The bulk of the disc is made up of slightly-above-bootleg quality VHS recordings of three entire gigs. If, perchance, you were thinking of making a purchase, on account of how The Duke says it's fucking amazing, then perhaps you might consider the following brief description, ie, this review what tells you some stuff what happens.
These shows were all filmed during The Murder Junkies' 1991 tour of America, just after GG's release from prison. We aren't told where the performances take place, but it doesn't really matter. The first glimpse we get of GG is as he strides across the tiny stage, naked but for a spiked dog-collar and a pair of leather gloves. His flesh is a tapestry of self-inflicted wounds and tattoos which appear to have been administered by the hand of a two-year-old, his shoulders sporting such cheerful slogans as "Scum Fuck" and "Life Sucks".
The drummer, too, is naked, whilst the lead guitarist tries his best to adopt the most convincing Johnny Thunders pose he can muster, trying his damndest to look cool, just in case, y'know, the Manic Street Preachers or someone might be watching. A proper band.
His shot at glory is nullified somewhat, however, both by the fact that no-one is really paying any attention, and also, just under his ever-so-cool leather-jacket and shades, he is sporting no more than a flesh-coloured cod-piece.
Twenty seconds into the first song, a charming, Kinks-esque number by the name of Gypsy Motherfucker, GG's microphone has stopped working. Maybe it's because he has bashed it off his skull so much that already his forehead is awash with blood, but who knows? Maybe it's a PA problem. He steals the one currently being utilised by trendy guitar-hero, and finds it doesn't work either.
A lesser individual might see this as a chance to holler about the awful restrictions being imposed on their art, but GG just wants to jump into the crowd, run around a bit, punch a few folks, and then beat himself over and over with the malfunctioning mic, each whack being utterly cringe-worthy.
Then, realising the bass player is still audible, he steals said musician's yack-pipe and carries on.
Already, this is more entertaining than a dozen Shania Twain "Live In Concert" efforts.
I mean really, Shania, put a little effort in. When was the last time you lacerated yourself onstage? I bet not even once this month.
The insane heights get even higher, however, as GG, who incidentally resembles some deranged, tiny-willied V.I Lenin clone, squats, back to the camera, and takes a shit right off the edge of the stage.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Chris Kent
I don't know if I will ever be avant garde enough to enjoy this psycho's work. Base expression El Senor Duke, does not an artist make. I suppose Jim Morrison (and Sid Vicious) opened the door to this type of rage, and perhaps GG Allin fucking kicked it down.
Me olde days in thy pit included the likes of The Circle Jerks, The Misfits, The Butthole Surfers, The Dicks, The Big Boys, Youth Brigade, Minor Threat and even one memorable night when Black Flagg's Henry Rollins jumped into the audience and preceded to kick the ass of a man wearing a KKK t-shirt. A semi-riot began, lights came on, stage power turned off, and Rollins walked around with crazed eyes not really sure what to do next. We went home, laughed at Ol'Henry, went to bed, and made it to class the next morn a bit worse for wear. Henry channeled his rage, and these days actually keeps up the good fight with poetry, music, charity work and protests.
To say GG Allin took things a squat further would be an understatement. But I am not sure memorializing this sad fuck is in the best interest of anyone. A depressing example of a jaded world - perhaps. A depressing example of drug addiction most definitely.
I have used the "car wreck" analogy before, and will use it again here. Rather than slow down, I would say drive on and get to where you wish to go.....you will find no truths here......
2 - Eric Olsen
Zounds, the greatness of this review gives Allin infinitely more artistic weight by reverse osmosis than he deserves, as Chris well indicates. But it's still a blindingly spectacular review.
From an artistic standpoint, interest in Allin stems from the destruction of the distinction between stage and audience, performance and reality, and his reveling in taboo violation. The other interest is that he did have actual fans - if no one would have attended his shows, the act would have been rather besides the point.
Now that he is safely gone, perhaps interest in him will ultimately be sociological.
3 - Aaron, Duke De Mondo
Eric, gosh! Thank you for the kind words and considered comments!
Chris, wow! That's a hell of a list right there. That Rollins story is fantastic!
I tried to point out how much this individual disturbs me as a human being, but as a performing rock-star, he is utterly fascinating. For all the reasons Eric mentioned above, and others, possibly others what have to do with even more turds etc.
He was far from a "musician", but i guess if you're going to experience GG then this right here is the way to go. The music seems a distant second to the dung-flinging antics and so-on. There's a level of intensity here that is simply unique, and although he may have spawned something of a group of heirs in The Dwarves, even they pale in comparison.
As i said in the review, his brand of punk has no concerns whatsoever with social or ethical issues, and he seems intent purely on upsetting as many people as is humanly possible. It's sad that he was basically goaded to his death, but that doesn't make these recordings any less stunningly viceral documents.
