My Vita.mn Cover Story: Revenge of the Scooter Nerds!

Scoot on over

August 13, 2009

Rattle My Bones rally brings together scooter riders of every stripe.

By Amber Schadewald, photos by Carlos Gonzalez

Original article @www.vita.mn

Everyone loves scooters. Or at least they love to stare at them and their owners. Breezing through town on my own candy-blue Yamaha Vino, I get asked a hundred questions at every stoplight. Drivers lean out their car windows, scan my hot ride up and down and run down the checklist: How fast does it go? Do you have a motorcycle license? How much did you pay for it? What’s the gas mileage? I always answer with a smile, hoping to inspire a new rider: About 45 mph. Yes, a license is required for my motor’s size. I bought it used for a fair price. Approximately 80 miles per gallon. People love it — especially when I’ve got my girlfriend and our Chihuahua on the back.

Scooters are a viable mode of transportation with a lot of upsides: They’re green, affordable and sexy — or at least cute. Whether you’re looking for fun, function or both, there’s a scoot for you. And regardless of what kind you get, there’s always a whole new group of friends ready to ride. While the motorcycle world is separated between bike brands and styles, the scooter world has its subtler cliques: modern vs. vintage, automatics vs. shifties. There are no real scooter gangs, unless you count the Minneapolis scoot group Heck’s Angels. For the most part, people of different rides offer a friendly meep! meep! at each other on the road.

Regardless of what two wheels you put to the pavement, this weekend’s Rattle My Bones Scooter Rally is the optimal time of year for scooter fans to come together and revel in their transportation of choice. RMB will celebrate its third year with four days of scooter madness. Last year’s big Saturday ride boasted 232 scooters (a caravan of humming motors that stretched for two miles) on a 70-mile adventure around the state. Expect scooter nerds, group rides, a scavenger hunt and lots of scooter jargon.

On the following pages are profiles of six scooter enthusiasts. From the easy rider to the wild child, these two-wheel fans ride rain or shine, and would love to introduce you to their sweet machines.

Stacie Suedkamp

• Age: 33.
• Make: Genuine.
• Model: Stella.
• Year: 2005.
• Color: Pink.
• Day job: Event planner, dating service matchmaker.
• Her scooter story: Stacie started with a motorcycle back in the day, but soon discovered she wasn’t a motorcycle-type gal. She bought her first scooter for her 30th birthday: a limited-edition, shimmering pink Stella. It was love at first sight on the showroom floor. “It was like a movie.” Riding around town in her helmet, pigtails and wild accessories, Stacie is often photographed by enthralled strangers. “What would people do with a photo of me?” she wonders. “It’s cool, but also kind of weird.” She often searches Google for these mysterious pictures, but hasn’t found one. Among other things, it seems pretty obvious why this lady likes her two wheels: “OK, yes. Attention is part of it.”
• Helmet? Yes. Always full gear after an accident left her helmet mangled and arms covered in road rash.
• Can’t leave the parking lot without: Her bleached-blond faux pigtails, aka Figtails.
• Favorite accessory: All things pink.
• In her glove box: Tire pump and tube. Lipstick. Lavender and aloe hand sanitizer, which guys are always requesting.
• Route of choice: Takes Hwy. 62 to work and waves at astonished construction workers. “I’m a little morning commute surprise.”
• Favorite Rattle My Bones event: The scavenger hunt.
• Scooter fantasy: Driving more than 300 miles to Iowa.
• Her DIY project: Converting a leopard-print sundress into a seat cover.

