Life of a Lab Rat

When I'm pulling an all-nighter writing a paper or prepping a seminar, I put on the complete works of Zeppelin on random to pull me through.

Other than that, I don't really have a system. I suppose I have a preference for Muse or We are Scientists when I'm in the culture room but more often than not the iPod is on shuffle.

Love the Zeppelin as well - is this also a universal? Never really gets old and you can really crank it when need be.

Cake are one group that always pick me up, as do Modest Mouse. Radiohead and Arcade Fire are other faves although they can sometimes can be downers.

One of my greatest triumphs was converting the musical tastes of a swishy graduate student by repeatedly blasting Led Zeppelin and Frankenstein. It was not unusual to hear us calling to each other across the lab, like an immigrant mating ritual...He returned the favor by introducing me to the wonders of Parliament, which I recommend for performing protein assays. (Favorite line: "I got jam in my knees, and I'm ready to spread.")

And I'll never forget our nerdy Chinese exchange student dancing around the lab singing "Giveitawaygiveitawaygiveitaway, now."

Personally, I favor anything with Gene Krupa on drums, the best being Sing, Sing, Sing.

Sadly, these days I am limited to the worst of Sydney radio. Who really thinks Silver Finger is a good band?? Or is it Powder Chair...

I've been listening to Amy Winehouse lately for tissue culture work, although I'm now starting to wonder if that's appropriate for the sterile environment: http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/Entertainment/2008/03/04/winehouse_diagnosed_with_skin_condition/7691/

At the end of a hard day, in a hard week, I found myself in my office, feet up and eyes closed, listening to my old friends the Tony Iommi Quartet...loud. Very loud. The way it was meant to be....

"People think I'm insane
Because I am frowning all the time

All day long I think of things
But nothing seems to satisfy
Think I'll lose my mind
If I don't find something to pacify

Can you help me occupy my brain?
Oh yeah!

I need someone to show me
The things in life that I can't find
I can't see the things that make true happiness
I must be blind"

Oh, yes...sing that depression, John Michael Osbourne, give voice to that paranoia. Let's just hope we don't get to this:

"And so as you hear these words
Telling you now of my state
I tell you to enjoy life
I wish I could but it's too late"

Hi, I'm enjoying your blog emmensely.

In our electrophysiology lab there is an eclectic mix from Muse through Dylan all the way to Mozart played, but when nothing is working we always stick on Nevermind - cells seem to love it.

Thanks for dropping by, Billyo. My cells like Beethoven.

I just read your weblog. Drop me a line about your writing.

Been enjoying your blog for a while now, whenever I stop to read blogs.

I usually have to find really solid albums to listen to, start to finish (and repeat if necessary) when doing PCR prep with a lot of samples. Usually anything chill and consistent works - the Cure's Seventeen Seconds is a favorite, as well as other staples like Radiohead ,Zeppelin, or off the wall stuff like Mojave 3, DJ Shadow, Johnny Cash - the range is unlimited as long as it's good and consistent. Obviously you can't take your hands out of the hood to skip a song! I find Mogwai, Explosions in the Sky, and Jon Hopkins (electronica) are amazing for concentrating.