Pontiak Maker CD

This came out a few months ago and it took me that long to throw it on. Glad I did.Some dudes(3 brothers?) on a farm jamming in a 12x12 room breaking amps. That seems to be how the lable is pitching it. A little bit of Dead Meadow, but more straight aheads. This has a little something for everyone-doomy, proggy, jammy, mathy,bluesy.Just a good rock record. Not a straight ahead rocker, but rocking nonetheless.Pefect for driving in the overcast drizzle that has engulfed the east coast. "Wild Knife Night Fight" is a hell of song title as well.
Not what I expected with ThrillJockey on the label.
Band Site.
Some older video. They have at least 2 other records out.

Who is a giant nerd?

Velonews Tech Feature Fail. Katusha ride Ridleys. Skil-Shimano ride Kogas. I need a life.
I am available to help out with tech-reporting for this years tour. Velonews, feel free to get in contact.

breadwinner

Hadn't thougth about these guys in a while. Thanks Nick S via Facebook.
From Honor Role to Breadwinner to Butterglove to Loincloth. NC Shredder.

Insult to Injury

How do you think Filippo Simeoni feel about Ceramica Flaminia's new signing? Imagine being replaced by Ricco? Salt on the wound. Doesn't really reflect that well on CF either, and I can't imagine it helps their chances of getting a Giro invite.

proto photo?

It's been a while since I squinted myself cross eyed looking at bikes for new bits, but this jumped out at me. Stealth Cervelo under Dan Fleeman. Huge tubes compared to any other Cervelo. Tour is coming up, so get ready to look for the prototype tech gear. His teammate Dan Lloyd looked to be on standard issue bike.

Was Wiggins trying to telegraph a solo break by wearing a skinsuit or did he just forget to pack regular kit?

Stunt Doubles?

Can't really cosign using stunt doubles, but at least they aren't on fixed gears.
Skating and Dino Jr. Just like the old days.
Anyone spot Mike Watt?

Non Cycling Odds and Ends

Summer (even a wet, overcast one) is not too conducive to blogging. I feel like I am in information overload-too many good books lined up. Too much music. Too much travelling. Too much bike life. It's all too good and leaves too little time to blog.
Music has been hit or miss
New Blank Dogs? It's rad, but more like Berlin than Joy Division. The twisted, broken sounding keyboards and underwater vocals are rad, but not too summer-jammy. Catchy none the less
New Aggrolites is probably the record for this summer. Retro, but not embarrassing. Gotta have that rocksteady beat when the temperature starts to rise-if and when it decides to.
New Rancid? Pretty bland. Not really living up to Indestructible.
I have been stoked to see the onslaught of Slumberland releases, but none of them has withstood the hype. They are a little too "tribute band" rather than "influenced by". So Liechtenstein, Bricolgae, and Crystal Stilts are all OK, but none lived up to the hype or transcended their influences.
As far as books. How about Night Gardner? DC murder mystery from one of the writers of The Wire. Or Swedish Death Metal or Burning Fight or Love,Sex,Death-the History of the Process Church??? That is a a lot to work with.