| http://www.babelmagazine.com/ Babel Spotlight: Adam Parfrey interviewed by Victor Thorn Adam is the founder of Feral House, which can be found at: www.feralhouse.com. He is also the editor of Apocalypse Culture I & II, and his most recent books are: "Extreme Islam" and "Lexicon Devil: The Fast Times and Short Life of Darby Crash and the Germs" (co-authored with Brendan Mullen and Don Bolles) 1) Alex Burns from "Disinformation" calls you "Probably the most influential underground publisher in post-millennial America." Tell us about Feral House, and your motto, "A publisher who refuses to be domesticated." Feral House started in 1989 after a friendly break-up of Amok Press with Ken Swezey, who now does Blast Books. Amok Press lasted a couple years, 87-88, and we did eight books together, including the first Apocalypse Culture. But when Amok, which was also a bookstore and a catalogue, had a fraternal bickering, and when I moved from New York to L.A., and Ken moved from L.A. to New York, it made sense to do our own companies. Ken originally was the money man behind Amok Press, and I think I made five thousand dollars total when we separated, which I then put into the first Feral House book, the Anton LaVey Satanic Witch volume. The fact that Anton's books sold fairly well, and that I was making a living otherwise writing freelance journalism, made it possible to carry on with Feral House, slowly and surely. A "feral" human or animal, by definition, means that it's wild. Boyd Rice came up with "Feral House," and it fit better than anything I thought of, so that's what it is. 2) You got your start in the business with EXIT Magazine, then as co-founder of Amok Press. Could you tell us about your early days in the 80's, and what type of material you were publishing? When living in New York in the early-mid '80s, I worked a minimum wage job at the Strand bookstore, which is where I met George Petros who wanted to put together a graphic magazine to show off his cartoons. But I talked him into doing a publication like "Exit," and my involvement with that magazine lasted three of its six issues. Georganne Deen, the artist, introduced me to Ken Swezey, since she thought we both had similar ideas about a publishing company, and so we did. That's when Amok Press started. 3) I was telling someone two days ago about William Burrough's "Code of the Johnson Clan," then today I read an old interview of yours where you also mention it. Please elaborate on this concept. This Burroughs "Johnson Clan" thing came from a favorite book of his when he was a kid: "You Can't Win." After buying a very hard to find copy of it in a small bookstore on the Oregon coast back in late 87, Ken Swezey and I thought it a good thing to put out with Amok Press. Burroughs kindly wrote an introduction for our edition. I think we printed something like thirty five hundred copies. Joe Coleman did the cover, and it slowly went out of print. AK Press put out another edition using the Burroughs intro we got, but it doesn't have Joe's cover. AK is also going to issue another Amok Press book: the Boxcar Bertha biography, "Sister of the Road." Other Amok Press books that also found reprints include "The Grand Guignol," "Disneyland of the Gods" by John Keel, and "Apocalypse Culture," when I put out a revised Feral House edition. If some other company does "Rants and Incendiary Tracts," which I co-edited for Amok and Loompanics in '88, and the Joseph Goebbels novel, "Michael," then all the Amok Press line would be in print again. 4) In 1993, you published a book edited by Jim Keith entitled "Secret and Suppressed" that delves into "banned ideas & hidden history." In the preface to this book, Jim Keith writes, "Electronic and print media are a pacification program run by the HappyFace Enforcers. There is an ideal mental/emotional state for rabid consumerism, and that is the state of glad that the media promotes." What are your thoughts on the mainstream media being nothing more than a vehicle for conditioning the majority of people in this country? It's difficult to imagine that all the major papers in the U.S. purposefully "condition" people to become consumers, but whether intentional or not, that's the result. It might be more accurate to say that the type of person who becomes a salaried staffer or editor for the major daily and major weekly papers are very careful about not writing or editing things that go against the status quo in any way. That would endanger their livelihood. But the type of person who becomes a staffer or editor only seems to pay attention to competitive papers. No staffer or editor wants to put out news prior to other papers, nor do they want to do so too late. In regard to books, most papers