Herb From the Curb Sauce Review *Updated!

 

This one was what I selected from the stash today. Just finished off  The Jank which was the one to beat that just had it all. Sweet and thick brown sugar sticky, nice heat (I got spicy and it got more funky with age) a nice smoke but more sweet which is just how I love it.

I got spoiled by The Jank. This time I wanted a pallet cleanser that was different. Grabbed this because it said “herb” so I was guessing it to be less sweet and thick and more garden ripe type a thing. It is. More tomato ketchup based. Like a hunts tomato not Heinz. Probably some garden herbs too. Good spice, pretty mellow at the pop off but I’m sure it will rock louder in a week or so. Very nice smoke! Mesquite and you can taste it. This one will be good for the grill next time.

Put it on my go to hatch chili turkey burgers out of the air fryer for 20 minutes from frozen. Two Dave’s buns from frozen microwaved 40 seconds. Two slices of Easy Melt.

I really love this sauce. Might go better mixed with a bit of mayo as a salad dressing? Maybe better on grilled chicken I’m thinking. This air fryer turkey burger needs a lot of help and the Jank just kicked it better.

This Herb from the Curb was more Lionel Ritchie than The Jank’s James Brown and the JB’s. Still funky and almost had me dancing on the ceiling. It’s a good one but that Jank I could drink all night long.

Here’s Dave’s buns. A good go to better choice than other buns. Does have some nutrients. Even better with a tomato or onion slice added on your burger.

Thanks for stopping by. Hope you enjoyed it!

Next time I’ll try and get the grill fired up. Find out what this one tastes best on. Remember, it’s all just a matter of sauce…

See you next one, God Bless You All- Scoocher

update!: let this one sit in the fridge for a few days after the pop open first time. Those spices got busy over a day or so. Had cold leftover herb roast chicken breast in the fridge. Cut it up in strips still chilled and put a big pool of this chilled and aged sauce on the plate. It got thicker. It got hotter. The heat won’t hit your tongue, it goes right in back near the tonsils and just lets you know it’s there. Not too hot just a good tickle hello. This is a really good sauce. Even better as it ages. Kind of like me. 

Try this one! It creeps up on you.

Creamsickle Squire Telecaster

 

I got this guitar at a friends guitar shop back in California. I traded in a Black Dean Nashville Telecaster I had put a blue Pearl pickguard on. It was black. I liked that guitar but this one called my name when I saw it. Not sure why. The Dean I had was cleaner and nicer. This one had initials carved in it. It was not worth as much. I played it a just not sure why but I had to have it. I got it home and decopauged art on it but it peeled off. Decided to paint it later sometime. I decided to change the guard. It was white I believe….I looked at options and finally asked my wife who suggested orange. When I set it up it looked done. I put one of my stickers over the scratched in initials. Ready to go. Not sure why but it’s a favorite thing. Not worth much dollar wise but I’m attached to it. Most of my guitars are budget ones I could afford. I just love guitars and never thought I’d have one as a kid because back then they cost so much and there was fewer of them.

I looked up the serial number and it said it might be a 1990. 

Now that we are here in Texas it reminds me of Wattaburger colors too. The colors go with the studio colors so I’m enjoying having it out right now. I may put up my Little Jenny guitar and tell that story later. That guitar has been stored away for awhile now.

Spinning some old records this afternoon. Had hatch chili air fryer turkey burgers on Dave’s whole wheat buns with spicy whattaburger catchup and easy melt cheese. Was choice goodness. Played the first They might be giants lp on bar none original first press. Ry Cooder Chicken Skin Music I got used on eBay just before we left for Texas. Perfect music for this location. Played this Hoodoo Gurus. I think this was originally mine but may have been my wife’s copy. Have not spun it since the 90’s and it help up good.

Might play some Los Lobos. That Ry Cooder definitely had their tone in spots but I think Ry borrowed from Freddy Fender whom I also spin a lot here. Just sounds right.

