Dictionary of American History Book

Frank Owen's Clubland: The Fabulous Rise and Murderous Fall of Club Culture offers a far more objective version of the same events in James St. James' Party Monster. Though St. James had the benefit of having intimate involvement with Alig and company, Owen takes a more measured, journalistic tone. Beginning with an investigation into the drug Special K, Owen moves through the subculture to offer a broader context of the 1990s New York nightlife scene, with corruption and criminality evident at all levels of management of the clubs and entertainment, as personified by the four spotlighted here: Michael Alig, Peter Gatien, Lord Michael Caruso and Chris Paciello. All four were key figures in the nightclub scene, and each in their own unique way, deeply involved with the more criminal aspects that would eventually destroy the utopian club kids ideals. From drug dealing and taking, to mob connections, to robbery and ultimately murder, it's all here, albeit set against a colourful and glittering nocturnal backdrop.

Despite the journalistic approach Clubland is, mostly thanks to the behaviour of the people involved and those within their orbit, far from boring. It is more than a look at a particular subculture, instead delving into institutional corruption and wider cultural issues. But the main heartbreak, the crux of the drama is the descent from the possibility offered by such an open, accepting, creative and proud community to becoming one riddled by drug addiction and serious crimes. It's more than mainstream co-option of subcultural ideals, which is often disheartening enough, but here it is like the subculture is unable to handle what it offers and devours itself in the pursuit of these self-created ideals. This was a really fascinating book, and one that works well read in tandem with James St. James' memoir of the same era.

One minor quibble? For an exploration of a scene that was so garish, bright and visually interesting, Clubland could have benefited greatly from a photo insert.