The Monkees love, Hangin’ Round…

Mike Nesmith’s vocals in this classic Monkees tune are completely golden. For those of us who loved The Monkees, this declaration is not news. Contrary to some popular Monkee belief, Nesmith was actually a very talented musician. I mean, I love Davey just as much as the next person, but let’s face it: playing the Maracas while looking cute is not hard work.

Michael Nesmith, Magnetic South, 1970. Yes, please…

If you watched and actually listened to The Monkees, Nesmith’s native Texas drawl was an indication of his awesome, alt-rock tendencies. If Nesmith’s signature drawl didn’t do it, his 1970 release, Magnetic South with his First National Band, did. Nesmith also favored playing Gretsch guitars. Other Gretsch fans include Joe Perry & Neil Young. Nesmith has very good taste in guitars. Which is why it makes perfect sense that Nesmith was the creative genius behind MTV and the executive producer of one of the greatest movies of all time, Repo Man.

Mike Nesmith does his best Lou Reed impression on “Crusin”

To further prove Nesmith’s excellent street cred, here’s three minutes with Mike Nesmith as Frank Zappa. Or is it three minutes with Frank Zappa pretending to be Mike Nesmith while wearing Nesmith’s excellent pom-pom-ball hat. At any rate, I’m pretty sure Zappa was a Monkees fan.

Michael Nesmith, 2006.

In 2006 Nesmith released, Rays, his first record since 2001. It’s a pretty atmospheric, jazzy little record. When he’s not making music, Nesmith heads up the progressive, non-profit, Council on Ideas, a biannual think-tank gathering of distinguished individuals brought together to brainstorm big ideas that can help heal the world. Whoa.

Just like the characters in Repo Man, Mike Nesmith is fact, intense.

Vivienne Westwood (left), Spring/Summer 2009, Milan. Westwood is wearing her own design.

Vivienne Westwood has dressed bands like the Sex Pistols and the New York Dolls. She even designed a line called ““Clint Eastwood” that included some boss shoes. I’m not sure what Vivienne’s dress is made of (above), but I love it. Anyways, the 2009 Spring/Summer Westwood Collection was tame according to her enthusiasts. Still, Westwood’s 2009 Spring/Summer collection, Gypsy, inspired a fair amount of controversy.

And that Good. But why?

Vivienne Westwoods Gypsy Bear & his Grill. Spring/Summer 2009 collection, Milan.

Despite Westwood’s runway show theme of “Tolerance”, many criticized the iconic designer for using Roma Gypsies as models. This was due to fears in Milan that the gypsies are responsible for rising crime in the region. So deep is this conception, that it drove a Naples Primary School to sponsor a letter-writing campaign, denouncing the Gypsy camps.

One child’s letter even specified that “Gypsies steal children to transplant their organs”. Sadly, It takes much more energy to dispel this frightening thought from a young mind than it does to instill. Present a child (or easily led adult) with facts instead of racist inspired folklore, that child will be much less inclined to be afraid of the dark.

Vivienne Westwood Gypsy Bear Cold-Pimpin’. Spring/Summer 2009, Milan.

Yesterday, according to the BBC, the Roma Gypsy controversy in Milan ripped another page out of the history books with a proposal by Italy’s interior minister, Roberto Maroni. Maroni wants to fingerprint all residents at the Gypsy camps. Those who refuse, including children, will be expelled from the country. Maroni insisted that children be fingerprinted in order to curtail “phenomena such as begging”. The story reads like a midevil, misguided, misunderstanding gone horribly wrong.

Westwood said she believes that fashion is a “cultural and artistic force that has the power to challenge people’s prejudices”. In this case, Westwood’s tactical approach to draw attention to the region’s, until now, quiet expulsion of non-Italian immigrants, was successful. The Blogosphere has also been rife with stories about the real story behind Westwood’s Gypsies. All because of a fearless woman with a big set of balls, and a Bear.

Thanks to Telegraph UK and BBC News for the links.

Wendy O did 1000 sit-ups a day just for fun. What the fuck did you do today?

