“Outside these walls, Red, there’s a man that no living soul has ever seen face to face. He has a Social Security card and a Maine driver’s license. He’s got a birth certificate. Name of Peter Stevens. Nice, anonymous name.”
Pg. 74 ~ Stephen King’s Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption.
1979 – 1989.
Writing about my art from the dark closet has been illuminating for me. I enjoy it so much. I see what is going on with festivals, museums, and art events is overwhelming. Not so much going on locally. So, I decided to create my own scene with what is around me from my business cave where cats are the CEO’s and purring advisors of highest degree. Back in 2004 I was inspired to write about my years as a punk rock journalist. I reached out to publishers and others who seemed interested but were not. It was discouraging to say the least. All those people who I once supported were not as friendly. So, I decided to Do It Myself with the gift, a culture we help create, at Los Angeles Flipside Fanzine. Yes, we implemented it into a very tight punk scene that was sincerely underground. Do It Yourself. That is what we did then and so I pulled that now well-known ideal forward with all of my optimistic first-hand projects. Once it was staples, rubber cement and X-Acto knives. Even a stupid-fucking loud headache creating tele-type machine and God-awful wax machine for paste-up. Then the Xerox – Printers helped us and Hallelujah came the Smith Corona typewriter and the Commadore 64 and 128 computers. Later, the HP Laser Printer. Now I have continued to evolve with the current technology. Using Amazon like we did the Xerox machine. Using top of the line Adobe Premiere Pro to create documentaries. I learned as I went along… and not worried what the crowd thought. We never did it at Flipside Fanzine. “No one told us what to do, we just did it and learned as we created.” As one of the originals, DO It Yourself Punks, I can see so much has changed but reaching back to find that gift from Flipside washed away the need to publish with someone else. It is my just reward for holding my punk integrity proudly. Bringing it forward and creating again. Here are the first four journals: My Punkalullaby # 1, 2, 3 and 4. A Punk fanzine editor memoir: A dedication to the Saints Issue. Covers of the many Flipsides issue. The Satire issue. ha ha…. The Tape Recorder Issue of Love!! I printed these up with my computer and my HP Printer. Going back to a time of stapling and reuniting with the original way of DIY printing. Since then, in 2019 I created my publishing house The Seminary of Praying Mantis Publishing and combined the four into a nice handheld book. Sometimes the nicest things are in a nice handheld book. I am not talking Gideons’ International Bible either instead the Stephen King’s Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption handheld book. Which I recently purchased. Man, what a thrill. A sweet little number good with some suds.
Integrity is in every image, interview, editorial and advertisement.
The project of creating the first Los Angeles Flipside Fanzine # 54 Ten Year Anniversary issue is a scan of issue one through fifty. Different technology back in 1987 but our HP Laser printer in office and camera, set up in our garage, both helped in the scanned copy layout of images. Both printer and camera made this issue happen. It was Flipside Fanzine magic.
Each issue presents selected interviews and stories that zigzag together vivid accounts and insights from the punk rock scene. Although some readers have expressed nostalgia for the letter and classified sections—once vital hubs for community interaction—the publication prioritizes detailed narratives about bands of the era. This editorial choice underscores a distinctive aspect that captures the passion and intensity characteristic of punk rock. By focusing solely on musicians, their experiences, and the cultural influence they exerted, the publication seeks to give readers a deeper view of the punk movement, ensuring its legacy endures for new generations and honoring its genuine spirit of punk rock.
Our new Commodore 128 computer was a revolutionary thing at the time. I painstakingly did all the layout for the first issue. We took highlighted interviews from each issue along with editorials. I did it then and I did it again with this replica issue.
The only difference being is that the technology for this replica is a hell of a lot better. As well as the programs use to get Los Angeles Flipside Fanzine # 54 the way that it is. My dream was to come out with a paperback copy of this issue.
I adore this issue, so I preserved it.
The new cover is a picture by Al Flipside. Symbolic of how we bugged the bands and ran a punk rock fanzine together.
It was a sin from AL Flipside’s perspective to have our faces in Flipside fanzines. So, I challenged this sin with my mug on the cover. It is not so much about this. More than that it reflects a time when I was a gal amongst many guy punkers. Which was and is still a turn on for me. Very punk rock.