follow The New York Times Book Review both in format and what is reviewed. And if you read that paper, you'll see that hardly any books outside of the major New York houses, or a couple academic presses, are ever reviewed. Strangely enough two Amok Press books received excellent New York Times reviews, but then Amok Press was located in New York. Feral House has published more than sixty books in the thirteen years it's been in business, and we make sure to send review copies to the NY Times, always. Not one Feral House book has been reviewed, though our books have had their mainstream influence. The Ed Wood movie was made from our "Nightmare of Ecstasy," the bachelor pad music, stripper thing, and interest in 50s style men's magazines was at least in good part inspired by our book, "Cad." Other major New York presses, like St. Martin's, have taken in our books to their major meetings, and you see a year or two later their copycat publications. Like the mainstream house versions of "Death Scenes" and "Lords of Chaos" and others. But The New York Times, or the New Yorker, for that matter, do not find any Feral House publication worthy of review. I complain of this since Feral House is forced so far outside of the publishing world that out books must sell by word of mouth only, and not by usual avenues of promotion. 5) My favorite piece in "Secret and Suppressed" was John Judge's expose' on the Jonestown Massacre, specifically in relation to the CIA's MK-ULTRA program, and how 80-90% of the victims had fresh needle marks on their bodies, or had been shot or strangled. Could you fill us in a little bit more on the details of this story? Jim Hougan, another great researcher, does not entirely agree with John Judge's piece, and he wrote an excellent response to it for the coming "Secret and Suppressed II." Editor Jim Keith died in mysterious ways a couple years ago, and Kenn Thomas and I are collaborating on the sequel edition. In regards to tomfoolery in Jonestown, there is a lot of evidence, including some from none other than Bo Gritz, who told me personally that he had GI friends instructed to go down there and kill. 6) What are your impressions of the following public figures: - Charles Manson - Often misinterpreted, and far more intelligent and inspired than given credit for. But decades in the pen can drive anyone mad, and I think he is at least partly insane, at this time. - Henry Kissinger - Read Christopher Hitchens on Kissy. - Pope Paul II - Old. - Lou Reed - Wrote some good songs. 7) In one of your articles, you describe George Orwell's 1984 Doublespeak as being a "State language designed to inspire fear by the evasion and confusion of meaning. In the Supranational Corporate State, language has become a tool by which true intent is disguised or disavowed." Your quote still holds up well, does it not? Sure. 8) Who would you list as some of the most misunderstood and/or under-appreciated figures in our society today, especially in terms of artists and writers? I love Norbert Kox's art, one of the few Christians worthy of liking. When you see Crispin Glover's movies, the two he just directed, including one I had a lot to do with, you'll see some pictures unlike any other. 9) Okay, what is your take on the New World Order, and where do you predict it is taking us? The corporate superstate, unboundaried by nation. Oligarchic. Fascistic. 10) You've said that Upton Sinclair's "The Jungle" was one of the first books that had a profound affect on you in relation to your middle-class background. Tell us about growing up in New York City. I grew up in Manhattan to the age of five, at which time my father found that Hollywood paid much better than acting in New York, since live TV shot in New York was no more, and most movies were shot in L.A. I read The Jungle when I was twelve, I think. It did affect me. 11) Your most recent book is entitled "Extreme Islam," which author Acharya S. says, "demonstrates clearly that terrorist acts are not those of a deranged few who are sullying the good name of Islam, but rather fall squarely within Islam's main tenets." How well did Acharya summarize your work? If you read The Qur'an, you'll see that it's much more like a Bin-Laden fatwa than a democratic state. Nevertheless, the morning newspapers love to say that it's an incredibly peaceful religion. But unlike those editorial writers, I've read The Qur'an. 12) You're also the co-author of a newly released book, "Lexicon Devil: The Fast Times and Short Life of Darby Crash and the Germs." Please relay your impressions of the late 70's and early 80's L.A. punk scene. Punk changed my life. The DYI thing, and the intelligent and vicious sense of humor. I'm proud of Lexicon Devil. It's one of the best books I've ever published. 