Showing posts with label Dan Kelly. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dan Kelly. Show all posts

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Midnight Update!


I've noticed that because I update so much on Twitter, I haven't been including much about what I've been up to in my blog entries. Subconsciously I'm trying to avoid being redundant, but I guess there's no shame in redundancy. I mean, after all, it's the internet; it's already redundant!

Here are 12 FACTS about what I've been up to lately:
(in no particular order)

FACT 1: I have been appointed as Vegan Ambassador for Macbeth Footwear. Read about it here, and here. Also, check out some pictures that Ryan Russell took of me here.

FACT 2: I had a "white" x-mas, meaning that huge snow flakes were falling from the sky when I woke up on December 25, 2008. I was in Grass Valley, and in Grass Valley that kind of weather is not unheard of, or undreamt of.

FACT 3: AFI played KROQ's "Almost Acoustic Christmas" on December 13, 2008. On our final song, "Love Like Winter," I mashed my knee up. I have since recovered.

FACT 4: I saw The Cure play at the Troubador on December 13, and at the Gibson Arena on December 14, both 2008. I love The Cure. I finally met Robert.

FACT 5: Hunter Revenge played at Cinespace on December 21, 2008. Since my usual keyboardist, Dan Kelly, was unable to play (due some sort of family reunion), I had, for the first time ever, two keyboardists on stage to replace him. Missed it? Come see Hunter Revenge play Cinespace AGAIN on February 1, 2009. I'll provide more information about this in the future.

FACT 6: I grew a "holiday beard" and eventually shaved that damn thing off. Beards are for Rip Van Winkles.

FACT 7: I did not get engaged. Google it.

FACT 8: I have a new shoe coming out in February, 2009. It's called "The Hunter" and is 100% vegan. It's also 10,000,000% awesome. Take a look at it here before you order 6 pairs. Yes, the shoes are bulletproof. No, I haven't actually tested them against bullets. Would you like to? "For this next trick I'll need a volunteer from the audience..."

FACT 9: While in the studio, working on AFI's eighth studio album, I recorded twelve tracks of bass on a single song. That being said, I feel I must clarify that at most, there are no more than three distinct performances at any given moment in the song. Also, technically three of the tracks are baritone guitar, doubling my bass line. I still think this qualifies me for some type of award. Excessive Bassist of the Year?

FACT 10: Speaking of awards, I was successfully nominated for two Shorty Awards. One of the categories (#awesome) isn't an official category, but still quite awesome. Go vote for me in the other category, #music: http://shortyawards.com/user/TranquilMammoth I need your votes to win! Voting ends January 23, 2009.

FACT 11: Joe Principe (of Rise Against fame) and I are having a conversation right now about how to make bass the "it" instrument for 2009. Kids all over the world should (and will) want to play bass above all other instruments. Ever hear of Bass Hero™? Well maybe somebody will invent that once they catch on to what's happening.

If you're asking yourself, "Where's the 12th fact, Hunter?" then I'm asking you this: Why are you calling yourself Hunter? Is it your name too? (I'll admit that Hunter is a pretty strange name to call yourself, even if it IS your name.) The answer is this: In 2009, numbers don't matter as much as they did in 2008. Think way back to the baker's dozen. I'm not sure what year that was invented, but I can tell you that twelve equalled thirteen that year! Be happy with eleven.

Now quit reading this and go give blood!

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Dan & Hunter - MySpace videos

Dan & Hunter (that's me) made figgy pudding and gingerbread men for all of you, but due to geographical limitations, we will not be able to deliver either to any of you. Instead, we shot some videos.

Dan & Hunter - The Meaning of Xmas


Dan & Hunter - Mail Bag


Dan & Hunter - A Time For Giving


Check the ol' Dan & Hunter MySpace page for more videos in the near future. We have our sights set on our site's set.

Friday, December 5, 2008

A holiday blog like you may have seen before!


I promised you, dear readers, among other things, a holiday blog like you've never seen before. This is not that blog. This is also not the AFI studio update blog, nor is it the psychedelic photo blog, or even the mammoth regeneration fund raising blog.

