Happy Fucking New Year

This song is about my good friend Greg. I'm mentioned.

Fuck you 2011.

Cover Stars: ...
Headlining Band: Goner

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The Legacy Continues...

Meagan Marie Sample, who will forever hold the title of being my first 'muse.'

Over a period of eight months we created some amazing photographs, probably a book's worth. One of my many favorites was a shot of her in her old apartment in Utica, NY. The apartment was completely trashed and she was holding her cat at her hip, looking all badass. My Criterion DVD copy of "The Night Porter" was in the foreground. Which she later stole...

We shot again in 2009.

Recently she reminded me that we had an 'agreement" (and we did) to shoot once a year until either of us is dead. We skipped 2010 as she was quick to remind me.

This shot is from December 19, 2011.

Next year, my dear. Please take care of yourself.

I bought another copy of "The Night Porter"...

Happy Fucking New Year.

Cover Stars: MMS
Headlining Band: The Gutter Twins, which is pretty much what we were.

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Happy XMAS

To all my true friends - War Is Over If You Want It.

I've always wanted to do this. Consider it an homage...

Peace.

And if peace doesn't interest you, fuck off and die.

Cover Stars: J&D
Headlining Band: You know damn well who it is...

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Thumbprint

Cover Star: Sunset Park, 12-19-11
Headlining Band: John Lennon, et all.

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Glove

Cover Star: Sunset Park, 12-17-11
Headlining Band: Garbage doing The Ramones

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Goner

Tired eyes, bleeding hearts...

Been listening to Goner a lot tonight.

Brilliant band, from Raleigh, NC, and friends of mine.

Word is they are working on their 4th album.

God, I hope so. Their songs mean a lot to me.

Cheers boys! Let's do it! And I want to photograph you properly!

Talk to me!

Cover Star: Goner (the photo), live @ The Mercury Lounge, 10-09-04
Headlining Band: Goner

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This One's Set To Kill

The Afghan Whigs reunion announced today.

They are officially off the list of should do.

Thanks, Greg!

Cover Star: Sherice, 02-16-07
Headlining Band: The Afghan Whigs

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I'm Old Fashioned

Woke up. Elated. Happy and good. Really good.
Got an egg sandwich.
Ate it with some coffee.
Walked to the train.
Went to B&H. Had a panic attack.
Bought a bunch of film and some batteries.
Walked to the train.
Got home.
Found out my shoot was postponed. Film keeps. Batteries too.
Did some work. Calm now.
Walked to the train. Had a panic attack.
Went to Cheeky's on the LES. Calm now.
Bought a pork chop sandwich (the best in the world, mind you).
Took it back to Fontana's and ate the shit out of it with a Coke and a beer.
Watched sports I don't give a fuck about. Had a panic attack.
Witnessed a potential fight, which alleviated itself.
Talked to some friends. Several of them. Felt good. Sorta.
Walked to the train.
Bought a bottle of wine. Calm now.

Thursday night in the universe. Friday is next. See ya Saturday!

I can swim. I can swim. I can swim.

I can't swimmmmmmmm!

Oddly enough, The Jesus Lizard makes me feel better...

(My shirt is unbuttoned all David Yow style).

Cover Star: Natalie, 06-15-09
Headlining Band: The Jesus Lizard, live at Irving Plaza, 11-06-09. I was there. Listen - you can probably hear me...

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No One Calls, No One Writes

Except for the Baby Kitty, who constantly reminds me that she depends on me - for everything.

OK, she doesn't call or write, she just goes - mrroooowww...

And I know what that fucking means.

My Mother said to me the other night, she said, "James..." and I said, "What?..."

And it was her 76th birthday AND Thanksgiving.

And I said, "What?..."

And she said - "You should be alone for a while."

And I pondered and I thought and I played a song in my head, and then I thought again, and I pondered some more, and then I thought - I don't want to be alone. I mean, who the fuck really does?

