The First Rehearsal
It's hard to stay focused when your girlfriend ignores you, your roommates are openly intimate, and your father calls with some unexpected advice.
Music
A collection of 237 issues
Getting the Band Together, Part III
Trying to complete his indie-prog band as a model of diversity, Benchley runs into trouble when racial profiling turns out to be a less-than-sensitive method for recruiting a bass player.
Getting the Band Together, Part II
Benchley continues to assemble his band, though finding the perfect hot chick drummer turns out to be harder than he anticipated. That, and keeping his roommate from starting a taxidermy collection.
Getting the Band Together, Part I
Benchley begins to make his dreams come true: time to assemble the band. But the gap between buying a guitar and playing one proves wider than expected, and it may only be Depeche Mode who can save the day.
For Summer 2004
Of interest lately are special books, catchy songs, lovely clothes, and a slew of other wonderful items we've collectively enjoyed the last few weeks, and now wish to pass along for your very own summer pleasure.
Following My First Mind
If pop music can change lives, then the process must begin someplace in the mind, and more likely in images than words. Our writer sends us a postcard from the backyard of his brain, where Sinead O'Connor shares time with the Talking Heads.
The Coming of Indie Prog
Aspiring rock star Gary Benchley learns it's not easy to date older women, considers giving up rock for branding, and, in a dark hour, composes the first rock tribute to Abu Ghraib.
One Ring Zero
Not many people can play the claviola, and fewer still can use it to accompany lyrics by Neil Gaiman or Margaret Atwood. Pitchaya Sudbanthad talks to Michael Hearst and Joshua Camp of One Ring Zero, band of a thousand authors.
Benchley Triumphant
Aspiring rock star Gary Benchley moves to the epicenter of hipsters' Brooklyn, gets to know his new neighborhood and roommates, enjoys burlesque, and accidentally attends an A-list blogging party.
State of Train
Aspiring rock star Gary Benchley suffers Train--a mental state of anti-rock--and has to make a difficult decision in order to snag his own apartment. Luckily he has The Flaming Lips' Wayne Coyne to help him with advice.