GRAND NATIONAL ROADSTER SHOW 2012
Here are a couple images from GNRS 2012 over the weekend for those of you that missed the show..
SOUL SUNDAY
What's up! Welcome to Soul Sunday's today's pick is "Love Jones" & "I Owe you love"
by a Brighter Side of Darkness. They were a short-lived American R&B/soul group.
They were formed in 1972 in Chicago, Illinois. Their lead singer was only 12yrs old,
Darryl Lamont; the other members were Ralph Eskridge, Randolph Murph and Larry
Washington.
They released the single "Love Jones" in December 1972. It was a hit in the US and
was certified gold by February 9, 1973 by the RIAA. In 1973 they released their
first album called Love Jones. Their second single, "I Owe You Love", was less
successful, and the group disbanded in 1974. Too bad talented groups like them
didn't survive the music business that deserved more recognition. Hopefully, they
remained on the right path and didn't turn gangster & rob their nearest liquor
store.... HAHA
I found an animated clip created in 1974 by Cheech & Chong called "Basketball Jones"
this was a parody of "Love Jones" from Brighter side of Darkness, this film features
Tyrone Shoelaces from their album Los Cochinos. The cartoon was created to promote
the song's release in the United States. It's about a teenager named Tyrone
Shoelaces and his love of basketball. It's a trip... Thanks for "Tooning In"
Mrs. Toons
A moose and his centaur friend
Here's a couple of sweet pieces Sarah did at the shop this week.
She did one on Saturday too, that i didn't get any pictures of, and one on me on Monday, that you can see if you click here.
It was a pleasure having her at the shop, as usual, and we hope it won't be her last guest spot of 2012 (don't worry, it totally won't)!
She did one on Saturday too, that i didn't get any pictures of, and one on me on Monday, that you can see if you click here.
It was a pleasure having her at the shop, as usual, and we hope it won't be her last guest spot of 2012 (don't worry, it totally won't)!
Fancy gentlemen... they're probably Lords or something...
If you're one of those people who check the travel and guests section regularly, you may have noticed that i've added some new Adam Hays dates to the March calendar, so if you don't wanna miss out, go send him an email right now.
Ps. Our other German bff, Chriss Dettmer, just stared a blog, and i think you should all go follow it.
No, seriously, he did, go see for yourselves!
REBIRTH
Here is a piece that was given new life.. after the original was done at the age of 16 and our client never planned on finishing the two outlines on his chest.
SOUL SUNDAY
Today's selection for Soul Sunday's is "At Last" & "I'd Rather go blind" A tribute to
the Legendary Soul Diva Etta James. She passed away this Friday the 20th of Jan. due
to complications of leukemia at the age of 73.
Etta James (born Jamesetta Hawkins; January 25, 1938 – January 20, 2012) was an
American singer whose style spanned a variety of music genres including blues,
rhythm and blues, rock and roll, soul, gospel and jazz. Starting her career in the
mid 1950s, she gained fame with hits such as "Dance With Me, Henry", "At Last",
"Tell Mama", and "I'd Rather Go Blind" for which she claimed she wrote the lyrics.
She faced a number of personal problems including drug addiction before making a
musical resurgence in the late 1980s with the album The Seven Year Itch.
She is regarded as having bridged the gap between rhythm and blues and rock and
roll, and is the winner of six Grammys and 17 Blues Music Awards. She was inducted
into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1993, the Blues Hall of Fame in 2001, and the
Grammy Hall of Fame in both 1999 and 2008. Rolling Stone ranked James number 22 ontheir list of the 100 Greatest Singers of All Time and number 62 on the list of the
100 Greatest Artists.
I'm including a clip from the movie Cadillac Records made in 2008. Written &
Directed by Darnell Martin. Featuring Beyonce Knowles as Etta James & Adrien Brody as Chess. This film explored the musical era in the early 1940's to the late
1960's. Beyonce sings I'd rather go Blind in this clip & She kills it.. I highly
recommend you see this movie.
The world lost another true legend but her legacy will continue.
I walked down the aisle to "At last" playing so I will forever remember & treasure
this song.
RIP- Etta James
Thanks for "Tooning" in! Stay humbled & embrace every moment. Mrs Toons
REMIX
Here is a remix piece on a client who came in to add to some lettering he got when he was a kid..
What not to write
Winter is on us like a big, heavy, grey blanket and it seems to be suffocating my need to blog.
But we're good, don't worry! The shop is doing great, and since it's not nearly as cold as last year, we're not even freezing our asses off inside like we usually do.
I believe our often partially dressed clients appreciate that too!
Allan is busy working on his art show and his book, Nick is tattooing almost every day as well as working on his new web comic, and Eckel... where is Eckel anyway? I believe he's in Hamburg today, actually. And also tattooing a lot, when he is around. And next weekend he'll be moping around Brighton, mumbling about some vegan burger joint that no longer exists.
So yeah, all is well at the Conspiracy, gloominess aside!
Me and Allan's trip to Japan is moving closer and closer, and just to emphasize how much we friggin miss that place, we've already bought tickets to go back in April, which should be good news for all the people Allan won't have time to tattoo on this coming trip.
Speaking of clients and booking, i do have a bit of practical info, possibly in rant form, that i could squeeze into this post!
You see, i have started to book from the Uncle Allan waiting list, and all in all it's going ok.
Except for a couple of things...
1. Some people still don't seem to understand that you shouldn't write a bunch of questions to the waiting list. I will not email you back, and you will not be added to the list.
If you have any questions, ask them before submitting your ideas to the waiting list, and ask them via our regular mail.
2. You will also not be added to the list if you don't include tattoo ideas and placement.
Also, it's up to you to think of something interesting for Allan to do. Try to make it fun.
If i'm going through the waiting list and the choice is between someone with an awesome, well thought out tattoo idea, pictures of placement and reference, all wrapped up in a polite email, and a dude who's whole email goes something like this; "hey, i wanna get tattooed, i don't know what i want, so just do whatever, i don't care", well... it's not a super hard choice, is it?
3. Lots of people apparently only read the part of this page that has the email address in it, and so again, those people, who don't read the whole thing (yes, i know it's long) and leave important stuff out, they won't be added to the list.
4. If you get impatient and decide to go get tattooed somewhere else, at least have the courtesy to send us an email, so we can take your name off the list. If you sign up for a service of any kind, anywhere, and decide to back out for whatever reason, you let people know, right?
This especially goes out to the people who couldn't wait for Allan and decided to get tattooed by Eckel instead. It's fine if you don't have the patience to wait, but for christs sake, let us know so i don't waste time writing emails offering you dates to get tattooed!
5. You don't get to chose the date you get tattooed, another thing that's explained on this page, so if you write an email saying "i'd like to get tattooed in June 2012", that's probably not gonna happen. Once we book you, we'll do whatever we can to find a date that works for everyone, but until then, you shouldn't assume you can get tattooed whenever you feel like it.
Whoa, with the angry teacher-type ranting, sorry about that, but seriously, a good third of the mails i get for the waiting list are either missing information or missing the point.
But the rest of them, those who get it right, we're so grateful that they take the time to read all the rules, come up with fun projects and wait patiently for Allan to have time to tattoo them!If you read Allan's blog, you already know that he has claimed the month of March for his book project, but as soon as that's done, it's back to regular booking!
Ok, if you've read this far, you deserve some friggin tattoo pictures.
And even if you've only skimmed this... whatever, you still came by to read the blog, so you deserve some pretty pictures too!
Here's a couple of newer Eckel tattoos, one from 2011 and one from 2012. Enjoy!
Tattoo by Eckel
Tattoo by Eckel
Tattoo by Eckel
Ps. Sorry for the obvious iPhone pictures... ahem...
POWER TO THE PEOPLE
Public Enemy came out to SkidRow yesterday & started a festival to raise awareness of the the conditions of the "Row" that have been overlooked for decades. . .
Peace to everyone who came thru to support mass consciousness !
-Respect
SOUL SUNDAY
Welcome to Soul Sundays, it's that time again to share with you my favorite songs... Today's selection is "You've got the makings of a lover" by The Festivals -featuring Vaughn Price, Earl Moss, Woody Price, and Leon Thomas --" The festivals" never got the break they needed to succeed, but not for lack of trying and not because they recorded for mom and pop companies. They debuted on Smash Records with "I'll Always Love You" in the fall of 1966, which produced some mild rumblings in a few cities. Momentum increased in the spring of 1967 when Smash records released their best-known and best recording "You've Got the Makings of a Lover," a Earl Moss composition that highlights their vocal blend. The band (Sly, Slick & Wicked) from Los Angeles re-did the song in the '90s; that version inspired many to seek out the original by "The Festivals" that most listeners never heard when it was released because Smash records only promoted The record in select cities. I'm including Sly, Slick & Wicked's version too so you can check it out..... There was also another re-make done by one of our favorite singers Mayer Hawthorne many props to him. 40 yrs later to hear the younger generation like Mayer Hawthorne re-do this song is not only amazing Mayer Hawthorne adds his touch with retro soul & a contemporary twist. This young man is from Detroit & full of soul. In the music world he's built an impressive reputation for himself. He keeps the old sound alive. Check his music out. You won't regret that you did!! Hope you like today's selection, stay humbled & always embrace every moment. Love, peace & soul -- Mrs. Toons
SKID ROW MUSIC FESTIVAL
Hip-Hop Gives Back to Skid Row with Free 1/15 Concert feat. Public Enemy, Cypress Hill, Kurupt, King T, Kid Frost, Egyptian Lover + more.
January 7th, 2012
Dubbed as both the Operation Skid Row Music Festival and the Occupy Skid Row Music Festival, on January 15th Chuck D and Public Enemy along with a dozen or more (mostly old school LA) hip-hop acts will put on a free concert for the down-on-their-luck residents of Los Angeles’ desolate Skid Row district. The list of other performers for this wonderful free all afternoon event, that will also be open for free to anyone from anywhere who wishes to attend, includes Cypress Hill, Kurupt from the Dogg Pound, Mellow Man Ace and Zzyzzx, King T, Rapper’s Rapp Group, Sir Jinx and General Population, OG Kid Frost, L.A. Posse, and the Egyptian Lover. What makes this concert significant is that all of these artists have agreed to perform for free as a an unselfish token in this new year for the homeless population of LA’s famed Skid Row area which contains one of the largest stable populations of homeless persons in the USA. A 2011 study estimated that Skid Row’s population was at over 4300 people!More
As with so many of the worthy events and happenings associated with Skid Row that I hear about this one too is also linked directly back to General Jeff – the longtime LA hip-hop figure, friend of Amoeba, hip-hop golden age recording artist, & community activist/tireless supporter of the rights of LA’s Skid Rowcommunity. General Jeff (real name Jeff Page) is Resident Director for Central City East/ Skid Row & is on the Board of Directors for the Downtown Los Angeles Neighborhood Council as well as being VP of Outreach and Communications and is always down to volunteer his time, skills, and endless energy to the worthy residents of Skid Row with whom he has worked on behalf of for years. This morning I caught with General Jeff, who was up early busy at work while listening (he informed me) to the late great LA hip-hop artist Mausberg’s Non-Fiction album. I asked General Jeff whose idea it was for this wonderful festival and how it all came about? “The “Occupy Skid Row” Music Festival came to me from Chuck D of Public Enemy. He was already working on a book with another great Skid Row activist Pete White of LA CAN (Los Angeles Community Action Network). Chuck D came to Skid Row last year on that project and he and I re-connected after all these years. The last time I saw Chuck D was when I was with Rodney-O and Joe Cooley and we did a couple of shows in Denver as P.E.’s opening act,” he said continuing, “We exchanged contact numbers again and Chuck mentioned that he was feeling the positive energy coming out of Skid Row but felt that it needed to be bigger. He offered to use his “rep” in order to shed more light on our community’s issues. He felt that the best way to do this was via a concert. We initially choose the summer of 2012. Obviously, we couldn’t wait that long!”
