The Devil’s Playground Website

Hey y’all, a couple of weeks ago I set up a website for my new warehouse space, The Devil’s Playground. This past Saturday we had our first event and it went off without a hitch!

The Infintesmal Records BBQ V featured a ton of great local (and one traveling) bands, Bold City Beer and good food. The party kept on until about 4am. Thanks to everyone who came out and if you missed it, there will be other parties soon so don’t worry.

You need to pick up the new Infintesmal Compilation, {the real better Jacksonville plan} volume 3. It’s got 34 tracks of the best local music (+ some out-of-town friends) and it’s only $7. There’s even a previously unreleased Chicken & Whiskey song on there!

So from now on, all info on Unit 6 and The Devil’s Playground will be on the new site so add it to your reader, blogroll, links, whatever.

Richmond Or Bust – Slaughterama 09

Spring Breeeeeaaaaaak!!!

FCCJ is out for the week so I will be spending my time at Zombie Bikes this week, gearing up for Slaughterama 09 in Richmond, VA. I’ve never been but from what I hear it is going to be one wild trip! I found some pics that the Richmond Cutthroats Bike Club posted from a previous event and I have to say, it looks super-rad!

ZBBC will be heading up there on Thursday morning after what will surely be a late Wednesday night of after-Art Walk partying. If you’re bored, come by the bike shop on Main St. and check out all the work being done building tall bikes, choppers, swing bikes, you name it. At some point, you might even catch me tall bike jousting so’s I can get my colors.

Rest assured I will be documenting the shit out of everything I see so stay tuned for a recap…

Freeform Freakout!

Not to toot my own horn or anything, but I posted a flier for a show both on here and on JaxScene for a show that went down last night and I was right, it was a ton of fun! I’d doubt anyone went to the show as a result of my blogging but they should have.

So last night at the laundromat on Park and King, a few noise-bands got together and put on a free show. I had no idea what to expect from this and that certainly didn’t include people actually doing laundry and listening to crazy experimental music. But that’s what went down and it was pretty awesome.



First, the music. I’ll be frank, it’s not for everyone. If you can’t handle acts like Animal Collective, then seriously, stay away! But if you appreciate experimentation and find beauty in chaos then you would have enjoyed yourself thoroughly. A casual observer would probably scoff at Telepathik Friend’s rapping over psychedelic beats and intentional mike distortion or roll their eyes at his helmet made of day-glo pipe cleaners, but they aren’t paying any attention to what is really going on. It’s all the more evident when Guardians of the Thickets sit in a circle of sorts and hammer out all kinds of insanity. If you do pay close enough attention you will hear the order emerge from the chaos. Even though the girls are hitting the bass drum with anything from a ladle to a branch from the tree outside, there is a distinct and recognizable rhythm. The bearded guitarists’ drone riffs reminded immediately of the dark 60’s-inspired music that is really taking hold in Austin and LA right now. Making such music is actually a lot harder than it looks. What is most admirable about it is the all-out rejection of classical tonality, chord progression, rhythm, instrumentation, etc. It’s all about the moment but it transcends simple improvisation. Getting distortion from the mikes, the sounds of the dryers turning, that stick from outside, and dragging the guitar against the linoleum are all elements of the music that make it impossible to reproduce. And therein, to me at least, is its beauty. It’s all about the experience and you simply have to be there to get it.



So what struck me most about this experience was simply that it was happening. Right here, a few blocks from my house. That this is still possible, for people to come together and throw an impromptu show away from the standard dives, in Jacksonville and more specifically, in Riverside, fills me with hope. And this is exactly why the Southbank will never become the new Riverside! There, I said it.



One more thing. Maybe I’m just lucky because I have no real responsibilities at the moment and can enjoy the freedom of doing whatever the fuck I want, but it’s time to get out there and DO STUFF! A free show built on so novel an idea and in such a bizarre location should, if nothing else, pique your interest enough to at least check it out. There is so much going on in this city that nobody seems to really care about. If I can find all this great stuff to do, then so should anybody. So get your ass out there and support anything and everything local you can. Especially music. And support non-local music too and maybe some better bands will come through. So I’ll see you tonight at Los Campesinos! over yonder at Jack Rabbits. You are going, right?

Some Kinda Weekend

Hello again, friends…

It’s been another one of those crazy weekends where shit is all fucked up but you manage to put on your happy face and make the best of it and end up having a grand ol’ time.

In case you missed it, Joe Van Dyke put on a killer art show at Fuel on Friday night. I must say I was extremely impressed and it far exceeded my expectations. The atmosphere was very fun and relaxed, completely free of the pretension that plagues some showings. It was all about local artists and their art and hanging out. The perfect recipe for success in my book.

