| A patient Trickster |
[Jan. 7th, 2010|03:16 pm] |
Here are the first and last paragraphs, rough draft, of one of several ongoing personal projects involving Unextraordinary Gentlemen, "An Unreliable History by Malcom Schreeck", which tells a tall tale of how each of our characters (and several satellites) met and formed our merry band. Figured occasional posts and feedback will spur me to continue at a brisker pace than currently employed. We shall see.
Most human mythologies have some common idea or lesson, a thread which connects them to other myths no matter the cultural peccadillo or geographical implausibility. These countless silver threads spool from the realms of the impossible. I am a survivor of these degraded kingdoms, which is as grand and important a thing as it sounds. These are the places where daydreams and fairy tales live; where inspiration wells and imagination flourishes. Dangerous places, these, their very existence ebbing and flowing according to the collective whims of the universal faithful. They are wondrous places full of life and magic.
Before the stars were vomited across the heavens, I knew my place among them.
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That my American figure defies the history provided you does not mean the past I have painted for you, dear reader, did not occur. It may not have happened exactly as I describe. I attest, however, that things are exactly as I recall, with only the most conservative sprinkling of poetic license applied. Really. I swear to God.
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| ALL AGES show - Sunday, Sept. 20th in Echo Park, CA |
[Sep. 11th, 2009|06:59 am] |
9/20/09
8PM
$8
ALL AGES
@The Echo Curio
1519 Sunset Blvd.
Echo Park, CA 90026
"Join MADcap Mistress of Ceremonies MADemoiselle Veronique as she presents another evening of guerrilla vaudeville at Echo Curio.
Guests artists include:
~ Seth Bedford (of New York City) - Composer/Accordionist/Vocalist & Veronique’s Official Accompanist
~ Unextraordinary Gentlemen (UXG) - Los Angeles-based Purveyors of Otherworldly Sonic Excellence
~ Eli August (of Madison, WI) - Droll Outsider Folk Trio featuring Uke, Stand-Up Bass & Percussion
~ April Hava Shenkan - Presenting the World Premiere of her new performance piece set to "Blank Face Goblins" (a track from Veronique’s Polka Haunt Us: A Spook-tacular Compilation CD)"
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| Sweet. |
[Jun. 8th, 2009|03:41 pm] |
Looking forward to a call-in interview in about 15 minutes for a radio station. I think it's an online broadcast. I'll post details when I know them. It's being recorded now for a later Unextraordinary broadcast. Less about the band and more about our personal views on that whole "Steampunk" thangdangle.
Love and Hisses,
Mal S.
UPDATE: UXG needs more experience with live interviews. We kinda suck at it! Ha ha. Luckily, the producer is editing our bits in with other bands and we trust him to make us sound shiny. |
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| Chrononaut: San Diego's first Steampunk club night |
[May. 31st, 2009|08:46 am] |
Ladies, Gentlemen, Harlots, and Scoundrels,
The Machina Fatalis Steampunk Social Club is pleased to announce its most ambitious project to date. Our goal for nearly a year has been to create a uniquely steampunk club experience based on the precedent set by the Davenport sister’s Clockwork Ball, the Sepiachord group, and the musical opinions of thousands of steamers all over the web. Chrononaut is a club at which the gothic side of steampunk music is balanced by the whimsy of Dr. Steel and Mr. B the Gentleman Rhymer and all is guided by the mash-up of old and new that is the soul of steampunk.
Opening night:
Friday June 5th at
The 8teen Center
3925 Ohio St, San Diego, CA 92104
Featuring: The Unextraordinary Gentlemen in their first San Diego appearance, silent cinema, art show, vendors and more. The venue is all ages, but beer and wine are available at very reasonable prices for those of age. Food and drink is available for all. Steampunk, neo-Victorian, dark cabaret and anachronistic dress is most warmly welcomed. The club is open from 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm
Tickets are $8 in advance and $10 at the door and are on sale now.
More information is available on the
Chrononaut myspace page.
We hope to have nights in July and August also, but that depends entirely on advance sales for June. The sooner tickets sell the sooner we can reserve the next date, so please support steampunk and innovative nightlife. Buy your tickets now.
~ Mister Greyshade, Promoter |
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| INCEST! The Card Game |
[May. 28th, 2009|10:46 pm] |
| [ | Current Location |
| | Muffintop Manor | ] |
| [ | mood |
| |  In a family way | ] |
| [ | music |
| | Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, "Loverman" | ] |
About the time of the Edwardian Ball Los Angeles, I introduced new friends to the delightfully wicked parlor game known as INCEST!
Similar in some respects to UNO and, to a some lesser extent, Hearts.
A salty distraction hearkening back to the early 15th Century (or maybe I just made it up!), INCEST is meant to be both a slightly clever poke at the alleged inbreeding practices of many a Royal bloodline and a bawdy good time!
Here thar be rulez --
INCEST a simple game of amusement to be played with cards for 3 or more players.
The Deck: Known as "The Realm", it houses the suits, or "Kingdoms" Only the Royal cards are used from any number of similar decks. My sample Realm is two Bicycle Pinochle decks, one with red backs and one with blue backs, strictly to amuse myself. Mine is 60 cards, 4x4 of each royal suit (Knaves (or Jacks), Queens, and Kings) plus 3x3 of each suit of Angels (Aces). The Aces of Spades have been removed as this card represents the Angel of Death and is bad luck.
Object: The object of the game is to get rid of your cards. The first player to do so is the victor. The value of the cards is from lowest to highest, Knaves, Queens, Kings, Angels.
Play:
I suggest six cards each for three players. Beyond that, I’m not sure. I have not yet had the pleasure to play with more than an even three. That is to say…let’s move on!
The other cards are placed to the side in the Conquest Heap. Cards in players' hands are not shown to other players. The first player is chosen arbitrarily and yes, it can be the dealer. I suggest a die roll or a drawing of straw. Play proceeds clockwise. The first player places a card of their choice face up into the gaming area.
The next player then tries to place a card equal or higher than the last played. If the card played is of a different suit, play continues clockwise. If the card played is of the same suit, the one who places the card exclaims "Keep it in the family!" and the next player must either play a card of equal or greater value in the SAME SUIT or else take a card. Play continues clockwise with the same rules until a playable card can be used. The player whom initiated the special rule may play against their own card. Shouts of “Stop The Madness!” once the cycle is broken are optional.
If the current player has no equal or higher card, they can play any card of the same suit but must exclaim, "Incest!", which the other players repeat with gusto and take another card from the Conquest Heap. Note that a card MUST be of equal or greater value AND the same suit if player is next up after a shout of “Keep it in the family!” Play continues clockwise.
If the current player has no playable cards, they take one card from the Conquest Heap and play continues clockwise.
If no cards can be played for an entire round, the first player must play against their own selection.
If the Conquest Heap is used up during a game, flip the Discard pile, shuffle and use. If there is no Discard pile to use, the game is over and the player with the least amount of cards is the victor.
If anybody actually has a go at this, let me know. Oh, and feel free to offer adjustments to the above phraseology, adjustments to the rules, or your favorite teatime traditions.
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uxg
klaatu