For those interested, here's an excerpt from the book. I've also included a different excerpt in the news section on Danny's WEBSITE

"... When the French poet Charles Baudelaire wrote "There is then a sublime country where bread is called cake, and is so rare a delicacy that it may beget war between brothers", he was most certainly referring to the growing rivalry amongst a couple of newbie Crowley bibliophiles. Although "Tool's" early European tours gave Danny (and I) a great opportunity to hunt for the works of the Beast outside of the USA, with the exception of London, there was usually but one of these 'delicacies' to be had in any given foreign city visited. Case in point: On a day off in Paris, after visiting a few tourist attractions (besides diesel fumes, rotting vegetables, and exotic spices), we decided to check the efficacy of a recently prepared Abramelin square that had been soaked in 'pomegranate' juice (what did you expect - a plenteous rich Elixir Rubeus?). Between sudsy glasses of Kronenbourg 1664 in sun-dappled cafes and pavement brasseries, we braved pigeons, bicycles, ham & cheese baguettes and children licking kaleidoscopic sugar-sticks on the noisy, crowded boulevards, all the while keeping our eyes peeled for any promising occult bookshops. Neither the reek of sewers nor the transitory scent of perfume was going to prevent us from scoring on that hot late afternoon. Actually, with a little diabolical assistance (the substitute El. Rub.), I thought we had a pretty good chance of a significant find in this city of hermetic preoccupations and former masses of vain observance. What with the scarlet and sable of dabblers in the occult arts, the sulphurous aureole of poisoned chalices, the blood and honey of slain black lambs, and centuries of sacrilege and heresy, if not goety from mold-empurpled leaves, surely there'd at least be a copy of "Little Poems in Prose."

Besides, everyone knows that it was in a Paris hotel in the late 1920s that Crowley and his assistant (his magical son, "McAleister") performed a ritual to summon the satyr-like deity Pan. During that long night, screams, howls, and loud bangs terrorized certain followers of the Beast who were awaiting the outcome of the dangerous rite in the room below. With the arrival of dawn, these junior disciples knocked repeatedly on the bolted door. After getting no answer, they had little choice but to break it down. Entering the destroyed makeshift temple, they were horrified to find the naked body of McAleister lying dead on the floor. Slumped in the corner was Crowley, mumbling incoherently, his magical robe having been slashed to pieces. It would take six months of being confined to a private lunatic asylum before he recovered any semblance of sanity. At least that's how the "gibbering wreck" story is usually told, having been recounted in numerous publications and bandied about on the Internet for years (with further embellishments). Unfortunately, its origin is the Dennis Wheatley novel, The Devil and All His Works, and is fairly typical of the Crowley legend as is swallowed by the gullible. Truth be known, this ritual didn't even happen in a Paris hotel. It was in the boudoir of a lady-friend. McAleister was only playing possum, and it took Crowley less than two weeks to recover while in the metal hospital (for which he didn't pay the bill).

What isn't a sensationalistic invention, however, is that several Crowley titles were printed in Paris, including "too hot to handle" works of pornographic verse like "Snowdrops from a Curate's Garden", the birthday ode lampoon of Queen Alexandra (Shanghai!), and his magnum opus, "Magick In Theory And Practice." And as you might recall, Danny and I were on a quest to find one of these (having stopped for another foamy amber treasure under one of those quaint café umbrellas). After an hour or so without any likely prospects, finally there appeared on the arcane horizon a bookshop of possible sufficient 'blackness' (despite dingy, many-colored calico curtains). With my mouth tasting of noxious tar wagons and tropical azure, I nevertheless had images of the Green Lion swallowing the sun as I entered and walked across the polished wooden floor. What gold transmuted from straw would we find here? What spirit of a rose from its ashes? What violet medicine of medals distilled via spagyric apparatuses?

Although the proprietor didn't wear a Phrygian cap, Sanka, and a tourmaline ring seemed promising. Let 's have a look at those worm-eaten grimoires and dusty alchemical tracts - their moldering pages copiously illustrated with a mythical zoology, abstruse glyphs, and occult heraldry. Where were the peacock tails, emblematic paintings of the mystic marriage/conjunctio, and resplendent phoenixes? Further exploration of the place revealed no alchemical menagerie. Not even a tiny back room containing the revolving wheel of the zodiac, celestial-astral liquid in copper vessels, flaming athanors, cucurbites, or the prism of sorcerer's bottles filled with the frozen flow of silver. Our pockets were filled with francs and bezants, and we damn near had the effluvium of Babalon tucked in our wallets. If nothing else, that ought to put us in a privileged position in the multiverse. Wait a minute. We weren't in pursuit of hidden knowledge. We were after rare Crowley first editions. Undaunted, it was up the scala philosophorum (nothing being at eye level) to peruse antique tomes of esotericism. What the hell? They were in French. Discovering the supreme secret through a book's opacities was one thing, but in French!

With all this unreadable arcana (even "the Language of the Birds" would have been preferable), we thought about heading to a store across the street to see if there might be anything of interest among the new age schmaltz. But then Danny spotted something in a locked glass case. Alas! Lying there was a grubby copy of Crowley's 1906 Gargoyles. With its blue/grey cloth boards stamped in red, this wasn't one of the scarcer issues printed on vellum, but being limited to only 300 copies, it was still considerably rare. As we tried to determine the price, the owner uttered something in broken English about "metrical composition." When Danny asked for my opinion, all I could think to say was something to the effect that "In common with non-waterspout grotesques, it was only of decorative usefulness." Of course, with its "Strangely Wrought Images of Life and Death" on pages with untrimmed edges, I desperately wanted this 'ordinary' edition for myself. At the current exchange rate, the price was the equivalent of $650.00 in US dollars. Even so, Danny decided to buy it - francs being merely 'Monopoly' money.

How synchronistic was this, though? Earlier, we had entered the great portal of what Victor Hugo called "that page of a conjuring book written in stone." That's right - Euro Disney. Sacrebleu! No, judging by the gilded statues blackened with candle-grease, we'd actually taken the Metro to Notre Dame Cathedral - that magnificent example of medieval architecture whose flamboyant Gothic imagery, according to some, openly displays the secrets of alchemy's Great Work. Though not that well versed in the phonetic cabala of the mysterious Fulcanelli, or of the esoteric interpretation of others with a profound knowledge of alchemical lore, we'd spent the better part of the day admiring its sculptured allegorical representations of hermetic enigmas. Along with curious medallions ornamenting the Central Porch, there were stained-glass windows whose multicolored facets symbolically transmitted the science of energy transformation. And with the pillars, buttresses, spires, arcades, and tympanum, were Byzantine dragons, tarasques, chimeras, salamanders, and menacing gargoyles - gargoyles perched over the imposing edifice and peering down from grey slate rooftops. Other than stopping for a Royal without cheese and several beers, we'd come directly from a structure encrusted with a bewildering array of grotesques to the Parisian occult bookshop with its rare copy of Crowley's Gargoyles. Synchronistic, indeed, wouldn't you say?

Although I was extremely confident about finding one of the 2 copies that were bound in red morocco, the worst thing about not using my Visa to purchase the copy of Gargoyles was that, later that evening, while at nightclub in the sparkling Champs-Elysees, my card was charged close to $1,400.00 for a single bottle of "Old Viscosity." (What did you expect, Montrachet or Richebourg?). Next time, if I want to get ripped off along with others of the tourist variety, I'm going to stick to crenellated boutiques, karaoke dungeons, or mingling with hermetists at the golden arches of McDonald's. And instead of pomegranate juice, occultly permeating my Abramelin talisman will be the menstruum of the lunar current. Oh well, as we say in L.A., C'est La Vie..."

THE WICKEDEST BOOKS IN THE WORLD
CONFESSIONS OF AN ALEISTER CROWLEY BIBLIOPHILE

By
BLAIR MacKENZIE BLAKE
PHOTOGRAPHY: DUNCAN BLAKE
FOREWORD: DANNY CAREY

Privately published by the author in a limited edition

"THE WICKEDEST BOOKS IN THE WORLD" is a large format (9 X 12) coffee table-style hardcover book containing over 50 glossy full color photographs of the rare, often magnificently produced, first edition books of the renowned British occultist, Aleister Crowley that are currently in the collections of the author and fellow bibliophile, Danny Carey. Printed and bound by one of the top printers in the world, this first hardcover edition is strictly limited to 1000 copies, with the first 156 copies numbered by way of an anti-consecrated page carefully removed from the author's personal copy of the 1922 British first impression of Crowley's notorious The Diary of a Drug Fiend (placed inside a clear envelope). Additionally, the first 333 copies are individually numbered and SIGNED by both the author and the author of the book's foreword, DANNY CAREY (who is featured throughout the book as avid collector of Crowleyana).

From the book's dust jacket flap: "Those who have opened this book merely out of curiosity might want to close it while there is still time. This is the author's caveat in the introduction, having, himself, become obsessed with collecting the exceedingly rare, limited first editions of Aleister Crowley - a hedonistic freethinker, esoteric philosopher, and self-proclaimed prophet of Thelema, whom the international press once labeled "The Wickedest Man in the World." For Blair MacKenzie Blake, it all began after he chanced upon a first printing of Crowley's novel, Moonchild: A Prologue in a little book store off the Las Vegas strip. Despite a price sticker of $1,650.00, he felt compelled to purchase it; unaware at the time that the book's author had performed magical operations to ensure the literary success of his prolific output. But, in the pursuit of wealth and fame from his writing endeavors, was it a requirement of the trans-mundane intelligences contacted, or just a clever scheme by the author to create complexity and rarity, that caused the Great Beast 666 to control nearly every aspect of a book's production, including typefaces, paper, bindings, size, color, price and astrological publication dates? Whatever the case, there can be little doubt that the magical techniques employed were effective. Especially on the present author (and a close friend), who have for years attempted to overcome this particularly insidious form of bibliophilia, only to find themselves repeatedly hunting for scarce Crowley titles on the e-landscape or in dusty antiquarian shops."

PRICE: $49.00 (Plus shipping and handling)

photo by Rynne Stump

OPENING RECEPTION: FRIDAY, JULY 9TH
7:00 PM - 12:00 AM

LINKS:

UNSOUND

LUSTMORD

LUSTMORD on Twitter: http://twitter.com/BLustmord

iPhoto of sunset over Area 51 by R. Estrada

Those interested in bizarre artwork should check out two fairly recent publications about the Australian artist, writer, mystic, and occultist, ROSALEEN NORTON (1917-1979), a woman whose works were seized and burned in the 50sw and 60s by the authorities who deemed the occult visions obscene and inspired by the worst kind of mediaeval demonology. Both books about this remarkable woman and her strange artwork ("THORN IN THE FLESH: A GRIM-MEMOIR" - Teitan Press/ 2009) and ("THREE MACABRE STORIES" - Teitan Press/ revised reissue 2010) contain informative introductions by Crowley scholar and antiquarian bookseller KEITH RICHMOND.

Available at www.weiserantiquarian.com

Once on the site, in the box "Search our Stock", type in "Rosaleen Norton."

www.rajasband.com

Album cover painting by KEVIN WILLIS

MONDAY, JULY 19 at the NOKIA THEATER.

TICKETS go ON SALE this FRIDAY, JUNE 25 at 10 am.

SHOWN: BLACK AUSTIN T-SHIRT featuring ADAM JONES ARTWORK (available only at the show in an edition strictly limited to 100 shirts).

As for "COLLIDE", the next episode of the HBO series "TRUE BLOOD" will feature in the soundtrack their song entitled "SLITHER THING" from the CD "SOME KIND OF STRANGE." The episode airs SUNDAY, JUNE 20th at 9:00 PM (but check your local listings). More info from "COLLIDE" at www.collide.net .

SKINNY PUPPY EUROPEAN TOUR DATES

Shown: Phurba Hoodie

Thursday, July 15 - San Diego @ Viejas Arena

Friday, July 16 - Las Vegas @ Planet Hollywood Theater.

(DANNY CAREY, JOHN ZIEGLER, KIRK COVINGTON & LANCE MORRISON)
Performing at THE BAKED POTATO in STUDIO CITY on THURSDAY, JUNE 10.
Call 818-980-1615 (AFTER 7:00 PM) to RESERVE YOUR SEATS.
We hope to see you there!

iPhoto by Rynne Stump?

In the meantime, being that today is World Environment Day, you might want to visit http://saveoceanlife.org to see what you can do about saving an ocean (MARISOL). There's also this LINK that was sent to me by Rynne Stump, with... 50% of all proceeds going to MARISOL.

I don't know if there are any tickets left or not, but tonight (JUNE 5) our friends ISIS will be performing at the Troubadour in West L.A. (perhaps for the LAST TIME). As this promises to be a special show, you might want to call the club to see if tickets are still available.

photo by Rynne Stump

photo by Adam Jones

June 28 & 29 - Denver, CO @ Red Rocks on sale this Saturday.

July 13 - Sacramento, CA @ Arco Arena on sale TBD.

THE WICKEDEST BOOKS IN THE WORLD
CONFESSIONS OF AN ALEISTER CROWLEY BIBLIOPHILE

By

BLAIR MacKENZIE BLAKE
PHOTOGRAPHY: DUNCAN BLAKE
FOREWORD: DANNY CAREY

Privately published by the author in a limited edition

"THE WICKEDEST BOOKS IN THE WORLD" is a large format (9 X 12) coffee table-style hardcover book containing over 50 glossy full color photographs of the rare, often magnificently produced, first edition books of the renowned British occultist, Aleister Crowley that are currently in the collections of the author and fellow bibliophile, Danny Carey.

Printed and bound by one of the top printers in the world, this first hardcover edition is strictly limited to 1000 copies, with the first 156 copies numbered by way of an anti-consecrated page carefully removed from the author's personal copy of the 1922 British first impression of Crowley's notorious The Diary of a Drug Fiend (placed inside a clear envelope). Additionally, the first 333 copies are individually numbered and SIGNED by both the author and the author of the book's foreword, DANNY CAREY (who is featured throughout the book as avid collector of Crowleyana).

From the book's dust jacket flap: "Those who have opened this book merely out of curiosity might want to close it while there is still time. This is the author's caveat in the introduction, having, himself, become obsessed with collecting the exceedingly rare, limited first editions of Aleister Crowley - a hedonistic freethinker, esoteric philosopher, and self-proclaimed prophet of Thelema, whom the international press once labeled "The Wickedest Man in the World." For Blair MacKenzie Blake, it all began after he chanced upon a first printing of Crowley's novel, Moonchild: A Prologue in a little book store off the Las Vegas strip. Despite a price sticker of $1,650.00, he felt compelled to purchase it; unaware at the time that the book's author had performed magical operations to ensure the literary success of his prolific output. But, in the pursuit of wealth and fame from his writing endeavors, was it a requirement of the trans-mundane intelligences contacted, or just a clever scheme by the author to create complexity and rarity, that caused the Great Beast 666 to control nearly every aspect of a book's production, including typefaces, paper, bindings, size, color, price and astrological publication dates? Whatever the case, there can be little doubt that the magical techniques employed were effective. Especially on the present author (and a close friend), who have for years attempted to overcome this particularly insidious form of bibliophilia, only to find themselves repeatedly hunting for scarce Crowley titles on the e-landscape or in dusty antiquarian shops."

To purchase, use the link above or click on MEDIA in the store at www.dannycarey.com

Telephone: (504) 948-2583

Website: www.bluenilelive.com

Aloke will also conduct a rhythm concepts workshop and give private tabla lessons (early registration is requested as the capacity for both is limited.) For additional info please contact MIKE at boneloaf@hotmail.com, OR go to www.alokedutta.com for information including how to register, the cost etc. for the workshop and private tabla lesson.

*That evening MASTODON will also be in the area in nearby Lawrence, KS performing at Liberty Hall.

Hellboys 702 Tattoo
2550 S. Rainbow Blvd
Las Vegas, NV 98146

INFO

Sat 6/19 - New Orleans, LA @ UNO Arena
Sun 6/20 - Houston, TX @ Toyota Center
Tues 6/22 - Cedar Park, TX @ Cedar Park Center
Wed 6/23 - Oklahoma City, OK @ Ford Arena
Fri 6/25 - Kansas City, MO @ Sprint Center
Sat 6/26 - St. Charles, MO @ Family Arena
Thur 7/1 - St. Paul, MN @ Xcel Center
Sun 7/4 - Winnipeg, MB @ MTS Centre
Mon 7/5 - Regina, SK @ Brandt Centre
Wed 7/7 - Edmonton, AB @ Rexall Place
Fri 7/9 - Vancouver, BC @ GM Place
Mon 7/12 - San Francisco, CA @ Bill Graham Civic

(Note: It's still early here on the west coast, so check back in a while. I'll post additional dates as SOON as I receive them.)

Here's a shot by Rynne of the 5th anniversary show featuring DANNY as the special guest drummer.

REXALL PLACE
EDMONTON
WEDNESDAY, JULY 7, 2010

GENERAL MOTORS PLACE
VANCOUVER BC
FRIDAY, JULY 9th

TICKETS ON-SALE THIS FRIDAY, APRIL 30 AT 10:00 AM

MORE CONFIRMED DATES WILL GO ON SALE MAY 8th. STAY TUNED FOR ADDITIONAL CITIES.

4/21 - Philadelphia - The Balcony at the Trocadero

4/22 - DC - Arlington - Drafthouse

4/22 - Honolulu - Regal Dole Cannery

4/23 to 4/29 - Cincinnatti - Mariemont Theatre

photo of JR's handiwork by Rynne (again).

MORE HERE

* Pretty sure Diddy didn't do that.

40TH ANNIVERSARY JAZZ FESTIVAL!

Also, don't forget that VOLTO! (DANNY CAREY, KIRK COVINGTON, LANCE MORRISON and JOHN ZIEGLER) will be among those performing at THE BAKED POTATO's 40th ANNIVERSARY JAZZ FESTIVAL on SATURDAY, MAY 22 and SUNDAY, MAY 23. This event will be held at the ANSON FORD AMPLITHEATRE in HOLLYWOOD, and other artists include SCOTT HENDERSON, STEVE LUKATHER, ALLAN HOLDSWORTH, VINNIE COLAIUTA, MICHAEL LANDAU, LEE RITENOUR, LARRY CALTON, MITCH FORMAN, JOEL TAYLOR, THE YELLOWJACKETS and many other jazz legends.

ANSON FORD AMPLITHEATRE
2580 Cahuenga Blvd., EAST
Hollywood, CA. 90068
323-461-3673
TICKETS: www.thebakedpotato.com

VOLTO!

DANNY CAREY
KIRK COVINGTON
LANCE MORRISON
JOHN ZIEGLER

7pm - Presentation by Alex & Allyson Grey Followed by a
discussion on the impact of
Psychedelics on Culture.

Special Guest Speaker,
Rick Doblin Founder of MAPS
Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies

Panel discussion of Featured Artists and Musician

Music, Visuals, and
Live-Painting until 4am
$20 www.cosm.org

BIRTHDAY GREETINGS! also on this day to CAMELLA. If you'd like to help her and MARISOL save ocean life, go HERE

New Works by Chet Zar
also showing in gallery 2: Ewelina Ferruso
Last Rites Gallery
511 West 33rd Street , 3rd floor, New York City
212-529-0666
April 10 - May 2, 2010

*Opening: Saturday, April 10, 7 - 11 PM www.lastritesgallery.com

SENSATIONAL! WEIRD! UNBELIEVABLE!

JOINING THE MOST DANGEROUS BOOKS IN THE WORLD! THE CREAM OF OCCULT-SCIENCES! THE ESOTERIC TREASURE OF A LIFETIME!

Stop stumbling in the darkness. Who dares to say the day of miracles is past! At last!.. The real low-down on how to get up-high! Believed to be an authentic copy of the one and only grimoire that actually lives and breathes a historical record of the fantastic Arts! Revealed in the incredible writings of a noted 21st-century necromancer, who allegedly holds the secret powers of witches, sorcerers, demons, and goblins, comes a veritable storehouse of occult knowledge, unusually complete in text and treatise.

LAID BARE BEFORE YOUR VERY EYES - "LIBRI OF VENEFICUS PRO TOOL"

Danny Carey - drums
Kirk Covington - vox/keys/percussion
Lance Morrison - bass
John Ziegler - guitar

As I understand it, there are still SOME reserved seats available. To get yours, please call the club at (818) 980-1615 after 7PM (most likely these will go quick, so don't delay). More info on the VOLTO! FACEBOOK . As always, we hope see you there!

Temple of Visions presents:
ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONS/ALIEN TECHNOLOGIES
OPENING March 27, 2010 from 8:00p - 2:00a
Temple of Visions Gallery & Sacred Space
719 South Spring Street
Los Angeles, CA 90014
Opening night $15 at door
Show runs until mid JUNE
Full disclosure at HERE

www.AdamScottMiller.com

UPDATE: Joe Travers from "ZAPPA PLAYS ZAPPA" will be tonight's guest drummer.

THE JEWEL OF DIVINE ANTHROPOPHAGY
(FROM "IJYNX")
By
Blair MacKenzie Blake
(DAILYGRAIL PUBLISHING)

I wander in black perfumes among the ungolden lamps of Abydos
As winks the specter's head o'er Umm el Ka'ab.
I trod the purplish serpent's hiss in a cenotaph of star-arched Abjdu,
Breathing the pallid luster that shrouds those reposed in painted tombs,
Immortal souls projected into the night whose glittering infinity blooms.

With winged-sandals and leathern kibisis, I seize the trophy of gleaming Qa'a,
Hetepsekhemwy seated in the orange-gold Triangulum
(Aegyptus, Nilus, Nili Domum).
Yea! The solar barque of the Osireion, green whispers of royal Pharaohs,
Joining the eaters of the Opal of Zra'd as the terrifying demon blinks,
And riseth with glory inherited from the bread of the mastabas.

I wander amid faded vignettes into fields of cold spangled brilliance,
Shedding bandages of fine linen and gold cartonnage mask.
I pass alabaster jar-seals in shadowy torch, papyrus-rolls of the jeweled dead,
Gilding my scarab amulet with the light of the kings of Sakkara,
Death's treasure-rain in dusty turquoise pots from the variegated crypts of el-Amra.

