Turning Grey

Turning 35 last week wasn't as painful an experience as I'd previously expected, due in large part to great friends, an amazing dinner party and some really thoughtful gifts.

Here are a select few. 

My favorite of the bunch has to be the vintage mosaic piece that Tony purchased for me at a local antique store. This thing is HUGE—somewhere around 4 feet tall—and the quality of the craftsmanship is really impressive. I just wish our photo could do justice to the variety of shapes (and depths) for each individual tile. We really love this recent addition to our den.

I'd been searching for a copy of the Equals' Diversion single for a while now and was pleased when our friend Mike (thank you!) sent me one for my b-day. I also treated myself to the Creation's Making Time and Liz Brady's Hey O Daddy O 45s. The Finnish owl bank was a Valentine's Day gift from Tony, but it looked good in this spread, so I included it.

Another Valentine's Day gift was a female Zoo Line hippo Tony found buried on eBay. Despite the misleading photo, she arrived with her tail intact. I'm so glad we were able to match up my bull with his new girlfriend!

And, lastly, here's another recent purchase that wasn't necessarily a gift, but he is a hippo. It's a vintage ceramic bank. Unfortunately, no markings or anything—we just really like him! The mod owl perfume bottle in the background was yet another V-Day gift.

Once again, I would like to thank everyone for all of my gifts and for making this birthday a very special event!

Bird Dance Beat

This past month has found me heatedly pursuing an item, unlike any other in recent memory. I'd originally been introduced to the Worry Bird years ago via Dan Clowes' and Charles Schneider's similarly named tale from Lloyd Llewellyn #5 ...and there was also the later presence of an Atlanta record label that had adopted its name (and label design) after the same "sub-standard yarn."

I didn't really think much of it until a short time after that, while working behind the counter of a record store, when I experienced a tensed incatenation as I leafed through a CD booklet for a (then) recent Trashmen reissue. It was there that the thought balloon popped and I realized that the mascot emblazoned across their drumhead, standing proudly atop a surfboard while strumming its guitar, was none other than the same goddamn bird!


My search for answers resumed a full decade later, after fording Joey Myers' most excellent photostream. Joey had snapped a quick pic of his Worry Bird and the hunt began anew!

An early capture, this forlorn example is a rare piece of 60s Hawaiiana—an ashtray that stores butts in its rear. You really can't help but feel for this guy... Although not quite Zelig-like in its pervasiveness, who was this feathered fellow and who was the sadistic madman responsible for its design???

And here we have the creature that started the craze and set me tilting. A late 50s / early 60s ceramic novelty nodder, possibly created by Napco Ceramics and definitely made in Japan. Both of these have different tags, but the first one's more poignant (and applicable) and reads: "Don't be sad / Don't be blue / 'Cause I'm the bird / Who'll worry for you." Amen.

My apologies to all those who endured and sincere thanks to all who've helped!

I Spent The Rent

As another birthday quickly approaches, I decided to entertain the idea of treating myself with one of our longest held wants. I'd spied the Weltron 2005 immediately after it was listed and I'd kept an eye on it for the entire week, debating whether or not I would make a grab for it. I finally decided, with a few hours left in the auction, to toss in a low-ball bid and hope for the best... seriously doubting that I had any real hope of winning. So, needless to say, it came as a total shock when I realized that we'd actually won—and at way less than half of its current going rate.

Tony spent all day, in agony, as he dutifully waited for me to come home so we could open the packages together. The seller did a great job packing this up. She only charged us $45 and she had it Fed-Exed to us within three business days of the auction's end! I'm sure she ended up paying a lot more on her end. Thank you!

I really wish we'd taken some before photos because the record player was extremely filthy when it arrived. Tony used some miracle cleaner that his sister-in-law had given us the last time we visited his family and he methodically cleaned it for over two hours! I still can't believe what a huge difference it made!

Coincidentally, we'd found a pair of 70s Nivico sphere speakers on Craigslist a few days before the stereo auction ended. We managed to get the seller to negotiate with us and he priced 'em down and within our budget. No, these won't get hooked up to the Weltron—instead, we're running them through our main stereo system downstairs. We can't wait for the next soiree, so we can give 'em a good workout!

