IN THIS ISSUE OF COSMIK DEBRIS: Conversations with jazz legend Les McCann, non-popster Robyn Hitchcock, and Steve Butler of Smash Palace. Rusty looks at unions, Steve takes on creationists, David takes the press to task, The Pigmeister introduces an unknown star, and Kenny discusses the importance of the press kit. And, of course, reviews of a ton of CDs in more genres than you can shake a stick at.

COSMIK RADIO!: FINALLY! A new edition of Cosmik Radio is online and ready to be heard. There are also several archived editions to listen to. Click on the Cosmik Radio icon to get there. You just need a RealAudio Player to listen. If you don't have one, go pick one up. Cosmik Radio is just the kind of Net-Only audio that radio station program directors don't want you getting hooked on. So go ahead. Inhale!

LES MCCANN - Equally brilliant as an artist, photographer and jazz pianist, Les McCann is probably the single most talented individual to ever grace the pages of Cosmik Debris. A few years after a debilitating stroke, he's still at it, and getting stronger by the day. Interview by Shaun Dale.



ROBYN HITCHCOCK - The former Soft Boy is back again with a wonderful new album titled Jewels For Sophia. In his first Cosmik Debris interview, Hitchcock discusses the new song, a little bit of his history, and what it was like working with one of his old cohorts. Interview by John Sekerka. Johnson.



SMASH PALACE - Their first band had the biggest record deal in Columbia Records history before disaster struck. The second band (the first called Smash Palace) was on the brink of success before their A&R man switched labels and left them orphaned. Thirteen years later, Stephen and Brian Butler are back on their own terms with a brand new album done their way. Stephen Butler interviewed by DJ Johnson.



CD & RECORD REVIEWS - Another huge stack of releases get the Cosmik once-over.

EVERYTHING ELSE IN REVIEW - Where the rest of it lands.



KENNY LOVE'S PERSPECTIVE - The importance of the press kit.

BETWEEN ZERO AND ONE - by Steven Leith: You say you don't believe in evolution?

CLOSET PHILOSOPHY - with Rusty Pipes: Rusty looks for the union label.

PIGSHIT - By Gary Pig Gold: Gary introduces you to an important and little known artist.

WALLEY@WITZEND - By David G. Walley: The election draws near and the mud is already flinging.



Did you miss an issue? We now have many of our back issues online, including sound clips and extras. Check out interviews with The Witches, Electric Frankenstein, the Vampire Beach Babes, Jeff Berlin, Curve, Michael Shermer, Steel Pulse, Transglobal Underground, Mark Helm, The Southern Rock All-Stars, Ottmar Liebert, Jason Noble of Shipping News, Phil Vassar, Joel Dorn, Mark Cline of Love Tractor, Texas Terri (of Texas Terri & The Stiff Ones), Mike Keneally, Chris Shinn of Unified Theory, Alley of Wise Monkey Orchestra, Mario Escovedo of The Dragons, The Clarks, Big Ass Truck, Richard Cheese, Paul Krassner, Tony Iommi, Ron Dante... and too many more to list!!



Keeping up with technology is a major concern for just about everybody these days, but you should see the havoc it causes around the Cosmik offices! For three months now we've been saying "stay tuned, a new Cosmik Radio episode is on its way." And the e-mail's have been very friendly. We thank you for that. But it seemed every time we took a step closer, three things went wrong. Nobody here really understands the intricacies of sample rate conversion, and... well, it'll get boring real fast if I don't just stop right there. Needless to say, we are sorry it took so long, and we're thrilled so many of you cared. We hope you enjoy the new one, and we'll have them back to full-wackiness soon.

DJ Johnson
Editor