We here at Quick Stop Entertainment are true lovers of music, in all its forms. We’re also quite keen on the spirit of competition, and of spurring creativity through said competition.

To that end, we launched a brand new form of creative combat here at the Stop – Masters of Song Fu.

In this age of manufactured and painfully earnest talent contests, we’ve decided to instead shine a light on the quirky, quixotic underworld of musicians that don’t get nearly the attention they deserve.

Ah, but I did mention that there was a competition involved…

We invited 28 challengers to pick up the thrown-down gauntlet (You know, some spares as well). 26 Responded in time.

Like a songwriting version of Iron Chef, these 26 competitors are presented with a very specific songwriting challenge. They’ll be given one week to complete their songs – however they see fit, within the parameters set forth – after which time the entries will be uploaded to Quick Stop to be voted on by you, the readers.

In past editions of Song Fu, we’ve used these votes to eliminate Challengers as we’ve progressed from Challenge to Challenge. For this cycle, however, we’ve decided that all of the Challengers will be able to compete in every Challenge, and the Challenger with the most cumulative votes after the 3 Challenges will be the one that takes on the Master in the Final Round. So what was the first Challenge?

ROUND 1 CHALLENGE

In light of all the doom and gloom of recent months, as financial markets crashed and winter closed in, we’re going to kick things off with a rather straightforward challenge. You can interpret this challenge however you’d like – how you do so will give people a sense of just what your songwriting personality and style is…

Your first challenge is to WRITE A HAPPY SONG.

That’s it. The only other directive is that your song must run no shorter than 1 minute 45 seconds.

After voting on Round 1, our masters and Challengers were then given their second Challenge…

ROUND 2 CHALLENGE

Write a song containing *exactly* 10 unique words (this includes words such as a, and, the, etc.). You can repeat the words you choose as few or as many times as you want, but the sum total of the unique words can not be less than or more than 10.. You can write on any topic and in any style. Your song must run no shorter than 1 minute 15 seconds.

Here’s a word cloud look at what everyone chose:

After voting on Round 2, our masters and Challengers were then given their third Challenge…

ROUND 3 CHALLENGE

For your third challenge, you have to write a song with the title “It All Makes Sense At The End”. You can interpret what song would be given that title in any way you see fit. Your song must run no shorter than 1 minute 45 seconds.

You’ll find the Round 1 & Round 2 songs from each of our Masters & Challengers below, as well as the results of the Round 1 & 2 voting. More importantly, though, you’ll also find the Round 3 Challenge songs and be able to place your votes. Remember folks – this is the last challenge before the Final, and will decide who goes mano-a-mano with a Master!

MASTERS OF SONG FU

For this edition of Song Fu, we’re bringing in 2 (well, 3, if you’re being technical) very special Masters who you’ll be going up against. Think of them as the iron chefs of Song Fu, and your ultimate challengers, as you’ll square off against one of them mano-a-mano in the Final Round:

NEIL INNES

If you’re a bit puzzled but there’s a little twinge of recognition niggling at your subconscious right now, it’s probably because you already know who Neil Innes is without even realizing it.

It was during the Jurassic period (the late 60s) that Neil was a member of the legendary Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band. Madcap purveyors of esoteric music (Who else would revive music hall standards in the age of rock? They did it, and it worked!), their biggest hit was the deceptively poignant “I’m the Urban Spaceman.”

While firmly ensconced within the Bonzos, Neil first became acquainted (and vice-versa) with Eric Idle, Michael Palin, Terry Gilliam, and Terry Jones while working on DO NOT ADJUST YOUR SET, a children’s show whose viewers tended to skew a bit older than the intended audience. Eric, Mike, and the two Terrys went on to form MONTY PYTHON with Graham Chapman and John Cleese. The Pythons called on Neil’s musical skills numerous times over the years, particularly when producing their best-selling albums. When John Cleese decided to move on to greener pastures prior to PYTHON’s fourth series, Neil stepped into the void as a contributing writer and performer.

Not able to escape the Pythons so easily, Neil was also tapped for MONTY PYTHON & THE HOLY GRAIL, contributing music and a memorable performance as the annoyingly truthful minstrel of Eric Idle’s cowardly Sir Robin. Still not willing to let him get away just yet, Neil was brought in again for their follow-up film, THE LIFE OF BRIAN (wherein he outruns certain death during the colosseum debate scene).

Even while working with the Pythons, Neil continued his solo career, releasing numerous albums on his own as well as with the groups The Grimms and The World. His BBC program, INNES BOOK OF RECORDS, ran for 3 series and featured 90 original tunes. From torch song and ballad to rock and parody, the show featured an exceedingly wide range of styles.

