|
|
February 27, 2008
Bizarrism #9Chris Mikul's wonderfully odd and twisted real life stories in his magazine BIZARRISM has astounded readers for years. After a long absense, a new issue is out. #9 features Queen Bee - The Legend of Bee Miles, Michael Fomenko (Australia's Tarzan), Comic Book Killer Lenny Lawson, Members on the Move (historic preserved dicks), "Hair" and "Camel Train Days" comic strips, When the wall came down (supernatural incident), Witchcraft, Voodoo & Alcohol - The Strange Odyssey of William Seabrook, The Burning of Hell, Fave Dictators #3: Papa Doc and selected book reviews.
Apart from great writing, the best thing about the mag is that it features mainly australian eccentrics and weirdos, so you're not likely to be over-familiar with any of this stuff. It's brand new and fascinating and highly recommended - one of the most wortwhile zines ever!
Mikul's own presentation of his magazine:
 The genesis of Bizarrism came some time in the early 1980s. I was sitting in a lounge room at a party, getting nicely pissed, when I reached into the bookcase behind me and pulled out a volume at random. It was called The Strange Voyage of Donald Crowhurst, but here was no writing on the dust jacket to indicate what the book was about.
Now at this time, I should explain, I was attempting to become a writer of short stories. In composing my little bits of fiction I found myself describing events which had supposedly really happened to someone, somewhere, at some time. Yet I knew that the conventions of fiction were causing me to shape my material constantly, to give it thematic unity and structure - a beginning, middle and an end, to throw in symbolism at every turn and eliminate the randomness which characterises real life.
I knew, of course, that the opposite was also true - that writers of non-fiction often use fictional narrative techniques to enliven their stories. And yet, who could ever mistake a work of fiction for one of fact (outright hoaxes excluded)? Were there, I wondered, any stories from real life which inherently followed these artificial, literary rules? In short, were there any non-fiction books which read like novels?
So I was looking at this book. I opened it to the photo section and saw a shot of a haunted looking man standing on a boat, the eponymous Crowhurst, and beneath it a quote from him. “I am going because I would have no peace if I stayed.”
I began to read the book right there. I saw it was about a round-the-world voyage which had ended in a most unusual way, a news story at the time, now forgotten. And something told me I’d found the book I was looking for.
Cut to a couple of years later. I was recovering from a terrifying Communications course just dripping with impenetrable postmodernist theoretical jargon, and working as a shit-kicker in a government department. By far the hardest aspect of the job was attempting to look busy when there was virtually nothing to do. And in one corner of the office, a photocopier beckoned. It looked bored with copying government documents. Like thousands before and since, I had an idea.
Crowhurst went into the first Bizarrism, along with some of the street characters around Sydney at the time, Charles Fort, spontaneous combustion, a Mass Murderer Crossword Puzzle (these were the days before serial killers had been invented), and far too many clippings from newspapers. A hundred or so copies were collated on my lounge room floor in December 1986, ready in time to give out as Christmas presents. It was only meant to be a one-off, but people kept asking me when the next one was coming out, and then I got curious to see it myself. After that it became a habit.
I continue to put out an issue of Bizarrism every year or two. The basic formula has remained the same - some strange ideas, cults, a bit of true crime, an amiable eccentric or two, a scrap of folklore. My only criterion for including something is if it interests me. Each issue is A4 size, 40 pages long, and packed with stories and illustrations. In 2000, the best articles from the first six issues were collected into a book, Bizarrism, published in the UK by Headpress, and in Australia by Pluto Press.
Bizarrism.com // Read BIZARRISM book at google // Buy book at amazon.co.uk // Buy book at Headpress
13:51
February 25, 2008
Adam Gorightly presents Retro UFO 3 THIS IS NOT YOUR TYPICAL UFO CONVENTION!
SATURDAY, APRIL 26 and SUNDAY, APRIL 27, 2008
The UFO phenomena once experienced by thousands at Giant Rock, in Landers, CA in the middle of the last century returns for its third year
RETRO UFO (3) Event Held At The Integratron in Landers, California
WITH A SPECIAL APPEARANCE BY GEORGE NOORY of COAST TO COAST AM
Whether you believe in UFO’s or not, RETRO UFO (3) will take you beyond the typical UFO lecture hall of a hotel conference room and into a new, and nostalgic way of viewing the UFO phenomenon that has intrigued thousands for a millennia. The event is presented in tents and canopies on the grounds of the World Famous Integratron. Speakers will lecture, share their stories and experiences about Giant Rock, The Integratron, Crop Circles and the latest UFO’s information. Many of these stories will show how a small group of men and women impacted a region of the Mojave Desert and made history, often compared in scale to the stories of Roswell, New Mexico.
The original events of The Giant Rock Spacecraft Conventions ended well over 30 years ago. Returning for its third year, Retro UFO (3) has more speakers and programs designed to excite memories and feelings of this nostalgic era of the 1950’s, 60’s and 70’s. At the event this year we’ll explore the UFO movement and the pioneers that paved the way for current UFO believers.
