Angel'in Heavy Syrup

Lately I've been thinking a lot about Japanese psych-rock goddesses Angel'in Heavy Syrup. I first crossed paths with them nearly 20 years ago, back in Honolulu, Hawaii. Shit. It seems like just yesterday but, 20 years is nearly a lifetime...and that's twice as old as Justin Beiber.
My friends Guy (Funk Pistol) and Stacey (Fine) brought them to Honolulu to play some shows at their very 'underground' and very 'after hours' nightclub 'My Favorite Eggplant'. The ladies spoke little-to-no English and my Japanese is juvenile, at best. That didn't stop us from having way too much fun.

R.I.P. Kodachrome

Thursday marked the end of an era, as the very last lab to develop your Kodachrome film shut it all down, selling the last of their processing machines for scrap metal.

Get the full story HERE

Vampyros Lesbos

Jesus Franco's Vampyros Lesbos is the purest example of the 70's B-Movie/ Horror genre. The jazzy-psychedelic soundtrack is the cherry on this lesbian-camp, cult classic. Tune in, turn on, drop out. Watch the flick. Listen to the soundtrack.

Chris Silas Neal

Chris Silas Neal's work is a nice little retreat from the overworked and super polished digital world. He's a Brooklyn based artist & instructor at the Pratt Institute, whose illustrations and hand-drawn type are reminiscent of styles and aesthetics of early last century. It is seriously refreshing to see that there are still artists who take the time to lay it out by hand, who don't settle on programs & nanobots to write their art for them...'cause brother, this fella likes it old school!

See more of C.S. Neal's work HERE

The Knife x Ratatat

We Share Our Mothers Health-Ratatat Remix


NY Hotel

The xx 'VCR' Four Tet Remix

VCR-Four Tet Remix


VCR-original version

Sarah Frost

Currently living and working in St Louis, Missouri, Sarah Frost has taken keys from discarded computer keyboards, turning them into something far grander than they could have ever imagined they'd ever be in their lifetime.

The Origins of Street Art by Jorge Martin

Hyperallergic posted a really good bit of editorial on the origins of street art, as written by Jorge Martin.

Grab Part 1 HERE and Part 2 HERE

 

Julia Pott

Julia Pott is a freelance illustrator & animation director from the other side of the pond, London, England, to be more precise. Her illustrations are romantic and humorous, and like she says "aces".
After you've checked out Julia's animation below, you should mosey on over to her other sites.

Check Julia's Etsy HERE
Then check out her Blog HERE
...and then, check out her Flickr HERE

"My First Crush"  Using interviews with people about their first encounters with love, their animal counterparts tells their stories of humor and heartache. This was my graduation film at Kingston University. Animated By Julia Pott, Music, Sound Design by Christopher Frost.

Detail from Julia's "Here With Me" print.

Rob Mack aka Philistine WorkShop

Illustrator extraordinaire, Rob Mack aka Philistine Workshop has created a brand spankin' new print for Artcrank (an international poster party for bike people), titled Bike Wolf. I am totally diggin' on Rob Mack's aesthetic, which he produces in a variety of mediums, that hearken printwork of yesteryear.

More from Philistine Workshop HERE
Philistine Workshop's Flickr HERE

SWOON x Upper Playground Print Release

New York based street artist, SWOON, has teamed up with Upper Playground, to release her newest print, titled Walki.

The 3-color screenprint is printed on handmade Indian jute paper measuring 13" x 21" and is limited to an edition of 300. Available until either sold out or January 1st, which ever comes first (my bet's on 'sold out'). The asking price for the Walki print is only $125...when was the last time a SWOON print was this affordable?

Hit the Upper Playground link and get yours (and more info about the project) HERE

Hey, Bruno Mars a 'Grenade' is a Fart Bomb!

Dear FM Radio listeners,
 
   In general, the swill you listen to sucks. It is, for the most part, pure crap. Lame lyrics. Formulaic rhythm tracks, reinforced by even lamer dance moves. You are, each of you, sheep that march swiftly into slaughter for the new pop fm radio single of the moment. Please, continue downloading your ring-tones...and, I honestly don't mind that you love your pop music. I don't care, that you don't care.

