Precis issue NINE 3 2016

pré·cis 摘要

issue nine volume two

march.twenty sixteen

pré·cis publisher & editor: chris stecher associate editor: tracy wang lead translation: tracy wang graphics: stech design photography: stech, eric sherman, sujinyan, edward lalonde, aram sohigian, chris wheeler, tracy wang, mattia bellomi, lance crayon, katherine tosi, cheryl lister, Grrr contributing writers: mykel board, chris wheeler, chris parizo,mashahed hassan simanta, kyrtina pryani richardson, robert graham Jr., hallie billings, max owre, mike dubose, camilla larson katherine tosi, edward lalonde, tracy wang, ICVS, allen johnston, louie manno, richard gindes, contributing artists: sujinyan, joel fremming cartoonist: joel fremming ___________________________ content submissions and /or letters to the editor are welcome. please keep letters to 250 words,submissions to 750 words, photos and images need to be at least 200 dpi at size. contact : stech@outlook.com

A WORD OR TWO ABOUT IMAGES AND CONTENT All images and content are wholly and completely owned by the respective contributor.

No redistribution of images, artwork or republication of any content can be made without written authorization of the individual contributor.

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PERIOD.

click to go to page

cargo:

editorias {rant} ~ 4,5 gigs: 2nd autumn craft beer fest {beer} ~ 5,6 marine restoration - YPDR {stepping up} ~ 7,8 gigs: dr. smartass anniversary {music} ~ 9,12 gathering of the vibes {music} ~ 13,14 gigs: school bar 3.0 opening {music} ~ 15,16 Thailand musings {travel} ~ 17 -28 spirits and movie {review} ~ 29-32 panzerfaust {live review} ~ 33-34 gigs: the harridans {music} ~ 35,36 facezine {cartoon} ~ 37 outing the introverts {teaching} ~ 39-40 the industry {music/business} ~ 41-44 ICVS: pet travel info {pets/adoption} ~ 45-46 sorrows path album {music review} ~ 47 tales from the share - airbnb {travel} ~ 49-52 sujinyan's eye {images} ~ 53-54 windhand & guests {live show review} ~ 55-56 saving the mastiffs ~ {stepping up} ~ 57-58 mike dubose {music interview} ~ 59-62 1421 wine review {wine} ~ 63-64 diy food ~ {recipes} ~ 65,68 words from the heart ~ {poetry} ~ 69,70 dan taylor ~ {music interview} ~ 71-74 kat's review: dirtwar ~ {music review} ~ 75,76 heartfelt imagery~ {poetry} ~ 77-78 air quality ~ {health} ~ 79-82 gigs: secret club & more ~ {music} ~ 83,84 thailand ~ {images} ~ 85,86 mykel board # 30 ~ {opinion} ~ 87-90 thailand ~ {images} ~ 91-94 remembrance - tuna~ {obituaries} ~ 95-98 remembrance - lemmy {obituaries} ~ 99-106 pré·cis • issue 9 • 3.2016

images.

Celebrating 51 years!

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www.varerealestate.com 925 Vt. Rte. 100, Warren

EXPANSIVE VIEWS INCLUDING BLUEBERRY LAKE will take your breath away. Your own swimmable pond right out your door. Endless panoramas, whether you are watching the weather or checking out the wildlife. Private location in the Prickly Mtn. area.

Comfortable carefree home. This refuge comes with 31 acres and is offered at $1,100,000 or purchase with 26 acres for $839,000.

Reclamation: © stech

VARE office building has three offices, can support 8 desks. Large reception area and conference room has vaulted ceiling. Great location for real estate office, insurance office, or any professional office. Price reduced to $165,600.

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SELECTIVELY LOGGED 20 ACRES, FULLER HILL. Three possible dramatic house sites. Views of the ski trails at Sugarbush.

Town-approved access off Fuller Hill. Potential for second driveway from Murray Hill. Asking $225,000.

CHANGE OF PLACE: Middlesex, 7 miles to Montpelier, estate site on No. Branch of the Winooski River, approved for two lots.

South-facing, lovely views. Offered without driveway installed for $105,000. Terrific value at this greatly reduced price. Waiting for driveway estimates. Owner-Broker.

BUILDING LOT IN THE KNOLLS, a subdivision off Sugarbush Access Rd, ½ mile to Sugarbush ski trails visible year-round. Easy lot on which to build. Lot will be cleaned up and dead trees removed.

UG power, fire hydrant for all four lots. Offered at $95,000, excellent buy. Owner-Broker.

Gaurdian of the scooter: © stech pré·cis • issue 9 • 3.2016

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pré·cis editorias 9

--------------------------------So..... Yeah. Issue nine.

108 pages. A new record.

About fucking time, eh?

This Issue took longer than either you or I wanted.

Lots of shit happened.

Hand surgery, dog bites at dive bars in the hutong bars, problematic relationships, global turmoil, a trip to Thailand, and right now, a fucking dozen Germans yelling at the top of their lungs as I am writing the editorial.

That happens I guess.

This is my fourth try at the editorial.. My others went to 1700 words and I just don't have that space. The issue is locked up.

So........

I will just leave you with the musings of a friend a while back who was agonizing over taking a life changing leap.

By life changing, I mean everything they had known would be gone, out of reach. Ever again.

I could bore you with the advice friends gave 03

him, but I will focus on the one crystallization of knowledge that was given: Take the jump. Jump without ever thinking about the repercussions.

It will further yourself as a human.

I call bullshit.

Sometimes, it just might be best to stay put, foster what you have around you.

as well as clicking on our “advertisers” (basically anyone who contributes gets an ad). Please report any problems to me as soon as you find them.

We lost some folks. Sad to see Aram and FTBTB go, but I know that Jill is keeping him in line with the San Fransisco Tourism website.

We have a detailed, if Love it and hold on to it, as sarcastic, look at Thailand. the rest of the world will No... Seriously, go if you topple and fall, at least you have a chance. have the small patch of We have Sujinyan's lens, you and yours that you can giving his unique take on circle the wagons around. the Chinese landscape, But.. Whatever. and although he is leaving us here, we hope he That said. We have a returns to us with shots of great issue. Make sure America. you look at the hotlinks to the articles in the TOC,

pré·cis • issue 9 • 3.2016

We picked up a couple of heavy hitters. Mykel Board, ex of Maximum Rock and Roll, agreed through, after repeated attempts to coax him, to let us republish his work.

Very glad about this.

We have someone, who wishes to remain anonymous, sent us a detailed rundown on Airbnb. That came out of nowhere, but it’s a great read.

Tracy has come back with her booze and a movie column, Ed Lalonde with a Gathering of the Vibes review, Rob, Krystina & Louie, came through with some poetry.

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Chris Parizo is back with a very important take on teaching, and Allen Johnston is here to tell all of our musician readers how to make money from their craft.

we lost recently, Alfred “Dr. Tuna” Snyder a personal friend and epic debate teacher to us all, and a great (and very long) personal story about Lemmy, in our We got some great updates remembrances section. on Young Pioneers efforts No matter, I never edit for length. on marine restoration, a moving article on helping yep. tons of other stuff save the Tibetan mastiffs, too. so get your read on. and of course the usual gig So yeah.. Sorry it took so reviews and reports. long, and big thanks to my Big shout out to Chris Wheeler for not only feeding us great reportage on the metal scene around his region, but also giving it to us before we ask. Kudos Brah!

surgeon, Liu Kun for the operation on my hand that makes typing with two hands possible again.

We also got some pretty in-depth looks at people

~ stech

And we added pages, and in the publishing game, that is what matters.

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The 2nd annual Autumn Craft Beer Festival @ Beijing East Hotel

The 2nd annual Autumn Craft beer festival held at Beijing East Hotel near 798 Art space was a tremendous hit. 22 vendors coming far and wide from all over the Chinese landscape rocked the outdoor fest with spectacular beers and food to a capacity audience.

Chinese and expat families flocked to the venue on a beautiful day, to the tunes of DJ 1,2, who was rocking the beat for more than FOUR hours without stopping, while a jumbo -tron behind him displayed random festival goers and beer lovers.

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I don’t like singling out specific brewers, as they were all outstanding, but ones of note would be Calvin Breweries, rocking a great Liquid Sunshine pale ale that you could drink all day, Bad Monkey, who has to slog their brews including their Blowout IPA pré·cis • issue 9 • 3.2016

on a harrowing 18 hour trek from on trains from Dali, and our own iBrew, home based ciders that rock your world.

Hungry? There was no shortage of food to soak up all those 5.2 beers and other libations. Home Plate BBQ brought the whole Pig & Andy’s Craft Sausage brought out 140 pounds of his classic meat in tube form. If meat wasn’t your thing, other vendors had vegetarian fare and sushi.

All in all, it was a great day to see beer-o-philes, businessmen, and rock stars who came out to the seminal fall party, which is quickly becoming the place to be, and the date that you will want to put on your calendar way in advance in 2016.

More info: http://beijingautumncraftbeerfest.com/

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Young Pioneer Disaster Response reaching benefits not only for the ocean, but also for the people of the Visayans Sea.

Marine Restroration

by: Matt Owen - photos: YPDR

stepping up.

Utilizing the oceanographic knowledge of YPDR's CEO Christopher White, a former commercial deep sea diver, Vice-President Joseph Ferris III, a veteran captain with over 15 years experience on a scientific research vessel; YPDR is restoring native marine habitats damaged

by Super Typhoon Haiyan coupled with decades of destructive fishing practices.

Our Marine Restoration Program has three aims, the deployment of functional artificial reefs, conducting local education and facilitating protection.

Coupled with the physical deployment of the domes, we have also initiated educational programs. During last year’s summer vacation, we held an Art Camp for interested kids in the island. When May came, which is ‘Month of the Ocean’ in the Philippines, the art workshop went around marine-related themes.

We started by building a low impact oceanographic research vessel and a bamboo raft for marine dome deployment. We used these vessels to conduct dozens of underwater surveys and map the damaged areas. We also began the process of constructing hundreds

of marine domes (artificial reef constructs) that are made up of 10% cement and 90% limestone. The domes have pre built holes so as to allow fish and other marine organisms to create a home, leading to fish replenishment, coral regeneration and hopefully, a flourishing ecosystem. This will have far

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Studies show that each marine dome can produce over 45kg (100lbs) of marine biomass every year, making them an economic foundation for a storm battered nation.

According to UN reports, up to 90% of the quantity of fish in the Visayans Sea has been depleted from over fishing and recent oil spills.1

The WWF (World Wildlife Fund) made an example of the Apo Reef in the Philippines, which suffered enormous damage following Typhoon Caloy in 2006. Hard cover coral was estimated to cover 51% of the reef. But when Caloy came through, it reduced the cover to just 18%.2 This highlights the often-overlooked impact of reef damage by typhoon, and the destruction can be staggering. Due to the unique combination of shallow water and powerful, sea churning storms, the Visayans Sea for example, has lost 98% of its reef system.

This is why we setup our Marine Restoration Program and we can now proudly state that in pré·cis • issue 9 • 3.2016

the last 14 months, YPDR has dropped over 450 marine domes into the Visayans Sea, the marine biodiversity center of the world.

Coupled with the physical deployment of the domes, we have also initiated educational programs. During last year’s summer vacation, we held an Art Camp for interested kids in the island. When May came, which is ‘Month of the Ocean’ in the Philippines, the art workshop went around marine-related themes.

Apart from making beautiful art paintings, the kids (who had parents or relatives who were fisherman or fish vendors) were also taught about the challenges our oceans face, and how they could help save and protect it. This was backed up even further in May 2014 when we partnered with JCIManila (the Philippines oldest and most distinguished Junior Leadership Organization) to help foster more far-reaching education through their ‘Sea of Life’ program.

also come from protection, proudly moving forward and which is a long term goal to doing everything we can to rebuild this sea in the most set up.” sustainable way possible.

This is backed up by More domes equals more information coming from the reef and more fish. Everybody same WWF study of the Apo wins. Grants from Capt.

Reef. Upon designating it a Planet, and more recently National Park and awarding it from the New Canaan Rotary protection rights from illegal Club in Connecticut, United fishing, fish stocks there States, as well as partnership increased to over 75 metric with world-renowned tonnes of biomass, twice environmental attorney Tony Oposa have allowed us to continue our work. This is beneficial to everyone in the Philippines and has gone a long way to helping this cause and keeping the ship sailing, so to speak.

References 1. R e l i e f W e b / U N O C H A Environmental Report, January 2014.

2. Gregg Yan, WWF article.

November 2013. the average amount. Recent news coming out of Cebu also indicates the Visayans might now be getting the attention it deserves on a national level.

In June 2015 the ‘Visayans Sea Summit’ was held between governors where they proposed setting up the biggest marine protection zone in the Philippines, declaring it a “Natural and National treasure” and “on the brink of collapse.”3

3. “Four governors meet to protect Visayans Sea” article, Phil Star Newspaper, June 2015.

More Info: Website: https://ypdr.org/

As an addendum to the Facebook: education programs, https://www.facebook.com/ instituting a method of YPDRYPDR/ protection is also of paramount importance. Joseph states “we build marine domes, but success for the program will But politics aside, YPDR are pré·cis • issue 9 • 3.2016

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Dr. Smartass 1 year Anniversary @ School ~ 10.24.15

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Final Impact, Gum Bleed, Nakoma, Luvplastik, Guiguisuisui Yeah... The organized club shows that are worth going to are few and far between here in the city of the big smoke. Thankfully Shanghai Laowai, of Bastards of Imperialism fame, is one of the few who puts a bill together that blows the doors off.

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Dr. Smartass 1 year Anniversary @ School ~ 10.24.15

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music.

Gathering of the Vibes Story and Photos by: Ed Lalonde

Twenty years ago the world lost Jerry Garcia. It was a blow to the thousands of Deadheads around the world who assumed that he would live forever. I always assumed that he be the last to go. I imagined going to shows in the future where old Jerry would roll himself onstage in his wheelchair and proceed to send me into musical orbit as only he could do.

I wasn’t the only one who thought that way. The void his passing left was immense.

Deadheads responded to the void by filling it with festivals in his honor. The festival that grew into the Gathering of the Vibes was begun in 1996 and was one of the first of its kind. I attended it in 1998 when it was held in Plattsburg, New York, and again for the 20th anniversary this past summer. It sure 13 has grown! The festival scene

is an incredible experience. The

everything you could hope for.

This years festival came on the heals of the 50th anniversary Grateful Dead shows which were an incredible success and reignited the passion for this great American band.

Many of the artists at the Vibes paid tribute with long Grateful Dead sets.

The band line up included Dark Star Orchestra, Billy and the Kids (with Grateful Dead drummer Bill Kreutzmann), Garcia collaborators Peter Rowan and David Grisman backed by the String Cheese Incident, New Riders of the Purple Sage, Gregg Allman, and Warren Haynes, and many other great bands.

music begins early and ends late, and there is everything from guitarists jamming in the campgrounds, back to back headlining acts, and deep late night electronica. In short just about

I struggled to catch it all and was rewarded by not attending the late night silent disco, which enabled me to catch the early bands. It was a fantastic pré·cis • issue 9 • 3.2016

Calamity & Crowe's Trading Post on Facebook click here!

experience. The venue on the shore in Bridgeport, Connecticut couldn’t have presented a more beautiful scene, and the weather was nearly perfect.

I met great people and head wonderful music for four days and nights. It felt like being back with the tribe.

Ed Lalonde ~ I’ve taking photographs ever since my father gave me a Kodak 620 view camera when I was six. I like the ability to capture moments of time, creating an opportunity to extend the present into the future and the past into the now. pré·cis • issue 9 • 3.2016

Handmade artisan tie dyes, infused with good vibes & great Karma! And The Home of the "Original" Tie Dyed Mule!!!

We specialize in custom work & one offs.

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SCHOOL BAR 3.0 ~ The reopening ~ 1.30.2016 It was never my Intention to arrive early to the venue. I was going early to find a Cafe where I could work on other writing, but in a weird twist of fate, the cab driver took a back road that brought me to the door 2 hours early..

gigs.

I figured I might as well have a look while the bands are loading in.

Now. If you are a hardcore punk, metal, or experimental, or a photographer, or pretty much anyone who likes straight forward , no nonsense , in your face rock and roll, there were only a couple of places you could go in Beijing...

And we lost almost all of them in the last two years.

And the rumors were flying that school was on the way out. And that hurt me.

As much as XP was a pain in the ass to get to, it was one of two places that serious punk and metal went down. The down and dirty Lemmy shit. And we lost it.

But the rumor that school bar was going down as well was too much to handle. That was like getting your balls shot out with the horse you rode in on.

So trust me when I say that school 3.0 is the new and only standard in Beijing music as of today.

There will be those who say that the expansion of 15

school is akin to what happened to the commercialization of CBGB’s.. And they would be very right to make the comparison.. A small bar that got the funding after they made it big making indie bands big. But not yet.” Not now.

When they start booking national acts, and banning smoking at the bar, velvet ropes and turning away regulars, THEN you can tell me school is a sellout.

pré·cis • issue 9 • 3.2016

Dongcheng, Lama TempleNo. 53, Wudaoying Hutong, Beijing, PRC Until then... School bar is the last bastion of punk during my time in Beijing. While at the opening I am surrounded by some Chinese and expats who just found out about this place because they read it in a trendier magazine than this.

If Précis ever gets that way, you, as my faithful readers have the authorization to shoot me in the face, wherever I may be.

Never sell out. Never surrender. ~ Stech For Info: Facebook: School Bar

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travel.

Bliss Hotel Resort, Krabi Island

The flight from Beijing to Bangkok airport is not a long one, four hours with a one hour backwards time differential, and I am, no stranger to long flights, but this one for some reason really took the wind out of my sails during the cab ride from the customs line to the ambassador hotel.

No real idea why.

Customs was the usual hassle of hour long lines to get your face scanned and your documents stamped. My mind was still muddled from the flight so I would inordinately fixate on little things and conversations around me that usually escape other people.

THAILAND Bangkok Thailand takes five hours, which is not a particularly painful amount of travel time, unless of course you are crammed like sardines with a bunch of Chinese tourists whose main interest seem to be shouting over each other in conversation, which if you have ever had the pleasure, is social norms for most forms of travel with the mainlanders.

Online poker On the flight to Bangkok

No matter. One of the benefits of flying out of most airlines in Beijing is the fact that they keep their planes up to date, and the Air China 737 was equipped with the latest entertainment system, including pimped out headphones and a full rack of options on the seat back display, including a vast array of player vs player casino games.

The flight from Beijing international airport to

Craps is usually my game in Vegas, always betting the field,

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and running the six, eight and ten combo, and hitting the occasional boxcar so I whiled away the hours racking up about 20,000 in chips when I decided to take my mythical money and hit the jacks or better beat the dealer poker game.

Computer gambling is becoming more of a mainstream institution, with millions of players worldwide. The advent of letting the computer deal the cards has always bothered me on some strange level. On one hand, I deal with computers every waking moment of the day, but I grew up in 1976 Atlantic City, so I have a general distrust for anything dealing the cards other than an actual human, whose eyes I can see.

So it became blatant that on the first 10 hands, when I was dealt d o u - pré·cis • issue 9 • 3.2016

ble eights' seven consecutive times, (all losing hands) that there was a bug somewhere..

So I decided to record the hands, consistently losing, and out of 200 hands, I was dealt double 8's 178 times, and losing my bankroll in the process.

This has, of course absolutely nothing to do with Thailand, but it does have a good sidebar quality, and a warning notice to those who like to play the deck online.

bulldozed most of these places, forcing them further into the small back alleys spread across the city.

It's easy to see why aging veterans, be it from the US, Briton or wherever, come to Asia, and Thailand in particular to open small drinking establishments and hotels. It's a place that they can feel at home. It's loose and easy, no real judgment, and no restrictions, unlike the

Never trust a game with real money unless you have scantily clad women bringing you jack Daniels every 30 minutes and you have a live dealer in front of you.

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Bangkok O l d school Bars.

Up until 2013, a vast majority of the colorful bars and restaurants from the old days resided in a place in downtown called Washington Square. Dozens of dens of iniquity, dive bars and some of the best nosh all within stumbling distance. Of course the inevitable encroachment of consumerism and the undeniable need for 25 story shopping pré·cis • issue 9 • 3.2016 m a l l s

kingdoms and bullshit fiefdoms they came from that have erupted since the 1970's -- -----------------------------

Taffys Faulty Tower Lodge & bar, Bangkok.

h t t p s : / / w w w.f a c e b o o k . com/pages/Taffys-Hairy-PieClub/111211122369482 OK.. So you want Thailand?

The old school 1970’s Thailand that you read about during your time in Folsom? And you want the full meal deal? You want to get the stories and thoughts of old, from the expat guys and gals of old who helped shape the scene 20 to 30 years ago?

Well then, You hit Taffys place. A nice unassuming establishment down the side street from SOI 22 - (Sukhumvit) , it is a den of iniquity that will give you everything you crave.

Hooker bartenders, foul mouth expats who are for some reason or another banned from their home country, stories from Bangkok old days that will make your hair stand on end.

As a matter of fact, you will not be able to hang in this bar for more than three minutes, and not see, hear, smell, or experience shit that is either illegal, or banned in 48 of the 50 states in the US. The ban- 18

ter heard, will get your place of employment shut down and sued by at least 10 different political and social groups.

Guaranteed.

Which makes it my perfect place to hang. My dear wife, you see, cut her teeth with most of these miscreants for over ten years, many of whom either owned the older bars and lost them in card games, or got forced out at gunpoint, and the ones who are still alive, have evaded government hit squads, and/or out on parole, are still here in this bar of bars.

This is the rough and tumble kids. That bar you find an ex Vietnam era CIA Huey pilot passed out with two hookers who can kill you with two fingers watching his back. The place where you find Aussie millionaire farmers scouting the local talent on their 3

THAILAND

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months off. The establishment where you really have to keep your focus hard through your bottle of bourbon to distinguish whether or not that hot Thai chick trying to get you to take her upstairs through the haze of cheap cigarette smoke has an Addams apple or not.

Yeah. That bar. The one your mom always said you should avoid at all costs, if your mom happened to front selling crystal meth for the Hells Angels.

I really wish I could go into specifics of my time and conversations there. Most of what I was privy to was only offered because my wife has the street cred. Had I wandered into this bar and hotel off the street, and listened to so much as a word without her validation, I would be in the back of a 1981 Toyota pickup , hog tied, and three Thai kids cutting my

organs out of me while I was still alive.. And with the surgical skill of a Johns Hopkins hospital I might add.

It is also one of those not so rare places where time seems to slip by without your noticing, but rare enough as it has no real closing time, within almost an instant, you find the sun coming up.

Time to Leave? There is no leaving this place. Once you experience Taffy’s, there is no leaving it behind, as it will undoubtedly scar your psyche forever.. But in that good way.

Meeting the crew at this bar will never leave my mind.

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Local Thai Beer.

-- Singha beer, Leo, Shang Elephant, & oddly enough Heineken Santacon. Bangkok, Thailand

travel.

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Ok.. Here is the skinny on Thai local beer.

It is the same crappy beer you used to drink at your High School keggers around the bonfire at home. Bud, Bud Light, Coors, PBR, in the USA, is the exact same in almost every county you go to.

Every country on the face of the planet has a bare bottom, basement level beer. These are the beers that make the "college know it all hippies" cringe. It has no amber smokiness, no delightful hoppiness, and none of the pretentious, holier than thou viscous quality that makes you want to firebomb your local craft brewery.

No dear readers, these are the real beers, the beers that working stiffs come home to craving a couple or 12 ice cold sub-quality, malty, 3.5% alcohol beverage while cruising around Sukhumvit looking for a couple of hot ladyboys for a lapdance.

For the most part Singha, Leo, and Chang beer are completely interchangeable. In the greatest tradition of worldwide cheap beer, after the first two, chugged as fast as you can shotgun it, you would be hard pressed to be able to pick the brand out of a lineup.

Nor would you care, because at this point, it is indeed Miller Time, you are in Thailand, and the rest of the world can, in fact, pré·cis • issue 9 • 3.2016 bugger

off.

The only abnormality on this list is Heineken. You can travel far and wide in the convenience stores and bars of Thailand, and find that this is the only foreign beer available. I asked a number of people, and was never able to get a definitive answer why this is, so I can only guess that at one point or another, long ago, the owner of Heineken had pictures of a high ranking government official in a compromising position with farm animals, and threatened to release these photos if the brewery was not given an exclusive thousand year lease for distribution.

That’s how it works in some

Need to find out who is playing where in Beijing?

countries, and that’s would be perfectly cool, if Heineken did not suck ass as a beer.

Everyone has their own particular tastes about beer, and that is perfectly fine, but if trapped on a desert island and given two choices of beverage, one being the morbidly stale bitterness that is Heineken, and fermented cat urine, rest assured, although I probably couldn’t tell the difference color wise, I would happily chug Mr. Fluffies pee.

The unfortunate part of geopolitical politics is that the people in charge, presidents, dictators, Kings, queens, and general despots around the world drink high end shit. Except in the Arab world where they don't drink alcohol, which, in my

word on the street is..

LiveBeijingMusic.com 20

Stray dog at Wat Tham Temple, Krabi Island

of your gourd, got the spinning whirlies after a dozen or so Mai Thais, turned around and fell, you would ACTUALLY be on your doorstep. The beach was so close the crabs came up for afterhour parties.

The place will of course get ruined by the hand of the corporate man.

THAILAND humble opinion is why the world is fucked up in the first place.

I would have loved to see the island 10 years ago, with the dirt roads, the grass hut bars everywhere, and even the outdated phone booths with the analog wires that worked back then,

Reclining Golden Buddha at Wat Tham Temple, Krabi Island

I am pretty damn sure most of the worlds conflicts over the last 300 years could have been solved over a case of cheap beer and a couple of bottles of Jack Daniels .

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Krabi island

www.facebook.com/pages/ What be said about the beach Bliss-Krabi/170032509832672, paradise that is Krabi? Pretty much nothing.. https://www.kayak.com/BanKhlong-Muang-Hotels-BlissIt is a beach paradise. And while Resort-Krabi.553370.ksp we were there it was pretty much unspoiled. Which, if you that was within spitting distance are in the market for going to from one of the best small bar the tropics, with a minimum of and restaurants, Hunny’s Seafat, sunbathers in speedos, Krabi food, with unfettered beach acis pretty much what you want. cess on the island.

Kat , who is most probably the most underrated non pro travel agent on the planet, got us into a small hotel on the beach, 21 The Bliss Hotel https://

but are now left as a reminder of once was, reclaimed by the jungle. But alas, the terrain has gotten, shall we say, fucked by the modern world. Even these old outposts of life that once was, will be bulldozed soon.

There are some spots that we got to see that haven't gotten be-smudged by the hand of modern life. The Bliss Hotel By spitting distance, I do not is one of those. If you have the lie. She got us front row seats means to go to Krabi Island, this to not only high tide, but a bar is your one destination. that, if you sat up, pissed out Howev- pré·cis • issue 9 • 3.2016

er, you do get sucked into the tourism that has been creeping slowly to this region of the world.

Lazy Bar, Krabi Island

You could take the tour around the island.. See the touri traps....

And just so you know, ALL the tours go to the same places, no matter what person, kiosk or agency you go to, the busses, boats and bikes, ALL go to the same place. The only difference is how much you pay.

Bring your haggling hat, because with as many tour companies, they need to fill seats.

Private fishing longtail fishing boats, Krabi Island

inside look, spend money on the canoe tour. With a guide who does all the paddling. Take pictures.. That’s all you are allowed to do) Nom Sao Mountain (another one for "you can't get out of the tour boat, just get your cameras ready" places)

I was perfectly happy spending 10 days on the beach at Bliss Hotel, but for some reason, either she wanted me to see more of the island, or the fact that she was just sick of me hanging on the beach drinking beer, Kat signed me up for “The Tour” .

As I have said, before, these tours are all the same. And you almost instantly regret them once you sit down on the bus.

That said, here is the genertour pré·cis • issue 9 • 3.2016 ic

available everywhere on Krabi.

• Ping Gan Island (actually more of a series of caves and shelves, it sits next to Bond Island)

• Suwannakuha Temple (Locally , Wat Tham , or also • Bond Island (yeah.. Like as in James Bond, Mr. “I like pretty The monkey Temple) much what amounts to a wa• Mangrove Forest (you nev- tered down martini) er get enough time to actually • The Krabi Waterfalls explore it) (Pretty impressive, the last stop • Panyee Village (Got a lot of on the tour, and much needed money to burn? The tour feeds after a 2 hour van ride. Gave you the All You Can Eat Lunch, us 45 minutes to actually swim before the 1 hour ride back to then go burn it at the shops.) the hotel) • Lod Cave (I passed by it in the tour boat. If you want the Among about a dozen of other stops that given the 20 22

impressed me very much was all of the stray dogs, cats, chickens and other animals, brought from all over the island to be cared for by the monks. Very inI will give you a short Synopsis. spiring. utes that it was probably better just to sit on the beach have drinks with little umbrellas in them.

Bond Island:

THAILAND Bond Island, Krabi

minutes you are graced with to get out and take pictures, they are very beautiful, but are not worth retyping from the brochures or copy and pasting from Wikipedia.

The Two I WILL mention are the Monkey Temple, and Bond Island, because they were really the only two I wanted to see.

But, unless you rent a car, can speak or read Thai for directions, you will probably the path of least resistance and take the 12 hour sardine packed hell ride that are the organized tours, where you will encounter other international people who 23 have realized after 45 min-

Where Hervé Jean-Pierre Villechaize and Christopher Lee tried to kill Rodger Moore in “The Man with the Golden Gun”, this is what on screen looks like a 15 story rock that the solar collector panels come out of to power the solex converter that powers the laser that is supposed to, yet again, take over the world. It was a Great movie, despite Rodger Moore, and I was always fascinated by the island lair. Now I was here, and alas, my hopes were dashed once again by Hollywood trickery, as the “Island” was only the size of a New York brownstone. In Addition, due to environmental concerns, of course, you were not allowed to swim out to it.

You were however, allowed to purchase any number of tourist “memorabilia” from the seemingly endless array of vendors, if you can get past the thousands of other tourists who came here for the same reason you did.

Wat Tham, The Monkey Temple: I was always intrigued by the stories of this place. Actually a very large expansive Buddhist Monastery set inside a series of caves carved out of the mountain. It is the home to the 2 story lying golden Buddha. What

Equally impressive were the

Thief Monkey at Wat Tham Temple, Krabi Island

thief monkeys. I had heard about the cute monkeys that steal anything from purses, high end cameras, wallets, and food.

First off, the tour guide will tell you the monkeys will steal your shit. Yeah they will. Doesn't matter what you have, the monkeys don't care. They were there before you, and they will be there well after you leave. You should accept that fact.

I steered clear to take pictures of them from afar. Since this was the only stop on the tour that wasn’t run by the local Muslim community, I took time out to down a pré·cis • issue 9 • 3.2016

couple of beers and sit on the rocks.

The most amusing moment coming when I saw the REALLY annoying French national on our tour get her purse and a bag of Oreo Cookies stolen by a monkey she was trying to feed, only to have the monkey run up a tree and jump onto the mountain, then mock her.

This one act made the entirety of the packed tour group worth the hassle.

You get a shitload of tourist ass-hats on these busses..

Doesn't the matter where they are actually from, could be from Australia, could be from China, and could be from the US...

Seriously matters not. The stupid flows internationally.

French as the monkey ran with If you can hit the Wat Tham the red half clutch into the wil- Temple without taking the tour, derness, and it still cracks me up. do it. Buddha’s, Puppies, Beer, and cute criminal monkeys. This I can still hear the screams in place has it all, it is worth the trip.

------------------------------

-- Bangkok and the Viagra vendors To be sure you are now in the land of hookers and lady-boys.

Those in the United States of "let's go get laid" may think that such places as Vegas, Reno, New Orleans , Burning Man, or just cross the Mexican border are the places where all of your earthly, and idiotic sexual desires are ultimately fulfilled.

One of the many pleasure avenues, Bangkok pré·cis • issue 9 • 3.2016

Nope. You can wrap all that you know of hookers, both male and female 24 continued on page 25

A wink is as good as a But here is the fucked up part. nod, and in Bangkok You are not invited. You choose they do both LARGE. to go, and if you do, you assume the risks of the modern Bangkok.

This is one of those places that all of your The time of Bangkok of old has sick twisted fantasies come and gone.. Your pretense come true. It does not of finding the heady days of matter what kink you the 70’s is no longer wanted or are into, apparently, if needed. Only the money in your you keep walking and wallet is welcome, and they only talk to three people, want you in the shopping malls. you will find the bar that allows you to rub The time of Krabi Island will be your penis on a toad on done soon as well, which to the back of an albino my mind is very unfortunate. midget who hap- They are building large "love pens to be boat" type docking sites into fucking a tranny eating what were once small bays that a peach on a pool ta- housed local fishing boats. Of ble. I really don't know course this will do nothing more what you will find if than kill what ancient charm it you are a woman, but had in the name of.. Wait for it… hanging with the bar manager, Hunnys bar, Krabi Island rest assured, you will capitalism. find something to get into a neat little ball and shove it your kicks.

The small farms will be gone. right up the French Oreo monThe small street vendors. Gone. keys ass, because my friend , you In theory, I should not like More traffic means wider roads, have not seen hookers, until you Bangkok.

It offends my so the small shacks will be have hit Bangkok . sensibilities and my personal bought out and paved. religious beliefs. But there are Now technically, the service of people I respect here whom After that happens, You might as pleasuring oneself with anoth- I have talked to, and should well go to New Jersey. er where the act concludes, or be heard. They are folks who precludes the passing of either cannot or will not go Make no mistake, this currency, is not, shall we say home again. development will kill this tiny sanctioned by the government, town. Money brings ass-hats, but as with all things not exactly These are solid people, and ass-hats will in turn kill the sanctioned... It happens regard- professionals, who have beach, its inhabitants, it's very less. thrown off the yolk of their quaint bars and restaurants, and respective homelands, to make your ability to sit and watch the Viagra and Cialis vendors set a new home, a last bastion. sun set without some western up makeshift carts on every A place where anything goes. family getting into your field of corner here, is sold in every A perverted Disneyland of vision complaining about the pharmacy, and is standard issue intelligent drunken idiots, as it food at the luxury hotel that just for every working girl and boy. were. got built.

THAILAND

Which is exactly why I like it.

25

Just like Burroughs in Tangier ..

You can pré·cis • issue 9 • 3.2016

read about the shit that happened, and you can visit, but you will never, ever see what you read. You can chase the dragon, but you will never catch it.

----------------------------------

-- Peter, Erin , the crew, & the edible battery.

Peter is a drunk.

I say this not in a derogatory manner, more as a respectful statement of fact.

But he is a drunk that has a 68 year history that can trump your shit eight ways to November.

4 tours in Vietnam, Pete decided that he had enough of the American political system and hightailed it to Thailand. With no family to speak of in the 1970's the jewel of the Salween awaited him, and he made it his last mission never to return to the states.

groundwater, which of course Zapear 1994 tattoo sucks monkey balls for everyone. Let's start with the tattoo place, Zapear 1994 tattoo.

So, being the industrial, Henry Ford type of American he was, A small place to be sure, but decided to design a battery that with 3 guys who have 98% more may just change the world. ink talent than many of the inkslingers you see in Hollywood You see, peter and his compatri- and 200% more life experience. ots at the bar came up with an idea a couple of years ago to get Kat had been itching to get a the same amount of Amps out large back tiger tattoo for a of an industrial battery that uses organic chemicals. The claim is, that you can, in fact break open one of these batteries that will power a John Deere combine, take out a spoon, and EAT the contents. It wouldn’t taste good I am told, but you can ingest it, and not die. Pretty fucking impressive in my book.

I was of course not taking notes, and doing shot for shot with these absolute genius, veterans of a war long forgotten I cannot remember, nor would I reveal if I could, the chemical processes they conveyed in absolute deHowever, Pete had a plan, hook- tail. ing up with a bunch of Scottish expat Veterans, who were farm- And the patents are pending. ers, machinists and engineers Look for it soon. The applications before the war, and decided that across the world are huge. This marine diesel batteries were may just be where you heard it insufficient, and wasteful for first. powering small farming operations. Not only are unnecessarily ---------------------------------heavy, but the chemicals that are -- The Lazy Bar & Zapear tattoo on in these batteries, and really, all Krabi Island batteries, are some of the most toxic shit you find on the earth.

Beyond that, once they cannot Alright.. This gets complicated, be recharged, these batteries, and I could write at least eight TRILLIONS, if not more, end up pages on both these places, somewhere in landfills, even- given the history we both had on tually leaching these chemicals Krabi Island. pré·cis • issue 9 • 3.2016 into the

Kat's Half Back Tigers, Zapear Tattoo, Krabi

while, and given the flash that these continually plastered guys had on their wall, it seemed like the right time.

Names really mean nothing in this story, and given some of their personal histories, including serious prison time, some for crimes unmentionable in polite, and even impolite company and some just for being outspoken, I am pretty sure it's better left at that.

But they are solid stand up

26

travel.

THAILAND citizens of the underground world, and word class ink jockeys with both bamboo and the gun. To that I can attest.

The Lazy Bar

(Facebook Link) There is not much to say about Mistah Rah and The Lazy Bar. A congenial dread-locked maniac operating a bar off a side street in a two story bamboo hut that also serves as his house, The Lazy bar boasts that you can stay as long as you like, drink with impunity, for as long as you like, as long as you pay the tab using the “Rah Honesty” premise.

George, the two legged cat, will draw you a heart with his hind legs, Krabi Island

enjoy the local open stage talent, -- George, and if you find you have had too The 2 legged kitteh. much drink or smoke, feel free to crash in the ample hammocks There are not many things pet or the cushions in the open air wise that impact me anymore. I dance floor. have seen dogs and cats killed in front of me for meat. I have seen This is the pimp bar. Take care some really nasty shit. I usually of Mistah Rah, and Mistah Rah just crack another beer and try will ASSUREDLY take care of you. to forget it.

Make sure you hit it if you are in Krabi, and tip large.

Nothing however prepared me for George, the 2 legged cat.

Sitting at sunset at the Reggae Bar, drinking my elephant beer, I saw this cat dragging its broken body up to my table. 2 legs and half of its body crushed, its trail ran at least 200 meters in the sand. He stopped in front of our table asking for food.

Meaning, if Mistah Rah goes to bed, you can pour your own, as long as you throw the appropriate money in the till.

But don’t get the wrong idea.

This man has a Machete and a willingness to use it if you fuck with him. That said, 27

Mr. Rah, Krabi Island

My first though of course was that it had just got run over and was coming here to die in front of me, however, the lack of blood in the sand trail, dragging his sorry ass through, told me a different story. pré·cis • issue 9 • 3.2016

This cat has fucking game.

Ayutthaya Ancient City, Bangkok

He dragged his useless lower half right next to my foot and asked, rather politely, for some food, which of course I gave him.

Come to find out that he had been hit a year ago, his back legs and midsection crushed. He was taken in by the boat people next to the Reggae bar, and seems to enjoy a very nice life sans back feet on an ocean tropical paradise. Nuff said.

EPILOGUE

Rooftop aviary, Bangkok

Beng Beng bar

pré·cis • issue 9 • 3.2016

sitting on the curb chomping the crispy chocolate delight, life is There are very few things that passing you by. can compare to having to fly somewhere, and an ungodly Eat it. And get back into the flight time, usually 545 am, but game. that's OK, since you never really went to bed. You find yourself And then, all too soon, after the dust settles, and the chickback in Bangkok. ens come home to roost, you And if, for some reason, pretty find the perfect five hour flight much unknown only to the Al- home. Empty seats all around, mighty, you get bored with the and because of this, triple wine hookers, bars, knife fights, and and kosher meals all around.

24/7 synapse blowing things Yes. Thailand Rocks. around you. ~ Stech If that REALLY happens, and you need the USA fix, get your ass down to the convenience store.

Get yourself a Beng-Beng. It’s basically a US 100 Thousand dollar bar. Just know, while you are 28

Spirits and Movie

by Tracy Wang

Review We watched the movie Lao Paoer (aka Mr. Six) this evening. Before I watched it, I already received all kinds of the reviews, both positive and negative, which pushed my expectation very high. (By January 5th, the movie has been on for 12 days, and the total box office is 700 million CNY.*) So as a professional drinker, I prepared beers, and my friend prepared chips and salami. With excitement, we entered the theatre 29

earlier than anyone else.

On imbd.com, it says the story line of this movie is “A former Beijing crime boss swings back into action when his son is kidnapped by thugs.”

So here’s the story with more details, the son Xiao Bo/Bobby who is plays by

Li Yifeng, goes to a night club and messes up with a pretty girl, but the girl has a boyfriend Xiao Fei/Kris who is played by Wu Yifan, then Bobby scratches Kris’ most expensive Ferrari, so Kris kidnaps Bobby. Liu Ye/ Mr. Six (is played by Feng Xiaogang) was a Beijingese thug who went to the prison several times, and at present he wanders around hutong and is doing nothing.

Mr. Six goes to Kris’ place and tries to save his son, and has a deal with Kris that three days later, he will pré·cis • issue 9 • 3.2016

bring 100,000 CNY and get his son back. He goes back and borrows around (80K from his girlfriend Chatterbox), when he shows up with the bunch of money, his old friend tries to fix the scratches by painting some cheap paints on that totally ruins the car. To fix this problem, Kris and Mr. Six have a deal again, to have a battle at summer palace.

Surprisingly, Kris’ girlfriend drives Bobby to Mr. Six’s girlfriend (Chatterbox)’s place (is played by Xu Qing) and gives them a bag with money and several envelopes in there. To most of people, that would be it. But Mr. Six’s home was broke in, the pet bird was killed, Mr. Six and his son were hit by a group of people. When Mr. Six’s friend Scrapper leads a group of teenagers to smash Kris’ place, Kris calls them, claiming that there’s something very important in one of the envepré·cis • issue 9 • 3.2016

As the lines, almost every two lines have some f-word, as well as some local Beijing dialects which even the locals rarely use. It feels like the director tries to stuff all the old street sayings into the lines, which makes the whole movie very strange and not smooth enough. It’s just “too much”, deliberately.

lopes, if they bring the envelope back, then the cost of repainting the car will be written off. Chatterbox checks the envelope, and finds it is a bank statement, there are 7million euros in Kirs’ account, which inclines his father is a corrupt governor. But Mr. Six talks to Kris later, and decides to fix this problem in Beijingese way—by group fighting. He gets all his old-time friends by saying he has cancer, and wants to meet them for the last time. He sends out the envelope to the government (yes, he breaks his words).

On the fighting day, he brightens his katana (Japanese sword), wears his best woolen coat, throws his insurance to Chatterbox and rides from Houhai to Summer Palace (I googled it, it’s 17km!). When he arrives, Kris is with his guards (more than 20 people). Mr. Six holds his katana high,

30

and walks towards them through the frozen late. But he has a heart attack, and finally falls down. At the end, his son opens a bar as he wishes (maybe using his insurance indemnity), and on the news Kris’ father is arrested.

But he falls on the ice, and doesn’t wake up.

As the lines, almost every

(Kris, played by Wuyifan) In my opinion, the castings are good, Feng Xiaogang himself is a famous director in China, Zhang Hanyu as Scrapper shows the masculine figure well.

Even Wu Yifan who plays Kris, with too much Botox on his face but still plays a good role as a rich spoiled boy. But whenever he is on the screen, I couldn’t stop from thinking about some Korean romantic soap opera. The most disappointing character is Bobby (is played by Li Yifeng), he should be a local Beijinger, and talks with strong Beijing accent since he grows in hutong area of Beijing, but he has strong accent of south China which is incompatible with others.

About the music aspect, when Mr. Six is walking on the frozen lake, the music is so inspiring. I can see everyone in the theatre wants him to win or at least kill several “bad guys”.

31

two lines have some f-word, as well as some local Beijing dialects which even the locals rarely use. It feels like the director tries to stuff all the old street sayings into the lines, which makes the whole movie very strange and not smooth enough.

It’s just “too much”, deliberately.

The director wants to tell the story of the former thugs, in that generation, they experienced the Cultural Revolution, and they killed people and went to the prison. When they were released, they found everything changed. The rules of the world are no longer the same as before, so they are

confused, and start wandering. In their 50s, they don’t understand this world, they don’t understand the young people, and they don’t understand anything but holding with their former routines, i.e. walking with the bird, drinking Erguotou (baijiu) at a dirty and small restaurant, never listen to doctors. Based on the story, Mr. Six and his clan screw up everything—ruin the expensive Ferrari, smash Kris’ place, indirectly cause his son ending up at the hospital with cerebral concussion, and make himself dead by heart attack. At the beginning, the police wants to arrest Mr. Six’s friend, because he breaks the police car. And Mr. Six stands out and “settles the case”. But in reality, I don’t think in any country a regular person has the right to settle it or beat up the policeman.

He ignores the law, despises modern medicine, and he doesn’t want to keep up with the pace of the society, or he just wants to die so his son can get the money from insurance to open his bar? Mr. Six values his own disciplines over law.

Just like what John C. Maxwell says in his book Ethics 101, “Everyone has his own standards, which change from situation to situation.” pré·cis • issue 9 • 3.2016

Kevin Rollins, president of the Dell Computer Corporation, was asked about the role of ethics in business, he paraphrased Russian dissident Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, who said, “I’ve lived my life in a society where there was no rule of law.

And that’s a terrible existence. But a society where the rule of law is the only standard of ethical behavior is equally bad.” Rollins asserts, “Solzhenitsyn said that if the United States only aspires to a legal standard of moral excellence, we will have missed the point. Man can do better.

I thought that was a nice comment on the ethics of companies that say, ‘Well, legally, it was just fine.’ We believe you have to aspire to something higher than what’s legal. Is what you’re doing right?” In the movie, Mr. Six thinks he is doing the “right thing”, but he is against the law, let alone the modern rules.

I have to say the whole story is lack of logic, and the director should expect the audience who doesn’t have Beijing complex to understand it. Just as what Megginson L.C. said, “Change is the basic law of nature.”

I just want to say, Mr. Six, stand up and face the reality, you must change and fit pré·cis • issue 9 • 3.2016

the modern society.

I understand that this movie arises some resonance of the audiences who were born and raised in Beijing, i.e. “Xuanwu district doesn’t exist anymore.”

And “I don’t understand the new generation.” and Beijing is no longer the same Beijing as before. Maybe the phenomenon of Mr. Six generation is fading, as well as the traditional disciplines (the way to ask for direction, you have to show respect and say Hello, Sir. The way to toast, you have to put your cup lower than others when clinking). But still, it’s not a bad movie for people to understand Beijing locals’ life, except for the fighting part.

To drink with this movie, I recommend Baijiu. Because no beer is strong enough to balance the Mafia tone in the movie, not even Snake Venom (which is 67.5% of ABV). With the strong aromas and high percentage of alcohol, Baijiu fits the Beijing complex which the director Guan Hu wants to express, especially Red Star Erguotou, because it is produced in Beijing. So after watching the movie, my friend and I rushed to the nearest izakaya and had a bottle of sake. Even

though sake is too gentle and mild to match this movie, the warmness of sake is still better than the cold beers in winter time.

