Archive for May, 2011

Every so often, we at the ‘zine like to give our stage over to an artist whose work we love to share their brainchildren and thoughts with all of you. Similarly, the designers and stylists at Lip Service also like to give a spotlight to artists who create jewelry, accessories, and other fashionable goodies in their catalog shoots. Sometimes, these two worlds collide in exciting and beautiful ways, as in the case of John Harris.

Step In Time (Fall 2011) - Steampunk art by John Harris

Preparing for the (then) upcoming catalog shoot for the new Fall collection, the designers put out the call for steampunk goodies to include in their Step In Time editorial photos. Well, as you have probably already guessed, everyone involved fell in love with John’s wonderful work (some of which can be seen in the photos accompanying this article). Fortunately, they contacted your faithful webmistress (that’s me!) and suggested that we might like to feature him and his art in the ‘zine. I couldn’t have agreed more happily.

So, without further ado …

Ladies, gentlemen, and assorted fashion freaks, it is my distinct pleasure to introduce John Harris.

With multiple artistic disciplines under his belt, as well as a degree in Anthropology, John approaches his works as both artist and scientist. While applying research methods toward technique and design concept of varying cultures, his creative abilities spin these ideas into a new form of visual art, balancing rigid constraints of metalwork with free organic forms of nature. Shining metals act as foils to the natural organic feel of leather, light and dark contrasting brilliantly. Art is, in John’s words, an amazingly accurate depiction of what it is to be human.

If you think John’s art is just intricately precious steampunk pieces of beauty, you’d be sorely mistaken. His muse also takes a walk on the wild side with his work for Eerie Productions, one of the most successful special effects companies in New York, designing horror props, costumes, and haunted houses. Every day, his life-sized installations delight and terrify his customers at the award-winning Frightworld: America’s Screampark.

I could continue to expound on John’s accomplishments and philosophies of art and the creative process, but would rather let him tell you himself. From his home in Buffalo, NY, John was kind enough to answer some probing questions for the LS webzine.

Step In Time (Fall 2011) - Steampunk art by John Harris

First, I must say … Your work is absolutely gorgeous! Where can we see more of it? Where else has your work been exhibited?
Thank you, Mich. The best place to see my work is right on my website at JPHii.com. I keep it pretty updated with new pieces, and the News section of the site is actually a feed directly from my Blog which contains process images, concept designs, and works in progress. Aside from that, I have pieces in and out of exhibitions on a regular basis. Usually the exhibitions are in the greater Western and Central NY regions, but I try to branch out as often as possible. My work has been featured in Runway 4.0 which is an awesome runway show in Buffalo. I’ve also been involved with the Buffalo Infringement Festival (infringebuffalo.org) in the past. There have been many small exhibitions left and right, but those are the bigger ones.

Can we buy pieces directly from you? Will you take on commissions or collaborate on special designs?
I do have an Etsy store which I link to on JPHii.com. There’s a constant flow of new work going up on there, as well as occasional discounts and sales which I announce on the JPHii Design Facebook page. I do take on commissions, and actually prefer those over more commercial work. Anything that pushes my skills, technique, or concept is always fun. The best way to contact me for a commission or collaboration is right on the Contact page of JPHii.com. I check my email fairly often, so I usually respond within 12 hours. I love tight deadlines also, as the people at Lip Service can probably tell you. I made the Mechanical Eye of Aman-Ra (the telescope) in less than a week specifically for this photo shoot.

When creating new pieces, where do you get the inspiration for the unique forms your objects take?
Inspiration can really come from any place at any time. I spend a lot of time reading and researching different ideas. I guess intellectual curiosity can really help an artist! Sometimes inspiration actually comes from the technique used rather than the object itself. I’ve been known to decide randomly to use a new technique, or one that I hadn’t used in a while, and the technique ultimately decides the outcome. But sometimes I just see something I like and try to improve on it.

Step In Time (Fall 2011) - Steampunk art by John Harris

On your website, you mentioned your philosophy of art, in which life influences set the artist’s path. Can you elaborate more on the influences which have shaped your creative direction and vision?
Many things have influenced me over the years that have set me off in odd directions. Just the fact that I work in metal is, in and of itself, a tangent in a long path. I accidently fell into this medium when an Anthropology professor of mine, named Dr. Dennis Gaffin, recommended that I use my artistic background to inform my cultural studies and that I should take another design class. I saw in the Buffalo State College course catalogue that they offered Introduction to Jewelry Design, so I took the class. I was hooked. My jewelry professor, Stephen Saracino, convinced me to take the next level of Jewelry Design to decide wether or not I’d stick with it, and I never turned back. But aside from just the medium and technical aspects of design, I grew up as a dedicated Catholic and even wanted to be a priest! The spirituallity I took away from the church essentially set me up for a life of wondering and questioning, which has been a major portion of my design process. Every little thing that a person encounters in life is a chance to learn. I have met many great artists over the years, my brother Kenny Harris, Vincent Pontillo, Rachel Timmins, Tara Nahabetian, Stephen Saracino, Dave Koszka, and Chris Graham just to name a few, and every single one of them has left their mark on me. But at the end of the day, an artist is displaying something bigger than just themself; they are displaying part of all of our greater humanity.

What is the origin of your studio name, Hallway 7?
This is actually an interesting question, as I’ve never really been asked it before. The name Hallway 7 comes from my adolescence. When I was a teen, my friends, my girlfriend, my twin brother, and I were a group of mall rats at a small mall in Syracuse, NY called Shoppingtown Mall. There used to be a small hobby store in the mall that we all hung out at. Next to the hobby store was a hallway leading out to a parking lot that no one ever used, so we used to hang out in the parking lot. This was Hallway 7. I use the name Hallway 7 to refer to the fact that every experience in a person’s life is a chance to learn and develop. I probably learned as much around Hallway 7 as I have in my 6 years of college. A person just has to look for the chance to learn.

Step In Time (Fall 2011) - Steampunk art by John Harris

What are the most unexpected factors which have significantly shaped your art?
There have been a lot of “wow” moments to occur to me, and each have been significant. I have to say that the single most influencial aspect of my life has been my job at Frightworld: America’s Screampark. Frightworld is a world-famous haunted attraction here in Buffalo, and has become part of the Halloween tradition in the greater Western NY Region. In 2008, I applied for a job at Frightworld as an actor to make some extra cash. Little did I know that this would become such a huge part of my life. In the following years, I became an artist working on different aspects of the attraction, which features 5 haunted houses in one building. Ron Doherty and Jason Anderson, the two owners of the company, took a chance with me and allowed me to get more and more involved with the company. I was promoted to the house manager of Return of Mummy’s Curse, and started working more closely with the design team and special effects team. The special effects team became a huge part of my success. Arick Szymecki and Andrew Lavin have always been a great asset to me as an artist. Arick has been a boss that has gone out of his way to support my work, and give me feedback. Arick and Andrew have both taught me so much as far as mixed media goes, but have also never been too good to sit down with me and discuss a concept or give me a tough, but real, critique of something that I was doing. Really, Frightworld has to be the most unexpected factor to shape my artwork because of the fact that they became my home away from home. Frightworld has truely become my family in WNY, and that feeling of belonging in a city where I didn’t know anyone really made a difference. It gave me confidence and support.

How has your background in Anthropology informed your creative process?
Anthropology has become a huge part of my process. The main reason: Research! Many artists don’t do enough research on a concept to fully understand the imagery or symbolism that that are employing. Honestly, human beings have been around for a long time and the odds of coming up with something brand new are fairly low. I look to the people of the past to help me solve problems of the present. This can be done with technique, like making fine silver filigree or figuring out seemingly impossible math to mix a Tumbaga alloy, or it can be done with concept, much like we see in Steampunk design where the refferal goes back to Victorian and Edwardian design concepts. Artists shouldn’t be afraid to read.

