Fuck art. Let's dance

Being a stay at home dad, you find yourself to be really busy doing chores, housework, running errands and being a chauffeur. 

I mentioned earlier that the saving grace are headphones. 

I spend a lot of time listening to music.  I try to check out new bands, but I swear, a lot of them suck.  There are some standouts, but the majority suck.  I feel like labels and bands have gone to do things like Facebook.  If you don't refresh fast enough, you are forgotten or you move on to the next "big" thing.

That's why I find myself back to the classics or albums I grew up on and making playlists of those songs.

I always loved the labels that created a scene.  Labels that when they put things out, you bought it because there was a trust between you and the label.  There are some that still try that, but I don't trust them as I would others.  Third Man (in theory) would be a modern version of that kind of label, but I feel like I just don't care about a lot of the releases and that it's more about Jack White and what he does than the artists.

When I look back, I think of labels like 2 Tone, Def Jam, Sire, IRS, Sub Pop , Creation even Fat Wreck Chords and Epitaph and Hellcat for a while... These labels were such a trusted brand, fans were proud to wear T Shirts , Jackets and buttons of the LABEL.  The label was as big a star as the artists on it.  I love that.

I recently saw a documentary about one of my favorites Stiff Records.  They were so great for the diversity in what they released.  It didn't have to sound like everything else, sometimes it sucked, but I trusted them.  I saw they tried to recently revive it and it was retarded.

I see a lot of these names getting revived and hope to see them make it work.  It would be nice to go to places for substance and build that trust again.

If I ever get a chance to do something again, it would be to create and build that kind of label.

Here's the Stiff Documentary in pieces...

And almost everything you'll see is eatable, edible. I mean, you can eat almost everything.

When you have two kids and are in charge of all things homemaking.  After you put on your dress and apron and really feel manly, you spend a lot of time doing laundry.  Lots of dirty clothes, dirty sheets and dirty towels, these are 3 things I can assure you if you don;t take care of, the boss will stick it to you when she gets home.

I was raised by a mom who wouldn't stand for any of these things, so I've already been trained to take care of these issues, even if I was working full time.  Laundry is a nuisance but the reality is that it really takes no time.  Other than the folding, the time to put it ion the washing machine and transfer it tot he dryer is about 90 seconds.  The washing is automatic.  Sure, folding and putting away could take a whole 5 minutes, but I'll sacrifice 5 minutes out of my very busy day to do it.

I recently discovered the Tide Pod.  This colorful pod is a miracle.  It really makes washing clothes real easy.  No measuring, so mess.  Just throw it in and that's it.  You are done.

Tide Pods

Of course... and there is always a catch, this pod is very dangerous around kids.  It really looks like an Everlasting Gobstopper candy made by Wonka.  I experienced the danger first hand.  I was sitting in my kitchen goofing off, I mean folding laundry, when I heard a "pop".  This "pop" was my 9 year old holding a pod and squeezing it.  Luckily, It just shot across the kitchen (just missing his eye by an inch).  I wanted to yell at him for playing with it, but when you see it, it looks like a balloon of some sort.  It cleaned my floors real nice, but made me realize that these babies need to be hidden.  I'm just glad he popped it and didn't try to eat it.  Like I said, It looks like something Wonka would make.

Wonka Everlasting Gobstopper

A few days later, my cousin Cindy came over and saw them.  She asked me if I had read about the dangers of the pods.  i hadn't.  Well, I'm just glad I'm not the only idiot parent not thinking.

Take this as my warning to you, so you don't have a bad experience.  Put these suckers up high and away from kids.  But enjoy their adult convenience.

One Night in Vegas...with Hepcat and some payasos

I had the pleasure of spending one night in Vegas working with one of my favorite bands, Hepcat.  I first heard Hepcat in the early 90's while living in NY.  Their debut album Out of Nowhere came out on Moon Records and was one of those records that just leaves you in awe.

Years later, I would marry the person who had been managing Hepcat for years.  So, by association I became part of that family.

Hepcat went on to record 3 more albums, tour the world and then take a long (of a few) hiatus.  The beauty of a hiatus is that you can really start to miss a group, so when they return, It's special.  Some bands never take the time off and burn themselves out, ruin all they worked for by making bad decisions and just losing that special element.  Bands like Fishbone continuing without the original members that made them Fishbone was a mistake.  I get it.  It's their livelihood, but at who's expense?  The brand?  the audience?  it's such a hard thing to criticize and hard to understand.  Everyone has their own reasons and opinions.

