“Speed – Speed – Speedfreak: A Fast History of Amphetamine” by Mick Farren Book release, reading, signing and story contest
Friday September 10, 6 pm – 9 pm La Luz de Jesus Gallery (Wacko / Soap Plant) 4633 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles CA 90027 323-666-7667 www.laluzdejesus.com www.soapplant.com
Elvis Presley, the Hell’s Angels, Hunter S. Thompson, Truman Capote, the Beatles, Judy Garland, Hank Williams, the Manson Family, Jack Kerouac, Johnny Cash, JFK, and Adolf Hitler. All of the above were, at one time or another, to put it bluntly, speedfreaks. Speed – Speed – Speedfreak: A Fast History of Amphetamine” traces the criminal and cultural use of amphetamine and its growing use through each new and destructive cycle. The book will be printed in rounded pill capsule form, like the vaunted “black beauty” of pharmaceutical history
Photo by Wendy Phillips
Author Mick Farren is a pillar of the counterculture and one of the last Bohemians standing. He is the author of close to forty books both fiction and otherwise and has released some 20 albums. His lyrics have been performed by Hawkwind, Motorhead, Metallica, Brother Wayne Kramer and others. The exhaustive research on “Speed – Speed – Speedfreak: A Fast History of Amphetamine” was helped by his own youthful taste for what was laughingly called the devil’s dandruff. For the reading part of the fun, he will be accompanied by master guitarist Andy Colquhoun.
Attendees are encouraged to come up to the microphone and share their favorite stories and tales involving amphetamines: real, imagined, personal, anecdotal, second-hand, historical, nightmarish and/or cautionary. While no one involved in this event advocates the use of narcotics, we recognize their pervasiveness–at a time when an estimated 40% of Montana’s youth is on speed, for instance, it is blatantly apparent that a great number of adults have either taken speed or know someone who has. Prizes will be awarded for the most popular stories told!
“Speed – Speed – Speedfreak: A Fast History of Amphetamine” by Mick Farren – Die cut paperback, 175 pages 8.4 x 4.3 x 0.4 inches, published by Feral House, www.feralhouse.com, English, ISBN 13: 978-1932595826
Make no mistake about it: the art world, the traditional art world is over. – Douglas Rushkoff
ART-TOYS is a massive collection of Brian McCarty’s meticulously composed photographs that uniquely chronicle the Art-Toy movement. For six years, McCarty worked alongside a host of international artists, photographing their toy characters in actual locations ranging from the Grand Canyon to Times Square. The resulting photos are sometimes dark, often funny, and always hinting at a deeper story. The moments that McCarty manufactures in front of the camera feel real, as if he’s simply documenting the day-to-day lives of toys.
Each of the over 100 photographs stand alone on a page, allowing viewers an unfettered look at the world from McCarty’s toy-based perspective. An extensive behind the scenes section is included at the back of the book, providing a narrative glimpse at McCarty’s methods and the artists with whom he collaborates. Snapshots taken on set reveal the brilliantly simple techniques behind some of his most magical and iconic images.
Because the toys that McCarty photographs are simultaneously art objects and consumer goods, many of his images were created to serve both creative and commercial goals. As such, they provide a unique perspective on the art and commerce of the Designer Toy / Urban Vinyl movement. A number of books have explored the content of the Art-Toy movement before, but this is the only collection that captures the energy and the attitude of a new era in Pop Art from the perspective of a fellow artist.
Artists with toy work included: Alex Pardee, Amanda Visell, Andrew Bell, Ashley Wood, Attaboy, Bob Dob, Brandt Peters, Craig Anthony Perkins, Frank Kozik, FriendsWithYou, Gama-Go, Gary Baseman, Greg “Craola” Simkins, James Jarvis, Jeremy Fish, Jermaine Rogers, Joe Ledbetter, Kathie Olivas, Lili Chin, Luke Chueh, Mario “MARS-1” Martinez, Mark Mothersbaugh, Mark Nagata, Mark Ryden, Meredith Dittmar, Michelle Valigura, mr clement, Noferin, Patrick Ma, Ralph Cosentino, Roy Miles, Sam Flores, Santa Inoue, Sara Antoinette Martin, Sebastien Roux, Sergey Safonov, Scott Musgrove, Scott Tolleson, Simone Legno, Tim Biskup, Wilfrid Wood, Yoskay Yamamoto, and others.
