New Lower Topanga slideshows w/ music by Doug Lewis and DJ Lyf

DARKWAVE 11/07 Sandown Birk Steve Olson Andy Moses Timothy Williams Norton Wisdom

For Press Release & More Info: http://www.blackcatart.com

Toylit published in 2 zines

Lot’s o’ Crap zine publishes art by Toilet from The Last Nowhere (2006).

Totally Mag! publishes art by Toylit from Craplexity (2006).

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5 new pics in the LOWER TOPANGA PHOTO ARCHIVE

Lower Topanga Photo Archive

(pic: Robert Herron) Bill, Mary, and George Van Noy at Dr. Schweiger’ s house circa 1963

(pic: Jim Fitzpatric k?) “The Topanga Bombers” in front of the Saenz house circa 1965

(pic: Jim Fitzpatric k) Topanga Beach reunion in 1969

(pic: unknown photograph er)

(pic: c/o West Valley Museum)

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Art/Music Show and Market at The Monte Cristo this Thursday!

Communion and cLub hAlo Present SKUMLOVE featuring PC 101

Also Featuring DJ Nekro with Surprise Special Guest DJ

The Monte Cristo

3100 Wilshire Blvd

Los Angeles, CA 90010

Art Curated by K. Howell

Drink specials $2 wells between 9-10pm

This event is part art show, part market, and part live music, all happening at the same time.  I’ll have some photos for sale and I’m sure there will be lots of other interesting things to see and buy! Goth, industrial, steam punk, diesel punk, rock, trip hop, and more… come explore your dark side!

$10 at the door, $7 in advance. I can get you pre-sale tickets if you email me at info@extraordinaryworldcreations.com.

Come to Daydream Republic on Friday!

I’ll have some photo cards for sale at Daydream Republic on Oct. 16, alongside lots of cool things by other artists – come check it out!

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Daydream Republic, a multi-purpose creative space dedicated to advancing the arts in Los Angeles announces its October edition of “The Rabbit Hole,” a showcase held monthly to promote undiscovered artists, designers, jewelry-makers, musicians and craftspeople.

On Friday October 16^th from 8pm til midnight, the portal to the next Rabbit Hole will be opened.  Expect a mind-blowing experience as the studio unveils the edgiest work of some of city’s most talented artistic entrepreneurs.  Come ready to discover one-of-a-kind art, jewelry, candles, clothing, soaps and even handmade chocolate at this trendy showcase.

$2 beer, $3 wine and $4 cocktails will be served.  Guests can receive a free beverage by tweeting, facebooking or blogging about www.daydreamrepublic.com prior to the event. Music will be played all night long to keep the night pumping.  The party will be brought to a peak with a special performance by the band Action Star Addict.

“The Irish Vampire Goes West” by Pegarty Long

A new film starring Venice’s late poet laureate Philomene Long (1940-2007).
Screening at Beyond Baroque on Sunday, November 1, 7:30 p.m.
681 Venice Blvd., Venice, CA 90291
(310) 822-3006

NEW BOOK: Astral Dick by Toylit !!!

Astral Dick is a “whodunit” involving a police psychic, Cap’n, and his “paranormal guinea pig,” Lieutenant Leo Fleck. Together they are investigating a string of brutal killings centered around the temple of a rogue religious cult and an artsy-fartsy, open-mic, poetry café.

A different print by artist Norton Wisdom is glued onto every book cover!

From “Act 2, Scene 6″

Leo – So what’s all this about an “operation”? Just the facts please.

Bunny – Well, it all began when Marlo hit puberty. Honey, show the man your tits.

Marlo reveals that one of her breasts is definitely larger than the other one. Leo doesn’t even look.

Leo – Yeah, yeah. One of her boobs is visibly larger than the other. I looked down her shirt as I was astrally projecting.

Marlo – He knows EVERYTHING!

Leo – I’m a dick. It’s my job to know stuff.

