humans of new york and american tales

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hey kids - don't do meths

I'm sure l have posted some of these mugshots before, but who knows, with the drugs l have done, my memory has gone.  At least l never got into meths, though l looked worse than this lot last Friday night.

toodle pip

anita pallenberg

Old age - it happens to us all, even the once beautiful icons of the 1960's.
It was while watching Mister Lonely the other day that it started to bug me that l kind of recognised the person who was playing The Queen.  It was only when the credits came up at the end that l realised it was non other than Anita Pallenberg.
She was once infamous, due to being one of those at the epicentre of the 60's bohemian culture and lifestyle, mainly with The Rolling Stones, and is still seen out and about with that other iconic 60's Stones girlfriend and pop star, Marianne Faithfull.
Partner of Stones guitarist Brian Jones, until she left him for Keith Richards, she also starred (and slept with)  Mick Jagger in Performance, and appeared in Barbarella alongside Jane Fonda.
Her and Richards had three children.  A son (Marlon), a daughter (Dandelion - later changed to Angela), and another son, Tara (named after their friend Tara Browne) who died after 10 weeks.  They were heavily into drugs (it was while the Canadian police came to arrest Pallenberg in Toronto, that Richards was busted in 1977), but although seemingly suited to be together, ultimately, the relationship ended.
Pallenberg was also arty and intelligent, heavily into black magic (as a lot of stars used to be - hello Mr Jimmy Page), and became newsworthy again when she had an affair with her 17 year old gardener, who proceed to shoot and kill himself at her home in 1979.
Now a fashion designer, friend of Kate Moss, and occasional DJ (of course she is).

toodle pip

the return of the polyphonic spree

I'd kind of forgotten all about The Polyphonic Spree, until l saw a video of them performing Nirvana's 'Lithium' on The Afterword blog, despite the fact l have three of their CDs and have seen them live.  Maybe this is because they have not had an album out since 2007's 'The Fragile Army' (if you ignore the Christmas album), or maybe it's my crappy memory.  Either way, they are back with a new album in May (Yes It's True) and their new song can be heard below (from Consequence of Sound).



A friend described them as sounding like Beatles psychedelic out-takes when we saw them in Newcastle, but he meant it as a bad thing, whereas l call that high praise indeed.  I'll be looking out for a UK tour later in the year (hopefully with all 22 members), and maybe try to sneak on stage wearing my grandad's old nightgown..  Time to stock up on the acid and ecstasy, and recreate the old days!



toodle pip

foreign beatles 'yellow submarine' posters

More things l would like to own.  Foreign film posters for The Beatles 'Yellow Submarine' film.  The bottom one is my favourite.  I can't say l love the film (I'm not a madman), but some of the songs and the artwork for the posters are still great.
Pass the drugs and album, it's time to trip out and open the old doors of perception (if they can still creak open).
All together now....



toodle pip

listen to the psychedelic cat!

Pass me my drugs - the cat is sending me telepathic signals

From here

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keith and charlie photograph, plus the stones docs

I've been watching The Rolling Stones stuff this afternoon that l recorded last night, and although l had already seen most of the stuff shown, there were some great clips that l hadn't had the pleasure of perusing previously.  Dancing With Mr D on The Old Grey Whistle Test, although not one of their finer moments, was one clip, and amongst the photographs new to me, there was this beauty featuring Keith Richards and Charlie Watts, with Keith hamming it up for the camera, but looking pretty cool while doing so.  Effete yet dangerous to hang around - just like l have tried to live my life (as certain people would testify).  I even (allegedly) crashed a car once while arguing that 'I am Keith Richards' and the passenger was 'Bill' (as in Wyman), resulting in me being distracted and writing the car off (although the drink may not have helped).  Not big or clever, but it happened.
Those were the days.    Drink? Tick      Drugs? Tick    Sex and Rock and Roll? Tick   Violence? Tick      Three nights awake?  Tick (but it makes you itchy).
It's a good job l've settled down, as it's not easy putting the hours in.
As for the 'Crossfire Hurricane' documentary, the 25x5 one years ago (1989!!!) was miles better, but it is not available on DVD (but of course l do own a dodgy one).  What they really need is an Anthology series like The Beatles had.  I'd certainly part with my money for one of those, as l'm sure many others would do.
Sort it out.
Now!









toodle pip

cats on acid

We've all been there at some stage

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bryan lewis saunders on drugs

