Netflix rocks. I have access to literally, a metric shit ton of absolutely watchable and engaging stuff pretty much anywhere/anytime. Just need me an internet connection and some sort of viewing device. But this isn’t about Netflix; this is about Nerdflix.
I have always been into Rock-docs and music biopics and all that stuff. Netflix has many many many of these at my disposal and I enjoy watching all kinds of documentaries–in fact, I’ve become quite the documentary hound. I’m hooked. I don’t know how it happened–probably because Vicki loves them and she got me really good and addicted. We always watch a documentary over dinner (pausing to discuss points of interest). Typically, it will take us two to several days to finish one documentary–depending on length/interest/quality of the doc/bathroom breaks/how many times I pause it to talk.
But Vicki forcing me to do things at gun point until I like them is also not the topic of this blog…
Since Vicki doesn't allow me to show pictures of her when she is armed and threatening me, I bring you a caption of one of her childhood heroes... Gangsta kermit. "Take out the trash, Jas!" See... Kermit is supposed to be standing in for Vicki and it's funny because she/he is like, um, telling me to do something that I don't want to do and it's also funny because like, she/he has a gun and it is scary... It's umm.. Kermit with a gun... pew pew pew...
I’m here to tell you about one of the single most entertaining, funny, watchable and engaging documentaries I have ever seen. Oh, my people, I tell you… I stand before you today as a man changed by an almost religious experience. No, I didn’t stone anyone or excommunicate my cat or make holy war upon people who don’t believe that tacos and cheeseburgers are a sacrament; but I did laugh my ass off and I had a revelation…
I am a bit of a nerd.
I know this will come as a shock to many of you… It is okay… Do not be frightened. I’m still the same me that you all revere and you don’t have to take down the statue of me in your “Jas shrine.” But yes, I enjoy many things deemed “nerdy” and therefore unfit to be spoken of in polite society. A dirty, filthy nerd that enjoys dirty, filthy video games and dirty, filthy fantasy stuff like dirty, filthy dungeons and dirty, filthy dragons and dirty, filthy shit like that.
At this point, I know that some of you are contemplating taking your own life… I would advise against this course of action… Do not commit Seppuku. Do not bite through your own jugular (if you can do that, nerds are the least of your worries). Take heart! Nerds are cool. I know this is a radical concept; but it’s true.
I know most of you are saying, “So, how can you casually talk about documentaries and then say something as heretical as ‘nerds are cool,’ Jas? Why are you doing this? STOP FUCKING WITH MY MIND MAN!!!”
Yes, I am psychic and totally can quote you verbatim at will. You just said, “Jas is so awesome, I should listen to him” and then you said, ‘Holy shit! He’s reading my mind! I better stop thinking about doing naughty things with the last doughnut… OH SHIT! HE HEARD THAT TOO!! LA LA LA LALA” And the rest is just images of a goat that you thought had “pretty eyes.” You’re kind of a sick bastard, aren’t you?
But your perversions aside, let’s get back to one of the best documentaries I’ve ever seen.
The name is “Nerdcore Rising” and it follows the first US tour of MC Frontalot. Frontalot is the cat who coined the term “Nerdcore” while describing his style of hip hop/rapping. Basically, the dude raps about video games, dungeons and dragons, Magic the gathering and all things nerd. I don’t mind telling you, Frontalot actually is a pretty damn good rapper. He’s got his own style, his flow is pretty good, he’s funny and articulate, he’s entertaining and has great stage presence. All in all, he deserves his title of the “world’s 579th greatest rapper.” I’d even put him in the top 200, honestly.
I don't think Snoop done it this way.
But believe it or not… This blog is not about MC Frontalot or even the nerdcore genre itself. Nope, I want to talk about swimming pools and tacos; but there’s no time for that–so I’ll just tell you about the documentary.
As stated, it deals entirely with MC Frontalot. There are some cameos from other rappers and other nerds and a couple more nerds–though a few jocks come on and generally make asses of themselves. Yeah, it’s mad good times, my fellow computer jockeys! Geeks unite and straight bust awkward moves to Frontalot’s sizzling flow. (seriously though, the dude can really frigging rap, he’s got some skill)
It covers a lot of ground, in the sense that it is one of if not the ONLY documentary about a band/music/music industry that shows what it is REALLY like to tour as an independent artist. Seriously, if you musicians out there don’t watch this flick and instantly relate then you’ve simply never done a tour–or never done an indie tour… Hell, I toured with a major label artist and this shit resonates perfectly with a major label tour as well! Granted, I didn’t tour with golden cocaine strippers and whiskey breakfasts… Well… Ahem… I CERTAINLY didn’t tour with golden cocaine strippers, of THAT I assure you!
