Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Interview: Comics Artist, Derf Backderf

AN INTERVIEW WITH GRAPHIC NOVELIST
DERF BACKDERF 

Derf Backderf has been a prime mover in the alternative comics universe since 1990. His ubiquitous strip "The City" has been logged into my subconscious thousands of times since then, but I wasn't aware of his work in graphic novels until a friend of mine gave me a copy of Derf's recent book about his high school friend, Jeffrey Dahmer. I found My Friend Dahmer to be a well-researched, well-drawn, well-written story, in other words, a great graphic novel. Apparently, I am not alone in this assessment as the rights to a film version of the book were recently picked up, as reported in the Hollywood Reporter in July. Not to be outscooped, Reglar Wiglar Magazine decided to interview Mr. Backderf on the state of the weekly strip, graphic novels and his experiences writing My Friend Dahmer. Read the Interview.

Muggsy's Rock Pick: Canadian Rifles

TUESDAY 7/31
Canadian Rifle, Divine Right, Birth Deformities, Bookkate Boys @ Crown Tap Room, 2821 N. Milwaukee, Chicago, IL

Much like the The Colt Canada C7 rifle, these guys have a rate of fire of 700-900 rounds per minute with an effective range of 440 yards with a feed system utilizing a 30 round STANAG magazine. That's power.














Sunday, July 29, 2012

Jayne Wayne's Press Release Round Up

30 YEARS OF LOVE AND ROCKETS

That's the Pearl Jubilee for you anniversary stone buffs

Thirty years of Love & Rockets have been achieved by the Brothers Hernandez, and don't think for an L.A. minute that Fantagraphics isn't going to party hard to celebrate. Of course, by "partying hard" I mean, release a bunch of cool stuff. Like for example, check out the radness of some of the t-shirts for sale at Graphitti Designs and the  three new titles: Love and Rockets: New Stories No. 5,Jaime's superhero tale, God and Science: Return of the Ti-Girls and Gilbert's The Adventures of Venus.



BREAK IN THE FREAKWATER MAIN

Little Heater heats up with a little help from some friends

Freakwater main freak, Catherine Irwin, has a new "jam" coming out on Thrill Jockey on 9/18. Little Heater is the name of this, her second solo album. Recorded in Woodstock, NY with Tara Jane ONeil, the record features strings, pedal steel and many enchanting vocal harmonies, or so I'm told. The Bonnie One, the quote/unquote Prince Billy was also in the house to lend his vocal chords on a few tracks, like "Mockingbird". But don't take my word for it, check it out here.



 WHAT'S THE OPPOSITE OF A BLUES EXPLOSION?

Getting a hold on your depression

Blues Control are on the road with their pastoral instrumental musical musings. The B.C. is out promoting their new Drag City release, Valley Tangents, by spending time on the road. Since I am one week late in getting this little item published, you have one less week for which to catch them at the dates and venues below. Sorry 'bout that. To compensate, here's the duo's new video, "Walking Robin". It was directed by filmmaker/artist and Frenchperson, Clémence Hébert and filmed on a little Danish island in some sea that's over there in Europe.

Remaining Blues Control Tour Dates:
7/30 @ Rochester, NY, The Bug Jar
7/31 @ Toronto, ONThe Shop at Parts & Labour
8/1 Montreal, QC @ Il Motore
8/22 Burlington, VT @ Monkey House
8/3 Allston, MA @ O'Brien's Pub Sat.
8/4 Hoboken, NY @ Maxwell's (with Chain & The Gang) Sat.
8/11 Philadelphia, PA @ Kensington Picnic (with Meg Baird) Sun.
8/26 Emmaus, PA @ Emmaus Farmers' Market Sun.
9/9 Rock Island, IL @ Rozz Tox Tue.
9/11 Lexington, KY @ Void Thu. Sept. 13 - Atlanta, GA @ 529
9/14 Durham, NC @ Duke University Coffeehouse
9/15 Greensboro, NC @ CFBG's




Muggsy's Rock Pick: The Bouncing Souls

SUNDAY 7/29
The Bouncing Souls, Menzingers, Luther, Masked Intruder @ Metro, 3730 N. Clark St., Chicago, IL

Still bouncing after all these years.

Saturday, July 28, 2012

Happy 20th Anniversary to Thrill Jockey!

