FREAK
FREAK
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FREAK
Written and Illustrated by Brianna Spause
FREAK
Copyright Š 2015 Brianna Spause
All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the publisher. Artwork by Brianna Spause Design by Brianna Spause Text composition by Brianna Spause Digital transcription by Brianna Spause Hosted on www.issuu.com Printed in Philadelphia by DocuCare
WARNING: A COLLECTION OF CHARACTERS IS WHAT YOU’LL FIND IN THIS BOOK, IF YOU HAVE A STRONG STOMACH, PLEASE TAKE A LOOK.....
FREAK
For the “weird kids” We all fit in somewhere.
FREAK
FREAK ` /frek/
(n) a person or animal on exhibition as an example of a strange deviation from nature;
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CONTENTS
Know Your Freakshow...10 Olde City Sideshow...16 The Enigma...24 Coney Island RockNRoll Road Show...36 The Squidling Brothers...52 Pain Solution...66 SwingShift Sideshow...74 Titano Oddfellow...82 Special Thanks...94 FREAK
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KNOW YOUR FREAKSHOW
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NATURAL BORN
Penguin Boy, born without arms
Natural born freaks are a prize in the world of sideshow, often the highest paid member of the cast. These performers were born different, a true oddity if you will. Dreamland Circus, the first American sideshow that originated in Coney Island, NY, began as a collection of human curiosities.
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SELF-MADE
A self-made freak is a dedicated performer that had changed their body in a permanent way. Body modifications often include tattoos, piercings and skin stretching. These freaks have made the decision to join the show for a lifetime, and are often referred to as human marvels.
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Scarlet Checkers, Contortionist
Matterz and Jellyboy, Squidling Brothers Circus Sideshow
Joe Lunchbox, Ringleader
Scarlett Storm, Clown Burlesque
WORKING ACTS
A working act is a skilled performer whose attraction is a learned skill. Classic working acts include sword swallowing, the human blockhead, fire eating and more.
Johnny Foodstamps, Musician
Pain Solution, Human Pincushion
Kelvikta the Blade and Andrew, SwingShift Sideshow
Reggie Bugmuncher and Danny Borneo, Olde City Sideshow
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ALIVE, ON STAGE 14 |
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Olde City Sideshow Founded in 2006 Based in Philadelphia, PA Working Acts Reggie Bugmuncher and Danny Borneo Villain Arts Tattoo Convention Pennsylvania Convention Center February 13, 2015
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Danny Borneo
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Reggie Bugmuncher
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The Enigma
Began body modification in 1992 Globe Traveler Human Oddity Villain Arts Tattoo Convention Pennsylvania Convention Center February 13, 2015 24 |
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Nikon D3200
021315- Philadelphia Tattoo Convention
Nikon D3200
021315- Philadelphia Tattoo Convention
Nikon D3200
021315- Philadelphia Tattoo Convention 34 |
020115- Philadelphia Tattoo Convention
Nikon D3200
021315- Philadelphia Tattoo Convention
Nikon D3200
021315- Philadelphia Tattoo Convention
Nikon D3200
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Coney Island RockNRoll Road Show Founded in 2007 Annual Road Show Working Acts, Burlesque, Live Music Cut Throat, Scarlett Storm, Johnny Foodstamps, Jessie Ray Carter Trio Connies Ric Rac March 15, 2015
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Cut Throat
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Scarlett Storm’s #Offi cialClownBusiness
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Johnny Foodstamps (Uke Nasty) FREAK
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Nikon D80
031515_Coney Island Rock n’ Roll Road Show
Nikon D80
031515_Coney Island Rock n’ Roll Road Show
Nikon D80
031515_Coney Island Rock n’ Roll Road Show 50 |
031515_Coney Island Rock n’ Roll Road Show
Nikon D80
031515_Coney Island Rock n’ Roll Road Show
Nikon D80
031515_Coney Island Rock n’ Roll Road Show
Nikon D80
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SQUIDLING BROTHERS
WITH SPECIAL GUEST, FIBI EYEWALKER
Founded in 2004 Based in Philadelphia, PA Working Acts Jelly Boy the Clown, Matterz Squidling Circus Convergence III Connies Ric Rac April 21, 2015
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Fibi Eyewalker FREAK
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Pain Solution Founded in 1994 Based in Oslo, Norway Working Act The Headmaster Circus Convergence III Connies Ric Rac April 21, 2015
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SwingShift Sideshow
Founded in 2003 Based in Las Vegas, NV Working Acts Andrew S. and Kelvikta The Blade Circus Convergence III Connies Ric Rac April 21, 2015
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S.
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Kelvikta The Blade | 77
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Titano Oddfellow Guinness World Record Holder Based in Philadelphia, PA Human Oddity; Strong Man Circus Convergence III Connies Ric Rac April 21, 2015
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CAST OF CIRCUS CONVERGENCE III
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FREAK
Nikon D3100
042115_Circus Convergence III
Nikon D3100
042115_Circus Convergence III
Nikon D3100
042115_Circus Convergence III 92 |
042115_Circus Convergence III
Nikon D3100
042115_Circus Convergence III
Nikon D3100
042115_Circus Convergence III
Nikon 3100
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T
he magic began in a West Kensington warehouse, between four walls of wire sculpture, littered with menacing-looking tools. At the end of a short trip down a dimly lit Arizona Avenue, Frankie Bones was waiting at the door. It was a smooth exchange as he plucked the payment from my grip and left me with a big fat “X” on my fist. It was in September, 2014, the first time I had even caught wind of the intoxicating scene that Philadelphia has pinned down. As I sat on the oil-stained concrete of a metal workshop to witness Carnivolution, an ongoing production of the Squidling Brothers, I had no idea what I was in for. The show was gut wrenching, overtly sexual, and at times, hard to watch. The crazy thing is, I couldn’t look away. It was swift and without resistance, I had been sucked in. Between cigarettes on a crisp night in March, Jeremy of the Cut Throat Freak Show summed up my newfound fascination simply - clearly nothing was new here. “There’s a lot of vicarious living that goes on here,” he exhaled coolly. Although eating fire does sound exhilarating, it is not a performer to which I desired to be. From the moment you walk into a Sideshow, you are flirting with pure, unadulterated freedom. To live a life on the road, to embrace the inevitable truth that we are all a little strange, and to get up on stage to do what you love, now that’s a lifestyle I could get behind. Upon reflection, it truly is an honor sit back in the audience and merely exist while a friendly face jams a nail up his nose - just to make you laugh. ‘Freak’ has been an exploration of an ancient art in a modern city, and a true pleasure. To all of the incredible humans I have met, thank you for sharing with me a piece of yourself. And to the Squidling Brothers – this project would not have been possible without you; thank you for teaching me how wonderful weird can be. - Brianna Spause
Photo courtesy of Charles Cerrone
FREAK