Little Jenny on Chistmas 2014

Two or three years ago on my birthday I got bad news from my sister that she had cancer. I was so overwhelmed that I decided to take a long drive to take my mind off of things. I never expected to hear this kind of news about My little sister Jenny and I had just recovered from another long depression and I was determined not to fall into another one. I tended to comfort myself with food and it was time to stop that. I had thought about what I had not done with my life yet. I had tried to start bands, but had still not played a whole song all the way through with a group yet. I had a clear acrylic green plexi glass bc rich guitar that was in mint condition, but it really was for show and if I scratched it it would lose value so I decided to go to Norms Rare Guitars in the valley which was about an hour and a half away to trade it in on something I could play and not just look at. The main thing in mind was to work on my life. I had become very aware how short life is after losing my Uncle who was a great friend and mentor. I thought about life on the way to Norms and cried a lot. I got there and looked around for a nice telecaster. The workers there told me they did not want my guitar, but then Norm himself walked over and gave me a good deal in trade. I wanted an American made one, but decided on a nice wood finish Mexican tele that was just like the USA model. It was a special edition. I also brought my sparkle gretsch historic series to find a nice used hard case for it which I got for very cheap. I had told Norm my story and he was such a nice guy he helped me out. My friends in town that were in bands said they would help me kick out the jams. The first attempt I choked. I tried another group of friends after I had got my new tele which I named "Little Jenny" after my sister. I got through it, but I almost had a heart attack, due to being out of shape. We took a photo that day of the three of us which I look at every time I need to get myself going. I was very out of shape, but my pals were there for me. I started guitar lessons and asked myself what else I had to do with my life. I wanted to start my own buisness but to do that I had to get healthy. I started guitar lessons for discipline and structure that was needed in my life. My instructor Walter was a younger thrash metal guitar player who is also classically trained. Guitar had slowly become a bigger part of my life which is what I wanted. Walter was a very good listener as well as being very wise for his age. He gave me encouragement in life as well as guitar. I went to see his band Shadows Entwind at the Key Club and we bonded over comic book talk now and then. I started a doctor supervised liquid diet class for the third time in my life and told myself this was going to be the time I do this for a better life. I was diagnosed as being pre-diabetic and my knees were having trouble supporting my weight. I had my guitar to practice, my painting to do for my business, and now I had a band (even if it is more like a group of new friends). I had built up lots of paintings at home in my spare time after being downsized at my last job. I really worked much more on my art at home than I did at my day job anyway. Day after day and one step at a time, and by keeping busy I kept my mind so busy I had no time to be sad. Every day was a struggle at first, but at the end of the day I felt like by making good choices and putting in the work I felt I had small victories each day.  

I had heard about Crafted which was a craft and art market in town and decided when I had gotten were I needed to be with guitar lessons it was time to try having my own shop. I got more serious abot taking care of my self because I needed more mobility to run my shop too. I take walks around Crafted's warehouses all the time. I pick up rock in the parking lot each time to keep myself distracted from the fact I am actually exercising. The guitar lessons were exercise too. I still play guitar all the time at my shop and at home. I have not played "little Jenny" for awhile now as the shop has taken over most of my time now but I will play her this Christmas week because yesterday I got a call from my sister Jenny to tell me she is cancer free. Which was the best Christmas present I ever got. So paint that  picture, play that guitar, go for a drive, pet your pet and if you have family and friends around tell them you love them and give them hugs. Thank you to my friends and family for saving my life. To my sister Jenny.... Take care of yourself, you are very loved... Move forward and live your dreams. I love you. You are my hero.

