Legendary Haunt HOUSE OF USHER: A Resurrection
August 13, 2010 by Clint Catalyst · 5 Comments
this weekend: Friday, August 13th & Saturday, August 14th
Two Thousand & Ten A.D.
the roving, decadent, well-bedecked beast
is taking up residence at The Uptown in Oakland, CA
“…as the shades of the evening drew on, within view of the melancholy House of Usher.”
:: but what is this ‘House of Usher’—this legendary construct of myth & mirth & mystery—without its cast of characters, its inhabitants? ::
First, Please Allow Me To Present…
Shawni Brothers, Proprietress of The Estate
The question posited, I hereby present a sampling of retinal treats under the auspices that it might inspire any indecisive whine-&-diners of this, my self-named blogature, to readjust one’s posture.
Sir Xavier Haight, The Gentleman of The House
&
Vocalist/Founder of Malign, The Critically-Acclaimed Darkwave Project
Cutting to the chase, with the swath of a switchblade: If you live anywhere in the vicinity of this one-two punch of delectable darkness: even a cursory glance at the gorgeous creatures that follow should propel you off your gluteous maximus & rifling through your closet.
Case in point? The hyper-hyphenate & über-hottie Zoetica Ebb, as pictured above. Of course, you could stay in tonight & lurk endless jpegs of her posted at Biorequiem, her home base among the internet ethers—or you could even go all brainiacattack (accusations of gay? who, me? NEVER. I would not!) & explore Miss Ebb’s prolific outpourings at the subculturally essential—let alone just downright damn sublime—thick & slick & glossy-paged love-letter to alternative culture known as Coilhouse magazine, of which she was a co-founder.
Or, hey! Here’s an idea: how ’bout you just stay home with a family-sized bag of Cheetos & instead of licking the nuclear-hued dandruff off your fingertips, close your eyes & BEAT IT, BOSS
all breathin’ heavy & visualizing this fab fascinatrix you might—no promises from me, as this world we live in? a pretty damn cruel place…
But yeah, you might have a chance to stand close enough to do borderline* creepy stuff like fill your lungs with the stink of her hair.
The asterisk on “borderline”? Bitch, you already know this! Because when we’re crushed-out, there’s some intense delusional hormones released that sell us clichés like how [we] “can’t help the way we feel,” and “no, I really mean it, you guys: this time isn’t like the last time when I said it’s about time I found the right [pick a pronoun, rinse, repeat; double-up on those appointments to the shrink, as close friends will only sigh in disgust, hang up, or pay someone to fark some sense into you. Quickly].”
Kay, I really need to focus here.
Ah! That’s right! The equation of your hormones with a jaunt to Usher this fine eve…
Unless, of course, you’ve slipped past that veritable point of ABANDON HOPE ALL YE WHO ENTER HERE into a life of Ed Hardy sweatpants, woven leather belts the color of fecal matter, headbands from mega-corporate “non-corporate” franchises prominently listed—even & especially if by invisible ink—on the trustafarian American-Apparel-Apparel-Is-My-Idea-Of-Slumming, Ma-a-an pseudo post-post-ironic Hipster Checklist Of [COUGH!] Cool.
✷ Cunty Ranting Hereby Interrupted for A Ceasura of Correctness Maximus ✷
L O O K † U P O N
T H E S E † L O V E L Y † L A D I E S
Nakoeth [L] a.k.a. ‘The D.J. Formerly Known As Fuchsia’: Esteemed Provisionist of Hand-Picked Auditory Delights, &
Sorrel Smith [R], A Prodigious Talent of The Visual Arts Who Renders
Her Paintings, Portraits, & Illustrations With Consummate Skill
✷ Palettes Cleansed, Corneas Stimulated…HEED THESE WORDS AS ‘CAUTION TAPE’ FOR YOUR PSYCHE, ✷ As There’s A Shifting Of Gears Back To Vitriolic Territory ✷ (Sorry, mom. Sorry, God.) ✷
Pfft! Oh.&.Yeah: The “Checklist of Cool.” That tripe’s more played-out than Dexy Midnight Runner’s lethal earworm known as “Come On Eileen,” but then again? Chances are if you’ve read—that’s read, any blog-skimmerexic stereotypes who’re in full-blown desperato zone, scrolling with sweaty palms & a staggering 2.8 second average attention span (thanks to the ADHD Pharmers calculated into the same demo/grapho/frankly, let’s-not-get-too-graphic, whose intake of Mother’s Little Helpers fluff up those stats as effectively as a porn set’s invaluable blow-hards working behind-the-scenes)…
Anyway, as I was saying–or, at the very least, attempting to communicate before I reverted to an unfortunate habit of interrupting myself with tangential matter & tossing parentheses around with the same ease as a game of horse-shoes…
:: HERE. HERE’S THIS ::
with Ryan Rosprim [L], Maker-Ov-Musick from Kill Sister Kill:
A Band Among the ‘Short List’ of House Faves
& on the [R]? Most applicable? The Court Jester, if anything!
(Incidentally, if I look like a bitch here? Alas! A photographic representation that’s accurate)
You you you, yeah, you: with your insatiable hunger for celebrity gossip, commerce tagged as “sharing a secret” (such a flagrant ploy to incite the domino effect among the dumbed-down click, copy, paste & repost crowd to create viral content…yet just like the anything-but-accidental exposure of thongs several inches above [insert name of trendy jeans] horizon being the visual equivalent of a mating call, it’s as fool-proof as the endless supply of fools).
Umm, yeah. Whaddya say we don’t “revisit” the aforementioned yawn-fest (not to mention time-suck kthnxthoractuallyeallynot) & visualize the rapid sweeping gesture responsible for ~magic~ on a dry erase board. Yeah yeah, you know: the trademark disappearing act that occurs when ✷ POOF! ✷ It’s the same blinding white hue working actors & “working boys” have for teeth.
Anyway, so now? Keep that imagination crankin’! Since, upon it, there’s been an addition of verdant green text in which a new topic—an assignment, if you will—occupies that space with the insistence of CAPS LOCK.
The message? Consider this an invitation to (envision air quotes here) follow my lead &
commence whatever personal rituals permit you to complete your destination of being
:: Suited & Booted ::
Above This Text, The Look? Four Words, My Applause: I SEE NO FLAWS
As aforementioned, here’s a dangerously delectable sampling of the historical haunt’s gorgeous creatures dressed in sumptuous fineries. However! Before any butt-hurt gloomophiles dial whine one one for the What About Me?! What About Me!? waaahbumlance to arrive, with a stern tone, I reiterate: this is but a small cross-section of the legendary bar’s “intimate associates.” A vast array of ‘regulars’ populated Usher’s environ over the years; these pictures just happen feature some of the individuals who—for whatever various & sundry reasons—appealed to the “peculiar sensibilities & temperament” of this humble blog’s narrator.
Or, to quote Poe (yet again!): my “reserve [has] been always excessive & habitual.”
Here’s to
Cheers to
T H E † E X C E S S I V E † & † T R A N S G R E S S I V E
Exhibit A:
Sensual, Though Inherently Too Cultivated & Chic For One Dare To Describe As ‘Slutty.’
Sophisticated, Though With A Sufficient Accumulation Of Accolades; i.e., No Need To Be A Show-Off. An Infectiously Engaging Conversationalist—Perhaps The Most Charmingly Macabre Individual I’ve Ever Met, Actually. If you’re familiar with the photography of Eric Kroll, Steve Diet Goedde, Charles Gatewood, &/or Richard Kern (et al), you’ve seen her likeness: or rather, the image this anthropology major & multi-faceted individual chose to project at that precise moment in time.
A maestro of oil, Anna Noelle Rockwell‘s paintings explore the sublime intersection where
the gorgeous & the grotesque intersect. Just click it & check ‘em, already… (For feck’s sake!)
