Richard Starkings's Elephantmen...

... is the topic of discussion in this week's edition of Thee Comic Column, over on Joup!

The Pogues - Fairytale of New York live 1988

Best Christmas song ever.

PO'Boy Special - Barely Gettin' By e.p.

Full disclosure: the guitar player/chief songwriter of Po'Boy Special is one of my oldest, dearest friends. But you know, I go so far back with Anthony Barraco that in a way, in the passage of daily life and how it congeals unexpectedly into block of years, decades and then finally, a life, without ever really granting any quarter, well, the Anthony that recorded this record only really overlaps with the Anthony I know a little bit. When we do manage to see each other - once a year at best - we're in catch up, so it wasn't until this past October that I was ever able to relax my trip home a bit and actually see this band - a relatively new band for Anthony - in an intimate practice setting. Not a performance, but a practice, foibles and all. It was amazing, and now that I hear the recorded version of the band I'm really just left speechless. Anthony's not only quite an amazing songwriter but he engineered this at his home on the south side.

Awesome.

The Barely Gettin' By e.p. is available for FREE download on Po'Boy's bandcamp HERE.

You should hear these guys live if you get a chance - they play Double Door, HOB and Hard Rock Cafe on a somewhat consistent basis that seems to only be ramping up. Their cover of Roy Hawkins's The Thrill Is Gone - probably best known performed by, for now, BB King - is just unbelievable.

RIP Joe Cocker

Much respect to Joe Cocker and his passing, even though I will admit, I've never really considered myself a fan. This song though... this song has a special place in my heart. In my single days, when I was a bartender on the South Side of Chicago, I worked with a waitress that will one day be a character in a novel I have half-finished somewhere on my hard drive. She used to like to go out and party after work, and whenever this song came on, well... certain things would follow.

Thanks Joe. Have a blast on the other side.

Protomartyr

Holy cow, this band is fantastic!

Avengers: Age of Ultron Sneak Peak

Via Bloody Disgusting. I am very much looking forward to the second movie in the Avengers franchise. I watched the initial teaser Marvel released in October and was floored - it was everything I wanted it to be and so much more. However subsequently I have sworn off any trailers that follow. I mean, the teaser was almost three minutes long, for fook's sake; I detest the amount of exposure the current trend of five minute trailers gives. My favorite thing is to go into a movie - especially one as anticipated as this - as blind as possible. So what got me to watch this?

Elizabeth Olsen.

Ms. Olsen has been one of my favorite actresses since Martha Marcy May Marlene. She has spectacular talent.

But that's enough! No more until May 1st.

John Constantine Short Film "Soul Play" - NBC learn from this!

This wonderful short film by Waking Dream Studio's is the topic of discussion in this week's edition of Thee Comic Column, over yonder on Joup!