Needless Things

Needless Things Podcast Episode 32: Slim J & the DCW Hooligans

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be part of a conversation with the DCW Hooligans? Today’s Needless Things Podcast is your opportunity to find out!

Of course, none of that may mean anything to you. If you’re not a regular visitor to NeedlessThingsSite.com then you probably don’t know what the heck a DCW Hooligan is. The DCW Hooligans are a group of people that attend Dragon Con Wrestling (DCW) every year. We started off as a tight-knit group of probably ten friends, but as of this year we have forty-five members. Last year we got our own section.

We fucking love DCW. We have shirts made, we make signs, and we are the loudest and most ridiculous people there. That’s saying something, because the audience at a DCW event is the loudest and most ridiculous audience you’ll ever see or be a part of. That’s because DCW itself is the very best and most insane wrestling event of the year.

Today I sit down with Beth V, Ryan, Jay, and Noel to discuss Dragon Con in general and DCW specifically. But before we talk I have a very special interview with none other than the booker for Dragon Con Wrestling himself, Slim J!

Slim J is a veteran of the Georgia wrestling scene and has been with DCW since its second year in 2002. 2014 brings the thirteenth year of DCW and we couldn’t be more excited. Listen in as J talks about the history of DCW and his plans for this year.

“Procrastibate” by LeSexoflex.com

“Connection” by Elastica

Needless Things Podcast Episode 31: Dragon Con Puppetry Track & National Puppet Slam

this episode I welcome Mr. Beau Brown back to the Podcast, this time not as my co-host, but as a guest! He’s here in his role as Director of the Dragon Con Puppetry Track.

You’ve heard Beau talk about his passion for Masters of the Universe, but today we turn the spotlight on the true great love of his life – puppetry. Join us and our guests Stacey Gordon and Madison J. Cripps as we discuss the National Puppet Slam coming to Dragon Con, as well as the specifics of the Puppetry Track.

We also learn about Stacey and Madison’s backgrounds in puppetry and the roles they will be playing at Dragon Con this year.

So listen in as we talk puppets, scheduling, busking, and – yes – just a bit of Masters of the Universe. Because Beau is still Beau. And thanks goodness for that.

“Procrastibate” by LeSexoflex.com

“The Young New Mexican Puppeteer” by Tom Jones

Needless Things Podcast Episode 30: Dragon Con American Sci-Fi Classics

It’s no secret that I adore Gary Mitchel and Joe Crowe – the men behind Dragon Con’s American Sci-Fi Classics Track. A large part of that adoration is the fact that they so wholly embrace the way that I present myself and my opinions on pop culture. I’m not above letting my ego influence my likes. Or anything else, for that matter.

My respect for these two guys goes far deeper than that. Sure – it’s great that they like me. But what they do at Dragon Con every year is nothing short of a miracle. Joe and Gary take a bunch of wildly varying, disparate franchises and turn them into an ongoing experience that brings all kinds of very different people together as one. And they manage to jam so much into the weekend.

I’ll be honest – before I saw any American Sci-Fi Classics panels I was very dismissive of fan panels. To a certain extent I still am. But this track finds the best selection of presenters. Everybody that’s part of the track has a ton of personality and passion. I have yet to see a panel that was anything less than thoroughly entertaining.

It was my honor and privilege to talk to Joe Crowe and Gary Mitchel about their history at Dragon Con and how they came to be in charge of what is widely recognized as one of the best fan tracks at Con. So listen in, learn a thing or three, and have some fun with three big dorks.

You can hear more from Joe and Gary at RevolutionSF.com.

“Procrastibate” by LeSexoflex.com

“Airwolf Main Theme” by Rick Patterson

Needless Things Podcast Episode 29: Dragon Con 2014 - Sean Patton & DJ Spider

Time to get these Dragon Con episodes underway, Phantomaniacs!

Last year Beau and I talked to DJ Spider about cosplay and conventions. She was so delightful we knew we wanted to have her back this year.

I’ve been wanting to have Sean Patton of SMP Designs on since the first time I spoke to him. He’s the guy that sparked my desire to learn more about cosplay and feature it like I did during last year’s Dragon Con coverage. This year we managed to schedule some time before Con to talk.

Join me and Beau as we chat with Spider and Sean about cosplay and Dragon Con in the first Needless Things Dragon Con episode of 2014! Plus, find out more about what Needless Things will be doing at Con.

“Procrastibate” by LeSexoflex.com

“Lame Claim to Fame” by Weird Al Yankovic

Needless Things Podcast Episode 28: San Diego Comic Con 2014

It is time once again for the Knights of Needless Things to assemble and discuss the goings-on at the biggest media event on the planet – San Diego Comic Con!

Sadly Reverend Dan Wilson and The Oncoming Josh were unable to join us due to calamitous acts of one form or another. But we sallied forth with Phantom Troublemaker, our lovely co-host Mr. Beau Brown, the Belligerent Monkey, and Sir Ryan of House Schweck.

In this roundtable discussion we cover the SDCC reveals from our favorite toy lines – Star Wars, TMNT, DC Collectibles, Marvel Legends, Masters of the Universe Classics, and many more! This one went a little long and we still weren’t able to cover everything. But we did get in a bit of movie and television talk.

Tune in now and see what the Needless Things Irregulars had to say about the Comic Con toy scene.

“Procrastibate” by LeSexoflex.com

“The Toys Go Winding Down” by Primus

Needless Things Podcast Episode 27: Heroes Con 2014

You guys – it rained on us again while we were driving to Charlotte for Heroes Con. That makes three years in a row.

This year’s deluge wasn’t the sort of violent meteorological upheaval that the prior years had provided, but we did encounter some very heavy rain and lightning. Thankfully it was brief and did not impede our travel to the only proper comic book convention that I attend.

