With the event itself just around the corner, Ken and I couldn't resist the opportunity to chat up the Nerdapalooza team. Herein we discuss this year's amazing artist lineup, the ever-changing nature of the Nerdapalooza festival and GeekDad's proud sponsorship of this year's iteration. We also play some songs: "That Boy Could Dance" by Insane Ian An auto-tuned and uniquely danceable take on the Weird Al original, this Insane Ian track is one of 21 amazing selections from the new tribute album Tw...
Jun 29, 2011•47 min
Ken, Jonathan, and Matt chat about the 4th of July, the upcoming Nerdapalooza, and Comic-Con. Enjoy! Special thanks to our sponsor Maphook, the location-based social network for geeks! GeekDad.com is the parenting blog at Wired.com, edited by Ken Denmead, Matt Blum, Jonathan Liu and Chris Anderson. It is a community of like-minded geeky parents writing about our experiences raising our kids in the digital age, and about our obsessions with technology, family-friendly projects, and pop-culture. T...
Jun 22, 2011•52 min
Ken, Doug, and Matt chat about Ken's appearance on The Nerdist, the new Weird Al album, and why learning Latin is so important. Enjoy! Special thanks to our sponsor Maphook, the location-based social network for geeks! GeekDad.com is the parenting blog at Wired.com, edited by Ken Denmead, Matt Blum, Jonathan Liu and Chris Anderson. It is a community of like-minded geeky parents writing about our experiences raising our kids in the digital age, and about our obsessions with technology, family-fri...
Jun 22, 2011•53 min
It's HipTrax time again, my friends, and this edition is extra special. In addition to spotlighting a pair of new songs from two new HipTrax artists, we are also proud to present a GeekDad-themed track from one of our own! Peep the hotness: "Primary Function" by The Runaway Five The Runaway Five is a four-member Tucson, Arizona-based synth-rock outfit. You read that right; there are only four of them. And I'm calling shenanigans. "Soccer Practice" by Americans UK Though the bulk of Americans UK'...
Jun 15, 2011•36 min
Ken, Dave, and Matt chat about the announcements from E3 and the Apple WWDC, plus Phineas & Ferb, and Ken's upcoming appearance on The Nerdist. Enjoy! Special thanks to our sponsor Maphook, the location-based social network for geeks! GeekDad.com is the parenting blog at Wired.com, edited by Ken Denmead, Matt Blum, Jonathan Liu and Chris Anderson. It is a community of like-minded geeky parents writing about our experiences raising our kids in the digital age, and about our obsessions with te...
Jun 08, 2011•49 min
Question: What's got four thumbs and loves chiptunes? Answer: The GeekDad HipTrax team! (Although we would've also accepted a hideously misshapen mutant with discriminating musical taste.) Get your bleep on with: "We Throw Shapes" by Superpowerless Oliver Hindle and Jaylyn Coffin, the same duo that brought you Tetrastar's amazing Songs We Didn't Write, are back with a shiny new Superpowerless single. "We Throw Shapes" is available for download now via iTunes, and the official video is presently ...
Jun 01, 2011•32 min
Ken and Matt recap Maker Faire 2011, talk about PotC:OST and X-Men, and get generally silly about a bunch of stuff. Enjoy! Special thanks to our sponsor Maphook, the location-based social network for geeks! GeekDad.com is the parenting blog at Wired.com, edited by Ken Denmead, Matt Blum, Jonathan Liu and Chris Anderson. It is a community of like-minded geeky parents writing about our experiences raising our kids in the digital age, and about our obsessions with technology, family-friendly projec...
May 25, 2011•1 hr 6 min
This edition of Hiptrax is firmly dedicated to cover songs. Of course since this is GeekDad only the strangest and most dorktastic covers will do! Explore your rock 'n' roll roots with: "Back in Your Life" as covered by Marc with a C Though not a geeky artist in the traditional sense, Jonathan Richman blazed a proto-punk trail with his band The Modern Lovers. His music has inspired acts as diverse as punk pioneers the Sex Pistols and lo-fi troubadour Marc with a C thanks to his whimsical, childl...
May 18, 2011•30 min
Ken, Matt, Curtis, and Jonathan chat about the sale of Skype to Microsoft, Thor, and Maker Faire 2011. Enjoy! Special thanks to our sponsor Maphook, the location-based social network for geeks! GeekDad.com is the parenting blog at Wired.com, edited by Ken Denmead, Matt Blum, Jonathan Liu and Chris Anderson. It is a community of like-minded geeky parents writing about our experiences raising our kids in the digital age, and about our obsessions with technology, family-friendly projects, and pop-c...
May 11, 2011•55 min
In this edition of GeekDad HipTrax we celebrate Free Comic Book Day. It's like a High Holy Day for geeks where our only obligation is to hit up our favorite comics retailers. Is that really too much to ask? Those looking to get the skinny on local FCBD events are encouraged to check out these handy resources from our sponsor MapHook. Individual hooks have been put in place for the American northeast, southeast, west coast and the broad, doughy center of our great nation. Check 'em out now for li...
