23 Jun 2025 18 min read punk

Rag Mag 18

its your choice... peace or annihilation ?

What’s up rag mag? Heavy times got me in a peace punk mood and had to blast Crucifix’s absolute classic Dehumanization with its epic and unfortunately still timely spoken word intro. 2025 still feeling like 1983 when the album came out with U.S. made bombs dropping in the middle east and threats of nuclear war shouted into the internet by fascist piss babies trying to show daddy who’s best at playing dictator. Fuck! But the world moves on, we continue to fight back. Inspired by the massive No Kings Marches across the country and fun Pride in Providence, showing how many of us there are and they can never take our joy because it comes from us. Another packed issue featuring Creature on the Road - Part 5 by Mr. Mittens, Wasteland Chick reviewing Dehumanization, Splinters By Leela Corman, Stage Dive with Velvet Deluxxx, part 2 of photos from the Building Infinity art show, and Creature’s Double Feature. Keep sending in events, flyers, art, and columns!

-artwork from Crucifix - Dehumanization - photo from personal collection of creature

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Wasteland Chick

If only they knew. Salutations, fellow Wasteland Chicks. Welcome back. Before we begin, let’s play a game: Which Wasteland Chick is Off of School Literally on Tuesday? ME! Y’all heard it first, summer is here! Anyway, let’s get the show on the road: Today we’ll be reviewing “Dehumanization” by Crucifix, and holy hand grenade, this song goes pretty hard for being so short I tell you what. Anywhoozle, I give the rhythm and melody of this straight propane fire song an 8 out of ten. They’re pretty vibe-able and cool, adding to the punk and awesome rant-y theme of the song. Next, we have the lyrics, which I give an 8 out of ten. They’re pretty punk and rant-y, but also very true; Venting about the shitty nature of the world, which can honestly be a good way to rebel against it, which is awesome. Anway, for my overall review, I give this song an 8 out of ten; The rhythm and melody are vibe-able and perfectly punk, and the lyrics amazingly capture that loud, angry, and rant-y side of punk, my flame-grilled favorite. Remember where we are, fellow Wasteland Chicks, this is thunderdome. Punks are listening and will take the first man that screams. BYE!

Sincerely, Wasteland Chick (RagMag’s got a punk show this summer!)

“Splinters” by Leela Corman

Yet another wild couple of week’s in the world and here in Providence for yr ol’ pal Creature. Lot’s of events and happenings over the past two weeks including Father’s Day (shout out to the all the amazing dad’s out there as too many to name). After a nice morning at the flea market, I caught an unexpected live free jazz trio (guitar, double bass, drums) at the speedshop which was nice. I loved the drummer’s vibe, but I missed getting the trio’s name. Hope to catch them again. We also went out for a band/birthday dinner which was lovely and reminds me of what all this is about. The two biggest events were the Providence Pride celebration and Illuminated Parade and the No Kings marches. Inspiring times were had at both and it was empowering to see people of all types standing up for each other and having a good time. Plus I saw the same duck marching at No Kings and Pride.

Shameless plug, I am doing a guest spot Saturday June 28th at 8 pm at Myrtle in East Providence with Repeat Offender DJs. Gonna be a fun night of soul and dancing and nice cocktails, so hope to see some of you there where I likely spin some of the records I feature on here.

Pride - District Park / Kennedy Square Providence - All Photos by Creature

Entering Pride

Gay pride duck

Pride is a riot

Local bird sanctuary

penguin is perfect

here come the furries

No Kings - Providence City Hall - All Photos by Creature

Records of the day. First up is a reissue of A Mechanical Joey, a super limited LP by Bill Orcutt originally released a few years ago that now has at least more than 100 copies in the world. Instead of electric guitar noise ala Harry Pussy or his solo acoustic guitar, this time it’s computer music using his own custom music making software. This is the ultimate Ramones-core records, reducing the Ramones down to nothing but Joey shouting 1 2 3 4 5 6. Sampled over and over, this ends up sounding like an insane techno record. Punk as fuck.

Next up, an excellent reissue by the Mesh-Key label of an early Vanity Records (Japan) rarity. R.N.A. Organism - R.N.A.O Meets P.O.P.O LP from 1980 is dubbed out post-punk tape experiments by anonymous musicians known only by aliases. For me this sounds like it could fit somewhere on the It’s War Boys label like Amos & Sara or something like the slits without vocals. Perfect late night record.

