Photos: ‘Tales of the San Francisco Cacophony Society’ Book Launch Party in San Francisco

John Law holding a copy of ‘Tales of the San Francisco Cacophony Society‘, photo by Eddie Codel

To celebrate the release of Tales of the San Francisco Cacophony Society, the book that chronicles the “strange but true” history of the influential collective known as the San Francisco Cacophony Society, a launch party was held on May 16, 2013 at City Lights bookstore in San Francisco, California.

Our Contributing Writer-at-Large mikl-em writes:

So, last night, WOW what a party. The Book Launch at City Lights was sensational. Cacophonists of every generation were out in force, it was packed with so many incredible people, many of whom hadn’t seen each other in years–some in decades. There were numerous amazing readings from the book on Marcel Proust and Car Hunts and much more…

An ingenious bit of rigging and line-running brought the miracle of audio and video to Jack Kerouac alley for the overflow crowd. And the lucky stiffs with stiff drinks on the second floor of Vesuvio next door got to see the action that way, too.

And I’m thrilled to report that City Lights completely sold out of Tales books before the readings even happened. Then Last Gasp brought a bunch more which also all sold out by night’s end! I think we have a hit on our hands, folks.

Here’s a look at some photos from the fun-filled night:

Laughing Squid’s Contributing Writer-at-Large mikl-em “protesting” the book.

“Hand of Power” by Rev. Al Ridenour (1992) at the Cacophony Society art show at Vesuvio Cafe

Elisa Suetake and Vinnie Pescado holding tiny protest signs.

Protesters with signs that read: “Stop the Weirdness” and “God Hates Facts”

Rusty Blazenhoff and Frank Chu (who is holding the sign that Laughing Squid sponsors), photo by Jason Schupp

A note about the shirt I’m wearing: In 1997, I found a box of buttons that read “Eat Fuck Kill” at the flea market (they are from a 1995 movie called The Doom Generation) and distributed them at Burning Man later that year (with Bigrig Industries, a group I was part of). They were a huge hit and, to this day, coveted by those who kept them (I still hear “I have mine.”). In 1998, I silkscreened this shirt and it’s been in storage since wearing it once that year. I also made stickers and handed those out the same year. Later, other versions of the button started popping up, like “Eat Fuck Chill” and more.

Tales of the San Francisco Cacophony Society is now available to purchase at Last Gasp.

photos by Rusty Blazenhoff unless otherwise credited