БУЛ-ЛОГ

Night Off, Jenga at the hookah lounge

2010-11-21T01:29:00.002-05:00

Players are: Misha (assistant director), Igor (gave me a haircut), Alexei (our production assistant and my "handler")

Call Time

2010-11-19T15:13:00.001-05:00

Airport Sunset

2010-11-18T21:07:00.001-05:00

Video love-letter to Justin Bieber

2010-11-14T15:55:00.003-05:00

Skyping with the 'rents

2010-11-10T19:19:00.003-05:00

Edward (cameraman) sings a classic

2010-11-10T18:54:00.002-05:00

The word for snow is "снег"

2010-11-10T17:40:00.003-05:00

Crane Walk

2010-11-10T17:29:00.002-05:00

Please to make scatter Pigeon (for great shooting)

2010-11-10T17:22:00.002-05:00

Cranberry Blood

2010-11-10T17:13:00.002-05:00

First day of the shoot

2010-11-06T18:04:00.006-04:00

Leaving Moscow

2010-11-06T17:54:00.001-04:00

Belorusski Vokzal, Moscow

2010-11-06T17:44:00.007-04:00

Potluck

2009-12-02T19:13:00.002-05:00

New friends

Funny places

Random objects

But we always feel at home

Twin Peaks

2009-12-02T19:09:00.000-05:00

Songs in the key of C

2009-12-02T19:00:00.002-05:00

James Colvill's debut on the trumpet.

Maybe it was the burgers talkin', but man could that cat wail.

The Tale of The Five Burger Day

2009-11-26T21:33:00.005-05:00

Starring Jim Colvill and told in Haiku

a challenge starts here

the first burger for breakfast

was nothing special

determination

changes to trepidation

burger two still falls

a side of french fries

on the plate of burger three

make the last bite sweet

burgers four and five

vanish in the parking lot

Oregon drive through

Golden Gate

2009-11-26T21:11:00.001-05:00

White

2009-11-26T21:09:00.000-05:00

Light

Heat

Arizone-out

2009-11-26T21:03:00.002-05:00

Let them carry cake in Tuscon.

How's it feelin in there? Cool?

In this heat, your words fall on deaf ears old man.

Rone Star

2009-11-26T20:48:00.003-05:00

I thought Austin was supposed to be "mellow." Anyway, I touched the stuff and I'm still alive to blog about it.

Old El Paso.

Our breakfast location. No English menus were available.

Juarez on the other side of the fence.

Sorry.

New Orleans

2009-11-26T20:44:00.000-05:00

layBul Maker

2009-11-26T20:39:00.002-05:00

I may have found my voice.

It allows me to communicate effectively . . .

. . . and express myself freely.

Choice aplenty

2009-11-26T20:36:00.001-05:00

Old tymes.

What a steal.

Slim pickins

2009-11-26T20:29:00.002-05:00

Sometimes we are desperate for food.

Othertimes we just want to get involved.

Occasionally we are shocked, confused, and saddened.

Laying Bulame in Bultimore

2009-11-26T20:20:00.002-05:00

BV-CVX conducts Roja insertion . . .

. . . while Steve-O looks on in silence.

The mission was not without casualties.

However, our data indicates that enemy losses were higher.

How we are referred to

2009-11-26T19:52:00.005-05:00

To come between a man and his name, Steve-O, is a dangerous proposition.

James Colvill and Richard Zerbo of Brooklyn-based indie-label The Social Registry will confirm.

Mood furtherment in Birmingham, AL

2009-11-26T19:47:00.002-05:00

Sian Alice Group fall 2009 US tour

2009-11-26T19:43:00.002-05:00

Crook sets the mood in Philly.

Sian Alice Group finished the tour in Knoxville and drove back to New York in one go

2009-03-22T02:46:00.002-04:00

Taste the mystery.

Smell the myth.

Sian Alice Group crossed over into Central Time, but it was short-lived, the experience

2009-03-22T02:41:00.002-04:00

The rain finally let up in Alabama.

But Crook would simply not let up.

Face seized the opportunity.

Not everyone was paying attention.

Sian Alice Group had a great time in Charlotte

2009-03-22T02:37:00.004-04:00

I couldn't get Roja's hood off, so she had to wait outside while we bought snacks.

