Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

Super-Gods: Not As Good As A Three-some with Catwoman & Poison Ivy
 But Close

Monday, October 3rd, 2011

Super-Gods” by Grant Morrison:
Not As Good As A Three-some with Catwoman & Poison Ivy
 But Close.
By Ashley Naftule

Is there a God? What is the meaning of life? Why does Superman wear his underwear on the outside? These are the great mysteries of life, the questions that hound us as though we are foxes darting through an English forest, trying to keep two steps ahead of the snapping jaws of incomprehension. And while the first two questions will probably remain forever unanswerable, at least we can finally solve the Riddle of Outer-Underwear, thanks to Grant Morrison’s “Supergods”.

Before I continue, I just want to take a moment to point out that I’m highly biased here. I’m a huge Grant Morrison fan-boy. If he were to materialize in front of me right now as I’m typing this, I would ask him to sign all my “Doom Patrol” books and then I would lick the top of his shiny bald head. His comic work can be brilliant, inscrutable, pop, dense, light as a feather, sexy, eerie, high concept, dumb as a rock, avant-garde, hopelessly retro, and often times, it’s a combination of 75% of those traits. Aside from Alan Moore, the other capital-g Great occultist/comic writer that England has conjured up, no one is pushing the limits and potential of comics as an art form as hard and as far as Morrison is doing. His “Pop Magic!“ essay in DisInfo’s “Book Of Lies” was the straw that broke my agnostic back and got me into actually performing the magical rituals I read about. He’s done the impossible in his “All Star Superman” books by making Superman F-U-N again. I’ve discovered dozens of bands, writers, philosophers, and film-makers who’ve greatly impacted my worldview, based on references and names Morrison has dropped in both his independent and mainstream comics work. He’s the Cat’s Meow, in other words, the motherfucking Bees’ Knees.

So the odds of my not liking “Supergods” were astronomical, to say the least. And though I hate to disappoint all those bookies out there hoping to make their nut on my disliking the book, I can say (with no surprise) that I loved it. “Supergods” is a great book. And if you love comic books, kurtlar vadisi pusu 132. bölĂŒm izle its an essential read. I have a few quibbles about it, but I’ll save them for after I enumerate the book’s fine qualities.

Most of “Supergods” is a history of comics framed through mythology. So not only do we get the history of Superman’s creation at the hands of Siegel and Shuster, we also get to hear lesser known facts of the hero’s origin (that Superman was originally supposed to be a Socialist icon, a totem of the working man standing up against the big-wigs and corporate scum) and we also get to see Superman’s archetypal significance. Morrison brings his occultist perspective to bear on all the great super-heroes, showing how they represent not just aspects of our nature, but idealized aspects of our nature. The title says it all: “Supergods”. The new gods of the 21st century, in Morrison’s estimation, IS the superhero. Superman is our Apollo, our Christ. Clark Kent died for our sins at the hand of Doomsday, only to be born again as our Electric Blue Messiah.

He makes a good case, too, for illustrating how popular characters like The Flash and Batman embody mythological characters, by not only pointing to the stories themselves but by giving us insight into the lives of their creators. In pointing out how incredibly kinky and weird the original “Wonder Woman” comics are, Morrison also points out how the creator of “WW” was also an S&M aficionado wife-swapper
 who, in addition to creating the Lasso Of Truth in the four color world, ALSO invented the polygraph in the real world.

What’s refreshing about “Supergods” is that Morrison doesn’t come across as cynical about comic books. He embraces the very things about comics that some many of its lovers apologize for, like tangled up continuities, ridiculous plot lines & deus ex machina cop-outs. He talks about how, before he became Mr. Grim & Gritty, Batman used to fight magicians and flowers that had peoples‘ faces on them. And I’ve got to admit, after reading Morrison’s descriptions of those early Dadaist Batman stories, I kinda wished Bats would go back to fighting magical flowers again. In Morrison’s view, children are much more sophisticated at reading fiction than adults, because they don’t waste time asking idiotic questions like “who changes the tires on the Batmobile” and “how does the Hulk’s pants survive his transformations” , because kids know its just a story and these things just happen because the story needs them to. It seems that’s what Morrison regrets about the comic industry today, that it’s trying to be more realistic and grounded to appeal to adults who insist that their art doesn’t embarrass them, when the greatest advantage comics has over books and cinema is that it can be totally batshit crazy.

He also throws in some biographical stuff, talking about his experiments with cross-dressing, his alien abduction experiences, his childhood in the U.K., and his years playing in bands that never went anywhere. It doesn’t feel out of place with the comics history/theory (and his digressions into talking about the occult and the nature of reality is really interesting), though it does get just a little bit tiring reading about the author talking about how awesome his life was and his. Granted, the man’s life does sound really awesome, but still. It can be a bit much.

My other beef: for a man who writes compelling comics about battling authority and questioning reality, he does an awful lot of excuse-making for the comic industry when talking about how comic creators like Shuster & Siegel got screwed out of their royalties. On an unrelated note: one of the delights of the book is seeing just how envious he is of Alan Moore and how hard he tries to hide it, but fails. Reading his analysis of “Miracle Man” & “Watchmen” is fascinating not just for its insight into their impacts on comics, but for how obviously reluctant he is to give Moore props (which he does, but in subtly back-handed ways).

“Supergods” is a fun, compelling read. It’s heady and thoughtful without being bogged down in jargon. If you really want to know why the Bat logo on Batman’s chest is yellow, why Jack Kirby’s “New Gods” didn’t get the reception they deserved, and why Superman rocks the red briefs on the outside, “Supergods” has the answers you seek. As for the other great life mysteries
 well, dear reader, you’re on your own.

DESERT DEMENTIA, A Dr. Demento Showcase: Sat. Oct. 8th

Monday, September 12th, 2011

In today’s modern/ironic world we’re mired in self-serious entertainment, massive media consolidation, and the constant push to be new and relevant.  It’s tough to remember the days when an oddball magnet named Dr. Demento ruled the FM airwaves. Weekly, Dr. Demento brought into our homes and cars songs that were peppy, offbeat, and most of all F-U-N.
Beginning in 1970 and lasting in various forms through today (now on the internet). Demento introduced hundreds of novelty songs to towns across the country.
He fostered a community that spanned from ocean to ocean.

Dr. Demento’s website:

http://www.drdemento.com/

Over the next 4 decades the good Doctor (honorary title) preserved and discovered a huge variety of humorous musicians, aimed only at making us laugh, smile, sing along–and at their best, bust-a-gut!

We all know Weird Al Yankovic, and maybe also the vintage song deconstruction of Spike Jones. Demeto’s amazing joke-bag of giddy genius also gave the world the surreal Barnes & Barnes classic “Fish Heads” as well as perennial holiday goof “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer.”
Today there are Dr. Dememto Festivals across the country!

Not coincidentally, several Arizona based musicians have made it to the national airwaves thanks to Dr. Demento.  Has the desert Sun cooked their minds in a special musical way? Is it something in the water? Or more likely, is it the simple truth that there is talent everywhere working to be discovered?  It’s hard work creating novelty.  Writing a joke is hard–try it–now add to that the complication of setting a gag to music, and then making it catchy enough to punch through to public recognition?!

These 4 musicians aren’t just 3 chord goofs, but performers who’ve worked hard to make it look easy!

Tom Tuerff:  One of the best all around musicians we’ve ever heard. Don’t let the joke songs hide the fact that this guy can PLAY!
www.myspace.com/tomtuerffmusic

Page the Village Idiot: Probably the most bawdy act of the night, many cutting songs about our State.
www.myspace.com/ptvi

Leslie Fish: “Filk” musician.  Leslie has been performing songs about space, Star Trek, as well as tunes based on Kipling, Ren-Fair material, and even the IWW since 1963. Leslie is opinionated, political, and blunt!

http://lesliefish.com/

Justin Reed: Longtime Valley Radio fixture, and Rocky Horror alumni. Reed also works on the cable TV series ILLEGAL PROGRAMMING and VIDEO DIFFICULTIES, and his own show PANIC BUTTON. His tune “Part Time Job from Hell” was on Dr. Demento in 1988!

https://www.facebook.com/whosyouricon

Hosted by Andy Olson of Radio Free Phoenix:

http://radiofreephoenix.com

DESERT DEMENTIA is scheduled for one show only:

Saturday October 8th, 7:30pm doors at The Trunk Space (1506 NW Grand Ave).
This show is all ages, however we make no guarantee there won’t be some blue humor.
The cost is $6 per person.

FORMICA MAN: sandwiches, Blink 182, and Jerry Seinfeld

Saturday, September 3rd, 2011

Portland Oregon’s FORMICA MAN play rough indie punk. They will be in Phoenix on Wed. Sept 14th.

