Juggalo—named after the fans of horrorcore hip-hop band Insane Clown Posse (ICP)—is about a large, poorly understood cultural movement with roots in both music and a social pecking order that ostracizes nonconformists. The book explores the lives of those who follow the roster of Psychopathic Records like a religion as well as their leaders, ICP, who extol the virtues of crime and violence.
Author Steve Miller follows the band across America, hanging out with Juggalos before and after shows, but also at work and during family time. It’s the first time any journalist has gone beyond donning face paint for a day and attending a show. Juggalos are proud outsiders, and Juggalo is the definitive examination of this large and diverse cast of colorful characters.
What up all of you people out there on the Interwebz!
This is Murd3rUrFace here to give you my rundown of the events leading up to Tech N9ne’s Saturday night performance at the Myth Nightclub in Maplewood, Minnesota. Saturday afternoon I embarked on my 80 mile road trip up to the twin cities(I live in Rochester). I recently acquired a new camera body, which was a considerable upgrade I might add! I was riding shotgun on the way to the performance, trying to familiarize myself with my new gear.
If you’re wondering, my beautiful wife Alicia was driving. I’m not usually nervous before shows, but for whatever reason I was this time. Was it the new gear? Being at the show alone? Who knows? I don’t know what it was but something felt off. At any rate, we arrived and checked into the hotel, and grabbed some pizza (Reds Savoy!). Now ,if you’re ever in Minnesota, and have the chance to try it, I highly recommend it. Afterwards, I grabbed a couple Road sodas (beers) for the drive to the venue. Remember I was riding shotgun. I don’t condone drinking and driving people!
Anyway, I got dropped off about 20 minutes before the doors opened and holy hell! There was a ton of people waiting in line. The Myth holds approximately 3200 people, but I’m almost positive they over sold the venue. I shot a few faces in the crowd and made my way to the front to check on my media pass. (Perks of the job! “Fuck that line” lol.) I walked up front and asked security where I should go. They directed me inside the doors where I picked up my pass. I must say it was about as smooth as it gets. No issues, no problems at all! Thank you Lisa! After I got that settled, I headed back outside and shot some more “I’m stuck in this line” pics.
About that time I ran into Ubiquitous from Ces Cru chopped it up with him for a bit about how long this line of people was. He was just as shocked as I was to see that line. Afterwards, we had a few minutes to talk about how tour was going. We parted ways and I set out to get a few more pics before the doors officially opened at 6:00 p.m. Of course, I got busy taking pics and looked down and here it is ten after six and they still haven’t opened the damn doors for all the people waiting (which isn’t anything new, but still!) Luckily, that didn’t really affect me, so I just walked back up to the front and they let me in. Once I got inside, I went in and peeped out the stage set up and the area they had set up for the photo pit so I could see what I was working with. It all seemed straight forward and easily accessible. With that outta the way, it was time to get everything settled and dial in the camera gear for dark indoor club shooting. (For the people who understand camera speak “ISO 1600 to start, Shutter speed 60 at the moment, F stop 1.8;” Seems easy, right? Right!)
Anyway, by that time people are pouring in through the 3 sets of doors, it didn’t take long before the place was packed! The show started pretty promptly at 7:00 p.m. with Stevie Stone kicking off the night. I don’t know much about him, or his music. But I did see him few months back at a Twiztid show, and he’s impressed me both times! His show is very high energy with a sick flow and a good hype man on stage helping him put it all together. He did maybe a twenty five/thirty minute set, not positive, but it seemed short! (Actually, everyone’s set seemed short! Times flies when you are having fun!) Next up was Ces Cru! These two dudes kill it, every time! I know most Juggalos know who they are, but there were a ton of people at this show who had no idea who anyone was other than Tech! Unbelievable right? I’m guessing Ces did about forty minutes of mash ups some choruses and half songs, and some full songs, along with a couple of the their popular bangers. There was some good crowd interaction and they thanked the crowd and were out that bitch.