Soul song of the week is Talkin’ ‘Bout Jone’s by Bobby Jone’s. The only thing I ever really learn about Jone’s from this is that he can qualify. I love all the little accents over this one and the backing vocals are a nice touch.

Creature on the Road part 5 - By Mr. Mittens

Finally, after a long and thick silence, the old timer produced a small metal box from his pants pocket and shook it towards me in an offering. I knew what it was, there’s not a full time driver on this route that doesn’t know about rock salt. I took the box from his hand and nodded in thanks. Opening it carefully so as not to spill its powdery contents, I took a small pinch and snorted it off the tip of my thumb. The old man nodded approvingly and shoved the box back into his pocket, but not before taking a generous amount between his fingers and snorting it.

“Whew” he said and shook his head violently back and forth for a few seconds before slapping my shoulder. “There’s a kick in this mother for sure.”

“What you been playing around with?” I asked in mild sincerity. I’m not opposed to knowing the contents of what I’ve just catapulted up my nostrils, but I could tell that his overreaction to rock salt’s sting meant that he wanted to further the discussion by bragging a little. Every place this far out has their own version of rock salt. A sort of home grown stimulant that usually lasts for a bit and doesn’t cause too much of a comedown. The real stuff you can get in the state zones is harsh and the comedown falls on you like an oily wave from the American ocean. It’s made that way I think, the depression so bad that you’d rather be up and palpitating than feel anything so awful ever again. You can drive yourself to the cliff’s edge with that shit. Rock salt of every variety is a lesser high, but with no abrupt let downs. It can keep you driving longer than you should, but you’ll still get a decent sleep down the road. Besides, there was usually a mild hallucinogenic rush to it. Nothing you can’t do your job on, but the colors around the edges of your eyes might play some tricks on you and you might see some weird shit in the dark. Rock salt isn’t strictly legal of course, but the red shirts can’t do much if they find it on you except steal it and give you a few punches. The drug sits in a hilarious grey area of being both natural and unnatural, it’s made primarily from the bones of animals that still thrive out in the uninhabited zones. The government can’t ban it outright, as that might cause an accidental resurgence of interest in the uninhabited zones, or worse, a remembrance of how those zones became uninhabitable in the first place. The officials thrive on not digging up even the smallest of corpses. It’s easier to make it seem old fashioned and unworthy of any real zone wide attention. Besides, I’m pretty sure the pineys pay the redshirts around here in trade for some feigned ignorance as an extra buffer.

“Come on, tell me what you got brewing this time?” I asked, reaching my hand out for the box. I had to admit there was something different in this batch, it was making my brain feel like a string of Christmas lights freshly plugged in.

If you go to shows in Boston , I’d be SHOCKED if you never ended up at a KLYAM show. You probably have and didn’t even know it! For the past 15 years Chris and Glenn have been breathing new life and enthusiasm into the underground. From booking countless shows , releasing a series of tapes ( whats up KLYAM records ) DJ nights , outdoor shows , music symposiums you name it they’ve been doing it or thinking about it. And when they’re not putting on a party they’re showing up and supporting local music acts like nobodys business. AND when they’re not doing that they’re wreaking total havoc in Johnny and the Foodmasters who will now be celebrating ten years of being a band for better or for worse ha. So , enough of this intro lets get chatting with Chris and G.Gordon Gritty! - Velvet Deluxxx

1)When was the first time you remember performing and how did it make you feel?

Chris - Yes yes, thanks so much Velvet! Tis honor. The first time I performed was with Johnnie and the Foodmasters at Club Bohemia (basement of Cantab Lounge) on Saturday, October 3rd 2015. It was fun! I wore my usual sunglasses and couldn't see the audience too well. Perhaps that helped with the transition from spectator to performer? Who knows?! I felt good about it and I think the rest of the band did too, but I'm not sure if the audience was on the same page!

G.Gordon Gritty - First- thanks so much for the Q's, Velvet ! This is awesome! Curious to read all of Chris answers as I imagine there may be some similarities: we've been doing KLYAM for 15 years and Foodmasters almost 10. I performed casually years before anything on stage - in various settings of life. Shoutout to neurodiversity! Then I used to perform covers and karaokes on YouTube and sometimes in real life. This was all super weird (though it didn't seem that way to me... hmm) and probably what most might call a joke or really bad but that set me up for the actual stage which was solo at PA's Lounge in April 2012.

2) Was there any performer / band you saw that made you be like I WANNA BE ON STAGE!

