Sweet, fresh octopie! I like how ambiguous and indirect your plots are. It's refreshing, visual storytelling that doesn't feel the need to SHOW me everything.
they're definitely worth checking out! They're just as horrible as Meredith makes them out to be, but what's great is all these musicologists have analyzed all these crazy polyrhythms in their music. Which just goes to show that anyone really can make music.
Loved it! Especially the parents-on-facebook thing. I'm not on, but my wife and here parents are. Like Eve, I'm not that close to my parents. I'm glad she found a way to get closer to her mom, it really touched me.
I cannot stop laughing about how Marek thought The Shaggs were Joanna Newsom.
Also I honestly say that "Who Are Parents" is a really sweet song. There is something oddly endearing and sincere about the Shaggs's music and it's cool that Eve seems to get that.
When I was in my teens and early 20s, I thought my mom was a clueless dorkette. She got a little better when I was in my 30s. Now, she's in her 80s and fading away under the curse of Alzheimer's. No last-act re-connections are in the offing. And there's not a goddamn thing I can do about it.
Frank Zappa liked them. I think he found it fascinating tha they were completely free of influence – they didn't listen to rock music prior to their "career"
BTW do you know how valuable that vinyl record is?? There are maybe 100 copies. Super valuable.
What a sweet story. Too bad the real story wasn't as sweet as all that. Their dad was a maniac. The band was probably the first instance of rock music as psychological torture.
Wow, this one kind of hit me close to home. My mom and I can't really get along for more than an hour when we're in person. I think we may call each other every four to five months or so. But, when I really need her, she always pulls through. It's almost as if I magically telepathically call her.
After checking wikipedia, I discovered that the Shaggs grew up a couple of towns over from me, and played a mere 6 miles away. Too bad I hadn't been born at that point.
Even more interesting is that those are not their names, just the short of them, they are actually called after mountains: Everest and Rushmore Ning. I kinda expected their mother's single name to be Noon =P
It wasn't Frank Zappa who said they were better than the Beatles. It was rock critic Lester Bangs, in an essay in the Village Voice (Jan 28th, 1981). And he was being sarcastic.
Just found your site from TXComics . After wasting most of the day to read all 347 – what can I say but – (Razzen Frazzen Dick Dasterdly) – or words similar – so I don't fuse out the censors or your readers .
99 thoughts on “#347 – who are parents”
Leith
Sweet, fresh octopie! I like how ambiguous and indirect your plots are. It's refreshing, visual storytelling that doesn't feel the need to SHOW me everything.
spenserl
this made my day. (well, this and zombieland)
Danny
heh. nice thanksgivingish comic. I remember finding out about the shaggs my freshman year of college. apparently, frank zappa is a big fan.
Hanners
Wait a sec, they're REAL?! And Frank Zappa liked them?! ::brain splosion::
Fantastic set of comics! You have literally turned my frown upside! 😀
meredith
yup. Zappa thought they were "better than the Beatles".
Danny
they're definitely worth checking out! They're just as horrible as Meredith makes them out to be, but what's great is all these musicologists have analyzed all these crazy polyrhythms in their music. Which just goes to show that anyone really can make music.
Skepticaemia
Zappa liked Wild Man Fischer too. Even recorded an album with him.
Tara
Wonderfluff, I love this.
Lurdiak
Hey meredith, your "latest comic" button is busted!
This was a sweet story 🙂
Carl-E
Loved it! Especially the parents-on-facebook thing. I'm not on, but my wife and here parents are. Like Eve, I'm not that close to my parents. I'm glad she found a way to get closer to her mom, it really touched me.
Lily
You definitely changed my opinion about the Shaggs. This story sorta made me cry, as lame as that sounds.
Matt
This went in completely the opposite direction than I was expecting. Simply fantastic.
Adam
G'awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww
Wood
That story really brought some warmth to my cold dry heart.
Cee-Ell
What a great arc!
Almost Literally
Zuckerman sounds like a simply fabulous person.
This arc was GREAT! I loved seeing some background on Hanna.
Krimson
This is my Obligatory Marek Response: LULZ. Joanna Newsom. Silly Marek. The Shaggs don't play the harp.
Shez
awww
nuff said
Bryy
Quaint Thanksgiving tale.
Hirrohissun
I laughed so hard at "Is this Joanna Newsom?"
Zacharyyy
I cannot stop laughing about how Marek thought The Shaggs were Joanna Newsom.
Also I honestly say that "Who Are Parents" is a really sweet song. There is something oddly endearing and sincere about the Shaggs's music and it's cool that Eve seems to get that.
meredith
agreed. The last few lines of the song really get me. They're sung so gently (and badly, of course).
Jenna
Great storyline. 🙂 I hope we learn more about Dawn.
meredith
yup. In time.
AJ
*gasps* I know who it is!!
YAY! I'm not a complete idiot! 🙂
lil
another 'aw snap!' moment–dawning. hee.
so what their dad's name?…..wan?
danineteen
LOL @ the other status in Eve's news feed. People who write statuses like that are usually the annoying Facebook addicts.
Naava
What a great arc! I love the way the art is developing, too.
Legions Of Ants
It's great, I actually pictured the song sounding like three Joanna Newsoms singing in a terrible unison. I'm glad to know i was right.