Of interest to longtime AZ music fans is the fact that Flagstaff’s own Aubrey Horner features prominently in the band. Previously Aubrey was in well regarded Flagstaff acts such as Red Dress Press and Baby Geko!
Formica Man were kind enough to answer some questions for the Trunk Space ‘zine, The Slide Rule, Sept 2011 issue. Unfortunately, we ran out of room, so here it is in full glory . . .

Sliderule: What’s the music scene like in your town?

Formica Man: Pretty over-saturated at this point, but with a lot of really good bands.

SR: Favorite “on tour” food?

FM: We’re gonna try and stick with an all fruit roll-up diet. In fact, we’ll probably also use fruit roll-ups as our clothes and as our instruments, since they are a multi-functional food.

SR: What do you listen to when you’re driving?

FM: I expect we’ll be listening to a lot of Longmont Potion Castle.

SR: Craziest show? What happened?

FM: The one where we got free sandwiches.

SR: Favorite side dish with any meal?

FM: Sandwiches.

SR: Least liked member of the band?

FM: Mason, he’s got a real ‘tude on him.

SR: Finish this sentence: The Simpsons stopped being funny after . . .

FM: The low point was probably when Blink 182 and Tony Hawk were guests around season 14, but Eddy and Dustin might disagree since Blink 182 is one of their all time favorite bands, all joking aside.

SR: Grossest place you’ve slept or eaten?

FM: The grossest place I’ve ever slept has also been the grossest place I’ve ever eaten: garbage bag.

SR: If your van broke down in [name a town] you’d stay because . . . ?

FM: If our van broke down in Phoenix, we’d stay because my mom would keep us alive.

SR: What do you do when you’re not playing music?

FM: We read Jerry Seinfeld’s autobiography: Sein Language.

Katy Davidson (aka Dear Nora) released new project Key Losers!

Saturday, August 13th, 2011

Long time Trunk Space friend, and one of our fav’ out-a-town acts Katy Davidson has released her new project after many years of development! It’s being released by Mt. Eerie’s Elverum imprin. You can stream it here:

www.pwelverumandsun.com/elv023

Awesome!

July 2011 at Trunk Space: Circus, Animation, Accordions–all on tour!

Sunday, June 26th, 2011

ALL July 2011. Events @ The Trunk Space
Doors @ 7PM unless otherwise noted
Most shows $6.00 unless otherwise noted

http://www.thetrunkspace.com

Fri. 1st 6-9pm: First Friday! The Grid: Here & Gone! Lost treasures of PHX architecture revealed. FREE!

Sat. 2nd, 7-9pm: Unscripted Longform theater by GALAPAGOS! THE LAST Nieghborhood/Bingo Jam @ Trunk Space! Come one come all as our Torch friends start a new book in PHX’s improv saga!
DO NOT MISS!

Sat. 2nd, 9pm: The Strange Family Circus goodbye show. The Stranges are leaving town for a month, come help ‘em raise some gas money–they got kids ya’ll!
We’ll also do a door prize for Vespertine Circus Tickets (show on the 5th)!

http://www.strangefamilycircus.com/

Sun 3rd: Tyler Blue host NEW SCIENCE PROJECT and REAL LIVE TIGERS, mad mad folk on tour!

http://nspnsp.com/

http://reallivetigers.bandcamp.com/

TENTATIVE

Tues. 5th: The VESPERTINE CIRCUS! 6 person multi-talented performers who have shared stages with acrobats & trapeze artists from both Cirque Du Soilei and Ringling Barnum & Baileys!

http://www.vespertinecircus.com/

$8 DO NOT MISS!

Wed. 6th: Select presents TAPE DECK MOUNTAIN! with St. Ranger and Knesset, Of The Sky!

http://tapedeckmountain.blogspot.com/

Thurs. 7th: on tour, ZOO (alum of Little Teeth), +Sungsang LP Release, and RUSSIAN TSARLAG, SHV, & SECRET BOYFRIEND! Blizardly noise, and more. Very eclectic night presented in conjunction w/ Yellow Canary Dance Hall!
zooisaband.com/
last.fm/music/Secret+Boyfriend
last.fm/music/Shv
ast.fm/music/Russian+Tsarlag
lehorrorrecords.com/
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

Fro. 8th: Long-form soundscape art performance by gkfoes vjgoaf & WYLD WYZRDZ with locals Good Amount (Chirstian Filard), Tribal Leader, and Josh Bennett.
www.innerislands.com
Peaceful vibes and hypnotic tones.