Exhibit B:
Gabriele: Conjurer Of Thunderstorms & Lunar Apparitions, Dark Liquidtrance Bloodscapes,
Scrying, Writhing Vampiric Chasms, Stitch-Witchery Of Glamoured Fabrications,
Brightly-Colored Tarot Playthings In A Physical Shape & Smash-Lit State Of Mind
Like No Other, Cemeterial Moonlit Gloom, & Body-Popping.
No typo, that: Black Magic & Body Popping
A individual in a wonderfully warped sense of the word, & a collector’s dream.
Exhibit C:
Though I Can’t Tell You If It’s From When He Was Or Wasn’t A ‘Prince,’
With All Certainty, I Concur With The Sentiment: Natalie? She’s Got The Look, Yes
Exhibit D:
Paris Sadonis: A Master of Multiple Instruments; A Painter, Performance Artist & Musician Known For Pushing Boundaries—Particularly With The Rotating Cast Of Collaborators in The Audio-Visual Pastiche He Both Created & Orchestrates: EXP. ‘EXPerimentation Without Limitation’ is a doctrine among the collective; ‘Catharticism Is The Key To Our Satisfaction’ is another.
» Oh, but there’s MOAR » “Beneath The Cut!” »
So. Damn. Deadly. Cute…
April 15, 2010 by Clint Catalyst · 11 Comments
I’m vergin’ on a
HAUTE
HAUTE
HAUTE ATTACK!
With special thanks to Nixon Sixx for casting such an adorable spokesmodel
in this, THE SEVENTH PRIZE RIBBON among
the JARED GOLD/CLINT CATALYST CO-BRANDED MERCHANDISE—
a ‘site exclusive’ for the illustrious
†
Matter of fact, the HMacabre skeleton crew has assembled an on-line boutique
for the erudite enthusiast of shadowed fineries who’s privy to the fact that
one need not spend a million bucks to look like it.
However!
Before my A.D.D.-addled ass has a chance to bifurcate off into scatter-shot territory,
I need to provide the following info —of—
:: where to click :: (HERE!) :: & claim :: First Place as a Hauttie! ::
†
O.K., then Next:
Look upon a few shop highlights for the darkly inclined, such as
the obscenely affordable black smoke leggings,
†
as well as
another collaborative effort with
the gents and ¢ommon ¢ent$ in mind…
(Go ahead & fling the slab of Velveeta at me over that one—I’ll cop the rationale of Twi-hards in my defense: “I don’t know how it happened! I must’ve been roofied or something, ’cause my taste level—I mean, my defenses—were down. Really: I’m really much cooler than that!” )
Mmmm-hrmmm. Right.
All the same, THIS FINE ITEM
is most right-on, indeed!
†
The offspring of joined forces: Haute Macabre with Cyberoptix
(a company worthy its own blog post, truth be told…)
:: rad ties & cravats ::
paired with retinal candy such as the following
drool-worthy [OOPS] impeccable display of DNA at its finest?
†
—ahem!—
Well, since I’m “already here,” so to speak,
I figured I might as well share…
Since, you know: there’s a more-than-decent chance I’ll be ogling their URL
frequently
More.Hot.Rivet-Heads.&.Goth.Guys,Plz!
Hrmm. Did you guys hear something?
†
But of course!
Furtive whispers from Thee Cult Ov Thee Fashion-Forward
state the obvious
(That is—for any devotee of Haute Macabre or mine owne Dot Com):
BAM! Be it
xx or xy,
THIS. IS. UNISEXY.
†
Scrying. Divination. Skin. Magick. Mad Style. Ten Inchers. † THESE NEW PURITANS †
March 12, 2010 by Clint Catalyst · 8 Comments
.
