'Barzilla' attacks Winstons with sharp wit

by Sebastian Ruiz

November 09, 2006

The bar scene brings out some of the most interesting personalities in town every weekend and any bartender can testify to this phenomenon with countless tales of barfly antics. One such witness to debauchery is Ed Decker, local bartender and author of San Diego CityBEAT's Sordid Tales column has compiled life lessons and late-night accounts into Barzilla and Other Psalms.

Decker will debut his first-ever book on Wednesday, Nov. 15, at 9 p.m., at none other than Ocean Beach bar and music venue Winstons, 1921 Bacon St.

Published through Puna Press, Barzilla is a collection of what Decker calls "hack poetry" with cover artwork by David Lonteen. Each poem stays true to the voice Decker has developed through his CityBEAT opinion column. Decker's humorous and often morbid prose speaks to life's truths about death, romance and a dog named Rusty who sends postcards from Europe.

Book Review of Barzilla and Other Psalms
It Means Something
by Tony Phillips

CityBeat readers know Ed from such sordid classics as “kids would be better off if their parents gave them booze” and “Matisyahu is a big stupid Jew.” I enjoy his columns. They are relevant, personal and, as Ed himself might write, all stream-of-consciousnessy. They lay bare the soul of the troubled, deviant, barely recovered degenerate that is our buddy, Edwin. But if you thought you’d gotten a glimpse of him from his columns, you should read his poetry.