But what I said to my Mother on her birthday and on Thanksfuckinggiving was -

"I hear you."

This photo and song is for my Mom.

Dig it. Or don't. As per the conversation I had thrice tonight, I don't really give a fuck. It''s all about being happy. AND ON THAT NOTE, the one that's resonating...

Happy December! PSR, AD, & DC...

Cover Star: The Developing Tank
Headlining Band: Johnny Thunders, RIP

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Breakdown

Sometimes friends swoop in for you. And a portrait is in line.

Sometimes.

Cover Star: CD and me...
Headlining Band: Rowland S. Howard, RIP

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Acrimony

Is a bitch.

"My lust, it ties me up
In chains
My skin catches fire at the
Mention of your name
No matter what I tried to do
I could not lose it."

Cover Star: Molly Crabapple, back in the day...
Headlining Band: TAWs

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Tuesday Morning in the Universe

Fuck, I don't even know anymore. What?

I only go where I go. Good luck seeing me, and if you are there, you will. If you even give a fuck.

Fuck, I don't even know anymore. What?

Shooting this week - an editorial and a magazine shoot.

I need a lottery ticket. A winning one.

GVB all night tonight.

Sometimes all you need is a little Bob Pollard.

No one reads this anymore so, fuck it. Liquid Indian.
Cover Star: My first attempt at taking the 'Self Portrait' series
Headlining Band: GBV

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Before : After

"Just to see what if
Just to see what is
I can't kick your habit
Just to feed your fast ballooning head
Listen to your heart."

Cover Star: moi
Headlining Band: Radiohead

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Something About Today

Underground.

I can't explain.

Following most everywhere I tread.

But it feels good.

Cover Star: JJG
Headlining Band: Screaming

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Here It Is...

Cover Star: JJG
Headlining Band: Mr. Buckner

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My Latest Self-Portrait

Taken 40 minutes after the 'empty' one...

The "Pin Ups" addition was sheer last minute inspiration as I struggle to re-alphabetize my albums after this hellish move into the new place.

Cover Star: Ingvild Eiring
Headlining Band: Mr. Jones covering The fucking Yardbirds

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My Latest Self-Portrait

Wall Of Voodoo's "Dark Continent." Warner Brother's 1980 compilation, "Troublemakers." Tom Waits' "Frank's Wild Years." The Jackson Five's "Greatest Hits." And Genesis' "The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway."

And "ABBA" on the wall...sort of...

The lyrics are poignant. Listen.

Cover Star: Sunset Park, Brooklyn, 2011
Headlining Band: Lloyd Cole & The Commotions

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I Take A Walk Outside...

The new neighborhood is tattooed everything. It's not the same by myself, but it's fine. It's safe. It's mine. It's ours.

When I went to see the Doctor...I was hiding all the way.

Cover Star: Rael, 2005
Headlining Band: Mr. Cave, live...

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Cowgirl, Everything Is Gonna Be Okay

Trust me. I have a birf on Thursday.

Cover Star: JJG
Headlining Band: Mr. Cave & Mr. Ellis

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Black

I moved from Park Slope, Brooklyn to Sunset Park, Brooklyn on August 2nd. It's taken me two weeks and a day to get back on-line. It's also taken me that amount of time to start painting (mostly) everything grey and to start start unpacking the crap I've amassed.

The neighborhood is not easy nor is it easily navigable. But I've had help, and I'm starting to make sense of it. Rico's Tacos = the bast tacos I've ever had (sorry Rachel's). Seared pork and chicken tacos and a long, tall 'Mexican' Coke costs $7.00.

Fuck yeah.

I hate my phone more than ever and the IRS and most of the people in the world, but I saw The Verrazano-Narrows Bridge yesterday in a rain storm with my girl and it renewed my faith in humanity.

OK, it absolutely did not. It made me want to retreat more. Except from my girl.

The past two days, she saved my life. Seriously. This post is for her.

