I keep saying “I need a new start…” well, that finally happened...

 

That’s my new logo and new moniker “Scoocher” which is a combination of my two names. It was also a nickname my family and friends called me. (Lots of variations of it like “Scooter” and “Scooch”….) I was never really into one name monikers like “Fonzie” but since our family and I have gone through so much these past couple of years a change was needed.

2022 was ready or not when my wife and her family (all my in-laws) left Southern California. Our nephew and his wife found work and moved to where we all wound up.

My health was and still is kind of shaky right now but improving. My wife had to do all the driving and the majority of packing everything to get us here. I never knew how much more my love for her would grow so much during this time. She never once complained and she took such good care of myself and our dog along the way.

It’s good to be here with our whole family. My Mom, Stepdad and Sister are still in California but I write them often to let them know how we are. I’m eating better food and making better choices in order to improve my current health. Going to the doctor for a check up soon.

Going through all my clutter and I am separating what I will keep and what I will sell. Lots of toys and action figures will go on sale in my online shop soon. Lots of He Man, ninja turtles, Star Wars figures, hot wheels, marvel figures and lots more. I just have way too much of it I collected at flea markets over the years. What I keep will get displayed in my new studio media room. I’m thinking of a name for that space like “Scoocher’s Creative Cave”…I’m planning to paint a mural in there eventually when I get time. I may look into getting a spot at the local antique mall as soon as I get bit all sorted. Could be fun. 

I’m planning new videos for you tube and for my main website scoocherart.com (or popkustomshoppe.com). You probably found my blog from there I’m guessing. I will be adding lots more images to my portfolio page there so you can see more of my art. I also added an “Uncle Bill” page there. I have been making paintings for him the last few years. He loves old movies and cartoons like me and we both enjoy making up fun ideas for the old characters. I check in with him often to catch up and get the next painting assignment. He alway remembered my birthday growing up and often gave me the best presents like Kiss albums, mad magazine books, subscriptions to comic books, how to draw marvel comics book etc… he always and still does believe in me. I love him very much.

My online shop is retuning very soon with lots of new things. It’s taking time to get things sorted for sale right now and I have to figure out a good home mailing system too. I’m working on it. I appreciate your patience. If there is something already posted for sale on the site and you want it sooner just buy it and I will get it mailed to you. Popkustomshoppestore.com (that’s my online shop, click it to go there…)

Thank you for reading my blog, going to my website and shopping at my online shop. Much more is on the way this year. I am more dedicated than ever to bring you new art and content this year. I hope you all are healthy and happy and on a good path with life.

Stay tuned and god bless you all, Scoocher

Happy 2022!

 We moved our fortress of solitude to a place we had never even been to. We moved with our whole family. We left behind California where we had all lived the majority of our lives (for me I lived my entire life there until now).

My new studio has a view of the park next door and many families of deer wander our street during the day. It is cold now (winter) and has dropped under 20 degrees at night. 

The summer will be hot and humid most likely but I’m told not that much different that Southern California. The air is very very clean here and I feel like I’m getting more oxygen in my body. 

We have been having homemade chicken soup and crockpot chili. The local market has super fresh just made flour and corn tortillas that are wonderful. 

We are still in boxes. Much of my studio is taking shape. The space is much larger. I’m trying not to crowd it up too much like the old place so I can work in there comfortably.

I changed up my website and my art moniker is now “scoocher” (scoocher art.com) which is a combination of both of my names and it was a nickname as a kid. I’m told because I scooched in my crib a lot.

I’m planning on making new stickers to go with orders. Popkustomshoppestore.com will have much of my collection on sale soon. I will be adding lot bundles of compact discs, vintage vinyl records, and vintage loved toys in addition to the hand made art my site is known for.

Let me know what you would like…vintage goods, fine art, new greeting cards or new comic books? Affordable hand painted plaques? I’d love to hear what you are looking for. You can email scoocher here

Popkustomshoppe@gmail.com

I hope to also make new YouTube videos. Maybe vinyl community videos? Art progress videos? Let me know what you think.

Best wishes to you all for a great new year. Your continued support is everything to me. I will do my best to make great art for you this year.

God bless you all, happy trails! Love, Scoocher

Destroyer 45th super deluxe box set 2021 November

 

Finally got my box set from Cram-a-thon. I did not want to buy from them but they did provide a digital free copy (even though it’s not the full version it’s the 2 disc one). I had originally ordered from KOL but if you like me were reading the Kiss faq boards I had to cancel then order on cram a thon. Is this how it’s going to go now? Large companies buying everything as a monopoly and make it impossible for the rest? Well, I still have my colored vinyl coming from kol. Maybe arriving today. On to the review…

So far I have only heard the two disc condensed version. I really like it. The new 2021 songs sound noticeably better than destroyer resurrected to me. All the added extra noise fills like the car engine revving and especially Peter Criss’s drums sound more up front and clear. The demos and extra songs sound like the best quality available was used and maybe cleaned up. 

Many people have complained about the live disc being the stoned in Paris bootleg that has been around since the 70’s. Fortunately for me I never had this one or heard it so I’m happy with it. Many have said there may be better versions than what’s included here. 

The packaging is the main thing that got me. This is how it was in the 70’s when you got kiss army kit or opened up a new kiss album and discovered all the extras inside like a box of Cracker Jack. It’s exciting all the contents within. Not going to spoil it here, but I plan on saving my experience of reading the book and newspaper for a rainy day. This reminds me so much of being a kid. When I used to ride my bike on new magazine Tuesday to lucky’s supermarket to hopefully get a new kiss magazine. (Lots of other kids often got to them first). This box is like a scrapbook full of 1976.