Next up? ¡Mayday! They came out live as fuck. They looked genuinely excited to be there and performed as such. They were all over the stage, back and forth dozens of times, running, jumping and rapping the hell outta their set. They murdered it! If you’ve never seen or heard of ¡Mayday!, be sure to check them out. Now at this point, I heard a few rumors that Rittz had some voice issues and might not even perform. That would have been stale as fuck. Well, those did just prove to be rumors. Because Rittz came out on fire! Rittz also performed some tight mash up style songs. He did the first couple verses of “Switch Lanes,” and then a few full songs, some old and new and some improv style remixes. Classics mixed in with the new shit! It was really just a well-balanced set list by Rittz. My only complaint, again, was it was just way too short of a set.
At this time I headed to the back of the club to hit up the bar for a modestly priced $8 can of beer. (Ouch!) Pounded that down. (I was quite parched!) After that I walked around a bit, and got a few more crowd shots. I made my way back to the front for what I assumed would have been Krizz Kaliko. To everyone’s surprise though, it was Tech standing on top of the stage at the Strange Music podium. The crowd of 3000+ went absolutely bananas!
If you’ve ever been to a Tech show, you know Kali is his hype man and those two are magic on stage. Tech did a well rounded mix of old and new songs with Krizz throwing some of his flavor in the mix. They tore up the stage for what seemed like forever! Then the music got awfully soft and familiar boom right there in Minnesota, Kaliko did an amazing cover of “Purple Rain.” (RIP Prince!) As was to be expected, the crowd sang along, held lighters in the sky and applauded like crazy when they finished. It was pure magic!
Hats off to Tech! He’s come a long ways since the last time I’ve seen him perform in Minnesota (which was back when he was the opening act for Insane Clown Posse on their Wicked Wonka Tour, talk about a throwback!) The whole night was amazing, with a great crowd, great performances and not to toot my own horn but great pictures as well!
If the Independent Powerhouse Tour comes to your city, don’t sleep on it! It’s a great show! Well worth the price of admission. In closing I’d like to thank Lisa, the entire staff at Juggalo News, and my wife Alicia. Well, that’s it for my long ass review. Hope you liked it. (If anyone is still reading this!)
Twiztid is an American hip hop duo from Detroit, Michigan. Formed in 1997, Twiztid is composed of Jamie Spaniolo and Paul Methric, who perform under the respective personas of Jamie Madrox and Monoxide Child. Spaniolo and Methric are former members of the group House of Krazees, which disbanded in 1997.
in 2009, Kung Fu Vampire and his 8 piece band jumped on a soundstage at a Television Station in Mountain View, CA and performed an unrehearsed unedited 30 minute set for StrangerMusic.TV
So the GoTJ Site has had some stuff added to it including some Main Stage acts, as well as Wizard of the Hood being moved to main stage.
MAIN STAGE ACTS:
Anybody Killa
Blaze
Boondox
GWAR
Insane Clown Posse
Suicide Silence
Tech N9ne
Twiztid
Wizard of the Hood
Young Wicked
SECOND STAGE ACTS: (Yeah I still say 2nd stage)
Axe Murder Boyz
Big Hoodoo
Dark Lotus
Esham
Pendulum Stage Night Lineup
Alla Xul Elu
Ascent to Power
Bukshot
#Baconomics
B-Skan aka Headshot Louie
Green Jello
ILL
Lo Key
Project Born
The R.O.C.
Sedated
SSB Featuring SHSM
Unlimited Future Objective (UFO)
Pendulum Stage Day Lineup
614 Villainz
Dieabolik The Monster
Dread Eye & Sike Sick
Enasnimi
Fam Z and the Holligan
Freddy Grimes
Frodo The Ghost
George Aneed and The Law Abiding Citizens
G-Mike
Gypsy
Ill Phil
Jonathan AKA J Dub
Lo-er-kace
Lower Case J
Nemesis Poe
Ninja G
Mike Spitz
Sewerside
Skitzo
Spaide Ripper
Stoner Jordan w/ Bobby James
Be sure to click over and check out the rest of the site, read up and get ready for the GATHERING of all Gatherings! http://juggalogathering.com/
Introducing our Lette of the Month, Cheryl Bryan, aka, Cherry Bomb. She is a photographer here at Juggalo News and most of you will recognize her from shows toting around her Nikon D800 getting awesome shots of the show and the crowd. Let’s learn a bit more about her:
Photo by Rachelette
How did you get started in photography?
As far back as I can remember, I had a camera. My mom’s side of the family has always had a passion for photography and that was passed on to me. In high school I took photography classes, and was also a photographer for the school paper and yearbook.
Where are you at in the Canon versus Nikon debate?
I joke with many of the other photographers about this. I prefer Nikon and I make that known. Here’s the part of the story most people don’t know: My first two SLR cameras were Canons. To this day, I still have a fully-manual 35mm Canon SLR that I used for photography class. However, the SLR I used the most, was a Nikon that I would check out from the journalism department to shoot events for the school paper and yearbook (and possibly personal use), and it felt more natural to me. I attest that Nikon has better lenses, and I feel, I superior product in general.
Photo by Hazin
This one is for Hazin. When are you going to be switching to the superior Canon?
Truth be told, I started with Canon. I have switched to the superior Nikon, and have no intention of downgrading.
Out of all of the events, concerts, and other things you have had the opportunity to shoot, what is your favorite so far?
I have had some amazing opportunities, but I’d have to say my favorite was Juggalo Day 2015. Normally, security clears out the photo pit after 3 songs. Somehow we were allowed in for basically the entire show, including all of ICP’s set. I was the last photographer remaining in the pit during Faygo Armageddon – while everyone else scattered. I was beyond soaked, trying to protect my camera, dodging bottles, bodies, buckets, boxes – trying to still get photos of the crowd on stage. Being there, between the stage and the barricade, surrounded by family, doing what I love…that’s the most fun I have ever had. I still get goosebumps thinking about it.
This is a two part question. What is your favorite venue to shoot at? And what is the worst venue to shoot at? And why?
I like the Fillmore, Alrosa Villa, and The Crofoot – they all have decent lighting and real stages. The worse venue was Harpo’s – that stage is like a million feet tall and I’m short…and there is no photo pit it all. For Juggalo Weekend 2016, Day 2 – I was standing on a stool up against the stage for almost the entire show. Up until about Love Song, my camera was wet to the point I was worried about its well-being and had to bail. And most of the night, I had to fight to defend my spot, holding my camera in both hands, and was a constant jungle-gym for anyone who wanted to get on stage. Good thing I’m tough.
I’ve noticed in your photography, you seem to love getting good boobie shots. Believe me, I’m not complaining, but would you like to explain your love of boobs?
Everyone loves boobs! I’m no different. I’m just not shy about it. It’s also to my advantage that I’m a girl, and from my extensive research, I have found that lettes don’t really mind other lettes touching their boobs, and often times rather like it! I actually make a game out of it at shows. I will cut my stickers into pairs, and go up to a girl and place a sticker on her boob, and give her the other one to stick on someone else’s boob. And I like to take pictures of it. It’s not creepy because I’m a girl. I promise. BOOBIES!!
What sets you apart from other photographers in this scene?
Obviously I’m a female. Not that I’m the only female in the industry – however, I was the only female to be nominated as photographer of the year by Faygoluvers. (Congratulations Hazin!!) I also use a Nikon, and I’m not really shy. I don’t use a flash, and my photos are typically very crisp and high-contrast. Plus I can touch boobs without drama.
Photo By JM Draven
What would you recommend to other photographers trying to progress in this scene?
