Rag Mag 20

What's up rag mag? The world keeps getting crazier, but we keep on keeping on. Hope everyone is hanging in there. With the recent ending of the national lgbtq+ suicide hotline (the cruelty seems to be the point with these evil fucks), we wanted to highlight the resources on the Trevor project (https://www.thetrevorproject.org) and Rag Mag’s never ending support. Solidarity for all, solidarity forever.

We have another packed issue this week with a double stuffed feature from Wasteland Chick reviewing a movie and a song, Film Freak with Coco A Go-Go, Creature’s Double Feature, Splinters by Leela Corman, Doubledecker by Salty Dave, new piece by Wasteland Chick, photos from Jeff Hartford’s Planetary Stagnation exhibit, and the last of our photos from the building infinity show. Keep sending in art, columns, and flyers, we love to see it.

Photo of Alvilda live in Cambridge, MA by Creature

In addition to listening to, writing about, and playing music, I also enjoy reading about it. Shocker, huh. Picked up a new English translation of the Shizouka Hardcore book by Ishiya from Death Side/ Forward focusing on the Shizouka region in Japan, known as the Mohawk capital of the world. I've always been drawn to smaller scenes, and I really got into Shizouka hardcore bands when I was in my early 20s and found a copy of the LP compilation Who's Chained Up to the Dogs of Outrage (part of a really cool 3 lp compilation series of Japanese hardcore/punk/crust bands).

LP from collection of Creature

I loved this comp, particularly the So What, Innocents, and The Rustler tracks who are all featured in this new interview book. It's really cool to read the story of the making of this compilation. Expect to read about a lot of fights, mohawks and motorcycle gangs. This book isn't for the uninitiated as it is diving into lesser known local bands that aren’t on a lot of people's radar, but the love of punk/hardcore and the commitment shown to being in these bands from middle school to being middle aged is fucking cool. It really gets into parts of the cultural aspect of Japanese hardcore I don't really understand as an American, with every band having a leader and a hierarchical nature with age being a really big factor. Deepened my understanding and I love the documentation of this important scene.

As some of you may know, yr ol' pal creature is a Nancy and Sluggo freak. I collect most any and everything related to Nancy, so when I came across a new zine by a couple of tattoo artists of drawings of them, had to get it. Beautiful, fucked up work and I couldnt love it more. Pretty sure at least one person I know found a new tattoo in here. Highest recommendation for Nancy heads.

https://mattkerley.bigcartel.com/product/second-hand-zine

I also recently picked up a beautiful looking comic called Garden Club by Jules Kang Sharpe. I really like the clean line work and it’s risograph printed making it almost screenprinted in that classic Providence style. Feels like an old per-zine style fictional story about a lesbian garden club and I can’t wait for the next issue.

https://juleskangsharpe.com/shop/gardenclub

Hidden Fountain, Live at Myrtle in East Providence RI - Photo by Creature

Man, these last two weeks were packed because I also was fortunate enough to be able to make it out to a couple shows too. Summer is busy! I checked out the Hidden Fountain and Neptune show at Myrtle in East Providence. Hidden Fountain features members of Major Stars and Kathy Snax. Beautiful reverb’d and delayed out vocal harmonies over cinematic feeling synth pop. Second time seeing them and can’t wait to see them again. Neptune is an experimental band that used to be from Boston that builds their own instruments/electronics. Haven't seen them in at least 15 years and they were playing all new material, but felt like seeing them in the old days. Their sound generally falls within the experimental, noisy realms that you expect with stuff like this, but they played a lot with percussion and rhythms, with all 3 members contributing to the percussion on a couple songs that really escalated the mood. Great live band.

Neptune - Photo by Creature

Alvilda - Photo by Creature

Lastly, I went solo up to the mid east upstairs in Cambridge, MA for a 5 band Wednesday night show that I assumed would be go forever. I was unfamiliar with all the bands except Alvilda, but it was a fun show and it moved pretty quickly for so many bands. Saw a ton of familiar faces and friends and people were having fun all night, but I was there for Alvilda. Shout out to the guitar player from Brower who absolutely shredded. I'm generally not too interested in the stompy glam band thing, but watching her hit those solos live was sick. Alvilda had some technical difficulties to start their set playing on borrowed gear without a line check before they started. After a quick line check playing negatif off the first single, they really got going. Charming banter from the lead singer nina (“it's so humid, normally my hair is much more on point and cute” “I love your guitar but I can't see the dots, I can only play my telecaster”). Band hit the 4 part harmonies and you could feel the energy of 4 people just having fun playing songs together. Killer set and hell of a band. This was their first show of the tour and I hope the rest of the US tour goes well! Check them out if they are playing near you.