Finishing done drawing next. My hand is feeling a bit better after some carpel tunnel. Might be able to get some drawing going today. Have to start the next Uncle Bill painting too. (Their is an Uncle Bill page on my website with paintings we do together.)

Until the next post… Adios! -Scoocher

Such a perfect day…

 

Got some of my favorites today in the studio. Fresh sharpies, mechanical pencils and a good easer for my current sketch book. I have been good not having sugar so today I got out a roll of my favorite necco wafers from my stash. My very favorite is spiced gum drops but those have more corn syrup and they don’t store as well for a long time so neccos are my go to vice. 

Got records in the mail! Been waiting on one shipment since April so I was surprised it finally showed up. It was from last record store day.

Here’s what I got today:

My best friend in junior high and I loved certain moves that came on cable tv that we watched all the time. They shaped our lives. Rock and Roll high school with the Ramones, Over the Edge with Matt Dillon, Devo playing satisfaction on SNL, and my friend eventually became a tour manager later I think this movie Roadie with meatloaf had a lot to do with that. The thing we liked was they had Cheap Trick songs in them. Everything works if you let it is the prefect mix tape song for the girl you want I think.

Great movie if you have a chance to check it out.

Should be better known for its importance to rock and roll and maybe meat loaf’s best movie next to rocky horror. I miss Meat Loaf… Rest In Peace. We also live in Texas now and this is a prefect Texas movie.

Check out all those great tunes! Such a great early 80’s soundtrack!

Cool gatefold of featured characters… Debby Harry is this is so incredibly hot! If you like Blondie you should see this one.

Got this one on EBay pretty darn cheap. Has a cut out corner and a ding on the bottom but no ring wear and bright clean cover art. Great art cover. I can see this must have influenced a lot of my art subconsciously. 

Really fun to get this one! Grateful to have it!

My uncle used to take me on record safaris years ago. We went to Rhino in Westwood, capitol records record swaps and more. He had a powder blue beat up karmann ghia and a bunch of cassette tapes. I remember Nick Lowe tapes. Especially Labour of love. 

Last record store day they had a Nick Lowe release and I went even deeper and got two others. Somehow it got lost on the way here. The tracking info stopped listing updates and I went back and fourth with the post office and they said to contact the shop. I did. Toad Hall gave me a refund but said “if they show up, please pay it back…” we both were thinking I was long lost but today it showed up and I sent back their refund money.

Thank You Toad Hall Records in Chicago! Honest people who care. I recommend them and thank them for trusting me and for their professionalism. Very happy to support small business.

Pink translucent vinyl!

Kind of a deep green splatter vinyl. I was expecting much brighter but it did say trash bin splatter green.

This album is know for having many different titles and cover photo changes. Even different songs. This one has all the songs from each of them.

Got the old magic too. One of his more recent ones. The jackets are a little thin but they arrived without damage.

Just took a few months is all…

Spinning all these today in the studio media room. Having a good time. Playing the double vinyl Roadie soundtrack now. Man, I love Alice Cooper too. Always one of my favorites and he has a big role in the movie. I will probably watch the dvd today too. Going to put on side four now…

Take Care out there! -Scoocher

Things I noticed here lately

 

Made new business cards today. This is the front design. They will be 3x3” square with a note section on the back. If you get a few from me know that you can use them as coasters for you drink if you don’t feel like keeping my number or contacting me. So you don’t have to just chuck them….

I have been more aware of nature here. Back at our old place we had a few critters like possums and raccoons. Sometimes a few city squirrels but they are different from squirrels here. Skunks. Maybe a coyote might wander looking for a cat to snack on.

The homeless at our old place were right outside camping out in front of our house. Often they were good natured but would easily get set off if approached. Humans. 

We had critters hanging out on our lawn here before we got here. Deer. Deer families. We have seen many birds like chimney hawks and once a little critter met it’s end outside our garage driveway. We prepared to go pick it up but before we could turkey vultures picked it clean.

Red paper hornets are all over. I was worried about getting stung but they really are not aggressive unless you are.