The point is, it’s absolute genius when it comes to showing that touring as an indie artist is simply nothing sexy at all–save the actual show. Sigh… I long for it, even now. Being on stage and making the music you love for people who may or may not dig it is an ultimate rush; but long hours in a van, shit food, shittier accommodations, playing to two people (if you’re lucky), zero cash, lots of time to do nothing, begging for media to help promote so there will be four people at the show instead of two, etc and so on and so forth… Yeah, it ain’t sexy. But at the same time, it kinda is–in a “paying your dues” kind of way, ya dig? Well, it makes for good Americana songs, anyway. Though, I have to say, two fans or not–playing for someone is cool regardless of how many there are. And MC Frontalot and his band agree with me. They put on a good show regardless of how many are in attendance. I respect him for that.
Pictured: This dude is paying the shit out of them dues...
Now where this deviates from a movie about super cool dudes with long hair rocking out and doing any drug that comes their way is the fact that we’re dealing with guys who like table-top gaming and are self professed nerds. It’s frigging fantastic. Normally with bands, you get a lot of, “ummmm… yeah… like… ummmm… we like to rawk and junk… yeeaahhh…” (granted, not ALL bands; but plenty of them are like that either due to drugs, hangovers or drug hangovers)
These guys do the Chewbacca/wookie yell just to warm up vocally–one of my personal favorites.
*Note: I did the wookie yell at my wedding after they announced Vicki and I were married and the music started up… Just like in Episode Four at the end when the music starts up and they’re facing the audience after receiving their medals. Here’s the kicker… Vicki and I had talked about it beforehand and she TOLD ME TO DO IT. Yeah… Your jealousy is palpable… My wife frigging rocks, nerd-boy. I am your god!!!!
NOTE ON THE NOTE: IF YOU HAVE TO ASK WHAT “EPISODE FOUR” MEANS, YOU ARE NOT A NERD. YOU ARE AN EARTHWORM. YOU HAVE BEEN IN THE DARK FOR A LONG TIME. YOU SHOULD REST YOUR EYES. THE LIGHT WILL STEAL YOUR SOUL… GO BACK INTO THE EARTH… THERE YA GO…
Yes. Frontalot and his band are openly nerdy. I have yet to come out… I am a closeted nerd. I am ashamed. But I guess this is me coming out as a nerd. I LIKE VIDEO GAMES DAMNIT!!!
Feels nice…
"DEAR APOLLO! HE ENJOYS ONLINE GAMING!!! ARRRGGGGHHHHHH!!!"
So this awesome documentary about indie touring as an openly-living nerd was directed and produced by one very talented Negin Farsad. Ms. Farsad is unconfirmed as a nerd herself; but she is a frigging hilarious stand up comedian.
She helms the madness that is four nerds unleashed.
MC Frontalot, the nerdcore rapper extraordinaire you have met… But his band is absolutely fantastic as well. Bassist Bl4k Lotus, keyboardist Gm7 and drummer The Sturgenius. When I say these guys are tight, man I ain’t talking about being cheap! Seriously, seriously good band. Damned if they aren’t funny as hell, too! Some of the back and forth between these guys as they make their way through touring obstacles both nerdy and normal–well, as normal as it gets for musicians, anyway–is piss yourself funny. (pretend that’s a good thing)
So you have enough to go watch the shit out of this bad boy. Do it now! Don’t think about it. This is a seriously entertaining film–if you’re not a documentary nut, then pretend it’s a reality tv show. If you don’t like reality tv (good for you!) then pretend it’s a football game or porn or something. But support this film. It is absolutely a fantastic example of good ole fashioned DIY bringing some really solid entertainment.
Mad love and respect to MC Frontalot, Negin Farsad, Bl4k Lotus, Gm7 and The Sturgenius. Quality music and quality film. You guys are as cool as like a +7 frost mace and junk!
