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Mushroom Crowd

by mark bingham

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1.
Sue The Chimp 03:29
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from the depths of some kindred hell a virtual power slam the fiber of retribution lasts a lifetime being the target, there's no solution gotta keep on the run cause Sue the chimp will bring a hurt that does not have a name Sue the chimp will bring a hurt that does not have a name Sue the chimp has a very big gun it shoots through the ozone into the stars finding victims and rendering toast human croutons and for this, I can boast I have escaped the wrath of Sue The Chimp the Skidmore prostitutes and the lawyers by the pool they wanna give you pills they wanna stop the pain bounce from thought to thought bounce from thought to thought it's blarney, it's a curse cause Sue the chimp will bring a hurt that does not have a name Sue the chimp will bring a hurt that does not have a name will we end up in prison for not having proper ID? with Sue the chimp in a sleeper cell no telling what's in store for me she's been alive for 2 centuries and there's no end in sight hibernating for decades in the deep so beware slowly they sank into the sea laurel and hardy charlie Chaplin Sue the chimp took em out with a hatpin cause Sue the chimp will bring a hurt that does not have a name Sue the chimp will bring a hurt that does not have a name
2.
In Drops 04:09
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the Furies are whispering from the tree line all the trees have voices speaking to me quietly about weather and architecture advising me to play at life to not take the furies seriously so I take the poison in drops take the poison in drops take the poison in drops, and it wont kill me the furies keep telling me - i dont know what love is telling me - That it’s pointless to stay busy telling me to head for the hills where the hills have eyes and the frogs speak latin touching the rim with the souls of my feet telling me about the food on their plate telling me about their dogs and children take the poison in drops 3x they’re telling me about their family tree who’s related to who tell me you’re not from around here , are you… take the poison in drops 3x it wont kill you then the phone rings and it’s a friend of mine he says what’s a matter with you man I got some nice russian girls who are just dying to meet you we’re gonna brings a case of vodka and go act up like we used to telling me about people i dont know telling me about their real estate deals and their vacations fisherman at the waffle house talking about Quantum the grill cook at the waffle house says life is an illusion how we suffer over envy over instant mutation or remembering grandma’s percolator coffee column on a spread sheet tells me give up the jump shot spread so thin going sideways through a closed door giving it away to the nuns and ballers touching the rim with the soles of my feet
3.
Mushroom Crowd 03:57
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The song "Mushroom Crowd" came to life after I spent some time working with Alex Ebert in 2015. It's a variation on a song about a monkey, with words borrowing from the opening cab scene in Slacker. Are there really rubber Taylor Swift masks for sale? I don't know what this song is about. Gawd wrote it. Anyhow, it exists. singers on mushrooms, singing about mushrooms and me singing in falsetto thinking about Lil Anthony and the Imperials and their purple glowing gloves. "I never saw a fight in a club end in happiness".
4.
earth and sky 03:57
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when I saw the biscuit mix on the countertop I wondered why she told me those biscuits were made from scratch this set off a chain reaction, now I doubt her word laughing at her advice about living in the now this set off a chain reaction, now I doubt her word so soon after we made our vows- becoming intolerant - over a frivolous falsehood she cloved her breath, I stopped to think what year is this, what century? now chamber music with a techno beat came from a gizmo hooked to her head the berries of the hop turn into a brew we consume buckets til the world spins the berries of the hop turn into a brew and we go out into the purple night seeing purple rain in 84 and hearing the beautiful ones over and over now now the earth and sky come to swallow me now the earth and sky seem to conspire watching the Maltese Falcon turn into a bloated idiot we fell for our conceits it's not how much she knew or didn't know or stole from the tip jar I fell for information a heart made of quotes now the earth and sky the stuff that dreams are made of the bluffs you made the cards you played holding earth and sky now I run run run and I do not tire I run run run get in under the wire
5.
