As Philabuster's beloved Red Sox suit up for another run at the title, it's pretty clear there's more to love than ever about the team's 2006 roster. Our new center fielder is not only named after a breakfast cereal, but also believes his pant leg length affects his physical abilities on the field. Just show me the Yankee that's man enough to walk around "showing full sock" who isn't referring to the one stuffed inside his cup. Then there's Mark Loretta, the new guy at second base, who I'm pretty sure is actually SNL alum and Anchorman cast member David Koechner. But by far the most compelling addition of the off-season is right-handed reliever Julian "A History of Violence" Tavarez. Let's move past the fact that this man's face looks like a waffle that's been stepped on, and apprecaite the potential entertainment value of a fellow who is legitimately bat-shit crazy - just ask Joey Gathright. And he's a regular Russell Crowe Naomi Campbell when you put him near a phone. Yup, there's just the right kind of wacky Friday Freakout chemistry in the works here for another championship. You can't deny, the team's got pep.

Lots of great links from our 'Stamper faithful. But a few truly distinguished themselves from the pack...

First, Michael H answers a question that has plagued mankind since at least last month: Where Da Gold??? 'Cause the grilly is illy, yo.

I've know they're edible, and I've heard once or twice that they're possiby incredible. But never have I seen such exuberant praise for an aborted chicken fetus as in this next link, sent in to us by Brittni B. Like the girl told us, "click on egg song for wiggle-jiggle-yellow-middle awesome!" Like Homestar Runner, but with more cholesterol.

But the prize of two Editors/Stellastarr* tickets, courtesy of our generous friends at Fader Label, goes unquestionably to Michael L, who direted our attention to the remarkable artistry of one Chris Bliss, rock juggler. Where lesser men thrash on air guitar or merely bob their head to the beat, Chris embarks on a visceral tour de force that's part interprative dance, part circus act. Just try to deny his passion. His intensity. His dummy elevator. It's just one more example of how music brings out the best in all of us. For those about to juggle, we salute you. For those who can't, here's a brand new Editors b-side.

It's January 30th, 2004, and I'm at North Star to see The Stills. The place is packed from wall to wall, the band is plowing through Logic Will Break Your Heart, and everybody's having a hell of a time. Then, about six songs in, a drum stand breaks, and for whatever reason it takes at least twenty minutes before everything's replaced and the show gets going again. The band still sounds great. The place is still packed. But, after such a long break, I just can't get into it the way I had before. The rest of the audience seems deflated as well. Nobody's fault, really - it was just too long a wait to overcome. Almost two and a half years later, the boys are back with a new album, a substantial, but certainly not startling development of their sound, and a date at First Unitarian next Monday. I want to be excited. Really. It's just that I can't help feeling like a drum stand broke somewhere back in the summer of '05.

Straight outta Tower, Nine Black Alps are plugging in and rocking out at North Star tonight. Along for the ride are fellow Brits The Duke Spirit, fronted by sexy tambourine-shakin' rock chica Leila Moss, and Five O'Clock Heroes.

Also tonight, pride of Willmington The Spinto Band headline at the TLA. The Teeth will be there. Amanda will be there. Will you?

Friday night brings another clash of foreign and domestic. Even those with a poor sense of direction will be feelin' South at North Star. Meanwhile, The A-Sides team up with some other local acts for a night of Delaware Valley feelgoodery at the Khyber.

Saturday night, Centro-Matic is at North By Northwest. Their new album, Fort Recovery, has been getting heavy rotation here at BadmintonStamps' Philly headquarters.

Finally, Saturday also brings the double-decker rock hoagie that is Editors/Stellastarr* to the Trocadero. You can still enter to win a pair of tickets in our Land-O-Links contest. Our friends at The BM Rant also have tickets to give away. And Phillyist, too. Is anybody paying to see this show?

Looking for the final word on the Arctic Monkeys' Philly appearance last weekend? Look no further. Stalwart 'Stamper and ticket winner Amanda answers our questions and tells you all what's what.

1) We know you look good on the dance floor. During which song do you think you looked the best?
Obviously, "Oh Mandy" by the Spinto Band. Duh.