Wendy O was a bit of a workout-a-holic, but who can argue with those results? The only other thing I have to say is that red electrical tape is the luckiest guy in the world.

Anyways, I’m in a shit mood (still, see Tuesday’s post), so please excuse the lack of boozy and bullet-riddled witty diatribe that you have come to expect of me. I’ll be better by Friday. And so will you.

Let’s do this, bitch. I need to Get The Fuck Out…

Thursday, June 26th

Dave Pirner of Soul Assylum does his best “Who the Fuck is Winona Ryder?”. Cherrybomb says Pirner was always too good for her. Thanks to Sleazegrinder for the image.

Sunset Strip Music Festival
Soul Asylum, Camper Van Beethoven and Everclear.
House of Blues (Sunset Strip, Los Angeles)
Occasionally, I get a little sad that I don’t live in LA. As far as I know. This is one of those times. Dave Pirner, don’t you miss Seattle? We miss you.

Wonder Woman Trailer, Season One.

Wonder Woman
SeaTac Airport

Friday, June 27th:

Reverend Horton Heat and his big-ass guitar.

Reverend Horton Heat
Supersuckers
Nashville Pussy
Showbox SoDo
Speaking of Wonder Woman, Heat follows up his gig at the Showbox SoDo with a show at the Wonder Ballroom in Portland, Oregon on Saturday. Supersuckers will bring their post-show rodeo back to Jules Maes on Friday night. Take that, Nickelback. (Thanks to the Mad Irish Man for keeping me honest on this one).

Mission of Burma, Academy Fight Song.

Mission of Burma
First Unitarian Church (Philly)

Saturday, June 28th:

Flipper. Dolphin in easy chair with bong. Ink on skin.

FLIPPER!
Hell’s Kitchen

Clinton Fearon, oil on canvas by Barbara Kennedy, 1998

Clinton Fearon & Boogie Brown Band
Nectar Lounge

Jesse Sykes.

Jesse Sykes & The Sweet Hereafter
The Tractor (also on Sunday)

The Whore Moans, X-Ray Eyes, Live.

Le Sexy with Jackie Hell
The Whore Moans
Wild Orchid Children
King Cobra

Devil Girl loves Hell’s Belles.

Hell’s Belles
Coconut Coolouts
The Intelligence
Wild Rose Tavern
Music Starts at 1:00pm and goes ’till Midnight. So many more bands, but only one Saturday Night. Sigh…

Sunday, June 29th:

HalloQueen, Halloween 2007. Photo by Cherrybombed. Taken while actually bombed.

HALLOQUEEN
The Funhouse
HALLOQUEEN! This is an early show. Music starts at 4:00, HalloQueen goes on at 6:00. Team Cherrybomb never misses an opportunity to see HalloQueen.

Looking Ahead:

The Legendary Shack Shakers, Poster by J.D. Wilkes.

The Legendary Shack Shakers will be back at The Tractor on July 3rd after playing a few dates with Rancid. TLSS then head to Dante’s in Portland, Oregon for a gig on the 4th of July.

The Surf Coasters (Japan)

This is a do-not-miss gig. The Surf Coasters will drop into Cherrybomb’s new favorite dig, Slim’s Last Chance Chili Shack, on September 6th. It’s pretty mind-boggling how great TSC are live, but I think the picture of them (above) might help that. If you like high-octane Rockabilly, Hamm’s Beer and cheese grits, you don’t want to miss this show. Did I mention Slim’s makes awesome cheese grits? I did? Okay, good.

Killing Joke, Eighties, 1985.

Lastly, the original lineup of Killing Joke will start a world tour this September that starts in Tokyo and ends up in Chicago in October at the House of Blues. New tour dates were recently announced for the band that include London, LA, and in New York at The Filmore. The band also cranked out some awesome vinyl re-issues, including a KJ favorite of mine, 1985’s Night Time.

Thanks to my favorite LP for her help with this week’s GTFO. You spin me right round, baby. I can’t wait till the next time we get to drink eachother under the table.

Now Get The Fuck Out.

Chet Zar, Solid State, oil on board, 2008.

