One of the coolest moments in last Sunday's Dillinger Escape Plan show at the Paramount Theatre in Brooklyn was when they played "Tearing" from Rollins Band's 1992 masterpiece The End of Silence.
There's a great write-up on Dillinger and Dead Guy's three-night stand over on Brooklyn Vegan, a site I used to love and frequent a lot more before they succumbed to the same pop-up ad malarky all sites seemingly succumb to now.
Watch:
K and I caught the new Tom Hardy movie The Bikeriders at the theatre. What is it with recent movies that are fantastic but have terrible names? Underwater? Bikeriders? Come on.
Ultimately, I won't give the film too much shit, because it was fantastic. Tom Hardy gives another nuanced performance and Austin Butler just nails the "Brooding, silent bad boy" archetype. Jodie Comer is essentially our lead character as the window into the world of Chicago's Vandals, and she also turns in a great performance. Then, we also have Michael Shannon, Boyd Holbrook, Norman Reedus, Emopry Cohen, Karl Glusman, and - maybe the best surprise - Damon Herriman; known to Justified fans as Dewey Crowe! It's an ensemble cast and a lot of damn fun, so I'd say if you can, catch it in a theatre. Plus, you get to see the Robert Eggers' Nosferatu trailer on the big screen.
This is another recent trailer that gives absolutely nothing away but still fills the screen with sounds and images that make me super excited to see this one when it releases this coming December. Now, if I can just manage not to see it more than once or twice before then...
Playlist:
Ghost - Infestissumam
Protomartyr - Under Color of Official Right
USSA - The Spoils
Tubby Hayes Quintet - Down in the Village (Live at Ronnie Scott's Club, London 1962)
Calexico - The Black Light
Forhist - Eponymous
Jim Williams - Possessor OST
Joseph Bishara - Malignant OST
Valkyrie - Fear
The Ravenonettes - Sing
Night Sins - A Silver Blade In The Shadow EP
Thou - Umbilical
Justin Hamline - The House With Dead Leaves
The Dillinger Escape Plan - Calculating Infinity
Card:
From Jonathan Grimm's Hand of Doom Tarot, which you can buy HERE.
• Four of Cups
• Eight of Cups
• XX: Judgement
Emotional stability through the transformation of emotions during a pivotal sequence. In other words, we choose how we are going to interpret and let things make us feel. You can take things negatively, or you can put some kind of positive spin on it. Obviously, some things are just awful and can't be "spun" any other way.
This is definitely not for me today, but someone I know.
New music from Human Impact! This band's debut hit right around the time the pandemic began, and I remember it quickly became a fairly regular and significant piece of music for me. However, in the last few years, they kind of slipped from my radar. Now, their sophomore album Gone Dark drops October 4th on Ipecac; pre-order HERE.
New music from X as they announce their final album and tour! You can pre-order Smoke & Fiction from X's Bandcamp HERE.
Watch:
GORGAZMA - remember this name because this is a new Horror Production company whose debut short film, Pizza Panic Party, absolutely blew me away.
I love everything about this film, from the lighting, the music (score by Joseph Fucking Bishara!) and of course, the gore and FX. Holy smokes. I'm over the moon at the prospect of getting more from these folks. Talk about coming out of the gates swinging.
NCBD:
Heading out to Rick's Comic City after work today for this week's NCBD. Here's what I'll have waiting for me in my Pull:
Okay, well, this one isn't actually on my pull list yet. This will be the first monthly issue of Department of Truth released since I began reading it last year, shortly after the title went on hiatus. Honestly, I'm not certain I won't just wait for the trade - or at least that's what I keep telling myself.
For the man himself, a silver mask and a stunningly hot terrorist lady. Damn - while all this crazy Cobra shit goes on around Cobra Island and Springfield, with the multiple factions plotting against one another, Destro has his own agenda. Can't wait to see what it is.
The cover of this book is a testament to just how f*cking crazy it is.
"Road Stories" continues, and I'm curious where we'll end up this month. It's been a tiny bit anti-climatic to have this book come back from the insane energy of the previous arc with tales set in Erica's past, however, the character development is huge, and really, I think this is almost down time for her (and us) before shit really goes off the deep end with what comes next.
The solicitation for this issue has me kind of chomping at the bit:
"VOID RIVALS finally puts the "energon" in their corner of the Energon Universe!"
I had not even considered that, while all the other books have been about Energon discovery and acquisition, we haven't had any of it to speak of in Void Rivals. That's interesting, and I think the highly sought-after element is going to make quite a splash within the factions of the Sacred Ring.
Playlist:
Pepper Adams - Encounter!
