Category: Uncategorized (Page 53 of 757)

The second monstrous pick today in The 2014 PopCult Gift Guide is the newly-revived Famous Monsters of Filmland Magazine. Now owned by Corey Taylor of Slipknot fame, this new incarnation of the original Monster Kids’ Bible is back to its original format on newsprint, and loaded with cool articles about the monsters of the movies.

There are two issues out so far, and both can be ordered from the publisher.

The first issue, published last April, includes an interview with Jim Warren, the original publisher of FMoF (along with Creepy, Eerie and Vampirella). There’s also an interview with Tim Burton, and articles on 90 years of King Kong, The Exorcist, Dragos The Conquorer and the subject of the cover painting, Sid Haig. You can order it HERE.

The Second issue features cover art from Terry Wolfinger, depicting The Tall Man, from Phantasm. It includes articles about Phantasm, A Nightmare on Elm Street, and Lon Chaney, plus 13 Questions with David Dastmalchian, AND MORE! You can order it HERE.

This revived magazine is another great gift idea for Monster Kids of all ages. You might even consider buying them a subscription, which comes with all sorts of extra perks. You’ll have that option when you order either of the issues listed above.

Our first pick today in The 2024 PopCult Gift Guide is the perfect gift for the lover of obscure toys of the 70s, cheesy horror movies, or both. It’s the long-awaited revival of the Lincoln Monsters action figure line, brought back to life by the folks at Odeon Toys, Absolutely Retro and White Elephant Toyz.

It’s not a full-on reproduction of the original Lincoln International toy line. For one thing, these won’t fall apart if you look at them sideways. The original Lincoln International figures were notoriously fragile, with cloth outfits that seemed more like cheap paper. They were knockoffs of knockoffs, and came with all the joys and pitfalls.

These new monsters come on a sturdy new S-typle MEGO-sized body. The heads and outfits are based on the original unlicensed public domain monsters that were sold in the 1970s. The heads are direct reproductions, but the clothes have been upgraded substantially. Still, the charm is in the cheese.

Bringing these guys back has been a distant idea of Brian Heiler (of Odeon Toys and Plaid Stallions) since I’ve known him. The twist is that they’ve been reimagined as being based on imaginary Z-grade drive-in movies. The box art reflects this with one side of the box featuring reproduction art, and the other featuring “what if?” movie posters in the same style.

The first two figures in the line are Frankenstein and Dracula, and they’re also available in a limited edition two-pack.

Lincoln Monsters The Power of Frankenstein

It’s Alive! Dr. Frankenstein’s fabulous creation has been reanimated for 2024. Based on the classic Lincoln International Frankenstein figure but upgraded with a type S body and new custom tailoring.

Each Power of Frankenstein figure comes in a solid box depicting the Lincoln Monsters movie poster on one side and the classic Lincoln artwork on the back. They even kept the misspelled name from 1975.

Lincoln Monsters The Evil of Count Dracula

The dark lord of the Carpathians is back from the dead in this new 8″ action figure. Based on the classic Lincoln International Dracula figure but upgraded with a type S body and custom tailoring.

Each Evil of Count Dracula figure comes in a solid box depicting the Lincoln Monsters movie poster on one side and the classic Lincoln artwork on the back.

Lincoln Monsters The Blood-A-Rama Shock Festival Pack

Get both the Lincoln Monsters for a special price. Each co-pack will comes in an exclusive sleeve and with an exclusive Lincoln “Monster Club” kit (while supplies last)

Each 8″ Tall Lincoln Monster figure will come in a solid box with the movie poster by Chris Franklin.

Each figure sells for around thirty bucks. The pack of two goes for around fifty-five.  These are great gifts for the Monster Kids on your holiday shopping list. You can order them from Odeon Toys, Absolutely Retro or White Elephant Toyz.

The Surfrajettes
Easy As Pie
Available on CD, LP or download

Today’s second pick in The 2024 PopCult Gift Guide is Easy As Pie, the latest album by the female surf-quartet from Toronto, The Surfrajettes. This is the perfect gift for fans of surf-rock, independent music and girl power.

As they say in the PR…

ORDER UP! Welcome to THE SURFRAJETTES DINER, where your favourite surf-slinging waitresses are serving up this fresh outta-the-oven album! A buffet of delectable delights, this menu certainly has something for everyone. Hope you saved room for dessert! So grab a fork, turn up the stereo, and enjoy a delicious slice of “Easy as Pie”

Hi-Tide presents the second LP from the world’s premier surfing combo – The Surfrajettes!

