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May 12, 2006
Faust -- north of the Polar Circle
Klubb Nødutgang a.k.a. Club Exit has a small festival of noise and experimental music this summer (June 30th thru July 2nd), in Bodø, Norway. More info here. On top of the bill is the legendary german ensemble FAUST (pictured), who plays their first gig in Norway since 1992.
The line-up this time around is Jean-Hervé Peron, Zappi Diermaier, Olivier Manchion, Amaury Combazat + a secret guest. Faust recently re-released their classic 1974 album "Faust IV" with a bonus disc of alternate takes of album tracks and a few songs recorded for the John Peel Show. After their early 90's reunion they've released a whole lot of new material, like "Faust Wakes Nosferatu", "Ravvivando" and the excellent mix-up of old and new tapes found on "Patchwork". More record info here.
Other performers are JURYEN (last show ever), LASSE MARHAUG, HIDE UNAS, BRÖTTHEST/PÄNY, OCEANISM, PSYKISK TORTUR and RONNY WÆRNES.
20:42
May 07, 2006
Kjettersk Kjeller Kveld ... with fangs Melding fra Kjettersk Kjeller: 10.05.2006 • Posto Bar, C.J. Hambros Plass 2A (ved Tinghuset)
Arnfinn Pettersen snakker om: Dracula - Monsteret bak kappen
Gjeste-DJ: Draconia (kjent fra Gotham Nights)
En ny Kjettersk Kjeller-kveld er på trappene, og denne gangen syntes vi det var på tide med en skikkelig Dracula-kveld.
Av alle overnaturlige vesener er vampyren den som virkelig har slått an på film, i tegneserier og i musikklivet. Og ingen vampyr er mer myteomspunnen enn Dracula. Ja, for mange er hans navn synonymt med det vampyre. Men hvem er han egentlig? Hva vet vi om Dracula og hans skaper, Bram Stoker?
Ble Dracula unnfanget i det senere goth-mekkaet Whitby? Og hvem var modell for den onde greven? Henry Irving, sin tids største skuespiller? Stoker selv? Eller en forlengst død rumensk prins med en forkjærlighet for å tre folk på stake? Hva visste Bram Stoker egentlig om den historiske Dracula, Vlad Tepes? Og hva vet vi egentlig om Bram Stoker? Hvilke rystelser i hans sjelsliv fikk ham til å gi seg vampyren i vold?
Siden Kjettersk Kjeller er så heldige å ha Norges ledende vampyrolog, Arnfinn Pettersen, i styret, ba vi like godt ham om å svare på alle disse spørsmålene for oss. Arnfinn er folklorist, og forfatter av boken ”Vampyr! Blodsugende lik i litteratur og tradisjon.” Han har holdt vampyrforedrag på Kjettersk Kjeller tidligere (blant annet på Gotham Nights’ tiårsjubileum), men dette foredraget kommer til å ha et helt annet fokus.
Som vanlig blir det litt musikk til festlighetene, og med tanke på kveldens tema har vi like godt spurt Norges eneste DJ med hovedfag i Dracula om å spille noen plater for oss. DJ Draconia, eller Sandra de Zilwa som hun egentlig heter, er nok mest kjent som en av drivkreftene bak Gotham Nights, som hun nå har trukket seg tilbake fra. Men hun har ikke planer om å henge opp platebagen helt enda, og det får vi nyte godt av denne kvelden.
Kjettersk Kjeller har nå fått seg en hule på den hyggelige baren Posto, som ligger litt bortgjemt mellom Oslo Tinghus og restaurant Gabler (sistnevnte har adresse C. J. Hambros plass 2 A). Spør noen som jobber på Gabler hvis du holder på å rote deg bort.
Som vanlig åpner vi dørene klokken 19, og vi ser helst at du er 18 år og har 50 kroner før vi slipper deg inn.
14:11
May 03, 2006
Gabba gabba - one of us...This just in from Frank Kosso a.k.a. Franco, head of the annual Sideshow Gathering at the Ramada Inn in Wilkes-Barre, PA:
SideShow Gathering 2006 First Call
The time has come again for First Call for The SideShow Gathering 2006! It’s hard to believe that 5 years have gone by since our Very First Call! Now, I know there are a lot of rumors floating around about the show and the hotel and such as is the case every year. This year there’s the standard "This is the Last year!" and hey… if thinking that will get you off your can and to the show then by God it just may be true!! I also heard Ward Hall may be Retiring soon too!!
 The numero two rumor in the mill is that we are moving the show. I’m glad to say we have worked out our grievances with the Ramada and we will continue to hold both events there for many more years to come. That being said…the next item is to remind everyone that rooms go very fast at the Ramada and you need to call them directly at 570-824-7100 to book a room onsite for the show. We have set up an overflow block with Genetti Best Western for late registrants. This hotel is two blocks from and within eyesight of the Ramada but we recommend booking early there as well. Should all else fail we have a list a list of nearby hotels on our website at www.thesideshowgathering.com under the Tickets page.
We have made a major upgrade to our Thursday night program. This year instead of a rigid lecture schedule we are going with a looser agenda that is officially called the SideShow Swap Meet and Jackpot Jamboree Pre-Show Party. (When you see me there say it 3x fast) Not only will we get to spend some time horse trading and socializing but we’ll also have our traditional BBQ and of course there is always the rumor of a private show for the insiders and staff of the events.
