Catching Up With The Clean

My New Zealand obsession began as a teen, when I read The Bone People. Then, I discovered the bands on the Flying Nun label out of Dunedin. In 1990, I traveled Down Under, saw the Clean, Chris Knox, and Straitjacket Fits, and filed a story for The Village Voice. I saw the Clean again last night at the Echo. They’re still amazing.

Live: The Clean stays youthful at the Echo – latimes.com.

via Live: The Clean stays youthful at the Echo – latimes.com.

Big Brother Is Watching

Gee, I wonder what government could be funding this. Stieg Larsson, Cory Doctorow, and Julian Assange warned us about this.

Russia computer experts who detected Flame malware issue warning – latimes.com.

via Russia computer experts who detected Flame malware issue warning – latimes.com.

Bravo “Follies”

I saw Follies on Saturday and rereading Charles McNulty’s review in the LA Times, I have to say, he was spot on. It’s cheering to see a big musical like this done so smartly — how else would you do Sondheim, of course. Follies is a meta-musical, i.e. it’s a show about shows. Unlike so many plays, the second act is better than the first. I loved the weird pink pinata vagina stage, and all the over-the-top confessional numbers. As Charlie said, Jan Maxwell and Danny Burstein deliver definitive numbers. It’s worth it just to see the costumes. And the chorus members deserved their own standing ovation.

Theater review: ‘Follies’ at the Ahmanson Theatre – latimes.com.

via Theater review: ‘Follies’ at the Ahmanson Theatre – latimes.com.

Metal Mother Lita Ford

Lita Ford talked with Decibel magazine about being a mom who rocks. Watch this space for my upcoming LA Times interview with the erstwhile Runaway. And happy Mother’s Day!

 

A Metal Mother’s Day Chat With Lita Ford + “Mother” Track Premier | Decibel Magazine.

via A Metal Mother’s Day Chat With Lita Ford + “Mother” Track Premier | Decibel Magazine.

Obama Affirms Same-Sex Marriage

Amen.

 

News Videos – Yahoo!.

via News Videos – Yahoo!.

Paddling Pedro

Last Saturday I went kayaking off Cabrillo Beach with legendary bassist Mike Watt (Minutemen, fIREHOSE, Stooges, etc.). Three Rooms Books just punished a collection of shots he’s taken around San Pedro, On and Off Bass. Watt has wonderfully captured the mix of industry and nature I see out my window every day. Here’s the story I wrote:

Punk’s Mike Watt shows different frame of mind in ‘On and Off Bass’ – latimes.com.

via Punk’s Mike Watt shows different frame of mind in ‘On and Off Bass’ – latimes.com.