With kyphi and myrrh for the double, I perceive its scenes with ribbons of flame,
Strong of tongue from text and formulae as worms feast on the rubric.
Hail! The iridescent gluttony of carrion-hawk & prismatic emerald beetle rolling dung,
Incorruptible the germ of the deceased, mummified in the parching heat,
Joining the lords of sparkling eternity in the horizon of Khepera.

"God wanted our attention. The car was pointed heavenward but it was not our time to go. There is still much to do. This recent near death experience further empowers our commitment to manifest sacred space. The two of us have nearly identical injuries -- one vertebrae each cracked open to receive the love and light of the angels surrounding us. Through the break in these mirroring bones, a portal expanded allowing the infusion of mysterious ingredients needed to carry out our mission. Because bones heal stronger after they are broken, our intuition is that our wounding was preparation to carry heavier loads. During our recovery from these injuries, it is time to make a significant fundraising breakthrough toward our goal -- to create an unforgettable art chapel that will include works beloved by Tool Fans such as "Net of Being" used in the Grammy Award Winning package design for the album "10,000 Days."

CoSM, when fully operational, will be a pilgrimage place, a spiritual retreat center for artists that will include the permanent exhibition of the Sacred Mirrors and other visionary art. Tool fans have been participating in the "10,000 Fans" campaign to build a shrine at CoSM honoring the band. Relics, memorabilia and the names of Tool fans that have donated funds will be part of the shrine to be located in the exhibition hall. Gifts of any amount, $10 or more will insure the inclusion of your name in the Tool Shrine at CoSM. The exhibition hall will open in 2011.

For more info about the accident, about CoSM and to make a donation go to cosm.org and check the COSM BLOG."

-- Alex and Allyson Grey

BROKEN OPEN: Tool artist, Alex Grey and wife Allyson Grey Healing From a Serious Car Accident.

MI - Detroit - Mar. 19 - 24 - Burton Theatre

OR - Eugene - Mar. 19 - Mar. 26 - Bijou Theatre

PA - Philadelphia - Mar. 20 - The Trocadero

TN - Nashville - Mar. 17 - 20 - Belcourt Theatre

For the occasion, Danny and I will also do some guest bartending, pouring LIMITED EDITION PINTS and shots of ABSINTHE (in keeping with the Crowley theme). There will also be complimentary 'dark' desserts and hand picked music (perhaps even a special guest DJ). And since it's TUESDAY NIGHT, the CHA CHA LOUNGE will have $2.00 PBR draught beer and FREE FOOSBALL... all night!

Please come join us in the festivities and meet some of the members of the Tool family.

'WICKEDEST BOOKS' LAUNCH PARTY
TUESDAY, MARCH 23, 2010 e.v. (7:30 - 11:00 PM)
SILVERLAKE CHA CHA LOUNGE
2375 GLENDALE BLVD
LOS ANGELES, CA. 90039 (323-660-7595)
Must be 21 or older to attend

For those who aren't able to attend the launch party, numbered and signed copies of this limited edition book of bibliophilic exploits and Crowley rarities are available HERE

Albuquerque, NM - Mar. 13 - Guild Cinema

Vancouver, BC - Mar. 12 to 18 @ Rio Theatre

MORE

June 12, 2010 - Manchester, Tennessee - Bonnaroo Festival

June 14, 2010 -Athens, Georgia - 40 Watt Club
June 16, 2010 - Washington D.C. - 9:30 Club
June 17, 2010 - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - T.L.A.
June 18, 2010 - New York, New York - Webster Hall
June 19, 2010 - Brooklyn, New York - Music Hall Of Williamsburg
June 20, 2010 - Boston, Massachusetts - Paradise
June 21, 2010 - Boston, Massachusetts - Paradise
June 23, 2010 - Cleveland, Ohio - Grog Shop
June 24, 2010 - Detroit, Michigan - Small's
June 25, 2010 - Chicago, Illinois - Double Door
June 26, 2010 - Madison, Wisconsin - High Noon Saloon
June 27, 2010 - Des Moines, Iowa - House Of Bricks
June 29, 2010 - Denver, Colorado - Ogden Theatre

July 2, 2010 - Calgary, Alberta - Sled Island Festival
July 3, 2010 - Calgary, Alberta - Sled Island Festival

July 5, 2010 - Vancouver, British Columbia - Rickshaw Theatre
July 6, 2010 - Seattle, Washington - Showbox At The Market
July 7, 2010 - Eugene, Oregon - John Henrys
July 9, 2010 - San Jose, California - Blank Club

THIS JUST IN: I just received the news that SCOTT KINSEY will be sitting in on keyboards. Half of "TRIBAL TECH" at the splendid spud tonight.

AZ - Phoenix - Feb. 26 - Mar. 11 (Please note this is extended one week)
Harkins Valley Art Theatre
AZ - Tucson - Apr. 28 - Loft Cinema (w/ Q&A from directors)
BC - Vancouver - Mar. 12 to 18 - Rio Theatre
CA - Santa Cruz - Apr. 1 - Rio Theatre
GA - Atlanta - Mar. 4 - Fox Theatre
HI - Honolulu - Apr. 16 to 20 - Honolulu International Film Festival
IN - Shelbyville, IN - Strand Theatre
MA - Salem - Mar. 12 to 18 - Cinema Salem
MI - Detroit - Mar. 19 to 24 - Burton Theatre
MN - Minneapolis - Mar. 4 - Riverview Theatre
NM - Albuquerque - Mar. 13 - Guild Cinema
PA - Philadelphia - Mar. 20 - The Balcony @ The Trocadero
TN - Nashville - Mar. 17 to 20 - Belcourt Theatre
UT - Salt Lake City - Mar. 5 to 11 - Tower Theatre

MORE DATES TO BE ANNOUNCED ONCE CONFIRMED

SKULL

PLANCHETTE

SILVERLAKE LOUNGE
2906 Sunset Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA. 90026

Los Angeles - Laemmle Sunset - Feb. 25 - 28
(Sunset and Laurel Canyon)

Phoenix - Harkins Valley Art Theater - Feb 26 - Mar. 4

Nashville, TN - Mar. 17 - 20 at The Belcourt Theatre
Santa Cruz, CA - Apr. 1 - Rio Theatre
Shelbyville, IN - Apr. 9 at The Strand Theatre

Austin - Feb. 19 & 20 at Alamo Drafthouse Lake Creek*
Davenport (Iowa) - Feb. 19, 21 & 26 at The Capitol Theatre
Healdsburg (Sonoma) - Feb. 19 & 21 at The Raven Film Center
Houston - Feb. 19 & 20 at Alamo Drafthouse West Oaks
San Antonio - Feb. 19 at Alamo Drafthouse Park North
San Antonio - Feb. 20 at Alamo Drafthouse Westlakes
San Diego -Feb. 19 & 21 at La Paloma Theatre

* Not to worry - there probably aren't too many disgruntled wine connoisseurs out there.

READ

Thanks Greg!

SPACELAND
1717 Silver Lake BLVD.
Los Angeles, CA. 90026

THE BAKED POTATO JAZZ CLUB
3787 Cahuenga Blvd., West.
Studio City, CA. 91604

TICKETS

VENUE

Information about more screenings to be announced soon.

Albuquerque - Guild Cinema - Mar. 13

Austin - Alamo Drafthouse Lake Creek - Feb. 19 - 20
HERE
Boston - Somerville Theatre - Feb. 26 - 28
Davenport (IA) - Capitol Theatre - Feb. 19, 21 & 26 HERE
Healdsburg, CA (Sonoma) - Raven Film Center - Feb. 19 - 21
Houston - Alamo Drafthouse West Oaks - Feb. 19 - 20
HERE
Los Angeles - Laemmle Sunset - Feb. 25 - 28
Minneapolis - Riverview Theatre - Mar. 4
Phoenix - Premiere: W Hotel - Feb. 19 ; Valley Art Theater - Feb 26 - Mar. 4
HERE
Salt Lake City - Tower Theatre - Mar. 5 - 11
San Antonio - Alamo Drafthouse The Market - Feb. 19
HERE
San Antonio - Alamo Drafthouse West Lakes - Feb. 20
< a href="http://www.drafthouse.com/westlakes/shows.php?id=693"> HERE
San Francisco - Viz Cinema - Feb. 25
HERE

More dates to be announced shortly!

PLAY

Major Douche,

Battalion Commander.

SPRING TOUR VIP PACKAGES & WINE CLASSES AVAILABLE AT PUSCIFER.COM

Meet & Greet Packages

The question has been answered. When can I meet MJKeenan? The answer is NOW. Now's your chance to say "HI", face to face with the voice behind PUSCIFER Tool, and APC! No, he won't sing at your wedding, but he will look at you for a second, maybe two. He may even have a party favor for you. Package includes: Exclusive meet and greet with Maynard James Keenan, and 1 single Premium Price Level 1 ticket, and perhaps a bonus if you behave. Purchase at www.puscifer.com

Spring Wine Class

Want to learn a bit about wine and about what Maynard's been up to in Arizona? The pre-show wine class is an exclusive event in a private environment with one of Maynard's personal liaisons leading you along the educational path. Learn how Caduceus wines are made. Understand the basic concepts of wine tasting and what goes into the vinification process. Wine should not be a mystery. Get out of the dark. **Must be over 21 TO ATTEND!!** Purchase at Puscifer.com.

PUSCIFER TOUR DATES

Mar. 3 Atlanta, GA CW Center Stage
Mar. 4 Atlanta, GA CW Center Stage
Mar. 5 Washington, DC Lincoln Center
Mar. 6 Washington, DC Lincoln Center
Mar. 8 Philadelphia, PA Theater of Living Arts
Mar. 9 Philadelphia, PA Theater of Living Arts
Mar. 11 New York, NY Grand Ballroom
Mar. 12 Stamford, CT Palace Theater
Mar. 13 New York, NY Apollo Theater
Mar. 15 Boston, MA Berklee Academy of Music
Mar. 16 Boston, MA Berklee Academy of Music
Mar. 19 Toronto, ON Queen Elizabeth Theater
Mar. 20 Toronto, ON Queen Elizabeth Theater
Mar. 21 Lorain, OH Lorain Theater
Mar. 23 Detroit, MI Royal Oak Theater
Mar. 24 Detroit, MI Royal Oak Theater
Mar. 26 Chicago, IL Vic Theater
Mar. 27 Chicago, IL Vic Theater
Mar. 28 Columbus, OH LC Indoor Pavilion
Mar. 30 Milwaukee, WI Pabst Theater
Apr. 2 Minneapolis, MN Pantages Theater
Apr. 3 Minneapolis, MN Pantages Theater

WATCH

Boston
Feb. 26 - 28 - Somerville Theatre

Davenport (IA)
Feb. 19, 21, 26 - The Capitol Theatre

Houston
Feb. 19 - 20 - Alamo Drafthouse West Oaks

Los Angeles
Feb. 25 - 28 - Laemmle Sunset 5

Minneapolis
Mar. 4 - Riverview Theater

Phoenix

Feb. 19 - Blood Into Wine Premiere at the W Hotel (Scottsdale)
TICKETS: www.wscottsdaletickets.com

Feb. 26 - Mar. 4 - Valley Art Theater (Tempe)

Salt Lake City
Feb. 19 to 25 - Tower Theatre

San Antonio
Feb. 19 - Alamo Drafthouse (The Market at Park North)
Feb. 20 - Alamo Drafthouse (1255 SW Loop 410)

San Francisco
Feb. 25 - Viz Cinema (Noise Pop Film Festival)
Tickets: http://www.ticketfly.com/purchase/event/4353

Sonoma
Feb. 19 - 21 - TBA (Healdsburg, CA)

Albuquerque
Mar. 13 - Guild Cinema

MORE SCREENING DATES TO BE ANNOUNCED

ATCH KOTCH JAPANESE RESTAURANT
1253 Vine Street
ste 5
Los Angeles, CA. 90038
323.467.5537

Rynne would also like you to know: "My website is up but not completed so keep checking back for new goods and information about diving, ocean conservation and my general insanity!!! I sincerely hope to reach people with my images of beautiful ocean creatures that are threatened by pollution and stimulate them to embrace much needed change."

Cheers (with a shot of absinthe)...

www.stillpointe.org

March 2 & 3 - Atlanta, GA - Center Stage (tickets on sale now)
March 5 & 6 - Washington, DC - Lincoln Theatre
March 8 & 9 - Philadelphia, PA - Theatre of Living Arts (tickets on sale Jan. 15)
March 11 - New York, NY - Grand Ballroom
March 15 & 16 - Boston - Berklee Academy of Music (tickets on sale now)
March 19 & 20 - Toronto, ON - Queen Elizabeth Theatre (tickets on sale Jan. 15)
March 21 - Lorain, OH (Cleveland) - Lorain Theatre (tickets on sale Jan. 15)
March 23 & 24 - Detroit, MI - Royal Oak Theatre (tickets on sale Jan. 15)
March 26 & 27 - Chicago, IL - Vic Theatre (tickets on sale Jan. 16)
March 28 - Columbus, OH - LC Indoor Pavilion
March 30 - Milwaukee, WI - Pabst Theatre
March 31 - Kansas City, KS - Uptown Theatre (tickets on sale now)
Apr. 2 & 3 - Minneapolis, MN - Pantages Theatre

www.templeofvisions.com

NOW AVAILABLE FOR SALE EXCLUSIVELY THROUGH dannycarey.org

THE WICKEDEST BOOKS IN THE WORLD
CONFESSIONS OF AN ALEISTER CROWLEY BIBLIOPHILE

By

BLAIR MacKENZIE BLAKE
PHOTOGRAPHY: DUNCAN BLAKE
FOREWORD: DANNY CAREY

Privately published by the author in a limited edition.

"THE WICKEDEST BOOKS IN THE WORLD" is a large format (9 X 12) coffee table-style hardcover book containing over 50 glossy full color photographs of the rare, often magnificently produced, first edition books of the renowned British occultist, Aleister Crowley, that are currently in the collections of the author and fellow bibliophile, Danny Carey.

Printed and bound by one of the top printers in the world, this first hardcover edition is strictly limited to 1000 copies, with the first 156 copies numbered by way of an anti-consecrated page carefully removed from the author's personal copy of the 1922 British first impression of Crowley's notorious The Diary of a Drug Fiend (placed inside a protective clear envelope). Additionally, the first 333 copies are individually numbered and SIGNED by both the author and the author of the book's foreword, DANNY CAREY (who is featured throughout the book as avid collector of Crowleyana).

From the book's dust-jacket flap:

"Those who have opened this book merely out of curiosity might want to close it while there is still time. This is the author's caveat in the introduction, having, himself, become obsessed with collecting the exceedingly rare, limited first editions of Aleister Crowley - a hedonistic freethinker, esoteric philosopher, and self-proclaimed prophet of Thelema, whom the international press once labeled "The Wickedest Man in the World." For Blair MacKenzie Blake, it all began after he chanced upon a first printing of Crowley's novel, Moonchild: A Prologue in a little book store off the Las Vegas strip. Despite a price sticker of $1,650.00, he felt compelled to purchase it; unaware at the time that the book's author had performed magical operations to ensure the literary success of his prolific output. But, in the pursuit of wealth and fame from his writing endeavors, was it a requirement of the trans-mundane intelligences contacted, or just a clever scheme by the author to create complexity and rarity, that caused the Great Beast 666 to control nearly every aspect of a book's production, including typefaces, paper, bindings, size, color, price and astrological publication dates? Whatever the case, there can be little doubt that the magical techniques employed were effective. Especially on the present author (and a close friend), who have for years attempted to overcome this particularly insidious form of bibliophilia, only to find themselves repeatedly hunting for scarce Crowley titles on the e-landscape or in dusty antiquarian shops."

www.dannycarey.org designed and maintained by http://www.designlab9.com

photo by Rynne Stump

Blurry iPhone photo by Jr. - after all, the place was rocking.

"Hi Adam Jones! I wanted to share a photo I took in October 09 that seems simialar to Alex Grey's painting "Earth Consciousness" - at the end of Vicarious. I was taking several pics of cloud formations and volcanoes flying out of Seattle and when I went back to look at the photos, 3 consecutive photos had a piercing eye coming out of the cloud formation. Also, this was in no way any kind of reflection from inside the plane. In the pics..as the plane moves past the clouds, the eye stays intact with the cloud formation. Also seems to be a glowing teardrop shaped cloud in the 3rd eye postion. crazyness! what do you think? here is one of them..the most centered..pretty easy to see. if you're interested i have all the original large files."

photo by Ashley Bergman

As an example of the content in DARKLORE, here's editor Greg Taylor's article on OCCULT ROCK that appeared in Darklore, Volume II. Included in the piece are esoteric revelations involving TOOL - information that doesn't appear (accurately) in many articles about the band. Below are links to order a copy from Amazon.com.

DARKLORE 1
DARKLORE 2
DARKLORE 3
DARKLORE 4

UPDATE: In talking to Danny at lunch today, he told me that he's going to a Kings hockey game tonight. So perhaps it will be next week that he fills in on drums at the 'tator' jammmz.

2701 Fairview Road
Costa Mesa, CA. 92701

Parking lot D9 off Merrimac Way

SHOW RUNS UNTIL DEC. 18, 2009

WHOLE FOODS MARKETS

December 6/ 2:00 - 5:00 PM in Tucson, AZ (3360 E. Speedway Blvd.)

December 8/ 5:00 - 8:00 PM in Santa Barbara, CA (3761 State St.)

December 9/ 5:00 - 8:00 PM in Las Vegas, NV (6689 Las Vegas Blvd.)

photo by Rynne Stump

photo by BMB

Seeing how there really isn't much going on with the band at the moment, for the Halloween/Samhain newsletter, I thought it might be fitting to count down the top 10 most frightening incidents that I have personally experienced while on tour with the band. Although some of these distressing occurrences may have been touched upon in past newsletters, there is much that is new, including certain details that I was reluctant to mention at the time. So, while I sip on a Pina Ghoulada in a blood red-rimmed glass, without further ado, here's the top 10 most frightening Tool tour moments (again, that I'VE experienced).(NOTE: The October newsletter was written before the websites were shut down due to maintenance issues, and might have remained lost if not for a stranger who approached me while shopping at "Ralphs" and asked me about its whereabouts.)

NUMBER 10
"THE WENDY'S BURGER AND THE BRAKES"

I believe this incident occurred in 2002, during one of Tool's "Lateralus" tours. While riding on the tour bus to a show down in Dan Diego, because the guys were planning to stop at Oakley for some swag, and due to traffic concerns, it was decided by the their manager that instead of eating the meal prepared by the tour catering company at the venue, the bus would stop somewhere along the way so they could grab some fast food to go. While most of the band members and their girlfriends picked "El Pollo Loco", one member and his girlfriend (and one other crew member) turned out to be Wendy's kind of people. So the search was on to find a Wendy's in close proximity to an El Pollo Loco - not an easy thing to do, even with the plethora of fast food restaurants viewed from the freeway. Now, while some of us kept our eyes peeled, this particular band member (who wanted Wendy's, and who shall remain nameless) was telling a couple of us how he was becoming extremely annoyed with being jolted forward as a result of the bus driver's repeated abrupt braking. This sudden braking had been occurring over the course of the entire tour, and so often - the band member told us - that he didn't want to use the driver ever again. As I listened to his gripe, someone spotted an El Pollo Loco that was, incredibly enough, within walking distance to a... Wendy's! Without braking too sharply (or so I thought - where's the beef?), the shiny tour coach exited the freeway and pulled up alongside the place known for its citrus marinated flame-broiled chicken. Having piled out to get our food to go, about twenty minutes later we climbed back into the bus. In the process of removing our dinner from its greasy paper bags, the bus driver pulled away, heading for the freeway ramp. As we continued, I noticed that the band member who had the sack of Wendy's fare was carefully (nay, meticulously) arranging the stuff on his "old fashioned burger." While holding one bun in his right hand, he was busy re-positioning a pickle or tomato or onion with his left hand when suddenly the bus driver abruptly braked. What happened next seemed to occur in slow motion. I remember being jolted forward, watching at the same time as that signature square burger patty was launched from its bun into a high arc that flipped over several times before landing in the middle of the carpeted aisle. Never shall I forget the expression of displeasure on that band member's face as he sat there holding that (now) burger-less bun. To say that it was frostier than his chocolate Frosty would be an understatement.

NUMBER 9
"CARNY GAMES IN A POSH SAN DIEGO HOTEL"

The following incident occurred in Danny's hotel room after a San Diego show during the "10,000 Days" tour. There were about 7 of us in the spacious suite, having drinks and shooting the shit, when Justin and I started playing an impromptu game of 'dodgeball' with some of the paper drink coasters. However, soon this evolved into something far more sophisticated (and much better than the usual after show Yahtzee tournament). Removing several items from the room's mini-bar (standard mini-bar snacks and beverages), I placed them on the shelf against the wall. The object of the game, I informed everyone, was to fling the paper coaster at the desired prize while seated on a couch across the room, and if hit, that object was awarded to the winner. As I remember it, Volto's John Ziegler was the first to win, scoring himself a cold bottle of Heineken. As someone else hit a small can of Pringles, Danny emerged from the Donniker (or elsewhere) and shouted "CARNIES!" The game continued into the wee hours, with Justin finally nailing a much coveted miniature bottle of Scotch. Next it was Danny, who knocked a bag of peanut M&Ms off the shelf with a lightning fast toss, and was seen afterwards eating and offering the candy to anyone who wanted some. Moments later, as JZ sipped his Pilsener, I saw University of Kansas basketball star, Eric Chenowith pick up a large silver platter from the coffee table and aim it at the few remaining prizes on the shelf. "Don't toss that", the greenie uttered. "Why not?" was the big guy's reply. Before I could answer, Shelee (Justin's lady) knocked on the door, wanting Justin to leave. "But look at what I won", beamed the Tool bassist with the British accent as he proudly displayed the miniature bottle of Scotch in the palm of his hand (a bottle just like the ones stocked in the mini-bar in his own room). Now, in case you're wondering what made this incident so frightening, it was how dangerously close we came on that night to drifting into the shoals of Van Halenism... once Chenowith picked up that silver platter. However, with restraint being the better part of valor, I'm happy to report that nothing got broken (including any brown M&Ms flung at the walls).

NUMBER 8
"YOUNG HOOLIGANS ON A TRAIN NEAR MANCHESTER ENGLAND"

My brother and I were taking a train from Edinburgh, Scotland to London to catch a couple of Tool shows at the Brixton Academy. Things were going swimmingly when our reverie was shattered by a gang of young British hooligans who boarded (needless to say, without tickets) during a stop in Manchester. Wearing rubbish-heap tattered gabardine and Burberry checkered caps, the unruly horde (aged 10 to 13 years of age by my best guesstimate) were puffing cigarette butts and guzzling tall cans of some indigenous ale as they proceeded to terrorize the passengers, demanding money, cigarettes, and items from the snack vendor with their rhyming slang bafflegab. I even saw one of the 'Clockwork Orange' hobbits making crude sexual gestures to a horrified elderly woman, wagging his scummy black tongue to reveal teeth not unlike those who are weaned on Mountain Dew in the hills of Kentucky. It was only a matter of time before the pack of inbreeds accosted us, I thought. Fortunately, moments later, the authorities arrived. After a brief exchange of pleasantries, accompanied by threats of a proper bashing, the hooligans jumped off the train and fled into the woods of their ramshackle shire (until such a time when they are old enough to terrorize the Amsterdam "Red Light" or some holiday resort on a Greek island). But the story gets even more frightening once we arrive a King's Cross Station. There more hooligans confront us, only these guys aren't twelve years old. Even so, after donating a few cigarettes to the cause, we managed to make the show on time. Having seen a number of Tool shows in Europe during the "Lateralus" tour (and usually from the side of the stage or front of house - thank you), for a change of pace, at the Brixton Academy, my brother and I decided to sit at the back of the venue; in fact, in the row of seats farthest away from the stage. Frighteningly enough, David Bottrill was seated right in front of us. David Bottrill? Hadn't he had something to do with the record? WTF? Were tickets really that hard to come by!

NUMBER 7
"GODDAMN, THERE BETTER NOT BE SODAS IN THE COOLERS!!!"

While driving to a Tool show from Houston to Dallas, I am informed that the venue is in a dry county. Immediately I make a call to a band member to share my concerns. Guess what his reply was?

NUMBER 6
"GHOSTS IN RAFTERS WATCHING WITHOUT TICKETS"

Number six on our countdown of the most frightening moments involving a Tool tour occurred at a show in Honolulu's Blaisdell Concert Hall. As LaraLee, myself, and a couple of others were watching the performance from the side of the stage, we couldn't help notice that one of the band's security honchos kept shining his flashlight up at the venue's rafters. Evidently, local ghosts - dead tribal chieftains, sinners, surfers, and authors of the "Macadamia Cooking Treasury" - were attempting to watch the show without paying. It was even likely that some of these tattooed spirits may have been taking photographs and/or recording the band with who knows what type of portable devices. The frightening thing, though, was that if security managed to have them tossed out of the Concert Hall, what form of retaliation might they take? I for one certainly didn't want to be awakened later that night with the smell of Bazooka Joe bubblegum and whizzing orange fireballs in the hotel room. And then there was the possibility of chocolate fingerprints. BTW, did I mention that Metallica's Kirk Hammett joined the band on stage for "Sober?"

NUMBER 5
"OZZY FLEES THE PORTA POTTY"

Although I don't remember specifically what tour this was, the venue was the "Rock-am-Ring" festival at the Nurburgring racetrack in Germany. While my good friend Michael, Sash Popovic, my brother and I were on the Autobahn heading to the show in our rented Audi, someone (Michael) wanted to stop at a sausage stand that he espied from the road and verified when we exited for petrol. With abject horror, I watched as he sampled several of those fleshy tubes made from the casings of pig intestines. Along with a spectrum of condiments, he devoured the damn things on rye, caraway and black breads. Bockwurst, brats, Knockwurst... I don't know what was wurst, but with all the congealed blood, eggs, pickling salts, spices, juniper berries, and chucks of pistachios, I soon feared the wurst. When we finally arrived at the festival and parked near the band's buses, it shouldn't come as a surprise that someone (Michael) needed desperately to hit the (single) porta potty that had been set up in the backstage area beer-garden. I'm not sure how long he was in there, but soon it was evident that someone else was desperate to use the thing. As my friend exited, this someone else entered. I would compare the time that it took for the man who bites the heads off bats to flee the dreadful whirlpool in that particular porta potty (at that particular time) to be even faster than the person behind you in L.A. takes to honk their horn when the traffic light switches to green. Not scary enough? Well, with all that Warsteiner, I, too, desperately had to whiz...

NUMBER 4
"DANNY WATCHING THE OPERA"

The number four most frightening thing happened at Tool's storied loft. On the night of one of the band's "Aenima" tour shows in Los Angeles, I stopped by the loft in order to get a jacket that I had left there the night before. My plan was to pick up the jacket and then drive down to the show. Having my own set of keys to the loft, I entered the darkened rehearsal space. Before finding the light switch, I noticed the flickering of a television set up in the actual loft where Danny's waterbed was. Thinking he just left the tv on, I proceeded into the room to search for my jacket. There, I was a bit puzzled to see Danny watching an opera. Didn't he have a show in a couple of hours? With his eyes riveted to the screen, almost as if he was in a trance, I asked if the Tool concert was still happening. After acknowledging that it was, he glanced at a clock and stood up. "Shouldn't you be leaving soon?" I asked. "Yeah... I should probably head down there pretty soon", he calmly replied. "Did you drive over here?"

NUMBER 3
"THE DECOY TOUR BUS AND DECOY BAND MEMBERS"

I think this happened in Fresno, though it might have been in Reno, Nevada. Several hours before the show, Danny, Justin and a few of us were seated outside by where the tour buses were parked. Suddenly, from out of the bushes (I believe) a young kid and his girlfriend approached, telling us that they were huge Tool fans ands had just sneaked into the back stage area. After telling us about this miraculous feat, the guy asked us if we'd seen any of the band members. When someone (it might have been Danny) replied that they were on the bus, the guy informed his young girlfriend that those where decoy tour buses, and that the real buses were parked elsewhere. If I remember correctly, Justin looked at the kid and told him that he was probably right. Now, the frightening thing here is that, not only was the guy right about the decoy tour buses (which run near a million dollars), but those band members who I was previously enjoying a conversation with were undoubtedly decoys themselves! Damn, I wonder were they found them?

NUMBER 2
"NOT JUST ANOTHER TOOL SHOW AT THE COCONUT TEASZER"

This happened a long, long, long time ago. After performing in the small club on the Sunset strip (for which they might not have received any money for, but they sure as hell DIDN'T pay to play), the guys signed with their first manager. Despite having a few 'fishbowls' of Bud, I vividly remember standing outside next to the van as the manager handed the guys a single twenty-dollar bill so that they could all go get a cup of coffee.

Which brings us to the number 1 most frightening incident that I've personally experienced during a Tool tour. However, before revealing it, there are numerous other incidents that could have easily made the list. These include the time that a friend of Danny's volunteered to deliver the band's talismanic board (with its magically illegal "Word of Power") to the backstage area of the Coachella Festival (where the venue stage manager gave us all kinds of grief in a Pazuzuesque preternatural baritone). Also there was the outdoor show where afterwards someone asked me how it felt to be standing right next to Pamella Anderson Lee the entire time, and I had to admit that I didn't even notice her. (NOTE: Come to think of it, that wasn't really too frightening. What if I had started talking with her, and we became friends - then I'd have to some day meet Kid Rock. Instead, I should include the Pinkpop Festival in Holland, when Danny and I were on the side stage during Limp Bizkit's performance and were only given a second's notice by a stage hand that pyrotechnics were going to explode nearby). Another frightening episode occurred the night after a show in Paris when my credit card was fraudulently charged $1, 400.00 for a SINGLE glass of beer in a nightclub in the sparkling Champs-Elysees. And then there was the "Krystal Nightmare" in New Orleans, with all of the roaches, tattooed throngs of Tool fans, and my half dozen attempts to get one of those tiny burgers without mayo and cheese. And let's not forget the time in London when we ran into Justin in the secret honor bar in the Covent Garden hotel (This was frightening because we were so tired at the time, and just wanted to get some sleep). Finally, another incident that deserves an honorable mention would be the McDonald's hamburger that I ate at the train station in Hamburg...

NUMBER 1
"THE POMONA EPICENTER 09 AFTERSHOW PARTY"

Being the last show of the tour, surely there would be a big party after the band finished playing the Pomona "Epicenter 09" extravaganza. And although there was lots of talk about doing just that, nobody (not even Dodgers lefty Randy Wolf, nor Rich, nor Frank, nor Glendon Rusch) seemed to know where and when such a celebration was to take place. Finally, I was informed that it was to be back at the Pomona Sheraton Fairplex hotel where the guys were staying. WhooHoo! Having been given bad directions, we eventually found the place and entered the lobby. Looking around, there didn't seem to be any indication of a party at the hotel bar (just a bunch of businessmen, golfers, Jessica Alba (?), and Bob Ritchie trying to order a "Kid Rock" beer. About a half hour later, a band member who shall remain nameless walked up and told me to go to a particular room. Alright, they've rented an entire room for the shindig! That's what we all thought. However, once inside this near-empty room, all I saw were a couple of people hiding under a table, the only furnishing in the place (for what reason these people were hiding under the table, I never found out. Kid Rock?). Next, the band member appeared again, this time holding a warm unopened case of Corona beer! Not to be alarmed, a woman was right behind our glorious benefactor, she carrying a large bag of ice. With the sight of the case of Corona (lest we forget the ice), pandemonium broke out, with dozens of people attempting to grab as many warm bottles as they could carry. As I tried to restore order, shouting that the beers weren't yet cold, an elderly man in a dark suit burst into the room and grabbed the iced case of beer, informing us in no uncertain terms that we had no right to be in the room, and that drinking beer at this hour (it was well after 2:00 am) was very much against the law. Though I feared for the MIB as he hurried down the hall with our golden treasure, I feared for the after-partygoers even more. Then my cell-phone rang. It was Danny, asking why I wasn't up at the party in his hotel room? I asked if there were carny games and told him that I'd be right up. And, that my friends, is what makes this particular incident so damn frightening...

So there you have it, the top 10 and a few honorable mentions. Before I make myself another one of these Pina Ghouladas, I should like to add that I absolutely expect something to one-day top number 10. This will most likely occur in Australia, involving one of those deadly ticks or a huntsman on my Hahn Premium, or even Red Ned stains (provided of course, the band tours there, and I've a protective Aussie suit). But then again, it could just as easily happen here... though not likely at the Coconut Teaszer...

photo by LaraLee

HAPPY TRAILS

BORDELLO NIGHTCLUB

901 E. 1st. St.
Los Angeles, CA., 90012

RAJAS take the stage at 9 PM sharp. We certainly hope to see you there.

Friday, Nov 20 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Orange Coast College, Costa Mesa, CA

A special fundraising event for the Doyle Arts Pavilion and CoSM, the Chapel of Sacred Mirrors. Entertainment will be provided by DJ Sachi Om and VJ Johnathan Singer. Blue Ritual will perform and ALEX GREY will present a live painting demonstration and gallery tour.

$50 standard ticket; $100 VIP ticket

Tickets to the fundraiser are available by calling Andrea Harris, Art Pavilion director, at 714-432-5102, or by email at alharris@occ.

"Guitar Center announced today that Tommy Lee and the Street Drum Corps' Frank Zummo will present "Bezerk" - an exclusive project commissioned by Guitar Center, featuring some of today's top drummers and artists - as part of the upcoming Drum-Off Grand Finals, taking place January 8, 2010 at The Wiltern in Los Angeles. Artists performing in "Bezerk" include Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers), Matt Sorum (Guns 'N Roses, Velvet Revolver), José Pasillas (Incubus), DJ Aero, Sully Erna (Godsmack), Jay Weinberg, BANG! and others to be announced. Hosted by Stephen Perkins (Jane's Addiction), this historic evening will also include a very special tribute to John Bonham by Jason Bonham, along with an exclusive collaborative performance by Danny Carey (Tool) and Brann Dailor (Mastodon).

These all-star drummers will all come together on one stage to celebrate the night's main event: performances by the top five undiscovered drummers in the nation, who will compete in front of a capacity crowd and a panel of celebrity judges to see who will win a prize package worth more than $40,000 and the title of "Guitar Center Drum-Off Champion" - the nation's top undiscovered drummer. Guitar Center will also induct drum icons Billy Cobham and John Bonham into Guitar Center's Drum Legends as part of the evening's festivities.

Tickets for the show are only $10, and are on sale now at LiveNation.com."

Here's the official Drum-Off website. Link: http://gc.guitarcenter.com/drum-off-2009/

On Itunes... HEAR

"Thank You all for the support." ~ MJK

6 tracks... Including this ONE featuring Milla Jovovich on vocals... Maynard would also like you to know: "Digital ONLY release(s) from Puscifer. Someday we'll do vinyl, but for now it's just digital. Welcome to the New World Order."

photo by LaraLee

THE NOMAD GALLERY
1993 BLAKE AVE, L..A., CALIF

9 PM

MARISOL

Lustmord BLOG

and here's those WEST COAST dates again:

November 4 Oakland, CA - Fox Oakland Theater
November 5 Oakland, CA - Fox Oakland Theater
November 7 Stockton, CA - Bob Hope Theatre
November 10 Seattle, WA - Moore Theatre
November 11 Seattle, WA - Moore Theatre

November 13 Vancouver, BC - Centre For The Performing Arts

November 14 Portland, OR - Roseland Ballroom

1213 N. MAIN STREET
Los Angeles, CA. 90012

$15.00
ALL AGES

DARKLORE WEBSITE
(sample articles, links, contents, etc).

TDG story with Amazon links and book cover image:
LINKS

TDG feature article (sample of Greg Taylor's article from DL4)
SAMPLE

Additionally, there are now 3 sample articles available on the Darklore website:
(http://darklore.dailygrail.com) as free PDF downloads:

* "Beyond the Apocalpse": Greg Taylor's article on The Georgia Guidestones.
* "Flying Saucerers": Emperor's article on the occultists and sci-fi authors that seem to have mixed at the dawn of the UFO era.
* "The Temple of Eden": Filip Coppens' write-up of Gobekli Tepe, the megalithic temple in Turkey which is more than 5000 years older than the pyramids of Egypt.

Here's a rundown on the articles, taken from the Darklore website:

"Filip Coppens takes us on a tour of the jaw-dropping Gobekli Tepe, a megalithic site in Turkey which is more than 10,000 years old; Robert Bauval puts forward a ground-breaking theory about the sacred landscape upon which the monuments of Ancient Egypt were constructed; Nigel Watson compares the 'scareship' sightings of World War I with the modern UFO and Men in Black phenomena; [Darklore Volume 4 Cover] Robert Schoch and Oana Ghiocel ponder whether psychic warfare was used to spark an East European revolution; Theo Paijmans looks back on the first instances of the legendary 'Spring-Heeled Jack' in America and investigates the 'Newhallville Terror'; Greg Taylor surveys the myths and legends which may have inspired the construction of the 'American Stonehenge', the enigmatic Georgia Guidestones; The Emperor looks at the confluence of occultists and sci-fi writers which may have given birth to the modern UFO phenomenon; Greg McQueen brushes the hype away from the 'Abydos Glyphs' which allegedly show helicopters and jets in Ancient Egypt; John Higgs offers a new, speculative theory on the rock art found at megalithic sites; Richard Freeman goes in search of Japanese monsters, the Yokai; Blair MacKenzie Blake puts forward a new, dark interpretation of the Rennes-le-Chateau mystery; Michael Tymn tells the strange afterlife tale of the 'Watseka Wonder' ; Neil Arnold traces the lineage of the blood-sucking monsters from around the world; Nick Redfern uncovers some formerly classifed documents which show the U.S. government's interest in the psi abilities of animals; John Reppion tells the strange underground tale of the Mole of Edge Hill."

The editor, all of the contributing writers, and I (BMB) thank you for your support!

It is with a certain amount of trepidation that I post the September newsletter. Having finished it a week or so ago, before publishing it on the site, due to the bulk of the content, I decided to re-examine the Mantong-'Rosetta' that was included in the Spring 1961 issue of "The Hidden World." Although this (partial) dictionary of the ancient alphabet and language of the so-called Titans and Atlans who once inhabited the earth didn't give me pause for concern, it was a rather mysterious example of 'artifact'-mech in the same publication that caused my initial hesitation. In that the newsletter contained information about an exhibition (entitled "Mantong and Protong") at the Pasadena City College Art Gallery that featured artists Richard S. Shaver and Stanislav Szukalski* - taking into consideration certain of Mr. Shaver's claims about dero activity in 'his' works, I became somewhat reluctant about promoting the show (details of which were sent to me anonymously, but most likely passed along by our friend, Glenn Bray, who may or may not be under any telaug influence). In publicizing the event, hopefully I, myself, have not fallen victim to any telepathic augmentors and/or other wonderful machinery currently at the disposal of those "psychotic dwarfs" in their subsurface exhile. For even that e-mail, I suppose, could be a machine-generated illusion.

* Many readers of this website will know that Adam and Danny are collectors of Szukalski's bronze sculptures, prints, and books.

Although I'm fairly certain that the "Devil's Tower" in Wyoming is not the petrified stump of a tree that remains from a time when giants roamed the earth (as Shaver contends!), I do not dismiss outright certain "Shaver phenomena" as pure fantasy (i.e. pulp science fiction presented as fact), nor as the paranormal ranting of a deranged mind. It may turn out that the teros (inTEgrative RObots) and deros (DEtrimental RObots) of Shaver's underground world are the denizens of a parallel dimension - perhaps even an endogenous tryptamine-enriched realm that he somehow accessed (like those perceived by today's more intrepid psychonauts). But even if the cowled figures aren't responsible for every time a surface dweller slips on a banana peel, or actually wear manhole-cover hats, or even didn't create those tele-solidographs, the Jonas Brothers, with abandoned projection devices, there is something about the nightmarish phantasmagoria glimpsed by Shaver and numerous others that is quite alarming, especially if these internals actually are the poisoned, malevolent survivors (castaways?) of an advanced antediluvian race. In the event that their cavernous abodes are the true inspiration for "hell", there is one aspect of the Pasadena exhibit that is particularly worrisome to me. This is the claim made by Shaver that the imagery in the paintings based on pre-deluge art stones (also known as "rock books") contain evidence (even proof) of dero activity and their continued influence on humanity. Believed to be 'photographically' embedded with the Titan-Atlan's advanced technology, according to Shaver, in order to prevent us from discovering the secret of these ancient machines, the hideously deformed dero tamper with the "photo-stones", changing them right before our very eyes. In fact, one doesn't have to look too hard to see grotesque faces peering with frightening eyes among the constantly morphing patterns.

(NOTE: the "photo-stones" are slices of agate that have been cut (by Shaver) with a diamond saw. For more information about them, see "Subterranean Worlds" by Walter Kafton-Minkel.)

With this in mind, I hate to think that I might be in any way responsible for some uxorious surface dweller checking out the stim and pleasure mech in the paintings, only to later find himself hanging from a meat hook in the stinking sub-basements of a dero supermarket. Making matters even worse are the marvelous surgical rays for the diabolical slicing of your precious grey matter. I could add the cavernous zooids waiting for human table scraps, but you get the idea (yes, YOU... and your little brother who, not being detrimentally inclined, isn't yet contemplating sororicide with your little sister). I guess what I'm saying is that these aren't the subsurface types that get their jollies by putting hissing squibs into your underpants. At least this is the picture painted by Richard Sharpe Shaver, and possibly a detrimental ray (Palmer).

Again, although the dero might not be behind every banana peel left on the stairway, they are probably responsible for many of ills currently plaguing humanity - such as Sean David Morton, ab machines, self help books, Fords, and the madness surrounding the Mayan calendar that ends on December 21, 2012 e. a. (Which is another reason why I was at first reluctant to post this newsletter.) Knowing this to be the case, when examining the paintings based on the Elder Race's "rock books" at the "Mantong and Protong" exhibition in Pasadena, should you notice shifting imagery, monstrous grins, and hear "faroff voices of endless complexity", don't say you weren't warned about the dero "tampering the picture."

Here's the info that I received from "Archives Szukalski."

MANTONG AND PROTONG:

RICHARD SHARPE SHAVER AND STANISLAV SZUKALSKI at the Pasadena City College Art Gallery.
Exhibition: October 9 - November 14, 2009

Reception: Friday, October 9, 6 - 8 PM

ALL EVENTS ARE FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Pasadena City College Art Gallery presents an exhibition featuring two extraordinary artists who each created work based on their singular conclusions about the lost origins of human culture: Stanislav Szukalski (1893 - 1987) and Richard S. Shaver (1907 - 1975). The exhibit includes drawings, paintings, sculpture, original manuscripts, rare publications, studio ephemera and recorded interviews with the late artists.

Stanislav Szukalski was a celebrated artist in his native Poland during the 1920s and '30s, acclaimed for his detailed and elaborately symbolic sculpture that combines elements evocative of European avant-gardes and Meso-American iconography. Tragically, much of Szukalski's life's work was destroyed or lost during the Nazi occupation of Warsaw.

Szukalski relocated to the United States in 1939. For the last decades of his life, living in relative obscurity in the San Fernando Valley, California, he focused on his science of Zermatism, a comprehensive theory of human pre-history that he developed through an extensive body of drawings, writings and sculpture.

Richard Shaver gained fame in the post-WWII era in the United States as the author of science fiction stories (mostly published in the pulp magazine Amazing Stories) that he insisted were fundamentally true. He told of malevolent creatures who live underground, where they manipulate contemporary humans via fantastic mind-controlling machines created eons ago by technologically superior races that have long since abandoned earth. "The Shaver Mystery," as it became known, was a phenomenon in the science fiction world for a few years, as thousands of readers stepped forward to affirm the truth of Shaver's claims.

In later years, Shaver became convinced that certain stones were actually manufactured objects containing text and imagery; these stones being a kind of book made by those advanced antediluvian races. He produced paintings and photographs based on these "rock books," in order to reveal the true history of intelligent life on earth.

Mantong and Protong: Each of these men remained fiercely loyal to his single-minded pursuit of humankind's history in the face of personal tragedy and the frustration of being ignored or dismissed by the very culture they were dedicated to illuminating. The show takes its title from their researches: The Shaver Mystery began when Shaver published what he called an ancient alphabet that is the key to all human languages, complete with a glossary of meanings. He called that alphabet "Mantong." Szukalski studied ancient pictograms and petroglyphs from around the world and concluded that recurrent design motifs in pre-historic drawings comprise a universal code. Sounds and meanings were attached to those visual symbols, and together they make up "Protong," the proto-language that Szukalski asserted is the basis of all human languages.

The exhibition is curated by Brian Tucker, director of the Pasadena City College Art Gallery, with the cooperation of Archives Szukalski, run by Szukalski's longtime friends and patrons Glenn Bray and Lena Zwalve. Tucker has organized several exhibitions featuring Shaver's work in the past, including The Hidden World at the Santa Monica Museum of Art in 1994 and A Little Application of Our Much-Touted Know-How at the Guggenheim Gallery at Chapman University, 2002. Shaver's work has also been exhibited at Christine Burgin Gallery, New York, and included in an exhibition of "outsider photography," Create and Be Recognized, that travelled to museums around the US in 2004-2006. Szukalski's art has appeared in numerous posthumous exhibitions, including the career retrospective Struggle, at the Laguna Art Museum in 2000 and The Self-Born at Varnish Fine Art, San Francisco, in 2005. Several volumes of Szukalski's works remain in print, published by Last Gasp, San Francisco, including Struggle: The Art of Szukalski, Inner Portraits and Behold!!! The Protong.

Mantong and Protong is presented in conjunction with the Pasadena festival of Art & Ideas, organized around the theme of "origins." The festival runs October 23 - November 9. (More information is available at www.artideasfestival.org). The exhibition is made possible through the support of the Pasadena Art Alliance, The Pasadena City College Foundation, and the PCC Division of Visual Arts and Media Studies.

PASADENA CITY COLLEGE ART GALLERY
1570 East Colorado Blvd.
Pasadena, CA 91106
Recorded Gallery information: (626) 585-3285

PCC ART GALLERY HOURS: Monday through Thursday: 11 A.M. to 8 P.M; Friday, Saturday: Noon to 4 P.M. Closed Sundays and school holidays. Visitor parking is available on campus for $2.

ALL EVENTS ARE FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

TOOL-RELATED NEWS

As I'm sure most of you know, PUSCIFER will be touring this fall. But what you might not know is that some of the shows will be---------- SPIDER, SPY from DER. An evil sounding name for an evil insect - a DER-SPY---------- Besides the next Volto! show, Danny will be------------- PENCIL: A PEN THAT SEES ILL IS A GOOD PEN TO WRITE WITH----------- Adam also has a few things going on, but the one that will make fans of Tool------------ T-STRONGLY INTEGRATIVE---------- T-INTEGRATION. GROWTH----------- Justin on the other hand------------BALDERDASH------------- a squib is a small firework---------- (NOTE: using their mech, deros are tampering the content, deleting and changing everything that I type------------ DEATH De an te h... the te force of the human obliterated by disintegrant energy (de)---------- take precautions!----------------------------- DEIADE (God murder)-----------------------

HAPPY TRAILS

THE PRESS

129 HARVARD AVE.
CLAREMONT, CA. 91711

Date: Sunday, October 18, 2009.
Time: 3-5 PM
Venue: Aspic Studios
Address: 1213 N. Main Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012
admission: $15
ALL AGES

"CONTACT Joseph Sabbag at 904-716-5782 for further information and/or early reservation. It is a Small space; Limited capacity. Advance purchasing is advised. BRING A CUSHION OR TWO to sit in a half lotus yoga position to take full advantage of the master's music."

ALOKE DUTTA PERFORMING IN DENVER, CO

ALOKE DUTTA will be performing solo tabla on Tuesday, October 27th at DAZZLE JAZZ CLUB at 7 PM.
Admission: $12
930 Lincoln Street, Denver, CO 80203
303.839.5100
http://info@dazzlejazz.com

www.blackmathhorseman.com

NEVERMORE

The second disc of extended ambient remixes of the Lustmord album [ O T H E R ]

Limited Edition of 1,000 available direct from LUSTMORD

www.lustmord.com

VOTE

Here are some upcoming events and Tool-related bits and pieces that I've gathered whilst battling a very nasty bug. Amazing to think that the microscopic little fucker (sorry, but yes, that's the word I choose to describe it) would keep me from drinking a silver Coleman-chilled brew for seven days now (in the summer!) During that time I've already missed Cpt. Kirk at the 'tator', Adam bartending at the Cha Cha Lounge, and a barbecue hosted by Danny for the Tool tour crew (with stage manager Eric Durett burning the dogs, I was sadly informed). I hate to think what's next as I lay here with my aspirin and warm Gatorade in the clouds and ashes of Xaphon. That's right, no raw juice, aromatherapy, theobromine, nor small loan for a box of oscillococcinum for this influenza! Speaking of Xaphon, some of the band members have friends who live near the area where some of the worst fires are burning, and would like to wish them well (hang tough, Glendon - we're trying to get some Zuni rain dancers on the scene. Feathers and turquoise, my man!). So, let's see what's on the horizon...

Tabla master ALOKE DUTTA to perform in SANTA BARBARA (Goleta), CA.

Date: Thursday, September 17. Time: 9 PM. Tickets: $10
Venue: The Mercury Lounge, located at 5871 Hollister Ave in Goleta.
Phone number: (805) 967-0907, E-mail: MERCURYDMO@aol.

Along with Danny Carey and Terry Bozzio, Aloke and those magic fingers will also perform at the EXPLORERS PERCUSSION 25th anniversary clinic in Overland Park, Kansas on SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19.

As I mentioned on... (Oops, nevermind), if you don't get a chance to meet Danny at Wes's bash at that high school in Kansas that is "The Home of the Raiders!" you should have no problem catching him the following day at the Raiders/Chiefs game in K.C. Danny will be the one wearing red. My prediction of the score prior to the game starting: 0 to 0 (Can't tell you how many beers I've won from those taking that sucker bet.)

NOVEMBER 12TH WILL BE HERE SOON

Are you prepared?

PUSCIFER FALL TOUR DATES

October 29 Las Vegas, NV The Pearl @ The Palms
October 31 San Diego, CA Spreckels Theatre
November 1 San Diego, CA Spreckels Theatre
November 4 Oakland, CA Fox Oakland Theater
November 5 Oakland, CA Fox Oakland Theater
November 7 Stockton, CA Bob Hope Theatre
November 10 Seattle, WA Moore Theatre
November 11 Seattle, WA Moore Theatre
November 13 Vancouver, BC Centre For The Performing Arts
November 14 Portland, OR Roseland Ballroom
November 17 Salt Lake City, UT Capitol Theatre
November 18 Salt Lake City, UT Capitol Theatre
November 20 Denver, CO Paramount Theatre
November 21 Denver, CO Paramount Theatre
November 24 Dallas, TX McFarlin Memorial Auditorium - SMU Campus
November 25 Dallas, TX McFarlin Memorial Auditorium - SMU Campus
November 27 Houston, TX Jones Hall For The Performing Arts
November 28 San Antonio, TX Majestic Theatre
December 1 El Paso, TX Abraham Chavez Theatre
December 3 Phoenix, AZ Orpheum Theatre
December 4 Phoenix, AZ Orpheum Theatre

Seems a bit suspicious that there is no show on November 12th!

"WAVES OF INSPIRATION: THE LEGACY OF BOB MOOG"

The Museum of Making Music and the Bob Moog Foundation present a tribute to the Moog synthesizer at the museum's facilities in CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA. The show runs from AUGUST 29, 2009 - APRIL 30, 2010. Hopefully some of you got to see Keith Emerson wrestling a monster modular Moog last Saturday. More info at www.museumofmakingmusic.org

PHONE: 877-551-9976

http://www.museumofmakingmusic.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=255&Itemid=41

"CAKES" NEEDS YOUR VOTE TO HELP SAVE THE OCEAN

ADAM's Jack Russell Terrier, "Cakes" is going to need some more of your votes this week if WILLIS is going to win some money for his favorite charities. Stand by for more information... In related news, Camella has started a non-profit organization to clean up the ocean and reef system in the tiny town of Mahahual, Mexico. The organization is called MARISOL (Meso American Reef Initiative Save Ocean Life). If you'd like to help her with this cause, please visit saveoceanlife.org.

ESOTERIC BOOK CONFERENCE IN EMERALD CITY

A book expo featuring rare and hard-to-find esoteric texts will be held at the SEATTLE CENTER (SAN JUAN ROOMS) on SEPTEMBER 19 and 20. Notable among those participating in the event are Thelemic scholar Richard Kaczynski, Robert Ansell (from Fulgur Press) and Michael Staley (Typhonian O.T.O. and Starfire Publications). For those interested in occult books and art, please visit www.esotericbookconference.com for additional information. Ars Obscura bookbinding! I might just have to astral project myself to this one...

VOLTO!

Danny, Kirk, Lance and John will be at THE KNITTING FACTORY in HOLLYWOOD on SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5th. There's also a RUMOR* going around that JZ will be doing another one of his special MONDAY NIGHT JAMMMZ/BBQ at the BAKED POTATO on Labor Day. What else are you going to do while at the mercy of your credit score and waiting for the return of Quetzalcoatl?

* I will try to confirm.

THE 11TH ANNUAL BAY AREA UFO EXPO
SEPTEMBER 12-13, 2009
MARRIOTT HOTEL, SANTA CLARA, CA. 95054
(Better than Halloween in the Castro, trust me!)

Shape-shifting reptilians, government cover ups, solar magnetic reversals, mowing devils and the lost continent of Atlantis finally discovered for the 87th time! Not to mention poor Wendell Stevens trying to unload the last few copies of "UFO Contact from ITIBI-RA." Ah, I remember these wonderful conventions, being the attendee who raised his hand and asked the speaker, "What are you on, and where can I get some?" Expo includes the "Maverick Award", "Speakers Dinner Banquet" and something "SHOCKING" from Robert O. Dean. Wait a minute, isn't lizard soup a flu remedy?

DANNY BANGS A NEW GONG!

What do you think of that, Mr. Bottrill?

photo by Rynne

HAPPY TRAILS

photo by Kevin Willis

http://www.savethechimps.org/

www.ida-africa.org

saveoceanlife.org

doctorswithoutborders.org/

http://www.cosm.org/

VOTE

THE BAKED POTATO
3787 CAHUENGA BLVD., WEST

STUDIO CITY, CA. 91604

FLYER

photo by LaraLee

www.explorersdrums.com/

THE GOOD HURT
12249 VENICE BLVD
LOS ANGELES, CA., 90066

CoSM TOOL SHRINE

Now this artwork can be yours by purchasing a limited edition canvas print, size 12 x 42 inches, stretched and ready for hanging. Hand signed and numbered in an edition of 250. All proceeds benefit the Chapel of Sacred Mirrors!"

VIEW/ORDER

Click on "TOOL SHRINE: 10,000 FANS CAN CREATE A LEGACY"

What'll ya have, what'll ya have!
All the way for you and your lover?
A Varsity orange with two straws,
Blame God if there ain't no cover!

HAPPY TRAILS

photo by Rynne Stump

Admission: $10

532 Frenchmen Street, New Orleans, LA 70116.
504-948-BLUE

info@ bluenilemusic.com - website: http://www.bluenilelive.com

photo by Rynne Stump

www.sturgeonband.com

ADAM JONES of Tool is on board to compose and produce while King Buzz of The Melvins and Fantomas performing musical elements to enhance readers experience. Limited Boxed Editions are set to include the exclusive CD along with signatures, limited print, and the Kelley Jones illustrated Cal McDonald short: The 'Y' Incision book. Original design artwork provided by Alex Lodermeier (1974design) and other swag essentials we can't yet divulge... Want more info? Stay tuned as details unfold!"

www.bloodypulpbooks.com

The Caduceus Cellars & Merkin Vineyards tasting room is open daily, 365 days per year with hours Sunday to Thursday from 11 am to 6 pm and on Friday - Saturday from 11 am to 8 pm.

www.caduceus.org

www.azstronghold.com

TUESDAY, JULY 14

TAVERNA TONY (HAPPY HOUR 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM)
23410 CIVIC CENTER WAY
MALIBU, CA. 90265
310-317-9667

Sounds like a great idea, doesn't it. HAPPY HOUR DRINKS IN MALIBU with ADAM JONES, with ALL profits going to a great cause. At least now I know what I'll be doing on Bastille Day. WE HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE.

Admission: $10

532 Frenchmen Street, New Orleans, LA 70116.

504-948-BLUE

Email: info@ bluenilemusic.com

bluenilelive.com

Aloke will be performing in a few other cities later on in the summer and early FALL, including Santa Barbara (Goleta), Kansas City, and Denver. More info about these shows when available.

www.alokedutta.com

GLADSTONE GALLERY JUNE 20 - AUG 14, 2009

gladstonegallery

photo by BMB

With the main objective being to get additional footage for Tool's "Rosetta Stoned" stage projections, I, along with the band's lighting director, Mark (Junior) Jacobson, and a few others, recently made the grueling trek to the perimeter of the world's most famous top-secret military installation. This, of course, is "Homey Airfield" - better known to black budget aircraft buffs, UFO hunters, Larry King, X-Files fans, environmental activists, and conspiracy theorists by its designation on certain government maps as AREA 51.

Having left scorching Las Vegas around 3:30 in the afternoon (stopping briefly at a Sinclair gas station in sleepy Alamo, Nevada to add a magnificent specimen of a vine-ripened tomato to our ample supplies), our timing couldn't have been better, arriving as we did at the grated dirt road leading to the restricted facility to see a large cloud of plutonium-laden dust trailing from the decidedly ominous-looking bus that was presumably transporting a few base flunkies. Pointing our full HD handycam at its blacked-out windows, only when it was out of camera range did we continue a few miles down the well-maintained Highway 375 to the turn off of my favorite camping spot. For nearly 20 years I had been pitching my tent at this particular location, chosen not only because it offered a high-angle panoramic view of the Groom and Papoose Lake airspace, but also because features in the terrain create a natural windbreak. It is also far enough from the Dreamland buffer zone, with its security patrols that have been known on occasion to subject happy campers to various types of psychological warfare tactics.

With sage burning from our vehicles' hot mufflers, we parked on the overgrown dirt track and climbed out to look for any evidence of Dave and his van. No Birkenstock tracks in sight, but talk about "Alien Beef Jerky!" Perhaps it was time that I found another favorite camping spot. Right where I normally placed the silver Coleman were the scattered bones of a cow (?) inside an odd circular depression. Examining them, it appeared as if the animal had exploded. Strange also, was a singed bale of hay near the sun-bleached remains. Had it been blasted by some kind of death ray, Junior wondered? And, if a futuristic particle beam weapon was involved, was it some kind of a warning? Probably not, I replied, but where's an ammonia detector inside a mysterious chrome globe when you need one? It was one thing to risk gamma radiation exposure just to scrounge up some more "Rosetta" footage, but to have one's molecular structure rearranged was above and beyond the call of duty. And people make a big stink out of the lack of pre-sales (something that is beyond my control, anyway). Pre-sales! The last time I came out here to help with the original "Rosetta Stoned" imagery, Groom Lake Road literally collapsed on Camella and I as we were being chased by a cammo bockhockid doing 65. Pre-sales! What if the death ray didn't come from a next-generation Predator UAV being flown by some fourteen-year-old kid in his bedroom in Indian Springs, but came from those boron-thieving EBEs, themselves? Okay, such things are probably only social constructs, but something (with or without a hankering for strawberry ice cream) tipped over this thing... with extreme prejudice. Pre-sales!!!

With an hour or so of sunlight left, before setting up camp, we decided to drive a further 20 miles to the "Little Ale' Inn" - a saucer nut's paradise among the huddle of dilapidated trailers and radiation monitoring equipment known as Rachel, Nevada. There are "things" in that town that we'll be sure to want to capture with the Sony, not the least of which being the employees of the 'Inn' - those whom any MIB with olives in their Coke, or who ask for a handful of salt to take their pill will surely realize to be shape-shifting 'walk-ins' from the Orion Delta. However, before bellying up to the bar for a $4.50 ice-cold can of Budweiser that the bartender has trouble opening, I warned the 'Sturgeons' (three members of the band, "Sturgeon" came along on the adventure) to watch out for any cows (or Jim Morrison, for that matter) standing right smack in the middle of the "Extraterrestrial Highway." Unless you're an alien biologist, these are serious hazards. Evidently, the broiling asphalt is the most enticing aspect of the open range, and because of this, I've nearly totaled out many a shiny rental car. Pre-Sales!

After downing a couple of brews and still having the will power not to buy an Ale'Inn ashtray, the barkeep bids his adieu with the same oddly inflected words that he first greeted us with. Outside, there was more stuff to photograph, but first I wanted to get away from the sulphurous stench of a black Volkswagen that just materialized in the parking lot. Looks like somebody in a turtleneck sweater is going to drink his green Jell-O tonight. All the while this went unnoticed by a European film crew shooting a documentary. Apparently they were too busy checking out the silly looking flying saucer model hanging from the back of a decrepit tow-truck. As the wind kicked up plumes of dust, I was glad that we'd brought our own portable particulate sampler, thermoluminescent Dosimeter, exposure rate recorder, and, of course, a crude microbarograph. Even so, I wasn't getting hazard pay from the band. Pre-sales!!! (Something that his beyond my control, anyway.) A little concerned by some of the readings from the mobile pressurized ion chamber, as well as the body odour of one of the members of the film crew, I thought it best to head back and set up camp. Also, soon the black cows would be coming out to replace the day's brown colored ones...

As soon as we arrived back at what was to become the campsite, one of the 'Sturgeons', guitarist Kent Brisley, wanted to return to the Little Ale'Inn to get some salt for his precious tomato. Although, as previously mentioned, it was a magnificent specimen - no doubt lovingly nurtured by some Mormon (having already procured his tickets for Salt Lake City's SUNDAY NIGHT Tool concert) back at the gas station - I didn't think this was such a good idea. Things are different at night I tried to convince him, what with Ambassador Merlyn Merlin from Alpha Draconis, and Norio Hayakawa singing Willie Nelson (or was it Waylon Jennings?). He was better off just staying right here, where the giant moth in his cocktail is actually a DARPA gizmo controlled from the nearest 'battle lab.' (Note: If anyone else is interested in these homegrown tomatoes in Lincoln County, NV, they can be purchased at the Sinclair station [formerly a Chevron]. Even in a place the size of Alamo, you can't miss it. Right off of HW 93, it is recognizable by the giant inflatable dinosaur out front [and I didn't think these Mormons were chance-slime types]).

Lugging out the "Sheldon" Coleman, I couldn't help but notice that Junior had a pretty decent cooler himself. Whether or not it would hold up to coyotes and proton beams I wasn't sure, but it most certainly kept its cargo at the optimum temperature. In fact, a certain guitarist could be seen eyeing it as the temporary best place to stash his prized tomato. Once the ice chest was placed next to what was left of the zapped bovine, LaraLee and I took stock of our supplies: Farmer John all-beef franks, hamburger patties, buns, shoestring potatoes, barbecue chips, Jiffy pop, pistachio nuts, a warped Nestle crunch bar, and a plump watermelon that the bagger set on top of the barbecue chips. Lots of good stuff for watching anomalous lights over restricted airspace, but still NO Krispy Kreme doughnuts! Also, no pork & beans, as I've always been just as disgusted as a certain alien named "Lucky Bucky" that a mere sliver of pork would have first place (on a label) over a whole can of beans. Untruthful bastards, you can't fool the aliens! On the other hand, the 'Sturgeons' had brought peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. What the fuck was Kent going to do with that tomato? He had no salt... no pepper ... not even a couple of slices of Sunshine white bread. Before the night was over, my good friends were probably going to have their PBJs sandblasted by a modified black PaveHawk helicopter equipped with "Puff-the-Magic-Dragon", and all some Tool fans can do is bitch and moan about pre-sales! To get a little more "Rosetta" footage, I was in all likelihood going to be rendered unconscious by the Wackenhut dudes, who would then toss a scorpion inside my sleeping bag. Pre-sales!!!

As the stars began to come out on this gorgeous moonless night, we mounted the camera and waited for any high strangeness. (Note: even with a new moon, ambient light from Vegas, over a hundred miles away, took away some of the night sky). Red dots and exotic flares (IF jammers) were usually a good sign of unusual things to come, but, unfortunately, none appeared. There were some strobing lights in the direction of the base, but just enough to confirm that the boys at Paradise Ranch (excuse me, "Homey Airport") were still in business. Were there concerns about people in the bleachers?

Charring up some dogs, we continued to watch the glittering infinity, having for the time being to be content with satellites, meteors, and various astronomical chromatics. Soon we grew impatient of these trifles, shouting to anyone who would listen to test some unacknowledged advanced areoform. Although we were hoping for a stealthy triangular-shaped dirigible, or the Air Force's "Brilliant Buzzard" returning from North Korea, at this point even ionized plasma radar decoys, bug-sized UAVs, the ghost of "Chief Standing Horse" or psychological warfare toys like your basic "angry-god" holographic battlefield projections would do. Hell, a stray firefly with one burned out taillight.

Too bad it wasn't a Wednesday. Everyone knows that Wednesday nights were the best for tests. If you wanted to see the spectral green glow of a TR3A Black Manta, you had a better chance on a Wednesday night. 'Coincidently' enough, Wednesday night also used to be "Spaghetti Night" at the Little Ale' Inn. Because it was a Monday, someone had threatened to ruin our space picnic. It was so quiet that I could hear them silently snicker.

An hour later I was bored out of my gourd (pre-sales!). Never mind top shelf black budget stuff. Where were the actual aliens? And I'm not just talking about Lebensborn-types piloting Hitler's Nazi saucers. What ever happened to the good old days when pensions would be cut off just for saying that you rode in an interplanetary spacecraft? When the space brothers burned their fingers on the oil stove because they didn't think it was hot? When even the pillow inside the saucer was part of the mattress, and they had emblems of the pyramids on their towels? Back then one could go for a joyride with the honest to God space-folk, even though they were pissed off because people were monkeying with their beautiful heavenly craft, even tearing them apart just for souvenirs (want to bet Michael Jackson* has one). Where was Lucky Bucky? The mooing of a cow not far away was promising... (Even though there was filet mignon back at the Sinclair station).

* This was written a few days prior to the entertainer's death. Damn... so much for "the big thing." And I was really looking forward to the collaboration. The music. The lights. The duets... Oh well, as I want my own epitaph to read: "These things happen." Pre-sales!!!

As sure as a magnetized bar hung on a string was a good alien detector, I had a sure thing for attracting them. This was a certain Tomita CD. Prokofiev in "Pyramid Sound." AREA 51 had its Old Faithful, and so did I. I stuck the disc in my boom box and pressed play. Sure enough, there soon appeared a few anomalous lights over the base. Perhaps it was time to take a drive down to the perimeter? Someone had best alert the Installation Commander. No vehicular concerns when it's a rental and you've paid $50.00 for the basic coverage. How many jack-rabbits would be lucky tonight?...

Down at the perimeter of the base (with its newer, less intimidating warning signs), we were aware of being watched from the ridges and dirt spurs by the cammo bockhockids, although, much to my dismay, there was relatively little saber rattling (Monday night trainees?). Bummer. We'd driven over thirteen bone-jarring miles, nearly hitting countless jack-rabbits with pieces falling off our Budget rental, braving being brainwashed by the Aaronic Order, not to mention the authorized "USE OF DEADLY FORCE" to capture a few glowing orbs over the restricted zone (for "Rosetta"), and people will still be complaining about the lack of pre-sales (something that is beyond my control, anyway). Worse of all, these orbs were probably just a decoy, with the S-4 aliens visiting our campsite (followed by a flying black Volkswagen) to determine once and for all if Kent's tomato is a fruit or a vegetable? Speaking of which, we needed to get back to that slow-ripening cultivar... near Junior's cooler... with all the ice-cold Pacifico.

With nothing much happening in the skies (or so we were telepathically instructed to believe), we decided to retire, only to be rousted from our tents by category 3 winds (using the Beaufort scale) in a few hours. With our tents all but tumbling across the awakening desert, LaraLee and I couldn't help but laugh, thinking about the hide being blown right off of that poor cow whose bones were all around us. So, that's what happened. It wasn't a death ray from a UAV. Just like it was probably the 123-degree heat that melted my Nestle crunch bar...

Managing to tear down camp in the powerful gusts - I'm telling you this was no Taiwan 18-inch desk fan - we loaded our vehicles until all that was left was that exquisite tomato. Disorienting electromagnetic fields had prevented Kent from slicing it. Clumps of green yarn (that which hadn't blown away) proved this beyond any shadow of a doubt. Junior had no choice but to toss it into left field, where its fate was uncertain.

On the way back to Las Vegas, we were compelled to stop at the "Alien Research Center" in Hiko. I was hoping to enquire about Indrid Cold from Lanulous, but a fellow speaking in clipped monotone phrases told me to leave and never return. I wondered if that was his black Volkswagen with the "I... Brake... for... Dave's... Van... And... Cars... Without... Wheels... And... Fenders..." bumper sticker? For whatever reason, I took the man's advice (though his sticking a knife and fork in a glass of Dr. Pepper seemed rather odd), and headed towards Alamo, knowing that as long as I didn't have cell reception, the band's management would certainly call to tell me that the Pomona show was finally official. I wondered if there would be any pre-sales? Pre-sales!!!

photo by LaraLee

HAPPY TRAILS

ALTERED SPACE GALLERY
1221 Abbot Kinney Blvd.
Venice, CA
310-452-8121

FRIDAY, JULY 3, 2009 e.v.

7-10 PM

ARTISTS:

Heather McMillen (you've seen her work on this site)
Sera Timms (the lady who Fronts BLACK MATH HORSEMAN)
Bayard Baudoin (worked on TOOL art/video)
Matjames Metson (Katrina survivor, friend of Camella Grace)
Greg Shirilla (Chicago based artist)
CW Mihlberger (Venice painter/sculptor)

LIVE MUSIC! WE HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE.

A detail of one of Heather's new paintings entitled "LADY TRUCK" (Oil on Archival Panel 20" x 20" x 2", 2009)

photo by LaraLee

photo by LaraLee

photo by LaraLee

photo by LaraLee

photo by BMB

July 3 Roskilde Festival - Roskilde
July 5 Furia Sound Festival - Cergy - Pontoise
July 6 Effenaar - Eindhoven
July 8 BHF Langendreer - Bochum
July 9 Wagenhallen - Stuttgart
July 10 Beatpol - Dresden
July 11 Feierwerk - Munich
July 12 Dachstock - Bern
July 13 Spaziale Festival - Torino
July 15 Exaus Open Air - Trier
July 16 Dour Festival - Dour
July 18 Llosaarirock - Joensuu

www.isistheband.com

myspace

photo by ADAM JONES (at the L.A. show)

8/22/09 - Pomona, CA - Epicenter 09 Festival (Pomona Fairgrounds)

www.synesthesiacorp.com

Thanks, Kat.

photo by LaraLee

(Note: I remember many years ago bidding on a Saucerian reprint of the Varo edition on eBay. Just prior to the auction ending, I found myself outbid by someone who was willing to pay over $500.00. Several days later while having dinner at Danny's house I noticed the book on his cluttered coffee table. When I pointed it out, he looked at me with a sly grin and said, "Oh, that piece of shit, you can have it." Obviously it was he who had outbid me, and had done so not only in a humorous manner, but also as a very generous gesture. As for finally finding the original, it was exactly where I always thought one might turn up - in the bargain bin where it was tossed by someone who was ignorant of the book's status as the "Holy Grail" of vintage 'flying saucer' publications.)

Although the chances of acquiring either one of these versions of the Varo edition is rather slim, there was one book seller located in the Pacific Northwest who was offering a few facsimile copies (most likely black and white Xerox copies of a Saucerian reprint, thus lacking the red mimeograph stencils, etc.) for around $100.00 each. However, at the time of this writing, NO copies could be found in doing a check of the e-landscape (ABE, etc.). I'm not sure if this is due to any copyright violations, but also recently there appeared on amazon.com a new soft cover book entitled "The Allende Letters AND the Varo Edition of The Case for the UFO" by Morris K. Jessup, and now it, too, has all but disappeared, with only one USED ("acceptable") copy being offered for a stratospheric price of $371.00! Strange indeed...

To learn more about The Varo Edition of Dr. Jessup's book, see DARKLORE VOL III, an anthology of hidden history, western esotericism, ufology, cryptozoology, paranormal occurrences, Fortean phenomena, and a dash of conspiracy theory, which is now available from DailyGrail Pubishing in both a limited edition hard cover (only 333 copies) and less expensive soft cover format at Amazon.com. As with the first two volumes of DARKLORE, the third installment contains numerous subjects (316 pages) that are sure to fascinate those who are interested in these mysteries.

PURCHASING INFORMATION

AMAZON US HARDCOVER

AMAZON US PAPERBACK

AMAZON UK HARDCOVER

AMAZON UK PAPERBACK

Pictured is my copy of the ultra rare Varo Edition of "The Case for the UFO"

June 9 - 4:30 to 7:30 pm - Miami, FL (6701 Red Rd. Coral Gables)

June 10 - 4:30 to 7:30 pm - Boca Raton, FL (1400 Glades Rd.)

June 12 - 4:30 to 7:30 pm - Orlando, FL (8003 Turkey Lake Rd.)

June 13 - 2:00 to 5:00 pm - Jacksonville, FL (10601 San Jose Blvd.)

AUGUST 7/09 - Cincinnati, OH - PNC Pavilion / ON-SALE 6/20

Check out the trailer HERE

Look for more of Matt's stunning art in a future Tool project (i.e. "the big thing")

I'll put a couple more photos up in the ToolArmy photo galleries.

photo by BMB

"HOLY SHIT!"

"Double septic surprise at CoSM, Chapel of Sacred Mirrors! How do you doo when both septic systems, one behind the main house and one behind the office, on the 40 acres of CoSM's new Art Sanctuary in the Hudson Valley collapse in the same week? Got to replace them, but these systems are very expensive! These needed improvements will be a tremendous asset and essential to the health and well-being of the site. Our architect, Al Cappelli, and our contractor, Kevin Lund are very proud of these jobs assuring us that they will last a hundred years. Contribute today, poop with confidence at CoSM tomorrow...

CoSM needs your support now more than ever. We are asking those who have gotten value from the artwork and from CoSM activities to please consider making a generous contribution today."

www.cosm.org

photo by Rynne Stump

Obviously this was written by Eric and intended for "Notes From the Crew." - BMB

818-980-1615

photo by Paul Goldman

www.oldworldmonkey.com

THE BAKED POTATO
3787 Cahuenga Blvd., West
Studio City, CA. 91604

UPDATE: After careful consideration I have decided to bring the Gold Coleman instead of "Silver" to the jammmz/barbecue tonight. I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, but rest assured, it also keeps things properly chilled.

photo by Paul Goldman

JULY 18 - DENVER THE FIELDS AT DICK'S SPORTING GOODS PARK/FESTIVAL
JULY 19 - SALT LAKE CITY, UT - ENERGY SOLUTIONS ARENA
JULY 21 - PHOENIX, AZ - US AIRWAYS ARENA - ON SALE MAY 30
JULY 22 - RIO RANCHO, NM - SANTA ANA STAR CENTER - ON SALE JUNE 6
JULY 24 - SAN ANTONIO, TX - AT@T CENTER - ON SALE MAY 30
JULY 27 - DULUTH, GA - GWINNETT ARENA - ON SALE JUNE 6
JULY 29 - CHARLOTTE, NC - BOJANGLE'S COLISEUM - ON SALE MAY 29
JULY 30 - FAIRFAX, VA - PATRIOT CENTER - ON SALE MAY 30
AUG 1 - JERSEY CITY - ALL POINTS WEST FESTIVAL/ON SALE NOW

MORE ON-SALE DATES ADDED

More dates to be announced once confirmed

June 3 - 4:30 - 7:30 pm - Milwaukee, WI (2305 N. Prospect Ave.)

June 5 - 4:30 - 7:30 pm - Chicago, IL (1500 N. Kingsbury)

June 6 - 2:00 - 5:00 pm - Chicago, IL (1101 S. Canal St.)

June 9 - 4:30 to 7:30 pm - Miami, FL (6701 Red Rd. Coral Gables)

June 10 - 4:30 to 7:30 pm - Boca Raton, FL (1400 Glades Rd.)

June 12 - 4:30 to 7:30 pm - Orlando, FL (8003 Turkey Lake Rd.)

June 13 - 2:00 to 5:00 pm - Jacksonville, FL (10601 San Jose Blvd.)

June 16 - 4:30 to 7:30 pm - Boston, MA (340 River St.)

June 17 - 4:30 to 7:30 pm - Boston, MA (340 River St.)

June 18 - 5:00 to 8:00 pm - Springfield, NJ (NOTE: not at Whole Foods - Wine Library - 586 Morris Ave.)

Just a friendly reminder about CHET and (father) JAMES ZAR's ART SHOW at L'Imagerie Gallery this SATURDAY NIGHT (MAY 16th). Having a chance to preview some of the pieces, I strongly urge those who are interested to attend the OPENING (7PM - 11:00 PM) . In fact, I'm fairly certain that at LEAST one art savvy member of TOOL has his eye on a couple of pieces, if he hasn't already made arrangements to purchase them. Anyway, this should be an interesting night for fans of strange art. For additional information (including the press release), please see my POST FROM MAY 11.

10555 Victory Boulevard

North Hollywood, CA 91606

818 762-8488

GALLERY

myspace

Hours:
Tuesday-Saturday - 11:30 AM -6:00 PM

WEBSITE

MYSPACE
FACEBOOK

FREE ALBUM DOWNLOAD

This is a father and son show that is amazing in it's polarity of imagery. You would be hard pressed to visually discern that both painters are related-except for their astounding facility with a paintbrush and clarity of their respective vision. This is more than a father/son exhibit, it's a visual polemic of antipodean aesthetics, contradictory world-views and a personal glimpse into the genetics of visual creativity.

Father, *James Zar*, who is also referred to as /The Still Life Magician/, creates his striking still life and visionary works in oils, inspired by a life of living near the sea. His colorful works burst with elemental imagery and many depict the life sustaining quality of water. Water=life and painting=transcendence in James Zar's universe. The sanctity of nature is celebrated in dreamlike reverie; the human element is but only a part of James Zar's works. Zar attended Valley Junior College, the Pasadena Playhouse and the San Francisco Art Institute where his interest in art was encouraged and expanded by his mentor, the late master painter, Keith Finch. Joe Hales and Raymond Escar were influential instructors. He holds a lifetime adult teaching credential in California.

Zar's tribute to Al Davis hangs in Canton, Ohio's Football Hall of Fame. He has participated in many shows including the Port of L.A. Bicentennial Art Show where he won First Place and People's Choice Awards and he was awarded the San Dimas Art Festival's Gold Medal.

While James Zar's world teems with life and symbiosis with nature, son, *Chet Zar's* focus is darker, foreboding and depicts fear and death in a gorgeous palette of ochre's and grayscales - a dark yang to his fathers ying, Chet Zar is reminiscent of a 21^st century Goya, whose point of reference are horror and science fiction films, mining beauty from horror, his compelling subjects aren't monsters- they are us.

These combined interests (horror films and art) eventually culminated into a career as a special effects make up artist, designer and sculptor for the motion picture industry, designing and creating creatures and make up effects for such films as/, "The Ring", "Hellboy", "Planet of the Apes"/ and the critically acclaimed music videos for the art metal band, Tool. For the last decade Zar has also embraced the digital side of special effects as well, utilizing the computer to translate his dark vision with 3D animation for Tool's live shows and subsequently releasing many of them on his own DVD of dark 3D animation, "Disturb the Normal", "Chet's art is beautiful & scary. His style has a modern twist crashing into a classical approach. I think Chet is a master painter on his way to making a great mark in our little world. Wanna do something smart with your money? Invest in a Chet Zar painting." - Adam Jones (TOOL).

James and Chet Zar are brilliant technicians as well as visionaries, who ironically choose different ends of the light and life spectrum to express their obsessions with existence and death, fear and exaltation and horror and happiness. This exhibit lays bare a father and son's two worlds of opposites- aesthetically and stylistically, connected by a family tie and the obsession to express good and evil inherent in the human condition as they apply to the natural -or supernatural world."

When Worlds Collide runs through June, 2009.

L'Imagerie Gallery
10555 Victory Boulevard
North Hollywood, CA 91606
818 762-8488

www.limageriegallery.com
www.myspace.com/limageriegallery

Hours:

Tuesday-Saturday - 11:30 AM -6:00 PM

photo by BMB

photo by Camella, who is currently doing some diving in the Yucatan

SPECIAL GUEST: STURGEON

THE KNITTING FACTORY
7021 Hollywood Blvd., Suite 209
Hollywood, CA. 90028 323 463-0204

www.voltoband.com.

Blurry photo by BMB

For a list of authors and contents, please visit the Dailygrail WEBSITE

Some free content SAMPLES

WALLPAPERS

PURCHASING INFORMATION

AMAZON US HARDCOVER

AMAZON US PAPERBACK

AMAZON UK HARDCOVER

AMAZON UK PAPERBACK

I am once again thankful to Greg Taylor to have been asked to contribute to this outstanding anthology. What did I write about this time? Well, in the words of the book's editor: " Blair MacKenzie Blake opens his rare book collection to give us all a glimpse into the strange circumstances surrounding the legendary 'Varo Edition' of UFO investigator M.K. Jessup's "The Case For The UFO."

And finally: In my experience with books of this nature (in particular the collectible limited edition hardcover), you either get them when they're first published, or take a chance on paying dearly down the road.

SexTapes Live
April 20, 2009
THE KEY CLUB
9039 Sunset Blvd
West Hollywood CA 90069
(310) 786-1712

Show starts at 8:30pm and SexTapes play at 10:00 PM.

Come on down and meet Sera, Ian, Bryan... and the "Skullet." Kat will be there. Hell, maybe we'll even get Heather off the beach.

2007 Caduceus, Nagual del Judith. 100% Northern Arizona Cabernet Sauvignon.
$99.99. Only 90 cases produced.

PURCHASE

Also available now:

2008 Caduceus, Dos Ladrones. 50% Arizona Malvasia Bianca, 50% Arizona Chardonnay. $39.99.
175 cases produced.

photo - Duncan Blake

photo: LaraLee

Scott Kinsey: Keyboards
Steve Tavaglione: Saxophone
Rufus Philpot: Bass
Kirk Covington: Drums

thebakedpotato
www.scottkinsey.com

photo by dive partner Rynne

Jul 18 2009 - Mile High Music Festival - Commerce City, CO, USA

Aug 01 2009 - Liberty State Park - Jersey City, NJ

Tickets on sale: April 6

photo by Isaac Brekken

As a tribute to the Chumash Indians that once lived on their property, Justin and Shelee recently had a teepee erected near the house (yes, a large dome-shaped hut made of willow branches that slept 49 people was their second choice). What the Tool bassist plans on doing with the structure is anyone's guess, but knowing that a certain section of the acreage contains a "supernatural" power zone that was, itself, enhanced by abstract pictographs painted by the shaman-astronomer (known as an "alchuklash") in a particular sandstone cave (the rock shelter that Dannny and Justin were in - which I posted on the website at an earlier date), it's not only possible, but highly likely that he might draw inspiration from it, with the end result manifesting itself on the next Tool album. In fact, it could be that Justin is currently composing music in one of the 'dreaming-beds' of the "trip'-ne" (as these power points are called) - those used ceremoniously nearly a thousand years ago by the alchuklash, employing jimson weed to transcend 'ordinary reality' and take magical flights to otherworlds. Now, I'm not suggesting that Justin is conducting his own Chumash-style vision quest (considering that datura can be deadly!), looking for empirical evidence of these trans-mundane beings that are depicted in the colorfully decorated caves, but he may be engaged in some type of experimentation (absorbing a previous vibe, etc.)... strictly for shamanic purposes (and, of course, to enhance a future prog-metal recording). Watch out for Poxono, though!

Although many scholars believe that the strange imagery on rock paintings found in Chumash country (coastal southern California) to be the result of visual effects of sacred ceremonies in which the powerful hallucinogenic datura was used, whose to say that they're not the stylized depictions of the inhabitants of the lost continent of Lemuria or MU (as in the MaliMU) who once settled in the Santa Monica Mountains? And if they were only the alternative lifestyle, hippie-bohemian Lemurians, with their ancient VW van-vimanas and bumper sticker-laden mercury vortex engine vailxi, then the 'visualizations' make even more sense (the liquid mercury proton gyroscopes of a disemboweled vimana is clearly evident in at least one pictograph!). If this is indeed the case, then the place is even more charged with 'unknown' energies...not to mention those portals guarded by heavenly mosquitoes and such (see: "When Demons Rule California").

Ah Topanga Canyon... mysterious petroglyphs inspired by the powerful hallucinogenic datura , phantom footsteps, numerous UFO-tulpas from grandmother Momoy's private stash, patchouli-scented whirligigs, negative vortices, tie-dyed guardian spirits, and a "turtle crossing" sign. No wonder Jim Morrison also once lived in this place meaning "ABOVE." As for the Chumash people, don't worry. They've now got a casino-resort with slot machines, buffets, Lexus hybrid giveaways, and Joe Cocker performing on May 21 (who needs the goddess of the datura flower!) As far as I know, though, those rumors about Charlie Manson's band "The Milky Way" (with Bobby Beausoleil on lead guitar and bass clarinet) doing a reunion show at the casino are not true. Still, you might check Abuelita's calendar. (Note: For more information about the Chumash shaman-astronomers and ritual intoxication involving jimson weed, see "The Long Trip: The Prehistory of Psychedelia" by Paul Devereaux, recently reissued by Daily Grail Publishing, and available at amazon.com.)

Anyway, that's what Justin may or may not be up to these days. As far as other band-related news, the last meeting with 3D artist Meats Meier went great (as he acknowledged in a recent blog). Adam and Kevin Willis are up to some mischief. Maynard is back from the wine signings in Texas, and is getting ready for the Puscifer shows at Club Nokia. Danny has added yet another monster modular synth to his collection, and is currently recording... something at the loft. Besides that, we should have some Tool tour dates posted soon. Now, show me the way to the next supernatural power zone...

HAPPY TRAILS

The Art of Sketch Theatre
at The Gnomon Gallery
1015 N. Cahuenga Blvd.
Hollywood, CA. 90038
March 21 - April 20
http://www.gnomongallery.com/

Public Opening and Artists Reception
SATURDAY, MARCH 21st 2009
7pm - Midnight
Live Models, DJ, Open Bar & more!

Just one of the heroes from last night - grillmaster M. Fox doing your burger right.

blurry photo by LaraLee

"Austin guitarist/singer and all around great guy, Chris Tondre is accepting Paypal donations on behalf of John, via his account: (crix_35@hotmail.com). Please specify that the contribution is for John Z."