One of the earliest pioneers of that movement was George Van Tassel. George, his wife Eva, and their three daughters lived under Giant Rock, once considered a sacred space to early American Indians. Once known as the largest free standing boulder in the world until its split in February of 2000, Giant Rock and surrounding areas are presently, owned and cared for by the Bureau of Land Management.
It was George and his family during the period of the 1950’s to the 1970’s who hosted Spacecraft Conventions at Giant Rock Airport in the Mojave Desert. Eva, his wife became famous for serving hamburgers and apple pie from her restaurant, The Come On Inn. Records show that Howard Hughes would fly into Giant Rock Airport just to enjoy a piece of Eva’s apple pie. Crowds of thousands gathered from the late 1960’s to the mid 70’s to hear Contactees tell their stories and to share their UFO experiences. George himself, a Contacee would channel messages and talk about boarding a spaceship and meeting “space people” who shared information with him on how to build the Integratron. www.integratron.com an Electro-static generator that was to be used for the cellular rejuvenation of humans.
Many of the original Contactees who participated in the Spacecraft Convention of the 60’s and 70’s have passed on, however a small group still remain and will be at Retro UFO (3) to share their stories. On Saturday, April 26, and Sunday April 27 modern day enthusiasts such as Dr. Louis Turi, Kenn Thomas, Nick Redfern, Paul Kimball, Ralph Ring, Barbara Lamb, Greg Bishop, Alexandra “Chica” Bruce, Adam GoRightly and a host of others will share their present day experiences and research.
We’re honored to announce that George Noory of “Coast to Coast AM”; one of the finest experts on UFOs and the stories behind them will be our featured SPECIAL GUEST. Other well-known UFO Researchers are scheduled to drop by to check out the Dome Vortex and be part of another history making weekend
Sharing personal upclose experiences for their third year will be Rev. Robert Short and wife Shirley, both original attendees of the Giant Rock Conventions. Our Master of Ceremony, Guy Malone, of the 2007 Roswell Festival will be introducing speakers and adding his own special touches to the festivities. Other speakers such as, Carol Peterson and Laura Lee Mysticah will be sharing their insights and providing demonstrations.
Not only does Retro UFO (3) offer lectures by well known and reputable speakers, we’ll also be offering for the third year a historical recreation of George Van Tassel by Lloyd Noel, The Morongo Basin Historical Society, Vice President. The PioneerTown Posse, also a local favorite will present a short drama on, “What does a Cowboy do when he sees a UFO... shoot it?” Other demonstrations on how the Integratron was intended to work by Bob Benson, exhibits by local artists, music, vendors, SoundBaths, prizes for the Best Costume and Who Builds the Best Aluminum Foil Hat will round out some of the festivities for the weekend.
Also planned is an evening program featuring Zamora, The Torture King (His Las Vegas name by the way), And the Movie Farewell Good Brothers along with a laser light show all projected on the Dome. (Weather permitting)
This year Retro UFO (3) promises to be the most exciting and FUN to date. This conference is sponsored by Barbara and Rob Harris of Adset Graphics, are both passionate supporters of The Integratron and Giant Rock. This event is gaining in popularity, and space is limited. The intention of this conference is to awaken old memories of the past, and allows us to be a little nostalgic for a simpler time. By combining information from the past with new and modern philosophies of the present we begin to create our own history taking the UFO movement into new undiscovered directions.
SEE DETAILED INFORMATION AT www.retroufo.com and at the AG blog.
 New issue of PARANOIA (#47) out soon:
-- The Janus Program by Beth Goobie
-- A Cast of Characters, Part II -- Joan d'Arc Interviews Joan Mellen
-- Proof in the Stars, Betty and Barney Hill by Stanton T. Friedman
-- Tuesday Weld's Psychedelic Illuminati Conspiracy by Douglas Hawes and Adam Gorightly (AG blog)
-- Five Real Monsters You Should Be Afraid Of Matthew J. Pellowski
-- Mothman: The Angel of Conspiracy by Andrew Colvin
-- The Power of Paranoid Awareness -- Mark Westion Interviews Aeolus Kephas
-- Christianity: Turning Jesus into a Prude by Robert R. Arthur
-- The Cryptocracy’s Greatest Hits: Part II, Death on the Installment Plan by Craig Heimbichner
-- Top Secret Tourism: Area 51 by Harry Helms
-- The Star of the Magi: Science, Religion and Other Strange Bedfellows by Courtney Roberts
10:20
February 24, 2008
Eye Mind New book from Process Media, an imprint of Feral House. The original psychedelic band was very under-documented, but this book sets the record straight, based on huge amounts of interviews with the primary sources, conducted during several years of research:
EYE MIND: The Saga of Roky Erickson and The 13th Floor Elevators, The Pioneers of Psychedelic Sound by Paul Drummond, Foreword by Julian Cope
"One of the most exhilarating and important rock 'n' roll stories ever told."
