This is relijun

My friend Aaron is in town with his band, Old Time Relijun. Last night I dropped by The Echo after soundcheck and had dinner with him at El Rodeo across the street. The Mexican food was just okay and maybe a little overpriced (should have walked to Burrito King), but it was great to catch up with him and meet his brother Ben, who joined the band somewhat recently.


Old Time Relijun didn't go on until midnight, so I played a lot of Tetris while four openers (way too many) did their thing. When it was OTR's turn, Arrington got the crowd's attention with some Tuvan throat singing and the band went off. As a four-piece, they sound great with Ben's sax, and the new drummer (Germaine from Friends Forever) rocks, too. I actually prefer the live show to the CDs, because it's more animalistic. Seriously.

The band has advance copies of the new CD with them, and I listened to the first couple songs on the way to work this morning. They seem to have crossed a border from hillbilly stomping to Ethiopian jazz with a little bit of casbah rocking. Great stuff, and you should check them out if you get a chance. Tonight they're playing with Mr. Tube at The Smell. Then they head north....

Infestation

Check out the Fest 6 poster I got with my package of stuff from No Idea (J Church tribute/benefit, old Dillinger Four, new Shellac). Holy crap, what a lineup: Naked Raygun, Avail, Seaweed, Dillinger Four, Youth Brigade, American Steel, and J Church! It all goes down in P-Cola in October...

We've paid our dues, time after time....

After much waiting, we received a letter from the Department of Recreation and Parks. There was stuff waiting for us at a trophy shop in the Valley. We've picked up trophies over the seasons, but this is our first first-place finish and we received T-shirts as well. I made the trip this morning...





The funny thing is that they didn't ask us for quantities or size. They sent an assortment: 1 M, 3 L, 7 XL, 4 XXL, 1 XXXL. Not skewed toward a mostly Asian team at all.

Eric and I get two of the larges. After that, it's a free for all...

All-You-Can-Eat

Last night I went to the Dodger game and sat in the ampm All-You-Can-Eat Pavilion. Usually, a spot on those particular bleachers is 35 bucks. For low-demand games, like last evening's meeting with the Nats, it's only 25. The all-you-can-eat menu includes: Dodger Dogs, nachos, popcorn, peanuts, bottled water, soda. You can also buy beers, ice cream, and cotton candy.

My damage? two trays of nachos, peanuts, popcorn, two sodas, one bottled water. That's easily 15 dollars worth. Oh yeah, Chi or Mike or someone bought me a chocolate malt for dessert.

The guys I was with? The biggest eater had four dogs--hardly worth bragging about since some guys eat that many in regular seats. We went as sort of a bachelor party for Wendy's brother, Eric. (Not GR Eric, so don't go crazy now.)

It was cool, and not as much of a dude thing as we envisioned. There were plenty of women and kids eating their weight in Dodger Dogs. I would totally go again on a 25 dollar night.

Oh yeah, the game. The Dodgers manufactured a run in the first inning but fell behind when Lowe gave up two homers and three runs in the second inning. After two more lead changes, Saito induced a double-play to preserve a win. Nice.

More Masses

Hope you're not sick of pics from the For The Masses show yet. Eric posted a ton, but I've got some blanks to fill... I didn't show up at the gallery until the second day of installation, and even then I never walked in. The purpose was to pick up Brian Ralph and French to go skate the Bronson Ditch. French's back was too tweaked to skate, but he was kind enough to come along for the ride and not make fun of Brian or me rolling around like kooks.



These are the shoes that I got to break in at the ditch. (I was pleased not to have broken anything else.) I got up to the rail and did some wheelie grinds, rock-to-pivots, Bert slides, and other surf-type moves. Afterwards, we went to Thai town in search of a massage place for French. We think the place was legit, and he says he felt better afterward.



Except for replacing a frame with busted glass, French was pretty much done with hanging his part of the show. This might be one of the only pics you see of him with a serious face. He hates pics, and usually makes something up.



This pic says a lot. French, Amy, and Kenton was playing with Olaf's doorags while Eric checked his email. Meanwhile, Mountain Mountain man Kohei was thrashed by jetlag.



Dan-ah got ice cream from a dude with a street cart while Aaron was on some sort of conference call. I got a chile mango popsicle, which was really good.