It was during the latter-half of the 70s, however, that Neil produced his most enduring work. While collaborating with Eric Idle on the post-Python TV series RUTLAND WEEKEND TELEVISION, the two devised a brief HARD DAY’S NIGHT parody with Idle portraying a boring filmmaker (so boring the camera ran from him) and Innes providing the Beatles-esque “I Must Be in Love.” During his next hosting gig on SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE, Idle unleashed the short film on the American public. That led to SNL’s Lorne Michaels producing a mockumentary of the mock-band, named The Rutles, for NBC. ALL YOU NEED IS CASH aired on March 22, 1978, starring Eric and Neil as one half of the “Pre-Fab Four” and featuring songs by Innes. In 1996, Innes reunited with Rutles bandmates John Halsey and Ricki Fataar to release THE RUTLES: ARCHEOLOGY, which sported 16 brand new tracks “discovered in the vaults,” a la THE BEATLES ANTHOLOGY.

He recently released a new solo album, WORKS IN PROGRESS, and a brand new reunion album with the Bonzos, POUR L’AMOUR DES CHIENS. Neil continues to write and perform, and is in the process of recording his next solo album.

Official Website: www.innesbookofrecords.com
Twitter: twitter.com/NeilInnes
ROUND 1 SONG: “Imitation Song (Ron Nasty’s Last Song)”
ROUND 2 SONG: Unfortunately, Neil Innes had to pull out of this round due to professional commitments.

PAUL & STORM

Paul and Storm are a comedy music duo, and they have been performing as a duo since 2004. Before that, they were one half of a cappella band Da Vinci’s Notebook for about 12 years. A Paul and Storm show is part music concert and part standup/improv comedy–just enough of both to fit neatly in neither category. They like to engage the audience, and are known to award snack cakes and/or other prizes for good (and sometimes bad) behavior. Their show would be PERFECT as a cable special, and would make lots of money for whichever brave channel decides to air them first.

Official Website: www.paulandstorm.com
Twitter: twitter.com/paulandstorm
ROUND 1 SONG: “Hippie with a Djembe”
ROUND 2 SONG: “Boolean Love Song” (WORDS USED: Amy, Bobby, Mary, if, then, equals, and, not, loves, happy)
ROUND 3 SONG: Sadly, Paul & Storm were eaten by dingoes in the night. They shall return for the Final.

GARFUNKEL & OATES

Riki “Garfunkel” Lindhome and Kate “Oates” Micucci make up this band, which is a mixture of acoustic folk, comedy and pure sugar. Riki has been seen in The Changeling, My Best Friend’s Girl, Pushing Daisies, Gilmore Girls and Million Dollar Baby. You can catch Kate in Scrubs, When in Rome, Four Kings, How I Met Your Mother, or in her one-woman show “Playing with Micucci” at the Steve Allen Theater.

Official Website: www.garfunkelandoates.com
Twitter: twitter.com/KateMicucci
ROUND 1 SONG: “The Happy Song”
ROUND 2 SONG: Unfortunately, Garfunkel & Oates had to drop out of this round for health reasons.

In a moment, you’ll discover the details of the first challenge. First, though, here is the list of challengers:

THE CHALLENGERS

JEFF MacDOUGALL

Jeff’s stint of reigning challenger in MoSF#1 (yet ultimately losing to Master Jonathan Coulton) has won him critical acclaim from around the world. Or is it criticism from around his house? Either way, he’s back for more and hoping to balance bringing the Fu with taking out the trash.

Official Website: www.jeffmacdougall.com
Twitter: twitter.com/jeffmacdougall
ROUND 1 SONG: “The Bop Bop Song”
ROUND 2 SONG: “Free Love” (WORDS USED: see, I, like, could, love, so, me, and, free, you)
ROUND 3 SONG: “It All Makes Sense At The End“

EDRIC HALEEN

Edric has been writing music (off and on) for the past fifteen years. He wrote and directed a musical, The Pushcart War, based on Jean Merrill’s wonderful novel. He has written and/or arranged a number of songs for various friends – some commissioned, some as surprises. He loves acting in community theatre, and is inspired by the music of Stephen Sondheim, Jason Robert Brown, Adam Guettel, Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty – and yes, Jonathan Coulton, who in addition to writing wonderful songs, also served as a portal to finding out about the Song Fu competition.

Official Website: www.youtube.com/watch?v=2arBC7f-6FY
ROUND 1 SONG: “(Happiness)”
ROUND 2 SONG: “Extreme Mad-Libs (Song Fu Edition)” (WORDS USED: adjective, pronoun, name, verb, noun, article, adverb, preposition, conjunction, interjection)
ROUND 3 SONG: “It All Makes Sense At The End“

“BUCKETHAT” BOBBY MATHESON

I’m “BucketHat” Bobby Matheson. I used to make cartoons for the internet, and sometimes still do, but mostly focus on my music right now. Lately, I’ve been getting more into recording other singer/songwriters in my little, make-shift studio than I have been recording myself. I want Masters Of Song Fu to change that. I don’t really know what genre my music would fall under. Influences range from Klezmer to folk, to punk and back, which ends up sounding more like Zydeco than anything else (who’d have guessed?). I’ve been thinking of dropping the “BucketHat” from my stagename, but fear change.

