If you find Glam too brainy, too challenging, too confusing, then perhaps you're what the press used to refer to as a Glitter Kid! These bands didn't take their cues from the androgynous, artistic pretensions of David Bowie, Bretty Smiley, Cockney Rebel, Doctors of Madness or Jobriath. They looked to the big, stomping beats and … Continue reading Glitter Rock — The red-headed stepchild of a red-headed stepchild
Author: Eric Brightwell
Eric Brightwell is an essayist, rambler, explorer, cartographer, and guerrilla gardener. He lives in Los Angeles, not because he was born here, but because he chose to... for all of the things for which its famous: its verticality, its mass transit, its diversity, its schools, its liminal spaces, its architecture, its wildlife, its museums, its night markets, its cinemas, its theaters, its enclaves, its restaurants, its bars, its libraries, &c
Unrecognized Caucasia and neighboring regions
The current situation in the Caucasus prompted one of the loyal blog readers to request that I post about the confusing region and shed a little light. If you blog readers have any requests for blog topics, I always welcome them. ****** (If interested, there are similar entries about Eastern Europe, North Asia and South … Continue reading Unrecognized Caucasia and neighboring regions
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Warren Mayes – Keep on kickin it
In the mid-1980s, though hip hop was still primarily an east coast phenomenon, it was quickly spreading to other locales like the musically rich bottom of the map, New Orleans. In 1984, Mannie Fresh, Mia X, DJ Wop and New York-transplant Denny D formed New Orleans' first rap crew, New York Incorporated. Two years later, … Continue reading Warren Mayes – Keep on kickin it
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St. Louis Union
St. Louis Union were a Manchester six piece fronted by impeccably-coifed singer, Tony Cassidy. Shortly after forming they won a Melody Maker beat contest in 1965 which scored them a deal with Decca. They were billed as "THE Group on the Northern Soul Scene." Their sound was centered around Alex Kirby's tenor saxophone and Keith Millar's electric guitar … Continue reading St. Louis Union
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Happy Fourth of July! — In which various VHS and DVD titles are suggested…
These chaps have the right idea! Some "Cut & Run" types think it's ok to celebrate such other July 4th holidays such as: Filipino - American Friendship Day Day of Agwe - Haiti Birthday of Queen Sonja - Norway Commemoration of Jewish Genocide - Latvia Family Day - Lesotho Fisherman's Day - … Continue reading Happy Fourth of July! — In which various VHS and DVD titles are suggested…
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Unrecognized Nations: North Asia
While trying to beat the heat, I often think of what far-off cold places I'd like to go before the world turns to desert. North Asia is high on my list for sheer obscurity. Even the designation "North Asia" sounds like something that never gets said. I think that my first awareness of North Asia … Continue reading Unrecognized Nations: North Asia
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Edendale and the Beginning of the West Coast Film Industry
This edition of the Los Angeles neighborhood blog is about historic Edendale. To vote for more neighborhoods, click here. To vote for Los Angeles county communities, click here. To vote for Orange County neighborhoods, vote here. Chicagoan William Selig had a background in vaudeville and, as a teen, was part of a traveling minstrel show. … Continue reading Edendale and the Beginning of the West Coast Film Industry
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May 1st Holidays
There are a lot of holidays today, chief among them, May Day. Also... Ascension - Catholicism Beltane - Celts/Gaels Constitution Day - Latvia & the Marshall Islands Feast of Saint Joseph the Worker Festival of Bona Dea - Rome Kazakh Peoples' Unity Day - Kazakhstan Labor Day AKA Labour Day AKA Workers' Day - Worldwide … Continue reading May 1st Holidays
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Walpurgis Night
Tonight is Walpurgis Night. Saint Walpurga was, supposedly, an 8th century nun whose relics were transferred on April 30th and her name was given to the holiday. As frequently happened during Christianity's spread across Europe, this was merely an instance of co-opting and Christianizing a much older holiday. Before Saint Walpurga was dreamed up, 30 April was … Continue reading Walpurgis Night
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California Fool’s Gold — Exploring San Marino
San Marino is located in the San Gabriel Valley and is neighbored by Pasadena and San Pasqual to the north, East Pasadena and East San Gabriel to the east, Alhambra and San Gabriel to the south, and South Pasadena to the east. Pendersleigh & Sons Cartography's map of San Marino, available in art prints and … Continue reading California Fool’s Gold — Exploring San Marino
Eric Brightwell 