Avi Spivak

2012-02-08T15:27:00.000-08:00

New poster commission for Dirtnap Records SXSW Showcase.

2012-01-30T22:19:00.000-08:00

Cool review of Kicksville Confidential from: http://www.rockerzine.com/index.php/2012/01/kicksville-confidential-1-the-story-of-norton-records-now-as-a-comic-book/

or you can read it here:

Kicksville Confidential #1: The Story of Norton Records Now As A Comic Book!

by Ken Eppstein

Whoa! Wait! Hold on! Is it too late to amend my entry to the Rocker Contributors’ Holiday Gift Guide? Because Santa dropped a comic book into my stocking that blew away any ol’ sugar plum: Norton Records’ Kicksville Confidential #1 by Billy Miller and Avi Spivak. A comic book dedicated to the history of Norton Records and its myriad misanthropic artists? Way to sock it to me, Santa!

Kicksville Confidential #1 isn’t a standard comic that can open with an establishing shot to put the reader in the proper time and place; so it opens with its best take on an origin story – a gushing letter of praise to Norton Records by none other than Crypt Records impresario Tim Warren. Why should we care about Norton Records? Warren lays it down in his inimitable style for readers who might be among the uninitiated.

The origin tale continues in cartoon form as Billy Miller tells the tale of how he and Miriam Linna found each other in New York City through a mutual love of obscure rock records, leading them to begin publishing the seminal rock zine Kicks from ’79-82 and how that in turn led to their introduction to the legendary West Virginia wild man Hasil Adkins. Apparently Haze bombarded Miller and Linna with pictures, demo tapes, and homemade acetates in hopes of getting his material released. The onslaught, apparently too overwhelming for the young fans to resist, led to the first Norton Records release, Hasil Adkins: Out to Hunch.

Now, you’ll notice that at no point do I refer to Kicksville Confidential #1 as a graphic novel. That would imply some sort of standard narrative. And after giving us the who, what, where and why of Norton Records, Miller quickly abandons linear narration for 24 pages of black and white barroom yarn spinning. With a machine gun pace, he rattles off round after round of trash-rock lore, ranging from single pages to single panels of possibly familiar stories (Screamin’ Jay Hawkins’ legion of illegitimate children) to ones it’s unlikely readers will know (Rockabilly madman Ronnie Haydock was also the editor at Famous Monsters of Filmland!? Holy Snot!) Worried that I’m dropping spoilers? Don’t be. Kicksville Confidential #1 provides an endless supply of little gems, with equal space for big names like The Ramones and obscurities like Detroit’s Danny Zella and the Zell-Rocks. If anything, in true Norton style, the little guys get more attention. Who cares if the label released four LPs by The Real Kids? They get one panel and they’ll like it!

Miller’s storytelling style is well matched by Avi Spivak’s art, which resembles the work of classic indie comix artists R. Crumb, Daniel Clowes, and John Holmstrom of Punk Magazine and Ramones album cover fame. The big-lipped bug-eyed likenesses of Norton artists are spot on stylistically, although many of them need the context of Miller’s storytelling to be interpreted as full on caricatures. Not a big deal given that I doubt anyone could pick a guy like Danny Zella out of a police line-up anyways. The panels are so heavily inked that they almost look like the product of woodcuts lending a noir feel that is not only appropriate to the dark and lurid quality of the subject matter, but also helps keep the reader’s eyes glued to the text-heavy pages.

Well, hell. It’s January. I’m too late for this year’s gift guide there’s a silver lining… Kicksville Confidential #1 implies that there’ll be a #2. Maybe if we’re all really, really, really good and order lots of copies of issue one, Santa will have something special in his bag for us next Christmas.

________________________

Ken Eppstein is the Editor of Nix Comics Quarterly

You can buy Kicksville Confidential #1 for a mere $5 at the Norton Records website

2012-01-06T12:39:00.000-08:00

Poster art for a recent production by Canadian playwright, Adam Collier.

