Why It Matters

Blog

wimwords.com/

Profile

wimwords.com/author/jostafford

Homepage

jamesostafford.com

  • Revenge of the Son of the Son of the Creature From the Cutout Bin

    Every now and then a little group of songs piles up that I don’t really have full stories for, just quick impressions. Quite a few albums or songs from 1987-1988 fall into this category, so let’s take a quick break from the action and spotlight a few of them:

  • From the Stacks: The Bay City Rollers — Rollin’

    I was an elementary schooler when Rollermania took hold. The Bay City Rollers hit big with US teenyboppers in late ’75 with “Saturday Night,” but they’d already hit in the UK the previous year with the Rollin’ album. Within five years they’d be hosting a Saturday morning kiddie show, a sort of downward spiral in…

  • From the Stacks: The Goldwaters Sing Folk Songs to Bug the Liberals

    Back in 1964 Barry Goldwater, a Libertarian senator from Arizona, ran for president. America was at the height of the folk music revival around that time, too, so what better way to boost support with the kids than a parody folk band in matching sweaters?

  • This Week on Paste: I Take Downtown Brown Downtown

    Downtown Brown is an English-style ale from my home state of California. Can we set aside our palm trees, surfboards and huarache sandals long enough to make a tasty ale? Give my review a read and find out for yourself.

  • Deep Cuts: Shakespeare’s Greatest Hits

    Last week we celebrated Shakespeare’s 450th birthday. It was a small gathering at Chuck E. Cheese, and I lost poor Yorick’s head in the ball bath. Heyooooo. My social media was abuzz with phrases in our lexicon that old Bill originated. One in particular jumped out at me and inspired this week’s playlist. So here…

  • Annie’s Indies: Ed Schrader’s Music Beat

    Writer/photographer Anne-Marie Schiefer is automatic when it comes to spotting cool new bands. She’s my go-to resource for all things indie, and she’s nailed a great one this time. Here you go:

  • Remember What the Dormouse Said

    I’m trying hard to power out a true tale of liquor, lust, and primer gray Camaros, but the voodoo ain’t working. I’m tired and I’m nursing a headache. For the last week I’ve been wrestling with the insomnia gorilla, the hairy beast pounding on me at ritual-soothing hours like 4:44. Insomnia is a symptom, not…

  • From the Stacks: Guns N’ Roses — Appetite For Destruction Alternative Album

    What’s this, a second Appetite? Well, yes and no.

  • A Radio Interview on Vivid Life

    Man, talk about going outside of my comfort zone. Last week I did a little interview with the show “It’s All About Relationships” on vividlife.me.  Mostly we talked about The Good Men Project and writing, but there are some bits and pieces of other topics in there, too. Honestly, I can’t listen to it and…

  • From the Stacks: Living Colour – Vivid (Promo Cassette)

    Los Angeles wasn’t the only city to change the music world in 1988. New York’s Living Colour released their debut album, Vivid, in May of that year, too.