As a member of the Marginalized Moderate Majority and an Ideological Ⓐnarchist, who has had to pay taxes and adhere to unfair bullshit laws my whole life, I have never voted for any so-called “politicians” or any “initiatives” to allegedly “change laws”, etc. even once in my entire lifetime.
That is because as having been an anarcho-punk since my pre-teens, starting back in 1979, I have always known that we do not actually live in a so-called “Democratic Republic”, but rather that we live in a Corporate Dictatorship ruled by a Shadow Government where “politicians” are just “bad actor” poster boys and puppets putting on a false left-right paradigm shit-show sham and charade under the direction of their marionette masters who are pulling their strings, which is meant to placate “We The People” in to believing that we actually have a “voice” and thus a “choice” in our governance through an alleged “voting system”, and to thereby keep us “in line”, docile and working for them like good little farm manimals, but that in fact we actually do not, because if voting was real and actually changed anything then they would just make it illegal like they do everything else that doesn’t line their pockets, advance their agendas, or that they don’t profit from in some other way.
And it is also done to keep us divided, distracted and thus off-kilter by keeping us at each other’s throats while they simply slip their nefarious agendas in to place and write them in to law right under our big, dumb, easily-duped noses.
Therefore I, and anyone else who knows these things I’ve stated to be true, in fact DO have the right to complain about them all I or they want, and I will continue to do so contrary to and regardless of what any of the duped sheeple think if they can’t even see the fake engineered society, false reality and gilded cage that the Shadow Fucks have created for us all to live in and to serve them, and if they really still believe that their stupid fucking “votes” actually count for fuck all.
So those who like to tell people that they don’t have the right to complain if they don’t participate in the voting sham that they’ve blindly bought in to really need to watch this eye-opening video called “The Story of Your Enslavement” and wake up and learn the truth if they think otherwise…
He’s been a part of the underground for the last 28+ years, writer, actor and musician Christiaan Pasquale known to many as Christian Slanderin from the Psychobilly band The Slanderin.
The Slanderin began at the infamous Al’s Bar, what brought the band together?
We were all part of the same scene and kinda based around Epitaph. I was writing for Hellcat magazine, Charlie Ackerman who was Brett Gurewitz Godson, was putting out the magazine and Greg Lee from Hepcat knew I was a writer and told him he should publish my stuff and he did. That’s how I met Mauricio Arguetta hanging out in Silverlake, Echo Park, East LA , there was a lot of punk stuff happening there. Skunk Draino I met at Al’s he was a deathrock guy at the time playing with Ginger Coyote at the time, but it wasn’t working out. The first lineup I ever had that recorded a song was me, my ex-girlfriend Andi Beltramo from a band called Snapper, Tom Curry from Kommunity FK and Skunk. But later we met Everett Thompson when I was working at Retail Slut on Melrose. He joined and then it was me, Mauricio and Everett until Skunk left SnapHer and we became The Slanderin in 1999. Our first show was out in Brea at La Vida Roadhouse with Hellbound Hayride on NYE.
What do you miss about The American?
I miss it a lot, that was a huge part of my life for a very long time. I moved there in 1996-2006 then back in 2014-2016 so about 12 and half years. Back in those days it wasn’t gentrified and built up like it is now. It’s unrecognizable. You know it was Al’s Bar, the American Hotel, Blooms General Store on the corner where I worked. Soul Folks the soul food restaurant next to Blooms and a coffee shop across the street. At that time in the Art’s District, there’s, I don’t know, between our corner (Attraction and Hewitt), the Santa Fe Art Colony and the brewery there was probably 800 people that made up that scene and then all the bands that came through and played Al’s, it was just a great community. Otherwise, it was quiet. There was nothing down there, just warehouses, empty warehouses, mercantile shops, it was just our little scene, and I miss it a lot.
How has the Hollywood scene changed?
Well, it didn’t change as much as it disappeared. All the great avant guard alternative music that’s happening is happening on the east side. Highland Park, East LA, some parts of Downtown, Silverlake but that’s it. I mean in terms of Hollywood you have the occasional stuff at the Roxy or the Whiskey, but that’s a rare occasion. I don’t know what’s happening at the Troubadour. The Key Club is gone, Knitting Factory is gone, Dragonfly is gone, the Garage is gone, Goldfingers, Mr T’s Bowl, so much of it vanished in the wind. Alex from Los Creepers is an old touring buddy of mine. He is still putting on good shows at the Offbeat Bar in Highland Park but that’s where all the alternative music is going. It’s not Hollywood anymore, it’s just a graveyard.
