Ever since the 1950‘s, when folks like Ken Kesey began stealing LSD from controlled scientific experiments and leaking/distributing it out to the masses, adolescents and young adults everywhere have made the determination that they could learn more by eating paper than writing one.  Often, previous interests like sports fall to the wayside and are replaced with hiking, dance, and/or a more intent focus on exercising one’s mind.  Mental and spiritual “advancement” may overtake the desire to become a creature of physical dominance.  For the most part, it has become widely accepted as a “truism” that psychedelic drugs and sports are not to be mixed.  Fortunately, those of us who have digested an adequate amount of the blotter and cube have realized that the mass acceptance of a concept doesn’t have much bearing on “reality”.  In fact, in the early Seventies, former Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher, Dock Phillip Ellis, Jr. disproved the theory that psychoactive drugs and sports should always remain mutually exclusive, once and for all.

In 1971,  Ellis gained a championship ring with the Pirates and performed as the starting National League pitcher for the All-Star game but, as is often the case, the MLB pitcher is more well known for his actions of controversy.  Among these incidents is a 1976 episode where he intentionally beaned Reggie Jackson in the the face (said to be in retaliation for a homerun that Jackson hit on him during the ’71 All-Star game), his 1974 attempt to bean the entire Cincinnati Reds roster before getting pulled from the game, and a 1972 altercation with a security guard in front of Riverfront Stadium that resulted in him being maced.  Arguably, his most infamous feat took place on June, 12 1970, when he pitched a no-hitter against the San Diego Padres, while hopped up on speed and dosed out of his gourd on Acid.  In fact, Ellis actually obtained his very first stolen base in the Major Leagues, during this game. (more…)

Popularity: 2% [?]

Cereal Killer

30 x19, Framed, Giclee on Canvas

$675.00

Los Angeles artist, Patrick Ballesteros isn’t a household name yet, but he may be on his way.  Over the last few years, he’s exhibited with some of the most prominent artists and rising stars in the underground, pop-surrealism, low-brow, and street-art movements.  Such artists have included Munk One, Luke Chueh, Chet Zar, Brian M. Viveros, Yuka Yamaguchi, and Audrey Kawasaki, among others.  Group shows are a great way to get your work noticed, but it’s also easy to have it overlooked, when placed amongst a sea of so many other strong pieces.  This month, Ballesteros is showcasing a collection of new work in his first solo show at San Diego‘s SUBTEXT gallery.  The exhibit, titled “Cereal Killer“, is a solid effort that will, hopefully, help to springboard the illustrator a little further into the fine-art spotlight. (more…)

Popularity: 1% [?]

THE FRENZY:

18 years after making a huge leap from short segments aired between skits on the Tracy Ullman Show into a huge primetime phenomenon going head to head with the formerly uncontested Cosby Show, the Simpsons have finally released their first major motion picture. Simply titled The Simpsons Movie, it is one film that refuses to be buried underneath blockbuster summer hits like Transformers. With the extensive and increasingly unorthodox marketing campaigns out there these days, The Simpsons Movie has upped the ante quite a bit. Even the paranoid and anti-social who have sold their computers and televisions to fund their crystal meth habits will have the opportunity to view the fruits of these marketing labors. They’ll be bombarded  with advertisements when they ride their rusted pink huffy bike from the local pawn shop down to buy that sweet, sweet glass through an Irock Camaro window in the parking lot of their neighborhood 7-11 and Burger King locations.   (more…)

Popularity: 4% [?]