recommended gigs

 Friday 4-28-23 - the Unwieldies and Big Like Texas at the Sand Dollar Downtown

Friday 4-28-23 - Green Fuzz at the Golden Tiki

Friday 4-28-23 - Koffin kats, Blvd Bullies, Crimson Riot, Ghostwood Murders at Backstage Bar and Billiards

Friday 4-28-23 - Three Bad Jacks, Black Tie Society, Muertos Heist, Va Voom at the Dive Bar

Saturday 4-29-23 - The Supersuckers , Throw Rag and the Hangmen at the Dive Bar

Saturday 4-29-23 - Trish Toledo, No Que No, the Escapers at the Fremont Country Club

Saturday 4-29-23 - Thee Swank Bastards late night at the Golden Tiki

Sunday 4-30-23 - The Surfers of Mercy at Red Dwarf's Sunday Brunch

Monday 5-1-23 - Thee Swank Bastards at the Golden Tiki

Wednesday 5-3-23 - Franks'n'Deans Weenie Roast at the Double Down

Friday 5-5-23 - the Rayford Brothers at the Golden Tiki

Wednesday 5-10-23 - The Bronx and more TBA at Backstage Bar and Billiards

Wednesday 5-10-23 - Thee Swank Bastards at the Founder's Club

Saturday 5-13-23 - The Psyatics at the Huntridge Tavern

Friday 5-26-23 - Sunday 5-28-23 - Punk Rock Bowling

Friday 5-26-23 - Rhyolite Sound, Wild Rose Band at The Industrial Event Space

Sunday 5-28-23 - Hangover Helper Concert Series at the Sand Dollar Downtown at Noon with the Nobodys, the Sleights, Jerk! and Goners UK

Wednesday 6-7-23 - Franks'n'Deans Weenie Roast at the Double Down

Friday 6-9-23 - The Psyatics with the Bitters and special guests at the Double Down Saloon

Sunday 6-25-23 - The Psyatics with Bob Log III and the Fat Dukes of Fuck at the Dive Bar

Tuesday 7-11-23 - The Psyatics with the Pine Hill Haints and Invisible Teardrops at Red Dwarf

Saturday 8-5-23 - The Psyatics with special guests TBA at the. Double Down

recommended gigs

 Friday 4-21-23 - The Psyatics with the Pine Box Dwellers and Uncle Dave at the Double Down

Saturday 4-22-23 - The Pine Box Dwellers and Uncle Dave at the Huntridge Tavern

Saturday 4-22-23 - Thee Swank Bastards late night at the Golden Tiki

Saturday 4-22-23 - Surfer Joe (Italy), Smokehouse Dave, the Stillnites, Rhythm Ace and the Nu-Tones at the Usual Place

Saturday 4-22-23 - Goldtop Bob Dedication at the Founder's Club with live music by Acoustic Front, Johnny Zig Muniz and Bobby Doerr

Sunday 4-23-23 - Thee Swank Bastards at Red Dwarf's Sunday Brunch

Monday 4-24-23 - Thee Swank Bastards at the Golden Tiki

Wednesday 4-26-23 - Viva Las Vegas Pre-Pre-Party 11:00 am -5:00 pm presented by Rockin' Bettie and Glam Factory at 1302 S. 3rd St with The Hideaway, Duo Glides, Tin Can Screamers, DJ's and more!

Wednesday 4-26-23 - Viva Las Vegas Pre-Party with Shanda and the Howlers, Tin Can Screamers, Trevor and the Swingin' Johnsons, Rhythm Ace and the Nu-Tones at the Sand Dollar Lounge

Friday 4-28-23 - the Unwieldies and Big Like Texas at the Sand Dollar Downtown

Friday 4-28-23 - Green Fuzz at the Golden Tiki

Friday 4-28-23 - Koffin kats, Blvd Bullies, Crimson Riot, Ghostwood Murders at Backstage Bar and Billiards

Friday 4-28-23 - Three Bad Jacks, Black Tie Society, Muertos Heist, Va Voom at the Dive Bar

Saturday 4-29-23 - The Supersuckers , Throw Rag and the Hangmen at the Dive Bar

Saturday 4-29-23 - Trish Toledo, No Que No, the Escapers at the Fremont Country Club

Saturday 4-29-23 - Thee Swank Bastards late night at the Golden Tiki

Sunday 4-30-23 - The Surfers of Mercy at Red Dwarf's Sunday Brunch

Monday 5-1-23 - Thee Swank Bastards at the Golden Tiki

Wednesday 5-3-23 - Franks'n'Deans Weenie Roast at the Double Down

Friday 5-5-23 - the Rayford Brothers at the Golden Tiki

Wednesday 5-10-23 - The Bronx and more TBA at Backstage Bar and Billiards

Saturday 5-13-23 - The Psyatics at the Huntridge Tavern

Friday 5-26-23 - Sunday 5-28-23 - Punk Rock Bowling

Friday 5-26-23 - Rhyolite Sound, Wild Rose Band at The Industrial Event Space

Sunday 5-28-23 - Hangover Helper Concert Series at the Sand Dollar Downtown at Noon with the Nobodys, the Sleights, Jerk! and Goners UK

Wednesday 6-7-23 - Franks'n'Deans Weenie Roast at the Double Down

Friday 6-9-23 - The Psyatics with the Bitters and special guests at the Double Down Saloon

Sunday 6-25-23 - The Psyatics with Bob Log III and the Fat Dukes of Fuck at the Dive Bar

Tuesday 7-11-23 - The Psyatics with the Pine Hill Haints and Invisible Teardrops at Red Dwarf

Saturday 8-5-23 - The Psyatics with special guests TBA at the. Double Down

Damnation Island - Stacy Horn

 

Subtitled "Poor, Sick, Mad and Criminal in 19th-Century New York", this book tells the tale of Blackwell Island, off the coast of Manhattan, and the institutions there that were meant to help the less fortunate, but which became horrific in its abuses.

It all originated with the best intentions but, as with all too many institutions like these, the powers-that-be vastly underestimated the need and also underestimated the greed of all too many people involved. The island eventually contained a penitentiary, asylums, almshouses and hospitals, all of which were quickly overcrowded (and underfunded) to the point of being incredibly unsanitary (do not read the descriptions while trying to eat!) and unsafe in the extreme. Besides those in power that would look the other way to the abuses, in order to keep costs down, unqualified prisoners and others kept in the various institutions would "look after" those in the asylums - which often meant violently abusing them, starving them and depriving them of basic comforts.

Throughout the decades covered in the book, there is various turnover (and some legal interventions due to reporters uncovering details of abuses and deaths), often with the best intentions, but everyone is always overwhelmed and nothing ever really improves in any significant way, all the way through to the demolishment of the institutions.

When I randomly picked this up at the Founders Club Book Fair, I assumed that it was a work of fiction, but being a true story makes this infinitely more depressing. In fact, I needed to take breaks from it several times because it is such a bummer! 

Interesting and informative, to be sure, but not an enjoyable read, by any means.

recommended gigs

 Thursday 4-13-23 - TV Party Tonight showing Breaking Glass with live music by the Negative Nancys

Thursday 4-13-23 - the New Waves at the Sand Dollar Downtown

Thursday 4-13-23 - Thee Hypnotiques at Cornish Pasty

Saturday 4-15-23 - the Shakewells, the Rebel Set and the Thingz at Red Dwarf 

Saturday 4-15-23 - the Unwieldies at the Las Vegas Bluegrass Festival - Centennial Park

Saturday 4-15-23 - Va Voom, the Way Outs, Brian Lee Dunning at the Double Down

Saturday 4-15-23 - Thee Swank Bastards late night at the Golden Tiki

Sunday 4-16-23 - Bob Wayne and the Outlaw Carnies with Barnyard Stompers and Daniel Mason at the Dive Bar

Sunday 4-16-23 - The Surfers of Mercy at Red Dwarf's Sunday Brunch

Monday 4-17-23 - Thee Swank Bastards at the Golden Tiki

Tuesday 4-18-23 - City Mouse, Si Vende, Crimson Riot at Red Dwarf

Friday 4-21-23 - The Psyatics with the Pine Box Dwellers and Uncle Dave at the Double Down

Saturday 4-22-23 - The Pine Box Dwellers and Uncle Dave at the Huntridge Tavern

Saturday 4-22-23 - Thee Swank Bastards late night at the Golden Tiki

Saturday 4-22-23 - Surfer Joe (Italy), Smokehouse Dave, the Stillnites, Rhythm Ace and the Nu-Tones at the Usual Place

Saturday 4-22-23 - Goldtop Bob Dedication at the Founder's Club with live music by Acoustic Front, Johnny Zig Muniz and Bobby Doerr

Sunday 4-23-23 - Thee Swank Bastards at Red Dwarf's Sunday Brunch

Monday 4-24-23 - Thee Swank Bastards at the Golden Tiki

Wednesday 4-26-23 - Viva Las Vegas Pre-Pre-Party 11:00 am -5:00 pm presented by Rockin' Bettie and Glam Factory at 1302 S. 3rd St with The Hideaway, Duo Glides, Tin Can Screamers, DJ's and more!

Wednesday 4-26-23 - Viva Las Vegas Pre-Party with Shanda and the Howlers, Tin Can Screamers, Trevor and the Swingin' Johnsons, Rhythm Ace and the Nu-Tones at the Sand Dollar Lounge

Friday 4-28-23 - the Unwieldies and Big Like Texas at the Sand Dollar Downtown

Friday 4-28-23 - Green Fuzz at the Golden Tiki

Friday 4-28-23 - Koffin kats, Blvd Bullies, Crimson Riot, Ghostwood Murders at Backstage Bar and Billiards

Friday 4-28-23 - Three Bad Jacks, Black Tie Society, Muertos Heist, Va Voom at the Dive Bar

Saturday 4-29-23 - The Supersuckers , Throw Rag and the Hangmen at the Dive Bar

Saturday 4-29-23 - Trish Toledo, No Que No, the Escapers at the Fremont Country Club

Saturday 4-29-23 - Thee Swank Bastards late night at the Golden Tiki

Sunday 4-30-23 - The Surfers of Mercy at Red Dwarf's Sunday Brunch

Monday 5-1-23 - Thee Swank Bastards at the Golden Tiki

Wednesday 5-3-23 - Franks'n'Deans Weenie Roast at the Double Down

Friday 5-5-23 - the Rayford Brothers at the Golden Tiki

Wednesday 5-10-23 - The Bronx and more TBA at Backstage Bar and Billiards

Saturday 5-13-23 - The Psyatics at the Huntridge Tavern

Friday 5-26-23 - Sunday 5-28-23 - Punk Rock Bowling

Friday 5-26-23 - Rhyolite Sound, Wild Rose Band at The Industrial Event Space

Sunday 5-28-23 - Hangover Helper Concert Series at the Sand Dollar Downtown at Noon with the Nobodys, the Sleights, Jerk! and Goners UK

Wednesday 6-7-23 - Franks'n'Deans Weenie Roast at the Double Down

Friday 6-9-23 - The Psyatics with the Bitters and special guests at the Double Down Saloon

Sunday 6-25-23 - The Psyatics with Bob Log III and the Fat Dukes of Fuck at the Dive Bar

Tuesday 7-11-23 - The Psyatics with the Pine Hill Haints and Invisible Teardrops at Red Dwarf

Saturday 8-5-23 - The Psyatics with special guests TBA at the. Double Down

RIP Mary Quant

Fashion designer Dame Mary Quant dies aged 93

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The 60's would literally not have been the same without her distinctive and wonderful fashions.

RIP Al Jaffee

Al Jaffee, record-breaking Mad Magazine cartoonist, dies age 102 

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One of the titans of Mad Magazine and part of my life for almost as long as I can remember. Long lived but still sad to see him go.

RIP Kris Guidio

 

I know nothing about Kris other than his fantastic artwork that graced the likes of the Tales From the Cramps and Lindsey Hutton's fab Next Big Thing, but sad to hear of this talented man's passig.

recommended gigs

 Thursday 4-6-23 - the Covids (amsterdam), Nestter Donuts (Barcelona) and Suburban Resistance at the Griffin

Friday 4-7-23 - the Rhyolite Sound, Thee Hypnotiques, the Dirty Hooks at the Huntridge Theater for the relighting ceremony 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Friday 4-7-23 - Suburban Resistance, Blvd Bullies, Stagnetti's Cock at the Founder's Club

Friday 4-7-23 - Shanda and the Howlers, Rhythm Ace and the Nu-Tones at the Sand Dollar Lounge

Friday 4-7-23 - Thee Swank Bastards at Count Vamp'd

Friday 4-7-23 - Alive - Pearl Jam Tribute at OYO Hotel and Casino

Saturday 4-8-23 - Beebe Gallini, Cromm Fallon and the P200's, Civilians at Red Dwarf

Saturday 4-8-23 - Thee Swank Bastards late night at the Golden Tiki

Sunday 4-9-23 - Thee Swank Bastards at Red Dwarf's Sunday Brunch

Monday 4-10-23 - Thee Swank Bastards at the Golden Tiki

Thursday 4-13-23 - TV Party Tonight showing Breaking Glass with live music by the Negative Nancys

Thursday 4-13-23 - the New Waves at the Sand Dollar Downtown

Thursday 4-13-23 - Thee Hypnotiques at Cornish Pasty

Saturday 4-15-23 - the Shakewells and the Thingz at Red Dwarf 

Saturday 4-15-23 - the Unwieldies at the Las Vegas Bluegrass Festival - Centennial Park

Saturday 4-15-23 - Va Voom, the Way Outs, Brian Lee Dunning at the Double Down

Saturday 4-15-23 - Thee Swank Bastards late night at the Golden Tiki

Sunday 4-16-23 - Bob Wayne and the Outlaw Carnies with Barnyard Stompers and Daniel Mason at the Dive Bar

Sunday 4-16-23 - The Surfers of Mercy at Red Dwarf's Sunday Brunch

Monday 4-17-23 - Thee Swank Bastards at the Golden Tiki

Tuesday 4-18-23 - City Mouse, Si Vende, Crimson Riot at Red Dwarf

Friday 4-21-23 - The Psyatics with the Pine Box Dwellers and Uncle Dave at the Double Down

Saturday 4-22-23 - The Pine Box Dwellers and Uncle Dave at the Huntridge Tavern

Saturday 4-22-23 - Thee Swank Bastards late night at the Golden Tiki

Saturday 4-22-23 - Surfer Joe (Italy), Smokehouse Dave, the Stillnites, Rhythm Ace and the Nu-Tones at the Usual Place

Saturday 4-22-23 - Goldtop Bob Dedication at the Founder's Club with live music by Acoustic Front, Johnny Zig Muniz and Bobby Doerr

Sunday 4-23-23 - Thee Swank Bastards at Red Dwarf's Sunday Brunch

Monday 4-24-23 - Thee Swank Bastards at the Golden Tiki

Friday 4-28-23 - the Unwieldies and Big Like Texas at the Sand Dollar Downtown

Friday 4-28-23 - Green Fuzz at the Golden Tiki

Friday 4-28-23 - Koffin kats, Blvd Bullies, Crimson Riot, Ghostwood Murders at Backstage Bar and Billiards

Saturday 4-29-23 - The Supersuckers , Throw Rag and the Hangmen at the Dive Bar

Saturday 4-29-23 - Trish Toledo, No Que No, the Escapers at the Fremont Country Club

Saturday 4-29-23 - Thee Swank Bastards late night at the Golden Tiki

Sunday 4-30-23 - The Surfers of Mercy at Red Dwarf's Sunday Brunch

Monday 5-1-23 - Thee Swank Bastards at the Golden Tiki

Wednesday 5-3-23 - Franks'n'Deans Weenie Roast at the Double Down

Friday 5-5-23 - the Rayford Brothers at the Golden Tiki

Wednesday 5-10-23 - The Bronx and more TBA at Backstage Bar and Billiards

Saturday 5-13-23 - The Psyatics at the Huntridge Tavern

Friday 5-26-23 - Sunday 5-28-23 - Punk Rock Bowling

Friday 5-26-23 - Rhyolite Sound, Wild Rose Band at The Industrial Event Space

Sunday 5-28-23 - Hangover Helper Concert Series at the Sand Dollar Downtown at Noon with the Nobodys, the Sleights, Jerk! and Goners UK

Wednesday 6-7-23 - Franks'n'Deans Weenie Roast at the Double Down

Friday 6-9-23 - The Psyatics with the Bitters and special guests at the Double Down Saloon

Sunday 6-25-23 - The Psyatics with Bob Log III and the Fat Dukes of Fuck at the Dive Bar

Tuesday 7-11-23 - The Psyatics with the Pine Hill Haints and Invisible Teardrops at Red Dwarf

Saturday 8-5-23 - The Psyatics with special guests TBA at the. Double Down

Walking Through Clear Water in a Pool Painted Black - Cookie Mueller

 

I believe that my lovely wife got infatuated with Cookie Mueller after see the Nan Goldin film a couple of weeks ago and so she picked up a couple of books on and by her. This one is a collection of her writings and while Cookie had (she passed away in 1989) a wildly crazy life, she was also quite intelligent and an excellent writer - highly descriptive and informative while still being extremely compelling.

Coming of age in the 1960's, Mueller travels the country, including a stint in the San Francisco Haight area where, in a day or so, she encounters Jimi Hendrix, the Manson Family, Anton Lavey, does multiple drugs, gets kidnapped and raped and much more! Her lifestyle choices were not always the safest, including hitch-hiking with other like-minded and wildly dressed women in questionable areas, which led to another kidnapping! 

Of course, her time with John Waters is one reason why she is reasonably well known and, also of course, her tales of those movies are as wacky as the films themselves, including her mother's reaction to her and her son appearing in one and her getting fucked by a decapitated chicken and Divine eating dogshit in another.

From there, she tells of her ever-evolving life and travels, and then adds some fiction and some columns that she wrote for various magazines. Her personal stories are the most fascinating parts of the book, by far - some of the fiction is entertaining, albeit a bit esoteric, and the advice column, while actually giving some sound advice, isn't all that interesting to me other than as a time capsule piece - other than the fact that some of her homeopathic solutions are still used to this day.

Again, the writing itself is always fun, entertaining and well done, but the advice columns weren't that intriguing to me, personally, in this day'n'age. But, the book is well worth it for her personal stories. Recommended!

RIP Seymour Stein

Seymour Stein, Sire Records Co-Founder Who Signed Madonna, The Ramones & More, Dies at 80 

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In the late 70's, Sire Records was one of the most important labels going. Sorry to hear about Seymour's passing.