Official Website: www.buckethatbobby.randomsociety.com
Twitter: twitter.com/BucketHatBobby
ROUND 1 SONG: “You Gotta Smile”
ROUND 2 SONG: “My Romantic Interest In You Is Dwarfed By The Amount Of Money I Will Undoubtedly Be Making Off Of This Song (“Love Why You Love Me”)” (WORDS USED: who, me, you, I, are, am, why, love, do, too)
ROUND 3 SONG: “It All Makes Sense At The End“

INSANE IAN

Insane Ian is a comedian and writer from Baltimore, Maryland who specializes in all things nerdy, both in parody and original compositions. From Sci-fi TV shows and films, to video games, to comic books – no nerdy topic escapes his sardonic (and satiric) wit. Among his peers – such as Sudden Death, the great Luke Ski, Jonathan Coulton and, of course, “Weird Al” Yankovic – he is the only artist to have written this bio, and remains at the top of that list. Currently, his song “Guitar Hero” (from his upcoming album n3rds0ngs) was the 11th most requested song on the Dr. Demento radio show in 2008. Usually for a song, I.I. surrounds himself with talented people to make himself look better… and now is no exception, as friend and producer Benjamin Stahl helps on instrumental duties.

Official Website: www.insaneian.com
ROUND 1 SONG: “Happy”
ROUND 2 SONG: “Consortium Of Comprehension” (WORDS USED: I, did, not, quite, fully, understand, the, challenge, this, week)
ROUND 3 SONG: “It All Makes Sense At The End“

JOE “COVENANT” LAMB

My name is Joe Lamb, I’ve been known online as JoeCovenant, or JoeCov, Or just Cov for the last decade or so. I’m 45 and have been performing for 40 of those years. Up until 2005 I was solely a professional actor/singer, but I am now also a Civil Servant and work for Her Majesty. I’ve been playing guitar since I was 10, but still think Bar Chords are things played in pubs. (I can’t do ’em!) I’m not too bad on the Bhodran and can pick out a tune on a keyboard when pushed… really hard. I’ve always been frustrated that my ideas outdistance my abilities, so my output is always rather simplistic… But I like to think that, occasionally, synergy does its job well! This contest will be my first use of my new recording equipment… hope it doesn’t throw my limitations to the fore!

Official Website: www.mikeoldfield.net/shadowland.html
ROUND 1 SONG: “What Makes You Feel Happy”
ROUND 2 SONG: “I Wish I Could Tell You I Love You” (WORDS USED: could, I, wish, love, can’t, know, but, you, do, tell)
ROUND 3 SONG: “It All Makes Sense At The End“

MICK BORDET

Mick Bordet steadfastly insists on bouncing between and across genres at every opportunity like a hummingbird with ADD, using an eclectic collection of instruments for his sonic palette, from guitar and ukulele to theremin, yobstick and electric harmonium. Mick is a founder member of “The Lunacy Board”, Scotland’s premier progressive avant-garde skiffle duo, and cites influences as diverse as Edgard Varèse, Ivor Cutler, Conlon Nancarrow, and Roy Harper, to name but four. The duo have recently released three debut albums, including one written, recorded, and mixed within a single day. Mick’s latest project is a year-long weekly podcast set in an alternative universe as it diverges from our reality.

