No Matter How Hard You Try, You Will Never Out-Nerd This Man
Posted on March 27, 2009 Posted by John Scalzi 45 Comments
So don’t even try.
It’s the occasional pelvic thrust that makes it work, if you ask me.
If you’re wondering what the hell the dude is playing, incidentally, it’s this.
I hope he tours. I’d pay $5-$10 to see his live show if a smoke machine and face paint were involved.
I agree with the pelvic thrust bit, though IMHO that droplet effect on the rhythm base takes some merit, especially toward the end
The thing that gets me is how terrified he looks the whole time. Clearly, he’s got music in his soul, but I doubt he’d survive a live gig.
Little Boots plays one of those kinds of things for real on stage and TV, as in this bit from Later with Jools Holland.
Laura:
Apparently he plays live quite frequently.
How litigious is Andy Kaufmann’s estate?
He also does the William Tell Overture.
“…and it’s the pelvic thrusts
that really drive you insane…”
Back in my day, people made music by plucking or striking objects or strings which would then vibrate, not poking tiny electronic buttons with a stylus. This new young music makes my ears hurt. Turn down that racket! Also, get off my lawn.
I fully intended to watch a few seconds of that and then figure I’d gotten the gist of it. Sir, I was mesmerized and watched every second.
I am in awe!
Their rendition of “Beat It” left me actually speechless. (Still not sure if it was speechless in a good or bad kind of way).
I see the true reason for this posting!! Yet another use of the thrice accursed “The Final Countdown”!!
Oh bane of my youth, will you never be put to a “Final” rest?!?!?!
eh, probably not….
And, 2 words I never thought to read here, so I guess I’ll have to do it for everyone: Eric. Carmen.
I may not be as nerdy as that guy, but damn it I try!
People like Brett Domino are the stewards of our human whimsical nature. I’m glad they exist. This video shames me and my pragmatism.
Standard trick in visual media: want someone to be a nerd, put them in a collared shirt and button it all the way up, no tie. This was the standard uniform for Forest Gump in the movie.
Word on the street is that Daft Punk first started performing wearing motorcycle helmets not because it made them look like androids or something, but because they were shy and it let them “hide” from the audience. Sort of got a techno spin after that.
Admit it, you only put this out there to show how truly amazing your karaoke is…
He also sings, has dinner parties, and dances with lovely ladies.
All hail the uber-nerd!
– yeff
That was awesome. I want a stylophone!
Stop. Posting. Links.
I am begining to enjoy them and I’m too old to forget them before I die.
Just STOP.
Aaaaaah!
(actually, it is the occasional swaying side to side that makes it work for me)
“No Matter How Hard You Try, You Will Never Out-Nerd This Man”
Was that a challenge I heard? You know we can’t resist a challenge.
I just bookmarked his webpage. I am lost…
ThinkGeek has stylophones; I bought one for my daughter for xmas…
Reminds me of one of the impressions Andy Kaufman would do before he did Elvis. “S’ank you veddy motch.”.
Suddenly I have the urge to eat raw eggs and run stairs.
Hmm. Does that sweater remind anyone else of good old Wil Wheaton and his clown sweater?
Someone needs to tell me how the hell he is doing that. I mean I know its a stylus, but still? What is that?
I, scion of the Southland, survivor of Mother Tech: Eater of Her Young, Engineer, bow to the master.
Awed,
Jack Tingle
I just searched and found that ThinkGeek has them. Maybe I ought to get one.
[obligatory “Rocky Horror Picture Show” commentary deemed unnecessary and hence removed]
I can’t decide if I’m being relegated to the spam filter or if your blog is just deciding some comments are too lame.
May there always be an England.
Dear god, the stylophones are only $20??!!
Be afraid. Be very afraid.
Reminds me of Ron Mael from the band Sparks, except with pelvic thrusts.
“No Matter How Hard You Try, You Will Never Out-Nerd This Man”
Nah, it’d be easy.
Just do the same exact thing, with a Stylophone, but with a medley of music that is even nerdier than 80s pop.
Barbershop quartet favorites, for instance.
I can’t decide if it would be more nerdy or less nerdy had he performed on a theremin.
I quite enjoyed that. Yay.
I’m minded of that bit in Snow Crash when Hiro meets Raven, and realises he will never be as much of a badass.
While in grade school gym class, I performed a gymnastics routine set to “The Final Countdown” by Europe. That was pretty freakin nerdy.
John: you don’t want any of us to out-nerd the gentleman, Brett Domino(?), in question. Think of the children! Or the audience!
Propeller beanie: check.
Pogo stick: check.
Pocket protector: *blush* check.
Gap-toothed appearance: check.
All of the above while performing a suitable nerdish ditty at karaoke (currently torn between Tom Lehrer’s The Elements, the rap by Sushi K. of Snow Crash, or ITEOTWAWKI by R.E.M.): Don’t tempt me, mmm’kay?
Dear god, that was almost indescribably nerdy.
I think ArcAttack might give him a run for his money.
Evidence: the Star Wars “Imperial March” played on a tesla coil.
http://www.dumpert.nl/mediabase/438981/d0df7405/the_force_is_strong_with_this_one.html
I’m going to have that guy do the soundtrack to the porn movie I will star in!
@cathshafferon
“Back in my day, people made music by plucking or striking objects or strings which would then vibrate, not poking tiny electronic buttons with a stylus.”
I hate to make you feel older than you are, but the Stylophone was invented in 1967 and was re-released (as a retro ‘instrument’) a few years ago (in the UK, at least).
Truly a hypnotic video.
(and I’ve only just clicked the link below the video, which says exactly that, and kinda makes me look stupid :)