Thursday, January 26, 2006

Ephemerist Defined

Quite a while ago, I thought I had come up with a new word. The word Ephemerist. But it seems like I did not do my due diligence.

I originally began using it in relation to what I had understood the contemporary definition of Ephemera to be and my relationship with this definition.

Wikipedia defines Ephemera as "Ephemera are documents published with a short intended lifetime. Common types of ephemera include letters, advertising trade cards, cigarette cards, posters, postcards, baseball cards, tickets, greeting cards, stock certificates and photographs. Decks of the Most-wanted Iraqi playing cards are recent example of ephemera because they will probably lose their original purpose and interest in a relatively short time."

I would add web-sites and the internet to this description. To me, the internet is innately "ephemeral". So are graphic T-shirts, and so many other things I seem to be drawn to.

So there for Ephemerist, to me, would mean: One who studies or develops Ephemera. Which I thought was a perfect title for what I do.

Now I've discovered that there is a publication called The Ephemerist. This publication is devoted, ironically, to printed pieces of ephemera. Overlooked printed media to my understanding.

Even better, freedict.co.uk define an Ephemerist as:
a.One who studies the daily motions and positions of the planets.
b. One who keeps an ephemeris; a journalist.

I think both of these definitions get at the root of what I do with this blog. Use planets as a metaphor and I think you'll understand. Although it was nice to think I had invented a word, I appreciate the complexity that all these new interpretations create.

Anyway,

Kiefer Sightings

Oh Mr. Sutherland, what talent you wield to entertain on and off the screen. In fact, I find Kiefer Sutherland's real life portrayal of local drunkard oh so much more entertaining then his Jack Bauer character on 24.

Kiefer likes to get his drink on in the Silver Lake neighborhood, but more to the point; Kiefer LIKES HIS DRINK. A number of times I've seen the man stumbling in or out of one of our many drinking holes here in Stinkland. Occasionally I also see him seemingly sober noshing on Vermont, setting his stomach for a nights shenanigans.

A good friend of mine even managed to make some quality beer money by snapping a shot of Kief with his briefs around his ankles at a Burbank karoake bar. If I can coerce my buddy to let me post more on that, I will in the future.

Regardless, Kiefer makes news once again by making a fool out of himself at Ye Rustic Inn. This is a bar I am very aware of. I've spent many evenings and even mornings at this establishment. Its not a scene, this is a place where people go to get blotto, and they know that everyone else is blotto, so It's no big deal. And this was after drinking at the Drawing Room, which is well...scary, even for most drunks. Anyway, I have kept you waiting too long. The story goes as follows:

“24” STAR Kiefer Sutherland shocked staffers at the Ye Rustic Inn in Los Feliz, Calif., the other morning when he bellied up to the bar around 9 a.m. demanding to start a tab, reports Steppin’ Out magazine. Editor Chaunce Hayden says the normally thick-waisted Sutherland looked “rail-thin” when he entered the tiny dive bar with a group of rowdy pals and ordered a round of drinks. According to witnesses, when presented with the bill, Sutherland claimed his wallet was “indisposed” - “It’s been stolen! I promise I’ll come back and pay.” At that point, things got weird. “He started to go into a series of karate kicks in the middle of the floor while the bartender, waitress and several customers looked on,” Hayden reports. Thankfully, a star-struck fan agreed to buy him several J&B’s on the rocks. After devouring a plate of chicken wings and littering the floor with bones, the star left without tipping. Sutherland, it turns out, was winding down from a very long night at the Drawing Room across the street. A rep for Sutherland did not respond to a call for comment."

If you are unschooled in Mr. Sutherlands previous escapades, check out Defamer's accounting of Kieffer vs. the Christmas Tree.

Props to the Knaack for hitting me with this story as well as spellchecking.
Oh yeah, and the image above was taken from the New Zealand Herald in conjunction with yet another Kiefer sighting. The man makes the rounds.

Tuesday, January 24, 2006

Gesundheit!

The sneeze is my latest favorite blog. The guy has a great sense of humor. Check out his "Steve, Don't Eat It" section. Classic.

