23
Dec
11

Joe Strummer, revived

Most of my interview with Joe Strummer originally appeared in While You Were Sleeping magazine and pieces of it are quoted in the book Let Fury Have the Hour by Antonino D’Ambrosio (left). Enjoy!

Joe Strummer, the voice and rhythm of the Clash, died in his home on December 22, 2002—about one year after this interview. He was 50. I was just one of thousands who had interviewed him over the years, and probably one of many, even, on this particular day, yet he was extremely warm, acting as if no one had ever asked him these questions in his twenty-five years of performing. The conversation went on for a few minutes after the tape stopped, about the possibility of him writing his memoirs, and more about fiddling. He was all about giving props to his musician-friends, and I could see why, after he and the talented Mescaleros rocked LA’s the Troubador that night. Strummer sang and moved with the energy of someone half his age, without a trace of bitter “been-there/invented-that” sentiment common to many of rebel-music’s forefathers (though he’d certainly be more entitled than most.) The set included cuts from Rock Art and The X-Ray Style, their first release, as well as the newer Global-A-Go-Go record—a booty-shakin’ spicy musical mix of Latin, Caribbean, Celtic and Cajun-inspired numbers all fronted by that voice. Of course Strummer sprinkled in a few crowd-pleasing Clash hits, then topped the night off with a nod to the passing of Joey Ramone in a rousing rendition of Blitzkrieg Bop. So moved was one gal during the encore that she threw her big white lacy bra onstage. It zinged by the singer’s head and he laughed and said “thank you” mid-song, never missing a beat.
Continue reading ‘Joe Strummer, revived’

08
Nov
11

Writers are Eavesdroppers

Awhile ago on Facebook, I shared a sad interaction overheard in the K-mart Barbie aisle. Benn Ray of Atomic Books/Mutant Funnies asked if he could use it in his “Overheards” column, which runs in the Baltimore Sun offshoot paper, “B.” The result is the brilliantly illustrated piece below. Kate Haberer‘s astute interpretation emphasizes the irony of the mother’s admonishment. I just love these things! You can order a whole book of them here.

 

16
Oct
11

Tarnished Anthology

Tarnished Anthology by sugarfreak
Tarnished Anthology, a photo by sugarfreak on Flickr.

Hosted a fun reading at Atomic Books in Baltimore with my co-editor Cara Bruce last night. I read at Atomic (in their old location) on my first book tour, and have read there a few times over the years with various anthologies. It felt good to be there presenting the work of other writers, many of them thrilled to be published for the first time. Someone gave me an opportunity to share my words once; it’s a beautiful feeling to be able to do that for others, now. Long live lovely indie bookstores like Atomic, too.

10
Sep
11

Madonna and Me

I’m very excited to have an essay in upcoming anthology, Madonna and Me: Women Writers on the Queen of Pop (Soft Skull Press). I wrote the piece (about dressing as Madonna for a Catholic youth group Halloween party in the 80s) long ago but it’s fun to see the book coming together with all of editor Laura Barcella‘s hard work. As with any anthology, I’m looking forward to meeting many of the other contributors. It’ll be out in March 2010 but is available for pre-order now.

In other cool news, an interview I did recently about the Safari Club book with Stuck in the Past 90s hardcore webzine has been cross-posted to a fabulous new feminist webzine called Grrrl Beat. There is good girly energy swirling about and for that, I am always grateful!

 

28
Jun
11

editing projects

In my loads and loads of spare time (that’s sarcasm, people), sometimes I’m editing stuff. There’s been a lot of such “stuff” lately. Very happy to announce the second anthology I’ve co-edited with friend Cara Bruce for our indie publishing company, Pinchback Press. The collection’s called Tarnished: True Tales of Innocence Lost. I’m loving the cover (by artist Linas Garsys) and the juicy stories inside. Release party coming soon!

