Review: Rainbow Six Vegas

Man, gunning down tangos in Vegas is waaaaay different than Z-targeting badguys atop Epona.

Nevermind, here's my RS Vegas review, get it here while it's hot.

Oh, and I know the game came out a week ago, but dude, I was like totally like busy with Zelda, shahhhhh?!

Twilight Princess pwnd, review posted

Where did the time go? It seems like yesterday that we were pining away for the next Zelda, and hoping frantically it would amount to more than a cell-shaded sequel to Wind Waker.

Yet here we are, years later, getting a double-dose of WIN in the Ninty department.


That is, not only have I finally got my mits on the next Zelda, but I've done so with a brand new, Jetson-esque game console that I've been anticipating almost as long; a shiny, clean, esoteric console that makes me want to dress in an all-white outfit with no zippers and subsist on a liquid-only diet in my hyper-cube space bubble.

Alas, apologies for the lack of returned phone calls lately; the last several weeks have been spent farming rupees, becoming one with my Gale boomerang and traipsing between Snowpeak Ruins and the Temple of Time.

I'm happy to report that, finally, Zelda is beat and the review is live.

Check it here. Boo-yah-yah

Naked Raygun: The Oral History

I ran a 6-page cover story in AP this month on one of my favorite Chi-town bands evar, Naked Raygun.

And after many conversations with Pezzati and Spicer, I almost got them to make nice with Haggerty for Riot Fest, and beyond. Almost.

Review: Me First And The Gimme Gimmes

New Times picked up my review of the latest Gimmes record, Love Your Country, which is the band's latest stab at genre-rejiggering.

Yee-ha! The Misfits, ya'all!

Check it here.

Brian Jonestown Massacre comes to town

Scribbled this up for New Times last week, can't wait for the show.

Review: Black Label Society DVD, or how to sing 101 Pilsner Soaked Arpeggios on the wall...

I just think this was funny, or at least that New Times has a sense of humor for letting me run this.

New Times Feature - The Energy Trio

Part Coltrane, part Cobain, The Energy Trio fuses jazz constructs with Electric Mistress flange and fuzz, making for a 6/8 goulash of goodness your grandma wouldn't dare call jazz.

Don't believe me? Check it.

The Mars Volta: Three ethno-Cuban names required, please

Pop Snark Achievement Unlocked: 10GS - Managed to mention John Hughes in a Mars Volta piece.

Gorilla Biscuits: Resurrected and still sober?

Are they really back together? Dates here in town says yes.

Review: Sick Of It All, Still Pissed After All These Years

Not sure if I'm just getting old or what, but this didn't quite do it for me.

Alternative Press review here.

E3 2006: Massive SCI FI.com Round Up

Phew! E3 2006 is over and done, and I covered the literal crap out of the weeklong shindig (Kentia Hall, FTW!) for SCI FI.com's SCI FI Wire.

Here's a recap:

SCI-FI Games Rule at E3
Sony Presser: New Controller Reveal
Microsoft Presser: Halo 3 Teaser
BioShock Preview
Assasin's Creed Preview
Gears of War Preview, Hands-On
God of War II Preview
Spore Preview
Heavenly Sword Demo'd
Quake Wars Demo'd
Indiana Jones Euphoria Physics Demo'd
LEGO Star Wars II Demo'd
Untold Legends Eyes-On
Neverwinter Nights 2 Preview
F.E.A.R. Update
Marvel Ultimate Alliance Preview
Eragon First Look
Huxley Hands-On
Archlord First Look
TimeShift Hands-On
D&D Tactics Demo'd
Okami Update
Overlord Eyes-On
Alone In The Dark Demo'd
JLA Demo'd
Rogue Trooper Looks Friggin' Sweet

Now, to catch up on sleep and the tsunami of emails I missed...

Review: None More Black

I interviewed Jason Shevchuk, lead singer/guitarist of None More Black a few months back for AP. I also reviewed their latest LP, This Is Satire.

Fantastic band, great record, sweet interview, check it.

E3 06: Note to self - Arrive early to press conferences and sit near the front

So I'm at the Microsoft conference early today, not sure why. It's at the Mann's Chinese theater, where I remember seeing Empire Strikes Back as a kid.

Yay.

Anyhoo, I'm minding my own business, and I decide to trolly myself down to the front row to sit. I figure, better view, right?

Low and behold, Peter Molyneux, braintrust of Lionhead Studios sits his duff right down next to me.

After the event, during which MS announces Fable 2, I proceed to give the impromptu interview, like any gaming journo worth his salt should, and very much to the chagrin of his PR wrangler.

Since, I'm covering E3 for Sci Fi Channel this year, interview and deets here.

[EDIT] My apologies, my editor at SF can't seem to spell Peter's last name correctly. Ugh...

E3 06: Twilight Princess will be mine

Got a decent look at Twilight Princess this morning during the Ninty Presser.

Long version impressions here.

Short version impressions?: Help me Epona, you're my only hope.

E3 06: The Burning Hole in my life, or grinding my healadin to 70, Arenas

God, Burning Crusade, what am I going to do when you hit?

And I thought I'd gotten away from your clutches after the endless Ony grinds... looks like we're gonna be friends again, very soon!

*sniff*

Azeroth Metroblog opens, Tarren Mill still under attack

Spoke to Sean Bonner over at Metroblogging about a new Azeroth blog that covers the haps around town in the world... of Warcraft.

Basically lotsa news about everyone's favorite Crabmeat recipes, how LF tanks still suxors, and rampant reports that high level rogues are still ganking newbs in Hillsbrad.

Actually, not really... interview round up from Sci Fi Wire here.

Hardcore Eulogy: Goodbye, friends

Local hardcore faves Where Eagles Dare are calling it quits, as you prolly know. Final show coverage, last interview here.

New Times Feature - Desole

Followed Phoenix alt-rock act Desole for a few months, including a trip to LA for a video shoot, for this New Times feature.