Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Re: Party Monster, courtesy of Rise

Dear Gage

We'll refer to me as Rise, for the same reason we're refering to you as Gage. Not because I like it, but at this point it just feels earned and its easier to use.

For our fine readers, Party Monster (or Disco Blood Bath, depending on when the book was published) is about Michael Alig and James St. James. They founded the Club Kids in the 90's and more or less started the Rave Scene. Michael Alig killed a drug dealer who was prominent in the NYC club scene and the book is a recounting of the events leading up to it, as well as the murder itself.

As for Party Monster, I felt that there was no deeper message to any of it. They weren't trying to change the world or make a statement (at least none that I could see.) To me it seemed like it was a bunch of people who didn't quite fit into mainstream society so they dropped out. They rejected the norm and went a different route. Did it work? Depends on what you mean by "worked." The Rave Scene is still alive today, and for better or worse it is their legacy. Angel is dead, which is also their Legacy. If they had some sort of socio-political purpose at any point, it got lost in the white lines and needles. But hey, that was the early 90's for you....well, that and Rugrats.

-Rise

PS: To anyone reading this: Subscribe, repost, and spread the word! Big ups to Claire for the being the first to Subscribe, she gets a Gold Star. Don't YOU want psychological validation too?!

2 comments:

  1. yeah but there was talk of living outside the world, the outside inside thing is intriguing to me. not having a purpose besides a separate reality of excess (but it had a social structure) was the purpose.

    and then how and does one get back in the world, is there always a sort of outsideness. you can't put 100 grand up your nose and find a world of jogging can you?

    how many friends do we have that always have a sort of glazed, past expiration look, the level of interest has been soaked up.

    on the other hand, i watched a video of mr. st james, he seemed bubbly and queeny.

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  2. LISTEN TO ME I HAVE A GOLD STAR.

    the dream of the 90s is alive in Portland (where young people go to retire) :

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FE_9CzLCbkY

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