Even Us 04:19
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Who ? who could blame you for feeling out of place we were out of place riot gear police and soldiers everyone was winning everyone was winning everyone was winning even us the dawn was rising over Destin I bought batteries and citronella candles Sea birds cleaning up after the tourists everyone was winning everyone was winning everyone was winning even us drink to me only 3x Save yourself this time, with blood in your eyes you, you asked me 2 times - if I loved you I couldn’t say a word there was a ballgame on top shelf tragedy is what you called me everyone was winning everyone was winning everyone was winning even us In my last memory, you were looking down at your phone as you drove away. I have pictures/ at the beach in Frisco bodies in the surf feeling the bliss everyone was winning everyone was winning everyone was winning even us too too many choices the fever didn't drop without you at my side but you, you liked your humans interchangeable and everyone was winning everyone was winning everyone was winning even us drink to me only drink to me only drink to me only Save yourself this time, with blood in your eyes
6.
Asteroid 04:03
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Face in a bong river overflows Fire on the beach kelp and catamarans I wasn't in, in on the plan Parish roads deserted interstate shut down See the people in the streets looking at the Asteroid What falls to earth out of the sky Snakes slide to cover boats in the wind What greased the wheels what broke the fall Trail ride postponed dancers don't move See the people in the streets looking at the Asteroid A chihuahua on a chain run barks at every car Mud ditch driveway truck wheels The size of an asteroid/asteroid Moana kiddie pool high up in a tree At Sunday mass they speak of the asteroid Hot sunrise young man in spats Walking a dog named Ralph Ellison Ralph Ellison barks at the sky Humps a dog named Randy Weaver Mexico can wait wait out the storm Aztec poetry in the style of an atom Kissing the sky tastes like it smells Night train goes by shakes in the wind See the people on the train Looking out the windows At the Asteroid A chihuahua on the chain run Barks at every car Mud ditch driveway truck wheels The size of an asteroid/asteroid Moana kiddie pool high up in a tree - At Sunday mass they speak of the asteroid
7.
Boneless 03:28
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He was just, just 37, going on 17 He removed his hairpiece to show me his big Wilson Fisk bald head Oh I rubbed his head like a buddha He shook like a bowl of jelly Saying fire away, fire away, Boneless Jesus wants to play He looked at me, oh and I, I could see but Before too long my eyes began to blur I watched him take off his boxers I stared at the horror in front of me He said fire away, take me away Boneless Jesus wants to play With no time to fight, I took out a can of spray cheese and I sprayed it on his feet and I sprayed it on his head Now I’ll never trance with another oh and what would Jesus care? No, he wouldn't No he wouldn't No he wouldn't No he wouldn't No, he wouldn't No he wouldn't No No I escaped his clutches though he outweighed me by 5 stone I never ever heard another mumbling word I sleep with the spray cheese beside me In case, in case he shows up for revenge Screaming fire away fire away Boneless Jesus at play When we danced through the night I held onto my wallet The last living link with the rest of the world The bottom of the ocean was looking down on me And the giant man was suspect from the start
8.
Third Ring Third Rail 03:38
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Days of happy, days of sweetness Blessings to the human race Wrap the soul in ecstasy now Put aside the rage 3d ring, 3d rail 3d man down No envy only sound waves entertaining view Pride of unmediated ambition The desert blossoms bloom 3d ring, 3d rail 3d man down Summer morning adoration of black mountain sounds In love and patience, she continues To walk in beauty The splendor, the earth darts grandeur of age Bewildered by all things to the last particle 3d ring, 3d rail 3d man down Siphoning the gasoline 20th-century flow Equalities just a tease No silent forest endless finale 3d ring, 3d rail 3d man down Tight laces through ages beauty of earth 3d ring 3d rail 3d man down
9.
Dog Speak 03:52
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Rufus Thomas walked the dog atomic dogs, diamond dogs - rats the size of cats oh the dog days are over hot fun in the summertime down the road from dog hill, they ask, “ who let the dogs out ?” wild packs of family dogs Maga dogs bird dogs Elvis loved his old shep ( the black-eyed dog took him down) now I wanna be your dirty old egg-sucking dog rolling around in decomposing funk the dogs of war the dogs run free dragging my butt, ( cold nose wet tongue) eating grass ( oh the dogs run free) and drinking from the loo ( oh the dogs of war) love me love my frog love me love my dog the more wimmin I meet, the more I love my dog I’m chewing on everything, chewing doors and paper bags but the dog days are over, ah, are you sure about that? down the road from dog hill they ask who let the dogs out but how come my dog don't bark when you come around it’s a dog’s life my hair is falling out oh I see it everywhere the girls and the dogs that makes you king of the dogs chasing cats or barking at the wind humping your leg, how much is that doggie on the window Rufus Thomas walked the dog atomic dogs, diamond dogs,c oh the dog days are over down the road from dog hill (they ask, “ who let the dogs out ?”) the more lemons I meet, (the more I love my dog ) put me on a chain run put me in the yard put me in the doghouse sit me at the bar no hound dog no old dog blue I’m no Martha Martha Martha my dear I’m a brooding dog digging holes I can't climb out of oh keep digging just a brooding dog digging holes I can't climb out of keep climbing
10.
