Lotsa love for 'Little Darlings.'

I watched this movie a zillion times as a kid in the ‘80s, and last night I finally got around to watching the 4K reissue I’ve had for a while. And you know what? It’s still pretty great! I threw the little collage you see above together as I started watching—I’ve started to share little things like this online* as I dig through older movies and TV shows—and a) I really love how quickly just 3 photos set the tableaux for the story to follow and b) I was caught a bit off guard by the number of people for whom these images unlocked a slew of their own memories to share with me!

*While I refuse to resume activity on the site I shall forever call Twitter, I have become pretty active on Threads, so feel free to follow me there if the spirit moves you. Honestly, it's where most of my political musings go these days, and I do try and keep them more constructive or informative rather than shooting for "engagement" through inflammatory approaches. Plus, lighter fare like the above.**

**Though if lighter fare is more your thing, I would recommend keeping up with my Instagram stories and posts too!

I'm grateful to be here to witness all the beauty of this world.

Yesterday was quite a day. One of those jam-packed days at the 9-to-5 where you feel like you’ve done a week’s worth of work in a single day. But it was also the kind of workday that ended with me feeling incredibly happy and accomplished. As I was standing on my front porch in the evening, the rolly-polly-ist of raccoons came to my front step to say hi before adorably wobbling off. 

 
Then my Aurora app alerted me there was a super-low chance the Northern Lights might be visible in my area, but living in the middle of a brightly lit city like Chicago, I initially discounted it. Until I saw the slew of posts from friends who were seeing them within the city limits, which spurred me to walk over to the nearest park in hopes of catching a glimpse. 
 

Unfortunately, for some reason, a Chicago police SUV was parked there with its brights on, so I was about to give up until I realized that the church parking lot near my place might have enough open space with minimal light pollution for my needs. After getting there and initially seeing nothing, suddenly a brilliant and shimmering red stripe of aurora borealis popped up overhead, and I spent the next 10 minutes alternately gazing up in awe and snapping lots of photos. 

I couldn’t believe how bright the Northern Lights were, visible to the naked eye without the aid of an extended camera exposure, and the experience filled me with wonder and joy, and I got that super intense pleasurable tingle from an experience you’ve truly never had before. I’ve been trying to hold onto that sensation for as long as possible, before it just fades into an experiential memory.
 
It took me an hour or so to come back down from that natural high, but once I did I settled in to watch Dracula A.D. 1972, a film recommended by my partner that I hadn’t yet finished, and it was the grooviest end to a truly remarkable day.
 
Our times are currently incredibly turbulent and uncertain, but days like yesterday remind me why we keep moving forward. It’s a beautiful world out there, and we only have so long to experience it. And me? I’m glad I’m alive to do so.

No joke—it's time to brighten up your day with Sadlands!

Photo by Brittany Rose Queen

Anyone who knows me also knows that I consider the Josie & the Pussycats soundtrack to be one of the greatest power-pop albums of the aughts, and dang if Sadlands doesn't give me similar feels on their full-length debut, Try To Have A Little Fun.

I'll be writing up something a little more substantial for this album, but everything in the world has been so terrible that I felt the need to inject at least one super-duper-positive recommendation into the universe to hold y'all (and myself) over until the Quick Spins I plan on running this Friday (Bandcamp Friday, y'all!) over at Third Coast Review. 

The return of Rocktober (in spirit)!

I think I’m going to have to stop labeling myself as largely being a hermit! I’m back to going to at least one or two shows a week, though these days it’s mixture of music, comedy, interviews, theater, and spoken word getting me out and about instead of just 5 concerts or something like that. 

Just last week we saw my old friend Rachael Yamagata perform a stunner of a show at City Winery and then caught one of the hilarious tapings for Chris Fleming’s forthcoming HBO special. This week I’ll be at a taping for Slate’s Political Gabfest (I attended their very first taping during Obama’s first inauguration and try and catch them every time they’re in town).

And November is even more stocked with events I’ve committed to and will not miss!

The world is a scary place right now, and I can’t overstate how much the recent events in Chicago have impacted my stress levels. For the first time in years my resting heart rate has spiked for a sustained period of time, if that gives you any clue as to just how much tis city feels like it’s under attack by our own government. (If you're interested in my thoughts about that, I try and post reasoned commentary on Threads, so you can follow me there.

This makes out even more important to feel connected to others, and celebrate community. So I feel lucky that my own ability to socialize more often happens to coincide with a time when we all need human contact the most.

Shredding riffs and Super Creeps.

Dave Suh & the Dirty Wings, photo by me.

