The Lamebook.com boys have two reasons to celebrate. First off, they recently had a breakthrough in their legal battle against Facebook (who sued the parody site last year for “trademark infringement”) when Travis County Judge Sam Sparks straight-up denied Facebook's motion to dismiss. Lamebook is still fighting the good fight, though it hasn’t been cheap for the upstart humor site. The second reason? They just launched a hilarious, new blog called UHpinions.com. The site features hilarious reviews from sites like Amazon, Yelp and Epinions and seems to be just as addictive as the owner’s original. more ›

It wasn't that long ago that Tim Heidecker and Eric Wareheim were plugging away at a web-based cartoon, Tom Goes To The Mayor, in near-total anonymity. Now, as the creators of Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!, they've raised the bar for 21st century sketch comedy... more ›

Loaded Gun Theory is running their original new work The Automat at the Dougherty Arts Center. One word: Robots! 3/6-8, 12-15 @8pm & 3/9 @ 5pm. [tickets] // Austin darling Joe Hartman brings his Overwhelming Underdogs to Arts on Real. Thru 3/16, Th-Sa @8pm / Sun @5:30. [tickets] more ›

Austin eco-friendly designerRené Geneva will show her hemp and organic wool designs at Fashion Week in Los Angeles with support from Austin's own EcoClean and Kendra Scott jewelery. more ›

This project is a direct response to Austin’s lack of world-class entertainment infrastructure, and it’s a bold attempt to bridge the gap between a mid-level entertainment industry with huge potential (which Austin is) and a mature industry with world-class production facilities and creative professionals (which Austin, says Villa Muse, could be). more ›

Tonight’s portion of the see.hear.speak 3 festival is a collection of monologues and one-person performances. Gentleman Brock—or, as he’s formally known, Sir Gentleman Brock LaBorde, Esquire—recently authored a book called The Semi-Complete Guide to Sort of Being a Gentleman, and he’s rather opinionated on the subject of chivalry. more ›

A sad week for LAist as they lose their trusted and amazing editor Tony Pierce to the LA Times, but what a blast his last week was. He shared his 25 Favorite CDs of 2007 and wrote a great review of just a good movie, No Country For Old Men. At UCLA, thousands of students celebrated the end of their quarter by running around campus in their undies (lots of photos in a two-part photo essay, one, two). That wasn't the only photo essay either: Joss Whedon/Mutant Enemy friends and Star Trek actors all joined in at the Writers Strike and KROQ's Almost Acoustic Christmas brought two nights of amazing bands that included Avenged Sevenfold, Linkin Park (Part I), Modest Mouse, Muse, Spoon and The Killers (Part II). Not only is L.A. a great music town, it has just been named the best city for bookish types. For those who are looking for something a little more active, American Gladiators are back (yes!) and if that's not enough, how about a Christmas gift of action and adventure? more ›

SFist witnessed a new apartment building tszuj the skyline with spectacular, gaudy turquoise aplomb, the (informal) renaming of the Mission/SOMA neighborhood border, the return of the Maltese Falcon, the Mayor Gavin Newsom mea culpa-ing over his Hawaiian getaway during the oil spill, and double-decker buses hitting the streets of San Francisco. Oh, and some baseball player named Barry Bonds is a liar whose pants, it seems, are totally on fire. LAist continues to cover the... more ›

Image from nbc.comAustin's favorite high-school football drama, Friday Night Lights, could be changing networks. Radar is reporting that ESPN is in talks to bring the critically-acclaimed, but little-watched, show into its lineup of original programming. Friday Night Lights, which follows the lives of the fictional Dillon High School Panthers, films in and around Austin. Despite winning critical awards and having a loyal following, the show has moved time slots three times and has struggled in... more ›

According to their MySpace page, buxom AC/DC impersonators The Donnas "are for real and are here to stay", just in case you were wondering. Suffice it to say, they've paid their dues over the course of seven albums with their brand of unabashedly referential rock 'n' roll and still soldier on, recently starting their own label for a new release. Ours is not to judge their swaggering shred, however, just to inform you that... more ›