…opened in London’s Strychnin Gallery last Friday. Which was Friday the 13th. Which is about right for Zar’s 2008 collection, Ugly American. Zar talks about his influences (like Beksinski) and where he gets his inspiration on his site:

The characters i paint may seem like creatures from another dimension, but i think they are simply us, here and now. Modern humanity without it’s masks, without the adornments that make us acceptable to whatever group we are a part of. From the straight laced conservative to the tattooed, anti-social rebel, we all cover up to fit in someplace . Yet the only place where we are truly the same is on the inside. We all share feelings of fear and loneliness. We feel ugly and insecure. We feel separate from our environment and each other. These are the feelings that i try to convey in my paintings. These are the feelings that connect us.

Chet Zar, 13, oil on canvas, 2008.

Zar has done artwork for Tool and was the special-effects madman behind Hellboy. Zar will also be part of a show coming to the Roq La Rue Gallery in Seattle starting on October 10th through November 1st. The Roq show will also include artwork by Dan Quintana and Jeremy Bennet.

The Neighborhoods, Prettiest Girl & No Place Like Home, Live – 1979.

I remember. Do you? The Neighborhoods are hands down, one of my favorite Boston bands. Vocalist/guitar god David Minnehan (Minnehan’s solo in “Girl” is a permanent earwig of mind. And I think about guitars a lot) continues to work behind the scenes in Boston, with the likes of Gang Green and Dropkick Murphys at his own studio, Wooly Mammoth Sounds. Wooly Mammoth Sounds celebrated 10 Years in the Rock biz earlier this year in January. Not as familiar with the early Boston scene as you should be? Pick up D.I.Y, Mass Ave. The Boston Scene (1975-1983) and take it from there.

The Hoods still play live from time to time. This time you can catch them in Wellfleet, Massachusetts at the Beachcomber on July 19th. Take that Nickelback.

Steven Tyler and his Crocs…

Okay, my day has already been to hell in a hand-basket today. Twice. But what did I do to deserve this? Steven Tyler in CROCS? My idol in fucking CROCS? I’d cry right into my G&T but that would just water it down.

Has the whole world gone fucking mad? I’d rather but an extra-large ribbed condom on my feet than wear these shoes. But maybe Tyler’s doctor prescribed the Crocs for the “foot condition” that landed Tyler in rehab a month ago. Or maybe Tyler’s foot condition was that he secretly likes to wear Crocs. If that’s the case, methinks Dude better get his lady-looking self himself back to rehab on the double. Dr. Drew’s 12 step“Crocs are Whack like the Crack” approach is clearly not working.

Lemmy would never wear Crocs. That at least I’m sure about.

Thanks to Reuters and Michael K’s Dlisted for the link.

Rob Sacchetto, Self-Portrait, Zombie style.

…is exactly what Ontario based artist Rob Sacchetto posts on his Zombie Daliy blog. A different non-computer generated, hand-drawn Zombie every day. You don’t have to eat brains to know that is pretty cool. Sacchetto has got the classic, creepy, Creepshow art-thing totally down. Down too the bone, that is.

Rob Sacchetto, Dead Face. Same thing as Scareface. Only bloodier…

Sacchetto will create a hand-painted Zombified image of you for $80. Custom pieces can also be created for a few more bucks. Sacchetto even makes Zombie Greeting Cards. What else could you possibly need? Tom Savini (who, Sacchetto has drawn in Zombie form) to deliver it to you in person?

Rob Sacchetto, Scott Ian of Anthrax. Zombie style.

Scott Ian never looked so good. Seriously.

Rob Sacchetto, Rancid. Indeed. Zombie Tim Armstrong (on the right).

Sacchetto has loads of tattoo flash which will allow you like to wear you dead, Zombie heart on your sleeve. Sacchetto credits comic-book legend Neal Adams as one of his early influences. Visit Sacchetto’s site to see more of his work, including his “Monsters” series which contains a very wicked take on the cover of The Stones record, Tattoo You. Which just so happed to be Cherrybomb’s first record. If I recollect 1981 correctly. Ahhh, 1981. It almost makes my teeth hurt to say the words, Big League Chew, Candy Lipstick and Blizzard of Oz.

