On exhibition currently at Seattle's Center on Contemporary Art is Dusk, an examination of the return of "gothic" sensibility to present-day culture by artists recontextualizing the gothic tradition. Focusing primarily on the human form and the tension between repulsion and attraction, humor and emptiness, the exhibition is ultimately a reaction against the cool cleanliness and complacent sameness of modern society, a deconstruction of the prevailing notion of enlightenment through idealized harmony and ordered control.

Dusk includes works by Mike Kelly (who, among photographing the Los Angeles goth scene, did the cover art for Sonic Youth's album, Dirty) and Alexander Osbourne, who has photographed Bauhaus and Nick Cave, among others.

CoCA is located at:
65 Cedar St.
Seattle, WA 98121
206-728-1980
coca@speakeasy.org

Dusk runs through December 18.

Thieves are Scum (Broken Bones remix)

During the October Philadelphia stop of his current tour, DJ Shadow announced that he would not be performing his "All 45s Duel" with Cut Chemist. Reason being: in the not-so-honored tradition of recent band gear heists, all his albums (including his prized 45s) had been stolen while flying the friendly skies between gigs. Shadow now joins the illustrious ranks of Sonic Youth, Son Volt, Cibo Matto and The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion.

Thieves are Scum (Are You for Hire? remix)

Along those same lines, Earpollution would like to employ the above-mentioned villains and send them off to steal the title of Fiona Apple's latest release, entitled When the Pawn Hits the Conflicts He Thinks Like a King What He Knows Throws the Blows When He Goes to the Fight and He'll Win the Whole Thing 'Fore He Enters the Ring There's No Body to Batter When Your Mind Is Your Might So When You Go Solo, You Hold Your Own Hand and Remember That Depth Is the Greatest of Heights and If You Know Where You Stand, Then You Know Where to Land and If You Fall It Won't Matter, Cuz You'll Know That You're Right.

Fiona, Fiona, Fiona... Words fail me. I would laugh but worry it would kill me in doing so. The therapy and meds have obviously been treating you nicely.

Earpollution will pay by the word, which with 90 of them in the title, ensures the willing thief to a small fortune and an early retirement. Interested parties can send inquiries to: thievesarescum@earpollution.com.

N.W.A. Back in Action?

Rumor has it N.W.A. are planning to reform and make a new album, replacing Eazy-E (who died of AIDS in 1995) with Snoop Dogg. Sound too good to be true? Apparently not. In mid-October, Ice Cube announced that he had been holding discussions with his former bandmates, Dr. Dre and MC Ren. According to Cube, the three are planning to record new material and Snoop Dogg's contribution will be billed as a "tribute" to the late Eazy-E.

Who's Better, Who's Best

The Who have reunited for a series of five charity concerts, including two acoustic shows at Neil Young's Bridge School Benefit, and two more unplugged sets on November 12 and 13 that will benefit the Chicago-based Maryville Academy for Abused Children. The old codgers also plan to do some recording this winter, with the possibility of releasing an album in spring of 2000 if the music is up to snuff. If the new material passes the critical eye, ear and ego of guitarist Pete Townshend, it will be the first Who album since 1982's It's Hard.

The Jesus and Mary Chain Split

It was announced last month that The Jesus and Mary Chain have officially parted company...if you hadn't already figured that out already. The Brothers Reid have always had a love/hate relationship, but this time the hate's for keeps. William is planning on releasing a six-track album, Taster, on his Hot Tam label, while brother dearest Jim has started a new project, called T.V.69.

Ozzy Bites Head Off Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame

In early October, Ozzy Osbourne asked the "supposed elite of the industry and the media" to withdraw Black Sabbath's nomination to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The Metal King writes: "Save the ink. Forget about us. The nomination is meaningless because it's not voted on by the fans. It's voted on by the supposed elite of the industry and the media, who've never bought an album or concert ticket in their lives, so their vote is totally irrelevant to me. Let's face it, Black Sabbath have never been media darlings. We're a people's band, and that suits us just fine." 'Nuff said.

Blues Traveler's Bobby Sheehan OD'd.

The New Orleans Coroner's office has announced that Blues Traveler bassist Bobby Sheehan died from an "accidental overdose of cocaine, valium and heroin." Sheehan was found dead by friends in his New Orleans home. At the time of death it was speculated that the cause may have been sleep apnea, a disorder Sheehan suffered from. Blues Traveler plan to continue on.

Accidental? How can one mix coke, valium and heroin and then pretend it's accidental? Idiot overdose would be the better term. Or just plain idiot for short.

R.I.P.

R.I.P. Hoyt Axton, country singer/songwriter and actor, who died from a heart attack and was suffering as well from the complications of previous heart attacks. Axton was 61.

By the Breaking of My Thumbs Something Wicked This Way Comes

In November's devilish issue of Earpollution, Sabrina Wade-Haines goes in search of metal genres, and comes back with the definitive metal family tree. Read all about it in Cool By Proxy, and make sure your doors are locked tight tonight. Inside Profiles, Paul Goracke goes one-on-one with They Might Be Giants' John Flansburgh while Hope Lopez tugs on the hem of Seattle's groove and soul trumpeter extraordinaire and Cornucopia mastermind, Chris Littlefield. All that plus your usual nutty assortment of Live Reviews and Album Reviews from your usual nutty assortment of eP favorites. Read on brave reader!

Craig Young
Editor, Earpollution