shit-fi

Shitgaze, as a neologism and a novum, is, of course, a gag. Minimal Western cultural experience is required to decode shitgaze as a joke at the expense of the musical subgenre of shoegaze, which is in itself a joke at the expense of the performance shortcomings of the bands that made up the shortlived Scene That Celebrates Itself — bands featuring guitarists who appeared to be gazing at their shoes while trying to replicate Kevin Shields sonic effects.

But these places are where the future leaks in. And, in fact, it took a science fiction writer of sorts to define the essential nature of the field and the correct response to those who maybe can’t really be bothered to step up to it and its needs: fuck you if you can’t take a joke.

-Warren Ellis