1 Glass of Pruno

 20mg Valium

 4mg Dilaudid

 Bath Salts

Crystal meth

Morphine IV

PCP

Bryan Lewis Saunders is an artist who has been taking all of the different drugs he can get his hands on (so you and me don't have to) and then producing artwork while on them.  The results are above, and there are more artworks and some information about him on his site.  The crystal meth looks to be a bit moreish.

toodle pip

marijuana - the devils harvest

It's fortunate that l have never been bothered about smoking this (unless in Amsterdam, where it is compulsory), as it doesn't look too healthy for you.
If you are ever in doubt, just ask yourself 'what would Keith do'?
Stick to class 'A's is what l say (although l am a good boy now).


toodle pip

be more chill - ned vizzini

Are you a geek who wants to be cool and attract the ladies?  Fear not, as all you need is a squip tablet (and $600 to buy one).  Obviously l don't need any help myself, but if you do, this will influence you to make cool choices, therefore making you cool, interesting, intelligent, and (most importantly) attractive to the ladies (the main benefit).  Will it end in tears?  Read 'Be More Chill' by Ned Vizzini, and find out what happens to the young narrator, Jeremy Heere, who gets the money together and takes one (and later on, an Ecstasy tablet).  Believable and funny, and aimed at 'young adults', if done in the right way, this would make a good film.  However, l won't hold my breath, as so many book (or graphic novel) adaptations have disappointed me in the past.

toodle pip

gram parsons and keith richards on a motorbike

I hadn't seen this picture of Gram Parsons and Keith Richards on a motorbike before, but l think it's pretty cool, especially Keith's sunglasses and cravat/scarf combo. I assume it's when The Rolling Stones were recording 'Exile On Main Street' at Keith's house (Nelcote), at Villefranche-sur-Mer, near Nice.  He was probably on acid (and/or Heroin) at the time.

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soulboy (2010) - shimmy marcus

It's 1974, Glam rock and crap music is everywhere, but in pursuit of the girl of his dreams, young Joe McCain (Martin Compston) discovers Soul music, rare records, drugs and dance at the Wigan Casino, and let's face it, which cool kid didn't at the time? Sadly, not me, l was still at school and into Glam and Status Quo / Deep Purple, although l made a valiant attempt to catch up and got into Soul music, records and drugs later on (you've got to put the hours in).  Not the best film in the world by a long chalk, but 'Soulboy' does have it's moments, and certainly brought back plenty of memories of that time, including the undercurrent of violence that was always not that far away.  Time for me to get the talcum powder out and bust a few moves (and that's not a euphemism).  Now where did l hide my drugs.....

toodle pip

jane fonda by dennis hopper

So this is how the other half used to (and probably still do) live.  Swanning around in bikinis shooting bows and arrows in the sunshine.  This is Jane Fonda in 1965, and the photograph was taken by Dennis Hopper.  I bet drugs were taken before or after the shot.

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three guns and roses books

I read these three books by the members of Guns and Roses one after another, and even though it is only recent history, there are disagreements about some of the things that happened to them, which makes you doubt the validity of some history books or oral records.  Obviously this is not helped by the fact there were copious amounts of drinks and drugs consumed, and l wonder how much of the actual events are 'artistically enhanced' by the co-authors, as l'm sure they couldn't be recalled coherently by the band members. The books were as expected, lots of drink, drugs, trying to make it, untold wealth, bitter fallings out, and trying to deal with Axl Rose and his tardiness and mood swings, before them all getting (or trying to get) straight.  Duff McKagan seems to have got his act together completely, and is now also into health and studying.  Steven Adler is trying, but is a long way from conquering his demons.  Slash seems to have settled down a bit and stopped the smack, but he was the most annoying out of all three, wrecking brand new hire vans, smashing things up, and abusing hospitality and favours, but in a total 'complete arse' kind of way, not in an any kind of cool 'rock and roll' way.  It also annoyed the hell out of me that there were glaring mistakes in the books that had obviously not been checked, proof read, or edited properly.  The Clash did not sing about Hammersmith Odeon, it was the Hammersmith Palais, which is even in the title of the song (White man in Hammersmith Palais) and Donington Festival (which is, after all, pretty well known) is not spelt 'Donnington'.  Axl came across as a sweet and loving friend in times of need, but a complete egotistical tyrant and pain in the arse otherwise, who people were afraid to confront, in case it made him worse (so of course he got away with his bad behaviour and got worse anyway). There were tales of struggle in the early days, living in squats, practise spaces and on couches, but all of them could go home if they wished to recharge their batteries, get some food etc, although Steven certainly had some bad experiences while out on the streets. I always say, it's not easy being rock and roll, and you have to put the hours in and suffer sometimes, and these boys certainly did. Just a shame it disintegrated so quickly.

