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Showing posts from January, 2009

An Historic Date

It was all played out this morning, clear as black & white, and everything that the term "black & white" represents. No shades of gray. No. It is clear. This is the dawning of a new era. It has been a strange past year, where Black represented good and White represented evil. Out with the White, in with the Black! "Dead white males" is a pejorative phrase in literary criticism, deriding the influence and hegemony of European high culture and rejecting it as a course of study where ever possible, in favor of lesser-heard voices. Of course, the so-called political correctness of the concept is actually antithetical in many ways to the concept of political correctness because deriding white guys falls right into the identity politics they play and you turn out to be just as bad as them. Maybe that's a lesson to be learned... But since this is my bully pulpit, let me wax completely politically incorrect and satirical. When is the purple shag carpet ...

Sex Pistols in California on the Brink
of Breaking Up

On this date, January 13, in 1978, all of my friends and I were in a frenzy as we were about to drive up to San Francisco from LA to see the Sex Pistols at Winterland the following day, January 14. Winter in California means rain, and rain it did. Just about everyone I know drove up the day of the show, saw the show and drove back home. That's just how we did it back then. I was no different. Once we arrived at Winterland, I was unsure of whether or not cameras were allowed. I was wearing my favorite middy top (that's what you call the cropped top that resembles what sailors wear), the one I'm wearing in this picture. That outfit is an homage to the NY Dolls "bend over girl" from an innersleeve - illustrated by my friend Mumps co-founder, Kristian Hoffman. me, Kristian Hoffman, Dawn Wirth (photo by Dawn's daughter, Sarah) ANYWAY... under this baggy top, I hid my camera. It was hanging around my neck, and really, since it was raining, I de...

Jim Shaw Fundraiser -
Please Help the Nicest Guy in Detroit

Jim Shaw (above) and Sandy Kramer Shaw are two of the kindest people I know. No, they're not goodie two shoes types - they're ribald, funny, motorcycle riding, rock n roll good time people. Like all good rockers, they've put up scores of traveling bands in their Hamtramck home and they help their friends without a second thought. Now is the time for us to help them. Jim was recently diagnosed with cancer, and now is fighting to keep it from spreading. This kind of fight requires stamina and money for treatment. The Shaws have stamina - but who has that kind of money? Jim's brothers (more kind souls under their rock n roll bravado) have put together a benefit in Detroit to be held on February 7. Please read more and help if you can: myspace.com/jimshawfundraiser Jim, Cookie and Sandy at Barberella

Sad Day for Stooges Fans

While Iggy Pop is the flashy unforgettable frontman for The Stooges, no one ever overlooks the formidable contributions to the live performance and the recordings of his band mates. That's because this group of ne'er-do-wells from Ann Arbor, Michigan truly changed the course of rock n roll. They were one of a few inadvertent inventors of punk rock. They were recently inducted into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame. Sad news circulates today that Stooges guitarist, Ron Asheton passed away sometime between New Years Eve and today, and was found dead today in his Ann Arbor home. No details have been released, as it seems none are known. I'm sure the obits and memories will start flowing. Ann Arbor's blogosphere gives a brief report HERE. RIP, Ron Asheton...

January 4 - On This Date

It was on this date 23 years ago that Thin Lizzy bassist and frontman, Phil Lynott passed away. He was a formidable talent and fan of punk rock. We've often acknowledged him at Punk Turns 30 - and remember that night he jammed with the Plimsouls at the Starwood. You can read a tribute here: Hot Press Phil Lynott Anniversary Special from 2008 One year ago today, I embarked on the final year-long leg of my current touring exhibit, Unguarded Moments: Backstage and Beyond. Coincidentally, it was Plimsoul Eddie Munoz who picked me up from the train, joined me for lunch and random Hollywood picture taking before taking me to the airport so I could hit the road. The Unguarded Moments tour kicked off in October of 2007 and winds down at the end of this month. It is hanging at the Metropolis Gallery in Lancaster, PA. If you live in and around Central PA - or if you ever wanted to visit Amish Country and get a dose of vintage punk rock memories... you have until January 31 to do...