Chris - I wanted to be on stage for most of my life. Much like Gritty though, I didn't think it was meant for me, so I never pursued it until much later. Black Lips, The Barbaras (wild band from Memphis in the 2000s. You Tube them!), and my best friend/co-conspirator himself, G. Gordon Gritty were inspirations for me to get up on stage! They all looked like they were having fun amidst a world of chaos in a way that I don't see often. Even with bands I like, it usually feels like there's fine china around them that can't be destroyed. I'll also single out Andy Macbain (The Monsieurs/Tunnel of Love/Andy California) as being the biggest influence for me as a performer. I saw Andy and was blown away. Like this guy gets it! A lot of the aesthetics that I already enjoyed I saw in Andy and I studied his performances to see what he did and what I could learn. I don't know if I learned anything or not, but I've never been a big fan of studying haha. Conversely, I get inspired more by what not to do. Before I started performing, when I saw shows I didn't like it infuriated me. Nothing personal against anyone. I just love music like fine wine. So seeing something I didn't like felt like I found a turd in my wine. I've subsequently matured a little bit. What's one person's shit could be another person's rare 45 or something like that. I kind of forgot what point I was trying to make, but part of me gets inspired more by things I don't like.

G.Gordon Gritty -Hmm it's hard to say just one. For so long as a teen and young adult it felt like performing or being a band was a distant concept, reserved only for people who really *knew* what they were doing. Learning about and seeing underground music, particular local punk and experimental or noisy artists changed that - albeit gradually 'cause it still seemed like a lot of were on another level. I had a lot of haters online because I was so public with my amateur hour. But some of my fave musicians were pretty encouraging which was cool. The self imposed or imposter barriers came down at some point.

3) Do you guys ever get stage fright?

Chris -No! I don't say that to sound cool or like a hot shot. I've had boat loads of anxiety in my life, but I feel at ease with a microphone (or a tambourine for that matter) and roaming around a room or whatever. I honestly forget that's a thing. Stage fright. I think for Gritty and me (though I don't want to speak for Gritty) we spent our lives afraid of the stage - whether that be an actual stage or other aspects of life - to be poetic for a sec! - once we've arrived, it's like we're here! This is our stage, this is our personal playground.You can join us and have fun or get out of the way. And sometimes they do. Sometimes they leave in droves! More recently some people have been into our wacky band though! But, I think with stage fright, people are afraid of rejection. We were rejected from day one. So, we set the bar low haha. To be honest, our beginnings were rough. Especially for Gritty as a solo artist and posting lots of content online. We've been assaulted on stage, threatened with violence at and before shows, gotten hate messages, booed, heckled, had sets cut off, you name it! First Foodmasters show (I believe the first song in!) at the Lower Allston Speed Trials (July 4th, 2015) was shut down by the cops! Most of the time people like us or dislike us, but are civil and it's gotten better overtime though. The weird thing is that all of that seems crazy or "rough" as I said before, to me in retrospect. At the time, it was just business as usual. That's all we knew! We did have some support and definitely being around the scene and doing KLYAM helped and that's great. But the negative feedback has added to our character for sure. I got off on unintentionally inspiring animosity in people. Just for being ourselves! We have the attitude that they're more afraid of us than we are of them.

G.Gordon Gritty -No - I don't think ever. I know generally the outcomes from being up there (some could be quite impactful soundwise) and another thing is truly believing in and loving improvising. I've never imposed any pressure on myself to hit the right note or be picky with sounding a certain way - for unsuspecting audiences that could be a little backwards or alarming or shitty but trust me I'm fully aware and mostly just happy to have a brief amount of time to do whatever!

4)Do you have any pre-show rituals?

No, I've never been a pre-show ritual person! Usually have a few drinks and I talk with whomever is around me that feels like talking to me. Then I hop on stage/floor/wherever and get into character! I play tambourine and sing on a few songs, so I don't have any gear to figure out. Sometimes, my vocals are sound checked, but that's it. At Ralph's Rock Diner recently, I was talking to Neil from PV (we played with them that night and they rule!) about the new Butthole Surfers documentary right up until it was time to get on stage. The rest of the band motioned to me to get up there and I put my shades on and joined the circus!

G.Gordon Gritty - That sounds cool but no! Each show is its own experience and I take 'em as they come. Now having gone on a few little tours or jaunts, there is more ritual or routine because you're often pressed for time and everyone is typically together. But I don't eat a certain meal or anything like that (that's all I could think of, lol)

5)You guys as bookers / performers have been on both sides of the stage. Do you prefer playing a show or going to one ?