More information about Lao Paoer, please check imdb, h t t p : / / w w w . imdb.com/title/ tt4701702/?ref_=fn_ al_tt_1 *the numbers are from ent. com, more details, http://ent.163. com/16/0105/07/ BCI3R3BE000300B1. html Pictures are from: douban.com

Tracy Wang is a traveler and foodie. While waiting for the alien mother-ship to pick her up, she’s developed a passion to write about the things she loves most: craft beers and fine wines.

She’s the executive editor for The Beer Link Magazine and started home-brewing recently.

32

Panzerfaust with Special Guests, Hak-Ed Damm, Aversion Nalzer

Bar L’Alizé, 900 Ontario East, Montreal, Qc. H2L 1P2 Saturday, August 1st, 2015

Live show Review

As Black as the Dark Arts Can Be… By: Chris Wheeler After a monumental storm pelted Montreal in a violent rage, fans gathered outside Bar L’Alizé in hot anticipation for four prominent Canadian/ Quebec Black Metal bands!

Ontario’s PANZERFAUST headlined what would be a most promising evening with 33 support from Quebec

City’s HAK-ED DAMM, and duo Montreal acts AVERSION and NALZER; a most blistering onslaught of fire and brimstone! Special thanks to Koffin Productions for access to the show and the opportunity to review it!

NALZER commenced the attack with a well orchestrated performance that included fast and furious riffing with a technical edge (including some groove!) and breakneck drumming that left fans heads’ spinning. Myrdynn’s drumming was certainly a sight to behold as his energy and charisma behind the kit was so entertaining, one

couldn’t look away for very long! Add to that the duo vocal delivery of Lord Molag-Venn and Invoker and the set satisfied immensely. Seemingly comfortable and confident, the performance was tight and the sound impeccable to the point that even Oberon’s unique bass patterns cut through the noise easily. Once done, the band left to roaring applause and individual congratulations by fans…

It seems Montreal’s AVERSION is moving up in the Black Metal ranks and coming into their own as they followed the opening act with a spectacle that pré·cis • issue 9 • 3.2016

ic glares and venomous bile!

With such a performance, it’s safe to say that one will hear MUCH more from this local act in the future, which of course looks dark….

Satan’s General took to the stage with compatriots in HakEd Damm to slay the mortals in an unrelenting set of vicious, militaristic Black Metal. While the players appeared less mobile on stage, their perfor-

wide-eyed patrons drooled over with devilish glee! Incorporating red lighting for added effect, the band exuded a sinister vibe punctuated by vocalist, Vena Kava’s ominous garb (black robe and hood) twisted thrashing by bassist, Leather King and their signature “bone mic stand”. Similar in atmosphere to a Black Mass, the set was highlighted by cuts from their current self-titled album and haunting delivery with wicked intent. However, once Kava emerged adorned in goat horns, the fan’s rabid thirst kicked into overdrive!

Standing statuesque, she commanded attention with her look alone before returning to engage the front row with depré·cis • issue 9 • 3.2016 m o n -

mance nevertheless resulted in a maelstrom of convulsing bodies and savage thrashing, the first of the evening. Vocalist, Zokvist demanded one’s obedience with a strong, imposing presence, standing tall and in control and even going so far as to push and provoke guitarist, Exu occasionally which resulted in retaliation by spitting! Amusing and downright excessive, the band never lost a “blastbeat” but “soldiered” on with cuts, “T-34”, “Hak-Ed Damm”, and “Heaven’s Funeral” (to name a few) to an overjoyed venue who finally cried out for more once the battle was done.

Ontario’s PANZERFAUST also

struck a chord with their stage show that emphasized the dramatic and theatrical.

Adding a slightly more “mystical” quality than previous bands, a small altar, adorned with candles, goblet and human skull, was erected on stage before singer, Goliath’s massive figure. With a fantastic sound, the band played a variety of numbers in which the bass could be clearly heard and guitar melodies crept in through the aural mass of noise. Slow to midpaced, the songs prompted

headbanging and raised horns from onlookers, especially as MAYHEM’s “Freezing Moon” was covered. With Goliath handling most of the vocals in a throaty, guttural delivery, guitarist Kaiser offset the “crooning” in his own raspy wail. A bombastic end to a thrilling night came with Goliath’s self-flagellation on the floor where fans cleared the way, awestruck and grinning with perverted exhilaration!

Wow! https://www.facebook.com/ PANZERFAUST.BM.OFFICIAL/ 34

gigs.

Follow the Harridans Facebook Page here.

Harridans.

Temple .

11. 27. 2015 Beijing

35

pré·cis • issue 9 • 3.2016

gigs. pré·cis • issue 9 • 3.2016

36

FACEZINE

by Joel Fremming

© 2016 Joel Fremming - http://facezine.wordpress.com

• • •

Ocean Front and Luxury Properties Seasonal Rentals Commercial Real Estate

Richard Gindes Realtor, C.B.R.

11 Atlantic Avenue Marblehead, MA U.S.A. Richard.Gindes@Raveis.com 781-223-3235 37

Integrity ∙ Experience ∙ Results pré·cis • issue 9 • 3.2016

pré·cis • issue 9 • 3.2016

38

by Chris Parizo

“Outing the Introverts” This assignment is a common one; it gives the teacher a break from straight-forward lecturing and it is considered “best practices” by modern education pedagogy.

peers. But that is nothing compared to a smaller select group 21st-century classroom methof students who are shaken to odologies not only ask stuthe core with this assessment. dents to interact iwithin the classrooms, but outside as The introvert. well. Educators encourage students to work together Public speaking assignments through social networking to The teacher assigns a simple are not the only element of the plan and design assessments, speech: research a focused general classroom, as a mat- study groups, or other forced element of the classinteractions in order abhor this assign- to meet classroom room objectives or "Students objectives conversations, or per- ment – the act of public speaking learning and standards. haps a topic of the physically brings all awkward students’ choosing, and present it to the teenage social and self-image To an introvert, the class in a two-minute emotions to the surface in front classroom pits them against their darkspeech. of an audience of cruelly judging est fears. While othpeers.

But that is nothing ers may view public To the teacher, it’s a few days to guide compared to a smaller select group of speaking, group projstudents with their students who are shaken to the core ects, or external interactions to be a nuiresearch and oversee sance, they strike at presentation designs with this assessment." the baseline fear of the – plus a few days of introvert. presentations, usually resulting in a culminating ter of fact, the classroom itself, assessment that meets all the and the standards embedded Imagine yourself in a learning expectations within the stan- within them, are specifically environment that adopts your designed to encourage peer- deepest fear as a norm. Imagdards-based classroom. to-peer, peer-to-class, and stu- ine that everything must be Students abhor this assign- dent-to-teacher interactions. publically sung. Imagine that ment – the act of public Educators design their class- everything must be done withspeaking physically brings all rooms into groups, sometimes out wearing clothes. Imagine awkward teenage social and violently forcing students to that your evaluator considers self-image emotions to the interact with each other in a your absolute worst fear to be surface in front of an au- manner that is rarely replicat- the greatest piece of evidence 39 dience of cruelly judging ed in real-world scenarios. of un- pré·cis • issue 9 • 3.2016

derstanding.

learning environment result- of interactions and forced reing in classroom chaos. Once sponsibilities.

Imagine that, and you have a this student intercedes with a typical day for your general lesson plan, the learning as a Quiet time. classroom introvert. whole ceases to be.

Walk into any coffee shop and Such activities as “collabo- The need for the many out- you will see it: the natural state of introverts. Work groups rative learning” and “proj- weighs the need of the one. make way to individual work. ect-based learning” create lively and energetic classrooms The need of the introvert is a Collaborative learning yields that are meant to increase stu- deep one, and the “one” tends to self-designed working pods of silence created with lapdent self-learning and engage- to be larger than we believe. tops and earbuds - functionment. Classrooms are meant ality and isolation mingling to be a gentle balance of “contogether to form perfect entrolled chaos” – a place where gagement. group conversations blast The coffee shop phenomenon over each other while a flurshould not be held in regards ry of activity and objectives as anti-social interactions crash into each other like a with negative consequences. never-ending car crash.

Instead, the importance of Educators promote social quiet, individual work-spaces interaction at such a grand needs to be adopted into the scale, that a quiet classroom, classroom. whether it is personal reading The more we move into a or educator-based lecturing, technology based working are viewed as “bad practices”. environment, the less collabThe result is the exclusion orative skill building is necof the introvert. Introverts essary. The more we work often choose to disengage on our own time at our own with classroom collaborative time in our own self-designed learning practices – many environment, the more funcchoose to tolerate activity and tional we become. learn on their own time, practically going through the mo- According to The Atlantic, in- If there is anything that educations just to survive the terri- troverts make up one third tors need to prepare our stufying moment of forced peer of our population. Mixed dents for, it’s the burgeoning with youth populations, that world run by the introvert. interaction. one-third-introvert group is Rarely in general education comprised of shy, often declassrooms will a viewer dis- pressed, and antisocial indicover a “quiet zone” – rarely viduals whose needs are not will an observer view a class- just overlooked in the classroom of silent and focused room, but literally neglected. learners.

Introversion does not equate The reason for this is simple: to intelligence – still waters do curriculum design and “best not always run deep. Instead, practices” aim to engage the the opposite can be true. The naturally unengaged – the stu- introvert student does not Chris Parizo is an eightdent energetic student who, if “turn on” in a loud environyear veteran English teacher that energy is not channeled ment. Rather, introverts canhaving taught in Atlanta, GA into social outlets and learn- not truly be their best self until and Boston, MA. ing, will often upset the class- placed in a quiet environment 40 pré·cis • issue 9 • 3.2016 r o o m ’ s free from external pressures

The Industry SIX ways to make money on your music Being a musician in today’s music industry not only requires musical talent. It also requires you to become a quick-thinking, creative mastermind in order to generate the most revenue from your music. There are many ways that musicians can earn money from exploiting their compositions, sound recordings, live performances, and brand. Here is a list of 6 revenue streams you should be capitalizing on – other than just selling your music.

•••••••••••••••••• 1. YouTube Monetization

Allen L. Johnston – The Music Specialist ~ www.asha.com

a revenue-generating outlet, it very quickly has become one of the most popular outlets for discovering and listening to music in the world. Check out some of the crazy statistics they have on their site. Tell me what musician or record label shouldn’t be part of this evergrowing community!

• More than 1 billion unique users visit YouTube each month • Over 6 billion hours of video are watched each month on YouTube—that’s almost an hour for every person on Earth • 100 hours of video are uploaded to YouTube every minute • 80% of YouTube traffic comes from outside the US • YouTube is localized in 61 countries and across 61 languages

• According to Nielsen, YouTube Although most don’t usually reaches more US adults ages 18consider YouTube to be 34 than any cable network 41

• Millions of subscriptions happen each day. The number of people subscribing daily is up more than 3x since last year, and the number of daily subscriptions is up more than 4x since last year.

(YouTube Statistics, 2014) Not only do they have one of the "It further involves the collection of all royalties ensuing from the usage of musical compositions. Music publishing is the business of songwriters, composers, and lyricists. So how does this help you make money?

Well, if your music is: • Being streamed • Performed live in medium to large scale public venues • Played on the radio • Played on TV

Guess what? Your songs

have been generating publishing royalties (which include performance and mechanical royalties). " pré·cis • issue 9 • 3.2016

largest user bases in the world, but they also get tons of exposure outside of the US, allowing you to expand your viewership and fan base. If you are ready to start monetizing your YouTube channel, Music Specialist Global Distribution can help you. We also have the most affordable pricing available.

or performance royalties from your music. Unless you register yourself AND your compositions, you will never see these royalties. So it’s really important that you get yourself a Publishing Administrator that can do this on your behalf at an So what is Publishing affordable cost.

Administration? In the music industry, publishing refers to Most will charge you anywhere •••••••••••••••••• the ownership, control and from $100 – $750 and will 2. Publishing Administration commercial exploitation of register your works in collection musical compositions. societies around the world. Plus most Publishing Administrators It further involves the collection will keep anywhere from 10% to of all royalties ensuing from the 30% of the royalties they collect. usage of musical compositions. Be wary though on how much Music publishing is the business control they will have over your of songwriters, composers, and music! Some companies’ bundle lyricists. So how does this help several services into one and will you make money? not only collect your publishing royalties, but will sometimes Publishing Administration Well, if your music is: handle your Sync Licensing exclusively as well. If you’d like • Being streamed to get more information on Similar to Music Specialist how Publishing Administration Global Distribution Sync • Performed live in medium to works and the services Music Licensing program, there large scale public venues Specialist Global Distribution are companies which we have offers, please contact our office. partnered up with that accept • Played on the radio music as background music.

•••••••••••••••••• These companies’ clients, such • Played on TV 3. Sync Licensing as stores, hotels, restaurants and more, will use that music in their establishments.

The largest companies that used to focus on this type of service were DMX and Muzak.

Today these two companies have merged and formed Mood.

They house the industry’s biggest and best rightsincluded music collection for background music. pré·cis • issue 9 • 3.2016

is an animal that has recently been tamed for the ease of the independent musician community. More musicians are now aware of this vital revenue stream, which in past years many have been missing out on.

Guess what? Your songs have Sync Licensing (short for been generating publishing “synchronization licensing”) royalties (which include performance and mechanical royalties).

If your songs aren’t registered with Performance Rights Organizations (PROs) or mechanical royalty collection agencies, you ARE NOT collecting all your mechanical

continued on page 43

42

refers to the making of your music available for opportunities in film, TV, commercials, video games, and any form of visual media. continued from page 42

are companies which we have performed and broadcasted, partnered up with that accept you’re earning neighboring music as background music. rights royalties.

These companies’ clients, such as stores, hotels, restaurants and more, will In this realm the key decision use that music in their makers are called Music establishments.

Supervisors. Music Specialist Global Distribution has partnered with strategic and key companies, such as Rumblefish, Goldman –Bailey LTD., and KDigital, which allow for actual Music Supervisors to navigate and choose from the music in their platforms for opportunities they have available. “Rumblefish artists have been paid millions in royalties because clients love to tell their stories with this amazing music.” If you’d like to make your music available for licensing opportunities, partner with Music Specialist Global Distribution and we can get it to the appropriate firms that can help expand your music’s reach.

The largest companies that used to focus on this type of service were DMX and Muzak. Today these two companies have merged and formed Mood. They house the industry’s biggest and best rights-included music collection for background music.

This is completely separate from the field of music publishing, in which songwriters and composers earn performance royalties from public broadcasts of their musical compositions.

These types of royalties are collected when music is: • played on Pandora • played on BBC radio • played on Sirius XM

Mood prides itself as a censorial media specialist, using music • played on cable TV music and video linked to brand channels personality. Music Specialist Global Distribution licensing • played on terrestrial radio department works with Mood outside of the USA Music designers to hand-pick each track for submission to its • played in businesses channels. Want to offer your as background music music for Background Music (restaurants, retailers, hotels, Licensing? etc.)

•••••••••••••••••• 4. Background Music Licensing • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 5. Neighboring Rights

• played in clubs / live performance venues • played on any internet radio platform • played on any satellite radio platform • played on various new online medias

Similar to Music Specialist If you’re a record label/master Due to the unique nature of this Global Distribution Sync rights owner, and your master royalty type, Music Specialist Licensing program, there recordings are being publicly Global Distribution Neighboring 39 43

pré·cis • issue 9 • 3.2016

thing you have, besides your talent of course, is your fans.

Take care of them and come up with some cool options for branding your music, and have your merchandise available at all your shows and on your site. Not only will it be a nice treat for your fans, but you’ll also have free walking advertisement.

As you can see, there are several things that today’s musicians and/or record labels can do in order to maximize the revenue potential of their music. That is why we are committed to providing these outlets to our clients, so that clients are able to collect money that is already sitting out there AND to have creative ways to generate more money from their music.

Rights Administration Service is only available to eligible labels who are distribution clients and who are approved by our Rights Management team. If you’d like to be considered because you’re music does fit these types of scenario, contacts us for more photo: thefuturefm.com information and see if you are eligible. ways for generating income for your band, record label, or artist •••••••••••••••••• brand. As a matter of fact, it may 6. Merchandising be the only source of income that you as an artist can easily Selling merchandise is one of control. If you are a record label the best or musician, the most important pré·cis • issue 9 • 3.2016

Allen consults new and existing entertainment businesses, increasing their revenue streams while making them technically astute, providing business operations back office services for many music industry clients, publishing administration, licensing, royalty recovery, business affairs, label operation, business administration and the digital marketplace.

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International Center for Veterinary Services

pets

北京新天地国际动物医院

Departing from China with Pets: Step-by-Step Guide for Pet Owners.

By International Center for Veterinary Services.

The start of a new year is the best time to begin preparations for overseas travel with pets! It is never too early to find out the facts, even if you are unsure about your departure date and to which country to which you may be relocating. Come join the experts from ICVS as we share step-by-step instructions on the exit process, microchipping, vaccinations and other requirements to help you prepare for a smooth departure from China and an easy entry to your next destination country. ICVS has helped pets from China depart for more than 180 destination countries.

We have been working with the PRC Entry-Exit Quarantine and Inspection Bureau since 1996 and have cumulative and comprehensive knowledge of the regulations that we share with pet owners. The ICVS official Animal Health and Immunity Certificates (e.g., vaccination red books) are the gold standard in China and help pet owners ensure a smooth experience at the time of the mandatory exit health examination at the Quarantine Bureau.

ICVS vaccination red books are unique and are not issued in conjunction with any other pet hospitals in China.

Please ensure your vaccination red book is issued directly by ICVS and carries the two legally required stamps (e.g., chops) for export.

ICVS clients receive unlimited, complimentary pet relocation, import and export counseling from our pet relocation experts. Our mission is to help pet owners keep the whole family and pets together when it is time to depart!

45 This session is FREE! Everyone

is welcome! RSVP by May 19, 2016 to: ICVS_CHINA@yahoo.com PRC Entry-Exit Inspection & Quarantine Bureau Latest Update: Any dog that tests positive for heartworm will not be granted an exit permit to leave China. This requirement will now be strictly enforced at the time of the exit health examination at the Quarantine Bureau’s officially designated animal hospital (conducted 7-days before departure). Please ensure your dogs are heartworm tested annually and are on year-round heartworm preventives. Heartworm is treatable but the safest treatment protocol may take six-months or more. For more information about heartworm testing and preventatives to ensure your dogs are heartworm free, please contact ICVS: www.ICVSASIA.com ICVS offers its express and affordable rabies antibody titre testing service for departing pets. Please join the experts from ICVS as we provide guidance on import/export requirements for all countries with specific focus on strict quarantine control destinations and rabies antibody titre testing and other requirements, including the European Union, Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Indonesia, South Korea, South Africa, Saudia Arabia, Dubai and more!

The LATEST airline regulations for transporting pets during summer and the CURRENT 2015 regulations for pets departing China and entering into European Union countries, North America, South America, Middle East/Africa, Asia and Australia/New Zealand. We will be sharing advice on pet transport safety, choosing airlines

and minimizing travel-related stress for you and your pets. New airline regulations for cargo transport and “summer and winter blackout” periods affecting pet travel will be shared.

City Weekend Magazine says: “This extraordinarily informative discussion will help you take Fluffy home with the least amount of hassle possible. The ICVS staff are well-versed in international quarantine laws and also the Chinese pet vaccination and veterinary system. If you’re planning on leaving sometime this year, this is a must-attend event.” h t t p : / / w w w. i c v s a s i a . c o m / index.php?option=com_conte nt&view=article&id=93%3Ade parting-china-with-pets-infosessin&catid=42%3Acommunityevents&Itemid=49&lang=en ICVS experts will also answer your questions on: -Required vaccinations and predeparture screening health examination to ensure smooth departure from China -Obtaining the official Beijing Animal Health and Immunity Certificate (vaccination red book) required for export -Obtaining the EU microchip required for the official exit health examination to take pets out of China -Fulfilling pet import requirements for European Union and strict quarantine control destinations (e.g., Australia, New Zealand, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, etc.) pré·cis • issue 9 • 3.2016

Hi everyone, my name is Mimi.

Introduction:Background: I was brought to ICVS by a very kind lady that found me in the street. I had lost an eye recently. I had also been in an accident previously where my hind legs were broken. My legs have healed and I am not in any pain, but I walk with a hobble and can only climb onto low surfaces.

I am now fully recovered after my eye repair surgery at ICVS and am healthy.

I am hoping for a special family that will adopt me and love me for the very special and courageous cat that I am.

I’m a short-haired white cat.

And I am cute.

Personality: I am gentle and a bit shy. I am not at all aggressive and never hiss, swat or bite. I love being cuddled and petted and purr tons when I can snuggle up with people.

Ideal home: I am not very fast moving so would prefer a calm and quiet environment with an individual or a couple with no children. I would be fine with an older, mature cat as a roommate.

Breed: I’m a short-haired white cat.

Sex and age: I am a young spayed female cat, about 1-2 years old.

Medical notes: I am healthy and have had eye repair surgery at ICVS and am fully vaccinated, dewormed and on flea and tick preventives.

Post-adoption care: I’m fortunate because The International Center for Veterinary Services (ICVS) has enrolled me in their Rescued/Stray/Rehomed Pet Adoption Benefits Program. ICVS will provide my new family with significant discounts (up to

-Completing the rabies antibody titre test required to take pets into the European Union and other countries -Transporting pet by “excess checkin baggage” or unaccompanied live animal “cargo” transport -Taking multiple pets out of China under the “one-pet-per-passport” regulation -Taking pets out of China when the owner has to leave the country first -Managing the process without the assistance of a pet relocation company and when it is best to obtain professional assistance -Exporting rabbits and other exotic animals -Reducing the stress of travel on pets and pet owners -Safe and effective calming remedies to help pets during travel pré·cis • issue 9 • 3.2016

adoption

50%) on my health examinations and vaccinations during my first year of life with my new family!

Official Vaccination Certificate: With my rabies vaccination, ICVS will issue my new family with an official Beijing Animal Health and Immunity Certificate (e.g. Vaccination red book) at no charge! I need this official vaccination red book to prove I have been legally and properly rabies vaccinated. I must have this official vaccination red book in order to move to another city or to leave China with my new family.

Pet Import/Export Counseling: ICVS will provide my family with unlimited relocation counseling and accurate information so I can go with them when it is time to move to another city or to relocate to another country.

Please contact the International Center for Veterinary Services (ICVS) for more information: Tel: (010) 8456-1939/1940 Email: ICVS_CHINA@yahoo.com Website: www.ICVSASIA.com

-Air crates and carriers permitted on airlines and for cargo shipping The International Center for Veterinary Services is an officially designated animal vaccination hospital and can provide the required legal rabies vaccination and official vaccination certificate for export, microchipping and rabies antibody titre testing for EU and all other countries. ICVS is delighted to provide this service to all pet owners, especially the international community.

ICVS is a high-quality, affordable full service medical and pet care facility with well-trained professionals to serve all your needs. Services include spay/neuter and all other surgeries, dentals, hospitalization, vaccinations, microchipping, rabies antibody titre testing for export, laboratory diagnostics and blood tests, X-rays & ultrasound. Import/export counseling, boarding, grooming, dog training and pet shop available. Legal rabies vaccines. All services in English and

Mandarin.

Location: International Center for Veterinary Services No. 13-16 Rong Ke Gan Lan Cheng Shang Jie, Fu Tong Xi Da Jie, Wangjing, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100102 (Across the street from the Mercedes Benz Tower & behind the Smile Angel Children’s Hospital) 地址：北京新天地国际动物医院, 北京市朝阳区望京阜通西大街融科 橄榄城商街13-16号 CONTACT ICVS INFORMATION:

FOR

MORE

Tel: (010) 8456-1939/1940 E-mail: ICVS_CHINA@yahoo.com Web site: www.ICVSASIA.com ©2006-2016 International Center for Veterinary Services. All rights reserved.