— Julian Cope
The trailblazing 13th Floor Elevators released the first "psychedelic" rock album in America, transforming culture throughout the 1960s and beyond while following their own cosmic agenda—to change society by finding a new path to enlightenment. Their battles with repressive authorities in Texas and their escape to San Francisco's embryonic counterculture are legendary.
 When the Elevators returned to Texas, the band became subject to investigation by Austin police. Lead singer Roky Erickson was forced into a real-life enactment of One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest and was put away in a maximum-security unit for the criminally insane for years. Tommy Hall, their Svengali lyricist, lived in a cave. Guitarist Stacy Sutherland was imprisoned. The drummer was involuntarily subjected to electric shock treatments, and the bassist was drafted into the Vietnam War.
This definitive biography, nine years in the making, breaks decades of silence of band members and addresses a huge cult following of Elevators fans in the United States and Europe. The group is revered as a formative influence on Janis Joplin, Zeppelin, Patti Smith, Primal Scream, R.E.M, and Z.Z. Top.
About the author: Paul Drummond is the manager of the Roky Erickson archive. He has worked with a varied range of people as a set designer and art director in the music and fashion industries, including Erasure, Karl Lagerfeld, and Alexander McQueen. This is his first book.
EYE MIND: The Saga of Roky Erickson and the 13th Floor Elevators, the Pioneers of Psychedelic Sound • By Paul Drummond • Foreword by Julian Cope • Popular Culture/Music • Pub Date: November 2007 • 6 x 9 • 450 pages • B&W and color • illustrated • $22.95 • ISBN -13 978-0-9760822-6-2
Elevators at wiki // Elevators at blinkenlights // Roky official site
19:51
February 23, 2008
Save Coney Island The ground beneath the last surviving amusement park at Coney Island, Astroland, has been bought by Thor Equities, and they want to have it re-zoned, then re-sell it to someone to build condos and hotels on it. From the Save Coney Island MySpace page:
Coney Island has been known throughout its history as "The People's Playground" because it provides accessible recreation for the city of New York and the entire world. People of all demographics and economic levels can enjoy Coney Island. It was created by small business owners with big dreams of creating a magical land of amusement.
Coney Island is a manifestation of the gritty realness of New York City which has been dipped in glitter, doused in sugar, spun in circles and then baked in the hot sun! Coney Island is a magical land of alluring darkness and enchanting light. It is simultaneously human and sublime.
Coney Island should be transformed in to the fabulous wonderland that it deserves to be. It should be redeveloped. But in a cautious and conciencious way that preserves its history and the magic that makes Coney Island the extraordinary, legendary, fabulous, spectacular, enchant-alicious, colorful, inspiring, fantastical place that it is.
May the true spirit of Coney Island LIVE FOREVER!!!
www.coneyisland.com // Coney island Freaks of Yesterday & Today // Coney at wiki // Astroland
20:05
February 21, 2008
The Bougieman's Triple Threat Robin Bougie outta Vancouver, Canada announces these new cultural crotch-loads upon an unsuspecting and undeserving public:
CINEMA SEWER #21 -- This issue is a mixed bag, with articles as varied as "Ted Bundy: Porn made me do it", a comic book by Phil Barrett and D. Otis about the discovery of the "Refinements In Love" film print behind the screen at the Fox Theater, a review of the Wendy's training video "Grill Skill" by Mike Sullivan, and SO MUCH MORE!! $6 (price includes shipping in North America, overseas is $7)
SLEAZY SLICE #2 -- 60 BIG PAGES!! This is the comic book anthology dedicated to debauchery! This issue has 20 pages of comics by Bougie, as well as Sverre H. Kristensen article + rare comix (Jan Bruun wrote a beautiful 1 page rememberance of SHK on the 10 year anniversary of his death for this issue of Sleazy Slice), David Paleo, S.C.A.R, Putrid, and lots of others! With a lovely cover by Mike Myhre! $7 (price includes shipping in North America, overseas is $9)
 RETARD-O-TRON 2 dvd -- Oh, you need this, trust me. Twice as awesome as part one, and this time with audio commentary by myself and two surprise guests, and a subtitle commentary by Roelewapper, who masterfully edited this bad boy together. If you aren't easily offended, and want the worlds greatest party dvd -- or even just something to throw on while having a beer with your homeys and homettes, THIS IS IT!!! Comes with an amazing reversible cover (by the impossibly talented VINCE and the amazingly hilarious JB3!), and an 8 page dvd booklet and an ORIGINAL DRAWING on each disc drawn by me! This one will NOT LAST LONG. ($20 -- price includes shipping in North America, overseas: order from here.)
Inkstuds radio interview.
Video mixtapes at wiki // TV Carnage // Japanarama // Lost & Found
10:40
|
|