Bunny – So about a month ago, she went to the doctor to get her knockers adjusted. And before she went into surgery, I told her… what did I tell her?

Marlo – “The problem is all in your HEAD! If somebody loves you, they are going to love you, lopsided titties and all.”

Bunny – So off she goes to get a boob job, and what does she come home with? A LOBOTOMY!

Marlo – ACTUALLY, I just had ONE lobe done to see if I liked it. So it’s only HALF a lobotomy.

Leo – I see. And how has it affected her performance?

Bunny – Well, her motor skills are okay, but it seems to have affected her “initiative.”

Leo – Meaning?

Bunny – She makes a passable waitress, but sometimes she gets stuck.

Marlo – Sorry! Sometimes I get stuck!

Bunny – Except for her poetry. That’s gotten UNSTUCK. It just flows and flows. All this bizarre amazing imagery just pours out of this hole where her brain used to be.

Marlo – Poetry is my LIFE!

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(c) BRASS TACKS PRESS
www.lifeasapoet.com

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Toylit drawing…

…for the cover of his play Astral Dick.

BRASS TACKS PRESS

25th Abbot Kinney Festival, Sunday, Sept. 27

The Abbot Kinney Festival is back for the 25th time and will happen on Sunday, September 27th, 2009. 150,000 people are expected to attend. There will be five stages with music, tons of exhibitors and lots of vendors. The Abbot Kinney Festival Association is a nonprofit organization with an annual grants program to promote Venice based service organizations, so feel free to help them out and grab a poster or T-Shirt at the event or their online shop.

A list of the bands:

AIR CONDITIONED SUPPER CLUB STAGE – Palms Avenue
10:30 am M.K and the Gentlemen – http://www.myspace.com/mkmusicproject
11:20 am Lady Katherine – http://www.myspace.com/ladykatherinemusic
12:10 pm Musket – http://www.myspace.com/musketonmyspace
12:55 pm Stephanie Quayle – http://www.myspace.com/stephaniequaylemusic
1:40 pm Elevaters – http://www.myspace.com/elevaters
2:30 pm Peter Goetz – http://www.myspace.com/outsideobserver
3:20 pm Miss Willie Brown – http://www.myspace.com/misswilliebrown
4:20 pm Venice – http://www.myspace.com/venicecentralspace
5:30 pm Brig Band – http://www.myspace.com/klufikukiuck

FMLY STAGE – Andalusia Avenue
10:30 am Babystone – http://www.myspace.com/babystonemusic
11:30 am Kenneth Pattengale – http://www.kennethpattengale.com
12:30 pm The 87 Stick Up Kids – http://www.myspace.com/the87stickupkids
1:30 pm Haim – http://www.myspace.com/wearehaim
2:30 pm Jack Littman – http://www.myspace.com/jacklittman
3:30 pm Awards Presentation for Spirit of Community Award and AKFA Community Grants Progrm
4:30 pm Juliette Commagere – http://www.myspace.com/juliettecommagere

