RADICAL BEER COMMERCIALS OF THE '80s

We all know that Chuck Buk loved him some cheap hooch. In other words, beer. Lots of it. The cheaper the better. Found this on digg and just had to share... The 1980s were nuts: cocaine, brick phones, Kirk Gibson and Reaganomics. But most importantly, it was the decade in which the campiest, and most ridiculous beer adverts were created. These commercials have a distinct playfulness to them, rather than the sex-laden advertising efforts of the...

Read More

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!

Here's hoping your 'HOs' are plentiful.addthis_url=''; addthis_title=''; addthis_pub='avenutol...

Read More

PRE-GOLDEN AGE BOOK COVERS

Just saw this on DIGG and had to share...Via Joshua Glenn:Some of the most gorgeous, evocative, and strange science fiction art you've ever seen comes from the covers of novels written between 1904-33, in SF's "pre-Golden Age."Readers, here is the long-awaited second installment in my Pre-Golden Age SF series. I can't afford first editions of PGA SF novels, but I've managed to collect images of their dustjackets and "boards" (as bookbinders call...

Read More

DID THE 'DARK KNIGHT' SUCK?

Well, I don't think so... But it might not be the End-All Be-All of superhero movies as most people think. I posted an item yesterday about The Guardian calling "The Dark Knight" one of the most ridiculous plots of the year. I wanted to take another stab at the flick after writing the post and came to the (probably blasphemous) conclusion that there are indeed more-than-a-few flaws with the lauded superhero flick. Here's what I think:* It's WAY too...

Read More

'DANTE'S INFERNO' VIDEO GAME TRAILER (LOOKS COOL)

Of all poeple, Kim Kardashian on Spike TV introduced the video game adaptation to the long rumored game, EA’s "Dante’s Inferno." Based on the first book in Dante Alighieri’s trilogy “The Divine Comedy,” it's an epic poem about Dante’s travels through the three stages of the afterlife, guided by poet Virgil.In the first book, "The Inferno," Virgil guides Dante through nine rings of hell. Each ring houses different class of sinners. As you get deeper their crimes get worse. The trailer for the game breifly outlined each of the 9 rings and showed...

Read More

A LIT CLASSIC HEADS FOR THE BIG SCREEN

... And not just any lit classic. Infinitum Nihil has acquired films rights to Nick Tosches 2002 novel "In the Hand of Dante" that will be developed as a potential star vehicle for Johnny Depp reports Variety.The story revolves around Dante Aligheri's masterwork "The Divine Comedy," and tells parallel storylines involving Dante in 14th-century Italy as he tries to complete the work, and a contemporary storyline involving Tosches, who is asked to...

Read More

POUR US A SCOTCH ...

... Just as long as it is a blend, of course. We don't dabble in single malts. The master would never have it. Anyway, welcome to Bukowski's Basement.Think of our subterranean dwelling as the red headed stepchild of Hemingway's Lounge. Over here, we'll showcase some of our grittier creative writing posts that seemed a little out of place over on Papa H's blog. We'll also be exploring the writings of some of our skid row luminaries. There will also be musings, videos, amazing podcasts, book reviews and the like.So pour yourself some cheap hooch...

Read More

GOBBLE GOBBLE!!!

Chuck Buk wants you to have a happy (and sexy) Turkey Day!!addthis_url=''; addthis_title=''; addthis_pub='avenutol...

Read More

TOM WAITS READS BUKOWSKI'S 'THE LAUGHING HEART'

It's easy to see how the sensibilities of musician Tom Waits and author Charles Bukowski easily coincide with one another. Here, Waits reads Bukowski's "The Laughing Heart" (posted below)THE LAUGHING HEARTyour life is your lifedon’t let it be clubbed into dank submission.be on the watch.there are ways out.there is a light somewhere.it may not be much light butit beats the darkness.be on the watch.the gods will offer you chances.know them.take them.you can’t beat death butyou can beat death in life, sometimes.and the more often you learn to do it,the...

