Movie Poster Remakes in Black and Red

Illustrator/Designer Olly Moss did a series of movie poster recreations called "8 Films in Black and Red". The 3 above are my favorites.

High Tech Soul: The Creation of Techno Music

High Tech Soul: The Creation of Techno Music from Plexifilm on Vimeo.

Words from Vimeo post:

HIGH TECH SOUL is the first documentary to tackle the deep roots of techno music alongside the cultural history of Detroit, its birthplace. From the race riots of 1967 to the underground party scene of the late 1980s, Detroit's economic downturn didn't stop the invention of a new kind of music that brought international attention to its producers and their hometown.

Featuring in-depth interviews with many of the world's best exponents of the artform, High Tech Soul focuses on the creators of the genre -- Juan Atkins, Derrick May, and Kevin Saunderson -- and looks at the relationships and personal struggles behind the music. Artists like Richie Hawtin, Jeff Mills, Carl Craig, Eddie Fowlkes and a host of others explain why techno, with its abrasive tones and resonating basslines, could not have come from anywhere but Detroit.

With classic anthems such as Rhythim Is Rhythim's "Strings of Life" and Inner City's "Good Life," High Tech Soul celebrates the pioneers, the promoters and the city that spawned a global phenomenon.

The film features: Juan Atkins, Derrick May, Kevin Saunderson, Eddie (Flashin) Fowlkes, Richie Hawtin, Jeff Mills, John Acquaviva, Carl Cox, Carl Craig, Blake Baxter, Stacey Pullen, Thomas Barnett, Matthew Dear, Anthony "Shake" Shakir, Keith Tucker, Delano Smith, Mike Archer, Derrick Thompson, Mike Clark, Alan Oldham, Laura Gavoor, Himawari, Scan 7, Kenny Larkin, Stacey "Hotwax" Hale, Claus Bachor, Electrifying Mojo, Niko Marks, Barbara Deyo, Dan Sordyl, Sam Valenti, Ron Murphy, George Baker, and Kwame Kilpatrick.

The film's soundtrack includes: Aux 88, Cybotron, Inner City, Juan Atkins, Mayday, Model 500, Plastikman, Rhythim Is Rhythim, and more.

"Bredow's cast of alumni -- the holy trinity of Atkins, May & Saunderson at the front -- fill out this tale with passion, pride and, oddly for music of the future, nostalgia too."
- Dazed and Confused

"An enjoyable education into the music, the city and the main players past, present and future."
-DJ Magazine

"Defines the myths and the magic of Detroit techno from its beginnings right up to how it has evolved to become High Tech Soul."
-Derrick May

The Good Revenend Lowery

This has to be one of the best benedictions I've ever heard.

Animal Collective "My Girls" Video

Animal Collective "My Girls" from Chad von Nau on Vimeo.

Radiohead & Aniboom "In Rainbows" Animated Contest Winners

Black Dynamite (Red Band Trailer)

This will be completely rediculous and i will love it...

Watchmen: Viral Newsreel on Dr. Manhattan from 1970

Watchmen: Doomsday Clock

Great Moments In Presidential Speaches (Montage) From David Letterman Show

Tues Jan 20: Adventure People - Obama In The House (Presidential Inauguration Edition)

Tuesday January 20
at Rehab 25 Ave. B (between 2st and 3st),
NYC , NY 10003
9pm / Free

It's A Special Presidential Inauguration Edition featuring Futurecurrent’s own Mark.F aka Mr Wigglz plus Gunseller and Rontronik (Toshoklabs) spinning a mixed bag of RnB, Soul, next and nu-wave, Britpop, hip-hop and whatnot with special guest DJ Prolific

come down and celebrate history

Juan Atkins/Model 500 (Live Footage + Interview with M500 member, Mark Taylor)

Juan Atkins and his group Model 500 recently performed in Ireland at DEAF 2008. After their sell-out performance, Donal Gorman of YourNight.ie dropped in to chat with M500 member Mark Taylor (aka Vintage Future). It's a nice little candid piece that gives some insight on the make-up of the group and what's in store for them in the future as well as some live footage. See it here.