Sat. 9th: KEPI GHOULIE (Groovie Ghoulies alum) on tour w/ PETS and DOG PARTY (tween punk!) w/ locals Dogbreth, +Kids Day (tentative) and Sean “SMOKE WIZARD” Bonnette (tentative)! A night up rock-n-roll and fun!
DO NOT MISS!

Thurs. 14th: Pop rockers THE EASTERN SEA on tour, w/ local support from Brother Adrian and more tba.
theeasternsea.com

Fri. 15th 6-9pm: It’s our 3rd Friday Artist Reception! Featuring THE GRID: HERE & GONE. This year, learn about some of the nationally know famous [and infamous] locals our town holds dear–and nearly forgotten.
FREE–HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

Fri. 15th, 9pm: Dogbreth hosts “Self Proclaimed Narcissist” anarko-folk-punk. w/ Ariana Marie and Rainbow!

http://selfproclaimednarcissist.bandcamp.com/

Sat. 16th: On tour from Canada, funster-punksters SLAM DUNK! w/ local support Boss Frogs Discount Activities and more dRainbow!

http://www.slamdunkband.com/

Mon. 18th: Gren Radcliff hosts a night of comedy, w/ Sophie Fisher and John Higbee. +Music from The Dreaded Post-Modernists and The Hunger Artists and Luke Rook.

Tues. 19th: touring animation artist STEFAN GRUEBER, film showcase on tour, featuring “Both Worlds”. An interactive evening of stories with live voice & sound-track! Local support from Good Amount/Holy Page Records.

http://stefangruber.com/

DON’T MISS!

Wed. 20th: Tango?! In Summer?! Well, we’ll find out! hosted by Ravi! Learn some new steps, or brush up your best numbers. $5 per person.

Thurs. 21st: Select presents CHER HOROWITZ (lady punx)! w/ locals Female Trouble (keyboard punx), Fiesty Felines (surf-pux) and more tba!
cherhorowitz.bandcamp.com/
$5

Fri. 22nd: the DOGBRETH & HELLO THE MIND CONTROL tour kickoff! A whole bunch of our friends are hitting the road for a month of fun, rock, and filling gas tanks. Come help ‘em raise some scratch! THIS SHOW WILL BE A BLAST!
last.fm/music/Hello+the+Mind+Control
cllct.com/art/dogbreth

Sat. 23rd: SLUTEVER, sleazy grit-punk on tour. w/ JJCnV and more TBA.

http://sluteverforever.blogspot.com/

Sun. 24th: on tour EXTRA LIFE w/ SAM MICKENS (Dead Science) w/ James Fella and DOTH–Preston’s last show!
last.fm/music/Extra+Life
sammickens.tumblr.com
DO NOT MISS!

Tues. 26th: on tour, DRIFTLESS PONY CLUB! w/ Shortstack Lightning, special guest from Tucson Luke Romano, and more tba. Hosted by theshizz.org!
driftlessponyclub.com
lukeromano.blogspot.com

Wed. 27th, 8-9pm: Story Time Improv! Featuring Apollo 12 and Unicorn Warpath! Pre-School for adults. We lay out blankets and pillows on the floor and invite everyone to gather round. We definitely want it to feel like kindergarten.
www.unicornwarpath.com
myspace.com/apollo12

Thurs. 28th: THE BINARY MARKETING SHOW. Awesome touring band that’s mix of Joy Division, Lou Reed, and Animal Collective. w/ Waytansea Point, Yus, and Josh Kenyon Eells.
binarymarketingshow.com/
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

Fri. 29th: FINDING GRAMPA’S MONSTERS reunion show! One of our fav’ folkie acts gets back together for 1 night of fun! w/ Where Are All The Buffalo, The West Valley, and Jive Talkin’ Robot (acoustic hiphop).
myspace.com/findinggrampasmonsters
soundcloud.com/where-are-all-the-buffalo

http://cllct.com/art/thewestvalley

Sat. 30th: DUCKMANDU m*ther f*ckin’ hardcore accordion music! Punk rock, parodies, and traditional squeezebox masterpieces! Special guest Andrew (Haunted Cologne) Jemsek! Others tbd.

http://www.duckmandu.com/

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

Stryper, “The Covering” reviewed

Wednesday, May 25th, 2011

Recently the iconic 80s Christian glam metal band Stryper released a new collection of cover songs.
Not wanting to let this cultural milestone slip by without notice, Trunk Space recruited local metal fiend, blogger, and shizzfriend Tim [Negicore] Neilson to listen and provide a review . . .

