All posts in “The Van T’s”

Top 3 Videos 8/11/17! Amyl & The Sniffers, Spam69 (Jpn!), Draggs, Cosmic Psychos!

It’s time once again for the Top 3 Indies Artist Video Countdown of the Top 3 best Indies and Alternative Music artists for the week of August 11, 2017!

Today, my friends, I have a very special show for you. I guarantee that you are going to see some shit that makes you laugh and some stuff that just totally blows your mind!

First up is a garage punk outfit that’s been around since 1983. Their name is the Cosmic Psychos. Now, generally speaking, I hate it when oldsters stick around and play punk for decades and decades on end after they’ve become senile and forgotten to break up. Why? Well, punk music (in my most probably confused way of thinking) is for snotty young kids (insert Deadboys reference here). I find it “uncomfortable” when fat old guys try to jump around and recapture their youth. (I remember in 1996 when the Sex Pistols came to Japan – they were old and fat – I cringed)… But the Cosmic Psychos? THE COSMIC PSYCHOS???? These guys are fucking Godhead! They’ve done what few others (no one?) else has done before; old guys who capture the angst (in the pants?) of what being a twisted old fucker is like. And, trust me, I know what being a twisted old fucker is like. If there were a Punk Rock league for bands over 55, these guys would be the Crem De La Crappe’! World Champions! Chief Fry Cooks! Store Managers! Kings!

Their Facebook page says: “The Cosmic Psychos are a punk rock band based in Melbourne and rural Victoria in Australia. An underground band that has only ever achieved limited recognition, they were cited as a significant influence on the Seattle grunge scene of 90s.” Shit. Go “Like” their FB page (https://www.facebook.com/cosmicpsychos/) then watch this hilarious, ass-kicking video!

#3) Cosmic Psychos – Fuckwit City   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q954LxEzyY8

At #2 is a new band from Australia. They are called The Draggs and they are nothing but “Garage slime oozing outta the Gold Coast.” This video is pretty funny too. These guys are delightfully crazy! They have a Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Draggsband/

#2) Draggs – Space Beat https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HC2wUazbmKE

At #1 this week is probably my favorite new band of 2017! We introduced them last week, thanks to Alex Kish of Wassup Rocker Radio. Their name is Amyl and The Sniffers. Amyl & the Sniffers consists of Amy Taylor on vocals, Dec Martens on guitar, Bryce Wilson on drums and Fergus Romer on bass. I really like this band and think they are one of the most exciting acts I’ve seen in years! (Amy reminds me of a pissy bitchy chick! Simply perfect for the new queen of punk!

Amyl & the Sniffers’ music gives me the feeling I got when I first heard the Sex Pistols or X-Ray Specs in the late seventies. I can’t think of a better compliment. Check it out and see if you agree!

Oh, they have a Facebook page too: https://www.facebook.com/amylandthesniffers/

Here’s their Bandcamp page: https://amylandthesniffers.bandcamp.com/

#1) Amyl and The Sniffers – 70’s Street Munchies  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uid_8u7T13Y

Spotlight Artist!  Today’s spotlight is a bunch of guys from Tokyo that are out of their fucking minds. Their name is The Spam69 (“69” in Japanese is pronounced as “Rock.” So their name is “Spam Rock.”

This stuff is hilarious too! These guys rock!

The band consists of two main crazies named Jun Spam on guitar and vocals and Yuta Spam (Jumping & screaming like a lunatic). There are some other guys in the band (it’s like a football team) and you can see their names on the Spam69 Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/50kaitenz/

Spotlight Artist! THE SPAM69 – “CHE.R.RY” “HANG ON”   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQfjkPaj2zk

By they way, my video partner, Ken Nishikawa and I just completed (with a little help from our friends) Ghostroads – A Japanese Rock n Roll Ghost Story movie. It hits theaters in Japan on Sept. 30, 2017. AND we’ve been selected by some really famous film festivals (I will announce next week!) The Japanese trailer just came out! (It has English subtitles!) Check it! Oh, and we have a really cool webpage: http://ghostroads.jp/

That’s all for today! See you next week when we return to the Top 3 Indies Artist Videos Countdown. See ya! – Mike in Tokyo Rogers