The special, limited edition of ART-TOYS features an alternate cover free of text, packaged in a vinyl slipcase. Each book is individually numbered and signed by Brian McCarty and eighteen world-known artists whose work is showcased inside. Included are Attaboy, Gary Baseman, Tim Biskup, Hugh Brown, Luke Chueh, Lili Chin, Bob Dob, Frank Kozik, Joe Ledbetter, Patrick Ma, Mark Nagata, Craig Perkins, Mark Ryden, Greg “Craola” Simkins, Scott Tolleson, Michelle Valigura, Amanda Visell, and Yoskay Yamamoto. Mario “MARS-1″ Martinez and Sam Flores are also included in a rare number of “chase” books.
We have been living for too long in the wake of Walter Benjamin’s prescient but ultimately depressing essay, “The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction.” He correctly demonstrated how photographs of art remove works from their original contexts – the media successfully diminishing a painting’s original “aura” of context and place. Now, and thanks to the Art-Toy movement, we may actually be entering an era when a work of art’s aura is not diminished but enhanced or even *created* by the media supporting it. – Douglas Rushkoff
Hard cover, 240 Pages, 10.5″ x 9″, Published by Baby Tattoo Books, Los Angeles
Brian McCarty
Brian McCarty (mccartyphotoworks.com, brianmccarty.com) is a Memphis-born photographer currently living and working in Los Angeles. McCarty studyed at the Parsons School of Design in New York City and the Benetton-supported creative research center Fabrica in Treviso, Italy. According to McCarty, “About the time I was supposed to grow up and stop playing with toys, they transitioned into subjects for my photography.” In the twenty years since, his toy photography has been exhibited internationally and seen via commissioned projects for clients such as Rockstar Games, Cartoon Network, MTV, and Kidrobot. In addition, McCarty spent nearly four years as in-house photographer at Mattel.
McCarty’s postmodern integration of concept and character has earned his photography a prominent position in the growing Urban Vinyl / Art-Toy movement. McCarty is featured in several books chronicling the artistic movement such as Vinyl Will Kill, Dot Dot Dash, and Toys: New Designs from the Art-Toy Revolution. McCarty’s work has earned notable praise from such places as Bizarre Magazine (July, 2010),L’Uomo Vogue (February, 2007), ABC World News(October 31st, 2006), FHM Germany (April, 2010), and XLR8R Magazine (January, 2009). In addition to his still photography work, McCarty recently co-created, produced, and art-directed an animated series based upon his photography that went into development for Nickelodeon.
Continuing to expand his work, Brian is currently developing a documentary film and photo essay on children’s experiences of war as expressed by principles of play and art therapy.
Several Tiki Oasis Events are FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!
Please note – all ticketed Tiki Oasis events are SOLD OUT but there are a number of great things happening off and on site that are FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC – for adults AND kids!
Thursday August 19:
Tiki Oasis Meet and Mingle:
Bali Hai Restaurant
2230 Shelter Island Drive
San Diego, CA 92106
619-222-1181 www.balihairestaurant.com
Doors: 6:30 PM
Show: 6:30 PM – 1:00AM
This event is FREE and open to the public
Bali Hai, Indoors Luxuriamusic.com DJ’s all night long!
Bali Hai, Outdoors King Kukulele
Sultry Savage Burlesque
Tikiyaki Orchestra (two sets)
Special guest
Marina the Fire Eating Mermaid
Friday, August 20
Keep A Breast Foundation Benefit Art Show
Crowne Plaza Hotel, Lahaina room, 11:00AM – 4:00PM,
2270 Hotel Circle North
San Diego, CA 92108
1-619-297-1101 www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/cp/1/en/hotel/sancp
Tiki Oasis 2nd Annual Car Show
Crowne Plaza Hotel Parking Lot, 9:00AM – 4:00PM,
Chum 10:00AM, 1:00PM, 3:00PM
Tiki Oasis artist Derek Yaniger Book Signing + Special Guests
Crowne Plaza Hotel Grand Hanalei Ballroom Foyer, 10:00AM,
Free – Details
Keep A Breast Art Show
Crowne Plaza Hotel, Lahaina Room, 11:00AM – 4:00PM,
Meet and Greet with artists/castees
1:00PM – 2:30PM
Sunday, August 22
Tiki Oasis Marketplace with over 70 vendors!