Read More

RANDOM HOUSE GOES DIGITAL IN A HUGE WAY

NEW YORK - With e-book sales exploding in an otherwise sleepy market, Random House Inc. announced Monday that it was making thousands of additional books available in digital form, including novels by John Updike and Harlan Coben, as well as several volumes of the "Magic Treehouse" children's series.Random House CEO Markus Dohle said in a statement that "more people everyday are enjoying reading in the electronic format and Random House wants to extend our reach to them with more of our books."The publisher already has more than 8,000 books in...

Read More

HOW DO YOU SCREW UP MAMET or 'AMERICAN BUFFALO' ???

... For starters, you hire a comic, a C-list actor (an annoying one at that) and that gawky-lookin' kid who saw dead people in "The Sixth Sense."Seriously, you take one of the coolest tough-guy plays and you make it a mockery... Robert Falls' Broadway production of "American Buffalo," starring John Leguizamo, Haley Joel Osment and Cedric the Entertainer, perhaps will be headed for a very quick curtain call. The show opened in New York on Monday --...

Read More

NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF A CRAPPY WORD

Being that Bukowski's basement deals more with tidbits of the more creative nature or rather, stuff that would appeal to creative types, this is pretty damn amusing...Someone out there is excited about the utterance, "Meh". The expression of indifference or boredom has gained a place in the Collins English Dictionary. Publisher HarperCollins announced recently that the word had been chosen for inclusion in the dictionary's 30th anniversary edition....

Read More

BUKOWSKI POETRY FOR KIDS

OK, so now that I have a kid and all I think it may be time to introduce him to the Chuck Buk world of kiddie poetry. Enjoy this hilarious videoaddthis_url=''; addthis_title=''; addthis_pub='avenutol...

Read More

RAYMOND CARVER DOCUMENTARY - 'DREAMS ARE WHAT WE WAKE UP FROM'

Enjoy this probing 1989 documentray "Dreams Are What We Wake Up From" about minimalist master Raymond Carver. It's directed by Daisy Goodwin and includes contributions from Richard Ford and Jay McInerney. BTW, why are all the good documentaries about American masters all made abroad? Oh, I know ... Cuz we're all too busy following the likes of Paris Hilton and Kim Kardashian. addthis_url=''; addthis_title=''; addthis_pub='avenutol...

Read More

ASK THE DUST - VINTAGE PULPY COVER

How deliciously vintage is this pulpy cover for John fante's "Ask teh Dust," a true favorite of mine. The under-appreciated Fante's second outing chronicles the adventures of the writer's alter ego, Arturo Bandini, a struggling young writer who tackles Los Angeles in the late 1930s. He gets it right and sets it down in his Chianti-steak-and-potatoes style, with prose both simple and rich. Fante was born in Colorado in 1909 and began writing in 1929....

Read More

FOR ALL THOSE BUDDING VAN HELSINGS OUT THERE

Thanks to Gizmodo for this... For you Bram Stoker-types, check out this authentic vampire kit made circa 1800 and sold at auction for $14,850. In this hand-carved walnut portable suitcase comes loaded with all you need to killthe likes of Lestat including: • Creepy-looking cross• Bible• Hand gun and silver bullets• Holy oils• Holy water• Mirrors• Candles• Garlic• Badass wood and metal stake with added cross for vampiric extra-pain• Extra wood stakes,...

Read More

'SANDMAN' - COMIC LITERARY PERFECTION

"The Sandman" has always been one of my favorite comic titles, if not most favorite. Writer Neil Gaiman infused gothic sensibilities, horror, supernatural, fantasy and drama all under one wickedly entertaining book. If you haven't checked it out, run to your bookstore. In any case, this week saw the 20th anniversary of the release of the first issue of the series and everyone pretty much agrees that Gaiman's now-classic fantasy series rewrote the...

Read More

OK ... I'M LAME!!!!!

God, how lame am I?? I haven't updated in way way too long. No excuse... I will try to keep the creative juices flowing as well as bring you items that slant towards the creative sensibilities of Chuck Buk and Co.addthis_url=''; addthis_title=''; addthis_pub='avenutol...

Read More

VIA TIME: THE MOST BANNED BOOKS OF ALL TIME

Since 1982, the American Library Association has sponsored Banned Books Week to pay tribute to free speech and open libraries. The tradition began as a nod to how far society has come since 1557, when Pope Paul IV first established The Index of Prohibited Books to protect Catholics from controversial ideas. Four-hundred and nine years later, Pope Paul VI would abolish it, although attempts at censorship still remain. TIME presents some of the most...

