The Human Giant: Camping Weekend

HUMAN GIANT presents: CAMPING WEEKEND

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They previewed this one Monday night at Crash Test. This is just a taste of the 10 minutes plus of videos they showed this week.

The National Boxer

The National will be releasing a new album May 22nd and playing a bunch of shows in NYC and then the rest of the world. I know Alligator was one of my favorite albums from 2005 so I'm highly anticipating this release. It looks like Pitchfork already has the cover art and it looks like this:

ASSSSCAT and UCB Season 2 to DVD?

Looks like 2007 will bring a lot more Upright Citizens Brigade comedy to the world. I know my last post was about The Human Giant, but it looks like the UCB four will have a bunch of face time this year. This weekend at UCBT in LA they will be filming 4 ASSSSCATS that will be put out on Shout Factory DVD('s). According to Matt Besser's website:

"ASSSSCAT taping for DVD"
Asssscat is going to be shot for DVD for release on Shout Factory DVDs.
March 3 - 8 & 10 pm
March 4 - 7:30 & 9:30
at the UCB Theater in LA.

The UCB will tape four Asssscats to be released by Shout Factory on DVD. Cast will include: Matt Besser, Amy Poehler, Ian Roberts, Matt Walsh, Chad Carter, Sean Conroy, Andrew Daly, and Horatio Sanz. Monologist will include Jen Kirkman and Paul F. Tompkins + two more TBD.
Buy tix now on ucbtheater.com

Tickets are all sold out for the payable shows but there is a free one on Sunday night. This means that those of us in New York will be without any member of the UCB four this week but we'll get to see whatever their doing in LA on DVD later this year.
In similar UCB related news the second season of Upright Citizens Brigade from Comedy Central may be released this year. Matt Besser's blog says Fall 2007.

P.S. The Black Donnellys is going to be a fairly decent show.

The Next "Giant" Thing In Comedy

Let's face it, there hasn't been a good sketch comedy show on TV in a while. Well Aziz Ansari, Rob Huebel, and Paul Scheer have the answer with their new MTV series The Human Giant. These three UCB regulars have been filming sketches out in LA for the past few months and are ready to share their work with NYC. This Monday Aziz will resume his stint with the weekly stand up showcase Crash Test at UCBT. The Human Giant will be there previewing some of their sketches along with some other friends doing some stand up. The first video that they've already released on the internet is Illusionators, featuring Rob Riggle. Check it out:

Illusionators (Full 13:00)

If you like what you see make a reservation for next weeks Crash Test. The one coming up this week is already booked solid but if you show up I'm sure they'll let you in. It's free so how can you argue with the price. Show up at 9:30 and catch a few friends of mine in the sketch show, "Flashes De Quincy".

The Winner is Losing

I just watched The Winner, Rob Corddry's new project over at Fox. You can watch the whole thing on the website and it is very disappointing. I usually give UCB, Daily Show alums the benefit of the doubt but this show is rough. The first episode is "40 year old virgin" cut to 22 minutes without the swearing, nudity, or good jokes(the humor). There is a laugh track which turns me away from any comedy these days. I will immediately right off a show because even if it is funny I feel like it is insulting my intelligence. I know when I want to laugh and I will when it's funny. Too bad for this show it's not very funny. Seth MacFarlane is the Executive Producer and I thought at one time he knew funny stuff. He missed horribly with this one. Rob, Seth I love your work but who told you that a sitcom with a laugh track would be the next good project for you? I bet NASCAR America will make this successful but you won't be getting many viewers from the likes of me or many people I know.

Arcade Fire + Apostle of Hustle, My Favorite New Music

I've been extremely lazy lately when it comes to blogging. Oh well, I was working a lot and now I'm not. This past week I was lucky enough to catch 2 out of the 5 Arcade Fire shows at Judson Memorial Church. I went on Thursday and Friday and even though Win Butler was very sick, he was still great. He complained about not being able to sing many old songs because they were an octave and a half higher than the "Neon Bible"
I stood front row for both shows and snagged setlists from them as well. They didn't vary much from the setlists except for no Power Out night 2. I think every male in the crowd fell in love with Regine the second she stepped on stage, too bad she's taken by Win. The band had a ridiculous energy and the new songs sound amazing. I can't wait to catch them again in May when they come back for 3 more nights most likely in a larger venue.
Keep The Car Running from -->
MP3's of Friday's Show I Was At
Flickr Photos from Judson

If you haven't heard the Neon Bible, it will be worth the wait. The other album I can't get enough of right now is the new Apostle of Hustle, "National Anthem of Nowhere". If you're familiar with Broken Social Scene then you know these guys. They are an offshoot of BSS and their new album is remarkable. Some songs have the chaotic feel of Broken Social Scene but it is all grounded with great melodies.

"National Anthem of Nowhere"

I'm tired but that's what I've been up to other than lots of UCBT and improv classes including one with Riggs last week. Is there any music I should hear? I like the new Modest Mouse but haven't made any concrete criticisms of it yet.