OT: Urban decay...

[Methem]

Speaking of Detroit... Yesterday I read a 2007 interview with "Mad" Mike Banks (about 45 today, I think), the frontman of UR, the influential Detroit-based techno collective and music label that I've briefly mentioned in one of my earlier posts in this thread. Some might find the following snippet interesting:

"With artwork, Abdul Haqq really added a great strength to what we were trying to do, a great spirit, and I always wish Abdul the best with his adventures.

With art, our early influences from Marvel comics, old progressive rock albums too, Rush, Yes, they always went on an adventure musically. Lenny White and the Astro Pirates, many people aren't hip to them, but if I could recommend some music for people to listen to. Jean-Luc Ponty, you know. Their records were kind of like in opera movements, there'd be the overture, and this and that, it was a journey, a journey of the turtle to the sea. These were great records, because they took you on a musical journey. Return to Forever always did that, the Romantic Warrior... these are fusion records I'm talking about, the Romantic Warrior was sweet, Chick Corea Return to Forever..."

[Methem]

Military history for whoever is interested:

http://www.mil.hiiumaa.ee/2000_09_14_kurtna_T-34-36/

Salvaging an old T-34 tank from a lake in Estonia. A brief story and some interesting photos.