LAist began the month with a new food series exploring the popular and unknown late night eats around town. If a Top Chef winner opened up a late night spot in Los Angeles, denizens would flock it, yet the LA Times and other media might be wary. Turning to sports, the Dodger season was quite memorable in the way that it imploded and the LA County Sheriff's Department made some games of their own such... more ›

If you go to Rilo Kiley’s MySpace page and scroll down, you’ll run into a pillar of adolescent female faces beside comments professing their love for the band and expressing intense jubilation over finally being able to see the group at their local rock club after years of adoration from afar. This is the result of having a gorgeous, strong, sexually candid leading lady - Jenny Lewis - who is very capable of helming... more ›

Funnyman Carlos Alazraqui is playing the Cap City Comedy Club this weekend, stating tonight. Familiar to most as Officer James Garcia on Reno 911!, Alazraqui also has a lengthy list of voiceover credits to his name: Nestor in the film Happy Feet, Mr. Crocker on The Fairly Odd Parents, Rocko on Rocko’s Modern Life, and Lube and Winslow on Cat/Dog. Also, perhaps infamously, “Yo Quiero Taco Bell.” more ›

This week, Phillyist saw the waters of a landmark fountain run red for a Showtime marketing stunt, the Phils pull ahead, and some serious nostalgia. They also got a chance to review an awesome tribute album, reminded folks to see the King, and appreciated their beautiful skyline. Chicagoist knows what it's like to like the Cubs. But naming your kid Wrigley Fields? At least they can breathe a little easier now that Grossman's out and... more ›

Hillary Clinton compares Dick Cheney to infamous science fiction character. Guess which one. Thousands are gathering in Jena, LA today in support of the 'Jena 6.' Republican representative claims just too many mosques in this country. The UN's General Assembly is next week and Iranian President Ahmadinejad asked to lay a wreath at Ground Zero. The NYPD is not having it. One heck of prank or one heck of a hangover. 100,000 cans of... more ›

When Will Stewart of Austin bought a ticket in the outfield seats for the Chicago White Sox-LA Angels game on Sunday, he had no idea he was about to become a part of history. But he was in the right place at the right time as Jim Thome's game-winning home run bounced off the rows behind Stewart and into his hands. It was Thome's 500th career home run, a mark that only 23 players in... more ›

Since 1975, Grammy Award winners BeauSoleil have charmed audiences as being one of the most heralded and esteemed Cajun groups in American music history. Band leader Michael Doucet artfully takes the rich traditions of Louisiana culture and blends other southern folk elements such as Zydeco, Jazz, Tejano, Country, Blues to astonishing effect. Beau Soleil have played The Grand Ole Opry, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and the Newport Folk Festival in the past.... more ›

Del McCoury has been playing bluegrass music since 1950, which basically means that he's been playing guitars and banjos since before your parents were born. If that doesn't translate into transcendent musical abilities, we have no idea what your standards are. McCoury's band features his two sons, Rob and Ronnie McCoury, who have only been playing bluegrass since the early 1980s--banjo and mandolin, respectively--so, whatever. Ha ha j/k! Del McCoury Band Bakersville, NC Latest Release:... more ›

The Trip Fives are a long-form improv troupe from Kansas City performing tonight as part of the Out of Bounds festival. We caught up with Tim Lemke on Thursday night spoke with him about improv in Kansas City and the upcoming Trip Fives performance. Is this your first Out of Bounds? Tim Lemke: Yes, this is the first time that we’ve submitted anything for this festival and it will be the first time that we’re... more ›

Silver City Pink is an award-winning, all-female improv troupe from Los Angeles performing tonight at the Hideout (10pm) as part of this year’s Out of Bounds improv festival. The eight women of SCP met while taking classes at The Second City L.A. and have performed at the LA Improv Festival and the Del Close Marathon in New York City. I spoke with SCPer Amanda Tate about the festival experience and their Los-Angeles-colored impression of... more ›

The Broken West play the sort of power pop you'll want as background for a trip to the beach, especially if you're into the Kinks and enjoy wearing vintage Adidas short shorts. The L.A.-based band released their first album earlier this year, and the sound is bright and dense, filled up with guitar and piano draped with harmonized vocals that seem to be looking toward George Harrison's work. The Broken West Los Angeles, CA... more ›

