Flaming Lips and Fluke Tye-Dye Uke

MusicGuyMic sells loads of ukuleles on eBay.  The guy knows his stuff.  After watching Rawuke tear up his Tiki Fluke Ukulele the other day, I wanted to see more fun Fluke Ukulele designs.  If you are looking for the funky or unusual ukulele, then chances are that Fluke has what you are looking for.  The cool thing about MusicGuyMic though is that many of the Fluke Ukuleles he sells have been upgraded from plastic to a solid rosewood fretboard and bridge.  So, if the price seems higher than you've seen one one of these Fluke Tye-Dye Concert Ukulele, there's your explanation.  Look at how rad this thing is!

NEW FLUKE TYE-DYE CONCERT Ukulele w/ Rosewood fretboard
NEW FLUKE TYE-DYE CONCERT Ukulele w/ Rosewood fretboard

Oh yeah, while you are here... might as well check out a video of a kid playing a Flaming Lips song on his Fluke Ukulele and harmonica.  Boo-yah!

Video: Highway to Hell (HOWTO!)

Well, my productivity might be in the dumps today (because I keep watching Rawuke videos) but it's good news for anyone who wants to learn how to play Highway to Hell like Rawuke does.  In this video he takes you step-by-step through each part and slows it down.  Although, I gotta tell ya, it still looks pretty tricky, but I'm going to work on this over the next few days and see what I can make happen.  Let me know if you attempt it as well.  I'd love to see a video!

Video: Highway to Hell (bad ass!)

So, when I first clicked on this video and saw the dude in the Harley Davidson shirt, leather jacket and motorcycle helmet, I had some reservations.  Then the rawk starts and this guy OWNS it.  Try closing your eyes and just listening, I would have guessed at least two or more ukulele players to make that sound.  He has so many tricks that I feel like I could watch this video for the next... um... forever and still not get it all.  The cute little Tiki Flea Soprano uke is the perfect counter-balance to the whole rocker get-up to.  Well done!

Bathroom Ukulele Video (don’t be scared)

Alright, as you may or may not know, I bought a Gorillapod for my Flip Video last week and I've been itching to use this thing. I talked about it in this post, Time to make some videos! (UPDATE).  But, this freaking chest cold has been making it impossible to even talk without coughing like a 70 year-old chainsmoker.  Well.. I'm tired of waiting.  So, while this isn't how I envisioned my first ukulele video going down, I'm still fairly happy with how it turned out.  But, I am a little nervous, though, for several reasons:

  1. Now you know what I look like and disappointment is sure to follow. 😉
  2. It took me 5 takes to get one where I didn't cough mid-song.  So, this probably isn't the best of the takes, but it's the least interrupted.
  3. I forgot to "dress for success" in this video.  I'm effectively one step above pajamas here.

Ah well.. If I start off like this then we have no where to go except for up, right?  K.  Here ya go.

Oh yeah!  My hair isn't always that ridiculous.  You are just looking at the remnants of my mohawk from Halloween.  My new wave band covered David Bowie's Ziggy Stardust record and our second set was 10 punk rock songs from 1985 or prior (Agent Orange, Fear, Black Flag, etc).  I've honestly forgotten that I look so goofy, but I get reminded of it when I see people's faces when I actually do leave the house (which, is rare).

Video: George Formby – When i’m cleaning windows

I have to admit that I didn't have any idea who George Formby was until 3 weeks ago.  It seems to me that here in the states, if you only know one thing about the ukulele then you know about Tiny Tim.  I think across the pond, over in the UK, it's George Formby instead.  Now.. everyone should know that I love Tiny Tim dearly!  He was like a walking encyclopedia of tin pan-era music.  But, he's not really an exceptional ukulele player.  I mean, he's great, after watching Formby  it seems to me that Tiny Tim is outmatched.  Formby has some crazy strums!  Also, he's a real crack-up!  I mean, look at those facial expressions!  What do you mean, "Look at what?".  Oh.. right.  Here's the video:

I've been working on a version of this song, but just watching the video now I realize that I play it in a different key.  I start with F and then go to F7 but I think George starts at C and goes to C7.  I'll make a video soon of me playing, but don't get your hopes up.  George is definitely the master.  Maybe I can get my son (Age 5) to sing it with me, though, he loves this song.  This and Big Rock Candy Mountain are our big duos (besides our Ramones covers).