INSDE OUT COMMUNITY ARTS YOUTH & FAMILY COURTYARD – Westminster Avenue
10:00 am Family Parade from California Ave. to Westminster Ave.
10:15 am Aaron Nigel Smith & The FUNdamentals Band – songs for infants, toddlers & preschool children using guitars and African djembe drums.- Youtube |www.fundamentalsmedia.com
10:45 am Ina Buckner-Barnette – Drum circle and interactive animal storytelling show -www.sunshinestoryteller.com
11:15 am David Tobocman – “Very Helpful Songs” for children – http://www.VeryHelpfulSongs.com | http://www.myspace.com/davidtobocman
11:45 am Mamma Maria – Big Band Music for the whole family
12:05 pm Teen Theatrical Performance by Inside Out Community Arts
12:35 pm Kids on Stage http://www.kidsonstage.com
1:00 pm Aquamantra – RECYCLE-ution song by Gina Rene with giveaways by Aquamantra Waters – http://www.aquamantra.net
1:25 pm Everybody Dance – Youth Dance Group – http://www.everybodydance.net
1:50 pm Shoeflies – Energetic Rock and Bluegrass Band http://www.myspace.com/slapshoefly
2:20 pm Gina Rene / The Urban Musical Goddess – Hip Hop music about social change – http://www.myspace.com/ginarene
2:40 pm Intersection Dance Ensemble – Modern dance company – http://www.intersectiondance.org
3:00 pm Rock Music by R5 – http://www.myspace.com/r5rocksmusic
3:30 pm Ana Rosas – Hip Hop Artist and Dancers
3:50 pm Sandy Bowles – Spoken Word http://www.myspace.com/sandyhelenbowles
4:05 pm The Hot Kicks – Australian Indie Rock Band – http://www.myspace.com/thehotkicks
4:45 pm Get Lit Players – Classical Teen Poetry Troupe with a hip hop twist – http://www.myspace.com/getlit_org
5:15 pm Superbroke Brass, Tin and Strings Electric Marching Band – http://www.myspace.com/getlit_org

New pics uploaded to the Lower Topanga Photo Archive

http://brasstackspress.esmartdesign.com/misc.html#Lower_Topanga_Photo_Archive

There are about a dozen more from pro photographer David Blattel, circa 2002 (I mixed them in with the ones that were already there — sorry!):

CLICK

And a few cool surf shots from recent years by J. Murph:

CLICK

The Whole 9

I just attended a great workshop by Ashley McLean Emenegger of McLean Fine Art at The Whole 9 gallery in Culver City on the business of being an artist. The Whole 9, aside from being a cool gallery space with informative workshops, is also a great website where you can create an online portfolio, look for jobs and events, and network with local creative people. Check it out at thewhole9.com.

And if you’re still into surfing the internet afterwards, stop by my website extraordinaryworldcreations.com to browse through photographs and hear music by the Venice Arts Club!

James Mathers & Norton Wisdom @ Black Cat Festival V (9-26-09)

THE BLACK CAT GALLERY
11523 W. Washington Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90066
310. 313. 4931
Enter Black Cat Site

Penny-Ante: Three @ Stories Books & Cafe

Penny-Ante: Three event @ Stories Books & Cafe in Echo Park (9-15-09)

Flyer 1

Flyer 2

Toylit

Toylit’s poem

Mick Farren

Mick Farren

Tearist (w/ Douglas from BIRTH! and Bestial Mouths)

Julia Holter

Sharon Cheslow and Julia Holter

Echo Park cowboy

(pics by Pablo Capra)

Squishy’s First Beach Adventures!

Michael Jackson Held My Hand, Too

I should have come forward with this years ago…it’s been my little secret for too long but now I’m breaking my silence and going public with the fact that Michael Jackson held my hand, too…

The incident took place at Universal Studios during the filming of the music video, Scream, featuring Michael and his sister, Janet.  Not too long before this I had met Michael while working on the stage production and rehearsals for the Dangerous tour.

Both Mark Romanek, the director of Scream, and Tom Foden, the Production Designer, are uncompromising perfectionists. It’s been a real pleasure to work with both of them on numerous projects. In the film business, working with people who maintain a vision is significantly better than working for those who lack the big picture.  On this particular job I was working with the art department headed by Tom Foden.  Other members of the art department included Dana Garman, Richard Berg, Jamie Vickers, Paulie Pietsch, Mark Brooks, to name a few.

The Scream video may be the most expensive music video ever made, I believe the total production/post production budget was somewhere near 8.3 million dollars. And I can tell you the art department budget took a good chunk of that, maybe half.  The sets took up three full sized stages at Universal Studios in Los Angeles, with over a dozen sets placed on these three stages.  Once shooting began, my role was the ‘on-set dresser’, basically the ‘art department representative’ who remains on set at all times as the ‘face’ of the art department.  By the very nature of the position, the on-set dresser has close interaction with the talent while on the set.