It wasn't even Halloween, but they wrote our name all spooky-cool.

To quote Belinda Carlisle - "Heaven is a place on earth."

Sian Alice Group couldn't find a Wendy's near the motel but we ended up getting better food somewhere else, not that Wendy's is bad, really

2009-03-22T02:24:00.002-04:00

That's a good start, Wilmington.

If only it was that simple.

Dude!!!

You're totally blowing my mind right now!

Sian Alice Group drove to Carrboro and played there

2009-03-22T02:20:00.002-04:00

Steve sorts out the new perc bag, achieved across the street and featuring the same colorway as the popular 9ooo model.

What a bell.

Sian Alice Group visited places along the way that are familiar

2009-03-22T02:12:00.002-04:00

We're baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack.

S9K could have chosen this item for it's price/performance ratio, or simply for it's resemblance to a certain fruit from the plant belonging to the family Musaceae.

Looking for DNA? Look no further.

Sian Alice Group has completed another tour that began in Philadelphia

2009-03-22T02:07:00.002-04:00

In times of extraordinary uncertainty . . .

. . . the answer was often right before us, plain as day:

the day that fails to wake us from our governing slumbers.

MA-PA-OH-OH-OH-IN-IL-WI

2009-03-12T21:00:00.002-04:00

Spooky and misty times at the Rathskeller.

But inside, some of that good old-fashioned Wisconsin-style sass.

MA-PA-OH-OH-OH-IN-IL

2009-03-12T20:43:00.002-04:00

Towards the light, towards the light.

Matthew looms at the Empty Bottle.

Chris and I take it in stride.

MA-PA-OH-OH-OH-IN

2009-03-12T20:38:00.002-04:00

What's your feeling on that matter?

Well.

Bones tends "bar"

A house is a home . . .

. . . and then some sometimes.

MA-PA-OH-OH-OH

2009-03-11T20:23:00.002-04:00

Sleep zone - almost exchanged the pillow for some Wendy's Honey BBQ dippin' sauce by accident.

Connect with your subject.

Those crazy clever kids . . .

. . . what will they think of next?

MA-PA-OH-OH

2009-03-11T20:16:00.002-04:00

Road candy.

Sweet.

What a tease.

College house party jam style vibes, bro.

Phosphorescent does it.

MA-PA-OH

2009-03-04T14:51:00.002-05:00

Cleveland is cold on the outside but warm on the inside.

The Riders of Roja.

La Quinta speaks my language.

MA-PA

2009-03-04T14:39:00.003-05:00

Yo, Bones!

Seriously, dude.

Mike was once a painter - he still picks up the brush from time to time.

Here he completes his latest work, crimson spoogewind #7

MA

2009-03-04T14:21:00.006-05:00

Well hello old friend. Shall we have another go?

Rupert anticipates . . .

. . . the javastack.

75 pirates can't be wrong.

Epi(b)logue: Banana

2008-11-16T16:28:00.000-05:00

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmbanana.

This banana, as most, is shaped like a 'C' - as in C, who drives in this shot, unaware that the picture is being taken and that a banana is part of it - but this one's been turned to the side for the sake of the composition of the picture.

Rumour has it that the Transitional Team is considering our M.D. Bones for Surgeon General, owing to the probability, in my appraisal, that he is the top national authority on the health benefits of potassium-heavy fruitstuffs.

Different people bite things in different ways - these two men have been friends since birth, practically, and yet the biting differences are apparent to anyone.

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmbanana.

Support the troops.

Bananas don't wear bikinis so they don't get tan lines.

no frills. not even capitalization for this shoppe.

Bananas rest atop pancakes in Hotlanta. Steve Nine-Thousand ate this if I remember correctly.

Guilty by association with bananas.

You can't win if you don't play.

Crookyln

2008-10-23T08:00:00.000-04:00

The End.

Washington Da Capo

2008-10-22T21:00:00.000-04:00

We all may have Malaria, it turns out - again, if we have had it before, or had had it - but this time it's different, chilled, German. Looking down from a bunk bed, nothing makes sense even though things are where they've always been compared to how we remember them being, before. A little sweat, then sleep again, then song.