Sunday, January 22, 2006

Chinatown is Burning

Survival Research Labratories decended upon Chung King court in Chinatown on saturday and the public didn't know what hit them.

Although the word was kept on the downlow, a sizable crowd of freaks and artsy types managed to make it out for SRL's latest exhibition of apocalyptic hijinx.

Having never made it to Chung King Row before, it took Jenny and I a while to find the venue....tucked back from the street a bit and just near the entrance to the 110. In an effort to take our search on by foot we parked in the 3floor parking lot used when visiting Empress Pavillion. This ended up being a perfect guess. The demonstration was just across the street.

Jenny and I walked over to a slowly growing crowd in a blocked off parking lot. We discovered that the show would not start until 8, which for us was a little late, for we had other places to be. But we decided to mull around the galleries and wait for what I knew may be my only chance to see SRL, a crew I've followed since college.

The gallery that was hosting the show has large format photographs of SRL's last LA performance as well as film and video in the basement. Many people in "Security" uniforms were chugging beer which made me feel good. We also meandered around the streets doing some window shopping. We came upon a shop called Flux that housed an impressive array of handmade pottery. We made a note to return when it was open.

As the crowd grew bigger, Jenny worried about not being able to see (she being of a petit stature), so we actually hoofed it back to the parking lot we had left, which provided a perfect arial view. Next to us were a couple who had brought a gaggle of neighborhood kids to watch the festivities. Perched on the back of a truck bed and noshing on egg rolls it looked like a fun friday for the kids. The couple just happened (as luck would have it) to own the Flux shop we had just been oggling over. A super nice couple whose names i now forget, we chatted for a while and assured them we would make it for a showing of Adam Silvermans Atwater Pottery that will be occuring in March.

Finally, the show went off. Although some claim that it wasn't up to par with previous events, it exceeded my expectations for a show in such a public space. Lots of fire, lots of noise, lots of machines clanging with machines, and evidentally lots of dead fish. As many have said, its really impossible to describe; photo's and even video can't really do it justice. The space being just off the 110, I was sure the show was going to cause an accident from all the rubber kneckers. And despite my suggestion, several people brought their kids, and their demonic clowns, and their rubber booted techno-goths. So the hilites machine wise were a walking quadroped robot that accosted the crowd, exploding barrels of dead fish, and a screaming hover-craft. Check the link at the top to discover some pictures and video for I flaked and didn't manage to bring my camera.

The show continued for about 15-20 minutes and the fire department never showed up, which might be a first for these guys as well.

Get yourself down to the Fringe gallery for a sampling of previous shows and to see some of the machines out of the display context, then kick yourself for not making it to this event.

Obituary

So I never intended this type of entry to become such a re-occurring theme to this blog, but it seems as though I've reached the age where mortality begins to rear its ugly head more often then before.

I received notice yesterday that Richard Carlyon passed away recently. Anyone who went to school with me will remember Mr. Carlyon as an incredibly animated and highly heady professor at Virginia Commonwealth. He was of great inspiration to me and taught two of my favorite classes while I attended VCU. His Abstract Expressionism class brought understanding to an incredibly illusive mode of painting that I have come to appreciate much more. He also taught a class called Conceptual Thinking that had us creating things like Comic Books with no pictures and the like.

Richard was awarded for his teaching abilities and also exhibited his own work. He was honored at the VCU cmommencement ceremony this past December with the Presidential Medallion. His last art exhibition, at the Reynolds gallery here in Richmond, opened last November and closed yesterday. I have to say, that Richards work sometimes seemed like snapshots of things he was teaching...sometimes a bit too influenced by existing modes of art. But that’s not to say he didn't bring his own personality to everything he did.

I'm confident that Mr. Carlyon will be missed, but never forgotten by those whose artistic aspirations he nurtured.

Good Camel

Chameau is a tiny nouveau Moroccan restaurant on Fairfax near Beverly blvd. This tasty temple of goodness started its life in Silverlake, but for some reason decided to move west.

The decor is a hodgepodge of colors and textures. Bright but not gaudy.

