At the suggestion of Etouffe, I spent a wonderful birthday in Cleveland (land of the Cleves). We took the dames, battled a blizzard and made our way to the House of Blues to see Carl “A.C.” Newman and company, aka The New Pornographers. Despite the ban on photography we got what Oswald didn’t – a clear shot.

In town to promote their brilliant new record, “Brill Bruisers,” the New P’s had a special weapon with them at this performance, Dan Bejar the Destroyer. Of course, this meant that the band played “Myriad Harbour,” “Ballad of A Comeback Kid” and, best of all, “If You Can’t See My Mirrors.” I think we have seen the New Pornographers 4 times, but this is the only time the reticent Bejar has joined them. Oddly, he only appeared on stage to perform his own songs. Apparently, there is no Team in Pornography. Take that, Scotty J.

Opening for fans of Pornography, were The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, one of the great young power pop bands on Earth or Other Earth. Kip Berman and company ripped right into “Until the Sun Explodes” and continued to supernova their way through an awesome set. Kudos for playing “Heart in Your Heartbreak,” a personal favourite. Only disappointment was that I didn’t get a picture with Kip when he walked past my table. He said he’d be at the merch table after the show. But he wasn’t. Maybe we’ll see them again after they complete their exams.

Finally, if you haven’t purchased “Too Bright” from Perfume Genius then you’ll have nothing to discuss with your relatives during the long holiday season. Co-produced by Adrian Utley of Portishead, the music is intense, soulful and brash. It smells good too! Complete earworm!

Is anyone watching The Watchmen?

Has anyone suggested that perhaps police officers in America are a tad aggressive on their patrols? Does it seem reasonable that the proper response to being punched in the face is to shoot someone in the chest? With a gun. Point blank? That is if you are convinced that the Ferguson, MO grand jury got it right, and that Mr. Brown was the aggressor. Though, prior to being dead Mr. Brown was walking with a friend when the police showed up.

Former Mayor Rudolph Guiliani suggested that white police officers are needed in urban areas to prevent young black men from killing each other. For example, if a white police officer shoots and kills an unarmed young black male then that said black male cannot kill another black male. Problem solved. Except it isn’t.

In non-urban settings young black men are shot and killed for carrying Skittles. They are beaten for carrying Mountain Dew. They are shot dead for playing with a toy gun. Remember that when you watch Ralphie play with his Red Rider bb-gun on those same Cleveland streets during the holidays.

We have a deadly mixture of terrible ideas in this country such as “guns solve problems” and “all young black men are potential criminals.” If we saw handguns less as deterrents to crime and more as tools for committing crime even when being used by officers of peace, and if we started viewing everyone living in America as equal citizens worthy of our respect then we would not have as many dead young people.

Some joke, huh? A majority of white America will always see their dark complected fellow citizens as “takers,” “welfare queens” and “gang bangers,” even when they’re construction workers, nurses or students. Kids.

Here is an instructional video from the 1970s that could very well be a fear-promoting, expose on schools in the hood. Enjoy: