The Peverett Phile

Pheaturing Teeg Ketchen

2012-01-25T16:51:00.013-05:00

Hello, and welcome to a Wednesday entry of the Phile, kids. Please, don't read this while walking, texting, talking on the phone, or listening to music. Safety first. This is gonan be a short entry as our main computer is having problems, something to do with the Mac airport blinking amber. Whatever that means. So, like before I am using Logan's computer. Nick Nolte was nominated for Best Supporting Actor. It's his first major nomination since 2002, when he was nominated for Most Maniacal Mug Shot. President Obama gave his annual State of the Union address. And the State of the Union for 2012 is Kentucky. Congratulations. There's a State of the Union drinking game. Let me just say this, if you really are playing the State of the Union drinking game, you're probably an alcoholic. Obama focused on four areas he believes are the keys to restoring economic security. Energy, manufacturing, education, and TV shows about cupcakes, which we love. You all know by now that the New York Giants beat the 49ers last Sunday, I love the poster the 49ers released.

Everyone is talking about Newt and Mitt, but no one is talking about Ron Paul who the Phile supports... just because Kelly Clarkson says so. Anyway, here is the Ron Paul inspirational poster.

Well, it's time to talk football with my good friend Jeff, kids, in a pheature called...

Me: Hey, Jeff, how's it going? First of, what's the big news in the NFL apart from the Giants and Patriots Super Bowl rematch?

Jeff: The biggest news coming out of the Championship week is a quote from Peyton Manning. "It's not a good envirment right now here in Indy." Which pretty much has led to speculation that he might leave the Colts. I remember a time when great athletes (for the most part) stayed on their original team. The Bucs thought they had hired college coach Chip Kelly, but at the
last moment he decided to stay at Univeristy of Oregon and not go into the pros. Of course this week we also saw the passing of former Penn State coach Joe Paterno. Say what you will about the scandal (he did something bad, I am not justifying it) but let's remember his legacy for the first 84 years of his life, not what learned in the last year.

Me: Very good. So, how did we do with last weeks picks?

Jeff: Both games last Sunday were close. They were highly competitive games and we could easily be talking about Ravens vs 49ers. I went 0-2 this week thanks to the spread, you went 0-1-1. But thanks to the Giants winning and your tie, you are now up by 2 points going into the Super Bowl.

Me: Yeah, I'm winning! Alright, so, I say you come back on the Philes Super Bowl Sunday
entry, recap the season and we'll do our Super Bowl picks then. You know what team I'm gonna pick.

Jeff: See ya in two weeks!

Today's guest ia the 10th artist to be pheatured in the Peverett Phile Art Gallery. He is a talented freelance illustrator and designer from Boston who has his own blogspot. Please welcome to the Phile... Teeg Ketchen.

Me: Hello, Thomas, sir, welcome to the Phile. How are you?

Teeg: I'm good. Excited to be here... haha. How are you?

Me: Pissed my other computer is not working, other then that, okay. I have to say I like that name Teeg. It's very sci-fi sounding. What is the origin of it, sir?

Teeg: Haha... thanks, unfortunately there is no real awesome origin story to it. Basically my first and middle initials were T.J. and as babies my brother for some reason couldn't say that so he said Teeg. And it has been in place ever since.

Me: Where are you from? Boston, right? Have you lived there all your life?

Teeg: I am from the Boston area yes. Born and raised as they say. I love this area.

Me: I have to say, I love your artwork, especially on your Batman and Spider-Man stuff, both my favorite super heroes. My all-time favorite super hero though is Captain Britain. Have you or will you ever do a Captain Britain piece? do you know who he is?

Teeg: I do know Captain Britain, however I don't think I've ever drawn him. I have no real reason not to draw him so maybe I can work in a piece with him at some point for you.

Me: I notice you do a lot of super hero drawings, Teeg. Who do you like better, DC or Marvel?

Teeg: That is a tough question because I like certain things about each company. Though I would say if there was no way to get out of it and I had to choose one it would be DC. Mainly because they house Batman who is my favorite comic book hero of all time.

Me: Have you ever thought of drawing for them?

Teeg: I have thought about it, I like to think doing something comic related professional is an avenue I eventually go down. I would love to draw covers for comics.

Me: I noticed your artwork is very French, do you agree?

Teeg: Maybe? I mean I do use some French words in a few pieces as well as some Latin and such in some others. This is mainly something I picked up through an artist I really enjoy which is Francesco Francavilla. He tends to use foreign languages a lot in design for posters he makes. I thought it was cool so I do that sometimes as well. As for the actual look of the art I make resembling potential French art if that's what you mean then I don't know. I don't know that I know much about French art.

Me: I am English, so by right I shouldn't like your French looking artwork, but I do. Did you study art in school, Teeg?

Teeg: Hahaha. I did study art in school. I originally went for Graphic Design and then decided against it and got a degree in Illustration. However I like to think that the design experience I have helps with my overall personal art direction as I try to incorporate smart design into even my illustrations.

Me: Who is your favorite artist of all time?

Teeg: Wow, that is a tough question. I don't know that I could just pick one so I will give you a few. LeSean Thomas, Inoue Takehiko, Marko Djurdjevic, Tite Kubo, Kazuto Nakazawa, Ryan Ottley and Tim Sale. There are a bunch more but they are all so great that people should know them already.

Me: I have to ask what tools do you use? Do you sketch out the stuff you are gonna do first?

Teeg: It usually varies from piece to piece. Sometimes I work 100% digitally other times I will sketch something and then scan it and then finish it in Photoshop. The basic tools I use would be standard issue printer paper and mechanical pencil, scanner, Photoshop CS4 and my Wacom Cintiq.

Me: I saw you took part in a Decemberists poster contest for "The King is Dead". How did you do? I have a picture of it here.

Teeg: I don't know exactly whether it was considered or not as they didn't say all I know is that I didn't win... haha. No big deal though I had fun making the poster.

Me: You actually drew a dead king under a tree, which is cool. Are you a Decemberists fan?

Teeg: I am a big Decemberists fan. Yes I took the title of the album quite literally when designing the poster as I thought it would be unexpected given the nature of the band and their general aesthetics. It was so high concept it was simplistic... haha.

Me: One design I have to ask you about and that is the Air Nimbus one. I am sorry, I don't get it, can you explain it to me? What is a nimbus?

Teeg: Sure, Nimbus is the flying cloud from "Dragonball" and "Dragonball Z". It is given to Goku from Master Roshi and you can only ride on it if you are pure of heart or so they say. The design was made in the vein of an airline. Just instead of airplanes there were flying clouds.

Me: Okay, if you were gonna draw a logo for the Peverett Phile what would it look like, Teeg?

Teeg: I don't know, I would have to stew on that a bit. Generally when designing a logo the client tells you a direction they are hoping to go in as sort of a launching point. So we would have to see.

Me: I have to ask, what is the favorite thing you have drawn or designed?

Teeg: Another good question that I am afraid I don't have an answer for. I have drawn/designed so many things over my years that it would be impossible to pick one and hoist it above the rest.

Me: Teeg, thanks so much for being on the Phile, and please come back. Go ahead and plug your website, sir.

Teeg: Thank you very much for having me and for this opportunity! Folks can find me on Twitter @TeeKetch. My redbubble where you can buy some sweet clothing with some of my designs on them: www.redbubble.com/people/teeketch. On DeviantArt - TeegKetchen. Or people can check out my blog: tketchen.blogspot.com. Anyone and everyone feel free to find me in any of those places and leave a comment or what have you.

Me: You sell your artwork?

Teeg: I do. Anything I have already done I sell prints of and I am also open for design and commission work. Anything from comics to logos, I try and do it all. If anyone is interested in hiring me on for any art work or interested in picking up a previous piece I can be contacted through any of the above sites or by email to tketchen@gmail.com.

Me: Thanks again, and keep up the good work. And I hope to see a Captain Britain design from you soon. LOL.

Teeg: Thanks again and maybe some day soon I can make that Captain Britain a reality.

Well, that about does it for this short and shitty entry of the Phile. Thanks to Jeff Trelewicz and Teeg. The Phile will be back Sunday I hope with singer, songwriter Kyle Carey and on Monday with singer, songwriter Charity Chapman. Then next Wednesday it's Brian Sumner from the duo The Sumner Brothers. So, spread the word, not the turd. Don't let snakes and alligators bite you. Bye, love you, bye.

Pheaturing Ian Narcisi

2012-01-23T08:06:00.022-05:00

The Giants are going to the Super Bowl! The Giants are going to the Super Bowl! Hello, everyone, and welcome to the Phile, kids. How are you? I am tired, but happy as the New York Giants are gonan go to the Super Bowl. What else is going on? During a campaign event Mitt Romney reached into his pocket and gave cash to a woman who said she was broke. Which got awkward, when she was like, “I'm also lonely!” I saw that a bakery in Georgia is selling “Tebowing” pretzels, inspired by Tim Tebow’s popular pose. You can tell they’re Tebow pretzels, because if you eat one in New England, you end up choking. President Obama is visiting Disney World on last Thursday to promote a new plan to boost tourism. It was awkward when he walked into the Hall of Presidents and saw them making room for Mitt Romney. Obama doesn’t pay admission to Disney World. He just charges it to the China section of Epcot. During a charity auction, Donald Trump bought $12,000 worth of Tim Tebow memorabilia. Or as it was known on Monday, “15 bucks worth of Tim Tebow memorabilia.” President Obama took Michelle out to a steak restaurant for her birthday, marking the first time in months the words “Obama” and “well done” appeared in the same sentence. Two weeks ago, or as we say in England, a fortnight ago, a British Airways crew mistakenly told passengers that their plane was about to crash into the ocean. They made an even scarier announcement later: “Your in-flight movie will be Yogi Bear.” Yeah, the crew told passengers their plane was about to crash, but it turns out a flight attendant hit the wrong button. I don’t know what’s worse... getting lied to about crashing into the ocean, or knowing it happens so often there’s a button for it. Texas Governor Rick Perry officially dropped out of the race for president. Yeah, he just couldn’t get over that one campaign hurdle... you know, talking. President Obama aired his first campaign ad of 2012, which promotes his record on clean energy. Obama’s a big environmentalist. In fact, for the election he plans to recycle the same promises he made four years ago. Next week Obama will visit Iowa, Arizona, Las Vegas, Denver, and Detroit. Not because he’s campaigning, just because all he could afford was a Southwest flight with a bunch of layovers. A new study found that 68 percent of Americans are overweight or obese. While the rest are both. Okay, not only did the President release his first ad for the 2012, he also released an inspirational poster. And I have it here first.

Watching the football game last night, a few things I noticed that is different from American football to say Brtish football. For example, you'll never see a move like this with the Giants.

So, it looks like they fixed the Costa Concordia cruise ship. At least it looks that way to me.

I think Michael Bay should just blow it up for his next movie. Okay, and now for some sad news... or is it?

Joe Paterno
Dec 21, 1926 - Jan 22, 2012
Nothing will overshadow the fact that he was the winningest coach in major college football history. Wait. What? Seriously?

Okay, with this whole SOPA thing I thought I would invite someone to the Phile to get her opionion, as no internet could effect everybody. S, please welcome to the Phile for the very first time, the young moody lady with the almost positive attitude...

Me: Hello, Eve, welcome to the Phile. So, what do you think of this SOPA deal?

Eve Rest: If SOPA passes, no more free porn.

Me: True, true. Anything else you wanna say? I was kinda expecting more.

Eve Rest: I put 70 cents in the toll before I noticed it read my EZ pass.

Me: Thanks... I guess. Eve Rest, everybody.

And now from the home office in Phulfortha City, New York, here is this week's...

Top Ten Things You Don't Want To Hear At An Awards Show
10. "I'd like to thank the Academy and... I'd like to tell you about a few Amway products."
9. "And now a few words from Al Gore about global warming."
8. "Okay, I'm back from the rest room. You can leave now."
7. "Each acceptance speech will be limited to one hour."
6. "Here's a montage of stars we hope to lose in 2012."
5. "Coming up: Justin Bieber does a Bruce Springsteen medley!"

4. "And here to present the top three nominees, Rick Perry."

3. "David Hasselhoff's on the red carpet. No, I mean ON the red carpet."

2. "That guy you just insulted in the lobby? Ricky Gervais."

And the number one thing you don't want to hear at an awards show is...

1. "Oprah. Uma. Uma. Oprah."

The 10th artist to be pheatured in the P.P.A.G. is Thomas "Teeg" Ketchen and this is one of his pieces...

Thomas will be a guest on the Phile this Wednesday.

Today's guest is a singer, songwriter, drummer and keyboardist from Chicago, Illinois. His latest EP "Phone Call To Infinity" is now available from his website and iTunes. Please welcome to the Phile... Ian Narcisi.

Me: Hello, Ian, welcome to the Phile. How are you, sir?

Ian: I’m doing well thank you.

Me: You're from Chicago, right? Have you lived there all your life?

Ian: Yes, I am from Chicago. Yes, I have lived in Chicago all my life and I love it here!

Me: Chicago is a great city. The last time I was there was in 1996. Growing up in Chicago you have to be a fan of the blues, am I right?

Ian: I am. I was more into the experimental side of the the blues. Artist’s such as Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughn were my favorites. Robert Cray and Eric Clapton are a close second. I’ll never forget the first (and sadly last) Stevie Ray Vaughn concert I saw in Alpine Valley, in East Troy Wisconsin on August 27, 1990. Actually it was a bunch of blues artist’s (SRV and his brother, Eric Clapton, Robert Cray, Sugar Blue on harmonica) and the show was fantastic. I personally thought Stevie stole the show! I’ll never forget him doing the 'Hendrix thing' during "Voodoo Chile" where he laid his guitar flat on the stage floor and was playing the springs on the back of his guitars’ body during one of his mind blowing solos! I knew right then and there that this guy was the real deal. I mean you can listen to any of his albums and know this, but, man: I just felt something go through me during that solo that was just beyond words. Perhaps he knew somewhere in his heart that this was the last time he would ever play guitar and was telling us in that solo. That night his helicopter went down in the fog.

Me: And I take it you're a Michael Jordan fan? Everybody from Chicago is a Michael Jordan fan.

Ian: I appreciate his passion for what he did and respect him immensely. He brought a new dimension to the game of basketball that I never have witnessed in my life. He certainly pushed the bar of the game to a whole new height!

Me: What music did you listen to growing up?

Ian: My parents always were listening to classical music (Mozart, Beethoven, Handel, Chopin, Mussorgsky, Liszt, Schubert, Brahms, etc) when I was growing up, but also had a flair for The Beatles and Simon and Garfunkel as well. I started off with The Beatles “Abbey Road” and The Polices’ “Ghost In The Machine” eight-tracks on my now ancient Craig stereo. I worked my way into Elton John, The Who, REM, The Smiths, Peter Gabriel, Rush, etc cassettes and entered the digital age with Living Colour, Yes, Genesis, Liszt, Rachmaninoff, Chopin, Beethoven, Mozart, Debussy, Tchaikovsky, Dvořák, Led Zeppelin, The Samples, ELO, Crowded House, Janes Addiction and Stevie Ray Vaughn.

Me: Alright, lets talk about your music. You started out playing keyboards but switched over to drums, right?

Ian: Yes.

Me: Why did you switch?

Ian: Piano at 10 years of age just didn’t spark anything in me. I think “The Bear Went Over the Mountain” just wasn’t rocking enough. Drums didn’t come along until I was 14. My brother sparked it off when he brought me over to his friend Steve’s house to watch Steve play. From that day I never looked back. Neil Peart (drummer of Rush) sprinkled the extra creative ingredient that I invited into my playing. It was and continues to be so damn exciting to feeling what you play while you are playing! It’s like being hypnotized while your limbs are working on a separate realm – steaming ahead with intense focus.

Me: What do you prefer to play now?

Ian: I really am on the fence with this one. I love the emotions evoked when playing keyboards and love the shear drive and physical prowess of drumming.

Me: You're smart... drummers don't get the chicks, Ian. When did you start to write songs?

Ian: Chicks… no, however, drums are what got me the chick! I married her years later. I started writing songs in the late 90’s. I was in a band called Population 3 that played around Chicago. During rehearsals (at the end when everyone was packing up) I would experiment on the keyboardist’s piano. I still remember the exact time “Forever Today” (from my first EP “Off Purpose” [2006]) came to life. I just knew it would become a song. Soon after that moment; I took it upon myself to purchase a spinet piano from my boss’s mother. I used to play every day after work. I started playing and singing religiously from that point in time on.

Me: You took a break from music to study meteorology, which is crazy. Did you wanna be a weather man?

Ian: Yes and still do sometimes. I went to Oklahoma University for about 15 minutes to major in meteorology. Mononucleosis won that battle.

Me: Do you still study the weather stuff?

Ian: Daily I watch Tom Skilling on WGNTV here in Chicago and look at the latest grid models to see how things are and will be changing. I watch the skies endlessly and at work enjoy informing my fellow employees of impending doom when a snow storm, or severe thunderstorm is approaching. Yeah, pretty much a weather geek. I am the first to admit it. After my Oklahoma adventure I went to Elmhurst College in Elmhurst, IL and interned with chief meteorologist Tom Skilling for a year and a half as well as Tim McGill and Jim Ramsey: all top notch meteorologists here in Chicago. It was amazing and I gained a whole new respect for what those guys do on a daily basis!

Me: I met someone years ago who was a storm chaser. That's the most dumbest job ever, next to a snake wrangler, or anything to do with animals. You didn't do that storm chasing stuff, did you?

Ian: Yes, several times. Even before I knew how to drive I would race on my bike to the nearest park to audio record (and later video record) every storm that went through town! Later (in the mid 90’s) I chased with Paul Sirvatka’s (amazing meteorologist and all around nice guy) chase class in the bread basket. That year we saw nothing but blue sky and tumbleweeds. We ended up in Boulder, CO to visit The National Center for Atmospheric Research which was quite cool. My first albeit, 30 second tornado was on a chase I did with a couple of guys from The College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn, IL. We chased in central Illinois. The tornado literally touched down and went back up that fast! When you know, for the majority of the time, how these supercelled storms work you know how to play it safe for the most part. You know where the tornado is most likely to form and with the aid of having access to the internet from basically anywhere; it makes chasing that much safer.

Me: And you studied opera? Did you have an opera teacher?

Ian: Yes. I was vocally trained by opera singer Janice Pantezellos from The Chicago Studio of Professional Singers in Chicago for about a year and a half. The emphasis of my studies with her were based in opera. I made it very clear that it was not what my passion was. I would bring my own songs in all the time and Janice would help me. I would sing operatic pieces (acapella for the most part) at various churches and schools around Chicago, but would always slip an Elton John, or old Billy Joel tune in every now-and-again. She is an amazing voice teacher/singer!

Me: Your music has been described as part Queen and part Pink Floyd. How would you describe it, Ian?

Ian: I would describe my music as a mesh comprised of Rush, Yes, Queen, Pink Floyd, Muse, Porcupine Tree, Genesis and Radiohead. They all are major influences. From these influences (and many, many more) comes my interpretation and expression somewhere enmeshed within the mesh.

Me: I have all your releases as you know, Ian, and a cool t-shirt you sent that I am wearing now. Your latest release is the EP "Phone Call To Infinity". Where did that EP title come from?

Ian: I think it was a combination of my job at the time (Telecommunications engineer) and my wife and my amazing spiritual-laden trip to India. They sort of shook hands and said, “Hey, let’s make an EP!”

Me: I am trying to figure out what that is on the cover sleeve. It's an 8-track, right?

Ian: No. It’s a cell phone battery. That picture (“Phone Call To Infinity” cover) was just waiting there in an alley in Evanston, IL. My wife and I were walking down a part of an alley we usually never need to walk down. She saw that series of white painted squares on the asphalt with a phone battery almost exactly how it looks in the picture and said, “That’s it Ian! That’s it!” Quite the auspicious moment!

Me: Who plays on the release with you, Ian?

Ian: Erik Swanson plays bass. Dave Bowers plays guitar. Tim Sandusky is my sound engineer and co produced all the songs and is a very talented singer/songwriter himself!

Me: This EP has three songs, and I am guessing there's a lot more where this came from. Are you currently working on a full album?

Ian: You are spot on. I am beginning work on what is beginning to look now like a massive undertaking. I am beginning work on a 20 (perhaps more, perhaps a little less) song concept double CD. I have most of the music written on keys and some on drums, but need to: A) complete the majority of the music (most songs are partial in nature), B) write lyrics and sing for the rest. There will be several instrumentals filling the gaps. The theme will definitely be spiritually based (non-religious) and should be completed sometime early next year. I will throw a song out here and there on my website during 2012 as I’m moving through the motions of this monster just to show that I still have a pulse. I am very excited about this one!

Me: How do you compare this last release to "Off Purpose", your first release? I am guessing you have learnt a lot in the studio.

Ian: I certainly have! Tim really takes the prize for this one. Tim is constantly pushing me to change my sound (see the latest video on my website for the perfect example) and incorporates new sounds and new methods of composing to my songs to give the listener a fresh experience on every release. I love that! If it were up to me things would evolve at a much slower pace. I’m happy to have him and his alchemistic approach to my music. I really had to find the right guys for “the sound”, or, rather: the sound had to find the right guys for it. Time seamed that gap quite nicely. I played in a band way back in the early 00’s with Erik and knew he would be the perfect fit on bass. He is an amazing player and very creative and innovative. I experimented with several amazing guitarists before Tim’s instincts reeled in Dave for guitar. Dave is insanely quick and uses his speed and creative might in a way that seems invisible as it is woven into the music by Tim. I respect Tim’s amazing instincts, musical intelligence and sheer technical know-how to the utmost! He is the creative blacksmith behind all my songs. I can throw him some seriously crazy chord changes and rhythmically off-the-wall patterns and he will funnel it all into the crown of his head and cough up some seriously beautiful music! Financially speaking, the past has taught me a great deal as well when it comes to recording professionally. Over the years I have learned how to perfect my rough mixes prior to going into Studio Ballistico with Tim and the guys to save me money. You really have to be wise when money is added into the mix.

Me: Wait, since the EP you have released a single called "Come Of Age (New Sun)". Is this a song from your new upcoming release?

Ian: For the future concept double CD? It might be. I’m not sure just yet. It certainly would fit into the spiritual theme! Only time will tell.

Me: Ian, when your next release comes out, please come back onto the Phile. I wish you luck and take care, continued success. Go ahead and plug all your websites and stuff, Ian.

Ian: Thank you Jason! I wish you all the best with your wonderful, beautifully-articulated blog! I will certainly come back when the beast is complete! Progressive rock from a Chicago indie musician who wants to help the world awaken  Ian Narcisi Progressive Rock indie musician Singer/songwriter, drummer, keyboardist: ianmusic.com, iannarcisi.blogspot.com, myspace.com/ianmuzic, facebook.com/pages/Ian-Narcisi/161379568011?ref=ts,  twitter.com/IanNarcisi, www.last.fm/music/Ian+Narcisi/Weight+Of+The+Words, www.last.fm/music/Ian+Narcisi/Feel+No+Evil, iannarcisi.posterous.com, thesixtyone.com/iannai29/#/iannai29/, iannarcisi.tumblr.com/.  

Me: Take care, sir, and please come back.

Ian: I most certainly will, Jason. Thank you for your time and for helping us “independents” get our music out there! It certainly is appreciated!

Well, that about does it for another entry of the Phile. Thanks to Eve Rest and of course Ian Narcisi. The Phile will be back on Wednesday with artist Thomas "Teeg" Ketchen. Then on Sunday it's singer, songwriter Kyle Carey. Monday it's Charity Chapman and next Wednesday it's Brian Sumner from the duo The Sumner Brothers. So, spread the word, not the turd. Don't let snakes and alligators bite you. Bye, love you, bye.

Pheaturing Buddy Whittington

2012-01-22T08:02:00.019-05:00

Hey, kids, welcome back to the Phile. How are you? So, it's a good thing the SOPA bill wasn't passed, otherwise the Phile would look like this...

That might not actually be a bad thing. So, I was wondering what U.S. Representative Lamar S. Smith, the man behind SOPA looked like, so I looked him up. This kinda explains everything.

Okay, this is weird. Blogger just crashed for a minute as I was trying to post that pic. Creepy. Anyway, I'd had a bunch of politicians on the Phile, but I'd love to get this guy. Let's move on before Blogger crashes again. It's been a tough week for Jon Huntsman. In addition to dropping out of the race, earlier this week he found out he was not really a Kardashian. Did you see that new show on TV called "Alcatraz"? I DVRed it and watched it last night. It is so good. From 1934 to 1963, the biggest criminals in America ended up on Alcatraz. Nowadays they end up on Wall Street. The most famous Alcatraz inmates are probably Al Capone and Machine Gun Kelly. But I think Machine Gun Kelly was destined for a life of crime. So, I want to host the Miss America show. Right now, the hosts stand there and pretends the girls are making sense. I wouldn't do that. I will only ask ridiculous questions like, “Miss Tennessee, the hippopotamus is said to be the most dangerous animal in the world. If one got into your hair, how would you kill it?” It makes sense that we have a dumb Miss America, right? We're kind of dumb as a country. And we're also overweight. So, if we really want a Miss America to represent us, she should be fat, too. This just in, Jon Huntsman returned to his former job as the guy in the picture that comes with the frame. Yahoo’s original founder resigned. If you want to know more about this situation, Google it. The first couple of episodes of "American Idol" are usually the highest rated of the season. Because there is something magical about watching people with dreams beyond their talent going on national TV and having those dreams crushed. I doubt "American Idol" will ever be successful in manufacturing pop stars. Americans like getting their pop stars the old-fashioned way: from the Disney Channel. After all these years and with all the copycat shows, "American Idol" is still the only show on TV that has the power to catapult a young singer from obscurity to fame and then back to obscurity again, almost immediately. The second night on "American Idol," the show lost 18 percent of its total viewers and 26 percent of its younger viewers. Of those who did tune in, more than half were just checking to see if Steven Tyler is still alive. Burger King has announced they're trying out a new home delivery service at select restaurants. I've been trying to get a reservation at Burger King for weeks. Phase two is what they're calling the “Whopper Cannon.” It pairs with the GPS on your phone, to find the exact location of your mouth and fires Whopper after Whopper into your mouth. A few days ago President Obama visited the Magic Kingdom at Disney World. I was hoping he would come and ride Star Tours at Disney's Hollywood Studios but he didn't. Anyway, President Obama he unveiled his new plan to create jobs. He was joined by Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse but not Goofy. He had to stay behind to tend to his vice presidential duties. You know why President Obama chose Disney World? It was the only place with longer lines than the unemployment office, so it looks better. Actually, something happened to the park after he left Main Street. Take a look.