Official Website: mickbordet.blogspot.com
ROUND 1 SONG: “Happy People”
ROUND 2 SONG: “What Is Wrong” (WORDS USED: doctor, what, is, wrong, with, me, you, need, some, methionylglutaminylarginyltyrosylglutamylseryl-
leucylphenylalanylalanylglutaminylleucyllysylglutamylarginyl- lysylglutamylglycylalanylphenylalanylvalylprolylphenylalanyl- valylthreonylleucylglycylaspartylprolylglycylisoleucylglutamyl- glutaminylserylleucyllysylisoleucylaspartylthreonylleucyl- isoleucylglutamylalanylglycylalanylaspartylalanylleucylglutamyl- leucylglycylisoleucylprolylphenylalanylserylaspartylprolyl- leucylalanylaspartylglycylprolylthreonylisoleucylglutaminyl- asparaginylalanylthreonylleucylarginylalanylphenylalanyl- alanylalanylglycylvalylthreonylprolylalanylglutaminylcysteinyl- phenylalanylglutamylmethionylleucylalanylleucylisoleucylarginyl- glutaminyllysylhistidylprolylthreonylisoleucylprolylisoleucyl- glycylleucylleucylmethionyltyrosylalanylasparaginylleucylvalyl- phenylalanylasparaginyllysylglycylisoleucylaspartylglutamyl- phenylalanyltyrosylalanylglutaminylcysteinylglutamyllysylvalyl- glycylvalylaspartylserylvalylleucylvalylalanylaspartylvalyl- prolylvalylglutaminylglutamylserylalanylprolylphenylalanyl- arginylglutaminylalanylalanylleucylarginylhistidylasparaginyl- valylalanylprolylisoleucylphenylalanylisoleucylcysteinylprolyl- prolylaspartylalanylaspartylaspartylaspartylleucylleucylarginyl- glutaminylisoleucylalanylseryltyrosylglycylarginylglycyltyrosyl- threonyltyrosylleucylleucylserylarginylalanylglycylvalylthreonyl- glycylalanylglutamylasparaginylarginylalanylalanylleucylprolyl- leucylasparaginylhistidylleucylvalylalanyllysylleucyllysyl- glutamyltyrosylasparaginylalanylalanylprolylprolylleucyl- glutaminylglycylphenylalanylglycylisoleucylserylalanylprolyl- aspartylglutaminylvalyllysylalanylalanylisoleucylaspartylalanyl- glycylalanylalanylglycylalanylisoleucylserylglycylserylalanyl- isoleucylvalyllysylisoleucylisoleucylglutamylglutaminylhistidyl- asparaginylisoleucylglutamylprolylglutamyllysylmethionylleucyl- alanylalanylleucyllysylvalylphenylalanylvalylglutaminylprolyl- methionyllysylalanylalanylthreonylarginylserine)
ROUND 3 SONG: “It All Makes Sense At The End“

THE MASKED STRANGER

The Masked Stranger (a.k.a Neal John Mac Rae), is a self proclaimed noise/folk artist from Nova Scotia, Canada. Although his work has gone completely unnoticed on an official level, he has still managed to garner several fans from Australia and amoungst his close friends. The Masked Stranger project started in 2004 when Neal John recorded “The River Song”, a simple panflute tune he furiously augmented and destroyed on his computer. Since then he has created roughly 30 other distinctly more destroyed and demented tracks under the moniker of The Masked Stranger. His music has been described as “a total disregard for musical theory”, “aaaaaaaah!”, “raw and grating”, “annoying”, “Twisting is a word I want to use to describe it… Very natural and earthly”, and “disturbing and yet… strangely enjoyable”. His most well liked and most consistant piece “Rue The Red” was described by Cape Breton goregrind artist Devin Meaney as “a posessed man jigging out on the strings of his creator. Like a puppet, devouring the flesh of god. And this is exactly what it reminds me of, no joke.”. This awkward and soil laiden musician’s journeys into the abrassive and the tribal only threaten to continue.

Official Website: www.myspace.com/themaskedstranger777
ROUND 1 SONG: “My Personal Eccentric Happiness”
ROUND 2 SONG: “The Mushroom Folk Devour The Tresspasser” (WORDS USED: mushroom, folk, oh, the, devour, tresspasser, dance, prance, punishment)
ROUND 3 SONG: “It All Makes Sense At The End“

TIMOTHY RUSH

On stage I am Timmy Vendetta. I’m 18 and I live with my mom and her wife. I hope to become famous and live vicariously through a hamster.

Official Website: www.myspace.com/tweed234
ROUND 1 SONG: “The Happy Song”
ROUND 2 SONG: “Chanhgrila” (WORDS USED: life, love, time, is, pure, strong, dead, gone, strange, wrong)
ROUND 3 SONG: “It All Makes Sense At The End“

CRABBYDAD

Crabbydad is a writer/sound designer/musician who, four years ago, was forced to leave all of his bands and musical compatriots behind in Chicago when his Old Lady got herself a proffesorin’ gig at a giant university in a tiny mid-Michigan town that’s devoid of any sort of culture, musical or otherwise. So he started recording songs with his kids and posting them on his blog for his four or five readers to hear. When he’s not recording songs about spiders and/or poop, he creates comedy, sound effects, and music for a company called Jellyvision, Inc.

Official Website: crabbydad.blogspot.com
ROUND 1 SONG: “Happy (H.A.P.P.Y.)”
ROUND 2 SONG: “Machine” (WORDS USED: machine, serious, circuit, trouble, blood, courage, three, two, one, danger)
ROUND 3 SONG: “It All Makes Sense At The End“

HANK GREEN

Hank Green never wrote a song until his eternal passion for Helen Hunt (both as an actress and a woman) started off a multi-year YouTube project in which he writes a song every other Wednesday. The songs are part of a larger project in which he and his brother discuss their lives, their world, and the community of which they are a part. Their videos have now been watched more than 20 million times. Hank’s first album, SO JOKES, was just released and is available at DFTBA.com.