Coleman Hawkins - Wrapped Tight
The Dillinger Escape Plan - Calculating Infinity
The Dillinger Escape Plan - Ire Works
The Dillinger Escape Plan - One of Us Is the Killer
Sunday morning I flew into LaGuardia airport and met up with my good friend Dave, who flew in from Chicago. We hired a car into Brooklyn, checked into the Brooklyn Hotel for two nights, and headed out to the Paramount Theatre to see the final of three shows that The Dillinger Escape Plan played here to celebrate the 25th anniversary of 1999's Calculating Infinity. This was the seventh time I've seen the band live since 1999, and the second time with original lead singer Dimitri Minakakis. Almost as big a draw for me was a reunited Deadguy, a band I found in 1995 as a writer for then-Chicago music magazine Subculture (how I miss you!). I had somehow gotten to be the magazine's dedicated reviewer for everything then new label Victory Records released. The problem was that I didn't really like most of what Victory put out. Deadguy was one of the few exceptions to that rule because, holy shit, did I LOVE Fixation on a Coworker from the moment I hit play.
Before the show we grabbed a bite and a few drinks at a local Brewery/Restaurant called Sound + Fury. Great stuff. I started with a Kölsch I didn't love - I think the barrel was low or the lines were off - but found much better results when I switched it up to their Quality Control Pilsner. I ended up drinking way more Pilsners on this trip than I normally do, but it was hot and I was bloated from general travel unease, so a thinner beer seemed the better option. Also, I'm on a total ban of IPAs at the moment, as they've just completely worn out their welcome for me.
The entire bar at Sound + Fury was populated by folks in Mr. Bungle, Ween and Melvins shirts. we struck up a little conversation and briefly met a couple from Chicago who, like us, had jumped on this show the second it was announced, fearing it would be a one-and-done. Doors were set to open at 5:00 PM I think, and by 6:00 PM, pretty much everyone there for the show had cleared out. We stayed behind; I hate to be that guy who only watches the bands I came to see, but also, I'm fucking 48 and I'd been awake since 6:00 AM - standing on a hard floor for four bands' set times felt... intimidating. Eventually, around 6:30 PM we headed over.
There were supposed to be two opening bands, the names of which I will withhold because I don't like to talk shit. But man, I did not like either. I also didn't like the third opener they added. There's something about metal that makes people think they can just base their band around decibels and blast beats, throw up the horns after every song, and the crowd will accept them.
Not this guy. Nope.
A couple hours into the show, the night was not going great. I was happy to be there with my friend, don't get me wrong, but I was getting drunk and I was getting tired. Then Deadguy took the stage. They played fantastic for a band that hasn't been a band in 30 years, however, the sound for them was the worst of the night. I mean, it was "Fire your sound guy now" bad. I was a little crushed.
When Dillinger took the stage the sound continued to be an issue. This was unbelievable; I mean, we're watching Bill Rymer hit his snare and not hearing it. Could hear the fucking kick drum loud and clear, though. Again, I don't like to talk shit, but there is a penchant in the live sound community - especially at metal shows - for sound techs to focus on the drum kit and forget everything else, or at least dial it in slowly. That's pretty much what happened, as the sound did get there eventually, but it took about four songs into Dillinger's set. Fine, whatever. By this point, Dimitri had worked his way to the back of the house and was delivering the refrain from Aphex Twin's "Come to Daddy" from atop the soundboard. I actually found myself wondering if the sound guy thought Dimitri had come back to kick his ass, and that's why the sound suddenly improved.
The show was fantastic, and by the end completely blotted out the travesty from earlier in the evening. Dave and I hung around outside the Paramount for a bit and ran into that Chicago couple again. Rob and Jax. Great folks and it blew my mind to find Rob was also a graduate of Columbia College Chicago's Sound Program. What's more, he's actually using his education - he's the head sound guy at Chicago's United Center! We walked over to a dive someone online had recommended to Dave, The Brooklyn Inn and I instantly fell in love; a long space instead of wide, only a few quiet souls on hand, low lighting and jazz on the speakers. This was the second highlight of the evening. Rob and I talked about Columbia for quite some time, and I was thrilled to find he had studied live sound with one of my favorite teachers there, Jack Alexander. Jack was nuts, one of the most no-bullshit guys I met at the school, and I was bummed to find both he and another favorite, Jim Nudd, had passed away. Rob regaled me by explaining how the year Jack died, the sound crew at Lolapalooza - which he was on - peppered images of their mentor on the giant digital screen during the festival. I raised several glasses to that.
We ended up closing the place, I think. We scored some extremely salty Pastrami sandwiches at a little all-night bodega on the corner, then went back to the hotel and passed out.
