Grande Mesa

I cut my teeth on the post-punk, “industrial” (as coined by Genesis P-Orridge of Throbbing Gristle) movement because it appealed to my anti-establishment, anarchist leanings. Punk was a little simplistic for me although I was a big fan. The Exploited and the Crucif*cks were hardcore in their day, but their message was drowned out by the sound. So I migrated to people who these days have made names for themselves in the contemporary art scene: Cosey Fanni Tutti, John Duncan, Lustmord, Richard Kirk, etc.

Now here were people with the message, but who also presented a bit of criticality in their work. These were true pioneers, in my mind.

Anyway, I knew early on I hated the status quo. I didn’t learn until late in life that the status quo serves a purpose, namely paying bills and putting food in the mouths of your kids. This notwithstanding, I still hold a bit of contempt for most institutions in this country because of the sort of hypocrisy they represent.

But who am I really to argue about it. It’s probably going to be something I try to emphasize to the kids.

“Don’t argue.”