My best Christmas toy

I think it was Christmas 1974. I had unwrapped all my presents. I had the snoopy toothbrush which my sister and I would share (it had 2 brushes one yellow and one red, I think my brush was yellow). I remember getting a watch with a space capsule on the fast hand that circled the moon on the face. I got LA Rams pajamas I circled in the Sears catalog and a big batch of Lego bricks my folks got in bulk wholesale (that's what I was told, it was a lot of bricks and I was worried they cost too much because the small sets at toys r us were pricey). The one thing I really wanted was what all the kids on the block wanted. The thing we saw in comic book ads: the Evel Kennevil stunt cycle. I did not see it. Everyone was done and it was over. I started to get bummed out but I was still happy with the loot I got. My dad said,"I think you missed one" and you know the deal... It was stashed in the corner. I took it down the block to my pal Danny's and he got the scramble van and we set up the ramp and jumped evel over that van and the neighborhood cats, tin cans, or whatever else we could find. His family also got rock em sock em robots which broke in the first 10 minutes. I think we busted part of Evel too. Then we built ramps with two by fours and bricks and jumped them on our bikes. We pulverized our toys mostly. Maybe one day they will make a good repro stunt cycle. 

Rejected!

An old friend who I had not spoken to in a while (mostly because he always wants to use my art to make money for him) called me this week with yet another job for me. It had a 3 day deadline but I was promised a good payday and I really thought maybe this friend was trying to help me out. He baited me with old stories to get me excited about the project and even talked about taking a road trip to visit another friend. Everything was awesome... I got the work done and sent it in. Once it was in their hands I was told it wa not what they wanted even though I sent lots of concept art and sketches. It looks like I may not get paid at all for 3 days of my life, but sometimes just getting people like this out of your life can be the reward. The job was for a hotrod company. The art that was rejected is posted above. I was told it was too much of my thing... My first mistake was picking up the phone to talk to him. 

My new path has less of these people on it. I am glad this happened. I signed no contracts so I guess I still own all of this art. I am sure they will try and sell it to the company they were working with. Who knows.... I just draw the art and stay on the path. Humans sure are strange sometimes. That's how it goes...

Pop Kustom Shoppe is ready for the holidays!

We are loaded up with new work down at the shop which is inside a craft market called Crafted 110 e.22nd street in warehouse 10, San Pedro, Ca, 90731... My shop is called Aicher's Pop Kustom Shoppe located in space 118a. I'm there Friday thru Sunday from 11am to 6pm. The market has many weekend events and lots of other shops that sell handmade things. Some weekends we have live music and wine tasting (they call it sip and shop) it's family friendly and their is a creation station with activities for the young ones. My shop is located in the back left hand corner. Look for the banners with the honey bees out on 22nd street. Warehouse 9 in in front of warehouse 10 and is being converted to a brewery and artisan food market and I am told they are planning some events before they open next year to give folks an idea about their beers and plans... I don't drink but I have talked to folks that are raving about how good the beer is. They travel the world for their ingredients and they tell me they will have a cafe too. 

I am working on two or three new book projects that should be done by the beginning of next year (soon) so when I can I will let you know when I am ready to launch them. Finally we got some rain and hopefully more soon. The clouds inspire me often and I love the day after the rain. The sunrises and sunsets have been glorious lately and if you have not seen them in a while you should. Living in and growing up Southern California it sometimes escapes me how pretty it is here. 

Be kind to humans... See you at the market!

We are the champions my friend....