As The Morning Light

2008-10-22T09:00:00.000-04:00

As The Morning Light

As The Morning Light

As The Morning Light

Chapel Hill

2008-10-22T02:29:00.000-04:00

Up Crook.

Down Crook.

His corner.

Can you spot 9K?

My long-lost twin, reunited through armageddonous bass moves, Titus of All the Saints.

(sm)Ashville part 2

2008-10-21T02:59:00.000-04:00

The sun sets just in time . . .

. . . lest it cast light upon the carnage to follow.

BV-CVX on the warpath. Doin a darn good job . . .

. . . although it looks like you mighta missed yer exit there, guy.

Being the sporting types that we are, we chanced a game of darts as well. Variety: Killa.

A New Work for darts, board, and winner, by winner JSpace.

(sm)Ashville part 1

2008-10-20T02:04:00.000-04:00

I was not acquainted with the history of this town, but I guess structures were erected . . .

. . . according to clever vandals, in excess.

My meal contained both crawfish and alligator. A familial hot sauce added some kick.

Hotlanta

2008-10-19T18:27:00.000-04:00

Steve and Preston wait to be seated for breakfast.
Background: death.

Bradford Cox makes suggestions (out loud) while Face reads descriptions (to herself).

Breakfast was real good. Does anyone know what this means?

How to Succeed

2008-10-18T20:08:00.000-04:00

One critical element of success in any endeavour is proper and effective organization. Here I have arranged a group of small items at Cracker Barrel.

I invite the FZA to help test my system. "Please indicate the sweetest item," she said.

Done.

FSU

2008-10-18T02:57:00.000-04:00

Post-show jam zone . . .

. . . was visited by a magical fairy.

She had a strange effect on the flora.

Red Stick City, LA

2008-10-17T00:08:00.000-04:00

We traverse the Bayou.

Disrupted signage.

Another odd place to fix a guitar.

Misdirection.

Space City

2008-10-15T21:02:00.000-04:00

Houston was hit hard by Hurricane Ike (not pictured). According to one local woman, "Nasa got fucked up."

Electricity puts the 'fizz' in the Fizzle.

We were unable to find a hotel room until 6:30 in the morning.

We Had a Little Problem and There was Nothing We Could Do

2008-10-14T20:45:00.000-04:00

Jaime's in Austin. Don Bul has ordered a neckular VVVGASH on 9K to be performed by a henchman friend BV-CVX. She pleads for mercy.

Don Bul ruminates on it for a moment. Mood: calmly sinister.

Quarter: none taken. VVVGASH is delivered with precision as always by BV-CVX.

Later, back at our HQ Jaime's, Mike 'Da Doc' Bones receives instructions from Don Bul to send a messsage to the Austino Family.

Da Doc leaves a calling card. You've been warned.

D-Town

2008-10-14T02:31:00.000-04:00

What's the point, really? It's like lipstick on a pig.

Now that's a light, pal.

Missouri redux

2008-10-12T02:55:00.000-04:00

Saint Louis still life.

Things can go wrong with guitars, 5-star.

Chris will absolutely destroy you.

We did well on 'merch' and it all went down right here at this table.

Missouri State, home of non-Kansas (State) city Kansas City, Missouri

2008-10-11T02:07:00.000-04:00

5-Star General Crook tints our chariot, obscuring precious cargo from enemy eyes.

Old habits are hard to break.

New habits form easily. Particularly when the machine is free (in two senses).

DJ Scribbleshanks was in attendance on the night.

His pal has his back, no doubt.

A Certain Prairie

2008-10-09T21:04:00.000-04:00

Offering levels remain high . . .

. . . however acceptance rates are falling.

This is what you may see for hours. And hours.

A Place to Bury Strangers

2008-10-09T02:53:00.000-04:00

Denver . . .

. . . Colorado.

The iPhone camera reacts strangely to strobes.

Do you see?

Colorado Rockies

2008-10-08T21:45:00.000-04:00

The sun is still up.

The sun has just gone down.

Whyoming

2008-10-08T18:56:00.000-04:00

nothing is here . . .

. . . but wind. BV-CVX considers a small carbon-footprint cool.

