The GeekDads

As the summer draws to a close a young man’s thoughts turn to GeekDad HipTrax episode 94. Or maybe that’s just me.

Enjoy the following fine selections:

“Buggin’ (The Metamorphosis)” by Random

This Monday GeekDad was thrilled to premiere the newest video from rapper Random, a wonderful visual interpretation of this Kafka-inspired track directed by Max Isaacson. And just yesterday Ran followed it up with the release of the 2nd volume of his Language Arts collection.

“I Like It! (ft. MC Frontalot, Beefy)” by Supercommuter

The latest from Seattle chip-hoppers Supercommuter features the Godfather of Nerdcore MC Frontalot along, fellow PacNW geek rapper Beefy, electronic artist Square Wail and the smallest commuter of them all Itty Bitty Bot. Grab your copy right now from Bandcamp for whatever you’d like to pay.

“Gravity Falls” by Adam WarRock

WarRock will be on the road next month with Tribe One, Jesse Dangerously and Mikal kHill as part of the NOFRIENDS 2012 tour. Be sure to catch ‘em when they come through your burg, and don’t forget to check out Adam’s own Gravity Falls fan podcast.

Ken, Matt, and John Booth look chat about Star Wars Celebration, bad Tim Burton movies, and coffee vodka. Enjoy!

GeekDad.com is the parenting blog at Wired.com, edited by Ken Denmead, Matt Blum, Jonathan Liu, Z 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 biweekly discussion of anything and everything that impacts us as geeks and parents.

Talking with Diane Duane is like having a conversation with a wind storm; things keep coming at you from all directions, and everything blows you away.

If you are a fan of science fiction, fantasy, animation, and just genre entertainment in general, and you're of a certain age like me, you've probably bumped up against Diane's work, even if you don't realize it. In '80s she was at Hannah-Barbera, Filmation, DiC, Sunbow, and Walt Disney. Can you picture the shows she was working on? Captain Caveman, Dinosaucers, Transformers (the ORIGINAL), and Duck Tales to name a few. Then she co-wrote for Batman: The Animated Series (perhaps the Genesis of modern superhero cartoon shows), and Gargoyles. Gargoyles is remembered for having been a well-written series, with a lot of Star Trek: The Next Generation actors doing voice work.

And yes, Diane did a ST:TNG story: "Where No Man Has Gone Before."

She wrote a seminal series of Star Trek novels about the Romulans that informs fans to this day, and had young adult stories about wizards in the modern world on the racks a decade before J.K. Rowling.

There is more, much more, but in a way, that would be spoilers. If you know who Diane Duane is, you'll have a great time listening to this podcast, because the stories she tells about, every corner of genre entertainment in the last 30 years are great. If you don't know Diane, you'll really want to afterwards.

This edition of GeekDad HipTrax is all about skillful lyricism and delicate acoustic-rooted instrumentation. And also Pokémon.

Think of it as HipTrax Unplugged:

“Gotta Catch ‘Em All (feat. The Stacey)” by Insane Ian

This song, taken from Ian’s larger work “Ultimate Epic Video Game Medley 3rd Strike,” combines Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep” with the theme song from Pokémon, a mash-up that obviously resonates here on the internet. It features the vocal stylings of his wife Stacey.

“Little Songs” by Grace Kendall

Many listeners likely know Grace as Wizard Rocker Snidget, and similarly associate her more with the dulcimer than the ukelele. Still, her Little Songs puts the uke center stage in a 12-track collection of earnest lyrics and simple, infectious melodies.

“Good” by John Anealio

This classic 90s cover is available as a part of John’s ongoing free Covers project, and it is also featured on my upcoming Hipster, please! compilation Nerd Up the 90s.

Ken, Matt, Dave, and Jonathan look chat about summer vacations, The Hobbit, Batman, and coffee vodka. Enjoy!

GeekDad.com is the parenting blog at Wired.com, edited by Ken Denmead, Matt Blum, Jonathan Liu, Z 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 biweekly discussion of anything and everything that impacts us as geeks and parents.

