Juice Tiger

So, here's a poster for Self Destruct Button's record release party. I have yet to hear the record yet, so I'm pretty pumped about this thing. Here's a review of Juice Tiger. Self Destruct Button killed at Compound Fest, so I'm sure this show will be goddamn great. Plus, I loves to see some Terminal Lovers and Gandhi SS. Those are Chicago Style Hot Dogs flying out of the backpack. Also, I dug deep for this unfortunate guy. And now his head is on fire.

Here's a slight glimpse into the process... the rough, the bird, the back ground, and my cat Rider chillaxing after a hard days nap:

Definitive Aliens

The one request was to include Timmy from The Human Eye, and make it weird. Is there a show This Moment in Black History isn't playing this season? The Deathers destroyed at Compound Fest, there's video:


That was filmed by Adam Harvey, of Blackheart Cleveland. There's shloads of other videos of Compound Fest, ON HIS CHANNEL. Also, on Lou Muenz's CHANNEL.

This show should be a lot of fun. You should probably go.

Pancho y Emiliano

I bet this party is gonna be a blast. Mystery of Two, Founding Fathers, Uno Lady, Mosquito Bandito, Beardo Bandini, Krauty McKraut.

Also, the $5 is the cover. "Dinner" refers to special menu items that they don't usually have at the Beachland.



Man, do I love Westerns. I based the background on Monument Valley, which is where the greats filmed a lot of the best movies ever made. The two skeletal gentlemen are Mexican Revolutionaries Pancho Villa and Emiliano Zapata.

Bingo.

OCTOPI WELCOME: Community Shares is throwing a benefit BINGO! Party at Prosperity Social Club.



This is the original version with the Old School Cleveland semi-racist Chief Wahoo hat and messier text at the bottom. Had to make the changes though, these aren't punk rockers or metal heads. They're not even rappers I'm dealing with. These are normal average every day Normals. Also Known As: People I don't usually do work for. I'm glad I did though, because I love drawing octopi. I'm so used to working for people who either don't care what I do because they know my work and are excited for whatever happens, or the weirder and crazier and further I push myself, the better.

Stay tuned, I've got more coming this very day.

New Systems

On the one hand, I feel like I'm repeating myself. On the other, I feel like you can never have enough posters of heavily tattooed females wielding weapons in a post-apocalyptic setting. Amps II Eleven, Cobra Verde, Hot Rails, and Little Sister. Happy Birthday, Chernus.

Sound of Young America has this interview with Greg Kot of Sound Opinions is pretty great, but the part I'm most interested in the parts where he talks about how in the music business, the old systems are done. This is something I've been thinking about a lot lately, as much of the graphic art and comics businesses pretty much share this scenario with the music industry. It's time for new systems.

I wish I could say I've thought about this to the point of knowing what any of those new systems would be or how they would work, but I haven't. It's a strange time to be alive and making your way through the world. It feels like everything is up for grabs.

Here's a great Planet Money podcast that talks about a previous system, in 12th Century Burgandy.

Wonder Lust

I know the term is technically "Wanderlust", but I like to thing "Wonder Lust" is also a thing. The thing that makes rainbows.

This was a commissioned gift for some special lady from her special sister. This is what you get when you pay me to draw. The message was: "Can you do something with a Mentzendorf Trailer and a Ten Speed?" I had no clue what a Metzendorf Trailer was, so of course I said: "Consider it done." Now, in this case I happened to know the person the gift was for, so I was able to dip into my own experience to come up with subtle touches I knew she would like, but that familiarity wasn't too involved in the final outcome. I did my research and found out all about Metzendorf Trailers, then started to draw. So, there ya have it. That's how it's done. I've been super busy with the posters lately, really, too busy. However, I should be able to squeeze in any more of this type of thing if anybody is interested. especially if you can give me a week or more to get it done.

Again, if you're waiting for something from me, it's probably well on it's way. Hold fast. You're next.

I'm going to use this post to talk about something very near and dear to my heart, and that something is a Samurai movie called When The Last Sword is Drawn. It's currently up on Hulu.com, and it's a goddamned amazing film. I watched it a couple years ago when I was obsessed with Samurai movies, and just re-watched it. On second viewing, the end drags slightly, but the payoff is there in the final scene. It's such a great great movie. I dunno how long that wil be up there, so take the time and feast your eyes.

