Ignoring Objectivity Since 1998
WIG
WAM
BAM
“Albuquerque zine of music
& nepotism”
LOCAL
SHOWS
NM venues,
bands from here or there
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George
Squier Orchestra, Unit 7 Drain, the Addictions, Dirty Novels, Daryl, Black
Tie Dynasty, the Mindy Set, Jealous Gods, Griddle, Romeo Goes to Hell, the
Deludes, Hoboes in Limbo, Peter Case, Fast Heart Mart & the Sidewalkers,
Young Edward, Edward & Ariel, Shonen Knife, the Forty Fives, the Gore
Gore Girls, Lousy Robot, Fukrot, Sheol, Abandon All Hope, Manhole
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THIS
MONTH'S CONTRIBUTORS
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New Wave Tribute
Night
3/5/05 @ Launchpad
Bobby Box's Sock Hop; the Fireballs, the Comets
3/12/05, @ 66 CASINO, Rio Puerco, NM
Telephone Pioneer Museum of New Mexico
by DJ Obenjyo
SXSW Report
3/11-15/05 Austin, Texas
by Buck
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George Squier Orchestra, Unit 7 Drain
@ Burt’s
the Addictions
@ Atomic
2/26/05
With a name like the
Addictions, you would expect good garage territory or at least ragin’
’77 mohawk-punk. Well, this was neither but standard standard standard Los
Angeles (even though they’re from Texas) bar-room chick-rock. Not rockn’roll,
just plain old boring rock: think Lita Ford strutting around trying to be
all badass but with sub-par material. It seems the Addictions are getting
most of their ink on account of using singer Beth’s fishnet stockings as
their logo. Sorry, honey, it takes more than a pair of gams to rock and roll.
If all this isn’t enough to make you lose your hard-on for chick rock, Blues
Traveler’s John Popper recently joined them onstage in Austin. Need I say
more?
We bailed pretty damn quick to next door where Unit 7 Drain were tuning up
for another set of bop-able hoodoo. The band’s lookin’ more glammy all the
time but to-the-nines classy glam, not scumbag New York Dolls glam (may they
rest in junkie heaven). Plus--except for rare cases like the Addictions --
the addition of grrrl vox never hurts my enjoyment of the proceedings.
Something’s happening in Tucson these days after what seemed like a few
slow years (happens everywhere--we’re due in another year or so -- I’m dreading
it.). With great shit like the Okmoniks and the Knockout Pills going on,
things are only looking up.
The George Squier Orchestra
don’t fall into that same rock- and-party-roll slot but are buzzy and hop-around
fun nonetheless, and another new one on me. Almost but not quite acoustic-based,
they’re all over the place musically with jangly guitars, bubblegum Farfisa
and shared boy/girl vocals, kinda like the Cars covering the B-52s with a
heaping help of sugar on top. Listening to their promo CDR (Twenty Seven
Songs, featuring actually only twelve), I didn’t want to like it because
of their tongues being so firmly in cheek. Some of it (and some of their
set) is unbearable but most parts I liked anyway, as sticky as an open-face
grape jelly sandwich on white bread. And only sometimes as cloying.
the Dirty Novels, [Daryl], Black Tie
Dynasty
3/6/05 @ Atomic
The Black Tie Dynasty (from Fort Worth TX--thanks Dandee for bringin’
them out) grabbed me right off the bat. They could be radio-friendly but
sorta like Tears For Fears fronted by Robert Smith covering Duran Duran,
with special guest Joe Jackson. Its no shame to say their live set kicks
their CD’s ass. If I‘d heard the recordings first I wouldn’t really
have given them a second thought but the live set made me give ‘em third
and fourth thoughts. Maybe fifth’s…
Next, their tourmates
[Daryl] were
a large let-down, standard punky rocky that moved me not a bit. Strange because
their press also throws around New Wave references but I couldn’t hear any:
no sunglasses, no rumpled suits with skinny ties, no spikey hair…ya can’t
win ‘em all.
Last, the
Dirty Novels rocked our li’l world with their signature hip-swiveling,
Jagger-handclapping, couture-pop rocknroll. Still, I’ve said it before and
I’ll probably say it again: nobody but nobody benefits from a full-on pro
sound system like the Novels. I hope that when they start pulling in a few
bucks they invest in some quality sound gear. It really, really makes a
difference in letting you hear how good they actually are.
the Mindy Set, Jealous Gods, Griddle
@ Burt’s
Romeo Goes To Hell,
the Deludes
@ Atomic
Hoboes In Limbo,
Peter Case, Fast Heart Mart & the Sidewalkers
@ Blue Dragon
Young Edward, Edward
& Ariel
@ Abq. Press Club
3/12/05
This night started early, the ungodly hour of 5:30PM, just about the time
I’m usually thinking of dinner then laying out for a disco nap so I can
later keep up with you youngsters. It also started out slow, as in mostly
slower paced acoustic acts. By ten, I was thinking hard about a soft bed.