Subhumans (Canadian Band) and Angry Samoans. Greg Turner, Metal Mike, Wimpy, Hud, Gary and Jim.
This is one of my favorite pics of the early punk scene with…
I am holding Flipside’s tape recorder. Our # one staff … with us the whole time.
We recorded all of our band interviews included in each issue on this tape recorder.
We were always in the middle of bugging the bands. So, to me it is symbolic of us. Al and I as we ran a Fanzine. It also shows you the world through Al’s eyes. We literally had thousands and thousands of negatives and pictures in our office.
The yellow patina is gone, and the pages are all straight. This issue of Flipside # 54 was originally printed on newsprint paper, so the pages did yellow.
I put a great deal of time into making this paperback into the sweet little punk rock number that it is. Some punks have told me that this was their punk rock bible. It is Los Angeles Flipside Fanzine issues one through fifty. A lot of punk voices. The integrity of what punk was at any time during the original punk rock scene is shared here.
Flipside Fanzine # 54 captures the continuity and real experience and thoughtful wild exuberant expression of many interesting individuals. It was a passion of mine to share in this documentation of a scene. It still is which is why I continued over the years with this project to have a new handheld Flipside # 54 for anyone who wants to hold it too.
I think it is incredibly special, in a punk kind of way, I hope you will enjoy it too.
Within this paperback book is our history of the early punk rock scene. We at Flipside covered that scene thoroughly, what we wanted to cover that is. It is best you read the editorial included at the beginning of this paperback to get a real sense of who we were. Ten years of documenting a scene included in issues one through fifty is a great deal to read. A magnifying glass may be needed.
I always say the proof is in the pudding. Shit workers who worked on each issue are clearly defined in each issue. This is what I mean by proof. Always a lot of hands in the cookie jar at the Flipside house. Suffice to say I will let this spectacular punk documentary speak for itself from the giant community of punk voices. The true punk rock narrative.
I recommend my memoir My Punkalullaby as a sidekick to Los Angeles Flipside Fanzine # 54 Ten-Year Anniversary Issue (replica) 1977 to 1987 because both are my punk rock opus, and I am very proud of publishing these editions through my publishing company The Seminary of Praying Mantis Publishing.
Click on Image takes you to Amazon where this is sold.
Click on Image takes you to Amazon where this is sold.
Both issues are for purchase at Amazon with a click.
The Avengers, The Dils and The Alley Cats + many special guests (A Celebration of the Life of Jimmy Wilsey) at Echoplex
Before the show I went to an Italian Restaurant nearby. I sat at the bar and had a Guinness and a plate of pasta.
Part of my DNA
It will be the time to join with punk comrades and celebrate our originators and characters of the early California punk scene. The Avengers, the Dils and the Alley Cats.
Before The Avengers went on a DJ at the event played The Saints – (I’m) Stranded. The sound went on and I swear the earth moved as the song grabbed my spine… an earthquake…. it was a Saints’ Hallelujah “amber” moment.
Just got this from a friend… a nice treat that makes life bearable. (signed copy and 2024 November The Saints Tour)
Once someone dies, their life becomes a story, infinite, Like a song forever more.
Back then it was a tight underground, alternative punk rock scene. Bands were unclassified and their songs unique. I found myself melting into a wild alchemy of youths that had something new to say.
We were finding our voice. All the unknown characters were there. Nobody creates a scene alone. Seeing punk bands during the early Los Angeles punk scene, I was not always aware of all the members in the band.
Instead, the feel of drums, bass and guitar grabbed me into a wild joyful submission. After a few times seeing a band, the lyrics and the vocals brought depth and understanding to any band’s song.
I was shaking to the sounds, wanting to go to all the shows. After getting involved with Los Angeles Flipside Fanzine all the players, in the bands, became focused and clear. I listened to their voices.
I got to know them on a personal level. I went from being a face in the crowd to writing about punk bands and getting to know band members as friends.
The sound of the Avengers was my grounding or anchoring into that early punk scene. Those first days I awoke……
It was fantastic! The Dils I learned about indirectly through other Flipside staff writers.
The Alley Cats was the band, they were the heart of the early punk scene which I got to know the best at that time.
Jimmy was a part of that scene.
I did not know him personally but indirectly. Yet his sound moved me into states of wild frenzy. I am grateful for all the vinyl records that contain that story, song, or sound of our youthful rebellion. Of Jimmy’s youthful rebellion.
