8 Static returns this weekend at Studio 34. The chip-tune guru’s have quite a show planned for this month with a lineup that will have you dancing like a Dalek. They do the Brisbane Shuffle inside their tin can skirt.

If you like your chip-tunes a bit more experimental with songs like “My Girlfriend Left Me For a Tentacle Monster,” then be sure to catch SKGB. Their latest album “CondomTune” is being sold via digital download code printed on packages of multicolored glow-in-the-dark condoms. Hopefully they have enough for the tentacle monster if he shows is his ugly mug.

Rounding out the bill is a quirky duo called D&D Sluggers. Armed with a Super Nintendo, a keyboard with a strap, and a guitar, these guys are able to turn out some unbearably catchy songs. They were recently at Raleigh’s Hopscotch Festival, alongside acts like The Flaming Lips and Drive-By Truckers.

Philly’s own Animal Style is back in the seat behind the projector to delight your eyes and compliment the melodies pouring out of that old video game hardware. Warning, welding goggles might be necessary cause Animal Style’s visuals are so hot they might scorch your corneas.

To top it all off, Kitsch Bend has kindly offered up for raffle some sweet bits and bobs for the budding chip-tune composer/fan. They also have some incredible gear up for sale on their site like some custom GameBoy Advance and custom circuit cases.

Sadly, after three years of rocking West Philly, 8 Static is moving out of Studio 34. Lets be sure to pack the house for this stellar lineup and give the place a sendoff like it’s never heard before! Be sure to RSVP because this show is sure to be one the geeks will talk about for ages.

As always, tickets are $8 and $5 with and RSVP. The raffle tickets are going for $1 for 1 ticket, $5 for 8 tickets, $10 for 14 tickets.

Stay tuned and we’ll keep up to date with whats going on with 8 Static and where the next show will be.

The Philly Auto Show is not the domain solely for the petrol-head. Geeks like cars too. In fact, without geeks and boffins, some of that sweet tech you have in your new car may never have made it there at all. Satellite navigation, radar-guided cruise control, infrared night vision, and launch control all sound like things we might want in our Fifth Element hover taxi, but they are only a small part of amazing tech that can be found in the new, green, and exotic cars you’ll find at the Philly Auto Show.

From Jan 28th to Feb 5th, get (insert motoring pun here) for some of the sleekest and most cutting edge cars to ever hit The Pennsylvania Convention Center floor. Cars large and small will be there for you to oogle, sit in, push every button on the dashboard, and pretend you are belting around the Nürburgring at 170 mph. There is also sure to be a man with a rag over by the Ferraris waiting to sop up your puddles of drool.

In honor of the upcoming show, we have a short list (in no particular order) of some of the geekiest cars from film and real life. If there’s any one you think we should add to the list, drop us a message in the comments section below.

The Ecto-1: Who seriously didn’t want to ride round NYC to bust ghosts in this glorious bit of geek transport. Little known fact: It looks even cooler covered in slime.

The Back to the Future DMC Delorean: The Delorean may have been a complete failure in real life, but when Doc Brown got his hands on it to turn it into a flying time machine, it cruised easily into the hearts of every movie geek.

Peel P50: Small cars are geeky. The Peel P50 holds the record for being the smallest production car ever made. Never mind that it was hopelessly impractical and didn’t have a reverse gear, it was so awesomely small that you could easily drive it around your office building.

BMW Concept Car: No list of geeky cars would be complete without some iteration of the Batmobile. But this is a little something different. BMW created a concept car that’s able to change the shape of it’s fabric outer shell. You can even open and close the headlights to make it look like it’s blinking. It’s very ffective for winking at pretty girls on the sidewalk.

Reliant Robin: Because of it’s three wheel configuration, the reliant robin spent more time crashing than going around corners. But, since you only needed a motorcycle license to drive it, geeks loved turning it into all sorts of incredible things.

Undoubtedly, none of these cars will be at the Philly Auto Show, but like looking at a Lamborghini’s that will be there, it’s still fun to dream.

Philadelphia Auto Show
Jan 28 – Feb 5th, 2012
www.phillyautoshow.com

The Pennsylvania Convention Center
1101 Arch Street, Philadelphia PA 19107

Reboot your auditory sensor modules with 8 Static.

The year has been reformatted and a new operating system has been installed. Your robot ears are in need of some nourishment. Don’t worry, 8 Static is back to reboot your brain with some amazing chiptunes. On January 14th, 8 Static will once again be vibrating the floors of Studio 34 with the rumble of 8-bit rocking.

This month features the audible stylings of Burnkit2600, a trio guys that compliment their circuit bent silicon instruments with drums, bass, and occasionally a flute. They bring a mash up of funk and psychedelic sensibilities to delight of your aural receptors.