46

Review

review & photos: Chris Wheeler

“Oh, the Sweet Agony” Sorrows Path Album: Doom Philosophy Iron Shield Records - 2014

Beginning their career back in 1994 with the “Sorrow’s Path” demo, it wasn’t until 2010 that the Greek Doom Metal act, SORROWS PATH, released their first full length, “The Rough Path of Nihilism” to rave reviews. Last year, the band capitalized on the success with album number two, “Doom Philosophy”, hoping to capitalize on the former’s success while introducing guests, Snowy Shaw (ex-MERCYFUL FATE, ex- KING DIAMOND, MAD ARCHITECT) and Edgar Rivera (ex-SOLITUDE AETURNUS) to their ranks pulling vocal and guitar duties!

Pete Steele (ex-TYPE O NEGATIVE, R.I.P.) with tortured grit which doesn’t necessarily have to reach soaring heights to be effective. No other song is his performance so strongly noted than on “Epoasis”, which hears him seductively croon before the emotional chorus chimes in along with “The King with the Crown of Thorns”. The band quickly establishes their sound and intent with similar heavy-handed, yet melodic cuts, “Dance with the Dead”, a nice romp through CANDLEMASS pastures and “Clouds Inside Me”.

“Tragedy” follows a brief intro with a hard hitting mid-paced punch that begs a toe-tapping response and crocodile smile when Rivera’s solo is heard. Singer, Angelos Ioannidis, sounds like a cross between Warren Dane (NEVERMORE) and

Though the album is predominantly “doomy”, SORROWS PATH do add elements of Power Metal as well with periodic atmospherics, particularly on “Epoasis” and “Clouds Inside Me”, but aren’t overbearing or overused. Strategically placed,

47

the keyboard effects and light female chants add tension to the songs which only help to highlight the drama the band set out to achieve. Yes, the drama is present but one can’t help but wonder if the album, as a whole, could be made a bit “heavier”. The guitars are in the fore but suffer from a bit from a lack of bottom end in the final mix.

A minor criticism in the grand scheme of how much “Doom Philosophy” is a satisfying listen.

With simple riffs that provide the “meat” around occasional theatrics, SORROWS PATH has penned an album that can easily rival most Doom bands while slipping in subtle Power Metal characteristics. Not merely content with slow, pulverizing tempos, this record has a fist-pumping, dramatic urgency that gets better with every spin.

Standout Tracks: “Everything Can Change”, “Epoasis”, “Clouds Inside Me” https://www.facebook.com/ SorrowsPath?fref=ts http://www.metal-archives. com/bands/Sorrows_ Path/55182

Chris Wheeler continues to write show/album reviews and interviews for Montreal Metal shop, “La Bête Noire Emporium” and freelances his work wherever needed. His work can also be read on Facebook under simply, “Chris Wheeler”. pré·cis • issue 9 • 3.2016

The NEW standard for air quality index counts across the world.

AirVisual.com is an online community that provides real-time air quality

information to 9,000 locations worldwide. People living in polluted areas or people with asthma health problems will find a wealth of information & tools on how they can control the air they breathe. Click here to find out how.

pré·cis The international magazine.

Focusing on life. In all form.

Click Here for:

pré·cis • issue 9 • 3.2016

48

travel.

Tales from the ShareLearning to Love Airbnb.

49

The new sharing economy— you read about it everywhere.

From companies like Uber, to TaskRabbit to Airbnb.

Everyone is renting out something they’re not using— whether it’s their home, their car, or themselves.

Me, I invested in real estate.

Maybe that was a dumb decision—and believe me I’ve told myself so a million times while staring at a growing stack of unpaid bills. But in the new sharing economy, I’ve been able to make my creaky old New England home pay for itself.

In the Airbnb system, both hosts and guests are reviewed by each other— which means that if you are a great guest or host, you will earn positive reviews and other Airbnb-ers will be likely to either accept you as a guest or book a reservation with you. I work hard to ensure that my house is spotlessly clean at all times, and that guests have an accommodating space with all advertised amenities. I even reach deep into the depths of my dusty old soul to summon up the ability to be nice to them, smile politely and offer them recommendations for restaurants and local attractions. In return, my guests are generally polite, reasonably clean and overall trustworthy. Since Airbnb hosts like myself are under no obligation to rent our spaces to individuals who receive bad reviews, it is in the guests’ best interest to develop a good reputation online. The same is true for hosts. The review system has proven an effective way of keeping people generally honest and behaving decently towards each other. pré·cis • issue 9 • 3.2016

By contrast, I’ve found renting rooms to longerterm roommates outside of the Airbnb system to be a tremendous hassle a liability.

Why? Take away the Airbnb review system, and it becomes a basically consequencefree situation. Yes, that’s right.

Renting rooms on a longterm basis to total strangers on craigslist turns your home into Lord of the Flies and you, the homeowner, are Piggy.

And I, for one, do not wish to become the other white meat.

I’ve been renting bedrooms on Airbnb for over a year now, and I’ve had over 40 different guests. It’s been a good experience so far, and one that I vastly prefer over the old system of renting out rooms to permanent or semipermanent lodgers. Here’s why: 1.

Unlike roommates, Airbnb guests generally refrain from walking around naked.

If you don’t think naked roommates are a problem, try sharing your home with a lady in her mid-sixties who looks like the product of a love-affair between a manatee and a rotten potato, and is evidently oblivious to effects both time and gravity have had on her ample embonpoint.

Sure, a hot naked roommate might be fun. But a hideously proportioned and illtempered naked roommate is not.

Airbnb guests receive reviews, so there pré·cis • issue 9 • 3.2016

are consequences for their bad behavior. So far, I have experienced a blessed dearth of unwelcome visuals.

They don’t cook. This 2. such a welcome relief from the mountains of dishes that bad roommates neglect on a daily basis, not to mention the range of science

“Unlike roommates, Airbnb guests generally refrain from walking around naked. If you don’t think naked roommates are a problem, try sharing your home with a lady in her midsixties who looks like the product of a love-affair between a manatee and a rotten potato, and is evidently oblivious to effects both time and gravity have had on her ample embonpoint.

Sure, a hot naked roommate might be fun. But a hideously proportioned and ill-tempered naked roommate is not. “

experiments left gestating in the refrigerator. While I’m all for the advancement of science and occasionally donate to various cancerfighting agencies when I’m feeling philanthropic, I have my doubts as to whether a cure for lymphoma is likely to result from a Styrofoam package of Chinese take-out, no matter how long it may be left to metamorphose on a back shelf. Airbnb guests, by comparison, will occasionally have a cup of tea or a bowl of cereal. But for the most part, you don’t have to make room for them in the kitchen cupboards or the refrigerator, they don’t leave big cooking messes in the kitchen, and they’re meticulous about putting their dirty cups and glasses in the dishwasher. No science experiments. They keep their Petri dishes to themselves.

You don’t have to put up 3. with their obnoxious friends. So many roommate experiences are ruined by the roommate’s friends or significant other.

With Airbnb guests, they don’t bring strangers to the house— everyone who is staying there has been approved by you over the internet and there are generally no last-minute surprises. This makes a nice change from running into your roommate’s horrible beer-goggled bar conquest, stumbled into on the way to the bathroom at 3 am. Me— resplendent in fluffy bunny pajamas and hair coifed to an exquisite continued on page 51 50

elevation that can only be created with assistance from my pillow.

Him—six feet tall, red-faced, horribly drunk and shedding some form of leaves or other vegetation as a result, I can only surmise, from making his home under a bridge. continued from page 50

4.

They are generally courteous and polite. The real trouble with roommates is that your home quickly becomes their home. This gives them license to do or say whatever they want, no matter how obnoxious or ill-advised. They may scream, throw things, break into your room and rifle through your belongings— and all without consequence because they legally live there and they can basically do whatever their depraved little animal hearts desire.

Airbnb guests, by contrast, are just that—guests. They don’t have leases or any legal residence in your home. As a result they generally comport themselves as guests—the kind of guests that their sainted grandmothers would be pleased to welcome into their homes and offer tea and home-baked cookies.

The basis of your relationship is mutual politeness and courtesy, and is enforced by the review system. It makes better people out of everyone.

They go away. Oh yes, 5. this is the very best part of Airbnb guests—they leave.

No matter how obnoxious your worst nightmare guest 51

“It was a little scary to take the plunge and accept my first Airbnb guest, but now, many guest experiences into it, I can say definitively that it’s been a good experience and I would recommend it to anyone. It’s a great way to add a little to your income in an environment that’s relatively safe and comfortable.

The payments come reliably from the main Airbnb system and are direct-deposited into your bank account, so you never have to worry about collecting payments from guests.

That fact alone makes it light-years less hassle than renting to a traditional roommate, who might neglect rent payments for months on end before they could be legally evicted. On the whole, Airbnb is hands-down a better deal for hosts than renting rooms to long-term roommates. “

is—regardless of the bad bathroom hygiene or the late-night incessant playing of bhangra music, it’s all over after just a few short days.

And if you need a break after a particularly trying guest, simply block off your calendar for a week or two, or forever, and you can have the house completely and blissfully to yourself.

The economics of Airbnb are also a good deal for hosts.

Renting rooms long-term I was taking in about $15 per day for the room—and putting up with infinite hassles as well.

Airbnb guests pay at least twice, if not three times that rate (and more, depending on the amenities you can offer). Of course, included in that is a good deal of labor, since the house has to be kept meticulously clean and you have to be on site to check them in and out. On the other hand, even though traditional roommates always SAY they’re going to help keep the house clean, they never actually do. So at least with Airbnb you’re getting paid for your labor.

It’s true that there can be safety concerns. I’m a single female living alone, and so I have to be particularly careful about who I accept to be a guest in my home (and remember, you can refuse any potential guests for any reason if you don’t feel comfortable). I also do not rent out the house if I’m out of town. Here are my basic pré·cis • issue 9 • 3.2016

guideline: 1.

All guests must have a form of ID (driver’s license, passport) verified by the Airbnb system.

2.

Guests who have positive reviews on the Airbnb system are easy to rent to. People who are new to Airbnb require more screening, especially if they are asking to stay longer than a night or two.

In general, I only accept single male guests who have positive reviews in the system. I will occasionally accept a single male guest who is new to Airbnb, but only if I get a really good vibe from him and he is staying no longer than two nights.

to worry about collecting payments from guests. That fact alone makes it light-years less hassle than renting to a traditional roommate, who might neglect rent payments for months on end before they could be legally evicted. On

the whole, Airbnb is handsdown a better deal for hosts than renting rooms to longterm roommates.

-----------------------------More Info at: https://www.airbnb.com/

3.

All guests must actively acknowledge that they have read and accept my house rules. These include check in/check out times, some basic rules for shared bathroom hygiene, etc.

It was a little scary to take the plunge and accept my first Airbnb guest, but now, many guest experiences into it, I can say definitively that it’s been a good experience and I would recommend it to anyone. It’s a great way to add a little to your income in an environment that’s relatively safe and comfortable. The payments come reliably from the main Airbnb system and are direct-deposited into your bank account, so you never have pré·cis • issue 9 • 3.2016

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images.

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sujinyan’s eye

a recurring look at the world.

pré·cis • issue 9 • 3.2016

Su Jinyan is an American-born photographer and writer who has lived in Beijing for over eight years. He and his wife live in an apartment with their young son, two cats, and a dog. He can be contacted at xiaos@sujinyan.com or +86 186 1113 0683.

His blog can be found at http://sujinyan.com pré·cis • issue 9 • 3.2016

54

As the sub-genre of Stoner/Sludge Metal has become a popular entity all its own, Montreal fans were treated last night to an epic show that would see the likes of heavyweights WINDHAND and THOU crush the spectators at Montreal’s La Sala Rossa! Accompanied

by U.S band Black Metal act, FALSE and Montreal’s SHOW OF BEDLAM and newcomers, NIGHTWITCHES, the venue quickly filled to capacity with screaming fans craving for the Earth to rumble….

Fellow Montreal act, SHOW OF BEDLAM attempted to add another dimension with abstract visuals behind the stage and accompanied by a strong aural presence. Bass-

Live Show Review

Windhand with Special Guests,

Thou, False, Show of Bedlam and Nightwitches La Sala Rossa, 4848 St. Laurent, Montreal, H2T 1R568 Thursday, July, 30th, 2015 Montreal duo, NIGHTWITCHES (http://nightwitches.bandcamp.com/album/nachthexen) took the stage slightly green.

With only an ep under their belts, “Nachthexen”, the duo seemed a bit nervous to start with drummer, Mandy looking over to her partner, Andrea for cues. However, once the set began the nerves were quickly brushed aside and the momentum seemed to build nicely. Simple chords hypnotically rang out but with energy and enthusiasm as cymbal crashes ploddingly inspired heads to bang! Finally, after a satisfying set the two girls smiled at one another as cheers accompanied their walk off stage.

55

…and the Earth Moved…

By: Chris Wheeler ist, Ari Isensee, provided great effects to introduce the songs while vocalist, Paulina Richards’s harrowing shrieks made for an

music

interesting listen. However, her onstage movements may not have suited the slow, syrupy tempo of the music itself as she writhed sexually, draping herself several times on the floor. A little excessive but nevertheless effective, the band (unfortunately kept in the shadows) played a great set characterized by guitar/ bass effects and gorgeous wall of noise!

Offsetting the current pace of the evening was Minneapolis band, FALSE, who offered attendees a fantastic set of thrilling Black Metal with sprinkles of Sludge/ Doom for good measure! Rough, Crust inspired Black attacked the crowd in an enthusiastic show of inpré·cis • issue 9 • 3.2016

tensity, particularly from frontwoman, Rachel. Petit and unassuming, the vocalist certainly garnered attention with her mesmerizing performance.

Extreme and savage, her rasps sat beautifully among the blast beats and tremolo guitar noise that received the most applause from the audience thus far. With

all players completely enveloped in the moment, Rachel’s presence couldn’t be ignored; hand extended as though she were casting spells and looking like Linda Blair (“The Exorcist”) at her most demonic! Impressive.

Before U.S. juggernauts, THOU, had emerged from the side of the stage, one could feel the electricity and anticipation for the “Southern Gentlemen” (as one fan called them). As soon as they began, the tag could be construed as “false advertising”, because their music was anything but “gentle”. Rather, the venue shook with bass heavy fuzz that took the audience to new realms of extremity/heaviness. Every cymbal crash and bass drum thump felt more like a bomb going off and the guitar tone reminiscent of the aftermath. Feedback and aural dissonance was the order of the set albeit with minor guitar problems experienced pré·cis • issue 9 • 3.2016

by stand-in FALSE guitarist, Skorpian Vanderbrook. With so many songs in their discography, the set seemed slightly short as those technical glitches took away from the possibility of playing more.

However, set closer and BLACK SABBATH cover, “Into the Void” certainly satiated fans who glee-

fully ate it up!

LOUD and uncompromising - these two words could sum up the performance from fellow Americans, WINDHAND as

the five-piece stood on stage and gave fans reason to go crazy. Unfortunately, “loud” can also be used to describe why the set could have been better. With so much feedback and amp fuzz, the guitars drowned

out both Pauline Richards’s vocals and even the drums! Sure, the band is known to play a repetitive, trance-like rhythm, but without hearing the voice and snare/cymbals, the overall performance seemed lackluster, somehow to the extent that both Richards and drummer, Ryan Wolfe, seemed to notice.

Contrarily, all the members gave the audience reason for praise as even the sound problems couldn’t take away from their onstage presence, which was great! Headbanging in phonic bliss, the guitarists (especially)

seemingly thrived on the decibel level of the spectacle which infectiously translated to the fans!

Despite the sound, a solid set was achieved!

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stepping up.

by Camilla Larsson

Every year hundreds of thousands of dogs are being slaughtered for their meat, fur and skin in China. Many of these dogs have been stolen, kept in horrible conditions without food and water for days. If they survive this treatment they are loaded in cramped cages onto trucks to be sent to slaughterhouses across China.

Saving The

Tibetan Mastiffs in China

But many, many Chinese people do not want to be part of this horrible trade anymore. Thanks to social media the rescue groups can now get the information out very fast to the public. And thanks to many brave Chinese people that thousands of dogs (and cats) are being rescued every year.

During the rescue in February 2015, the rescue groups found 150 large dogs on board a truck and 20 of these dogs were Tibetan Mastiffs on one truck. It’s very unusual to find so many 57 Tibetan Mastiffs in one

placed out to different shelters across several cities in Northern China.

Eight of The Tibetan Mastiffs were sent to the “Luckier Animal Shelter” just outside of Beijing city.

With this campaign I want to raise awareness of the situation for dogs in China and especially for The Tibetan Mastiffs.

This particular breed is an unique breed with a lot of history and mystique.

It is important to save this amazing breed from torture and extinction due to the illegal dog meat, leather and fur trade in China.

My first contact with the Tibetan Mastiff was in Summer 2014. I was totally blown away by the beauty and intelligence of this breed. When the rescue. illegal transport was stopped in February 2015 I decided to help as many of The Tibetan After being rescued off the Mastiffs as possible, starting trucks, the dogs are being w i t h pré·cis • issue 9 • 3.2016

To read more about the horrific dog meat, leather and fur trade, please check out some of the links below for further information.

And this is what your contributions will help to end! eight of them at “Luckier Animal Shelter” . All eight are in good health and are very friendly and playful. They all deserve a good home!

The Tibetan Mastiffs need vaccinations, microchip, veterinary exam and food to maintain their welfare. They will also be spayed/neutered to eliminate the risk of unnecessary breeding. Upon completion of the treatments, we need to find good homes for them in China or possibly overseas as it is difficult to find homes for them in China, because they are banned in many places and the risk to get stolen again is very high.

2.

Requirements adopting:

for

• Must have experience with large dogs • Must have a lot of space and preferable in the country side • Understand rescued dogs (must be able and willing to work with the dogs if needed)

3. If adopting from overseas, the dogs must have a blood test, have an animal passport and health certificate.

Preferably if adopting family can travel with the dog(s), otherwise with flight Would you like to contribute volunteers. on their journey to a better ----------------------------------life?

Please email and tell me Maybe you are interested in about yourself if you’re giving them a home? interested in adopting.

--------------------------------The donations will cover the Before they can get adopted treatments, nutritious food for the Tibetan Mastiffs and they will need: improvement of the living 1. To be fully vaccinated, condition at the shelters. spayed/neutered, Tibetan Mastiffs are very large micro-chipped and examed dogs and they need a secure by a vet place with a lot of space. pré·cis • issue 9 • 3.2016

••••••••••• Investigation done by PETA on the dog leater trade: http://investigations. peta.org/china-dogleather Animal Equality’s “Voiceless Friends”: http://voicelessfriends. org Humane Society’s dog meat trade page: h t t p : / / w w w. h s i . o r g / issues/dog_meat Special thanks to: Ms Zhang, Anna, Molly, TACN.org and www.ICVSasia.com 58

Mike Dubose and the dissidents

music Hard to argue with a guy who got drunk with lemmy Stech talks with Mike Dubose So Mike, what’s your back-story and what got you “here” (in the grand scheme of time)?

I was born on February 26, 1977 in Liberty, Texas, a town of 8300 in east Texas. I spent the first 5 years of my life on seven acres of land outside of Liberty. 4 years prior to my birth, my 59 parents had taken a page

from Thoreau’s Walden Pond and decided to live in the country. However, I doubt that Henry David Thoreau had to deal with water moccasins, Ku Klux Klan rallies right down the road and mosquitoes the size of economy cars! My memories of country life are idyllic, we had cats, a dog and chickens. However, my parents wanted my younger sister Emiko and I to have the best education possible, so we moved to Austin in 1984.

As to “why I’m here”, the only reason I can think of is because I fought to be here. I was born 3 months premature and wasn’t supposed to live, but I made it anyway, despite a hole in my heart and two collapsed lungs. My premature birth left me with mild cerebral palsy, which altered my gait pattern and messed with my fine motor coordination. However, my

INTERVIEW

cognitive and creative faculties were not affected.

-------------------------------

What is the most challenging thing being a musician?

The scariest part of playing music for money is the unpredictability. Unless I’m working with a club owner or promoter that I’ve known for a long time, I will hope for the best and expect the worst. The best part is getting to do what I love and having strangers worldwide like it!

------------------------------pré·cis • issue 9 • 3.2016

Mike Dubose

Tell us about what you are working on now?

I released a solo acoustic CD called “Head Above Water” in 2011. I enjoy the stripped-down intimacy of solo shows, but I prefer playing with a band…

"which brings me to my current project for the last 10 years: my band Mike Dubose and The Dissidents. I’d like to stress that The Dissidents are NOT a backing band. I come to them with a bare-bones structure of a song – rhythm guitar and vocals – and tell them how I hear the song in my head. That’s the totality of my input.

This iteration of Mike Dubose and The Dissidents is the finest band with whom I’ve ever played music. I sing lead vocals and play rhythm guitar. The last founding member, Diana Bruschke, plays bass and sings harmony vocals.

My longtime friend Susie Martinez is on drums and Tom Cuddy, whom I’ve known for years and who played in a band with Diana in the nineties, plays lead

This iteration of Mike Dubose and The Dissidents is the finest band with whom I’ve ever played music.

Diana Bruschke

which brings me to my current project for the last 10 years: my band Mike Dubose and The Dissidents. I’d like to stress that The Dissidents are NOT a backing band. I come to them with a bare-bones structure of a song – rhythm guitar and vocals – and tell them how I hear the song in my head. That’s the totality of pré·cis • issue 9 • 3.2016 my input.

I sing lead vocals and play rhythm guitar. The last founding member, Diana Bruschke, plays bass and sings harmony vocals. My longtime friend Susie Martinez is on drums and Tom Cuddy, whom I’ve known for years and who played in a band with Diana in the nineties, plays lead and rhythm guitar. This particular group of musicians is the “classic” lineup of this band – we have a musical and personal chemistry that borders on magical. That doesn’t happen very often."

Tom Cuddy

and rhythm guitar. This particular group of musicians is the “classic” lineup of this band – we have a musical and personal chemistry that borders on magical. That doesn’t happen very often.

Susie Martinez

continued on page 61

60

continued from page 60

ing dust in a corner. I picked it

How do you choose your set up and was amazed to discovlists… some bands throw er that I could PLAY it!! It was tuned to open-E major, which is darts?

a common tuning for slide guiSusie, Tom, Diana and I get to- tar. My buddy had tried to learn gether and pick out a set list slide but had given up. I immediately borrowed a guitar from a based on the venue. singer-songwriter friend, tuned --------------------------------This is the obligatory musi- it to open E and started writing songs. cal influences Question?

------------------------------Here’s a truncated list of influ- You know/knew Lemmy. ences: Nirvana, Steve Earle, Bob How the hell did that hapMould, Son Volt, , Motorhead, pen?

Wilco, The Sex Pistols and Leon- (Ed. Note: Lemmy Kilmister, were playing in the same town) ard Cohen.

Lead of the band Motorhead we’d hang out. A friendship was -------------------------------who passed in December). forged that lasted until the end Was there a time you can of his life. I called and wished pinpoint when you decided From 2002-2004 I was touring him a happy 70th birthday on to become a Musician? with and dating a fellow sing- December 24th, 2015. Four days er-songwriter. She lived in Bur- later, he was gone. Not only did When I was four, my sixteen- bank, a suburb of Los Angeles. the world (including me) lose year-old uncle Rob would sit me When we were not touring, I a hero, I lost a dear friend. It’s on his lap while he played his was usually hanging out in LA. I been rough, but I’m doing my drum kit. He also gave me free walked into the legendary Rain- best to celebrate Lemm’s life rein to play his drums whenever bow Bar and Grill one day to and our friendship instead of I wished. That planted the seed. meet a friend for drinks, and mourning his death. There are there was Lemmy sitting at the times when grief overwhelms When Rob joined the Navy at bar! my celebration, but that attitude 20, he left his drums with me. I’d has helped make the sadness play along to AC/DC songs, but I’ve always felt that “famous bearable.

