Category: Writing
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DragKing – The Band – An Appreciation
Featured image copyright James Warden. DragKing were pioneers in jazz/noise/punk/nowave/chicago/wicker park/90s music. There were many other, less remembered, bands active from 1990-2001. The Critic always found the band name “DragKing” mysterious. Is it the semi-opposite of “Drag Queen” with a gender reverse? The band line up does not obviously fit this interpretation. Is it social…
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Looking for Mr. Riff Raff Man
scribble scribble scribe bribe taunt flaunt jaunt want man can boom bam looking for Mr. Riff Raff Man wall fall have a ball lie die stick in eye sit shit wack it smack it looking for Mr. Riff Raff Man peer dear fear near law claw my papa hit miss hiss bliss don’t you want to be like this looking for Mr. Riff Raff Man
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Chicago Hip Hop – The Legends Continue
Everyone knows Hip Hop was born in New York. But is the best of the best from New York? Chicago and Los Angeles and Atlanta and many other cities have challengers to the throne. In Chicago today, the legends continue, enjoy this sampler. earthsignchels – Daddy Died Heartbreak. Young Roddo – No Bad Grades The…
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The Kids Will Be Alright – New Music You Should Hear Today
It is a cliche every generation looks back at earlier generations and thinks WTF about their music. Part of it is romanticism and selective memories as most pop songs was certainly terrible when you were young. Here is a small sample of cool songs the new kids on the block are doing right here and…
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Legend of a Nobel Prize Winner’s Computer Caught Smoking in the Office
As a wee lad fresh out of university in America, my first job in IT included supporting vintage (then cutting edge) early 1990’s computers for Very Important Professors (VIPs) at a graduate school for my esteemed alma mater. Some, but not all, of these VIPs would go on to win Nobel Prizes. However, to be…
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The Legend of Seven Pound Fury
Seven Pound Fury was dirty in Chicago. There were pretenders to the throne of dirty but no others had the same dirtiness. The band name came from the drummer who owned a dog grooming business to pay bills. Apparently, there was a little white dog that would take on any dog and was Seven Pounds…
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Sidewalk Treasures and Urban Romantics
There was an etiquette book not surprisingly relegated to the free box outside a book store that was magic. Authored by the Fenwick that was Millicent. The block of discovery was in the wilds of Chicago’s South Side known for much magic. Cool guys in ponchos and cute girls on bicycles. Above the bookstore was…
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Static
noise in my ears noise in my head tuning in static like screams of dread sad sounds fill the air brings thoughts of things unfair tragic road traveled, so turn around slippery slope tears the skin as you slide feel your heart beat, it reminds you see your skin wrinkle, it reminds you smell your…
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The Door
Part I: The Discovery On one afternoon when Mr. Herrington was not at home, Dameon went into his father’s den in search of whatever might interest him. He did not believe his father would be truly upset with him for merely poking around the study. Mr. Herrington was a good father and mild-tempered, too. The…
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The Legend of Tonka
Tonka didn’t try to be ignored. It just sort of happened. In the mid 90’s, in the Wicker Park neighborhood, in Chicago, Illinois, the streets smelled of damp concrete, unbridled ambition. and a hint of urine. North Avenue was a border, Ashland Avenue was the challenge and the neighborhood signage warned “No Prostitution”. Tonka rehearsed in…
