This card is from the photographer Michael Hyatt’s “Lucky 13” postcard set featuring X. Yeah, I stamped some X’s on there. This photograph sums up everything in the world I love about X—leather pants in the desert, for gosh sakes, Exene’s hair all blown in her face, buckets of jewelry, and John Doe’s braceleted hand reaching out to pull her back to the van.
HOORAY for the Delicate Cycle! Not only are they some of my favorite folks in the whole world (who else texts you to come over for a hot dog roast at their house, and only asks you to bring R.E.M. LPs??). Also, they were grand enough to ask me to do their Official Band Portrait, in glorious blurry Polaroid, so this is with my treasured sticky-shutter automatic on 600 film that expired January of 2008.
I promised myself I’d finally clean up my mini-studio and get a good productive space. Packed up buckets of stuff for the niece, stretching back to when I was a (failed) art student in ‘93-’94. I didn’t use those day-glo French curves then, or even know what they were for; maybe she’ll find a use.
Shelved four sketchbooks, including the sources for the latest Sandusky Review. There’s a little more than a dozen left if you want one—and if you’ve gotten one, please let me know what you think.
Back to cleaning up and working myself through the Replacements’ catalog. I’m just about to hit the Sire years.
Expired Polaroid 669 film shot with a 420 Land Camera, Audubon Park, New Orleans.
In 1967 your dad buys his first 8-track tape, “The Letter” by the Box Tops. You grow up singing along to the song and “Cry Like a Baby,” listened to so many times they’re in the DNA of your childhood as much as Motown and Elvis.
These Polaroids are from Alex’ beloved New Orleans. 600 film; Audubon Park and the Terrell House on Magazine.
Rest in peace, Alex Chilton. I don’t have the words today. I’m just listening to 1970 and—I’d forgotten how much I loved it in college—and—and, that’s it. I am heartbroken.
Download Alex Chilton – 1970 – Every Day As We Grow Closer
Download Alex Chilton – 1970 – The Happy Song
Folks, response to the latest Sandusky Review has been lovely, and surprising. As of today, there’s still about 25 copies left, but they are going fast, so please drop me a line with your home address if you want one. As always, I take PayPal, or stamps or Polaroid film in trade—and yes, totally, if you want to trade me your comic book, I’ll gleefully take that as well (art in trade is awesome)!
I have many copies of the last issue, Chopping Tulips, but most others are sold out.
Thanks for the kind words, y’all. It means a lot.