I wasn’t the greatest drummer. people” are simply people. In ---------------------------When I was 10, Guns N’ Roses the case of famous musicians, Lemmy just passed, and the “Appetite For Destruction” came they’re just peers who have outpouring of grief and the out and from then on I was OB- reached a higher level of success joy of his life shared on soSESSED with being a rock mu- than me. So I had no qualms cial media was massive. sician. I wanted to play guitar, about climbing on the barstool Your thoughts? write songs and sing them!! The next to Lemm, waiting for him to problem was, the fine-motor finish his round of video poker It’s brought me and millions of coordination problems caused and then introducing myself and other people a lot of comfort. by cerebral palsy prevented me striking up a conversation. We I think it’s amazing, I’m pretty from playing standard-tuned ended up talking and drinking certain Lemm would too! guitar. By then I’d discovered for a few hours. The friend I was ----------------------------Black Sabbath and I figured if supposed to have drinks with Tony Iommi could figure out never showed, so Lemm invited how to (re)play the guitar after me to his apartment, which is Describe your sound in three losing the digits of 2 fingers on just a few blocks from The Rain- adjectives. his fretting hand in an industri- bow, and we talked some more. al accident, I could too. When We swapped numbers and af- Diverse, rocking, beautiful I was 14, I was hanging out at ter that, every time we were ----------------------------a friend’s house and I noticed both in LA (and a few times on Anyone you would cut off a finan acoustic guitar gather- the road when Motorhead and I ger to 61

pré·cis • issue 9 • 3.2016

play with?

I’d love to jam with The Foo Fighters, AC/DC, Tony Iommi, Queens Of The Stone Age, Metallica and Steve Jones, Paul Cook and Glen Matlock from The Sex Pistols, Hendrix, John Bonham, Townes Van Zandt -------------------------------

What is your view of the overall music scene? Where is it going? What are the challenges? Rewards?

Buy a house, all the guitars, amps and recording studio gear I ever dreamed of, invest in the local music scene, get a boat and a nice car, build a professional studio, start a record label and production company and donate a chunk to organizations that fight the death penalty, drug prohibition, world poverty, human trafficking, rape and domestic violence, as well as nonprofits that promote women’s rights, feminism, reason and secularism.

----------------------------

How do you begin writing a song? A word? A sound? A concept?

It starts with emotion and a concept and goes from there. I write all my songs on acoustic guitar with a notebook in which to scribble lyrics and cigarettes and Jameson’s whiskey (the latter 2 are a talisman, I can’t do anything well if I’m wheezing and drunk!)

-----------------------------The internet and social media has revolutionized music. Major labels are going the way of the dodo bird. We have fans all over the world, even in places like Indonesia! Pre-social networking, we’d have to be signed to a record label to have such a global fan base. The downside is finding capital to record, manufacture and release your music. We have to pay for all that, plus a publicist and someone who will get our songs onto FM, satellite and internet radio. But we’ll pull it off, the positives outweigh the negatives exponentially!

---------------------------

Best live show experience?

My best recent live experience was the last Dissidents show we played on January 21st of this year. The band was in sync and smoking and the crowd really dug it. Worst? I got booked as a solo artist at a bar that wasn’t a good match for me. I played 4 weekly gigs as background music to college kids getting drunk and talking. It was so boring that I started playing the riff from “Smoke On The Water” to amuse myself.

------------------------------------

If you had the chance to interview a band, who would it be and what would be your top 3 questions?

Are you in it for the money?

The glory? The fun?

Fugazi. My questions would be:

1) How do you create music? Is it as a band or does Ian come up with the basics?

2) What are the biggest challenges in running Dischord records?

3) When are you returning from your 12-year hiatus?

I’m in it for ME. I write songs for catharsis. The fact that my songs have touched other people is incredibly moving and it’s amazing to be in striking distance of making a decent living playing music, but I MUST write songs and play music, it’s a need akin to breathing!

-------------------------------------------------------------Mike Dubose and the Where do you see yourself Dissidents music can be found here: in 20 years?

Producing and recording other artists, writing songs and performing them solo and with The Dissidents.

If you won the lottery, a ---------------------------

shit ton of cash, what’s the Advice for young rockers? plan? pré·cis • issue 9 • 3.2016

with older musicians, they’ll help you develop your chops and help you learn professionalism. Always grow artistically, but never follow trends. Copyright your songs immediately after you write them.

--------------------------------------

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ mikeduboseandthedissidents/?fref=ts

Reverbnation: http://mikedubose.reverbnaWrite and play for yourself. Work tion.com/ 62

the wine connoisseur

by Randy (1421.com)

1421银牌莎当妮 酒液呈浅黄色，味道芳 醇，柑橘和坚果一起呈现 出微妙的芬芳。烤坚 果 的香气伴着香草味瞬间在 口中散发，掩盖住了开始 的果香。味觉上 开始出 现桃子、瓜果、西柚和榛 1421 子混合的味道。乳酪般的 Silver Chardonnay 2010 丝滑却又清 爽温和，口 感调和余香淳厚。保存一 Pale yellow in color, the 段时间酒体会更加淳厚。 wine is showing lifted stone and citrus fruit along with ------------------------------some buttery and nutty aromatic nuances. There 1421 are aromas of roasted nuts, Silver Cabernet Sauvignon slight match strike and a 2008 hint of vanilla covering up the fruit. The aroma is truly varietal. The palate shows white peach, some melon and grapefruit mingling with buttery hazelnuts.

This is wrapped in a creamy texture that is dry with crisp but gentle, firm acid at the finish. An elegant wine with balance and finesse that has the potential to age and develop further complexity in the bottle.

63

fruits dominating the bouquet, with integrated cigar box, cedar, and varietal leafy nuances. The palate is medium to full with ripe red and blackberry mixed fruit flavors complemented with some earthy notes, which are framed by fine tannins and some integrated vanilla, adding further richness and complexity to the wine.

This is a classic "Bordeaux" style Cabernet Sauvignon, not being too heavy but balanced with persistent acidity and varietal character.

1421银牌赤霞珠 酒液呈优美的半透明的红 色，浓烈的黑莓香占据 酒香的大部分，伴着 雪 茄，雪松的叶香使酒香更 加饱满。味觉上逐渐充斥 着浓郁的黑莓混 和着果 香味，骨架结实，厚实凝 重。这是经典的“波尔 多”风格的红 葡萄酒所 具有的特质，酒体清爽、 酸度适中且平衡。 More Info at

Displaying a lovely http://1421.com translucent red color with intense lifted blackberry pré·cis • issue 9 • 3.2016

wine. pré·cis • issue 9 • 3.2016

64

DIYfood

beans in a colander, then add to the pot—simmering for 20 minutes...

4. While the soup simmers; bring a separate pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta till al dente, follow the box directions...

xxxxxxxxxxx

Pasta e Fagioli Ingredients:

Food.

Its the international language, and as its has been said, we all need to eat.

It may just be the only future savior of mankind in all of its geopolitical struggles, the day we all realize if we just sit down and have a meal together, and a couple of drinks, that we may just realize that we have more in common than blowing each others brains out.

Or it could go horribly wrong and we end up killing and subsequently feasting on each others innards... Whichever.

Anyway, we here at Précis love to eat and consume vast quantities of good food and beverages wherever we travel. Whether it be on the beach in Belize , a hut in the African Congo, farmsteads in Mexico, or a bodega in Hoboken new jersey, we will always find good eats.

Which is why we always encourage folk from around the world to send in their own DIY recipes for their favorite foods, so everyone can share.

Feel like sending your own? Go to our Facebook page and post them or send them in to stech@outlook.com. Make sure you send in a pic of your creation.

65

1 (32 oz.) can of Crushed Tomatoes 1 small can of Tomato sauce (14 oz.)

1 Sweet Vidalia Onion, chopped 9 cloves Garlic, sliced thin 1 can (14 oz.) of Cannellini Beans 1 can (14 oz.) of Butter Beans 1 can (14 oz.) of Dark Red Kidney 1 can (14 oz.) of Chick Peas 10 oz. of thick cut lean Prosciutto, diced 1 pound Ditalini pasta 2 tablespoons Olive Oil 2 cups low sodium Chicken Broth 1-2 cups of Arugula Sea Salt & Pepper to taste Fresh chopped Parsley Fresh Grated Parmesan or Romano cheese

Directions:

1. Sauté onion, garlic and prosciutto in the olive oil for 4-5 minutes on medium heat, till onion begins to soften and prosciutto begins to brown...

2. Add crushed tomatoes and sauce and cover, reducing heat to a simmer...

3. Meanwhile rinse off canned

5. Reserve 1 cup of pasta liquid and drain; then add pasta & reserved cooking liquid to the beans and sauce mixture, stirring on low heat...

6. Add salt, pepper, parsley and arugula to the pot; adjusting the salt or pepper to personal tastes, also add 2-3 tablespoons grated cheese at this time and mix well...

7. Let stand on low heat for 5-10 minutes to meld flavors; if it's too thick you may add some Chicken broth, a little at a time, to reach your desired consistency...

8. Serve while hot with crusty Italian bread and butter...

Notes: 1. I like to mix and match beans, sometimes using Roman or pink, small or large white etc—use what you enjoy best and be creative...

2. When I make Pasta e Fagioli; I prefer it nice & thick, then watery like a soup—an usually serve it as my main meal with hot crusty buttered bread and more grated cheese on the side...

3. Greens are optional, I'll occasionally add Arugula or fresh chopped Escarole for color and flavor—you could also mix the two, or add some chard or kale even but be careful it doesn't change the flavor to much.... pré·cis • issue 9 • 3.2016

Bring to boil, cover, lower heat to low (1-2 out of ten), and stirring occasionally until all liquid is absorbed (see next).

Max's Israeli

Couscous Salad I remember buying Israeli Couscous Salad at the New England Culinary Institute restaurant in Burlington, Vermont.

I absolutely loved it but could never find the raw product.

Whole Foods carries it now and I had to try to recreate it.

In the end, I couldn't remember for the life of me what the NECI stuff even tasted like, but I did know that I wanted a different kind of pasta salad-one not made with vinegar and which had a lot of flavor in the pasta itself.

I did a little brainstorming, thought pilaf, and came up with this gem. My family loves it and it tastes even better the second day. This version is pared down, but it could easily incorporate roasted veggies, mushrooms, or other goodies.

It is 100% vegetarian (okay, feta cheese notwithstanding), but goes nicely with grilled meats, charcuterie, cheeses, and other picnic items.

I recommend a light Gamay Burgundy (e.g. a Brouilly slightly chilled) or a Rhone Rose for accompaniment. If you drink white wine, I'm sure it's good, but you're on your own. Beer is always good too.

The general rule with Israeli Couscous is a water (or in this case broth) to pasta ratio of 2:1. I like it a little al dente so you can play with this part to taste. You can eat it just like any other pasta. Many people cook it like a pilaf to add flavor and reduce clumping. pré·cis • issue 9 • 3.2016

Ingredients: 1 can artichoke hearts in water 1 jar Cento Roasted Peppers (brand not necessary, homemade is great, just no sugar) 1 bulb garlic 2 cups Israeli couscous (not regular small grain couscous) 4 cups unsalted vegetable broth 1 large lemon Fresh thyme leaves Cooking olive oil (if you have it... doesn't matter really) Extra virgin olive oil Salt/pepper to taste Half block of feta cheese

Directions:

4.) Add @ 1 TBS of fresh thyme leaves (removed from stem as much as possible) when the liquid is almost gone and stir it in. You may sample the couscous towards the end of the run to size up the consistency, if it is getting too Done, turn up the heat and, while stirring, boil off the excess liquid. You can also drain if your strainer is small enough.

5.) Let couscous chill completely (you can spread thin on chilled freezer sheets then place them in the freezer for @15 minutes or just let it sit and then chill in the refrigerator. It will be clumpy.

6.) When couscous is COLD, add extra virgin olive oil and kneed with the hands to break clumps. You can use a good amount of oil (until couscous is glistening and broken up, but no puddles at bottom of course).

7.) Squeeze all excess water from the individual artichoke hearts and slice them to desired size and add.

1.) Whole Bulb Garlic (assuming you like it...if not less to taste). I cut it into 1/2 c. little slices (not too thin) and get it sautéing over med/med hi heat in some Olive Oil (sorry, I don't measure, you can use a little more than you need for the garlic because the couscous sucks it up). Get garlic lightly tanned.

8.) Squeeze most of the water off the peppers, slice to , and add to taste (about 1/2 to 2/3 jar). The pepper water has some taste to it, but don't overdo it.

2.) Throw in 2 cups dry Israeli couscous and sauté with garlic until it is golden brown in color and the garlic is deep browned. Stir often to make sure it gets even coverage and to monitor/move the garlic to prevent it from burning.

10.) Crumble Feta in the salad (go small). It is important to do this last.

3.) Add @ 4 cups UNSALTED vegetable broth (any broth works/water works too, but this keeps it 100% vegetarian and not too chickeny).

Those cartons are usually @4 cups.

9.) Squeeze whole lemon in and stir-you may use more or less to taste, but I find one hits the spot.

11.) Salt and Pepper to taste (don't be shy, you used no salt broth!).

Let sit for an hour chilling if you can!

Enjoy!

To "rejuvenate" older or clumpier salads, use lemon and olive oil.

66

Hallie's Famous Apple Stuff (aka cheater apple crisp)

Ingredients: 2 cans apple pie filling 2 cups butter or margarine 1 cup sugar 1/4 cup packed brown sugar 1 tbsp. vanilla extract 1 teaspoon or so of each: cinnamon, nutmeg 2 cups oatmeal (any kind will do, but I use quick cook usually)

Directions: Preheat oven to 350°. Spray a 10x13 banking dish with nonstick spray, then empty the cans of pie filling into it. Spread them out evenly. In a microwave safe bowl, soften (or completely melt, works either way) the butter. Stir in the two sugars, vanilla, and spices. Blend well, then add in the oatmeal. Spread the mixture over the pie filling and bake for 20 to 30 minutes, or until the crust part looks crunchy. Serve warm with ice cream. :)

DIYfood 67

Twila's

Chicken peanut stew Ingredients: Olive oil 4 cloves garlic chopped 2 ribs celery chopped 1 large onion chopped 3 cups root vegetables peeled and cut into chunks 2 1/2 cups chicken broth 1 bunch of kale 1 quart sweet potatoe broth 2 cups peanut butter 2 tablespoons curry powder 1 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Ingredients: Broth:

Salt to taste 28 ounce can tomatoes or 3 to 4 cups fresh 3 cups cooked chicken skinned & boned

Directions: In large pot drizzle oil. Saute onion, garlic and celery til onion is translucent. Add root vegetables stir few minutes. Pour in chicken broth and kale cook until all are tender.

Add sweet potato broth, peanut butter, curry,cayenne, salt and tomatoes. Cook on low fire, continuously stirring until creamy add chicken.

Serve over hot rice or couscous

Hallie's Southern Chicken & Dumplings

3 pounds chicken 1 large onion, quartered 2 tablespoons dried parsley 2 teaspoons salt 1 teaspoon black pepper 6 cups water (give or take) 2 chicken bouillon cubes

Dumplings: 4 cups self rising flour 2 cups whole milk 3/4 cup vegetable oil

Directions: Put all broth ingredients except bouillon cubes into a stock pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about an hour.

In the meantime, go ahead and stir together dumpling ingredients. The dough will resemble biscuit dough,

but much softer. After the broth has simmered, remove chicken and onion. Add bouillon cubes, and return to a boil. Shred the chicken and set aside. Once broth is boiling, gently drop in small balls of dumpling dough (I recommend a big spoon to scoop and shape the balls). Stir the pot contents every five dumplings or so. Once all the dough is in the pot, reduce heat and allow to cook about ten minutes, stirring often. Mix in the shredded chicken and serve. pré·cis • issue 9 • 3.2016

KAT'S

magic chicken How can something so unbelievably simple be so good?

This has turned into a family favorite since the first time I made it.

I am giving away my secret not-magic recipe because you have to try it.

----------------------------

Ingredients:

1 cup Italian-seasoned bread crumbs (237 mL) 1 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breast (455 grams) ¼ cup oil canola or vegetable or less (60 mL) 1 egg

Ernest Hemingway Badass Burger My favorite Hemingway anecdotes always revolve around him being absurdly macho—like when he mocked F. Scott Fitzgerald for his monogamy, or when, in an attempt to prevent sharks from eating the tuna he had just caught, he opened fire with a Thompson submachine-gun directly into the water. This, of course, was pretty counterproductive, since it only produced more blood, attracting more sharks and exacerbating the feeding frenzy.

It only makes sense that Hemingway would tire of shooting fish at some pré·cis • issue 9 • 3.2016

Directions: Beat egg in a shallow bowl.

Spread bread crumbs in a separate shallow bowl. Dip chicken in egg, allowing excess to drip back into the bowl. Press the dipped chicken into the bread crumbs until evenly coated on all sides.

Heat oil in a skillet over medium-low heat; cook chicken until no longer pink in the center, up to 8 minutes per side. Make sure point, and settle himself down for a nice, slow-moving animal like a cow, and it turns out that he had very interesting (and totally delicious-sounding) specifications for his burgers. Below is his recipe for an ultra-manly, super-robust burger. Apparently, Mei Yen Powder is no longer on the market, but you can approximate the rich, umami flavor with nine parts salt, nine parts sugar and two parts MSG. For 1 teaspoon of Mei Yen Powder, use 2/3 of a teaspoon of the mix, plus 1/3 of a teaspoon of soy sauce. (And don’t believe the hype about MSG—it’s harmless and delicious.)

Ingredients:

1 lb. ground lean beef 2 cloves, minced garlic 2 little green onions, finely chopped 1 heaping teaspoon, India relish 2 tablespoons, capers 1 heaping teaspoon, Spice Islands sage Spice Islands Beau Monde Seasoning — 1/2 teaspoon Spice Islands Mei Yen Powder — 1/2 teaspoon 1 egg, beaten in a cup with a fork About 1/3 cup dry red or white wine 1 tablespoon cooking oil

a tight fitting lid is on the frying pan. Don’t mess around with the chicken, just let it cook.

An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).

Add: salt/pepper to taste

Total prep time:

Around 30 minutes Serves: 4 people

Directions: Break up the meat with a fork and scatter the garlic, onion and dry seasonings over it, then mix them into the meat with a fork or your fingers. Let the bowl of meat sit out of the icebox for ten or fifteen minutes while you set the table and make the salad. Add the relish, capers, everything else including wine and let the meat sit, quietly marinating, for another ten minutes if possible. Now make your fat, juicy patties with your hands.

The patties should be an inch thick, and soft in texture but not runny. Have the oil in your frying pan hot but not smoking when you drop in the patties and then turn the heat down and fry the burgers about four minutes. Take the pan off the burner and turn the heat high again. Flip the burgers over, put the pan back on the hot fire, then after one minute, turn the heat down again and cook another three minutes. Both sides of the burgers should be crispy brown and the middle pink and juicy.

This recipe was initially published on Dangerous Minds by Amber Frost who ripped it from Open Culture, who ripped it from the Boston Globe.

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poetry

attention it got.

They could not put him together … Situation no win.

And was there a grave that they actually burred him in?

Egg This.

by Louie Manno

Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall.

Not at all plausible… that tail is too tall.

I mean an egg is just calcium.. surrounding a yolk.

An obvious fact… grasped by the simplest of folk.

Hen fruit that is self aware… would not climb and sit on a stone fence.…

They’d sit on a cushion… something fluffy … not dense.

And there’s the question… that we all tend to beg

Was there a service? And who attended?.

His fragile widow… and the ham he befriended?

was the layer that toiled.

His Gay cousin… in pink Easter die…

But he purposely climbed the stone and cement.

Who shocked the whole dozen… by bringing a guy?

And after all that… we all know where he went.

Humpty Dumpty got kicked in the balls.

His life could have been much richer and sweeter.

With his shell on the ground…and his whites on the walls.

…As he lived to the age of a wise old egg beater.

Of course he would crack…

He’s an egg for Christ sake…

There’s no way…. he wasn’t going to …eventually break.

He wasn’t coddled enough so he became hard-boiled…

Just what was his beef… It

He’s a deviled egg now… him and his shell.

Peaks of fiery marring… on a big pie in hell.

I morn for the chicken he could have become.

But I’m giving up eggs… ‘causr that egg's a bum..

Who gives a shit… ‘bout a fat fucking egg

Fuck eggs… with arms and legs…

Why would the king… send his men and their mounts?

Humpty I’m glad you took a “Dumpty”…you looser prick….

To recreate an egg worth 5 cents an ounce?

That yellow ball… in a circle of snot.

Hope the fist thing to crack… was your soft boiled egg dick.

Did not deserve the 69

pré·cis • issue 9 • 3.2016

Floating in the cold foggy mist Robert Graham Jr. 2/13/2016

Floating in the cold foggy mist Flakes tickle my nose

Floating on a chair lift ... that is, Floating on a land mass Floating on a planet Floating in a Galaxy

through the Universe ... as I, Float through ice crystals Floating on my board Floating through the Universe Floating on Love

Floating pré·cis • issue 9 • 3.2016

70

INTERVIEW

Kat’s Window ~ on China

By Kat Tosi

Kat gets

Dan Taylor rock musician

I heard Beijing was better for music, so I came here. from -------------------------

Where are you and why are you here?

What inspired you to beI am from Yorkshire England, a come a musician and when/ city called Hull. Outside of En- how did this happen? Take gland not many people know us on your musical journey. much about the city, but within England we have got a reputation for being voted the worst city to live in, in all of the UK. I am very proud of it. The second year this was done, we came second and everybody in the city was gutted. Now I am here. I have been here for 2 ½ years and now I am focusing on music. I teach, I teach guitar. I teach a bit of English, but music is my main focus.

-------------------------

down and dirty with the guy who keeps all the girlies screaming at the shows.

When I was about 12, someone came into my school with a violin. They gave some classes.

Rhythm classes, melody classes….and whoever did well in the class got a chance to have

Why did you come here?

I have always wanted to come to Asia, so I thought “Fuck it, I will move to China.” I was looking at Shanghai and Beijing.

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free lessons. Then when I was 17, a friend brought a guitar to my house and left it, so I started playing it. Since then, I have always wanted to be, or tried, to be a musician.

-------------------------

tracting doing other things because I always have music in the back of my head. I want to write lyrics. The scariest thing is how much it takes out of my life. One day falling out of interest with music, that is scary.

What is the scariest thing The thought that one day I will about doing what you do be forced through lifestyle; I and what is the best part? will be married with children or something will happen to my

Are you a poet or a musician?

I never start with lyrics. I never write lyrics without the song there. For example, the recording we have been doing recently; I actually wrote the lyrics on the day of the recording in the studio 10 minutes before the take.

-------------------------

What are your current projects?

I’ve seen you solo, with Luv Plastic and with the Harridans.

You are a man with many faces.

The Harridans and Luv Plastic are my two main projects, but I do a lot of folk music with different musicians. I also have a new electronic project.

-------------------------

Why not just have one project?

I get quite a bit of stage fright before gigs. One of the scariest things about music is writing songs and then listening back to them, listening back to them the next day and just hating them.

The scariest thing is losing interest in my own music, and it happens a lot. The scariest thing about music is how dependent I am on it. The older I get the more I think about it, I just can’t stop thinking about it. It makes it dispré·cis • issue 9 • 3.2016

family that will inhibit me to have the freedom to do what I want to do with music.