Note: Mark masters and engineers most of my tracks and is a mentor to me in the recording/producing area of my creative game.

The Black National Anthem

Lift ev'ry voice and sing,
Till earth and heaven ring.
Ring with the harmonies of Liberty;
Let our rejoicing rise,
High as the list'ning skies,
Let it resound loud as the rolling sea.
Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us,
Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us;
Facing the rising sun of our new day begun,
Let us march on till victory is won.

Stony the road we trod,
Bitter the chast'ning rod,
Felt in the days when hope unborn had died;
Yet with a steady beat,
Have not our weary feet,
Come to the place for which our fathers sighed?
We have come over a way that with tears has been watered,
We have come, treading our path through the blood of the slaughtered,
Out from the gloomy past,
Till now we stand at last
Where the white gleam of our bright star is cast.

God of our weary years,
God of our silent tears,
Thou who has brought us thus far on the way;
Thou who has by Thy might,
Led us into the light,
Keep us forever in the path, we pray.
Lest our feet stray from the places, our God, where we met Thee,
Lest our hearts, drunk with the wine of the world, we forget Thee,
Shadowed beneath thy hand,
May we forever stand,
True to our God,
True to our native land.

Written by James Weldon Johnson
Question: Will we hear this during the presidential inauguration ceremony? Probably not... FYI: I STAND CORRECTED, THANKFULLY! It was used in the Benediction - yes!

Album Cover of The Month: Animal Collective "Merriweather Post Pavilion"

No, the image is NOT an animated .gif. But it looks like it's moving, does it not? It's a cool piece of Op-art... Just focus your eye on one point and the movement stops... Oooooooooh, trippy!

FYI: Presidential Inaugural Schedule

From the Presidential Inaugural Committee:

The Presidential Inaugural Committee, at the direction of President-elect Obama and Vice President-elect Biden, will organize an inclusive and accessible inauguration that reflects the new Administration's commitment to leadership that sets aside partisanship and unites the nation around our shared values and ideals.

The Presidential Inaugural Committee has outlined a preliminary schedule of official inaugural events that underscores our commitment to holding an inaugural that is open, accessible, and brings us all together in a spirit of unity.

The inaugural celebration will begin in the city where our democracy was born and the promise of our country was realized. On Saturday, January 17th, President-elect Barack Obama will be holding an event in Philadelphia, before boarding a train bound for our nation’s capital. He will be picking up Vice President-elect Joe Biden and his family in Wilmington, DE, and then making a stop for an event in Baltimore, MD, before pulling into Washington, D.C. that afternoon.

The following events will take place in the nation’s capital between Sunday, January 18th and Wednesday, January 21st:

Sunday, January 18th
President-elect Barack Obama will kick off the schedule of official inaugural activities in Washington, D.C., with a welcome event on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial on Sunday afternoon. The event will be free and open to the public.

Monday, January 19th - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
In 1994, to further commemorate a man who lived his life in service to others, Congress transformed the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday into a national day of community service. To honor Dr. King’s legacy, the President-elect and Vice President-elect and their families, joined by Americans in communities all across the country, will participate in activities dedicated to serving others in communities across the Washington, D.C. area.

That night, on the eve of the Inauguration, there will be a youth concert at the Verizon Center in downtown Washington, D.C. The concert will be free, but tickets are required.

