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Ian Svenonius Reads from The Psychic Soviet
Ian Svenonius AKA David Candy AKA the lead singer of D.C. punk bands Nation of Ulysses, The Make-Up and most recently Weird War, has published The Psychic Soviet, a book of essays and articles that dwell on "the use of rock 'n' roll and art by the ruling class" and "the sinister machinations behind popular fiction, film, and television serials" (that's according to the good folks at Second Layer Records).
Published by Drag City, The Psychic Soviet, compiles 19 essays (some of which have previously run in magazines, some of which are new) into a 300-page, petite, pink, vinyl-bound notebook that measures 5" by 3.5" (perfect for slipping into the pocket of your Chairman Mao jacket).
Svenonius touches on everything from the racial dimensions of vampirism, the fall of the Soviet Union and DJs as stock brokers to the potentially exploitative consumption of vodka, punk rock's origins in gay culture and a detailed thesis about rock 'n' roll as a proxy religion, complete with comparisons of various rock subgenres to various religions (I think Mormonism equals Heavy Metal).
Satirical and post-modern or deadly earnest? You be the judge.
Either way, Svenonius is an amazing live performer as most anyone who has seen him fronting one of his bands can attest. And he'll be stopping by Los Angeles to read from The Psychic Soviet at Family this Sunday night.
Sponsored message
WHEN: Sunday, March 11, 2007 @ 7 p.m.
WHERE: Family -- 436 N. Fairfax Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90036 (betw. Beverly & Melrose)
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