Crowne Plaza Hotel Courtyard,
10:00AM – 4:00PM
Keep A Breast Art Show
Crowne Plaza Lahaina Room, 11:00AM – 4:00PM,
Uke Jam
Crowne Plaza Atrium, 1:30PM
Kids Activities Tot Tour with King Kukulele
Poolside, 9:30AM
Tiki Farm’s Tiki Tot 10 Year Anniversary Party
Paradise Room, 10:30AM
Christopher Ulrich “Illuminator: The Royal Wedding”
August 6 – 29, 2010
Reception for the artist: Friday, August 6, 2010, 8pm – 11pm
Print Release & Signing will precede, from 7-8 pm
La Luz de Jesus Gallery
4633 Hollywood Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90232
323-666-7667
info@laluzdejesus.com
www.laluzdejesus.com
Choice Oil on canvas
36″ x 48″ in 44″ x 71.5″ frame This is Christopher Ulrich’s second show with Billy Shire. The first was “The Fourth Enochian Key,” which debuted on June 13, 2009. This next chapter is a continuance of the “Demoneater” series recently catalogued and exhibited at the Grand Central Art Center Museum at CSUF. “Illuminator: The Royal Wedding” is the second chapter of three in Ulrich’s ongoing journey. It was on this very day 38 years ago that Ulrich was born. Each piece in the series is designed to be its own portable temple marked and charged by the number 8. There are 16 paintings with 16 illustrated studies, 1 additional drawing, hidden, conceptual notes and 16 print editions that complete the show.
“Illuminator: The Royal Wedding” is a merger, a multi-faceted view of the crystal. Light and dark begin to dance within the circle. As the black continues it’s metamorphic process, the heat and flame of experience (and a time-crunching deadline) increase and the whitening begins. The white aspect of the alchemical process is the manifestation of a deep healing process. What happens is it gives birth to axioms. These insights form the images, which create personalized alchemical recipes. Various figures from history -both real and imagined- have folded with cross-cultural counterparts significant to the artist. This manifested array marks the interior witnesses that revolve around the axis of the third part, that which has yet to be. All the works can be viewed simultaneously, as if they are all happening at the same time in different places and dimensions. Poetic conception is the moment in which a certain resonance rings out throughout the universe; dark beacons echoing across the depths of space and time. As the piper plays his hypnotic melodies so, too, the aspirant chooses his card. As the Promethean hare reveals nuclear magic to primates so, too, St. Margaret rises from the belly of the dragon. These moments capture a singular message. And that is an awakening with the white and black truly integrated. The red man and the white woman merge and not only give birth to the divine child but absorb its golden aura, which is the backdrop of the whole show. The entire universe spirals above, below, and within. The Royal Wedding heals all wounds, and establishes treaties amongst all houses; a rekindling of friendship; truce between enemies; the harvesting of fruits of labor; the newborn gifts between lovers; a new manifestation between father and son, god and warrior, mother, sister and friend. :Illuminator: The Royal Wedding” has revealed that there are no mistakes, no regrets and no lies. All parts of the greater whole bear witness that life is a magical process with “magic” defined as the transforming agent. The ability to make the unreal reality, to make impossibility possible, to bring a sense of inspiration, joy and insight is your birthright. We live in abundance, not scarcity. Everyone is invited to experience his or her own inner awakening by witnessing the call that the artist has truthfully labored to answer.
Grace
Graphite on strathmore
12″ x 17.5″ (plus 3″ matte & frame)
Also available as a proof edition lithograph (1/16)
There is a great wedding occurring. The bride and groom could be myth and reality or science and religion. Seeming opposites come together. You have to choose: there are four paths with four different directions all going to the same place. All who attend this show will see various paths revealed. The Universe will be drawn back to its singularity. There is no expansion without contraction. Each guest is invited to contribute and share their own gifts within the court. May the masks come off and the archetypes dance. Who knows what they will bring forth. Amen, Glory, Peace, and Triumph!
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Contact the Gallery Director for availability and purchase info: (323) 666-7667
La Luz de Jesus Gallery is located in the Soap Plant/Wacko building, in Los Feliz at 4633 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90027. Gallery hours are Monday – Wednesday: 11am – 7pm, Thursday – Saturday: 11am – 9pm and Sunday 12-6pm. For high resolution jpegs, interview requests and more information contact: Lee Joseph Publicity, leejemail@gmail.com, p (818) 848-269, f (818) 848-2699.
Lotus Light Artswishes to raise $2000 for the amazing curriculum that will help them bring yoga and art to at-risk teen women. Your $5 donation at the door will be a much appreciated contribution to helping us bring much needed healing and healthy life tools to the under-served in our LA community. Tony’s is also being gracious enough to give Lotis Light Arts a percentage of liquor sales, so please have a good time – but of course, drink responsibly!
