Defining Normal
Many years ago, Johnny Carson, being the recipient of a Sally Fields practical joke, looked at her and said, “You really aren’t normal are you?” To which she playfully responded, “Well Johnny, I guess normal is as normal does!” It was a cute punch line and yet beneath the surface made a larger statement. What is normal anyway? How many times have you looked in the mirror and exclaimed, “What’s wrong with me, why can’t I just be normal?” The answer might be that there is nothing wrong with you […]
Read moreLisa Jackson
If you live in New York and haven’t heard of Lisa Jackson & Girl Friday, you’ve been sleeping for the past year. The band exploded onto the NYC underground scene about a year ago, and since then has taken their music on the road — attracting fan bases in Minneapolis, Chicago, Wisconsin and most recently Boston and Philadelphia. Lisa & Girl Friday performed at CBGBs rock club to celebrate the completion of their newest CD: “I Am A.O.K.” Like in every review I have written about them, the band was […]
Read moreLisa Jackson – I’m AOK
Lisa Jackson – I’m OK, the new EP by Lisa performed at CBGBs. As she stood upon the stage — her band vamping in the background — Lisa Jackson paid homage to all the great performers that stood on this stage before her. She spoke of legends and pioneers. The crowd reacted with cheers as she momentarily stepped back. The band began to build the energy as she lunged forward exclaiming, “and I am humble, yet unafraid!” The delivery was powerful and effective. When watching an athlete you can always tell […]
Read moreTruth, Fact or Opinion?
As air feeds an inferno, so too does innuendo breed a feeding frenzy of speculation. And, as we would gaze upon a fire, we can’t help but be drawn to the sensationalism of good gossip. Facts? Who needs facts when you have a feeding frenzy? The dangerous thing about speculation however, is that like the fire it too spreads quickly and sometimes out of control. The saga takes on a life of its own and opinions are influenced solely by passion; but in the absence of truth. Sometimes it can […]
Read moreWigstock 2003; Coming Home Again
“Late one night in the spring of ’84 a drunken group of friends, seeking more diversions, closed the Pyramid Club and traipsed over to Tompkins Square Park, six-packs in tow. Brian Butterick, Michael “Kitty” Ullman, Wendy Wild, The “Lady” Bunny and a few members of the Fleshtones were horsing around in the bandshell when someone (no one remembers who, it’s all such a blur) came up with the idea of putting on a show – a day-long drag festival – and calling it Wigstock. It was Bunny who was foolhardy […]
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About Brie Austin
Co-author of I'd Do It Again, he is a columnist/reporter for a variety of magazines in the areas of music, lifestyle, nightlife, travel and business. He also writes business documents and creates copy for websites.Follow me
