I first read about director Todd Phillips in The Blowup Magazine. Phillips directed Old School and Road Trip. But his first film, one he made while at NYU film school, is entitled Hated and is a documentary on punk rocker G.G. Allin (Aug 29, 1956-June 28, 1993). I was lucky enough to view this disturbing film last night and I awoke this morning with it fresh on my mind.
For those that have never heard of Allin, well, I am not that surprised. Allin represented the most extreme of the punk rock scene, no doubt. He often performed naked on stage, venturing into the crowd, looking for someone to hit, crap, piss or spit on. He would also cut himself with a razor blade, a show of compassion, according to Allin, for all of the suffering that exists in the world today. Allin believed he was merely a vessel for pure, punk rock fury and that his excretions were filled with rock and roll goodness and should be shared with the audience. Maybe so.
So, what is real and what isn't? Was Allin, though obviously the incredible extreme, living life as a true Rock 'n' Roller should? Allin obviously hated the fake and unreal in music, so it is a safe bet he would not have showed up on MTV's Cribs or as a corporate shill selling Pepsi. He believed in living day to day, with less possessions than a homeless person. Would Mick Jagger embrace this lifestyle? How about Steven Tyler? These musicians are supposed to be the quintessence of Rock 'n' Rollers, why, just look at their longevity. I think Allin makes us ask why the hell are we allowing these 60 year-olds fellas to be relevant?
To sum, I think the reason that Allin was hated so much and jailed very often is because he made people look inward. This train wreck of a human, that took way too many drugs and lived harder than any of us could imagine made many realize that life is so damn short that all the things that we value and prioritze is most likely a pile of crap.
On that note, let's listen to some calm while thinking about whatever tickles our fancy. How about Boards of Canada, Turquoise Hexagon Sun? Yeah, that would be real nice.
Turquoise Hexagon Sun
i couldn't have said it better myself mr. wigs. i'm glad to have had the honor of introducing you to mr. allin and hated. i forgot just how affecting that film is. i think vietcong steve is still afraid. they should package Hated and Gummo as a double dvd set.
Indeed Mr. P, indeed. I am glad that you approve of my writings, because there are oh so many interpretations of Mr. Allin. And yes, I have not forgotten about Gummo. Though, I really question where that film went, let alone the story it was trying to tell.
ultimately, i think gummo was all about the pleasures of eating spaghetti and chocolate in dirty bathwater while being shampooed by a tap-dancing mother. and chloe sevigny's tatas......i'm moving to xenia.
"Gummo" helped me bulk up into the man I am today. Twenty reps with a bundle of spoons everyday has me into a muscle bound head crusher.
Good to see your participation, RFO. Please see "Hated" at your earliest convenience. You will never be the same.