Step In Time (Fall 2011) - Steampunk art by John Harris

You often combine the machine-works of steampunk metal with organic forms and natural materials like leather. How did that aesthetic juxtaposition come to be a consistent theme of your work?
This became an interest to me through my Anthropological studies. I came to a slight realization that it seemed that the ultimate question to an Anthropologist, to me, is “What does it mean to be human?” I argued and fought with myself over this question, seeing it as my Philosopher’s Stone. At the same time I was struggling in my metalwork. Conceptually, I preferred to work on organic designs. However, my hands seemed to prefer meticulous mechanical designs. My hands were fighting my head. After much frustration, I realized this is actually part of the answer to the question! What does it mean to be human? We are both mechanical and organic creatures. We rely on technology, yet we still eat, sleep, and live organically. Humans are a combination of two completely opposing forces. I try to depict this through my work.

Speaking directly to aspiring artists, what is the most critical piece of advice they should keep to heart, no matter what stage of their career or development?
Work. Work hard. I’ve spent many nights in the Jewelry studio working. I’ve slept on floors, on work benches, and in my car on many naps to achieve personal goals. Set a goal for yourself, and work towards it. Don’t take no for an answer, just work for it. Nothing worth having is easy.

Is there is anything you’d like to add before we sign off?

Step In Time (Fall 2011) - Steampunk art by John Harris

If anyone is interested in reading more on philosophy and art, I recommend reading The Mission of Art by Alex Grey. I’d also like to thank the Buffalo State College Design Department, especially Tara Nahabetian, Stephen Saracino, Robert Wood, and Sunhwa Kim, as well as the Buffalo State College Anthropology Department, especially Dennis Gaffin, Lisa M. Anselmi, Lydia Fish, and Susan Maguire, for their amazing support and education over the years. Also my parents, brothers, and wife. Really, you are all an inspiration to me.

Thank you again for taking the time out to talk with us, John, and for adding a special bit of extra magic to the new Lip Service catalog with your works.

If you’d like to find John online, here’s where to do it:

official John Harris Hallway 7 website: jphii.com
John’s etsy store: etsy.com/shop/JPHiiJewelry
John Harris on Twitter: twitter.com/#!/johnjphii
JPHii Jewelry on Facebook: facebook.com/pages/JPHii-Jewelry/208246699200767

Remember our friend Sean Burns? He’s been keeping busy, creating mayhem in his wake … and doing this! … Check out Sean shredding it up(in some awfully familiar looking gear) in Bone Deth (the Movie)!

Sean Burns – ‘Surfin for the Ugly Broads’ from Bone Deth Video WasteLand on Vimeo.

Oh sure, there’s Mother’s Day … we love Mothers here, too. Thanks all you Moms for making us!

But, that’s not what we’re talking about here, my friends. Not by a long-shot.

Mothers are nice and all, but when do we give a day to the unsung not-so-nice? When do we give propers to the Muthas, the exemplars of badassery and overall deadly cool. This week, I’ll rectify this heinous oversight to honor:

My 10 Favorite Movie Muthas! (in no particular order)

John Shaft

From the instant the funktastic Isaac Hayes theme begins, you know you’re dealing with a stone Mutha. John Shaft takes no beef from the Mob, ‘hood gangster Bumpy, even The Man. He’s always got a few fine ladies on the hook, maybe a working girl or two, as well. And, most importantly, if you mess with his shit, he’s going to mess you up.

Can you dig it?

Foxy Brown

When Foxy Brown comes to town, all the brothers gather ’round. She’s a one chick hit squad out to do a job on the mob. Sweet brown sugar with a touch of spice, she’s out to make sure there ain’t no hope for dudes who sell dope. Yes, Foxy is one sexy Mutha with a grudge … and a funktastic 70s wardrobe! All hail the Queen of blaxpoitation badassery, Pam Grier!

El Mariachi

El Mariachi is such a badass Mutha, he doesn’t even need a name. You probably won’t be around long enough to repeat it anyway. With a guitar case chock full of violent death, this romantic crooner turned vigilante is looking to settle the score with Bucho, the crime boss who took his love and his playing hand. I wouldn’t recommend getting in the way. Of course, it certainly doesn’t hurt that in the US remake, the super-cool killing machine was portrayed by (sigh) Antonio Banderas and spent a good, sexy time canoodling with Salma Hayek.

Miho and Gail (Sin City)

What do you get when you mix a mute Japanese assassin with a deadly gift for steel and a dominatrix with an attitude and a big gun? You get two of the most badass enforcers in the world of comic ultra-violence. When you cast Devon Aoki and Rosario Dawson to flesh out the Muthas of Sin City’s Old Town? You have some of the most gloriously sexy comic book badassery ever captured on film. They are vicious, stone cold killers wrapped in a tantalyzing package.

Han Solo and Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford)

Since both parts were packed full of badassery by real-life badass Harrison Ford, I thought it appropriate to bring them all together in one slot.
Han Solo: Han is the epitome of badass Mutha. He’s a space pirate, hangs out in seedy pirate bars like Mos Eisley, a “wretched hive of scum and villainy”. He pals with a wookie, strings along a Princess even when he thinks he’s about to die, and makes good boy Luke flustered with sputtering boyish angst every turn. He’s frozen in carbonite and kicks ass afterward. Oh yes … and he shot first … and he doesn’t give a fuck what you think about it.
Indiana Jones: Kicks the crap out of Nazis, creepy Thugee Indian dudes, random Arab guys, S&M alien fancier Cate Blanchett’s henchmen and soldiers, even survives the wrath of the Lord, nuke testing, and finding out Shia La Beef is his love child (so damned wrong). He also manages to be brilliant, tough, supernaturally sexy, and never without a scathingly witty quip. He is one bad Mutha!

Oh, and he REALLY doesn’t like it when you waste his time with showy sword tricks.

Ellen Ripley

You can’t even think about badassery in space without the image of Ripley in that raggedy tank shirt kicking the shit out of aliens. Ellen Ripley was not only a Mutha, but a mother of sorts, even while she was raining hell down on a giant Mama alien. She held her own against testosterone-charged soldiers, corporation flacks, and creepy androids without losing her unshakable composure or an iota of roaring female power. She is the lioness of the pack and a bad Mutha … kicking ass from inside an exoskeleton killing machine!

Rick Blaine

Rick is by far the most slick, debonaire, and lizard cool cat on this list. This Mutha just doesn’t give a fuck. World War? So what. Corruption? Whatever. Human trafficking? Not his business. After gun-running and who knows what other chicanery, he’s settled into a nice pattern of graft so he won’t be bothered at the Café Americain. He’s got his place and that’s all he needs care about. Nothing gets to this Mutha … all except … Ex showing up with her underground hero husband asking for favors and having your man, Sam, play some of the old songs? Kind of a problem but not one he’ll let you know about. Because he’s too badass to let you see his underbelly. He’s too badass to let the ex, Ingrid Bergman in her prime no less, stick around. Instead, he does the noble thing while still pretending to be an unfeeling dick so she’ll get out safely. That’s just the kind of stand-up guy he is.

Tank Girl

Unlike most of the other Muthas on this list, Tank Girl is anything but cool. Unless, of course you mean cool with picking her nose, farting at you, and maybe getting good and fucked up before she fucks you up. Make no mistake, Tank Girl will fuck you up. Where to start … the chick’s first words were “cauliflower penis” and she just got more outrageous and don’t-give-a-fuck from there. Her boyfriend is a mutant kangaroo, her friends have a jet, sub, and torpedo boat and she’s heavily armed and usually drunk. Even though the movie gathered a pretty badass cast, the feel was fairly lame and pop, but there was enough spark of the original Tank Girl anarchic weirdness to make even the movie TG a badass Mutha.

Tyler Durden

When one gathers together the ultimate list of don’t-give-a-fuck badassery, one name stands like a beacon of hard-core Mutha-dom. For chrissakes, ***********spoiler ahead*********** the dude doesn’t even actually exist, yet fucks up virtually everything in his path anyway. Tyler is a major-league shit-disturber at an epic level. Not content to merely beat the crap out of the lost souls who show up for Fight Club, he turns them into his personal anti-culture prankster army. He splices porn into Disney movies, brings about the wholesale polution of restaurant food, organizes Project Mayhem, blows up the credit card system and still has time to make soap and inspire Marla Singer to proclaim she “hasn’t been fucked like that since grade school”. And he has the most badass wardrobe of any certified Mutha since Shaft.
So what has YOUR insomnia done for you lately?

Mallory Knox

Speaking of bat-shit crazy … It might seem odd to list just one half of the Natural Born Killers, but there is a difference. While Mickey had weird visions of bloody bunnies and the like, Mallory was most likely off kicking the crap out of somebody. Now, unlike many of the badasses on this list, I find nothing positive or admirable about Mallory Knox. Unless, of course, you count her steadfast dedication to good head. Perhaps it is the one bright spot in an otherwise abyss of crazy violence and regrettable fashion choices. I know at least three or four women who count the infamous garage scene among their favorites of all time, for obvious reasons. If you are not familiar with the movie, I’ll sum up. Mallory comes up to a garage and enlists the young man there to give her some head on the hood of a ‘vette. Apparently, he was deserving of something a bit more harsh than “the tap”, because she shoots him in the head. Then, she yells at his corpse with a solid kick after, “That the worst fuckin’ head I ever got in my life! Next time don’t be so fuckin’ eager!” So, okay, some of us have probably thought fondly of that scene at one time or another. Mallory is still utterly despicable, but that can’t take away the fact she’s a stone cold, bat shit crazy, shit-disturbing psychotic … and most definitely a bad Mutha.

Happy Day to all you Muthas!

For those of you in the northern hemisphere, summer is upon you (lucky minxes), and that means the best time of year is about to begin – festival season. From Wacken and Hellfest in Europe to Ozzfest and Deathfest in the US, every year metalheads descend in their thousands to stand in the sun, camp in their own filth, drink expensive beer, and watch their favorite bands.

As my home turf here in New Zealand is fast descending into winter gloom (and we’re not exactly renowned for our metal festivals. Hobbit and Gumboot festivals, yes, metal festivals … not so much), I’ll be boarding a plane shortly to Europe to attend two festivals – Wacken Open Air, and the much smaller and more curious Veldensteiner Festival. Needless to say, I’ll be bringing all you grymm gents and metal maidens updates on my adventures.

This will be my second trip to Wacken, the so-called “Holy Land of Heavy Metal”. The festival occurs annually in the tiny town of Wacken (pop 1800), an hour north of Hamburg, where the town’s population swells to over 70 000 black-clad metalheads from all over the world. Three days of music, mischief and mayhem – I can’t wait.

If you’re thinking of donning you best mosh-pit attire and heading out to a metal festival this summer, here are my top survival tips:

Wear Sensible Shoes: for most metal festivals, this means boots. Why? Because everyone else wears boots, and if someone stomps on you in the mosh pit, you need to be able to stomp back. Wacken can get muddy and filthy, and a good pair of combat boots will ensure your feet stay free of gunk.

Sun-protection: At Wacken, most of the injuries treated by the first-aid crew involve people falling asleep in the sun and getting sunstroke. Bring plenty of sunscreen (spray bottle recommended), sunglasses and a hat.

Your hat doesn’t have to be boring, however. Most metalheads like caps or cowboy hats. Me? I’ve got an authentic 19th century English military beret.

Drink plenty of water: And no, beer is NOT water. Alcohol dehydrates you and makes you more prone to sunstroke and falling asleep during your favorite band. Try to drink one glass of water for every glass of beer.

Bring a “tent marker”: whether it’s a flag, a sign or, in our case, a giant blow-up sheep, you need something to distinguish your tent from the 70 000 other tents pitched on the campsite. It’s quite commonplace to arrive back at your tent to discover a sleeping metalhead who, after spending three hours stumbling drunk around the campsite looking for his own tent, simply decided yours looked like the next best thing.

Drinking Horn: the must-have Wacken campground accessory.

A copy of the running order: due to some corporate policy I cannot fathom; many festivals don’t give you a copy of the running order at the gate. In fact, even if you buy a program, you’re not guaranteed to get an up-to-date list of who’s playing when. There are signs posted, but you will inevitably be in an area without signs wishing you knew who was playing when and where. Print a copy of the running order off the website before you leave in the morning.

Toilet paper: never leave home without it.

Keep your clothes simple and comfortable. Since you’re at a metal festival, you’ll probably want a black t-shirt (and remember the rule about not wearing the shirt of the band you’ve come to see). Team this up with shorts or your favorite pair of Stretch fuck*n jeans. Bring an extra warm layer like a hoodie or jumper to cover yourself with in the evening, when the air cools.

I don’t advise wearing a skirt or any delicate jewelry if you intend on going anywhere near that mosh pit.

Alternatively, you could wear this:

Pack all your essentials in an over-the-shoulder or cross-chest bag: your wallet, cellphone and keys, pen and pencil (for writing down the number of the cute metalhead boy you meet in the pit), bottles of water, camera, snack, sunscreen and lipgloss.

Most importantly, have a blast! Yes, it’s dirty, smelly and crowded, but you’re with your people. The festival atmosphere is magic – at what other event do you get to spend 3 days hanging out with the coolest people on earth?

Who am I? I’m Steff. Born in New Zealand, raised on a steady diet of metal and out-of-print archaeology books, I’m now a freelance writer, accessible formats producer, and full-time iron maiden.

You can keep up to date with all the metal madness at my Steff Metal blog. I update 4 times a week with reviews, articles, advice and silliness about living the metal lifestyle. And, for alternative biz owners, I run a creative business community for the dark side at Grymm & Epic. I’m also on Twitter.

Keep it brutal \m/
Steff

We love it when you rock Lippy at special events. So, with prom season coming up, we thought we’d help you grab the Lippy gear you want at an even better price!

Get 10% off all Lip Service styles listed below until 11:59 PM (Pacific) on May 15 when you use the code PROM2011 at checkout!

WOMEN’S STYLES

45-6-01 – Brocade Piracy – Off The Shoulder Halter Dress
45-6-02 – Looks That Kill – China Doll Mini Dress

49-6-10 – Step In Time – Long Dress

53-172 – Gangsta Pranksta – Knee Length Dress
56-359 – Millennium Moon – Cap Sleeve Dress

63-3-06- Step In Time – Skirt With Removable Bottom Layer

63-451- Step In Time – Floor Length Skirt
63-452- Step In Time – Crop Jacket

63-6-02- Das Bunker – Sleeveless Mini Dress

63-7-05- Step In Time – Hook And Eye Front Top

83-205 – Broken Promises – Asymmetrical Dress
83-206 – Broken Promises – Empire Waist Long Gown

83-6-08- Pin Me Up – Halter Dress

84-6-00- The Blacklist – Midnight Seduction Dinner Dress

92-206 – Step In Time – Bell Sleeved Dress

92-6-01 – The Blacklist – Cap Sleeve Babydoll Dress

MEN’S STYLES

M49-049 – The Blacklist -

M49-7-06- Step In Time – Ruffled Shirt

M63-4-01- Step In Time – Dress Coat
M63-5-00- Step In Time – Button Front Vest

M63-8-00- Step In Time – Military Pant

M63-9-00- Step In Time – Necktie

M84-022- The Blacklist – Mens Dress Pants
M49-050- The Blacklist – Mens Military Shirt
M83-4-00- The Blacklist – Mens Waistcoat

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Remember … you MUST use the code at the time of checkout to get the discount. Sale order must be completed before 11:50PM (Pacific) May 15. Discount is applicable only to styles listed above.

We are so happy to have been a part of the Studio Servitù opening! Congratulations to co-owners Jane Jett and Miss Crash and thank you for a remarkable and memorable night in your gorgeous new creative playground!

The party started off with a viewing of documentary “The New Erotic”, giving way to VJ sets by Ginger Fish as the crowds kept coming and performances by The Lizardman and Rudy Coby. Then, of course, there was the sort of NC17 fun you’ll just have to imagine for yourselves (Thank you, in particular, to Sex & Metal for some stunning demonstrations of your deviously wicked handiworks!)  Here is a little taste of what you would have seen if you were lucky enough to be there, with much thanks to photographer Andy Hartmark for sharing his shots with us!

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May’s featured denizen of the Dark is none other than DJ Amanda Jones!

She is an unspeakably sexy and totally Taurean powerhouse in the Los Angeles Goth/Industrial scene. If you’ve even set foot on one of her dance floors, she has pwned you. Count on it.

