We are an independent media cooperative that consists of Profane Existence Records, Distribution and both print and online editions of Profane Existence Magazines. Profane Existence was founded in 1989 as a vehicle to promote the counter-cultural and activist aspects of the punk rock movement on an international scale. We rally to the cry of "Making punk a threat again" and believe that in order to strop living on your knees, you first gotta get off your ass.
Our His/Herstory
The Profane Existence Collective was formed in 1989 by group of people with the common goal of building a stronger and more politically active punk movement. As a collective, we are a small group of individuals that have joined together our ideas and abilities to work on numerous projects as part of a single entity, in an overall struggle against tyranny and oppression. Everyone likes to pigeonhole and this is how we prefer to look at ourselves: Our politics are anti-state and anti-oppression (anarchist if you prefer) and our community is from within the DIY ("Do It Yourself") punk rock movement?
Profane Existence Magazine
The most visible aspect of our work is the magazine "Profane Existence" which we have published over 50 issues since the collective first came together. The goal of our magazine is to spread communication of ideas and information, as well as help build a tighter, more politically active movement on an international level. The magazine is distributed worldwide through punk and underground channels, with a circulation of over 3,000 copies per issue, and is enjoyed not only by punks, but other people who are looking for alternative sources of news and information.
Other Collective Projects
While the magazine is our main networking and resource tool, we have undertaken a variety of other projects to help further supplement and strengthen the anarcho-punk community and reach out to and support other groups with similar ideas. Profane Existence Records aims to release the most cutting edge of anarcho-punk music and has successfully released over 50 titles for bands around the world. Our latest adventure is Loin Cloth Press which is a publishing and printing operation for literature and small informational pamphlets. And finally there is Profane Existence Distribution, which serves to spread materials produced within our movement, through an international distribution network outside the normal corporate channels. Our distribution is mainly in the form of a mailorder service (with a printed catalog and an “E-commerce” enabled web site), but we do some wholesale distribution as well
International Cooperation
In our efforts to help build the international DIY anarchist-punk movement, we have joined forces with many other like-minded people around the world. For example, we have teamed up with record labels from around the world to co-release DIY punk music, thus effectively joining efforts on several continents. We are also very interested in trading our music and print releases with other labels and publishers, to help spread and cross-pollinate the movement on an international level. We also continually highlight bands and struggles from around the world in both compilation music projects, as well as within the pages of our magazine.
Community Involvement
As a collective, Profane Existence is also involved in the community on a grass roots level. We have participated in organizing benefit events and projects for such groups the Mohawk Warriors of Oka, New York City and European squatters, Anti-Racist Action, TCAF (Twin Cities Anarchist Federation), and the Emma Center. In 1992, we co-published the first Book Your Own Fucking Life DIY networking resource magazine with Maximum Rocknroll. In 1994 we helped open Extreme Noise Records which is an all-volunteer run punk record store in Minneapolis. More recently, members of Profane Existence have help to start the Insurrecreation Center In Minneapolis; a community space for anarchist information and events such as weekly vegan meals, punk rock and hip-hop shows, political forums, benefit parties, and more. This space has since closed, but we continue to be active in promoting local activist events and locations. The collective has also been periodically involved with setting up educational forums, protest demonstrations, benefit events, and other informational events.
Prisoner Support and Solidarity
Another ongoing project of Profane Existence is our continued support of those imprisoned by the state. We regularly publish news and information on prisoner and prison-related struggles in each issue of Profane Existence. As well, generous contributions from our readers have allowed us to be able to send several hundred free copies of each issue directly to prisoners who cannot afford to pay for subscriptions. As well, Profane Existence regularly contributes copies of our magazine organizations like to the Books for Prisoners. The free-to-prisoners policy has been in-effect since the magazine began and has been one of the most successful ongoing benefit projects we have undertaken.
Cooperative Memberships
On May 1, 2008, The Profane Existence Collective decided to become a member-supported independent media cooperative. The actual day to day work and decisions are still undertaken by a collective organization, but we are supported financially be a larger cooperative membership organization. By becoming members our supporters are basically making a commitment to invest in the goods and service provided by Profane Existence. In return we are able to improve the quality and quantity of our services as well as pass on discounts for our products.