—————————–

About Mike in Tokyo Rogers: Mike has been a professional music/TV/radio/anime-related program producer in Japan since the eighties. He began in the music business in 1977 as lead vocalist with the legendary Los Angeles Punk Band, “The Rotters” (Sit on My Face Stevie Nix.). As a university student, he was assistant to the legendary Rodney Bingenheimer (Rodney on the ROQ – KROQ Los Angeles from 1980 ~ 1981.) Mike was the first and only foreigner in Japanese history to become the General Manager of a major Japanese broadcasting station (TV Tokyo owned InterFM). Has produced a few smash hit programs (some real losers, too!) and several of Tokyo’s highest rated and most famous radio programs. A recent hit program was “The TV Show” (Set Program with “Ninja Slayer”) which, between April – Oct. 2015, garnered over 10 million viewers.  He is currently producing and hosting “WTF?” the hugely popular Sunday live show on InterFM 89.7 . And his life’s dream is his just completed full-length motion picture, “Ghostroads – A Japanese Rock and Roll Ghost Story”which will be released by a major Japanese motion picture company and in theaters all across Japan in Autumn 2017.

Ghostroads – A Japanese Rock and Roll Ghost Story Japanese Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxwJ4AfzOwM&t=8s

Ghostroads – A Japanese Rock and Roll Ghost Story Foreign trailer: https://vimeo.com/210533272)

… Oh, and he likes to write about himself in the third person!)

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PAST ISSUES OF THE TOP 3 VIDEOS:

LAST WEEK:

Top 3 Videos 8/5/17! Kilo Tango, Cat Lundy, Amyl & the Sniffers, Lucy Gucy, The 50 Kaitenz (Jpn!) robot55.jp/blog/top-3-videos-8517-kilo-tango-cat-lundy-amyl-the-sniffers-lucy-gucy-the-50-kaitenz-jpn/

Top 3 Indies Videos August 2, 2017! The Twinkles, The Shanghais, Daisy House, Thee 50s Highteens (Jpn)! robot55.jp/blog/top-3-indies-videos-august-2-2017-the-twinkles-the-shanghais-daisy-house-thee-50s-highteens–jpn/

Top 3 Indies Videos 7/29/17! Fiona Silver, Sloan Peterson, Shitkid, Shit Girlfriend! robot55.jp/blog/top-3-indies-videos-72217-starcrawler–tacocat-polo-pan-daisuke-takase-jpn/

Top 3 Indies Videos 7/16/17! Bombón, Dubmatix King, The Van T’s, N’shukugawa Boys (Japan) robot55.jp/blog/top-3-indies-videos-71617-bombon-dubmatix-king-the-van-ts-nshukugawa-boys-japan/

Top 3 Indies Videos 7/9/17! Pats Pats (Jpn), Pale Lips, Flemmings & Peeling! robot55.jp/blog/top-3-indies-videos-7917-pats-pats-jpn-pale-lips-flemmings-peeling/

Top 3 Indies Videos 7/1/17! Vile Assembly, Wolf Girl, Taffy (Jpn), Mutation, The Darling Buds, Bonsai Kitten! robot55.jp/blog/top-3-indies-videos-7117-vile-assembly-wolf-girl-taffy-jpn-mutation-the-darling-buds-bonsai-kitten/

Top 3 Indies Videos 6/25/17! The Shit! The Goggles (Jpn)! The Bopp! Ice Cold Slush! http://robot55.jp/blog/top-3-indies-videos-62517-the-shit-the-goggles-jpn-the-bopp-ice-cold-slush/

Top 3 Indies Videos 6/18/17! Molly & The Krells, Shirley Holmes, JinnyOops (Jpn), Blood People! robot55.jp/blog/top-3-indies-videos-61817-molly-the-krells-shirley-holmes-jinnyoops-jpn-blood-people/
Top 3 Indies Videos 6/11/17! The Fontaines, Beck Black, Taffy (Japan) The Beverleys! robot55.jp/blog/top-3-indies-videos-61117-the-fontaines-beck-black-taffy-japan-the-beverleys/

Top 3 Indies Videos 6/4/17! Bobby’s Bar (Japan), Trash Templars, Peeling, Jessica Hernandez & the Deltas! robot55.jp/blog/top-3-indies-videos-6417-bobbys-bar-japan-trash-templars-peeling-jessica-hernandez-the-deltas/