I watched a few today after fitness class. Hummingbirds too. They were collecting nectar from plants. We have painted buntings, sparrows and cardinals that play with the squirrels over birdseed. Mostly in the morning we watch that show in our backyard while we have coffee.

There’s a rocker bench chair I sit in after class and watch nature happening. 

We drove around a bit of our neighborhood and it’s so different here. Lots of brick houses. The street names change a lot. The same road might have three different names.

Some of the signs are hard to spot. All have different colors.

Quite a few confusing turn outs and road twists.

Our dog is getting the best sniff time of his life. He’s loving all the nature here. He’s got more room to play.

I painted a guitar for my wife from the inspiration from our new surroundings. I have much art I want to get to and I am journaling ideas and even started a new comic book the other day as I was sketching for fun and practice 

I’m paying attention to things more. Going slower and taking more time with things. Learning to be patient and listening to my inner voice that tells me to slow down and breathe.

Rested my hands the last two days and the carpel tunnel is fading now.

It’s late and I need sleep. Tomorrow more coffee with the backyard occupants around the bird bath.

Thank You God for another great day!

-Scoocher

Birthday time

 

You says it’s your birthday? Was my birthday too yeah! Some big dude turned 80? Well I turned double nickels that day too. Had a great day and finally got the second new blind up in the studio. It was a big struggle and I pushed too much too fast and set off my carpel tunnel in both hands and forearms! Ouch! They are a lot better today but I still have more to go to be able to get things done like I used to around the house.

My nephew and I were talking barbecue sauce last week and he told me about the Jank which is my new favorite sauce. Almost went through the whole bottle in a few weeks. So he recommended a few more and I told him I would pick them up but, surprise! Big gift bag o sauce with a hilarious card! So good to have him close by. I’m glad he and his wife found this spot we are in. This was a moment I will never forget. Looks like I’m collecting barbecue sauce now. I made it a thing. Love to you all, thanks for reading-Scoocher

Got things done today. Feeling good!

 

Made this drawing today just for fun. Did any of you go to Creatures Fest? Any Vinnie Vincent fans out there? It was his comeback show and all three former Kiss guitarists played in front of a big Tank with no drummer just a tape. Peter Criss the original Kiss drummer was there and played a few songs on a different day and singed autographs by his drum kit.

Might not be many more of these things later. I had fun watching the videos people posted. It took place In Nashville.

Lots of fans called it part of “Kisstory”.

After getting good news about a family member coming home from the hospital today and answered prayers that he will be fine I went to the porch and found my new blinds got here early. I was so excited that I waited to open my new Kiss record which is what I was expecting today.

I quickly dragged the two boxes into the studio and opened them. I was not sure if they were the blinds or my new shelves. Both were on the way. I really needed the blinds the most. There was only one window with a white blind up when we got here and it was broken and could not open. The other smaller window was missing a blind completely and we had a lace curtain hung up just to keep some of the sun and heat out.

I moved everything away from the window and rapidly began taking down the old hardware on the window. My hands got tired fast and the tips of my fingers began tingling and getting numb from over stretching too fast and probably from not enough water and taking time to cool down. 

I was trying to get them both up before my wife got home. I was getting frustrated trying to put up the new brackets properly. The hastier I was the more I kept messing things up. I asked the lord for help and he said to slow down, catch my breath, let my hands rest, drink some water and cool off.

I saw my wife driving up our block early so I quickly took out the screws I put up wrong and cleaned up a bit. I guess she would know before I could surprise her with having it all done.

She walked in and I went to the couch with a cool water.

She saw I was attempting another project on my own which she knows I sometimes do a sloppy job. She saw my failed extra holes I had put in the window frame. Some drywall on my new chair. The window was dirty. Drywall flakes on my new rug. 

I was almost done though and was taking a break. A few months ago thing kind of thing for me was impossible because of how bad my health was. Because of my new fitness routine I have learned to go slower and not get overly rushed to finish. I learned that if it’s painful in some way stop, breathe and try again or take a break if I need it.

I went back in and started the screws by hand first and used shorter screws. Then got them the rest of the way with the power drill. It worked! 