Juggling with my other eight hands, I also edited the June issue of Swedish film magazine, Cinema–its first ever all-English version and for the iPad, at that. Woo! Was cool to read a European p.o.v. for various releases and get the inside scoop on a new documentary being made about The Pirate Bay internet gangstas. And I feel fortunate to have at least visited Stockholm and Malmö, so I can visualize some of the places I’m reading about. The whole issue is here. Click. Download. Skål! Now if someone could please buy me an iPad, that’d be great. Tack så mycket. See? My Swenglish is improving.

30
May
11

my new punk book

Just back from New York AGAIN (yes, that’s twice in one month) as spectator/researcher, rather than performer, this time. My husband and I went to the Black and Blue Bowl to see many of our favorite New York hardcore bands but also to interview as many people as possible for a book we’re working on about the Safari Club–a now crumbling, boarded-up building that once  hosted hardcore matinees (including many of the bands gracing the stage at BNB 2011). We talked to a lot of old friends and made some new ones. DC and New York have always had what I’ve seen as a very sisterly relationship, musically.

Here’s an impromptu anecdote from Lars Frederiksen, who was at the show and game to share a memory. Thanks, Lars!

Interview excerpts will trickle into the Live at the Safari Club website over the next year or so. In the meantime, I’ve got a lot of transcribing to do!

17
May
11

Bowery Poetry

Fresh off the bus, back from reading at the Bowery Poetry Club in New York. I had THE  BEST time. No, really! Usually I dread these things. I dreaded this one. In fact, all the way there my friend Cara Bruce and I were bitching about how scary it is to read your work in front of people and wondering “why we put ourselves through this” again and again. We were excited about going to NY, “except for this whole reading thing.”

I ended up having one of the best readings of my life. My hands didn’t sweat, my legs didn’t shake. I didn’t rush through the words. Hell, I even improv-ed a bit! Getting feedback from an expressive audience is a gift for any artist, and I was truly feeling it while onstage this time.  A man in the front row quietly recited my paraphrased Thoreau quote with me. People giggled in all the right places. The space, the audience, the other performers, friends in the crowd, and maybe just the combo of my age and experience all finally added up to an evening I am grateful for. Or maybe I am old enough not to take anything for granted anymore. How lucky am I, that I am asked to share my words in public sometimes? And that I can make someone laugh, cry or empathize? That someone would give something I’ve written any attention when there are a zillion TV shows, songs, movies and other books crying out for their time? Thank you, universe. Thank you, New York.

10
Apr
11

Sister Spit

Had so much fun as part of Sister Spit’s performance at the University of Maryland last night. I was honored to be one of the guests, reading among an incredibly talented bunch of freethinkers, poets, photographers and artists. Plus, check out the beautiful poster made for the event by Grace Toulotte! I got MINES signed by the whole crew (‘cept Ali, who was out sick, and Blake Nelson, who temporarily left the tour for a conference).

Their magical tour van may be coming your way–if you care anything about feminism, activism, LGBT rights, or literature in general, catch ‘em if you can!

06
Apr
11

The Messenger

I teach at two different schools—a community college and a small university. On my way to my office at the community college last Monday morning, I chatted with the maintenance man, as usual. He said he couldn’t wait for spring break. I complained that I’d still be teaching at my other school, therefore no real “break.” When I said the name of the other school, his face lit up. “My daughter goes there,” he said. “I don’t know what she’s studying or if you know her.” When he said her name, I smiled and told him what a great student she is. “Very hardworking and funny and smart,” I added. I know she is 18, lives in Southeast DC and takes a bus and the Metro to get to school. At the beginning of the semester, when I asked everyone in the class to write about their first time doing something, she’d written about working in a fast food joint near our school and being robbed at gun point. Other than this, I know nothing of her home life.

Continue reading ‘The Messenger’

25
Jan
11

Bust Mag & Cherry Vanilla

Psyched to see my juicy interview with Warhol star/memoirist Cherry Vanilla in Bust Magazine hit the stands today! It’s an awesome issue full-o-goodness including profiles of sex bloggers, a fascinating history of women and body hair (“Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow”) and an in-depth interview with covergirl Portia de Rossi. Get it while it’s fresh!




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