shake*your*shores :: awesome mix tape no. 6

Music to cuddle to when ...

1. Simple Kid - "Lil' King Kong"
... you're contemplating a Saturn purchase.

2. Box Car Racer - "All Systems Go"
... you get that damned straightbacktoyrjuniorhighmusicaltastestimemachine working again.

3. British Sea Power - "Atom"
... that cute barista at Red Mug finally gives in to your petty come-ons. (Kidding, honey!)

4. Thom Yorke - "Everything in its Right Place" [Live on BBC Radio 2]
... enjoying the view from Skyline Parkway.

5. Sloan - "I'm Not a Kid Anymore"
... you're stranded in the Great White North and those lady Canucks all of a sudden look like acceptable company.

6. PAS/CAL - "You Were Too Old for Me"
... umm ... you're trying to make somebody's grampa cry?

7. Tapes 'n Tapes - "Hang Them All"
... what I said for No. 3, except with that cute clerk at Disc Go Round. (Again, not speaking from personal experience -- I've just heard rumors, I swear it!)

8. Dr. Dog - "Heart it Races"
... you've gotten a little too much sun at the Park Point beaches.

9. Other Men - "Other People"
... your girl finally admits she's a Rob Crow groupie (and, thus, has to console you after breaking the news).

10. Black Lips - "Veni Vedi Veci" [Diplo Remix]
... well, let's just say "marriage material" isn't what you go to Stargate for....

11. Mark Ronson - "Annie Minimix"
... your S.O. has ADDHD. (OK, now I'm speaking from personal experience.)

12. The 8-bit Construction Set - "SauceMaster"
... you find you and yours trippin' through Mario's beloved Mushroom Kingdom.

13. The Dandy Warhols - "The World the People Together (Come On)"
... someone stages a retrotastic "be-in" in your living room.

14. Kings of Leon - "My Party" [Kenna and Chad Hugo Remix]
... you forget you're not 21 and hit happy hour on Tower Avenue. Scared ... so scared.

15. Minus the Bear - "Throwin' Shapes"
... a spell of puppy love hits you on top of the Space Needle. (Thank the lord for that disposable camera that was there to catch it all!)

16. My Morning Jacket - "Evil Urges"
... you need someone else to do all the "dirty work."

17. Craig Wedren - "Crush You"
... on second thought, don't cuddle to this one.

18. Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin - "Half-Awake (Deb)"
... the sound of Amtrak's "smooth ride" is preventing her from getting a good night's rest.

19. Of Montreal - "Friends of Mine" [Zombies cover]
... somebody's wedding reception is done right for once.

20. M.I.A. - "Paper Planes" [Remix for the Children by Adrock]
... it's 3 a.m. and she says it's cold outside. (HA HA HA)

21. Harry Belafonte - "Banana Boat Song (Day-O)" [RJD2 Remix]
... you've both lost it.

22. Joe Jackson - "King Pleasure Time"
... I'm not even going to touch this one!

Thus concludes your sixth dose of SHAKE*YOUR*SHORES.

This Week's Shameless Budgeteer Plug

Comedian Brian Regan and underwater cinematographer Al Giddings' PBS documentary -- yay!

"Comedy Central Fave Brian Regan Coming to DECC" :: Brian Regan is a bit of an anomaly. In this day and age of comedians doing just about everything except stand-up, he’s gotten by without doing TV ads or taking for-the-paycheck roles in children's movies.

"Uncut Q-and-A with Comedian Brian Regan" :: A pretty self-explanatory, aptly titled online exclusive if I ever did see one!

"PBS PREVIEW: 'Under the Sea' Coming Soon" :: If there’s any justice in this world, PBS’s “Under the Sea with Al Giddings” will make its title subject a household name. (Exclusive to DuluthBudgeteer.com.)

Eddie Money needs your love, Duluth!

In case you haven't already heard, Fond-du-Luth Casino is offering the Zenith City's fine citizens (and anyone with access to a computer, really) the opportunity to vote for this summer's Superior Street block party performer.

They've narrowed the field down to about a dozen potential rock outfits (chief among them Eddie Money, .38 Special, America and the Poco/Pure Prairie League/Firefall triple bill), and voting takes less than a minute.