Hidden, the sophomore release by British “art-rockers” These New Puritans, is now available Stateside. You know, as in: domestically. It’s a lot of things, this aural assault: a mélange of the cinematic and the classical, the intimate and the evasive, the post-modern and the profound. However, one adjective that isn’t applicable for what’s quickly become my favorite release of the year (thus far)? Sophomoric.
Spot-check this Most Correct clip for the album’s single “We Want War,” directed by Daniel Askill:
(Gahhh! Mind/Cable Telly, Much?)
&, for those prone to the “Covet. Love It” when it comes to collectibles…
These New Puritans have rarities to offer their disciples:
(A deluxe version of the CD, complete with 80 pg. hardback book? Drool-worthy.)
Full Disclosure: While I Loathe Band “Groupies” (seriously? try screaming at an art opening or academic conference—that’s subversive… whereas offering to give roadies head for a laminate back-stage? such a seventies’ cliché; I’m yawning), I Have An Insatiable Affinity For The Limited-Edition/Signed-&-Numbered/Gatefold/Box Set/3″ CD/10″ EP/Colored Vinyl/Picture Disc Of It All.
& no, I won’t be gauche & remind you I’m an Aries. Instead, moving right along…
—image of the band taken from their page at Last.fm (Don’t Ignore It; Explore It!)—
The video for “Elvis,” a single from the band’s premiere album Beat Pyramid , is also Most God, Indeed.
† “We’re all waiting/Or Forever Made/And if there is a God, then please take me up…” †
Consider the gents on the handsome side? You’re not alone. Twin brothers Jack (vocals) and George Barnett (drums) have been ogled by the fashion set since the band’s inception in 2005. Before they’d even released a full-length album, designer Hedi Slimane commissioned the “band” (translation: George, whom Slimane also featured on the catwalk) to record a soundtrack for his final collection at Dior Homme, the “Hiver” 2007 runway show. This was Barnett’s first professional modeling gig, though the demand for pale, angular creatures from the xy set has kept him busy: campaigns for Lanvin and Ray-Ban; editorials in Dazed & Confused, Zoo, Arena Homme +, 10, GQ, Another Man, and Vogue Hommes Japan; and runway work for dozens of designers, including Burberry Fall/Winter 10/11, Prada, YSL, Alexander McQueen, Gareth Pugh, Dries van Noten, Veronique Branquinho, Galliano, and Gucci.
However, insofar as far as my own taste goes? Not that you asked, but I’m backin’ Jack over George. & speaking of back, let’s do exactly THAT
with
Retail Pervery!
February 10, 2010 by Clint Catalyst · 9 Comments
(…and it’s long overdue)
THE SIXTH PRIZE RIBBON among
the JARED GOLD/CLINT CATALYST CO-BRANDED MERCHANDISE—
as modeled by the Most Correct Miss Lenora Claire , an L.A.-based art curator, freelance writer, television/nightlife personality and phenomenonicon.
Item Description:
Congratulations! You are really did it this time! You’re twisted, deviant, salacious, and—of course, lovable. What better way to announce it to the world than this “Perv” Prize Pin?
:: CLICK HERE TO GET YOURS NOW! ::
Two Bombshells With Cobalt-Colored Hair
January 24, 2010 by Clint Catalyst · 8 Comments
First, I’m stoked to have social media superhero Miss Destructo
as the next ‘Consumer As Spokesmodel’ (despite how admittedly goober the title may be…) :: Keep sending in those glamour shots of you rockin’ product, kids… Whether it’s a book bag or a prize ribbon, I’d love to plaster your face up here for all the w.w.w. to see!
And next, a familiar face on this blog, as of late—
Zoetica Ebb, filling the role of “Check-Me-Out-Bitches; I’m In An Ad!”
Ahhh, YES:
I really love this “bounce-out.” (Is that what they’re called?) Whatever the nomenclature,
Massive thanks to graphics whiz Joanna Carr!
Till Later—
x o x o x
Clint Catalyst’s Guide To Los Angeles (Interview for Gay.com by Josh Rotter)
December 28, 2009 by Clint Catalyst · 1 Comment
DISCLAIMER!