Top 3 Indies Videos 5/28/17! The Atomics, Fiona Silver, Plastic Girl in Closet (Japan), Blaire Alise & the Bombshells! robot55.jp/blog/top-3-indies-videos-52817-the-atomics-fiona-silver-plastic-girl-in-closet-japan-blaire-alise-the-bombshells/

Top 3 Indies Videos 5/21/17! Moja (Japan), Baby Shakes, Sloan Peterson, Jessica Hernandez & The Deltas! robot55.jp/blog/top-3-indies-videos-52117-moja-japan-baby-shakes-sloan-peterson-jessica-hernandez-the-deltas/

Top 3 Indies Videos 5/14/17! Blaire Alise & the Bombshells, Lisa Mychols, Pats Pats (Japan), Single By Sunday http://robot55.jp/blog/top-3-indies-videos-51417-blaire-alise-the-bombshells-lisa-mychols-pats-pats-japan-single-by-sunday/

MORE TOP 3 VIDEOS SEARCH: http://robot55.jp/?s=Top+3+videos

If you like this countdown every week, please come “Like” our Robot55 Facebook page (or friend us on Twitter or subscribe to our Youtube page). Thanks!

 

Top 3 Indies Videos 7/22/17! Starcrawler, Tacocat, Polo & Pan, Daisuke Takase (Jpn)!

It’s time once again for the Top 3 Indies Artist Video Countdown. The Top 3 best Indies and Alternative Music artists for the week of July 22, 2017!

First up is a brand new band from Los Angeles. Issue Magazine wrote: “I am god. I am a dog. I am also a cult member of @thestarcrawler,” reads Arrow de Wilde’s Twitter bio. With intense dedication to style, performance and a fanciful streak of madness, this 17-year-old fronts Los Angeles-based band Starcrawler. Her red-stained mouth, wide eyes and feverish energy make for take-no-prisoners punk-rock theater. Fresh out of high school (or almost), with only a handful of performances behind them and one single, Starcrawler already commands our attention.” 

I think this band might become big. Here’s their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/starcrawlertheband/

3) Starcrawler – Ants  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxLvMDjH_0M

Next up is a delightful new artist from Paris, France, two guys who called themselves, Polo & Pan. They describe their music as “Space Jungle.” Their bio says, “Polo & Pan were born under the stars in 2012, shortly after there was an orbital collision of two satellites : Polocorp & Peter Pan.” 

I chose this video this week because this might be one of my favorites videos on 2017. The choreography, direction, conception, lighting and action are worthy of an Academy award. Really! You watch this and tell me the last time you saw an arty video like this – AND it comes with a great song. Been playing this on my Sunday radio show WTF? (https://www.facebook.com/WhattheFunday76.1/) This is fantastic! 5 Stars!

2) POLO & PAN – Coeur Croisé   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gB98kRDUTM4

At #1 this week is a band from Seattle called Tacocat. Tacocat is a “Post Post Punk Pop Pop” band. They also say they are: “Go-Go’s meets The Monkees. Kurt meets Courtney.” This video is pretty cool as they have a girl in there who looks A LOT like Guilian Anderson who played Scully in the “X-Files.” It’s a cool song and the video is worth several laughs. Here’s their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/tacocatband/

#1) Tacocat – “Dana Katherine Scully”  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7FShqXAqGv4

Spotlight Artist! Today’s spotlight is on another Japanese artist who is considered a guitar maestro. My partner in video production, Ken Nishikawa writes: “Masterpiece by Daisuke Takase who is considered by many to be one of the greatest rock guitar virtuosos not only in Japan but the world!” Sorry but Daisuke Takase has no Facebook fan page or Twitter or anything like that.

Check this out, gang, you will dig this!

Spotlight Artist! Daisuke Takase / 夢みたい(な)もんだ Yumemitai (na) monda   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibwFU-_Wx1E

Cool, eh? And speaking of Ken Nishikawa. Ken and I (with a little help from our friends) made the feature film: Ghostroads – A Japanese Rock n Roll Ghost Story. It hits theaters in Japan on Sept. 30, 2017. The Japanese trailer just came out! (It has English subtitles!) Check it! Oh, and we have a really cool webpage: http://ghostroads.jp/

That’s all for today! See you next week when we return to the Top 3 Indies Artist Videos Countdown. See ya! – Mike in Tokyo Rogers

—————————–

About Mike in Tokyo Rogers: Mike has been a professional music/TV/radio/anime-related program producer in Japan since the eighties. He began in the music business in 1977 as lead vocalist with the legendary Los Angeles Punk Band, “The Rotters” (Sit on My Face Stevie Nix.). As a university student, he was assistant to the legendary Rodney Bingenheimer (Rodney on the ROQ – KROQ Los Angeles from 1980 ~ 1981.) Mike was the first and only foreigner in Japanese history to become the General Manager of a major Japanese broadcasting station (TV Tokyo owned InterFM). Has produced a few smash hit programs (some real losers, too!) and several of Tokyo’s highest rated and most famous radio programs. A recent hit program was “The TV Show” (Set Program with “Ninja Slayer”) which, between April – Oct. 2015, garnered over 10 million viewers.  He is currently producing and hosting “WTF?” the hugely popular Sunday live show on InterFM 89.7 . And his life’s dream is his just completed full-length motion picture, Ghostroads – A Japanese Rock and Roll Ghost Storywhich will be released by a major Japanese motion picture company and in theaters all across Japan in Autumn 2017. (See trailer here:  https://vimeo.com/210533272)

… Oh, and he likes to write about himself in the third person!)

—————————–

PAST ISSUES OF THE TOP 3 VIDEOS:

LAST WEEK:

Top 3 Indies Videos 7/16/17! Bombón, Dubmatix King, The Van T’s, N’shukugawa Boys (Japan) robot55.jp/blog/top-3-indies-videos-71617-bombon-dubmatix-king-the-van-ts-nshukugawa-boys-japan/

Top 3 Indies Videos 7/9/17! Pats Pats (Jpn), Pale Lips, Flemmings & Peeling! robot55.jp/blog/top-3-indies-videos-7917-pats-pats-jpn-pale-lips-flemmings-peeling/

Top 3 Indies Videos 7/1/17! Vile Assembly, Wolf Girl, Taffy (Jpn), Mutation, The Darling Buds, Bonsai Kitten! robot55.jp/blog/top-3-indies-videos-7117-vile-assembly-wolf-girl-taffy-jpn-mutation-the-darling-buds-bonsai-kitten/

Top 3 Indies Videos 6/25/17! The Shit! The Goggles (Jpn)! The Bopp! Ice Cold Slush! http://robot55.jp/blog/top-3-indies-videos-62517-the-shit-the-goggles-jpn-the-bopp-ice-cold-slush/

Top 3 Indies Videos 6/18/17! Molly & The Krells, Shirley Holmes, JinnyOops (Jpn), Blood People! robot55.jp/blog/top-3-indies-videos-61817-molly-the-krells-shirley-holmes-jinnyoops-jpn-blood-people/
Top 3 Indies Videos 6/11/17! The Fontaines, Beck Black, Taffy (Japan) The Beverleys! robot55.jp/blog/top-3-indies-videos-61117-the-fontaines-beck-black-taffy-japan-the-beverleys/

Top 3 Indies Videos 6/4/17! Bobby’s Bar (Japan), Trash Templars, Peeling, Jessica Hernandez & the Deltas! robot55.jp/blog/top-3-indies-videos-6417-bobbys-bar-japan-trash-templars-peeling-jessica-hernandez-the-deltas/

Top 3 Indies Videos 5/28/17! The Atomics, Fiona Silver, Plastic Girl in Closet (Japan), Blaire Alise & the Bombshells! robot55.jp/blog/top-3-indies-videos-52817-the-atomics-fiona-silver-plastic-girl-in-closet-japan-blaire-alise-the-bombshells/

Top 3 Indies Videos 5/21/17! Moja (Japan), Baby Shakes, Sloan Peterson, Jessica Hernandez & The Deltas! robot55.jp/blog/top-3-indies-videos-52117-moja-japan-baby-shakes-sloan-peterson-jessica-hernandez-the-deltas/

Top 3 Indies Videos 5/14/17! Blaire Alise & the Bombshells, Lisa Mychols, Pats Pats (Japan), Single By Sunday http://robot55.jp/blog/top-3-indies-videos-51417-blaire-alise-the-bombshells-lisa-mychols-pats-pats-japan-single-by-sunday/

 

MORE TOP 3 VIDEOS SEARCH: http://robot55.jp/?s=Top+3+videos

If you like this countdown every week, please come “Like” our Robot55 Facebook page (or friend us on Twitter or subscribe to our Youtube page). Thanks!