2) Having seen it up close, do you think there are any other rock stars who could pull off the "severe teen acne" look?
Nope. But judging by the age and similar disposition of the kids front and center of the stage, it works for them.

3) Which band member struck you as the cheekiest Monkey?
My personal favorite was the slightly larger than the rest Monkey, looking a bit out of place stage left. I guess he hasn't discovered the slimming powers that is blowing rails off of hookers yet.

4) Using the <, =, and > symbols, please explain just how insanely, uncomfortably, heat-strokingly hot the Starlight Ballroom got as compared to: McDonald's coffee, a kiln, and Rick Santorum's senate seat.
Starlight Ballroom < McDonald's coffee
Starlight Ballroom = a kiln
Starlight Ballroom > Rick Santorum's senate seat

5) How was the show?
The show? Way better than I expected, due to the hyping of the Monkeys by just about everyone on the planet. While I wouldn't place it as the best show of all time, it's certainly up there as a good, fun, dance-able experience. Plus, I developed a crush on the whole collective Spinto Band, who I will be stalking.. uh, I mean seeing again at the TLA tonight. Sigh. Now THOSE are some dreamboats. Thanks Philabuster and SkinnySlim for making my wildest dreams come true!

No foolin'. This Saturday, there's one mad hot show goin' down at the Trocadero, and we've got a pair of tickets just dyin' to be all used and shit. But if you want to see Editors, Stellastarr*, and Mobius Band on the cheap, then you're gonna have to show us something. Literaly. Shoot an e-mail with your name, along with your most comedic, compelling, useful, stunning, or otherwise mind-altering link, to your very good friend contest@badmintonstamps.com with the subject heading "YOU SAY PARTY! WE SAY LINK!" Lead us to dizzying heights of unimagined hyperlink perfection. Open our eyes to internetish wonders we've as yet only heard of in fable or boast. Best link gets the tickets, and you've got until 11:59 on Thursday night to enter. We'll announce the winner on Friday and post a feature on his/her big-time link, along with those of several runners-up. Show us what you got, 'Stampers.

An unnamed 34-year-old massage therapist at a Scottish golf resort is claiming that, during a recent appointment, Kevin Costner performed a "disgusting act in front of her." Investigators initially assumed that said "disgusting act" was simply the actor practicing his lines for The Tortilla Curtain. In fact, the Oscar winner had decided that there were no real untouchables within the confines of his hotel suite, and proceeded to give his skinny wolf a dance or two in front of the hapless masseuse. While his publicists deny that Costner is the celebrity in question, the deatils of the report leave little doubt as to the identity of ol' Rubbin' Hood, especially in the sections describing his swift, violent hand motions back and to the left, back and to the left, back and to the left. Ouch! Still, I suppose you need to do something to keep that statue from getting rusty, right Kev?

The night of a thousand Friday Freakouts happens tomorrow at 8PM at the World Cafe Live. Here's three to get your juices flowing. $6 bucks and a smile gets you the rest. Be there, or be prepared for us to glance at you awkwardly/menacingly from across the blogosphere on Monday.

Tonight, The Go! Team is funking, rocking, and chanting their way into the hearts of us 'delphians over at The Starlight Ballroonm. And like the old musical prverb says, "Swedes on the bill, show gon' be ill." Which means, you best not miss Love Is All. Not sold out.

On the other hand, the Friday night affair at Starlight Ballroom, featuring Mates Of State, is very much sold out. But there's always that one ticket available on craigslist...

The closest star to us is The Sun. Saturday night, it gets closer than ever, and there's only one thing you need to be doin'.

Sunday night, it's Starlight Ballroom Part III: Revenge of The Brits. Arctic Monkeys tell you exactly where you can shove that American hipster backlash. Hint: it's not your pocket.

And don't forget, TLA tickets for both The Walkmen and Ghostface Killah go on sale Friday at noon.