Yet a “live” band is always best. It is great to still be here, currently, part of our punk rock history. Thanks to Randy and Penelope for letting me speak today. To show my love and respect.
We were wild and knew all the songs by heart by The Dils, The Alley Cats and the Avengers.
I will be there handing out some badges joining in the event in memory of our youthful rebellion that is still the heartbeat of this crazy continuity of punk rock that still drives our DNA onward.
The author reflects deeply on their feelings of trauma after watching the 1988 film The Accused, which starkly depicts a brutal rape. This cinematic portrayal of violence against women evokes a profound emotional response, prompting the author to draw parallels between the character’s harrowing experience and their own past encounters with trauma. It highlights the notion that trauma, once inflicted, can leave an indelible mark, echoing through the myriad facets of one’s life.
The author elaborates on the persistence of trauma, emphasizing how it can shape thoughts, emotions, and relationships long after the initial event has passed. By sharing personal reflections, they cultivate a deeper understanding of the emotional turmoil experienced by survivors, marking a call for empathy and recognition of the lasting effects of such violence.
Moreover, the author expresses unwavering support for the Roe v. Wade ruling, reflecting a broader concern regarding women’s rights and bodily autonomy. They articulate their anger over recent political attempts to undermine this landmark decision. In their view, such actions are not merely political maneuvers; they are seen as barbaric and regressive, marking a significant setback in the quest for gender equality and the rights of women to make choices about their own bodies.
The author is particularly incensed by the June 2022 decision, which, in their eyes, represented a profound failure by the U.S. Supreme Court. They argue that this ruling declared there is no federal constitutional right to abortion—abandoned the court’s duty to protect fundamental rights. This verdict, they assert, will echo through generations, potentially endangering not only women’s rights but the very fabric of personal freedoms that many have fought tirelessly to secure. The implications of this decision serve as a call to action, urging society to confront the ongoing struggles faced by women as they navigate the complexities of autonomy and choice in an increasingly hostile environment.
Christine Blasey Ford water color by Hudley Flipside.
Julie sang a Doors song to me. We were on the hill playing. She acted like she made it up. I knew that she did not. This song marked a change in the neighborhood. The 16 and 17-year-old boys were smoking funny cigarettes.
Confronting ghosts from years ago and feeling much better.
I am writing this because of Dr. Christine Blasey Ford’s story. Maybe her narrative was not successful in stopping the nomination to the supreme court of Judge K. I believe she told the truth and with great risk to her family and to herself. I admire her honesty.
So, in support of her naming those who assaulted her, I will name mine. Mike Hansen and Michael Myers (and more). Dr. Ford is free now yet the lies and darkness within Judge K’s being will continue to manifest until it destroys him. Maybe not today or tomorrow but eventually. That is how karma works.
Roman Polanski
The mid 1970s and early 1980s held wild times. A new sexual revolution that became dark fast. I did not live far from where Roman Polanski was arrested, at Jack Nicholson’s home, for the sexual assault of 13-year-old. I knew the girl who was drugged and then molested. I never imagined something like that would happen to me.
Drugs, sex and fun was fundamental at that time. Luckily, my mom and dad kept guard. They were not always interested in school stuff, but they did keep guard. I was protected from the house down the hill. A single mom with an empty nest most nights. Except for the teenage boys.
The endless drug parties were unchecked by the adults in the neighborhood. Michael Myers, no relations to the character from the film Halloween, ruled there. Any girl 13 to 16 was not safe from his advances. The peer pressure was enormous!!
Once he was 18 he continued to make his moves. That is where Mike Hansen came to my aid. He was my boyfriend who protected me from the age 15 to 17. Until Mike cheated on me and we broke up. I started going out with another boy. We dated on and off for about 6 months.
Mike Hansen wanted us to get back together. One night he invited me to a party where he was living with Mike Myers. They lived in an old apartment next to a local Catholic Church. It seemed safe enough. A few friends were over and someone handed me a beer. The next morning, I awoke naked and alone in Mike Hansen’s bed.
I did not remember anything from the night before until years later. This narrative gets worse because I became pregnant. As a 17-year-old my voice was invisible. I was confused and overwhelmed.