I had a really great time at LiveWire Lounge Chicago last night seeing Dave and Skid’s bands play. I’ve known Dave for most of his musical career, beginning with helping his old band Emil Muzz out (and even helping to get them onto an MTV reality show at one point!) so it’s been a true joy to see his musical evolution in the years as he played both sideman and frontman in variety of bands, currently landing on a group that sounds more “him” than any that’ve come before; Dave Suh & the Dirty Wings. I saw them about a year ago and that was good, but last night’s show was nigh perfect. 

Super Screeps, photo by me

I’ve booked shows with Skid’s numerous bands throughout the years as well, and he’s always been a consistently great entertainer with an amazing ear for new-wave and danceable rock. So when he started fronting the local David Bowie tribute band Super Creeps I knew it would be good, but since I’ve been such a hermit the last couple of years I hadn’t had a chance to check them out until last night.

Holy heck, they are GREAT! And that’s coming from a guy who’s seen a couple Bowie tribute bands that included actual former Bowie band members! 

Due to the Cubs game*, the night went late and I could only catch the beginning of Super Creeps' set, but over those few songs they showed they could tackle every era of Bowie’s career with equal comfort and magnetism, and I am eagerly awaiting my chance to see them again and catch a full set!

If you see shows coming up featuring either Dave Suh & the Dirty Wings or Super Creeps, take it from a person who has seen thousands of shows over the years—you will NOT be disappointed!

*Sorry for your loss Cubs fans, but their last World Series win knocked us onto the worst timeline, so I’m not terribly eager to see them win another one, for fear of what that might do to the world. Then again, maybe another Cubs World Series win would knock us back onto a better timeline?

A more personal, positive check-in.

I did a reset on my eating and some other health-related habits* over our vacation a few weeks ago and am now at the level of toxin-free sobriety where my brain is firing on all 10 cylinders, and what I thought was an already inhuman forward drive has kicked into almost frightening levels.

I thought I was operating at a higher level over the last couple of years since I quit drinking**, but I haven’t felt this preternaturally sharp since I was a teenager! (And now with (hopefully) more wisdom!)

It’s kind of scary…but really exciting. And here I thought I was destined to remain a distant hermit, hanging as a shadow over my previous accomplishments. But now I feel a whole new chapter of possibilities opening before me.

(If I can ever quit smoking—the one addiction I've yet to be able to shake—I can only imagine what that would do for me. But for a guy who didn’t think he was going to live to hit 50, the way I feel now I makes me think I could make it to 90 (depending on which side of my family’s genes end up deciding the whole longevity thing…)!)

*For the curious, I excised a few bad health habits, but the one that's made the biggest immediate difference has the radical reduction of my sugar intake. I had gotten to the point where I was stress-eating 1–2 pints of Jeni's ice cream a night, and while that was delicious, it appears that was really throwing a lot of sludge into my system and slowing me down.

**It just occurred to me this is something I haven't talked about at all in this space, preferring to work through the first couple of years of freedom from my addiction to alcohol, only sharing progress with friends and family through Facebook. This has been because I've never been sure what I can offer to others with similar struggles to mine. But I've been free from alcohol for over 6 years now, and perhaps it's time for me to try and figure out better ways to share some of those experiences in hopes they will help others. Sorry for the digression, but since I broke the seal on that topic here for the first time, I figured a bit of context would help. Though I also imagine longtime readers put 2 and 2 together about this topic long ago.***

***I also realize that when I started this site as an extension of the original Tankboy email newsletter back in 2002, I often mixed my personal life with my cultural critical thoughts, and I think if I'm going to be more active in this particular space, I'll have to get comfortable mixing those two things more readily again.

Happy Bandcamp Friday! Check out these new releases (and one surprise)!

First of all, head on over to Third Coast Review to see my recommendations for Bandcamp Friday. I mean, these are my recommendations every day, but perhaps knowing all dough goes to the artists will spur you to check them out and pick up the ones you like today!

And while you're on Bandcamp, Tuff Tamale (Kip and I) have finally released our "proper" debut album The New Masters Of Tuff as a free download for all to enjoy! (And it's also available on all the usual streaming services for those who prefer that route of listening.)

Refreshed and rarin' to go!

I just returned from a week-long vacation in L.A. and am feeling unusually refreshed and energized. I'm still getting used to vacations that are actually, y'know, vacations again but even with that in mind, I can't remember the last time I had such a lovely time that was both action-packed and truly restorative.

A nice side effect? I feel I broke through a few logjams that have held back my (personal) writing output, so expect a deluge of new music reviews over at Third Coast Review and more activity here as well!

It was mega to see Oasis return to the U.S.!

 

I saw Oasis last week and it was everything I'd hoped for. Read all about it in my review for Third Coast Review!