It's true, I am regrettably at less than %100 right now. But even in my decrepit state, I can still muster the strength to satisfy some reader requests. In the comments last week, 'Stamper Becky professed her relief in discovering that she's not alone in her love of Brit coulda-shoulda-beens Lowgold, and asked for a few more tunes. So here's four slow wonders that span the career of, in my book at least, the masters of mope. Two b-sides, bookended by two of my favorite album tracks. When you feel miserable, it's nice to commiserate with a band that knows how to keep it real miserable, too.

Congrats to the winners of the first BadmintonStamps Box Office Bonanza. Mike D. will be gettin' fun-kay with The Go! Team this Thursday night, Mark. D (no relation) gets to roll showcase-style at the World Cafe on Saturday, and Amanda M. will be so over this Arctic Monkeys nonsense by the time Sunday rolls around that she might not even go at all, but she'll always know she could have. Thanks to everyone who entered. Your ability to type your names followed by a short itemized list was truly awe-inspiring, and we look forward to giving you similar opportunities in the future.

And Juelz isn't the only gay rapper to support the music of short teenage girls.

Philabuster has a mad-crazy-busy couple o' days and nights ahead of him, so we'll have to dispense with the usual Friday Freakout accoutrements of sea creatures and SEPTA jokes. So this post is bound to suck, right? Not so fast, boys and girls. The 'Stamps never closes a door without opening a window. And in this case, it's a ticket window. We're giving away tickets like you ain't never seen, in what I'm dubbing "The BadmintonStamps Box Office Bonanza". We've got three hottt prizes up for grabs:

1) Two (2) tickets to see The Go! Team w/ Love Is All, Thursday, March 23rd at the Starlight Ballroom

2) Two (2) tickets to see The Sun, The Harlem Shakes, and The Picture, Saturday, March 25th in the BadmintonStamps/WXPN post-SXSW showcase at World Cafe Live

3) Two (2) tickets to see Arctic Monkeys w/ The Spinto Band, Sunday, March 26th at the Starlight Ballroom

For a chance to win, send an e-mail with the subject heading "YOU & ME & THE BSBOB" to contest@badmintonstamps.com. Please include your full name and a listing of the three prizes in your order of preference (1st choice, 2nd, etc.) Obviously, these prizes are of no use to you if you're not in or plan to be visiting the greater Philadelpia region next week, so don't waste our time (yeah, I'm looking at you, Kuala Lumpur). The winners will be picked all random-like and announced on Monday. That's just BadmintonStamps for ya. When we ain't kickin' out the jams, we're kickin' out the tix.

Stereolab
"Fab Four Suture doesn't inspire me because I rarely actually have to hear it - stepping back, my ears tell me that I have, in fact, already heard it countless times before." - Dominique Leone, Pitchfork

"On the new Fab Four Suture, the 15-year-old European troupe doesn't display a hint of fatigue. The dozen songs are nimble and fresh..." - Doug Wallen, Philadelphia Weekly

Isaac Hayes
"I told [people] not to take this stuff seriously. If you do, you'll get in trouble. Just enjoy it. Remember your high-school yearbook? You look at those pictures now, you laugh, right? That's what South Park is." - Isaac Hayes, 1/4/06

"Religious beliefs are sacred to people, and at all times should be respected and honored. As a civil rights activist of the past 40 years, I cannot support a show that disrespects those beliefs and practices." Isaac Hayes, 3/14/06

James Blunt
"Blunt has now delivered a breathtaking debut album which smacks of the personal experiences - both tragic and uplifting - that have shaped his life to date." - Jack Foley, IndieLondon

"There's no humour in his music and there doesn't seem to be much depth. It's the sort of thing you'd write on a card if you were sending flowers." - Graham Coxon

When he's not "keepin' it real" with the Three 6 Mafia, George Clooney's attention is zeroed in on his life's true calling: selling cheap domestic beer. These days, you can't watch a single sporting event on television without Batman sitting you down for a heart-to-heart on Budweiser's smooth taste and pattented Beachwood aging process. While celebrities still shy away from prominent commercial roles here in the US, voice-over work is a different story altogether, and my emotions on the situation are mixed. On the one hand, I'm thrilled that Mandy Patinkin and Hector Elizondo are still able to find work. On the other hand, I'm deeply troubled by the idea that I've unknowingly let suspect characters like Christian Slater and Stockard Channing into my home. And I don't care if George Clooney is a household name. Every time he regails me in that smug tone of his about the bold, crisp flavor of a beer he wouldn't be caught drinking even if the bottle was stuck in Scarlett Johansen's cleavage, I just want to punch him in the face.

