March 2, 7 pm in Manayunk, PA.
Archive for the ‘Book Events’ Category
Sonic Youth’s Thurston Moore stopped by Siren Records in Doylestown, PA recently, and was perusing my book…and, according to Siren’s owner Blair, he appreciated its coverage of lesser-known Seattle bands. So yeah, I’m happy.
Doylestown, PA’s Siren Records graciously invited me back for a second book reading and signing. This time, I would have the opportunity to play musical and interview clips over the store PA.
My wife and daughter sat down as I set up my array of laminated Seattle photos and show posters. I played a few musical selections to get the audience warmed up: “Polly” and “In Bloom” by Nirvana, “Half Past You” by Love Battery, and (at my daughter’s request) “Don’t Take It Personal Dave,” by the Cops.
A group of about 10 patrons stopped over to listen as I began the presentation. I talked about that wonderful Seattle sense of humor, and introduced the audience to Mr. Epp and the Calculations…the fake band that became real. Then I played them the following clip where Mr. Epp’s Mark Arm (now with Mudhoney) talks about the band’s latter days where a band mate began complaining that Epp had become “too rock.” Back in the ’80s, punk bands could be shunned for sounding too much like a mainstream rock band. As I played the clip, I scanned the store, waiting to see how people would react to Mark’s imitation of a guitar plugged into way too much distortion and amplification (occurs at the end of the clip.)
I saw a few patrons physically jump.
I then read the notorious U-Men 1985 Bumbershoot (annual Seattle outdoor music festival) story, where the band set fire to a moat in front of the stage. The band members didn’t realize that the moat actually ran underneath the stage, and that flames would follow. But the U-Men kept performing, oblivious to the danger of the players themselves going up in flames. A clip of U-Men guitarist Tom Price’s assessment of the situation followed…”We just kept playin’,” he said with typical Seattle nonchalance.
I talked about the incredible diversity of the Seattle music scene, which existed even during grunge’s heyday–offering up the Young Fresh Fellows’ “Amy Grant,” and Jack Endino’s experimental “Sideways Savannah” as evidence.
At the conclusion, my daughter asked some great questions about the book (not planted, I swear), as did some other folks not related to me. After signing a few books, I hung out for about an hour, and Siren owner Blair allowed me to maintain control over the store’s PA. And so I played a few Nirvana selections (“Love Buzz,” “Spank Thru,” “School,”); the U-Men (“Shoot ’em Down”); Mudhoney (“Into the Drink,” “Fuzzgun ’91,”); Screaming Trees (“Ash Gray Sunday,” “Last Words”)…quietly finishing with the Shins (“Caring is Creepy.”)
I’d again like to thank Siren’s Blair and Chloe for hosting the event, and for supporting local writing.
So, apparently I will be teaching a course about my book this fall at Delaware Valley College. It will be a one credit honors class. I’m still kicking ideas around…perhaps I can Skype-in some of my Seattle friends and have them scare my students. Regardless, it should be a blast. Stay tuned. (Could the next step be “The Strangest Tribe: The Musical”?)
Where: Jenkintown, PA Barnes & Noble
When: Sunday, February 12, 1 pm.
What will happen: I’ll do a reading, share some interview audio clips from the Seattle crazies, and I’ll also play some musical selections. Afterward, I will spontaneously explode.
Reading and signing scheduled for Friday, March 2 at 7 pm. The event will be held in conjunction with Manayunk’s First Friday festivities. (For you Seattle folks, Manayunk is to Philly like Ballard is to your town.) This should be amazing! Come out, have some beers, and listen to my favorite Seattle characters tell their stories.
Barnes & Noble, Jenkintown, PA
Sunday, February 12, 1 to 3 pm. Unlike last time, which was a signing only, I will do a reading and play interview and music clips. (yay)
Siren Records, Doylestown, PA
Saturday, February 18, 1 to 3 pm.
So, they put me at the front of the store, and I got to greet Christmas customers with my Seattle signage. My daughter joined me for what was supposed to be a 1 to 3 event. The manager said I could stay longer, though, and so we did.
It was great hanging out with my daughter…reminded me of the “Daddy/Daughter perfect day at the Phillies” we had last year. We ended up staying for over five hours, and she had a blast…and even signed books:
My in-laws stopped by and said hello, and offered to bring my daughter back early, but she wanted to stay. So cool.
Probably my favorite customer interaction was with a guy named Rhasche (forgive me if I screwed up the spelling). He came from the DC hardcore scene, and was a big fan of Bad Brains. We may end up having a beer sometime.
The store manager and I talked about doing a reading in January, and I may also have events next month at Doylestown’s Siren Records and Manayunk’s Main Street Music. Stay tuned. In the meantime, everyone have a Merry Christmas.
Signed the night of my book launch party, October 18, 2011, at Jeff Gilbert’s Feedback Lounge, West Seattle.
Signed by the U-Men’s Tom Price, along with the other members of the Tom Price Desert Classic, Rob Morgan (Pudz/Squirrels), T-shirt designer Jim Sorenson, Scott Vanderpool (Room Nine, etc., etc., etc.), Jane Brownson aka Jane Fag (the Fags), Jeff Gilbert (metal dude), Duff Drew (the Trids, My Eye), and Sir Larry Reid.
the strangest tribe 