Funny Ha Has - An Insane Ian Update 5/14/13

Welp, it's been about two months...time for another one of these! Check out these headlines!

-=New Song/EP=-
-=Dr Demento!=-
-=NY Funny Songs Fest=-
-=Undercover=-
-=Grand Theft Audio has Shipped!=-

Yup! Those are certainly headlines! Now for the stories contained therein...

-=New Song/EP=-

Over at the FuMP, I have released my fourth Epic Video Game medley! It's still up on the main page, so you can still grab the low quality download for free, or pay a dollar for the hi-quality! Or, if you prefer (and haven't gotten the other medleys yet) you can head over to http://insaneian.bandcamp.com and get all four in the new digital only Medley EP.

Also, I may be releasing some REALLY old and rare Insane Ian tracks via Bandcamp in the near future, such as previous bands I've been in, and the Wedding EP (which is now long out of print)...would anyone be interested in such things? Let me know so I know if it's worth my time to release them!

-=Dr Demento!=-

Not sure if you heard (but if you follow comedy music at all, I'm sure you might have) but there's a documentary being made on legendary radio DJ Barry Hansen, aka DR DEMENTO! "Under the Smogberry Trees" just recently had a very successful Kickstarter, and thanks to some wonderful fans, it's getting made with crowdsourced funds! In addition, they're interviewing many folks who've been lucky enough to have their songs featured on the Dr's show, such as the great Luke Ski, Devo Spice, Barnes & Barnes, Richard Cheese...and Insane Ian! More details as they become available.

And hey, speaking of the Doctor's show...Insane Ian's song "You Might Be" (from "Acouschtick) was number SEVEN n the Top Ten for April! Thanks to all who requested it! If you could, please request it again so it can move up the chart for May, and possibly be featured in the year end Funny 25! Just go to http://drdemento.com/request and make your voice heard! You can also stream the show from the site! New episodes every Saturday!

-=NY Funny Songs Fest=-

Speaking of successful Kickstarters, the NY Funny Songs Fest has also been funded, and will be occuring in New York city Thursday May 29th-Sunday June 2nd. Insane Ian will be appearing as part of the "50 Funny Songs" on Friday night at 8:30. For ticket and location details, check out http://www.nyfunnysongs.com

-=Undercover=-

Occasionally, II gets asked to cover a song. No, seriously, it happens. For the GTA Kickstarter, he was asked to cover three...and they're now all up over at http://www.insaneian.com/undercover , as well as a few other covers that he's done. Want Ian to cover your favorite funny song, or cover a song in a funny way? Check out the page for details, and be sure to listen to the latest song, a cover of Buckner & Garcia's (of "Pac-Man Fever" fame) "Froggy's Lament"!

-=Grand Theft Audio has Shipped!=-

Speaking of GTA, it looks like all the copies of GTA have FINALLY gone out to the Kickstarters, the pre-order-ers, and everyone in between. Have you gotten your copy yet? Have you found the easter eggs? What do you think of it? Let us know! It's been two years in the making, so Double I is DYING to know if the long stretch of hard work was worth it to you, the fans. What's your favorite video? Did you find ALL of the typos (they're all intentional, really)? Want more? LET US KNOW! You can either reply (JUST reply, NOT reply all) to this email (that is, if you got this in the mailing list), or fill out the mailing list form on http://www.insaneian.com and put your comments in the comments section. NEAT, HUH?

That's all this time around, kids! More videos and news coming, so be sure to subscribe to Ian's videos at http://www.youtube.com/puddingcapacity as well as following him on twitter ( http://www.twitter.com/insaneianb) and liking him on Facebook ( http://www.facebook.com/insaneianmusic ) for all the up-to-the-damn-second news. Isn't social media grand?

Funny Ha Has - An Insane Ian Update 3/13/13

Hey folks! Lots of awesomeness to talk about! Here are the headlines!

-=New Releases=-
-=Dr Demento Requests=-
-=Appearances=-

Let's get it on!