Chris -It's a blessing to do both for sure. We appreciate that anyone pays attention to anything we do. We don't take it for granted. We'd do everything we do anyway even if no one cared (and sometimes that's the case!), but it's a bonus that people are interested. Humbling! Okay to the actual question though haha. Booking/running a show is fun, but can be frustrating at times as you know with all the logistics. Performing is probably more enjoyable, but not as meaningful to me on a personal level. Performing is a calming experience for me. It puts me in control of a situation and I find that's not true of most of life. I think of myself as a fan first and foremost, so seeing new exciting bands and old favorites is awesome. I'm going to say it depends on the show. For some people, performing is the end all be all. I'm definitely not that way. As much as I love playing a show, I'd rather see a killer band. If it's not something next level then I'll play a show. I guess it depends on what the show is we're playing! For example, if someone said Option A) Play a show at X venue you've played before with bands you've either played with a bunch of bands you're not into or familiar with vs Option B) Killer band like say Gone Bad reunion show!!! I'd rather take Option B!. That's my long winded response lol.

G.Gordan Gritty -Blessed to be doing both! It's an added treat to book a show AND play it. We've done that a lot and I recommend it for anyone starting out or feels outside to a scene. We started out as fans going to all kinds of shows, cool to just be there having fun seeing bands. Playing a show or running one requires a bit more attention to detail and you're usually always keeping track of time in some form. But whether you're playing, running or simply attending you get to meet new people, or maybe catch up with old friends. It's usually a neat social experience. There's something to playing a show or booking it - delivering an experience that could make a difference or impact for somebody. I hope to be inspiring in some way. I've gotten super inspired from attending shows.

6) Have you ever stage dived?

Chris -Only a few times! Once was at an acoustic show actually lol. Ty Segall played an acoustic set in Brooklyn. People were moshing and I stage dove. I lost my shoe. A young woman helped me find it. We started talking and eventually made out. For all the lovers out there, losing a shoe is a good ice breaker.

G.Gordan Gritty - Haha rarely but I'll never forget my first time resulted in me getting "kicked out" of the middle east downstairs in March 2010. I was feeling a little wild and free but if I remember correctly Dave from the Box Elders stepped in and vouched for me as being with the band, which wasn't at all true (we had a solid conversation and camaraderie) but nevertheless seemed to have worked as I wasn't totally ejected. But I've seen others' stagediving go really really south so I'm pretty scared of it most times.

7) If Johnny and the Foodmasters could open for any band dead or alive who would it be?

G.Gordon Gritty - I'll let Chris come up with some good ones. I'd be happy to open for some obscure '60s or '70s band any day, but it would be interesting to play a huge venue or festival with a pop star or band who really loves what Foodmasters are about. I can't imagine it going over well but it wouldn't be boring at the very least.

Chris -Oohh this is a tough question! A number of scenarios crossed my mind! I'm going to take a liberty here and say two bands lol. Us opening for The Ramones and The Germs at the Middle East Downstairs. Lots of disorienting, dissonant Punk in The Germs and The Foodmasters, but you also have the Oldies/Rock and Roll/Bubblegum in The Ramones and The Foodmasters. I feel like The Ramones and their fans would hate us. Or maybe not?! I think Johnny would think both us and The Germs suck and would actually like that as openers. But, who cares what he thinks? He's dead anyway lol.

8)Is there anything you wanna say to our Rag Mag reader?

G.Gordan Gritty -"Find someone who has a life you want and figure out how they got it. Read books, pick your role models wisely. Find out what they did and do it." - LDR

Chris - Keep on ragging in the free world! What's left of it anyway. Keep a dry lip and a clean pecker. A kid who tells on another kid is a dead kid. Don't let anyone convince you you're worthless. Be who you want to be, not who others want you to be. You don't have to impress or please people. Rock and Roll isn't about feeling better. It's about making others feel worse. No wait, that's the Blues. I don't know what Rock and Roll is supposed to be, BUT if you're feeling freaky, you can catch Johnnie and the Foodmasters at the following locations:

Deep Cuts (Medford on Thurs 8/14)

P'Tit Ours (Montreal on Fri 8/15)

Lowbar (Toronto on Sat 8/16)

Hart Bar (Brooklyn on Mon 8/18)

THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!!

Building Infinity (Part 2) - All photos by Creature

More photos of the Building Infinity art show by the community at Building 8 in Olneyville. I will give credit where I can and apologies to any missed. Get in touch and I will update and credit.