Ian F. Svenonius – författare

A new, expanded collection of both new and previously published essays and articles from one of the mainstays of the Washington, DC underground rock-and-roll scene, The Psychic Soviet is the most complete collection of writings by Ian Svenonius. The selections are written in a scholarly yet engaging style, filled with parody and biting humor that subvert capitalist culture, and cover such topics as the ascent of the DJ as a star, the “cosmic depression” that followed the defeat of the USSR, and the status of rock and roll as a religion.

Ian F. Svenonius’s experience as an iconic underground rock musician—playing in such highly influential and revolutionary outfits as the Make-Up and the Nation of Ulysses—gives him special insight on techniques for not only starting but also surviving a rock ‘n’ roll group. Therefore, he’s written an instructional guide, which doubles as a warning device, a philosophical text, an exercise in terror, and an aerobics manual.

This volume features essays on everything the would-be star should know to get started, such as sex, drugs, sound, group photo, the van, and manufacturing nostalgia. Supernatural Strategies will serve as an indispensable guide for a new generation just aching to boogie.

Ian F. Svenonius’s new collection of sixteen essays and stories, entitled Censorship Now!!, is reorganizing people’s ideas about censorship; Ikea; documentary film-making; the Berlin Wall; the film Heathers; the twist; the frug; the mashed potato; shaving one’s body; Apple, Inc.; Nordic functionalism; the supposed benevolence of the Wikipedia; hoarding; college rock; the origins of the internet; and more. It’s an underground smash which has been met with horrified gasps in all respectable quarters and gog-eyed enthusiasm in artist garrets the world over.

A reissue of Ian F. Svenonius''s cult-classic debut essay collection, including brand-new writing in this expanded edition.

"Everything author-slash-punk-icon Ian Svenonius says is interesting, and this book of satirical essays--originally published in 2006, now back in print--proves it...You''ll laugh until you cry."--Washington Post

"Ian F. Svenonius''s The Psychic Soviet was first published before the iPhone, before the cronut, and long before our culture thought to ask the Svenonius-like question of whether it was the CIA who actually wrote the Scorpions'' ''Wind of Change.'' Akashic Books just reissued...this short, offbeat, and very funny collection of essays."--Washingtonian

"As entertaining as books come."--Exclusive Magazine

"In a sense the book is Mr. Svenonius''s love letter to the good old days of do-it-yourself punk concerts, though it''s cleverly disguised as a series of Marxian essays."--New York Times

"The pocket-sized book--given Svenonius''s communism infatuation, the parallel to Mao''s Little Red Book is no mistake--contains well-thought-out arguments on a variety of subjects, from vampires to the origins of punk rock. It''s often funny, but never in a self-consciously ironic way." --Washington Post

"Ian Svenonius has come a long way since Sassy Magazine first dubbed him the ''Sassiest Boy in America'' in 1991. The DC singer has never been anything less than political to the extreme." --Village Voice

A new, expanded collection of essays and articles from one of the mainstays of the Washington, DC, underground rock and roll scene, The Psychic Soviet is Ian F. Svenonius''s groundbreaking first book of writings. The selections are written in a lettered yet engaging style, filled with parody and biting humor that subvert capitalist culture, and cover such topics as the ascent of the DJ as a star, the "cosmic depression" that followed the defeat of the USSR, how Seinfeld caused the bankruptcy of modern pop culture, and the status of rock and roll as a religion. The pocket-sized book is bound with a durable bright-pink plastic cover, recalling the aesthetics of Mao''s Little Red Book, and perfect for carrying into the fray of street battle, classroom, or lunch-counter argument.