You are also welcome to bring any film or slides or photos to share. We have a screen but b.y.o. equipment or email me ahead of time and we’ll see what we can put together. So, Thursday is the day to get here if at all possible and if you are interested you can contact me directly at francoATthesideshowgathering.com but be sure and pre-register early. We will be offering a special pre-registration pass package that includes access to the Thursday fun and some other special gifts only available to pre-registered guests. Payment will be available via PayPal. If you do not have a PayPal account then contact me directly and we’ll see what we can work out.
Our biggest news though is that Coney Island’s own Dick Zigun has accepted the nod as our Guest of Honor and Ambassador of Wonder Award recipient for 2006. Because of the Labor Day weekend Dick cannot stay till the Sunday Awards Brunch so we will be presenting him his award on Thursday night at the party. The even bigger surprise is that Dick is bringing the cast of SideShow by The SeaShore with him!! What a rare treat for any fan of the SideShow! Stranger still is the fact that Dick is a local fella who’s family hails from a town not 2 miles as the crow flies from the Ramada! 6 degrees indeed eh?!
Our website will shortly have updates on performers and exhibitors as well as all the info you’ll need to attend this one of a kind event. At this time we are usually bombarded with genuine and sincere offers of assistance. This year I can use 2 things. The first of course are any donations of items to be used in our ebay and onsite fund raising efforts. Items can be mailed or brought to the show and all will eventually raise funds to help ensure we continue hosting this event. Bob Blackmar and Co. tell me there is a special SideShow Gathering Pitch Ring project in the works but more on that as news comes in. Just another overly generous supporter of SSG. That is important but what is most important, what we most need. Is that you get let as many people know about us as you can. If you’ve been talking about coming and never made it yet then make this the year. I know gas is expensive and hotels are too but there are lots of campgrounds and a big Walmart nearby where they say you can overnight an RV. Maybe people can organize a car pool or caravan. I’ll do what I can on my end. We just need to get you here. So really try your best. If you are reading this then 99.9% odds are you should be coming to this party with us!! Keep posted to the website for updates, keep the candle burning as Slim would say and most importantly for all us freaks…….
Peace, Franco
Email Franco at franco AT thesideshowgathering.com for more info.
The website is still on 2005's event but will prob'ly be updated very soon:
www.knddesign.com/tsg/home2.html
Another look back at 2005: www.missioncreep.com/mundie/images/sg2005.htm
JR: I had the pleasure of attending the first gathering in 2002, meeting and spending a little time with sideshow luminaries like the aforementioned Bob Blackmar (publisher of the Sideshow Newsletter), James Taylor (Shocked & Amazed), Erik Sprague a.k.a. The Lizard Man, Tim Cridland a.k.a. Zamora, The Torture King, the great King of the Sideshows Ward Hall, sword swallower Red Stuart and many others. A great time. And they still have the two headed turtles!
18:43
May 02, 2006
Hey Joe The largest exhibition of Joe Coleman's work to date opens in September 2006 at Jack Tilton Gallery, NYC.
Two floors of paintings and a selection of artifacts from "The Odditorium" will be on display.
Joe Coleman is my favourite contemporary artist. He is in a league all of his own. I've had the immense pleasure of visiting Mr. Coleman and his lovely wife Whitney Ward a couple of times, to see works in progress and the ever-evolving "Odditorium" in its natural habitat.
I've collected Coleman-related books and magazines since the mid 80's, but to see a real Coleman painting up close (a magnifying lense helps as well) is a dizzying, exhilarating, near psychedelic experience. The object of the portraits' life story twirls, spins and unfolds before your eyes, the almost day-glo colors are sparky and bright. The amount and complexity of the details is mind-boggling. I saw the painting later to become part of an interactive tv cabinet object, "As You Look Into the Eye of the Cyclops, So the Eye of the Cyclops Looks Into You", when it was close to finished, and last year his amazing portrait of the late custom biker builder and stuntman Indian Larry was in the works. This painting has later been on the cover of Juxtapoz.
Anyone who has the opportunity to be in NYC to see the largest exhibition ever of JC's work, should make use of it.
Official site: www.joecoleman.com
LA City Beat article.
Joe at Wikipedia.
My interview, upon meeting Joe for the first time almost exactly five years ago.
20:53
May 01, 2006
May Day Happy May Day! The socialistically inclined might want to check out Chumbawamba's latest -- and brilliant -- album "A Singsong and a Scrap", along with their amazing full re-recording of the a cappella album "English Rebel Songs 1381-1984" ('03) that already was a classic in its first 10" incarnation in '98.
Many people forgot Chumba after "Tubthumping", like they were any one hit wonder. Their follow-up album "WYSIWYG" (2000) is probably their strongest. "Readymades" (2002) was a step in a new, softer direction, and the great album "Un" ('04) is kind of a mix of the two styles. Then they found out they couldn't afford to keep a band almost as big as a soccer team on the road, and some took time off, the remaining four played acoustic concerts and made the new album in the same stripped-down style.
 Another "red" UK artist is Billy Bragg, who has a big box set out, compiling four early albums, along with bonus discs and two dvd's. Fans have already complained that several 7" b-sides are not included, which surely is a missed oppurtunity in a cardboard box stuffed full of 30 minute CDs. But the music that IS here is great, especially his 1983 debut "Life's a Riot with Spy Vs Spy", featuring ONLY Bragg alone with his razor sharp electric guitar. It was a total surprise when it first came out and plays really well even today. There's some minimal percussion on his third album "Talking to the Taxman About Poetry", but basically this is all a collection for the purist Bragg fan who loves the stark naked early recordings.
The album "The Internationale" of course includes the song "The Internationale", the main International Workers' Day anthem. The album also has a track called "I Dreamed I Saw Phil Ochs Last Night", about the much forgotten "topical singer" Phil Ochs.
22:49
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