First pressing includes limited “The Surfrajettes Diner” 8×10″ placemat, designed by Courtney Reader

The album includes a mix of thrilling originals and select covers, including their take on “Spice Up Your Life,” the Spice Girls classic. I’ve been playing loads of tracks from this album on Radio Free Charleston recently, and the reaction has been electric.

Check out the title track, “Easy as Pie,” right here…

You can get this new album on colored vinyl, CD or download it from Bandcamp if you’re too lazy to wrap.

Menards O Scale Train Sets

Our first pick this morning in The 2024 PopCult Gift Guide is a little pricey, but it’s perfect for the beginning model railroad enthusiast. Because it’s the larger train in O scale, it’s great for kids. They call it “O Gauge,” but to me it’s O scale.

For years Menards has been quietly making and selling their own line of model railroad accessories, starting with O scale structures, and then expanding to track, rolling stock, scenery, and HO scale accessories. Last year they released their first locomotive, which sold out before I could recommend it in the Gift Guide.

This year Menards has released several complete O scale sets that are ideal “starter sets” for the beginning toy train enthusiast. These are basic sets with a locomotive (with remote control sounds), one or two pieces of rolling stock, a transformer and enough pieces of their quality track that form a simple oval.

Sometimes it’s hard to figure out the exact price at Menards because they have sale prices, then they tack on a 11% rebate making it cost even less if you buy in the store and remember to claim your rebate, but if you order online they stick you with a handling fee plus shipping.

Which is why I’m not listing a price for these. The sets I’m mentioning here will run you somewhere between two hundred and two hundred fifty bucks. In terms of O scale electric trains, that’s a bit of a bargain. Some tricked-out locomotives go for more than double that, without any track or extras.

Having just been to the Menards in Barboursville last weekend, I know that they have the first two of these sets in stock. The third set is the one I’d be most likely to grab for myself, but probably not online. I am including the online links for my readers who don’t have a Menards nearby. Be aware of the price flucuations. There are other sets in their online store, as well as structures and rolling stock.

Each locomotive comes with an easy-to-use handheld wireless controller.

It’s easy for youngsters or adults to hold and use. The remote functions include: Easy rotating forward-reverse directional control; Select horn or bell sounds; Trigger crew communications; Adjustable volume control; and they have quick battery replacement.

It’s a cool gateway to the more complicated remote-control sound features that more advanced train sets have.

O Gauge Milwaukee Road Train Set

This set Includes: (1) O gauge locomotive, (1) O gauge coal hopper, (1) O gauge gondola, (1) wireless remote control, (8) sections of O-36 curve track, (3) section of 10” straight track, (1) section of 10” straight track with power connection, and (1) 18-volt power adapter.

Firmly rooted in the steel mills and factories of Chicago and the upper Midwest, the Milwaukee Road’s influence reached as far west as the ports of Seattle and Tacoma. Manufactured goods headed west and agricultural products moved east. In 1950, the railroad had more than 11,000 miles of track with traffic supported by 1,307 steam, diesel, and electric locomotives keeping commerce moving.

You can find this set online HERE.

O Gauge Chicago & North Western Train Set

This set includes: (1) O gauge locomotive with two powerful motors, lights, and sounds, (1) O gauge Great Northern coal hopper, (1) O gauge Norfolk and Western gondola, (1) Wireless remote control with buttons to trigger BELL, HORN, and CREW TALK. (1) 56″ x 42″ oval of Menards tubular track, with a track section with power connection plugin, (1) 18-volt power adapter.

The Chicago & North Western covered the upper Midwest like no other railway. The line operated 12,000 miles of track, and in 1950, powered it with 6,266 locomotives. Cargo and travelers were hauled between Chicago, Illinois; Ishpeming, Michigan; Oakes, North Dakota, Casper, Wyoming; and hundreds of other towns in-between.

This set can be found HERE.

O Gauge Santa Fe Train Set

We didn’t see this smaller, slightly less expensive set at Barboursville, but it comes with the distinctive “Warbonnet” engine which always catches our eye. Also with this set you’ll get: (1) O gauge locomotive with two powerful motors, lights, and sounds, (1) O gauge caboose with lights, (1) Wireless remote control with buttons to trigger BELL, HORN, and CREW TALK (1) 36″ x 42″ oval of Menards tubular track with a track section with power connection plugin, (1) 18-volt power adapter.

