josheiserike.com - Josh’s Comics & Writings Online

By Josh Eiserike
jeiserike@potomacnews.com

Is Harry Potter dumbed down for an American audience?

That’s was my first thought when I got my copy of “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows,” the final installment of J.K. Rowling’s boy wizard epic.

I got my book in Montreal this past weekend, written as Rowling intended, in the Queen’s English.

Some of the changes are simple — “colour” and “centre” become “color” and “center.” Titles like Mr. or Mrs. don’t have a period — it’s Mr and Mrs Weasley. Quotes get one mark, not the familiar double marks.

Read the rest of this entry �

Rock, pops
meant for
the stage?

By Josh Eiserike
jeiserike@potomacnews.com

I’d like to offer a prediction that will no doubt offend some people:

In the next 10 years the Prince William Symphony Orchestra will play a concert, accompanying one of the better local rock bands, say, Madison Apart or Kick in the Pants.

Sounds crazy, right?

It’s going to happen — and if not in Prince William County, it’ll be another community orchestra and another local band in another part of the country.

That’s where we’re headed.

Read the rest of this entry �

The party continues on ‘Super Taranta!’
Soundbites
By Josh Eiserike
jeiserike@potomacnews.com
Thursday, July 12, 2007

• Gogol Bordello “Super Taranta!” (Side One Dummy)

If Rolf the Muppet’s Romanian cousin fronted a high-octane punk-rock gypsy music band, it would probably sound like Gogol Bordello. Comprised of mostly Lower East Side immigrants, Gogol Bordello features an insanely absurd mix of fiddle, accordion and other untraditional instruments (fire buckets?!). Their all-night gypsy-punk keg party continues on their sixth album, “Super Taranta!” - and they keep up the energy through the entire record. Sure, there are obvious influences like gypsy music and The Clash, but tracks like “Tribal Connection” and “American Wedding” showcases the band’s unique instrumental and songwriting prowess. The title track closer is the strongest, revisiting themes from earlier songs and featuring an extended breakneck fiddle and drum outro.

* Gogol Bordello perform Wednesday at the 9:30 Club, 815 V St. N.W., Washington D.C. Tickets: $25. 703-573-SEAT or 930.com.

Read the rest of this entry �

Pop culture
By JOSH EISERIKE
jeiserike@potomacnews.com
Sunday, July 8, 2007

It’s hard to be a Smashing Pumpkins fan.

Let me clarify - it’s hard to be a Smashing Pumpkins fan when I’m not 14, living in 1995.

In those days, I’d blown my bar mitzvah gift certificates on Green Day’s “Dookie” and Nirvana’s “In Utero,” but those were the albums my friends liked (or said they liked). Songs like “Longview” and “Rape Me” were more useful to upset my parents than to actually listen to.

All that changed when Smashing Pumpkins bandleader Billy Corgan walked out on “Saturday Night Live.” With his (newly) clean-shaven head, his black “Zero” shirt and silver pants, Corgan looked like he was ready to fight the X-Men.

He made public statements about world domination. He was a totalitarian bandleader. His music’s angst was just as loud as the guitars.

Read the rest of this entry �

Greetings from your friendly neighborhood webmaster! I am happy to announce that Josh and I have completed a major site overhaul, which should both add to your viewing pleasure and make our lives easier. The site is now powered by WordPress, a comprehensive blog engine, in combination with Gallery, a full-featured image gallery package. This will allow us to efficiently post both writings and drawings on the website, and make it easier for you to find what you’re looking for. If you have any questions, feel free to drop us a line (and then get a life).

Thanks to the ever-talented Eric for helping redesign the site. Hello 2003!