Back to Hepcat and Las Vegas.  After another 2 year hiatus, the band came back to perform at an event called Punk Rock Bowling.  I didn't see any bowling, but I know it was happening.  I did see some punk rock.  Rancid headlined and always deliver, Cockney Rejects performed and were great as well. I heard them the 1st time on the compilation called Oi The Album in 1981.  The songs are still great.

I saw a lot of new punks with their hot topic clothes and their very well manicured hairstyles (and IPhone), I also saw the old punks that really shouldn't look that way anymore, but maybe dust off the old tshirt, old jacket and relive the old days.  I have to say, myself and Hepcat aged the best.  We can all wear the same kind of clothes and not look like "Payasos".

Having a traditional ska and rock steady group in the middle of a bunch of punk bands was a true example of how the scene was back in the good old days.  I don't think the new bands would get it as much today.

The other observation I had was how the hierarchy of punk still exists.  Who gets on stage to watch and where is still such an important status symbol.  I hate to say it, but the best view and sound is still from the floor.  I never understood why everyone was so hell bent of standing behind the drums.  You can't hear shit and you really can't see the show itself.

I was on stage for Hepcat, because I had to be.  Here's some video from where I stood.  oh the sound is awesome (sarcasm)!

I hope to see more Hepcat shows in the future.  These guys are all class.  Thanks for letting me be part of the family.

You're Not Gonna Get Docta Doom????

I had some of my family over earlier today.  We always have a great time.  We took a walk down the street to this comic book store called Meltdown.  There are very few of these stores left.  It's quite depressing actually.  The ones that remain are big and well put together, they are still run and employed with the most annoying people in the world.  This is not a put down, this is just the fact that these people talk the most nonsense and are always super loud so you know, they know more than you. 

I think of myself of having a vault of useless information, but when you overhear them comparing Hank Pym (Antman) with Chris Brown (apparently Hank Pym, like Chris Brown beat his girlfriend and that's a thing that no matter what he does, he can't shake off from being remembered for...Yes, this was the conversation I just heard) my vault of dumb information runneth half full.  The comic geek beats me hands down.

In New York in the 80's, I would go to stores like The Batcave on MacDougal street to buy my comics, I would go to conventions (they always smelled) and had, really, no problem following a series and a storyline.  Back then, all the stationary stores and magazine stands by the bus stop carried them as well, so it was easy to keep up.  I could read Daredevil, X-Men, Spiderman, The Flash, etc and it was real simple.

Walking through Meltdown, I had no idea where to even start.  There were so many comics that even if I decided to start now, I would be out an easy $500.00 out the door.  So, after a couple walkthrough, I decided to not even bother, but to see where the current books are compared to the old days.

Well, everyone has changed.  The appearance and what I knew is now gone.  This was proven with two books alone.  Classic "comic"characters.  Archie and Richie Rich.  I'm not going to even try to describe the difference, but show you...by the way, Archie Meets Kiss.  Why is Archie meeting Kiss?

I know the writing is great these days and the stories have moved to be relevant to real life.

I actually applaud Archie comics for standing up for Gay characters and welcoming them into Riverdale as well as addressing the Occupy Wall Street movement.  It was a bold and brave move.  My favorite thing was the outrage by Christian retards and how the CEO of Archie Comics responded,  “As I’ve said before, Riverdale is a safe, welcoming place that does not judge anyone. It’s an idealized version of America that will hopefully become reality someday. ... Kevin Keller will forever be a part of Riverdale, and he will live a happy, long life free of prejudice, hate, and narrow-minded people.”

The X-Men just took on gay marriage (much respect to Marvel)

As far as current comics go, I think I just need someone to guide me through where to start and what's great.  I saw tons of graphic novels, so maybe that's the solution.  I just know my "collecting" days are way gone.

On of my fondest memories comic related and I still laugh about this day, was back when I used to collect action figures (dolls, if you want to be a dick about it), and my friend Benjie and I were at the Toys R' Us in Union Square.  We were just minding our own business browsing.  Benjie picked up a pretty cool Dr. Doom action figure and was contemplating buying it.  He decided not to and carefully placed the action figure back on the shelf when this fat, smelly guy with glasses came running down the aisle yelling (and i mean yelling) "YOUR NOT GONNA GET DOCTA DOOM????" I have never seen Benjie jump quicker to kung fu stance in my life.  If you saw this guy, you would have too!

Let's just say that was a real reality check.  I may have ceased my collecting after that day.

