Get off the air!

Woody from MTV-Chi asked me to come up with 10 videos that will show during the episode that features Giant Robot. I poked around the MTV site to see what was available and came up with this. Sadly, I couldn't come up with an all-Asian lineup--no J Church, Guitar Wolf, Seam, etc.--so I mixed in various groups that I feel reflect GR. I was asked also to come up with a one-line comment for each, which will run with the video. Here's what I came up with on the fly!



The Clash - "Tommy Gun"
The first concert I ever attended was The Clash at the US Festival. My brother and I were taken by our dad!

Bad Brains - "I Against I"
Because they sing about the Positive Mental Attitude which we try to instill into our magazine.

Brain Failure - "Coming Down to Beijing"
When I interviewed this punk band from China, they were addicted Taco Bell! Weird, funny guys.

X - "See How We Are"
Everyone thinks Giant Robot is based in Tokyo or San Francisco. Nope, we're from Los Angeles and X is the quintessential L.A. band.

Sonic Youth - "Youth Against Fascism"
The New York group blends art, music, politics, and everything that matters to GR. Influential in so many ways.

Kid Koala - "Basin Street Blues"
Eric San is one of the least flashy but most talented DJs around.

LMF - "1127"
Because my friend Prodip was in LMF and because Bruce Lee will always be cool.

Faye Wong - "Hong Dou"
I went to see her in concert at Las Vegas, and the old ladies went crazy with glow sticks!

DJ Shadow - "Six Days"
By hiring Wong Kar-Wai and Chris Doyle to make this video, Shadow proves that he has great taste in cinema as well as music.

Death Cab for Cutie - "Stable Song"
Bass player Nick is a GR contributor and friend, and so is director Aaron Stewart-Ahn.