When I asked Amanda if her complete disregard for Astrology would dissuade her from being the subject of this month’s column, she said, “It’s true. I tend not to buy into anything that conveys an external locus of control upon one’s life. Although, from what I’ve heard about Taureans, I can agree that I am practical, stable, and at times quite stubborn. Naturally, I think that has nothing to do with the timing of my birth.” Ironically enough, this opinion is quite common to those born under the sign of the Bull. But, it’s obviously just a coincidence…

Amanda has built a formidable career around the passion she discovered in the late 1980s. “A friend of mine took me to my first goth club, in 1987 called “The Krypt”. I adored the music, the people, and the style of dancing. Just two years later I began what was to become a two-decade long career as a night-club DJ, starting with Helter Skelter. I’ve earned a living solely as a DJ/Promoter for the last two decades.”

There’s no mistaking her style or her energy. Happy Birthday to a beautiful spirit and woman who keeps us all good and sweaty! I mean, from dancing. Yeah, that’s totally what I mean.

And now, your ‘Scopes.

Aries

You are being called to redistribute the wealth of attention among others, this month. That’s right, the spotlight has moved on from your radiant visage and in many cases, you helped in the moving. Now, onto practical matters. The financial flow gets a bit healthier, this month and it could be even better if you’d swallow some pride and let your buddies pitch in. Obviously, that means relinquishing a certain amount of control, too. Aye, there’s the rub. For all of your customary courage, are you brave enough to risk seeing someone else achieve for you that which you could not reach alone?

Taurus

Happy Birthday! Wait, why are you reading horoscopes? You don’t believe in any of this crap, do you? I mean, look at the Astrology section of any bookstore. The last “sun sign” books on the shelf are always – yes always – the Taurus books. So, it’s obviously bullshit, right? Anyway, since you are reading, it just so happens that this month finds you in an excellent position to make use of your powers of persuasion. Around the 18th, expect better results from all of your personal and professional negotiations. On the 23rd, Mars meets Venus in your sign. You should plan to have epic sex. Epic.

Gemini

There’s no way to sugar-coat this so, I’ll just level with you. Feelings of loneliness and isolation are very likely to creep in this month, as you find many of your friends and loved ones are otherwise engaged. Busy people are interesting, which is why you like them. But, when no one’s around for a while, the silence can get a bit daunting. Your job is to spend this time re-investing in your own, independent projects and fall in love with your work, again. As you re-discover your own enthusiasm, it won’t be long before you attract an audience of familiar faces. As distant as they may have felt, they never really left.

Cancer

Like last month, you continue to function as a rather public figure. Everything that is going on for you seems to have relevance for others. Don’t let that freak you out; it just means you matter. Flow with the attention and try to steer it in a healthy direction. Watch it evolve into an opportunity to serve as a strong representative of the tribe to which you claim membership. You are in an ideal position to inspire positive change, right now. Just keep an eye on your ego, Pal. The greatest danger is in letting all this transitory power go to your head.

Leo

No change is small change for you, this summer. It’s all good but, it’s intense and there is likely to be a shock to your system. Keep practicing the gentle art of accepting support from the people who love you. Even in times like these, in which everyone is struggling, each of us still has something to offer. When you let a person help you, you remind them they are not powerless. In other news, your career is going though the early stages of metamorphosis. Next month is when the momentum really kicks in so, for now enjoy the last few weeks of life as you know it.

Virgo

There’s an internal struggle between your spirit of adventure and your totally neurotic stance on interpersonal trust. You desperately want to expand your horizons, but you keep getting paralyzed by the fear of letting someone else fly the plane. Considering how little time you are likely to spend alone, this month it’s probably a good idea for you to get comfortable with company. There are some particularly sweet opportunities for creative collaboration on the 9th, 11th and 16th. It’s a chance to find unprecedented personal freedom cleverly disguised as fun and frivolity among friends. Go nuts!

