Big Stir Magazine # 3

The third and biggest (so far) issue of Big Stir Magazine is out and awaiting your order. My goal is to be included in every issue of Big Stir that's ever published, at least until they finally get that cease 'n' desist order out on me. I've been in each of the first three, because I like what they do and I appreciate the opportunity to see what brilliant graphics maestro Champniss Of London can do to make my stuff look spiffy.



In addition to my piece about "Rock And Roll Love Letter" by The Bay City Rollers, this issue spotlights "Pets Of Pop," and features contributions from an entire passel o' rockin' pop stalwarts. Dig the hype:

BIG STIR MAGAZINE #3 is now available for purchase!

It's bigger (now at comic book size and 52 pages) and packed to bursting with articles and artwork by and about your favorite artists on the global pop scene, lavishly designed by the inimitable CHAMPNISS of London, all for a mere $5! Here's what's inside:

PETS OF POP SPECIAL: Learn all about the animal companions of the movers and shakers of the scene. ARTIST TO ARTIST INTERVIEWS! KARLA KANE (The Corner Laughers) talks to both MARTIN NEWELL (Cleaners from Venus) about autumn and more, and ROBYN HITCHCOCK about cats. STEVEN WILSON (Plasticsoul) talks to PAT FISH (The Jazz Butcher). And CHRISTINA and REX (The Armoires) chat with ADDISON LOVE about his solo debut. REVIEWS and MUSIC MEMORIES from DAVID BASH, JOHN BORACK, CARL CAFARELLI, RAY GIANCHETTI, AARON KUPFERBERG, ROBERT LAMBERT, STEVE ROSENBAUM, and more! COMICS and ARTWORK from CHAMPNISS, SUMISHTA BRAHM (13 Frightened Girls), REX BROOME, RIDLEY BROOME, LARYSA BULBENKO (The Armoires), EDWARD HUERTA (Rockford) and more! FICTION from MARK ENGLISH (The Gold Needles) MUSICAL MUSINGS from members of SPYGENIUS, THE ARMOIRES, BLAKE JONES & THE TRIKE SHOP, THE WALKER BRIGADE, THE EX TEENS, LESLIE PEREIRA & THE LAZY HEROES, THE HANGABOUTS, and (again) more!

You want it! BUY IT! Buy it here: Big Stir Magazine # 3 Meanwhile, here's my introduction from the first issue, reminding you of Why We Fight:

Enthusiasm isn't everything. But nothing of value endures without it.

It's not the only thing, and possibly--probably--not the most important thing. It's not a substitute for inspiration, for execution, for creativity, talent, pure mojo. It doesn't magically make you able to play guitar, or compose sonnets, or paint your masterpiece. It doesn't really make you more attractive to persons of potential prurient interest. Nonetheless, it feeds all of the above. It can drive the creator. It can engage the creator's fans. Enthusiasm is its own reward.

If you're a fan of anything--any damned thing--you understand. And you appreciate opportunities to revel in your enthusiasm. Let your freak flag fly!

When I was a teenager in the '70s, rock magazines fanned my burgeoning obsession with rock 'n' roll. Neither Circus nor Rolling Stone was quite right for me (though the latter was more than sufficient to convince smitten li'l me that I should fall in love with Suzi Quatro). But Phonograph Record Magazine was like a communique from someplace greater, sweeter, and louder. Magazines like Bomp!, Creem, Trouser Press, Punk, New York Rocker, Rock Scene, Poser (a local fanzine here in Syracuse), The Pig Paper...! These all fed the flames of my rockin' pop passions. It is not an exaggeration to say that these rock rags were as important as the music itself. To me, anyway. My enjoyment of these publications, the sheer enthusiasm of (and for) fanzine and prozine alike, made me wanna participate. I couldn't play. I couldn't sing. I could write. I've been doing that ever since.

Enthusiasm. It's okay to discard our jaded facades. It's cool to embrace the things we love, to proclaim with glee that we are fans of something, and that we don't care if you think that's weird. Martin Mull compared writing about music to dancing about architecture. We can do that, man. Bucketfull Of Brains. Goldmine. Yellow Pills. Yeah Yeah Yeah. The Big Takeover. Mojo. Shindig! And now, Big Stir. It's time once again to twist about Frank Lloyd Wright, to do the Freddie on behalf of I. M. Pei. Get loud. Get excited! And read on. Read on.

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Our new compilation CD This Is Rock 'n' Roll Radio, Volume 4 is now available from Kool Kat Musik! 29 tracks of irresistible rockin' pop, starring Pop Co-Op, Ray Paul, Circe Link & Christian Nesmith, Vegas With Randolph Featuring Lannie Flowers, The Slapbacks, P. Hux, Irene Peña, Michael Oliver & the Sacred Band Featuring Dave Merritt, The Rubinoos, Stepford Knives, The Grip Weeds, Popdudes, Ronnie Dark, The Flashcubes,Chris von Sneidern, The Bottle Kids, 1.4.5., The Smithereens, Paul Collins' Beat, The Hit Squad, The Rulers, The Legal Matters, Maura & the Bright Lights, Lisa Mychols, and Mr. Encrypto & the Cyphers. You gotta have it, so order it here. A digital download version (minus The Smithereens' track) is also available from Futureman Records.