While my vote would've been for the Melvins (somehow the casino neglected to include them on the "ballot"...), my runner-up choice is, of course, Mr. Money.

Two very good reasons to support my cause: the entertaining interview I had with him (for the Budge) and the hilarious thread happening over at Perfect Duluth Day. Choice snippet courtesy of Barrett Chase: "Beret: I saw that show, too, which is precisely why Eddie Money gets my vote. He was so drunk he could barely stand. He certainly was too drunk to sing. But that didn't keep him from performing, oh no."

Today's Moment of Zen: Rubber Chicken kicks it 'safety style'

Thanks for the pic, Brian!

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FURTHER READING
"Rubber Chicken Announces Its 'Out of the Hat' Alternative" :: Following up on the success of the Rubber Chicken Radio Hour’s recent debut, Brian Matuszak announces the next project from his new theater company Rubber Chicken Theater: The Chicken Hat Plays. [Press release info]

"Matuszak Bounces Back with Rubber Chicken" :: The well-known funnyman is already back with a new venture: Rubber Chicken Enterprises, a “blanket organization” that includes everything from a new theater group, radio hour and Out of the Hat alternative. [Feature-length Q-and-A with Matuszak that I conducted]

This Week's Shameless Budgeteer Plug

The "new" Renegade Comedy Theatre, Minneapolis (by way of Grand Forks) pop punkers Dingus and ... rock stars and flags?!

"Renegade Carries on With New Artistic Director" :: A Q-and-A with Katy Helbacka, who replaced Brian Matuszak as the comedy troupe's new artistic director -- plus photos of the new/Dink Tank sketch comedy players!

"Dingus Still Loves You, Pop Punk" :: In the sea of indie bands, Dingus stands out. Not because the group’s members all hail from North Dakota, but because they’ve dedicated their lives to pop punk. I interview bassist/lead vocalist Jonathan Walters and guitarist/co-vocalist Sam Beere-Hasman.

"Vets' Hall Prepares for 'The Flag Soiree'" :: In preparation for Veterans' Memorial Hall's June 19 fund-raiser “The Flag Soiree," the organization's program director, Daniel Hartman, was taking rare flags out of storage Tuesday. (In the pics: Matt Lackie and Jes Seamans and Briana Smith of Best Friends Forever. Hail!)

SYS5 :: Reinvented Nightly [A Mix Tape.]

If there's one complaint I have about Walt Dizzo's radio show, it's that it gets over too [gosh-darn*] late. See, when I'm listening to it, I get all jazzed about* doing another one of these awesome mix tapes but, seeing as I (typically) work 12 to 13 hours on Thursdays, I usually become a sleep-deprived zombie around 1 a.m. Therefore, these things pile up for weeks until I ... OK, fine, I am rambling -- here's the damn mix tape already:

1. THX movie intro
2. The Dust Brothers - "Stealing Fat" edit ["Fight Club" intro]
I can't imagine a better pairing.

3. Guided by Voices feat. Elliott Smith - "Skills Like This"
Following up one of the most explosive tracks ever conceived with one that's, ultimately, nearly as enthralling -- someone should put me on the air or something!

4. Grandaddy - "Hewlett's Daughter"
All right, we're gonna slow it down here for a tick* with another gorgeous melody from Jason Lytle and company.

5. Cars & Trucks - "No One's Gonna Save Me"
I'm still reeling over this group's splintering set at R.T. Quinlan's during Homegrown '08. In case you missed it, they're be sharing a bill with Manheat at Thirsty Pagan this weekend. Best of all, it's free.

6. Riddle of Steel - "Quiet Now"
Recommended if you like Cars & Trucks (as I've said before) and, weirdly enough, the Police.

7. Lifter Puller - "Roaming the Foam"
Here's what Craig Finn had to say about this track when he sat down with Cloak and Dagger: "An ode to foam dancing. I saw it on television and they were implying that the foam on the dance floor was a popular place for people to have anonymous sexual experiences. I liked the concept; the way something dirty was surrounded by soap suds. The line, 'You're kissing like you already came' was quoted by Slug on the new Atmosphere record, and I just saw 1000 kids scream it at the top of their lungs at Irving Plaza in NYC last week."

