was a pretty excellent album as well, but i don't think he's produced anything nearly as excellent as 'workbook'..
that is until this past year..

if you haven't heard or picked up 'modulate' then do so..

it's incredible..

about 1/3rd of the album is some bizarre experimental type stuff...atmospheric or something..anyhow..it's arty noise..

but man...

the other 2/3rds of the album is like a bob mould i haven't heard in over a decade..

check it out wil..
you won't be disappointed..

cheers
ty

Good choice, though i would have probably gone for 'Avalon' as my Bryan Ferry /Roxy Music choice.

Extra! EXTRA! READ ALL ABOUT IT! Wil Wheaton's a Sissy! Extra! Extra!

It couldn't have been stopped :)
Happy Turkey-day

Ever so slightly a kid of the eighties, aren't you?

hey wil, isn't great how one little thing, like a phone call, can change your mindset totally!? i think thats great!! That is one cool playlist..hope you're rockin out to it right now!! And just to back up Rook, Tragically Hip ROCK!!!!

good luck on the rest of the book....hope your creativity becomes clear again...those damn bunny ears just don't cut it any more....

anyway, happy thanksgiving everyone, take care
rach
xxx

again.... i relate... i take pride in my mix CDs, regardless of content (btw 'That's The Way' is also a good Zep song that the wives love)...

and if you need DNS help, let me know. I used to work for the DoD in that regard. I could tell you more, but they're watching..... always watching...

What? No, Gin Blossoms, or REM?

For shame.

Wil, what was the thread at TF?

Because the best one (I was involved way too deep) was when the ldcandies.com "webmaster" (boyfriend of the owners daughters) put naked pictures of her(daughter) as a popup. So I called the 888 number on the mirrored website and told the father he had "a problem" with the website, couldn't say what it was. Some others already had called. The thread went TF, then vanished (and I was banninated 'til I cried like a little girl)

Crazy.

Opps, didn't see that REM... hehe

Anyway I have it on some good authority that Marshall Crenshaw is friends with Jesse Valenzuela of the Gin Blossoms.

They even worked together on Til I Hear IT From You for that movie Empire Records.

But I still prefer Doug's work from the first album (Hey Jealousy, Found Out About You, Pieces of the Night, Lost Horizons)

Damn, I'm rambling... later.

hope you and your loved ones have a wonderful and safe holiday!

You're not a real geek. If you were, like me, you would have never heard of most of those bands on that list.

Wil, have a great Thanksgiving and a great weekend. I'm really thankful that I found your blog and become a member of your posse, it has really made this year so much more fun and enjoyable. Maybe some would find that pathetic, but I don't care, I'm a geek too.

Peace and love to all.

Hey Wil!
Have a great thanksgiving! I love the website.

Eat some Mofuggin turkey for meh' and da boys

Flogging Molly, yay! 2 points for you, Wil. I think I'll listen to them right now because they are better than coffee for a wake up.

DID YOU SAY LED ZEPPELIN??? That is all I need to know *pulls out Zep cd and listens intently*

Whilst Led Zep doth truly rock, that 'tiiana' is not this 'Tiana'. Just to clear that up ;-]

Hey Wil,

You ever read that Leonard Cohen poem called 'For Anne'? It just twigged when I reread your wife's name. There was a Canadian compilation of poetry a number of years ago that asked Canuck authors to send in their favourite poems.

Cohen sent in a postcard that said simply:

"For Anne. I don't want to discuss it."

The poem itself is short and wonderful and I thought you might like it. Goes something like this.


With Anne gone
who's eyes to compare
with the morning sun

Not that I did compare,
but I do compare
Now that she is gone.

L. Cohen

Sap.

But seriously, go back and make the first mix, too. There's nothing like a mix that combines the D with Radiohead, the Pixies, and Maiden. \m/

Also, don't forget Cake. Thanks.

Your CD sounds absolutely charming! My hubby is a sissy, too and I love him for it!

Happy Thankgiving!
Tracey

WOW can't weight untill you are on the show.

You seem very in love with your wife, Let her know I think she is a very lucky lady. Although I guess she knows. You are such a sweet guy.
~Maris~

Huh. Your politics are a complete 180 degrees from mine, yet that mix cd could have come straight from my collection. Isn't "See A Little Light" one of the most unappreciated songs of that era? Growing up in Oklahoma, I hadn't been exposed to Husker Du or Bob Mould via the radio... it was on a 120 Minutes compilation cd that I first heard that song.

Now that I think about it, that might have been the only time MTV actually exposed somebody to music they might not have heard otherwise.

ATTENTION!
URGENT!
VERY VERY IMPORTANT!
EVERYONE PUT ON TBS SUPERSTATION A CHRISTMAS STORY IS ON RIGHT NOW!!! BEST CHRISTMAS MOVIE!!

What happend to the radiohead?

jebus

In reference to the earlier comments about the Tragically Hip - if you are going to listen to their music, might as well go for all their albums. While I agree that "Up To Here" is indeed great, let us not forget such gems as "Day For Night" and "Phantom Power". *Best Canadian band ever.* (Last sentence sounds funnier if said in voice of the Comic Book Store Guy from The Simpsons.)

wil-
great mix, man.
10 cool points just for mentioning Aztec Camera!
*yay* for sissy guys!
they rock!

"I'm A Loner Dottie, A Rebel... -- The Get Up Kids" Good song.

Have you ever heard of a band called the pillows? They're a Japanese rock group. As you might have guessed, they sing in Japanese, but you don't have to know Japanese to appreciate them. They actually have a song called "Kim Deal" that's dedicated to a member of the Pixies. Good stuff.

Hey Wil-
If you need DNS and Qmail help give me a shout, I've mastered both (after many nights of cursing and beer mind you) :)

Drew

"Texarkana" is my all-time favorite REM song.
Go Mike Mills.

