Sleepwalking through life.

July 21, 2026

Perhaps I should have included this photo as today's opener:

When I was in college and for years after, when one of our friends went crazy, we'd refer to it as 'going to Kansan City', because two of our friends who lost their minds did in fact both move there. It's good to see that the spirit there is still alive and well.

Or I guess it could just be said that the man inquisition was just crazy for Mountain Dew.

Anyway, another day, another doll hair, as the adage goes, and here we are standing in front of a computer while the sun shines brightly outside and I can barely finish a thought due to continuing exhaustion.

One thing I would like very much to detail is a follow up on this post in which I teased a detail about some forthcoming hardware;

As I said, this is a collaboration between Smith of Ratking and myself, though he's buried under all kinds of actual paying projects currently.

I'd say I might have a working prototype (or potentially several) by the time I'm sneaking into this year's Made show;

Or maybe I'll just have a set. I've also been tempted to re-powder my Blue Collar one speed cross frame because the world needs more sparkly purple bikes, and these hangers would look real handsome on it;

I just don't think it could get any more beautifuller.

OK, enough of that. Let's talk about music for a second.

Anyone who knows me knows I absolutely adore John Reis. Like, the sun rises and sets on him, and his output is positively unmatched. From his side projects with Metz and Sonny Vincent to his primary ones, Pitchfork, RFTC, Drive Like Jehu, Back Off Cupids, The Sultans, The Night Marchers, The Blind Shake, Plosivs, and most recently The Bed Of Nails there's nothing I don't adore, so you know I set my alarm last week for the release of two songs written for The Hotsnakes on which Rick Froberg sang on one before his untimely demise in 2023;

This is promising for next month's Swami John Reis LP on Mordam, and the forthcoming final recordings of Hotsnakes due to come out at some point on Sub Pop.

If this matters, make note.

Also, if you'd like to listen to a fun interview with the Swami during which he discusses specific nerdy predilections that I certainly personally have in common with him, then look no further;

As far as RFTC output goes, some might say I have a problem;

This doesn't begin to scratch the surface of other projects, or compilations I also have that they/he appears on.

"Which are my favorite songs by them that appear exclusily on 7" you didn't just ask? 'Dancing Bird', 'Don't Drop The Baby', 'Tiger Mask' on the AmRep 'Dope, Guns, and Fucking' comp, 'Free Language Demons' on the Get Up Kids split, and their Sub Pop 7" would be my answer. If you asked. Which you didn't.

Having said all of that, let's take a second to dip into the mail bag- First from a correspondence from George;

"Appropriate location."

And then, from Bomber Jon Palmer, I got a follow upon his life and times, which I always appreciate;

"Hey Stevil,

Minnesota was great for 2 years. I helped my parents, I worked at Wolf Tooth and Angry Catfish Bicycles. Hung out with GeneO, did some of those Alley Cat things for the first time in about 20 years. Actually I think the last one of those I did was a Mountain Lion, maybe 2007 or 2008, so whatever math sucks.

Anyway, I moved to Copper Harbor, MI. It’s pretty rad, basically the Downieville of the Midwest. I work for Keweenaw Adventure Company, same shit different state. Wrenching on bikes, driving shuttles, lower elevation and cheaper rent.

I was driving my tiny truck today after doing that mountain bike riding stuff and thought you might enjoy some mediocre photos of a beautiful place;

Anyway, hope you’re doing terrible (I mean good) and ignoring the rest of the world too.

Cheers,

Jon Palmer"