Reader Q&A + book club update

New year, new {adjective} sexy {plural noun}.

Happy 2025! This morning I had the fortune/regret of scanning my horoscope, which said I’d have an outstanding day but wouldn’t peak until 10 p.m. I hope whatever thrills await me involve a warm bath, glitter and Harry Dean Stanton (though not necessarily in that order).

Happy early bday to Michael Stipe, who turns 65 tomorrow.

the pulp candy book club

Now’s the time to get your hands on our January book club pick. I’m a couple hundred pages into Peter Ames Carlin’s The Name of This Band Is R.E.M., and it’s a MUST-READ for any fan.

I’ll be hosting a Zoom on Sunday, Jan. 26 at 4 p.m. ET with anyone who’d like to discuss the book (and all things R.E.M.). An RSVP is required to get the Zoom link; please RSVP here.

The biography is also available as an audiobook. Start reading/listening now — it’s a page-turner, I know you can do it!

reader q&a

I thought I’d kick off the year by answering some Qs from our ongoing chat (link below). Thanks to all new and existing subscribers for your curiosity and support.

What artists/albums topped your "Best of 2024" list this year?
— Tommy H.

Top concerts/bands you've seen in 2024?
— Herman C.

After sharing my top films, TV, podcasts & books of 2024, I knew someone would ask me for music picks, and this is where I must share a bone-shattering truth: I’m an old writer who prefers to work in silence. I listen to too many podcasts. When I play music for my kid, it’s classic stuff that that I hope rubs off.

That said, some songs/sounds I liked this year include Waxahatchee, Amyl and the Sniffers, new Cure, Chappell Roan — hers was definitely my favorite SNL performance. I also appreciate the music journalists who continue to turn me on, including Amanda Petrusich, Jenn Pelly, Annie Zaleski, Mark Yarm, Ann Powers, on and on. There are so many incredible writers at a time when publications are collapsing and it’s virtually impossible to make a living writing about music.

And Herman, I know my answer won’t hold a candle to yours, since you see shows all the time. But ya know what? I had a blast at the Murmur show, where Michael Shannon, Jason Narducy & friends stormed through the classic R.E.M. record. My favorite concert memory of the year is dancing with my 11-year-old as Modern English performed an extended version of “Melt with You” at Pier 17 last summer. I’m psyched to see the Patti Smith celebration at Carnegie Hall in March. I might go to the David Berman tribute tomorrow.

If you could invent a new character to be added to any big franchise (example: Star Wars, Star Trek, Marvel, DC, Game Of Thrones, etc.) what would their name be and what would they do in that universe?
— Dean H.

I think every one of these franchises needs a character named Blonk who looks like Kristy McNichol, has no time for backstory or bullshit and fixes the spaceship’s heating system, the mansion’s toilet, the castle’s roof or whatever is in disrepair. In the final film/episode, Blonk moves to a beautiful undiscovered land with three dogs and a cool extraterrestrial and they all live happily ever after.

Top five dinner party guests, dead or alive?
— Christi W.

Ah! I think it’s important to curate a fun party, not a gloomy slog where Charles Bukowski and Socrates punch each other in the face. So …

On Earth: Shirley MacLaine, RuPaul, Cher, Judy Blume & Johnny Knoxville

On another plane: Phyllis Diller, Paul Reubens, Andy Warhol, Mary Tyler Moore & Julia Child

Do you accept Sleater-Kinney without Janet Weiss?
— Josh B.

Yes, because a) they still have heart and fire and are keeping at it; and b) everyone should be allowed to take whatever path they choose. I think Younger Me cared more about the purity of things and all that — and grumbled if an artist quit or switched gears — but now I’m okay with a Kim-less Pixies and a Janet-less S-K if they’re happy and still making stuff, which they seem to be.

Are you going to the TMBG concert in Brooklyn?
— Joe N.

I wasn’t there, not ‘cause I didn’t wanna be, but because I’m on a tight budget right now, and concert tickets, restaurants, beauty products, and certain streaming services (like YouTube TV & Disney+) just had to go!

What's your all-time fave holiday movie?
— Charlie M.

Does Christmas at Pee-wee’s Playhouse count? That’s the only one I need to see every year. But I like the Rankin-Bass classics. Scrooged. Edward Scissorhands, if you call that a festive film. The more I type, the more I realize I might not really *like* holiday movies. Bah humbug, pass me a hamburger.

What are your top 25 movies / streaming shows?
— Gerryinct

Gerry, I admire how you are unafraid to ask Big Questions. One or two recs just won’t do, you need 25! So here are a bunch of good movies that are now streaming on various platforms, and maybe another time I’ll tackle TV.

5 on Criterion: Room 666/Room 999, Smithereens, Blaze, Portrait of Jason, Barton Fink

5 on Amazon Prime: Die Hard, Velvet Goldmine, Ennio, Safe, 24 Hour Party People

5 on Netflix: Phantom Thread, Carol, Rolling Thunder Revue, Will & Harper, Sixteen Candles

5 on Peacock: Asteroid City, I Am Not Your Negro, Rock n Roll High School, Putney Swope, Eternal Sunshine

5 on Max: Love Lies Bleeding, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, Dream Scenario, Problemista, Black Swan

dollar bin bandits

Huge thanks to Mike Farah for having me on the awesome DOLLAR BIN BANDITS podcast! We talked about comics, Pop Candy and other things. Watch/listen below or wherever you get your pods.

Time to skedaddle. HAPPY NEW YEAR, friends! See ya soon.

with a throbbing heart & sobbing feet,
bob danish
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