When Freddy Mercury sang those words he meant it. The rest goes,"and well keep on fighting till the end" ....remember that? This week was a challenge for me in many ways. I ran into the old food "sabotage" a few times this week. That's where people offer you food to knock you off your path. Whether these folks' intentions were good or not the fact is I had to deal with it. Not like it won't happen again... So I delt with it. Usually I might run to retail therapy or start a new painting but this time it got in my head. Self doubt and depression set in and fuck that shit, so in case you want the story of why I have decided to turn my life around here it is. My knees started giving out and it was getting hard to stand. My doctor had just told me I was pre-diabetic and diabetes had recently killed an uncle of mine. My wife turned to me and asked me with fear in her eyes,"what if you have to be in a wheelchair and are too heavy for me to push" ....that's called shit got real. I made changes which helped a lost weight by going once a week to weight management classes and I talked. I talked a lot. Sometimes I made others in my class uncomfortable about discussing why I had problems with food, but like I said... This is it. Do it now. Last chance. Your life sucks or or life rules. Take your pick. I am sorry if I hurt anyone's feelings from my class, but this is my life and I only have one and it's mine. I still don't like exercise, but every time I take even the smallest steps I am always glad I did it. That doesn't mean a dicathalon... But if you start small by the time you know it you might want to try one. I'm not a sports guy. I have always been a cruiser not a competteter but I am not afraid of a challenge either. Last year I planned to ride my bike in the long beach marathon bike tour. The weather and life issues set me back and I did not train enough and was in no shape to even attempt it. I failed. Now my intention to to walk the Vincent Thomas bridge next year in the bridge walk. It's walking. Not as hard but still hard enough. It's five miles across. If I conquer it I will attempt long beach again. This week I am signing up for the excercise fitness class my health care plan offers. It is step one. I will make better choices this week and I will take no shit from jive turkeys. Make it happen. That is all for now. Be good to each other humans. See you on the bridge.

Rock and Roll

I thought I would write about my favorite rock band Kiss today. I find the tension that drives rock bands to create great music is always alive in any Kiss fan. Gene Simmons steers the ship and he would have you believe he was captain, but clearly the wind in the sails is Paul Stanley. Often questioned is his sexuality, but clearly and secure in himself just like many from the glam era he lead the band though battlefield arenas to fame. After reading his book it's clear he had a rough childhood, but did not let that stop the music. Kiss has always been considered a joke band due to the simplicity of their songs and for the seventies their appearance was shocking but has become so iconic and familiar it has become part of our culture. For the fans the music is something we connected to because the make up made it counter culture and the music was some of the hardest rock of the time, but within those live albums was where the community started. Paul would lead the crowd with "do you believe in rock and roll?" And often shouted, "we love you!". Obviously those live records were studio enhanced, but as a young boy who needed something to believe in I bought it. I spent any allowance I had on records and magazines I would get from the grocery, record and liquor stores. It was right there in the songs where to get your teenage fix "around the corner at the liquor store". They talked to us like adults. It was intended as adult music but because of the image kids were drawn to it like horror movies. I remember in 1975 I had their first record and my friend gave me Dressed to kill for my birthday. We had not even seen the costumes yet because they had suits on, but the suits with the makeup made them look like scary thugs. The Warriors movie was out the and some of my friends from school had got to see it when their older brother took them to the movies. The make up theme made me start drawing the make up. I thought it would be easy to draw so I had contests with my friends in school drawing kiss and warrior pictures. I soon found a compulsive urge to perfect my drawings. I entered a school drawing contest in 1978 after getting the Ace Frehley solo album for my birthday that year. My parents encouraged me to enter my drawing of the Ace record cover in the contest. It was a pretty good drawing and I thought I would do really well with it because by that time I had built up my skills drawing everyday in my room with my headphones on listening to kiss, Sweet and Aerosmith (those were the 3 records I owned.) my sister was younger and did not understand the attention I was getting and decided to add her touch to my drawing. Let me say for the record I forgive you Jenny. She still remains my biggest fan and wether she knew it or not became my first critic. (I drew it over and won second place.) I forgive you little sister, and second place is o.k. Sometimes. Peter Criss in 1976 had all the girls singing Beth (including my sister) and made all us young boys understand how we got here in the first place. The only other sad song of that year that made me cry was "only women bleed" by Alice Cooper (which was of course where kiss got the whole idea) this song would become the theme song of the beginning of the end of my parents marriage. They fought a lot then and did their best to keep it behind closed doors but my door was just down the hall. Ace Frehley was the main man for me in Kiss. Mostly because he was reluctant to be a singer at all but when he did it was real. You can hear it on any of those early records especially Alive 2 where he was formally introduced as a singer as well as being the most important part of kiss's music the lead guitar player. He sounded like he would mess up even as he played which was his trademark of his playing style. On stage he had swagger where Gene had the theatrics and Pete (with the same kind of style as ace) kept the beat. I had the smoking guitar poster on my wall then. My dad smoked then. Soon my buddies and me would be smoking too. Sooner or later that ended, but in the 70s and 80s we had smoke. I was always at least aware that it was only entertainment (it's only rock and roll) but I still like it even if today I don't have the smoke and booze to go with it. I don't want to go back because life move forward but now and then I follow the logic of Cheap Trick and get my Kiss records out. I still collect Kiss merch now and then, but I kind if feel like the man in charge (Gene) has steered the ship into the rocks for good. The reason most fans got into the music is we wanted to play it too. I wanted to design Kiss record covers like the great Ken Kelly did for Love Gun, Destroyer and just this year Ace Frehley's new cd Space Invader. One day my personal hope us that visual art meets up to the same kind of importance music artists have. On thing is for sure I don't have any desire to play football for the L.A. Kiss football team. Most of the jocks bullied kiss fans back in the day so I guess it is what it is. I do remember the god of thunder (gene) in make up on the poster on my wall scared me at night when I was young and I had to overcome my fear of the demon. He is a great bass player and I do dig his solo lp too. Defiantly Paul and Gene where going for the Beatles and Ace and Peter were more Zeppelin and Stones and no they all don't get along. I really would like to hear a record from Peter and I love the new Ace record. I loved Sonic Boom but the long wait for Monster and promises that never happened like vintage Kiss DVDs let me down, but it's only entertainment. I don't want to see a second reunion but I do still believe in Rock and Roll which despite the wishes of Mr. Simmons, will never die. Today I will turn up the music and paint into tomorrow, hope to see you there.... Goodnight! 

Onward! Paint like you mean it...

I have noticed this younger generation has found their voice. The new music escapes me and hipster culture has arrived... Don't be confused grungers we are indeed old and are in no way "hip". We are, however, the last pre digital age. I started painting classes when I saw the art of Robert Williams' first books. It blew my mind that art may become as radical and bitchen as surfing and rock and roll so I set out to build an art ark (a big body of paintings) to sail out of the 90's and into the future. Now that we have the digital age and folks just steal any image or recording they want it is all the more important to show these eager young hipsters how to paint and draw. Due to the leftover stoner culture of yesterday it is now,"cute" and "hey that's neat" to paint or draw by hand. At least that's what they tell me. Don't talk about it, do it. Do it while they still make paper and canvas. It does not cost much and your mind will take you to new places if you open it up enough. Once apon a time we had art departments to run and the hipsters took them over. Don't lose your sense of humor but let's not be just crass and slapstick... Make it good! I see hope for us all still, but it takes hard work. I don't care if you want to use your cell phones or play video games all day. That's stress relief for some. On line shopping will convince you you need it even more. The machine has begun its mission to overthrow humanity and humanity is eagerly craving more. I am reaching out to those of you who still care as I do.  If you see an artist and you like the work and buy it it makes a difference. U2 wants your mind and money. Another Irish band had a song about a suspect device. They still play today too. Joey Ramone is spinning in his grave. I had to rant a bit about this. Thanks for listening. Get to work! ...did you get the new Motörhead cd yet?

Saccharine Trust at the Warner Annex coming Friday, Sept. 24th

All hands on deck, ya pirates! The mighty Sacchrine Trust is playing in town. I have know Jack for some time now and if you have not attended a Jack Brewer show in person you are missing out. He is by far the best poet in Los Angeles (ask around) his show is always unpredictable and have never left a show of his without feeling changed for the better for being there to witness it. This band in particular is legendary and blazed huge new paths in sonic power since they began. Then you got Joe Biza... Far and away the most amazing guitar player, and if not for getting a flyer draw by Biza years ago I may not have ever attempted drawing flyers (the first flyers I got were by Pettibon, then when I got a Biza flyer I knew that's what I wanted to do...) This show is being put on Guitar Safari who if you don't already know is the one and only place to get vintage guitars and a history lesson in punk at the same time.

Here's my Jack Brewer story... My friend John played bass in Jack's band and I sometimes did flyers for him. In the 90's I worked at Peanut Records in Lomita and was kind of hooked on buying records. My fave band at the time (and I was obsessing on them) was Sonic Youth and I had a Kool Thing for Kim Gordon... So much that I painted her on my leather jacket next to Lydia Lunch (I was digging her too) they did an in store at Rhino Records in Westwood...it was secret but I knew about it and brought my leather and black light sonic youth poster from tannis root to get signed. 

So when I got to Kim I was all excited and I showed her my jacket and suddenly standing by Thurston Moore (they were married) I felt like a stalker... Well Jack Brewer was playing the show and stopped over to talk to me and Kim said,"you know Jack?" And Thurston started talking to me about how much he loved Saccharine Trust and when Jack took the stage Kim and Thurston hung out with me the rest of the day. 

The next day I went with my friend Dave Naz and Lee Ranaldo to a Robert Williams singing at Golden Apple comics, and told him I wanted to paint like him, but did not have enough time... Robert told me,"you have to make the time..." So I did. I can also tell you this...Lee Ranaldo is the nicest guy in rock and roll. 

I still have my jacket, tannis root sonic youth black light poster, and signed robt. Williams poster.

 I get by with a little help from my friends...

Go to the show!

