"Never mind,forgetit,youwouldn'tunderstandanyway"

This is just a post to check in, even though, as far as I know, nobody reads this blog. This is more like a published in outer space version of my life.

Yes, the book is taking shape. It is real. It is taking space on my calendar regularly. The writing is not going very well, but that is a whole other story.

Sometimes I wish I had a writing partner, someone to bounce things off of.
Blah blah blah.

When something happens you will be the first to know.

Flipper and Book News

Flipper should be coming out with all the old stuff on vinyl and cd very soon. Also expect a brand new Flipper cd released in January, hopefully in time for my birthday (the 11th).

As for my book, well, it's rolling along. My goal was 5 pages a week, but last week I only did two pages. This week has been better. I worked on the Introduction a bit.

Flipper Book Update

I've committed to writing five pages a week until the book is done. I hope that posting this on my blog actually gets me to do it. This project has been off-and-on for the past three years, and at one point I gave up on it. But I figure that even if it doesn't go anywhere, I still want to finish it. I remember back when I was producing 'zines, I didn't have this perfectionism thing stopping me.
I have too much education and too little self-esteem. I think when I need to act.

Sex O-bomb-a Baby Yeah! Sept 5th At El Corazon

Bad puns aside, Flipper is playing an Obama benefit show this Friday at El Corazon in Seattle with a bunch of other bands. Their last two shows -- one at the Funhouse, and one at Hell's Kitchen in Tacoma, were a blast. All you punk Dems should show up. Peace.

"Gone Fishin' " Album Review

“Gone Fishin’” (Subterranean, August of ’84) boasts another clever cover concept by Ted. This one features cut-outs of the tour van – “Flipper Suffered For Their Music, Now It’s Your Turn” – spray-painted on the side, members of Flipper (my friend Bridget said, ‘Bruce looks kind of hot in that picture’), Steve’s drum kit, a guitar case, amp and amp head (w/cat). Though not a live album, some of the songs have a live feel, others sound slicker (i.e., “First The Heart”).
Both derided and praised as Flipper’s arty second album, there are many gems. One of my favorites, “Survivors Of The Plague” (Lyrics: Will, Music: Bruce) is a bombast of sound, triumphant and moving:

“Oh we are a mirror/ a distant mirror/when you look at us you will see/
all your hopes/ all your dreams/crushed upon the sea.”

The album opens with what could be Flipper’s Theme Song, “The Lights, The Sound, The Rhythm, The Noise” (Lyrics: Bruce, Music: Will):
“Hit my body like a thousand dances, everyone knows/ Where nothing is something”.

Next is a somewhat of a departure with “First The Heart” (Lyrics:Jeri Wilkinson, Music: Bruce and Steve). Featuring Will on vocals and great sax work by Kirk “Charles” Height, “First The Heart” is as poetic as it is emotive. It is similar to “In Your Arms” and “Shine” in that way.
“Hits outnumber, ten to nine/Missing/
A ravaged target”.
“In Life My Friends” (Lyrics: adapted by Bruce from a W.S. Harris poem , Music: Ted) gives rise to what some believe is Flipper’s credo:
“…so don’t look for future paradise/ take heaven now is my advice”

“Survivors…” is the outro of side one.
Side two finds “Sacrifice” (Lyrics and Music: Will):
“So the nation will live/ So the people will remain as cattle
They demand a sacrifice.”

“Sacrifice” is not just an anti-war song, but is an incisive look at how nationalism and hegemony defines and controls people. It is just as prescient today as it was twenty-odd years ago, perhaps even moreso.
“Talk’s Cheap” (Lyrics:Will, Music: Bruce) is next, followed by “You Nought Me”(Lyrics:Bruce, Music: Will) is as nihilistic as Flipper gets:

“I have nothing, sweet nothing how about you…
So you can go fuck or suck your thumb/ Or take more drugs and
Play ‘On The Run’”

“Gone Fishin’” ends with “One By One” (Lyrics: Will, Music: Ted):

“All prisons/Every bank/ Shall cease to exist”
The “Gone Fishin’” album must have been difficult for some hardcore punks to understand let alone enjoy. I love it as an example of how mind-and-heart-expanding a record can be. There are moments of brilliance in the songwriting and execution, moments of pure joy – the very essence of life. Pain and beauty combined in an intoxicating mixture that transcends ordinary-joe-hardcore. Creatively mesmerizing, “Gone Fishin’” stands out, a blood red ruby in the rough.

Target Video Is Genius

The recently released Flipper video by Joe Rees is on my top five things to watch and listen to at this time. I bought this video at the Flipper gig at the Funhouse on June 26, 2008. It is jam-packed with music from two live gigs -- one at Berkeley Square (1980) and the other when they opened for Throbbing Gristle. The Berkeley Square show is a window into the world of the new-ish band (formed in '79). Will Shatter's sloppy bass, Ted Falconi's squelching guitar feedback, Bruce Lose's smack-upside-the-head vocals -- all backed by the more accomplished Steve DePace's drumming, laid the groundwork for all that was good and true in punk, before it became hardcore.

Just look at what people were wearing then. There weren't any leather jackets (it was summer, though). People just wore whatever felt fun and right to them. There weren't the rules that stifled the scene later on.

The gig's highlight is the Will Shatter/Denny DeGorio duet "The Wheel" -- a most fucked-up, funny, beautiful triumph.

I will comment on the TG/Flipper gig later.

Flipper Still Rules, OK?!

This blog was created to celebrate/praise/illuminate/exalt the band Flipper and its members.
For the past 27 years I have loved Flipper. It excites me that they have re-united yet again, this time with Krist Novoselic on bass. The Flipper experience is total and without any compromises.
I've seen them several times and each time had moments of transcendence which left me in awe.