Official Website: www.nerdfighters.com
Twitter: twitter.com/ecogeek
ROUND 1 SONG: “The Deep Sea Anglerfish”
ROUND 2 SONG: “I Know” (WORDS USED: I, don’t, think, know, you, what, that, but, baby, maybe)
ROUND 3 SONG: “It All Makes Sense At The End“

MIKE LOMBARDO

Mike Lombardo is a piano-playing pop-rock singer-songwriter who likes to use hyphens when describing his occupation. He has been known to write songs about just about anything, including rocks and SAW 4. When not banging on a piano, Mike spends most of his time  playing way too many video games and fighting with his roomate. Currently finishing up his degree in Songwriting from Berklee College of Music, he will be touring the country this summer with his band, the Mike Lombardo Trio. Feel free to go to his website and send him lots of money. Or cookies.

Official Website: www.mikelombardomusic.com
Twitter: twitter.com/mikelombardo
ROUND 1 SONG: “Caroline”
ROUND 2 SONG: “Sandwich Girl (Lunchtime Lovestory)” (WORDS USED: lunch, cafe, sandwich, line, girl, be, mine, make, me, and)
ROUND 3 SONG: “It All Makes Sense At The End“

JALEPENO HABANEROS

In the far off land of Chandler, Arizona, where the rivers flow with sand and cacti, our leader and master, the Lord of Our Lady Gwynyth, guitar and microphone in hand, called for the greatest musicians in the land to assemble a rock and roll group like none other. Unfortunately, they were cut off on the road, and the Jalapeño Habañeros made it there first. With The Rogue Bohemian on saxophone and The Boxcar Bassist on bass and keyboards, the Lord was pleased. Now, they roam the streets of Chandler, playing epic songs and rocking faces, much like Bon Jovi. Unfortunately they are paid in change, and often get thrown into the street, also like Bon Jovi. Their lives have intertwined, and the era of the Jalapeño Habañeros has begun. Be prepared.

Official Website: None
ROUND 1 SONG: “The Pompadour Song”
ROUND 2 SONG: “Let’s Not Tip It Over” (WORDS USED: we’re, gonna, rock, the, boat, let’s, not, tip, it, over)
ROUND 3 SONG: “It All Makes Sense At The End“

HAZEN NESTER

Hazen Nester is a multi-platinum-selling*, award-winning**, and incredibly gifted† songwriter.  His works have been described as “heavenly”, “complex”, and “thought-provoking” by his critics and fans.††  He has, to date, three full albums‡, two EPs‡‡, and is currently working on a new collection of work§. He holds a B.S. degree§§, an MFAâ•‘, and a PhDâ•‘â•‘ and currently lives in Michigan, where he spends his days writing songs and working in the fulfilling and worthwhile sector of public-access television.  Apart from songwriting, his hobbies include cinema, golf, and the occasional role in various stage and audio productions. 🙂 [* – Lie, ** – Another lie, † – Bold-faced lie, †† – His mom. They’re one and the same, really., ‡ – More lies, ‡‡ – Yet another lie, § – Another lie. No, wait, actually that one’s true., §§ – In film. How appropriate., ? – Lie. What a surprise there., ?? – Do I really have to put this here?, 🙂 – That’s probably the most truthful statement in this entire document.]

Official Website: www.hazennester.com
ROUND 1 SONG: “Wide-Eyed Happy”
ROUND 2 SONG: “A Cliche Love Song” (WORDS USED: I, love, you, don’t, leave, me, won’t, forgive, baby, but)
ROUND 3 SONG: “It All Makes Sense At The End“

AUDIOMOHEL

Forged in the furnace of irony, molded with the hammer of satire, flattened on the anvil of righteousness, and cooled in the water of awesomeness, AudioMohel was thrust upon the world. Named from the lost audio transcripts of ’09, AudioMohel serves as a public-service backlash against the anti-circumcision trend sweeping the so-called “enlightened parents” crowd, AudioMohel urges their more devoted and impressionable fans to undergo the snip two or even three times. AudioMohel enjoys experimenting with new breakthrough genres like speed blues and death classical even though most of AudioMohel’s tunes reside firmly in the ethereal realm of vapor-ware. Some of AudioMohel’s members admitted to being a bit intimidated by the professed experience and actual musical talent apparently possessed by the Song Fu Masters, but finally it was decided that if the need arose, sabotage would not be out of the question. To be used as a last resort, naturally, but not out of the question.

