Doktor Ross Sewage

Sodom – Obsessed by Cruelty re-issue

2016/03/24 Doktor Ross SewageLeave a comment

Well, this was quite an honor… doing layouts for the re-issue of Sodom’s first LP, Obsessed by Cruelty. I got the gig thanks to my good friend Dan at Mammoth Sound Mastering. He introduced me to the fellas at Wax Maniax. My first gig (not my last) for them was just for, oh, I don’t know, one of the best thrash bands ever? All in all, I think it came out quite smashing.

This version includes both recordings of the album, one that was released on vinyl in Germany and the other that is pretty much the only version most people have heard. It’s a long story. In any case, I got to sift through photos provided by Tom Angelripper and make a bad-ass photo collage. I tried my damnedest to correct the shoddy, original lyrics sheet, and did a lot of photo correction. Even the LP labels reflect the original releases’ designs of Metal Blade and Steamhammer Records.

This beauty sold out in just a couple weeks, but I’m sure they’ll eventually have more over at the Wax Maniax website.

Path of Dissent Art Show

2016/01/06 Doktor Ross SewageLeave a comment

If you’re in the Boston area, I’ll be part of a group exhibition featuring some amazing artists. Putrid, Mark Richards, Lucas Ruggieri, and Dan Seagrave are just a few of the talents that my wholly crappy work will be put up next to. I’ll just have a couple prints on exhibition and for sale. I won’t be able to attend myself, unfortunately. Here’s the information if you can.

Eridanos Tattoo & Gallery
36 Prospect St.
Cambridge, MA 02139

The Fast and the Furious Star Wars

2015/12/17 Doktor Ross SewageLeave a comment

Being very, very excited at the new Star Trek trailer and its use of 1990’s rap hits to really hit upon the cerebral nature of a show set in the 23rd Century, I decided to see what it would be like if director Justin Lin took on another famous franchise. Here’s my interpretation of Justin Lin’s Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

New HD Cover Art Standards

2015/11/21 Doktor Ross SewageLeave a comment

It’s weird to get an email from Universal Music Group, but that’s the manufacturer used by Willowtip Records for the Impaled “The Dead Still Dead Remain” CD. So, I get the same mass email from them as someone doing layouts for Los Tigres Del Norte and probably Adele.

The gist of this latest email has something to do with HD digital media and a lot to do with Apple. The standard requirement of art provided for an album used to be for CD cover layout size of 1:1 print at 300 DPI. The streaming companies are now asking for cover art to be available in 600 DPI at minimum 5×5 inch. This makes a lot of sense when you consider people are digesting their music more and more digitally and throwing it up on big, oversize monitors and flat screens.

It also means bigger file sizes and my personal need for better photo gear. Shiiiiiit. Well, you need some damn big art as LPs take prominence in the merch market these days, anyway.

Full details are provided here by UMG for any designery folk to check out: Universal Music Group cover standards

Easy Socket Addition to Your Amp

2015/11/132015/11/12 Doktor Ross SewageLeave a comment

I’ve detailed before how I added a power socket to Sean’s Peavey XXX. This was because the Sennheiser’s wireless system that he uses doesn’t include a power adapter that actually reaches the floor from the height of a full-stack. Way to plan, Sennheiser. A second power socket used to be standard on old amps, but they’ve gone the way of Bill Cosby’s standing as a moral person. Now Ben has the same XXX amp and wanted me to do repeat the process. But I thought about an easier solution than cutting into his amp. So, I was certain someone thought of it before me.

What you got there is your standard plug for a modern amp, an IEC C13, with an extension for a US three-prong plug. This tiny cable allows for things you want to keep on your amp, like a pedal, wireless unit, or a hair straightener plugged in without searching around for a shit ton of extension cords. Pretty sweet! These are available on Amazon for about $10-20.

Two New Posters

2015/10/27 Doktor Ross SewageLeave a comment

Yes, it’s been a very busy year for posters. Which is a good thing for me… and you! If you like my posters, anyway.

First up, I got to do a gig poster for the classic garage rock band The Sonics. In keeping with their classic sound, I did a classic parody of the old Charles Atlas comic book ads. But instead of ordering some dumb rubber bands to become a muscle-bound dullard, you get an Epiphone Riviera and become a guitar god!

Next up, I did a commissioned shirt design for Punkstuff.com that will be available soon. In the meantime, I got the go-ahead to make this fabulous art print for fans of Daryl on that show about zombies. I refuse to not call them zombies, because that is the dumbest part of that show. Mashed up with one of Manga’s most prominent heroes, Daryl walks with confidence to his hog.

Both of these LIMITED screen-printed gems are available in the Sewage Shop, so do me and yourself a favor; pick one up.

Humans Till Deth video

2015/10/082015/10/08 Doktor Ross SewageLeave a comment

Our band recorded a tune for Image Comics’ The Humans graphic novel series by Keenan Marshall Keller and Tom Neely. It’s a cool comic set in the ‘70s and follows a motorcycle gang’s exploits, but with a twist; in this world, the gangs are all apes and actual humans are primitive beasts kept around for sport. Each issue of The Humans is accompanied by two original songs released online from bands such as Goblin Cock and Witches of God. Our song, “Humans Till Deth”, is an octane-fueled surf-thrash tune attached to the release of issue #8 on October 7.

The song is available for download from the Humans Soundcloud page. I was so excited by the tune, I decided to put a video together for it. I used nothing but iMovie, some old television clips, and art from Tom Neely.

We recorded the tune at a new studio to us, Antisleep, with Scott Evans. I think it came out rad and I’m pretty pumped to start recording the new album there in December.

GWARBQ 2015 – GHOULBQ #2

2015/08/192015/08/19 Doktor Ross SewageLeave a comment

Richmond, VA has become our East Coast home away from home. I can now find my way from our friend Jim’s house to the Slave Pit, but more importantly, to the local WAWA. Of course, we were more than stoked to be invited again for the annual GWARBQ to play and get wicked drunk with all our good friends.

And so many of our good friends our made of foam rubber and latex — And so many of our good friends are made of foam rubber and latex

First, we shipped all of our biggest stage accouterments on Amtrak well ahead of our flight. Tip: this is easily the cheapest shipping method for large items in North America. Then, we headed out on an early flight to enjoy the rest of the weekend.

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