“with his stripes we are healed” ~Isaiah 53:5

Chances are you aren’t too familiar with this bible verse, but maybe slightly more so with the 1980’s Christian Heavy Metal Band that took their name from this verse, Stryper! You may have seen ironic hipsters sport their shirts, or seen Juno wear one in that movie where she is a roller derby queen. Maybe if you are slightly older you recall their name or videos on Dial MTV, sort of an early TRL. Often mocked and disregarded, and deemed silly by even 80’s hair metal standards, they did give plenty of ammunition to the ridicule, they looked ridiculous, in their yellow and black, often striped spandex, lead singer Michael Sweet had a high, pretty and, well sort of sweet, girlie voice. Oh and they were, as I mentioned, Christian!

Now in this modern area where it seems a lot of bands embrace their faith, heavy hitters like Iron Maiden drummer Nicko McBain, Megadeth grouch Dave Mustain, and even, gasp!, Slayer front man Tom Araya don’t make a secret of their beliefs. In the decadent 80’s it seemed impossible that a band could play heavy metal, and serve the lord. Well, my friends, Stryper was that band that showed everyone that guitar solos didn’t all stem from the pits below, and rock Satan out of heavy metal, and show you the way to everlasting life through the Lord Jesus Christ!

Along the way Stryper made some fuckin’ fantastic records, their debut EP, the aptly titled, Yellow And Black Attack! caught some attention, maybe partly due to the Christian Heavy Metal gimmick. But follow up, and major label debut Soldiers Under Command sold very well, and had some great songs on it as well. Their third, and best, record was the breakthrough; with controversial title and cover art, To Hell With The Devil. They were all over MTV, major metal magazines, and became a household name, if your household sported the sprayed hair, a touch of make up, of the pop metal of the 1980’s.

This was where I became aware of Stryper, and have honestly loved them ever since. At a very early age I sought out music, combing through record stores, magazines and MTV. Not very imaginative maybe, but fuck I was eleven! The Christian thing in the heavy metal world seemed cool to me, even if I wasn’t buying the message, it was at least different. The fact that through Junior High school my classmates hated Stryper, and gave me shit for rocking the shirts and buttons, didn’t deter me, I didn’t give a fuck, they were good, certainly better than White Lion or whatever.

The follow up, and fourth record, In God We Trust, I patiently waited for, this would certainly be amazing! They had broken through, gotten people, even idiots like me, to listen to them no matter the message. I wish I could tell you that the record was awesome, but it was kind of lame. Remember how everyone freaked out over Motley Crue’s Theater Of Pain but in truth it lacked any substance? That is sort of how this record was. I went out and bought the “Always There For You” 45, which I still have, the day it came out, and did the same for the full length, and there are a few great songs on it, sort of like Motley’s Theater, but also like that album, had no meat. I was letdown, and as I approached high school age, I gave up on them and found punk. They released a couple more records, ditched the yellow and black, and got even more radio friendly, and sounded awful.

As time went on, I still collected records and shit from their yellow and black clad golden years, but gave up on them as a functioning current band, which they had halted a few times over the years. I even went to two shows in the last few years, and they still ripped live. Once, I even caught a Stryper sticker covered bible! A feat I dreamt of during their heyday. I do find it curious that both my friend Armando and I were the only people drinking at the show, and both got bibles. I still say they were aiming for us, knowing we were sinners and drinkers, looking to show us the light! Who gives a fuck, we met them after and I got my LTD cover To Hell With The Devil LP signed!

Which brings us to 2011 Stryper, and their latest album, the 12 out 13 cover song release, The Covering. (Stryper was never very creative with titles, nor subtle) At first glace, it’s a great collection of awesome songs by elite hard rock and heavy metal artists. Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, UFO, Judas Priest, Van Halen, Led Zeppelin, Ozzy, Kiss, Scorpions, Deep Purple, and even Sweet! Gotta admit, I was stoked! Threw it in the cd player and for the first few songs I was pumped, Stryper rocking the giants of secular rock! Then I picked up on a trend running throughout the CD. The biggest and greatest voices were all featured, Ronnie James Dio, Rob Halford, Robert Plant, Bruce Dickenson, Paul Stanley, etc
and the music was not very different, so what was the point? And I think any band attempting covers, especially of such huge artists; they have to ask what the point is. Well I am going to play the great explainer, and tackle this question. To show off Michael Sweet’s amazing voice, often overlooked by the major rock critics! If nothing else you have to say the dudes got pipes.