2011-10-18T16:03:00.000-07:00

Brand new comic book, KICKSVILLE CONFIDENTIAL coming soon! Release party Nov.9th! Here's all the info from the publisher Norton records/Kicks Books:

Hey, kids-- Norton’s got a comic book! Come celebrate the launch of KICKSVILLE CONFIDENTIAL: TORRID TALES FROM THE WILD WORLD OF NORTON RECORDS!

This full-on label mash is illustrated by top comic artist AVI SPIVAK, of HUMAN BEING LAWNMOWER fame! Dig 28 action packed pages of totally insane, entirely true, absolutely hair raising rock n’ roll shenanigans in a comic book format all you kids can enjoy, featuring stories on Norto...n Records legends HASIL ADKINS, ESQUERITA, LINK WRAY, ANDRE WILLIAMS, RUDY RAY MOORE, RON HAYDOCK and boatloads mo’ stars from the famed Brooklyn wax hatchery.

Following the bookstore launch at Desert Island Books (540 Metropolitan Avenue), 7pm - 9pm, join us across the street for a rock n’ roll dance bash at Union Pool (484 Union Avenue). There will be live “entertainment” plus wild wax spun by Intoxica Radio DJ HOWIE PYRO from 9pm til 3am!

Both the book blast and the dance bash will be hosted by the legendary KIM FOWLEY, himself a Norton artist, with a paperback entitled LORD OF GARBAGE coming from KICKS BOOKS in 2012.

This event is the pre-festival meet n’ greet for the sold out NORTON RECORDS 25TH ANNIVERSARY ALL STAR SPECTACULAR at the Bell House, November 10-13th.

www.AviSpivak.com
www.NortonRecords.com
www.Kicksbooks.com

2011-08-31T23:16:00.000-07:00

Controversial comic strip in this months Maximum RocknRoll #340.

2011-07-31T15:45:00.000-07:00

***HUMAN BEING LAWNMOWER #3 BENEFIT BLOWOUT***

Saturday August 6th

A-BONES

THE TOUGH SHITS

DADDY LONG LEGS

DJ: PHAST PHREDDIE

Don Pedro 90 Manhattan Ave. Brooklyn

Official Announcement: https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=180919055302257

2011-06-23T15:35:00.000-07:00

For discerning readers everywhere:

Check it out: http://www.nortonrecords.com/kicksbooks/

2011-06-19T20:15:00.000-07:00

The countdown has begun...

2011-06-14T12:15:00.000-07:00

2011-06-08T10:26:00.000-07:00

Now internationally famous "Shit Happens" comic strip translated in to Finnish. Kudos to the Fins for taking the time to ape my handwriting! Click to enlarge.

2011-05-14T12:11:00.000-07:00

Poster for upcoming tour by The Tough Shits. Seriously one of the only modern bands that I enjoy, truly South Philly's finest!

2011-05-12T12:32:00.000-07:00

2011-05-10T15:39:00.000-07:00

In Texas with Human Being Lawnmower enthusiast Wayne Kramer!

2011-05-10T15:30:00.000-07:00

Shit Happens comic strip now in full color! Available in Smoke Signal #8 published collaboratively by Desert Island Books, Brooklyn NY and Kutikuti, a comics collective from Finland.

2011-04-05T12:27:00.001-07:00

2011-03-29T18:14:00.000-07:00

Afternoon watercolor : Looking out my back window

Click on image for more detail.

2011-03-17T20:09:00.000-07:00

Brand new Chemicals LP with silk-screened jackets, hot off the press!

2011-02-27T19:25:00.000-08:00

2011-02-23T18:00:00.000-08:00

***UPCOMING DJ GIG*** Wednesday March 2nd at the NEW Don Pedros 90 Manhattan ave. Brooklyn. Featuring solo sets by DADDY LONG LEGS and LOU VALENTINE.

2011-01-31T19:56:00.000-08:00

2011-01-06T11:30:00.000-08:00

Back cover of the current issue of Maximum Rocknroll, which is also the 'comics issue' and is packed with a bunch of cool comics and interviews, includes a reprinting of an old interview i did with art hero Gary Panter. Check it out: http://maximumrocknroll.com/2010/12/06/mrr-332/

2010-12-23T12:07:00.000-08:00

Ditko inspired Festiveness

2010-12-20T21:57:00.000-08:00

Record cover-o-rama! New designs for Chemicals LP and Prowler 45.