The rest was easy… they just clicked in and so did the wand for opening them. I thought maybe the pull string for them was tucked in the top I had now just put in place and kind of panicked because I should have checked that first.

My wife showed me that the modern blinds just pull down and pull up without a string now. What a relief!

A job well done! Going to give it another day or so before I put the small one up but I know how it goes now. Should be easy next time.

My record was in perfect shape! I also got the cd and have been enjoying the show and glad to have this one for my collection. 

Also got a great bunch of signed books, a shirt and bookmarks from Iris Berry from Punk Hostage Press.

I will put them up for sale on my website this week and since I illustrated them I will sign them too so they will have both of our signatures. Keep checking my website this week for when those go on sale.

Thanks for reading! Keep after it everone! -Scoocher

Countrified Strat part 2

 

Got it all sanded and decided to go for a Shabby Chic look like those fancy furniture folks do. Most likely this one will go in my wife’s sunroom that has most of my bird paintings.

This painting was inspired by looking out at our backyard while drinking morning coffee watching the birds and squirrels eating the birdseed my wife put out.

A gray squirrel, a red cardinal and a painted bunting.

We see these a lot here each week.

Got some color blocked in and decided it was time for a lunch break. My dog never lets me forget when it’s lunchtime. Got him fed and heated up some leftovers.

My wife made our favorite last night. Ground Beef Stroganoff with mushroom sauce. Sticks to yer ribs good eatin. We always have a lot leftover and the ground beef here is so good! Super farm fresh. This time she used extra lean and it still had tons o flavor.

Blocked in some more color after lunch. Picked though my new parts to get a mock up look at how it will go together later on.

Got the squirrel highlights happening a bit and got more confidence to finish the rest.

Finished the painting and this is the mock up of how it will be when done. Time to get coffee and get ready for the next part…varnish coats. Looked at the new tuners and the head holes need enlarged it seems. Watched a few YouTube videos on how to get that done. 

Drill both sides in reverse to get the holes started and so not to affect the finish. Then drill out yer holes. I may need a bigger bit before I begin that.

Need few new tool parts it looks like so until they get here stay tuned for more very soon.

Thanks for reading… catch y’all on the flippidy flop! -Scoocher

 

Countrified Strat Project

 

Decided to get this Squier Strat done up right this weekend. Spent a day deciding on parts and upgrades for my no-to-low budget I have for this head scratcher. Looked up some you tubes videos and took notes. Let’s do this! Your gonna want to put yer favorite country station on the radio. I got my compression socks on for leg comfort.

Before you start anything make a list of what you need.

I ordered black parts. New tuning keys, bridge, pickup covers, scratch plate and back plate (in Pearl marble gold)

Ordered goo gone, a new power sander and paper for it, got out some tape and markers, screw driver, pliers, whatever else…

I might need new strings but I think I have a spare pack someplace yet so I’m looking for that…

You want a catch ‘em’ up cup or something to keep all them screws and springs in. Don’t let any get away from you.

 

Get your strings and and head tuners off first. Take off the back plate.

You will need some goo gone to get off all the sticker goo if you got that… I do…

 

Took this to remember what screws go to the bridge, but I ordered a black one with new black screws so probably won’t matter. Better safe than sorry.

Once you get yer catch ‘em cup filled. Bag and tag it and seal it up so you don’t lose anything.

Take off the scratch plate with all the pick ups and things still attached. Leave them on until your are ready for your new plate to load up. 

Lucky for me my wife made us a good eatn’ chicken stuffing crock pot dinner last night and I took a minute to heat up some leftovers for lunch. Gave my hands a rest. Refilled my coffee cup. Gave my dog a pet on his head and took some deep breaths.

This is where the jack wires will need to be re soldered to after you cut them. I cut mine close to the connection spot as not to lose wire length later on. There is a ground wire that goes to the back spring tree you need to cut too before it all comes loose.

Take many pictures. This is the road map in case you don’t understand electrical like me. You might need to solder all the connections better later too. Most important! After you cut a wire tag it with a note where it goes back to later.

