Needless Things

On today’s episode of the Needless Things Podcast Dave talks to Sam Koji Hale, director and creative force behind the new feature film Yamasong: March of the Hollows! 

 

Yamasong: March of the Hollows brings the audience into a magical world unlike any other. On the planet Yamasong live races of fantastical creatures, like the mountain dwelling ram-like Ovis, or the peaceful turtle warrior clan of the Terrapin. Fish fly, monsters breath clouds and gods swim through the ocean depths.

 

Yamasong follows an automaton girl and tortoise warrior that journey with a band of outlaws on an incredible quest. Their one hope to defeat a sinister mechanized army and save the creatures of their world is to find a legendary relic.

 

Yamasong: March of Hollows is the epic puppet storytelling tradition of Dark Crystal meets Studio Ghibli’s Princess Mononoke.

 

Dark Dunes Productions and Taormina Films have partnered with filmmaker Sam Koji Hale to help realize this fantastical puppet vision, with a screenplay by novelist Ekaterina Sedia.

 

Listen in as Dave and Sam discuss everything from the art of puppetry to 80s toy lines to building fantastical worlds in cinema!

Be sure to join the Needless Things Podcast Facebook Group and get in on the conversation for this week’s episode! Let us know what you think!

 

“Procrastibate” by LeSexoflex.com 

 

Interstitial music provided by The Mystery Men? 

 

You can follow Dave as Phantom Troublemaker on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for all the latest on pop culture!

We’re on the Road to WrestleMania and it’s time to call the Needless Things Irregulars out to the ring to cut promos on their favorite – and most despised – wrestling memories!

 

Dave opens the show by running down the card for WrestleMania 34 and then dives into conversation with some of your favorite Irregulars to reminisce about the squared circle. From heel turns and bizarre gimmicks to day-long WrestleManias and fallen heroes, the gang looks at the last few decades of pro wrestling in WWE and beyond!

 

Listen in as Dave, Chris, Noel, and Rich discuss the best of wrestling times and the worst of wrestling times!

 

Be sure to join the Needless Things Podcast Facebook Group and get in on the conversation for this week’s episode! Let us know what you think!

 

“Procrastibate” by LeSexoflex.com 

 

Interstitial music provided by The Mystery Men? 

 

You can follow Dave as Phantom Troublemaker on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for all the latest on pop culture!

For sixteen years SuicideGirls.com has been breaking boundaries and setting standards for online communities, representation, and pop culture relevance. It’s also provided a safe space for beautiful women with tattoos and piercings to express themselves.

 

The Suicide Girls Blackheart Burlesque touring show has become a phenomenon in its own right, creating a forum for performance that brings the concepts of the website – pop culture, freedom of expression, and appreciation of diversity – to live audiences.

 

In this episode, Dave talks to the one that started it all – Missy Suicide – about the history of the site and how it has evolved over the years.

 

Listen in as Dave and Missy talk business, creativity, and freedom in the newest episode of the Needless Things Podcast!

 

Be sure to join the Needless Things Podcast Facebook Group and get in on the conversation for this week’s episode! Let us know what you think!

 

“Procrastibate” by LeSexoflex.com 

 

Interstitial music provided by The Mystery Men? 

 

You can follow Dave as Phantom Troublemaker on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for all the latest on pop culture!

 

Recorded LIVE at Dragon Con 2018 for the Horror Track!

 

Just in time for the premiere of the sophomore season, Needless Things is proud to present E.J. Stevens, James A. Moore, and our very own Dave West discussing the first season of Netflix’s outrageous Santa Clarita Diet!

 

Starring Drew Barrymore and Timothy Olyphant, this bizarre gore-fest defied expectations and set a new standard for horror comedy. Featuring an amazing supporting cast and a story that could best be described as unpredictable, Santa Clarita Diet surprised many by being not only a satisfying source of splatter, but a touching family drama.

 

Listen in as Dave, James, and E.J. record this episode of the Needless Things Podcast before a live Dragon Con audience!

 

Be sure to join the Needless Things Podcast Facebook Group and get in on the conversation for this week’s episode! Let us know what you think!

 

“Procrastibate” by LeSexoflex.com 

 

Interstitial music provided by The Mystery Men? 

 

"Freaks" by Timmy Trumpet and Savage

 

You can follow Dave as Phantom Troublemaker on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for all the latest on pop culture!

 

Part of an ongoing series – the Needless Things Irregulars gather in the Phantom Zone to provide their own unique commentary on classic genre films!

 

We’re on the road to WrestleMania, Phantomaniacs! That means this month’s Commentary had to be related to the warriors that inhabit the squared circle. After a serious rumble in the Needless Things Podcast Facebook Group No Holds Barred was crowned champion!

 

1989 brought us Batman, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Gremlins 2, UHF, and countless other classics, so it’s a little hard to believe that this - Hulk Hogan’s first starring role - was produced the same year. Nonetheless, the Commentary Team gathered to endure the cocaine-tinged madness of a lawless world where television networks rule the world and the only place to find justice is in the ring!