2010-12-20T21:53:00.000-08:00

2010-12-06T21:02:00.000-08:00

2010-11-16T09:50:00.000-08:00

2010-11-16T09:42:00.000-08:00

All new astonishing tales of Gasface! Comic supplement for new 'Quality Of My Life'

2010-11-04T21:04:00.000-07:00

PUNK IS BACK: King Kong invades the Mars Bar!!

2010-10-16T13:16:00.000-07:00

There was a story in the Wall Street Journal yesterday about a mural project I just did on the wall of the Mars Bar in the East Village, New York City, USA. Pictures of the wall coming soon...

This article can also be found online at: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704361504575552123570098084.html?mod=WSJ_NY_MIDDLETopStories#articleTabs_comments%3D%26articleTabs%3Darticle

2010-10-10T14:47:00.000-07:00

10-17-10: Mars Bar Art Attack! Got some real talent lined up for this. Come celebrate the way the Lower East Side once was...

2010-10-07T11:53:00.001-07:00

I've never been to an "Ozzfest" before, but this is what I imagine the "pit" would be like. Also for Vice.

2010-10-07T11:51:00.000-07:00

Illustration for Vice/Guitar Hero of a Swedish Death Metal band playing in the Middle East. Go figure?

2010-09-23T12:09:00.000-07:00

Illustration for the October 2010 issue of 'The Scientist' Magazine. Found on page 18.

2010-09-06T19:50:00.000-07:00

This Friday! Special edition Teenage Treats: The best of the British from Skiffle to Punk!

2010-08-19T18:27:00.000-07:00

Another upcoming event! This time teaming up with Vanessa Davis (my co-collaborator for this poster), she has a new book coming out from Drawn and Quarterly and this show promises to be a good time! If you haven't seen her work you can check it out at: http://www.spanielrage.com/

2010-08-17T17:08:00.001-07:00

Making a rare west coast appearance in the coming weeks! I did the poster and will be taking part in this group show 'Sound & Vision'. This event is on 8/28 and features live musical performances by Daddy Long Legs, Cyril Jordan, and Bay Area heavyweights Apache!

2010-08-10T14:29:00.000-07:00

This Sunday! NYC's only monthly proto-thug-punk-rock smash-up bash!!

2010-07-29T23:00:00.000-07:00

New 45 p/s Gentleman Jesse and his men, DMR040

2010-07-07T21:52:00.000-07:00

This Friday night Ana and I spin delicious Teenage Treats at the Charleston 174 Bedfrord Ave. Brooklyn! Free!

2010-06-27T16:54:00.000-07:00

Honeychiles' Bedford Avenue and North 7th Street, Brooklyn

2010-06-27T16:43:00.000-07:00

Recent project: Creating menus for newest Brooklyn Eatery, Honeychiles!

2010-06-08T09:44:00.000-07:00

Cover art for July issue of MRR!! This was a great thrill for me as i was an avid reader way back when... You can cop one here: http://maximumrocknroll.com/2010/06/04/mrr-326/

2010-05-27T13:36:00.001-07:00

Series of pins designed for MRR!

2010-05-15T09:48:00.000-07:00

Featured in this group show at Hiding Gallery at 282 Ellery Street #4 Brooklyn. I'm going to be playing records at the opening party this Friday the 21st of May. Also, free booze!

2010-05-02T13:12:00.000-07:00

Ad for Academy Record Annex in Williamsburg, Brooklyn

2010-04-22T20:43:00.000-07:00

Recent entry in the Strand tote-bag design contest.

2010-04-08T10:41:00.000-07:00

New design for French rock group 'Crusaders Of Love' who are about to embark on an American tour.

2010-03-29T17:49:00.000-07:00

New T-shirt design for Atlanta band Gentleman Jesse And His Men. I'm told it was a big sensation on their recent Puerto Rican Tour! Modeled here by the lovely Ana Economou.

