Lifeless masses of matter that resemble vegetables

If "conventional" produce (which is anything but) was not subsidized by the government while organic farmers are forced to pay extra to do the work they do, the whole "but organic food is so EXPENSIVE!" argument would disappear overnight. Me, I'll take the yam that sprouts when left to its own devices.



When I was a naive young punk rock hipster, I was a bit embarrassed to admit I grew up on a farm. Now, when I look back, I realize I was exposed to things my peers never knew, and that younger generations can't afford to take for granted.

Not to over-romanticize things too much because my dad did try using chemical fertilizers sometimes and he did die of colon cancer, but even so, it was a family farm, which a lot of kids have never seen. Everyone could benefit from a spell of tilling the soil, just to see how this stuff actually comes out of the ground.

What's happening to the food you find in American stores and restaurants is a travesty, so bear with me as I harp on the subject. The fun and music of our blog has not ended; it's just taking a time out.

Pieces of a man

Missed this one when it came out. Michael Franti offers a no-holds-barred eulogy for the recently departed Gil Scott-Heron. Read it.

Robyn O'Brien gives us the lowdown on the toxic swill we call food in America

We buy poisonous agribusiness-grown food for ourselves and our kids, which makes us sick. Then we go to our doctor to be treated, and our crappy health insurance (or none at all) forces us to pay an arm and a leg to be "treated". And corporations make a bundle every step of the way. Diabolically clever of them, isn't it?

Meanwhile, other countries have banned the kinds of genetically-mutated, patented, pesticide-filled foodlike products that are the staples of our dinner table. We could do the same, but we don't, because we are AMERICA and we are FREE! A sea change in US food policy would seem to logically go hand in hand with health care reform, if our political system and our media were not under the thumb of the very people who make all of this possible.

Spread the word. It ain't gonna spread itself.

Something to brighten your day

Here's a very sweet young lady who knows how to take care of business. I can think of quite a few public figures I'd like to turn her loose on. ("Now I'm going to give him a real thrill!")



Hat tip to Big Bad Bald Bastard for sharing this.

Jason: A good guy who needs your help

We have added a donation page to our website for Jason Axis, a member of our family who is fighting a hard battle against lymphoma. Please stop by and pay a visit.

The Merry Go Round has stopped

Maati Stojanovich and I were walking to some gig in North Beach around 1979 or so, and this wild-eyed, disheveled homeless-looking guy came up to us, saying, "Hey! Do you guys like Captain Beefheart?" And then he introduced himself as Wild Man Fischer, went into a long tirade of how Frank Zappa ripped him off, and asked us for some spare change. I think we gave him a couple of dollars, and he took off in search of more punk rock hipsters to panhandle.

Kind of surprised he lived this long. Farewell to a troubled soul.

Strike up your matches, there's so much to see

We updated our video link at the top. The movie page on our site is up and you can find loads of exclusive stuff there. Go thou and take a gander.

(By the way, the post title is a little hat-tip to the mighty Trader Horne, who are well worth your attention.)

Meanwhile...

Let's keep talking about Weiner, shall we? After all, nothing else of interest is happening in America right now.



UPDATE: This dickish regime will not last. If there were any fence-sitters in Wisconsin, I can't imagine they will stand for this sort of Big Government intrusion on their right to enjoy beer for very long.

Thought for the day

I know politics attracts narcissists like honey attracts ants, but anyone with a lick of sense should know that if you decide politics is your calling, you forfeit the right to be Iggy Pop. Sorry. It's the simple truth.

UPDATE: As usual, Doghouse Riley hits all the right notes.

An informed citizenry speaks out

This is what happens when a population grows up without being taught basic critical thinking.

Typical girls reluctantly celebrate the royal wedding

Time for something more wholesome after the last couple displays of Horrid American Wrongness. How about a charming UK musical heroine?

This is a British series I've never seen before, where the host drives the guests around London, interviewing them casually as he drives. As a videographer, I'm wondering where they put the cameras. I was amused when she referred to "Mick and Keith" and it turned out to be Mick Jones and Keith Levene, not those other guys.

We saw Viv do a solo performance a couple of years ago. She has some great new material, very different from the direction Ari took the Slits in her final years. I look forward to the full album.

Somebody badly needs a hug...or something

Another jaw-dropping video passed on by one of my Facebook buddies. Do you suppose this passionately sincere gentleman might be in denial about something?



The cross is good! The penis is evil!

This is the most disturbing thing I have ever seen

Just looking at this will make you want to go on a detox diet.

This is to announce: We are on a new spiritual path

Ear Candle Radio's Top 20, May 2011

1. Vivian Girls - The Other Girls - Share the Joy
2. Poly Styrene - Code Pink Dub - Generation Indigo
3. Van Morrison - Listen To The Lion - Saint Dominic's Preview
4. The Units - The Mission is Bitchin' - The Early Years of the Units 1977-1983
5. Trial - The Border - Moments Of Collapse
6. Suicide - Super Subway Comedian - The Second Album + The First Rehearsal
7. Mallard - Road to Morrocco - Mallard
8. Ken Nordine - Down the Drain - The Best of Word Jazz, Vol. 1
9. The Granite Countertops - Something Different - Crashing Into The Future
10. Culture - Poor Jah People - Cumbolo
11. Wyatt / Atzmon / Stephen - What A Wonderful World - For The Ghosts Within
12. Captain Beefheart & The Magic Band - Sweet Sweet Bulbs - Trout Mask Replica
13. Vivian Stanshall - Possibly an Armchair/Fresh-Faced Boys - Teddy Boys Don't Knit
14. Moon Duo - Seer - Mazes
15. Sleater-Kinney - Get Up - The Hot Rock
16. Peter Cook & Dudley Moore - The L.S. Bumble Bee - 7" Single
17. Lost Cherrees - You're You, I'm Me - In The Beginning - The Studio Recordings 83-85
18. Linda Smith - Something New! Remix By Arthur Loves Plastic - Something New!
19. Society of Rockets - The Great Experiment - Future Factory
20. Paul Revere & the Raiders - Get It On - Midnight Ride