Ever wonder who is straddling the chasm between punk and chiptune? Ponder no more because Graffiti Monsters are will be here to rock your face off with some classic 8-bit sounds wrapped up in a punk rock duvet. A duvet is punk right?

Maybe you prefer your 8-bit music a bit more thunderous, frenetic, and only made with a Gameboy Color. Enter Kool Skull. With nothing but a Gameboy, this guy will rattle your positronic brain within that bone casing you call a skull. And you will like it.

To delight your eyeballs, local artist and 8 Static veteran visual magician, enso will be on hand to provide an amazing light show.

As always, each show is preceded by a workshop showing you how to bend vintage hardware to your musical will and generally become a chip tune hero. This month’s is being presented by our friend Paul Weinstein AKA Chipocrite who created a rockin’ version of the Game of Thrones theme for The Philly Geek Awards. Before the show, he’ll show you some live Gameboy performance techniques.

Hopefully that will include how to play The Legend of Zelda theme behind your head with your eyes closed.

8 Static
Saturday, January 14th, 2012
7:00pm at Studio 34 – all ages!
$8 / $5 with RSVP right here!

Hollywood Babble-On (HBO) is a podcast featuring the Sultan of SMod, Kevin Smith and Lord of Laughter and Vicar of Voices, Ralph Garman. Recently, the guys stopped by to do their show from World Cafe Live right here in Philadelphia. Ralph is local “Philly boy who went to Hollywood to sell his soul… and is still looking for a buyer.”

It seems that a few people may have purchased his soul, because Ralph lends his voice to Family Guy, is the entertainment reporter/impressionist for the Kevin and Bean radio show in LA, was also in the epic Sy-Fy monster flick, Sharktopus, and is a rather convincing psychopath featured in Kevin Smith’s new movie Red State.

I’m a huge fan of Hollywood Babble-On and listen religiously every week. Garman and Smith skewer anyone and everyone with their name in lights with their signature blend of obscenities and impersonations. Garman has the ability to mimic the likes of Al Pacino, Sean Connery, Harrison Ford, Ed Wynn, David Bowie, and many more. So instead of simply listening to Ralph on HBO, I actually got a chance to talk to the man that has kept my afternoons between class full of laughter.

How did you find yourself sitting down with Kevin Smith every week to record Hollywood Babble-On?

Ralph Garman: It’s sort of a long story. I’m on a morning radio show in LA and Kevin has been a frequent guest, so we got to be friends. I usually do a Hollywood news segment on the show where Kevin and I were just busting balls and cracking jokes. I pitched it as a whole show to the station and they said people were more interested in music so we just shelved the project. When Kevin started the SModcastle and the podcast network started to take off, we thought we would give the show a shot. It’s blown up from there and we are now doing the show at the Jon Lovitz Podcast Theater.

You have a big bag of incredible impressions, how do you go about learning a new impersonation?

Ralph Garman: It’s funny, I equate it to a party trick. I kind of have a knack for it. I would occasionally do skits on the radio show and do the voices along with it. I ‘d hear something and try to work on it. It would sound like someone and I would bring it out. I have picked a character before and tried to do a voice that way, but it is much more difficult coming in on it from the outside. (more…)

Update: He’ll be at the Free Library on Saturday, not Friday. – Edt

Like him or not, Chuck Palahniuk, has written some of the most intriguing stories ever put to paper. Most of you would remember his most famous novel turned movie Fight Club, but Palahniuk has published 14 books that range from his non-fiction accounts of oddities that he’s has found across the country to a legendary time-traveler who’s most famous contribution to society is the rampant spread of rabies.

His newest book, Damned, is about a thirteen-year-old daughter of a billionaire couple who dies of a marijuana overdose at a Swiss boarding school. After being dropped in hell, she meets up with a rag-tag group of kids as they wander off to have some words with the Dark Lord himself. Damned looks to be like The Breakfast Club as written by Dante Alighieri.

Chuck Palahniuk is on his way to The Free Library of Philadelphia on Oct 29TH to give you a little taste of his version of Hell and sign a few books. VIP signing starts at 12:30pm. You’ll want to get there early because the first 100 people in line will get a VIP ticket to meet Chuck at the signing. Later on at 2:00pm Chuck will read from his novel and answer some questions.

He’s famous for going way past the line when it comes to researching his novels. He’s made his way through underground fight clubs and has been to numerous sex addict meetings. For this book however, it might be interesting to ask him just how he researched Hell. Maybe he took some notes from John Constantine and had a staring contest with a cat. They’re half in, half out you know.

Live out your Sherlock Holmes detective fantasy with 1st Annual “Philly Finds” Scavenger Hunt

Do you have a smartphone permanently glued to your hand? Would you enjoy frantically exploring this lovely city of ours in search of hidden treasures and jealously kept secrets? Then you should download the Scavenger Hunt with Friends app and prepare for the 1st Annual Philly Finds Scavenger Hunt hosted by Hotel Palomar Philadelphia.