Everybody is talking about Obama visiting Disney World, but the same day he went and did a speech at Universal, and really go into it. Here's proof, kids.

Tonight the Giants are playing the 49er's to see who will make it to the Super Bowl. What a stupid name for a team... 49er's. How about the 69er's? Alright, now for some sad news.

Etta James
Jan 25, 1938 - Jan 20, 2012
I know what you're expecting me to write here, but guess what: no go. It's just too easy, and besides, she kicked her drug habit 20+ years ago, and only got sick about a year ago. So now will you leave me alone about it - At Last?
Johnny Otis
Dec 28, 1921 - Jan 17, 2012
Wikipedia says, "In 1969 he recorded an album of sexually explicit material under the name 'Snatch and the Poontangs'." That's good enough for me.

Okay, kids, this week Mitt Romney is gonna reveal his tax returns, so I thought I would invite someone to the Phile to tell us what to expect. So, please welcome back to the Phile, Communications Director for the Democratic National Committee... Brad Woodhouse.

Me: Hello, sir, so, it's a long-held political tradition for presidential candidates to release their tax returns, right?

Brad: Yes, Jason, and this week, the drumbeat for Mitt Romney to release his returns has steadily grown louder.

Me: I thought he wasn't gonan release them.

Brad: First he said he wouldn't release them. Then he said he would, after this year's tax season. And when asked at Thursday's debate if he'd follow precedent and release more than one year's worth, the best answer he could muster was an awkward "maybe."

Me: Maybe?

Brad: He hasn't released his tax returns yet, but we do know some things already, and they're pretty outrageous.

Me: What do we know?

Brad: Check out the five things everyone should know about Mitt's taxes.

5. Mitt's got millions invested in the Cayman Islands
4. Mitt pays a tax rate lower than most middle-class Americans even though Mitt's worth as much as $250 million.

3. Under Mitt's own tax plan, he'd pay half of what he'd pay otherwise.
2. Mitt jokes he's "unemployed," but he's still making millions a year off investments.
And the final thing we should know about Mitt's taxes...
1. Mitt made over $300,000 in speaking fees last year, but called it "not that much".

Me: Nice, your own top 5 list. So, does every GOP presidental nominee release their tax returns?

Brad: Every GOP presidential nominee for the past 40 years has released their tax returns. Even some of Mitt's biggest supporters, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell, have called on him to level with voters on this issue.

Me: So why is Mitt so shy?

Brad: Perhaps it's because he stores part of his money in the Cayman Islands, a "notorious Caribbean tax haven." Or because even with a net worth of as much as $250 million, he manages to pay a lower tax rate than most middle-class Americans. Maybe it's that when he says he's "unemployed, too," he forgets to tell you he's been making millions off his Bain investments at the same time.

Me: Well, thanks so much for filling us in, Chairman Woodhouse. Thanks again, sir.

Brad: You're welcome. We think voters should know the whole story.

The 10th artist to be pheatured in the P.P.A.G. is Thomas "Teeg" Ketchen and this is one of his pieces.

Teeg will be a guest on the Phile this coming Wednesday.

Today's guest is an American blues guitarist. He was a past member of the band Point Blank. He has a new album available on Amazon and iTunes called "Six String Svengali". He will be next appearing at Tolbert’s Restaurant in Grapevine, Texas on January 28th. Please welcome to the Phile, the great... Buddy Whittington.

Me: Hello, Buddy, welcome to the Phile, sir, how are you?

Buddy: Hi Jason, so far so good!

Me: You're originally from Texas, right? What part? Do you still live there?

Buddy: Yep, born in Fort Worth, and grew up in Richland Hills and Hurst, kinda between Fort Worth and Dallas. But I claim Fort Worth!

Me: I am guessing you grew up listening to ZZ Top records, am I right?

Buddy: Wore the grooves plumb off of 'em. Saw ZZ in '72 for the first time for $2.50, all three of those guys made a big impression on a 16 year old! You know, guys of my vintage are 'pre-SRV', and we all listened and learned from ZZ, but that doesn't mean Stevie didn't figger in the equation too!

Me: Who else did you listen to growing up? You are an amzing blues guitarist so I am guessing you did a lot of listening to the blues as well.

Buddy: In those days you could see Freddie King hangin' and sittin' in with Bugs Henderson and John Nitzinger at Mother Blue's in Dallas, B.B. and Bobby Bland came through town regularly, Ray Sharpe of "Linda Lou" fame lived right here in Cowtown, Jimmy Reed was on the radio, quite a bit of blues being played in the area if a young man was of a mind to seek it out.
Played in a lotta cover bands, plenty of Foghat AND Savoy Brown tunes! I just played a gig in Oswego, New York at SUNY for my good buddy Rick Balestra, and Kim Simmonds stopped by and played a couple with us, always great seeing Kim, we played together a lot in my Bluesbreakers days. Funny Story: I was playing a restaurant gig a while back, and a little kid comes up and says, "Excuse me, sir. Do you know "Slow Ride"? I said, "Yeah! But how do YOU know it?" Kid sez, "From GUITAR HERO!" Cracked me up. Also played a lotta country music comin' up, pretty much have to know some country tunes to play in Cowtown! Listened to Roy Nichols with Merle haggard a lot, wish it had rubbed off on me a litle better! Eldon Shamblin with Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys pretty much invented Western Swing rhythm guitar, I'm still workin' on some of that. And if you've never heard of Phil Baugh, go to Youtube and check out "Country Guitar" it'll change your way o' thinkin'. Same with Leon Rhodes and Buddy Charlton with Ernest Tubb, they wrote and played some incredible instrumental tunes such as "The Rhodes-Bud Boogie". It's all on Youtube, that vast portal of knowledge! ;^)

Me: Great story. By the way, I have a pic of you and Kim jamming. Check it out.

Me: How old were you when you first started to play guitar?

Buddy: I was 8 years old, had a plywood 'Stella' branded as 'Catalina' from a local auto parts store called White's that was an offshoot of the old Western Auto chain. Who ever heard of buying a guitar from a music store back then? Got my strings and picks at the drug store! My big sister had brought home The Beatles and The Stones, and some John Mayall records too, ironically! And, of course, all the local country music TV shows like "Cowtown Jamboree" and "Big 'D' Jamboree" exposed all the players in our area to some cool guitar playing.

Me: Do you remember what the first song you ever played was?

Buddy: Probably the rhythm part to "Honky Tonk" by Bill Doggett, featuring Billy Butler on guitar. Followed closely by "House Of The Rising Sun" by the Animals. I asked Hilton Valentine, guitarist of The Animals once what it felt like to be the guy that spawned so many young would-be guitar maulers! Then came The Ventures, LOVED 'em, still do!

Me: Did you take guitar lessons, or teach yourself?

Buddy: I just kept foolin' around with it 'til it began to 'soak in', mostly. There were a coupla guys in the neighborhood that would show you a chord or a lick, but you usually had to wait until about 3 pm when they woke up to get a lesson' from 'em, they'd been out pickin' all night, you know, and didn't get up 'til the crack o' noon!

Me: My 12 year old son is learning to play guitar, Buddy, through lessons, but he did teach himself to play "Slow Ride". Do you find it easier picking up songs yourself?

Buddy: Well there ya go! ;^) It was always pretty easy for me to figure tunes and licks out, but after a long while when you've kinda gone as far as you can on your own, its beneficial to learn something from somebody that might be a little more well-versed in other areas of music, just to keep yourself interested. it may not prove to be your life's work, but something that you work hard at learning, as opposed to just picking out tunes from a record or the radio. I'll tellya, there are some real musicians, as opposed to guitar players, around here that can really change your course, for better or worse! Guys like Tommy Nash, Bill Ham, Gary Brunner, Clint Strong, Johnny Rose, I've tried to steal a little bit from all of 'em, but I'm still working at it and learning.

Me: You used to be in the band Point Blank which I mentioned in the intro. That band is still together, are you still playing with them?

Buddy: I have known those guys for years, they were managed by ZZ Top's manager Bill Ham (not the afore-mentioned guitar player Bill Ham, this guy was a record promo guy from Waxahachie, Texas that parlayed ZZ Top into an international, worldwide concern). Rusty Burns grew up in the next town over from me, Euless TX, he's a coupla years older than me and I didn't become aware of him until I saw him opening for ZZ in the 70's, then I became VERY aware of him! Most of the other Point Blankers were from Irving, Texas, the next town over from Rusty, and John O'Daniel the original singer is from Waxahachie. Kim Davis was the other half of the double guitar assault of Point Blank, just a great player and singer. Kim's gone now, and Phillip Petty the original bass player too, rest their souls. Wonderful guys, they made some great records and made a lot of people feel good with their music.

Me: They recently had a new album out called "Fight On!". Are you on that album? If not, did you listen to it?

Buddy: I was already out of the picture when "Fight On!" came out. My buddy Mouse Mayes has been playing with Point Blank since I started recording and playing my original tunes on the road, in addition to doing some gigs with me. I have heard some selections from "Fight On!", but not the whole project, they still sound great, Rusty and Mouse are a formidable guitar duo, I don't know how they play those diminished scales that dang fast!

Me: How did you first get to be in the band, sir? You replaced guitarist Kim Davis who passed away like you said. Did you audition for the part?

Buddy: Well, I had known all those guys for quite a while, I didn't really audition, but we rehearsed like crazy to learn all the arrangements of the early P.B. tunes so we could play a benefit for Preston Green, an early Point Blank crew member that needed some serious surgery. The benefit was recorded live and became the first of the two newest Point Blank albums, "Reloaded". We did a couple of weeks in Europe, with gigs in Sweden, Denmark, Germany and France, had a great time with those guys.

Me: In the day Point Blank did shows with Foghat, so I am wondering if you ever met my dad, or did shows with him.

Buddy: I only wish I'd been around those guys at that time! That was an exciting era in music, and I don't think its possible that times will ever be quite like that again. I never met Lonesome Dave, but I do know Kim Simmonds a little bit from touring with John Mayall.

Me: Point Blank are mostly known for their hit "Nicole". Did you play on that recording? I know you must've played that song a million times. Do you know who Nicole is?

Buddy: No, that was way before my time, but I have played it with P.B. quite a lot. Bubba Keith, the second singer with Point Blank, told me that he used to sing "Ohhhh, Nicole--My Sweet Nicole" to his daughter when she was little, and it just went from there. Great tune, pretty much a regional hit for P.B. The guitars sound great on that record!

Me: We mentioned you played with personal friend and Phile Alumni Kim Simmonds. What was that experience like? Kim's really cool, isn't he?

Buddy: It's great when you get to meet and play music with one of your early influences, and its even greater when they turn out to be a quality human being! I love Kim, and I hope I get to play a little more with him. I still play "Tell Mama" nearly every gig, only I do it in 'A' and Kim does it in 'G'. I love his story about buying a First Act guitar at Wal-Mart for $89 bucks to play slide on, and one of his fans told him, "You know, you can get it at Sam's for $78!" Too funny.

Me: You are also in a legendary band... John Mayall's Bluesbreakers. How did you get that gig?

Buddy: Welllll, I was in a legendary band for about 15 years! I was in a band around Fort Worth and Dallas called The Sidemen for about 8 years, we played a lot at the now-defunct Dallas Alley complex in the West End Marketplace. The general manager there was a guy that used to book us some named Jerry Thompson, who now runs Promoter Line. Jerry thought The Sidemen would be a good opener for a big outdoor Mayall show he had coming up in about '91. John was setting his keyboard rig up while we were playing our last tune and he asked me for my contact info, saying he didn't have a record deal at the time, but when he got something together would I be interested in coming out to LA and play on a couple of tracks? So I left John our cassette (it was that far back!) It was about two years later, about September of '93 when I went to work as a Bluesbreaker, when Coco Montoya left to persue his solo run. John let us all go in '08, claiming retirement, but you know he ain't gonna retire as long as he can walk onstage and blow a harp! So he hired my good buddy Rocky Athas, who I introduced him to at a gig we did together in Dallas, and they played 4 tours of Europe last year, he's showing no sign of slowing down at 78, so Mopar to him.

Me: My dad was friends with Mayall and told the story how he went to his house which had a huge fireplace that covered up a whole wall. Have you ever been in that house?

Buddy: That would have been the old house on Grandview Drive up in Laurel Canyon that burned to the ground. That place was apparently legendary for all kinds of debauchery, probably better in the long run for me that it was before my time! John once tore his leg all to pieces jumping out of an upstairs bedroom window into the pool, well almost. Never was at that one, but the first night I ever spent in LA was at the new house they built right next door to the old one. Sure beat stayin' at Motel 6! And the night after I left for the airport, the big Northridge earthquake hit and did quite a bit of damage, a big TV set landed right in the middle of the bed I'd been sleeping in a few hours before, and there was a water leak that ran in the house for a day or so before one of the neighbors finally cut the water main off.

Me: Who else was in that band with you, sir?

Buddy: When I started, Rick Cortes was on bass and Joe Yuele was the drummer, Joe was in there for 24 years! Then we had a succession of bass players that came and went, John Paulus, who is also a great guitar player, was there for a number of years, then Greg Boaz, then Greg Rzab, who is back in the band now, and finally Hank van Sickle, who was there for about 9 years. We all stayed as long as we could!

Me: As well as working with other people, you have released a few solo albums, all which I purchased off from iTunes. You worked with another legend named Roger Cotton, who produced a British blues soul singer named Paul Cox, who will be guest on the Phile in a few weeks. Are you aware of Paul's work?

Buddy: Yep, Coxey always drops in on us when he has a night off and sings a couple, he's a great singer and a funny guy! He's currently working some with a good young guitar player from France named Charlie Fabert, and our buddy harpist/guitarist/singer Alan Glen, guests with Paul's band too. I met Roger Cotton (keys) and Pete Stroud (bass) when they were both working with Peter Green's Splinter Group, we toured together all over the place and had a great time, said someday we'd all get together and play some music, which happened sooner than later when we all got fired! Then Darby Todd (drums) came onboard after a stint with Justin Hawkins' (ex- "The Darkness") Hot Leg.

Me: Let's talk about your latest CD "Six String Svengali" which I love, sir. That's my favorite album I downloaded this year so far. There's a song on it called "Six String Romance". Is that kinda where the album name came from?

Buddy: Well, I had to have something to rhyme with 'Mohammed Ali' on the song "Deadwood and Wire", you see. ;^) And if you'll look at the artwork (IS there artwork on a download? Heck if I know!) You'll see the character Svengarlic from "The Three Stooges in Flagpole Jitters", just funny stuff I used to see on Slam Bang Theater with Icky Twerp here in the D/FW area every morning on TV before I left for school, it scarred me for life! I wrote "Six String Romance" when I was about 21, and figgered it kinda fit in with the rest of the tunes on "Svengali", so I changed up the lyrics a little bit and recorded it again.

Me: Did you write all the songs on the album, Buddy?

Buddy: Yep, I've had a lot of the ideas clangin' around in my head for years, and I just figgered it was time to finish 'em and get 'em recorded. Couldn't have finished it without Wayne Six on bass, and Mike Gage on drums, production and engineering, these guys plus Mouse Mayes (guitar and vocals) round out the band we have here in the States, and I play with Roger, Pete and Darby in the UK and Europe. ALL top notch players and great guys to work with.

Me: You have a great voice as well as play a great guitar. What do you prefer, singing or guitar playing?

Buddy: Thanks, I started trying to sing because no one else in the band would when I was a kid! My sister, who is a very good singer, always said I was pretty good on guitar but I would never make a singer ;^) I like to play AND sing, its just part of what I do. Mouse Mayes is the best singer in any of our bands, and helps me out a great deal onstage taking some of the load off, he has a ridiculous range and stays on pitch, and does all this while playing great guitar.

Me: I have to ask you about the song "For Crystal Beach"... who is Crystal Beach?

Buddy: HA! Well, more like a what than a who. Crystal Beach is a town down on the Texas Coast on the Bolivar Peninsula where we used to take our kids and all the aunts, uncles, nephews, grandpaws and grandmaws for a couple of weeks every summer for a little vacation on the beach. It was pretty much decimated by Hurricane Ike a few years back and is slowly coming back to life as it once was, That little tune just sounded to me like something that would be nice to listen to in the early morning walking on the beach. The working title was "A Flat Tire" since the tune is in the key of A Flat, (and 'G Sharp Tire' wouldn't have worked either) so I went with "For Crystal Beach" as a tribute to all those tough Texans down there rebuilding the place. Their slogan is 'Bring Back Bolivar!'

Me: Buddy, it's a huge honor to have you here, I am a big fan and I hope to see you in concert here in Orlando soon. Go ahead and mention your website, sir.

Buddy: Buddywhittington.com is the website, we're also on Facebook in several places, you can order CD's directly from us at the website if you're in the US or Canada, they're also available most places online maybe for a buck or two less on Amazon, but we'll autograph 'em for you if you'd like and ship 'em to you from Texas for a coupla bucks more ;^). The label's website in the UK is Manhatonrecords.com for everybody outside the US/Canada.

Me: Please come back when your next album comes out, and if you run into Mayall again see if he would like to be featured on the Phile. I had a few blues legends on here already. Take care, continued success and bring your family to Disney! We'll hang out.

Buddy: Well, thanks Jason, we're doing good just to get to Sonic today but I'll keep Orlando in mind ;^) Played Pleasure Island at Disney once with The Bluesbreakers and Euro Disney in France with Point Blank, and we used to hang out with our family a little bit in Destin, Fla a little bit too, lotta Texans relaxin' over there.

Me: Thanks again, Buddy.

Well, that about finishes another entry of the Phile. Thanks to my guests Communications Director Brad Woodhouse and of course Buddy Whittington. The Phile will be back tomorrow with musician Ian Narcisi and a brand new Phile character. Then on Wednesday it's artist Thomas "Teeg" Ketchen. Next Sunday it's singer, songwriter Kyle Carey and on Monday it's also singer, songwriter Charity Chapman. So, spread the word, not the turd. Don't let snakes and alligators bite you. Bye, love you, bye. Go GIANTS!

Pheaturing Kathleen Taylor

2012-01-18T17:00:00.017-05:00

Hello, everyone, welcome to the Phile on a Wednesday. So, a lot of websites like Wikipedia several other websites went dark today in protest of anti-piracy bills now in Congress that critics say could amount to censorship. I didn't wanna go dark, so I just made the logo dark. That's showing you, Congress. Let's talk about my wife's favorite subject... Tebow. In his time off, Tim Tebow goes to prisons and visits with death row inmates to talk to them about God. He has visited so many death row inmates, he now has met more Oakland Raiders fans than he has Bronco fans. According to USA Today, the Internal Revenue Service's budget is too small for them to reform all the things they need to do. Good! That's fantastic! Researchers found a frog in new guinea that is so tiny, they believe it's the smallest vertebrate on the planet. It has the tiniest backbone of any living creature, except members of Congress. Ha! Take that, Congress people. Here's a crazy fact... or phact... There are now more obese people in the United States than there are overweight people. I think it's safe to say that after all these years, Diet Coke is a complete failure. Tomorrow President Obama will be going to Disney World where he'll unveil his new plan to create jobs. And what better place for the president to talk about his jobs plan than Fantasyland? Senator John McCain told Sean Hannity that choosing Sarah Palin was still the best decision he ever made. Well, today the Arizona DMV took away his driver's license. Newt Gingrich has released a new ad attacking Mitt Romney because he knows how to speak French. Well, Romney is not the only one. John Huntsman speaks Chinese. Rick Perry, of course, speaks gibberish. A cardiologist now says that former Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards' trial has to be delayed because Edwards has a life-threatening condition. Hey, don't all husbands who cheat have a life-threatening condition? Disney, the world's greatest company to work for ever, just rereleased the twenty year old classic animated movie Beauty and the Beast is 3D, and an inspirational poster to go with it. Check it out.

Well, it's the 100th anniversary of the Titanic, let's celebrate by sinking another cruise ship. Here's an exclusive picture of the Costa Concordia accident.

Isn't that Captain the biggest pussy in the world right now? Here's some news from here in Florida you might've heard about... One of the world's oldest cypress trees named the Senator, estimated to be 3,500 years old collapsed early Monday after catching fire in Longwood, Florida. The Na'vi send their condolences. Miss Wisconsin, Laura Kaeppeler, was crowned the new Miss America during the annual pageant at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas Saturday night. Given how the Packers did against the Giants this past weekend, it’s nice to know someone from Wisconsin still knows how to win. Ha! Anyway, I liked the crown that they gave her.

Okay, it's Wednesday, and I wanted my good friend Jeff to come onto the Phile today for the picks in case there's Saturday's football games. There aren't of course, but I want him here today anyway. So, once again, it's time for...

Me: Jeff, welcome to the Phile for playoffs week three. So, what's the big news last week apart from Tebow losing and my Giants winning?

Jeff: The biggest news of the week is the fact that the Packers, a team that won 15 games in the regular season, are the first team in NFL history to do that (win 15 games) and lose the first play off game. It is definitely a weird playoffs since Tebow won more playoff games then Aaron Rodgers this year. The Rams, fresh off a 2 win season, have hired former Titans Head Coach Jeff Fisher for their vacant head coaching position. And he should help that team get focused.

Me: Okay, so, how'd we do last week?

Jeff: We both went 2-2 in the Divisional Round, but thanks to the fact we agreed to still get points for our respective teams winning, we are now tied with 55 points each. It's coming down to a great end for the first year between us.

Me: It's a tie. Holy shit. Okay, let's do one more pick before the Super Bowl. I say Giants by 7 and Pats by 10.

Jeff: The Patriots are going to beat the Ravens, not by much though. I think they win by a touchdown. The Ravens defense is better then any one the Patriots faced. The 49ers win, by a late second field goal in what should be a great ending. See you at the Super Bowl!

Me: Actually, I was thinking next Wednesday I will have you back for Sundays results, then plans for Super Bowl picks, then Monday after the Super Bowl the final results. And if you want to do a recap on the whole season that would be on the Super Bowl day entry.

Jeff: Sounds good to me.

Me: Alright, see ya back here next Wednesday.

Okay, so there's gonna be big news for the Democratic 2012 convention so I thought I would invite a friend to the Phile to explain what's gonna happen. So, please welcome back to the Phile, Chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee, Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz.

Me: Hello, ma'am, welcome back to the Phile. So, you're making some big changes to this year's Democratic National Convention? Where will it be?

Debbie: Yes, Jason, just like we broke with conventions of the past in 2008, we're moving the final night of this year's convention to Bank of America Stadium, home of the Carolina Panthers.

Me: Does that hold a lot of people? I guess it does.

Debbie: There will be room for 70,000 people, so more folks will be able to come out and celebrate as President Obama accepts the Democratic nomination for re-election.

Me: That's not the only thing you're doing differently this year, right?

Debbie: It should be a wonderful night. In the upcoming months, we'll be asking folks for their ideas on how to make this convention more open and accessible than ever before.

Me: Most national conventions are four days long, right, but this one won't be?

Debbie: To honor President Obama's belief in organizing our neighborhoods and communities, we're shortening the convention to three days to make room to celebrate the Carolinas with a day of organizing.

Me: How are you guys gonna kick off the convention?

Debbie: We'll be getting together at the Charlotte Motor Speedway on Labor Day to organize and get ready for November. It's a way to build our organization, and help ramp up our efforts in battleground states like North Carolina, which President Obama won by just 14,000 votes in 2008.

Me: So, you're gonna make more than political traditions and confetti from the rafters. Hiw will you do that?

Debbie: We're asking people to share their ideas, planning activities that reflect the core of our organizing work, and asking anyone who wants to be a part of it to take ownership.

Me: Well, it sounds cool. Keep us posted, Ms. Chairwoman. Is there anything else you wanna tell the readers of the Phile?

Debbie: Make sure your voice is heard as we continue to plan the convention over the months ahead.

Me: Thank you, and come back again soon.

Debbie: Thanks, Jason.

The 10th artist to be pheatured in the P.P.A.G. is Thomas "Teeg" Ketchen, and this is one of his pieces.

It's Captain Marvel, my dad's favorite super hero ever. Man, that's a cool piece. Anyway, Teeg will be a guest on the Phile a week from today.

Okay, today's guest is a singer, songwriter from Gainesville, Florida whose new album "Wondrous Potions" is now available on iTunes. She'll be next appearing at Lightnin' Salvage in Gainesville on January 20th. Please welcome to the Phile, the wonderful... Kathleen Taylor.

Me: Hello, Kathleen, welcome to the Phile. How are you?

Kathleen: Hello, Jason, thank you so much for interviewing me! I am doing very well. It's a beautiful rainy day down here in Florida.

Me: I didn't realize you were from Gainesville when I asked you to be here. I am based in Clermont, not far away. How long have you lived in G-ville?

Kathleen: I first moved to Gainesville in 1992 and except for five years in Austin, Texas (2004-2009). I've been here in Gainesville the rest of the time.

Me: Did you move there to go to UF? Are you a Gator fan?

Kathleen: Yes, I did move to Gainesville to attend the University of Florida and I am a Gator fan... Da da da da da... Go Gators!!!

Me: Ever go to Leonardo's?

Kathleen: I used to go there all the time! I loved their yummy pizza, and coffee and big chocolate chip cookies!

Me: Where are you originally from?

Kathleen: I was born in California and lived in Tucson, Arizona till I was two (though I don't remember very much)! We moved to Evergreen, Colorado and I spent several years up there in the Rockies...a beautiful place! My mom and I moved to Marietta Georgia when I was nine and we ended up in Brandon, Florida when I was around 13 or 14... So, Florida feels like home!

Me: I purchased yout two albums from iTunes and love them both, Kathleen. "Wondrous Potions" is your newest album, right?

Kathleen: Thank you very much, Jason! Yes, "Wondrous Potions" is my newest album, released in November of 2010 and produced by the amazing Jason Rubal in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

Me: It's funny... you recorded it in Harrisburg, Pa... my wife comes from Harrisburg. What made you go all the way there to record the album?

Kathleen: Harrisburg is a beautiful city! I traveled up there to work with Jason Rubal and use his studio. He is a phenomenal producer and a phenomenal person. I had the time of my life making that album and I really love how it turned out!

Me: Do you have a regular band that played on it, or did you do most of the playing?

Kathleen: I sang and played guitar on the album. Jason introduced me to the other musicians who played on and they are absolutely top-notch amazing musicians and my wonderful friends now! Roy Nash played bass. Dave Hadley played pedal steel and dobro. Dan Gallagher played electric guitar and Mark Jason Bohn played drums. Jason Rubal even sang on one of the songs, "Snake Oil Man"! Yay!!!

Me: You write some very wonderful songs, Kathleen. But one of them you sing in Oompa-Loompa. Where did that idea come from?