On Monday, after a slow-moving morning, I heard Jazz or Hip-Hop everywhere we went in Brooklyn. Without any real destination, we had breakfast at a neighborhood place called Pearl's, then just walked around Brooklyn for a couple of hours. I always feel that's how I get to know a city—by walking. Later, we had dinner at a place called The Canary, then walked across the street to watch a jazz quartet at Drink Lounge. These guys were fantastic: Kit, Upright, Guitar and Alto Sax. Once they wrapped, we hiked a couple blocks down to a Jazz Vinyl Bar we'd passed by on the way to dinner - Kissa Kissa. The wall of vinyl in this place has to be seen to be believed:
We ended up closing this place, too, as the bartender Meno was a damn cool guy and our meandering conversations with him touched on everything from the state of the world to wine to music to Tennessee. The evening just melted away. A half-dozen pints of Night Shift Brewing's Nite Lite helped on this end, as well as the bottle of 2018 Loli Casado Jaun de Alzate Crianza Rioja Dave bought that I nipped at here and there. Wine is largely lost on me, and I'm fairly certain I have a tannin allergy, but it just felt right.
After closing out Kissa Kissa, Dave and I walked back to the hotel, and I realized I was kind of in love with Brooklyn Walking reveals so much of a place; I've been to NY two other times and have never been in a hurry to return. After this trip, Dave and I are already talking about when we can come back, maybe bring our girlfriends for two days and just haunt this wonderful borough.
More new music from Zeal and Ardor's upcoming new record Greif, out August 23rd. You can pre-order HERE.
Watch:
Joe Bob and Darcy did Joe Lynch's Suitable Flesh yesterday, and I really enjoyed it. I had some issues with the flick the first time I watched it, but still gave it a favorable review. This time, I think I understood exactly where Joe Lynch was coming from on this one, and it helped. Kind of an adopt-and-subvert approach to a Skinamax flick, flipping it on its head and injecting it with some real Stuart Gordon-esque Gore/Body Horror.
Afterward, I was stuck in the usual post-Joe Bob funk. I want to watch something, I want to travel back in time and get transgressive, or even just obscure, but I usually just don't know how. I searched around for a while on Shudder, then ended up on YouTube somehow, where I found this:
A total Halloween wanna-be, right down to the music, but it did the trick. I sorted through comics, drank beer and wallowed in the 80s Slasher genre like Jade Daniels would. To invoke the proper mood, I even spun Wild Dogs by The Rods before I started the flick. Needless to say, it was a good Friday night.
Read:
I've kind of fallen out of posting Drinking with Comics here, so I should correct that. The new DwC: Drunk on Energon went up yesterday. Mike and I talk about the three latest entries in Robert Kirkman and Skybound's Energon Universe: Scarlett issue 1, Transformers issue 9 and Destro issue 1!
Destro is the treasure here. In one issue, this book is already giving the recently completed Cobra Commander series a run for its money as my favorite of the Energon books.
Another fantastic new track from The Mysterines' upcoming Afraid of Tomorrows album, out this Friday, June 21st. You can pre-order the album HERE.
Watch:
On Tuesday night, K and I went to see the one-night-only re-release of Ti West's X at our local Regal. This screening was followed by a "sneak peek" of West's upcoming third film in the trilogy, Maxxxine.
The "sneak peek" was basically the opening scene of the film. The real talking point here is seeing X again on the big screen. This is my third or fourth time doing so, but first since watching Pearl. Talk about a prequel shedding some serious light on the original film!
K said it best when she wished for an article that might point to whether these were all written together. My understanding (based on what I remember from an interview West did on the Colours of the Dark Podcast HERE) is that upon arriving in New Zealand to film X, the cast and crew had to quarantine for three or four weeks, and during that time, West and Goth conceived and wrote Pearl. My guess is from there, they had ideas to continue Maxine's story and A24 greenlit it the moment they realized what a good thing they had going.
As I intimated above, watching X again for the first time since seeing the prequel, I have to say that Pearl's character resonates in a completely different and affecting way than when just experienced in the first film. There was already an element of that, thanks to the moments West steals in X to show the character's fragile longing (the "Landslide" scene). Now, however, Pearl becomes at once more frightening and more sympathetic—not an easy task for a filmmaker to achieve.
I've been a fan of Ti West since I first saw 2005's The Roost, thanks to my good friend Dennis' knowledge and knack for curation at the time. From the first mention of House of the Devil until the film's release, I waited for what felt like years, and I've watched the man grow as a filmmaker, always hoping for success on the level he has now experienced. There's a bit of a cultural fever pitch surrounding Maxxxine's release - one that seems to transcend Horror circles - and I can't wait to sit down and watch the end ofthe character's story play out surrounded by what I now assume will be a bit more people than I'm used to seeing at Horror screenings in Clarksville.
Hell yeah.
Read:
I finished FantasticLand several days ago and was pretty much left breathless. This one affected me deeply; I'm seeing shades of the worst humanity has to offer echo in my perception of the world around me, and it's a bit disorienting. Based on that, I decided to switch it up and finally dig into my good friend and Horror Vision cohost John Trafton's latest book, Movie Made Los Angeles.