What were your influences?
I mean, that is a wide breadth of different genres and stuff. Everybody from Tom Waits and Leonard Cohen, in terms of punk, of course, The Ramones, you know, Rancid were a big help to us. The first 2 Rancid albums are classic. All the LA punk bands, X, X was the first show I ever went to when I was in 5th grade. X and The Blasters. Love that stuff. That kind of gave me a vision you know, the past like, you know there were Rockabilly dudes and punks slam dancing in the pit and that image stuck with me which later led to psychobilly. It was almost inevitable because punk is just good rock and roll and rockabilly is like that old rock and roll chords and psychobilly just plays it sort of up tempo with B-movie horror imagery and all that stuff. As a kid I grew up in Orange County so like Social Distortion, DI, Adolescents, Agent Orange all that stuff was really my first impression of what teenagers were doing. I was probably 10 years old and all those guys were like in high school, and I’d watch them in the alley behind my house skateboarding and playing music and being rowdy. Probably the biggest influence of all is The Cramps.
What was your favorite song you wrote?
I keep going back to one call “Condemned” because I wrote it really quickly. I wrote the arrangement in like 5 minutes. It’s kind of like a three geared song (low-medium-high) speed song and it’s simple, it’s only 2 notes. The lyrics came to me in 5 minutes and are just one of those songs that came together really well and are really powerful. It’s got a big crescendo at the end, and it’s a favorite off the Blue Rambling album. Our last album and weirdly enough we didn’t tour around.
Being a support act on the Rancid tour what’s your favorite memory of that tour?
We never got a support role touring with Rancid but did open on both coasts in LA and New York. They knew me from my writing with Charlie and Hellcat magazine and when he started Destroy All Monthly I had a monthly column call the Christiaan Bible. It was just a bunch of short stories and funny takes I had, and Lars also wrote for that monthly. So did Keith Morris from the Circle Jerks. Lars and Matt Freeman came and saw us play the North Beach Festival in San Francisco and we killed it. Lars came up afterward and told me we should do some things with Devils Brigade which was Matt’s psychobilly band and we talked about it but it never happened. Then for the LA show I was in the hospital and the crown sung my parts then in New York me and the original lineup had a falling out and I was backed by the Arkhams. Epitaph dropped us shortly afterwards I’m guessing too much baggage to take a chance on us. Lars, Tim and Matt are fucking awesome and still play us on the Sirius XM channel and helped us grow our popularity. It was an honor to support those guys.
What’s next on the horizon?
I’m working on the 6th book but haven’t had luck raising the funds to get it published. I’ve been going through some hard times in the last 3 years. I mean, just one knockdown after another and got laid off. I have been working ride share and I barely make my bills monthly and just haven’t had the money to raise it, but I’m catching up. You know it’s crazy I’m working 50 hours a week and having to file chapter 7 bankruptcy. I’m contemplating putting it out as an E-book maybe by the end of summer. It’s called “Agents of Cool” which is about my early years in LA, being 19 living in Hollywood, being part of the punk scene, going on tour with Hepcat as their tour manager. It’s where it all started for me. I’m also working on a new band called Vitrolix more garage, surf, punk. It’s a mixture of all good things that make rock and roll basically, we have 4 songs recorded.
Every summer, thousands of metal fans cross borders, board trains, camp in fields, and descend upon medieval fortresses, rural villages, coastal cities, and historic fairgrounds for what has become one of Europe’s greatest cultural traditions: heavy metal festival season. While the United States still hosts excellent events, Europe increasingly feels like the center of the metal universe. The scale is larger, the lineups are deeper, the crowds are more international, and perhaps most importantly, each country brings its own personality to heavy metal. Attending a European festival isn’t just about seeing bands, but it’s also about experiencing how different cultures have embraced and interpreted metal as part of their identity.
Hellfest – France
Located in the small French town of Clisson, Hellfest has grown into one of the largest and most ambitious metal festivals in the world. The festival combines massive production, elaborate stage design, sculpture gardens, art installations, and a distinctly French appreciation for atmosphere and presentation. Hellfest 2026 runs June 18–21.