-=New Releases=-

So...in the past few weeks, I've released...well, a lot of stuff. Firstly, after three long years, the video for DiG DuG IS FINALLY done! In fact the video hit YouTube just three days before the three year anniversary of the release of the single! But, I think the wait was worth it...don't you?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7QUPqOYdhI

Now, with that video done, that means that....yes, Grand Theft Audio is now finally available! GTA is the long awaited CD/DVD collection that Kickstarter funded. THe CD features 22 tracks of my first year at the FuMP, b-sides, live recordings, songs I've guest appeared on, and stuff that just has not been on an album proper. The DVD is chock-a-block full of 13 music videos, two live performances, short films and more! You can get it at my website, www.InsaneIan.com or via the bandcamp site, http://insaneian.bandcamp.com

Also at the bandcamp site, I've released a new EP! "Acouschtick" features 4 "classic" II tunes, 3 brand new songs (including last month's FuMP hit and Mumford and Sons pastiche, "You Might Be"), and two bonus tracks that you can ONLY get from purchasing the EP. It's only available digitally at insaneian.bandcamp.com (tho folks who see II live might be able to grab one of the 30 limited pressings of the EP). It's $5 for 9 tracks! How can you pass it up?

Also, Insane Ian's side project with TV's Kyle called Scooter Picnic has released a new song! We covered the Super Mario Bros Super Show theme song (including the closing credits theme "Do The Mario")! Check it out at http://scooterpicnic.bandcamp.com

-=Dr Demento=-

Speaking of the FuMP, my last FuMP track, "You Might Be" has yet to be played on the show, so I'd love it if folks would request it! Go to http://www.drdemento.com/request and let the good Dr know you want to hear Insane Ian!

However, I'd like to ask you, my fans, for a little help...and this time it's not for me. You guys have been great and awesome at getting me onto the Funny 25 and I am SO appreciative for that. However, a pal of mine whom I feel deserves to be on the year end countdown has yet to reach it, and I'd like your help there. My pal TV's Kyle has released an HILARIOUS song called "Kittens for Sale" (found here: http://www.thefump.com/fump.php?id=1653 ) and it reached #7 on last month's top ten countdown! If you guys request it, maybe you can help Kyle reach his dream of hitting the year end Funny 25! I'd really appreciate it, Kyle would appreciate it, and it's a great song regardless! THANKS!

-=Appearances=-

If you missed it, I appeared at Marscon and Eastern Shore Fan con, both at the beginning of March. My next appearance will be...weekly, in a production of "Room Service" here in Baltimore! The show runs weekends, from April 12th to May 12th at the Vagabonds Theater in Fells Point. Come see me be a frantic hotel owner in the 30's as I try to wrangle a theater troupe attempting to back a production of a new play...all IN my hotel! If you're in town, be sure to come see the show!

That's all this time around! Thanks folks!

Funny Ha Has - An Insane Ian Update 3/13/13

Hey folks! Lots of awesomeness to talk about! Here are the headlines!

-=New Releases=-
-=Dr Demento Requests=-
-=Appearances=-

Let's get it on!

-=New Releases=-

So...in the past few weeks, I've released...well, a lot of stuff. Firstly, after three long years, the video for DiG DuG IS FINALLY done! In fact the video hit YouTube just three days before the three year anniversary of the release of the single! But, I think the wait was worth it...don't you?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7QUPqOYdhI

Now, with that video done, that means that....yes, Grand Theft Audio is now finally available! GTA is the long awaited CD/DVD collection that Kickstarter funded. THe CD features 22 tracks of my first year at the FuMP, b-sides, live recordings, songs I've guest appeared on, and stuff that just has not been on an album proper. The DVD is chock-a-block full of 13 music videos, two live performances, short films and more! You can get it at my website, www.InsaneIan.com or via the bandcamp site, http://insaneian.bandcamp.com

Also at the bandcamp site, I've released a new EP! "Acouschtick" features 4 "classic" II tunes, 3 brand new songs (including last month's FuMP hit and Mumford and Sons pastiche, "You Might Be"), and two bonus tracks that you can ONLY get from purchasing the EP. It's only available digitally at insaneian.bandcamp.com (tho folks who see II live might be able to grab one of the 30 limited pressings of the EP). It's $5 for 9 tracks! How can you pass it up?