This is exactly what I need at the moment: a scholarly discourse about the nuances and intangible nature of the Cultural Economy of Los Angeles and how it became the mythic location it is in the world's mind. I'm forced to slow down and really "chew" what I'm reading, which is a good thing. I can feel my brain working in ways fiction just does not utilize.
You can order this one anywhere books are sold. You can also check out John's writing on his website, Johntrafton.com. I recommend starting with one of these two articles right HERE or HERE.
Playlist:
Riz Ortolani Feat. Katyna Ranieri - Oh My Love (single)
Still riding near the top of my favorite albums of 2024 list is Amigo the Devil's Yours Until the War is Over, and what's that? This unstoppable force of storytelling goes and drops another new song at a live show last week. Mr. Brown sent that footage to me, and I'd planned to make it today's musical post; however, this 'Tour Bus Edition" popped up in my feed yesterday, and the choice was clear.
Head over to Liars Club Records to order the album OR the nifty new "My Body is a Dive Bar" T-shirt. I scooped that one up the moment I saw it.
NCBD :
Oh man, a fantastic-looking pull today. Let's not waste any time:
To say I have been waiting for Dan Watters' Destro book is an understatement of the highest order. I cannot wait to see where this takes us in the formation of Cobra, and what kind of relationship develops between the silver-visaged Scottish Laird and our dear, sweet Commander.
As I mentioned previously, I've really been enjoying hanging out with John Constantine again. I'm not sure if Dead in America is coming to its inevitable conclusion, but League of Comic Book Geeks has the series ending at issue 9, which is a weird number of issues for a series. Is it possible this may play out like Tynion's Nightmare Country and come back in a few months? We will see.
Okay, this second issue of Last Ronin II is starting to remind me of Jason Mrowski's older brother in his IROC. You know the type - he offers you a ride, then keeps pulling up just out of reach so you can't actually get into the car? Yeah. How many times have I posted this issue on a Wednesday?
And we come to the end of The One Hand, which really is only half the end of the story, because the final issue of The Six Fingers drops July 24th. I've really enjoyed this Neo Noir by Ram V and the aforementioned Dan Watters, and I'm hoping the books did well enough to warrant more stories set inside Neo Novena's seedy walls.
I caught up on this one over the weekend and am still really digging it. I love the commitment the modern TMNT universe takes to exploring new characters and not just using and reusing the old mainstays. Case in point: Shredder has been out of the picture since issue... what? 100? That's several years they've let Oroku Karai lead the foot and develop into a really cool character that stands on her own. Sure, she doesn't have the gnarly army her Grandfather Oroku Saki had, but like so many of the characters, her look as evolved and is still super sleek. The introduction of a secret sect of the Foot that has survived until now could have been exhausting, but this series is playing it smart and I am intrigued to see where this will go.
Watch:
This just made me incredibly happy:
Way jealous of the "Ceiling of Toys." Talk about living in a surreal environment.
Playlist:
Alice in Chains - Dirt
Mastodon - Once More Round the Sun
Amigo the Devil - Born Against
Amigo the Devil - Yours Until the War is Over
Man Man - Carrot on Stings
Chelsea Wolfe - Hiss Spun
Card:
One card from Missi's Raven Deck for today:
From the Grimoire: "Literally, "What comes next." To me in this moment, this denotes finalizing something I've been flighty on and moving onto the next project.
Bad-ass new track from Memorials, a group consisting of Matthew Simms from Wire and Verity Susman. Really cool stuff, and they are recording an album, so there will be more. Head on over to their Bandcamp and give 'em a follow; pretty sure only good things can come of that.
Watch:
The Coffee Table was not what I had anticipated. That said, the thing I like most about this film is that from what I've seen, absolutely no one is saying too much about it online. That's good. Go in blind.
Is it disturbing? Yes, but not depraved - to me that's the big difference between what I can handle and cannot. This one? No problem, but it may fuck some people up. You've been warned, but also, it's a definite recommendation. Brother, you don't know tension until you see this one. Caye Casas NAILED this one.
Read:
I've only read one novel by author Paul Tremblay - Head Full of Ghosts - but it's a doozy that left an impact. He's had a couple books released since then, and although my buddy Jonathan Grimm always recommends them, I've held off. Well, I think this is the next one for me:
I love everything about the title and the cover art, and while you can't judge a book by its cover, I'm fairly certain this one will not disappoint. This is where I normally put in the solicitation, however, I haven't read that. I quite purposely know nothing about this novel, which I think is a good thing. I only have a few chapters left in Mike Bockoven's FantasticLand, so this is probably up next.
Suicidal Tendencies - How Will I Laugh Tomorrow When I Can't Even Smile Today
Suicidal Tendencies - Controlled By Hatred/Feel Like Shit... Déjá-vu
Television - Marquee Moon
Pink Floyd - Animals
The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion - Now I Got Worry
Steve Moore - The Mind's Eye OST
Jim Williams - Possessor OST
Cocksure - K.K.E.P.