9K / dog color pallette: same.

Dr. Bones "cures" some ducks.

My shoe, by Rachel Comey.

Salt Lick City

2008-10-08T00:54:00.000-04:00

Siam Alice Group is performing on the same night as us, what a coincidence.

A Work in Three Parts

2008-10-07T21:44:00.000-04:00

I chanced a covert shot of C.

Attempt #2 yields more of my head but less of a sleeping Preston's.

This endeavour finally yielded a photo one might take on purpose: four dudes with sunglasses, in a van, two of whom are awake (foreground) and two of whom are probably sleeping (background).

Needless to say, C is the only constant.

Itah, Utah, we all tah at some point

2008-10-07T19:33:00.000-04:00

9K: a familiar sight.

Pristine landscapes still exist - in Utah. Insect carcasses obscure the view slightly.

General Crook confronts the 'self'.

One byproduct of this existential conundrum is the realization that water comes from boots.

Perhaps the rest of the answers lie ahead, beyond that stoic peak.

8th wonder of the world

2008-10-06T22:51:00.000-04:00

.

Bones, M.D. checks the Grand Canyon for tumors. None found.

BV-CVX explains the Grand Canyon to Face (aka Fizzle):
"hello, I'm the Colorado River and you are a vast sandstone landmass. May I introduce you to the slow power and historically immense effect of VVVGAERSH¹."

Inspired by this knowledge, Fizzle exposes some film to the light reflecting off the canyon.

Grand Canyon, I respect you.

We had arrived just in time. Darkness: soon.

¹ Coined 1987, Ben Buttery.

8th wonder of the world: Prelude

2008-10-06T20:02:00.000-04:00

Steve-9k forges ahead. Mood: drive.

It's a good thing we took the route we did. We had no idea that Crook was a General, or that he had a Trail. Whose in charge of this anyway?

Wendy's. One dude with sunglasses is looking one way, the other guy with sunglasses is looking the other way, and C is in the middle like "Hey, whaddya want from me?"

Arizone-out

2008-10-06T00:54:00.000-04:00

Temptation.

Hubris.

Anticipation.

Passion.

Revolution.

LA-ter

2008-10-05T17:45:00.000-04:00

Sadly the time came to wake early and leave.

Crook's hair was a small consolation.

Preston remains in a cocoon.

We owe many thanks to Jack. Did I mention he has a dog as well? His name is Orville - I'd like to think he was sad to see us go.

Sabado Nublado

2008-10-05T01:35:00.000-04:00

Bacon in Beverly Hills.

Slan Alice Group performs tonight. You may have heard the name.

Parking lot Jam Zone featuring Jack and Co. Roja provides radio frequencies.

Crook and C are with the vibe.

C: The Day and The Night

2008-10-04T02:24:00.000-04:00

C.

C.

BV-CVX/CRK/BUL/FCE/BNS-MD/STV-9000@KXLU

2008-10-04T01:15:00.000-04:00

We performed on the radio at a university. Dogs were not allowed. Gary and Clarence slipped in under their radar. Off topic: this photo has some interesting geometry poppin off.

Band Visionary Clervaux is in position.

Doctor Bones, Face standing by.

Steve-9000 swaps some files with a Bardek 12LM.

Downtown LA - Photo Shoot

2008-10-03T17:00:00.000-04:00

These are the shoes and coffee of some of the people involved in the subject matter of this post.

Crook plays the lookout while Bones, M.D. has his picture taken. The sun was bright.

Dr. Bones had to interrupt the shoot to see a patient. Prognosis: you're cool, guy.

Double glazing.

Cha Cha Lounge Medical Drama

2008-10-03T02:45:00.000-04:00

BV-CVX and Crook play jamz.

Steve-9000 is enthused . . .

. . . until Crook's head hits the turntable.

Dr. Bones makes a house call in a 2007 Mustang.

What size are those rims, doc?

A new work for classical guitar and cat in the key of H performed by the composers

2008-10-03T00:27:00.000-04:00

Hollis is an exceptional cat and a fine instrumentalist.

Collaborating with BV-CVX, he delivers an unparalleled performance for which he receives accolades:

domestically . . .

. . . and abroad.

