She had a leading role in the indie drama Model Minority. She was in the party film Project X. She appeared in Teen Wolf. But it’s Nichole Bloom’s scene-stealing turn as Amanda in Shameless that has many viewers asking, “Who’s that girl?”

Amanda. Lip’s college roommate’s girlfriend. One of the first times we meet her she won’t allow Lip to join study group and refuses to share a Hot Pocket with him (“only have two”). Before long she jumps across the dorm room to Lip’s bed but more importantly helps him with the books and the babysitting, allowing Lip to deal with another Gallagher family crisis. In a recent episode, when Lip is asked whose car he’s driving, he replies, “It’s Amanda’s. She’s sorta my, uh…I don’t know.”

While he figures it out, let’s get to know Nichole Bloom.

What were your initial reactions about being cast in Shameless and learning about your character?

I was grateful to be cast in a quality show, but I didn’t know that my role would expand to the extent it did. I never expected Amanda to get so involved in Lip’s life. Each week getting a new script and finding out something new about her was the most exciting thing.

Having been used to working on films where a character’s story on-screen is given to you all at once, working on Shameless has been a really rewarding experience because I got to be surprised by the writing and find out new story lines and details about my character from week to week as new episodes were created. The more I’ve gotten to know Amanda, the more I’ve come to love playing her.

Shameless has always had fun, strong, interesting roles for women. They’re not one-dimensional. How did it feel to become a part of that?

It feels great! To be able to play with the fun stuff that the writers come up with is such a joy. I get to explore a very specific part of my own personality that only comes out around a few certain people. Now it’s like anyone who watches the show is seeing this side of me.

 How was it working with Jeremy Allen White (Lip) and meeting other cast members?

Jeremy is such a pro. I learned a lot by observing him. I got to meet everyone on set throughout the season. I remember meeting Joan Cusack while I was getting my hair and makeup done. I think she’s so brilliant on the show and it was one of those things I didn’t know who should say hi first, so I got up the courage to act casual about introducing myself, but she was the one person I got a little star struck around because I love her work so much. She was very kind when I did finally say hi.

Where did you hang out when filming on location in Chicago?

I just wanted to wander and eat good food, so I would go out by myself any opportunity I had. My castmate James Allen McCune (Matty) shared an enthusiasm for indulging in food with me during the trip. I’ve never eaten so much Italian food in my life. There’s this place called Eataly that was basically a three-story Italian food court, so I spent a good chunk of time there.

 How was the experience of being the lead on Model Minority and playing a character like Kayla?

We had to shoot quickly and also I was juggling finals when we were filming. I remember I was writing neuroscience term paper on set. But that whole experience gave me more confidence as an actor, and I am forever grateful to (writer/director) Lily Mariye for giving me that opportunity. She’s also a friend now, so that’s an added bonus.

Nichole Bloom in “Model Minority”

Your profile is rising with your role on Shameless and you’re probably getting recognized by more people. How have things changed when you’re out in public?

Usually when I meet people who watch the show, they don’t recognize me until someone else tells them I’m on it. Then they’re like, “oooh you’re that girl?!” I think it’s because in real life I’m quite different from Amanda.

Your perfect date?

A perfect date would necessarily have to be with the perfect guy. The perfect date is a hike at sunset, followed by eating weird sushi like uni and sardines, then meeting up with friends. Honestly though, if I’m hanging out with someone I’m really into, I could be in the back alley of a punk venue where it smells like piss and have a great time.

You finish filming an episode of Shameless – what music do need on? Who are some of your favorite artists?

Sometimes after a day of work I just need to dance in my room. Rap and hip hop hits the spot. Right now I love the song “Bad” by Wale.

Favorite TV shows or films?

I don’t have a TV, just Netflix on my computer, so I usually end up watching documentaries.

Food and beverage of choice?

If it had no affect on my health, I would only eat ice cream all day. My favorite drink is beer – Red Stripe.

How has your family reacted to your career?

My mom gets excited for me most. Her side of the family is all in Japan, so they don’t see anything I do. She won’t watch certain scenes I do more than once. It can be uncomfortable for her. She’s really a conservative, old-fashioned Japanese woman.

Do you speak Japanese?

I do speak Japanese; I love whipping it out and surprising people who don’t realize I’m Asian.

Do you enjoy doing comedy and drama equally?

I love both. Comedy is more instinctual for me.

Bloom’s Shameless Future

Next season is kind of still up in the air. I don’t know myself.

Amanda does have a scene with Lip’s on-and-off girlfriend Mandy Milkovich, who ran over Lip’s other sometimes girlfriend, Karen, last season.

I don’t die, so I guess it’s left open-ended.

Bloom’s B-Sides

She stars in a short film, Full Circle, with Justin Chon, who wrote and directed it. She also stars in his new movie, Man-Up! She hopes it will be released soon.

“Please ask Justin for me, I can’t get a straight answer from him!”

Bloom is also in the PlayStation video game Until Dawn alongside Hayden Panettiere.

“Working on Until Dawn was unique. It was a blank environment with a camera attached to a five-pound helmet, and then you’re running and screaming all the time.

Bloom is  half-Irish.

Bloom produced, wrote, and directed a short comedy film, Kiko in America. She plays four different characters and it’s available on the Funny Or Die website.

“I like creating my own material because you still want to be creative when you’re not working on a job.”

Before our conversation Bloom was listening to Otis Redding.

“I love Pain in My Heart.”

Bloom’s movie recommendation is Blue is the Warmest Color, winner of the Palme d’Or at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival. “I love that movie and I did a lot of research on it after I watched it and how they made it. It was really fascinating. I think it’s one of the best movies ever.” The Dodgy recommended to Bloom Lost and Delirious and it was a coincidence that both our movie recommendations involve lesbian relationships.

In an episode of Teen Wolf  Bloom plays a girl in an Internment camp. “I’m kind of like group leader. It was an interesting role – different than anything I’ve ever done.”

Nichole Bloom as Amanda on “Shameless”

She played the lead role in the indie drama Model Minority. She was in the party film Project X. She appeared in Teen Wolf. But it’s Nichole Bloom’s scene-stealing turn as Amanda on Shameless that has many viewers asking, “Who’s that girl?”

Amanda. Lip’s college roommate’s girlfriend. When we first meet Amanda she won’t include Lip in study group and refused to share Hot Pockets with him (“only have two”). But before long she leaps across the dorm room to Lip’s bed. More importantly it’s her help with the books and the babysitting that allows Lip to deal with another Gallagher family crisis. In a recent episode when Lip is asked whose car he’s driving, he replies, “It’s Amanda’s. She’s sorta my, uh…I don’t know.”

While he figures that out let’s get to know Nichole Bloom.

What were your initial reactions about being cast in Shameless and learning about your character?

I was grateful to be cast in a quality show, but I didn’t know that my role would expand to the extent it did. I never expected Amanda to get so involved in Lip’s life. Reading the episodes week to week and finding out something new about my character was fun.

Shameless has always had fun, strong, interesting roles for women. They’re not one-dimensional. How did it feel to become a part of that?

It feels great! I get to explore a very specific part of my own personality that only comes out around a few certain people. Now it’s like anyone who watches the show is seeing this side of me.

 How was it working with Jeremy Allen White (Lip) and meeting other cast members?

Jeremy is a pro. I learned a lot by observing him. I got to meet everyone on set throughout the season. I remember meeting Joan Cusack while I was getting my hair and makeup done. I think she’s so brilliant on the show and it was one of those things I didn’t know who should say hi first, so I got up the courage to act casual about introducing myself, but she was the one person I got a little star struck around because I love her work so much. She was very kind when I did finally say hi.

What did you do around the city when you were filming on location in Chicago?

I just wanted to wander and eat good food, so I would go out by myself any opportunity I had. My castmate James Allen McCune (Matty) shared an enthusiasm for indulging in food with me during the trip. I’ve never eaten so much Italian food in my life. There’s this place called Eataly that was basically a three-story Italian food court, so I spent a good chunk of time there.

 How was the experience of being the lead on Model Minority and playing a character like Kayla?

We had to shoot quickly and also I was juggling finals when we were filming. I remember I was writing neuroscience term paper on set. But that whole experience gave me more confidence as an actor, and I am grateful to (writer/director) Lily Mariye for giving me that opportunity. She’s also a friend now, so that’s an added bonus.

Nichole Bloom in “Model Minority”

Due to your role on Shameless you must be getting recognized by more people. Have things changed when you’re out in public?

Usually when I meet people who watch the show they don’t recognize me until someone else tells them I’m on it. Then they’re like, “oooh you’re that girl?!” I think it’s because in real life I’m quite different from Amanda.

Your perfect date?

Oh, whatever. If I’m hanging out with someone I’m really into, I could be in the back ally of a punk venue where it smells like piss and have a great time.

You go home after filming an episode of Shameless - what music do you need to have on? Who are some of your favorite artists?

Sometimes after a day of work I just need to dance in my room. Rap and hip hop hits the spot. Right now I love that song “Bad” by Wale.

Favorite TV shows and/or films?

I don’t have a TV, just Netflix on my computer, so I usually end up watching documentaries.

Food and beverage of choice?

If it had no affect on my health, I would only eat ice cream all day. My favorite drink is beer – Red Stripe.

How has your family reacted to your career?

My mom gets excited for me most. Her side of the family is all in Japan, so they don’t see anything I do. She won’t watch certain scenes I do more than once. It can be uncomfortable for her. She’s really a conservative, old-fashioned Japanese woman.

Do you speak Japanese?

I do speak Japanese; I love whipping it out and surprising people who don’t realize I’m Asian.

Do you enjoy doing comedy and drama equally?

I love both. Comedy is more instinctual for me.

Bloom’s Shameless Future

Next season is kind of still up in the air. I don’t know myself.

Amanda does have a scene with Mandy Milkovich, Lip’s longtime on-and-off girlfriend, who last season ran over Karen, Lip’s other girlfriend.

I don’t die, so I guess it’s left open-ended.

Bloom’s B-Sides

She stars in the short film, Full Circle, with Justin Chon, who wrote and directed it. She also stars in his new movie, Man-Up! She hopes it will be released soon.

“Please ask Justin for me, I can’t get a straight answer from him!”

Bloom appears in an episode this season of Teen Wolf in which she plays a group leader in a World War II internment camp.

“It was an interesting role and different than anything I’ve ever done.”

Bloom lends her voice to the PlayStation video game, Until Dawn, with Hayden Panettiere.

“Working on ‘Until Dawn’ was unique. It was a blank environment with a camera attached to a five-pound helmet, and then you’re running and screaming all the time.”

Bloom is  half-Irish.

Bloom produced, wrote, and directed the comedy short Kiko in America. She plays four different characters and it’s available on the Funny Or Die website.

“I like creating my own material because you still want to be creative when you’re not working on a job.”

Before our conversation Bloom was listening to Otis Redding (“I love Pain in My Heart”).

Bloom’s movie recommendation to The Dodgy is Blue is the Warmest Color which won the Palme d’Or at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival. “I love that movie and I did a lot of research on it after I watched it and how they made it. It was really fascinating. I think it’s one of the best movie’s ever.” The Dodgy recommended to Bloom Lost and Delirious. It was a coincidence that our movie recommendations involve lesbian relationships.

Nichole Bloom as Amanda in “Shameless”

In no particular order of appearance, here’s what’s coming to The Dodgy

The Young Martens

Life, love, and death within a college (secret) fraternity.

The Asshole Book Club Part 3

The assholes got together again recently with two new additions. Things happened.

Ms. Weregun

It’s not every day, and not very normal, when you see a coffin being carried out of your three-flat apartment building by three buff boys in daisy duke shorts. Unless you live in my building and your upstairs neighbor is Ms. Weregun.

City Babes

A new interview with actresses Cora Benesh and Jillian Leigh on their new well-received indie film City Baby. The typical Dodgy interview where we find out things like if  the duo were a band, what kind of band would they be?

Jillian Leigh and Cora Benesh of “City Baby”

My Strange Chicago Neighbor

Late last summer I was sitting on my porch enjoying a glass of beer when I had to move over and make room for a coffin to get by.

 That’s right, emerging from the front door of my apartment building was a silver and black casket carried by two muscular, yet feminine-looking boys wearing daisy duke shorts. Now ordinarily you might think this is strange. But not when you live where I do. Not when your neighbor on the third floor of your three-flat is Ms. Weregun.

 The boys loaded the coffin in a truck and said goodbye to Ms. Weregun, who was now standing behind me.

 “Hey Larry, I got something for you,” she said.

 “It’s Liffey.”

 “You don’t know what the hell you’re talking about.”

 “Thank you.”

 Ms. Weregun was middle-aged with long straight black hair – it nearly went down to her ass. She looked like a really pale American Indian. She was unkempt although not in a homeless way.

 I first met Ms. Weregun while visiting my upstairs neighbors on the second floor, the Bristol girls. Katie Bristol studies at the University of Chicago and is a rower. Her older sister Emma works in public relations.

 I was having a beer with Katie, Emma, and Emma’s girlfriend when there was a knock on the door. It was Ms. Weregun.

 She wanted to borrow an ice tray from the girls. Katie politely told her they didn’t have an empty one available. During their brief conversation at the door Ms. Weregun was straining to get a look at me sitting in the kitchen.

 “Who’s that asshole,” I heard her say.

 “That’s the new tenant downstairs Ms. Weregun,” Katie said.  “Liffey. He’s really cool.”

 “Well I don’t want him coming upstairs to my place.”

 The Bristol girls moved in not long before I did. They didn’t know Ms. Weregun that well, only that she occasionally stopped by with strange requests (one single match, an empty aspirin bottle, a red T-shirt, a mirror).

 My second encounter with Ms. Weregun came the following Saturday morning when I awoke from my couch under the open front window. She was kneeling in front of the screen, staring at me.

 “Jesus,” I said.

 “Good morning Larry. I was just clipping your bushes here. I hope I didn’t wake you.”

 “No, and it’s Liffey.”

 “Did you sleep well?” Is that couch comfortable? You looked hot and I was going to spray some water on you.”

 “That’s OK, thanks,” I said.

 “I have some friends coming over later and I don’t want you to concern yourself with it.”

 I wasn’t sure how to reply to that but before I could she was gone.

 A day later I was unlocking my door to get in when she suddenly appeared behind me.

 “Larry when you use the bathroom in my place I have to insist you sit down.”

 “I’ll remember that,” I said, recalling she didn’t want me up there anyway. And why would I? I might never get out.

 The following night myself, Aidan, Johnny and Chicago reclusive author Clive Javanski were heading to the Bristol apartment for a card game and a few beers. Ms. Weregun came down the stairs.

 “Larry I want you to give this broom to the lesbians.”

 I gave it to the Katie, telling her Ms. Weregun was giving her the broom back.

“We never loaned her a broom. This isn’t ours.”

“Your neighbor is fucked up,” Aidan said.

 The next morning as I was leaving for a run I ran into Clive walking down the stairs. Apparently he never left the building last night. But he didn’t stay in my place, nor the Bristols’.

“She’s not that bad,” he said.

I looked upstairs at a smiling Ms. Weregun. Then she started doing a dance that involved her crotch sticking out.

I left.

She Stole My Pants

Our three apartments shared a laundry room in the building. Some of my clothes went missing. Maybe Katie, who I was developing a slight crush on, was doing something with them. Weird, but interesting. But no. It was Ms. Weregun. Just weird.

 I figured it out when one of her Boystown boys came knocking on my door – wearing my jeans.

“Hi, are you Larry? Ms. Weregun wanted you to have this witchetty grub she made. It’s Australian.”

“It’s Liffey. Where did you get those jeans?”

He smiled and left.

I looked in the box and it was some kind of larvae worm-looking thing. I gave it to Clive.

Then came the coffin incident. And then a few weeks later Ms. Weregun was gone. The landlord said she had another place in the city and that “she might be back.” He was going to sublet the apartment.

