One Year Later

Today marks the first anniversary of this website. Thanks to everyone who has supported it by reading my work over the last 12 months. Extra thanks to the many news sites that brought www.JoelGausten.com to the global masses. And of course, thanks to the many artists, publicists and industry folks - and my wife Shannon, who had the original idea for the site - for their invaluable assistance along the way. Here are the Top 10 posts on the site from the first year, based on the number of hits received:

1. Hated In New Hampshire (July 14, 2013)
2. For Facts Sake: Bob Daisley Tells All (October 9, 2013) 
3. Searching for Gerald Bostock: An Interview with Jethro Tull's Ian Anderson (October 5, 2013) 
4. Never Givin' Up: Mark Slaughter on Supporting the Troops, Life on the Road and Vinnie Vincent (April 29, 2014) 
5. Still Bleeding: James Williamson Adds Raw Power to Long-Lost Stooges Tunes (March 5, 2014) 
6. Dave Ingram Takes Us Down Among the Dead Men (October 6, 2013) 
7. The Best of 2013 (December 29, 2013)  
8. Back from Space: Nik Turner Lands in America (October 9, 2013) 
9. From Grief to Glory: Bill Ward Conquers His Demons Through Art (August 15, 2013) 
10. A New Revolt: Chris Connelly's Cocksure Return (February 1, 2014) 

The best is yet to come!

- Joel Gausten

June 18, 2014 

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How to Make ANOTHER Monster: The Son of Electric Frankenstein!

All great bands understand the value of making a visual statement to go along with their music. For New Jersey “Punk Rock & Roll” veterans Electric Frankenstein (EF), this has meant nearly 25 years of awesome low-brow poster and album cover art. In 2004, guitarist Sal Canzonieri compiled Electric Frankenstein-related imagery from nearly 200 artists around the world for Electric Frankenstein! High-Energy Rock & Roll Poster Art, a stunning 160-page collection published by Dark Horse Books. Showcasing some of the greatest horror-themed art ever committed to print (including work by big leaguers like Coop, Frank Kozik and Mad Marc Rude), the book introduced the band to a greater audience and even found its way into the archives at the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame & Museum. Now, Canzonieri has assembled a second volume of band-related art for Son of Electric Frankenstein! More High-Energy Punk Rock & Roll Poster & Record Cover Art (BGT ENT), a collection of images from June 2003 to December 2013.

If you loved the first EF book, or are simply a fan of this art genre, Son of Electric Frankenstein is a can't-miss addition to your library. My personal favorites in the collection include Mike Hoffman's cover for the 2009 Electric Frankenstein comic book, the great Basil Gogos' cover for the 2005 EF album Burn Bright, Burn Fast! and Stainboy's extraordinary Frankensteinized take on Funkadelic's Maggot Brain:

Prints of this art are available for purchase at http://www.stainboyreinel.com/www/EF2.html

Of course, I'm also thrilled to see that Son Of Electric Frankenstein includes a variety of eye candy from the 2008 Canadian tour that EF did with me behind the drum kit – including the great Kustom Kulture carnage of Johnny Ace and Kali Verra:

Son of Electric Frankenstein also devotes space to artwork created for The Kung Fu Killers (KFK), a “secret” supergroup that may or may not have included past/present members of EF, Pigface, Christian Death and Shadow Project and may or may not have had yours truly on drums for a spell. To my eyes, Brett Parson's work below is the hands-down highlight of the featured KFK material:

On a personal note, I commend Sal for putting together yet another amazing project under the “Electric Frankenstein” banner. Even in his 50s, he still approaches every song, every show and every piece of art with inspiring energy and enthusiasm. I consider him – along with other hardworking people like Jerry Only and Martin Atkins – one of the true creative role models I've had to pleasure of watching up close and personal over the years. I want to be just like him when I grow up!


Order Son of Electric Frankenstein (and view more samples from the book)

Electric Frankenstein Facebook

Official Electric Frankenstein Website


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EMAIL JOEL at gaustenbooks@gmail.com