The holidays are upon us, and what better way to celebrate (or not to celebrate) than with BRAND NEW ORIGINAL HOLIDAY SONGS!
...and who better to deliver these gems to you than Dan Kelly and yours truly, now professionally known as Dan & Hunter. Dan and I have slaved away in the Torture Chamber for countless hours to craft some holiday revelry like nothing that has ever graced the ear drums of my neighborhood...and perhaps even yours. The result of our blood, sweat, tears and cookie consumption is:

Dan & Hunter's Holiday EP Volume One.

LISTEN TO IT ON MYSPACE

BUY IT FROM iTUNES

BUY IT AGAIN (as mp3s) ON AMAZON

Dan and I have immersed ourselves so deeply in holiday spirit that we just can't stop. "Stop what?" you ask? Stop ourselves from adding songs, pictures, videos, and other fun things to our myspace page. Listen friends, I understand that maybe some of you don't like the holidays because of a bad experience or perhaps you question the commercial nature of the season. That's okay. You're completely welcome to disregard this blog entirely. Click here to visit the wikipedia entry for the Apatosaurus which briefly discusses the controversy over the "Brontosaurus" classification.

Check back soon for more blogs, and to paraphrase the invincible Phil Collins,
"Have a great weekend...I'll be in the studio."

Monday, November 24, 2008

Time flies and so can you!

2008 is just racing by!

Since I've being working in the studio (AFI...heard of us?) a lot lately, I've neglected good ol' Tranquil Mammoth! I apologize. To paraphrase the guy who played the dad on Silver Spoons, "Sometimes you have to go out and live life in order to have something to blog about."

Back in March, Dr. Pepper (my favorite soda ever, even though I no longer drink soda) made a bet with America that Axl wouldn't release Guns N' Roses' Chinese Democracy in the year 2008. Since the new Gn'R album dropped earlier today (November 23rd), Dr. Pepper lost that bet and has been giving away free Dr. Pepper all day. They even extended it until 6pm EST tomorrow (November 24th) due to consumer demand. Click here to get yours now!

Check out Dan Kelly and myself wearing two of Devo's personal Energy Domes. These are the ones they actually wear on stage!

Halloween was a blast, although I'll admit that I had my mind on another holiday altogether. I'll talk more about that later. I went to see my pals in Rise Against at the newly remodeled Palladium in Hollywood. This is totally old news to some, but some people like old news (I personally hate old news). Rise Against played two Devo songs during their encore dressed as "Whip It" era Devo. It was fantastic, but their fans seemed bored by it. Gerald Casale joined them on stage for "Beautiful World".

November found me at my local polling place, doing what every citizen should have been doing, talking to an old woman from my neighborhood who volunteered, and then voting. Only moments later I found myself terribly disappointed with the results of Proposition 8. What happened, California? Seriously?!? Anyhow...after that I hit the streets with Steve and Sally to protest (along with thousands and thousands of others) the blatant violation of rights. Steve originally had laser eyes, but I covered them up so my casual readers wouldn't be scared.

Eventually the green leaves on the trees turned to lovely reds and oranges, which served to remind me (with my friend Stacy's help, of course) that my pal Ed Templeton was having an art show in Culver City. You can read more about the show in his blog (which is a really great blog) here.
Here's a picture of me and Neil "Doogie" Patrick "Howser" Harris "MD" at the opening. He's over on the right by the wall. Facing the wall. I mean...at least he's in the photo, right?

I'm off now to get a few Zs (that's slang for sleep) before hitting the studio tomorrow. I have a few blogs I need to get out of my system in the next week, so check back soon for some of the following topics: an AFI studio related blog, a blog about the great Blockbuster heist, a blog to raise funds for the mammoth regeneration, a psychedelic photo (that's the only kind of picture my phone will take) blog and a holiday blog like none you have ever seen!

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Buzznet interviews Hunter and Dan!



This is part one of a three part interview Dan and I did last June with DJ Rossstar. We talked mostly about Hunter Revenge, but also covered AFI, my side project with Tegan, Chocolate Nailgun (the best band on earth and the moon), Little Seizures, and on and on... I'm not going to sit here and tell you about it...you should just watch!
PART 2
PART 3
These are not in any particular order.

