Thursday, June 30, 2022

Michael's Musings

That Was Just A Dream
Michael Shinafelt

For those of you ancient enough, remember that season of Dallas that turned out to be simply a dream. Let's click our heels together three times and wish the current Bullsh!t Court I mean "Supreme" Court into the corn field shall we? 100% we shall!!!

This is our country, not your church

Current Mood: Losing My Religion (honestly that happened a long time ago)

Don't bother me, I'm gonna can some salmon

Bring on the pentagrams!

Remakes should be made for bad movies, not classics

Marilyn Monroe arriving at a party, discuss...

I'm gonna name my band: Blindingly Obvious

Cameron Diaz is "Back In Action"

Woman Crush of the Week - Siouxsie Sioux, why? Because she exists. Perhaps Stranger Things will Kate Bush her.

At the end of the day I feel like a fried egg

I love the smell of ketchup in the morning

No one sported a wet T-Shirt like Jacqueline Bisset in The Deep. If you know, you know.

Looking forward to the inevitable mix and match outfit scene in the upcoming Barbie movie

Coming soon the grand reopening 

Grand reopening of what you might ask? Find out here...

https://www.instagram.com/michaelshinafelt/?hl=en

https://twitter.com/MShinafelt    

Wednesday, June 29, 2022

Hump Day & Chill

"I Wish I Knew Hot To Quit You"
Jake Gyllenhaal & Heat Ledger

It's the last Hump Day & Chill of Pride Month Minions and we are gonna send it off with the iconic Brokeback Mountain starring the late Heath Ledger & Jake Gyllenhaal as gay cowboys, naturally.

Brokeback Mountain is regarded as a turning point for queer cinema and was critically acclaimed and was a huge box office success grossing $178 million worldwide on a $14 million dollar budget.

It was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture and lost to the far inferior and undeserving Crash.

The story goes like this:

"In 1963, rodeo cowboy Jack Twist (Jake Gyllenhaal) and ranch hand Ennis Del Mar (Heath Ledger) are hired by rancher Joe Aguirre (Randy Quaid) as sheep herders in Wyoming. One night on Brokeback Mountain, Jack makes a drunken pass at Ennis that is eventually reciprocated. Though Ennis marries his longtime sweetheart, Alma (Michelle Williams), and Jack marries a fellow rodeo rider (Anne Hathaway), the two men keep up their tortured and sporadic affair over the course of 20 years." 

So let's let out a big Hump Day & Chill ride em' cowboy for Brokeback Mountain shall we? Of course we shall!!!

Brokeback Mountain on Wikipedia -

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brokeback_Mountain  

Tuesday, June 28, 2022

Current Mood

Laugh!
Tiffany Haddish, Jennifer Lewis & Lizzo

"I love to laugh, Loud and long and clear..." I Love To Laugh, Uncle Albert from Mary Poppins

Of late I've been feeling the laughter. "Yes" Minions laughing truly is the best medicine, every time I feel a grimace coming on I pivot and think of what is amusing about the situation instead of what is bugging me and, I well smile on the outside and laugh on the inside.

Thus this photo of Tiffany Haddish, Jennifer Lewis & Lizzo yucking it up at the Hollywood Unlocked Impact Awards in Beverly Hills captures my Current Mood.

Fingers crossed their laughter and my mood are contagious and the magic rubs off on you as well.

It's the las Tuesday of June 2022, live, love and most of all laugh!!!

