POSTER CHIDE...

by Erkuden Sakana, Company Secretary;
May is rapidly approaching and the fleet needs fuelling; not to mention a little seed money to kickstart the convoy. And so, the Company has undertaken a number of commissions to help raise some funds.

"Gambling Christ Lands In Hot Water With His Bookies and Needs Your Help"
(by the Misanthrope Specialty Co.)

Fortunately, there is an abundance of live music and comedy in this city for the Company to tap vampirously into. There was little more to do than send word through the proper channels that the Misanthrope Specialty Co. and many of its individual members were making themselves available for one week to illustrate a limited number of local gig posters at the introductory price of PWYC. It didn't take long before everyone's dance card was full.

But the fundraising drive doesn't end there. Gas isn't cheap, after all.

Poster commissioned for Phillips & Crown's upcoming performance
(by the Misanthrope Specialty Co.)

In an shameless endeavor to capitalise twice on the same projects, it has been decided that much of the original artwork for said posters will form the backbone for the Company's next one-night Clubhouse exhibition.

Poster commissioned by Iron Cobra for their final show
(artwork by the Misanthrope Specialty Co.)

Stay tuned for details as they arise. What is known thus far is that the show will consist of gig posters and related hired art both by the Company and its individual members. There will be liquor, music, and perhaps a little dancing. All the art will be sold by donation on a first come first serve basis.

* * *

BLAME IT ON THE NAME...

by Erkuden Sakana, Company Secretary;

Editing the Misanthrope Specialty Co.'s 16mm motion picture extravaganza draws closer to completion every day. The tour's April 30th departure date has set a concrete deadline for this endeavour, coaxing great sweaty strides in the efforts to have it finished on time.

A clear narrative has finally emerged and the film is taking form nicely. Armed with a better understanding of what this story is shaping up to be , one of today's main orders of business included determining the next few steps in post-production.

* * *

The Company's Musical Supervisor presented her proposal for the musical score. It's a loose outline, naturally in preliminary stages; to be fleshed out and refined according to how the film continues to evolve throughout the rest of the editing process.

The Soundtrack promises to be an fun one to work on, as it seems Caulpepper's recent acquisition will be featured prominently therein.

* * *

Perhaps the easiest item tackled on tonight's agenda was the proposal and debating of possible titles for this classic in the making. The Company had been putting off naming its baby until it could be certain whether it was a boy or a girl.

The votes are in and the film has officially been dubbed Screaming Hell Hogs. Or rather, Screaming Hell Hogs Eat Shit and Die. Lest we forget the Company's agreement with the project's patron

* * *

TOUR DE FARCE...

by Erkuden Sakana, Company Secretary:
Yesterday's Bunker meeting turned into an all-day affair. Little time went into drawing this week with the business of a looming tour becoming the evening's main preoccupation. Scheming has begun in earnest.

A primary draft of the 2010 Company tour route.

Little is yet written in stone, but already the tentative framework of an itinerary has been agreed upon. There are still few blanks to fill in between some stops, and many of the listed destinations have yet to be confirmed, but the beast is taking shape nicely.

* * *

On the list of new places to try out is Cleveland, Ohio. Some of the Misanthropes have breezed through the forest city once or twice, but aside satisfying late-night soul food joint next to an angry little strip club motel, they found little of interest. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame simply doesn't cut it with this bunch. Still, Company consensus holds that it must have something going on, and any guidance on the matter would be appreciated.

The same goes for Toledo. Not so much for Oklahoma City, which the Company has unofficially given up on.

* * *

EXTRA SENSORY RECEPTION...

by Erkuden Sakana, Company Secretary:
Once upon a time, the Misanthrope Specialty Co. was commissioned to contribute some artwork for the liner notes of Toca Loca's forthcoming album, P*P. Well, at long last, the aforementioned CD has finally forthcome.

(album art by the men and women of the Company)

The company hereby alerts any Torontonians with a predilection for the esoteric reconstruction of pop music math by classical music Dadaists to the fact that there will be a CD release party this coming Saturday.

(see what we mean?)

Opening for the band is the ever-brilliant Kathleen Phillips, pairing up with the infectiously funny Katie Crown. They will be plying their combined comedic stylings. The uninitiated among you may rest assured they alone are already worth the price of admission. You are invited to initiate yourselves via the videos below.

