Giant Robot Store and GR2 News
It may not be obvious to a lot of newer Giant Robot readers, but GR was spawned from punk rock zines. Eric and I both contributed to them before we made GR, which was basically an Asian culture-related mutation. If you look at the earliest issues, the handmade-looking layouts, intensely personal opinions and tones, and rough overall aesthetic match up with them. So when it was announced that Touch and Go was going to be compiled into a squarebound collection, I immediately pre-ordered it. When I was getting into music, I was informed by zines like Flipside, Ink Disease, MRR, and Thrasher, and then followed second-generation publications like Cometbus, No Idea!, and Punk Planet and aquired back issues of Slash and Search and Destroy. In the end, these weren't just about documenting music, but a way to create culture.
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On Saturday, we took my sister and cousin out for a belated birthday dinner. Yes, mag deadlines make me a lousy relative. Luckily, they understand. They were also understanding about me choosing some of my favorite places… Vegetarian Chinese food and dessert are something that you might have found me and my friend Jeff doing every week a decade or so ago… Above, mock shrimp with walnuts and pepper beef. Below, my sister Angelyn and her husband Carlos.
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The new magazine is at the printer but that doesn't mean I've forgotten Giant Robot 66, which is still on the stands. Last week, I delivered some magazines to Mark Tsai at Covina Tasty. I think he has a really interesting story, which I shared in the issue. He opened a Tastee Freeze franchise and then replaced all the meat items with vegetarian versions without telling the company–succeeding not only in keeping meat off the menu but still getting to offer the legit frozen desserts as well.
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Yesterday we released a lot of information of events happening in LA. Laura Ling and Lisa Ling signing. I think it might be their only one, and the book is a good read. It's in a way, an adventure, true crime, political, and at the same time, family. Laura will also be in GR66. Don't miss this signing in LA on the 17th. 5-7pm. But almost a week from now is the SALE! Sat and Sun. Take 20% off, NOT ART and have fun checking out the latest toys, t shirts, comics and more. Then at the same time, it's BUFF Monster's custom painted show. Imagine, 50 or so artists contributing their custom take on Buff Monsters figure. They really look amazing. So that's actually a lot of info for just LA and these are all pretty strong events. If these don't bring you out, then I'm stumped.
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Lots and lots of great readers and helpers this issue–including Deanne, above–hopefully making it a tight one. More details to come, but for now I can say we're putting the finishing touches on the pages and getting ready to finalize it…
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