toodle pip

the book of drugs - mike doughty (2012)

Mike Doughty used to be the singer in the USA band 'Soul Coughing', and is now a solo artist.' The Book Of Drugs' is his memoir that deals with his army based childhood, time forming and being in the band, having some success, being mates with Jeff Buckley, going solo, drug taking, travel and groupie type sex.  However, it is not your usual account, as he is pretty fucked up (in all ways) most of the time (he has since been classed as bi-polar), he hates being in his own band, he hates his own voice (and questions if he is even a musician),  he gets seriously addicted to the drugs, he has trouble with going straight and dealing with real emotion, and his lucky number is 27.  Wow, l can relate to most of what he is saying, but he has had more of a rock star life and can articulate it in a thoughtful (and spitefully honest) way. Highly recommended, even if you don't know his music (which l didn't), as it pinpoints how unhappy someone can be, even if they are being (to all intents and purposes) successful.  I'll admit a lot of the drug stuff (and travel tales) made me jealous, as l have indulged with both in the past, but for now,  l'll settle for checking out his music.  At least it keeps me occupied and out of trouble.

toodle pip

psy - gangnam style

They do things differently in South Korea, that's for sure.  This is the full on, funny and energetic PSY - Gangnam Style, and l'd love to hear it in a club while on drugs (but of course, those days are gone).  Altogether now - do the dance and sing    "HEEEEEY  SEXY LAYDEEE"

toodle pip

off work medication - cocaine tooth drops

I've been doing well so far while prating about off work.  I've not taken any painkillers (apart from drink) as l want to be aware of how much l can move my arm without hurting it too much or putting back the recovery.  It's sore but manageable, but maybe if l found a bottle of this in the medicine cupboard, l might change my mind and indulge myself.
Ah, the good old days....

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russell brand and peter hitchens on newsnight

While we were at the caravan at the weekend, Robbo mentioned to me about Russell Brand arguing drugs policy on Newsnight with Peter Hitchens, so l thought l'd have a look, as l like Russell Brands humour (most of the time) and am interested in the different views on drugs policy.  Although Russell did deflect some of the questions with humour, l would still rather that, than Hitchen's unswayable belief in his own self worth and righteousness.  With Brand being an ex addict, actor, author and articulate, of course he has a right to have his views heard, despite Hitchen's not thinking he should be.   I assume that Hitchen's thinks his own opinions are more important, because he is an author and columnist for the Daily Mail.  They already have history (see the second clip) and were never likely to agree to anything.  His brother Christopher was so much better, also opinionated, but you didn't want to slap him.

My own view is a mixture of theirs (or what l could gather theirs were).  I don't think locking people up will  deter people trying drugs or prevent  them becoming addicts, and if they become addicted, they should be treated with compassion, as they are ill, with a disease, and require help and assistance.  Saying that, l don't think methadone is a great solution either, as it's swapping one addiction for another, and is equally as (if not more) difficult to get off.  People will only quit when they are ready, but for me, it has to be through detoxing and support.   There can be all sorts of reasons for the initial taking of drugs (of any kind), and just because some are illegal, doesn't mean the takers do not deserve help.

toodle pip

elvis is alive!

Looking through some old photographs on the computer, l came across this one.  What a classic - it's as if Elvis Presley himself is still alive.  This is the Elvis impersonator that we hired when we renewed our wedding vows in Las Vegas.  He was excellent, off his head giggling crazy, and getting stuck into the ceremony like he was full of beans, probably because he was also doing lines of cocaine in his office, so he had energy to spare (although the photograph catches him looking as though he is asleep).  The thing is, because The King himself was so nutty at the end, it was better for us to have somebody like this, as it added to the Vegas Sin City and Elvis madness, which was certainly the vibe we were going for.  It's not like we were angels ourselves at the time, and all of our (touring) party went out and got wrecked pretty much every day we were there.  Happy times indeed.   I wonder if this version of Elvis is still alive?   I'll have to dig out his website and check.

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