Feb 25 2010

DJ Rob Swift releases The Architect

gronk

Care of Ipecac:

“The New York based, world class turntablist/DJ presents “The Architect”, out everywhere now! You know Rob from the X-ecutioners and Peeping Tom. For nearly two decades Rob has been regarded as one of the premier turntablists in the world. Check this release out, you’ll see that Rob’s skills have never been better.
http://www.djrobswift.com/

l 32b6db571b61452e80b22fedab3a3908 DJ Rob Swift releases The Architect


Jan 17 2010

New Melvins, A Mondo Cane Release Date, and Gerg

gronk

2654821775 4d9cf0c335 o New Melvins, A Mondo Cane Release Date, and GergOver at Zoo Industry they recently posted an interview with Mike’s partner in crime, Greg Werckman of Ipecac Recordings where he discusses Ipecac, the current state of the music industry, the Melvins and Faith No More.

On Faith No More:

“Well, as a fan of the band it is great to see them play again. As a friend of the band, I’m very happy with how successful the reunion was. But as a fan of rock music, it is a little sad that we depend on these bands from years ago to provide our entertainment. I could enjoy seeing Faith No More, the Melvins, Queens of the Stone Age, the Jesus Lizard, the Pixies etc etc play all the time, but we also need to support the next generation of rock bands. It can’t all be stale electronic music can it ?”

On recent/upcoming Ipecac releases:

“Got some cool upcoming releases. Just released BEAK> (a Portishead side project), releasing a DJ Rob Swift solo record in Feb, Mondo Cane, Mike Patton’s long awaited Italian pop project comes out in April, followed by new Melvins and more!”

Check out the full interview


Nov 15 2009

The Tango Saloon & The Tin Star @ Qirkz

gronk

New Tango Saloon show! If yr in Sydney try and catch this :)

The Tango Saloon is again coming out of hibernation, to play with Mikelangelo’s latest concoction The Tin Star.

For those that don’t know, Mikelangelo is a bit of a legend on the world/cabaret/weirdo kind of scene, playing with his band The Black Sea Gentlemen, as well as joining La Clique on their travels around the globe.

The two bands will square off on Dec 5th, at the wonderful Qirkz in Marrickville. Mikel won the arm wrestle and will be playing first…

More information here: http://www.myspace.com/qirkz

…and here: http://www.facebook.com/thetinstar#/event.php?eid=175013481601&ref=mf

%5B1094%5Dtangosaloonpromo The Tango Saloon & The Tin Star @ Qirkz


Nov 6 2009

Latest Ipecac Tour Dates

gronk

Dälek
Oct. 28, 2009 – Den Bosch, The Netherlands @ W2
Oct. 29, 2009 – Saint Ouen, France @ Mains d’Oeuvre
Oct. 31, 2009 – Rennes, France @ L’Antipode
Nov. 1, 2009 – Malmo, Sweden @ KB
Nov. 2, 2009 – Gothenburg, Sweden @ Parken
Nov. 3, 2009 – Oslo, Norway @ Betong
Nov. 4, 2009 – Stockholm, Sweden @ Strand
Nov. 6, 2009 – Helsinki, Finland @ Nosturi
Nov. 7, 2009 – Tallinn, Estonia @ Rock Cafe
Nov. 8, 2009 – Riga, Latvia @ Spikeri Concert Hall
Nov. 10, 2009 – Warsaw, Poland @ Proxima
Nov. 11, 2009 – Lausanne, Switzerland @ Metropop Festival
Nov. 12, 2009 – Prague, Czech Republic @ Palac Akropolis
Nov. 13, 2009 – Linz, Austria @ Posthof
Nov. 14, 2009 – Lausanne, Switzerland @ Les Docks-Metropop Festival
Nov. 16, 2009 – Zagreb, Croatia @ Teatar Itd
Nov. 17, 2009 – Ljubljana, Slovenia @ Kino Siska
Nov. 19, 2009 – Bologna, Italy @ Estragon
Nov. 20, 2009 – Rome, Italy @ Alpheus
Nov. 26, 2009 – Barcelona, Spain @ Sala Apolo
Nov. 27, 2009 – Madrid, Spain @ Sala Penelope
Nov. 29, 2009 – Berlin, Germany @ Berghain / Elektroakustischer Salon