What makes Hellfest special is how seamlessly France blends culture and spectacle. They are allowed to keep building on the grounds, so a few years ago they unleashed the most amazing Lemmy Kilmister metal statue ever seen. This year they are releasing an Ozzy Osbourne statue that is sure to raise hell. You can spend the day watching extreme metal, then enjoy excellent local food and wine before heading back into the pit. It feels uniquely French with it’s peaceful elegance, organization, and unapologetically heavy metal setting.
Luppolo In Rock – Italy
Italy’s Luppolo In Rock offers a different experience. Smaller than the continent’s giants, it combines heavy music with Italy’s passion for food, community, and craft beer. Yours truly will be attending this festival, so stay tuned for a full report. Italian metal culture tends to be warm and social.
Fans gather not only for the bands but also for long conversations, local cuisine, and the sense of shared celebration that defines many Italian festivals. It’s an excellent reminder that heavy metal can be both intense and welcoming. Dates are July 17th-19th.
Brutal Assault – Czech Republic
Few festivals on Earth have a more dramatic setting than Brutal Assault. Held inside the 18th-century Fortress Josefov in Jaroměř, the festival transforms historic military walls into one of metal’s most atmospheric venues. The 2026 edition takes place August 5–8.
The Czech metal scene has long embraced heavier and more experimental sounds. Brutal Assault reflects that spirit with a lineup that frequently ventures beyond mainstream metal into black, death, industrial, and avant-garde territory. Walking through ancient stone corridors while hearing blast beats echo across the fortress is an experience every metal fan should have at least once.
Bloodstock Open Air – United Kingdom
For many fans, Bloodstock Open Air represents the heart of the British metal community. Held in Derbyshire, Bloodstock remains proudly independent while showcasing both legendary acts and emerging underground talent. The festival takes place August 6–9, 2026. The UK’s contribution to heavy metal is impossible to overstate. From the birth of traditional heavy metal through the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, the country’s influence remains enormous. Bloodstock feels like a family gathering for that legacy.
Wacken Open Air – Germany
No discussion of European metal festivals is complete without Wacken Open Air. The tiny German village of Wacken becomes the epicenter of global metal every summer, welcoming fans from around the world. The 2026 edition runs July 29–August 1.
Germany approaches metal with remarkable dedication. The organization, infrastructure, and scale are legendary. Yet despite its enormous size, Wacken still feels like a pilgrimage site for metal fans. Seeing flags from dozens of countries flying above muddy campgrounds perfectly captures the international spirit of the genre.
Beyond The Gates – Norway
Set amid the historic streets of Bergen, Beyond The Gates offers one of the most distinctive experiences in European metal.
Norway’s black metal legacy looms large, and Beyond The Gates embraces that heritage while celebrating extreme music from around the world. The city’s mountains, fjords, and medieval architecture create an atmosphere unlike any other festival destination. It feels less like a concert and more like a journey into metal history.
Sweden Rock Festival – Sweden
Sweden has produced an astonishing number of influential bands across death metal, melodic metal, hard rock, and progressive music. Sweden Rock Festival serves as a showcase for that legacy. The 2026 festival was held June 3–6 in Sölvesborg.
Swedish audiences are known for their deep musical knowledge and enthusiasm. Sweden Rock reflects that culture, presenting everything from classic hard rock to modern extreme metal with equal respect.
Finland’s Summer Metal Tradition
No country embraces heavy metal quite like Finland. With one of the highest concentrations of metal bands per capita in the world, Finland treats metal less like a subculture and more like a national art form.
With black metal festival Steelfest already passed thus year, there are still more metal festivals to enjoy such as Tuska Festival which continues to draw fans from across Europe. Finnish festivals often combine world-class organization with a uniquely Nordic atmosphere, where metal exists comfortably alongside mainstream culture.
Other European Festivals worth exploring, to name a few, are Belgium’s Graspop Metal Meeting remains one of the continent’s premier heavy music gatherings. Denmark’s Copenhell brings metal to Copenhagen’s waterfront. Germany’s Summer Breeze Open Air continues to grow into one of Europe’s most respected festivals, taking place August 12–15, 2026.
England’s Download Festival also remains a major destination for hard rock and metal fans each summer.
What makes European metal festivals special isn’t simply the size of the lineups. It’s the opportunity to see how metal evolves across borders.