My Yesterday

That's my flyer right there under the n's... I made that flyer the day before the show and I rushed it out because I knew this was a big deal gig, but Fletcher was always saying things like, "yeah, I guess if you want to make a flyer you can, but only if you want to..." That's because there is no real money in punk rock or rock and roll, whatever. It's not about getting high or drunk either...although years ago I did, but I had to battle my depression then, and the best thing for it that I ever found was rock and roll. To hear it correctly you surround yourself with some friends and talk about your shitty life (well at the time I felt pretty bad) then when you are done and maybe a tear rolls down your cheek, and instead of your buddy laughing at you, he gives you a hug and turns up the cassette tape in the boom box. We took the bus and rode our skateboards everywhere because any pocket change we had went to things for relief like smokes, booze, drugs and the priority in my case was always...records. I went all over Los Angeles anyway I could to find them. Zed's in long beach was the best but it meant a long day on the bus and skate to get there. Hollywood had Pouser (made famous by Redd Kross tune "standing in front of Pouser" on their first record. They also started at "the church" which was were we hung out in front of some days just to feel the vibe of it. Back to the story... The first local place for me for my record fix was platterpus in Rivera village. I bought the Germs gi, oingo boingo 10 inch ep, more specials and for my moms birthday I bought Dolly Parton's Crackers used with my leftover change. When punk was starting up I remember saying goodbye to loving cheap trick's budokan lp and hello to X's Los Angeles. It was the unheard music. Music by you friend who rode the same bus you did. They playe one or two "good" songs on the radio, and on the weekend you had Rodney on the Roq for homework. Lines like "butcher baby, they're gonna put you away" and "I'm not no animal" "Manimal", "Wild in the streets" filled my head with a healing hand just like Iggy said in the tune "Raw Power". Back then I was a Stooges fan and I often saw Iggy on the beach with pretty girls. real pretty girls. One day I got the courage to talk to him. I walked up and said,"I am a really big fan" he said "who do you think I am?" I said, your Iggy! He said, no I'm Jim. You seem like a good kid go ride your skateboard. Then he turned a rubbed lotion on the French cut bikini ass of the tan girl on the beach. That is rock and roll. In that moment I understood. Over the years I met many rock stars but back to the ones who were yet to be. I fucked up in school at Redondo high and had to make an attempt to finish at summer school at Costa. I rode the scroc bus from Redondo high to Southern California regional occupational center with Johnny Reb who chewed tobacco and shared herb with. When I went to Mira Costa in Hermosa for summer school I met Kenny John's brother and of course we ditched everyday and went to his house. He had a band, he put out records with the money he saved. He had a great record and flyer collection, and that was when I decide to make punk flyers. That was what my Raw Power was. If you went to the gigs these were the prizes. They were the trophies. Ever time I look at them I go right back then, anyway... Hermosa had Either or Bookstore which was very hippy and where I got my copies of Bukowski books and most important... The Rick Griffin art book which I called "rick griffin, I" because I did not understand that his signature looked like a cross, and the top looked like an"I" to me.  The other shops were Restyle on pier ave then they moved to Hermosa ave and changed to Restyle Too... Next door was the Cove Theater wher Red Cross played with Twisted Roots and eventually they had a riot and changed the name to the Bijou where they showed art movies. I went on many dates there and got funky in the back. (Mostly animation festivals) a bit later on Theo opened Alternative Groove records on pier avenue. This was the best place ever for records as Theo was one if us. He hung pictures of us on the wall in Polaroids and I was one. I had met Fletch at a party and we bonded because I had hung out with his brother Christian at some Fenders and Olympic auditorium gigs and skated around town with. Well, the record shop is where the stories got told, and you did you homework, which was reading fanzines like tripping corpse by pettibon, Flipside, maximum rock and roll. In those pages told more stories and in the Flipside comic relief issue Shaun Kerry drew a lesson on how to draw skulls and pointed out "you draw them, because I am sick of them..." These kinds of thing get in my fabric.Theo was putting out records and put out early PW stuff. At the time I was hanging out with My friends in Down by Law who were signing with Epitaph. I was hanging out I think with Fletch and Theo at Alt Groove one day and talking about Down by Law and Epithaph and I think that was the start of how they got on there. I think Theo had much to do with it, but that was the launch of how they progressed. we also hung out at GoBoy in Redondo too. Keith Morris worked there and many times Jeffery Lee Pierce visited him while we hung out there and talked about art and groovy bands like Arthur Lees Love and played bubblegum and girl group records. It's hard to tell all of this story as I am still living it. Some days I still feel no one is listening, so now and then I get with my bros and turn that around. The message of the wise was always "you get one life, make it count" and like my pal Mike Watt says after ever gig "START yer own band!" There was a shirt in thrasher that said "be more than a witness" if it's in there, let it out... Until next time, see you all at Oki Dogs....

Adventure Day Thursday 8-7-14

took a trip to the OC again for some good old tymie inspiration ....and it was time to get off the couch. I was originally going to the ceramics shop and art supply warehouse with a buddy, but he slept in so I soloed this one. I decided to stop by Amazing Comics in long beach first. I found a (kind of late) birthday present for my sister who will be in town this week. For myself I found an Iggy Pop action figure which is stone cold metal cool! They had an Astroboy but he was stuffed, and stuffed toys are not my deal... Almost got him but decided not to spend my whole budget there. I moved on to Kellys Toy Stop in Bunea Park on the corner of beach and ball (kind of a new spot I really like for old toys). I found a few older things there. One was an old 1974 talking batman alarm clock. It needs repaired though (if anyone knows where to get this fixed email me: popkustomshoppe@gmail.com) The shop next door had a few good things too. Across the street was a small kids amusement mini park with a mini White House where they have weddings etc... Also in there was a hobby shop premier hobbies (I think that was the name...) I found a Star Trek Scotty hot wheel and of course I had to get it. They had lots of snake and mongoose and hot wheel stuff and many cool kits. Very surreal town. Loads and loads of skanky hotels and wandering vagrants and yet they have lots of good shopping places. The strangest hotel I have wondered about is the Robin Hood hotel. I think it's in my top ten of places I never want to stay at. Overall, a pretty nice day. I am one lucky guy.