This set features an iconic locomotive, often dubbed “the diesel that did it,” in the transition from steam to diesel locomotives. The Menards engine features America’s most recognized railway graphics – the classic Santa Fe Warbonnet livery that set a new visual standard for railway graphic design.

The Santa Fe set can be found HERE.

Any of these sets would be the perfect gift for the budding model train enthusiast on your holiday shopping list.

Dwellings · The Complete Collection
by Jay Stephens
Black Eye Books
ISBN: 978-1-7389200-9-9
$22 plus shipping from the publisher
Deluxe Edition available

Today’s second pick in The 2024 PopCult Gift Guide is a delightully perverse collection of horror stories, told in comic book form, gruesome and disturbing, but drawn in a cute art style reminescent of old Harvey Comics like Richie Rich and Caspar.

Dwellings is a new kind of horror, written and drawn by Jay Stephens, and there’s nothing else quite like it to which it can be compared. It’s like if Stephen KIng and Clive Barker teamed up with the folks behind Precious Moments.

This edition collects all six issues of Jay Stephens’s creepy cute horror series from cover-to-cover in a limited one-time print run. With an introduction by cartoonist Stephen Bissette!

This definitive edition brings together issues 1 through 6 in a beautifully crafted 260-page volume, is printed in a compact 5.75 x 8.25 trim size that will perfectly complement Jay’s previous collections, Dejects, and Jetcat & Friends. Available from Black Eye Books in both Trade Paperback and Deluxe, signed Hardcover editions.  A signed softcover is also available. A mass market edition is available from Amazon.

This is for Mature Readers (not for children). Kids might get really messed up if they read these comics, seriously.

This is the perfect gift for the comimc book-loving horror fan on your holiday shopping list who may just have a very sick sense of humor.

Frenchy and The Punk
Midnight Garden
Available on CD, Vinyl or Download

Our first pick today in The 2024 PopCult Gift Guide is Midnight Garden,  the latest album by our friends, Frenchy & The Punk. Just released in June, this epic post-punk masterpiece with goth, surf and New Wave inclinations has already become a Radio Free Charleston favorite.

I’ve played every track on this album, some of them more than once.

If you have a fan of Siouxsie and The Banshees on your shopping list, this is perfect for them, but anybody who loves good, alternative music will enjoy the hell out of this album.

If you want a taste, check out this music video…

Full disclosure time here: I’ve been a fan of Frenchy & The Punk for over fifteen years, back to when they used a different name, and they’ve even crashed at my house when they were in town playing a gig. That doesn’t change the fact that they make powerful, independent music that connects on a unique level.

Midnight Garden is packed with nine powerful songs that will take your soul to a dark cabaret and ply you with ubernatural enticements.

You can order Midnight Garden as a CD on Blue Vinyl, or if you don’t care about wrapping it, you can download it from Bandcamp (maybe wait until Bandcamp Friday so they get to keep all the proceeds). If you’re already a fan, or got hooked by the video, maybe check out their merch, while you’re at it. It makes a fantastic gift for the discriminating musicologist on your holiday shopping list.

Today’s second pick in The 2024 PopCult Gift Guide is a bundle of all three treasury-sized issues of G.H.O.S.T. Agents. This is the perfect gift for the lover of Silver Age comics, treasury editions and spy fiction on your holiday shopping list.

I met Rocko Jerome, the writer/producer of GHOST Agents at Kentuckiana a couple of years ago, and I was knocked out by his cool comic book project.  This is an original creation that harkens back to the golden age of spy adventures while also mining nostalgia for the tabloid-sized treasury comics of the 1970s.  It does all this with excellent art and is just loads of fun.

As the PR says, “Published by Cosmic Lion Productions, GHOST Agents is an art-forward anthology series made up of short, self-contained pieces; where every story exists in the same world, and characters reoccur throughout the centuries spanning narrative. If you read it all, a rich overarching storyline will emerge, but you aren’t required to do that, and readers are encouraged to dip in as they please.”

It’s got terrific art, great shorter-length stories and it’s printed on newsprint in an oversized format, which is near and dear to my heart.

Allow me to quote from the website:

Rockin’ Pins

Today’s first entry in The 2024 PopCult Gift Guide revisits an online retailer that I included in last year’s guide. I’m putting them in here again because they continue to introduce really cool new products, and the proceeds go to a wonderful cause that is near and dear to my heart.