Network. Prove what you can do. Don’t talk about it, be about it. If that means bringing your camera to a local show with 50 people in attendance – that’s a perfect place to start! Or if you get the OK to bring your camera into a bigger show but you have to stand front row behind the barricade – show what you can do from there! Also, know your equipment. If you do get a photo pass, you typically have 3 songs per artist. If you are fumbling around the whole time, you are not going to get any good shots. Practice! Practice!! Got a friend in a band? Practice on them. Get to where your camera is an extension of your arms. Practice in different lighting situations. Be prepared for things to change. Be flexible. Talk to other photographers. And for God’s sake have back-up batteries!
Besides just doing photography, you also do a lot of arts and crafts projects, including having a side project of making and selling nail decals. How did you get into that, and what can you tell us about your nail decals?
I scrapbook and make cards as a hobby, which goes right along with photography. I’m pretty sentimental, and save a lot of stuff, and like to showcase them with scrapbooks. I have saved just about every ticket stub, pass, and wristband from every concert I’ve ever been to. I have 2 die-cut machines, that I primarily used for those reasons. I like doing my nails, and I like being different – and am always reppin’ The Hatchet. I thought it would be neat to have Hatchetman nail decals and finally have the equipment to be able to do it. I knew I was not the only person who would want them, so I decided to sell them as well. I now have Hatchetgirls available, and I’m working on Batman and TMNT designs. I make them in all different colors, even some in glitter! All orders are custom-made, if you have something else you’d like, please ask! For color options, pricing, and details – email me at photosbycherrybomb@gmail.com. Make sure you get your orders in early to have your nails done for the Gathering!
Email photosbycherrybomb@gmail.com to order
Any other hobbies?
I am a beer snob. My husband and I brew beer (OK he does most of the work), and “collect” craft beer. He has an entire beer fridge plus a kegerator with home brew on tap. We love going to breweries and trying all kinds of craft beer. Also, brushing my teeth. And sewing.
Let’s switch it up a little bit to get to know you? What is your favorite Joker’s card?
Up until recently, it was a close tie between The Great Milenko and The Wraith. It seems like if I had to pick one, it would be The Wraith. Well now there’s a second set and I can definitively say it’s The Marvelous Missing Link. Both albums, the music, how Lost was released before Found, being front row at the Hallowicked show when they were announced – very powerful to me. Not to mention Young Wicked’s contributions.
What about your favorite ICP song?
I could change my mind 50 times, but I keep coming back to “We Belong.” I come from a broken home, and grew up always trying to find where I fit in. To be accepted, loved, protected – by so many people just like me, without having to change who I am – this is where I belong.
What about the first ICP song you ever heard?
Wow – my mom didn’t have cable, so when I went to my dad’s every-other weekend, my brother & I would watch The Box and MTV. Being that ICP wasn’t played on the radio, this was my first real memory of them. It had to either be ‘Another Love Song’ or ‘Tilt-A-Whirl’ – this was during the same time my dad forbid me from listening to ICP. He also forbid me from getting tattoos. So…you see how well that worked out.
Besides ICP, what is your favorite underground artist?
Artist? I gotta go with Boondox. And Tech N9ne.
Favorite Faygo flavor?
Rock N’ Rye all day
Let’s get down to food. Vegetarian? Have you been a vegetarian your whole life?
Not my whole life…It wasn’t trendy when I stopped eating meat, so I didn’t mark the exact date on the calendar. But as far back as middle school I can remember being vegetarian. That’s something like 20 years. It was a lot harder back then (especially in the Midwest). Now that so many people are hopping the vegan train, it’s easier than it used to be.
What made you decide that you wanted to be a vegetarian? Is that even something that you can decide?
I have always been an animal lover. I like animals more than I like most people. I tend to over-think everything, and I couldn’t stand the thought of cutting, chewing, and swallowing the flesh and skin of these animals. When you’re a kid, you don’t really know any different. But once I started to understand the process, it made me sick to think about.
Okay, I have to ask. How do you live without bacon?
There it is! I get asked this on a regular basis. Veggie bacon. Really, bacon grosses me out. That’s how. I don’t miss meat.
