Thrift Store Thursday: Battlestar Galactica

Found this little gem at this overgrown used book store on the north side of town.

Here’s the quick stats: published in 1978 by MCA Publishing and Berkley Medallion Books. SBN: 425-03958-7. Written by Glen A. Larson (who produced the TV show) and Robert Thurston (who I assume did the book version).

Here’s the description on the inside page:

Battlestar Galactica

Flagship of the 12 Worlds’ Warfleet, she was as large as a planet, yet swift as the Starhound fighters she launched from her bays. For generations the vast ship had led the thousand-year war against the Cylon for control of the known Galazy. Now that war was in its last phase, and Galactica had one last mission, win or lose: blast through the deadly grid of the Cylon Starfleet and dash for deep space in a desperate attempt to find the legendary “Stonehenge” of the universe — the lost planet the ancient microfilms call “Earth.”

I’m sure if I looked at this TV show now (it’s on my Netflix queue), it’d be too cheesy for words. However, for a young boy who wasn’t allowed to see Star Wars, this was the next best thing. It had the dad from Bonanza (a reassuring, recognizable face), two brave young men (for identification) and a cute young woman (perfect for a tween fantasy).

Yep, cheesy. I do appreciate the use of the microfilm technology, though …

I never watched the updated version. It starred that woman who played a totally unlikable character in that one season of 24 and I don’t think I could let that go. Plus, I prefer the memory of a flawed original to the experience of an updated copy. But that may just be me.

As for the book,  I think that if I could change careers, writing book versions of television shows and movies would be a way to go. I wonder if writing book versions of scripts is easier than writing script versions of books. Either way, this little old paperback is a little time machine into the past. And I’ll gladly make the trip.

Anyone else want to go?

Back flap:

Zac and Apollo are brothers — and rivals — in the ultimate adventure, as humankind’s heroic star-fighter crews battle the alien Cylon for control of the known galazy! BATTLESTAR GALACTICA is an epic multi-media event: the triumphant ABC-TV spectacular with the most expensive special effects ever produced, designed by Oscar-winning genius John Dykstra … and a powerful science fiction novel, a gripping space-war saga of interstellar adventure.

Fuzzy memories: Early Dashboard Confessional

Been listening to early Dashboard Confessional for the past few days and you know what’s cool?

Early Dashboard Confessional.

It reminds me of Eddie-on-lead-guitar, who said I’d like them, and Gouge, who’s always good for talking about music.

It reminds me of Woodpecker Records (R.I.P.), and the owner, who seemed about my age. (Me to self: “Sheesh, he’s owns this place? … What the heck am I doing?”) The live CD/DVD was the first DVD I ever played.

It reminds me of my good friend Aunt B and seeing the band for the first time and when the curtain opened, the singer led the audience in the chorus of Biz Markie’s “Just a Friend.”

It also reminds me of the first time I went out with the one who became my wife, where I remembered to breathe and I wore my blue shirt and we realized it was so late and it was, hands down, the best date I can ever remember …

… always remember …

Fuzzy memories: Achtung Baby!

 

Been listening to this song today in celebration of the 20th anniversary edition of U2′s epic Achtung Baby!, one of three masterpiece albums by the band (Joshua Tree, Achtung Baby!, All The You Can’t Leave Behind).

Hearing this album again fills the mind with fuzzy memories.

At the time, my musical taste was influenced by a close childhood friend, Steve Moody. He got me hooked into U2 and, though he lived in Durham at the time, drove down and we all went to see the band on March 3, 1992, in Charlotte. This was during the indoor leg of the tour. It was an overload to the senses and completely wonderful; and though I have great memories of the show, I do feel a tinge of sadness.

As I remember, Steve bought me my ticket to the show. I also ended up with a t-shirt (which I still have) and a hat (that has been lost to time) and I can’t remember if I paid for those, or if he bought them for me.

Thinking back, I don’t know if I’ve ever thanked him. Even beyond that incidence, I have general feeling that I committed a multitude of friendship sins. He was always a faithful, loyal friend. I’m not sure the same could be said about me. Even though it’s been 20 years and we rarely speak, I feel the guilt of a ruined friendship.

I remember where I was when I bought the album. When I went to the concert, I didn’t own the recording. However, at a K-mart in Albemarle, N.C., of all places, I saw it and bought it. It was $15.99, and though it was too much to pay for a CD (then and now), I just wanted to spend money and that was what I picked up.

The first concert VHS I bought was the one connected to this tour.

The CD became a staple and I remember playing it in my 1990 red Honda CRX, using an adapter to run from my Sony Discman to the car cassette player.

I used to keep the Discman on my thigh as I drove to cut down the number of skips. I was pretty adept at driving with that thing sitting on my leg. Even now, I can steer with one leg while holding something with the other.

Through it all, I remember this song — the bass, the guitar, the falsetto backing vocal. It was a hidden gem that could’ve been overshadowed on this album of bright, shiny objects. It’s one of those songs you keep hidden, close and wonder if anyone else ever felt this way for a song.

And, it turns out, 20 years later, they do: On U2′s last tour, “Ultraviolet” made its way back into the encore. Right where it belongs.

What music brings back memories for you?

34 years ago …

Could today be called “The Day the (Southern) Music Died”? On this day in 1977, six members of the band Lynyrd Skynyrd died in a plane crash.

And yet, the music legacy lives on … albeit in KFC commercials (2005) and incessant, requisite shouts of “Freebird” at nearly every club concert you go to (ca. 1984-present). But, still …

I faintly remember hearing news reports of the crash, but at the time I had no clue the significance. Now, 34 years later, I kind of do.

So, play some Skynyrd today. (Rebel flags are optional)

 

Free mp3: Archers of Loaf

Sometimes I look back at my life and just shake my head. For example, I know I was really into music in 1990, but for the life of me I can’t recall how I missed Archers of Loaf.

Last weekend, Amazon had their first CD, Icky Mettle, for $3.99 and, on a lark mixed with a tinge of homesickness for Chapel Hill, I got it. It was raw energy and that distinguishable — though a bit timeless — 90s sound. Know what I mean? The AV Club does.

Anyway, taste a sample and get the track “Wrong” for free.

Acid-washed, ripped jeans sold separately.

Let me know what you think.