Motivated by everyone else's stuff (and the fact that the bulk of his art arrived late), Brian painted a huge mural to be the backdrop for his work. You can't see the feet, which he had to totally redo because they didn't look tough enough.



This is what his boxes looked like when they finally made it. Bummer! We had to drive all the way to Carson to buy new frames.


Brian touches up the artwork. On the top left, you can see the original work for the two-player screen of Guitar Hero 2.


I grabbed this scrap off the floor. It was one of Brian's ideas for the mural!



All of the other artists thought that Eishi was insane. While they were hanging their framed pieces, he was building a structure like a crazy person out of the Bible.



When they saw his work, it was confirmed that he is indeed out of his mind...

Slip service

My friend Bret who works at Ipath turned me onto some of the skate shoe company's fall line. This pair is a throwback to Vans slip-ons, which have been back for a while now. There's an elastic element that makes it fit a little better than the "Off The Wall" classics, though, and there's the herb-friendly company's trademark use of hemp, too. Although there's no secret stash pocket, it's perfect for summertime.


I tried them on this morning and Wendy said, "No socks? Gross!" I was thinking the whole purpose of these shoes was to just slip them on and off, and not worry about stuff like that. Hm. I just took a survey of the office, and Michelle and Janet agree that socks are the way to go. Is this a girl thing? What if I buy Odor Eaters?

Happy birthday, Janet!

A good intern is hard to find. It's hard enough to find someone with a positive attitude, strong work ethic, and ability to find stuff to do on his or her own. But someone who will do it for free, just because he or she likes what you do and believes in the cause, is more rare than Bigfoot.

Meet Janet. She's back from Korea and she's here helping out on her birthday! That's dedication. If you see her around town this weekend, buy her a soda.

One for ALL

When I was a senior at UCLA, I used to go to the Anti-Club almost every week to see ALL, the Chemical People, or Big Drill Car play. Usually it was ALL with one of the latter two bands opening (Jawbreaker opened once, too.) It was an awesome time--my transition from old punkers and British bands to American indie stuff. At the time, Cruz and Lookout! put out almost everything I listened to. (Dischord, too.)

ALL was basically the Descendents last lineup with Dave Smalley singing (later Scott Reynolds...) and I still don't know why songs like "She's My Ex" and "Just Perfect" didn't become massive. Bass player Karl Alvarez was a big part of the sound back then and he's been doing it up until now with ALL and the Descendents--a lifer.

The news is that Karl just had a heart attack. You can find out more and help him at this site.

Dogtown

I run by the dog park in Silver Lake a couple times a week, but I had never entered until yesterday. Don "The Nuge" Nguyen and I were deciding where to meet up and it turns out he has some dogs, the park was nearby, blah blah blah. Opening the chain-link fence with no dog and a camera, I felt like a pedophile walking into a schoolyard but everything turned out okay. Don is a mellow and cool dude--a good guy. He's going on Thrasher skate zine's KOTR as part of the Foundation team in a couple days, so wish him luck and hope he doesn't get any horrific haircuts, tattoos, or injuries.


This afternoon, Jon was giving his dog a trim. It was a more familiar vibe, though, like a certain scene in a movie called Sunsets.

One way or another

I've been seeing the poster all over town and it's driving me nuts. What's up with the backwards apostrophe? You'd think someone at New Line would have fixed it... For the record, the movie looks like it might be pretty good. (Sorry for not taking time to post a pic of Monica Belucci instead.)

Moz def

When I was in high school, my friend Debra ditched school to follow The Alarm on tour. Ha ha, very funny, but I can't talk. When Jane's Addiction played five nights in a row at the John Anson Ford Theatre, I went of three of them. When the Descendents played the Whisky three nights in a row, I attended two. Every time Fugazi came through L.A., I saw them two or three nights of their stands. Most recently, I caught all three of Paul Weller's shows at the Palace, followed by the Jimmy Kimmel show taping. But here's an even harder-core challenge that I can't touch: Morrissey is playing 10 shows in 13 nights at the Palladium in Hollywood.

World Destructo

Skate and destroy... the art under your board. It used to be just the deck, but now trucks are decorated with some good stuff, too.