Up Against The Wall

Always in search of promo photos, fliers, posters and whatever other junk shop music-related paper items we can find, we decided that we should showcase our private gallery and some of the ephemeral trophies we've scavenged over the years. Enjoy!

Also, as always, make sure to click on 'em for a bigger picture.

Here's the view from the foyer. We hope that Nobunny, Supercharger, the Cramps and the Ronettes (among others) make you feel immediately at home...


A few more shots of the glossies. Highlights include ? & the Mysterians, Unrelated Segments, Gories, Dickies, Wire, Devo and DMZ photos.

Posters and fliers for fests and shows attended over the past few years...a few of 'em even designed by Gonked, Glooked and Slurped!'s own Valery.



Our obsession with 70s PUNK and the (early) Cramps should be obvious by now. Months of begging and pleading finally convinced my pal Howie to hand over some of his vintage Cramps' goods—including the Human Fly promo flier pictured in Punk is Dead, Punk is Everything. Come to think of it, he's also the same benefactor who forked over the record release poster for the MAD's I Hate Music 45...still the only example of it we've ever seen. Thanks again, Mr. Pyro!

Other notables included are a signed photo of the Gears, a shot of the Cramps playing LA circa '79 (taken by the Middle Class' manager) and a group photo of the MAD (from the same session as the interior of the Digusting EP's sleeve). We've also got a Screamers flier handsomely silkscreened by Mr. Gary Panter, a silkscreened Feederz flier from '78, original Undertones, Teenage Head and Starshooter record store posters, Automatics, Devo and Milk 'n' Cookies magazine ads and, lastly, a Trend flier / set-list from '80.

We're still waiting on a few things to arrive / get framed, so we can seal up the holes in this display ...and then there's always the stuff downstairs...


Our last stop on the tour and it concludes with a photo of our fish wall. They certainly do provide a welcome shot of color and life into this museum.

Cheap Rewards

It would seem like our New Year's resolution was to keep our spending habits on the cheap, since our last three purchases have been obscenely inexpensive—either via poorly listed items or through sheer good fortune at a flea market.

Poring over eBay listings on an insomnious jag, we discovered a Colani elephant bank ($10) and a set of Bosse's nesting hedgehogs ($15) for mere peanuts. However, the real topper has to be the 70s Guzzini mushroom lamp we located in the unlikeliest Athens, GA flea market a few weeks ago ...and at a measly $5! Whew!!!

We really hate the thought of jinxing ourselves and ruining this spate of good luck, but we couldn't keep it a secret any longer. Here's hoping for similar steals throughout 2010!

Glittering Prizes

It'd be fair to say that Santa treated us extra-special this year. Here are a few selected highlights for your perusal.

An original member of the Kay Bojesen (inspired?) Zoo Line series from 1959, this jackass has been a longtime favorite—and we were especially excited to welcome him aboard. This braying slackjaw actually arrived complete w/ spectacles, but we removed 'em because he looks way more dapper this way.

Feeling the need to adopt a mascot for our home, this noble Jonathan Adler creation made its way into the great room. The lion pauses to take careful measure and proudly survey its sprawling kingdom!

Couroc of Monterey produced hundreds of different objects from the 1950s through the 90s, utilizing phenolic resin, shells, coral and whatever other materials lent themselves toward interesting designs. Manufactured in the late 50s or early 60s, the Mod Birds trays have always been our top Couroc want ...and we were lucky enough to snag two (of the three) sets this year.

Although best known for his planters and kitchenware, ceramicist LaGardo Tackett designed the iconic Egghead in 1959 for use as a condom holder. As they were available for sale via Esquire and Playboy mail-order only, these have become increasingly hard to track down. Here we find our pal resting for a spell—after all, he's pretty tuckered out from his recent arrival (thanks, Mike!) and a truly debaucherous New Year's.

Sleigh Ride

It's that time of year, folks and GG&S will be closed for the holidays. Be sure to check back in 2010: we've already got a Yuletide recap planned, more home renovations slated for your perusal and plenty of looted artifacts to share.

Happy holidays!

GG&S

Fun And Games

Last week found us spending a quiet night in, putting together a 60s Munsters puzzle that we'd just found at a monthly market sale. Surprisingly, it was complete and it even came in its original box. This also got us thinking about another game we'd purchased recently....