Inveterate Chicago record label, Thrill Jockey is celebrating 20 years of puttin' out music and they've got four shows planned to commemorate this landmark feat of achievement. Recent acquisitions (like your Matmoses and your Dan Friels, etc.) as well as label mainstays (your Tortoises, your Trans Ams, et al) will perform live in venues on both coasts (see below). One can only presume a Midwest show will be added in the not-too-distant future. (May we presume this, Thrill Jockey?) In addition to these shows, the label will also be releasing a comedy record from Fred Armisen (Portlandia, SNL, Trenchmouth) and some vinyl re-issues of various past recordings from roster regulars (your Sea and Cakes, your Califones and the like). Way to go, T.J., you're only one year older than Reglar Wiglar Magazine—now that's impressive!

9/13
Ram’s Head Live, 20 Market Place, Baltimore, MD
Future Islands, Tortoise, Matmos, Dan Friel, Arbouretum, Pontiak, Host: Ed Schrader
9/14
Death By Audio, 49 S 2nd St, Brooklyn, NY
White Hills, Guardian Alien, Man Forever, Dan Friel, Rhyton
9/15
Webster Hall, 125 East 11th St, New York, NY
Tortoise, Future Islands, Matmos, Liturgy D., Charles Speer, The Black Twig Pickers
11/9
Mississippi Studios, 3939 N. Mississippi Ave., Portland, OR
Trans Am, Liturgy, Eternal Tapestry, Barn Owl, Golden Retriever, Mike Scheidt, Jason Urick

COMICS NEWS: Chris Ware's Multi-Story Building Model

FILE UNDER: Superfluous (and really, really cool)

Canadian Publishers, Drawn & Quarterly, are offering what they themselves are calling an "absolutely unnecessary addendum to the already-unmanageable Building Stories graphic novel" which will be published by Pantheon Books in October, 2012. (But isn't ALL art absolutely unnecessary?) The 11"x16"x18" companion to the aforementioned book is a model of the apartment building featured in Ware's new work.  This is a limited edition run of 1,000 copies signed and numbered. Hardcore Ware-heads can buy one of these babies for eighty bucks direct from D&Q.

Video: Alabama Shakes, Hold On

Muggsy's Rock Pick: Bear Hands

SATURDAY 7/28
Bear Hands, Fort Lean, Worrier @ Cactus Club, 2496 S. Wentworth Ave., Milwaukee. WI

Bear may be the new Deer in band names, but Muggsy don't care.

Friday, July 27, 2012

Muggsy's Rock Pick: Fang Island

FRIDAY 7/27
Fang Island, Dinosaur Feathers, Like Pioneers @ Beat Kitchen, 2100 W. Belmont, Chicago, IL

Fang Island claim to make "over-the-top, uplifting rock music that could put a smile on the face of even the most belligerent, hateful, misanthropic pessimist." You see me smilin' fellas?

Thursday, July 26, 2012

Video: Like Pioners, Tell 'Em Ghost

Music Review: Forest Fools

FOREST FOOLS
Daydreamer (no label)
These guys may be fools for wooded areas (copses, thickets, groves, pine barrens, etc,) but they are also quite foolish for lo-fi indie rock. Slow-paced, guitar-based songs with vocals that hang back and pontificate on the situation, that's the Fools stock in trade—I think they call it shoe-gazing music. Daydreamer features four tracks of slow jams and sadness. I think the songs may be a little under served by the quality of the recording, a flaw that is unfortunately compounded in the days of earbuds and shitty computer speakers (like mine!), but it's a promising start and it's good to know that the indie rock is alive and well in Philly. It was, after all, Benjamin Franklin who invented the genre with the creation of the glass armonica in 1761—P.C. Jones [Forest Fools]

Read more reviews, and always...always read Reglar Wiglar!

Muggsy's Rock Pick: OFF!

THURSDAY 7/26
Refused, OFF! @ Congress Theater
2135 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, IL

Punks not dead... it's just aging... gracefully... like Muggsy.

Video: OFF!. "Borrow and Bomb" / "I Got News For You"

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Muggsy's Rock Pick: Los Lobos

WEDNESDAY 7/25
Los Lobos, Steve Earle @ Minnesota Zoo Weesner Amphitheater 13000 Zoo Blvd. Apple Valley, MN 55124

You know, it's fitting that Los Lobos should play in a zoo. Do you wanna know why? Do you wanna know why it's fitting that Los Lobos should play in a zoo? It's 'cause Lobos is Spanish for wolves—they're wolves! And Steve Earle should just be in a cage.

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

What's the Point, Like Pioneers?

