Friday, March 11, 2011

Post Red40...


Shuffling through my iTunes collection this evening, I found myself digging deeper into the catalogue of my favorite band of all time. In 1999, myself and a friend of mine ventured into the big city of Chicago from our humble hometown of Plano, IL to go see the North Mississippi Allstars. Printed on our ticket as an opener was the name Lucero. Now, at the time, I didn't know if this was single name solo performer or a band. I was just super pumped to see NMAS and really couldn't give a crap about the opener.

 But as it would unfold, we planned WAY too much travel time into Chicago and arrived far ahead of showtime. I'll spare you the hubbub. Long story short; you know the moment as it commonly plays out in movies where the girl of a given character's dreams walks into a room and everything goes slow motion? Let's just say the musical equivalent of that happened that evening at the Vic in Chicago when Lucero took stage. Those guys played their hearts out and connected with every thread of what I stood for in my life up to that moment. I remember leaving the NMAS show early and spotting them in a coffee shop on the corner. I walked in, shook all their hands and asked if they had a website. They were more than happy to rap or a couple minutes. I remember, at that time, I was jocking junior college credits at a school 45 minutes through cornfields from my hometown. I moved into a basement apartment after my mother 'persuaded' me into making her an empty nester by convincing me to graduate high school a half year early. After that show, I ordered their CD through their Madjack Records label website. I was working crazy hours at a railroad-fed lumber warehouse and balancing my studies at the same time. I remember the evening I came home from work to find the CD in the mail. I threw it into my player and took a head-first digger into the couch/bed and had a listen until I drifted off to sleep. 

The sounds that came from the speakers mellowed me like nothing else I'd heard before. Punk attitude conveyed by way of  melodic twang-filled, heart-felt lyrics. I've been fond of these guy's projectsever since. Anyhow, to make an already long story even shorter, have a listen to these guys. Lead man, Ben Nichols, is in my opinion, one of the most under appreciated American artists out there right now. His band prior to Lucero, Red40 put out one hell of an album as well. Check out some of Ben and the Band's works below...

















Saturday, March 5, 2011

Daft Training Movie Scores


We're in the homestretch here in the Chicagoland area! Just a few more weeks of indoor and outdoor training in inclimate weather before something HAS to break and we'll be able to trot or ride outdoors comfortably. My workout music has been become a bit stale in recent days, so I was looking to refresh it a bit with some new additions (similar post of reference). While thumbing through several blogs I follow, I had an interesting find that would required me to have check my 'cool cat card' (very tiny card) at the door in lieu of same thick framed glasses, a pocket protector...and perhaps a lightsaber. I was surprised to see that the French house-music duo, Daft Punk, had worked with Disney (surprise, surprise)  to compose the musical score for last summer's Tron: Legacy motion picture. It was old news. But, it was new to me and I just had to have a listen.

Now, I had no running knowledge of the original Tron flick, nor any knowledge or interest of it's follow up film. It was my fondness of Daft Punk during the beginning of my 'electronic' music interests with origin that traced way back to my high school days (dating myself, I did back then too) that drew me in for a closer look. After flipping through the tracks, I was impressed by the perfect culmination of traditional instrumentation and electronic grooves that jive together to make for one hell of an epic film score! It has enough pep to keep you going but is never runs over the top to become overbearing during a workout.

Needless to say, I now have somewhat of an urge to see the movie. I love anything Jeff Bridges takes part in anyway. The album is available on iTunes and Amazon for $7.99. I'd suggest giving it a whirl. I dig the direction that Daft Punk decided to take in working on a project like this. I think this project will set a precedent for future film collaborations. There's even a mix album derived from the Tron: Legacy Soundtrack that's in the works for an early April release. The album will featuring some exhilarating adaptations of the score by well known paralleling genre artists such Moby, The Crystal Method, and Paul Okenfold.




So, why not spend a few bucks to help get yourself geeked (more ways than one) while waiting for warmer days ramping up to spring. While you're at it, make note of some of the other famous pump up tracks/film scores that have made their way through the box office. I claim no ownership to any of these tracks. Ok, maybe a few: "To each his own"(Cicero):

Lose  Yourself – Eminem (8 Mile Soundtrack)
Danger Zone – Kenny Loggins (Top Gun Soundtrack)
Eye of the Tiger – Survivor (Rocky IV Soundtrack) Equally inspiring vid...MY GOD!
Gonna Fly Now - composed by Bill Conti (Rocky Soundtrack)
Lust For Life – Iggy Pop (Trainspotting Soundtrack) "What up, Shirt-Off?"
You’re the Best Around – Joe ‘Bean’ Esposito (Karate Kid)
Push it to the Limit – Paul Engeman (Scarface)
Requiem for a Dream – Clint Mansell (Requiem for a Dream)
Crimson Tide Main Theme – Hans Zimmer  (Crimson Tide)
The Kiss / Promontory – Randy Edelman / Trevor Jones (Last of the Mohicans)
Aggressive Expansion – Hans Zimmer & James Newton Howard (The Dark Knight)

Or check out these other epic scores on Amazon:

Feel free to leave comments adding other film tracks that are workout worthy...

Catch you on the flip!

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

St. Patricks Day's Baddest: Introducing La Noche Miami Criterium


I was sitting back at the breakfast table this morning with my usual cup of joe. I was thinking back and relishing my days spent in Florida a couple weeks prior. I thought about South Beach and all the fun I had while visiting. I could easily say Miami, in general, wouldn't be the city I'd chose to define who I am as a person. But for some reason, I'm drawn like a magnet to the fine city every time I'm in the area. I think it's the fact that it South Beach goes against everything that typically makes me comfortable that gives me such a thrill while I'm there. The people-watching there is some of the best on earth, for sure! In the city's attempt to define it's style by allowing all that is superficial and pretentious to reign supreme, it kind of funny how actually reduces humanity to it's most primitive form. Life in South Beach boils down to a contest of the fabulous; hunters and the hunted, the survival of the fittest... literally.

