SpitJournal:

What starts with I

2008-05-20T20:24:09Z

Here's a rumor (or, rumour for those of you who only read British English) in the form of a riddle:
What starts with I,
was once 2, but became 4,
has hosted more male guests than a bathhouse in the 70s,
and might be returning from the abyss to destroy the unworthy?

World AIDS Day 2007

2007-12-01T23:16:21Z

Over some pints of good, dark English beer last night with a friend, I recalled my experience of seeing the AIDS quilt. I was in Washington, DC for the 2000 March on Washington. After the march and rally concluded, my boyfriend (at the time) and I decided to walk over to the Smithsonian. We were unaware at the time that the AIDS quilt was being displayed on the grounds outside the museum. Blindsided and unprepared for what we were about to witness, we were both overcome with emotion as soon as we approached the quilt. As is tradition, names of those who had passed were being read over a loud speaker by volunteers. Each person would read a list of names and, at the end, say something like, "And my brother..." and read one last name before passing the microphone on to the next volunteer.

If you've never seen the quilt, it's an incredible visual representation of the lives lost. Each panel of the quilt is dedicated to an individual who succumbed to the disease. Sewn into the fabric are pictures, favorite sayings, favorite pieces of clothing, and other remembrances of the life that has passed. The quilt is no longer displayed in it's entirety because it has grown to enormous proportions.

This morning, I read of the rise in HIV infections among young people in the United States. The experts interviewed in the story suggest that young people never witnessed the horrific results of the initial wave of AIDS deaths and are not afraid of the disease. The disease seems manageable to them - hey, look how healthy and happy everyone looks in those pharmaceutical ads! This development is a failure that stains all of us. We're clearly not communicating to young people the danger that they face. We're not communicating that the AIDS meds are no picnic and they ain't cheap either. In short, we're not explaining that, yes, great strides have been made, but AIDS is still fatal.

Today, remember those you have lost. Contemplate those that you never got to know.

Tomorrow, commit yourself to taking every opportunity to sound the warning to young people.

bumper sticker

2007-07-11T20:29:48Z

A few years ago, in the run-up to the US invasion of Iraq, a flame war occurred on the forum that used to exist on the Spitshine Records website. It was an ugly, knock-down drag-out fight wherein I was called everything from coward to communist to the dreaded "un-American" because of my opposition to Bush's foreign policy.

Recalling that nasty little exchange, London Spitshine operative Adam sent me his suggestion for a new bumper sticker:

Hate Crime in Indiana

2007-06-12T14:56:01Z

Hate crime in Indiana?

by Steven Higgs
June 6, 2007

The simple facts in Shorty Hall's murder shout major media. Brian Williams or Katie Couric, maybe. Bill Moyers, someday. Indianapolis Star, unquestionably.

The 1998 hate-crime murder of Matthew Shepard in Wyoming is commonly invoked in comparison.

Thirty-five-year-old, 5-foot-4, 100-pound Aaron Hall was brutally beaten on April 12 for hours by two teens who have described the murder in chilling detail to police. Each says Hall precipitated the violence by making a homosexual suggestion.

The beatings included repeated pummelings with fists and boots and dragging Hall down a wooden staircase by his feet as "his head bounced down all of the steps," in one of the accused's words. He died naked and alone, in a field, where he had crawled after his killers dumped his body in a roadside ditch.

Police found Hall's body 10 days after his death wrapped in a tarp in the garage of Jackson County Deputy Coroner Terry Gray, whose son is one of the accused.

According to the local paper, The Crothersville Times, a witness said 19-year-old Garrett Gray, upon learning that Hall was dead, "began vomiting and making statements of what his dad would say when he found out about this incident."

The fact that this tale has received almost no media attention outside Jackson County, Monroe's far southeast-corner neighbor, is but one of its bizarre twists.

Another is the suggestion that Hall made no sexual advance on 18-year-old Coleman King, the other accused, that he and Gray made up the story as an excuse for murder.

There's a legal theory for their argument. It's called the "gay panic defense," and it suggests that temporary insanity from exposure to homosexuality is a defense against murder. Matthew Shepard's killers tried to use it.

The rest of the story can be read here:
http://bloomingtonalternative.com/articles/2007/06/06/8379

Brian Grillo checking in....

2007-05-15T15:12:22Z

Spitshine Records received this report from Mr. Grillo regarding what the hell he's been up to and how he's been spending all those cash advances we've been sending....
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It's almost done!!! We finished another new tune last night so that makes nine songs in the can so far. We have so many ideas that we could keep recording for the next three years although we're really excited about getting this music out into the world sooner than later.