Occasionally, Reglar Wiglar Magazine asks a band, artist or musician: What’s it all about? What's the point and why go on? This week we ask Chicago's frontier expanding, LIKE PIONEERS: 

What’s it all about?

We're playing on Friday at the Beat Kitchen with Fang Island, who we enjoy very much. We also enjoy the bacon spinach pizza at Beat Kitchen, very very much.

What’s the point?

Our second record, Oh, Magic, came out about six weeks ago, and we're eager to play you a few tunes. We'll also have it available on vinyl, if you're in to that sort of thing.

Why go on?

We're playing the Ravenswood Remix fest at the end of the summer, and have a few additional September plans in the works too. Football season is around the corner, and we're a band who LOVES sweaters. See you there!

WHAT/WHERE/WHEN:
Friday, July 27th, Fang Island, Dinosaur Feathers, Like Pioneers @ Beat Kitchen, 2100 W. Belmont, Chicago, IL

Zine Review: Barefoot and in the Kitchen

BAREFOOT AND IN THE KITCHEN
By Ashley Rowe (Microcosm)
Instructive, informative, educative and other words that mean infotational, Ashley Rowe has given us an easy-to-follow cookbook that seeks to demystify veganism and make it more palatable to the public. Mission accomplished. Rowe's Barefoot and in the Kitchen cookbook lays forth recipes for the creation of delicious, animal-free entrées, salads, salsas and desserts. Also included are cooking tips, an ingredients primer, a handy glossary of cooking terms and comic illustrations. NOTE: For safety reasons, Reglar Wiglar Magazine can not and does not condone cooking without proper protective footwear, however, we can endorse the recipes in this cookbookChris Auman

Muggsy's Rock Pick: Magic Milk

Always drink Magic Milk in 16 oz. can
TUESDAY 7/24
Magic Milk, Bingers, Dead Mellotron, Slushy, Uh Bones @ Subterranean, 2011 W. North Ave., Chicago, IL

Magic may be the new Crystal in band names and no-fi may be the new lo-fi, but Muggsy don't care.

Monday, July 23, 2012

Muggsy's Rock Pick: Skeletonwitch

Witch one is the skeleton?
MONDAY, 7/23
Skeletonwitch, Barn Burner, Romero @ High Noon Saloon, 701A Washington, Madison, WI

If you like beer, beards, hair, tattoos, heavy metal and scowling, then get your ass out to the High Noon Saloon tonight for all of the above.

Sunday, July 22, 2012

Music Review: Lecherous Gaze 7"

LECHEROUS GAZE
Bagagazo (Who Can You Trust?)
Don’t know what a 'bagagazo' is but Lecherous Gaze is demanding that everybody do one. Maybe it’s a dance. I hope it’s not some sort of illegal drug or some sort of firework. At any rate, Lecherous Gaze makes such demands on the listener in the form of old school, hard rockin’ punk and metal music (just like grandpa and grandma used to play—seriously, rock is really old now). It’s dirty, loud, obnoxious and is no doubt delivered with lecherous gazes being cast about in every direction. If you like fast riffs and furious guitar solos, then by all means, do the friggin’ Bagagazo already!—Joey Germ [Lecherous Gaze]

Read more reviews, and always...always read Reglar Wiglar!

Muggsy's Rock Pick: Milwaukee Ave. Arts Festival

Art lovers enjoying live art.
SUNDAY 7/22

Muggsy loves a good festival of arts especially one that features a market of handmade goods...and beer.

Saturday, July 21, 2012

Friday, July 20, 2012

Jayne Wayne's Press Release Roundup

LIVE LIKE A SUICIDE with BUSH TETRAS!

Oldies and goodies

Holy nads! Suicide and Bush Tetras are playing in New York this fall. November 29 at Le Poisson Rouge, 158 Bleecker St, New York, NY to be exact. Suicide is going to play their first LP in it's entirety! The show is being sponsored by the venerable NY label ROIR who are celebrating this announcement with the sale of a bunch of Suicide and Bush Tetras merch for real cheap. Like the classic tee below—maybe they'll send me one for pluggin' the sale. That would be pretty rad (hint, hint).