It's a Smilin' Saturday Morning

In the 70's (and the 80's), Saturday Morning Cartoons were a special block of time dedicated to kids. 

These days, I think it's mostly crappy news shows and you can hardly find a cartoon.  Not that kids should be plopped in front of the TV, but there was nothing wrong with having "our time" on Saturdays. 

The shows were a lot more fun and were geared to age groups.  Today, you need to watch Nick Jr for preschool programming, Nick for grammar school and TeenNick for more mature kids...of course there is Nick at Nite for us old folks. 

If it wasn't for Nickelodeon, there would be very little for kids to watch.  I'm not just saying that because I almost got a job there.  Missed it by that much.  I would still love to work there at some point in my career, it's true.  I love their shows.  As a dad, they are a relief.

But, back to the 70's and 80's.  All the networks focused on Saturday Morning TV.  You would see ads in comic books, their would be previews and the shows would be featured in scholastic magazines like Bananas.  There were shows like Battle of the Network Stars, Happy Days, Wonderama and School House Rock...

 Every year on the eve of the debut of the the new Saturday Morning line up, there would be a sneak preview on prime time.  I remember how much I couldn't wait for this.  I was looking for a particular show I loved that very few recall called Kids from C.A.P.E.R. and came upon the 1976 preview.  I wonder how high Freddie Prinze was.

I had just moved back with my family from 2 years living in Pakistan.  This was amazing to me.  For the last two years, I had no TV and my only connection to the US was comic books (that were 6 months behind) and the Sunday comics we would get from the US newspaper.  I have no idea what paper or if this is true...i might be making that part up, but it sounds right.

Watching these clips, took me back to the excitement of being able to watch these shows for the first time and only time.  No VCR, no Tivo... You watched it and it was over.  You would then spend the rest of the week at school talking about what you saw with your friends.

These days, I hate to wait for anything, but I wish the anticipation and excitement still could be achieved.  It was a special feeling.

I Call That A Bargain

Who doesn't love a deal.  Amazon does a daily deal.  Most of the time, they are useless items you will never need.  Sometimes, there is something you always wanted, but never could justify paying the asking price.

Following the Amazon deal of the day, you might just find something.  In addition to the deal of the day, there are also Lightning Deals.  These are usually hourly and have a time and quantity limit.

Items I have picked up included The Godfather Collection on bluray for $20.00 (I don't even have a bluray player), The Complete Little Rascals for $25.00 (I already own it, but could be a good gift), an Expedition First Aid Kit for $11.00 (you never know...but it was $11 bucks!), the Wolverine 35mm Slides and Negatives Digital Image Converter (love this) for $40.00 and have missed many deals due to not checking on time (A blessing in disguise).

I have the Amazon app on my iPhone to keep tabs when sitting around waiting for something to happen in my day (This is just sad).

End of the Innocence

Etan Patz would have been 39 years old if he was still alive.  Just a few years younger than me. 

Growing up in NYC there were real moments that were forever changing.  The Son of Sam, where I used to look behind my shower curtain every time I entered my bathroom, The 1977 Yankees, My favorite team of all time.  John Lennon being shot, my favorite of The Beatles.  Black out happening right in the middle of watching Baretta (i think),  having to walk up and down 23 flights of stairs and the disappearance of Etan Patz.

The flier of this little boy and the photos that were taken of him, looking like a model for a Sears or JC Penny catalogue plastered all around the city and on every newspaper was the end of early innocence and trust in NYC.

I look back and question the parents allowing him to walk to the bus stop by himself, but that neighborhood back then was different.  It was an art community.  No Apple Store, no trendy bars or restaurants.  It was a New York neighborhood.  Does that make it safe?  Well, maybe not, but you didn't think that way in New York until Etan Patz disappeared.

Reading the news of his killer finally being found was a sad moment.  I remember some years ago, they were doing computer renditions of what he would look like now and keeping hopes he was kidnapped and still alive.  We all knew he wasn't, but there was still that glimmer of hope.

The fact that his parents never moved or changed their phone number is a true sign and example of the commitment a parent makes to their child.  As a Father today, the thought of losing my kid in a flash of a moment is terrifying.  The poor Patz family must think about, how it would have been different today if... what if.  Two words that must haunt those poor parents.

I hope that this sad discovery and unexplained reasoning for killing a young innocent boy brings some sort of peace to Mr and Mrs Patz.  My heart breaks for Etan and what that poor little boy felt that horrible morning.


Time to hug my kids and really consider investing in that pocketfinder.