8. Nine Inch Nails - "Discipline"
Another month, another free NIN record.

9. Atmosphere - "Can't Break"
I hate to sound like a repeater, but: Another month, another two excellent Atmosphere records.

10. El-P - "Smithereens (Stop Cryin')"
If Wikipedia is to be trusted, this epic track -- with its "dramatic intro machine" (which just happens to sample Will Ferrell in "Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy") -- features cuts by Mr. Dibbs and add'l vocals by Hangar 18. Whatever the equation, it works.

11. Luckyiam - "The Best I Can"
This hip-hop "slow jam" leaves you with a peaceful, easy feeling.

12. She & Him - "Sweet Darlin'"
I know I'll be in the doghouse for this one, but ... Zooey Deschanel, won't you please marry me?!

13. Fancey - "Lost in Twilight"
R.I.Y.L. Sloan's love songs, the New Pornographers (Fancey's "mothership").

14. Ola Podrida - "Cindy"
Yeah, what Pitchfork's Stephen M. Deusner said: " It begins unassumingly, with an acoustic guitar playing a three-note alarm as (David) Wingo sings about a girl leaving her childhood home. After about a minute and a half, the song ignites when she sets fire to the house and walks nonchalantly away. As the volume increases, the melody becomes more insistent, the guitars pile up, and Cindy discovers she's forgotten her library books and runs inside to retrieve them. Leaving the resolution open-ended-- did she die (or, worse, get charged late fees?)-- 'Cindy' plays out like an oddly enthralling short film."

15. Nerf Herder - "Feeling Bad"
And, making sweet, sweet pop music in another dimension, it's Nerf Herder!

16. Carmine - "Your Biggest Fan"
Thank you, mammoth dollar store in Brainerd, Minn., for having the heart to introduce me to this excellent (and terribly under-appreciated) group. On my list of Best. Songs. Ever., this one would definitely make an appearance.

17. Tokyo Police Club - "In a Cave"
I try not to buy into the hype machine, but this track's pretty catchy -- even I must admit that.

18. Dr. Dog - "A Long Time Ago"
Somewhere between CSNY and Pavement. Beautiful.

19. Sloan - "Try to Make It"
If the Great White North can produce rock this amazing and '70s-rific, [INSERT YOUR FAVORITE PUNCHLINES ABOUT CANADA HERE].

20. The Apples in Stereo - "Same Old Drag"
Recommended if you agree with me comparing Fancey to Sloan earlier, and R.I.Y.L. Super Furry Animals.

21. The Black Hollies - "Paisley Pattern Ground"
'60s throwback rock never sounded this tight.

22. Adam Green - "Morning After Midnight"
Still mourning the loss of Frank Zappa? On his fifth solo album, the Moldy Peaches' Green has come to save the day.

23. The Dodos - "Fools"
A good stomper with that "big country" feel.

24. The White Stripes - "Little Cream Soda"
Pure, uncut RnR.*

Thus concludes your fifth dose of SHAKE*YOUR*SHORES.

*Does anyone actually use these phrases anymore?

A&E FYI: Cracker coming to Superior!

Apparently Cracker, known for such hits as "Low" and "I Hate My Generation," will be playing this year's Head of the Lakes Fair in Superior. Sweetness! (The show will be at 8 p.m. July 25th, a Friday.)

From the band's Web site...

"damn. good thing i actually looked at the contract on this one. for some reason the routing sheet says duluth MN. wow, that would be a bummer. imagine if we had driven all the way to duluth and then found out he gig was in superior wisconsin!.. oh ... i see.. they are right next to each other. well let's just change the subject to vikings. not the football team. actual vikings. there are several unsubstantiated claims that the vikings actually made it all the way to the great lakes well before the spanish arrived in the new world. now of course there is evidence the vikings did make landfall in newfoundland, and may have possibly made it as far south as cape cod. there is no credible evidence that they made it to wisconsin. however every once in a while some crackpot will make the claim of having discovered a viking sword or something underneath their barn in upper minnesota, or wisconsin. this usually tuns out to be false. local claims that the vikings landed in superior wisconsin in the 9th century should be addressed with a nod and polite smile. then quickly walk away."

