Thom Dunn is a Boston-based writer, musician, and utterly terrible dancer. He is the singer/guitarist for the indie rock/power-pop the Roland High Life, as well as a staff writer for the New York Times’ Wirecutter and a regular contributor at BoingBoing.net. Thom enjoys Oxford commas, metaphysics, and romantic clichés (especially when they involve whiskey), and he firmly believes that Journey's "Don't Stop Believing" is the single greatest atrocity committed against mankind. He is a graduate of Clarion Writer's Workshop at UCSD ('13) & Emerson College ('08).
Not much time to write for FiveByFiveHundred.com today, as we had a big fancy Open House at the Huntington (stupid having to work on holidays* grrrrr). So instead, I've re-posted a poem that I wrote about 4 years ago or so, about romance, assholes, and Firefly. Because really, what else is there to talk about?
*All personal moral dilemma with Columbus Day aside.
My newest piece is now live on Five By Five Hundred, a playful little poem about my favorite musical time signature. All you math and music nerds out there should have some fun seeking out all the little patterns that are hidden in this one, just like a good song...
After a brief summer hiatus for some professional and mental recuperation, Five By Five Hundred is now officially back in action! For those of you who somehow managed to find your way here and yet still have no idea what I'm talking about, Five By Five Hundred is a website started by back in April of 2009 by me and my good friend Brian McGackin (of Broetry fame), inspired by an idea from the Internet Jesus Warren Ellis. The website originally featured 5 writers, each of whom composed poetry/prose/whatever consisting of no more than 500 words on his/her assigned day of the week (hence, 5 writers x 5 days a week x 500 words = 5x500 = totally bad pun on Faith Lehane's catchphrase). The website has gone through a number of writers, with Brian and I remaining consistent since the beginning, and has now expanded to include new posts on Saturdays and Sundays as well (which, with 7 writers, technically screws up the whole 5x500 pattern thingie, but oh well). Anyway, now that you're all caught up, you can go check out my latest post over there, an oldie but a goodie titled Dad's Diaries (and you can listen to it here, too!)
Tonight. Alejandro and the Fame rocks your favorite seedy drag club in downtown Boston. Drag queens upstairs; all-male glam rock Lady Gaga cover songs downstairs. You've been warned.
In doing research for an article I'm working on for Quirk Books, I pulled out my personal copy of High Fidelity (the novel) by Nick Horny. And what do I find inside?
Handwritten song lyrics. Except, it's not my handwriting. And I'm pretty sure I've never lent this book out to anyone to borrow. Eerie, right? And yet, kind of poetic.
So obviously, I laid claim to it (despite the fact that it's, erm, not very good), and turned into a found poem for Five By Five Hundred (which also worked out well because it's been a busy few days, between taking my poor chinchilla to the hospital with a broken arm, and sitting on the "Tweet This?" panel for Arts In America).
This weekend, I had the pleasure of accompanying Cosmic Banditos on their first gig in Baltimore, Maryland. I filled in on Woodrow and lap steel for a set at the annual Music4Change concert. Here's some video (more after the break) [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRGWssnIdbk]
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjZxpVI8KTg]
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwE-XiN3UYE]
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FOIlFYzeKMk]
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vbrKYkE7mA]
Every year, I tell myself that I'm going to do #NaNaWriMo, but sadly, I never get very far. November is always an incredibly busy time of year me, and it's not like I'm not writing or working on other things; it's just a difficult time to focus on cranking out those 50,000 words. Still, I use the time I would otherwise dedicate to #NaNoWriMo to work on any of those other projects, including those kind of horror-punk-rock-young-adult story I've been throwing around (tentatively titled "Last Caress" after my favorite song by The Misfits). Over at Five By Five Hundred, I've included a small excerpt, comparing the local punk rock scene to the creation of a living Frankenstein-esque monster (yes, I realize that Frankenstein was the scientist, not the monster, but it would sound kind of ridiculous if I called it a 'Frankenstein's monster-esque monster,' right?)
(side note, "Last Caress" by the Misfits is also, without competition, the single greatest pop song ever written about killing babies. Just, uh, just sayin')
While I've mostly avoided political discourse on this website (at the pub after a few beers, now that's a different story), I was recently reminded me of the existence of this song, and was struck by how relevant and poignant it was (read: people in the 99% need to stop posting things on Facebook bitching about the 99%, because every complaint I've seen coming from a member of the 99% betrays a clear misunderstanding of the entire movement, and is completely counterproductive. Seriously, we're all in this together, and if you don't want to actively support the movement, then fine, but don't make fun of your own problems on a public forum because you're only hurting yourself. There, I said it). Anyway, here's a song, originally written by Phil Ochs, later adapted by Kevin Devine (and further updated, however slightly by myself). Lyrics after the break; enjoy!