As to the question of his fans, it's possible to find, via those satantic p2p networks, the GG Allin edition of Jerry Springer, where a young teenage girl sat alongside her hero, explaining in a highly eloquent fashion why she loved the man, and more so, his live shows.
Jerry was highly annoyed when GG refered to a woman in the audience as a "cunt".
Although it was bleeped, the fact that Jerry chastised GG for "calling my guest a cunt" makes for smewhat unique television.
Again, guys, thanks a hell of a lot.
4 - Lono
I have to say that was the finest blog piece I have ever read on this site. Duke, you are a genius. The way you punctuated each horrible and disgusting event with a challenge to today's pop stars was just brilliant. As Bono would say "absolutely fucking brilliant"
5 - Aaron, Duke De Mondo
Lono, i have thought for at least three hours about how to reply to your comment, and the best i can come up with is; thank you so much. That was uncalled for, that level of compliment. Thank you. :)
6 - Chris Kent
Whenever we discuss El Senor Duke's feverish work, using the word "fucking" is highly inappropriate. I would say "motherfucking" would be more in order......And when discussing what crazy man known as GG Allin, the more profanity the better.......;)
Another note on Allin which I have contemplated over the last day. I look at the anger, rage and musical style of punk rock - and it is so varied now, I mean, what is punk rock today? - with great admiration. The bands I mentioned in Comment #1 were the bands of my youth, my generation. They were American punk bands, and a few of them Texas punk bands. We also referred to this music as hardcore and thrash. I consider Allin an embarassament to punk rock. I don't see how anyone who performed and listened to punk could be a fan of this performer. And yet punk did indeed spawn this festering sore of a man.
It should always be the music. Allin was anything but music, his artistic canvas his own mutilated body. I don't consider Allin an artist. He is a poser, masquerading as an artist. A man whose only true skill was self-hatred. If anything, he set artistic/musical expression back thousands of years. Anyone can do what Allin did. But not everyone can do what The Clash, The Misfits or Youth Brigade (and others) achieved....
7 - Eric Olsen
Chris, I agree entirely with your aesthetic assessment of Allin, but I wouldn't call him a "poser" - I think Duke's main point is that he was very very real inhis assault upon himself, his "audience," taste, traditional values. His level of commitment to his insanity is what draws the Duke in.
8 - Chris Kent
Eric,
My reason for calling Allin a "poser" is because if punk rock did not exist, Allin still would have self destructed, mutilated himself and crapped on stage no matter the musical form. This guy was going to assault himself whether it be to funk, rap, disco or classical. Allin covered himself in the mask of punk rock, but the reality of Allin is he was a drugged out trash bin without an ounce of talent in anything except repulsive self promotion. As an artist and as a musician, he was a poser.
As for El Senor Duke being drawn to insanity, who's to know that but The Duke? I for one do not understand any thought process that claims Cannibal Holocaust to be a masterpiece......lol.......
I do not think Duke's main point was "that he was very very real inhis assault upon himself, his "audience," taste, traditional values." Is that even a point?
Duke's main point was his utter shock and repulsion at this man's stage performances. He reveals Allin's shenanigans in intimate detail, and then closes the blog with, essentially, "Oh, by the way, I hate Allin!" He's having his blood-soaked cake and eating it too......We enjoy his writing, but what shocks and repulses The Duke, shocks and repulses his readers. That is ze point - for that it's worth.....
9 - Chris Kent
Last but not least, Comment #6 was not intended as any kind of opinion on Duke's blog, more as a discussion/thought on Allin himself.....
10 - peaceloveguidance
re: the question of Allin being a poser. Actually not. The dude was for real! As an artist that would make him somewhat legit. The non-artist finding his artistic outlet for expression or something. Well, he did whatever he did and it was captured and documented. That counts for something, don't it?
This might be a good thing for psych students at the local university to see and write a paper on.
11 - peaceloveguidance
Q: What is art?
A: What isn't?
-Pablo Picasso
12 - Chris Kent
peaceloveguidance,
If Pablo Picasso had seen GG Allin's act, he would have gladly changed that rather perfunctory statement. He would have walked out of the seedy NY club, mouth agape in soiled Bermuda shorts and said something about like:
Q: What is art?
A: Sure as hell ain't Allin!
The only reality in Allin's life was a lack of talent and lack of self worth. If Charles Manson is the dark side of the Flower Generation, then Allin is the dark, demented side of Punk Rock - a label and comparison undoubtedly he would have loved.....considering his friendship with John Wayne Gacy.....