On the same date as the concert, January 15th aka Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday, that book that Chuck D and Pete White were working on titled Freedom Now will have a book launch event at LA’s Grammy Museum (across from the STAPLES Center) from 10am until 1pm. “Chuck contacted me and said that immediately after the book launch, he wanted to come to Skid Row and do the concert. Keep in mind that he told me this only two days before Christmas. That meant that we only had two good weeks to put this thing together,” said Jeff of the impressive work that went into this last minute event. “Luckily, my name is still good in the rap game. As I reached out to the talent, all of whom I consider good friends, not one of them hesitated after I told them what we were trying to do. They all wanted in! As a matter of fact, we’re expecting more acts than we have time for. Some of the groups are flying in from out of town just for this. Spending their own money on plane tickets, knowing that they aren’t making anything. Simply wanting to give back. This event is about hip-hop giving back. We’ve had interest from other big name stars, but they haven’t confirmed yet but by the time the show happens they’ll probably be right there.”
What is even more impressive is that none of these acts expect to or asked to get paid when Jeff told them that it would a 100% non-fiscal event (no money at all being exchanged – just goodness & good vibes). Everybody performing agreed that it should be a free concert for all the old school hip-hop fans, as well as the homeless folks that will be in attendance happily reported Jeff. “One big happy family, from all walks of life. Led by a true pioneer, Chuck D, who said “With all the ‘Occupying’ going on all over the world, it’s important that Hip-Hop use our collective voice and join in the worldwide movement. That’s why Hip-Hop will ‘Occupy’ Skid Row on January 15th!” Following a half hour press conference the talent packed music festival will run from 1:30pm until 5:30pm on Sunday January 15th in downtown LA’s Skid Row district (follow the crowd and the sound of the music to find the stage). For more exact information follow @GoSkidRowGo on Twitter. As Jeff added, before getting back to work this morning, “So imagine, free concert, big names, positive energy and a good cause- what more can a person ask for?” Indeed!
SOUL SUNDAY
Welcome back to Soul Sunday's! Today's selection is Linda Jones "Hypnotized" Linda Jones has an amazing voice. Both Aretha Franklin & Gladys knight have made it clear that she was one of the greatest female artists they have heard. I read something interesting after doing research on this song that when Linda Jones Recorded "Hypnotized" which was given to her by George Kerr. They were in the studio and she said lets run it down. She was still learning the song. George Kerr told the engineer to hit the record button, One take was all it took and that was it. He said she sang it so good it gave him goosebumps. She wanted to re-do it because she was saying "Hypnotized" with an "M" instead of "Hypnotized" with an "N". George Kerr wanted to keep it the way it was & didn't change it. He said Linda Jones was so upset she cursed him out. Amazingly that single take, mistake & all was one of the greatest singles of the sixties. Released on Loma records in 1967. Many re-makes were made of "Hypnotized" by Bloodstone, The Elegants etc... but my favorite version of this song is by Ms. Lady T , Teena Marie. She kills it. Sadly, that both of these talented woman were taken too soon and are no longer here but their music continues to live on. Please check out other songs by Linda Jones, "That's when I'll stop loving you, " I'll be sweeter tomorrow" & "I Do" Hope you like my selection! Thanks, for checking in. Stay humbled...
-Mrs.Toons
A reluctant return to the internet
Oh hi, i trust you all had a great new years?
We sure did!
Eckel spent his in Barcelona and me and Allan spent ours at home. Good times!
I think i speak for all of us, or at least Allan, when i say that while it's good to be back, we sure could have used just one more day on the couch, watching Star Trek or playing xbox, and eating delicious new years leftovers. Just one more day... sigh...
But it is good to see the shop again, it always is!
I have a bit of early 2012 news for you, so let's start from the top, shall we?
-Nick aka Electric Pick is here! He arrived yesterday and he's already working today.
He is however, pretty much booked solid, so i hope everyone who wanted an appointment with him already got one! You can, as always, drop by to give him the gift of double espresso in a takeout cup if you wanna talk to him about future projects or just say hey.
