Chosen becuase a) It shows how a spoken-word bridge should be done, and b) how to come out of that bridge.
Continue readingAuthor: graeme
Nunc Scio: Track of the Day: The Hold Steady “Constructive Summer”
It may be hot today in Toronto, but that doesn’t mean we can’t do something with it. The Hold Steady understands.
Continue readingNunc Scio: Track of the Day: Careers in Science “Suri Cruise-Missile”
To the surprise of exactly no one, Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes have decided to end their marriage. Normally, I wouldn’t care about this, but it does give me a chance to post a song by a Toronto Hardcore band that I have been enjoying for the past few weeks.
Continue readingNunc Scio: Track of the Day: Turisas “Broadsword”
Why? Because Turisas is a Finnish folk-metal band that dresses like a bunch of post-apocalytpic Braveheart clones: And they are covering a tune originally by Jethro Tull, who dressed like a bunch of deranged medieval jesters with a thing for flutes and prog-rock: For some reason, this all works for
Continue readingNunc Scio: Count me in for “OneCity”
By now you’ve probably heard about TTC Chair Karen Stintz (pictured) and Councilor Glenn DeBaeremaeker mega-plan for transity in Toronto- OneCity. Royson James has all the details over at the Star, so I won’t rehash them here. But in short – subways, LRT, and a plan that actually works for
Continue readingNunc Scio: Joe Oliver, Conservative policies get pwned
It’s amazing how a cabinet minister can go to pieces when confronted with a little informed dissent. Ladies and gentlemen, the Honorable Joe Oliver: Minister, Conservative MP, sulky child. Thanks to NH for the tip!
Continue readingNunc Scio: Yes, there are more than one: David Harvey’s “The Crises of Capitalism”
An incisive analysis of the financial crisis. I’m sure many of you will disagree, but this is not a perspective that can be easily dismissed.
Continue readingNunc Scio: Track of the Day: Ty Segall Band “I Bought My Eyes”
If you think your summer needs a bit more fuzzed-out, pile-driver garage rock, then friend, have I got an album for you. Ty Segall’s latest album (out today) is like a giant chainsaw annihilating a forest, as heard from inside a scary cave. Here’s one of the standout tracks, “I
Continue readingNunc Scio: Track of the Day: Joan Jett & The Blackhearts “Bad Reputation”
I finally saw “The Runaways” with Kristen Stewart and Dakota Fanning(!). Not a great movie – rather incoherent, in fact – but Joan Jett’s story is pretty interesting. So, in honour of her surviving the 1970s and finding commercial success, I’m posting her classic “Bad Reputation”. As an added bonus,
Continue readingNunc Scio: Better.
The Mos Eisley Cantina band immeasurably improves “Party Rock”. Via Alan Cross.
Continue readingNunc Scio: Tomorrow you’re homeless, tonight it’s a blast
In 1982, the Dead Kennedys released the song “Riot“. If there is such a thing as a ‘public rage’ sub-genre, this track represents its creative peak (other notable entries: The Clash’s “Guns of Brixton” and Sublime’s “April 29, 1992 (Miami)“). Among Riot’s more timeless observations is the basic irony of the unrest we’re seeing in […]
Continue readingNunc Scio: Tim Minchin’s Storm
Sometimes I forget I have a blog. After relentlessly promoting this video to friends, strangers, and heads of state for the last week, I somehow neglected to put it in the one place where I have total control over content. Brilliant. Anyways, it gives me very great pleasure to present Tim Minchin‘s Storm for your […]
Continue readingNunc Scio: Racism all the rage in Orange County
In my weaker moments, I imagine that the arc of human civilization is sweeping gently upward, and we are all becoming better, more intelligent beings. And then I see something like this, and I am reminded that we are the same nasty and brutish things we have always been. City Councilors advocating murder, hysterical screaming, […]
Continue readingNunc Scio: Finally, a leader for the rest of us.
My web guru Robin pointed my towards this Boing Boing post about Jimmy McMillan, a current NY gubernatorial candidate and founder of the Rent is Too Damn High Party. I really encourage you to visit his site for the groovy intro track alone. Anyways, here’s a video of Jimmy at the Gubernatorial Debate last night: […]
Continue readingNunc Scio: A thing I done did do. About universities.
As many of you may know/be unaware of/not care about, I work in the area of higher education policy. I’ve also recently begun a PhD on this very subject (studying universities at university is the most meta degree EVER). So, I find myself with a lot of higher ed related thoughts which gradually pool over […]
Continue readingNunc Scio: Greg Graffin on “Morning Joe”
Those who know me will not be surprised to hear that Bad Religion is my favourite band. In fact, you may be so intimately familiar with this fact that its mere mention will send you fleeing towards the proverbial fire escape (or perhaps literal fire escape – I have no idea where you are right […]
Continue readingNunc Scio: MacDuff
So, my dog MacDuff (aka Duffer, Duffly, or any other permutation you can think of), passed away this morning. He had a good long life, didn’t suffer, and was surrounded by family when he finally bid us all adieu. For a dog with such a big heart, it seems right that it was his heart […]
Continue readingNunc Scio: The obligatory Toronto G20 post
As I made my way to work through the deserted streets of Toronto, I came across a strange scene. An old woman was crossing King Street, headed north on Yonge. A police Forensic Services van (read: the “By Definition, We Only Show Up Long After the Trouble is Over” Van) was waiting at the light, […]
Continue readingNunc Scio: The best albums of 2000-2009, by someone who knows a lot more about music than I do
My friend Matej is doubly blessed: he knows a lot about great bands most people don’t know about, and is a great writer. I am thus tickled to present a happy combination of the two for your Friday reading enjoyment. A more comprehensive list you are unlikely to find. The Oughts The only thing harder […]
Continue readingNunc Scio: You should’ve let Ann Coulter speak
I don’t like Ann Coulter. In fact, I would go so far as to so I hate Ann Coulter. She’s a shrill, unpleasant human being who cynically preaches ignorance and intolerance to make her living as a cog in the paleo-conservative anger machine. I try to ignore Ann Coulter as much as possible in the […]
Continue reading