Juggalo Country: Inside the World of Insane Clown Posse and America's Weirdest Music Scene

by Craven Rock, Damon Thompson (Illustrator)

WHOOP! WHOOP! The Insane Clown Posse calls itself "the most hated band in the world," but with 11 million albums sold, the horrorcore hip hop duo from Detroit is a widespread music phenomenon with a cult following. This book is the story of Craven Rock's journey to their annual festival, the Gathering of the Juggalos, where legions of fans in clown makeup come together every year to attend this family-reunion-like event and enjoy musical celebrities, feats of wrestling, debauchery, and most of all, a supportive, tight-knit community.Juggalos gained the political spotlight in 2017, when thousands of fans marched on Washington, DC to protest their classification by the FBI as a violent gang. Dwarfing the pro-Trump rally at the same time and place, Juggalos proved themselves to be a growing voice of dissent for some of the most neglected parts of the United States. Rock's reporting casts a light on many contradictions and perils of Juggalodom, sensitively handling questions of gender, health, religion, and what it means to be part of something. Part festival-goer's journal, part music history, part investigative report, part social commentary, Juggalo Country takes us into the heart of a much-derided and controversial movement and shows us the redemptive power of family and community.

Genres: Music

217 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 14, 2019

Reviews

[Ryan Mishap · Rating 2 out of 5]

Though the author has long been a friend of mine, I stayed away from his book for a variety of reasons: lack of interest in the subject, an avoidance of anything labeled "gonzo journalism" and fear that Craven's immersion in the Juggalo scene would be distasteful. Once he gave me this new edition, though, I had to read it and I shouldn't have worried: he was more of an anthropologist than gonzo journalist. Reading this felt like hanging out with Craven while getting DVD commentary straight from his brain and its varied thoughts.

I can't say I enjoyed the book, though. Before I was two thirds in, I was sick of hanging out with Juggalos at their annual gathering. I appreciated what Craven found fascinating and his attempts to parse the meaning of it all, but, damn, I was sick of it.

One of the most important issues Craven brings up is important, though, ICP may have created this cult-like community and leveraged it for as much wealth as they could, but it only works because of the people in the community believe in it. So, who is in charge? The leaders or the people? Who has the pwer and who could have the power if they seized it?

[Sami Lukkarinen · Rating 1 out of 5]

I guess this is what passes for journalism these days... Spend a few days drunk at a festival, talk for a few minutes about nothing with a few people, add some vapid SJW talking points and hey you got a book. I didnt know anything about juggalos before reading this and still don´t...

[Hedy Harper (Erin Hanton) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I misunderstood this book when I started it. I thought it was more recent based on its publication date and thought it was more about Juggalos than it is. In reality, it’s just one outsider guy’s perspective on The Gathering of Juggalos 2010. The introduction to this second edition teases much more interesting tidbits than actually exist in the book. It also feels a bit dated, since the Juggalo scene has changed quite a bit with the advent of TikTok and the rise of right wing extremism (not to mention Violent J’s daughter coming out as a furry and his support of her).

Once I was able to adjust my expectations of what the book actually is, it’s pretty interesting. It’s written less like a book and more like a blog, which is fine for what it is. The illustrations are great, and there are some great little tidbits in there.

[Conrad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Got this for a friend's 10 year old juggalette and decided to read it first. The story of a journalist who goes to The Gathering to see what being a juggalo is all about. He witnesses the dumb shit, but also the love juggalos have for each other. How when someone is passing out, fucked up, others who don't even know them will check on them and bring water. How everyone hustles, but not to make big profit, selling stuff or trading so that everyone gets what the need, regardless of how much money they have. He also points out the irony of ICP singing about killing richies, when they got rich off of their poor, poverty stricken fan base. He comes off as a fan of the juggalos but a negative image of the Insane Clown Posse.

[Nathan · Rating 2 out of 5]

The author went to the gathering of juggalos with his friend, the illustrator. They got drunk and did drugs and talked to juggalos. The author was conflicted, because the juggalos come from an oppressed demographic (poor people), and therefore must be saintly, but somehow they also seem to be misogynistic, anti intellectual, and cultish. How will the workers of the world unite and usher in the age of utopia, if they're a bunch of stupid assholes? Conclusions were not reached, but at least there were titties.

The book is not very good, but I did especially enjoy the last chapter, where the author -- while drunk, high, and soaking in Faygo -- briefly achieved Clown Love enlightenment.

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was SO fun to read. Easy to read, an honest and compassionate look into an often mocked subculture, made me want to go to The Gathering and I am NOT a Juggalette. And more than just a story about going, the cultural assessments and comparison to other music subgroups was very interesting. Would recommend to anyone wanting to learn more about someone who is different from them.

[Julie Rowse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Been a long time (since grad school, probably) since I've read a thorough ethnography of a subculture, and reading it made me miss that kind of work and the conversations it would provide. Definitely graphic though.

[Charlie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book, like every book I’ve read that was published by Microcosm, is personal, engaging, and readable as all get out. Now I know more about Juggalos than I thought possible. As gonzo journalism, however, the structure and final effect fall short of great.

[Nathan Andren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having worked for Psychopathic Records on and off since 1992 (including the Gathering of the Juggalos featured in the book) , the author's quest to understand Juggalo culture is commendable. This is a great entrance point for anyone interested in the Dark Carnival!

[Brian Paul · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun read but it is not a journalistic work by any means. In fact, this book could be used as a prime example of what journalism is not supposed to be.

[Cassie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The content itself is solid, it just could have been organized better

[thecarrotclarinet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun gonzo romp through the world of Juggalos, will say that the criticism was quite insightful.

[Michael Sowinski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting look into a very unique subculture.

[Kelly Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I expected some tabloid-esque descriptions of what Juggalos do on a regular basis, but I got a deeply insightful social commentary