Rag Mag 16

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May 26, 2025

Hey Punk, are you on the rag? We here at Rag Mag headquarters have had a busy couple weeks enjoying the warm weather and getting ready for the summer. We have another packed issue, so let’s dive right in. An all new Stage Dive with Velvet Deluxxx, Wasteland Chick reviews a dealer’s choice, “Splinters” by Leela Corman, Creature’s Double Feature and a new music video from Hidden Fountain directed by Coco A Go-Go. Keep sending in events, flyers, art, columns, etc. We love seeing new stuff coming in.

Whats up rag mag , I'm reporting live from the Video cosmos. Recently , I had the pleasure of creating and directing a music video for my buds Hidden Fountain for their song " Reject Your Eyes" off their album Paper Charm. Sit back and enjoy this trippy romp and be sure to check them out! at https://hiddenfountain.bandcamp.com/album/paper-charm

- Coco

Whats up stage divers! Hope everyone is surviving and thriving as best they can out there. This week I’m interviewing a dear friend of mine - Ken Baby. Is he a wizard ? A grinch ? A wearer of tiny and tinier shirts ? Yes , to all of those questions! Having had both the pleasure of working with Ken Baby and sharing a stage with him I can say their energy and silliness is contagious. The world is a dark place so its always good when you can watch someone perform and be wrapped up in silliness and joy - we all need that! Anywho , you can see Ken Baby boppin around stages and bars throughout New England , so get those dollar bills ready and go support your local drag performers!! - Velvet Deluxx

When was the first time you ever performed, and what did you do?
The first time I performed in drag was back in 2020 on a Zoom drag show. I danced to Kim Petras’ “I Don’t Want It At All”—stripped off some layers, danced around, and just tried to truly serve. Not sure how well I did. I think, in terms of ever ever, I’ve always sort of been performing. As a trans person, I played a mildly convincing woman my whole life, so truly, in some essence, my whole life has been a mildly entertaining performance.

What made you move toward drag as a form of expression?
When I came out as trans, I wanted to work through some of the dysphoria I was feeling in a positive, healthier way. Being around other LGBTQ+ folks was something I needed as well. I’ve always been interested in drag ever since I saw RuPaul’s Drag Race, but I actually didn’t know what a drag king was until I was in Montreal in late 2019. My 2020 New Year’s resolution was actually to become a drag king.

When you’re creating an act, what influences or inspires you? Or is it more like a lightning-strikes type of thing?
I’m very random in my creative process. Usually, I just sort of perform songs that I like or do something I think is going to be very funny. I’m very inspired by the absurdity of drag, and I really try to bring an element of that to every performance I do as Ken Baby. The world can be so lame, so I try to just bring fun, energetic nonsense with me every time I’m up there. When it comes to picking a keytar song, the stars have to align—it has to be a song I really like and one that has just enough space for me to rip it.

Have you ever had a wardrobe malfunction on stage? And if so, how did you handle it?
I’ve had tearaways tear too early and things like that, and for the most part, I just kind of go with it—rip off the band-aid and keep on going. The audience doesn’t know when exactly I’m gonna tear away my pants, and they don’t need to. Gaslight the audience.

You have a film background—do you prefer performing live or in front of the camera?
I really enjoy both. I think because of the film background, I slightly prefer that more, just because I have more control over the angles, the takes, and such. I like the element of control, as well as the wider range of possibilities you have when filming something compared to doing it live.

What’s your favorite thing about performing?
My favorite thing about performing is getting to have fun and share that joy with a crowd. I love going all out and knowing the audience is enjoying watching me be a fool just as much as I enjoy being one.

Have you ever stage-dived?
I have not, because I don’t want to hurt any member of the audience with my muscular BODy, specifically my epic biceps.

Is there anything you want to tell our readers?

