Ripped backsides, ripped notes, ripped from Richard Cabut’s travels and his life. A kind of travelogue, a kind of psycho geographic snatching of moments, memories and points of interest north, south, east and west. Richard Cabut, a post-punk mover and shaker, journalist, writer and traveller. Luckily this slim vol. takes us to many of the places he’s visited over the years. New York, London, Warsaw, Berlin! How post-punk are those cities? Or were. And this is where Ripped Backsides is a useful guide. Based on his writings, have these cities and places changed? How does the artist move through a space totally taken over by capitalist fundamentalism? Does meaning drift free, unfettered by the platinum handcuffs of conformity and good taste? “The city is a constant poem that is told to and by itself, as habit”. And as Richard suggests maybe you find your own meaning despite current fashions, trends and the obliteration of old haunts, “City people dream another different city closer to their hearts”. The internal weather providing thoughts and visions far greater than the external weather swirling around the next set of concrete blocks. Psychic explorer, literary prospector, striking gold on every pathway, Richard Cabut has gone and done it again. Ripped Backsides the perfect book to slip in the back pocket and “…hit the open road. No end in sight. Somewhere”. Totally recommended.

Ripped Backsides – Richard Cabut published by Far West Press - £10.00

Steven Long