I got the latest catalog from my friends at Destructo today, and their latest collab is with Designers Republic. We've sold their shirts at GR2!


Here's another one that's more to the point. Maharishi, Fairey, KLF... The collabs all have this message in common whether it's iconic, ironic, or arty (or all of the above).


And here's the ultimate truck: 24 karat gold. Forget gold teeth, this is the ultimate accessory..

Memo to me

Don't go plan on going to shows unless I really need to see the band. There's too much work to do at home.


Don't forget the three weddings in three weeks coming up in September. Have suits dry-cleaned and get started on GR50 early to accommodate them.


Don't forget Wendy's birthday or our anniversary--ever.


Eric found this memo book at a swap meet in Long Beach over the weekend. Now I have no excuses for anything.

People in your neighborhood pt. 2

After checking out the Misaki Kawai show at GR2 on Saturday night, I jetted back to Silver Lake to visit the Sunset Junction Street Fair before Wendy finished her family dinner. Since her parents live in that area, I was privy to a complimentary wristband and had a parking permit! It can be tough finding parking and the entrance fee is up to 15 bucks, so how could I resist with such a hookup?


I got there in time to worm my way up into the crowd with 10 minutes to spare before Blonde Redhead's set. A lot of people there had no idea who the band was, but I'm a fan and I thought their hour-long set was great. They played the hits off the new album and some oldies, too. I was having flashbacks to that great ON Video opening montage...


When the lights came on, I saw GR's longtime proofreader Hane with her husband and brother. Hopefully, we'll get her back for GR50. She ran off with her dudes to see Morris Day and the Time. Sounded like fun, maybe next time.


The next guy I bumped into was Zachary Rossman. The funny thing is that I bumped into the Bay Area artist at the L.A. Bread Company a couple months ago. He said that he never goes out and neither do I, so it was unlikely and cool to see him.


I wonder who spends time at the booths? For 15 bucks, I'd imagine you go to see bands, not lose more money on stupid games of chance with the hopes of winning a big stuffed animal.


I dropped by the GR shop to see if they needed help or had to take a pee break or something. No need. Katie and David were chilling.


Mike from Junc gallery was there, too. Fancy meeting him. (Nice shirt!)


On the way back to the car, I made sure to walk toward the I&I Ice Cream Truck to se if Aurlito or Shakespeare were around. I saw the former, running from one set to another. Those guys are always on it.

Bumping into friends like that kind of made me want to get out more often. It nice. Well, not nice enough to go back the next day. I've seen the Buzzcocks and Aggrolites many times and it was hot, but maybe I'll see you there next year!

Kiki's delivery service

Bret and Happy threw a party for their one-year-old daughter this weekend. Kiki had a tons of little friends there--way more than I've had at any birthday function in years! You really had to watch your step.


There was a ton of fruit and vegan cupcakes. Everything was tasty and although there were babies everywhere, there were no outbreaks or implosions.


Lucia was one of the only kids who didn't seem to mind wearing a hat. Maybe because it matched her outfit?

Bonus blogger action:
- When I went on a Wheat Thins run this morning, the clerk's helper at Ralph's called me ma'am. After noticing that I'm a dude, she apologized. Time for a haircut.
- I saw some Neckface graffiti on the way in. It's on Fairfax just south of Beverly on the west side of the street. No demon heads, just lettering.
- I was the recipient of a couple pairs of next season's I-path footwear... Good stuff. Pics to come.

Mike vs. Milo

So I like Social Distortion as much as the next guy who grew up behind the Orange Curtain, but what's up with the new song on the Greatest Hits album totally ripping off the riff from The Descendents' "Christmas Vacation"? "Far Behind" is a decent song, but come on. This has been bothering me for a while now...


Give it a listen. You'll see.

Joe, Jerry, and Roger

When I was a kid, I hated the San Francisco 49ers because they always beat up the L.A. Rams. But I stand by the 49th issue of Giant Robot. So does Tru (above) at the first GR store.

On the cover: Adrian Tomine, who talks about his Asian-American-focused graphic novel, Shortcomings. Asian male insecurity, Yellow Fever, AZN pride, AA fluff, and inter-Asian tension--it's all in the book, which he addresses in the interview. Inside: The Cosplay Show, The Exiled's Josie Ho, the last executioner of Thailand, Eric eating a lot of greasy food at Chinese food & donuts joints, and way more.

