Homosexual Death Drive Merch started at the Brighton gigs in 2013. Someone had made us some very nice badges in the early days, but they were too neat. Kay had some horrible polystyrene cups knocking about so we drew cocks and sad women’s symbols on them in biro. We were undermining ideas of virtuosity and fine craftsmanship. We wanted to see how far we could push this idea.
Since then making things to accompany a performance has become an important part of the practice alongside Showbiz. Each new iteration explores a theme: masculinity, magick and chance, decay, and so on. The Merch table gives people an opportunity to come and talk about the work and to take away something as a souvenir. Merch is sold at each performance for 10p, 50p, occasionally £1. These are unique, handmade, one-off pieces that may have some fragility to them. All are authenticated by the words Homosexual Death Drive Official Merch in my handwriting. They usually sell out and therefore become rare and valuable items for collectors.
