This Machine Kills Teenage Boredom: Where Is It Now?

Ibanez Deluxe 59'er "Lawsuit" Les Paul Copy
Featuring a low price of entry and above average playability, this guitar was the ideal weapon in the war on teenage boredom. Some two decades before these gits were considered "collectable," this example came into my life wearing Grover tuning pegs, a brass nut, and a Dimarzio X2N pickup in the bridge and a Super II in the neck. In other words, massive ass kicking capability without the financial risk associated with domestic instruments. Artistic expression frustration soon revealed it possessed the almost supernatural ability to remain in near perfect tune, even after repeated aerial maneuvers and the associated hard landings. I had Lemmy sign it in gold paint marker in '85, but that had started to fade by the time it disappeared. It may or may not of had an "ULTRA 94" sticker between the pickups.

Unfortunately, it was "lost" in Minneapolis at 7th Street Entry in 1987. On tour with the Circle Jerks, the 59'er never made it back into the Necros van that night. Although the idea of this axe being haphazardly strummed by some 15-year old in a musty basement somewhere trying to play along with the Heartbreakers' L.A.M.F. LP is appealing, I'd rather have it back. In the slim chance this missive finds it's way to someone who knows of its whereabouts, do tell. The story alone will be worth the wait.

PS: They are called "lawsuit" models because Gibson sued-and won-to force Ibanez to quit using the "mustache" or "open book" headstock shape.
When lost, this Ibanez was in a generic case.
Circle Jerks, Necros, First Avenue, 7th Street Entry, Negative Approach, Punk, Touch and Go, Gibson, Fender, stolen guitar

O Nacho Daddy, Nacho Daddy! Wherefore Art Thou Nacho Daddy?

Why must you tempt me with bushy brow and grotesque nose? It's been years since thou left, our summer now devoid of tamales prepared in the back of a questionably modified Recreational Vehicle. Damn thee lowly health department infidel who cannot see past your distended tongue, nose ring, and curiously tiny cowboy hat.To them, your outer beauty and likely toxic paint are but a curse, an impenetrable shield to ward off those unworthy of  the product of your loins.
Oh Nacho Daddy, know that the late-night nourishment demands of Northwest Ohio/Southeast Michigan may have not gone unfulfilled, but alas, its hearts have.

R.I.P. Freezer Theater: Footnote in Detroit Hardcore History Erased

Small, smelly, and entirely illegal, the Freezer Theater was one of Detroit's finest entertainment venues. 

Located at 3958 Cass in Detroit's then notorious Cass Corridor, the former Freezer Theater has been demolished. Those who remember the place will likely be surprised it stood this long. Over a short period of time from late 1981 through 1982, the converted/abandoned storefront served as the centerpiece of the burgeoning Midwest hardcore scene, hosting a virtual who's who of hardcore on its D.I.Y. stage: The Necros, Negative Approach, The Misfits, Bored Youth, Dig My Fez, McDonalds, Harold, Minor Threat, Youth Patrol, Bill and the Bondsmen, Riot Squad, The Meatmen, The Fix, Whipping Boy, Fate Unknown, Itchy and the Gerbils, and Coleman's Young Raiders. As long as Rayis Bros Carry out is still standing, I'm good.

Frosty Toledo Landmark Defies Climate Change.

Climatologists, global warming researchers baffled by Toledo structure.
The last decade may have been the hottest on record yet, but don't tell that to the residents of this cozy abode located at the the corner of Monroe and Douglas Streets in Toledo, Ohio. Despite years of polar cap destroying climate change, this fine home remains virtually unchanged from when it was first constructed in the early 1600's by Eskimos of the Ninilichik tribe. A traditionally nomadic people, the Ninilchik tribe settled in the area after opening the first Barry Bagels location on the then barren Westgate Tundra.   

While research is ongoing, many scientists credit the anaolmy to the legacy of the little ice age of the Trilby Region, a period marked by... continued

Paying Homage to the Fromage at Boss Mouse.

A few stills from our recent visit to Michigan's finest purveyor of delicately aged dairy products and long time PDGB Northern bureau H.Q., Boss Mouse Cheese.