This was a crazy big job, no doubt about it.  Three stages, over a dozen sets, twenty shoot days.

On the first day of shooting we had a 7am call, except Michael was detained until mid-afternoon.  Then hair and make-up, get him to the set and it’s 4:30 pm before we roll.  It became clear that we would be shooting nights for the next twenty or so days.  It was also clear that Michael liked it this way…working at night, that is.

Finally, we get down to business.  Michael makes his entrance and is met by Mark who explains the shot. The first footage we shoot with Michael is of him dancing on one of the many white floors seen throughout the video. Michael finds his position, about six feet from camera, does a couple of takes, then mentions how the floor (white vinyl linoleum) was feeling slick.  I move in with my tools, a fine grade steel wool, rag and a spray bottle with the ‘special sauce’ and scruff up the floor a bit with the wool then step back. Mark comes out from behind the camera, looks at my handiwork then calls out for Tom before asking me if we lost the ‘gloss’. I say no, give it a quick spray with the special sauce and it dries to a sparkle.  When I get up from my kneeling position Michael is smiling at me and says, “I remember you from the tour rehearsal”. I say, “That’s right”, and he asks me how my kids are doing, I say, “great, amazing.”  And then everything is back to normal, Michal does his bit and we’re off to a good start.

As predicted, crew call switched from 7am to 4pm, and we worked throughout each night until 4-6am.

In the final hours of the last night of shooting, we had moved to the ‘zen’ set.  This was it, last day, last set, last series of shots.  The art department had prepped the set with final touches before Michael was brought in to take his place on the zen podium in the center of the set.  Michael surveyed the scene and commented on how beautiful the set looked.  He was very relaxed and it was obvious he enjoyed sitting in the middle of this temporary temple.

When Mark called out for a piece of the ceiling to be trimmed, I grabbed a 12-step (ladder), scrambled to the top and began sawing.  In an unfortunate moment the portable saw kicked back and amputated a third of my left ring finger. Without word, I reached in my back pocket for my rag, wrapped my finger with it and stepped down off the ladder and exited the set.  I passed Tom on the way out and showed him what happened.  Tom escorted me to the edge of the stage and I laid down on the concrete.  It wasn’t long before an entire film crew of towering bodies was in a half circle looking down at me.  Union guys chewing gum.  3am.  Right?

Suddenly the crowd parts and Michael appears and stands there for a moment, leaning over me, looking down.  He looks at my left hand held in the air then he looks at me.  Then just like that he is on his knees by my right side and he picks up my right hand and holds it in his.  He looks me straight in the eye and tells me how sorry he was, he kept repeating how sorry he was, and then he had tears in his eyes and he held my hand until the ambulance came and took me away.

That next week, recovering at home, the gifts began arriving from Michael and Janet, tasteful and cool things like great soaps, a bathrobe, incense, a card.  Anyway, that’s my story.  Michael Jackson held my hand, too.  Michael, if you read this, thanks for caring.

Photos by Richard Berg.

coLLapse, The Movie, featuring Venice Arts Club member Mike Ruppert.

coLLapse, The Movie, featuring our own Mike Ruppert, directed by Chris Smith, will have it’s premiere at The Toronto Film Festival, September 10-19, 2009.

c o L L a p s e

coLLapse was screened privately here at VAC a couple of evenings ago….it’s a shocker of a film.  If you can handle the truth, don’t miss it…

Derek90291

Newspaper clipping from 1977 by Derek90291.  This article appeared in the Miami Herald.

Leaving Neurotica.2

It’s bad in California’s Central Valley, no kidding.  It’s always been an isolated area because of the agricultural industry but now it’s isolated and broke, even worse.

I turned off at fabulous Westley about two years ago only to find an agriculturacl/anchor baby community and a run-down bar with two toothless female meth-addicts sitting outside.  All aboard the meth-train to hell, first stop your soul.  Next stop, who cares.