In France, metal is theatrical and artistic. In Germany, it becomes a massive communal celebration. In Norway, it intersects with history and mythology. In the Czech Republic, it thrives in ancient fortresses. In Finland, it feels woven into everyday culture.
For American fans, attending these festivals offers something increasingly rare: the chance to combine travel, cultural exploration, and music into a single unforgettable experience. Summer festival season is here. And if there is one lesson Europe’s metal scene continues to teach the world, it’s that heavy metal is not just a genre. It is a global culture spoken in many different languages, all united by the same beautiful chaos from the stage. Stay metal and go to Europe!
Here we go its Official.Nick Fuoco presents The 2nd Annual NIKSTOCK HOLLYWOOD 2026 special nikstock anniversary edition Friday June 19th and Saturday June 20th Nick Fuoco..mojo..Chill..Vanessa Rodrigues Birthday Bash At The 3 Clubs 1123 Vine St, Los Angeles, CA 90038. 2 Days .3 Rooms.40 Bands .2 Stages.Hosted by Ivonna Cadaver from TVs Macabre Theater .GoGo Dancers. Food Trucks in the parking lot.Drink Specials.Vendors. DJs NIGHTMARE the Alice Cooper tribute plays Both Nights 11pm..Tempter featuring Nick Fuoco.. HTTH…Murderone motorhead tribute..Black Sabbatha.. Moore-AD..Slow Burning Car..Fast Hammer..Krystal Shades..Guard Dawg.. many more Doors open Friday June 19th 5:30pm..Doors open Sat June 20th 4pm. Advance Tickets $25 covers entry for both days Or $20 at the door Fri..$20 at the door Saturday this is definitely one event you don’t want to miss. If ur a band .sponsor.vendor now its your time to submit for this event. Thank you and we will see all of you at NIKSTOCK HOLLYWOOD 2026 for more info Nick 8182129136 Nikstock.com
We’s baaaaaack again w/ Screaming Soup…AND HERE’S WHAT THEY GOTS TO SAY?
SS: Howdy there, y’all! This is Deadwest, the host of Screaming Soup! the web’s #1 animated horror host show. If ya enjoy horror hosted B movies, Saturday mornin’ cartoons, retro video games, and indie funny books, then we’re the perfect show fer ya with 56 episodes and countin’ over at ScreamingSoup.com where you’ll find all our misadventures in the Wild Weird West as we review yesteryear’s best and worst horror flicks!
YOU FINALLY GOT YOUR NEW EPISODE UP?
SS: Ya know it, Mojo! We’re continuin’ to help the new king of the vampires round up classic monsters to be in his posse, and we just held auditions fer a new Phantom of the Opera kinda member with yer help as a judge. Lotta deaf tone “talents” who couldn’t belt a tune to save their afterlives, but we did land the Phantom of the Paradise who starred in one of our favorite flicks of all time. That fella can rock with the best of ‘em, and we’re thrilled to have him on the team. Though, he ain’t been returnin’ our calls lately . . .
ANY NEW MOVIES TO LOOK FORWARD TO?
SS: The biggest surprise to hit theaters lately is They Will Kill You. The trailer’s kinda whatever ‘bout a gal goin’ all Kill Bill on an apartment buildin’ full of devil worshippers to save her missin’ sister, but then I buy my movie ticket and find out there’s a whole hook worthy twist the trailer leaves out — The tenants are immortal and keep comically respawnin’ fer endless eye candy brawlin’ that leads to one monstrous boss level endin’! Gore-tastic 4/5 fun I highly recommend seein’.
ANY BIG EVENTS YOU GUYS GONNA BE AT?
SS: Our next scheduled appearance is at Retro-Horror Con in Greenville, SC September 11-13. Not only will we have a table, but we’re the official announcers you’ll hear blabberin’ all weekend, and we’re hostin’ all the celebrity panels. Last year was a screamin’ success, so y’all gotta come to the con and see us!
WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON FAKE GOTH GIRLS ON THE INTERNET (aka posers)?
SS: So long as they stay on their side of the line inside Hot Topic, I’m fine with ‘em.
ANY NEW PROJECTS?
SS: Screaming Soup! pvc figures are in the works as we speak! Aimin’ to be released later this year fer online orders, yer guaranteed to see a Deadwest, Billy, and Mandy figure with some monstrous allies and wicked villains of ours not too far behind. It’s gonna be a sweet collection fer Scream Freaks to get their claws on, and we’re stoked ‘bout it.
