5 hours of sleep, I refuse to pay $15 for a basic breakfast, I'm running on nasty coffee, a couple cereal bars and a piece of poundcake. Time to fuckin' rock!
Nerdapalooza, geek mini-mecca, the only nerd music festival that isn't connected to a weaboo convention, home.
Started years ago by Hex, Nerdapalooza grows each year. This year over 700 nerds, dorks, geeks and spaz's attended. They came from all over the state, some from the other side of the country, some from across the ocean, all with one thing in mind: party with their favorite artists and not get weird looks while singing Schaffer the Darklord's song Cat People.
This is my second Nerdapalooza, last year I managed free admission by brining a projections screen that wasn't even used. I stayed for both days last year but missed the pre-show. This year I made the pre-show but had to leave after day 1 because of real life obligations. Next time I might have to take Hatter's suggestion and quit my job.
So here is my write up for Day 1 of Nerdapalooza 2010 from beginning to almost the end (I fucking missed The Protomen AGAIN).
The Start
People started lining up well before 10pm to get their pre-paid wrist bands outside the concert hall. Thankfully most people had taken a shower the night before or that morning, nothing ruins the start of the day more than nerd B.O.
Once the doors opened everyone began milling about, checking out the merch tables that were already set up, talking to the sound guys, trying to chat up Hex as he ran around trying to get things ready, and saying hello to old friends from the year before.
The Opening Ceremonies
Did these even happen? I don't really think they did.
HD Ninja
Taking the stage about an hour behind schedule, I really felt sorry for these guys. Opening act for the biggest nerd music festival, already running late, and being the ones that have to get us pumped. Sucks for them. Or did it?!
HD Ninja started the hype the night before at the pre-show. Everyone showed up with their red ninja masks and free HD Ninja shirts. The energy was high, mostly because of their music, but boosted by the extra hour everyone had to wake up and copious amounts of caffeine.
I had never listened to HD Ninja except for the odd song on Nerdyshow so this was entirely fresh to me. I thoroughly enjoyed this set, especially the mini-mes that took the stage to toss shirts into the crowd. Father-son nerdcore, yessir!
Positive Attitude
Comedy duo Positude was another mystery to me. I kind of like being surprised by acts since it gives me something to look up afterwards.
The music was up a little too high during this set, just one of many technical difficulties that I will be ranting about, but it wasn't as bad as later acts.
The one line that really sticks in my brain from Positude is "You can't be a coke-whore and a christian." Great song, great group. A+ would lol again.
Krondor Krew
The first Scrub Club artist of the day was none other than Krondor Krew. Taking the stage in their full ninja garb: Shinobi, Masurao, Hikari, and Hanzou fucking wrecked that shit! Tight rhymes, fantastic theatrics, and one of the few acts of the day that had great sound quality, KK was easily one of my favorite moments of the day.
I doubt many people at NAP2010 hadn't heard of Krondor Krew, but if you are total fucking n00b, check their shit over at http://www.scrubclubrecords.com or a ninja will kill you.
Doc Awk
Bear witness to the new generation of nerdcore hip-hop! SC's Dr. Awkward took the stage around 1:45 (1:15 behind) to an amazing crowd response, backed up by MadHatter – the head of Scrub Club Records. Doc Awk was hyped well before NAP2010 came around, mainly because of the raffle used to raise funds to get him there as well as simple word of mouth.
Fun fact, my friend Amanda had no idea what Nerdcore was. I sent her the youtube link for Geekquilibrium on the 13th, she was at the pre-show and raced like hell to not miss the Doc work his magic. That's how fucking awesome he is.
I think Doc Awk was one of the first acts this year where everyone knew the words to all of the songs that were performed. And what a performance it was, great sound quality (I hate that this has to be a qualifier), hyped up crowd, and songs that just make you feel prowd to be a nerd. DualShawks and Geekquilibrium had everyone singing, jumping, and dancing the way nerds do.
Doc Awk is going to be big people, become a fan now before you get laughed at for not knowing all the words.
Random Encounter
After watching Doc Awk tear up the second stage, I was a little underwhelmed by the following act on the Main Stage. That's not fair to Random Encounter, the accordian weilding group that puts an awesome spin on some of your favorite game musical moments.
Heavy on the Zelda and Final Fantasy themes, everyone heard something they knew and thoroughly enjoyed back in the day. Random Encounter was a relatively unknown act so the crowd wasn't huge or nearly as energetic as some past acts, but it was a solid show. It also started a debate in the crowd about FF6 vs FF7.
I have to give mad props to anyone that can play the accordion.
My Parents Favorite Music
When I saw the final line up for NAP2010 I had to do a doubletake. Anyone that follows the scene knows that there was some questioning as to the future of MPFM. Steffo had gone kinda quiet there wasnt much activity on twitter and the MPFP http://www.myparentsfavoritemusic.com/ ">site has a very ominous message.
