Mabuse! (and Tenebrae)

Last night I finished watching Fritz Lang's amazing 1933 film "Das Testament des Dr. Mabuse." It is easily the best film I've seen from the 30's... truly strange even today. Mostly it's a crime drama but it has some very weird, surreal and spooky moments as well.

I noticed while watching the trailer that it seems to have been an influence on Giallo films that came around 30 years later. I suspect that the frightening voice of Dr. Mabuse influenced Argento's whispering killers. Tenebrae (another all time favorite film of mine) in particular jumps to mind...



Thanks. -Jonathan

"The Gas" by Charles Platt

(Click on the images for larger scans).

The book "The Gas" by Charles Platt is, in the author's own words, a "good-natured adventure into slapstick sadomasochism." It's also one of the most extreme books I've ever read. Totally ridiculous, yes, but totally extreme nonetheless.

The following is a quick plot summary from one of the only online reviews I could find (original source here): "There's this gas, you see. Gas that makes you want to have sex. If you can't have sex, the gas makes you violent. Sex and violence, sex and violence, sex and violence. That is the gas."

This book is so over the top and relentless that it took me about a year to finish it. I was trying to read "The Gas" at home but always found myself neglecting it. I do 99% of my reading on public transportation to and from work. I have a hard time reading anything sexual in nature while crammed into a sardine can with hundreds of Philadelphia commuters. BUT I realized if I didn't read it on the commute I wouldn't anytime soon. So, I made a plain paper book cover for it (for obvious reasons) and dove back in on the bus and train in spite of the awkwardness of it all.

"The feelings were so powerful, his skull seemed to be exploding. He embedded himself and held his cock as deep as he could as it strained and pulsed, squirting deep into her rectum, venting all his mass of pent-up anger and lust." Imagine me devouring that while sitting on the train next to a lady reading the bible. It makes me laugh now, but it was a truly surreal experience. And that quote was just from the opening chapter. The book builds and builds from to one extreme to the next until the truly excessive climax.

I think this book should be read by anyone looking for the furthest reaches of extreme literature. Sure, there's Maldoror, Naked Lunch, Crash, Total Abuse (not "fiction" exactly), American Psycho, The Story of the Eye or anything by Sade, etc. However, all those works have gotten a lot more attention than "The Gas" in my estimation. This is a one of a kind experience among the most excessive fictional writings in history and I think more people should be reading it. Perhaps it's the fact that Platt made it humorous at times (and in overall tone) that it isn't taken more seriously.



Then we have the artwork, which is the other primary reason for me writing this blog. The book arrived in a Loompanics text only dust jacket. After peeling that off I immediately threw it in the trash. This artwork is amazing, disgusting and simple yet it keeps dragging me back in to look at it over and over again.

After originally posting this blog I found out the art was done by (Madame) Ashleigh Talbot. Her current artwork is VERY different but really excellent and original. Please check out her art at: madametalbot.com. I sent Madame Talbot's people a message to see if it's cool if I keep her beautiful artwork posted here and to hopefully see more of her early work.

Anyhow, this is one book that once read (and seen) will never be forgotten. I urge you to pick up a copy of the 1995 revised Loompanics edition of "The Gas." I got mine from this Amazon link but I assume I just lucked out getting the Loompanics version.

Thank you. -Jonathan Canady

Interviews with Francis Bacon

Thanks to my good friend Pieter I just recently read David Sylvester's amazing book "Interviews with Francis Bacon." I'm not going to babble on about it but... it really did open my eyes to some of the deeper ways art can work.

I highly recommend this book even if you aren't an artist. The ad text on the back suggests it can be inspiring to anyone in a creative field and I absolutely believe it (experimental musicians particularly should take note).

Thank you. -Jonathan

ANGEL OF DECAY - The End

Here are some photos from last night's ANGEL OF DECAY / DAVID E. WILLIAMS J.CANADY collaboration show.

Since it was the last ANGEL OF DECAY show I did a cover of THE DOORS "The End." Sorry, there are no audio or video recordings.

Thanks to those that showed up and to David E. Williams for putting up with my drunk ass during our collab set.

David was the keyboardist / engineer on DEATHPILE's "G.R." CD. You should check out his solo recordings at:

http://www.myspace.com/davidewilliams

http://www.davidewilliams.com/

Thanks also to A.D. Amorosi and Needles Jones for hosting the evening and SQ for taking great photos.

-Jonathan

David Lynch art in Philly

Just the other day I stopped by Rodger LaPelle Gallery in Old City and he has one AMAZING David Lynch painting hanging in the back. I had heard he owns a few Lynch paintings but never saw any hanging before. The one currently hanging there is not the one pictured above (also part of LaPelle's collection) but is similar.

I would highly recommend stopping by and checking out the painting while it's up. It's in the furthest back corner of the gallery (past the office area) where the older pieces of the collection are.

Also, if you have a spare $25,000 you can pick up the painting for your very own.

Here's the vital info:

Rodger LaPelle Galleries
122 N. 3rd Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106
Ph: 215.592.0232
Hours: Wed thru Sun 12 - 6 pm

Thank you. -Jonathan Canady

BLINDNESS

Easily the best book I've read in the last two years is going to be a movie.

Since it's by the guy that directed "City of God" I have high hopes.