Read More

SPRINGSTEEN'S STARK AND HAUNTING 'ATLANTIC CITY'

Atlantic City could be a haunting place. Amid billion dollar casinos, glitz and bright lights, lies a level of poverty, decay and urban blight rarely seen in modern US cities. Enjoy the video and lyrics to Bruce Springsteen's "Atlantic City," a haunting ode to the ultimate downtrodden seashore town and it's once glorious past as "America's Playground." 'ATLANTIC CITY' Well, they blew up the chicken man in philly last night Now, they blew up his house, too Down on the boardwalk theyre gettin ready for a fight Gonna see what them racket boys...

Read More

THE GENTLEMAN CAME TO PLAY (poem)

I usually try to find companion photos with all of my original poems. That said, do you know how damn hard it is to find a pic of a cool, elegant dude playing baccarat? The closest representation of who I'm writing about is none other than Don Draper. If you don't know who Don Draper is... click HERE. THE GENTLEMAN CAME TO PLAY His crisp white shirt pressed Black loafers, spit-shined to perfection; The Hair? dapper as ever. Thanks to the pomade....

Read More

TOM WAITS: HOLD ON

Enjoy this video and lyrics for "Hold On," one of my favorite Tom Waits songs. Chuck full of old school imagery, the tune has a solemn, sad energy about it. Please enjoy... HOLD ON They hung a sign up in out town "if you live it up, you won't live it down" So, she left Monte Rio, son Just like a bullet leaves a gun With charcoal eyes and Monroe hips She went and took that California trip Well, the moon was gold, her Hair like wind She said don't look back just Come on Jim (Chorus) Oh you got to Hold on, Hold on You got to hold on Take my hand,...

Read More

ALL HAIL THE KING

Elvis Presley died 31 years ago today. Let's bow our heads and listen a little rockabilly.addthis_url=''; addthis_title=''; addthis_pub='avenutol...

Read More

'THE TWO ELVISES' PART THREE

Very few people have read any fiction I've written, much less a story which happens to not be my particular favorite. In any case, a few months ago, I posted this poem. It was an ode to a teenaged Vegas elopement and the bar they visited soon after. After thinking about it, I figured it was the perfect companion piece or sequel to a short story I wrote eons ago about the same subject. If anything, the only thing I can say is that they ultimately...

Read More

'THE TWO ELVISES' - PART TWO

OK... As I said the other day, I feel like I'm going out on a limb here. Very few people have read any fiction I've written, much less a story which happens to not be my particular favorite. In any case, a few days ago, I posted this poem. It was an ode to a teenaged Vegas elopement and the bar they visited soon after. After thinking about it, I figured it was the perfect companion piece or sequel to a short story I wrote eons ago about the same...

Read More

KEROUAC: KING OF THE BEATS

OK... Making this one was fun. So there are plenty of Kerouac videos out there. This is a short video I created that tries to capture the aura, essence and bravado of the tough guy scribe. Have a scotch for me, Jack, wherever you are... addthis_url=''; addthis_title=''; addthis_pub='avenutol...

Read More

THE STATE OF POEM - DOCUMENTARY

Zampano Films, an outfit in sunny California, has filmed "The State of Poem," their ode to the form of poetry. Thank God. We need films like this for the form to survive. Shot by director Alveraz Ricardez, it's a comprehensive view of contemporary poetry across the United States. Look for it in the Spring.The State of Poem (extended trailer)addthis_url=''; addthis_title=''; addthis_pub='avenutol...

Read More

MY NEWEST VIDEO: 'GHOSTS OF THE BLUES'

...You probably won't find more haunting images of the Deep South than in this short video. Dunno where or how this one popped out of my brain. Took me a very brisk two days to finish. If anyone ever wants to know how, why or where the blues emerged, look no further. Hopefully this can explain... And you also have to love Blind Willie Johnson's haunting moans. WARNING: Some scary images of brutality may not be suitable for younger ki...