Okay...I've gotta run to practice with The Force at a top secret location.
Next time, the fabled horse blog...Bye!

Monday, June 16, 2008

Update! Hunter interviewed by Bea Arthur!


Since everyone loves an update, I thought I'd post this interview I found online yesterday. The funny thing is, I don't remember doing this interview. Oh well...Enjoy!

Hunter Burgan: Before we get started, I just have to tell you that I recently watched some episodes of Maude on DVD...and you are hilarious! I love it more than Golden Girls!

Bea Arthur*: Thank you. So what's new, Hunter? What have you been up to?

Hunter: Well, Bea, I've been pretty busy. AFI has been working non-stop on new songs, Hunter Revenge is playing the Pomona Warped Tour on Friday, I bought new curtains, Dan Kelly and I just finished mixing a record for our friends' band, I've been drinking lots of coffee, I have a new shoe coming out soonish and well...I've also been planning some secret stuff.

Bea: Secret Stuff? Well you'll have to tell me about that later, but first...tell me, what do the new AFI songs sound like?

Hunter: They're great. We have a bunch of really catchy songs that I think you're going to love...even with your finicky taste, Bea.

Bea: Well you know I'm partial to the Stones and Zeppelin.

Hunter: And I'm confident that you'll find a place in your heart for our new stuff as well.

Bea: We'll see about that.

Hunter: Yeah we will.

Bea: Moving on... Tell me about Hunter Revenge's show this Friday.

Hunter: It's Warped Tour, in Pomona, and I'm playing the Kevin Says Stage which is a smaller, more intimate stage.

Bea: So the audience will be closer to you.

Hunter: Exactly! Hunter Revenge is not about barricades and boundaries. It's about intimacy and relationships...the relationship between the band and the audience.

Bea: Speaking of your band...who do you have playing with you this time?

Hunter: Dan Kelly, as always, will be playing keyboards. Ian Fowles from The Aquabats will be playing bass, and Ryan Seaman will return to the drums for his first appearance with me since 2005. It's going to be a lot of fun.

Bea: Just out of curiosity, will you be selling shirts or records?

Hunter: Just shirts and CDs.

Bea: Well that sounds like a blast. I'll try to make it out there. Where can I get tickets?

Hunter: You can buy tickets by clicking here.

Bea: Did you just insert a link?

Hunter: Yeah.

Bea: Cool. Now let's talk about these curtains. What do you look for in a curtain?

Hunter: For me, a curtain needs to be tall, dark and thick.

Bea: You're a man of my taste.

Hunter: Bea! I'm talking about curtains, not-

Bea: So am I.

Hunter: You dirty bird!

Bea: Moving along... What band did you and Dan Kelly mix?

Hunter: They're called Artichoke Heart Soufflé. They write fun songs...the whole project was fun. Have you heard of them?

Bea: Yeah, well no, but I was just looking at their website. Cute drawings. So what else is going on...oh yes...coffee?

Hunter: Yeah. I love the dark roast. "Dark and crisp" as Jarrod Alexander would say.

Bea: Mmmm that sounds good right now. So when is your new shoe coming out?

Hunter: It comes out in the Spring '09 collection, which comes out well before Spring the season.

Bea: Yeah that always confuses me. Why are the seasons for fashion out of sync with the real seasons?

Hunter: No one will ever know.

Bea: And I'm going to assume that this is another collaboration with Macbeth?

Hunter: Yes you are, Bea, and it will be a correct assumption.

Bea: Ok Hunter, I need to wrap this up. Before we go, can you tell me anything about the "secret stuff" you're planning?

Hunter: Not if I want to maintain the secrecy. However, I will tell you that both Matt Wedgley and I have put a lot of time into this so far.

Bea: I have an idea of what you might be talking about, but I won't say anything. If it's what I think it is, then it's going to be AMAZING!

Hunter: Thanks...it will be!

Bea: When will you let everyone in on your secret?

Hunter: In a couple of weeks...just keep your eyes and ears open.

Bea: I'll be sure to. Thank you for the interview Hunter.

Hunter: Thanks, Bea.