Thanks. -Jonathan

Final ANGEL OF DECAY show this MONDAY 9.22.08 in Philly

THIS MONDAY NIGHT 09/22/2008 10:00 PM

ANGEL OF DECAY Final Performance @ The Balcony Bar
(21 and over - sorry)
1003 Arch Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107
Cost:FREE

The final performance of ANGEL OF DECAY. This show will also feature Jonathan Canady and David E. Williams (ex-DEATHPILE) performing irregularities (collaboration set) + THE RED MASQUE. COME EARLY as ANGEL OF DECAY is playing FIRST!

Thanks. -Jonathan

Heavy Psych Art Zine

One of my old black and white drawings is in the brand new Heavy Psych Art Zine. Also featured is Art by Kevin McEleney, Arnau Sala, Shaan Bevan & Mark Hendrix, Poems by Rob Francisco & Kevin McEleney, Photography by Mark Hendrix and Hakiu Collages by Ted Sweeney (from TWODEADSLUTS). All for only $3 U.S.!

For more information or to order go to the Heavy Psych Website.

Thanks to Kevin from Heavy Psych for including me (and the ad).

-Jonathan

An old favorite... VOIVOD "Ravenous Medicine"

Just one of the greatest bands of all time... that's all.

I still love a lot of 80's thrash and VOIVOD's "Killing Technology" is by far one of my favorite albums of all time. This video for "Ravenous Medicine" is simultaneously AMAZING, HILARIOUS, and DISTURBING (vivisection footage).

One of my (and SQ's) favorite memories is seeing VOIVOD live back in '88 or so on the "Dimension Hatross" tour. The place they played back in my hometown of Aurora, Colorado is now a Walgreens (sigh).

Happy Friday. -Jonathan

"Sleazy Slice" Photos

Here are some photos of the Floating World Comics group show "Sleazy Slice" in Portland, Oregon. The framed piece on the left is the original of "Case 19." This painting is still available for sale as far as I know - please contact Floating World if you're interested. The others to the right are my limited edition prints. All photos by Josh Hydeman (thanks!!!).

The show will be up all month so try to check it out if you're in the area.



Thanks again to Jason from Floating World for adding me to this show at the last minute. He was also kind enough to frame "Case 19" for me.



A table of various artists' Sleazy work.



Josh Hydeman in front of the shop. Nice shirt.

Thanks. -Jonathan Canady

Fucking SLAB!

I have to say that SLAB! might be my favorite band of all time. Now, this is an absolute "love it or hate it" group so proceed with caution.

I am very pleased to see the news that the band are returning to the studio to make some lost material available.

You can learn more about SLAB! here: myspace.com/ukslab

If you like what you hear I recommend picking up their best album "Descension" from Relapse. It even comes with another CD by James Plotkin's FLUX for only $8.

Thanks. -Jonathan

Last of the "Dangerous Meat" / TIMELESS

Last night I finished the last 34 insert paintings for the "Dangerous Meat" book.

That means you are quickly running out of time to buy one of these little gems before they are ALL GONE.

For more information or to order CLICK HERE.

Also, I have just THREE copies of the new TIMELESS (featuring an exclusive painting by yours truly) available for sale. Info below. If you'd like to buy one please e-mail me at malsonus[at]yahoo[dot]com before ordering.

Timeless "Madness Becomes Method"
Book; regular edition (limited to 300 copies); 150 pages
$46.00 USA / $48.00 Canada+Mexico / $50.00 Rest of World postpaid

Complete contents -
Art by: Romain Slocombe, Trevor Brown, Keit Ota, Tampopo, Motomichi, Seven Bastards, Daisuke Ichiba, Beatrice Cussol, Mijn Schatje, Elles Sont de Sortie, Kiki Picasso, Loulou Picasso, T5dur, Pyon, Stu Mead, Cameron Jamie, Blanquet, Gilles Berquet, Mirka Lugosi, Antoine Bernhart, Guy Lemaire, Julien Carreyn, Jonathan Canady, Jonas, Jankowsky, Fredox, Jean Pierre Le Boul'ch, Gea, Otto, Pakito Bolino, Tisbor (Splinter vs Stalin), Keith Brewer (Taint), Michael Williams (Eyehategod), Intrinsic Action, Philip Best (Whitehouse/Consumer Electonics), Bruce Benderson, Peter Christopherson (Soisong/PTV/Coil/Throbbing Gristle), Jordi Valls (Vagina Dentata Organ), Gaspar Noe, Elzo, Angelo aka Joseph Farrel, Martin of Holland.
Interview or Text (english+french) by: Dennis Cooper, Romain Slocombe, Michael Williams (Eyehategod), Philip Best

To see some images from the book go to The Timeless Blog.

Thank you. -Jonathan

TWODEADSLUTS ONEGOODFUCK Shirt

TWODEADSLUTS ONEGOODFUCK'S NEW TSHIRT DESIGNED BY JONATHAN CANADY. PROFESSIONALY PRINTED ON HANES 100% COTTON BLACK TSHIRTS. LIMITED TO 100.

$12 US POSTAGE PAID
$15 WORLDWIDE POSTAGE PAID

PAYPAL: SHANEBRODERICK [at] MSN [dot] COM

NOTE: I'm not sure what sizes are still available so I suggest you e-mail Shane (above) before you order.

Thanks. -Jonathan

My art in Portland for First Thursday @ FLOATING WORLD

Eight of my limited edition prints, my new chapbook and one original piece will be part of Floating World Comics "Sleazy Slice" in Portland THIS THURSDAY (tomorrow!!!). If you can't make the opening the show will be up all month.

More info at: floatingworldcomics.com

Please check it out if you can and spread the word.

Thanks. -Jonathan