My Page: Randy Harward
No Hyperbole Required
Beware the Garg-EagletsI was about to spin a nice little hyperbole about how ultra-con Eagle Forum prez Gayle Ruzicka, under cover of night, transmutes into a gargoyle-eagle (garg-eagle!) and goes hunting in downtown Salt Lake City just after last call. And how she snatches gay couples as they make their way to Village Inn for--eeeeww--coffee and then, in evitably, home to more serious evils like setting the alarm clock for 6:00 when they know they're really not getting up until 7:00. The Gayle-odactyl would, in this hyperbolic horror-fantasy I'm not gonna write, return to her nest on top of the Capitol Building (they're remodeling her Temple roost) and chew these poor coffee-loving, snooze-hitting saps like Tootsie Pops (Remember the commercial where the owl can't deal with foreplay and has to just bite right through the candy to get to the just-barely-chewy center? Like that!) and savor the intermingling flavors of their root beer flesh, chocolate souls--and cinnamon screams. Delicioussssss... [more]
SALT LAKE CITY SOUNDOFF
Bob Moss’ “Killer’s Lament”
New West readers met local folk artist and musician Bob Moss in Brian Staker's New Westerner profile in November. While the story included photos of Moss' art, it was sadly lacking in musical content. Until now. "Killer's Lament" is a track from Tragic Tales of the West, the long out-of-print 1995 debut by Bob Moss and the Western Men. However, you can find it on his 2001 greatest hits release, My Best So Far (SoundCo Records). The lonely reverb, twangy guitar and Moss' Elvis-meets-Dylan croon are a perfect aural counterpart to Moss' quirky visuals, as you'll see and hear at his new MySpace page.
STREET TALK
Let’s Cruise Karl Malone StreetA headline in yesterday's Tribune reads "[Karl] Malone May Not Have to Take Back Seat to [Rosa] Parks" in the street-naming sweeps. What a relief. I mean, if a civil rights pioneer like Rosa Parks can get a section of 200 East named for her before the muthahumpin' Mailman--well, the world's just on a fastbreak to hell. Might as well have a first come, first served race to give a block or two of city street to whomever has the cheddar. [more]
READER MAIL
Reader Mail: Another Perspective On Brokeback MountainHad enough of the controversy over Brokeback Mountain? To tell you the truth, while Larry H. Miller's name still rubs me raw, I'm kind of sick of it, too. And unless Larry had another hissyfit (or Gayle Ruzicka tried to torch the Broadway), I was done covering it. That is, until reader Chad Davis emailed to say this: [more]
SALT LAKE CITY SOUNDOFF
Magstatic’s “Downtown Girlfriend”
If Magstatic doesn't watch it, they might become one of the few Salt Lake City bands to hit the ten-year mark without getting some of that coveted, what do you call it, recognition. They've toiled long and hard, dishing out satisfying platter after platter (each a marked improvement on Terrance D.H.'s already vapor-tight songwriting and knack for crafting rudimentary but immensely gratifying power pop guitar riffs) and all they got was that Sub Pop 7", a spot on an early Emo Diaries compilation (a gross miscategorization) and a deal with an indie label that is no more. [more]
ONE UTAH
OneUtah.org: A Voice For Salt Lake City’s Progressive MajorityIn a fit of random clicking today I stumbled upon a OneUtah.org, a new blog intended to "serve the majority progressive community in Salt Lake City by featuring the writings and commentary of Utah’s many thoughtful and articulate citizens, community leaders, educators and lawmakers and by facilitating discussion around current events, politics, and religion." Although not officially launched, Cliff Lyon's site already features some great content. Annette Daley's letter about her decision to leave the LDS Church over the faith's marginalization of those who don't fit their ideal is candid and compelling. Lyon's own posts, meant to only introduce the site and establish a tone while he courts guest contributors (University of Utah law professor Edwin Firmage will be the inaugural contributing author), are passionate without falling into obnoxious partisan quacking. If this is any indication of the content to come, One Utah will be a refreshing and sorely needed dose of common sense in the blogosphere. Don't wait for the official launch: start reading now.
FREE STUFF
Win The Earlies’ These Were The Earlies and Secret Broadcast!New West Salt Lake City wants to reward our readers. The first five people to email randy_at_newwest.net will win The Earlies' US debut These Were The Earlies (Secretly Canadian) as well as the bonus rare Secret Broadcast CD. The album proper has been hailed as a sonic masterpiece that brings psychedelia, country and prog rock together within top-shelf songwriting. As for Secret Broadcast, the name says it all--it's that rare and delightsome, only-for-you kind of disc that gets music dorks a-slobberin'. So get 'em while they're hot! (And thanks for reading.)
Contest is open only to readers of New West residing in Utah. Winners will be notified via email. Full name and current, valid email address required. Upon notification, winner has two weeks to contact New West to claim prize and provide in-state mailing address. Unclaimed prizes will be forfeited awarded to next runner-up or in a subsequent New West contest. Please allow up to three weeks for shipping.
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SENATORIAL BRO-DOWN
Brokeback Capitol HillUptight conservative Utah Senator Orrin Hatch and bellicose liberal Massachusetts Senator Ted Kennedy, despite their profound differences of opinion, are friends and have even cosponsored more than 400 bills. It sounds like a bad buddy cop film (and there's probably a Brokeback Mountain joke in there somewhere) but taken seriously, it warms the heart. Why wouldn't it? Bile is ping-ponging up and down the Beltway and across the country; this kind of story gives us a reprieve from the heaving. A temporary one, anyway. Despite such high-profile bipartisan yokings as Schwarzenegger-Shriver or Carville-Matalin, we're still a rent and polarized nation. If there is true friendship or love in any of these relationships, you'd think the people involved would work a little harder at mending the rift. Sure, teaming up on 400 bills is a helluva start--but how about teaching some of your peers to share and play fair? [more]
SALT LAKE CITY SOUND OFF
The Legendary Porch Pounders’ “Find Somebody New (Vada’s Song)”
Welcome to the first edition of "Salt Lake City Sound Off." Each Friday, we'll spotlight a different local artist. Our opening salvo? The Legendary Porch Pounders.
Since they made their debut in 2004, this Ogden-based duo has established themselves as one of Utah's premier folk-blues acts. The combination of Wheeler’s muscular, manically soulful harmonica licks and Weldon’s vivid songs, gravelly voice and full-throated dobro has garnering the Porch Pounders a hefty and hearty following. As well, they handily won City Weekly's 2005 Showdown to South-by-Southwest (not to mention the paper's coveted SLAMMY Award for Best Blues Band) and have played a slew of local and regional blues festivals.
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BABY H. MILLER
Baby and His BlankieOh, Larry H. Miller, you are a classy one. What a loving, Christ-like example you are for the people of Salt Lake City, nay, the world. You've said all you have to say about pulling Brokeback Mountain from your mighty Megaplex 17 (just off State Street at 9400 South--bring the kids, but leave the gay ones home) just by pulling the film. And you've noted that you're received "a lot more positive" attention (as opposed to, you know, negative attention) for your deed. This, while swatting away inquiring reporters' mics like a too-hot bottle of milk. [more]
