Event-O-Dex XII
From Timmy Nickels of the High-Steppin' Nickel Kids:

The High-Steppin' Nickel Kids are dead. That's what the answering machine said. I believe it was Chinua Achebe who said "Things fall apart." After a period of excruciatingly intimate self-examination (best done just after the shower, when the flesh is pliant and supple), the High-Steppin' Nickel Kids have elected to hang up their collective boots in an amicable parting of the ways. Essentially, those three jerks and I realized that we were all "traveling" on "different musical paths" in our "journey through music." Or something along those lines, anyway.

To speak frankly, this has been a long time coming. Signs were obvious, to anyone who cared to notice them, that Morgan's relentless self-aggrandizing, Tigger's uncompromising drive for total perfection across the board, and Joe's callous deceit and duplicity all stood markedly in contrast against my rigorous practice ethic and (admittedly high) aesthetic standards. It was a recipe for destruction, for which none of us had the appetite. For.

To make an interminably long story short (both as a band and in reference to this message), we'll be performing a "last hurrah" of sorts, this coming Saturday at the House of Suffering. None of us really wanted to do it -- Morgan's already caught up in the work that will take up his now-Nickel-free time, a comprehensive, cross-referenced concordance of the entire Shelter/Youth Of Today lyrical canon, Joe's opening up a chain of sushi-skateparks, and Tigger's already wolfing down record-industry cock like it was going out of style (sshh, nobody tell him!); unfortunately, our fans have been clamoring for one last extravagant blowout, and as has been our rigidly adhered to dictum throughout our storied career, we are bowing to the popular demand that we "give the people what they want." So come on out and enjoy seeing us take our clothes off one last time, won't you?

Thanks to everyone who helped out, gave a damn, came to see us, asked us when we were playing next, asked us what that song was about, gave us a floor to sleep on, a sandwich to scarf, a drink to drink and a drunk to drink with; thanks to everyone who we played with in the clubs (like we'll ever see the inside of the Linwood again) and everyone we played with in the basements, churches and circuses (see you on Saturday). Thanks to the jewelry stores, the second-hand clothing boutiques, the art galleries, the bars, and the Deli Haus. Thanks for 10 years, 8 years, and 10 months of memories that will last till we die. Thanks to the girls who came to see us and left with us (that is to say, the girlfriends, not the groupies; there never were any groupies, sorry), to the kids who came to see us and left with records, and the parents who've been so patient with their wayward boys.

Thanks for your patience and kind words over the years.

Next up: smashing the state from within and without. As a soon-to-be-ex Nickel Kid, my/our words of advice and plea on departure is this: shake the chains of The Man from your shoulders and turn his yoke back upon him. If the forces that rule America won't take your call, become an operator. This will serve as your final notice.

I guess that about wraps up my last decade or so. If anyone wants me, I'll be in my room, listening to the Streets, memorizing the poetry of G. K. Chesterton and creating ads for companies who aren't expecting them. I guess I should have a lot more to say, but I don't. I'll close with these thoughts: Abercrombie & Fitch have designed and are marketing thong underwear for 7-, 8-, and 9-year-olds, that have such catchy phrases as "Eye Candy" and "Little Tease" on them. This caused some stir at its announcement, over a year ago. Item #2: During an unscientifically conducted observation at Six Flags New England this past summer, easily 50% of those in attendance (male and female)were seen to be wearing Abercrombie & Fitch gear. No pre-teens were examined for thongs.

Shut up, America! You are guilty!

Saturday, Nov. 9: Ames Curve, Go for the Throat, None More Black, Thumbs Up, and the High-Steppin' Nickel Kids at the House of Suffering, 96 Chestnut Hill Ave. in Brighton. Show starts at 7 p.m. Costs $5.

I first saw the Nickel Kids at the Milky Way in JP, I believe. They wear jackets emblazoned with the band's name, like they're in some kind of gang or something. I've never met Timmy in person, but he does a good zine. And his girlfriend, who works at The Improper Bostonian, seems nice enough. I'm sure the Kids will be missed.