The best part is writing a piece of music and playing and hearing it with the band. Also, I love recording. Recording is one of my favourite things. My favourite thing is not playing music, it is writing it. Being on stage is cool and fun, it gets people to listen to your music.

-------------------------

I write a lot of songs, a lot of songs. I will be talking to a friend but in the back of my head I have got a song going on. I don’t make a band and write songs. I write a song and find a band for the song. Luv Plastic was totally new for me.

Playing the drums, working in a partnership. That is me for the first time off the guitar and on the drums. When I met Dan, I was looking for a bass player and he was looking for a drummer. After all of that, we had ½ and hour left, so I figured ‘I am just going to mess around with the drums.’ It wasn’t planned, it just happened.

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------------------------I love Luv Plastic

-------------------------

Describe your sound in For the purpose of? three adjectives.

We get so much love and appreciation from that band.

Melodic, classical in the sense ------------------------of medieval or baroque, winMusical influences? Who tery sounds. Also high-pitched. would you like to jam with? Light. I think it all stems from playing the violin.

Lots of music from the 70’s. 70’s ------------------------folk from the UK, prog rock, If I gave you a bunch of the poppiest of Yes, Genesis money and told you to do and King Crimson. I really like what you wanted with it, pop. Peter Gabriel, Kate Bush what’s your plan? is one of all my all time idols.

Paul Simon. I really like classic I would spend it on recording music. song-writing.

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------------------------I would probably buy home-recording equipment.

-------------------------

And do what with it?

I don’t really know….I am not really sure, actually. Maybe I would just put it on before I went to sleep or something like that.

-------------------------

What is your view of the Chinese music scene?

Where pré·cis • issue 9 • 3.2016

bands and I think it is a matter of time.

------------------------Favourite colour?

Green. It’s the world. I quite like purple as well, but Prince has taken that one I think?

Gold is nice too.

-------------------------

Why are you doing this?

Because I can not NOT do it.

I can’t not do it. I play music because I want to hear my songs. I am addicted to writing and playing music. Sometimes I think about music and nothing else. I would love to make money from music, it is everyone’s dream…..everyone wants to do something where they feel they are not wasting their time.

More info at: Facebook: Dan Taylor

is it going? What are the Now is the perfect time. It is so open now with the internet, challenges? Rewards?

I am still quite new here. I came at a good time for music. There is Temple Bar, DDC, Mao, Yugon, the scene around Gulou And there are all these bands that have been around for 7 or 8 years or more who kick-started the kids. Now there are so many young kids with guitars and bass and they really love music. I think it is going to keep getting better and better and better and better. pré·cis • issue 9 • 3.2016

people coming to Beijing. There is talk about a lot of venues closing down, but I think people look on the negatives rather than the positives with the Chinese music scene.

There has not been a band from China that has really opened up China. Nobody back home could name a Chinese band.

There needs to be a big Chinese band that just comes out of nowhere, young kids…..There are a number of great Chinese

Kat Tosi is a self proclaimed Punk Rock bitch who travels with impunity with in the circles of rock and /or roll to get the best information from which you should glean your listening tendencies from. She lives in a communist country with her loving husband, 2 cats and bird. She is also on record as being a noodle girl.

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Kat’s Review

Kat reviews the release

" Lets Fall In Love" from the Burlington, Vermont band:

DIRTWAR’s album appears to be a very long, never-ending tale about the pain of being in love. This is a perfect listen on Valentine’s Day when you are alone and mourning the idea of someone who is not there.

With solid percussion and decent guitar work, it makes for good listening.

I only hope the singer can find a new topic in the future so that we can experience all he has to give to the world he is struggling with. ~ Kat Dirtwar's "Lets Fall In Love" can be found here: https://www.reverbnation. com/dirtwar 75

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pré·cis • issue 9 • 3.2016

About the album: “Lets fall in love” is Dirtwars debut album released in 2010.

It is a bunch of heart on your sleeve love songs about being in and falling out of love. There will never be a time in our lives when we wont find ourselves either in love or falling out of it.

All of our albums are self produced and strive to achieve the marrow that is in us all, the very basic aspect of rhythm, melody, and songwriting.

Dirtwar bio: Dirtwar was formed in 2007

by Mike War, bass and vocals and Davey Dirt, percussion and vocals. We wrote a bunch of songs and decided to go play some shows. We invited our

pré·cis • issue 9 • 3.2016

haunting song smith and singer, Annie Costa, to join us because the stage is so much more when she is there with us. Gus plays Saxophone sometimes. He is our most gracious host and compatriot and we are lucky to get to record at his studio in Burlington, Vermont. LowTech studios, a place where some of the best underground and emerging acts in the Burlington music scene has recorded over the last 30 years.

road, the ever expanse of concrete and steel under the lights, with the lonestars while the rest of the good world is sleeping.

Whats left of us, settling about in the dust and gravel where the pavement meets the tall grass.

Dirtwar hopes to become a lounge act and play regular shows in a small dive with red velvet couches, mahogany walls, complimentary cigarettes and whiskey, and a small crowd dedicated to the night that only the bartender knows by name.

We dream about holding the

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poetry

by Khrystina Pryani Richardson

Sphere . . .to be a monk? you say.

Well, a Raven once told me never to lose my vanity,

What is Affordable I know about the search for soul.

Armed with fortitude I live for the storm.

Running on empty, immune to apathy.

Torrential and torrid.

Sloping mines shed by shadows and echoes.

Roaming vast and hollow spaces, seeking graces and beauty.

Armed with wit, the goddess proclaims, "Comes the bittersweet rain!" like truthful words unspoken: born of conflict that can never be touched by the hands of uncertainty.

and so, I refuse to shave my head.

But you, my dear,

Oh, dear Oh, dearThere's no floor.

you are on both sides.

How well can you float,

I respect and admire

love?

you and your shadow.

You charm me near, and then you bare your teeth

Can we chew the words on this paper?

Like bubble gum that will eventually pop in someone's hair.

and warn me to stay

You're the only one who

free and clear.

sees me

You can cause me pain, you say.

But I am not so timid, and I boast proudly that

cry when you leave the closet door open.

The boogy man threatens to eat me

when you and I collide

like a chocolate chip cookie.

we may create balance for

You offer him Brussel

I can cause you pleasure!

I bite back with a tenderness

sprouts, but like the rest of us, he declines. . .

You're in my socks and slip-

that may be your own.

pers.

Another turning,

I am buried in the nape of

and we are getting roundernever with the sin of satisfaction, but with the vulnerability

your neck, afraid but not ashamed.

The parts of me, so frail, are what make me,

and humility

as you say,

of human compassion.

"strong".

Knuckle-headed and soft like molding clay, the kind you can bake.

There is still hope for flowers

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For Bess Darling, i gave up writing so long ago It seemed there was no one left to write for And i was speaking a foreign tongue i never understood what he was saying because he stopped talking to me but you were always here so defined mirror, mirror despite our difference Resonance.

My good friend My sweet Bess never dusty You ALWAYS let me touch you "youz my woman now" i whisper to you but you always knew peel back my sanctuary and stroke

pré·cis • issue 9 • 3.2016

I Brought Much Water

I brought much water.

My hands were tired of holding onto nothing (For empty is so heavy).

I whispered to my tree something private And if she had told me I would have laughed.

Out of the deaths you were born in brilliant light.

Your sun kissed my face, tears forgotten in your sweetness.

My Poem My poem is my silence, which anything can fill.

The rise and fall of my chest breathing.

The steady rhythm of my heart beating.

The questions and wonders, the quivers and thunder.

Because, underneath my clothes, underneath my clothes, I am really. . .just a woman.

Nights in Egypt In my stillness. . .

You stir deep.

Your flame and mine combined.

It seemed so long in waiting, but I can see it was just an instant, really.

Never far, I remember the nights in Egypt you combed my hair.

Your scent always surrounded me.

I needed nothing but a gaze from you to understand existence.

You are the star of morning, ages ago and yet today.

Time has no meaning in your embrace.

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Air Quality.

What it means to you, & what you can do about it.

In the early days of my life, growing up on the beach in southern New Jersey, spending my college years on the Island of Oahu, Hawaii, and then tearing down the Ski Mountains of Vermont after that, I always took clean air for granted. Even in the New England snow country, where wood fired stoves are the norm, the thick haze that settles on the valleys were more of the stuff of a Norman Rockwell painting than something to be concerned about.

Fast Forward to 2012, and I found myself in Beijing, China, for what would be an extended stay. A place where outdoor events, personal schedules, business opening, and indeed even traveling by car or plane can depend on the Air Quality Index (AQI) on any certain day.

Reason being? There is some really toxic shit in the air.

---------------------------------------

So what is Air Pollution?

That is a tricky question. There are hundreds of pollutants in the air you breathe in major cities, and ancillary suburbs around them, but for the most part worldwide AQI detec79

This is an oversimplification on the breakdown of standard reported AQI on the most popular websites, and what they mean to you :

Ozone

(naturally occurring, but also an Oxidant gas caused by many Aerosols we use, causes respiratory illness)

Carbon Monoxide

(vehicle tailpipe emissions)

Nitrogen Dioxide

(caused by combustion engines and a partial cause of acid rain)

Sulfur Dioxide

(many sources including coal and oil production)

Particulate matter

(Measured by diameter.

PM10 or large particles, and PM2.5 smaller particles)

tors just measure the big five manmade and naturally occurring offenders. These are the five that most adversely affect your health.

HEALTH This is an oversimplification on the breakdown of standard reported AQI on the most popular websites, and what they mean to you : Ozone (Naturally occurring, but also an Oxidant gas caused by many Aerosols we use, causes respiratory illness) Carbon Monoxide (Vehicle tailpipe emissions) Nitrogen Dioxide (Caused by combustion engines and a partial cause of acid rain) Sulfur Dioxide (Many sources including coal and oil production) Particulate matter (Measured by diameter. PM10 or large particles, and PM2.5 smaller particles) Now, the first four, while not negligibly harmful, is what we all pretty much breathe in every day. It’s the cost of “doing business” in an industrial world.

Pa r t i c u - pré·cis • issue 9 • 3.2016

late matter, however, is not harmless stuff, and is the most worrisome of the five.

Particulate matter, both PM10 and PM 2.5 screws with your lungs. However the real culprit, is PM2.5. , This is a variety of the pollutants that evade most masks, stick to your lungs, and will, eventually kill you.

PM10 are the larger particles that will get caught by almost every cheap mask on the market.

PM2.5, however are only caught by a very select few of the masks out there. Industrial masks designed to protect employees from lung damage do the job, but of course they are bulky, expensive and well, make you look like a freak.

3M makes the M95, a paper consumer mask, the most popular and most effective facial filtration unit on the market in cities around the world where air pollution is a problem.

“Airborne particulate matter varies widely in its physical and chemical composition, source and particle size. PM10 particles (the fraction of particulates in air of very small size) and PM2.5 particles (even smaller) are of major current concern, as they are small enough to penetrate deep into the lungs and so potentially pose significant health risks. Larger particles meanwhile, are not readily inhaled, and are removed relatively efficiently from the air by sedimentation. The principal source of airborne PM10 and PM2.5 matter in European cities is road traffic emissions, particularly from diesel vehicles. The limit values are very often exceeded in European cities.”

Source: http://www.airqualitynow.eu/pollution_home.php ------------------------------------------pré·cis • issue 9 • 3.2016

Unfortu-

nately, it hasn’t really been until recently, say the last 5 years, that industrialized governments have taken the issue of daily intake of air pollutants (let’s just call it Smog, shall we?), and shifting industrial and travels pattern practices according to projected Air quality levels. Industrial Factory shutdowns, Flight cancellations, and allowable car regulations are helping, but not by much.

The national data (represented by the country shading) are from the 2014 Environmental Performance Index (EPI). Researchers led by Aaron van Donkelaar at Dalhousie University used satellite data to estimate ground-level exposures to fine particulate matter (PM2.5). These data indicate longer term exposures to PM2.5 and are based on a threeyear rolling average of data from The fact is that the always increasing 1998 to 2012.” human need for bigger, shinier, and faster will mean that factory pro- Source: http://www.who.int/phe/ duction of getting us our precious health_topics/outdoorair/databasdoo-hickey will continue to spew es/AAP_database_methods_2014. these toxins into the atmosphere, pdf?ua=1 faster than we can take them out.

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What it means to you.

What you can do about it.

On any given day, not only in China, Overall, there are a couple of things but globally, these toxins are respon- you can do about air quality. In your sible for deaths every day. environment, you can choose to drive less, you can bike, carpool, and take “In 2012, the World Health Organiza- public transportation. tion (WHO) estimates 7 million peo- In your home however there are realple died - one in eight deaths - due to ly only two things you can do. air pollution exposure.

City-level data (represented as points in the map) for around 1,600 cities in 91 countries from 2008 to 2013 are provided in the WHO's Ambient Air Pollution database. These values for cities generally represent annual averaged data from a single or multiple air monitoring stations.

Number one: Air Filters

In heavy pollution areas, you can get an air filtration system. To be clear, there are dozens of these filter units out there, but make sure you get those that support filters that are HEPA certified, because these are the only ones that count when filtering

Smart Air Cannon - http://www.smartairfilters.com

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As they say, Knowledge is power, and if you know that your air quality in the house or office is poor, you can at least do something about it.

Depending on where you live, the air quality is an absolute mess out there, and since the AQI outside your house or apartment surrounds said domicile, you must be wondering what the Air Quality is INSIDE your house.

This is one of those “double edge sword “types of deal. On one hand, you would like to know if the air in your home or office is clean for you and your family, on the other hand reading the fact that your lungs are absorbing toxins you thought were safely outside your window can become a bit of a downer.

out the crap, especially the PM2.5 We talked to a couple who decided to get three Smart Air Cannons (http:// www.smartairfilters.com) for a tryout when the AQI count got to 400 and above for over six days, triggering a “red alert” for Air Quality, closing schools, shutting some industries, and restricting travel.

was the most reasonably priced (470 RMB or $72 USD with one filter, with additional filters priced at 85 RMB 0r $13 USD)

Effectiveness:

Our interviewed couples pre-buy research indicated that the Cannon removed 96% of the PM2.5.

After setting up the filters in 3 rooms in their apartment over a 72 hour period, they were “Stunned by the amount of pollution and particulate matter pulled from the air”.

Aesthetics:

The Cannon has a low profile, modern feel, and easy setup, with a DIY feel. Our test couple was able to set up the unit in under 5 minutes.

Weighing in at under 5 pounds, portability from room to room is very easy.

Other, non-reviewed air filter links of interest: https://www.blueair.com/us https://www.hamiltonbeach. com/air-purifiers-trueair-air-purifier-04383.html ---------------------------------------

Number two: Air Quality Monitors

As they say, Knowledge is power, and if you know that your air quality in the house or office is poor, you can at least do something about it.

Depending on where you live, the air quality is an absolute mess out there, and since the AQI outside your house or apartment surrounds said domicile, you must be wondering what the Air Quality is INSIDE your house.

This is one of those “double edge sword “types of deal. On one hand, you would like to know if the air in your home or office is clean for you and your family, on the other hand reading the fact that your lungs are absorbing toxins you thought were safely outside your window can become a bit of a downer.

Here are a couple of options that we have seen in action:

AirVisual.com As a relatively new startup based in China, AirVisual started by utilizing a worldwide network of air quality monitors. Using these monitors as a base, they built a highly streamlined and modern web portal that is both easy to navigate and highly accurate in determining the air quality nearest you.

AirVisual Node - AirVisual.com

They made their purchase after doing their research, based on three factors: Price, Effectiveness, and Aesthetics.

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Price: The Smart Air Cannon

pré·cis • issue 9 • 3.2016

Starting on that foundation, they have developed a commercially available product utilizing both an indoor and outdoor air monitor that surpasses most on the market today. AirVisual’s unit standalone and portable unit features a modern interactive touch screen that can be brought with you wherever you go.

“AirVisual Node is a smart air quality monitor that displays immediate, accurate air quality data both indoors and out, to help you create healthier, more productive environments.

As the most precise consumer air quality monitor on the market, the Node displays real-time PM2.5 and CO2 levels by combining laser technology and artificial intelligence.

We designed the device to pack all the essentials you need to breathe healthy air.

The AirVisual Node was designed to medical-grade standards in order to be of special benefit to those who suffer from asthma, COPD, lung cancer and high blood pressure. Use the AirVisual Node to instantly see invisible threats in your air and understand where they come from. Take control to ensure you and your loved ones are breathing healthy air wherever you go. “ (From the AirVsual website).

Launched last year in Beijing, The Origins Laser Egg became an instant sensation with the expats, with its low cost, smart packaging and small profile.

“The Laser Egg has a small fan that pulls ambient air in through the back of the unit and pushes it out the front. In the middle, a laser beam cuts across this air current. As particles pass through the laser beam, the beam’s light is refracted. A sensor picks up the subtle changes, and information about the size and number of particles passing through is determined through a series of algorithms.” (From the Origins website)

Now after you have the air filtration system and the AQI Monitor of your choice, you see the shocking fact that on some days your home or office has air quality that is harmful to your house, it’s time to check the seals on your windows and doors.

You, however, probably are not a certified contractor, so it’s time to go find one.

Wherever you live, you may just want to think about what you are breathing.

If you are a smoker, make the http://origins-china.com/products/ decision to stop smoking indoors, or laseregg better yet, stop smoking altogether.

Other, non-reviewed links of interest: http://dylosproducts.com/ -----------------------------------

We don’t like to preach, especially because we smoke here in the office, but it’s probably better for your health anyway.

https://airvisual.com/

--------------------------The Laser Egg Origins Laser Egg - origins-china.com

Maple Refined

Tonewood l Mad River Valley, Vermont l 802-496-5512 l www.tonewoodmaple.com l pré·cis • issue 9 • 3.2016

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gigs.

Secret Club, Click#15, Miss Mix, Bastards of Imperialism @ School, Beijing 1.08.2016

Local promoters Qingchun Zhizao have booked a fresh night of music at School Bar featuring 4 bands of different genres across the Beijing music scene. Secret Club represent local label D.O.G. will play their brand of happygo-lucky Britpop rock n' roll, the Ricky Sixx led trio Click#15 will engulf your senses with a mix of jazz/funk/R&B/rock, female rockers and Beijing mainstays Miss Mix will entertain, and political pranksters Bastards of Imperialism will lure you in and eat you alive with their catchy punk rock tunes. Sure to be a fun night of rock n' roll and good times!

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gigs.

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images.

THAILAND

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gigs.

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86

Mykel's Post MRR

per.spec. tive.

by Mykel Board

Column no. 30: Mykel Through The Looking Glass Le Sigh..

For good or ill, Facebook has changed our world forever. I could write 30 pages on what’s wrong with that and still not scratch the surface, but that is for another day.

One Positive however is being able to meet and communicate with people across the globe.

I actually did meet Mykel at a gig we played at CBGB’s in the late In my formative years I decid- 80’s. I vaguely remember fawning ed that I wanted to be in a band over him and his writing. after listening to Keith moon’s drumming for the first time. I was Anyway, now that the internet has brought up in a household that reconnected us, I have asked him only listened to classical music, the honor of reposting his current and the Who embodied all of the work, and Mykel has graciously rebellious rage that was in vogue agreed. at the time.

Just an FYI.. His writing is not for It was around this period that I everyone. It involves imagery and found my first issue of Maximum language only suited for those Rock and Roll, and more impor- who can take it. {Snorts laughingtantly the writings of Mykel Board. ly} .. But it harks back to a time The magazine not only spawned long ago, when reading was done my interest in the undergrounds on paper, and you had to actually band movement, but also started pick up a stationary phone to call my love for ‘zines. people and meet for drinks..

Time travel back to the present day, where the internet has trans- I miss those times. formed human society into a bunch of mindless ten second at- ~Stech tention span media sycophants…

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There is no sky in New York. In normal places, if you want to know the weather, you look out the window.... see clouds... blowing trees boughs... a blue... grey... or rumbling black sky. There is frost on the window... or raindrops... or a glare of bright sun. Your hand through an open window will tell you the temperature. New York doesn't work like that.

There is no sky in New York. Our view from the window is another window... a set of windows... if we're lucky, a sidewalk and street.

Maybe I can match what other people are wearing. Heavy coats?

Shorts? Windbreakers? Are they carrying umbrellas? How did they know what to wear? Did they look out the window and see what others were wearing? And before them... those who they saw... did THEY look out the window and match what they saw? And back and back. Who was the first? Will I be dressing for last week's weather? Last month's?

Maybe they checked the Internet.

That's what I'm gonna do.... weather dot com. I need a screen, a sheet of e-glass between me and the pré·cis • issue 9 • 3.2016

information. Then, I'll know.

While I'm on the computer anyway, I.M.A.W.C.F.B. (I Might As Well Check Facebook). What the fuck?

NAÏVE is gonna be playing in Brooklyn. Yes, that NAÏVE! The best thing to come out of Russia since Vodka.

SWITCH BLADE KNAIF on Maximum Rock'n'Roll Records... the answer to How Much Punk Rock Do You Hear in Russia?

Click here to see the video

Naïve is one of those bands I've never seen, and never imagined I could see.

I first heard about them when Max, the bass player at the time, stayed on my couch with Olga. They were pimping Moscow Rock Laboratories, a Russian organization promoting Russian Rock... mostly punkrock. Max is no longer in the band, but I think he's organizing their US tour.

P.M.O.T.G.L.P.O. (Put Me On The Guest List Plus One) I text to him.

Wow, 25 years later, I'm gonna see NAÏVE! Yowsah! After that, I check my various pages, see what Sid Yiddish is up to, then...

While I'm on the computer anyway, I.M.A.W.J.O. (I Might As Well Jerk Off) so it's off to xhamster.com to try the always futile Asian Bisexual search.

As usual, there are only a couple girlgirl-boy videos... nothing else. I don't get it. Isn't Asia all about the middle path? Being centered? How come they're so prissy that they only do all het or all homo... nothing in the middle? These are the folks who invented bukkake, for G-d's sake! And they can't stuff a twat while sucking a stiffy?

I settle for The Germans... they'll do anything. I watch through the screen as two young guys diddle a girl with equine teeth and a feline body. They also diddle each other... After I wipe up and zip up, I leave for work... teaching Orientals how to speak English. I wish there were something else I could teach 'em... I'd get fired.

As I walk the short distance from pré·cis • issue 9 • 3.2016 my apart-

ment building to the subway, I consider what just passed in my life. I checked the weather. Found out and (I hope) reserved a place at a punk show, had a bisexual orgasm, all the while not getting up from my chair in front of my computer. Isn't that convenient... and sick? I didn't interact with another human being. I heard no voice, touched no skin, saw no familiar faces... J.A.F.W.O.I.B.G. (Just A

Fake World Of Initials Behind Glass).

There's something wrong there.

On the subway, I look around me and see the commuters. Suited businessmen... bearded hipsters... colored people, mostly dressed to clean up someone else's mess. A couple of them-- in ties-- probably work at banks... as tellers. They tell their friends “I'm a banker.” 88

A few Orientals... Chinese.. carry big plastic shopping bags. The whole multi-colored crew of them are looking at their smart phones, tapping on the glass screens.

A girl in the corner, by the door... thumbs flailing... sneers as she presses ever harder on the iPhone glass. A colored guy, huge headphones connected to his iSomething, taps his feet to the hip hop blasting so loud into his ears that I can hear it at the other end of the car. Sitting next to me, a hipster in headphones... who I expect is also Spotifying... tries to line up three matching candybars. W.T.F? FLASH AHEAD TWO WEEKS: I take the subway to Brooklyn... Bedford Street... first stop in the world's hipsterist borough. Climbing out of the subway... 6th Street exit...,I see this white guy... with no beard... no facial hair at all. This is Brooklyn! And there's a white guy with no facial hair.