Thank god I didn’t ‘cause things got rockin’ but let’s go back to the
beginning, shall we?
Ed & Ariel Foma started us off nice n’
easy with a sort of Foma duet at the Press Club. There was some kind of Texas
BBQ picnic dinner going on but why and in whose honor I couldn’t say. My
enthusiastic escort and I didn’t partake since we didn’t want to get bogged
down with full stomachs so early. Straight to the bar for us, thank you!
It was difficult to tell from the silly costumes if the partiers were celebrating
or making fun of Texans. Tiny cowboy hats abounded. There was even
a, uh, not-so-young gal in a Dallas cheerleader outfit which wasn’t flattering
to anyone involved. In any case, it’s a good bet most of these (faux?) Texans
had no idea what to make of the Foma duo, what with the megaphone, pre-recorded
sound f/x and, well, have you ever seen a Texan with a cello? Since Ariel
doesn’t saw that bow enough with Foma (hint hint) it was quite nice, and
to clearly hear her vocals with Ed was a bonus.
Next was
Young Edward
(no relation to Ed Foma). Or should I say 3/4 of Young Edward as their fourth
part harmony, Mr Henningsen, was m.i.a. tonight. Maybe I was drunker when
I heard them last month at the Golden West or maybe they weren’t as “on”
tonight or maybe both. Still, the fiddle is outstanding and carries the show.
They surprised me again with their choice of numbers like On and On, Fox
On the Run, Bile ‘Em Cabbage Down and other old-time standards that are mostly
unknown to the new crowd of Brother Where Art Thou bluegrass aficionados
who likely will drop the fad long before the venerable Ralph Stanley finally
goes to meet his Lord and Maker.
The Press Club is a great venue with warm acoustics courtesy of the log-cabin
walls but I do wonder what a full-on raging rocknroll show would sound like
here. It was novel for me to be out and not the oldest guy in the joint.
Still, I feel more out of place with my own age group than people half my
age, being the immature fuck that I am. Best of all, there were lots of little
kids running around, having a good ol’ time. Goofy, babbling, incoherent
and not a bit self-conscious, that age group is my true inspiration and role
model. I think I have the babbling incoherence part down.
Then there’s places like the Blue Dragon –which is where we went next--
that truly attract all-ages crowds in all categories: folkies and punks and
ravers and hippies and even (god help us) Frankenstein-like folk/hippie/rave/punks.
Peter Chase was likely
a hippie at one time but maybe of the intellectual kind, judging from the
literary references in song and even obscure old pop culture (Raise your
hands out there, anyone recognize the name of Margaret Dumont?). Something
in his execution reminded me of the circa 1995 Potatomen, featuring the
hippie-turned-punk-turned-bitter old man Larry (Lookout! Records) Livermore.
No, Chase wasn’t bitter at all, bemused maybe and pleasant enough
but not outstanding, sort of like that nice guy you always run into at parties
but can never remember his name or what he had to say because he’s too damn
nice. Chase’s bass player and Blue Dragon sound engineer/ booker/
co-owner Norm Everett is one you can’t forget. Whether that’s good or not,
I’ll pass on saying. He pulled a short solo set that was riffage and Monty
Python/Dr Seuss monologue with all the weirdness but none of anything I
like about either one.
Next Fast
Heart Mart was up, backed by the Sidewalkers. Mart’s compositions are
not much like anything you’ve heard, one of a kind in lyrics and execution.
The out-of-town guests in attendance were Martin’s folks & sis and watch
‘em as I might, I couldn’t tell if they were enjoying the show or merely
befuddled. Towards the end of the set it got a little rockin’ with a tune,
The Anthill, that Mart intro’ed as “dissonant” but sounded to me nothing
so much as punk rock on acoustic instruments. Needless to say, I liked it
‘cause it woke me up more than the cup of caffeine I ordered, hoping to keep
awake for the rocknroll portion of my night, still upcoming.
