1000 Reasons to Buy This Book
While curating my previous books, I was always left with the empty feeling of not being able to share all of the amazing work that I desired, from the talented folks around the world. Presented with the chance to assemble and design the poster entry into the ever popular 1,000 series for Rockport Publishers, I knew just what to do. Then something unthinkable occurred – I was still left with tons of work left behind! Each and every piece within these pages is as awesome as the diecut cover you see before you. This is a must have. Speaking of which, it might be time to start a new poster book already…
Duke University put on a summer series of concerts featuring North Carolina’s finest and who better than the dynamic duo that formerly fronted the beloved dB’s? While remaining a complimentary pairing, Chris Stamey and Peter Holsapple have always been the sweet to each other’s sour, the jangle in your rock, the treble in your bass, the playful in your dour. More than anything they have always reminded me of competitive brothers trying to one up each other and so how could I resist this wonderful image.
West Main Development is a pretty special record label in Baltimore that treads in the cast off and unloved world of the live track and b-side. Ensuring that such gems do not go unheard, they work tirelessly to find a sweet little spot in your playlist for some of the most adventurous music being produced today. Putting some of these acts under one roof – actually smack dab in the middle of a beautiful old church in downtown b’more for a one night only showcase – we wanted to make something memorable and quirky to properly “represent” as the kids say. (My kid doesn’t say that, but I am pretty sure I read about such vocabulary in a reliable source.) The first person to e-mail me the name of the figure on the top wins a prize pack of mystery posters. Seriously. No hints though.
Spending countless hours (days and months at this count more likely!) digging through crates of vinyl, I have become addicted to the intoxicating mix of visual discovery and tactile sensation that accompanies the scent of the hunt. Absolutely nothing brings me peace like two hours in a record store can. Unfortunately, those stores have slowly disappeared over the years, but that has made events such as this all the more enjoyable. Used as a promotional device, as well as a commemorative piece of merchandise, I could only hope to capture but a sliver of the happiness this day brings me.
Fire Records invades the Bergenfest musical extravaganza with a showcase and what better way to alert the locals than a one-eyed lass surrounded by record advertisements from the backpages of old pulp publications!
Back to back nights at the legendary Black Cat required totally different directions for the intense inner turmoil of The Mountain Goats and the mystical rhythm of Le Loup. Drawing from the same color palette but completely different imagery, I was thrilled with the response (including John Darnielle’s analysis of Japanese sumi art in comparison to my brush work) from both groups.
I often carry around little fragments of lost visuals and old ephemera, just knowing the the right project will come along. More often than not, I am wrong and these things sit in a drawer wondering why they are in this purgatory and couldn’t have just joined the rest of their magazine in the recycling. However, this old pharmaceutical receipt carrying an advertisement for a laxative was just what the doctor ordered for this poster. Re-creating all of the packaging design and information to carry the band names and show times, I then slipped in old wallpaper, banjo ads and gun listings before calling it a day. Zach Rogue loved them so much that he gave them out as x-mas presents.
It has been my pleasure to speak on design issues and my personal experiences all around the world. Many of the most rewarding instances have been talking directly to design students at some of the finest programs in the country. Even better is when they allow me to design the poster promoting the appearance! Here are just a few of my faves.
It is truly an honor to be invited to participate in the Melvins poster series. The challenge is that you know that you will be side by side with many of the top designers in the world. Bringing your “A” game is a given. Hopefully these are up to snuff. The kids seem to dig ‘em.