Jay Allen Sanford

I'd like to meet:

IF YOU'RE A SAN DIEGO MUSICIAN, I'm always looking for stories for my Reader columns! Offbeat, backstage stuff - ripped off? Seen any wild fights? Behind-the-scenes, confrontational & weird tales are Blurt faves!

THIS WEEK'S BLURT COLUMN:

http://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/blurt/

LINKS TO SOME OF THE FEATURE ARTICLES ON THE SAN DIEGO READER WEBSITE, ROCK AROUND THE TOWN, AND BLOGSANDIEGO:

Rock 'N' Roll Comics: The Inside Story -- "Did Andrew Cunanan Kill Todd Loren?" with rare and unpublished art, plus reviews of the film "Unauthorized & Proud Of It: Todd Loren's Rock 'N' Roll Comics." http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2008/mar/21/komp lete-kisstory-kronicles-plus-rock-n-roll-comic/

Carnal Comics: The Inside Story -- How and why we made a bunch of the top-selling erotic comic books of all-time, or "Why I No Longer Date Porn Stars." (mature content - duh!) http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2008/may/28/carn al-comics-the-inside-story-plus-rock-n-roll-co/
"Deepest Dimension Terror Anthology: The Inside Story of a Twilight Zone Spin-Off Comic" An essay on a horror comic book series I co-created with original Twilight Zone writer George Clayton Johnson, including unpublished art and more. http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2008/apr/03/25-l ocal-musicians-reveal-my-favorite-twilight-zon/

"Two Men And Their Comic Books" - Cover story 8-19-04: The definitive and detailed inside story of Pacific Comics, my one-time employers and the first big indie comic book company. With nearly 100 never-published graphics!
http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2008/apr/21/paci fic-comics-the-inside-story-plus-rip-rocketeer/

"When Your Love Is Locked Up" - Cover story 2-10-05: On CA women's prisons and the families and loved ones of prisoners. Focus is on my good friend Danielle Barcheers, the 2nd youngest female ever convicted of a capital crime in CA state history (now ten years into a 20-to-life sentence).
http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2008/jun/13/25-t o-life-in-prison-since-she-was-15-plus-i-fough/

"Before It Was The Gaslamp: Balboa's Last Stand" - Cover story 6-21-07: In the late 70s/early 80s, I worked at downtown San Diego's grindhouse all-night movie theaters, for the owner of the Pussycat Theatre chain, Vince Miranda - this detailed feature recalls those dayz, the death of the Balboa Theatre, etc.
http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2008/jul/23/befo re-it-was-the-gaslamp-now-with-50-more-content/

"Field Of Screens" - Cover story 7-6-06: Complete theater-by-theater history of San Diego drive-ins thru the years.
http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2008/aug/01/driv e-in-theaters-in-san-diego-complete-illustrate/

"Pussycat Theaters - When 'Cathouses Ruled California" -- for the first time, the detailed inside story of the west coast Pussycat Theater chain of adult moviehouses, which peaked in the '70s but later died out. Told by those who actually ran the theaters! http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2008/aug/07/puss ycat-theater-history-when-cathouses-ruled-ca-n/

"Battle Of The Peeps" - feature article about a weird gig I had in the mid-'80s, running a strip club called Jolar, for the nation's second biggest pornographer, Harry Mohney (Deja Vu Showgirls founder).
http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2008/aug/07/puss ycat-theater-history-when-cathouses-ruled-ca-n/

"Best San Diego Jams" - Cover story 10-4-07: My breakdown of the all-time greatest moments in local concert history. Elvis, Hendrix, the Doors, the Dead, and Jefferson Airplane, on thru Spirit, Nirvana, U2, and many more.
http://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/2007/oct/04/best-san-dieg o-jams/

"Plugged In" - Cover story 7-26-07: I spotlight a few dozen local-centric San Diego websites that reflect the city's most happening real-life scenes.
http://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/2007/jul/26/plugged/

