In talking about Bill Buford’s marvelous account of infiltrating the culture of Football Firms in the 80’s last time I mentioned that part of my own interest in the sociology was due to my travels in the UK. I didn’t get anywhere near the awesome violence Buford did, but I definitely saw some examples first … Continue reading
I’ve been wanting to read this book for some time now and I finally picked it up the other day. WOW! I don’t know if anyone else finds football hooliganism as sociologically fascinating as I do, but Bill Buford is not only one really good writer, but one brave ass motherfucker to boot. Basically, for … Continue reading
How could the words ‘Chuck Palahniuk’ combined with the word Pygmy not get the ol’ juices flowing, eh? I have not heard word one about this book, didn’t even know it was coming when this morning my boss handed me a galley’s copy she’d received. Surprised and still on the vertical climb toward caffeinated approximation … Continue reading
FINALLY!!! After decades of under appreciation Otto Von whatzhisnuts, AKA Spiderman’s coolest freakin’ villain SWARM, is getting his due. and what a due it is bay-bee. Broadway for the Swarm! Broadway? Yeah, I cannot believe it either. My jaw literally dropped, shattered into a couple hundred pieces and needed to be swept up* and then … Continue reading
… I’d really like to spread the word about here. First, in 2007 a band by the name of USSA put out their debut album, titled ‘The Spoils’. Why should you care? Well, other than the fact that it’s a damn good album filling a need for whatever you want to call that heavier end … Continue reading
It’s an interesting thing, drinking Guinness. Sometimes when I am served a perfect pint I find it difficult to even commence imbibing the liquid as I consider it practically a work of art to look at. I could watch it settle stout-to-head for hours*. I’m sure plenty of you know of what I speak, based … Continue reading
It takes a lot for me to like a tv show. I stopped actively watching television shortly after Twin Peaks originally aired on cbs. I don’t like tv – it’s notorious for talking to people like easily navigable pieces of cattle (which granted, many are). Part of this is the ads, yes. I worked in … Continue reading
First let me start by saying that I am a HUGE Grant Morrison fan. In my mind, he can do no wrong. And when I’m presented with an instance where I’m not sure about something he’s written (such as his SEVEN SOLDIERS maxi-series from several years ago*) I usually just chalk it up to my … Continue reading
I had a wonderful night with The Smiths the other night. I started out opening a bottle of UNIBROUE brewery’s QUATRE-CENTIEME*, digging in for some serious writing and, of course, firing up the stereo. I’ve blogged before about Dan Wilcox’s show on KCRW, which is on Saturday nights, but Mondays have become an even more … Continue reading
The current book I’ve been working on is set circa 1992 so I’ve been listening to a lot of stuff from that era. ’92, you know, the marvelous period just before the phrase ‘Alternative’ became an eyebrow-raising buzzword that would go on to blaze a trail of retarditude straight across the Top 40 and consumer … Continue reading