A trabant, or "trabi," the East German Rolls-Royce.

July 2006

There're a lot of pansies out there, and we're after 'em. Especially on the pitch. After a generally disappointing World Cup, the Old Man and the Funk Doc got together to get something off their respected chests, something they know volumes about: masculinity.

The theory goes that it was the Italians in ca. 1986 who started all the very unmanly behavior that we see in modern soccer: crying and staying on the turf for minutes after a foul; faking fouls and diving; and incessant complaining to the ref. Both the Old Man and the Funk Doc are great fans of soccer, but we are having problems reconciling the idea that it is the only sport where one is rewarded for acting like a complete pansy. Whoever heard of an American footbal player or basketball player writhing in agony on the playing field, hoping to draw a favorable call from the ref? That doesn't exist, because those athletes have respect for themselves and their sport.

The discussion encompassed broader notions of masculinity as well. How, for example, does masculinity differ within cultures? Following Old Man J's anecdote, why is it socially acceptable for male German students to lightly caress each other in class while the same actions in the U.S. would earn you a one-way trip to Hurtsville?

Homeboy's definitely gettin' his groove on.

With a Sternburg everything looks manly.

Musically we went back to the blues. Lightnin' Hopkins is a quality blues musician, but unfortunately what we played was all from his later stuff. He has many early, acoustic recordings which we highly recommend as well.

It'd also be interesting to find out how many blues songs have to do with intended spousal murder. "Bring Me My Shotgun" by Hopkins is just another in a long list.