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Duchess Medium sized Jack Russell/Parson Russell, strong, loves to play, tan, runt of her litter, very loving, needs room to play,$35, Online pets classified ads

Wiiiiiiiiiiiiii!!!!

I am currently blogging to you from a Nintendo Wii. This is t-ruly an amazing device. Tyler owns! Well, Ive gotta go, carpal tunnel is setting in. Love, Tommy aka "Big Sexy" *wink*

Hello And Welcome Back!

I know it has been a while since we last spoke, and long pauses in the blo posts seem to be rampant, but I love my readers like I love cake. And I L-o-o-o-o-ve Cake.
Im gonna keep up with the posts as best as I can, but school (Urgh.) is just too big to ignore. P.s. If you love some French, go to my French teacher Madame Selle's blog, http://www.lecafefrancais.blogspot.com

Good Day, Tommy N.

PROJECT!

You are in Tommy's BLOG, which means you are either

- A friend
- A family member
- Coworker
- Minor aquaintance
or
- A fan

Pleas enjoy the following video and forward this video to every person you've ever met to get support for this video project. Here is the URL:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3CTf1cRfLU

Fitzdog Lite

I often check in with the friends of the blogg, and today I fired off a MySpace message to comedian, stand-up veteran, and friend of the blog Greg Fitzsimmons, informing him I hit my 20th interview (now 21 lol!) and asking him if he wanted me to plug anything. This is the response I got.

"Congratulations!
I would love you to plug the Helium comedy club in Philly may 28-31

Thanks a lot!
Greg"

So go see Fitzdog love at the Helium comedy club in the city of brotherly love May 28th through the 31st, or else Greg will boil my kneecaps!

The Tommy Blogg TalkBox Interviews: NY Indie Rock/Electronica Band Action Action

Today I got word back from Action Action, a New York Indie Rock outfit with an electronic flare and a pop idealism. I talked to Dan Leo, who does drums, percussion, and vocal efx for the band. A gracious guy, and an authentic good group, here is my interview.

Q: Your band has made itself an institution in independent music. Do you like being a band with a wide fanbase, but less exposure?

A: Having a wide fanbase with little exposure is a plus in the sense that people out there are paying attention to good music and sticking with it. We have great fans because they are dedicated and have a true passion for our music. We've spent about four years touring hard to build our fanbase up, and its a solid fanbase, we love seeing the fans we've made in different cities over and over. They are there for us and a band cant ask more than that, we appreciate the hardcore fans we have because they truly love our music, and we love them. dl

Q: When's the next EP, LP, or CD coming out, and wh should everyone that reads this blog buy it?

A: We will be going into the studio to record our record in early summer. We've been demoing tons of stuff, and we're stoked to get in the studio to put this record together. Yes, everyone who reads your blog should buy our record because itll be something that they will fall in love with.

(Editor's Note: I've Listened To Demos of Their Newer Stuff. Boss, Bad, Bitchin', and Groovy!)

Q: Who influences you as a writers/musicians the most?

A: As the band grows, the influences change, and that the great thing about music. But there are always the solid influences that inspired us from the start like Led Zeppelin, the Beatles, Nirvana, David Bowie, Depeche Mode, Elliot Smith...the list goes on and on. We love listening to different music all the time, and I think thats important if your band wants to innovate itself. People get bored of bands that put out the same record over and over. The bands themselves do to, so change is great.

Q: What is your stance/stances on the war in Iraq?

A: The war in Iraq isn't an easy subject to give a cut and dry answer to, but personally i think that the way we approached the war wasn't the most affective. Our economy is in a scary place right now because of this war, and its only going to get worse. Because of oil, the future of America and the world is at great danger. Instead of having to burn dinosaurs that is slowly deteriorating our planet, we should already be implementing alternative energy methods that wont ruin the environment and make us bomb other countries. People will say this war isn't about oil but about winning the war on terrorism. The fact is, by going over there and bombing the place up, we are creating more terrorism, and I believe the future holds that truth. dl

Q: What are you/you guys' favorite food?

