Interplanetary Unicorn

Hello, all, and Happy New Year! And what could portend happiness better than a trans-planetary winged unicorn, in oil on black velvet? Saw this painting on eBay and HAD TO HAVE IT. Question for discussion:Is the unicorn flying or just weightless?

Star-eyed goth? man? woman?

Another piece that I've had for a while. My sense is that it's supposed to be Marilyn Manson, but that's far from clear. It looks a little like Todd Rundgren, but it may be some Bowie-esque figure, or it could just be some random goth guy or gal. Some nice touches here, especially the four purple starbursts surrounding the head. The briar wrapped around the neck. The mist/halo around the hair. The painting is not signed, not dated, and not titled, so that means your guess is as good as mine!

It's Halloween!

No better time than Halloween to salute that the awesome Shaggs! Although they are charitably described as "outsider" music, and were supposedly one of Frank Zappa's favorite groups, what they really are is three well-meaning young women who could not sing, play instruments, or write songs, and yet somehow succeeded brilliantly at all three. From the lisping vocals, to the randomly strumming guitar, to the drums that usually sounded like they were playing a different song, the Shaggs on one hand were a true disaster. They modestly entitled their album "Philosophy of the World." And yet...and yet, their charm and awfulness is somehow transmogrified into something incredible. Yes, I know they sound terrible, but most bands couldn't sound this terrible if they tried.

Anyway, one of my fave Shaggs songs is "It's Halloween." Someone has graciously posted a YouTube video with the song accompanying some sort of Halloween parade or something. Wasn't really paying attention...was just listening to the Shaggs roll over me. Hope you enjoy them too. Happy Halloween!

Circus in Town Album

Circus in Town! Flee while you can!

From the enclosed booklet: "Gee, it almost takes our breath away when we think of the old time circus that our childhood knew and loved. From the time that the gaudy posters heralded the coming of that circus we were on the tiptoe of expectancy."

Dear reader, I don't want to leave you on the tiptoe of expectancy, so let's jump ahead a few pages: "The country girls, their finery crumpled by the long day in town, blushed when some old farmer teasingly bantered the awkward young escorts. And then--the grand entry! Do you remember how the next hour thrilled you and how it danced by on feet that seemed shod with fairy wings?"

Don't know how they make shoes out of fairy wings, but I think I'd like to watch.

Walking on the Skies

I was just in the Phoenix airport, and noticed that the carpet has little airplanes on it. Maybe I'm just a total geek, but I thought it was kinda cool...nice attention to detail! And I think the circles represent the radar from the control tower...even cooler. Although it's certainly possible that, rather than that, each plane is spiraling into a vortex of doom. Not such a happy carpet after all, maybe...

Far Out Band

These musicians came all the way from some distant galaxy to entertain us with their unearthly tunes. I think I saw this in an episode of "X-Files" once. Are they wearing spacesuits or armor? Anyway, I'd love to know if there are more members of this band, but these are the only two I've ever found. Use the magic of imagination to hear the music they might be making. (No, it does NOT sound like the cantina scene in Star Wars!)

Betty Serves it Up Real Good...

Let's take a moment to salute the '90s awesomeness of Bettie Serveert!