Ian Svenonius

Ian Svenonius
Background information
Birth nameIan Folke Svenonius
Born (1968-06-01) June 1, 1968 (age 56)
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.[1]
GenresPunk rock, post-punk, indie rock
OccupationMusician
Instrument(s)Vocals
Trumpet
Years active1980–present
LabelsDischord Records
Drag City
K Records
Southern Records

Ian Folke Svenonius[2][3] is an American author, filmmaker, and musician with various Washington, D.C.–based punk bands including Nation of Ulysses, the Make-Up, Weird War, XYZ, Too Much, Escape-ism, and Chain & the Gang. Between his numerous projects, Svenonius has released more than 22 full-length albums and over 20 singles, EPs, and splits. A published author and online talk show host, Svenonius' projects share a tongue-in-cheek, radical left political ideology.

His first band, Nation of Ulysses, which released its first record in 1990, was highly influential in the punk scene but dissolved in 1992. After a short-lived side-project called Cupid Car Club, Svenonius formed the Make-Up in 1995, who combined garage rock, soul, and liberation theology to make a new genre they dubbed "Gospel Yeh-Yeh".[4] The Make-Up disbanded early in 2001, and a year later, Svenonius formed the band Weird War, who were also known briefly as the Scene Creamers. Later Svenonius led the band Chain and the Gang. Currently, Svenonius is the leader of the group Escape-ism.

In 2021, Svenonius co-released a feature film called "The Lost Record," named for the Escape-ism LP of the same name.

Svenonius' solo work includes the 2001 album Play Power under the fictional pseudonym of David Candy,[5] the books The Psychic Soviet,[6] Supernatural Strategies for Making a Rock 'n' Roll Group, Censorship Now!!, & Against the Written Word, and as host of Soft Focus on VBS.tv.[7]

  1. ^ Danger Mike, Jesse Rockoff (DJ Mark Foley), Ian Svenonius (2006-10-30). "10-3-06 Ian Svenonius / The Make-Up". The Make-Up. Washington, D.C. Radio CPR. 97.5 FM.
  2. ^ Zachary Lipez (20 November 2017). "Ian Svenonius, Rock N' Roll Insurrectionist". Vice Magazine. Retrieved 20 November 2017.
  3. ^ "ULYTHIUM". ASCAP. American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
  4. ^ Gale, Thomas (2005). "The Make-Up Biography". eNotes. Retrieved 2007-06-13.
  5. ^ Ashlock, Jesse. "David Candy". Epitonic Records. Archived from the original on September 30, 2007. Retrieved 2007-01-15.
  6. ^ Malitz, David (May 2007). "Ian Svenonius – Editorial Review". Washington Post. Retrieved 2007-06-03.
  7. ^ "NEW YORK – Soft Focus With Ian Svenonius". Vice. 2006-09-16. Archived from the original on 2011-09-29.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)