A;We love all kinds of food, thats what makes traveling delightful in a sense. You get to try all kinds of stuff. Sushi is wonderful, Mexican rules, and we love Greek food as well.

Q: So after inspecting my blog, how awesome is it on a scale of 1-10 ( ..http://www. thetommyzone. blogspot.
com.. )

A; Im going to give it a 10 Tommy.

Q: Do I reserve the right to call you/ your band my newest on my list famous friends?

A; Thats up to you. Fame is a state of mind. We want to be everyones friend =).

Dream Town!

Last night, I was told this morning by my mother that I was not only sleepwalking last night, but indeed sleep HUNTING. My mother recounted the story as this;

"You woke up and jumped off your bed. You came over to me, excited, and said loudly, 'Did you see that?', I had no idea what you were talking about. 'I shot that teddy bear!'. You SHOT a teddy bear, or you GOT a teddy bear? I asked. Then you said 'I shot it mom. Didn't you see it?!?'. I asked you again to make sure you said that, 'You shot a teddy bear Tommy?'. You thought about it and responded 'yeah....YEAH...'. Then I told you 'good job. If you need mom later come on in here.' And you walked off, and slid under your blanket."

And I woke up with a new pair of pants on.
Isn't that damn near the strangest thing you've ever seen?

Namazu Animation Goes COmic!

you'll see. You'll All see.

Totality! 20 Interviews

Well, when i started way back when, over 170 posts ao, noone thought this blo would go anywhere. But here is a list of the people Ive interviewed as of today.
(Organized from oldest to newest).

John R. Dilworth, Director/Producer, Creator of cartoon "Courage the Cowardly Dog"
Claudia Gonson, Multi-Instrumentalist, Vocalist, The Magnetic Fields
Greg Fitzsimmons, Comedian, VH1 Panelist
Kevin John, AKA Bonez, Reality Show Contestant, Comedian
Paul Scheer, Comedian, Actor, MTV's "Human Giant"
Chrissie Amphlett, Vocalist, Australian Rock Band The Divinyls
Brian Moore, Democratic Socialist, 2008 Presidential Candidate
Cassandra Whitehead, Model, Reality Show Contestant, "America's Next Top Model"
Naima Mora, Model/Singer, Reality Show Contestant, "America's Next Top Model" (Winner)
Ryan Malgarini and Austin Rogers, aka InsertHear, Tween Comedy Team
Ryan Heller, Vocalist, Boston rock band "Aberdeen City"
Joe Bobb Briggs, Famed Movie Critic
Jon Barthmus, Lead Singer of Indie Rock Band The A-Sides
One of The Guys From STL Band "The Feed"
Brit Lockhart: Guitar and VOX for St. Louis band "Daydream Astrounauts"
One of The Guys From Late Rock Band "Absinthe Blind"
Brandon Hardesty and Scott Levesque, Drummer and Singer for Indie Massachusetts Rock Band "Wheat"
Steven Lea Sheppard, Video Game Columnist, Actor, "The Royal Tennenbaums, 2001.

Suck it Hollywood.

The Tommy Blogg TalkBox Interviews: Actor and Columnist, Steven Lea Sheppard

Q: I will start with what everyone wants to know; What's your favorite kind of sandwich?

A: A good shrimp club is always appreciated, but they can be hard to find; not everywhere makes shrimp clubs, and I've had some bad ones. A good turkey club isn't quite as good as a good shrimp club, but they're available everywhere and, much like pizza, even the ones that aren't great are pretty good. I think I appreciate turkey club sandwiches more on the whole, but I prefer shrimp club sandwiches individually.

Q: My reader probably know you best for your role as Dudley Heinsburgen in the amazing and popular Wes Anderson comedy "The Royal Tennenbaums". What was it like playing a scientific guinea pig for a bearded Bill Murray?


A: Often very cold. A lot of the sets we shot in weren't particularly well-heated, and Dudley's wardrobe consisted of short shorts and a T-shirt. Other than that, fun. Bill Murray especially but also the majority of the cast were competent people, comfortable in their jobs. One hears about on-set drama in Hollywood productions, but I didn't see any. I've found acting is less intimidating if one approaches it as just a job like any other, and having a set full of people who feel the same way helps.

Q: What's next on your plate? (And don't have it until you finish your peas)

A: Not sure yet. Possibly that post-secondary education thing that keeps getting interrupted by other things.

Q: What do you consider your self in politics, Republican or Democrat?

A: Canada doesn't have the same set of political parties as the United States; moreover, because we have four major political parties at any given time (and existing ones tend to die off and get replaced by new ones every thirty to fifty years), Canadians don't really self-identify according to political affiliation the way Americans often seem to. Were I to affiliate myself with a particular American political party, it'd be the Democrats, but that's hardly surprising. The Canadian political "center" is much further to the left than the American; to most of us, even the American Democrats come across as uncomfortably far-right.

Canadian-politics-wise, all the parties are pretty bleah right now.

"Editor's Note: Sorry, I Have A Set of 20 Questions That I Mix And Match. I'm Not Thouroughly Incompetent."

Q: If you were president, what is the first thing you would do with all that power?

A: I'd launch an investigation into how that happened -- as a native-born Canadian I'm not eligible to be elected POTUS. Beyond that, I'd probably call up Al Gore and Jimmy Carter and ask for advice, since they've both won Nobel Peace Prizes and have some experience with Presidential-level US politics.

Q:Where do you see your self in 10 years?


A: Writing professionally, I hope.

Q: What are your super powers?

A: I wish I knew.

Q: What is your weakness?

A: Caffeine dependency, which I'm trying to kick even as I type this.


Q: Boxers of briefs?

A: That's a bit of a personal question for a first interview, don't you think?

Q: Paper or plastic?

A: Paper is sturdier more eco-friendly, but plastic is more easily re-used. Lately I've been using one of those vinyl bags you take with you to the store; it has the benefit of being both sturdy and re-usable.


Q: If you were an animal, what would you be specifically?

A: The great ape pan narrens, which, as it happens, I am.

Q: Let's do word association; Fish!

Coconut milk. They go well together.

Q: Is there anything you have to say to my league of readers here on "The Tommy Blogg
Talk Box"?

Not that I can think of at the moment, I'm afraid.

Q: I hope to get a follow-up with you and now consider you my friend? Do I reserve the right to call you a "famous friend" among the other celebritites who have been here on "TBTB"?


I see no reason why not.

Stephen Lea Sheppard

That just goes to show, the watching "The Royal Tennenbaums" at 6 AM and getting an interview with an actor on the movie at 8:47 American Central : UTC-6/-5 Time, Set Your Mind To It, And There's No Reason You Can't Do It.

The Tommy Blogg TalkBox Interviews: Brendan Hardesty and Scott Levesque, Drummer and Singer for Indie Massachusetts Rock Band "Wheat"

What can I say about Massachusetts natives 'Wheat' that hasn't already been said on their 4 amazing albums. Featured on multiple soundtracks, including superchick-flick "Win A Date With Tad Hamilton", this band has been on "Late Night With Conan O'Brien", "Carson Daly", and more. A band rocking since the late 90's, Wheat will go down in indie rock history. Here is my interview, with Scott's answers signified with an 'S' and Brandon's answers marked with a 'B' enjoy.

Q: Your band has made itself an institution in independent music. Do you like being a band with a wide fanbase, but less exposure?

A: S. i think so. we love music.... we try and live, and have love and stuff - so, it's hard to think about. but, i like what we have. what we share. we'll take it all as it comes.

Q: When's the next EP, LP, or CD coming out, and wh should everyone that reads this blog buy it?

A: B. we're now in the studio working on our next full length - and, digging the process. so, it should be out sometime in the coming year (never can tell exact schedules). we're super jazzed 'bout this one - we think it's very uplifting stuff. a really good batch - it's better than most, and truly unique.

Q: Who influences you as a writers/musicians the most?

A: S. great artists in any genre. people (men and women) who take it to a different level. people who aren't afraid to reach beyond the areas that they are comfortable in, and who try and find something special - something new.

Q: What is your stance/stances on the war in Iraq?

A: B. tough one. we need to leave them alone. we all need to be left alone as much as possible.