Another great friend, Dale Wagler from Line 6, is also accepting mail-in donations and letters to John from those without Paypal that still want to help contribute:

Line 6, Inc.
Attn: Dale Wagler
26580 Agoura Rd.
Calabasas, CA. 91302-1921

One of John's best friends, David Phillips from L.A. Sound Design, is accepting all shipped packages in care of John, at his business address:

L.A. Sound Design, Inc.
2409 W. Magnolia Blvd.
Burbank, CA 91506
(818)-845 8663

MONDAY NIGHT SUPER JAM & GRILL (with Grill Master M. Fox)

THE BAKED POTATO

3787 CAHUENGA BLVD., WEST
STUDIO CITY, CA. 91604
818-980-1615

HEATHER'S ART .

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KAT! (slightly belated), shown here in the days of the travelers...

1st Night, April 4th:

The opener is "INTO THE PRESENCE", featuring Tim Alexander (Primus, Puscifer, A Perfect Circle, Fata Morgana, Laundry)

2nd Night, April 5th:

The opener is "SWEETHEAD", Featuring Troy Van Leeuwen (Queens of The Stone Age, A Perfect Circle)

MARCH 23 - PLANO,TX - 2201 Preston Rd. 4:30 - 7:30 PM
MARCH 24 - AUSTIN, TX - 525 N. Lamar Blvd. 4:30 - 7:30 PM
MARCH 26 - SUGAR LAND, TX - 15900 SW Freeway. 4:30 - 7:30 PM
MARCH 27 - ALAMO QUARRY (SAN ANTONIO), TX - 255 E. Basse Rd. 4:30 - 7:30

Don't worry, I didn't pay $75,000 for Josh's CD. Actually, I'm saving up to play miniature golf with Maynard. For the asking price of $20,000, hopefully this will be at "Hawaiian Rumble Miniature Golf" in Myrtle Beach. But then again, who wants to be dropped off on the freeway there... with all those pig farms and whatnot.

photo by Rynne

Also worthy of note, dub remixes for "D IS FOR DUBBY" are available EXCLUSIVELY from the PUSCIFER download section.

VOLTO!

DANNY CAREY
KIRK COVINGTON
LANCE MORRISON
JOHN ZIEGLER

(with special guest CPT KIRK)

FRIDAY, MARCH 6th
THE KNITTING FACTORY (MAIN STAGE)
7021 HOLLYWOOD BLVD, SUITE 209
HOLLYWOOD, CA. 90028 323-463-0204

Also of note, JOHN ZIEGLER's MONDAY NIGHT JAMMMZ at THE BAKED POTATO (Universal City)

Tickets go on sale tomorrow (FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27) at TicketMaster.

Photo by Isaac Brekken/Palms Casino Resort

Photo courtesy of ISAAC BREKKEN of the Palms Casino Resort

Danny Carey

The first report came in on January 27th. Someone had sent it to a band member who, in turn, forwarded it to me. More reports soon followed, all of them being photographs and/or descriptions of sightings of "creatures" resembling centipedes, millipedes, and other multi-legged arthropods discovered after opening Tool's "Vicarious" DVD. Although I would normally feel obliged to do so, no entomologists (particularly those who specialized in Myriapoda) were consulted. There was no need to do so. The reason being is that in all of the later sightings, the "creature" found in the center appeared to be an ordinary caterpillar. This was the long-awaited SIGN. And although I don't make any claims to belonging to the true succession of prophets, the VISION should be carefully studied, as it will furnish valuable contributions towards the understanding of that which is to come. The vision wasn't received by the normal means of divination, including genethliaos, aeromancy, pyromancy, myomancy, orniscopy, shadows, writings in ashes, human entrails, cocks picking grains, salt, lead, dice, a suspended ring, melted wax, nails reflecting the moon's rays, or the color and peculiarities of wine. It came in the form of a dream, which I consider to be just as valid as if it were perceived in the polished depths of a black speculum. The vision concerns the wayleals (i.e. soldiers) and the Xaphanauts, who, although they do not YET exist, shall dwell in the 'hellish' interior regions due to various transgressions. Here, then, is the vision:

Wisdom is more moving than any motion, and knowing this, I slept, and behold a vision came to me. And I saw in the palace of mortifications a living thing, crawling among the faint rubigo and painted trifles, as illumined by the jagged haloes of the XAPHANAUTS. And as iridescence penetrates the striations of matter, its pupal-tomb was enswathed in an unusually metallic tegument, all the while irradiated by a treasure of celestial configurations. Though flattened among the dreary prospect, I imagined it wreathed in the wings of glory. In a golden tongue sublime, this recondite transformation spoke: Forewarn the WAYLEALS and their kaleidoscopically- changing leaders who endure not patiently, that even the blare of jeweled trumpets shall corrode with the approaching shadow of the gnomon. When the hour strikes, no title, rank, nor honor shall save those who navigate the oblique and complicated windings - both the righteous and elect, and those who machinate a thousand ills. Emblems of magistery shall wither; tokens achromatized with perpetual execration, for with the blood of the clepsydra, and purple trickle of hourglass, I saw embellished flesh stripped by ravenous birds; solid and perdurable avatars melting like a honeycomb before the variegated fire of magnicity. And then I perceived, unveiled, a most glorious habitation, its antiquated predecessor arrayed forth in all the phantasmagoria of imputed folly. But even there, polluted mouths shall not obtain mercy from the protective gloriole of those who will hereafter execute judgment upon them. Bound by chains, their misery ascends to the Demiurge, vitreous sapphire eyes blinded as worms feast on the effulgent spectrum. Here ends the vision.

No commentary on the vision is necessary and none shall be given, even to those who employ a steam engine to crack a nut. Time is a stumbling block to unbelievers, but there is little that I can do about that. Even so, in conclusion, I would like to share some words from Von Eschenbach to his critics: "This flying metaphor will be much too swift for dullards. They will not be able to think it through because it will run from them like a startled rabbit. Mirrors coated on the back with tin, and blind men's dreams, these catch only the surface of the face, and that dim light cannot steadfastly endure even though it may make fleeting joy real. Anyone who grabs the hair in the palm of my hand, where there isn't any, has indeed learned how to grab close. And if I cry Ouch!, it will only show what kind of mind I have. Shall I look for loyalty precisely where it vanishes, as fire in running water, dew in the sun?"

HAPPY TRAILS

photo by Rynne

Whole Foods Markets:

Feb. 17 4:30 - 7:30 pm Fresno, CA (650 W. Shaw Ave.)

Feb. 18 4:30 - 7:30 pm Petaluma, CA (621 E. Washington St.)

Feb. 19 4:30 - 7:30 pm Sacramento, CA (4315 Arden Way)

Feb. 26 & 27 4:30 - 7:30 pm Denver, CO (7400 E. Hampden Ave.)

Mar. 1 2:00 - 5:00 pm Albuquerque, NM (2103 Carlisle Blvd. NE)

THE POVevolving GALLERY & PRINT STUDIO
939 CHUNG KING RD.
LOS ANGELES, CA. 90012

7-10 PM

I would also like to remind folks in the Los Angeles area (where it freakin' HAILED a few minutes ago!!!) that John Ziegler is still going strong with his MONDAY NIGHT JAMMMZ at THE BAKED POTATO in Universal City (that's TONIGHT). And as I often mention, you never know who's going to show up at the 'tator' to join in with the performers. With this in mind, we hope to see you there.

photo by Rynne

photo by Rynne Stump

photo by Rynne Stump

photo by LaraLee

* Yes, "Ibiza Bar" is the name of an early Pink Floyd song.

photo by Kat

Tomorrow night (MONDAY, JANUARY 12), JOHN ZIEGLER will be presenting a NAMM JAMM at the BAKED POTATO in Universal City. Although you never know who's going to join in (musicianss are encouraged to bring an instrument and take the stage during the second set), keyboardist Billy Steinway will more than likely be participating in event.

On TUESDAY (JANUARY 13), the "European Touring Edition" of the SCOTT KINSEY GROUP (featuring Scott of keyboards, SCOTT HENDERSON on guitar, MATTHEW GARRISON on bass, and KIRK COVINGTON on drums) will be playing the 'tator' (THE BAKED POTATO: 3787 Cahuenga BLVD, WEST, UNIVERSAL CITY, CA. 91684). Though hard to describe, you won't want to miss these "musician's musicians"). SHOW TIME 9:30. $20.00 COVER.

Next it's VOLTO! (DANNY CAREY, KIRK COVINGTON, LANCE MORRISON, and JZ), again at THE BAKED POTATO JAZZ CLUB (the premiere jazz club in L.A.) on THURSDAY, JANUARY 15. It looks like a possible additional Volto! show at the HOB in Anaheim is a NO GO, but perhaps on another date. Advance tickets for Volto! are advised, but with two shows, there are sometimes tickets available at the door.

And finally, it's another round of MONDAY NIGHT JAMMMZ at the 'tator' on JANUARY 19th. As always, we hope to see you there.

photo by LaraLee

(NOTE: If you look closely, you'll see that that's a zero in the phone number, not an 8, making it 818-980-1615.)

Recently I received a rather lengthy e-mail from President-elect Barack Obama, and although I won't post it here in its entirety, the gist of it concerned a matter that he personally felt needed urgent attention. With the "turning of the page", meaning the coming new year, the new administration, and the new positive attitude sweeping the nation, one of the things high on his list of priorities as part of "the changes America needs" is to engage in serious dialogue in 2009 with Tool's content manager, or "a high level administrator of the Tool websites" to see about changing the format of the newsletters so that they would include more news about the band itself as opposed to the various subjects of interest to the four members and/or their close circle of friends. Now, as you might well imagine, with all that's going on in the world today, I was a bit flummoxed as to his concerns about the website, not to mention how Barack obtained my personal e-mail address in the first place! And although I could have responded that these are tough decisions, and that I'd have to think about it - being that I am the decider around here, to be perfectly honest, in that we are indeed "turning a page", I have to admit that I whole heartedly agree with Obama. Perhaps to highlight the gravity of the situation, the e-mail he sent ended with "we have a lot of work to do" in bold-faced type, to which I sent my immediate reply stating that I would be more than happy to comply with his request, offering then a warning about any possible "Hochstetters" out there.

TOOL

Although I really don't have any specific information at this point (just snatches of conversation heard now and then), if the past is any indication of how things work in the Tool World, this is about the time when members of the band start getting really serious about composing new music that they will eventually (hopefully) record. As for any TOOL tour plans in 2009, despite all the rumors on the internet and elsewhere, as far as I know nothing has been decided yet. With this said, certainly anything's possible come the spring, summer and fall (winter, too). Although you are free to speculate all you want, I would ask that you please do not read more into this than I've just stated. To repeat: in the past it was shortly after the holiday season that the band members began writing in earnest for a new record, and, as far as I know, nothing has been decided as of yet with regards to any possible Tool tour in 2009...

TOOL WEBSITE NEWS?

One thing that has been discussed for quite some time is to give a bit of a face-lift to the Tool websites (Danny's site as well). This is something that I certainly hope happens in 2009, and the sooner the better, but for now we'll just have to wait and see what transpires over the next month or so...

MEMBERS OF TOOL

Possibly at least one member of TOOL will be guest performing on the new ISIS album (recorded by "Evil" JOE BARESI). More details later...

PUSCIFER

Everyone knows that MAYNARD's band PUSCIFER added a third show at THE PEARL in Las Vegas on SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15th, right?..

VOLTO!

DANNY, John, Kirk, and Lance will be performing at THE BAKED POTATO on THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, and possibly also doing a show in ANAHEIM during the NAMM CONVENTION. There also should be one helluva MONDAY NIGHT NAMM JAMM (both on the 12th and 19th) with all those out of town musicians visiting the L.A. area.

ADAM JONES AND THE QUISP ENIGMA

While at Danny's house the other day, I couldn't help notice a box of "Quisp" cereal on a table full of recently opened Xmas gifts (to be listed in a future newsletter). As it turned out, ADAM had given this to Dan, having purchased it on a recent visit to the east coast. Seeing how the box was in such good condition, I picked it up to check out the date, and was surprised to see that it was 2006. Evidently the Quaker Oats people are still making the saucer-shaped crunchy corn cereal with the 'quazy' pink alien on the cover in a limited distribution. Now, as strange as this seemed to me, what was really strange is that Adam knew that Danny liked Quisp. Some readers might remember my post from December 11, 2007 with the accompanying photo of a broken "drum contraption" in which I mentioned that I believed that Danny's power came from his eating an entire box of Quisp everyday while growing up in Kansas. Well, evidently Adam read this, even if Barack didn't. Anyway, for some reason (prior to the 2007 post), I always thought Danny preferred "Quake" even though Quisp did have the better prizes inside...

TOOL IN DARKLORE VOLUME 2

In case some of you missed it, TOOL is featured in the anthology "DarkLore Volume 2" that was recently issued by the Daily Grail Publishing. In his piece entitled "OCCULT ROCK", author/editor Greg Taylor writes about Tool's interest in the occult, shedding light on such things as Dr. John Dee's Enochian "Sigillum Dei Ameth", the "Salival" cover art, "Lateralus" lyrics/Fibonacci Sequence, talismanic boards, parasemiotic symbols, the idiotheosis of "Faaip de Oiad", Danny's Jeff Ocheltree/Paiste bronze drumkit, the cryptic insert in the packaging of the import of "Aenima", the "Flaming Eye" motif, Blue Apple symbology in the "Parabola" video and much more... To order a hardcover or soft cover copy, go to www.amazon.com and type in "Darklore Vol 2."

photo by BMB

HAPPY TRAILS

Making their debut at the Baked Potato tomorrow night (DECEMBER 30) will be CAPTAIN KIRK, featuring VOLTO!'s KIRK COVINGTON on drums. Lots of experimental stuff here for fans of analog synths, with Scott Tibbs on keyboards. $10 at the door.

THE BAKED POTATO

3787 CAHURNGA BLVD., WEST
STUDIO CITY, CA. 91604 (818-980-1615)

* (including those who will only be there on the astral plane tonight....)

Featuring works by Alex & Allyson Grey, James Zar, Adam Scott Miller and many more...

The Hive Gallery
729 South Spring St
Los Angeles, CA 90014

Saturday, January 3rd
8:30pm-12:30 pm
$8 entrance

Get a SIGNED COPY HERE for $25.00.

"Vineyard owners Maynard James Keenan and Eric Glomski extend successful run of signings to Northern California and Tucson Arizona Stronghold Vineyard vintners Maynard James Keenan (Caduceus Cellars/Merkin Vineyards owner and front man for Tool and Puscifer) and Eric Glomski (Page Springs Cellars) will host, in conjunction with Whole Foods Market, a series of Northern California/Arizona bottle signings beginning Jan. 2 in San Francisco, Calif. The announcement comes on the heels of completing over a dozen highly successful bottle signings over the latter half of 2008 at Whole Foods locations in Southern California, Las Vegas and Arizona. Glomski and Keenan are currently featured on Gary Vaynerchuk's Wine Library TV, which is now available for viewing at tv.winelibrary.com.

Dates and locations for the signings are:

JANUARY 2 4:30 - 7:30 pm San Francisco, CA (450 Rhode Island St.)
3 2 - 5 pm Oakland, CA (230 Bay Pl.)
4 2 - 5 pm Cupertino, CA (20955 Stevens Creek Blvd.)
6 4:30 - 7:30 pm Tucson, AZ (3360 E. Speedway Blvd.)

FEBRUARY 17 4:30 - 7:30 pm Fresno, CA (650 W. Shaw Ave.)
18 4:30 - 7:30 pm Petaluma, CA (621 E. Washington St.)
19 4:30 - 7:30 pm Sacramento, CA (4315 Arden Way)

About Arizona Stronghold Vineyards:

ASV lies at the eastern edge of Sulfur Springs Valley, in Cochise County (alongside the Wilcox Playa) in a small, unincorporated area known as the Kansas Settlement. The vineyard site is 80 acres with 66 acres currently under vine. Co-owned by Eric Glomski (Page Springs Cellars) and Maynard James Keenan (Caduceus Cellars/Merkin Vineyards), ASV's mission is to present affordable top quality Arizona wine made by passionate Arizona based winemakers. Keenan says of the vineyard, "One of our many goals here in Arizona is to establish a cornerstone around which locally owned and operated, sustainable and organic industries can thrive."

Just a quick holiday note on what's going on with us. We recently had Gary Vaynerchuk out at the winery for a combination bottle/barrel tasting. It's a 2 part interview at tv.winelibrary.com here are the links:

PART ONE
http://tv.winelibrary.com

PART TWO
http://tv.winelibrary.com

And for those of you who I didn't send this to, here's a book's worth of press that appeared in the Phoenix New Times. Clearly we greased them. They gave us big props.

http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com

Enjoy. Looking forward to letting you all taste this juice.

Wish you all a warm and wonderful holiday."

Peace and Vino,
M J Keenan
Winemaker in Training

LOCATION: LATINO ARTS, INC, AUDITORIUM & GALLERY: 1028 S. 9th STREET, MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, 53204
TIME 5:00 PM

Jan. 6 - 4:30 to 7:30 pm - TUCSON (3360 E. Speedway Blvd)

Something to be thankful for: Danny wasn't there... or Adam for that matter. Camella and Rynne recently returned from their Great White Shark adventure off the coast of Guadalupe Island. After a (nauseating?) 22 hour boat ride from the Baja peninsula, the two climbed inside that 'protective' cage and, once lowered to the proper depth, got some great photos and footage of the creatures.

photo by Camella Grace

HAPPY TRAILS

CoSM BENEFIT PARTY in MIAMI, FL. DURING ART BASEL
featuring ALEX and ALLYSON GREY
DECEMBER 4, 2008 - 7:00 PM

www.cosm.org

Saints & SINNERS

HARDCOVER(U.S.)
HARDCOVER(U.K.)
SOFT COVER(U.S.)
SOFT COVER(U.K.)

More info at www.dailygrail.com

love,

photo by Rynne

MESSAGE FROM ERIK: "My two guitars, a Don Grosh Custom and a Tom Anderson Custom were taken from me in the Los Angeles area sometime during the second week of October. They were inside of a black nylon Levy double gig bag. Don Grosh Custom: Serial #419 is a blue (although slightly sea-green after sun exposure) Retro Classic with a quilted maple top and an unfinished birds eye maple neck. Pickups are Lindy Fralin blues specials with a Fralin Unbucker in the bridge - 5 way switch. Gold hardware. New stainless steel frets. Tom Anderson Custom: Serial 04-17-97A is an orange (translucent amber) semi-hollow body with a quilted maple top and rosewood fretboard. Pickups are two Fralin Vintage Hots with a Rob Timmons Arcane humbucker in the bridge. Guitar was converted from a switcheroo setup and has a 5 way switch. 2 good sized chips in the headstock of the guitar. Both instruments are very dear to me and are the only two guitars I use. Would appreciate anyone you can spread this information to, any music stores, guitar shops, friends, etc - anything that might help me recover these instruments. I am offering a $500 reward for each instrument."

Please email guitars@erikmadsen.com or call 310-439-2028 if you know of their whereabouts.

Here I am busier than a long-tailed cat covering crap on a marble floor in a room full of freemasons in rocking chairs, (hell, even busier than a pair of jumper cables at an Alabama church picnic!), and there's all this e-mail about GHWT. Okay, there are a few about other subjects, such as: "Was Maynard in Guanajuato, Mexico in a cosmic envelope last week?"... "Was Crowley an Indigo Child?"... "Was Maynard the Golden Cowboy at El Festival Cervantino?", but mostly Guitar Hero World Tour this, Guitar Hero World Tour that. All I want to do is watch "Reign of the Gargoyles" again on the sci-fi channel - shit, I wish I had thought of that: Nazis re-animating stone gargoyles during WWII to attack squadrons of B-17 bombers (I knew the Krauts had anti-gravitic flugelrads... but the speedy zigzags of hordes of gargoyles dodging the spray of those .50 caribers!), but now I've got all this e-mail to delete... And I'm just about to zap another nasty one when comes news from Activision of "sensitivity issues" with some of the GHWT drum kit controllers. So it begins... those mysterious glitches. I was afraid something like this might happen, knowing certain things, but let me put another cube of ice in my glass of gin... and stir it up a bit... before telling you what I think might be causing this...

Although I personally have no interest in playing GHWT (preferring, instead, to stick to my Korg and Kurzweils), Saturday night (October 25) I nevertheless decided to go with Danny to the private launch party at Best Buy in West Hollywood. And being that it was West Hollywood, as we inched down La Brea in the rumbling orange Murcielago, at red lights, in the crosswalks of nearly every intersection were boisterous mobs dressed up in their Halloween finery. Looking around at the threads, it appeared that his year's more popular adult costumes were the same as last year's exercise in banality, including the predictable 'Girl-That-Went-Missing-In-Aruba', 'Evil Jester with a Broccoli Popsicle', 'Jesus Pez Dispenser', and "Vixen Pirate Wench on a Sparkling Wheel-less Bicycle.' Being that it's an election year, it was no surprise to see the 'Lyndon LaRouche Saying Farwell to Martian Colonists in the Shimmering Crystal City of New Schwabenland' ensemble. It was also no surprise to see, among the dark joviality, some protesters (or counter-protestors) who were probably protesting a noosed Palin effigy, but in West Hollywood there are protesters of everything, including endangered animal crackers. As we neared the Best Buy, finally there was a unique costume: 'Professional Window Display Designer.' And, alas, Eric Cartman! Which brings to mind a thought: Am I the only one who thought that, rather than fight, Cartman should have put a hit on Wendy Testaburger, and be done with her once and for all. I mean, what ever happened to cutting-edge comedy?

With our passes and wristbands secured, outside Best Buy, we (reluctantly) walked the "red carpet", which for some reason was actually black. This would be the kind of thing that would make Danny a tad uncomfortable, but because we were several hours late, and most of those invited to the festivities were now at a nearby sound stage where "Smashing Pumpkins" were performing, it hardly mattered... Still, I had visions of a large Venerian dragon speaking with a cockney lisp over the voder, and of Snarks that were boojums in black Homburgs, and I'm not talking about Halloween costumes here...

