Draplindustries Gazette #11
October, 1999

Happy Octo-brrr to everyone out there…all the way down to Gatorville, Florida + all the way up to Fairbanks, Alaska.

A Warning To Cultured Types: This here edition showcases colorful language, “swear words” if you will. In efforts to heighten the overall effect of this gazette’s vernacular, we decided to leave all the naughty/controversial words in their respective places. It’s a small part of a larger factory floor project involving “giving things a little bit grittier feel”. Those easily offended heed these words.

Thanks for sticking with us, as we ebb into the literary cesspool.

Welcome to the Draplindustries Gazette, our 11th offering.

- - - -

As I was riding the bike home from class today, wind blowin’ up a cool purr against the side of the face , I noticed the trees in my peripherals. Oranges, red, yellows….ahhhh, yes, the southbound stomp of Fall has made it’s presence known in the big city Minneapolis. This is hightime on the factory floor. The cool winds deliver even the most profligating imbecile into a consciousness of surgical focus, unwavering in their commitment to quality designs. Those August 80’s and 90’s can kiss our ass. It’s fall, zip up that jacket and take a deep breath.

The factory floor buzzes with chatter this afternoon. History was made at roughly 3:00 Grainbelt Time. You might call it a “small triumph for the easily excitable”, a “milestone”, you might not understand our cheer, nevertheless, please read on. After much anticipation, we successfully burned our very first screen in screenprinting class, the equivalent of a christening blast of a champagne bottle to the ship’s bow. With the first opaque swipe of ink, wide-eyed and grinning, ideas began to flicker in my brain in an exponential fashion. We have been looking forward to this sort of knowledge for a long, long time. And with that, let this press release announce a new wing of the factory floor: The Draplindustries Design Co Screenprinting Exploits Dept. Watch out.

- - - -

And here’s a rock band that’s gonna go places: Juno from Seattle. The boys rolled through town a couple weeks back and played a fascinating set at the Foxfire lounge. Lead singer, contracted snowboarder, and literary craftsman Arlie Carstens heads up the 5 piece. A friend from my western days, Mr. Carstens is held in very high regard on the factory floor. It was great to see him and catch up on all the latest in his amazing life. Arlie wrecked himself pretty good awhile back, breaking his back whilst snowboarding in Tahoe. The man is lucky to be in such good shape. He looked great and goddamn, we thank the big deal-maker in the sky for his speedy recovery. I met the band, a great bunch of cats with firm handshakes. Gabe the guitar guy was super nice. Juno was in the middle slot in between some local noise quartet and Chokebore who held the big-name position. Juno: They rocked. They rocked. They rocked. It was great to see Arlie up there, belting out the words with everything he had. Great stuff. They released their first full length on DeSoto records and it’s titled “this is the way it goes and goes and goes…”. It’s worth every penny.

- - - -

Caught Richard Buckner and PW Long a back in the early days of September, the first show of their “pickup truck” tour. PW was up to his old ways, all cocky and talkin’ trash with thsoe devil eyes. Buckner played something 100 songs it seemed. It was pretty cool. Just him and his guitar, growling, whispering, moaning…to a raptured audience. Great stuff. He’s very personable too. We chatted for a spell, turns out he’s currently translating some turn of the century poems into an album. He records on the road, just him and his 8 track in his hotel room. Talking to a guy like this, hearing how he’s just tryin’ to make a living with his tunes, makes me appreciate those sounds even more. As we were chatting, we both looked up at a tv tuned to the MTV music awards. And there’s that goddamn Kid Rock in full swing singin’ about ho’s and money and the suburbs or whatever…christ almighty…we both had a good laugh.

- - - -

Every sunday the Dudes, as a team, go to the Ideal Diner up on Central Ave in Northeast Minneapolis. Don’t fuck with tradition.

- - - -

I started my official MCAD internship at the Charles Spencer Anderson Design Company two fridays back. The lowest on the food chain, I’m manning a very powerful scanner, cropping and filing scans. Then I clean them up, retouching them here and there. The place is amazing. The coolest logos, fonts, colors + copywriting in the land. I’m in constant awe. It’s such a treat just to be there, so much visual stimuli to take in. Chuck is really interesting. He captivates our little intern quarters with critique, advice and rants. Great stuff. Comrade PJ Chmiel works a couple stations over and has been a great help in introducing me into their little world. Photoshop tips, lunch + insight…thanks man. I look forward to Fridays so much now. Amazing, goddamn amazing. CSA has some great productions in the works. Stay tuned.

- - - -

Chad Smith has decided to throw the towel in on his western exploits. Yes, this report is factual, direct from the horses mouth. After 6 drunken winters in Oregon Chad is liquidating ass-ets and burning all appropriate bridges as he prepares to head back to Michigan to regroup. He has school on his mind. Photography studies of some sort. We are very proud of his decision. On his way back he’s gonna pull into town for a couple days. Can’t wait to see the guy.

- - - -

Eric Campbell currently resides in Orlando, Florida where he installs car stereos by day and by night mans the door at a beach club called “Crayzee Wylde Nightz”. Thank god this is only temporary, as he has big plans lined up involving a job in New Hampshire at some design/pre-press outfit. The big cheese is flying the newlyweds straight up to Plymouth to interview and get a feel for the place. Eric and wifie Megan are smitten for a New England winter. They honeymooned on the shores of Maine, fell in love with the land and decided to job hunt in the east. We wish them the best of luck.

- - - -

Ryan Simonson suffers from dilapidating bouts of prolepsis.

- - - -

Matt Cooley won’t play chess with me anymore, as I get a little frisky when I lose. Sportsmanship?…my ass.

- - - -

Foot Itching: If the bottom of the foot itches, this is a sign that you have been walking in strange places or strange lands, or maybe you need to change yer socks.

- - - -

I started my on-campus job a couple weeks back too. I’m working in the campus service bureau printing files and burning discs. Big-ass color Epson deal. Color output at an affordable price. Thanks to Jenkins and Ms.Prescott for their help in operational matters.The apartment is starting to feel like home. Furniture, art + groceries…our latest additions.

A plea to those who like junkmail : Send us yer mailing addresses, as we have a couple goodies lined up for our Fall promotional series.

Thanks for listening. May Autumn be brisk and beautiful.

Ink on the hands, production on the agenda,

- - - -

In rotation:

1. Nick Drake box set (the perfect autumn music)
2. Josh Rouse - chester
3. Stereolab - cobras phases….
4. Supersuckers - the greatest rocknroll band in the world (yep.)
5. Mason Jennings - Mason Jennings
6. Juno - this is the way it goes and goes and goes
7. Son Volt - all of it, man.
8. Richard Buckner - Bloomed
9. Flaming Lips - the soft bulletin ( best of ‘99?)
10. Steve Earle - I feel alright

Upcoming Nights out on the town:

1. Mike Watt “searchin’-for-the-pliers” Tour
2. Nashville Pussy / Motorhead
3. Lucinda Williams / Bottle Rockets
4. Blue Mountain
5. Richmond Fontaine
6. Bevis Frond
7. Son Volt - 2 nights in mid November

Literature:

1. Bill Bryson - The Lost Continent
2. The Neu Typographie - Jan Tschiold (sp?)