Bookshelf Report: Your Books are Making Me Nervous
The Bookshelf Report is an ongoing series where a Bushwick reader invites us into their home and shares a little bit about the books that occupy their shelves.
Today’s bookshelf belongs to comedian / music maker Chad Opitz. His one man band Nervous Energy is an entertaining tornado of awesomeness with hit songs that include I Married a Necro, Beardo, Because He’s An Asian, and everyone’s favorite Lord of Flatulation — also known as the best god damn Louie Anderson tribute song ever written.
A former resident of the PNW, Chad now lives in the bay area where you can catch him performing stand up comedy on a regular basis.
It is now time to find out about his book collection.
How do you organize your books?
I organize my books alphabetically by title.
What’s your favorite book on your shelf?
My favorite book on the shelf is Mick Foley’s Have A Nice Day, an autobiography of his early life and beginning of his wrestling career. He writes very naturally and has so many great stories and comes across as so likable and genuinely entertaining. It’s a really great read. I read it in about 3 days, which is extremely fast for me.
What book do you plan on reading next?
Book I am reading next is Shock Value, which is about the horror and exploitation cinema scene of the late 60’s-early 80’s that focuses on some of the more infamous films and filmmakers of the time and how they came to be.
What would you say is the most interesting book on your shelf?
Most interesting book would probably be Clive Barker’s Books of Blood, which is a collection of short stories from the British horror writer. It’s a great anthology and has some incredibly bizarre and unique concepts and ideas within.
I see you have a copy of the The Watchmen — If you had to write and perform a song inspired by The Watchmen what do you think it would be about?
It would likely include the group of Rorschach, Dr. Manhattan and Nite Owl flying to a late night diner in the Owlship and Rorshach’s facial patterns spelling out to the waitress what dishes they would like to eat. They would eventually get threatened to be kicked out because people are offended at Dr. Manhattan’s lack of wardrobe and he decides to make a pair of shorts with the pancakes that are brought to their table.
Tell us about the time you met Sammo Hung.
I sadly have not actually met Sammo Hung. I joined his fan club in 1998 and they mailed me that signed photo and some other cool stuff, including some mini posters and even a pair of “Sammo” sunglasses which I sadly lost a long time ago. Sammo and Devo are the only fan club memberships I’ve ever joined. BUT, if there had been a Darkwing Duck fan club then I absolutely would have jumped in on joining that as well. I highly enjoy the vast majority of duck-based entertainment.
Have you read Moby Dick (it’s on your shelf)? What did you think?
I have not read Moby Dick, but my girlfriend has. I have heard a song about the book done by MC Lars, but that does not count. What a jerk I am!
Had to ask — What’s with all the Yo Gabba Gabba toys? You must be a fan.
The Yo Gabba Gabba toys are my girlfriends as well. She is a big Aquabats fan and got into the show after learning of their involvement. I have watched some things from it and it’s definitely entertaining. I also think it’s rad that Mark Mothersbaugh has done some segments on there and really enjoy the version of Devo’s “Watch Us Work It” that they performed on an episode.
WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!
Thank you, sir! WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE indeed!
We can all agree that the Bushwick Bookshelf report is pretty cool, right? Right! So for those reading this at home, if you want your bookshelf featured drop me a line. Don’t be shy, it will be fun.
Word.
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