"Money sucks, don't you know that man? Like, we cover ourselves with shit and sit in the sun."
Chris Clark, 1986
Just another beautiful failure, some might say. The details of the band's genesis were contrived enough, but the atmosphere of the time would never be replicated. It was something called post-punk when groups of individuals would collaborate to form musical art collectives, detached from the corporate fiscal cycles and fast talking henchmen. The recognition required for the artists' egos might come in the form of magazine reviews by other artists or academics, or the opportunity to perform with the like minded. Monetary compensation was just not a part of the aesthetic.
"If you want Hardcore, go out and get some pizza."
Diane Farris, 1985
Sometime during the mid-to-late eighties an interset in categorizing and marketing the teeming underground became appent to CIAJ. In what could only be described in current terms as "pre-lilith" the group noticed it's live performances were usually organized around the tours of a few other groups at the time that also included female members. This booking tactic baffled CIAJ who were interested in performing with their peers. Other gigs were classified as "hardcore" shows, in which most of the participants had no appreciation for the Duchampian antics of CIAJ. One in particular featured the band performing on chaise lounges handing out packaged sandwiches of two pieces of white bread stapled together. The group was met with obcenities and bottle hurling. Their infrequent live performances were usally frought with disdain or disbelief on the part of the audience. The best example of this being the "Eat My Fuck" Earth Day show at their alma mater in 1986.

"I've discovered my inner clown..."
Pseu Braun, 1995

Throughout the years 1986 to 1995 the band recorded several songs and practiced hundreds more while trends like neo-sothern rock, concepts like grunge and marketing terms like "alternative" seemed to have destroyed any vestige of artistic expression in the "underground". To admit to being in a band was like admitting to a murder, to be viewed as just one more piece of driftwood waiting to be fashioned into a puppet of the corporate music army. For CIAJ, to not be heard from was like having all the perks of invisibility. It was also seemingly imperative for their collective mental health to stick together.
"Are you still a fucking asshole?"
Anonymous ex-member to Chris Clark, 1990
"I guess I still am," is the usual response given when a band member of CIAJ is queried as to their participation in the group.


(limited edition compilation cd available on request)

The No York Times

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