Mastodon Bring the Motherload

The Atlanta homeboys in Mastodon keep making me proud, and since this was their second appearance on the Late Show with David Letterman, I really love that Brent decided to take a piss out of it by dressing up. More cowbell, forever!

Red Fang's Boozing Dead Video

A few weeks back, I was lucky enough to cap off my New Orleans trip by seeing old favorites Red Fang perform at the local dive, Siberia. It's really exciting to see them do so well after championing them for so long.

How well? The hilarious video (below) for "Blood Like Cream"—featuring Portlandia star Fred Armisen and plenty of product placement—premiered on Rolling Stone's site yesterday. And I'll bet it's the track they'll perform when they're the musical guest on Late Night with David Letterman! That's right, the bros will be on the January 10th show. (And I *know* they'll totally hook me up with passes.)

Big in the UK

So this happened.

Last Thursday morning, I got a call from a coworker asking if I'd be willing to discuss Baroness' near-fatal bus accident near Avon, England with BBC News, who were looking for an American journalist to contextualize the band and expound on the Yanks currently recuperating in their local hospital after surviving a 30-foot swan dive off of a viaduct during a rainstorm.

"Sure, as long as they don't expect me to be on camera."

They asked for me to appear on camera. I had a little under an hour to sum up my thoughts before heading up to the BBC's midtown studio for a whirlwind taping. I was mic'd up, given an earpiece and seated in front of a green screen with three giant lights shining at me. It was pretty trippy seeing myself in the monitor; glad I washed my hair that morning.

Watching the segment, especially the shot of the reporter from below that panned out to display just how tremendous of a tumble Baroness' bus took, it's truly a miracle they and their crew survived. Let's hope the band and all involved heal quickly and get back to their families and music as soon as possible.

With that, below is my international television interview debut. Please be kind as I'm not used to being on that side of the camera.

An Open Letter To Nathan Fillion

Dear Nathan,

We get it. You were once on a cult TV show called Firefly that some say was unjustly cancelled after only one season. But guess what? You bounced back. You’re on a fantastic new program called Castle that’s just been picked up for a full second season (and hopefully a third season is forthcoming, as well).

So it boggles my mind when you constantly hearken back to those days of yesteryear. Last night’s episode, "Vampire Weekend," with its gratuitous opening scene where you DRESSED LIKE YOUR OLD CHARACTER, was absolutely grating. Perhaps it’s because I was never a Firefly fan that I feel this way; but more importantly, by doing this you’re selling yourself short. The habitual shout-outs, Easter eggs and homages to Firefly are like the mass media equivalent of talking about some long-lost ex-girlfriend when you have a brand-new hottie on your arm.

Real talk: you are a handsome, charismatic slab of Canadian ham. Castle lets you explore your comedic timing, your depth of character by casting you as a family man, and a team player surrounded by a wonderful supporting cast (just ask Entertainment Weekly, who said as much in a recent issue). And let’s not underscore the sizzling chemistry you have with co-star, Stana Katic. Do you really think your demographic is limited to Firefly fanboys (or “Browncoats,” as it were)? You don’t see Susan Sullivan going on about her days on Falcon Crest, do you?

So please, Nathan, enough already. Do like your daughter on the show suggested and move on… However, should you ever decide to come over dressed like the sexy evil priest, Caleb, you played on that last season of Buffy, I’d keep it just between us.

Thanks, babe. Happy Halloween.

xoxoxoxo,

Z