Fresh copies are now available at GR shops in New York City's East Village, West L.A.'s Sawtelle, and the Upper Haight in S.F.

Random GR49 talk on the boards.

Bat time

Bats Day is coming up this weekend--the annual unsanctioned event when goths invade Disneyland! What happens when the gloomiest scene in music visits the Happiest Place on Earth? Check it out here.

Ball of confusion

Here's my "other" souvenir from last Thursday night's softball scrimmage. (The bruise is fading, thank you.) After the game, the dudes on the GR softball team presented me with the season ball, which most of the guys signed.

The funny thing is that I didn't even play in the final game of the season because I was in San Diego for the Comic-Con. And I missed two games when Wendy and I were in Thailand, too. The record when I was away? A perfect 3-0, including two games for the ages. When I was around? A decent 6-3.

In fact, when asked by an old teammate about our season, one longtime player just shook his large head, rolled his eyes, and said something to the effect that my pitching was the root of the team's problems. It really sucks to be thrown under the bus like that--especially if a team's hitting has been anemic and defense not exactly perfect--but I'm not the type of person who needs to get the last word. I just keep plowing away. That made it extra gratifying to receive the ball. [Ed: That the team gave it to me despite my weaknesses means a lot to me.]

Tonight we play the first game of the city tournament. If we win, we go to the next round. If we lose, we are eliminated. Lots of pressure and I'll be touching be ball every play on defense. We'll see what happens. You can, too. It's at a Cheviot field 3 in West L.A. at 9:00. Get there late and you may miss Eric hitting lead-off...

Hollywood "bowl"

Wendy and I went to the Hollywood Bowl last night. Our friend Julia invited us, and we knew that (1) she has killer seats, (2) it was Reggae Night with an awe-inspiring lineup, and (3) her bento boxes always inspire the envy and compliments from neighbors.


Here's a view looking up from Julia's box seats. There was one other box between us and center stage.


Wailing Souls went on first. The band has recorded with Coxsone Dodd and King Jammy and backed up Sly & Robbie and The Roots Radicals. Up front were four microphones for three old dreadlocked dudes and one younger guy. I wonder if the youngest guy started off as a little kid? Or is he a replacement? They played a strong set of roots songs, including "War," capped off with a cover of "Hey Hey Goodbye."


Julia, John, and the bento showed up about halfway through the set. They had come all the way from the South Bay. Not an easy drive.


Wendy and I are always blown away by the presentation and quality of the food, but John probably sees it every day!


Sly and Robbie were next. The drum and bass playing duo did an incredible job of replicating dub in a live set. They'd set up a groove, then start to tweak it--slow it down, speed it up, turn it inside out. Sly Dunbar had this unique echoing drumming technique and Robbie Shakespeare really cranked up the bass to outer-space proportions. I'd like to see him jam with Mike Watt and Bootsie. (Maybe Cliff Burton, too.) They were really low key, though, and happy to stay in back doing rhythm. No showboating or anything. The job of the rhythm guys is pretty much to keep things moving--not be the star--and they did it.


They sure know how to pick a front person, too. Cherine Anderson had the full package, with an amazing voice and stage presence. She came out with "Redemption Song" and pretty much killed it through the remainder of the set. Is she a star yet?

Unfortunately, Horace Andy didn't make sing due to visa problems... At least I got to see him with Massive Attack last year.


Burning Spear was the headliner, and the Rastaman played a long set of roots. He had a cool style of taking tiny steps around as if he were saving his strength and then breaking out into fast, Snoopy-style foodwork or rocking out at the bongos. I liked how he stuck the taped-up mic in his back pocket between verses, too.

Marcus Garvey + Bob Marley = Burning Spear.

Thanks, Julia and John and new friends from Blackout!

Black and blue and ready

On Thursday, the Giant Robot softball team had a scrimmage against The Shizz, some dudes we encountered during our improbable run in the C+ tourney a few years ago. We played pretty well, and with a batting-cage session in the works, things look good for next week's city tournament. This time we'll be at C, the lowest level.

