"Ultra-talented Drummer, Composer, Producer & Bandleader" Pat Van Dyke Re-releases PVD Breaks, Vol. 1 On DJ-friendly 45 RPM 12-inch Vinyl (Redefinition Records)

"The PVD Breaks [Vol. 1-2] project started as a way for me to hone my skills mixing live drums in my modest Jersey City studio. The goal was to achieve the sound of classic drum breaks using what I had at my disposal, recording different kits in different rooms, with a variety of mics and mic placements, and really taking it a step further during the mixing process to differentiate one breakbeat from the next," Redefinition Records-deemed "ultra-talented drummer, composer, producer, and bandleader" Pat Van Dyke wrote within a recent emailed statement sent to The Witzard. "I always wanted to release the [2010-12] project on vinyl so that producers, DJ's, turntablists, and beat-makers could really manipulate the music in a variety of ways... as they would an open drum break found in the context of an old record. When Redefinition Records hit me up, I was excited to work with a label who’s had such a long run of quality releases with artists like K-Def, Klaus Layer, and Damu [The Fudgemunk]. I’m grateful for their help in making the vinyl release a reality and for getting the music into the hands of the right people. I also want to give a shout out to Joe Buck for hooking up the artwork and layout for the 12-inch," PVD enthusiastically continued.

Jersey City native Pat Van Dyke (no relation to Dick) has worked alongside John Robinson, Suff Daddy & Mayer Hawthorne, Lux DeVille emcee 8th W1, Melinda Camille, Fancy Colors, and MAX Digatron and has additionally had his music showcased within FOX, NBC, MTV, VH1, Comedy Central sitcoms, and has provided the soundtrack to viral videos from the likes of VICE Magazine and Jerry Seinfeld’s Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee. "I initially released [PVD Breaks] Volume 1 & Volume II on my own (digital only). When Redefinition Records hit me up about releasing the project on vinyl, we re-titled it as simply Volume 1, but included the best breaks from both of the original releases," PVD replied when asked about the project's relation to his 2010-12 Bandcamp-released PVD Breaks Volume 1 & Volume II projects. PVD Breaks, Vol. 1 is fittingly advertised by Redefinition Records as "26 original drum break loops played live by the ultra-talented musician/band leader, Pat Van Dyke; vinyl cut at 45 RPM for high quality playback/sampling; various mic techniques implemented for optimal sound quality; recorded and tracked in different studio rooms for texture/variety." Flea Market Funk founder and writer DJ Prestige enthusiastically attests that "the combination [of Pat Van Dyke & Redefinition Records] is deadly, and if you’re looking for quality, royalty free drum breaks, plus a variety of synths, horns, and keyboards, you came at the right place."

"Let Me Shine for You:" Lindsay Lohan for Playboy (Winter 2011-12 Leak)

Lindsay Lohan essentially embodies exactly "What NOT to Do In Hollywood :" Fame, fortune, success... sex, drugs & Rock "N" Roll . Within a fairly short period of time, Lohan somehow managed to obtain a plentiful helping of POWER @ a very young age. This gradual rise-downfall was captured on film; Between 1998-2010, she portrayed a wide array of roles across the silver screen in movies including: Mean Girls, Bobby , Herbie Fully Loaded , Georgia Rule, Machete , and Freaky Friday . Between rapid-paced film shoots, Lindsay Lohan also found time to record 2 Pop Rock albums for Casablanca , Speak (2004) and A Litter More Personal-Raw (2005). Needless to say, Lindsay Lohan has gotten roped up in a lot of troubles and woes with the law over the last 3-5 years... a vicious cycle of drugs, arrest, court, rehab, "daddy issues," jail time [Repeat]. That's the pure basics of it - But Google that shit for additional info, if necessary. Towards the end of...

[W]reckless, Topless American Youth: Lana del Rey - "Born 2 Die" (Britney Spears Birthday 30)

Lana del Rey [Lizzy Grant] effectively became 2011's "It Girl" with the release of her phenomenal debut single, "Video Games" (Stranger) . Like many struggling singer-songwriters, Grant has been signed, dropped, and significantly changed her public image since bursting onto the scene (2009). With that said, it can be assumed that Lana del Rey has collected just as many "haters" as she has avid supporters. To be perfectly honest, the only other artist I can think of that made this much commotion... garnered so much wide-spread buzz/hate and critical acclaim -- right out of the gates -- with just one track is Britney Spears . And maybe in this post- Mike musical era, that's the true synthesis of Pop Culture: Britney Lynn Spears . After months of repeated teasing and speculation, Lana del Rey 's major label debut, Born 2 Die will [finally] be released this coming Jan. 30-31, 2012. Pitchfork reports that it will feature "Off to The Ra...

Liberty Bell Cracked In 1/2: Ween - "Freedom of '76" (Gene Ween's Final Send-Off)

Chocolate & Cheese (1994) was one of the first albums I bought with my own money. I was in some sort of BMG Music Club , where you'd buy 5 CD's and then get 10 for "FREE." It was all sent through mail order and you picked the titles from some special booklet. I'm almost positive that Chocolate & Cheese's side boob-baring album cover was what initially drew me in... mind you, I was 12-15 and the zany Ween logo/middle finger CD graphic really didn't hurt either. Honestly, I forget how I really felt about it @ the time, but a few years later, my older cousin Josh told me that Ween were this BIG college "jam band." CKY did some sort pf 93.3 radio takeover to promote their new album and played "Freedom of '76" late that night on air. Needless to say, I re-visited Chocolate & Cheese @ about 20-something this go 'round and I fucking loved it! Ween were really weird, yet talented... almost too talented. I can vaguel...

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