Random Signal

Song 1: Virgin Hovercraft - Billy SugarfixHappy 2007 and welcome back to Random Signal!I hope everyone got lots of good loot for Christmas, I know I did...Justice League: Heroes (for the PS2)Star Wars: Battle Front II (also for the PS2)Kingdom Come (Absolute Edition)DC: The New Frontier (Absolute Edition)Also, as promised, here's the link to Ryn's cousin's art gallery:Art & Invention Gallery - Nashville, TNSong 2: The Eggnog Song - The Morning Squirrels (from The War on Christmas by Lee Harris and Friends)7th Grade Slug cartoons--behold my adolescent scribblings!Song 3: Van Helsing Boombox - Man Man (from Six Demon Bag)[MySpace] [iTunes]Song 4: Gut Bucket - James Brown (R.I.P.)[Emusic] [iTunes]Disclaimer: No slugs were harmed in the making of this podcast.

My wife joins me again for an in-depth discussion of DC Comics current weekly series 52. There are also a few Christmas songs.Song 1: Hovercraft - Space Mtn (from A Drawing of a Memory of a Photograph of You)[MySpace] [Emusic] [iTunes]Song 2: Deck the Halls and Rattle the Walls - Music for Viola (member of the Oilville Christmas Dynasty, courtesy The Lee Show by way of PMN)Song 3: Chiron Beta Prime - Jonathan Coulton (from Thing a Week)[MySpace] [Emusic] [iTunes]

After an unplanned hiatus, Random Signal is back with talk of weather, rock music and politics. Song 1: Exploderama - SNMNMNM (from Exploderama EP)[MySpace] [Emusic] [iTunes]During my little break, I did guest spots on two of my favorite podcasts...Pseudopod -- Episode 10: TuristaThe Voice of Free Planet X -- Episode 32: Hoist That RagSong 2: Indian Summer - Beat Happening (from Jamboree, by way of the PMN and courtesy of K Records)[MySpace] [Emusic] [iTunes]Interview: Jonathan Coulton - special thanks to Mur Lafferty!Song 3: Sibling Rivalry - Jonathan Coulton (from Thing a Week One)[MySpace] [Emusic] [iTunes]Song 4: My Defense! - SNMNMNM (from As Best As We Can)

It's my 50th show! It's Halloween! Horray!Song 1: Midnight Cabaret - Reverend Glasseye (from Black River Falls)[MySpace] [Emusic] [iTunes]Song 2: Creepy Doll - Jonathan Coulton (from Thing a Week V)[MySpace] [Emusic] [iTunes]Song 3: Halloween - The Coffinshakers (from Dark Wings Over Finland, maybe, courtesy of Reanimator Records by way of PMN)Song 4: Vampire Lover - The Deformities (from Baloney, via PMN)[MySpace]Song 5: Baby We'll Sleep In the Graveyard Tonight - Bad News Bats (from Bad News Bats)[MySpace] [Emusic] [iTunes]Song 6: Haunted Castle - Belaire (from Haunted Castle 7" Single)[MySpace]Song 7: Monster Rap - Andrew Bush/Haberdash Films -- see the video at Lulu.TV (Warning: Very Not Safe For Work!)

My wife Ryn returns to Random Signal for an in-depth discussion of how much fraking TV we watch. It's also the weekend of our 4th wedding anniversary. But first...Song 1: Jason Lee - All Girl Summer Fun Band (from 2)[MySpace] [Emusic] [iTunes]Ryn and I kick things off by discussing the new shows this season that we are currently watching. Such as...HeroesMen In TreesUgly BettyStudio 60JerichoOf course, we also talk about a few of our returning favorites...Prison BreakGrey's AnatomySupernaturalSong 2: Shake Our Tree - The Rosebuds (from Birds Make Good Neighbors)[MySpace] [Emusic] [iTunes]Wait, it's not quite over...LostDoctor WhoBattlestar GalacticaSong 3: You Can Never Hold Back Spring - Tom Waits (from the soon to be released 3 disc rarities collection, Orphans: Brawlers, Bawlers, and Bastards, courtesy of the Podsafe Music Network)[MySpace] [Emusic] [iTunes]

This podcast is an All-Girl-Indie-Pop-Fun-Fest!Song 1: Video Game Heart - All Girl Summer Fun Band (from 2)[MySpace] [Emusic]Song 2: Ces Mots - Belaire (from the Belaire EP) - watch the video![MySpace]Song 3: Oh - Space Mtn (from A Drawing of a Memory of a Photograph of You) - watch the video![MySpace]Song 4: You Dance Bad - Palomar (from Palomar III: Revenge of Palomar)[MySpace] [Emusic]Podcasts shouted at, er, out during the the course of the show:I Motor AwayWHYMENotes Underground - check out the Space Mtn interview!The Geeklabel PodcastThe Voice of Free Planet XVoices of Tomorrow

Len of Jawbone Radio has illustrated the official Jonathan Coulton coloring book! Buy it now at Lulu.com.In other JoCo news, he has joined John Hodgman on his ongoing book tour (for the paperback edition of Areas of My Expertise), and they will be in North Carolina in October.In other hobo news, all 700 Hobo Names have been illustrated! (Although rumor has it that the new edition of AoME has added 100 more.) Visit E-Hobo.com to see them all.Song 1: I Crush Everything - Jonathan Coulton (from Where Tradition Meets Tomorrow)Next, I talk about giant squids and Yosemite National Park. Promo 1: Radio ClashHijack my podcast! I dare you!Promo 2: I Motor AwaySong 2: Experts Made the Forcast (live at Cat's Cradle) - Eyes to Space (from emusic.com)

Reasons I love Dragon*Con #633: melting NazisI am still totally wiped out from back-to-back (and coast-to-coast) conventions. My one day at Dragon*Con was hectic, exhausting, and totally freakin' Airwolf! I spoke on two panels, performed Lance Biggs, purchased some awesome new games, and took a few pictures. Unfortunately, I missed out on the Parsec Awards (congratulations to all the winners!) and the already legendary live episode of Wingin' It. However, I still got to see all my old poscasting friends and make some new ones.Here's the Who's Who:Mur Lafferty - Geek Fu Action Grip, I Should Be Writing, PseudopodJim Van Verth - The Vintage GamerMichael and Evo - Wingin' It, Slice of Sci-Fi, DragonPage Cover to CoverJoe and Summer - The Kick-Ass Mystic NinjasLorrie and Sheila - DragonPage With ClassDerek and Swoopy - SkepticalityPaul and Martha - The Balticon Podcast, ADDcastTee Morris - The Survival Guide to Writing FantasyPatrick McLean - The SeanachaiMichael A. Stackpole - The SecretsSteve Eley - Escape PodL

This was recorded on my iRiver, first in my hotel at PAX, and then back at home in NC during a thunder storm (we had the computers turned off), but I think there is something wrong with the iRiver because there is this annoying background noise. I'm really sorry about that, and it's quite embarassing, considering that I've only done one show with the new gear.Anyway...In this show, I report on my recent trip to Washington state to attend the Penny Arcade Expo--aka, PAX. I got to hang out with my friend Stuart, and it was a lot of fun, despite the crazy crowds. Highlights of the convention include:Watching Stuart compete in the D&D Open Duel (run by Technomancer Press)Seeing the demo of Guitar Hero IIPlaying Arkham Horror and RuneboundMeeting MC Frontalot and seeing him performSong 1: Miskatonic Massacre - The Von Dooms (courtesy of Reanimator Records)Song 2: Penny Arcade Theme - MC Frontalot (from Nerdcore Rising)I totally meant to get this posted days ago, but even though it's probably too late, look for

Presenting the first Random Signal Bonus Episode--the Laneclot Biggs podplay. Based on Lancelot Biggs: Spaceman by Nelson Bond, adapted by Mur Lafferty, and edited by Paul Fischer and Martha Holloway (who also let me gank an entire episode of the Balticon Podcast so I could share it with all of you!). It was originally preformed live (pictured here) this past Spring at Balticon 40, but due to some unfortunate technical difficulties, we weren't able to record it with the proper sound effects. This performance of Lancelot Biggs: SPAAAACE MAAAAN!!!! is released under a Creative Commons 2.5 non-commerical, attribution license. I play Dick Todd, second mate of The Saturn. He's earnest, but not the sharpest tool in the shed. Most of the cast will be reuniting for an encore performance of Lance Biggs at Dragon*Con in Atlanta, GA during Labor Day weekend. Stay tuned for more details in upcoming editions of Random Signal.