Isis
Oct. 28, 2009 – Birmingham, UK @ Asylum
Oct. 30, 2009 – Koln, Germany @ Essigfabrik
Oct. 31, 2009 – Hamburg, Germany @ Gruenspan
Nov. 1, 2009 – Malmo, Sweden @ KB
Nov. 2, 2009 – Gothenburg, Sweden @ Parken
Nov. 3, 2009 – Oslo, Norway @ Betong
Nov. 4, 2009 – Stockholm, Sweden @ Strand
Nov. 6, 2009 – Helsinki, Finland @ Nosturi
Nov. 7, 2009 – Tallinn, Estonia @ Rock Cafe
Nov. 8, 2009 – Riga, Latvia @ Spikeri Concert Hall
Nov. 10, 2009 – Warsaw, Poland @ Proxima
Nov. 12, 2009 – Prague, Czech Republic @ Palac Akropolis
Nov. 13, 2009 – Linz, Austria @ Posthof
Nov. 14, 2009 – Vienna, Austria @ Arena
Nov. 15, 2009 – Budapest, Hungary @ Diesel Club
Nov. 16, 2009 – Zagreb, Croatia @ Teatar Itd
Nov. 17, 2009 – Ljubljana, Slovenia @ Kino Siska
Nov. 19, 2009 – Bologna, Italy @ Estragon
Nov. 20, 2009 – Rome, Italy @ Alpheus
Nov. 24, 2009 – Geneva, Switzerland @ Le Kab
Nov. 26, 2009 – Barcelona, Spain @ Sala Apolo
Nov. 27, 2009 – Madrid, Spain @ Sala Penelope
Nov. 28, 2009 – Lisbon, Portugal @ Incrivel Almadense
Nov. 29, 2009 – Porto, Portugal @ Teatro Sa Da Bandeira
Dec. 1, 2009 – Bilbao, Spain @ Rock Star Live
Dec. 2, 2009 – Bordeaux, France @ BT59
Dec. 3, 2009 – Paris, France @ Trabendo
Dec. 4, 2009 – Karlsruhe, Germany @ Substage
Dec. 5, 2009 – Antwerp, Belgium @ Trix
Dec. 6, 2009 – Groningen, The Netherlands @ Vera
Dec. 7, 2009 – Berlin, Germany @ Postbahnhof

kid606
Oct. 30, 2009 – San Francisco, CA @ Rickshaw Stop
Dec. 19, 2009 – Nijmegen, The Netherlands @ Doornroosje

Melvins
Nov. 24, 2009 – Madrid, Spain @ Caracol
Nov. 25, 2009 – Barcelona, Spain @ Apolo2
Nov. 26, 2009 – Italy @ TBA
Nov. 27, 2009 – Conegliano, Italy @ Zion Rock Club
Nov. 29, 2009 – Athens, Greece @ Rodeo
Nov. 30, 2009 – Athens, Greece @ TBA
Dec. 1, 2009 – Bologna, Italy @ Estragon
Dec. 2, 2009 – Milan, Italy @ Magnolia
Dec. 3, 2009 – Geneva, Switzerland @ L’Usine
Dec. 4, 2009 – Munich, Germany @ TBA
Dec. 5, 2009 – Schorndorf, Germany @ Manufaktur
Dec. 6, 2009 – Berlin, Germany @ Maria am Ufer
Dec. 7, 2009 – Paris, France @ Maroquienerie
Dec. 8, 2009 – London, UK @ Garage
Dec. 9, 2009 – Luxembourg, Belgium @ Kulturfabrik
Dec. 10, 2009 – Kortrijk, Belgium @ Dekreun
Dec. 11, 2009 – Minehead, UK @ ATP Festival
Dec. 12, 2009 – Den Hague, The Netherlands @ State X New Forms Festival