3 FANTASTIC BANDS:
7:00 Neil Morrow in Memphis 54(with our dear friend Ronnie Mendoza on guitar!)
8:00 The Dick and Jane Family Orchestra (with our dear friend Lee Joseph on bass!)
9:00 The Jane Doe’s
Tony’s is a full bar with a wide selection of whiskey, great atmosphere and FREE PARKING!!!
There will be RAFFLES for some great pieces of ART from local artists, gift baskets, GIFT CERTIFICATES from places such as Malo, Wacko / Soap Plant …and more…
A few art, yoga clothing and t-shirt VENDORS will also be there!
$50 gift certificate from Malo
$25 gift certificate from Wacko / Soap Plant Aveda gift basket
Mosaic art pieces from artist Leigh Adams
Watercolors from artist, Kara Hamer A vintage condom machine from the ’50′s
2 cds by fantastic Runyan Canyon Yoga teacher, Daniel Overberger
The Dick and Jane Family Orchestra
Other Ways to Help:
*Pass this invite along to everyone!
*Pass along our website info: http://www.lotuslightarts.org
*Volunteer as a yoga or art instructor for us! (contact info@lotuslightarts.org)
*Donate yoga or art supplies
*Donate something for the raffle
*Sell your art, jewlery, crafts, etc. at the fundraiser
Most importantly, PLEASE ATTEND! Your presence and support mean the world to me. Plus, it will be lots of fun!!!
Whirlingturban has long been known amongst aficionados as the world’s only existing maker ofauthentic vintage styles from Golden Era of Hawaiian dresses. A sarong dress from Whirlingturban is a sartorial Must Have for all those who seriously pursue Tiki culture.
Whirlingturban is offering FREE SHIPPING on all its ready-made dress stock between now and August 5, only for customers who mention Tiki Oasis.
Many Whirlingturban’s are one of a kind and READY–MADE STOCK IS EXTREMELY LIMITED (as most Whirlingturban’s are made to order or sewn when they are ordered.) Grab yours now before someone else gets the only ready-to-ship dress in your size in the fabric you want. A few of the styles shown in our Bombshell Boutique are not yet sewn, so you will need to ask us if it’s available AND mention Tiki Oasis. If you order in the next few days, we may have time to sew the dress before August 5 (allowing time for the dress to be shipped to you from studio in Bali.) Dress must be paid in full, before shipping and before August 5th.
Always wanted a custom-fit Whirlingturban? Win one! To enter, click the photo above of the beautiful Bernie Dexter in one of her many Whirlingturban’s. Guys can also enter to win one for your gal!
Kelly Haigh “9PM”, 24×24, acrylic on canvas, at the “Summertime Show” at El Kartel in Vancouver.
Kelly Haigh lives, paints, and cuts hair in Vancouver, where she also sings and plays in the band, Ashley Park. She is currently obsessed with Victorian Taxidermy, and plans on turning her tiny hair salon into her own private natural history museum. There is a story on Kelly’s website, which speaks of her stuffed crow, whom she’s named Jack T. Crow, and how he takes her on his back to some magical, yet sometimes terrifying places, and how he has her paint all the scenes they witness together in that surreal landscape of dreams.
Country Western Star starring Kelly Haigh with Francis the singing dog CD
Kelly Haigh has created an album of surreal dreamscapes and opens the gates to a universe you exist in momentary somewhere between consciousness and dreams as you are drifting away to sleep. “Country Western Star” is an auditory equivalent of her paintings and encompasses numerous elements of pop and surrealism, cuteness, terror, beauty and fear, in a cloud covered atmosphere with stories rooted on this planet but somehow not of this earth.
The intro to the liner notes tell the story well and go like this:
“Country Western Star walks in the shadowlands, singing her songs to the critters of the forest and tending to the vast gardens filled with unmarked graves. She is the keeper of justice, guided by her trusted compass, which is not marked with the usual North, South, East or West but instead bears the letters L.M.F. & R. LOVE, MURDER, FORGIVNESS, REVENGE”
“Country Western Star starring Kelly Haigh with Frances the singing dog” is a package to behold; from Kelly’s art which adorns the cover, the eight-panel fold-out insert, the six-panel fold-out CD jacket and the music itself featuring 25 surreal musical stories.