This was a sick, addicted man masquerading as a singer and musician in the punk rock venue of seediest NY. His music is absolutely terrible, and is secondary to his horrible stage antics. Punk Rock is rebellious MUSIC, not self-destructive lifestyle. 50 years ago, this man would be living in a trailer, beating his wife and kids, a repulsive alcoholic attending KKK meetings with trembling hands....
Today? Well hell, Allin becomes a punk rocker. Yeah, punk rock man. The perfect POSE for Allin's complete lack of talent.
13 - Aaron, Duke De Mondo
Hmmm.
I'm stumped as to what to add to this here debate. Maybe i should sit back and let y'all fight it out amongst yourselves. some great thoughts and comments are being thrown around here. I don't even want to say who i agree with.
I do like Lono's comments tho. She's right, man, that The Duke is one hell of a cultural commentator. Good work The Duke.
14 - Aaron, Duke De Mondo
god, i just unconciously deemed Lono a "she". What the hell do i know? I haven't a clue as to the gender of this individual.
Whatever gender they belong to, though, their opinions are well worth considering, is what i would suggest.
15 - Chris Kent
Duke,
We got a good fight going on here and you're ducking out on us. That's not very punk rock!
16 - peaceloveguidance
Chris, yeah, true, I'm sure Pablo had his exceptions to the rule. Brings up the sick question, was Gacy (or Bundy or Ridgeway, etc.) an artist in his craft of killing?
Oh man. Sorry to even bring up that concept.
Anyway...
17 - Chris Kent
*rolls eyes*
Why is it that whenever I am discussing the definition (or lack there of) of art, someone has to pull Ted Bundy and the art of serial killing out of their ass?! What is it with you freakos?
Artistic expression is an expansive canvas, no doubt. But let's stick to regular, time-honored boundaries, shall we? You wish to travel back to the days of Goth warriors and roam the lands sticking heads on polls, be my guest. How-fucking-ever, we live in civilization today, as much as Allin attempted to prove otherwise.
Artistic expression would include music, writing, painting, sculpting, performing. If one is to break the traditional rules of artistic expression, one must LEARN them first. The only thing Allin learned was how to stick a needle in his arm......
Saying the obsessive murder of innocent people is an artform is akin to saying hunting is an artform - which is complete bullshit. It may be cool to make such a claim - oh so avant garde - but it reveals the very jaded attitude that spawns such illiterates as Allin.
18 - Chris Kent
lol...I meant "poles" - but I guess in some odd way it works!
19 - Aaron, Duke De Mondo
chris, i would point out that it was your good self who first planted the seed in this comment malarky about GG being an artist in the first place, if you were stressing that he wasn't.
hehe ;)
20 - Chris Kent
That's a load of crap (pun intended) Duke. I said GG was a poser hiding behind the mask of punk rock music. I suppose we could stretch things and call him a performance artist - as that would be closer to the warped reality of GG.....But I still don't know if I would term his abhorrent behavior as art - perhaps moronic juvenile...
Hey, you wrote the post - expect the shit storm (another pun).....
21 - peaceloveguidance
Chris, OH WOW, did that generate energetic response! I'm with you, in a way. OK, let me put statements in perspective. Well, shit, one definition in the American Heritage Dictionary for "artist" is '2) Any person who performs his work as if it were an art'. Well, they put 'as if' in the phrasing.
And I was just going off the concept of anyone who does what they do well is an artist of their craft. For instance, growing up here in this neck of the woods most all of us kids were 'Boeing brats', everyone's dad worked there. So alot of these engineers who came up with all this amazing designs could be considered mechanical artists. Or the mechanic at the local gas station who fixed your car (hey, my mechanic is the best!) or the person who tailored your suit, etc.
I guess the reference to artistic serial killers was a hardcore punk mentality. Maybe. Naw, I never did the Oi! thing much...
And I guess you saw the regional thing bringing up Bundy and Ridgeway.
GG Allin is one fucking sick performance artist. Or something to that affect.
Barf
22 - Hazy Dave
Where's the Amazon links, man? Even if there's no G.G. Allin product extruding through their massive system, surely they sell toilet paper or some other relevant product...
23 - Aaron, Duke De Mondo
argh! all those lovely comments, lost to the wind! Anyway, to the fella who said about the amazon links, i feel i must stand my ground and whatnot and inform you that i had indeed the amazon links what are now back on the article, but the amazon stuff wasn't working for a couple days there on account of the site changing hands, i believe. So apologies for the absense of them for the last day or so, but they were there up until then, and, indeed, have returned!
24 - Aaron, Duke De Mondo
oh! the comments return. great!
25 - Hazy Dave
And the Amazon links, too! (I noticed they were missing elsewhere after I posted the above comment.) You get a gold star for watching this stuff and reporting back to civilization. Further comment seems redundant, but that's what Blogcritics is all about, wot?