Read for the next step… getting the sticker goo and dirt off then get ready to sand it down. 

That’s in the next blog. Stay tuned… it’s on the way as soon as my ordered things get here.

Thanks for reading! Keep it Mella Fellas… Scoocher

 

The best things…

Looking into my wife’s eyes have to be the best thing to me so far in life. Holding her hand. I have enjoyed fun food like velveeta shells and cheese, Reese’s peanut butter cups, brown sugar pop tarts, spiced gum drops, my wife’s ravioli bake and her ground beef stroganoff, double doubles, lots of really good coffee too. 

Had a few good apples. Had fun collecting guitars, records, art books, and toys that fill my studio and our home. Grateful to have had art supplies to keep me dreaming and grateful to be able to make art. It has been good therapy for me.

I’m grateful for every person who ever noticed how much love I put in my art. That love is my gift to the world. I often miss the beauty of nature but I have been fortunate to be with people who point out the little things I miss like birds chirping and deer wandering free. The gift of a clean drink of water when I’m thirsty. 

The gift of the dogs in my life. The companionship. 

I am grateful for all the loyalty and love I have received in my life. Thank you god for each day you have given me. 

June 3rd, 2022 Rest In Peace Ken Kelly

 

Rest In Peace Ken Kelly. Absolutely one of the main reasons I became an artist was to make album covers like his famous Love Gun and Destroyer covers he painted for the rock band Kiss. It was the drummer Peter Criss who read Eerie and Creepy magazines that featured Ken’s art while Gene mostly read Marvel Comics. Originally for Destroyer they wanted Frazzetta but could not afford him so they went with Ken. Those paintings are icons and legendary in the fantasy art and album cover world. Very sad to hear this news. Love to his family. Thank You Ken for inspiring me to make the best art I can possibly make. His idea was to make art you would want to look at over and over. A true legend.

New stickers with popkustomshoppestore.com orders and more!

 

New stickers are here. I have been wanting to make you tubes vinyl community videos but have not got there yet. It may take me a long time to get there. I really want to make videos that I would enjoy myself. I’m honestly kind of shy and really not into my looks or sound of my voice at all. I’m not doing the self loathing thing anymore though, so in time I will build up my self esteem enough to film myself. In the mean time I have this blog going for quite a long time now and it goes back a few years. Plenty here to read. Not sure I can keep up with new records and content for videos. I do love some of the posts from the vinyl community on you tubes but I really want to make my site different and less about consumption and the most valuable records I have or rarest ones. Too much of that already. One dude told some fish stories with his records found at goodwill. That’s really what I’m looking for.

That’s always been how I collect. I don’t always know what I’m looking for until I see it at a fair price someplace. Most of it I know I can live without really…but I did trim down much of my clutter when we moved and as I unpack what remains I want to talk about why I kept what I did.

I’m journaling when I can to build ideas on new art projects. The new reality is very inspiring for me and I’m planning out the next adventures to get published. My wife has been trying out new recipes on me lately and wow am I digging that!

I have been making more paintings for my uncle Bill. As soon as I get them done he sends the next assignment. All done through the mail. It’s good to communicate this way. It means more. That’s what I want for my art now is human value and to be genuine. My uncle truly lets me just do what I want. Sometimes I keep it real loose. It lets me try different things out. This month I went more watercolor style with the acrylics. Thinned out the paint and layered it on top of inked lines. It worked out great. Last month was really loose with paint makers but I love how it turned out and it made me laugh a bit especially his concept for it. I’m beginning to laugh at my art again, which is important to my process and my inspiration to keep at it. 

I’m really loving painting for others at the moment and I know soon I will get back to painting for myself or our house decor again soon as I have much more wall space to fill in time. To keep going I give myself some kind of reward to look forward to afterwards. To be healthy it try not to make it food related or get carried away with retail therapy. 

Sometimes I get new art supplies.

I have been discovering local things here and getting lots of love and support from everyone and I am very grateful for each day. Little steps each day to better health. Going slow and steady. 

Stay Tuned! More on the way!

-Scoocher