For immediate release:
Bubblegum Ball, March 23
Scram Magazine Release Party, March 25

Scram Magazine wants YOU to attend the Bubblegum Ball... again!

In August, to mark the publication of Bubblegum Music is the Naked Truth: The Dark History of Prepubescent Pop, from the Banana Splits to Britney Spears, we hosted a night of roller-skating to live bubblegum classics played by Teacher's Pet, sparkle*jets UK and Nikki Corvette, among others.

With more than 300 guests in attendance, the Bubblegum Ball was a smash, and had to be repeated. This time we're going bowling, and we've enlisted local pop royals SPARKLE*JETS UK to sing a great selection of Archies hits and to revive their stunning Jackson 5 routine that was the hit of the first Bubblegum Ball. Tony Visconti-produced glamsters (and Rodney Bingenheimer faves) MARIZANE highlight the psychedelic side of bubblegum, with a set featuring Lemon Pipers and Banana Splits covers. WORLD CHAMPION BUBBLE BLOWER KELLY KUVO will be present in her fabulous pink bubblegum gown, sash and crown of Dubble Bubble wrappers to instruct hopefuls in the art of bubble blowing, and then name a new champion. Between the bands, you'll enjoy bubblegum hits and obscurities spun by DJ JIM FREEK (New Times Freek Show columnist). Also featured: JIM FREEK'S SQUADRON OF GO-GO GIRLIES and a chance to meet RON DANTE of the Archies!

WHEN: Saturday, March 23, 10 p.m. - 1:30 a.m.

WHERE: AMF Midtown Lanes, 4645 Venice Blvd. at San Vicente, Los Angeles, CA phone 323-933-7171 (upstairs from World on Wheels roller rink)

WHAT: The Bubblegum Ball. Live and canned bubblegum. Bowling. Bubble blowing contest. Great raffle prizes from Buddha Records, Dubble Bubble, Feral House, Hyperion Books and Scram Magazine. Restaurant and full bar.

COST: $10 gets you in and one bowling game

PARKING: AMF Midtown Lanes has a huge free parking lot

Also of interest is the Scram #15 magazine release party, Monday, March 25 from 9 pm - 1 am at Zen Sushi, 2609 Hyperion Blvd. in Silverlake. Phone: (323) 665 2929. This is a free show presented by Scram in association with Club Snack Sac, and it's 21 and over. Scram is taking over both levels of this eastside hotspot for a night of offbeat pop cultural thrills featuring live music, DJs, and weird videos. MARIZANE will be offering space-rock originals and a few of the treats from the Bubblegum Ball. Obscenely catchy pop rockers THE SHAKES will certainly play their crowd-pleasing cover of Britney's "Oops, I Did It Again." Direct from the islands, acclaimed writer/illustrator and singer/songwriter ALICIA BAY LAUREL ("Living on the Earth") will charm the room with her original hippie comedy blues and Hawaiian songs. MR. THE FRIENDLY GHOST is a one-man blues explosion who's been known to set himself on fire and do bad things to harmonicas. Very special surprise guest: SHARI ELF and her SEAMSTRESS BAND! Spinning disks: DJ GREMMY, BRUCE DUFF, MARC EDWARD HUECK (from Comedy Central's "Beat the Geeks"), Mme. KUVO, KEVIN LEE (Seksu Roba), and MASH McDIRTY (a genuine fake Englishman playing authentic phony Beatles records). Plus LISA SUTTON'S pop culture video explosion.

WHEN: Monday, March 25, 9 pm - 1 am.

WHERE: Zen Sushi, 2609 Hyperion Blvd. in Silverlake. Phone: (323) 665 2929.

WHAT: The Shakes, Marizane, Alicia Bay Laurel, Mr. The Friendly Ghost, Shari Elf performing live. DJs DJ Gremmy, Bruce Duff, Marc Edward Hueck, Mme. Kuvo. Kevin Lee, Mash McDirty.

COST: Free.

Kim Cooper, co-editor of the bubblegum book and publisher of Scram magazine, is available for interviews, as is Bubblegum Queen Kelly Kuvo. Contact either one via email at scram@scrammagazine.com.

Bubblegum Music is the Naked Truth: The Dark History of Prepubescent Pop, from the Banana Splits to Britney Spears - Edited by Kim Cooper and David Smay
A Feral House trade paperback original - 7 x 10 - 326 pages - extensively illustrated
Pub Date: September 28, 2001 - Feral House is distributed to the trade by PGW.
for further info, contact Faustine Haarman
(info@feralhouse.com) 213-689-4502