With our fearless leader at last back from vacation, we spend this particular episode of HipTrax reflecting on some exciting new cuts from some of our old favorites.

Enjoy:

“End Credits (Space Based Funk)” by Pixelh8

“Language Arts (1st Day of School)” by Random

“Sharktopus” by Nuclear Bubble Wrap

I am well aware of the summer concert season, but apparently there is also a summer album season. As it seems that everybody is dropping one this month!

Check out the new hotness:

“Bring Toonami Back” by Richie Branson

If the fan outcry to resurrect Cartoon Network’s long-missed Toonami anime block was a phalanx, then surely Richie’s rallying cry was the tip of the spear. (Now you know a bit more about both American otaku and ancient military history; you’re welcome, internet!) You can own this updated version of the iconic track along with six other hip-hop gems on his amazing new N.E.R.D. EP.

“Co-op Mode (feat. The BossFights)” by Sci-Fried

Sure, I could be stingy with my song leaks, but I like to share ‘em. Especially when they come from Florida’s geek rock royalty Sci-Fried and California’s underground thrash/rap juggernaut The BossFights. This song serves as the title track for Sci-Fried’s forthcoming Co-op Mode, an album featuring other epic musical team-ups with the likes of Warp 11, MC Lars and Insane Ian.

“Take on Me (Live)” by Kirby Krackle

Recorded at Seattle’s Hard Rock Cafe during this year’s Emerald City Comic Con, Live in Seattle represents Kirby Krackle’s first full band live album. Eleven tracks strong and featuring amazing guest performances by Adam WarRock and ALL CAPS‘ (and former Parselmouth) Kristina Horner, it’s a veritable must-own!

Welcome, one and all, to the GeekDad HipTrax summer music spectacular. We've got thrills, chills and spills. And also Nine Inch Nails!

Prepare to be shocked and amazed by the geektastic glory of:

"Head Like I-O" by Inverse Phase

Inverse Phase's Pretty Eight Machine is likely the best thing you've heard since… well, Inverse Phase's inspired rendition of a certain Cee Lo Greenchart-topper.

"Just Passing Through" by Benjamin Briggs

Twenty-five years ago Final Fantasy introduced a generation of Western youth to the wonders of the JRPG -- not to mention the wonders of the Nobuo Uematsu soundtrack. And just this month the OverClocked ReMix community paid fitting musical tribute with their 35th album Random Encounter.

"Spring Break 199X" by Slime Girls

The latest from the Pterodactyl Squad netlabel is the Vacation Wasteland EP, a pitch-perfect collection of summer sounds. From garage-flavored punk to chip-driven surf, it's a must-have for all your warm weather listening.

Ken, Matt, and Jonathan look back at GeekDad Day, the WWDC announcements, and upcoming geeky summer movies. Enjoy!

GeekDad.com is the parenting blog at Wired.com, edited by Ken Denmead, Matt Blum, Jonathan Liu, Z 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 biweekly discussion of anything and everything that impacts us as geeks and parents.

This week’s theme is musical adventure, and we include a record four tracks from three amazingly geeky artists!

Explore the possibilities with:

“Flash” / “Battle Theme” as covered by The Protomen

Though not technically released until June 1st, those who pre-ordered The Protomen’s new live tribute Present: A Night of Queen – like our own Ken Denmead – received the album early. The rest of you will have to wait, but we’ve provided a couple of tracks to tide you over.

“They Call It Big Blue” by Maximalism

While not serving as a member of Captain Dan and the Scurvy Crew, Brad Podray participates in a number of other unique musical projects. In his new release Soundtrack for a Great Adventure he provides a selection of ten amazing (and totally free) instrumentals to serve as backing tracks to whatever excitement awaits in your daily life.

“…Is About to Explode” by Adam WarRock

Having already conquered the worlds of comic book- and television-inspired music, Adam WarRock recently set his sights on the realm of anime. And since no property is more deserving of a hip-hop tribute than seminal 1988 classic Akira, that’s exactly what Adam’s Neo-Tokyo EP provides.