Go support your local shows and support your local entertainers. They are some of the hardest-working folks, and they deserve your attention and your dollar bills. Cheers

“Splinters” by Leela Corman

Wasteland Chick

He is my precious striped child and I love him. His name is also Rocket Raccoon. Yes he probably steals batteries and your soul. Salutations, fellow Wasteland Chicks. Welcome back. Time for another review….and this time…..it's personal! Literally, Creature called Lady’s Choice, so today we’ll be reviewing that classic Beetlejuice the Musical song, “What I Know Now”, sung to us by that classic dead receptionist Miss Argentina. To start things off, let’s review the rhythm and melody, which I give a 9 out of ten. It mixes Latin music beats with general punk and piano, adding a feel of excitement and regret for death into the tone, giving it a sound feel. The lyrics are even better, as I give them a 10 out of 10. They perfectly sing Miss Argentina’s character and regrets, sprinkling in the regrets and awesome song beats of other recently deceased folks, making an awesome feel to this song. But, the best part is this one line: “I EXPLODED!”- Random Dead Guy. Just-Just perfection. Pure gold. Wow. To quote this one commenter on the Youtube version of this “This is the happiest song about suicidal depression.” And it is. For my overall review, I give this song a ten out of ten; The rhythm and melody are a cool mix of Latin and pop, the lyrics are regretful and happy, and everything it says is true. Where must we go, we who wander this Wasteland in search of our better selves, you ask? Well, fellow Wasteland Chicks, come search over on Ragmag. Bye!

Sincerely, Wasteland Chick (Don’t forget to join the club or Rocket will break into your house)

Yr ol’ pal Creature has been keeping busy the past couple weeks and I’m excited about the upcoming art show at Building 8 in Olneyville, Providence opening this week. It’s called Building Infinity and while unconfirmed apparently over 60 artists are displaying their work. Building 8 has been a great place of community and artistic/creative drive for me and many fellow Rag Mag contributors for so long now. Featuring new works from our own Wasteland Chick and Mr. Mittens along with so many friends and artistic inspirations. I was helping put up some work last weekend and it is incredible to see so much cool, weird as fuck art going up in one space. Check it out!

The flea market gods have continued to be kind to me and my friends over the past two weeks, with good scores and finds. I found two pretty good condition platter paks for cheap filled with some decent 60s rock and soul (and plenty of crud), but look at those colors. Keep finding more and more punk and powerpop stuff at the flea for cheap.

Nice seller who just seems to want to get rid of his old records and stuff for now. Picked up the 70s Boston band Thrills (featuring Merle Allin) 45 on Modern Method and an old powerpop single by the band Visions out of Hazeleton, PA which is in the middle of nowhere. Catchy, 60s garage influenced. My buddy Joe said it reminded him of Brighters and I can totally see it. Solid stuff and a nice cheap find. If you are wondering about those posters, just a couple copies of 90s or early 2000s stock Sid Vicious posters. My teenage heart couldn’t resist for a buck.

We went back the next week, but it was colder and not as many new sellers with records. But a local dealer did show up with a cheap box of reggae singles, mostly from the 90s/2000s, but had some older records in it as well. Pulled out some cool studio one singles and the killer Always Together by Bob & Marcia. While I was digging for records, Mr. Mittens stumbled across this great 90s Rubies mask of a satanic biker vampire? Dunno what it is, but it came home with us.

Records of the day are two new releases. First up, a self-released LP by Peer Pressure Zombies called Screen on the Green. Featuring Steve Peffer from way too many good bands over the years including 9 Shocks Terror, The Mormons, Homostupids, Factorymen, Pleasure Leftists, etc… This is bass/synth/drums and getting weird. Simple and effective repetitive bass lines and synths creating a menacing atmosphere, while Steve’s vocals will have you singing along in no time.

Next up, a self titled 12” by Excrement, a raw punk band from Sapporo, Japan recently out on General Speech. Never heard of this band before, but they appear to be from the early 2000’s and have a great raw punk sound channeling noise punk legends like Confuse. Underneath all the noise, shows band that reminds me more of fellow Sapporo bands like Slang. Not necessarily in sound, but in how they have varied influences including tougher 80s hardcore in their sound. Unique combo and I keep spinning this one.