The College Crowd Digs Me

"There's no one left  that I even want to  imitate." ~ The Jim Carroll Band ~ The Jim Carroll Band made music that was both compelling and relentless and wrapped the noise around poetry that felt so real you could taste it. And Stephen Linsley , the bassist and youngest member of the JCB by plenty...was poppin' the string for the entire ride.  That would be a 7 year, 3 album ride for those taking math.  But it was their eye-opening 1980 debut... "Catholic Boy" ...that expanded the boundaries of truth. "Catholic Boy" reminded us...that street life is extremely messy, time moves quicker than crosswalks, and choices are weighed and made in but moments.  And yet between the seedier shadows and darker reflections...glimmers of chance and strength share a soft breath with beauty. Go get you some. Stephen Linsley Interview -- Oct. 2017 Stephen Linsley Casey Chambers:   I'd like to begin with the lost gem... "City Drops...

TOM PETTY Arrived --  October 20, 1950   Took Off - October 2, 2017  R.I.P. The Horse Head chose seven lost gems from everybody's brother... Tom Petty .  I tried not to overthink it...and went with the ones that hit me in the feels...as I remember.  (On a different day, different songs.) "Square One"  -  Tom Petty / "Highway Companion" (2006) "Square one, my slate is clear Rest your head on me, my dear It took a world of trouble, took a world of tears Took a long time... to get back here." "Dogs On The Run"   -  Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers / "Southern Accent" (1985) "...some of us are different. It's just something in our blood. There's no need for explanations. We're just dogs on the run." "Change Of Heart"   -  Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers / "Long After Dark" (1982) "You never needed me. You only wanted me around." "Swingin'...

"We were all freaking  out wondering if we were  going to be deported." ~ Brandon Crane ~ Child actors come and child actors go. Some we remember, others...not so much. Still, there are a special few...you just can't forget. As a successful child actor, Brandon Crane appeared in a variety of tv sitcoms from "Full House" to "Step By Step."   But it was his recurring role as Kevin and Paul's chubby goof...Doug Porter in the coming-of-age tv series "The Wonder Years" that garnered him the most attention. However, like many other tv viewers,  I first became a fan of Brandon when he landed the role of Ben Hanscom in the original adaptation of Stephen King's..."It.” Here, he finally got the chance to hold court in a non-comedic role.  Brandon's underrated performance was filled with subtle nuances in both speech and facial expression that appear very much in the moment and wonderfully unforced.  Go back and watch it...

"Wherever I could,  I would do the shows." ~ Sam Bobrick ~ As a successful playwright, Sam Bobrick has written over 40 plays that have been performed on stages all over the world.  That's his first love. And at 85, Sam is still romancing the jones. But I was first introduced to Sam Bobrick via his eclectic television work.  Shows like "The Andy Griffith Show" and "Get Smart." "Saved By The Bell" and "The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour," just to name a few.  And any number of variety shows that were so prevalent in the 60s and 70s.  To add a bit of sprinkles to the cupcake, "The Big E" recorded one of his songs after his return from Germany.  And for the final kicker...Sam even held hands for a little while with Mad Magazine . Sam Bobrick might not be a household name...but he's been in your house! SAM BOBRICK INTERVIEW  --  AUGUST 2017 Sam Bobrick Casey Chambers:  Of all the tv shows yo...

"My life has just  been  a run of crazy comedians..." ~ Penelope Spheeris ~ When discussing director Penelope Spheeris , I hesitate to suggest she has led a charmed and magical life, only because that might imply that her acclaimed work in film has been more a gift from the good luck fairies and less from the good old fashioned sweat of hard work.  And that would simply be a falsehood.  An untruth.  And while she is indeed charming, her accomplishments are nothing less than well-earned.  Someone once said, 'you make your own luck.'  And that's exactly what Penelope has done. She burned the late-night candle earning her Masters Degree at UCLA...and then kept her ears open and her eyes peeled for any opportunity she could grab.  She walked on the wire and absolutely dared anyone to tell her she couldn't do it.  She was fearless. She rattled windows with her amazing documentaries about the music culture.  She smacked us around a...