The GeekDads

This episode of GeekDad HipTrax is sci-fi themed. Herein we cover all the bases: Firefly, Star Trek and Doctor Who.

Okay, so maybe we left out Star Wars. Well Star Wars and BSG… and also Stargate.

Let me try this again; in today's edition of HipTrax we just cover some of the bases. With the help of:

"Monahan's Mudder's Milk" by Marc Gunn

Marc Gunn, known as "The Godfather of Celtic Music Online," is a musician, blogger, podcaster and champion of contemporary Celtic music on the web. Lucky for us, he's also no stranger to the occasional filk tune. This workers' rights ballad themed around the Firefly episode "Jaynestown" is freely downloadable at his site, but he's also got a fine selection of pay tracks available via Amazon.

"The Saddest Song Ever Written About Star Trek" by Warp 11

Sacramento's Warp 11 are not exactly among the most kid-friendly of acts we've featured on HipTrax. They are, however, a veritable explosion of kick-ass Star Trek musical fandom. They were featured in the 2003 documentary Trekkies 2, and standout track "Everything I Do, I Do With William Shatner" was included in the Comedy Central roast of The Shat. You can check out the breadth of their fantastic back catalog online. Just, y'know, make sure the kids are well out of earshot.

"There's No Such Thing as Impossible" by Turn Left

Turn Left are sisters Victoria and Georgia Minnear, also of UK Wizard Rock outfit RiddleTM. While not writing amazing songs about the power of Potterdom or any of a myriad of other subjects, the ladies also get their Time Lord Rock on. In a manner most divine.

The GeekDads talk about the GeekDad Awards, Google Fiber, and the joy that is Chineselinuxuniversity.net. Enjoy!

GeekDad.com is the parenting blog at Wired.com, edited by Ken Denmead, Matt Blum and Chris Anderson. It is a community of like-minded geeky parents writing about our experiences raising our kids in the digital age, and about our obsessions with technology, family-friendly projects, and pop-culture. The GeekDads podcast is a bi-weekly discussion of anything and everything that impacts us as geeks and parents.

You look sad, my friend. (And not just about the unfortunate Skype noise on this podcast, I bet!)

Is the grind of the mid-week workday already bringing you down? Are you in desperate need of entertainment?

Of course you are!

So kick back and enjoy another piping-hot edition of HipTrax. Today's episode features:

"Painting Pictures" by Dual Core

Dual Core's int 80 and c64 are all about the feel-good tracks. Much as their Zero One classic "The Children's Machine (OLPC)" added stirring prose to the One Laptop Per Child program, this song finds int 80 rapping about the power of the cochlear implant and technology's functional applications in real life.

"Exapno Mapcase" by Comptroller

Created in 28 scant days as part of the RPM Challenge, Comptroller is a diminutive powerhouse. Boasting 10 tracks of chippy goodness, it's available for free download via Bandcamp.

"Going Home" by Kirby Krackle

Kirby Krackle's new album E For Everyone is currently available as a digital download. Of course, you can also head over to their site and order a physical copy. And while you're waiting on that to arrive, be sure to check out their self-titled debut. Album opener "Back to the Beginning" and the incomparable "Marvelous Girls" both come highly recommended.

The GeekDads talk about Portal 2 buzz, and the new OK Go video. Enjoy!

GeekDad.com is the parenting blog at Wired.com, edited by Ken Denmead, Matt Blum and Chris Anderson. It is a community of like-minded geeky parents writing about our experiences raising our kids in the digital age, and about our obsessions with technology, family-friendly projects, and pop-culture. The GeekDads podcast is a bi-weekly discussion of anything and everything that impacts us as geeks and parents.

Sometimes nerd life gets to be too much. In those cases, you just need to sit back. Relax. Unwind.

Lucky for you, Hiptrax is here to help!

Kick back and enjoy the smooth sounds of:

"Coder Girl" by Dale Chase

If you dig a super-tight flow, soulful hooks and intelligent, techy rhymes, Dale's Absodefilutely EP is a must-have. New fans also owe it to themselves to check out his "Coder Girl 2.0 (Remix)" and his musical meditation on longtime friend of GeekDad Snipeyhead.

"My Monkey" by Jonathan Coulton

The narrator of this Coulton classic made a mistake. He and his lady-love had a fight, and maybe he said some things he really didn't mean. I can't imagine blaming his monkey butler is going to help matters, but, y'know, live and learn.

"Dock of the Bay" as covered by The Skamatix

Like HipTrax favorite Marian Call, The Skamatix aren't superficially geeky, but trust me; it's in there. Their own Nate Trier, for example, also crafts atmospheric instrumentals for use in tabletop roleplaying games under the clever guise of Mindscape Music.

The GeekDads talk about snow, Buzz, and raising racist kids. Enjoy!

GeekDad.com is the parenting blog at Wired.com, edited by Ken Denmead, Matt Blum and Chris Anderson. It is a community of like-minded geeky parents writing about our experiences raising our kids in the digital age, and about our obsessions with technology, family-friendly projects, and pop-culture. The GeekDads podcast is a bi-weekly discussion of anything and everything that impacts us as geeks and parents.

Romance is in the air! And that can mean only one thing; our HEPA filter needs to be changed.

Oh wait…

Valentine's Day! Yeah, that totally explains it!

Cuddle up with that special someone and check out this ultra-romantical edition of GeekDad HipTrax featuring:

"To Have and to Hold" by temp sound solutions

Shawn Phase (AKA: temp sound solutions) is a titan in the chiptune, VGM and demoscene communities. He also has the most classic Konami logo tattoos of any single individual in recorded history. Check out the re-release of his amazing Xylox LP for free compliments of our friends at Pause Records.

"Romantic Cheapskate 2.0" by MC Frontalot

Since you obviously already own this track from Front's 2007 release Secrets From the Future, why not head over to the SPIN Magazine site to pick up the first single from his forthcoming Zero Day album. It's a song about Wil Wheaton, and that is the very definition of nerdcore.

"With You" by I Fight Dragons

Please join me in congratulating I Fight Dragons, as the band has just been signed to Photo Finish/Atlantic Records! I'm not sure how major label support will affect our ability to play their future releases, but hope springs eternal.

It's HipTrax time again, boys and girls! Aren't you excited? I know we are. So gather 'round while we serve you up a trio of nerdy tracks sure to please.

This episode features:

"Heroes in the Snow" by arcadecoma.

Chiptune artist arcadecoma. hales from Edinburgh, home of the Burke and Hare murders (-100 true crime points for those who don't know Burke and Hare) and Wattie Buchan (-100 punk rock points to those who don't know Wattie.) Only, y'know, arcadecoma. is much less scary. He's also a member of geek-centric netlabel Pterodactyl Squad, so head over to there to score the sweet, chippy goodness.

"Group with You" by The Four Eyes

The Four Eyes have recently redesigned their web site. Check out their new digs for a brand new crop of freely downloadable songs, including this one. You do like free stuff, right?

"On Your Six " by Ultraklystron

Karl Olson's new album Romance Language 2 is now available for super-cheap download via Bandcamp. Pick it up and share it with someone you love. Preferably while discussing your favorite fansubs.