Okay, so now what? Nothing, that’s what. This record is fuckin’ lame, and believe me it pains me to say so. Covers albums rank with live albums and greatest hits albums, mostly pointless. The sad thing is, the best track on this whole record is the new original, (remember what I said about their unoriginal blatant titles?) “God”. Seriously it’s good, on par with older shit from their glory days. But wasted, tacked on to the end of a stupid covers album
.

~Johnny Volume
Check out my blog, with pictures of my stupid
amount of Stryper records.
http://johnnyvolumerecordtime.blogspot.com/

March 2011: the SXSW experience!

Tuesday, February 22nd, 2011

ALL March 2011. Events @ The Trunk Space
S X S W @ T T S!
Doors @ 7PM unless otherwise noted
Most shows $6.00 unless otherwise noted

http://www.thetrunkspace.com

602-256-6006

Thurs. 3rd: On tour from Norway, SILJE NES, gauzy mysterious singer-songwriter tunes. With Courier New, Talisha & the Golden Touch, & Naked For Now.

http://fat-cat.co.uk/fatcat/artist/silje+nes

$6–Our S X S W KICKOFF SHOW!

Fri. 4th, 6-8pm: First Friday. New collage & drawings by Christian Michael Filardo.
FREE

Fri. 4th, 8pm: GREG GINN (Black Flag) on tour w/ The Body from (RI). Noise Art from one of the fathers of American Punk Music. Expect epic experimentalism! w/ Destruction Unit, Vladee Divacc, and Princess Eater.
Presented by SELECT Concerts. $10 at the door.

Sat. 5th, 7pm: Start 2011 the improv way! Unscripted Longform theater by GALAPAGOS! 7-8 The All City Bingo Jam! Anyone can join the fun! The at 8 watch The Neighborhood where celebrity guest storytellers keep the ball rolling with true life anecdotes.
$5

Sat. 5th, 9pm: THE MINI BOSSES! w/ VinFiz and Sweetbleeders! Mini Bosses are one of the most fun live bands in PHX. Funds from this show are being generously donated by the band so we can upgrade our PA Gear. Yaaaa, thanks guys! VInFiz are one of the original SHiZZ bands, and (I think) this is their first TS show)! Cap it off w/ the sweet sweet sounds of Sweetbleeders, and you’ve got a night in heaven!

http://www.minibosses.com/

$5–DO NOT MISS

Mon. 7th: on tour JAPANTHER! High energy spazzpunk! w/ AZ legend I HATE YOU WHEN YOU’RE PREGNANT (Flag)! and Tempe’s Vegetable! www.japanther.com
$8–DO NOT MISS

Tues.8th: Tempe’s THE TEEETS tour kickoff! Watch out SanFran! w/ The Pods & Dionysians!
last.fm/music/The+Teeets

Wed. 9th: Musical Ingenues on the road, ZOE BOEKBINDER & DAKOTA BELL. w/ Hello the Mind Control and Of The Earth! www.zoeboekbinder.com
$6–One of our all time favs! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

Thurs. 10th: from OR, EAST CACKALACKY ASCETIC MARCHING DEATH BAND–Peppy 2 person twee folk! w/ Phoenix’s Happy Dirt (Ambur Gore & friends), Wiggle Puppy (folky hiphop)!
happydirt.tumblr.com/
$6

Fri. 11th: HOSSANAS, laid back psyk from OR. Locals TBD.
Presented by SELECT Concerts
hosannas.bandcamp.com/

Sat. 12th: friends from far away: iji on tour w/ JAMES RABBIT + Flagstaff’s FEEL FREE! w/ locals French Quarter and Hello the Mind Control. This will be a night of goodness, kicked off w/ a bazooka shot from Flag-friends!
www.dogvibrations.com
www.jamesrabbit.com
facebook.com/FeelFreeFlagstaff
$6–TOP PICK FOR THE MONTH!

