Pitchfork: Ian Svenonius to Publish Book

In his journey from purporting to know the sound of young America to inquiring whether you, yes you, do indeed like gospel music, to creaming all over some scene or other to noting that war is downright weird, Washington D.C.'s Ian Svenonius (aka Igor F. Svenonius, according to his self-written press release) has managed to remain punk as fuck while never letting conventions peg him too precisely. Svenonius' new role is that of author, and his new book, The Psychic Soviet, will be released through Drag City in early 2006.

The Psychic Soviet will be a work of non-fiction, containing "a collection of essays regarding the use, origin, and meaning of various cultural phenomena and will be presented in pocket size for the student's easy reference in the event of any ethical and/or aesthetic quandaries," dealing with a common thread of struggle against ideological systems via art and artistic expression.Good looking out Ian/Igor, but while you're at it, can you maybe help "the student" out with a Cliff's Notes version as well?

The scholarly affair is a mix of new and previously published work, and Mr. S has decided to make it an elitist affair: "It is not decided yet whether just anyone will be permitted to buy the book, or what criteria must be fulfilled for its purchasing," he says. Arthur Lee must be spinning in his grave... oh, wait, scratch that.

Svenonius adds, "It is known, however, that it will be printed on archival paper which won't disintegrate in the time machine when it's sent back as a warning to artists and sexaholic sportsmen in bygone days," perhaps hinting that his earlier comments may be tinged with a bit of irony. Nevertheless, we here at Pitchfork intend to test this theory and send it back to the halcyon days of screamo in 1992 just for shits and giggles.

Weird War aren't on tour at the moment, but they will make an appearance at this year's All Tomorrow's Parties festival, taking place in East Sussex, England from December 2 - 4. The Mars Volta curated the fest, and they will be performing alongside Les Savy Fav, the Kills, Antony and the Johnsons, Dungen, Saul Williams, Hella, the Locust, Acid Mothers Temple, Diamanda Galas, Lydia Lunch, Madlib, and, like, thirty other fucking amazing bands.

For a taste of Svenonius' rhetoric, check out his recent feature on NPR's "Marketplace" here. It explains how Alan Greenspan is the "father of electroclash."