Electing to walk to the studio lot rather than be chauffeured in a Prius hybrid (because it was so close - not because it was a Prius), we entered what can only be described as GHWT bliss. Once inside the sound stage, it wasn't hard to see the reason for all the hoopla... all the fuss and feathers. What's that? Cho!!! Chicken gumbo! Our first stop was at a complimentary buffet featuring Cajun cuisine in silver chafing dishes heated by sterno fah-yuh: Gumbo, pasta, Louisiana sausage, pistolets, spicy popcorn shrimp, and crab cakes. The inheritance of the saints in light! Everything except fried frogs legs, chee wee, and big black grasshoppers, and I ought to put a 'conja' on them for that (you shake some cayenne pepper on them frog legs!) Better than a Boucherie (even at carnaval), and enough to make rapid gastric emptying almost seem like a good thing!

But what was that woman in the polka-dot dress doing there among the partygoers? (Just a Halloween costume, I suppose). I honestly don't know why some Tool enthusiasts, including their most fanatical fans, seem to be so vehemently opposed to the band's participation in the game when, instead, they should be rocking in the irised spotlight!

Although we had to wind our way through some demo kiosks where players selected their tattoos from the "Create-a-Rocker" mode while others chose their pickguard finish, next stop was the open bar, with its GHWT-themed drinks. Unable to understand any of these, I opted for a margarita... and then another. It's not like its "Rock Band." It's not like the game is going to prevent some musically inclined individual from picking up a real instrument... one more of those without salt, please... Yes, I've heard all the arguments, but, c'mon, folks! Are video sports games to be blamed for no one having beaten 'Cy' Young's 511 career wins, or breaking Joltin' Joe DiMaggio's 56-game hitting streak? Then how do you explain the all-time homerun record? Steroids? Wait a minute, isn't one of my best friends the keyboard tech for "Smashing Pumpkins!" If anyone harbors concerns about GHWT keeping people from playing actual guitars, drums, etc., then where's all this same concern that violent video games like "Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas", "Killer 7", and others will keep its players content to merely confine the violence to the screen instead of taking real guns and knives out into the street? Huh, what about that all you naysayers?

Before heading to the side of the stage where Smashing Pumpkins were doing an unusual (nay, bizarre) cover of Pink Floyd's "Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun", I was hoping to catch a glimpse of Tool's contribution to GHWT - not just the Tool-themed venue, but I was a bit curious to see if, already, certain (hidden) levels had been accessed. Here I'm referring to levels besides the back-stage extravaganza (if there was such a level) and, in particular, to the Etidorhpa-like utopia...(again, assuming there really is such a thing). But as I passed mini-stages with players strumming guitar controllers and pounding faux-drums, beads of sweat on their faces and note gems flashing in their bleary eyes, noticing the multiple screens with their "Rock Meter" and "Star Power" features, I started thinking about another game. An arcade game from the early 1980s called "Polybius."

I would have to check the September 2003 Tool newsletter, but if memory serves me correctly, the maze-oriented game with complex puzzle elements was believed to be responsible for its players suffering terrible nightmares, seizures, and bouts of amnesia.

Even stranger still, in one Pacific northwest suburb where the extremely popular game was possibly being secretly tested, the owner of the arcade reported government types in dark suits who would, from time to time, collect data such as the scores, notes from the sub-screens, and other records, but NEVER take any money out of the machine. With regards to these alphabet-soup government agency men, whose dress and behavior is reminiscent of the MIB silencers of UFO lore, it's interesting to note that the game itself was supposedly designed and manufactured by a corporation called "Sinneschlossen" (Sinnesloschen?), which in German means "sense-deleting" or "senseless." As I suggested back in 2003, "senseless" could be a phonetic pun for "cents less", thus making it a cryptic allusion to a documented MIB phenomena where the things in the black Homburgs threaten the experiencer of something highly anomalous by placing a coin in the palm of the person's hand and then make it seemingly disappear into thin air, afterwards claiming that the same thing will happen to the person's heart if they don't keep quiet. If not exactly organic robotoids, the black suit types were thought by some to be part of a military intel outfit, such as those who were once rumored to be collecting the initials and scoring information from "Space Invaders" and "Missile Command." (As a side note, the ancient Greek historian Polybius wrote about "anacyclosis", meaning internal decay of government or how democracy turns into tyranny.) Of course until someone produces a dead cabinet or Polybius ROM, most people will continue to think the whole thing is just an urban legend. But is it?

Why was I thinking about the dark rumors surrounding the Polybius game? Certainly NOT to suggest that there might be record industry types who secretly monitor GHWT, gathering data from the "Rock Meter" and "Star Power" meters, looking to put together the next super band (or next super prog-metal band). Nor am I in any way suggesting that, if that were indeed the case, with Tool's contribution to the game, somewhere among the more psychedelic levels of their trademark art, perhaps in the cavernous realms far beneath this "Egyplosis", the grand sorcerer will utter a certain Word of Power (that is also his/her name), thus radically disrupting any such industry scheme (if such ingenious machinations weren't simply the product of my own fevered imagination). No, I don't suppose any counter-measures were needed to be taken by the band. It's merely a coincidence that the set list is "VICARIOUS" (the meaning should be obvious to those who enjoy GHWT), "PARABOLA" (recall the opening sequence of the video with its record company mutants), and "SCHISM" (no comment necessary). Any 'mysterious' glitches, should they occur, are to be expected with a new version of a product like GHWT, right?..

But if such a 'sorcerer' (i.e. embedded code of a highly unusual nature) truly exists, how can he/she be found, and thus be prevented from uttering the Word? Might it be that after encountering the bizarrely uniformed security personnel riding mechanical golden ostriches in one of the kaleidoscopic tunnels, one must search for the garden of ******** where patches of grotesque crimson moss are gradually transformed into an eyeless guide with slippery prismatic flesh. Ignore its diarrheaic diatribe. Similarly, don't listen to the old prospectors tales in Calnogor or elsewhere about the golden rope of cyber-Amargosa. That will only lead you to anti-rainbows and chocolate fountains. Instead, from the thing on a seat of aloe-green velvet, obtain the CrackerJack-like prize knife used to separate the soul from the body... No that's not right... damn the woman in the polka-dot dress, and the open bar... It's the two powerful metals - Terrelium and Aquelium that are important. Take it from a person who purchased a treasure map of Kokoweef from the gentleman at the ruins of the Rectilineator, it's the two powerful metals that are needed to construct a dynamo... just like those in the story...

After hanging out for a while with my friend (who would be leaving after the private launch party to go on tour with Smashing Pumpkins), Danny grabbed his gift (GHWT, a Wii console, and other dreeguilles - actually, as I mentioned a while back, both Danny and his girlfriend are pretty good at GH), and we were chauffeured in a Prius hybrid back to Best Buy (thankfully the lovely in the 'Devil Grrrl' costume heard the silent contraption). From there, after a final drink, it was back to my Potemkin Village residence. Remember, I was busier than a Tijuana whore on nickel night in a room full of freemasons in rocking chairs. Oh, one more thing: "No", GHWT wasn't "the big thing" (your words) alluded to in earlier posts. I believe that's still a go. In the meantime, keep on rocking in the irised spotlight!..

HAPPY TRAILS

NOV. 5 Henderson/Las Vegas, NV (100 S. Green Valley Pkwy) 4:30-7:30 PM
NOV. 7 La Jolla, CA (8825 Villa La Jolla Dr. at Nobel) 5:00-9:00 PM

SHOW INFO

PREVIEW

VIEW

Also, MAYNARD will be on JONESY'S JUKEBOX (INDIE 103.1) on OCTOBER 20th (12 PM, PST), and on JOE ESCALANTE's "WINO WEDNESDAY" on OCTOBER 22 at 8 AM. I'll post more info when it becomes available.

crappy blurry photo by BMB (using the camera Adam bought me, so this is definitely Tool-related news)

Scott Kinsey : Keyboards
Arto Tuncboyaciyan : Percussion/Voice
Jimmy Earl : Bass
Gary Novak : Drums

Set's at 9:00 & 11:00 PM
$15 cover charge

www.scottkinsey.com
www.thebakedpotato.com

The Baked Potato
3787 Cahuenga Blvd West. Studio City, CA 91604
(818) 980-1615

"Up from Earth's Center through the Seventh Gate
I rose, and on the Throne of Saturn sate:
And many a Knot unravel'd by the Road;
But not the Master-knot of Human Fate."

Nuggets of gold like plums in a pudding and the rich purple luminosity of a Sedona twilight sky await me, but first I have an important decision to make: should I take the West Bethany Road exit in Phoenix for a WhataBurger, fries and Dr. Pepper or drive another sweltering, saguaro-dotted half hour for a "Bad Ass" Ortega chili burger (no cheese, please) and iced-down longneck at Kid Chilleen's in Black Canyon City? Without mentally tossing a coin, I head towards the giant orange 'W' over yonder, mainly just to save valuable time. And besides, it'll make LaraLee's spurs jangle. It has come to my attention that she has a hankering for the manna of the Lone Star State, and, frankly, this Yankee is tarred of hearin' about it. Still, as familiar as it might seem, I warn her that here in Arizona the chuck wagon comes without sparkling pee-splashers, toothpicks in empty Tabasco sauce bottles, fly swatters, and pralines in waxed paper... not to mention a right neighborly "Kin ah hep yew?" "Long as they don't ladle any Thousand Island sludge on a dead cow, I'll be in crabgrass heaven" she assures me...

Back on bumpy I-17, with the orchestral colors of a Grofe symphony blaring and the purdy blonde sitting next to me as happy as a dillo in the azaleas (burp!), a text message from Rynne informs us that her and Danny have just crossed the Arizona state line. What? That doesn't seem possible! Although they had planned on beating the morning commuter traffic out of L.A. by leaving at 6:00 AM, as the fates would have it (dead car batteries we were told), they didn't get on the road until 1:00 PM. On the other hand, Tejas and I had left at 9:00 AM sharp, and now Danny was only a little over an hour behind us! Like I said, it doesn't seem possible, but it's nice to know that he isn't pushing it - that or that Range Rover of his just doesn't have the giddy up of the shiny Italian thing (probably a good thing as I hear in Maricopa County it's not uncommon to find speeders spread-eagle over a campfire). Maybe they stopped for a souvenir. Come to think of it, a jalapeno sucker does sound pretty good right now. And speaking of highway eyesores, what's with all these dudes in pink boxer shorts eating oxidized green bologna?

Besides the tranquility of red rock country, and the peak of the annual Perseid meteor shower, I'm hoping to accomplish several things during my three-day trek to the Copper State. One being further research into old treasure legends of the area, including the lost Dutchman mine (or cache) believed to be in the shadow of "Weaver's Needle" in the ominous Superstition Mountain Range. In the never-ending bonanza of colorful, often apocryphal tales of Western Americana, perhaps related to this is the mysterious disappearance of old time prospector James Kidd in 1949, and the even more enigmatic handwritten will that he left behind - a considerable fortune for "research or some scientific proof of a soul of the human body which leaves at death."

And when not Breyfogling with dead prospectors while slouched in a comfortable chair, or hiking among the twisted juniper of Bell Rock, I'm planning on visiting Maynard, the oenophile, himself, who is currently at his Jerome homestead gearing up for the first Aurelia harvest. Along with a grand tour of his Merkin Vineyards, I'm looking forward to tasting some local creations (wine grown "in a place like this"), in particular, a sampling of his own offerings. And then there are the more esoteric vinticultural (not to be confused with vinicultural) activities of 'Eschol' in Arizona to pursue. As for Danny and Rynne, I promised shooting stars and a coyote's yip... prickly-pear margaritas and energy vortexes. What could be better than watching a majestic hawk from the shade of a paloverde tree, or some mesquite-grilled ingesta washed down with cerveza exquisita as herds of javalina and escaped female chain gangs rustle beneath the desert starshine?

Seated around the fire-pit with a cold cans of Modelo at our favorite little resort in Sedona, the caretaker of sorts and long-time Arizona resident, "Jim", tells us about some recent daylight sightings of an anomalous object in the area - this being a mysterious black orb that appeared near Bell Rock a couple of days ago, moving in utter silence before vanishing amid the breathtaking scenery. Rather than being of an extraterrestrial/inter-dimensional nature, Jim has a more prosaic explanation, believing the areoform to be one of MaCain's newest toys (more likely, though, a device owned by sheriff Arpaio after saving money by eliminating salt & pepper from his prisons). As I'm about to press him for further details, Danny and Rynne pull up in the dusty Range Rover, letting an exuberant boxer named "Levi" out to explore the place. With an eye on the gathering clouds, I suggest that we enjoy the sunset before getting supplies for tonight's meteor extravaganza. Soon, however, the fire-pit is invaded by a swarm of little kids on vacation with their parents, daddy now preparing to make those campfire treats known as s'mores. In the process of lighting a few logs, he hands us a couple of warm Bud Lites for our trouble. Even so I can't help but mention something to the young 'ums about the deadly bark scorpions who like to nestle in the brittle wood. After all, in the highly unlikely event that I should decide to partake of something that grows from meadow muffins, I most certainly don't want it to be spoiled by the mirth of Hershey-besmirched faces. Wouldn't you agree, LaraLee? "Ah surely doooo", she replies, flicking a Marlboro butt into the flames. Bud Lites!

With bats wheeling overhead in search of prey in the rapidly diminishing light, knowing that Danny and Rynne didn't take the West Bethany Home exit in Phoenix, I present them both with an appetizer hotdog dressed with Wolf Brand Chili (that we received as a care package). Is it a mistake to give Levi one as well I wonder as he stares at me with those big sad eyes? But there's more. Even without bullfighters on velvet and sequined sombreros on the walls of our chalet, someone brings tortilla chips, guacamole, and a special chili con queso dip made with Ro-tel tomatoes and Velveeta, which, according to my Texas lexicon, is quite larrupin'.... or so I'm told. At any rate, it ought to hold 'em until we fire up the grill for something more substantial.

So far we've seen rabbits, quail, and roadrunners, but it's only a matter of time before the nocturnal critters make an appearance. That's also when one can sometimes observe unexplained misty white lights moving over the nearby rock formations. Not exactly being of the crystal-laden, brake for worms and caterpillars persuasion (as is evident by the "Never mind Freeing Tibet: Visualize Using Your Turn Signal" bumper sticker on my rental), I'd like to think that they're car headlights. But they're not, and it says so right here in my "Ultimate Sedona Guide to Unexplained Misty White Lights." Whatever the phenomenon is, it's not occurring tonight, and let it be duly noted in the Akashic records.

In the dramatic luminescence, tonight it's Venus that commands one's attention, although Danny's got my spotting scope focused on the wain in which the legendary treasure of the medieval Knight's Templar was smuggled out of Paris (i.e. the constellation Ursa Major). Still waiting for God to hurl fiery stones, while gazing up at the glittering infinity, I think about the curious matter of the wandering prospector, Kidd, who was known to have spent countless hours in the Arizona wilderness with his eyes lifted to the heavens in contemplation of things metaphysical. Besides the whole gold-soul dichotomy, there are many puzzling mirror-opposite 'parallels' between him and the enigmatic, now celebrated priest of Rennes-le-Chateau, Berenger Sauniere. Although both were impoverished gold-hungry dreamers who obtained seemingly impossible wealth in a region steeped in legend and mystery (and blood), while Kidd lived a solitary existence and was said to be a penny-pincher, even to the point of saving his used chewing gum in an aspirin tin and nursing a nickel cigar all day, the flamboyant Sauniere, on the other hand, spared no expense, surrounding himself with all kinds of extravagances. While the reclusive Kidd performed odd jobs to pay his few dollars a week rent, the Signor of Rennes built a grand estate where he frequently entertained guests, many being notables of the time. And although both men engaged in unusual (nay, bizarre) activities after their good turn, it seems as unlikely that Kidd's sudden riches came exclusively from gambling on the stock market as Sauniere's came entirely from trafficking in illicit masses. Students of the RLC mystery might also find it intriguing that Kidd, who staked his claims in Arizona's rugged Pinals, had an associate who was a Basque from the Pyrenees, and it was this companion of his who is believed to have taken the eccentric prospector's secret to the grave.

"Strange, is it not? that of the myriads who
Before us pass'd the door of Darkness through,
Not one returns to tell us of the Road,
Which to discover, we must travel too."

With a few bright meteors now streaking across the less than inky black night sky, and the fuzzy Pleiades visible to the naked eye, there were other mirror-opposite parallels between the two to consider. Although, as said, one squandered his fortune on luxuries and other Quixotic endeavors while the other squirreled away his money in banks, in both cases a series of bewildering clues were left behind with regards to the possible source of their inexplicable wealth. In the case of Sauniere his bizarrely-garish 'treasure-map' church is well known to Rennes aficionados and an ever-growing interested public, while, with the prospector, any hints (in miner's terminology, call them location markers) were removed from a safe deposit box and placed among numerous canvas sacks and dusty cartons of dormant accounts and unclaimed estates in a gloomy subterranean bank vault in downtown Phoenix, Arizona.

Along with a holographic will dated January 2nd, 1946 (=23) scrawled on a scrap of paper, leaving all his worldly goods to anyone who could prove the existence of a soul of the human body which leavers at death, was a photo of the miner-prospector, dressed in of all things, a business suit, staring into the camera with "a quizzical enigmatic half- smile", while in the background was "an amorphous pasticcio of vines" (see "the Great Soul Trial" by John G. Fuller). Imaging this, I can't help but smile, myself, at the words uttered by the perplexed public servant working for the Estate Tax Commissioner's Office who first discovered the will in the dusty vault. At first thinking it must be some kind of joke, only to soon be overcome with a very eerie feeling, Mrs. Geraldine C. Swift later stated, oddly enough: "I thought that I just had to be dreaming. I even felt that I could have eaten it." But, of course, it was a joke, Mrs. Swift! Sauniere's Golden Touch was the result of performing illicit masses, and the extremely frugal Kidd, who often recited his favorite passage from the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam, amassed a considerable fortune, not with a prospector's pick, but by cashing in on penny stocks! As for any fanciful notions of his missing without a trace status, look for his remains at the bottom of an abandoned mineshaft in the treacherous Pinals or Superstitions. (Compare with the public spectacle farewell of Sauniere, with the priest's dead body seated upright in an armchair on a sunny terrace of a 'fairytale' tower while a parade of mourners paid their last respects by plucking tassels from his ornate chasible.)

With all this talk of the Philosopher's Stone and other far-fetched ideas, before we know it the height of this year's Perseids has come and gone, with only a few stragglers to be seen as it's now starting to get light outside. Due in large part to a brightly shining moon, admittedly the whole thing was a bit of a disappointment. No family of javalinas or floating black triangles either! From a table cluttered with empty beer bottles and crushed cigar stubs, we watch a postcard picture sunrise over the magic buttes and spires of the prestigious red rocks. With birds chirping in the dramatic lighting, I notice that thousands of ants have invaded a hunk of peanut butter fudge that was left unattended. And with the drone of bees among the variegated desert flowers comes the laughter of kids splashing in the swimming pool. Which reminds us, it's time to get a few precious hours of sleep. Soon Maynard will be calling...

Power spots or not, we're not exactly radiant and mucus free when we pull into the rustic Page Springs Cellars, a family owned winery in the Verde Valley where Maynard bottles his various Caduceus wines. Documenting our arrival is MJK, himself, wearing a generic white cap and Puscifer tee-shirt as he raises an expensive-looking camera to take a couple more photos in the sun-dappled parking lot. Walking over to us, he shakes his head in mock amused contempt upon noticing some minor dents in the Range Rover (that he sold to Danny). After exchanging a few pleasantries, LaraLee and I climb into the vintner's shiny black Rubicon Jeep so that we can begin our tour of the Merkin Vineyards. With Danny and Rynne following, we head down a narrow road into what soon becomes more forbidding terrain, passing jack pines, junipers, mesquite, and cholla cacti, although I suppose it's theoretically possible that at least one is a disguised cell phone tower (the jack pine would be my best guess). While bumping along in the Jeep, glancing around at the shimmering lava boulders in the arroyo-gutted landscape, Maynard gives us a geology lesson, pointing to the telltale stratigraphy of surrounding formations. And when not being schooled in Precambrian landforms and extraordinary erosion under brilliant blue skies, we are shown other local features of interest, such as the entrance to McCain's desert lair, Georgia Frontiere's former residence, and the future location of a Merkin market. I sure hope there's not going to be a quiz later...

Unlocking the gate and pulling into the first Merkin Vineyard, Maynard wastes little time showing us the various grapes, picking several from the vines and handing them to us to taste. In the scorching heat, we sample more luscious specimens plucked from the canopy's glistening spider webs, with Maynard explaining the unique characteristics of each (ditat Deus- God enriches). Again, I hope there's not going to be a quiz. I'm still confused about the sedimentary layers of the Paleozoic... Fuck, Arizona's complicated. It's not just about feathered kachinas and scorpion lollipops. Complicated and hot! When's the Merkin Market going to be open? With LaraLee wearing purple flip-flops in this harsh environment, Maynard warns her to be careful as we proceed, his guests, and not one of us even a prospective sommelier!, now being shown a piece of machinery that is used to protect the vines under various climatic conditions. But not only does the extreme weather pose a problem to the crops here in Arizona. There are also vineyard pests to contend with, such as the glassy-winged sharpshooter, western grape leaf skeletonizer, and something known simply as "armed meth heads." As we head back to the Jeep to drive to Maynard's next terroir, I just know that "Phylloxera" will be on the test!

There is a modest recently-built structure on the next wing of the Merkin Vineyards - a getaway from the getaway, I suppose, and inside there's a piece of equipment that I'm very happy to see - a refrigerator, from which we're offered an icy amber treasure called beer! Although I would have settled for a shadowed arroyo, the cold bottle fits well in my hand, and should keep me good company as we head back into the trademark sunshine to sample more of the fragrantly bitter clusters of pommes bleues, and, of course, to learn a bit more about the art and science of winemaking.

"So when that Angel of the darker Drink
At last shall find you by the river-brink,
And, offering his Cup, invite your Soul
Forth to your Lips to quaff - - you shall not shrink."