Closing the Dragon show were Hoboes In Limbo, Mart’s bluegrassy/old
timey outfit. I liked Young Edward’s repertoire better but Kevin Jones’
banjo and Uncle’s mandolin pickin’ would be killer with Edward fiddle
player Ben Zuda; it would be a kick ass combo.
By this time I was ready for some ass-kicking myself so we railed over
to the Atomic and were rewarded by Tucson’s the Deludes who made
a lot of great stompin’ noise for being only a trio. I’ve read comparisons
to the Strokes but if it was my band, I’d punch that writer in the nose.
Its straight-up ravin’ rock, sorta familiar like latter Stones/early Kinks
and yet somehow fresh: grinding guitar, pounding bass, shotgun drums and
a polite version of Jagger lead vox. Nice all around. I meant to pick up
some merch but blew it as I wanted to not miss any of Albuquerque inbred
band Jealous Gods debut set next door. I needn’t have worried or hurried.
Back at Burt’s some band called Griddle was still playing, and something
I disliked so much I can’t recall what it was. I’m not going to even try.
Trust me, you’ll be glad I didn’t. And I was glad I left the Tiki for the
Atomic where Romeo Goes To Hell tore it up
in inimitable style. I only heard about five songs since once again, it
was time to go back next door to, uh, to watch Jealous Gods set up
and fuck around for about twenty minutes. I gave them shit but they ignored
me anyway. It was worth the wait (don’t tell them I said so) for their
psychedelic set: no, not Grateful Hippie acid rock but paisley passion
back when pot & leapers were the drugs of choice, before psych music
got all Haight-Ashbury, before bathing became passé. For a debut
set it was impressive, not without its bugs of course but well played and
fresh for a style that can at times sound dated (I mean, I love my Nuggets
box set but it doesn’t entirely hold up). This was danceable psych-pop,
a fuzzier, swirly Easybeats, or Roky Erikson with a delighted rather
than disturbed outlook.
Mark’s guitar (Ex-Brixton Ex, ex-Anchorman) had some groovy fuzz action
going on while Kerianne (Foma , ex Dirty Novels) also pulled out some
guitar tricks but had some wonderful keyboard moments as well. The Foxx rhythm
section of Ryan and Zed anchored it all. The mix wasn’t the best but quite
alright for a first set. All that was lacking was the requisite outfits: tight
flared pants, striped long sleeve button-downs, black shiny Wellingtons, page-boy
haircuts and maybe even a short clinging skirt and tight white go-go boots
on our loveable Miss Kerianne. Next time…?
Next up was the Mindy Set, well-placed in
the line-up since they’re sorta post- psychedelic, still swirly but more
along the lines of later neo-psych like Charlatans or Ride. Despite the
tragedy of this being Mikey’s last show with the band (oooh, a stab in my
heart!), it remained a most pleasing way to end almost eight hours of live
music --eight! Jesus! And it wasn’t even some scene-fest like Coachella.
Thank god.
Shonen Knife, the
Forty Fives, the Gore Gore Girls
3/21/05 @ Launchpad
Shonen Knife: Shonen
Knife shows are always joyous events. To simply quote Golden Years of Rock
and Roll off their last LP “the music made me so/ happy ”.
And apparently too for their “new” drummer Etsuko Nakanishi. Not much more
than half the age of founding sisters Atsuko & Naoko Yamano, little
Ettchan must be a fan too because she happily bops up & down with every
beat of her sticks and sings even though she has no microphone.
After over twenty years (!), Shonen Knife should be recognized as important
as Iggy or Ozzy.
The Forty Fives:
From Atlanta, their great rock n’ soul set crystallized for me the musical
connection between Memphis /Atlanta and Detroit/Chicago: when so many blacks
left the poor rural south to the more prosperous north in search of steady
factory jobs, they brought traditional gospel, blues, soul and especially
jump-blues with them. Although black musicians had been plugging in down south,
the music was increasingly amped and electrified in the city environment,
becoming Rhythm and Blues which solidified into Rock and Roll. No wonder more
good rocknroll has continues to come out over the years from mid-western industrial
cities rather than the indifferent New York or Philly.
Special mention goes to keyboardist Trey Tidwell who got down like nobody’s
business but especially for making his rig sound like electric piano instead
of squinky organ that most garage/ rockin’ roll revival bands these days
go for. I tell ya, you garagers are all missing the boat: how times
do I have to name-drop the great session-man that Tidwell reminded me of,
the incomparable Nicky Hopkins.