 The next morning there was a carefully wrapped box at my door. It was from Ms. Weregun. Although she had my name right this time I still refused to open it without gloves and a long stick. When I did it was filled with old records she wanted me to store for her. As I went through them I found several nude pictures of her. Some were even taken on our porch.

I still had my gloves on when I gave them to Clive.

Cora Benesh and Jillian Leigh co-star in the new film City Baby. Produced by Benesh, who co-wrote it with director David Morgan, City Baby follows Cloey (Benesh) and her friend Paige (Leigh) during a summer in Portland when both twenty-somethings face life-changing decisions. The film is now available on VOD and iTunes. The Dodgy spoke with Cora and Jillian about the film, guys, beer, dates, what kind of band they would be and more. 

Jillian Leigh and Cora Benesh in “City Baby”

What made you want to do City Baby?

Cora: Morgan and I met and wanted to work on a project together. We both had a few unfinished scripts but writing this one together seemed to make the most sense. We also love Portland and wanted to showcase the city the way we understood it.

Jillian: I loved the story!

How did the two of you meet?

Cora: When we were casting I asked a mutual ex of ours if he knew any hotties who were different/complimentary in energy to myself. He suggested Jillian. We all had a Skype meeting and audition and knew we’d just met our Paige. It was only about two weeks out from principal photography so it was kind of a hustle to get everything in order.

Jillian: Making movies is a lot like camp. I loved being at the City Baby camp and Cora and I quickly developed a shorthand in work and life. Cora cast me as her movie friend and I’m thankful to say it continued on past the shoot. She is one of my most encouraging/empathetic friends and hot damn is this girl a talented, spirited, intelligent woman. I still learn from her daily. I’m very grateful for the role and the friendship it brought to my life. Dave’s awesome too! That man lights whatever rooms he walks into and I am beyond grateful for his dedication to bringing this important female centric story to life.

You mentioned in the backstory that many experienced people advised you against making the film. 

Cora: Low budget indie filmmaking is open-ended – there’s not a ‘right’ way to do things, rules are meant to be broken, and there are a multitude of ways to find a means to an end. During pre-production everyone and their brother had an opinion they wanted to share and some folks told us we either couldn’t or shouldn’t make this movie. Mostly because we didn’t have much money. We did it anyway, whatever, making movies is just creative problem solving, not rocket science.

Jillian: It’s so important to do things! Even if they blow at least you’ve moved out of the “talking about it,” phase and that’s an honorable jump.

Cora, you wrote the film. Explain your writing process.

Collaborating with Dave involves a lot of fighting, drinking, smoking, a little crying (me) and pacing – Dave paces and I write. Its hard, but you gotta do something. I hope we’re able to put up with each other long enough to write another one.

What was it like working with Daniel Baldwin (who plays Cora’s character Cloey’s father)?

Cora: He’s awesome. Always killed it and really easy to work with. We were stoked he showed up.

Jillian: Booo I had no scenes with Cloey’s pops. Lame. Let’s get it together Cora.

How did you get Stephen Malkmus from Pavement to make an appearance?

Cora: We just asked him. Dave has known Steve forever, they play fantasy basketball together.

What’s the difference between Portland and LA guys?

Cora: In Portland they are or were formerly musicians, in LA they are or were formerly actors. Ha! Just kidding, sort of. I try not to make generalizations, but some easy stereotypes – Portland guys are disheveled lumberjacks with beards, on the sensitive side and usually politically correct. I’ve heard some women complain that Portland guys are pussies, but that might be a gigantic conversation about gender roles in itself, and I’m down dudes who can mix it up anyway. The biggest difference I notice about guys here is that they are bold. Guys will catcall you from their BMW and hit on a woman wearing an engagement ring (me). They can hold a conversation about hair products and notice when I wear expensive fibers, which I like actually. They also workout. Almost all of them!

Jillian: The only experience I had with Portland guys was from our shoot…and I’m not sure I was paying attention to anyone except my on-screen boyfriend Dustin. But I will say New York men and LA men are certainly different. Personally, I am thrilled to call LA home but boy oh boy I can’t leave those New York men alone (woot!) holler.

Daniel Baldwin and Cora Benesh in “City Baby”

Cora, what was it like appearing on the hit IFC show Portlandia?

Great. The sketches I’ve did were a lot of improv, which I loved. It doesn’t hurt that Fred and Carrie are hilarious and build off each other really well. We’d get minimal scripts or notes and sort of follow them to know which marks to hit but were also allowed room to move.

Jillian: People still tell me “OMG I saw Cora on Portlandia!” So Proud! More of this please.

If I’m going to Portland what’s the first beer I should buy?

Cora: Specialty beers like sours and ciders are trending pretty hard right now, I like the small batch barrel aged beers they brew at Grain and Gristle.

Jillian: What she said.

Cora, what got you into acting and modeling? Is this the first script you wrote?

I’ve been modeling and acting on and off most of my life. I’ve always liked trying on different hats… and then showing them off. I’ve collaborated with other writers and worked on my own scripts in the past but City Baby is the first project I’ve had a hand in every aspect of from start to finish.

Jillian: Get it girl.

What about you Jillian? 

It’s funny I have no answer for this…I think cause for as far back as my memory takes me (2 years old?) I was interested in human nature and story telling. Not much as changed.

Jillian is your The Jilly Situation video series making fun of those blogger girls who answer questions on YouTube?

I constantly ask questions and for people’s advice. My neighbor (and talented actor friend) Max Loeb was sick of it and encouraged me to talk to my laptop. Fuck ‘em.

If the two of you were a band what kind of band would it be?

Cora: Riot grrrl third-wave feminist punk rock. Haha, I dunno, what do you think Jilly? Since neither of us (I don’t think?) are that musically inclined maybe we’d involve some sort of performance with it. I’ve always wanted to be part of a musical act with elaborate choreography and costumes. And pyrotechnics.

Jillian: YES YES to the third wave feminist punk rock. I think Pussy Riot is incredible and totally in our wheel house C. Sprinkle in ESG & Tom Tom Club…with lots of screaming and speaking and tambourines. We should talk about this further. Thanks Liffey!

What do you hope people will enjoy about this movie or take away from?

Cora: Most people leave this movie sort of scratching their heads, which feels OK to me. My hope is that City Baby sinks into people’s psyche a little and they think about it after they watch it. Think about themselves, people they know, what their 20s were or will be like, maybe their daughter, their niece, etc. I consider this a good goal considering most people’s relationship to media is as entertainment only, in and out, comatose, and honestly, if you feel like watching an ‘enjoyable’ movie go watch Rio 2.

What was the worst date for both of you?

Cora: Do people even ‘date’ anymore? I can’t remember, its been too long. There’s so many ways for a date to go wrong, I think I always corrected it with copious amounts of alcohol.

Jillian: Anytime you go to the movies on a first date and the movie is bad, nothing ever proceeds…that night or any.

Any future plans/announcements for either of you?

Cora: I have a few movies on the horizon, trying to work with Dave on some new stuff too.

Jillian: My play just got accepted to The Festival of Female Writers in NYC. Pretty amped to go direct it. I wrapped a feature a few weeks ago…lots of fun! Things are fun these days.

Cora and Jillian B-Roll

Cora was named after the core of an apple, which her mother was slicing in half and making prints with.

The film’s wardrobe includes pieces from Portland designers. “There’s a burgeoning fashion scene happening in Portland,” says Cora. “We were excited to showcase a bit of it.”

The guys playing nude volleyball in the beach scene are a punk band that was in town on tour.

City Baby has a cool soundtrack featuring Portland musicians including Desire, whose song “Under Your Spell” was featured in the movie Drive.

There’s a great improvised scene between Baldwin and his character’s wife near the end that entails a conversation about yoga and oral sex.

The film is a gem. I live for these kinds of movies. It’s like drinking a really good craft beer. This movie is delicious.

Jillian Leigh and Cora Benesh

Click here to watch on iTunes

CityBabyMovie

Chicago. Several years ago in a Wicker Park loft.

The first and last gig of UK Grief.

“You assholes are in a band?”

