by robert m. cluesman
After many failed and successful attempts at independent
publication of my writings, I met Max Michaels in 1993. Max had published
Movement in Gainesville for I don't know how long; now he was in
Jacksonville and looking to publish a new zine. I remember that we met at
a party at my apartment on King Street. We hit it off immediately and
decided to work together. Originally, "Movement Magazine" was going to be
called "Three Prong Plug Magazine". After much deliberation, however, I
was able to convince him to keep the name Movement. I was then (and I'm
sure he is now) perfectly happy. I felt that he chose "Movement" because
of what it represented to the world of the underground music scene and the
culture surrounding it. Although I related to this as well, I had ulterior
motives. To me "Movement" also encompassed the growing political
consciousness in America in the early 90's and that was my primary reason
for joining on as editor. I wanted to generate a fusion of counter-culture
and politics in the magazine medium. What better way to do it than to
align myself with a magazine called "Movement"?
Max and I also shared a number of other visions. We both dreamed of
making a name for ourselves; becoming notorious for what we do for better
or worse. The key to doing this, I believe, was courage. Not being afraid
to say what we wanted to say made a name for us literally overnight. It
all started with the publication of the Aphex Twin issue. In this same
issue I did an interview with Black Panther Party Co-founder, Bobby Seale.
We then did a zig-zag road trip from Tampa, Florida to Portland, Maine and
all points in between. In every major city along the way, we exhausted
contact after contact pushing the magazine and the validity of the
Jacksonville scene. The results of our efforts was recognition by the
entire east coast underground. We established Movement Magazine in
Jacksonville by making it legitimate in the eyes of record companies and
rock stars alike in New York City. We also used the internet and our
friends in New York to connect with the UK scene. By the second issue we
had the Future Sound Of London interview. By the third issue we had Dee-Lite
on the cover and also did an impromptu interview with them backstage at
Club 5. In the interview Lady Kerr Kirby stated:
"Movement is the best underground magazine on the east coast
because it isn't afraid to mix the music scene with politics".
At the risk of sounding pretentious, I will say that behind the
scenes, we lived the image of the glam lifestyle. I would be lying if I
said that club courtesy, record company promos, trips to New York and the
occasional company of rock stars and celebrities didn't make me feel...
special. Even more rewarding was the recognition, respect and sometimes
utter disgust of my peers. The most important thing of all to me as editor
of Movement Magazine was the act of accomplishing something; the pride of
having produced a work of art for all to see. A work of art to be loved or
hated and I really didn't care which.
- Robert M. Cluesman
Today, Robert lives in
Seattle, Washington. He is a local photographer/filmmaker of ill repute
producing pornography and erotic fine art in San Francisco, Portland,
Seattle, and Vancouver.