OH MY! The Music of Michael Scott Parker

I get a great deal of email these days, I try to answer it all but I’m afraid the day I will not be able to fast approaches. I am grateful for the pics of cool stuff and links to net Steampunkia, and I really do enjoy answering thoughtful
Trash Finds – Vintage Admiral and Akkord Radios

On my way to work yesterday morning I spotted these in a box at the roadside waiting for collection. There were a half dozen similar radios but since I was on the bike I could only carry a couple so I grabbed the best of the bunch. On the
Books: Grendel – John Gardner

When one thinks of the Anglo-Saxon epic Beowulf, philosophical ruminations and existential crises are not often the first things that comes to mind. However, this did not stop John Gardner, author of the novel Grendel, from completely flipping the classic on its head. This small yet intense novel tells
Truly Awesome Steampunk Mouse
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Whoa. A reader sent in this Modding.ru Babelfish link to the most awesome Steampunk mouse I’ve ever seen. I suspect that there are many more skilled DIYers in Russia and the former Soviet territories then just about anywhere else on the planet so we should be seeing more and
Mark Melchior’s Cigar Box Guitars

[Mark Melchior wrote me some time ago with some pictures of his wonderful cigar box guitars – apologies to Mark for the delay in publication! – Jake] Mark writes: Mark “Doc-o-rock” Melchior has been building guitars for some 20 odd years and decided on a return trip to Wisconsin
Steampunk Car Update – Catalytic Converter on an Aircooled VW Motor

Lots of progress! She's on the road, registered, inspected, and passed, including emissions which is pretty cool considering that she's basically a 1972 VW Beetle that was re-titled in Ohio as a 1985 "assembled vehicle." A close read of the Massachusetts auto emissions law would seem to indicate that
Type-O-Matic Keyboard
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During a recent book signing in Seattle William Gibson was asked about the Steampunk modding craze. I think it was really cool that he was aware of us! In addition he commented: "My one complaint is, they make these things look all shiny and new…I think they should look…distressed."
Slightly disturbing but beautiful steampunk leather mask

Livejournal user Bob_basset created this beautiful, if slightly intimidating, mask out of leather and brass. ..I suppose, even gimps are getting into the steampunk. I can’t help but re-imagine that scene from pulp fiction..
Books: Little Brother – Cory Doctorow
Moments after I finished Little Brother I wrote Cory: Just finished Little Brother – sweet jebus man! I generally like your stuff but you’ve never made me cry before! Bravo! This goes on the shelf of ‘must reads’ for my kids too, to be sure. If you show up
Married to the Sea

The always interesting and oft times quirky Married to the Sea does Steampunk. I’m telling ya, getting made fun of is one of the important milestones on the path to world domination.