Laugh on Wikipedia -

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laugh_(disambiguation)

Monday, June 27, 2022

Girls Nite Out

"Fairly disturbing... a perfect example of early 80's exploitation packaging"

     —Hysteria Lives

A host of familiar genre faces including Hal Holbrook (Creepshow), Rutanya Alda (Amityville II: The Possession), Julia Montgomery (The Kindred) and Lauren-Marie Taylor (Friday the 13th Part 2) rounds out the cast of this gloriously mean-spirited slice from the slasher golden age, Girls Nite Out! The students of DeWitt University are preparing themselves for a night of fun and frolics in the form of an all-night scavenger hunt. Little do they know that they are in fact the ones being hunted... An unhinged assailant, disguised in the college's goofy bear mascot outfit - and bearing knives for claws, two years before Freddy donned his famous gloves - is stalking the campus hellbent on carving up co-eds. Originally released under the only marginally more appropriate title of The Scaremaker, Girls Nite Out is a decidedly singular slasher flick which comes on like a frenetic cross between Animal House and Friday the 13th - veering from jovial frat antics to jarringly disturbing scenes of the killer shrieking obscenities as he slices up his victims. On this nite out, no one is coming home!

Media

 Watch trailer »

Bonus Materials

  • Brand new 2K restoration from 35mm vault elements
  • High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation
  • Original uncompressed mono audio
  • Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
  • Brand new audio commentary with genre film critic/author Justin Kerswell and film historian/author Amanda Reyes
  • Staying Alive – a brand new video interview with actress Julia Montgomery
  • A Savage Mauling – a brand new video interview with actress Laura Summer
  • Alone in the Dark – a brand new video interview with actress Lois Robbins
  • It Was a Party! – a brand new video interview with actor Paul Christie
  • Love & Death – a brand new video interview with actors Lauren-Marie Taylor and John Didrichsen
  • Archival video interview with actress Julia Montgomery
  • The Scaremaker Alternate Title Card
  • Original Trailers
  • Reversible sleeve featuring original artwork and newly-commissioned artwork by Justin Osbourn
  • FIRST PRESSING ONLY: Illustrated collector's booklet featuring new writing on the film by Michael Gingold

Order Here -

Sunday, June 26, 2022

Sunday Funday

Double Elvis
Austin Butler & Elvia Presley 

With all the buzz about Elvis it's on my must see movie list. That being stated I thought today we'd have a little Sunday Funday levity with side by side shots of the real Elvis and Austin Butler the actor who portrays him in the current film.

Do they look alike? IMHO not really. Do they resemble each other? Sort of. What Mr. Butler decidedly has captured is Elvis' "Presley-ness" - you know that inner energy that only one's soul can generate.

That is actually the most important part when tackling any real life person in an actor's portrayal of them if you ask me. "Yes" I know you didn't ask me, but it's my blog and I gave you my opinion anyway so there!

Have any of you seen Elvis? Drop me a line and let me know your thoughts. I'm interested.

Enjoy your Funday Minions!

Elvis on Wikipedia -

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elvis_Presley   

Saturday, June 25, 2022

Absolute Zero

Sharon Needles
Photo:
Albert Sanchez

Sharon Needles is ready to emerge from her black hole and slip into her Halston space suit with the first single HERE & video HERE release and title track from her forthcoming album, Absolute Zero

 

About the Absolute Zero video, Sharon shares “In the summer of 2020 when everyone was losing their minds, I happened to lose my heart. This video is a testament to the universal broken heartedness.  Whether feeling lost in space or trapped in the twilight zone this is a personal Dear John letter that reads to the human condition of being emotionally destroyed.”

 

The new album, Absolute Zero , Sharon’s first new music in over 3 years due July 22 via PEG Records/Warner Music Group/ADA was produced by certified platinum selling songwriter/producer Tomas Costanza/Killingsworth. Absolute Zero features seven brand new disco-laden and Studio 54, Euro-Disco inspired tracks including a re-imagined cover of 70’s Rock Gods Blue Oyster Cult classic, “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper.”

 

Follow Sharon Here:

Instagram

Facebook

Twitter

Spotify

Friday, June 24, 2022

Keep Your "Mouth Shut"

Lit

Whether you posted something that didn't go over well, or you accidentally sent a text to the wrong person, we all have had foot in mouth disease at some point. Sometimes you wish you would have just kept it to yourself is the impetus behind Lit’s latest single, “Mouth Shut” HERE.  The video for “Mouth Shut” HERE debuted today and features No Doubt’s Adrian Young with Lit drummer Taylor Carroll sharing beats on the skins. “What a pleasure to hang out with my Lit friends again! We laughed and had a blast shooting the video for such a cool song, “Mouth Shut”.  It was so meaningful playing drums and filling the shoes of my pal Allen Shellenberger (RIP).” said Adrian.