Q: What are you/you guys' favorite food?

A; S. tacos B. all seafood.

Q: So after inspecting my blog, how awesome is it on a scale of 1-10 ( http://www.thetommyzone.blogspot.com )

A; B. all the numbers. 1-10

Q: Do I reserve the right to call you/ your band my newest on my list famous friends?

A; S. knock yourself out.

The Tommy Blogg TalkBox Interviews: The Late band Absinthe Blind

Well AB wrapped it up in 03 but here is an interview I did with one of the fellas involved.

Q: Your band has made itself an institution in independent music. Do you like being a band with a wide fanbase, but less exposure?

A: Well we wrapped things up in 2003, but check out www.myspace.com/headlights

Q: When's the next EP, LP, or CD coming out, and wh should everyone that reads this blog buy it?

A: Our final album, Rings, was released in 2003

Q: Who influences you as a writers/musicians the most?

A: We loved the beatles and my bloody valentine

Q: What is your stance/stances on the war in Iraq?

A: A horrible tradgedy

Q: What are you/you guys' favorite food?

A; (NOT ANSWERED)

Q: So after inspecting my blog, how awesome is it on a scale of 1-10 ( ..http://www. thetommyzone. blogspot.
com.. )

A; 10

Q: Do I reserve the right to call you/ your band my newest on my list famous friends?

A;
Absolutley

The Tommy Blogg Talkbox Interviews: Brit Lockhart, Guitarist and Vox'er from STL Band Daydream Astronauts

Today, I interviewed the articulate and lovely-haired Brit Lockhart from DDA, St. Louis' growing experimental musical outfitting. Here it is;

Q: Your band has made itself an institution in independent music. Do you like being a band with a wide fanbase, but less exposure?

A: Exposure is nice, because one of the best things about playing music is sharing it with people. But, as long as we have fans that keep coming to our shows, it doesn't reallly matter what kind of exposure we get for it. We play music for the soul purpose of creating something that we think is unique, and that we like to play. That's the whole point, right?

Q: When's the next EP, LP, or CD coming out, and why should everyone that reads this blog buy it?

A:Our next EP is entitled "Soap Box Briefly" and it will be out in late June, early August. You know I'm in the band, so this will sound a bit egotistical, but everyone who reads this blog should buy it! IF you're a fan of dark, dramatic, ecccentric indie rock, then you'll love this record! We'll probably release a couple tracks for free on our site soon, so check our site to hear the new.


Q: Who influences you as a writers/musicians the most?

A: Our influesnces constantly change, even from day to day. And anything can be an influence, from friends and family, to writers (my favorites lately are Bukowski and Orwell) to just everyday life. Musically, our biggest influences or bands that we look up to would have to be bands that sound like noone else. Bands like The Mars Volta, Sonic Youth, Make Believe, Radiohead, The Beatles, The Velvet Underground, Miles Davis, and The Microphones. We're definately music geeks.

Q: What is your stance/stances on the war in Iraq?

A: I personally think that war in general is rediculous. I think that we're losing valuable lives, and that we're in this war for no reason. But, I look up to those that are willing to fight for what they believe in. But fighting rarely solves anything.

Q: What are you/you guys' favorite food?

A;I would have to say either fried chickn with mashed potatoes, or Chinese Food. mmmmm.

Q: So after inspecting my blog, how awesome is it on a scale of 1-10 ( http://www. thetommyzone. blogspot. com )

A; On a 1 to 10 scale, I'd give it a 14

Q: Since I am in the Missouri area, any upcoming gigs you wanna plug here?

A: Well our next show is:
June 13th @ The Loft
Main St., Belleville, IL
(across from the Lincoln Theatre; above the Ice Cream Shop)
This show is going to be MONUMENTAL! Our friends the House Floor (Blacksburg VA) are stopping by on their tour of the midwest. COme out to Belleville for some amazing avant-rock!
$5 at the door - doors open at 8pm

Q: Do I reserve the right to call you/ your band my newest on my list famous friends?

A; But of course! Thanks so much, and stay in touch!