IT'S A FAMILY AFFAIR

Family Band deliver brand new baby of a record

Family Band is all set to release their new album Grace & Lies on No Quarter. July 24th is the date. To celebrate this historical feat of accomplishment, this husband and wife band (yep, another one of those, but don't be all judgey until you check 'em out.) are playing release shows in Philly and New York. Stream the new LP here. See them live here:

(not pictured, Family Band)
TUESDAY 7/31
First Unitarian Church, 2125 Chestnut Street Philadelphia, PA

WEDNESDAY 8/1
Union Pool,  484 Union Avenue, Brooklyn, NY







IT'S GETTING DARK, DARK, DARK

Dark Dark Dark to tour, tour, tour

Minneapolis/New Orleans band (maybe they travel up and down the Mississippi on a river boat), Dark Dark Dark have just announced tour dates in support of their upcoming release, Who Needs Who out October 2nd on Supply and Demand Music. Check out a tune from the record here and then, if you wish, go see them when they play here.

Walk walk walk

Muggsy's Rock Pick: Disappears

FRIDAY 7/20
Disappears, Radar Eyes, Population @ Empty Bottle, 1035 N. Western Ave., Chicago, IL

See them before they disappears.

Friday, July 13, 2012

Thursday, July 12, 2012

The comment from the U.S. State Department in regards to Lamb of God singer, Randy Blythe being held in a Czech jail: No Comment.

Read the latest here.

Sign the petition here.

Video: The Saints, (I'm) Stranded

Video: Radio Birdman Live!

Music Review: Heyward Howkins

HEYWARD HOWKINS
The Hale & Hearty (no label)
Folky singer/songwriters are certainly in no short supply these days. Nope, there’s a real plethora of ‘em stretchin’ out all across this great nation, east to west, north to south. Probably in Alaska and Hawaii and some of the territories too. (We still got territories?). It’s lucky for Heyward Howkins that he’s got some singer/songwriter chops. The eleven songs on The Hale & Hearty feature some quality songwriting with full, but not cluttered, arrangements that showcase his ease at writing gently rolling melodies. Howkins makes a smart move hooking the listener early too. The record kicks of with the simple and beautiful “Thunderin’ Stop”, a simple guitar and violin tune which is not thunderin’ in a thunderin’ sense but the point is made nonetheless. The rest of the record follows suit with mellow, buttery jams (“The Live Oak”) and more somber numbers (“The Raucous Call of Morning”). A solid, earnest effort from a relatively unknown player.

As a side note, Howkins’ Great Great Great Great Great Grandfather (G5) was the “Singing Signer” Thomas Heyward who put his John Hancock on the Declaration of Independence (along with John Hancock) in 1776—Jan Hancock [Heywood Howkins]

Muggsy's Rock Pick: Owl City

THURSDAY, 7/12

Owl City @ Bottom Lounge, 1375 W. Lake St., Chicago, IL

Who let the owl's out? Hoot! Hoot! Hoot! Hoot!

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Muggsy's Rock Pick: Dick Dale

WEDNESDAY 7/11
Dick Dale, Knuckel Drager @ High Noon Saloon, 701A Washington, Madison, WI

Prolonged exposure to the sun tends to slaughter Muggsy's pale Irish skin. Prolonged exposure to water makes Muggsy's piggy toes wrinkle up like a Shar Pei's mug, and prolonged exposure to surf music makes Muggsy's brain melt (in a bad way). Dick Dale's all right though. So get Moon Dog and all your friends, you're all invited to a surf party showdown at the High Noon Saloon.

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Free Randy Blythe!

Long-time Reglar Wiglar pals, Lamb of God, are having a bit of a crisis with their singer Randy Blythe who is being held in a Czech jail despite posting bail.

Start reading about it here.

Petition the White House here.

Muggsy's Rock Pick: Billy Bragg

All brewed up.
TUESDAY, 7/10
An Evening with Billy Bragg @ The Barrymore Theater, 2090 Atwood, Madison, WI

Billy brews up some birthday wishes for Woody who would be 100 years old this year if, you know, he were still alive and stuff.

Monday, July 09, 2012

Zine Review: White Elephants

WHITE ELEPHANTS
(Microcosm)
By Katie Haegele


Sweet, funny, wistful, slightly sad yet somehow optimistic—how do I describe Katie Haegele’s writing? Well, maybe Katie found a few better words herself, like the Portuguese word saudade or the Welsh hiraeth. Both seem to get at that feeling of nostalgic sadness that's hard to pin down. Katie wasn’t necessarily using these words to describe her own writing, only that she’s familiar with the feeling they represent. That’s what White Elephants is about, really. It's about regaining the past and reclaiming something that has been lost. It’s about buying a bit of saudade. Of course, there’s also something satisfying about finding a good bargain.

