Modern Drunkard Magazine
 Cover of the May 2003 issue of Modern Drunkard Magazine | |
| Type | Bi-monthly magazine |
|---|---|
| Format | Broadsheet |
| Publisher | Frank Kelly Rich |
| Editor | Frank Kelly Rich |
| Founded | 1996 |
| Headquarters | Denver, Colorado |
| Official website | Modern Drunkard |
Modern Drunkard Magazine is a bi-monthly glossy color periodical promoting the "functional alcoholic's" lifestyle.[1] Created in 1996, it has slowly gained notoriety, and currently enjoys a circulation of roughly 50,000. The magazine's creator, Frank Kelly Rich, is also listed as the publisher/editor.[1] Based in Denver, Colorado, Modern Drunkard runs advertisements from bars in Denver, Minneapolis, Las Vegas and Philadelphia as well as companies selling drinking supplies.
The theme of the magazine − a celebration of alcohol and the seemingly bohemian lifestyles of functional alcoholics − runs counter to the message of moderation commonly found in mainstream America: regular features include "Alcocomics − Cartoons for the sober challenged," "Post Cards from Skid Row" (featuring poetry written by and/or for the inebriated), "Wino Wisdom," and "You Know You're a Drunkard When..." The magazine also features meticulously researched articles on alcohol's place in history, including such topics as the Whiskey Rebellion and President Franklin D. Roosevelt's love of the martini.
Occasionally the magazine will expand on its regular "Booze in the News" feature to focus on a particular alcohol-related issue, such as the shrinking proof of a bottle of Jack Daniel's or MADD's definition of an "alcohol-related driving fatality."
The magazine's artistic style is reminiscent of popular 1950s "men's action" pulp periodicals, with artwork depicting tough, lantern-jawed men and sultry, buxom women.[1]
Modern Drunkard's rebellious standard features a martini glass with an olive above two crossed swords. Three letters, M, D and M, appear on the flag and stand for "Modern Drunkard Magazine."
The magazine's website sells paraphernalia bearing its logo and/or phrases related to the magazine itself and to the liberal consumption of alcohol.
Famed industrial and noise musician Boyd Rice is a current staff writer for the magazine.
Modern Drunkard conventions
Beginning in 2004, Modern Drunkard Magazine has begun sponsoring an annual convention for readers and staff. Events include live music, independent films, live burlesque, seminars, interviews and drinking games, all accompanied by bar service and many free drink promotions. The inaugural 2004 convention, held at the Stardust Casino in Las Vegas, reportedly broke the casino's record for the amount of money brought in at a bar during a private event.
The magazine started releasing print issues again in the first quarter of 2011 and the magazine's official website shows the release schedule once again. The Modern Drunkard IRC chatroom remains an active communication channel along with the official forums.
Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 David Kelly (2011-06-24). "Homage to boozers: Bimonthly magazine unabashedly celebrates the pleasures and virtues of heavy drinking while defending drunks as an 'oppressed minority'". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 2011-10-20.
External links
- Modern Drunkard official site
- Profile on Frank Kelly Rich
- Article on Jack Daniel's controversy in USA Today