 

Listen in as the Team attempts to make chicken salad out of chicken shit with 1989’s No Holds Barred!

 

Be sure to join the Needless Things Podcast Facebook Group and get in on the conversation for this week’s episode! Let us know what you think!

 

“Procrastibate” by LeSexoflex.com 

 

Interstitial music provided by The Mystery Men? 

 

You can follow Dave as Phantom Troublemaker on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for all the latest on pop culture!

From MorriconeYouth.com:

 

Morricone Youth formed in New York City in 1999 with the mission statement of composing, re-interpreting, performing and recording only "music written for the moving image." With a repertoire of over 100 reinterpretations of film and television soundtracks and music production library recordings (many of which recorded for CDs released by Country Club Records),the band performs with projections thematically dedicated to specific composers or film music genres in addition to composing and performing its own original live scores to old silent films, midnight movies, animations and shorts in theaters and art spaces around the country. In 2005, Morricone Youth composed original music for its own imaginary film entitled "SILENZIO VIOLENTO," recorded with legendary Brooklyn producer and engineer Martin Bisi released by Country Club Records. The band's original music has regularly been used for television and films, including the documentary "Second Skin" directed by Juan Carlos Pineiro-Escoriaza about MMORPGs.

 

The band has embarked on the ambitious project of recording and releasing a 15-vinyl/digital series of the enormous body of work it has composed and re-worked for the 15 silent films and midnight movies and performed over the past six years around NYC. The first three releases of the series are now available digitally and on vinyl: (1) "THE ADVENTURES OF PRINCE ACHMED" 6-song 32-minute EP (150g black vinyl, limited pressing of 500 w/ digital download cards); (2) "NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD" 6-song 25-minute EP (second pressing on 150g transparent blood red swirl vinyl limited pressing of 500 w/ digital download cards); and (3) "MAD MAX" 10-song 40 minute LP on coke bottle green OR gold black swirl 150g vinyl, limited pressing of 500 each w/ digital download cards). Up next: F.W. Murnau's "SUNRISE: A SONG OF TWO HUMANS" (est. April 2017); Alfred Hitchcock's "THE LODGER" (est. August 2017); and Sergei Eisentein's "BATTLESHIP POTEMKIN" (est. November 2017). Distribution via Light in the Attic Records and Revolver USA.

 

Guitarist/founder DEVON E. LEVINS has been a dedicated soundtrack record collector since the mid-90's and hosted a weekly soundtrack internet radio show on East Village Radio from 2007-2014 under the same Morricone Youth name as well as interviewing soundtrack composers. Devon is currently hosting an all new soundtrack radio show MORRICONE ISLAND on WFMU (wfmu.org/91.1 FM in NYC/NJ) every Tuesday from 7-8pm ET.

 

Be sure to join the Needless Things Podcast Facebook Group and get in on the conversation for this week’s episode! Let us know what you think!

“Procrastibate” by LeSexoflex.com 

“?” by Morricone Youth 

 

The Needless Things Irregulars assemble for their annual look at the New York International Toy Fair!

 

The 2018 New York International Toy Fair was held from February 17th – 20th so that toy manufacturers from all over the world could get retailers and journalists excited about their offerings for the upcoming year. Hasbro, Mattel, Funko, NECA, and many more all bring out their prototypes, concepts, and newest licenses to display in the biggest toy-oriented gathering of the year!

 

Join Phantom, Needless Things’ Head of Research Ryan, The Belligerent Monkey, and Josh Wilson as they discuss the coolest collectibles that will be unleashed in the coming year!

Be sure to join the Needless Things Podcast Facebook Group and get in on the conversation for this week’s episode! Let us know what you think!

“Procrastibate” by LeSexoflex.com 

Interstitial music provided by The Mystery Men? 

You can follow Phantom Troublemaker on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for all the latest on pop culture!

 

Part of an ongoing series – the Needless Things Irregulars gather in the Phantom Zone to provide their own unique commentary on classic genre films!

 

WARNING: Unbeknownst to the Needless Commentary Team, none of whom had seen this movie, Tanya’s Island includes scenes of rape and… (SPOILERS) basically bestiality. It’s really fucked up, you guys. Strictly adults only.

 

Journey to a magical island that may or may not exist and is home to Tanya, Lobo, and another very special guest. Witness the most bizarre love triangle in cinematic history as the Commentary Team groans along to this obscure film featuring creature effects by Rick Baker(!) and Rob Bottin(!).

 

Listen in as the Team is forever changed by the power of Tanya’s Island!

 

Be sure to join the Needless Things Podcast Facebook Group and get in on the conversation for this week’s episode! Let us know what you think!

 

“Procrastibate” by LeSexoflex.com 

 

Interstitial music provided by The Mystery Men? 

 

You can follow Dave as Phantom Troublemaker on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for all the latest on pop culture!

 

Join Dave, the Needless Things Irregulars, and some very special guests for a night of entertainment recorded live at the Intown Coffehouse in Atlanta, Georgia!

 

One of Dave’s earliest inspirations for becoming a performer was Late Night with David Letterman. For this special 200th episode of the Needless Things Podcast, tribute is paid to that legendary show by way of a live talk show featuring a house band, panel interviews, and a wild cast of characters!