IMAGE INFORMATION: Cracker's Johnny Hickman and David Lowery. Photo by Danny Clinch

A&E FYI: Mystic Lake to host $20,000 ‘Guitar Hero’ tourney

Calling all rockers! Mystic Lake Casino Hotel will host Minnesota’s largest “Guitar Hero III” competition June 7. With more than $20,000 in cash and prizes, including $10,000 for the tournament champion, officials are preparing to host up to 2,500 competitors in this free-registration tournament.

Participants will battle on 50 Guitar Hero stations set up in Mystic Lake Casino’s Grand Ballroom. The rockers who advance to the final round of the tournament will compete in front of a live audience in the Mystic Showroom that night.

“We are inviting anyone and everyone with an inner rock star to come out and compete in this free ‘Guitar Hero’ tournament,” said Bryan Prettyman, vice president of marketing for Mystic Lake Casino Hotel. “The ‘Rock the Lake’ tournament not only gives our guests the opportunity to win cash and prizes, but also the chance to rock out on the same stage as rock legends Kansas, Rick Springfield, the Doobie Brothers and Ringo Starr.”

Tournament participants must be at least 18 years old and be Club Mystic members. Club Mystic membership is free and can be completed the day of the event. Every registered participant is guaranteed one match in the qualifying round and a free T-shirt. The top three “best dressed” rockers also will be rewarded with cash prizes. Guitar riffs and solos begin at 10 a.m. with the start of the qualifying round. All songs during the competition are played on “medium” difficulty, with the semifinals and final round increased to the “hard” difficulty level.

The competition is scheduled as follows:
6-7:30 a.m. • Random number distribution
7:30 a.m. • A random number will be drawn from all numbers distributed; tournament spots will be filled sequentially based on the number drawn
8 a.m. • Registration begins
10 a.m.-4 p.m. • Qualifying rounds (head-to-head matches every 15 minutes)
5 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. • Quarterfinal round (the top 140 scoring players in single-elimination play)
6 p.m. • Semifinal wild card (one wild card player will be drawn from all non-advancing players)
6:30-7 p.m. • Semifinal Round A (eight players, head to head, in single-elimination match)
7 p.m.-7:30 p.m. • Semifinal Round B (four finalists from Round A, single elimination, head to head)
8 p.m. • Final round (best of three songs wins the $10,000 grand prize)

Pre-event at Mall of America
With the promise of stiff competition and amazing prizes, interested individuals may be looking for some additional playing time with a guitar, big screen and audience. For extra practice against tough competition, a pre-event is scheduled from 4-8 p.m. May 20 in the Mall of America rotunda. Mystic Lake, along with 93X, will host this free event in which participants can compete against “Guitar Hero" pros, 93X DJs and well-known “Guitar Hero” fanatic Chris Kluwe.

More information on both events can be found online at www.mysticlake.com/RTLsite/RocktheLake.html.

~Information courtesy of Mystic Lake

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FURTHER READING
"Unleash Your Inner Video Game Dork" :: The infamous personal column in which I lay down the law (sort of...).

This Week's Shameless Budgeteer Plug

Little Boxes, "Danny Does Duluth," the SS Meteor, the old St. Louis County Jail, the Canadian Forces Snowbirds and (even) more pics from Pattison State Park.

"'Danny Does Duluth' Podcaster Speaks Out" :: “It’s a local show about local issues, local news, local stories and the people who are reporting local news stories, from one person’s perspective — which is probably a little bit flawed and disturbing sometimes,” the self-deprecating Daniel J. Golden said of his podcast, “Danny Does Duluth.” I sit down with the sometimes-divisive "fake radio show" personality.

"One to Watch: Little Boxes" :: A Q-and-A with the up-and-coming indie pop duo's Emma Turnquist and Nick Cairl.

"Meteor Celebrates 35 Years as Museum" :: A quick little ditty about Superior's whaleback museum (the only one of its kind). Look for more Meteor coverage in the coming months as we help celebrate these Duluth originals (the whalebacks were first produced at Rice’s Point).

"Duluthians, Show Off Your Canadian Snowbird Pics!" :: If you were one of the many in attendance, and took some nice shots of the precision acrobatic team, e-mail them to us and we'll slide them into our photo gallery. Also included: "Canadian Snowbirds Return to Duluth Skies," a photo gallery of my shots from yesterday evening's free performance.

