Insane Clown Posse at The Marquee: The Juggalo Lifestyle On Display

By Martin Cizmar Wed., Sep. 30 2009 at 8:58 AM

Categories: Concert Review

Victor J. Palagano III

Say what you want about Insane Clown Posse: Never before in the history of popular music has a band created so complete a lifestyle for its fans. The Dead, Buffet, and Slipknot don't even come close. No, the Detroit-based rap duo's concert at Tempe's Marquee Theatre last night wasn't much of a "show" aside from some fun props and the de rigueur spraying of Faygo soda on the crowd. The songs themselves were largely done with playback, the bass turned up too high to hear the hooks -- ICP does have hooks with their cartoonishly profane and violent lyrics -- still, the scene, a glimpse into the peculiar world of Juggalos, was well worth my time, especially when the feyest of all indie-folkers, Bon Iver, fresh off his daybreak concert in an LA cemetery, was the other option.

Juggalos -- fans of the band sometimes mistaken for a gang, such is their fervor for all things ICP-- are everywhere in Arizona. In fact only the band's hometown, Utah and Colorado are in the same league with the Copper State, Juggalo-wise. Having hung out with Juggalos for a column awhile back (read it here) I can tell you they're definitely not a gang, though they are generally the sort of economically underprivileged and socially awkward kids society has little use for. These "scrubs," as they'll call themselves, are bound together by facepaint, their call of "woop woop" and a bizarre Apocalyptic mythology revealed in the band's first six albums then conveniently brushed aside so their careers could continue to present day.

Not only do Juggalos have a huge litany of symbols, song references and chants outsiders don't understand to pull from, they have a full-blown subculture complete with a clowned-up offshoot of Christianity. They also have more oblique forms of Groupthink, such as an intense loathing for George W. Bush, who they consider a "hillbilly" -- hillbillies being a stand-in for the Juggalo concept of pure evil, a character depicted in ICP songs as looking and acting something like a Hee Haw extra. It doesn't stop there: The opener, a reggae/hardcore/metal band called Hed PE was cheered for suggesting Facebook is a conspiracy by "old people" who want to drive half the kids away from MySpace to diminish their strength. Yes, in this world Facebook is a conspiracy, mixed martial arts are our national sport and story arcs from professional wrestling are our shared epic stories. It's more than that, though: Juggalos even have their own porn. No link, sorry.

Despite the fact that ICP's shows have gotten a little lamer over the years -- when I saw them on The Great Milenko tour it really was an incredible show, last night was so-so -- for many Juggalos, the semi-annual Arizona appearance by two white rappers in their late 30s wearing black and white facepaint is the Superbowl, Christmas and Halloween rolled in to one. You could tell that from the wild atmosphere at the Marquee, where Juggalos started tailgating by 5 p.m., litter started piling up before the openers were done and the first rowdy fans were tossed before I'd even made it through security. Inside the show didn't totally deliver: ICP took to a funhouse-themed stage introduced by a Carnival barker, with clowns in sequined suits tossing diet Faygo soda on the crowd while a backing track did most of the work for Shaggy 2 Dope and a bloated and unwell (even in facepaint) looking Violent J.

Victor J. Palagano III

Juggalos have their own brand of ethics, too, which makes for an interesting concert going experience. As an innocent and respectful civilian I was treated to the finest Juggalo hospitality: Some kid stepped on my shoe then said "sorry, my bad, homie," looking back to make sure the apology was accepted before moving on. Meanwhile, some kids behind me were plotting their anti-security actions upon exit, deciding it would be best to spit their gum on someone in a black "Security" shirt as they left to avenge perceived wrongs. I decided to leave early at that point because I'm way too old to catch a case or end up with stitches because I was in the wrong place at a concert.

A girl who introduced herself to photographer Victor J. Palagano and I said she wanted to bring her 3-year-old son in facepaint, as some other Juggalos did, but "We like to get fucked up, and I didn't want to drive with him when we were fucked up." If she and her man crashed that was a different matter, she said: "I've got an insurance policy on him, so it's no big deal if I kill him." She was joking, sorta. This seems to be, to the mind of many Juggalos I've met, a reasonable way to look at the world.

I, for one, am fascinated. It's interesting to me that more people aren't. Hipsters are fascinated by Norwegian death metal but show so little regard for our American-grown brand of batshit superfans. These are the sort of devotees that might literally kill if so ordered by a guy in facepaint: Vice cares at least. This is going to change in a big, way though, I'd expect. It's only a matter of time until some major media-worthy incident catapults the phenomenon to respectable national publications the way Altamount did for the Hell's Angels.

And you went to Bon Iver?

Critic's Notebook:

Last Night: Insane Clown Posse at Marquee Theatre

Better Than: ASU tailgating or mot haunted houses in town.