Thanks to Rob Sacchetto.com and Horror Collectors.com for the appendage. I mean linkage.

Shred a Couch…

…and other stuff like an Arcade size version of Asteroids. This is awesome Sunday hangover material. I mean the fact that I’m totally sleeping my hangover off as you read this (it’s the only way…well that and Funhouse Red Beer seem to help) should automatically qualify me as an expert in such boozy matters.

Fuck Monday. Long live Sunday.

Isaac PIerro, I Killed Qupid, 2008.

Artist Isaac Pierro says the hardest emotion for him to show through his art is Happiness. If you look through Pierro’s catalog, this may not come as a surprise to you. And that’s because Pierro’s subjects often look like your old Teddy Bear or an innocent cartoon character from your past. Except your favorite teddy is holding a knife, drenched in blood.

In case you’re wondering, Pierrio’s Qupid get’s it in the skull with an ax. Proving once and for all that love does in fact, stink.

Isaac Pierro, Portrait of a Killer, 2005.

Pierro’s, Portrait (above), is a prime example of his mastery of sweet childhood memory meets slasher-killer run amuck in Disneyland.

Isaac Pierro, This One Goes Above Your Bar, 2007

I think by now that you might get the sense that Pierro gets Walt Disney in much the same way that horror-photog Joshua Hoffine gets Disney. In the most macabre, personal and primal way.

Isaac Pierro, Hangover Head, 2007.

In, Hangover Head, Pierro identifies so closely with what Walt Disney’s hangovers were like, you might think he’s been inside your head after a Saturday night bender. At least I did. And I know what a hangover is like. If you read this blog on a regular basis, you know that you can trust me on that one.

Isaac Pierro, Looking Back.

Lastly, I had to post Pierro’s Looking Back, so I could be sure that you would take a long, last look at Pierro’s incredible work. How could you not? Looking at Looking Back is like seeing through Pierro’s own eyes when he saw this piece of broken-up wood. Pierro’s book, I Killed Qupid, is due out in 2009. Peices from Pierro’s Qupid will be at the Distinction Gallery in Escondido, California through July 5th.

Thanks to Juxtapoz and the Distinction Gallery for the links.

Wendy O wasn’t bad. She was just drawn that way.

This Friday will bring on the longest day of the year. So it makes sense that this weekend should last longer than any other weekend this year, right? Is my math good on that one? No? Oh well, fuck it. I never liked math, and math never liked me, so we’re even. Thanks to my girl LP for helping out with this entry. You are rock and roll, baby.

And I got a fist-full of dimes to prove it. Let’s roll…

Friday, June 20th:

Shake the Shack LIVE
Hillbilly Hellcats (Colorado)
Dwayne & the Creepers
Slims Last Chance
Shake the Shack makes it okay to stay in on a Friday night. Come on, even a Hillbilly can stream. Tonight, however, STS gets out of the studio to broadcast the best dang Rockabilly show ever from Slim’s in downtown Seattle.

Eddie Vedder, commissioned in 2008. Acrylic on canvas by Vicky Leyshon.

Pearl Jam
Susquehanna Bank Center (Camden, New Jersey)
Speaking of streaming, you can now get streaming bootlegs of Pearl Jam’s summer 2008 tour via the Pearl Jam Ten Club online. It’s even configured for some mobile devices. Take that, Nickleback.

The Snakebites
Girl Trouble
The Hacks
The Funhouse
A very good-looking friend of Cherrybomb’s hipped me to the fact that some of the members of The Hacks are also some of the members of The Hands. Let me return that favor to you.

Frida Kahlo, Self Portrait as Tehuana, il on Masonite, 1947.

Frida Kahlo (San Fransisco Museum of Modern Art through September, 28th)
I’ve seen Kahlo’s 1947 masterpiece (above) in person. This fact will allow me to tell you it IS possible to look at Kahlo’s brush-strokes alone, for hours. I also just found that there is such a thing as Frida Kahlo Tequilla. I strongly suspect a woman like Kahlo would not appreciate her image appearing on a bottle of hooch, as she would rather hit you the head with it while calling you a fascist. Kahlo was Cherrybomb’s kind of woman.