"Discover Duluth: Pattison State Park, Vol. II" :: Heading back over to America's Dairyland, I'm reminded of something I read on HikerCentral.com: "There's no way to get bored in Wisconsin if you adore the outdoors." A DuluthBudgeteer.com-exclusive "essay" and photo gallery.

"Discover Duluth: Old St. Louis County Jail" :: Thanks to St. Louis County Property Management Director Tony Mancuso, the Budgeteer is able to show its readers the inside of the county's old jail in Duluth, which was recently named by Preservation Alliance of Minnesota as one of the 10 most endangered historic places in the state. I'm really proud of this one, another DuluthBudgeteer.com-exclusive "essay" and photo gallery.

Today's Moment of Zen: The 'Night Trap' documentary

I suddenly lost a lot of respect for North Dakota Senator Byron Dorgan.

SYS4: this.is.a.new.world.order

As warned last time, "Grand Theft Auto IV" has all but swallowed up every spare moment of "me time." And, if that wasn't bad enough, I recently rediscovered "Bejeweled 2" on Xbox Live. I am such a video game dork; I'm surprised I still have a wife....

Either way, sorry it took so long for this latest awesome mix tape to hit the street:

1. Weezer - "Pork and Beans"
If this single's catchy chorus is any indication, the third self-titled Weezer album (sixth overall) -- aka "The Red Album" -- is going to be hot. Apparently I'm not alone in this sentiment, either: Weezer just announced that, due to the immense popularity of this song, the album's release date has been bumped up to June 3! (Oh, and as sad as this sounds, it actually looks like the best place to get the album is iTunes. I know, I hate it too, but who can argue with bonus tracks not available anywhere else?)

2. Compulsion - "They're Breeding the Grey Things Again"
As if the Pixies never went away.

3. High Speed Scene - "Last Chance"
The perfect pop song? (With guitars!)

4. Death Cab for Cutie - "I Will Possess Your Heart"
As far as I'm concerned, DCfC can do no wrong -- one of the few bands left that you can pick up their new album without worrying about that certain lemon scent (I'm looking at you, Breeders...).

5. Retribution Gospel Choir - "For Her Blood"
Maybe I was too hard on Alan Sparhawk in my record review. This is quickly becoming one of my favorite compositions from the Low frontman/Duluth superstar.

6. Manheat - "Birdcage Boy"
And from my review of "When Dreams Become Memories": After listening to album opener “Birdcage Boy,” one of the most explosive songs to emerge since the Used to Be’s “Crash Helmet,” one immediately thinks of Seattle circa 1989, when Nirvana burst out of the gates with the powerful force that was “Bleach.”

7. Number One Common - "An Offer You Can't Refuse"
I know I seem like a Number One Common whore these days -- with the feature and the Homegrown '08 pictures and all -- but I find their ferocity intriguing.

8. Atmosphere - "Less One"
I gotta say, I wasn't terribly impressed with the new EP when I first heard -- especially coming after the masterpiece that is "When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint that Shit Gold" -- but, like that album, it's really starting to grow on me.

9. Radiohead - "Nude (Holy Fuck Remix)"
I have a lot of friends that are still diehard Radiohead fans, so I'm trying to pretend these blokes still matter to me....

10. The Gutter Twins - "Idle Hands"
Two rocks icons. One amazing sound. I have loved everything Mark Lanegan and Greg Dulli have done up to now (especially the latter), and this latest project is certainly no exception. Dulli said it best when he referred to the group as the "Satanic Everly Brothers." Ha!

11. The Raconteurs - "Salute Your Solution"
I'm still not 100 percent on board with the Raconteurs, but this blistering track is definitely a step in the right direction.

12. Jaguar Love - "Bats Over the Pacific Ocean"
Cool song. Cool title. Cool ... treats? (Sorry....)

13. Jay Reatard - "Always Wanting More"
Is this death folk? It certainly is noisy!

14. Slow Runner - "The Usual Chords"
Recommended if you like Jamestown Story, the Beach Boys.

15. The Beach Boys - "Friends"
Oh, hey!

16. Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks - "Cold Son"
I kind of lost track of Malkmus' career after his first post-Pavement release, but now I realize what a mistake that was. This is some damn fine songwriting.

