.riot antigone: a play! a play!

The stage for Riot Antigone

I spent part of my weekend in NY and one of the reasons was to see this play "Riot Antigone" at La Mama. Normally I wouldn't post about a play on my blog BUT it's a musical / Greek tragedy so it fits the theme. Basically it's a Greek tragedy about Antigone. To give a brief synopsis...

Eteocles has been given a proper burial, but Creon, Antigone's uncle who has inherited the throne, has issued a royal edict banning the burial of Polyneices, who he believes was a traitor. Antigone defies the law, buries her brother, and is caught. When Creon locks her away in prison, she kills herself.

Three riot grrrls, three playbills, one show

The coolest thing about this play is the fact that it has a Riot Grrrl theme and the songs in the play are inspired by Bikini Kill and Sleater-Kinney songs. There were a few nods to Kathleen Hanna and Courtney Love in terms of scenes too. Digital projector cameras seem to be the thing with plays today. The use of camera reminded me of Hunger Games when Creon would speak to the public. The cast was very diverse and all brought something great to the stage. In terms of songs there are 12 tracks (Tragedy, War Mind, Love Sucks, Actor for Hire, Keep, Girl Riot, My Grrrls, Free She, Cancer Girl, Asking for it, I Don't Pray, See You at the Front). So it's like watching a concert with a play going on in-between songs. It was really clever and well done. There was a merch table that had Riot Grrrl posters in the background. They sold tee-shirts, singles, stickers, and posters. If I did not have such a busy weekend I'd travel back to NY to see it again. "Riot Antigone" runs until February 19th.

.when in doubt? ebay! don't pout!

There's many times where I go to record stores and cannot find what I am looking for. Where do I turn to next? eBay! These are albums I've accumulated off eBay for the past few months and honestly I'm done for quite a bit now!

Two were from Black Friday Record Store Day that places just instantly sold out of. No chance in hell of getting my hands on them. The B-52's album is golden yellow and from a live show back in 1979. Seeing Sleater-Kinney in New York and watching them cover "Rock Lobster" this album is very special to me. David Bowie's Earthling is very industrial sounding. Twice I've put it back because of the price. The day before his passing I literally saw one copy left on the wall of a record store and left without it. Next day going back it was gone. So, I resorted to eBay. The record is green. Thankfully both albums were a little under or the same price I would've paid for them on RSDBF. Shipping was inexpensive and not a big deal.

My Excuse 17 album is in mediocre condition. Getting that for $17 off eBay was a steal. It plays perfectly and I have a piece of little Carrie Brownstein screaming her lungs out on almost every song. Piece of Riot Grrrl history here. Don't even get me started on The Slits. I think I actually wrote to Carrie how frustrated I was at not being able to locate Cut. This album is Carrie's favorite and Kathleen H. of Bikini Kill claimed it's her desert island album if she could only bring one. To have something like this in my possession is the greatest thing. Most of the sellers with this item on eBay are from the UK. So I basically paid double the price of what I could get it for here. That's the problem. Nowhere to be found. This album is in EXCELLENT condition and plays like a charm. I kept the hardbound clear plastic cover the seller sent me for protection. "So Tough" is one of my favorite songs and to finally listen to it via record is insane! Ari Up is the greatest. You should see the feedback I left the seller and that the seller left me. It just proves I am a major dork and crazy for music I love.

The most recent album was a fight to the death. I opted for the "Buy it Now" option after losing so many auctions. Too many people bid on copies. Whipsmart is my second favorite Liz Phair album. You can never find this in stores. There is a rare Japanese version of this album in ruby red. My copy is white and unopened. I paid probably too much but in the end it's something I needed to finalize my collection on her. I only like her earlier albums to be honest. So for me, this was worth it.

Ebay is very addicting. I've been a member now for 16 years and got my first credit card at the age of 20 for that main reason! Most of my eBay finds were PJ Harvey singles. Now it's more of a variety of odds and ends. What do you use eBay for? Do you have any albums you cannot find in stores but are dying to get your hands on? 

.weekend haul

What started off as a Friday to find PJ Harvey cds for friends (scored Stories and Rid of Me) turned into a weekend of other finds. Seriously I need help. Is there a support group I can join?

Heading to Tunes I picked up these two albums. I noticed Rhino was re-releasing a good handful of The Replacements albums. Let It Be is a great one so I picked that up. Ever have a really cool friend in your childhood years? One where you were dying to know what they were listening to next? Meg was that cool friend for me. If it wasn't for her I would've never even heard of Cibo Matto in my high school years. They were so different and unique with their sound. The first few songs off of Viva la Woman I'd have on heavy rotation. When I saw the album on display I had to pick it up. The album is actually a reddish-orange color! Rad! In terms of cds, I don't really collect anymore but when I saw a copy of Slant 6 and Heavens to Betsy I could not pass that up. Total score!

Saturday I ventured off to my favorite record store Innergroove in Collingswood. Immediately I went to the "B" tab for Bowie. There was a $60 rare German album, a late 80s one that I haven't really heard much about, and Pinups. I really want to collect more of 70s Bowie so I went for Pinups. Being an Elvis Costello fan I was pleased to find Almost Blue and a Police album I don't own with a good mix of songs. My golden find was in the "Just In" section. I love browsing through here because these are random trade-ins or add-ins. As soon as I saw the Kill Rock Stars compilation from 1991-1992 I had the biggest smirk on my face. The songs are everything from Bratmobile, Bikini Kill, Nirvana, Courtney Love, Mecca Normal, etc. How random to find some Olympia scene things this weekend! The riot grrrl goddesses were working in my favor.

Scored!: Bowie - Pinups, Kill Rock Stars compilation, Police - Ghost in the Machine, Elvis Costello - Almost Blue, Cibo Matto - Viva la Woman, The Replacements, Let It Be.

On second thought: (albums I put back) Patti Smith Group - Wave, The Faint - Danse Macabre, this 50s album compilation of female do-wop bands. I might pick that up another time.

Customers: I was the only girl in Tunes. At Innergroove there was a mix of ages. The owner Dave is cool. He knows his shit. He informed me that RSD 2016 is looking dire from the lists and pleaded with me to ditch my Cros. :) I think I talked his ears off about Sleater-Kinney.  

Yesterday my dad found a copy of Hunky Dory at the flea market for $1. If that spins without skipping he found GOLD!