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 Dfest is done for 2008, and I'm left with mixed impressions. There were 150 or so bands spread throughout the two-day festival, which is impressive. Excessive downtime between bands, lackluster crowds early Saturday and bands like Bait, make me think Dfest wants to be bigger perhaps it's ready to be. Crocodile (above), Samantha Crain, Three Penny Upright turned in great performances when I was there on Saturday, as did The Roots — once they finally took the stage, an hour late. And Zappa Plays Zappa further reminded me how much I hate guitar noodling and dreadlocks on white dudes.
+joe
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Want to hear something weird? Philadelphia's Genghis Tron sound’s like an a robot rampage at a basement hardcore show. Basically nothing like the above photo of the band. Something (mostly this video) tells me they would be a great live show, too bad they aren’t coming anywhere near Oklahoma.
Also: Best band name ever?
photo: sarah cass
+joe
photo: sarah cass
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The deadCENTER Film Festival has ended for this year, with organizers reporting record attendance. More than 6,000 fans watched more than 100 films at the five-day festival, which started Wednesday and ended on Sunday. Several screenings reportedly sold out and several theaters were filled to capactity, including the "Okie Noodling 2" screening on Saturday night pictured above.
Judges awarded top category honors to the following films:
"Rainbow Around the Sun" - Oklahoma Film "The New Year Parade" - Narrative Feature
"Greensboro: Closer to the Truth" - Documentary Feature
"Damn the Past!" - Narrative Short
"The Jump" - Documentary Short
"A Faery's Tale" - Animation
"The Aviatrix" - Student Film
"disfigured" - Grand Jury Narrative Feature
"Year at Danger" - Grand Jury Documentary Feature
Catch a deadCENTER film you really liked/disliked? Tell me about it! +joe
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 If you are gearing up for the latest Dr. Jones flick, " Indiana Jones
and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull," why not check out one of the
cheezy serials that inspired its creators?
Okie Gene Autry starred in "The Phantom Empire," one of several serials
that inspired George Lucas ("Phantom Menace" anyone?) who wrote the
story concept for the "Indiana Jones" movies.
The first part of "The Phantom Empire" can be watched here. The other 11 parts are right here.
Or read OKG film critic Doug Bentin's take on the serials in today's Gazette.
+joe
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Today, organizers with Tulsa's Dfest announced this year's lineup, which includes national national touring acts like Ghostland Observatory, Zappa Plays Zappa, Edison Glass, Helmet and Paramore —an annoyingly catchy band that is 25% super cute.
A bunch of local bands will be performing as well, here are some highlights.
Admiral Twin
Blake O.
Callupsie
Cheyenne
Colourmusic
Congress of a Crow
El Paso Hot Button
Glister
Hush Hush Commotion
Ryan Lindsey
Red Dirt Rangers
The Uglysuit Unwed Sailor
Click here to check out the complete list of bands/performers for
Dfest, which is slated for July 25 & 26 in Tulsa's Blue Dome
District.
+joe
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Well, I was going to post the video for Aranda's original song "Dazed and Confused," to inspire you to check our the band's CD release show on Friday, but then I noticed the Oklahoma City rock band had been recorded performing Eagle-Eye Cherry's "Save Tonight."
Whiz, Bang! Instantly I was teleported back to high school... a much simpler time filled with Savage Gardens and Seven Mary Threes.
Watch. Enjoy. Remember.
Aranda CD release show [+] with 2AM [+] and No More Kings [+]
7 p.m. Friday
Diamond Ballroom Bricktown Ballroom, 8001 S. Eastern [map]
$10 at the door
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Pretty good lineup for Saturday's show at the Bricktown Ballroom Yes there will probably be a ton of young kids there wearing heavy eyeliner and American Apparel T-shirts — but that's pretty much every local show these days. Local rock band For the Atlantic is opening the show, and despite being young and relatively new—or because of it—are really nice guys and write some really catchy songs.
Here's the lineup:
Mayday Parade [+], My American Heart [+], The Graduate [+] and For the Atlantic [+]
7: 30 p.m.
Bricktown Ballroom, 103 E. California [map]
$14 at the door
Check out "The Process" video from My American Heart above.
