GG Allin: 18 Years Later

This month, the 28th to be exact, marks the 18th anniversary of Mr. Allin’s death. I am baffled that 18 years went by so quickly. Hearing of his passing seemed so long ago, but in another sense it was just the other day. At the time it was not surprising, especially after years of proclaiming a suicide on stage. With a person living such a sick lifestyle, an early demise was inevitable.
I feel fortunate, or maybe unfortunate, to have had the opportunity to witness a GG fiasco live. The show was almost missed however. A day before he was to perform I went to Sound Exchange and by luck saw an updated show flyer. For some reason the gig was moved up a day early, meaning it was going on that night. So I rushed home to revise my whole schedule to ensure Mr. Allin’s performance was not missed.
Opening was some local punk band whose name escapes my mind. The only thing I remember about them is they played a Reagan Youth cover. “No Class” or “Degenerated”, or some song. I don’t recall, but it really does not matter.
As expected, the show itself was a riot. All those family favorite tracks of his were played. Throughout the performance Mr. Allin continuously jumped off the stage and slugged someone in the audience. He did that multiple times to the same guy. Why the guy stood there with no retaliation is a mystery to me. Maybe he was the ultimate fan and saw GG’s fist to jaw as a gift from the messiah. Those actions did no fly with other attendees. Each time he jumped off the stage, people in the crowd attacked him. At one point he brawled across the entire venue. Each time he would retreat backwards to the stage, fell on his back and kicked wildly with both feet.

GG Allin - Live Houston 1993




Luckily there was no fecal matter unleashed. As planned, if he started shitting about the place I was leaving. No bodily fluids, just a full set of violence. Maybe he forgot to take his laxatives before the show.
Anyway, Mr. Allin was a sickened degenerate but I have always found his music offensively funny, everything from the snotty punk of The Jabbers to the filth rock of the Murder Junkies. Those bottom of the barrel lyrics are pure comedy.
As with all controversial figures in entertainment, in death he is considered to be some sort of immortal. Well I don’t look at him in that sense, but do find him as a pioneer of self expression….a person who truly did not give a shit about anything.