The nice thing is I’m not staying at that particular train stop.  My destination is more hospitable and more my type of culture.  Humboldt County, land of NorCal enchantment and a more friendly form of land use.  More on that later.  Neurotica is much harder to feed in the land of the quiet.  Got the picture?

BTP praised in “Foxy Digitalis” online magazine

From “An Interview with Penny-Ante Publisher Rebekah Why”

by Jon Lorenz

I read that you initially started Penny-Ante with a focus on poetry and you said at the time that you “saw it as something that was completely dead,” could you elaborate on that?

Poetry has never died and I find is hilarious that the first time I’m misquoted is by one of my own editors! (Laughs). I think when I said that I was referring to my own surroundings and friends, who don’t really find contemporary “big name” poetry as something they connect with… But with that said, there will always be poets, and people interested in poetry. Byron Coley’s been doing it with the Ecstatic Yod’s poetry journals, or BRASS TACKS PRESS OUT OF TOPANGA (!!!)… There are people carrying the torch from one generation to the next and with that, it’s not completely dead, and thank goodness….

Penny-Ante website

Foxy Digitalis website

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Surf NOWcast

Surf forecast

The Cheeters – Lies In High Fidelity

Jim Nash Notes and Review – August 23, 2009

 

 WRITING THE SONG

    Songwriting is an anonymous gig. In Nashville, NSAI(Nashville Songwriters Association International)actually honors these people who create in dark and hidden corners. Music publisher Sam Rammage recalled the humble pride that Mary Chapin Carpenter had, after she signed a publishing deal with EMI. She already was a top selling recording artist at Columbia, but being honored as a songwriter was the certification that she needed.

      Few people, even those in the music industry and especially in radio knew who Tim Krekel was. The late Jamie Cohen knew him as a great guitar player when he was in the Sluggers, a band honoring that Louisville baseball bat. But people remembered those songs that he had written that were recorded for Van Morrison, Jimmie Buffett and Jason and the Scorchers among others. One song can make a writer financially solvent for life, as was the case for Gary B. White who wrote Long Long Time (Linda Ronstadt ). Writers like Barry Mann, Cynthia Wiel, Gerry Goffin, Neil Sedaka ,Carol King, and Laura Nyro  among others made their careers as songwriters, rather than as performers.

     John Fogarty, not Dylan, Lennon or McCartney wrote more songs that topped the radio charts then all of the hip writers while a member of Credence Clearwater, a band that was considered unhip in the era of alternative music. Yet CCR was the band that was ultimately credited as the nucleus for Grung. So, who were the great writers? Some are in Nashville, others are in L.A. and New York. Among them is Stephen Stills who wrote For What It’s Worth, about the Sunset Strip riots, when suburban kids fought against the L.A. County Sheriffs.  Another was Marvin Gaye, who penned What’s Going On. an anthem for returning Vietnam era vets who were getting hooked and zonked on Angel Dust (PCP) in South Central. Then there is Men Of Good Fortune, an ode to high school football players on Long Island.

      Some songs display anger, as when Manitoba rocker Brian Cummings wrote American Woman, probably the most anti-American song to ever get massive American airplay. Mississippian Paul Thorn wrote one of the best songs ever composed about blue collar angst in Burn Down The Trailer Park. Austinite Bruce Robison penned Angry All The Time about the personal tragedy of metaphase. Of course, Dolly Parton wrote an honest account of her own poverty and pride in Coat Of Many Colors, about the hand sewn garment that she wore as a child to a rural school. Her mother made the dress, and she was ridiculed by fellow grade schoolers for wearing an outfit made out of rags. Those hillbillies probably spend good money to attend Dollywood, the theme park that is part of her multitude of corporate holdings.