Let's Angeles

2008-10-02T00:12:00.000-04:00

The street is called Montana, within the state of California and included within the city of Los Angeles. The state of Montana used to be one free of speed limits - I think that's since changed.

Tire's lookin' a little droopy, guy.

We used a can of stuff that not only seals the puncture but inflates the tire at the same time. Steve-9000, partially obscured by a shrub, could not believe it. Looking on and partially obscured as well is our friend and host John Webster Johns (hereafter 'Jack').

South on I-5

2008-10-01T22:46:00.000-04:00

Sometimes we must submit. But the soup was good.

Cracker Barrel is not the only place to perform one's rituals . . .

. . . nor is any family-based restaurant for that matter.

Dog Blog

2008-10-01T21:01:00.000-04:00

We travel with a pack of dogs, if a pack of dogs is allowed to be two stuffed dogs: Clarence (pictured above) and Gary.

They aid in van sleeping endeavours.

This is a real dog, with a focus on Taco Bell.

They aid in other things as well, where comfort and stability are key factors.

This is what Crook was shooting.

Forest Soul Prelude

2008-09-30T01:08:00.000-04:00

We took Highway 101 all the way into San Francisco, a wise move.

Bones, M.D. examines the Pacific Ocean. Diagnosis: rad.

Fall is upon us.

Suppertime, California

2008-09-29T00:57:00.000-04:00

You'll have to trust me when I say this is Crook and Steve-9000, because these menus are huge!

Preston decides.

I think Face would have liked to hold her menu in front of her face like everyone else, but there just was no room.

Blog Jammin

2008-09-28T00:42:00.000-04:00

BV-CVX and Steve-9000 share a drink with Jay from A Place to Bury Strangers on the stage of the Doug Fir after the show.

Note the logs in the background: what is the connection between a wooden 'log' and the 'log' one would find in the word 'blog' which is a contraction of the words 'web' and 'log'? I'd like to think with my blog I'm building a digital cabin is what it is.

This is a man simply called 'Huff.' He was rather fond of our Ben.

BV-CVX and I went to the convenience store to get some beer before they stop selling it at 2:30 AM. You can imagine what the scene in there is like. Here we spotted our old friend in line ahead of us, Claire Trowsseirs.

More astute viewers have probably noticed that the iPhone camera can do some wierd stuff sometimes. I'm beginning to grasp the potential.

Portlandia

2008-09-28T00:32:00.000-04:00

These are cheese fries.

Mike Bones is a sensitive man. And a smart man. Artistic, too.

He's comfortable enough with his feelings to express his love of disco fries, and intelligent enough to recognize that that's not the same thing as cheese fries which these are, and good enough with a pen and napkin to weave all these concepts together stylishly.

BlackBerry lighting courtesy Preston aka Band Visionary CVX (hereafter BV-CVX)

Pointy Thing

2008-09-27T03:58:00.000-04:00

The Mountain is Hood.

Crook edits the organ recordings from Clint's house. Stay tuned . . .

Face: 1 / Honey Bucket: 0
Winner: Face

Bones observes the Pointy Thing in Seattle.

Pairs of shoes, separated and reordered. We received lodging from another generous soul, Dalen.

Van-couver

2008-09-26T23:48:00.000-04:00

Just when it looked like we might actually make sound check, we were held up at the border. For nothing, really.

The Biltmore was a cool venue. Face really 'explored the space.'

Preston morphs into 'Band Visionary CVX' before we take the stage.

It was a satisfying show. We got some food and stayed in the hotel above the venue. Come morning, we deployed Roja's transponder and received new target information.

Code 5.

1800 Miles - 26 hours

2008-09-25T23:17:00.000-04:00

We had just barely enough time to make our show in Vancouver stopping only for gas.

It was a journey of Biblical proportions.

We were tempted along the way, and sinned:

LUST

PRIDE

WRATH

SLOTH

GLUTTONY

GREED

ENVY

We repented and were forgiven, but we had to face one more test of our faith before we found deliverance . . .

Reuppance

2008-09-24T23:10:00.000-04:00

Finally Roja was well again. Notice the reddish tint on the end of these spark plugs. One of the stellar mechanics at Ellwood Automotive had never seen this before. I can only assume his comrades hadn't either.

