Genesis Breyer P-Orridge (1950 – 2020)

Even if you live under a rock, you know about COVID-19. While the pandemic is taking hold of the U.S., news of a different sort was reported. On March 14, 2020, Genesis P-Orridge, best known for S/Her work with Coum Transmissions, Throbbing Gristle, Psychic TV, T.O.P.Y., and the Pandrogeny Project, passed away. P-Orridge was 70.

Genesis Breyer P-Orridge. During the “Good Vibrations/Godstar” era. 1950 – 2020.

Love and/or hate the person, Genesis P-Orridge was many: performance artist, musician, occultist, ‘cult/anti-cult’ leader, archivist, author, poet. To simplify, let’s just say Genesis was a life long agent provocateur. The word boundaries wasn’t in Gen’s vocabulary. With that, P-Orridge not only broke them, but influenced generations of other fringe creators in the process.

Genesis P- Orridge did more in a day than most people achieve in a lifetime. For me personally, through Gen, I learned about mail art, William S Burroughs, Brion Gysin, Alister Crowley, the occult, cult philosophies, tattoos, body modification, and numerous other sub-cultures and  ‘alternative lifestyles.’ Mind you, this is only scratching the surface.

It’s going to take more than one blog post to explain the impact of Genesis P-Orridge. To those who only follow mainstream personalities, it doesn’t mean anything. For those who explore a bit deeper, P-Orridge was always in the background. If it wasn’t for S/He’s first band Throbbing Gristle, there would be no bands such as Nine Inch Nails.

Psychic TV. During the “Acid House” era. (1988 – 1992) This lineup consisted of Paula P-Orrdidge/Alaura O’Dell and Fred Giannelli.

Most people aren’t saints. Genesis P-Orridge had more than S/Her share of detractors. There was abuse allegations from former associates. Cosey Fan Tutti, former band mate with Throbbing Gristle, and former girlfriend, details some offenses in her autobiography Art Sex Music. (In S/His defense, Gen was quoted in The New York Times:  “Whatever sells a book sells a book.” You can also read more here.) After divorcing S/Her’s first wife, Paula (now known as Alaura O’ Dell), Gen pretty much erased Paula’s history from the Psychic TV back catalog. Paula and Gen reconnected later on, healing some wounds. Finally, Fred Giannelli could spare a few choice words.

British sensationalist article damning Psychic TV during the ‘Satantic Panic’ era. These allegations sent Genesis P-Orridge and the family into exile. Later they settled in California, U.S.A.

Despite this, Gen continued to evolve and shape shift. After being exiled from S/His native U.K., Gen met Jackie Breyer, a.k.a, Lady Jaye. Lady Jaye became his second wife. Together they embarked on the Pandrogeny Project. They each had plastic surgeries to resemble one another, creating a ‘third sex.’ It’s from this point Gen switched the pro-nouns from “he” to “S/He”, “She” and “They.” The union didn’t last. In 2007, Lady Jaye dropped her body. The cause of death was stomach cancer. Gen continued the Pandrogeny project after Lady Jaye’s passing.

Genesis Breyer P-Orridge and second wife, Lady Jaye.

As with other chapters within Gen’s life, S/He continued to rise above the ashes. In the later part of Gen’s life, Gen continued with yet another version of Psychic TV, aka, PTV3. S/He received accolades with museum exhibits, spoken word performances,  and acknowledgments from younger bands.

PTV3. Psychic TV, later years. 2008 onwards. 

Unfortunately Gen contracted leukemia. Due to health issues, Gen mostly retired from creating music, with the occasional gig here and there. Gen fell in love again, this time with a much younger woman. A 28 year old lady from Granada, named Susanna. Gen nicknamed her ‘Susan Atkins/Hamburger Lady.’ (Hamburger Lady was previously a Throbbing Gristle song.) The public view of Gen was documented on S/He’s Instagram account, Pandrogyne. Gen and the ‘Hamburger Lady’ were engaged before Gen’s passing.

 Gen’s last partner, alias ‘Susan Atkins/Hamburger Lady.’ Photo from ‘Susan Atkins”s Instagram account. 

This blog entry focused more on the personal aspects of Gen’s personal life. To document all of Gen’s work, the final version would be the size of a encyclopedia. Regardless of one’s involvement, hypothesis, or what have you, Genesis P-Orridge left an undeniable imprint. The sub-cultural influences will continue for years after S/He’s passing; similar to two of Gen’s own influences, William S. Burroughs, and Byron Gysin. Like David Bowie, S/He opened a gateway for many. It is this, that I personally thank Gen for all of the Occulture sensibilities I still sustain.  Even recently, thanks to Gen’s Instagram, I discovered artist Hermann Nitsch. In a way, Gen never stopped giving. May Gen find peace after dropping the body, going on to S/He’s Greater Feast. Here’s to Ov Power.

(Haven’t drawn the Psychick Cross in aeons) The Psychick Cross, symbol/sigil associated with Genesis P-Orridge/Psychic TV. Created in tribute to GPO, who recently dropped S/Her body. March 2020 by Michele Witchipoo. 

*Mostly likely, additional blog posts about Genesis P-Orridge. 

Additional Links:

COUM Transmissions

Cosey Fan Tutti 

RE/Search – Modern Primitives

Another New Yorker article on Genesis P-Orridge – 2016

MUSE article

Dias Records – PTV3

Pandrogeny I & II – L.A. Times Article 

Thee Psychick Bible

AIN 23

Thee Temple Ov Psychick Youth Documentary

Happy Twenty Three

As of this posting, it’s July 23rd, 2014. For some people, the number 23 holds a special meaning. Otherwise known as the ’23 Enigma.’

It’s been a very long time since I’ve done anything, art or writing wise relating to 23. It’s been a while since I’ve done anything relating to esoteric for that matter. (Stopped being active back in 2009) When I first started putting together my own self publish comics and illustration, I threw in a lot of symbolism. The number 23 was occasionally used.

I first heard of the 23 engima thanks to Re/Search Books back in the early ’90s. My first Re/Search book was ‘Modern Primatives‘ which talked about body modification and tattoo culture. This was way before the two subjects hit the mainstream. Inside the book was an interview with Genesis P-Orridge and his then-wife Paula P-Orridge (first wife). Genesis mentions the number 23 and the William S. Burroughs connection within this interview. This interview was also the first time I had learned about Aleister Crowley. So in a way, this was a portal of sorts.

Subconsciously, I noticed the number 23 more. My curiosity got the better of me, so I requested some information about T.O.P.Y. This is dating back to 1991 or 1992. When I received the magazine sized zine, it came with instructions on how to join TOPY. However at the time, despite the fact that I had already self-taught myself how to read tarot, and had dabbled slightly, this particular information was all a bit too heavy for me to deal with. My interest in anything occultist was pushed aside my until the early 2000’s.

Fast forward to the year 2006. I was in Lawrence, Kansas where William S. Burroughs spent the last ten years of his life. On an impulse I got a small tattoo of the number 23 on my inner right wrist.

These links might help explain the 23 enigma more here and here.

Ending this post is are old sketches. The first one is from 2005, very Psychic TV/TOPY influenced.  Looking back, I regret not initially going forward with the early instructions. Then again, I just wasn’t ready.

Psychic Kali by Michele Witchipoo, done back in 2005.

The second one was started in 2007 and completed in 2008. Believe this was published by AIN23 in 2009 or 2010. Would have to check up on that. In the meantime, enjoy and happy 23.

Chaos Mama by Michele Witchipoo back in early 2008.