CAN MOJO BE A REGULAR ON YOUR SHOW?
SS: Now that yer existence has been folded into our limbo dimension of the Wild Weird West, anythang’s possible.
ANY LAST WORDS FOR YOUR FANS?
SS: Catch up on all our past Screaming Soup! seasons at ScreamingSoup.com where you can also read our bios and updates and purchase exclusive Screaming Soup! merch. Follow us on YouTube, Facebook, X, Instagram, and watch our daily bite size reviews on TikTok. Show your support through our Patreon and check out our Rondon Hatton Classic Horror Award winnin’ retrospective on the history of the Attack of the Killer Tomatoes ‘fore the new Killer Tomatoes movie comes out later this year. If anyone wants to watch us on their Roku, we’re ‘mong Mister Lobo’s line-up of horror hosted shows on his OSI74 channel. See ya later, Scream Freaks!
I think there’s probably some, if not many, people in So. Cal, that can relate to what I’m about to say here on one level or another, although we may differ in our opinions of bands on the bill, our choices of which bands we would like or not like to see, those we’ve already seen fairly recently anyway, or those that we figure we can just see somewhere else relatively soon instead for far less money and hassle at a more intimate venue, etc..
But at any rate, here we go…
With all of the dramedy surrounding his politics, socio-politics, and semi-frequent cancellations etc. aside, I would still like to see MORRISSEY, as I don’t recall if I’ve ever seen him perform before or not. But I will admit that considering his track record it’s probably likely that he will just cancel anyway… so “whatever”.
I never been the biggest fan of SMASHING PUMPKINS, but I do like some of their material. However I saw them a few times at festivals in the 90’s during the height of their career, so it’s never gonna get better than that for me… so again; “whatever”.
SIMPLE MINDS are great, they don’t come around to play too often, and I’ve only ever seen them once, so I’d love to see them again. However it was only a few years ago when I saw them at an old theater in DTLA, and I was up close ‘n’ personal in the 7th row, so it won’t be better than that either and I’d rather wait and see them somewhere like that again, wherever that might be.
I’ve seen ADAM ANT, PSYCHEDELIC FURS, SOFT CELL, GARY NUMAN and MODERN ENGLISH up close ‘n’ personal to one degree or another, and some of them several times, all in the last 10 years or so, and most of them play around between L.A. and O.C. at least a few times a year at venues that are smaller and more intimate, so I’m good waiting to see them somewhere like that again too.
The MOTELS and MISSING PERSONS play at the Whisky and other local clubs like the Canyon Club, etc. all over town semi-regularly, so I can see them up close pretty much any time.
The DAMNED, BAD RELIGION and sometimes The BUZZCOCKS play venues like The Fonda or comparable sized venues and also at local festivals semi-frequently too, and I’ve seen them all a few times at them in the last decade or so as well, so no biggie either.
I just saw the CIRCLE JERKS up close at an old theater in Gardena, and it ain’t gonna get better than that, so I’m good on waiting until another smaller show like that happens too.
Plus with the Rozz vs. Valor drama aside, I’ve seen Valor’s version of CHRISTIAN DEATH very up close ‘n’ personal at small or medium size clubs a number of times over the last few decades, going all the way back to when he first started doing it in the 90’s and I caught him at The Scream, and I’ve hung out with him and his crew backstage, etc. since then… and so yet again; “whatever”.
I would love to see MANIC STREET PREACHERS though, as I never have… but hopefully they’ll play a venue around town while they are here and I can catch them there instead, but if not then maybe next time they come around instead.
And I would also like to see PRAYERS, albeit mostly just for their whole “cholo goth” angle though, as I kinda relate to that being an old school punk guy that grew up hangin’ around punk gangs and dressing like that, but also being in to deathrock and dressing like that too, and sometimes combining both styles which I still do to this day as my usual “daytime image”… but I’m sure I’ll eventually catch them in a club somewhere instead though.