Preston exits a dual-purpose establishment . . .

. . . but only pumps. Foreground: the new catalytic converter. Background: Preston's shoes by Rachel Comey.

Crook stretches before a long drive.

Homestay

2008-09-24T02:20:00.000-04:00

We stayed at Clint's house again while our van was getting fixed. He has a cool old Hammond organ on the porch.

Clint's daughter, Gitzie - to the upper left is one of her works on paper.

Gitzie glares at Preston. He had made a comment about the cat, Tik.

Crook plays the organ. Stay tuned for some exclusive recordings.

Clint's house was old and beautiful. Chandelier light: ambient.

The Wrath of Blog

2008-09-23T15:15:00.000-04:00

I summoned a great storm.

Everyone was into it.

Yeah.

Catalytic Diverter

2008-09-23T14:08:00.000-04:00

Garage #5.

That's the catalytic converter. That's the problem.

All broked up inside.

A chunk. Looks like moon candy.

Face Off

2008-09-23T00:54:00.000-04:00

We had time for a bite to eat at the venue. The man in the black hat is Clint, our gracious host. At this time I noticed that Sasha Vine (hereafter 'face') had closed her eyes.

I attempted to get a stupid picture but she noticed.

The above picture actually is stupid, but I also achieved my original idea which was a stupid picture with Face with her eyes closed like she was sleeping.

Face. Yeah, totally.

Face knows Flamenco dancing but this is the only move she's ever showed us. She says she can't do it properly without the right shoes but I believe she can.

Twin Cities

2008-09-22T22:00:00.000-04:00

Three fourths of the male members of the band (two thirds of the total band personnel) wear shoes by Rachel Comey. These are Bones'.

En route: Chicago to Minneapolis. Everything was going well until about this point, then Roja started losing power again.

We pulled off the highway and had to take local roads for about 120 miles, as Roja would not break 40 mph on the flat and 25 mph going up hills. We could occasionally pick up some speed going down hills, to the tune of 55 mph or so, a technique called "Hildoggin." Hildoggin is the only reason we made the gig on time.

Garage number 4.

gravy makes a bad foundation

2008-09-22T16:04:00.000-04:00

This post outlines the makeup regimen Steve executed at Cracker Barrel in Wisconsin.

This is the basic set of tools needed to complete the job.

Eyelash curling is step one. This looks dangerous.

Next comes a little moisturizer on the upper cheeks. Probably the expensive kind.

Lip balm.

Foundation. This is where you really start to see it come together.

White mascara adds some body . . .

. . . while black mascara adds color (black).

Lipstick covers a small amount of surface area but has a large impact.

A little leftover lipstick makes a quick and frugal rouge.

The whole process took about 5 minutes. It's important to point out that the lip balm was applied well before the lipstick to allow it to be properly absorbed.

I was worn out from documenting this process so I had a rest in a small rocking chair.

The Blog of War

2008-09-22T15:59:00.000-04:00

Leaving Chicago we encountered some heavy fog. Visibilty: poor.

Windy City

2008-09-21T15:47:00.000-04:00

This is not appropriate in the parking lot of a Cracker Barrel. It's a family restaurant.

Crook keeps his friends close and his enemies closer.

Sasha Vine (hereafter 'Face') on stage. We had our best show in Chicago so far I think.

Perhaps Crook has discovered the reason why.

Bowl-Blog

2008-09-20T22:35:00.000-04:00

Crook

Preston

Steve

Bul

Face

Bones

Motor City

2008-09-20T22:27:00.000-04:00

"Funkie" (sic) is what Detroit is or perhaps was in the past - not a truck in Canada which is what this is.

I would like to say that Face is blogging, but she's shooting film so probably not.

Face shoots.

And again.

Would the real Goblin City please stand up?

2008-09-19T22:24:00.000-04:00

This post features Bones.

Bones drives.

Bones blogs.

proof that this is true

Lets Get it Ontario

2008-09-19T22:17:00.000-04:00

Preston takes the wheel . . .

. . . but not for long. Roja is unwell.

We wait at Car Medics. Verdict: catalytic converter is all burnt up inside.

We continue to drive. We continue to blog.