Hello. I summarized “How To Build a Bomb Shelter.”

In this episode, the release of Nutsak’s “Failed Musician” is announced and we get to hear “I Hate Everything” sung by Howard. Also in Nutsak is Godspeed! You Black Emperor contributor Sam Shalabi, who is also a Wiretap regular. In fact, Mr. Shalabi is the one who told the “Time to make the donuts!” story in Carpe Diem.

Oh, also if you want to check out Rob Kutner’s book, here:

P.S. Howard drew that image there up above.

While I’m posting videos, check out this Nutsak (Sam Shalabi on guitar, Howard Chackowicz on drums) video. I think I probably posted this before, but I may not have known how to embed them on wordpress.

And on an unrelated note, John Hodgman was on Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me last month.

Here are a couple Howard Chackowicz interviews. This one is quite recent, covering the release party of Howie Action Comix, feat. performances by Nutsak and Bug-eyed Monster (both with Howard on the drums).

First, he talks about his first collection of comics, which featured the now-retired autobiographical “Howie”:

“I can’t do Howie-the-fat-kid anymore,” announces the artist from across the table of his Fairmont Street kitchen, while an impressive array of Ray Harryhausen models stare out from their shelf behind his head. “In the past, when I drew [those comix], I used to find them very funny… my childhood was a source of endless comedy for me for an entire decade. ‘Howie’ is autobiographical – he’s naked, he’s impossibly huge, and he’s the ultimate victim of cruelty, and all he wants to be is good, and to be loved.”

He goes on to say this:

“I love life,” says Chackowicz, by way of clarification. “I think life – trees, birds, people, all that shit – is wonderful, but… I feel like the whole world’s on fire, and we’re all part of it.

[...]

In life, all I give a fuck about is being a good person, and I feel like the angry stuff in the art is an extension of my trying to be a good person.”

Much different sentiment then the lyrics in “I Hate Everything.”

Snubdom.com features a bit more darker-toned interview from 2001. Here are some tidbits:

EDIT:  AS you can see from the link, this interview has been censored. I can only assume Mr. Chackowicz doesn’t want it to be read any longer. So I’ve also removed the excerpt from here. Thanks

Other than that downer, the article notes that Howard:

• Had an acting role in “Resolving Power,” as “Man at desk.”
• Was a nominee in the ‘93 Harvey Awards.
• Noted some additional jobs held: Construction, short order cook, door-to-door salesman, government, telephone solicitation, phone scams, bike courier, bookstores, dishwasher, waiter

Howard Chackowicz plays drums for the American Devices.

Proof?

Here’s him jamming in March 2008 with Electric Vomit.

Here’s another from the same set. This time Howard rocks the toms a bit in the intro.

I think this video is from their pre-Howie days. They had a dancer

Here’s their myspace.

OH!

What’s this?

Howard and Sam Shalabi in a band? Nutsak ! Howard sings in “I Hate Everything.” Lyrics:

I hate, I hate, I hate everything. I hate this whole life

I oughta paint it ?green?
I hate the joy and love with its bitter sting

I hate, I hate everything.

I hate, I hate this whole earth.
Every tree every rock every man woman boy and girl

Big ol' moon
the shining sun the billions of stars as well
I hate the lord above and the devil down in hell

Didn't always be this way

I used to enjoy life

dance in the streets sing a lot

'til i finally understood

that society just ain't no good

It ain't who you are baby
but what kinda job you done

I hate, I hate, I hate everything

I hate me myself and I

I hate the way I am

The way that I doubt
The way that I sing

I hate, I hate, everything

Howard’s distinctive comics are featured on the myspace site too.

Howard and Desmond. Sam Shalabi in the hat.