Personal Bias: I unironically liked this band in high school, which I am not shamed to admit. It's a fun show! The cult-level of Arizona fans mystifies me though.

Random Detail: ICP's annual festival, the Gathering of the Juggalos in Illinois, actually attracts some big non-clown acts. Last year Three Six Mafia, Ice-T, Andrew W.K., 2 Live Crew, and Afroman played it.

Further Listening: "Hokus Pokus," the lone Milenko track from the beginning of last night's set, is probably the band's best song.

Hokus Pokus - Insane Clown Pos...

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Insane Clown Posse, Juggalos

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For some reason, 90% of the "Juggalos" that posted on this article have such a lack of intelligence. No grammar, they can't spell, and they just look un-educated. In all honesty, if you're 17, I understand. Paint your face, follow the band, I get it. But if you're 18+, it's time to grow up, get a job, and stop smoking weed in your mother's basement.
such hate, i had no idea what a juggalo was until i read this article. I've never met one of these people, but they ARE people. Freaks... What is a freak anyway? A derogatory term used to belittle someone, who usually is abnormal is some way. Look at what Normal is becoming in our society and I think I can understand people who Want to be ABnormal, to an extent. Way to show your prejudices "cool" parent.
Well sure....quite a few Juggalos (no E man....get with it) "just won't see the light of day" and most were picked on high school. We were the underdogs, the ones that don't fit in, the ones that saw things differently. But that's what being a juggalo (or juggalette if you wish) is all about. Finding a group of people that you do fit in with. People that will love and respect you when the rest of the world turns their back. That's why the chant of "family" is so prominent at shows, events, and mere sightings of a hatchetman on the back of someone's car or hoodie. Now, what you don't realize, in your small stupor of ignorant hate, is that juggalos serve you your meals at drive thru's. We also wash and/or fix your car, oh and speaking of cars, I know a few well polished salesmen and women that are die-hard juggalos. I collect your past due vehicle payments, and I have a friend, also a juggalette if you will, that defends big corporations that don't feel like paying their bills when they go to court. I also know of a few celebrities you might be surprised to find are juggalos as well as a few social workers. Chew on that one. It isn't just the "scrubs" or the unwanted members of society that are juggalos. It isn't just the people that you pass on the street that you feel sorry for or ashamed of. We're everywhere. Juggalos are just today's interpretation of Dead Heads. We love each other, we love Psychopathic records and the things that they do and we love music, and having a good time. People like you, JuggaloesMUSTdie, fail to realize that we are also educated people, and Jay and Shaggy actually do quite a bit of good and give to quite a few charities, they were just in Detroit doing photos and signatures at a benefit. How many other big name musicians do you know that go to places like Detroit to try to raise money for schools and other events with no benefit to them at all? Not many I would venture. You should do your research and for God's sake and your own, don't ever talk that kind of trash to the wrong kind of Juggalo. Because you're right, we aren't all good, but most of us are people just trying to live our lives like you....except we hate less.
i get hate all the time for being a juggafur i just shrug it off cus i got fam juggafur=juggalo furry
whoop whoop to da fam readn dis shit lol who wanna give me a faygo bath i just went n bought like 5 lol >>?? XOXO denver colorado myriah bitch1!!!!!
Ok first of all ima juggalo!!!! n dont eva dis us!!!! EVA!!!!! I wil alwayz b a juggalo n no1 can change that about me as an individual!!!! n icp is alwayz guna b my favorite band!!!!!
Ok y r u dissin icp fanz in da first place itz sooo retarded!!! n dont tell parentz to BEWARE!!! if there child wantz to go alone let them!!!!!
All the people disin' on the wickid clowns need to know just one thing.... BEHIND EVERY SUCCESSFUL JUGGALO
hah Skratch that Great Concert!!!!! Whooop Whooop
Thats Me on the way Righttt drinking the CokeZero Becuase People Were Giving Them away for Free In The Line.... Sooo Juggalojt111 I Dont See How Drinking CokeZero Makes me Less Of Juggalo Then You.... But Overalll Good Concert
I tell you what, attendees at the awesome ICP concert were much more respectful, polite and friendly than the hypocrites that attended the Jars of Clay/Thousand Foot Krutch show, so what does that tell you? Which fans are collecting and portraying a proper attitude toward their human surroundings?....definately the Juggalos! The so-called "Christian" fans were rude, snobby, nasty and horrid, and they dare call themselves people of God! I love ICP and Jars of Clay and Thousand Foot Krutch, but would rather hang out with ICP fans then the other. Give it some thought...you might realize something important as far as ethics go.....
