3 More Words - Better, Stronger, Faster

Etcetera, podcast. A show barely alive. Gentlemen, we can rebuild it. We have the technology. We have the capability to build the world's first bionic show. Etcetera will be that podcast. Better than it was before. Better, stronger, faster.

[ping] Has Docked With the Mother Ship - [Etcetera]

Mother Internet has once again given birth to a wonder of modern technology. It's the latest incarnation of stevebrownetc.com. This thing is a podcasting and blogging monster machine, and we've been assimilated.

[ping] has a new home at stevebrownetc.com. Click here to jump into the slightly diverted Internet Stream of Collective Consciousness.

If you're subscribed to the feed from this page, you shouldn't notice any change in the delivery of posts and shows. Same with an iTunes subscription. You'll keep getting [ping] stuff, it'll just be coming from the new site.

This blog will stay up as a "deep" archive, but we are in the process of migrating many of our favorite elements from [ping] over to SBE. See you there. Resistance is futile.

Women Are People, Too - [Etcetera]

This post is now found here.

My Buddy - [Etcetera]

This post is now found here.

Hair - [Etcetera]

This post is now found here.

Potty Talk - [Etcetera]

This post is now found here.

Why Are You Running Away? - [Etcetera]

This post is now found here.

Paper or Plastic - [Etcetera]

This post is now found here.

Feed 'em Dummy - [Etcetera]

This post is now found here.

[ping] Mix - [Etcetera]

señor jefe said...

"Hey! Since you guys are featuring indie music now, you should list the featured artists on your blog, so we can all check out the music."

Great idea. Thanks señor.

A couple weeks ago we played us some Sufjan Stevens. I have his ablums, Illinois and Seven Swans. Seven Swans is my favorite. I hear Michigan is good. And yes, he's doing all 50 states.



On the show "You Bet Your Ash Wed." we opened with music from the Dear Ephesus ablum, The Absent Sounds of Me

On "Power to the People" we opened with The Vanity Plan. We also played music from Pistis and Cletus...all from Orlando. Thanks to the Quartermexican for hooking us up (and for the glorious Dirge of Turd Ferguson).

And last but certainly not least, we'll be opening with and featuring Gasoline Heart tonight. These guys will rock the hell out of you. See you in the Internet Stream of Collective Consciousness.

One-Legged Stools - [Etcetera]

I was gonna tell you about how one-legged stools can't stand. Then I found the pic on the left.

Now, while I'm willing to admit that a one-legged stool may be able to stand under certain circumstances...it sure ain't pretty.

The point is this, Matt is in Italy and Sharon has strep throat. And while I may be able to do the show by myself, I'm afraid it would end up being the podcasting equivalent of me sitting next to a bush with a stick strapped to my arse.

All of that to say that there won't be a live Etcetera tonight. We'll see you this Tuesday (or next Tuesday - I'm not sure of the proper expression). Anyway, it streams live on Tuesdays from 9-10 ET at stevebrownetc.com. Check out that noise, or subscribe to the podcast and get it when it's hot now.

Power to the People - [Etcetera]

Hmmmfff...it's a very exciting time. Mother Internet has given birth to revolutionary new forms of communication, and we are not only witnesses, we are participants.

But this new age is not without danger. In fact, it is fraught with danger...oh it is so fraught. FRAUGHT I TELL YOU!

The evil and power hungry RIAA lurks at every turn, seeking to snuff out the new life of internet radio. Oh yes. I said snuff bisque!

But be of good cheer, Etcetera has joined the fight. The Merry Monk of Love, the Comedy Ninja, and the Spastic Mystic are once again harnessing the power of buffoonery, this time, to free the Internet Stream of Collective Consciousness from tyranny. We also want to help the guy in the pic above.

Click here to listen to our latest communiqué from the front lines. Then subscribe to the podcast for future updates.

Then, get involved.

Click here to find out what's going on. Gordo provided this resource as well.

Then write your elected officials and tell them to stop RIAA from stifling creativity and destroying an industry (along with many people's livelihoods).

Click here for your representative.

Click here for your senator.

Click here to comment directly to the Copyright Royalty Board.

Stupid Hope - [Etcetera]

Here's a picture of a blue box. It's not a copyrighted picture.

Here's this week's Etcetera. It's not copyrighted either. Feel free to take it, listen to it, remix it, make a paper hat out of it...whatever you want. You can even claim that it's your show and sell it to your friends. In fact, do that.

Here's where you subscribe to the podcast to drink regularly at the Internet Stream of Collective Consciousness and be filled with the free and plenteous joy of the Lord.