Nicky played on the Brit scene long before they invaded the USA: Stones,
Who, Kinks, Beatles, Faces, Jeff Beck, Paul Butterfield…And later
with the Byrds, Screaming Lord Sutch, Jefferson Airplane, the Dead, Deep
Purple, Quicksilver, Alice Cooper, Joe Cocker and fucking everyone on every
major label in the 60s/70s.
Okay, okay, I know its much harder to play piano well than a Farfisa but
come on! What more do you garage rockers need to know? Electric piano is
rock and roll!
The Gore Gore Girls:
Opening the night with a fun set, these Detroit gals showed that city’s rockin’
roll heritage but with equal part of LA rock which is a bit of a loss to
my way of thinking. Fun and snappy nonetheless, they’re now a four-piece
and much more rawk than their former rock n’ pop style, like Suzi Quatro
blowing pink bubblegum. This was exemplified in their wardrobe: still tight
thigh-highs and vinyl/pleather mini-dresses but now all in snarly-black rather
than cutie-pie white. The guitars and bass were all beautiful hollowbody
machines, maybe hotter than the girls themselves (as a guy, I’m ashamed to
make that statement).
In any case, it was a fantastic night all around, each set more fun than
the last.
Lousy Robot, Romeo
Goes To Hell
3/25/05
O Romeo, Romeo! wherefore art thou Romeo?
--Romeo & Juliet, Wm. Shakespeare; Act 2,
Scene II
Wherefore art what?!
Right here, motherfucker, with enough punk snarl to fuckin’ pound in Tybalt’s
head. The set could only have been improved by Mercutio sharing the vocals,
goading everyone into rapier frenzy (hmm…sorta like what Rexx already does).
To paraphrase the Bard, Romeo Goes To Hell makes worms
meat of other punk rock.
Lousy Robot followed and as
much as I love them, I sure miss the minimal but strategically placed keyboards
of the CD and old line-up. Still, the boys put on a fine set, the melodies
thoughtful and damn near perfect. The lyrics? Superb but cold like someone
kicking down your meticulous sand castles of heartbreaking love. But to
a pop beat.
Fukrot, Sheol,
Abandon All Hope, Manhole
3/27/05 @ Omnirootz/ Out Ch’Yonda
Happy happy joy joy--a Fukrot show! But also gnashing of teeth and rending
of garments because it’s the last with drumming dynamo Eben who’s leaving
the city of his nativity for other climes. But what a show! Eben powerhoused
his way through three sets with three bands totaling over two hours of pounding
beats, the Keith Moon of grindcore!
First up however without Eben was Manhole with a stripped
down set (haha, Alan in his underpants, get it?) of strumming feedback
and beats. Maybe Alan is taking better care of his equipment ‘cause nothing
got thrown around except loose shreds of grey matter after your brain bleeds
from the noise.
Next, the Ebenfest began with the Abandon All Hope reunion set.
It seemed as much as in honor of Eben’s leaving as of the release of the
new CD, the purchase of which got you all kinds of free swag like t-shirts
and vinyl (but no official AAH fan club membership card..?!). I haven’t
managed to catch this band since Smooch’s was still putting on shows and
putting up with you restroom destroying hooligans. A fine set with shared
vocals between Roger and Yuri (Rog is my favorite here) and rotating old
and new guitar players--well, I guess they’re all old/ex now since Abandon
is no more.
Next up was a first and last set by Sheol featuring Damian of Caustic
Lye, Yuri and the unstoppable Eben. It was metal to the bone and pretty
fucking good for a debut/farewell set.
Finally the moment we were all waiting for and dreading simultaneously,
Fukrot’s last stand as they’ve
existed for what, eight years? I dunno how Eben kept up the drumming pace
but contrary to all laws of physics, with arms like that the guy could probably
pick himself up and carry himself around. Sadly, Miles was experiencing
all kinds of tech difficulties like breaking not one but two strings sans
replacements and a mike that didn’t allow us to hear his voice unless you
stood right next to the guy.
As well, it was the farewell show to Greg’s dreads. We wish them well and
hope they have moved on to bigger and better things. But it was a gas, gas,
gas with all the old, new and intermediate faces present (including many
from Iron Haus, Insurgo, etc, the usual suspects) and the mostly friendly
pit action --but watch out for Jaime, he’s a big boy to contend with in his
headlong rushes into the audience. He managed to miss plowing into the band
members’ moms but put a honkin’ bruise on my favorite mom in the crowd (you
healed yet, honey?).
Afterwards we were all a daze since the show was mind-crushing but bittersweet
like a honey-hemlock smoothie.