Kent Aldrich

• Age: 44.
• Day job: Letterpress printer.
• Make: Genuine.
• Model: Stella.
• Year: 2003.
• Color: Sea foam green.
• Kent’s scooter story: Audrey Hepburn’s scooter in “Roman Holiday” is the epitome of Kent’s type: retro and curvy. In 2003, Kent “accidentally” skipped out on lunch with his wife and came back to the office with a scooter. His other half was obviously excited by the new purchase, so Kent made sure to get a scoot for two: “I couldn’t ride without my sweetie,” he says. “Now with five rides in the garage, Kent’s most recognizable scooter is full of flair: Nearly 40 mirrors adorn the sides of his Stella. The excessive accessories follow the tradition of the British Mods of the 1960s, as depicted in the film “Quadrophenia.” “It’s fun to go out and make a spectacle,” he says. “It’s a nice way to go through the world: people smiling at me.”
• His scooter collection: Two ‘64 Vespas (one restored and one not), a ‘57 Tessy and a ‘78 Vespa 50 Special he won at a Kansas City rally.
• Can’t leave the parking lot without: Helmet and goggles. “And a hat for when I show up.”
• Favorite accessory: Burberry shoes to match his Burberry seat cover. Currently shopping for a tie and fall scarf to complete the look.
• Routes of choice: Parkways and lake drives; places you can see a deer or snapping turtle.
• Favorite Rattle My Bones event: The Big Ride.
• Strangest cargo: A railroad employee’s 150-pound toolbox barely left room for the driver.
• Scooter wisdom: “Scooters are goofy as hell — you shouldn’t take yourself too seriously.”

Pooter and CT

• Age: 37 (Pooter); 30-something (CT).
• Make: Genuine.
• Model: Stella Fireball (#33 and #75/150).
• Year: 2005.
• Day job: Marketing and advertising (CT); Burlington Northern Railroad (Pooter).
• Their scooter story: Robert (Pooter) Fitzgerald and Chris (CT) Thomas prove that motorcycle guys and scooter enthusiasts are not mutually exclusive. Their monthly podcast, “Two Wheels and a Motor,” is packed with wild stories, ride tips and excessive rambling about all things scooter and cycle. CT is an organizer of the Bearded Lady Motorcycle Freak Show at the 331 Club, and Pooter is putting together this year’s Rattle My Bones scooter obstacle course. Sport bikes are CT’s first love and Pooter is big into motocross; for them, the scooter is just another bike to own and another set of rules to break. From wheelies to super-dangerous speeds, these guys are out for the thrill, and both of these bad-ass riders have garages packed with two-wheeled fun. “Same shit everyday gets boring,” Pooter smirks. “I like chicken, but fuck, man.”
• Helmets? No.
• Strangest cargo: Pooter has carried five bundles of wood on the back. CT once had a Russian tortoise in his glove box.
• Number of times CT’s Stella has “blown up”: 4.
• CT’s scooter’s nickname: Junk, or the Autorickshaw. “I love riding it, but I don’t love it.”
• Pooter’s thoughts on the scooter image: “Fuck all them images, man.”
• Fastest speed on scooter: Both have gone over 80 mph and hope to breach 100.
• Route of choice: “Kick-ass two-lane parkways” and “spontaneously planned routes” to all the Pizza Lucé and Grumpy’s locations.
• More ridiculous Pooter facts: Once jumped his scooter 28 feet. Rode to Duluth in February in 9 degree weather for six hours. Hit a Mini Cooper and dented the Stella’s fender.

Santiago and Lynn Toman

Him

• Age: 60-something.
• Day job: Photographer.
• Make: Vespa.
• Model: VBB.
• Year: 1961.
• Color: Sea foam.

Her

• Age: 53.
• Day job: Graphic designer.
• Make: Genuine.
• Model: Buddy.
• Year: 2006.
• Color: Pink.
• Their scooter story: Five years ago, Santiago decided to switch his main mode of transportation from car to scooter. Lynn’s first reaction was, “No way in hell — I’m not going to ride it.” Opinions quickly changed, and today she owns two, accompanying her husband on 100-mile trips around the state to wineries, scenic outlooks and romantic dinners. Besides their adorable pastel models, the Tomans ride bigger, more powerful 250cc Kymco scooters, which are basically automatic motorcycles. “If the weather turns bad and we’re on the big scooter, we can just hop on the highway,” Santiago says. “And they’ve got more comfort for the bottom. On a longer distance, you want the cush,” adds Lynn.
• Number of scooters in the garage: Five.
• Helmets: Yes. “I’m protecting everything I got left,” Santiago says.
• Can’t leave the parking lot without: Rain gear. Extra keys in each other’s scoots. Dried fruit. A thermal bag in case they pick up their favorite sausage in northeast Minneapolis.
• Favorite accessory: Lynn prefers all things pink, for fashion and visibility reasons.
• Favorite RMB event: The Big Ride. Santiago is a rally volunteer.
• Scooter wisdom: “Everyone should take the Motorcycle Safety Foundation course.”
• Lowest temperature Santiago will ride in: 22 degrees.
• Why Santiago loves scooters: “They get you everywhere you need to go and you have a big stupid grin when you get there.”