Most entrées are served ala carte or on top of a bowl of couscous. I had braised monkfish and Jenny had lamb. Both were very tasty. For appetizers we had a squid salad, merguez sausage, and a duck bastilla. All superb. Washed it down with a spiced sangria.

There wasn't a bad thing about the whole experience. Fairly pricey with entree’s in the 23-28 dollar range, but since Jenny's parents were nice enough to sport the bill it didn't break the bank either.

Thursday, January 19, 2006

Feel The Heat

Survival Research Labs make a rare LA performance this weekend down in Chung King court. The reception for a gallery exhibit which includes a video of their last LA performance is on Saturday from 6-8pm.

If you don't know about these guys, if you like fire and clanging metal, you owe it to yourself to check it out...its pretty nuts. For those of you in the know, you know what i'm talkin about.

And as Dave Chapelle says, "Better Not Bring Your Keeeeds"

Wednesday, January 18, 2006

Free Music

Although I'm a bit wary of how much this podcast fad is catching on, I have to say that it and blogs have made for a rather unique distribution of free media in the current state of cable and satalite radio.

A few choice selections of free media are as follows.

1. the Ricky Gervais Show on iTunes: Go to iTunes and do a search on Ricky Gervais. His free podcasts out of england are some of the funniest things i've heard in a while.

2. Zoe's Radio Show: Zoe is a 15 year old girl who posts her own music show. She has great taste and is fast becomming a respected music source.

3. Dubstep Blog: If you're itching to hear the latest club fad hitting london, check out Dubstep. Dubstep is a techno dub style music that focuses on deep deep base. The Dubstep Blog has many downloads of this club music that is virtually impossible to find in the states. I know techno music is out...but that's why its soo in isn't it?

4.Record Brother: This site is your one stop Free shop for strange out of print soundtracks and whatnot.

Tuesday, January 17, 2006

Zaloom!

This week, from Jan. 18 through the 22nd the Red Cat theater will be featuring Paul Zaloom in his latest puppet theater performance called The Mother of All Enemies.

You may remember Paul from a fantastic kids science show called Beakmans World where he performed kooky science experiments on saturday mornings explaining simple wonders of the world. It was a great show.

I had the chance to see one of Paul's performances when I lived in D.C.. He performed the History of the World all on an Overhead Projector. It was fantastic.

Although it may be childlike in its approach this current performance takes on some serious subject matters of the current state of our world so I doubt it is suitable for children.

Monday, January 16, 2006

Stinkcast Best of 2005 pt.3

Yes boys and girls, Its the third and final edition of my Best Of 2005 music mix.

If you haven't signed up for the Podcast and have iTunes, please check out my first posting. If that don't help...well i'm sorry you're just not worthy.

Regardless, this episode contains maybe the most challenging tunes of the lot, but that makes them all the more better. The set list is as follows:

1. M83: I Guess I'm Floating
2. The Fall: Sparta 2XX
3. Sons and Daughters: Hunt
4. Deerhoof: Twin Killers
5. Mae Shi: Takoma the Dolphin is AWOL
6. Futureheads: Robot
7. Arctic Monkeys: Fake Tales of San Francisco
8. Dungen: Panda
9. M83: Don't Save Us From the Flames

The Man Machine

This passed friday I had the pleasure of traveling in time back to 1927.

I attended a viewing of the movie Metropolis, originally released in 1927, at the Orpheum theater, which opened in 1926. Much of what was stated as being the original composition created for the movie was played on the theaters original Wurlitzer Organ.

Not one aspect of this experience dissapointed. I was rather tense from a long day at work when I arrived and thought that the crowd or our seats in the balcony where going to make for a dissapointing evening. But as soon as the babbling presenters left the stage so that the organ player could work his magic....the whole experience was a dream.

The movie is probably one of very few silents that can stand the test of time and command Ooh's and Ah's in a day and age where computer graphics have claimed to portray the impossible. Fritz Lang surpassed all limits when making this film. The only thing that really felt dated was the acting, which was simply an essential result due to the lack of sound to express essential words and expressions.