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THIS
MONTH'S CONTRIBUTORS
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Believe it or not, sometimes even ye editor gets sick of listening to his
own voice (especially the one in his head that keeps whispering ‘kill, kill,
kill!”) so lucky for you, here’s some other voices almost but not
quite as sinister. Yes, these are…
New Wave Tribute
Night
3/5/05 Launchpad
submitted by DJ Obenjyo
Since I was dj-ing I had gotten there pretty much first except for Minus7.
I had 1hr 16minutes prior notice for what time I should be there but was
an 1hr late. So the Prom Queens went first, they looked a bit nervous
but there wasn't too many bodies except 2/3 of the Eyeliners (they're still
around? ). The Prom Queens did a Berlin, a Waitresses, and a Romeo Void
(I think). I give them an A for doing the covers well and for dressing up.
Nobody in the building dressed up except the Foxx's Isaac. Minus7
Gold for Monkey 's name reminds me of the 80's tv show
trying to be Raiders of the Lost Ark called the Golden Monkey or Monkey's
Paw. I met the singer who was actually one of a few people who acknowledged
I was even there. They did Mr. Pharmacist by the Fall, which they covered
from a 60's group, and some other covers that I was surprised by but I can't
remember. Dead On Point 5 did an excellent Joy
Division (Atrocity Exhibition?) and Handsome Devil (Smiths)and I give Dom
the most charismatic singer of the night.
Everyone was allowed three songs but, I can't remember every tune, plus
all the songs I played, plus drinks, hey what can I say.
Below the Sound I can't remember too well, they did a
Church cover ...Under the Milky Way but a sped up version, they should have
done Reptile, but can't remember anything else. I think the drinks are taking
hold.
The Gingerbread Patriots did Lightning Seeds' Pure but
that came out in '90 and is more of the Manchester/ Shoegazer /brit pop
genre. They did it good but it's not even eighties. I was so distracted
by that, my feet hurting, and drink that I can't remember the rest.
Danny Winn and the Earthlings did some Land Down Under
by Men At Work. Uh, where's Our House by Madness, is that too obvious?
I swear new ska, I hate it. I barely love two- tone,
give me 60's Jamaica any day. I played Best Friend by the English Beat
after and got some of my first dancers all night. Then I killed their high
by playing Adam and the Ants' Stand and Deliver, oh well.
Love Overdose did West End girls and Love Vigilantes,
well done but the lead singer is too over the top for my taste.
Oktober People were well deserving of the last slot, three
Cure songs, A Forest, Fascination Street, and A Night like This, I believe.
Incredible mimicry, the fog machine was blowing, the lights, and Launchpad's
great sound, they should play a wax museum. But then they got cocky and blew
their load by playing one of their own songs, what a downer.
Only Minus7 broke that rule but they were doing a medley and pulled
it off. Also the Oktober singer thanked all the bands and I didn't
get shit.
Eh, as for me it was great to play an event where there is no pressure
to make people dance, and play some stuff that I haven't listened to in
a while. I'm not sure how much was heard, every time the band ended everyone
ran for the trough. But all in all an entertaining night. And at the
end a lone couple shook it for about six songs, thank you.
almost stole the show with their nu metal
new wave covers of Do You Really Want To Hurt Me? and Love Shack. This
bordered on parody, it was so over the top, chopping the air with their
guitars, the cookie monster voice, it was Spinal Tap for today yet I think
they were only kinda kidding.
Bobby Box’s Sock
Hop: the Fireballs, the Comets
3/12/05 @ 66 Casino, Rio Puerco, NM
submitted by DJ Obenjyo
Well what a surprise to get a call from a friend with free billets for
the Fireballs and the Comets. To finally see possibly NM's most famous band
the Fireballs (move over Shins) And with them Bill Haley's Comets, who broke
before Elvis, too bad Bill wasn't as good looking. Well the show started
at 7 and it actually started at 7. This is the geriatric crowd mind you.
So to our disappointment we got there at 8PM and the Comets were already
on. I was already distracted by the people, a micro antique Ford replica
that runs, the slots, the lights, the six mustangs parked inside the front
door, and Bobby Box's ticket girls.