Incidentally, I did not plan on reviewing the show. But as I was making coffee the next morning I suddenly felt that familiar yet irresistible pull and as I ran to my keyboard I realized I'd already written a full review, it was just fighting to get out. Hope you dig it!

Recent reviews!

If you don't have Third Coast Review bookmarked or in your feeds (and why don't you?!) you may have missed two reviews I did last week. 

I covered the new album from The Kickback, and it's both a doozy and the best thing they've done so far. And I think everything they've done is great, so that's saying something!

And Dave Suh & the Dirty Wings released their debut collection of hooky rockers that left me feeling really good.

Laughing at yourself is the best medicine.

Last December I popped into Laurie's Planet of Sound for a quick look at the used CDs (as I often do when walking in that neighborhood) and spotted a mint-condition copy of the The Best Of The Best Show Numero Group compilation, and while I've heard many, many, many people talk about the Tom Scharpling show that often featured  Jon Wurster over the years I had never listened to it, yet I still felt an undeniable impulse to pick up the box set before I could reason myself out of spending the dough. The moment just felt right.

And I haven't regretted the decision one whit! The entire set is thus far delightful! 

I'm slowly making my way through, leisurely enjoying the segments one or two at a time, and yesterday I made it to disc 9 and the gem below that had me cry-laughing at myself for the first 2 acts and then sob-laughing so hard at the entirely expected unexpected turn the conversation takes.

While The Best Of The Best Show is out of print, if you ever see a used copy for sale, do yourself a favor and pick it up! And as you can see above, many of the segments collected in that box set are also on a series of compilations that are still available, so there's no need to put off digging into the show without the box set.

Also, and I swear this timings absolutely coincidental, but news broke recently that Tom Scharpling and Jon Wurster will be taking The Best Show on a 25th anniversary tour for a few dates this October. Just FYI.

New music for you to check out!

I did a Quick Spins over at Third Coast Review covering new releases from Violets, OK Cool, Danimal Farm, and Post Animal. Check it out and give the albums a spin and pick up the ones you dig!

Muy Malkmus on the solo tip.

Photo by me!

Last May we saw Stephen Malkmus play an acoustic solo set at Old Town School Of Folk Music that quite honestly featured songs I never, ever expected to hear performed live. Due to the wonders of the modern digital age, some kind soul uploaded the entire set for free to the Internet Archive, so you don't have to track down a bootleg cassette tape, or finagle some complicated trade for 3 Phish tapes and good Dead show for 3 indie performances of dubious quality plus Malkmus, or something like that.

So now you can enjoy this fantastic set as well!

And while we're talking Malkmus, if you missed my recent review of the Pavements movie, you can still check it out here.

,

A random hike through my morning brain.

I don’t know about you but I’m still getting my bearings. The last couple of years have held so much change (from the personal to the international) that I know I am a somewhat different person. Though I often wonder if I’m just returning to the core person I’ve always been; the one that somehow managed to survive despite being pushed into the background over the years. Whenever I am confused as to why when I meet two people at the same time, one person immediately likes me as a human while the other can’t stand me, I have always reckoned that the one being nice to me sees the painfully nice guy buried deep inside all the protective layers I’ve accumulated over the years. Then again, I have grown to believe that the layers of protection I built up were pretty easy to see through or bypass for most people, when they wanted to.

Does any of that make any sense?

I am really trying to get back to a more regular cadence of public writing, because I think it was that constant process that helped keep me tenuously tethered to the world in the more out-of-control periods in my life. These days there's no drama and therefore no more out-of-control periods, and if anything I worry I keep too much in my head, mistakenly keeping it to myself because I don't think I can get it exactly right, and I fear being misinterpreted.

But isn't fear of misinterpretation built into the core elements of writing? You're always taking a chance you'll look like a fool or worse, any time you try and write something honestly. And while I can certainly bend words to my will, I continue to be driven by honesty in my written output, so I'm always putting my neck out there. And in recent years I think I was rightfully cautious as I decided how I wanted to proceed.

I'm getting there. And as always, if you're reading this sentence right now, you haven't a clue how appreciative I am of your existence and that you'd spend a few seconds/minutes with me in your brain, hopefully helping both of us feel a little more seen in this world.

Yes, the latest is a pretty super 'Superman' movie.

I have found all the cinematic versions of Superman enjoyable in different ways. But this latest Superman stands a very good chance at becoming my favorite version. It’s the first to truly tell the story using the wilder and more playful (and in moments, more emotionally effective) lens of the comics, instead of trying to make a comic book story more “realistically” cinematic. 