That can’t be the worse thing you hear when you’re getting in a lift with your bandmates and instruments. Especially when it’s from the mouth of Beer Belly Bob, a local nit who apparently left his bar stool at Mickey’s Tavern to be a pain in our ass at our friend’s Wicker Park loft. The “our” is UK Grief, a newly formed band consisting of myself (vocals), Chicago reclusive author Clive Javanski (keyboards), Aidan (bass), Franz (guitar) and Sasha (percussion and vocals). We were having what businesses call a “soft opening.” After numerous rehearsals we wanted to stage an actual live show for friends and friends of friends and others we put on the invite only list. We had six new songs to try:  “Black Box,” “Leavitt Street,” Jeep Jerk,” “Sasha Says,” and “I Left a Good Impression.” Our covers for the night included “Think” by Information Society, “I’m Just a Girl” by No Doubt, “Malibu” by Hole, and  “Horrorshow” by The Blacks.

We walked in the loft to find Tomas, its owner, dancing in front of the stage he helped us built with a tall pale girl. I think it was an old Cure song, but either way it was about to be replaced by our sound check, quick rehearsal, and show.

We hoped people would be dancing in front of the stage during our show. Same for the back of the room. And in the kitchen. The bedroom. And bathroom. Hopefully in the lift, too, if our sound made it out there.

After rehearsal we hung out in the kitchen with Tomas and the tall girl, who always kept at least one hand locked on his body. He said her name, but I don’t remember, probably because I was nervous. I was on my third beer, hoping it would help. Clive was smoking out of guitar-shaped bong. Sasha, who I didn’t know well (Franz brought her in), was working a cigarette.

We started. There were probably 150 people in the room. Some were playing pool. Couples were sprawled out on couches. Tomas introduced us, although most everyone knew us, and then gave us a thumbs up.

We were about two songs in when someone yelled, “Hey Aidan, learn how to fuckin’ play that thing.”

“Fuck you,” Aidan said. “When I’m done I’ll wrap it around your fucking head.”

It was Aidan’s brother.

I kept my eyes closed for most of the set. It was dark, but not dark enough where I could keep them open. I thought I might move around on stage more, but I didn’t. I tapped my boot and sometimes backed up to where I was almost behind the rest of the band.

We didn’t play too loud so people could still hold a conversation. And people did dance. People I knew and people I didn’t know. I opened my eyes wide enough to see that.

And then it was over.

Back in the kitchen we drank some more and talked with friends, some who said things like, “You do a lot of things that are shit and this is one of them.”

Aidan was wrapped up in his new girlfriend. We heard about her and thought she was fake. But here she was, all pretty and sweet and…with Aidan?

“I know she’ll break my heart,” Aidan told me. “I just hope it’s not for a while.”

I never heard Aidan talk like that.

I soon found myself alone on the balcony with Sasha, who was voted as the most likely of the bunch to move on, musically.

“How’d you think I was? I asked her. “I mean, singing and all?”

“I don’t know really,” she said. “I was kinda busy checking out your ass.”

“Wow…that’s…yea.”

“I just want to fuck around,” she said. “You game?”

I was. And that was the first and final gig for UK Grief.

But you never know. We’re still around. And Sasha is back in town. You game?

CHAPTER ONE

Only Kirsten Kogan could make a cute bumblebee costume look sinister.  This I knew before she punched me in the face the night before I lost my job.

Kirsten and I co-taught a class at an alternative school in Chicago’s Rogers Park neighborhood.  Well, Kirsten did most of the teaching.  I was like her left arm, her muscle. My official title was intervention counselor and teacher’s aide.  Really what it meant was I would take kids who acted up in class to a time-out room.  At this school were a variety of “special needs” kids.  Some would shit their pants, others would punch you in yours.  Some did both.

On our first day working together I had to clean up the bathroom where one of the students crapped everywhere but the toilet.  “What did it smell like?” she said.  “Like shit,” I told her.

Kirsten hated me.  I hated her.  We hated our building (an old tire factory), most of our co-workers, and our boss, Ms. Vendy.  That shared disgust found us not only attracted to each other, but half-naked on more than one occasion in the staff lounge and kitchen after hours.  Once our sex-foolery was discovered by the kitchen aide, Randy John, an adult special needs Korean man who was constantly smiling.  “Today is my birthday,” he said after catching us.  “Today is my birthday.”  And that was it.  We shuffled out of there and the next day Kirsten brought Randy John a cake.  “Today is my birthday,” he said.

Kirsten and I started to take our business outside of school.  Sometimes it was just the two of us, sometimes with fellow staff – the few we liked.  Kirsten enjoyed  Jack and Coke.  Several of them.  And I liked when Kirsten had her Jack and Cokes. She was dangerously exciting.  Rather than be frightened, I was intrigued when she told me about the time she smashed her ex-boyfriend’s car windshield in with her tiny fist after a “disagreement.”  She drank a lot, and because one bad decision deserved another, so did I – when I was with her.  Things got more complicated a week ago when I told her I loved her.  We had gone out after work, got drunk, and I remember giving her a hug as she left to walk home.  For some reason it set her off and she stormed off. I followed her, first to ensure her safely getting home, and second to find out what the hell was wrong with her.  As she walked up the stairs to her apartment I stood in the parking lot like some loser in a movie and yelled out for her entire complex to hear, “Kirsten, I think I’m falling in love with you.”  The next morning at school I told her I didn’t mean what I said, that I was being drunk and dramatic. Her reply was to “not worry about it” but then she asked why I would say something like that if I didn’t mean it.

We actually went out again, Halloween night, and she was dressed in the same bumblebee costume she wore to school that day as we hit bar after neighborhood bar.  She was about three drinks in when I used the men’s room.  There was loud pounding on the door while I was at the urinal.  Some drunk asshole, I supposed, who’s upset about the bar’s lack of adequate bathroom facilities.  I can’t say I was surprised when I opened the door and discovered the pounder was Kirsten. The same fist she put through the windshield.  The fist that belonged to a size two insect with evil blonde bangs.  “What the fuck Finn did you leave for when I was in the middle of telling you something?”

I left because she was in the middle of telling me I was an asshole because the kids liked me better. And because I really had to pee. I zipped up my pants and called her a skinny, but really cute, bitch.  Kirsten’s punch sent me hard back to the urinal. Another punch sent me through the door back into the bar. I got up laughing.  Kirsten was laughing.  A few others in the bar were laughing.  But not laughing was our boss, Ms. Vendy, who was not only at the bar had had front row seats for the bathroom display.

# # #

Kirsten’s idea of a sense of humor didn’t carry over into the next day.  She ignored me as we sat in Ms. Vendy’s office.  Ms. Vendy did most of the talking, pausing only when Randy John came in smiling with her morning bagel.  “Happy birthday,”  I said to him.

“I think it’s not good for the two of you and not good for the children,” was what I think I heard Ms. Vendy say.  It’s hard paying attention when your’re hungover.  But no one really paid attention to Ms. Vendy. One time she tried to inspire a group of students by standing on a chair and reciting something from that Robin Williams Dead Poets Society movie I half saw.  In the middle of some “seize the day” regurgitation the chair began to wobble under her weight and she nearly fell.  Today there was no seizing of the day,  just Ms. Vendy telling Kirsten and me how we’re not a good mix, that we had drinking problems,  and that one or both of us were obsessive compulsive.  And I was to be let go not just because of this transgression, but because it was my second (I bummed a kid a cigarette after school once – in all fairness it wasn’t my cigarette – I found it) and they had to make staff cutbacks and I didn’t have the right credentials for them to keep me on.  All that.  All at once.

“Well that happened,” I said.  Kirsten didn’t flinch.

“Very well then,” Ms. Vendy said.  She didn’t seem to care.  Nor did Kirsten.  I guess I didn’t either.  And I’m sure Randy John didn’t. It was his birthday.

I walked out with Kirsten.  She was going back to class.  I was just, going.  She paused in the hallway. “So that’s it?  You’re done?”

“She says I’m OC, Kirsten.  So I’m gonna find JC.  Do you want to get saved, Kirsten?  Hallelujah!”  I lifted my arms above my head and looked to the sky.

“What the hell is wrong with you?”  She stormed off.