(Kathleen Phillips in "A Bet With Bill")

(Katie Crown in "Hiding From Bad Guys")

The members of Toca Loca will then play a series of solo sets, wherein they promise not to play anything from the new album, followed by, in the words of Gregory Oh, "a nerd reception afterwards, where we can talk and have a drink under bright, harsh fluorescent lighting."

TOCA LOCA CD RELEASE
Saturday February 27 at the Music Gallery
8:00-8:20 opening act: Kathleen Phillips!
8:30-9:20 Toca Loca plays
9:30- join us for nerdy good times in the fellowship room
Admission $10 or $15 with a CD
* * *

As an added treat, there will be door prizes.

One unlucky patron will win an Unflattering Portrait sitting with the Company's own Reverend Aitor.
Although the Company cannot speak on the good Reverend's behalf, the fact that there is drinking on the band's dime lend itself to the possibility for others to cajole him into getting portraits of their own.

***

EDIT RATING...

by Tallulah Lastname, Company Clerk:
Editing is well underway on the Company's feature film project. Members have been slipping in and out of the Bunker at all hours to put in some time infront of the whirring, clicking Steenbeck.

Linear editing in action

Random shots are becoming fully formed scenes. And though said scenes are only just now being roughly cobbled together, a narrative is beginning to emerge. It's not unlike the process by which the Company's collaborative illustrations take form, becoming something greater than the sum of its parts as everyone adds their contribution to the stew.

* * *

In other news, just when the stench of old coffee, stale smoke and the mingling odours of unwashed travellers had all but dissipated from the cars' upholstery, the petition for another Company tour was passed into motion at this week's meeting.

Inside the Battle Waggon during the 2009 American excursion

The Misanthrope Specialty Co. has committed four months to touring, setting April 30th as its tentative launch date. With that much settled, now begins the process of voting on possible destinations, mapping out routes, and the frantic production of inventory.

Stay tuned for updates as details arise.

* * *

LUST WEEK-END...

by Erkuden Sakana, Company Secretary;
Last night the Company congregated for its regular conclave and drawing session after a long, hard, throbbing day of peddling smut at the Come as You Are's Erotic Arts and Crafts Fair. This marked the Misanthrope Specialty Co.'s first public outing of the decade, and it couldn't have gone better.

(promotional artwork by the ever-brilliant Fiona Smyth)

While the Company hardly consider its wares to be particularly scandalous, it does sell a handful of sexually explicit material. These items, though not meant to offend, garner their fair share of disgusted sneers and tongue-clicking suck sounds at shows. The I Think of You When I Masturbate message cards never fails to rub someone the wrong way despite the romantic sincerity of its intention.

One of the Company's chief offenders

Such was not the case at yesterday's show. Not surprisingly, the event drew an entirely sex-positive and mostly goodhumoured cross-section of perverts. "Our kind of people," as Tallulah was quick to point out. And in great quantities to boot.

So pleased were the misanthropes with their experience that it was unanimously decided to participate again next year.

* * *

Meanwhile, the wanderlust which had evidently been festering within some of the misanthropes all winter long has finally erupted in talk of another North American tour.

Hold on St.Christopher

Not being on the agenda for this evening's meeting, the subject wasn't delved into in any official capacity, and much of the Company seems ambivalent about setting out on the road again for any length of time. Regardless, the travel-thirsty contingent has made it clear that they intend to lobby for an excursion, and will be submitting their tour proposals at next week's meeting.

* * *

1% INSPIRATION. 99% PERFORATION...

by Reverend Aitor, Impresario:
At long last the this year's edition of Valentimes Funnies, Goofy Cards, and Scary Love cards are ready for the masses.
Hot of the presses after a long, hard evening of hand-perforating, there are but two options for those wanting to get their hands on a sheet or two of these glossy suckers, and they're both in Toronto.The Good Catch General Store retains the right of sole bricks and mortar retailer of Misanthrope Specialty Co. ephemera in town. For those of you unfamiliar with this pirate-themed business, owner Jola Sobolak meets the sundry needs of Parkdale's diverse denizens by stocking her shelves with a little something for everyone.

(photo courtesy of the National Post)

Her wares include guitars, locally grown produce, vintage clothing, neighbourhood arts and crafts, natural cleaning products, independently published books, pet supplies and toys for the kiddies. Need keys cut? They do that too.

Your other option is to buy the cards directly from the Company at this year's Erotic Arts and Crafts Fair, February 13th, at the Gladstone Hotel. Word on the street is there'll be all manner of secret deals for those who know the pass word...

(photo by Erkuden Sakana)

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