The Next Wave

by Bing Futch

“I saw a glass of milk sitting upon a white table

and I was stunned;

for neither the twain gave up purchase.”

——-Bing Futch 00.3.4</b>

That was floating in my brain as I began this latest column, which isn’t really a column–but sort of a “howdy!” Since the new columns.ink19.com switchover, I’ve been wallowing about in cyberspace, trying to decipher how to post a fucking story and get this, I’m the first one of the esteemed bunch to do it.

I figured I’d be last. Technology is leaving me in the dust, the dust from which I was born. Perhaps that’s fitting. But I digress. I’m finally able to do this without bugging Ian or Matthew, so I figured a friendly little personal letter to the readers of “Dark’s Corner” was in order. First of all, big groovy thanks to the aforementioned guys for making the new columns area what it is today–a steady, booming populace. I was in good company before, but the explosion of personalities in evidence around you, you surfing ace you, is being wrangled by Messrs. Koss and Moyer, so give ‘em an “a-yi!” for the joy!

Second, and if you can’t hack second place, what good are you anyway?, thank you–the readers. It’s a-mazing what you guys will put up with.

So. Here we are. Me and you. Face to face. Toe to toe. Drinkin’ some Minderasers and Margaritas. Ever had a Minderaser? Fool! Next time you’re out, order one–and if they don’t know what the hell it is, tell them “vodka, Kahlua and soda to fill, layered over the back of a spoon” and if you’re in a particularly fruity mood–get it done with Citron. Fool! It is what it is. So yeah, we’re here toe-to-toe. What would you say?

You’ll be delighted to know that the authors of this site have made a way for you to express yourself loudly.

It’s called the “Discuss” button, and it’s at the bottom of this page. (Editor’s Note: Make that almost ready. We promise the discussion groups will be up and running VERY soon) Click it and add your eighty cents or so.

Be nice.

“Dark’s Corner” began as a spotlight on Orlando artists. It will continue to feature up close looks at musicians, painters, filmmakers, dancers, playwrights and visionaries in the state of Florida, but will also include CD reviews and an industry blotter of some sort, I’m not too sure.

I don’t lack focus, I just have a very wide lens.

You’re still here. That’s refreshing. You know, some people have a tendency to clear a room when they walk in, without having said anything. Ever met someone like that? You just dislike them instantly. Maybe they talk too loud or they clap a hand on your shoulder with every punch line. Not me man. Unless I’m on stage, you’ll find me in a corner of the club, trying not to be seen. When people do come up and talk to me, they start the conversation–otherwise, I keep my mouth shut. I listen more than I talk. It’s funny what you’ll hear when you actually listen, it may make you stop and think. It’s like driving down a toll road and stopping at one of the booths. There’s a person there and you hand them however much it is to pass. Nine times out of ten, you can say “hello” or “goodbye” or “suck my wet balls” and that toll booth attendant will not even react to you. They just put the money in the drawer and wait for the next car to come along. Flip. Invert. Or the attendant greets you with a cheery “hi!” and even offers “have a nice day!” but you simply hand out a bill and then stomp on the gas when the gate goes up. Someone walks up to you and says “how’s it goin’” and you say “fine.” First of all, when you say “how’s it goin’?” do you really want to know?

More than likely, you’re just trying to make your way down to the other end of the bar and the last thing you need is a treatise on how the guy’s (or girl’s) day is progressing. Secondly, when the answer is “fine,” does that describe your life or the texture of something granular? What kind of an answer is “fine?”

“Peachy”, “groovy”, “my life is a bucket of hell”, “do I know you?” are all much more acceptable comebacks.

Wow. Hangin’ in there. You are a tough one, you are. Well, I think it was said in Band Buffet, the very first column, something about loopiness and don’t expect that the future columns will read like this. But if it turns out like that, don’t be bummed. I don’t really consider myself a writer, music is more my game. I like to write about others, it helps me to organize my thoughts. For as you can see, when there is no real subject, I float all over the course. There are a lot of ideas out there, a lot of epiphanies to take place, and we’re all just a question and answer away from it all. We need to de-program ourselves children – we’re forgetting how to be a human race.

Whoops, there I goes again.

Two for the price of one: “Hero”