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_QeyDk0jG4]
I cried on September 11 Tears ran down my spine Like I cried for each murdered Iraqi As though I'd lost a neighbor of mine But Afghanistan got what was coming It was the right thing to do, at the time So love me, love me, love me, I'm a liberal
I stopped by those Occupy campsites Cursed Bachmann and the whole GOP And I can't get enough of Obama His message of change speaks to me Sure, Nader's right about most things But he cost Gore that election, you see So love me, love me, love me, I'm a liberal
I bristled and raged through Katrina The response made me sick to my heart I'm sure FEMA would've come running If they'd flooded rich whites in Cape Cod But don't talk about revolution 'Cause that's going just a little bit too far So love me, love me, love me, I'm a liberal Yes I vote for the Democratic Party I figure soon enough they'll come along And I attended those vote for change concert And they sure got me singing those songs And I'm bothered about corporate government But I do want our brand to trade strong So love me, love me, love me I'm a liberal
Yes I read the New Yorker and Nation And I've learned to take every view And I idolized Franken and Stewart Hell I feel like I'm almost a Jew But when it comes down to globalized markets Well there's no one more red, white, and blue So love me, love me, love me, I'm a liberal
And sure once I was young and impulsive I wore every conceivable pin Even went to some socialist meetings Yeah I learned all the old union hymns But oh I've grown older and wiser and that's why I'm turning you in So love me, love me, love me, I'm a liberal.
Not really; just the Milky Way bar/restaurant in Jamaica Plain. Great pizza, great drinks, great rock and roll; Alejandro and the Fame will be headlining tonight's Halloween show. Costumes encouraged! Come on out for a night of glitter, mohawks, distortion, and monsters.
This weekend, my girlfriend and I took a trip to Vermont to visit her parents' house up there — but mostly to attend this big annual crafts fair. While there, I had the pleasure of meeting Dan, the creator of the Woodrow, a unique Appalachian stringed instrument. From their website:
The Woodrow instrument series is a cross between a banjo and an Appalachian dulcimer (or lap dulcimer). Played upright like the banjo, but having the dulcimer construction, gives these instruments the perfect style for Appalachian, bluegrass, celtic, and even blues music.Some styles have a real banjo like twang, while others have a more rounded and mellow sound. Each one is different, and the voice and personality vary from instrument to instrument.
So basically what that means is "it's awesome." And what's even more awesome is that my fantastic and lovely girlfriend got me one as an early birthday present, a decision she is going to regret very soon because I can't stop playing it. Like this: [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUQ5zyVrgqg&w=500&h=284]
And on that, I'm gonna go practice this wonderful instrument some more so I can become a master woodrow player. Kbye.
We've been working on these for about a month between recording, mixing, and mastering, but I'm finally satisfied with the results — and I hope you are as well! All instruments were recorded/engineered by my, except for the lead vocals which were done by Paul Cantillon (aka "Cody Grey"). We'll be sending these out to some clubs as we try to book some more shows, so keep an eye out for our updated events list. In the meantime, enjoy, and tell your friends to do the same. [soundcloud url="http://api.soundcloud.com/playlists/1035013" height="200"]
Here's another look at one of our new Alejandro and the Fame demos — "Telephone" by Lady Gaga (featuring Beyoncé). It's still a little rough, but you get the idea. And I mean, c'mon — Beyoncé's breakdown has never been this hardcore.
[soundcloud url="http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/19498710"]
Alejandro and the Fame: Boston's premiere all-male Lady Gaga cover band. Putting the fucking metal into Lady Gaga since 2011.
....Or, more accurately, brand new Alejandro and the Fame demos of Lady Gaga songs, because that's what we do — glam rock Lady Gaga covers with more Mohawks, more glitter, and more balls. Here's a preliminary mix of "Paparazzi" that was done on my laptop over the weekend. It's still not the final version, and we've got a few more tunes to come for your listening pleasure, but I hope you enjoy it anyway! [soundcloud url="http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/18819764"]
For the next 10 days, you can find me in the pit (well, okay, technically balcony, but it's still called the pit) playing guitar for MetroStage Company's production of BAT BOY! The Musical, directed by the lovely and quite talented Miss M. Bevin O'Gara. Here are the performance dates, for those of you who are interested:
Performances take place at the Cambridge Family YMCA Theatre in Central Square, Cambridge.