I think I may actually sleep tonight... maybe.

KEELHAUL

KEELHAUL has a new record coming out in a couple weeks. Let me rephrase that: KEELHAUL HAS A NEW RECORD COMING OUT IN A COUPLE WEEKS.

The Gluttons and Doktor Bitch are also playing.

Gauntlet of Truth

Davis from Gandhi SS requested the use of graphic elements derived from the names of the bands playing this show. I usually don't like literal flyers, it's just way too easy, but I think is is possible to do these things right. Hopefully I pulled it off. At any rate, I was definitely not gonna draw Gandhi, The Mahatma, with a swastika armband, then I forgot to change the SS logos to white. Anyway, I really really like Gandhi, y'know, as a dude. That guy knew what was up.

For This Moment in Black History, I decided to bring back the Gauntlet of Truth version of Obama from this old flyer. I think this is All Dinosaurs, like, 4th show. I don't know much about Methodist, they are from Brooklyn.

I have a bunch more posters on my desk, so if you're one of the people waiting for one of them, hang tough, they're on their way.

Make it Sweet

To be completely honest, I'm not really a fan of Gil Mantera's Party Dream or This is a Shakedown!, they're not really my cup of disco flavored tea. However, I do love to eat CAKE and ICE CREAM SUNDAES. I probably should stop drawing food oriented posters, I always get so hungry while working on them.



So the series of posters from The Rock Hall's Summer Sessions is finally done. This summer has been pretty crazy so far. As much as I'm loving it, I'm pretty stoked for this fall. Big news on the horizon.

The Big Fat Gyro Melt!

The special in August at Melt Bar & Grilled:

THE BIG FAT GYRO MELT

Seasoned Slow Roasted Beef and Lamb Meat

Traditional Tzatziki Cucumber Yogurt Sauce

Fresh Tomato and Sweet Onions

Rich Feta and Creamy Muenster Cheese

Vegetarians and Vegans Rejoice!!

An incredible Vegetarian / Vegan version is available with in-house made seitan gyro "meat" and vegan Tzatzaki sauce!

The drawing is of a sculpture of Ancient Greek Gods Zeus and Hera, but I added the sandwich in Hera's hand to bring home the spirit of the times, and that spirit is FOOD.





In preparation for this poster I read up a little on the history of the gyro. There was a totally weird article in the New York Times about how the gyro came to be an American institution.

Human Torch

Urgent flyer for this sweet Chicago band, Cacaw, this show is gonna be great. Graveyards, from Michigan. Steve Hauschildt, from Emeralds, and Rot Ton Bone. Now That's Class.

I slammed this one out quick, like, in just a couple hours. I think I colored it in less than an hour, which for me is insane. I'm pretty pumped on how it came out, I'm into the lettering at the top. If I could send it out into the world as a font, I would call it... BEYONCE CLOWN.

Bling Bling Bazaar 2

The Bling Bling Bazaar at Now That's Class, last December was a pretty big hit. I think this one's gonna be even more banging. They even set up a Myspace Profile.

I'm pretty sure I'll have Shiner #3 done and ready to debut for this event, but I'm not positive. Either way, I'll have a lot of posters and other zines and maybe some original art.

On the art side for this, even though I used a photo of my own car and made a reference for this from other sources, it's kind of an homage to this one image I always really really liked from this one Japanese comic called Tokyo Tribe, by Santa Inoue.



The comic is awesome, and crazy, and hyper-influenced by mid 90s East Coast Rap Music. It's been a long time since I read it, but the story is about all these different gangs in Tokyo going all out in street fights and over the top madness. Especially as the series progresses, I think. Here's another image I always liked:

Pray For Rain

This band Yardwork, from Charlotte, NC is coming to town. I don't think I've ever done a poster with The Dreadful Yawns before. Weird. Also, St. Ohio... probably could have spelled that Saint Ohio. Well, you get the point.

Make is Sizzle

Yes, Chairlift, from Brooklyn. JJ Magazine from Clevelyn. The third Summer Session at The Rock Hall. Part Dos... Part Uno.