I discovered MPFM at NAP2009 and instantly became a fan. I bought Testing the Waters as soon as the set was done, got Steffo's autograph and kept that CD in my car's player for damn near a week straight. I think if I had let it go any longer there would have been a fine ring where Chance of Showers is burned. Needless to say, I was excited.
Time for the show, Z from hipsterplease and Hex are on stage, Z is doing a welcome back speech and yells for Steffo. Nothing, Hex runs up on the phone saying that Steffo is missing. I had a feeling something was up but was still a little nervous. Suddenly I notice there are some familiar looking shoes (I'm an extroverted nerd, lol) underneath the NES controller costume. Sho' nuff' out pops Steffo, blue hair, blue beard, bright blue suit. Time to fucking rock!
Steffo was joined on stage by none other than B-Type and very briefly by Projekt Zero. Kicking it off proper with Call it a Comeback. I didn't care who was around me, I was jumping and yelling like a god damn 13 year old seeing Justin Bieber.
This was a fucking amazing set, Steffo and B-Type give off so much energy that you can't help but join in. Robit, Blue Light Special (I was wearing a Tron shirt so I fucking loved it), and Chance of Showers..my god he put Chance of Showers on the set list. I can safely say this was one of only 2 act where I knew all of the words throughout. Is Steffo the best rapper? No. Does he have the smoothest flow? Fuck no. But does he put everything fucking ounce into his performance and make you have a good time? You better fucking believe it!
My only complaint has nothing to do with the set. By now the show was almost if not over 2 hours behind and Steffo had a few quick games to give away some pretty fucking sweet prizes. None of which I was selected for. These only took about 10-15 minutes but it was almost time for the lunch break, which we all knew was wishful thinking and I was getting hungry.
MegaRan
Rapper Random found a new niche when he remixed and laid down some phat rhymes over the MegaMan sound track. The album, Mega Ran, went viral, got rave reviews and attracted the attention of Capcom. Normally this would lead to a CnD order, but not this time! Capcom loved it and licensed it! Even inviting Random to perform at the Capcom booth at Comic-Con.
MegaRan was sadly missed last year, the only performed on Magnificent Seven that didn't attend. He was eagerly awaited by many.
This is where the technical difficulties started to come into play. I heard many reason over throughout the day, wired getting unplugged, adapters not working, acts having their own system and running just one connection to the main sound booth, etc. Ran's sound was a little muddy and at times was barely audible. Did the crowd care? Fuck no! Random was on stage you pansy!
A few songs in my stomach was trying to devour itself so I had to run to the little coffee shop and grab a sammich. I quickly had to run back after I got a text simply saying "Random and schaffer are on stage." Schaffer looked almost giddy up on stage with Random, it was full of win.
Captain Dan & The Scurvy Crew
I'm so sorry Dan. I missed your set. My feet were killing me, I was still starving and I had drank so many free teas that my bladder was going to burst. I heard it, it sounded fucking great, but I had to rest.
Devo Spice
Devo Spice is one of my favorite acts. A dorky looking middle aged white guy rapping, genius!
As part of The FuMP, Devo Spice's songs always put a hilarious twist on mundane topics. Working as a helpdesk tech (What really made that song was the hottie shaking her ass with "Google it yourself" on the shorts), facebook friends, and having a case of the Mondays.
If you are having a 'Blah' day and need something to make you laugh hit up Devo Spice's site and listen to some of his tracks. If you like what you hear, buy that shit!
Shael Riley and the Double Ice Backfire
Shael Riley was yet another act I was really looking forward to. Last year he performed with Beefy and their super group The Grammar Club to a packed house of nerds, tough standard to live up to.
Dressed as Sub-Zero, he was joined by the other members of TDIBF Ty Guenly as Scorpion and Rick Henry as Reptile. Opening the set with their cover of Chinese Ninja Warrior was ballsy and fantastic. There was no intro, either you were there when it started or you ran like hell when you hear it!
This was another set where technical difficulties took effect. Shael's vocals were a little low, not that it really mattered, we knew the words and we filled in the gaps! From the emotional How to Fire a Gun, to the vengeful tip eht fo mottob, to the sarcastic Publishing Rights ft Schaffer the Darklord, this was an awesome set by one of the most well known names in Nerdcore/chiptunes.
After last year Shael released Songs from the Pit as a limited run on cassette for $5, I bought one and had to also get a tape deck. This year he one upped himself by putting forth the Songs from the Pit NAP2010 edition. It includes all of the songs from the cassette as well as some older songs from previous albums and some amazing covers. I still have the Coke jingle in my head.
Much like MPFM's Testing the Waters last year, this CD has not left my car's player. I'm not sure if you can still buy it or not, but you should really look into it.
George Hrab
Stop what you are doing. Leave this page up and go http://nerdyshow.com/?p=2127 ">here. Listen and love this shit!
George Hrab (who someone mistook for Frontalot) is an amazing artist. Skepticism has never sounded so fucking good. I don't have a lot to say about his set, it was very chill and just a pleasure to watch live.