-Sarah B. Bolen (check out her fancy new website!) is coming back to work with us later this month.
The exact dates are the 20th till the 24th of January and if you want to get tattooed, email her at blackmirrorparlor@googlemail.com.
-James Kiley (check out his sweet new blog!) is also coming back, this time to keep Eckel company while me and Allan are in Japan.
He will be at the shop from the 13th till the 17th of February and you can book with him through thetruesoul@hotmail.co.uk.
I will hopefully have some more 2012 guest artist news for you soon, and lots of general conspiracy awesomeness too, of course.
If you wanna read a little about some of our plans for this year, go check out Allan's post of not-new-years-resolutions (yeah, right!).
Ok, that's it for now, i gotta get back to scrubbing dumb tubes and writing emails like i'm three years old (seriously, vacations make me retarded, apparently)!
We sure did!
Eckel spent his in Barcelona and me and Allan spent ours at home. Good times!
I think i speak for all of us, or at least Allan, when i say that while it's good to be back, we sure could have used just one more day on the couch, watching Star Trek or playing xbox, and eating delicious new years leftovers. Just one more day... sigh...
But it is good to see the shop again, it always is!
I have a bit of early 2012 news for you, so let's start from the top, shall we?
-Nick aka Electric Pick is here! He arrived yesterday and he's already working today.
He is however, pretty much booked solid, so i hope everyone who wanted an appointment with him already got one! You can, as always, drop by to give him the gift of double espresso in a takeout cup if you wanna talk to him about future projects or just say hey.
Tattoo by Electric Pick
-Sarah B. Bolen (check out her fancy new website!) is coming back to work with us later this month.
The exact dates are the 20th till the 24th of January and if you want to get tattooed, email her at blackmirrorparlor@googlemail.com.
Tattoo by Sarah
-James Kiley (check out his sweet new blog!) is also coming back, this time to keep Eckel company while me and Allan are in Japan.
He will be at the shop from the 13th till the 17th of February and you can book with him through thetruesoul@hotmail.co.uk.
Tattoo by Kiley
I will hopefully have some more 2012 guest artist news for you soon, and lots of general conspiracy awesomeness too, of course.
If you wanna read a little about some of our plans for this year, go check out Allan's post of not-new-years-resolutions (yeah, right!).
Ok, that's it for now, i gotta get back to scrubbing dumb tubes and writing emails like i'm three years old (seriously, vacations make me retarded, apparently)!
N.Y. RAISED
Loyal Client Blaise came through to add to his collection and pay Homage to the streets of New York!
NEW YEARS DAY CRUISE
Check out this video I found of the biggest Cruise day of the year.. This was filmed at the Majestics Car Club Picnic.
Look out for more photos of the other picnics and cruises going on yesterday.
Look out for more photos of the other picnics and cruises going on yesterday.
SOUL SUNDAY
Today's Soul Sunday's selection is "The Madlads" They were once known as "The Emeralds" after Discovering that another group had the rights to the name Deanie Parker came up with the name "The Mad Lads." The Mad Lads (members John Gary Williams, William Brown, Julius Green and Robert Phillips - who replaced Harold Thomas on the day of the session after his father forced him to do a paper route rather than go down to the studio) The Mad Lads (members John Gary Williams, William Brown, Julius Green and Robert Phillips) Julius Green and Robert Phillips did not want John Gary Williams to rejoin group after he had completed his military service claiming he was too bossy. William Brown and STAX co-owner Jim Stewart made them reinstate him. Later on one of the members of the group had been imprisoned for cheque fraud. After all the trials this group has been through. The legacy of the music still inspires people today. I found this old school crazy footage of The Mad lads singing acapella to "Don't have to shop around" it's a Bizarre sequence from a 1975 slapstick exploitation film called "The Down town Strutters". Directed by William Witney. If you ever get a chance check this movie out. Happy New year, wishing you all love, peace & soul for 2012!!
Mrs Toons
Mrs Toons
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