You had me at COBRA

New Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds Video - Jubilee Street

Starring Ray Winstone no less. Push the Sky Away is getting closer (Feb 18th)

Patrick Wensink's Broken Piano For President

Just finished reading this novel by Patrick Wensink last night while I sweated and shivered through what was hopefully the final night of this awful sickness. Pat's book made it better. Or it fit the tone of the evening perfectly, as Wensink's roiling, often hallucinatory style fit with my feverish delirium. Think Chuck Palahniuk, Thomas Pynchon and the music of The Butthole Surfers (who figure into the protagonist, Deshler Dean's life in a MAJOR way) thrown in to a meat grinder and you might end up with a burger that could change your life. Because that's what the book is about - the fast food burger business. And cliff drinking. And blackouts. And starving Russian cosmonauts. And punk rock. And art. And head wounds.

Everything I'm into in one neat little package. It's like he wrote it just for me!!!

Pascal Marco - Identity: Lost

How cool is this? I just received a phone call from thriller writer Pascal Marco. The author of the acclaimed Identity: Lost called me on my cell phone to give me words of encouragement and ideas pertaining to getting my manuscripts published. He gave me some great advice and generally just inspired the hell out of me.

Now, you may ask how it is he came to A) know of my existence, and B) had my phone number. Well, a friend of my Father - who is a big fan of Mr. Marco's - is a friend of the author's. He passed on my info on and asked if he'd be up for a cold call to an inspiring writer. I'm thinking a lot of folks would have blown such a favor off. After all, it's not easy to just call someone you have never met before, especially when you are in a position they aspire to. Things could be... weird. But Mr. Marco did indeed call and talked to me for about fifteen minutes. I may be weird, but I'm not the kind of weird that impositions folks who lend a hand. I asked questions and took his advice and as I said earlier, was inspired by hearing another author talk about "his path".

I've always had faith that my manuscripts will be published, this just serves as a reminder.

Godflesh - Mighty Trust Krusher (Live @ Roadburn, April 14th, 2011)

They never lose it.

How To Destroy Angels - How Long?

I'm liking this new record more and more. The surging, glitchy rhythm section we've come to recognize as Reznor's recent muse but with a - dare I say it - almost Justin Timberlake-esque pop approach to vox. Interesting

Häxan: Witchcraft Through the Ages

Back in '05 or so my wife bought me the Criterion Edition of this marvelously produced documentary about Witchcraft. William S. Burroughs does narration.