Hot Chip @ Pure on Friday = Best. Making. Time. Ever. And that's all I'm gonna say about that.

Ludacris: two commercials an hour, so everybody sees.

C-Murder now prefers to go by Corey Miller.

Pitchfork gets our sloppy juicy seconds, interviews Three 6 Mafia.

Interesting: Kelis is back. More interesting: Kelis' back.

The Global Language Monitor confirms that, like a pie to the face or the word "Kookamunga", there's just something innately and universaly funny about cowboy butt sex.

So we'll give the Hot Chip a rest for a wee bit (like, a week...?), but that doesn't mean we can't all enjoy somebody else's dancy synth pop. New Young Pony Club, of Philabuster's playlist fame, kicks out more of the sultry jams on their MySpace page.

Dude, Coelacanths are sooooo last week. Mother Nature's latest practical joke, dubbed the Kiwaida, was discovered by divers earlier this week in the South Pacific. The name is derived from Kiwa, the goddess of crustaceans in Polynesian mythology. Information is scant concerning the goddess, though I was able to unearth some literature on her male counterpart, champion, and (I assume) lover. It goes without saying that this new creature is, in all likelyhood, delicious (re-read the article; AP writers don't drop the salad plate as a unit of measure without good reason). The real question now is whether the blind albino dinner for two will receive fair treatment in a prejudiced market. Higher-ups at the notoriously close-minded Red Lobster restaurant chain were already rumored to be the ones applying pressure on the scientific community to assign the creature a non-lobster classification. If Kiwaida Poppers aren't on the menu come summer, you can chalk it up as just one more sad reminder that our nation still isn't nearly as color-blind as we'd like to think. Electric Six know exactly what I'm talking about. The lobster's white, guys! Get over it! Or so help me, I'll invoke the Polynesian god of tangy butter sauces to drizzle swift, finger-licking Friday Freakout vengeance down upon you.

Norwegian shoegaze sensations Serena Maneesh play the chuch basement tonight. R5 also has some excellent mp3s up on their site, though the description of the tracks as "tuneful paradoxes, infinite yet time-bound" seems just a little too far up somebody's ass for my liking. I plan on rocking, not meditating.

Legs broke, head snapped, this is where the party's at. Friday night, there's no doubt. HOT CHIP in full effect at Making Time! Every monkey with a miniature cymbal report to Pure at 9PM for free booze, then brace yourself for bedlam at midnight. Advance tickets available on-line and at Spaceboy.

Saturday, Metric ply their art and their craft over at the Starlight Ballroom. You know that cute boy/girl you saw in the audience of the Stars show two weeks ago but didn't get a chance to talk to? Yeah, they'll be there. Go get 'em, tiger.

Film School needs your help recovering their stolen van and gear...

Comfort Inn on Delaware Ave in Philadelphia. It was a white, 2003 Ford E-350, California license plates. ALL of our gear was taken. Here's a list of what's missing:

- 1966 Ludwig drum kit, blue sparkle
- 23" Paiste ride cymbal
- 1976 Fender P-bass, no finish, beat down, Bartolini pick-up
- 1993 Gibson SG, black
- 1973 Fender Telecaster Deluxe, cream, with marble pickguard, humbuckers
- Fender Twin Reverb amp, 70's silverface, master volume
- Fender Deville guitar amp
- early 70's Ampeg SVT bass head with 2 massive metal handles on the sides
- Ampeg SVT 410HLF bass cabinet
- Peavey keyboard amp
- Kurzweil K2000 keyboard
- 3 boxes of effects: 2 Line 6 delay pedals, Memory Man Deluxe, Big Muff, SansAmp Bass DI, Rat, MXR distortion, Cry Baby wah, 2 Boss EQ pedals, Boss Digital Delay, 2 Boss Tuners. These were in 3 different suitcases.

