Tag Archives: J-Day

I want a Daft Punk robot helmet for J-Day.

While killing some time I found a couple of videos related to Daft Punk I had to share.  It was interesting to see some of the stuff I found.  Many of you may not know this, but Daft Punk is one of my top 10 bands of all time.  I just don’t talk about them too much.

I love robots and still love me a little electronic music.  Daft Punk is the perfect combination and I can not wait until they come out with new material.

Anyways…  Here is a clip I found explaining the history of where some of their samples came from:

Here is a follow up to that video:

Did you know that Daft Punk had a movie? It was called Electroma and I need a copy. Here is a teaser of the movie:

Of course someone out there decided to be clever and make a fast forward remix of the movie (SPOILER ALERT):

So you made it this far huh?  Well I suppose you want to help me get a Daft Punk robot helmet.  How thoughtful of you.   They retail for anywhere between $14000 and $60000 according to various websites…

I agree, that’s a lot of money.  Now I know you may not be able to spring that for me this holiday season and I forgive you.

Luckily I have located a couple of sites that sell the helmets and others that tell you how to make them.

I found this on The Daily Swarm:

THE MAKING OF…THE DAFT PUNK HELMETS

Daft Punk
Daft Punk

These helmets were commissioned by the punk band Daft Punk for a music video. Over the years, LED Effects has received many inquiries from people who wanted to purchase their own helmet. Unfortunately, these helmets are custom designed stage props and cost over $14,000. While the helmets are reasonably simple in design, the cost of labor and materials make it impractical to mass produce and market them. In addition, Daft Punk owns the copyright and concept rights to the helmets, so there may be additional licensing fees to pay. In short, yes, we can build you a helmet, but it will cost you thousands of dollars and take a year to produce. Here is how the helmets were made:

1. A model shop cast the face of the musician. This was used to create a bust which was
used as a template for the design.

2. The next step was to modify a motorcycle helmet. The body was cut away to allow for
cables and electronics. Two pin holes were provided so the wearer could see out.

3. Clay models were created for all the unique parts. This included a back pack and an arm
band controller.

4. Electronic displays were designed using prototype PC board materials.

5. The LED display panels were assembled by placing each LED one-by-one into a plastic
sheet and glued into place. Each LED required three feet of wiring to connect it to power
and control circuitry. The finished panel was bolted to the helmet frame.

6. The LED cabling was routed around the “ears” of the helmet and out the back. The
helmet cables led down to the backpack where the main controller board was located.

7. The system was originally powered by batteries, but this was later switched over to a
power cord system.

8. The control keypad on the armband was a custom manufactured PC board.

9. Exterior plastic molding and finishing materials were custom manufactured by a special
effects studio to complete the helmet. Once these pieces were added, the helmet details
were touched up with paint.

See?  That’s an easy homemade gift.  So hop to it!  I know you can do it.  I’ll be waiting.

Punk + Rock + X-Mas = Jingle Cats???

Many of you know I do not call the birthday of Jesus by it’s common name.  I skip out on tradition mainly from over exposure of retail during the holiday season.  I see how people really are before the big day.  I have turned away last minute shoppers from buying just one more thing that is not necessary to give.  I have seen nice turn to pure evil in .00056 seconds.  It’s tough being in retail.  I am glad I am out of it and I do not miss it one bit.

I am sure many of you have heard this before but if not, I call this day of giving some refer to as Christmas or X-Mas simply J-Day.  It stands for Jesus Day, you know, the whole reason the day exists for all you religious type out there.

My wife and I are not religious though we do respect people’s beliefs.  We  actually see J-Day a little differently than most mainly because J-Day is the day my wife and I hooked up.    In fact this J-Day will mark 4 years.

Impressive.

We met at a punk rock x-mas party.  I will never forget the night.  We both had rough days and randomly ran in to one another at party my friends threw.  She was actually friends with my best friend’s girlfriend at the time and I remember I kept asking him before the party if she was coming.  They told me she was coming and I figured it was a good day to talk to her.  Good conversation, endless cans of gross Natural Light, and the rest is history…

So what does this blog have to do with punk and rock and x-mas?  Well I have a certain little compilation I listen to every once in a while during the holidays I thought I would share with some of you.  It is a compilation for all you punk rockers out there who like tradition and also like a little out of the ordinary.  The CD really reminds me of the night of the party I met my wife at not because that music in particular was playing but more so the reminder of the combination of punk and holidays.

Punk Rock X-Mas
Punk Rock X-Mas

Track Listing:
1. Punk Rock Christmas, (It’s Gonna Be A) – The Ravers
2. Silent Night – The Dickies
3. Hooray For Santa Claus (Theme From “Santa Claus Conquers The Martians”) – Sloppy Seconds (CD only)
4. F*ck Christmas – Fear
5. Merry Jingle, A – The Greedies
6. There Ain’t No Sanity Claus – The Damned
7. Homo Christmas – Pansy Division
8. It’s Christmas – Bouquet Of Veal (CD only)
9. Merry Xmas Blues – Celibate Rifles (CD only)
10. Merry Christmas (I Don’t Wanna Fight Tonight) – The Ramones (UK single version) 11. Deck The Halls – Metal Mike/Alison & Julia
12. Feliz Navi-Nada – El Vez
13. Run, Run Rudolph – The Humpers (CD only)
14. Daddy Drank Our Xmas Money – TVTV$ (CD only)
15. Here Comes Santa’s Pussy – The Frogs (CD only)
16. Christmas Christmas – Mojo Nixon
17. Mr. Grinch – D.I.
18 White Christmas – Stiff Little Fingers

Choice tracks on the CD would have to be of course The Ramones, Mojo Nixon, and D.I.  I originally bought this on cassette when I was 17 and played the hell out of it.  It was not until a few years back at The Exchange (no way they would ever ever fire me on the day after x-mas) for $5.00.  Worth every penny of it!

So check it out if you dare, or not.

There again if that is too much for you there is always Jingle Cats:

Jingle Cats - "Meowy Christmas"
Jingle Cats -

In case you are wondering, yes I own this CD too.  Well actually I took it away from my old co-workers at a certain little music store one year because they played it daily. 

Just in case your sick sick mind wants to know what Jingle Cats sounds like I found a clip: