thanks jerry aka the dalai lama

Dennis McGrath takes good photos. See more HERE and HERE, and check out the interview on HEYBUNNY.THEPOP

(sorry the video for “Crazy Rhythms” is so shitty it was the only live one on there that wasn’t from this decade and for some reason that seemed important).

Like any other girl growing in the suburbs, I had my own forms of escapism to aid in enduring an otherwise unremarkable, and for an awkward, not-so-attractive youngen, sometimes unbearable existence. I’m sure if my generation had experienced the internet as it is now, I would have been posting inappropriately revealing information on Facebook or doing some melodramatic blogging, but other than the occasional unsupervised AOL chat with a random stranger in a chatroom (because that was a good idea) the internet wasn’t much of a distraction at the time.

Instead, I read. A lot. True story: In the fifth grade, I got detention for reading a book (Brave New World by Aldous Huxley) under the table in math class (even my rebellion was incredibly nerdy).
That book changed my life (although it was a few years before I could fully understand it). And while I wish I could say that it was my time as a bass player in a well-respected Slits-esque band or my involvement in the DC hardcore scene that really shaped my musical taste, alas such is not the case. Aside from the time and space restraints (it was 1993, I lived in Torrance, CA), I was just never that cool. I had frizzy hair and a nervous laugh and strict parents. So I read.

I found this book at a used book shop when I was 11. I bought it because at the time, I spent a disproportionate amount of time locked in my room jumping on my bed listening to Nevermind (I was frizzy haired and nervous laughy AND angry). Lucky for me, it wasn’t a love letter to Nirvana, but rather a musical prologue, documenting all the bands that had laid the groundwork that eventually created Nirvana’s perfect storm of mainstream breakthrough and number one hits.

Thanks to Miss Gina Arnold (and my hefty $10 a week allowance) I was able to buy roughly one album every two weeks and over the course of year had in my greedy little hands Husker Du, Fugazi, The Feelies, and countless others, including a band that became one of my all time favorite escapes, The Replacements. So basically this entire long-winded verbose post is the thank you letter I never sent to Gina Arnold, architect of my childhood. So here’s to you, Gina, from the awkward, uncomfortable teenage girl who grew up to be an awkward, uncomfortable adult, comforted by music the whole way.

Rest in peace.

Speaking of Kathleen Hanna, you should buy this book. In writing an ode to the riot grrrl, Marisa Meltzer plays cultural historian to my misspent youth, with all the music and fashion and metal lunchboxes that went along with it. Not content to leave the study at only Bikini Kill, Bratmobile, and the like, she even delves into the land of the Spice Girls and Christina Aguilera. It’s an inspiring read, and afterwards you might just find yourself in front of the mirror, arranging pastel baby barrettes in your hair or writing the word “SLUT” in capital letters across your stomach. Because while the era of the riot grrrl is over, the mentality isn’t. So here is the only time I can say, without irony or ridicule, you go girl.

I interviewed her on my POP BLOG, so check that out too. You can buy the book HERE.

1. Stephen Malkmus
I’m a little biased here because Pavement is one of my favorite bands of all time but even I loathed feedback (as if) I would find Malkmus to be a stallion. The man who Spin magazine called “the perpetually smirking face of indie rock” writes lyrics like “You’re the kind of girl I like because you’re empty and I’m empty” and mocks other bands in song (like Stone Temple Pilots, and coincidentally, Smashing Pumpkins). Basically he’s rumpled and sexy and I want to sell his artist wife into sex slavery in the Ukraine so I can take her position in his life. In a non-psycho way.

2. Mike Patton
Not only did Faith No More rule, so do Mr. Bungle, Tomahawk, Fantomas, The Dillinger Escape Plan, and any of the other dozen or so musical endeavors Patton has been involved in over the past twenty-five or so years. He has that intense sex eye thing going on, and hi have you heard Lovage? If that album doesn’t make you hot, you’re either frigid or a eunuch. Also, he speaks fluent Italian. BONUS: he’s a huge Laker fan. (Marry me).

3. Kathleen Hanna
Despite a great mention on the L-word, Hanna is not actually gay (apologies to Ad-Rock). Still, nothing would boost Ms. Simpson’s faltering career like a fun same-sex scandal. True, Kim Deal might seem the obvious choice here and while she in no way lacks awesomeness, I find the thought of J. Simpson collaborating with Le Tigre rather intriguing. And imagine the possibilities for the Jessica Simpson footwear line with Hanna’s input. Plus I wanted an avenue to mention my own personal girl crush on Tobi Vail. Win-win.

WTF – John Mayer is a Hypebeast?

Um, does anyone else think it’s bizarre that John Mayer has a New Era coming out? And who gave him a blog on Honeyee? How does he know what Neighborhood is? And what the hell is Futura doing in his music video? Futura is on Vh1, people. Did anyone see this one coming? Yes, my friends. God did.

Hark now, Hypebeasts, the end is nigh. Cast off ye limited-edition Air Maxes, dispose of your silk screened bandanas, lock the doors and windows, and pray to Hiroshi Fujiwara, because it’s all about to end. John Mayer has joined your allover-print shrouded ranks. Yes, that’s right, he of the immoderately fluffy hair and tenderly formulaic love song is dying to be down. This is clearly delineated in Revelations as the 28th sign of the apocalypse. I mean, the man dated Jennifer Love Hewitt. He tours with Sheryl Crow. He wrote a song called “Your Body is a Wonderland.” His music is listened to in elevator and office cubicles ‘round the globe.

Fine, he’s actually surprisingly articulate in interviews, and he hates the Black Eyed Peas, so it’s not like he has no redeeming qualities, but really, Hello? It’s so over. Full-on jumped the shark. Not even the good forces of Bobby Hundreds and A-Ron the Don combined can save the scene now, kids. Pretty soon the Evanescence chick will have a Be@rbrick, Fall Out Boy will have an Air Force 1, and Lupe Fiasco will be taken seriously. May the Lord have mercy on your soles.

“I believe I essentially remain what I’ve almost always been a narrator, but one with extremely pressing personal needs.”

-Seymour Glass

“An artist’s only concern is to shoot for some kind of perfection, and on his own terms, not anyone else’s.”

“We’re freaks, that’s all. Those two bastards got us nice and early and made us into freaks with freakish standards, that’s all. We’re the tattooed lady, and we’re never going to have a minute’s peace, the rest of our lives, until everybody else is tattooed, too.”