Contact the band on theirMySpace Page if you have any info, so the band can keep making music.

If you're in the market for a new cellular phone, Motorola has got some fascinating options. There's the RAZR, a svelte little thing that also comes in understated magenta. Then there's the PEBL. Since people apparently weren't losing phones easily enough, Motorola's crack team of engineers designed this one to approximate an eye-glasses case in size and shape (and yes, I'm as confused by this pitch as you are). Finally, there's the ROKR - contrary to popular belief, NOT inspired in any way by NBC weatherman Al Roker. But now comes competitor Sony Ericsson's latest gizmo: a camera phone that will allow bloggers to post the pictures they take directly to their Google Blogger accounts. Finally! No more waiting interminably until you get home from a show to post those slightly blurry photos of that opening band that nobody cares about! So Motorola, the gauntlet has been thrown down. When you comin' out with your new BLOGR model? And more importantly, can I put ringback tones on that shit?

The Coelacanth is a mysterious and remarkable creature. While the dinosaurs, Mesopotamia, and Steve Guttenberg have all come and gone, this prehistoric 400 million year-old fish has kept right on truckin' along the coastal stretches of the Indian ocean like it ain't nothin'. Known as "the dinofish", "old fourlegs", and "ugly", they are scarce and hard to observe. Fortunately for you, we were able to track down this amazing, life-like animation demonstrating how the animals behave in their natural state. Scientists have had great diffilculty explaining the longevity of this ancient species, its wealth of strange behaviors, and the fact that juvenile fish are hardly ever seen. But where science fails, rock and roll comes to the rescue. While Polysics' mostly Japanese lyrics are almost as hard to figure out as the Coelacanth's head stands, their startling, totally Friday Freakout-of-left-field theory translates into any lanaguage, and leaves the door open for one more nickname: Terminator of The Sea.

Tonight at First Unitarian, you wanna hear what The Subways have to say. But rememeber, fellas, that Billy Lunn doesn't want to hear what you have to say to his woman/bass player Charlotte Cooper. So keep those dirty, non-Church thoughts to yourselves.

Saturday, Belle & Sebastian quietly storm the Electric Factory, with The New Pornographers in tow. Be sure to watch for any signs of this "white-boy-groove nonsense" we've been hearing about.

If you don't feel like giving up your first born male for a scalped B&S ticket, head over to the North Star and check out openers The Head Set. Just remember, as much as you may like them, the title of #1 fan is already taken, maybe.

Finally, if you're just plain fed up with these "live bands", Saturday night also features some excellent djsmanship. In particular, Nick Catchdubs will be gracing Transit nightclub as part of the Rowdy crew. Details on this and other dens of spin over at 51:51

You may have noticed that there are six questions above. Why is the segment still titled "5 Quetions"? Gimmicks, man, just gimmicks.

Almost seventeen years ago, an intoxicated captain Joseph Hazlewood bravely piloted the Exxon Valdez oil tanker where none had before dared: into the center of Prince William Sound's Bligh Reef. Damage to the ship's hull caused thirty million gallons of its cargo to leak out, the single largest oil spill in history. Fresher in the minds of many is another leak, this one along a suburban California thoroughfare last year. Driving too fast to maintain control of his Del Mar Seafoods truck, Guadalupe Ramirez overturned the 18-wheeler, leaking 38,500 pounds of frozen squid across the surface of Riverside Drive, the single largest frozen squid spill in history. There are two key ideas to take away from all of this. First, if only the two vehicles' cargos had been switched, the results of their accidents would have been, cumulatively, much less devastating. Second, while leaks in the music world are generally thought of as delightful and exciting events, in the transportation world...eh, not so much. Here at the 'Stamps, we have a long track record of blogging both too fast and while drunk, so you know there's always a leak right around the corner. Relax kids; the new Flaming Lips album poses no threat to cuddly sea otters, and new tracks from Graham Coxon and Hot Chip are always fresh, never frozen.