Scenes From Punk Island Art Auction Benefit May 2013

This past Friday was the benefit for Punk Island, taking place in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. There were bands which afterwards was an art auction. Local artists donated artwork to raise money for Punk Island 2013.

So not only have I not managed to make it to any of the Punk Island shows, I almost didn’t make it to this event. You see, I was exhausted and ready to call it a night. Yet my friend convinced me to go. Plus I had flyers to pick up and promote for the Welcome To My Nightmare show next month. Missed the bands but arrived just in time for the auction.

Rev. Wodka glitter painting. Created Fall 2012 by Michele Witchipoo. Mixed medium, acrylic and glitter. Sold May 2013 at the Punk Island art auction benefit.

I had donated a mixed medium painting created seven months ago titled Rev. Wodka. The acrylic and glitter painting was originally on sale at my Esty site, but I figured it would would be better off at the auction. In theme with all things Punk. So off went Rev. Wodka, who found a new home that night. I also included an old mini issue of my comic Psycho Bunny.

Phil Lentz starting the action at the art auction to benefit Punk Island 2013. Williamsburg, Brooklyn. NYC. May 2013.

There were lots of awesome artists who donated their time and talent to this benefit. There were original signed and numbered concert poster prints by Joe Simko, who did  illustrations for bands like The Misfits and GWAR. Original concert photography was also donated to the cause. The best was saved for last, when Justin Melkmann, comic book artist and member of the band WW9 donated a personal letter from G.G. Allen to the auction.

Here’s a few other photos from that night. Can’t say I know of the exact date of Punk Island itself, but it’s usually free and takes place during the summer on Governor’s Island. Best bet is to do a search for info regarding the exact time date and location for the event.

Art auction/benefit for Punk Island 2013. May 2013 Williamsburg, Brooklyn. NYC.

Actual flyer and letter sent to Justin Melkmann from G.G. Allen, when G.G. was in prison. Donated to the art auction to benefit Punk Island 2013.

Actual letter from G.G. Allen. Donated to the art auction benefit for Punk Island 2013. Photo taken May 2013 in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NYC.

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More Photos From Welcome To My Nightmare V

Photographer extraordinaire Otto Yamamoto snapped pics of last weekend’s Welcome To My Nightmare V show at The Lake in Brooklyn:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/otto-yamamoto/sets/72157626368669998/

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Welcome To My Nightmare V Photos

Last night was of course, the Welcome To My Nightmare V event. If you’ve been following this blog, you might be sick of seeing the flier posted every other day.

Here’s some of the photos from last night:

My display for the Welcome To My Nightmare V show.

Part of my table display at the Nightmare show. March 26th 2011.

Part of my table display for the Nightmare V show. March 26th, 2011.

Shitty Mickey painting. Done winter 2011. Acrylic on canvas.

Psycho Bunny painting. Acrylic. Created winter 2011.

Black Rabbit painting. Acrylic. Created winter 2011.

Photographer Otto Yamamoto next to his display. March 26th, 2011.

For Sale at the Nightmare show. March 2011.

Abby's already a legendary artist in the "Alternative comics" genre. March 26th, 2011.

Abby Denson display for Welcome To My Nightmare V show.

Xtene (Christine) Kucinskis paintings. Xtene was the mastermind behind putting this show together. She's also put together the previous Nightmare gigs, 1-4. She's also the bass player for the band Skum City. She gave me a Skum City tee which I will proudly wear.

Xtene Kucinskis painting. Looks like Andy Warhol, doesn't it?

Nonlee, bass player for two bands: Highteen Boogie and Iconicide. March 26th, 2011.

All girl Japanese/NYC based punk band Highteen Boogie. I want to be thier (non-sexual) groupie. They rock. March 26th, 2011.

Highteen Boogie, March 26th, 2011.

Gangway

Gangway

Sarah B MC'ing & doing some poetry. Sat. March 26th, 2011.

Iconicide. Sat. March 26th, 2011.

Iconicide. Sat. March 26th, 2011

Iconicide. Sat. March 26th, 2011.

Skum City. Saturday March 26th, 2011.

There were some bands that I couldn’t take photos of, because it was getting crowded. All in all, a good time. Thanks goes to Christine (Xtene) Kucinskis.

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Welcome To My Nightmare V

Next month I’m going to be showing my artwork at the fifth semi-annual “Welcome To My Nightmare” event. My art/illustration will be on exhibit along with other artists and bands:

Flyer for Welcome To My Nightmare V show, March 2011

See you there!

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Death Of A Favorite Villain (Malcolm McLaren)

Whether you loved him or hated him, Malcolm McLaren did have an impact of music still being felt to this day.

McLaren is best known as the controversial, double handed yet charismatic manager behind The Sex Pistols. After a short stint as a manager for the seminal Glam band The New York Dolls, he went back to his naive U.K. and helped create the British Punk movement. Along with his former girlfriend, fashion designer Vivienne Westwood, and a dwindling English political climate, McLaren helped shaped the iconic images associated with early U.K. Punk. Let’s just say the notes he took during his time with the Dolls served him well.

