Reverend Glasseye is fronted by the Rev. Adam Glasseye on vocals, banjo, piano and organ, who muses here about the art that inspires him.
Film: Two films that renew my faith in humanity star Harry Dean Stanton in bit roles. Monte Hellman’s “Cock Fighter” may be my favorite movie of all time. Warren Oates plays a struggling cock fighter whose big mouth leads him to big losses. Harry Dean Stanton plays the slick antagonist who won Warren’s girlfriend in a match.
The other would be the Colorado-based classic “Red Dawn.” Harry Dean Stanton stands out in my mind for his heartbreaking final line, “Kids, avenge me! Avenge me!”
Books: Salman Rushdie’s “Midnight’s Children” is a wonderful book. Rushdie’s telling of the modern history of India is so alive and frighteningly chaotic that even his most absurd magical realism resonates as truth.
Reality TV: I must admit that I have an addiction to reality TV. No, I cannot sympathize with any of the made-over, self-abusing lab rats on “Big Brother” or “Survivor.” In that ancient blood lust common to all overly decadent societies, I find that I yearn for their downfall. “Rock Star INXS” always sent me into hysterical fits. I wanted them all to lose, but I loved it so.
Music: The Kossoy Sisters – the absolute best and most underrated singers from the late ’50s Greenwich Village folk scene – were identical twins Ellen and Irene Kossoy. With an almost indescribably pristine sense of harmony and primary focus on the darker side of traditional folk music, the sisters bring grim uneasiness and heavenly beauty to a fairly familiar song catalog.
Karaoke: Recently, we stopped at this wretched hotel in Pennsylvania where a funny little bar called Doc Hoppers lay as accompaniment to our accommodations. The bar was filled with military officers and their significant others and a handful of blind-drunk locals dancing and cheering enthusiastically to karaoke. Piet (our organ player) and I did our interpretation of Meat Loaf’s “Paradise by the Dashboard Lights.” And while I at first assumed that our song choice might have made some uncomfortable, I was very quickly shown one of the most boisterous and excited crowds imaginable.
Reverend Glasseye will support its new record, “Lady of the Broken Spine,” at its show tonight at Bender’s Tavern.