17. Blank Dogs - "Ants"
This exciting track builds, builds, builds, but, problem is, there's no real payoff. Still, the Blank Dogs are definitely on to something.

18. Giljunko - "Starwarships" (Lifter Puller cover)
Excellent cover ... if you can find it. In the meantime, download these other Giljunko greats (in superior MP3 sound!).

19. Mission of Burma - "That's How I Escaped My Certain Fate"
You definitely have to be in a fuck-it-all mood to appreciate this squirrelly number.

20. Jamie Ness - "Card Game"
A little hippie-leaning, but still another great Ness composition.

21. Dead Meadow - "I'm Gone"
A little boring at times, but, like the Mission of Burma track, if the right mood hits....

22. The New Pornographers - "All the Things That Go to Make Heaven and Earth" [LIVE]
This shit is on fire. After hearing this, I desperately yearn to see these Canucks in concert. Won't you please come to Bayfront Festival Park or the DECC? All the cool kids (Wilco, Queens of the Stone Age) are doing!

23. Central Services - "She Was My Ride" [DEMO]
Along the lines of the praise chucked at High Speed Scene, this is just one of those perfect pop songs. I urge you to seek this one out.

Thus concludes your fourth dose of SHAKE*YOUR*SHORES.

Everclear should officially pack it up

From MySpace.com...

Everclear

August, 28 2008 at Central Wisconsin State Fair
Not Available , Marshfield, Wisconsin
Cost : Free with fair admission

Today's Moment of Zen: The softer side of 'GTA IV'

And this is why Conan is the king of late-night!

This Week's (Belated) Shameless Budgeteer Plug

Atmosphere, Jamestown Story, Jill Hall/Semblesque, the Bong Bridge's grad photos, Truckstop Souvenir and ... another attempt at getting you to look at my Homegrown pictures!

"Semblesque: 'Somewhere Between Carnival and Theater'" :: Jill Hall’s Semblesque Performance Company is back with a new home (The Venue at Mohaupt) and a fund-raiser this Saturday in preparation for its fourth major production, "The Night that Robin Died."

"Discover Duluth: Bong Bridge" :: A relatively young age is just one advantage the Richard I. Bong Memorial Bridge has over its older counterpart, the John A. Blatnik Bridge (aka the “High Bridge”). My five-mile "jaunt" across the bridge and back yielded a fair share of images I'd like to share with you -- unless you have to walk across the bridge and back each day for work, then they won't seem so fun....

"CD Reviews: Atmosphere and Jamestown Story Make Minnesota Proud" :: Reviewed this week: Atmosphere's "When Life Gives You Lemons," Jamestown Story's "The Prologue" and, in brief, Thru the Static's self-titled sophomore effort and Truckstop Souvenir's "Leave Nothing Behind."

And, in case you missed it last week, I took some photos of Homegrown '08 for a DuluthBudgeteer.com exclusive.

A&E FYI: Beck to release new album this summer

Beck has recorded a new album, produced with Brian “Danger Mouse” Burton, to be released this summer. The as-yet-untitled album contains 10 new songs.

Having met a few years ago, Beck and Danger Mouse had planned to work together at some point, finally convening last December to do a few songs. Encouraged by the results, they decided to make an entire record and over the next few months recorded extensively, with the goal of using only 10 pieces in the end.

The result is a tightly assembled group of songs that range in lyrical tone from introspection and social commentary to off the cuff wordplay and lighthearted humor. Musically, the album’s 10 tracks vacillate between economy and experimentation, hybrid and pop classicism, while consistently manifesting Beck and Danger Mouse’s shared interest in psych-rock, folk, electronic minimalism and orchestration.

The album’s diversity of tone is belied by an emphasis on songwriting and musical concision, with the album clocking in at a little over 30 minutes.

The album represents the first new Beck music since last year’s Grammy-nominated digital single “Timebomb.” The new songs also mark the first new material Beck has written since the prolific stretch that produced 2005’s platinum “Guero” and 2006’s universally acclaimed “The Information.”