How many tattoos do you have?
Oh geez…last time I counted I lost count at something like 28. Sleeves, most of my back, most of one leg…fun fact: I have 78 stars tattoo’d on me. Oh I also have a vegetarian tattoo – of veggies.
Photo by Hazin
What is your favorite tattoo?
That’s like asking someone to pick their favorite child. Probably my cat portraits. Rayna is 16 and diabetic, and I have had her tattoo’d on me for several years now. After Karma passed, we had her cremated, and I had a portrait of her inked on me as an angel, with her ashes in the ink. So she is always a part of me. My newest tattoos are Dark Lotus on my wrists.
Dogs or cats? Do you have any? If so, tell us about them.
Cats. Not that I don’t like dogs, but I have always been a cat person. We have two cats, Rayna – the solid white one, who I have had longer than I have had my husband. When I lived at home, I had a cat named Maggie (it was Magellan when we thought she was a boy), who gave birth to one kitten on my bed in the middle of the night. Rayna, born April 10, 2000. She just turned 16. She has been diabetic for about 8 years, and is a fighter. After we lost Karma (who was solid black) in 2012, I needed a distraction. I found Bella on petfinder and she was perfect. She was at a vet hospital in Toledo, about 2 hours away, and it worked out that the only day I could pick her up was on Christmas Eve. She needed a middle name because she was mischievous, so I picked Noel. She is the cutest kitty you will ever see, she’s a Savannah, so she’s got the wild cat genes, so she a playful tiger and has very keen senses. She’s territorial, but also very affectionate. I will soon have a tattoo of her as well.
Okay time to get a little serious again. What does being a Juggalette mean to you?
This is a tough question for me. Until recently I didn’t really embrace the term. I didn’t feel there needed to be a distinction between male & female Juggalos. We are all equal. But since I have come to terms with it, I take pride in the term. I think it’s about being you and being strong & proud. Expressing whoever you are inside and not being afraid or shy. Creativity & expression, passion & confidence. And boobie touching.
Batman vs. Superman who wins?
Batman, duh! (did I mention I have a Batman tattoo?)
Anything else you’d like to say in closing?
I have to say that if you have not experienced Faygo Armageddon, there is nothing like it in the world. Make it a priority. Maybe I’ll even be there to photograph it.
I would also like to thank Matt and everyone who has supported me, promoted my photography, complimented my work, stuck my stickers all over, let me touch their boobs…as well as the record labels for believing in me and sharing my photos. Much love!!
Thank you for taking some time answering some questions and letting us get to know you. If anyone would like to follow Cherry Bomb’s photography, check out the links below.
www.photosbycherrybomb.com
www.facebook.com/PhotosByCherryBombOnEm
www.instagram.com/kittycatcheryl
Also, if you are interested in purchasing any of the nail decals mentioned above, the purchasing information is below.
Sheets of 12 decals are sold for $5 each (shipped)
Buy 5 sheets, get 1 free
Hatchetman or Hatchetgirl
For order form and color availability please email photosbycherrybomb@gmail.com
“I was raised in a trailer park in a Detroit suburb. Though it was located in Michigan’s richest county, we often felt like their dirty little secret. Today I use my experiences there to help guide my way and provide a better upbringing for my children. In every song, I strive to deliver the things I learned as well as the strength it gave me.” -Burt Blaze
AdotWAKE has worked with various groups and producers and is continuing to expand his work to a new level with new producers/artists. He has been blowing up the music scene with new collaborations with local artists and worldwide. He has worked with artists in countries such as Germany and Thailand. Since then numerous singles and CD’s have been released. 50% of sales go to CharityWater.Org.
According to his tour page @: http://officialjimbreuer.com/tour/ Jim Breuer will be performing at the Gathering of the Juggalos! Awesome news for juggalo fans, let us know what you think on our facebook page or the comments below. He now joins a history of major comedians to throw jokes late at night on the gathering grounds!!