Sun 13: Stateside Presents STRFKR, indie-electro from OR on tour w/ UNKNOWN MORTAL ORCHESTRA, BRAHMS, and local St. Ranger.
last.fm/music/Starfucker
$10 adv, $12 day of

Mon. 14th: Select presents HOLY SONS, DOLOREAN, and CASTANETS–triple folk threat from OR! Local support from French Quarter.
last.fm/music/Castanets
doloreanmusic.com/
holysons.com
$8

Wed. 16th: Stay Punk brings ‘em back–DISCOTAYS broke~electropunk! w/ Praecum (noise-metal), Sunn Trio (free-jazz), and Lyzard Queen Sailorz.
last.fm/music/The+Discotays

Thurs. 17th: A dry St. Patrick’s Day w/ Petrojvic Blasting Company–Germanic~Brass Band from CA! w/ Rumble Rumble folk-core from UT! Locals TBD. Co~produced w/ Stay Punk & TTS!
www.theblastingcompany.com
$6

Fri. 18th, 6-9pm: DIVIDERS: A tribute to East Side Records. Curated by Emily & Liam. Come see and survey the many awesome letter/band dividers East Side made and used over the years.
FREE–DO NOT MISS!

Sat. 19th: SQUIDLING BROTHERS CIRCUS SIDESHOW! A death defying Stunt Show from Coney Island! Full of humor and amazing feats of the human body!
$9 in advance, $12 day of.
DO NOT MISS!

Sun 20th: The Naked Uh (Christian & Tom Filardo) with Michelle Blades, Hello the Mind Control, and Cassiopeia.
thenakeduh.bandcamp.com/
$6

Mon. 21st: Indie rock w/ a 60s vibe from HORNS OF HAPPINESS (Secretly Canadian Records)! w/ Locals Monophonic Hillside (part country, part ominous dark cloud) and Sunn Trio (free-jazz-punk).
las)t.fm/music/The+Horns+of+Happiness

Tues. 22nd: BRAINSTORM (OR), a mix of ecstatic art rock, gospel spirituals, and African highlife–all from just TWO people! w/ locals The Feisty Felines (surf), and Empire of the Bear (unhinged-folk)! This might be the March’s funist show?!
myspace.com/brainstormbrainstorm
$6

Wed. 23rd: THE BURGER RECORDS TOUR! Oh Sh*t this is a lot of bands: KING TUFF, APACHE, AUDACITY, COSMONAUTS, FEEDING PEOPLE, & SUMMER TWINS! w/ Special guests J J C n V ! ! ! (this label is home to NO BUNNY and every other awesome garage rock band!)
+maybe a burger cookout.
burgerrecords.webs.com/
$8 Adv. $10 Day Of
D O N O T M I S S ! !

Thurs. 24th: BEARKAT sweet sweet old time folkie harmony goodness from MO! Locals TBD
last.fm/music/Bearkat (tentative)

Fri. 25th: NY Travel fundraiser. It’s Trunk Space vs Cancer . . . Helping to raise funds for a 7 yr. old boy get across the USA to see his specialist. A night of music and other entertainment. Details TBD.

Sat. 26th: Ash’s (unofficial) Fringe Fest Preview Review! Alt. Theatre and Performance Art from Ashley Naftule, Michelle Burchfield, Kim Porter, and the Arcana Collective!
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED Just $5!

Tues. 29th: Grand Ave Live! Downtowns longest running talk show! See ERNASTY hit his stride as a ringmaster and host! Celebrity guests, humor, and usually one unexpected disaster per show!
blogtv.com/people/grandavelive
$5–Wind down after a hard partying month!

Wed. 30th: HE’S BACK! Trunk Space Fav THE SHOW POISONER! w/ Plague Party and more TBD.
theslowpoisoner.com
$6–HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

Thurs. 31st: ZEVIOUS progressive/hard jazz rock! Hosted by DESTOROYAH! w/ Permanent Squint. Come get yer ears stretched along w/ your mind!
$6

Gig Stigmata?: Last Art of 2010–First of 2011!

Thursday, December 9th, 2010

“Gig Stigmata” will open at The Trunk Space on Friday December 17th from 6pm to 10pm , and is FREE.? Viewing will continue thru First Friday January 7th (also free).  Additional hours and private viewings by appointment.

New Art for 2011!