 

“Mouth Shut” is off Lit’s long-awaited seventh studio album, Tastes Like Gold which was also just released via Round Hill Records HERE.   Lead guitarist Jeremy Popoff says, “We wanted to get back to the old school Lit sound with a modern day approach to the production.  It took a minute to get our heads in the right place, especially with all of the craziness going on in the world.  We started writing and making demos with Carlo Colasacco and YOUTHYEAR and we knew we had tapped into the vibe we were looking for. Tastes Like Gold is the album we wanted to make.”  Tastes Like Gold, produced by Carlo Colasacco, YOUTHYEAR & Lit features No Doubt’s Adrian Young, Butch Walker and American Authors

 

The band have released three other tracks from Tastes Like Gold including, Do It Again” HERE  and lyric video HERE “Kicked Off The Plane” HERE  and lyric video HERE  and “Yeah Yeah Yeah”- HERE  (live performance video HERE & official video HEREwhich was the first single from Tastes Like Gold.

 

Lit wrapped a two week trek across the UK in late April before embarking on their current US tour.   Upcoming dates include Summerfest in Milwaukee, WI on July 2 and a North American Fall tour TBA very soon. All dates are on sale now HERE

 

Catch up with Ajay & Jeremy as they give you a glimpse of what a day in their lives are like HERE and they also discuss some of their favorite albums with Spin Magazine HERE

 

In addition, Lit’s four part documentary style podcast about their iconic song, “MY OWN WORST ENEMY” that was produced for Round Hill Music by Osiris Media is available now. Listen to My Own Worst Enemy, The Podcast. Presented by Round Hill Music HERE

Follow Lit here:

Official Website: https://www.litband.com/

Instagram

Facebook

Twitter

Youtube    

Thursday, June 23, 2022

Michael's Musings

Hey Ricky!
Michael Shinafelt

Happy Still Pride Month Minions! How has yours been? Mine has been busy, not to mention full of Pride!!! 

So let's keep getting down with all our bad selves and continue feeling good about who we are. Pride is for everyone I say - I need to motor, got a call from Ricky I need to take...

While not a fan of the films, finally rode the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride at Universal Studios Hollywood, one word: WOW!!!

FYI Trent Reznor is just Phil Collins for Goth Kids

Peacocks are Chickens in drag, discuss

Belated Birthday wishes to OG Evil Dead actor Bruce Campbell

If the Proud Boys are so proud, why do they conceal their identities?!

Another belated Birthday shout out to artist extraordinaire the one, the only Cyndi Lauper!

When does the new season of Law & Order: SVU start, having withdrawals here...Bueller??? 

He's a ten, but he still thinks tricks are for kids

Woman Crush of the Week - Leah Remini for this photo which cleansed my Twitter timeline with the caption: She's My Muse 😂

I would like to host a parade for Shaye Moss and Lady Ruby

Update: I got a small amount of ______ in my eye. That's right Minions fill in the blank and give it a name

Cross your fingers, and if you're lucky it won't be you

Word of the Day: Radicalized (say it three times fast)

And now for something really scary...or perhaps not...

Stand Proud with me here -

https://www.instagram.com/michaelshinafelt/?hl=en

https://twitter.com/MShinafelt   

Wednesday, June 22, 2022

Hump Day & Chill

Chloe Sevigny & Hilary Swank 
Boys Don't Cry

Marching on with Pride Month today we are going to Hump Day & Chill to a film that truly earns the moniker "important" Kimberly Pierce's Boys Don't Cry. 

