SuperSatellite ||

I have to admit it. I cannot hide from it, so why try? I am an idiot child. There is no better analogy.  Well, I guess that depending on how you look at it, it’s not really an analogy.  But we’ll pretend it is, to be kind to my ego.  Wait…what was I talking about?

I was looking for something to watch this evening as my seventh season of Deep Space Nine has not yet finished. I figured maybe Joost had added some new stuff that might be worth watching. Aside: if you haven’t checked out Joost, do. It’s basically a free TV service with a whole mess of different channels, some honestly worthwhile (others not). National Geographic has some of their old documentaries on there, which are cool to watch, and you can totally catch up on the last season of The Hills. If I wasn’t so tired right now (why am I actually writing this now?), I’d make a follow up joke about that. I can’t, so now you’ll just have to sit and wonder if I really watched The Hills or not.

Anyway, turns out Guitar World has started their own channel there, which has a bunch of great guitarists just sitting around talking music theory and playing out riffs based on it. Listening to Joe Satrini talk about modes, and watching John Petrucci run sequences just makes me feel like an amateur. Yes, I am one, but they just really drive the point home. I enjoy playing guitar, and I like to think that some day I’ll be a real boy, but simply put, I don’t know jack about music theory.

There was a day when I used to play violin. For six months or so. When I was about 10. Believe it or not, I haven’t retained much of what I learned about music during that time (the fact that the instruments don’t really have much anything in common notwithstanding. No frets on a violin? Insanity I say!), so I just download tabs, and see what I can copy. I’ve improved a lot the past couple years, but I’m not sure how much better I can get if I can’t find more time to devote to learning some actual theory about notes, scales, modes and other terms that I can say, but not use correctly.

You know, playing guitar is like doing math. With letters. And demon calculus. I’ve mastered 2+2 just fine. These guys are talking and string theory and crap.

So, I feel like an idiot child. Maybe I’ll understand it all after a good night’s sleep. I’ll awaken with perfect clarity. But probably not. I need the Matrix.

I know kung fu.

(whoa. Wild Stallions!)

The following information is accurate as of the latest development build of kPlaylist, which is v1.7 rev479 that was released on the 1st of April, 2008. Get the most current version from kPlaylist’s download page. Revisions are issued pretty regularly, while the 1.7 base came out in 2006. I’m really not sure why he uses that kind of setup for versioning.

UPDATE (08.04.02): I just got word that version 1.8 of kPlaylist will be coming out once the current development code is deemed stable. This will be sometime after revision 480. Following that release, they will probably begin making regular development revisions based on the 1.8 code base, similar to what they are doing now on 1.7.

This was surprisingly well timed, given that a year ago I published my little review in which I endorsed a piece of media streaming software called kPlaylist that I selected over a couple others when I was looking for a way to listen to my music when I wasn’t at home. It is by sheer coincidence that I decided now to go back and touch more on that software, giving a slightly more in depth look, and sharing some tricks and one of my tweaks that aren’t so well documented. Feel free to comment below and add your own advice, or correct any mistakes I might make (not that I ever make mistakes, who are we kidding?).

For those that are unfamiliar, kPlaylist is a PHP based script that allows you to store audio and video files on a web server, and output playlists that allow you to stream said files to the computer you are at. This is very handy if you have encoded a lot of CDs, and prefer to listen to them at work or at a friends house, without lugging the discs all over. You could also use it to share podcasts, or to create a band site where people can listen to and download your garage recordings, and anything along those lines. This does require you have access to a web server with ample storage space of course. I prefer to run my own from home, using No-IP.com to attach a domain name to my box on my internet connection. Just be sure you run a firewall, and that you have permission to share what you are with who you are. I won’t discuss the setup side of this. I assume you can set up your own MySQL database and connect to it and upload files and all that jazz. If you can’t, there’s support forums to help you out with that.

kPlaylist runs off one single file in its simplest form. We can refer to the kPlaylist site for a few of the software’s features:

• Supports multiple music sources (drives, directories, nmb, smbfs, nfs, etc)
• Multiuser based, includes automatic sign-up tool and user editor
• Secure and safe, used daily in hundreds of installations worldwide
• Upload, multiple upload, download and multi download support.
• Inbuilt bulletin board to communicate with users
• Randomizer function to find new and popular music and common music between users
• Balance network load with the inbuilt streaming engine during streams and download.
• Supports LAME to re-encode streams on-the-fly (transcoding)
• History of activity, including detailed track use.
• Mail functionality for attaching and sending a music file instantly.
• Easy to get started; automatic upgrade and install.
• International; supports 29 languages
• Runs on all operating systems that support PHP and MySQL.
• Audio support including, but not limited to mp3, ogg, wma, rma, wav, etc.
• Tested with RealPlayer, XMMS, Windows Media Player, iTunes and Winamp.
• Plus much, much more.