Destroyer was not my favorite kiss album. In fact, I did not like it at first at all. I went to my friend Duanes house after school to listen to his copy on one of those stereo councils that had light up disco speakers you got from Sears when it first came out. Later on I borrowed a friends copy and played it until it grew on me. Years later I would find a copy in my dads beach apartment that some past tenant left behind in a cupboard with alive. I still have those two.

I remember trying to stay up late for the Paul Lynde Halloween special but fell asleep. My dad told me I missed my band the next day. There are great photos here from the show even a poster too. My uncle Jeff said to me he wanted to take me to the Anaheim show in 76 but I was too young. I was too young in 77 too for the forum show. My dad finally took me in 79 to the Anaheim convention center show. I remember watching Cal Jam 2 on tv with my dad. He was never a rock and roll guy. He liked the Eagles and country and yacht rock soft tunes. Thank you dad. It meant a lot to me.

I was a big time fan of the early first three records. Destroyer was very different. It’s too dark for me at times. Gene talking about being a god and saying “you’d sell me your soul” well, no Gene. Bob Ezrin changed the band into a machine. Lots of studio magic on it. None of the live energy of the alive album. His thing is big concept albums and this is one of them. Maybe not quite a full concept but the songs are like stories. 

The biggest thing about destroyer is the cover art by Ken Kelly. His most iconic painting. There are a few different versions of his paintings included in the book. This cover art made Kiss what they are today. I have stared at it for years now. It got painted on the sides of custom vans back then. Even as a model kit too. I had a tan iron on shirt my uncle bill gave me for Christmas in 76 with that image with groovy flame style boarder. 

Was 200 too much? The printing was done in the USA which is really cool. Maybe that costs more. The foil poster and box must not have been cheap either. If the vinyl was included it may have cost much more. I think this was the right price for what you get. I have been disappointed in Kiss before but this was how it should be done. My hope is to one day get a box set with the debut album demos and wicked Lester  album and demos officially.  

As I said, I will savor this set over time. I do get Kiss burnout now and then and have to listen to different music but I usually come back to them later on. It’s been some time since I played destroyer so I will be spinning this for awhile. 

It’s only entertainment and now and then it helps me escape for a little bit. I’m grateful for my wife and family who listen to my Kiss rants and tolerate my fandom. 

If you don’t feel good, there’s a way you could, don’t sit there broken hearted…call all your friends in the neighborhood and get your party started!

This box should come with paper birthday plates and napkins.

Rock and Roll People! God Bless and Happy Trails!

New Start...time to get healthy. Starting now.

 Today I start again. I have high blood pressure and gout and recently had an episode that could have lead to a stroke or heart attack. Had people close to me pass away too. I’m getting older, actually now I am older... heading towards senior life. Not there yet, but my life now depends on finally getting healthy and fit. I’m going to start slow. Walking and elliptical bike riding. I’m very grateful to have the support and love from my friends and family. I’m going to get healthy. My life is important and not just to me. I don’t want to let my supports down. Spending yesterday in the ER was a wake up call for sure. I want to get back to playing guitar again too. I had numbness in my one of my left hand fingers and could not play. Now I think it had to do with blood pressure. I have had to rest for awhile this time and this is what I needed to understand what I have to do. I updated my website again and my online shop too. I have a few new projects I worked on coming out soon and I’ll let you know as soon as I have them for sale. It’s very exciting and thank god I’m still here to share them with you. Thank You Everyone! Lots of Love, Scott

New show at Cornelius Projects

I have a new show on now at Cornelius Projects on Pacific Avenue here in San Pedro. There is a video tour https://vimeo.com/410896640?utm_campaign=2470763&utm_source=affiliate&utm_channel=affiliate&cjevent=2ce33242962e11ea82e500dc0a1c0e12 linked on their site www.corneliusprojects.com  Due to the pandemic they are taking tours by appointment only. We hope to open when possible with a reading show/book release for All that shines under the Hollywood Sign by Iris Berry- a book I illustrated. The reading show will feature readings by Jack Grisham, Keith Morris, Iris Berry, SA Griffin and Annette Zilinskas.

we will have books for sale and Show Posters. The Art has been selling well even though it’s by appointment only now. I thank you all for supporting this show, myself and this gallery. We hope to open as soon as it is safe to do so. Schedule an appointment and see it! Thank You, -Scott

MY NEXT SHOW....I hope to see you all there!

We will have books, comics and posters for sale that you can get signed at the show. It's a suggested donation of $5.00 to help Cornelius Projects. Be there for the opening and the readings... it's going to be fun!

Lorm is Here! Get your copy Today!

Get your copy of my brand new comic book Lorm. Limited first run of 100 copies. First 60 sold come with a button and sticker. Available exclusively at Etsy.com/shop/popkustomshoppestore
These are selling very well and I plan on making four or five more then make a full color graphic novel. This first run also includes an exclusive error page card inserted in each copy. (I did everything myself and I made the mistake of forgetting page four, but it’s on the insert card.) I will include stickers and extra goodies in each one. Oh yeah, it’s intended for adults and mature readers only! I know you will love it if you are a fan of underground comix. Thank you for your support of this D.I.Y. Effort. I hope you love it! www.popkustomshoppe.com