Otto Von Schirach
Nov. 7, 2009 – Half Moon Bay, CA @ The Nexus Maze Party

Zu
Oct. 31, 2009 – Madrid, Spain @ Sala Ramdall
Nov. 1, 2009 – País Vasco, Spain @ Triku Festie de Azpeitia
Nov. 2, 2009 – Porto, Portugal @ Passos Manuel
Nov. 3, 2009 – Lisbon, Portugal @ ZDB
Nov. 5, 2009 – Castellon, Spain @ Paraninfo de la Universitat Jaume I
Nov. 6, 2009 – Barcelona, Spain @ TBA
Nov. 9, 2009 – Bordeaux, France @ Saint-ex
Nov. 10, 2009 – Pau, France @ Le Centrifugeuse
Nov. 12, 2009 – Paris, France @ Glazart
Nov. 13, 2009 – Martigny, Switzerland @ Les Caves du Manoir
Nov. 25, 2009 – Trieste, Italy @ Teatro Miela
Nov. 28, 2009 – Venice Italy @ Rivolta
Dec. 4, 2009 – Novara, Italy @ Rock’N'Roll Arena
Dec. 5, 2009 – Siena, Italy @ Sonar
Dec. 17, 2009 – Turin, Italy @ Hiroshima Mon Amour
Dec. 18, 2009 – Brescia, Italy @ Latte+
Jan. 14, 2010 – Rome, Italy @ Circolo Degli Artisti
Jan. 28, 2010 – Milan, Italy @ Magnolia

Beak>
Oct. 31, 2009 – Newcastle, UK @ Cluny
Nov. 7, 2009 – Newcastle, UK @ Cluny
Dec. 5, 2009 – Rotterdam, The Netherlands @ Bazar Curieux @ Massillo
Dec. 6, 2009 – Cologne, Germany @ Geb. 9
Dec. 7, 2009 – Berlin, Germany @ Magnet Club
Dec. 9, 2009 – Brussels, Belgium @ AB Club
Dec. 10, 2009 – Paris, France @ Nouveau Casino
Dec. 11, 2009 – London, UK @ The Garage
Dec. 12, 2009 – Minehead, UK @ ATP Festival
Dec. 14, 2009 – Glasgow, UK @ King Tuts
Dec. 15, 2009 – Nottingham, UK @ Stealth
Dec. 16, 2009 – Birmingham, UK @ Capsule
Dec. 17, 2009 – Manchester, UK @ Deaf Institute
Dec. 20, 2009 – Bristol, UK @ The Arnolfini


Oct 7 2009

Latest Melvins, Isis and Dalek Tour Dates

gronk

Melvins
——-
Oct. 16, 2009 – San Francisco, CA @ Regency Ballroom w/ Butthole Surfers
Oct. 17, 2009 – San Diego, CA @ Canes w/ Butthole Surfers
Oct. 18, 2009 – Los Angeles, CA @ Nokia Theater w/ Butthole Surfers