If you don’t know, Heroes Con is a specifically comic book-oriented, family-friendly convention. The guests are comic book creators and independent artists. You will not find actors, athletes, or other types of personalities at the guest tables. You also won’t find adult-themed prints and media littering the floor for kids to see. The folks that run the con are very serious about maintaining an all-ages atmosphere. That’s why my family makes a point of going every year.

This year I only managed to get interviews with three creators before the con floor got too busy to allow for it. In this episode I chatted with JordanT. Neves, Brad McGinty, and Box Brown. I also sat down with the ESO Network’s “Howdy” Mike Gordon and Cousin Bill about the con itself.

Finally, I share a story about a terrifying, atrocious thing that happened to me over the Heroes Con weekend this year. This harrowing tale is not for the faint of heart or the weak of stomach. So sit back, grab yourself a bottle of Pepto, and enjoy some interviews and reminiscences from Heroes Con 2014!:

“Procrastibate” by LeSexoflex.com

Needless Things Podcast Episode 26: LEGO Master Builder Chris Steininger

Everything really is awesome.

Today's Needless Things Podcast continues my special LEGO coverage that is leading up to this weekend's LEGO KidsFest at the Cobb Galleria Centre. I had the opportunity to talk to somebody that I consider to be a true superhero of the toy industry – LEGO Master Builder Chris Steninger.

Chris has been a Master Builder for five years now and has worked for the LEGO company for seven. If you don;t know, the Master Builders are the guys that design and build the large-scale LEGO displays you see in malls, amusement parks, and various exhibitions around the world. And there are only seven of them.

I talk to Chris about his career, his love of LEGO, and the various aspects of the modern and classic LEGO toy line. It's a very interesting conversation about one of the most legendary and high-quality toy lines ever!

When you're done listening, be sure to check out the LEGO Kids Fest website and see what's going to be going on this weekend.

“Procrastibate” by LeSexoflex.com

“Everything is Awesome!!!” by Tegan and Sara feat. The Lonely Island

Needless Things Podcast Episode 25: Tim Clarke

Join Phantom Troublemaker and Mr. Beau Brown as we talk with Tim Clarke!

 

Tim worked with Kermit Love and for Jim Henson as a puppet builder and designer on Sesame Street and The Muppet Show. He worked on The Dark Crystal and Fraggle Rock, and is the man that built Uncle Traveling Matt. Tim also had a huge hand in the toy industry in the 80s, as he was the creator of both the Sectaurs and Boglins toy lines – two of the most original and notable lines of an amazing era of toys.

In this episode Tim regales us with stories of puppet and toy design and fills us in on what he’s up to now – still designing truly unique creations and even re-launching the Boglins! Listen now and enjoy!

After you finish the episode, you MUST go and check out Tim's Instagram feed TIMCLARKETOYS. It features his work on all of his projects, including prototypes and the design process. You can also find pictures of his unbelievable TOTIMS line. These are some of the coolest looking designer toys I've seen. If I weren't such a cheap bastard I'd buy some.

Also be sure to check out the TOTIMS website, where you can find even more awesome imagry.

“Procrastibate” by LeSexoflex.com

 

Needless Things Podcast Episode 24: Godzilla 2014

If you listened to last week’s (LAST WEEK!) Episode 23 of the Needless Things Podcast, then you know that we had a great time talking about the history of the Godzilla franchise. We barely scratched the surface, though, so there will be a sequel episode later this year.

After we finished recording I was so excited by talking to Gary, Johnny, and Scott that I asked if they would be interested in getting back together after we had all seen the new movie. Everybody was in -  Shoot the Moon Comics’ Scott Stripling, The RevCast’s Gary Mitchel, and pro wrestler and Godzillaologist Johnny Danger. 

I saw it at the IMAX in 3D Friday night with the family and the movie blew me away. There were some minor issues, but overall I was just amazed at what Godzilla accomplished. I couldn’t wait to talk to the guys about it. We got online Sunday night – a mere week after recording Episode 23 – and had a great conversation about the movie.

 

***CAUTION: There will be SPOILERS!***

 

 

“Procrastibate” by LeSexoflex.com

 

 

 

 

Needless Things Podcast Episode 23: Godzilla

I am not a Godzilla fanatic.

 

I do love Godzilla as a monster. I am awed by his place in cinematic history. I think he is one of the best monster designs ever, in movies or otherwise. And he has certainly been mimicked and paid tribute to more than any other modern monster. He also has the best rogues gallery of anybody, ever.

 

I can’t tell you which Godzilla movie I saw first or when I saw it, but I do know that the King of Monsters has been a part of my consciousness since I was very small. I know this because he is still a monster to me. As much as I love 60s Godzilla and his victory dance, there’s a part of me that is still terrified of Godzilla. And that fear must have been put there when I was young.

 

I think that the fear will be back this Friday, because the new Godzilla movie looks like it gets back to the roots of the 1954 original. It’s because of that impending release that I wanted to gather some folks and talk about the Big G. I am fascinated by the history of the monster, but hardly an expert. Also, I figured it would be a cheap way to generate hits for the podcast – what better way to get ears than to put up something related to a huge new movie?

 

That’s enough out of me. I want to keep this brief because you really don’t need to waste time reading it. Instead, go ahead and listen to me, Shoot the Moon Comics’ Scott Stripling, The RevCast’s Gary Mitchel, and pro wrestler and Godzillaologist Johnny Danger for a discussion of the past, present, and future of the King of Monsters and what he means to all of us:

“Procrastibate” by LeSexoflex.com

 

“Godzilla” by Blue Oyster Cult

 

“Godzilla” by Racer X

 

“Godzilla Versus Mothra Theme” by Akira Ifukube