Thank God I'm not the only one who sees that Average Joe is totally fake. I haven't even watched an episode, I can despise it from the previews alone.

Flogging Molly is a killer live act. I see 'em every time they come round here, and have infected my friends with that particular meme as well. You went and mentioned Maiden though. I was HUGE Maiden nut in high school. The best part, back then, of a trip to England my freshman year was the fact that I could buy a bunch of Maiden albums that were UK only. Nowadays I look back and cherish the whole trip, especially seeing "Julius Ceasar" and "Merchants of Venice" at the RSC.

Back then though, it was all "UP THE IRONS!". Even now, when I'm in the garage working on my bike or whatnot, "Live After Death", "Piece of Mind", and "Powerslave" are consistent favorites in the CD player.

Yeah. I am such a sissy. But don't let it get around, okay?

No worries. Besides, we like you that way. *grin*

I know this is not the appropriate place, but I can't figure out what Wil means about e-mailing him and I can't register as a user for the Soapbox and this isn't in the FAQ.
Each time I try to register as a member, it takes everything I write except it gives me an error message and says the random letters thing is not matching what I write and they have there. I can see them, and I've tried spacing and not spacing. I'm capitalizing what is and not what isn't.

What am I missing? I'd love to join you all if I can!

Please help, I will check here often for an answer and re-post if i get it so you will know.

Thanks in advance!!

Wil!

Chixdiggit is a tiny punk band from Calgary, AB...how the hell do you know about them? That makes me really excited, like grade 10 style.

-Kaitlin

Wil,
It seems like you listen to alot of stuff. This is good because you never know what kind of mood will be at hand. Remember, it's only rock and roll!


FG

Flogging Molly rocks! One of the BEST live bands I've ever seen (not to mention I tore my knee in two places at a show of theirs....consequence not too good since I needed surgery) BTW I'm new here....pretty cool website/blog :)

Which version of "I'm A Loner Dottie, A Rebel..." was it -- the "Something to Write Home About" album version, or the track from the compilation?

If you have no freakin' clue, I'd recommend getting the album version. It is *loads* better.

Wuss.

Sting? That stings!

"It was fun for a while..

la la la
la la laaa..."

Roxy Music dude. I heard once that Bryan Ferry (sp? sp????) was originally tapped to sing "Don't You Forget About Me" but passed. That woulda been interesting.

But "A Sort of Homecoming" is THE U2 SONG You SHOULDA PICKED SO THERE.

-- Drake
(Child of 80s, trained for Oblivion)

Speaking of really excited, like, grade ten style, texarkana has been my number-one favourite REM song since grade eleven, when we read 'A Canticle for Leibowitz' in class and I realized that *the song is about the book.* Catch me if I fall, indeed.

Also, jumping on the Tragically Hip bandwagon, 'Day for Night' is hands down the best album for sappy, disaffected hipsters in love :).

I have to say, I'm always pleased to see Bob stuff show up in anyone's collection, let alone someone well known. Piggybacking on what a few others have said, I'd also like to recommend you look into Bob's "Loud Bomb" project stuff. (www.granarymusic.com) It's similar to Modulate in the electronic sense, although it's further along the techno path. Also, if you can find it, I also recommend you hunt down the "Calm Before The Storm" live bootleg. It's just Bob and a 12 string, and actually wins out as my favorite album. Just throwing in my two cents, as well as some suggestions.

Aww, I love the Aztec Camera version of Jump...I thought no one else had heard of it. Sounds like you made some great selections. Oh and that writing thing - ah, you can do that tomorrow, right? Cheers.

---------------
Please help, I will check here often for an answer and re-post if i get it so you will know.

Thanks in advance!!

Posted by Anne at November 28, 2003 09:26 PM
---------------

Anne,

E-mail me at neo_minder@deserttrance.com

I will assist you.

Have fun.

Thanks for your help. I have located the problem. Apparently it was between the keyboard and the chair in front of the computer. Problem resolved. Look forward to seeing you all on the boards.

of course radiohead.

man, it's cool to see you here in blogland. i loved tng and 'stand by me' is one of the all time classics. i had no idea you were writing novels now, that's much more respectable than becoming a hollywood has-been who'll take any old role just to hang on in there (i'm not mentioning any names).

i'm reading DT 3 at the moment. hey, check out a band called 'Muse' sometime, they're kind of a cross between radiohead and jeff buckley.

as for those chatshows, i always thought they were scripted. i bet michael moore has been blacklisted from them all.

I'm with Kaitlin - I was so pleased to see Chixdiggit on your list of rockin' bands. How do you know them, anyway? They are super cool guys who make bitchin' music.

It is still so odd for me to see my 'hometown' band (the Get Up Kids) on lists of people's favorite music (not from/living in the midwest).

It was surreal to fly into LA, be picked up by a friend and have her say "hey, have you guys heard this great new band..." Um, yeah. I was drinking with them at the Replay last month...

Anyway, good list.

OK, I know you get this ALL the time, but I simply have to ask it. Some friends and I have a writing group on Yahoo called The_Electronic_Quill(@Yahoogoups.com). We even have a very British, very pompous ass agent who encourages us along. Wanna join us? We aren't famous. We just write and hope to make it one day. You wouldn't be writing alone. *blush* *squirm* Well, I've asked. Besides, you say some of the same things we say about writing and how other things so get in the way (except for interviews, of course *laughs*). We, of course, don't even need to know who you are.

Let me guess, you've seen those damned HP commercials with "Pictures of You" in it and thought, "That's right, I forgot I like the Cure." At least that what happened in my head when I watched TV a few nights ago.

check out s'm arcadia, kidneythieves, his name is alive, miranda sex garden and lisa germano.


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