Kathleen: Thank you, Jason! Ha ha! Yes, well, tha's the chorus of the song, "Sing To Me". I didn't write it in Oompa Loompa, though it sure does sound that way! That song is about a dying soldier who is turning all the sounds around him into a song that is leading him off. The chorus is his song. I wanted it to sound like a combination of all languages, so nothing would be recognizable.

Me: Have you been writing songs most of your life?

Kathleen: No, I started writing songs in 2001 or 2002. I wrote "Gainesville Today" and I was so excited to have written a song! I just kept on going after that. I love writing songs. I feel like I run into them, like they are already floating out there in the world and I just happen to come across them.

Me: Kathleen, you seem to have a musical style of your own which I like. Do you have influences or idols though?

Kathleen: Thank you very much, Jason! I grew up listening to Johnny Cash, Leonard Cohen, Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, Simon and Garfunkel, and a bunch of other amazing artists that my mom played on her record player. More recently, I came across Townes Van Zandt and Iris Dement. Lately, I've been listening to Gogol Bordello. I could go on and on... There is so much beautiful music out there!

Me: I would think you were a fan of Victoria Williams or Wanda Jackson. Am I right?

Kathleen: Golly, I have never heard their music! I am going to Google them now! I love discovering new music!

Me: On your first album "Defy The World" you wrote a song about Gainesville called "Gainesville Today" which you mentioned. I had a question there, but cannot remember it. Oh yeah, you must really like G-ville to write a song about it, right?

Kathleen: Yes! I love Gainesville. I love Florida. For that matter, I love the Gulf Coastal plain and all of the plants and critters that live here... tree frogs, lizards, toads, alligators, live oaks, resurrection ferns, Sapnish moss... I could go on and on again!

Me: Do you travel to Orlando to play often?

Kathleen: No, I have never played a show in Orlando. I sure would love to though!

Me: Kathleen, are you going to be working on a new album soon? What is next planned for you?

Kathleen: Well, since "Wondrous Potions" was just released, I am going to be playing a bunch of shows to help promote my album. Also, I am going to be releasing a limited run of "Wondrous Potions" vinyl records. I am so excited about that! I do have some new songs though... I am always working on material for the next album!

Me: I love your music and hope to see you in concert soon. Go ahead and plug your Myspace, Facebook, website and anything else. Continued success, Kathleen.

Kathleen: Thank you so much, Jason! It was a real pleasure to be part of your wonderful blog!
Kathleentaylormusic.com, Facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/Kathleen-Taylor/40745952325, Twitter: twitter.com/kathleentaylor3, and Myspace: myspace.com/kathleentaylormusic.

Well, that about wraps this entry up. Thanks to my guests Jeff Trelewicz and Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz and of course to Kathleen Taylor. The Phile will be back on Sunday with blues guitarist Buddy Whittington and Monday it's musician Ian Narcisi. Then on Wednesday it's artist Teeg Ketchen, and then next Sunday it's singer Kyle Carey. So, spread the word, not the turd. Don't let snakes and alligators bite you. Bye, love you, bye.

Pheaturing Johny Brown From Band of Holy Joy

2012-01-16T08:03:00.019-05:00

Hello, welcome to a Monday entry of the Phile, and Happy Martin Luther King Day. Do people really say that? People are still talking about the New Hampshire primary election that took place. New Hampshire voters gathered to decide which middle-aged white guy looked best in a pair of pleated Dockers. The New Hampshire primary is a tough one for the candidates who don't do well because this is the night when many of them realize, “I served all those people pancakes for nothing.” Newt Gingrich thinks he's the man for the job. He got an important endorsement from Sarah Palin's husband, Todd. He has the all-important “snowmobilers who wear sunglasses indoors” demographic. After Iowa and New Hampshire, Mitt Romney is now two-for-two. After his performance last night, Rick Perry’s campaign merchandise is now two-for-one. While campaigning the other day, Jon Huntsman said he was “ready to rock and roll.” Not to be outdone, Mitt Romney said he was ready to “easy listen.” Did you hear about this? There’s a TV where you change the channel by talking. I’m not sure it works. When I yelled “Shit!” during a football game, the TV put on “Jersey Shore.” Beyoncé and Jay-Z were spotted left the hospital with their brand new baby. And get this... Beyoncé says they may even start working on their next child. Or as they call it, “the remix.” There’s talk that MySpace is planning to launch its own Web TV service. And if you think that’s exciting, then you must work for MySpace. A new study found that last year, America’s obesity rate actually went down. Yeah, the study was conducted by that one researcher: guy who hasn’t been to the mall in a year. I feel sorry for that guy, I love the mall. So, Tebow lost on Saturday and thousands of Broncos fans were upset. Then he did something that made thousands of women upset. Take a look.

Alright, at the Disney park where I work at, Disney's Hollywood Studios we have a parade called Pixar's Countdown to Fun and there's one character in that parade that fascinates me everyday. It's Boo from Monsters Inc. Take a look at it and I'll explain.

It's a person in a costume that is a person in a costume. Weird, right? Okay, it's Martin Luther King Day and I am so happy there's an MLK inspirational poster out there.

Actually, that might not be a bad thing. Okay, moving on... So, thousand of years ago Mayans predicted the world will end this year in 2012. Those Mayans were pretty smart, and said some crazy things that kinda made sense. Well, I found a modern day Mayan who will give us some insight and a thought of the day. So, please welcome to the Phile...

This is so stupid. I don't know if he looks like Iggy Pop, or someone at a Grateful Dead concert. Anyway, Marvin, give us some Mayan talk.

Marvin the Modern Day Mayan: Nya b’a’n tu’n tchub’ key toj b’e, ku’n nlay ch’iyl twey.

Me: What the hell does that mean? In English, please?

Marvin the Modern Day Mayan: It’s not good that you sit on the road because you will no longer grow.

Me: Thanks, Marvin. Marvin the Modern Day Mayan everybody.

And now from the home office in Phulfortha City, New York, here is this week's...

Peverett Phile Top 10 List List?! What the hell? I'll fix that. Why didn't anybody correct me on this last time?

That's better. Okay, the catergory for this week is...

Top Ten Signs The Economy Is Improving
10. Indian Chief and Construction Worker finally leave YMCA.
9. The bank executives and U.S. Marshals who show up to evict you from your home are all driving new cards.
8. CEOs are playing regular golf instead of mini-golf.
7. The 99% has now become the 98.93852869136937%.
6. Average new worker at McDonald's now has just a bachelor's degree, not an MBA.
5. Gallagher is using those big watermelons again.

4. Average American now only needs three jobs to make ends meet.

3. The only sector experiencing net job losses is Republican presidential candidates

2. Matt Damon bought a zoo.

And the number one sign the economy is improving...

1. Fox News says it isn't.

The 10th artist to be pheatured in The Peverett Phile Art Gallery is Thomas "Teeg" Ketchen and this is one of his pieces.

Thomas will be a guest on the Phile in a few weeks.

Today's guest is the lead singer for the band Band of Holy Joy formed in New Cross, London. They have a new album out called "How To Kill A Butterfly". They will be next appearing at The Social in London, England on February 24th. Why can't they be playing at The Social in Orlando? Anyway, please welcome to the Phile... Johny Brown.

Me: Hello, sir, welcome to the Phile. How are you?

Johny: Good, very good, sat listening to the football on the radio. Newcastle United FC. Hatem Ben Arfa, has just scored a wonder goal.

Me: Okay, you guys are The Band of Holy Joy, and then changed to Holy Joy, and now you're back to The Band of Holy Joy, am I right?

Johny: Band of Holy Joy It is now!

Me: Where did the band name originally come from, and why did you change it?

Johny: We stole a bass drum from the rehearsal hall of a temperance society somewhere in the back end of town. The bass drum had the name The Band of Holy Joy embossed on the skin in the front of the drum so we kept the name for ourselves too. I don't know who's idea it was to shorten the name but it wasn't mine, It was a pretty stupid idea thinking about it now, I'm glad it's back to Band of Holy Joy

Me: I have to compliment you, the design and CD case for the new album "How To Kill A Butterfly" is the best I've seen in ages. Thanks for sending me a copy, guys. It's cool when bands send me stuff. Normally I have to buyt their music off from iTunes. Anyway, who came up with the whole design and who did the artwork?

Johny: Inga Tillere who does all our visuals designed and put together the artwork. The photos were taken by her father Janis Tillere. Ingatillere.com.

Me: Has all your stuff been released so beautifully like this? It's not in a usual CD case, it looks more like a DVD size. It's great.

Johny: Thank you! I still like buying CD's and I feel it's a bit of a discredited art form. I think it's really important to put something beautiful together still. It's got that paperback book vibe. I mean, an MP3 its just not a tangible thing is it. The glass of Madeira port I'm drinking right now mind, definitely IS tangible

Me: Alright, you guys had a lot of band members over the years, right? Who is currently in the band now?

Johny: Aye, too many probably! Been straight for quite a while now though Andy Astle on guitar, Chris Brierley on violin, Bill Lewington on the drums, Inga Tillere on visuals, James S. Finn on bass and electronic things and myself Johny Brown on vocals, it's been this way for a good five years now, and I think its the most settled and best we've ever been. Newcastle have just won it in the last minute of extra time. Guitereizz lofted one into the top corner. Get in.

Me: I know the band originally broke up in 1993, but when did the band first form?

Johny: You're talking to veterans here, Jay, 1984. We've put good time in.

Me: What caused the break up and how did you all get back together again?

Johny: Hold on, just got to ring my father and talk about the match - result - back in a moment... Aye, I'm not sure what caused the break up first time around, Jay, drink, drugs, ego, treachery, ambition... all that young afflicted band as soap opera shit I guess, and burn out from just touring all the time, and ideas running out and all that. It was love of the music that brought it back, and a much better understanding of drink and drugs and ego...

Me: You're guys are based in England, right? What part? I used to live in London and Oxford. I was actually born in Balham.

Johny: I know Balham really well, I lived in west Norwood for a while when I first moved to London. I've got some good pals in Oxford. The Cowley Road, mad little road full of rastas and reggae clubs that is. Where you living now, Jay?

Me: I am living in Florida. Are you all from England? Isn't Charing Cross where Carter USM from that part as well?

Johny: Inga is from Latvia, a town called Ogre. The rest of us are all English. Bill is pure cockney, I'm a geordie. Carter are kind of Brixton, I think Jim Bob is from Crystal Palace. It is New Cross Gate, you are thinking of. Where I lived for a long while, and where Band of Holy Joy was formed.

Me: When I lived in England I used to love "The South Bank Show", Johny. Tell the readers of the Phile what the show is. It is still on in England, right?

Johny: It's a popular culture show, which started out pretty high end and serious, and gave very devoted appraisals to the cutting edge artists, writers and musicians of the day, I guess we'd be talking Steven Berkoff, David Bowie, Brian Eno, David Hockney that kind of dude, and Melvym Bragg was this really smooth erudite cat. It was always a highbrow but populist show which entertained but always educated you. And I know to make it on there gave you a great credibility. It was a hip and long running show. And then they featured the Darkness on there...
And everything changed

Me: I remember Melvyn Bragg.

Johny: Melvyn's the cat, a smooth talking Lancastrian.

Me: Anyway, I am asking you about the show because didn't "The South Bank Show" do a whole episode on The Band of Holy Joy?

Johny: Ha, no, we've never been that credible, we got this inferior version of the show hanging on our arses, it was called "South of Watford" and was presented by some guy called Hugh Laurie

Me: How did that come about? I mean, the show featured musicians like Clapton and McCartney and people like Gene Hackman and Sir Laurence Olivier. How did you guys get your own episode?

Johny: Clapton, McCartney, we shit em!

Me: When were you on that show? I moved to Florida in 1984 so might've missed it. You were on that show, right? Otherwise I just wasted 5 questions. LOL.

Johny: What part of Florida you in, Jay? I've got some good mates out there.

Me: By Clermont, just outside Orlando. You guys finally toured America in 2008, what too you guys so long to get here?

Johny: I don't know, money I guess. I love America, and have been to New York loads, doing press for the band, DJing, hanging out, I love the place, I think cos there was so many of us we just never made it out until then. Thank God we got there though. Had a great time. We're kind of planning a West Coast tour next year, Seattle, Tacoma, San Fran etc... really, really hope it comes off.

Me: Also, you recently played the Glastonbury Music Festival. How was that experience? Was that the biggest show you guys ever did?

Johny: Glastonbury was alright... bit boring to tell the truth... it's a bit of a supermarket consumer experience... it's certainly no Burning Man or Green Man even... It's full of straight fuckers who normally you'd do anything to avoid. I will put good money on Take That being the headliners next year, I like these hardcore free festivals in Europe that go on for ten days and anything, anything, anything goes.

Me: What has been your favorite show you played?

Johny: Played a show in Vilnius Lithuania once, where we'd helped them gain liberation from the Russians, and for a while we were real folk heroes, got to play their opera house, and had many crying women children and men in the audience. That was a good show.

Me: You also played Greece a lot, I believe. Not many bands I interviewed have played there I don't think. Is Holy Joy big in Greece?

Johny: Yes. Greece loves the Joy and the Joy loves Greece. What a place man, they all smoke in the bars and cafe's and clubs still, and the clubs don't start til midnight, and the men and the women are beautiful and the drink just flows and anarchy is always just around the corner and you can kind of feel the old order crumbling and a new world pouring through the cracks. The place is alive. I love it there. Love the people. There is some great music being made in Thessaloniki right now, bands like Minor Mine, New Battles, Your Hand in Mine, and a great electronic artist called Spyweirdos

Me: Alright, let's talk about your new album that I mentioned, "How To Kill A Butterfly". That's a great album, guys. Where did the name come from?

Johny: Thank you. The name is culled from the pages of a book called "The Observers Book of Butterflies" you must know it from your early days in England, Jay, there was a whole series of them. Inga was going to use this chapter headline for an art show she was doing and I said no, we're having that, we MUST have that for the next album title. It just fitted so well with the themes of the songs on there, most of them being about nature, and fragility and cruelty and hope and what have you...

Me: Have you ever killed a butterfly for real? I have I have to admit.

Johny: Ah, but I bet that was back in your youth. Jay. I too admit to a few incidents of creature cruelty back in the day.

Me: No, it was about ten years ago. Anyway, most of the songs on it have such long titles... like for example, "Between a Nightingales Song and Now", "Sadness Ignorance and Longing" and my favorite "A Clear Night, a Shooting Star, a Song for Boo". Who comes up with such song titles?

Johny: I'm guilty of those too.

Me: And who is Boo?

Johny: Boo is one of my best friends, she is a practitioner of alternative medicines, a really good one, a visionary, who almost changed the way our NHS thought and operated. She really came down with a severe case of cancer which she has battled all the way. The song is for her, a hymn and a general declaration of love.

Me: I really enjoyed the whole album. Who does the song writing? I am betting it's a real group effort.

Johny: I'm the lryic man. The rest of the band collaborate on the music. They've all got different tastes and styles to bring. Chris is from a classical and film soundtrack background, Andy from a real rock heritage, James is like young art house, Bill is pure punk and Northern Soul, Inga is disco and electronic. Basically I love all that shit and more. I love my hip hop, listening to a geordie hip hop band right now called Dialect. Great stuff and listening to some Rembettika too which is the Greek music of the thieves the pimps the drug dealers and the whores. Music is till the best. And no one beats the Stooges.

Me: You guys have been compared to Pogues and Dexy's Midnight Runners... but I cannot hear that. Who do you compare your music to?

Johny: I can't for the life of me hear it either, and I'm not too enamoured of it n'all , lazy fucking journalism, someone posted it on Wikkipedia and it stuck. And do you see that Last.FM... the bands that we get compared too on there! Totally, totally not us... Man, once you get branded on these places that's it! E-music! Have you seen who we are compared to on their site. Fucking sucks! And try to get through to them and get them to change it. No way pal! I'm not sure who our influences are exactly. We get together once a week and make sound and somehow it works. I tell you who influences me though, a Scottish actor called Tam Dean Burn, Bela Tarr films, that great series called the Wire, and a radio station over here in London ...resonancefm.com.

Me: I read your influences are also Jacques Brel and Bertolt Brecht... I have no idea who those guys are. I take it they are French though.

Johny: Brel was Belgian but lived in Paris, the French still love and cherish him and you can hear him on most jukeboxes when you walk into a Parisian cafe. Parisian cafe's are great places too, go into any one of those at a lunch time and everyone is having a crafty glass of wine or a quick beer and really taking their time over these huge plates of food. I love it. Cheap as chips too... London it's a snatched crappy sandwich from like Pret a Mingey and an overpriced coffee that makes your head rattle. Like total uncivilisation. Brecht was German but decamped to Los Angeles I think.

Me: I have to mention this... you have a radio show called Radio Joy. Is that on the internet ir a real radio station?

Johny: We have two shows. One called Mining For Gold which goes out every Friday night at 11-30 on resonancefm.com that's been running ten years now. And another called Radio Joy at radiojoy.co.uk which used to transmit through the Holy Joy website on a Sunday, but someone stole some vital equipment from the roof and we have ceased broadcasting for a while

Me: On Radio Joy, what kinda music do you play or is it talk radio?

Johny: Soundscapes mainly. But also music we love. And we do lots of shows where we have writers that we know write stories specially and we put music to the stories. Try and put the listener into another world and disorientate the senses a bit. Anti-radio almost.

Me: Johny, thanks so much for being on the Phile, and when your next release comes out, please come back. Do you have a website or anything you'd like to plug?

Johny: Jay, thanks for having us on the Phile, well appreciated. We'll definitely keep you up to speed. Check out a band called The Tramadols, and also can I recommend The Bitter Springs, you can catch us at these two places. Bandofholyjoy.co.uk and facebook.com/bandofholyjoy?sk=wall.

Me: All the best, and don't break up again. You guys are way to good. Okay?

Johny: Thank you. Go good, Jay, all the best.

Well, that about does it for another entry. Thanks to Johny for a great interview. The Phile will be back on Wednesday with Florida singer Kathleen Taylor and then on Sunday it's blues guitarist Buddy Whittington. And then on Monday it's musician Ian Narcisi. Spread the word, not the turd. Don't let snakes and alligators bite you. Bye, love you, bye.

Pheaturing Christine Leakey

2012-01-15T08:04:00.016-05:00

Hello, kids, and welcome to a Sunday entry of the Phile, coming from bloody cold Florida. It is definitely a jeans day today. So, are you ready? I don't think I mentioned this on Wednesday's entry, but Jay-Z and Beyonce had a baby named Blue Ivy. She is 7 pounds, reportedly happy, healthy, and already nominated for six Grammys and a People's Choice Award, so congratulations. I was in the hospital once and had a blue I.V. Kate Gosselin is giving her fans a unique opportunity to join her on a cruise to the Caribbean. Being trapped at sea with Kate Gosselin and her kids doesn't sound like a vacation to me. It sounds like a punishment from a Greek myth. Tickets range from $1,900 to more than $3,000 per person. Or you can just go to Wal-Mart and listen to mothers yell at their children for free. Wal-Mart is now offering free tax advice at more than 3,000 of its stores. Finally answering the question, “Where can I get tax advice, kitty litter, and a shotgun all in one convenient location?” The national debt has reached $15 trillion, the size of the entire U.S. economy. Yeah, I don’t wanna say President Obama is out of solutions for the debt, but today he tried handing it off to Tim Tebow. Speaking of Tim Tebow, his game-winning pass was apparently more popular on Twitter than the death of Osama bin Laden. Yeah, even bin Laden was like, “It was a pretty sick pass.” President Obama met with the Dallas Mavericks to congratulate them on their 2011 NBA Championship. While Joe Biden met with the Globetrotters to congratulate them on that episode of “Scooby-Doo” they did. I didn't even know Dallas won the NBA Championship. Maybe Tebow should start playing basketball so people would take interest. Fidel Castro posted a blog entry this week titled "The Best President." Castro thinks a robot would do a better job than President Obama. And if Mitt Romney wins, that could happen. With all due respect, Castro, we tried the robot thing here in California. And it didn't work out. Well, after Iowa and New Hampshire, Mitt Romney is now two-for-two. After his performance last night, Rick Perry’s campaign merchandise is now two-for-one. I just mentioned Tebow and I was thinking, if God had a sense of humor would he have Tim Tebow lose by 40 or 50 points? Some company did reserach on who likes Tebow and I have the results here. Here they are,

There’s a new version of Monopoly based on Mitt Romney’s run for the Presidency. Here’s an exclusive look at some of the cards from the game.

And this one...

I mentioned last entry that Hostess, the food company has filed for Chapter 11. I was surprised they found money to release an inspirational poster though.

I hate Twinkies, they give me a headache. Actually, I don't think I eat any of the stuff from Hostess. Alright, let's move on.

William Janklow
Sep 13, 1939 - Jan 12, 2012
He was a dubious politician convicted of vehicular manslaughter who had brain cancer. Are we sure he wasn't a Kennedy?

Okay, it's Sunday and like every Sunday I invite my good friend Jeff to the Phile and we talk football. We did our picks before yesterday's games, so to pick all the playoff games, we will not cheat but go with what we picked. Then I will have jeff back here next Wednesday to do it properly. Anyway, please welcome to the Phile, Jeff Trelewicz for...

Me: Hi, Jeff, welcome back to week two of the playoffs. First of, thanks for being on the Phile's panel last Sunday. Was it fun?

Jeff: It's always fun to be on the Phile! You know that! Even though last week wasn't the best weekend for me. I am not a huge fan of New England, but right now I am glad they put an end to Tebowmania! The new rules of OT made no sense to me, but hey, I am only a causal fan who blogs about the sport and has been watching it since the days of Wide Receiver Louis Lipps, an epic name if there ever was one.

Me: Okay, I have ask, what did you think of the Steelers Broncos game. I know your Steelers lost, but that was a pretty impressive last 10 seconds, dontcha think? What's the other big news this week? Oh, yeah, the Giants won.

Jeff: The biggest news is the shocking firing of Raiders coach Hugh Jackson, who pulled them from a seemingly lame team to a near play off team. But due to the struggles late in the season, ownership decided to live up to former owner Al Davis and just fire people randomly. The other big news is how the New York media and certain players are ripping Jets QB Mark Sanchez for the team not making the playoffs. One man can only do so much! Is he to blame for them losing? Yes. But he isn't the only one. But in the NFL it's so easy to point fingers at one player and that player is usually the quartberback.

Me: Alright, so how did we do, Jeff, with last weeks picks?

Jeff: After the first week of the playoffs you went 3-1 and I went 2-2. Which brings us to an interesting dilemmea. We were earning points for when our teams won in the playoffs, do we continue that? Since the Giants won and the Steelers lost, do you gain an extra point for that? That is for you to decide. As of right now I lead by only two points, possibly one pending your decision.

Me: Yeah, I should get an extra point for that.

Jeff: We will still let you gain a point for every Giants game they win. So I am up by 1!

Me: Yeah, I am catching up. Let's do this weeks picks. I said the Patriots by 7, Baltimore by 10, New Orleans also by ten and last but not least the Giants by 3... just to be safe. I have forty bucks saved for the Super Bowl Giants baseball cap and t-shirt. What are your picks?

Jeff: I am going to go with the Saints over the 49ers by 3, The Packers over your Giants by three as well. I went with New England over Tebow by 9 points and Ravens over Texans by four.

Jeff: Alright, I will see you back here on Wednesday. Thanks as always.

Okay, today's guest is the 9th artist to be pheatured in the Peverett Phile Art Gallery and is also a musician whose debut album "Tapping Trees in a Trinket Box of Treasure" will be out soon. Please welcome to the Phile... Christine Leakey.

Me: Hello, Christine, welcome to the Phile. How are you? And today is your birthday I believe, so happy birthday! You are the first guest to be on their Phile on their birthday.

Christine: I'm feeling pretty mellow and refreshed, thanks! :)

Me: Did anyone ever pick on you about your last name? I asked Ron Sexsmith the same question. People used to, and some still do, pick on me about my last name Peverett, calling me Pervert.

Christine: Haha! Yes, actually, but not from where you would expect! It was not in school, rather it happened when the Brownie pack I was in travelled south of the border to appear on "The Danny Burgess Show" in Watertown, NY which was a children's cartoon show hosted by the late Danny Burgess who was also the network's weatherman. Each week Danny invited a different Boy Scout, Brownie, Girl Guide and Beaver packs. He would sit them in what I interpreted at the time as a Lawrence Welk Orchestra type big band box with 3 rows for the kiddies to sit upon. He would get each child to pass his Bob Barker looking mic to state their name. Then he would say a few words that would lead into various cartoon episodes which he featured. My sister and brother had already been on the show and were given no special attention. By the time I appeared on the show, the name must have been getting Danny's curiosity. When I got to hold the mic and stated my name, he asked me to step out front and beside him. Once there, he asked me what Leakey meant and my immediate response was, Leakey pants! This instantly sparked lots of Brownie giggles and ear wiggles! I was chuckling too! He frowned awkwardly and responded with some makeshift answer giving alternate definitions for Leakey like Leek onions and whales who leak water from their spouts and realized it was probably best to just cut to Snagglepuss! :) At the end of each episode the children got Tootsie Rolls and what appeared to be McDonalds chocolate milkshakes. Things I never ate so I was excited to get that.. We got no Tootsies that day and banana milkshakes. I got sick from my milkshake and had to lay down for the entire ride home back to Canada!

Me: You have written hundreds of songs, Christine, while I have written hundreds of blog entries. Your writing is much more impressive. How old were you when you first wrote your first song? Do you remember what it was called?

Christine: I was three and the song is called "Pink Pal", other than that, I also would regularly sing made up songs to my dog.

Me: I bet you write a song a day, right?

Christine: For sure, there was a time bracket where I did daily. They were just oozing out of me! That changed when I started to hang with people my age who played in various Orchestras around the city. By going to shows they invited me to, it caused me to subconsciously change the way I write tunes and since then it's been more challenging for me. There is something to be said for not thinking too much and just creating a song with simplistic notes. :)

Me: You said you have appeared on TV. Do you act? What shows have you been on if you don't mind me asking.

Christine: Well now you know the first time I was on TV. Then while singing back-up as a doo-wop girl in Cadillac Bill & the Creeping Bent during the mid 90's, I appeared on "MuchMusic" and "CityTV's Breakfast Television". I was also interviewed on a Cable Network's music show where they came out and filmed my band, The Double Feature Creatures. Then in the late 90's I did a bunch of movie extra work during a slow summer for a bunch of films including, Superstar, Dick, Detroit Rock City, Happy Face Murders, Rocky Marciano... They were all pretty minor and you would have a tough time finding me unless you knew the exact hair do I had or shape of my head!!! Except in Kirsten Dunst and Michelle Williams scene on the school bus and out front of the White House for Dick. I was also on TV promoting my friends who were the first to ever circumnavigate the globe by only human power.

