Some kid posted this “ska” Christmas compilation online. Granted, several of the songs are punk, and one is nouveau swing, but for whatever reason, there’s about five million ska bands out there doing Christmas songs. For instance: MU330’s Winter Wonderland, Go Jimmy Go’s Holiday Hell Yeah!, the Trojan Records Christmas box set, and Moon Records’ Christma-Ska. I’m sure there are…
A drinking establishment looks a lot different from behind the bar that separates bartenders from the crowd of drinkers. Over at Alcademics, one long-time drinker gained some perspective on the art of slinging drinks during his first stint as a mixologist. The most obvious realization is that we are not as charming or polite as we think we are when…
Everyday scenesters learned how to tie a tie last night for the DJ Rico’s annual Hooligan Holiday at the Beaumont Club. Westport stalwart Rico, who’s always sharply dressed, always insists that partiers look their best for his winter ball. But since it’s a hooligan party, formal is a relative term. The evening’s festivities included several live bands, live burlesque and…
Before tailgating season winds completely down and grills are wheeled into garages, there’s still time for a few more sessions on the proper burger. And while you’re right to think that cooking it right is one of the keys to getting a tender, juicy hamburger, what happens before you carry the meat out to your grill is just as important….
If anyone wants to buy a blogger a Christmas present, here’s an idea: how about a plane ticket to Washington D.C., and a ticket to the Scream reunion at the Black Cat on Sunday, December 20? How this managed to fly under the radar until now is beyond me, but holy crap. I want to go so bad I can…
If their on-the-court performance wasn’t enough of a humiliating beat-down of rival Texas Pan-American last Thursday, two of Mizzou’s lady basketballers heaped it on by allegedly beating up a male cheerleader at the post-game party, The Kansas City Star is reporting. The players, forwards Amanda Hanneman and Jessra Johnson, showed the type of teamwork that has led the Lady Tigers…
In any sport, those who compete will seek to find an advantage on their competitors, even if it means they need to cheat to do so. And so the question of performance enhancing substances has come to the world of competitive eating. Tomorrow at the World Pie Eating Contest in Britain — contestants will undergo random drug testing. Rather than…
For one night out of every year, people who populate rock clubs and 3 a.m. bars trade their jeans and hoodies for fancy pants, satin dresses and fedoras. DJ Rico’s annual Hooligan Holiday at the Beaumont Club last night featured tons of live music, (almost) nude women and professional portraits.
Every time you pick up a menu, you’re being manipulated into what the restaurant wants you to order. In author William Poundstone’s new book, Priceless: The Myth of Fair Value (and How to Take Advantage of It), the menu is broken down according to item placement and graphics, in order to show how you’re less in charge of your meal…
There are several versions of the story of Pretty Polly. However, most will agree that the shallow grave that was to be her final resting place wasn’t deep enough to keep her spirit subdued. Her essence — and that of other assorted thieves, lovers and gunslingers — was channeled Friday night at Crosstown Station for Stay Down Pretty Polly: the…
On Saturday, thousands of climate activists marched in Copenhagen, Denmark, prodding world leaders with their collective presence to stop dithering behind closed doors and hammer out a binding treaty to deal with global warming before the end of the two-week summit. Photo by Claus Wawrzinek Vigil at U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill’s office But that was just the most notable event…
Ridiculously popular pop group the Black Eyed Peas roll into town this spring, performing at the Sprint Center on March 24. The group is amazingly polarizing, with people falling either on the “They’re fucking awesome!” or “Kill me — kill me now” ends of the spectrum, with little in-between to be had. Stupid damned catchy songs — seriously, I cannot…
If you’re going to be milking a cow, you might want to be on a first-name basis. In The New York Times’ Ninth Annual Year in Ideas, Pat Walters looks at a recent study that suggests cows with names produce more milk. The research involved several hundred dairy farmers in Britain. Those who gave names to members of their herds…
%{}% What $200 gets you in Minnesota when you’re buying beer — including an outstanding brew named Bender (of course it would be good). A review of the decor, salads and pizza at Lawrence’s 715 Mass. We’ve all made the mistake of putting too much spice into a pot of chili — only usually nobody is around to see the…
%{}% We are deep into War on Christmas season (following hard upon the War on Thanksgiving season), and have noted some encouraging portents for the Jesus team. But as with the War in Vietnam, victory is in doubt if the people’s hearts aren’t in it, and in contrast to last year, the tone of War on Christmas commentary is now…
At the Midland on Saturday night, Stephen Lynch not only made musical comedy seem like a rock show — he gave a pointed lesson in how to deal with hecklers and other assorted loudmouths. In addition to responding to a request for “the bowling song!” (“Almighty Malachi, Professional Bowling God”) with a ditty that went “Why don’t you bowl my…
A bevy of local artists toasted that bloodiest of genres, the murder ballad, Friday, December 11, at Crosstown Station. Part of the proceeds benefited the Midwest Music Foundation.
Interviewing KMBZ conservative talker Darla Jaye for this week’s cover story naturally involved arguing with her. That’s what she does for a living, after all, and when it comes to politics, she’s completely wrong about everything ever, so we were bound to get feisty. (Note to the Darla-heads who seem astonished that my piece was not a gotcha hit job:…
This might shock you to learn, but we at The Pitch cannot neglect our duty to report the news — even on Monday mornings. So here goes: Some bikers do meth. Gasp! Eric G. “Little Eric” Burkitt, 25, and Robert E. Stewart, 52, both of Kansas City pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine over a five year period beginning…
Kansas went into the weekend still looking for a football coach. Stanford’s Jim Harbaugh said it wasn’t him. Houston Nutt at Ole Miss said no thanks. Ex-Auburn coach Tommy Tubberville lobbied for the job in the Star. But by the end of the weekend,Turner Gill was officially named Kansas’ next football coach. Gill is scheduled to be introduced as Mark…
A man was found shot inside a car in the 5400 block of Bellefontaine Saturday around 3:41 a.m. View Larger Map Police say the victim was in the passenger seat of the car. They believe he is in his twenties. The driver of the car had also been shot but police didn’t believe his injuries to be life threatening. Police…
