Sublime eclectic mayhem. That’s been my playlist project and musical life, one that begins with The Muppet Movie soundtrack and later involves performing hymns, death metal, surf, and bluegrass. I’ve played in theaters, tents, and basements, for multi-stage festivals and squirrel rodeos. I’ve written and recorded music for The Drunken Odyssey. Sublime eclectic mayhem. A warning and a welcome for joyous noise, for those navigating what Beckett called “this bitch of an earth.”

A Stranger and His Son

are in my kitchen.

They slice venison sausage
for their first fishing trip together.

From the bathroom, I watch their shadows
cut the light of the kitchen underneath the door.

I am in a large, warm bath,
an inch from overflowing.

The bathroom light is off, but I know that someone
has left a silver ring at the bottom of the tub.

I leave the bath and go
to my Gorgon lover.

A head on a pillow on a bed.
Snakes away, eyes open.

I run to the living room where
a raccoon and two dogs,

heavy with grey and brown 
and white tumors,

water balloons ready to burst from their skin,
scratch at the door.

Strange Days

Listen on Tidal. Listen on Spotify.

1. “Quiet Village (Cha-Cha-Cha)” – Lalo Schifrin
2. “On a Warpath” – T La Rock
3. “Assis” – spill tab
4. “I’m a Nightmare and You Know It” – Brandon Seabrook
5. “Bagatelle #266” – Brian Marsella Trio
6. “Hope” – Nicole McCabe
7. “Echappée Belle” – Dominique Fils-Aimé
8. “Deface the Currency – The Messthetics, James Brandon Lewis
9. “Slight of Hand” – Limousine
10. “The Joy of Living (Trio Version)” – Kento Tsubosaka
11. “Oh, My Albertine” – Hemi Hemingway
12. “The Emerald Door” – Eric Hilton
13. “Ride the Wave” – Moonchild
14. “sitting silently” – WILLOW
15. “Symphorophilia” – Exhumed
16. “Passerine” – Lust for Youth

Stephen McClurg (Episode 473 & 666) composes and improvises in Serenity Dagger, The Abdomen, and other projects. Along with session work for mid-Alabama singer/songwriters, he frequently collaborates with musicians across the state adding bass, guitar, and synths to friends’ recordings. He currently writes reviews for Horror DNA and is the substitute low end wrangler for Mobile-based punk rock band Future Hate. You can find out more about his work here.