White Elephants is four yard sale seasons in four sections. Throughout the book, Katie schools us on the differences, sometimes subtle, between yard sales and estate sales and their more churchy rummage sale cousins: different clientele, different proprietors and sometimes very different vibes can be found at each. Katie gives vivid, humorous descriptions of the people she encounters and the stuff they're either buying or parting with. White Elephants is about more than this, of course. Katie’s dad died when she was twenty-one and as a result of this tragic event she developed a friendship with her mother, and fellow yard sale devotee, that she might not have otherwise. White Elephants is also about relationships and community (Katie still lives in the town she grew up in, just down the street from the house she grew up in.) The last section, "Yard Sale Season Four," sees Katie embarking on a new relationship that might take her away from all of these things.

You can read White Elephants for tips on which sales might be best for finding used books or records, clothing or accessories. You won't be disappointed if you do, but read it for a story about loss, family and the comfort old things and you will be rewarded in kind by this well-written, heartfelt memoir. Now that's bargain!Chris Auman

Read more reviews, and always...always read Reglar Wiglar!

Friday, July 06, 2012

Muggsy's Rock Pick: Cave

FRIDAY, 7/6
Cave, Dead Luke @ Mickey's, 1524 Williamson Street Madison, WI

Unless you actually, really do live in a cave, (like my friend Bug from Arizona--hey Bug!), you're gonna wanna go to Micky's tonight!

Thursday, July 05, 2012

Muggsy's Rock Pick: oOoOO

THURSDAY, 7/5
oOoOO, Cos & X1 of Push Beats (DJ set), Dolor @ Empty Bottle, 1035 N. Western Ave., Chicago, IL

Muggsy laughs at posers who mistakenly spell oOoOO as oOOoO. Morons! That means they don't get it.

Monday, July 02, 2012

Comics Review: Ryder on the Storm

RYDER ON THE STORM
(Radical Publishing)
Ryder On The Storm is an absolutely terrifying, erotic, and spectacular graphic novel. One of the best I’ve read in several years. Its chalk full of mystery, freaky-deeky sex, supernatural monsters and some good ol’ fashioned noir-style storytelling. Author David Hine has outdone himself creating a landscape and universe which the reader can’t help but wish to know more of.

The hero of our story is Ryder, a private eye called in to investigate a brutal suicide/possible murder. As Ryder delves into his investigation he finds himself in the middle of an erotic world of debauchery and dark folklore where love and pain become one in the same. What was once thought to be mere superstition is soon revealed as fact; an ancient race known as Daemons have been living alongside man for thousands of years and Ryder has just found himself in the middle of their ongoing war for control over the human race. Fighting alongside the beautiful and mysterious Katrina Petruska and the last of the daemon hunters, Charles Monk, Ryder must work against time to save his own life and find the truth behind a powerful sect of Daemons who exert their control over the city. Wonderful storytelling with plot twists and fascinating characters make this graphic novel one of the most exciting and compelling to hit the shelves.

The illustrations done by Wayne Nichols are beautiful and the perfect medium to bring Hine’s story to life. Such a detailed and harrowing story demanded just as talented of an artist and Nichols comes through with flying colors. Any less of a story and the illustrations would have been a waste. Fortunately we have an incredible tale filled with captivating characters. I recently finished another graphic novel, Legends: The Enchanted, which utilized around 15 characters and somehow managed to screw up every one of them, making each character a pointless plot device which no reader could possibly care about. David Hine uses about as many characters yet succeeds in utilizing each of them as they should be used. Well-sculpted characters with depth and emotion drive this incredible story. Each character, setting, and backdrop seemed to have been specifically chosen by Hine to push his story forward. I cannot stress how much of a joy it is to find a writer who knows exactly what he is doing.

Fans of H.P. Lovecraft and supernatural stories in general will love this comic. Fans of mystery and noir will also be satisfied. And those of you with a little “naughty side” would also do well to pick this one up. To be quite honest, I feel as if everyone will be pleased after reading this novel as magnificent storytelling and wonderful illustrations make it more than just your average comic book—Henry Rentas

Muggsy's Rock Pick: A Tribute to MCA

MONDAY, 7/2
The Right Now, JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound, Scotland Yard Gospel Choir, The Drastics, Bumpus, Akasha @ Lincoln Hall , 2424 N. Lincoln Ave. Chicago, IL

That's right, his name is Yauch!