Isis
—-
Oct. 21, 2009 – London, UK @ Koko
Oct. 22, 2009 – Cork, Ireland @ Cyprus Avenue
Oct. 23, 2009 – Dublin, Ireland @ Button Factory
Oct. 24, 2009 – Belfast, Ireland @ Black Box
Oct. 25, 2009 – Glasgow, Scotland @ Stereo
Oct. 27, 2009 – Manchester, UK @ Academy
Oct. 28, 2009 – Birmingham, UK @ Asylum
Oct. 30, 2009 – Koln, Germany @ Essigfabrik
Oct. 31, 2009 – Hamburg, Germany @ Gruenspan
Nov. 01, 2009 – Malmo, Sweden @ KB w/ Dälek
Nov. 02, 2009 – Gothenburg, Sweden @ Parken w/ Dälek
Nov. 03, 2009 – Oslo, Norway @ Betong w/ Dälek
Nov. 04, 2009 – Stockholm, Sweden @ Strand w/ Dälek
Nov. 06, 2009 – Helsinki, Finland @ Nosturi w/ Dälek, Mamiffer
Nov. 07, 2009 – Tallinn, Estonia @ Rock Cafe w/ Dälek, Mamiffer
Nov. 08, 2009 – Riga, Latvia @ Spikeri Concert Hall w/ Dälek, Mamiffer
Nov. 10, 2009 – Warsaw, Poland @ Proxima w/ Dälek, Mamiffer
Nov. 12, 2009 – Prague, Czech Republic @ Palac Akropolis w/ Dälek,  Mamiffer
Nov. 13, 2009 – Linz, Austria @ Posthof w/ Dälek, Transitional
Nov. 14, 2009 – Vienna, Austria @ Arena w/ Transitional
Nov. 15, 2009 – Budapest, Hungary @ Durer Kert w/ Transitional
Nov. 16, 2009 – Zagreb, Croatia @ Teatar Itd w/ Dälek, Transitional
Nov. 17, 2009 – Ljubljana, Slovenia @ Kino Siska w/ Dälek, Transitional
Nov. 24, 2009 – Geneva, Switzerland @ Le Kab w/ Transitional
Nov. 26, 2009 – Barcelona, Spain @ Sala Apolo w/ Dälek, Keelhaul
Nov. 27, 2009 – Madrid, Spain @ Sala Penelope w/ Dälek, Keelhaul
Nov. 28, 2009 – Lisbon, Portugal @ Incrivel Almadense w/ Circle,
Keelhaul
Nov. 29, 2009 – Porto, Portugal @ Teatro Sa Da Bandeira w/ Circle,
Keelhaul
Dec. 01, 2009 – Bilbao, Spain @ Rock Star Live w/ Circle, Keelhaul
Dec. 02, 2009 – Bordeaux, France @ BT59 w/ Circle, Keelhaul
Dec. 03, 2009 – Paris, France @ Trabendo w/ Circle, Keelhaul
Dec. 04, 2009 – Karlsruhe, Germany @ Substage w/ Circle, Keelhaul
Dec. 05, 2009 – Antwerp, Belgium @ Trix w/ Circle, Keelhaul
Dec. 06, 2009 – Groningen, The Netherlands @ Vera w/ Circle, Keelhaul
Dec. 07, 2009 – Berlin, Germany @ Postbahnhof w/ Circle, Keelhaul

Dälek
—–
Nov. 01, 2009 – Malmo, Sweden @ KB w/ Isis
Nov. 02, 2009 – Gothenburg, Sweden @ Parken w/ Isis
Nov. 03, 2009 – Oslo, Norway @ Betong w/ Isis
Nov. 04, 2009 – Stockholm, Sweden @ Strand w/ Isis
Nov. 06, 2009 – Helsinki, Finland @ Nosturi w/ Isis, Mamiffer
Nov. 07, 2009 – Tallinn, Estonia @ Rock Cafe w/ Isis, Mamiffer
Nov. 08, 2009 – Riga, Latvia @ Spikeri Concert Hall w/ Isis, Mamiffer
Nov. 10, 2009 – Warsaw, Poland @ Proxima w/ Isis, Mamiffer
Nov. 12, 2009 – Prague, Czech Republic @ Palac Akropolis w/ Isis,  Mamiffer
Nov. 13, 2009 – Linz, Austria @ Posthof w/ Isis, Transitional
Nov. 16, 2009 – Zagreb, Croatia @ Teatar Itd w/ Isis, Transitional
Nov. 17, 2009 – Ljubljana, Slovenia @ Kino Siska w/ Isis, Transitional
Nov. 26, 2009 – Barcelona, Spain @ Sala Apolo w/ Isis, Keelhaul
Nov. 27, 2009 – Madrid, Spain @ Sala Penelope w/ Isis, Keelhaul


Aug 12 2009

New Tango Saloon Show, The Vanguard, Sydney

gronk

If you live local (as I do), make the effort to come out and catch one of Sydney’s more interesting bands, The Tango Saloon on September 17th at the Vanguard in Sydney, Australia.

