Musings on the Most Ridiculous Band I Can't Stop Listening To

Last Star I See Tonight

As usual with the nifty and the new, this brand-new and razor-sharp FOB AUD* of the last Dark Star that holds up on its own merits, rather than simply the occasion of its playing, comes from Mr. Completely, known around these parts as the Rose City’s protector, The Tree Octopus.

TotD is proud to announce that TTO has formed an alliance with several other costumed crime-fighters, several bored teens, and an alcoholic named Cap’n Fucktoy to form Portland’s own Justice League: the Champions of Cascadia!

There’s the Wook, whose powerful dabs render criminals sleepy, and whose discussions about the merits of titanium vs. quartz render everyone else sleepy. There’s the Social Justice Warrior, who really doesn’t exist, but several of the more assholish male members of the Champions swear they see her everywhere.

The Cyclist uses his powerful thighs to keep the streets safe. Also, The Cyclist gets to the scene of the crime first because he thinks that traffic lights and stop signs don’t apply to him.

Also, J’onn J’onzz the Martian Manhunter is in the group because he stayed at an AirBnB there a few years ago and just fell in love with the place.

You forgot to link to the show, you waterheaded ninny.

Such is life: 1/10/79 from Nassau Coliseum.

* Loyal Enthusiasts will know my feelings about AUD tapes; they have a high bar to hurdle for me to keep going past a song or two: this one does. It is clear and everyone is well-defined, except for Keith, but he was always kinda blurry in real life, so no worries.

“FOB” is an acronym used to describe the Taper’s Section: Full Of Boys.

48 Comments

  1. garretc

    You take that back about Dark Star!

    Miami ’89: it’s even in the box set!

    • thoughtsonthedead

      NEVER!!!!!!!

      • maggiemay

        Am I a bad Enthusiast for not liking really any tapes that are Brent-era and beyond

        I’ve tired to appreciate them but idk

        sorry

      • maggiemay

        ok sweg ty

      • HCD

        About Brent, I’ve never known any fans either, but he was part of the package. When I was traveling about seeing the boys he didn’t sing that much – great keyboards though.

      • August West

        re Brent. for me, he’s an acquired taste. My First reaction was ‘He’s Good on the keys… but Yuck, hate the voice, hate the song choices.’ So I made a mix cd of his songs (the best versions I could find in the archives). After a while, I started liking him. I now think he was the Dead’s best keyboardist. And I actually enjoy his vocal style and most of his songs.

        • maggiemay

          Agreed over here. There is just something about his voice that I can’t stand. He doesn’t blend with the band, in my opinion. But he is definitely a stellar keyboardist. I’m confident that someday I’ll be able to appreciate any Dead past the 70’s.

    • August West

      That is actually a very tasty Darkstar. But ‘Last Great One’? Who is to say really.

  2. clyde

    so are you from portland?

    • thoughtsonthedead

      Never even been to Washington.

      • garretc

        That’s a shame, Mr. On The Dead. Washington is home to perhaps the platonic ideal of Northeastern fall foliage.

        It can get a little waspy in the warm months though, what with all the summerers from the Big Apple and all.

  3. spencer

    I don’t mind some of Brents harmonizing on Mississippi Half step, and I get a kick at how he just stared at Garcia with those bat shit crazy eyes while doing it. Garcia may never have remembered his name ( Trent? ) but you could tell Jerry had a lot of affection for that hirsute little fucker. At least he wasn’t Vincent right?

    • August West

      Well done Maggie. All you need is one of those black Amish hats. 🙂

    • maggiemay

      Let’s try this again.

      What betide me now?
      Canada man draws me, beard
      You rustle jimmies.

      • sorryToTD

        What have we done to this poor man’s blog?

      • spencer

        Sorry about the jimmie rustling (I had to Google that phrase also)

      • August West

        Why is it that I have to translate all your posts with the Urban Slang translator. Please use words I understand. Example: “that’s groovy”. 😉

      • maggiemay

        We’ve completely inundated Mr. Dead’s blog, Spencer. But I hold no remorse: this shit is funny.

        And August, I am but a brooding teenager of the modern age who frequently uses lingo that suits my persona. For that, I apologize; but Urban Dictionary is a great place for translation of those phrases that confuse you. #dankmemez4life

      • August West

        Ok Mags, I can Dig it. Outta sight. I’m not bummed out. Far out man.
        Gotta go, Easy Rider just started on TCM.
        See two can play at this game. hahaha.
        http://obrag.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Old-Hippie-ob-time.jpg

      • maggiemay

        Lol there are too many comments on this thread for me to figure out what’s going on

        Look up, West; I replied to your previous comment.

  4. HCD

    Now I’ve got to ask one of my daughters what a neck beard is! I agree with Spencer about Brent’s harmonizing. It was nice, and actually reminds me of Mrs. Donna Jean’s when she was at her best.

    It’s unrelated to Brent’s vocals, but here’s something the old guy said about Midland after he passed and has always stayed with me.

    “Brent had a deeply self-destructive streak. He didn’t have much supporting him in terms of an intellectual life. I mean, I owe a lot of who I am and what I’ve been and what I’ve done to the beatniks from the Fifties and to the poetry and art and music I’ve come in contact with. I feel like I’m part of a continuous line in American culture, of a root. But Brent was from the East Bay, which is one of those places that is like nonculture. There’s nothing there. There’s no substance, no background. And Brent wasn’t a reader, and he hadn’t really been introduced to the world of ideas on any level. So a certain part of him was like a guy in a rat cage, running as fast as he could and not getting anywhere. He didn’t have any deeper resources.

    My life would be miserable if I didn’t have those little chunks of Dylan Thomas and T.S. Eliot. I can’t even imagine life without that stuff.”

    • August West

      Well at least Brent’s daughter luvs her dad. Luv this pic.
      http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4114/4831084596_ee3fc24fa5_m.jpg

      • spencer

        All jokes aside, that is a great picture

      • August West

        It really does tug at the heart strings.

      • HCD

        It’s poignant for me because I know how it’s going to end.

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