The Illustrations of Ed Harrington

I Like Cool just recently made a post on illustrator Ed Harrington about his amazing fake Ikea instructions for horror movie icons(like the BETEL GEUSE and BUFALOBILL here) these were so amazing I decided to look further into Harrington's art and discovered a treasure trove of pop culture/illustration mashups. Brilliantly constructed with finite detail Harrington's work can only be described as "inpiring". ENJOY!

The work is amazingly 80's-riffic and full of dark humor that only sickos like us could love. If you like what I have posted here stop by his website, linked above, and pick up a few of his designs on shirts!

all images copyright Ed Harrington

ROKU - N - ROLL!!

Over the last couple of months we have been really hard at work on the next step for Mooster which is MOOSTER TV, our very own TV station on the ROKU network. Roku is a series of digital media player set-top boxes manufactured by Roku, Inc. Roku partners provide over-the-top content in the form of channels. It's super independent and, in my opinion, the next obvious move for entertainment content!

We are very excited to present MOOSTERTV in a BETA form for readers of our blog, including videos by WOLF-FACE, THE YOUNG ROCHELLES, KURT BAKER, CITY MOUSE, INSANITY ALERT, THE PROZACS, HAMBURGLARS, POOL PARTY, FLAMINGO NOSEBLEED, THE UECKERS, DOUBTFIRE, NICK MINNOW AND MORE.

If you own a ROKU, adding the channel is super easy:

1. LOGIN TO YOUR ROKU ACCT 

2. GO TO MY ACCOUNT or "HI, (YOUR NAME)"

3. CLICK ADD CHANNEL

4. TYPE IN "mooster" AS THE CHANNEL CODE.

VOILA! WELCOME TO MOOSTER TV

TO ADD MORE AWESOME, PRIVATE AND NON PRIVATE CHANNELS VISIT OUR BUDDIES AT MKVXSTREAM Theyve got tons of listings for all diffrent platforms and tons of hacks to get really awesome free channels. You can find MOOSTERTV on the list too. I recommend some of the crazy wrestling channels!!

As with any BETA testing, there are gonna be bugs so if you see any please send us a message at moosterblog@gmail.com

Tell us if you think its awesome too though or if your band wants to be added, send us your youtube link!

Enjoy! And welcome to the next wave of Mooster, MOOSTERTV!

Johnny Ramone CBGB’s-era Rickenbacker Guitar Up For Sale

Johnny Ramone's Guitar up for auction

 

Exceptionally rare stage-used CBGB’s-era Rickenbacker guitar

Johnny Ramone’s 1966 Rickenbacker 450 ‘Fireglo’ finish guitar will be featured in an upcoming live auction event from Boston-based RR Auction.

Frequently used on stage and adjusted to his personal preferences, including a replaced higher output pickup to accommodate the Ramones’ punk rock sound.

The bridge is stamped with the serial number FA180, and secured with small brads in order to keep it in place due to Johnny’s aggressive playing style. The guitar features its original Kluson Deluxe tuners. The guitar exhibits extensive wear from use, including dings and wear to the finish, and a large area of buckle rash to the back.

"Johnny displayed this guitar on stages across the world, and rather than house it in the band's storage facility, this Rickenbacker was stored safely under both Johnny's 10th Street and then later his 22nd Street apartment beds when the band was in between tours and after the guitar's retirement," said Bobby Livingston, Executive VP at RR Auction.

Additionally, its retirement before a major 1983 tour theft affirms that this guitar was used throughout the late ‘70s and early ‘80s, and is a CBGB’s -era piece of Ramones gear viewable during performances on the DVD, ‘Ramones It's Alive 1974-1996.’ This guitar is the second-oldest documented guitar of Johnny’s, all earlier guitars having been stolen in 1977 (aside from Johnny’s famous white Mosrite, which was purchased in 1977 as was this guitar).

In accordance with Rickenbacker factory logs, only sixty-four of these model-450 guitars were produced in this finish, making the instrument collectible in its own right. While not original to the Rickenbacker guitar, the accompanying tour-used carrying case prominently stenciled on the front and back by the Ramones’ trusted art director Arturo Vega is indicative of the earliest era of Ramones gear, as the band soon acquired rolling cases for gear protection. The Chris Lamy Collection.

Includes Ramone’s original hard case for the guitar, stenciled “Ramones” on both sides by famous Ramones art director Arturo Vega.

Accompanied by letters of provenance from longtime Ramones tour manager Monte A. Melnick, Johnny Ramone’s guitar technician Matt Loyla, Ramones crew member and tour assistant Warren Cohen, Ramones photographer and gear expert Ian Harper and Chris Lamy, close friend of The Ramones and guitarist of The Jabbers, formerly GG Allin & The Jabbers.

Highlights from additional featured lots:

Jimi Hendrix signed note during the summer of 1967.

Jerry Seinfeld’s hand-corrected biography from 1989—the year Seinfeld’s sitcom debuted.

Marilyn Monroe and Arthur Miller signed photograph of the honeymooners from 1957. 

James Dean original oil painting from 1954. 

Bidding on the Remarkable Rarities Auction from RR Auction begins September 17-27, followed by a live auction event on September 28 that will take place at the Royal Sonesta Hotel in Cambridge, MA. More details can be found online at www.rrauction.com    

The Ramones - Needles and Pins - 12/28/1978 - Winterland San Francisco, CA that features Johnny Ramone playing the Rickenbacker guitar.

Headquarters Beercade's 1YR Anniversary Lot Party With Capital Cities!

My favorite local BARCADE, Headquarters Beercade is celebrating their one-year anniversary in the most epic way possible! What debauchery can Chicago expect on the weekend that Headquarters Lakeview turns one year old? A day of live pro wrestling, the Chicago Bears game blasted on a jumbo screen, an industry Twinkie eating contest and live performances by LIGHT.EM.UP and Capital Cities! Here is how it’s all going down.

What: 

                        

Headquarters Beercade in River North's 1-Year Anniversary Lot Party

will be held on Sunday, September 20th from 11am-9pm.  In full

Chicago Bears tailgate fashion, the event will be held in the parking

lot behind Headquarters Beercade in River North.

Starting at 11:00am, guests will enjoy a craft beer tent with drafts of

Allagash, Surly, Lagunitas, 3 Floyds, Left Hand and Great Lakes, and

cans of 21st Amendment Hell or High Watermellon, Oscar Blues Mama’s Little Yella Pils, Avery White Rascal, Vandermill Hard Apple

and Two Brothers Outlaw. There will also be an HQ food tent serving 

up some of Headquarter’s signature dishes including Buffalo Cauliflower, Mozzarella In Crispy Filo, Their Signature Burger, and the Italian Beef. 

Starting at noon, the Bears VS. Cardinals game will be projected on a jumbo video wall for all to see. Wondering what halftime will bring? An industry Twinkie eating contest of course! Any industry member who is interested in entering, please email brandon@capacitybars.com.  Think you can handle even more excitement?  The game will be followed by two hours of live action pro wrestling. 

You are probably thinking, there is no way this day could get any better, but you would be wrong! The party will continue into the night with a DJ set by local favorite, Light.Em.Up and a live performance by Capitol Cities.

WHEN:

Sunday, September 20th

     11:00am-9:00pm

WHERE

220 W. Chicago Avenue

Parking Lot Behind

Headquarters River North

Moral Crux's "Revolution" 7" Pre-order up Today!

Moral Crux preorders for their new 7" "Revolution" are now live! 2 options (purple vinyl and black vinyl). First 100 preorders come with an exclusive poster! Grab em while you can!

Pick up a copy here: http://moosterrecords.storenvy.com/products/14408166-moral-crux-revolution-ep-7-preorder

Stream the title track: "Revolution(Shouldnt Be So Hard)" below

FUNNY PITCH FRIDAY!

This is a new segment I would like to start on the MOOSTERBLOG. I receive pitches everyday, sometime mannnnnnnnny pitches and I wanted to take the time and show funny ones that are either kind of interesting, total WTF moments or just weird. So here is my first installment of FUNNY PITCH FRIDAY! called "NHL Superstar THEO FLEURY launches country music career" (pitch below) WTF????!!! :) :) :) (ive of course left off the names of agencies to protect the innocent)

If I set up an interview with former Calgary Flame THEO FLEURY what should I ask him? Send me our questions to moosterblog@gmail.com
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NHL Superstar THEO FLEURY launches country music career

“My Life’s Been A Country Song” single out now; “I Am Who I Am” album streets October 23

“My life is a country song.” When Theo Fleury says that, it’s hard to argue. From his small-town upbringing to the heights of hockey glory, from the depths of sexual abuse and alcoholism to his current health and happiness, the Canadian icon’s 47 years come packed with enough triumph and tragedy to inspire not just a single song but an entire album.

And now, Theo is launching his country music career with his debut album, I Am Who I Am (out October 23) and lead single My Life’s Been A Country Song. Let me know if you’re interested in having a interview with him! You can stream/share the single here, download some incredible photos here .

I Am Who I Am, out October 23 on Entertainment One, finds the NHL superstar, Olympic gold medal winner, best-selling author, motivational speaker and entrepreneur tackling a new game: Country singer-songwriter. And it’s a more natural fit than you might expect.

“I know that when people hear that Theo Fleury made a country album, they’ll go, ‘Well … OK,’ ” he laughs. “And I wouldn’t say I’m the greatest singer in the world, but I’m a real singer. But I have a decent voice. I grew up around music. I’m a Metis person and music is really part of our DNA. Some of my fondest memories as a kid were listening to my grandfather play the fiddle. My dad sang and played guitar, my uncle sang and played the guitar. Music was always a huge part of any gathering we had as a family. And it was all country stuff, you know — Charley Pride, Buck Owens, Hank Snow, all those old guys. So that became my favourite genre of music. And making music was always in the back of my mind.”

But it wasn’t until 2009 — the same year he published his unflinching memoir Playing With Fire — that Fleury moved music to the forefront. Wanting to cross an item off his bucket list, he teamed with Winnipeg musician Phil Deschambault to write a song about his life. Once they heard the results, they decided to keep going. Over the next few years, the duo — who discovered their fathers had made music together in Russell, Man., before either of them were born — penned more than a dozen songs, each stronger and more personal than the last. Fleury also began collaborating with fellow Calgarian Paddy McCallion, a longtime drinking buddy who turned out to be a talented musician and composer. He assembled Fleury’s backing band The Death Valley Rebels for his future live shows, and produced the autobiographical I Am Who I Am, which merges the hockey star’s Cash-deep vocals with the classic country twang he grew up hearing in his father’s car.

“We wanted this to be a real grassroots album — ‘Let’s get back to fiddles and steel guitars and accordions and honky-tonk pianos, but put our own stamp on it,’ ” he says. “We’re a bunch of guys who love that old-school country sound.”

It’s about more than just entertainment or nostalgia, however. For Fleury, it’s also about helping others by sharing his story.

“The album is definitely dark,” he admits. “The songs are all about my life, my experience, my struggle. But they’re also about coming through that struggle. At the end of every song, there’s hope. That’s what the lyrics and music reflect: Hope and healing. If people listen to this and there’s a line or a word or a phrase that helps them get out of the situation they’re in or how they’re feeling, that’s really why we’re doing this. The message is that no matter how far we may fall, we can make it back.”

And turn it into a great country song.

Let me know what you think!

Best, (name witheld)

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If I set up an interview with former Calgary Flame THEO FLEURY what should I ask him? Send me our questions to moosterblog@gmail.com

No Friends Maga(zine)

This month sees the release of Issue #1 of a brand new zine based right here in Chicago, IL called NO FRIENDS. No Friends is described by themselves as "a DIY (maga)zine from Chicago focusing on underground music, art, film, comedy, politics, and their surrounding communities and cultures."

In May 2015 Issue 0 was released as a, sort of, digital preview and can be downloaded for free right here. Issue #1 is in print and features interviews with Host of "The Best Show" TOM SCHARPLING, Australian punks, AUSMUTEANTS, Austin, TX punks CAPITALIST KIDS, Singer, photographer, film director MARTIN SORRONDEGUY, Editor of Pork Magazine and artist SEAN AABERG, Mallorca, Spain punks TRANCE and much much more.

I would be remiss to not mention that it is also the debut of my column "LET'S START A FIRE" in which I examine little known facets of the punk world or to state more clearly people, places and things that you wouldn't necessary consider being punk but, definately are. Column NO.1 is called "Carl Sagan Was a Punk"

If this at all sounds interesting to you, head on over to their site a pick up a subscription or just a single issue. But subscriptions are SUPER CHEAP and each issue comes with a bad ass flexi disc! Yes you read that right! A fucking flexi disc!!!!

Here is NO FRIENDS mission statement, i found it appropriate to include to further state their goals!

What No Friends is trying to do is add another voice to the conversation of DIY/independent music and art. We want to not only cover bands and musicians, but artists, comedians, podcasters, small indie businesses, and folks just generally trying to do their own thing. DIY/indie culture is huge and vast, incredibly nuanced, and ever growing and changing – we want to help document this and the people involved.

Everyone said zines have pretty much died, but we think that's bullshit. Yet we do understand that it's 2015, so we're trying to find a balance between the perfect zine to leave next to the toilet and the perfect digital read for your phone or device. So what we're doing is this, printing a tangible zine, but also making it available immediately as a downloadable pdf file to read. Now, why the hell would anyone buy a Maga(zine) when they could just download it? Good question. Because it comes with a record. The plan is to have every physical issue of No Friends to come with a flexi record that is a split between two bands we at the zine think are pretty fucking awesome. The music won't come with the download, so the only way to get it is to buy the zine/record. Yeah, it'll end up on the internet eventually – but so will all of us once the singularity comes. Til then, the real music fiends and collectors will have to buy an issue of No Friends to get these crucial tunes in their home.

What we're also trying to do here is to expand the way we use DIY/independent networks – and really show that we can get things out their ourselves. By having records with the zines, we will have bands selling zines on the road – exposing who knows who, in who knows where to our take on the world. At the same time, we're gonna have readers checking out brand new musicians and artists that they may not take the time to learn about otherwise. To some people this will be a zine that comes with a record. To others this will be a record series that comes with a zine. We couldn't care less which side you're on – as long as you're on our side. In a crass, business sense, it'll help us expand our distribution to places that only a zine, or only a record, wouldn't be able to reach. In a real, awesome sense we can get our stuff out there even more because of this.

We are a quarterly publication, based out of Chicago, IL. We are staffed entirely by volunteers who are in it for the sole purpose of supporting DIY/independent arts. We are contributor based and community oriented. Our outlook is that most of us have more in common than not. If you're reading this you probably have some kind of connection to the underground arts scene – and that alone puts us on the same side. We want to have a diverse groups of voices, with different opinions, all working together to make something that represents more than just a little corner of the independent underground.

"Just Some Punk Songs" Blog Shows Mooster Love!

Over the weekend the amazing just some punk songs blog covered a WHOLE LOT of Mooster! Thanks to Mick for the great coverage, on Friday he posted my Top Ten Songs on Mutant Pop list, Saturday he posted a Mooster exclusive release of THE AUTOMATICS track "Hangin Out at EJs" remastered by Mass Giorgini from the upcoming 2016 release on vinyl, and on Sunday he posted a track from our latest release THE HOMEWRECKERS "I,Statements". I have reposted the links  below as well as the individual tunes, check everything out!

http://justsomepunksongs.blogspot.com/2015/09/top-10-songs-chosen-by-brandon-harrod.html

http://justsomepunksongs.blogspot.com/2015/09/the-automatics-hangin-out-at-ejs.html

http://justsomepunksongs.blogspot.com/2015/09/the-homewreckers-nervous-rex.html