Picture Mechanics is an artist’s collective consisting of 30 of the world’s most innovative illustrative talents. Their work is published in major publications, on book covers, ad campaigns, merchandise, civic projects and is regularly exhibited internationally. Over the years, Picture Mechanics has created group shows, products, books, and a web portal, picturemechanics.com. KABOOM! Is a collection of new work from the group. This is their first show in Los Angeles.
http://www.picturemechanics.com/index.php
Works by:
Michael Bartalos
Cathie Bleck
Juliette Borda
Calef Brown
Marc Burckhardt
Richard Downs
Ann Field
Vivienne Flesher
Geoffrey Grahn
Amy Guip
Eddie Guy
John Hersey
Jody Hewgill
Anita Kunz
Greg Mably
Mark Matcho
Adam McCauley
Joel Nakamura
Christian Northeast
Dan Page
Edel Rodriguez
Ward Schumaker
Jeffrey Smith
Katherine Streeter
Gary Taxali
Mark Ulriksen
Sam Weber
Noah Woods
——————-
MESSAROUND DEFIES LAWS OF GOD AND MAN WITH THE RETURN OF SUNSET STRIP-PALOMINO LEGEND TROY WALKER, HOLLYWOOD UNDERGROUND SENSATIONS DICK & JANE, AND SUPREME COUNTRY HOOLIGANS GROOVY REDNECKS
Lightning Strikes Twice at the Unrivaled, No-Cover, Blow-Top Shindig The Messaround!
Sun., July 18, 5 – 9 p.m. The Messaround
at Viva Cantina
900 West Riverside Drive
Burbank, CA 91506-3211
All Ages; No Cover.
FREE PARKING across the street at Pickwick Bowl (same owners) www.vivacantina.com
Troy Walker
Messaround thrill wrangler Jonny Whiteside joyously welcomes back Troy Walker, the hyper-flamboyant, ultra-talented song stylist whose wicked humor, show-stopping presentation and gale-force lungpower first immolated Sunset Strip lounge lizards almost fifty years ago. Walker’s passion, involvement and flawless execution are as indisputably arresting as ever, still soaring to the out-of-this-world level that won him such fans as Elvis Presley, Louella Parsons, Ethel Merman, Mae West and Ronald Reagan. A historic, albeit inadvertent, pre-Stonewall symbol of Way Out queer equality, Walker’s take no prisoners candor drove him to include a smoldering version of “Happiness is a Thing Called Joe” on his prized Live at the Crescendo LP and later–against all odds– allowed him to become a beloved 1970′s fixture at redneck C&W shrine the Palomino. Walker’s phrasing, repertoire and gift as an arranger always set him apart and led to alliances with distinguished players like Country-rock godfather Leon Russell (who bestowed Joe Cocker with a major hit via Troy’s kicking arrangement of “Cry Me a River”) and an eight year collaboration with Hollywood studio guitar titan Jerry Cole. Making only his second appearance in more than a decade, expect nothing less than a high-voltage dose of cut-above country, soul and rock & roll kicks from this most boss, one of a kind entertainer.
The Dick and Jane Family Orchestra
Preceding Walker will be a set from Tinsel Town underworld artist-filmmaker-empress Jane Cantillon’s Dick & Jane, a deliciously pop-centric exercise in real-now, old school oddball that’s laid waste to audiences everywhere from the Cinegrill to NYC’s Limelight. Teamed with sweet strumming spouse Richard Ross, indefatigable rock head (and Dionysus Records prexy) Lee Joseph on bass and percussionist Michael Peffer (late of Biblical Proof of UFOs), Dick & Jane’s mixture of offbeat charm and expectation defying creativity perfectly fit the
Messaround’s radically high standard for all-the-way-down low life merrymaking. Ditto for the
The Groovy Rednecks
Groovy Rednecks, hard-charging honky-tonk hell-raisers whose near two decades of mayhem and wig flipping have earned them both the affection of a hardcore cult following and a tattered mantle of disprespect from squares throughout Southern California. While titles like “How Come I Only Love You When I’m Drunk?”, “Drinkin’ Band” and “Buzzed” speak to the group’s drastic capabilities, their songs are more painstakingly crafted country gems then painfully corny genre conjuring. That’s a hell of a balancing act, but even with all that beer in ‘em, these mavericks always pull it off with eerie grace.
The proceedings will ignite with the Messaround Tabernacle Choir, featuring funkenized, rocky-tonk guitar hero Harry Orlove, soulful, sinuous bassist Paul Marshall (formerly with the Strawberry Alarm Clock and the only man in the business who has worked with Russ Meyer and Rose Maddox) and deadly accurate drummer David Raven, who will play their own opening set and accompany Walker (not to mention the inevitable drop-in guest stars).
