ThunderAnt - Episode 1: "This Is Nice" (Stereogum Premiere)
We just told you Corin Tucker's been busy singing along with AT&T spokesman EdVed, but ever wonder what happened to Carrie Brownstein after Sleater-Kinney called it quits? Well, our favorite windmilling guitarist found a formidable partner of her own: SNL funny guy Fred Armisen. The duo, calling themselves ThunderAnt, are creating a series of videos they plan to unleash upon the world (some via Stereogum).
To mark the occasion, we asked ThunderAnt to comment. Armisen passed along the following, which he duly noted "Carrie approves/helped write":
For as long as Carrie and I have been friends we've talked about collaborating on some video projects. We found time in 2005 to film two shorts in Portland: "Boink!" and a piece about Portland bicycle activists that has yet to be released. We had such a great time working together that we wanted to write and shoot more. We had these ideas that didn't necessarily have punch lines or jokes, but they made us laugh, so we got our friends to help us put them together. There are more being written and edited right now and we'll eventually have a site for all the videos.What he doesn't mention: They also wrote the punchy theme music -- Fred on drums, Carrie on keyboards.
Ever the comedy/music hybrid, Armisen also appears on the new Les Savy Fav, has tracked bands at SXSW, directed a video for the Helio Sequence, and back in the day -- before imitating Prince or cymbal splashing as Fericito -- he was a monster drummer for Chicago punks Trenchmouth. Carrie? We all know about her guitar and vocal and etc. prowess, but check out her comic timing in ThunderAnt's first episode, "This Is Nice."
That's just the start. She especially shines in Episode 2, which comes straight to you from a Feminist Bookstore. It'll premiere on Stereogum in the near future. For now, dig this still.
Nice wig, Fred.
Armisen asked us to world premiere this new project for you discerning Stereogum readers, so bonus points if you keep your criticism constructive. If not, he's showing up at your place to take you on an awkward date.
Posted at 6:52 PM in Video
Tags: Carrie Brownstein | Fred Armisen | Sleater-Kinney
I thought it was nice!
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That was nice.
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Nice.
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When they said "no punchline," they weren't kidding.
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try and be nice.
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I like the theme song, it's like an old NES cartridge, and the video made me lol, which I don't often do when I'm alone. At the end I'm left imagining the whole thing taking place in a prozac-fueled anti-utopian world, too.
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so why did sleater-kinney breakup? go!
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um...so guys - I started a thoughtful, homegrown internet radio station...it's kicking ass.
come hang out, stereogum/squarepusher picks run wild.
My best.
Seth
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Not bad, but I really wish Carrie was making new music.
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Apologies to Fred, but he should stick to drums. I don't get him. Carrie Brownstein is still foxy as ever. Hooray!
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that was nice.
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Make it NICE brothers and sisters! Peace, Jason
Jason Frost
A&R Manager and Music Licensing Director
A Frosty J Productions (ASCAP) - http://FrostyJ.com
- on Myspace our company's page - http://Myspace.com/FrostyJ
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Make it NICE brothers and sisters, and if you cannot at least make it NICE, then make it GOOD and BETTER. Peace, Jason Frost
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hah, awkward and funny...i've had a date where we both said this is nice, video made me laugh and cringe with recognition.. was lost for a second, though, when fred is first doing arm circles in front of carrie, but once it was clear was funny... loved her high five rebuff!!!
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I liked the first episode, the cuts were alittle too rapid in some areas in my opinion but overall I love the idea and the execution of it. Waiting in anticipation for Ep. 2
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That was pleasant.
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i looove you carrie!!!!
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You had me at the intro!
Loved the soundtrack and animation.
Of course Fred and Carrie can do no wrong in my book.
I'm a big fan of them both.
Keep up the fun and I can't wait for the next "Thunderant" project!
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randy i liked the cuts! i think they made it a little more awkward.
does this remind any one else of the tv show spaced?
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no, but i do like spaced lots.
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oh fred. I think you are so neat. How can anyone not get you?
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That was needing to go somewhere. There needed to be more heightening of the stakes incorporating the "that's nice" with other activities of the date before Carrie's character just snaps or some other twist. That reminded me way too much of of an SNL sketch: one silly bit repeated until the laugh fades away.
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Heh, love the theme music, and it's nice to see Carrie again. Looking forward to future episodes.
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This - is nice.
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That was, in fact, not nice. Rather, it was not funny, and what's worse, boring. Also, the stop motion "moving around and hovering in a field" thing is getting a bit played out, and the Mates of State want their theme song back.
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um, oh well, you cant always be on point. but you realize that you and i and everyone else who watches this wont ever get there time back. so theres that.
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It made me scared.
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I thought the concept of an awkward date was, well, nice, but felt the skit was missing something. Perhaps more facial expressions and body language (demonstrating awkwardness) could make up for the intentionally sparse dialogue. I liked the theme song! Would like to see more music video humor like Flight of the Concords. That is an awesome show, and I think there is room for more shows like that. I think Carrie and Fred have the music background to pull it off without it being too copycat.
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we all get scared
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He was in Trenchmouth???? Really???? NO, Really???? I remember that band- do not remember him. No... Really?
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Brilliant. Er, NICE!
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I worked at a feminist bookstore in Portland 10 yrs ago. This is totally not funny. Oh wait, yes it is.
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