Sylvia Ji, Black Cherry, Acrylic on wood panel.

Sylvia Ji (White Walls, San Fransisco)
Also, since you’re gonna be in San Fransisco anyway, a must see is Sylvia Ji at White Walls. Ji’s images are beautifully addictive, like running through a field full of Poppies. Extra Cherrybomb points for the hot & red Cherry fixation.

Bret Michaels…

Bret Michaels (solo)
Emerald Queen Casino
After Bret Michaels does his thing at EQC, he’s moving his 80’s after-party to El Corazon. It might be like Rock of Love at El Corazon on Friday, OR it might be exactly like Rock of Love II. Either way, there will be lots of boobs, booze and of course, Bret Michaels. Enter at your own risk.

Saturday, June 21st:

One and Only True Messiah
King Cobra

Thee Sgt. Major
Slims Last Chance
Cherrybomb saw Thee Sgt. Major a couple of weekend ago. My only advice is this. Never miss an opportunity to see Kurt Bloch and his guitar, live

Guns ‘N Roses Bobbleheads

Appetite for Destruction
The National (Norfolk Virginia)
Okay, why not. However, I understand that no moshing or crowd surfing will be tolerated at The National. Whatever that means. It’s not like Axl is gonna show up.

Deborah Harry, Andy Warhol

Blondie
South Shore Music Circus (Cohasset, Massachusetts)
SSMC has been an outdoor music venue for, like ever. And Blondie has been a band for, like ever. How perfectly perfect.

Sunday, June 22th:

Dateless, TAKE NOTES!, out on Insubordination Records on June 25th, 2008.

Mexican UFO
Dateless
Dateless has their first full length coming out on June 25th. This gig is FREE.

Looking Ahead:

Freddy Mercury, Wetcanvas.com.

On June 29th, HalloQueen will be gracing us with their Queen-like presence before Halloween this year as a part of Seattle Pride. The Moens (members of Hells Belles) are also at this early Funhouse show.

The Gits, The Movie. The Balls…

Finally, The Gits, The Movie will begin it’s all-too-short, seven-day run on July 4th at the Northwest Film Forum. Music docs come and go, but this one is a don’t-miss. Fuck the fireworks outside. The Gits will show you what it was really like to light up the gray, Seattle sky.

Now Get The Fuck Out…

Mickey Rourke, Father’s Day 2008, Miami.

Please don’t email me letting telling me I put the censored mark in the wrong place. It’s totally in the right place. Trust me.

To see the uncensored version of this photo (and more), click here. Thanks to Michael K and the wickedly funny Dlisted for the Mickey Link.

Editors Note: The author would like it to be known that she is a former member of the original 1970’s Kiss Army. She also loves Kiss and treasures her signed copy of Double Platinum. The author also dressed as Ace Frehley on Halloween from 1977-1980. She firmly believes it is an indisputable fact that Kiss is one of the greatest Rock ‘n’ Roll bands of all time. Which makes Simmons cooler than most humans, by default.

Gene Simmons shuts himself up the old fashioned way. With a Bass guitar.

The tongue that roared, otherwise know as Gene Simmons, is calling out Radiohead for giving away their music. Simmons, made the comments to XFM from a Kiss tour stop at the Bercy in Paris. Simmons says he blames Radiohead for contributing to the demise of the record industry:

“The record industry is dead. It’s six feet underground and unfortunately the fans have done this. They’ve decided to download and file share. There is no record industry around so we’re going to wait until everybody settles down and becomes civilised. As soon as the record industry pops its head up we’ll record new material.”

Thom Yorke of Radiohead. “Who the fuck is Gene Simmons?”.