Schaffer the Darklord
At this point the festivities were about 3 hours behind schedule. Sci-Fried was trying to get set up on the main stage and people were getting a little restless. In a moment of wisdom a quick schedule change was made. I was lucky enough to be getting Mr Hrab's autograph when it was announced that Schaffer the Darklord was going on first! I moved 10 feet to the right and was right by the stage.
If you have never seen Schaffer live, you are missing out on one of the greatest moments of Nerdapalooza. STD's stage presence and act are so energetic and hyped that you just feel sorry for anyone that has to follow him. I'm not talking about immediately follow him, I mean for the rest of the weekend people are still going to be talking about how great his set was.
This was the second of two acts that I knew by heart.
The man in the dark suit took the stage, did a very short intro, and hit the buttons to blow the venue to pieces! You can ask damn near anyone and they can tell you that Schaffer has the smoothest flows and best rhythm of any act in the scene. From Arrival of the Fittest to The Bender, there is not a break in his rhymes. Last year I overheard Doc Awk ask someone if he even breathes. The answer is no.
One very funny moment came during Schaffer's closing song, The Rappist. As soon as the beat started the crowd went ape shit! They started yelling out the opening lines and Schaffer almost seemed surprised. There was a later post on facebook saying "Superman for a weekend, Clark Kent for a lifetime." I'd say it's more nerdcore superstar forever!
Sci-Fried
After quit a while setting up Sci-Fried finally took the stage. Many people were tired as hell after STD, myself included. I was not up in the crowd as I had been for most of the other acts and was chilling in the back where there were chairs to rest my sore ass.
The sounded pretty fucking awesome from where I was. Mixing their nerdcentric life with hair metal awesomeness!
Burlesque pre-show
I don't know how it started but it's kinda of a tradition that at somepoint during Nerdapalooza Hex will be on stage and Journey's rock staple Don't Stop Believing will start up. He can't help but dance. This year though, Tri-force Mike and Cap were there too. What started out as a simple interpretive dance routine quickly devolved into something so much more awesome.
When Cap's shirt came off, we all knew Mike's would quickly follow. The crowd cheered for his hairless body's first exposure to light in what was probably a decade, then Hex brought out the big guns!
There is a video of it, just youtube Nerdapalooza 2010 and it's there in all of it's nerdy glory.
Killer Robots
Another act that took a very long time to get ready.
Mixing GWAR with The Transformers is something that I didn't think I would ever see. Such is the majesty of Nerdapalooza.
I was up close and personal with the crowd at the start of the set but quickly evacuated when the pool noodles came into play. People went after the monsters with a damn vengeance. Of course by this time it was almost midnight and the cash bar had been open for a while.
I am going to have to give these guys another listen, the guitars were freaking loud and I was right by the speakers.
Kirby Krackle
This was as act that Hex told me I had to see, and I missed it. By this point it was clear that show was not going to end until after 2 am and then I still was going to see Epic Win afterwards so I had to grab some food and a nap. Amanda and I headed to the car and rested for about an hour. I'm sorry :-(
The cookie story
I'm not one to spread rumors, I'll leave that to internet trolls. BUT! Apparently there were some special cookies that made it to the green room and knocked out some performers and totally fucked up the already fucked up schedule. So instead of The Protomen we have next:
Epic Win Burlesque!
I don't care what anyone else tells you, this was the main event of the night. Coming from NYC along with STD was EWB. Made up of Bea B Heart, Lefty Lucy, Magdalena Fox, Victoria Privates, Mary Cyn and hosted by Nelson Lugo and STD himself, they brough much needed boobies to Nerdapalooza!
No time was wasted in the geeky debauchery with BB Heart taking the stage first as Faye Valentine, the Queen of Hearts certainly stole some this night!
Next was the beautiful Magdalena Fox as Rorshach. At first I was like "I can't fap to this." But I was quickly corrected by her tall slender frame coming out from that trenchcoat. She could bash my face in with a hatchet anyday.
Victoria Privates, with her bright red wig gave a whole new meaning to many words. All of which were stuck to various parts of her body as the strutted her stuff to the classic Schoolhouse Rock song Unpack Your Adjectives. Sexy, smart, nerdy, bonerific, all of these words are applicable.
Mary Cyn as Gozer the Gozerian. If this lady asks you if you're a god, you better say yes. At this point I had taken a spot on the side of the stage for a better view and it was not a moment too soon. She was a nimble little minx.
Lefty Lucy as a The Riddler was almost ineffible. Rule 63 has always been a weird one for me and this was no exception. Her facial expressions had me enthralled with her performance, the crowd was going wild even before the ? Suit came off.
BB Heart returned to the stage. This time as the subject of many Rule 34 images on 4chan, Princess Zelda. Playing oh so innocent as she stripped down to the real crowd pleaser, Link style underwear! There is something amazing about hearing a beloved video game theme while extremely nice breasts bounce in rhythm. Sometimes I love me life.
Oh and at some point some guy did some magic or something.
The Protomen
Missed it.
Day 1 was a freaking blast! So many acts, so much music, so many hours behind schedule!
And I can't wait until next year!
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