 

 

Top 3 Indies Videos 7/16/17! Bombón, Dubmatix King, The Van T’s, N’shukugawa Boys (Japan)

It’s time once again for the Top 3 Indies Artist Video Countdown. The Top 3 best Indies and Alternative Music artists for the week of July 16, 2017!

First up is an all-girl trio Surf rock and roll band from San Pedro named Bombón. Their FB says, “Founded in San Pedro in 2009, the three ladies behind the band, Angela Ramos, Paloma Bañuelos, and Jerico Campbell, have been working hard ever since to deliver their gospel of old style surf rock blended with ‘60s garage rock and DIY punk rock attitude far and wide. The last five years have seen the girls release an EP on Burger Records and an LP on 45 RPM Records.”

Today’s song is surfomatic cinematic cool! Here’s their FB page: https://www.facebook.com/laschicasdelbombon

#3) Bombón – “La Sirena” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3i8nKGZEek

At #2 is a song that could easily qualify for my “Cool & Strange Music” countdown (See the latest here: Cool & Strange Music Countdown June 20, 2017! Pinksideofthemoon, Japanese Led Zeppelin, Miami Dade County Police!)

It’s the Dubmatix King! Dubmatix King (or maybe just “Dubmatix” is from Toronto, Canada). He is a Musician, Producer, Mastering, Radio Host, Label Owner and has won a shitload of Juno awards… Most recently this year for “Best Reggae Recording.” This stuff is hot! Oh, he has a Facebook page (or two): https://www.facebook.com/dubmatix/

2) Dubmatix King – Sex Pistols – “Anarchy In The UK” (Ska Remix)    https://www.youtube.com/watch?sns=fb&v=OaQi63-DXEo

At #1 this week is a video hot off the presses. It a 4-piece group from Glasgow, Scotland who got together in 2013 and, also, have graced this chart at least 2 or 3 times in the past. Their name is the Van T’s. And they are two twins and two others joining in to make “…everything you ever wanted from a 90’s dream.” I think they are fab!

I can’t find a homepage for them (they have a Spotify but Spotify sucks!) But they do have a Facebook page (But duh! Facebook sucks too!) Go Like it here: https://www.facebook.com/TheVanTs/

#1) The Van T’s – Fresh Meat  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYa52w5OgG0

Spotlight Artist! It’s now time to show you good people our usual spotlight on a Japanese artist. I had planned on introducing a different artist, but they put out a video and it was merely a 30-second teaser. I hate those. Why bother? So…. Since I don’t have anything super brand new, here is one of my all-time favorites from a short while back. They are a trio named the N’shukugawa Boys. I LOVE THIS BAND!!!!! I think this was one of the best songs that has come out of Japan in a long time. It’s got everything you want from a Japanese band: looks, hooks, and slightly bizarre. This is a true classic!

Unfortunately, the N’shukugawa Boys broke up (last year, in 2016, I think it was). The lead vocalist Marya is currently heading up the fantastic Japanese bad boy group, The King Brothers… Check this out, gang, you will dig this!