I’m not sure if Simmons is making a threat or a promise when it comes to releasing new Kiss material, but that’s irrelevant. Of course Simmons is mad at Radiohead for giving stuff away. I’m pretty sure Gene charges kids for candy at Halloween. Simmons has made himself a millionaire a few times over by marketing himself and Kiss on everything from Wine to Bicycle shorts to $20 musical toothbrushes. Of course, a band like Kiss supports the recording industry. They help fill each other’s pockets with money. What I don’t get is that Simmons’ comment insinuates that there may be a way to resuscitate the dead horse that is the record industry.

RIAA Toilet Paper. No thanks, I’ll drip-dry. Do not want…

The truth is, the record industry killed itself, and it was suicide by way of greed. For decades, the record industry has been ripping off their artists, and now routinely demands royalties from tours and other merchandising. Only to then quickly drop artists they can no longer make money off of. Now, instead of trying to find some sort of middle ground within the digital musical realm, the recording industry spends its time filing lawsuits against people, especially college students, whom they claim are stealing their products. In a 2007 interview with Billboard Magazine, Simmons had this to say about college students that illegally download music:

“Every little college kid, every freshly-scrubbed little kid’s face should have been sued off the face of the earth. They should have taken their houses and cars and nipped it right there in the beginning.”

Man, it pains me to hear Gene Simmons the God of Thunder himself say something that sounds way too much like, “What’s wrong with those darn kids and their loud music???”. Yikes.

If a band wants to give their music away, aside from Gene Simmons and the record industry (and probably Lars Ulrich), who really cares? So please, do us all a favor Gene and do what you do best. Stick out your tongue and play the Bass in your awesome rock band.

Maybe leave the music-making part to Radiohead.

Thanks to Ars Technica and Billboard for the links.

Tom Waits, Eggs and Sausage & a Side of Toast Art Show. Are you in it?

…but Tom Waits wants none of your toast. Unless of course, his god-like image is on it. Or maybe you like to digitally manipulate images of Tom Waits. Phone Booth Gallery is asking Waits’ fans to submit art of any medium (as long as it’s Waits related) to them. If you’re selected, you might get to show your creation online at The Phone Booth Gallery. You also might get invited to the non-virtual opening party in Long Beach, California. This is a privilege, not a request. So get busy!

Tom Waits Tattoo. Only a Waits Tattooed Love Boy or Girl would do that.

Is your Tom Waits art on your skin? Tom Waits on skin (above) is totally art. Whatever your Tom Waits artistic preference might be, submit your Waits type art thing to Phone Booth.com by June 28th for consideration. Now get busy. The 2:19 ain’t gonna wait forever…

Thanks to ReubenMiller and Juxtapoz for the links.

Jason D’Aquino, Dr. Gonzo. Graphite on Matchbook.

Jason D’Aquino is a Miniaturist out of Brooklyn. Among his Mother, D’Aquino credits Maurice Sendak as a source of inspiration for his art. D’Aquino uses vintage matchbooks or in the case of D’Aquino’s series, “Plumbing”, paper from a vintage Plumbing catalog to create his miniature art. There’s a couple of disturbingly cool, tiny images of some of the Peanuts in “Plumbing”. Excellent.

Jason D’Aquino, Dr. Gonzo, Graphite on Vintage Good Humor Spoon.

But let’s get back to Dr. Thompson. Generally, as a miniature artist, D’Aquino’s scale is, well, small. Take the image of HST (above) on the vintage Good Humor spoon. In April, some stupid motherfucker stole D’Aquino’s original 1×3 piece, “Lil’ Scratch” (done on a vintage matchbook) from Carnivora Art Gallery. Now that’s poor. Hopefully, as D’Aquino’s artwork is very recognizable, ultimately, someone will turn that douche in. Keep your classy eyes peeled.

Jason D’Aquino, Bukowski Good Humor Spoon.

Now, I had to run the Bukowski Good Humor Spoon as I’m reading “Last Night of the Earth Poems”. Okay, I’m always reading that book, but that’s besides the point. While I’m on Bukowski, here’s a great list of Bukowski’s Top Ten Greatest Quotes according to Alternative Reel. But I digress away from Mr. D’Aquino’s ultra-cool matchbooks. Let’s get back to that.