Tonight at Emo's Lounge be sure to check out a show with some heavy-hitting sponsors (Filter , Both Sides of the Mouth, and Zune) behind it in order to put some great music in front of you. Straight outta Compton (well, LA at least) is Great Northern, a band that's been making waves of late. Listen closely to their instantly appealing pop and you'll hear the burnt edges and dark undertones. Your head will... more ›

While SFist cringed at the fatal dose of crime littering the Bay Area, it found solace in Hillary Clinton's San Francisco campaign headquarters opening, which featured loads of exposed mammary glands. In other news, SF Taxi Commission ruled that Satan's cab must keep its (in)famous medallion number, 666; and in an un-fashion-forward frenzy, San Francisco Fashion Week (chortle) bars bloggers from covering and getting smashed at their shows and parties, respectively. Also, they found a... more ›

Monday, June 18musicHairy Apes BMX, Gabby La LA, Jetpaq Shakur at Stubb’s musicMenomena at Waterloo Records musicArt Brut Karaoke Party and "Caddyshack" at Beauty Bar filmThird Coast Night: "Leila Khaled, Hijacker" at Alamo Downtown filmMusic Monday: "Here We Come" at Alamo Downtown food/booksDr. BBQs Big-Time Barbeque Road Trip at BookPeople, 603 N Lamar Blvd (7pm)foodCentral Market Cooking Class: The Perfect Scoop with Chef David Lebovitz at Central Market Cooking School, 4001 N Lamar ($65, 6:30-9pm)... more ›

Fancy Footwork – ChromeoAs soon as "Intro" launches Chromeo’s Fancy Footwork, the listener can prepare to be transported to another time. Ever since "Needy Girl" captured our hearts and memories a few years ago, the duo of Dave 1 (beats) and P-Thugg (vocals) has built a decent following among fans still reminiscing about the 80’s. First single "Tenderoni" kicks off like "Wanna Be Starting Something" (Michael Jackson) before launching into a synth-powered jam in true... more ›

LAist is experimenting with blogging dates from J-Date, but finds the best men are found offline. Some date vicariously online and that is one reason why porn is big -- really freaking big -- so they ask if they should cover XXX since the heart of it lays in the city's San Fernando Valley. A writer grapples with her food porn photography obsession, another gets censored on Flickr, one gets scooped by the LA... more ›

A bunch of rabble rousin' DJs in town have unionized, and, collectively, they're calling themselves Mischief & Trouble. Tomorrow night they'll pay homage to the late 90s French house scene with the IHEARTDAFTPUNK Party. Inside at Red7 (next door to Beauty Bar), the Mischief and Troubled—KidIndie, DJ Fuckin' A, Ocelot, and Markus With a K—will spin "only Daft-related songs and remixes," while the generous outdoor stage will showcase a handful of Texas bands—L.A.X., Gazelles, Trilogy, and Rory & the Artificial Heart—"wearing the Daft influence on their sleeve." more ›

When Grey's Anatomy first started, we were instantly drawn in. The Seattle-based show had an indie soundtrack, a female creator, a multiracial cast, our pre-teen crush Patrick Dempsey and the excellent Sandra Oh. The show seemed so fresh and new. Since then, Meredith's whiny tone has become an annoying recurrence, Sandra Oh's depiction of Cristina isn't as enthralling as it once was, the George/Izzie coupling is just disturbing, and the drama outside of the show... more ›

Spring is when we get busy here in the Ist-A-Verse. Very busy. But, after staying bundled-up indoors all winter, it's nice for us to be out, about, and collecting things to write about for you. Here's a glimpse at what's been keeping your favorite citybloggers busily away from home and out of bed. more ›

Let's be honest: everyone loves SXSW week, but when it ends, you are secretly very ready to move on. Before we do, let's take a look at some of the isolated, crazy, and wonderful moments that make SXSW such an over-the-top sensory experience. – The dude at Girl Talk dancing with a broken pinata on his head. Then passing said pinata to someone else to dance with. – Isaac Hayes talking in his famous... more ›