May 04, 2011•35 min
Ken, Matt, Natania, Michael, and Jonathan chat about the Apple tracking controversy, Sony's PSN personal data breach, and the loss of Elisabeth Sladen. Enjoy! Special thanks to our sponsor Maphook, the location-based social network for geeks! GeekDad.com is the parenting blog at Wired.com, edited by Ken Denmead, Matt Blum, Jonathan Liu and Chris Anderson. It is a community of like-minded geeky parents writing about our experiences raising our kids in the digital age, and about our obsessions wit...
Apr 27, 2011•1 hr 10 min
This edition of GeekDad HipTrax focuses on quirky electronica, a handful of charming musical jewels that you may have overlooked. Like any good parents, Ken and I are here to encourage you to try out these interesting new flavors of geektastic tunage. As the saying goes, you might like it! Open wide for: "Dandyceratops" by Dot.AY Australian chip artist Dot.AY always planned on being a paleontologist, but instead he grew up to make chiptunes. It's a loss for the scientific community, of course, b...
Apr 20, 2011•35 min
Ken, Matt and Jonathan chat about the anniversary of the first man in space, the first Space Shuttle mission, and how effective it is to be a pedant. Enjoy! Special thanks to our sponsor Maphook, the location-based social network for geeks! GeekDad.com is the parenting blog at Wired.com, edited by Ken Denmead, Matt Blum, Jonathan Liu and Chris Anderson. It is a community of like-minded geeky parents writing about our experiences raising our kids in the digital age, and about our obsessions with ...
Apr 13, 2011•1 hr 1 min
We here at GeekDad HipTrax seem to be slightly preoccupied with Terminator-style dystopias in which mankind's beloved technology has turned against him. This is odd seeing as we are actually a family-friendly music podcast, but, as the saying goes, if it ain't broke, don’t' fix it! So put on a happy face with these uplifting ditties: "Zero Day" by MC Frontalot With the aid of noted hackers computer enthusiasts YTCracker and int eighty, MC Frontalot paints a bleak picture of a not-so-distant futu...
Apr 06, 2011•32 min
Ken, Matt, John, and Russ chat about the "Hop" press junket and how to cook a perfect steak in a cooler. Enjoy! Special thanks to our sponsor Maphook, the location-based social network for geeks! GeekDad.com is the parenting blog at Wired.com, edited by Ken Denmead, Matt Blum, Jonathan Liu and Chris Anderson. It is a community of like-minded geeky parents writing about our experiences raising our kids in the digital age, and about our obsessions with technology, family-friendly projects, and pop...
Mar 30, 2011•1 hr 8 min
After a pleasant sojourn into the magical realm of mc chris (and a brief vacation), GeekDad HipTrax is back to doing what it does best – getting all up in your ear hole with a trio of fine new geeky songs. While we were in there I noticed some waxy buildup. I’m just sayin’. Today’s episode highlights new hotness such as: "Angry Robot" by John Anealio John Anealio knows science fiction. And what is more sci-fi than robots? Nothin’ – that’s what! Snag this fine selection and covers of the theme fr...
Mar 23, 2011•30 min
Ken, Matt, John, Michael and Russ chat about PAC East, Japan, and the 4-year anniversary of the blog. Enjoy! Special thanks to our sponsor Maphook, the location-based social network for geeks! GeekDad.com is the parenting blog at Wired.com, edited by Ken Denmead, Matt Blum and Chris Anderson. It is a community of like-minded geeky parents writing about our experiences raising our kids in the digital age, and about our obsessions with technology, family-friendly projects, and pop-culture. The Gee...
Mar 16, 2011•54 min
Ken, Matt, and Jonathan chat about events in the Middle East, Geek Like, the Anti-Vaxers dilemma, and more. Enjoy! Special thanks to our sponsor Maphook, the location-based social network for geeks! GeekDad.com is the parenting blog at Wired.com, edited by Ken Denmead, Matt Blum and Chris Anderson. It is a community of like-minded geeky parents writing about our experiences raising our kids in the digital age, and about our obsessions with technology, family-friendly projects, and pop-culture. T...
Mar 02, 2011•55 min
Ken, Matt, Mike, Natania and Chuck chat about PAX East, Maker Faire, D&D and more. Enjoy! Special thanks to our sponsor Maphook, the location-based social network for geeks! GeekDad.com is the parenting blog at Wired.com, edited by Ken Denmead, Matt Blum and Chris Anderson. It is a community of like-minded geeky parents writing about our experiences raising our kids in the digital age, and about our obsessions with technology, family-friendly projects, and pop-culture. The GeekDads podcast i...
Feb 16, 2011•1 hr 2 min
GeekDad HipTrax exists to help you discover nerdy music that you can actually share with your kids. As an added bonus, however, we also try to highlight quality music that is available for free. You know, recession and all that. In this episode we spotlight selections from two brand new compilations, both of which are freebies from their respective sites: "Robot Party" by Supercommuter Hailing from Nerdcore Now Volume 1, consider this a sneak preview of what Wheelie Cyberman and company have in ...
