In 1994, I co-edited the book Lend the Eye a Terrible Aspect with Mason Jones. We wanted to confront North America at the end of the 20th century. Topics spanned bringing Christmas to a crack house, working as a “transsexual” (terminology has changed since 1994) prostitute, Hollywood’s effect on drive-by shootings, enduring homophobia from the police, finding one’s own ethnic identity, surviving rape, and the human need to form tribes.
Lend the Eye collected essays, short fiction, and artwork by Americans and Canadians. Contributors were a who’s who of underground music and art, including Jello Biafra (of the Dead Kennedys), Don Bajema (author of Winged Shoes and a Shield), Stephen Holman (creator of the cartoons “Life with Loopy” and “Phantom Investigators”), recording artist Deborah Jaffe (Master/Slave Relationship), performance artist blackhumour, and Mark Lo (publisher of the legendary zine File 13).
Publication details:
Lend the Eye a Terrible Aspect edited by Loren Rhoads and Mason Jones
Publisher: Automatism Press
Publication date: January 1, 1994
Published in paperback only.
ISBN: 0-9636794-0-6
Purchase link:
I still have a few copies of the book for sale for $5. Contact me, if you’re interested.
Reviews:
“The book analyzes how we, as North Americans, live in arguably the most affluent nations on Earth, but also are the poorest in soul. The contributing writers are all aware of this fact and seek to expose our culture for what it is: a media-controlled fishbowl. The writers in this collection are scared and angry about what they see approaching.” —Maximum Rock N Roll
“An intriguing collection of fiction and essays by some of the more interesting voices from the San Francisco/Los Angeles axis… It stands out as an important collection of observations of our contemporary society.” — Factsheet Five
“This is a great collection of essays and fiction about the issues facing North America. I can’t even begin to list all of the good things in here. Anybody living in this day and age needs this book.” — Cyber-Psychos AOD