(No, he's not 12 years old.)

We walk in the same direction, I keep slightly behind the guy to see if we're going to the same place. We are. It's the Music Hall of Williamsburg... there are a ton of people outside... very few beards... even on the men.

There are big people... big blond people... tons of them. Mostly in their 30s and 40s. They're fashionably dressed. Girls with tight things that show off the good parts. Guys with long smooth coats... cashmere or something else expensive... as clean as a post-bidet asshole. This is a punk show?

I wait on the guestlist line... the only person not speaking a language with backward R's... and H's that mean N's. The guestlist window is also the regular ticket window, where people are paying $80 a pop! $80???? I've never paid that much to see any concert... ever!

“I'm on the guestlist,” I tell the attractive blond guy at the ticket window.

“Lucky too, 'cause admission would be three day's rent.”

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He laughs like he knows what I'm talking about. Then checks the guest list. I'm not on it.

“Wait just a minute,” he says, “I'll call Natasha and check.”

She's got a twat like a bear trap... able to do muscle tricks I never saw or felt before. And me? I was Mr. Stud, that night... Gave her an orgasm... a meteor shower of an orgasm... a screaming-wake-the-neighHe pushes some numbers on his iP- bors orgasm... the kind you write hone. Outside the club, a thin blond home about (to Bro , not Mom or girl, wearing a fake leopard skin coat, Dad). Hooey! answers her cellphone.

Well, here she is again, the faint glow “Hold on,” she says, “I'll call Igor and of her iPhone showing blue on her check.” somewhat fallen face... 35 years can do that.

“Are you talking to that girl?” I ask the guy behind the glass.

The band is on stage and she's on facebook or some shit. Thumbs He nods. thwacking the screen. Not even using the phone to video the band... but igI walk over to her... tap her on the noring the band, probably to tell her shoulder. friends she's out in Brooklyn seeing the band.

“Hi,” I say. “My name's Mykel. Max, he's the tour manager... I think... used “Katja!” I shout to her over the music. to play bass for Naïve... put me on the guest list.”

She looks up. Gives me a squint... then a hint of recognition.

She looks at me... taps her cellphone some more. The guy behind the window about three feet away answers his cellphone.

“He's okay,” she says. I thank her, walk back to the window, pick up my ticket... and explain that my friend Topher will be coming later for the Plus One. He taps Topher's name into his cellphone and waves me on.

pré·cis The international magazine.

Focusing on life. In all form.

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Upstairs inside the club is the V.I.P. (Vacuous Insipid People) lounge. Everyone is sitting at tables’ texting to someone else... probably someone sitting next to them. I go downstairs where there are no tables.

Still, there are too many faces bathed in that unearthly iPhone light. But wait a second... I know that one.

Yes, it's her! Katja! I met her at CBGB in the 80s. She said she was studying to be an actress. I don't go to movies so I don't know if she ever made it.

I do know we went home together...

pré·cis • issue 9 • 3.2016

“Mykel?” she says, “it's been awhile.

Great show isn't it?”

I can't resist asking: “How could you know? You're looking at your Apple or your Android or your Microsoft.

There's a show... there!” I point to the stage.

beer for himself, Topher and me... three bottles. I don't catch the brand name, but the glass is brown and beer slightly IPA tasting... not Bud Lite.

Topher slumps, head resting on his arms... outstretched on the bar... near dead... or so it looks. Andrei raises a hand to catch the bartendress’s eye.

“I know,” she says. “I'm talking with my boyfriend about it right now...

Facebook chat.”

“Kai hap tree maw beeeerz?” he asks.

“Sorry,” says the bartendress, a busty brunette with more cleavage than the ten commandment tablets, “I don't speak Russian.”

“Don't you remember our time together?” I ask her. “That was real!

Not through a screen, but face to face... skin to skin... You had the orga... experience to top all others!”

With great effort, I lift my head to meet her eyes. “I shink 'e wantsh tree maw boddles za beer.” I translate.

“Best acting job of my life,” she says.

It feels like a punch.

“And speaking of Microsoft,” she continues, “how's your penis?”

I feel a tap on my back... an arm around my chest... Uh oh, someone who doesn't like me, found me...

Nope, it's TOPHER, and his real live Russian pal ANDREI. Andrei?

“Did you pay EIGHTY DOLLARS to see this show?” I ask him.

He nods.

“I grew up with Naïve,” he says. “I couldn't miss this chance.”

Andrei disappears and returns with

pré·cis • issue 9 • 3.2016

When the next band comes on.. It’s a letdown. Some brooding electronic crap that just lacks real punk power.

Topher, Andrei and I head downstairs.

We're all plastered.

It is the greatest show I've seen all year. The crowd singing along... Andrei knows every word to every song.

They're all pogoing to the music... a direct experience... no glass... only Katja, still at the side... still texting... still missing the fun. It's a long set.

After every three or so songs, Andrei disappears for a few seconds... only to return with another trio of beers.

Everything's in Russian. Everyone except Topher and me is Russian! The singer wears a black and white suit halfway between jail and circus. The drummer looks like Johnny Thunders.

The band can carry on... and it does.

She brings the beer, setting one bottle in front of each of us. Topher's head, resting on his arm... with a thin trail of drool leading from his mouth to the bartop... looks large and distorted-- lightbulb shaped-- through the brown glass of my beer bottle.

“W.C.G.A.F.L.T.G! (We Can't Get Away From Looking Through Glass),” I shout! It's the last thing I remember.

--------------------------Mykels wrtitings on his decidedly compuserve era website ;) can be found here: http://192.185.16.227/~seidbd/ Homepage/main.html

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94

remembrance Alfred C. "Doctor Tuna" Snider Under his stewardship, the university’s debating team attacked questions that could range from whether the United Nations should offer bounties for capturing Somali pirates to whether women’s sports should be guaranteed as much television time as men’s.

Alfred C. Snider, a scholar, rhetorician and evangelist who sought to heal the world through debate — and who in the process turned bucolic Vermont into the argumentative center of the world — died Friday, December 11, 2015, in Burlington, Vt. He was 65.

His death, from complications of pneumonia, was announced by the University of Vermont, where he was the Edwin W. Lawrence professor of forensics and the longtime director of the university’s debating team.

Considered one of the foremost debating teachers of his era, Professor Snider — known for his florid shirts, ardor for argument and the enigmatic nickname “Tuna” — was renowned worldwide as a convener, coach and judge of debating competitions and workshops.

At stake for young debaters, he often said, was the chance to advance academically, to improve communication skills and above all to attain cross-cultural understanding.

“My agenda is to fight back the darkness by trying to bring the light of human reason,” Professor Snider told the Burlington publication Seven Days in 2004. “I want to replace weapons with words. I want every citizen to be a debater.”

At Vermont, Professor Snider taught legions of students to argue through courses like Persuasion, Presidential Campaign Rhetoric and the Rhetoric of Reggae Music. Many became lawyers, or debate coaches themselves.

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In 2011, the Vermont team was ranked No. 7 in the world by the International Debate Education Association, ahead of Harvard, Stanford and McGill Universities and the London School of Economics.

The team is currently ranked 15th.

Professor Snider was concerned in particular with endowing citizens of fledgling democracies with all the nonviolent weapons in the debater’s arsenal.

In 1982, he established what is now the World Debate Institute, which has brought international students, teachers and coaches to Vermont for an annual summer boot camp.

He traveled to scores of countries — among them Qatar, Serbia, Afghanistan, Iraq, Botswana and a spate of former Soviet republics — training debaters and organizing contests in the art of what he called “constructive disagreement.”

in a 2007 lecture.

Then, in seventh grade, he stumbled onto his school debating team and found his vociferous calling. He competed through high school and was a nationally ranked debater at Brown, where he majored in Asian civilization and minored in communication.

He earned a master’s degree in rhetoric and public address from Emerson College and a Ph.D. in communications from the University of Kansas, and joined the Vermont faculty in 1982. He was a longtime resident of Burlington.

Professor Snider’s first marriage, to Sally Jane Zitzmann, ended in divorce. His survivors include his second wife, Bojana Skrt, a debate teacher from Slovenia; a sister, Janet Hermanaeu; a daughter from his first marriage, Sarah Snider Green; and two grandchildren.

His books include “Voices in the Sky: Radio Debates” (2005), “The Code of the Debater: Introduction to Policy Debating” (2008) and “Sparking the Debate: How to Create a Debate Program” (2014).

“I like to take debate where it’s not,” Professor Snider said in the Seven Days interview. “Yeah, I’ve lectured at Oxford and Cambridge, but I don’t really feel they need me to tell them that debate’s cool and they should do it. They’re all set. But I do like to go to Serbia, Chile and Mongolia. My favorite countries are dictatorships in the process of falling, or where they recently got out of a long period of authoritarian rule.”

Over the years, Professor Snider was often asked how he came by the nickname Tuna. The story was simple: It was bestowed on him by a boyhood friend, who thought he resembled a Chicago mobster known as the Big Tuna.

Alfred Charles Snider III was born in Pasadena, Calif., on Oct. 28, 1950, the son of Alfred Charles Snider Jr., a butcher, and the former Marguerite Dillard, a homemaker.

A video rememberance can be found here:

Long afterward, Professor Snider described himself as having been an intellectually curious but chronically undisciplined student. “I was always talking when I wasn’t supposed to,” he recalled

If pressed, Professor Snider would reveal the nickname’s origin. Much of the time, however, he preferred to let it linger tantalizingly in the air as a subject for debate.

https://vimeo.com/153986335

This obituary was initially published in the New York Times

By Margalit Fox, Dec. 16, 2015 pré·cis • issue 9 • 3.2016

lecture properly. This is how he cared like his son. Till now, I connect these dots when I am alone.

His personal philosophy was, “Replacing weapon with Words”. This understanding is really important in today’s world. Debating is the way, enables everyone to add some positive contribution to their country and generation.

Tuna & a Tiny

I can't be grateful enough for his contribution to my life. It is the time for the entire generation to bate Academy 2013 to Beihang carry-out his goal.

World Debate Academy 2015 China, this person had continuously The best quote I got from him cared me. Sometimes, I felt he ad- was, "The future is too vast for opted me like his son. us not to meet each other again.'

Though I am a university student, I look like a school boy. In most of the time of my school and college life, I felt inferiority complex.

I was rusticated from my college in 2009. These events, ruined my entire motivation. On that time, In 2015’s Beihang World Debate I thought, I don’t deserve value Academy I discovered a new diand recognition, I am not worth mension of his character. of anything.

In Day 1, I was assigned to room To develop myself as a new one, 203 , but mistakenly I went to I needed to do something in my room 302 (which was assigned for university life. I started debating Tuna’s lecture) and started giving from the very 1st year. Once, I had lecture. After 5 min, Tuna came only the self-centered purpose, to the room & simply got furiwhich is changing myself, and cre- ous seeing me. He shouted like ating a brand value of myself. But, my parents, to go to my room. I a good habit, can not only change went to my assigned room with a a person, rather the whole world pale face. I was supposed to end - I got this philosophy from the my lecture by 3:00pm. As I startGreat person Alfred Snider. ed it later, I finished my lecture at 3:08pm.

In December 2013 my life got its turning point at Asia Debate Tuna scolded me for the 2nd Academy where I met him. On time. The first day with him, was that time he was about 63, I was really, really bad. I was a faculty his one third (21). I never felt any there, but he didn’t even bother age gap between us. Sometimes, me to scold. But in the 2nd last I felt that, I am elder than him. I day, when I was giving a lecture personally learnt, how to give val- about “Using Commonsense in ue to others. It is a life-long learn- Logic & Decision Making”- Tuna ing for me. He motivated me to attended my lecture like a particbe a speaker and motivator. From ipants. Moreover he graced me Asia De- additional 25 min to finish my pré·cis • issue 9 • 3.2016

But, he is now too far to meet us.

I can't believe the world debating community lost its Guardian I am grateful to this Great Person!!!

Rest in Peace!!!

Now it is our turn !!!

Mashahed Hassan Simanta

Youngest Professional Trainer & Speaker of Bangladesh.

Faculty Asia Debate Academy 2013 & BWDA 2015.

Ex-President: IBA-JU Debating Club Won 100+ awards in Bangladesh & conducted 50+ Training.

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remembrance (Perhaps it is called the 0-4 but still around and smiling Surrounded in a theatre award?) this morning by over 120 debate kids, I thought "I My style of organizing things am with my people." needs a bit of diplomatic tuning. I am very used to getting I am very tired but very things done on your behalf satisfied. and you understanding me.

And the need to get things There are two awards go- done and not fart around. ing out on your behalf: one Others might not underis the Positivity Award and stand my "GET IT DONE, ON the other is the best new TIME AND RIGHT" so well as team (first debaters) award. you do.

Alfred C. "Doctor Tuna" Snider

by Kat Tosi

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pré·cis • issue 9 • 3.2016

All rounds went as fine as could be expected. The kids were happy. We had two dudes from Harvard Urban Debate Mentors fly in for this. The abstract sound guy from France (one of my year 10 students) started playing ambient music in the theatre where people were prepping. How did he know to do that?

Nobody cried, nobody got lost, nobody got hurt. Lots of kids made new friends.

And maybe some transformative moments were had.

The idea that dorks are cool.

The idea that justice is real.

The idea that words are weapons. Be careful how you use them.

I wish I could look across the room and see you there.

Or watch you play your airplane game online. Or get you some water. Or discuss the plot line of Brazil (the movie). Or have a major exchange of ideas. Or encourage you. Or talk about music.

Or carry pré·cis • issue 9 • 3.2016

your bag. Or anything you need, anytime, anywhere, So I did what I do. And have done for over 20 years. anyplace forever.

I have spent 100's of hours setting this tournament in motion. The last chat I sent you said, "Tuna, I don't think I am a really great judge."

And you wrote back and said, "You are the person that makes it possible for all of us to do what we do. " Oh my goodness, oh my Jah. Oh my Jimi. Most of the kids there were so young.

So short. So eager. So awesome. So small. So great to get a chance to meet their herd.

They are super-heroes.

I am sure you were there.

Because I know you were.

Trying to sort out logistics was testing my patience.

Worse than room 202 and room 202 this summer. I have some great stories for you. Ask me about rogue busses.

Come drop by.

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remembrance Lemmy kilmister A rememberance by Mike Dubose photos: public use from the web

table, unmistakable voice of Ian “Lemmy” Kilmister, “Yeah, who’s there?” “Hi Lemmy, it’s Brent. I have a friend with me who didn’t believe you lived here.

You’ve spoken in passing at The Rainbow, I think you two would get along great!”

“OK, come on up.” The glass entry door buzzed open, we walked up a flight of stairs and Brent knocked at a second floor apartment. The door opened and standing in front of me, clad only in a pair of short denim cutoffs, was one of my longtime heroes, Motörhead frontman Lemmy Kilmister.

“Hey Brent!” he said as the two shook hands. He peered at me. “Oh yeah, I’ve talked to you before a few times at The Rainbow” he said warmly. “You’re Slasher’s friend!” He asked me my name again and said “Nice to properly meet you, Mike” shook my hand and said “come on in!”

My friendship with Lemmy Kilmister began in the summer of 2002. I was dating a fellow singer-songwriter and touring with her as an opening act. When we first got together 4 months prior, she lived in Nashville. A month later, she bought a house in Burbank and I tagged alone. Love trumps spending way too much of my and our life in a city that I still refer to as “Hell-A.”

suming apartment complex a few blocks from LA’s famed Rainbow Bar and Grill, Brent gestured to a second-floor window that sported a Motörhead decal and said, “Guess who lives there.”

Spending the majority of my time off of the road in that miasma of plastic people, amoral record labels and the creators of TV shows designed to keep the American public stupid and compliant was about to become much more bearable. On the aforementioned day, my friend Brent, an A-list LA session drummer and I were cruising down Sunset Boulevard listening to a live recording that our sound engineer made of one of my last shows of the current leg of our US tour. We were simultaneously looking for a place to grab a reasonably priced drink and a bite to eat. As we passed a modest, unas-

“Bullshit” I responded. Lemmy doesn’t live there.”

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“I dunno, a fellow Motörhead fan?”

“You could say that. That’s Lemmy’s living-room window.”

Brent eased his SUV into a parking space right outside the complex, killed the engine, handed me the CDR of the board recording we were critiquing along with my backpack and opened the car door. I asked why we were stopping. “You don’t believe me? Watch. I’ll prove it to you.”

I shrugged, put my CD back into my bag and followed him to the glass door that opened into a courtyard. He pressed a button on the intercom and waited. After about 30 seconds I heard the inimi-

We stepped inside and I surveyed the surroundings: A cluttered living room with random ephemera covering every flat surface, with at least 20 Nazi daggers hanging on the wall. I’ve never been the type of person to get “star struck,” and I wasn’t, but this was beyond surreal. I had been a huge Motörhead fan since I was 10 in 1987 and discovered them and Lemmy via reading an interview with Metallica’s James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich. After reading the interview, I immediately picked up “Overkill” and “Ace Of Spades” from a record store. I remember how both records opening tracks; the double-kick and distorted bass of “Overkill” and the kamikaze riff of “Ace Of Spades” knocked my fucking head off.

I was (and still am) a huge Metallica fan, but I’d finally found a band that could give them a run for their money. I started reading more about Motörhead. Lemmy’s “born to lose, live to win” tattoo became a mantra and a battle cry for me – an alienated, smart kid born with cerebral palsy who had found salvation in rock and roll: particularly in bands like “Appetite For Destruction”-era Guns N’ Roses, Metallica, AC/DC and Motörhead. “Born to lose, live to win” fit me like a glove. I was born 3 months premature on 2-261977. I wasn’t supposed to live. I did. At 2, I was diagnosed pré·cis • issue 9 • 3.2016

with mild cerebral palsy but in the following 9 months demonstrated “an extremely high intelligence level.” CP altered my gait pattern and messed with my fine-motor coordination. That didn’t matter to the other kids in school until the third grade. I’d been one of the gang until September of 1985, after which most people saw me as “different” and a few losers started bullying me. My reaction was “what the hell is the matter with you?” I knew that nothing had changed about ME during the summer between 2nd and 3rd grade, yet all of

him in Rolling Stone. He said that when he was a teenager, “Lemmy made it OK to be an outsider.” That quote was just as applicable to me as a 5th grader in 1987, 15 years before I first met Lemm, as it was to a high-school-aged Kirk in the late 70s. The bullies tried to grind me down.

I fought back with words and reduced them to tears. The realization at all of nine years old that I would never be part of the “in” crowd was not devastating, it was liberating. I could just be me and if people shunned me for it, fuck ‘em: it was their loss. I didn’t care what cliques

cerebral palsy and that 20-odd years of walking with this limp had destroyed both patella tendons in my knees, leaving me with incurable chronic pain that could only be treated with large doses of opiate-based painkillers. “Is it dangerous for you to drink on those?” he asked. “I know my limits,” I said. “I’ll be fine.”

“Alright, then, do you want some Jack Daniel’s and Coke?” “That sounds fantastic.” Brent also said yes to Lemmy’s offer The two of them went into his kitchen, which looked as if it hadn’t been cleaned in all of my then-25 years on the planet

a sudden the majority of my peers saw me as an outcast and some of them harassed me verbally and/or physically.

What the hell happened to them? That was when I started gravitating away from The Beatles records I’d been listening to since I was 4 and toward bands like the aforementioned AC/DC, Metallica, Aerosmith, The Sex Pistols, early Mötley Crûe and when I was 10, Guns N’ Roses and Motörhead.

implied what was “cool” to wear or listen to. I wore and listened to stuff that I considered cool, which since I was 9 has been jeans and a T-shirt and I listened to everything from Leonard Cohen to John Coltrane to Steve Earle to Pantera.

and Lemmy returned with 2 cans of Coke, a rocks glass and an unopened fifth of Jack Daniel’s bourbon and set them down on the table in front of me. I cracked open the bottle, took a swig straight from it and made myself a strong Jack and Coke. I figured that the Jack was for all three of us. Then I saw Brent and Lemmy come back from the kitchen. Brent had a cold six-pack of coke and 2 more rocks glasses. Lemmy followed him with 2 more unopened bottles of Jack Daniel’s and a pint glass filled with ice. “I forgot to ask if you wanted ice in your drink,” said Lemm. “Nah, if the mixer is cold I prefer it straight, but thanks for asking.”

“Well I brought a continued on page 101 makeshift 100

The more I learned about Lemmy, the more I embraced the fact that I too was born to lose, but I fucking lived to win.

After Lemmy died, Metallica’s Kirk Hammett wrote pré·cis • issue 9 • 3.2016 a tribute to

As I sat on an overstuffed chair in Lemmy’s dark, cool and cluttered apartment, smoking a cigarette, his voice snapped me away from my reminiscence of things past. “Hey Mike, if you don’t mind me asking, why do you walk with that limp?”

I laughed and said that when it came to my disability, I preferred it when people asked me questions straightaway instead of nervously making hints for fear of offending me. I told him that I was born with

remembrance Lemmy kilmister ice bucket for Brent and me then,” he replied, pointing at the pint glass.

He jerked a thumb towards the DVD player under his big screen TV. “Put it on.”

They sat down on the sofa. Lemmy nonchalantly handed Brent an unopened fifth of Jack and took the other for himself, as if he were handing out bottles of beer. I chuckled. I’d heard stories of Lemmy’s mythic alcohol consumption, but I didn’t think he expected normal people to keep up with him. “Thanks for the bottle of Jack,” I said, “but I’m not gonna be able to drink all of it today.” “I hope not, kid,” he replied. Take whatever you don’t drink with you when you leave.”

He and Brent poured drinks, the 3 of us said cheers and clinked glasses and my friendship with Lemmy was born.

Suddenly I was paralyzed by a brief and intense bout of insecurity: I couldn’t play my stuff to Lemmy. He was...Lemmy!

After making us homemade chips (he emphatically but kindly corrected me when I told him how much I loved his “fries”) and talking about music and mutual acquaintances for a couple of hours, Brent said he had some errands to run and that he needed to take off. Lemmy asked me if I had to go as well. I told him I had the rest of the afternoon and evening free but that I had to go home at some point. “I’d give you a lift, but I don’t drive,” said Lemm. “I don’t either, and even if I did I wouldn’t trust myself behind the wheel. It’s cool, I can call my girlfriend and if she can’t come get me I’ll grab a cab.”

Lemmy asked me what kind of music I played. I gave him the same description I’d given everyone else who asked me that question for years, a description I’d stolen from him: “I play rock and roll, “ I said.

“Do you have anything I can hear?” he asked.

The combination of his hospitality and a fair amount of booze had me feeling pretty confident.

“Just a mixing board CD from our show a few weeks ago.”

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you sucked, I would say so, as politely as possible. So, yeah, I really like them.

Are you playing any gigs in town in the next couple of weeks?”

“I dunno, it’s pretty lo-fi,” I said, in a desperate attempt to get out of playing my songs for Lemm. Even though I’d been acquainted with him for all of 135 minutes, I knew my ploy was not gonna fly.

“Oh for fuck’s sake man, go on and play the fucking thing!”

I opened the DVD player, returned a Law and Order disc to its case, put my board CDR in the tray, took a deep breath and pressed play.

Crowd noise and guitar feedback came blasting out of Lemmy’s TV speakers.

He turned it down slightly and listened intently as we kicked into “Unsigned Valentine” the first song of our set.

“The mix is kind of off” I said.

“Chill out and let me listen.”

So I shut up, sipped my drink and lit another cigarette. He listened to the first 3 songs in their entirety and then paused the CD. “You wrote all these?” he asked. I nodded. “They’re pretty good, I like ‘em!”