Cover Star: JJG
Headlining Band: That dude that we're gonna have dinner with, and hey, if I won't do 'it' then he will certainly do 'it.' He always does...

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Toy Store

Money later. Friends later. Everything later. A cat has nine lives, supposedly, even though we all know that isn't true.

Hand it over slowly and I'm gone. But, I'm gonna take my time. Sweet-talking fly on the wall...

Cover Star: JJG
Headlining Band: TTS

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Don't Forget Me, Dear...

First shot from the fashion shoot yesterday for the "Thru|Lines" documentary project.

The camera crew is shadowing my hair stylist, Sharmeen Azmudeh, as one of the 24 New Yorkers included in the multi-screen installation.

Makeup by the very talented Daniel Koninsky.

It's Sunday afternoon and I'm feeling a lonely Mark Lanegan Sunday afternoon. Join me...

Cover Star: Jessica@Basic & Monroe
Headlining Band: Mr. Lanegan

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Feelings, Albeit, Mixed...

I love the word "albeit.' And cigarettes. And coffee. And whiskey. And good friends. And smart conversation.

I'm not going anywhere. Except to Sunset Park, Brooklyn, NY. Find me there.

In the meantime, I'm gonna be looking for her. In a deep sea diver suit. Yeah, that's how I feel tonight. And the air grows heavy...

Cover Star: ELEELA Magazine, 10/06
Headlining Band: Mr. Cave

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New Address

Shoot tomorrow morning with Meeney and Jessica@Basic with a documentary video crew.

Pray for us. Or just do whatever it is you do. I'm not praying...I'm cleaning the gates!

Do you ever wake up and find yourself alone?
Do you ever wake up far from home?

Cover Star: Mika Meiri, NYC, July 2011
Headlining Band: tSPs

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Pretty Pictures...

...and no vitriol, for a change.

Where do you buy Vitriol, anyway? B&H?

Cover Star: behind the scenes @ the K+R shoot
Headlining Band: Da Whigs

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My Friends...

...tell me STUFF.

Important stuff, revelatory stuff, stuff one should pay attention to. Or ignore. But at least I have a support system that I can dismiss. Or accept, which is the hardest thing to do, unless they are universally 'right' which I always acknowledge. Always...

I'm angry. I realized this yesterday, sprinkled with moments of love, well being and happiness. But I tend to gravitate toward the negative. I should be a stand-up comedian. I am, for all intents and purposes.

1,2,3,4...

When I'm angry, I go all - for lack of a better term - punk rock (DO NOT argue with me right now). Meaning, I just say FUCK IT, sometimes to my own detriment (nine stitches, being saved by an angel in the Dekalb Street subway stop). But I do not have a defwitch. I repeat...

DEFWITCH.

So, the world is gonna have to live with me. FOR A LONG TIME.

What makes that better? Therapy? Sure. Medication? Always-ish. Self-medication? Sometimes, but not tonight.

Here's the deal:

It's hard to explain, but, sometimes, just because I can, I hit the city...

...and I know a ship comes in every day. Because you're a fire escape.

I want a tattoo that says 'beauty" but I haven't earned it yet.

Or have I?

Cover Star: behind the scenes @ the K+R shoot
Headlining Band: Mr. Lanegan

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The Ass Kittens

I am wide awake. And that's what I want The Ass Kittens to be.

Wide awake. Real.

MOST of the people I know do NOT think that The Ass Kittens are a real band. Hell, I don't even know if, honestly, my guitarist and bass player think it's real.

But I do.

I want to do this.

My bass player and guitarist told me tonight that we shouldn't just record, which I want to do to make it real. They said we should rehearse, you know, be a real band. Get our chops down, and do not make a comedy record, which I do not want to do. And they were right. Correct. Sex positive, et al.

It's kinda nice when people you care about and people you want to perform with break it down for you. I do it all the time. Ask me a question. I'll always tell you the brutal truth.