You Bet Your Ash Wed. - [Etcetera]

From pink elephants to open mouth kissing, this week's Etcetera has what you need to set the tone for your observance of Lent.

Click here to listen.

The spiritual discipline of listening to Etcetera is guaranteed to enhance your journey over the next 40 days. Subscribe to the podcast now and let the Internet Stream of Collective Consciousness wash over you weekly (or weakly).

Namaste, bisque!

Teh Suck - [Etcetera]

I can barely bring myself to type this, but here it goes...we have to cancel the show again this week.

I'm still sick, it's my daughter Madeline's birthday tonight (she has strep), Sharon is sick now (and sounds terrible), there are some technical issues we're working through, you get the picture. [/excuses]

Sorry about this guys. We hate to miss two in a row, but we will see you next week.

Muse You Can't Use - [Etcetera]

Join us for black holes and revelations on this week's Etcetera. That sounds a lot cooler than it actually is, but does describe the show. And that's all I have to say about that.

Click here to listen.

Subscribe to the podcast here.

Gotta Have More Ringtones - [Etcetera]

In an effort to propagate portable buffoonery, we submit the following ringtones for your approval.

Erik's psycho laugh
Matt is Shavalavadiggyboo
Affirmation, Spastic Mystic style

Don't forget the previously posted Goulet ringtones, here and here, and the wildly successful "Waaaaaa Perform Monkey! (clap, clap)" here.

If you act now, you'll receive this Vadertone as a bonus! That's right Sally.

Get the Leto Out - [Etcetera]

Matt, Sharon, and Erik (the triple-threat of podcasting) were joined by Rob from Organicchurch.com to bring you 30 Seconds to Mars and an hour of Etcetera. Click here to listen. The first one's free, but if you subscribe to the podcast now, we'll throw in all future programs at no extra cost.

Check out the "Merch" link at Organicchurch.com to see Rob's t-shirts. And as promised, here's your link to the myspace page where you can get your very own Sharon ring tone. Don't miss this opportunity to have The Spastic Mystic alert you to incoming calls.

Look Who's 76 - [Erik]

James Earl Jones was born on this day in 1931. Happy birthday to the voice of Darth Vader!

In celebration of his work and life, let's gather around the Internet and watch the Vader Sessions again. It works every time. Check it out here.

If you missed our interview with the creators of the Vader Sessions, click here to listen. (How's that for an excuse to post old stuff?)

The Merry Monk of Monkey Love - [Erik]

It seems that my confession on last week's Etcetera has given many of you the courage to admit that you too have a problem. I know now that I'm not alone in my affinity for robot monkey heads. Thank you to those of you who have contacted me and shared in our common struggle.

As a result of the overwhelming response and obvious need, The Quartermexican and I have started an online support group in the comments for this post to help you overcome your robot monkey head addiction. I pray it will become a place of healing.

What's more, we're proud to announce that world-renowned former monkey lover Charlton Heston will be our spokesman and leader as we seek to put our past behind us and get on with a healthy, well-balanced life free of damn, dirty apes.

Programming Note - [Etcetera]

I first heard about Burnside Writers Collective when we talked with Donald Miller on Steve Brown Etc. I figured I'd check it out sometime, but never did.

Then a friend emailed me a link to one of their articles called On Swearing. I loved it, so I kept hanging around there. Now I'm hooked. It's a great site.

One thing led to another and we ended up having Jordan Green (the editor of BWC) on the big show. Through that interview I ended up connecting with Chad Gibbs. Chad contributes to BWC and you should check out his writing here and here and here. I actually laugh out loud when reading his pieces.

Anyway, here's the programing note...Chad is going to hang out with us on Etcetera this Tuesday.

Pwned! - [Etcetera]

Living in Limbo, News You Can't Use, When Cartoons Attack, News From the Nerdiverse, and a dirty little secret...all that and more is just a click away.

Here's this week's Etcetera.

Subscribe to the podcast and hang out with us regular like. The Internet Stream of Collective Consciousness just won't be the same without you.

Monkey Biz-nass - [Etcetera]

Welcome to 2007! A new year is dawning. What better way to start it off than by cracking open the internet and taking a big whiff of fresh Etcetera.

In addition to getting a look at Matt's monkey, we talked Dick Clark, embracing pain, the Ford/Brown/Hussein triad of death, the sneaky Wii, and new words added to the new Merriam-Webster Dictionary. Click here to get your monkey on.

By the way, also rans for the name of this show were: Show Me the Monkey, Year of the Monkey, Baboonery, Monkeymother, and a few others that just got a bit dirty. I thought I'd share.

Subscribe monkey! [clap clap]

Single Year - [Etcetera]

Another year of Etcetera is in the can. It's a wrap, click here to unwrap it.