So, let’s assume that you get everything set up and running. If so, you probably see something like what we have at the left (granted, I’ve already dug down into an album). If you are running off of the default install you probably notice that my setup looks a little different from yours. I’ve taken advantage some of the features that allow custom theming of kPlaylist. It also supports custom icon packs, so you can really get into how things display. The theme capabilities aren’t necessarily as robust as other applications, but you can still get in enough to have fun with it. Look at the left bar, and click on the button for Admin Control > Settings. This will get you into the settings console where you can start tweaking some of this stuff. Specifically, we want to look at the Customize tab.

That would be this baby right here. First, if you’d like to embed kPlaylist into another app, like a CMS (Content Management System), you can turn off the Include Headers feature. This is useful if you want to integrate it with a community running on something like Drupal, Joomla, e107, or others. Otherwise, leave it on (which you normally will). The External Images path allows you to tell kPlaylist where to find alternative icons that you want to use. This is relative to the install root of kPlaylist. So, if you installed kPlaylist in a folder called /media, then theme/images/ would translate to http://www.yoursite.com/media/themes/images/. The best thing to do is download the default icon pack, and just start changing the ones you want. I do this, and rename the originals with a .bak extension, just in case I ever need to revert. Likewise, the External CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) File path works the same, allowing you to override default colors and layout settings for kPlaylist. Download the original at the link I just mentioned for images, and start tweaking, then upload it (probably near your custom images), and tell it to find it. You can do the same with Javascript and AJAX (Asynchronous Javascript And XML) frameworks for other options.

In this case, if you use something like Prototype for AJAX functionality, you can enable additional features like the live Last Streams feed in the system. This can keep you apprised, live, of what people are listening too without the need to refresh the page. Hopefully, we’ll see more AJAX functionality like live-edit playlists soon. My fingers are crossed, and tempted to start coding such functionality myself…we’ll see. There’s a lot of room for growth of AJAX functionality in kPlaylist.

If you are anything like me, you’ve noticed that there are some pitfalls to the fact that kPlaylist is just a single file script. This is handy for simple setups, but can make upgrading tedious if you are using a lot of custom settings. This is because most of the more advanced settings are hardcoded into the script, rather than stored in the database (I’d love to see this change soon…). Actually, there’s a clever tool for simplifying upgrades without a lot of work remembering which variables you changed. You can create your own file, call it kpconfig.php, put it in with you kplaylist install, and store all your custom settings there. Then, each time that you upgrade, all your settings are still right there. The standard kPlaylist install will load this file after all the default settings are loaded, overwriting anything that you want customized. Here’s a sample of my kpconfig.php file:

You might notice two things there. One, I’ve opted to enable a Flash based media player (by turning on xspf_enable and setting xspf_url), so that I can play my music right through a web page (if you can’t figure out how to get it to work after setting it up, go into My > Options > Playlist, and set it as XSPF). You can upload any Flash media player that accepts XSPF playlists (Try out Lacy Morrow’s player, or the JW FLV Media Player for instance). kPlaylist recommends the XSPF Web Music Player, but it’s just awfully lightweight for my tastes. That leads me to the second thing you might notice about my config file. I have two variables that aren’t in the original product. This is for a mod that allows me to control the size of my Flash player in the popup window. The variable window_x and window_y let you control the window’s size, but the players themselves don’t always cooperate with that.

My solution takes two steps. First, create the two additional parameters:

Then, look around line 14,651 for the flashhtml() function. I comment it out, and right after it place this modified version:

That allows the player size to be the full size of the window, minus a few pixels padding. So you can have full flexibility with both the player and its skin size.

There’s this thread in the support forums that you can look at for additional modifications as well, such as DNS (Domain Name Service) lookup on user IP addresses, showing the main directory in a scroll box, and a few others. These require a bit more editing, and will make future upgrades more involved though. You’ll find quite a bit of useful information in the forums that isn’t always available in the normal documentation. If you want to get really crazy, the source code is available too at Get Source page.

kPlaylist is getting increasingly more powerful lately. The enabling of XSPF is older, but still newish in general terms. Video support is being improved, there’s now built in zipping of multiple files (with PHP 5.2), virtual directory support, a network server mode, and more on the way. Still, it’s all around the most lightweight and useful streaming media server software that I’ve used. I do, however, think that there’s room for improvement, and I’m playing with the idea of forking the code and starting a new project based off it. If you’re interested in building a team to do that, contact me and we’ll talk.