   What I do have strong feelings about, what really gets my panties in a bunch, is Bruno Mars and the fact that he has the balls (or come to think about it, maybe he doesn't have balls...that would explain things) to write the crap he writes, record that crap, perform that crap, sell that crap and not throw up in his own mouth every time he hears his own voice. He has all of the talent of a chicken-choking 15 year old boy.

   In my lifetime, I have survived many a pop star who was without talent, but you Bruno, take the cake. The lyrics to your current single 'Grenade' leave me absolutely dumbfounded. I can think of nothing better to do than to shove sharpened pencils in my ears each and every time I hear your Pledge of Allegiance to the United States of Lame.

   Bruno, buddy, FYI, a grenade is:
-a small shell containing an explosive and thrown by hand.
-the act of placing your hands behind your ass, while simultaneously cupping them & firmly farting into them and then tossing said grenade at the nearest persons face.
-According to reality TVs 'The Situation' of Jersey Shore fame, grenades are the ugly girls at the club that you 'date' just to 'get some'.
-All of the above, if used in reference to Bruno Mars and his talent (term used lightly).

If you (the reader of this Blog) have not heard Bruno's track...God Bless you! I have taken the liberties of jotting a few of Bruno's lyrics down for your enjoyment.

   Yours Truly,
   Billy

'Grenade' by Bruno Mars

"...To give me all your love is all I ever asked, Cause what you don't understand is
I’d catch a grenade for ya (yeah, yeah, yeah). Throw my hand on a blade for ya (yeah, yeah, yeah). I’d jump in front of a train for ya (yeah, yeah , yeah)...I would go through all this pain, Take a bullet straight through my brain..."

Bang Gang and Screaming Materpiece

Yes, Suzy, there are bands other than Bjork that come from Iceland...meet Bang Gang.

Find What You Get


Sleep


Recommended viewing 'Screaming Masterpiece'
"Explore the history of Icelandic music with this fascinating documentary set against the stunning backdrop of the country's landscape. From the Vikings to today's inhabitants, residents of this far-north country have compensated for the very long, very dark winters by indulging their passion for music. Performances by Björk, Sigur Rós, Múm and many others provide an inside look into the contemporary sound of this artistic culture...."

 

Wilco x Intelligentsia Coffee Collab

Chicago's hometown hero's of indie rock, Wilco have collab'ed with Chicago's coffee kings, Intelligentsia to offer a wicked limited package. Wilco is taking pre-orders for the exclusive bundle, which includes 2 lbs of Organic whole bean Ethiopian and 2 mugs (designed by Andy Wickstrom). Pre-orders must be placed before midnight, Dec 5th EST. The beans will then be roasted on Dec 6th & 7th and shipped shortly there after.
Give the gear HERE

Don Kenn Gallery: Monsters on Post-It Notes

Size does not matter and John Kenn of Denmark proves it! John writes & directs children's TV, has twins and little time for much of anything else. When he's got a free chunk of time, he hijacks the office supplies and makes monster drawings...all on Post-It Notes.
Visit John's Blog: Don Kenn Gallery

Banksy 'Exit Through The Gift Shop' US DVD Update

As many of you out there have heard, Banksy's 'Exit Through The Gift Shop' is slated to drop in the US, Dec 14th. It has also been confirmed that the US release will include the limited extras that were seen in the UK version...NICE! And yes, Thierry Guetta's aka Mr Brainwash 'Life Remote Control (Lawyer's Edit)' is in fact, included in the DVD extra's...hmmm, I wonder what kind of crazy sh!t the guys have gotten themselves into.

Amazon is selling this baby at $19.99 ($29 list) and is taking pre-orders (hit the link below).

Stiv Bators, Dead Boys & Lords of the New Church

Stiv Bators of the Dead Boys (who later went on to become Lords of the New Church) played a very significant roll in the early American Punk music scene and later in his/ their career, blurred the lines of glam-punk & Batcave Goth-Rock (that is, Goth-Rock before mall stores like Hot Topic helped to homogenize a whole lifestyle & genre of music for many of us).

A long, long time ago, the Lords of the New Church covered Madonna's 'Like A Virgin'. To add insult to injury, the guys chose an album cover that would make even the strongest of stomachs churn. Dig Stiv Bators, in all his tea-bagging glory. Call me silly, but I don't think Stiv was actually a 'virgin' at the time of this photo shoot...more research will need to be done.



Stiv Bators 'I'm Not That way Anymore'


Dead Boys 'Sonic Reducer'

Secret Colours 'Redemption'

Chicago-based quintet 'Secret Colours' are an experimental psychedelic garage rock band that bring to mind Andy Warhol's Factory days...eating LSD, flopped out on a dirty couch (or floor if you're lucky), whilst The Velvet Underground bombard you with a rolling wall of fuzz-filled-white-noise. Some serious homage is being paid to present day shoegazers like The Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, The Raveonettes or a 'less-sonic' interpretation of The Jesus and Mary Chain, too. Check 'em out, before they get famous!

Secret Colours 'Redemption' from the self-titled album:



The Jesus and Mary Chain 'Just Like Honey'...man, it's crazy to think that I bought this album nearly 25 years ago.


The Jesus And Mary Chain - Just Like Honey from James Austin on Vimeo.

Linotype: The Film

"Linotype: The Film is a feature-length documentary film centered around the Linotype typecasting machine invented by Ottmar Mergenthaler. Called the "Eighth Wonder of the World" by Thomas Edison, the Linotype revolutionized printing and society, but very few people know about the inventor or his fascinating machine.
The Linotype completely transformed the communication of information similarly to how the internet is now changing it all again. Although these machines were revolutionary, technology began to supersede the Linotype and they were scrapped and melted-down by the thousands. Today, very few machines are still in existence.
The highly-skilled operators of the Linotype are in a battle against time. If their skills are not passed along to a new generation of operators, the machine will die completely. There is a small group of former operators that want to save the Linotype from the scrap yard but some see this as a fruitless endeavor to slow down progress..."

Slated for release in the early fall of 2011.


"Linotype: The Film" Teaser from Linotype: The Film on Vimeo.

HOW TO NOT MAKE BREAD

When the crew was sitting around at their morning meeting tossing out 'project' ideas and some guy from across the table said "Hey gang! I've got a great one! Let's show our audience how to make bread. We'll get this dude, he's gotta look like a weightlifting tranny version of Olivia Newton John (circa 'Let's Get Physical'). He'll dance around to some uber shitty-electric 80s swill and pretend to make love to the loaves of bread..." Why, oh, why, didn't everyone take their hot cups of tea and throw it in his face?

DANNY MACASKILL: THE BEST DAMNED STREET TRIALS, EVER

I don't care if you dislike bicycle street trials or if you've even heard of the sport...you need to see this guy, Danny MacAskill. He is in-fukking-sane, defies physics, defies reality. I can not fathom the vast majority of the tricks Danny's pulling off on this here video. Be warned...bring a fresh pair of britches, 'cause you'll mess yourself.


"Filmed over the period of a few months in and around Edinburgh by Dave Sowerby, this video of Inspired Bicycles team rider Danny MacAskill features probably the best collection of street/street trials riding ever seen. There's some huge riding, but also some of the most technically difficult and imaginative lines you will ever see. Without a doubt, this video pushes the envelope of what is perceived as possible on a trials bike..."

NOW HEAR THIS: BUMBLEBEEZ

The Bumblebeez (formerly known as Bumblebeez 81) are a brother & sister duo from a land down under...Australia, who are known for their anomalous breed of flat beats, hip hop & white-noise smothered rock 'n roll. Their music, it's outside of the box, that's for sure. Their videos, I'd say they're outside of this galaxy.

ORTICANOODLES: Street Art Duo

ORTICANOODLES "Orticanoodles is the pseudonym for two young Italian artists, a very active and tight-knit duo, composed by Wally and Alita. Both lovers of the stencil technique, they began to create drawings and handmade posters, quickly making themselves known into the street art world...CONTINUED"

-Titled: God Save Stencils
-Edition of 30...each one unique
-Size: 50X70cm
-Medium: spraypaint & stencil on Fabriano/Fedrigoni paper 220g paper

http://www.orticanoodles.com

http://urbanpainting.bigcartel.com/

Ragnar Persson: Death Metal & Cheap Wine

Swedish artist Ragnar Persson enjoys drinking lots of wine & listening black-speed-death-thrash-gore metal music. The underlying theme of his pencil renderings are those of entranced little girls wearing King Diamond t-shirts, while strolling in dark, wolf-filled woods. Ragnar is currently showing his works in a group exhibition curated by Malmö, Sweden's KRETS, titled KNOCK KNOCK at Needles & Pens in San Francisco through November 30th.

Matt Taylor: Día de los Muertos 2010

"Matt Taylor is an illustrator from Brighton, England. He lives a stones throw from the sea, and can often be found travelling by bicycle, drawing, photographing things, looking at waves and making marks on paper. He is influenced by comic books, faded Americana, found photos, wildlife, wild music, National Geographic magazine, Jack Kirby and artists too numerous to mention..."

Limited Edition "Día de los Muertos 2010" screen print...orders taken from 10.25-11.2...ONE WEEK ONLY! Once the week is up, Matt will begin printing those orders ONLY. If he sells 10, he only prints 10. No extras. No spares. No 2nd chances. No whining. Get your orders in while you still have time.

-2-color print on A4 (210 x 297mm) heavyweight stock
-Signed and numbered by the artist.
-£10 (approx $15us)...price includes shipping anywhere, worldwide

Matt Taylor's WEBSITE
Matt Taylor's SHOP
Matt Taylor's FLICKR

Mio I-zawa Umbilical Cord iPhone Charger

Japanese artist Mio I-zawa has created a twitching umbilical cord that feeds iPhones with power.

More from Mio I-zawa HERE

Sister Corita: The Print Making Nun

It's been argued by many, that Sister Corita was one of the greatest artists of her time...rivaling even that of Andy Warhol.

"A Catholic convent and college in Los Angeles might seem an unlikely breeding ground for Pop Art and social commentary. However, for nearly three decades, Sister Mary Corita—a Catholic nun, teacher, and inspiration to such luminaries as Buckminster Fuller and Charles Eames—devoted her life to creating cutting-edge serigraphs. In 1946, a decade after joining the Order of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Sister Corita began teaching art at Immaculate Heart College and by 1952 she had exhibited her first screenprint..."

Visit Sister Corita's site HERE

ABC's from Central Office on Vimeo.

Allison Schulnik's Hobo Clown

Hobo Clown is a stop-motion animation by Los Angeles based visual artist Allison Schulnik, featuring music by Canadian composer Michael Vincent.

ZOOT: Street Artist & Print Maker

Crushed Hopes by ZOOT [uk] as shown at Brooklynite Gallery. Check out ZOOTs flickr for more of his work HERE

Nate Duval: Gig Posters & Art Prints

Nate Duval has got to be the hardest working print maker out there, with a hu-f'ing-mungous roster of bands that he's worked with. Don't believe me? Then check out his blog, his Etsy and his store.

Album Cover Mash-Ups by Christian Marclay

Unless you've spent the last decade living under a rock, you've probably heard a mash-up or two. You know, a DJ takes the music from one song and plops the vocals from a totally different song on top of it...and let's not confuse 'mash-ups' for 'sampling'. Mash-ups generally work best when the marriage is ironic. [see youtube for Rick Astley vs Nirvana].

New York based visual artist & composer Christian Marclay goes a step further, he mashes-up LP covers, creating some seriously over the top collages.

Gary Numan vs 24 Diehard Batteries

Gary 'Tubeway Army' Numan performs 'Cars' for a Diehard Battery commercial. I'd love it a great deal more if I know this commercial was a spoof on Numan, starring his evil, chubbier doppelganger. Hell, I'm still a huge fan of all things Numan, but this commercial is kind of how I'd imagine I'd feel waking up from a drunken stupor, laying next to a tranny-prostitute...jaw dropped & not really sure what the fuck just happened.

PS...if you're in Chicago tonight, there are still some tickets available for Gary Numan's gig at the Metro.

David Shillinglaw: Colorful Condition

David's 'Colorful Condition' is fresh off of the presses and yours for the gettin'.

-100 full colour pages of selected artworks
-Perfect Bound
-13cm x 16cm
-signed copy will cost you about 20 bucks, shipped to the US

"Colourful Condition presents a collection of work by London based artist, David Shillinglaw. His work includes map-like diagrams, anatomical studies, and hieroglyphic landscapes..."

More info is yours, HERE

Ben Javens: Some Danged Good Packaging

Ben Javens is an illustrator from across the pond (England), whose flair for great design precedes him. I've been a fan of Ben's 60's Danish stylized graphics for a wee bit. Needless to say, I grinned like a little girl while shopping at my neighborhood Target store here, in Chicago & spied a row of 8th Continent Soymilk containers from yours truly, Ben.

Check his Website out HERE and his Blog HERE

Fight Club Spoofed for Binaca Breath Spray

Chuck Palahniuk's Fight Club flick gets parodied for Binaca.

Gregory Isaacs: Dead at 59

59 year old Gregory Isaacs passed away last night at his home in London. The Reggae Dancehall legend spent the latter part of his career dealing with drug addiction (and its complications) and more recently, last year battling lung cancer. Here's to you, brother. God Bless.

Madelinex: Klaus Nomi - Riding The New Wave

I just received a heads up from Madeline in NYC...who has a fabulous blog running. She sent me a link about her experiences in the midst of the NYC music/ art scene in its hey-day and encounters with David Bowie, Klaus Nomi & Joey Arias and more specifically, the very same SNL broadcast that I blogged about last night.

Hit the link HERE and peruse Madelinex's Klaus Nomi - Riding The New wave...a muy fabulous re-telling!

 

Joey D...Animator, Illustrator, Artist

Joey D is a Chicago based artist, illustrator, animator and all-around madman. His artwork is off-the-freakin-chain! Joey D was recently part of Hotbox's "The Corner Store" (art gallery in a delivery van that showed up in different spots all over Chicago) which also featured Swiv, The Grocer & Nice-One. He's also part of a group gig at OHNO!DOOM till the end of the month.

So, do yourself a big fat favor & roll that mouse of yours over to his Blog, Flickr, Twitter, Facebook & Vimeo HERE

David Bowie and Klaus Nomi

Flash back to the Winter of '79. I was up past my bed-time, watching 'late night programming', waiting for Saturday Night Live to air. David Bowie (featuring Klaus Nomi & Joey Arias) was the musical guest on this episode of SNL. I nearly shat my Underroos & fell off of the sofa when they hit the stage. You see, it was the end of another crappy decade in the US, television was all about Leaving It To Beaver (and other wholesome viewing). The radio stations? They all played the same mix of pop swill. Bad, really bad, fashion was all the rage (some things never change). But, there was always David Bowie, in all his glorious androgyny, who I could rely on to take me away from the doldrums of a.m. radio love songs & faux wood paneling.

My Newest Print: Vintage French Velo Racer

This is a limited edition, hand pulled screen print that I recently completed of a vintage velo track racer, posing in all of his glorious mustached regalia. The original image is circa 1908, France.

The Details:
-Printed in an edition of only (15)
-4-color print on Lewis Paper 100# Cougar Natural paper
-Image size: 9"x12.5"
-Paper size: 13"x16.75"
-20 Bucks

More info HERE

My Newest Print: Tour De France

A Tour De France poster...not re-interpreted, just freshened up a wee bit.

Some Details:
-Title: Tour De France
-Printed in an edition of only (10)
-3-color print
-French Paper, Speckletone, Starch white, 100lb
-Image size: 11"x15.75"
-Paper size: 16"x20"
-20 Bucks

More info HERE

Helvetica Cookie Cutters

Helvetica Cookie Cutters from Beverly Hsu...yum!

Vintage Russian Postcards

I don't pretend to speak Russian, so don't flip out if I lost something in translation. For what they are, these few vintage Russian postcards are great thumbnails of basic graphic design meets Public Service Announcements.



*Helmets save lives.



*Labor. Labor. Labor. Labor...and Labor some more.

 

*Donate blood...or see above postcard.

Alvin Lustig: Modern Designs of...

Cover of Industrial Design Magazine's April 1954 issue by the late, great American designer...Alvin Lustig.

And on that note, Chronicle Books recently released the long anticipated book, titled "Born Modern: The Life and Design of Alvin Lustig".

Additional info: HERE

Rae McGrath 'Childhood'

Brooklynite Gallery's own Rae McGrath has just dropped a fresh print, titled 'Childhood'

Mixed Media Screen-Print
Archival Paper
11" x 15"35 bucks

 

Dave Kinsey 'Radio In A Box'

BLK/MRKT Editions recently released another off the chain screenprint from Dave Kinsey, titled Radio In A Box.
4-color screenprint on 100% cotton rag.
Edition of 150
24"x18"

Sonnenzimmer Test Prints

Ex-Bird Machine stable-mates Nick Butcher & Nadine Nakanishi make up the Chicago based print making duo better known as Sonnenzimmer. On their own, Sonnenzimmer's prints are highly sought after by flatstock collectors worldwide, but Test Prints? Hells bells, yes..and there isn't anything I love more than a Test Print. So, do yourself a favor, roll on over to their site and get some, while they still last.

 

Exit Through The Gift Shop...An Interview With Jaimie D' Cruz & Chris King

Jaimie D' Cruz (Producer) and Chris King (Editor) of Exit Through The Gift Shop sit down and get into a deep, 42-minute interview...sharing the 'nuts & bolts' that went into the making of Exit Through The Gift Shop with David Poland (DP/30).

*The DVD drops in the US December 14th...ask Santa for yours HERE

CASSETTE MIX-TAPE

It was early in the 80's. Nose-Candy was still sorta' legal...you could still get your scripts for Ecstasy filled at the corner drugstore. Music & fashion were all over the place....mindless, clueless, gender-bent. Miami Vice was King. In certain circles, still is. The world was slathered in pastels & neons. Poofy shirts. Poofy haircuts. Peg Leg pants and jazz-shoes. God Bless Z-Cavaricci!

Like any red-blooded American boy, I spent my nights making cassette mix-tapes....and shaving the hair from the palms of my hands.

This weeks mix-tape includes a few of my most memorable NU-RO (New-Romantic) and New Wave faves.

Classix Nouveaux "Guilty"
-Cross dressed, pre-Goth, pogo dancing gayness. I bought the 7"...who didn't?...and swore up and down that this was the edgiest NuRo jam ever. Ever! Today was the first time I've listened to "Guilty" in well over 25 years...and I still know all of the lyrics, all 3 of them.




Righeira "Vamos a la Playa"
-I bought the 7" single at my local mall music store. I was always sweatin' the girl up behind the counter. She had big hair...BIG! I still remember the picture sleeve...2 copper-toned greased fellas on a white sand beach, wearing Euro Speedo's. I believe they were smuggling gerbils in the front of their man-pannies.




Adam and the Ants "Stand and Deliver"
Another NuRo superstar. Adam was no mere flash in the pan. He straddled the fence, somewhere between Punk Rock pirate & New Romantic highwayman. The band had 2 drummers and they layed heavy, heavy, infectious beats that would excite me like no other band...causing me to toss on a pair of New Wave sunglasses (picture Star Trek's LeVar Burton as Geordi La Forge) as I jumped out of my seat to pogo all around the living room, like all of the kiddies on American Bandstand.

SCOTT ALBRECHT: WOOD & FONTS & WOODEN FONTS, OH, MY

Scott Albrecht is a Brooklyn-based artist & designer whose skills with wood & text and wooden text can't be beat (sorry for this bad pun)with a stick.

Hit his Blog: HERE and his Flickr: HERE

http://scottyfivealive.com/#138547/BLOG

NETHERLAND ART: SWINGIN' COLLAGES

Netherland is hands down, one of the grooviest collage artists around. His fondness for 70's magazine ads & hi-fi appliances can't be beat, man.

Wanna see more? Check out Netherland's Flickr Here and his website HERE

FairWheel Bikes x Geoff McFetridge 3-Speed Fixie Collab

Geoff McFetridge unleashed his 2nd collaborative dream-bike with the folks at FairWheel Bikes...this sweet-thang is a 3-speed fixed gear!

Boogie over to the FairWheelBikes.com website: HERE

A HUNTER BLANKS A BEAR: AN INTERACTIVE ADVERTISMENT

Tipp-Ex brand correction tape has recently released one of the most brilliant & interactive commercials of all time. Watch the video & choose the "Don't Shoot" option Be prepared to laugh your ass off!

Hit the link for the Tipp-Ex commercial HERE