But I could frankly sort of largely care less about MARKY RAMONE, SILVERSUN PICKUPS, EMF, SPACEHOG, GENE, THE SOUNDS, COLD CAVE, TR/ST, MARIACHI EL BRONX, CHOIR BOY, DECEITS PAST SELF, BENCHES, THE MAINLINERS, RIKI, WARFIELD, PUREST FORM, CASKET CASSETTE, MIGS WHISKEY, ALL THE DAMN VAMPIRES, KIM THEORY, and I FORGET though, and I would honestly probably prefer not to have to stand through most of their sets anyway. So it wouldn’t be worth showing up there early enough to catch them and spend all those extra hours walking around between stages in the sand and sun either, as that just sounds pretty torturous actually… and especially not for something like two hundred dollars for a ticket.
So unless I get in for free through my connections and have some sort of VIP pass to have a premium viewing spot and access to shorter line concession stands and cleaner less used bathrooms, or via my press credentials and have a photo pass, etc. then I’ll most likely just skip the event and catch some of those bands somewhere better, closer, cheaper and with far less hassles and drawbacks.
As time flies forward, more and more legendary musicians who truly find themselves through music, seem to disappear out of our lives. Most of the time, the loss is unfortunately due to a tragedy of sorts. As we near the 16th anniversary of the death of Peter Steele, vocalist and bassist of gothic doom band Type O Negative on April 14th, fans still mourn his loss as if it was yesterday. The 6’ 8” tall green man had a very self deprecating view on life, but found solace in his music and his cats. As an emotional creature doomed to feel all the pain life had to offer, he lived, loved, and suffered. His death was from a health complication that gave him sepsis, and just like that, at only 48 years old, he was gone.
In other tragic and more recent news Brent Hinds, the guitarist best known for being a long time member of the heavy metal band Mastodon, passed away from injuries from a motorcycle wreck on August 25th, 2025. He was only 51, as wild hearted as can be, but none the less, a quality human. The guitar music he played was a part of his soul. He was one of those people who could only breathe through life as a musician. Leaving Mastodon was a big deal to him in lots of ways, and the depression towards the end was creeping in. It was not ever determined if he had any sort of sub conscious death wish or not, but he was sadly speeding when he lost control of his motorcycle that day.
Fast forward to April 1st, 2026, when producer and multi-instrumentalist James Lollar of the dark synthwave band GOST passed away at a mere 46 years old. The multi-genre album mixes that he put out continuously, such as ‘Behemoth,’ were always unexpected and quite genius in their creation plus execution. While it is still unconfirmed as to the cause of death, he too was an emotional soul who had a special vulnerability towards his audience. While he primarily played his sets wearing a skull mask to never reveal his face, he did on at least one occasion play to the audience as himself. During one specific memory of a late night performance at a small stage in Mandalay Bay during Psychofest in Las Vegas, GOST performed skull mask free. The emotion he sings out of his keyboard through the synthwave, industrial, and black metal became so much more chilling and real. After an unforgettable show that was not as packed as it should have been at 3am in Las Vegas, the magic that one true artist can give to another had definitely transpired.
With such young talented musicians gone so suddenly, fans will always wonder what could have been. How much more was left to write in the story of their life? Or was this simply how their end was meant to be? Is it really better to burn out than fade away as Neil Young once proclaimed? To me, there was so much more music in these three special souls that could have bled onto all who were willing to listen, and it could have made the world a more peaceful place. As we will never know, we can still relish in the music driven legacy that they left behind, which is proving to be quite timeless. RIP to these tragic lives and tragic deaths that ultimately are left for a musical legend to tell to those to come into the future and beyond. If music is your life blood, please stay metal and stay alive!
As summer approaches, many acts will be retuning to the road, or retuning home waiting for the next leg of their tour to begin. Unfortunately, our dear Chicago brother and bassist Charles Levi will still be recovering from many medical issues.
You don’t have to be a rivet-head from Chicago to know just who Charles Levi is. Anyone who’s followed alternative / industrial music are familiar with either “My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult” or “PigFace” who Charles Levi has toured with extensively over the years. Charles Levi’s contributions to music had lasted decades until everything came to a halt not to long ago once Charles came down with sepsis and lost one of his legs as a result.
Since then, Charles has come down with many medical struggles while attempting to recover from this tragic chapter of his life. Now, after several strokes, and a current battle with vascular dementia, Charles Levi is living in Colorado literally fighting for his life and his sanity. As Charles (and his love Dani) attempts to contact anyone they can for public / government funding so they’re able to find and pay for a forever home, medical bills, and living costs, they are now in between places to live as the money gets spent before it’s received.