2010-03-09T12:09:00.000-08:00

Here's a little diddy made with the assistance of Todd Martin and his iPhone.

2010-02-27T16:44:00.001-08:00

New comic strip for upcoming issue of Smoke Signal...

2010-02-10T15:05:00.000-08:00

R.I.P. Screw. My First Professional gig, March 2006

2010-01-23T10:00:00.000-08:00

2010-01-14T22:21:00.000-08:00

Here's an interview i did for "Quality Of My Life" vol.51. Interview conducted by Gasface and later illustrated by me. Enjoy..

2009-12-07T11:14:00.000-08:00

New comic strip in the latest issue of smoke signal, grab one at Desert Island 540 Metropolitan ave. Brooklyn. Check out the lovely cover by Anders Nilsen..

2009-11-16T15:15:00.000-08:00

Proud to announce I will be participating in the first annual Brooklyn Comics and Graphics Festival Saturday December 5th at Our Lady of Consolation Church 184 Metropolitan Ave.

2009-11-12T11:09:00.000-08:00

2009-11-02T21:42:00.000-08:00

Thanks to everyone who came out to the show!

2009-10-12T18:16:00.000-07:00

Upcoming art event.. Starts at 7pm

2009-09-28T19:49:00.001-07:00

Check out this new review of HBL #2 from Terminal Boredom..

With all these foreigners taking up the magazine racks, we're lucky to have Human Being Lawnmower fighting the good fight out of NYC. Issue Two is on the shelves, and features plenty of Punk Magazine-styled comics-n-rock'n'roll goodness. Great interviews with Gary Panter, Andy Shernoff (he doesn't like the way 'Go Girl Crazy!' sounds!), Apache, Jesse Hector (plus a Thug Rock Top 50!), Mark P., double-shot of Groovies with Roy Loney and Cyril Jordan, plus a whole lot more (Mike Edison, Eddie & The Hot Rods, etc...). The interviews hit hard and get right to the point without a lot of fluff. The real genius is to be found in the reviews section done entirely by Jesse Gasface, who is apparently trying to give Flamin' Waymon Timbsdale a run for his money! Spectacular! Digest-sized, thick and packed with comics too! Cop one here:myspace.com/humanbeing_lawnmower

And here's one from Ugly Things..

A definite must is Human Being Lawnmower out of NYC. Issue #2 is way cool, with a very tasty and clued in piece on Thug Rock (taking in everything remotely thuggy from the Birds to the Heavy Metal Kids), and interviews with Cyril Jordan and Roy Loney of the Groovies, Wayne Kramer, Jesse Hector, Adny Shernoff, Barry Masters of Eddie and the Hot Rods, Gary Panter, and Mark Perry. Great graphics as well. (They're obviously UT fans, too, because some of the MC5 and Groovies pics are swiped directly from these pages-you owe me a couple of drinks you scoundrels!)

SMOKE SIGNAL #2

2009-09-23T14:54:00.000-07:00

New comic strip in the latest issue of Smoke Signal published by Desert Island. Pick one up at Desert Island 540 Metropolitan Ave. Brooklyn.

2009-09-15T10:09:00.000-07:00

Greetings!
Here's an interview done on a recent visit to Ireland, with Irish comic reporters..

http://thecomiccast.com/2009/08/18/punk-an-interview-with-avi-spivak/

Also, live Daddy-Long-Legs diddy's!

Here's their introduction:

Oi! This week Avi Spivak, editor of Brooklyn rock n’ roll/comics magazineHuman Being Lawnmower, was in Dublin so the Comic Cast met up with him to talk about his background in comics, the year long production of the magazine and his strip Suicide City that appears in Denimzine (Scandinavias biggest magazine for punk, rock and garage music). Live music on the show comes from Avi’s travelling companion Daddy Long Legs, a trashy rhythm & blues band from New York. Put on your scruffiest T-shirt, motorcycle jacket, and jeans and enjoy!

NEW WEBSITE!!

2009-09-07T10:27:00.001-07:00