East of Normal
Surrender — it ain’t just a Cheap Trick song
I like my life. I really do. I’ve made out like a bandit: great family, cozy home, made it as a second-string cult artist. I … more
East of Normal
East of Normal
Screaming for Comfort
Some people — many people, actually — scream a lot. They don’t necessarily make any noise or open their mouths; their faces may be blank … more
East of Normal
Just take one of these and you’ll feel better …
There used to be a jive-ass writer of self-help books named Peter McWilliams. He’s dead now. His books were always printed with large type and … more
East of Normal
A Godzilla of Eateries, Worthy of Outsized Love
I don’t eat very much, or very well, for days at a time. What saves me is that my wife is an excellent cook and … more
East of Normal
An Ode to the Clash (By a Punk From Skynyrdville)
When I was 16, in July or August 1979, I bought the only Clash album in the Sound Shack, which was the only record store … more
East of Normal
The Suffering News Junkie
I used to be a news junkie. I loved being informed, loved editorials (so long as I agreed with them), and watched the Sunday morning … more
East of Normal
Gimme, Gimme Some Ned
I get to write pretty much what I want to in this column. It’s a beautiful thing. I thought this issue I’d tell you of … more
East of Normal
Of Royalties and a Stiff Upper Lip
Stuck for a topic, I asked my editor, Moloch, what I should write about. “Write about your favorite band,” he suggested. That’ll work, I thought. … more
East of Normal
Oh, for the Love of Moloch!
Whenever I submit this column, I get one of three responses from my editor, Moloch: 1) “That’s great. Thanks, Tommy!” 2) “That’s great, Tommy, but … more
East of Normal
The Glorious Gift of Gotcha
I live a pretty active life, and I enjoy it. Trouble is a lot of it doesn’t pay much. I write articles for this magazine, … more