James Domestic

CRUOR

Dave Cullern & James Domestic

After having a couple of poems published in the past (I guess I'm most proud of the one I had in a collection that was a benefit for The Freedom Bookshop in London, which had been firebombed by the far right a few years ago), I thought it was about time I did something with the backlog of material I'd had lying around for years. Some written on tours with The Domestics, some on holidays, some in pubs...wherever inspiration struck really.

If the word "poetry" makes you think of some of the "birds and flowers" stuff you were probably subjected to at school, then re-think that notion; that is emphatically NOT what me and Dave do!

Dave is a much more widely published poet than me (he's not in quite so many bands though!!!), and so it made sense to put out a 'split' book between the two of us...here's the official blurb:

Cruor by Dave Cullern and James Domestic
100 page poetry collection
Release date; 19th September 2022
Available from Kibou Records / Fuck Ballads

In equal parts combative and hilarious, raging and gentle, this poetry collection brings together the writings of two very recognisable voices from the UK DIY punk scene in Dave Cullern (Haest/The Dead Anyways) and James Domestic (The Domestics/PI$$ER/Botched Toe/Tokyo Lungs etc.).

Now freed from the beer covered floors and distorted noise of the punk venue, both speak with a rare honesty throughout these eye opening and compelling pages. They take on everything from ageing disgracefully to toxic masculinity, politics to love, conspiracy theorists to fake punks, and celebrities to Brexiteers, all written with the same raw, honest voices that both are respectively known for in their lyrics.

If you would like to arrange an interview with the writers, or require any other information, please contact shamcityroasters@gmail.com or kibourecords@hotmail.co.uk

So, if you fancy a copy (they're only £7), you can grab one from The Store on this site. or from Kibou Records here or here.

I've been reading a few of them on my Instagram, which you can check out here. Dave has been doing the same, and you can check his out here.

BUY CRUOR

IMPOSTER

Weaving through the glittering throng

Like a shark

But out of my depth

Unsure of the protocol

Snout-powder confidence

It’s just a trick

To cover my unacceptability

So that I can maybe make the most of

This opportunity

This nonsensical moment

A probable clerical error

I’m an imposter

I always have been

And I always will be

Ten minutes tops

And I’ll be out on my arse

GLUE

People talk about old horses being made into glue

Well, I never really quite believed it was true

But I read-up and researched it, and now I’m sure I do

Now I’ve reached an age where I could be glue

I wouldn’t mind a bit

Boil me up, bottle me, and crown me with a lid

Process my collagen, break me down with lime

Reincarnated as a useful gunk

I might stick with it this time

HUMAN SHTICK

If I keep making things

Records

Words

Art

Will it do the trick?

I’m not even sure what trick I mean

It’s slippery

Uncatchable

A glimpse and it’s gone

What am I trying to achieve?

Validation?

Putting yourself “out there”

When you’re inescapably introverted

Your head pops out of the shell

To take the air

Then shoots back in when it gets too much

I suspect, and I’m no Poirot

I suspect, and it’s psych 101

That by making things, making art

We are attempting to remake ourselves

Into something more palatable

Something we can get behind

A creation to endorse

Not this washed up, hopeless glob

Who passes as a decent human being

Because he has observed

He has monitored and absorbed

Learnt the tricks of the human trade

And daily puts them on parade

A puffed up monster

Selling cakes to the gullible

Like an ad man with no faith in the product

Produce art

Produce yourself

Symbiotic

Human shtick

YOUR GRANDKIDS WON’T BELIEVE YOU

Your grandkids won’t believe you

When you tell them about the world

And the way that it was once before

Let’s travel in time

A few decades hence

And see what you’ll have in store…

I don’t know where you get all this stuff

Now you’re old, don’t you get out enough?

I guess you must be bored

And feeling ignored

To invent all these wildlife bluffs

Well, I’ll go along

‘Cos I know it’ll amuse ya

And even though you’re wrong

And a fact pick and chooser

You are my grandad and I’ll cut you some slack

But you go too far sometimes and you ought to hold back

‘Cos people will think you’re mad

These things you call “birds”

They sound quite absurd

And I’m sorry if I can’t help but scoff

Just how would they work

With their twitters and chirps

And two little “wings” to hold them aloft

Creatures of the sky?

Oh grandad, you’ll make me cry!

The laughter is making my stomach hurt!

And however hard you try

To convince me they could fly

I note that your fictions have become quite overt

A “badger”? A “donkey”?

You must think my head’s wonky

A “ferret?” A “mouse”?

Nah, just leave it out!

You must think me naïve

If you think I’d believe

In these ludicrous animals

That you tell me about

And as for a “giraffe”

You’re having a laugh

A beast with a six foot long neck?!

That’s a design monstrosity

A total absurdity

And I demand that you take that one back

Reviews of Cruor (click for full version):

"‘Cruor’ is a great little poetry book by two British punks; both enraged yet hopeful, but expressive in very different poetic voices. Definitely pick this up if punk poetry is your jam." (The Screever)

"Two differing styles, both rooted in a tradition of challenging societal norms. Two writers who understand the disciplines required to effectively imbue their respective voices into the medium of poetry. By turns elemental, poignant, melancholic and absurd, this book is rich with the mosaic of life. If, like me, you have a strained, oftentimes sniffy relationship with poetry, I urge you to add this to your meagre collection. It’s for real." (Personal Punk)

"Across 59 poems you get to explore author, their insight, personal thought and simply the intimate world around us through their eyes and experience with greater landscapes also ventured. Both Dave Cullern and James Domestic also lead you to look at your own experiences and thoughts in many ways. You may share their anger, disappointment, joy and laughter with life and as we found will definitely find the richest enjoyment within Cruor." (The Ringmaster Review)