Declaration of Scene Dependence
Originally published in Plazm #1, page #1, circa 1991.
When in the course of the endless stream of
eclectic weekend soirees, and grunge rock networking frenzies, it becomes
necessary to dissolve the socio politico bands which have connected what
we define as scene with what those other cities, you know the ones, have
haphazardly defined as scenes, but in doing so placed constraints on their
creativity and manners of self-expression (usually motivated by the hint of
the big carrot), and to assume, among the powers of the Earth, the separate
and equal stations to which the laws of social interaction, party hopping,
and Walt Curtis, entitle them.
We hold these truths to be self
evident, that all
nihilistic-hippy-entrepreneurial-ararcho-dissafected-forlorn youth spent
listening to the fringe of industrial "Baudelaire:
music-Kerowackian-just a day job-tartaric espresso drinkers-3 a.m. the
Smiths are playing-your lovers left-it's all too real-sink back into the
comfort of sporty mixed drink-mind blasting-too many drug taking-potential
rock star-first persons to make millions from Beat Poetry-conspiracy
understanders-where does Mondo 2000 get all that money, anyway-Willamette
Week thirty second flippers-glorious new age harbingers are created equal,
that they are endowed by their creator(s) ((Warhol, Burroughs, and some
unheard of French philosopher who has been tapping your dreams, and will
soon publish your stream of consciousness to rave reviews)) with certain
inalienable rights; life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness (and maybe
a good taco, every once in awhile).
That the oppression of
contemporary mass manipulation has reached such a level as to demand the
actions we are taking. Through the realization that this is the moment,
and that it's integrity is defined by our acceptance of each other, and
not by a section in Pulse, a blurb in Spin. That through our endeavors to
promote harmonious, well lit, social interaction we will be the catalyst
for true global change. The community should be bonded by the common goals
of preserving "the ultimate party," and the freedoms that enhance
and enable, even bands without talent, to thrive and prosper. The processes
of democracy have been assailed long enough, and it is imperative that we,
as citizens of the United States, commit every aspect of our lives to
assuming the means of production of our own scene, and all the catering,
decoration, and guest list responsibilities that are our God given rights.
Thus, on this day July, Seventh, Nineteen Hundred and Ninety One, the good
citizens of Portland do hereby declare their Scenedependence, and
establish the structures of self-government, and open bars, necessary for
the operation of a free society.
