Issue XXXVI
Concerning magical mystery tours, Oingo Boingo, & the devil's classic rendition of "Minnie the Moocher"...
From the Desk of William Pauley III
Hi-de-hi-de-hi-de-hi!
Ho-de-ho-de-ho-de-ho!
It’s Saturday, folks! And here in Doom Fiction Land, we just can’t wait for Saturday! Why? Well, surely you know by now! Come on, say it with me: ‘Cause on Saturdays, WE GET WEIRD!
That’s right. And this Saturday is no exception! This week we’ll be going on a Magical Mystery Tour (Roll up! Step right this way!)! I’m sure some of you are familiar with a little musical act known as The Beatles, however I’m willing to bet the majority of you haven’t seen their psychedelic freak film The Magical Mystery Tour. Sure, sure… you know the songs… but the film—it’s a whole different beast.
Directed by Paul McCartney (at the height of The Beatles’ mind-altering drug experiments), the film is… well, kind of a mess. But what a wonderful, beautiful mess it is! The film is unbridled, unhinged, and truly hilarious. You’re in for a treat, my friends.
Oh, and a few days ago this came up in my memories:
It had me reminiscing on those strange days. They weren’t great. I mean, certain events were great and particular people in my life were godsends (namely, my son Sullivan, my brother Justin, and my friend Moriah), but for the most part they were dark, deeply depressing days. My life was hopelessly fragmented. I feared I’d never muster the strength to gather those busted shards of myself, to become a whole person again… but not only did I find the strength, I slathered those shards with glue and paint and transitioned into something wholly different, something better, something awake.
It was the start of my metamorphosis. I didn’t realize it at the time (for many years I thought I was treading through Hell itself), but once the smoke cleared, I realized exactly what it was. I wouldn’t be where I am today (happy, healthy, loved, and in love) without it. Fact. So, I suppose I should thank a few of those insufferable assholes who took advantage of me and my situation back then, causing me so much pain in those years.
Ha! Just kidding. I have a feeling karma will right the wrongs in the end. For some of you, it already has. I don’t wish ill upon anyone, even people who’ve been a constant source of pain for me—but that doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy a little poetic justice. The endings you’ll write for yourselves will be infinitely better than any I could’ve come up with on my own. While you’re busy doing that, I’ll be over here, doing my own thing, paying no attention to it whatsoever. I’m sure I’ll hear about it at some point though.
Anyway, so reminiscing also got me to thinking of the healing power of music. Back then I was listening to a lot of Bowie (those of you who’ve read The Doom Magnetic Trilogy are all thinking: ‘Yeah, obviously!’), but I was also listening to the music of Danny Elfman just as much. Oingo Boingo helped shaped the narrative of those stories in a major way. I don’t mean specific details of the plot, I just mean that it put me in the right mindspace to tell those particular stories the way that I did.
When I was writing The Doom Magnetic Trilogy and The Brothers Crunk, I was at the height of my Danny Elfman obsession. When I mention Danny Elfman, most people think I’m referring to his film scores or The Nightmare Before Christmas, which are great and all, but I’m more referring to Oingo Boingo and his solo albums. I love that music so, so much.
Oh, and it was around that time that I first discovered the film The Forbidden Zone. That thing, in true Z. Stardust fashion, blew my little mind right out the back of my skull.
The Forbidden Zone was directed by Richard Elfman, Danny’s brother, and features a cast of misfit avant garde artists/actors/musicians who went by the name of The Mystic Knights of the Oingo Boingo. They created the sets, performed the music, the whole she-bang. It’s a true product of passion and creative freedom, and it’s so damn fun.
Danny Elfman has a small role in this, performing the incredible theme song (which was also the Dilbert theme song, for all you cartoon-heads out there) and playing The Devil onscreen, singing a foot-stomping rendition of Cab Calloway’s “Minnie the Moocher.” If you see ANY part of this film, make sure it’s this scene. You won’t be disappointed.
Okay, okay. I dug it up for you (well, sort of. This isn’t a clip from the film, but shot around the same time and contains the same audio—couldn’t find the film clip online, unfortunately). Here it is:
So, yeah… what was my point again?
I’m not sure I have one.
Just watch this movie, listen to the Oingo Boingo records, then check out his two solo records: So-Lo and Big Mess. They’ll turn your brain into some weird circus. Let it happen.
After all that, come back to Doom Fiction for your next assignment.
Until then!
“I Am the Walrus”
The Beatles
Last Week / This Week
FINAL LIVE EVENT OF THE YEAR! Tonight, we’ll be at the Krampus Art Market @ Villainous Pub here in Lexington, Kentucky. Books will be $10 each, or 3 for $20. Heather will have lots of incredible handmade art pieces for sale as well! Come out and have a drink with us! For more info, click here.
Last week, “Life is Beautiful (In Spite of Everything)” had over 800 streams! This thing just keeps growing. Wild. Thank you all so much for your love and support! My mind is spinning. Haven’t had a chance to listen to it yet? No worries! It’ll be available to stream for free for the rest of the weekend. Check it out here.
On Monday’s episode of Storytime!, be sure to check out “The First Life of Anacoy Marlin” - narrated by the incomparable Connor Brannigan. It’s a trip! All subscribers will be notified via email once it’s been posted.
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Oddities Theater
Magical Mystery Tour is a 1967 British made-for-television musical film directed by and starring The Beatles. It is the third film that starred the band and depicts a group of people on a coach tour who experience strange happenings caused by magicians. (Wikipedia)
Synopsis: The Beatles charter a special bus for a surreal mystery tour. (IMDB)
Resident #1
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