Distort XXIII Vol. 6: G.R.

G.R.(Cabramaverick 2) is the second print collection of Drew Bennett's photography, entirely focused on model and muse Garry Ryan. I have been wanting to collaborate with Drew for years. I always loved his photography of Sydney hardcore and low life. His writing is also fantastic, reminding me of something like Houellebecq or Celine, a gritty immersion into decadence, perversion and scum. Also, Oily Boys LP is the greatest Australian hardcore record.

From the intro:

I first met Garry when he was 17 and playing in a band in Port Macquarie. He was nervous so was drinking before they played and hit the drums either so badly or hard his hands and the kit were covered in blood. I thought it was psycho. Garry would become one of my closest friends pretty quickly after that. He has taught me a lot about life and without him I don’t know where I would be. Garry has pushed me to be the best person I can be.

I don’t think people know Garry grew up in housing commission in West Sydney. He’s one of the nicest people you will ever meet but is also not afraid to lay someone out if they deserve it. I’ve seen him drill a fair few people. He’s punched me in the head a few times actually. The first time he did I’d put sunscreen in a water pistol and sprayed in on his face in his sleep, full well knowing he would absolutely fucking hate it. He shot out of bed and punched me in the mouth and I think he must have seen the fear in my eyes when he just seethed at me “never again”. 

Card cover with lino cut print, numbered individually /23.

Printing Feb '24.

Distort mag started in 2003 to document kvlt hardcore and World War III. The contents of Distort have been dominated by impulse, excess, insomnia, stimulation. No editor, no proofread, no nerd.

Out of the 2000+ pages published over the past couple of decades I am skimming the C.R.E.A.M. into an archival book.

I'm raising funds to print this by making backissues available again via PDF here.

I'm also kicking off a project called the XXIII Project, of which this is the eighth volume.

XXIII will publish 23 mags total. These will be available only in two editions of 23 copies each.

The first edition I will be selling via Prop, Lulu's and the Distort mailorder (here).

The second edition was a unique subscription edition to this project. Now sold out.