This time of year always gets us looking back at the path we've traveled. We talk failure, connection with God in daily life/nature, men, women, music, a few of our favorite things, and hopes for the new year.

Thanks for sharing time with us. There won't be a program next week, but we'll be here on [ping] and then back with a new Etcetera on January 2, 2007 bisque! Get the podcast here and come along for the ride.

You Can't Destroy the Mental - [Etcetera]

"No matter how hard you try, you can't stop us now." While the band who sang those lyrics is now, ironically, defunct, we like to think the phrase applies to us, the first and only show to combine the intellectual properties of talk radio with the visceral goodness of metal.

Forwarding Andrew delivered a blistering lead solo this week with his 'This Year In Viral Video' segment. Throw in a couple of our favorite callers, some witty repartee, and you got yourself at least twenty minutes of entertainment, all jammed into one hour.

Click here to enter the Etcetera mosh pit. If you're ready to get an Etcetera tattoo (okay, just a podcast subscription), click here.

Oh, and just so we're clear, we only play arenas.

What's the Deal Here? - [Etcetera]

Programming Note: This week only, Etcetera will stream live Wednesday night at 9 ET.

Etcetera returns to our normally scheduled time next week (12.19.06 @ 9 ET). We will of course podcast the hell out of all this noise.

Etcetera @ The Movies: Apocalypto

Apocalypto tells the story of a Mayan warrior, Jaguar Paw. When his tribe is attacked by another tribe and subjugated into slavery, Jaguar is separated from his pregnant wife and young son.

The film tells the story of Jaguar Paw’s journey away from his family and what he does to get back to them.

That’s it. That’s the movie. It’s a simple storyline, but an engaging one. And in a sense, this idea could be played out in any number of settings, not just a pre-Columbian Mayan forest.

The cinematography is gorgeous and stunning, shot digitally on high-definition Genesis cameras. The actors, all non-professionals, do a fantastic job. Very understated and completely convincing. The communal nature of the tribe gives us some touching and hilarious moments… in the first thirty minutes.

Now, let’s talk about the remaining 107 minutes.

If you’re going to Apocalypto, you first need to know it’s brutal on a level I’ve never seen onscreen before. Not sure if it’s for you? Take this litmus test: There’s a scene where a Mayan warrior is unexpectedly impaled from the front on a series of sharp spikes. The shot from behind shows the spikes lined with blood and fatty tissue from his body. Can you handle that? It’s visceral to be sure, but actually doesn’t feel like it’s being done just for effect. Just know what you’re in for.


There are a few weak spots in the film, including a deus ex machina at the middle turning point that’s just a little too convenient for me.

Also, the extended ending action sequence is exciting, but strained, at times even bordering on silly. I don’t mind a long movie, but not if it would be better by being shorter.

One last note: the film is subtitled. There’s not much dialogue, but what’s there is strong. Even for the subtitled movie novice, it’s not going to distract and really does add an element of authenticity.

Overall, Apocalypto is a beautiful and brutal film, one that certainly wouldn’t be in theaters if Mel Gibson’s name weren’t above the title (read the posters, it’s billed as Mel Gibson’s Apocalypto). It’s the antithesis of a typical big-budget studio film-- obscure location and time period, no ‘name' actors, pervasive and extreme violence-- and yet, here and there, it relies on some standard Hollywood conventions. It’s not perfect, but is nonetheless original and daring, a bold piece of filmmaking that will leave you emotionally exhausted.

* * * * (out of 5)

Rated R for sequences of graphic violence and disturbing images
Running time: 137 minutes

OPENS FRIDAY, DECEMBER 8th


[end ping]

Etcetera's Back - [Etcetera]

It's good to be back. Good TO be back. Good to BE back. This show was a high colonic for the blocked up buffoonery.

Catch up with Erik, Matt, and Sharon along with guest host (and all around good guy) F'ing Andrew...get the skinny on why we left and how we ended up back...and be sure to stick around toward the end to get Matt's review of Apocalypto

Click here to listen to the return of Etcetera. Also, be sure to subscribe to the podcast to get future shows and updates on the new stevebrownetc.com site.

Rocks' Marriage On The Rocks - [Matthew]

Mark in Michigan was the first to alert us to this info: Pamela Anderson and Kid Rock have filed for divorce. Now, divorce is never funny, but celebrities... well, they're just a hoot. That's why when these star-cross'd lovers tied the knot not even four months ago, we took the opportunity to launch our Celebrity Divorce Pool. Revisit the 'Rock On' from July 31st to see who is our big winner. Then post us with your vote for which celeb couple we should bet on next.


[end ping]