top of page

Entry Date: 10-25-2024 – 51 Shopping Weeks – Letters to My Friends

phnart

Dear Friends,

 

Yesterday when I was getting my board ready at work for today, it occurred to me that my birthday comes around again in 51 weeks. 51 glorious shopping weeks for those that love me. I’m joking, of course, because this year it seemed like the concept of birthday presents just didn’t compute or fit.

 

I think grief has something to do with it. In each of the last few years, I didn’t hear from Doug on my birthday. He was usually really spot on with a card and his usual gift, but the last two years, nada. I didn’t take it personally, but more took it as a sign that his mind was slipping a bit.

 

Considering the fact that they were usually getting ready to come back from Maine right around my big day, I didn’t think much of it, but it was a little indicator that he might not have been as sharp as I knew him to be anymore.

 

From the time things started to look pretty bad in early September, I did a lot of research on kidney issues, and it seems to me (and I have no medical background) that perhaps his kidney issues were farther gone than he was letting us in on. One of the signs that show advanced kidney failure has to do with cognitive functions and that makes a lot of sense.

 

It doesn’t matter now, of course, and I am very glad that he is at peace, but I’ve been missing him a lot lately. I’m sure I will for a long, long time, probably always.

 

***** 

 

Yesterday was the long day I predicted it to be. I spoke to a lot of parents and then did a long interview with Cris K. down at Club Placebo. I didn’t get home until after 10pm. No bueno at all.

 

Today won’t be any shorter, but I will not have to speak to as many parents as I did today. It will probably also be a shorter time at Club Placebo, too. I’m guessing today will be a fine day.

 

***** 

 

One of the best records of the mid-80s is Acid Bath by Alien Sex Fiend. Jeff turned me onto them when we started hanging out in late 1987 and early 1988. We listened to Acid Bath a lot at the Polka Dot Pad and I have stayed pretty true to this record ever since.

 

Alien Sex Fiend seemed like this wild band to me when Jeff shared them. They had a sound that was kinda spooky and dance-y and electronic that wasn’t usually my cup of tea, well, the dance-y and electronic side. I’ve always had a soft spot for spooky. Plus, the record is very traditional from a rock and roll sense in that it is dominated by some killer, distorted guitar and bass and the drums are steady and plodding.

 

I had heard of them for years before actually hearing them, though, and when I finally got to really listen, I was blown away by this record. Acid Bath is big and mean, at times, and precise like a well-skilled surgeon’s blade at others. It’s the kind of record that could gain fans across the genres if people were willing to give it a chance.

 

The very first song, “In God We Trust (In Cars You Rust?)” grabs me by the balls to this day. I just can’t help it. I love Mr. Nik Fiend’s voice on this record, and, from the very beginning, it is obvious that he is going to completely rule Acid Bath.

 

“She’s A Killer” is another one that just slays me. It’s got a feeling of desolation and denied redemption that just works. The song is mixed fucking perfectly, too. It may be my favorite track on the record, but I don’t if I could take that title away from “E.S.T. (Trip To The Moon).”

 

There are only 9 tracks on the record and each one of them is solid, but “E.S.T.” and “She’s A Killer” are just a little bit better than all the rest. My ears (and soul) prefer them. I could live without the rest of them if I had to do so, but I don’t know if I could go very long without craving each of those songs.

 

In 1990, Alien Sex Fiend played the Sun Club. I’m pretty sure it was 1990, because I got in with a fake ID. The band played and played and played, all the while continuing to pump fog into the small room with their smoke machine. You could barely see them up there playing but they were very colorful and cool and they played both “She’s A Killer” and “E.S.T. (Trip  To The Moon).” I was in heaven.

 

The Sun Club ended up pulling the plug on them about half an hour after last call when it became apparent that they were not going to stop. I was super impressed by this and have always wanted to play so long that the club pulled the plug. Maybe one day it will happen.

 

That was the only opportunity I have had to see Alien Sex Fiend. I wish they played the States more. I’m guessing there wasn’t a huge audience for the band. Lots of people are just dumb.

 

*****


See you tomorrow.



Who is the man? Give us AI clue.

8 views0 comments

Comments


Post: Blog2 Post
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram

©2021 by Ergonomic Mischief. Proudly created with Wix.com

bottom of page