So, we are gonna rehearse. On Saturday. It MIGHT suck a bunch of ass. I don't think so, but it might.

I'm not scared.

Bear with me. It might be GOOD.

Cover Star: TAK
Headlining Band: Dave Grohl & The Foo Fighters

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Fuck You, It's Magic!

What was I supposed to say?

Stay.

Cover Star: feathers
Headlining Band: The Giraffes, 08/28/09

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Save The Skins For A Pelt And The Rest For A Belt

"Well it's cold and it's quiet and cobblestone cold in here fucking for fear of not wanting to fear again lonely is all we are lovely so far but my heart's still a marble in an empty jelly jar someday suppose that my curious nervousness stills into prescience clairvoyant consciousness I will be calmer than cream making maps out of your dreams but will psychic ability kill the nativity or simply diminish that flinch?"

Thank you for reaching out last night. I miss you like hell, too.

Cover Star: MMS. Tables turned...
Headlining Band: TV On The Radio

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I'm Not Sure What They Were Thinking Of...

Toad Hall.

Cover Star: Two Muses.
Headlining Band: The Giraffes. The second The Ass Kittens cover and the vinyl 45 B-side.

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Burn Down Another Night

I am trying to quit smoking again. My last cigarette was Monday night at approximately 11pm so it's been 48 hours. I've done this before - hour 72 is going to suck, unless I light one up.

It's time. As my mother told me today, I've developed a cough. Who knows what the inside looks like?

I have a weird history with smoking.

My father smoked from little kid until a year after, that's right, a year after I was born. My parents were both children of tobacco farmers in rural North Carolina. My mother never smoked.

I did not start smoking until I was almost 35 years old. I thought that it was those kids who started when they were 13 that are fucked (and you are), so I started to bum cigarettes.

Then I bought a pack. Right around December 31, 1999. New Year's Resolution - to start smoking. Twisted, fucked up and odd. Perfect. More a story than anything else - and the resolution was to smoke for just one year. That's a non-smoker talkin' there, boy.

It didn't really take until September 12, 2001. Then it took. Hard.

I smoked regularly until Spring of 2006 when my then girlfriend and I went hiking up a "mountain" in Woodstock, NY. I got winded. The next day I threw away my remaining pack (smokes still in it) and quit cold turkey.

For 18 months. Until that girlfriend and I broke up. November 2007. And I purposely bought a pack and haven't looked back, even though in my village, they cost upwards of $13.00. And most of my friends smoke or at least bum them from me and smoke. And most of the people I've dated smoke with just a few exceptions.

Anyway.

I spent the majority of the weekend and the last almost four years smoking way too much. Excuses, explanations, habitual drug use, and that sweet relief for the jones that comes with that first puff.

I'm gonna try to quit now, once again. Key words: Gonna Try. It's so fucking ridiculous that one can look for support on Blogger or on Facebook, by writing and/or posting about it, but one can. I am.

I might buy a pack tomorrow. Don't judge me if I do.

But knowing me, I probably won't. For a while at least...

Cover Stars: CD & JG by CW. One of the last cigarettes.
Headlining Band: The Leaving Trains. The first The Ass Kittens cover.

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Bittersweet

They're staring at you, my love.

"Black out the windows
I'ts party time
You know how I love stormy weather
So, let's all play suicide

The crowd wants you bleeding
The eyes from your head
Get off your knees
You'll be fine."

Cover Stars: Katya @Fusion & Sietzka @FentonMoon
Headlining Band: TTS, live, Irving Plaza, 04/03/04

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Don't Call

Melancholy. Greg does such a fantastic job of that. And the motherfucker absolutely makes cover versions his own. Admirable.

Walked home from Kensington, Brooklyn Monday night at 3am. About 50 blocks - took me an hour - never passed another human being. Half of the walk was along Green-Wood Cemetery with Victorian houses across the street. It was all mine and no one was awake. The perfect time of night. Quiet. No telephone ringing. No one tapping you on the shoulder or asking you directions or looking at you because you are all dressed in black with long, grey hair, and are scaring their babies. The weather and light was perfect for feeling like the last man alive, or at least some drifter passing through town. Or an actor, a photographer, or dark angel...