“I’m saved Kirsten.  I’m saved!”

I was just being an asshole.

About Finn’s Rain

Finn loses his job, girlfriend, and apartment on the same day. His only option is to move from Chicago to just down the lake in Indiana. Not far, but far enough. For Finn it was another world, or planet. There he moves in with a weird friend, gets a demeaning job and vows a triumphant return to Chicago in one year. In the meantime he joins a local theater group and writes a play – which just may be his ticket back to the city. Along the way he meets interesting characters, has several memorable visits back to his city and falls in love. There is sex, and some fun violence. Maybe a broken heart. And why the “Rain” in Finn’s Rain? You’ll just have to see.

CHAPTER TWO

Old Style suds dripped down Torpe’s crippled hand as he poured another draft for Norm.  The grizzled war veteran limped around the bar to the front door, locking it.  Then he turned off the “Mickey’s Tavern” neon sign.

“I’m not kicking you guys out,  I just don’t want any other ding-a-lings walking in,”  he said.  It was late.  I’d been here for four hours, ever since coming home from school and finding a note from my landlord reminding me that I had to be out of the apartment in three days.  The apartment in the four-flat that was being turned into a condominium – like so many others in my Bucktown neighborhood.  So here I sat in my favorite dive bar with Torpe the bartender and the only other customer, Norm, who sells caulk for a business near O’Hare Airport.  Norm is the kind of asshole who thinks stocking my fridge with 12-packs of Meister Brau is a good thing.

I met Norm on my first night at Mickey’s when I moved into the neighborhood three years ago.  I remember him showing off a vintage record player he bought and buying me a beer almost immediately after I stepped in the door. Norm looked like a monk, but the kind who fished in Wisconsin, drank in Chicago, and bowled everywhere in between. Norm and I, like many in the neighborhood, shared an affinity for Mickey’s.  I was one of the younger souls who inhabited the bar. It wasn’t exactly a destination for my generation or pretty much anyone who lived more than four blocks away. I lived just down the block and found it a comfortable refuge from the other bars or clubs. It had a lot of characters, including my favorite, Elmer, who, when not bartending, was a frequent Mickey’s barfly himself. Elmer was in his 70s, short and stubby with a wild flock of white hair. His saying, whenever I or select others walked through the door, was “Uh-oh – trouble at the pass.” Sometimes I helped Elmer stock the bar and often poured myself a few pints when he was in the bathroom or playing video poker. I also helped stock the bar’s raffle shelf with items donated by the owner, Mickey, that included things like flashlights, portable TVs, weather radios, a bottle of vodka, a car detailing kit, and something for a fishing boat.  The jukebox didn’t play often but when it did you’d hear a mix of  Hank Williams Jr., Bobby Darin, The Scorpions, and Erasure. Two televisions – big, tube styles hung in each corner. One was black-and-white.

My friend Brad liked to call Mickey’s “the bar that time forgot.”

I told Norm what transpired earlier that day while Torpe wiped off his hand and one of the two taps at the bar. I told him about my three losses – apartment, girlfriend, and job. I told him one of my options was moving in with my friend, Mosquito, in Indiana, where in exchange for free rent I’d help him build an addition to his garage and also get paid to help him build a different garage for someone else.

“Well, good luck with that,” he said.

A girl walked in. She had an Irish accent. I recognized her as the one who lived across the street from the bar. She stopped in to ask Torpe if Mickey’s was hiring because she wanted something to supplement her other bartending job. She wore a black dress with black tights and black boots and her hair was the color of a good Irish stout. She was pale, but not as pale as some Irish girls I knew. Torpe told her to come back tomorrow and talk to the Mickey. Then she ordered a beer and joined Norm and me at our side of the bar. She said her name was Darcy and that she wanted to dance, which was weird because that really didn’t happen at Mickey’s. She picked an old folk song I didn’t recall being on the jukebox. Then, instead of dancing, she sat back down next to me and asked what my deal was. By this time Torpe said he was getting ready to close. Darcy wanted to go to another bar. Then she said she didn’t. Norm said goodbye and went home, but not before watching Darcy kiss me on the lips. By the time we walked outside she knew my story about the job, the apartment, and possibly moving to Indiana. I wasn’t sure what I was looking for. Sympathy? Someone else to vent to? I wanted her to kiss me again, but I probably blew it with my sob story. We stood outside under the darkened Stroh’s sign. Her apartment was across the street. It didn’t appear she would invite me in. My apartment was down the street. I asked her if she’d like to come back to my place. I moved in to kiss her and she complied, but barely.

“Maybe next time,” she said. “So why don’t you just go home and masturbate. And have fun in feckin’ Indiana.”

About Finn’s Rain

Finn loses his job, girlfriend, and apartment on the same day. His only option is to move from Chicago to just down the lake in Indiana. Not far, but far enough. For Finn it was another world, or planet. There he moves in with a weird friend, gets a demeaning job and vows a triumphant return to Chicago in one year. In the meantime he joins a local theater group and writes a play – which just may be his ticket back to the city. Along the way he meets interesting characters, has several memorable visits back to his city and falls in love. There is sex, and some fun violence. Maybe a broken heart. And why the “Rain” in Finn’s Rain? You’ll just have to see.

Some or parts of the passages may appear  in one of the essays on “The Dodgy.” 

The Dodgy was in New Orleans at the end of May and interviewed in person Davis Rogan.

Davis Rogan at Three Muses (May 30) photo by LIffey

One of the lead characters on HBO’s Treme, which had its final season in December, was based on Rogan. Steve Zahn played Davis McAlary, a radio disc jockey and band member/leader – like Rogan.

Rogan also served as a consultant on Treme  and was a writer on one of the episodes. He also appeared in several episodes as a member of McAlary’s band.

According to nola.com Treme creator David (The Wire) Simon came to know Rogan through his music and became so close that Rogan taught piano to Simon’s son.

“Davis clearly was a muse for the character Davis McAlary,” Simon said in the article. “And he prevailed upon us to leave the (character) name Davis. We did, fully cognizant that we probably created the New Orleans version of (“Seinfeld’s”) Kramer. He’ll be giving Davis tours.

“Davis did something very courageous with his character. We told him, ‘The character is going to have a lot of your wit. You’re a funny guy.’ And some of his references are wonderfully sort of distant from the scene. He’s able to comment on the scene in a sociopolitical way that some characters are not. He becomes, in a way, a sort of Greek chorus for the piece, and that’s really valuable.

“Here’s what I admire about Davis. I said to him, ‘Look, you know that I love a lot of the aspects of your existence that you’re giving me. It’s great stuff. Steve Zahn is going to have a field day. But you also know the writers are going to write fictional stuff. I’m not saying that the guy’s going to crawl through the sewers and (have sex with) an alligator, but he may end up doing stuff you don’t personally agree with. He certainly will not represent anything close to the reality of your life. If I were you, I’d want a little distance.”

The Dodgy caught Rogan’s gig on Frenchmen Street at Three Muses and between sets we sat outside for a chat. What came out of that chat will appear here soon. Needless to say it was interesting, and at times I felt like I was in an episode of Treme. Those who know the show will understand. It was a lot of fun.

Davis Rogan and “Davis McAlary” (Steve Zahn) in “Treme” (and Steve Earle!)

Davis Rogan and Wendell Pierce in “Treme”

The Davis Rogan interview on The Dodgy is coming soon.

“To be a fly on the wall for that fucking thing”

If you’re going to interview Davis Rogan at a small  table outside Three Muses on Frenchmen Street between his sets expect interruptions.

There was one guy, who I’m not really sure what he wanted. I think it was money. But Rogan explained to him what he was earning for his gig and the man was off. A few fans walked by with a “great job” (to Rogan, not me) or “love you/love your music.”  Another passerby asked Rogan where Adolfo’s was (above the Apple Barrel, also featured in Treme).  “Alex Chilton and I used to eat at Adolfo’s often,” Rogan says.

Then legendary cornetist Jack Fine walks by. Rogan asks him to sit in on his next set. And he did.