Hilary Swank plays transgender FTM Brandon Teena and won the first of two Oscars for her sensitive and deep portrayal of him. His love interest Lana is played by the equally great Chloe Sevigny. Their love on screen is tangible.

This is based on a true life story, here is how it goes:

"Young female-to-male transgender Brandon Teena (Hilary Swank) leaves his hometown under threat when his ex-girlfriend's brother discovers that he's biologically female. Resettling in the small town of Falls City, Nebraska, Brandon falls for Lana (Chloë Sevigny), an aspiring singer, and begins to plan for their future together. But when her ex-convict friends, John (Peter Sarsgaard) and Tom (Brendan Sexton III), learn Brandon's secret, things change very quickly."

So raise a glass and give a big Hump Day & Chill toasts to one of the best LGBTQ films ever made. Swank will astound you in this!

Boys Don't Cry on IMDb -

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0171804/

Tuesday, June 21, 2022

Summer Is Here!

It's the first day of Summer and nothing says fun in the sun to me like the movie Grease. Grease recently turned 40 on June 16th. I remember seeing it the Summer when it first came out in a theater and I was completely captivated and was ready to Born To Hand Jive when I left the theater and find me some Summer Lovin'!

Little did I know many years later when I went from being a young lad in Junior High ("Yes" I was in the7th grade when it came out) that I would eventually move to Los Angeles and attend a handful of to do's at Randal Kleiser's house, the director behind this classic.

Grease really captures every aspect of what Summer means to me, and I suspect many of you due to it's enduring appeal. 

So let's get systematic and hydromatic and try not to look at everyone like they are Sandra Dee.

Love your summer like Greased Lightning!!!

Grease on Wikipedia -

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grease_(film)  

Monday, June 20, 2022

It's Still Pride Month Minions

Ally
John Cena

Hello Minions, in case it has escaped your attention it is still Pride Month, like for all of June, totally. Thus I thought we should celebrate it this Monday June 20, 2022 with an ally who happens to be some tasty eye candy.

"Yes" that's John Cena proudly waving a Pride Flag. For those of you not in the know Mr. Cena has a gay brother and has been a supporter of the LGBTQ community.

Not to mention, well, he's a a stud and a half and one eighth. 

What a better way to kick off yet another week of Pride 2022 than with John and his kick ass support.

I ask you? Yeah, alright I know you aren't going to answer...

Chase the rainbow!!!

John on Wikipedia -

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Cena  

Sunday, June 19, 2022

Father's Day

Who's Your Daddy?

Today is the day we celebrate Fathers, Dads, Daddy's. "Yes" I know it's kind of cliche' commemorating this day with an meme from The Empire Strikes Back, but I happened to see it again recently on TV and it still holds up as a grand piece of filmmaking.

However the "twist" of Darth Vader being Luke Skywalker's Father, well honestly who didn't see that one coming? You merely have to be familiar with any sort of classic literature to be in the loop on that revelation.

So let's raise a light saber to all those Fathers out there and hope we cut no one's hand off!

Wookie Drop!

Father's Day on Wikipedia -

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Father%27s_Day 

Saturday, June 18, 2022

"Escape"

Bobby Newberry & Fia Nyxx

Bobby Newberry and Fia Nyxx Offer an “Escape”

To The Dancefloor with Their Sexy New Summer Jam

Bobby Newberry and Fia Nyxx are out to make people dance, sweat, feel free, sexy and have a good time this summer.  Their new single, “Escape” is a scorcher of a dance record with sultry house elements, a disco infusion and a seriously hypnotic baseline.   “Honestly, I had been feeling a lot of pressure and stress from the world and everyday life,” Bobby Newberry explains when discussing the genesis of the song.  “I was hearing it a lot from friends too; how there is just always something draining our energy.”  He says he and Fia wanted to give party people a moment to drown out their troubles and re-energize their bodies with a good time.  They wrote and produced “Escape” with their mutual friend, Sam J Garfield.  “It’s about taking an emotional journey, letting go of the world and its problems, getting lost on the dancefloor and feeling alive.”  Bobby Newberry and Fia Nyxx’s “Escape” is available on Apple Music, Spotify, and all digital platforms.  The video is available on YouTube.

