Howdy gang. So, it's officially been a year of making videos for Adventures in Nerdery so I've decided that it is time to retire Ukulele Guy. This will be the last video that I add to the YouTube channel and probably the last blog post as well. It's been a fun ride and I met lots of rad people, heard a lot of rad songs and learned a lot about Ukuleles. But, dry your eyes friend! I'm making more videos than ever over at Adventures in Nerdery so you should come check it out. In case you aren't convinced, dig on this video that explains what I do over there. I bet you are gonna like it!
Yeah, I get it. I understand that I pretty much dropped off of the face of the earth. But, it's only because I've been doing important work. That's right, I've been making a difference, y'all.
I've been playing VIDEO GAMES!
No be fair, I've also been crazy busy with work, my old heavy new wave band (VOLUMEN) had a reunion show at the last Total Fest, here in Missoula and I still occasionally play ukulele with Jerry in our novelty act.
But, fret not, ukulele-loving folk, because Jerry and I have been making recording our Tuesday video game sessions and the results are (sometimes) hilarious. Also, each week we switch instruments to play the theme song, so there is still some ukulele up in this piece.
Here, check out the outtakes for this week's episode and you'll see me playing my Kala Pocket Ukulele while Jerry pretends to play bass.
If that tickles your fancy, you should watch the full episode. Or, if 17 minutes is too big of a commitment (believe me, you won't regret it), then check out this 7 minute episode featuring Chicken Lady!
The premise of "Who's Better?" (that's the name of the series, by the way) is that we challenge each other (and occasionally a guest star) to a video game battle. The winner gets bragging rights for the week. I designed the contest because I figured it would just legitimize all of the Jerry-bashing I already do. But... so far it hasn't been going my way.
Ok, well, I hope you join us. I promise to keep putting ukuleles up in there.
First off, let me apologize for the total lack of posts for the past few months. It's true, I'm a lazy jerk. But, let's not dwell on it. I've got some exciting news and I want to share it right up in yer face!
See, I was working with some fellas on a Cure cover project (in which I played bass) and we wanted to do a show as a bit of a teaser before our real show. Dave, who was the man behind our Cure cover band, asked if I wanted to do some ukulele stuff to open the show. Now, I've played many a show with different bands (playing either bass or guitar), and I've played ukulele in front of lots of folks around the campfire, but I don't think I'd ever played a ukulele "show" at a bar or venue. So, I was pretty stoked and nervous.
I said yes to Dave but immediately decided that the ukulele project couldn't just be me. I needed a band! So, I turned to my buddy Jerry (who had once accompanied me on drums around a campfire "show" in the recent past) and asked if he wanted to be a part of this here thing. I sent him links to the songs that I wanted to do and also showed him this Weird Al video to give him some ideas for drums.
Next thing I knew, I had both a drummer and also a drummer who used a suitcase as his drumset. Total magic! We practiced a total of two times and decided that was enough preparation. We hadn't really decided on a name for the band, but we are now known as "Shane Hickey and his Magical Ukulele.... and Jerry". I think you can probably see where that is going. Anyway, nameless and flush with two complete practices, we were now ready to rock the Bejeebus out of the VFW.
Apparently, though, Jeebus had something else in mind because our little town was crushed under a mighty blizzard that night. It turned out to be a mixed blessing, though. Sure, many folks didn't come down to the show because they didn't care to spend 2 hours digging their car out of their own driveway. But, the folks who made it to the show certainly didn't want to drive in those conditions again, so we had ourselves a captive audience! Thankfully, my foxy wife was onhand with her camera to record much of the show. Now you can feel like you were actually there!
UPS Girl:
Automobile:
Portland Man:
Santa Claus Needed a Drink:
Trailer Park Moms:
Megan Lannegan:
Moderation Town:
Drank Too Much Today:
Punk rock Friends (are broke):
There was another song or two that evening but I can't post everything because there is still a chance that my Mom will read this and the other songs are pretty offensive. Heh.
You know how it is. You have some songs that are just touchstones. Every time you hear them they transport you back to a certain place in time or maybe just trigger your brain to release extra serotonin or something. Well, for me, one of those touchstones is Dance Hall Days by Wang Chung. If you aren't familiar, check out this video. Note, there are two videos for this song, but the following video is better for reasons listed below the video.
1. Gum-chewing violin player looking directly into your soul
2. Sweaters!
3. Sweaters tucked into pleated pants!
4. You can almost hear the video director's instructions to the band. "Ok guys, I need you to look like condescending pricks who are laughing over some hilarious inside joke. Can you do that?"
Sadly, my video has none of that.
Here are my corrected tabs.
Wang Chung - Dance Hall Days
tabs by Ukulele Guy
Note: Except for the Chorus, play the F, C and G like so:
F - 2030
C - 0033
G - 0232
F C G F C G F C G F C G
[Verse]
F C G
Take your baby by the hand
F C G
And make her do a high hand stand
F C G
Take your baby by the heel
F C G
And do the next thing that you feel
[Refrain]:
(play single note)
F C G
We were so in phase
F C G
In our dance hall days
F C G
We were cool on craze
(play chords again)
F C C5 G
When I, you, and everyone we knew
F E A B C
Could believe, do, and share in what was true
[Chorus]
F C G F C G
Oh, I said Dance hall days love
[2nd Verse]
F C G
Take your baby by the hair
F C G
And pull her close and there there there
F C G
Take your baby by the ears
F C G
And play upon her darkest fears
[Refrain]
[Longer Chorus]
F C G F C G
Oh, I said Dance hall days love
F C G F C G
Dance hall days Dance hall days love
[3rd Verse]
F C G
So take your baby by the wrist
F C G
And in her mouth an amethyst
F C G
And in her eyes two sapphires blue
F C G
And you need her and she needs you
F C G
And you need her and she needs you
F C G
And you need her and she needs you
F C G
And you need her and she needs you
F C G
And you need her... and she needs you
[Refrain]
[Chorus]
F C G F C G
Oh, I said Dance hall days love
F C G F C G
Dance hall days love
F C G F C G
dance hall days Dance hall days love
F C G F C G
dance hall days Dance hall days love
I can't believe I haven't made a video with my Kookalele or Surfalele yet. Blasphemy! In my defense, I think I was waiting for the new strings to come in. But, I couldn't resist it any longer. So, here is a quick video that shows you 3 out of the 4 "Kooky Ukes" from Swagerty. Don't hold your breath for the 4th one (The Lil' Guitar). I saw one on eBay recently and it was like $600. Oof.
Oh yeah, I apologize for the crazy noise during parts of the video. That is what it sounds like when someone (in this case, my foxy wife) runs the vacuum cleaner in the room above my office.
Oh yeah, if you don't recognize that song, then you should check out this madness. And, if you like the look of these title sequence then you should totally start watching this show. It rules!