What is it about them?
What’s interesting?
What’s the context and connections?
Firstly, what are their characteristics?
Rebellious, awkward, antagonistic, contrary, creative?
Not a member of any club, not least this one?
Anti-establishment self-promoters?
Men of a certain age?
Where have I come across them before?
Jeremy Deller (57)
Have met, in Glasgow 1996? Doesn’t fit the expected artist role, which is good and questions the practice he is involved in. Deller name checks Drummond in his Art is Magic book in relation to his film on Rave culture.
Bill Drummond (70)
Have Met twice, was phoned in 2000 to help arrange his For Sale project in Aberdeen, he turns up in Land Rover and rolls out his carpet, does his performance then off he goes. Then in Stonehaven, book and film performance, 2018? Also in performance is TDB, met Drummond outside to sign book, doesn’t remember the For Sale project encounter.
Julian Cope (65)
Never met, bought Teardrop explodes singles in 79/80. Big buddy of Drummond I believe, always seems to be changing gear, project visiting standing Stones in Scotland.
Tam Dean Burn (65)
Met with Drummond, and seen around Edinburgh and in films. Saw him recently as singer with Scars, friends know him well.
Stewart Home (61)
Never met, read some of 69 Things, had recent contact comment on Instagram saying he had met all the others (before Athey was included).
Ron Athey (61)
In presence of him at CCA Glasgow, 1995? when he did performances there. I didn’t go as too scary for me, but seemed like a friendly chap.
I would imagine that they wouldn’t like to be categorised like this; bundled into a tight group, thought of as the same types, but to me there is something intriguing about the creative and well-known outsider. A rattler of the cage, pushing sticks in the spokes, getting themselves in the news for just doing their thing. Or do they purposefully go out to cause debate, conflict, and chaos?
What is it that they do to achieve this recognition and reputation?
I’m writing this as a fan and feel I have a similar outlook on things with these types. The types who shun authority, hate hierarchy, promote self-expression, but are also supportive, loyal, and creative. They are all creative artists of some sort; artist, actor, writer, musician, performer, filmmaker; and a conglomeration of all of these, when it is required.
They are just one of many who go against the grain of what is already happening, they have a knowing strategy to stand apart from what is expected and what everyone else is doing. Trickster, comes to mind again, as we need these types to challenge the convenient and comfortable. But they aren’t that extreme really, really?
They have been like this all their lives it seems, to get to where they are they needed to be rebellious and creative through their teenage and youthful years. They are now middle-aged men, who still have these feelings, and want to do things, but maybe are starting to relax a bit and just let their reputation and their work take the heat.
Iain Irving 