"Confessions Of A Bootlegger" - Cover story 7-5-07: Profiles a San Diego music bootlegger who details how he put out thousands of bootlegs of local concerts, all over the world.
http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2008/oct/07/boot legger-confessions-plus-worst-interviews-ever-/

"The Hip List" - Cover story 9-21-06: I spotlight the year's hippest events, people, bands and websites.
http://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/2006/sep/21/hip-list/

"Cool San Diego" - Cover story 3-19-07: My rundown of this year's coolest trends and new slang, including several "cool hangout" reviews in the middle section by Rosa Jurjevics.
http://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/2007/apr/19/cool-san-dieg o/

"Underground With The Celebrity Dead" - Cover story 10-27-05: Gravesites of the rich and famous.
http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2008/jun/28/famo us-dead-neighbors-in-san-diego-plus-my-brunch-/

John Lennon tribute - Cover story 12-8-05: I wrote this Lennon tribute, along with soliciting and editing contributions from others like Jim Croce's wife Ingrid and from the legendary Al Kooper, who told me about recording "All Those Years Ago" with George Harrison on the day they got the news of Lennon's murder.
http://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/2005/dec/08/dream-over/

Homeless for a Year - Cover story 11-1-07: Down and out in San Diego.
http://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/2007/nov/01/yearlong-trip -down-crack-street/

"The OB Ranger Rides Again" The inside story of a '70s radio counterculture hero. http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2008/mar/21/jim- mcinnes-the-last-dj-the-ob-ranger-rides-again-/

"Do The White Thing" - A history of racist rock in southern California. http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2008/jan/29/raci st-rock-do-the-white-thing/

"The Day Nirvana Played At Off The Record - No Stagediving Off The Record Bins" - Detailed feature on the day Nirvana played tiny Off The Record in San Diego 10-24-91, just as their first album was hitting. Includes rare video of the event!
http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2008/mar/21/the- days-jimi-hendrix-and-nirvana-came-to-town-plu/

"The Day Jimi Hendrix Came To Town" - from my interviews with Experience bassist Noel Redding, a detailed account of Hendrix's famed San Diego gig (5-24-69).
http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2008/mar/21/the- days-jimi-hendrix-and-nirvana-came-to-town-plu/

"The Day Brian Wilson Got Busted In Balboa Park," "Why Mexicans Hated Elvis" and more offbeat bits of musical history from San Diego and points south. http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2008/jun/23/more -reasons-why-mexicans-hated-elvis-plus-50-hist/

"The Day the Monkees Turned Del Mar Into Clarksville" - The inside story of the very first time the Monkees played music together (at the Hotel Del while shooting their TV show pilot) AND their first-ever public concert performance, in Del Mar the day before their TV show debut! Two parter ---- http://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/2008/sep/10/last-train-cl arksville/
http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2008/sep/10/more -monkees-business-plus-i-was-an-undercover-tic/

Feature profile, from my interviews with DIY legend Gary Wilson, subject of the new documentary DVD "You Think You Really Know Me: The Gary Wilson Story."
http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2008/sep/04/gary -wilson-cult-heros-return-plus-50-locals-revea/

"80s Time Warp - Life's A Game," about the famous Casbah club and its back room full of vintage video games. http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2008/jul/05/the- casbahs-atari-lounge-plus-a-history-of-persona/

"How Not To Interview A Celebrity" - my worst celeb encounters - includes Stan Lee, Rick Danko and Gene Simmons (see above photos), as well as Axl Rose, Arthur Lee, Dr. Dre, Robbie Krieger and more.
http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2008/mar/21/my-w orst-celeb-interviews-backstage-diplomat-edgar/

"RIP Dave Stevens: Rocketeer Creator" - tribute to another fallen Great One. http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2008/jun/03/bo-d iddley-comix-rip-pacific-comics-inside-st2dbb8/

25 San Diego Musicians Answer "What's Your Favorite Twilight Zone?" http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2008/apr/03/25-l ocal-musicians-reveal-my-favorite-twilight-zon/