All of this considered, I’d like to personally thank Charles Levi (and Dani) for taking the time to answer some questions for me and Lost Anarchy Magazine.
HH: Charles, Thank you brother! What do you look forward to more than anything else that you couldn’t say ten years ago?
CL: Honestly, I look forward to being able to play my Bass again, marrying my Fiance Dani, and just staying alive with all the health issues I have from Sepsis. Music is all I know. I had several Stokes when I was in an induced Coma while I had Sepsis and I’ve had mini strokes over the past year or so. I have very bad Central Neuropathy from these Strokes but my fiance (Dani) was having me play my Bass everyday for as long as I could. Unfortunately we don’t have a permanent home now, so I had to put both my Basses in storage. I’m very grateful for everyday. Life is a gift even when it gets hard.
HH: If you didn’t become a musician, what would you be doing all these years?
CL: Ha! Good question. Maybe a professional athlete or bum . Music is really all I know so it’s hard to picture doing anything else.
HH: What do you miss most about Chicago?
CL: Lake Michigan
HH: After either recording with or performing with Chemlab, Skatenigs, Die Warsaw, and KMFDM what are a couple of your favorite memories or stories you’d like to tell the readers?
CL: This is one of my favorite stories. My first job working for the infamous Jolly Rogers at Jam Productions was to watch his 2 daughters while the Thin Lizzy crew was loading into the Uptown Theater. Phil Lynott was walking around and I noticed him and I could tell he was looking for Jolly Rogers then wife cause she was really hot. I had been waiting for Thin Lizzy to come to the U.S. but their tour was cancelled twice because they either got into fights and then their guitarist got injured. So it was amazing my first assignment from Jolly Rogers was to watch his 2 daughters at the Thin Lizzy show at the Uptown Theater. Anyway, when I noticed Phil Lynott walking around looking for Jolly ‘s then wife and I said to him the blonde is spoken for and it wouldn’t be wise for him to pursue his interest for her…..”She’s the wife of the stage manager you know the guy who is 6’8..?” He thanked me and I struck up a conversation with him about them finally coming to the U.S. and we talked a bit about life. I had never heard a black guy with a Irish accent before. It was amazing to see a black lead singer playing bass. It really inspired me and meeting Phil Lynott was incredible.
HH: Which are your top ten favorite bands / artists in no particular order?
CL: Actually here’s my top 12:
*Thin Lizzy *Weather Report *UFO *My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult *Pigface *Barry Adamson *Skinny Puppy *Led Zeppelin *ChemLab *Damage Manual *Yes *Sam Cooke (he was Dad’s cousin)
HH: What are you top 10 favorite studio albums in any order?
CL: Montrose by Ronnie Montrose, Twitch by Ministry, 13 Above The Night – My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult, Toys In The Attic – Aerosmith, Black Rose – Thin Lizzy, Notes From The Underground – PigFace, Too Dark Park – Skinny Puppy, Hair Of The Dog – Nazerath, The Negro Inside – Barry Adamson, Lights Out – UFO
HH: What are your top 5 favorite live albums by any artist?
CL: Peter Frampton Comes Alive, Nick Cave – Idiots Prayer, Ministry – In Case You Didn’t Feel Like Showing Up, Nine Inch Nails – And All That Could Have Been, Deep Purple – Made in Japan
HH: If you hadn’t had a career playing bass, which other instrument do you think you’d be immersed in?
CL: Guitar, absolutely Guitar
HH: Are there any projects coming up in the future you’ll be involved with that the readers can look forward to?
CL: Nothing yet but life is full of surprises . Thank you to all of the readers for letting me reach out! I miss you all!
HH: THANK YOU CHARLES!!
Make sure you keep your ears open for a new band / project featuring myself, “OG” guitarist of Ministry / Mind Funk / M.O.D. Louis Svetek, and Charles Levi. Just three Chicago guys making music which will be available on most download platforms (all proceeds will go to Charles Levi).
A non profit is currently being put together for Charles Levi to help with his living expenses so we can get our brother back on the road again. If you’d like to make a donation directly to Charles, please do by going to a new web site we’re putting together in Charles name.
www.TheLeviLeviFund.org
There you will find a link to make a donation for Charles Levi, an online store, autographed memorabilia from everyone in the entertainment industry, clothes to purchase, all sorts of merchandise, and whatever else Charles Levi wishes to share with all of you.
