Giant Robot Store and GR2 News – Page 981 – GiantRobotStore

bacon · Ben Ford · Chad Colby · cochon · cochon 555 · Food · Ford's Filling Station · Joshua Whigham · Mozza · News · Octavio Becerra · Palate Food + Wine · pork · Public Kitchen · The Bazaar · Tom Goodell · May 04, 2011

Cochon 555 in Los Angeles

Cochon 555. I was there to sell Heather Shouse’s Food Trucks book. Note: We are hosting a signing at GR2 TONITE from 6-9pm with food trucks including Kogi, Mandoline, and La Isla Bonita (a real OG truck). The bacon above was candied, and well cooked so you were eating the yin and yang of salt and sweet, or is it sweet and salt. How can you miss with bacon like that? I started off serious, trying to move books, but in the end, I got high on the supply… of pork. Tons of it from different chefs who included Octavio Becerra from Palate Food + Wine, Chad Colby from Mozza, Tom Goodell from Public Kitchen, Ben Ford from Ford’s Filling Station, and Joshua Whigham from The Bazaar. The event travels and the LA edition took place in downtown. At $125 a ticket for a all you can eat and drink (wine and beer and one soft drink brand), it’s actually a steal since if you’re VIP, you get in at 3:30 and the event ends at 7:30. That’s 4 hours of feasting on non stop meats prepared in so many ways, it’s hard to fathom.

Before I get any further it’s only fair to show you what I was eating in a purer form. That’s yet another cousin, Erica Nakamura. She can handle a blade like Bill The Butcher.

goh nakamura · guitar · guitar pedals · Music · News · May 03, 2011

Pedal Pusher

Hi. As my first blog post for Giant Robot, I thought it’d be fun to share an audio clip of something different from what I usually do as “Goh Nakamura: Sensitive Singer Songwriter dude w. Acoustic Guitar” Here’s a little ditty that I came up while experimenting with some effect pedals… was trying to make an audio painting of a lonely robot floating aimlessly in space. Effect Pedals are sort of like drugs for your guitar. I don’t do drugs, but can sort of live vicariously through my guitar by plugging it into a series of strange pedals and riding the snake. Here’s your Guitar Here’s your Guitar on Drugs (2nd clip filmed at GRNY right before it closed. Gary Wang on bass) I learned it from watching you, dad. I learned it from watching YOU! Edit: Here’s a pic of the pedals I used for the audio example, and the 2nd video (at GRNY)

Figures / Toys · figures toys artist art · Giant Robot store · GR2 · inner sanctum · mari inukai · sekaiseifukudan · May 03, 2011

Mari Inukai Sekaiseifukudan Presale open now!

MARI INUKAI – SEKAISEIFUKUDAN New from artist and designer Mari Inukai! Sekaiseifukudan is a new line of vinyl toy figures that debut this Saturday, May 7th at GR2! Meet all seven new characters and their creator at Giant Robot this Saturday from 2-4pm. Get your signed by Mari Inukai even if you live far away!

Art · Chicago · Jay Ryan · News · May 03, 2011

Jay Ryan – Trouble

Friday April 22, 2011 Trouble – new paintings by Jay Ryan @ Rotofugi Gallery, Chicago I’ve been a fan of Jay Ryan’s work since the mid 90’s when I first started seeing his screenprinted rock show posters popping up around town. Unknowingly at the time too, I was a fan of his band Dianogah, which featured 2 bass guitars and a drummer. Eventually putting the two together I followed his career pretty closely. As a musician, his band is one of my all time favorites, and as an artist the same could be said. I easily own over 50+ pieces of his work plus a couple of books. His bass lines and sound is as distinct as his hand drawn images and text that appear in his artwork. You know a ”Jay Ryan” when you see or hear one… That’s what was impressive about Trouble. Although the paintings were clearly “Jay Ryan”, the work moved me in ways none of his previous work has. Dark and frightful, Would not be how you would describe his typical work, but this would be the first thing you’d say with Trouble. Heavily influenced by all of the recent world disasters – New Zealand, Japan and U.S., coupled with the birth of his first child, the paintings evoke panic, distress and fear initially, but then the protectiveness, concern and obvious love that shines from within when confronted in times of disasters. Heroic, no. But inspirational and emotional, yes. A little more fluid and flowing although I’ve seen posters he’s done that had as many as 25 screens, the images and colors blend and merge with emotion and distinction. I’ve always considered his posters the perfect blend of fine and pop art, that not just music geeks could appreciate. Also Jay recently did the illustrations for the city of Chicago’s One Book, One Chicago Spring reading program featuring Neil Gaiman’s Neverwhere. http://www.chipublib.org/dir_documents/oboc_11s_guide.pdf If you get the chance, stop by Rotofugi and see his work, it’s up til May 22. You can check out his posters @ The Bird Machine plus he and some friends started Flinchy – t-Shirt company. Check out the video it’s hilarious.

attention please · boris · damon & naomi · false beats and true hearts · Features · heavy rocks · kurihara · Music · MW · News · May 03, 2011

Damon & Naomi and Boris (old tour pics, new albums)

In the van with Damon & Naomi (and Helena and Bhob)

When I was selling T-shirts for Damon & Naomi on tour with Boris back in 2007, a lot of the audience didn’t understand the pairing. Especially fans of the latter band. Why would the red-hot heroes of stony, noisy doom rock from Japan hit the road with the acid-folk offshoot of slowcore pioneers Galaxie 500? I told the black-shirted vinyl freaks that the answer wasn’t exactly right before them, but rather on the side of the stage.

Michio Kurihara with Boris

Guest guitarist Michio Kurihara would stand in the shadowy outskirts during either band’s set and add his mostly understated but always intense flourishes and effects, adding nuances to the Tokyo rockers’ explosive set and noise to the Cambridge duo’s understated arrangements. In fact, both Boris and D&N had released albums in conjunction with the insanely talented shredder from Ghost and Stars. And they’re also all just plain friends. Coincidentally, both Damon & Naomi and Boris are releasing new music this month–with Kurihara.