The venue itself has been gloriously refurbished and is only held back by its surroundings in downtown's currently dilapidated state. But with many loft spaces opening around it and the Broadway bar next door, I hope the Orpheum is utilized more.

Wednesday, January 11, 2006

Salvation

I haven't made it out to many shows lately. Decided to hit the Silver Lake Lounge this evening. Just on a whim.

A band from Manchester called Longcut was playing. Stuff on their website was provocative enough for me to want to check them out. Dirty Little Secret was headlining.

So Longcut took the stage, around 10:15. Relatively on time. The first song featured a programmed drum-beat, and although not a terrible song....did not result in anything that was terribly exciting. Sorta Joy Division-ish, but just didn't go anywhere. I started to think about how the Rock was so dependant on Drums. This first song could have been good, if there was just some live drums to ignite the rest of the band. The second song started much like the first...drum machine. The lead singer belted out some emo-ish lyrics (think Trail of Dead) and danced like the music was energizing the world, which it wasn't...then he left the microphone and walked back to a drum set that I hadn't noticed until then. The Rock began. Solid drums where belted out and the guitar player let loose. The rest of the set continued like that, songs beginning with 80's style beats and guitars and melding into rock jams that left me pleased. In general, I'd say that Longcut sounded like Joy Division meets Trail of Dead with a variety of other previously developed flavors. For the 7dollar ticket, I guess I couldn't ask for much more. Some say that this band is the sound of Manchester today...if so, its nothing that will change the world but the last song sounded like it could make it onto the 2006 O.C. soundtrack if it catches on.

Dirty Little Secret seemed like a subdued Jesus Lizard fronted by Squiggy from Laverne and Shirly. Not bad, but not great.

The evening was solidified as a classic Silver Lake experience by two things. One, the skunk stench that wafted into the space during DLS's set. The other, the sighting of a helpless hipster draped in a AA Tyvek jacket and a headband. If I only had a pie.

Monday, January 09, 2006

Richmond Update

In the last week, Richmonders have let their minds wander with stories of what could have possibly led to the murder of such seemingly upstanding citizens. Many believed that there must be a catch, that there must be some reason....something.

No, sorry people. Just fucking sensless, just as I expected. Two pricks decided to do some crimes, entered an unlocked house in the middle of the afternoon and the rest is god-awefull history. The two were found in Philidelphia after also murdering a woman(suspected of potentially being a part of the earlier murder) and her parents.

So that's it. That's it.

Saturday, January 07, 2006

Cha Cha Lounge

Managed to hit the new Cha Cha Lounge located across the street from the Red Lion.

Got there early before the crowd hit it. Nice space with big booths for groups who manage to stake out the territory early.
Festivly decorated with a Thatched Roof Bar, Mexican Relics and other craziness. They have two fooze-ball tables. The bartender sucked, didn't know what a Sea Breeze was (for Jenny of course) and my Pacifico luke warm verging on cool.

We hung out for about an hour and a half and the place was pretty crowded by 10:30. This crowd was hipster at its most agonizingly hip. Entertaining, but a little rediculous. Male to Female ratio was to the males benefit for the most part.

The place has promise. Muss up your hair, put on your best ill-fitting garment (AA track jackets are so 2005 people) and get there early.

Friday, January 06, 2006

R.I.P. Lou Rawls

Lou Rawls passed away today.

Earlier last year, I discovered a "Best Of" disc of Lou's and was blown away. A truely underrated R&B musician. Tobacco Road was probably the one song that everyone knew, but I encourage you to check out more, especially some of his Live performances. The guy was a true entertainer.

Thursday, January 05, 2006

Richmond Update

So, ever since I heard the terrible news about the sensless murder of the Harvey family I've been checking the Richmond Dispatch for new info.

So far, its been a bunch of vague details and info about services and vigils. The town of Richmond has really come together over this story. The passion stirred up around the city is certainly a reitteration of what good and admired people both Kathryn and Bryan were (certainly not forgetting the children as well).

Check out Slantblog for info as well.

I'll keep you updated of any relevant info that arrises.

