Category: Music/Movies

Misc., Music/Movies

The Night A Libertyville Gravedigger Played Just For Me

by Matt Drufke1 Comment on The Night A Libertyville Gravedigger Played Just For Me
The Night A Libertyville Gravedigger Played Just For Me

19 years ago this month, I witnessed the best concert I’ve ever seen, and I’ve seen a bunch. I’ve seen They Might Be Giants (my favorite group of all time) play over 30 times in a variety of venues. I’ve seen Elvis Costello sing to a full Chicago Opera House without the use of a microphone. I’ve seen a Beatle play. I’ve seen an artist make over a dozen costume changes during a show, and that artist was “Weird Al” Yankovic and he was awesome.

I’ve seen all kinds of groups and at every kind of venue. But, we show then I think of all of the concerts in all of the rooms I’ve seen in my life, there is only one that is in the running for the best show I’ve ever seen. And it was a night, nineteen years ago this month, when I was reminded of the blistering power of live rock and roll.

I’m not the best writer, and it’s possible that I’m not even a very good writer. However, as you’ll soon come to see, I’m, literally, one of maybe four people who is both qualified and able to write this story. So, knowing what responsibility is on my shoulders, let me tell you a tale…

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Music/Movies

Calm in an Anxious Era: Chad Lawson’s ‘You Finally Knew’

by Michael GraceLeave a Comment on Calm in an Anxious Era: Chad Lawson’s ‘You Finally Knew’
Calm in an Anxious Era: Chad Lawson’s ‘You Finally Knew’

Life is full of chance encounters that, in hindsight, seem like they were a puzzle piece sliding into place. Back in April, what feels more like five years than five months ago, I had one of those moments that have genuinely aided my journey through this, the strangest of years. I tried to ease my way into a Friday work day at home by putting on Spotify’s Classical New Releases playlist. One artist that grabbed my attention was Chad Lawson. The song was “Stay,” and by day’s end I had probably listened to it twenty times. He released an EP of the same name on May 1st, but now the project is released in full as the LP You Finally Knew.

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Misc., Music/Movies, Sports

The Jock Jams Compilations, Ranked (Y’all Ready For This?)

by Matt Drufke2 Comments on The Jock Jams Compilations, Ranked (Y’all Ready For This?)
The Jock Jams Compilations, Ranked (Y’all Ready For This?)

As someone who grew up in the 1990’s, the Jock Jams series of songs were everywhere in my life. I heard them at sporting events- like, all sporting events. I heard them at junior high and high school dances. I heard wedding parties use them to as introduction music. They were everywhere.

And even though some of the songs weren’t great, or even very good, there is something about these massive ESPN-produced mixtapes (all released under the Tommy Boy Music label) that just feels fun. That being said, why just enjoy nostalgia when you can, instead, over-analyze and use math to suck out all the fun of these songs so you can rank which Jock Jams album is the best one?

Hey, everyone… let’s get ready to rumble.

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Music/Movies

Fancy Boys Stay Home With The Movies: Mulan & Bill & Ted Face The Music

by Matt DrufkeLeave a Comment on Fancy Boys Stay Home With The Movies: Mulan & Bill & Ted Face The Music
Fancy Boys Stay Home With The Movies: Mulan & Bill & Ted Face The Music

While some theaters have opened, studios are still choosing to release some of their films for streaming. I caught up with the newest Disney remake and the third Bill & Ted film.

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Music/Movies, Uncategorized

Fancy Boys Go To The Movies: The Concept Of Seeing Tenet

by Matt DrufkeLeave a Comment on Fancy Boys Go To The Movies: The Concept Of Seeing Tenet
Fancy Boys Go To The Movies: The Concept Of Seeing Tenet

As the light go down in the theater, I feel a twinge of excitement I have not felt in, what seems like, forever. Going to the movies has always been one of my favorite things to do, and not only am I back in a comfy chair, but I am seeing Tenet, the newest film from Christopher Nolan and my most anticipated movie of 2020.

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Music/Movies, Pop Culture, Uncategorized

A Hero For Our Time: Remembering Chadwick Boseman

by Matt DrufkeLeave a Comment on A Hero For Our Time: Remembering Chadwick Boseman
A Hero For Our Time: Remembering Chadwick Boseman

Before there was Fancy Boys, there was another site I was writing for. I remember that I first started by doing insanely in-depth Oscar coverage (much like I did here in January) and the site founder asked me if Black Panther had deserved to be nominated for Best Picture. I made it clear that not only did the Marvel film deserve to be nominated, but that out of all the nominated films in 2018, it deserved to win. It was my #3 film of that year and was grounded by the amazing performance of it’s lead, the King of Wakanda, Chadwick Boseman.

Boseman died today at the age of 43 after battling Stage III colon cancer for four years. With his passing, the world has lost one of the best working actors in film today. We also lost a man who played so many amazing heroes… and heroes are something the world desperately needs right now.

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Music/Movies, Pop Culture

Rank The Rock: A Look At The Films Of Dwayne Johnson

by Matt DrufkeLeave a Comment on Rank The Rock: A Look At The Films Of Dwayne Johnson
Rank The Rock: A Look At The Films Of Dwayne Johnson

When news broke this week that Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson was going to be buying the XFL, I got excited. Not because I like, or even care, about that ridiculous league. Our site has spent way too much time and way too much talent talking about the second coming of the WWE’s failed attempt to break into the football business. No, my friends. I’m all on pins and needles because we finally get a chance to talk about Dwayne Johnson, the actor.

There is no doubt that The Rock is the most successful actor to come from wrestling and you could make the case that he has had the most successful post-wrestling career of all time. Sure, Jesse Ventura became governor, but that’s Minnesota, where there are more lakes than people. Johnson could become president. Hell, The Rock could be a pope if he wanted to.

But that’s not what I care about.

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