It seems like every time I go out these days I meet someone new who reads the site. On Friday it was Brian Gray, who I’ve been wanting to meet for a long time. He, Tommy Armageddon and I talked for a while about the state of the Jacksonville art scene and shared ideas, not what you usually get to do at an art show.

Being in need of some color for my new haze gray room (more on that in a later post), I bought a ridiculously underpriced splash of color from a young art student, Devin Balara. I’m no art critic to be sure but I found her finger-painted canvases hypnotic and an interesting change of pace from what everyone else was showing. She was ecstatic about the sale and told me it was the second piece she’d ever sold and the first to someone she didn’t know. That’s what it’s all about.

There were many other great artists there including Nicole Middleton, Preston Nettles, Bryan Register, and Grant Thornton, just to name a few. Keep an eye out for the next show he puts out. Guaranteed good time. Check out all my pics here.

And, of course, Saturday night was the BBB Art Show, featuring artist-created Burro Bags and bicycle frames. I missed the bike polo tournament because I was napping after MY LAST DAY ON THE SHIP, WOOT! But I did get there around 6:30 and everything was already jumping. The art was fantastic, especially the bags. Arturo was there, Bold City was there, and 74 Soundsystem kept the party jumping.

There was some high-octane action with games of whiplash, tall-bike jousting, and footdown. Lots of fun and very entertaining. At the end of the night I walked away with some socks from the raffle and a Tommy Armageddon bicycle frame.

And yet, the weekend isn’t even over. Tonight is the Luminaria bike ride through Riverside and Avondale and should definitely be worth checking out. Just the right thing to put you back in the holiday spirit.

Peace!

Almost Home + The Party Program

Land ho bitches!

That might be just a tad premature but I am pretty close to being back from this particularly long underway and more than ready to shake off the salt and put my feet back on solid ground. There has been far too much rolling on these here heavy seas and it will be nice to not have to dodge objects (and people) that fly around anymore.

So here is my tentative plan for the weekend:

Friday 11/21
As I learned from this great little site that just popped up this week, there is an art show at The Metroplitan Lofts featuring the music of Shawn Lightfoot. You can check out some details on the Events page of the JaxScene Network and RSVP if you’re feeling polite.
Other options for the evening include Rockabilly Night @ 331. Never been, but been meaning to check it out. Also, some bands at TSI. Anybody got the inside scoop?

Saturday 11/22
One thing I really enjoy doing these days is getting drunk. So events that are focused on the art of drinking always catch my attention. Saturday is the Five Points Wine Festival featuring something like 400 wines with a donation (I heard $30) to support RAP and Big Brothers and Sisters. I think it might be nice to drink something other than PBR for a change, eh (shit, not in Canada anymore – gotta curb that)? RSVP and tell Jax you’ll be there!
I’ll also be checking out some apartments for rent in and around Riverside so wish me luck on that endeavour.

Sunday 11/23
Bike Polo at Zombie duh! Then it’s the Sunday cookout at Shantytown w/ DJ Boatshoes.

On another note, the JaxScene Network is doing awesome and far exceeded my expectations for its initial roll-out. Big ups to members Emily and Joy for getting the word out there.

TSI 3-Year Anniversary Party

The little dance club downtown is out of it’s terrible twos and officially a toddler. So to celebrate they are having a little party! Starts at 8 and goes on until 3. $7 21+, $9 under. First 100 through the door get free t-shirts. Free buttons and drink tokens to boot. DJs Dan & B from Intermission on the wheels of steel.

Before that you get off your hipster ass and vote with the crew that is meeting at Zombie Bikes today at 3pm to Bike The Vote.

Happenings: Oct 24-26

TGIF!

Friday, October 24

Green Retail Tour @ BBB Warehouse 1520 Main St – 5pm
Speaker – Jay McGovern 6pm
Free Obama signs then free beer at Shantytown!

Rocky Horror Picture Show Block Party @ The Florida Theatre – 8pm
Street Festival starts at 8pm and doors open for the movie at 11pm. Tix are $5 and prop kits can be purchased for $15.

Portugal. The Man with Earl Greyhound, Wintersleep and Bermuda @ Jack Rabbits

Coyote Throat with Bridge and Tunnel, Oh Pioneers and Environmental Youth Crunch @ Shantytown

Saturday, October 25

Dark Art Celebration @ Seawalk Hotel in Jax Beach – 7pm
21+ $5, Under 21 $7

Sunday, October 26

The Zombie Walk
Starts at The London Bridge Pub at 2pm and proceeds to 9th and Main for the afterparty.

Don’t forget to check JaxScene for anything I’ve missed. It’s updated every day with the night’s goings-on.

Upcoming October Happenings

Back in Texas, October is festival month. Every weekend there is another festival, usually centered around beer, with music and food and assorted shennanigans. While I haven’t stumbled across any big festival news (although I could be missing something), there are several events of interest coming up this month.