Official Website: www.AudioMohel.com
Twitter: twitter.com/AudioMohel
ROUND 1 SONG: “Parole Day”
ROUND 2 SONG: “Greasy Bacon” (WORDS USED: bacon, crispy, greasy, need, get, some, Canadian, making, tasty, kevin)
ROUND 3 SONG: “It All Makes Sense At The End“

MOLLY LEWIS

When she’s not bluffing her way through college courses or looking passably attractive from a distance, Molly Lewis enjoys playing ukulele, microwaving marshmallow Peeps, talking to cats, and Twittering. Early last year, she wrote two original songs, “MyHope” and “Road Trip”. “MyHope” is about the inevitable day when our children will learn how to navigate the interweb and how they will LOL at our old internet presences, namely MySpace; of “Road Trip”, Molly says it’s about “that astronaut lady who went crazy and wore the diapers, you remember that?”  She has not written any songs since.  Hopefully this competition will remedy that. When Molly was in middle school, she took up the guitar. That sank into the swamp. So she took up the mandolin. That sank into the swamp. So she took up the banjo. That burned down, fell over, then sank into the swamp. But the ukulele has stayed. And that’s what you’re going to get, Quick Stop Entertainment: the strongest ukulele in all of Tacoma, Washington.

Official Website: www.sweetafton23.com/primer/
Twitter: twitter.com/Molly23
ROUND 1 SONG: “I Pity The (Song) Fu”
ROUND 2 SONG: “Peep Fight” (WORDS USED: marshmallow, Peeps, toothpicks, microwave, sword, fight, stomach, put, in, the)
ROUND 3 SONG: “It All Makes Sense At The End“

JUTZE SCHULT

Johannes “Jutze” Schult (from Germany) likes to make songs about weird stories and situations. It’s all about creating a musical scenario that is somewhat original, yet believable by some stretch of imagination. Jutze used to play drums in a heavy metal band, and then founded his own pop band where he played guitar. These days he’s mainly doing solo work for the fun of it.

Official Website: www.jutze.com
Twitter: twitter.com/schult
ROUND 1 SONG: “A Mallful Of Brains”
ROUND 2 SONG: “God Of Bingo” (WORDS USED: bingo, Jimmi, Simpson, is, awesome, rocks, the, god, of, he)
ROUND 3 SONG: “It All Makes Sense At The End“

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ROUND 3 VOTING

And now, it’s time for that all important voting. For this round, you can choose your TOP 5 FAVORITE Challenger songs. Be sure to choose carefully. VOTING CLOSES AT 11:59pm EST on THURSDAY, APRIL 9th.

ROUND 3 VOTING – THE CHALLENGERS

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ROUND 1 VOTING RESULTS – THE CHALLENGERS

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ROUND 1 VOTING RESULTS – THE MASTERS

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ROUND 2 VOTING RESULTS – THE CHALLENGERS

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ROUND 2 VOTING RESULTS – THE MASTERS

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If you triumph, not only will you win remarkable (and potentially off-putting) bragging rights and a clutch of fantastic mystery prizes, you will also become the proud owner of the magnificent, one-of-a-kind MASTER OF SONG FU TROPHY.

Good luck, and bring on the Fu.