Even though Berlin is calling me again, I was reminded how much I love this city. It was like a Bresson film directed by Wenders.

I have the feeling that my phone phobia will just increase the older I get...

Cover Star: Aliona @ FentonMoon
Headlining Band: TTS, covering Desire

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Wall Of Voodoo (revised repost from 01/17/07)

Some crazy, wacky facts about Wall of Voodoo:

- Early '80's band based in Los Angeles.

- Signed to IRS Records and released "Dark Continent" and "Call of the West." Both stellar, but "Call of the West" is a masterpiece. You may remember the "Mexican Radio" video from the early MTV days or "Beavis and Butthead." One of the best ever made. Seriously.

- Lead singer/lyricist Stanard Ridgway left the band after "Call of the West" and they continued to record with a new lead singer under the same name. Disregard this creative output.

- Porn film director (which is not entirely fair) Stephen Sayadian "styled" the cover of "Call of the West" and produced and production designed the video for "Mexican Radio." Stephen is one of my major "visual" influences - as "Rinse Dream" - see "Cafe Flesh" and "Dr. Caligari." Does anyone know where he is or if he is still alive??? WOV did soundtracks to his early '80's porn films, like maybe, "Cafe Flesh." There is an instrumental version of "Ring of Fire" (one of their staples and an AMAZING cover) in one of his films.

- Toby, Chris, David(?) and I saw them in a tiny little underground club on April 30th, 1983 in Raleigh, NC. We could not afford tickets ($6.00 or something) since we were freshmen in college and had already spent our textbook money on the album. Toby won tickets to see them on WKNC, the campus radio station. Divine Providence. We immediately went to K-Mart and shoplifted plastic dinosaurs because we had read in Trouser Press that Marc Moreland, the guitarist, collected them. We hung out with the band for an hour while they packed up and drank Heineken’s. Marc loved the dinosaurs and told the keyboardist, Chas T. Grey to not "rip them off" of him. Marc went on to play with Concrete Blonde.

- There's a reason they didn't make my "Reunion" list: Marc Morleand is dead. He "passed away March 13, 2002 from complications following a liver transplant." He was 44. Joe Nanini, the drummer, is dead. He "died on December 4, 2000 because of a brain hemorrhage." He was 45. I am currently older than both of them.

- Toby and I saw Stan together at The Cat's Cradle since I first wrote this a couple of years ago. He performed most of "Call of the West" beautifully with his band, which included his wife - no other WOV members. We chatted with him about the show in '83 and he said he remembered the dinosaur incident. Whether he did or not, it was boss.

- They were the 'coolest' people I've ever met, even before 'cool' really had a skewed definition. They are the measure. Fuck you, Williamsburg. Fuck you, Austin. Fuck you, Chapel Hill. Los Angeles? Who would have thunk it? They WERE "Repo Man." They REALLY were.

It's crazy when one of your formative records comes back to haunt you and actually turns out to be good. And it's doing it again, four years after I initially posted this.

Wall of Voodoo mean something to me. It's a time and place and an experience and a body of work that absolutely holds up. The photo is the back of "Call of the West." Mine. Autographed by Stan, Chas, and two dead guys...

I wish I had taken that photo. I wish I could call Bunnyhutch Headquarters right now...

If you are a band, and you are as good as Wall of Voodoo, and you want me to take your photo, contact me.

If you do not know "Call of the West" you should really, really buy it and check it out. I don't throw "masterpiece" around carelessly either. No wonder Stan quit...

I understand just a little. No comprende, it's a riddle...

"Ring of Fire" live. Revel.

Cover Star: WOV
Headlining Band: WOV, R.I.P.