Bat For Lashes blows my mind and Jesus agrees!

Bat for Lashes get semi-spiritural at the Varsity

By Amber Schadewald

Monday, Aug. 10 2009

Original posting @www.CityPages.com

Photos by Tony Nelson, click here for slideshow.

The mood was immediately set with the aide of props and perfect lighting and a near spiritual encounter followed far beyond the show itself. Natasha Khan, a.k.a. Bat for Lashes, is enchanting and the prop list followed suit: full moon backdrop, detailed wolf rug hung over the keyboards, creepy twin baby dolls in white wedding gowns beside the drums and three Virgin Mary statues lined front stage. My personal favorite: Jesus himself, standing omnisicantly to the right of the keys, overlooking the crowded Varsity Theater and the enchanting gypsy songstress herself.

Romping around the stage barefoot, Khan playfully moved to each of her native-inspired, electronically-enhanced songs, her body in gold glitter taking cues from each of the instruments being played. Her voice was clear and perfect, like that of a old soul rooted in the soil. Her hands weaved the lyrics into the most detailed of stories and it was hard not to feel as though she was letting you in on an ancient and incredibly magical secret.

Her first song, “Glass”, was eerie and awakened any tired limbs upon the first glorious note. Her voice echoed, ringing in and under the white lights strung from the ceiling, falling back upon the crowd like pieces of stars. Her black wavy hair flowed freely and her eyes sparkled with chunks of glitter at each corner. During “Sleep Alone” Khan shook a maraca in her hand, contrasting her ghostly vocals.

Khan informed the crowd that the Minneapolis show was the start of the Bat For Lashes US Tour. Someone in the audience yelled out a polite “Thank You” and she responded with a hushed “My pleasure” in her British accent. Throughout the long set, Khan played multiple instruments, including a harpsichord during “Horse and I,” a really old accordion-box, a guitar during “Peace of Mind,” more maracas, lots of keys and even the autoharp for a very intimate version of “Prescilla.”

The Bat For Lashes band included ladies on guitar and drums and a guy on the keys. The two women often harmonized with Khan and sang some surprising back up melodies for a live show treat. Khan told the crowd she had “what you call a frog in my throat,” but besides a few throat clearings, it was completely inaudible.

The storm brewing outside came inside the Varsity during “Wizard” as the bass rumbled, the lights flickered and Khan’s handful of bells modestly sang like a porch chime blowing in the wind. Her last ‘planned’ song, “Pearls Dream” was a small dance party, as Khan floated around with a coy smile across her dashing features.

After each song someone in the crowd yelled “thank you,” while another three drunk women shouted out their requests for “Daniel” at every opportunity. To their dismay, Daniel was the absolute last song Bat For Lashes played during the five-song encore. It was of course incredible, but the songs that came before it, “Prescilla,” “Good Love,” “Moon & Moon,” and “Two Planets” were a much more inspiring, intimate glance into the marvelous mind of Miss Khan and her musical abilities.

Stepping out in the pouring rain, booming thunder and bright streaks of lighting was the perfect ending to a Bat performance and I’m slightly convinced that’s how Khan planned it. And three days later, I’m still humming the opening song.

City Pages steals four iPods and gets in Big Trouble

iPod Hijack! Big Trouble’s Top 10 Most Played

By Amber Schadewald in iPod Hijack

Wednesday, Aug. 5 2009

Original posting on www.CityPages.com

Guilty pleasures and embarrassing secrets are out! Gimme Noise has jacked a handful of iPods and are exposing the goods for all to see. The caramel-smooth instrumental group Big Trouble is a harmonious blend of beloved local musicians but their top 10 most-played lists showcase diverse tastes in their preferred art form. From Santigold, Aphex Twin, Grizzly Bear, local hip-hop, blues and loads of international tunes, Big Trouble’s favorites could teach all of us a few things about behaving musically. Bassist Sean “Twinkie-Jiggles” McPherson summarizes each of his band mates, but it’s up to you to decide whose music tastes will keep you out of trouble.