 

What follows is an excerpt from the final message sent out to the performers prior to showtime:

 

Good evening!

 

I just wanted to touch base about the Needless Things Podcast 200th Episode Extravaganza, a fun variety show for all ages featuring music, puppetry, and special guests. The format will be based on late night talk shows.

 

First I want to thank you for being a part of this show. This a very special night for the podcast and for me personally, as I have dreamed of hosting something like this ever since I first started watching David Letterman back in 1987. I couldn’t have asked for a more wonderful and inspiring group of people to be a part of this event.

 

The 200th takes place at the Intown Coffeehouse on January 25th. As of now doors open at 7:30 and the show starts at 8. Crew should arrive by 6 PM, talent please arrive by 7. Production should wrap by 9:30.

 

CREW

 

Host – Dave West

Announcer – Sean Reid

House Band – Bambi Lynn, Ricky Zero, Jas Ingram

Sound – Ryan Cadaver

Production Manager – Rebeccah Hunter

Camera – Jason Wilson

 

TALENT

 

Arian Gulick

Jay Hornsby

Beau Brown

Bean & Bear 

The Casket Creatures – Ryan Cadaver, Cliff Damnage, Kevin Slayfield

 

Listen in as Dave and the Needless Things Irregulars record this episode of the Needless Things Podcast before a live studio audience!

 

Be sure to join the Needless Things Podcast Facebook Group and get in on the conversation for this week’s episode! Let us know what you think!

 

“Procrastibate” by LeSexoflex.com 

 

Interstitial music provided by The Mystery Men? 

 

You can follow Dave as Phantom Troublemaker on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for all the latest on pop culture!

It was originally posted on the Internet Archive because we had no idea what we were doing. Now, five years later, the episode has been given a new introduction and outro and is finally being included in the Podbean library of episodes to be distributed to itunes, Stitcher, Uranus, and everywhere else podcasts aren't sold.

Here are the show noted from that first episode in a cleaner form.

Phantom wrote much longer show notes than Dave does.

I guess this was bound to happen sooner or later. I knew at some point I would have to do my own thing.

This was actually Beau’s idea. He messaged me that he wanted to do a Masters of the Universe podcast; possibly Earth Station Eternia. I thought that sounded like a great idea, so I ran it past Director Faber. He was not interested. I immediately knew I was just going to have to do it myself. I envisioned a year-end wrap-up of the Masters of the Universe Classics toy line and the 30th Anniversary. I got back to Beau to make sure he was down with that – he was – and started figuring out how the heck I was going to do it.

Would there be cursing? (yes)

How long did I want to record? (preferably about 90 minutes, but however long it took)

How would I record? (with a Skype add-on called Amolto Call Recorder)

How would I post it? (still working on that as of this writing)

We had a recording date set of December 10th, but I got sick and couldn’t talk around the pound of snot hanging out in my throat. 

And then we did record ten days later. I had planned on doing a lot more than we did, but it just takes a while to discuss thirty-two action figures and the greatest playset of all time. 

Here’s the rundown, with links to reviews where appropriate (at the time of the recording I had not yet received my December shipment of Procrustus and Mosquitor; I skipped Granamyr):

30th Figures

Photog – Heroic Master of Cameras designed by fan Nathan Bitner

Draego-Man – Evil Fire-Breathing Menace designed by legendary toy designers The Four Horsemen – mention dropped weapons

Spector – Heroic Master of Time Travel designed by ToyGuru Scott Nietlich – I do not begrudge him this figure. I would totally do the same thing. Spector is boring and I didn’t get him or want him, but good for ToyGuru.

Sir Laser-Lot – Heroic Knight of Grayskull designed by comic book writer Geoff Johns – Johns gets 80’s toys.

Cy-Chop – Evil Horde Bounty Hunter designed by apparent lunatic Terry Higuchi

Castle Grayskullman – Heroic Embodiment of Castle Grayskull designed by Daniel Benedict

2012 Figures

January – Star Sisters

February – Sorceress, Fisto, Shadow Weaver

March – Kobra Khan

April – Thun-DERP-unch He-Man, DDP

May – Slush Head, Stinkor, Snake Mountain stands

June – Horde Prime, Snake MAA, Gryphon

July – Spikor, Vykron (SDCC)

August – Nothing

September - Mekaneck, DB Skeletor, Snake Men

October – Rattlor, Frosta, Weapons Pak

November – Eternos Palace Randor, Dekkker

December – Mosquitor, Procrustus, Granamyr

CASTLE GRAYSKULL PREORDER!

I had a fantastic time recording this thing with Beau and even enjoyed the editing to a certain extent. If the editing had been the only thing going on in my life I think I would have really liked it. Of course, that would also be very sad.

I wasn’t sure to what extent Director Faber wanted the ESO Network to be involved given his initial level of interest, but he was pretty excited about making The Needless Things Podcast a part of his empire when I talked to him Sunday night during the latest Earth Station Who recording. He asked if I had included the ESO IDs and I wen