Giant Robot Store and GR2 News
T.S.O.L. singer Jack Grisham just released a new collection of short stories, Untamed. To celebrate, he had a book signing/punk rock matinee at The Observatory in Santa Ana. For the price of the book you got a free show! I got there just in time to introduce Jack to Eloise, have my copy signed, and catch the end of the afternoon’s final opener. The Detours are a first-wave Orange County punk band, circa 1977. And in addition to decades of shredding to dip into, they can throw in a ripping version of “No Way” (doesn’t hurt that various members have played in The Adolescents, D.I., Christian Death, Social Distortion…). Awesome. Four o’clock headliners T.S.O.L. gleefully served up all the old hits like maniacs, from anarchist rippers like “Abolish Government/Silent Majority” to proto-death rock classics like “Sounds of Laughter.” The pit was raging for a Sunday afternoon, and I was stoked that my five-year-old daughter lasted more than halfway through the set. I was also shocked to find out that the band played a second show that night at an American Legion Hall in Baldwin Park. Damn! Jack says the band is embarking on a South American tour this week, but there’s another chance to get your book signed at Beyond Baroque on June 23. Go! Jack isn’t as scary as you think. PUBLICATION REVIEWS Untamed, Jack Grisham Jack Grisham’s literary work is joyfully twisted, right in step with the T.S.O.L. singer’s musical output (dark, violent) and legend (troublemaker, ass-kicker). And like his memoir, An American Demon, the brand-new collection of 10 short stories by T.S.O.L.’s singer is loosely based or at least inspired by his own life experiences. What’s real and what’s made up provide a ton of subtext for literary punks but fallen angels, torture, murder, and sex with stuffed animals make it a real page turner for anyone. Accompanied by R. Crumb-esque illustrations by Scott Aicher. [Punk Hostage Press] Hard Art, Lucian Perkins This collection of images by Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist Lucian Perkins draws not from his stints in Afghanistan, Kosovo, or the Persian Gulf War but the Washington DC punk scene of 1979. The unpublished black-and-white photography captures key gigs in the embryonic punk scene that included Bad Brains (before they left for New York) and Teen Idles (featuring pre-Minor Threat Ian Mackaye and Jeff Nelson). The live shots are stunning but the photos of the audience are just as important–reflecting a real sense of community and not just a star factory. Insightful narrative is provided by none other than participants and musicians Alec Mackaye and Henry Rollins. [Akashic Books] Perpetually Twelve 10 The balance has shifted from words to art in the latest issue of McHank’s zine out of San Diego. Among other pieces, I really dig the hot-rod inspired brushs of Mr. Sleeep and bold inks of Frenemy. McHanks’ fan art is awesome, too. I call it that not disparagingly but because he lovingly depicts Kermit the Frog and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles with the...
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Making it’s debut at Uglycon are Uglydoll head wear. Icebat and Babo adorn a few styles of caps and beanies. They also include the Uglydoll logo and the David + Sun-min design as well. Modeled by Dean Gojobori.
Such a nice tribute on what would be his 85th. It animates. See the Youtube video.
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More on the way!
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giant robot time: 6.7.13 | print by: i-mockery P+G DESIGN MIMI POCHIBI BUNNY COIN POUCH Use the ears to open and close the purse. P+G DESIGN MIMI POCHI COIN POUCH Cute animal silicone coin pouches from p+g Design. PANTONE UNIVERSE COASTER SET Easy way to prove to your art friends you have cred when serving drinks. PANTONE UNIVERSE NOTEBOOK Perfect for sketching and making notes about your next logo ideas. PANTONE UNIVERSE MUG Perfect for people who appreciate graphic design or beautiful colors, which is everyone. UGLYCON JUNE 15 – JUNE 26, 2013 OPENING RECEPTION: SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 2-9PM Giant Robot and Uglydoll are proud to present UglyCon, an exhibition of art, plush, comics and more by Uglydoll, Friends and Fans! For any other information on or about any of the artists or anything else contact Eric Nakamura at Giant Robot. MORE INFO | FACEBOOK GR X SUSAN FENIGER’S STREET By GIANT ROBOT NEWS Photos from Susan Feniger’s Street and our pop up shop there. Never Press and Space Camp joined in too. A fun day for sure, and we hope to do it again. The food? Yes, it was amazing. It was a special “Korean BBQ” day! Watch for more. The photo above is of Kajsa Alger! >> BARRY MCGEE VISITS THE WHITE HOUSE By GIANT ROBOT NEWS Not just Barry McGee, that’s Len Higa and Shizu Saldamando. >> DOIN’ IT FOR THE KIDS By MICHELLE BOROK June 1st, was Children’s Day in Mongolia. Children’s Day emerged in 1925, right around the time that child labor was formally frowned upon in the Western world, after children decades earlier suffered as cogs in the wheels of the Industrial Revolution. >> RETOX AT VACATION VINYL PLUS PUBLICATION REVIEWS: TEMPERATURE’S RISING, INDULGENCE 11, WHAT WILL HATCH? By MARTIN WONG One of the tiniest shops on Sunset, Vacation Vinyl, has hosted some of the gnarliest in-stores, from Converge to OFF! Before this week’s Retox gig in the shoebox-like store, guitar ripper Michael Crain asked my friend Ben and me, “Did you bring earplugs?” >> 2015 Sawtelle Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90025 2062 Sawtelle Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90025
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