“The song writing experience was pretty magical,” Bobby Newberry recalls from his Los Angeles home.  “I had the idea for the hook and I kept singing it over and over with Fia, on continuous loop, while rallying Sam to hurry in with the house drop.   It was an incredible session.  The vibe between the three of us was electric. 

The energy resonates in the high voltage music video that accompanies the song.  Filmed at Sam J Garfield’s BlackRose Los Angeles, Newberry co-directed with Logan James who also shot the video.  Choreography is by Bobby Newberry, Taylor Knight and Robbie Blue.  

A shoulder injury sustained by Newberry nearly shut down production on the video.  “We had to adjust all the choreography and creative,” he explains.  “If you watch closely, I do ninety percent of the choreography with my left arm because my right shoulder was in pain.”  

Natalie Saidi styled the video and Bobby says the fashion became a whole character in itself.  “Natalie took us places we had never been, fashion wise.  She really made some iconic looks happen.”

His absolute favorite are the red pants with the flowing tulle.   “I could hardly move in them but they were incredible!” he laughs.

Bobby Newberry began his career in the music industry as a choreographer for Eminem.  He would go on to work with a string of the world’s top artists including Nicki Minaj, The Pussycat Dolls, Missy Elliot, and Lil’ Wayne.   His choreography work has been seen on TV in Dancing with the Stars and X-Factor.  In 2014, Bobby Newberry released his first single and music video, “Dirrty Up (featuring Jessie and The Toy Boys).”  It was soon after followed by his debut EP, The Newberry Special.

Fia Nyxx recently released her sophomore album, Red Umbrella.  In her music, Nyxx embraces a theatrical approach, embodying a brilliantly experimental clash of genres from rock to pop.    “Fia is passionate and rockstar glamorous with such an amazing falsetto register,” Newberry says.  “It was really fun to vocal produce her on this record.”  

Escape is the third single from Bobby Newberry’s upcoming EP.    The dancers in the “Escape” music video are Taylor Knight, Robbie Blue, Brynda Rowen, and Devin Neal.    

Follow Bobby Newberry on Instagram @ bobbynewberry  

Friday, June 17, 2022

Film Buff Friday: Cruising

In keeping with Pride Month I present to you a divisive film from the annals of the history of queer cinema, Cruising. No matter what your take on it, it is a culturally relevant film...

A crime thriller set against the backdrop of the 1970s leather scene, Cruising is a polarizing film with a complicated legacy. When it came out in 1980, mainstream audiences and gay rights activists alike were scandalized—the former due to the graphic sexuality and the latter on the grounds that it portrayed the LGBTQ community in a bad light. (By contrast, director William Friedkin alleges that much of New York’s leather/S&M community actively supported the film and participated en masse as extras.) In recent years, though, the film—which features Al Pacino as a New York cop who goes undercover in the city’s S&M scene to investigate a serial killer targeting gay men—has been reevaluated and is now considered by many as a classic. Love it or hate it, Cruising is a touchstone of queer cinema history.

Cruising on Wikipedia -

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cruising_(film)  

Thursday, June 16, 2022

Michael's Musings

Walk The Dinosaur
Michael Shinafelt

As Pride Month marches along I was thinking about what it means. Being inclusive is one of the great things about Pride. Thus I thought this week I would introduce you to some "totally different head" than you are used to.

Yep, that's correct I'm currently walking my dinosaur, Sequel, and there's my head. Nothing to see here now move along...

If you rush it, you will ruin it. Pause and be patient.

Carry on with your fake crying self, I'm eating

Shark. Coochie. Boards. - discuss

Laugh of the Week: "Ted Cruz looks like an alcoholic werewolf that got stuck mid-transformation" - Stephen Colbert 

Donuts are so gross, all they are is a wad of grease and sugar, blech!

