This is the Straydogs list. Make no mistake about that. It did start out back in 1998 as a Tom Waits list, devoted to discussing his music and trading bootlegs of all his shows. But that was a long time ago. Now that we already have all the bootlegs and have said everything there is to be said, we just hang around drinking and telling bad jokes. Yes, we frequently get into trouble, we fall off bar stools, we wake up with the wrong people. But we have fun. It’s a place where you can rest when things get rough on that BIG Tom Waits mailing list, or when you’ve lost your way, or your equilibrium, or when you need someone to agree with you that “Falling Down” is the greatest fecking song ever.

Once a year, we gather (some of us) in different parts of the world for the annual Straydog Party. We’ve partied in Sweden, Ireland, Wales, Denmark, Texas, Norway, England, Finland, Iceland, Italy and Colorado. This year we will assemble in the Netherlands. We’ll just play some music, bang on shite and maybe do a bit of clog dancing. You’re most welcome (after your application in three duplicates and the blood test and the pledge of allegiance. We will also want your mother's maiden name.)



Artwork by Matt Rosemier