✪ Please Note: ✪
At the time in which this interview was conducted, I didn’t exactly have an unbiased point-of-view.
Friends of mine had recently been laid off—a common occurrence in businesses when things like a “merger” occur… but wounds were still fresh, so to speak. If not theirs—well, then mine, out of camaraderie.
Rather than call attention to the negative, I hope you’ll be able to apply the aforementioned statement in any instances where it might be [AHEM!] applicable. As in: flagrantly.
Oh, &…it’s taken numerous attempts for my embarrassingly low-tech ass to get this archived Q & A to post within WP’s established parameters.
:: claws & any other applicable appendages hereby crossed —with— massive thanks to Josh Rotter & Gay.com! ::
Retail Bliss (Oh No, But I *Insist*…)
December 26, 2009 by Clint Catalyst · 3 Comments
And here it is, December 26th. The Day After.
First and foremost, Congratulations! If you’re reading this, chances are you survived. However, for those of you whom “survival” just ain’t cuttin’ it, and you’re feeling less-than-satisfied with this year’s swag? While wild women descend upon shopping malls in the ultimate Quest To Find A Good Bargain, Damnit, please allow me to provide suggestions by a more civilized approach: The “F it—this one’s for me, and I’m packin’ plastic.” In the comfort of your own home, even!
That being said,
* From the Impeccably Curated A+R Store, LOOK UPON:
TOY ME’S
SILVER SCISSOR CUFF
It’s rare I wear dangly-spangly things on my wrist, but I would rock the shit outta this cuff…
:: GO AHEAD—INDULGE! :: WITH A SNIP, :: CLIP :: & CLICKITY-CLICK ::
* From the Cosmonomad Herself, ACQUIRE A PRINT by the multi-talented Zoetica Ebb.
Available now: “Inkdrops 007: The Endless Commission”
another option on —sumptuous velvet photo rag paper—
is
entitled “Cumulous Confection,” and
:: AVAILABLE FROM THE BIOREQUIEM SHOP :: (CLICK HERE!) ::
*Because sometimes the faux is infinitely more fascinating than what you already know:
by Shawna Kenney and photographer James Knoblauch (whose site seems to be down at the moment) chronicles Hollywood Blvd.’s “infamous nobodies” impersonating Somebodies or -things
:: FOR THE ‘REAL DEAL’ VIA AMAZON, :: CLICK HERE ::
or, support indie booksellers
and
:: CLICK HERE :: FOR SKYLIGHT BOOKS ::
Whew! There are several other goodies I intended to share for your retail/retinal pleasure, but truth is: I’m technologically-challenged, and this whole “HTML” thing? Takes me muuuuch longer than one would think. (Seriously? It’s pretty sad, guys.) I’ll have to post more suggestions later… As for now?
Because ‘Participant’ Is Not An Award, And Life Is Not The Special Olympics
December 1, 2009 by Clint Catalyst · 4 Comments
Truth of the matter is:
We don’t all get a hug for our efforts.
What we do ‘get,’ however, is Freedom Of Choice…
(though make no mistake: to not choose is—in itself—a decision).
A choice you’re hereby offered the opportunity?
Who gets an award (yourself, perhaps?), and
For what?
BEHOLD: THE LATEST OFFERING from
THE JARED GOLD/CLINT CATALYST COLLABORATION…
P R I Z E R I B B O N S !
photo by Dirk Mai
as modeled by a Most Epic Individual herself:
Miss Pauley Perrette
But for those of you whom the terminally cute
is a constant reminder that human beings do, indeed, have a “Gag Reflex”?
Go ahead and OWN THAT BITTER BILE
DOWN TO THE BONE!
Pictured above, at Hollywood’s latest haunt of legendary proportions, Mr. Black:
flaunts his Hater status
in black-on-black-on-black…
:: CLICK HERE FOR YOUR OWN ‘BARK OF SNARK’ ::
Highly Covetable & Mysterious Merchandise
November 12, 2009 by Clint Catalyst · 2 Comments
…& yes, I’m pissed the gents were left out!
A Message From The Designer:
“The glorious merchandise born of the dark union between fashion designer Jared Gold and visual artist Joshua Petker has just been posted for sale online. These haunting garments are VERY limited so…”
Personal faves?
(So killer, these tempt gender re-assignment!):
Petker-printed leggings,
an
ethereal drape top,
&
spats that slaughter
:: Metallic Leather Appliques for Days! ::
LOVE LOVE LOVE
THEM.
One Month. An Amtrak Train. First Class Cabins, and A Slew of Renegades…
August 12, 2009 by Clint Catalyst · 1 Comment
Sound like a challenge you might be into?
| Become Part of Jared Gold’s Traveling Renegade Company!
We’re looking for one dedicated fashionista to join our troupe with the Jared Gold Renegade Tour this Fall. If you are awarded the
Experience the luxeness of one month on the road traveling with Jared’s Renegade Tour… The Lights! The Magic The Mystery, The
|
Clint Catalyst ‘Motors-His-Mouth’ With Designer Jared Gold And Model Julie Meise
July 7, 2009 by Clint Catalyst · Leave a Comment
Uploaded by RealTVfilms. – and Digg.com
Can/Would/Could/Do you DIGG!?
(To Do So, It’s As Easy AS Clicking The “Digg” Hyper-Link Listed Above…
please and thank you!)
♥
CCx
“Pained And Painted” — New Video Post
May 13, 2009 by Clint Catalyst · 1 Comment
Spoken Word by Clint Catalyst,
Visual Manipulations/Aural Fixations by Nicholas Wolfkind
featuring portrayals by
Audrey Kitching
Lorraine Caley
Kaiden Blake
Kat Lee
Hilary Goldberg
& CCx
Hair Artistry by the Almighty Irene Urias of HairroinSalon.com
Shiny Latex Yumminess by Syren.com ♥ (COVET…LOVE.IT) ♥
(accompanying text available on The ‘Tubes, if interested—
Clint Catalyst’s Channel; Click “More Info”)
With Pauley Perrette at Hairroin’s Benefit for The LAYN: 04 29 09
May 2, 2009 by Clint Catalyst · 2 Comments
Got some, uhh, serious “chin chin”s goin’ on with some of my movements
in this one here…
But y’know what though?
gasp!
It’s not ‘all about me…’
Variety Magazine’s “Stylephile” 06.23.08 — Mention in Tarina Tarantino Article
February 17, 2009 by Clint Catalyst · Leave a Comment
Bookends Don’t Always Need A Page (A Blog Comment In The Form Of A ‘Free-Write’)
November 24, 2008 by Clint Catalyst · 3 Comments
For Kime, Whom I’ve Just Discovered Lives
At
Though your emotions may feel as if they’ve been scattered,
Smothered and covered in the Waffle House of Existence, the
Artwork you create is indeed a language understood by others:
Think of it as speaking in hieroglyphics.
Words that never have to be “learned”– yet are universal,
Exist outside the constraints of time, and become exponentionally
More subjective as they’re strung together.
A strand of jewels that has no concern for what I refer to as ‘Millenial Newspeak’–
Eyes devour the resplendent, the visually stunning
Even when minds shift off and a virtual screen-saver glazes over
Any “tl;dr”
“IDK”
Doubleplusungood
Orwellian B.S.
//
Said another way?
The heart has no need for
Urbandictionary.com
Even on an “off” day, you
Affect it, its
Chamber by
Chamber
Through
The body of work you’ve created
Already——it
Skitters with an emotional velocity too deft for
Man’s lazy Abbreviations. No need
To dial Orwell on
The White Courtesy Phone
There are no acronyms in the
Human condition; whether
We ‘choose to be all right’
Or not
It just is
What it is
It just is.
the multi-talented Kime Buzelli