Libra

Feeling a bit boxed-in? Can’t blame you. The recent planetary weather has you in a bit of an energetic deadlock and it really is difficult to get results from even your best efforts. Take the hint and take a break. If the ’Verse seems to be fighting you, stop fighting. You won’t win. Instead, try investing time in being still. Reflect and open up to receiving a different perspective than the one you’ve been using. That one’s broken. If it’s good enough for Tibetan monks, it’s good enough for you. If you look around at your current situation, you’ll find that conditions are oddly perfect for just such a retreat.

Scorpio

You know, it’s times like these when it’s easy to see why people think Scorpios are fucking psycho. I know life is stressful, right now. There is no question about that. You just have to consider other options before engaging in complete global annihilation. There are plenty of people who are willing to help you out, as long as you’re willing to see them as friends instead of foes. The full moon lands in your sign, in the wee hours of the 17th, bringing to light many of the long-awaited answers to questions posed months ago. Try not to kill the messenger if you don’t like what you hear.

Sagittarius

Your support system was so stable through the shit-storms of April that it seemed you were the only one whose ass was not getting kicked. Now, some of the people who had your back are missing in action. Was it something you said? Well, knowing you, maybe. But, it’s also just a case of simple logistical incompatibility. As professional momentum picks up for some of those near and dear to you, their time and energy has to be redistributed to accommodate rapid growth. Try to be happy for them. They’ll be all the more capable of supporting you when they have their own lives in order.

Capricorn

April was such a difficult and argumentative time, May will seem like a vacation. Much of the pressure is off, after the middle of May and your friends just seem a whole lot … friendlier. It becomes easier to access practical resources as well as moral support. Getting things done is no longer just a fantasy. The real jackpot is still about a month away but, in the meantime, your job is to indulge in some creativity, playfulness and authentic self-expression. Next time someone tries to drag you to a karaoke bar, do yourself a favor and just go.

Aquarius

Friction increases steadily over the course of the month between you and the people in your closest, immediate circle. This may even show up right in your very own home. Look at family issues and your immediate living situation for insight into how best to reconfigure things, come July. Flex your talent for broad-spectrum networking so the solutions you aren’t looking for can find you. Some quiet, contemplative time would be an excellent investment in the interest of clarity and perspective. May 24th finds you center stage, whether you like it or not. Speak now or forever hold your peace.

Pisces

The drive and ambition you felt last month continues into May with a particularly virile moment on the 12th. After that, your best bet is to socialize strategically with like-minded people, especially if they have some imagination. With enough encouragement, momentum and mutual support, not even the buzzkill of the 22nd can knock you off your course. There is strength in numbers so, keep talking and listening, keep writing and reading. The most important changes you’ll witness won’t be visible; they’ll be the deep, emotional growth that comes from connecting with people. Real people. Warcraft doesn’t count.

About Forest

Forest is available by appointment for personal astrology and tarot readings by visiting her website: NuiCobalt.com

Hello Lippy lovers!!
It is with both sad and excited emotions that I say my goodbye and deliver my last entry to Mickey Finn’s corner.

The time has come to leave my beloved family here at Lip Service! However, I leave here much more enriched and thankful for my amazing 4 years being part of the LS family. I will now return to my music career full time with my band “Cold Blue Rebels” with lots of touring and planning of our second album already in the works. I’ll also be working on a new internet radio show called “The Final Mix” with my associate John Mahoney of Artistpr.com, and keeping busy in the entertainment and fashion worlds, so keep your eyes out for Mickey Finn I have lots more tricks up my sleeve.

First up will be a video shoot for CBR new single “Zombie Love” with our favorite multi media production team Plastic Hassle! We are looking for extras to fill our Zombie prom scene interested people will need to come in cheap disposable prom clothes (think thrift store cheap) and your best Zombie make up (we will have make up artists on shoot also) Tentative dates are 6/18 or 6/25 we will announce after we secure the venue for filming. Those interested can contact CBR via Facebook for more details as they come. The Ink and Iron festival 6/12 where CBR will play the Tiki stage at 5:00!

Once again, I can’t express enough what a great experience it has been working here at Lip Service!
Special thanks to my friend of over 25 years Mr. Drew Bernstein, and to the entire staff at LS for 4 of the most fun and rewarding times of my life.
Gone but hopefully not forgotten!
Fashion+Music=Life
Mickey Finn