Claude Monet, a refined dresser, gardener and well-bearded individual, really began to hit his stride artistically from about 42. Moving with his family to Giverny, Northern France in the Spring of 1883, he began planting and perfecting huge gardens which sprawled their property, delivering endless inspirato for his 'series' works. Inside their home, his first studio in Giverny (above, later as a sitting room) was quite a spot, with it's tiers of impressionist beauty edging at the distant ceiling (Check out another flick for height). The photo of himself on the desk is also a nice touch - even he must have appreciated that great beard....

We here at the diepunkdeath office are massive fans of the artwork of one Gav Kyle. Previously you've seen his genius scribbles on the back of Gallucci's 'You-Wrecker'. Dig Deeper Here.

We've just finished working on a theme for the ABC Radio National program 'Elsewhere'. Download and take a listen here. One of Tony Barrell's eerie Japan mini programs from the series '24 Inkstains on the Tatami' is also included - We like TB!

The whole Nicastri family chipped in for Jacob's 21st present, his new pride and joy, a Gibson J-200. The 'J' stands for 'Jumbo', and as you can see Jake applied that to his smile.... Look forward to hearing this thing boom next G'cci recording. Tick, Tick, Tick, Tick, Boom!

I went for a drive today to meet Jacob's new catlings 'Click' & 'Switch', though I still don't know swhich is swhich. Mi piace Gatti.............. Click to Switch; Do you have an album name for me?

So, the next time you hear or see the words 'Bob Loseedo Wears A Speedo' you might have a little more clue what's happening..... Maybe? This awesome flick (by Patrick O'Dell) appears in a book that traces the quarter-century bloodlines of Independent Trucks, called 'Built To Grind - 25 Years of Hardcore Skateboarding'.

Check out the photos from our time on the road with Joe Lally. We had a whole lot of fun, and Joe eventually came round to our stupidity (numba wun!!!)..... Plus there was the chance to sample some Cascade Draught, which is only available in Van Diemens Land. A pleasure of the deep south.

Jacob, you bloody idiot! Death for Life?

In the 1960's, the West African country of Mali began enjoying it's restored independence after 70 years of French colonialism. To resurrect the musical traditions, the new government created a stack of so-called regional orchestras. These groups then suprisingly began integrating European & American instruments and electrified sounds, as well as popular Cuban salsa feels into the rich & historic repertoire of Malian traditional music. I guess they didn't want the kids to bypass their own culture and history just because there weren't any wild surf guitar solos in the tunes. I can also hear some strange musical links between this kinda stuff and 1950's Calypso music....

Download part of 'Sanjina' by Orchestre Regional de Kayes here.

Scenes from the Joe Lally tour visiting Wollongong for a gallery matinée performance, with Gallucci as backing and support act as well. Double Vision!

Next time you visit Canberra, make sure you clear 15 minutes in the schedule to go to The National Gallery to sit in front of Jackson Pollock's Blue Poles. There is even a comfy leather bench seat right in front of it, close enough to study the detail, and distant enough to the appreciate the size. It's also worth noting that when this painting was purchased by the Whitlam Government in 1973 for $1.3million (the highest amount ever paid for a modern painting at the time) it caused significant stirring as to why we'd spent a fortune on a big splashy mess by a barefoot drunk........ why indeed! Dig Deeper Here.

Our new recording '227' is now available for your listening pleasure (or complaint!). Download it from Bandcamp. If you like to hold things in your hand, pick up a CD copy for $5 from us.

There have been some stunning, oddly dark photographs emerging from Knickerbocker games at Madison Square Garden recently. The person behind the lense is Nathaniel S. Butler apparently - That's all I know...... This one reminds me of an ominous Caravaggio painting somehow.

Although this poster fails to mention the month it will occur, Gallucci is going on tour as Joe Lally's backing band in March! We're very excited for the honour of playing with Joe and practicing till bleeding. We hope very much to see you out there. Joe'cci - Touring every month forever...... Dig Deeper Here.

Here's some B-Roll from getting the artwork together for the new Gallucci release '227' (as in State#2, Floor#2, ABC Studio#7). There are only yellow leads in use in that studio.... I later got blisters from unravling the mess - but it was well worth it.

Postcard of the month.... 'Eurostralia'

ABC Radio National is Australia's best source of Brain-Food. If you've got the guts to tune the radio in and then just leave it there, over a good length of time (though on occasion it can certainly be boring, snooty, academic and annoying) the amazing gems of knowlege, strangeness and obscurity will start to become apparent - even to the dimmest of us........... Dig Deeper Here.

Also, Download a podcast of some condensed good stuff here.

Check out the photos of Gallucci recording '227' as 2009 dawned........ Thank God we moved those mics, and kept this drummer!

During the 1960's & 70's 'Pistol' Pete Maravich was a miracle ball handler and flawless shooter. His basketball training began as a small child with relentless hours of dribbling drills and shooting practice every single day. He still holds the highest scoring average in NCAA history of 44.2 ppg (had there been a 3-point line then, a mind-blowing 57 ppg). After 10 years as a prime-time NBA showman, an injury forced his retirment and began an unfortunate spiral into alcoholism. He then became a recluse, exploring yoga, Hinduism, macrobiotics, studying Catholic Trappist, Thomas Merton and even taking an interest in UFOlogy. In 1982, he became a Christian and began traveling the US sharing his new found faith. Sadly, exactly 21 years ago today, Maravich died suddenly during a church pickup game because of a previously undetected congenital heart defect. His final words, spoken less than a minute before he collapsed, were "I feel great." You've gotta admit, he really did it all.....

Gallucci is in the studio for New Year's Eve/Day to record an akwardly medium-sized group of songs. You may have heard them if you've come to a gig recently.... too much or too little? No-one knows.