Of Course 03:11
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when we met socially you cut me and walked away oh that’s how you play, hard to get with no regrets we have had years to stop the brawling but drama is nourishing and so addicting I hear everything you say about me and I don't care, why should you? you can't control your brain I’m impervious I provide my own pain of course of course of course I’ll give you what you want pa pa pa pa pa pa pa pa pa pa pa pa pa pa pa pa pa I can depend upon the kindness of strangers but drama is blood and I am so addicted I hear everything you say about me and I don't care, why should you? you wanna cause me pain? I’m impervious I provide my own pain
11.
Panama City Beach 07:29
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What does that tell you when your mother names you Bepa What does that tell you when you shop at Piggly Wiggly What does that tell you when you’re mistaken for Ivanka What does that tell you when you change your name to Vera What does that tell you when your halter top falls off What does that tell you when life’s a walking shadow What does that tell you when you miss Vladivostok Spit the cole slaw spit the cole slaw Panama City was a paradise to Vera The Vera ingenuity the vera brainpower Walking on the front beach sucking on her thumb What does that tell you when you pretend to be a Christian What does that tell you when you pretend to be chaste Spit the coleslaw spit the cole slaw Vera bought a new Schwinn and rode on the front beach Vera blew kisses at the boys and the soldiers What does that tell you when you work at Alvin’s Island The t-shirts ,towels sun dresses sunglasses Shot glasses, shells, sunscreen, beach toys, Stan the manager had years at Alvin’s Island Vera called him Crackerstan she thought she was funny She took him in the dressing room and showed him her bikini Crackerstan thought his foolish heart would explode Spit the cole slaw, spit the cole slaw What does that tell you when she started to be late What does that tell you when she came to work loaded What does that tell you when Crackerstan had enough He had enough he had enough he had enough uff uff Her attitude required a major adjustment What does that tell you when Vera found a boyfriend What does that tell you that Cletus was his name What does that tell you that he dropped her at the movies What does that tell you that she slept through Wonder Woman Vera walked the front beach sucking on her thumb She found her way to Mike’s for Apalachicola oysters Cletus drove up in her van with baggies of Dilaudid Some rifles and some hand grenades talking to a policeman What does that tell you about his immigration problems What does that tell you about the lack of decent Russian food What does that tell you that Cleetus took Vera? To meet a modern major general in the Bid- a wee hood Vera rode her Schwinn past the blazing stars, Rain lilies, crepe myrtle, azalea, and milkweed What does that tell you about her gardening skills What does that tell you that she lived a charmed life Cleetus made deliveries and waited in the van Vera returned with cash and cuts on her hands But Cleetus didn't notice he took the cash and pocketed All but three 20s which irritated Vera And caused her to gouge his eyes with her thumbs She shoved him out of the van and drove away Leaving Cleetus with a short walk back to the front beach, What does that tell you that she parked her van at a 7/11 What does that tell you that she was crying in the bathroom Applying band-aids on her long sticky fingers What does that tell you that Cletus tried to jack her What does that tell you that Vera wasn't buying He grabbed her round the shoulders - pulled her by her hair She kicked him in the groin, cut his face with her nails What does that tell you that she went back to Crackerstan Back to Alvin’s island where Crackerstan toiled He toiled - Crackerstan toiled Vera asked for help and Crackerstan obliged He produced a shiny Ruger automatic What does that tell you that he waved the gun What does that tell you that he started quoting Scarface What does that tell you that Cleetus came to the door? Crackerstan dialed 911 and played with his little friend Cleetus made small talk about Richard Spencer. The beach police drove up, and Cleetus hit the back door What does that tell you that Vera hugged the cops, What does that tell you that they each got boners? What does that tell you that Vera had the Cleetus stash What does that tell you that she split it with the cops What does that tell you that the cops found Cleetus Walking on the front beach whistling at bikinis That didn't whistle back Walking on the front beach whistling at bikinis That didn't whistle back Cletus explained, “Too hot the eye of heaven shines Lest the wise world should look into your moan, And mock you with me after I am gone.” his attitude required a major adjustment Oh vera the hurricane is coming Oh vera spring break is going wild Oh vera there was war in Vietnam Oh vera see this picture of my mom What does that tell you when your mother names you Bepa What does that tell you when you shop at Piggly Wiggly What does that tell you when you’re mistaken for Ivanka What does that tell you when you change your name to Vera What does that tell you when your halter top falls off What does that tell you when life’s a walking shadow What does that tell you when you miss Vladivostok Spit the cole slaw spit the cole slaw
12.
