Two Things Worth Doing This Week: Henry Rollins and Jen Sincero

In Los Angeles, radio is not remotely an outdated form. Yeah, you have your downloads, your audio books, your iPod mixes, etcetera, etcetera, but when you're in the car, a lot, which if you are in Los Angeles most likely you know of what I speak, there are times you're sick of your own sound design and want to be surprised. Luckily this town is Number 1 in high quality radio. If you're unsure of what to listen to, what's worth the try, I am preparing a great radio finds list for you all to check out. That being said, time is of the essence so I feel compelled to tell you to listen to Henry Rollins show tonight on KCRW, 89.9 FM. Seriously, program that shit in immediately.

Henry, who was the leader of Black Flag back in the day...

Hot and Scary, Henry in his Black Flag Days

puts on a show Sunday nights that has no equal. He knows more about music than anyone I've ever encountered. And while Henry is a devout lover of all that is punk, the show is not exclusively punk by any stretch. He likes what he likes and what he likes is so varied, so special, and so dimensional, it's impossible to be bored. He's introduced me to so much - even stuff I should've already been totally familiar with but hadn't given much of a chance prior to listening to his show (ie.: The Cramps or Tinarewen). I owe Henry a lot.

Not only will you be exposed to a vast array of tasty tunes, he will let you know whatever there is to know about what you're hearing whether it be regarding band history, how to get downloads of obscure tunes, how the music recorded in the studio sounds different than the live performances, and tons of other stuff that will make you feel far more learned and articulate than you ever have in your life. At the bottom of it, he cares so much and his brain is so large that all this information must be shared or I'm afraid Henry will combust.

Number 1 Fanatico

So  make a date for an early dinner tonight and then drive around from 8-10 pm, tuned into 89.9 FM, going through the hills of Los Feliz or winding around Mulholland overlooking the valley. Open those windows and turn it up loud. Your senses will thank you. As will your brain.

A taste of tonight's show: Ween, Nancy Sinatra, Devo, Fats Waller, Terakaft and David Bowie.

For more info click here for Henry's Page at KCRW.

Another way to get enlightened this week is to check out a book signing event at Book Soup.

Book Soup, established back in 1975, is pretty much an LA landmark, located smack dab on the Sunset Strip. To this day it's where the hip, the cool, the famous and the normal go to expand their minds and nourish their gray matter. If you've never gone to a book signing there, I highly recommend it. It's quite possibly the only establishment on the strip where your brain is more honored than all the other sexy parts of your body.

This Tuesday night from 7-10pm, a really good friend of mine, Jen Sincero, will be delighting fans and truth seekers alike, while signing and chatting about her new book...dah dah dah daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah:

Already a best selling author, Jen Sincero's latest is a tremendous, insightful and all-around kick ass guide covering the how, the why and the what the hell are you going to do so you can finally get your head out of the sand and live that big life that you know you're supposed to be living.

Now I know me and Jen are buds...

but let me tell you something, this book is truly affecting me. It's already helping me. Maybe because this is no ordinary self-help book. You are a Badass: How To Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living An Awesome Life appeals to the cynical, the tired of it, and the ones who think they've heard it all but they for some reason still don't feel better so they wish they hadn't heard it all because something really has to change.

So check it out. I'll be there with bells on. Big loud bells so you'll hear me coming. Book Soup is located at 8818 Sunset Boulevard, West Hollywood, CA 90019. Also know two little things: 1) Sally Kellerman will be signing a book there on Wednesday night and also there's a rare editions book store next to The Soup that if you find it, you will feel as though you entered a secret world. Oh! Also be careful about parking. They ticket like crazy on Sunset. Trust me when I say you don't want to be caught with your meter empty or your tires not facing into the curb.

If punk stands for all that is good and cool and right with the world then this is already shaping up to be a righteously punk week. Happy Cinco de Mayo and let me know how you like Jen & Henry!