Tuesday, January 20th - Inauguration Day
The President-elect and Vice President-elect and their families will participate in the traditional inaugural ceremonies and events. For the first time ever, the length of the National Mall will be open to those wishing to attend the swearing-in ceremony. Festivities will commence at 10 a.m. on the west front of the U.S. Capitol and will include:

• Musical Selections: The United States Marine Band, followed by The San Francisco Boys Chorus and the San Francisco Girls Chorus
• Call to Order and Welcoming Remarks: Senator Dianne Feinstein
• Invocation: Dr. Rick Warren
• Musical Selection: Aretha Franklin
• Vice President-elect Joseph R. Biden, Jr. will be sworn into office by Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, the Honorable John Paul Stevens
• Musical Selection: John Williams, composer/arranger with Itzhak Perlman, (violin), Yo-Yo Ma (cello), Gabriela Montero (piano) and Anthony McGill (clarinet)
• President-elect Barack H. Obama will take the Oath of Office, using President Lincoln’s Inaugural Bible, administered by the Chief Justice of the United States, the Honorable John G. Roberts, Jr.
• Inaugural Address
• Poem: Elizabeth Alexander
• Benediction: The Reverend Dr. Joseph E. Lowery
• The National Anthem: The United States Navy Band “Sea Chanters”

After President Obama gives his Inaugural Address, he will escort outgoing President George W. Bush to a departure ceremony before attending a luncheon in the Capitol’s Statuary Hall. The 56th Inaugural Parade will then make its way down Pennsylvania Avenue from the Capitol to the White House with groups traveling from all over the country to participate.

Later that day, the Presidential Inaugural Committee will host ten official Inaugural Balls. More details about the Inaugural Balls will be released at a later date.

Wednesday, January 21st
The newly-inaugurated President and Vice President of the United States will participate in a prayer service.

The PIC will release further details about official inaugural events at a later date. You can find the latest information at www.pic2009.org.

23/6: George W. Bush Video Retrospective

Get the latest news satire and funny videos at 236.com.

"After 8 years of George W. Bush, we're a little nostalgic and and decided to send him off March Madness-style: with an inspirational montage. This one's for our home team, America!" — 23/6

George W. Bush Top 10 Favorite Video Moments From David Letterman Show

Living Presidential History

...and it's just the beginning.

NEW WEEKLY PARTY: Beats 'N Pieces feat. DJ Prolific (Funk, Soul, R&B, Hip-Hop and more...)

This Tuesday, my homie DJ Prolific is debuting his latest event (see flyer above for details). Expect to hear old, new and next sh*t! It should be a doozy. Hope to see you there.

Video Vixen Summit

Wow! What a way to start off the year. Vide-Hoes got together 2 years ago to talk about big asses, sexual relations, money and problems behind the scenes of music video productions... Why is this not annual and televised on Cspan at least? This is almost as good as Egypt / Israel Peace Treaty talks in the 70s.

Courtesy of Crunk + Disorderly
Big-up to Saidah B. for pointing me to this!

NEW DJ MIX: Smartbomb Your Holiday 2

Smartbomb Your Holiday 2
A continuous mix by Rontronik

Get the mix (with cover art and tracklisting) HERE.

Happy Holidays and i hope you enjoy!

My Top 10 Favorite Albums 2008

10. "F****d Up Friends" by Tobacco
-- Member of Black Moth Super Rainbow drops a surprisingly fresh hip-hop tinged album featuring the likes of Aesop Rock, etc. check for "Dirt" and "Hairy Candy."


9. "New Amerykah Part One (4th World War)" by Erykah Badu
-- The funky lady returns with a stunning return to funky form - damn near every track is hot. Stand out tracks for me are "Me" and "The Cell."


8. "Full Powers" by Cruel Black Dove
-- NYC underground group continues their rise to the top with a powerful EP. My favorite tracks are "Come On Over" and "Love Song."


7. "Hercules And Love Affair" by Hercules And Love Affair
-- Bets Dance album of the year, hands-down. Hot tracks include "You Belong," ""I'm Telling You" and of course "Blind."


6. "The Odd Couple" by Gnarls Barkley
-- This sophomore album is better than their debut. "Blind Mary" and "Who's Gonna Save My Soul?" are the hot joints among others.


5. "Remedies For Your Broken Social Scene" by Bim Marx
-- a combination of DJ Duane Harriot and Professor Genius on the hi-concept dance edit tip. If you haven't heard it, you better jump on the job.


4. "Third" by Portishead
-- After 10 years missing, Portishead returns with a new twist on their signature sound. Lots of folks weren't accepting of it but i think it's a step in the right direction.Listen to "Plastic" and my personal favorite "Machine Gun."


3. "Alpinisms" by School Of Seven Bells
-- One of the best debut albums of the year... Female vocals always get me. That's especially true being the lead singers are twin sisters. My joint is "Half Asleep" There is also "Connjur" and "My Cabal."


2. "Los Angeles" by Flying Lotus
-- The best debut album of the year!


1. "Dear Science" by TV On The Radio
-- They did it again! still the same signature sound but the songwriting has evolved and the direction is "next."

MWR - Movie Of The Year: The Dark Knight

This probably comes as no surprise to any of my friends. But i just couldnt get enough of this flick. Saw it three times (once in iMax, which was incredible!). And need i say it - Heath Ledger's performance as The Joker... Powerful.

Even though the scenario was "super-hero," it's still just a great movie. Believe the hype.

other favorites of the year include (in no particular order)
• Forgetting Sarah Marshall
• Iron Man
• Pineapple Express
• Kung-Fu Panda
• Speed Racer
• Tropic Thunder
• Slumdog Millionaire
• The Wrestler
• The Curious Of Benjamin Button

Worst Movie of 2008:
• The Happening

Hot Tonal Barcode Music

Bars & Tones from André F. Chocron on Vimeo.

Big ups to blacRen for the link...

Album Cover of The Month (December) : Pink Floyd "Wish You Were Here"

Ok, this is the last of the year and it's one of my all-time favorites. Although this is definitely not, in my opinion, their best album recorded, the cover is amazing!. Simple. Surreal. Straight to the point.

Kanye West Sample-Sized

From Hypetrak.com:
"A Kanye West fan put together a collage of the original songs that Kanye has sampled and transformed them into Hip Hop mega hits. Some of the tracks are instantly recognizable, some obscure and a few sound nothing like the original. It’s an interesting video to look at and listen to."

Beans: Live At Glaz'Art, Paris, France (November 14 2008)

My homies Beans and DJ Prolific just got back from touring Europe. As it turns out one of there shows was posted online by Grand Crew. Check for 2 new tracks (Superstar Destroyer and Goblins). Enjoy.

1. Structure Tone 00:01:47
2. Interlude 00:00:47
3. Nude Paper 00:03:17
4. Blind Driver 00:02:32
5. Shards Of Glass 00:03:21
6. Thundermouth 00:02:24
7. Fearless Leader 00:02:18
8. I'll Melt You 00:02:13
9. In Effect 00:02:26
10. Return Of The Gold Skull 00:02:39
11. Ultimate 00:03:21
12. Superstar Destroyer 00:02:28
13. Goblins 00:02:27
14. Nite Eats Day 00:01:54
15. Freestyle 00:07:07
16. Toast 00:04:15
17. Interval 00:03:12
18. Beauty Of A Beast On The Beat 00:01:53

Prop 8: the Musical

See more Jack Black videos at Funny or Die

Starring Jack Black, John C. reilly and many more.

Sincerely... (Full Length Video)

Hey folks, check out my first full length video for "Sincerely..." Directed by Noah Ward. It's a nice abstract expression of an abstract track and I Sincerely hope you enjoy it.





Sincerely... / Spore (Single) is available at iTunes and Amazon.com.

Exchange Bureau Music

my homie E Spleece (Eric Leiss) recently signed to relatively new Detroit label Exchange Bureau Music. The label was recently profiled in Real Detroit Magazine. check it out here.


about Exchange Bureau Music:

"Bridging the gap between Detroit's funk and techno history, Exchange Bureau Music stands to unite the organic and electronic with a new collective of established and up-and-coming Detroit based musicians and producers all under one organization. The band-turned-label maintains the funk-driven Exchange Bureau sound, expands with EB side projects and remixes, and introduces new agent releases incorporating house, funk, broken beat, techno, hip hop, electro, and more."