Comments: 67 Comments

67 Responses to “Masters Of Song Fu #3: Round 3 Challenge Voting Begins!” Sport Goggle Says: April 8th, 2009 at 4:48 pm “is” should be in. Like I said. Hank Says: April 8th, 2009 at 7:59 pm Hrm?! Yeah, I don’t know. I didn’t tell anyone about it this time, and I can’t find in any of my forums where they might have been talking about it. Sorry about that, but it looks like Molly will win overall in any case. She totally pwnd us all with I Pity the (song) Fu. I didn’t want to tell anyone at first, but then some folks were like “the more the merrier!!” so I mentioned the contest along with my release of the 10-word song. Hard to make these things fair…there were so many great songs this round. I felt like mine got progressively worse while everyone else was getting progressively better. BucketHatBobby Says: April 8th, 2009 at 11:40 pm You’re not the only one, Hank. I know I personally took a step backwards each challenge, and a few steps backwards from MoSF #2. My stuff from #2, I’m genuinely proud of, but I wouldn’t play any of my songs from #3 in front of people… ever… Next year, when I’m out of school, and just have my jobs to worry about, I’ll hopefully be a bit better. Tacy Says: April 8th, 2009 at 11:44 pm I’m totally supporting Hank and Molly here. Also, I would like to inform people that Hank posted his song on youtube only a day before the contest ends so that doesn’t give much time for nerdfighters to go vote if they even found out because he didn’t say anything about his song being part of this challenge. Go Molly! Go Hank! DFTBA!! Alex Says: April 9th, 2009 at 1:24 am I don’t think anyone was really blaming you, Hank. It’s just that a lot of votes came out of nowhere very quickly and people wanted to what had happened. You really don’t need to worry about it at all. Alex Says: April 9th, 2009 at 1:29 am Come to think of it, though, you might want to keep an eye out for dingoes just in case. She did it to Paul & Storm, who knows where she’ll draw the line?! o_o; Riddle Says: April 9th, 2009 at 3:03 am Mike Lombardo’s song would be the true winner of this round in a truly fair world: it’s more fun, better-composed and way more clever than anybody else’s. and i’m sorry mr. Green but your song this round just isn’t worth the votes your fans threw at it. lastly, Masked Strangler, you continue to be weird. that is an imperative. Jay Says: April 9th, 2009 at 5:25 am Why don’t this rounds votes tally… ive just done a quick totup… it says 1714 votes have been cast… but somehow (if you add the votes together) i have managed to get 3148 ??? Mark Gordon Says: April 9th, 2009 at 8:20 am Votes outnumber voters because each voter gets to select up to five songs when voting. Note the user interface: check boxes, not radio buttons. The Masked Stranger Says: April 9th, 2009 at 3:00 pm That counter doesn’t count voters though, it counts votes. Also note that not everyone votes for five people, otherwise the votes would have been spread around more. I’d say that the overall tally just doesn’t update very often and is just trying to catch up with the actual voting. Also, is anyone else doing a review of this round? Because so far, Sevin seems to be the only one who has, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Actually… I think I might just do one of my own. Edric Haleen Says: April 9th, 2009 at 6:13 pm Well — this should be the end of the road for most of us in MoSF #3. (Who knows what the “special Masters of Song Fu event” might be tomorrow that Ken Plume has been hinting at for a couple of days now.) In case anyone cares, I finally got new web pages up and running. Here’s the URL — see you all in MoSF #4! happinessboard.com/Edric_Haleen.html 🙂 Eddie Colton Says: April 9th, 2009 at 11:35 pm I liked Hank’s song probably more than it deserved because I was impressed that he finally did a slow song and it had a deeper message than his others. And I dub Hank’s style “WikiSongs” because of all the statistics that he uses. Ironically, Molly’s song does not qualify. JoCo’s was the best of the three movie songs. And by JoCo I mean Joe Covenant Lamb, naturally. I also liked Jeff MacDougall’s masterful REM [homage]. Sport Goggle Says: April 10th, 2009 at 1:39 pm Congratulations to all of you. The professional courtesy shown by each of you through out the competition was extraordinary. Your futures are bright! Jutze Says: April 10th, 2009 at 4:35 pm Feedback, lyrics, video, thanks! Better late than never – and because I’m likely to miss tonight’s broadcast which is a shame. Round 3: This was possibly the strongest SongFu round so far, except for the infamous JoCo-P&S imitation duel last year. Hank, Edric, Molly and Mike excelled! I find it disappointing that none of the masters contributed a song. Some clarification on the reasons would be appreciated. I do understand that health/business/food issues might become more important than this, but if you can’t join the party, why not send a short message, anyway? Track by track comments: Jeff MacDougall: I can’t get rid of the R.E.M. reference Eddie Colton mentioned (who btw made a nice shadow-entry). Once again, good production and a song with personality. Yet, the lyrics don’t grip me and I ended up not voting for this one. Sorry. Edric Haleen: My favourite track in this round. I love the emotive vocals and the swinging piano work. Well done! And, apparently, a great implementation of the given title. “Buckethat” Bobby Matheson: This one reminds me of the first SongFu installment when we all were less ‘produced’ (or simply absent). Turning the title into a question is a nice twist and I have a weakness for the organ sound. Still, the song remains somewhat mediocre (compared to the other entries). Insane Ian: Folky guitar and vocals sound nice; the lyrics seem to unfold a story in which some key information is only presented at the end / in the last verse. Possibly as ‘foreseeable’ as the movie-ending songs, a little bit dull music-wise; maybe a bit more insanity