create/destroy

TORCHES TO ROME

With all the old art and mentions of Torches To Rome, I thought it fitting to post a photo of them from around 1995. This photo is of Sarah who, at the time, went by Mike Kirsch.

Numbered Days

And they said to “do as you’re told and you won’t get hurt”

and for what it’s worth I’ve also followed

You toook the poison - did you enjoy?

For what it’s worth I’ve also swallowed. But I’m trying! I’m trying!

If I could erect a monument to my inability

at it’s base it would read - I am sorry-

Another familiar face takes it’s sorriful place lined up on the opposing side

these days may drag us down but at least we’ll know we tried

It makes me wonder if I can resist

as the orders come down to cease and desist,

because I never gave a fuck - gave a fuck what they said

but I wouldn’t be so quick to say that it didn’t fuck with my head

But I’m trying! I’m trying!

It doesn’t matter if you’re dead or alive

commit! - not to give up the fight

and if every cell - an angry well

with such a dutiful beauty it just might spell 

numbered days for them

(love & strength to you, Sarah)

PORTRAITS OF PAST

This photo was taken around 1994. This is Rex from Portraits of Past. This show took place at some house where someone from Rancid lived and, I think, featured in one of Rancid’s video. At the time, with Rancid’s newfound pop success, we all got a big kick out of it. I attended the show with a b-boy friend of mine who commented afterwards, “I was the only guy in there with a fade!”

THE SOUND OF A THREAT

I did this piece immediately after college (late 90s). Again, it takes a quote from Torches To Rome’s “Young Arsenal.” It is 24” x 48”

I believe in the sound. The sound of a threat.

It was used for a the cover of my friends’ band The Fire Next Time on Dim Mak Records. (I think I have a photo of the actual cd cover somewhere.)

THE COURSE OF DAYS

I think this piece was hastily put together. I wasn’t cocky about it but it felt wonderful to be so in tune with my art that I knew I could, more or less, whip out a successful piece quickly. It was relatively small… maybe like 12” x 18”.

The real inspiration for and title of this piece comes from a Torches To Rome song “Young Arsenal”

I believe in a sound. The sound of a threat. And I believe in the course of days- of days you will come to regret… The sound of silence. Such an unsettling sound. And anger boils deep in the underground. We might just take our cue. A young arsenal pointed at you!

Visually, this was inspired by Russell Mills and his work with Nine Inch Nails (very late 90s). Obviously, I was taking full advantage of using Soviet stamps (of the proletariat fighting the dragon of capitalism!) and posters.

I have a box full of art I made in college (circa 1997). This might have been when I was at the height of being able to just focus on art and little else. I had the time, studio space, and money (or lack of need for it). Ah, the poverty of student life. I had kinda stored it away and didn’t want to dare open it for some time. After probably more than 10 years, I opened it.

For fun, the following posts will be what I re-discovered in that box.

she said destroy