Me: I also wrote down in my notes... "Award winning documentary", but I don't remember what I was gonna ask you about it. What was the doc about and did you write music for it?

Christine: My friends, Julie and her now husband, Colin Angus won National Geographic Adventurers of Year back in 2006 for becoming the first to ever circumnavigate the globe by only human power. I did various tasks to help them from home while they were doing the portion from Moscow to Portugal on bicycles, then rowing from Lisbon to Limon, Costa Rica in a tiny sea worthy row boat, and then cycling north north west to Vancouver from there. Julie's mother had written a poem and wished for it to become a song and so I adapted it to some music that I wrote and tweaked the lyrics ever so slightly to fit. The outcome was only demo quality because of time constraints and an unexpected foot injury where I had to keep it above my heart for a couple of months and right around the time when I needed to record the tune properly which is entitled, "Row (Your Ondine Boat)". Julie and Colin loved it nonetheless and it became the original score to their documentary, "Beyond the Horizon" which skims the surface in an hour of their great journey from Vancouver to Vancouver. I really want to record it again to the standard and arrangements that I have been hearing in my head.

Me: You have shared the stage with some interesting people, Christine, like Jim Kimbrough. You also shared a stage with Iggy Pop. He liked your performance, right? What did he say to you?

Christine: Haha! Well, it's a funny thing how I wound up opening that particular show. In spring 1996, my friend Annabelle and I were visiting friends in Detroit, The Demolition Doll Rods that I used to gig with in my garage/psych band, The Double Feature Creatures. We were watching old vaudeville silent burlesque films and I explained a funny story where my sister and I would watch old silver screen shows on Sunday afternoons on TV and imitate them. One of our imitations was with our bath robes and doing a tease... So the Doll Rods said, you must do that at our show we're doing in a couple of days with Iggy Pop! That day of the concert, I was visiting my Great Grandma in Ann Arbour, Michigan and just made it back to the Detroit State Theatre in the nick of time after Annabelle got us lost. That's a story in itself for another time. Margaret said to not worry about a costume that she would handle it for me. I was thinking okay, but just keep me covered up! Well, she handed me my costume in a wallet and said here ya' go! Along with some mary-jane extreme spike heals. We were on the third floor of the change room floors. I nervously opened this little wallet to greet a tiger dress from Victoria's Secret that burst from the wallet, hello!! It had slits to the upper hips and a tear drop opening in the front... I was nervous to put it on as I was one to sport being cute, rather than being some sexy vixen! hahaha!!! But I thought, what the hey, no one knows me here, I'm in Detroit! So I put the dress on, styled my hair in a bouffant, applied some lipstick and slipped on some long gloves just on time to hear the backstage manager shout, "you gotta get on stage now!"... I know I'm babbling and you asked me to say what he said so you can edit this out if you want but it's a cool and random story for me... So I stepped on stage in the pitch black after carefully descending the stairs in shoes like none other I had worn before. The crowd cheered, the lights went up, my jaw dropped at the sight, I took a deep breathe and began to scat the classic strip-tease song while doing a little shimmy, a little shake, and a round house karate kick!!! I bit my gloves off and arms grabbed at them while bouncers stood in between and Annabelle used a disposable camera to catch the moment in the special photo-pass section!!! There was also a little girl in a tiger suit and mask dancing behind me rattling some shakers. I guess she was a mini-me?? After the set, the order was Demolition Doll Rods, then Junior Kimbrough from Fat Possum Records and lastly, Iggy Pop. He hung with all of us backstage in a most dapper deep blue velvet suit which was a great contrast from his black patent pants on stage. He missed my set so the Doll Rods convinced me in front of him and our friends backstage to do a reenactment... So I did, he pulled a chair up and got all wide eyed saying "Wow, Wow, Wow! Baby, you can move!!!"... I blushed and everyone was laughing. The Fat Possum label did catch my act on stage and wanted to sign me. They sent me a shipment of everything that they had ever put out at the time.

Me: You were doing pretty good musically when you had an accident that stopped you from playing guitar, am I right? Did you still perform, but without the guitar?

Christine: Yes, and just before this pre-existing injury issue triggered, I had a second offer from my then employer who was ready to front a very substantial sum of money towards recording my debut full length album as well as a video. He had friends at a major label who he was keen to push the music through. Once the injury surfaced, I kept trying to play a few songs on my guitar for awhile with my friends accompanying me. That didn't last long though because the pain and discomfort would amplify and linger for days. Since I am a great fan of old torch songs, I began to focus more on performing live some classic jazz ballads like, "Lush Life", "Masquerade", "Black Coffee", "Autumn Leaves", "I Fall in Love so Easily", "Nature Boy", "Thought About You", "A Train"... and many more. That was under the name, Christine Leakey and her Extra Fancy Band which featured various friends, University of Toronto jazz students and members from various Orchestras. I didn't do too many of those shows though as I felt naked and frustrated without my guitar.

Me: If you don't mind me asking again, what was the accident? How are you doing now?

Christine: Sure and you are the first to ask. I don't like to give too much power to the story, nor do I let it define me, however it is the reason why I am here now sharing my music instead of 14 years ago. In 1990, I was attacked by 9 people. It happened on my way to buying film for my sister's wedding which was on the following day where I still was the Maid of Honour. I'm a survivor. I was also scheduled to go to a karate tournament in Baltimore 3 days after the wedding which I was unable to attend due to the circumstance. I didn't let those 9 troubled and torn bullies break me. Despite the shock of it all, I prayed my face would be presentable and so I rose above it all and held my head high throughout the beating that felt like 10 minutes. It made me a stronger person on the inside and I immediately realized that these troubled people are just that who lack love in their life so I forgave them not to their faces but in my own heart through meditation and prayer. I am also a believer in karma. My guitar playing and the guitar strap triggered and amplified various pre-existing injuries which caused a breakdown on the left side of my body where I endured years of numbing pain to no avail. With my left hand, I couldn't open a car door, or wear a watch. I couldn't raise my left arm fully. It basically caused an entire lifestyle change on so many levels. I was absolutely devastated at first but turned it around quickly after realizing that when I would get frustrated by it, the physical pain would get worse. So spent a great deal of money seeking proper help that wasn't covered by free health services in Canada. I tried several injury management specialists and healing methods. Eventually, the right combination of people helped to stabilize the injuries which range from ribs compressed against my right lung, a damaged upper C spine and base of the C spine at the T spine, 2 parts in my jaw are not where they should be and a problem with my rotator cuff on my shoulder. Our bodies are 3 dimensional jigsaw puzzles that need to be treated with respect like a well oiled machine.

Me: I am glad you are okay, because your new album "Tapping Trees in a Trinket Box of Treasure"... whew! That's a long name. Is that the shortest name you can come up with? LOL. Have you had anybody say to you they had problems remembering the name of the album?

Christine: Thank you, I am happy to feel better too. I don't think the album name has been a problem so far. A radio show host proudly got it right on air last week (Adam Has Issues on Explore Music). If someone only remembered "Tapping Trees" though, I'd understand. :) Sometimes people don't spell my last name correctly. They forget the second "e" in Leakey.

Me: I just checked to see if I got it right. It'll take me a week to remember the name for me. LOL. But it is a clever name, and beats the Peverett Phile name. How did you come up with that name, Christine?

Christine: Haha!! Well, Leakey Peverett is definitely a name combo to cause some chuckles! :) The name started out as just "Tapping Trees". Then I got thinking, I really like album names like "The Piper at the Gates of Dawn" or "A Saucer full of Secrets"... I tend to also enjoy making a play on words. The name has so many personal meanings for me as well which pertains directly to elements within the album. For example, tapping trees identifies with me being a sappy romantic at times, plus there are plenty of wooden instruments being tapped on the album, and most importantly, my late Uncle John passed away after visiting a maple sugar bush during tapping season. There is a song which I wrote for him on the album. The trinket box of treasure part triggered from a thought I had pertaining to how long I've been keeping the music tucked away for so many years, steeping arrangements and instrumentations within my mind, my heart, my body. Our bodies (trinket box) are sacred temples filled with so many memories (treasures).

Me: How long did it take you to record the album?

Christine: I recorded "The Marching Song" at home using a tape to tape method on my ghetto blaster in 1999. Then "I Tipsy" in 2006 using Garageband. In mid 2007, I began laying rough bed tracks at a studio in a church entitled, Catherine North. The chemistry with the engineer didn't feel quite right as he was more accustomed to straight up rock n' roll and I needed someone who could help me to implement with a high level of quality the very dynamic and orchestrated ideas that I had brewing in my mind. At the birth of 2009, "Miss Betty Grable". For that tune, I play all the intruments, it's self produced and co-engineered with my friend Danny Z at his studio, Blue Tilt. I spent only two days recording that song. Between 2008 and 2009 I had also been practicing the tunes occasionally with various musicians who played instruments I had in mind for the album. As well, I as scoping out a few quality studios in Hamilton. Then in September 2009 when I was about to book Canterbury in Toronto, I was approached by Chris Gartner whom I knew indirectly through the band, Tasa. After hearing some recordings he had been involved with, I agreed to go with his offer and record my album at his home studio. Into the process of working with Chris, I realized what a very busy musician he is! And rightly so, he happens to be one of Canada's top bassists performing with known acts like Barenaked Ladies member, Kevin Hearn and Thin Buckle, along with countless other music projects and bands in Toronto. I adopted some patience and voila mid spring 2011 was the final recording session and the mastering was complete by summer. :) Whew! Now I'm more than ready to finally cast out into the cosmos the music to reach appreciative ears which I've steeped for 14 years!

Me: I noticed by the look of it and or the video for the song "Lovely" there's clips from old movies. You must like old black and white movies, Christine. What is your favorite movie of all time?

Christine: That's the toughest question so far!!! I don't have a favourite colour, or song, or film, or band, or vegetarian food. And so tastes tend to be quite eclectic spanning different eras and parts of the globe. I remember my Great Grandpa telling me that he stopped going to the movie theatre when it became colour. He said it just wasn't the same. There is definitely a magic to old film. Everything was made from scratch and done so creatively. I say going to the Drive-In just isn't the same without that heavy clunkish mono speaker that sits on the window.

Me: You even have a song called "Miss Betty Grable" which you just mentioned. Is she your favorite actress? I wonder if anybody from her estate has heard the song. You should send them a copy.

Christine: Perhaps I should! Would they mind? Well, she isn't my favourite actress but I did grow up singing a silly song about her and other golden era actress's with my cousins! I had written the music years before for that and then just started singing the first line to the melody and it made sense.. then I created the rest of the lyrics. I thought when I finished, I wonder what her real story is and there were some abstract parallels.

Me: I interviewed musicians and singers who do 60's type music, 70's and even the 80's, but you are the first I think that does music that could be from the 40's. Am I right?

Christine: I don't purposely do music from any particular era. I just write from what comes from within. I grew up in a family where my mother sang to us daily in English and French... old time songs mostly. She would also rent every old Rodgers and Hammerstein film for us to watch and somehow she had every single song in every single film memorized. I would also make mixed tapes from her collection of music from the 30s to the 80s. I currently own two Victrola's for my collection of old 78s. My turntable, tape deck and CDs all play through my computer set-up to give me the options to listen to my entire music collection that I should not have to buy more than once because technology changes. I do buy music digitally as well now but it's no fun without the packaging and liner notes. My tastes once again are quite varied so if I were to start giving examples, it would take forever, so I'll list a few: The Soft Machine, Spacemen 3, Simon and Garfunkel, Devo, The Ramones, early Pink Floyd, The Clash, Stark Reality, Combustible Edison, United Future Organization, Jobim, Stan Getz... in the past 5 years I've gotten into Leonard Cohen, Linda Perhacs, Aphrodite's Child, Kristian Hoffman, Mark Wirtz and I wonder what took me so long to catch on! I love going to see music from various countries and cultures. Some of it really puts me in a trance like state. There are many more that I love equally but that's a start. And I must give credit to a few of my pre-teen music interests, Henry Mancini's "Pink Panther", "Jesus Christ Superstar" 1970 recording, Kiddie Au Go Go on Happy Time Records, Duane Eddy Whiskey Au Go Go. I would go to jazz gigs and sit at the front during college. The band of mostly American draft dodgers with great stories and musical taste saw my appreciation for jazz music and would make me mixed tapes of torch and blues singers that were not already in my collection.

Me: I was gonna ask you who played on your CD but there's a lot of people. How many musicians played on the album, Christine?

Christine: Myself plus 14 phenomenally talented people accompanying me: Maurizio Guarini from Goblin and former Abbey Road/EMI Composer/Producer, Mark Wirtz, Jon Gilutin, Great Bob Scott, Chris Gartner, Sahra Featherstone, Maryem Tollar, Ernie Tollar, Roy Clarke, Leah Salomaa, Hailey Rutherford, Jay Burr, Abe Deleon, Ravi Naimpally

Me: Where are you from, Christine?

Christine: I grew up in the heart of the 1000 Islands, Gananoque. I have lived in Oakville, Toronto and Hamilton since moving away to college.

Me: I ask every musician from Canada I interview if they are fans of one of my favorite bands from Canada, the Barenaked Ladies. Are you a fan of that band?

Christine: Hahaha!!! Well, I don't have any of their music but I used to be neighbours with the drummer up until 2004! And as said in an earlier question, Chris who was quite involved with the album is in a band with Kevin Hearn. He went on that Barenaked Ladies cruise last summer to perform in Thin Buckle as all affiliated bands with the members were invited. I have gone to a couple Thin Buckle shows and they're great! Kevin gets his dad on stage to do spoken word versions of tunes like "Monster Mash"! He makes me think of William Burroughs.

Me: Maybe you can get Chris on the Phile. Christine, I have to talk about your artwork, as your work is pheatured in the Peverett Phile Art Gallery. What came first, your art or music?

Christine: I began to whistle when I was 10 months old. Then I began to draw people with belly buttons when I was 2 years old.. So I guess the music?

Me: When you stopped doing music, is that when you started to paint a lot more?

Christine: When I had to stop doing music, I heavily got back into what I had gone to college for, Graphic Design. I have also been painting and drawing.. I filled about 7 sketchbooks between 1997 and 1998 and would bring a sketchbook anywhere I went. Got into clay and throwing on the wheel too... any art medium that sparks my interest, I like to do and not just dream about. Though, I still haven't taken glass blowing and silver smithing but would like to.

Me: Your artwork is very French looking to me. I have no idea why. Anyway, who is your inspiration art wise?

Christine: Probably my mom the most if we want to think of this from a Montessori philosophical perspective... I would ask her constantly to draw me things, mostly people and I still have sketchbooks of a ton of fashions that she designed during her teen years which are beautiful enough to be made. She's very good with colour too. I inspired her to get into doodling from all of my sketchbooks. She keeps a craft room in her home that is wall to wall art, jewellery, and sewing supplies. I also used to watch those PBS painting shows when I was little so that dude that always said, "Love you!" at the end of the episodes had me... then there are the countless other examples in fine art that I dig... including my cousin-in-law, Peter McGough. (McDermott & McGough)... I am inspired by Peter as a person and I do love what he's been doing in recent years artistically.

Me: Christine, thanks so much for being here on the Phile. Please go ahead and plug your website and everything. I wish you lots of luck, and I hope this interview was fun.

Christine: Christineleakeymusic.com this currently points to my Facebook page but I will make a website once I get a chance and oh, I need a new programmer that is reliable! Any takers? : ) You can download a free preview and order and advance special edition copy here: christineleakey.bandcamp.com.

Me: Thanks again, and please come back soon when the album comes out.

Christine: :) Thank you to the Peverett Phile!!! (:

Well, that about does it for another entry. Thanks to Jeff Trelewicz as always and the wonderful Christine Leakey for an amazing interview. The Phile will be back tomorrow with Johny Brown from The Band of Holy Joy, the announcement of the next artist to be pheatured in the Phile's Art Gallery and a brand new Phile character. Then on Wednesday it's Florida musician and singer Kathleen Taylor. And then next Sunday it's blues guitarist Buddy Whittington. So, spread the word, not the turd. Don't let snakes and alligators bite you. Bye, love you, bye.

Pheaturing Mikey Livid From Scars and Stripes

2012-01-11T17:20:00.017-05:00

Hello, welcome to a Wednesday entry of the Phile, I am your host, star of the new movie The Man With the Foghat Tattoo. Well, according to National Enquirer, John Edwards has proposed to his mistress, Rielle Hunter. He gave three reasons for wanting to marry her: He loves her, she's the mother of his child, and of course, a wife can't testify against her husband.

Mexico has just completed construction of a bridge that is one of the world's highest. In fact, it clears the fence along our border by a good 50 feet. It's being reported that after Tiger Woods' ex-wife, Elin, bought a $12 million mansion in Florida, she had it demolished. Here's the amazing part: She did it with a 9-iron. How about that Mitt Romney? Now there's a guy who looks like you would see his picture on a package of men's briefs. Rick Perry decided he would stay in the race, so there is still plenty of time not to vote for him. A group calling itself the Courage Campaign is trying to win support for a millionaire tax by running an ad showing Kim Kardashian. They want the Kardashians to pay more. This is part of the plan to raise taxes on the dumbest 1 percent. This is good news... the body that was found on Queen Elizabeth's estate in England has been identified, finally. See, it takes a lot longer to identify bodies in England, because as you know, there are no dental records. An intruder broke into Mike Tyson's hotel room in Las Vegas while he was sleeping but got out before Tyson could get to him. I don't know what's scarier. Having someone breaking into your room while you're sleeping or breaking into someone else's room and finding out the guy is Mike Tyson.

Cosmetic surgeons say that three years of recession have devastated the cosmetic surgery industry. A lot of people in Beverly Hills are now starting to get the feeling back in their faces.
So, in New Hampshire Mitt Romney said that he enjoyed firing people. Way to connect with the middle class there, Mitt. When Rick Perry heard that, he said, “Well that's nothing. I like to execute people.” Turns out Mitt Romney is Mexican, did you know that? His entire family is from Mexico. Not only that, he was the Lone Ranger. Meanwhile, Ron Paul says that he has a big youth following. You can tell by looking at the guy he's a regular Justin Bieber. I, of course, would vote for Ron Paul if I could vote... just because Kelly Clarkson told me to.

So, do you you know the difference between Michele Bachmann, Rick Perry, and Tim Tebow? When God tells Tim Tebow to run, he wins. Mitt Romney says he understands the middle class, and that he knows it's not easy keeping a roof over your family's heads... as well as vacation roofs in San Diego, New Hampshire, and Park City, Utah. In Saturday night's Republican debate, Jon Huntsman spoke Chinese. Why Chinese? If you want to reach the American people, you’ve got to speak Spanish. Salt Lake City was voted the gayest city in America. To which San Francisco said, “What do we have to do?” Charlie Sheen is now saying that he's not crazy anymore. He announced that he was going out on his 10-city "I'm Not Crazy Any More" tour. I just mentioned Tebow, and it was only time until they released a Tebow themed inspirational poster. Check it out.

This just in, kids, next year the Broncos are gonna change their name to the Denver Tebows and they even have a new logo. So, here for the first time is the reveal.

To the heartbreak of Ho Hos lovers everywhere, Hostess announced that it was filing for Chapter 11. How could the makers of some of America’s favorite lunch box snacks be bankrupt?Well, they released an ad to explain how.

So, I just read a few minutes ago a guy named Beezow Doo-Doo Zopittybop-Bop-Bop was arrested Thursday afternoon on charges of carrying a concealed weapon, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana and a violation of probation in Madison, Wisconsin. His parents must've been David Lee Roth fans. Just saying. Alright, now for the pheature I call...

And now for a brand spankin' new pheature I will call...

In the past few years I have interviewed hundred's of different people and most of them have Facebook, so I thought it would be fun to post some of the guests' who have been on the Phile their Facebook statuses. Did I explain that okay? You'll get it in a minute.

Karling Abbeygate said, "What the F%$@ is Farmville anyway? I must get 50 requests for this a day..."

Michael Banks said, "lazy day with lots of music."

Broni said, "Does anyone have a decent tripod I can borrow for maybe a week or less? I'll give you 2 albums."

Phaxanation & The Dust Kickers said, "R.I.P. Twinkies."

And finally Charlyne Yi said, "The Old Lumps broke up sometime last year, our music is up for grabs for free download if you so desire to have these tunes. Keep the music somewhere safe, and forever it shall rest in peace. www.megaupload.com/?d=X38W1I1Q.

Well, the New Hampshire primary was yesterday, which must be the biggest news in the election. So, I thought I would invite a friend of the Phile to discuss it. Please welcome back to the Phile Executive Director of the Democratic National Committee... Patrick Gaspard.

Me: Hello, Director Gaspard, sir, welcome back to the Phile. So, was I right? Was the New Hampshire primary the election?

Patrick: The New Hampshire primary wasn't actually the biggest story in the election yesterday.

Me: Then what is the biggest story, sir?

Patrick: The Republican National Committee filed a motion with a federal court to lift the ban on all corporate donations, a nearly 100-year old rule that's made sure that people, and not business interests, decide our elections.

Me: What is their first excuse to lift it?

Patrick: The current law makes it harder for candidates to raise money by "forcing them to rely on aggregating small-dollar donations from individuals."

Me: What? They think it's unfair? Explain, sir.

Patrick: That's right, they think it's unfair to have to ask individuals, instead of wealthy bundlers, super PACs, and corporations, to build their campaigns.

Me: Do you think that's how you build an organization?

Patrick: That's exactly how you build an organization.

Me: And you've done it time and time again...

Patrick: And won.

Me: What do you think the Republicans are thinking?

Patrick: We think they're scared.

Me: What is their other reason, sir?

Patrick: Get ready. The RNC thinks that corporations should be able to donate however much they want to candidates and super PACs alike... and they'll claim they're acting on behalf of their employees as individual donors.

Me: Why?

Patrick: Because, to borrow a phrase from Mitt Romney, "Corporations are people, my friend."

Me: And I am sure you have samples.

Patrick: Yeah, $10 million from XYZ chemical company into the Congressional race in their district. $20 million for a last-minute ad buy in a presidential primary.

Me: No problem. LOL. What's the real reason behind the RNC's move?

Patrick: They know their best shot at competing is to unleash the final frontier of corporate spending. The Citizens United ruling and its super PACs, which have already thrown $15 million into the GOP primary season, are just the start. Karl Rove's American Crossroads and other outside groups are already planning to drop millions more. They think that's how they'll stand a chance against this grassroots organization.

Me: And how is the DNC different?

Patrick: Instead of relying on big corporations, we're working to earn the support of individuals, chipping in what they can for the things they believe in.

Me: Thanks so much, sir, you insighted us once again. Come back again soon.

Patrick: Thanks again, Jason.

The 9th artist to be pheatured in the Peverett Phile Art Gallery is Christine Leakey, and she'll be on the Phile next Sunday. Meantime, here is one of her pieces of art, kids.

Today's guest is the lead singer... I guess you call him a singer, for the punk band Scars and Stripes. LOL. I think I called them a rap band in a previous entry. Oh, well. They have two EP's on iTunes, "Split" and "Take Me Back Where I Belong". Please welcome to the Phile... Mikey Livid.

Me: Hello, Mikey, welcome to the Phile. So, how are you?

Mikey: Fucking Great! Living the dream. How are you?

Me: I am good... tired, but good. So, I have to ask you about the band name. It's very clever... Scars and Stripes. Who came up with it?

Mikey: Our Sales and Marketing Agent came up with it. How about yours?

Me: Myself. I don't have a Sales and Marketing Agent... yet. While we're here, who is in the band?

Mikey: Nicky-keyboard, Matt-Drums, Reuben-Bass and vocals, Aaron-guitar and I sing and play guitar.

Me: And, Mikey, tell the readers how you guys all came to form a band.

Mikey: This is what I do, rock'n'roll, punk rock, whatever. I used to play in a rock'n'roll band so did the kid I started this band with. We wanted to start a punk band, so we did. But he's no longer in the band and that doesn't matter. Shit happens that way. I'm in a band with my brother and people that mean a whole fucking lot to me. The tables have really turned my way. Not because we're on some big bullshit label, or our CD's are in some stupid fucking easy access store, it's because I will spend the rest of my life on the road with the best people in the planet. cliche or not, I really mean it.

Me: You're based in Fort Walton Beach, right? I know where that is, but for the readers that don't know, tell them where abouts it is.

Mikey: 850 ain't nothing to fuck with. It's fucking paradise. Move here!

Me: Are you all originally from there?

Mikey: Yup. Always have and always will.

Me: Do you get to Orlando to play often?

Mikey: Here and there. I'm a big Disney fan so I love that area. So I try to as much as possible. But as of trying to connect us with a big city, don't! We're small town boys. Sure we love to tour, been to big name cities. That's cool. Not us. We're from FORT WALTON BEACH, FL! Never heard of it? I don't give a shit.

Me: Okay, so, Mikey, what bands are you into? Green Day? Social Distortion?

Mikey: I have a Green Day tattoo on my left arm, love them. Social Distortion, great band. I grew up as a little kid listening to them. They're like the Rolling Stones of this generation. But to be more specific lately I've been listening to The New Riverdales, The Leftovers, Rancid, The Guts, The Bugs, The Falcon, Off With Their Heads, just alot of straight forward punk.

Me: You did a show at Hot Topic I believe. How did a band play in a store?

Mikey: We're doing three in-store Hot Topic shows this tour. We just do what we do just normally but with acoustic guitars. It translates pretty well.

Me: You just signed to a record label, right?

Mikey: We just signed to Durty Mick Records. So look for "Take Me Back Where I Belong" and the "Split" with Adams Dagger on iTunes, Amazon and all that shit.

Me: I would go see you guys in concert, but I am afraid of mosh pits. What is a typical Scars andStripes show like?

Mikey: There is no typical. Depends on the scene to shining scene. I'm my opinion, I'm not speaking for the band, but "mosh pits" are a bunch of bone head jocks, beating up on each other. Get into it! be aggresive! Have passion! But "Mosh pits"? I don't know where the fuck that fits in with punk rock? Sounds like something somebody told me about when they went to go see Metallica when they won some free tickets for being the 7th caller on some radio show.

Me: Mikey, tell the others in the band I said hello, and go ahead and plug what you like. Take care and behave.

Mikey: Thank you very much for you're interest in Scars and Stripes. Check us out at www.scarsandstripes.net and myspace.com/scarsandstripespunk. Thanks Again!!!

Well, that about does it. I am tired, hungry and wanna go to bed. It's hard work doing the Phile after a long day of work. Anyway, thanks to my guests Director Patrick Gaspard and Mikey Livid. The Phile will be back on Sunday with Christine Leakey and on Monday Johny Brown from The Band of Holy Joy. And next Wednesday it's singer Kathleen Taylor. So, spread the word, not the turd. Don't let snakes and alligators bite you. Bye, love you, bye.