Josh Alan Friedman Black Cracker Book Reading, Signing & Musical Performance Sponsored by New Texture. Special guest readings from authors Chris D. and Wyatt Doyle
Thursday, July 8, 2010
6-9 pm
La Luz de Jesus Gallery
4633 Hollywood Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90232
323-666-7667
info@laluzdejesus.com www.laluzdejesus.com
New Texture is a Los Angeles-based arts collective-turned-publisher; our first three books will debut at in-person events across Los Angeles in July, 2010.
New Texture Nights kick off in Los Angeles this July, with live readings and performances by Josh Alan Friedman (Black Cracker), Chris D. (A Minute to Pray, A Second to Die) and Wyatt Doyle (Stop Requested). At most venues, Josh Alan – Czar of Atomic Acoustic Guitar – will play. (Listen to Josh Alan’s music here.)
About the books:
Black Cracker, an autobiographical novel by Josh Alan Friedman
(Wyatt Doyle Books/New Texture, $19.95 paperback)
Josh Alan Friedman is the acclaimed author of Tell the Truth Until They Bleed and Tales of Times Square. But back in 1962, he was a first grader, at the start of a four-year odyssey as the only white boy in the last segregated school in New York. His autobiographical novel from Wyatt Doyle Books, Black Cracker, is a memoir of those years.
Challenging long-held preconceptions about race, class and character, Black Cracker boldly moves beyond mere “culture clash” into “multicultural steel-cage match.” A deeply personal, achingly funny book from a writer who has never shied from controversy, Black Cracker may be Josh Alan Friedman’s most provocative work yet.
With typically unflinching insight into the many shades of human nature, Josh Alan Friedman chronicles a childhood at the flashpoint of the Civil Rights era, spent with one foot in Long Island’s well-to-do suburbs and one in its now-forgotten poor Black shantytowns. As young Josh encounters an unforgettable cast of characters and befuddling situations ranging from bizarre to tragic to roaringly funny—and often all three—Friedman illuminates the myriad ways outside influences, both humane and insidious, color our judgment and attitudes, almost from the cradle. Black Cracker is the funniest book that will ever break your heart.
A Minute to Pray, A Second to Die: A Collection of Writing by Chris D.
(New Texture books, $24.95 paperback)
Admirers of Chris D.’s work as a musician (The Flesh Eaters, Divine Horsemen) may be unaware of his significant body of work as a poet, novelist and screenwriter. Encompassing 35 years of writing across a variety of genres and styles, A Minute to Pray, A Second to Die is a 500+ page career anthology from New Texture that corrects that oversight.
“Eclectic” can’t begin to define a compendium collecting all of his lyrics and poetry, surreal dream stories, and excerpts from several novels. Yet perhaps most revealing are the candidly autobiographical passages peppered throughout, providing personal and artistic context while nakedly detailing his struggles with personal obsessions. Sex, drugs and rock ’n’ roll, sure; but also fevered poetry, religious damage, and rabid cinephilia.
A Minute to Pray, A Second to Die is an exhaustive collection of writing by one of the godfathers of Los Angeles punk rock. Deeply cathartic and intensely cinematic, writer Chris D.’s varied selections stake their claim squarely in the shadowlands between arthouse and grindhouse; 19th Century romanticism roughed up by James M. Cain, “cut up” by William S. Burroughs, and screened on a wall at a bordertown drive-in.
Stop Requested by Wyatt Doyle; illustrated by Stanley J. Zappa
(New Texture books, $14.95 paperback)
Public transportation is a great equalizer. No matter who you are or what circumstances put you there, you’re on the bus. And in Los Angeles—a city obsessed with status, image and the car you drive—when you’re on the bus, you’re really on the bus.
But just because it’s no place to meet movie stars doesn’t mean there’s any shortage of memorable characters among the lost, the delusional, the disenfranchised and the drunk. These aren’t merely people who ride the buses, they’re people you might never get to meet anywhere else.
Wyatt Doyle’s naked city stories of the other side of Tinseltown are shot through with comedy, tragedy, mystery, action, drama—even the occasional musical number. Profusely illustrated with surreal, biting images by Stanley J. Zappa, Stop Requested delivers street-level tales of bizarre encounters, faded dreams, mental illness and heavy traffic.
