Decorated journalists and authors Alison Fensterstock and Michael Tisserand have recently completed a fantastic biography on a beloved New Orleans cartoonist, illustrator, and music writer. The book, "Bunny Matthews: His Life, Art, and Obsessions," has just been published by the Historic New Orleans Collection. As creator of the iconic "Vic & Nat'ly" series, Bunny captured the dialect and cultural milieu of the city's working class while presenting a satirical, worts-and-all view of daily life in the area. Tonight Alison and Michael join the Troubled Men to discuss all things Bunny. As returning guests, they knew what they were getting into.
Topics include lying down, a possible stroke, college kids, an Iguanas tour, a rained-out gig, quicksand, a Sonny Landreth tour, cowboys, a New Yorker cover, Portland, Lindsay Clancy, a Bunny quote, a Washboard Chaz robbery, Siberian huskies, a Normals reunion, the Red Rockers, an accusation, an admission, a book release, a dead horse, a hitchhiking trip, Figaro magazine, the Dixie Roto, "F'sure," George Wein, Tony Bennett at Jazz Fest, the alternative press, Stan Mack, yats, a David Duke parody, dark humor, post-Katrina cartoons, Ed Volker, poor boy sandwiches, Mayor Victor Schiro, ex-wives, the Mushroom II, Jude Matthews, Georgia Scott, the genesis of the book, a cancer diagnosis, a Geraniums record review, a contrarian point of view, young bands, the 1984 World's Fair, deleted Facebook accounts, an HNOC exhibition, and much more.
Intro Music: "Just Keeps Raining" by Styler/Coman
Break Music: "Junco Partner" from "Resurrection of the Bayou Maharajah" by James Booker
Outro Music: "Tonight" from "Little Houses In Space" by the Geraniums
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Iguanas Tour Dates
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Michael Tisserand Homepage
Bunny Matthews Homepage
Bunny Matthews Exhibition at the Historic New Orleans Collection
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Chapters
- (00:00:15) - Welcome and Loud Venue Banter
- (00:01:04) - Aging Bodies and Doctor Visits
- (00:04:25) - Back to School Season
- (00:05:05) - Tour Stories: Colorado, Rainstorm, and Brokeback Mountain Jokes
- (00:09:34) - Flying with Bass Gear and Cowboy Tangents
- (00:11:45) - Portland Dispensary Trip
- (00:13:05) - Lindsay Clancy Case Discussion
- (00:14:35) - Perry Farrell, Bunny Matthews Cartoon, and Chris Rose
- (00:15:44) - Washboard Chaz Robbery and Husky Tangent
- (00:17:28) - Normals Reunion Announcement
- (00:18:48) - Introducing Guests Allison Fensterstock and Michael Tisserand
- (00:21:50) - The Book Theft Accusation Trial
- (00:25:40) - Introducing the New Bunny Matthews Book
- (00:26:56) - Who Was Bunny Matthews
- (00:28:05) - Michael's Arrival in New Orleans and Early Bunny Cartoons
- (00:32:32) - Bunny's Music Writing Roots and Real Life Funnies Influence
- (00:33:42) - Vic and Natalie's Working-Class Voice
- (00:37:31) - Political Cartoons and Post-Katrina Satire
- (00:40:37) - Break and Song Interlude
- (00:42:15) - Return, Listener Support, and Bosco Gift
- (00:45:10) - Show Promotion and Upcoming Events
- (00:48:00) - Origins of Vic and Natalie Characters
- (00:50:30) - Bunny's Marriages and Family Life
- (00:53:14) - The Professor Longhair Photo Story
- (00:55:22) - Getting the Call to Write the Book
- (00:57:16) - Bunny's Illness and Declining Health
- (01:00:01) - Bunny as Music Critic and True Love of Art
- (01:05:17) - Bunny's Contrarian Nature and Missed National Fame
- (01:08:31) - World's Fair Satire and Self-Lampooning Culture
- (01:10:25) - Bunny's Decline and Social Media's Role
- (01:14:27) - Book Launch, Exhibition, and Closing Thoughts
