Damn it! One should only sleep when they’re dead, because when one sleeps they don’t get to share the news first. Look at me getting all competitive about Joe Ledbetter’s collaboration with Motion City Soundtrack. Just shy of a week from MCS’s newest album release, My Dinosaur Life, I managed to score a copy!! Woot-woot! Here’s to having friends in the music business. I’ll be posting my thoughts on the CD over the weekend– the official street date is next week, so maybe I’ll hold off. In the meantime, I recommend checking out MCS’s website– it’s all decked out with Joe Ledbetter’s art.

Also, if you click the large thumbnail on the right, I’ve linked it to the extras page. Joe Ledbetter created several downloadable wallpapers along with icons. If you’re a fan of Ledbetter’s, the art is awesome. I’m especially liking the skeleton wallpaper. If you’re a fan of MCS, then this is a double win. =D

Also, if you’re really a fan of both band and artist, you might be interested in the Deluxe Edition of the album release. It comes with the following:

• HARDBOUND 9X9 CUSTOM BOOK TO HOLD THE BELOW CONTENTS:
• Six double sided 7″ picture discs featuring custom Joe Ledbetter artwork for each track
• SIGNED Pulp Fiction Style Lyric Book
• Full Length 12 track CD
• Exclusive Bonus CD

Just head over here to purchase it. Can’t wait to hear the new CD. =D

Joe Ledbetter stopped by GAMA-GO’s flagship San Francisco store yesterday, and not to rub things in, but between Joe up from SoCal and fans in from NY, everyone was talking about our spectacular Bay Area weather. Having just returned from Brooklyn, I can’t help but concur. Joe was in town to sign his brand-new art book, Creatures of Habit, published by SF’s own Last Gasp. Creatures contains the usual suspects in awesome full color: signature JLED characters like Mr. Bunny and Firecat, going about their business either A) about to unexpectedly get snuffed out or beset by a bit of ultraviolence or B) up to some mischief-making of their own design.

I’m not a very big fan of Joe Ledbetter. I love his characters, but it upsets me that I’ve seen no growth from the man– so the characters I once favored a year ago, are getting old pretty fast. Does that sound fucked up? I’m sorry if I offend JLed or fans of his art– but seeing his old stuff in comparison to today– the only noticeable difference to me are sharper lines.

I will, however, admit, that if the above is a print release– I kinda need it. I’ve got loads of Mexican pride– and this is a nice combination of two of my loves. [Source]

*Although I am frustrated with Joe Ledbetter, it doesn’t mean I don’t love/own some of his figures.

Finally, an update! Please pardon my disappearance; I had to go away for work and then my internet went down. Anyway, during the weekend I recieved JLed’s newsletter and it contained a photo of his Golden Gamerita, which is now unfortunately sold out. She was limited to 150 pieces and premiered during TTF. I have to say that, I like JLed’s art style but I never rush to get a piece of his because he releases so MANY colorways. I do, however, really love this Gold Gamerita and wish that maybe I’d been around to purchase it. Too bad.

*Just got word from John that you can order a Gold Gamerita HERE.

Can’t get enough of your favorite artists? Well I believe Fully Visual has found a way to display your love for your favorite artists even more. I just got word that The Art Liberation has placed lamps created by Amanda Vissell, Joe Ledbetter and Bwana Spoons on sale today. Each lamp will cost you $200 bucks, which at first does seem quite steep… but you should know that each design is limited [Vissell: 25, Ledbetter: 40, Bwana: 20] and comes with a signed and numbered certificate of authenticity.  If you want to get your hands on one, do it quick, you can head on over to The Art Liberation. Hit the jump for an additional image of Spoons’ lamp while lit.

I own an Icy Blue DS Lite (Japanese import), my Mr. got it for me 2 years ago and I remember crying when I got it. I’m such a sap! Anyway, I’ve always been over-protective of my stuff. I label my pens, pencils and umbrellas, write “in case…” notes in most of my notebooks, and basically try to make MY things distinguishable. It’s just who I am. In addition to labeling things, I try to keep my things as scratch resistant as possible. So, when I got my DS I purchased a couple cases. But that’s not really scratch or smudge proof. Well I was completely delighted when GelaSkins added skins for the Nintendo DS, PSP and PSP Slim!

Oh the joy of having artists like Kathie Olivas, Brandt Peters and Joe Ledbetter slapped on my DS! Each one will run you $20 and you can purchase them on their site. [Gelaskins]

P.S. I’m noticing that a site is stealing my content (or is following my links to content) and passing it off without proper attribution. Believe me I know its coming from me. I don’t appreciate it, please stop. You know who you are! Thanks.

Question. People know that I try my best to go to ALL the signings and shows in the city, correct? So I wonder, did anyone know about the Tiger Dunny signing that took place yesterday at the ‘Pirate Store?’ Umm, I ask because I didn’t. Not only did I not know, for whatever reason, but no one told me. No one dropped me a line and said, “hey saki, are you going to the signing?” I’m slightly hurt, though I wouldn’t have bought the dunny, this is one less chance of getting Joe Ledbetter’s sketch in my book.  How sad am I.

I was browsing through blogs again, and I ran into these customs. I have no idea who designed them, but I am immensely impressed with the detailed work that the person did on both figures. The larger is Mad’s Mad*L figure and the smaller one is JLed’s Cutter. The reason why they caught my attention is because I love Mad and his figure and I had never seen something this intricate on the piece itself. And JLed’s has undergone a massive transformation! Hit the jump to see an additional image of the custom Cutter.