I was recently introduced to the dark and eerie world of artist Chet Zar at the Visionary Arts Tattoo Festival in Asbury Park. After interviewing the festival’s promoter, Naomi Fabricant, last month, I couldn’t wait to see Chet’s work in person and he didn’t let me down. Chet’s artwork is truly dark, scary and amazing to see. It was very reminiscent to the tattoo artwork of the legendary Paul Booth. Chet’s drawings, paintings and sculptures led to his involvement in movies and music videos making him a household name in the art world.

A Southern California native, Zar’s life in art began early. He spent his entire childhood drawing, sculpting and painting. His interest in the darker side of art began with his natural fascination with all things strange with a deep connection to horror movies and dark imagery. These are themes that are reflected in his work to this day. Chet’s combined interest in horror films and art would eventually culminate into a career as a special effects make-up artist, designer and sculptor for…

For almost two years now, Dean Ween, aka Mickey Melchiondo, has been guiding fishing trips along the Jersey Shore and the Delaware River. You could see the business model as a Venn diagram; people who like Ween, a criminally underappreciated rock band from New Hope, PA, and people who are interested in fishing.

But hey, even if you don’t like Ween, Mickey will still take you out fishing. Probably.

It seems, though, the two worlds are mostly distinct. Sure, you can go check out Mickey’s Brownie Troop videos online and see him fishing with the Butthole Surfers’ Gibby Haynes, but for the most part, Mickey fishes with fishermen and plays with musicians.

There are correlations between the two worlds, both populated by independently minded people who learn by experience from their surroundings. And of course, if you’re a Ween fan and you want to go on a fishing trip, you probably couldn’t think of a cooler guide.

Mickey talked about his history with fishing, how it intersects with his life, and his thoughts on a…

Papa Roach are the true underdogs of the modern hard rock scene. Despite the fact that they initially made their fortunes with nü-metal, they have grown into a melodic rock beast that is way better than what they started out as and is better than what many critics or fickle, trendy listeners might think. After exploding into mainstream success with the triple-platinum Infest back in 2000, the powerhouse quartet have been on a wild ride on the rock ‘n’ roll rollercoaster, experiencing highs and lows that are reflected in their distinctly catchy and intensely personal music. The group recently parted ways with Geffen Records and are now on the indie Eleven Seven label, home to Mötley Crüe, Buckcherry and Drowning Pool, and frontman Jacoby Shaddix sounds elated at that prospect for their latest release, Time For Annihilation…On The Record And On The Road, a collection of five new songs and nine live tracks that offers a good cross-section of their evolving career.

“We’re definitely stoked to be on an independent label now because they pay…

“There continues to be a difficulty among Americans as to the veracity of the First Amendment. It is an article of law, which gives every citizen of this republic the right to speak one’s mind without the fear of government oppression. This does not include endangering others. It does include upsetting and defaming others with the notable exception of Lord Libel and Duke Slander. Everything else is, as they like to say at 4:00 am on McDougal Street, “Nothin’ but a pawty.” – James Campion, Freedom of Speech Case 1,653: Dr. Laura vs. GLAAD, Issue: 6/14/00.

The back of my throat is shredded from the constant bellowing at a vicious gaggle of geese, which has turned an extended stretch of my property into a toilet, and my groin is barking from a lengthy three-day spell of dancing wildly to ancient AC/DC songs with a manic two year-old, who for reasons known only to the gods of irony, considers this a suitable pre-bedtime ritual.

Let’s say I am in no mood for another thousand-word lecture on…