PETER LEGGETT:

1. Birdsong from TATI – Enrico Rava, Stefano Bollini, Paul Motian
2. Wasserklavier from Complete Works for Piano – Luciano Berio
3. Petiatil Cx Htdui from drukqs – Aphex Twin
4. Leolam from Aurora – Avishai Cohen
5. In a Landscape(John Cage) from Daughters of the Lonsome Isle – Margaret Leng Tan
6. The Trail of Libels from Black Shabbis – Jamie Saft
7. T. on a White Horse from The Following Morning – Eberhard Weber
8. Un Rose from Filmworks Vol. 21: Belle de Nature – John Zorn
9. Kust Tunnen Kodu from Litany to Thunder – Veljo Tormis
10. Siisx from Revep EP – Alva Noto + Ryuichi Sakamoto

Peter, according to Sean:

Peter Leggett can sing a middle C on request. He is best friends with his growing collection of ECM Records and he talks to his drumset more than you talk to yourself. You can ask if Peter wants a drum solo, he’ll say no, but you can ask.

Photo by www.kaizophoto.com

JOSH PETERSON:
1.  “The Geese of Beverly Road” – The National
2.  “Let’s Start a Band” – Love-Cars
3.  “And They All Look Broken Hearted” – Four Tet
4.  “Richard Pryor Addresses a Tearful Nation” – Joe Henry
5.  “Carry Me Ohio” – Sun Kil Moon
6.  “Running to the Ghost” – James Blackshaw
7.  “Lullabye” – Grizzly Bear
8.  “If I Could Sing” – Dosh
9.  “Kim and Jessie” – M83
10. “Grey Scale” – Fennesz

Sean’s opinion of Josh:
Do you remember when you went to the bar and bought 9 drinks? At the same time Josh Peterson was on Ebay buying a 1,200 guitar for 600 bucks and listening to the National. And he was burning a DVD that he rented from Blockbuster Online at the same time. Josh is the tipping point.

STEVE MCPHERSON:
1. “Magpie to the Morning” – Neko Case (Middle Cyclone)
2. “Air Roc” – Jaydiohead (Jay-Z vs. Radiohead courtesy of Max Tannone)
3. “Songs of Innocence” – David Axelrod (The Capitol Years)
4. “J’nuh” – Sunny Day Real Estate (LP2)
5. “Who Does She Hope to Be” – Sonny Sharrock (Ask the Ages)
6. “Blues Power (Live)” – Albert King (Live Wire/Blues Power)
7. “The Choice is Yours” – Black Sheep (Fact or Fiction)
8. “Sun Place” – Tarentel (Ghetto Beats on the Surface of the Sun)
9. “Use Me” – Bill Withers (Still Bill)
10. “Stolen Moments” – Oliver Nelson (Blues and the Abstract Truth)

Steve, as summarized by Sean:
Steve McPherson will tell you what he likes about a song right while you’re listening to it. He’ll point at the speakers. He’ll even hum it for you. He’ll rewind it if you missed it. He’ll let you borrow the record.

SEAN MCPHERSON:
1. Everything – Murs

2. Bagaason (Bah-Guh-Sun) – Big Quarters and Mux Mool

3. Breaker – Low

4. The Truth – Jakeone ft. Brother Ali & Freeway

5. Queens Get The Money – Nas

6. Nineteen – Tegan and Sara

7. Rat Race – Gift of Gab

8. Sirens ft. Carlitta Durand – Little Brother

9. If Rap Gets Jealous – K’Naan

10. L.E.S. Artistes – Santogold

Sean, as described by Sean, himself:

Sean ‘Twinkie Jiggles’ McPherson is a hip-hop joke with an electric bass punchline.

Check out Big Trouble on MySpace and live at the Red Stag each Thursday evening this month. Free. 10 p.m. Click here for details.

wild gyrating x 500 + tutus = major lazer’s new video

Major Lazer “Pon De Floor” from Eric Wareheim on Vimeo.

This video is absolutely insane and it definitely inspired some strange facial expressions from me while I watched it in public. I was just hoping the people next to me couldn’t see my screen, and therefore, the endless humping, grinding and pounding in excessive WWF-African-creepshow stylings. I think I need to watch it again. And again later.

Here’s what the Village Voice had to say:

“…Basically ToeJam & Earl + Donnie Darko + The Sims + a Japanese game show + straight-up pornography. It’s not really safe for work unless you work at The Fader, in which case, well, actually, this is what I imagine working at The Fader is like.”