Get Excited! ...Again!

I was already stoked about tomorrow night's Downtown Underground when I dropped by Absurd Machine Studio today at 72 Princess St. and it was then I had a revelation which increased my level of stoked-ness.

When I first read the address nothing special occured to me. When I first walked up the stairs no memories of ever having been in the building kicked in. When I was shown around the space I was taken back on what a wicked job these guys did reonovating and retrofitting this place for all sorts of creative projects they have on the go, but still didn't recognize where I was. It wasn't until they took me up on to a balcony built (not too long ago in the grand scheme of things) when I looked down and realized I was staring in to the corner where a stage once stood that hosted bands like 7 Seconds, Circle Jerks, SNFU, Artificial Life, Beyond Possesion, Global Genocide, Mourning Sickness, The Replacements, Government Issue and the list goes on.

Now Be:Cultured was holding it's art show in support of Call*Response in this same great space that once was a black cave that once hosted some of the greatest mosh pits in my own life history and transformed it into a beautiful space ready to host one amazing show.

How amazing you ask? Aside from the live music, live art and the plethora of local photographers and artists displaying their goods you get this:

Two "John's" for the price of NONE! That's right! Admission is free and two of my favourite local photographers are in the show.

"John" # 1 is Johnny Campbell. I'm anxious to see what he brings to the show. He's always got something interesting on the go. Here's a sample from his blog.

"John" # 2 is the photographer I've looked up to most over the past 23 years; Jon Schledewitz. He's been here, there and everywhere documenting life around him since before we even met. Here's a sample of his from a Mouthpiece show from way back.

The show runs 6pm-11pm Thursday and Friday. See you there (unless of course I dislike you...then feel free to stay at home).

Mind Like a Door.

Sometimes my mind's just like a door
it's open night and day
always open to suggestion
Don't want to throw a good idea away
Sometimes my mind's just like a door
it's closed so no one can get in
Too afraid to leave it open
afraid a stranger might come in
Sometimes my mind's just like a door
It's made out of the thickest wood
And you may try your best to kick it down
But that won't do you any good
Sometimes my mind's just like a door
and I lose the key,
I find myself locked outside
Trying to break back in so desperately -SNFU

So here's the deal. Sometimes I get sick or close to it. When I am at that point I am likely in a bed or on a couch and not in front of a computer. In turn, productivity goes down! Way down!

Since I haven't been out and about town I have decided to keep it close to home and bring your attention to my son's door. Since I'm on the subject of doors I am reminded of SNFU's Mind Like a Door song. The lyrics often match my own state of mind, but yet they have nothing to to with my son's door...so back to that...

I don't recall ever being asked for permission for stickers to be applied to his door, but yet it would have been silly to deny such a request with stickers over a good handful of other household items. Kids like stickers...so it's always interesting to see if they get put up with discretion or simply at random. Is there a grand design in mind or does it just evolve as the stickers arrive? I'm not really sure but I do really dig his door.

That's that.

Don't take things for granted

What skate video trailers used to offer.

Technology really has come a long way...

So it begins...

Can't handle the winter? Can't wait for the new indoor skate park to finish construction? Turn that frown upside down and make your own silver lining in your little black cloud!

Round up your tools...

Round up a friend...

Note: You'll have more success with more than one.

Don't bring a knife to a gunfight?

What's going to work? Teamwork!

Be awesome!

Let there be ramps!

To be continued...

LEGENDS of the STACHE - Opening night.

We made our way out to the Graffiti Gallery for the LEGENDS of the STACHE show.

There were mustaches everywhere.

More impressively, there was great art abound!

Ryan Seradilla's "Secret STACHE" was the first piece to grab my attention when I walked in the room.

Rodrigo Pradel's "Got Milked" was delicious.

If it's not too late, someone please buy this for me! That's my way of saying Justin Kovesy's "Swedish Chef" is AWESOME!

Justin himself with Tommy.

"Tsou Cha Kai" by Wes Harcus

Wes!

Rich Handford's "Unmasked"

Ryan Poworoznik's "Yilan Tanri"

Our friend Ryan and his friends.

...and we were off!

Disclaimer: We only showed you a small sample of walls and walls full of great art...so if you haven't been...go check out the show!

In the backyard.

Dana in the backyard circa 1991 shot on Ilford 120 HP5.

Back to the archives

With snow on the ground, there hasn't been much going on around here in the last day or two so it's time to dip in to the archives.