Feb 09, 2011•29 min
HipTrax isn't exactly a show about kids' music. Generally it's a podcast more firmly focused on music that parents can enjoy with or in the company of their brood – geeky grown-up music that eschews the worst of language or explicit content. But in this episode we pause to focus on the upcoming release of a very notable children's album, mc chris's Marshmellow Playground . We spend a good bit of time talking to mc about the project and its genesis, and we even play the album's teaser single: "Ha...
Feb 09, 2011•34 min
Here at GeekDad HipTrax we pride ourselves on introducing you to new and exciting artists from across the geeky music meta-community, but we also like to continually reflect back on your old favorites. In this episode we highlight a trio of fine selections from some true musical heavy-hitters. Enjoy the following delightful tracks: "Lab Coat" by The Consortium of Genius Louisiana's foremost musical mad scientists are back again with their newest full-length. A fun-filled stylistic romp from heav...
Jan 26, 2011•25 min
Ken, Matt, Natania, and Jonathan chat about Egypt, FPS games for your 3 year-old, and how much we love Eureka. Enjoy! Special thanks to our sponsor Maphook, the location-based social network for geeks! GeekDad.com is the parenting blog at Wired.com, edited by Ken Denmead, Matt Blum and Chris Anderson. It is a community of like-minded geeky parents writing about our experiences raising our kids in the digital age, and about our obsessions with technology, family-friendly projects, and pop-culture...
Jan 19, 2011•1 hr 6 min
Ken, Matt, Jonathan and special guest David Hewlett chat about the geeky gifts we did (and didn't) get for Christmas, and spread a little Tron love. Enjoy! Special thanks to our sponsor Maphook, the location-based social network for geeks! GeekDad.com is the parenting blog at Wired.com, edited by Ken Denmead, Matt Blum and Chris Anderson. It is a community of like-minded geeky parents writing about our experiences raising our kids in the digital age, and about our obsessions with technology, fam...
Jan 19, 2011•1 hr
GeekDad HipTrax is back for 2011, and we're kicking things off by revisiting some of the best that last year had to offer. Our first two tracks are cuts from albums dropped late in the year – releases which you may have overlooked in the dreaded holiday rush – while the final track is a brand new joint from one of 2010's best new artists. Relish the hotness: "Retro" by Never Yet Contested We spotlighted this single from Brooklyn rapper Never Yet Contested back in November, and since that time th...
Jan 12, 2011•26 min
Congratulations to Ralph Gill, the winner of our 11th Day of Geekmas prize pack. With prizes from DiscoveryStore.com, Nyko, Sony, Insane Ian, Marc Gunn and an almost ridiculously expansive collection of BBC America swag, it is truly a hard act to follow. Or is it? Today's winner will score remarkable prizes including our final container of Crazy Aaron's Putty and a pair of Mythbusters bobble heads from DiscoveryStore.com. He or she will also ring in the Geekmas season with a phenomenal GT660 gam...
Dec 19, 2010•18 min
All hail Josh Alkire, the winner of our 10th Day of Geekmas prize pack. Please enjoy your Crazy Putty, Hoth LEGO set and fantastic selection of Element cases content in the knowledge that you experienced Geekmas to the fullest. The prize pack for this penultimate day of our highly specialized holiday season begins with your requisite container of Crazy Aaron's Putty. It is joined by a copy of PlayStation Move-enabled virtual pet title EyePet from our friends at Sony and another of those excellen...
Dec 19, 2010•14 min
Congrats to Sean Smith, winner of our 9th Day of Geekmas prize pack. That bad boy included a can of Crazy Aaron's Putty, a Raven controller from Nyko, a copy of Dance Dance Revolution from Konami and a 160GB PS3 and copy of ModNation Racers compliments of SCE San Diego Studio. What could you win today? Why today we have another tin of Aaron's Putty and a Hoth play set from LEGO's famed Star Wars line. Also up for grabs is a phenomenal selection of cases from our friends at Element. Today's winne...
Dec 18, 2010•13 min
Please join me in congratulating Chris Landon, the winner of our 8th Day of Geekmas giveaway. With a shiny new can of putty, a handsome Nyko Wand+ controller, two sexy t-shirts from 604 Republic and $200 in Groupon credit, surely the world is your oyster. Friday is always a big day during 12DoG, and today's 9th Day of Geekmas is likely our biggest yet! For you see today's winner receives a fine can of Crazy Aaron's Putty, a brand new Raven controller from Nyko (the peripheral famed for bringing ...
Dec 17, 2010•15 min
Congrats to Jason Powers, the proud winner of the 7th Day of Geekmas swag from Hexbugs, Nyko, DiscoveryStore.com and Putty World. I dare say today's prizes are equally eclectic. Not to mention equally awesome. On our 8th Day of Geekmas both Crazy Aaron's and Nyko have returned with amazing prizes – another random can of putty and a Wand+ controller respectively. Today's winner also scores a pair of tees of his or her choice from epic Canadian clothier 604 Republic. But wait, there's more. In add...
Dec 16, 2010•16 min