NineteenSeventyThree 05:53
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  New Year’s Eve 1972 into 1973, in Catskill Mountains near Fleischmanns, NY, there was a party at the home of a family who lived in a geodesic dome.                  The party started in the afternoon, with snowball fights, and sledding — 3  kids piled on top of each other, falling off into the snow as the sled swerved down the hill. A snowman meant to be Richard Nixon was sent head over heels down the driveway, lasting but a few yards before breaking up. The children drank hot chocolate while the grown-ups smoked pot and passed a flask of cognac.             At sunset, the hosts’ cookout featured lamb burgers and deli specialties from Barney Greengrass and Zabar’s. The kids were tired from playing in the snow and went to bed early. The elevation chef du jour brewed up a tea from mushrooms, ceremoniously given to guests as they arrived.                 The party went on into the night. Music was supplied by visiting Indiana hippies playing the Sarod and tabla for tunes sung in Hindi and English, and later, songs from Mali with North African clay drums leading the groove. Guests danced, and others played pool. Players shot, watching the cue ball sizzle along the tabletop, a universe of kissing, cracking, and rolling. Under the star of the mushroom tea, the revelers were happy, thoughtful, and affectionate. Grudges let themselves go. Hugs given. A lovely time on earth, with the unity of all living things apparent.                     After a few hours, people began on the champagne and the new year came.             Songs were sung, toasts were made and the good vibrations were moving in the air, visible.              On a couch near the staircase, a man sat alone, sobbing quietly. A psychiatrist. Many of the partygoers were his clients.                  Perhaps it was the mushrooms that caused him, that night, to grieve the loss of his wife, who had run off with a local carpenter the psychiatrist had hired to build a country dream house for his wife and himself to live in. Just down the road, this house was still unfinished.             There would be no kids, no dinner parties with other transplanted city folk. The psychiatrist was giving the house to his soon-to-be former wife, after which he would return to live in the city. There was no way to save the marriage even after the carpenter broke it off and went back to his wife and family in Kingston.                 The psychiatrist thought about being back in NYC, back to his practice, back to hearing his clients beat the bed with the tennis rackets he supplied them. He longed to hear them screaming their parent's names at full volume while he sipped tea in the next room waiting for the next person to need his help.                  The musicians, having noticed the crying psychiatrist, decided to play some songs to cheer him, but the man’s grief was so strong the musicians could think of nothing but sad songs to play. “Tears On My Pillow” by Little Anthony and the Imperials, “Girl” by the Beatles, “She Cried” by Jay and Americans, and even “The Warmth Of The Sun” by the Beach Boys. The musicians grew confused and eventually went back to the multicultural noodling the guests seemed to enjoy.              There were bedrooms upstairs, an open staircase, and a balcony around the dome. Around 2 am I noticed a young girl in a white nightgown looking down from the balcony. She looked around, located her mother, and called out “Mom, there’s too much light.” The mom was dancing and waved to her. The young girl said, “Mom, it’s too bright I can’t sleep, there’s too much light.”                  As people noticed the young girl, the activity slowed down and a wave of self-consciousness washed over the room.  The music stopped. The young girl had everyone’s attention now, and she yelled out again. “Mom, there’s too much light.”                 The mother looked up at her daughter, turned her palms to the sky, and said, “Sweetie, there’s never too much light.” 

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released January 25, 2023

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mark bingham New Orleans, Louisiana

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