James Domestic

DOMESTICATED VOL.2

Third book of poetry, and the second one in the 'Domesticated' series. Published by Earth Island Books.

Here's the blurb off the back page...and some nice words from Dick Lucas, Mark Grist, Nathan Brown, and Attila The Stockbroker...then grab a copy here.

In the second Domesticated instalment, East Anglian punk poet, James Domestic, is once again taking potshots at work, so-called-punk-rock, outdoor and indoor pursuits, aging, right wing lunatics, politics, feet, and himself. As if that wasn’t enough, you’ll also find his trademark surrealism, sarcasm, and quintessentially British whimsy applied to animals, emails, food, and the power of music, alongside his idiosyncratic illustrations, and photographs from his murky past.

A man in too many bands to count, a solo artist, a vocalist, a songwriter, a DJ, a poet, a painter, and a punk. James Domestic failed miserably at school through the distractions of music, alcohol, and girls, spent his early post-school life between the chemical factory and the dole, and somehow now has a PhD. A square peg in life’s round hole. A face that never fitted. He couldn’t care less. Come along for the ride.

“Words that bite, belch, and bleed in their brilliance” (Mark Grist, multi-award-winning poet and battle rapper)

“A unique collection of poetic ventures into the human condition, with humour, anger, and a canny use of language: inspired and inspiring!” (Dick Lucas, Subhumans, Culture Shock etc.)

“A sardonic, sarcastic wit, a penchant for the surreal, and a dynamic pace” (Nathan Brown, Louder Than War)

“Relentless” (Attila the Stockbroker, social surrealist poet and songwriter)

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DOMESTICATED VOL.1

Second book of poetry. Envisioned as Part One of a three volume series.

As well as the poetry and prose, there are edited photographs and illustrations to accompany the words.

Published by the excellent Earth Island Books, you can grab a copy here for just £9.99!

Here's the blurb off the back:

In this often witty, sometimes furious, sometimes downright surreal collection, James Domestic does – as per usual – whatever the hell he likes, with poetry, prose, lyrics, illustrations, and edited photos all thrown into the mix with abandon. Punk, politics, habit, the nature of work, the environment, nostalgia, aging, and some quintessentially British whimsy, all crammed in together like a last minute bag hurriedly packed for tour. But it works. Somehow.

A man in too many bands to count (The Domestics, PI$$ER, Da Groins, Tokyo Lungs…that’s not even half of ‘em), a solo artist, a vocalist, a songwriter, a DJ, a poet, a painter, someone who failed miserably at school, spent his early post-school life between the chemical factory and the dole, and somehow now has a PhD (yep, it’s genuinely Dr Domestic!). A square peg in life’s round hole. A face that never really fitted. He couldn’t care less. Come along for the ride.

I've been reading a few excerpts on my Instagram, which you can check out here.

Check out the blog updates on the home page for live spoken word dates.

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CRUOR

Dave Cullern & James Domestic 'split' book!

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.

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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)