Chris Desjardins (The Flesh Eaters) | Part 2

In this episode:

“We’ve turned out something I think that’s even stronger than what we did when we were younger.”

In Part 2 of this conversation, Chris Desjardins (Chris D.) joins Jessica Schwartz and Tequila Mockingbird to reflect on creativity across a lifetime—moving among music, poetry, politics, film, recovery, and the ongoing work of making meaning through art.

Chris discusses his relationship to the Gun Club and Jeffrey Lee Pierce, the possibilities and limitations of political art, and why he increasingly understands punk less as a musical category than as an attitude grounded in honesty. From protest songs and cut-up poetry to the evolving sound of Divine Horsemen, the conversation considers how artists can respond to their historical moment without allowing their work to become trapped within it.

The conversation then turns toward recovery, aging, depression, persistence, and creative renewal. Chris reflects on refusing to be demoralized, returning repeatedly to music and writing, publishing books, and finding ways to keep working without becoming overwhelmed by what remains unfinished. Tequila joins the conversation to discuss writing, self-publishing, film, technology—and, eventually, the value of having a pet.

Chris Desjardins, also known as Chris D., is a writer, musician, poet, critic, and filmmaker best known as the founder, vocalist, songwriter, and driving creative force behind the influential Los Angeles punk band the Flesh Eaters. Deeply connected to the first wave of the L.A. punk scene, he contributed to Slash magazine and has worked across music, poetry, prose, film criticism, and programming. His musical work has moved among punk, blues, roots music, and darker strains of American music, and he has also led and recorded with Divine Horsemen.

Recorded October 2020.

Content note: This episode includes discussion of addiction and suicide.

Links + References:

Perfect Sound Forever: Chris D, Flesh Eaters, Divine Horsemen

The Flesh Eaters - Superior Viaduct

Slash Magazine Archive

Credits:

Punkast is hosted and produced by Jessica Schwartz.

Co-hosted and guest produced by Tequila Mockingbird

Editorial support: Arrow Menendez– audio editing, episode notes, and audio-synced transcript.

Transcript:

Audio-synced transcript

Theme Music:

Lady Bits, "Bitch-a-thon," Lady Bits.

Related:

Jessica Schwartz co-hosts the Punk Scholars Podcast.

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