Skylab Flyer Archive

       The flyer archive at Skylab Gallery is a new project started to preserve paper ephemera produced by the DIY music scene in Columbus, Ohio. The archive is housed in two flat files that Michelle Maguire generously earmarked for Skylab during the Ohio State University’s History of Art Department’s summer reorganization. 

       The flat files currently hold more than 500 flyers that were taken from my personal collection. We’ve organized these flyers according to venue, giving long-running spaces like the Legion of Doom, the 15^th House, or Skylab their own sections, and categorizing fly-by-night spaces by the type of venue they represent – whether it’s a house, an art gallery, or a record store. If possible, we’ve written the designer’s name and the year the flyer was made in pencil on the back of each flyer.

        As a community archive we’re eager to expand the collection through donations from people involved in the Columbus DIY scene. We’re interested in any and all flyers that represent DIY events in Columbus from any time period. If you wish to donate but you’re unsure about giving your flyers away, please consider making a temporary loan to the flyer archive.

        In addition to serving as a historical record, we envision the flyer archive being used for research purposes, design inspiration, and, most of all, entertainment. The archive is open by appointment to all. Make an appointment or schedule a donation by emailing Skylabartspace@gmail.com or by calling 614.323.9306.

Other News:

* I'm in the Ohio Arts Council's creative writer listing.
* Jack Ramunni reads one of my poems in this episode of Late Lunch Live.
* Addie Cheges assigns and illustrates an epitaph for the Monster House, which is scheduled to die in June of 2012. It's a saying I wrote in chalk on an overhang in the basement, "No Encores in Punk Rock."
* Aaron Miller updates a list I made of every band that's played at the Monster House in honor of its 200th show.
* My aunt Britta's son Erik Kish, who was in the band Hi-Fi and the Roadburners, recently passed away. A number of newspapers in Chicago published obituaries in remembrance of his life: Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Reader, Time-Out Chicago, Huffington Post. I only met Erik once, but I feel that having his presence in my family (and his mother's - an artist herself) is one of the reasons that I felt, from a young age, that making a life out of creative endeavors is not just possible, but actually desirable. I also think that the first descriptions of "punk" I heard in my life was due to people explaining to me what he did. So, obviously, a big deal. 

At The Library

The Ohio State University Libraries' catalogue record for Arty Party.
And their record for This is a Comic Book.

The Chicago Underground Library's catalogue record for the CSBYS March 2010 issue. 

The Lose The Tude 7-Inch Has "Hit" The "Streets."

You can purchase this pile of polemics through Sacred Plague Records, through us (online or in person), and at Dreadful Sounds Records, Lost Weekend Records, Spoonful Records, Magnolia Thunderpussy, and Used Kids Records.

It's ten songs of what a Canadian chap believed to be "Skate-Punk." It looks and sounds and smells like some kids found a Minor Threat record and went from there. But, you know, 20/30 years removed from the time of that sound so it's complete with layers of meaning - right? On this record we touch on Nike shoes, feeling jaded, feeling jealous, feeling like not getting out of the bed, feeling like writing graffiti, feeling the radical potentialities of garlic, feeling like you are living with fleas, and feeling like properly "giving a shit."

Also: 

Some of my zines are in a show, or in a zine library attached to the show or something, this month at the DePaul University Art Museum in Chicago, Illinois entitled "The Nomadic Studio."

J. Caleb Mozzocco of Everyday is Like Wednesday reviewed "Arty Party." I like his blog a lot. I think, in general, he says the content is obscure and the form is good. 

Apparently the new issue of Bitch also has a review of Arty Party but I can't seem to find a copy in Columbus. 

Someone from Vice doesn't like Arty Party. 

BEREA FEST V

The show schedule for Berea Fest V is after "The Jump." The DIY punk fest, which each year raises money for children in Berea, takes place July 16th and 17th in Berea, Ohio.

CSBYS MONTHLY MAY 2010

The May issue of CSBYS Alternative Monthly features writing by Nick See, Down With The Clown, Jane Rager, Matt Tard and Pat Hauser. I have two poems in the issue: "Besides the Biz Markie Interpolation Part One" and "Besides the Biz Markie Interpolation Part Two." Also features a photo spread of founding CSBYS editor Brian Deller and his going away party. Sad!

What Gives at Monster House 4/26/10

What Gives is Josh Hoey from Serious Geniuses on bass, Austin from Delay, Welcome to Concrete and Lose The Tude on drums and Ryan Starinsky from Amelia, Slugging Percentage and Letters on guitar.

This is a recording of their first show. Download here.

Lose The Tude 7 Inch Art

I just finished the design for our upcoming 7 inch on Sacred Plague Records. Should be out in a few months. The cover is science themed. BTW: I am open to designing records for bands. I like doing it.

Back cover and labels after "the jump."

CSBYS MONTHLY APRIL 2010

This is a weird one. Pictures of semi-nude women in Japanese horror films, stories about beer and - nonsensically yet predictably - coverage of Toyota's cultural marketing, "Scion Rock Fest." I don't mean coverage as in critical dissection of spectacle or treatises on resisting commodification of our lifestyles, nope, just ambivalent "I get it and don't care" coverage. Somehow the "we're still not buying one of those stupid-looking cars" refrain doesn't content me. Why is the DIY monthly printing advertising for Toyota? You know, the company which deliberately hid known safety issues from government regulators? How "Punk 101" is it to get that corporate subsumption of our cultural interests is, like, maybe not a good idea?

Ray LaHood, US Secretary of Transportation, on Toyota:
"We now have proof that Toyota failed to live up to its legal obligations," LaHood said in a statement. "Worse yet, they knowingly hid a dangerous defect for months from U.S. officials and did not take action to protect millions of drivers and their families."

Also in the issue is a drawing by Ana Humanleather, comics by Sara Drake and Reda Ashour, and a Mexico/Cuba memoir/travelogue through politics by "Jim Ride." I contributed a version of my interview with Cat and Girl's Dorothy Gambrell. I was unpleasantly surprised by the cover's lead-in headline, "James Payne Interviews Another Crush." Five words that instantly discredit Gambrell's work and my interest in it before even getting to the interview. I understand the editorial mandate is "take piss out equally," however, I don't think female comics creators need yet another layer of sexism applied to discussion of their work. (AND HELLO, I JUST MADE A ZINE ON THIS VERY TOPIC). I don't have a crush on Dorothy Gambrell - I like her work. If I interviewed a man about his work would this "joke" even be considered? Uncouth, uncalled for, not funny/interesting, actually boring, stupid and unfortunate.

What's Wrong With Us? Discography

                                  I didn't know who Geoff McFetridge was. Sorry.

In 2008 I was in a short lived band with Kari Jorgensen of Crumpler and The Boy Who Could Fly fame. We were originally called "Young People" until I found a 7 inch at Magnolia Thunderpussy by a band called Young People. Then we were called "What's Wrong With Us?" which is probably the best band name possible. I played bass through a brokenish guitar amp which made it sound high and fuzzy. Kari - I think - taught herself drums for it. We both sang. We had, like, 3 other songs. We played once with Toby Foster in the upstairs of the Monster House and once at the Punk Porch with either Black Rainbow or Dead Dog. I remember thinking that was the worst show I ever played in my life (including Hot Date shows). I think we played one or two other times in the basement of the Monster House. I think maybe with Forever and Tacocat. I don't remember when or why we stopped playing which sort of means that we are still a band, just on hiatus, like Fugazi. Kari is in Utah now working at an art museum and playing guitar in a band with Amy Farina.

1. Untitled (Beat Happening)
2. Untitled (Carrie Nations)
3. "Get Over It"
4. East 5th Avenue

MARCH CSBYS MONTHLY

March's issue is pretty great. John Also Bennett contributed an actually fascinating piece about ambient city-made noises and his work recording them for the Bureau for Open Culture. Mickey, of the buzz band New Creases, has a LOL period story*, Josh Hoey tackles the Texas School Board, Bret looks at our decrepit, decaying local press, Sara Drake has a dancey comic, and Martin says "fuck a whip unless its a metro card." I contributed a story which you can also see here.

The monthly has been a surprisingly divisive project on our little message board. View the thread in which I make an array of boring arguments in support of the monthly and other people make arguments, occasionally pretty acidic ones, against it.

* If you too have a "shocking, gross, horrible, hilarious or awesome period story" you should send it to mickeymocnik@gmail.com for a zine she is making.

Razorcake Article on Columbus DIY in Which my House is Mentioned

Razorcake just published this article by Bret who writes "Black Cloud." It just about sums it up, besides our relative wealth of zinesters and our roster of punk entrepreneurs. Also, with the 15th House being around for so long (2003? 2004?), Skylab existing equally as long, and with the Monster House being in its third year - the venues of the house show scene are more institutionalized then the year-by-year sentiment in the article (which was more true a couple of years ago: Hunter House, Screamer House, Stink House, House of Rice, Scoliosis House, Sheridan House, Villa Vietcong, 24/7 House, etc). Maybe now more people will spend a year being confused in a place they thought was cool (which I am all about).

Razorcake Article on CSBYS by Bret

Buddyhead Article on Columbus by Brian Carnahan

CSBYS Message Board

On a slightly related note, Aaron Lake Smith of Big Hands zine gets Plan-It-X records move to Cairo, Illinois ("punk town") in Time Magazine. Listen to an interview with Aaron about the story on Chicago Public Radio, here.