Later on he added Adam & The Ants and Bow Wow Wow on his management list. Controversy followed McLaren yet again, particularly with the lead singer of Bow Wow Wow. Annabella Lwin was only 14 years old when she posed for a band publicity photo based the Manet painting The Luncheon on the Grass (Le déjeuner sur l’herbe). The images teenage dreams are made of.

Speaking of controversial album covers, my own mother was outraged. So thanks to Lwin’s nude posing, along with a Nina Hagen album these records were banned from my own household. Ah, the good old days.

Not to outdone, Malcolm went to New York City yet again, and tapped into the budding Hip Hop movement. Mixing Bronx street life, international music and English art school fashion, the result was the hit song ‘Buffalo Gals’ from the album ‘Duck Rock.’ Other solo ventures Malcolm ensued, such as the hybrid of electronic music and opera in the 1984 single ‘Madame Butterfly.’ Later solo projects, although innovative, were not as successful.

Was not aware of this fact, but supposedly Malcolm McLaren was involved with a film project, using a script by comic book writer Alan Moore. The film itself was never made. Later on, Malcolm went on to be one of the producers in the film adaptation of Fast Food Nation.

Why Malcolm McLaren could be considered a “favorite villain” was due to the fact of his questionable manger practices. During the 1980s, former members of The Sex Pistols took McLaren to court over contract rights. Johnny Lydon, formerly known as Pistols’ lead singer Johnny Rotten won and gained complete control from McLaren (and rightly so). After the Pistols’ breakup, Lydon formed the post punk band Public Image Ltd.

Personally speaking, I saw P.I.L. on concert during the mid-eighties. Not only showing my true age when admitting this; I will also humiliate myself when I tell you about accidentally getting kicked in the head by a ‘slam dancer’ (now known as ‘mosher’) during the show. Johnny Lydon insulted everyone during the entire concert, and the audience retaliated by throwing pennies at him. The pennies was the crowd’s physical way of telling Lydon he was a “sell-out.”

Back to Malcolm. My ex-boyfriend from high school met McLaren during his usher shift at a local NYC art film theater. McLaren had gone to see a movie, and my ex took his ticket stub. According to the ex, McLaren was a nice guy.

A few weeks prior to his death, somehow the song “Buffalo Gals” kept on running through my head. It was a song I had remembered from my pre-teen years. This was when I was growing up in Queens, NY. I was a huge Joan Jett fan during this period, but a friend was trying to get me into Hip-Hop. So she played “Buffalo Gals” for me. However, I was too into Rock music at this time and wasn’t willing to budge. Years later, I realized this tune was way ahead of its time.

I’ll end this with two videos posted on YouTube. One is Adam Ant with a spoken tribute, the other is the promo video for Buffalo Gals.

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Nightmare Pics

First of all, I apologize in advance. Not many photos were taken of the Welcome To My Nightmare III event. The following two pics were snapped before the show began.

Shitty Mickey Webcomic Panels on Display, As Well As A Few Assorted Other Illos. Sat. March 27th, 2010. Shitty Mickey was written by John Reed and Drawn by Michele Witchipoo.

At the top right of this photograph, you can see the Sarah Palin illustration, done summer 2008. Originally posted on a Penguin House blog entry, September 2008. This same illo will be published in the forthcoming book, Tales of Woe (MTV Press). It’s been an honor to work with John Reed.

The other display from my self-published sketchbook, on ‘WitchesBrewPress’ of course. These images are from Babalon Babes no. 4, the Astrology issue.

Images from Babalon Babes No. 4, The Astrology Themed Issue. My self-published pin-up/sketchbook, available from WitchesBrewPress.

This next photo was of the band Skum City.

Skum City @ Welcome To My Nightmare III, March 27th, 2010.

Last but not least, here’s a classic Billy Dee Williams neon sign for Colt 45 malt liquor. Hanging in the Don Pedro establishment.

Billy Dee Williams neon sign selling Colt 45

Photos by Ben Herman

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Suburbia (Movie Trailer of The Week, March 15th, 2010)

The year 1984 was anticipated but not as close as it was described in the Orwell novel. (Actually, in the year 2010 we’re more aligned with what Orwell foretold than in 1984 itself) Yet 84 was still an interesting year. The AIDS virus was identified by French Immunologist. The first Apple Macintosh goes on sale, currently known as iMac. The AT&T monopoly gets broken up.

The most popular films from 1984 ranged from Ghostbusters, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, The Terminator, Amadeus, Police Academy, and the original version of The Karate Kid. It was the first year of the MTV video music awards, and BandAid tried to help starving children in Africa with a holiday song. Speaking of music, some of the most popular musical acts of its day were Duran Duran, Wham!, and David Bowie, who sang about 1984.

