Books 7 Items

R.I.P. MF DOOM

Unpacks the complex layers of Madvillainy, the 2004 classic collaborative LP between producer Madlib and rapper MF Doom, whose success both relied on and rejected the tendencies of the social media age

This book celebrates Madvillainy as a representation of two genius musical minds melding to form one revered supervillain. A product of circumstance, the album came together soon after MF Doom's resurgence and Madlib's reluctant return from avantgarde jazz to hip-hop. Written from the alternating perspectives of three fake music journalist superheroes— featuring interviews with Wildchild, M.E.D., Walasia, Daedalus, Stones Throw execs, and many other real individuals involved with the album's creation—this book blends fiction and non-fiction to celebrate Madvillainy not just as an album, but as a folkloric artifact. It is one specific retelling of a story which, like Madvillain’s music, continues to spawn infinite legends.

A cacophonous cabinet of curiosities, gathering other musics channeled from the spirit world, the fairy kingdom, outer space, secret societies and occult lodges. Compiled by musician, historian and archivist Doug Skinner, this unique collection of esoteric earworms gathers, and examines, music from other worlds. Notation is also included for several tunes so that you can play along at home. Over eight themed essays you’ll find tunes hummed, strummed, and sung by spirits, sprites and fairies, extraterrestrial elevator music, dreamed ditties, marches for occult ceremonies, secret musical codes and languages, music made by animals, and more.

About the Author Doug Skinner has contributed to The Fortean Times, Cabinet, Fate, Weirdo, Nickelodeon, and other periodicals. In addition to his books of stories, comics, music, and translations of Alphonse Allais, Charles Cros, and Alfred Jarry, he has written many scores for dance and theater, most conspicuously for Bill Irwin’s The Regard of Flight, which toured for decades. TV and movie appearances include Ed, Crocodile Dundee II, several of George Kuchar’s videos, and a smattering of commercials.

Jeff Drake has led an extraordinary life... and believe me, that’s a vast understatement. I say this with confidence, because we’ve known each other for four decades. His band the Joneses, co-founded with skateboard champion Steve Olson, was the shining light of the 1980’s Southern California underground rock scene, ages before the term ‘alternative music’ was bandied about by MTV and rock critics. The Joneses were the damn bomb. A louche, sloppy, outlaw amalgam of punk, pop and Don’t Give A Fuck attitude, they played thrashy, trashy rock’n roll that owed as much to The New York Dolls as it did to the Rolling Stones. Jeff’s songwriting was pure, catchy pop, even though the lyrics were riddled with sex and drug references. It was as though he mixed up a potion from the blood and brain cells of Little Richard and The Ramones, came up with a perfect formula, ingested it, and made his own unique creation. The Joneses’ live shows were off the hook, as were their off-stage antics. Though neither of us can remember the exact moment we met, we became fast friends in 1983. We hung out constantly back then and he was a regular at my infamous punk rock crash pad, Disgraceland. Hollywood in the 1980’s was an ungentrified wasteland; the streets were ruled by delinquent twenty-somethings, most of whom were in bands. My own band The Screaming Sirens played numerous times with the Joneses. During the time, the Joneses were being courted by a number of major labels, though the record execs were absolutely clueless and cautious back then. If one of them would’ve taken a gamble, Jeff would’ve become a huge star. Instead, living out his own song ‘Criminals,’ he robbed a bank to feed his heroin habit. On a personal note: in the course of my life I’ve somehow known seven bank robbers, but hands down, Jeff is my favorite.There’s so much more to his story though, as you’ll see in the following pages. It’s a confessional told in a direct, honest, engaging way, in his own words with a touch of dark humor; it’s exactly the way he speaks in real life. You, dear reader, will be extremely happy that Jeff didn’t join the 27 Club, the coterie of rock stars who passed away at that young age. Luckily, he’s still with us to tell his own personal story of sin and redemption. After all, what could possibly be more subversively rock’n roll than living to tell all the salacious details?”—Pleasant Gehman, March, 2022.

Out of print since its initial 2012 very limited first edition run. Contains exclusive 7" featuring previously unreleased 1983 interview with Barney Sumner conducted by the author. Over 400 unique-to-this-publication photos of the band and 200 plus images of rare memorabilia.Forewords by Peter Hook and Stephen Morris. Introductions by Moby and Paul Morley.Hardback: 198 full colour pages - 252mm(H) x 305mm(w), landscape, art book-style format in slipcase. No one has ever documented the early live career of a truly iconic band in such detail. Dec Hickey saw every New Order UK gig between Feb '81 and June '84 - some fifty plus nights!"Up until about 10 minutes ago I thought that the depths of my Joy Division/New Order obsession were untouched/unmatched. Then I looked through this book. Ah boy, I'm beaten. And in awe_ " - Moby"I can very much understand someone having an obsession with New Order... It was inevitable that a fan, a loyal, attentive follower, of such a group on such a meticulous label releasing records packaged with such scrupulous suggestive care would themselves be particularly obsessive... The fan(atic) symbolises the idea that without obsession, life is nothing... For the fan, New Order are an ideal object of desire, the perfect pop group - in the form of a perfect puzzle, an actual sign of fluid intelligence - to obsess over, to collect, analyse, interpret, treasure and ultimately possess." - Paul Morley (Tiny extract from his Introduction to the book)"The epic book... one amazing tome... a cultural history and an essential addition to any New Order fan's life... a much-treasured item..." - John Kennedy (X-posure/Radio x) Rough Trade, London - "Lavish and stunning book" Damaged Goods Books, DAMBOOK5. ISBN: 9781916232730

The definitive book on the creations, career, and legacy of one of the world’s greatest sneaker designers.

Often called the father of modern running and basketball sneakers, Jacques Chassaing has shaped and influenced sports and street fashion like few designers ever will. For the first time, Chassaing reveals the story behind the forty-year career of a pioneering designer who has continually pushed boundaries and led the creation of many of the world’s most beloved sneakers. Chassaing thrills and provokes readers with his life experiences, taking them on a journey of continual evolution and revolution. We learn about those who have inspired him and meet those he has inspired. We discover what drove his design philosophy and the process behind some of the greatest sneakers and sports technology ever created: the Forum, Rivalry, Lendl, Edberg, ZX series, Predator, EQT line, Torsion, and his Porsche Design collabs, to name but a few. And we see how Chassaing’s designs have impacted modern culture and won a place on the feet and in the hearts of millions of people. This book features stories about and contributions from athletes, celebrities, and designers who have worked with and been influenced by Chassaing and his work, including Michael Jordan, Stefan Edberg, Patrick Ewing, Run DMC, Gary Aspden, Paul Gaudio, and many more. Art directed by Peter Moore, designer of the Nike Air Jordan 1 and creator of the adidas Originals line, From Soul to Sole is a story, a statement, an experience, and a celebration of a life and career that is still impacting how we think about sneakers and street fashion design today.