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Enchanté

If you're trouble, then I'll follow you down.

Wide awake. Somebody put a gun in my face.

Go ahead, I said, erase.

I wanna see you again.

You said 11...

Cover Star: Brooke
Headlining Band: The Twilight Singers

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659 534

Say so, I'm getting under your skin, so soft
I can't help but pursue-
Til I'm screwed...

Cover Star: Premium
Headlining Band: The Twilight Singers

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Twenty Bands That Should Reunite Right Now

I do this every year. The last post was Monday, April 26, 2010. Several of the bands on my list have reunited in the year that has passed.

Again, the rule is as follows:

All members as of this writing must be alive. This is why The Replacements, The Birthday Party and The Gun Club are not on the list, unfortunately, because they sure as shit would be.

Annotated list:

1. Fugazi (just do it!)
2. The Grifters (just do it! I know, no one knows who the fuck you guys were, but the band was brilliant)
3. The Smiths (stop me...)
4. Swans - Reunited without Jarboe. Awesome, but this does not count. They stay on the list.
5. Bikini Kill (this is a no brainer, except that there's no such thing as a RIOT GIRL anymore - shame)
6. Japan - Mick Karn, amazing bass player, died this year, which fucking sucks. They are off the list. Replaced by:
6. The Giraffes
7. Hüsker Dü (just fucking do it Grant Hart)
8. The Leaving Trains (James! We just covered "Cigarette Motel" last night. You're back catalog is good! How the fuck are you paying your rent???)
9. Galaxy 500 - Dean has been doing "Galaxie 500" shows. This does not count. They stay on the list.
10. Shockabilly (Kramer? Eugene? David?)
11. Sleater-Kinney (in time, I know. You'll probably be the first off the list next year)
12. The Toiling Midgets w/ Mark Eitzel (NEVER gonna happen, but should)
13. The Afghan Whigs (Greg, The Twilight Singers and The Gutter Twins are awesome - but...)
14. Roxy Music w/ Brian Eno (apparently dismissed recently, dammit!)
15. Genesis w/ Peter Gabriel (apparently dismissed recently, but THE LAMB 2011? C'mon, high notes or not!)
16. Guided By Voices - They reunited the 'classic line-up,' which I saw twice in December. One of those shows was their 'final ever' show at the terminally fetid Terminal 5. Turns out that wasn't true. They have shows booked through this Summer. They are off the list, not only for ripping me off but because they did the right thing and reunited. They're playing Brooklyn, by the way...Which means there's room for one more. Replaced by:
16. Big Black
17. At The Drive-In (eventually, right, boys?)
18. Oingo Boingo (probably not, but it would be bad-ass)
19. PIL (with Keith Levene and Jah Wobble) - Reunited WITHOUT Keith or Jah. This does not count. They stay on the list, although they are dangerously close to being removed, a la GBV. Hey John Lydon! Do you read this? Apparently not...
20. Uncle Tupelo (this is a no brainer - how about I move you guys up to #3?)

I've been listening to a lot of Fugazi in the past two days (since rehearsal) and I gotta say at this moment in time, there is a reason I moved them up to #1. I miss them. Everything about them - can't sing, brilliant musicians, don't care, politics, $5 tickets and a fucking bad ass, never not-memorable show. The Giraffes should probably be at #2. I saw Fugazi 5 times, the last time on The Mall in D.C. for free in 100 degree heat, probably, when Bobby? 2000? I saw The Giraffes only once, February 5, 2011 - their final show, and it was not enough.

Don't forget this. Ever. Without music in your life, whatever the fuck you listen to - your life would suck.

Or at least mine would.

What is good for the future? What was good for the past? What is good for the future don't last...

...and that makes me sad. A bit.

Cover Star: Fugazi in a photo I wish I had taken.
Headlining Band: Fugazi

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After The Moon, I Should Go...

Saturday in the universe synopsis:

A friend's friend's friend committed suicide this week. I understand that shitty feeling, albeit twice removed.