Cocksure - T.V.M.A.L.S.V.
Various - Singles OST
Card:
From Jonathan Grimm's Hand of Doom Tarot, which you can buy HERE.
• Ace of Swords
• Nine of Wands
• Ten of Wands
Interesting to have a succession of two cards in the same suit. Ace of Swords is an intellectual breakthrough, Nine of Wands is the climax that leads to the Ten of Wands' Closure. What's that? Finally finishing languishing projects? Hallelujah.
Cold Cave is pretty hit-or-miss with me. I adore 2011's Cherish the Light Years but haven't really clicked as hard with any of the other albums by the band that I've listened to. This new track makes me feel like the still unannounced record on the horizon could go either way. It just feels like the energy barely contained in the nine tracks on Light Years is perpetually contained inside that album. Nothing else I've heard from the band lives up to that. Still, this is a great new song, especially that coda!
Watch:
Joko Anwar's Nightmares and Daydreams has landed on, of all places, Netflix. Time to dig in:
I really took a shine to Indonesian Horror back circa 2020 during the Pandemic. Long days spent after short shifts, laying on the couch falling deep down Shudder rabbit holes. The Indonesian one still resounds with an impressive eeriness, and Anwar's Impetigore and Satan's Slaves made an impact. I kind of dug The Forbidden Door when I finally caught it last year, but the ending disappointed me a bit. Still, compelling, and I was curious to see what Anwar would do with a shorter format.
Unfortunately, the first episode, Old House, starts very strong and, by the end, devolves into some pretty awful CGI that just tanked it for me. I still intend on watching more, but I'm pretty bummed by this opening. This is the same deal Netflix gave GDT for Cabinet of Curiosities, seven episodes that are really stand-alone, hour-long movies, so this first one is not necessarily a gage for what's coming. I just expected more.
Read:
I finished Stephen Graham Jones' The Angel of Indian Lake last week. Man, what a fantastic ending to Jade's story. I will say that there's a sequence in here that felt a little... wrong, but nothing that would prevent me from giving this series a high recommendation. After Indian Lake? I headed straight into FantasticLand:
This one has been hyped quite a bit to me, but always by people whose taste I 100% trust. Which meant when it didn't quite click at first, I was a bit sad. After the opening set-up shifted into the actual interviews of survivors, however, I was hooked. About halfway through in two days, I'm finding it difficult to put this one down, and I really love how the story develops.
Playlist:
Alice in Chains - Dirt
Alice in Chains - Eponymous
Alice in Chains - Live
Dillinger Escape Plan - Calculating Infinity
Mastodon - Once More Round the Sun
The Raveonettes - Lust Lust Lust
The Raveonettes - Raven in the Grave
Peeping Tom - Eponymous
Godflesh - Purge
Mars Red Sky - Eponymous
Tina Turner - What's Love Got To Do With It?
The Ravenonettes - Sing
Shellac - To All Trains
Card:
From Jonathan Grimm's Hand of Doom Tarot, which you can buy HERE.
• Five of Cups
• Four of Swords
• XX: Judgement
Emotional struggles that ultimately lead to a new stability, just remember - everything in its right place.
That's an off-the-cuff read with a little help from the Grimoire. I think it's referencing the ongoing mental issues I have concerning K's mother living with us. There's an unbelievably volatile amount of cognitive dissonance that I live with in my brain every day, and there are times when it feels as though it will drive me mad. Maybe things are getting better, though.
I am happy to report the new Man Man album is awesome! This one dropped last week, but I've had a hard time getting around to listening past an initial time. This song, however, made an indelible mark. Can't wait to really dig in this weekend.
Order Carrot on StringsHERE.
NCBD:
I haven't had a chance to post my NCBD picks this week yet. Better late than never. Here's what I picked up:
The best book I'm reading monthly at the moment. This one just transforms in the most interesting, natural, seductive ways issue by issue. Love the character development - especially in this latest issue.
Shockwave and the Combaticons arrive on a Space Bridge from Cybertron? Holy. Crap. There's something going on in between the lines here that makes me think that, just maybe, the Autobots aren't the noble good guys we have always known them to be. Not that they're evil, but what looks like heroism on our world may come from a darker place in their history on the home planet. We'll see.
I missed the first issue of Dan Watters and Ram V's Creature From the Black Lagoon Lives! when it dropped a few weeks ago, but snatched up a second printing this week because in our house, the Creature Rules! Well, K and I are both big fans of the Universal Monsters in general, but this guy and big Frank are our favorites. With great art and colors by Matthew Roberts and Dave Stewart respectively, I really dug this issue!