Pregnant with two boyfriends. It was not a good place for a 17-year going on 18 to be. The bad words spoken, tension and moral pressure made me crazy. Mike Hansen wanted to entrap me into marriage. I said no. The other boy was helpful, but he soon broke up with me. I blamed myself. It was not until years later that the images of that night came forward. Memories became clear to me. Around the time after giving birth to my first son at 34. Yes, slowly it was clear to me. I will not go into the years of grief and despair that I worked though.
Looking back, I remember Mike Hansen was mad at me, so I assume he or another drugged me and let me be raped by whom ever was at the party. I feel that they planned it with intent and foresight. In a sense I felt relieved that I remembered this. I felt sad too for a long time. I did not regret the abortion back then. It was intuitively the best thing to do. I realize that now.
The window from Mike Hansen’s room
Today I went back to the apartments. I don’t live far. The apartments have expanded. There are more parking areas. The apartments are now secured and closed from strangers. The apartment where Mike Hansen and Mike Myers lived are at the corner of Serrainia Ave and Ventura Blvd. or De Soto Ave and Ventura Blvd. The streets change as one crosses Ventura heading west.
As a kid I knew this area. I walked by these apartments everyday, Jr. High School and later in High School. A few of my friends went to the Saint Mel Catholic School right near the apartments. Across the street, where there is now a Wells Fargo Bank, there was a 7- Eleven. My friends and I could get a Slurpee for 10 cents. Why wouldn’t I feel safe there. It was where I grew up? My dad owned a building only a few blocks down on Ventura Blvd.
My family had history here, a history intertwined with both cherished memories and painful realities. That history includes my rape, an experience that has shaped not only my life but also the legacy I carry. With each visit to this place, the echoes of the past resonate within me, reminding me of the strength found in vulnerability and the resilience required to reclaim my narrative.
Julie Myers was a good friend, but I had trust issues with her, similar to those I had with her brother. She shared revealing late-night stories about her brother and Mike Hansen, which made me feel jealous and uncertain. Although I listened to her tales, I struggled to believe them, questioning if I should have trusted her more. They were raping young girls. I was just another one.
Audience members stand up to listen during a Senate Judiciary Committee markup hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC on September 28, 2018, for the nomination of Brett M. Kavanaugh to be an associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. – Kavanaugh’s contentious Supreme Court nomination will be put to an initial vote Friday, the day after a dramatic Senate hearing saw the judge furiously fight back against sexual assault allegations recounted in harrowing detail by his accuser.
(Photo by Brendan Smialowski / AFP) (Photo credit should read BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images)
Flopside Comics supports the political satire of ‘Trump Baby’ blimp to fly over London.’
On Friday the 13th, 2018.
Don’t forget we have been spreading the satire for years… and have a few bubblegum Flopside COmics that highlight this complete unenlightened asshole of extreme degrees…
Four Flopside Bubblegum cOmic editions that challenge the status quo…. dripping dropping satire political cartoons…
Check all 13 on Friday the 13th 2018 … your fucking luckiest of days…..
Azoth is “all-inclusiveness” and the spiritual ray of Neptune which is the higher octave of Mercury.
How this all came together is a current event of our times. Alchemical symbols and studies are something I do. I have worked with images and ancient insights for years. Not always understanding the full meanings yet trying to embrace them with a current and contemporary heart and mind-set.
I believe as the ancient Egyptians taught, that to understand these ancient alchemical symbols one must “think with the heart and feel with the mind.”
A Grand Trine is a call to see the influence of cosmic realities. To observe the world around oneself and try to make sense of it.
We are all in this together even if we are unbelievable.
I’ve been working with this image for some time. I put my praying mantis spin on the study. The alchemical symbol is based on a sixth century woodcut from the series in Basil Valentine’s Azoth.
Neptune is speaking loudly… I think we all might listen!
A hierarchy of Neptune. Azoth is the measureless spirit of life. The original spiritual fiery water comes through Eden (vapor) and pours itself into the four main rivers of four elements. “Elixir-vitae.”
The spine, a gas that is like steam which may be condenses when exposed to outside atmosphere.
But it may also be super-heated by the fire of purification and regeneration and become a brilliant and luminous fire.
“Between the gods and the plant kingdom stands man, a being endowed with intelligence, creative power and free-will use it for good or ill.
Between the chaste plant and the pure spiritual gods who both turn their whole creative power upward towards the light.”