Going back to my coffee table daydream. I started wondering if there were any races through any downtown areas of Miami. I thought the city would make an excellent backdrop for a criterium. I had no clue my Google search would yield such an interesting results. I found a race, billing one of the grittiest races on two wheels I've ever heard publicly pitched.

However, just a short jaunt from the glitz and glimmer of Ocean Blvd,  crossing over the Julia Tuttle Causeway will drop you into the Wynwood Art District of Miami. This is where vanity fades and irony takes over. It seems wherever there's art these days, a fixie loving hipster community won't be too far from it. It was in this neighborhood of the city that I would learn of a different brand of contest.

On March 17th, in conjunction with the Miami Bike Film Festival, La Noche Miami Criterium will consist of two races, one geared, one fixed (alleycat style) contest on a 4/5 mile four cornered flat and fast road course. As I read on, it only got better. Both of these contests will be held after dark. Needless to say, neither of the races are sanctioned. I so badly want to be there to see this play out in real-time. I hope to hell those putting the race on make sure the course stays well sealed off from outside traffic.

I know this race is a bit unconventional, but I think this is what I dig about it most. I love the attempt to combine a couple of cycling cliques that typically would not run side-by-side to have a clean and simple good time. Well.., maybe not so much "clean", you couldn't pay me enough to participate in the fixed gear race, OUCH! I've always thought organized amateur road and track cycling could benefit with closer ties to its urban dwelling underground fixed gear cousins. If anything, they could earn a greater appreciation for a vegan diet, PBR, and some badass Indie Rock.

 Coincidentally, the race runs immediately parallel to I-95, the nation's most dangerous stretch of highway! The  potential perils of this race could only be rivaled by that of an action movie set. I guess that plays perfectly into it's partnership with the Bike Film Fest. I wouldn't be surprised if this event becomes a documentary in next year's fest. I couldn't think of a better way to spend St. Patrick's Day. It's too bad my time down there is over for the year or I'd be there for sure! You can bet I'll keep my eyes peeled on YouTube on the days following. I'll be hoping to catch a few moments from the contest. Best of luck to the brave souls competing. This one could get interesting!

Articles / Ads Relating:

Bicycle Film Fest - Miami
The Miami Bike Scene
Registration

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Bring On The Des Plaines Velodrome!!!



I've been very pleased to hear chatter in the past few about a Indoor Velodrome possibly being constructed in Des Plaines. Pardon the bias, this just happens to be the city of my current residency (big grin). But seriously, in my year of living here, I've been quite pleased to witness the works of Des Plaines Mayor, Marty Moylan. I'm especially fond of his works of making Des Plaines a bike friendly city.

I had the pleasure to meet Mayor Moylan in person last year at the Alexian Brothers Tour of Elk Grove. He was walking the event, taking in ideas on how to make Des Plaines own fledgling event (Tour de Des Plaines) even better for coming years. He took time to speak with several cyclists and really took great interest in what they had to say. It was great to witness this on the back of the many other initiatives I've seen him involved in regarding public safety and accessiblity since moving to Des Plaines. 

I was able to thank him personally for an event involving the DP Police Department that occured about a month prior on a training ride not far from my home. Long story short, I had been run off the road by a Fed Ex semi while I rode down Oakton Street. I phoned local authorities and told them I'd like to speak to the driver and ask what was the motivation for his actions was. Des Plaines police flagged down the semi and held him roadside to allow me confront the driver. I wanted to ask him what more I could do than hug a curb, wear a helmet, keep to a reasonable speed, and stay highly visible to avoid being mowed down like a bug. The police officer mediated the convo to make sure it stayed constructive and didn't become a shouting match. It blew me away that the Des Plaines Police Department cared enough to take these actions for a cyclist. 

The river walk that has been constructed in Des Plaines is also a great bike friendly renovation that has been completed in recent years. It has played well in to the late summer widening and chip graveling of a large portion of the Des Plaines River bike trail that now offers better access for all those wishing to ride, jog, or go for a casual stroll. 

The odds of a world-class velodrome landing in one's city of residency are uncanny. There are only 19 velodromes in the U.S. currently in operation. Many are unaware of what velodrome even is, let alone the abandoned popularity of track racing in the Chicago during the early 1900's. There is also a valiant, and well developed effort put forward to construct a Chicago Velo Campus on Chicago's South-side Lakeshore. Hey, an indoor velodrome would be a great addition to the Chicagoland area regardless of where it is constructed. 

However, I still feel there are strong advantages for one of the three proposed Des Plaines proposed locations:

- Not far from O'Hare International airport. This would be conducive for national and international events. The Rosemont area is spilling over with great hotels and restaurants. Des Plaines won't be far behind once it's proposed casino is constucted. 

- Easy access from all directions: The proposed locations of the velodrome would be a stone's throw away from both East/West I-90 (In from chicago and the NW Suburbs) and I-294 (down from the North suburbs and up from the West and South Suburbs) Metra runs out from the city in no longer than a 40 minute ride. 

- Also Des Plaines is only a 15-20 drive from the existing Ed Rudolph Velodrome. The folks living in the immediate area of this velodrome have helped to keep track racing alive in the Chicagoland area for years. A cross association of any kind between the two velodromes would be beneficial to the track racing community living nearby. 

- I LIVE HERE!!!  

Check out these linked articles for more detail on the plan for the Des Vegas Velodrome...