December 2011 Slingshots, Anyone? : Long Live the Oakland Commune After a fitful night of hobo-ing it up at a rest stop on the outskirts of town, I was dropped off hitchhiking at 7 am in downtown Oakland. My first inclination, as it was on my... Derek
November 2011 Slingshots, Anyone? : Occupy Everywhere So I just arrived back, not even a half hour ago, from a march against police brutality through the streets of Oakland. As I stare bleary-eyed at the local squat’s communal... Derek
November 2010 Slingshots, Anyone? : …Here’s the Rest of Our Lives It’s a wonderful Tuesday morning with the sunlight shining in onto our wooden dining room table, and I’m sitting down to compose this month’s column. But I have... Derek
October 2009 Slingshots, Anyone? : Living in a Glass (Ware)House What better way to start off a recent return from my month-long hiatus on the West Coast than with a house show deep in the recesses of Uptown’s Magazine Street? A couple... Derek
September 2009 Slingshots, Anyone? : (Spin)Kicked Out of Hardcore I love the summer. ‘Tis the season when the transient, street urchins and their mange-ridden mutts scramble to the freight yards of Gentilly to hop their getaway trains onto... Derek
August 2009 Slingshots, Anyone? : Millions of Peaches, Peaches for Free “And I thought I wouldn’t find anything interesting at the mall today,” commented my old high school teacher, as he turned over a book in his hand. Only moments before had... Derek
July 2009 Slingshots, Anyone? : Pimping the System Like fluctuating social movements throughout history, tabling shows has its high points as well as its low points. One night, for example, I may find myself an... Derek
June 2009 Slingshots, Anyone? : Anarchy in the V.I.P. “One Eyed Jacks? On Lundi Gras?!” those I’d let in on my scheme exclaimed. “You won’t get in!” My plan—showing up outside the venue with a bundle of... Derek
May 2009 Slingshots, Anyone? : The First Column Sometimes I’m awful disappointed by the so-called punk scene in New Orleans. Yes, I know—you have no idea what I’m talking about. You’re thinking to yourself, “Jaded?... Derek
