We've come so far . . .

The world's oldest recorded joke has been traced back to 1900 BC and . . . get this . . . it’s potty humor. The joke heads up the world’s oldest top 10 joke list published by the University of Wolverhampton and is credited to the ancient Sumerians.

It goes: "Something which has never occurred since time immemorial; a young woman did not fart in her husband's lap."

Granted, I’m not sure it's held up to the test of time . . . but still.

Did you see Seth's bit about Mike Ingram on SmilePolitely.com?

...neither did we.

Monkeys! YAY!

Those crazy Canucks

Look carefully at the picture. Do you see Rush’s Geddy Lee? Do you see his amplifiers? Ha – gotcha!

Turns out Geddy stopped using live amps. and now runs his bass direct with the house speakers/monitors. He opted to fill the big hole on his side of the stage with industrial grade appliances. Early on, he used Laundromat washing machines. For their current tour, Lee is using rotisserie chicken cabinets as balance. During their show, a roadie periodically comes out to baste the chickens inside. Always willing to see a joke to its end, Lee even has the cabs mic'd as if they were providing his sound.

As for guitarist Alex Lifeson . . . roadies tease him with an assortment of dolls strapped to his pedal board, each holding post it notes with messages like: “I was conceived at a Rush concert,” “My grandpa says you’re cool,” and “I thought ZZ Top had beards.”

For Whom The Bell Casts

Local rockers Bellcaster have called it a day...apparently to devote more time to playing racquetball.

It's good to be The King?

Fred Norris is a bully . . . after 13 years it’s got to be said. In 1995, Champaign’s Hum appeared live on The Howard Stern Show; after Stern was heard gushing over their single “Stars.” Until recently, the broadcast has been mostly unavailable and fans only had Stern’s recollection to go by, which, surprisingly, has not been flattering. About once a year, Norris, Stern’s longtime sound effects guy and aspiring musician, will play “Stars” as a bumper between bits or coming out of a commercial. It usually prompts Stern to ask who it is and when reminded (by Norris) he goes ballistic; maintaining that the band was difficult and then rattling off a laundry list of how they “screwed up” what should have been a great boost to their career. Through the years, Stern has convinced himself (or been convinced) that Hum didn’t even play that day and were thrown out of the studio.

Seeing the segment in its proper context, which originally aired on “E Entertainment” Television and is currently available through many online sources, it is nothing as Stern has described and really indicts Norris as an instigator who has had great influence in clouding a memory of what was an entertaining interview and great performance. In fact, it’s downright unfair to the band and their reputation.

The fact of the matter is the band did play and did a damn fine job of it. The only bump in the road seemingly involves Norris. The band and manager Chris Green are seen in negotiations with Norris and producer Gary Dellabate over the live set up. Norris tries to throw his weight around to get the band to run direct instead of bringing amps into the studio. Ultimately, a compromise is reached and the band is allowed to set up a reduced backline. Stern talks to Matt, Tim and Jeff (Brian was unavailable as his kit was set up in the hallway outside of the studio) and the interview comes off great. The band is engaging. Stern laughs at responses and is genuinely full of compliments after the performance, even closing with a “You guys play like mental patients. I love you guys.” Station manager Tom Chisano comes in after to say the song sounded great on the radio. Norris is seen bent under his console covering his ears throughout the performance.

Very disappointing.

The Grim Reaper Checks In . . .

Sen. Jesse Helms
1921-2008

I snorted him . . . he was all right (come on, who didn't see that comin'?!).

Still Feel Blue

RIP

Maralou Moore Shields

Weaverville - Maralou Shields, 49, of Weaverville, died Tuesday, June 24, 2008, unexpectedly at home. Mrs. Shields was born February 23, 1959, in Des Moines, Iowa. She lived in Buncombe County since 1997. Maralou was an artist and a jeweler.

She was preceded in death by a brother, Jerry Moore. She is survived by her husband, Steve Shields*; and son, Shane Shields, of Weaverville; a brother, Orville Moore, of Wisconsin.

Published: 2008-06-28


*Ack-Ack, Judy Gang, Steve Pride & His Blood Kin