*may not be the real Bea Arthur, so just to avoid any libel suits, let's just say that this isn't the real Bea Arthur.

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

Shoe Odyssey: A Look Inside Macbeth - Episode 2

EPISODE TWO! Shoe Odyssey: A Look Inside Macbeth













Watch the full documentary exclusively on www.MacbethFootwear.com!



WIN FREE STUFF:




DOWNLOAD "SHOE ODYSSEY" RINGTONES, WALLPAPERS, BUDDY ICONS, AND MORE!

Friday, October 5, 2007

Launch of "Shoe Odyssey" Film Series & Contest

EPISODE ONE! Shoe Odyssey: A Look Inside Macbeth













Macbeth Footwear Presents: "Shoe Odyssey: A Look Inside Macbeth"


"Shoe Odyssey: A Look Inside Macbeth" - Macbeth Footwear's documentary on Foot Science and Awareness - launches today on www.MacbethFootwear.com. The documentary has been split into three parts which will be viewable on Myspace, YouTube, Facebook, and several other sites, while the full-length version will be viewable exclusively on the Macbeth Footwear website.

The film was written by Hunter Burgan (AFI, General Foot Awareness Expert) and Dan Kelly (Head of Security for Macbeth).

Burgan pulled double-duty writing all of the music for the film, as well as hosting the three-part series. A graduate of the School of Life, Hunter takes his inspiration from arboretums, PBS, Mensa meetings, scuba diving, yoga and sunsets.

Kelly is inspired by Bruce Lee, cotton candy, The Alliance of Guardian Angels, rock carving, and General Patton - although he found the movie about Patton to be a little weak.

Foot Science and Awareness is a little-known branch in the footwear industry that has only recently made its way into mainstream science. Currently, Burgan and Kelly are the only two people in the world focusing on this research.

We invite you to follow this three-part series over the next few weeks, as we explore the origins of Macbeth Footwear, and its place in the history of the world.

Saturday, July 28, 2007

Hunter and The Con(an)



As many people already know, I have been making surprise appearances at Tegan & Sara shows to play the shaker on "Back In Your Head." As a result, I've become rather famous in the shaker community. I'm kind of like a living legend now. People stop me on the street and ask me to shake my stuff, a request I generally oblige. Then they pay me. It's normal. Now, if any of you happen to be shakists or run in shaker circles, then you certainly know that the pinnacle of a shakist's career is to appear on "Late Night with Conan O'Brien". Well, Mr. O'Brien, who is a huge fan of the shaker, had his people contact my people, who then contacted me to ask if I would like to be on his show. I said yes on one condition, that Tegan & Sara be allowed to perform as well. I mustn't forget that they were the ones who helped launch me into my new career. So what I'm really getting at is...I will be performing with Tegan & Sara on Late Night with Conan O'Brien on Tuesday, July 31st. Check local listings for time.
and as always, Stay Fresh™.

Monday, May 21, 2007

So many babies...


As promised, I threw a new song, "Who's Gonna Love U Now?" up on the Hunter Revenge myspace page.

This is first Hunter Revenge song released in 6 years! I hope everyone enjoys it. So many babies were not even born yet 6 years ago!

Listen to it and weep!

Then later on, just weep without listening to it.

I would have posted this much earlier in the day, but it has been one of those "everything that could go wrong" days. The Killers are playing their encore here at V-fest in Vancouver, BC, and I am enjoying some chick pea curry while I blog in the cool night air. Thank you to "Kristin" for the birthday present...I will learn how to read just so I can read the book. That is all for now. I think I will post another video soon...if my computer cooperates.

Stay Fresh,
Hunter

P.S. I want to send a special thanks to my good friend Dan Kelly for helping me with the creation and maxing out of "Who's Gonna Love U Now?" as well as the many other Hunter Revenge songs over the years.

Sunday, May 6, 2007

Death By Stereo video


Last month I was hanging out with Dan Kelly in downtown LA when I ran into Efrem from Death By Stereo. He was on his way to a video shoot, but needed a ride. I gave him that ride, and he in turn invited me to take part in the video.
Here's a few more pictures from the set.
DBS video shoot