Polish up that monocle, comb that mustache (real or fake), tap out your Sherlock Holmes Pipe that blows bubbles, and a nickname one of your friends Dr. Watson because you need to be ready bright and early. The hunt starts at 8:00 a.m. on October 14th. Your phone will be your trusty notepad providing you with a list of everything you need to find. From famous food to landmarks, this scavenger hunt will have you exploring every nook and cranny of the city.

When you find one of the items, you will more than likely be out of breath from sprinting 15 blocks and smashing smartphones out of random pedestrian’s unsuspecting hands. Next you need to snag a picture of the item and upload it to the app. Frame up that shot carefully because tie-breakers will be judged on the creativity of the photo. This looks to be the perfect opportunity for some epic planking.

In order to win, you need to find photos of all the items on the list by noon on October 17th. You have a weekend of exploration that might just be rewarded. One winner will receive their choice of a new iPhone or iPad 2 along with a weekend hotel stay at any Kimpton hotel in the country (worth $1200). A special Philadelphian will be the judge and will also crown the Scavenger Hunt winner at the Hotel Palomar Philadelphia on October 19 at 3:30 pm. I’m hoping that they’ve reanimated Ben Franklin because we all knew that wild guy would have enjoyed a good scavenger hunt. The winner will also be announced on Hotel Palomar’s Facebook page.

I’ll leave you with some geeky encouragement from General Adama who was known to say on occasion, “Good hunting.”

Philadelphia better get ready for Hollywood Babble-On with legendary filmmaker, writer, storyteller, Kevin Smith and actor, man with many voices, and radio show host, Ralph Garman. Nothing in Hollywood is safe from ridicule when Kevin and Ralph step up to the mics. Monday October 17th, you can watch these two record Hollywood Babble-On at World Cafe Live!

In addition to making the jarringly visceral horror movie Red State, Kevin Smith has recently created a podcast empire called SModcast Internet Radio (S.I.R). Featuring dozens of shows, S.I.R provides more laughs per minute than anything else on the internet.

Hollywood Babble-On is made up of Kevin and Ralph commenting on the weekly goings on in Hollywood. They start every show with shout-outs to people who have come a long way to see them. Ralph entertains each fan with a shout-out in a voice from his enormous bag of impressions. From the awkward pauses of Shatner to the exclamation of “WHOOAH!” from Pacino, Garman never fails to deliver the laughs. He even has an Ed Wynn impression that always likes to remind us that “life is for the living.” If you ever wanted to hear Sean Connery talk dirty or simply hear Ralph scream his famous movie line, “DAMN YOU SHARKTOPUS!”, then Babble-On is the show for you.

Kevin and Ralph are huge geeks themselves and can’t resist having a segment entitled “Geek News” complete with a Batman-esque theme song. These guys highlight the only news that is really important to us geeks. Sure the Greek economy has collapsed, but who cares when some dude in Oregon is riding a unicycle in a kilt while playing the Star Wars theme on bagpipes!

Join the legion of Kevin’s fans and enlist in the Garmy while you try not to fall out of your seat laughing when you are at World Cafe Live! October 17th. Ralph is from Philly, so show the returning local boy some love. Just don’t get it on him.

Tickets are $50 & $60 Which you can purchase here.

Hollywood Babble-On @ World Cafe Live
Monday, October 17th, 2011
Ticket Details: Here

There was a new addition to the collection of fossilized bones, stuffed animals (not the cute and cuddly kind, the ones that used to be alive), and butterflies at The Academy of Natural Science this past weekend. Seashell collectors from around the world gathered to show off the plethora of beautiful shapes and colors that nature has made out of some calcium and natural variation.

The exhibition featured all sorts of shells mounted and classified for you to peruse and enjoy. Deep sea conch and scallops have been brought up from far beneath the waves for you to enjoy. What struck me was the sheer variety of shapes and colors of shells gathered here for the show. Being from the seashore myself and more at home in the water than on land (well, not really at home, just less awkward and gangly), I thought I had seen most of the varieties of seashells. Boy, was I wrong. (more…)

Medium Bob’s is certainly a curiosity nestled snugly in South Philadelphia just off of Passayunk Ave. This little shop has a bit of everything, including an interesting story to tell.

Travis Kerestesy and Roey Levkowitz started up Medium Bob’s after Travis’s grandfather passed away. He left tons of unique knick-knacks and a plethora of clothes, all of which, if you bothered to look at the labels, were size medium. They had found a name for their store.

