this friday at HBML is the art opening for INNER BLIGHT, a show of screen prints, drawings, paintings, and cereal, by mike “empty mountain” taylor.

mike is a greatly accomplished artist in a variety of fields, be it his work with adult contemporary hardcore bands like FLAWS and HALO PERFECTO, his years as the default illustrator for the record label / dishwasher hospice CORLEONE, or his numerous attempts to get fired from his position as columnist for the magazine MAXIMUMROCKANDROLL. he also still writes fanzines (SCENERY), and has religious knuckle tattoos. oh, and he made those “space torch” posters for the HBML rent club a year ago. anyway, this friday from 5 to 8pm is the opening for his art show (at HBML), featuring posters, drawings, paintings, and cereal boxes. it’s going to be really awesome, possibly with still-wet paint, and mike is a great person to meet and talk to about things or just saying “hi”. rip into spring!

picture by mike benedetti. thanks mike!

tom was a friend of ours, an artist, a teacher, an anti-war activist, and a million other things. in 1968 he was arrested for walking into a draft office and setting fire to all the records. i only met him last year, but we had a good time at pizza hut that one time, and he tried to volunteer at the shop but schedules never worked out. almost every time i saw him i think, he was wearing two hats, which is cool. tom passed away in his sleep a few days ago. he was 68 years old. scott wrote a really good obit here. you are missed, tom!

this june we turn terrible 2. will you be around for our big birthday party? 2 month countdown!

HBML is happy to say happy birthday to the belgian music and art label ultra eczema, which turns 10 years old this month! UE is run entirely by our pal dennis tyfus, who is a great inspiration, a compulsive artist, radio host, and label magnate, with a style all his own. big up belgium!