E Airness Unum: Shopping Spree #1

    For a few years now, it's become a minor tradition to Photoshop various members from the US Air Guitar community into spoofs of modern and popular culture. Current USAG Nationals champion Lieutenant Facemelter, along with two-time Nationals finalists Flying Finn and Van Dammage, are some of the main contributors to this pastime.

    In the image below, 2013 Air Guitar World Champion  Mean Melin (Kansas City, KS) is depicted in the first row, Doug the Thunderstroock of Washington, D.C., (runner-up to Melin) is behind, followed by fourth-place winner Nordic Thunder (2012 AGWC gold medalist from Chicago, IL) and then completed with fifth-place finisher Lieutenant Facemelter of San Diego, CA. This particular lineup marks the first time in AGWC history that four of the top five spots were claimed by representatives of the same country.

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    The second work was inspired by last fall's celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month then based on a poster for the first "Machete" film. Clockwise from the top are two-time Nationals finalist Dry Ice (Chicago, IL), rookie shredder Veneno (Houston, TX), USAG stage mascot Air Bear (Houston, TX), another two-time Nationals contender Tony Tapatio (the irresistible force of sexual nature in Seattle, WA) and Midwest metal maiden mainstay AirLeigh Legal (Rocky River, OH).

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E Airness Unum: Swag Me To Hell Part 2

    In continuation of recognizing the various characters who have bravely stepped onto the US Air Guitar stage in the past decade.

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E Airness Unum: Swag Me To Hell Part 1

    During this past off-season, there was discussion between a few air guitarists of producing limited-edition promos to enhance the US Air Guitar brand. In 2011, the trading cards that Lieutenant Facemelter (Creative Director of USAG) designed were distributed nationwide to critical acclaim and demand for more keepsakes further intensified. Many projects were pitched yet with the new format, only a scant number came to fruition as of this post. One vein of artwork which did survive the process was re-purposed into a set of collectible postcards, which was meant to illustrate the diverse number of people who have been a part of USAG since its inception in 2003. The images below are a series that have been split to be paired with another card to form a whole. Physical manifestations of each have mostly been given away to this year's participants in the Northeast, though there are some that hope to make it to Finland as well.

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    More images will be shared of this series, so keep checking back until all are revealed and y'all might even see someone you know!

E Airness Unum: 2013 USAG Mid-Atlantic Semifinals (Part 1)

    For the halftime entertainment on July 19th at the 9:30 Club, Washington, D.C., air guitar legend The Shred performs Rush's 2112 which was then followed by 2012 Air Guitar World Champion Nordic Thunder (Chicago, IL) tearing up the stage with a six-minute-sixty-six-second medley tribute to Jeff Hanneman and Slayer.

E Airness Unum: Air Guitar Heroes

    The Air Guitar World Championships is a celebration of music enjoyment, mutual understanding and world peace. Thousands of people from all over the planet gather each summer in the town of Oulu, Finland for this event that bridges language barriers, religious beliefs and political leanings to find out which international representative best embodies the philosophy that by holding an air guitar one cannot commit atrocities with a firearm. Though superficially confusing and at times downright inane, none who participate in this annual quest for global harmony can deny its earnest desire to bring about the best in others through rhythmic and physical expressions.

    One such competitor, Germany's own Geeky Gisbert (aka J. Fischer), conceived the notion that not only could air guitarists convey their individual messages on stage but also via stories collected then printed for all audiences to peruse at leisure. With the United States of America's fourth world champion in ten years, Nordic Thunder of Chicago, as one of his main liaisons, Gilbert was able to compile and edit an impressive number of backgrounds on air guitarists the world over for this first edition of "Air Guitar Heroes - Vom Spielen der Luftgitarre (About Playing Air Guitar)" published by blumenkamp in August of 2012.

© blumenkamp verlag, 2012

© blumenkamp verlag, 2012

   Comprised mostly of entrants from Western countries such as Great Britain, the United States, Germany and France, this fascinating look into the diversely personal histories of Earth's most outstanding air guitarists offers a tantalizing glimpse into defining moments of their lives sixty seconds at a time. One notable trait that all these writers shared was a love and respect of live music performances with a clear goal of conflict-free unification.

    Despite being surrounded by anonymous detractors who unceasingly decry this pursuit as nothing more than vapid and masturbatory adolescent antics, the invisible bonds among air guitarists which come about from determination, dedication and discipline are undeniably real.

    The experiences that one can treasure for a lifetime are best measured by doing what one truly believes is the right thing to do then finding out that it was the correct course of action after all.


    Peace and love to everyone~

E Airness Unum: Rocky Rhoads

    Back in 2011, Chicago hosted the ninth US Air Guitar National Championships, then in this season bore witness to a plethora of worthy talents rising to stake their winning claims in the absence of a regular defender of the Windy City crown. Needless to say, many promising gusts and gales made their fortunate way to the Bluebird Theater in Denver.

    All-around fun girl and Chi-town air guitar scene staple Rocky Rhoads (nee Gina C.) stormed into the Nationals at Bluebird on July 24th, fresh from being awarded the Dark Horse Invitational winner just two nights prior at Bender's Tavern. This whirling dervish of rock energy masqueraded in the guise of a bubbly demeanor yet packed enough punch to floor the crowd and impress the hell out of fellow practitioners.

