Archie Comics Tackles Gay Marriage

There will be an issue next year supporting gay marriage and a wedding will take place in it.  And no, I'm not joking.  Read about it here.

RIVERDALE WILL NEVER BE THE SAME!!!!!!!

Shawn Abnoxious has a new blog

Be sure to check out ...THWART, Shawn Abnoxious (co-host of Functional Inconvenience, published poet, longtime un-zine producer (The Neus Subjex) bassist for The Socials, artist, Author of "Teetering On The Brink of Science" as well as consultant to an un-named soon-to-be finished dystopian novel)'s new blog (his previous one was Kill Tomorrow, on Myspace).  He's an incredibly insightful writer who has influenced me a lot.  I can't recommend his work enough.

Obscure Christian Folk Artists from the 60's and 70's

Found these on Waxidermy.com...

Linda Rich - There's More to Living Than I Know So Far

(Click the above link to go to a page with the album for free download.)

Linda Rich's first lp on the Chicago based IVR label from 1969 is an amazingly beautiful set of original xian folk-pop. Outstanding sparse production, excellent songwriting, and Linda's understated, yet confident vocals make this a record that reaches way beyond any kind of novelty factor often used to "handicap" Christian records. In fact, like many of the best Xian records, there are not constant knock-you-over-the-head Jesus saves type lyrics – rather, her songs are very personal and introspective. All tracks are either totally acoustic, or very lightly and tastefully orchestrated in a style somewhat reminiscent of an early Leonard Cohen album. Apparently she has two other lp's on IVR that I'm anxious to hear."

Barbara Sipple - Barbara Sings for Life

Obscure private press christian folk recording by pro-lifer Barbara Sipple, released on the Lazarus label out of Willingboro, NJ. The majority of the record is pretty deep (and good) folk music, while a few of the tracks are accompanied by a group of kids called the "Lollipop Express Chorus," who join Sipple on some sing-a-long jams. I don't necessarily hate those but it's pretty clear that the tracks where the LEC are out on the playground and not in the studio are a bit more listenable.

"Song for Life" has recently been included on a female folk compilation entitled, "Wayfaring Strangers: Ladies from the Canyon". Fans of Linda Perhacs' Parallelograms LP could probably get with this; sublime acoustic guitar joined by cello a minute or so into the song. "Hold On" will appeal to the folk-funk crowd and is probably my favorite on this record. Oh and I can't forget "Song of the Unborn" which is the most "out there" of the tracks — is that a heart beating?

Sipple is supposedly still active in the music business, however she's retired her xian folk guitar stylings to be an opera singer.

Listen to a few tracks:

Song for Life
Hold On
Song of the Unborn


Here's a message from Barbara (from the back cover):

"This collection of songs is a joyful celebration of every man's most precious possession, life itself. The offering is made as an expression of personal gratitude to my friends of the National Youth Pro-Life Coalition who have helped put my values into perspective through their love."

Barbara — March 1973

Upon the Occasion of the Royal Wedding...

...I would like to dedicate this footage to the happy couple:



"Sex Pistols, River Thames, London 1977: The Sex Pistols blasting out songs as they sailed down the River Thames to ‘celebrate’ the silver Jubilee. Playing Anarchy in the UK whilst slowly drifting past the House of Parliament a defining moment of punk rock rebellion came as the gig ended with the boat being raided by police."

- NME (UK)

Photo: Photoshot

Added: Oct 2, 2009

May 6th - Aaron Dilloway (ex-Wolf Eyes), John Mannion (Cathode Terror Secretion), Being, Iovae, DJ Pete Fosco

Aaron Dilloway (ex-Wolf Eyes, ex-Couch, ex-Universal Indians and is the guy behind Hanson Records) is playing the basement of the Comet on May 6th for FREE (21+) with John Mannion (of Cathode Terror Secretion), Being (Harsh noise walls artist from Dayton), and Iovae (my favorite noise artist in Cincinnati). DJ Pete Fosco will be spinning between sets.

MIDWEST COAST GRINDVIOLENCE - PART I

Pizza Hi Five at The Eagles Nest (1/3/10) from Bullart. on Vimeo.

Pizza Hi-Five
Powerviolence from Lima, Ohio
http://www.myspace.com/pizzahifive


Check out their split tape with Dayton, Ohio's Hooker Spit Windex (RIP) ( Myspace and Facebook) on Feel Good Grind Tapes (RIP?).  I got it from Scab on My Brain.  So should you!!!

Palindrones - No-Wave Improv'd Creeper Jams

Jon Lorenz (Wasteland Jazz Unit, Art Damage Radio) recorded and uploaded a live set of Palindrones (NSFW) from Cincinnati, Ohio.  The lineup is made up of Chris Adams, Emilie and Brad from Pink Film, and Troy Gallagher.  So what is this like?  Well, just look in the subject line for this, genius!

Anyhoozle, it needs to be said that there's something special about the music that comes from places where the word "cornhole" is used to refer to a game that's a safe version of horse shoes, Christian rock and hardcore are considered cool, there's entire neighborhoods of racist rednecks who attempt to pull off Brooklyn accents, local talk radio is dominated by this guy, and there's nothing to do aside from eating out and going to one of a bazillion multiplexes and crappy shopping malls.  There is nothing to do here (or anywhere in the Midwest, save Chicago).  Which means that if you want to entertain yourself (or simply maintain your sanity), you're going to have to do it yourself.  And the people making it don't simply stare into the abyss... they become it.  So when they find an outlet, you better believe that even a flooded river isn't gonna keep the whole shithouse from goin' up in flames.  'Cuz that's just how it's done in the NO COAST, motherfucker.

You can look forward to the Palindrones making some noi... uh, i mean doing some stuff soon.

Audio from live set (3/11/2011)
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=W738MDEU

This Just In: JESU SOUNDS GOOD AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It looks like Justin Broadrick (ex-Godflesh, Napalm Death)'s project, Jesu, finally pulled out of the slough of mediocrity that it's been mired in for the past five years. Check out "Birth Day" off the new release, Ascension, on Stereogum.

PINK FILM (New Cincinnati Power Electronics / Harsh Noise)

Emilie and Brad are friends of mine who make power electronics and harsh noise.  I've been catching their sets since their first show and have been really impressed with what they're doing.  The noise scene here has always been very strong and they're just the latest female/male noise project to come out of here.  Last night, I bought their first tape, Seppuku.  It's unusually good for a demo and the lyrics are taken from Jenny Holzer's "Inflammatory Essays" and Valerie Solanas' "S.C.U.M. Manifesto".  Emilie is very interested in Japanese culture (some of you probably caught the reference of the band name), which shows up in the tape's artwork and song titles.  There are a limited number of them left, so get ahold of one while you can.  Their website, where you can download a couple of live sets from, is here:

http://pinky-violence.blogspot.com  (WARNING: Mature Content, NSFW)

My Spoken Word Gig is On the 9th of This Month (Next Friday)

Please come out for this.

And yes, it will probably be recorded in some shape or form.