On the live front, Beck will play his biggest hometown headline show to date Sept. 20 at the Hollywood Bowl. The bill will also feature special guests Spoon and MGMT and is the first headline date announced on a U.S. itinerary that so far includes the Austin City Limits, Outside Lands and Bumbershoot festivals.

~Information courtesy of Nasty Little Man

This Week's (Belated) Shameless Budgeteer Plug + FREE NIN ALBUM!

Homegrown '08 pictures, Brian Matuszak's Rubber Chicken Enterprises, a soul-baring column (about video games), Dane Schmidt from Jamestown Story/Sing It Loud and ... Amnicon Falls again (I guess). Couple these stories with my appearance with the Duluth News Tribune's Ann Klefstad on KUWS's "Final Edition" Friday evening and it was a busy week indeed!

"Matuszak Bounces Back with Rubber Chicken" :: Renegade Comedy Theatre’s ousted executive and artistic director (and founder) is already back with a new venture: Rubber Chicken Enterprises. The well-known funnyman answers our questions.

"Unleash Your Inner Video Game Dork" :: The monumental release of "Grand Theft Auto IV" last Tuesday has this Xbox 360 fanboy looking back at his formative years (of playing video games...).

"Share Your Homegrown '08 Memories!" :: Whether it's a picture of your favorite band or your pick for the festival's best set, we'd like to hear how you spent the 10th anniversary of Duluth's largest music festival. -> Or, if you're shy, just check out my pictures of Cars & Trucks, Giljunko, Number One Common, the Surfactants and Greg Cougar Conley.

"Success Won't Change Dane Schmidt" :: While one of his groups, Sing It Loud, recently signed to punk powerhouse Epitaph Records, Duluth native Dane Schmidt still plugs away at his first recording project, Jamestown Story. This Q-and-A is exclusive to DuluthBudgeteer.com. (p.s. Look for a review of Jamestown Story's new EP, "The Prologue," in this weekend's Budgeteer!)

"Discover Duluth: Amnicon Falls, Vol. II" :: Like the majority of its Northland counterparts, Amnicon State Park outside Superior is alive with the sound of raging rapids. For this online exclusive, my photo essay series returns to one of my favorite area parks for a special "spring thaw" edition. (Includes one shot, "Play Misty for Me, or: Get Your Spring Thaw On," that landed on the cover of last weekend's Budge!)

And, as promised, information on Nine Inch Nails' new studio album, "The Slip," which is available as a free download at NIN.com (information courtesy of the band):

Trent Reznor to Fans: "Thank you for your continued and loyal support over the years. This one's on me."

As of 12:01 a.m. PST May 5, Nine Inch Nails' brand new full length album The Slip is available as free download at NIN.com.

Unlike NIN's recently released Ghosts I-IV, there are NO paid options available for The Slip, nor are there any retail partners. At present, The Slip is available exclusively as a free download at NIN.com. A physical configuration on CD and vinyl is in the works for a July release.

The Slip marks the first time Nine Inch Nails--or any artist of NIN's stature--has made its new album available completely and exclusively for free as a DRM-free digital download. The Slip is available as a high-quality MP3 or in a variety of lossless formats including, for the first time, a higher-than-CD quality 24 bit 96k version. All downloads include a PDF with credits and artwork.

Like the free single "Discipline" released last week to terrestrial radio stations and their websites and the track "Echoplex" appearing on iLike, The Slip is a classic straightforward NIN album, featuring Trent Reznor on vocals and various instruments as well as Josh Freese, Robin Finck and Alessandro Cortini. The record was produced by Reznor, Atticus Ross and Alan Moulder. Art direction by Rob Sheridan.

As with previous Nine Inch Nails releases Year Zero and Ghosts I-IV, the complete multi-track files to The Slip will be available free at launch, allowing anyone who wants to create his or her own remixes and reinterpretations of the songs. As always, the Remix.NIN.com community will provide a sire and infrastructure for fans to upload, share, stream and download these various remixes as well as the original masters, all free of charge or restrictions.

The Slip, like Ghosts I-IV, is being released under a Creative Commons license, allowing fans to distribute the songs and files freely and without fear of copyright infringement. More details regarding this license can be found at http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/us/