Putting Dirt On the Coffin

When I was 15, I thought KISS was the coolest band in the world.

Last night, the 15-year-old version of me, died of embarrassment for the band.

R.I.P. Gene, Paul, Ace, Peter and a teenage me.

Punk Rock at 7 Inches Tall

GG Allin has always scared the crap out of me. And even at 7 inches tall, he's not any less intimidating.

Aggronautix is releasing limited edition GG Allin and Tesco Vee (Meatmen) collectibles. There will be 2000 of the GG Allin "1991" figurines and only 1000 of the mini Tesco Vee's. Each "Throbblehead" (their term, not mine) figures is made of polyresin, and will be displayed in a tri-windowed box.

Both figures will be distributed by MVD Entertainment Group - a company specializing in music-related distribution - and DKE Toys.

According to the press release, the idea first surfaced two years ago when Aggronautix pitched the GG figure idea to Merle Allin, GG's brother. "I had been thinking about doing a GG figure for a while, so when the guys came to me with the idea, I was into it," said Allin. "The proofing process took a long time, but we got it right. The doll looks really good and I'm happy with it."

The company then turned their attention to Vee. "As a toy collector of two decades, and classic bobble head collector, imagine just how geeked I became, when informed that yours truly would enter the pantheon of 'Throbblehead' punk rock losers, along with poopy soulmate GG Allin!," said Vee.

The figures are now available for purchase on www.aggronautix.com and www.seeofsound.com. They will also soon be available at many independent retailers, comic shops, tattoo parlors, etc. Aggronautix is currently working on a Dwarves "Two-Headed Throbble" to be released this summer.

The Pansy Division

I'm about two-thirds through Deflowered, the memoirs of Jon Ginoli, founder and front man of San Francisco punk group Pansy Division (the Godfather of queercore).

The book is hilarious and I am kicking myself for not going to a book signing he had in Atlanta recently. As my penance, here's a list of his upcoming book signings.

At the event's, which are free, he'll read from his book, do signings and play an acoustic set.

• 5/13/09 Borders 3600 McKinney Ave Dallas TX


• 5/14/09 Borders 570 Meyerland Plaza Houston TX 77096


• 5/15/09 Bookpeople 603 N. Lamar Blvd. Austin TX 78703


• 5/16/09 Full Circle Books 1900 Northwest Expy Oklahomo City OK 73118


• 5/17/09 Kirby’s Beer Store 3227 E 17th St N Wichita KS 67208


• 5/18/09 Barnes & Noble 420 W 47th Street Kansas City MO 64112


• 5/19/09 Left Bank Books 399 N. Euclid St. Louis MO 63105


• 5/20/09 Carmichaels Bookstore 2720 Frankfort Ave. Louisville KY 40206


• 5/21/09 Barnes & Noble 500 Main Street Royal Oak MI 48067


• 5/22/09 Aroma Cafe 118 N. Neil Champaign IL 61820


• 5/26/09 Tool Shed 2427 N Murray Ave. Milwaukee WI 53211


• 5/27/09 Public Space One 115 East Washington St Iowa City 52240


• 5/28/09 Barnes & Noble 3333 Oakview Dr Omaha NE 68144


• 6/5/09 Rebel Reading Series/The Knockout San Franicsco CA


• 6/6/09 Yerba Buena Performance San Francisco CA