Book Nerd Time

I don't tend to have much free time at work (or anytime for that matter), but with the little spare time that I do have I always make time to check out Moistworks. The contributors to the blog are all writers and their posts always tie in music.

A frequent contributor to the site is author, music critic and New Yorker editor - Ben Greenman. I just picked up his latest book yesterday, Please Step Back, which Booksmith describes as "a swirling Sixties saga of the rise and fall of Rock Foxx, whose unprecedented mixed-race/mixed gender band makes socially conscious music that takes him to the height of worldwide rock stardom. But then his music begins to darken and disappear amidst rumors of sexual debauchery and drugs and violence, even as the culture itself explodes into assassinations and riots until people ask themselves: Whatever happened to Rock Foxx?"



OOOO - I can't wait to delve into this book tonight. Greenman will also be in the city tomorrow and Friday to discuss the novel. Now I can add to my Booksmith author card collection. Sorry Georgie. You won't be flying solo any longer.

4/30: The Booksmith, San Francisco (in conversation with Oscar Villalon)
5/1: Books Inc., San Francisco (in conversation with Joel Selvin)


The Rock Foxx character in Please Step Back is fictional, but also factual, based on such stars as Sly Stone, Bobby Womack, and Curtis Mayfield.

Greenman claims the novel is supposed to come with a special bonus song with lyrics he's penned and music written by the funk legend Swamp Dogg, who also performs the track. I opened the book and to my dismay there was no Swamp Dogg track. What gives?!

Maybe at the event the author will perform the song? Just to tide ya'll over, here's one of my all-time favorite Swamp Dogg jams - The Baby Is Mine. Enjoy and I'll see you tomorrow at The Booksmith!

The Baby Is Mine - Swamp Dogg

Record Store Day

Thank god I just got paid a few days ago, because tomorrow's Record Store Day! Riding down market street last week, I couldn't help but notice the sad site that is the Virgin Mega Store. Not that I've ever even stepped foot in Virg Meg, but it's still quite sad to see record stores (even megastores) shutting down all across the country. Outside the store was a young lad with a double-sided sign declaring not that God loves you but that there's still hope - in the form of Rasputin. SAD. Now it's your turn to get out there and support the stores that are still thriving (or hanging on as the case may be). Not sure what's going down at Aquarius, but there will be some in-stores at Amoeba. Go spend that $ that's burning a hole in your wallet!

Record Store Day

Big News

This little lady is finally bidding adieu to casa de shag (carpeting). Page street has been my home sweet home for almost five years, but a change was definitely in order. I had the talk with my AMAZING roommate Mona last night and it was pretty heart wrenching. She's seen all of my sides, been there for me through heartaches, put up with a LOT (moving in a boyfriend, weekend long benders) and never complained. She even put up with my cheesy decor and constant need to burn incense. We were the perfect fit for each other and I think in all of the years together we maybe got in two fights, of which last two seconds. Part of me thought we were going to grow old together and turn into crazy cat ladies that sat around eating frosting out of a jar.

I wasn't really looking for a new place, but the opportunity came up and I couldn't let it pass me by. I'll finally be able to have my herb garden and a real one this time. Not just a few dying plants lined up in my fire escape. I also hear that our upstairs neighbor has quite the green thumb, so I can't wait to put my gardening skilz to use.

Great things about my new roomy Shane - he owns guns, has an adorable cat and brings his own beer cozy's to bars. How can you go wrong with someone like that? I just hope he doesn't hate my taste in tunes...

My Kinda Valentine's Day

I don't typically venture outside of my apartment for Valentine's Day (or many other "holidays" for that matter), but this year might be a different story. My favorite little dive bar in the TL will host a release party for San Francisco Noir 2: The Classics.

For more info on the event check out:

Valentine's Day Noir

Authors from San Francisco Noir, Volumes One and Two will read selections from their works and the works of noir masters of the past. With Noir City behind me I'm still not ready to let the dream die. I can't think of a better way to spend Valentine's Day!

DJ gig

Hey kiddies: If you haven't escaped SF yet for the holidays, then come on out to my happy hour DJ night at the Casanova Lounge tomorrow. Julie and I will be on the decks until 9. Raquelle's preparing some special holiday drinks (I'm hoping for spiced cider) and I hear the mustache charity boys will be showing off their 'staches. Hope to see you there!

Date Autism: WTF is Nerdcore?

Date autism has struck me once again. Last night my buddy Andrew and I attempted to go see the Monks documentary The Transatlantic Feedback at the Red Vic. We had a beer next door and arrived a few minutes late. A preview for a documentary on Nerdcore began.

Unknown to Andrew and I, this is a burgeoning Hip Hop movement. Five minutes passed, ten....this preview seemed to go on FOREVER. Why so many Weird Al sound bites? After fifteen or so minutes we both began to wonder if this really was a preview. Being a wuss, I forced Andrew to go ask the Red Vic crew. So apparently the Monk's run ended on Monday night. Needless to say, we didn't stay and learn all about Nerdcore.


The Monks



I guess I'll just have to wait and watch this on Netflix :(

Speaking of missed events, I didn't make it out to the Sir Richard Bishop show at Du Nord a few weeks back (or the Aquarius in-store), but luck is on my side this time around. There's going to be a live taping of interviews with Sir Richard Bishop and Jello Biafra this evening for the VBS.TV station. Ian Svenonius (Nation of Ulysses) hosts the Soft Focus program, which previous episodes have featured interviews with the eyeball licker himself Calvin Johnson, Billy Childish, Ian Mackaye and many more. Hopefully I can haul on out to North Beach in time.

Soft Focus

This is an RSVP only event, so if it's not to late, go get yrself on the list:


RSVP Here



Cobbs
915 Columbus Avenue
6:30-10:00

Later in the evening there's a post-interview after party at which Ian Svenonius and Jesse Pearson (Vice) will be spinning records at the Hemlock Tavern.

Should be a fun night.

Frisco Freakout!

I had a blast at the Frisco Freakout yesterday. Thanks to Rich and Ripley for organizing such an awesome event. http://friscofreakout.com/
Pretty much my dream lineup: Assemble Head In Sunburst Sound, Grey Ashley, Wooden Shjips, Sleepy Sun, Crystal Antlers, Earthless and an onslaught of others. I got a chance to get my Earthless noodeling fix on. Crystal Antlers were amazing. Then again I'm always a sucker for bands with multiple drummers. The highlight of the day/night for me though were definitely SF's own Sleepy Sun.

On the band's site you can download their Embrace album! http://sleepysun.net/

Apparently Rocktober is in full swing. After Treasure Island, Hardly Strictly and the Frisco Freakout dare I say I'm showed out?