Rockin’ Pins started out as a jewelry company, making enamel pins of cool rock stars. They have expanded their range quite a bit lately, and in addition to really nice enamel pins they now make apparel, mugs, books, figures, patches and tons of other cool things, and they don’t just feature rock bands or musicians anymore. I’m partial to their button-up shirts, myself.

Rockin’ Pins has been leading the way in helping to restore classic Max Fleischer and Gumby cartoons. Hopefully they’ll have DVD and Blu Ray collections of these available for sale. Right now the only way to see them is to go to one of the cool screenings they’ve having around the country.  There was one in Saint Albans in 2022.

They also have a full range of merch based on Gumby and Fleischer’s KoKo The Clown, in addition to ultra-cool musicians like Bauhaus, The B-52s, Cab Calloway, Frank Zappa and others. They even have cool stuff with Groucho Marx available.

Over the last year they’ve introduced all kinds of cool new items, like a button-up shirt based on “Swing You Sinners,” one of the trippiest cartoons ever made. They also have a cool Bluto as Sindbad Sweater, a Koko figurine and loads of Betty Boop stuff. 2025 is going to be a huge year for Betty when her musical hits Broadway.

Rockin’ Pins straddle the multiverse of pop culture, bringing together The Little Rascals, Megadeth, Jac Mac and Rad Boy Go, Betty Boop and Pink Floyd, all under the same roof. You can find everything from Beavis and Butthead to Cheech and Chong, as well as Laurel & Hardy and The Three Stooges.

For a top-notch, brilliantly-curated selection of the cream-of-the-crop of nostalgic pop culture that blends classic animation, progressive rock, classic comedy, rock music and more, visit their website and look for the perfect gift for the folks on your list. Fans of classic animation, music or just damned nifty stuff will be thrilled with any gifts you find for them here.

Still under the gun writing The 2024 PopCult Gift Guide, your humble blogger reached into his sketchbook and pulled out a reference drawing I did in charcoal pencil during one of our trips this year. I think it may be from Chicago, but I can’t say for sure because I didn’t date it and when I use charcoal pencils I jump around in the sketchbook so I don’t smutz up all the pages.

Anyway, it’s a pencil drawing of what I think are HVAC units on the roof a building across the street from whatever hotel I was in. I seem to remember considering this scene for a Hopperesque painting, then deciding against it for unremembered reasons.

To see it bigger try clicking HERE.

Over in radioland we are having some server maintenance done this week on The AIR.  There will be times when the station may go down for an hour or three, and we won’t know exactly when it’ll happen and what shows will be scheduled.  So, to take advantage of this uncertainty, this week I will be skipping Radio Free Charleston for the first time this year (I’ve done a new show every week going back to last December), and will be tossing together some non-vital marathons of our shows that will be great if you can hear them, and won’t be too big a deal if you can’t.

Everything should be fixed by next week, and the plan is to have all-new musical specialty programs during the last week of The 2024 PopCult Gift Guide, which, coincidentally, continues later today.

Tonight we’re revisiting a ten-year old vintage magnum of The Velvet Brothers, while we continue work on The 2024 PopCult Gift Guide, and we’re doing it up all classy with an episode of The RFC MINI SHOW from October 2014.

The legendary Velvet Brothers, had just reunited in September, 2014 when we recorded them at Bruno’s on Leon Sullivan Way in Charleston.  In this edition of The RFC MINI SHOW you can hear them perform “Savannah Rose” and “De Do Do Do, De Dah Dah Dah.”Yes, that latter song is a cover of the old Police tune, rendered in a velvety-smooth lounge version.

The Velvet Brothers were the first full band that I featured performing live on the Radio Free Charleston radio show way back in 1989. We’d had some acoustic performances on the show, but never a full band. The studio wasn’t big enough to hold the entire band, so we ran cables all over the building with the drummer in the hallway, the bass player in the production studio, and the keyboard player in the newsroom. With the guitarist and vocalist in the FM studio with me, the band managed to create a magic moment, even though it was three in the morning and they’d just played a full set at The Charleston Playhouse earlier in the evening.

The Velvet Brothers are still performing together, but Bruno’s is gone.  Still, it’s a good time to take a moment, relax and enjoy the Velvety goodness of this recycled PopCult post.