Records of the week starts off with a the new Contrast Attitude - Discharge your Noise LP. D-beat raw punk from Mie City. These guys have been around a long time, I remember first hearing them from a killer single on the legendary MCR Company label from over 20 years ago. Band sounds even tighter and more dedicated to their sound then ever. Good record with nice packaging, lyric insert and a poster. Can’t find a way to hear it online so here is a video of them playing at the Kawakami Forever gig from earlier this summer. Wish I could have made it out to this.

Next up is the Modern Lovers because sometimes you just need to listen to the modern lovers because the modern world fucking sucks.

Soul song of the day Frankie Karl and the dreams don't be afraid (do as I say). Group outta DC that released a couple of singles. Potentially questionable lyric content aside, just a good tune and an excellent, raw performance.

Whats up film freakers ?!!??

Hope everyone is braving the heat and doing okay out there . This week much like my brain , we are bouncing all over the place. Different years , locations and film formats . I know what you’re thinking Coco SLOW DOWN , but I can’t and I won’t . Wishing everyone a great week , stay safe out there — Coco

“All Cramped up” featuring the BLOODSTAINS ( Boston Burlesque group) 35MM , 2013-14?

My friend Dinah Deville ( left) put on a night of burlesque to a live band playing ALL cramps songs some years back. It WAS SO MUCH FUN. Not only am I a full time film freak but I am also a hairdresser and Dinah had me come in to make some BIG HAIR ( as seen on the beautiful pink haired dancer in the middle). Once I was done teasin and curlin’ I got to join the audience and enjoy the fun. I took these photos on a disposable camera because I love shooting live stuff quick and dirty. I love enjoying the performance but I also love photographing it , so i’ve always been drawn to quick point and shoots at shows. I remember when they revealed the teeth people went nuts. I really wish I could remember what song this was too - maybe hot pearl snatch ?

Casey with pink hair , Mass Art , 35MM , 2003

It wouldn’t be a film freak without me unearthing a old photo of Casey. This was taken in the little court yard in front of Mass Art on Huntington Ave in Boston. Casey was one of my first friends I made in school. I actually met him on my first day of classes. I remember seeing him across the street in a tiny half shirt and so much glitter eye shadow that I was almost blinded from the sun bouncing off it. But through the traffic and blinding light I thought I NEED TO BE FRIENDS WITH THIS GUY.

This photo is also pretty reflective of what kind of pictures I was taking at the time. I loved doing portraits and come to think of it haven’t really taken any in a long time. I guess its time to get on that ha.

Brimfield Antique Flea Market , polaroid , 2024

I love walking around Brimfield looking at all the things I can’t afford to buy. Kelley and I were picking out fake mushrooms ( pictured above) and a turtle swimming pool that would be in the back yard of our collective friend dream house. A girl can dream am I right ? Anywho it was a scorcher that day and me, Salty , Kelley and Cory and Tori! All hit up Brimfield flea to see what treasures it had to offer. I really loved these giant mushrooms , maybe someday I’ll have one of these in my back yard who knows! Since I was so into them I had everyone pose in front of them and I loved how weird and dreamy the film came out. This particular pak came out with a lot of pinks and yellows which I ended up really loving.

Alice taking a bite outta Gone Bad , Bruar Falls , Brooklyn , NY 2011 , 35mm

This photo is from my old band Gone Bad’s 7inch release at Bruar Falls in Brooklyn. This is my old bud Alice eating our record. I’m pretty sure she also played that night with her band No Fun . I remember it being a really fun night and just hanging after . This was definitely taken with a disposable camera because I remember snapping away at everyone just hoping I’d catch them at the right moment.

Doubledecker by Salty Dave

Splinters by Leela Corman

Pieces from Planetary Stagnation by Jeff Hartford. Longtime experimental musician as Noise Nomads has a cool new exhibit up at the speed shop in July. Photos by Creature

Sticker found in Olneyville - Photo by Creature

Family Portrait by Wasteland Chick

Building Infinity (Part 4) - All photos by Creature

Last 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 I missed. Get in touch and I will update and credit.

Beautiful pieces, but I missed the artist’s name.

Taylor Baldwin

Another beautiful piece that I apologize again for missing the artist’s name.

Live performance by LN Celestine.