No spoilers here, but I will divulge it’s also just a really good dang time in the theater. Our showing was packed and it makes me so happy so many people are seeing a movie with a strongly positive overall message that also just feels good to watch together.

P.S. It was an impulse purchase and ridiculously expensive, but I do not regret, not one whit, picking up this adorable Krypto popcorn bucket. Now I just have to decide whether he lives in my office at home or downtown.

How could anyone say no to this?!

Goin' mobile (within reason).

I bought a car a few months ago, so for the first time since 2009 I can get around the city (and suburbs and other states and countries and who know where else) in my own vehicle instead of relying on public transport, or another person’s car.

I hadn’t planned on buying a new car. The one time I could’ve really used one was during the pandemic, and goodness knows I am really hoping a situation like that doesn’t arise again in my lifetime.* But an opportunity from a long-trusted friend presented itself and I was able to purchase their used car for a fair price. I’ve never owned a new car in my life, but this is the closest to “new” I’ve owned thus far … and the car is already 14 years old.

I debated the purchase in my head, weighing all the pros and cons, and all the fears the responsibility of ownership of an item that requires a constant influx of money just to keep insured and full of gas, with mountains of potential dough going out the window should the vehicle require anything beyond those two things. But I got over my doubts, and the benefits really did outweigh my concerns, so I bought it.

I was worried it would impact my step streak, but I’m still walking as much as I ever had. Bt it has had one unexpected benefit I couldn’t have foreseen: I’ve completely stopped ordering food or groceries for delivery. Which means my snacking on impulse deliveries has dropped to almost zero, which has been pretty terrific for both my wallet and my waistline!**

Another unexpected outcome? I am loathe to lose a good parking space when I get one right on front of my house, which also reduces frivolous trips in favor of still getting most of my errands done on foot.

But as the weather gets nicer, I will happily lose those great parking spots on a regular basis in favor of driving out to different forest preserves and such to really widen the terrain of pretty hikes and fun excursions this summer! I've already starting knocking a few long-held to-visit spots on my list and am eager to pick up the pace.

Vroom vroom and zoom zoom indeed!

*Though the way things are going, I’m feeling less secure that will in fact happen. But I'm trying to keep it positive today, m'kay?

**In the “healthy, I feel better” sense. I am far less concerned with the vain reasons for reducing one’s waistlines these days. However, owning a car and discovering that Whole Foods carries all the "good" and "rare" Jeni's Ie Cream flavors has caused me to exhibit more self control in this area than I would have expected.

A quick sidebar to boogie down to.

Christine and the Queens and Cerrone photo by Thomas Spault

This song's been out for a spell, but I hadn't heard it until the EP it'll be on showed up in my email a few days ago. My bad! Otherwise I'd've been blasting this song from Disco legend Cerrone and the hypnotic Christine and the Queens all summer long (instead of, y'know, 4/5 of the Chicago summer)! It's light and sprightly while keeping a heavy beat anchor that will meld with your limbic system to promote positive grooves into your brain and brighten your day whether you like it or not. Me? I like it!

Snag the song through the Bandcamp player below, or get the full Catching Feelings EP when it's realized July 4.

 

Tuff Tamale's "proper" debut is almost here!

It's not that Kip and I haven't released versions of our music over the last couple years, but the upcoming Tuff Tamale release has me stoked since it finally feels like the right collection of tunes to issue as a "debut."

(Though, yes, Kitten Trapper Keeper is out there, but think of that as the mixtape and this new release as the album.)

And just in time for Riot Fest, it will feature a new mix of "We Hate Everything," since I think it's OK at this point in time to publicly reveal that we were also the duo behind Ur Lineup Sux, Bro.

We're hoping to have it on both Bandcamp and Spotify at then same time.

A new EP from Woolworthy with both the brand spankin' new and a few old faves.

On their latest EP—Fall With You, out now—Woolworthy continues to make a strong case for their continued reunion.* It's got 2 new numbers, and 2 songs familiar to anyone who's caught the band live in, oh, the last 20 years or so. While many are excited the band finally re-recorded "Moped Song" off an early release that has always seemed to be a fan favorite. But for me, hearing them finally lay down their version of Cheap Trick's "He's A Whore" is the song I'm most excited to finally have a non-live copy of.

If you're in Chicago, the band is playing an EP release show at Livewire Lounge on June 20. 

*Not that any case needed to be made, mind you.

'Pavements' gave me a chance to play a little bit.

I hiked out to the far 'burbs to catch Pavements a few weeks ago before it opened in Chicago, and put together this review of the film for Third Coast Review. 

Inspired by the movie, I took the opportunity to do something a little different with this review. Hope you dig it!