And the synopsis (in case you're somehow unaware of the "Bat Boy" trend that once ruled The Weekly World News):
Based on a story in The Weekly World News, BAT BOY: THE MUSICAL is a musical comedy/horror show about a half boy/half bat creature who is discovered in a cave near Hope Falls, West Virginia. For lack of a better solution, the local sheriff brings Bat Boy to the home of the town veterinarian, Dr. Parker, where he is eventually accepted as a member of the family and taught to act like a "normal" boy by the veterinarian's wife, Meredith, and teenage daughter, Shelley. Bat Boy is happy with his new life, but when he naively tries to fit in with the narrow-minded people of Hope Falls, they turn on him, prodded by the machinations of Dr. Parker, who secretly despises Bat Boy. Shelley and Bat Boy, who have fallen in love, run away together from the ignorant townfolk and have a blissful coupling in the woods, but their happiness is shattered when Meredith arrives and reveals a secret. Soon the entire town arrives and hears the shocking story of Bat Boy's unholy origin.
For those who missed (or those who simply want to relive it), here's the complete (minus the talky parts) Alejandro & the Fame on the Day Before the Rapture. It was pretty epic [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nz9Z5AOnGBA&w=480&h=303]
Read MoreFriday night was the first performance of my all-male Lady Gaga cover band, Alejandro & the Fame. In light of the then-impending rapture, we changed our name to Alejandro & the Harbingers of the Apocalypse. We have since returned to the Fame.
Audio/video to come, but for now, here's some pictures to tide you over:
Yes, I'm wearing leopard print leggings and jean shorts. No, I do not own the leopard print leggings. Yes, I did make my own jean shorts.
Photos by Justin Seward
I'm going to be completely honest right now: I think "I Gotta a Feeling" by the Black Eyed Peas is one of the most trite, mundane, and obnoxious songs ever written. And the fact that anyway — including but not limited to my left ass-cheek — could have written something so asinine makes even angrier, because neither me nor left ass-cheek did write it, and neither one of us is famous. The song came on while I was driving the other day, and I started thinking of ways to make it better (and by better, I mean worse, which means better, because it's already the worst. Get it?). So I grabbed my acoustic guitar, dropped it into a minor key, and suddenly America's moronic party anthem sounds...well, it sounds like a struggle with addiction, really. Not to make light of that issue, I do find it interesting how fine the line is between fun and self-destruction, as this musical, but not lyrical*, shift demonstrates.
[soundcloud url="http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/13193367"]
*Okay, there's a slight lyrical shift. I know, it's slow, it's sad, but keep listening towards the end of the 2nd verse, and there might be a little surprise waiting for you....
On Thursday, March 25th, Mitchell Dubey was murdered in his home in New Haven. I never knew Mitchell myself, but he touched the lives of countless people whom I've known, and left a lasting, positive impact on these people and the community of which they are a part. Last night, his friends put together a benefit concert for Mitchell's family, who has suffered a great deal in the past year, and successfully raised over $23,000, and completely sold out Toad's Place, a famous music venue in New Haven. It was a glorious sight to behold, a celebration of his life and the things he loved. (And yes, that is a GIANT photo of me getting a wristband from the doorman at the concert. Embarrassing. I wish they could have featured someone else who knew Mitchell personally. But, I'll take it.)
I feel strange that I never had the chance to meet Mitchell, but he touched the lives of so many people that I've known a long time, and left a lasting, positive impact on a community that I care greatly for, even though I don't live there anymore. I don't want to rob my grief from those that actually knew Mitchell and were so greatly affected by this loss, but I was overwhelmed by the amount of love on display last night. Mitchell Dubey left a mark on the lives of so many people that I have known, and so, by extension, his life has affected mine, and I think that is the very definition of community.
This week's post on Five By Five Hundred is dedicated to Mitchell. It was inspired by an interaction that I had at the show with my old friend Jerry Morgan. We haven't seen each other in a long time, and have never done well keeping in touch, but I think we were both happy to see each other, barring the circumstances. Jerry knew Mitchell through the bicyclist and vegan communities in New Haven, as well as the music scene, and when we both asked each other how we "were," we both understand what it meant — what has your life been like since we last spoke, excepting the detail of your friend's gruesome murder. Fortunately Jerry always remains positive, and took our "How are you?"s in good humor, and it sparked a conversation.
Before I link you selfishly to my writing, here's a video of Mitchell taken by a complete stranger in California several years ago. It only makes me wish I knew him more.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fmh9FBDAvwo&w=425&h=349]
Because for some reason, these things never go as planned. I was all set to post a slow pretty version of "Sunday Morning" by the Velvet Underground, using only a clean, warm electric guitar, and a bass synth pad. Then, around midnight on Thursday, I had a Eureka moment, and came up with this instead (and incidentally kept my girlfriend awake until about 3am WHOOPS). Realizing I had to be awake in 6 hours, I decided to postpone the release of the song until....well, Sunday morning. How do ya like that! Enjoy!
[soundcloud url="http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/12593689"]