      Roger Alan Wade is considered by many in the know as one of the best tunesmiths to ever grace a Nashville stage. For years, he remained an obscure poet, playing in a Chattanooga bar until his exposure through the cult underground film Jackass. Tom Faulkner is also obscure, but his one released album Last Stop Texico is considered by some as one of the top albums in the world of Americana. His only exposure came in an obscure Sam Shepherd  film, Curse Of The Starving Class. Fellow Fort Worth native Tom Douglas is comfortable raising his family in Nashville, writing songs that occasionally border on rap and hip hop. Both Lee Ann Womack and Tim McGraw have reached the top of the charts covering songs that Tom has written. Patti Griffin remains in relative obscurity living in Austin but she too has found success in Nashville. Fellow Austinite Nancy Griffith had to travel to Nashville, because the folks back home paid little attention to her and critics belittled her music. It has taken Steve Earle to actually cover the Townes Van Zandt catalogue. because there was a myriad of songs beyond Poncho and Lefty and Big Freightliner in the Townes songbook.

       There are thousands of other great writers who have touched the soul and most remain in obscurity. Still, they continue to carry on. James Taylor probably wrote it best when he penned the line “That’s Me On The Jukebox.”. A Providence Rhode Island composer by the name of David Olney still travels the back roads of obscurity, but along with Guy Clark, remains one of the most prolific voices in Nashville. Songwriting is a craft, rather than an art. So is screenwriting, acting and performing. Most of the people who get up on that stage fail to understand that fact, and think that angst and anarchy is the goal. They refuse to study the form. That is why people like John Mellencamp, Bruce Springsteen continue to remain icons. They learned how to write.

RETRO AUSTIN

   For all of the pontification about Austin being the Live Music Capitol of the World, Austin is a pretty conservative music place. Performers tend to be conservative, or even retro in their performances. Punk and headbanger still prevail in the clubs. Among the more popular acts are The Bellevue Outfit who seem stuck in 1940’s Swing and Asleep At The Wheel, and Alvin Crow and The Pleasant Valley Boys, who celebrate the Western Swing of The Texas Playboys.

     Much of the original music sounds like rewrites of standards.

     Then there is Susan Choffel. She is perhaps the most refreshing young female performer on the national scene. During the 2009 SXSW, Ken Irwin, the head of Rounder Records attended just about every one of her performances.. Her music is a mixture of pop, jazz, rock and soul. Her writing skills are on a par with anybody in Hollywood and Nashville. She is young, has a great voice, and most importantly, she has a great and recordable voice.

     In a place, where performers try to out shock one another with their attire and appearance, she looks like the anonymous person next in line at the checkout counter. For all of the hype, few national acts have emerged from Austin. It has been several years since the last local act, Spoon broke through, and the hundreds of local performers in Austin seem to be in competition for the next frustration award. Somehow, staying conservative and going through the songbook of recent history seems to be the norm on the scene.

    Susan Choffel is not the norm, or the status quo.

 THE SECRET DIVA

  If ever a performer seemed to have an identity crisis, it is Essra Mohawk, the Philadelphian who has lived in almost total obscurity out in Bellevue Tennessee for more than a decade. When she played with The Mothers of Invention, she was Uncle Meat. She put out a hillbilly record under the alter ego of Essie Mae Hawk, and had songs recorded by Cindi Lauper and Lorrie Morgan among others. Even though she lives in suburbia, her lifestyle still borders between Hippie and Beatnik. She has put out records on major and obscure record labels. She has contributed music to children’s projects and is a devout Buddhist.

       Over the past few decades, she has developed a core audience who relish her as this kind of mad musical genius and creative artist. Like so many other performers, she lives in relative obscurity in the Nashville area, rarely playing shows in her own home town. Most people who treasure The Mothers of Invention, do not even know that she still exists, living in that two story Cape Cod style house on a hill, in a suburban sub-division.

     Still, whatever she calls herself, she is a mesmerizing performer who occasionally will irritate even her most loyal supporters with her off hand comments. Most of her recorded output is either in recycling bins, or out of availability. Yet, that loyal band of followers know that she is indeed an icon, no matter what she calls herself.