And then there's a new book by Zac Thompson that sounded pretty cool. I missed grabbing it, however, Ryan and Walter at Rick's ordered me a copy, so it's a'coming.
From Dark Horse's solicitation:
"A group of climate scientists working in a remote base camp on the Australian outback discover an impossible landform. They venture inside expecting the unexpected, and the titular Unbeing delivers. True to the traditions of cosmic horror, they discover an anomalous environment that defies everything they think they know about the world."
Sounds pretty cool, and Thompson has some killer books.
Watch:
Ben Bigelow's debut feature Thine Ears Shall Bleed recently got a trailer:
Maybe it has more to do with it's Doom Metal-ish title, but I'm definitely curious about this one. Looks a bit like The Wind and What Josiah Saw. I'm not seeing a hard release date yet, but I'll be keeping my eyes out for it.
Playlist:
Alice in Chains - Jar Of Flies
The Jesus Lizard - Down
Soundgarden - Superunknown
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - Let Love In
Ween - Chocolate & Cheese
Pigface - Notes From the Underground
Type O Negative - Bloody Kisses (Suspended in Dusk Edition)
Red Hot Chili Peppers - Blood Sugar Sex Magick
Alice in Chains - Dirt
The Twilight Singers - Dynamite Steps
Bandsplain Podcast - Remembering Steve Albini
Sinéad O'Connor - The Lion and the Cobra
Card:
From Jonathan Grimm's Hand of Doom Tarot, which you can buy HERE.
• Knight of Swords - The Firey aspect of Air or the Will as applied to Intellect.
• Nine of Pentacles - Climax; Accomplishment of Earthly concerns, i.e., materializing the idea into a tangible form, i.e., finishing the books.
• Ace of Swords - Breakthrough in operations. Rethinking how I do things.
Time to think a bit harder about those projects that are near completion. This will lead to accomplishment and a breakthrough that may alter the way I approach my creativity.
I drove into Chicago over the weekend and saw The Raveonettes play the Bottom Lounge on Monday night. The video above is from George Devereux's YouTube channel - lots of awesome videos like this one over there, so mosey on over, check it out, and perhaps give the man a follow.
Anyway, this trip was 100% last minute. Upon returning from Chicago on May 27th, I realized The Raveonettes were only playing ten dates on the tour to support their new covers album, "The Raveonettes... Sing," and Chicago was the closest to me, so I made a snap decision to buy tickets and attend.
The Raveonettes have long been one of my favorite bands, but before they held such a lofty status in my heart, I passed a couple of opportunities to see them. Then, living in L.A. for the period over which they released no fewer than six records—three of which are my favorite by the band—I missed every opportunity to see them, where they often played the gorgeous El Rey Theatre.
I really don't know what I was thinking - there was a large part of my life in the city of broken angels where we had so little money (or so I thought!) that I didn't go to hardly any shows, but whatever. The point is, having the band then all but disappear after 2017's 2016 Atomized kind of broke my heart. When I saw this tour, I knew I had to see them.
And, of course, I was right. They were miraculous live!!! I broke into small sobs probably ten times during the show - there's something about Sharin Foo and Sune Rose Wagner's vocal harmonies and melody lines when combined with Wagner's Rock-a-Billy-meets-Robert-Smith guitar lines that overwhelm me with emotion, even more so live.
Here's the setlist, courtesy of Setlist.FM.
1) When Night Is Almost Done
2) Hallucinations
3) Lust
4) Dead Sound
5) Blush
6) Railroad Tracks
7) Love Can Destroy Everything
8) Attack of the Ghost Riders
9) Veronica Fever
10) Do You Believe Her
11) My Tornado
12) The Enemy
13) Endless Sleeper
14) Sisters
15) Heartbreak Stroll
16) That Great Love Sound
17) Recharge & Revolt
Encore:
18) Remember
19) Love In a Trashcan
20) Aly, Walk With Me
Watch:
Although I've been avoiding everything released leading up to seeing Osgood Perkins' new film LONGLEGS, last week I caught the full trailer in the theatre. I'm posting it here and can 100% say I actually think this is one of the best trailers I've seen in years. They show so many intriguing, disconnected images that it revs up the desire to finally see the film, but gives away absolutely nothing. There's a big, obvious "gottasee" that happily dances around with the utmost tact. That said, I'd still prefer to not see it again. I just want this movie here now!
Also, just have to say, although I haven't been a fan of Perkins' other films, this one really has me excited, and pictures of him wearing a Mr. Bungle T-Shirt at a recent premiere only strengthen my resolve to give him and this film a fair shake.
Some classic Thou. I still prefer the album art on the old CD, but I dig that the band eventually aligned all the older records through the artwork.
Something about this image just fits the music so well. It's cold, lonely and a little eerie.
Read:
Two of my old compatriots from the Los Angeles chapter of The Horror Writer's Association are publishing a novel this coming Friday that I'm dying to read.