Realizing that this was worth the junk shop's $5 purchase price didn't require a lick o' clairvoyance. It's a shame that we still haven't played it.

Those of you who have seen the movie The Ice Pirates may already be familiar with Computer Perfection, as it played a supporting role as part of a spaceship's control panel. Valery found this'un a decade ago at some long-forgotten thrift store.

With fewer than 100 extant examples, Boredom (1994) is another obscurity in the Dan Clowes catalog. Who wouldn't want to spin the Wheel of Despair, if it meant achieving the likely success of suicide?

Good Friends

Showcasing the best trades I've made in the past 5+ years, November delivered a small stash that's really brightened our days.


Features and Filth were replacements for copies sold / traded years ago; Milk 'n Cookies was the absent member of the PS trinity; the Embarrassment 45 was a single I'd mistakenly dismissed as too indie rock in my youth; Skrewdriver's just a fave that took way too long to get here.

Not much else to say other than a big heap of thanks to all of the parties involved. A fitting way to wrap up an amazing year.

Little Lost And Innocent

Heard an unexpected clanking coming from the backyard this weekend and were stunned by what we found: a pitiful street urchin begging for alms. In fact, Valery and I were so moved by the sight of this grubby, mottled mess that we decided—in the spirit appropriate to this Yuletide season—to adopt and shelter the miserable little waif.

Better known as Sympathy For the Record Industry's unofficial mascot, Little Miss No Name was produced by Hasbro and available to the public for only twelve months, starting in 1965. Sweetening the pot even further, this vision in burlap was marketed w/ the following tag: "I need someone to love me / I am so tired and cold / Please take me home with you / And I'll be yours to hold." It's still unbelievable to us that execs gave the go ahead to mass-produce this Keane-eyed runt...and saw fit to unleash her complete w/ blue acrylic tear!

Never ones to pass up an opportunity for slave labor, we've already got her hard at work as our newest, most valued assistant. A special thank you to Valery for accomplishing the impossible: making this Christmas even more memorable.

From Home

Our apologies for the lapse, folks. Last week found us traipsing about my native copper state...and raiding every available thrift / antique store between Mexico and the Valley of the Sun. The pickens were uncharacteristically slim this time out; however, we did find a few things that struck our mutual fancy.

This blog's #1 fan (and our adopted baby boy) brought home the goods at $1 a (vintage) button. We just wish we could've been there when he asked the elderly store owner if she could reach in and grab the If It Moves, Fondle It pinback out of the display case.

My older brother asked us to deliver a pair of vintage Holt Howard salt & pepper shakers to my sister; apparently, he'd been holding on to them for the past four years, always forgetting to give them to her himself. Needless to say, Valery fell for 'em immediately and we were stoked to find an identical pair in a Tucson antique store later that same day.

This Danish pricklepuss came compliments of some nice folks in Phoenix. No idea who's responsible for the design. Also, not sure if its disposable quills are for hors d'oeuvres or toof-pickin'. Mmm, teaky.

Despite my initial objections, Valery insisted that we bring these home...and, as much as I hate to admit it, I've kind of warmed up to these little guys. Looks like we're planning to put these around the Christmas tree...a pictorial will undoubtedly appear in the not-so-distant future.

Warmest thanks to Genz for being an excellent host and for mailing out the remaining goods. Now where the fuck are they?!

Your Pickled Personality?

Ol' hawkeye spotted these a while back and we knew they were instant must-haves. Six personality profiles celebrating lowered inhibitions and ruptured psyches—and each with an appropriately Cubist backdrop.

Gremmie Out Of Control

Strange how the innocent perusal of Craigslist can turn into a nearly two month long saga...over a record I only wanted, and still only want, for its cover!

Here's the abridged version:

9.25.09: Record found mis-listed (it was retitled "Sounds of the Weird-Ons") in a batch of 78s.
10.7.09: Payment ($10) mailed because the seller is located 1hr away and I'm convinced that this record, like most kids records, is going to be trashed.
10.13.09: Record (allegedly) mailed out.
11.6.09: Record (allegedly) returned.
11.16.09: Picked up in person in a poorly coordinated parking lot rendezvous (8:30am).

So, not only was I totally off the mark on the actual condition of the record, but I would've also screwed myself out of an un-split and intact inner sleeve, had it been mailed. All's well, I guess.