Saint Cash vs the world...

Johnny Cash might seem an unlikely punk rock icon, but a punk rock icon he certainly is.

I watched a great documentary about him the other night on the telly (not the film - canny wait tae see it though). I've seen it before, the night before the Mysterons recorded for the first time, but it really was worth a second coming. It had his kids talking about their paw, home video footage and even included the super intense video for his NIN cover Hurt. But I think Johnny’s appeal to us Gen X-ers is deeper than his music.

We've grown up into a culture of shallow entertainment. We have seen talent being undermined by self abasement. Cynical advertising necessitates that we filter information through a mental gauntlet of questions like what do you want from me? what’s the catch? We are surrounded by such a glut of choice that we have decided to only trust feelings and maths. We have been demoted from human beings to mere consumers. In this superficial environment its natural to look for something more substantial. More satisfying. More dignified. Something that’s stood the test of time. Something with a bit of integrity. A challenge even.

Cue Mr Cash.

He wuz/is one of the greats - and I reckon all the greats are equal parts prophet and pariah. He always said exactly what he thought. Then his deadpan-baritone-delivery-system (voice), got it straight into your head. His early days made the likes of GG Allen look like columnists for amateur nihilist weekly. Then he found Jesus in a cave whilst set to self destruct on speed. He retained his dignity when he publicly fell off the holy rolercoaster. Like king David of Israel (aye - the wan wi' Goliath), he admitted he was wrong and changed his ways. And from the Mississippi past through into the age of the samplers and drum machines he remained just a bloke with a guitar - authentic. Even his dress sense seemed honest (goths aint the first punters to favour black).

Johnny Cash makes sense to allot of people who cant make sense of much else. I think he embodies the antithesis of all that is wrong with our world. This is his rebellion. This is what attracts us... and Johnny Cash was attracted by Jesus.

So I reckon Johnny is indeed an icon. But I like to think he's more like the icons of the orthodox church than the fleeting dandies in Kerrrang and the NME. A heavenly figure. A brooding angel.

A crazy ass punk rawk preacher.