The Process was the apocalyptic shadow side of the flower-powered 60s and perhaps the most notorious cult of modern times. Timothy Wyllie was the first member and the art director of the cult’s magazine. The group’s apocalyptic theology brought on accusations of sinister conspiracies as scores of black-cloaked devotees swept the streets of London, NY, New Orleans and other cities selling magazines with titles likes Love, Fear, Sex and Death. Timothy Wyllie is the author of Love, Sex, Fear, Death published by Feral House.
Wow. This was a pleasure to watch. I?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢ve encountered tidbits of information about the Process since I first became interested in such things ten years ago. They seemed so controversial that I always took everything with a grain of salt. It?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s interesting how much of a lingering influence they have had through the years. I seem to recall Process imagery appearing on records by Psychic TV, Ministry and Skinny Puppy. What inspired them? I?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢d like to know.
Nice interview. I can tell you have a level of respect for Tim, yet refuse to let him off the hook about the more outlandish aspects of the Chrurch. His book is very informative and answers a lot of questions that weren’t readily available to the average student of comparative religious study/modern religious movements.
Keep it coming Metzger.
Sep 17, 2009
DStroire says:
Thanks Yukbon ?¢‚Ǩ‚Äú that clears up Skinny Puppy’s part of the picture. If my photo-memory serves me well, TOPY was fond of juxtaposing images of Chuck Manson’s face with the Process Cross. Apparently G P-O was keen on the idea of a Process-Family link, even if those involved were not.
Sep 21, 2009
Arachne Frobo says:
That was a weird ending…that last minute cut was a tad abrupt. What happened there, Richie ? Was there much more footage ? You we’re kind of soft and light. Crank it up ! Remember when J. Lydon was doing those 3 hr interviews from his living room in lA. Now THAT was internet ! It’s not that “Manson did it because of the Process church.” C’mon, Richard, stop playing the dummy. It’s that some of Scientology’s (Navy intell guys, remember ?) techniques and one of it’s descendants, the Process church, we’re being used to seduce and take advantage of people to different ends. Like, for example, say, you’re trying to get your record produced/distributed or like ,say, doing drugs and/or having sex with a group of people who you think might come up with some cool, innovative ideas (you know…like the Warhol’s extended media power-tribe) and then someone from that group of people maybe getting you a show with some bored-jaded, wealthy moffo/whack financier guy who’s just too ahead of the industry concept curve and then the whole culture goes oddly reactionary so the funding dries up ....Yea, that’s it. Like in a PK Dick novel or something…Yea….
Great interview. Timothy Wyllie, Adam Parfrey, and Feral House come to NYC October 4th for a “Sabbath Assembly Ritual and Salon” at Anthology Film Archives—simulating an actual Process Church ritual from the 60s with a live band performing actual Process Church hymns. They’re also headed to Philadelphia 10/3 and Portland 10/4. Details here: http://feralhouse.com/fh_blog/archives/2009/09/process_church_1.php