The Sixth Anniversary Special

2012-01-08T08:06:00.021-05:00

Hello, kids, welcome to the Sixth Anniversary Special of the Phile, how are you? It was six years ago today that I sat here with no idea what I was doing. And nothing’s changed. If today is the sixth anniversary of the Phile, that means tomorrow is the sixth anniversary of me not giving a crap. Six years... I don't wanna give anything away, but in May you'll find out I am really dead and writing this thing in purgatory. In six years there's been 438 entries and 260 interviews... that's more people than read and write all the other blogs on Blogger. Speaking of Blogger, this year also marks the fifth year the Phile has been a blogspot on Blogger. The Phile started out on AOL Journals which closed down and then transferred over to here. Blogger is ran by Google, and I have to hand it to them, Google knows how to advertise. Take a look at this.

Gotta love it! There's also a Google inspirational poster.

LOL. That Google Chrome shit sucks by the way. Watch Google pull the plug on the Phile now and this'll be my final entry. See ya over at Wordpress, kids. Just kidding... I think. I never mentioned this before but January 8th is also a big deay. Today Elvis was born in Tupel, Mississippi. Did you know Elvis Presley was gay? No? well, I have proof with this rare picture not found anywhere, except here on the Phile. Look.

Told ya. Other news happened on January 8th throughout history as well, but not as important as the Phile starting. Guitarist Steve Clark from Def Leppard found dead from a drug and alcohol overdose. He was 31. George Bush, sick with the stomach flu, decides not to excuse himself at a Tokyo state dinner. He vomits in the lap of the Japanese Prime Minister while cameras are rolling, to the great amusement of everyone except the Prime Minister. Unabomber suspect Ted Kaczynski attempts to hang himself in his jail cell with his underwear. Let's hope for his mother's sake that the underwear he chose was clean. Alright, from the new home office in Phulfortha City, here is this week's...

Top Ten Ways I'm Celebrating The Phile's 6th Anniversary
10. Cupcakes with creamy Lipitor frosting.

9. Begging the feds to remove my ankle bracelet for the night.

8. 13 shots of Jager, dude!

7. Receiving thoughtful "Time To Retire?" bouquet from Google CEO Larry Page.

6. An intimate dinner with friends and family at Long John Silver's.

5. Drinks with my prize-winning collies Krystal and Alexis.

4. The girls from "The View" took me for an afternoon of facials and gossip.

3. Treating myself to a new hairpiece.

2. Turning over the show to my sister Leila.

And the number one way I'm celebrating the Phile's 6th anniversary...

1. After this blog is posted, Snoop and I are going to get shizzle-faced.

The 9th artist to be pheatured in the P.P.A.G. musician and artist Christine Leakey and this is one of her pieces of work.

It's a picture of me driving a car. LOL. Anyway, Christine will be a guest on the Phile next Sunday.

Okay, kids, I wanted to do something different and special for the Phile's sixth anniversary, so I decided to invite four people who mean something to me personally and to the Phile to talk about the Phile, how I can improve it and make it better. So, let me introduce to you the folks, okay. The first has been a guest on the Phile four times over the past few years. His lastest album "Bargofaxis: A Cosmic Love Story" is available from Amazon, CD Baby and on iTunes and he's the writer of the Pat Riot stuff here on the Phile. Please welcome... Jeff Cameron. The second guest has been on the Phile more times then anybody, except for me of course. He started out with the "Ask Jeff" pheature and all football season has been here with the "Phootball Talk With Jeff" pheature. He also has his own blogspot called The Entertainment Guru. Please welcome to the Phile... Jeff Trelewicz. I figured I'd better get a woman on the panel so I invited someone who has been a big fan and also has been a guest three times. She was last a guest on the Phile January 1st. She has been pheatured as a musician and artist here, records under the name Oh, Alexis! Her latest album "Unsettled Heart" is now available on Bandcamp. Please welcome... Alexis White. Finally, the last guest on the panel has never been on the Phile, but is a loyal reader and follower, and probbaly one of the Phile's biggest fans. Also he has been to more gigs then anybody I know. Please welcome to the Phile, my good friend... Matt Giarrizzo. These four people are part of...

Me: Hello, guys, and gal, welcome to the 6th anniversary. I picked you four as you all have been a big part of the Phile, either being a guest, a phan or both. I wanted to get you together and talk about the Phile as we go into the sixth year. I didn't think I'll make it to five years, and if I had to guess, the Phile has at least another three years to go before I get too old and burnt out. It is hard work posting every week once or twice, or three times as I have been doing recently. So, first of, let's talk about the positives of the Phile. It's good to start of with positive feedback. So, the first question is, what do you like about the Phile in general? Jeff C., you can go first.

Jeff C: I like some of the interviews in the Phile, great rock people whom you cover, that you won't often see press in Rolling Stone or Goldmine, people like Mike Finnigan or Graham Parker or me, or that mastering guy Bob Ludwig.

Me: Other Jeff, what do you say?

Jeff T: This quite frankly resemble's the Census. LOL. What do I like best about the Phile? It's a different voice in the comedy world for starters. It's not the same jokes (most times) that we hear on late night talk or with our friends. You also get a chance to interview people that a) might not always get their name out there b) we might not know their name, but we know them c) The interviews themselves don't always ask the same old boring questions we see from other interviews!

Me: True. Okay, Alexis?

Alexis: Howdy! I must say that, above everything else that is so phantastic about the Phile, I love that you have been so dedicated to it for so long. I know it's a lot of hard work and I respect you so much for keeping it up. I love the jokes, the interviews, the funny pictures. The Phile has such great personality!

Me: Thanks, and Matt, what do you say?

Matt: I like that the Phile skims the cultural pond. Your interviews showcase musicians, actors & artists who are either up-and-coming or underrated. I can always rely on the Phile to turn me on to new things and remind me of some good old things as well. It helps bring new ideas in entertainment to the public eye. On the Phile, creative people can promote whatever project they may be working on, be it song, film, canvas, or whatever.

Me: That's a good start, kids. So, what do you think of the blog's name? I don't like it. There's a radio talk show here based in Orlando called "The Philips Phile" that has been on the radio for at least twenty years or so. I always thought if I ever had a forum like a radio show, talk show or website it'll be called The Peverett Phile, ripping off Mr. Jim Philips. Then when I created the Phile in '05 I called it that without really thinking. It was gonna be called Ramblings, Red or Jason's Journal which are really lame names. And my least favorite One Way Ticket To The Internet. So, what do you think of the name, and if you had to name it, what would you name it?

Jeff C: I like the name I think its cool and ridiculous at the same time.

Jeff T: Show's that switch names never succeed. The name is just fine. As long as Jim and Moira don't find out, they will come after you. Jim scares me!

Me: I did send Jim Philips and e-amil when I started this thing asking if it was okay if I used the Phile name, or if he owned it and he replied back, no one owns the English language. Alexis? What do you think about the name? Should I change it?

Alexis: I like the name. A name is what you make of it, and I think you've made something great of the name "The Peverett Phile". I wouldn't change it now, after all of these years of hard work.

Me: Well, I did change it a little bit... I dropped the "The". Well, I always loved the logo, and the few different ones the Phile had. What do you think of the logo with the flying filing cabinet? Or phlying philing cabinet?

Jeff C: Logo's give the reader a sense of continuity, a sense of coming back to the same place

something familiar.

Alexis: I love the logo! It is one of my favorite logos, ever.

Me: Thanks, Alexis. That's saying a lot. Matt?

Matt: I never really thought about the logo. It's fine by me.

Me: When I started the Phile I wasn't doing interviews, which made for a boring read. What was your favorite interview I did, and the first one that sticks out?

Jeff C: I like the last Graham Parker interview, the Mike Finnigan interview, the next to last or last one with me.

Jeff T: Favorite interviews? Me! Oh wait... you interviewed our manager but never me. I'd say my all time favorite interview of yours was with Bermuda Schwartz from Weird Al's band!

Me: You are talking about Victor Langlois who was the first author to be pheatured in The Peverett Phile Book Club. It's true, I did interview our old manager, Jeff, but between your two pheature's you have been on the Phile more than anyone. Alexis, what was your favorite interview?

Alexis: Your interview with Brooke Waggoner on Sept 16th, 2010. I had the pleasure of playing with her in a Writer's Round in Murfreesboro, TN years ago. So, it was really exciting for me to read that interview. It gave me a kind of 'small world' feeling.

Matt: The first Phile interview I ever read was with keyboardist Mike Finnigan. I am a fan of his playing, with Jimi, Etta James, Joe Cocker, & Taj Mahal's Phantom Blues Band. One day I Googled his name and one of the results was your amazing in-depth interview. I could tell that you knew your music, Jason. When I put two and two together and found out whose son you were, I could see why you were so musically knowledgeable. I have checked in on the Phile ever since. Another great interview was one I suggested, my Austin surrealist artist friend Dax Norman. I was really impressed with both your insightful questions & his in-depth answers. And the fact that I connected two friends with that particular interview.

Me: Yeah, Dax started the Peverett Phile Art Gallery pheature. A pheature that Alexis was part of. Are their any people you wish I could interview, kids?

Jeff C: I'd like to see you interview one of the surviving Kinks, or Pink Floyd or Animals, someone from the sixties British invasion, or a classic American artist or Canadian, Robbie Robertson, or Levon Helm, Bob Dylan or even some of the brill building songwriters on contract, or some classic record producers who don't get much press anymore... Chin and Chapman, RT Baker, Bob Ezrin, Richie Podolor, Glyn Johns or his brother, get into classic era recording techniques, maybe some Foghat members, or one of the Byrds , great people who don't get much press nowadays.

Me: I did have Bryan Bassett from Foghat on the Phile. Hook me up with an interview with Richie Podolor, Jeff. By the way, I have to mention you and Matt both mentioned Mike Finnigan. It was Jeff who hooked the Finnigan interview up, Matt. Kinda crazy the fate that the Phile has.

Jeff T: I would love to see you interview a wrestler. Maybe CM Punk? HAHAHAHA.

Alexis: Alice Cooper.

Me: Anybody else? Matt, I know there's a list of people who'd like to see on the Phile.

Matt: Rosanne Cash, The Fab Faux, Jimmy Vivino, Rich Pagano, Chris Youlden, Tone Stevens, Will Lee, Mike Viola, Matt Smith, David Tennant, The Proclaimers, The Mighty Boosh, Wreckless Eric, Ian McLagan, Captain Sensible, Geraint Watkins, John Barrowman, Shakey Vick, Ben Elton, Reggie Watt, Barry Humphries, Kelly Willis, Paul Kelly, Scrappy Jud Newcomb, Malford Milligan, Mike Flanigan, Denny Freeman, Barry "Frosty" Smith... the list grows...

Me: Some of those people you just mentioned are in the works, my friend. In fact, one of them will be a guest on the Phile in a few weeks. Okay, moving on, I wanted to set the Phile up like a chat show, hence the monologue, which I admit is not always original like Jeff T. mentioned. Do you like the monologues? I had a few e-mails and spoke to people who said I should talk more about my life and personal stories. What do you think? I don't wanna talk about my day at work? Disney might not like that.

Jeff C: I love some of the monologues, topical stories on politics with a humourous twist or topical music stories.

Jeff T: More personal stories can be okay, as long as they are on par. Disney probably wouldn't like you tell dumb guests stories but I am sure you would get a lot more readers that way!

Alexis: I think the monologues work well. I do think it would be interesting to hear about your personal life, but it is your personal life. If you don't want to talk about it, then you shouldn't. Besides, maybe what makes the Phile so special is that you keep your personal life out of it... you focus on your stories, not your own life. However, I have a feeling you could tell some pretty great stories about your day at work!

Matt: I do notice that the monologue has some recycled jokes from late night telly. That's okay I suppose, though I am sure that if you talked about more personal stuff, that your own jokes and sense of humor would be just fine. Certainly don't talk shop: Mortimer Maus has big ears and you want to keep job security. But more stories about yourself, perhaps emphasizing some dad and lad tales, both as a parent (you and your son, Logan) and remembrances of being the son of the late great Lonesome Dad Peverett. I'm sure, as Jimmy Durante used to say, you've got a million of 'em! Also, the monologue is in one big slab of a paragraph, when actually it's comprised of many one-liners. If you keep these jokes going, fair enough, but break them up so that they stand apart. Easier on the eyes to read & to mentally digest that way. One tends to gloss over some stuff when it goes on too long in a giant paragraph. I notice you bold the first word of a new line. Lose the bold and just hit the space bar. But I can tell from your jokes that you are a fan of good comic TV hosts, and have a sense of humor about the absurdity of our world. It's nice that you aren't too serious at the beginning of the Phile. Silly is cool.

Me: I am trying to be more original with the monologue, but I just feel insecure I guess. One of my most popular pheatures is Someone Phamous Has Died. But... on the other hand someone once said would you like it if someone made a joke about your dad passing when he did? Depends on the joke I guess. What do you guys think, do I cross the line?

Jeff C: Jokes on people who have just died can be funny, if someone was hated or 97 and had lived a full life it's okay. If someone beloved just died tragically, as you say depends on the joke.

Jeff T: I think it's easy for me to say that you haven't crossed the line for a few reasons. I know how your mind works and you have been very tame when it comes to the dead celebrities section. Is it tasteless? Perhaps. But that's not always a bad thing if you ask me.

Alexis: I think it's worse to joke about somebody who is living, who can read what you said, than it is to joke about somebody who has died. You aren't hurting their feelings. I don't think you cross the line at all.

Me: Matt? What do you say?

Matt: No, I don't think you've crossed the line very often. Most of the Good Guys who have passed on you have been quite kind to and respectful of. The Bad Guys probably deserve any slight the Phile might dish or diss out. Nobody could or should ever say anything negative or disrespectful about your father though. He was the best.

Me: Have I crossed the line with anything? I only had to apologize a few times over the years. I think most recent was the Anne Frank/Doritos joke with the poster.

Jeff C: You need to apologize for not giving me more saturation coverage with my new album releases, and my kitty.

Me: Really? I'll fix that now. Buy this CD, people!

Alexis: I think if you worried about crossing the line, The Peverett Phile would be a little too vanilla for me.

Matt: The Anne Frank thing was kind of iffy. I am not Jewish (although apparently I look Jewish). Once in 1983 when I went to the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem, people kept asking me what temple I was from. But I have visited Anne Frank's house in Amsterdam several times (as well as Dachau in Germany) and I was quite moved, almost to tears. So the Doritos joke was kind of insensitive, but hey, I also saw the black humor in it. And you did apologize later in case anyone was offended, so...

Me: Speaking of crossing the line and offending people, a few people do not like my Pat Riot character, but a lot of people do. I want to thank Jeff Cameron for being the Pat Riot writer. I cannot come up with that stuff. What do you guys think of the Pat character, and do you want to see more characters on the Phile? Jeff, explain the Pat Riot character.

Jeff C: Who is Pat Riot? He is an imaginary concoction of one of those know it all people, we all know, who gets all the facts wrong, real obvious things, who won World War Two, who came first Elvis or Michael Jackson.

Jeff T: Honestly? Not a fan of characters through writing. If it was a live studio setting for the Phile then yes, but reading "characters" doesn't always play out. Just my opinion.

Alexis: Don't worry about people who don't like the Pat Riot character. He's hilarious. And YES, I would love to see more characters on the Phile!

Matt: Pat Riot isn't my favorite part of the Phile. I understand that Jeff is lampooning red-necks and teabaggers. But he doesn't make me chuckle when I read his entry. In other words, not a laugh riot in my opinion. Besides, it's not in good taste to make fun of the mentally-challenged.

Me: Well, kids, love him or hate him, here is...

Me: Pat, you are known to get your facts wrong, as Jeff just said. I think you could explain anything, though. For example, how did the sandwich get invented, Pat?

Pat Riot: The sandwich was invented by a small half Chinese man with a hair lip and hard steel teeth installed by a soviet dentist. His name was Wolfgang Wing, and he had originally been a dancer until he became a gimp during the war, finding himself starving, while his wife was on vacation in Gstaad. He found himself with one sliced loaf of pumpernickel and some celery and chinese smoked duck, which he coarsley chopped and blended with some raisons and a light lemon mayonaisse, he then on impulse put the mixture between two slices of pumpernickel and voila! The sandwich was born, Seeing this, Ray Kroc the Mcdonald's founder, just happened to be passing by as the man ate his sandwich, a lightbulb went off in Mr. Krocs, head and McDonald's became the first American Sandwich shortly thereafter in 1909.

Me: Very good. Okay, what do you say to the readers of the Phile who don't like you?

Pat Riot: What the hell do you mean feedback, if these jokers wanna quack and complain tell 'em to put their dukes up rotten backstabbers. Why I fed those kids out of my own pocket for years, while their mammy was out galooting like a whoore with her girlfriend Sami and those GI's down at the base, did I complain? Hell no, and then the dirty Jew talk, and the missing silverware, did I say a word? Hardly. But now I offer a free historical tutorial, and they wanna smear me with a fork in the butt... Well, let me at 'em, you hear me! I got steam comin' out of my ears. I fed those no good buck toothed kids outta my own pocket for nine years while their mammy laid flat on her back at the Rogers motel behind the hobby store. Hell, they knew her so well, they stenciled her name in the guest room box behind the counter for messages. Who do you think taught little Timmy to throw a curveball? Hell, I bought little Betty a new set of Barbie and Ken dolls for four years running while wino drunken Bob blew his paychecks at the Raincheck Room over on Fourth with those office pool bimbos. Did I complain, not once, and now you tell me they wanna smear me. Rotten ingrate sonsofbitches!

Me: The very pissed off Pat Riot, ladies and gentlemen. Anyway, I thought of two more characters... I don't know if I should mention them here... they won't be a surprise if I do. Should I say what they are?

Jeff C: Who are they?

Alexis: Nope. Surprise us, please!

Matt: Surprise us. Hopefully they'll be more amusing than Pat's character.

Me: I had a few real guests, not just the main guests I pheature, such as Jeff Trelewicz who started off doing the Ask Jeff bit, as I think you are a good writer, Jeff, and I wanted to pheature you, and the really popular Phootball Talk With Jeff, which we will in a minute. This past year I started to have a few politicians (both Democratic and Republican) on the Phile. It's funny, some people think I lean to the left, others to the right. I am kinda in the middle. What do you guys think of the politicians I have? Should I continue to have them on. Also, Jeff, you do wanna still continue being on the Phile, right? Just kidding.

Jeff T: I will be a part of the Phile as long as you want me to. You do a good job of giving equal time to both political parties.

Jeff C: Nobody's funnier than a politician.

Alexis: Well, I hate politics; but I respect politicians and I like to read their interviews. I definitely think you should continue to interview them.

Matt: I like the cluelessness of the GOP folks you interview. You claim you're not political, Jason, but I suspect that you are more than you think you are. You have a brain and a heart, and your eyes are wide open. The questions you ask in your political Phile segments show proof that you a nice human and living in the real world, unlike some of the disconnected, out-of-touch politicians you allow access to your blog. Their answers are often hateful, misguided, uninformed and absurd. I actually think you should try to be more political, Jason. Just because you are British and don't vote in U.S. elections doesn't mean you can't voice the truth. The truth, unlike an electric guitar, needs no amplifier. Blog on, "Friend Jay".

Me: Okay, fair enough. Alright, Jeff, it's playoff time. Let's do this real quick.

Me: Alright, so with the playoffs I think we should both pick four teams, and as it's playoffs, we should be able to pick our teams. I am not betting against the Giants now, and you shouldn't against the Steelers. First though, what's this week's big news?

Jeff T: Welcome to the playoffs, Phile. The big news of the week is the coaching carosel and who has been fired, but more importantly the two that were saved! The Colts head coach as well as Andy Reid of Philadelphia have both been spared for another season. The other news is the collapse of the Cowboys and the Jets. Every year Rex Ryan predicts the Jets will win the Super Bowl though it's very hard to do that when your team doesn't make the playoffs!

Me: Okay, how did we do last week?

Jeff T: Both Steelers and Giants won last week, and after week 17 I went 3-1-1 in my picks and you went 4-1 so you gained a point. I am now up by only four as we hit the playoffs. I have an idea to make the Super Bowl more interesting ;)

Me: Okay, let's get to our picks. I say Houston over Cinncinati by 10, your Steelers over Tebow by 15. Tebow's team cannot score points offense. My Giants over the Falcons by 3. It'll be a close game, Jeff. The Saints over the Lions by a touchdown. Also I predict Stafford will get hurt by the second quarter or Sue gets rejected. What do you pick?

Jeff T: I say Cincinnati wins over Houston by 3. New Orleans over Detriot by 11 points. I say Giants beat Atlanta by a point and Pittsburgh over Denver by 7. See you in the 2nd round!

Me: I have to show this. Did you see what they did to the Empire State Building in honor of the Giants? This is so cool.

Me: Alright, let's finish this panel interview. As I said, I don't like the whole Ph thing... like Phail, Phootball, pheature, phamous and others like that. Can you think of another pheature... AGHHH... that starts with ph?

Jeff C: Phlegm, phlavorful, and delicious.

Alexis: Pheast!

Matt: Let's be Phrank: Phriends, Phans, Phiction & Phantasy.

Me: I used phriends and phans before, but the others are all good. Okay, kids, let's focus on the negatives. What was the worst interview or guest I ever had here?

Jeff C: Oh God, who can say, I think the girl who stood in front of the cactus while she hawked her horrible songs, and talked about herself, while that man, fanned her from behind with bamboo prongs attached to little silk umbrellas.

Jeff T: I don't think you have had any guests at all. Everyone has something to plug and you are a great outlet. Get it! Okay. Bad joke.

Alexis: Hahaha... I believe this is better left unsaid!

Me: Come on, Alexis! What was your worst interview you read that I did? Some of my early ones were real bad. I used to ask really lame questions... well, lamer than now.

Alexis: Ah, it wasn't actually a bad interview on your part. It was the interviewee, and I can't bring myself to name names!

Me: Okay, then. Matt?

Matt: I can't think of a worst. Unless I've missed one, and you've interviewed a sausage maker, that would be the wurst, ha ha. All you interviews have been good, some better than others. I prefer musicians because, like you, music is my passion. Perhaps you could interview chronic live music addicts like me (a London friend of mine calls me a "gighound"... fair enough). I will always remember the joy of seeing your dad with Savoy Brown in 1970 at the Fillmore West, touring the "Looking In" LP. I never saw Foghat, but the band I saw was basically them before they morphed into the Hat. Your dad was so fuckin' cool, wearing his sequined gold jacket & sparkling shiny high-topped plimsouls, belting "Louisiana Blues" and "Leavin' Again" and all those great tunes in that distinctive voice of his. They don't make rock stars like Dave Peverett anymore. What a treat to have seen him in action. How proud you must be to be his son.

Me: Thanks, Matt. Alright, if you could change anything on the Phile, what would it be?

Jeff C: Your boyish sense of innocence, Jason, wipe that smile off yer face right now.

Alexis: I would add a "search" bar, so that interviews with specific guests and such could be easily located (for instance, I could search for "Pat Riot" so that I could read all of those posts).

Me: Cool idea.

Matt: The "spread the word not the turd" at the Phile's end is scatological & silly. But if you think it's funny, don't be deterred (pun intended, ha ha) by my opinion.

Me: I will never change that. I came up with that when I was a kid. Well, I ran out of questions believe it or not. I thought I would have a shit load. Oh, yeah, do you think I swear or have too many bad words on the Phile?

Jeff C: What the hell are you talking about?

Alexis: I wrote a really awesome (I think) poem about bad words. It's called "Foul Word Style". Remind me, and I'll send it to you. Anyway, my answer is NO, you do not have too many bad words on the Phile (but then, many of my songs can't be played on radio)!

Me: Alexis, why don't you tell the poem here? Please! Please!

Alexis: OK... I warned you! It is one of my 'dirty works', not as pretty as my other writings. But here it is:
Foul Word Style
I like goth kids, metal heads,
And sometimes… I like punk kids.
Their styles never change — it’s always black,
Always studs, always lace and fishnet,
And always — always — I-don’t-give-a-fuck.
When will foul words go out of style?
I remember when “crap” was as bad as “shit”
And then it softened and became average.

Me: That wasn't too bad, Alexis. Matt, do I swear here to much?

Matt: Fuck no! Some people think that swearing sounds like shit, but I don't give a damn. Swear on, McDuff! Or clean it up if you want to. No big effen deal either way.

Me: Okay, kids, let's have your phinal thoughts. Phinal! A Ph word. Go ahead and sum up the Phile. If someone asked you to explain what it was what would you say?

Jeff C: Phinally a good interview, phinally some appetizers do you have any idea how Goddammed long we have been waiting here?

Alexis: It is an amazing underground interviewing and entertainment system that has been going strong for 6 years, the brainchild and work of one awesome person.

Matt: You are a bloggin' son of a Foghat, JP, one incredible culture vulture! Your blog helps us all keep abreast of the cool scene all around us. The Peverett Phile keeps us hip, daddio. And as the Residents once said: "Ignorance of your culture is not considered cool."

Me: Thanks again, the four of you, you have all been big supporters of the Phile in some kinda way. Jeff Cameron and Alexis, is there anything you wanna plug while you here?

Jeff C: I'd like to plug Alexis... no uh, I'd like to plug my new album coming soon, which I think is called, "Jeff Cameron Poets, Grifters & Temptation, Songs From Laurel Canyon... wait did you get that, it's called Jeff Cameron -Poets, Grifters & Temptation, Songs From Laurel Canyon". That's eleven brand new songs from yours truly Jeff Cameron, with a new album to follow last years comeback album "Bargofaxis".

Alexis: Acurioussituation.tumblr.com: this is a link to the place where I keep all of my poetry, including some dirty works (and "Foul Word Style"). Besides that link of reference, this interview is all about the Phile! :-)

Matt: You're quite welcome. It is always fun to check in & read about the latest wave the Phile is hanging fire on. Keep on rockin; & Philing in the free world, Jason.

Me: I can't thank you guys enough, and I hope to continue doing this stupid little thing for at least the next few years. All the best.

Alexis: I hope you do, too! This was fun. Congrats, and all the best right back at ya!

Jeff C: It's been a great pleasure Jason, thank you, would you mind wiping your muddy boots on the outside stoop please. Also it is not uncommon for guests to arrive bearing gifts, little candies, finger sandwiches, airline tickets, the new Pink Floyd immersion set, a large pizza, (hold the anchovies on 1/2 please) thats a nice raincoat, very Humphrey Bogart with the button
down front, very sea captain, with my God this is a real peacoat, Jesus Christ this is nice, may I try it on. Oh its lovely, Jesus, fits great, hey may I borrow this? Listen, there's some pizza in the fridge, where's your keys, hey walk the dog about midnight, would ya? Hey thanks, Jason, listen if I'm not home by morning I'll call, where's your car keys, oh here they are great! Don't
tell me I need to buy some gas, Jesus Christ. Did you know if you say Jesus Christ in the South, they can arrest you and burn you at the stake for saying the Lord's name in vain, I didn't know this but it's true. Apparently they have an office in Mobile and they have God's number and he told them so. Oh Jesus, thanks for the coat and the car, don't forget to walk the dog... oh man you're a lifesaver. Bye!

Me: What in hell is he talking about? Jeff T., you've been quiet.

Jeff T: See ya next Sunday, and thanks.

Me: Matt, you get the last word.

Matt: Be excellent to each other. And, party on dude.

Well, that about does it for this very special entry of the Phile. Thanks to my guests Jeff Cameron, Jeff Trelewicz, Alexis White and Matt Giarrizzo. The Phile will be back next Wednesday with Mikey Livid from the rap band Scars and Stripes and then on Sunday it's artist and musician Christine Leakey, and then on Monday it's Johny Brown from the English band The Band of Holy Joy. So, thanks again, spread the word, not the turd. Don't let snakes and alligators bite you. Bye, love you, bye.

Pheaturing Mark Dean From Dark Mean

2012-01-04T16:05:00.016-05:00

Hello there and welcome to another entry of the Phile from bloody cold Central Florida. It;s like fifty degrees right now. Well, what is going on in the news? There's the Iowa caucuses... They say the Iowa caucuses are very important because they are predictors of the Academy Awards. Forty percent of the people of Iowa are undecided about who to select as a Republican candidate for president. Thank goodness we have three dozen debates. The new ruler of North Korea is Kim Jong Il's son. That's an amazing coincidence. The elections must have gone very quickly. Well, this is sad news... Sinead O'Connor has split from her new husband, ending her marriage only 18 days. Yep... looks like Gay Marriage is ruining the sanctity of marriage again. Frank Sinatra's probably laughing his ass off about now! So, my son is really into Nerf guns right now. He has like 15 of them. I was really surprised when I saw Nerf has put out an inspirational poster. Check it out.

This is the Vulcan gun I believe. He doesn't have this one yet, but he really wants it. Well, it's 2012 and it's election year and it seems the last few days more and more people are running for President. Check out this new campiagn ad that came out today.

I'd vote for Chuck. Wait... I am not an American citizen I cannot vote. And if I could I would vote for Ron Paul, just because Kelly Clarkson says so.

I got an e-mail that said I spelt months wrong. I don't think I did, and I checked and I didn't. I spelt 'fall flat' wrong, but not months. Crazy. Anyway, here is the next item that will phall phlat.

I don't get that one bit. Maybe someone will e-mail it to me and explain. LOL. Anyway, speaking of e-mail... the other day I received an e-mail from a Rick Wiley who is an RNC political director thanking me for all my hard work last year in helping the RNC. I don't think I helped anybody, but that's not the point. He wanted to come on the Phile and talk about this year's campaign. I said what the hell, why not. So, please welcome to the Phile, RNC political director... Rick Wiley in a pheature I call...

Me: Hello, sir, welcome to the Phile. So, what did you wanna say?

Rick: On behalf of the RNC I wanted to take a minute to stress how much we value the importance of online and social media, and blogs like yours.

Me: Thanks, I guess.

Rick: You're welcome. And starting today, we're busy building new ways for supporters to harness the power of the Internet and spread our shared message of fiscal conservatism and economic freedom.

Me: Yeah, it's a big year being election year and everything. Voters will start voting this week, right?

Rick: Yes, this week, the First Votes against Barack Obama will be cast.

Me: Meaning what?

Rick: Meaning the 2012 election season is officially underway.

Me: An election race that is gonna be different then any before.

Rick: There's no doubt that the 2012 race will be unlike any election we've seen before. More than ever, online media and social networks like Facebook and Twitter will play a pivotal role in empowering supporters like you to help make Barack Obama a one-term president... and send a Republican to the White House.

Me: And what do you want me and this little blog to do?

Rick: Together, we can strengthen our online fight against Barack Obama and the Democrats.

Me: Anything else?

Rick: You can text "RESULTS" to 91919 (Data & Msg rates may apply) to receive real-time Iowa Caucus results.

Me: Ummm... thanks, sir. I think. Rick Wiley, everybody. I am sure he'll be back on the Phile soon.

From the home office in Port Jefferson, New York, here is...

Top Ten Donald Trump New Year's Resolutions
10. Buy the White House and evict the current residents.
9. Commit wife's name to memory.
8. Spend an extra $10 for a decent haircut.
7. Pay more attention to "Trump Tower," if you know what I mean.
6. Spend a little more time talking about Donald Trump.
5. Steal Rosie O'Donnell's girlfriend.

4. Form a committee, see if I can run for God.

3. Get the media out of my life by marrying one of those publicity shy Kardashian sisters.

2. Stay in the Presidential Suite of one of my hotels... so there.

And the number one Trump new year's resolution...

1. Less bloviating, more pontificating.

The 9th artist to be pheatured in the Peverett Phile Art Gallery is musician and artist Christine Leakey, and this is one of her pieces...

Christine will be a guest on the Phile soon.

Today's guest is the lead singer for the Canadian indie band Dark mean whose new self-titled album is now available on iTunes. Please welcome to the Phile... Mark Dean.

Me: Hey, Mark, welcome to the Phile. How are you?

Mark: All is good. Thanks for having me.

Me: I have to say I first wanted you on the Phile when I heard your EP "Music Box" which I downloaded from iTunes, but for some reason the interview never happened. That was years ago, and now you finally have your album out. It took a long time to record and release?

Mark: Yeah, we put out two EP’s, "Frankencottage" and "Music Box", before the actual full length because that was all we could manage to complete at the time. The three of us were really scattered, I was living in Leeds, England, while Sandy and Billy were also living in different cities back in Canada, so whenever we all got together, we would rush to the studio and hash out as much as we could. It is a long time to dedicate to a record, but it did allow the songs to evolve and maybe even our approach to music in general. Personally, recording over such a long period allowed me to ease into the role of ‘singer’, something I was never really comfortable with before.

Me: I am glad I waited this whole time, guys. I really like your album which is self-titled, especially the songs "Music Box" which I already heard years ago and "Happy Banjo". Is this version of "Music Box" the same version, or did you re-record the song? Is re-record a real word?

Mark: I believe re-record is a real word and that it applies in this case. Our producer Mike Keire, god bless him, once heard us jamming it out acoustically in the studio and decided then and there the song had to sound like that on the album. I was down with the idea because this allowed us to record the song in a higher register. When we started, I was like “Okay, I guess I’ll sing to this idea guitar idea...” never once considering my vocal range.

Me: There's a few songs that were on your past EP's and the new album, right?

Mark: Yes. The new album has 3 totally new songs, and many of the others were refined or re-recorded, as you say.

Me: I also have your EP "Frankencottage". Where did that name come from?

Mark: The name was a silly joke in the band that somehow stuck without anyone really noticing or caring. Way back when, we were referring to the one idea as “cottage” because we wrote it at Billy’s family cottage in Algonquin Park. It somehow became “Frankencottage” after we blended it with a totally separate idea, giving it this “Frankenstein–ish” quality. You might be able to tell this if you listen closely – different time signatures, etc.

Me: I first heard about Dark Mean when I discovered another band I interviewed called The Rest. Are they still together do you know? Do you know them well?

Mark: Yes, we’ve become very close with The Rest and their front man, Adam Bentley, in particular. They are still killing it at every show and should have a new album out soon. I discovered The Rest in a library in Leeds, not knowing they were from my hometown, Hamilton, Ontario. I sent them an emailed just to say how much a dug their sound, and now we’ve played close to 10 shows together and consider them good friends. I guess it pays to spread some love around.

Me: And another band I am gonna interview knows you... The Wilderness. You know them as well, right?

Mark: I believe you mean Wildlife…

Me: That's it. Wildlife.

Mark: Yes! Those guys are also our heroes. We’ve gone on tour with them and it was an insane adventure right from the get-go. The three of us in Dark Mean actually went to university with their front man, Dean Povinsky, so that fact that we can still make music, get together and play shows is a treat in itself. We try to play as many shows as possible with those guys because their live show is out of this world, and we’re constantly learning from them. Actually, since you guys are based in Florida, I should mention that I was in Clearlwater in March when we released the full length, and I got a text from Dean (I didn’t even know he had my number) saying the track Finland had just made him cry. I hope he doesn’t mind me saying that… it’s still my favorite compliment since completing the record, mainly because it came from him.

Me: Let's talk about the band name... Dark Mean. Where did that name come from? Mark, you're not really dark in any nature, are you? And did you other guys wanna call the band Dark Johnston and Dark Holmes?

Mark: This name also comes from a silly game. We were making up names for all our friends by reversing the first letters of our first and last names. So for example, Billy was Hilly Bolmes. This was going on for a while, with soo many friends, but for some reason everyone seemed to get a real kick out of calling me “DARKNESS” or I think even “HARK!” at times… pure ridiculousness, but then someone outside the band suggested we name ourselves Dark Mean, I guess it was one of those things that just stuck, like Frankencottage.

Me: There's just you three in the band, right?

Mark: The three of us write all the material, but we have a huge circle of very musical friends who we draw from for live shows. Most recently we’ve been playing with Billy’s brother Robbie Holmes on drums, Jessica Lanza on keys and vocals, and Perter Golini on trumpet. In this regard, we a probably the luckiest band on the planet.

Me: You guys are from Canada, I know, but what part?

Mark: A city in southern Ontario called Hamilton, about 1 hour north of Buffalo.

Me: I ask everyone I interview from Canada if they are fans of one of my favorite bands of all time... Barenaked Ladies. So, are you guys fans of them?

Mark: I am a fan of their version of “Lovers in a Dangerous Time”. A masterpiece!

Me: Now you finally have the album out, are you planning on a follow-up? How long will that take to be released?

Mark: Billy is constructing a new soundproof garage as we speak! Once that is complete we will get in there and start working on new material, but the ideas have never stopped coming. As for how long, probably 1 billion years.

Me: Thanks so much for being on the Phile, and when the new album comes out, please come back again. I am a big fan, you guys. Do you have a website you wanna plug?

Mark: Hey, you are more than welcome. You’re spreading the love, so it’s all good. Thanks again for having us. You can see some vids and download the album at darkmean.com.

Me: Thanks again, and come to Orlando to play. Will you?

Mark: If we can set up a U.S tour, you got it!

That about does it for another entry. Thanks to Rick Wiley and of course Mark Dean. The Phile will be back next Sunday with the 6th Anniversary entry and then next Wednesday it's Mikey Livid from the rap band Scars and Stripes. So, spread the word, not the turd. Don't let snakes and alligators bite you. Bye, love you, bye.

Pheaturing Michael Arcos From Jane Jane Pollock

2012-01-02T08:25:00.026-05:00

Hello, and welcome to another entry of the Phile, kids. How are you? I am dead tired myself. Last night we went to see B.B. King in concert at Hard Rock Live. It was a very different kinda show that I ever saw. His band played two songs before he came out, then he spent 15 minutes introducing the band and sang a handful of songs. He didn't play guitar that much and sang here and there. He spent a lot of time talking and saying he doesn't think he'll be here this time next year. There eas no encore, and during the set the house lights came on as he was running late. Out of the 80 minutes the show was he probbaly sang and played guitar for like 12 minutes altogether. But still, we loved it, he put on a show nonetheless and there's not many musicians who are 86 who are still touring and playing. In my life I got to meet him a few years ago and now I saw him live in concert. My B.B. King chapter is now closed. He's in a lot better shape then I probably will be at 86. When I turn 86 it'll probably be in the grave. What else is going on? Did you hear this, a n off-duty trooper mistook a 66-year-old Norton woman and her two dogs for a deer and shot her with a black powder rifle. She'd have had a quicker recovery if he hadn't started cleaning and gutting her before realizing his mistake. Seriously, I saw a hat for sale at CVS last month. It was a camouflage patterned beaked cap, with DEAR ANTLERS on it! What kind of moron would wear that in the woods? This is how the 911 call went down... "Hello, 911? I've shot a woman! I think she's dead! What do I do?" "Sir, first make sure she's dead." "OK." There was a pause and then BLAM! All right, she's definitely dead. What do I do?" An Indian man who died in a state-run hospital is alleged to have had his penis chewed off by rats. Mickey and Minnie, what have you done?! Don't laugh. It won't be long until we have nothing but state-run hospitals in the USA. Don't forget your cup. Well, this is the second day of 2012, and the last year before we all die, if the Mayans got it right. But, this I don't really think this is gonna happen. I think the Mayan who carved the calendar out on the wheel told another Mayan, "I only had enough room to go up to 2012." And the other Mayan probably laughed and said, "Ha! That'll freak somebody out someday." So, this is election year and it seems more and more people are coming out and running then originally thought. Take a look at this campaign ad. I think they might have a shot.

Well, congrats to the New York Giants, who are making it to the playoffs, and Tebow who is also making it to the playoffs, even though they lost yesterday. Anyway, did you see this about Tebow?

I was thinking, if Tebow had a thought, is it called a Christian ponder? Alright, and now for a new pheature I will call...

That's "fall flat" if you can't read Phileish. I am so retarded. Anyway, here is the first one.

The 9th artist to be pheatured in the P.P.A.G. is Christine Leakey. This is one of her pieces of work.

Christine will be a guest on the Phile in a few weeks.

Today's guest is one of the singers from the very different band called Jane Jane Polluck whose new self-titled album is now available from Bandcamp and themselves. They'll be next appearing at King’s Barcade in Raleigh, North Carolina on January 8th and will be performing at the Orange You Glad Music Festival on March 8th here in Orlando. That's a Thursday. What a stupid day to have a festival. Anyway, please welcome to the Phile from Jane Jane Pollock... Michael Arcos.

Me: Hello, Michael, welcome to the Phile. I really wanted to interview Courtney, and a lot of these questions were to her, but you'll do I guess. LOL. How are you?

Michael: I’ll play as Courtney and wear one of her dresses.

Me: My friend Jim stumbled upon you guys and saw you a few times in concert in Orlando. Are you from Florida?

Michael: Most of us grew up around Florida, but I’d much rather represent the broke down trailer in the woods of southern Georgia where I’ve lived for the past 4 years.

Me: Who is in the band with you? It's two guys and two girls, right? Kinda like Abba or Bucks Fizz. You probably never heard of Bucks Fizz.

Michael: 3 gents 2 ladies and nope… don’t know Bucks Fizz.

Me: You should check them out. "Don't Stop" is a classic... Anyway, there's nobody in the band named Jane, Jane or Pollock. Where did that name come from?

Michael: It’s a Asian market treat. Pollock like the fish. The fish is mostly found in Wal-Mart fish sticks.

Me: Jim gave me a copy of the self-titled CD and I enjoyed it. It was different then I expected. Do you all write the music for the band?

Michael: Hey! Thanks! And... Courtney, Danny, and I record a lot on 4-tracks then bring it to the rest of the family... sometimes we make it all together.

Me: There's a lot of unusual instruments on there, Michael. What weird things does the band use as instruments?

Michael: Dog toys, intercoms, and wrench sets.

Me: Courtney play's something called an old wandering genie organ. What is that exactly?

Michael: It’s a really special organ that you treat with respect. 3 wishes, no funny business.

Me: Jane Jane had a few releases out, but the last is self-titled. Why doesn't that CD have a name?

Michael: Because Jane finally came to a place where it should have been at the time. An album we’ve been trying to capture for a while. It wasn’t that conceptual, just Jane Jane Pollock.

Me: My son Logan has a question for you.

Logan: Why isn't there any words on the cover?

Michael: Logan, you should write words on the cover, especially ones that you think would fit. How old are you? Are you into our sounds? Wish you were there when we put it all together.

Logan: Twelve and I don't really like it. It's stupid. LOL.

Me: Well, he's honest. He does like some songs, but more into AC/DC and Guns and Roses... and B.B. King. Alright, moving on... Where was that piano picture taken, Michael?

Michael: That tiny piano is played on our album and those are Boglins sitting and laughing on top of it. They were a quick fad in the 80’s. Puppets. You can move there eyes. I wasn’t allowed to have them as a child… so I have collected them since. It is a picture of a corner in my trailer that Courtney took. It’s still like that with a few additions. The Boglins play that piano very well.

Me: Also, there's a picture of you guys wearing masks inside the cover. I think I have a picture of that. Whose idea was that?

Michael: Walmarts.

Me: Okay dokey, let's talk about your music. I have know idea how to describe it. Do you have an idea?

Michael: Nope.

Me: I watched the video for "Mouse Hole" and it was kinda scary. Who came up the that concept and was it fun to make?

Michael: "Mouse Hole" is my darling. Courtney helped with the stop-motion and everyone helped with the giant slip n slide mouse hole set. It was definitely a lot of fun

Me: How did that song become the first video?

Michael: It just happened that way. Stop-motion is therapy for me. I guess I was due for some. It’s definitely not our #1 smash hit. I make short films as well. Courtney helps a lot.

Me: My favorite song on the CD is "Punching Jackie". Who is Jackie and why is he or she getting punched?

Michael: Thanks and none of your business.

Me: Alright then. You use a few sound bites and dialogues for some songs such as "Punching Jackie", "Of Holy Colors" and "Poor Pretty Jane". Where are those audio's from?

Michael: Duel, I Married a Vampire, and Poor Pretty Eddie… please don’t advise the copyrights. Our cats and my mom were sampled as well.

Me: I won't, I promise. Do you listen to the dialogue audio and then write a song around it or write the song and then add the dialogue?

Michael: Usually the song first. But both essentially .

Me: So, what's next? Are you guys writing music for a follow up?

Michael: We are extremely grateful to be recording a new album on Elestial Sound. It’s an incredible label from the woods of Northern California. I think it will be hard to beat the self-titled one. Maybe we’ll go gospel techno hip-hop jock rock.

Me: Apart from Jane Jane Pollock you have another band with a girls name in the title... Kate Like Katie. Who is in that band with you and where did that name come from?

Michael: We all have side projects that usually link to Jane Jane. Kate Like Katie is Courtney and I. Danny is Danny. Chum Much, Michael Arcos, and Leather Eddie have plenty of me in it. Sometimes we work with Mariah Carey and Sugar Ray. We’d love to start something on the side with Celine Dion or Justin Beiber.

Me: Why not Court Like Courtney for a band name? That's a good band name.

Michael: That’s not a good band name. Jane Jane Pollock isn’t really either.

Me: Peverett Phile isn't a good name either. I took out the 'the' and it still isn't good. This is a question I had for Courtney... she also are a photographer, right? I like her photo's, she take's pictures of some interesting people.

Michael: Yeah, she’s real good at taking pictures. It’s why I proposed to her. She denied, but promised me 4 mut-children. We are really happy and content.

Me: Does she show the pictures in a gallery?

Michael: She shows around. Only the finest galleries.

Me: Thanks so much for being here, and when the new album comes out, please come back again. Go ahead and mention your websites, Michael. All the best, and Jim says hello.

Michael: Thank you! Hi Jim. Logan! Where’s our next album cover? xoxo

myspace.com/janejanepollock, facebook.com/JaneJanePollock and janejanepollock.bandcamp.com/album/jane-jane-pollock.

Me: Thanks, Michael, and if you're serious about the album cover I will get him working on it. LOL.

Alright, that about does it. Thanks to Michael for a great interview and to Logan for helping. LOL. The Phile will be back on Wednesday with Mark Dean from the band Dark Mean and then on Sunday it's The Peverett Phile 6th Anniversary special entry. So, spread the word, not the turd. Don't let snakes and alligators bite you. Bye, love you, bye.

This picture was taken in New York City in 2004.

Pheaturing Alumni Alexis White From Oh, Alexis!

2012-01-01T08:27:00.018-05:00

Rabbit. Hello, kids, and Happy New Year! This is the first entry of the Phile, and it's slightly changed as you can see. I wanted to redo the whole background with different colors but I like these colors I have here. I did change a few fonts, and what about the new logo, eh? It's always sunny on the Phile. Well, it's new year and the economy is still hurting. Every Christmas tree lot that I passed yesterday was out of business. Two tons of confetti were dumped in Times Square for New Year’s Eve last night. They’re being very careful cleaning it up, in order to not disturb the garbage. Well, kids, It’s the sixth year of the Phile. It was six years ago today that I sat here with no idea what I was doing. And nothing’s changed. If you're wondering where the anniversary entry is, it'll be here next Sunday. I resolve to make 2011 the best year we’ve ever had. On a scale of 1 to 10, I vow to make this show a four. Have you made your new years resolution yet? Resolutions just set you up for failure. My resolution last year was to learn Spanish, and that only lasted about dos weekos. This year my resolution is not to swear as much. During the first two weeks of January, people often resolve to lose weight, which is great for me because the line at Sizzler is much shorter. My girl, Kelly Clarkson, has come out and said she supports Ron Paul. So, I have to stay with her, so I am here to announce the Phile is a big supporter of Ron Paul... or am I? It seems a lot of people are running for President this year, more then I realized. Take a look at this campaign ad I discovered.

As I said, it's the new year, and last night of course they dropped the ball in Times Square in New York. I dropped the ball many of times at Disney. Anyway, I was surprised to see they were selling a New Years Eve inspirational poster.

Well, this is sad news as I like them both, Russell Brand has filed for divorce from popstar wife, Katy Perry. They were hot, then they're cold, they were yes, then they're no... I love Katy Perry, and what is Russell thinking? You can divorce this?

That's actually the look Katy would have if she woke up next to me. LOL. Well, it's Sunday, and like every Sunday I invite my good friend Jeff to the Phile and we talk football. So, please once again, welcome Jeff to the Phile in a pheature I call...

Me: Jeff, first I have to say happy new year. So, how have you been? Seems like ages you've been here.

Jeff: Hey, Phile. It's always a pleasure to be back. I think at the start of the new year the return of the Entertainment Guru will occur, so I hope that your fans will find their way over their to visit me since football is coming to an end.

Me: Yeah, I noticed you haven't updated your own blog in awhile. Not everyone is as obsessive as me. Alright, before I ask you about the latest football news, I have to ask you what you thought about the Rams not getting any points last week. They might've not bothered showing up, right? I cannot remember ever hearing of a team getting 0 points... not in American football anyway.

Jeff: The Rams are not the only team in football to get shut out. It takes a lot of sucking to not even get a field goal, but that's why the Rams are in the running now to get the number one pick, since the Colts have won 2 straight games. So they are tied. It should be interesting if they get it, because they have a young QB that was a number one pick overall just a few years ago. So I doubt they would take Andrew Luck, but that also shows you they need a lot of work not just at the QB position. And what were you thinking picking them last week? LOL.

Me: You're right, I did pick them. What an idiot! Okay, so what's the latest news this week?

Jeff: The biggest news is that Saints QB Drew Brees broke the all time record for most passing yards in a season, a record hold by Dan Marino 25 years ago. And the fact is he still has one more game to go. So who knows how far high the record can go!

Me: Remind me to tell you my Dan Marino story sometime. So, how did we do last week? Are you still winning by 5?

Jeff: Yes, we both went 1-1 with our teams winning last week, so I am still up by five points. But ***Breaking News*** the challenge will continue in the playoffs... so... you are still in it! Especially with FIVE huge picks this week.

Me: Okay, yeah, five picks. Let's do our picks, we're picking five teams... yeesh. Okay, my friend, here goes. I say the Patriots will win by ten, even though I shouldn't say that being a Giants fan. The Jets will win by five, San Fran by 6, Jacksonville by 2 and last but not least, Philly by ten. What do you say?

Jeff: I will go with San Fran by 7, Bears by 3, Eagles by eight, Atlanta by 5, and Texans by four.

Me: Thanks, Jeff, I will see you back here next Sunday when we pick 5 teams again, right? Take care.

From the home office in Port Jefferson, New York, here is this week's...

Top Ten My New Year's Resolutions
10. When visiting strip bars, stop using Jeff's name to get free lap dances.

9. To always remain loyal to my fine theme park and department... unless another theme park comes up with some more money .

8. Work up the courage to wear my dreadlock toupee in public.

7. No more burritos in the shower.

6. Combine my love of bass fishing and exercise into new sport: Bassercize.

5. Only pay for sex if the price seems really, really reasonable.

4. Get back to my true love, cabaret.

3. Correct that annoying typo in my Metallica tattoo.

2. Find perfect joke to open with for the Peverett Phile Sixth Anniversary entry next Sunday.

And my number one new year's resolution...

1. Four words: Mrs. Kelly Clarkson Peverett.

Today's guest is the 8th artist to be pheatured in the Peverett Phile Art Gallery and also a Peverett Phile ALumni. This is her third time on the Phile and she was last here way back on August 18th 2009. She has a brand new release out on Bandcamp as Oh, Alexis called "Unsettled Heart". Please welcome to the Phile... the wonderful Alexis White.

Me: Hello, Alexis, how are you? Welcome back to the Phile for the third time.

Alexis: Howdy, Jason! I'm well... and thanks! I'm glad to be back.

Me: Congrats, your art work is now part of the Peverett Phile Art Gallery. We'll talk about your art work in a bit. So, a lot has changed for you since you were last here. Congrats on your marriage, Alexis. You also moved to Nova Scotia, right?

Alexis: Awe, thanks! Yes, I moved to Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Me: Why did you move there? It's like being in the middle of nowhere I imagine. Do you miss Tennessee?

Alexis: I moved here because my husband is in the Canadian Air Force and he is stationed here. It's absolutely beautiful here. We live in the city, so it doesn't feel isolated at all. There are so many great parks and wilderness areas just a few miles outside of the city, though. We love it! Tennessee will always have a big place in my heart. Of course, I miss being able to hang out with the amazing friends I made while I lived there, but I'm really happy here. I've lived in a few different places, and I never really miss them... I'm just glad to have been able to live there!

Me: I have to ask, last time you were here and the first time I think I picked on you for not having a TV. Do you have one yet?

Alexis: Haha. I do not have a TV. My husband has a TV, but he keeps it in his 'man cave' and I hardly ever go in there. We don't have cable. I do watch a movie with him every once in a while, when he makes us a big bowl of popcorn!

Me: I interviewed a musician named Crissi Cochrane twice from there. Have you heard of her? You should look her up. I betcha make great music together.

Alexis: I haven't heard of Crissi, but I'm going to look her up. Thanks!

Me: Alright, I have to tell you, I am glad you stuck with the name Oh, Alexis! for your music though. Did you think of changing it?

Alexis: Thanks, I'm glad to hear that! I did think of changing it, and I planned on using my married name for my music; but Oh, Alexis! is too fun to change! Sometimes I'll almost convince myself that I'm more 'serious' than I truly am. I think we all want to be taken seriously at some point, but I know that my music isn't always serious!