So, the internet today provided one of those random needle-in-a-haystack moments to me. It was funny, because with as big as it is, and as much information as is out there, it’s weird when you unexpectedly hit something familiar. I think I have an average sized digital footprint in the grand scale of things, but at the same time, I try to keep it tidy. I generally know where all my stuff is that’s out there.

This morning, a friend had me checking out some music videos on YouTube. This turned into a game of association. Saul Williams turned into Andy McKee, which turned into Jeff Martin, which turned into me getting a random curious bug and searching for an old local band called The Sound and the Fury. They broken up some time back, but I was curious if they had any media out there on da ‘Tube. Imagine my surprise when I saw a video of them covering Superstition. A video from 4 years ago. A video posted by some random patron on the net. A video that I filmed in Joplin at the Green Room during an interview. It was just very unexpected, like when I still worked for KIND and made a radio friendly edit of Teenage Dirtbag by Wheatus, only to be driving around Pittsburg and hear my exact edit of the song on a station here years later.

I hadn’t even thought about this video in the past couple years. Since this unscrupulous person clearly took the video from SuperSatellite where it had been posted in ‘04 when we were still a site for music and concert information, I find it only fitting that I upload it (with proper credit as to the source, me, I might add) and re-present it to you! Here you go, watch and enjoy!

Raise your hand if you watch American Idol. Okay, fair enough. Now, raise your hand if you have been watching one of their latest spinoffs, The Next Great American Band. You know, I was sort of excited for this show, to be perfectly honest. The problem I have with AI is it’s little more than a diva singing competition. I’m not a big solo performing artist fan anyway, except in cases where people I already respect from established groups expand their repertoire through solo stuff. Except Scott Strapp. DIAF Scott Strapp. You suck.

If you can’t tell from my tone yet, the only reason it’s on right now is because there’s nothing else on worth watching. I have an antenna and get a total of four channels. And crap like this is the reason I don’t even bother paying for cable. First off, the title for this show is all wrong. It should be: The Next Great American Cover Band. How the hell can you really tell how good the groups are if you never get to hear any original stuff? And if you know anything about music, you know you can’t throw a dozen bands together and ask them all to perform a single artist next week. Come on, asking a metal band to do Elton John? They’re doing it wrong.

So I want to just do a quick once over on this week to show you what you are “missing” out on. Don’t expect this to be a weekly occurrence, I don’t think I have the stomach for it.

The Host/Judges

Dominic Bowden: Well, he’s from New Zealand. He hosted New Zealand Idol. Apart from that, if he has any musical background, it’s not really a top career note for him. But he’s a host, so no big deal.

Sheila E.: She’s a 50 year old drummer. She’s never been in a notable band (unless you count Prince’s backup band). She’s worked with the likes of Prince and Ringo Starr, but a lot of performers have worked with lots of famous people. Doesn’t give them instant credibility. When you hear about great drummers, you will never see her name along with the likes of Neil Peart, John Bonham, Shinya. But by Buddha, she’s helping find the next great American band.

Ian Dickson: He’s a producer and essentially a counterpart to Simon Cowell. Because that’s how the formula has to work. He’s not as much of an ass, but he does have an accent (English or Australian, depending on the night, but in all fairness he is an English born Australian citizen. Double points!) .

John “How Emo is My Hair Now” Rzeznik: How can I put this delicately? If I had to choose a top 25 of band frontmen to judge on this show, I would lay down $20 that he wouldn’t make my list. The Goo Goo Dolls are okay. I know their singles alright. I have several of their albums. But seriously, they haven’t had a good one since 1998. The only reason Rzeznik still has a career in the first place is because people like spelling his name on stuff. He’s an average vocalist and an okay guitarist, and little more. He’s right at home next to Sheila E. anyway, because neither one is fit to pick from talent that should, in theory, be leagues beyond them. Then again…theory….

The Bands

Dot Dot Dot: Jesus Christ…this band is the Sunjaya of TNGAB (that’s my clever way of shortening The Next Great American Band, because I don’t want to write it over and over). They refuse to die, despite all apparent logic.  Their “frontman” is so androgynous that he gives David Bowie a hard on. Not to mention he’s a terrible singer, and their bassist looks like a used up 40 year old hooker. They’re like the special ed. version of My Chemical Romance. And I hate My Chemical Romance too. Every week I wait for them to go down in flames, and they keep coming back because every 12 year old idiot with a cell phone votes for them.