I'm working with my long time friend William Tutton. Bill is an amazing bass player, producer, and song writer. Besides being able to bounce ideas off of each other, it's fun hanging out with him and bringing in my kooky ideas; like last night when we brought in a singer named Kerr, who fronts an Iron Maiden tribute band to sing a real high part that my voice would never have been able to reach. Actually this project is so different than anything I've done before because we have been able to bring in an array of different people to help us along. Each person always brings something unique and unexpected. That is what is so awesome about the collaborative process. Some of the new stuff is straight up rock, other songs are more soulful, and a few even pick up where Extra fancy left off. Actually, Michael Hately who used to play guitar in Extra Fancy is playing on some of the material, and mastering the songs for us.

Hopefully when this comes out, the next step will be to play these songs live, as I am really missing playing in front of a live audience with a loud band. Also included with this collection of fine music will be a cookbook as we both share a fondness for creating fine cuisine.

At the same time I'm working with my old pals from Extra Fancy on an anthology of the Sinnerman, and No Mercy albums, and, some unreleased recordings and demos, as well as a DVD of our videos and live shows to be out some time this year. It's funny now when I look back at the time after Extra Fancy broke up and said that I would never do music again... What is that old Romeo Void song?? Never say never??? Yeah, that’s the one....

All Transmitters to Full, All Receivers to Boost

2007-05-15T14:43:49Z

And the envelope says...

2007-05-03T05:16:00Z

I'm not sure how much suspense I actually generated with the last post, but I think dergerm was at least a little intrigued, so...

- Brian Grillo's next record will be released sometime this summer. (Uh-huh.)
- Spitshine Records is on the verge of signing a Seattle punk rock band. (Yep.)
- Spitshine Records is moving to Calgary. (Lie.)
- Spitshine partner Corey is a furry. (Could be true. Don't know for sure.)
- Mitch Fury of the Skinjobs now resides in Los Angeles and will be playing in the Bungholes, the all-gay Bangles cover band. (He actually is in LA now, however he has not, to my knowledge, joined any actual tribute bands.)

Secrets and Lies

2007-04-30T13:47:03Z

You decide which is a secret and which is a lie:
- Brian Grillo's next record will be released sometime this summer.
- Spitshine Records is on the verge of signing a Seattle punk rock band.
- Spitshine Records is moving to Calgary.
- Spitshine partner Corey is a furry.
- Mitch Fury of the Skinjobs now resides in Los Angeles and will be playing in the Bungholes, the all-gay Bangles cover band.

Just when I thought queercore was dead...

2007-04-02T14:37:56Z

...I found a band that really turns my crank. And they're from Denver, CO. Who would've thunk it?

I suppose it was just a matter of time before someone mixed GWAR-style theatrics (which was always kind of gay anyway, right?) with queercore. Throw in some hilariously queeny co-vocals and you've got MARIS THE GREAT AND THE FAGGOTS OF DEATH.

I have a request: I would like to see a bill with this band, the Skinjobs, and Limpwrist. Thanks.

World AIDS Day

2006-12-01T14:57:44Z

You oughta try to keep alive
Sweet little pills like candy knives
Now there's a battle going on
Tell me again which side I'm on
I try to force it down the hole
I put the lid and cap the soul
I swear to god before I sleep
That they won't be the death of me

A sixty-foot Chicano man
I was his steel bone-crushing hand
Out on a street to capture prey
I took his secrets to the grave
We were driving without wheels
Nobody told us what to feel
So we went at it all full force
Came alive with no-alive with no
Alive with no remorse

Can you please twist the screws
A little tighter up i my mind
They got me chewing nuts and bolts
Just like a 3D frankensten
I'm walking into walls
It's not the same place I used to know
Feels like my head is static
On a transistor radio

And when you wake up all alone
And all your nightmare friends go home
There's no need to apologize
Just force it back inside
Another battle rages on
But you just can't cut and run
'Cause if you let it take control
You will lose all your heart
All your heart and soul

(lyrics by Brian Grillo)

10 Songs for Election Day

2006-11-07T19:40:12Z

1. KYEO (Keep Your Eyes Open) - Fugazi
2. Hot Spot - iamloved
3. Check It Out - John Mellencamp
4. Scuffletown - Avail
5. Waiting For the Great Leap Forward - Billy Bragg
6. Stomping Back on Fire - Brian Grillo
7. Twerp - I Can Lick Any Sonofabitch In the House
8. Man in Black - Johnny Cash
9. Fortunate Son - Sleater-Kinney (cover)
10. Beast of Burden - Rolling Stones

Hello America

2006-11-07T19:35:38Z

It's 11:32AM, Pacific Standard Time.

Have you voted yet?

Spitshine Rumor-mongering

2006-09-28T02:44:39Z

News Alert: Skinjobs' Mitch Fury moving to Los Angeles....

Is this some sort of mid-series queercore replacement for me while I write term papers at UC Davis? Is it like when Rose MacGowan replaced Shannen Doherty on Charmed? Is it all just a big lie?

Discuss amongst yourselves, then write a 5 to 6 page term paper, single-spaced, with complete citations and APA formatting. Have it on my desk by Monday.

Queercore in Brazil!

2006-09-24T17:12:36Z

I happened to come across this Brazilian website devoted to queercore. It's all in Portuguese, so I only have a (very) rough idea what it even says, but it seems pretty damn rad to me. Some of you may point out that I once had a Brazilian boyfriend, but the only Portuguese he taught me would be of little use unless the website was about how to pick up a trick. ;) Of course, you could use AltaVista's Babelfish site to translate it, but it's possibly even more inaccurate than if you just made up the translation yourself. Anyway, enjoy.

Corey Hallsted

2006-09-17T05:42:31Z

I met Corey Hallsted in 1995 at a college house party given by his girlfriend, who also happened to be my ex-girlfriend. No, I'm not shitting you about that. Anyway, we were instant friends. We talked about music that night for, oh, 4 hours probably. It may have been longer or shorter, I'm not sure. All I know is, it was long enough for Corey's girlfriend to become very perturbed. :) It's pretty much been that way ever since - every time we talk or hang out, it's a meeting of the minds and it usually revolves around either music, politics, or both and it usually goes on for hours and hours.

When Corey invited Best Revenge to Seattle to record in his just-built studio, we jumped at the chance. The result of that recording session was the Starts With You record. Although we mixed it long distance, Corey knew just what to do with the record. It led us to refer to Corey as the "fourth member of Best Revenge" in the liner notes of the album. I think all of those converations about music gave Corey a strong grasp of what I was looking for in a recording.

(A final bit of trivia about Corey's studio... KT from Best Revenge is part-owner in the studio and has been for years now.)

As I was making plans to start graduate school, I debated and debated with myself about how the label would fit into my life (and my schedule and my apartment). It became clear that I had few options and I was leaning toward shutting down the label. I mentioned my quandary to Corey on one of our marathon phone conversations and he floated the idea of becoming a partner in the label. He offered that he could shoulder some of the work and had space in his house for the inventory. Additionally, Washington state is a much much MUCH cheaper place to run a small business.

I don't know why I hadn't thought about it before, but it was perfectly logical that Corey become a partner in this little label known as Spitshine. Hell, he was around before, during and after the formation of it. Mostly, though, Corey just gets it and that means the world to me. You might think it would be difficult for me to share this baby with someone else and it probably would've been with anyone else, but sharing this with Corey is actually one of the easiest decisions I've ever made.

So, say 'hello' to Corey. Whatever time it is, he's probably still up.

Yes, the ugly rumors are true.

2006-08-01T17:16:30Z

Best Revenge will, in fact, for one night only, re-group and play live and direct. The date is Sunday, August 27. The venue is the Los Angeles Eagle (formerly known as the Gauntlet. Brand new name, same old seediness). Mark it on your calendar.... in blood.

That's all I got for now.

Deadlee's in a Movie (and shit)

2006-07-11T18:00:03Z

I don't know where my head's been, but I can't believe I just found out about Pick Up the Mic, the HomoHop documentary. Anyway, it's showing twice this weekend as part of Outfest in Los Angeles. Besides Spitshine's favorite MC, Deadlee, the documentary also features Deepdickcollective, Scream Club, Tori Fixx, Katastophe and more. Go and see this. If you're not in Los Angeles, check the film's website and see when it's playing near you.

As KT remarked to me the last time we saw Deadlee perform, "This is the most transgressive shit I've ever seen." Indeed.

My new favorite band

2006-06-09T18:15:17Z

Go see the Diffs. Then, go see them again.

And I'm not just sayin' that because they're from my hood. They're pure pure pure punk rock. And, really, isn't that what the world needs now?

Bonus: On their latest record, they sample Governor Arnold saying, "Money is all that really matters." Go kids go!

who's going to homo-a-go-go?

2006-06-02T19:46:58Z

This year's Homo-a-Go-Go festival in Olympia WA is looking to be killer and I'm not only saying that just because our own King Cheetah is on the line-up (although it helps!).

My pal Dead Lee is performing on Saturday night, which also includes Bob Mould (!!!) headlining. The brilliant and mind-blowing Vaginal Davis will be hosting on Friday evening, which is also the night the King Cheetah will play. One can only hope that one of the limeys gets the Sucker treatment from Ms. Davis. Queer hardcore band The Dead Betties is also playing that night and it looks like they may be doing some dates with the King Cheetah before and/or after the festival. Oh, and let's not forget the friggin' Gossip are playing too!

The bonus for me: I'm going to be doing a stint as roadie for the King Cheetah on this jaunt up the coast, so I'm gonna get to soak it all up.

If I had a lawyer, s/he'd probably ask me not to blog this...

2006-05-18T17:35:12Z

but I don't, so here goes!

The Brian Grillo bit in Newsweek seems to have attracted the attention of pharmaceutical company Bristol-Myers Squib. If you're unfamiliar with their products, you might've heard of one particular antiviral drug called Sustiva, which they produce. You may also be familiar with that name because you've seen it as a track title on the Brian Grillo Stomping Back On Fire record. See, Brian takes Sustiva and the song describes the nocturnal happenings of his first night on the drug. Apparently his dreams were a bit, uh, technicolor.

WELL, it seems the folks at BMS just can't get enough of Brian Grillo's punk rock blues opus. They've ordered more than a few copies and I even had to add a Fedex Overnight option on the merch page. It seems Grillo's got them so feverish that US Post wasn't gonna cut it! /sarcasm

Seriously, though, does anyone know a good lawyer? Um, not that I'll need one or anything.

p.s. Mr. Bristol-Myers Squib... I should refer you to an old saying regarding blood and a turnip.

Fake Cowboys Make Bad Presidents (lyrics R Revenge)

2006-05-17T17:17:26Z

He's no Merle Haggard
No Johnny Cash
One honest day of work
Probably give him a rash

He falls off his bike
Can't ride a horse
He launches wars
From a country club golf course

Fake cowboys make bad presidents
Fake cowboys make bad presidents
I'll tell you once, they I'll tell ya again
Fake cowboys make bad presidents

He's always down at the fake ranch
Clearing fake brush
While Baghdad explodes
Man, what a rush!

He loves the South so much
He let New Orleans drown
But even floating bodies
Don't get him down

Fake cowboys make bad presidents
Fake cowboys make bad presidents
I'll tell you once, they I'll tell ya again
Fake cowboys make bad presidents

He hates the gays
He hates lesbians too
Look out ya breeders
He's gonna get you too

He does love war
He never fought in a battle
Where I grew up we had a saying for this...
"All hat and no cattle"

Fake cowboys make bad presidents
Fake cowboys make bad presidents
What have we all learned, my friends?
Fake cowboys make bad presidents

the best night in, um, years?

2006-05-16T04:24:05Z

This past Friday night, KT and I performed a couple of Best Revenge songs at the 14 Year Old Girls' compound, Fort Cool II. It was such a blast. We hadn't done a show together since the Best Revenge "farewell" in December 2002.

The party was fully illegal and maybe that was part of the fun. It was a good crowd. No pretension. No hairdos substituting for personalities. Deadlee and Dorian Wood DESTROYED. The Munchers made us shake it. And Slow... well Slow just blew us all away with their Pixies-meets-Hum rockety rock.

And me, well, besides playing a couple of songs with KT Kombat, I played an Exit Plan song and a couple of new things including a song that I wrote just a few hours prior entitled "Fake Cowboys Make Bad Presidents". Maybe I'll have to post the lyrics later...

Now, I name-check in no particular order: Marvina 9000, Jimmy Jasmine, Rudy Bleu, Alan Bleyle, Bill and Andrew, Richard, Deadlee, Drastico, Paddy, Rob Moon, Simon Hancock and Robin Holden. Those are the names I remember, anyhow.

Thanks for the Fort Cool t-shirt!

There's Nothing More Beautiful Than Truth

2006-04-22T08:15:10Z

I think part of the heartbreak of rock n roll for me is that, after seeing a good show, I always expect to look around and see a changed world. Instead, I just see the same carefully constructed hairdos and ironic t-shirts and crossed-arms.

Anyway, that's what it looks like to me from this side of 1 am. How does it look to you?

¡Jimmy Jasmine!

2006-04-17T23:00:11Z

Mr. Jimmy Jasmine of iamloved fame has informed me that he's got a new band together. So far, he's calling it Parvo and notes that "Humans don't get it." Fuggin' Jimmy Jasmine. She's got her hair on.

Fun Stuff

2006-04-13T22:13:20Z

It's been a newsy week here at Spitshine. I'm writing about it here because one of these things is "about to happen" and another is "maybe gonna happen" so I don't want to spill ink on the front page of Spitshine just yet.

First off, Brian Grillo called me yesterday to let me know that a reporter from Newsweek has contacted him and setup an inteview in the next few days. 1,000,000+ circulation magazine? Yeah, we'll take that! Thanks.

Second of all, I've just been notified that The King Cheetah has been invited to play the North By Northeast festival in Toronto in June. Now it's just a matter of whether the lads can work the scheduling out.

Huzzah!