Tommy Blogg TalkBox Interviews: One of The Guys From STL Band "The Feed"

The band "The Feed" has been blowing UP the STL indie scene for quite some time now, but remaining as fresh as day uno. Now the person who I interviewed did not follow the instruction (Put your initials before your answer so we know who you are) so this is one of the people from ST. LOuis' The Feed;

Q: Your band has made itself an institution in independent music. Do you like being a band with a wide fanbase, but less exposure?

A: Not necessarily. We're looking for more exposure all the time. Right now we've got a couple songs in some upcoming movie soundtracks and we're always looking for more radio-college-satellite spins. We just try to avoid "mainstream".

Q: When's the next EP, LP, or CD coming out, and wh should everyone that reads this blog buy it?

A: September. People should buy it b/c it'll be monumental...we hope...

Q: Who influences you as a writers/musicians the most?

A: Everything and everyone. From lovers to haters and everything in between. As far as specific artists, we're big fans of Miles Davis, The Police, The Kinks, Hendrix, the basics.

Q: What is your stance/stances on the war in Iraq?

A: Get out now. What a disaster. American troops are being killed for political bullshit.

Q: What are you/you guys' favorite food?

A; Breakfast. We're big fans of greasy diners.

Q: So after inspecting my blog, how awesome is it on a scale of 1-10 ( http://www. thetommyzone. blogspot. com )

I'll give it an 8. Give The Feed a little more love and you could easily reach 10.


Q: Do I reserve the riht to call you/ your band my newest on my list famous friends?

A;
Indeed.

The Tommy Blogg Talkbox Interviews: Jon Barthmus, Lead Singer of Indie Rock Band The A-Sides

Today I had the pleasure of interviewing a truly talented individual, Jon Barthmus of the indie rock/ collee rock outfit "The A-Sides" which is currently a 5 piece revue who has released two full-length albums, and were just signed to Vagrant records (as new members of the TB we are extrememly happy for them.
Here Is My Interview;


Q: Your band has made itself an institution in independent music. Do you like being a band with a wide fanbase, but less exposure?

A: hm...I'm not sure how wide our fanbase is, but it is amazing to us when we show up to play in some random city and there's even one person that is really excited to see us.

Q: When's the next EP, LP, or CD coming out, and wh should everyone that reads this blog buy it?

A: Our next move may be a mystery even for us. I've got a ton of songs ready to go, and I think we're going to be recording them by ourselves so EPs, LPs, who knows...we might just start releasing whatever we want whenever we create it. That's kind of what I'd like to do. Only time will tell.

Q: Who influences you as a writers/musicians the most?

A: Influences are a constantly changing thing for us. I can say that whatever will become the next record will have been largely influenced by the japanese writer Haruki Murakami. I first picked up one of his books when we finished the last record and it immediately had such an impact on me. Since then I've read nearly everything he's written and a lot of the imagery sort of repeats itself from book to book and I've found some of those ideas really sticking with me and resonating with what I was already writing.

Q: What is your stance/stances on the war in Iraq?

A: It makes my stomach turn. I'd say that there's hope for it to be over soon, but it seems like the US will always find a way to be at war with someone.

Q: What are you/you guys' favorite food?

A; This is a great question because on our last couple of tours we'd joke about how we're really just on a tour of the best vegetarian restaurants in the country. Playing shows sort of became secondary to finding good food. We'd usually do a little research on our way into any given city and go directly to whatever restaurant even before we went to the venue. That said...my personal absolute favorite food I think comes from a place called "the grit" in athens georgia. Anything I've ever had there is my favorite food. Other than that I can say that we all agree on PIZZA as a true timeless favorite.

Q: So after inspecting my blog, how awesome is it on a scale of 1-10 ( http://www.thetommyzone.blogspot.com )

A; There has not yet been a scale invented that would capture a rating for your blog.

Q: Do I reserve the right to call you/ your band my newest on my list famous friends?

A; I don't think we're remotely famous, but sure, let's be friends!

We hope to get a followup, and go out and buy about 700 copies of their latest CD, "Silver Storms" (2007) on iTunes. Make sure to soak it all up and get back to the band at their website listed in the link area to your right.