Get the albums here. These albums will only be available to the first 50 people.

R.I.P. MC Breed (1972 - 2008)

Best known for the hit "Ain't No Future In Yo' Frontin," Breed died in his sleep of kidney failure over the weekend.

Thought Of The Day

Album Cover of the Month: Kanye West "808s And Heartbreak"

Say what you will about Kanye but this cover is genius. I like that he pushes the boundaries of "rap" music. Not only is the album going to be mostly "sing-song" (ie: Andre 3000's "The Love Below"), but the cover goes against all the cliche Rap/Hip-Hop cover art elements. No large type treatment. No picture of the artist. Nothing gawdy.

Let's hope the album is as good as the cover. LOVE the deflated balloon...
Check the TV spot below:




THIS JUST IN: There will be a Special "Kaws" Edition of the album cover:

MSNBC Newsware Widget For Election '08

Watch the 2008 presidential results roll in

Get real-time election results on Nov. 4! Watch the electoral vote count and the congressional balance of power with the national U.S. map or choose a state and see how individual counties are voting. As soon as either McCain or Obama is declared the winner, you’ll know!

Poll Closing Times

Intrade - Realtime Electoral Vote Predictor

Intrade has real time betting odds on what the electoral college results will be. See it above.

STEAL BACK YOUR VOTE!

Steal Back Your Vote! from Greg Palast on Vimeo.

This is a "must watch!"
thanks to Julianna for the link!

NEW MIX: 102108: Music For Motion

MIX102108 : MUSIC FOR MOTION
Features tracks by In Flagranti, Jazzanova, Ayro, Los Hermanos, Galaxy 2 Galaxy, Yazoo, and Real Life.

Get it here

It's called "Music For Motion" for that exact reason. Listen to it while walking, running, excercising, riding the subway, driving and anything else that is kinetic... Hope you enjoy!

For track listing contact me at rontronik@rontronik.com

Are You On "The List?"

Get the latest news satire and funny videos at 236.com.

Misconceptions of Obama fuel Republican campaign (AlJazeera News Feed)

Ignorance is alive and well in middle America...

A Moment of Silence

NEW TRACK: Free Download

Rontronik - "Ghost Network" a new joint for your listening pleasure. Think opening action sequence to dark sci-fi or horror flick. Get it here

Album Cover of the Month (September + October)

1. October Album Cover of the Month


2. September Album Cover of the Month

I missed a month (September)... oh well, it was my birthday month and i was too drunk. So to make up for it i'm posting two this month

1. Marvin Gaye - "I Want You"
A classic album and a classic album cover - Anyone remember the opening credits to "Good Times" sitcom from the 70s?.

2. Prince and The Revolution - "Around The World In A Day"
He's still one of my all-time favorite artists (even if he is a bit nutty on the religion side of things) and this is one of my favorite covers from his discography - he always does something different and exciting.

The New Depression (Photo of The Moment)

The Church of What's Happenin' Now

Holy Ghost VS Andy C & MC GQ - Baptazia NYE 2007 - part 3 as delivered to our blog by Chad (Toshoklabs) via Attack of The Show.

NEW Gnarls Barkley Video

Yes! It is pretty hot! See it here.,

Debate Tactics (Palin Style)

If you saw the VP debate and you are somewhat intelligent and have common sense, then you know how rediculous the event was in reality. I mean if you can just wink at the camera and not answer relevant questions but still be a contender, then there is something wrong with the universe. C'mon people! If the Republican ticket wins the presidency, i will have officially lost my faith in American intelligence.

Big shout to Marjorie for the enlightenment on this one!

P. A. L. I. N. (Bingo Is her Name-O)

My homie Gary brought this to my attention last night. Did you watch the VP debate? Did you win? Did anyone win for that matter?