Visited by the ghost of Mr.Peanut?

I went to a junk shop in Lomita yesterday to find some new displays for my shop. I bought a magazine rack that looked like it had been sitting outside for a few years. I got it down to my shop and noticed it had to be touched up and then I noticed the low shelf needed fixed. Then I found a small piece of wood in it and I had déjà vu... Back when I worked at peanut records in Lomita, the owner, my friend Steve ramsdell (mr. Peanut) years ago was closing shop and asked me if I wanted anything and I told him I wanted the rack to display my stuff at home. He said I could pick it up, but I did not have means to get it then and he told me he was giving it to the junk shop down the block if I still wanted it. I was sitting at my shop and flashing back on that rack, and I remember Steve broke that shelf and told Roy to fix it. Roy (he was the manger) brought that piece of wood to do the job, but they got into a stand still on who had to fix it and there it is now in my shop. I guess it's up to me now. Steve passed away many years ago. This was a sign from him. This type of thing happens to me all the time if I am not paying attention to it. If I had known this was the same rack I may have hesitated on getting it, but this was Steve letting me know he is looking out for me still. I am on a good path now and when I am doing the right thing and taking care of myself and helping others now and then, these things happen. Karma comes around and you find home again (metaphorically, you find the good in you again) and every now and then the next world confirms your path. Well, at least that's what I think. Which is nice...

7-1-2014 Creative day...time for inspiration.

Went to Pop Monster toys in Torrance today and bought an Astroboy zipper pull, a book on Japanese mascots and talked about having some of my art in this shop. went to f.y.e next for toys and bailed quick cause that place is lame, lame, lame. last was an antique shop on pier ave. in Hermosa where mrs. Gooches used to be. I bought an Addams Family thermos for a friend who has the box, but if he has it already I will keep it. Got my copy of Gary Panter's Dal Tokyo in the mail this week too so tomorrow I will dream I am in Japan buying toys. 

Code Blue book release party

Grisham and Aicher families were both in attendance although it was an adult themed night. Arab from love canal told Sharon about when they had punk gigs at the hotel (sea port marina hotel, long beach) it had a punk rock Vegas type feel to the room. The turn out was awesome. Our punishment for making naughty books was writing our names 500 times, but it was so worth it. My thanks to Jack and his big family, thanks to Iris Berry, and thanks to my friends who came down (Bridget Randsom had a new haircut and I did not recognize her, you have a beautiful wife John!) good too see my friends. you can still get me to sign yer books at my shop (Aicher's Pop Kustom Shoppe at Crafted 110 22nd street, San Pedro, CA 90731 in warehouse 10, space 118a) where I still have signed copies of Code Blue, Untamed, my comic books, t shirts, trading cards and lots more. I am there Friday thru Sunday 11am to 7pm... Stop in and see me. You might ever catch me painting live. Thanks for a fun night all you monster kids. most of all thanks to my wife Sharon who is my everything. Rest in peace, Marla.

Take a break driver 8....

Took a look yesterday at some old shops I have not been to in awhile. Memory Lanes was first and I found a Snoopy Toothbrush in the box from 1974! I had this as a kid but I was not sure I needed this (the box was beat, but amazing it was all there) it was on sale (20% off) so I got it. Found 2 kid cups too. A Hanna Barbera and a Pink Panther cartoon cup. I left behind a Planet of the Apes cup because I think I have one already in my junk dungeon. The next stop was a few blocks over to Street Faire Antiques on Satori in old Torrance. I found 3 old kids reference books on cars and space with cool illustrations and the odd thing I found was a Kenny Loggins comes Alive RCA video disc which I thought would be a buck or two but they wanted 15 so sadly I left Kenny behind. (could have been a cool gift for my pal Pete who is his cousin.) I might go back (maybe some rainy day) for it because now it's in my mind and on my blog. What is this junk worth? Well, what it means to me is a smile in the morning when I drink my coffee. Someday it will find another home or who knows, but for now I will be glad that now and then a good hunt is still fun. I may need to garage sale some old stuff to get more junk when I need to get out of the house. All in a day....