Me: Let's talk about your new album "Unsettled Heart" which is available on Bandcamp. First, you just got married, so your heart shouldn't be unsettled, unless you had a heart attack or stroke. Where did that name come from?

Alexis: It actually comes from a line in one of my songs (which is on the album) called "I'm A Terrible Trail Guide". I wrote the song about some past experiences I'd had... before my husband and I began dating.

Me: I noticed all your songs are in alphabetical order. Was that done on purpose?

Alexis: Yes, so that I wouldn't forget about any of them when I uploaded them (they were in alphabetical order on my computer). Plus, I would have put way too much thought into what order I placed them in otherwise.

Me: Your music is not available anywhere but from bandcamp.com, right? Why are you doing it that way?

Alexis: Honestly, because it's the easiest way. Bandcamp allows me to make the songs available at 'name your own price', which means I'm not asking for money. I want my music to be available to everybody. If folks want to pay for the album, they can.

Me: There's 31 songs on "Unsettled Heart". Is that all the songs you wrote, or did you leave off some?

Alexis: That's definitely not all the songs that I wrote. I write a lot of songs. The songs on the album are my personal favorite 31 songs from the past two years.

Me: How long did it take to record and write all those, Alexis?

Alexis: Well, I wrote the songs over the course of 2 years. I recorded the songs in about 2 weeks with a field recorder and a condenser microphone. If you listen carefully to a few tracks, I think you can hear rain!

Me: You're the only one playing on the album, right?

Alexis: Right.

Me: Was it recorded before you moved to Nova Scotia?

Alexis: I recorded it here in Nova Scotia, about a week before I made it available on Bandcamp.

Me: I love all the songs, and can't decide which one I like best. What is your favorite one? If you could pick a single, what song would it be?

Alexis: I'm really pleased with "Judgement Frown". However, I think I would choose "A Maple Leaf and A Mockingbird" as a single because I wrote it about my husband and me (and I'm cheesy).

Me: There's a few songs I have to ask you about, Alexis. "I Will Turn You Into a Liar"... who are you talking to here? That's not something most people say.

Alexis: I wrote that song after a really difficult breakup. I was talking to any man who thought he might want to date me. It's kind of a sarcastic song. I'm not saying that all men are liars, but in any of my situations (except for my husband!), men would want to date me until things got rough. So, I said that I "turned them into a liar"... placing the blame on myself rather than them. These boys wanted the 'glitter' and they didn't want to put up with the reality, with me being annoying or a little crazy sometimes. I think the songs speaks for all relationships that aren't meant to be.

Me: "Doesn't Taste Like Honey"... that and "Your Grizzly Stinks" could be names or porno movies. What are you trying to say here, Alexis? LMAO. I apologize.

Alexis: Haha. I wrote a few other songs in the past that might fit into this category, too.

Me: What does your husband think about your music?

Alexis: I gave him a CD when we were both at college at MTSU. The reason we began talking again (and then dating) was because he had been listening to my music since 2006 and he decided to send me a sweet email saying so. So, I think he likes it.

Me: You had a side project called Good Luck Ola which was a duo with a friend of yours, right? What was her name?

Alexis: YES! Her name is Heather Moulder. She's a musician/artist, too. I think you'd love her!

Me: I guess Good Luck Ola has broken up...?

Alexis: Nope! We plan on touring Nova Scotia in 2012!

Me: Okay, let's talk about your art work. There's a few sketches and paintings and photo's of objects that I can work out what they are. With those, do you carve something and then take a picture of it? That seems like a whole lotta work.

Alexis: With the sculpture, I work with stoneware or porcelain (clay bodies). The clay is still 'wet' when I sculpt it. Then, it dries and I fire it in a kiln. I do photograph my sculptures. I do most of my drawings with graphite or ink. A few of the pictures that look like drawings are actually lithographs (prints). It's a lot of work, but it's kind of like therapy.

Me: What kinda medium do you use? Paints, pencils, oils?

Alexis: I think I just answered that one! Haha. Clay, paper, pencils, pens... and my cameras.

Me: You did answer that one... Alexis, you have a vivid imagination with your art work, like a teapot on top of a spine or something. You also have a lot of hairy legs in your work. Does that represent anything?

Me: Yes. The teapot represents restraining emotions. Have you seen a teapot whistle and steam when the water is boiling? I think of a person's head as a whistling teapot when that person is outraged or so excited that he/she cannot contain herself. The drawing you are referring to is a "spine-erina" (like "ballerina"). My spine-erinas are symbolic self-portraits, each of them having their own symbols. The hairy legs are part of every spine-erina, and they represent my "tomboyish" character.

Me: What do you prefer to do, Alexis, your art or make music? I think photography is your first choice though, am I right?

Alexis: I need to do all of those things, so I have no preference for one over the others.

Me: One of your photo's looks like a bunch of penis' hanging from a ceiling? What the fuck is that? Sorry, I am trying not to swear anymore.

Alexis: That is one of my wearable art pieces. I made woodcuts (prints) of the penises and stuffed them with beans and sewed them together. I used those fabric penises with some pretty gauzy fabric to sew a skirt, which I wore as part of the artwork. The concept was, generally speaking, about being a tomboy.

Me: Did you paint the at work for "Unsettled Heart"?

Alexis: Yes. Well, I drew the artwork for "Unsettled Heart". It is a digital drawing (I used a digital tablet to make the drawing on my computer).

Me: Is your husband... what is his name? Is he creative as well? Does he do art?

Alexis: My husband's name is Rob. I think he's creative, but he doesn't have the need to express his creativity as much as I do. He used to draw a little when he was younger, and his drawings were good; but he doesn't make art. He's a helicopter pilot! He also plays music, and he sings and writes a song every once in a while.

Me: Alright, Alexis, what's next for you? Anymore music you are working on?

Alexis: Well, in my 'personal' life, next up is a second college degree... this time in Biology. As for music, I'm working on a few songs at the moment. I'm sure I'll make another album sometime in the future. I plan on recording an album with my good friend, Ian Doerr, at his recording studio (Mystic Steamship Co.) in Boston in a year or two. I'm really excited about that!

Me: Thanks for being here again, Alexis, you are welcome back anytime. Go ahead and plug your hundreds of sites and keep in touch.

Alexis: Thank you! Thanks for inviting me. It's always so much fun! OK... I'll only plug a few (my blogs)! Bigbearheart.tumblr.com, youtube.com/ohalexismusic, alexiswhiteartworks.tumblr.com,
alexiswhitephotography.tumblr.com, goodluckola.com.

Me: Thanks again, and take care. Tell whatshisname I said hello.

Alexis: Thanks, you too! Rob says howdy!

Well, that's about it for the first entry of the year. Thanks to my guests Jeff Trelewicz and Alexis White. The Phile will be back tomorrow with Michael Arcos from the band Jane Jane Pollock and on Wednesday it's Mark Dean, the lead singer in the band Dark Mean. And then next Sunday it's The Peverett Phile 6th Anniversary entry. So, spread the word, not the turd. Don't let snakes and alligators bite you. Bye, love you, bye.

Pheaturing Erica Monzon From Ledaswan

2011-12-28T16:33:00.021-05:00

Hello, and welcome to the last entry of the Phile for 2011, the year we lost money. When I say we I mean the country. So, did you hear President Obama bought about $200 worth of Christmas presents at Best Buy. Then it got awkward when he asked the Geek Squad if they fix economies. The New York Daily News reported that Obama bought the Wii game “Just Dance” for his daughters, Sasha and Malia. Or in other words, the New York Daily News ruined the fun of opening presents for Sasha and Malia. In a new interview, President Obama was asked to describe Michelle, and he used the words “beautiful, smart, and funny.” When asked how he picked those, he used the words, “she’s, sitting, and right-next-to-me.” This is crazy, Jules Manson, the failed Tea Party Candidate, called for assassination of the President and his daughters. If he'd said that kind of shit about GW Bush, he would have had his own show on MSNBC by now. The Disney parks have been so busy this week, with mostly Asians and Indian people. They must've cleaned those countries out. Don't expect to get anybody on the phone if you are having problem with your computer, they are all here in Orlando. Cheetah the chimpanzee, who acted in classic Tarzan movies in the early 1930s, died of kidney failure Saturday. Tarzan said, "Me Tarzan... you dead". Seriously, out of the four of them (Tarzan, Jane, Boy and Cheetah) who would've thought the Chimp would survive the longest? He Cheetahed death for a long, long time. He wasn't into watching animal shows on television, but he enjoyed watching all the color and movement when football appeared on screen. It's not known whether Cheetah had any favorite teams. He was a big Tebow fan. Speaking of Tebow, the Broncos are cashing in big time on him. Did you see the ad for what they're selling? Check it out.

I have no idea what that is. LOL. well, it's been a crazy year, and my brain is overloaded. I could only sum up my year as...

Okay, 2011 has been a crazy year for news, so with the help from LEGO I have been looking back at some news stories this year. And today, I will finish up with 3 stories. In August, rioters clashed with police in London, Birmingham and Manchester, as local businesses and buildings were looted and damaged.

New Zealand beat France in the final of the Rugby World Cup.

That's hardly big news, but oh well. And finally, tributes were paid across the web to Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple, who died aged 56.

Well, it's defintely been a strange year for politics and over the year I have had both Democratic and Republican guests talk about certain issues. So, here, one more time, is a politician to talk about this past year. Please welcome back to the Phile, Chair of the Democratic National Committee... Debbie Wasserman Schultz.

Me: Hello, Chairwoman, welcome back to the Phile, and Happy Hannukah. So, how can we sum up 2011 political wise?

Debbie: Hello, Jason, if you follow political news like I do, you may remember this year for its GOP horse race: who was up, who was down, who had an "oops" moment. But that's not how I'll remember it.

Me: How will you remember it?

Debbie: I'll remember it as a pretty incredible year for Democrats.

Me: Really? Was it that?

Debbie: Just in the last week, we've seen solid evidence that health care reform is working: 2.5 million Americans are now insured thanks to a provision in the Affordable Care Act that allows young adults to stay on their parent's health insurance, more than double the number previously estimated.

Me: And the troops leavinmg the war in Iraq is one, right?

Debbie: Yes, the war in Iraq has come to a responsible end. Because of the veterans provisions of the American Jobs Act and the Hiring Heroes Act, which provide tax incentives to businesses who hire veterans in need of work, our troops coming home and all our veterans know that they can get the help they need in finding work and supporting their families.

Me: That's great. These are the kinds of fights Democrats are waging...

Debbie: And winning. They're crucial victories, but they don't happen without you.

Me: So, what about next year, ma'am?

Debbie: Next year, the stakes will be even higher.

Me: How so? Oh... there's the election. Duh.

Debbie: Yes, next year's election will be huge, that's for sure but the work we did in 2011 shows just what a grassroots campaign can do. Across the country this year, Democrats worked together and fought critical statewide battles on the ground.

Me: Like what, ma'am?

Debbie: Well, in Mississippi, folks worked tirelessly to protect a woman's right to choose and soundly defeated the Personhood amendment, which would've made abortion illegal, including in cases of rape or incest, and even banned some forms of birth control.

Me: And in Maine?

Debbie: Up in Maine, statewide Democratic groups worked together to overturn the state legislature's recent ban on allowing people to register and vote on the same day -- a nearly 40-year tradition that's helped the state have some of the highest voter turnout rates in the country.

Me: Anywhere else?

Debbie: In the bellwether state of Ohio, the state Democratic party and progressive allies collected more than 300,000 signatures to stop a law that would greatly reduce how and when Ohioans can early vote -- and put it up for a statewide vote next year. Thanks in part to thousands who were able to cast their ballots early, Ohio voters in November successfully repealed a collective bargaining law that would've stripped away the rights of teachers and firefighters to negotiate for important benefits and working conditions.

Me: So, there's ways to get the economy working again.

Debbie: Ways to go to get the economy working for everyone, and there's much more work to be done.

Me: With all that, there's a lot to smile about.

Debbie: Correct. We've worked together at the national level to make change that's going to affect millions of lives every day, like repealing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," and we've banded together in our states and communities to stand for our party's principles. It's what Democrats do.

Me: And the GOP is ready to screw it all up, right?

Debbie: Yes, Jason, or every victory we've had this year, the GOP is ready and waiting to reverse it. Repealing health care reform, reinstating "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," restricting voting rights, and putting Personhood amendments on the ballot in other states are all things the other side has promised to do if given the chance.

Me: Debbie, keep up the good work, have a safe New Year and please come back on the Phile throughout 2012.

Debbie: Thanks, you and your readers as well.

Robert Downey Jr. insists on maintaining the Jennifer Aniston hair for his interpretation of Sherlock Holmes. It's a greasier, messier mop this time around, but it's still there, floating on top of the detective's complicated genius skull. And director Guy Ritchie isn't about to mess with the fluffy anachronism. It worked before; it'll work again. Sort of. About that "before" moment: it was a speeding-motorcycle take on the venerable detective and it played with its source material in a way that updated Holmes for contemporary audiences while simultaneously giving Guy Ritchie a chance to push his subversive take on the "guy movie." In most of his earlier films, Ritchie has overseen a world of handsome thuggery where women are mysteries and mostly beside the point, while men are brothers and/or adversaries but never not the most fascinating creatures in the room. It was also okay if they gazed into each others' eyes and touched. So here, you expect the moment where Holmes beckons, "Lie down with me, Watson," after pushing the new Mrs. Watson (Kelly Reilly) from a moving train. He's demanding Watson do this in order to save his friend's life... there's gunfire coming... as well as for never-stated-yet-easily-read bonding purposes. And that is signature Guy Ritchie. The man was married to Madonna for a reason. This time around, though, everything is a little less fluffy, a little more mechanical. The always maze-like plotting involves an evil proto-military-industrialist (Jared Harris) who seeks to create war in order to make a fortune. And getting to the bottom of his dastardly plan means that Holmes and Watson must team up with a Romany woman (O.G. Dragon Tattoo lady Noomi Rapace, looking crazily out of place in hair jewels and gowns) as well as an occasionally naked Stephen Fry. He plays Holmes's brother Mycroft and is never not serving up a side helping of Effete Smartypants Guy in a movie that occasionally forgets to provide it. That downsizing of idiosyncratic detail might be the price of success. It was a pleasure, in the first movie, to get inside Holmes's steampunk-computer-brain and watch his deduction skills displayed in (almost) three dimensions. Learning that he was also a martial arts/kickboxing ass-kicker didn't hurt either. But it never dominated his weird sense of style or his funny, needy attachment to Watson. Here everything feels just a little less oddball and a little more ready to give in to typical action movie demands. In the end, Holmes purists will most likely remain as annoyed as they were by the first movie and new fans will still have a convoluted good time. But what's really important... Ritchie maintaining his own sense of style and his main character not turning into a slightly less grubby and somewhat more literate version of Captain Jack Sparrow, is a future mystery only the inevitable sequels will solve. From 1 to 10, it gets a 10, and yes, I will be buying it.

The 8th artist to be pheatured in the P.P.A.G. is Phile Alumni Alexis White and this is one of her pieces of art.

It looks like a bunch of penis'... I have to ask her about that. Alexis will be a guest on the Phile this Sunday, in the first entry of 2012.

Okey dokey, the last guest of the year is the lead singer for the San Antonio band Ledaswan whose third EP "NUM83R5" is now available on CD and on iTunes. Please welcome to the Phile... Erica Monzon.

Me: Hello, Erica, welcome to the Phile. How are you?

Erica: I'm doing well. Trying to stay cool in this Texas heat!

Me: So, I think I interviewed half the female singers from Houston... Tish Meeks, Staci Butler, Sheila Swift, and now you. Actually, there's a lot more of you girls, right?

Erica: No, there use to be two girls in Ledaswan, but we just recently got a new bassist and his name is Lalo Rodriguez.

Me: Are you a part of the GoGirls thing as well? And for new readers of the Phile, explain what that is, Erica.

Erica: I have been a long time supporter for sure! I use to be a member and plan on becoming one again this year. GoGirls is a resource for female musicians trying to make music a full-time career or even those that are already doing it. They have cool incentives if you are a member I would highly recommend to other female musicians.

Me: It seems like all you girls have or had your husbands in the bands with you. If my wife or I were in a band, we would not have each other involved. We would kill each other. Is your husband in the band?

Erica: My husband is in Ledaswan.

Me: I knew there was some kinda relationship. Who else is in Ledaswan with you?

Erica: David Monzon which is my brother-n-law... Jaime's brother, Eduardo (Lalo) Rodriguez, and Nick Ochoa.

Me: I have to ask you about the band name, Erica, where did it come from?

Erica: I like to leave it up to people to find their own meaning of the band name themselves, I think it's better that way.

Me: Good job you didn't name the band Ledahoes. Anyway... how long have you guys been performing and been in a band? A few years, right?

Erica: I have been playing guitar, singing and writing for about 12 years. With the band since 2004.

Me: I was going to ask you what the deal is with the songs with numbers in the title, Erica, in your new release... "25 Years", "Six Is Better", "A Missing Fifth", "The New Sixties"... and then I was like duh, the album is named "Numbers". Did you set out to make a whole album about numbers originally?

Erica: We didn't originally set out to do this. But all our titles had numbers in them when they were working titles... and then we decided to keep the working titles and call the EP "NUM83R5". We also are demoing for "NUM83R5 Vol. 2" EP for release next year.

Me: I know, the real spelling is N.U.M.8.3.R.S. Very clever. Who thought of that? And does the number 83 mean anything?

Erica: Thank you, it's actually N.U.M.8.3.R.5 at the end. Even more clever. eh? I think it was just an idea the band bounced off one another.

Me: Oh, sorry, yeah, five at the end. You must of been a fan of "Lost" with the numbers thing. I was going to say it's weird, with all the number references but I could talk with all my 'PH' crap. I wish I can go back and change that. It's annoying. Anyway, the EP is split up in two parts, right? Two parts. There goes the number thing again. Why did you choose to do that, and not just one whole album?

Erica: We wanted to keep things fresh for 2011 and just try something different. I can't really say different because bands do that more and more nowadays. But after "NUM83R5 vol. 2" we will release a full length. We also wanted to keep people anticipating new music so that's another reason.

Me: This past April you kids played at SXSW, which seems like pretty much everybody I interviewed has played. Did you have fun and meet any cool people, or see any cool bands?

Erica: SXSW is always fun. We saw the Sounds and Phantogram some of my favorite bands.

Me: Was that the first time you played there?

Erica: No, we've played there the past couple years.

Me: I noticed on your website you have a blog, Erica. Do you do the writing for it? If not, who does?

Erica: Sometimes I do, sometimes Jaime does and even Lalo our bassist.

Me: I watched the video you did... what song was it for again? A number song I am guessing. Was it fun to do, and will you be making more?

Erica: We did the video for "Faulkner". It was a lot of fun. We had a house party and invited fans of the band and friends to shoot the party scene. And I did the story board for the video. We also released a new video this past Summer for "What a Way Two Drown."

Me: Erica, thanks so much for being on the Phile. Tell the girls I said hello, and if you can recommend anybody else, please do. Go ahead and mention your website.

Erica: There are a few female fronted bands in S.A. that I would like to recommend. Heather Go Psycho, Girl in a Coma, Nancy Silva Project, When Words Attack, the Great 85, and Say Revenge... I'm sure there's more but those are the ones off the top of my head. Sure ledaswan.net.

Me: By the way, you are the 257th interview on the Phile, Erica. How's that for a number? Anyway, I wish you a lot of luck and come back anytime, okay? Maybe soon I can have all your girls on here at once. Whatcha think?

Erica: That would be rad!

Me: Take care, and keep rocking.

Erica: Thank you!

There. Another year's worth of Phile's done. Thanks to everybody I have interviewed this past year, everyone who helped me get an interview and to you, the phaithful reader. Thanks today to Erica and Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz. Alright, the Phile will be back on January 1st with a new logo and the guest as I said will be Alumni musician and artist Alexis White. Then on Monday it's Michael Arcos from the band Jane Jane Polluck, and next Wednesday it's Mark Dean from the cool band Dark Mean. Did I get that right? Yep. So, until then, spread the word, not the turd. Don't let snakes and alligators bite you. Here's to 2012, have a safe New Years. Bye, love you, bye.

Pheaturing Declan Harrington From Shibuya Crossings

2011-12-26T08:21:00.019-05:00

Hello, everybody, welcome to another Monday entey of the Phile. It's Boxing Day, so put up your dukes. Actually, Boxing Day is traditionally a day following Christmas when wealthy people and homeowners in the United Kingdom would give a box containing a gift to their servants. That's what Wikipedia says anyway. It is actually a day when a husband asks his wife hfight over how much money was spent over the holidays. Well, did you have a good Christmas? Was Santa good to you? We had the best Christmas ever. Logan got Nerf guns and LEGO's, I got Blu-rays and CD's and Jen got a Tebow t-shirt and his book. And we all got Miranda Lambert, BB King and the Globetrotter's tickets. No, they're not playing the same show. It was a great Christmas, kids. The Pope came out again this week against materialism. He says for Christmastime, instead of giving material presents, you should give of yourself. You can really tell the Pope's not married, can't you? Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez called President Obama a clown and an embarrassment. You don't talk about our president that way. Our vice president, sure, that would be fine. According to the census bureau, the number of women getting pregnant is at its lowest rate in 70 years. So, apparently that NBA strike had a bigger effect on America than we thought. Congrats to Anthony Weiner and his wife, Huma. They have given birth to a baby boy. He posted a photo of the new baby on Twitter, but people are afraid to open it. They embalmed Kim Jong Il and they put him under glass. And I'm telling you, this would be a much better joke if Regis was still working. Right before Christmas, President Barack Obama went out and did some shopping. He took the entire White House Press Corps with him, but still he's out there boosting the economy... the Chinese economy but still, he's doing what he can, ladies and gentlemen. Well, as I just mentioned at the beginning of this entry, it is Boxing Day in England, the UK and Australia. I was very excited when I saw this boxing inspired inspirational poster that I have to share with you.

That has nothing to do with Boxing Day, but it's hot, right? Well, Christmas might be over, but it's still Hannukah. Did you know that the Jews have their own super hero? This is so cool, check it out.

I wish I knew what his name was, kids. Does anybody know? Well, I don't think there's gonna be a Christmas next year if the Mayans got it right. Which is okay, as Santa has a terrible accidemt yesterday. Did you see the picture of it? No? Good, then this is a Peverett Phile exclusive.

So, 2011 is almost over and on the Phile I've been going over some major news stories of this year with the help of LEGO and today I have two stories. Fighting continued in Libya between anti-Gaddafi forces and loyalists as the rebels mount a massive attack on Gaddafi's forces in Sirte.

The second story is the one where a Sydney teenager was trapped in her home for 10 hours after a suspicious device was attached around her neck. The suspected bomb was only discovered to be a fake after the lengthy ordeal.

I don't even remember that story. Oh, well. Anyway, now for...

Johannes Heesters
Dec 5, 1903 - Dec 24, 2011
Some of his big hits were "Liebling, was wird nun aus uns beiden", "Ich werde jede Nacht von ihnen träumen", and "Tausendmal möchte' ich dich küssen" - all of which translate into "I'm a fucking Nazi".

Chipwrecked is a mind-numbing piece of uninspired baloney, meant only to pacify hyperactive children. I never laughed once at the Chipettes in towels talking about "whipping [their] tail[s] back and forth" like furry Willow Smiths, or the dated Castaway references, or the cockeyed pelican skulking around a Carnival cruise ship spilling gravy in Jason Lee's lap. The only time my mouth even vaguely turned up in a smile was when Theodore, my favorite of the Chipmunks, went bungee jumping and because he was so heavy, ended up falling headfirst into the sand. That poor little cutie, he just likes eating so much. Anyway, this movie is so lackluster that it made the previous two films look like Academy Award winners. The first movie made me laugh. The second one, less so, but they both had plots that were relatively interesting and they had moments that generated real emotions. I was aghast at how selfish Alvin was, reveled in Brittany's beauty, and felt compassion for the other chipmunks because they were chubby or had glasses. Jason Lee appeared to be pleased with himself, participating in family friendly flicks and using his strong vocal cords in the timeless role of the Chipmunks' human caregiver Dave. Those were the glory days. Back when animated movies about singing vermin had a soul. Or at least comparatively. Chipwrecked is just a series of dizzying bits... a dance competition, skating on the deck of a cruise ship, fighting over a mango, etc. This means your kids are going to be moderately engaged, as per usual with anything brightly colored and adorably high-pitched. But you, as their human caregiver, are going to be checking your watch. The Chipmunks and Chipettes are supposed to perform at the International Music Awards, so they take a cruise there, but of course Alvin ruins it by getting them all stranded on a desert island instead, while Dave and a surprising companion desperately try to find them. It's so empty that it pales in comparison to the sophisticated-yet-adorable writing we've become spoiled with lately in our animated movies. That gleam in Jason Lee's eye has glazed over, suggesting that now daddy needs a seventh Maserati so he is compartmentalizing the pain away. I don't think every animated movie has to be made by Pixar or Dreamworks to be worth watching. I just want it to stir something inside of me. There are about 800,000 better ways to spend your time. Even if you need a break from making popsicle stick crafts with the kids, go see something that has a soul... and there are plenty this holiday season. I'm sorry Theodore, your dazzling green eyes are usually enough to make me go "aww" as you eat too many donuts. This time though, I wish you and all your friends had stayed adrift at sea so you could never bore anyone again. From 1 to ten, it gets a 3, and nope, I will not be buying it.