One Of The Best Live Shows I've Ever Seen

Special thanks to Thunderfang for the invitation.

iBeat to Perform Friday 9/19 8pm

if you haven't yet get his free download album "BLCKR" here

iBeat on BLCKR:
"I was sort of at a dark period of my life when I made this album. Just dealing with life in its various incarnations. I was trying to understand what it meant to be a black person in today’s pop culture. I feel like this year, more than any previous year, is really about the examining and re-defining of the “THE BLACK IMAGE.” Nothing can be more evident then the presence of Barack Obama.

My favorite track is “Midnight Rides.” This song is inspired by the many nights in the lower beasting with the BlacRen Krew. Peace to all my boys and girls! Midnight Rides."

NEW TRACK: Free Download

Rontronik - "In An Instant" a new downtempo creation for your listening pleasure. Think ending sequence to some oldschool sci-fi flick. Get it here

17% of This Man's Records Are Available on CD - Vinyl Still Rules!

The Archive from Sean Dunne on Vimeo.

Paul Mawhinney was born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA. Over the years he has amassed what has become the world's largest record collection. Due to health issues and a struggling record industry Paul is being forced to sell his collection.

This is the story of a man and his records.

video by veryapeproductions

TV ON THE RADIO Benefit Performance for SFOTE "Laventille Bus" Fundraiser at Santos Party House (NYC) This Monday 8/18

SFOTE and Santos Party House are pleased to present a benefit concert with performances by Simply Fly (aka a little band called TV On The Radio), Dragons of Zynth and the Brooklyn Jumbies Drummers.

This special evening will benefit SFOTE's 2008 Educational Initiative, which provides children free sustainable transportation to and from school. 100% of the door proceeds from this concert will go to the busing system in Laventille, Trinidad.

SFOTE found that Laventille, an economically impoverished and crime-ridden area in Trinidad, had a particular problem: even though there is a free public school system, there is no public bus system. Because the cost of transportation is high ($2 each way per child), many children in the area eventually drop out of school because their parents are unable to afford bus fare for their entire family of children.

Tickets for the benefit show are $30 in advance and will be available via TicketWeb. After the band segment concludes, guests will be welcome to stay on for a special dance party featuring an array of guest DJs, including Tunde from TVOTR and more to be announced in coming days.

www.sfote.com/Santos.htm
www.santospartyhouse.com
www.myspace.com/tvotr
www.myspace.com/dragonsofzynth

For more information on SFOTE and this special benefit evening, please contact Nina Woolf at nina@sfote.org or (718) 233-3367

Album Cover of the Month: Guns'N Roses "Appetite For Destruction"

This is the original cover to the debut Guns 'N Roses album that was initially banned by retailers due to the illustration being "too graphic." The artwork was replaced and placed on the inside of the packaging. However, there is a rumor that the upcoming remastered version of the album will be released as it was meant to be. well, it's about damn time...

NOTE: The album's original cover, is from the painting "Appetite for Destruction" by Robert Williams. He also did an album cover for Hip-Hop artist, KRS-One.

NEW DJ MIX: Music For Artists At 2am

I just finished another Dance/House mix - this one a little more energetic than "Music For Artists at 3am Mix" (thus the name). Includes tracks from Hercules and love Affair, Kevin Saunderson, In Flagranti, New Order, Syclops and Health among others.

Get it the mix here.

If you would like the tracklisting, please contact me at rontronik@rontronik.com

Flint Seeks Sponsors For Police Surveillance Cameras; Some Question Whether It's Appropriate

Photo: Ryan Garza | The Flint Journal
Flint-based Asset Protection Specialists Inc. is seeking a loan from a state fund to buy a facility to make security cameras such as this one, which it installed at Jewell and Cecil drives. The city also is looking for sponsors of the cameras.

by Bryn Mickle | The Flint Journal
Sunday July 27, 2008, 9:00 AM

FLINT, Michigan -- Willing to spend $30,000 to put your name on a camera?

The City of Flint is looking for sponsors for surveillance cameras that will be mounted around the city to keep a watch out for crooks.