Exhibit A:

    More scandalous footage from the previous day was then found, which depicted the final moments of an NYC air guitarist named MathRomancer before he was traded for three cases of beer as Rhoads was gleefully sandwiched between Peter Stiff Dickens, Mean Melin and Captain Airhab. Eventually it was resolved as a misunderstanding and quickly forgotten while it rained CorpAIRation bucks in the party bus.

Exhibit B:

    Loaded with charm, cheer and chops, this manic pixie of airness warrants more than a passing notice. If Rocky Rhoads is spotted anywhere, please contact someone immediately by dialing (347) 450-SETH.

So call me maybe.

\m/


"...I'm hell bent on fucking shit up onstage and living the rock and roll dream..."
- Rocky Rhoads, Air Guitar Heroes: About Playing Air Guitar

E Airness Unum: Flying Finn

    The tenth annual US Air Guitar tournament has culminated with a new National Champion and the former title holder going on to bring a fourth Air Guitar World Championship crown back to America. Only Finland boasts more wins with five total since 1996.

****ROCK****

    Appearing with a bevy of 2012 USAG finalists at the Bluebird Theater in Denver this past July was none other than Flying Finn (nee Andrew), who last season had nearly won representation for the city of Chicago but this year earned special bragging rights in Minnesota as its prodigal son of air guitar. Being the hometown hero intensified an already building cloud of airness but those mighty Finns bore it as a badge of rock 'n roll; the struts, windmills and kicks delivered many artistic flourishes properly balanced by a honed edge in this rousing display:

    In addition to spending time to raise an awesome family, Finn puts his other technical skills into creating digital tributes of various members from the air guitar community.

Behold...

    While Finn cuts an imposing figure in real life and much more so on stage, this man is well-versed in embracing this curious fellowship amongst air guitarists and fostering a greater kinship with anyone who shares the same sense of humor.

Awoooooo~


"To err is human, but to air guitar...divine."

- Bjorn Turoque

Sprout of My Mind

    In a previous post I had mentioned wanting to see "Cloud Gate" (aka "the Bean") in Chicago during the 2011 US Air Guitar Nationals week - this being my first extended visit to Illinois, much revelry was to be had with many friends over the next few days and thus Millennium Park was a truly rewarding source of inspiration from and admiration for the Windy City.

    Navigation of the Chicago Transit Authority train system proved convenient due to a familiarity with the complexities of New York City, and the Orange line from Midway Airport delivered me straight to Madison-Wabash Station which was a mere block from my destination.  Despite a sluggish July heat pervading the Midwest, I eagerly followed the shadows at a decent stride with luggage in tow towards the lake.  Emerging from the concrete canyon of West Madison Street into its intersection with North Michigan Avenue afforded a brief glint of the mid-afternoon sun sparkling off the metal monstrosity created by Indian-born British artist Anish Kapoor.  Though Jaume Plensa's monolithic "Crown Fountain" video sculpture flirted with my attention at the park entrance, the increasing allure of justifying this trip to AT&T Plaza as well as the siren call of over-priced hot dogs drew me upstairs instead.  Peering through the stone railings on the south side of the plaza while ascending the stone steps, faint wisps of excited chatter floated past me until "the Bean" finally hove into full view.  After settling down on the east side of the square at a sparsely-shaded table, I rolled a cigarette and took these notes.

    7/20/11    3:30 pm

The size is impressive - a full height taller than most visitors standing within the concave underside.  Surrounding skyscrapers arch gleefully towards the apex (standing 33 feet above ground).  Multiple perspectives are visible from even a single viewing location.  The polished and curved metal surface seamlessly reflects every object in a complete panorama.  Despite its manufactured existence, the very identity and nature of the sculpture is organic.  A blend of artificial and natural environments is accurately echoed by this high-concept, grand-scaled and truly unique work of art.  The simplistic appearance is enjoyable for people from all walks and any stage of life, though a lasting appreciation is attainable by attempting to answer the many questions it raises of our own beings.  Much like the seed of a fruit-bearing plant, this represents the potential of many new discoveries for humankind.

    To further cement its distinctive impression, I walked around the 66-feet-long structure in a spiral circuit until reaching the comfortably shaded arch where many others had already taken refuge from the heat.  In addition to the whimsically distorted images of others present,  particular interest was paid to the multitude of hand prints and smudges left behind on the steel.  Unlike the myriad of graffiti and stickers that pervade NYC structures, these marks were clearly meant to convey ephemeral messages by each individual who also came to enjoy what has become a world-class landmark in Chicago.

    After this immersion in contemporary visual culture, I felt an invigorated sense of purpose in my own artistic ventures then reluctantly yet optimistically continued the journey to Ukrainian Village for a long-awaited reunion with Justin H. (aka "Nordic Thunder"), Chelsie J. (aka "Cannonballmavin") and other members of the US Air Guitar family from all over America.  Though my luck and performance that week fell short of obtaining the 2011 USAG Championship title, ultimately I came away with an immeasurable wealth of love and respect for everyone who made this Baltimoron feel right at home in the Windy City.