CSBYS FEBRUARY ISSUE

JANUARY "RIOT ISSUE" OF CSBYS ALT MONTHLY

The fourth and best issue of Columbus Sucks Because You Suck monthly is out. Its theme is the history of riots in Columbus, which is a surprisingly fertile topic. Contents include Brian Deller's recount of streetcar labor riots in the early 20th century, Wes Flexner giving a slice of riotous memoir (written on a phone!), Martin Weedsteeler's avant-garde poetry, Miles dishing on media, a new Constance Taylor comic, illustrations from Troy and Ana, a poster by Ryan Eilbeck, a firsthand account of the 2002 Michigan game riots by Bret, a how-to on mastering recordings by Adam from Columbus Discount, some unfortunate, xenophobic rumours about Ali Baba and a recount of the 1970 OSU riots I posted here a few months ago, now complete with photos.

Whole issue after "the jump."

Politics & Punk Houses

                                                Cassie.

Yesterday, during a show at the Monster House, my roommate Cassie Troyan interviewed me about my views on the political ramifications of punk houses. I take on a desultory, jaded tone about it. I believe she is using this interview as the basis of a story for The Journal of Radical Shimming.

                                       MP3 of interview here.

Some topics covered: Paris in 68, Jehovah's Witnesses, Grunge, Dutch Pillarisation, OSU riots in 1970, Punk House as Frat House, CSBYS history, Cat and Girl, Clinton-era political correctness, psychology of solidarity, Luc Tuymans, fetishization of radicalism, Kevin Tavin, social networking, Against me!, upward mobility, Barack Obama, Ivy League vs. State Universities, mediation.

During our talk these bands played:

Warm Hands

Ginger Fetus

Ginger Fetus + Toby

November CSBYS Monthly

This is the second month of editor Deller's adventure into the world of alt-mags. Among its contents you will find can collecting stories, comics, "Kristina's sister," and plenty of leftist chit-chat.

CSBYS NEW ALT MONTHLY

Columbus Sucks Because You Suck now comes with a legitimate alternative monthly, filling the void in our city for writing that doesn't make you regret living here. Brian Deller heads up the publication as he has the flyer. All the usual suspects have pieces in this: Martin of Weedsteeler, Bret from Black Cloud, Max of Biff Boff Barf, and some sundry other individuals. I have a piece in it about ways people come up with names for Punk houses and what naming those houses mean. I posted it on this blog here.

Here is the scanned in, out of order, magazine. Cover first then more after 'the jump.'

"THERE IS NO FUCKING DRINKING AT THE LEGION!!!!"

We made a "Before you play...." note for the Monster House in the style of the early 2000's Legion note. A bit less hilarious than that one.


"BEFORE PLAYING THE MONSTER HOUSE, READ THIS….

ABOUT US: The Monster House hosts shows in our home to give national, international, and local independent acts an autonomous, politically aware place to play in Columbus, OH. We strive to be a welcoming environment for anyone who wishes to come. Help us keep our house completely free of racism, sexism, homophobia, classism, and mindless disrespect. We believe shows in alternative spaces can lead to a more direct, personal and positive connection with music and with the other folks in attendance. Our house is not a launch pad to fame and fortune - it is part of a growing community intentionally challenging the popular definition of success. We know that the art and music we make can be shared on our own terms. Music is the reason for the gathering – it is not a house party, it is a show.

THE DOUGH: Donations of $5 are strongly encouraged at each show to support touring bands. Please make this apparent when advertising the show. The money is to support them, not the house. Locals play as support to the touring bands and will not normally be paid. Usually, locals get some food, have fun, play to an audience of music enthusiasts, and make a connection with an out of town band.

ARRIVE: Come by 8:00 pm for food, load-in, and line up arrangements. Normally, out of town bands will be welcomed to spend the night at our house.

BE A GOOD GUEST: Be courteous and clean up after yourself. While we allow drinking at our house please do not take this as an invitation to get inebriated to the point of 1. insulting others or 2. not being able to control yourself, mentally or physically.

THANKS ♥ MONSTERS"

MUSIC DUMPZ

Here are pictures of some recent shows bands I am in played: (Btw: I never explained this but this blog is just to keep track of things I'm doing.... Its utility to the public is most likely nil.)

Amelia @ Bernie's August 19th, photographs courtesy of Dana Curran:






































Lose The Tude @ The 15th House August 22nd, photographs courtesy of Bret:


























Lose The Tude, younger with more pajamas:




Other joke hardcore band I was in, Dorm Life Sucks.... playing in the basement of the OSU dorms:


Bands I'm not in that I like right now:






And this Kanye Video.

AUSSI:
This god awful article about Envelope.