People have recognized Danny Marianino -- he of the infamous Danzig punching incident and hardcore band North Side Kings -- ever since video of the incident hit the Internet. But lately, it's been a little crazy.
While signing my copy of his new book, Don't Ever Punch a Rockstar: A Collection of Hatemail and Other Crazy Rumors, a collection of eight years worth of hatemail, threats, and poorly-constructed online smack talk, Marianino told an entertaining and potentially dangerous story.
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Sometime last week, he was driving down the 101 someone recognized him and started yelling at him through his car window. Once he caught Marianino's attention, he congratulated the musician for showing up in the Phoenix New Times -- all while the two were still speeding down the freeway.
A less Fast and Furious approach would have been to visit Marianino on Saturday, December 1, at the brand new Zia Records at 19th Avenue and Camelback, where Marianino signed copies of the self-published book.
The crowd of mostly tattooed, black shirt-wearing 30-something guys was mostly comprised of Marianino's friends, who stuck around for the majority of the signing.
Members of well-known local punk and metal bands, including The Father Figures, Landmine Marathon, Broloaf, were on hand, as well as some of the AZPunk crowd and the Midnite Movie Mamacita. Even if there was a tough guy vibe, everyone was in good spirits and some folks even brought their kids. And no, Danzig himself didn't show up to start trouble.
The book features recollections of Marianino's time spent in rock 'n' roll bands. The crowd had plenty to share about that. JR of Bring Your Own Weapon/Broloaf had a few super crazy stories to share.
Back in the day, BYOW and North Side Kings were playing a house show together, and JR was having way too much fun. (Probably because he poured some grain alcohol into a Slurpie.) After trying to mosh, he had an idea, inspired by watching too many wrestling shows, and body-slammed the freshly assembled North Side King's merch table. After knocking the table down, Marianino just kind of silently shook his head while sporting a small grin (if JR's impression was correct).
The party continued a couple of hours later at TT Roadhouse, where Marianino prepared free shish kebabs, as folks continued to hang out and socialize while bands like Dead Kennedys and Toy Dolls blasted from the jukebox. All this talk of tough guys and rockstar deckings seems to miss one key fact: Marianino seems like a pretty swell guy.
