Of course the big news here in NY after Little Steven's Underground Garage Fest was the Republicans coming to town for the big National Convention. Which meant much stress and tension in light of security measures, 60 million dollars worth. There are terrorists lurking in every nook and cranny according to the media, and many would like to get their hands around George Bush's neck and strangle the life right out of him. And that's just the Americans. Can only imagine what the foreigners feel.
To pacify the locals Mayor Bloomberg issues a "Peaceful Protester's Discount", (I'm not kidding here), and in select retail outlets if you have your officially issued card you'll receive a 20% discount. As you know, I sell CDs at my show but I won't be honouring that card. If you have your Malcolm X "By Any Means Necessary" card, I'll be giving a whopping 50% off. Jakey enjoys protesting at the convention for a couple of reasons - he's no fan of the current administration and he likes meeting the militant babes. Particularly the Pro-Choice ones, because as he says, "You know they're fucking."
I meet Jakey at the tattoo parlour. Times have been tough for Jakey lately, because he's constantly having his Libertines tattoo changed depending on Pete's status. He's in, he's out, he's in, Jakey’s arm looks like raw hamburger. He's in a foul mood and wants to spit on riot gear. Pockets bulging with smoke bombs, stink gas, a laminated "Bush's head on a pole" sign, flare guns, we head to Madison Square Garden but get as far as 14th Street where we're herded to the sidewalk.
Jakey starts yelling "Kill the Pigs" which does not ingratiate him to the gendarmes. I manage to escape and watch Jakey get hauled off with a few hundred others and charged with "civil disobedience". I see Jakey later on the news, handcuffed to a beautiful brunette college student so I figure he's okay.
More surreal than that was seeing Arnold Schwarzenegger during his speech credit Richard Nixon for inspiring him to become a Republican. You know, the same Richard Nixon that disgraced the office of the presidency and sent thousands of innocents to their death during the Vietnam war. Needless to say, the Convention erupted in cheers. "If Adolf Hitler flew in today, they'd send a limousine anyway," as Joe Strummer sang. Yeesh.
I fly out the next morning for a tour of Alaska. I wasn't aware that Alaska is a Republican state, but as I'm told: "It's always been a rape and run place." As usual, I preach to the converted - but Good Lord, they sure are enthusiastic. Kodiak particularly was like a scene from a Wild West movie. It was their first day off in 47 days and from the first chord they went bullshit. It was good to get away. I brought my new Lenny Bruce box set and I remain amused, optimistic, fearful, energetic and disgusted.
You know, like our favourite rock music.
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Florida
Ed,
You are still the tits, man.
I have been keeping up from afar and wish you well.
You know what is really scary? Jürgen Prochnow as Arnold Schwarzenegger in a made for TV movie! God, where is Bonzo when you need him?
Placard at the Inaugural: "Hail To The Thief"
Larry Weinreb - "You Don't Need A Weatherman To Know Which Way The Wind Blows"
Surrey
Ed,
You are the nuts.
When are you coming to London next?
Cheers,
Dean
ny
Hey Hamell, i saw you in buffalo on May 1st w/ ani and i have to say i think your awesome and your an amazing writer/singer/one man punk band haha. well i hope to see you in rochester on 6/9 THANKS 4 GREAT SHOW!
NJ
Someone's finally speakin' the truth. Love your work, Ed. All of it, and this is the first article of yours I've read as of yet.
Gotta tell ya that last show was phenomenal. You're killin' em... all 13 of us that showed up! Perhaps we got to have you stop playin the small venues in the no name cities. They just don't feel ya in the po dunk towns. Just a thought. The latest album is going to rock - can't wait for the release.
in
I saw you in Chicago, where I was born and raised and lived for 31 years, until circumstances beyond my immediate control brought me to the Godforsaken state of Indiana.
Your statement about 'primped, rude, vacuous Lincoln Parkians' ingratiated me to you right away. I had not seen you before that Thursday a couple of weeks ago in Chicago. Lincoln Park is NOT representative of real Chicago, but you probably already know that.
I tend to ramble on, so I'll shut the fuck up and say that I don't confront much caustic, needs to be said regardless of the repercussions honesty anywhere in my daily life. Your anger, coupled with social responsibility, feces thrown at authority, life isn't for the quiet mentality, coupled with serious musical talent and a genuinely endearing sense of dripping wet sarcastic humor, really appealed to me. Hold onto the anger, its as invigorating and life affirming as caffeine and pornography.
And I'm a new father too. And, yes, I will lie too.
New fan,
Mike Stickann
Chicagoan
Shit city
Ed, Lurvvv your stuff, have for years. But Melbourne doesn't know a thing about you. Come for a few weeks, play a few gigs.
I guess that's my piece, but you should know you fucking got fans across the world, so keep that in mind.
Brett