My pitching wasn't bad. Hitting not so good. My defense was a little rusty, too. A comebacker nailed me in the gut, leading to the bruise above... It's still a little sore, but at least I threw the dude out.

Mr. Don Ed

I can't afford (much less pull off) the gear with his name on it, but in my opinion Don Ed Hardy is a pioneer in skin art--the link between Sailor Jerry and Horihide. The groundbreaking, ultra talented, and super-friendly tattoo artist will be featured in the Art or Not show on the Ovation network (cable channel 608 in Hawaii) on Sunday, August 12th at 8:00 p.m. This episode shows his current works in porcelain, mixed media objects, paintings, and San Francisco shop Tattoo City, as well as stuff by Shepard Fairey, Jeffrey Vallance, and others.

Ha!

When I was in college, I had a roommate that looked kind of like ALF. So his sister bought him a life-size version that sat at our dinner table. Ever since then, people have thought that I was into the '80s TV show, and started giving me show paraphernalia. I've got a pretty big collection now. One of the best pieces came from a co-worker/carpooler friend, who gave me a script of the episode where the furry alien got drunk. Most recent acquisitions are from my friend Jeff in San Jose, who has typically scrounged up stuff from thrift shops (ratty Burger King puppets, washed-out fan club shirts, etc.).


At Comic-Con, Jeff gave me some new items. These aren't official products like 7" singles, PC games, or trading cards (I have those, too), but homemade artifacts.

The yellow piece is a zine that doesn't have too much do with Gordon Shumway from Melmac, the Tanners, or their obnoxious neighbors, the Othmonics. It is a collection of recollections scribbled and drawn by Mary Van Note (?) regarding her sexual growth--first boyfriend, first porn mag, catching her brother beating off, and so on. It turns out she first touched herself while the Alien Life Form was on TV.

The black-and-white poster is actually quite big and apparently taken from a telephone pole. The Web site doesn't work and Google searches for the play's title or group go nowhere. I'm not a theater guy, but I am intrigued. I hope it's real and not some joke.

Nice additions, but please don't feel obligated to donate more to my collection.

Rockers Galore

When it comes to photographers who shot Joe Strummer and The Clash, Pennie Smith usually comes to mind. Her image of Paul Simonon about to smash his bass on the cover of London Calling is nothing less than iconic. Here's something to put on the shelf next to her Before and After collection. In conjunction with Stüssy, New York photographer Josh Cheuse has released Rockers Galore, a book that's loaded with great, grainy black-and-white pics of Strummer, The Only Band That Matters, and Big Audio Dynamite, as well as Black Flag, The Beastie Boys, RUN-DMC, LL Cool J, and Schoolly D. Adam and the Ants and The Specials, too? No way!

There's a certain amount of crossover with the work of Glen E. Friedman, but Cheuse seems to be less about capturing lighting in a bottle than soaking in the atmosphere. The fact that Cheuse was working for a record label is a little different, too, but he proves to have excellent taste in editing. The book is highly recommended, and it's value-priced at buck less than the T-shirts which have been made to celebrate the collaboration.

Favorite things

Last night, the architect and contractor came to measure our house. We had it surveyed before, but they just wanted to be sure. Afterward, Wendy and I were asked to show them some of our most prized objects. I guess they wanted to know our aesthetics, tastes, etc., before making some drafts for us.

First, Wendy. She listed her Ai Yamaguchi painting (pillow style), some purses (Chanel, Mandarina Duck), and her LEGO ring. Nice.

My turn for show and tell basically told the story of my childhood:


1. Jumbo machinders. Some kids bought Star Wars and G.I. toys. My brother and I were more into Japanese toys. All three of my two-foot tall Shoguns (Dragun, Raydeen, Mazinga) are in boxes with weaponry, fists, instructions, etc. I bought these when I was in second and third grade.


2. Fantastic Four mags. From second grade through junior high, I was really into comics. I bought issues all the way back to 19, and kept buying new ones until the first volume stopped at 416. The issues I'm most proud of include 24-25 (vs. Avengers), 28 (vs. X-men, signed by Kirby), 44 (first Inhumans), 48-50 (Silver Surfer vs. Galactus), and 52 (first Black Panther).