would have been in order. Joe “Covenant” Lamb: Paul Simon-vibes meet movie geek lyrics – Joe still puts a lot of syllables into the lyrics. (My band’s singer used accused me of this time and again, so by now I pay special attention.) The song works in the background, but the samples become a bit annoying under headphones. Mick Bordet: Another movie geek song. Both tunes are somewhat foreseeable in their lyrics, and both fail to keep up the supsension by musical creative. I like that Joe didn’t overload the vocal tracks; maybe Mick’s song could have been improved by less (and clearer) vocals. In the present state, the track is a bit torn between new wave guitars, a hard rock feeling in the melody and organ, and at times irritating vocals. The Masked Stranger: The lyrics are only slightly more digestable than the music. Intense words that make Hank’s story almost a bit silly. The distorted recording hurts my ears (or is it my soul?) The exact opposite of pure sugar, I guess. Timothy Rush: Tiny chicken fai…, eh, tiny attention span fail. A harmonica is shuffling and the (full) vocals drown somewhere along the way. Crabbydad: Country, yay! Cool guitar work, nice banjo sounds, soothing melodies, good vocals. The final (title) line fails to conclude the otherwise great harmonies. If you could just fly in Hank’s part here… 😉 Still, I think the tune was worth the late-night work on it. Hank Green: A bit like Joe Covenant, Hank has a tendency to stuff a lot of syllables into the vocal lines. The present refrain suffers a bit from the subsequent monotony. Also, a bit of variation in the first half of the refrain might have spiced things up. Apart from that, I do like the song. The rather serious lyrical approach still has witty touches, but as surprising as it may seem, Hank’s delivered a touching, thoughtful ballad which sets him apart from the other contestants. Mike Lombardo: Mike’s best vocal performance so far; the harmonies at the title line are great. Maybe the song could have done without the drums (or with a country and western instrumentation instead of the piano), but that’s only a minor flaw. The story takes strange turns and at first it’s basically lemonade. So thanks for posting the lyrics. Jalapeno Habaneros: They most coherent entry so far. I not a rap fan and I fail to figure out the connection to the actual task. (I know, I’m on thin ice having left out the title line in my own lyrics.) The vocals should have been much more prominent in the mix. Hazen Nester: My general impression is a slightly shaky one. Otherwise, my attention span fails me. Sorry. Audiomohel: Good groovy, funky music – but I have a hard time following the song. The “chicken – ohe” part makes me smile, but all in all, it doesn not really make too much sense to me at the end. Molly Lewis: Possibly the best lyrics in this round and the most thorough implementation of the title. I always wish for more straight-forward harmonies, but Molly appears to prefer more elaborate melodies (and is well equiped to sing them) – and most voters appreciate that. Nice vote-worthy song, anyway. Jutze Schult: If you haven’t already seen it, I’ve made an somewhat animated video clip to my entry (incl. lyrics): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdeIPpqT1lw – I’m not very familiar with Black Sabbath and know exactly one King Diamond, but tried to write something in that direction, anyway, using lyrics you don’t normally associate with this type of music. I figured that pancakes where the one thing that can’t possible be viewed in a satanic context. Of course, I’m not made to be a metal singer (though I didn’t really strain my throat,) so I ended up with the ridiculous vibrato (the constant joggling of my jugular did hurt.) I also managed to play a halfway decent guitar solo – all in one take, no tweaking! I’m still amazed myself. Here are the lyrics… Seek the mother of a calf And steal some of her milk Take two cups and a half Make sure they are filled Take the feathered’s unborn And crack open their shell Take all that’s inside And pour it into the cauldron Pour it into the cauldron Pour it into the cauldron Seek the wheat in the valley Defying the wind alone Cut it down without mercy And grind it with a stone Separate it from the chaff Obtain a snow-white powder Take enough to fill two cups And pour it into the cauldron Pour it into the cauldron Pour it into the cauldron Stir it! Stir it! Stir it! Stir it! Now take some of the thick mass and some oil and pour it into the frying pan Into the frying pan Heat up the frying pan Heat up the frying pan Devour them all Satanic pancakes Finally, a big THANK YOU to Ken and QuickStopEntertainment for three entertaining rounds that were indeed challenging! You rock! Jutze Says: April 10th, 2009 at 4:45 pm @sevinPackage – thanks for the cool review videos you made! I think they’re really great. I just posted my own remarks on all the other entries, but the spam filter ate them. Let’s hope it’ll poop ’em out some time… sevinPackage Says: April 10th, 2009 at 6:23 pm @Jutze: Thanks, I’m glad you enjoy my reviews! I plan to make one for all the previous MoSF rounds (especially the infamous JoCo-P&S imitation duel – some of the best work from any Masters, if you ask me). I appreciate your perspective as well, and I’m sure many others are pleased that you provided us with a review as well! BTW, I agree with you and Eddie about how similar Jeff’s voice is to Mr. Stipe. JMac could make a few extra bucks on the side as a soundalike. I also agree that Lex Vader (Eddie Colton) made an interesting Shadow Fu song this round (he’s consistently good enough that he should sign up to compete in the next edition), and folks should listen to his stuff (click on his name in this thread)! beth Says: April 21st, 2009 at 6:33 pm Let’s not forget the PEEP song while stroking Molly’s ego. She’s the best no doubt, but lets not let the kid get too cocky. Leave a Reply Name (required) Mail (will not be published) (required) Website Δ