I tell you what, attendees at the awesome ICP concert were much more respectful, polite and friendly than the hypocrites that attended the Jars of Clay/Thousand Foot Krutch show, so what does that tell you? Which fans are collecting and portraying a proper attitude toward their human surroundings?....definately the Juggalos! The so-called "Christian" fans were rude, snobby, nasty and horrid, and they dare call themselves people of God! I love ICP and Jars of Clay and Thousand Foot Krutch, but would rather hang out with ICP fans then the other. Give it some thought...you might realize something important as far as ethics go..... Crusader
Great show I have never been to a concert that if you get pushed over like 3-4 people rush to get you up. these people really do have a love for everyone there. Like people said there is always a few bad apples on the tree, but the rest is great. I will go to icp show everytime from now on.
To the person that says don't take your kids, go and stop them from going see were that gets ya. Every concert is like that unless you have seats. Next time go stay at home and just let your kids have a good time. Im sure you messed it up for them. The more you hate on ICP the more your kids will love it. My mom let me be and I grew up just fine. my friends dad tried to stop him and guss what he is the biggest juggalo that i know. hmmmm woop woop who's going chicken hunten much clown love right here :)
THE SHOW ITSELF WAS A REALLY GREAT SHOW! AN ICP CONCERT IS REALLY IS SOMETHING TO SEE! GRETA LYRICS AND TONS OF FAYGO SODA SPRAYED ON FANS THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE TIME! I DOUBT ANYONE WENT HOME DRY AND WITHOUT BEING NEAR AN EMPTY BOTTLE PASSED AROUND! LOTS OF LIGHTS AND ACTION! UNCOMPARABLE SHOW ALL BY ITSELF! FANS SUCKED!
BEWARE - Parents that let their children go alone! I am a parent that escorted my teen and her friends! Lots of Pedophiles stalking unsuspecting kids, Older men with teen girls, An open bar and lots of drug use in the building! They light up and blow it on unsuspecting fans/kids! Also, Don't buy into the Juggalo "FAM-I-LY" Whoop!Whoop! Bull-Sh-t! These so called "HOMIES" are rude and abusive! Being GA, there were lots and lots of "Homies" that wanted to get closer to the already approachable stage right before the show started. They violently pushed and shoved all the rest of us that were already in position and were waiting patiently for the concert to begin. We had to move to the back! Who needs that type of "FAM-I-LY! Just because they were "BIGGER" they bullied all of the HOMIES! Security sucked, way understaffed for such an event, although they did remove many unruly Homies! If you ask me the "Dark Carnival" were all the psychopathic "FREAKS" of all races and ages that showed up! That was the TRUE show!
I am a Juggalette! Meaning I am an ICP FAN!Its all just 4 F-U-N! Really... let's not make it more than it is! Its a S-H-O-W! Marketing is the focus here! If you'll buy it....They'll sell it! Come on folks,if you think it is anything more than read between the lines of what the label of psychopathic records means - records for psychopaths that believe this sh-t is for real!
First off I'd like people to disregard my SN here. I know it is often a topic for people to yap about. But it's aliteration people, nothing more. Now...about the article. This homie has it pretty straight, or as straight as a 'non-juggalo' (I don't like that term..) can. Psychopathic shows aren't really about going to hear the music preformed live. It's more like a mini-reunion if you will. Almost like a little fix of The Gathering to keep us all satisfied until the summer rolls around again. Juggalos go to see each other, to have fun and to party with the Psychopathic music turned up loud. Sure...some of us get into stupid things and wind up having the Gang label slapped on. But technically even the Republican and Democrats are a Gang if you go by the legal definition. But...most people ignore that fact. And most forget that every group of people, no matter who or what they are, have idiots. Every group has a handful that are bound to ruin it for everyone. That's just the way of the world people. Stop harassing and hating on people because of their music choices. If you are so cemented in your beliefs that Music/Movies and Videos games cause violence then you are likely someone who would fall 'victim' to such weak-minded follies. Think for yourself, take these things as what they are...ENTERTAINMENT...and leave it at that. And yes. Some of us are very, very entertained by ICP and the groups around them. If not...you really think we would keep giving them our money?
im sorry but this 'so called' band is by far the worst thing to come into music juggaloes honstly get with the program u wow just see the day light and live its been taken too far and yes in most places juggaloes do gang like acts just grow up theyre just nerds that got picked on in high school so they paited there faces
yo WTF! all them juggalos in the pic are drinkin Coke Zero. Where's the faygo??? they aint juggalos LOL.
Martin, c'mon. You're basically saying that the only reason to go to a ICP show is to people watch. From your own review ICP was so-so. I don't know how you can say that with the only other option being Bon Iver you chose this. I respectfully submit that you made the wrong choice. We still love you though.