Good Eeeeeevening's

Starting tonight, for the next three weeks, the Egyptian will be hosting an Alfred Hitchcock festival. Classic Hitchcock films, as well as films influenced by him will be paired up.

Nomadic Museum

"Commuters on the PCH near Santa Monica have been privileged to witness the gradual assembly of Gregory Colbert's Nomadic Museum, near the Santa Monica Pier. The temporary museum is composed of 148 empty containers that are stacked in a self-supporting grid. Avant-garde Japanese architect Shigeru Ban designed the 45,000-square-foot space specifically to house Gregory Colbert's travelling photography exhibit, Ashes and Snow. A tentlike fabric fills in the gaps between the containers and serves as the roof."

More info at LAist or at Ashes and Snow.

Ephemerist Watch

Modern mechanix is a great blog with a concise focus. The mast head says it perfectly: Yesterday's tomorrow today!

The Scanlon Hits the Fan

You heard it here first. But Wonkette has been posting a flurry of stories about Scanlon back at W.J. I'm sure that many of these people are long lost friends. Silly Scanlon, your past will always come back to bight you in the end.

Le What? Le Hipster Bar.

I certainly hate when I get my scoops from Daily Candy. C'mon folks, we should be finding this stuff before it hits the masses.
My previous instincts that the Le Bar on Glendale had gone Metrosexual seems to be true. According to Daily Candy, its called Cha Cha Lounge and evidently is from Seattle in some shape or form. Well, I may just have to check it out tomorrow.

Tuesday, January 03, 2006

Ecosmart Fire


Ecosmart Fire is a self contained clean burning fireplace system. Pretty cool, see for yourself.

Stinkcast Best of 2005 pt.2

Hey boys and girls, the second edition of the Stinks Good Stinkcast is available now. If you haven't read about this, click here.

If you've downloaded the first edition, the second should download the next time you activate your itunes. Or click the update button in the upper right of your itunes.

This set runs the gamut from quirky alt-pop, modern folk type, to downtemp-ish stuff. The set is as follows:

1. Of Montreal: Wraith Pinned to the Mist
2. Sufjen Stevens: The Man of Metropolis
3. M. Ward: Deep Dark Well
4. Super Furry Animals: Zoom
5. Tosca: Superrob

Again, please give me feedback as to your experience with this. How did the download go, do you think this is a convenient way for me to distribute audio?

Scanlon Report

So as I'm sure most of you have heard, Sean (Mike) Scanlon’s partner in crimes, Jack Abramoff has pleaded guilty and promises to enter the squealing match with Scanlon.

Wonkette has the sleaze behind the sleaze with a blog entry about how all the news originally broke due to Scanlon dipping his wick in the wrong wax. Thats what you get for letting Delay play matchmaker.

Thanks Spence for the ups.

p.s. Just found my buddy Scanlon mentioned in our very own LA Alternative.

Yelp!

Yelp is MySpace meets Zaggats. A web-site that builds community's based on user reviews of restaurants, night-clubs, and other local destinations. Available in several cities. Good mapping function on it.

Props to Knaack for the link.

Monday, January 02, 2006

Sad Start to the New Year

Anyone who lived in Richmond Va. will fondly recall a store called World of Mirth. Originally located just off the VCU campus near Don's Hot Nuts. Years later, Mirth moved to the Cary Town district. Always your one stop shop for quirky vintage and contemporary novelties. I bought my first "crazy monkey" there which danced to my enjoyement in my car until he fell apart. As well, they had a great collection of Winkies (or Lenticulars) that I have yet to find a match to. The woman who owned the store was incredibly nice and helpful. Definately one of the stores I would site as an influence if I were to open a place for kids.

Sadly, the owner Kathryn Harvey, her husband and two children were senselessly murdered in their Richmond home on New Years Day. I really can't imagine what souless being could have committed such a tragedy. Kathryn and her husband Bryan (a member of the bands NrG Krysys and House of Freaks) were neighborhood icons and undeniably good people who both brought fun and whimsy to the world.

Let peace reign in the New Year people. Stop the madness.