In exchange for cash, the city will plaster business names next to police logos on the pole-mounted camera boxes that sport a blue police light that flashes 24 hours a day.

Don't have $30,000? Depending on the size of the check, smaller logos and even people's names can be placed on the boxes similar to those found on a NASCAR racer.

The "Adopt-A-PODSS" program is part of an unique partnership between the city and Asset Protection Specialists, a private security firm in Flint.

Fliers with the company's name and city logo have been circulated touting the cameras and plans are underway to put a PayPal link on the city's Web site for camera sponsorship donations.

Police have been looking for a way to expand the program after being thrilled with the lone surveillance camera keeping an eye on things at Cecil and Jewell drives on the city's north side.

But given Flint's money problems, officials have been forced to get creative in finding a way to fund the $420,000 price tag for 14 more cameras.

While drug forfeiture money and grants should offset some of those costs, supporters hope businesses will step forward with tax-deductible sponsorship money.

Jesse Ford is all for a camera in his Hamilton Avenue neighborhood.

"We need one," said Ford, who lives near the spot where a man was shot to death in the street Tuesday night.

"I know they're expensive, but something needs to be done," said Ford.

Flint is not the only government entity to look to the private sector for help with surveillance cameras.

About a quarter of the $400,000 price tag for Flint Township's network of 24 police cameras was paid by businesses who wanted cameras on their property, with the rest of the cost coming from a business development authority.

Although sponsors for the Flint cameras won't have their pick of an exact location, the arrangement troubles the head of a Lansing-based government watchdog group.

"If it's such a good idea, why not use tax funds for (the cameras)?" said John Chamberlin of Common Cause.

Although cities commonly partner with private businesses for services, Chamberlin said they don't usually go to the extent that Flint is trying.

Chamberlin worries that areas with more cash may get preferential treatment, while poorer sections get less cameras.

The Journal could not reach Flint Police Chief David Dicks for comment on the plan.

But Steve Melish, financial manager for Asset Protection Specialists, said the company and city are looking for a mix of cameras throughout Flint.

So far, no one has stepped forward to sponsor a camera, Melish said.

An open house is planned in the weeks ahead to drum up interest, but a local Chamber of Commerce representative said it's in the hands of businesses to decide how much they are willing to spend on security measures.

"Everybody wants a safe business community. ... Fear of crime drives business away," said Steve Flynn, who handles membership services for the Genesee Regional Chamber of Commerce.

John Carpenter's "The Thing" Stop-Motion Animated Remake with GI Joe Toys

The Gunseller sent me over to Joblo.com for this little treat. It's actually a music video for "Driving This Road Until Death Sets You Free" by Zombie-Zombie. Enjoy.

Saul Bass vs. Star Wars (Opening Credits)

Ran across this on another blog --LOVED it. so i thought i would share, especially since Saul Bass is one of the greatest designers of all time.

Fashion Police: Flint, MI Cracks Down on Those Who Wear Pants Sagging

The Following is an article from Newsweek Online about my hometown and one new (rediculous) law imposed. See below (special shout to my "flintstone" S. Chittle for the link)




Some people call it a fad. But for the city of Flint, Mich., that urban style known as 'sagging' is now a criminal offense.

By Jessica Bennett and Mary Chapman | Newsweek Web Exclusive
Jul 18, 2008 | Updated: 9:16 a.m. ET Jul 18, 2008

It's 90 degrees in downtown Flint, Mich., and Jayson Miguel is shirtless, in a pair of gray sweatpants. He's hanging out, minding his own business—and breaking the law. It's not that he's loitering (he's on his way to meet a friend). It's his pants: they're hanging off his hips, below his butt to reveal a pair of gray boxer shorts. "I've been sagging since the fourth grade," the 28-year-old says. "I'll be sagging when I'm old and gray."

Young people call this unkempt look a fashion choice. But for David Dicks, Flint's new police chief, it's a national nuisance. Dicks has ordered his officers to start arresting "saggers," as some aficionados of this sartorial style call themselves, on sight, threatening them with jail time and hefty fines for a fad he calls "immoral self expression." He later told a local paper the style could give officers probable cause to search saggers.

