One day it's the 1970's, I'm trapped in the kind of hell a youngster homo freak usually is trapped in, and hey, Patti Smith is the musical guest on Saturday Night Live. (Who in the '70's didn't watch Belushi when you were 9?) Suddenly, you realize you can stop jumping off the roof of any building you can scale the side of, you stop trying to figure out how to knot a noose, and you ... embrace life.

Because you realize if this woman is on TV in America ... that there is hope. And when Gilda Radner did her Patti Smith impression--you loved Gilda even more. Crazy.

Next thing you know, a some 3 decades later, you are standing on the Santa Monica Pier watching Patti Smith from about 3 feet away. Life is so weird and magical.
30 years later, you can barely stand up, you're half deaf, blind in one eye and ... none of that matters a god damned bit. Yeah, you feel all the pain, and you clutch the stage so you don't fall over ... it's just that being there makes it all bearable for a little while, and that is all any of us can ask for. I'm not a unicorn: tons of people are broken into pieces: but these beautiful and generous artists give to us that magic, that roar of love ... that medicine that the HMO and free clinic can't conceive of ... the kind that really does heal you.
And for the first time since Patti played her show at Amoeba Hollywood, I can feel my soul, I can feel your heart and I keep turning around to witness the joy in the people around me.

Yeah, she's a genius. Yeah, Patti Smith is an inspiration ...  She is a force of nature. I think if there are any Gods at all ... they roar truth and power through her voice. But face it, she doesn't save your soul. You gotta do that. She shows up to do a non-profit, save The Santa Monica Pier, and if you want to know without any question at all that the people do have the damn power--you show up, and you feel pretty damn grateful and powerful.

That is some hot stuff, Baby!

I'm not real good at forgiveness, myself. If you've ever wronged my family, you can keep that in mind as you watch this cute as a bunny in a jumper video:

Banned: no blood, no sex, no drugs ... interesting as to what this society will not tolerate, dontcha think? She reminds me of someone real specific that I have love for, and I have to say she is one tough cookie from all I have heard.

- The Insomniac is Back

I'm very shaken by this story, so I will just re-post the story from SFGate.com, in hopes that someone will come forward with a name ...

(07-05) 17:33 PDT SAN FRANCISCO -- The 16-year-old drummer of a San Francisco punk rock band was seriously injured Wednesday night when fireworks thrown by someone at Dolores Park exploded near her right hand, police said.

It occurred shortly before 10 p.m. as Roisin Isner, who has played drums with the band Tinkture since 2004, and an unidentified girl watched San Francisco's fireworks display from a hill in Dolores Park in the city's Mission District.

"They were just sitting there chatting, then they saw a bright flash between them and the girl started screaming," said San Francisco police Sgt. Steve Mannina.

Police began canvassing the park for witnesses as paramedics tended to Roisin's hand and transported her to San Francisco General Hospital, but investigators didn't find much in the way of witnesses or evidence, Mannina said.

"We don't have a whole lot," he said. "We're definitely looking for more witnesses."

Mannina said police have not determined, and probably cannot determine, just what was thrown at Roisin and the other girl, who was not injured. Tinkture is an all-girl three-piece punk band that was founded in 2002. Roisin didn't know how to play the drums when she joined the band in 2004 after the founding drummer was dumped, according to the band's Web site. The band has performed at some of the area's most well known clubs, including Slims, Bottom of the Hill and 924 Gilman.

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Almost one year ago, I took my first steps into the world of Metal.  Having grown terribly bored with the state of Rock and Roll, I turned to my fellow record store employees to guide me.  (Seriously, is there any better place to work if you are a music junkie?  Didn't think so.)

So I asked Ben first.  "If one wanted to listen to some metal, where would be a good place to start?"  We decided that stoner/doom/drone metal was a good start (wonder why?).

So I began with, among others, Electric Wizard, Sunn 0))), Teeth of Lions Rule the Divine, Earth, Burning Witch and Khanate.  (Ahh yes. You picked up on the Greg Anderson/Stephen O'Malley thread.) 

And suddenly, I felt at home.  It was like I found something I had always needed but never knew I needed, you know what I mean?  I usually like my rock heavy, fast and loud, (AC/DC, Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath etc.) but the droning, thick, mangled guitar riffs, and the hheeeaaavvvvvvyyyyyy, slooooow drums kicked my ass!

And can I just say that Earthless is one of my favorite bands... like EVER.


I was ravenous...  I dove into Black Metal next with Stevil's help.  This is where I really went crazy.  Darkthrone, Burzum, Craft, Carpathian Forest, Old Wainds, Leviathan, oh, but to name a few.  The pain and torture in the vocals rips right through your heart, but in the best way possible.