+joe
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In case you didn't know, Oklahoma might have it's very own official rock 'n' roll song. As long as the song is written or recorded by an Okie - it's fair game.
Who do you think should rep the Sooner State in the rock realm? Here are a few suggestions:
 Oklahoma had Indians. Indians (some) used arrows. So I nominate OKC grindcore band Destroyer Destroyer and its song "Littered with Arrows.
Now defunct Edmond synth-pop band Euclid Crash actually has a song called "State Capitols," which you can't hear on this tribute page. But still. Mike Kennerty from the All American Rejects got his start here (back when he hated the Rejects) and the band was/is rad.
Does it 'rock?' - not in a classical sense, no. But since there isn't likely to be a an official Oklahoma smooth R&B song anytime soon, I nominate former Northwest Classen High students Color Me Badd and their song "All 4 Love." Can't you just imagine... 4th grade music classes learning it and all the cool acoustic remixes that would be used in state tourism videos?
Who would you pick?
Get your nominate on at http://www.oklahomarocksong.org.
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It's not a new, but it's a pretty cool from Norman indie rock band The Neighborhood. The song, "That's Okay" is from "Our Voices Choked with Fireworks," which you can get at Guestroom Records in Norman. Check out The Neighborhood's Web site or MySpace and check out a show. Next one is on Saturday March 29 with Student Film at VZD's.
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It's nearly impossible to find/remember the right combination of badge, wristband and guest list that grants you access to the fun parties down here at SXSW. As a ramblin' man, I find it irritating to plan my night out and make sure my name is on all the appropriate clipboards, but that seems to be the only way to make sure you don't have to pay for drinks.
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It's a crummy pitcure I know, but I didn't want to be one of those annoying pseudo-press camera people.
But dance-pop band The Fashion, which came all the way from Denmark to play a show on the roof of Maggie Mays, was the best part of last night's SXSW outing. According to the guitar player, the band should have something released in the US by August, but for now you can hear them online.
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"Rainbows Around the Sun," a film shot, acted, directed and produced by Central Oklahomans, is already getting good reviews from its SXSW debut.
The film is a retro-inspired psychedelic rock opera featuring metro singer Matthew Alvin Brown of the Fellowship Students and was directed by Kevin Ely and Beau Leland, and co-produced by Kim Haywood, an organizer of OKC’s annual deadCENTER Film Festival.
If you are in Austin for the festival this weekend, you can still catch a screening of "Rainbows" at 5 p.m. Saturday at the Alamo Draft House, 1120 S. Lamar
Check out the trailer above!
+joe
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If you are in Austin right now, you are probably having too much fun to read this—but for those making plans to catch the tail end of South By Southwest this weekend, here are some metro music makers to watch out for.
Asleep Audience… Dream!
1 a.m. Thursday, Rockin’ Tomato, 3003 S. Lamar
6 p.m. Friday, Plush, 617 Red River
5:30 p.m. Saturday, The Opera House, 2209 S. 1st
Colourmusic
11 p.m. Saturday, Mae’s Rooftop, 323 E. 6th
Dance Robots, Dance!
2 p.m. Thursday, Sansa Playground, 700 Dawson Rd.
4 p.m. Friday, United States Art Authority, 2906 Fruth
El Paso Hot Button
3 p.m. Thursday, Chuggin Monkey
5 p.m. Friday, Backspin Records, 4631 Airport
Evangelicals
10 p.m. Thursday, Mohawk Patio, 912 Red River
Luma
10 p.m. Thursday, Dizzy Rooster.
Rainbows Are Free
6:30 p.m. Saturday, Trophys, 2008 S. Congress
Check back for more photos and Okie-updates as the SXSW party reaches a climax this weekend. If you have any great stories or photos of you and your friends at the festival, lemme know!
+joe
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Congrats! You found Oklahoma Gazette's new local arts, entertainment and local scene blog! OKsee will hopefully give readers something to do at home, work or school after the Gazette racks have been emptied and allow us to share extra A&E stories, reviews, tidbits, photos and videos with you fine folks.
Browse around, have fun and tell me what you think. First person that does will win a framed platnium record from Jackie Moon, courtesy the fine folks behind the new Will Ferrell comedy "Semi-Pro." +joe
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