In recent times, more and more rockers have moonlighted as wrestlers -- which makes a certain amount of sense, given the similarities (both sartorial and substance-abuse-related) between the two art forms. But while the recent ring entry of such dead-from-the-neck-up types as Insane Clown Posse and the Misfits is only natural -- Zack de la Rocha as "The Red Menace" can't be all that far behind -- we must admit that our mind boggled at the news that BOB MOULD has joined Ted Turner's World Championship Wrestling in a behind-the-scenes capacity. The grappler-sized Mould, a longtime fan of mat action, has taken on a day job as a scriptwriter for the company, where he spends his days thinking of ever more new and inventive uses for folding chairs, trash cans and peroxide. We're kinda hoping Mould, as part of WCW's new "The Powers That Be" angle, writes himself in as exalted ruler of the squared circle, since we've always liked the way he looks in one of those Parkay-style crowns.

Comic-book overlord TODD MCFARLANE, known for creating just about every otherworldly superhero of the past decade, not to mention ponying up huge amounts of dinero for that Mark McGwire homerun ball, is launching a full-fledged rock invasion. McFarlane was apparently so encouraged by the success of his Kiss and Ozzy Osbourne action figures, that he's decided to introduce new figures in his line of plastic fantastic noisemakers. Just in time for Christmas, he's readying a new ALICE COOPER doll -- which makes a logical bookend to the Ozzy model -- as well as a JANIS JOPLIN figurine, hopefully with an optional Jack Daniels flask as accessory. McFarlane is still awaiting approval from the family of Jimi Hendrix, who really deserves to be commemorated with an anatomically-correct figure, if those Plaster Casters are to be believed.

Dashing all hopes for a beyond-the-grave recording session -- hey, they tried it with Elvis, if we remember correctly -- the estate of JEFF BUCKLEY has decided to auction off the remaining equipment once used by the singer, who drowned in the Mississippi River two years back. The auction, held to commemorate what would have been Buckley's birthday last week, is continuing through the end of this month, and will include such items as a set of monitors, an effects box and rare concert tees. The family has invited fans to participate by listing Buckley-bilia of their own for sale and donate the money raised to the Road Recovery charity.

Rock's most famous psychologist -- well, aside from Eugene Landy, of course -- has chosen the holiday season to make his recorded debut. Yep, Bay Area brain-tinkerer MARK FROMM has called upon a passel of compatriots including Rick Danko, Maria Muldaur and Eric Anderson to help him flesh out a feel-good disc called What Can I Give? Naturally, since Fromm is a psychologist, he'd probably interpret any answer to the titular question so as to involve some desired sexual activity with a parent. But on the bright side, the disc also allows Clarence Clemons to reprise the role of Santa Claus (which he played on Bruuuuce's long-ago rendition of "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town"). And of course, we all know what chimneys symbolize.

DAVID SPRAGUE
(November 24, 1999)