Spotlight Artist! N’shukugawa Boys – Monogatari Ha Chito Fuantei  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBddnWs4-Ag

By the way, the King Brothers have a song on the Original Soundtrack on my feature length Rock n Roll Ghost Movie: Ghostroads – A Japanese Rock n Roll Ghost Story. Here’s the trailer (If you like the trailer and want to see this flick near your hometown, please come “Like” our FB page: https://www.facebook.com/Japaneserocknrollghost/)

That’s all for today! See you next week when we return to the Top 3 Indies Artist Videos Countdown. See ya! – Mike in Tokyo Rogers

—————————–

About Mike in Tokyo Rogers: Mike has been a professional music/TV/radio/anime-related program producer in Japan since the eighties. He began in the music business in 1977 as lead vocalist with the legendary Los Angeles Punk Band, “The Rotters” (Sit on My Face Stevie Nix.). As a university student, he was assistant to the legendary Rodney Bingenheimer (Rodney on the ROQ – KROQ Los Angeles from 1980 ~ 1981.) Mike was the first and only foreigner in Japanese history to become the General Manager of a major Japanese broadcasting station (TV Tokyo owned InterFM). Has produced a few smash hit programs (some real losers, too!) and several of Tokyo’s highest rated and most famous radio programs. A recent hit program was “The TV Show” (Set Program with “Ninja Slayer”) which, between April – Oct. 2015, garnered over 10 million viewers.  He is currently producing and hosting “WTF?” the hugely popular Sunday live show on InterFM 89.7 . And his life’s dream is his just completed full-length motion picture, Ghostroads – A Japanese Rock and Roll Ghost Storywhich will be released by a major Japanese motion picture company and in theaters all across Japan in Autumn 2017. (See trailer here:  https://vimeo.com/210533272)

… Oh, and he likes to write about himself in the third person!)

—————————–

PAST ISSUES OF THE TOP 3 VIDEOS:

LAST WEEK:

Top 3 Indies Videos 7/9/17! Pats Pats (Jpn), Pale Lips, Flemmings & Peeling! robot55.jp/blog/top-3-indies-videos-7917-pats-pats-jpn-pale-lips-flemmings-peeling/

Top 3 Indies Videos 7/1/17! Vile Assembly, Wolf Girl, Taffy (Jpn), Mutation, The Darling Buds, Bonsai Kitten! robot55.jp/blog/top-3-indies-videos-7117-vile-assembly-wolf-girl-taffy-jpn-mutation-the-darling-buds-bonsai-kitten/

Top 3 Indies Videos 6/25/17! The Shit! The Goggles (Jpn)! The Bopp! Ice Cold Slush! http://robot55.jp/blog/top-3-indies-videos-62517-the-shit-the-goggles-jpn-the-bopp-ice-cold-slush/

Top 3 Indies Videos 6/18/17! Molly & The Krells, Shirley Holmes, JinnyOops (Jpn), Blood People! robot55.jp/blog/top-3-indies-videos-61817-molly-the-krells-shirley-holmes-jinnyoops-jpn-blood-people/
Top 3 Indies Videos 6/11/17! The Fontaines, Beck Black, Taffy (Japan) The Beverleys! robot55.jp/blog/top-3-indies-videos-61117-the-fontaines-beck-black-taffy-japan-the-beverleys/

Top 3 Indies Videos 6/4/17! Bobby’s Bar (Japan), Trash Templars, Peeling, Jessica Hernandez & the Deltas! robot55.jp/blog/top-3-indies-videos-6417-bobbys-bar-japan-trash-templars-peeling-jessica-hernandez-the-deltas/

Top 3 Indies Videos 5/28/17! The Atomics, Fiona Silver, Plastic Girl in Closet (Japan), Blaire Alise & the Bombshells! robot55.jp/blog/top-3-indies-videos-52817-the-atomics-fiona-silver-plastic-girl-in-closet-japan-blaire-alise-the-bombshells/

Top 3 Indies Videos 5/21/17! Moja (Japan), Baby Shakes, Sloan Peterson, Jessica Hernandez & The Deltas! robot55.jp/blog/top-3-indies-videos-52117-moja-japan-baby-shakes-sloan-peterson-jessica-hernandez-the-deltas/

Top 3 Indies Videos 5/14/17! Blaire Alise & the Bombshells, Lisa Mychols, Pats Pats (Japan), Single By Sunday http://robot55.jp/blog/top-3-indies-videos-51417-blaire-alise-the-bombshells-lisa-mychols-pats-pats-japan-single-by-sunday/

 

MORE TOP 3 VIDEOS SEARCH: http://robot55.jp/?s=Top+3+videos

If you like this countdown every week, please come “Like” our Robot55 Facebook page (or friend us on Twitter or subscribe to our Youtube page). Thanks!