Diana Welsch has been working with fiber arts since she was child, a skill she learned from her mother.
?Her artwork is Pixelated Folk Art–it is steeped in traditional methods, but bursting at the stitches with new ideas.  This isn’t lazy pop culture ‘cotton candy’ passing itself of as deep; Diana’s work is a thoughtful, obsessed study of the modern gestalt.

Says Trunk Space Curator JRC, “Welsch is actively filtering the culture that surrounds her, stripping it down to perfect icons and signposts.”??
“The work is meant to exhibit ‘real life’ versions of things normally found on screens, which are often thought of as “imaginary” because they are so fleeting, but are such a real part of our lives.”- Artist Diana Welsch.

Leslie Barton is an artist that has, in various roles and mediums, helped propel the Phoenix art community to its status as an incubator for new talent.  She didn’t stumble into art as a teen, she grew up defending her id and our town.  Barton is well known for her fierce silver wit, insightful stand up comedy, and bawdy performance art.  She has been a live performer longer then most of artists have been dipping brush in paint.  She recently hosted the 2nd installment of First Friday Night Live.
“Leslie is great because she doesn’t care what you think. She creates like no one will ever see the end result.” JRC, Trunk Space Curator.??
“Each piece has its own personal meaning while offering a humorous sarcasm for the viewer” – Artists Leslie Barton

Jason Webley Returns to Kickoff 2011! 1/7 (A 1 Man Underground)

Thursday, December 9th, 2010

Jason Webley has been called “A One Man Underground” and a maker of “Music that tears itself apart.”

Hey Look, Death flys, and plays accordion

Music that tears itself apart!

http://www.jasonwebley.com

“I don’t care what kind of music you say you like, if you aren’t thrilled to be alive after a Jason Webley show, you may have no heart to thrill.” –JRC, Co-owner of The Trunk Space

Jason Webley is, at his simplest, a accordion playing folk musician.
Leaving the description there however would do a great disservice to his awesome power as a showman.
Simply put, I don’t think we’ve ever had an performer so capable of wowing an audience.

He is touring in support of his new release: “Eleven Saints” about which Neil Gaiman (author of SANDMAN & Coraline) said “I cannot get these songs out of my head!”

He has toured with the Dresden Dolls, and just released a Graphic Novel with Amanda Palmer, based on the same Album, Eleven Saints. (http://www.darkhorse.com/Books/16-906/Evelyn-Evelyn)

“Webley howls at the rafters with the courage and conviction of a long-gone sailor, and seduces the candlelight with melodies as delicate as a gossamer balloon; he pumps the bellows like a Romanian wedding singer and feathers the keys like a desert drifter.” -San Francisco Weekly

Please, visit his website, but, if you are unimpressed after listening to some songs, remember that its his talent as a live performer that will really win you over.
Do not miss this show!

Local support will be the toe taping amazing Haymarket Squares!

http://haymarketsquares.com/

Squidling Bros Sideshow-11/6/10!

Wednesday, November 3rd, 2010

Tickets $9 in advance, $12 day of.
Presale tickets here:

http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/134657

Full of humor and amazing feats of the human body. Guaranteed to amaze!

Lead by host Jelly Boy The Clown, the living cartoon and natural born weirdo, there is never a dull moment. Accompanied by his clown partner Betty Bloomerz “Sideshow Doll of Darkness” and his brother Matterz Squidling the Impenetrable Music Man. Along with the heavily modified Illustrated Penguin and Baron Von Geiger: World’s Strangest Strongman.

www.facebook.com/squidlling-brothers
www.myspace.com/squidlingbrothers
www.youtube.com/westphilth

PLUS! Special FOR THIS SHOW ONLY, special Guests:

Amber Lee and the Anomalies
A one woman musical act with accordion, loop pedal and glockenspiel.
Amber has toured the World!
She is Miss February in the Accordion Babes Album and Pin-up Calendar.
You can listen to her music and learn more at one of these links:
www.reverbnation.com/amberleeandtheanomalies
www.amberleeandtheanomalies.com
www.myspace.com/amberleebaker

Uni and her Ukelele
is a world traveling singer-songwriter (multiple tours in the USA, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand)
She is a world class neo-vintage pop chanteuse/raconteur who performs catchy pop-diddies with her Ukelele.
One of her songs has been featured in the television show “Army Wives.”
You can listen to her music and find out more at one of these links:
www.reverbnation.com/uniandherukelele
www.myspace.com/uniherukelele