As some people know, I divide my time between Fantagraphics and non-profit radio station, KEXP, and yesterday, my worlds collided when my boss (the other one) played this on the radio: “The Devil and Maggie Chascarillo” by Memphis whiskey-rock* band Lucero (off their most recent-release 1372 Overton Park).

I caught the chorus -- "Maggie the mechanic, punk rock girl, lonely saint" -- and immediately bolted up in my chair. It's not the first time Love & Rockets has inspired a band, and I'm certain it won't be the last.

[* Yeah, I don't know what that is either. ]

And while on the topic of comic book inspiration in music, I wanted to direct you to the latest release from Dew-Claw, a solo project from Stephen Hunking, former guitarist for the excellent band Hypnolovewheel.  The first track on his new EP, Holiday Compression, was inspired by noneother than the book Weathercraft by Jim Woodring.  Wanna check it out?  You can download it FOR FREE!

[And yeaaah, I know that image above is from The Portable Frank, not Weathercraft, so what?]

Now I'm kind-of obsessed with finding more songs inspired by Fantagraphics books. There's "Ghost World" by Aimee Mann. "Buddy Bradley" by Adam Green (formerly of the Moldy Peaches). Have Gwar written a song about Prison Pit yet?

These Giant Robot Post-It Shows are always drool-enducing, but this year's show enduces an even bigger slobbery accumulation because it's curated by the great Esther Pearl Watson, and her equally-rad spouse Mark Todd. 

If you've somehow missed Post-It Shows 1 through 5, basically these shows collect tiny 3X3" masterpieces on a Post-It note from an array of awesome artists.  Each piece is one-of-a-kind, and cash-and-carry, so hit the ATM on the way to GR2, and maybe bring some cardboard to sandwich your Post-It, if you're fussy about those kinds of things. (I am.)  Oh, and did I mention that each Post-It is only $20 BUCKS???  'Cause, yeah.

It's no surprise that Esther and Mark have collected a calvacade of rad comic artists, including our own: Andrice Arp, Jeffrey Brown, Lilli Carre, Martin Cendreda, Dave Cooper, Jordan Crane, John Cuneo, Eleanor Davis, Jaime Hernandez, Jason T Miles, Anders Nilsen, Jeremy Tinder, Jon Vermilyea, and Steven Weissman.  And there's tons of other artists in the show, as you can probably tell from all the fine print in that graphic above.  (Yeah, $20 bucks for an original Matt Groening?? Get there early, folks.)

Here's a sneak peek at some of the post-its from our fine artists:

Post-It Show 6 at GR2 (2062 Sawtelle Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90025) runs from December 11 - January 12, 2011, with an opening reception featuring many of the artists taking place from 6:30 - 10:00 pm this Saturday, December 11.  I mentioned each Post-It was only $20 right? You're welcome.