Remember to drink water so you can stay hydrated while you suffer

Only Ryan Gosling could pull off the look they gave him as Ken in the upcoming Barbie movie

Did you hear? The cast of Bound Jennifer Tilly, Gina Gershon and Joe Pantoliano are reuniting on Season 2 of Chucky?! Yes!!!

Woman Crush of the Week - Garcelle Beauvais for saying what we all were thinking on last night's RHOBH

Beware of a guy who wears a fanny pack, the more you know

Rugs are the cowards carpet, think about it, but not too much

Against all authority, except my Mom

Daaaaaaamn!!!

I am legend, hear me roar...

Tell me what you are, here -

https://www.instagram.com/michaelshinafelt/?hl=en

https://twitter.com/MShinafelt   

Wednesday, June 15, 2022

Hump Day & Chill

Bound
Jennifer Tilly & Gina Gershon 

Continuing with the Pride Month theme (It's gonna last until the end of June Minions) - Today we are going to Hump Day & Chill to an iconic LGBTQ duo Jennifer Tilly & Gina Gershon from the 1996 movie Bound.

Say What??? You haven't seen it, well you should! The films story goes something like this:

"Sparks fly when Violet (Jennifer Tilly) sets eyes on Corky (Gina Gershon) in an elevator. Violet is the girlfriend of a violent gangster, Caesar (Joe Pantoliano), while Corky is fresh out of prison and doing renovations on the apartment next door. As the two women launch into a passionate love affair, they assemble an intricate plan for Violet to escape from Caesar, with two million dollars of the mob's money -- but the important part is to make it out alive"

Needless to say with publicity shots like the one above and some steamy sex scenes (especially in the unrated version) Tilly & Gershon became two of the biggest gay icons ever!!!

Thus we shall honor them and this great piece of cinema with a Pride Hump Day & Chill.

Do it and do it now!

Bound on Wikipedia -

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bound_(1996_film)

Tuesday, June 14, 2022

Save The Date

Whilst many of us, oh OK all of us mere mortals, except for an exclusive chosen few, did not get an invite to Britney Spears June 9th wedding to Sam Asghari (heck even her family didn't.) We will always have the great photos and the memes that followed.

Since I live in Southern California, Los Angeles to be exact, and the to do was held in Thousand Oaks ( LA adjacent) - Well the winner in the meme derby for me is the "Housewives" one.

"Yes" Minions let me present to you The Real Housewives of Thousand Oaks...

Starring Britney Spears, Madonna, Selena Gomez, Paris Hilton, Drew Barrymore and Donatella Versace. Now that's a fully loaded cast I must say!

Maybe they can have a crossover show with their sister wives in Beverly Hills (which for the record is the only Housewives show I watch) talk about epic.

Congratulations to Britney I wish her nothing but happiness!!!

Britney on IG -

https://www.instagram.com/britneyspears/?hl=en    

Monday, June 13, 2022

Moorehead Monday

Agnes Moorehead
as
Endora

Honestly I don't know WTF has taken me, but I am in a state of whimsy. Thus I present to you a new "thing" that sprang from my fertile imagination this ayem - Moorehead Monday in honor of Agnes Moorehead who played Endora on one of my fave classic TV Shows Bewitched.

When there's magic in the air you go with it Minions and there has been plenty of late. 

So I choose to honor all that is possible on June the 13th 2002, because that's the way I roll sometimes.

Happy Moorehead Monday!

"Dwell In Possibility" - Emily Dickinson 

Bewitched on Wikipedia -

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bewitched   

Sunday, June 12, 2022

Happy Pride Los Angeles!

Celebrate!
Cardi B

This year Los Angeles got confusing for Pride season. West Hollywood went ahead and had it's usual to do last weekend and now this weekend the Parade returns to it's original location the streets of Hollywood.

"Yes" we just can't be proud enough here in LA, thus we have two Pride celebrations. Last weekend Cardi B was in the house for the West Hollywood parade. Paula Abdul will be guest of honor at this one.

Whoever shows up I'm sure a fun time will be had by all!!!

Happy Pride Los Angeles Minions from me and Cardi B....

BTW in case you are wondering I did not go to the West Hollywood Parade and I will not be in attendance at the Hollywood Parade today.

Mic Drop! 

LA Pride on the WWW -

https://lapride.org/la-pride-2022/   

Saturday, June 11, 2022

Summer Reads


 

Microcosm Publishing - Summer 2022 Lineup
Enter Sandwich: Some Kind of Vegan Cooking with No Connection to Metallica 

by Automne Zingg and Joshua Ploeg

Oh, aging rockers. We've all seen them struggle to get along and cope with life. Maybe they just need to sit around a backyard picnic table, share a vegan feast, and talk about their feelings. After all, to live is to stir fry.

Automne Zingg, genius mastermind behind Comfort Eating with Nick Cave and Defensive Eating with Morrissey is back with hilarious illustrations of the band's revolving cast eating their feelings and expressing their enthusiasm for food, but in a tough and intense way.

"Yeahms!" sings James, riffing on a giant yam. Zingg's work is coupled with the inventive and flavorful recipes of chef and queercore punk musician, Joshua Ploeg. Written in lyrical form, the recipes parody 40 of the most quintessential tunes. Crank up the volume while concocting plant-based recipes like Master of Nuggets, Pie of the Beholder, an All Nightmare Footlong, or maybe just a little stock. So let it be eaten. (Just don't try to illegally download this book.)
Hey Ho Let's Dough!: 1! 2! 3! 40 Vegan Pizza Recipes Unrelated to the Ramones 

by Automne Zingg and Joshua Ploeg

When you don’t wanna go down to the pizzeria, whip up these vegan pizzas. Automne Zingg—mastermind behind Comfort Eating with Nick Cave, Defensive Eating with Morrissey, and Enter Sandwich—has illustrated pizza-themed boys-from-Queens homages, as they eat pizza, sneer at pepperoni, and play pizza guitars.

Joshua Ploeg’s recipes wittily incorporate vaguely familiar lyrics and humor. Pizzas range from traditional marinara with vegetables and veggie sausage (Texas Chain Sauce Massacre) and white sauce specials (Carbonara Not Glue), to variations like Beet on the Brat, Havana Pizza Affair, Thyme Bomb. “Well, I’m Against It,” comments Johnny, but you’ll find a pineapple pizza recipe in here as well.

Pizza is deconstructed, reconstructed, and, like the best bands, turns into something far better than the sum of its parts. 
Speak In Tongues: An Oral History of Cleveland's Infamous DIY Punk Venue

by Eric Sandy and Ken Blaze 

Speak In Tongues was a freewheeling, community-run underground music venue in Cleveland, Ohio that operated on a do-it-yourself basis throughout the late 1990s. The venue fostered a flourishing creative culture, where you could enjoy a puppet show from a spray-painted couch or meet other punks to start a band or a movement, but was also smoothly run with a great sound system and the best curation of music that you could hear in the city during its tenure.

On any given night, you could go see hardcore punk, experimental jazz, or thrash shows where fireworks were set off inside the building. Traveling bands regularly booked shows there, including ones that went on to greater fame, like Modest Mouse, Avail, Lifter Puller, Jimmy Eat World, Alkaline Trio, Milemarker, and J Church. Venue operators, and later a management collective, contended with police surveillance, skinheads with knives, an exploding oil drum full of raw meat, a flaming car, and a different number of riots depending on who you ask. 

There may not have been a bar, but a healthy BYOB policy ensures that everyone’s memory is different, resulting in an entertaining story of a place that truly was what you made it, the source of lifelong friendships and endless lore. 

This comprehensive oral history tells a story that is greater than the sum of each person’s recollections, forming a picture of a unique, weird, special place that deeply informed the next twenty years of Cleveland’s underground culture.