Hirrohissun
No way man, Joanna Newsom is amazing.
Scott Bieser
When I was in my teens and early 20s, I thought my mom was a clueless dorkette. She got a little better when I was in my 30s. Now, she's in her 80s and fading away under the curse of Alzheimer's. No last-act re-connections are in the offing. And there's not a goddamn thing I can do about it.
Cynclaire
ha ha ha, I love Joanna Newsom to death, but she's still fun to poke fun at. that made my day.
meredith
same here. I really do love her music, but you've gotta laugh at it.
Harrison
Yes!
Well worth the wait. 😀
A Jerk
Good stuff but I'm still not accepting my mom's friend request. Although I also refuse to click ignore so I guess that counts for something?
meredith
haha. aww.
schnctdy
This is the sweetest.
plingen
Frank Zappa liked them. I think he found it fascinating tha they were completely free of influence – they didn't listen to rock music prior to their "career"
BTW do you know how valuable that vinyl record is?? There are maybe 100 copies. Super valuable.
Michael Arthur
What a sweet story. Too bad the real story wasn't as sweet as all that. Their dad was a maniac. The band was probably the first instance of rock music as psychological torture.
MerchManDan
I'm glad my mom & I are still pretty close, but I'm similarly glad she isn't on Facebook. Not that *I* have anything to hide, but my friends, well…..
This is a really great story, Meredith. Well done. 🙂
Natalie
Wow, this one kind of hit me close to home. My mom and I can't really get along for more than an hour when we're in person. I think we may call each other every four to five months or so. But, when I really need her, she always pulls through. It's almost as if I magically telepathically call her.
dandandan
After checking wikipedia, I discovered that the Shaggs grew up a couple of towns over from me, and played a mere 6 miles away. Too bad I hadn't been born at that point.
C. Augusto Vald&Atil
It's a fact, having listened to the Shaggs I agree with Zappa, Better than the Beatles. Never thought I'd live to see a proper tribute to them.
Rosscott
Rockin. Loved reading it. I think half the fun for Eve is that Hannah stopped liking them.
Car
Joanna Newsome is incredibly talented and happens to have a wonderful voice!
De_El
There needs to be new Joanna Newsom. I've just started listening to Ys a lot again, and I can't get over it. It's so good.
Simon
Wow, that was great! I think the change in your posting pattern has really worked well for both story and art.
GBeans
That was a wonderful sequence to read through. Thank you. 🙂
Lenny
i totally just got eves familiy's name;;;
EVENING
MORNING
DAWN-NING
its perfect.
so great <3
i love this comic.
please make more D:
iwassoaddicted.
Pylgrim
Even more interesting is that those are not their names, just the short of them, they are actually called after mountains: Everest and Rushmore Ning. I kinda expected their mother's single name to be Noon =P
Skiine
Just stumbled upon your comic. Love it, really well written and I love the art.
Dude who really like
Meredith I hate you because your comic is so good and touching and awesome. Keep them coming!!! 😀
Steve-O 2.0
Question: What is Eve's father's name? I'm wondering if there is a pun hidden in there as well…
drunkpandaman
Came by Sam and Fuzzy and I'm in love with all the characters and stories!! Never stop!
Macossay
It wasn't Frank Zappa who said they were better than the Beatles. It was rock critic Lester Bangs, in an essay in the Village Voice (Jan 28th, 1981). And he was being sarcastic.
JupiterAdept
He (Zappa) apparantly did rate them the 3rd best band in the world, though, in some Norwegian interview. That's what I heard, al least.
Qwil man
In the opening shot, I saw the negative space of the trees and thought the building was on fire.
jeremythedog
this was a very very good story, mer, and surprisingly heart-warming at the end. it certainly made my day at work.
cities trit
very nice story…will come see more
hajrarara
hee this story arc is adorable!!!!!!1 My mom isn't on facebook, but she's big on texting me all the time 🙂
cookieMUNGO
I love the Deerhoof reference! It made me smile. 🙂
Mr. F
It gets worse. The drummer, Helen, died back in '06.
Shelley
Wow, great work, first-time visitor here via someone's shoutout on Twitter, will totally be coming back for more!
kate
Wow, I just discovered your comic and really love it, and THANK YOU for introducing me to The Shaggs! My ears may never be the same again!
Matt Bauman
Heard about the comic from Pen Ward, just finished reading all of them. Great stuff, thank you for sharing us.
Matt Bauman
^with us. So sorry.
Mosreal
Dude, I just realized that Eve's names come together to make Evening. Mind. Blown.
Libby
And her Mum is Dawning.
And her bro is morning.
I wanna know what the Dad's name is!
Indigno
Jack?
fgds
i'm gonna go with crunklist and say that dad's name is Bo Ning lol
Earl
I'd imagine it would be Wane Ning
Earl
Or Wayne, if Wane isn't the correct to spell that as a first name.
as363
Just found your site from TXComics . After wasting most of the day to read all 347 – what can I say but – (Razzen Frazzen Dick Dasterdly) – or words similar – so I don't fuse out the censors or your readers .
Totally fantastic – My sides are still hurting .
smallhound
I aww'ed.
NFG
*waits expectantly for updates*
*big, hopeful smile*
One of the best comics on the 'net, please keep it up!
Zeddy