Denver and the Mile High Orchestra: I actually kinda like these guys. I like the big band quality to their music, and respect the work that goes into coordinating that much instrumentation. But the Mighty, Mighty Bosstones have been there, done that, and kicked these guys’ asses. Not edgy enough and too plain. Probably #2 in the show at this point though, however probably too unique of an arrangement to carry votes that far.

Sixwire: After week one (yes, I watched more than just this week’s episode, but I swear to Buddha that I don’t do it regularly), I said these guys would win. With who’s in the top 5, it’s a certainty now. The problem? Too country-rock. Big and Rich have already done it. But the fact that they are actually country doesn’t really come through, since 80% of the show performances are covers. They are a very tight, well rehearsed, generic band. They cover well, and play well together. I predict two albums before fading into obscurity.

The Clark Brothers: An acoustic three piece. Except…no. In fact, hell no. Sheila E. was speechless after their crappy rendition of You’re in My Heart. I can understand I suppose, I was pretty surprised by how awful it was too. Let’s name some famous three pieces, shall we? Rush. Green Day. ZZ Top. The Jimi Hendrix Experience. Stevie Ray Vaughn and Double Trouble. Cream. See, a three piece is pretty hard to screw up. Bass, guitar, drums. That’s sorta the essence of a trio. When you don’t have drums, and you don’t have bass, that pretty much makes you a novelty. They are pretty boys. They play their instruments fine, but there is no way that an acoustic three piece is the next great American band. I would stop listening to music if they were to win. If it weren’t for the musical poison that is Dot Dot Dot, these guys are at the bottom of my list.

Light of Doom: Okay, I am pulling for these kids. They are like Hanson, if Hanson was fueled by Satan. But seriously, this is a metal band comprised of 12 and 13 year olds that rock harder and play better than people I’ve seen twice their age. The down side, there’s a lot of growing up to do there. They can’t win, I don’t think, no matter how hard they try. In fact, I could see them dropping at any point. They didn’t even know who Elton John and Bernie Taupin were, not that I’d expect them too, but it was certainly funny when they had to say Bernie’s name. But you gotta admit, it’d be cool to be doing something like that at that age. But in the words of Denis Leary: “There’s a giant rehab festival just waiting to happen. Those kids are going to crash and burn, and it’s gonna be great. That drummer, what is he, six? They’re gonna find him in a hotel with an eight-ball and a hooker.”

Special Mention

Franklin Bridge: These guys got dropped three weeks ago. I only mention them, because they were my original #2. And in all fairness, I think they were the “surprise elimination.” They were probably the best band on the show, and the only reason I pegged them at #2 was because of Sixwire’s broader, generic appeal.  Look them up, because they were very underrated, and sure as hell deserved to be on longer than Dot Dot Dot, Très Bien, and Cliff Wagner and the Old #7.  They had a rocky-rap, funk rock, Lenny Kravitz kind of thing going on that worked really well for me.

So that’s that.  I hope I didn’t spoil the fun for you.  But really, there aren’t many reality shows that bug me like this one.  Maybe because I enjoy music, and the fact that they think one of these bands deserves the break they’ll be getting is a mockery.  In fact, none of the top 12 could really hold a candle against the likes of Aerosmith, The Beatles, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Metallica, or any other of the dozens of bands who’s music will live on longer than any of their members.

Raine Maida released a new album last week. Yes, I know that you have no clue who he is. He’s the front man for Our Lady Peace. Yes, I know that you have no clue who they are. That isn’t my fault. You have to make the choice yourself to listen to higher quality stuff. First, Raine is an awesome guy. He’s all about helping the less advantaged and spreading awareness for problems around the world. He went around Toronto performing live on street corners for a day to raise $30,000. Let’s see Gerard Way do that.

Anyway, the The Hunter’s Lullaby is awesome. It’s like folk rap, a sort of poetry put to music. It’s very different form what he has done with OLP, and different from most anything anyone does these days. And the songwriting in it is top notch. He has a great way of storytelling and emotion spinning in his music. Absolutely worth getting.

I’ve been on a couple other things lately too. The new Alter Bridge album, Blackbird, is pretty solid. I’ve always liked their vocals, and the sophomore album retains a tight, hard edge to it.

Seven Mary Three’s does have a new album coming out, dayandnightdriving. I am certainly looking forward to it. In the mean time, I’ve been spinning Dis/location a lot more. The more I listen to it, the more I like it. It hints back a lot to their 1995 American Standard, which I still think is one of the most holistically great albums ever made. I always thought that the departure of guitarist Jason Pollock hurt the quality of the music, The Economy of Sound being the result of that. But Dis/location shows recovery. Hopefully dayandnightdriving continues that trend.

So that’s what I’m currently listening to. Look it up and enjoy.