Clerks Pilgrimage - My Graceland |
As you may or may not know, I'm quite the fan of the Kevin Smith New Jersey based films. So, in 2000 when I went to the USA with Jellybean Jam (my old band), I designated a day to get out to Red Bank, New Jersey, and go to Jay and Silent Bob's Secret Stash which is a comic shop owned and run by those involved in the afore-mentioned movies. I had been in contact with their site via email for directions (which were superbly sent to me by Bryan Johnson) so knew how to get there - I just had to make it happen! Now, if you haven't seen his movies (Clerks, Mallrats, Chasing Amy, Dogma, Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back) then 1/ you won't understand this page & 2/ you are a freak. Go watch them now. NOW! I know the photos take ages - there's heaps. I got, and still am, very excited! |
So I travel from New York one fine morning with my friend and drummer at the time (Davros) on the train and eventually arrive - I still smile when I think about it. Obviously, the first thing you do is the tourist photo out the front, but when I went inside the day just kept on getting better. |
So who should be working there at the time? Walt Flanagan - who is in every movie! Sweet! So after a bit of a sticky beek, a bit of a chat, and a truckload of money exchanging hands, it was time for the presentation. I had carried with me, from Sydney, a 6-pack of Australian beer (Carlton Cold - bottles of course) and gave it to him to share with the rest of the team. Anyway, after more of a chat he asked if we were going to the Quick Stop (for the unaware - this is where Clerks was filmed). As I was genuinely not prepared for this question, he pulled out a map, but when I mentioned that we didn't have a car, he put on his thinking cap. Walt recalled a bus that took you from RedBank through to Monmouth county, and there was a stop right out the front, so Davros and I waited 45 minutes for the bus, took the 30 minute ride, then lo and behold, my pilgrimage had just leapt to leviathan proportions! |
So there I was - faced with one of my favourite things. At first I did the standard tourist out the front shots (shown), but decided that I couldn't let an opportunity like this be wasted. I was about 19,000 kilometres from home, and who knows if I would ever get the chance to return? So - I decided to re-enact some of my favourite scenes from the movie - and I have posted these shots for your viewing pleasure. Again, if you haven't seen the movie (Clerks), waste no time and hightail it to your local video franchise and get it out. Then you will understand, my friend. Then you will understand. I would also like to thank the store owners for putting up with my seemingly ridiculous requests, and for opening RST Video for me just so I could get some shots. Bless 'em. |
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Originally, I had a million (or, 9) pictures here, but it takes ages to load, so I have included other "re-enactment" shots for your perusal and grading at this link : MORE. These pix include - The milk maid, behind the counter promo shot, the egg thing, "I don't appreciate your ruse, ma'am" pose, front of RST video, and me "wrangling" out the door. |
The store owners weren't too pleased with this. |