I can't stop playing Katamari Damacy! However, I did manage to break away long enough to set up my new recording gear. Please let me know what you think of the new sound! The Tom Waits show was, as expected, amazing. Here's a scan of the setlist I jotted down during the show, in the dark. Yes I am a big nerd. The Eyeball Kid has complete coverage of all the shows on the Orphans tour. Song 1: Another Man's Vine - Tom Waits (from Blood Money, courtesy of Epitaph) Promo: The Voice of Free Planet X I had a fantastic time in San Jose at BlogHer 2006. We met a ton of awesome people, including "sexpert" Susie Bright and Heather Powazek Champ, community director at Flickr and co-editor of JPG Magazine. Our interviews with both women can be found in Lulu Radio #9. Song 2: Fragile - Tall Dwarfs (from Fifty Flavours of Glue) The Military Moustaches of Stratego Trivia Challenge was a spectacular failure. Thank you for those loyal few who participated. The ranks with facial hair as depicted on my 1986 ver

Song 1: Alice - Tom Waits (from Alice, courtesy of Epitaph)So far, July has been a totally Airwolf month. Here's why:*I got Tom Waits tickets!!!!  (Looking to buy, sell or trade tickets at face value? Try the Tom Waits Fan Forums.) *For my birthday I got a PS2 and Guitar Hero, the greatest game ever, and new podcasting gear.*This weekend I'm flying out to San Jose to attend BlogHer as a Lulu representative.Song 2: In Our Talons - Bowerbirds (from Danger at Sea)Audio Clip: Neil Gorman's ology podcast - some good advice.Song 3: Zombie Twist - The Deformities (courtesy of the Podsafe Music Network)Movie review: Superman Returns

I had a ton of fun at HeroesCon. I got to meat a lot of really cool people, like Matt Fraction and Tony Harris, and got to see our favorite local vendors of geeky goodness--Chapel Hill Comics and Wootini. My friends and I even dressed up like superheroes! See the pictures here.I'm trying someting a little different by focusing on two different bands and playing two songs by each. First up...Man Man - www.wearmanman.com and www.acefu.com1. Black Mission Goggles - from Six Demon Bag2. 10 lb. Moustache - from Man Man (aka The Man In the Blue Turban With the Face) - check out the video!And then...Tom Waits (!!!!) - www.anti.com and www.tomwaitslibrary.com3. How's It Gonna End - from Real Gone4. Hold On - from Mule Variations(both songs courtesy of the Podsafe Music Network)Tom Waits is touring the southeast in August! Find out more from The Eyeball Kid.

The anniversary month continues with an exta long one (~1 hr.), but fear not, it's full of kick-ass tunes and randomy geeky goodness. Also, it's Not Safe For Work or Children!Song 1: Banner Year - Can Joann (from The Aiden Grace EP)HeroesCon - June 30-July 2 - Charlotte, NCThe Lulu Comics Subversives will be out in force! This year's Con guests include such comics luminaries as:Warren EllisTony HarrisCharles VessBrian WoodRob G and Rick SpearsTim SaleMatt FractionMichael Avon OemingAndy LeeSong 2: Heatseeker - Valient Thorr (from the soon to be released Legend of the World, courtesy of PSM)Comic reviews:1) The Five Fists of Science by Matt Fraction and Steven Sanders2) Wormwood, Gentleman Corpse: The Taster (#0) by Ben TemplesmithPromo: The Vintage GamerGame review: Stratego (published by Milton Bradley)Enter the Military Moustaches of Stratego Trivia Challenge - the very first Random Signal contest!!!Question: Which of the ten ranks in Stratego have facial hair, as depicted on my copy of the game board (Milt

Balticon was totally Airwolf! With swords!This week marks the one year anniversary of Random Signal! There are special plans in store, oh yes! Just...not yet. Soon. I promise.First up is a brief sample of the Lancelot Biggs: Spaceman podplay. It was recorded live at Balticon 40 on May 28. It is based on the book by Nelson Bond, and was adapted by our very own Mur Lafferty. I play Dick Todd, the earnest, but none-to-bright, second mate of The Saturn.Song: Captain of the Future (live at Chop Suey) - We Wrote The Book On Connectors (via PMN)Mur and Rob (from podcast411) wrote a podcasting book - Tricks of the Podcasting Masters (Random Signal is mentioned on pages 120-121, and Lulu Radio is mentioned on pages 321-322!)Mur and I recorded our con wrap-up in the car on the way home. Here are the high-lights in link form:Best of the Balticon Film Festival:Sins of the Mother (by podcaster Earl Newton)They Are Made Out of MeatGrandfather ParodoxCost of LivingJesus Christ SupercopFast-Forward.tvMur's Interview with Nei

Ok...I'm running short on time this morning, so let's make this quick... Song 1: Over and Over Again (Lost & Found) - Clap Your Hands Say Yeah (from Clap Your Hands Say Yeah) Song 2: Am I Awake - They Might Be Giants (from Indestructible Object, courtesy of Barsuk Records via the Podsafe Music Network) Song 3: One More Smoke - Reverend Glasseye (from Black River Falls) Promo 1: One Minute How-To Promo 2: Balticon Podcast Other Links Random Signal Spreadshirt store RockButtons Willrad Achewood (Totally Airwolf!) Diesel SweetiesEclectic Mix All Star Batman & Robin, The Boy Wonder #4 by Frank Miller and Jim Lee Lostpedia The Epic of Gligamesh

Balticon is coming! Memorial Day Weekend (May 26-29)Here's the complete list of podcasters (other than myself) who will be attending:Mur Lafferty - Geek Fu Action Grip and I Should Be WritingJim Van Verth - The Vintage GamerPaul Fischer and Martha Holloway - The Balticon Podcast and The ADDcastSteve Eley - Escape PodTee Morris - The Survival Guide to Writing FantasyPatrick McLean - The SeanachaiJared Axelrod - The Voice of Free Planet XJ.R. Blackwell - Voices of TomorrowRich Sigfrit and Earl Newton - Requiem of the OutcastSteve Wilson - Prometheus Radio TheatrePromo: The Voice of Free Planet XSong 1: Roadkill - Eyes to Space (from Eyes to Space EP)Song 2: Celebrity Diet - Captured! By Robots (from The Ten Commandments/Get Fit With...)Subaru Confessions - Cornered at Home Goods (sorry about all the highway noise!)Promo: The SeanachaiSong 3: Thicker Skin - Can Joann (from Hurt People Hurt People)The theme music for this episode is "Divebomber" by Ron Arnold.

This podcast was recorded over the course of 5 days while on my recent vacation to the Gulf coast of Florida. Cut off from every last one of the internets, all I had was my trusty iRiver - so the sound quality is a little worse than normal. Also, it's long. Clocking in a just over an hour, this show is twice the usual length. You've been warned! Also, my wife Ryn makes her Random Signal debut.For obvious reasons, I had hoped to have this uploaded on May 1. Oh well, such is life.Places visited:Estero, FloridaSanibel and Captiva IslandsLover's Key State ParkSongs played:1. Unwind - The Rosebuds (from The Rosebuds Unwind)2. Alcohol - David Karsten Daniels (from Angels)3. Kaw Kaw Kaw - Seth - third son of Albert (of the WHYME podcast)4. Radiation - The Epoxies (from Stop The Future, via the PMN, courtesy of Fat Wreck Chords)5. Knives and Snakes and Mesquite - Bowerbirds (from Danger at Sea)6. Four Fingered Fisherman - Modest Mouse (from Sad Sappy Sucker, via the PMN, courtesy of K Records)7. First of May - Jonath

Nick Cave is on the Podsafe Music Network! (Shout-out to Mikel OD of Most People are DJs for bringing it to my attention.)Song 1: Bring It On - Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds (from Nocturama, by way of the PMN, courtesy of Epitaph Records)Rambly reviews of comics I should have read long ago...Transmetropolitan by Warren EllisNew X-Men by Grant MorrisonUlitmates Vol. 1 by Mark MillarSong 2: The Waydown - Modest Mouse (from The Fruit That Ate Itself, by way of the PMN, courtesy of K Records)I'm going to be a guest at Balticon! (Baltimore, MD - May 26-29)

It's April 17th, aka Tax Day, the scariest day of the year. I decree this day shall henceforth be renamed "Aprilween," and to celebrate, I bring you a blood-chilling line-up of Hal...uh, I mean, Aprilween music.1. Vampire Club - Voltaire (from Boo Hoo)2. Re Your Brains - Jonathan Coulton (from his Thing a Week Podcast)3. Blood Moon - The Creeping Cruds (from The Incredibly Strange People Who Stopped Living and Became...)4. They Walk Among Us - New Math (from the Podsafe Music Network, courtesy of Reanimator Records)5. Black River Falls - Reverend Glasseye (from Black River Falls)6. I'm a Poltergeist - Evil Wiener (form The Evil Wiener Halloween Record)(ps, hope you remembered to do your taxes!)