The Night Ride – Oct 11th
Okay folks, this is a can’t-miss event! If you are even remotely into biking of any kind, you owe it to yourself to check out this day and night-long celebration of the bike. It takes place in and around Five Points and Riverside and features an art show, bike polo, a tour of the Bold City Brewery, film festival, costume contest, biike workshops, and of course, a bike ride (at night). It’s sponsored by my “frequent” commenter over at Bike Jax and several other cool places like Anomaly, Fuel, Zombie Bikes, and Burro Bags. I will definitely see you there!

Foxy Shazam @ Fuel – Oct 12th
I have it on good authority that this is a must-see show. Never seen ‘em but sounds like fun and it’s the night before Colombus Day so no excuses. They open for Senses Fail (yuck!) and the tix are $15 so there will be plenty of time after they play to do something else if it’s a wash.

Jacksonville Green Expo – Oct 18-19
Help make Jacksonville a greener city and attend this expo. There will be plenty of exhibits and several how-to seminars aimed at helping you decrease your environmental footprint. Go Green! Also mentioned here.

Jonathan Appleseed @ Fuel – Oct 20th
This band is a lot of fun AND local. They open for Space Captain and tix are only $5 if you’re of legal drinking age and seriously, what the fuck else are you doing on a Monday night?

The Faint @ Freebird Live - Oct 23rd
That punky, dancy, crazy rock music you kids are so into these days.

Rocky Horror Picture Show Block Party – Oct 24th
The tip for this comes from Jacksonville Confidential. It sounds like a lot of fun and a chance to let your freak flag fly so grab a costume and a bag of props and be sure to check this out! And only $5!!!

Zombie Walk – Oct 26th
In celebration of World Zombie Day, join your fellow undead in a zombie walk from London Bridge Pub downtown to 9th and Main in Springfield. As mentioned here.

Reverend Horton Heat @ Freebird Live
Texas Psychobilly, fuck yea!!!

I’m sure there is tons more going on this month so if you got info, leave a comment and I’ll edit to add. Peace!

Super Sweet Sunday in Springfield

Are you fuggin digging all the alliteration or what?!

After all the excitement on Friday, Saturday was a wash spent protecting my mighty warship from the likes of Mayport hookers and over-excited JROTC spazzes. Okay, not really, but I was on duty and it most certainly did suck.

Luckily, Sunday was chock full of good times and a little craziness for extra flavor. I’m still feeling the effects of my morning workout at CFJax which was all the worse after the mid-watch.

Later, the girls and I rode our bikes from Riverside to Zombie Bikes in Springfield to kick it and watch some bicycle polo. It was very cool to finally see the shop and meet some new people. I finally got a chance to ask Matt at Burro Bags about the custom bag I want made out of my old sea bags and DCU’s. I’ll be posting more on that as it progresses.

Joe gave Aimee a lesson in grinding that would make her daddy proud, and taught Stacey how to skid stop. Despite a little random drama, it was very cool to just hang out in the garage and watch the magic happen.

Later on, we moseyed on over to Shantytown for cold beverages. Things got a little crazy with between the metalheads who took the place over and the sucker-ass wannabe graffiti artists whose choice of expression was not so universally appreciated.

NOTE TO ALL: Keep your fake-ass, thug, 1994, “The Whackness” routine the FUCK away from places where folks go to unwind and relax with interesting and diverse people. Recognize the difference between art and being obnoxious and spare us all the lecture on how fucking “street” you are. We don’t buy it!

Anyhow, despite all that, I got to meet some very intelligent, interesting, and kind people who are the type that help make a place in my heart for this city. It gets harder and harder to leave everyday.

It was looking to be a rough ride home with all the beer and hardly any sleep the night before but about 7 or 8 of us all left together and I, for one, had a magnificent time riding through downtown and along the river at night. It was beautiful and even the homeless folks sleeping on the benches made the ride quite unforgettable. I’ve been wanting to ride more often and last night gave me just the motivation I needed.

I am very much looking forward to The Night Ride now, especially since I just found out we will be back in time! Let me know if you’ll be going so we can meet up. Til then…

Happenings: 9/19-9/20

Finally, at least most of a weekend to do whatever. Here’s my plan, what’s yours?

Friday

5pm – Free Beer!!! – European Street on Park St in Riverside has teamed up with the new Bold City Brewery and they are giving their beer away for free. 2 kegs until it’s gone!!!

Later – It’s a toss-up. I’m leaving it to fate actually. The Black Kids are playing at Freebirds, which is bound to be awesome but also probably sold out. I entered the contest over at Jacksonville Confidential for free tix so if I win, that’s where I’ll be.
If not, I’m headed to Shantytown for this show.

Saturday

Next at Fluke in Five Points looks to be a pretty cool show/party. And who wants to turn down FREE BEER, hmmmm?
For now Saturday night is still open. I’ll update when I find something cool.