Davis Rogan at Three Muses (May 30) photo by Liffey

One of the lead characters on HBO’s Treme, which had its final season in December, was based on Rogan. Steve Zahn played Davis McAlary, a radio DJ and band member/leader – like Rogan.

Rogan also served as a consultant on Treme and was a writer on one of the episodes. He also appeared in several episodes as a member of McAlary’s band, DJ Davis and the Brassy Knoll. 

According to nola.com Treme creator David (The Wire) Simon came to know Rogan through his music and became so close that Rogan taught piano to Simon’s son.

At the end of May The Dodgy took a trip to New Orleans. I decided to look up Davis Rogan and requested an interview. After his first set, during which I enjoyed fish tacos and several pints of NOLA Rebirth Pale Ale, we took our spots outside.

How did it feel to have a lead character on Treme based on you and for you to be an integral part of the show?

What an amazing thing to have somebody pick you – an aspiring piano player and songwriter – to have somebody pick you and it becomes this. (David Simon) decides you’re going to be one of the characters on one of his shows – that’s a major life changer, of course. Best of all is David handled it very sensitively. Because there came a point in time  where the character of Davis was going to be an ass. An untalented ass. And I had to role with it.

Davis Rogan and Steve Zahn as Davis. And freakin’ Steve Earle!

Favorite memories from the show? 

Getting to meet and spend a little time with Elvis Costello on the set was amazing. Then when Simon told me he sent Elvis some of my new material, man, it don’t get better for an aspiring songwriter.

Also the chance to work with David Mills on the script (season 1 episode 7). He was a great guy and that was a great opportunity.

Season One.

There was a lot of “where do you place me” and “how do I best serve the unit.” and season one I wore all the hats. Then we reached season two and it kind of became, “I will  be the guy where every time you see Davis write a song, that’s me.” I became the songwriter for the character Davis.

If I consider…the weirdest fact of all is if I consider Galactic and Kermit Ruffins my peers and Irma Thomas and Allen Toussaint my idols, out of all my peers and idols I got the most songs on the show.

During a break in filming of one episode Rogan recants the scene in an upstairs room at The Blue Nile. It involved him, Ivan Neville, George Porter Jr. and someone else. 

We’re talking about the history of cocaine abuse in New Orleans in the 80s. Holy Fucking…to be a fly on the wall for that fucking thing.

Davis Rogan and Wendell Pierce on “Treme.”

Davis Rogan B-sides

“Before David Simon gave a shit about me Alex Chilton did. Gotta love Alex. I miss him too.”

Rogan says Simon had in mind five seasons for Treme. It lasted three and a half. It would have ended with the Saints winning the Super Bowl (which was mentioned in a sort of “flash forward” in the final episode).

I met Rogan’s wife, who is beautiful and very cool. Well done Davis Rogan!

I had to leave before Rogan finished his final set. But I came back when it was over and saw his drummer sitting outside Three Muses. I asked him if Davis was inside. He says, “Yea, and tell him to pay me my fucking money.” I felt like I was in an episode of Treme. Those who know the show will understand. Truly awesome.

Check out this article on cornetist Jack Fine. I actually had Mr. Fine take my iPhone and snap a pic of Rogan and me.

Before Rogan’s set started  a few of us were talking outside. A funny bald guy was there. Someone said something to him and he said he was in Treme. And shit…I know him. It was actor James DuMont, just hanging out. He played Capt. Richard LaFouchette on the show and had several scenes with Melissa Leo’s character.

James DuMont of “Treme” just hanging out in front of Three Muses.

For more on Davis Rogan, and if you’re in New Orleans, find out where he’s playing at DavisRogan.com.

The Dodgy got an update from Jeremiah Zimmer of South Loop Brewing Company on the new brewery. We also discuss craft beer, craft beer fashion, and craft beer women.

Jason Maxwell, Jeremiah Zimmer, and Jude La Rose are the South Loop Brewing Company.

What’s the update on South Loop Brewing Company and its location?

I can’t provide specifics until the deal with our friend/partner brewer is signed and formalized, but we will be utilizing the alternating proprietorship approach to get started. We’ll use this arrangement to brew and package our beers for up to a year before we set permanent roots down in the South Loop proper with our own brewhouse, taproom, etc. That said, should the perfect space and terms present themselves, we would definitely pursue and begin that process.

Are any of your beers available now?

Milkstachio, our pistachio milk stout collaboration with DryHop Brewers, was last seen on tap at Reggie’s Rock Club a few weeks ago, but I know they ran out and they were the last to have it. Flo & Santos and Weather Mark ran out of their kegs pretty quickly also. That was a popular one. Following the conclusion of our IndieGoGo fundraising campaign, we’ve been working towards getting to that first brew day and putting all of our efforts into our own beers and brewery. However, once we are up and running and are in the proverbial groove, we’ll get back to collaborating with other favorite, local brewers of ours.

What will the layout of the brewery/taproom be like?

We’ll start with the brewery and work towards building out a taproom. Hopefully, with as little a window of time between the two as possible. As it relates to the layout/look, that all depends on the space we find. We’re big on being unique, but enjoy the idea of the taproom as part of the brewery, similar to Solemn Oath’s set-up, as opposed to a separate room. We really are at the mercy of the space we settle on though.

Have the three of you always been friends?

We haven’t. I’ve known both of them for about eight years now though. Jude and I worked together in a past life and Jason is my brother-in-law. We have a pretty solid dynamic going on as it relates to the brewing company. We work well as a team of three.

If you could have a pint of something right now other than your own what would it be? 

At the moment, I also happen to be starving, so I’ll go with something on tap at DryHop (if it’s still on, “91” was delicious), so I can also order one of those amazing fried chicken burger/sandwiches along with it. Butterfly Flashmob from Solemn Oath and Omega Midnight Stout by Ale Syndicate are two other favorites at the moment as well.

Are you guys fans of the film Drinking Buddies, filmed locally at Revolution Brewing, and if so why do you think craft beer makes for a good movie backdrop? (I get thirsty when I watch that movie because there are pints of beer in nearly every scene).

I’m embarrassed to share that I haven’t watched it yet. It’s been on my list for a while now, ever since I heard they filmed at Rev, but have spent every extra minute of free time on this brewery that my movie-watching time has really zeroed out. It’s on the list though! I’ll get there!

Are we seeing more knowledgeable craft beer women like Olivia Wilde ‘s character in Drinking Buddies?

Absolutely, positively, 100 percent yes. Claudia at Temperance, Abby at Three Floyds…on the blog side, Jessica Murphy (Girls Like Beer Too) and Kim Leshinski (Hail 2 the Ale) are the first four that come to mind.

Would a brewery be a good place for a blind date or to meet someone?

Sure, why not?!

Is there anything about the style of brewers, where you see a lot of beards, long shorts with long underwear underneath, and stuff like that?

What you describe is certainly the stereotypical brewer, isn’t it? I happen to know a lot of brewers that don’t fall under that description though and they make damn good beers just as well. Others, look exactly like that and also make damn good beer. We’ll see…once we get going, I may have to see what kind of beard I can muster out of this face of mine. Jude definitely sets the bar for beard respectability among us three though.

South Loop Brewing Company Beers To Watch For:

• Hop Monster of the Midway
• Solidarity Stout
• India(na Ave.) Pale Ale
• Good Ryes Wear Black
• Wit.Ka.
• Hawktoberfest
• Cow Tipper
• 18th & Prairie Porter
• Roosevelt Red
• Golf Clap

Check the guys out  @SouthLoopBrew

I’m calling her Ana. A beautiful, smart, Serbian girl I recently dated. I didn’t want to, I didn’t plan it, but I fell for her. And naturally, she broke my heart. What hurts is that Ana was planning on making me a pizza. We’d gone out to Gino’s in Chicago and afterwards she said she make me her pizza. I’ve rarely looked forward to anything more. She was going to make me something. Food. I kept referring it to “Ana’s Pizza.” I couldn’t wait to have Ana’s Pizza. Now I don’t think I’ll ever get to try it.

