July 2006:
SPAM! Poetry is born The 'SPAM! Poetry' movement begins here For the record, I started it this morning, after breakfast. If you're interested in contributing, please drop me an e-mail.
'The Willy Watcher' I have a new poem, 'The Willy Watcher' published on the Brick Lane-based weblog, 'Straight From The Fridge'
New magazine articles Muse cover story for Kerrang, June 2006. Review column for Plan B magazine, out July 2006.
Green Day book translation My biography 'Green Day & The New Punk Explosion' is coming out very soon in Italian through Arcana (publishers of Keroauc. And Burroughs. And Banksy!) Looks hot shit, don't it? For more details please visit: www.arcanalibri.it
'EDGIER WATERS' COLLECTION Extracts from my recently completed new novel appear in 'Edgier Waters', a collection of 3am Magazine website's finest writings in their first five years of existence. It's published through June 2006 through Canongate and features a sterling line-up: Billy Childish, Thurston Moore, Travis Jeppesen, Michael Bracewell, Steve Almond, James Allis, Mike Watt, Tony O' Neill to name but most of them. It will be out in 2007 - if you can't wait you can always read further extracts in my occasional column 'Nocturnal Emissions' at 3ammagazine.com
LOOK AT ME, I FORMED A BAND! Kinda. Four years ago I wrote a conceptual album entitled 'The Shadow Of The Bomb'
that was inspired by the strange twists and turns in world events. Bush, Bin Laden.
Terror. Media manipulation East vs West. Islam vs Christian. Etc. It was done for the hell of it yet now, thanks to my musical collaborator Doc Throberts,
it is being put to music under the band name The Gulag. Spoken words vocals are provided
by my good self and a number of friends and collaborators. Classical in structure yet technologically contemporary, the album is near to
completion and the full tracklisting is:
'In Eyeball Doorways'
'Smile Like A Sundial Shadow'
'The Mercy Killing'
'Digital Cadence'
'Shadow Of The Bomb'
'Shoots / Scores'
'This Friendly Fire'
'See You In Disneyland'
'Ticker Taper Welcome'
'Tongue In Open Wound Song'
'Bridesmaid Mannequin'
'To The Watery Grave'
'Limbs'
'Captains Of Industry'
'Diplomatic Crisis'
'Death Sonata (The New Gulag)'
It's dark as fuck, symphonic, glorious, evocative and you can read more about (and listen to)
The Gulag at myspace.com/thegulag
'THE MISSING KIDNEY' Is the title of my new novel. Due out in 2007.
NEW MAGAZINE WRITINGS 'Why I Hate Pop Music' article/rant for Plan B (June/July 2006). 'Refused Are Fucking Dead' interview for Kerrang! (May 2006). 'Right Here In Hollywood: The Story Of System Of A Down' extracts running on Playlouder.com (May 2006)
'CORKSUCKER' BY DAN FANTE I was recently asked to write the cover jacket notes for Dan Fante's new collection of short stories, 'Corksucker' (known as 'Short Dog' in the US). Dan is, in my opinion, America's greatest living writer and deserves your attention. You can read my short biog of Dan at: danfante.net/home.htm
Another writer you should definitely check out is Tony O'Neill, whose debut novel 'Digging The Vein' is out now in the US and forthcoming in the UK. Buy it, read it, love it. Both books are out through the ever-special Wrecking Ball Press: wreckingballpress.com A new generation of writers is emerging that has nothing to do with the literary world and everything to do with truth, freedom and expression above all is. Can you feel it?
'FISH-PIE WEDNESDAYS' I have a story entitled 'Fish-Pie Wednesdays' coming in the forthcoming collection of flash fiction - that's ultra-short stories, to you and me - entitled 'The Flash' and published by Canongate books. Publication date to be confirmed.
CROSSFIRE INTERVIEW I've been interviewed by the lovely Dee Massey for the Crossfire website. You can read it here: caughtinthecrossfire.com
BEN MYERS ON MYSPACE I've succumbed to MySpace aka CrackSpace. Actually, I've been on there since summer 2005 because I'm hip as all hell. In fact, I'm so hip I'm going to take my page down any minute now. But in the meantime, come laugh at my face: myspace.com/bigbenmyers
BLACK MARY #8 INTERVIEW There's an interview with yours truly in 'Black Mary' fanzine, issue #8. Based out of New York, I think.
GREEN DAY TRANSLATIONS As of March 2006 my book 'Green Day: American Idiots & The New Punk Explosion' is now available in Germany and the US. It's also coming in Finland at some point soon.
'THE BOOK OF FUCK' TRANSLATION 'The Book Of Fuck' is out now in Italy as 'Il Dio Della Scopata' through Baldini Castoldi & Dalai. Let's hope the Pope bans it or some shit.