Look, here's a desktop of components before I made them into this poster:


What a mess!
John G

Thrash Legends

This bill is totally fucking insane. You've got 80s Thrash Legends Hirax, Dallas Grindcore Kill The Client, Houston Grindcore P.L.F., Austin's Metalheads Mammoth Grinder, and Hardcore Thrashers Streetcleaner. At RED 7, in Austin Texas.

Here's the B and the W artwork:


I looked at a bunch of Illustration Legend Frank Frazetta's artwork to get into the vibe for this one, and thought a lot about Gurren Lagaan as I worked on the colors. I've only watched a couple episodes yet, but man, that show is a great ride.

Speaking of Legends, over at Maximumfun.org, The Sound of Young America Podcast has an incredible
Interview with Soul Legend Bill Withers. I really like The Sound of Young America in general, but this interview is Beyond Thunderdome.

I got some more stuff coming up, so stay tuned.

Double Dagger in 3D!

Double Dagger, NOW in 3D! I'm going to be selling this poster in two different sizes at the show. Printed a dozen that are about 16 x 24 printed on glossy indoor vinyl (hypercheap: $10), but I'm not going to limit the run, so I'll have more if anybody's interested that can't make it or wants to mail order them. There's also 11x17 prints in both 3D and Full Color (Bargain Basement: $5). These posters will come with 3D Glasses!

Here's some less than awesome photographs I took:




Double Dagger has this video for Vivre Sans Temps Mort, one of my favorite songs off their new record, MORE.

Double Dagger - Vivre Sans Temps Mort from Thrill Jockey Records on Vimeo.

Make it Rise

So, here's the second poster in the Summer Sessions series at The Rock Hall. Akron/Family from Williamsport, PA, and Black Swans from Columbus. I bet these two bands are absolutely bonkers to see live. I've heard nothing but good things about how that Man Man/Mystery of Two show went last night. I couldn't make it, but I guess it was quite the banger!

I went with my favorite food ever for this one, Pizza is an absolute staple of my diet. Sometimes I go days without eating anything else. If I ever get sent to Death Row and I'm gonna be executed, my last meal will be a 4 pack of Virgil's Root Beer and a large deep dish pizza with fresh mushrooms and onions from Angelo's in Lakewood.

BUT- I recently took a trip out to Highland Heights with some amigos y amigas and we got down to business at Crostata's. This place is a seriously serious Pizzeria. Got hip to it by way of THIS ARTICLE in the Cleveland Scene. We shared two different pizzas and they were both absolutely killer. We also split appetizers and deserts and I can assure you, everything was Beyond Thunderdome levels of awesome. Highlights include a smoked mozzarella cheese and the San Marzano tomatoes. Crostata's: HIGHEST POSSIBLE RECOMMENDATION.

Lean Mean Hand Burning Grilling Machine

I think this show is going to be a blast, these Philly bands are all killers. Normal Love gets the Goat Cheese treatment. Hulk Smash has easily one of the best band names of all time. Many Arms, also good name, also good band. The last time I saw The Flat Can Co., my brain was rattled, shit was bonkers. Clan of The Cave Bear and Jack Smiley are playing a collaborative set! All this with DJ Ron Kretsch playing music between bands. Best part of all this? FREE. This show is free. Only at Now That's Class.


The best thing about Goat Cheese is the escalating levels of self-cannibalism. I wasn't sure where to take it next, but then I accidentally burned my own hand on my George Foreman Grill. Which, how much of a dummy do you gotta be to burn your hand on a George Foreman Grill?


Before I drew this, I took a picture of my hand in the Foreman Grill. Then I did a google image search for "metal head", and "abdominal cavity" and slammed out this mock-up. Personally, I was amused.

Blood Swamp

Shellshag, Vietnam Werewolf, Sakes Alive!!, Thousandaires, Al Scorch and The Cold Dead Hands, and Mike Hunchback's Weird Fantasy Band.

At Now That's Class, if not here... then where?
Sunday July 19th, 2009, in not then... then when?

UPDATE: Just a head's up: I haven't listened to it yet, but you can download Vietnam Werewolf's record Ohio's City. Why not?

B•Amazing on MTv

Whoa, here's a video of my bud Becky Cloonan, I guess, on MTV... gripped from Comics Reporter. Weird. Yet not entirely surprising.

MTV Shows