1461674852 l New Tango Saloon Show, The Vanguard, Sydney


Aug 3 2009

New Ipecac Article: Greg Werckman

gronk

Indiepit recently posted an article titled “Inside the Label: Ipecac Recordings” which had a few items of interest:

  • Mondo Cane’s debut album should see the light of day next year.
  • Peeping Tom’s new album – due 2011.
  • A new Melvins album in the works
  • Mad Love’s debut album By Trevor Dunn due soon.
  • A new Ruins album (Sax Ruins)
  • Rahzel’s solo album will likely drop next year.
  • Queens of the Stone Age’s debut reissue.
  • New Desert Sessions

Check out the whole article here

13460837 New Ipecac Article: Greg Werckman


Aug 1 2009

Latest Ipecac Tour Dates

gronk

Ipecac just released a stack of tour dates for a few different bands:

Zach Hill

August 2, 2009 – San Francisco, CA @ Great American Music Hall w/
Deerhoof

Melvins

August 7, 2009 – San Jose , CA @ Blank Club
August 9, 2009 – Eugene, OR @ John Henry’s
August 11, 2009 – Seattle, WA @ Showbox w/ Down
August 12, 2009 – Portland, OR @ Roseland w/ Down
August 14, 2009 – San Francisco, CA @ Regency Ballroom w/ Down
August 15, 2009 – Los Angeles, CA @ Wiltern w/ Down
August 16, 2009 – San Diego, CA @ House of Blues w/ Down
August 18, 2009 – Anaheim, CA @ House of Blues w/ Down
August 19, 2009 – Las Vegas, CA @ House of Blues w/ Down
August 21, 2009 – Salt Lake City, UT @ In The Venue w/ Down
August 22, 2009 – Denver, CO @ Gothic Theater w/ Down
August 24, 2009 – Tulsa, OK @ Marquee
August 25, 2009 – Oklahoma City, OK @ Diamond Ballroom
August 26, 2009 – Dallas, TX @ House of Blues
August 27, 2009 – San Antonio, TX @ White Rabbit
August 28, 2009 – Houston, TX @ Meridian/Red Room
August 29, 2009 – Baton Rouge, LA @ Spanish Moon
September 1, 2009 – Atlanta, GA @ CW Center Stage w/ Down
September 2, 2009 – Orlando, FL @ House of Blues w/ Down
September 4, 2009 – Myrtle Beach, SC @ House of Blues w/ Down
September 5, 2009 – Charlotte, NC @ Fillmore w/ Down
September 6, 2009 – Knoxville, TN @ Valarium w/ Down
September 8, 2009 – Baltimore, MD @ Sonar w/ Down
September 9, 2009 – Clifton Park, NY @ Northern Lights w/ Down
September 11, 2009 – New York City, NY @ Nokia Theater Times Square w/  Down
September 12, 2009 – Monticello, NY @ ATP-Kutshers Country Club
September 13, 2009 – Boston, MA @ House of Blues w/ Down
September 15, 2009 – Hartford , CT @ Webster Theater w/ Down
September 16, 2009 – Rochester, NY @ Main Street Armory w/ Down
September 19, 2009 – Detroit, MI @ Emerald Theater w/ Down
September 21, 2009 – Indianapolis, IN @ Vogue Theater w/ Down
September 22, 2009 – Cleveland, OH @ House of Blues w/ Down
September 24, 2009 – Omaha, NE @ Sokol Auditorium w/ Down
September 25, 2009 – Sauget, IL @ Pop’s Nightclub w/ Down
September 26, 2009 – Mokena, IL @ Pearl Room w/ Down
September 28, 2009 – Louiville, KY @ Expo Five w/ Down

