Sid was the singer of the band Demon Dog Sperm. And he was a very good friend of mine. D.D.S. was described somewhere on the interwebz as a “Stoner Sludge Death Metal band.” Whatever that means. There was a pretty good metal scene going here in the Lehigh Valley back in the mid 2000’s. D.D.S. came together at the right time for it.

Sid lived down the street from me. We had known each other since high school. I’d often stop over at his house to shoot the shit and drink some rolling rocks with him. His beer choice. Not mine. I’ll still stop by his grave with a Rolling Rock or two on occasion though.

Sid had asked me to do some artwork for an EP titled “Roses” which was also the title of the song that was to be featured on it.

I’m not sure I ever knew the lyrics to the song “Roses.” Go listen to it. Let me know if you figure them out.

What I did know was the impetus behind it. Sid had previously dated a girl named Rosie. And the way it looked to me, he never got over her. She was the one that got away.

I wanted the art to be a little brutal. Hard black and white for both a graphic purpose and cost saving at the printers. It wasn’t meant to be however and the song was ultimately included on the full length album instead (which I did the artwork for also. That is a story for another day). The “Roses” artwork was left hanging around in my portfolio unused. So here it is.

India ink on bristol board. 9″ X 9.”