Bocephus may think the Kenyan Usurper is 50 shades of Hitler, but at least he never sent him Ricin, unlike, allegedly, “Master Of Impressions” Kevin Paul Curtis. Yes, the “Master Of Impressions,” a particularly disgruntled Elvis impersonator, is believed to have posted the castor bean-flecked envelopes that might have tainted the inboxes of a more than a few targets of his ire.
The more I checked out the versatile performer’s YouTube channel, the less I wanted to believe it myself. Really, who would want even fake Johnny Cash (below the jump) really languishing behind bars?
Words can’t begin to express how very, very sad I am right now. Don Van Vliet was one of the most inventive, influential and amazing musicians in the history of rock and roll (and a damn fine painter, too). I’ll write another post later but I’m too bummed at the moment to compile anything meaningful. Just do me a favor. Crank this video and boogie in his honor. I think Don would like that.
Sophie B. Hawkins jumps over Obama’s bus, but unfortunately most of her pants don’t make it.
According to The Hill the political opinions of a washed-up adult-contemporary pseudo-hippy qualify as “news.” Has anyone checked in with other one-hit wonders from the 90’s like Right Said Fred or Lou Bega?:
Singer Sophie B. Hawkins told The Hill on Thursday that “America’s being thrown under the bus” by President Barack Obama as he presses forward with his agenda and comes under criticism for his response to the Gulf oil spill. [...]
The singer campaigned on the trail with Hillary Rodham Clinton during her presidential campaign, and told The Hil from her tour bus that she “never believed in [Obama’s] philosophy”—which she said runs contrary to her beliefs in “smaller government, smart government, flexible government.”
“I think the writing was on the wall,” Hawkins said. “I honestly couldn’t believe so many people were into him.”
She describes herself as a centrist who’s identified with the Democratic and Green parties, but said even though she’s never been Republican she wouldn’t cross that vote off the list if the right leader came along.
In fact, she’s open to a Republican Congress.
“I want the Congress that really is going to listen to the people,” she said. “I really don’t care what party it is anymore.”
Hawkins said she attended a Tea Party rally in Santa Monica, Calif., that was “mostly all Democrats.”
“The Tea Parties are only here because people are not listening,” she said.
The singer said she viewed the government’s attitude as “arrogant” and said people are hungry for leaders who will “take us in a direction that’s truly American.”
Hawkins also complained that Obama doesn’t make her feel like moving her life up another level:
The band that made me want take up drums, and the song that gave voice to every teenage boy’s frustration. The band was written off as a one-hit wonder, but what a hit!
Doug Fieger died yesterday at 57, after a long battle with brain and lung cancer. Drummer Bruce Gary died in ‘06.
I got a sad yesterday when I found out the New Zealand’s do-it-yourself musical mastermind Chris Knox had a stroke this summer (via Pitchfork). I’ve really got to get my priorities straight when I know useless things like who Bart Septak’s fucking barber is but I find out several months late that one of my favorite musicians of all-time was taken down by a terrible malady. Gack.
Here are a few videos featuring Knox and his epic two-man band the Tall Dwarfs to honor a great man. Here’s to a very speedy recovery.
Tom Waits’ new album Glitter and Doom Live, including “Trampled Rose” and a bonus disc of nothing but Tom’s spectacular stage patter, is coming out on November 24th and to promo the release they’re giving away the first eight songs from it for free here. Go get ‘em.
"[W]e wholeheartedly endorse the excellent Rumproast blog" -- Jim Newell, Wonkette
"Mind you, don’t let yourself be trapped dialoging with these guys: truth is their enemy; pyschological warfare and misinformation dissemination is their profession." -- TeaParty.org