13) There seems to have been a host of books very similar to "Apocalypse Culture" after it first appeared in 1987 (I can think of at least half a dozen right now off the top of my head). Imitation surely is the sincerest form of flattery, is it not? Sure. 14) In the preface to "Apocalypse Culture II," you write, "Call it evil, call it prescient - the apocalypse culture has only just begun." What did you mean? What I meant was this: it always seems that my books, even though they cover little known or outsider culture, prefigure or anticipate major fads and/or events. 15) Six of the illustrations inside "Apocalypse Culture II" were censored due to, as you referred to them, "Weak-kneed printers across the country." Give us your rundown on censorship 2002 in America. About six or seven printers refused to even print Apocalypse Culture II. The only printer that agreed to would only do so with the blacked out areas. And now that printer has refused to go ahead and do a reprint. So I have no idea how I'll be able to do a third printing. 16) My favorite piece in "Apocalypse II" concerned the "Real Dolls" (see www.realdoll.com). I even e-mailed the Real Doll company a year or so ago and told them I wanted to do some "research" on one of their dolls for an article in Babel Magazine. Being that the dolls cost $6,000 a piece, I told them that I'd settle for a deformed, throwaway model! Regrettably, I never heard back from them. So, what can you tell us about the Real Dolls? I can't really tell you any more than what I wrote in the article. 17) How much flack have you taken for publishing the work of Peter Sotos? Plenty. For example, I wanted to appear at this gallery in Seattle when I went on a tour with Pete, but the woman who runs the place was so upset by his article in Apocalypse Culture II, that at the last minute refused to let us appear. 18) Bobby Beausoleil, former co-hort of both Kenneth Anger and Charles Manson, has some drawings in "Apocalypse II" which are incredible. How did you come to acquire these works? >From Beausoleil's wife, through Michael Moynihan, who wrote the article. 19) If you had the ability to change things in the world, what would be the first three things you'd do? The major thing is to reduce the population by severely limiting reproduction. If this was possible, then the world would be much better off and last quite a big longer. Every other wish is relatively minor. 20) Protestors have gathered at your readings and appearances in the past. How would you characterize their objections? It depends upon the appearance. 21) In your opinion, how prevalent is the use of mind control in this day and age, both overt and covert? If people only had minds strong enough to bother to control. People are, on the whole, so entirely weak, so idiotic, that they go along with anything and everything if it's the easiest way to live. The easiest way to make a living, the easiest way to get laid, the easiest way not to trouble yourself. Mind control is entirely unnecessary in an environment in which there are hardly any minds to control. Nevertheless, it's apparent that the technology used for mind control is much stronger than ever before that anything can be done. The sort of thing taken by most as schizophrenia, such as voices in minds, can be done by modern technology. And a lot of other beautiful things. On the other hand, there are so many people who need to feel important who claim to have their minds controlled, just as a result of this need ... 22) Since we're on the subject of mind control, I was blown-away by Cathy O'Brien's book "TranceFormation of America," and began corresponding with her in the mid 1990's. Did her revelations about the pedophilic practices of the world's top political, sports, entertainment, and religious leaders have the same affect on you? I was not blown away by this book in the same way you were, since there are many books like it, and many women making the same claims. Doesn't it seem a bit narcissistic to claim that you are so wonderful that every movie star and every prominent politician on planet earth found you so incredible, so wonderful, so fuckable, that they all had to mind control you? This is a very narcissistic claim, it seems to me. Though obviously there must be some truth to it on some level, but who knows what. I don't trust the man, Mark Phillips, who has "helped" Cathy O'Brien out in order to tell her story. Perhaps I'm completely wrong, but this is my impression. 23) If you could interview any one living person, who would it be? I can tell you who it would not be. I would not be interested in interviewing the script-readers, rather than those who write the scripts. George W. would be as interesting to interview as a bad TV actor. But it might be interesting to be a fly on the wall during a Bilderberger conference, or a corporate meeting of Texas Oilmen.... 24) If someone asked, "Adam, what kind of material and subject matter really gets your engine revving," what would you tell them? My interests are eclectic and variable. Changeable. It depends upon the moment, really. 25) Which historical figure most intrigues you, and why? I'm interested in historical figures that are chameleons and different figures to different people. I've published books, and will publish books on these types of people. Eric Jan Hanussen. Sidney Reilly. 26) The vast majority of people in this country still fall into the Democratic/Republican conservative/liberal trap, yet the true nature of power and control goes well beyond these simplified parameters. Why do so many people keep allowing themselves to be bamboozled? I'm not certain that so many people are actually bamboozled and believe what's portrayed as being the truths of the two-party system. There's just no alternative, really. 27) You've written for porn magazines in the past. What are your views on Sex Sex Sex (in capital letters) in 21st century America? Sex is overrated, in my opinion. Not interesting. 28) Same question, only this time: DRUGS? Drugs are largely overrated, too. 29) Same question again, only this time: ROCK N' ROLL? Truly overrated. 30) You once said in an interview with R. Nicholas Taylor, "Everything the establishment extols as comfortable and right and good makes me sick. They are like drug addicts. They want everyone to be like them, be on the same drug. The establishment phonies are beaten down, craven hypocritical momma's boys." How are these assholes able to keep cramming the same "Wizard of Oz" illusion-crap down the throats of mainstream America? I think it's due to the fact that the newspapers and magazines that are referred to as being the TRUTH maintain the lies the best. 31) In the same interview, you point out how the "glossy" magazines have essentially blacklisted you. What do you think makes them so afraid of you? I don't think I'm blacklisted, but not considered one of the boys. 32) Dilettante Press describes you as, "Iconoclastic, revolutionary, insightful, and fearless," and "one of the leading figures challenging the mediocrity and conformity of our made-for-TV culture." What do you most want to accomplish with your writing and publishing ventures? To publish and write things that are otherwise impossible to find. 33) I recently wrote about how the international bankers have made money into a quasi-religion, while you wrote, "In a universe where all is for sale, the dollar sign remains the sole index for belief." Could we have fallen to such depths that money really is our god? It seems that way, doesn't it? 34) What can the "literary/artistic/cultural outlaws" do to change our society? Perhaps a couple of them can entertain ideas that influence the way people look at things. 35) If you could tell people to go out and rent one movie, what would it be? The early talky, Svengali, with John Barrymore. I love that film. 36) In an interview with James Bergman, you said quite directly, "The human race, on the whole, is pitiful. I always think I hit bottom, but the depths of piteousness always surprises me." Do you still feel this way? Yes. 37) Although Babel Magazine has become known primarily because of the Internet, I still love the physicality of holding a book in my hands. Do you concur with this sentiment about books? Yes. 38) The 80's and early-90's were a great time for 'zines. Which ones do you recall as being your favorites? I liked Eye magazine, among a number of others. 39) Feral House also published a book entitled "Sex and Rockets" about the mystery man Jack Parsons whose name keeps popping up in the strangest places, and who's been linked to the likes of Aleister Crowley, L. Ron Hubbard, and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena. What was it about Parsons that drew you to this project? Again, secret history. 40) What three traits do we as human beings possess that you would characterize as being our best, and the three that are our worst? Please forgive me, but I won't answer that question. 41) Tell us a little bit about your appearance in Crispin Glover's movie, "What Is It?" A psychotic minstrel friend of Crispin Glover's character gets buried alive by a severely retarded and deformed girl he falls in love with. 42) Finally, if you had three minutes of uninterrupted time on the CBS Evening News one night and the entire world was watching, what would you tell them? That would be interesting. Perhaps I'd show how the president is simply a script reader. |