No Means No

October 7, 2009 – Richland, WA @ Ray’s Golden Lion
October 8, 2009 – Seattle, WA @ Neumo’s
October 9, 2009 – Portland, OR @ Berbatis Pan
October 10, 2009 – Eugene, OR @ Wow Hall
October 11, 2009 – Petaluma, CA @ Phoenix Theater
October 12, 2009 – San Francisco, CA @ Slims
October 13, 2009 – San Diego, CA @ Casbah
October 14, 2009 – Hollywood, CA @ Knitting Factory
October 16, 2009 – Oakland, CA @ Uptown
October 17, 2009 – Sacramento, CA @ Harlow’s
November 6, 2009 – Tacoma, WA @ Hell’s Kitchen
November 7, 2009 – Bellingham, WA @ Nightlight

Farmers Market

7/28/09, Tjome, NO @ Gamle Ormelet
8/14/09, Kristiansand, Vest-Agder, NO @ TBA
8/15/09, Oslo, NO @ Oyafestvalen
8/28/09, Sotra-Glesvaer, NO @ Periferifestivalen
8/29/09, Evanger, NO @ Balkanfest I Evanger

Zu

8/2/09, Tessera, Venice, IT @ Venice Airport Festival
9/5/09, Roseto degli Abbruzzi, IT @ Soundlab
9/11/09, Tokyo, JP @ Earthdom
9/12/09, Nagoya, JP @ Upset
9/13/09, Osaka, JP @ Sansui
9/15/09, Tokyo, JP @ O Nest
9/17/09, Melbourne, AUS @ TBA
9/18/09, Sidney, AUS @ TBA
9/19/09, Brisbane, AUS @ TBA
9/26/09, Bristol, UK @ Invada Invasion/Colston Hall Bristol
9/27/09, Leeds, UK @ The Library
9/29/09, Dublin, IRE @ Crawdaddy
9/30/09, Cork, IRE @ Cyprus

Dälek

8/1/09 – Uherske Hradiste, CZ @ Letni Filmova Skola
8/2/09 – Jena, GER @ Kassablanca
8/4/09 – Hamburg, GER @ Hafenklang
8/5/09 – Köln, GER @ Tsunami
8/6/09 – Weikersheim, GER @ W71
8/7/09 – Nuremburg, GER @ K4
8/8/09 – Scheer, GER @ Klangbad Festival
9/11/09 – Tokyo, JP @ Shin Okubo Earthdom
9/12/09 – Nagoya, JP @ Upset
9/13/09 – Osaka, JP @ Sansui
9/15/09 – Tokyo, JP @ O Nest
9/25/09 – Nancy, FR @ Souterrain Porte V Festival
9/26/09 – Montaigu, FR @ Artsonic Festival
10/9/09 – Besancon, FR @ Sonorama Festival
10/11/09 – London, UK @ Corsica Studios
10/14/09 – Cork, IRE @ Cyprus Avenue
10/15/09 – Dublin, IRE @ Lower Deck
10/19/09 – Brighton, UK @ Audio
10/20/09 – Colmar, FR @ Le Grillen
10/22/09 – Le Stud, FR @
10/23/09 – Tourcoing, FR @ Le Grand Mix
10/24/09 – Le Havre, FR @ Ouest Parc Festival
10/28/09 – Blois, FR @ Le Chatodo
10/29/09 – Saint Ouen, FR @ Mains d’Oeuvre
10/31/09 – Rennes, FR @ L’Antipode
11/11/09 – Lausanne, CH @ Metropop Festival


Jun 23 2009

Fantomas, Mondo Cane, Crudo and Peeping Tom Deux

gronk

To celebrate the 10th birthday of Ipecac Recordings, the man formally known as gerg, Greg Werkman, was interviewed in the latest issue of rock-a-rolla (a quality magazine).

