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I will be hawking “Class of ‘99,” “Anyone But Virginia” and, of course, “Assholes” at STAPLE! in Austin, Tx.

Other guests of note include Brian Wood (who does “Local” for Oni Press, one of my top-five favorite comics published today), The Onion and Scott Kurtz.  

It’s $5 to get in, unless you’re with the band. 

There’s some sort of afterparty as well, which I might be at, or hanging out with some friends around town. I’m pretty excited. I’ve heard nothing but good things about Austin.

Confession: I’m not sure if I care less about the Oscars or the Superbowl.

I’m not a sports guy by any stretch of the imagination, but I love movies. And, this year’s host, Jon Stewart, is one of my favorite comedians.

But, the idea of more than three hours on a Sunday watching network television makes me cringe.  Read the rest of this entry �

I spent way too much time during my freshman year at the University of Maryland arguing with my friends about the supposed “greatest rock albums of the 1990s.” That was the decade we came of age, so clearly, we were experts. But, these were the “best” (meaning important and influential), and not necessarily our favorites. (“Rock” was also an important distinction, or we’d have to pretend we knew something about hip-hop).

No one ever thought to actually write down that list, but if I recall correctly, it went something like this: 1) Nirvana- “Nevermind” 2) Pearl Jam- “Ten” 3) Sublime- “40 oz. to Freedom” 4) Radiohead- “OK Computer” 5) Red Hot Chili Peppers- “Blood Sugar Sex Magik” 6) The Beastie Boys- “Ill Communication” 7) Smashing Pumpkins- “Siamese Dream” 8) Oasis- “What’s the Story, Morning Glory?” 9) Jane’s Addiction- “Ritual de lo Habitual” 10) Nine Inch Nails- “The Downward Spiral.”

In hindsight?

We listened to a lot of crap radio. Read the rest of this entry �

From classrooms that mandate everyone gets a card to candy hearts that taste like cardboard, Valentine’s Day might just be the stupidest holiday on the American calendar. For those in relationships, it’s unnecessary pressure. For those who aren’t, it’s as if the world is constantly reminding you how big of a loser you are. And, for those just out of a relationship, it’s a slap to the face. Read the rest of this entry �

If I were to make a list of my favorite bands of the aughts, The Format would just miss out on the top spot, behind Arcade Fire. Read the rest of this entry �

Brain K. Vaughan and Pia Guerra, thank you for the herpes.

OK, not really, but a subhead in this week’s Portland Mercury pretty much sums up my thoughts on the final issue of “Y: The Last Man,” by Vaughan and Guerra, one of my absolute favorite comics books: “IT’S LIKE IF HERPES WAS A BOOK!” Read the rest of this entry �