In addition to family trinkets, Travis and Roey comb through friends’ attics, yard sales, and anywhere else they might find a gem to polish and sell. The range of stuff in the tiny store is staggering. Everything from shoes to jumpsuits, records to vintage polaroid cameras (yes hipsters, start salivating). They also have vintage boardgames, old Nikon cameras, and unused 70’s kitchen appliances (the ones you unbox, look at, read the instructions, and still have no idea what they do). They even have Star Trek action figures for your geeky pleasure. (more…)

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Who doesn’t love puppies? They are cute, clumsy, and love you more unconditionally than anyone, including your family. It is time to rally the geeks around an adorable and noble cause.

New Leash On Life USA is a non-profit organization right here in Philadelphia that has prison inmates socialize and train dogs so that they will be more readily adopted. The program, which has just started this summer, has been a resounding success. There has never been more of a win/win situation. Prisoners move along with their rehabilitation while at the same time giving an animal a chance to find a loving home. Not only are the dogs adopted by the public, but in the future many will be trained as companion dogs for veterans and other people with disabilities. Everyone needs a helping paw now and again.

On September 1st, New Leash on Life will be hosting the “Dog Days of Summer” Happy Hour at Gunners Run at the Piazza. There will be a puppy kissing booth so you can be smothered to the brink of death by cuteness.

If puppy smooches aren’t your style, you can enter the raffle, Chinese auction, or gorge yourself on food and delicious beer. Just $5 will get you a beer and some delectable appetizers. 40% of the proceeds will go right to New Leash on Life USA. There’s no cover, but slipping 5 bucks into the donation can is always encouraged. Gunners Run has a special dog food menu just for your pooch so bring your four-legged pal along with you.

So come have a drink, kiss a puppy, and have some fun. You might be helping to save more than one life.

New Leash on Life
newleashonlife-usa.org

Gunners Run
1001 N 2nd St # 3 (19123)
(215) 923-4600

Jason Mewes. You all know him as the lovable trash-talking jester in the duo of Jay and Silent Bob. He has made appearances in Clerks, Dogma, Mallrats, and among many other cinematic romps. And although there aren’t going to be anymore Jay and Silent Bob movies, they live on in audio form on SModcast Internet Radio (S.I.R.).

Mewes took some time to answer a few of my questions. Being from New Jersey myself, Jason Mewes is a bit of a legend and I was quite nervous giving him a call that morning. But, all my qualms were laid to rest when he answered the phone with a resounding, “HELLLLOOOOO!”

How has it been collaborating with Kevin to get S.I.R. off the ground? Weekly podcasts are one thing but a whole radio station has to be a whole new beast.

It has been a lot of fun. I’ve been digging it. Credit goes to my wife Jordan. Jordan and Kevin go back and forth on iChat with ideas and sort of get everything going. There are also the interns that work on the technical stuff. It really is a team collaboration with Kevin’s assistant Megan and her fiance too. I try to come up with ideas that Kevin hates. I know he hates them but I try to just stick them into the live show anyway. But, I really have been enjoying it. They actually had me set up here in the old copy room of a school so we could stream the show while I’m here in Canada filming. But yeah, really enjoy it. (more…)

Do you ever find yourself wanting to wander Sherwood Forest in a pair of green tights while singing cheeky songs? Well go and watch Robin Hood: Men in Tights then. If you want to know the whole story of Robin Of Loxley, watch Robin of Sherwood, the most complete retelling of the Robin Hood legend.

The Robin of Sherwood Boxed Set 1 on Blu-Ray chronicles the transformation of Robin of Loxley into the thieving scamp we all know as Robin Hood. Michael Praed turns in a quality performance as the Prince of Thieves. Many of you more seasoned TV geeks (Hey! I didn’t say older!) may remember him from Dynasty. Amongst Robin’s merry men is the hot headed Will Scarlet (Ray Winstone). Winstone has been working a bit more recently and you might remember him from The Departed and The Kindom of the Crystal Skull. (Which, according to me, doesn’t exist. Indy was last seen riding off into the sunset on horseback with his dad, Marcus Brody, and Sallah.)

Follow Robin through his most harrowing adventure yet to save the sweet Maid Marian. Robin of Sherwood does not hesitate to delve into the darker depths of the Robin Hood legend that is full of pagan mysticism. I found it to be one of the most interesting adaptations of the tale. The entire series was shot on location in the English countryside which allows it to evoke a feel of authenticity.

The set is not lacking in bonus features. There 3 blu-ray discs are packed with the first 13 episodes from series one and two. But the final disc is loaded with over 8 hours of bonus features. So if you are like me, and bought the Lord of the Rings Extended Editions and watched all the bazillion hours of behind the scenes documentaries…twice, then you will want for nothing.

Robin of Sherwood came out on June 7th and you can get it from www.acornonline.com for $79.99.