It's a move other municipalities have tried before on a style that's been around for decades. But Dicks, who took over the department on an interim basis last month, has employed a particularly harsh approach—one that some critics are calling downright illegal. So far, Dicks has only issued warnings to saggers, but he's made it clear that anyone with pants below the butt—whether or not they've got boxers underneath—is violating the city's disorderly conduct code, punishable by 93 days to a year in jail and fines of up to $500. "Everybody's talking about it," says Tonio Watkins, 18, a local high-school student. "I don't like what they're doing. I've been dressing like this my whole life."

The local chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union doesn't like it, either—and has given Dicks an ultimatum: stop the policy or face a court battle. They say Dicks is taking the law into his own hands, and violating citizens' freedom of expression in the process. Sagging to show boxer shorts doesn't even violate the city's conduct policy, they say—which states a person must have "open exposure" of the "genitals, pubic area [or] buttocks" to be considered disorderly. "Under no stretch of the imagination does wearing saggy pants that reveal the top of one's boxer shorts violate the Flint disorderly conduct ordinance," says attorney Greg Gibbs, the president of the Flint chapter of the ACLU. "This man has basically taken his personal dislike of a style of dress and made it a violation of criminal law." Gibbs says the chapter will act after Monday if Dicks doesn't change the policy. The police chief declined an interview request from NEWSWEEK.

In the meantime, residents like Miguel—who, at 6-foot-3, wears a size 3XL in sweatpants—are just plain confused. Sagging has been around for decades. Why outlaw it now? "I think it's an opportunity to harass, to be honest," says Miguel. The ACLU worries about that, too: it's no secret sagging is a style long popular with men of color. Last week, a Flint police officer called into a local radio station to say that officers were already using the policy as a way to profile minorities. (Chief Dicks is himself African-American.)

Critics also say the Flint police department has bigger issues to worry about. A 2007 report by Congressional Quarterly ranked the city (population 120,000) the third most dangerous in America. It recently laid off 48 officers and closed the city jail because of budget constraints. With a climate like that, why allocate resources to a bunch of kids who have an aversion to belts? "Clearly there are more important things going on in Flint," says Todd Boyd, a cultural critic at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles.

Antipop Consortium at Other Music

Antipop Consortium did an in-store at Other Music (NYC) about a month ago. As a part of the in-store they did an interview for Other Music's website. It's quite excellent so stop-look-and-listen.

"Call me biased, but APC are one of the best hip-hop groups around and they are on the move!" -Josh Madell

MIx.Eight.Zero.Apostrophe.S

I was feeling nostalgic and decided to do this mix. Selections include songs from the likes of Alphaville, Soho, Neneh Cherry, Nitzer Ebb, Yazoo (aka Yaz), Cabaret Voltaire and Ministry.

Get it here.

If you would like the tracklisting, please contact me at rontronik@rontronik.com

Album Cover of the Month: Ice-T "Power"

This is a classic "throwback." Ice's second album release "Power" was released in 1988. Not only was it a great follow-up to his debut album "Rhyme Pays" and continuing to establish the west coast hip-hop/rap scene but it pushed the borders of album cover design. One of the most simplistic covers in the genre yet over the top in tone and attitude. I think you know what i mean...

NEW DJ MIX: 070408 Fire In The Sky

Hello again. Thought i would drop a new mix on you. Comes in 2 parts. Part 1 is an eclectic downtempo mix including tracks from Jamie Lidell, Killing Joke, Autechre, Gescom, Boards Of Canada, The Knife and Curve. Part 2 is a uptempo mix including tracks from Jeff Mills, In Flagranti, Underground Resistance, Kraftwerk, Ken Ishii, and an EXCLUSIVE NEW TRACK from Model 500.

Get Part 1 here and Part 2 here

If you would like the tracklisting, please contact me at rontronik@rontronik.com