As I was looking at the picture I noticed that, there are combinations where I spend proportionately less time, than with others. E.g. Music and Sociology is something I didn’t study explicitly yet, although I could name 2-3 books I read on the topic. Soon after I noticed this I got an email alert pointing to PhD thesis bearing the title “Punk Rock Is My Religion“. That piqued my interest, so I opened it. Its subtitle was more explanatory, “An Exploration of Straight Edge punk as a Surrogate of Religion“. Right now anyone can download it from the website of University of Stirling. (5 MB, PDF) It was written by Francis Elizabeth Stewart and “submitted in fulfilment of the doctoral dissertation requirements of the School of Language, Culture and Religion.”

I was never straight edge, but liked the music and found the movement fascinating. Looking forward reading, although I don’t know when will I find the time though as it is 354 pages. Here is the abstract:

Using a distinctly and deliberately interdisciplinary approach to the subject of religion and spirituality as it presents itself within modern Western Societies today, this thesis argues that Straight Edge hardcore punk is a surrogate for religion. The term surrogate is used to denote the notion of a successor and a protector and provider of nourishment. It has been re-interpreted from Theodore Ziolkowski’s work on the same term in ‘Modes of Faith’, in which he examines surrogates for religion which emerged during the early part of the 20th century.

An in-depth study, both theoretical and ethnographic in nature and presentation, of Straight Edge hardcore punk is provided to demonstrate that traditionally held categories of religion, secular, sacred and profane are being dismantled and re-built around ideas of authenticity, community, integrity, d.i.y and spirituality. Through the syncretic practices of the Straight Edge adherents they are de-essentialising religion and thus enabling us to re-consider the question of what religion is or could be.

This thesis relies on theoretical ideas, interview quotes, informant quotes, researcher taken photographs, and interviewee created or utilised images, tattoos, graffiti and flyers. All of these are interspersed with song lyrics from various bands relevant to the time period under discussion and the themes being drawn out. Much like the adherents themselves, this thesis exists very much within the space of the ‘in-between’, which creates and reacts to necessary tensions throughout.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzntGq-tpbg

A relative of mine will dedicate his radio show to him and to Etta James, who also left s, tomorrow, between 5.30 and 7 PM PST on KZFR. Here is a Johnny Otis song for all of us

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3VpH8XnA0w

David Galiano played at Graton Day

Jen Tucker Band played at the Handcar Regatta

Over the weekend I watched a British movie titled The Trip. It is about two friends traveling on the British countryside. Again, at the beginning of their journey one of them puts in a Joy Division CD into the car’s stereo and decides that this music should set the tone for their adventures.

And today I found out that Peter Hook, one of the original memebres of the band will be touring the US and performing one of two Joy Division records from beginning to end at every sity of the tour. They will play “Closer” in San Francisco on September 17. Last year he played at the same venue, Mezzanine, but was sold out by the time I learned about it. Maybe I’ll have better luck this year.

Elso reszlet

Masodik reszlet

Notes on apostrophes: Can you say “taped” when the recoding is happening onto a card? And I had the camera for a few days by then, although it was supposed to be a gift for my birthday that didn’t happen yet for another few weeks. This is a the first time I used it for recording video on it. I know that it is capable of recording even higher quality, but I was happy how much better it already looks compared to the video my previous camera could do it.

So without further due, here are the two videos:

Nicki Bluhm – “Before You Loved Me“

Nicki Bluhm – “Figure You Out“

Es a zaroszam:

Timur Lenk (timurlenk.hu)

Sziámi (sziami.hu)

Tudósok (myspace.com/tudosok)

Volkova Sisters (volkovasisters.com)