Another friend got all the shit (two books and a shirt) I've been promising him for a year. I know that feeling too. Long coming elation, I hope.

I made a new friend last night. Bonded on many levels, a lot in common, or at least a shared sensibility. I know that feeling too. It's a good one and rare.

Many of my friends are feeling sick. I got that too. Feel better!

THE ASS KITTENS first practice is on Monday. As I said to my drummer last night, by this time next year, we'll be playing high school gymnasiums. AND you're damn right we will be! I've been practicing all week, bitches.

I miss all my friends, but I especially miss the first friend on the list here. A lot.

Witching hour...

Cover Star: CD
Headlining Band: SP

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James M. Graham, Monograph

Fingernails and a Cigarette's a Lousy Dinner

Did a video interview with The mOrgans last night and got great stuff. Women should not drink an alcoholic beverage during pregnancy because of the risk of birth defects. "So, what color are your eyes, really?" Attended a "Royal Wedding" event on the roof of The Roosevelt Hotel. I made another appointment for next Saturday at 5pm. Dressed to the nines and a half. Sha na na. "Texas Hot Link." Listened to a conversation, going nowhere, about adoption versus natural birth realizing the whole time, that none of the participants should ever have children under any circumstance. Snubbed. Saw the sun come up, sore and irritable. Don't cry, don't fight. "I'm not a photographer like you, but I think I have a great eye." Apparently, Smokey threw Julie away, however, the jury is still out. Consumption of alcoholic beverages impairs your ability to drive a car or operate machinery. Chick wouldn't 'touch-up' my tattoo today because she thought it hadn't healed. I suppose she did too. Scanning negatives, working. "Don't forget the small people." It's fucking healed. Shopping for necessities. Not shaving, but fuck it, it's Saturday. You know, I've got the right. And then I thought...

Hey! Hey! Hey! Yeah, you! Fuckers!

Looking forward to the beginning of the week. The VERY beginning of the week. A lot.

I'll definitely shave. La di da, indeed.

This is one of the greatest 'love songs' ever written. Listen.

Cover Star: SP
Headlining Band: Da Mats

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James M. Graham, Monograph

Definition(s)

I have a couple of "golden rules" - and they're not the ones you are probably thinking of. Think of them photography-wise:

1) I'm not really good with vague, in fact, I'm really bad with it.

Say what you mean. It's not hard.

Take a minute. Level. I can take it. At least that gives me something to work with.

2) And for fucking christ's sake, do not ask me just to occupy your down time. As a distraction, a time-waster, a pawn in your own personal chess game...

Don't ever do that.

I don't want to be left on the outside.

And don't get me wrong, no one should ever kill another person, either.

I think I know you and I don't think that you want me to...

Cover Star: SP
Headlining Band: Mark Lanegan

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Mirror

Now that I reconsider it, it's very Mapplethorpe of me. And not on purpose. Odd.

Whatever. Just listen to the fucking song. That changes everything. Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, fucking blah.

I'll be dead soon, and so will you.

; )

Cover Star: SP
Headlining Band: Da Giraffes

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You Can Gaze Right Out My Window.

I'm gonna enter through your nose, your eye, your ear, your tongue. The march has just begun. Let's make no mistake about it. My radio is everything.

Good morning.

Cover Star: CB
Headlining Band: Da Giraffes

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Your Eyes Should Always Say Maybe

There are more than four poignant memories, but here are four:

1) You believed in me and I did not let you down.

2) I stood up for my people, you threw a keyboard across the room, it exploded, and I chased you as you ran for the elevator, shouting "Don't fucking run away from me!" And the next morning you bought fig newtons and put them on my desk as a peace offering. When I talked to you about running away, you said you ran because you wanted to hit me.