Yah. So there are a lot of people there, more than I expected. Made the
Sunshine theatre look like the corner bar at the El Rey. People are actually
dancing, lots of people. Then in all the confusion it all stops and the band
wants to acknowledge someone in the audience and its Willie Nelson,
everyone is trying to get a gander at the man but turns out the Comets are
bullshitting! Rascalism! So we head for the nearest watering hole for
some $5 minimum beer and then the nearest seats. Surprisingly the Comets are
not too bad. They're in their late 70's and early 80's and play well, no
fuck ups. The drummer did a decent drum solo, more jazz style however,
and Armstrong's Wonderful World crept up into the set. Also more stand up
comedy was injected, I think used more of breath catcher-- some bad - some
good. The guy on stand up bass actually played on top of the bass, straddled
the neck and played it like it was his cock and played it while holding it
in the air! I thought that codger was going to kill himself. They wore
red tuxedo jackets with black lapels and black pants, I was expecting stupid
t-shirts and jeans. That's what everyone else was wearing. We were pretty
much the youngest people there, I was even surprised that I didn't see any
of the Thursday night Atomic crowd. I'm constantly distracted by the house
big screen TV monitors, where I want to watch the band on TV instead of on
stage. As for the last song they did Rock Around the Clock. And the standup
bass comedian's voice is starting to crack from either fatigue, age, altitude,
or all of thee above. I'm starting to get worried. And then it's all over
about 9PM. Bobby Box comes out says a few words but everyone is ignoring him
so they can get their hands on some ugly tour shirts. I knew there was going
to be some somewhere. Good show, we head to Milton's to grab some tacos, gyros
and pecan pie, then head for Burt's Mindy Set show. I keep wondering what
the MC5 will be doing in 15 years.
SXSW Report
March 11-15, 2005 Austin TX
submitted by Buck
First things first, I would like to apologize to all of the Albuquerque
bands I didn’t get to see perform. While I did run in to a handful of them,
my entire SXSW experience didn’t involve a whole lot of music outside of the
events I was working for. Having said that, let’s see what did happen.
Lucas, keyboardist from Your Name in Lights, saw and then chased down Elijah
Wood outside Emo’s Annex. Witnesses claim Lucas was yelling “Frodo Baggins,
Frodo Baggins!”
An Albuquerque girl (who shall remain anonymous) bit Frank from Emo’s on
the arm and attempted to beat him with a shoe after many unsuccessful attempts
at gaining entry into his venue.
The band I tour manage (Rufio) have no idea who John Doe is and have never
heard the band X even though I introduced them to Exene and John several
times that night and I listen to X on tour.
Leonard Apodaca (Atomic) was homeless for a night because some girl was
worried that he was going to rob her while she was asleep.
J Church was awesome.
The Queers were awesome.
Exene and the Original Sinners were awesome.
I was asked to leave the House of Blues party after telling Sean Striegel
that we needed to turn his event into a “house of booze”.
I drank way too much and ate way too little but it was the most fun I’ve
had this year.
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Not being about music, this didn’t make
the cut for the paper version of the zine (the real version) but for all
you bleary-eyed computer hacks, here’s a:
WIG
WAM ONLINE BONUS! submitted by DJ Obenjyo
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Telephone Pioneer Museum of New Mexico
110 4th St. N.W.
842-2937
Hours: Monday Wednesday Friday 10 to 2
Admission: $1.00/ 50cents for children under 12
When I had the unfortunate task of heading the sushi bar at Raw, I would
sometimes sit on the outdoor patio and wonder where did I go wrong. How
do I get myself into this shit? I guess the only positive things that came
out of it was that my girlfriend left me and that I got to go to the Telephone
museum. I spotted this place one afternoon while sitting on the patio, it's
well hidden, you've probably walked by it dozens of times and missed it.
It's behind Baloney's and across from the District ( the new Goth bar and
grill- " Bat anyone?" ) Every time I've been there is no one, because every
time I mention it, no one knows what I'm talking about. Yes there is a museum
with phones, quite a few phones. They have switch boards, including the one
that was used to warn of the attack of Pancho Villa. Switchboards they rescued
from the old Alvarado hotel. They have a seven foot bronze medallion which
was at the Bell System headquarters in New York. Old photos of everything
phone related many of which are taken here in our state. Almost any kind
of phone related item from functional to decorative. Also they have a few
different display rooms, be on the look out for the Star Wars music and the
song Telstar. ( Hey Telephones, should've had your group photo done there.
) There is even a gift shop for your telephone needs and a friendly elderly
volunteer staff to show you your way through three floors of telephone. This
June they will be going on their 8th year running, so check it out.
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Wig Wam Bam (by Captain America PO BX
4865 Albq NM 87196 captainamerica1941@hotmail.com)
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