Placerita comes to us courtesy of the fine folks at Cemetery Dance are releasing this one. Here's the solicitation from the Publisher's website:
"It's 1928, and something strange is afoot in the desert town of Placerita just north of Los Angeles. When young biologist Alexis Crawford discovers an unidentifiable specimen washed up in the wake of a devastating flood, it begins a journey that will reveal the dark conspiracies at the heart of California and the secret known only to a few: that beneath the City of Angels is an ancient world of tunnels lined in gold, a world that is home to the legendary Lizard People.... Like a cross between 'Chinatown' and the biggest conspiracy theory of them all, Morton and Palisano’s 'Placerita' addresses the intrigue behind 1928’s catastrophic collapse of the St. Francis Dam, corruption, organized religion and saurian urban legends in a fleet new noir that wastes little time in getting to the good stuff." PLACERITA is an intriguing premise, set against the ambiance of the 1920's and steeped in the culture of early 20th century California
You can order this one from the Cemetery Dance website right HERE, or wherever books are sold.
Play:
Being that before I bought a Nintendo Switch two years ago, I hadn't owned a video game console since the original Nintendo, I missed a lot of games and gaming culture. That's not really an issue - I'm about 10-20% gamer, no more. I just don't have time, as any time I spend on a game is time I regard as stealing from writing. That said, I do steal some time every once in a while, so now that I have a Switch, I'm constantly on the lookout for cool games I missed being ported over. Case in point:
Also, being that my interests lie in the Horror realms, Bloody Disgusting is a great place to find out about stuff like the above. Here's a link to the article on this one. John Carpenter's The Thing as a video game... I've heard some things about this one over the years and am very much looking forward to the creeping fear and isolation.
Playlist:
Thou - Umbilical
Thou - Summit
Emma Ruth Rundle & Thou - May Our Chambers Be Full
The Raveonettes - Chain Gang of Love
Man Man - Carot on Strings
Man Man - Life Fantastic
The Raveonettes - In and Out of Control
††† - Goodnight, God Bless, I Love U, Delete
Sinéad O'Connor - The Lion and the Cobra
The Raveonettes - Observator
Soup Horse - The Choir (Single)
Soap Horse - Carrara 20/10/23
The Ravenonettes - 2016 Atomized
Card:
Back to my mini Thoth deck for today's pull:
• Princess of Disks - Stability; graciousness. Good intent.
• Knight of Swords - Intellectually soaring; intelligence on fire - beast mode!
• Knight of Disks - Industrious and patient.
Returning to work tomorrow will be a challenge, but I'll more than rise to it.
If you need a reason to love Thou beyond the music, this is it. Order the new album UmbilicalHERE. I think Byran Funck's vocals are the closest I've ever heard to recreating that infamous "Stroke Me" effect Mike Patton used in old-school Mr. Bungle. And regardless of how much sludge this band piles on, I still hear the Staley-era Alice in Chains. Fucking love it.
Watch:
Joe Bob and Darcy did my favorite movie of all time last night. Here are those Drive-in totals:
Loved this episode.
Playlist:
Blut Aus Nord - Memoria Vetusta III: Saturnian Poetry
Dean Hurley - Tales From the Library of the Occult: Flower
Faith No More - Angel Dust
Warning - Why Can Bodies Fly (single)
Calderum - Mystical Fortress of Iberian Lands
INXS - Kick
Thou - Umbilical
Card:
One card from Missi's Raven Deck to send me on my way to Chicago to see The Ravenonettes on Monday:
Wednesday was an incredible day for new album announcements. I'd been expecting David Lynch to drop something because of a video he posted last week, but The Jesus Lizard's Rack from Ipecac was 100% surprise. This is the band's first album since 1998's Blue, and while there is a lot I do like about their two Capitol Records, I can already tell by this first single "Hide & Seek," that I like Paul Allen's production on this one way better (RIP Steve Albini, who produced their iconic albums for Touch & Go back in the 90s).
Also, Mac is back! That's right, original drummer Mac McNeilly is once again behind the skins. The stars have aligned!
Last night, K and I went to see Ishana Shyamalan's The Watchers.
Despite seeing this or a slightly different trailer before pretty much every movie I've attended in the theatre for the last month or two, I went in with a fairly open mind. All I'll say is, if you're an M. Knight fan, you'll probably dig this. It was very well made and had excellent performances, but I did not care for the script, characters or the film overall. I kind of felt a weird parallel to when I saw The Village, back on opening night in 2004. With it in a half-arsed kind of way until the last act, when I kind of just want to get up and walk out.
* My good friend Missi laughs at my growing frustration at pre-show "entertainment." She cooly arrives at just the right time every time she goes to the theatre (about as often as us), but somehow, I just can't time that right.