"Behind the Scenes of Star Trek: The Continuing Adventure -- Interview with co-producer/castmember Patrick McCray, of "Elvis Shrugged" fame. http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2008/apr/06/trek s-continuing-mission-netradio-series-wfor2f901/
"Backstage Diplomat: He Removes the Brown M&Ms" Or "Ray Charles Demands a Chicken Fried Steak," an interview with the Backstage Rider who fulfills celeb contracts at Humphrey's, the Catamaran, and other San Diego music venues. http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2008/jun/16/load ing-in-gigsandiego-reviews-club-setups-plus-ba/
"Lawsuits - Lawyers, Songs, and Money" -- 3-part series detailing Southern CA lawsuits involving venues, performers, patrons, etc. Includes separate feature covering rock stars who've been arrested in San Diego thru the years. http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2008/mar/28/more -local-music-lawsuits-plus-celebs-busted-in-sd/

"The Birth of Image Comics" told in comic form, Mad Magazine style! See Stan Lee birth an actual cow!! Behind the scenes with Todd McFarlane, Jim Lee, Rob Liefeld, and all the other usual suspects. http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2008/jul/08/the- birth-of-image-comics-plus-pacific-comics09122/
We asked 75 local musicos to reveal something about themselves that few people would ever know or guess. http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2008/sep/03/75-s ecrets-about-75-san-diego-musicians-plus-a5c48/
"Why Britney Spears Hates San Diego" - And San Diego doesn't think much of Britney either. Read all about it! http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2008/jun/11/why- britney-spears-hates-san-diego-plus-30-celebs-/
Blacks Beach - Partying nekkid with the children of the Rainbow (and some OCD Beatles fans). http://www.blogsandiego.com/blacks_beach.html
"50 Historic Local Concerts: 1917 - 2005" -- great moments in San Diego rock history! Much-expanded Director's Cut of an earlier Reader cover story. http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2008/apr/09/1st- look-valley-view-concert-venue-plus-50-histori/

"Christian Goths in San Diego" Pastor Dave preaches to the darkly dressed, plus a history of SoCal public access music TV shows, and an interview with Joey Molland of Badfinger. http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2008/jan/31/publ ic-access-music-tv-christian-goths-and-badfing/

"Where Have All The Deadheads Gone?" Flower children, after the head Deadhead was dead. http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2008/mar/21/wher e-have-all-the-deadheads-gone/

"Kisstory" - about working on comics with Kiss, with two narratives telling the same story from two POVs; mine as publisher and that of scripter Spike Steffenhagen (ala Rashomon).
http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2008/mar/03/komp lete-kisstory-kronicles-and-rock-n-roll-comics/
"Rocker Chicks Do San Diego" -- a dozen locals of the fairer sex talk about what it's like to be a rock chick. http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2008/jun/08/rock er-chicks-do-san-diego-plus-dark-metal-racist-/
"Trouble In Paradise" - sordid celeb tales of famous people getting busted in southern CA.
http://www.blogsandiego.com/sordid_celebrities.html

"Birth Of A Bandname" - a 3-part feature detailing how around 50 San Diego bands got their names. http://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/2006/apr/27/cutie-pie/ http://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/2006/may/11/edge-magic/ http://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/2006/may/18/tossing-possi ble-names/
"San Diego Scenes" - overview of the city's various music scenes: Dark Metal (sword-and-sorcery rockers), Rave Culture, Racist Rock, Goths, and the Search For Hip-Hop. http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2008/mar/21/loca l-scenes-dark-metal-racist-rock-christian-goth/

Rare & Collectable San Diego - with 18 months of auction research into local music rarities. http://www.blogsandiego.com/san_diego_vinyl.html