New Eyeball Guitar Finished! May 2014

This is how it looked when I got it fro Dirk at Guitar Safari which is a local shop on 6th Street in downtown San Pedro, CA. It was from damaged stock which he repaired for me before I bought it (he saves me the re-purpose ready ones he comes across, but his shop is chock full of vintage goodness not just guitars. A great place to find treasure.)

This is the primer stage (after a good sanding to get a smooth surface that can hold the primer which is white acrylic spray primer. The taping takes time. I did most of this part down at my shop (Aicher's Pop Kustome Shoppe at Crafted craft market 110 e.22nd street in warehouse 10, San Pedro, CA 90731. I have an Etsy shop where I sell stuff too (I may post this one for sale their soon if peolpe are interested.... if this is  for you all my info can be found on my website which is: www.scottaicher.com

 

This is the mouth at the headstock

 

The finished guitar.... ready to get to shredding or hang on some dudes man cave rock wall.

Can you dig it?

Wilson Park Weekend

The Minutemen once played at this park with Red Cross. I went to get produce at the farmer's market and walk with my health class. Turns out just me showed up. (You can't always get what you want, but fresh produce is something I need. I strolled solo for a bit. I bought Sharon some flowers. They were so dense we had to use 2 vases.

Good week! I had fun!

 John Ransom, Rock Star and Sign Painter came down to share some good vibes and I had him sign a Little Playmate he scored for me. I am not sure if I will use it for a lunch cooler or to carry my paints and pens in, but I am stoked to have this and I will always remember I have a cool friend.... I think I have a cool theme going this week so here are some more cool things....

 Olga from Kool Corner (Keith and Olga run it, it's a record shop/art and handmade purse etc. shop at Crafted) made these homemade fresh cookies for everyone at crafted. I think they had some extra vanilla... It was supremely tasty! I love them both very much!

 Now you see it, now you don't.... I must also mention I did have a sliver of John's Homemade Banana Cake with some type of awesome maple frosting with pecans I think from San Pedro Art Association (We call him "The Mayor") I used the 3 bite strategy on it... first bite you taste it and get the aroma, second bite experince it and savor it. 3rd bite to satisfy and complete it. Thanks for all the love given this week everyone!

 I finished my helmet given to me to paint by a fellow artist. It has some pretty loco stuff in the details... sorry kids, this one is for grown ups and I can't zoom in on it. Dang.

 The Silver Kings once again rip the roof off the joint... Harmonica solo would have made Little Walter switch to guitar... these guys are Jedis!

The Mego Happy Hays gang made it to my porch via Epay and Dorothy (My mother in law... she finds things I like at flea markets and garage sales and sometime we hunt for things as a family) found a Yoda Pez (well he's not in the photo that's the Kiss pez she gave my for Christmas... how does she know what I like? She is a good listener with a big heart she and George are good people and I thank my lucky stars my beautiful wife has such great parents!) and this Scottie Bank for me which I will use to save my rainy day funds in for future treasure hunting. 

 

That handsome gent in the photo with me is The Professor (Barry) he has a photography/art space down at Crafted. He is an amazing philosopher and scienetist who formulates his dreams via his passion for aviation into things of wonder and I am told he is Spongebob Squarepants' number one amigo and I have a great deal of respect for him. He is a good friend and took his place in my heart very fast. We had some serious fun yesterday down there and I think Tito wanted to join us but was too busy doing workerman things, but he is welcome to join us when Squidword is not looking (I love you Tito!) One day I will bring in my Snake vs. Mongoose Hotwheels track and race my amigos with it, but even I need to focus on real life time now and then, but you can't make me....a little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men.