3. Old records. I distinctly remember the first time I went record shopping. After Greg and I were promoted from junior high, our parents said they'd let us spend $150 on records. That was like giving us crack! Our first records: The Clash - London Calling, The Three O'Clock - Baroque Hoedown, David Bowie - Let's Dance. The Jam's Snap and Introducing The Style Council were really early, too. Same with Brewing Up with Billy Bragg. My copy of Rocket to Russia was signed by Joey, Johnny, Dee Dee, and Marky at a record store.

I started to bring out other stuff, too. The PW Fred Perry, some figures by Dehara, and the Happy Together book that comes with a snipped of film and unrolled condom. Wendy said I had to stop because everyone wanted to go to sleep. I guess every issue of GR is like show and tell for me anyway...

How the remodeling will reflect toys, comics, and records, I'm not sure. Maybe in the form of storage so Wendy can hang artwork!

Owl that

Wendy has Harry Potter Fever. She's been staying up late every night reading the last book, and even tried to squeeze in some more this morning while getting ready to go to work. Brushing her teeth, putting on a shirt, packing her purse, or something--I don't remember but it was crazy. Is that why she's so tired these days? She wants to start the new book really badly.

I did her a favor and opened the package from Amazon last night. Then I took the box and packed it with stuff I'm sending to Jeffrey Brown. (Did I mention he's my favorite comic artist after Jack Kirby?)

Swatches (not watches)

When my favorite comic artist Jeffrey Brown told me that he has a nine-month-old little boy, I immediately called up my sister Angelyn for some Kumquat goods to send him. Perfect timing. She had some new gear that Wendy and I had worked on. When it comes time for a new line, I'll scribble a bunch of ideas on paper, which Wendy turns into patterns. Ang gets the fabric made and incorporates it into some of her new clothing lines.

Above is the owl print, which is actually on a hoody. I drew nothing but owls for a couple nights, and it turned out really well. There are two colorways, and I hear that someone was selling the material on eBay. WTF? Someone at the fabric shop must have snagged the overrun...



Here's another print. Boys clothing often has airplanes, boats, cars, and trains, but we hadn't seen anything with helicopters. I think the shapes are kind of mod looking. There was one design with little dudes and animals in the cockpits, but in the end, you can't have characters on all the prints.

I hope Jeffrey digs them.

Wait until you see the panda prints. Holy crap. They're awesome.

Happy birthday

To celebrate what should have been Elliott Smith's 38th birthday, Kill Rock Stars is giving away an MP3. Check it out here...

Brown goes down

Did anyone else watch Jake Brown's slam on the Mega Ramp during the Xgames last night? I swear, he must have dropped 40 feet onto to ground, and I honestly thought I witnessed his death when they cut to commercials.


After the longest break ever, they returned to Staples where he was in the exact position on the ground. I thought an outline would have been sprayed around his body by then, but a reporter said he was talking and smiling. Somehow, he got up and was wheeled away.

As this was going on, I was alone at the GR office. I had to post because there was no one to talk to. Really, it was a haunting, strange couple minutes that really affected me. I felt sick. Then I watched Burnquist nail the next trick, grab the gold medal, and start to cry. What an emotional moment that must have been for him...

Thanks for the link, Charlie.

Lance Aid

It seems like I've been shilling a lot of shtuff in the last few entries. Sorry, I wanted to change things up, but this one can't be denied. I just discovered a benefit CD for the health-related debts of Lance Hahn, the main man behind J Church and Cringer. He's an amazing songwriter, MRR shitworker, DIY icon, really good guy, and longtime friend.


This CD has a load of bands covering his songs. I only know a handful of the contributors (The Queers, The Parasites, The McRackins...) but I know all the tunes and wonder what the treatments are like. Hm. Maybe "treatments" is an unsavory choice of words, but I suggest buying it from No Idea.

