Editors' Introduction

So you've found us: Habits of Waste: A Quarterly Review of Pop Culture. And how do we reward you? Despite our announced focus on "popular culture," right out of the gate we seem to have steered more towards the cult and obscure. Only a few of the bands, movies and books examined here will have much name recognition. more

Blissed-Out Fatalists - Jeff Purdue

Nothing defines the “pop” in pop culture so well as the category “deserves to be popular but for some reason isn’t.” more

"Jammin' Econo" - Dave Zauhar

Our Band Could Be Your Life documents a period in the history of American music where the sound was so good it couldn’t really be called “popular” music, and so obscure to the American mainstream it’s hard to call it history, either. more

When ASAP Isn't Soon Enough - Paul Piper

This phrase, appropriated from a Nextel Billboard ad, seems to verify Paul Verilio's belief that reality itself is accelerating. As if we didn't already know it. In fact, it's probably not too long before reality begins hyperventilating as well. more

Filming Caruso - Allen Frost

Long after a forty cent meal from a box, I sat with a cup of coffee and explained to Mike, “The film is called Caruso.” I stopped to let it sink in to another sip of coffee. Just the name should roll upon the air like thunder. more

On the Other Hand: Derek Bailey Runs Free Beyond the Pale of Pop - Jim Kirchner

It’s been said that after hearing a Derek Bailey recording, you’re either not interested in hearing any more, or you want to hear it all. Which is, of course, nearly impossible… more

Or, if you'd rather just try a small sample of Bailey's own (if heavily edited) words, check out the Derek Bailey Remix Project.