Tintin lives in the Uncanny Valley. For the uninitiated, that's the mysterious land where computers give birth to movie characters that are supposed to look like real people. That they never quite achieve that goal often results in distraction, annoyance, repulsion, creepy feelings and rage on the part of more easily unnerved audience members. The ugly children and Aerosmith elves of The Polar Express live in the Uncanny Valley, too. So do most of the characters from the blisteringly unpleasant version of A Christmas Carol in which Jim Carrey was Ebenezer Scrooge (Carrey didn't look so bad, though). Jar Jar Binks doesn't live in the Uncanny Valley. Jar Jar Binks lives in movie prison. Everybody who starred in the Chipmunks movie lives there, too, and they're actual people. The latter crew will eventually get time off for good behavior but Jar Jar is a lifer. Tintin didn't have to live in the Uncanny Valley. Steven Spielberg forced him to live there against his will. Tintin's a comic character, after all, and it's not like anyone ever tried to turn him into a real boy before. Even the vintage animated TV shows he starred in were faithful to his cartoon-face. Expressive human details were never part of the bargain. So if you're going to blame somebody for the moments where everybody on screen looks like they're made of Silly Putty, go to the Pinocchio-obsessed man in charge. Having said all that, the technology is slowly, inch by digital inch, catching up with the creative desires of performance capture's true believers. Because more than any other movie that has tried, Tintin fails the least, mostly because the action never calms down long enough to give its adventuring Boy Reporter a chance to have more than 1.5 seconds of thoughtful facial expression in the first place. He's got a mystery to solve and a treasure waiting at the end of it. So off he goes with his exceptionally alcoholic pal Captain Haddock (Andy Serkis), racing the globe together in search of clues and signposts that will guide them to the loot. They employ every time of transportation available and, when that fails then, they fly by the seats of their pants. Now, let's say you grew up on the Indiana Jones movies. And let's say you worship those movies. You're the audience who'll be least impressed here. It's aiming for that level of excitement and thrill, and Tintin can physically maneuver himself into spaces that flesh-and-blood Indy can't, but that also means there's less at stake. When a giant boulder threatens to squash Harrison Ford, you get nervous. When a cartoon facsimile aims for a cartoon victim, the stakes just aren't as high. That means you get the pleasure of a movie where the camera can go places a real one can't, and that's solidly entertaining to witness. It's never boring, not too long, un-obnoxious and doesn't get too preachy about its drunken sailor. Not to damn it with meaninglessness, but it's a decent example of the "pretty good" family film, the kind of efficiently generated entertainment that results in a reasonably satisfying consumer experience while you're engaged with its 107 minutes of nonstop action. But in the end it's made of air and code, a machine at heart, so don't expect to carry it home in yours. But I give it a ten, and will be buying it, and I hope there's a sequel.

The 8th artist to be pheatured on the P.P.A.G. is Phile Alumni and musician Alexis White. This is one of her works of art.

Alexis will be a guest on the Phile on Sunday.

Todays guest is the lead singer and guitarist for the England based band Shibuya Crossings whose new album "DOYA" is now available on iTunes, and on Amazon. Please welcome to the Phile, from the great band Shibuya Crossings... Declan Harrington.

Me: Hello, Declan, and welcome to the Phile. I have to tell you, I am a BIG fan of your band Shibuya Crossings. How are you?

Declan: I'm good and thanks.

Me: Where did the band name come from?

Declan: It came as I walked across the Shibuya Crossing in Tokyo at 5am after a night out. During the day literally hundreds of thousands of people walk across there, but at 5am it was empty and I was the only one there. It was really bright, the sun was shining like a scene from Vanilla Sky. I pretty much decided there and then my next band would use the name

Me: Have you been to America yet?

Declan: Yes,I've been to America. New York, San Fran and Vegas. My wife is from Toronto so have been there a zillion times too. Go Leafs! Ahem.

Me: Shibuya Crossings is one of my new favorite bands. I love the song "At Eight in a Spanish Bar". It reminds me of the Fountains of Wayne. Have you heard of them?

Declan: Yes I have, great band. I haven't heard them in a while, you've now put "Radiation Vibe" on the turntable in my mind. Thanks :)

Me: What music are you guys into? Who are your influences?

Declan: It's mostly guitar based music but the sound of the band is mainly influenced by 90's indie and alternative stuff like Teenage Fanclub, Pavement, Weezer, Lemonheads but there's a bit of rock, punk, pop and 60's in there too. My top 5 artists are probably The Beatles, The Smiths, Teenage Fanclub, Neil Young and Motley Crue is definitely a guilty pleasure, especially the first 2 albums. Currently I'm listening to Laura Marling, Ryan Adams, Wilco and Ariel Pink. We like some electro stuff like Kraftwerk, Postal Service, etc too.

Me: Let's talk about the band, who is in it? You started out with four members and now have three, right?

Declan: Yep, Gareth moved back to New Zealand before the album was released. We decided to stay as a 3 piece leaving myself, Rob Toshman on bass and Ian Escario on drums

Me: You guys are from all different places. How did you all meet? And where are you guys from?

Declan: I initially met Gareth through a friend and fellow New Zealander Richard Knowler who helped a lot with the first album. We then put up ads online and they were answered by Rob from Barnet, North London and Ian from the Philippines among others. I'm originally from Northern Ireland.

Me: You're based in London, right? What part? I was born in Balham.

Declan: Ah, that's interesting. I live in Islington, Rob in Barnet and Ian in Whitechapel. We usually tell people we're based in Islington as our rehearsal space and a lot of venues we play in are around there. London is a great place to live if you're into music.

Me: Okay, let's talk about your great album "DOYA". What does the album title mean?

Declan: It's an acronym for "Depend on Your Alter-Ego". A lot of the songs are narrative and observational from the outside looking in. I think the title flips that around maybe by hinting that the 'in' could be the subconscious in some cases. There's basically a different lyrical journey compared to the first album and we wanted to reflect that in the title.

Me: It's a great album, guys. I mentioned the song "At Eight in a Spanish Bar' and I love the video for it. But... it is not based in a Spanish bar at all, it's based around speed dating. Who came up with that concept?

Declan: It was originally going to be based in a Spanish/Cuban bar but circumstances dictated that to be impossible. It's just too expensive to hire a bar for something like this. They want you out before they open, they have to put a memeber of staff on to keep an eye on you, it was too much hassle in the end and would've compromised the video I think. The speed dating idea was from a director called Gavin Randall at Melting Point Media, we took a little persuading at the beginning but the idea worked really well in the end. We're very happy with it and think he did a great job

Me: It's well done, with all the different characters. Which girl character is your favorite?

Declan: Sophie's kinda cute isn't she? I also like the girl in the Smiths t-shirt for obvious reasons, I'm not sure of her name though. The tarot card woman and the emotional girl are really funny as well.

Me: Are you guys gonna be making any more videos?

Declan: Definitely, it's pretty essential these days. Forget getting played on MTV, the online exposure with them is great. From an artistic point of view there's something quite satisfying about marrying your music with film. They both can enhance one another in a lot interesting ways. We think our next single is going to be "Gamla Stan" and I have an idea about heading over to Stockholm with a bunch of flip cams and re-enacting at least some of the story. The plan is to have beer involved, could get messy. Check out our YouTube Channel: youtube.com/shibuyacrossings we have 3 other songs with videos there too.

Me: "DOYA" is your second album, right? What was the name of your first album?

Declan: "Songs For Lovesick Teenagers".

Me: Are they similar styles of music?

Declan: Yes and No. "SFLT" has some great moments on it but "DOYA" is more consitent and refined. You can hear some of the albu at shibuyacrossings.bandcamp.com/album/songs-for-lovesick-teenagers and judge for yourself.

Me: You guys got some airplay on Radio 1, which is cool. I loved Radio 1 back in the 80's when I lived in England. Steve Wright was the greatest. Do you guys listen top a lot of Radio 1?

Declan: Not anymore, it's not the same as it used to be and very chart oriented during the day. A bit of the station died along with John Peel I think. Huw Stephens, Zane Lowe and Rory McConnell all still have great specialist shows in the evenings though. BBC 6 Music is gaining popularity in the indie circles right now, you've got XFM as well I suppose. I generally don't listen to radio that much anymore, podcasts, blogs and word of mouth suit me better these days

Me: One of your songs was featured in a UK TV commercial already. What is the product and do you get a kick out of the song being used that way?

Declan: We definitely got a kick out of it, being our the first time we'd had anything like that. The product was actually a trailer for an Australian soap called "Home & Away". I doubt many of you in the US will have heard of it, but you might have being from the UK. They ran it for about 10 days on the terrestrial Channel 5. It's tough being in a band right now, so this definitely gave us a shot in the arm. Unfortunately it's one of the few ways left that artists can make a little bit of money so you have to grab it with both hands, and of course it raises your profile as well.

Me: You guys also did a cover of Protex's song "Don't Ring Me Up" but that's not on your album. Was it for a Protex tribute band?

Declan: It was for a compilation that is yet to be released called "Time to be Proud" which will celebrate the history of Belfast label Good Vibrations. I believe Snow Patrol, Ash and Therapy? recorded tracks for it as well.

Me: For readers that don't know, tell them who Protex was. How did you pick that song?

Declan: Protex were a band from the Northern Irish punk scene in the late seventies. Some of their more well known peers would have been the Undertones and Stiff Little Fingers. Bands like the Clash used to come over to Belfast to experience the scene there as there was such a buzz. There is a great book by Good Vibrations founder Terri Hooley called "Hooleygan" which is well worth a read and describes life in Belfast at the time and focuses on the punk scene then. "Don't Ring Me Up" was I think Protex's only hit in the UK and was one of 3 songs we had to choose from for the compilation. It sounded like it would be the most fun to do and indeed it was.

Me: Thanks so much for being on the Phile, Declan, I am a huge fan an hope you come back again real soon. Are you planning on touring America as well?

Declan: Thanks, it has been a lot of fun. Unfortunately as yet, we have no plans to tour the US. Maybe we will when the next album is done. There is a chance we will play one or two American dates next year though. We'd love to come over and play for you guys definitely - will keep you posted.

Me: Go ahead and plug your website and I wish you great luck in 2012 and onwards.

Declan: The site is shibuyacrossings.com and is the place to find out all about us. If you join our mailing list you'll get a couple of free downloads as a thank you, so well worth a visit. Best of luck with the Phile, I've enjoyed reading it a lot.

There you go, that's this entry done. Thanks to Declan for a great interview. Shibuya Crossings a great band. The Phile will be back on Wednesday which will be the last entry of 2011. The guest will be Erica Monzon, the lead singer for the band Ledaswan. Then next Sunday it's arist and Alumni Alexis White and on Monday it's Michael Arcos from the band Jane Jane Polluck. Spread the word, not the turd. Don't let snakes and alligators bite you. Bye, love you, bye.

A Peverett Phile Christmas 3 Pheaturing Karling Abbeygate

2011-12-21T14:07:00.024-05:00

Hello, and welcome to A Peverett Phile Christmas 3, and Happy Hannukah. Before we start, lemme just say this isn't me...

I am not that happpy. Let's see what's going on, kids. Donald Trump said he was going to run for president and then he didn't run. But now he may be serious because I understand he has demanded to see his own birth certificate. Newt Gingrich is demanding that judges be arrested. I thought, “Whoa, that's what two divorces will do for you.” Everybody is talking about Kim Jong Il, and more news is coming out about him. Kim Jong Il made his staff call him "dear" and spent the day drinking cognac. It's like I have a twin, ladies and gentlemen. The family is saying now that in lieu of flowers for Kim Jong Il, they encourage you to send enriched uranium. It is of course the first day of Hanukkah. So happy Hanukkah to my Jewish reader, my brother-in-law Seth. I love all the holidays. Especially the one you celebrate in your region, with your ethnic group. In honor of Christmas, a town in the U.K. held a reindeer race on Friday night. And of course, it happened to be right when my Grandma was crossing the street. I heard that the Kardashian family just released a special 3-D Christmas card. And this is nice, the card even plays Kim’s favorite Christmas song: “The 12 Days of Marriage.” So, I was wondering... what will Santa give to the bad kids that wants coal for Christmas? Speaking of coal, what do naughty colaminers get for Christmas? Well, today they announced Kim Jong's successor today.

As I said before, this is my favorite time of year, and one thing I love about this time of year is Christmas lights and decorations, so here on the Phile for the last time until next Christmas season, here are some holiday lights. And I saved the best for last, people.

The only thing that would be cooler is if it was the Millenium Falcon. So, who loves inspirational posters? I love inspirational posters. Here's a Christmas themed one that I found.

There's been a lot of news stories this year and in every entry until the end of the year we will be looking back at them with the help of LEGO. Like President Obama and his national security team were pictured in a now famous photo watching the mission to kill Osama bin Laden unfold in real time.

Well, it's that time of year when Christmas, or Hanukkah lists are being made, and I have my hand on another one. So, kids, here's...

Today's list is from Crash Bandicoot, and it's not much of a list at all. Here it is...

1. Friends.

The poor guy just wants friends. That is dumb. Anyway, moving on with a real list. From he home office in Port Jefferson, New York, here is this week's...

Top Ten Things You Don't Want to Hear at Your Holiday Office Party
10. "Christmas bonuses are being paid in Greek Drachmas."
9. "Pass the McNuggets."
8. "It's like a Christmas Carol. There's the CEO's wives of past, present and future."
7. "Break's over, everyone back to work."
6. "All food or drinks consumed are considered taxable income and must be reported as such."
5. "That's a punch bowl? Whoops..."

4. "In lieu of health coverage next year, here's a $20 bonus."

3. "Let's make this the best party ever, since it will be the last one for most of you."

2. "Earnings are down and so are the CEO's pants!"

And the number one thing you don't want to hear at your Christmas office party...

1. "Is that Herman Cain under the mistletoe again?"

Okay, speaking of Christmas, I invited a good friend to the Phile to talk about his family and the Christmas tradition's they have. So, please welcome once again, Pat Riot.

Well, Hullo, Jason and happy hot tsunami Christmas yaya yo to you toody! Well, first off we do it like everybody else, first we charge our plastic for all it's worth exchanging expensive gifts with relatives, people we'd like to get in the sack, people who offer us some advantage later, after maxing out our credit line, (the rich part of the family goes to Neiman Marcus, the poor go to Walmeetart) then we go to the butcher and get some dead animals to roast over an open flame, with charcoal, lighter fluid and seasonings. Then we invite a bunch of people over, after stuffing themselves nearly into a coma, we watch them get blind drunk, start unwanted pregnancies, divorce actions, after some police involvement, we clear the dead and wounded and wait for the ambulance to depart. Then like most American families, the remaining relatives watch violent football, carpet bombing of Vietnam on the military channel, and Hitlers escaped henchman of South America. After a few more drunken arguments we hold hands and sing "Silent Night Holy Night" and "Joy To The World". Last year Uncle Simon exposed himself in the yard and cut the head of Melissas baby bunny with a hacksaw, so this year we have installed cameras, and cattle tasers for the kids and in case anything gets out of hand. Finally at the end of the night we open the presents to see what Santa brought us, I am hoping for that home brew kit from Kentucky and Wilma is hoping for a cruise to Panama. I'll tell you there is nothing like roasting a dead mammal over a flame with family, watching them get drunk and start a family of their own, if it's half as good as last year, we are truly blessed. Now if you'll excuse me, I saw a big fat Salvation Army bucket in front of Sammyshoes, I bet its got at least two hundred semolies, so me and cousin Sticky Fingers gonna go get it to pay for granny's operation. God bless charity! Hi ho the merry ho and a winky new year!

Thanks, Pat, that was inspiring to say the least. Okay, as there won't be a Phile on Sunday as that's Christmas, I invited my friend Jeff to the Phile today to talk football. So, please welcome to the Phile once again my good friend Jeff in a pheature I call...

Me: Hello, Jeff, welcome to A Peverett Phile Christmas 3. How are you? What are your plans Christmas Day?

Jeff: My plans for Christmas is to go to movies and dinner with my girlfriend. What are the plans of the Phile?

Me: Nothing as Phile as far as the Phile goes. What is the one thing you're hoping to get?

Jeff: Don't know what I hope to get. It depends if Santa said I was a good boy or a naughty boy this year. Hehe. Anything on your wish list?

Me: A shit load of Blu-rays. Alright, what is the big news this week? And I think I should get at least an extra ten points for predicting Tebow will lose by 20. LOL.

Jeff: There is a lot of news going on from last week's games. Most shocking is that both the undefeated Packers lost while the winless Colts won. A lot of teams that should have had a cake walk onto the playoffs had stunning losses. Plus yes, you were right that the Denver Tebows lost by 20 points, but I am not sure that is really worth 10 points in our standings. Nice try though! I can't say I blame you though. The other big news is depite the serious struggles of the Philadelphia Eagles, despite all the hype... they are still mathmatically in the playoff hunt. So it should be an exciting last 2 weeks

Me: Okay, I won't take that 10 points. Anyway, seriously, how did we really do?

Jeff: We both went 1-1 last week with both our teams losing so it's still a five point lead for me. I say that in the last week we pick three games? Maybe five? What do you say? Make it interesting!

Me: That sounds good. We'll pick five games. Okay, this week I say Texans by 5 and the Rams by 4. What do you say?

Jeff: I'm gonna go with Philadelphia by 3 over Dallas and my last pick of the week will be Broncos over Bills by a field goal as well.

Me: Okay, Jeff. I will see you on, January 1st. Have a great Christmas, my friend. See ya next year!!

Okay, the 8th artist to be pheatured in the P.P.A.G. is Phile Alumni and musician Alexis White, who will be on the Phile also on January 1st. This is one of her pieces...

Okay, today's guest is a fantastic singer whose new CD's "Bound For Nowhere" and "Christmas With Karling" are available on her website and iTunes. She'll be next apeparing at B Ryder's in Bakersfield, California on December 23rd. Please welcome to the Phile, the very talented... Karling Abbeygate.

Me: Hello, Karling, welcome to the Phile. I am so excited you are here. How are you?

Karling: I am doing fine. Thank you for asking.

Me: I am a big fan so it's great to have you on the Phile. You are one of my new favorite singers. So, I have to tell you I had a dilemma... I couldn't decide what pic to use for the interview, Karling. They are all hot, so I went for the obvious. Who came up with this idea for the shoot?

Karling: I'm glad you like it. It was my idea, I really like the color red for photo shoots. Those were my actual sheets. Haha, I insist on sleeping in red satin! Unless I'm touring then any old smelly couch will do!

Me: You weren't really naked, were you?

Karling: Yes.

Me: I have to ask you about your name Karling. It's very unusual and in my 43 years I have never heard of anyone called that name. What does it mean, and there must be a story behind it, am I right?

Karling: The story is that my mother spent some time in the USA, and she had a best friend over here called Karling. When she gave birth to me she named me after her American friend. Of course I assumed it was a common American name but when I eventually moved over here I found out that she was the only one... at least I've never met another. Where I grew up one of the most popular beers is called Carling Black Label. I got teased about it.

Me: Karling, where are you from?

Karling: I'm from Norwich, England.

Me: My dad's dad was from Norwich. When did you move to America?

Karling: Really? That's a coincidence. I moved here about 15 years ago.

Me: You live in Los Angeles am I right? Do you go back to England often? I am originally from England, London to be exact, but I have only been there twice since I moved to Florida in '87.

Karling: Ah, see, and my dad lives in Florida. Small world. Yes, I live in Los Angeles. I try and go back to England once a year.

Me: Alright, let's talk about your music. I love your latest album "Bound For Nowhere" even though I disagree, I think you are bound for a lot of places. Where did the album title come from?

Karling: The title is from a line in one of the songs. "Train Bound For Nowhere." And then our PR expert at Luck Media came up with and organized the photo shoot of me out in the desert bound up with ropes!

Me: I am guessing you are a big fan of rockabilly. Did you grow up listening to that genre of music?

Karling: Yes, I am and I did grow up listening to rockabilly. I was so amazed when I heard my first Sun Sessions Record. My best friend's mum had a collection of old records and we would play them. I liked the 50's music, but when I heard Elvis' "Blue Moon Of Kentucky" it took my breath away. So raw and full of energy. I was immediately sold on that style of music.

Me: When I was about my son's age which is 12 rockabilly was my favorite genre. I listened to a lot of Stray Cats, The Polecats and Dave Edmunds. Who is your favorite band from that genre?

Karling: I loved the Stray Cats, even though it wasn't particularly cool to do so. The Polecats were great also, and I actually have hung out with Boz Boorer the guitarist who now plays with Morrissey.

Me: What other types of music are you into?

Karling: I like a lot of different styles of music. I really like American 70's rock and 80's English music. I love Blondie and David Bowie, Sex Pistols, Kate Bush, The Stones, The Kinks, I really dig this band called Midnight Syndicate. They play spooky orchestral music that makes every day Halloween.

Me: When did you decide you wanted to be a performer, Karling? What was your first gig you ever did?

Karling: I always loved music. I knew that I liked to write, both stories and songs. I played several instruments in school and I won a competition at a holiday camp called Butlins playing "Amazing Grace" on my recorder. So I was always headed in that direction. But my first actual gig singing in a band was in Las Vegas. I was so scared. We were playing songs from my very first album called "Tin Town", and it was at some bar I don't even remember the name but I know they didn't pay us and I was too scared to ask for the drink tickets. That's all changed now. Scoring drink tickets is my first priority. Haha.

Me: My dad was really into rockabilly and recorded a rockabillish album called "Zig-Zag Walk". I am guessing your parents were into the same kinda music as you. Am I right?

Karling: You're kidding? Wow, that's amazing! Yes, my parents loved old style country and rockabilly. Mostly old country like Jim Reeves and Patsy Cline and rockabilly like Elvis and Gene Vincent. I don't think they liked the Stay Cats or saw any connection between their music and the new incarnation.

Me: You have been compared to Wanda Jackson, who is still making records to this day. In fact, recently she was in Orlando and I missed her. Have you met her, and do you mind being compared to her?

Karling: Yes, I have met her, and I've played a couple of shows with her. Of course I don't mind being compared to Wanda Jackson, it's an honor. Her voice and style is the epitome of rockabilly. She's incredible. Plus she dated Elvis!

Me: I have to congratulate you, Karling. A few years ago you were up for an award for the song "Another Lovely Day". Did you win? If so, what did you win?

Karling: Yes, we won at the Los Angeles Music Awards and were nominated at the Hollywood Music and Media Awards. It's not the kind of deal where you win money or anything, but it's very prestigious. We were presented with awesome plaques and the awards ceremony was an adventure with photographers and TV and the red carpet. It was a whole lot of fun!

Me: Okay, I have to get back to your album. Where was it recorded and did you write all the songs on it?

Karling: It was recorded at a studio on Melrose. The old Electrovox Studio. Yes, I wrote all the songs.

Me: Let's talk about your band. I interviewed your drummer Jon Schwartz who recommended I interview you. He also plays with Weird Al. I am guessing you are a fan of Weird Al... How did you meet Jon?

Karling: Yes, I love Weird Al. I was introduced to Jon by Joel Morin, who at the time was our guitar player. Jon is a real pro and he's very funny too. This last Halloween we played at Mr. T's Bowl in L.A., and the whole band dressed up as zombies, except Jon who wore this ridiculously creepy mask that looked something like a rabid chipmunk.

Me: Who else is in your band?

Karling: It changes quite a bit. Some of the players are Johnny Palmer who also plays drums. He plays quite often with Wanda Jackson. Bob Gothar who usually plays guitar but sometimes we have Chris "Sugarballs" Sprauge. Donnie Whitbeck is a key player, he sometimes plays guitar, but mostly he does our sound and our recordings. Keyboards is Jason Eoff, bass is A.J Lopez, or Tony Macias. It's really a mix of great musicians but it evolves constantly.

Me: Is this the band that's called Monks of Love?

Karling: No, that's another band. The Monks Of Love was more of an art rock band. That was a lot of fun but we haven't done that in quite a while.

Me: One of your songs on the album is called "The Valley", and correct me if I am wrong, but that song is dedicated or about Frankie Lane, right?

Karling: It's inspired by his style of music. I was definitely thinking along the lines of "Frankie Lane" when I wrote it.

Me: He was a fan of yours I understand. Did you ever meet him before he passed away?

Karling: Yes, he was a fan, and was helping to promote our music. I met him many times, he showed me all his gold records and his old photos and told me stories of how he became successful. His widow Marsha is still very close, and when we play in San Diego we stay at their house. It's awesome.

Me: Apart from making kick ass music, you also like to write horror stories. Is this a hobby of yours or are you planning on getting them published?

Karling: Yes, I do love writing horror stories. I like all things horror. I wrote a novel called "Fly King" and it's being published next year. It almost got a movie deal right off the bat. Disney was planning on getting involved with a horror production company and "Fly King" was going to be their first movie. Unfortunately Disney decided against blood curdling horror, which isn't really a huge surprise. But "Fly King" is going to print next year.

Me: Don't deal with Disney (who is the greatest company to work for... HA!). I worked for Disney for the last 23 years, and they wouldn't know how to promote a horror film. If you there is a movie on "Fly King", would you star in it?

Karling: I thought it was a little odd too that they would step into the horror arena. I would like to be in the movie, but probably not the star. I was thinking Natalie Portman or someone like that! I could do a cameo like Stephen King does.

Me: Growing up I used to write sci-fi stories, Karling, but I will never have them published. They kinda sucked. If you weren't a singer would you wanna be an author?

Karling: Yes, I would probably be a writer. It's a very lonely job though. I prefer performing and writing songs which is much easier and a lot more fun. I suppose as I get older and crotchety I will turn more towards writing horror fiction.

Me: Let's talk about your Christmas release real quick. Is that a new album or an EP?

Karling: "Christmas With Karling" is a full blown album. All the proceeds are going to Save a Life, a non-profit no-kill animal rescue and animal shelter. They helped me with a stray mama cat and her kittens that were living in my shed. I couldn't find anyone who would take them and not put them on death-row except these people. So all the proceeds of this album are going to them. We also have a series of benefit shows lined up throughout December. Please go check them out at save-a-life.org and donate. You can do it through paypal. Or buy the CD "Christmas with Karling" at cdbaby.com/CD/karling2.

Me: You must really love animals, Karling, which is cool. Me, on the other hand, I don't. Unless they are on a plate. LOL. Are you a vegetarian?

Karling: Haha! Yes I am a vegetarian. I don't eat anything with a eyes... unless its a potato. I love animals. I really try and help as much as I can. I'm the one who always get suckered into feeding stray cats, or trying to rescue dogs from the middle of the road.

Me: Well, Christmas is my favorite time of year. Is it yours?

Karling: I love Christmas. To be honest I really love Halloween a little more, but Christmas is next on my list. I have so many great memories of Christmas and it's a family time so that's what makes it really special.

Me: Thanks so much for being on the Phile. I am a huge fan, and it was truly an honor to interview you. Will you come back when your next release comes out?

Karling: Yes, I sure will. Thank you for having me.

Me: Okay, go ahead and plug your website and anything else you wish, and please come back soon.

Karling: Mostly please go donate to save-a-life.org. Christmas is the worst time for animal abandonment. Well-meaning people buy pets as gifts and often times the folks they buy them for don't want them or don't have the resources to look after them so they end up at the shelter. The money you donate will assist Save-a-Life in rescuing these animals from death-row. They take them to their no-kill shelter and get them adopted at places like Petco and Farmers markets. It's a hard job, but with our help it can be a little easier and we can save more lives. Thank you. Also... karlingmusic.com and facebook.com/karlingabbeygate.

Well, there you are, A Peverett Phile Christmas 3. Thanks to Jeff Trelewicz, Jeff Cameron and of course Karling. The Phile will be back next Monday with Shibuya Crossings lead singer and guitarist Declan Harrington. Then next Wednesday, the last entry of the year it's Erica Monzon, lead singer for the band Ledaswan. Spread the word, not the turd. Don't let snakes and alligators bite you. Have a Merry Christmas, kids, bye love you bye.