It all started when I was 16. I was in a friend's basement doing questionable things, and watching a movie called Party Monster. This movie was my first introduction to that crazy period of New York City nightlife during the 1990s and is the 'based on a true story' account of the downfall of Michael Alig, one of the scene's most important 'club kids'.
Last week I picked up the book 'Clubland: The Fabulous Rise and Murderous Fall of Club Culture' by Frank Owen from the public library. Though I didn't really like the book very much, as it mostly focused on the 'murderous fall' bits, it did re-spark my interests in club kids and all their outrageousness. It's really fun to watch these kids in bizarre get-ups parade around on daytime television, shocking the hell out of Middle America with their perceived narcissism. The club kids claimed their lifestyle was all about having fun, and who can blame them? I really appreciate their dedication to confronting cultural norms by looking as weird as possible.
But watching their appearances on Phil Donahue and Joan Rivers wasn't quite enough. In order to satisfy my craving for more club kid shenanigans, I had to go back to where it all began: Party Monster. I took about a zillion screen shots for your viewing pleasure. Macaulay Culkin and Seth Green can really rock the 'outrageous homo' look with plenty of sequins to spare.
I love how they featured a parody of all the talk shows that the real club kids appeared on.
Not to mention the movie featured everybody's favourite, CHLOE SEVIGNY.
I must start dressing like this on a daily basis.
39 comments:
This looks like a crazy but simultaneously very interesting movie
Please do. I'll start working on it down here in VA.
Did you ever see my Michael Alig halloween costume? It would PROBABLY blow your mind.......
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v371/242/84/852340612/n852340612_4695102_9331.jpg
ISABEL. im dying with JOY! this is awesome and there are NO good screenshots of this movie ANYWHERE online I've been searching for ages...seriously...this is so good. k ill try to be done freaking out now!
oh man, I love these people! I would totally walk around the suburbs wearing a giant puffball on my head!
I have the skirt that matches that Stephen Sprouse graffiti jacket!
http://wendybrandes.com/blog/2008/12/sprouse-is-back-back-again/
I'm kind of jealous of the leopard tights from the first screen shot.
my roommate was friends with a couple of the "real" party monster guys and finds it kinda weird that i'm so obsessed with them haha.
As a Brit I never really heard of this scene but you've made me want to watch that movie!
www.coldcoconuticecream.blogspot.com
aha great post and blog love it !
There is actually a really interesting interview that was done recently with Michael Alig.
http://www.interviewmagazine.com/culture/michael-alig/
He's scheduled to be released from jail by the end of the year.
GENIUS. I have to see that movie! I'm secretely in love with Seth Green ever since I watched Buffy the Vampire Slayer as a kid.
How have I not seen this movie?! o.0
WHAT AN AMAZING POST!
Thank you so much for making this blog post about the "Club Kids" not only did I learn something new and awesome but I also really want to watch Party Monster I had always heard of it but I never got around to watching it. I also want to thank you for posting the links to the youtube videos about the "Club Kids" they were awesome!
THANKS
this movie looks fantastic. I love the outfits and everything. Really, you should try to re-create one of them in an Isabel-y way.
and questionable things? Tsk tsk.
i should be revising, actually just going to scour the internet for this film instead. i love you x
the shirt is from ebay. no exciting story, unfortunately.
Ha, why have I never seen this movie?! It looks like something I'd be into! Note to self: rent it soon!
http://playingdressupwithkellie.blogspot.com/
you need to read 'what i loved' by siri hustvedt. not only is it a really good book, but this scene is an importang subplot in the second half of the novel.
i thikn seth green kind of stole all teh scenes from maculay... but i have to admit- i like little maculay in that little german outfit... ehehehe. :)
how old school is that? LOVE IT!
xx
hotfunkyvibes.blogspot.com
I WISH I could dress like this on a daily basis, too freakin' awesome!
I also had that one picture (the 11th one I think) saved on my computer for the longest time and had no idea where it was from. I'm definitely watching this now!
OOH SPARKLESNEONSHINYMAGICFUNTIME oh joy
oh wow chloeee ! <3
love it :)
This looks awesome. I really want to see that movie now! Also, I think Phil Donahue is so lame in that movie.
This looks like a cool movie. Luvin the craziness!
http://littlemissmagpie-emmy.blogspot.com/
is there a specific place to find this movie online because it looks AMAZING
LOVELOVELOVE you for posting this. So weird and interesting, and of course I love Party Monster.
I love dressing up and costumes and halloween I wish I had the money and energy to dress up all the time like them.
http://ilgattoselvatico.blogspot.com/
http://www.etsy.com/shop/ilgattoselvatico
Ah!! I've been seeing random screenshots of this movie for years now but never knew where they came from. Now I know and I am so grateful! :D
I downloaded this movie after I saw this post and I am so amazed by all those wicked neon & glittery outfits!
There was a party scene like this (albeit not as extravagant) a couple of years back in my town here and used to adore all these crazy kids with their home-made outfits and 'too kool 4 school' kinda attitude. So I played the Gitzi role and tried to get to know them. I did, and there was something inherently sad about their whole lifestyle. Obviously the drug use is disturbing but what was truly sad was that behind this supposed 'don't dream it, be it' attitude there was this incredibly sad and hurt person behind the fab-façade. They also never learnt to be themselves and open up. Oh, it was depressing and after all these years they're still playing the it-girls & it-boys (although in different cities). Pf, I kinda pity them and wish they could realise they're not being their true selves.
I now know what I'm going to put down as my future career goal on various surveys: club kid!
Another reason to love the nineties <3 If only I hadn't been an embryo/toddler. Shame.
Okay so it's in the eighties. My bad.
But thank god this movie was on youtube, because it wasn't at my library. And now these screenshots mean so much more :)
I was watching it and my sister walked in and was fairly disturbed.
I'm also convinced I need to host some sort of club-kid-party at some point in time. If only to dress up and live out my fantasy.
"NO MORE FUCKING...COMME DES GARCONS MICHAEL!" god i love this movie.
Ohmigaw I LOVVVEEED the club kids when I was in High School! As soon as I saw Party Monster, I was hooked and devoured James St James' book "Disco Bloodbath." Pure excessive decadent destructive goodness.
Club Kid "JENNY" is now the coordinator for the lower east side girls club.... crazy cool.
THANK YOU for posting about this movie. I just spent the past hour researching, watching videos, etc. about the club kids and... I think I've found my new obsession !! Loveloveloveee it...
kimberleighrose
ready-setyourselfonfire-go.blogspot.com
Ah! It makes me so happy when I find fellow club kid obsessives :D I'm weirdly obsessed with James St. James especially, and Michael and I have been writing to each other :)
http://michaelalig-clubkid.blogspot.com is a new blog I just found. it's pretty much an in your face blog.
cheers for sending a link to this... awesome post!! x
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