Vermin on the Mount

VERMINATOR

If you look in the upper right-hand corner of the blog you’ll see the date for the next event has been set: Saturday July 16, 2005. Details to follow.

VERMIN IN THE NEWS

Wasn’t me.

THE WHOLE SICK CREW

Vermin stalwarts Todd Taylor and Sean Carswell are kicking off a seven-city tour with whiskey poet James Jay on Wednesday May 25 at 7 PM at Flor y Canto in Highland Park. The reading marks the release of Sean’s new short story collection, Barney’s Crew, the title story of which Vermin regulars will remember from last November. The collection contains illustrations by Art Fuentes, the visual wizard behind The Legend of St. Vermentine and this Mt. Vermin poster. Todd will read from his collection of essays and interviews Born to Rock. James isn’t a member of the Legion of Vermin (yet) but we’re big fans of his work:

A boy’s knuckles swollen like bellies at a buffet
like a barrel cactus in a monsoon
like Cruelty conducting a staff meeting
like Crusaders rotting on the side of the road to Constantinople
like your lover’s wrists in policeman’s handcuffs

I went to school with James and he knows a thing or two about sore knuckles. I once tried to pick a fight with him while drunk in the woods. (Note to readers: Never start shit with someone who can bench press twice your weight.) The details are kind of dim but I woke up the next morning under a frozen sleeping bag in the bed of a pick-up truck. My head was sore, his hands were okay, and I was still invited to his wedding.

So come for the words. Stick around for the re-match.

SWERMIN REDUX

Dylan Landis and Ben Ehrenreich, a fine pair of Verministas featured in the last reading, are having their work showcased at WordTheatre on Saturday to celebrate the second issue of Swink. Ben’s hilariously subdued “Waltraud” will be read by Jeremy Renner. Dylan’s excellent story “Breakage” will be read by Catherine Dent. Tickets are $40, so you’re gonna wanna hit the ATM first. The event is at M BAR, 1253 N. Vine St. (It’s in the strip mall.) Cocktails at 6:30. Buffet spread at 7:00. Readings (and more cocktails) at 8:00.

VERMIN AROUND TOWN

Friday the 13th we’re heading to Silverlake with some friends to check out David Francis at Skylight Books.

Then Saturday night we’ll be heading downtown for the Brewery Art Walk where Verminita Carlye Archibeque and friends are throwing an event called Poetry Soup. It’s a gathering of artists of every stripe imaginable. There’s drinking and performing and spontaneous hilarity. Also, soup. It’s at Studio 204 at the Brewery, which is located at 600 Moulton. The lofts will be open to the public from 11 to 6 but Poetry Soup is from 5:30 to whenever.

Later that evening we’re going deep into the heart of Downey to the infamous Anarchy Library for Punk Rock Social - LIVE to get our fill of cheap swill and great punk rock. It's organized by Julia Coyote and Sean Rowley, the designer responsible--along with the illustrator Ed Reynolds--for this kick-ass poster. We’re there!