1984 was also the year the independent film Suburbia was released. Directed by Penelope Spheeris, it used real Californian street kids and squatter punks instead of professional actors. There was a few exceptions. Out of the few professionals actors used, it should be noted that Flea from The Red Hot Chili Peppers was among the cast.

This is not really a ‘grindhouse’ film per say. I first viewed this film on VHS back in the eighties. In my opinion found it depressing, but still appreciate the film for its non-exploitative realism. Penelope Spheeris later went on to direct ‘Wanye’s World.’ Without further due, here’s the movie trailer of the week for March 15th, 2010:

BTW, Suburbia is being released on DVD May 2010.

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Times Square (Movie Trailer of The Week, Feb. 22nd, 2010)

Not exactly a ‘grindhouse’ flick but it could be considered a ‘lost classic’ just the same. The leap year of 1980, a new decade, and it was already off and running. We had the debut of Pacman who chomped his way into gamers’ hearts. Israel and Egypt tried to establish diplomatic relations. John Lennon was assassinated. There was the cinematic release of The Empire Strikes Back. Empire was the top grossing film of that year, but the Punk ethic was starting to steep into film’s consciousness.

This flick, titled “Times Square” not only captured a bit of the early New Wave allure, but it also had shots of the actual NYC area before pre-’disneyfication.’ One of the film’s highlights is a concert by The Sleez Sisters on top of a 42nd Street theater. The soundtrack consisted of songs from The Ramones, Gary Numan, Patti Smith, and others. Ironically, this film was either a commercial nor a critical success during its initial release. As in the case of all “cult” films, the Times Square movie defiantly lives on. The DVD of this underrated piece is now out of print, so grab if you ever have the chance. The stars of this production were Tim Curry (Rocky Horror Picture Show), Trini Alvarado and Robin Johnson.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Times_Square_%28film%29

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Andy Warhol’s Bad (Movie Trailer of The Week, Feb. 8th, 2010)

It’s the movies that have really been running things in America ever since they were invented. They show you what to do, how to do it, when to do it, how to feel about it, and how to look how you feel about it.  – Andy Warhol

The year 1977 was a pivotal year in modern history. England was having its royal Jubilee, celebrating twenty-five years of Elizabeth II’s reign. Meanwhile Punk Rock came into prominence as The Sex Pistols sang “God Save The Queen.” Punk and HipHop was holding its own as well in the big bad rotten apple. Places such as CBGB’s and The Bronx became meccas of rising new musical movements.  The World trade Center opened officially in New York City. Elvis Presley went on to that peanut butter and banana sandwich in the sky. Marc Bolan from T-Rex joined Elvis after a nasty car crash. Apple Computers incorporated while Son of Sam followed some dog’s orders. Let’s not forget that legendary blackout in NYC, followed by looting and mass chaos.

Meanwhile, as the year of pandemonium unfolded, Andy Warhol decided to do something other than hanging with the ‘beautiful people’ over at Studio 54. Not being satisfied with being the premiere pop artist, Interview magazine and being invited all the best parties, Warhol added film producer to his list.

Out of all the Warhol films, this one is a personal favorite of mine. This cast consisted of Caroll Baker, Susan Tyrell, TV movie expert Perry King, 70s rock sceneser Cyrinda Foxe, and a few Factory regulars, like Brigit Polk. The plot goes a little something like this…Hazel (Carroll Baker) runs a electrolysis service out of her kitchen in Queens, New York. However, her real source of money is managing a small time murder racket, and assigning various ruthless women to these jobs. Kinda brings a new meaning to the saying ‘it’s a nasty job, but someone’s gotta do it.’ Hazel prefers to deal with women, but K.T. (Perry King) come into the scene begging for work. Reluctantly, Hazel lets him board inside her private residence along with the other female associates. K.T. chats with the other residents, including Hazel’s daughter-in-law, mopey welfare recipient Mary. Meanwhile a corrupt local cop keeps on harassing Hazel for arrest leads, but she’s not in the mood for snitching. I won’t spoil the rest of the story for you. If you manage to find a decent DVD copy of this flick, its worth checking out.I discovered this cinematic nasty in the guise of a local VHS video rental. I was in my late teens living in Astoria, Queens. It seemed to blend so well together; a woman from Queens with a vicious disposition, produced by Andy Warhol with an underlining dark sense of humor. So if you like John Water’s early stuff, you’ll probably dig this.

Plus if you ever grew up in Queens, or anywhere in NYC for that matter, I will guarantee you that you probably knew someone just like Hazel. Perhaps someone similar to Hazel’s structure was living right next door to you, and you didn’t even know it.

Below is the trailer for the film itself. This is one of those rare cases where the trailer actually delivers on its promise. Oh, and one of the movie’s most infamous scenes is when some unfeeling bitch throws her baby out of an apartment window. In real life that particular actress, Susan Blond later went on to become a music executive and well respect publicist.

Ah, what the hell. In case you can’t find a copy of Bad on either DVD or VHS, here’s the baby throwing scene:

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