RATT Doesn't Want You To Read This! -- "Dueling for Dollars," deep inside Ratt, far beyond Behind the Music! http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2008/mar/21/ratt -doesnt-want-you-to-read-this-blog-battle-of-t/
Battle of the Blues -- San Diego blues lovers do battle. http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2008/mar/21/ratt -doesnt-want-you-to-read-this-blog-battle-of-t/
Concert Security Wars: Battle of the Bouncers -- San Diego security firms fight for their right to bounce you! http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2008/apr/24/conc ert-security-wars-battle-of-the-bouncers/
Comics & Censorship -- "Don't Be Afraid: It's Only a Comic Book." http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2008/mar/21/dont -fear-the-funnies-comics-censorship/
Profiles in Sound -- Soundmen Sound Off, Concerts Are Making You Deaf, and Horn If You're Honky - Car Horns and the Honkies Who Love Them. http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2008/mar/21/soun d-guys-sound-off-concerts-make-you-deaf-car-ho/
Turn On, Tunes In, Drop Out -- A History of Personal Music Players http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2008/apr/18/hist ory-of-personal-music-players-soundmen-sound-o/
My Brunch With Yoko -- Plus Maharishi Comix & Stories. http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2008/mar/21/my-b runch-with-yoko-lennon-maharishi-comix-local-b/
When Bands (Barely)Reunite -- When rockers reform with few (if any) original members, everybody along Highway Hasbeen loses. http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2008/jun/30/ratt -loses-singer-again-in-mexico-6-27-plus-bands-/
Rockin' Tattoos -- Talkin' rockin' tats. http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2008/mar/21/rock in-tattoos-tijuana-bathrooms-plus-an-excrement/
Tijuana Bathrooms -- Everybody's gotta go sometime... http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2008/mar/21/rock in-tattoos-tijuana-bathrooms-plus-an-excrement/
San Diego Music History 101 with Rosie & the Originals, the Monroes - Story of a 1-hit Wonder, the Brain Police - SD's Psychedelic Cops, That '80s Club - Straighta Head Sound, Local Public Access Music Shows Thru the Years, and more. http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2008/mar/21/loca l-music-history-101-important-bands-60-90-loca/
"How'd He Do That?" Cartoonist Confessions -- secrets behind Overheard in San Diego and Famous Former Neighbors. http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2008/jun/14/stil l-more-secrets-behind-overheard-in-san-di7e0b3/

"Worst Concerts Ever - 25 Gawdawful Gigs -- 25 San Diego musicians fess up to their lamest gigs. http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2008/sep/23/wors t-concerts-ever-25-gawdawful-gigs-plus-best-of/

"Best Of San Diego 2008" -- we rate 100 local Bests, from Best Pet Cemetary to Best Gay Bar For Straight People, Best Parties For Smarty Pants, Best Designated Drivers, and many more! http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2008/sep/23/wors t-concerts-ever-25-gawdawful-gigs-plus-best-of/

"Frank Zappa: Viva La Bizarre" -- a feature-length Famous Former Neighbors comic, featuring the illustrated biography of Mission Bay High alumnus Frank Zappa. http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2008/apr/12/famo us-neighbors-frank-zappa---viva-la-bizarra83f7/
"Mojo Nixon Comix & Stories" -- a feature-length Famous Former Neighbors comic, featuring the illustrated biography of Mojo Nixon, co-created with the Mojo man himself! http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2008/jun/14/stil l-more-secrets-behind-overheard-in-san-di7e0b3/
"You Make Them A Million, They'll Toss You A Dime" - lengthy interview with Wild Man Fischer, one-time Zappa partner and the subject of the new documentary film "DeRailroaded." http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2008/aug/20/x-ja m-cancellation-controversy-plus-the-day-bob-dy/
Interview with Dave Alvin for my "Lists" column. http://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/2005/nov/03/dave-alvins-p owerful-lips/
DRAWING DAVID BOWIE (time lapse)

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OVERHEARD IN SAN DIEGO: Seen weekly in the San Diego Reader since 1996, an archive of Overheard comics is NOW ONLINE, for the 1st time!

http://www.sandiegoreader.com/photos/galleries/overheard-san -diego/

FAMOUS FORMER NEIGHBORS comic strips online:

http://www.sandiegoreader.com/photos/galleries/famous-former -neighbors/

SOME RECENT FAMOUS FORMER NEIGHBORS COMICS:

Music:

Comus, Pink Floyd, Roger Waters, NIN, Klaatu, Nektar, Gentle Giant, Bad Religion, Beatles, progressive rock (Marillion, King Crimson, early Genesis, etc.), Badfinger, Flo & Eddie, Frank Zappa, Larry "Wild Man" Fischer, Moody Blues, Kate Bush, Tori Amos, Peter Gabriel, Randy California & Spirit, Tim Curry, Fish, Bangor's Flying Circus, Alan Parsons Project, Pilot, Oasis, PFM, Jethro Tull, Dead Kennedys, Bowie.