So I interviewed her pizza. Well, it’s more of a chat really. And here it is. This is based on the actual one I emailed her earlier this month. There are a few slight changes. Ana – I would do anything, say anything, tell you anything, if I could see her again. (Note – this is not the same Serbian girl depicted in my essay about my junior high experience The Serbian Girl with Green Socks).

Ana’s Pizza

Ana’s Pizza: Will I ever be made for you?

Liffey: I hope so. I have a feeling you’d be delicious!

Ana’s Pizza: What do you like about Ana?

Liffey: She’s smart, mature, and funny. She’s beautiful inside and out. She has good taste, sexy long legs and an amazing doupa. It’s fun to introduce her to new things in the city. I liked how she called Wrigley Field a football field. I liked how she’d say “I missed you” after picking her up.

Ana’s Pizza: How do you think she feels about you?

Liffey: I don’t know. It can’t be good if I haven’t heard from her. But I’d like to think she misses me a little bit. I thought we got along great. I thought we were a good team.

Ana’s Pizza: The two of you talked about taking a trip?

Liffey: Yes. Maybe a two-day trip to Miami, New Orleans, or Mt. Rushmore. Wherever. I’d love to do that this summer.

Ana’s Pizza: Other thoughts?

Liffey: I just want to pick up where we left off. I’d like to do something like we’ve done or whatever Ana wants to do.

Ana’s Pizza: I hope she makes me for you.

Liffey: So do I! We’d eat a good meal and drink a good drink.

Ana’s Pizza: What should I tell her? Any updates since you spoke last?

Liffey: I replaced the windshield on my Jeep. I don’t know if she remembered it had a crack going down the middle from the winter. I’ve also been practicing my Serbian. I’m an Irish idiot, she’s a Serbian princess. My mantra has been: I will do anything, say anything, tell her anything if I could see her again.

Ana’s Pizza: I hope you get to see her again. And one last thing.

Liffey: What’s that?

Ana’s Pizza: Your name is stupid.

The latest edition of The Asshole Book Club met in Aidan’s new apartment near Revolution Brewing (Milwaukee Avenue).

Revolution is where I had my first date with Taby, a University of Illinois-Chicago student from Dubai. Taby – petite, pouty lips and a Middle Eastern beautiful mop of brown hair.

Our second date was the Asshole Book Club. Probably not the best move. But Taby seemed game and brought a book of French short stories. My book this time was Everyday Sexism by Laura Bates. Chicago reclusive author Clive Javanski brought a story he’s working on about a mysterious cult that hung out around both Chicago and Indiana’s lakeshore and mysteriously disappeared. He says it’s a true story.

Norm brought a pocket First Aid book and some papers with scribblings about his going-ons with friends of his that included a visit to something called the Immaculate Conception Men’s Club.

I’ve described Norm before. He looks like a fat monk who wears Farm & Fleet shirts.

“Sometimes we also go to the Brauhaus after bowling,” Norm said. “Gunter, one of the owners, used to bowl in our league. I know Gody and Wolfgang and the two-man band. Greg dances with the old ladies and Frank dances with the young ones, if his wife isn’t there. A couple of times I had a nice blonde  with a backless blouse sitting on my lap.

I looked at Taby, who I think was giving me the same ear signal to leave that Natalie Portman used in Garden State.

“What the fuck is the Immaculate Conception Men’s Club,” Aidan said.
Norm replied that is was some “officially sanctioned church bar.”

“It’s not free,” he said. “But it’s cheaper than anywhere else.”

Aidan brought to the club a book of selected poems by W.B. Yeats. He’s recovering from a recent breakup. He said he tried to friend an ex-girlfriend of his on Facebook. He put in the request, but she has not accepted. He goes on there and just looks at his request. Sitting there. Unaccepted.

“I’ll keep that request on there like a fucking badge of honor,” he said. “Fuck it.”

The conversation turned to the book I brought. I talked about stories in the book from women and how my first three kisses were all forced upon me. (Three girls who ran in my older sister’s circle of friends). About a year ago a drunk girl in a bar out of nowhere grabbed my Irish apples. Another time one grabbed what people call my “Dublin ass” on the street outside a bar.

Norm’s was the best – or worst. He recalled leaving Bob Inn on Fullerton when an old woman tried to stick a broom handle up his ass.

The topic turned to Clive’s cult tale. This supposed cult had strategically placed telescopes in Chicago high rises and Indiana beach homes. All of which looked out at Lake Michigan. About a year ago they all disappeared. Clive says they all went out in small boats during a storm and never came back. Supposedly there was a waterspout – a tornado on the water. Clive says that from one, if not all the telescopes the cult has (or had) – sometimes you’d look through them and see just water. Endless water. Other times you’d see a cliff, or mountain. In the lake.

“I’m meeting someone next week – someone who says he escaped, or ran away from the cult the night they disappeared. You can go with me if you want. I’ll ask him if it’s OK.

Of course I would go. I enjoy the mysterious and unusual.

“Get the fuck outta here, the two of you,” Aidan said. “That’s the last time I give you some of that Oak Park pot, Clive, you fucker.”

With that it was time to get Taby out of there and back to my place. “I’m gonna grab his Irish apples,” she told the others.

Feel free to check out The Asshole Book Club and The Asshole Book Club Part 2.

James DuMont’s first SAG card gig was as a dancer in The Blues Brothers.  But today he feels like he’s just getting started. He was Jared Leto’s character’s father in Dallas Buyers Club. He’s in the new James Brown biopic Get on Up. You may have seen him in War of the Worlds or Catch Me If You Can. The movie The Butler – DuMont was in that too. And he’s also been cast in the sure-to-break box office records film Jurassic World. On TV he appeared in the critically acclaimed Treme and Men of a Certain Age.

He grew up in Chicago, lives in New Orleans (when not in LA) and loves PBR on draft. The Dodgy caught up with the very busy DuMont and he’s our next interview.

When The Dodgy ran into actor James DuMont outside Three Muses on Frenchmen Street in New Orleans, we had to look around for the cameras. After all, it seems as if DuMont is never not in front of cameras. And those cameras he’s in front of aren’t just filming anything. No, it’s quality work – on the big screen it’s Dallas Buyers Club, Get on Up, The Butler, the upcoming When The Game Stands Tall and the future blockbuster Jurassic World. And then there’s television – those cameras filmed DuMont in the critically acclaimed Men of a Certain Age and Treme.

The Dodgy didn’t have a chance to interview DuMont on Frenchmen Street but we caught up by phone recently while he was enjoying himself at a New Orleans Zephyrs baseball game.

Let’s start with HBO’s Treme, which finally earned an Emmy nomination. I’m in love with Lucia Micarelli, who played violinist/singer Annie on the David Simon post-Katrina drama. DuMont appeared in seven episodes as Capt. Richard LaFouchette.

“She couldn’t be more of an amazing person. Wendell Pierce and I are good friends. I’ve had the honor of hanging out with Melissa Leo. She’s a workaholic like me. I’m always hoping to get another gig with her. Treme was beautifully acted and directed. I was just glad to be a part of it. No one’s taking that kind of risk – mixing actors and real people. I thought it was fantastic Simon seamlessly incorporated real political figures (and musicians, other locals) with actors. Walking around Frenchmen Street people would look at me twice and think I was a real sheriff.”

DuMont is originally from Chicago. His first SAG work was as a dancer during street scene in The Blues Brothers. He moved to New York and met his wife, a lawyer originally from Baton Rouge. That’s how he ended up making his home New Orleans (when not busy in LA).

“I always consider Chicago the place of my birth, but I consider New Orleans the place of my rebirth.

DuMont attended Boston University the same time as actor Michael Chiklis, his co-star in the upcoming sports drama When The Game Stands Tall, which also stars Jim Caviezel and Laura Dern. 

“That’s going to ge a great movie.”

One movie DuMont can’t discuss is his role in next year’s Jurassic World. But it’s because of his part in that sequel and his role as Oscar winner Jared Leto’s father in Dallas Buyers Club and as Sherman Edwards in The Butler that DuMont is experiencing an uptick in acting opportunities to the point where he was recently hand-picked by big-time director to read for a part. It’s a lot different from going to an audition and “seeing 20 other guys that look like me.” 