Playlist:
The Jesus Lizard - Show
Shellac - To All Trains
Big Black - Lungs
Various - The Lounge Ax Defense and Relocation Compact Disc
Dillinger Escape Plan - Calculating Infinity
Black Pyramid - The Paths of Time are Vast
The Raveonettes - Chain Gang of Love
Card:
From Jonathan Grimm's Hand of Doom Tarot, which you can buy HERE.
• Knight of Swords
• Five of Wands
• Queen of Wands
Perhaps cryptically, I have "Motivation as Will" written in the Grimoire for Knight of Swords. This is the Firey aspect of Air, or the Will as applied to Intellect. Five of Wands is Conflict in Earthly matters, and Queen of Wands, or the Emotional aspect of Will.
All any of this tells me at the moment - when it's 12:47 AM and I'm tired as hell - are we're all a big o' mess O' trouble. Contradictions and good intentions, but if you recognize that and we start there, we can move on and perhaps conquer and shape some of what makes us indecisive and try and turn conflict into stability.
We're getting a new album from David Lynch and Chrysta Bell! They dropped the first song yesterday, as Lynch cryptically promised on his social media last week. You can pre-order Cellophane Memories from the always wonderful Sacred Bones if you go to their site HERE or David Lynch's Bandcamp HERE.
Watch:
Here's one I'm dying to watch but have thus far successfully fought the urge to do so, simply because I'm certain I'll see it play ahead of movies in the theatre.
I can't wait to see this movie, and I have nothing but the utmost faith in Fede Alvarez. I'm just more than a little concerned that what happened to Evil Dead Rise after seeing the trailer so many times could happen to this. Chances are, that's not going to happen, because this will be a better movie, and I've already been told by several people that this trailer doesn't actually give away much. But I think of that "Mommy's with the maggots now" scene and wonder if it just might have been a truly terrifying scene if I hadn't already been inoculated of it through repetition. I consider it a fucking miracle that we have Alvarez on a franchise I love and want the best for - one that needs more than a little help, let's face it. So... I'll continue to wait. But it's here now, just in case I change my mind (like I eventually will).
Playlist:
David Lynch and Chrystabell - Sublime Eternal Love (pre-release single)
The Jesus Lizard - Hide & Seek (pre-release single)
I think I'd heard titterings about this at some point, but when it popped up in my feed this evening, I was kind of blown the f*ck away. From the 3-Song EP out on Metropolis Records now! Order HERE. Apparently a full album is due this fall, and hearing this now, I'm on board. This 100% retains that Chameleons emotional blow, without sounding forced or tired. Love it.
NCBD:
Here's this week's Pull, and I'm pretty excited for these:
The untold tale of that time the U.S. Army sent Frank Castle behind enemy lines during the Vietnam War to kill the captured Nick Fury. Written by Garth Ennis and illustrated by Jacen Burrows. Can't think of something I want to read more at this moment.
It took a little longer than probably any of us reading it expected, but TheLast Ronin II issue 2 finally arrives today. Glad to still have a dose of TMNT for a while, especially in this Miller-esque Dystopian Future-verse.
If Scartlett's mini-series is even half as good as either Duke or Cobra Commander, we're in for a treat. Curious to see how the Energon Universe handles the Arashikage.
Carter F**king Burke! Who would have thought I'd enjoy seeing him breathe after his part in James Cameron's Aliens? Really digging this series.
Don't let the door hit you on the arse on the way out. No, seriously, I will approach this final issue with a modicum of reverence because, despite months now of griping here at the end, I'll miss reading the X books these last couple of years. Luckily, I never went back and filled in the gap between House and Powers and Inferno, so there's still a year or two of actual Hickman-penned issues for me to jump into.
Watch:
While I found Goodnight Mommy to be pointlessly mean-spirited and just plain awful, I'm a huge fan of Severin Fiala and Veronika Franz's The Lodge. Likewise, after watching this trailer for their new film The Devil's Bath, I'm quite looking forward to it.
While this trailer feels arduously long, I honestly applaud the fact that they don't really tell you all that much. Or at least that's how it feels. Also, there are a handful of images in here near the end that will stay with me for some time.
Playlist:
Oranssi Pazuzu - Live at Roadburn 2017
Your Black Star - Sound from the Ground
Tennis System - Technicolour Blind
Ghost Bath - Moonlover
Black Pyramid - The Paths of Time are Vast
Frank Black and the Catholics - Snake Oil
Megadeth - Rust in Peace
Revocation - Teratogenesis (deluxe)
Revocation - Eponymous
Card:
From Jonathan Grimm's Hand of Doom Tarot, which you can buy HERE.
• Eight of Pentacles - More transformation of Earthly assets
• XIX: The Sun - From the Grimoire, "Taking the Pill will open your eyes."
• Page of Swords - The Earthly aspect of Air. "apply your intellect to something useful!"