Read More

TOM WAITS ON NPR

Tom Waits is adding an extra stop to his sold-out "Glitter & Doom" summer tour: NPR Music's "Live in Concert" series. NPR Music is the only place to hear a full concert from Waits' tour, which will be available for both free streaming and podcast at www.NPR.org/music.During the show, recorded at Atlanta's historic Fox Theater on July 5, Waits gives a two-and-a-half hour performance, featuring songs he's never played outside a studio. The 25-track...

Read More

SPRINGSTEEN - ROCK'S STEINBECK

I've long said that had Bruce Springsteen not been a rock god of the highest order, he'd surely make a fabulous showing as a poet extraordinaire. For proof, I suggest snagging a copy of his lyric book "Songs" at Amazon. As an example, here's the lyrics for "The Ghost of Tom Joad," an ode to Americana, hard times, and the open road and where it may brings you -- be it a soup kitchen or a bread line. The first video for the tune is a quiet, solemn version Bruce did in the studio. The second video is an electric version and a truly fucking amazing...

Read More

GROOVESPOOK'S LATEST IS 'STUPID'

Our favorite hard-drinkin' techno ambient groovemeister is back with the eclectic and eerie tune "Stupid." Watch it in the dark... it'll freak you out.Of the poetic tune (read the lyrics first), Groovespook says on his blog:"So I have finally completed STUPID. It took me literally MONTHS of gradual frame by frame masking of both my eyeballs (it's called rotoscoping in professional circles) Great learning experience and got me some mean chops with...

Read More

MEET GROOVESPOOK: THE NEXT MOBY

... Only more poetic and with no dopey political or environmental agendas like saving the tsetse fly or rare leaves in the Amazon. He's a hard-drinkin', eclectic techno artist whose lyrics are thought-provoking, dark, ambiguous and timely. If one takes a look at the playlist at right, it's obvious that the musical vibe of Bukowski's Basement isn't exactly ambient or techno-driven. Yup, as we stir our whiskey with a rusty nail, we gravitate towards...

Read More

WAY LATE (poem)

This is my schizo ode to nighttime. That uncertain time of night when nothing positive can possibly happen and the safest place in the world is on the couch with a bottle or under your sheets watching Carson. WAY LATENothing safe comes after midnight.At least that's howI've always seen it.Useless alley cats howllike a dying infant,haunting your dreams The phone rings;It's the death call--the one weall dread getting.Mom's dead,Dad fell.All at night,and...

Read More

MEET DIABLO DIMES...

If there's one contemporary crooner out there that good 'ol Chuck Buk would be all over, we think it just might be Diablo Dimes. Cut from the Tom Waits School of Music, Dimes is Blues, Americana, Ragtime, Boogie Woogie, Dixieland, and Rock n' Roll...all in one. Self described as "Honkytonk, hooked, hop, hophead heebies, and a full orchestration at a barrelhouse" this dude is the real deal. His approach is sincere, primitive, and nostalgic with a smoky freight train for a voice box, he's an authentic seasoned multi instrumentalist.In the last few...

Read More

CHUCK BUK INTERVIEW

Enjoy this candid Bukowski interview (via Belgium) where Hank waxes on about his strained relationship with his father and how he felt after his death. addthis_url=''; addthis_title=''; addthis_pub='avenutol...

Read More

HAPPY JULY 4!

...

Read More

'EGGS AND SAUSAGE' - TOM WAITS VIDEO

Let's all just take a breather from all this serious stuff on the site and just chill as we listen to this gorgeous ditty about diner culture. Grab a shot, a coffee, whatever your poison and dig the vibe of the sheer cool of vintage Tom Waits, circa 1976 from "The Mike Douglas Show." P.S., stick around for the hilarious interview afterwards... Vinatge Waits, for sure...addthis_url=''; addthis_title=''; addthis_pub='avenutol...

Read More

THE FULL READING (poem)

Somewhere up there - in that great beyond - I hope that Chuck Buk isn't laughing. While I would in no way fancy myself a poet, I will say that the form itself is a wonderful way to tell a short story. It's slightly abstract and perhaps a tad mystical. I hope everyone enjoys.THE FULL READINGThe mystic told me to stay awayin that cold way they do.I didn’t know if she trulydid know anything butshit, she certainly soundedlike it, looking at meall suspicious...

Read More