“People’s perception of me has changed even though I’m pretty much the same person. For me it feels like I’m just getting started. If I can move to the point where I know what my next job is – then I’ll feel a little better.”

New Orleans

“My favorite beer is Abita. Fantastic every time. Perfect with oysters. But I’m a PBR man. I grew up in Chicago. Give me PBR on draft. My favorite restaurant is Jacques- Imo’s. Spotted Cat is my spot. That’s where I usually hang out.”

DuMont B-Sides

DuMont’s kids are acting. His daughter was in the mini-series Bonnie and Clyde and his son is in Zipper with Patrick Wilson and Lena Headey (Game of Thrones).

He has also appeared in Ocean’s 13 and War of The Worlds, and Catch Me If You Can.

He said he’d love to do a TV series in Chicago.

Careers he’d love to emulate are those of John Goodman and J.K. Simmons – “he does a great job of seamlessly going from comedy to drama.”

DuMont offered to treat The Dodgy to a meal and a few beers the next time we’re in New Orleans. Look for us at the Maple Leaf, Spotted Cat, Three Muses and who knows where else. I’ll have a NOLA Rebirth Pale Ale and perhaps an Abita Restoration Pale Ale or two. Join us.

James DuMont and Melissa Leo in HBO’s Treme.

Yes. I kissed a girl with armpit hair. So I can cross that off my list. Wait a minute. It wasn’t on my list. The Dodgy’s next essay regards this attractive girl, an art student at Tufts University who was visiting Chicago recently, where she claims to have been part of a mysterious cult that vanished in Lake Michigan. During our interview we decided to take time out and make out. She had particular skills. We also walked the shore of Lake Michigan to discuss the cult, and met with another supposed former member. Their story is fascinating. Meanwhile, here’s a pic from my recent stay in New Orleans. A musician looking for a gig on Frenchmen Street.

I went to meet Randall, a guy who claims to have been part of a mysterious cult based in Chicago and nearby Northwest Indiana. Their “base” was mostly along the lakefront shared by both states. A house on the lakefront there, a cottage on the lakefront here, etc. And a couple of high rise apartments along Lakeshore Drive. Everything was looking out towards Lake Michigan.

On the phone Randall said he believed the cult (he wouldn’t tell me their name, if they had one) numbered about 30.

Supposedly in April they headed off on small boats on Lake Michigan during a storm and disappeared. On purpose, Randall said.

Now I’m going to save a lot of this cult stuff for a future post, because I’d like to introduce Windi.

Windi also claims to have been a part of the cult. Randall confirms this. While Randall lives in Northwest Indiana and attends Ivy Tech Community College, Windi moved to Boston where she is an art student at Tufts University.

Randall is a little chubby with dirty blond hair and beard. Cargo shorts, sandals, a rugby jersey. He also had with him a gumball machine. Windi was short, with short straight black hair and a pair of vintage eye glasses. Her clunky boots didn’t seem fitting for some of the beach walking we would do but she had a cute short summer dress on. One of her bare arms showed off a small tattoo of a boat anchor.

Oh, and she had armpit hair.

I brought Aidan along. He thought it would be entertaining. He had beer. He seemed to make Randall nervous. Windi didn’t give a shit.

Aidan looked over Windi. “Fuck me,” he says.

“What?” I say. “Like you haven’t seen that? You’ve been in some of these Chicago clubs.”

“I mean fuck me, like fuck me, she’s hot.”

We started at the beach south of McCormick Place. Randall walked us up to a little hill where there was foliage. He said one of the cult’s telescopes was there, but not anymore. This was the case at several other locations along the beach (we drove to the Indiana side). The telescopes were for observing something out on the lake, but Randall didn’t know what. He said he just an underling. Someone who was “part time” and cleaned and did odd jobs. So was Windi, although I sensed there was more to what she did. I said this too Aidan as we were walking behind the pair.

“How the fuck do you even know if they were in a cult, if there was a fuckin’ cult? And if all of them disappeared in the lake how come these two didn’t? How the fuck were these two even in it?”

They weren’t invited, Randall said. Windi was quiet. She dropped back to walk with me. She asked me about my name, where  was from, what I did, and if we could get a drink after.

I said yes. I never shared a few pints with a girl and her hairy armpits. After the cult tour ended (again, more later – I’ll admit there’s some spookiness to it) Randall and Aidan went there separate ways. Windi and I went to Haymarket Brewery. We ate, drank, and talked. She kept kicking me gently under the table with her big boots, on purpose I don’t know. I didn’t mind.

Windi asked if I could drop her off at her friend’s place on Belmont, where she was staying.

“But first let’s hang out in the back seat of your Jeep,” she said.

Windi had armpit hair, but she had a wonderful technique for pants removal. And despite her armpit hair, she was smooth everywhere else. I kissed a girl with armpit hair, I thought. So cross that off my list. Wait a minute…that’s not on my list. I did a lot more with a girl with armpit hair that night.

I dropped her off. She invited me to visit her in Boston. I asked her if she could tell me more about this cult. She just smiled, kissed me and pointed to her tattoo.

“Liffey,” she said. “I like that name.”

The Asshole Book Club has reached a point where it no longer brings books to the party. To quote Aidan, “I don’t have fuckin’ time to read.” Aidan was never much of a reader. What he most enjoys reading is the upcoming band list at The Empty Bottle. I like to read, and write, and Chicago reclusive author Clive Javanski and host of this final Book Club likes to do both. Lately we’ve all been bringing more writing than reading material. Even Aidan, who the last time brought a short story he wrote on his about a much older Chicago tour guide he, in his words, “banged.”

So from hence forth these gatherings will be known as “The Asshole Writer’s Club.”

For our final meet and drink under the “Book Club” moniker, Clive read from his recent essay based on a true story entitled “Lenny’s Shoe Shack (and Sex Club).” Clive said he changed some names and location “to protect the assholes” but supposedly the story was based on a place in Berwyn.

Lenny was somewhere around late middle age, Clive said, and smoked incessantly. “You were allowed to smoke in Lenny’s – in fact, it was insisted upon.”

Clive would go to the shack with his uncle when Lenny held his twice-a-year special where you get a free pair of slacks with the purchase of shoes. Sometimes Lenny would tailor the slacks for the customer in the back room. “He’d have a cigarette in his mouth, a tape measure in one hand and with the other hand he might squeeze your balls,” Clive said.

About one weekend a month Lenny and his wife Shirley would host secret sex parties that included poker and partner swapping. “I went once,” Clive said. “I ended up spanking Shirley while Lenny took pictures.”

“Shirley had a beehive hairdo,” Clive said. “Kind of outdated but it looked  good on her. She was a big woman, too. Smoked as much if not more than Lenny.”

At this point our female guest for the final Book Club, Diane, lit a cigarette and sighed. Diane is a grad student at the University of Chicago. I met her there in the spring. She was a writer too, and brought a short story about the (true) time she stole a car in Hegewisch (far south side, for  those unfamiliar).

“I was stranded there. I was drunk. I missed the train. I said fuck it and found a car with the keys inside and drove it to my apartment in Ukrainian Village. I never got caught. I’m sure the asshole got his car back – I parked it down the street and it was gone in a day. I just didn’t give a fuck.”

At that point I spilled my beer on the table. Clive wiped it up with one our friend’s Smith’s “Hatful of Hollow” T-Shirt. I didn’t bring a book or a story this time, but my contribution to the night was pretty serious – a growler of Half Acre’s Space IPA.

Aidan and I got to talking about getting our band, UK Grief, back going again. He showed me a song he was working on called “Good Evening, Fräulein.” He got up suddenly to go to the bathroom. He was gone a long time. So was Diane. They came back in the living room 30 minutes later. Clive had left for Quencher’s. Diane went to join him.

“I came out of the bathroom,” Aidan says, “and this Diane chick was standing there. She looked at me and said, ‘I can fuck you in half.’  So I let her.”

With that Aidan left for Quencher’s. I finished my pint of Space and went to join them.

The Young Martens

The Love, Sex, Loss and Vigilantism of a secret Midwest Fraternity.

Coming Soon to The Dodgy.