“Really? You’re not just saying that?”

“Kid, I tell people the truth. If I thought

“Yeah, a show at the Pantages Theater in 10 days or so, then we head to Europe for 2 months.”

“I’ll be there.”

“I’ll put you on the list.”

“Fuck that. I’m paying.”

“Nah, I wanna give you a backstage pass and if you pay cover, that’s gonna be rather difficult.”

“OK, fine. I really appreciate that, Mike.

Thank you.”

Lemm came to the show and really enjoyed our entire performance. He made intelligent, kind and funny observations about every song in the set. After that, he ceased being “Lemmy from Motörhead” and instead was just my good friend Lemmy. Whenever we were off the road, or when our paths happened to cross when we were in the same cities while we were both on our separate tours, we would get together, sometimes with friends or my girlfriend, but we pré·cis • issue 9 • 3.2016

spent quite a bit of time alone at his apartment or his second home, the Rainbow Bar and Grill, talking about everything from sex and romances past and present to world history. I learned more

about World War I and World War II from Lemmy than I did in high school and college combined. He and I were autodidacts, people that teach themselves. He could have taught university-level classes on pre and post WWII Germany, the history of rock and roll, the entire arsenal of The Axis powers, psychedelic drugs and the hypocrisy of organized religion.

He had shelves of books on the American Civil War, World War I and World War II, Hitler and the Third Reich’s rise to power along with works by authors such as George Orwell, P.G. Wodehouse, Hunter S. Thompson, Hemingway, Graham Greene, Christopher Hitchens and Spike Gillespie (this is just a small sampling of his vast and diverse library). He loved Monty Python, Family Guy, the Scottish comedian Billy Connolly and the original Law and Order.

We shared a love of all kinds of books, music and pré·cis • issue 9 • 3.2016 movies and

a loathing for theism and organized religion. We spent hours and hours criticizing and skewering religion and the power it holds over the poor and the ignorant.

He introduced me to the legendary British humorist Spike Gillespie and I turned him on to the cult American comedian Bill Hicks.

Although Lemm is considered by many to be the “godfather” of thrash and speed metal, it was a title that he was reluctant to accept. He didn’t want himself or Motörhead to be pigeonholed.

During his time off from Motörhead, he played in a rockabilly trio called The Head Cat, consisting of himself on vocals and distorted bass, Stray Cats drummer Slim Jim Phantom and Austin guitarist Danny B. Harvey, who, before he moved to LA, played lead guitar with me in a number of hastily-assembled bands I put together for my off-tour hometown shows, before I formed Mike Dubose and The Dissidents in 2006. Danny didn’t know that Lemmy and I were friends. I had no clue that Danny was the lead guitarist in The Head Cat. Needless to say, it was quite a pleasant shock for both of us when I showed up to a Head Cat performance in LA as one of Lemm’s guests. Danny and I almost literally ran into each other in the backstage hallway and simultaneously asked one another “what the fuck are YOU doing here?” Lemm simply laughed when informed of this unbelievable coincidence and said that he wasn’t surprised.

Of course he wasn’t surprised. Nothing seemed to shock or faze Lemmy. He got to see The Beatles play Liverpool’s famous Cavern Club before they had a record deal. When he told me that bit of

personal trivia, I jokingly said “You bastard. How’d you swing that?”

He smiled and said “right place, right time.”

We both loved The Beatles and agreed about the public’s misconception: that the Beatles were the hippy-dippy sissies and the Stones were the tough guys.

In reality, the Beatles grew up working class or lower-middle class in the rough and tumble British port city of Liverpool, while The Stones met in suburban London in Art College.

He punctuated our shared point with an anecdote about an incident at one of The Beatles early shows at The Cavern. Between songs, a drunken audience member shouted, “John Lennon’s a poof!”

“Who said that?” snarled a surly Lennon.

“I did,” replied the inebriated heckler.

According to Lem, John Lennon calmly took off his guitar, removed his glasses, walked up to the drunk guy and punched him square in the face (or as Lemmy put it, “gave the arsehole the old Liverpool Kiss!”) John then returned to the stage and said “Anyone else wanna shout some bollocks?” The crowd was silent for a moment and then they cheered.

Lennon put his glasses back on, picked up his guitar and the show continued like nothing had happened.

Lemmy roadied for Jimi Hendrix in London He joined the acid-rock band Hawkwind in August 1971 as a bassist and vocalist despite having zero previous experience on bass. He was a self-taught guitarist and it was in Hawkwind that his trademark, inimitable bass sound and style began: a distorted mixture that veered between strummed chords that resembled rhythm guitar on steroids and melodic bass lines, but never adhered to either. He sang lead vocals on their biggest hit, 1972’s “Silver Machine.”

After he was fired from Hawkwind in 1975 Lemmy took revenge on his former band mates in 2 ways. He “fucked 3 of their girlfriends” and formed his own band, Bastard, influenced primari- 102

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ly by the seething overdriven rage of Detroit proto-punk band the MC5 and the flamboyant, melodic primal blues of Little Richard. After being told that a band called “Bastard” would never make it on radio or Top Of The Pops, he changed the nascent group’s name to Motörhead, the title of the last song he wrote while in Hawkwind. Lemmy tried to teach Sid Vicious how to play bass, but didn’t succeed. When I asked Lem why the lessons didn’t take, he replied, “Sid was more interested in “acting like a ‘punk rocker’ and taking smack than playing music.”

Lemm enjoyed amphetamines, cigarettes and booze to his dying day but never glamorized drug use. He took life’s ups and downs with smiles, smirks, a dark sense of humor, the occasional snarl and when things were at their darkest, a long sigh and a wistful “What are you gonna do…do ya know what I mean?”

With his 6 foot-plus frame, jackboots, muttonchops and cavalry hat, visually Lemmy could come off as intimidating or even frightening, but that was completely unintentional. Lemm simply enjoyed dressing in a style that he crafted for himself, blending sartorial elements 103 of military chic, fifties rockabilly

and biker styles. It certainly wasn’t any contrived attempt to come off as a hard man. Sure, he was tough as nails and didn’t take shit from anybody, but underneath that (extremely necessary) armor lurked a gentle, kind and generous man.

In Lemmy, I found a kindred spirit: another person who marched to the beat of his own drummer, lived his life in the way he saw fit, and someone else who could care less about what the rest of the world thought of him. We dealt with life’s slings and arrows with a similar weary stoicism and shared the same caustic, dark and mordant sense of humor. Like Lemmy, I also had to develop skin as thick as alligator hide, and I could give a fuck about most people’s unsolicited opinions on the way I chose to live my life. It’s fitting that Lemm and I ended up as close friends, because it was Lemmy that originally taught me, via example, many of the individualistic traits over which we later bonded!

However, in some ways, we were simply similar people. When people get to know me, they’ll find a kind, gentle and generous person. Lemmy helped me weather the murder of my friend Darrell Abbott in 2004, the death of my close friend and surrogate big sister in 2006, the 2008 loss of my beloved paternal grandmother Angie who was also my mother in all ways save biological, my best friend, confidante and consigliere. A year later, he checked in on me regularly after the accidental fatal overdose of my ex-girlfriend, fellow pain patient and beloved comrade in arms.

Both of us saw politics as a charade controlled by big business. We tackled social and political issues in some of our song lyrics and our social and political commentary was mentioned in articles about our respective albums and bands. However, neither of us were classified as “political artists” in the vein of Rage Against The Machine and The Clash. We were big fans of those bands, but due to our shared hatred of pigeonholing we were relieved that we were not stuck with that label, because once you’re labeled as a

“social commentator” or a “politically-driven” musician or band, critics and more importantly fans begin to expect only that type of lyrical subject matter from you. So when you write love songs or apolitical lyrics about whatever is in your heart, you let fans down. We cared much more about our fans opinion of us than the judgment of music critics. But at the end of the day, we wrote for ourselves and nobody else. Every real artist, from bands nobody has ever heard of, to me, up the ladder to Lemmy, Nirvana, Amy Winehouse and even Bob Dylan shares that philosophy.

Still, both Lemmy and I loved our fans dearly and spent time with them after shows, talked to them and even made friends with some. That’s not remarkable for an independent artist like me, but for someone of Lemm’s stature, it’s astounding. He spent hours after show taking pictures with fans, signing autographs and listening and talking to anyone who wanted to speak with him.

He didn’t leave a venue or the tour bus didn’t roll out of a concert hall’s parking lot until every fan got what she or he wanted: an autograph, a picture, a conversation (usually all three!)

Lemmy and I had one of those rare friendships in which we wouldn’t see or speak to one another for months or even years and when we spoke or saw each other again, we’d pick up right back where we left off. There was never any “drifting apart,” we were always close, even if life kept us physically and/or verbally separate. The last time I spent time with Lemmy face to face was after a Motörhead show here in Austin in 2010.

It had been 6 years since we’d seen each other last in 2004, but we’d stayed in touch via phone, text and following each other on Twitter and it felt like a week since we’d last spent time together.

Around 2005 his health, which was excellent for someone with his vices and his age, hit a wall. He developed hypertension and diabetes. He was extremely stressed and bummed out by these medical problems and I was able to lend him the same moral and emotional support that he gave me. pré·cis • issue 9 • 3.2016

I was concerned about him, of course, but at the same time I believe in reciprocity in friendship and romantic relationships and I was happy to give him anything and everything I could.

Then, in the summer of 2012, shortly after I met Alma, my now-de facto spouse something strange happened: I would call Lemmy and leave a voicemail or send a text and wouldn’t hear back from him.

That wasn’t like Lemmy at all. Once Lemmy was your friend, unless you knowingly and intentionally fucked him over, he was your friend for life. So when I kept leaving voicemails with no reply, I was concerned and hurt. To protect myself, I downplayed my and Lemmy’s friendship to me and to other people in my life.

Alma and I went to see Motörhead on September 1, 2015. I had called Lemmy to see if we could at least meet after the show so we could catch up and he could meet Alma. Once again I got his goddamn voicemail. I left a message and this time didn’t bother to disguise my worry and irritation. I asked him if he was OK and if I had unknowingly upset him or pissed him off. I ended the voicemail by telling him that I missed him and to please call me back.

The concert was general admission and we (partially thanks to my taking my manual wheelchair to the show) got spots in the front row, stage right: directly in front of Lemmy. When he walked onstage, I was shocked. He was pale, gaunt and for the first time ever, he looked frail. Motörhead kicked off their set with 3 classic songs, beginning with “Damage Case” from their 1979 “Overkill” album. I’d lost my Motörhead virginity with “Overkill” 28 years prior.

This was my thirteenth time seeing Motörhead live and I witnessed another disconcerting first: I saw Lemmy struggling both to sing and to play bass. I saw and heard missed notes on his beloved Rickenbacker bass. “Stay Clean” from their 1977 eponymous debut followed.

Guitarist Phil Campbell walked over and rocked out with Lemmy, both to rally him and to check up on him. Before the third song, pré·cis • issue 9 • 3.2016 “Metropo-

lis,” the title track to their 1983 album, Lemm looked straight at me, grinned and winked. I smiled broadly back and flashed the devil horns at him. He addressed the crowd. “A lot of you know about the canceled shows.” [he’d stopped gigs mid-concert in Salt Lake City and Denver due to what was thought to be altitude sickness: trouble breathing at high elevations.] “I’m not completely better and I might fuck up a bit but I’ll give ya everything I got! OK?” The crowd of around 2-3K roared their approval. Lemmy and Phil played the slow intro to “Metropolis,” then Mikkey Dee’s drums came crashing in and the song became a tight midtempo rocker. Midway through the first verse Lem stopped playing and singing. Phil and Mikkey quickly followed suit. “I can barely breathe,” a winded Lemmy said into the microphone. “I don’t know if I can do this.”

The band walked offstage. 5 minutes later Lemmy returned, without his bass and walking with a cane. I felt tears prick the back of my eyes because it was wrenching to see him needing it to walk. I recognized that cane. It was a classy ivory-handled antique that he’d had laying around his apartment since before we met. He first offered it to me to use while walking around his house. After I explained that canes and crutches make my falls worse.

Lemmy would use it to clear a path for me to and from the bathroom and the kitchen whenever I visited him. He’d always said “it’s yours if you ever need it” and now he needed it. Lemmy told the assembled crowd that he just couldn’t breathe. He apologized to the audience, told them how much he loved Austin and promised to return when he was better.

He thanked us for coming, apologized again, bid us goodnight and exited the stage. The crowd roared and chanted his name over and over, even after the house lights came on.

I was disappointed but I was far more worried and disturbed. I was quiet as Alma and I rolled out into the parking lot.

I lit a cigarette and suddenly was struck by an awful premonition, something so dark that I told nobody, not even Alma, until after Lemm died.

A voice in the back of my head, from deep in my bones said, “that’s the last time you’ll see Motörhead, because you won’t see Lemm alive again.” That shook me badly. I knew which bus was Motörhead’s because even from afar, I recognized a few of their crew. Alma asked me if I wanted to go over there and say hello.

A big part of me said yes, especially after what my psyche had just predicted.

But I decided against it, both as a fuck you to that line of thought and because I remembered how shitty I’d felt the few times that my health problems had forced me to end my shows early. Every one of the 2-3 occasions that had happened to me, I wanted to be left alone.

So I respected Lemm’s privacy as Motörhead canceled all the rest of their September shows so Lemmy could rest up for their second annual “Motörboat Cruise” which took place on a Norwegian Sky cruise ship that left Miami on September 28 and returned October 1. Motörhead, Slayer, Anthrax, Suicidal Tendencies, Exodus and many more bands were playing on the Caribbean, with stops in The Bahamas at Nassau and Great Stirrup Cay. Alma and I agreed that the Motörboat cruise was the only “cruise vacation” that we’d not have to be dragged onto and crossed our fingers that they’d do it for a third year.

I was greatly relieved to read a few days later that his breathing problems had been caused by a simple bronchial infection that had spread to his lung. It was treated with antibiotics and he was fine.

Alma is from rural upstate New York, 2 hours south of Buffalo. We go to see her parents and visit the home in which she grew up twice every year, every August and every December around Christmas.

Lemmy was born on Christmas Eve, 1945. Up at Alma’s parents place it was unseasonably warm on December 24, 2015. It was 55 and sunny, when in the past 3 years I had visited it had been at or below freezing. I sat outside in the sun, wearing only jeans and a T-shirt. I called Lemm to wish him a happy 70th birthday. While the voicemail message was playing, another number that I didn’t recognize, with an LA area code, 104

remembrance Lemmy kilmister ried yet, but it’s OK if you refer to her as my wife, cause it feels like we’re already married…in the best possible way!”

“When are ya getting hitched?”

“Sometime in the fall or winter of 2016.”

“I’ll be there! Oh fucking HELL. I’m sorry Mike. I just invited myself to your wedding. That’s bloody rude.”

I laughed and told him not to sweat it, that he WAS invited and I’d let him know as soon as we picked a date.

“I’ll be there, mate. Can I bring my girlfriend with me?”

“Girlfriend? Hell yeah! When the fuck did this happen? What’s her name?” “ beeped in on call waiting. I answered it and it was LEMMY!!!

He was incredibly apologetic. He’d gotten a new cell phone and new phone number and somehow when he had his contacts transferred, my info didn’t make it. He kept the old phone active and it had gotten buried amongst all the crap in his apartment (he’d bought a condo up the street to live in but he’d kept the apartment as part storage space, part rec room.) He told me he’d just found the phone, listened to 3 years of messages from me and a few of his other buddies and felt “bloody awful.” I reassured him that I was relieved and happy to hear from him, technology fucks up, and no harm, no foul.

He told me that he’d seen me and winked at me at the show in Austin and asked why I didn’t come see him after the show.

I told him that I wanted to but then I remembered how disappointed, angry and frustrated I had felt after a health crisis forced me to stop a show prematurely and that the last thing I would have felt like doing is meeting a friend’s girlfriend, wife or fiancée that I’d never met before.

He said “That was quite considerate, but I saw your wife in the crowd next to you and it would have been fine if you two had dropped in. Your old lady’s smoking hot and pretty as a picture! What’s her name again?” “ Alma, and we’re not legally mar-

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Her name is Cheryl, we’ve been together for a few years now. She’s fantastic!”

“That’s awesome, Lemm, I can’t wait to meet her!”

I told him about Alma and he said “I saw her beside you in Austin. She’s beautiful, sexy and it was obvious even to me that she loves you madly.”

I replied that she did, but that the feeling was mutual. He said, “I’m happy for ya kid. After all the women that have broken your heart, you deserve somebody like her who loves you for you.”

On that beautiful, sunny day, we picked up our friendship right where we left off.

We caught up on music. I told him about Mike Dubose and The Dissidents killer new lineup and he said “yeah, I saw that outdoor video on Twitter. That band is awesome! You’ve always had that badass sexy Dutch bassist. She’s a really fucking great player! She used to be your girlfriend, what’s her name again?”

“Diana. She’s the last founding Dissident and the finest bass player with whom I have ever played music. We had a romantic relationship, but that was almost 10 years ago. We always have had great musical chemistry; any sexual chemistry that existed or still exists is channeled into the music. These days, she’s my best friend. Alma and I consider her family.”

“Yeah, Diana’s amazing, but the addition of your new guitarist and especially your new drummer makes this band fucking killer!”

“Thanks, Lemm. That means a lot! But that video you watched was our first gig with Tom and Susie EVER. You should see us now!”

The conversation continued. Lemmy said that he was excited to make up the dates that he had to cancel, but especially the Austin gig. “I’ll get to see Alma, you and be able to meet Diana, Susie and Tom. Hopefully I’ll be able to catch a show.

Speaking of shows, you bought tickets to the Motörhead show in Austin, didn’t you?”

“Yeah.”

“Fuck that. Gimme your address, I’m gonna send you a check.”

“I appreciate that Lem, but it’s not really necessary. You have to make a living.”

“Did you ever charge me to get into any of your shows? No, you didn’t. Give me your address, you bastard!”

I laughed and gave him Alma’s and my address.

At various points in the conversation, I realized that Lemmy’s voice and laughter were noticeably softer. The change in vocal volume was not by choice. Additionally, for the first time ever, I heard him slurring his words. This was not drunken slurring, but more like he was struggling to talk. Several times I had to ask him to repeat himself because I couldn’t make out what he was saying.

I shrugged it off and we talked and laughed until Lemm’s son Paul beeped in.

“That’s Paul, I gotta run. I’m happy we reconnected; give Alma a kiss from me.

I love ya kid. Talk to ya soon.”

“It’s great to talk to you again too, Lem! Do the same to Cheryl, tell Paul hi and I’ll call you on New Years Eve. Love ya too, Lemmy. Speak soon!”

I didn’t tell Alma that I had spoken to Lemm cause it was my plan to call him on New Years Eve, talk pré·cis • issue 9 • 3.2016

for a bit and then tell Alma that somebody wanted to speak to her.

4 days later we were in the middle of dinner. I was sitting at the other end of the table chatting with Alma’s dad, when Alma said “Mike, I need to talk to you in the other room.” There was a tension in her voice that made me uneasy. We went into the guest bedroom that we always stayed in and she said, “You need to sit down.” I sat down. “Baby, Lemmy died.”

“WHAT?!” She handed me her iPhone with an article from the website Loudwire. It said that Lemmy had died earlier that afternoon from an extremely aggressive form of cancer and that he had received the diagnosis on December 26, two days after we spoke. He was given two to six months to live. I was speechless. I felt as if I were suffocating. One solitary tear leaked from each eye. Alma hugged me and said, “I’m so sorry, honey.”

I thanked her and said, “I need to go have a cigarette. Now.” I put on 4 sweaters, a hat and my leather jacket and went outside and smoked two cigarettes. I thought back to the beautiful weather and our wonderful chat 4 days prior. Now, it was pitch black, the wind was howling and the outdoor thermometer read 26 degrees Fahrenheit. Lemmy and I were and are both atheists, but at that moment, the contrast seemed extremely appropriate. It seemed like even the elements were mourning Lemmy’s loss.

I came back inside and checked my Facebook page, which I hadn’t bothered to get on for the last 18 hours. I saw that there were quite a few messages of condolences posted from friends of mine way earlier in the day. These sweet, loving and sympathetic messages warmed my heart, but I would have hated to find out about Lemmy’s death via social media. I’d rather hear any kind of news from Alma, but especially something as unexpected and awful as this, than from anyone else on the planet For the next week or two, I was numb with shock. pré·cis • issue 9 • 3.2016 I was

wracked with grief, but I hadn’t grieved.

Then, late one night, I stumbled across a video on YouTube. It was a collection of pictures of Lemm and Motörhead mixed with an audio track of Lemmy singing and playing distorted bass on a gorgeous cover of Ben E. King’s “Stand By Me.” The dam finally broke. I burst into tears and sobbed so violently that I woke up Alma. She put her arms around me and held me as I wept for what seemed like forever.

Afterwards the pain of losing such a wonderful friend sent me into a temporary tailspin. I started drinking way too many Jack and Cokes (or “Lemmy’s” as they are now known.) I watched his memorial on YouTube close to a week after it was streamed live. I laughed, cried and wished that I had been there. A few days after that, I reached out to a few people in the Motörhead family to offer my condolences and discovered that they wanted to invite me to attend the memorial and say a few words but “only Lemm had your contact info.” I appreciated the invitation, but attending the memorial would have been extraordinarily physically difficult. Traveling by air (mainly dealing with airport bullshit) wears me out. We had just returned from Alma’s family’s place and would have had to take another long flight to and from LA. Considering my physical and emotional state, I was relieved that my body was spared that trauma. Losing Lemmy, a close friend who happens to be a musical icon is a strange experience. The world is grieving over a fallen hero, I’m mourning the death of someone I knew quite well and love whom I ALSO count as a hero.

I’ve never been a big drinker and my daily consumption of alcohol started to take its toll. I’d never used booze to continually take the edge off of the sharp, unbearable agony of fresh grief. It messed with my memory, made my moods swing wildly and made the grieving process more difficult: I was maudlin, always close to tears. I watched live Motörhead videos almost to a masochistic basis and would always end up sobbing. Alcohol works as an emotional anesthetic for some, but it backfired on me. It was only when Alma and my friends voiced their concern that I switched to herbal medicine as some-

thing to help me sleep and to make the pain bearable.

As my head cleared, I found solace in the one form therapy that has never failed me: music. My band had a gig on Thursday, January 22. Rehearsals for that show got me back into the game. But the loss of musical giants hadn’t stopped yet. On January 10, David Bowie died of liver cancer. That saddened me, as Bowie was another musical influence, but I’d never met him.

I started feeling more like myself as we kept rehearsing for our gig on January 22. We worked up a cover of the Motörhead song “Going To Brazil.” It smoked!

My aunt bought me a Lemmy tribute T-shirt, which I wore onstage the night of the show. As we walked onstage, I talked about my friendship with Lemm and how much I missed him. I dedicated our concert to Lemmy and David Bowie. We ripped into “Going To Brazil.” It sounded fantastic and I knew that we were firing on all cylinders. At the end of the last song of our set, amidst cymbal crashes and guitar chords, I spontaneously channeled Lemmy by saying “We are Mike Dubose and The Dissidents! We play rock and roll, don’t forget us! Thank you all so much, we love you, goodnight!”

That show turned the tide. I will always miss Lemmy terribly and the grief still hurts. But ever since I became friends with Lemm, I knew that he would not want people mourning his death, he’d want his friends, fans and loved ones to celebrate his amazing life. This piece is an attempt to do just that! I hope you’ve enjoyed the truncated chronicle of my friendship with the awesome, incredible, hilarious Ian “Lemmy” Kilmister. He was a wonderful musician, human being and friend. He will live on via his music, fans and friends forever.

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