It's late afternoon when we return to the Page Springs Cellars to check out the cavernous barrel-room where the Caduceus wines are carefully bottled and corked. Here we are given a sneak preview of things to come as Maynard finds a 'thief' with which to siphon the complex aroma directly from the aging barrels. Although I can't help but wonder about the angel's share, I don't say anything as the others are too content with the rich palate to have any concerns about a little evaporation. As we are next taken step by step through the bottling procedure, along with everything else we've seen and heard today, it's very apparent that this is not the mere indulgence of a 'rock star' with a disposable income (whatever that means). This is not Michael Jordan trying to play baseball. With his latest endeavors and a near-encyclopedic knowledge of the subject, this is obviously a true passion of Maynard's, as well as a serious business, and anyone who should ask if he is proud of his accomplishments (even at this early stage) should expect nothing less than an immediate "duh." Emerging from the bowels of the winery, I am absolutely positively certain that "anthocyanin' will be on the test...

After our little sensory evaluation in the subterranean depths, it's time for more Vinotherapy. Whether or not this next tasting assignment will be a vertical, horizontal, disguised, or other, I don't know, but it certainly is nice to be seated on the shady patio, listening to the murmur of the creek and watching the indigenous wildlife as we sample dozens of excellent wines. Soon Maynard's good friend and business associate, Eric, joins us. Speaking of indigenous wildlife, he promptly shows us where he was bitten by a spider on his leg last night. Although he doesn't think it was a Brown Recluse, with a slight discoloration to the flesh, methinks it might be the handiwork of a non-brown Arizona Recluse (there would probably be more tissue death with the brown six-eyed terror). Whatever the case, Eric shrugs it off: "Don't come here if you don't like spiders" he tells the arachnophobe (who had planned on checking out a condo in this cosmic region tomorrow). Cytotoxin being cytotoxin, let's just blame a Yellow Sac with a bolo... or rail-hopping Hobo... a big fellow in any event, and if it was in my close proximity, I'm afraid I'd have to crush it like a grape. Trying to decide if we are going to head back to Sedona before meeting up with Maynard for dinner in Jerome, due to time considerations, especially with all the road construction going on in the area (their crystals not programmed for that, I guess), the plan is to continue the tour... and tasting-flight, I hope, at Maynard's desert hideaway.

Zigzagging up Cleopatra Hill in the able Rubicon, we are afforded a spectacular view of the valley floor as we pass ramshackle buildings, museums, and rusted mining-era paraphernalia perched on a cliff alongside upscale art galleries, saloons, and trendy (though haunted) burger eateries. Once known as "the wickedest town in the west" with its brothels and opium dens, the former copper mining camp of Jerome is now an artist Mecca and picturesque tourist magnet, evident by the rainbow spectrum of SUVs parked along the steep, narrow boutique-lined streets. Within minutes of all this ghostly quaintness, we arrive at the futuristic gate of Maynard's impregnable Tabula smaragdina.

It had been many years since I had last visited the place, back in the summer of 2002 to be precise, while the Rodeo, Chedeski, and Show Low wildfires were wreaking havoc on the state, and you could still buy a loaded handgun with your twelve-pack of Coors Light at the local Circle-K. At that time, we had arranged for a geologist to perform a baseline soil analysis at various horizons on the site for potential vineyard development. While I don't exactly remember what was in the final report, evidently, with or without the addition of diffuse shade trees, there was now plenty of evidence of vinticultrural activities, and here was Maynard, one of the pioneers of the local movement, taking pre-orders for a 2006 "Primer Paso", and a new blend called "Shinola." I also remember thinking back then how he was taking himself off the grid. Now, as we pulled into the driveway and parked next to the "Merkin Mobile", a funky customized red Subaru Brat, itself parked next to an ominously dark Police Interceptor, it was apparent that there had been lots of new construction, with at least some of the additions designed to keep one comfortable in the event of a global catastrophe. In a "Bart's Comet" scenario, this wouldn't be a bad place to be, although to remain in your leather recliner swirling a glass of Penfolds you'd probably have to know the treatment for "Pierce's Disease" or something else useful. (I know, because I asked.)

With the energy of someone who didn't stay up all night watching meteors, and who was drinking water during the wine-tasting, there's no rest for the weary as Maynard takes us on yet another tour of terraced grapevines. Passing a mammoth excavator that shows only a slight layer of patina. I wonder if our host ever unearthed a skeleton with a gold Elgin octagonal pocket-watch? Climbing a somewhat treacherous hillside in the high altitude, some of us pause to catch our breath. Noticing several fairly realistic-looking fake birds flying kite-like over the netted grapevines, and realizing that they are meant to be a deterrent to natural predators, I ask their owner if any of these scaring devices are the more expensive high-tech models that actually take fake craps from time to time so as to fool any crop pests that might be suspicious. "Only one", someone replies. When I tell him that I guess that answers Omar Khayyam's question in "The Rubaiyat" when he asks: "I wonder often what the Vinters buy One half so precious as the stuff they sell." someone says that he has a couple of tarantula scaring devices on the property as well, although I can't for the life of me understand their purpose. Oh well... In that we haven't eaten all day and it's nearly sundown, perhaps we should think about rustling up some grub. I'm so hungry that I could eat the colors off a glassy-winged sharpshooter. Not to worry. I'm told that we've reservations for some gourmet fare at 8:30, which, I suppose, rules out biscuits, a can of beans, and yarns by the campfire.

Oh, Thou who Man of baser Earth didst make,
And ev'n with Paradise devise the Snake:
For all the Sin wherewith the Face of Man
Is blacken'd - - Man's forgiveness give - - and take!

"Fuckin' Garden of Eden", Maynard utters as he picks some ripe figs and then snags an apple from his little desert garden, offering the four of us a taste. But what about a fig leaf? The twilight sky baths us in an odd diffused orange and delicate cool pink glow - the perfect time to revisit 'Eschol' in Arizona - that mysterious place that "eateth the people up", although when it comes to any discussion of al-Khemical vinticulture (or esoteric oenology in 'general'), the prima material must be kept a secret, especially with all your average poke of salt and slab of bacon treasure hunters about. With that caveat, we can now enter the "Black Spot" (not unlike the one near France's La Valdieu) - a tract of land reserved for more exotic pursuits such as the potable gold in the amphora of Cleopatra, who "would drink the value of a province in one cup of wine."

Now, with regards to celestial impact sites, when emission spectroscopy for deposits of rare earth metals fails... and metal salts and black alkali just doesn't cut it alone (ala Arizona farmer David Hudson, that champion of "ghost gold" and high-spin phenomena), what is one to do? Do you take a page from Bram Stoker, recalling that the cargo of the "Demeter" consisted only of silver sand (used to polish stones!) and earth? In order to collect the Perspiration of Re-Osiris (ah, symbolic euphemisims!), on recent trips to Egypt, do you bring back some soil of Khem? Mmmm, perhaps. Why, the occult cognoscenti asks? When seeking to extract "The Jewel of Divine Anthrpophagy" (see IJYNX) used for transcending human limitations, if the cupboards of the necropolis are bare, consider the Priests of Heliopolis with their legend of the bennu-PHOENIX, that mythical creature with a brilliant plumage who, when NOT bearing its predecessor embalmed in a ball of myrrh, RISES from the ASHES. If that's just a trifle ambiguous, then pour yourself a sweet Cypriot Commandaria substitute. As it is, I'm bound to keep my fig leaf firmly in place (in the parlance of the trade). Otherwise, like some of those gold-crazed wanderers before me, I might just find myself committed to an asylum...

"Waste not your Hour, nor in the vain pursuit
Of This and That endeavor and dispute;
Better be jocund with the fruitful Grape
Than sadden after none, or bitter, fruit."

The five of us arrive for what promises to be some fine dining at "Asylum", a restaurant "on the fringe" in Jerome's Grand Hotel that used to be an insane asylum during the mining boom, and is thus believed by locals to be haunted. I don't know about any spooks, but it seems possible that at least one former patient was never released, seeing that there is a pastrami salad on the menu. With Jeromites, I might have expected a pipe organ cactus salad, but pastrami, that is on the fringe, if not the opalescent mist of the endomatrix!

After we are seated, it doesn't take long for the wine to flow. Not just wine. Not just boutique wine... but wine ordered by a winemaker. As they are decanted by the resident sommelier, I order some "Hippie Humus" and a bottle of flat water, knowing that it's going to be a long night. As more wines are swirled and sipped, Maynard's lady friend finally arrives, a lovely thing from Sedona who toys with the idea of ordering the roasted butternut squash soup. With some eclectic appetizers, the bottles keep coming. At one point, along with a bewildering mass of food, I count 29 wine glasses on the table. Maynard even orders a mesquite bacon-wrapped Filet Mignon dinner (besides his other dinner) just so that each of us can have a bite to go with a particular vintage (for comparison purposes). Looking for any evidence that the place is indeed haunted, such as someone drinking a fruity Bartles & James cooler in one of the framed Wine Spectator Magazine photos hanging on the walls, as the waiter deftly cuts the Filet into the required number of pieces, a slice of meat mysteriously falls onto the floor. Seeing this, the head of the table quickly reaches down and picks it up, popping it into his mouth, afterwards claiming that it was well within the range of the 5-second rule. Could we actually be seated with the decoy MJK, I wonder? Or is the cabernet demi-glaze just that good? Either way, the cuddly dillo is duly impressed, as are we all.

At Maynard's request, the waiter brings a photograph that was recently taken by a customer. To some this would clearly seem to show a ghostly apparition - perhaps a misty white-uniformed nurse from when the place was a laughing academy. After examining it, I'm a bit skeptical, although I must admit that the clock in the background, with its hands frozen on the stroke of midnight, makes for a nice added touch. Sorry, but I'm not one of those alfalfa sprouts who buys into the whole ghost town thing. I am, however, enjoying the salty texture and conversation of colorful locals who have stopped by to meet us Californians with "all our orange trees," even though at times it's hard to hear them over all the coughing of miners...

With our bellies filled with king crab, lobster, and Sonoran spicy chicken, and our tongues stained a hideous purple, Maynard discreetly gestures for the check. Somehow noticing this, Danny insists on paying the National Debt, claiming that his band mate always gets it. After going back and forth for several minutes, with my spectator's heart pounding in anticipation, Maynard finally allows Danny to 'win', but only this one time.

"The Grape that can with Logic absolute
The Two-and-Seventy jarring Sects confute:
The sovereign Alchemist that in a trice
Life's leaden metal into Gold transmute:"

Seated comfortably in a lawn chair on Maynard's deck, I'm handed a bottle of water as I gaze up at patches of the sparkling night sky, hoping to catch the tail end of the Perseids. The water is to cleanse one's palate, I'm warned, glancing over to see some wine breathing in a decanter only a few feet away. I tell LaraLee that she might as well hang up her saddle and stay a spell. It appears that this tasting flight is far from over. As coyotes howl off in the distance (finally), and we attempt to put a dent in the fabled wine cellar (hardly!), before each pour of the liquid that flames and dances within its crystal bounds (to almost quote Milton), there is a brief introduction, if you will, relating to our host's personal appreciation of the particular vintage. This is, at times, analytical, at others philosophical, especially when it comes to a commentary of the diverse characteristics and range of perceived flavors.

As the night unfolds, some of these descriptions become quite baffling to me. For example, while I get "smoky", "chocolate", "tobacco", "figs", "plums" and "blueberry", or even "well-worn velvet" and a freakin' "Daicon radish", it's another thing to identify among the rich palate flavors such as "rubber feet", "Jimmy Dean pork sausage", "cartoon vitamins", and "the reverse side of a 1938 Mercury Head dime."

When not discussing the primordial DNA of wine-grapes, mapped genes, or the complexity of that stuff in a swirled glass, the singer begins to talk about the band, both Puscifer and Tool, using Danny as a sounding board for some ideas that he has, including a rather unique approach to touring in the future. Of course any privileged information relating to this can't be divulged - one could say that it is protected by a fiery-eyed chupacabra (in this case, one that affects one's memory).

Now that it's getting late and the girls are tired, once Danny is good to go (with a little help from a colossal espresso machine), we decide to head back to our resort in Sedona. Even though he has to get up at 5:30 in the morning to pick grapes (knowing that he will be "a wounded Vino soldier", as he wrote in his on-line journal), Maynard urges us to wait a bit longer, and to drink some more... water. This is probably a good idea considering the sheriff with his breathalyzer, hand-cuffs, and fire ants... Wait a minute, wrong county. Even so, you wouldn't want to have a Daicon radish on your breath...

"And those who husbanded the Golden grain,
And those who flung it to the winds like Rain,
Alike to no such aureate Earth are turn'd
As, buried once, Men want dug up again."

The next day, Maynard's not the only wounded Vino soldier. Squinting in the afternoon sun, Danny and I take our auras to the tourist trap section of Sedona, where Pink Jeeps, Kokopelli, and alien herbal therapy are easier to find than a pack of Macanudo cigars. Debating whether or not to seek the help of a psychic on this matter in one of a dozen or so pastel-colored crystal emporiums, we finally locate a shop that has them for three times the going rate. But with kaleidoscopic rock formations in the background, that only seems fair. After picking up some specialty salsas for tonight's sauce-painted carne, and, strangely enough, a few local wines, somewhat more centered now, it's back to the road construction, having escaped without so much as botanical soy candle.

With a fantastic view of the red rock sentinels, when not pondering the concept of ear coning, I spend the rest of the day looking over my notes... There's Maynard and Eric's upcoming wine signing hosted by Arizona Stronghold Vineyards at Whole Foods market locations in California, Nevada, and Arizona... Chupacabra and other Caduceus wines... "Now what was that that Maynard said about being inspired to write music... recording some stuff on Garage Band?" Having recognized the spot where he recently took a hammer to his laptop, I can't help but wonder if anyone has even faintest clue as to what I was referring to when I told them to be patient... that good things are coming? "Obviously not, judging by all the e-mail that I've received." Then there's the whole Guitar Hero thing that's still to come... "Is it time to dust off the Ouija Board and attempt to contact Bill Hicks?" "Yes, I think so..." Wait a minute, BMB, don't forget your rule: it's alright to ask yourself a question... even out loud... but you never answer yourself... out loud...

And then I come to those magic words: Veni vidi vici... Time for more neurological pondering of that man of mystery, the prospector James Kidd, who vanished in 1949, never to be seen or heard from again. With regards to the "Pandora's Box" containing stock certificates and his strange will involving a considerable fortune for "research or some scientific proof of a soul of the human body which leaves at death", recalling the catchy advertising slogan: "When E.F. Hutton talks, people listen", I turn my attention to the legendary lost Dutchman mine in Arizona's foreboding Superstition Mountains, where many believe the loner Kidd found the source of his wealth (if not from a mining claim in the nearby Pinals).

While cynical lost mine buffs doubt there ever was a mother-lode, as is believed to be hidden near a hat-shaped peak called the "Sombrero" (now "Weaver's Needle"), and that the Dutchman's rich strike was, in fact, gold high-graded from another source, namely the "Vulture Mine", over the years, if not going stark raving mad, many have met with death in search of it. Random beheadings and the occasional bullet hole through the temple only add to the mystique, but these violent deaths, aside from being a warning to any would-be claim jumpers, could also be seen as directional signals. The "strange disaster stalks this awesome place" is reminiscent of a place in another region where mysterious signs and cryptic references are said to indicate the location of a fabulous treasure... a place where there is both lust for gold and the soul... and whose unbelievable riches continue to taunt those seekers...

Here, where one can wipe up spilled Colloidal silver with astrological-chart paper towels, I won't ask you to follow a crudely-drawn waybill or some treasure map divulged from a deathbed, but should you astral project yourself onto a lonely trail where granite outcroppings reflect the broiling sun, or around a crackling fire surrounded by ghostly saguaro under the cosmos, keeping in mind that some of Kidd's companions were Harvard and Stanford graduates, is it the slightest bit conceivable that there is a connection involving one of life's deepest puzzles between the quiet, solitary prospector, who, in a diner always ate the cheapest thing on the menu and never left a tip, and the bombastic priest of Rennes-le-Chateau who was known for his lavish lifestyle? And if so, could it have been through an intermediary from the Pyrenees named Eusbio Castelar, who, along with an esoteric society, provided the prospector with the proof he so eagerly desired? And with these astonishing revelations, did Kidd, in turn, leave clues in a Last Will and Testament that was scrawled on a sheet of ledger paper? Contemplating the idea of a photograph of the soul leaving a human at death, once again, I think about the photo of Kidd with "a quizzical, enigmatic half-smile" that was found in the unclaimed safe deposit box. Never left a tip... Nice one. I then make a mental note to stop at Stalz's drug store in downtown Phoenix... but, upon further consideration, I decide that it's probably no longer there...

photo by Maynard James Keenan (obviously)

Quotes from The Rubaiyat by Omar Khayyam

HAPPY TRAILS

"Vineyard owners Maynard James Keenan and Eric Glomski kick off signings of 2007 Arizona Stronghold "Tazi," "Mangus," and "Nachise" beginning Sept. 16 in Pasadena."

"Cornville, Ariz., Aug. 7 - Arizona Stronghold Vineyard vintners Maynard James Keenan (Caduceus Cellars/Merkin Vineyards owner and front man for Tool and Puscifer) and Eric Glomski (Page Springs Cellars) will host, in conjunction with Whole Foods Market, a series of bottle signings beginning Sept. 16 in Pasadena, Calif. The pair will be signing bottles of the debut 2007ASV releases as well as the 2006 Merkin Vineyards Chupacabra, and a handful of Keenan's Caduceus wines."

Dates and locations for the signings are:

September 17 4:30 - 7:30 pm Venice, CA (225 Lincoln Blvd at Rose)
October 21 5-9 PM Tustin, CA
(Jamboree and Barranca Pkway at the Districtat Tustin Legacy)
22 5-9 PM West Los Angeles, CA (11666 National Blvd. at Barrington)
November 4 4:30 - 7:30 pm Henderson/Las Vegas, NV (100 S. Green Valley Pkwy)
6 5-9 pm San Diego, CA (8825 Villa La Jolla Dr. at Nobel)
December 2 9 am - 12 pm Fairfax/Los Angeles, CA (6350 W. 3rd St. at Fairfax)
3 4:30 - 7:30 pm El Segundo, CA (760 S. Sepulveda Blvd. at Rosecrans)
9 4:30 - 7:30 pm Las Vegas, NV (6689 Las Vegas Blvd. S. at Sunset Rd.
in Town Square Las Vegas)
10 4:30 - 7:30 pm Chandler, AZ (2955 W. Ray Rd. at the 101)
11 4:30 - 7:30 pm Scottsdale, AZ 7111 E. Mayo Blvd. at Scottsdale Blvd.
15 4:30 - 7:30 pm Scottsdale, AZ (8688 E. Raintree Dr. at the 101)

About Arizona Stronghold Vineyards

"ASV lies at the eastern edge of Sulfur Springs Valley, in Cochise County (alongside the Wilcox Playa) in a small, unincorporated area known as the Kansas Settlement. The vineyard site is 80 acres with 66 acres currently under vine. Co-owned by Eric Glomski (Page Springs Cellars) and Maynard James Keenan (Caduceus Cellars/Merkin Vineyards), ASV's mission is to present affordable top quality Arizona wine made by passionate Arizona based winemakers. Keenan says of the vineyard, "One of our many goals here in Arizona is to establish a cornerstone around which locally owned and operated, sustainable and organic industries can thrive."

ALOKE will also be teaching TABLA to a limited number of students while in Denver. Please contact David Miller at katalystmusic3@yahoo.com for more information.

www.collide.net

"Hugely popular alternative metal band Tool, known for their epic, intense musical arrangements and killer visual arts, will also soon be known for their contribution to the upcoming Guitar Hero® World Tour. Guitar Hero fans from all over the world will be able to rock out to "Parabola" and Grammy-award winning "Schism" from Tool's critically-acclaimed 2001 album Lateralus in addition to "Vicarious" from their 2006 Grammy-award winning album 10,000 Days. The game will also feature an all-new venue designed in collaboration with the band and highlighting the art style that has become a staple in their music videos, live shows and album artwork."

THE BAKED POTATO
3787 CAHUENGA BLVD., WEST
STUDIO CITY, CA. 91604

photo by Maynard James Keenan

photo by Camella Grace

photo by MJK

Angels on the sideline.
Puzzled and amused.
Why did daddy give these humans free will?
Now they're all confused.

Don't these talking monkeys know that Eden has enough to around?
Plenty in this holy garden,
Silly monkeys, where there's one you're bound to divide it right in two.

Angels on the sideline.
Baffled and confused.
Father blessed them all with reason.
And this is what they choose?

Monkey killing monkey killing monkey over pieces of the ground.
Silly monkeys. Give them thumbs, they forge a blade,
and where there's one they're bound to divide it right in two.

Monkey killing monkey killing monkey over pieces of the ground...
Silly monkeys Give them thumbs, they make a club to beat their brother down.
How they've survived so divided is a mystery.
Repugnant is a creature who would squander his ability to lift an eye to heaven,
conscious of his fleeting time here.

Gotta divide it all right in two.

Fight till they die over sun, over sky
They fight till they die over sea, over air
They fight till they die over blood, over love,
They fight till they die over words, polarizing.

Angels on the sideline again.
Benched along with patience and reason.
Angels on the sideline again.
Wondering when this tug of war will end.

WORDS
By

MAYNARD JAMES KEENAN

Hans Zimmer and James Newton Howard playing the MANDALA at the DARK KNIGHT PREMIERE in New York.

THE BAKED POTATO
3787 CAHUENGA BLVD., WEST
STUDIO CITY, CA. 91604

UPDATE - Looks like Crisis Cocktails and Green Demons (Danny style) after 10:00 PM. We hope to see you there.

In other Isis-related news, drummer AARON HARRIS recently played on, engineered, and mixed a record for a band called "ZOZOBRA." The record comes out AUGUST 5th on HYDRAHEAD RECORDS, but you can pre order it HERE and hear samples of it HERE