Wasteland Chick

Da, da da da da da, DA DA DA DA!!!! Salutations, fellow Wasteland Chicks. Welcome back. And, welcome to a new announcement *Krusty Krab Training Video Music*: Your own W.C. is getting her own double feature! I now review music and movies!!!! And I know it sounds like a lot of hoopla, but trust me, just-just trust me it’s going to be good. Also, for today’s meme’s strange blankness, I often think of this music/moment when something DRASTIC or EXCITING is announced.

Anyway, today we’ll be reviewing a favorite of mine: “Dead Mom” from Beetlejuice the Musical, which I can and have listened to on repeat. Let’s start with the rhythm and melody, which I give a nine out of ten. It’s sad yet peppy during Lydia’s vocal highs (that’s what they’re called, right?) and adds a melancholy yet triumphant feeling to the song itself. It slaps. Also, the ensemble cast of this musical deserve an award, they are the best at backing up the lead singers and performers with literal “oohs” and scatting. That’s talent, people! Next, we have the lyrics, which I give a ten out of ten, and strap yourselves in because I have a helluva lot to say. I don’t even know where to begin, but these lyrics go SO hard! For starters, Sophia Anna Caruso has an amazing voice and is excellent at her role as Lydia. Seriously, 90% of comments on the Youtube version of this song say that she’s the original (musical) Lydia and they are so right. Nobody does it better than Dominoes. Something like that. Anywhoozle, the lyrics expertly sing Lydia’s grief over her dead mother (Oh, that’s why the song’s called “Dead Mom”!) and anger yet pleas of visibility for her father.

A few lyrics I really like (just 4, or we’d be here all day) that I think sell the point really well are “I’m a bunch of broken pieces, it was you who made me whole!”, which explains perfectly Lydia’s deep grief and sadness over losing her mom; “Ignored it for a while, but Daddy’s lost his mind for real! You won’t believe the mess that we’ve become.” shows how her mom’s death fractured their relationship due to Charles’s emotional unavailability and general asshole behavior and Lydia’s desperate grief for her father to say her dead mother’s name; “Mamma, is this it? Are you receiving?! I want something to believe in or I’m done!” shows how Lydia desperately needs something hopeful to believe in after her mother’s death, and “Whatever it takes to make him say your name, dead mom!” shows how she is driven throughout the musical to avenge her mother in a way and get Charles to say his wife’s name. Overall, I give this song a ten out of ten, this rhythm and melody are awesome, sad, and peppy at the same time, the lyrics perfectly show emotion and grief, and Sophia Anne Caruso rules. Strange things are soon to be afoot at the Circle K, fellow Wasteland Chicks (this is a hint of things to come!). Bye!

Sincerely, Wasteland Chick.

True that, dudes. Salutations, fellow Wasteland Chicks. Welcome back to a brand new W.C. double feature, and instead of music, we’re reviewing MOVIES! And today we’ll be reviewing the classic “Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure”, which I give a nine out of ten. The plot is both funny, heartfelt, and low-stakes, which I enjoy, as movies need stakes, but when they’re amped up too high, it can be a stressful watch. Something I also enjoy is how all of the characters (sans a few) are just nice and friendly to each other: Bill and Ted are great friends and are sweet and accommodating to the time travel people they bring back for their report, the time travel dudes are nice to each other despite being from different time periods and some friendships are even struck up, and even the slight antagonist teacher is surprisingly friendly to the about-to-fail Bill and Ted. Also something cute I noticed: the birthday balloon Deacon (Ted’s little brother) has in his room says “Party on Dude!” on it, meaning that Ted got him the balloon! Aww! Also, shoutout to Socrates for just literally going along with everything in this movie despite being kidnapped from Ancient Greece by two 20th century high schoolers. Like, this dude literally saw the future and did not care! Also, the final report scene is excellent, as it shows the crowd loving it, and the time travel people showing off their skills, and Bill and Ted just being Bill and Ted. Also, who is doing that incredible lighting? Nikola Tesla in a booth? Anyway, I also love Bill’s stepmom, Missy, who is really sweet, and Napoleon being a dick. It’s just pretty funny to watch! Also-also, I love how B&T meet the future and its people and learn that their music (which gets better trust) helped positively change the world. Maybe we need to send a Bill and a Ted on an Excellent Adventure. We could use one! Anyway, I give this movie a 9 out of ten, as it’s low-stakes yet enjoyable, the characters are nice and hilarious, and the movie itself is just a feel-good, funny, Excellent Adventure. Maybe I’ll review the rest of the series…Only time and hyperfixations will tell…. Make sure to party on, fellow Wasteland Chicks. Bye!

Sincerely, Wasteland Chick (Hope you like my art!)

That’s it for Rag Mag this week punks. Check out the events below and hope to see you there.