Here's another shot of Gary V. at Victoria Beach May long weekend circa 1991 shot on Kodak 120 print film.

Maybe fork bracelets will have a comeback.

LEGENDS of the STACHE

Now this is happening!

Thursday night at the Graffiti Gallery! See you there!

Back to the market.

The day started off early with a 7:45am breakfast party, but the camera was left behind so we start today's post off at lunchtime instead via Black Sheep Diner.

Tofu Scrambler

Vegan French Toast (yeah it's covered in coconut!)

Heuvo Rancheros minus the heuvo

While we were there we bumped in to April and...

...Dwayne

After grub and visiting we headed out to the Thirsty's Flea Market on Ellice Ave.

Arthur Fonzarelli!

Art.

Then some old dude told me I couldn't take pictures. I assume it's because we wouldn't want anyone to find out there were things for sale? ...so we moved on.

Back to Mulvey Flea Market.

Two of the vendors I was planning on buying from were no-shows so we kept on truckin'. I bought four paintings for ten dollars and then continued browsing.

Scoped out this Elite miniature spy camera.

Another miniature oldie.

Time, hear the tick of the clock tick-tock!

Natalie scored a lamp and a 7 Seconds e.p.!

That was that. Put the camera away for the day and ended up finishing the day off with a Jon LaJoie performance! Awesome! Thanks Ruben (SFL)!

The scanner

Some friends came over today to use the scanner. We scanned their great images throughout the afternoon. Many hours later...I scanned some of my own. It dawned on me I had posted the light test shot prior to this roll, but nothing else.

Friends in the park.

That's that!

P&S BLACK FRIDAY SALE -Starts Now!

Why wait? Start saving now! BLACK FRIDAY SALE starts today in our ONLINE STORE!

All shirts are 30% off for the entire week and we're paying the shipping! Enter discount code "BLACKFRIDAY"

Note: This sale is for the online store only. Sale ends Midnight on November 25th, 2011

Then and now - Full Circle Stop

Despite how excited I was about the opportunity to go see Youth of Today in Toronto last Friday I was on the fence about spending the big bucks on a plane ticket until just days before the show. Seeing a good band is lovely, but it's often hard to justify spending money on a flight just to make it happen. I was looking for a good excuse, one more reason to go to Toronto or "a sign". Two days before the show that sign came in the form of an old friend getting in touch over the internet.

I hadn't heard from him in over two decades, but if there was a sign this was it. My friend Len used to be the drummer in one of the longer lasting musical efforts from my past;Peak of Outrage. We not only listened to Y.O.T. together, we did back to back covers of Positive Outlook/Slow Down during some of our sets to bring that NYHC influence to our fans.

After the P.O.O. gig Len went on to play with local band Orange Juice.

After Orange Juice disbanded Len left Winnipeg and joined the ranks of west coast hardcore's Strain. He eventually moved east and drummed for NY's 108 for a spell before eventually settling in Toronto.

I asked him if he'd like to see Y.O.T. me and he asked me if I was crazy... of course he did.

It was no surprise to me that Len is still at it creating and writing music in his crib, always ready to start the next project.

Downtown Underground

Be:Cultured Presents Downtown Underground in Support of Call*Response December 1st at 6:00pm Absurd Machine Studios, 3rd Floor 72 Princess Street, Winnipeg, MB

I will have some prints up on display and FOR SALE! Be nice to your walls. Come down and buy some photos!

Flea Market finds

We're well on our way in to winter around here so we're doing our best to adjust our activities based on less than desirable weather. We headed down to Mulvey Flea Market this past Sunday to fill the void and take a look around, cause you never know what you're going to find.

The first vendor we visited had bins of patches for cheap! This Charged GBH patch was a good find at 50 cents!

Of course for 50 cents you could also be the "proud" owner of this less than desirable Skrewdriver patch.

There's one thing I know for sure. Black Joe doesn't approve!

Wow! Moving along... the next vendor and I were trying to figure out what the significance is behind the tennis lady with the clown paint on her face. Maybe she's a Juggalo or a Crunk Clown on the side? Weird.

Orange Crush!

Somebody put some clothes on this lamp.

This vendor was in more of a buying mood than a selling mood when he scored this Kodak Brownie Camera from a fellow vendor for his personal collection.

Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds

Top of the line cameras.

Space Age Hi-Fi Phono!

So there's that.