Jason D’Aquino, Pinup 2.

Now she is ultra-cool. Look at her. Ain’t she tiny, expertly drawn, and all pretty? Anyways, D’Aquino also owns Blue Moon Tattoo in Buffalo, New York. It’s only natural that someone with a hand like D’Aquino should apply his exquisite skills to skin. Some of D’Aquino’s artwork has appeared in Seattle’s only newspaper, The Stranger. D’Aquino’s latest work are incredible tattoo-inspired Graphites on a vintage Vargas calendar.

You can check out much more of D’Aquino’s on his excellent new site.

The Dictators, Search and Destroy.

Happy Father’s Day to all you mother-fuckers. Seriously, you know who you are. At any rate, here’s a little ditty by Iggy done up Dictators style, just for you. Is there a more manly sounding band? I don’t think so. Hopefully you will have the perfect Father’s Day now. I also hope you will get everything you wanted for Father’s Day. If Cherrybomb was a Father (for the record, I am 100% motherfucker) I’d naturally be busy with one of my favorite pass times. Shooting bullets at people I hate in the Desert in Reno. Did you know nobody can hear you scream in Reno? It’s true.

Happy Father’s Day!

Tom Waits. Never lowdown on a Saturday Night…

…but only because Seattle is is not included in your Summer plans. Tom Waits, the man with a heart as big as Saturday Night, will kick off his Glitter and Doom tour on Monday, June 16th, in Phoenix. The tour includes dates in Europe and the U.S. Lucky you for once, if you live in Phoenix, where Waits will play the only two-night stint of his summer outing in the US. Stops in Europe include Spain, Milan and the RatCellar in Dublin, Ireland. Although this time, unless you already have your Dublin tickets, your Irish luck just ran out. All three shows sold out in less than an hour as of May 27th.

The special word for the tour is, PEHDTSCKJMBA. You might find it in the night sky and maybe score tickets somehow. If you’re really lazy, just watch this Youtube vid to see the real-gone, mad madness that is Tom Waits.

No, bitch…Fuck YOU! How to Blow up Two Heads at Once (Ladies), 2006

Yinka Shonibare just finished up his show “Prospero’s Monsters” at the James Cohan Gallery in New York. Shonibare combines African textiles in non-conventional settings, like in “How to Blow Up Two Ladies At Once” above. Two Ladies compelled me to dig around Shonibare’s catalog.

Yinka Shonibare, Gallantry and Criminal Conversation, 2002.

The photo above is from Shonibare’s 2002 exhibit, Gallantry and Criminal Conversation. While Gallantry is visually provocative and undeniably erotic, Shonibare’s intent was to call attention to the dichotomy of colonialism, as well as it’s insidious nature. Hence, his combination of traditional African fabrics, the 18th century design, and headless copulation.

Yinka Shonibare, Gallantry and the Criminal Conversation, 2002.

A retrospective of Shonibare’s stunning imagery and career will be a featured subject at Museum of Contemporary Art in Sydney, Australia in the Fall of 2008. The retrospective then heads back to New York for a run at the Brooklyn Museum, sometime in 2009.

Shonibare is a painter, photographer, filmmaker, and installation artist. He lives and works in London.

The Electric Kisses (above) at The Funhouse this past Monday temporarily replace Wendy O this week. Why? Because they are that cool. Photo by August Henrich.

Cherrybomb started the weekend on Monday this week at The Funhouse with an awesome show by Seattle’s The Electric Kisses. Noise for the Needy kicked off yesterday at Neumo’s with two shows by the Black Angels and a show at The Comet with H is for Hellgate. Through Sunday you can see about a dozen different shows while raising money for charity. Please make a drunk difference and Get The Fuck Out to at least one of NFTN’s gigs. Did I mention Helmet is playing the Georgetown Music Fest tomorrow night? No? I’ll get to that in a minute.

Thursday, June 12th:

Isaac Hayes, Wattstax, 1972. Can you dig it?