3) Indianapolis, IN, me and you in a car, hardly knew each other. Right before the Sony screening, we pulled into a liquor store and got a six of Mickey's Big Mouths. We drank three each, me behind the wheel. And you said, something like "Damn, James Graham, you can drink." And then we went to that steak house...high as kites.

4) All those nights at that bar on West Broadway, long gone, called The Construction Zone. They had popcorn. And you said over and over to Tracy and I, "We're right, right?" And we agreed. And we were.

We were pioneers. And no one can take that away from us.

Although, I'm not sure what it gives us in return. Except stories.

Cover Star: Elena
Headlining Band: Heartless Bastards

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Messiah Complex

This only happens when it happens and mostly when you have nothing else to do, or you are incredibly traumatized. See the Peter Weir film with Jeff Bridges entitled "Fearless." Or be incredibly bored. But it happens to me. Often. At least in this city.

I was on the subway tonight. Listening to this song in my headphones. A note on headphones:

I've gone on the record saying that I will never listen to music in NYC through headphones for two very good reasons - stick with me.

1) My hearing is shot from too many punk rock shows. Hunh? I don't want to damage it any further. You can't be in THE ASS KITTENS and be deaf. Not yet.

2) I don't want to get run over by an errant cab, car, bullet or evil/oblivious passersby. You can't be in THE ASS KITTENS and be dead. Not yet.

So I will never listen to music in headphones. Unless I get an iPhone and can transfer all my favorite music to it.

Anyway...

I was on the subway tonight. Listening to this song in my headphones.

And my beloved NYC, with this song blasting into my near deaf ears, became surreal. I was no longer walking. I was floating, I was transcendent. I was one with a personal soundtrack. The National WERE talking to ME.

And I know that wasn't the case, but it kinda seemed that way.

So:

I was on the subway tonight. Listening to this song in my headphones.

And I was standing with my back to the door, probably leaning on it, which the sticker across from me tells me acutely not to do.

And across from me, to my left was this guy with restless/nervous/twitchy leg syndrome. His legs were going at 100 mph. And to my right was this guy with restless/nervous/twitchy leg syndrome. His legs were going at 100 mph.

I looked at both of them dead in the eyes, one after another with my headphones on. With calm, with forgiveness, with mostly "Stop fucking doing that" but with a reassuring smile.

And within seconds, they both stopped twitching their fucking legs.

And they didn't twitch for three more stops - roughly 15 more minutes. And I kept checking up on them, and I would catch them looking back at me, like "I got it man, it's all good now."

Weirdly satisfying. And then I got off at Union Street, but not without looking back at both off them reassuringly, with my headphones still on. Floating.

Now, if I could just stop twitching...

You might need me more than you think you will.

Cover Star: Celia
Headlining Band: Da Nat

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Some Will Live to Love Another Day and Some of Us Won't

Thursday morning in the universe.

All right. Yeah.

Cover Star: Marzena
Headlining Band: Bad Seeds

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Get Him Out of Your System

Daisy fresh and arrow straight...

Cover Star: Stoya
Headlining Band: The Nat

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Practicing...

..vocals.

Note to self...if you could just close your eyes and go the fuck to sleep...

Cover Star: Minx
Headlining Band: Pulp

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My Cantina

She said, "Do you like opiates?"

Fuck it, THE ASS KITTENS are rehearsing on Sunday. Even if I have to do it by my fucking self.

Committed? Fuck yeah!

I just want to sing.

Cover Star: Self-Portrait, tonight and NOT from the "Outtakes" show...April 22nd @ The Dash Gallery, 172 Duane Street, TriBeCa. Please come by and hug me.
Headlining Band: Mr. Zimmerman

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Lit Up

Monday night in the universe. Slowly, the planet goes around the sun.

Just waiting, standing, pining for Tuesday.

Oh, universe, please do not disappoint me.

I try to untie...

Cover Star: Ieva, from the "Outtakes" show...April 22nd @ The Dash Gallery, 172 Duane Street, TriBeCa. Please come by and hug me.
Headlining Band: The National

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