Check out a video from a past visit here.

Eighties - I'm Living for the Eighties

Turns out the eighties never ended; they've just been dozing in my garage.

You'd never guess it judging by the enormous amount of 80's era detritus I've accumulated, but I was more than ready to move on to different pastures by the time the decade came to a close. Witness here toke!'s 1984 Rabbit Convertible, complete with ninety-six cassettes of garage, punk, and post punk sonic goodness resting on the boot. Got a bad-ass Blaupunkt in the dash, beeotch. Check the faux walnut grain veneer of the pair of genuine 1980 Technics SLB-1 floor standing speakers resting in the back seat; although just there temporarily, they fit the theme nicely. Waddaya say we pickup some Frusen Glädjé and pop a copy of Repo Man in the Betamax?

toke! lost his storage space, and finding a home for all his stuff has been a heartbreaking and soul crushing experience.

FOUND!

Musty old Brooks leather jacket with the lining removed and the sleeves cut off. Awesome.

Danzig screened the Crimson Ghost image on the collar. I handled the Gone In Sixty Seconds logo myself. Punk outing, people shouting; you can't hack it, without a leather jacket.

Mister, if you don't shut up I'm gonna kick one hundred percent of your ass!

Learn it. Know it. Live it.

Spotted on the wall of the Tin Goose Diner and Aviation Museum in Port Clinton Ohio.
 

Remnants of a Misspent Youth.

Oh, right. The 80's. I'd nearly forgotten.

Smash Toledo: Online Resource for Quality Vittles in Toledo

It's a good sign that the whole "foodie" thing is pretty played out when a former culinary anarchist like Anthony Bourdain takes a gig on a primetime network reality/game/cooking show. Still, there are few things in life as satisfying as sharing good meal prepared by good people with good friends. Watch the vid and check the Smash Toledo FB page. And then go eat something good.

Smash Toledo

05.29.71 The Stooges and Bob Seger at the Toledo Sports Arena.

Power to 'em. The people, that is.

Last gig with the five piece line-up of Iggy, Ron and Scott Asheton, James Williamson, and James 'Jimmy' Recca on bass. The next two gigs scheduled for Pittsburgh and Los Angeles were cancelled because Williamson quit. They'd regroup as "Iggy and the Stooges" in 1973.

THEY'RE GR-R-REAT!

Courtesy of http://twitter.com/LakeSuperior

Black Friday: Apparently You Can Put a Price on Dignity.

Just a little tearful here for when shopping used to be, you know, enjoyable. What used to be a fun day off from the drudgery of work and school seems to have become a competitive shopping event for people who, as Oscar Wilde once observed, "know the price of everything and the value of nothing." Here's a tip: You are not defined by your possessions. Don't get me wrong-like any normal guy I've got needs: What man doesn't swoon at the idea of owning a hand made guitar, a finely-crafted firearm or a well-honed blade? You know, guy stuff. But, like my beloved 30-year old Polk Audio Monitors, surplus Department of Defense vintage desk (I'm sitting at it now, and it was free!), and cherished collection of hand-me-down tools, you won't find any of these things at Wal-Mart or Target, no matter how early you get up. 










We had plenty of local or regional stores to drop some coin in when I was coming up in the Toledo/Detroit/A2 area, and none of them asked us to get up at 3:00 in the morning and behave like idiot. 

The big three for our family were Hudson's (Detroit), Lion (Toledo based, but owned by Mercantile Stores Company, Inc. of Cincinnati) and Jacobson's (Jackson, Mi). Then we'd hit the trifecta of Toledo-owned specialty retailers, Hobby Center Toys, Athletic Supply, and Jamiesons Audio. A quick stop at Churchill's Adventure Shop and Boogie Records and we were done. Of the three, only Jamiesons is still in operation, although their core business model has evolved to focus on home theater.

The vintage charge cards displayed here are mine, pulled from my desk drawer this morning.

PS: If the Magi had only risen a few hours earlier and braved the post thanksgiving day crush of humanity in the village marketplace, they could have saved big on the gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Jerks.


**Lion Store, Hudsons, Jacobson's, Black Friday**