A death and a rebirth

So it's hardly a secret anymore that the Café Grössenwahn is on an indefinite hiatus. While the Heterical Cellar is back. Tonight.



It's been fun to do the Café Grössenwahn, and we here at the Chronicles would like to thank all the jolly and sharp-dressed people that helped make it so magical. Especially Solblot, Tony Wakeford, Kentin Jivek, The Green Man and Spiritual Front, who all travelled great distances to entertain us.

Bassetattoo?

Tattoos. Lord Bassington-Bassington never really cared much for them. While tattoo enthusisasts like to refer to their adornments as "body art", Lord Bassington-Bassington has tended to find that, frankly, tattoos are at best "body kitsch", and at their worst pure "body crap".

But even a Hound of conservative tastes has to admit that sometimes opinions need to be revised. Much has happened in the world of tattooing in the last decades, techniques have taken giant leaps, and tattoos look better than they ever have. Moreover, His Lordship seems to be surrounded by people with stunning examples of what contemporary tattooists can achieve.

The main problem with tattoos, though, is that there's really only one thing worth adorning one's body with. So Lord Bassington-Bassington was inspired to take a small ramble through the Internet to see how today's tattoo enthusiasts are doing in that department.



While Lord Bassington-Bassington is a great fan of cocktail culture, there is something very wrong with this tattoo.



And far from of the noble Basset's soulfully drooping looks, this hound just looks like it listens too much to My Chemical Romance.



But now we're talking! This delightful duo comes much closer to capturing the true elegance of the Basset.



But hands down, this Valkyrie Basset is the best Basset tattoo Lord Bassington-Bassington could find. National Romanticism always captures His Lordship's heart.

Bloody, sweaty, glorious vinyl

As Lord Bassington-Bassington loves vinyl, and has a certain fondness for bands such as Neurosis and Jesu, His Lordship is really looking forward to seeing this documentary.

Wormwood on bikes

As could be expected, representatives of Lord Bassington-Bassington's favourite Scandinavian publishers, Malört förlag, recently partcipated in the Stockholm edition of the tweedy rides that seem to be spreading like, well, a fire in a tweed factory (perish the thought!)

This picture captured Mr. Rosenberg and a more mysterious compatriot celebrating the better things in life. Like tweed and bikes.

But then, it's already an established fact that Malört is an extraoridnarily well-dressed publisher.

Oh, to be there...

...at the Third Grand Anarcho-Dandyist Ball. Sigh.

Notes on steampunk

There's no denying that Lord Bassington-Bassington moves in circles where the phenomenon of steampunk is held in a certain regard. And while the Victorian futurism of steam and clockwork has a certain appeal to anyone with a nostalgic bent, His Lordship has always felt that steampunk is slightly overrated. So imagine his elation when stumbling upon the eminent webpage Your Scene Sucks, which features a brilliantly acidic write-up on steampunks.

Here at Bassington Manor, "steampunk" is what happens when His Lordship's secretary irons shirts with the iron on a steam setting – while listening to old punk records.

Handy cufflinks

While on the subject of handlebar moustaches, Lord Bassington-Bassington's better three-quarters, Lady Mju, brought these cufflinks to His Lordship's attention. And they are rather iresistible, aren't they? If not divine?

Tartan Tuesday: Scottish Basset

In honour of our Tartan Tuesdays, Lord Bassington-Bassington thought it fitting to remind his readers that perhaps the most famous Basset hound ever, more famous than Droopy, yes possibly even more famous than Lord Bassington-Bassington himself, is Scottish.


And like any true Scotsman, he wears tartans!

A model adaptation

As His Lordship is currently in the mood for graphic art adaptations of Lovecraft, Lord Bassington-Bassington thought it appropriate to bring the world news of an exciting Lovecraftian development here in Norway.

Graphic art maestro Kim Holm (who, among other things, have produced wonderful studies of none other than Lord Bassington-Bassington himself) has just released the first version of his adaptation of the Lovecraft short story "Pickman's Model".



The first version can be purchased here, and if you are a Lovecraft fanatic like Lord Bassington-Bassington you will want this gem in your collection. Here at Bassington Manor, we will soon need a separate bookshelf just for His Lordship’s Lovecraftiana.

Those of a less obsessive nature can read the work for free on the Interwebs.



But Lord Bassington-Bassington is really looking forward to the full version, which is promised in November.

Tweed Runs go American - and corporate

Tweed Runs are launched in New York City. And they appear to be sponsored by Ralph Lauren.

Being a big stodgy, Lord Bassington-Bassington is a bit unsure what to make of this. Is this a good thing, or not?

On the one hand, it is good that Tweed Runs spread out like the splendid idea that they are. It is also good that the joys of tweed are spread to people that would otherwise be in danger of wearing streetwear.



And it must be said that Ralph Lauren's Rugby collection, which is showcased at the Tweed Run, contains some glorious pieces of clothing.

Such as these tweed slippers. Perhaps His Lordship has finally found the slippers of his dreams?


On the other hand, it is a little sad that global fashion houses get in on the act, as Lord Bassington-Bassington does tend to agree with critiques of these companies' business practices.

Thanks to Mr. Kvant of Scania for the tip!

Ossian Brown Book

While on the subject of Cyclobe, Lord Bassington-Bassington thought it appropriate to mention Ossian Brown's new book, Haunted Air, a pictorial exploration of Halloweens past. The introduction by filmmaker David Lynch is also quite interesting reading.



This book makes Lord Bassington-Bassington long for Halloween. And the book trailer, of course, creates an intense need to see John Carpenter's horror classic again.