On the new Fantomas:

“Mike’s not even really begun on that.  He has ideas but it’s not even close.”

On Crudo and Peeping Tom:

“There will also be a new Peeping Tom record, not this year though… Then him and Dan the Automator started working on a band called Crudo.  The thing about Mike is that he always has five or six records at various stages, all at the same time and it’s hard to tell which one’s gonna get done first.  And then other things happen in his life and everything is put on hold.  He just did the score for Crank: High Voltage.  That took up four or five months of his life this last year, and when things like that happen everything else stops until he finishes those projects.”

On the much anticipated italian pop covers album Mondo Cane:

“We got Mike’s big project that he’s been working on for a while, a little over a year, called Mondo Cane. He sings italian pop songs with a full orchestra. He taped a couple of the shows he did over there last year and then he’s been in the studio working on the tracks and adding some strings. It’s taking longer now with the FNM stuff going on, it’s gonna delay it a little. I hope that record comes out in November of this year, but maybe not.”

Hat tip and thanks to mindbait for the heads up and transcribing the interview snippets!

ipecac 02 Fantomas, Mondo Cane, Crudo and Peeping Tom Deux


Jun 4 2009

The Kids of Widney High Comic Book Launch

gronk

widneyhigh1 The Kids of Widney High Comic Book LaunchWe all know the Kids from Ipecac’s release “Let’s Get Busy”, which was one of the first albums to appear on Mike Patton‘s label.

Now almost 10 years later, the Kids of Widney High are releasing their own comic book!

“World Premiere of THE KIDS OF WIDNEY HIGH comic book!

Live Performance by The Kids of Widney High

All of the artists of the comic will be signing along with the band!

FRIDAY, JUNE 5th from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at The Comic Bug, 1807 Manhattan Beach Blvd.  Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

After months of anticipation, The Kids of Widney High comic is finally hitting the streets!  Written entirely by the members of The Kids of Widney High and illustrated by some of the comic book industry’s top talent, this gorgeous 36 page book is a milestone event in both rock n’ roll history and comic book history!

The Kids of Widney High is a music group composed of mentally disabled students from a special education high school Los Angeles. The band consists of several (typically mentally) disabled students on vocals, with the instruments usually being played by teachers and session musicians. The group originally began as a song-writing class in 1988 taught by Michael Monagan, and has evolved since into two groups, one made up of graduates that performs in local clubs and the other a group of current Widney students in the songwriting class.

“This wasn’t some occasion where a celebrity rock band casually said ‘oh, we’d like you to make a comic book,” said editor/publisher Mike Wellman.  “The Kids of Widney High were hands on from the very beginning, telling the stories they wanted to tell.”  Every word of dialogue in the book was taken from extensive interview sessions with the eight members of the rock band and then compiled into a story of adventure and triumph.

A handful of very talented artists contributed to the book including: Robbi (Maintenance) Rodriguez, Rafael (Sonambulo) Navarro, Rikki (The Monacle and Jimmy Specs) Niehaus, Chuck (Black Metal) B.B., Neal (Negative Burn) Von Flue, Chris (Bainst) Brandt, and cover art by Jim Mahfood.

All of the artists will be present for Friday’s signing and some of them will participate in a live art show during the performance by The Kids of Widney High.

“Comic books are the only print media capable of capturing the energy of rock n’ roll outside of a gig poster,” said Wellman.  “This event is going to bring it all to life for the folks to see!”

The signing/performance is free for all ages.  Refreshments will be served and the artists will be selling select pieces of original artwork.

For more information on THE KIDS OF WIDNEY HIGH, check out www.kidsofwidneyhigh.com

For more about The Comic Bug and store directions, go to www.thecomicbug.com or call (310) 372-6704.”

So if you are able to (and live locally), please get down to the launch this Friday and pick up a copy or two of the new comic.

Stubbadub will have a few copies of the comic to give away soon so keep an eye out for a competition in the near future.

 The Kids of Widney High Comic Book Launch