1. Banner Pilot - Part Of The Problem
2. McRackins - Undisputed King Of Nothing
3. Walker - Petrograd
4. The Groucho Marxists - Socialist Newspaper
5. Radon - Open Road
6. A Radio With Guts - Sound Guy Smiley
7. Unitas - A Letter To A Friend/I Can't Be Nice To You
8. The Parasites - Panama
9. Streetside Prophet - Sound Of Mariachi Bands
10. Dateless - Foreign Films
11. Kimberly Steaks - Your Shirt
12. Lolligaggers - The Track
13. The Peabodys - Pay To Play
14. Rubberband - Mary Provost
15. Nervous Dogs - Racked
16. Responsible Johnny - This Town
17. Kazoo - On Dying Alone
18. Non Radio Friendly - My Favorite Place
19. The Measure - Fascist Radio
20. Down In The Dumps - Lama Temple
21. Brickfight - Rain
22. The Queers - About The She
23. Blotto - Step Back
24. 41 Gorgeous Blocks - Church On Fire
25. Angry 4 Life - Sword
26. The Ratchets - Bottom Rung
27. Sidewalk Crax - I Reach For Her Hand
28. AV Club - Rich And Young And Dumb
29. Young Playthings - Favorite Phrase
30. Chris Catfood - Tide Of Fate

Cambodian Rock Night

It's coming up at the Knitting Factory in Hollywood. The multi-headed monster of a bill includes a documentary on legendary singer Ros Sereysothea (The Golden Voice), a documentary on local Cambodian rock heroes/supporters of GR Dengue Fever (Sleepwalking Through The Mekong), and a set by the band itself.


If you've never seen Dengue Fever, they are incredible live performers with surfy, dubby, psychedelic, and tack-sharp musicianship providing a balance to Chhom Nimol's otherworldly vocals, which are right up there with those of Elizabeth Fraser and Faye Wong.

Meet Louie

What makes an artist hot? Belonging to a certain scene, having his or her work on an album cover or T-shirt, or being collected by someone influential? Whatever. All I know is that Louie Cordero came all the way from the Philippines to hang a show at GR2 and everyone is missing out. If you are into the linework of Basil Wolverton, textures of Pushead, or hyper color and composition of Robert Williams, you'll love Louie's stuff.


Dig it now or pretend you were there later. (I bought this piece.)

Party on, Bill. Party on, Ted.

Wow. Susie G. sent me some pics of her works-in-progress for her upcoming art show at GRNY, and they're amazing. You East Coasters are going to freak out when the show opens on August 18.

Here's a sneak peek:


If you like these two, there are 198 more where they came from. If you don't like it, same thing.

Comic-Con again

I've talked to more than a few people who didn't attend the Con because it was sold out on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. That's ridiculous, because it should be fun and spontaneous--not something you have to plan for months in advance. (No offense to those of you who make want-lists and schedule your days around signings, panels, and whatnot.) There's been talk about moving it to Vegas or L.A., but that's not going to happen. My source says a deal has been inked through 2012 or something like that.

Some ideas:

1. Rent out the old convention center as well. It's not that far away, and they can use shuttles. Maybe divide it by sections? Or they could use the upstairs rooms at the new location for more floorspace and have talks at the other spot?

2. Keep the floor open until 9:00 or even midnight, and sell second session passes that let people come in after 5:00. These can be a little less. Some vendors might not be able to hang, though.

3. Schedule the Con when the Padres are away and use the outfield as swap meet.

4. Park a cruise ship on the shore and use it as extra space.

5. Arrange the floor so it's more like an intestine than a maze. You go in one way, exit out the other, and that's it. There's a constant flow, and talks and programming would be at night.

6. Make all attendees dress like superhero, sci-fi charcter, cosplayer, etc. (I know, goths, show punks, and ravers get off too easy this way.)

7. Attendees can only stay as long as they spend money. If you don't spend money for an hour, you are kicked out. I'm not sure how this would work. Maybe you buy credits on the way in?

8. Make it so you have to buy a full-on package that entails staying in specific hotel and being fed fixed-menu meals with the same people every day, like you're on a cruise ship. Each table will have a "celebrity" and "mixers" will be instigated so Trekkers meet Hobbit fans, etc.

9. By disallowing larger costumes such as Gundams and furverts, the fire marshall can up the capacity by a few hundred.

10. Screen out the design firms, production companies, corporate wallies, etc. who send groups to cherry-pick ideas or go on "inspiration trips" by handing out a quiz on the way in. Attendees must prove an expertise--or at least an honest interest--in at least one form of popular (or unpopular) culture.