PLEASE DO post the new web site on all Social media outlets, and message your friends, so we can all be a part of making Charles Levi’s life a little less stressful one donation at a time. Any and every size donation will help. No donation is too small. As a music community as a whole, we can really make a difference to an amazing human being’s life. If you know Charles, well then….you know. AND, he’s a distant relative of SAM COOKE??!! That’s amazing!
Thank you for reading. My cell is on 24/7 (text only please) if anyone has any questions relating to helping our Chicago brother Charles Levi in his time of need.
Otherwise, be safe, be kind, and turn up the music until the cops come! Respect, Happenin’ Harry
Chaos magic is an esoteric system of magic which has a main principle. The principle states that all magic is psychological, therefore all magic is valid. Everything you imagine or focus on can be materialized through the power of thought. And since all magic is mental anyway, all systems of magic are equally valid.
Chaos magic also puts heavy emphasis on making sigils and then imbuing that sigil with your intention in order to have things manifest. Chaos magic is a relatively new phenomenon created in the middle of the 20th century. It advocates for self-liberation, self-empowerment, the absence of religious dogma, and it doesn’t have standardized ceremonial rites.
It claims that all magic is purely psychological and every result from it originates from the power of the mind and auto-suggestion. It honestly believes that magic is a form of advanced hypnosis which results in manifestations in the material world.
Chaos magic doesn’t have any form of organized system; rather, it’s built on the denial of traditional systems of magic, and it seems to manifest results outside of them.
Another technique usually associated with chaos magic is extreme visualization. It states that since magic is a form of auto-hypnosis, we can hypnotize ourselves through really strong visualization and basically activate the hidden potentials within us which will materialize and manifest the thing we want.
From the fundamental point of view, chaos magic is materialistic. If there is embedded power within the mind which manifests reality, chaos magic simply believes that magic is a form of extreme hypnosis, a way for us to influence reality through the power of our thought.
But chaos magic also treats all spirits and spiritual beings within magical systems as egregores, a.k.a. mental constructs which don’t necessarily have external validity. And if they do have some external validity according to chaos magic, they are simply the product of the collective energy of human belief rather than truly independent entities.
Chaos magic is truly a postmodern system of occultism, and in the philosophical sense, it truly belongs to postmodernism. It is a postmodern, materialistic way to explain occult phenomena more than anything else. It is thoroughly disconnected from any previous worldview in magic and esotericism, and it does not care about the real meanings of the texts it is interpreting.
When interpreting ancient systems, chaos magic does not care about the vocabulary or the original meaning of the words within those ancient texts. It interprets everything exclusively through its own philosophical framework. This creates problems, since chaos magic has become an extremely popular occult philosophy today.
It has become so mainstream that people often do not even notice that they are practicing chaos magic, because the chaos-magical belief system is so deeply embedded in modern occultism. As a result, many people do not realize that when they read ancient texts or older esoteric material, they are interpreting it purely through the lens of chaos magic.
This creates a major problem when interpreting these works, because it prevents individuals from understanding occult, magical, and esoteric texts of the past in the context of the time in which they were written. Those texts were written from a worldview in which spirits externally exist, the energies of spiritual worlds are real, and those forces have a physical and tangible effect on reality.
Ancient texts did not consider magic to be a form of hypnosis. This is precisely why they contain highly elaborate systems of magical and esoteric practice which rely heavily on tools. That ancient worldview does not make sense if we assume that magic is merely a form of self-hypnotism. In that case, the majority of the tools—such as incense, swords, and other magical paraphernalia and regalia—as well as the extremely careful methodology through which magical tools are constructed, would make little sense if everything were simply psychological.
In addition, many of the words found in ancient grimoires are interpreted in a modern context rather than in their original historical context. This often leads practitioners to perform rituals incorrectly and sometimes dangerously, which can have negative effects on them.
My stance on chaos magic is the following: if you have good results with chaos magic, then practice it. However, please do not use the chaos-magic lens to interpret and practice traditional magical systems. If you do, you will either have no results or you may experience results that are counterintuitive and counterproductive to what you are trying to achieve.
So I would ask my chaos-magic audience to practice chaos magic using the tools and methods that chaos magic itself provides, and not to project chaos-magic philosophy and methodology onto older systems.
But if someone disagrees with my stance, they are free to use and practice whatever they want. I cannot police them.
