Hey loyal readers – do a brother a quick favor and take 5 quick seconds to vote for the Slingluff Gallery for Best Art Gallery in Philadelphia. Why? Because it is, homeboy. They’ve been bringing some really great artists to Philly over the last few years, including Jon Carling, Julian Duron, Bigfoot,Jason Adams,Mike Egan, Ed Trask and will be doing shows with Dave Delany, Russell Shoemaker, and Andy Jenkins in the next few months. Plus, they’re tight with Smokin’ Joe Frazier, and you wouldn’t want to piss that guy off, right? And did I mention that I have a show coming up there this October? So, yeah, I’m biased for sure but the spot is rad. So please vote here!
There’s been this odd urban myth that Bill Murray likes to walk up behind random strangers in NYC, put his hands over their eyes and say “guess who?” When they turn around and see him, he says “No one will ever believe you,” then disappears as quickly as he showed up. Not sure if that one’s true or not, and Bill’s not confirming nor denying it, but much like the existence of ghosts, vampires, Bigfoot or little men from outer space, life’s a little more exciting if you believe it’s true.
Anyway, here’s a rare and rad interview with the legend himself. The guy’s a total inspiration and a comic genius. Shame on the academy for never giving Bill Murray an Oscar. And if you’ve never seen Quick Change, you’re totally blowing it.
Been digging through a very dusty box of rare 45s from the 50s & 60s, looking for a few diamonds in the rough for an upcoming podcast – and in researching the most effective way to clean vinyl, I came across the VPI vacuum record cleaning machine. Not to sound too much like a total music geek but that thing is soooo sweet and I would love to get my hands on one. So, if anyone out there in the vast corners of cyberspace either works for VPIor, out of the extreme generosity of your over-sized heart, would like to donate one to the cause, please let me know. I have no problem with putting a little “This podcast is brought to you by VPI Industries, manufacturers of such fine products as the HW-17 Professional Record Cleaning Machine” etc, etc at the beginning of each podcast. I’ll even get Nick P. to read the sponsor line like it’s a radio commercial from the 40s. Hey, it never hurts to just put it out there, right?
And for everyone who was interested in the She & Him posters, I just sold out of my stock. But stay tuned – I may be able to dig a few up from the screen printers archives. Thanks.
Damn – word on the street is the self appointed “Queen of How-to” herself got all up in Nick P’s grill one afternoon in downtown NYC. And did Nick really back down, fearing an old fashioned prison shanking from the former M.Diddy? More news at 11:00.
For the past six years or so, I’ve been extremely honored to donate my time and services to a unique benefit event for local non-profits called Create-A-Thon. Each year, the nice folks over at Hypno Design host a small group of very talented designers and copywriters to create logos, brochures, ads and websites for deserving non-profits, free of charge and all completed in one intense 24-hour block of time. Generally, the printing of all the pieces are donated as well. Hypno has just posted this years application, so if you or someone you know works or volunteers at a Philadelphia/South Jersey non-profit, please spread the word and pass along this link so that they can apply. Thanks!
Here’s another new collage, entitled Servant Suburbia, which will be included in my upcoming show at the Slingluff Gallery in Philadelphia this October. Mixed media on paper and framed at 16? x 20?. May 2010.
Wayne Thiebaud has been one of my favorite artists for a while now, and after watching this clip on youtube, I’m glad to see that he’s a pretty normal, humble, down-to-earth kind of guy. Pretty inspiring and worth a watch. Much respect.
And this Alice Neel documentary looks really good as well – if you’re into that kind of thing. I’m definitely a fan of her painting style as well.
Got a random email yesterday from a casting agent, informing me I’d be a “great fit” for the role of Young Man #3, in the production of a new play based on the music of a certain famous songwriter, scheduled to open in LA this fall. No joke – they sent me the script, music for songs to learn for the audition, possible appointment times, the whole bit. I must admit I almost felt like Joey from Friends for a minute but I’m pretty sure this must be a case of mistaken identity or something. But, then again, if Sebastian Bach can do it……
Anyway, for those few interested, those who are tired of hearing me ramble on about phantom herons and birds of prey, I was lucky enough to catch the winged beast lurking around the fish pond yesterday, looking to cash in on a quick dine and dash. This time I was smart enough to have my little Flip camera ready. Please excuse the shaky cam footage. Enjoy.
That’s it for me – have a great weekend everybody.
Went heavy duty yard sale-ing over the weekend (not to be confused with “yard sailing” which is an entirely different animal) and, besides the stack of records and old cameras I usually pick up at these things, I snagged a 12 volume set of Time-Life’s Library of Curious and Unusual Facts. Expect bloggage to increase by at least 15% folks.
Anyway, I don’t really play video games, but if I did – I would totally check out the EA skate series. Their intro films are classic, and the brand new number 3 is no exception. Nice one.
And ESPN just posted an article about 11 skaters over 40, which is certainly inspiring. Kind of surprised they left Duane Peters and Olson off there though.
Was drinking coffee in Swarthmore the other day, and saw a cat chewing the skin off a dead squirrel. Insane – it was like something out of a zombie flick – just gnawing the head down to the skull. Both disgusting and fascinating. Who says nothing exciting ever happens in the suburbs?
Anyway, speaking of entertaining, I saw the new Coppola film, Tetro, last night. Best thing he’s down in a long time. And the cinematography was beautiful, shot in stark, almost film noir style black and white. The film moves a little slow, and has an “opera” vibe to it, so don’t expect zero to 60 action or anything like that. Vincent Gallo performance is strong as well.
Also enjoyed The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus – visually stunning and very imaginative. I love the old school carney/circus vibe to the whole thing. And it’s pretty trippy, even for Terry Gilliam. And Tom Waits performance as the devil makes the movie.
On the flip side, I made the mistake of seeing the Nightmare on Elm Street remake, which was just awful. Nothing scary about it at all, and the modern CGI effects looked less real than what Wes Craven did twenty years ago with no money. And the guy they cast to play Freddie was just ridiculous. Did I expect any different? No, but my biggest regret is that I paid to see it, which means that if it did well at the box office, they will make more of them. I hang my head in shame.
And, before I forget, thanks to everyone who made it out to the Deck Heads 3 opening this weekend – it was great to catch up with everyone. The support is much appreciated as always.