WATTSTAX (1972) LAST NIGHT!
Northwest Film Forum
WATTSTAX is the Stax Records version of Woodstock. It captures performances by The Staples Singers, one of my favorite soul groups, The Bar-Kays and Isaac Hayes. It’s worth the price of admission just to see and hear Hayes 17 minute version of “Ain’t No Sunshine“. The Stax Records doc, Respect Yourself also ends it week long run tonight.

Friday, June 14th:

Helmet (above) plays the Georgetown Music Fest on Friday.

Georgetown Music Fest (Georgetownmusicfest.com)
Holy Hellgate! What do you get when you put The Hands, Cancer Rising, Helmet, The Valley, Ms. Led, Skullbot, Thee Emergency, Slender Means and new Mommy, Carrie Akre together? The 2008 Georgetown Music Fest of course. GMF rolls over Georgetown through Saturday in, uh, Georgetown. Cherrybomb’s pick has got to be Friday night which is put over the top by one of my favorite bands of all time, Helmet. Yes, you heard me, Helmet.

Saturday, June 14th:

Neil Hamburger is a triple-threat. When it comes to booze that is. Neil Hamburger is my kind of man. When it comes to booze that is…

The Neil Hamburger

Neil Hamburger is back in Seattle with The Too Good for Neil Hamburger Band. “Nuff said.
The Sunset

Sunday, May 16th:

Wayne “The Train” Hancock.

Wayne Hancock

Anchor Pub (Everett, Washington)
Wayne “The Train” Hancock got married a couple of days ago at his show in Hollywood. The wedding cake had a little silver-bullet on the top. Not that silver-bullet. The silver-bullet trailer. Clearly, you have to get in touch your inner Hillybilly. Anyways, while I’m sure it’s gonna be hard to outdo that show, A WTTH show is always a safe bet, for a good time.

Looking Ahead:

Ray Davies. The King of Kontroversy…

If you’re headed downtown on June 19th, Ray Davies will be at The Showbox. I fucking love Ray Davies. Davies hinted at a Kinks reunion last year but his brother Dave said such a reunion would be like a poor remake of “Night of the Living Dead“. While I’m not sure what that means, I’m pretty sure The Kinks aren’t getting back together anytime real soon. If you like your twang, and I know you do, check out Junior Brown at The Tractor in Ballard on June 19th. Brown plays both kinds of Country music, Honky and Tonk.

Mos Generator, Port Orchard, Washington.

Mos Generator and their massive hairdo’s will be at Hell’s Kitchen on June 21st. And so should you. Take that Nickelback.

Rocky Votolato had a happy thought. This will probably not result in a song…

Rocky Votolato will play a show at Hell’s Kitchen on Tuesday, July 15th. Votolato’s music has done a lot for the Seattle music scene, albeit in a quietish manner. And that’s just fine. As a matter of fact, it’s pretty great. Check out White Daisy Passing from Votolato’s 2006 Barsuk release, Makers. It’ll give you a wicked earwig. And you’ll like it.

The Subways are Alright…

Finally, I’m happy to report that The Subways will make a stop at Chop Suey on July 28th. The new Subways record, All or Nothing, comes out on June 16th. Tickets for the Seattle show go on sale this Saturday.

Now Get The Fuck Out Already…

Cheap Trick, He’s a Whore, 1977.

Okay, Cherrybombed.com is having some technical issues so while I’m trying to fix them, enjoy this vintage Cheap Trick video. Robin Zanders’ hair is perfect.

Anyways, if you’re getting the fuck out tonight (like Cherrybomb) head over to The Funhouse and catch Seattle trio, The Electric Kisses. The Kisses are the perfect cure for the Mondayitis that ails you. I promise.

Archers of Loaf, Harnessed in Slums from the awesome, Vee Vee, 1995.

This video brought all the memories my experience at Gay Bingo a couple of weeks ago. I swear, Gay Bingo was just like this video except Archers of Loaf were noticeably absent. And there was no guitar feedback. Ah, feedback. If you were only food, I could live off of you.

Archers of Loaf called it quits in 2000. Archers vocalist, Eric Bachmann went on to front Crooked Fingers and recently opened up a bunch of shows for Neko Case.