I’ve been setting items “to one side,” as they say, with the intention of posting them here. This list is getting unwieldy, thus it’s time yet again for another installment of Stuff You Might Have Missed.
I posted this on Facebook this morning, and it struck a chord, so I thought I’d bring it here too. Gramercy Park is a lovely place, however exclusive. But even if one’s not affluent to live in it (which is most of us), it can still be a pleasant experience to walk through … or around, I should say, being that in order to walk through, you’d need to be in possession of one of those hotly-coveted keys. In any case, as picturesque as it is, there’s an awful, evil tree that grows on the western side of the park (directly across from the stoop that Bob Dylan posed on for the cover of Highway 61 Revisited). This tree blooms little berries that, when crushed or stepped on, emit an odor that makes the scent of death seem like fresh brewed coffee on a Sunday morning by comparison. After posting this, I was informed that the tree in question is known as a Ginko tree, and not – as previously suspected –- the tree of vomit-slathered dog poo.
By definition, I’ve always considered myself a fan of Marvel Comics, but back in my days as a slavish comic geek, I did pick up the odd D.C. title now and again. As such, I was saddened to learn this morning of the death of illustrator Nick Cardy. Cardy’s responsible for the cover above, which I picked up a young lad, haunted by the surreal imagery. Notice how Supe’s destroying his own logo? That really put the hook in me.
I wrote up a post about the incident last year, and I’ve heard Cro-Mag John Joseph’s take on it as well. The incident has become the stuff of absolute punk rock legend, but seemingly for the first time, preeminent D.C. hardcore kid Ian MacKaye finally gives his own account of the time the punks trashed the SNL studios in 1981. Suffice to say, it’s awesome and hilarious. And, for posterity, here’s Ian on a variety of other subjects.
Still givin’ it up for Lou: Check out Gavin Friday’s tribute, and Patti Smith’s. And if you’re still not sated, check out PopSpots’ Bog Egan as he give the authoritative breakdown of Velvet Underground and Lou Reed album cover locations and iconic photographs. BOW DOWN!
And now for some quicker takes:
- Dear Guy Who Just Made My Burrito
- Watch Arcade Fire cover Devo’s “Uncontrollable Urge”
- 25 pieces of wisdom from the lyrics of The Jam
- Mark Twain’s top 9 tips for living a kickass life
- Enjoy Kids Interview Bands!
- Discover why milennials are never happy
- Listen to Michael Gira’s entirely harrowing early recording for “Hard Rock,” the premiere release by Thurston Moore’s Ecstatic Peace label. Listen to what Dangerous Minds warns: Not only is this recording not safe for work, it’s not safe for home either. Hell, it’s not safe for HUMAN EARS! Seriously, it’s utterly, utterly revolting. You’ve been warned.
Lastly, speaking of SWANS, I’ve not been able to stop playing this rendition of “Coward” from their new live album, Not Here/Not Now. I saw SWANS last year just prior to the arrival of Sandy, and it was a fittingly apocalyptic experience. They continue to amaze. Play this very, very loud.
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