Also, Insane Ian's side project with TV's Kyle called Scooter Picnic has released a new song! We covered the Super Mario Bros Super Show theme song (including the closing credits theme "Do The Mario")! Check it out at http://scooterpicnic.bandcamp.com

-=Dr Demento=-

Speaking of the FuMP, my last FuMP track, "You Might Be" has yet to be played on the show, so I'd love it if folks would request it! Go to http://www.drdemento.com/request and let the good Dr know you want to hear Insane Ian!

However, I'd like to ask you, my fans, for a little help...and this time it's not for me. You guys have been great and awesome at getting me onto the Funny 25 and I am SO appreciative for that. However, a pal of mine whom I feel deserves to be on the year end countdown has yet to reach it, and I'd like your help there. My pal TV's Kyle has released an HILARIOUS song called "Kittens for Sale" (found here: http://www.thefump.com/fump.php?id=1653 ) and it reached #7 on last month's top ten countdown! If you guys request it, maybe you can help Kyle reach his dream of hitting the year end Funny 25! I'd really appreciate it, Kyle would appreciate it, and it's a great song regardless! THANKS!

-=Appearances=-

If you missed it, I appeared at Marscon and Eastern Shore Fan con, both at the beginning of March. My next appearance will be...weekly, in a production of "Room Service" here in Baltimore! The show runs weekends, from April 12th to May 12th at the Vagabonds Theater in Fells Point. Come see me be a frantic hotel owner in the 30's as I try to wrangle a theater troupe attempting to back a production of a new play...all IN my hotel! If you're in town, be sure to come see the show!

That's all this time around! Thanks folks!

Nationwide Ain't On My Side

And now, it's time for another chapter of "God Hates Comedy Musicians"

While driving to work on the highway this morning, my car, out of nowhere, suddenly started making a weird noise, like a rattling. As quickly as it started, it got LOUDER and my car started shaking as my check engine light and oil light came on the dashboard. I quickly pulled off the beltway and as I slowed to a stop on the offramp at the traffic signal, my car just turned itself off. And I couldn't turn it back on.

As I sat there with my left turn signal on (b/c my hazard switch broke a while ago) I kept trying to turn the car on while calling work to say I'd be late. I finally got the thing started as it rattled more, and I pulled it into the park-n-ride just off the ramp, where, as I pulled into a parking space, the car died again.

I called Nationwide (my insurance provider) to send roadside assistance to have my car towed, and inquired about if this was covered under my insurance so that I could get a rental car and get to work. I was assured that it was, I just needed to make a claim. I did, and a tow truck was dispatched and a rental set up.

After my car was towed and I got to the rental place, just as I was set to be shown my rental car, a claims adjuster called to find out the details of what went on. As I described the events above, she asked "so, it wasn't an accident?" to which I said "no, as I stated before, my car just suddenly stopped working."

"Well, you're not covered for maintenance."

This is directly contradictory to what the agent in the call center told me. The claims adjuster explained further that since I wasn't covered for maintenance, that no, my rental car would not be paid for by Nationwide.

So now I was stuck with no car to get to work, and my insurance, who told me I was covered, was now telling me "nope, you're not".

I am livid. Why the frak do I have insurance anyway? Everything that has happened with our cars, aside from the roadside assistance, has not been covered. And yet we keep paying monthly for the "service". I especially hate being told one thing, then as I'm about to get the rental, being told the exact opposite, which prevents me from renting the car. I can't pay for the rental car myself, as I'm completely flat broke until tomorrow's paycheck.

So. Pissed. Off.

IT'S FINALLY DONE!

Here's the video for DiG DuG, after three long years of waiting. ENJOY!