All hail the hale and hirsute Mitchell Kaplan. He’s a fuzzy intellectual who truly nurtures writers — I should know! In his acceptance speech at the National Book Awards, he talks about founding Books & Books and the Miami Book Fair — and about the importance of the stores that link writer and reader. Word.
Mitchell Kaplan’s acceptance speech upon receiving the NBF’s 2011 Literarian Award on Vimeo on Vimeo
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“Picking up an instrument is not the easiest thing in the world for a lot of people. There’s a fear about it. If you’ve already had to battle the ‘being queer’ thing, you can do anything. You’re not accepted anyways, so fuck it.” So Laura Kennedy of the Bush Tetras told me in 2000, when I interviewed her for “Girls + Guitars,” my overview of dykes and punk for Out magazine. RIP Laura. Hep C is a mother-fucker — it’s got a hold on too many stars of that era.
RIP Laura Kennedy of Bush Tetras – Minneapolis Music – Gimme Noise.
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Cherie Currie reportedly posted Lita Ford’s comments about a Runaways reunion on her Facebook page. So it looks like she’s on board. Who will play bass? And drums? Laurie McAllister and Sandy West are no longer with us. And Jackie Fox and Vicki Blue have not been on Joan’s good side. Tell me what you think below.
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I said it yesterday, and I’ll say it again: The Runaways are going to reunite. Lita Ford, who reportedly scuttled the last attempt at a reunion, told the Chicago Sun-Times she’s ready:
“I would love it. I can’t answer that question, but I would love it,” she said. “We were ahead of our time. Now, people are realizing we were ahead of our time. We inspired so many different artists, and not just girls.”
via Lita Ford to rock out at Tailgaters Nov. 18 – The Naperville Sun.
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More than three decades after the Runaways rancorously split up, Joan Jett and Lita Ford are finally talking again. As recently as this summer, Ford had publicly been disagreeing with Jett and her camp over issues like the Runaways tribute album and The Runaways movie (which made Ford look like an ass. Admittedly, the guitarist has a rep for her fiery Italian temper.) But Jett’s manager, Kenny Laguna, told me several weeks ago that there had been a rapprochement. Lita confirmed in a recent Chicago Tribune interview that she and Joan had dinner.
Lita Ford interview – chicagotribune.com.
Runaways singer Cherie Currie and Jett have already overcome past differences, and share Laguna as manager. Could a Runaways reunion be in the works? A girl can dream, damn it.
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“The world’s in trouble, there’s no communication.” “Bad Reputation” is still one of the greatest songs of all time. And I love the way Dave Grohl yells “Joan Jett!” when it’s over. A genuine arena-rock blast. Come on rock hall voters; you’re paying attention, right!
Foo Fighters and Joan Jett – Bad Reputation – Madison Square Garden,NYC 11-13-2011 – YouTube.
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During the last depression, they called them Hoovervilles. In this American autumn, we call them occupations. Amanda Palmer presciently released this photo tour of Occupy spaces yesterday afternoon, before New York’s mayor evicted Wall Street’s pioneers. She sings an old song about a previous generation of patriots, the Diggers. I still prefer Billy Bragg’s version, but AFP’s is well timed.
Amanda Palmer performs “The World Turned Upside Down” – YouTube.
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Populism 