Image code by MyNiceSpace.com

Image code by MyNiceSpace.com

Movies:

Velvet Goldmine, To Kill A Mockingbird, anything from Tim Burton, Val Lewton or Terry Gilliam, This Is Spinal Tap, vintage animated features, Fade To Black (with Dennis Christopher), the Crow, Brazil, Blade Runner, Targets (w/Boris Karloff), God Told Me To, Trilogy Of Terror (okay, a TV movie, but it counts), The Omega Man, Jim Henson movies (Dark Crystal, Labyrinth, etc.), Wizards, Heavy Metal, Hedwig & The Angry Inch, Phantom Of The Paradise, Fantasia, Carnival Of Souls, Donnie Darko, Up In Smoke, Kentucky Fried Movie, Groove Tube, J Men Forever & Nick Danger (and anything else with Firesign Theatre), Planet of the Apes (the first 4 films), Fritz the Cat, Mirrormask, Fantasia, House of Dark Shadows, Rock & Rule.

Oh, and I'm a big drive-in theatre fan (see my feature article link on right, "Field Of Screens," a detailed history of So-Cal drive-ins).

Television:

Boris Karloff's Thriller
Twilight Zone, Family Guy, the Prisoner, the original Outer Limits, Buffy/Angel, Arrested Development, Dark Shadows, South Park, American Dad, Mystery Science Theater 3000, old SNL, 24, Ren & Stimpy, Skippy the Bush Kangaroo, the Riches, Dirt, Smallville, vintage animation.

Books:

Alice In Wonderland, anything by Larry Niven, ERB, Neil Gaiman, Richard Matheson, Charles Beaumont, Clive Barker, Arthur Conan Doyle, Sandman (Neil Gaiman), Watchmen, V For Vendetta, Red Rocket 7, beat authors and poets...too many to pick from but I probably return most often to the Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy.

Heroes:

George Clayton Johnson (Twilight Zone writer), Rod Serling, Trent Reznor, Roger Waters, Russell the Bassett Hound, Bartman, Calvin & Hobbes.

..TR>
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Click link to read the AC/DC comic in FULL COLOR!!

http://www.crabsodyinblue.com/acdccomic.htm

Horror anthology by me & George Clayton Johnson (Twilight Zone), with art by Spain Rodriguez (Zap Comix), Rick Geary (Heavy Metal, National Lampoon), Daerick Gross (Vampire Lestat) and more.
You may have seen our Motley Crue comic packaged with the CD box set MUSIC TO CRASH YOUR CAR TO II!
Our Floyd comics were in the official SHINE ON box set!
Who Killed Marilyn Monroe? cover (as seen on Entertainment Tonight)
"Who Killed JFK?" comic cover
60s San Francisco comic cover! A top seller to this day -
U2 comic cover (multimedia collage):
Sammy Hagar, Tesla & Ugly Kid Joe - those are real steel bolts embedded!
Metallica comic cover, based on their "One" video - those are real wires attached to the art board!
Collage of covers by Ghost Rider artist Ken Meyer, Jr.
Unpublished cover of a Meatloaf/Lenny Kravitz ish!
BEHIND THE SCENES - Queen comic cover, along with working sketches!
Some samples of the comic strip ROCK TALES, which I created for Rip Magazine (then edited by Lonn Friend) and now runs in each issue the newsstand mag SPIN:
Poster promo for Kiss' official KISStory hardcover book, with comic section by RevCom's crew!
CARNAL COMICS: The top selling adults-only comic book of all time!

HEY SAN DIEGO MUSICIANS!!